Hong Kong: Passenger jailed for CBD possession

An incoming passenger to Hong Kong has been sentenced at the West Kowloon Magistrates Courts to two months imprisonment for being in possession of cannabidiol (CBD) and other drugs.

The 32-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from the United States on March 29. During customs clearance, two bottles of personal care products containing what officers suspected to be CBD were found in her luggage.

Officers also seized about 2.2g of suspected ketamine, concealed in a glass container, and 10 syringes they suspected were intended for the injection of a dangerous drug. The woman was subsequently arrested.

The Government Laboratory later confirmed a total of about 5g of CBD was contained in the two bottles, while the other substance seized was indeed ketamine.

The woman was sentenced after being convicted on two counts of possession of a dangerous drug and one of possession of equipment intended for the injection of a dangerous drug, in contravention of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.

Customs welcomed the sentence, which marks the first time an offender has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment since CBD was listed as a dangerous drug under the Ordinance on February 1.

Suspected drug trafficking activities should be reported online, via Customs' 24-hour hotline, on 2545 6182, or by email to its dedicated crime-reporting email account.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Photo: The Canadian Press The Metis Nation of Alberta is celebrating the birth of two bison calves at a cultural park northeast of Edmonton. The new additions at Metis Crossing come after 20 wood bison were transferred to the traditional lands last year from Elk Island National Park. Bison at Metis Crossing Wildlife Park in Alberta are shown in a handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Olivia Bako/Metis Nation of Alberta

The Metis Nation of Alberta is celebrating the birth of two bison calves at a cultural park northeast of Edmonton.

The new additions at Metis Crossing come after 20 wood bison were transferred to the traditional lands last year from Elk Island National Park.

It had been around 160 years since the animals lived there before they were reintroduced to the area in 2021.

Metis Nation president Audrey Poitras says the return of bison to the region marks a milestone in reconciliation.

She says the animals were nearly driven to extinction by settlers, forcing bison hunts to stop.

The calves will live among a herd of wood and plains bison, as well as 25 elk and 20 horses that roam the grounds.

The birth of these calves is historic for Metis citizens in Alberta, Poitras said.

Metis Nation of Alberta co-ordinated the transfer of the bison to help conserve the animals and for cultural revitalization.

Juanita Marois, the CEO of Metis Crossing, says bison play a significant role in Metis culture.

Bison were a vital food source for Metis peoples and communal bison hunts were Metis tradition and formed the bedrock of Metis society, said Marois in a news release Thursday.

It was at these gatherings that Metis democratic and judicial systems developed through Laws of the Buffalo Hunt. The loss of the bison was felt deeply by Metis peoples, so to play a role in their reintroduction to these traditional lands is significant.
Journalists from all over the world, people are dying a few kilometers away from you! UJA

China supports sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia: Deputy Foreign Minister

Russia says new grain deal with Turkey is possible

Aliyev threatens Armenia

Prime Minister Pashinyan receives Igor Khovaev

Aliyev hurries to sign peace treaty with Armenia

Aliyev announces mass settlement of occupied part of Artsakh

Supply of dairy products to Artsakh no longer possible

Armenia agrees to meeting of FMs in Moscow

Aliyev once again rattles with arms

Lavrov, Bayramov discuss normalization of Azerbaijani-Armenian relations

Aliyev confirms upcoming Moscow meeting of Azerbaijan, Armenia FMs

Erdogan hopes for continued grain deal with Russia

A legal solution acceptable for Armenia and Russia will be found: Arshakyan on Armenias joining Rome Statute

38th sitting of Inter-Parliamentary Committee on Armenian-Russian Cooperation will be held in Dilijan

Ardshinbank terminates operations with the Unistream money transfer system

Immediate measures should be taken to unblock the Lachin corridor - Lukashevich

Aliyev's latest visit to occupied Armenian Shushi

Azerbaijan is holding a media forum in occupied Armenian Shushi

The Lachin Corridor should be opened immediately - Matthew Miller

Artsakh parliament calls on Armenia to ask UN to grant international mandate to peacekeepers

Russias Federal Council urges Armenian MPs to consider risks of Armenias joining the Rome Statute

Armenian and Azerbaijani deputy PMs will meet in different parts of border each time. Sputnik Armenia

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)
The Institute for Citizens & Scholars has named Emory College historian Chris Suh as one of 10 Mellon Emerging Faculty Leaders (MEFL) for 2023.

The MEFL is one of the most prestigious awards available for early-career scholars. Suhs selection comes just weeks after he published his first book, The Allure of Empire, which charts U.S. ideas about imperialism and race in the Pacific from 1900 through World War II and the impact of those ideas on American and East Asian politics.

The award will support Suhs next book, a continuation of his research that examines how Asian and Asian Americans shaped the United States from the 1940s through the 1960s. It also bolsters his efforts to make Emory a more inclusive campus community, especially through his work with undergraduate students.

I have been very energized by the support Ive received from the Emory administrators, my colleagues and our students, Suh says. I am very grateful and humbled that my labor is being recognized.

Suh is Emorys first recipient of the MEFL award, which has supported more than 70 junior faculty leaders in the humanities and social sciences since 2015.

The honor comes with a $17,500 stipend. Suh plans to put the funding toward hiring undergraduate researchers who enhance his research and teaching.

Deboleena Roy, senior associate dean of faculty for Emory College, nominated Suh as the perfectly suited candidate for the recognition.

In the short time that he has been here, Dr. Suh has proven himself to be a dedicated faculty leader in college-wide diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, both through his research and his teaching, Roy says.

Students and faculty clearly recognize the important voice he lends to enacting institutional change, she adds.

Using personal experience to establish his path

Suhs interest in interrogating the policies that perpetuate racism stems from his own experiences.

When his father returned to their native South Korea after a medical school sabbatical, Suh and his mother stayed in Baltimore so he could complete high school. When he realized his mother had managed to remain in the U.S. by enrolling in a Catholic college, Suh wanted to understand the political policies that created such an avenue and, with it, shaped the myth that Asians and Asian Americans are more intelligent or diligent than other marginalized groups.

He found not only decades of immigration law that prioritized the hyper-educated but also cultural influences that prompted Asian Americans to see the world through an American lens.

Yun Chi-ho, Emorys first international graduate (in 1893) and a Korean activist who supported Japanese imperialism, serves as an important example of that behavior, as Suh describes in his book.

We have forgotten there was a strong incentive to embrace imperialism because that is what the United States respected, Suh says. The idea of living in the progressive imperialism of the U.S. or Japan was appealing at the time for many people. Only in hindsight is it concerning.

Expanding student perspectives as a teacher and mentor

The research into Chi-ho helped guide Suh to Emory, where he decided to enlist students in his courses to help recover the universitys Asian American history.

Annie Li 22C was a sophomore trying to envision a career path when she sought Suhs advice while taking one of his introductory Asian American history courses.

His conversation and recommended reading list helped her pursue a career path in humanities research.

Suh later taught Li in his graduate-level seminar and became the advisor for her honors thesis, which examined the motivations of Chinese American activists from San Franciscos Presbyterian Church in Chinatown (PCC) who participated in the Civil Rights Movement in the South and the Asian American Movement in the West.

Li is now expanding on that research as a Marshall Scholar working toward a masters degree in theology at the University of Oxford.

If Dr. Suh didnt come to Emory, I wouldnt have had the opportunity to go deep intellectually into this field of study and time period, says Li, who made time for lunch with Suh during a recent Atlanta trip. You can see how much he has done for students, scholarship and Emory.

Suh won the Emory College Award for Academic Advising in 2022, just his third year on campus. Among those he mentored were Li, Luce Scholar Yaza Sarieh 20C, and Mikko Biana 21C.

As an international studies major, Biana registered for Suhs course mainly out of curiosity about his own Filipino heritage.

The class gave him a new perspective, exposing him to the traditional solidarity among Asian, African American and Latin activists, both nationally and on campus. Biana also interviewed Stephen Chen 95C 00L for Suhs side project, the legacy of Emorys Asian American activism, which the MEFL will advance.

Chen, the co-founder of Emorys Students in Alliance for Asian American Concerns, shared the struggles in uniting several groups that remain active on campus today.

Biana incorporated some of those takeaways  the need for resilience and building on historical work  in his 2021 Emory College Orator Address.

Suh also served as a reference for Bianas masters degree in education, culture and society at the University of Pennsylvania and remains a mentor now that Biana is at Brooklyn Law School.

As a professor and a scholar, Professor Suh is always trying to learn more and do more for the students at Emory and for the community, Biana says. He has been the best mentor to me, and to a number of students.
Story Highlights No institutions confidence score improved significantly in the past year

Confidence in four institutions now at record lows

Widest party gaps seen for the presidency, public schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Americans faith in major societal institutions hasnt improved over the past year following a slump in public confidence in 2022.

Last year, Gallup recorded significant declines in public confidence in 11 of the 16 institutions it tracks annually, with the presidency and Supreme Court suffering the most. The share of Americans expressing a great deal or fair amount of confidence in these fell 15 and 11 percentage points, respectively.

Neither score recovered appreciably in the latest poll, with confidence in the court now at 27% and the presidency at 26%. However, the survey was conducted June 1-22, 2023, before the Supreme Court issued decisions affecting affirmative action in education, college loan forgiveness and LGBTQ+ Americans access to creative services. Any or all of these decisions could have altered the courts image as well as that of President Joe Biden, who spoke out against the rulings.

Public confidence in each of the other 14 institutions remains near last years relatively low level, with none of the scores worsening or improving meaningfully.

###Embeddable###

Overall, the new poll finds small business enjoying the most public trust, with 65% of Americans having a great deal or fair amount of confidence in it. A majority, 60%, also have high confidence in the military, while less than half (43%) feel this way about the next highest-rated institution, the police.

The medical system and the church or organized religion round out the top five annually rated institutions, albeit with meager 34% and 32% confidence ratings, respectively. Another six -- the U.S. Supreme Court, banks, public schools, the presidency, large technology companies and organized labor -- earn between 25% and 27% confidence.

The five worst-rated institutions -- newspapers, the criminal justice system, television news, big business and Congress -- stir confidence in less than 20% of Americans, with Congress, at 8%, the only one in single digits.

Gallup also included higher education on the list of institutions rated this year. Analysis of the results and its more limited trend, from 2015 and 2018, will be reported separately.

Many Institutions at or Near Rock Bottom

Most of the institutions rated this year are within three points of their all-time-low confidence score, including four that are at or tied with their record low. These are the police, public schools, large technology companies and big business.

Only four institutions have a confidence score significantly above their historical low: the military, small business, organized labor and banks. However, the lows for these institutions were recorded more than a decade ago, while the recent trend for each has been downward.

###Embeddable###

The historically depressed nature of todays ratings is evident in the average confidence scores of nine institutions that Gallup has routinely tracked since 1979. That average fell to a new low of 26% this year. While down just one point from 2022, it is 10 points lower than in 2020.

Confidence has generally trended downward since registering 48% in 1979 and holding near 45% in the 1980s. It averaged closer to 40% in the 1990s and early 2000s before dropping to the low 30% range in the 2010s. Last year was the first time it fell below 30%.

###Embeddable###

The average confidence level for the 14 institutions tracked regularly since 1993 is also 26%, and also one point below the prior low recorded last year for that trend.

Some Institutions More Polarizing Than Others

Seven of the institutions measured this year earn sharply higher confidence ratings from one major party group than the other.

The widest partisan differences are seen for the presidency (39 points) and public schools (34 points), about which Democrats are much more positive than Republicans. Democrats also express substantially more confidence than Republicans in organized labor and newspapers.

Republicans have significantly more confidence than Democrats when it comes to the Supreme Court (28 points), the church or organized religion (24 points), and the police (20 points).

Independents confidence is more similar to Democrats than Republicans when it comes to religion and the police, while it falls halfway between the two groups on the other polarizing institutions.

###Embeddable###

Partisans confidence ratings are similar to what they were last year for all institutions except the police, with Democrats confidence increasing from 29% in 2022 to 40% today. Longer term, partisans confidence in the presidency changes depending on the party of the sitting president -- while the party gap has widened over time for public schools, the Supreme Court, religion, the police, newspapers and the medical system.

Bottom Line

Americans confidence in institutions in 2023 represents the continuation of the historic confidence deficit recorded a year ago. None of the 15 institutions rated annually managed to repair their images, with many remaining at or near their all-time lows. While hardly encouraging, the good news is that none worsened significantly.

To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.

Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.

View complete question responses and trends (PDF download).
China to ban food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures

China was the biggest buyer of Japanese seafood exports last year. File photo: AFP

China will ban the import of food from 10 Japanese prefectures for safety reasons, customs authorities said on Friday.



The nation will also strictly review the documents for food, especially aquatic products, from other parts of Japan, customs said in a statement.



It added that it will continuously strengthen the detection and monitoring of radioactive substances to ensure the safety of food imported from Japan.



China was the biggest buyer of Japanese seafood exports last year, even though it is among several countries that restrict imports from some Japanese regions because of the nuclear accident.



The nation is also the fiercest critic of Japan's planned release of the water saying it threatens marine life and human health. (Reuters)
Impossible to decouple China, US economies: Yellen

Janet Yellen arrives with the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China Michel Hart (C) and US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns to a business round table in Beijing. Photo: AFP
SIU political experts: Politics playing a role in where people choose to live

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Decisions on moving to another state used to be based on the prospects of a better job, retirement or family. But a fairly new component  politics  is also becoming a factor, according to political experts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

John Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, notes persuasive research that shows that many Americans are attracted to states in which state laws on issues such as abortion and guns reflect their values and preferences.

Kenneth Mulligan, associate professor of political science, notes academic research confirming Americans are sorting themselves out politically, including where they choose to live.

And John Jackson, a visiting professor with the Paul Simon Institute, says choosing where to live based on politics, which is highlighted in a recent Associated Press report, is another sign of the nations polarization. This trend will only be abated when we vote for leaders who will stress the crucial importance of what unites us as a nation.

Media Availability

Kenneth Mulligan is an associate professor of political science in SIUs School of Anthropology, Political Science and Sociology. His research and teaching involve American political behavior, media and politics, and public opinion. He can be reached at 618-201-9634 and kmulliga@siu.edu.

John Jackson, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute visiting professor, has more than four decades of political expertise and research in presidential politics, campaigns and elections. He can be reached at 618-303-1240 or jsjacson@siu.edu.

John Shaw, director, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, spent 26 years in Washington, D.C., covering Congress and economic issues for Market News International before his arrival at SIU Carbondale in 2018. He has been a guest on the PBS NewsHour and C-SPAN. He can be reached at 618-453-4009 or john.shaw@siu.edu.

Note: Individual head shots are posted with the full story.

Shaw notes that it was less than 20 years ago when then-Illinois state senator and future President Barack Obama spoke at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston with a riveting speech that proclaimed, There is not a liberal America and a conservative America, there is a United States of America.

Historians and political analysts will debate if Obamas assessment of America in 2004 was accurate, but his words do not seem to capture the reality of the United States in 2023. Persuasive research shows that on average Democrats and Republicans are further apart ideologically now than at any time in the last half century. And many Americans are moving to communities in which they feel more politically and culturally comfortable. They are attracted to states in which state laws on issues such as abortion and guns reflect their values and preferences.

This broad trend is relevant to Illinois which has become  and is nationally known as  a solidly blue state with public policies that reflect this political reality.

Mulligan notes academic research confirming Americans are sorting themselves out politically, including where they choose to live.

Potential advantages include enjoying a community where your neighbors and the laws reflect your values while also avoiding the aggravation of having to tolerate people and laws you might think are unconscionable. Voting with your feet is a time-honored reflection of American freedom and democracy. Potential disadvantages to geographic political sorting include groupthink leading to a spiral of even greater polarization and negative stereotyping of political opponents, incivility and perhaps in the extreme, if it were to continue over the long term, civil war.

Jackson said people moving because of the culture wars is a somewhat new trend. The weather was the original creator of the movement to the Sun Belt, after air conditioning was invented along with jobs, career opportunities and taxes.

The culture wars will become another driver for the polarization which besets us, and it will add to the divide, Jackson said. This trend will only be abated when we vote for leaders who will stress the crucial importance of what unites us as a nation. The flag waving and patriotic rhetoric of the Fourth of July stresses that message of unification. It should not be a narrative that fades with the fireworks.
Karnataka Speaker UT Khader on Thursday asked the state's Public Works Department Minister Satish Jarakiholi to have a meeting with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to make sure all MLAs, MPs, MLCs and former ministers have a separate lane at toll gates. The issue was raised after Congress MLA Narendra Swamy raised the issue during the session in the Karnataka Assembly. He raised the demand to have a separate lane for the VVIPs. However, Speaker UT Khader later clarified that the whole issue came up when one of the MLAs spoke about a legislator who was harassed by a toll person at the Mysuru-Bengaluru 6-lane corridor. Speaking to reporters Khader said, "The issue came up when one MLA was harassed by toll personnel. It was an irresponsible way of behaviour on the part of the toll staff." The Karnataka Speaker also added that the facility of having a separate lane was already present at other tolls in the state except for the Mysuru-Bengaluru toll. "A separate lane for emergency and representatives is already there at every toll but this wasn't there in the Mysuru-Bengaluru toll," he said. On the issue of having a separate lane for MLAs, he said, "We are just asking for the Emergency lane which is already there across all tolls except for the Mysuru-Bengaluru route." The demand from Karnataka legislators comes a day after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann closed the Singhwala toll plaza in the state on the Moga-Kotakpura road near Chand Puraana. Interacting with the media persons after closing Singhawala Toll Plaza, the Chief Minister said on Wednesday, "People had to pay a hefty amount of Rs 44.43 while crossing these 10 toll plazas. However, with the closing of these 10 toll plazas, people will be immensely benefited and get major relief." (ANI)
Union Minister of Environment Bhupender Yadav on Thursday said that the Central government has devised a unique biodiversity conservation model through a holistic approach while addressing Haryali Mahotsav near Dwarka's Rukmini Temple in Gujarat. The Union Minister highlighted the importance of the critical balance between the environment and the "dependent beings" for which, he said, "the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has launched Mission LiFE to spread this message globally." The Minister stressed the need for ecological conservation of critical ecosystems through conserving the food chain of the ecosystem and ensuring the well-being of the topmost predator. He highlighted the significance of Project Dolphin and Project Lion launched by the Government. He emphasized on the significance of Mangrove ecosystems and dolphins as the ecological indicators of the health of Marine Ecosystems and their conservation. Inviting the participation of the multi-stakeholders in the conservation initiatives Yadav called for the industries to actively contribute to the recently launched Green Credit System. He underlined the role and contribution of the industries in enhancing carbon sequestration and green cover. He said Public-Private Partnership is an effective tool in this regard. Bhupendra Yadav expressed his happiness in recognizing that Gujarat has done "extraordinary" work in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the conservation of mangrove ecosystems. "However, efforts are required to identify and restore the historical mangrove areas, which are already in degraded condition," he added. The Union Minister stressed the importance of core activities such as Mangrove Plantation Target, Stock of Mangrove Nurseries, Livelihood opportunities, Publicity and Outreach programs as well as eco-tourism in mangrove areas through Self Help Group to help achieve a 30 per cent increase in the mangrove sink. The Minister informed the gathering on the recently launched MISHTI program for the conservation of mangroves and India being a party of the Mangrove Alliance. He spoke about the publication of the Botanical Survey of India which consists of a glossary of 500 species of mangrove recorded in India. A symbolic plantation of mangroves was carried out by the dignitaries. MoUs under the MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for the Shoreline Habitat and Tangible Income) were also signed between Forest Department and the identified reputed companies as part of the event. 'Forest Heros' who have excelled in the field of mangrove protection and conservation were also felicitated. (ANI)
Photo: Melodey Rennie Melodey Rennie (right) held her son Jerry Martin (left) while he died following a suspected fentanyl overdose.

"He wasn't just 'the Drugs Store' guy. He was my son."

Melodey Rennie says her late son, advocate Jerry Martin, was also a brother, father, uncle, and "a kind, compassionate person."

He passed away on Friday, June 30 after he was taken off life support. A few days before that, he reportedly overdosed on fentanyl. He was 52.

"I'm going to miss him so much," Rennie told V.I.A.

Rennie was told her son had been "found unresponsive with a heart attack." She immediately drove to Vancouver from Red Deer, Alta., and realized it was much more serious when she got to the intensive care unit.

Just after 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Rennie asked for her son's ventilator to be removed.

"I sat with him and held him until his heart stopped beating and his breathing stopped. He passed at 1:25 p.m.," she said.

"My heart is broken."

In early May, Martin opened The Drugs Store, a mobile store that sold illicit substances to people who use drugs. Street drugs like methamphetamine, heroin, MDMA and cocaine were tested to ensure they were free from harmful cuts, such as fentanyl, as well as buffs and adulterants.

He was arrested by Vancouver police the day after the store opened, preventing him from continuing to sell drugs from his camper.

The late advocate told V.I.A. that he had been prepared to go to jail for years if it helped save lives. He said he found his brother under a bridge following an overdose but knew countless other people who died from a toxic drug supply or from trying to access drugs.

Martin spent about eight years on the street on the Downtown Eastside and had been sober for the better part of 15 years. But his mother believes that the difficulties he encountered opening the mobile drug shop may have made him begin to lose hope.

"I am sure he struggled harder than I realized," she said, noting that he faced many challenges over his life.

"Jerry was the kind of guy you couldn't help but like.'"

Martin, who was born in Vancouver on Oct. 3, 1971, grew up mainly in Ontario but the family "moved quite a bit as his father did not hold a permanent job or career."

Rennie notes that he also suffered several head injuries between ages seven and 11 and that his "personality changed and he became difficult to deal with." After that, he went to live with his father after the couple split up. His younger brother DJ was murdered in 2000.

After he began using drugs, Martin spent time in prison. He was homeless in several cities, including Calgary, but took a computer science course while he was in rehab. He studied on a laptop that his mom bought for him.

"He taught himself how to code, build websites, and began to research his cause for medical marijuana," she explained, adding that she was impressed by his creativity, resourcefulness and determination.

Although they didn't always see eye-to-eye, particularly about his advocacy for safe supply, Rennie said her son always kept in contact. When she saw him, she would take him out for a meal and he would always ask for two. He would give the second one to the first homeless person he saw when they left.

"If someone needed food, clothes, money and he had it, he would give it to them," she said. "He had a heart for people, especially children and animals. I am going to miss him so much.

"One of our pastors who befriended Jerry when he was in Calgary said in his remarks: 'Jerry was the kind of guy you couldn't help but like.'"

Toxic drug supply claims over 1,000 lives in B.C. in five months

In 2022, the BC Coroners Service reported 2,272 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths. Over 1,000 lives have been lost to toxic unregulated drugs in the first five months of 2023.

The Vancouver Area of Network Drug Users (VANDU) regularly hands out illicit substances to people who use drugs in an effort to raise awareness about a toxic drug supply after the Coroners Service releases these figures.

While the organization did not work directly with Martin, executive director Brittany Graham told V.I.A. that it is always a "big loss" when people pass away from an overdose.

"When someone is trying hard to figure out their own life and is also volunteering their time and energy to make the world safer for other people who use drugs, it feels that much harder when they pass on," she said.

Prominent Vancouver safe supply activist Dana Larsen wrote in a tribute post on social media that Martin was a "brave and compassionate man who changed thousands of people's lives for the better" while struggling with depression and addiction.

"It seemed to me that the way he fought those dark feelings and found meaning in his life was through devotion to helping others and challenging injustice," he said.

Martin ran a cannabis compassion club in Saskatchewan, where he was called "The King of Compassion" and known for "carrying stacks of five- and ten-dollar bills so he could give them out to any people in need," he wrote.

When Martin came to Vancouver, he invested "everything he had financially, emotionally, and spiritually into creating his safer drug supply project." And while he was prepared to get arrested, "he didn't expect to have his trailer, vehicle and all his assets seized on his first day."

Larsen underscored that the "prevalence of deadly poisons in our drug supply makes it all too easy for a moment of weakness and depression to become a permanent loss."

Martin's lawyer Paul Lewin echoed Larsen's sentiments, noting that the late advocate was fighting to make "drug laws more humane" and wanted to help the most vulnerable.

"This is something he has sought to do all his life. He was a compassionate man who gave a lot to those in need," he told V.I.A.

"He will be missed."
Pointing fingers at the Opposition over the violence in West Bengal in the run-up to the July 8 panchayat elections, ruling Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh on Thursday said of the 73,000 booths put together for the polls, there are only about 6-7 where the BJP, Congress and the CPI(M) were resorting to violence. Speaking to reporters in Purba Medinipur district of West Bengal on Thursday, Ghosh said, "As many as 73,000 booths have been arranged for the panchayat elections and barring 5-6 of them where the BJP, Congress and the CPI(M) were resorting to violence, the rest were functioning peacefully. It is a ploy by the Opposition to move court for political reasons in connivance with the governor. This is politically motivated. Everything is fine in West Bengal." The state has been witness to several instances of violence during the filing of nominations for the panchayat polls and thereafter. One incident involved the alleged hurling of crude bombs at a Block Development Office (BDO) in Ahmadpur, Birbhum district. Meanwhile, speaking on the violence ahead of the panchayat polls, in Murshidabad, TMC leader Tapas Roy said the Opposition parties should behave responsibly and refrain from provoking violence. Roy said, "This (violence) should stop and police should act as per the law. They should take necessary action against the miscreants. The parties, which stand in Opposition to the state government and the TMC, should behave more responsibly and not provoke violence." On Governor CV Ananda Bose's visit to a violence-hit area, Roy said, "The governor is acting like a politician, which is unconstitutional." Earlier, on Monday, West Bengal Police recovered body of a BJP leader, Bankim Hansda, from the Bodo area of the state's Purulia district. The Governor, earlier, condemned the violence ahead of the panchayat polls, saying, "There is violence in certain pockets of West Bengal. There is a manifestation of what is called the politics of murder, the politics of intimidation, the politics of muscle flexing." The Governor added that his visits to violence-hit areas should not be construed as a "fault-finding mission but a fact-finding mission". Earlier, a TMC worker was allegedly beaten to death in the Malda district. The panchayat elections will be held in a single phase, with the counting of votes scheduled on July 11. The polls are likely to see a fierce tussle for control of local administrations between the ruling TMC and the BJP and will be a litmus test for both parties ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections. (ANI)
Delhi Police on Thursday said that it rescued 14 street dogs from a house in south Delhi's Greater Kailash area. Further, according to the police, a woman was keeping the street dogs inside her flat without proper nutrition, care and protection for the last two to three years. The matter came into the light after an investigation was launched on the basis of a complaint registered at Greater Kailash I police station. "The entire staircase to her apartment was littered with the urine and faeces of the street dogs. Even basic standards of hygiene were not to be seen in the area surrounding the apartment. There was foul smell all over the surrounding area of her flat. On a complaint, a case -- vide FIR No. 70/23 under sections 269 and 291 of IPC -- was registered at PS GK-1 and an investigation was carried out," an officer said. "The woman was repeatedly requested to hand over the dogs to SPCA/MCD teams for their treatment but remained adamant and wasn't cooperating," the officer added. Police said a search warrant was also obtained from the court to rescue the dogs from her apartment. "A search warrant was issued by the court and the woman was, again, requested to hand over the dogs to SPCA team for their treatment but she didn't comply," the officer said. The dogs rescued in the operation were shifted to a veterinary hospital in Delhi for further treatment. "During the rescue operation, it was found that the 14 street dogs were in a miserable state insider her apartment. They were rescued and kept in the animal vans in the presence of veterinarians. With due care, they were shifted to a veterinary hospital for further treatment," he added. Police said the accused was counselled by the IHBAS team in the presence of her lawyer. (ANI)
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader from Ajit Pawar faction Praful Patel on Friday said that they request the Election Commission of India (ECI) that the official symbol of the party be given to them. "We request ECI that the official Symbol of NCP and name be given to us (Ajit Pawar). It's not a spilt I want to tell you legislative council and all members are behind Ajit Pawar. Yesterday National Congress party meeting was held but it's not an official meeting of the NCP", Praful Patel said. Further, Patel said that ECI will take a decision on all these procedures and added that there is no point in holding any executive meeting of the party before that. He added that Ajit Pawar chose him as the national working president of the party. "There is no point in these executive meetings of NCP they are holding, ECI must take the decision. Ajit Pawar selected me (Praful Patel) as the national working president, I himself told the Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly that Ajit Pawar is our president of NCP. We choose Amol Mitkari as Chef Whip, we gave all affidavits to ECI, and Ajit Pawar has registered a petition to the Election Commission of India in which he has stated that those are with us must be recognized as official leaders of the NCP", he said. On the disqualification of Ajit Pawar and others by Maharashtra NCP president (Sharad Pawar faction) Jayant Patil, Patel said that Jayant Patil is not their president and alleged that the NCP constitution is fraud and wrong. "Jayant Patil filed a disqualification petition against Ajit Pawar and 8 others, main point is he is not our president under our NCP constitution. So, how can he file a disqualification petition, that's why I told you our NCP constitution is fraud and wrong", he added. Amid a tussle in the Nationalist Congress Party between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar, Sharad Pawar held a big meeting on Thursday which Ajit Pawar called "illegal" and said that no one had the authority to call such meetings. The meeting was attended by leaders including Supriya Sule, Jitendra Awhad, AK Shashidharan, Mohd Faizal, Fauzia Khan, PC Chacko, KK Sharma, K Thomas, Pithambaran Master, and others, which focused on several national issues, including recent political developments in Maharashtra, said Mahesh Tapase, Chief Spokesperson of the NCP. Meanwhile, NCP chief Sharad Pawar asserted that his effectiveness remains unchanged regardless of whether he is 82 or 92 years old. "I am still effective, whether I am 82 or 92," said Sharad Pawar after the party's national executive meeting in Delhi in response to recent remarks about his age made by his nephew Ajit Pawar. Ajit Pawar's comment stirred discontent among party members and loyalists, triggering a series of reactions. Ajit Pawar had indirectly blamed Sharad Pawar, who is 82 years old, for the NCP's missed opportunity to have a Chief Minister in Maharashtra despite having the support of a majority of MLAs in 2014. Sharad Pawar asserted that he is still the president of the NCP. The working committee of NCP headed by Sharad Pawar has approved his decision of "expelling Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare and nine MLAs who have joined hands with the NDA." The working committee approved the decision taken by National President Sharad Pawar to expel Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and 9 MLAs from Maharashtra for anti-party activities. They have been absolved of all responsibilities associated with the NCP, announced PC Chacko. (ANI)
The Gujarat High Court's order refusing to stay Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark has prompted strong responses with the BJP terming the disqualified Lok Sabha MP as a "habitual offender" and the grand old party planning to knock the Supreme Court's door as their last hope. Congress MP KC Venugopal requested all PCCs to organise a massive one-day 'Maun Satyagraha' (silent protest) in front of Gandhi statues in all state headquarters on July 12 to express solidarity with party leader Rahul Gandhi. The Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to stay the conviction of Rahul Gandhi by a lower court in the 'Modi surname' defamation case. Following the decision, the Congress party alleged foul play in the matter and said that it is a "conspiracy" of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Briefing reporters after the judgement, party spokesperson and MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi along with general secretary in charge Communications, Jairam Ramesh, said, "This jurisprudence that the Courts in question are evolving is, for want of a better word, unique... it has no precedent or parallel with any other judgments ever passed on the subject of defamation laws". Singhvi also referred to a gap of 66 days during which the judgement was reserved. "The appeal against the Sessions Court's order was filed on 25 April 2023. The matter was heard on 29 April, and 2 May 2023. On 2 May, the Judgment is reserved for orders. It is pronounced today, 7 July, after 66 days," he pointed out. However, the ruling party was swift in responding to the allegations against it, with former Union minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad saying that the former Wayanad MP is "a habitual offender of insulting people." "I outrightly condemn the comment of the Congress Party that it was part of a conspiracy to frame Rahul Gandhi leading to his conviction...The court gave him a chance to apologise...He did not and thereafter he suffered the trial...He's a habitual offender of insulting people," Ravi Shankar Prasad said. Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury termed the verdict as disappointing. "The verdict of the High Court is disappointing but at the same time we will abide by the verdict...there is a scope for us to move Supreme Court...everybody knows that there is a sinister design being played by the ruling dispensation in order to incriminate our leader Rahul Gandhi because PM Modi is scared of him," he said. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that his party leader is being given maximum punishment in the case. "Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was not given a chance to speak in the Lok Sabha...He is been given maximum punishment in the case ('Modi surname'). He was asked to vacate his residence, yet Rahul Gandhi is walking on the right path and we are all with him," he said. Friday's decision is being seen as a setback for the Congress leader as it means he cannot contest national elections due next year. Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar along with Congress workers protested in Bengaluru. "This is a big conspiracy of BJP...BJP with its party cadre has filed a complaint and a verdict has come on it, such a verdict has never come...nobody can stop Gandhi family and Rahul Gandhi," Shivakumar said. Party MP Shashi Tharoor also reacted to the development and said that he is disappointed by the verdict. "I'm truly disappointed by this verdict...since 1947, no one in our country has been convicted for a criminal defamation case with the two-year sentence and two years is also the minimum sentence required to earn disqualification from the Parliament, therefore this raises some legitimate questions in the eyes of the public," he said. Notably, the order gave fresh ammunition to Union min Dharmendra Pradhan to target Rahul. While talking to ANI, Pradhan lashed out at the main opposition party, saying, "Some people consider themselves and their families above the law...Your (Rahul Gandhi) mistake is that you insulted the backward classes of the society, and insulted the PM of the country...You (Rahul Gandhi) think you are privileged so you will do anything...the court doesn't allow this...You (Rahul Gandhi) have a feudal mindset, you can't accept the truth..." Also, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij slammed Rahul and said that he is a habitual offender."The Gujarat HC has not given any relief to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi...Many cases are going on against him. He is a habitual offender...If the Supreme Court also does not give relief, he will have to face punishment...," he said. It is pertinent to mention that, Gujarat High Court had in May reserved its order on Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case. The Congress leader had moved the Gujarat High Court on April 25 challenging the Surat sessions court order which declined to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case. The Surat Sessions court had on April 20 rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction by the lower court in the criminal defamation case. In his judgement, Additional sessions judge Robin P Mogera had cited Gandhi's stature as an MP and former chief of the country's second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Japan's former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Japan-India Association (JIA) Yoshihide Suga. The two held discussions on deepening India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership in different areas, including parliamentary exchanges, investment and economic ties. "Glad to receive Mr. @sugawitter, Chairman JIA and former PM of Japan, along with the 'Ganesha group' of Japanese Parliamentarians and @keidanren CEOs. Had an engaging discussion on deepening our Special Strategic and Global Partnership in different areas, including parliamentary exchanges, investment and economic ties, P2P links, tourism and skill development," PM Modi tweeted on Thursday. The former Japan Prime Minister is on a visit to India with a delegation of over 100 members comprising government officials, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), and members of the "Ganesha no Kai" group of Parliamentarians. PM Modi had a fruitful interaction with accompanying members of the "Ganesha no Kai" Parliamentary group on strengthening Parliamentary linkages between the two countries, as per a release issued by the Prime Minister's office. They welcomed the growing popularity of Yoga and Ayurveda in Japan and discussed ways to further strengthen cultural ties between India and Japan. PM Modi welcomed Keidanren members to India and highlighted widespread reforms undertaken in the country to improve the business ecosystem. He invited Japanese investors to expand their existing investments and explore new avenues of cooperation, as per the release. Meawhile, Yoshihide Suga has said that it is important to deepen cooperation between India, and Japan as special strategic global partners. Addressing the FICCI event, former Japan PM Suga said that he will be happy to get suggestions on how the Members of Parliament from both countries can work together to improve bilateral trade and business opportunities. Suga expressed hope that the delegation of the 'Ganesha' Group of MPs from Japan, visiting India will give further momentum to the India-Japan relationship and will serve as an opportunity to further strengthen the business engagements. Sushil Kumar Modi, Rajya Sabha member and Chair of FICCI India-Japan Forum of Parliamentarians said, "Japan is the 5th largest FDI investor in India and between April 2000 to September 2022, we received FDI equity inflows worth USD 38.12 billion which is 6 per cent of the total inflows received." The year 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and India. (ANI)
The members of Stop Uyghur Genocide, a UK-based campaign to defend Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China, staged a protest outside the Chinese Embassy to mark the 14th anniversary of Urumqi Massacre. The protestors condemned China for its continued harassment and torture of Uyghur Muslims. "The tragic events that unfolded during the Urumqi Massacre 14 years ago were a turning point leading to the extensive victimisation of the Uyghur community and CCP's implementation of its genocidal policies," tweeted Stop Uyghur Genocide on July 5. Rahima Mahmut, executive director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, said, "Today marks the 14th anniversary of the tragic events in Urumqi, where the Chinese government responded to peaceful protests with a heavy-handed crackdown involving the use of police, military forces, and live ammunition." In wake of these events, the Chinese government embarked on a campaign of terror characterised by extrajudicial arrests, enforced disappearances, public violence, and the establishment of a pervasive surveillance system compromising checkpoints and cameras. The pivotal moment marked a significant turning point in the ongoing persecution of the Uyghur community. "Today, we witness the devastating consequences of the indifference of the international community despite our pleas for help. It is crucial for governments across the globe to listen to our appeals and swiftly implement measures to protect the Uyghur population from the grave atrocities of genocide and humanity," Mahmut added. Muslims in the Bangladesh capital Dhaka also staged protests against the Chinese government's oppression of Uyghurs. As many as 350-400 Protestors carrying banners, placards and festooned with slogans in Bangla and English highlighting the plight of Uyghur Muslims, condemned China for imprisoning lakhs of Uyghur Muslims and urged the people of Bangladesh to condemn China for its inhuman activities. "About 200 people died and 1,700 were injured in three days of violence between ethnic minority Uyghurs and Han Chinese that began on July 5, 2009, in Xinjiang's largest city, Urumqi (in Chinese, Wulumuqi)," according to China's official figures, reported Radio Free Asia. (ANI)
According to the army's media wing, the incident occurred when security forces launched the operation in the intervening night of July 5-6 in the area after they received information about the presence of terrorists.

The army major was identified as Major Shah, a 33-year-old resident of Kohat.

An official statement read, "While the establishment of blocking positions to cut the escape routes of terrorists was underway, a party of terrorists was spotted by Major Abdullah who was leading the operation from the front", reported ARY News.

ISPR further said that when the forces tried to intervene, there was a heavy exchange of fire resulting in the killing of the army major.

Later, the security forces arrested three terrorists and their facilitators while a sanitisation operation was underway to eliminate any more terrorists in the area, the military's media wing added, according to ARY News.

"Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism, and such sacrifices of our soldiers further strengthen our resolve," the ISPR said.

The incident comes on the heels of a similar operation in which three terrorists were killed in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Dera Ismail Khan, Dawn reported citing the military's media affairs wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Sunday.

Further, as per the military's media wing, a vehicle-borne suicide bomber detonated his device in the general area of Miran Shah in the North Waziristan district, killing the terrorists.

According to the media wing, the weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain terrorists. (ANI)
The Dutch government collapsed following differences between coalition parties on limiting migration, reported Nu.nl citing sources in the outgoing cabinet. The four parties in the ruling coalition -- People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), Democrats 66 (D66), Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) and Christian Union (ChristenUnie) -- failed to agree on crisis discussions chaired by Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The government was formed a year-and-a-half ago, but parties have been diametrically opposed to migration policy, said the report. Presently, the ministers involved are still at the Ministry of General Affairs. The news has not yet been officially confirmed, as per Nu.nl, a Dutch online newspaper. An extra Council of Ministers has been called in at 9:30 pm (CET) after which, caretaker Prime Minister Mark Rutte will address a press conference. It remains to be seen how long the meeting of all the ministers will last. On Friday evening, the cabinet's top officials met to discuss immigration for the third day in a row. Rutte had told his party that a package with stricter asylum policies would be unveiled this week. There was a lot of tension between the parties, the report noted, adding that in particular, the family reunification went wrong. The VVD wants to severely restrict this because war refugees would only be staying here temporarily, according to Nu.nl. For the Christian Union, this crossed a line. Additionally, other intermediate variants were unable to reconcile the parties. However, as per the sources cited by Nu.nl, the ChristenUnie has not yet officially acknowledged that it was the party that initiated the cabinet's resignation. Therefore, Cabinet Rutte IV could not complete its four-year journey. When new elections will be held is still unknown, Nu.nl reported, adding that until then, the cabinet is the caretaker. (ANI)
Photo: The Canadian Press Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health Carolyn Bennett rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 1, 2023. Dozens of community and Indigenous groups across Western Canada will share $20 million in federal funding to boost their drug awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and mental-health services. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Dozens of community and Indigenous groups across Western Canada will share $20 million in federal funding to boost the mental health and drug awareness, treatment and rehabilitation services they offer.

The money is to be shared between 42 local drug-related programs across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett announced Thursday.

The minister was in Squamish, B.C., where she visited two addiction treatment centres, including one for youth.

"The announcement and the kinds of investments we are making is really to be able to do that investing directly in the community and then being able to prove the concept of what's working and what's not working," Bennett told a news conference.

The money will flow through Ottawa's Substance Use and Addictions Program, with Alberta to receive more than $3.9 million, B.C. $11.2 million, Manitoba over $3.2 million and Saskatchewan about $1.9 million.

Bennett said local organizations that have the trust and understanding of residents are often best suited to offer addiction and mental health services.

Addiction is a nationwide issue, with many families experiencing death, trauma and pain associated with substance-use disorders, Bennett said.

She said 2,300 people in B.C. died of an opioid-related cause last year, and the crisis extends across the country.

"In the most recent national data there were 20 opioid toxicity deaths every single day in 2022 in Canada," the minister said.

The Fort McMurray 468 First Nation in Alberta is among the 42 groups receiving funding to develop a community-led Indigenous treatment program.

In B.C., Moms Stop the Harm on Pender Island will receive federal dollars to run in-person and online support workshops for people whose family members are struggling with substance-use issues and those who have lost loved ones to drugs.

In Manitoba, the funding is set to help improve patient access to addiction medicine at walk-in clinics in Brandon, while the same rapid services will be provided by mobile units serving Swan River, Russell and Virden.

In Saskatchewan, a complex chronic pain service in Regina is receiving funding to support people who are at risk of using opioids or are experiencing opioid dependency.

"It is about understanding the psychic pain of residential school or child abuse or the physical pain of falling off a roof or being in a car accident," Bennett said.

"It is about people needing support not judgment."

Bennett said she's concerned about recent political criticism of a drug decriminalization program in B.C. that allows people to legally possess small amounts of hard drugs for personal use with the aim of reducing stigma and overdose deaths.

"I am very worried that the politicization of this is getting in the way of helping people," the minister said.

"It's about keeping people alive long enough to be able to see the hope. There is absolutely no recovery for people who are dead."
A senior leader of the Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) filed a constitutional petition at the Supreme Court on Thursday urging it to dissolve the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), according to The Express Tribune. Awn Chaudhry, the petitioner, claimed that PTI chairman Imran Khan was involved in attacks on state institutions, the judiciary, the military and its installations, and violated basic human rights and the Constitution. The petition made Imran Khan and the party president as respondents. Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, and the ministries of law and interior and others were also made respondents in the case, reported The Express Tribune. "The acts of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, its Chairman, office-bearers, their hate speeches attacking the judiciary, defence, burning and looting public assets, etc are totally unconstitutional...," stated the petition. Further, the petition mentioned the events of May 9 saying that the PTI supporters hatched a conspiracy against the state institutions, burning the Corps Commander's house and looting state properties all over the country. The petitioner also added that the PTI chief and his party destroyed the fabric of the society by attacking the institutions and making hate speeches against the integrity and dignity of the country and its institutions, reported The Express Tribune. Chaudhry added that the concept of democracy and a parliamentary form of government had been incorporated in the Election Act, but the PTI violated that concept and the Act. "It is imperative that in terms of Article 212 of the Election Act, 2017, Tehreek-e- Insaf (Respondent No.4) should be dissolved as this party has been formed and is operating in a manner which is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan," the petition said, according to The Express Tribune. The petition also had an attached copy of a letter written by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial pertaining to Imran Khan's "shocking statements containing serious allegations levelled against senior most officials of the Armed Forces." (ANI)
While postpartum healing is a process, and most people need some time before they feel back to normal, theres one health care provider you should visit to support healing and lessen pain and discomfort.

While postpartum healing is a process, and most people need some time before they feel back to normal, theres one health care provider you should visit to support healing and lessen pain and discomfort.

After weekly medical check-ins at the end of pregnancy, most people wont see a health care provider until six weeks postpartum. At that point, if it looks like healing is proceeding well, they are officially cleared to have sex and exercise again.

Following delivery, the focus tends to shift to the babys health (how much are they eating, sleeping or crying?) and away from the person who gave birth. Common postpartum physical complaints such as incontinence or pain in the back, pelvis or genitals are often written off as par for the course, as though pregnancy and birth are expected to do some damage to the body.

While postpartum healing is a process, and most people need some time before they feel back to normal, there are things that you can do to support healing and lessen pain and discomfort.

One proactive step you can take is to make an appointment with a physical therapist, who can evaluate you for common postpartum issues and recommend exercises to prevent incontinence and pain. Postpartum physical therapy isnt the norm in the U.S., but in other countries, such as France, its standard care.

Pregnancys Impact On The Body

After weekly medical check-ins at the end of pregnancy, most people wont see a health care provider until six weeks postpartum.

After weekly medical check-ins at the end of pregnancy, most people wont see a health care provider until six weeks postpartum.

There are multiple ways that pregnancy can put a strain on your musculoskeletal system. The hormonal shifts of pregnancy dont only affect your reproductive organs.

What happens is the joints can become a little more loose and lax, Jenni Limoges, a physical therapist in Nevada specializing in pelvic floor issues, told HuffPost. This loosening helps your pelvis expand to make room for the baby, but it can also trigger pain from a previous back or hip injury or result in new discomfort.

In addition, as your belly grows, your body has to adjust to a new center of gravity. It tends to pull people forward. It creates instability, said Limoges. Your pelvis tips forward, and the muscles in your back, pelvis and hips all shift, either lengthening or shortening. Your abdominal muscles separate to make space for the baby. Even your feet change, flattening out to support your pregnant body (many people find they go up a shoe size following pregnancy).

Your pelvic floor muscles provide a sort of shelf inside your hip bones that supports all of the internal organs, including the uterus. There are three layers and nine different muscles that work in concert, Limoges explained. These muscles help us stay dry, she said, and play a key role in sexual functioning. The way these muscles have to stretch to accommodate pregnancy and allow for delivery can cause them to become too stiff or too loose, causing pain or incontinence (urinary and/or fecal).

I often times hear of people saying that they want to opt for a C-section because they think this protects their pelvic floor, said Ruba Raza, a North Carolina-based physical therapist who also specializes in pelvic floor, pregnancy and postpartum issues. However, Raza told HuffPost that you can still have pelvic floor issues following a C-section.

Regardless of the mode of delivery, it is important to see a pelvic floor physical therapist if you are having symptoms during or after pregnancy, Raza said.

A lot of people do not seek out our services during pregnancy because they

assume that their symptoms will improve postpartum, but with most concerns, these can continue and even worsen if they are not addressed.

Common Postpartum Issues

In addition to urinary and fecal incontinence, other common postpartum complaints that can be addressed with physical therapy, Raza said, include: Sacroiliac joint pain [the sacroiliac joints link the pelvis to the bottom of the spine], constipation, low back pain, pelvic floor pain, C-section scar sensitivity, pain with intercourse and rectal pain.

Many of the common postpartum complaints such as pelvic floor pain, C-section scar sensitivity and back pain can be addressed with physical therapy,

Many of the common postpartum complaints such as pelvic floor pain, C-section scar sensitivity and back pain can be addressed with physical therapy,

Another issue you may have heard about is diastasis recti. A line of connective tissue called the linea alba runs down the middle of your stomach and fastens together on both sides of your abdominal muscles. During pregnancy, this tissue stretches out and often separates to accommodate your growing uterus. After delivery, it generally closes back up again over the course of eight weeks or so. If it doesnt close back up, you may notice that you continue to have a belly pouch, as though you were still pregnant. You may also have pain or incontinence.

Because movements like traditional abdominal crunches can worsen diastasis recti, its important to work with a knowledgeable provider who can prescribe exercises to help your diastasis recti heal.

What Treatment Looks Like

Physical therapy for postpartum issues generally involves weekly visits.

The typical model for the pelvic floor is one-on-one for an hour, said Limoges, adding that you should feel the results as soon as a couple of weeks in.

I definitely expect within four to six weeks youre seeing some improvements, she continued.

Raza said she typically sees patients once a week for six to eight weeks, but of course, this varies based on the nature and severity of the issue theyre dealing with.

The plan is very individualized to the patients concerns or symptoms, she said. There are a multitude of exercises your physical therapist may teach you and have you practice at home.

Limoges explained that the treatment for pelvic floor issues such as incontinence depends on whether the problem is that the muscles are too stiff or overstretched and lacking in tone. With incontinence, its common to hear the blanket advice to do Kegel exercises (contracting the pelvic floor muscles  the ones you use to stop urination mid-stream), but these can be counterproductive if the issue is stiffness. For this reason, its a good idea to have an evaluation with a physical therapist before starting any exercise program to address your problem.

While a good portion of the evaluation involves the physical therapist learning what your symptoms are, and sometimes this can even be done via a remote telehealth visit, if youre having a pelvic floor issue, an internal pelvic exam is usually necessary at some point.

I like to tell people, Im not the gynecologists office, so I dont use stirrups, said Limoges.

I typically do a scan of tissue first, just to make sure everything looks OK. And then for the internal assessment, I insert my finger vaginally, and Im checking each layer of muscles. This internal exam allows the physical therapist to assess the muscles flexibility and to see if there is organ prolapse.

Your therapist will likely want to see how long you can hold a contraction of your pelvic muscles (a Kegel). The standard goal is ten seconds. They will also want to see how quickly you can contract the muscles and whether you have any pain.

While a physical therapist may recommend Kegel exercises if they find a lack of tone in your pelvic floor muscles, there are many other types of exercises they may prescribe.

Each physical therapist stressed the importance of finding a way for a new parent to work these exercises into their day in a way that is feasible.

Each physical therapist stressed the importance of finding a way for a new parent to work these exercises into their day in a way that is feasible.

Raza and Limoges discussed using breathing exercises with postpartum pelvic floor patients. Other possibilities include stretches, squats, and what Limoges called self-tissue mobilization, in which you apply gentle, internal pressure to the layers of muscle.

Each physical therapist stressed the importance of finding a way for a new parent to work these exercises into their day in a way that is feasible.

I love incorporating exercises into activities that the patient is already doing,

such as adding in a pelvic floor and core contraction every time the patient completes a transitional movement or working on diaphragmatic breathing and pelvic floor relaxation while they are breastfeeding their baby, said Raza.

Limoges also mentioned feeding/pumping as an opportunity to do Kegels or breathing exercises, as your life during those first few months tends to revolve around these moments. She recalled working with one mom caring for her newborn while homeschooling her older children. She needed exercises that she could do while standing and wearing the baby, so Limoges prescribed some wall sets and lunges she could do.

Postpartum or not, Limoges said she limits treatment to a few daily exercises that a person can work into their routine without too much trouble and works with the patients to address their most urgent concerns within the context of their lives.

A mother of twins, Limoges recalled, was having issues with urgency to urinate. But she was running into a problem because she couldnt get the twins in a place that she could watch them and go to the bathroom at the same time. She padded her bathtub so she could set them safely in it to pee without leaking or holding it too long.

While your body will never return exactly to what it was before pregnancy, Limoges believes that improvement is always possible with any of these physical issues.

My goal is to get people to 90% at least, Limoges said. Can you get yourself to where youre not hunting for the bathroom or worrying about wearing a pad everywhere you go or [not] leaving your house and those kinds of things? Absolutely.

Related...
A Bowling Green police officer was seriously injured and another person was killed in a shooting Thursday, according to Kentucky State Police.

Bowling Green Police Chief Michael Delaney identified the injured officer as Matt Davis. He said Davis was shot multiple times and flown to a trauma center, where he was in critical but stable condition Friday afternoon.

We feel the support of our community, and on behalf of the Bowling Green Police Department, we want to thank you for always supporting us, Delaney said in a statement posted to social media.

Delaney said the department will provide updates on Davis medical status but not the investigation.

The shooting happened at approximately 5:30 p.m., according to KSP. Ronnie Ward with the Bowling Green Police Department told WBKO the incident happened at Car-Mart on Russellville Road. Davis and another man were transported to a hospital.

Davis injuries were described as life-threatening, according to KSP. The other man died at the hospital.

No other details about the shooting were provided. KSPs Critical Incident Response Team was investigating the shooting, as it typically does when law enforcement officers in Kentucky are involved in shootings. KSP responded to the scene shortly after the incident occurred.

Bowling Green police were also assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on scene.

@ATFLouisvilles Bowling Green office is assisting @BGKYPolice in an officer involved shooting in which a Bowling Green police officer was injured. Additional details are not available at this time. The media is asked to direct questions to the Bowling Green Police Department. pic.twitter.com/Nfi7znqGdx  ATF Louisville (@ATFLouisville) July 6, 2023

Gov. Andy Beshear tweeted Thursday evening to offer support to the officer.

We have learned of a reported incident in Bowling Green of an officer being shot and wounded, Beshear said. Kentucky, please join Britainy and me in prayer for this officer, their family and fellow officers.
The full-scale military aggression of Russia against Ukraine in Kyiv Oblast alone has resulted in 1376 civilian deaths, 317 people missing, and 190 taken to Russia.

Source: Andrii Niebytov, Chief of the Ukrainian National Police in Kyiv Oblast, in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine news agency

Quote from Niebytov: "In total, 1,376 people have been killed in [Kyiv] oblast during the war. That's the bodies we have found and examined. I would like to emphasise that these are exclusively civilians since we, the police, are only concerned with civilians."

Details: "190 bodies remain unidentified," he said, adding that the DNA samples have been placed in the relevant database. "There may be some who had no close relatives among these 190. And if there are no first-line relatives, we cannot compare DNA. Therefore, unfortunately, there are bodies and unidentified persons," said the police chief in Kyiv Oblast.

Niebytov also reported 317 missing persons. There is no information about any of them. "We hope they are also in captivity somewhere, but given the way the occupiers have killed and tortured our people, we understand that they will be considered missing until we find their bodies," he added.

He noted that many of the bodies were severely mutilated, and it was challenging not just to identify but even to find their remains.

"The bodies we found recently were buried in pits where enemy positions were located. Most of these places have been examined, but we understand that if the occupiers buried the bodies deeper or threw them into the water, we are unlikely to find them all in a short time," Niebytov said.

Furthermore, based on the latest information, 461 Ukrainian citizens are on the territory of the Russian Federation. "190 of them are civilians from Kyiv Oblast, 271 are military personnel and representatives of other paramilitary formations of Ukraine," he said.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares speaks during a public safety forum Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Signs & Wonders Ministries in Chesterfield County. Miyares' office has launched social-media campaigns aimed at kids and at-risk youth that any crime committed with a gun in your possession will mean automatic prison time if you are convicted, even if you do not pull out the gun.

CHESTERFIELD  Last year, state Attorney General Jason Miyares put into place an Operation Ceasefire initiative in 12 Virginia cities, including Petersburg.

A key goal of that initiative is to guarantee that if anyone commits a crime while in possession of a firearm, they will be sent to prison even if they do not use the firearm.

You wanna sell drugs? Leave the gun at home, Miyares said during a public-safety forum Thursday at Signs & Wonders Ministries church in Chesterfield County. Gun crime means more time.

Since its launch, Miyares told the forum audience, 98 cases have been brought across Virginia, 29 of them in the Richmond-Petersburg area. Data provided by Miyares office shows that 15 of those 29 central Virginia cases originated in Petersburg.

The crimes include possessing or using machine guns or Glock switches, devices which can turn any non-automatic weapon into an automatic weapon, or use of firearms in violent crimes. The AGs office did not specify what the Petersburg cases involved.

Special prosecutors have been put in place, including at the federal courthouse in Richmond, to handle the Operation Ceasefire cases.

While the key prerogative is curbing gun violence, the initiative is multi-faceted  increase community policing, and bolster witness protection and community involvement efforts.

Miyares said Thursday two public-service social-media campaigns are being launched statewide. One of them targets adolescents and teenagers, and will appear on those kids media platforms during times where videos of shootings or threatened shootings, and any other gun-violence chatter are being shared. The attorney general said these messages will interrupt whatever is being viewed with reminders that gun crimes will mean automatic jail sentences on convictions.

The other campaign is a reminder to the general public of automatic sentences on convictions where guns are used or in possession.

During a question-and-answer session after his remarks, Miyares was asked about increased gun violence in other cities not covered by Operation Ceasefire, including Hopewell. Hopewell has launched its own Group Violence Intervention program that mirrors Operation Ceasefire, and city officials have mentioned the idea of approaching Miyares about getting Hopewell under the OC umbrella.

We would love to talk with them, Miyares said of Hopewell. He said he will ask the 2024 Virginia General Assembly to expand the list of cities under Operation Ceasefire, and Hopewell could be one of them.

More: Hopewell starts process to bring 'Group Violence Intervention' to town as soon as June

Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news, government and politics. Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on Twitter at @BAtkinson_PI.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia attorney general updates Operation Ceasefire initiative
FILE - Myanmar military officers leave the venue during a parade to commemorate Myanmar's 78th Armed Forces Day in Naypyitaw, Myanmar, on March 27, 2023. Myanmar's military-controlled government is accusing pro-democracy fighters of killing 15 civilians in a nighttime mortar attack in a restive central area of the country, charges denied by the guerrilla group. (AP Photo/Aung Shine Oo, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BANGKOK (AP)  Myanmar's military-controlled government is accusing pro-democracy fighters of killing 15 civilians in a nighttime mortar attack in a restive central area of the country, charges denied by the guerrilla group.

A report Thursday in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper said so-called People's Defense Forces attacked the village of Ngwe Twin in the southern part of the Sagaing region at 4 a.m. Wednesday with handmade mortars, killing 15 people and injuring seven others, including three monks.

Loosely organized armed PDF groups have sprung up around the country since the military seized power from democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021. The groups support the pro-democracy National Unity Government, a shadow civilian administration opposed to military rule, though they operate autonomously from it.

The NUG did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment on the attack.

Since the military's seizure of power, widespread peaceful opposition to the takeover has shifted to armed resistance in many parts of the country and the PDF groups have allied themselves with several armed ethnic minority groups that have been fighting for greater autonomy in Myanmar for decades.

In response, the army has launched brutal counter-insurgency operations in the countryside, including burning villages and driving hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

Sagaing, Myanmars historic heartland, is a stronghold of armed resistance to the ruling military but the village of Ngwe Twin is one of the few seen as sympathetic to the government, where residents reportedly were assisting in the army's counter-insurgency operations.

The military governments tight restrictions on travel make it virtually impossible to verify details of such incidents firsthand, but a member of a regional PDF contacted by The Associated Press confirmed the attack, saying the village was targeted because a pro-military militia operating from it had been aiding the army and also harassing pro-democracy villagers.

The fighter, speaking on condition of anonymity over fear of reprisals from the military, said all 15 people killed were members of the pro-military militia.

He added that resistance forces had evacuated children and elderly people from the village during the fighting, and that he had no immediate reports of any civilian casualties.

Another PDF group involved in the attack, known as the People's Servant Revolution-Wetlet, said on its Facebook page that 19 members of the military and its affiliated militia were killed and 20 others were injured.

A family member who lost his 14-year-old brother in the attack, however, told AP that 11 villagers who had been sheltering in the compound of a Buddhist monastery had been killed.

The man, who asked that his name not be used for fear of reprisals from both the military and the PDF militias, lives in another village but said he had been told the other four people killed were members of the pro-military militia and their family members.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 3,750 civilians have been killed by the security forces and nearly 24,000 attested since the army seized power. The group keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nations political conflicts.
A booking image of Terrance Hawkins, who was arrested in downtown Los Angeles in April on suspicion of multiple counts of forcible rape, intimate partner violence and stalking. (Los Angeles Police Department)

Los Angeles police said they had identified at least 16 victims of a suspected serial rapist arrested in April, and they believe there may be more.

Terrance Hawkins, 42, was arrested on April 26 in downtown L.A. and was booked on multiple counts of forcible rape, intimate partner violence and stalking, according to a Los Angeles Police Department news release. Hawkins has a history of briefly dating and abusing women and filming them during sexual acts, police said.

He is being held without bail.

Detectives released a photo of Hawkins to the public at the time to see if more victims would come forward, police said. Hawkins met women on various social media platforms.

Anyone with more information about Hawkins has been urged to contact Los Angeles Police Officer J. Roman at Operations-Central Bureau Family Justice Center at (213) 709-9017. During weekends or non-business hours, calls can be directed to (877) 527-3247.

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.
Two executives were ousted from one of the Valleys leading housing nonprofits on Monday.

Mike Trailor, president and CEO of the homeownership assistance organization Trellis, was terminated by the organizations board of directors during an emergency meeting on Monday, July 3. Jeff Feight, the organizations chief financial officer, resigned after being asked to by the board.

Its unclear why Trailor and Feight were axed. Allegations were brought up during a meeting in May that prompted the board to initiate a third-party investigation, said Trellis board chair Abraham James, though James would not elaborate on the nature of the allegations except to say they were more of an HR issue than anything else. The investigation included interviews with Trellis employees, reviews of exit interviews and emails from former employees and conversations with Trailor and Feight themselves, James said.

CNN CEO Chris Licht's firing is overdue: Here's why he will not be missed

Once the boards executive committee received the investigation findings in late June, the group determined it was inappropriate to keep Trailor and Feight on staff, James said. The executive committee voted unanimously to request their resignations.

By July 3, not yet having received Trailors resignation, the full board voted to terminate his employment, James said.

Trailor said his termination was due to not being a cultural fit for the organization.

The board said it well in their termination notice that they lost confidence in my ability to lead the organization, so we parted ways, he said in an interview.

The Arizona Republic was unable to get in touch with Feight.

Some board members are still largely in the dark about why Trailor and Feight were terminated, despite voting for Trailor's removal. The five-member executive committee, a subset of the board, declined to share the contents of the investigation with the other board members, board members said.

Trellis has recently been criticized for its involvement with the Periwinkle mobile home park, which Grand Canyon University bought in 2016 and plans to redevelop into student housing. Trellis was hired by GCU to help residents of the Phoenix park relocate but was met with resistance from some residents.

Trailor stepped into the Trellis leadership role in June 2022 after serving as chief strategy officer of the affordable housing nonprofit Native American Connections, before that, as director of the Arizona Department of Housing and director of the Arizona Department of Economic Security. Before joining the state government, Trailor worked in the home-building industry.

More in Mesa: US Trustee details mismanagement at Legacy Park

"Trellis hired me to improve operations and grow its housing services. I understand that change can be difficult and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, my leadership is not a good fit for Trellis but, fortunately, my record stands on its own," Trailor said in an emailed statement.

Brenda Lopez, a longtime Trellis executive, will serve as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent leader.

James, the Trellis board chair, said terminating Trailor and Feight was a difficult decision.

Theres been a lot of hand-wringing and sleepless nights on my part. ... This is not where we wanted to be, but this is where we are, he said.

Trailor said he plans to still work on affordable housing issues in Arizona.

I just wish everybody well, and Ill pursue my goals in a different way, he said.

Juliette Rihl covers housing insecurity and homelessness for The Arizona Republic. She can be reached at jrihl@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @julietterihl.

Coverage of housing insecurity on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Arizona Community Foundation.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Leaders of housing nonprofit Trellis terminated by board of directors
Two South Carolina prison guards face drug and misconduct charges after trying to sneak several packages of contraband into a Columbia prison earlier this month, the state Department of Corrections announced.

The guards, Alexis Simone Tucker and Jorge Romero Navarro, were arrested after a July 1 incident at Broad River Correctional Institution, according to an SCDC news release. Both have been terminated.

Tucker, a 27-year-old Columbia resident, allegedly brought a clear plastic work bag containing multiple wrapped packages of drugs, cellphones and electronics into the prison, an SCDC spokeswoman said. Romero, 46, of Columbia, allegedly assisted Tucker by allowing her to enter the facility without searching her and overlooking the obvious and copious amounts of contraband in her bag, according to an arrest warrant.

The contraband was discovered after members of the prisons Correctional Emergency Response Team stopped Tucker upon observing several black packages in her work bag.

A search of the bag revealed 3,249 grams of marijuana, 1,485 grams of tobacco, 982 cigar wraps, 605 grams of methamphetamine, 217 grams of cocaine, 27 cellphones, chargers, game controllers, air pods and other illegal items, SCDC said.

Great front gate intercept of a lot of contraband by CERT team at Broad River CI today, Department of Corrections Director Bryan Stirling tweeted the day the contraband was discovered. Always disappointing to see staff involved (in) criminal activity.

Tucker is charged with trafficking methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, providing contraband to prisoners, misconduct in office and drug conspiracy, according to SCDC.

Romero is charged with misconduct in office and drug conspiracy, the agency said.

The guards arrests come as South Carolina law enforcement officials struggle to stem the tide of contraband cell phone use by prison inmates. As of January, the corrections department had confiscated more than 35,000 cellphones and related accessories from inmates since 2015.

The contraband phones have been used to facilitate a variety of crimes, including drug trafficking, sextortion and assassination, prison officials said. The South Carolina Attorney Generals office in January charged 43 people in a multi-state, inmate-run methamphetamine trafficking operation aided by the use of cell phones smuggled into state prisons
Photo: The Canadian Press Control room supervisor Lance Pappas consults a video monitor inside the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility.

At a sprawling military installation in the middle of the rolling green hills of eastern Kentucky, a milestone is about to be reached in the history of warfare dating back to World War I.

Workers at the Blue Grass Army Depot are close to destroying rockets filled with GB nerve agent that are the last of the United States' declared chemical weapons and completing a decades-long campaign to eliminate a stockpile that by the end of the Cold War totaled more than 30,000 tons.

The weapons' destruction is a major watershed for Richmond, Kentucky and Pueblo, Colorado, where an Army depot destroyed the last of its chemical agents last month. It's also a defining moment for arms control efforts worldwide.

The U.S. faces a Sept. 30 deadline to eliminate its remaining chemical weapons under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997 and was joined by 193 countries. The munitions being destroyed in Kentucky are the last of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent  a deadly toxin also known as sarin  that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s.

By destroying the munitions, the U.S. is officially underscoring that these types of weapons are no longer acceptable in the battlefield and sending a message to the handful of countries that haven't joined the agreement, military experts say.

One thing that were really proud of is how were finishing the mission. Were finishing it for good for the United States of America," said Kim Jackson, manager of the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Chemical weapons were first used in modern warfare in World War I, where they were estimated have killed at least 100,000. Despite their use being subsequently banned by the Geneva Convention, countries continued to stockpile the weapons until the treaty calling for their destruction.

In southern Colorado, workers at the Army Pueblo Chemical Depot started destroying the weapons in 2016, and on June 22 completed their mission of neutralizing an entire cache of about 2,600 tons of mustard blister agent. The projectiles and mortars comprised about 8.5% of the countrys original chemical weapons stockpile of 30,610 tons of agent.

Nearly 800,000 chemical munitions containing mustard agent were stored since the 1950s inside row after row of heavily guarded concrete and earthen bunkers that pock the landscape near a large swath of farmland east of Pueblo.

The weapons' destruction alleviates a concern that civic leaders in Colorado and Kentucky admit was always in the back of their minds.

"Those (weapons) sitting out there were not a threat," Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said. But, he added, you always wondered what might happen with them.

In the 1980s, the community around Kentuckys Blue Grass Army Depot rose up in opposition to the Armys initial plan to incinerate the plants 520 tons of chemical weapons, leading to a decadeslong battle over how they would be disposed of. They were able to halt the planned incineration plant, and then, with help from lawmakers, prompted the Army to submit alternative methods to burning the weapons.

Craig Williams, who became the leading voice of the community opposition and later a partner with political leadership and the military, said residents were concerned about potential toxic pollution from burning the deadly chemical agents.

Williams noted that the military eliminated most of its existing stockpile by burning weapons at other, more remote sites such as Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean or at a chemical depot in the middle of the Utah desert. But the Kentucky site was adjacent to Richmond and only a few dozen miles away from Lexington, the states second-largest city.

We had a middle school of over 600 kids a mile away from the (planned) smokestack, Williams said.

The Kentucky storage facility has housed mustard agent and the VX and sarin nerve agents, much of it inside rockets and other projectiles, since the 1940s. The states disposal plant was completed in 2015 and began destroying weapons in 2019. It uses a process called neutralization to dilute the deadly agents so they can be safely disposed of.

The project, however, has been a boon for both communities, and facing the eventual loss of thousands of workers, both are pitching the pool of high-skilled laborers as a plus for companies looking to locate in their regions.

Workers at the Pueblo site used heavy machinery to meticulously  and slowly  load aging weapons onto conveyor systems that fed into secure rooms where remote-controlled robots did the dirty and dangerous work of eliminating the toxic mustard agent, which was designed to blister the skin and cause inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Robotic equipment removed the weapons' fuses and bursters before the mustard agent was neutralized with hot water and mixed with a caustic solution to prevent the reaction from reversing. The byproduct was further broken down in large tanks swimming with microbes, and the mortars and projectiles were decontaminated at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) and recycled as scrap metal.

Problematic munitions that were leaky or overpacked were sent to an armored, stainless steel detonation chamber to be destroyed at about 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593 degrees Celsius).

The Colorado and Kentucky sites were the last among several, including Utah and the Johnston Atoll, where the nation's chemical weapons had been stockpiled and destroyed. Other locations included facilities in Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon.

Kingston Reif, an assistant U.S. secretary of defense for threat reduction and arms control, said the destruction of the last U.S. chemical weapon will close an important chapter in military history, but one that were very much looking forward to closing.

Officials say the elimination of the U.S. stockpile is a major step forward for the Chemical Weapons Convention. Only three countries  Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan  have not signed the treaty. A fourth, Israel, has signed but not ratified the treaty.

Reif noted that there remains concern that some parties to the convention, particularly Russia and Syria, possess undeclared chemical weapons stockpiles.

Still, arms control advocates hope this final step by the U.S. could nudge the remaining countries to join. But they also hope it could be used as a model for eliminating other types of weapons.

It shows that countries can really ban a weapon of mass destruction, said Paul F. Walker, vice chairman of the Arms Control Association and coordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition. If they want to do it, it just takes the political will and it takes a good verification system.
June's train crash occurred when a packed passenger train was mistakenly diverted onto a loop line and slammed into a stationary goods train loaded with iron ore (Punit PARANJPE)

Indian police said Friday they had arrested three men over a triple-train collision that killed nearly 300 people last month, one of the worst rail accidents in the country's history.

June's train crash in eastern Odisha state occurred when a packed passenger train was mistakenly diverted onto a loop line and slammed into a stationary goods train loaded with iron ore.

The derailed compartments then struck the carriages of another fast train, the Howrah Superfast Express from Bengaluru, which was passing in the opposite direction.

Three railway employees had been charged with culpable homicide and destruction of evidence in a case filed against them on Thursday, a statement from the Central Bureau of Investigation said.

The statement identified the men as two signal engineers and one technician employed with Indian Railways, without giving further details.

The two passenger trains were carrying more than 2,000 passengers between them when the collision occurred.

Carriages had flipped over entirely and rescue workers scrambled to pull out survivors trapped in the mangled wreckage, with scores of bodies laid out under white sheets beside the tracks.

Relatives spent days combing through possessions and looking at post-mortem pictures of those killed in the crash, to identify their loved ones.

At least 850 others were injured in the collision.

Days after the accident, India's railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the crash was the result of an issue with signalling and that the "people responsible for the accident" had been identified.

But he did not give further details at the time, saying he did not wish to pre-empt a government probe into the disaster.

Train services resumed 51 hours after the deadly crash, and Vaishnaw was seen folding his hands in prayer as he saw the first train cross the accident site.

Indian Railways, the world's fourth-largest rail network, runs some 14,000 trains daily with 8,000 locomotives over a vast system of tracks around 64,000 kilometres (40,000 miles) long.

Carrying more than 21 million passengers each day, according to official figures, the network is under enormous pressure in a country which has recently become the world's most populous.

India has invested huge sums of money in recent years to upgrade its rail network, run express trains, build modern railway stations, lay new tracks and install electronic signalling systems.

The June crash ranks as India's third-worst and the deadliest since 1995, when 300 people were killed after two express trains collided near Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.

ash/gle/leg
Just a month ago, Alex McKeown, 33, woke up feeling tired. But knowing that his go-to fitness studio charges him even when he doesn't show up  and he'd already skipped the last three classes  he pushed himself to get to his early morning workout.

During the first of three rounds of exercises, McKeown, an investor in Chicago, "started feeling a little lightheaded and dizzy," he tells TODAY.com. By the end of that first round, "I kind of had to sit down. And then as I was sitting, I was getting more dizzy and I ended up laying down."

The instructor noticed and asked if he was OK. McKeown gave her a thumbs down, he recalls, but he figured he was just dehydrated. When he reached out to grab her water bottle, however, he noticed how weak he felt.

McKeown sat and drank water and orange juice through the end of the class but still didn't feel any better. While McKeown wanted to sleep it off at home, he figured that if he was actually dehydrated, he'd have started to feel better by that point. So the staff around him convinced him to wait for an ambulance.

Once the paramedics arrived, "I couldn't stand on my own," McKeown recalls. "I couldn't get up or stand without assistance."

One of the staff members at the gym pointed out that it was McKeown's left side that felt weak. "She was spot on about that," McKeown says. "By the time I got to the hospital, I couldn't lift my left arm or my left leg and couldn't really see out of my left eye."

A speedy diagnosis and a "fairly extensive clot"

A stroke occurs when a blood clot in another part of the body, such as the heart, breaks off and makes its way to the brain. There, the clot can restrict blood flow, causing symptoms such as the weakness and loss of vision that McKeown experienced.

It's not unusual for people having a stroke to miss the first signs, like weakness on the left side of the body, Dr. Ali Shaibani, chief of neurointerventional radiology at Northwestern Medicine and part of McKeown's medical team, tells TODAY.com.

"Fortunately for McKeown, it was daytime in the gym. And there were some smart people around him," Shaibani says.

McKeown called a friend to bring him his ID and insurance card. He thought I was overreacting until he spoke to me when I was in the ambulance, McKeown says. He said, Youre really slurring your words. I couldnt really understand you that well.

At the emergency department, staff evaluated McKeown for a possible stroke using what's called BE FAST criteria: balance, eyes (double vision or loss of vision), facial weakness, asymmetry (weakness or drooping on one side of the body), slurred speech and time.

"If somebody meets that criteria, then they move directly to imaging," Shaibani says. In McKeown's case, the stroke symptoms were clear  and he quickly underwent CT scans to look at the capillaries and arteries from his chest to the top of his head.

Luckily, one of McKeown's scans "showed that he had primarily salvageable tissue, meaning nothing seemed to have permanently died at that point," Shaibani explains. But a scan is just a snapshot in time, he adds. And in stroke patients, the situation can change in a matter of hours.

When doctors told McKeown he was having a stroke, he wasn't sure quite how to take the news. "It's kind of fantastical to get that news at 33," he says. "It defied belief." He even took a work call while at the hospital, but the staff quickly realized it wasn't urgent and told him to hang up.

McKeown was given tenecteplase, a medication that can help dissolve blood clots. But McKeown had what Shaibani calls a "fairly extensive clot" going all the way from the internal carotid artery at the base of his skull up to the middle cerebral artery behind his eye sockets.

The middle cerebral artery is "the main artery to the right hemisphere of the brain," Shaibani explains, and the clot was also blocking the blood supply to part of his visual cortex, causing visual symptoms. (At one point, McKeown heard his friend's voice but could see him  despite his friend being in the same room just a few feet away from him.)

So McKeown underwent a specific type of minimally invasive thrombectomy, during which Shaibani and his team inserted a series of increasingly small catheters into a blood vessel in the groin area. They then snaked the catheters all the way up to the clot in the brain and essentially suctioned and pulled the clot out, Shaibani explains.

In the vast majority of cases, this only takes one attempt, and that was true for McKeown, as well. Once the clot was out, he was transferred to the care of the neuro intensive care unit to recover.

After surviving a stroke at 33, Alex McKeown adjusted his eating habits and his relationship with work. (Courtesy Alex McKeown)

Recovery and the road ahead

McKeown remembers getting the clot-busting medication, "and the next thing I know, I'm waking up and they're just saying, 'Hey, don't move,'" he says. "It was after the thrombectomy, and I was getting rolled up to the ICU."

He spent six days recovering in the hospital but showed significant improvement within a few hours, a rare phenomenon known as the Lazarus effect. "Within an hour or two, he was essentially at baseline," Shaibani says. "It's not common, but I think being young was in his favor."

These days, McKeown is taking it easy because he's required to keep his heart rate under 140 for the time being. He's adjusted his eating habits with portion control and incorporating more vegetables. Rather than going hard at the gym, he's making sure to get his steps in every day and taking leisurely bike rides along a nearby lakefront trail, he says.

And hes more conscious about the amount of time he spends working and traveling for his job, trying not to overdo it.

He's also preparing to undergo elective open-heart surgery later this summer. Although doctors still aren't sure what caused McKeown to have a stroke, they did find something interesting in his heart: an aortic aneurysm.

The aneurysm is a "ballooning of the blood vessel," Dr. Chris Malaisrie, director of the comprehensive center for aortic disease at Northwesterns Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, tells TODAY.com.

McKeown's aneurysm is located right next to his heart at the aortic root, explains Malaisrie, who will perform the procedure. "And the bigger (aneurysms like this) get, the more likely they are to rupture or dissect, and those are both emergencies."

Aortic aneurysms often go undiagnosed until they cause serious, life-threatening symptoms. Even though the surgery is not related to McKeown's stroke, it will help prevent a second catastrophe, Malaisrie says.

Although McKeown isn't an anxious person generally, he did recently experience his first panic attack.

"I've come to the conclusion that, subconsciously, this is just taking more emotional and mental space than I've given it credit for," he says. On a day-to-day basis, he's not necessarily thinking about his health issues, he explains, "but these are pretty major life milestones that I'm going through."

Looking back, McKeown wants other young, healthy guys out there not to dismiss any signs that something might be off. And he's grateful that those around him at the gym convinced him to take his symptoms seriously.

"The only reason I did is because I was surrounded by people who had the foresight to encourage me to do that," he says. "And, really, it did save my life."

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
REYKJAVIK, Iceland  Residents on the Nordic island nation of Iceland are closely watching a volcano that has been the focal point of thousands of earthquakes over the last few days, which could signal an upcoming eruption.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports more than 4,700 earthquakes have occurred around Mount Fagradalsfjall  an active volcano about an hours drive from the capital city of Reykjavik.

Most earthquakes have been minor, but government agencies warn that seismic activity has increased the risk of landslides.

Alert statuses around the volcano have been raised in anticipation of increased activity and volcanic ash.

The volcano produced a series of eruption events in 2021 and 2022 but has been mostly quiet for nearly a year.

Earthquakes around the Fagradalsfjall volcano

"Based on the present assessment, two outcomes are possible. The seismicity could decrease progressively without magma reaching the surface. Alternatively, the seismicity could still decrease when the magma stops moving laterally but begins to move upward towards the surface (as observed prior to the last two eruptions here). This would likely result in an eruption close to where seismicity is currently concentrated. However, magma reaching the surface anywhere in the region between Fagradalsfjall and Keilir cannot be excluded. Of the two possible outcomes, a volcanic eruption occurring within days or weeks is considered more likely," meteorologists stated during their latest volcanic update.

WATCH A VOLCANO ERUPT OUTSIDE OF ICELANDS CAPITAL

The volcano is located far enough away from many of the countrys 375,000 residents that impacts are usually minor during times of eruptions.

Fagradalsfjall is only about a 20-mile drive from the countrys main airport of Keflavik, which has previously triggered concerns in the aviation community.

Fagradalsfjall is about an hour's drive outside the capital city of Reykjavik.

4 CLASSIC TYPES OF VOLCANOES

Planes are highly susceptible to ash, and the U.S. Geological Survey reports there have been at least 79 cases worldwide of volcanic material damaging aircraft since the 1950s.

Forecasters said in addition to an increase in seismic activity, satellite observations indicate changes in terrain are occurring on the southwestern tip of the island.

The island nation is not a stranger to volcanic activity due to its location on the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

Iceland has the most volcanoes of any region in Europe, with around 130 active and inactive volcanic mountains.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a press conference at the Horace Mann building in Springfield Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Another round of infrastructure investment is coming to Illinois, following an announcement by the Pritzker administration and the Illinois Department of Transportation on Friday.

The six-year, $40.9 billion program is a continuation of the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois passed during the governor's first term. Collectively, more than $27 billion will go towards roads and bridges and nearly $14 billion will be dedicated to transit, freight and passenger rail, aviation and ports and waterways.

"By the time we're done 96% of state interstates will have been improved and that's a stark contrast to the state of our infrastructure when we first passed Rebuild Illinois, just four and a half short years ago," Gov. JB Pritzker said during a press conference at the IDOT Hanley Building in Springfield.

More: Heading out on the roads this summer? Here's what you need to know about big construction projects

The matter brought together the Springfield-area contingency of legislators  Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield; Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield; Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur and Rep. Mike Coffey, R-Springfield  who touted the infrastructure works as a win for local construction unions.

McClure noted less than desirable road conditions throughout the state, yet believes the state is on the right path in addressing it.

"It is gonna take a significant amount of time to get us where we need to be," he said. "But the last few years have been a great start."

What's coming to District 6?

Sangamon County, along with Adams, Hancock and Logan counties, will be beneficiaries to the $1.7 billion in improvements coming to the district between fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2029. Coffey estimated more than $280 million of that will benefit Sangamon County.

Most of the projects are receiving similar amounts of funding as seen in the latest multi-year plan announced last August, another six-year, $34.6 billion plan. That includes the continued work a 7.8-mile stretch from Sangamon Avenue to 2.7 miles south of Illinois 123, now valued at $125.9 million instead of the earlier $124.2 million.

Bridge repairs and resurfacing on Interstate 55 to the sum of $21.6 million will also proceed between 6.2 miles of Illinois 104 to Horse Farm Road.

Outside of I-55, there are two projects at the Illinois 97/125 junction and MacArthur Boulevard. The 1.5-mile area on MacArthur between Wabash Avenue and South Grand Avenue will replace traffic signals and make Americans with Disabilities Act improvements for $20 million, down from $28 million in last year's plan.

The $79.7 million junction project will now include additional lanes and reconstruction along a 2.9-mile stretch in addition to a bridge removal and replacement, lane extension, and a pedestrian overpass.

Perhaps the most noted change in funding comes to the I-55 business area south of Stanford Avenue on Sixth Street. A total of $68.6 million, up from $40 million, will feed into 3.9 miles of reconstruction including additional lanes, intersection improvement, turning lanes, sidewalks, traffic signal replacement, bikeway and utility adjustments.

According to IDOT, the first five years of Rebuild Illinois have netted approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges, and 762 additional safety improvements through Fiscal Year 2023.

Contact Patrick Keck: 312-549-9340, pkeck@gannett.com, twitter.com/@pkeckgannett.com

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: $40.9B road program coming to Illinois. Here's what Springfield will get
Target Merchandise and Indianas Republican governor

Seven Republican attorneys general, including Todd Rokita of Indiana, wrote a letter to Target CEO Brian Cornell expressing concerns over the companys Pride merchandise.

Attorney generals from Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, and South Carolina backed Rokitas letter.

It suggests that the retailers LGBTQ+ youth merchandise and content are obscene.

The attorneys general said the company sold anti-Christian designs on T-shirts and Satanic products.

As part of the letter, the Republicans criticized GLSEN, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ students, accusing it of undermining parents constitutional and statutory rights.

These conservative lawyers also found offensive items with words like Girls Gays Theys and images of drag performers in conjunction with other LGBTQ+-themed phrases. They also criticized Target for selling tuck-friendly swimwear for kids, but Target only carried that line for adults.

The letter also alleges Target violates its fiduciary duty by making unprofitable decisions that are not in the shareholders best interests.

We are concerned by recent events involving the companys Pride campaign, the letter begins. Our concerns entail the companys promotion and sale of potentially harmful products to minors, related potential interference with parental authority in matters of sex and gender identity, and possible violation of fiduciary duties by the companys directors and officers.

Target does not receive specific information in the lengthy letter about what may happen if the merchandise remains in circulation. Various states have recently introduced bills banning LGBTQ+ content under obscenity laws, including drag bans, LGBTQ+ character and subject bans, and school and library restrictions on LGBTQ+ materials.

There was a campaign by far-right groups last month to concentrate on Targets LGBTQ+ merchandise, led by figures such as Matt Walsh, which resulted in harassment, violence, and threats directed at Target employees.

In late May, Target decided to remove some of its Pride merchandise in certain stores after threats the company received. Target announced then that it was removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Customers had antagonized Target workers, damaged merchandise displays, and made threats via social media.

Some Republican states tried to ban drag performances in public in the lead-up to Pride Month. Some of those measures were signed into law, but courts have intervened.

Independent journalist and LGBTQ+ rights activist Erin Reed explains, Lacking legislation that specifically declares content such as Targets Pride line as obscene, some state attorneys general may turn to interpreting old obscenity laws as including LGBTQ+ content.

Last month, a coalition of 15 state attorneys general also wrote to Target offering support for the retailer against anti-LGBTQ+ threats and calling on the company to stand by the LGBTQ+ community in the face of that intimidation.

As Attorneys General with a strong commitment to protecting the civil rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals, we write to express our resolute and unequivocal support for the LGBTQIA+ community as well as our concern regarding recent events in Target stores involving intimidation and destruction of certain Pride-related merchandise and Targets resulting decision to remove some Pride merchandise from its stores, began the letter, also addressed to Target CEO Brian Cornell.

We stand ready to help address anti-LGBTQIA+ threats and harassment in Target stores, it continues, but goes on to note the many political attacks on the community. Against this backdrop, Pride merchandise like Targets helps LGBTQIA+ people see that they enjoy considerable support and that loud and intimidating fringe voices and bullies do not represent the views of society at large.

The coalition was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. AGs from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington State signed on to that letter.
This 80-Year-Old Supreme Court Case Offers Hope for Teachers Who Think DEI Has Gone Too Far

Photo 33896129  Photographerlondon | Dreamstime.com

Last month, the Supreme Court's landmark First Amendment decision in West Virginia v. Barnette (1943) turned 80 years old. Remarkable for its enduring relevance as a guarantor of free speech, Barnette is now key to the emerging legal pushback against the excesses of so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programsas a recent civil rights lawsuit demonstrates.

Barnette involved a constitutional challenge to a West Virginia law mandating daily flag salute and recitation of the pledge of allegiance in public schools. Several students who were Jehovah's Witnesses objected to this requirement, citing their belief that reciting the pledge of allegiance is an act of idolatry.

The Supreme Court then famously invalidated the law on compelled speech grounds, and in doing so, the elegant pen of Justice Robert H. Jackson delivered one of the most memorable lines in all of constitutional law. He explained:

If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.

Applying that principle, the Court determined that the West Virginia law was unconstitutional because "the compulsory flag salute requires affirmation of a belief and an attitude of mind," and forcing a student to recite the pledge requires that he "utter what is not in his mind."

Critically, the Court was not concerned with whether the children were required to believe what they were saying or merely recite the words along with their classmates. Nor did it matter to the Court that the students could clarify their actual beliefs with their peers and teachers relatively easily. Instead, the Court rightly recognized that the intimate and personal way in which the students were compelled to affirm a contrary belief by standing, saluting the flag, and reciting the pledge was inherently injurious to their First Amendment rights.

Eighty years later, Brooke Henderson and Jennifer Lumley, two employees of the Springfield Public School District in Springfield, Missouri, have sued the school district to vindicate Barnette's constitutional principle against compelled speech. The events leading to their suit began when the district implemented mandatory districtwide "equity" trainings in fall 2020. The topics of the training included "Oppression, White Supremacy, and Systemic Racism" and tools on "how to become Anti-Racist educators."

Specifically, these sessions taught that believing in colorblindness is a form of white supremacy, that systemic racism is "woven into the very foundation of American culture, society, and laws," and that American institutions all contribute to or reinforce "the oppression of marginalized social groups while elevating dominant social groups." Participants were also told that being sufficiently "anti-racist" means not remaining "silent or inactive" because doing so constitutes "white silence"a form of white supremacy.

As the Heritage Foundation's GianCarlo Canaparo highlights in a recent law review article, anti-racism is itself a distinct ideological viewpoint with "two central premises from which its policy prescriptions flow." The first is that racism is the sole cause of disparities between racial and ethnic groups. The second is that the cure for past discrimination is present discrimination.

These suppositions, taken together, inform anti-racism's view of "equity," which it defines as numerically equal outcomes between races. Anti-racism's policy for achieving "equity," therefore, requires "antiracist discrimination" to establish this numerical equality between racial and ethnic groups.

During training sessions, employees were required to answer questions and give responses affirming anti-racist assertions. To complete their training, Henderson and Lumley both gave many answers that they did not actually believe.

Henderson and Lumley subsequently sued, alleging that their speech was unconstitutionally compelled during the trainings. A federal district court rejected their claims, but the pair have appealed their case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit.

What the district court failed to recognize is that just like in Barnette, Henderson and Lumley were repeatedly forced to utter what was not in their minds by affirming an ideological message with which they disagreed. They were required to participate in exercises such as locating themselves on an "Oppression Matrix" and a "Social Identities" chart. The underlying premises for these activities can be traced to the anti-racism theories associated with Ibram X. Kendi. When Henderson and Lumley completed these exercises, they were forced to adopt the viewpoint of the district and its equity trainers.

Whatever one may think of the contestable and value-laden assertions advanced by the training, the First Amendment rights of Henderson, Lumley, and every other similarly situated public employee were violated when they were required to betray their true beliefs and affirm this viewpoint.

It is indisputable that one cannot be compelled to salute the flag and honor the nation. It should be equally clear that one cannot be forced to disparage her either.

The post This 80-Year-Old Supreme Court Case Offers Hope for Teachers Who Think DEI Has Gone Too Far appeared first on Reason.com.
8th-grader with caring heart dies after boating accident on Fourth of July, cops say

An eighth grader was killed while tubing on a lake in South Dakota on the Fourth of July, according to officials.

Emily Emmy Brynn Gorman was tubing on Lake Madison when a jet ski collided with her inner tube, a witness told KSFY.





Her mother, Stacy Gorman, wrote on Facebook that her daughter died at a hospital after being involved in a tragic boating accident.

Words cannot express our devastation and sorrow, she wrote. For all those that knew and loved Emmy, know that she was so special, so beautiful, and had the biggest heart of anyone. She cared so deeply for those she loved and for all animals.

Gorman did not respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News.

Emily Gormans obituary describes the 13-year-old as a girl with a caring heart and a beautiful soul.

She loved having sleepovers with friends and would always stay up late joking, laughing and playing games, the obituary says.

She also adored her familys two pugs and would try to convince her parents to let her get another dog by texting cute pictures of the ones she wanted or preparing PowerPoint presentations.

The activities she participated in included dancing, cheering, cross country and volleyball.

She is survived by her parents and two sisters, according to the obituary.

Words cannot capture what a beautiful soul Emmy is, her unique personality or how much she is loved and cherished by her parents, sisters, friends, family, and all those that knew her, the obituary says.

The Lake County Sheriffs Office declined to provide information about the boating accident.

Lake Madison is a 2,600-square-foot lake about 45 miles northwest of Sioux Falls.

7-year-old girl struck by vehicle after jumping off parade float in Ohio, reports say

Exploding fireworks kill 43-year-old woman and injure nine others, Michigan cops say

6-year-old dies after dog attack at Florida home, cops say. Our hearts are broken
90 life sentences for US gunman who targeted Hispanics in Texas

A memorial to victims of the August 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas (MARIO TAMA)

A young white nationalist who shot and killed 23 people at a supermarket in the majority-Hispanic Texas city of El Paso in 2019 was sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms in prison on Friday.

Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty in February to federal hate crimes charges in connection with the August 3, 2019 mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart.

Crusius still faces trial at the state level in Texas, which has not ruled out seeking the death penalty.

"No one in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence -- that they will be targeted because of what they look like or where they are from," US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

"The 90 consecutive life sentences announced today guarantee that Patrick Crusius will spend the rest of his life in prison for his deadly, racist rampage in El Paso," Garland said.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke described the shooting as "one of the most horrific acts of white nationalist-driven violence in modern times."

Crusius drove some 660 miles (1,060 kilometers) from Allen, Texas, near Dallas to the Walmart Supercenter in El Paso with an AK-47-style assault rifle and 1,000 rounds of ammunition.

He opened fire on people in the supermarket parking lot, killing 23 and wounding 22.

According to the federal indictment, Crusius uploaded a document to the internet before the shooting titled "The Inconvenient Truth" in which he said the attack was "a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas."

In the tract, he said he was "defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement," referring to a concept by white supremacists claiming other ethnic groups are "replacing" them in the population.

Crusius said he chose the border city of El Paso as his target to dissuade Hispanic immigrants from coming to the United States.

When police showed up Crusius got out of his car and identified himself as the shooter. While in custody he told police he wanted to kill "Mexicans."

The massacre ignited a debate on how then-president Donald Trump's repeated criticism of immigrants influenced the behavior of people who supported him.

Crusius's attack was one of the deadliest mass shootings in US history.

It came two years after a gunman killed 58 people at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas and three years after a man murdered 49 at an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

cl/st
OceanGate the company responsible for the tragic Titan implosion that killed five people announced it is suspending its commercial and exploration expeditions.

News Center 7s Kayla McDermott spoke with Larry Connor who has been on dives deeper than the Titanic.

Connor said nothing could have gotten him on that sub.

This was an absolutely avoidable tragedy, Connor said

Before any mission Connor takes he said research is the first thing he does.

Can we do it safely? Can we do it successfully? he said. Whether its going to the bottom of the ocean or going to the international space station you always start with safety.

>> RELATED: OceanGate suspends operations after Titan submersible implosion

When he traveled more than 30,000 feet deep in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, he knew the materials of his sub.

13,000 feet or deeper titanium or certain types of hardened steel, Connor said.

He said when he first heard about the missing OceanGate sub he did his research again.

When I found out that they are using carbon fiber, thats a red flag, he said. It was an uncertified sub, theres an organization called DNV Norwegian that is kind of the gold standard for certification heard they didnt have that.

Connor added there is not a chance in the world he would have gone on the sub.

>> RELATED: Missing Titanic tourist sub: Titan suffered catastrophic implosion, killing 5 onboard

Currently, no one can get on an OceanGate sub, on the companys website it says all expeditions have been suspended.

No sub or submersible company should be ever taking paying people or anybody in my opinion in subs that are not absolutely certified and safe, Connor said.

He hopes the controversy surrounding the company does not impact further ocean research. He stressed again the tragedy could have been avoided.

Whats really more important is that five lives were lost when they didnt have to, he said.

Connor said he has future plans to show people you can take these deep dives to places like the Titanic safely.
















There is an active police investigation underway at a home in Saugus on Friday.

Officers responded to the area of Essex Street before 7 a.m. and roped off a home with yellow police tape.

Video from the scene showed officers and detectives congregated outside of the home in question.

Police remained tight-lipped throughout the day when Boston 25 reached out for information on the investigation.

The Essex District Attorneys Office is expected to release additional details at a later time.

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
Now at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage, "Warhol" is an exhibition of original work by artist Andy Warhol (1928-1987). (Margo Hawk)

Live music is always playing in Chicago in the summer and this weekend is no exception. Or take a trip out to Glen Ellyn to see Warhol.

Warhol

Now at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage, an exhibition on the life and work of artist Andy Warhol, running through mid-September. More than 200 original Warhol works and photographs are on display, including 94 artworks from Andy Warhol Portfolios: A Life in Pop | Works from the Bank of America Collection and 150 pieces from the College of DuPages permanent collection. Screen prints, Polaroids and more by the artist, plus attractions such as a Studio 54 Experience and special events and lectures this summer, offer a look into Warhols life in New York during the 1970s and 80s.

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Through Sept. 10 at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn; tickets $25-$40 at 630-942-4000 and Warhol2023.org

Millennium Park Film Series

This summers series of al fresco movies in Millennium Park opens this week with Fast Five, a PG-13 title set in Rio de Janeiro as part of the Fast & Furious cycle. From there, movies continue every Tuesday through Everything Everywhere All at Once at the end of August.

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6:30 p.m. July 11 (gates open at 5 p.m.) with entrances at Randolph and Monroe; free, more information at chicago.gov

Dave Matthews Band

The Grammy-winning band that formed in 1991 is still going strong, touring behind their 10th studio album Walk Around the Moon, and no better place to see them and sing along with hits like Ants Marching and Crash Into Me than on the lakefront at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island.

7:30 p.m. July 7-8 at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, 1300 S. Linn White Drive; tickets from $49.50 at davematthewsband.com/tours

Japanese Breakfast

The indie band that was the hit of last summers Pitchfork Festival is back in Chicago this weekend for two concerts at the Salt Shed, Chicagos new live music destination.

8 p.m. July 9-10 at The Salt Shed, 1357 N. Elston Ave.; tickets $55-$95 (ages 17+) at saltshedchicago.com

Square Roots

This weekends street festival in the Lincoln Square neighborhood has long had an Americana musical vibe and benefits in part the Old Town School of Folk Music. Headliners include Superchunk, Divino Nino and Eleventh Dream Day, as well as Jon Langford & Sally Timms as part of the Cosmic Country Showcase. Plus the Sunnyside Family Stage, food from local restaurants and a craft beer showcase.

July 7-9 at 4400-4600 N. Lincoln Ave.; $10 suggested donation, more information at squareroots.org

Chosen Few DJs Picnic and Festival

The Chosen Few Disco Corp. is a group of popular South Side DJs. The original members  Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Tony Hatchett, Alan King and Andre Hatchett  were among the DJs and producers who would create what would become known as House Music. This event aims to embody the atmosphere of a family reunion. Notable DJs and performers making an appearance include Kenny Dope, John Morales, Jamie 3:26, Stan Zeff, Lori Branch, Be Be Winans and Lidell Townsell.

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6 a.m.-8 p.m. July 8 at Jackson Park, South Lake Shore Drive near 63rd Street; Tickets start at $60, more information at chosenfewdjs.com

Party in the Park

The EDM Chicago Facebook group is celebrating 10 years with an all-day dance party in Lincoln Park. Local DJs will play music with live artists accompanying them. The event is free, but donations are accepted.

Noon-10 p.m. July 8 at Lincoln Park, 1800 N. Stockton Dr.; free, more information at eventbrite.com

West Fest Chicago

This festival features music selected by Empty Bottle Presents, as well as a DJ stage. Performers include Mark Farina, Nitzer Ebb and Grapetooth. The three-day event also includes a kid fest with train rides, bounce houses and pony rides, as well as a pet fest with a dog obstacle course and paw painting.

5-10 p.m. July 7 and noon-10 p.m. July 8-9 in West Town at Chicago Avenue between Wood and Damen, more information at westtownchamber.org/west-fest-chicago

Southport Art Fest

This two-day neighborhood street festival all about art features a wide range of artistic mediums, such as oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, photography, wood, glass, paper, metal and mixed media. Artists include Carolina Garzon, Katherine Badilla and Kevin Lucius, while musical performances include Manny Torres, Cecy Santana and Bryan Cee. Plus, a childrens section will have interactive games and other activities.

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10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 8 and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. July 9 in Wrigleyville on Waveland Ave. and Southport Ave.; free, more information at starevents.com/event/southport-art-fest
Activists want to disqualify Trump from ballot in key states under 14th Amendment

Two civil rights organizations are launching a campaign to pressure state governments to disqualify former President Trump from appearing on ballots in 2024.

The groups say secretaries of state are empowered by the 14th Amendment to bar Trump from running for office because of the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Starting Sunday, Mi Familia Vota and Free Speech for People will stage a week of rallies and banner drops outside the offices of the secretaries of state of California, Oregon, Colorado and Georgia.

The groups also penned a letter to Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar last month, calling on him to block Trump under whats known as the Insurrectionist Disqualification Clause.

Were really focusing on Nevada and California and [Oregon, Colorado and Georgia] to make sure that they are taking a stand by disqualifying Trump in those spaces, which is something that the secretary of state can do, said Hector Sanchez, executive director of Mi Familia Vota.

The groups are calling their campaign Trump is Disqualified, and are timing it to coincide with the 155th anniversary of the 14th Amendment.

The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

Secretaries of state are charged with certifying eligibility of candidates and counting the votes in their state.

Though Trump has been indicted twice and is under investigation in other cases, the groups say those are not disqualifying facts under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

However, the groups believe Trumps role in the Jan. 6 insurrection  for which he is also under investigation  does fit the constitutional clauses definitions.

That clause bars from a series of public offices people who having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same.

According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), its unclear whether the clause bans people from being president  an office not explicitly mentioned in Section 3  and whether the events of Jan. 6 rise to the level of insurrection or rebellion against the United States.

But at least one official in New Mexico, Couy Griffin, was removed from his position as elected county commissioner for his role in the attack.

Griffin was convicted for his role before losing his job, but the CRS notes that the Constitution does not expressly require a criminal conviction, and historically, one was not necessary.

The groups leading the campaign believe they can convince at least some secretaries of state of their interpretation of the clause, disrupting Trumps electoral chances.

Trump is responsible for the January 6th insurrection, plain and simple, said Alexandra Flores-Quilty, campaign director for Free Speech For People.

Failing to hold him responsible not only violates the Constitution, but it also sets a dangerous precedent for permitting violent attacks on our democracy. Thats not a risk we can afford to take.

The targeted states are mostly under Democratic control, but one, Georgia, holds a special significance in the events leading up to Jan. 6.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) was in 2020 pressured by Trump to reverse his states presidential vote count, which favored President Biden.

Raffensperger was interviewed by federal investigators Wednesday as part of special counsel Jack Smiths investigations into Trump.

A disqualification for Trump from any secretary of state would be unprecedented and likely challenged in court, but the civil rights groups say they have a shot.

We had a number of meetings with secretaries of state and we have had this discussion. So its a real possibility, said Sanchez.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
AIIB Says It Found No Evidence of Undue Influence on Decisions

(Bloomberg) -- The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said an internal review found no evidence of undue influence on decision-making after a former employee said Chinas Communist Party dominated the institution.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The review detailed in a report published Friday said that allegations made by former communications director Bob Pickard were unsubstantiated and incorrect.

The AIIB said Pickard was the subject of performance and conduct concerns before his resignation. The report added that a committee would be set up to address issues with staff grievance mechanisms and made recommendations to improve workplace culture.

See: Canada Halts Involvement With AIIB Amid Feud With China

Pickard, a Canadian who served as AIIBs global head of communications, posted on Twitter last month that he was quitting because the lender was dominated by Communist Party members and also has one of the most toxic cultures imaginable.

When contacted Friday about the AIIBs contention it had performance and conduct concerns about him, Pickard said some employees of the bank were conducting a protracted toxic campaign of harassment.

After Pickards initial allegations, Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government said Canada would halt all activities with the bank while it conducts its own inquiry.

Canadian officials also said the governments concerns go deeper and predate Pickards allegations. There were specific concerns about the banks governance being too centralized, which will be part of Canadas review, said the officials, who spoke earlier on condition they not be named.

They kept open the possibility that Canada chooses to remain an AIIB shareholder.

The AIIB said it invited Pickard to participate in the review but that it had not received a written submission from him. Pickard said on Twitter he would not participate because the process was not independent, but is cooperating with Canadian government officials.

Canadas swift retreat from the bank after the allegations showed the extent the world has become divided over China since the multilateral development bank was founded in 2016.

Read more: Canadas Snap Retreat From China Bank Shows Divided World

The AIIB said in its report that bank President Jin Liqun met with Pickard in May to discuss managerial issues on his team and to go over options. Pickard told Bloomberg Friday that he received nothing but positive feedback about his performance from President Jin both verbally and in writing.

The inquiry involved interviews with more than 30 people and an assessment of documents including emails and text messages, the AIIB said.

More: What China Gains From Having Its Own Development Bank: QuickTake

The Beijing-headquartered bank was established with the goal of investing in sustainable infrastructure in Asia and beyond, according to its website. It says it has so far invested in 221 projects worth $42 billion.

So far, none of the AIIBs around 100 members have publicly adopted Canadas position, including Group of Seven countries. The United States is not a member and has long warned allies about the banks lack of transparency and independence from Chinas leadership.

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The Ukrainian Air Force destroyed 12 out of 18 Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones overnight.

Source: Air Force of Ukraine on Telegram

Details: The Russian occupation forces attacked with Iranian-made Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones from the southeast (the town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Krasnodar Krai in the Russian Federation).

A total of 18 Shahed drones were launched. Air defence units were operating in the southern and eastern regions.

Anti-aircraft missile units, fighter aircraft and mobile fire groups of the Air Force destroyed 12 UAVs.

Background:

Earlier, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration reported that the Russians had attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with six Shahed drones on the night of 6-7 July, which were shot down by defenders from Air Command Skhid (East). The wreckage of a downed drone fell on a car, killing two people.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
HONOLULU, Hawaii  Mobility Guardian 2023, the Air Forces premier training exercise for its airlift and aerial refueling fleets, gets underway in the Pacific this week with an eye on potential conflict with China.

Now on its fourth iteration, this years Mobility Guardian is the largest to date at around 3,000 U.S. and allied airmen and 70 cargo and tanker planes. Its the first time that Air Mobility Command has brought its marquee biennial event overseas.

The exercise aims to prove how smoothly the Air Force can dispatch personnel and cargo to the Pacific in a crisis, and how easily U.S. troops collaborate with their partners in the region. Also part of the event are Americas allies in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing coalition  Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom  plus France and Japan.

Historically, were used to focusing on [U.S. Central Command], exercise planner Lt. Col. Jake Parker said. This is a completely different [region] that has a completely different focus. Its really shifting the way that we think through our tactics, techniques and procedures.

Earlier in the week, aircrews and support staff from across the United States began their journeys to U.S.-run and allied bases in Hawaii, Guam, Australia and Japan, where they will serve as the backbone of several other military exercises across the region through July 21.

Mobility Guardian is largely unscripted on purpose, Parker said. That forces troops to think on their feet to navigate the vast Pacific, set up communications and other support services in regions theyve never visited, and roll with the punches when things dont go according to plan.

Logistical snags are already putting that flexibility to the test.

One bleary-eyed crew of nearly 50 airmen departed Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, after midnight Thursday after weather delayed their outbound C-5 Galaxy for multiple hours. Then the team was waylaid in Honolulu when the crew that was scheduled to ferry them to Guam didnt arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on time.

Once aircraft reach their final destinations, airmen plan to work from bare-bones tents and trailers like those set up at the edge of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.

The Charleston-based airmen headed for Guam will act as a deployed wing staff, taking control of the airfield from a contingency response team already on the ground to set up a command post that can direct forces around the region on aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue missions and airdrops.

Mobility Guardian also gives airmen the chance to test out myriad other initiatives, from new teams that may help ensure continuity of communications, to command-and-control apps, to a real-time sleep study.

Participating airmen told Air Force Times theyre curious to see how ideas like the services new deployment model, known as AFFORGEN, play out in the real world.

Were supposed to go with generators and nothing, and set up initial comms, Master Sgt. Justin Braden, a combat communications specialist, said aboard a C-17 Globemaster III in Charleston. Were getting to do more of what were supposed to be doing  when you go on deployment. I want more opportunities like this.

Leaders have stressed they arent expecting perfection, and urge airmen to raise any issues that could help the Air Force improve after the exercise is done.

Have fun, they said, and show the world what the Air Force can do.

I need the best and brightest, 16th Airlift Squadron commander Lt. Col. Nicole Stenstad told airmen in a pre-deployment briefing in Charleston on Monday. I need you to put your best foot forward.
Holly Christensen

Rushing to make important decisions usually leads to unintended and unwanted consequences.

Sometimes haste is unavoidable, such as when the federal and state governments responded to the COVID pandemic in 2020. There were problems, some of which could have been avoided with better oversight, but rapidly creating robust safety nets to sustain the multitudes who lost their jobs vastly outweighed any downsides.

However, when conducting a nationwide search for the superintendent of a troubled urban school district with more than 20,000 students and 47 school buildings, careful examination of both the districts needs and the candidates qualifications is imperative.

'Failure is not an option': Akron school improving after ranking among Ohio's worst

When Akrons school board chose the previous superintendent in April of 2021, only one of the two final candidates had any superintendent experience  Akron native Sandy Womack, Jr., who was, and remains, one of six regional (assistant) superintendents of Columbus City Schools.

But the school board instead hired the candidate with no prior superintendent experience, Christine Fowler Mack. Nineteen months later, Fowler Mack resigned and her nearly half million dollar severance package revealed just how eager the board was to part ways with someone theyd only recently hired.

Was a lesson learned? That is what a rabbi once asked one of my sons when he confessed to lying about an altercation with another student. Learning from mistakes cultivates not only intelligence, but discernment, an essential component of wisdom.

Many of the current members of the Akron school board were involved in the hiring of (and break up with) Fowler Mack. Ignoring calls from across Akron to choose the next superintendent after this falls elections, in which three of the boards seven members must run for reelection, this spring the school board announced their plan to seat the next superintendent this summer.

By the June 5 application deadline, 23 candidates (of which nearly half were from Ohio) had applied for the position, including Mary Outley, the districts interim superintendent. Outley has been the districts executive director of elementary education since 2004.

On June 9, the school board president, Derrick Hall, told the Beacon Journal that he had been too busy to give more than a cursory glance at the candidate list (he was on military leave).

And yet less than a week later, the list had been winnowed to just seven candidates. Of the seven, only two are currently superintendents, Charlie Smialek of Parma City Schools and Kenny Rodriguez of Grandview (Missouri) C-4 School District. (While an important role, interim superintendent experience, which Outley now has, is not the same as being fully vested to run a district.)

Many school districts have just three buildings  one elementary, one middle and one high school. In such districts, the principal of one building may have the experience and skills to become superintendent of the district.

However, to assume someone who has never been a superintendent or assistant superintendent  or even someone in charge of a small district  could competently address the overwhelming challenges Akrons schools face  from poverty, to discipline, to low attendance and literacy rates and much more  is pure folly.

Besides Outley, the other Akron Public Schools' administrator on the list of seven was Larry Johnson. Johnson is the districts supervisor of secondary schools. Previously, Johnson was principal of Firestone High School, where he was well liked by students, parents, faculty, staff and me, as my third son was a Firestone student during Johnsons tenure.

A few days after the list of seven was announced, the districts teachers union endorsed Johnson. As much as I respect Johnson, like so many on that list, he lacks the experience to become Akron schools next superintendent.

On June 21, the school board cut Johnson, along with Smialek and Rodriguez, from the list, leaving just four candidates to choose from, none of whom are currently superintendents or assistant superintendents.

Underscoring the school boards questionable judgement, one of the four candidates previously had been filmed and investigated for alleged assault and battery of two high school students  neither of whom filed charges  in the district where she worked. Luckily for Akron, that candidate withdrew her application.

Days later, the school board offered the job to C. Michael Robinson Jr., who is currently the chief academic officer of East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana. He was previously the superintendent of Pine Bluff School District in Arkansas, which, with 3,800 students and 10 school buildings, is roughly one fifth the size of Akron Public Schools.

Pine Bluffs schools hired Robinson in 2016. Two years later, and a year before his contract was set to expire, Robinson asked to be let out of his contract. The Pine Bluff school board approved his request and Robinson left the district with a severance payment of $50,000 (his annual salary was $155,000).

APS superintendent search: Board selects C. Michael Robinson Jr. as district's next leader., spokesperson explains why he left previous job

It is clear that the school board of Akron Public Schools has not learned a lesson.

What Akron Public Schools needs is a strong superintendent who can foster substantial, significant and systemic improvements to how the district operates and educates.

Which begs the question, why did the school board rush the process and hire a candidate who any reasonable observer would realize is not qualified for such an important and difficult position?

The optics and the history of this hire, along with the hiring of former superintendent Christine Fowler Mack, point to a school board that wants a superintendent who wont give them pushback.

Bluntly put, they want a weak superintendent they assume they can control.

And just how did that work for them last time?

Contact Holly Christensen at whoopsiepiggle@gmail.com.

Holly Christensen: Akron students need school leaders to address issues

Holly Christensen: What do poor people look like? No different than everyone else

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron school board has not learned its lesson
An aerial view of the black smoke and flames at a market in Omdurman

(Reuters) - The conflict between military factions in Sudan has caused a surge in cases of rape and the abduction of women and girls, some as young as 12, aid agencies and officials said.

Teenage girls are being sexually assaulted and raped by armed combatants in "alarming numbers", Save the Children said in a statement on Friday, while the United Nations reported a "marked increase" in gender-based violence.

The war that erupted on April 15 pits Sudan's army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who fell out over plans for a political transition towards civilian rule. Fighting has been concentrated in the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur.

While dozens of cases of rape resulting from the conflict have been verified, the Sudanese government's Combating Violence against Women (CVAW) unit estimates that figure may represent just 2% of the total.

"We know that the official numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. Children as young as 12 are being targeted for their gender, for their ethnicity, for their vulnerability," Save the Children's Sudan director Arif Noor said in a statement.

Some parents were marrying off their daughters at a young age to try to protect them from further abuse, he said.

There have also been reports of girls being held for days while being sexually assaulted, and gang rapes of women and girls.

"Health care providers, social workers, counsellors and community-based protection networks inside Sudan have all warned of a marked increase in reports of gender-based violence as hostilities continue across the country," United Nations agencies said in a joint statement this week.

"Reporting violations and getting support is also made difficult, if not impossible, by the lack of electricity and connectivity, as well as lack of humanitarian access due to the volatile security situation."

CVAW also reported an escalation in cases of abduction of women and girls, especially in Khartoum, citing several recent cases for which it said RSF fighters were responsible.

The RSF has not directly addressed accusations of assault and sexual violence by its fighters, but has said that those who commit abuses will be held to account.

The U.N. estimates 4.2 million people are at risk of gender-based violence, up from 3 million before the conflict started in mid-April. Sudan has a population of 49 million.

The U.N. said the risk was especially high when women and girls were on the move, seeking to reach safe locations.

More than 2.9 million people have been uprooted by Sudan's conflict, including nearly 700,000 who have fled into neighbouring countries.

Some women are arriving pregnant as a result of rape, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

(Reporting by Aidan Lewis and Nafisa Eltahir; editing by Mark Heinrich and Ros Russell)
An ongoing fight among Medicare officials, Alzheimers patient groups and lawmakers over coverage of a new Alzheimers drug is not likely to abate, despite it getting the green light from federal health officials.

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday granted full approval to the drug, called Leqembi, based on clinical trial data showing it slowed cognitive decline by about 27 percent compared to a placebo.

Leqembi, developed by Eisai and Biogen, is the first drug approved that can slow the course of Alzheimers disease. FDA gave it fast-track approval in January, allowing manufacturers to launch the treatment based on preliminary evidence.

FDAs full approval also triggered expanded Medicare coverage for patients, but with a major caveat.

Specifically, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will require patients and clinicians to participate in a registry, which will collect evidence about how the drug works in the real world.

Medicares requirement for a registry applies to all so-called anti-amyloid drugs that may slow the progression of Alzheimers disease. No other FDA-approved medication has that type of requirement.

Patient advocacy and industry groups have been lobbying intensely for no coverage limits and have the support of bipartisan lawmakers. They were incensed by the decision and claim it will be a barrier to widespread treatment access.

Leqembi is just the second drug in its class, and there are more on the horizon. Advocates want Medicare to change its policy before any others get approved.

I cant see how they would justify letting a policy stay in place thats based on such an outdated read of the evidence, based on what we have today, said Robert Egge, chief public policy officer and executive vice president of public affairs at the Alzheimers Association.

In a statement Thursday, Alzheimers Association leaders said they felt CMS listened to them by designing a low touch registry to be as easy to use as possible.

But Egge said he was disappointed the agency did not start a formal process to reconsider the requirement altogether.

This reconsideration is extremely important and long overdue. We will continue to work with the administration and Congress to ensure the initiation of this process, Egge said in a statement.

Congress has also been pushing for broad Medicare coverage.

House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) said in a statement on Wednesday, ahead of FDAs decision, that CMS should already be covering Alzheimers treatments that have been cleared under the FDAs accelerated approval process.

Once the agency grants traditional approval, there will be no excuses for CMS to effectively deny coverage to Americans in need, McMorris Rodgers said.

Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Energy and Commerce health subcommittee, on Thursday said it was essential for Medicare to provide the broad coverage it has promised for Alzheimers treatments that receive traditional approval. I will be watching closely to make sure that promise is delivered. Families and patients deserve access to the life-changing drug without unnecessary burdens on patients or doctors.

The concern is not merely hypothetical.

Eli Lilly in May released initial results from a clinical trial of its new Alzheimers antibody treatment that were comparable to Leqembi, and the FDA could approve it by the end of the year.

Jason Karlawish, a co-director of the University of Pennsylvanias Penn Memory Center, said he thinks the U.S. health system is unprepared for these new drugs. Fighting over access, he said, misses the point.

Theres been this rhetoric around the need for wide access to the drug that kind of simply misses the fact that the issue is rational access to a drug, Karlawish said. Its got benefits, its got risks. Its complicated and its landing in a health care system thats not ready for it.

But others said a registry requirement doesnt make sense, especially for future drugs.

Dennis Selkoe, co-director of the Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, who has consulted with Eisai, said having a registry requirement for only Alzheimers drugs could send a message to patients that regulators dont think the drugs work.

You ask yourself  what was happening here? Why is this so sensitive that it needs a registry of all patients? Because the implication could be, we dont think this stuff really works. Were worried that it might not be useful. And of course, that will give pause to patients, Selkoe said.

Many of us assume that Medicare cannot say what they really are concerned about, which is the total cost of an extensive therapeutic for arguably the most common brain disease in humanity, Selkoe said.

Leqembi is expensive; it costs $26,500 a year, and experts said widespread uptake could significantly increase Medicare premiums. Leqembi is an infusion drug administered by a physician, so it is covered under Medicare Part B.

About 6.7 million people in the United States are diagnosed with Alzheimers, and that number is expected to rise as the population ages. There about 1.5 million people estimated to be in the early stages of Alzheimers.

Drugmaker Eisai has said it expects only about 100,000 patients will be using the drug in its first three years on the market.

Even if that relatively conservative number turns out to be correct, thats still $2.7 billion in annual spending for this drug. If the take up rate is higher, the numbers obviously are going to be greater, said Tricia Neuman, senior vice president of the health research group KFF and executive director of its Medicare policy program.

If just 5 percent of people with Alzheimers disease take the drug, the cost would be closer to $9 billion in additional spending annually for Medicare roughly equal to spending on the top three Part B drugs combined in 2021, Neuman said.

Some Medicare patients could be also responsible for more than $5,000 per year in out-of-pocket copay costs for the drug.

There are also serious safety concerns with Leqembi and Eli Lillys drug, called donanemab.

If Medicare requires reporting of the side effects, that can help inform the development and trials of other drugs in the future.

FDAs approval of Leqembi came with a black box warning on the drugs label, stating that in rare cases it can cause serious and life-threatening events and that there have been cases of brain bleeding, some of which have been fatal.

Three people died during the primary trial, and about 13 percent of all participants who took Leqembi showed potentially serious brain bleeding and swelling.

I think given the controversies, given the costs, given the side effects, its important that we keep collecting data, and I think its reasonable to require [a registry], said University of Kansas Medical Center neurologist Jeffrey Burns.

It will on some level exacerbate access issues, but  I dont think the registry will be necessary forever. But right now, I think its reasonable, Burns said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.

Amazon Prime Day 2023 is a few hours out, but you can still snag some early deals before the two-day shopping event begins in earnest. We've rounded up the best early Prime Day deals we can find below. Remember that you'll need to subscribe to Prime to take advantage of many (but not all) of the offers, and that there's always a chance that prices drop lower during the event itself. For those with no interest in Prime, we've also included a few of the best tech deals that aren't explicitly tied to the event.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

Amazons Fire TV Stick 4K Max has dropped to $25 for Prime members before Prime Day, which is more than half off its regular price and ties its all-time low. This the most powerful streaming dongle Amazon makes, with a superior processor than the standard Fire TV Stick 4K, plus support for WiFi 6, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos audio. While Amazon's Fire TV OS can be messy compared to other platforms from Roku, Google and Apple, it still gets you access to just about all of the major streaming apps. A few other Fire streaming devices have been discounted as well, including the latest Fire TV Cube, which Prime members can pick up for $110.

Fire TV Stick Lite

Amazon Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite $15 $30 Save $15 Amazons Fire TV Stick Lite is half off and down to only $15. It was slightly cheaper last Prime Day when it was on sale for $12, but nevertheless, this is a great sale on Amazons most affordable streaming dongle. $15 at Amazon

Amazons Fire TV Stick Lite is half off and down to only $15. It was slightly cheaper last Prime Day when it was on sale for $12, but nevertheless, this is a great sale on Amazons most affordable streaming dongle. With its support for 1080p video and WiFi 5 connectivity, its arguably best for those on tight budgets who just want to upgrade an old TV with basic streaming chops.

Amazon Fire HD 8

Amazon Amazon Fire HD 8 $55 $100 Save $45 If all you want is a competent tablet for reading and streaming for as little money is possible, the Fire HD 8 should do the job at this deal price, which matches the lowest we've seen. $55 at Amazon

If you're on an ultra-tight budget and need a new tablet, the Fire HD 8 is worth considering at its current deal price of $55, which matches its lowest price to date. Normally, the device retails around $90. This tablet has a smaller (8-inch) and lower-resolution (1,280x800) display than the Fire HD 10, and it isnt as quick in day-to-day use. Like all Fire tablets, its app support lags well behind iPadOS, which is most noticeable in its lack of Google apps. But it has just enough power for the basics, it gets a solid 10-ish hours of battery life and its light in the hand. You can expand its 32GB of storage with a microSD card, too. If all you want is a competent tablet for casual reading and streaming for as little as possible, it should do the job.

Amazon Fire Max 11

Amazon's recently released Fire Max 11 tablet is on sale for $150 for Prime Day. It's the best discount we've seen since Amazon's most powerful tablet launched in May. The slab has an 11-inch 2000 x 1200 touchscreen, an octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, up to 128GB of built-in storage and up to 14 hours of battery life. It can also work with a detachable keyboard and stylus, so you could use it like a 2-in-1 laptop.

Amazon Echo Buds (2023)

The latest Echo Buds just arrived in May yet theyre already 30 percent off at Amazon for Prime members. You can get them for $35, which is $15 off and ties the lowest price weve seen. We recommended the Echo Buds to those who prefer an open design in our best budget wireless earbuds guide. They lack active noise cancellation and don't completely seal off the ear canal, but their sound quality is decent for the price, and they come with features we don't often see in cheap earbuds, such as multipoint connectivity, auto-pausing and a customizable EQ tool. Naturally, they also work well with Alexa. If you hate the feeling of in-ear headphones, they'll be a good value.

Amazon eGift Card + $5 promo credit

Amazon is giving Prime members a $5 promotional credit when they buy an eGift card valued at $50 or more before July 10th. You'll need to use the promo credit by August 25, 2023, but the only things it won't apply to are items sold by third-party merchants and e-books.

Blink Mini

Prime members can get a two-pack of Blink Mini security cameras for $34 right now. Single cameras are also on sale for $18. While these Blink cameras are wired, they have most of the same features as the standard wireless models, including 1080p video recording, motion alerts and support for two-way talk. Several other Blink wireless cameras are on sale as well.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus

The new Ring Battery Doorbell Plus is down to a new low of $130 for Prime members. This model just came out this year and its powered by a quick-release, rechargeable battery that you can easily remove when the device needs more power. It also supports some of the latest Ring Doorbell features including 156p video recording, color night vision, two-way talk, Quick Replies and customizable motion zones.

Amazon Kindle Unlimited 3-month membership

If you're a Prime member who has never subscribed to Kindle Unlimited, you can get a three-month trial to Amazon's e-book service for no extra cost. Normally, the subscription goes for $12 a month after a 30-day free trial. Just note that the membership will be set to auto-renew by default. As a refresher, Kindle Unlimited makes a selection of e-books, audiobooks and digital magazines accessible on-demand. It doesn't include every e-book in the Kindle library, but it may still be worthwhile if you're a particularly avid reader. If nothing else, this deal makes it easier to figure out if it's worth paying for.

Audible Premium Plus 3-month membership

Similar to that Kindle Unlimited offer, Prime members who are new to Audible Premium Plus can get three months of the audiobook service for free. This membership usually costs $14.95 a month after a 30-day free trial, so you're saving about $30. Premium Plus is Audible's upper tier: Like the less expensive Audible Plus, it provides an assortment of audiobooks, podcasts and other audio content you can access on-demand. The main difference is that it also includes a monthly credit that you can use to buy any book in the Audible store permanently. As with Kindle Unlimited, Premium Plus will be most worth it if you burn through audiobooks and podcasts quickly, but this extended trial is a comfier way to see if it's useful. Again, be aware that the subscription will be set to auto-renew by default.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon has knocked the latest Echo Dot down to $23, which is roughly half off its typical street price, and is throwing in a Sengled color smart bulb for no extra cost. We consider the Echo Dot the best smart speaker you can get for less than $50 thanks to its compact design, surprisingly good sound quality for its size and handy Alexa integration. The newest Echo Dots can also act as Eero WiFi boosters, adding up to 1,000 square feet of coverage to your existing Eero system.

Amazon Echo

Amazon has discounted several other Echo speakers as well. The base Echo, for one, is down to $55, which is $5 more than its all-time low but still $35 off its typical going rate. This is the top pick for less than $100 in our smart speaker buying guide, as it represents a clear step-up from the Echo Dot in terms of sound quality. If you arent tied to Apple or Google, we generally found it to outperform the HomePod Mini and Nest Audio as well.

If youre looking for something more affordable than the Echo Dot, the unidirectional Echo Pop doesnt sound as nice, but it offers most of the same Alexa capabilities and is currently on sale for $18. The Echo Dot with Clock, meanwhile, has similar hardware to the standard Dot, but adds an LED display that can show the time and basic weather and music info. That one is down to a new low of $30. And while the larger Echo Studio cant top something like the Sonos Era 100, its still the best-sounding Echo, and it could be a decent value at its current price of $155 if you already own several other Alexa speakers and want to save some cash. That deal also matches the lowest price weve tracked.

Amazon Echo Show 5

The latest Echo Show 5 is half off and down to a record low of $45. Weve previously recommended the Show 5 to those who prefer Alexa over the Google Assistant and want a smart display that wont take up much space. Its particularly useful as a smart alarm clock, as it has a gentle sunrise alarm feature and a tap-to-snooze function. This new model has a faster processor, a slightly larger speaker and an extra mic for better Alexa performance.

Amazon Echo Show 8

If you dont need something so compact, the Echo Show 8 is our favorite Amazon smart display overall and is currently on sale for $60. Thats a new all-time low and roughly $45 off the devices average street price. Compared to the 5.5-inch panel on the Echo Show 5, the 8-inch touchscreen here is much better suited for making video calls or viewing photos. You get a vastly superior camera, more powerful speakers and a faster processor as well. As with the Show 5, there's also a physical camera shutter and mic mute button.

The more spacious Echo Show 10 and Echo Show 15 are also down to new lows at $163 and $182, respectively. Neither of those devices are outright bad, but our reviews found them to be less universally appealing than their smaller and more affordable siblings.

Ring Video Doorbell + Echo Show 5

Amazons sweeping early Prime Day sale on Ring devices includes a bundle that gives you the Ring Video Doorbell plus an Echo Show 5 for only $65. Considering the Video Doorbell alone is going for $55 as an early Prime Day deal, that means youll only spend $10 on the Show 5 if you opt for the bundle. The Video Doorbell itself is a fairly basic 1080p option, but it's easy to install and generally accurate at delivering motion alerts

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids

The 16GB version of Amazons Kindle Paperwhite Kids is down to $105, which is $65 off and a new low. While this e-reader is marketed toward children, it features the same hardware as the standard Paperwhite, with a lightweight and waterproof design, 6.8-inch 300 ppi display, 10-week battery life and extensive e-book library. Here, though, you also get a cover case, a longer two-year warranty and a year of Amazon's Kids+ service (which you can ignore if you arent buying for a little one). We gave the Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition a review score of 97 back in 2021. The Kids edition lacks that models ad-free lock screen (when you aren't using a child account, at least), upgraded front light, wireless charging and 32GB of storage, but the two devices are otherwise similar.

Motorola Razr+

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget Motorola Razr+ (2023, Unlocked) $850 $1,000 Save $150 Motorola's new foldable phone came out less than a month ago, and is already getting a discount on Amazon  but only for Prime members and only on Prime Day. Enter your email to be "invited" to buy the phone on July 11th. $850 at Amazon

The foldable Moto Razr+ only just arrived last month, but it's already received a 15 percent discount for Prime Day, albeit in a roundabout way. You'll need to be a Prime member and request an invite first, after which youll be able to buy the phone on Prime Day for the discounted price. While jumping through Amazons hoops is annoying, doing so will get you an unlocked Razr+ for $850 instead of $1,000.

We spent some time with the new foldable before it came out last month and gave it a full review upon its debut. The verdict? Samsungs Galaxy foldables have some serious competition. The Razr+ has a 6.9-inch screen when open and offers a 3.6-inch screen when folded, which is much larger than the 1.9-inch exterior screen on the Galaxy Z Flip 4. The foldable design unlocks different uses, as it can act as its own tripod in addition to taking up less space in your pocket.

Eero Pro routers

eero Amazon eero Pro mesh WiFi router $70 $160 Save $90 A number of Eero and Eero Pro WiFi router packs have been discounted for Prime members ahead of the shopping event. You can pick up one Eero router for as low as $45, or an Eero Pro router for $70. $70 at Amazon

A number of Eero and Eero Pro WiFi router packs have been discounted for Prime members ahead of the shopping event. You can pick up one Eero router for as low as $45, or an Eero Pro router for $70. We recommend going for the Eero Pro if you can, since it's a tri-band system that supports speeds up to 1Gbps and covers slightly more square feet than the standard Eero does. Just keep in mind that these are not the latest Eero systems; for WiFi 6 support, you'll have to shell out a bit more money for an Eero 6 set.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)

Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro are back on sale for $200, which is $50 off their usual rate and a record low. These remain the best true wireless earbuds for Apple lovers, even though the company didn't drastically overhaul the design with this latest model. Most of the new features are under the hood, with Apple noticeably improving the pair's sound quality, noise cancellation and transparency mode.

Samsung Pro Plus microSD card

The 256GB version of Samsung's latest Pro Plus microSD card is down to a new low of $20. That's $10 off its MSRP. If you need more space, the 512GB model is within a couple dollars of its best price at $43.52. The Pro Plus is the top pick in our guide to the best microSD cards, as it finished at or near the top of all of our sequential and random speed tests. It's also backed by a 10-year warranty.

Samsung 980 Pro

The 2TB version of Samsung's 980 Pro is down to a new low of $100. We've seen this SSD steadily drop in price over the course of the year, but this deal marks a roughly $35 drop from the devices average street price in recent months. The 980 Pro isnt Samsungs fastest SSD  that would be the 990 Pro, the 1TB model of which is down to $70  but it still meets Sony's requirements for expanding the PS5s storage. Youll just need to add a heatsink for a few bucks more to go along with it. If you aren't buying for a PS5 specifically, a speedy PCIe 4.0 drive like this may be overkill but will provide fast storage all the same.

Both this and the Evo Plus microSD card deal come as part of a wider sale on Samsung storage devices. This includes the Fit Plus, a tiny flash drive we recommend in our best SSDs guide, down to $22, and the T7 Shield, a ruggedized version of one of our favorite portable SSDs, back down to $75. Both deals match the lowest prices weve tracked, and nothing in the sale is exclusive to Prime subscribers.

Apple iPad (9th gen)

The 64GB model of Apple's 9th-gen iPad is down to $250 at Amazon, matching the lowest price we've tracked. You'll see the price listed as $279 and an additional $29 discount will apply at checkout. Apple normally sells the device for $329, though we've seen it retail closer to $275 in recent months. This is the budget pick in our iPad buying guide: It lacks the accessory support, thinner bezels and laminated display of the iPad Air, but it's by far the most affordable route into iPadOS, and it remains fast and comfortable enough for casual reading, streaming and gaming. It's also the only current iPad with a headphone jack.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 (40mm) $199 $280 Save $81 The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is down to $199 for a 40mm model and $229 for a 44mm model. We gave the Galaxy Watch 5 a score of 85 last year, and it's currently the "best for Android users" pick in our smartwatch buying guide. $199 at Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is down to $199 for a 40mm model and $229 for a 44mm model. We gave the Galaxy Watch 5 a score of 85 last year, and it's currently the "best for Android users" pick in our smartwatch buying guide. While its battery life could be better, its design is durable and attractive, its OS is easy to navigate and its health tracking is relatively comprehensive. Samsung is expected to announce a Galaxy Watch 6 in the coming weeks, however, so it may be worth waiting to see how that model stacks up if you don't need a new smartwatch right this instant.

Google Pixel 7a

Google Google Pixel 7a $449 $499 Save $50 The Pixel 7a is currently the best midrange phone you can get thanks to its fast Tensor G2 chipset, smooth 90Hz display, IP67 water resistance, fantastic cameras and support for wireless charging. $449 at Amazon

Googles Pixel 7a is $50 off and down to a new low of $449 right now. Its currently the best midrange phone you can get thanks to its fast Tensor G2 chipset, smooth 90Hz display, IP67 water resistance, fantastic cameras and support for wireless charging. If youre willing to spend an extra $50, you can spend $500 and upgrade to the Pixel 7.

Elgato Stream Deck +

Elgatos Stream Deck + is 10 percent off right now and down to $180 in one of the first real discounts weve seen on the gaming accessory. In addition to eight customizable buttons, the Deck+ also has a touch bar and four knobs that make it easier to control things like lighting and sound during a stream. The Deck+ also supports plugins for Camera Hub, Elgato Wave Link, Spotify, Twitch and more.

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know, and hear from Autoblogs car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals.
Amazon's $1.7 billion acquisition of Roomba manufacturer iRobot is under scrutiny not only in the US, but also in Europe. The European Commission has revealed that it has opened an in-depth investigation into the purchase out of concerns that the merger would restrict competition for robotic vacuum cleaners. In particular, the commission is concerned that Amazon might prevent iRobot's rivals from selling their robot vacuums on its marketplace. Amazon might favor iRobot's products in both paid and unpaid search results or charge competing products more to advertise their offerings, the commission said.

In addition, authorities are worried about the possibility of Amazon preventing iRobot rivals from accessing future Alexa APIs and from getting the "Works with Alexa" certification, since voice control with the assistant is one of the most important selling points for robot vacuums. Finally, the commission has raised concerns about Amazon obtaining access to iRobot users' data, which it believes could provide the e-commerce giant "an important advantage." Amazon could, for instance, use that information to better personalize and target advertisements. Bottom line is that the "transaction may raise barriers to entry and expansion for Amazon's competitors to the detriment of consumers."

The commission will now look into these concerns in cooperation with other competition authorities and has until November 15th to finalize its results. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission launched a probe into the acquisition last year after politicians from both parties asked it to oppose the purchase.

An Amazon spokesperson told Reuters that the company will "continue to work through the process with the European Commission and [is] focused on addressing its questions and any identified concerns at this stage." They also told the news organization that Amazon could "offer a company like iRobot the resources to accelerate innovation and invest in critical features while lowering prices for consumers."
The News

Mask mandates are finished, even in hospitals. The federal COVID emergency ended two months ago, along with the last federal vaccine requirements. And last week, for the first time since Gallup began asking Americans about the pandemic, a majority of them said that it was over.

That shifting attitude has started to show up in the race for president. Ron DeSantis, whose battles against mask and vaccine mandates made him a Republican star, has lost ground as voters move on from the pandemic. And attacking Donald Trumps early handling of the COVID outbreak, accusing the former president of destroying millions of lives by supporting stay-at-home measures and not firing top health officials, hasnt paid off.

Davids view

One reason COVID policy is a tough sell for DeSantis: The states that get first crack at picking a GOP nominee had experiences much closer to Floridas than New Yorks or Californias.

Stay-at-home orders in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina were ended before the CDC recommended it; in all three states, public schools were allowed to re-open for the 2020-2021 school year. Mask mandates ended in Iowa in February 2021; in New Hampshire two months later; and in South Carolina, McMaster ended local mask mandates in May 2021.

The Faucian dystopia that DeSantis talks about preventing in Florida never came to Dubuque or Nashua or Spartanburg. That wasnt necessarily a problem for DeSantis, said Iowa GOP strategist David Kochel; he could connect to the audience by praising Gov. Kim Reynolds for handling COVID like he did.

Its not at the top of the issue set, but it is something of a threshold you have to clear, said Kochel. I dont think it lessens DeSantis effectiveness. It probably makes it easier.

Another reason for the fade: Stay-at-home orders and vaccination were least controversial among older voters, the likeliest to show up for Republican primaries. In both Iowa and New Hampshire, 95% of retirement-age voters got vaccinated; a smaller share, but still a majority, received booster shots.

One more reason: Much of the organizing power against mandates and school closures has already transferred to other causes. Moms for Liberty led the way. In 2022, when DeSantis keynoted the groups first national conference, he spent about half his time recounting his conflicts with the media and medical authorities to protect the free state of Florida.

At last weeks Moms for Liberty conference in Philadelphia, DeSantis didnt mention COVID, masks, or school closures in his 25-minute speech, discussing them only when the groups co-founder Tiffany Justice praised his pandemic response in a Q&A.

That was the cause that built Moms for Liberty, which was started in 2021 by parents upset over COVID restrictions in schools. But it had since moved on to campaigns against the material being taught in those schools. Justice told Semafor that reopening schools was the opening act in a larger effort to roll back progressive influence in education.

Its not about any specific issue, Justice said. I mean  it was about the masks, but it wasnt about the masks. It was about school closures, but it wasnt about the school closures. Its about parental rights.

The View From Trump World

After DeSantis suggested that hed have fired then-NIAID director Anthony Fauci, the Trump campaign put out a 30-second compilation of DeSantiss early, cautious responses to the pandemic  including some praise of Fauci.

Every single thing that he criticizes President Trump for, he supported, said Trump campaign adviser Jason Miller. Its gone from him telling revisionist history stories to an issue of credibility and hypocrisy.

Room for Disagreement

COVID is absolutely something he needs to focus on in the NH primary, said Jason Osbourne, the GOP leader of the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and an early DeSantis endorser. The governor, said Osbourne, needed to highlight both the assaults on liberty and the insane spending that together have wreaked such devastation on the American economy and the entire world.

The View From Republican Voters

When pressed, Republican voters tend to agree with DeSantis. They want [Faucis] head on a spike, said GOP pollster Robert Blizzard, whose surveys for Public Opinion Strategies have shown DeSantis performing slightly better than Trump in swing states.

Fewer voters are focused on the pandemic now, but the DeSantis approach is still compelling for conservatives who havent moved on. Travis Gilson, 41, showed up for DeSantiss first Iowa rally, fully in support of a probe into how the federal government recommended stay-at-home orders for so long.

What drove this? What did the President know? When did Fauci know all that stuff? Gilson said. Lets get it out in the open; lets hold people accountable for what happened, so everyone knows, hey, if you try this stuff, again, theres gonna be consequences.

Notable
Barely two months have passed since Chicago audiences saw Other Peoples Children, starring the busy and reliably excellent Virginie Efira. Her instincts locate the tenderness in both drama and light comedy  often in the same instant. That French export, a good one, was distributed stateside by Chicagos Music Box Films.

Now, Music Box is circulating another recent pickup starring Efira. Revoir Paris, which translates as Paris Memories, finds Efira working as thoughtfully and effectively as ever. The film itself is frustrating, however, and more than a little specious in its glossy narrative treatment of a fatal terrorist attack, based on the 2015 Islamic State assaults all across Paris.

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The opening minutes of writer-director Alice Winocours drama, continuing through July 13 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, shows Mia (Efira) going about her life, unaware of what we know is soon to occur. She works as a Russian translator; one evening, she meets her surgeon lover Vincent (Gregoire Colin) for a late dinner at a bistro, though the rendezvous is interrupted by a work text calling the surgeon back to the hospital. On the way home, Mia ducks into a different bistro to get out of the rain. Suddenly, gunfire. Bodies on the floor. Glass everywhere.

Mia survives the attack. Many others do not, and the rest of Revoir Paris follows Mia through a process of dazed recovery that turns into a detective story. Three months after the attack, Mias memories of what happened that night remain fractured and elusive. But without warning, certain things  the sight of candles on a birthday cake, for example  crystallize, fleetingly, a memory of the attack.

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A survivors group convenes at the bistro, and its at once eye-opening and too much to bear for Mia, especially after a fellow survivor accuses Mia of having hidden behind a locked door in the bistro restroom. Two fellow survivors set Mias course for something like a real recovery. One is Thomas (Benoit Magimel), a rumpled charmer whose leg has been badly injured. The other, kitchen worker Assane (Amadou Mbow), remains a cipher until near the end of the film, difficult to locate. For Mia, hes the key to this post-traumatic recovery period; they survived the attack together, hiding, holding hands while listening to the horrific sounds of the dead and dying.

To say writer-director Winocour is good with trauma sounds like a backhanded compliment, but unfortunately it applies to Revoir Paris. (Her resume includes the film Disorder, about an ex-soldier living with post-traumatic stress disorder.) Theres considerable craft underneath everything she does, even when her script indulges in some sentimentally manipulative plotting in the later stages. But theres a whiff of exceptionalism, of survivors guilt blithely ignored, in the way the movie glides along, dominated by beautiful close-ups of a beautiful star. The use of recent tragic events for a protagonists personal growth becomes more and more dubious, in ways recalling both indie and mainstream American attempts to dramatize the fallout of 9/11.

While many will find Revoir Paris moving, for me its because the performances do the heavy lifting, effortlessly, while the material lays everything out too neatly. The mess of life, the anguish of what Mia is going through, deserves a clear-eyed exploration and a little less gloss.

Revoir Paris  2 stars (out of 4)

No MPA rating (violence)

Running time: 1:44

How to watch: Through July 13 at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St.; siskelfilmcenter.org; in French with English subtitles.

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

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mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
A Hagerstown man involved in a July 2020 riot at the Washington County Detention Center recently reached a plea deal, resolving the case for the ninth of 10 defendants.

Nicholas Franklin Houman, 26, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor rioting in Washington County District Court last week on June 29, according to court records.

State prison officers: Maryland to pay $13 million settlement for correctional officers' unpaid overtime

District Court Judge Terry A. Myers sentenced Houman to a suspended two-year sentence and unsupervised probation for 18 months, according to his online case docket and attorneys involved in the case.

Defense attorney David Pembroke said Wednesday he thinks the disposition for his client is fair.

Of the 10 original defendants in the case, eight have pleaded, according to court records. Charges were dismissed against another defendant involved in a plea deal, and there is an active warrant for the 10th man, according to court records.

That warrant is for Brady Nunez, 26, of Bronx, N.Y., on misdemeanor charges of rioting and malicious destruction of property, according to his online case docket.

The disturbance began about 3 p.m. on July 25, 2020, when inmates in one of the cell blocks refused to be locked in their cells for the end-of-shift headcount to make sure all inmates were accounted for and, instead, began damaging the cell block, according to charging documents.

It took about two hours to get the inmates under control and several more hours to assess the damage to detention center property, the document said.

In March, Assistant State's Attorney Holland Burch said no officers were hurt during the riot.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office operates the detention center at 500 Western Maryland Parkway, along Hagerstown's western edge.

Riot defendant's plea deal

Holland, on Wednesday, said she communicated with a spokesperson for the sheriff's office to make sure the agency was onboard with Houman's plea deal. The deal also took into account Houman's prior record, which had one prior conviction, she said.

Holland said she requested a period of the probation to be supervised, but Houman received unsupervised probation.

Houman was only charged with riot in the case.

However the maximum penalty he faced was not specific. With riot being a common law charge, the penalty could not be cruel or unusual, Holland said.

Overview of July 2020 jail riot

The inmates were repeatedly ordered to get in their cells, but about half of the cell block, known as A-Pod, refused. As staff attempted to lock in the cooperating inmates, the others interfered, according to charging documents.

Deputies exited A-Pod and all doors were secured, the document said. The detention center's emergency response team was called and eventually deployed tear gas into the pod, according to court documents and officials. In the interim, the riot included inmates forcing open a cell door to let at least one inmate out, damage to the control center windows and an attempt to start a fire using a damaged electrical outlet.

Houman was seen using soap and water to soak down the steps into the day room, according to charging documents.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Hagerstown man, 9th of 10 defendants, pleads in Maryland jail riot
Another example of Kremlin's brutality  Blinken about Russian attack on Lviv

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reacted to Russia's night attack on Lviv.

Source: Blinken on Twitter

Quote: "Russias attack on the western Ukrainian city of Lviv is yet another example of the Kremlins brutality."

Details: Blinken noted that this is "why support for Ukraines defence against the Kremlins aggression is vital".

He once again emphasised the steadfast commitment of the US to Ukraine.

Background:

The Russians fired missiles on Lviv overnight on 5-6 July, damaging a critical infrastructure facility, and one missile hit a multi-storey residential building.

The Air Force reported that it had shot down 7 out of 10 Kalibr cruise missiles fired by the Russians on Ukraine.

The death toll from the missile strike has risen to 10.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Another Tri-City community considers allowing retail pot sales. What happens next?

West Richland is considering lifting its ban on retail cannabis less than a month after Pasco became the first in the Tri-Cities to do so.

The citys planning commission will take a first look at a proposed amendment to allow retail sales in its light industrial zones when it meets Thursday, July 13. A public hearing also is set for Aug. 10.

Im hopeful West Richland will lift their ban. I mean, theyve got Nirvana (Cannabis Company) right there outside their geographic border, said Ken Weaver, owner of Yakima-based Slow Burn cannabis retailer.

Nirvana is a small retailer currently located in an unincorporated slice of Benton County thats just outside the West Richland city limits.

In November 2020, Weaver and his company K&B Weaver LLC filed an application with West Richland requesting it amend its zoning code to allow retail cannabis in three areas: Commercial general, commercial light industrial and light industrial zones.

After reviewing the application, city staff recommended the planning commission look at lifting the ban in only one zone  the light industrial zone  which encompasses the area around the Keene Road-West Van Giesen Street intersection.

The LI zone would likely be the better location as it is approximate to the police station and would likely not be located near city zoned residential properties, city staff wrote in their report.

The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board  the state agency that aggressively regulates and enforces cannabis retail, production and processing  allocates only a certain number of licenses and title certificates to jurisdictions based on population.

Weaver holds West Richlands sole title certificate for retail cannabis sales, even though its not allowed yet.

If the city were to lift its ban, Weavers business would be the only one who could sell retail marijuana with a state license in that city.

Commercial pot production, processing and cooperatives would still remain illegal in West Richland.

Pasco paves the way

The city of Pasco appears to be a model for the West Richland proposal.

Staff wrote in city documents that they would aim to establish performance standards similar to those found in the recently adopted Pasco regulations.

But a lift on West Richlands ban would still need to pass both the planning commission and city council. And its unclear whether or not elected officials support the move.

If it passes, the city will be able to collect a percentage of revenue through a sales tax.

I think cities are going to see Pasco bringing in this money and are going to say, We should be doing this, too. Its going to happen, said Ryan Cooper, a former Richland resident who led a failed effort in 2018 to lift his citys ban on cannabis retail and production.

The Tri-City Herald spoke with Cooper in May, prior to Pascos ban-lifting vote. He praised Pasco for even considering the subject, and said that opening up to retail cannabis has been shown to reduce drugs on the black market.

I think it shows that if you can find common ground, you can get things done. This all-or-nothing approach doesnt work. But I understand people find cannabis frightening, he said.

Tri-Cities is booming. Keep up with growth and development with this free newsletter

West Richland growth

In recent decades, West Richland has grown from a small collection of ranch and agriculture properties to a modest-sized bedroom community. Its population has risen more than 9% the last two years making it one of the fastest growing cities in the Mid-Columbia, and its population today sits at nearly 17,800.

On June 5, the Pasco City Council voted 4-3 in favor of lifting its ban to allow retail cannabis sales downtown, as well as in commercial and industrial zones.

The vote marked the end of a decade-long struggle by local marijuana activists and business owners to ease government restrictions in the city of 80,000.

Pasco has four state retail licenses available, and some of those business owners say they hope to open this summer.

Aside from Prosser and Pasco, all cities in Benton and Franklin counties ban cannabis retail.

Benton County hosts several cannabis retailers in its unincorporated areas, including the only two dispensaries currently operating in Tri-Cities: Nirvana Cannabis Company and Finley Green2Go.

Nirvana Cannabis Company

Nirvana Cannabis Company at 4950 Arena Road opened in 2019 shortly before the county placed a moratorium on new marijuana producers and retailers.

Weaver said Nirvanas success and close proximity to West Richland show that previous concerns voiced by homeowners several years ago about rising crime and public drug use never came to fruition.

It was absolute hysteria, said Weaver, 71. Its a very, very frustrating process because the moral argument against marijuana, against alcohol, is super easy to debunk but absolutely impossible to defeat.

Hes been trying to get the city to lift its ban since 2015.

Weaver owns and operates four retail stores with his children in Yakima, Union Gap and Moxee. Theyve been in the pot business for about nine years now.

Hes also the co-founder of Weaver Flower Company, a Yakima Valley-based floral arrangement company that has been active in international markets since 1978.

Weaver said K&B Weaver will wait to see if the West Richland council lifts its ban before resuming search on a location.

Im not going to proceed knocking on doors until weve got final approval, he told the Herald. I dont want to be stuck out in the boonies where no one is willing to drive, but at the same time I want to accommodate the city leaders as best I can.

Support in West Richland?

How do West Richlanders feel about retail marijuana?

The reaction is quite mixed, a citywide survey conducted between May and June shows.

Out of 662 citizen responses, roughly 32% said they would strongly support allowing retail cannabis sales within the city, while 26% said they would strongly oppose it.

About 18% said they were neutral on the issue. Another 16% said they would somewhat support the move, and 8% said they would somewhat oppose it.

In all, nearly half of those who responded  about 48%  said they would likely or strongly support retail sales.
FILE - In this Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, photo, an employee walks past a logo of the Ant Group at their office in Hong Kong. Chinese regulatory authorities are fining Ant Group 7.123 billion yuan ($984 million), claiming the financial technology provider violated laws related to corporate governance and consumer rights. The People's Bank of China imposed the fine on Friday, July 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese regulators are fining Ant Group 7.123 billion yuan ($985 million) for violating regulations in its payments and financial services, an indicator that over two years of scrutiny and crackdown on the firm that led it to scrap its planned public listing may have come to an end.

The People's Bank of China imposed the fine on Friday, stating that Ant had violated laws and regulations related to corporate governance, financial consumer protection, participation in business activities of banking and insurance institutions, payment and settlement business, and attending to anti-money laundering obligations.

The fine comes over two years after regulators pulled the plug on Ant Group's $34.5 billion IPO  which would have been the biggest of its time  in 2020. Since then, the company had been ordered to revamp its business and behave more like a financial holding company, as well as rectify unfair competition in its payments business.

We will comply with the terms of the penalty in all earnestness and sincerity and continue to further enhance our compliance governance, Ant Group said in a statement.

The move is widely seen as wrapping up Beijings probe into the firm and to allow Ant to revive its initial public offering. Chinese gaming firm Tencent, which operates messaging app WeChat, also received a 2.99 billion yuan fine ($414 million) for regulatory violations over its payments services, according to the central bank Friday, signaling that the crackdown on the Chinese technology sector could ease.

Alibabas New York-listed stock was up over 9% Friday afternoon.

Ant Group, founded by Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, first started out as Alipay, a digital payments system aimed at making transactions more secure and trustworthy for buyers and sellers on its Taobao e-commerce platform.

The digital wallet soon grew to become a leading player in the online payments market in China, alongside Tencent's WeChat Pay. It eventually grew into Ant, Alibaba's financial arm that also offers wealth management products.

At one point, Ant's Yuebao money-market fund was the largest in the world, but regulators have since ordered Ant to reduce the fund's balance.

In January, it was announced that Ma would give up control of Ant Group. The move followed other efforts over the years by the Chinese government to rein in Ma and the countrys tech sector more broadly. Two years ago, the once high-profile Ma largely disappeared from view for 2 1/2 months after criticizing Chinas regulators.

Yet Mas surrender of control came after other signs the government was easing up on Chinese online firms. Late last year Beijing signaled at an economic work conference that it would support technology firms to boost economic growth and create more jobs.

Also in January, the government said it would allow Ant Group to raise $1.5 billion in capital for its consumer finance unit.
Anthony Wingo's family says police aren't working hard enough to catch his killer

Family and friends of Anthony Wingo demonstrate outside the Milwaukee County Courthouse on June 23, 2023. They said authorities haven't worked fast enough to make an arrest in Wingo's March 28, 2023 shooting death.

It sounded like a simple plan.

Two men were supposed to go to a home near 61st Street and Medford Avenue to close a deal over marijuana last spring. One man had a supply of the drug, the other wanted some of it.

Anthony Wingo Jr. showed up to the drop with one of the men.

That wasn't part of the plan. And prosecutors and his family both believe he died because of it.

Wingo's mother, Jazzamin Green, joined by Wingo's friends and family, demonstrated outside the Milwaukee County courthouse late last month, carrying signs that read "Justice for Anthony Wingo."

Charges have been filed against a Milwaukee man in Wingo's death, but his loved ones believe police aren't moving fast enough to make an arrest. They fear there's no interest from police in seeking justice in the case.

"I want his face out there," Green said of her son. "Something needs to be done. I don't want this (case) to just sit up on someone desk."

An arrest warrant was issued for Julian Kelly, 20, of Milwaukee, on May 1 in connection with Wingo's killing, online court records show. If captured, Kelly faces a charge of first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, party to a crime.

Prosecutor Grant Huebner told the Journal Sentinel last week he couldn't comment on an active investigation.

Anthony Wingo Jr. was left at Ascension St. Joseph Hospital after he was shot

Here's what authorities said happened that night:

Milwaukee police officers were sent to Ascension St. Joseph Hospital in the north side just after midnight March 28. The call was about a shooting victim.

There, they found Wingo, who had been shot in the back. Doctors tried to save him, but he died.

Police found an unoccupied Nissan Maxima in the hospital's emergency department parking lot. Its engine was still running. Investigators determined it was the vehicle that was used to drive Wingo to the hospital.

Two bullet holes were found on the car, one of which was at the rear passenger window. A bullet was lodged in the window frame. Another was a "glancing, non-penetrating strike" to the front passenger area, according to the criminal complaint.

An autopsy revealed a round entered Wingo's body at the left back and went through his left lung. It was recovered in his right abdomen.

More: Key Milwaukee leaders talked violent crime. Here are 6 takeaways.

Anthony Wingo Jr.'s mother tries to reach the suspect

Green told the Journal Sentinel in an interview she immediately used social media to try to reach Kelly when she learned police identified him as the prime suspect in her son's death.

"I wanted answers," she said.

Green sent several instant messages on Facebook.

"Can you call me plz?" was the message she sent.

She sent it three times. No response.

Hours after Wingo was pronounced dead, Green heard back from Kelly in a Facebook voice message hours. Green said he tried to explain why he killed her son.

According to a criminal complaint, the person on the other end of the call said he was involved in a marijuana purchase, and maintained the buyer wasn't supposed to bring anyone one else to the deal.

He told Green he was in the backseat, while Wingo was in the front with the other man. The caller told Green her son "reached back" and "put something under his arm." He said he "felt in danger" and "did not hesitate" and "thus did what I did."

He promoted the idea he acted in self-defense.

Green said she urged Kelly to turn himself in, but he refused to do so.

The suspect might have left Wisconsin

Court documents, however, offer insight into why Kelly hasn't been apprehended.

Authorities believe he may have left Wisconsin. A ticket was purchased by Kelly's father March 29 for a train leaving Milwaukee, according to a criminal complaint. Video of the transaction shows a person who boarded the train was "consistent with the body shape and build of the above-named Defendant," the complaint said.

If captured, Kelly faces a charge of first-degree reckless homicide, use of a dangerous weapon, party to a crime.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Anthony Wingo's family wants Milwaukee police to find, arrest killer
The Russian military has deployed an additional Pantsir-S1 anti-aircraft gun missile system at the preserved Salaryevo landfill in New Moscow.

Source: The Insider

Details: According to the media, a radar station was previously deployed at this solid waste landfill, but now additional objects have appeared: premises for the military, fuel canisters and, probably, ammunition.

From time to time, the operators move the anti-aircraft gun missile system into combat position, this can be seen by the rotation of the radar and the movement of the anti-aircraft guns.

Pantsir is a short-range system. In addition to its main purpose of protecting small objects from air attacks, it can also fight against lightly armoured ground targets and enemy manpower.

The media reports that the view of the military equipment opens from the side of the Salaryevo Park residential complex and the Filatov Lug metro station on the Sokolnicheskaya line. There is a parking lot beneath the training ground where vehicles evacuated from New Moscow are taken.

Salaryevo solid municipal waste landfill is a reclaimed mountain of garbage and is considered the largest such landfill in Europe.

The military has been using the landfill to house its facilities since February. The first P-18-2 Prima mobile reconnaissance and targeting radar appeared there with a characteristically large horizontal antenna operating in the metre range and designed for detection, tracking, coordinate measurement and determination of state ownership of aerial objects.

Background: In March 2023, it was reported that Moscow authorities had begun cutting down forests to deploy air defence systems.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
In an undated image from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, treponema pallidum, the bacteria that causes syphilis. (NIAID via The New York Times)

A new shortage of a type of penicillin crucial to the fight against syphilis is alarming infectious disease experts, who warn that a protracted scarcity of the drug could worsen the U.S. epidemic of the sexually transmitted infection.

The shortage, announced by the drugmaker Pfizer in a letter last month, involves Bicillin L-A, a long-acting injectable antibiotic also known as penicillin G benzathine. The company cited significant increases in demand because of the rising rate of syphilis infections, as well as Bicillins recent use as an alternative to amoxicillin, another antibiotic that has periodically been scarce and is prescribed for more general infections like strep throat.

Steven Danehy, a spokesperson for Pfizer, said it would likely take about a year for the company to ramp up production by 50% at its plant in Rochester, Michigan, and ultimately manufacture enough Bicillin to meet demand and shore up reserves.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

Syphilis has been on the rise in the United States since 2000, reaching 176,713 cases in 2021, which was an increase of nearly 75% since 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Congenital syphilis tripled during that four-year period, to 2,855 cases, including 220 stillbirths or infant deaths. Rates are highest among the infants of Native American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and Black mothers.

Bicillin is the only recommended treatment for pregnant women who are infected and is very effective at preventing transmission to the fetus if provided early enough. Congenital syphilis has a high fatality rate and can otherwise cause preterm birth and severe birth defects.

It worries me that these moms may not have access to lifesaving medication, said Dr. Anita Henderson, a pediatrician in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The state had seen large increases in the rate of congenital syphilis over the last five years, she said.

Among adult syphilis cases, nearly one-fourth are in women; just under one-third are in men who have sex only with men; and about one-fifth are in men who only have sex with women.

The infection can cause sores and a rash and, if left untreated, can seriously damage the internal organs, nervous system, eyes and ears, and can be fatal.

Pfizer also warned that its supply of a rarely used pediatric version of Bicillin would soon run out because the company had begun using that drugs production line to increase the adult formula. Doctors turned to it in the last year in lieu of amoxicillin during an increase in the number of strep throat cases.

Bicillin is also used to manage rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic fever, which are particular health risks, albeit uncommon, for children. Multiple antibiotic alternatives are available for these conditions, according to Dr. Meg Doherty, director of global HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections programs at the World Health Organization.

To ward off bacterial infections, military recruits receive Bicillin during boot camp, where the drug is known as the peanut butter shot because of its color and consistency. According to Dr. Ryan C. Maves, a professor of infectious diseases at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, recruits otherwise face a high risk of invasive streptococcal infection.

Alternatives to Bicillin for pregnant women are under development and review but are years away from becoming available to them, said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an infectious disease expert at the University of Southern California. He urged the Biden administration to pay Pfizer for some 500,000 doses to encourage production.

The Bicillin shortfall is but one element of a widespread drug shortage crisis that has left doctors and pharmacists scrambling for vital therapeutic staples and forced them to ration treatments like chemotherapy. A recent Senate report also characterized the supply problems as a threat to national security.

Most drug companies have not been particularly keen on developing antibiotics, in part because the profit margin for this class of drugs is typically far lower than the next blockbuster drug that could be worth billions of dollars.

A bipartisan group in Congress recently reintroduced the $6 billion Pasteur Act, a Netflix-like subscription model that would act as a financial incentive for research and development by pharmaceutical companies. While the legislation could address drug shortages, its main goal is to combat the global threat of drug-resistant pathogens.

David Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors, a trade association for public health associations, said rates of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea are all surging in part due to a public health landscape that is stretched dangerously thin, resulting in a lack of STI prevention, testing and treatment.

He and others criticized Pfizer for inadequate production of the drug, given the decadeslong rising trajectory of syphilis infections. But Pfizers spokesperson, Danehy, said the company had invested $38 million in its Michigan plant to improve manufacturing after a previous shortage of Bicillin in 2017.

Harvey also denounced the Biden administration for agreeing in the debt ceiling deal to slash $400 million from the CDCs budget for STI prevention.

To stretch the Bicillin supply, the CDC recommends that doctors give preference to pregnant patients and infected or exposed infants. Other patients should instead be prescribed doxycycline for two to four weeks, depending on the disease stage. But experts expressed worry that such individuals, including the partners of pregnant women, might have trouble sticking to the twice-daily pill regimen, potentially compromising its effectiveness.

Eric Tichy, division chair of supply chain management at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said Pfizer likely stands alone in producing Bicillin for the U.S. market because of the considerable complexity and expense of manufacturing the drug.

But other experts objected to Pfizers pricing practices. Heres a prime example of why leaving public health to the free market can be disastrous, Tim Horn, director of medication access at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, an advocacy group, said in an email.

Since 2013, the price of Bicillin L-A has increased an astonishing 275%, Horn said.

Danehy said the list price for a 4-milliliter Bicillin L-A syringe is $470 and that the company adjusted prices to ensure proper, quality supply.

While many health care organizations and clinics are able to secure discounts, some front-line independent clinics are paying top dollar for the antibiotic.

Dr. Phyllis Ritchie, who runs a free STI clinic largely serving gay men in Palm Springs, California, said the cost of a 10-pack of shots of Bicillin had risen to $6,500 from $4,000 two years ago. With the clinic using about 15 to 20 of the 10-packs annually, its $225,000 yearly budget can no longer withstand the financial strain, she said.

When she first began practicing medicine in the mid-1990s, Ritchie recalled, a 10-pack cost under $300.

Its a crisis, she said.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Jeanine PirroJason Koerner/Getty Images

Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, one of the right-wing cable network's leading spreaders of false claims of election fraud in 2020, recently appeared on a podcast hosted by Michael Scheuer, a former CIA officer and former Fox News commentator who has repeatedly suggested that Joe Biden, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush and members of their family should be killed. Media Matters also describes Scheuer as a "virulent antisemite," citing numerous occasions when he has asserted, for instance, that Jewish Americans are "unreliable and increasingly anti-American," are "virulent haters of America, its traditions, its dominant faith, its conservative predilections and its Constitution" and are "determined to make America into a fascist state."

Pirro called into Scheuer's podcast "Two Mikes" on July 3 to promote her latest book, although Max Tani of Semafor recently reported that Fox News has "severely limited Pirro's promotional appearances by strongly discouraging her from appearing at multiple conservative religious and political events." Scheuer told Pirro during their conversation that he believed the 2024 election would not make "any difference," since both the 2020 and 2022 elections "were rigged  without question." He then told her: "What happens then when things don't change? ... I praise God every night that the Second Amendment remains in the Constitution because I don't know how else to take care of these vermin." Listen to the audio clip here:
This apartment tower will sit near the riverbank of Fort Worths future Panther Island

High-rise living could be coming to the banks of the Trinity River.

Dallas-based Centergy Retail is proposing building a residential tower near the future Panther Island bypass channel. The channel will connect two parts of the Trinity River to create a 338-acre island and San Antonio style river walk north of downtown Fort Worth.

The 1.8-acre property at 328 Greenleaf St is on the north end of Centergys Left Bank development in the West 7th District.

Centergy is asking the city to waive a building requirement that would force developer to have the skinny side of the building facing the river.

There is a gas-well pad across the street that limits the applicants ability to orient the narrow side of the tower towards the river because the project includes a multifamily component, said Justin Newhart, Fort Worths historic preservation officer, in an email to the Star-Telegram.

Details of the building are not known, but a drawing in the companys marketing material shows it towering over the river. Centergy president West Miller did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday afternoon.

The city will release more details about Centergys application on July 17. The developer is scheduled to meet with the citys Urban Design Commission at 10 a.m. July 20.
This thing is cool!

Just like a lot of cities in the US, Mesa and others in the metropolitan Phoenix area have been struggling with stamping out street takeovers. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has stepped in to help with the problem and troopers use a variety of methods. One of them is the Grappler Police Bumper, as demonstrated in this video.

Learn how one city in Georgia has stopped street takeovers before they even started.

Police were alerted to multiple takeovers at intersections in the valley back on the night of June 10. One of the vehicles involved allegedly struck a pedestrian, something that happens way too often during these illegal takeovers, then sped off to avoid facing consequences.

Members of the Street Racing Task Force, which includes different police departments in the area, along with troopers spotted the suspects vehicle. The trooper with the Grappler took the lead, deployed it, and stopped the pursuit in just a moment.

Weve seen the Grappler Police Bumper used before, but its been a while. While some departments love using spike strips, Stop Sticks, or a good PIT to bring a police chase to a close, were curious why this invention hasnt become more common.

Motor Trend back in 2019 said the cost to install one on a cruiser was $5,000, which apparently included training the officer on its use. We wouldnt be surprised if there arent other hidden costs in its use and its likely the price of it, like pretty much everything else, has increased since then. But that still seems miniscule compared to the risk and cost or other takedown methods.

With the Grappler device it seems theres a lot more control involved. While weve only seen it used in the wild a few times, none of those have involved the suspects vehicles rolling, hitting anyone else, or otherwise wrecking out gloriously. Maybe there are some drawbacks to how the device works, but we dont know what those would be.

Check out the video for yourself. Its short and shows how rapidly this device brought the chase to a halt.

The post Arizona Cops End Chase Using Grappler Bumper appeared first on The Auto Wire.
President Joe Bidens administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday that the Pentagon will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision.

The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the bombs can cause civilian casualties and sparked a call from the United Nations to both Russia and Ukraine to avoid using them. The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

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U.S. officials said Thursday they expect the military aid to Ukraine will be announced on Friday. The weapons will come from Pentagon stocks and will also include Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles and an array of ammunition, such as rounds for howitzers and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, officials said.

Long sought by Ukraine, cluster bombs are weapons that open in the air, releasing submunitions, or bomblets, that are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multiple targets at once.

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The officials and others familiar with the decision were not authorized to publicly discuss the move before the official announcement and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

Ukrainian officials have asked for the weapons to aid their campaign to push through lines of Russian troops and make gains in the ongoing counteroffensive. Russian forces are already using cluster munitions on the battlefield and in populated civilian areas, U.S. officials have said.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, some cluster munitions leave behind bomblets that have a high rate of failure to explode  up to 40% in some cases. U.S. officials said Thursday that the rate of unexploded ordnance for the munitions that will be going to Ukraine is less than 3% and therefore will mean fewer threats left behind to civilians.

At a Pentagon briefing Thursday, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said he had no announcement to make about cluster munitions. He said the Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with (unexploding) rates that are higher than 2.35%.

Ryder would not say whether Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reached out to NATO counterparts to address some of their concerns on the use of cluster munitions. Ryder said the U.S. is aware of reports that indicate some munitions have higher unexploding rates.

If the decision was made to provide the munitions to Ukraine, he said the U.S. would be carefully selecting rounds with lower dud rates, for which we have recent testing data.

Asked how the cluster munitions, if approved, would help Ukraine, Ryder said they can be loaded with charges that can penetrate armor and fragment so they can hit multiple personnel  a capability that would be useful in any type of offensive operations. Ryder said the Russians have been using cluster munitions that have a very high dud rate.

Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of Ukraines parliament who has been advocating that Washington send more weapons, noted that Ukrainian forces have had to disable mines from much of the territory they are winning back from Russia. As part of that process, Ukrainians will also be able to catch any unexploded ordnance from cluster munitions.

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We will have to de-mine anyway, but its better to have this capability, Ustinova said.

She credited Congress for pushing the Democratic presidents administration over several months to change its position on the munitions.

Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the move was long overdue.

Now is the time for the U.S. and its allies to provide Ukraine with the systems it needs from cluster munitions to F-16s to ATACMS in order to aid their critical counteroffensive. Any further delay will cost the lives of countless Ukrainians and prolong this brutal war, said McCaul, R-Texas.

The Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, would give Ukraine the ability to strike Russian targets from as far as about 180 miles (300 kilometers).

Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week that the U.S. has been thinking about providing the cluster munitions for a long time.

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The Ukrainians have asked for it, other European countries have provided some of that, the Russians are using it, Milley said during a speech at the National Press Club.

Cluster bombs can be fired by artillery that the U.S. has provided to Ukraine, and the Pentagon has a large stockpile of them.

The last large-scale American use of cluster bombs was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to the Pentagon. But U.S. forces considered them a key weapon during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch. In the first three years of that conflict, it is estimated the U.S.-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan.

Proponents of banning cluster bombs say they kill indiscriminately and endanger civilians long after their use. Groups have raised alarms about Russias use of the munitions in Ukraine.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries who agreed not to use, produce, transfer or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after theyve been used.

The United States, Russia and Ukraine are among the countries that have not signed on.

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Marta Hurtado, a spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, said Friday that the use of such munitions should stop immediately and not be used in any place.

We will urge the Russian Federation and Ukraine to join the more than 100 states that have ratified the convention of cluster munitions and that effectively ban their use, she added.

It is unclear how Americas NATO allies would view the U.S. providing cluster bombs to Ukraine and whether the issue might prove divisive for their largely united support of Kyiv. More than two-thirds of the 30 countries in the alliance are signatories of the 2010 convention on cluster munitions.

Germany made clear on Friday that it wont be providing any cluster ammunition to Ukraine, as it joined an international treaty prohibiting the weapons more than a decade ago, but it expressed understanding for the American position.

Were certain that our U.S. friends didnt take the decision about supplying such ammunition lightly, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin. We need to remember once again that Russia has already used cluster ammunition at a large scale in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Laura Cooper, a deputy assistant secretary of defense focusing on Russia and Ukraine, recently testified to Congress that the Pentagon has assessed that such munitions would help Kyiv press through Russias dug-in positions.
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) has expanded access to over-the-counter birth control that will soon be available to Arizonans, according to a press release.

Arizonans 18 and older will soon be able to go to their local pharmacy and purchase oral contraceptives without a doctors prescription.

Hobbs, in announcing the move Thursday, called reproductive freedom essential to individuals and families working hard to create a life for themselves in Arizona.

I will never stop fighting to protect freedoms for Arizonans and standing up to the extremists who threaten access to the basic healthcare our families rely on, Hobbs said.

The order goes into effect immediately, but those wanting oral contraceptives will have to complete a screening and blood pressure test. Hobbs also encouraged Arizonans to call their pharmacy ahead to make sure the contraceptives are available.

Birth control medication is already available over-the-counter in Oregon, California and Washington, D.C. More than 20 states have statutes that allow pharmacies to dispense FDA-approved hormonal contraceptives without the need for a prescription, per a statement from the Arizona Department of Health Services.

At the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration has endorsed the over-the-counter drug Opill, saying the risks of unintended pregnancy far outweighed any risks associated with the drug.

In addition, President Biden signed an executive order to increase access to contraception and family planning late last month, in response to the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Arlington man convicted in death of girlfriends 2-year-old son who died of head trauma

An Arlington man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison after being convicted in the death of his girlfriends 2-year-old son, the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

Quentin Walker, 32, was sentenced by a jury to 30 years for causing serious bodily injury to a child, 20 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member, and 15 years for manslaughter.

Walker was arrested in Fort Worth in October 2020 and was booked into the Arlington Jail on a capital murder charge.

He told police that his girlfriends son, Kasheton Phillip-Evans Ross, fell on a grassy area outside of an apartment complex when they were on their way back from a Chick-Fil-A, according to an arrest warrant affidavit obtained by the Star-Telegram in 2020.

Walker never entered the Chick-Fil-A restaurant and he was not seen playing with Kasheton on the grass outside of the apartment complex, according to surveillance video obtained by Arlington police.

Bria Rosss 2-year-old son died from blunt-force trauma to his head and his death was ruled a homicide, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office.

Walker was the only person alone with Kasheton prior to the child showing symptoms of his injuries, police said in the warrant.

The autopsy indicated that Kasheton had a history of suffering blows to his head.

Initially, Walker and Kashetons mother told Arlington police that he fell while playing in the grass and the three of them went to a nearby Neighborhood Walmart, where Ross went inside to buy water.

When his mother returned, Kasheton appeared lethargic and lost consciousness. He was taken on July 19, 2020, to Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
Armed Forces of Ukraine advance and gain ground on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts  General Staff report

Almost 20 combat clashes with the occupiers took place during the day; Ukrainian defenders continue to advance on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, and reinforce their positions at the reached frontiers.

Source: General Staff

Quote: "The enemy is concentrating its main efforts on the Kupiansk, Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Marinska fronts, heavy battles are ongoing. About 20 armed clashes took place during the day...

The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to conduct an offensive operation on the Melitopol and Berdiansk fronts, gain ground at the reached frontiers, inflict artillery fire on identified enemy targets, and carry out counter-battery measures."

Details: At night, the Russians attacked the territory of Ukraine with Iranian drones. The defenders managed to destroy 12 out of 18 UAVs.

In addition, the occupiers launched a missile attack on the territory of one of the Zaporizhzhia infrastructure facilities. They also carried out 42 airstrikes and about 30 missile strikes with multiple rocket launchers on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements.

The Russians maintain a military presence on the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts. During the day, they carried out an airstrike on the settlement of Vilshana of Kharkiv Oblast. They carried out mortar and artillery bombardments of more than 15 settlements in Chernihiv and Kharkiv Oblasts.

On the Kupiansk front, the Russian forces tried to advance in the settlements of Novoselivske and Stelmakhivka, Luhansk Oblast. Ukrainian defenders repelled all their attacks.

On the Lyman front, during the day, the occupiers conducted assaults and tried to dislodge the defenders from the occupied territories in the northwest of the settlement of Berestove, Luhansk Oblast, without success.

They carried out airstrikes in the areas of Bilohorivka in Luhansk Oblast and Spirne in Donetsk Oblast. More than 10 settlements in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts were damaged by artillery fire.

On the Bakhmut front, the occupiers carried out airstrikes in the settlements of Bohdanivka, Oleksandro-Shultyne, Bila Hora, and Pivnichne. More than 15 settlements in Donetsk Oblast were damaged by Russian artillery shelling.

On the Avdiivka front, the Russians, with the support of aviation, carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in the areas in and around Novokalynove, Avdiivka, and Nevelske, Donetsk Oblast.

At the same time, they shelled more than 15 settlements.

On the Marinka front, under Russian artillery fire, Ukrainian defenders repelled all attacks in the area in and around the city of Marinka.

The occupiers launched an airstrike near Krasnohorivka, Donetsk Oblast. They shelled the settlements of Krasnohorivka, Marinka, and Pobieda in Donetsk Oblast.

On the Shakhtarsk front, the occupiers carried out unsuccessful offensive operations in and around Blahodatne, Donetsk Oblast.

They launched an airstrike near the settlement of Velyka Novosilka and shelled more than 15 settlements.

On the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson fronts, the occupiers are concentrating their main efforts on preventing the further advance of Ukrainian troops. They shelled more than 20 settlements.

During the day, the aviation of the defence forces of Ukraine struck six Russian personnel concentration areas, two anti-aircraft missile complexes and one Russian control point. The defenders also destroyed two reconnaissance UAVs.

During the day, units of Rocket Forces and Artillery hit a control post, seven artillery systems in firing positions and a radio-electronic warfare station of the occupiers.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Armie Hammer will only have to pay $1,500 a month in child support to estranged wife Elizabeth Chambers in their divorce settlement.

Details of the agreement reveal the couple will share joint legal and physical custody of their two children, 8-year-old Harper Grace and 6-year-old Ford. Both parties agreed to waive spousal support.

According to TMZ, the embattled actor does not currently have an income  which may have factored into the low figure. He is, however, a namesake descendant of oil tycoon Armand Hammer, who reportedly boasted a net worth of $200 million when he died in 1990 at age 92.

The former couples divorce decree comes nearly three years after Chambers initial filing and a mountain of controversy surrounding the Call Me By Your Name star.

After 10 years of marriage, Chambers cited irreconcilable differences and was initially seeking primary physical custody of their two children. Meanwhile, Hammer sought joint legal and physical custody.

In December 2021, Hammer checked out of a Florida treatment facility, where he spent half of the year seeking treatment for drug, alcohol and sex issues amid two women going public with accusations involving cannibalism and rape.

Hammer, 36, denied the accusations from both women and stepped down from two projects  Shotgun Wedding starring Jennifer Lopez, and The Offer, about the making of The Godfather.

After a two-year investigation, the L.A. District Attorneys Office decided in May that it would not charge Hammer for rape, ruling the case was too murky given the complexity of the relationship between Hammer and one of his accusers, Effie Angelova.
[Source]

An Asian senior succumbed to her injuries after being pushed to the ground by an unknown woman in San Franciscos Bayview neighborhood on Monday.

The attack: The victim was walking in the area of 3rd Street and Egbert Avenue at around 6:40 p.m. when the suspect pushed her from behind, according to witnesses. Auto mechanic Braulio Reyes said he did not see the actual push, but he heard the suspect yell at the victim.

She was not responsive but she had a pulse, her pulse was low, Reyes told ABC7s Dion Lim in an interview. He said the victims husband did not know what to do, so he called 911.

What happened after: The victim, who suffered a head injury, died at the hospital two days later. The San Francisco Medical Examiners Office subsequently identified her as 63-year-old Yanfang Wu.

More from NextShark: Good Samaritan Fatally Stabbed While Helping Fellow Asians Against Robbery

It was heartbreaking. I thought she was going to live, Reyes told Lim.

Suspect wanted: As of this writing, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call the San Francisco Police Departments tip line at (415) 575-4444 or text TIP411, starting the text message with SFPD.

More from NextShark: Open Society Foundations pledges over $40 million in grants to Asian, Arab, Muslim communities

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

More Americans are blaming Asian Americans for COVID-19, survey reveals

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Heres a look at the life of Asif Ali Zardari, former president of Pakistan.

Personal

Birth date: July 26, 1956

Birth place: Karachi, Sindh province, Pakistan

Father: Hakim Ali Zardari, politician and businessman

Mother: Bilquis Zardari

Marriage: Benazir Bhutto (December 18, 1987-December 27, 2007, her death)

Children: Bilawal, Bakhtawar and Aseefa

Religion: Islam

Other Facts

Zardari is the widower of Benazir Bhutto, the first female prime minister of an Islamic nation. She was assassinated in December 2007.

In accordance with Pakistani culture, his marriage to Bhutto was arranged.

Nicknamed Mr. Ten Percent due to allegations he accepted bribes while his wife was prime minister.

Timeline

1988 - Bhutto, Zardaris wife, is elected prime minister of Pakistan.

August 1990 - Bhutto is dismissed from office among allegations of corruption.

1990-1993 - Zardari is jailed on corruption charges.

1993 - Bhutto returns to power.

1993-1996 - Member of Pakistans National Assembly. Holds several ministerial positions in Bhuttos government.

1996 - Bhutto is again dismissed from office among allegations of corruption.

November 1996 - Zardari is arrested and jailed on charges of corruption and murder.

March 1997 - Is elected, from jail, to the Pakistan Senate.

2003 - A Swiss court convicts Bhutto and Zardari of money laundering and orders them to pay the Pakistani government more than $11 million in restitution. The verdict is later overturned on appeal.

2004 - Is released from prison, ending eight years in custody.

October 2007 - A number of corruption charges against Zardari are dropped when President Pervez Musharraf grants amnesties to a number of politicians.

December 27, 2007 - Bhutto is assassinated during a rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

December 2007 - Following his wifes death, Zardari and his son, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, are named co-chairs of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

September 6, 2008 - Is elected president of Pakistan. Zardari is sworn in as president on September 9.

December 16, 2009 - The National Reconciliation Ordinance, an amnesty that shielded Zardari from prosecution, is thrown out by Pakistans Supreme Court.

December 2011 - Travels to Dubai to receive medical treatment for a heart condition.

April 8, 2012 - Zardari meets with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a private trip. It is the first trip to India by a Pakistani leader in seven years.

September 8, 2013 - Leaves office at the end of his five-year term.

December 2016 - Zardari announces that he and his son, Bilawal, will contest the 2018 elections to become members of the Pakistani Parliament.

August 26, 2017 - A Pakistani court acquits Zardari of the last corruption charges pending against him  the charges had lingered for almost two decades.

August 13, 2018-present - Member of the National Assembly.

June 10, 2019 - Zardari is arrested on corruption charges after a court rejected his bail application. The charges against him are related to suspicious transactions worth 4.4 billion Pakistani rupees (about $29 million) allegedly carried out through bank accounts in other peoples names.

December 11, 2019 - The Islamabad High Court grants Zardari bail on medical grounds. He undergoes medical examinations beginning December 14.

August 10, 2020 - Zardari is indicted by an accountability court in Islamabad, Pakistan, on charges of corruption.

September 28, 2020 - Zardari is indicted on money laundering charges, along with his sister and 14 others.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Cover Images/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Tens of millions of people have now signed up for Threads, the new app meant to compete with Twitter. Whether this is the start of a new social media trend or a short-term blip is anyone's guess. As Twitter CEO Elon Musk and his new policies continue to alienate many longtime users of the site, an onslaught of apps with Twitter-like functions have been vying for the short-form, text-based platform crown. Several stand a decent chancealthough it may be more likely that no social platform will again occupy the rarified space that Twitter and Facebook did.

Some of these apps, such as Post and T2, experienced very short-lived and relatively small waves of migration from Twitter. No one seems to think they are worth considering in the quest for a Twitter heir apparent.

Nor does Mastodona decentralized "fediverse" of Twitter-esque networksappear capable of becoming The Next Twitter. It's a swell platform for fragmented, substantive, ongoing discourse among various niche audiences (much like Reddit) and folks who like the appeal of a non-corporate entity, with all that entails (no ads; less data collection; varying levels of content moderation, depending on which server you join). But many found the decentralized setup confusing, and Mastodon (intentionally) lacks many features that helped Twitter drive news and cultural outrage cycles.

The three most impactful Twitter competitors, right now, seem to be Threads, BlueSky, and Substack Notes. Each occupies a slightly different space, offering benefits and drawbacks for different audiences.

Threads is the newest entry here, having just launched on July 5, and it's the most corporate of the bunch, coming from Meta (the company behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Having the backing and expertise of a big and established tech company comes with some pluses and some minuses. Threadswhich mimics Twitter in functionality (more on the nitty gritty of its functioning here)looks great, has a big team in place to address issues, and has a built-in audience for attracting and onboarding users. Instagram this week has been prompting its users to join Threads, and anyone with an Instagram account can sign up for Threads with extremely minimal effort, automatically importing their Instagram username, photo, bio, and follows if they wish. By yesterday morning, the network it had 30 million sign-ups, according to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

But the same issues that plague Facebook and Instagram could be barriers to long-term success for Threads. Many people perceive the company and its platforms as uncool. They worry about its extensive harvesting of user data. They don't like Meta's heavy-handed content moderation policies (no female nipples is already a rule). Threads also doesn't have a version for desktop browsers yet, and it's not very customizable: You can't set things up so that you only see the accounts you follow. And on Facebook and Instagram, brand accounts are served up frequently while newsy and political content is downgradeda strategy that, if carried over, could seriously hinder Threads becoming the discourse-driving, news-cycle-setting behemoth that Twitter has been.

BlueSky comes the closest to emulating the look and feel of early Twitter. Still in invite-only mode, the platform has a reputation for attracting weirdos (I say that lovingly), media types, the extremely online, and marginalized groups of the left-leaning sort (for instance, it's become immensely popular among transgender communities). Its base doesn't seem to take itself too seriouslyposts are called "skeets," for exampleand the aesthetic is "anything goes": Absurdist humor and racy pictures are both common. The vibe is communal, zany, fun, and a little anarchic, while its design and functionality mirror Twitter's very closely (unsurprisingly, since BlueSky was spun off from Twitter and since Twitter founder Jack Dorsey sits on its board). News and policy-related content is also prominent.

BlueSky certainly has the right audience, infrastructure, and backing to become big. But its growth is currently hampered by its invite-only status; its insular vibe mayas with early Twitterbe off-putting for mainstream audiences; and the wilderness spirit that users currently embrace may be hard to maintain at scale (at least not without attracting a boatload of ire from politicians and activists).

A meme circulating on Twitter

Notes is a new-ish function of the content-distribution platform Substack. Substack started out serving up newslettersand this is still its core functionbut it now offers other tools, including Notes and a way for content creators to create and distribute podcasts. It's a lot like blogging platforms of yore, except with a built-in option to charge a fee for subscriptions and a lot of easy-to-use options for different subscription levels. (Substack itself also strikes up content deals with a select cadre of newsletter creators.) The Notes interface is clean and simple and, like Twitter and BlueSky, Notes offers users the ability to post snippets of text and imagery; to follow and be followed; and to comment on, like, and "restack" others' posts. It also integrates seamlessly with Substack's other functions, so that it's easy (for instance) to share via Notes a Substack newsletter entry.

Notes has become popular among Substack newsletter creators and reader, and so the vibe tends to be collegial, intimate, and focused around discussion of writing and ideas. This makes it very appealing for a certain sort of social media user but perhaps unlikely to become a mass public square like Twitter, for both better and worse. And Substack seems more invested in supporting profitable and interesting newsletters and discussions about them than in finding any way possible to keep eyeballs endlessly on the platform. (To put it in extremely online terms: Notes has more Google Reader energy than Main Character of the Day energy.)

Independent of any characteristics of these particular platforms, there are barriers to any of them taking on the role that Twitter has held the past decade. First and foremost may be social media fatigue. A lot of people in 2023 feel like they're already on enough (too many?) different platforms. Rather than sign up for anything new, they may opt simply to stick it out with Twitter and/or Facebookwhich, of course, many people still enjoy and derive value fromor taper off social media entirely.

Something with a clear-cut new angle (like TikTok when it came along) can clearly break through. Once established as a major player, a Twitter clone could probably do so too. But as things stand, how does anyone know which new platforms will and won't succeed? And until then, who wants to invest time and energy developing a community/following on an app that may fizzle out soon? Or hedge their bets and establish their presence on multiple apps, new and old?

The existence of so many options could keep any one platform from dominating. And perhaps that's for the best.

Part of what made Twitter and Facebook so appealingand addictingwas the sense that its use was ubiquitous (even if, for Twitter especially, this was never the case). To opt out felt like you might miss out entirely on what was happening in politics, culture, and some of your favorite cultural communities. This same vibe made these mega-sites feel unbearable at timesthey were engines of toxicity, pointless outrage loops and pile-ons, petty fights, misunderstandings, wasted time. It's what made politicians and institutions woefully attune to the whims and passions of Twitter and Facebook users, helping fuel cancel culture, corporate missteps, and bad political calculations.

The dominance of a few big tech platforms also helped drive political witch hunts. They enabled censorship (pressure a few big platforms to quash certain information, and a lot of the work was done) and government surveillance. And in the backlash, bad policy ideas were sold as sticking it to "big tech" even when their negative effects would actually reverberate around the rest of the internet too.

Twitter may never return to its old glory and ignominy. While Threads or BlueSky or one of the others may yet become the "new Twitter," there's a strong possibility that none of these Twitter clones will achieve a place of dominance either. And individuals, politics, culture, and liberty may all be better off for it.

What people are saying:

"It's not hard to figure out" why people are migrating to Threads, suggests Ben Dreyfuss. "Elon Musk has spent the last 7 months making a huge chunk of Twitter's users hate him. He has wasted the benefit of the doubt another huge chunk extended to him. Meta is a real company! Not a bunch of drunks kicking over trash cans."



"Bluesky and Mastodon have higher chances of developing sustainable models that don't end up in a surveillance advertising hellscape, which is inevitable for Threads because Meta can't do it any other way," writes Colorado Law Professor Blake E. Reid.

"If you're the sort of person who wants a quiet timeline comprised only of posts from carefully curated accounts, Threads is not for you, and probably never will be," writes John Gruber. "But the sort of people who like Twitter's 'For You' feed and trending topics in the sidebar might find Threads more fun."

"On Twitter in one of my threads someone just said 'Threads had 30M signups in one day, Bluesky has lost its chance to become the next Twitter' and he may be right, but what he doesn't know is that people here are like 'cool, dodged THAT bullet,'" John Scalzi posted to BlueSky.

"Had Meta launched [Threads] in 2019, it seems safe to say, everyone would have rolled their eyes. Its big new feature islogging in with Instagram? Come on," comments Platformer's Casey Newton. "By the standards of Twitter 2.0, though, it can feel like a miracle."

"Of the available sites I would bet that BlueSky winds up being more important for setting media narratives than the available alternatives," writes Dan Drezner on Substack. "But this leads to the most important point: the hard-working staff here at Drezner's World has serious doubts that social media will have any effect on the 2024 outcome."

"I think the age of the centralized newsfeed that gave everyone a general sense of what's going on on the internet is coming to an end," comments Reason's Christian Britschgi.

FREE MINDS

Can government officials block people on social media? People have a First Amendment right to access content posted to social media by elected officials, argue the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), the Knight First Amendment Institute, and the Woodhull Freedom Foundation in a brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. The Court is currently reviewing two casesLindke v. Freed and O'Connor-Ratcliff v. Garnierconcerning the issue.

It's not enough to consider whether an official's account is delineated as a government account or a personal account, they argue. Instead, courts must look at how the account is actually used. If the "personal" account posts concern government business, the official should not be able to block people from accessing it, they say.

"We are asking the Court to find that the ultimate test is how an account is used," explained EFF attorney Sophia Cope in a statement. "If officials choose to mix government and nongovernment content on their account, they must accept the First Amendment obligations that go with using their account for governmental purposes."

You can find their full amicus brief here.

FREE MARKETS

Latest jobs report shows openings down, quitting up. May saw 9.8 million job openings, down from 10.3 million in April, according to the latest data released by the U.S. Labor Department. Meanwhile, "the quits rate, which is often used to gauge a worker's confidence in the job market, increased in May, particularly in the health care, social assistance and construction industries," reports The New York Times:

A rise in quitting often signals workers' confidence that they will be able to find other work, often better paying. But fewer workers are quitting their jobs than were doing so last year at the height of what was called the "great resignation."

QUICK HITS

6th Cir. holds that a prosecutor pressuring a key witness to destroy potentially exculpatory evidence in violation of a court order came within the traditional role of a prosecutor, so the prosecutor has absolute immunity from a civil suit. https://t.co/ybfOjsLPs3 pic.twitter.com/MOhrlzpBll  Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) July 5, 2023

 Twitter is threatening Threads in court. Semafor reports that Twitter lawyer Alex Spiro sent a letter to Meta accusing it of hiring former Twitter employees who "had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information" in order to create a "copycat" app. But "no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employeethat's just not a thing," a source inside Meta told Semafor.

 Techdirt's Mike Masnick weighs in on the recent court decision barring the federal government from urging social media companies to suppress or remove content.

 A backdoor route to student loan debt forgiveness? "While everyone's focus has been on the administration's outrageous cancellation stunt, the [Department of Education] has been working tirelessly to accomplish an even more disastrous policy: a new Income-Driven Repayment rule," writes the Pacific Legal Foundation's Caleb Kruckenberg in the New York Post. "While styled as a rule that simply tinkers with the details of existing income-based repayment programs, it effectively does the same work as the cancellation effort: It writes off the debts of millions of college-educated borrowers."

 "Former President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform what he claimed was the home address of former President Barack Obama on the same day that a man with guns in his van was arrested near the property," reports the Associated Press. The June 29 arrest of Taylor Taranto was revealed as part of a federal court filing related to his participation in the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

 "While Salon Magazine declares that we all live in a 'libertarian dystopia,' and a new brand of big-government conservatives promise to free the Republican party and American government from their libertarian captivity, Barton Swaim declares in the Wall Street Journal that a new book 'works as an obituary' for libertarianism," comments David Boaz at the Cato at Liberty blog. "That's not a characterization that I think the authorsMatt Zwolinski and John Tomasiwould accept of their book, The Individualists: Radicals, Reactionaries, and the Struggle for the Soul of Libertarianism." (Zwolinski offers his own thoughts here.)

The post Attack of the Twitter Clones appeared first on Reason.com.
Suspects in the stabbing death of D'Andre Isaiah Day

Austin police are asking for the public's help identifying three suspects in the September 2022 stabbing death of D'Andre Isaiah Day.

In the early morning hours of Sept. 4, Day and a friend got into an altercation with three men at the intersection of Seventh and Colorado streets, Austin Police Department homicide detective Jeffrey Rodriguez told reporters at a press conference Thursday. One of the men pulled out a knife and approached Day's friend.

When Day, 27, tried to intervene, he was stabbed, police said. Day ran to the intersection of Sixth and Brazos streets, where he collapsed due to his injuries. He was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Rodriguez said the suspects got into a silver 2003 to 2005 Honda Accord and fled the scene. Detectives believe Day and his friend did not know the suspects.

The suspects may be from out of town, Rodriguez said, which is why police chose to enlist the help of media outlets and the public.

"The suspects on Sept. 4 took a lot of joy from my family," said Rodney Anderson, Day's uncle. "I want to go ahead and, in advance, thank the public for any information that you can give to us to help get some closure and get these guys behind bars, where they need to be."

Austin police asked anyone with information or video of the incident to call the homicide tip line at (512) 974-TIPS or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (512) 472-8477. Tipsters may also email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov. Anyone willing to provide information may remain anonymous.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Police ask for public's help in fatal stabbing of D'Andre Isaiah Day
By Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) -An Australian inquiry into a programme to recover welfare debt said on Friday former Prime Minister Scott Morrison had misled the cabinet about the scheme in an earlier ministerial role.

The report recommended unnamed people be referred for prosecution or civil action over the automated "robodebt" programme, designed to ensure welfare recipients were not underreporting income and over-receiving government payments.

Computer algorithms for the scheme, in place from July 2015 to November 2019, wrongly calculated that hundreds of thousands of Australians owed money and, with little to no human oversight, the programme recovered A$1.76 billion ($1.17 billion).

"The robodebt scheme was a gross betrayal and a human tragedy ... it was wrong, it was illegal," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told a press conference after the release of the nearly 1,000-page report from a Royal Commission, the most powerful type of government inquiry.

The report said Morrison, who in 2015 monitored the rollout of the programme as the social services minister, took the proposal to the cabinet without necessary information.

"He failed to meet his ministerial responsibility to ensure that cabinet was properly informed about what the proposal actually entailed and to ensure that it was lawful," the report said.

The commission also rejected some evidence by Morrison as "untrue".

Morrison, prime minister from August 2018 to May 2022 and still a member of parliament, rejected each finding adverse to him and critical of his involvement in "authorising the scheme".

"They are wrong, unsubstantiated and contradicted by clear documentary evidence presented to the Commission," he said in a statement.

In 2020, he apologised in parliament for distress caused by the robodebt scheme but did not admit legal liability.

A federal court in 2021 approved a A$1.8 billion settlement after Morrison's government agreed to settle a class action brought by the victims.

The report did not name the individuals it recommended for prosecution, but the commission said relevant parts of the report had been submitted to several federal agencies, including the Australian Federal Police.

($1 = 1.5099 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Jamie Freed and William Mallard)
I feel as if Im an essayistI am a storyteller, says award-winning blogger, author, speaker, and HIV activist Mark S. King when asked what the inspiration was for his new memoir, My Fabulous Disease. He explains that he really wanted to illustrate that people living with HIV are more than the virus that affects them  they are simply human beings like everyone else.

A lot of my professional platform or the way people saw me was as a long-term survivor and HIV activist personality, King tells Plus. And thats all well and good, but what I always liked about my blog is that it was whatever was on my mind. The fact is that those of us living with HIV have full and complete lives outside of our HIV status, and other challenges that have nothing to do with HIV, or other things that are triumphs that have nothing to do with HIV. And that is why youll see in My Fabulous Disease, there are other sections unrelated to HIV about my sex life, growing up gay, and addiction.

King has been involved in HIVAIDS causes since being diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1985. Among many accolades hes received over the years, King was named the 2020 LGBTQ Journalist of the Year by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association (NLGJA). He was also awarded NLGJAs Excellence in Blogging honor in 2014, 2016, and 2020. In 2020, he won the GLAAD Award for Outstanding Blog and was named one of the Out100 by Out magazine.

But before accomplishing all that, King, like many 20-somethings, was just trying to find his place in the world. In the early 1980s, after graduating from the University of Houston, King pursued a career in Hollywood and appeared in dozens of TV commercials, hawking fast food and soft drinks. He also started Telerotic during this time, which ended up becoming one of the largest gay telephone fantasy services in the country. However, soon after receiving his HIV diagnosis, King sold the company.

Plus cover star Mark S. King photographed by Darrell Snedeger

It was this specific time period that King reflected upon in his previous memoir, A Place Like This, which focused on his tumultuous time in L.A. in the 80s. With his new memoir, My Fabulous Disease, he hopes to give a more complete picture of his life. The books title is also the name of Kings award-winning, long-running blog (myfabulousdisease.com). In the memoir, King compiles stories from his life collected from his decades of journaling and blogging  and he leaves in all the good, bad, hilarious, and sexy details.

A lot of it was written in real time, in that I was writing it as it was happening, he explains. Certainly, from the 90s on. Its funny, it is my therapy. Its like Ive had my own version of talk therapy. And that is, I was talking to myself, I was writing it down, I was processing it.

Ive been to therapists before [and] I had visited a new therapist before who was practically licking their chops when they discovered and learned that Id been living with HIV for so long, says King with a laugh. You could tell, oh my, they were going to have so much material to work with here with this client! And I would have to say, no, no, just relax. Im okay with all of that. Now let me talk about my relationship.

'My Fabulous Disease: Chronicles of a Gay Survivor' by Mark S. King is now available at most major booksellers

Ultimately, King says it was mainly through his writing that hes been truly able to heal and figure things out about life and himself. My most reflective, meditative times are sitting in front of my laptop staring into space saying, How do I feel about this? How do I really feel?

He certainly keeps it real in the new memoir, including the frank discussion of sex and drugs  and their particular connection to gay culture.

We have a problem with alcoholism and addiction in our community, says King. And it is a constant threat. It is the disease more likely to kill me than HIV. And especially me, I have that history. I think theres so many of us in our community who struggle with that or know someone who they cant reach anymore.

Its worth talking about and sharing and writing about it, adds King. And I know that crystal methit has such a culturally specific grip on gay men. It has this kind of mythological, sexual-superstar drug reputation. And if youre young and youre trying to find your place, and you believe that in order to be a successful gay man you need to have zero inhibitions and feel and look pornographically hot, then theres a drug that can make you feel that way.

Plus cover star Mark S. King photographed by Darrell Snedeger

King says he was especially honored to have former Olympic diver and fellow longtime HIV advocate Greg Louganis write the forward for My Fabulous Disease.

Greg has just always been one of those people that I kind of know peripherally, he says. But clearly I admire him. And when I thought about the foreword, he was just the first person I thought of because he knows a little something about living life out loud and publicly. He has aspects of the story that are very different from mine, but a lot of it is just how we release ourselves from shame and celebrate who we really are. We would all be out more naturally if other people werent pushing us back or [perpetuating] the shame that they engender in us.

King now lives with his husband, Michael, a real smarty pants involved in national healthcare access [and] a much better person than [me], he jokes. King often finds himself traveling from their home in Atlanta, reporting on the latest news out of health conferences and giving speeches at colleges, nonprofits, and to groups of people, who like him, are living fabulously with HIV.

'My Fabulous Disease: Chronicles of a Gay Survivor' by Mark S. King is now available at most major booksellers.
The Chicago Police Department acknowledged an internal investigation Thursday into allegations that an officer or officers assigned to a West Side patrol district engaged in sexual relations with migrants who were living in a police station.

The department said in an email late Thursday that the bureau of internal affairs, as well as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, had opened an investigation, but a department spokesperson did not address questions about when the investigation began or if any officers were stripped of their police powers.

Advertisement

[ COPA acknowledges complaint against Chicago police officer for alleged sex with migrant housed at station ]

The Police Department said the allegations concern an officer or officers assigned to the Ogden District, which covers the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods on the West Side.

Few details were available late Thursday about the scope of the investigation. Also a focus was whether some of the migrants allegedly involved in the matter were minors, sources with knowledge of the internal review said.

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Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

The plight of migrants in the city has been the focus of the new administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson. Largely from Central American countries, the migrants have been bused to Chicago and other major U.S. cities from Texas since the spring.

In the meantime, the city has struggled to find adequate housing for them. Since April, each of the CPDs 22 district stations  along with several other city-owned or otherwise unused buildings  have become a temporary home for hundreds of migrants, sometimes drawing the ire of local residents.

Many of those migrants have found themselves seeking shelter in Chicago police stations, as information about the conditions at city shelters has circulated.

The city takes these allegations, as well as the care and well-being of all residents and new arrivals, very seriously, a spokesperson from the mayors office said. We are monitoring the situation closely, but cannot comment further as this is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the bureau of internal affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Chicago Tribunes Jeremy Gorner and Gregory Royal Pratt contributed.

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scharles@chicagotribune.com
Authorities charge 5 more in probe of child sexual abuse among Jehovah's Witnesses in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry speaks during a news conference, Friday, July 7, 2023, in Philadelphia. A Pennsylvania grand jury investigating child sexual abuse in the Jehovah's Witnesses community has charged another five people with raping or molesting children as young as 4, the latest developments in an ongoing probe that has identified 14 suspects. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

PHILADELPHIA (AP)  A Pennsylvania grand jury investigating child sexual abuse in the Jehovahs Witnesses community has charged five more people with raping or molesting children as young as 4, the latest developments in an ongoing probe that has identified 14 suspects.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, at a Friday news conference, said that while the misconduct dates back years or even decades, the trauma endures for these victims.

Henry did not address the churchs handling of complaints, but said the investigation would continue.

Critics say that Jehovah's Witnesses elders have treated child sexual abuse as a sin rather than a crime, documenting complaints in internal files but not reporting them to authorities. And they say the church often required a second witness to substantiate a complaint, a standard that can be impossible to meet when perpetrators often isolate their victims.

Martin Haugh of York Haven, Pa., a former elder who left the church in 2016 and now advocates for survivors of abuse in the church, applauded investigators.

I hope elders are arrested who knew about child abuse and covered it up and then it happened again, said Haugh, who testified to the grand jury about the churchs structure and about his own daughters abuse within a Jehovahs Witnesses congregation.

He also hopes organizational leaders are called to account, because its not just a Pennsylvania problem, its a national problem.

In the charges announced Friday, Henry said that the men had groomed or gained access to the children through the church, sometimes when the childs family took the person into their home. One person said that she was raped 50 or more times between the ages of 7 and 12 by a church member who was 18 when the assaults began. Others involved less serious charges of inappropriate touching.

The five charged were David Balosa, 62, of Philadelphia; Errol William Hall, 50, of Delaware County; Shaun Sheffer, 45, of Butler County; Terry Booth, 57, of Panama City, FL; and Luis Ayala-Velasquez, 55, of Berks County. Four were taken in custody, while Balosa was being sought. It was not immediately clear if any of them had lawyers representing them.

Church spokesman Jarrod Lopes said in a statement that while the church cannot comment on specific grand jury actions, the news of someone being sexually abused, whether a child or an adult, sickens us.

The church has long worked to educate and warn parents through our publications, meetings, and website, about how to protect their children in a variety of circumstances, he said. We also are quick to support and offer pastoral care to those affected, while working to ensure that unrepentant perpetrators are removed from the congregation. Anyone who has been victimized has the full support of the congregation to report the matter to the authorities.

The church has also said that the second-witness rule applies only to internal church discipline and that elders comply with mandated-reporting laws.

In one case, the grand jury obtained records from Sheffer's congregation in Zelienople, documenting an internal investigation into his conduct. In three other cases, alleged victims testified that they told elders of their abuse. The grand jury presentments  statements outlining the charges  give no indication that any elder ever contacted police to report abuse.

One of the nine earlier defendants killed himself before he was arrested, Henry said.

The grand jury probe of Jehovahs Witnesses began with a referral from a county prosecutor who felt the state should take a broader look at the issue. Dozens of witnesses then testified before the secret grand jury in Harrisburg or provided information to the attorney generals office.

In a case with some parallels, a state grand jury investigation into child sexual abuse by Catholic priests culminated in a lengthy 2018 report that concluded hundreds of priests had abused children in Pennsylvania over seven decades and church officials had covered it up. More recently, a similar report was issued in Maryland.

The Jehovah's Witnesses, an international Christian denomination founded in the Pittsburgh area more than a century ago and headquartered in New York state, claims 8.7 million members worldwide, including 1.2 million in the United States.

Members will not bear arms, salute a national flag or participate in secular politics. Believers are known for their evangelistic efforts, including knocking on doors and distributing literature in public spaces.

___

This story was originally published on July 7, 2023. It was updated on July 8, 2023, to correct the name of a former elder and an advocate for survivors of abuse. He is Martin Haugh, not Mark Haugh.

___

Smith, a religion writer, reported from Pittsburgh and videojournalist Tassanee Vejpongsa contributed to this report from Philadelphia.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Last year, voters in the city of Sacramento approved Measure O, a ballot initiative sold to voters by proponents as a vehicle to improve the crisis of homelessness on city streets.

In our opposition editorial to Measure O, we said, ...enacting this proposal would do little to change the lives or number of unhoused people on the streets of Sacramento or to placate voters desperate for improvement.

Almost exactly nine months later, the predictable flaws of Measure O are already materializing. Sacramento has decided not to establish a citizens complaint process that voters approved in Measure O, saying it has already spent more than what the measure requires.

Measure O had hopelessly conflicting language: It mandated a new expensive appeals process among other directives. It also capped, at $5 million, the unexpended general funds the city annually needs to spend to achieve the directives, so that voters werent mandating some blank check. The city is now dealing with the measures contradiction.

Opinion

The news surfaced at the City Councils June 27 workshop on homelessness, as City Council member Eric Guerra asked City Manager Howard Chan why the city had not established a hearing officer to judge complaints by residents that the city was inadequately handling homeless challenges on city property.

If you read the measure language itself, it literally caps our investment into homeless under Measure O, Chan said. I have been having conversations with many people in the community. And it is really striking to me that people have not read the measure, including the proponents of the measure. It is actually a little bit embarrassing.

Guerra didnt buy it.

We have an obligation to what the law says, what the measure was approved by. So city attorney, can you answer that or have your team answer that?

City Attorney Susana Alcala responded as follows:

First and foremost, I want to say this is a case of first impression, a common legal phrase referring to unchartered legal territory. This is a brand new measure. We are in implementation stages. I know my office doesnt have the ability to have a bunch of case law to review to determine how these terms are going to be interpreted by a court.

The inherent contradiction in Measure O to spend more, but only so much, was captured in Alcalas impartial analysis that went to voters in the fall as part of their ballot package.

The City Attorneys office found that the measure directs the City Manager to fund the commitments, obligations and liabilities created by the ordinance first from external sources (e.g. the state). If those are insufficient, the City Manager shall annually allocate up to 50% of unobligated General Fund year-end resources, not to exceed $5 million.

As this Editorial Board predicted in our opposition, Measure O was never more than an empty sales pitch to address homelessness by moving some homeless people around, at best: The illusion of progress being sold to the public by Sacramentans for Safe and Clean Streets and Parks, the coalition of special interest groups and influential business leaders behind Measure O, is as bad as doing nothing, which could very well be the result.

We may actually be wrong; Measure O may be worse than nothing.

The more than 100 complaints filed with the city are pending litigation items now, Alcala told the council at the citys workshop. All complaints are referred instead to its Department of Community Response.

The complaints should be reviewed in earnest. But lawsuits and legal fees would be grand distractions resulting in a diversion of public funds that could be spent far more productively.

There has been some progress since Measure O; The city and county of Sacramento have reached an agreement on how to make progress together, including a county commitment to build 200 new shelter beds in the city. If there is to be further progress in reversing the misery on our streets and along the American River, it is through a partnership with many governments.

Measure O sold a mirage that great things could somehow happen for $5 million and that Sacramento should be punished if the citys unhoused residents remained a problem. That frustrated voters supported a false promise of progress is understandable. What all sides do now going forward is what matters. Let Measure O fade quickly into history as a sham.
FILE - A police officer stands in the area of a mass shooting incident in the Southern District of Baltimore, Sunday, July 2, 2023. Baltimore police have arrested a 17-year-old boy who they believe was involved in a mass shooting at a block party over the holiday weekend that killed two people and wounded 28 others, officials announced Friday, July 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)

BALTIMORE (AP)  Authorities have arrested and charged a teen who detectives believe was involved in a mass shooting at a Baltimore block party over the holiday weekend that left two people dead and 28 others wounded, officials announced Friday.

Members of the homicide and SWAT teams arrested the 17-year-old boy around 7 a.m. Friday after a search warrant was executed at a home, police said in a news release. He was taken to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and possession of an assault weapon, as well as reckless endangerment and having a handgun in a vehicle, police said.

Police referred to the teen in the release as a person of interest. He is charged as an adult, but police aren't identifying him since he is a minor, according to department spokesperson Detective Freddie Talbert.

Detectives are still actively investigating the shooting in the Brooklyn Homes area in the southern part of the city, Talbert said. A reward for up to $28,000 is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest and charges in the case.

There was a wave of shootings this week as the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July. The gun violence that flared this week in Washington, D.C.; Louisiana; Florida; Pennsylvania; Texas; Maryland and Massachusetts left more than a dozen dead and more than 60 wounded  including children as young as 2 years old.

Earlier this week, interim Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that investigators believed there were multiple shooters in the block party shooting, and that it wasnt clear if the shooting was targeted or random.

We dont know exactly how many, but we do know more than one person was shooting, Worley said. The event has been held for decades, but no permit was issued this year and police didnt find out about it ahead of time, as they have in past years, Worley said.

Police identified the two people killed as 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez and 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi. The 28 injured victims ranged in age from 13 to 32, with more than half younger than 18, officials said. Of those injured, police said Friday that three victims remain at hospitals in fair condition.
Illustration: Lex Villena; Warner Bros. Pictures

Vietnam has banned the upcoming movie Barbie from distribution in the country over a scene allegedly featuring China's disputed claims in the South China Sea.

"We do not grant license for the American movie 'Barbie' to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line," said Vi Kien Thanh, director of Vietnam's Cinema Department, in a statement to the state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper.

The Chinese Communist Party uses the infamous nine-dash line to illustrate China's historical maritime claims, which encompass approximately 90 percent of the entire South China Sea and significantly overlap with Vietnam's claims. International law says a country's territory extends 200 miles off its coast, an area called the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), a rule that other countries in the region, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines, base their claims on. Since 2014, China has built islands in the region, which are potentially energy- and resource-rich, to enforce and legitimize its EEZ claims.

Barbie, a Warner Bros. comedy directed by Greta Gerwig and featuring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie, seems relatively tame and uncontroversial. Gerwig described it as a "pink, glittery existential dance party," which raises the question of why Warner Bros. would use the movie to reference a yearslong geopolitical conflict that implicates a third of the world's maritime trade.

If Vietnam's allegations are indeed founded, this is likely another instance of American film studios placating the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) propaganda machine, which bans films that violate CCP doctrine from screening in the Chinese market. A 2020 investigative report by the free speech group PEN America found that studios routinely write and produce in accordance with CCP dogma to maintain access to the country's $2.46 billion box-office market.

By placating one authoritarian communist regime in showing the nine-dash line, Barbie has drawn the ire of a different authoritarian communist regime.

Barbie is expected to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the summer, possibly grossing as much as $80 million over its opening weekend. It's unclear whether Warner Bros. will revise the film to appease Vietnamese censors, especially since it has an economic incentive to instead prioritize CCP demands. Last year, the studio's best-performing film was The Batman, grossing over $770 million. The film made about 12 times more in China than in Vietnam, grossing $25.3 million and $2.1 million, respectively.

In response to Vietnam's outrage, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told Fox News, "China's position on the South China Sea issue is clear and consistent," adding that Vietnam "should not link the South China Sea issue with normal cultural exchange."

Barbie will join a growing list of films and television shows Vietnam has banned due to the offending nine-dash line. In 2019, the country banned Abominable, a DreamWorks animation about a girl who finds a yeti on her roof. In 2022, Vietnam banned Sony's Uncharted, an action-adventure film about treasure hunting. In 2021, officials ordered Netflix to remove the show Pine Gap and to delete scenes from the show Madam Secretary from its platform in Vietnam.

While Barbie is not set to release until July 21, the film's trailer has sparked speculation about what scene in the pink-filled movie could contain the geopolitical blunder. It may very well be one featuring a childish-looking world map that is cartoonishly inaccurateperhaps to avoid giving exactly this kind of offense.

If there's a lesson here, it's that placating one authoritarian regime will likely irritate another.

The post <em>Barbie</em> Banned in Vietnam! appeared first on Reason.com.
Behind the controversial outfit Hayley Williams wore to perform with Taylor Swift 12 years ago on the 'Speak Now' tour

Hayley Williams and Taylor Swift perform during the "Speak Now" tour on September 16, 2011. Frederick Breedon IV/Getty Images

Insider spoke with Hayley Williams in January about the most daring looks she's ever worn.

She then shared the story behind the fanny pack she wore to perform with Taylor Swift in 2011.

Williams said it carried her phone and money, and that she received backlash for wearing the purse.

When Hayley Williams and I connected over Zoom in January, there hadn't been any hints that a collaboration between her and Taylor Swift was on the horizon.

But as we sorted through photos of her fashion evolution throughout Paramore's history, I had to ask about her appearance at the 2011 "Speak Now" tour in Nashville, where she joined Swift on stage to perform Paramore's hit "That's What You Get."

More specifically, I wanted to know about her outfit: red jeans, black boots, a Paramore-patched vest, and a studded fanny pack.

So I asked. In the words of the famous TikTok meme, did Williams "just call Taylor up" and suggest a performance? Or did Swift spring the idea on her, leading Williams to throw an outfit together at the last minute?

"It was kind of that," Williams responded to the latter with a laugh. "It's usually that."

Taylor Swift and Hayley Williams perform during the "Speak Now" tour on September 16, 2011. Frederick Breedon IV/Getty Images

"We had just been in New York and I went to a couple of stores that I love in the East Village," she said. "I got this spiked fanny pack because I was so tired of touring and carrying a purse. But then for some reason that night I was like, 'Make it fashion, bitch. Bring it on stage.'"

Not only did Williams wear the purse to perform, but she also filled it with her phone, money, and other necessities.

"You would've thought I was fucking Aretha Franklin getting paid before I walked out and keeping that money on my person at all times," she joked.

Taylor Swift recently shared this photo from their performance on Instagram. Taylor Swift/Instagram

But what Williams remembers most is the backlash she received for wearing the fanny pack on stage.

"The funniest thing is that I got so much shit for this look," she said. "I got hated to a degree that does not even make sense over a fanny pack."

"But then the next year, everyone had one," she continued. "I don't think it was because of me  I think I was just early. But I felt so vindicated when people were into it. I was like, 'See bitch.'"

While the infamous fanny pack is now a thing of the past, the friendship between Williams and Swift continues.

The Good Dye Young founder will be featured on Swift's vault track "Castles Crumbling," which is set to be released as part of "Speak Now (Taylor's Version)" on Friday.

Read the original article on Insider
Belarus Weekly: Lukashenko tells Belarusians to 'calm down' as Wagner's move still undecided

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko urges Belarusians to calm down after the presumed arrival of Wagner Group mercenaries following their day-long insurrection in Russia.

Rumors continue circulating about whether camps to house Wagner troops are under construction.

Lukashenko claims that the Wagner Group's founder Yevgeny Prigozhin is back in Russia.

After banning several Ukrainian media outlets for allegedly discrediting him, Lukashenko signs a law permitting Belarus to ban media from so-called unfriendly countries.

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Belarusian authorities sentence the son of former presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, Eduard, to eight years in prison on politically motivated charges.

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly recognizes Russia as being responsible for the soft annexation of Belarus during its 30th Annual Session.

Poland and Ukraine up their defenses along their borders with Belarus this week following the threat of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus.

Belarus transport minister dies suddenly and mysteriously at the age of 47.

Lukashenko urges Belarusians to calm down amid presumed Wagner arrivals

Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko urged Belarusians to calm down after the presumed arrival of Wagner Group mercenaries in the country following their day-long insurrection in Russia.

Following Wagners armed mutiny on June 23-24, aimed at countering Russias military top brass, Lukashenko allegedly brokered a secret deal with Wagner Group Head Yevgeny Prigozhin.

The Kremlin announced that charges against Prigozhin will be dropped and that he, as well as any Wagner mercenaries that do not join Russias military, will move to Belarus.

While Prigozhins whereabouts have yet to be confirmed, Lukashenko claimed on June 27 that the Wagner Group chief arrived in Belarus.

Russia comes to the brink of civil war: How we got here and what it means Visually, the scene was a familiar one. Russian armored vehicles emblazoned with the Z logo in the central streets of a once peaceful city, masked soldiers standing at key intersections, and confrontational conversations with bemused local civilians. But this wasnt a Ukrainian city in the first da The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

In his speech on June 30, three days before Belarus Independence Day, Lukashenko said the issue of Wagner transfers to Belarus has been inflated, referring specifically to the fact that Wagner has heavily recruited Russian convicts.

These are the most prepared people, Lukashenko said. They say, there are prisoners.

Listen, all the soldiers who were convicted there (in Russia), they have already died, unfortunately. And one more nuance they dont want to explain: Convicts were released from prisons in Russia only for the Russian front. Not a single person (Russian inmate fighting in Ukraine) goes abroad.

Rumors have continued to circulate surrounding the alleged construction of camps to accommodate Wagner mercenaries transferred to Belarus.

Lukashenko claimed on June 27 that camps for the mercenaries are not yet under construction, adding that no Wagner recruitment offices will be opened in Belarus.

Meanwhile, satellite imagery by Planet Labs from June 30 show hundreds of what appear to be field tents, as well as indications of construction work, in an abandoned military garrison near the village of Tsel in Belarus central Mahiliou region.

Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun suggested the camp, comprising nearly 300 tents, could fit over 8,900 people.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggested on June 30 that the Wagner Group will operate out of three large field camps in Belarus, including the abandoned military garrison in the Mahiliou region.

However, the monitoring group said there is currently no indication that Wagner mercenaries are present.

Planet Labs satellite imagery reportedly does not show any signs of military equipment, and RFE/RL said it cannot be confirmed whether the tents are intended to accommodate Wagner troops.

According to Ukraines Military Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov, Prigozhin doesnt intend on stationing the bulk of his mercenaries in Belarus, but rather to set up a hub for logistic purposes and recruitment.

And what is going to happen next is that the majority of (Wagner) personnel which were previously engaged in fighting in Ukraine will be step-by-step moved to Africa to continue operations there, he added.

The Pentagon said on June 30 that it had no information on whether satellite images in southern Belarus indicate plans for a permanent Wagner camp there.

Lukashenko claims Prigozhin back in Russia

Lukashenko claims that warlord Prigozhin is back in Russia, Reuters reported on July 6.

"As for Prigozhin, he's in St. Petersburg. He is not on the territory of Belarus," Lukashenko told reporters.

He added, however, that his previous offer to Wagner mercenaries to come to Belarus still stands.

Prigozhin and his contractors were said to leave for Belarus after their rebellion on June 23-24 ended in an undisclosed treaty, allegedly brokered by Lukashenko.

On June 27, the Belarusian dictator said that the mercenary boss has arrived in the country shortly after reports that Prigozhin's business jet landed at the Machulishchy military airfield near Minsk.

Lukashenko signs law banning media from unfriendly countries

Lukashenko signed a law on July 1 that will permit Belarus to ban media from so-called unfriendly countries, his office said.

The law provides for the possibility of imposing a ban on the activities of foreign media in the event that foreign states display unfriendly actions against Belarusian media, the statement said.

The new law also expands the grounds for revoking state registration certificates for mass media in Belarus, as well as restricts access to various online resources, publications, and news aggregators.

Belarus Council of Ministers, which drafted the bill, claimed it was a tit-for-tat move for the blocking of Belarusian mass media in Western states.

On June 24, the head of Belarus state TV and radio company, Belteleradiocompany, Ivan Esmont, called for Minsk to ban YouTube for blocking content by Belarusian state media.

On June 28, Minsk cut off access to several Ukrainian news websites for allegedly discrediting the Belarusian president. The blocked Ukrainian sites include hromadske.ua, glavred.info, spektr.press, news.online.ua, and tribun.com.ua.

The Belarusian Prosecutors Office claimed the blocked sites had posted so-called false and extremist content surrounding the Wagner Groups recent armed mutiny in Russia, allegedly prompting (Belarusian) citizens to oppose the state authorities.

In Belarus, insulting the president is punishable by imprisonment.

Lukashenkos regime intensified its crackdown against Belarusian media in the aftermath of the fraudulent presidential election in 2020. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 37 journalists are currently detained in Belarus.

Belarus ranked 157th out of 180 countries for press freedom in RSFs 2023 Press Freedom Index. The organization considers Belarus Europes most dangerous country for journalists until Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Son of opposition leader Babaryka sentenced to 8 years

Belarusian authorities sentenced Eduard Babaryka, the son of former Belarusian presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, to eight years in prison for politically motivated charges on July 5.

After spending three years in custody at a pre-trial detention center, Eduard was charged with tax evasion, money laundering, helping organize mass riots, and inciting social hatred, among other charges. Eduard has rejected the charges, calling them politically motivated.

Eduards father, Viktar, was considered one of Lukashenkos primary political opponents during the 2020 Belarusian presidential election. He is currently serving a 14-year sentence in Belarus.

Belarus in 2022: War, death, and a very grim place Belarus entered 2022 gobbled in its ongoing political crisis and finished it as an accomplice in an unprovoked and brutal Russian aggression toward Ukraine. Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko conceded his countrys sovereignty to Russia, becoming entirely reliant on President Vladimir Putins wi The Kyiv IndependentTeah Pelechaty

Eduard and Viktar were arrested by Belarusian authorities in June 2020 while en route to file signatures in favor of Viktars presidential candidacy  a move widely considered an attempt to take Babaryka out of the presidential race.

Viktar was hospitalized on April 27 with a collapsed lung and traces of severe beating. He has since gone missing. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on May 11 calling for his release.

Before joining his fathers campaign staff in 2020, Eduard ran the crowdfunding platform Ulej, among other humanitarian projects, and funded the publication of a collection of Belarusian works by Nobel Peace Prize-winning writer Sviatlana Aleksievich.

OSCE Parliamentary Assembly says Russia responsible for soft annexation of Belarus

The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) recognized Russia as being responsible for the soft annexation of Belarus during its 30th Annual Session.

The OSCE PA underscored Russias violently imperial and colonial nature, which is exemplified in its soft annexation of Belarus, as well as Russias full-scale war against Ukraine, violation of international human rights and laws of sovereign nations, illegal occupation of Georgian territory, support for Russian proxies in Moldova, and subordination of indigenous and ethnic minority nations within Russia.

The declaration also condemned the shameful accomplice role of Belarus as co-aggressor in Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Leaked document reveals alleged Kremlin plan to take over Belarus by 2030 Editors note: This story is a collaboration between the Kyiv Independent and media partners, including Delfi (Estonia), Dossier Center (U.K.), Expressen (Sweden), Frontstory.pl, VSquare, and Belarusian Investigative Center (Poland), Suddeutsche Zeitung and Westdeutscher Rundfunk (Germany), and Yaho The Kyiv IndependentAnna Myroniuk

A separate resolution included in the declaration expressed support for a democratic Belarus, urging the release of political prisoners and a stop to the repressions conducted by Lukashenkos regime.

The OSCE PA said it was deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Belarus and the authorities brutal crackdown on civil liberties, freedom of association and independent media, as well as the continued repression of political opposition, civil society, trade unions, and legal defenders.

Poland, Ukraine continue to up defenses at Belarusian border

Poland and Ukraine upped their defenses along their borders with Belarus this week following the threat of Wagner mercenaries in Belarus.

Poland reinforced its border with Belarus with 500 law enforcement officers, including riot and anti-terrorism units, Polish Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski said on July 2.

He added that there are already 5,000 Polish border guards and 2,000 soldiers guarding the border.

Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Warsaw has learned that Belarus could accommodate up to 8,000 Wagner mercenaries.

Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said Poland wants to join NATOs nuclear sharing program in response to Russias plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.

We do not want to sit idly by while Putin escalates all sorts of threats, he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 30 that Ukraine would also strengthen its defense lines along its northern border with Belarus amid the Wagner threat.

Poland to reinforce Belarusian border with counterterrorism forces Poland will reinforce its border with Belarus with 500 policemen and counterterrorism forces due to the tense situation in the area, Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski reported on July 2. The Kyiv IndependentAlexander Khrebet

Lieutenant General Serhii Naiev, the commander of Ukraines joint forces, said on July 1 that, while there is no direct threat of an offensive operation by the Belarusian military, Ukraine is prepared if the level of threat rises.

Last week, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania called on NATO to reinforce its eastern flank in response to the alleged transfer of Wagner Group mercenaries to Belarus.

It could take (Wagner mercenaries) eight to 10 hours to suddenly appear somewhere in Belarus close to Lithuania, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warned on June 25.

Belarusian transport minister dies at 47

Belarusian Transport Minister Alexey Avramenko died suddenly at the age of 47 on July 5, according to Belarusian state media BelTA.

The cause of death was not mentioned.

Born in 1977 in Minsk, Avramenko held several positions in the Belarusian Transport Ministry and has served as the states transport minister since 2019.

Avramenko has been placed under international sanctions for his role in Minsk illegally diverting a passenger flight in May 2021, resulting in the arrest of Belarusian blogger Raman Pratasevich and his former girlfriend, Sofia Sapega, for politically motivated charges.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) found Belarus guilty of orchestrating the forced landing, which constitutes an offense under the Montreal and Chicago conventions.

Lukashenko's Independence Day

The Spotlight segment provides readers with the historical context of contemporary events in Belarus.

Lukashenkos Belarus officially celebrates its Independence Day on July 3. This day was handpicked by Lukashenko.

Independence Day was originally celebrated in Belarus on July 27.

On that day in 1991, Belarus declared its sovereignty from the Soviet Union. Full independence was officially recognized on Dec. 26, 1991, marking the final dissolution of the once-powerful Soviet Union.

For the next four years, Belarus celebrated its independence on July 27 until Lukashenko proposed changing it to July 3, the day when Minsk was liberated from Nazi occupation in 1944.

The question of the independence day was up for a referendum in 1996, allegedly to attract a higher turnout for the matters important to Lukashenko: introducing changes to the constitution that consolidated the presidents authority and transitioning the country into the super-presidential republic.

Alongside the major political shift, the referendum was to decide whether to ban capital punishment in the country, elect or appoint regional authorities, and allow free trade of farmland in Belarus.

The official results showed Belarusians' support for Lukashenkos position on all questions. The vote was deemed neither free nor fair.

According to historians and contemporary politicians, Belarusians supported changing the date of the countrys main holiday since the countrys independence was then associated with the crippling economy of the newborn state, whereas the new date reminisced of the days of the Soviet past.

Praised by propaganda today, it receives little sentiment from the Belarusian people.

While the majority dont have strong feelings against the celebration, people tend to consider it as just another summer holiday.

On July 4, 2023, propagandists even suggested making it a workday since not many Belarusians participated in the celebration.

The two versions of independence day in July are contested by Dzen Voli, the day celebrating the declaration of the Belarusian Democratic Republic on March 25, 1918. The short-lived entity laid the foundations of the Belarusian national state as we know it today.
Representatives of the Wagner Private Military Company (PMC) have not yet arrived to inspect the tent camp near the town of Asipovicy, Mahiliou Oblast, which is likely to become the place of deployment of the Wagner fighters in Belarus.

Source: Deputy Defence Minister of the Republic of Belarus, Major General Leonid Kasinsky, while on a visit to the camp, as quoted by the Russian publication TASS

Quote: "No, the operative groups have not yet arrived, have not determined, have not looked. I think that when the final decision is made by the Wagner Group whether or not to be located in Belarus, then they will look."

Details: Kasinsky explained that "this is a summer camp that was built in cooperation with local authorities." "This camp was set up for the training of both the military and representatives of the civil administration as part of the deployment of the territorial defence system," he added.

According to the general, the camp can accommodate about 5,000 people. He also noted that "theoretically, [military] equipment can be placed anywhere".

Quote: "Everything depends on the amount of the equipment. This is a former military town. The infrastructure has been preserved: there were also boxes (for storing equipment), and the artillery brigade was once stationed here."

Background:

The self-proclaimed president of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during a meeting with journalists, said that Minsk offered to use "several former military towns that were used in Soviet times" for the placement of Wagner PMC fighters, in particular near Asipovicy.

Mass media learned about the works that are being carried out on the territory of the former military base No 61732 in the village of Cel (Asipovicy district, Mahiliou Oblast), where the 465th Missile Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus was previously stationed. It is approximately 90 kilometres from Minsk.

Satellite images proved that a tent city is most likely being built there,

On 27 June, Lukashenko stated that no camps were being built in Belarus for the Wagner PMC, but "they will help with accommodations" if necessary.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Alexander Lukashenko, the self-proclaimed President of Belarus, has said that he is waiting for an apology from those who called him a dictator because he does not consider himself such.

Source: Belarusian state-owned news agency BelTA

Quote: "As for the last dictator of Europe, you should already apologise to me. You have already departed from this definition. I am no dictator, and if I am a dictator, I am not the last."

Details: At a meeting with journalists, Lukashenko tried to suggest that he does not rule in Belarus but simply works in a high position.

Quote: "If you think that, being in this power, I got something excessive, or whether I got it at all, you are mistaken. Nothing of the kind. I work in a big, high position that the people have entrusted to me. I work. I am not ruling," he said.

Lukashenko also began to say that he was not thinking about the presidential election yet but only about what would happen after it. "I haven't even thought about the presidential election yet. Honestly. And havent planned. Only in terms of reasoning: what will happen after me? Only in this vein. And so I planned absolutely nothing," he said.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Brandon E. Scott, who was shot to death Monday, was a sweet little boy who was well-liked by classmates and teachers at the close-knit Henry Raab School in Belleville.

He was just 10 years old and would have been a fifth-grader this fall.

He was a great friend to everybody. He had this cute, silly, wry grin that would tug at your heart, said Susan Altadonna, his third-grade teacher.  He was just a great kid. Hed like to give hugs in the hallway. He loved video games and talking about them. He was just a great friend.

He was never in trouble or in the spotlight. He was that cute kid in the hallway everyone wanted to talk to.

Brandon died after someone shot into his familys home at 1800 Roosevelt Ave., just outside the Belleville city limits. Two people have been charged with first-degree murder in his death, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis announced on Friday.

the investigation is continuing, authorities said, asking that anyone with information should call 618-825-5200 or 618-825-2051.

Brandon E. Scott was shot and killed Monday night in the 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue in unincorporated St. Clair County. Brandon, who was 10, had just completed the fourth grade at Henry Raab Elementary School in Belleville and would have been a fifth grader this fall.

Brandons death has shaken the school community

Henry Raab School at 1120 Union Ave. is a small neighborhood elementary school with just 143 students, some attending the same school as their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Its like a family, and everybody knew Brandon.

He definitely liked to have that silly laugh, Altadonna said.  He always tried to encourage others. He was just really, truly a good friend.

He was a friend to everybody.

He liked to do things on his own, but he would befriend anybody who needed a friend, she said. He was a kind little boy. He would help anyone who needed the help. He was just a caring, giving little guy.

Brandon was in the band this year and also took part in Kids For Christ, an after-school program that promotes fellowship but is not directly affiliated with Henry Raab.

Kim Showalter, Brandons fourth-grade teacher, said Brandon was a sweet little boy.

He had a big heart. He cared about others. He had a great sense of humor, Showalter said. He and I always joked daily because sometimes hed come to school without a smile and Id say, Dont smile because your face might crack and then hed smile and get in a good mood. He really cared about his classmates.

Showalter recently retired from Henry Raab after 25 years there, something Brandon expressed concern about  as only he would do.

I texted his mom recently and she said his biggest concern to her was if I was having a good retirement, Showalter said. He was just always worried about others and what they thought and tried to make everyones day better.

As a student, Showalter said, He was a real hard working kid in the classroom. When he worked for you, hed give you everything he had.

Brandon was a loved kid

Mindy Hubbard, who has been a paraprofessional at Henry Raab for four years, said she and others always received the biggest hugs from Brandon.

He was definitely a loved kid. He had a lot of friends, Hubbard said. He was so silly. He always kept everybody happy and smiling. He always wanted to make sure everybody was OK and everybody else had a smile on their face as well.

Hubbard said she and the entire Henry Raab community are struggling mightily with Brandons death.

Everybodys taking this one pretty hard. Weve known that family for the longest time, she said. None of us can wrap our heads around this, why he was the one chosen to be taken. He was such a good kid. I cant say any of us are handling this well right now.

Altadonna and Showalter talked about the close-knit nature of Henry Raab School, where its more of a family than simply a school.

Altadonna has been at Henry Raab for 29 years and taught Brandons mother, Chelsea Odom.

You become so connected with their families because theyre really a part of your family. It just makes it hard too. Thats your home. Thats your life. This is personal for all of us, she said. We are a family. It hurts everybody. And you dont have to be a teacher for it to hurt. The secretary, the nurse, the speech teacher ... everybody was touched by Brandon at school. Were all taking this so hard.

Altadonna shared a GoFundMe fundraiser for Brandon on her Facebook page. As of Thursday afternoon, $9,165 had been raised.
The Berlinale prizewinner fighting to defend Ukraine: film about cinematographer Serhii Mykhalchuk is released as part of Culture vs War series

The Culture vs War project has released the second documentary in its series about cultural figures who are defending Ukraine. This episode focuses on the outstanding cinematographer Serhii Mykhalchuk.

Before the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, Serhii Mykhalchuk made feature films. Among his most famous works are Mamay, Illusion of Fear, Paradjanov, The Guide, The Wild Fields, and Dovbush.

Four of his four dozen films have been Oscar-nominated.

In 2015, Mykhalchuk was awarded the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for his cinematography in Under Electric Clouds, a film by Oleksii Herman Jr. American film director Darren Aronofsky, who chaired the jury at the 65th Berlinale, praised the Ukrainian cinematographers skill at creating "images that will long remain in the memory".

After 24 February, Mykhalchuk joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but he has not parted with his camera, documenting Ukraines struggle while fighting. "In addition to the rifle, we also have the camera. And we can make sure that this story, this war, will be remembered," says the cinematographer and soldier.

His photographs of the evacuation from Irpin, the destruction of the An-225 Mriya, the largest plane on the planet, homes destroyed by missiles and civilians who have lost their lives, have been seen all over the world, providing evidence of the brutality of Russia and its army.

The Culture vs War project was launched in May 2022 with the aim of strengthening support for Ukraine around the world. One of the key components of the project is a series of documentaries in which Ukrainian cultural figures  musicians, cinematographers, writers, photographers, etc.  talk about the war through their own stories and memories.

The project will include the release of six shorts and one full-length film. The short films are documentary stories about cinematographer Serhii Mikhalchuk, the band Antytila, film director Akhtem Seitablayev, the photographer couple Kostiantyn and Vlada Liberov, musician Taras Kompanichenko, and writer Serhiy Zhadan.

The full-length film will also feature the stories of film director Mykhailo Illienko, actors Yevhen Nyshchuk, Dmytro Linartovych and Oleksii Tritenko, cinematographers Yaroslav Pilunskiy and Yuriy Gruzinov, and others.

So far, the first film in the series  about the members of the band Antytila, who have joined the ranks of the defenders of Ukraine  has been released.

The project has been created by the Association "Promoting the Development of Cinema in Ukraine  Watch Ukrainian!" with the support of the European Commission, the MHP-Community Charitable Foundation and the Babylon company.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Dolores Castaneda, left, of Chicagos Little Village neighborhood, stands with others as they protest outside the 10th District Chicago Police Station on Ogden Avenue on July 7, 2023, in response to allegations that an officer or officers engaged in sexual relations with migrants who were living inside the station. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

For months, migrants bused to Chicago from Texas have found themselves housed in Chicago police stations in difficult circumstances, leaving city and state leaders stunned Friday by allegations that officers at one of the police facilities may have had sexual contact with at least one of those seeking shelter there.

A complaint submitted Thursday to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability spurred an internal Chicago Police Department investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by at least one officer involving a migrant housed at a West Side police station.

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In a statement issued Friday, COPA First Deputy Chief Administrator Ephraim Eaddy said the agency alerted CPD internal affairs upon receipt of the complaint against members of the department.

While COPA investigators are currently determining whether the facts and details of this allegation are substantiated, we want to assure the public that all allegations of this nature are of the highest priority and COPA will move swiftly to address any misconduct by those involved, Eaddy said in the statement.

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Late Thursday, CPD acknowledged it launched an internal investigation into allegations that at least one officer engaged in a sexual relationship with migrants who were housed at the Ogden District station. That district covers the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods.

People chant outside the 10th District Chicago Police Station on Ogden Avenue on July 7, 2023, in response to allegations that an officer or officers engaged in sexual relations with migrants who were living inside the station. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Most of the details of the allegations were not known, but migrants staying at the station told a Tribune reporter on Friday that they were being relocated.

Mayor Brandon Johnsons office issued a statement calling the situation deeply troubling.

New arrivals are being moved to temporary shelters in current operation, with full relocation to be completed by tomorrow morning, a statement from the administration read.

Also a focus was whether some of the migrants allegedly involved in the matter were minors, sources with knowledge of the internal review said. A CPD spokesperson did not address questions about when the investigation began or if any officers were stripped of their police powers.

The Johnson administration confirmed that aspect of the case late Friday.

The Johnson administration remains intensely focused on the deeply troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by a Chicago Police Department officer against a minor new arrival, and other allegations of sexual misconduct in the Chicago Police Departments 10th District, the statement read. While this incident is under investigation by the CPD Bureau of Internal Affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the City is committed to providing mental health support and resources to all those in need.

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Asked about the investigation at an unrelated news conference in Springfield on Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it would be horrific if the allegations are proven to be true.

He also noted that more migrants have been removed from police stations, where theyve been taking good care of those migrants, and being put into more permanent shelter or housing.

In fact, what were trying to do is make sure that people get rental assistance so they can go have a real apartment to live in, especially families, Pritzker said. Its a terrible thing and I hope theres a full investigation as fast as possible, and if there is wrongdoing they ought to be held accountable immediately.

As part of the $50.4 billion budget for the new fiscal year, Pritzker and his Democratic allies in the Illinois General Assembly set aside $42.5 million to aid migrants throughout the state.

The plight of migrants in the city has been a focus of the new administration of Johnson. Largely from Central America and Venezuela, the migrants have been bused to Chicago and other major U.S. cities from Texas.

In the meantime, the city has struggled to find adequate housing for them. Since April, CPDs 22 district stations  along with several other city-owned or otherwise unused buildings  have become temporary homes for hundreds of migrants, sometimes drawing the ire of local residents.

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Many of those migrants have found themselves seeking shelter in Chicago police stations, as information about the conditions at city shelters has circulated. City officials this week said more than 5,000 migrants are currently being housed in city shelters and nearly 800 were awaiting placement at police stations.

The three Ogden District councilors issued a statement Friday, saying that if these allegations are substantiated, we will pursue appropriate disciplinary and legal actions against the officers involved.

On Friday, migrants staying at the Ogden station said they first learned of the allegations when they saw television news cameras.

The officers dont even speak to us, said David Hernandez.

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Inside the station, his family and a few others were behind blue police barricades and surrounded by yellow crime scene tape on the windows. Most slept on the ground.

U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia said in a statement that the alleged misconduct was unacceptable.

Our migrant neighbors came to Chicago seeking safety and stability, Garcia said. Police officers are sworn to protect our communities, not engage in illegal sexual conduct with teenagers and others in their care. This alleged behavior is completely unacceptable. I expect the citys investigation to be timely, thorough, transparent, and lead to accountability for all who are found guilty.

Ald. Michael Rodriguez, 22nd, said allegations of this sort should be taken very seriously and they should be fully investigated.

We are a welcoming city for migrants and we need to make sure our public officials and public spaces are held accountable to honoring this value, Rodriguez said.

Karla Urbina, a migrant from Nicaragua, spent more than a month staying in a Chicago police station. She said that the abuse and shame from officers was constant.

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Many have no respect for us, they see us as objects, said the mother, who is not staying at a shelter but has joined forces with volunteers to help other asylum-seekers who are currently arriving.

Some officers treat not only women, but all migrants badly, she said, calling them names, giving looks and violating the little privacy that they may have.

Most will not report any abuse even if its sexual because they fear that theyll be kicked out of the stations or shelter, she said.

We cant afford to do that, Urbina said.

Susie Moya, a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist, started a support group for migrant women. She said many share a traumatic journey  stories of sexual assault, losing a loved one and the separation of families  but seeking help is not easy.

Im focusing on gaining their trust, she said. Most have not had access to mental health services and opening up is difficult, Moya added.

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Trauma affects these asylum-seekers psychologically and physically; that trauma influences their way of thinking and the choices they make, Moya said. It is an overall loss of power and control, instilling fear while they are trying to survive.

Outside of the Ogden district Friday evening, a group of roughly 30 activists and local politicians spoke, held signs and chanted in protest.

Silent cops are guilty cops! Silent cops are guilty cops! was one message.

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A lot of them traveled eight countries. They got beaten, they got robbed, theyve been raped. And we do it again here? Its just mind-boggling how they allowed this to happen, said Baltazar Enriquez, who has been helping the migrant families through his role as president of the Little Village Community Council.

The protesters expressed a variety of demands including a release of the names of the officer or officers under investigation, swift action against the officers, an emergency meeting with COPA and for Pritzker to call for a special session on the topic.

Kiisha Smith, one of the 10th Police District Council members, confirmed the mayors office already met one of their demands by calling for the removal of all migrants from the 10th District police station by 4 p.m. Friday. Their next destination was not confirmed.

If any of the allegations are found to be true and fact we will take charge and attempt to hold them accountable for their actions, most definitely, Smith said.

Ald. Monique Scott, who represents the 24th Ward, which includes the 10th District police station, said residents should wait for the investigation to resolve.

Right now, they are just accusations. So my heart goes out to the people that are involved and the officers because we dont know the validity of the truth right now, correct? she said on a phone call with the Tribune Friday night. I would encourage anybody in my ward to sit back and wait and dont jump to conclusions, dont jump on a side, wait for the results and wait to see what the investigation turns out to be.

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Tribune reporter Alice Yin contributed.
(Samuel Rodriguez / For The Times)

For the record:

4:55 p.m. July 18, 2023: This article says The Young Wife premiered at Sundance. It premiered at South by Southwest.



In Sunday Funday , L.A. people give us a play-by-play of their ideal Sunday around town. Find ideas and inspiration on where to go, what to eat and how to enjoy life on the weekends.

If you were to ask 10-year-old Kiersey Clemons what she thought about her parents' strategy of using Sundays to "get ready for Monday"  a.k.a. do chores  she would've confidently called it a "scam."

But now that the actor, who plays Iris West in Warner Bros.' new film The Flash, is older, owns a home and has an unpredictable work schedule, she understands her parents' credo.

Rightfully so, parents have to come up with reasons to reserve time for themselves, says Clemons, whos set to star in Susie Searches" (out July 28) and The Young Wife with Sheryl Lee Ralph, which premiered at Sundance in March but doesn't have a set release date.



Even as a person whos not a parent myself, I take any opportunity I can get to prepare for something  a week or a few days  that I know is going to ask a lot of myself, she says.

Read more: Alex Wolff and Kiersey Clemons talk Susie Searches and emergency contacts

Still, Clemons ideal Sundays look a lot like they did during her childhood: a sleepover with her three sisters, enjoying her moms homemade cooking and hunting for gems at her favorite Salvation Army thrift store in Los Angeles. Heres how the L.A. native would spend the perfect Sunday.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for length and clarity.

10:30 a.m.: Enjoy a cup of coffee outside

I am probably waking up around 10:30 a.m., and Im definitely taking it easy and Im taking it slow. I will probably have my first cup of coffee with my dog outside, which I actually do every day. Which is a really nice routine for me. It forces me to get out of bed and immediately take in whats outside.

11 a.m.: Chocolate pancakes at Maxines

Then I will probably go to a diner and Ill have two more cups of coffee, chocolate pancakes and bacon. I have a few diners in L.A. that I really love. One that is in my top three is Maxines [formerly known as Maxwells] in Culver City. I used to live over there for so long in my early 20s, and maybe thats part of why I love it so much. The food is really good, but also it feels like a spot where my mom and I had really insightful conversations. And we spill all the tea and were both big coffee drinkers. My mom is very cozy. She likes a diner that makes her feel like shes not in L.A. Shes from the South, and so it makes her feel like shes at a small-town diner. The service is really personable, and it at least feels like they care about you. [Laughs.] They always make sure your cup has coffee in it. Theres a bar area where all the regulars sit. Thats always the best, diner regulars.

Read more: The 25 best classic diners in Los Angeles

12:30 p.m.: Thrift shopping in Redondo Beach

At this point, were probably going thrifting. I grew up in thrift stores. My mom loves a Goodwill. I think she is definitely a bargain hunter. My mom grew up very poor, and her clothes were hand-me-downs or her stepmom made them. She always somehow found a way to make sure that I had what I really wanted, to feel like I was in on it. I will never forget when everyone was wearing ripped jeans from Abercrombie, like they were falling apart. And she would find the Abercrombie jeans at thrift stores or she would buy them on eBay. And I would come home from school, and she wouldve done all the rips and tears on them and did the splattered bleach on them. Id be like, "Mom, oh my gosh!"

I went to high school in Redondo Beach, and theres a Salvation Army on Artesia Boulevard, and so that was the one I would walk to after school. That's where my mom would go to get my jeans. She had a lot of furniture from there, but also they just always had all the good stuff. All of the good clothes. All the older rich Manhattan Beach grandmothers' stuff would end up there, and we got it. I actually will drive to that one specifically to see what they got cause they always got something.

2:30 p.m.: Chinese food at the mall

Well go to the mall, which again is so cozy and nostalgic. Well just walk around the mall and talk. We wont even do anything. [Laughs.] Sometimes, well go all the way to Del Amo Fashion Center just to go to Din Tai Fung . My mom always orders green beans. Then she soaks it in chile oil and soy sauce, and its so good. I get the shrimp and pork spicy wontons. Oh. My. God. Then Ill hold onto the juices that its in, and Ill dip everything in it.

Read more: Our favorite dumplings in Los Angeles

5 p.m.: Dinner and Lifetime

Now, Ive probably requested for my mom to make me food. Its all food. We are so food. I normally request that she makes me fried chicken or chicken and dumplings. Whichever one she has the energy for.

Were definitely making some type of drink, probably like a bloody mary. My mom loves bloody marys, and shell make me some type of drink with mezcal. Then my sisters and I would probably watch some random Lifetime movie or well binge-watch something together. One of them just moved to New York, but shes coming back. She says its partially because of family. I think its mostly because of family. We are all very close, and its super obvious when one of us is missing. But whenever were all in town and able to be together, were together on the weekends. And normally everyone will sleep over at my house. So on a Sunday, Im probably yelling at everybody because Im so fed up. You have all your little quirks and youre like, "Whose hair is all over the bathroom? Why cant anybody pick up their towels? Whose socks are these?" [Laughs.] Im the oldest sibling, so Im the most dramatic.

8 p.m.: Walk the dogs and gossip

Well probably walk the dogs. If everybodys dogs are over, its four dogs. With our little drinks, well go on a walk around the neighborhood and we'll just gossip. If someone ever is like, "Dont tell anyone this thing," I'm like, "All five of us know." [Laughs.] If somebodys got something weird going on, its TMI  everybody knows everything.

Read more: 12 of L.A.s best urban trails for dogs

11 p.m.: Cozy up on the couch

Ill fall asleep at my moms house, then Ill drive home at like 11 p.m. But before I leave, we will have already planned the next weekend. It'll be like, "Next weekend at your house?"

11:30 p.m.: Drive home, then fall asleep on the couch, again

I always say Im going to wind down and then I fall asleep on the couch. And Im one of those people that if I fall asleep on the couch and you try to wake me up and tell me to go to my bed, Im going to fight you. Because, like, this is so funny ... I dont want a television in my bedroom, and then I just end up falling asleep on the couch watching TV anyway.

Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Through massed ranks of Midlanders, I can see Gregg Wallaces head bobbing up and down. Hes making couscous and frying some sort of meat, cracking jokes about his MasterChef co-presenters drinking habit and flexing his biceps for the crowd. Wallace and I are in Worksop, where the North Nottinghamshire Food Festival is kicking off on a blustery Saturday.

Worksop is the largest town in Bassetlaw  the constituency that saw the greatest Labour-to-Conservative migration at the last general election. Its the heart of Borisland. And now, exactly one year on from his ignominious resignation, many people here remain steadfastly loyal to their populist tribune. This was where the Boris majority was won: where miners, pensioners, Brexiteers and lifelong Labour voters united to stick it to their old party. Other than the brief blip of Malcolm MacDonald (son of the first Labour PM, Ramsay MacDonald) defecting to National Labour in 1929, Labour had held the town since 1929. Brendan Clarke-Smith is the MP who, in 2019, smashed that red record with a stonking 18.4% swing, the greatest, he later assures me, at any general election since the Second World War. (I think its on Wikipedia.)

When Johnson took the seat, it heralded a new era of Tory politics. A new coalition, forged from the fires of Brexit, stretched from Hampshire to Hartlepool. Like Columbus, he seemed to have landed upon virgin territory ripe for the taking. Labour  cosmopolitan, effete and out of touch  looked sunk. But four years on, the shaggy conqueror is gone, and a string of by-elections threatens to chip away at his majority he built. In Selby, Uxbridge, Mid Bedfordshire, Somerton and now Chris Pinchers seat of Tamworth, the prognosis is gloomy. So far, the bookies believe every single one will be lost. And Bassetlaw itself, the clearest expression of that much-heralded post-Brexit realignment, is now a harbinger of doom. In March, one poll suggested it, and all the other 44 Red Wall seats won from Labour, will be lost at next years general election. What went wrong?

Hes still hugely popular, Clarke-Smith tells me. A lot of people voted for Boris. It wasnt the only thing  it had been trending our way anyway  but those Brexit Party voters and so on came across, and he was a big part of that. The big man, he says, has an aura about him that helped draw in converts. You still get voters saying: Oh, I voted for Boris

When I meet the MP, he is wearing a checked suit and has a small ketchup stain at the corner of his mouth. A self-described libertarian Thatcherite, he was raised on a Nottingham council estate, trained as a teacher, and worked at a school in Romania before entering politics. He is also, on the day I visit, on the cover of the Worksop Guardian, delivering a sly grin alongside the headline: MP slammed for vile Twitter attack. It is the outcome of Clarke-Smiths engagement in the culture wars  he is at the fore of a group of working-class Tories keen to give as good as they get online. A member of the New Conservatives, a collective currently lobbying for tougher action on immigration, he is also part of the Common Sense Group, which has attacked the woke agenda.

He says this posture is what the Red Wall wants. Apart from the obvious stuff about the economy and NHS, what would you guess the main issue is here? he asks me. The number one thing I get emailed about, more than Dominic Cummings, more than anything, is small boats. There is very little immigration here  but its the number one issue because they linked it to taking back control.

The Red Wall firebrand is a myth

By John Oxley

If true, this harks back to the political energy Boris personified, and which this squad of Red Wall MPs were elected to enact. The highest-profile member of the Nottinghamshire Tory contingent is Lee Anderson, the spiky-haired former miner and ex-Labour councillor who now serves as deputy chairman of the Conservative Party. In a recent segment on his GB News show, which captured much of the banal absurdity of politics in 2023, Anderson fed Clarke-Smith baked beans in a blind taste test to prove that bargain hunting is the solution to the cost-of-living crisis. Here comes the aeroplane, he said as he raised the spoon, firmly back in single-dad mode.

Its perhaps not the most traditionalist-Tory publicity stunt. But, were not in London  theres no liberal elite here, his campaign manager assures me. In Bassetlaw now, the bigger the house and the bigger the gravel driveway, the less chance there is theyll vote for us, Clarke-Smith boasts. They claim the realignment is still working.

Worse-off voters were crucial to the Tory success in 2019. In that election, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Labour lost nearly one in three low-income voters who had turned out to vote for them in 2017, while the Conservatives retained 90%. In the Red Wall now, however, the picture is shifting. The same March polling that foresees the Tories losing 45 seats in the North and Midlands shows the party behind in all social groups, from managers to unskilled manual labourers. That 19th-century notion of working-class Toryism has proven more elusive than first claimed.

And, away from the bustling high street, signs of discontent lurk. The cabbie who drove me from Retford, the handsome market town that makes up Bassetlaws other major population centre, tells me Boris was popular among his clientele in 2019. Now passengers young and old tell him they want a change of government. My grandad was a well-known cab driver around Retford  he died during Covid. My gran couldnt get out of her care home to attend the funeral. It was, he adds dryly, a bit crap. He now works part time at Rampton Hospital, on a secure ward, where he helps transport imprisoned psychopaths. There are cutbacks just like the rest of the NHS, he says. Its much harder to transport patients now we have less staff.

In Worksop itself, Wallaces gleaming pate is plastered across town to advertise the food festival. I watch him deliver his own populist punchlines while cooking, laying into clickbait news and telling his audience not to trust headlines in the papers. Its meant as a joke, but it captures the distrustful mood. Lindsay Martin, a Retford resident manning a friends market stall nearby, tells me she never fell for Johnsons charm offensive. Boris made a lot of false promises that were never delivered on. The country got worse under his leadership. Asked about levelling-up, that chimera of social transformation, she merely laughs.

This region has always been sceptical of received opinion. The local councils website grandly claims that many regard Bassetlaw as the birthplace of the United States of America. And, while that many is doing some heavy lifting, a sizeable chunk of the separatist-nonconformists who could no longer stand the Church of England did hail from the flat fields around here. At the local museum, a study resembling that of Plymouth Colony leader William Brewster is now preserved in aspic. And political dissidence, including to the benefit of the Right, is part of its history, too. During the miners strike, Nottinghamshire stuck out when the majority of its miners kept working and thus helped Margaret Thatchers government survive the winter of 1984.

Today, though, like much of the rest of the country, dissent has sublimated into a kind of jaded desolation. Others walking up and down the high street are less cynical. Janet, a pensioner in a purple windbreaker, tells me she voted Conservative for the first time in her life because of Boris. It was his principles, she says. He got stuff done. Then he was brought down by other people. What about the parties? Didnt he break Covid rules? It wasnt his fault, she tells me, without elaborating. Rishi turned on him. She will vote Tory again at the next election.

A middle-aged couple tell me that they, too, voted Conservative for the first time because of Johnson. I liked Boris at the time, says the wife. The slur against him now smells a little of a smear campaign. Her husband agrees: I think Id vote for the Tories again if Boris returned as leader. Cameron will sell us out with Europe, he claims, before his wife hurriedly reminds him that the Labour leader is called Keir.

Will Starmer recapture Nuneaton?

By Felix Pope

As the food festival winds down, the high street becomes deserted. I walk past Clarke-Smiths high street office where one window has taken a hit but remains just about intact, bearing a spiralling network of cracks. Retford is similarly quiet. People arent interested in talking: a densely bearded man bringing down the shutters on his vape shop tells me he doesnt do politics. I pass the empty headquarters of Jo White, Labours chosen candidate and the wife of John Mann, the constituencys former MP. A sign proclaims that she supports Traditional Values in a Modern Bassetlaw. I do not quite understand what this means, but when I email her campaign to ask I do not receive a response.

Johnson, meanwhile, has got his trotters up in Oxfordshire. Throughout his career, the former PM cultivated a set of allies before discarding them and Clark-Smith now faces a potential suspension from Parliament after falling foul of the privileges committee  was it worth it to defend Johnson? Part of me thinks I owe my position as a member of parliament to Boris, he says. Winning that election, and getting Brexit done and everything else. I thought he was doing a good job in difficult circumstances. It wasnt just loyalty  I was doing what I thought was the right thing to do.

His words are laced with unwitting irony. Four years ago, victory here seemed to herald the start of a new age. Levelling-up money might reverse economic decline; an end to Brexit psychodrama might let old wounds heal. Perhaps it was hope more than expectation when Bassetlaw, the Red Wall and Brendan Clarke-Smith all tied their fortunes to a New-York-born columnist with a history of disappointing those who trusted him. While some still keep the faith, that realignment seems to have delivered little change to their lives in return. And, beyond tribal loyalties, that was the promise of 2019, broken utterly when Boris resigned last year.

I asked Boris-loyalist Janet if the town had got any better since the election, and I received a simple answer: No.
Balancing privacy concerns with the opportunity to improve outcomes and more effectively target resources by using data is a key component of helping the veteran community, according to the George W. Bush Institute.

In a series of articles, Military Times is examining each of these four recommendations from the institute:

 The administration should refine a national veterans strategy.

 The DoD should leverage veteran and military family communities to sustain an all-volunteer force.

 The DoD should invest further in the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) for the 21st century.

 The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration should focus on advancing data collaboration.

There are privacy concerns, but there are also opportunities to more effectively target resources by using data, said Col. Matthew F. Amidon, former director of veterans and military families at the institute.

The fourth recommendation, a call to increase focus on advancing data collaboration, is exciting because it can allow underserved populations to receive targeted services, Amidon said. The all-volunteer force is more diverse than ever, with 15 percent of active duty service members being women and 16 percent being African American, according to data from Rand.

With more data on how to assist these groups, Amidon said it will better allow for more tailored resources while serving, and also upon transitioning back to civilian life.

The Bush Institutes recommendation includes proposing a Congressional mandate to capture consistent data  specifically, finding better ways to measure the economic health of veterans.

Gary J. Kunich, a public affairs specialist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, said his office collects data through surveys, key engagements, databases, focus and working groups and web and digital media to help serve their veterans. They also work closely with other agencies and have policies in place to help advance racial equity and support, as well as the Deborah Sampson Act, a task force for women veterans.

We are always seeking ways to ensure we deliver the best care and access to benefit all veterans, but also have taken critical steps in doing so for underserved veteran populations, Kunich said.

A more complete data set can also provide more details on which veteran populations have the greatest need, especially when it comes to economics. Amidon said one example is tailoring data to analyze not just if a veteran is employed, but if they are making enough money to support themselves and their family in the area they live.

Ross Dickman, COO for Hire Heroes USA, a veteran employment nonprofit that has helped more than 75,000 veterans and spouses find jobs, said many veterans are underemployed. Being able to have data to show what constitutes meaningful employment is necessary, Dickman said.

I applaud (the Bush Institutes) policy paper, Dickman said. We know things need to be improved and modified so we can meet the needs of todays veterans.

Amidon said connecting the VA/DoD Identity Repository (VADIR) database and payroll information  and linking that with geographic data from the Social Security Administration  could provide that kind of detail.

Certain subpopulations are underearning, Amidon said. And theres an enormous array of resources available, but how do you target them? Thats what we are seeking here.

Kunich said the VA has minority veteran program coordinators in each states regional office and can triage the needs and routes to provide more tailored post-service experiences.

Data is used to improve the veteran experience, understand local catchment areas and gaps in care and access, and develop sound outreach to every veteran population, Kunich said. We also have an Internal Data Governance Working Group that provides input and suggestions to best use this information.

Amidon said veterans are a large group and have a diverse array of talents. Ensuring the best outcomes for veterans is good for business and community  and, of course, the vets themselves.

The Bush Institute is out here to influence change, Amidon said.
Bice: Who won this legislative session? Gov. Tony Evers did with novel vetoes.

We have winners and losers each legislative session.

This year we have a win for the centuries.

Four centuries, to be exact.

Gov. Tony Evers submitted his budget plan earlier this year, and the Republican-controlled Legislature quickly tossed it. GOP lawmakers then drafted their own budget bill and negotiated the details with Evers and his team.

Gov. Tony Evers was the biggest winner of Wisconsin's legislative session after making 51 partial vetoes to the state budget, including one that funds education for over 400 years.

Everything seemed to go smoothly, and cooperatively, until the plan got to Evers' desk. A master of the veto pen, Evers sliced and diced the proposal, making 51 changes.

One edit stood out.

Most notably, the second-term Democratic governor struck a hyphen, merged a couple of numbers and  voila!  extended the annual $325 per-student increase for public schools from two years to four centuries.

Gov. Tony Evers vetoed the words and numbers in red, creating a $325-per-student increase in school funding each year until 2425.

Yes, 400 years. America, by comparison, is not even 250 years old.

No need to negotiate with Republicans now.

Since the line-item veto was approved in 1930, Wisconsin governors have created Frankenstein vetoes, revenue reduction vetoes and Vanna White vetoes. Call this the Star Trek veto. Evers took the budget where no governor had ever gone before.

(OK, former Gov. Scott Walker issued a veto in 2017 that denied schools the ability to save money through energy efficiency without a referendum for 1,000 years. But that had little impact then and now.)

The reaction to Evers' veto was swift and divided.

The lefty New Republic called the veto "historic" and "brilliant." Others labeled it "creative" and "crafty." Dems said it was a pro-eduction move.

Republicans called the veto "irresponsible," which it clearly was. No one knows what's going on in 10 years, much less 400. One GOP lawmaker was reduced to cursing. Another accused Evers of "single-handedly, choosing to exorbitantly raise taxes on you, your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren," etc.

Even "Jeopardy!" host Ken Jennings got in on the act.

Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August concluded: "It will be difficult, if not impossible, to ever negotiate with this governor again in the future.

Like Evers, perhaps in his last term, cares. Liberals control the Supreme Court. Republicans lack a veto-proof majority in the Legislature. He is still the governor.

Indeed, as we just found out, the one with the veto pen usually wins. And this was one for the history books.

Here are your other winners and losers during the recent legislative term:

Loser: Assembly Speaker Robin Vos

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos was one of the losers during this legislative session, according to Dan Bice.

For most of the session, things went swimmingly for the Rochester Republican. But, again, Evers' vetoes undercut much of Vos' work.

The governor protected the 188 positions within the University of Wisconsin System focused on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, a point of emphasis for Vos. Evers eliminated a tax break for people in the top two income brackets, prompting a rebuke from the Assembly leader.

And the Democratic chief executive trimmed a $10 million grant for VISIT Milwaukee, the city's tourism bureau, that could have gone for the Republican National Convention next year. Evers left in place $1 million for VISIT Milwaukee and moved $9 million into the state Department of Tourism's budget for marketing.

Vos has said he's happy where he is leading the Assembly, but by this point, the guy must be getting veto pen envy.

Winner: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, left, and Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, right, were two winners this budget season, Bice says.

Faced with dual fiscal cliffs, Crowley and Johnson held their breath and agreed on a single, unified plan:

Trust Evers and the Republican legislators to work together to pass a bill allowing sales tax increases of 0.4% in Milwaukee County and 2% in the city. It was a risky move, but it worked.

The final deal came with GOP strings attached. The law prevents the city from using tax dollars on DEI programs, for instance. It also says Milwaukee can't use tax dollars or tax incremental financing districts on the streetcar, called The Hop.

One insider cited Crowley's work in particular. "He did a great job here," said the Democrat.

But believe it or not, the biggest hurdle might still be ahead. Crowley will have to convince two-thirds of Milwaukee Board of Supervisors and Johnson two-thirds of the Common Council to approve what many supervisors and council members consider a regressive tax.

For Johnson and Crowley, there's no other option.

Loser: University of Wisconsin System

The University of Wisconsin System was a loser during the budget session as Vos took aim at the state's public universities, especially UW-Madison.

There seems to be a big disconnect between the leaders of the UW System and the Republicans who run the Assembly and Senate.

Despite a huge budget surplus, GOP lawmakers decided to slash the UW budget by $32 million. (The money has been put in a fund that UW can access if the Joint Finance Committee approves.)

The Joint Finance Committee also axed a proposed $347 million new engineering building at UW-Madison from its $2.4 billion spending plan for state building projects. The new building would allow the state flagship campus to graduate at least 1,000 more undergraduate engineers annually.

The project was the UW System's No. 1 capital priority in this budget. It was a top priority in the last budget, too.

So what's going on? It's not exactly clear, but UW-Madison maybe should have thought twice before inviting former U.S. Attorney Eric Holder to be its spring commencement speaker while the budget was pending. Holder served under Democratic President Barack Obama and has led numerous voter drives in Wisconsin.

Winner: Charter and choice schools

Evers signed a funding package that significantly boosted funding for private choice and independent charter schools.

Evers angered a number of his public school supporters, including the state teachers union, by signing a funding package that significantly boosted funding for private choice and independent charter schools.

The measure included a $1 billion increase in state aid to public K-12 schools, raising the per-pupil aid by $325 annually. But Evers' critics focused on the fact the new law provided the biggest hikes in choice and charter funding ever. For instance, the annual voucher payments for high school students will jump from $9,045 in 2022-23 to $12,765 in 2024-25  a 41% increase.

This school year, about 29,000 students got vouchers for the Milwaukee program, 4,000 for the Racine program, and 17,000 in the statewide program.

"We lost our education governor," claimed one prominent Democrat.

Evers initially downplayed the criticism.

"What people forget is every time we have a budget for public schools, our money for charters or for vouchers goes up, too," Evers said.

Then he extended the boost in spending for public schools by 400 years via his veto pen. (See above.)

"Maybe the creative veto on the school levy was a way to make it up to the education community after signing the largest increases in charter and choice funding in history," speculated one Republican lobbyist.

Without a doubt.

Loser: Milwaukee Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers were one of the losers during this budget session after Republicans ditched Evers' plan to provide the team with $290 million in funding for stadium improvements.

We haven't reached extra innings, but it's getting closer.

Evers initially proposed this year that the state provide the Milwaukee Brewers with $290 million in funding to get the team to stay at American Family Field until 2043. The current lease runs out in 2030.

Republicans ditched that plan, and most recently, a bipartisan group of legislative leaders was looking at a new proposal that would provide the Brewers with annual payments for the next 27 years instead of the lump sum of $290 million. Vos has also suggested the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County should chip in some cash to help with the funding plan, despite their financial problems and opposition.

Whatever the final deal, it will probably require both Republican and Democratic votes to pass it.

And soon.

Winner: Milwaukee Police Association

Is there any special interest that does its work in Madison more effectively than the Milwaukee police union?

More than a decade ago, the union fought successfully for then-Gov. Scott Walker and the Legislature to exempt firefighter and police unions from Act 10, the measure cracking down on public employee unions. Then the Milwaukee police union convinced lawmakers to overturn the law requiring them to live within the city limits.

Now the union got a basketful of goodies in the law permitting the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County to boost their sales tax.

The legislation strips much of the power from the city Fire and Police Commission, the civilian board with oversight responsibilities over the police and fire departments. Milwaukee Public Schools must have at least 25 school resource officers in its schools by Jan. 1, 2024.

The city also maintains the number of police officers minimally at the numbers from the previous year, excluding any who are in state- or grant-funded positions. Ten years after the sales tax takes effect, Milwaukee would have to have at least 1,725 officers, including 175 detectives.

There were currently 1,630 budgeted sworn positions in the Milwaukee Police Department, and 1,560 were filled.

Defund the police? Not as long as the Milwaukee Police Association is on duty.

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 313-6684 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Who won the Wisconsin legislative session? Tony Evers did with a veto.
In new bid for release, Little Vic Orenas lawyer says former Colombo boss doesnt even know who he is

The one-time head of New Yorks notorious Colombo family wont rejoin the criminal underworld if hes released as he doesnt even remember who he is  sometimes mistaking himself for the president of the United States  his lawyer argued Thursday.

The attorney for the 88-year-old Victor Little Vic Orena, serving three life sentences for one of the bloodiest mafia wars in New York City history, is taking a new approach to getting his client free.

At a Brooklyn Federal Court hearing, Orenas lawyer David Schoen said that were his client to be re-sentenced and ultimately released, theres no chance hed reconnect with his old allies, as prosecutors have argued is a risk.

My client is suffering from advanced dementia. He, at times, does not know who he is and assumes that he is the president of the United States, Schoen said. Sometimes he thinks he is the president. How will he even introduce himself to these people?

Earlier this year, an appeals court panel found that a judge may re-sentence a prisoner when a count against them is overturned.

Arguing that that scenario applies to Orena, whos expecting one of nine counts he was convicted of to be overturned, the retired mob bosss lawyers want him to get a new sentencing and ultimately be released so he doesnt die behind bars.

Prosecutors, who have fought against Orenas release, objected to the maneuver. They say theres no need to re-sentence him for the whole case and that the judge should simply vacate his conviction on the one count to be thrown out  using and carrying a firearm concerning a crime of violence  which carried five years.

In the early 1990s, Orena served as the acting head of one of two factions battling for control of the Colombo family, waging a bloody war against imprisoned family boss Carmine Persico that led to a dozen deaths and injuries to 28 people.

Orena was convicted and slapped with three life sentences plus 85 years in federal prison three days before Christmas 1992.

The patriarch with five sons and 20 grandkids has already seen multiple requests for release on compassionate grounds denied by appeals courts, most recently in August last year. The court found that Orenas medical issues were extraordinary, as prosecutors agreed, but not enough to spring him loose.

Among multiple arguments, Schoen, in court filings, said his terminally ill client was wrongly convicted. He cited Orenas rehabilitation behind bars, model inmate behavior for during the more than 30 years he has served, service to others and spiritual development, among reasons the judge should revisit his punishment.

Mr. Orena stands before the Court today on the eve of his 89th birthday a very different man for all purposes relevant to sentencing, Schoen wrote.

At Thursdays hearing, Judge Eric Komitee said the probation department should speed up paperwork on their recommendations so he can take steps to make a ruling on Orenas request.
The claim: The Biden administration formally filed to overturn the First Amendment

A July 6 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) from conservative commentator Tim Pool shows him discussing an appeal filed by the Biden administration in a court case addressing social media censorship.

"Biden Admin Formally Files To OVERTURN 1st Amendment, Democrats Seek Authority To CENSOR Americans," reads the caption of the post.

The post generated over 800 shares in a day.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

The claim is referencing an appeal filed by the Justice Department after a federal judge blocked government officials from coordinating with social media companies. The appeal can't overturn the First Amendment. Constitutional changes require an extensive approval process that includes ratification by three-fourths of state Legislatures.

Biden administration can't overturn First Amendment

Republican attorneys general in Missouri and Louisiana filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration and federal agencies in May 2022 that took issue with how government officials coordinated with social media companies to moderate content. The government says this is an effort to curb misinformation, while the lawsuit contends it is conservative censorship.

On July 4, Louisiana U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty ruled that the administration likely violated the First Amendment and granted a preliminary injunction blocking officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FBI and other agencies from coordinating with social media companies to delete or suppress content. The Justice Department appealed the ruling on July 5.

But contrary to the posts claim, legal experts said the appeal by the Biden administration isn't an attempt to overturn First Amendment.

A constitutional amendment can only be overturned by a new amendment. Proposing a new amendment requires a two-thirds vote of Congress or a convention called by the states, according to the White House. The amendment would then have to be ratified by three-fourths of state Legislatures.

No president  nor anyone else  can file a claim to overturn the First Amendment or any other part of the Constitution, Ric Simmons, a law professor at Ohio State University, told USA TODAY. No court can overturn any part of the Constitution  it is the supreme law of the land  and so nobody can file a claim asking for that relief.

Fact check: No, a Georgia grant does not amount to Democratic takeover of election offices

Rather, the appeal is an effort to overturn the district judge's ruling that the administration violated some part of the Constitution, according to David Super, a constitutional law expert at Georgetown University.

When the Justice Department argues that this or that administration did not violate the Constitution, it is not arguing for overturning the Constitution: it is merely arguing that plaintiffs' interpretation is incorrect, Super said. No court has the authority to overturn any part of the Constitution. The circuit court of appeals presumably would either overturn the order or sustain the order, but either way the First Amendment's validity and effect would not be impaired in any way.

Simmons agreed, noting the appeal is simply asking an appellate court to interpret the First Amendment in a different way than the lower court judge.

Essentially, the lower court said that if the executive branch reaches out to social media companies to discuss their policies, that outreach can violate the First Amendment by making the social media companies feel coerced by the government to say or not say certain things, Simmons said. This is a very specific and narrow First Amendment issue that will have little to no impact on how the First Amendment applies in the vast majority of cases.

If the governments appeal is successful, the impact would be limited to the situation at issue in the case, according to Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer. The current administration and future administrations could continue to engage in this same type of outreach and coordination with private social media platforms.

USA TODAY reached out to Pool for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Legal experts say Justice Department appeal misinterpreted | Fact check
NEPTUNE, N.J.  The federal government has approved the largest U.S. offshore wind energy project, which officials say could power hundreds of thousands of New Jersey homes with clean energy and is expected to create over 3,000 jobs through construction and development.

The Interior Departments Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced its approval of Ocean Wind 1 project's plan for construction and operations Wednesday. It is New Jersey's first offshore wind energy project and will be located about 13 nautical miles southeast of Atlantic City.

"Since Day One, the Biden-Harris administration has worked to jump-start the offshore wind industry across the country  and todays approval for the Ocean Wind 1 project is another milestone in our efforts to create good-paying union jobs while combatting climate change and powering our nation," U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in a statement.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the announcement marked a "pivotal inflection point" in the state's transition toward carbon-free power.

Developed by Denmark-based power company rsted, the Ocean Wind 1 project will generate enough electricity that could power up to 500,000 homes with nearly 100 wind turbines off the coast of southern New Jersey.

The project's approval marks a milestone for the American offshore wind sector, as the country lags behind offshore wind farm operations in Europe and Asia. It is the third commercial-scale offshore wind energy project in the United States to be approved by the Biden administration.

Ocean Wind 1 joins two other projects, the Vineyard Wind project in Massachusetts and the South Fork Wind project in New York, both of which are now under construction. rsted plans to have tall structures that will support wind turbines, called monopiles, installed in 2024 and to begin commercial operations in 2025.

But offshore wind has become a source of controversy in New Jersey, pitting politicians against one another down party lines and even dividing some environmental groups over its potential marine impacts.

An aerial view of the Kentish Flats windfarm viewed show the wind turbine generators.

Ocean Wind 1 construction to begin in the fall

State and federal officials are moving ahead with approvals. Last week, the New Jersey Legislature voted to allow rsted to collect federal tax credits aimed at offshore wind farms. The bill is awaiting the governor's signature.

Murphy said BOEM's approval brings New Jersey a step closer toward its green energy goals.

"As we continue to cultivate burgeoning new industries while confronting the worsening climate crisis, our states first offshore wind project will generate thousands of good-paying union jobs and considerable environmental benefits for generations to come," he said.

Ocean Wind 1's approval includes a provision for a commercial fisheries compensation program, according to BOEM. The fund will offer reimbursement for lost revenue, a safety fund for navigational equipment, and money for lost or damaged fishing gear.

Federal officials said Ocean Wind 1 will also have to adhere to regulations designed to protect endangered and threatened marine animals, including enforcing vessel speed limits and funding various animal monitoring programs.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall as rsted plans on delivering on the promise of good-paying jobs, local investment and clean energy, said David Hardy, the companys CEO for the Americas.

rsted plans to begin laying electrical transmission cable and building onshore electrical substations. Monopiles are also being welded, sandblasted and painted at EEW American Offshore Structures facility at the Port of Paulsboro across the Delaware River from Philadelphia International Airport.

Offshore wind farm battle: How dead whales became the symbol of a political battle in NJ and elsewhere

Project proponents and critics divided over marine impacts

Proponents of offshore wind say climate change is a dangerous threat to New Jersey's marine and coastal ecosystems as well as millions of residents. Warming oceans will lead to worse storms and more frequent flooding; ocean acidification that will kill marine animals; and disruptions in migration routes and feeding and breeding areas.

Warming ocean temperatures could also slow down critical circulation currents within the Atlantic Ocean and lead to changes in how heat moves between the equator and poles, potentially changing climates across portions of the Earth, according to NASA.

Because of these threats, proponents have said reducing atmospheric greenhouse gas through the transition to carbon-free energy is an essential part of slowing climate change and protecting critical ecosystems around the world.

But critics of offshore wind say the construction of wind farms will kill marine animals and disrupt the migrations of whales and other species. Offshore wind farms will also place thousands of acres of important fishing grounds off limits and destroy livelihoods in the fisheries business, according to critics.

Opponents of the project are not giving up their efforts to stop Ocean Wind 1 from being constructed.

Earlier this month, three New Jersey organizations  Save LBI, Defend Brigantine Beach and Protest Our Coast NJ  filed a lawsuit in state Superior Court to stop construction of the project.

Ocean Wind 1 will harm "one of the most important marine communities on the East Coast and the core of New Jersey's $47 billion tourist industry," said Bruce Afran, an attorney for the three groups.

US offshore wind sector: The next few months will be big for offshore wind in America, and RI is playing a key role

Contributing: The Associated Press

Amanda Oglesby is an Ocean County native who covers Brick, Barnegat and Lacey townships as well as the environment. She has worked for the Press for more than a decade. Reach her at @OglesbyAPP, aoglesby@gannettnj.com or 732-557-5701.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY NETWORK: Biden administration OKs largest US offshore wind farm in New Jersey
The Biden administration said a court ruling limiting how it can contact social media sites could cause grave harm, as the administration attempts to appeal the decision.

The administration filed a motion Thursday to stay the preliminary injunction, which was handed down Tuesday. The injunction sides with Republican attorneys general who claim that the contact puts undue pressure on those companies freedom of speech.

The Justice Department (DOJ) already announced Wednesday that it will appeal the injunction.

In the Biden administrations motion, attorneys say the contact between the executive branch and social media platforms includes speaking on matters of public concern and working with social media companies on initiatives to prevent grave harm to the American people and our democratic processes.

If the administrations motion is granted, the injunction would be halted pending the DOJ appeal.

The original suit was brought by the Republican attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri, who called the contact a campaign of censorship and accused the administration of having coordinated and colluded with social-media platforms to identify disfavored speakers, viewpoints, and content.

The group specifically cited actions by the Biden administration to counter COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and efforts to promote election integrity.

Under the current injunction, executive branch officials can only contact social media companies about criminal activity, national security threats and posts intending to mislead voters about voting requirements and procedures.

Administration attorneys call the injunction both sweeping in scope and vague in its terms in the filing. They also noted that the contact with the platforms at question in the suit was more than a year old, calling into question whether an injunction is necessary at all.

Under the wording of the injunction, employees of the DOJ, the Department of Health and Human Services and other executive agencies are barred from contacting social media companies. Those agencies have hundreds of thousands of employees, making the order much too broad, the administration argues.

Critics of the injunction agreed with the administration, including former Obama-era Attorney General Eric Holder, who called it stupid and potentially dangerous.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Biden adviser says US is pressing for the release of reporter who has spent 100 days in Russian jail

WASHINGTON (AP)  White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan on Friday said the U.S. has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as Friday marked the 100th day of the journalist being detained by the Russian government.

Sullivan said he also spoke with Gershkovich's family representatives and Wall Street Journal officials on Friday about the status of the case and the administration's efforts to win the reporter's release.

The Kremlin earlier this week suggested that it was open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Gershkovich, but it underscored that such talks must be held out of the public eye.

I do not want to give false hope, Sullivan told reporters. What the Kremlin said earlier this week is correct. There have been discussions. But those discussions have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution, and so I cannot stand here today and tell you that we have a clear answer to how we are going to get Evan home.

The U.S. ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, on Monday was allowed to visit Gershkovich for the first time since April.

Gershkovich was arrested on espionage charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip. He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court last week upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until Aug. 30.

Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations, and the U.S. government has declared him to be wrongfully detained. His arrest rattled journalists in Russia. Authorities there have not provided any evidence to support the espionage charges.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the U.S. stance that the detention of Gershkovich was baseless. She reiterated the administrations call for the immediate release of Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, a Marine Corps veteran who has been detained in Russia on espionage charges for four years.

Our message to Evan and Paul is this: Keep the faith. We wont stop until you are home, Jean-Pierre said.
President Biden on Friday defended the decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, saying the Ukrainians needed them.

It was a very difficult decision on my part. And by the way, I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill, Biden told CNN in an interview that is set to air Sunday.

The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition, he added, noting the main thing is whether the Ukrainians have the weapons to stop the Russians.

I think they needed them, he said of the cluster munitions.

Cluster munitions are dropped by aircraft or fired by a ground-based weapons system over a target area, spreading out a few dozen to hundreds of submunitions. The decision to send the weapons, which can strike multiple targets, comes as Ukrainian forces are expending high rates of ammunition and are making slow progress in their counteroffensive.

This is a war relating to munitions. And theyre running out of that ammunition, and were low on it, Biden told CNN. What I finally did, I took the recommendation of the Defense Department to, not permanently, but to allow for this transition period, while we get more 155 weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians.

Theyre trying to get through those trenches and stop those tanks from rolling. But it was not an easy decision, the president told CNN. Were not signatories to that agreement, but it took me a while to be convinced to do it.

The approval of the transfer has sparked concern from human rights groups and some congressional lawmakers over the weapons ability to harm civilians and children long after the bombs have fallen.

The weapons are banned by more than 100 countries because the submunitions spread out imprecisely, often fail to detonate and remain as explosive hazards for decades.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Zoey Wolfe sits in Grant Skate Park on July 6, 2023, where she was stabbed in late June. The skate park is inside Grant Park downtown. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Before she was attacked, the Grant Park skate park had been a haven for Zoey Wolfe.

Its meant that theres somewhere I can go where I know Im accepted. As a trans woman in a large city, it can sometimes be very difficult to find places that are accepting, Wolfe, 25, said.

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But as she hung out at the park in late June, the safe spot became the place where a man stabbed her in the chest.

Police arrested Joshua Shaw, 43, shortly after Wolfe was attacked on June 24. Shaw had been leaving the area on a CTA bus when witnesses flagged down officers and pointed to the vehicle, according to a police report. The officers who apprehended him found three large butcher knives in his backpack and witnesses at the scene identified Shaw as the attacker, the report said.

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Wolfe credits her friends at the skate park with helping save her life. Shes been visiting the park near Roosevelt Road and Michigan Avenue for almost a year. She goes there to bike, skate and longboard, she said.

Amid the crowd there  a handful of skaters some days, and dozens on others  shes made a family, she said.

I found a place that I can fit in, a place that I can grow, said Wolfe, who goes by the nickname Alpha in the park, a play on her last name.

The attack Wolfe experienced had begun to foment the night before, she said. Thats when she said the alleged attacker approached her in a very aggressive manner. He shoved her unprompted and aggressively tried to flirt with a 16-year-old girl, Wolfe said.

Zoey Wolfe stands in Grant Skate Park on July 6, 2023. The skate park is inside Grant Park in downtown Chicago. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Back in the park the next day, Wolfe confronted him with friends and asked him to explain his behavior.

He left but returned later, with knives.

As he approached her in the park, Wolfe thought the attacker was trying to fight her. He was shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs, which he had also used before, she said. But she didnt suspect he would severely injure her with a weapon.

I honestly didnt know that he had knives on him until there was one inside of me, Wolfe said.

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The stab to Wolfes chest punctured two veins. After she was struck, Wolfe went to her backpack to get a trauma kit she keeps. At some point, she lost consciousness, she said.

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 >

Her friends used the trauma kit to help treat her wound. Two of them kept pressure on her chest to ebb the bleeding, she said. A police officer administered combat gauze to the wound, according to the police report.

Wolfe woke up in an intensive care unit, she said. She had been transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition. She underwent surgery the next day to remove blood from the cavity around her lung, she said.

Prosecutors charged Shaw with one count of assault with a deadly weapon. He is being held at Cook County Jail, according to the sheriffs office. An attorney for Shaw could not be immediately reached.

The 25-year-old is still dealing with fluid in her lungs, but Wolfes biggest concern is the mounting medical bills shes facing and costs from not being able to work, she said. A friend started a GoFundMe page for Wolfe that has raised nearly $6,000 to cover her medical bills.

Its just mainly pain right now. I cant skateboard. I cant bike. I cant do many other things that I would normally be doing. Its difficult to walk, she said.

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Shes hopeful it will all heal in time, and has recovered enough to have been released from the hospital Sunday.

On her first day out of the hospital Monday, Wolfe went back to the skate park, she told the Tribune while heading there again Thursday.
Biden family's rejection of Hunter's daughter with ex-stripper could do major psychological harm, experts say

Biden family's rejection of Hunter's daughter with ex-stripper could do major psychological harm, experts say

Hunter Biden's daughter out of wedlock could be at risk of severe psychological harm due to the Biden family's rejection of her, experts tell Fox News Digital.

Hunter's daughter with ex-stripper Lunden Roberts has been an ongoing source of controversy for the first family, but the way they have handled it has drawn criticism.

President Biden refuses to acknowledge his seventh grandchild's existence, consistently saying publicly that he has six grandchildren, not seven. The president has reportedly gone so far as to instruct his staffers to repeat that.

Hunter, for his part, has refused to let his daughter take his last name and has gone to court to lower his child support payments to Roberts. He has reportedly never met his daughter with Roberts.

BIDEN SHAMED AFTER PRESS SECRETARY SIDESTEPS QUESTION ABOUT SEVENTH GRANDCHILD: FEEL THE EMPATHY'

Hunter Biden's daughter out of wedlock, Navy Jones Roberts, could be at risk of severe psychological harm due to the Biden family's rejection of her, according to several psychologists.

Fox News Digital asked several child psychologists about the psychological and emotional impact of a child being rejected by a family.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"If a birth parent or family member does not respond to, or denies, their child's existence, this can trigger feelings of abandonment and grief," clinical psychologist Dr. Staci Weiner told Fox News Digital.

"Children, in their natural and developmentally age-appropriate narcissism, believe what happens in the world is about them," Weiner continued. "For example, Why would my family reject me or not allow me to take the name unless I was bad?

"The child may feel shame and insecurity due to the rejection, thinking it was their fault in some way," she added. "This can result in poor self-worth, leading to difficulties in forming attachments, specifically, when deciding when to trust others in relationships."

Dr. Roy Lubit, a former child psychiatry resident supervisor at the NYU School of Medicine's department of psychiatry, told Fox News Digital the "impact on a child of a father (and his family) not wanting contact with a child and not wanting to recognize the connection to a child depends upon how the mother handles it."

President Biden takes questions from children during an event marking Take Your Child To Work Day April 27, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

"If the mother says that the child's father did not know the child existed until recently and the mother and father agreed it was in the best interests of the child for the child to have one home, and when the child is an adult he can approach the father if the child wishes, it is not likely to cause any significant harm, or even any harm," Lubit added.

"If the mother tells a young child and makes it widely known publicly that the child is the biological child of a member of a prominent family and they are rejecting to the child, the child is at risk for dysphoric emotions and suffering damage to self-esteem and fears of rejection and abandonment in the future."

EXPERTS BAFFLED BY WHITE HOUSE INVOKING HATCH ACT TO DODGE HUNTER COCAINE QUESTION: 'RIDICULOUS'

While dating his brother's widow in 2017, Hunter briefly shacked up with Washington D.C.-area stripper Roberts, who was then operating under the stage name "Dallas."

Roberts become pregnant shortly after her encounter with the younger Biden and gave birth to their daughter in August 2018.

In May 2019, Roberts filed a paternity suit against Hunter Biden that was resolved in June of this year. As part of the deal, the younger Biden's daughter will receive several pieces of art and a reduced monthly child support payment but will not get to take the Biden family name.

While dating his brother's widow, Biden shacked up in 2017 with Washington D.C.-area stripper Lunden Roberts, who worked under the stage name "Dallas."

The president has gotten flak for the decision to not publicly acknowledge his granddaughter amid the highly-publicized custody battle, especially as he talks about his other grandchildren.

White House Christmas decorations included stockings for all the president's other grandchildren, as well as his pets, but none for Hunter's daughter with Roberts.

Additionally, White House aides have been told during strategy meetings that the president and first lady Jill Biden have six, not seven, grandchildren, two people familiar with the discussions told The New York Times earlier this month.

The White House once again refused to respond to questions about the president's seventh grandchild during Wednesdays press conference, earning more backlash from social media.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked specifically about a Saturday New York Times story about 4-year-old Navy Joan Roberts and whether the president considers her his granddaughter.

Joe Biden and Hunter Biden

"There was a story in The New York Times over the weekend about Hunter Biden's daughter in Arkansas. Does the president acknowledge this little girl as his granddaughter?" Wall Street Journals Catherine Lucey asked.

"I don't have anything to share from here," Jean-Pierre replied.

This interaction marked the second time Jean-Pierre refused to answer a question about Bidens grandchild, and she faced intense pushback on Twitter.

Hunter Biden's daughter is living in rural Arkansas with her mother and that side of the family.

Fox News Digital's Jessica Chasmar and Lindsay Kornick contributed reporting.
Biden visit to South Carolina underlines how his push to rewrite the Democratic presidential calendar is far from finished

President Joe Biden speaks in South Carolina on July 6. Evan Vucci/AP

Joe Biden visited South Carolina on Thursday to tout his economic plan.

But his return to the state that resurrected his primary campaign underlines the difficulty he's having repaying the favor.

Biden wants South Carolina to lead off the 2024 primary race, but implementing his plan has been anything but easy.

President Joe Biden just visited South Carolina, touting his economic plan in a state that is singularly responsible for his election. But repaying the life-changing political fortune the Palmetto State bestowed on him is proving to be much more complex than imagined.

Biden aimed to be the first Democrat since George McGovern to cast sweeping changes to how the Democratic Party elects a president. His proposal, released last December came as a bombshell, but the DNC approved it in February.

Gone would be the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses. In fact, caucuses, once a popular way for party regulars to state their preference, would be done away with entirely. New Hampshire, the state that prides itself on picking presidents through its first-in-the-nation primary, would be tied for second. In their place, South Carolina would jump from its first-in-the-south primary to leading off the entire calendar. Nevada, which would also ditch its caucuses, would join New Hampshire as the second primary. Georgia, a state that narrowly elected Biden and two Democratic senators, would then follow. And then Michigan would conclude the early slate.

At least, that's how this was supposed to go.

In practice, it's been chaos. That's because while the DNC can propose changes, actually setting new primary dates often requires state legislatures and governors to get on board. In cases like Georgia, this means getting Republicans to agree. (They didn't.) Many Republicans are skeptical since their national party kept largely the same calendar. It means some states may be forced to hold multiple primaries, a costlier endeavor.

Other states such as New Hampshire loathe to lose a status they've held onto for decades. The Granite State loves its primary so much that it has a law that requires its secretary of state to make sure it goes first. Democrats there are angry over Biden's changes, but thus far they have yet to confront the reality of what happens if they hold a presidential primary without the president's name on the ballot. Defiant states also risk losing national convention delegates, a punishment that can definitely sting.

"The reality is that New Hampshire is going to keep the first-in-the-nation primary," Ray Buckley, the chairman of the New Hampshire Democratic Party told the New York Times Magazine, "and the question only is whether or not the president is going to put his name on the ballot. They're trying to come after New Hampshire, but it's not going to be successful. So why go through all that pain?"

All of these changes are for the 2024 cycle. Theoretically speaking, Democrats could redo this all again for the 2028 election.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The national voting rights group notes that reparations recognize the 400-year history of racial injustice and oppression against Blacks in America.

The group Black Voters Matter has established a pioneering initiative, the Black Reparations Fund, to support local efforts to ensure Black people get compensated for the ongoing damages of slavery.

Cliff Albright, the co-founder of Black Voters Matter, said his national voting rights group believes issues can sometimes be resolved more quickly locally, Yahoo News reported.

Were focusing on places that have already made some advances and may in fact already have a policy, Albright said, according to Yahoo. He said those places may now be at this critical middle stage of, OK, once you have a policy, and once youve got a commitment to establish a task force, theres the resource issue. How do you make sure that process actually moves forward?

Cliff Albright, co-founder and executive director of Black Voters Matter, speaks during an August 2021 demonstration on voting rights outside the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Black Voters Matter recently established the Black Reparations Fund to support local initiatives and ensure Black people get compensated for the ongoing damages of slavery. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)

According to Black Voters Matter, reparations recognize the 400-year history of racial injustice and oppression against Black people in America. Black people have suffered from systemic racism and its destructive impact for decades, from enslavement to Jim Crow legislation to redlining and mass incarceration.

The Black Reparations Fund, a grant program, launched on June 28, and will give over $150,000 to Asheville, North Carolina, and Boston, Massachusetts  just two cities that have started tackling the reparations issue. An additional $50K in in-kind services, such as technical assistance, will be given to each grantee for a total of $200K in support.

Following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020, the city of Asheville authorized reparations for its Black citizens, not in direct payments but in community investment. In a unanimous 7-0 vote, the Asheville City Council approved a resolution to develop policy and programs that will establish the creation of generational wealth and address reparations due in the Black community.

Boston formed a reparations task force in February and assigned 10 members to the group.

Albright contended that both cities have made some strides, and said the Black Reparations Fund will keep the momentum going.

He acknowledged that things arent always easy at the local or federal levels but added: We do believe that we can get some victories and some progress, which in turn will keep the federal discussion moving.

Federal reparations law has lain dormant for many years. H.R. 40, a House measure first presented by late Michigan Rep. John Conyers, seeks to establish a national commission to research and implement reparations. It was submitted in 2021 by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas.

In May, Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat from Missouri, proposed H.R. 414, the Reparations Now Resolution, which calls for federal reparations. The bill would mandate compensation to the descendants of enslaved Africans totaling up to $14 trillion.

After studying reparations for Black citizens for two years, the California reparations task force issued its final report on June 29.

The historic study outlines 115 recommendations made to the Legislature, some of which deal with individual compensation and policy improvements in health care, employment, education and policing. The efforts unquestionably require affirmative action.

While most Black Americans favor reparations, a Pew Research poll indicated that 68 percent of Americans reject them, with Republicans being the most vocal opponents.

Albright acknowledged that local measures wont make up for the absence of federal legislation. He contended they wouldnt be talking about these local measures if there hadnt been previous momentum toward securing federal law, as these two things reinforce one another.

The call for action is urgent as white supremacy grows, and diverse voices are pushed out of public classrooms, Black homeownership rates decline, and student loan forgiveness and affirmative action are at risk, Albright said via Black Voters Matter.

He said that reparations efforts must urgently address underinvestment in Black communities and that BVM supports concepts advancing the closing of the racial wealth gap. Ideas that put us in a position to thrive, not just survive, he added. Waiting for a federal response is no longer an option.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Black Voters Matter launches fund to study Black reparations efforts appeared first on TheGrio.
Blinken to press ASEAN to take tougher line on Myanmar, China - official

By David Brunnstrom and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington hopes to rally Southeast Asian nations to take tougher action against Myanmar's military junta and to push back on China's actions in the South China Sea as top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken heads to the region for meetings next week, a State Department official said on Friday.

Secretary of State Blinken will travel to Indonesia to participate in a meeting of foreign ministers from the ASEAN regional bloc after he joins President Joe Biden in the United Kingdom and in Lithuania for NATO meetings from Sunday to Wednesday.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the top State Department official for East Asia, told reporters that Myanmar, which was plunged into chaos by a 2021 military coup, would be "one of the key issues" discussed in Jakarta.

ASEAN has barred Myanmar's ruling generals from its high-level meetings, but Thailand has proposed re-engaging with the junta.

"We do expect our friends and partners in ASEAN ... to continue to downgrade Myanmar's representation in the ASEAN ministerial and we also look forward to finding ways to increase pressure on the regime to compel the regime to end its violence and return to a path of democracy," Kritenbrink said during a phone call to preview the trip.

Washington last month issued sanctions against two Myanmar banks used by the junta to convert foreign currency, in a move aimed at reducing the military's ability to import weapons and material for its crackdown on anti-coup forces.

Kritenbrink said last week that countries in the region should make progress in resolving maritime disputes with each other in order to strengthen their collective voice in disputes with China in the South China Sea.

Kritenbrink said on Friday that the U.S. would work with ASEAN members in Jakarta to push back against what he said was "an upward trend of unhelpful and coercive and irresponsible Chinese actions."

"It's not a matter of getting countries on board with the U.S. view, it's a matter of working with our partners to advance our shared view and vision for the region, and to push back on behavior that runs counter to that vision," he said.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Rami Ayyub and Daniel Wallis)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a blood test that identifies pregnant women at immediate risk of developing pre-eclampsia. The condition is a leading cause of disability and death among childbearing women. According to The New York Times, Dr. Doug Woelkers, a professor of maternal-fetal medicine at the University of California, San Diego, describes the test as groundbreaking and revolutionary, marking the first significant advancement in pre-eclampsia diagnostics since 1900.

The NYT reports that the new blood test was developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific. It has been available in Europe for several years. It is primarily intended for pregnant women hospitalized due to a blood pressure disorder between the 23rd and 35th weeks of gestation. Dr. Sarosh Rana, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Chicago, explains, The warning signs of pre-eclampsia are not very specific. A lot of women will have edema and headaches. The challenge has been identifying those at higher risk for adverse outcomes.

The blood test measures the ratio of two proteins produced by the placenta. A study published in NEJM Evidence found that women with significantly imbalanced protein levels had a 65 percent chance of progressing to severe pre-eclampsia and delivering their babies within two weeks. Dr. Ravi Thadhani, an author of the study, states, If your levels are among the highest, you deliver in a few days.

Pre-eclampsia Disproportionately Affects Black Women

Pre-eclampsia disproportionately affects Black women and contributes to maternal and infant mortality rates in the United States. The severe condition affects approximately one in 25 pregnancies and has increased in the United States. Black women have higher rates of pre-eclampsia than white women, with a three times greater likelihood of experiencing kidney damage or death. They are also more likely to lose their babies due to pre-eclampsia.

While the blood test reassures negative women, those with suggestive symptoms may require repeated testing every two weeks. Without the blood test, pre-eclampsia can progress rapidly, leading to organ failure, brain swelling, seizures, and other life-threatening complications. Olympian Tori Bowies recent death was linked to the advanced stages of the condition. Bowies autopsy cited respiratory distress and eclampsia as likely complications that arose during her childbirth.

The FDA-approved blood test for pre-eclampsia represents a groundbreaking advancement in diagnostics. Dr. Woelkers emphasizes that there is currently no effective treatment or cure for pre-eclampsia other than delivering the baby. He explains, We dont have a therapy that reverses or cures pre-eclampsia other than the delivery of the baby, which is more like a last resort.

The post Blood Test Can Now Predict Pre-eclampsia in Pregnant Women appeared first on 21Ninety.
Bogart woman loses $20,000 to a scammer claiming to be the Texas attorney general

A Bogart woman recently lost $20,000 in an elaborate scam that officials said was designed to create a belief that she faced incarceration in Texas on serious drug smuggling charges.

The scam, conducted completely over telephone calls, included a scammer with a Southern accent who portrayed himself as James Hale, the sheriff of Oconee County.

Theyre calling people using my name or someone who works for the sheriffs office, Hale said Thursday. As a result of a number of such fraud attempts, the sheriff said a warning was posted on the sheriffs office Facebook.

Oconee County Sheriff James Hale

Unfortunately, too many people fall for these scams that play on peoples fears, he said. They catch them off guard, then talk them into doing stuff and instead of thinking about it and calling the sheriffs office, they fall into the trap.

In this scheme, the 59-year-old woman who lives in an upscale neighborhood of Oconee County, reported she received a telephone call on June 27 from a person who identified himself as the attorney general of Texas.

After explaining officers had raided a location in El Paso, the caller said documents were seized that linked her to drug smuggling and money laundering that resulted in criminal charges. The man said the local sheriff would call to verify this information.

She then received a second call that showed a Watkinsville number and the caller identified himself as Sheriff Hale. The man, described as talking with a Southern accent, assured her the information she received was correct.

Scam alert: Federal officials crack down on scam that fooled Athens woman

Conned out of a home: Athens woman sells home to give money to con artist

Then the "attorney general" called back and apparently believing they had the woman's confidence, he told her to withdraw $20,000 cash from her bank. He then provided the locations for two bitcoin machines. She drove to the locations and deposited the money and provided the caller with information about the deposit, according to the report.

Later that day, the woman said she called the sheriffs office to discuss what happened and this is when she learned she was the victim of a scam.

Hale said the investigation is ongoing.

The FBI has some good resources and we are working with them, but Ill tell you, its not very likely (we'll) catch them, he said.

These scams involve a lot of technology and the scammers are experts at spoofing telephone numbers to make it difficult to trace, according to the sheriff.

Information on scams is available from the FBI at the website: www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Oconee woman loses $20,000 to men posing as law enforcement
The city of Boises handling of a contract with Steptoe & Johnson to investigate police racism was appalling and certainly no way to spend taxpayer dollars.

The city in December hired Steptoe & Johnson after learning that retired Boise police captain Matt Bryngelson, under a pseudonym, had posted a racist screed online, made racist comments in a video interview and was a featured speaker at a white supremacist conference.

Based on emails obtained through a public records request, Idaho Statesman reporter Ian Max Stevenson reported that Michael Bromwich, of Steptoe & Johnson, had estimated that a study could cost as much as $2 million. Meanwhile, Boise city officials wanted to get closer to $200,000.

No reputable firm could do it for that amount, Bromwich wrote in an email.

But Boise Mayor Lauren McLean charged ahead with secret negotiations and announced a deal for Bromwich to do the investigation for a cost not to exceed $500,000.

Just three months later, Steptoe & Johnson blew through that $500,000, which in hindsight shouldnt be too surprising, given the fact that Bromwich had estimated a cost of $2 million.

Once they found out Steptoe & Johnson had indeed exceeded $500,000, city officials put an end to the study.

Bromwich, perhaps predictably so, told Boise City Council that he hadnt completed the study  and he was owed more money than the original $500,000 agreed upon.

As early as Nov. 30, Bromwich even warned city officials about putting a spending cap on the contract.

No one had mentioned that and we cannot agree to any kind of cap, Bromwich wrote in an email. One of the hallmarks of an independent investigation is that we go where the evidence leads us, subject to the agreed-upon scope. That is consistent with neither a time limitation nor a budget cap.

McLean failed to communicate properly with City Council members, let alone the public.

City Council President Holli Woodings told the Statesman that Bromwichs initial estimates were not communicated to the council.

I think that different members of council had a different understanding, Woodings said, adding that some members thought the full investigation could cost considerably more, while others were not interested in allocating more funds.

Only council member Luci Willits pushed back, voting against anything beyond $500,000, recognizing that Steptoe & Johnson went over budget.

But member Patrick Bageant, an attorney, said he knew a full investigation would go over $500,000.

As of early June, Steptoe had invoiced for $671,297.

What a disaster. This is no way to run a city.

If Bromwich was estimating a study could cost as much as $2 million, be upfront with the council and the public, and let the taxpayers know.

Heres the other thing to consider: Its clear from the emails obtained by the Statesman that $500,000 probably wasnt going to go very far. Had McLean simply been open and honest, a better decision could have been made.

If, after being upfront, honest and transparent with the public, the city had to walk away from the deal, then walk away.

Honestly, Bromwich should have walked away, too, after the city asked whether he could do it for $200,000. He should have known then that the city was going to try to cheap out on him. He even saw the writing on the wall.

I just dont want the mayor or you to have to explain to council or the public how the amount so substantially exceeded the initial estimates, Bromwich wrote in an email to the city. That happened to me once when I worked for a city many years ago. Although everything turned out fine, I vowed never again to be in that position.

But thats exactly what happened.

Bromwich said he felt misled and regrets having taken the contract.

If I had been told there was going to be any kind of cap at the beginning, I would have walked away, he told the Statesman.

And yet, on Dec. 1, 2022, Bromwich signed the contract with the city  agreeing to a not to exceed amount of $500,000.

The city will compensate Steptoe for services provided by key personnel at a rate of eight hundred twenty-five dollars ($825) per hour up to but not to exceed the cumulative total amount of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)(Not to Exceed Amount), according to the contract. Steptoe shall not continue to perform services and shall not charge the city for services performed if and once the Not to Exceed Amount has been reached.

Yet he did, and now the city taxpayers are on the hook for an additional $171,297. The city has agreed to pay $150,000 to cover loose ends and to allow Steptoe to prepare its findings.

In the end, a lot of people were caught off-guard. Bromwich feels he was, council members certainly were, and, most importantly, taxpayers definitely were.

Had the mayor been upfront and transparent, all of this could have been avoided.

Its too late in this case, but let this serve as a lesson: Be honest with the public.

Its our money youre spending.

Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community member Mary Rohlfing.
Boise police announced Friday that they have solved a 36-year-old cold case using DNA evidence.

On October 13, 1987, Joyce Casper, 65, was found dead behind the Hallmark store she owned in the Vista Village Shopping Center. She had been abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered, according to a news release from police.

After years of research based on crime scene DNA, police said theyve determined that their suspect is Frank A. Rodriguez, who died in 2007.

While nothing can bring back their lost loved one, we are proud that after 36 years and countless hours of investigation, we were able to bring some form of closure to the Casper family, Capt. Matt Jones said in the release.

Caspers case was reactivated by the Boise Special Victims unit in 2005, according to previous Idaho Statesman reporting. Over the years, police investigated 150 suspects and tried unsuccessfully to match the DNA evidence to someone in the national criminal DNA index.

Police detectives also focused on a report Casper had made two weeks before her murder that a young man with slicked-back black hair tried to assault her at the business. But they never arrested anyone.

The case was reinvigorated in 2017 when two detectives began focusing on it full-time, police said. They worked with a company called Parabon Nanolabs to use DNA to create a suspect profile. They determined the suspect was a Latino man with brown or black hair and brown or hazel eyes. But still they could not identify him.

Then, in 2019, Caspers case was reassigned to another detective, who worked with Identifinders, another genetic genealogy company. The detective was able to zero in on one family tree. This year, evidence began pointing to Rodriguez. His family members provided DNA swabs that confirmed he was the suspect, according to the release.

Justice has been a long time coming and we are proud and grateful to finally be able to give [Caspers family] some answers, Jones said in the release.
Paramedics found Fabio Sementilli bleeding from multiple stab wounds at this gated house in Woodland Hills in 2017. (Richard Vogel / Associated Press)

The man accused of brutally stabbing a hairdressing mogul to death at his Woodland Hills home in a 2017 murder fueled by an extramarital affair pleaded guilty to the crime Friday, and will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Robert Baker, 61, admitted that he killed celebrity hairdresser Fabio Sementilli on Jan. 23, 2017, leaving him in a pool of blood in what was initially thought to be a home-invasion robbery gone wrong. He was immediately sentenced to life without parole by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Ronald Coen after a steady stream of Sementilli's loved ones told the court how the mogul's slaying did irreparable damage to their family.

"I will never heal from this and there will never be closure for our family," said Stephanie Avola, who was Sementilli's niece through marriage. "There will always be an emptiness in the shape of Fabio that can never be filled."

Six months after the killing, Los Angeles police detectives arrested Baker, and the hair mogul's wife, Monica Sementilli, revealing they had been in a relationship before the killing. Prosecutors alleged they killed the 49-year-old Canadian-born hair stylist as part of a plot to collect $1.6 million in life insurance.

"Fabio Sementilli was directly targeted in this case," said then-Los Angeles Police Dept. Capt. Billy Hayes, who led the agency's Robbery-Homicide Division. "Monica Sementilli and Robert Baker were involved in an intimate relationship for a year and half."

Monica Sementilli's trial is still pending, and she and Baker have been held in custody for over five years.

Initially, when LAPD responded to the home and found Robert Sementelli stabbed to death, it was considered to be the work of knock-knock burglars who plagued parts of San Fernando Valley. But while the home's master bedroom was ransacked, the assailants never took the hair mogul's valuable watch on his wrist, piquing the interest of detectives, Hayes said. Security surveillance footage showed two hooded men jogging up to the home before the slaying. Afterward, the men drove away in Sementilli's Porsche and were recorded on another surveillance camera as they abandoned the vehicle five miles away.

In an apparent attempt to cover up their actions, the two men took a video recording system hidden in the garage of the home that captured video from six different cameras around the house, prosecutors said.

Detectives closed in on Baker after discovering blood in the abandoned Porsche. His DNA had previously been captured after he was convicted of a lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor in 1993 and forced to register as a sex offender, Hayes said at the time.

A grand jury indictment eventually revealed the motive in the gruesome killing went beyond money.

Prosecutors alleged Monica Sementilli told Baker how to remove the home's video recording system. They presented evidence that she and Baker had remote access to the video security system and accused Monica of watching a live feed of the area shortly before the killing to ensure Baker had a clear path to her husband. Prosecutors alleged that she even let her 16-year-old daughter come home first and discover the crime scene.

"Monica fully intended for Fabio to be murdered," Los Angeles County Deputy Dist. Atty. Beth Silverman told a grand jury in 2017. "She wanted him out of the way because she wants to be with Robert Baker. She's unhappy in her marriage, even though at the same time she's acting like the loving, adoring wife."

During Friday's hearing, many of the victim's loved ones expressed disgust with Monica's betrayal, with some noting she seemed "insincere" in her mourning of her husband back in 2017.

Loretta Picillo, Sementilli's older sister, said she still can't forget the way Monica feigned grief side by side with their family even after she allegedly played a role in her husband's death. Others said the killing left them so paranoid that they either increased security at their homes or now refuse to sit anywhere in public where their back is exposed.

"You never know who is conspiring against you,"said Anthony Picillo, the victim's nephew.

Monica Sementilli has pleaded not guilty and denied all wrongdoing.

We are confident that Robert Bakers guilty pleas, and his truthful testimony will finally establish, once and for all, that Monica Sementilli had nothing to do with the planning or the murder of Fabio Sementilli, her husband," said her attorney, Leonard Levine. "We are looking forward to the trial we believe will establish that fact.

Fabio Sementilli, was a vice president of education for the cosmetics giant Cory.

Sementilli mentored tens of thousands of hairdressers with a hands-on approach either on a one-to-one basis or on a grander scale, Modern Salon, an industry publication, once wrote of him.

After her brother's death, Mirella Rota Sementilli said on Facebook that her brother had a profound existence that affected family, colleagues, friends and the beauty industry.

You left behind precious memories that we will forever hold close to our hearts, she wrote. I will never accept the suffering they put you through because being your older sister meant experiencing all your pain with you. I'm so hurt and I hope you will give me strength and guidance to live the life you were so proud of.

Days before his death, Fabio Sementilli had posted a photograph of his 1987 hairstylist certification on Facebook in celebration of his 30 years of work in the field.

[Thirty years] ago today I received my hairstylist certification and my professional career started with optimism, an immigrant family work ethic with no pedigree in hairdressing to speak of but I had a strong conviction with hopes and dreams, he wrote.

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.
TCF Sub-Session on People-to-People Exchange held in SE China's Quanzhou

People's Daily Online) 16:42, July 06, 2023

The Forum on "Heralding a New Chapter for Cultural Exchange Under the Belt and Road Initiative" (part of the Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival) and Sub-Session on People-to-People Exchange of the 7th Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF) was held in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, on July 3.

Participants had in-depth discussions on three topics: enhancing China's cultural confidence and extending its international discourse reach under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a new chapter in cultural exchanges and Track II diplomacy for countries along the Belt and Road in the "Internet Plus" era, and cooperation in the education and cultural industries under the BRI.

Photo shows the Forum on "Heralding a New Chapter for Cultural Exchange Under the Belt and Road Initiative" (part of the Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival) and Sub-Session on People-to-People Exchange of the 7th Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF) in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, on July 3. (Photo courtesy of the organizer)

Gu Boping, chief cultural scholar of the Taihe Institute, said the BRI gives China a good opportunity to rapidly strengthen its international discourse power and cultural confidence.

With regard to cultural confidence, China should integrate its traditional culture with different sectors of modern society, and encourage the younger generation to learn about and carry forward traditional culture, said Gu. At the same time, people-to-people and cultural exchanges need to be enhanced in the context of the BRI, showing that no one culture is superior to any other, he added.

Siddharth Chatterjee, the UN Development System Resident Coordinator in Chinanoted that cross-cultural communication is essential to carrying out effective cooperation and safeguarding peace.

In the past decade since the BRI was proposed, governments of the participating countries have engaged in frequent exchanges, and various forms of communication have also been carried out between their academic communities, civil societies, private sectors and non-governmental organizations.

Photo shows the Forum on "Heralding a New Chapter for Cultural Exchange Under the Belt and Road Initiative" (part of the Maritime Silk Road International Documentary Film Festival) and Sub-Session on People-to-People Exchange of the 7th Taihe Civilizations Forum (TCF) in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, on July 3. (Photo courtesy of the organizer)

To deal with misunderstandings and misinterpretations of BRI overseas, China should not only address the deficiencies in translation and exposition in English, but also try to bridge the differences in cultural values, said Ong Tee Keat, chairman of the Malaysia-based think tank the Center for New Inclusive Asia.

According to Ding Yifan, senior fellow at the Taihe Institute, a country's economy has a direct bearing on how inclusive it is of different cultures. The BRI has fuelled economic development in countries along the route, and also reinforced cross-civilizational dialogue, which helps fundamentally resolve conflicts between civilizations.

Building trust is important for personal, business and international relations, said Einar Tangen, senior fellow at the Taihe Institute and chairman at Asia Narratives. Currently, the trust deficit in the international community has led to widening gaps in differences between individuals, institutions, and countries, and China can narrow this growing trust gap through promoting people-to-people exchanges on all fronts.

Huang Haibo, deputy head of the Phoenix Chinese Channel, said China should emphasize three aspects in a bid to enhance its international discourse power: creating quality content with Chinese characteristics, covering global events in a timely manner, and taking full advantage of new media, technologies and trends to enhance China's presence.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Wu Chengliang)
A display case at Accuracy Firearms on Jan. 26, 2023, in Effingham, Illinois, holds an assortment of rifles that cannot be sold to customers because of recent state firearms legislation that bans the sale and distribution of assault-style weapons. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Nobody needs to tell the people of Highland Park that AR-15-type assault-style rifles, in the wrong hands, are a threat to civil society.

Highland Park residents have attended the funerals of seven people who were killed by a rooftop shooter at last years Independence Day parade. Some have paid hospital visits to the wounded. Others have followed the progress of the children injured or the boy who was orphaned.

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Many joined the respectful march down Central Avenue on July 4 this week. And they did so knowing that Illinois effort to ban the sale of assault-style rifles and large ammunition magazines  passed in the aftermath of the shooting  is caught in legal limbo.

Multiple lawsuits are challenging the constitutional standing of the law, but the U.S. Supreme Court is allowing the law to remain in effect while the challenges work their way through the lower state and federal courts. With the assault weapon restrictions caught up in the courts, second-order responses to the scourge of gun violence in Illinois have taken on added importance.

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Red flag laws, designed to alert authorities and prevent people who pose a danger to themselves or others from obtaining guns, have become a key line of defense. And their application by authorities is an important signal of whether gun control measures will be able to help protect communities from gun violence.

A Tribune study found that one red flag tool, so-called clear and present danger reports, have doubled since last July 4. More than 11,800 reports were made to the Illinois State Police, which can deny firearm owners identification cards to people deemed to be hazards to public safety.

[ Hunter Stuart: Hold the Highland Park shooting suspects father, Robert Crimo Jr., accountable ]

The Tribune also found that use of firearms restraining orders  issued by judges to take away guns from people found to pose a threat  have reached new highs. In fact, the rate of issuance has roughly tripled, from an average of around five per month over three-plus years before the Highland Park attack to roughly 15 a month statewide since August.

The red flag laws are crucial because there is no telling whether Illinois virtual ban on AR-15-style weapons and large-capacity ammunition magazines will hold up against the inevitable U.S. Supreme Court review. State Attorney General Kwame Raoul has said hes confident the law is constitutional, but the Supreme Courts conservative majority has consistently ruled in favor of Second Amendment gun rights.

With the future of Illinois assault weapons ban so uncertain, the states red flag laws represent a slender but reliable defense for a public alarmed by easy access to high-powered military-style weapons and the dangers they pose to safety.

And because red flag tools are so essential to keeping people safe, a lack of transparency about implementation of the law is entirely unacceptable.

Specifically, we know the issuance of restraining orders has tripled, yet we have no idea how many requests to the courts were denied. Thats in large measure because the Freedom of Information Act does not explicitly include the states courts, and Illinois courts in turn have exempted themselves from any obligation to respond to records requests.

FOIA laws require public entities  from the most powerful officials to the least prominent bureau of government  to hand over records, promptly and completely, when members of the public request them. Theyre called public records for a reason: Theyre our property, not the governments.

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But because the courts currently are exempt, the public has no way of knowing how many restraining order requests are made and how many are denied. This leaves us with little information with which to measure the role courts are playing in applying this key tool to reduce gun violence in Illinois.

Its not just reporters and the public that dont have this vital information. The Tribune reported that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, a state agency focused on research and analysis; the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts; and even the Illinois State Police have no data on how many restraining order requests are filed. They are informed only when judges issue restraining orders.

[ Brendan Kelly: Illinois State Police efforts are proof that we can make a difference in preventing gun violence ]

The lack of disclosure about the court systems handling of restraining orders is just one example of information that Illinois courts keep out of public view. The states juvenile detention system  where thousands of young people are housed under sometimes deplorable conditions  is part of the judicial branch of state government and therefore exempt from FOIA requests too.

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 Better Government Associations policy team, which operates separately from our Illinois Answers Project newsroom, this spring supported a bill introduced by state Rep. Curtis J. Tarver II, D-Chicago, to make courts in Illinois subject to FOIA. BGA Policy is part of a Court Transparency Coalition that includes the Civic Federation, the League of Women Voters and other good government organizations.

Tarvers bill did not come up for a vote this spring. But court transparency is needed, and the coalition pushing for it will continue seeking support.

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The court system in the U.S. is a bulwark of democracy. In Illinois  where the effort to protect against assault with military-style weapons is still under appeal  how the courts handle the enforcement of red flag laws literally can be a matter of life and death.

How effectively are the courts handling this responsibility? The people of the state  along with the agencies that analyze, administer and enforce the law  have a need to know. But with the states courts standing in the way, it will take action from the state legislature to cast a light on the role the courts are playing with red flag laws and other vitally important aspects of government in Illinois.

David Greising is president and CEO of the Better Government Association.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
(Bloomberg) -- Brazils lower house approved a proposal to overhaul the countrys labyrinthine tax rules, fueling a rally in the local stock and currency markets.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Lawmakers voted 375-113 to advance the bill in a second round of voting that took place in the early hours of Friday. The reform, which has eluded Brazilian politicians for decades, is among the priorities of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas administration.

The benchmark Ibovespa equity index gained 1.2% in early afternoon trade as the bills approval added to prospects of interest rate cuts and cheap valuations. The Brazilian real strengthened 1.1%, the second-best performer among emerging-market currencies.

Local assets could benefit from a positive agenda in congress, and chances are high that both the tax reform as well as a proposal to shore up fiscal accounts are approved by lawmakers by the end of the year, said Eduardo Miszputen, Citigroup Inc.s markets head for Brazil. Domestic equities went from being extremely cheap to just cheap after the recent rally, and still have room for additional gains, he added.

Yet the plan still has many hurdles to clear. As a proposed constitutional amendment, it must win two votes in the Senate as well, and may have to return to the lower house in the second half of the year if senators make changes to the bill, as Speaker Arthur Lira expects.

Brazilian leaders and lawmakers have attempted to rewrite the countrys tax code numerous times only to fail to build the consensus between various political parties and economic interests. Lira, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad and congressman Aguinaldo Ribeiro  the legislations rapporteur in the lower house  negotiated changes to the bill throughout the week in an effort to secure its passage.

Lula and his economic team see the current legislation as crucial to their broader efforts to shore up Brazils public finances. Lawmakers this week may also approve the governments fiscal framework proposal, which will replace a so-called spending cap law.

The leftist leader entered the final days of voting before the legislature begins its mid-year break without a solid base in congress, although support for major economic agenda items is broader, even including some members of opposition parties.

Right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro and other opposition figures sought to turn allies against the tax reform proposal this week, calling on lawmakers to vote against it. Yet 20 of his partys 95 representatives backed the bill.

Read More: Five Key Points in Brazils Effort to Overhaul Its Tax Code

Long Road Ahead

The tax reform will take years to fully implement if it becomes law. The current proposal says that the new structure will begin in 2026, but a full transition wont be completed until 2033.

The plan consolidates five existing consumption levies into two new value added taxes, or VATs. One VAT would be administered by the federal government, while another would collect revenues for states and municipalities. The plan includes funds to compensate states that are likely to lose revenue from the overhaul.

The bill provides for a zero tax rate on basic food basket items, although the list will be defined only later. It also creates a levy on goods and services considered harmful to health and the environment, including cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.

There will be a standard tax rate, along with a separate treatment for certain goods and services related to health care, medicines and basic menstrual health care products, education, public transportation, rural production and national artistic, cultural, journalistic and audiovisual productions.

A specific rate for products and services like fuels and lubricants, real estate, financial services, insurance, cooperatives, hotel services, amusement parks and theme parks, restaurants and regional aviation will be set. The constitutional amendment maintains a favored tax regime for biofuels in order to ensure lower rates than those levied on fossil fuels.

The bill also creates a cash-back system for poor families. A later proposal will define who would be eligible.

(Recasts story with market reaction.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday replaced his tourism minister, the first cabinet reshuffle of his administration, as he seeks to shore up support for his political agenda from a powerful bloc of lawmakers.

Tourism minister Daniela Carneiro will be replaced by federal lawmaker Celso Sabino from the Uniao Brasil party, something the fragmented bloc of lawmakers called the 'Centrao,' or 'Big Center' had demanded in exchange for backing Lula's initiatives in Congress.

The support from Centrao, known more for their horse-trading prowess than ideological commitments, is key to getting passing Lula's legislative agenda, such as a tax reform bill being voted on Thursday.

At least 308 votes are needed in two rounds of voting in the plenary and the support of the Uniao Brasil party, with 59 federal lawmakers, can be decisive for the bill to advance.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito; Writing by Carolina Pulice; editing by Diane Craft)
This midtown Sacramento coffee shops is moving to a new location. Heres where and when

Brazilian cafe Tupi Coffee is moving for the third time  this time to downtown Sacramento.

The shop opened seven years ago at Arden Way but it closed in 2021 due to challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to its website. It reopened at a new location in August 2021 in midtown at 701 19th St.

It will move again this summer to 1901 Eighth St, the former location of Insight Coffee Roasters.

There will be a soft opening at the beginning of September, Eduardo Faustino, the owner of Tupi Coffee, told The Bee in an email. A grand opening will be planned later, but there isnt a set date yet.

Our cultural goods are an expression of who we are, family ties with deep values and flavors, the coffee shop stated on its website.

Faustino is from Brazil. He moved to the U.S. in 2016 and started Tupi a year later.

Menu items include Brazillian baked goods, such as coxinha, a pastry made with tapioca flour, mashed potatoes and chicken, cheese bread and rissoles, which are Brazilian dumplings. The shop also offers coffee, tea, acai bowls and sandwiches.

Whats new at the downtown spot?

Faustino said Tupi is growing to a better space with more seating.

There will be a rooftop area, which will be available for private events and parties.

The menu will also expand, he said, with the addition of wine, beer, Brazillian tapas and empanadas. Hours will also stretch to nighttime.

The current location is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

What do you want to know about life in Sacramento? Email servicejournalists@sacbee.com with your top-of-mind questions.
While some believe AI could steal jobs or even destroy humanity, others think the technology could improve quality of life for people across the planet.

With the launch of ChatGPT, artificial intelligence has provoked fierce debate and criticism of its impact on society. But many are now using AI for good. (Illustration by Alex Cochran for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images)

Juan Lavista Ferres was 8 when he discovered his love for technology. He grew up on a farm in Uruguay, but when his mom bought him a computer, he taught himself how to code.

Lavista Ferres is now striving to make a global impact, working as the VP and chief data scientist of the Microsoft AI for Good Lab, where he works with other scientists and researchers to solve some of the world's greatest challenges. They utilize artificial intelligence or machine learning to address problems in health, the environment, humanitarian issues, accessibility and cultural heritage.

Juan Lavista Ferres taught himself how to code as a kid, and now gives back by teaching children how to code. (Gabriel Bienczycki)

[AI] will make people much significantly more productive. Another area where I found it amazing is that less than 0.5% of the people in the world know how to code, he told Yahoo News.

In order to code, he said, you need to know a programming language like Python, or C, or Pascal, and that takes a lot of effort. But now, thanks to these large language models [like ChatGPT], a significant portion of coding you will be able to write in English and convert that into coding.

Some have raised concerns about AI, whether in connection with plagiarism, theft or eliminating jobs, or an even more sinister possibility, threatening human life altogether. Hollywood movies arent helping.

But here are several ways that AI is currently helping humanity.

Health care and detecting disease

AI is helping doctors advance the fight against breast cancer.

"The major advantage to AI right now is: It speeds up the reading of the mammogram, so that a radiologist can see more mammograms accurately over a certain period of time," Dr. Larry Norton, medical director of the Evelyn H. Lauder Breast Cancer Center in New York City, told our partners at "Good Morning America" in March.

The report cited a study that estimates that mammogram screenings miss about 1 in 8 cases of breast cancer, a rate that AI can help reduce.

A technician in Berlin examines a mammogram looking for signs of breast cancer. (Michael Hanschke/picture alliance via Getty Images)

Detecting breast cancer isnt the only way AI is enhancing health care.

Dornoosh Zonoobi knew her passion when she first came across it  medical imaging from ultrasounds. She lights up when she talks about how it has transformed health care.

She eventually founded Medo.ai, a company building artificial intelligence that pairs with ultrasound devices to assist users ability to detect common and critical conditions. It was acquired by Exo, a company focused on taking the AI-supported point-of-care ultrasound everywhere, especially in rural communities.

Medical imaging is the most important breakthrough we had in medicine, really, after the 20th century. So it's absolutely powerful," she said. "I still remember the very first time I read in [a World Health Organization] report that two-thirds of the world's population have zero access to medical imaging.

Zonoobi was recently involved in a study that evaluated the feasibility of using AI with point-of-care ultrasound to screen for infant hip dysplasia (DDH). About 1 in 100 infants need treatment for DDH.

If you detect it when they're really young, it's so easily treatable," she said. "You can just put the baby in a harness, and the hip will correct itself. The dysplasia would go away.

Exo, pronounced "echo," wants to take AI-supported point-of-care ultrasound everywhere, expanding affordable options for medical imaging. (Exo)

AI is also groundbreaking for streamlining doctor visits and simplifying data collection.

The New York Times recently featured Dr. Matthew Hitchcock, a family physician in Chattanooga, Tenn., who has an AI helper.

Hitchcock said the technology records patient visits on his smartphone and summarizes them for treatment plans and billing. He lightly edits what the AI produces and is done with his daily patient visit documentation in about 20 minutes, rather than the two hours he would otherwise spend typing up medical notes.

ChatGPT and generative AI

ChatGPT, an AI chatbot created by OpenAI, became all the rage after launching in November 2022, and kick-started a new wave of chatter about AI.

The technology is a natural-language processing system that can mimic human conversations. It can talk to someone about pretty much anything and can assist with things like emails, essays and code, as Lavista Ferres noted. It can write books and compose music and graphic art in minutes, even seconds. Anyone can use it, and its free.

The ChatGPT website on a laptop screen. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

I was lucky enough to learn English when I was young enough, and still it's hard for me to write in English," Lavista Ferres said. "And in a world where you're required to write in English very well, it takes a lot of effort. Today, thanks to the fact that we have these large language models [like ChatGPT], it's much easier for me to express myself in English.

Other systems comparable to ChatGPT include Google's Bard, Microsoft's Bing AI Chat and ChatSonic.

Languages

When Steve Toy was 15, he struggled with French in school. His paternal grandmother, he said, told him, Oh, honey, listen, the best way to learn a language is between the sheets. Get yourself a girlfriend that speaks a language." Toy said, "My 15-year-old head just kind of went like: Wait, my grandmother knows what sex is like? What's going on here?

Language has become his passion, and that passion led him to becoming CEO of Memrise, a language-learning app, now using AI, like the Membot, to help others pick up new languages.

So we use these large language models to allow you to have conversations with no human judgment," he said, "and when you either type or speak, you will get a response from the bot, and that response will let you know whether you were understood or not.

Memrise also has a database of videos that uses AI to analyze your level of knowledge of a language and match you with the right material.

Sustainability

For 20 years, Steve Brumby has focused on building what is essentially a living map of the world that can be continuously updated. During the pandemic, he co-founded Impact Observatory, a company that offers AI-powered, on-demand data, through maps that help governments, industries and markets with risk analysis and climate change mitigation, among other things.

We are now able to offer that any country in the world, any state or local government in the world, will now have the ability to have a map that looks like the official map of the U.S., but for their own country," he said. "And they can get multiple updates a year.

An Impact Observatory map of Florida's Fort Myers region. (Impact Observatory)

This is critical, he said, because the most updated map for the U.S. was a 2019 version  and it's the country where mapping is the most advanced. This poses a huge problem for development and resolving issues of land conservation. The maps are color-coded, with categories showing, for example, high- and low-density built areas, crop areas, sparse and dense trees, and rangeland.

We've built the AI that can now make the maps from the satellite images, and we've shown that we can actually do this quicker than the satellites can collect new images, Brumby added. "That's important to preserve the health of the whole state and for biodiversity."
The owner of the Black-owned New York City bookstore Adanne is currently racing the clock to save her celebrated space.



Darlene Okpo revealed in an Instagram post that amid a conflict with her management company, her bookstore is having to vacate its current space in the Dumbo neighborhood of Brooklyn.



As a loyal supporter of Adanne, I wanted to reach out and let you know that I will have to move my business out of Dumbo, she wrote in the post. Im disappointed to say that while Ive been working hard on this space for the past two years, things are not working out with my management company.



She continued that her current situation has made it impossible for me to continue operating at this location and her conflict between her and her management company led to her having to leave the DUMBO space within 30 days.

Okpo has located a new spot in Bed-Stuy to relocate Adanne.



In her Instagram post, she went on to ask her followers for any financial support they could provide as she transitions out of DUMBO. She stressed that financial support wasnt all that mattered  telling her followers that shed also appreciate them sharing the post with their network or offering any encouragement or suggestions as she navigates the unexpected situation.



Speaking to BK Reader, Okpo said it was initially tough for her to share her situation with her followers.



When I posted that first video, I cried because I felt as if I was letting people down, said Okpo. It was very emotional for me because Ive built this space.

She said that outside of helping her raise funds, sharing the post was important for her to keep her patrons and community updated on the situation.

Yes, the finances are important, but there are other ways we can get the money if you cant donate, said Okpo. Im a strategic person. Sharing the Instagram post was so important It was so important to let people know whats going on.



Okpo has received some sweeping support from her community, with the entrepreneurs fundraiser raising $7500 of her $30,000 goal.



Shes grateful for the opportunity to keep Adanne open and honor the history of bookstores.

Im also thinking about the future and acknowledging the bookstores before me, she said. No one is really investing in bookstores. So, Im doing it to change the world. I want to promote literacy and make sure people are enjoying their love for reading and reading books that inspire them.

The post Brooklyn Bookstore Owner Raising Emergency Funds for Relocation appeared first on 21Ninety.
Bruce Springsteen pokes fun at being cut off by Hyde Park during return to London stage

Bruce Springsteen poked fun at being cut off by Hyde Park during his return to the venue.

The musician and his E Street Band returned to London for the first time since 2016 for a three-hour show that saw them play songs including The Promised Land, My Hometown, Badlands and Born in the USA.

During the the first of two dates at BST Hyde Park, Springsteen started at 7pm seemingly in the hopes of avoiding the venues curfew breach of 10.30pm, which he crossed in 2012; the plug was pulled while he was performing with Paul McCartney.

After leading the band in an encore, featuring Born in the USA, Born to Run and Bobby Jean, Springsteen played Glory Days, following which he cheekily addressed being cut off.

The musician, alongside his guitarist Steven van Zandt, told his co-star: Its time to go home.

He then added: Im telling you they are going to pull the f***ing plug again!

To this, Van Zandt replied, in jest: F*** em!

Springsteen asked the crowd if they wanted to go home, and then went into Dancing in the Dark and Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.

After the E Street Band left the stage, Springsteen performed an emotional acoustic rendition of Ill See You in My Dreams.

The musician was in high spirits throughout the gig, interacting with the crowd in a variety of ways. At one point, he took a selfie with two crowd members, with another putting a red hat on his head. He then proceeded to perform Darlington County while wearing the hat.

Billy Joel will perform at BST Hyde Park on Friday (7 July), with Springsteen set to play a second show on Saturday (8 July). Lana Del Rey, supported by Father John Misty, will take to the stage on Sunday (9 July).
Build less housing for cars and more for people. Two books on how the past can guide the future

As cities began to design around cars at mid-century, vast swaths of land were turned over to parking. (Bill Murphy / Los Angeles Times)

In one of my favorite micro-genres of TikTok reveal, a camera sweeps through a hotel room to a curtain that is dramatically parted to expose a breathtaking view of ... a parking lot. "I'm so grateful to travel for work," writes @mollygoodridge in one such post (3 million views and counting), showing a dire lot fronting a scraggle of bare trees  all set to the soaring vocals of "Out There" from Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame."

"I'm sobbing," reads one response. "Such beauty."

That particular video was shot in Ohio, but it could have been filmed in just about any business loop in the United States. I stayed in one such place during a recent reporting trip to Arizona: a three-story inn tucked behind a Circle K and a gas station. A jaunt to the Waffle House across the street required a peregrination across a hot ocean of tarmac. The neighboring residential area didn't offer much respite: The streets were wide, the sidewalks a mere suggestion, and many of the properties stood behind driveways. Examine a satellite image of the area and you'll find buildings drowning in the dark maw of automotive infrastructure.

Parking has come to define the landscape of U.S. cities: curb parking, parking structures, the bleak lots that moat Walmarts and Home Depots. It has also relentlessly whittled residential architecture into its current form: the single-family home whose facade is dominated by behemoth garage doors, or the podium apartment building whose most noticeable connection to the street frequently isn't a front door but rather the entrance to a partially submerged garage.

In his recent book, "Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World," Henry Grabar, a staff writer for Slate, has crafted a page-turning history of parking that looks at how the car, and the policies that have aided and abetted its use, have shaped  one might say distorted  our cities and homes. "Sprawl," he writes, "is built on a foundation of law." Grabar goes on to explore how those laws have historically favored cars; when the programmers of SimCity devised their video game, for instance, they observed many city-planning rules but ditched the parking mandates. Otherwise, too much space would have been eaten up by parking.

Read more: 'Paved Paradise' explains why parking is both a local nuisance and a global blight

Grabar's book is very enjoyable  covering such wildly entertaining tangents as parking crime, parking rage and even parking in film. (In his review, published in May, The Times' Russ Mitchell described the book as "a romp, packed with tales of anger, violence, theft, lust, greed, political chicanery and transportation policy gone wrong.") Grabar also charts the influence of "parking rock star" Donald Shoup, a professor emeritus of urban planning at UCLA, whose wildly popular 2005 book "The High Cost of Free Parking" helped dismantle the idea that established parking requirements were hard science. (Many cities are overloaded with parking that is inefficiently used.)

In many U.S. residences, the garage is the dominant feature of a building's design. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times)

Ultimately, I've been most absorbed with the chapters Grabar devotes to the intersection of housing and parking  and the ways in which parking has shaped not only the design of our homes but also our ability to build them to begin with. Parking lots and garages  especially underground parking  consume vast amounts of land and are expensive to build; as a result, they send construction costs skyrocketing. This makes it near-impossible to produce the sorts of small buildings that might be affordable to middle-of-the-road wage earners in urban areas like Los Angeles.

"Parking requirements helped trigger an extinction-level event for bite-sized, infill apartment buildings like row houses, brownstones, and triple-deckers," he writes. "The production of buildings with two and four units fell more than 90 percent between 1971 and 2021."

Why is there so much "luxury" development everywhere? It pays for the parking.

I read Grabar's book in tandem with Frances Anderton's "Common Ground: Multifamily Housing in Los Angeles," published late last year by Angel City Press. A former host of KCRW's "DnA: Design and Architecture," Anderton built her project out of a series of radio reports, "This Is Home in L.A.," that examined the state of residential design in the city starting in 2018.

Part coffee-table book (it features plenty of great photographs) and part breezy history, "Common Ground" takes the reader on a century-long tour of a residential style not generally associated with Los Angeles: multifamily housing. From the aparthotels and bungalow courts of the 1910s and 20s through the public housing projects and dingbat apartment buildings of mid-century to the towers and backyard ADUs of today, Anderton offers an overview of L.A.'s most significant designs.

Naturally, parking rears its head.

Read more: Op-Ed: L.A. should stop requiring developers to waste space on parking

Onerous parking mandates, as Anderton and Grabar both note, have killed production of some of L.A.'s most distinctive architectural types  including the bungalow court. Architect Irving Gill not only translated Mediterranean forms into a modernist idiom in the design of his graceful court apartments (such as his celebrated Horatio West Court in Santa Monica, completed in 1919); he also saw them as a way of creating housing for a group generally ignored by architecture: workers. Half a century later, novelist Charles Bukowski famously set his novels in dilapidated Hollywood courts that still clung to life.

The style disappeared after 1934, when new rules mandated one parking spot for every unit in a multifamily project. This would have required more land and made an inexpensive form of housing more expensive to build. Adios, courts. A similar fate befell the dingbat in 1964, when L.A. once again increased its parking minimums.

Irving Gill brought modern design influenced by Mediterranean architecture to the concept of the bungalow court. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times)

For decades, it has been practically impossible to build this scale of housing and have it pencil out. But that is changing.

Grabar's book tracks a rising public backlash  instigated by researchers such as Shoup  calling for an end to arbitrary parking minimums. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that banned cities from setting parking mandates for new developments near public transit. A month later, Culver City abolished all minimum parking requirements.

Transit advocacy groups have been pushing the City of L.A. to do more. Michael Schneider, a founder of Streets For All, noted in an op-ed in The Times in January that San Diego saw a rise in affordable housing development after it dropped parking minimums. (Which, to be clear, does not eliminate parking, but simply allows developers to determine how much parking to include on a given project.)

Kevin Daly Architects was able to incorporate myriad green spaces into a Santa Monica affordable housing project that wasn't subject to typical parking mandates. (Carolina A. Miranda / Los Angeles Times)

The shift is overdue.

One of the most heartbreaking passages in Grabar's book features a conversation with a Southern California affordable housing developer who notes that public officials in charge of approvals processes will ask infinite questions about parking but nothing about about the quality of life of the tenants. "We care more about housing for our cars than we care about housing for ourselves," she says. "Period."

Read more: Ditch the car and the backyard: 5 lessons from 4 L.A. architects about L.A.'s future

And that's where Anderton's book comes in. "Common Ground" offers an architectural road map for what could be built for the post-parking era  not just the models of the past, but a wave of contemporary designs by architects such as Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, Brooks + Scarpa, KoningEizenberg and Kevin Daly Architects, among others, who have found ways of incorporating courtyards, green space and other shared outdoor areas into affordable housing developments that put people first, cars second.

"In recent years in Los Angeles, there has been a lot of talk about the housing crisis," writes Anderton, "but less talk of the housing itself."

Anderton and Grabar's books offer intriguing histories, but they articulate possibilities for the future too. We can aspire to more than acres of ugly parking when we pull back the curtain windows.

Sign up for our Book Club newsletter to get the latest Los Angeles book news, events and more.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Will this Calabash seafood restaurant be rebuilt? Here are the details

Its been almost three months since a long-standing Calabash seafood restaurant burned down. But soon, it will earn a new life.

Kurt Hardee, owner of Ellas of Calabash confirmed with The Sun News that the North Carolina restaurant will be rebuilt as soon as their insurance company is ready. Hardee hopes rebuilding will start in October or November.

Ellas caught fire in April due to a broiler that flared up, Hardee said. Because of how old the building was and the fact it was made of wood, the fire traveled into the ceiling, sealing the restaurants fate.

Nobody was injured, according to previous reporting from The Sun News. The restaurant had been in Calabash for 73 years, and is owned by Hardees family.

Theres no way were going out like that, Hardee said.

They also own Becks Restaurant, another seafood joint located nearby. When Ellas burned down and some employees were displaced, Becks took those employees in, according to a Facebook post from the Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce that encouraged residents and visitors to support Becks.

Since the fire and the move to Becks, Hardee says that business is still going well.

I dont want to sound corny and say customers are like family, but, I got to talk to a couple that just left out of here that were regular Ellas customers and they got to see their favorite waitress, see me and see everybody, so its kind of cool.

Becks met a similar fiery fate to Ellas 12 years ago, and was rebuilt two months later. Five months after that initial fire, Becks reopened. While Ellas timeline is a bit slower, Hardee said he had no doubt in his mind rebuilding was the correct choice.

The new Ellas building will follow the same blueprint as the old building, but will not be any fancier. Hardee describes the new building as simple and refined.

Its all weve ever known, he said.
A California bill that would make Google and Facebook pay for news content that they use on their platforms to sell ads wont be moving forward this year.

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, and Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, announced Friday that Assembly Bill 886 is being made a two-year bill, meaning it wont be taken up again until 2024.

The measure, the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), had been scheduled for a July 11 hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Umberg chairs.

Theres still work to do, and Id rather get it right than get it quick, Wicks told The Bee.

Wicks said that Umberg had voiced concerns about who would benefit from the bill, and that it needed to be focused on California news publications specifically.

Umbergs position is similar to that of The Chamber of Progress, a tech-industry-funded center-left advocacy group run by former Google exec Adam Kovacevich. It has argued that the bill would result in benefits to right-wing misinformation sources.

Funding local news is an important goal, but CJPA would create more problems than it solves, Kovacevich said in a statement. Ultimately, Californians dont want to pass legislation that benefits Fox News.

Wicks said she agreed to Umbergs request for a delay because of the stakes involved.

Im very aware that this could be a model for other states or a model for federal legislation, and I really want to make sure we get it done right, she said.

The bill would require big online platforms to pay outlets a percentage of their advertising revenue, with the amount to be determined by an arbitrator. The money would go into a pool and be divided up and shared with news organizations. AB 886 specifies that news outlets must spend at least 70% of this new revenue on newsroom jobs. It also requires publishers to report how much they received and exactly where it went.

The measure is backed by a number of media organizations, including McClatchy, which owns The Sacramento Bee, The Fresno Bee, The Modesto Bee, the San Luis Obispo Tribune and the Merced Sun-Star. Outlets such as the San Francisco Chronicle and the Los Angeles Blade have signed on, as has the California News Publishers Association.

It also has the support of the two major California newsroom unions, the Media Guild of the West and the Pacific Media Workers Guild, the latter of which represents journalists at The Sacramento Bee.

In 2024, AB 886 will pick up where it was left off, in the Senate. It has already passed the Assembly on a bipartisan vote.

This fall, Umberg plans to hold an informational hearing on the bill and its intended goal, as well as look at other legislation passed across the globe, including in Australia and Canada.

AB 886 met with stiff resistance from the tech industry, with Meta (parent company of Facebook and Instagram) threatening to pull news content from its platforms if the bill became law.

Wicks is no stranger to tech industry challenges. In 2022, she and then-Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham successfully shepherded a bill through the Legislature that is intended to protect children on social media, despite push back from lobbyists representing the industry.

Ive taken on tech before, and Ive seen these kinds of tactics before. I think tech has less sway than they had in the past, Wicks said.
One resident said he lost everything in the January floods that caused widespread damage in California. A pistachio farmer said theres no doubt thousands of his trees arent bearing fruit as a result of the floodwaters. A local bakery owner said he spent $20,000 to replace coolers and baking ingredients.

They are just three of the 250 Merced County households and businesses that are taking steps toward suing local and state government entities over what they say was negligence in maintaining the area waterways.

Six months after a series of winter atmospheric rivers brought a deluge of rain that overwhelmed local water infrastructure, causing one creek to breach and flood the entire town of Planada, rural Merced County residents say they want accountability and compensation for the damages they incurred.

This was a preventable disaster, said co-lead plaintiff attorney Shant Karnikian. This is something that these government entities should have been prepared for.

The individuals have filed claims against the city of Merced, city of Atwater, county of Merced and Merced Irrigation District. Residents also filed claims against the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, which they allege prevented local entities from performing essential maintenance work.

This is the required first step before claimants can pursue litigation against public entities under state law. The agencies have 45 days to respond to the claimants before they can pursue their individual cases.

An aerial photo of Ashby Road off Highway 99 in Merced is shown Jan. 11, 2023.

One claim, reviewed by The Fresno Bee, alleges that Merced County, intentionally, knowingly, carelessly and negligently performed substandard maintenance, operation, control, and repair of the Merced Channels. Similar claims were filed against the local cities, MID and the state.

Claimants are alleging a number of damages, such as: destruction and loss of private property; cost of mitigation, remediation, repair, and rebuilding property; decreased property value; loss of business assets, livestock, crop, crop yields and loss of business income and revenues; personal injuries and emotional distress; evacuation costs and more.

A state spokesperson for the Department of General Services, the state agency that would have received the claims, did not respond to requests for comment.

Jennifer Flachman, a spokesperson for the city of Merced, said in an email statement to The Bee that the city does not comment on potential litigation. A spokesperson for MID said theyve received the claims and they are under review. The city of Atwater didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Mike North, a spokesperson for Merced County, said in an email statement to The Bee that it is not the countys practice to comment on potential or pending litigation, but that the county continues to maintain its razor-sharp focus on helping our communities recover from the unprecedented weather events earlier this year.

Merced County resident says we lost everything in flood

On the morning of January 10, Tony Borbas wife woke up at 2:30 a.m., looked out the window and saw water across their two-acre property. She woke up Borba to alert him.

As I was getting up, the water was coming in my front door, said Borba, a resident of the unincorporated Merced County community of McSwain. He is one of the claimants pursuing litigation.

He had to act fast to transport his adult son with disabilities to another sons home in Atwater.

My first thought was to get him out, he said. Borba helped get his son into his wheelchair, and then went to fetch the van in the carport, and saw the water was already coming up through it.

If I hadnt gotten him out (right then), he said, I dont know what I wouldve done to get him out, because I cant carry him.

Borba said it took five months to repair his home from the damage, and estimates he spent nearly $200,000 on repairs and new furniture. He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency offered him $10,000 on the condition that he purchase flood insurance for the rest of his life. But he declined the help.

Now, hes filing a claim, to try to get my money that I put into the house back, he said. Thats my main concern.

Another claimant, John McCorry  a pistachio farmer whose family has been farming in the Valley since the 1880s  said the floodwaters devastated about half of his 10,000 trees, which he grows on a hundred acres of farmland east of Planada.

Its pretty obvious, even to an untrained eye, he said.

About 40% of his land flooded during Januarys rains, McCorry said, a situation he says should have been preventable if there had been better maintenance of the creeks.

If it would have been cleaned, McCorry said, I think there wouldnt have been a problem.

A 2012 analysis of flood infrastructure prepared in Merced County said that the regions extensive canal system is vulnerable to failure, more so during excessive storm events due to a lack of significant flood control improvements.

McCorry said part of the problem is that local channels such as Mile Creek had an overgrowth of trees six to eight inches in circumference, as well as a lot of Tule reeds.

In videos of McCorrys trees, shared with The Bee, some of the flood-damaged trees look bare with spare leaves and little to no fruit, while the unharmed trees look lush, green and full of nuts. Hes working with a team at UC Davis to diagnose his trees, which he believes have some kind of root rot or a fungal disease, verticillium wilt.

McCorry said prior to the floods, he expected a 2,500 to 3,000-pound crop this year. Now, hes expecting closer to 1,000 to 1,500 pounds.

At this point, he said, we really wont know how much the damage is, you know, crop-wise, production-wise, until we go to harvest.

Planada resident pursues lawsuits against governments

Residents of Planada  the unincorporated town of 4,000 that was completely submerged after the Bear Creek levee broke  are particularly interested in a lawsuit, Karnikian said.

The response from the community, especially in the Planada neighborhood, he said, was this may be our only shot at trying to get some semblance of compensation for what happened.

The state of California recently budgeted $20 million for Merced County to help with ongoing recovery efforts in Planada.

For Planada resident and business owner Luis Villagomez, 71, the recovery has been difficult. Villagomez and his wife, Estela, 69, have run the El Gallito Bakery in Planada for over 20 years.

Luis Villagomez fries donuts at El Gallito Bakery in Planada, California on July 6, 2023. His business lost thousands of dollars worth of equipment and baking ingredients during Januarys flood.

The January flood destroyed the bakerys industrial freezers, some furniture, and the flour, sugar and butter used to make their assortment of pan dulces, or sweet breads.

It was a mess, he said, We had to throw everything away.

El Gallito had to close for about three weeks as they cleaned and made repairs. They lost weeks of business and had to cancel multiple orders, including for one of their biggest clients, UC Merced.

Villagomez estimates they spent about $20,000 on the new freezers and baking ingredients, which they paid for using credit cards and with the help of a GoFundMe fundraiser.

Estela Villagomez opens one of the new freezers her family had to purchase for their business, El Gallito Bakery, in Planada, California on July 6, 2023. The family-run business lost thousands of dollars worth of equipment and baking ingredients in Januarys flood.

It is a small business, Villagomez said, we survive day to day.

He hopes by pursuing litigation, hell be able to recuperate some funds to help his family recover  and move forward.

Whats next for claimants?

Karnikian said in an interview with The Bee that not all of the entities that received a claim will necessarily face a lawsuit.

Part of the challenge here is figuring out exactly who was responsible or how much their actions or inactions contributed to losses sustained by these people and that contributed to the flooding, he said. Right now, folks are pointing the finger at each other.

While the investigation is ongoing, Karnikian said if they dont receive a response from the respective agencies within the 45-day time frame, the plan would be to pursue a lawsuit against them.

He expects lawsuits to be filed within the next six months.
Ethan McClanahan and his grandfather, George Malek, walk toward Shabbona Lake State Park on July 27, 2022, in Shabbona, Illinois. Much of the land was owned by the Potawatomi Nation and Chief Shab-eh-nay, before 1,280 acres of land was auctioned off by the U.S government. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Just prior to President Joe Bidens recent visit to Chicago, I received a phone call from the White House graciously inviting me to meet the president, citing the progress our Native tribe has helped achieve in Illinois this year.

It is true Illinois made tremendous strides this year in its work to repair the centuries-long injustices that started with colonizers doing everything they could to extinguish our people and the origins of this land on which the United States of America was constructed.

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The General Assembly unanimously passed a measure allowing Illinois to create a protected cemetery on state lands for the burial of repatriated Native American remains and materials. Illinois possesses the remains of thousands of Native people  some dug up by the Department of Transportation during highway construction and unceremoniously housed in desk drawers  but thats set to change as the state is on track to return 1,100 of the 7,000 Native American remains the state holds. This legislation, if signed into law by the governor, would bring respect to our ancestors the way they shouldve been respected centuries ago.

The legislature also overwhelmingly passed a bill that would expand Illinois public school curriculum to include Native history and another that would require schools to permit students to celebrate their cultural or religious identity during graduation ceremonies, including by wearing traditional Native regalia.

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This progress shows that Illinois is living up to the words Gov. J.B. Pritzker so eloquently stated in his commencement speech last month at Northwestern University:

When we see someone who doesnt look like us or sound like us or act like us or love like us or live like us, the first thought that crosses almost everyones brain is rooted in either fear or judgment  or both, Pritzker said. In order to be kind, we have to shut down that animal instinct and force our brain to travel a different pathway. Empathy and compassion are evolved states of being.

But all of this work, while extremely important, does not address a central problem that remains and must be rectified to achieve true justice for Native people in Illinois.

Illinois remains one of only 15 states without a federally recognized tribe. Visitors to Illinois can enjoy the beauty of Cahokia Mounds in southern Illinois and explore Dickson Mounds in central Illinois. In DeKalb, you can walk 1,280 acres of reservation land that was illegally auctioned off to build a state park and houses. But you cant find a single federally recognized tribe here anymore.

Thats partly because in the 1830s, when Chief Shab-eh-nay  my great grandfather four generations removed  traveled from his home reservation near the village of Shabbona in DeKalb County, the U.S. government illegally auctioned off more than 1,280 acres of his land that was rightfully and legally ours, as affirmed by multiple federal treaties and rulings.

But despite our land being illegally taken from us, were still here, living and contributing to life in Illinois, while practicing our traditions and serving our country. Our reservation land may not yet be back in the hands of our tribe, but we have the truth and increasing acknowledgment that our cause is just.

For almost two centuries, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has worked tirelessly to get our land back. In 2001, the U.S. Department of the Interior confirmed the history and legal status of the Shab-eh-nay Reservation as federally recognized Indian Country because the U.S. government never received the required congressional approval to auction off land that rightfully belonged to Chief Shab-eh-nay.

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Now theres finally a pathway for us to reclaim our land without disturbing the homeowners whose houses sit on our reservation. Bipartisan-supported legislation sponsored by Chicago-area U.S. Reps. Jesus Chuy Garcia and Lauren Underwood would help Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation reclaim the bulk of its 1,280 acres near our original reservation in DeKalb.

These leaders are joining their colleagues from other states and reaching across the aisle to secure bipartisan support with the courage to undo historic wrongs.

When I met the president recently, I told him I look forward to the day Congress passes the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation Settlement Act of 2023 and he signs it into law. So that there can once again be a federally recognized tribe welcomed in Illinois.

For me, when the governor delivered his commencement address, his words called back to the start of this country: When someones path through this world is marked with acts of cruelty, they have failed the first test of an advanced society.

Until the government returns land to Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation that is rightfully and legally ours, we continue to live among the aftermath of cruelty in a broken society. Returning our land will be an important step toward the recognition we deserve as a people and as citizens of Illinois.

Joseph Zeke Rupnick is chairman of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and an Army veteran.

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The state of California and a Texas sheriff Thursday called on U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to open a criminal investigation into Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis migrant relocation program that has sent dozens of newly arrived immigrants from Texas to California and Massachusetts  in at least some cases allegedly with false promises of jobs and other help.

It is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations, the July 6 letter stated, urging the Justice Department to investigate given the multi-jurisdictional, interstate nature of this ongoing scheme.

The letter was co-signed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Texas Sheriff Javier Salazar, who recently recommended criminal charges after a months-long investigation in Bexar County alleged that 49 migrants were tricked into getting on planes to Marthas Vineyard last year.

Bonta announced his own criminal investigation last month after dozens more migrants were dropped off without warning in Sacramento as part of the program. The July 6 letter alleged they were similarly induced by deceptive representations about access to jobs, housing, or other services.

Although separate investigations into potential violations of state laws remain active, the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has a unique capability to investigate cases where, as here, the scheme stretches from Massachusetts to California and touches upon no fewer than five states, the letter stated.

The letter noted previous correspondences between Newsom and the Justice Department regarding the Marthas Vineyard flights but provided no details.

The call for a federal intervention into Floridas migrant relocation program comes amid a deepening rivalry between the Democratic governor in California and DeSantis, whose bid for the Republican presidential nomination is polling around 30 points behind Donald Trump.

DeSantis has touted the taxpayer-funded migrant relation program as a way to call attention to the Biden border crisis.

Newsom and DeSantis exchanged verbal blows following the June flights, with the California governor calling his political rival a small pathetic man. DeSantis hit back a few days later, telling Newsom to open an investigation into President Joe Biden and stop pussyfooting around.

Neither the Justice Department nor DeSantis office immediately responded to the Heralds request for comment.

This political theater has placed people in danger, and my hope is that the DOJ gets involved to send a clear message  causing human suffering is not a game, Salazar said in a Friday morning statement. Newsom and Salazar met in California last month to discuss their parallel investigations.

Rachel Self, the attorney representing the migrants sent to Marthas Vineyard, tweeted the letter Friday morning, voicing her support.

People are not pawns. Charges must be filed, Self tweeted.

McClatchy DC staff writer Michael Wilner contributed to this report.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Wilfredo Lee / Associated Press)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta are calling for the U.S. Department of Justice to open an investigation into the transportation of migrants to Sacramento as part of a program overseen by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Thirty-six migrants were sent from Texas to Sacramento in June, a move for which the Republican presidential hopeful has taken credit. While DeSantis has defended the Florida taxpayer-funded flights, saying they are part of a "voluntary relocation" program, he has been accused of using humans as political pawns in a national debate about immigration policy.

Some of the migrants sent to Sacramento denied Desantis' claims that their trip was willful and told The Times in June that they were falsely promised jobs, shelter and attorneys in exchange for boarding the plane.

In a letter addressed to U.S. Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland on Thursday, the top California Democrats urged federal officials to open criminal and civil investigations into the matter, saying the department has "a unique capability" to oversee the case.

They join Bexar County, Texas, Sheriff Javier Salazar, a Democrat, in doing the same, as his office investigates a similar flight of migrants sent from his state to Martha's Vineyard, Mass.

In another instance, a busload of migrants was sent to Los Angeles last month by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. GOP officials leading the programs say they are sending migrants to blue states with "sanctuary" policies.

"We won't stand by as people are used for cheap political stunts," Bonta said Thursday.

Bonta pointed to recent reporting by The Times and other news outlets in his letter to the Department of Justice, saying, as in the Martha's Vineyard case, migrants may have been "induced by deceptive representations about access to jobs, housing or other services."

The California Department of Justice is investigating the matter, with Newsom alluding to kidnapping charges against DeSantis.

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.
A Canadian judge has ruled that the popular thumbs-up emoji not only can be used as a contract agreement, but is just as valid as an actual signature. The Saskatchewan-based judge made the ruling on the grounds that the courts must adapt to the new reality of how people communicate, as originally reported by The Guardian.

The case involved a grain buyer sending out a mass text to drum up clients and a farmer agreeing to sell 86 tons of flax for around $13 per bushel. The buyer texted a contract agreement to the farmer and asked for the farmer to confirm receiving the contract. He issued a thumbs up emoji as receipt of the document, but backed out of the deal after flax prices increased.

The buyer sued the farmer, arguing that the thumbs up represented more than just receipt of the contract. It represented an agreement to the conditions of the contract, and a judge agreed, ordering the farmer to cough up nearly $62,000, likely causing a string of puke emojis.

The farmer, Chris Achter, said in an affidavit that he did not have time to review the contract and the thumbs up was just acknowledgment of receipt. Justice Timothy Keene relied on Dictionary.coms definition of the emoji which notes the image is used to express assent, approval, or encouragement in digital communications, especially in Western cultures, ultimately siding with the grain buyer.

This court readily acknowledges that a  emoji is a non-traditional means to sign a document but nevertheless under these circumstances this was a valid way to convey the two purposes of a signature, Justice Keene wrote.

The defense argued that giving this type of power to an emoji would open the floodgates to enhanced interpretations of other emojis. While the justice dismissed this line of reasoning, anyone who regularly texts the LOL emoji without actually laughing out loud is likely quaking in their boots right now.
Candace Cameron Bure denies trying to remove Miss Benny's queer character from 'Fuller House' after Miss Benny implied Bure wouldn't talk to her on set

Miss Benny and Candace Cameron Bure. Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Emily Assiran/Getty Images for 90's Con

Netflix star Miss Benny implied that Candace Cameron Bure tried to get her queer character axed from "Fuller House."

In a TikTok video, she also implied that Bure wasn't "willing" to talk to her on set.

In a statement to Insider, Bure denied the allegations and added "I wish Miss Benny only the best."

Netflix star Miss Benny implied that "Fuller House" star Candace Cameron Bure refused to speak to her when she was playing the show's first queer character and tried to have the character removed  but Bure has denied it.

In a TikTok video posted on Thursday, Miss Benny responded to a fan who asked: "Fuller House? Who was homophobic was it Candace?"

In her response, Miss Benny didn't explicitly name Bure but said that when she got the role of Casey, the first gay character on the show, "one of the Tanner sisters was, like, very publicly... not for the girls." Miss Benny claimed that writers and other employees on "Fuller House" sat her down to "warn me how this person allegedly was trying to get the character removed" from the show.

"I was also sort of warned and prepared that this person's fan base might be encouraged to target me specifically," Miss Benny continued. "To this day, despite working on the show every day for two weeks straight, I have only had a conversation with one of the Tanner sisters." (The Tanner sisters  DJ and Stephanie  were played by Bure and Jodie Sweetin, respectively.)

While she said she had a positive experience on the "Fuller House" set with other actors on the show, she implied that Bure wasn't "willing" to talk to her.

When reached for comment by Insider, Bure sent a response via her representative, saying that she "never asked" that Miss Benny's character be removed from the show, nor did she ask writers, producers, or studio executives not to include queer characters.

"'Fuller House' has always welcomed a wide range of characters. I thought Miss Benny did a great job as 'Casey' on the show," Bure said in an email to Insider via her representative. "We didn't share any scenes together, so we didn't get a chance to talk much while filming on set. I wish Miss Benny only the best."

Candace Cameron Bure. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Although Bure was not named in the video, many immediately assumed that Bure, not Jodie Sweetin (who played Stephanie Tanner on the show), was the "Tanner sister" Miss Benny referenced. Bure is a well-known conservative in Hollywood.

Bure, a fixture of the Hallmark Channel, left the network in April 2022 for the recently established Great American Family channel, taking on an executive role to develop and star in what she called "heartwarming family and faith-filled programming." In November, Bure told the Wall Street Journal that Great American Family would keep "traditional marriage at its core" and would not feature same-sex couples. Celebrities like JoJo Siwa and Hilarie Burton Morgan called Bure's comments "rude and hurtful" to the LGBTQ community.

Bure had followed Bill Abbott, the head of Great American Family's parent company GAC Media, to the new network after Abbott left Crown Media and Hallmark in 2020 when controversy erupted over Hallmark censoring a Zola commercial featuring two brides kissing each other. (The commercial was later reinstated.)

Kim Cattrall and Miss Benny in "Glamorous." Netflix

In her video, Miss Benny also said she found it "crazy" that while on the "Fuller House" set as a teenager, she was "targeted" in such a way by an adult.

"[It] continuously blows my mind how queer people, specifically queer young adults and queer children, are being targeted and having to advocate for themselves against adults," Miss Benny said. But she noted that her experience on "Fuller House" helped her to land a starring role on her new Netflix show, "Glamorous."

On the show, which premiered in June, Miss Benny stars as a queer young adult working for an iconic makeup brand. She stars alongside Kim Cattrall, who plays makeup mogul Madolyn Addison.

Representatives for Miss Benny and Netflix didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

"Glamorous" is available to stream now on Netflix.

Read the original article on Insider
Cargo ships now have a net-zero goal  but critics say it's not enough

For the past week in London, the United Nations agency that governs global shipping has been meeting behind closed doors to negotiate a climate strategy for ocean-crossing cargo vessels  the diesel-guzzling behemoths that haul virtually everything we buy and use. Meanwhile, outside the regulators headquarters, climate activists wearing mermaid tails and hoisting smoke-spewing ship puppets urged delegates to set their ambitions high.

On Friday, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) set new, stricter emissions-reduction targets that critics say still dont go far enough to curb the shipping industrys rising contribution to climate change. Absent stringent global rules, the onus now falls more squarely on individual nations, regions, ports and shipping companies to enact efforts to clean up dirty freighters and tankers, according to observers.

This weeks climate talks were reminiscent of rearranging the deck chairs on a sinking ship, Faig Abbasov, shipping programme director for Transport & Environment in Brussels, said in a statement. The IMO had the opportunity to set an unambiguous and clear course toward the 1.5 degrees Celsius temperature goal, but all it came up with is a wishy-washy compromise.

International shipping is responsible for about 3 percent of the worlds annual greenhouse gas emissions, and its climate pollution is projected to soar in the coming decades if nothing changes. Tens of thousands of merchant ships burn polluting fossil fuels every year to haul some 11 billion tons of goods  a vast category that includes everything from live sheep, frozen peas and giant plastic bags of wine to clean-energy staples such as solar panels, wind-turbine blades and lithium-ion batteries.

The IMOs 175 member countries agreed to set near-term targets for reducing cargo-shipping emissions by at least 20 percent  striving for 30 percent  by 2030, compared to 2008 levels. The strategy also calls for curbing emissions by at least 70 percent  striving for 80 percent  by 2040, reaching net-zero emissions by or around 2050 while still taking into account different national circumstances.

Countries also agreed to have 5 to 10 percent of shippings energy use come from "zero or near-zero" emissions fuels and technologies by 2030.



The climate strategy, which isnt legally binding, opens a new chapter towards maritime decarbonization, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said on Friday in a statement.

At the same time, it is not the end goal, he added. It is in many ways a starting point for the work that needs to intensify even more over the years and decades ahead of us.

The outcome reflects a hard-fought agreement between two broad factions within the maritime organization: those who wanted more aggressive goals and those pushing for clunkily worded caveats.

The first group was led by the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Vanuatu, two Pacific Island nations at risk of disappearing in a warming world. Delegates sought to set targets in line with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C above preindustrial levels, calling for achieving net-zero emissions by 2040, a decade earlier than the plan adopted Friday. Net zero means shipping companies would reduce their greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible, then offset or remove their remaining emissions from the atmosphere.

The other countries in this camp, including Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, had also hoped for a goal of absolute-zero emissions by 2050, meaning cargo ships would run on entirely carbon-free sources with no offsetting needed. Proponents say more stringent regulations are needed to jump-start massive and globe-spanning investments in zero-emissions marine fuels and technologies, hardly any of which is available today.

Albon Ishoda, the Marshall Islands special envoy for shipping decarbonization, told journalists that the science already told us [that] anything less than 36 percent by 2030 and 96 percent by 2040 will be detrimental to limiting global warming to 1.5C and that it will have a devastating impact, Climate Home News reported.

The Marshall Islands has long spearheaded the charge for climate action within the IMO. The sprawling island chain relies heavily on freighters, not only for importing food, medicine and other essentials but also for generating income  some 13 percent of the worlds merchant ships pay to fly the Marshallese flag. At the same time, the low-lying archipelago of 81,000 people is especially vulnerable to rising sea levels and severe drought made worse by climate change.

The second camp at this weeks negotiations included China, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Argentina and other large, export-dependent countries. These delegates pushed for fuzzier deadlines and the nod to national circumstances, warning that more stringent rules would hurt their economies by making it more expensive to send commodities such as food, metals and crude oil by ships.

In a diplomatic note sent to developing countries, Chinese officials said that developed countries are pushing the IMO to reach unrealistic visions and levels of ambition, referring to the absolute-zero 2050 target, Reuters reported. China is home to seven of the worlds top 10 biggest container ports, and last year the country exported $3.7 trillion in goods and services, or 12 percent of the global total.

Environmental groups expressed deep disappointment with Fridays results. Still, the new cargo-shipping goals are at the very least stronger than the IMOs initial climate strategy. In 2018, the organization called for reducing annual shipping emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050, while also working toward full decarbonization of the sector as soon as possible within this century.

We are grateful for the immensely hard work of the Pacific Island nations and other ambitious member states to secure the best possible outcome in what were extremely intense rounds of negotiations, Ana Laranjeira, shipping manager of the nonprofit Opportunity Green, said in a statement.

Every fraction of a degree is of crucial importance, she added, and we need to continue to work to decarbonize international shipping in a just and equitable manner as soon as possible.

Bryan Comer of the International Council on Clean Transportation noted that what follows for the IMO will be even more consequential when it comes to curbing shipping-related emissions. In the coming years, delegates will hash out mandatory, enforceable rules meant to set the emissions-reduction goals in motion and shift the industry toward cleaner alternatives.

Ultimately, its the measures the organization takes to implement the strategy, such as GHG-intensity standards for ships and fuels, as well as economic measures, that will determine how much international shipping contributes to future warming, he said.


Randolph Scott and Cary Grant

Cary Grants daughter says she never saw any indication that he was attracted to men  but if he ever had a same-sex relationship, she hopes it made him happy.

Jennifer Grant, the only child of the iconic film star, was born in 1966, when her father was 62 and married to actress Dyan Cannon. Cary Grant was long rumored to be gay or bisexual. He was married  to women  five times, but he shared a home with fellow actor Randolph Scott through much of the 1930s, and photos abound of the two handsome men frolicking in swimming pools and on a California beach, clad only in swim trunks, and enjoying each other's company in domestic settings. There has been speculation that they were more than roommates. The possibility has been raised that gay costume designer Orry-Kelly and Grant were lovers, and the late Hollywood hustler Scotty Bowers claimed he had sex with Grant.

In her memoir Good Stuff: A Reminiscence of My Father, published in 2011, Jennifer Grant said her father wasnt gay but enjoyed the speculation. In a new interview with The Guardian, she addressed the subject again.

If youre around your parents a lot, you see them in ways that almost no one else does, she said. And I never saw a hint of that. I think I would have picked up on it  not that I wouldve cared. But I have to speak the truth of the matter: Dad was charming, and he had great friendships, but he wasnt flirtatious with men. A friend of mine sent me a picture the other day of Gregory Peck, my father, and Mervyn LeRoy, and theyre good buddies. But I never got that hint.

After her memoir came out, she received hate mail accusing her of being homophobic, but she said thats absolutely not the case. Perhaps earlier in his life he had an affair [with a man], she told The Guardian. Ill never know, but if he did, fantastic. I hope he enjoyed it.

Jennifer Grant is an executive producer of Archie, an upcoming British miniseries about her father, whose birth name was Archibald Leach. Jason Isaacs plays Cary Grant; Jennifer Grant approved his casting.

One of the subjects covered in the series is Cary Grants relationship with his mother. When he was a child, he was told she was dead, and he was sent to live with his fathers mother while his father started a second family. Years later, Grant learned that his mother, Elsie, was alive and had been institutionalized for mental illness. They reunited when he was an adult.

When seeing her father interact with his mother during visits to his birthplace of Bristol, England, Jennifer Grant said she never saw any tension in the relationship, but she is certain he was affected by the secrets kept in his family. He took therapy that included doses of LSD, and he reinvented himself, transforming from impoverished immigrant to suave man of the world and one of the biggest and highest-paid Hollywood film stars of his generation, with credits including The Philadelphia Story, An Affair to Remember, and North by Northwest. He made his last film, Walk Dont Run, in 1967, and he died in 1986.

He was reluctant to become a parent, fearing he wouldnt be a good one, and he probably agreed to have a child only because Cannon pressed him, Jennifer Grant said. He essentially gave up his career to oversee her upbringing after he and Cannon divorced. All the neglect he suffered meant he made sure that that was not my life, she told The Guardian. She has noted that he would cut articles out of newspapers on high-achieving women and pass them on to her to encourage her to be ambitious. She has done some acting, most recently in Babylon, and has two children  son Cary, 14, named for his grandfather, and daughter Davian, 11.

She said the miniseries, due out this year from U.K. streaming service ITVX, will offer new insight about her father. Telling Archies story only adds to Carys story, she said, adding, It is somewhat of a full circle. I dont have the words for it yet, but it has changed me, this process. It was a lovely one  quite challenging, but lovely.

(Photos above are of Randolph Scott, left, and Cary Grant; Randolph Scott, right, and Cary Grant; and Jennifer Grant, left, and Cary Grant, right.)
Central Coast woman found dead in San Diego. Now her husband is suspected of homicide

The husband of a missing Guadalupe woman found dead in a vehicle in San Diego has been identified as the suspect and may have fled to Mexico.

Leyva Elizabeth Oregel Garcia, 32, of Guadalupe died in what San Diego police have called a homicide.

German Armando Luna Salazar, 44, has been named as the suspect sought in connection with the death.

Just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, a caller alerted San Diego Police Department dispatchers about what appeared to be a body inside a vehicle parked in a lot on the 4400 block of Camino De La Plaza in the San Ysidro neighborhood of San Diego.

The unusual circumstances surrounding the death of the woman prompted police homicide detectives to lead the investigation.

It is still early in the investigation, but detectives have worked with the San Diego County Medical Examiners Office, who confirmed the female suffered blunt force trauma to her upper body and confirmed her death was a homicide, Lt. Steve Shebloski said Thursday.

German Armando Luna Salazar, 44, is suspected of homicide in connection to the death of his wife, 32-year-old Leyva Elizabeth Oregel Garcia, according to police.

On Sunday, family members had reported the Guadalupe woman as missing after she left with the man they called her ex-husband to clean offices in Paso Robles on Saturday afternoon and never returned home.

Detectives have learned this appears to be a tragic case of domestic violence in which Oregel Garcias husband, German Armando Luna Salazar, has been identified as the suspect, Shebloski said. He was last seen leaving the area of 4400 Camino De La Plaza on foot and possibly entered Mexico.

Family members said the womans cellphone was tracked to the Madera area on Sunday.

Her family initially identified her as Leyva Elizabeth Oregel and him as German Armando Luna.

Oregel Garcia has two daughters ages 14 and 7, family members said.

San Diego homicide detectives are working with investigators from the Guadalupe Police Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriffs Office to determine the circumstances surrounding her disappearance from Guadalupe, and how she ended up in San Diego.

San Diego police asked that anyone who may have information on this case or who knows the suspects whereabouts call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com .
A Utilities and Transportation Commission administrative law judge levied a $923,000 fine last week against CenturyLink for suspending or disconnecting almost 1,000 accounts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

CenturyLink, doing business as Lumen Technologies, faces a $1,000 penalty per violation after unlawfully disconnecting 923 customers protected by an emergency proclamation issued by Gov. Jay Inslee, according to a press release Thursday. The proclamation prohibited telecommunication providers from disconnecting services for residential customers.

The order from the judge noted that the violations were both serious and harmful to the public as telecommunication services were deemed essential during the pandemic.

Lumen tried to argue that because the disconnections were inadvertent and only affected a small percentage of its customers that they should not be penalized. Lumen will have 20 days to request a review from the UTC.

The complaint was first filed against Lumen in April 2022 after staff requested data from all telecommunications companies. CenturyLink serves about 650,000 residential and business lines and is the biggest telephone company in Washington, the press release said.
NYC serial shoplifter Charles Brito and CVS clerk Scotty Enoe endured tensions for weeks before fatal encounter that took Britos life

Tensions built for weeks between serial shoplifter Charles Brito and CVS pharmacy clerk Scotty Enoe, who was jailed Friday on charges of fatally knifing Brito in a final argument, Enoes lawyer said.

Im gonna kill you was Britos regular threat to Enoe each time Brito showed up at a CVS store within sight of Times Square, on Broadway at W. 49th St. in Midtown, said Enoes lawyer, Adam Freedman.

Enoe on four or five occasions tried to thwart Britos shoplifting  usually of Monster energy drinks  with words Freedman said were recommended by store bosses: Dont steal. Please dont steal.

But this time, around 12:25 a.m. Thursday, Enoe didnt even have time to get out the words before Brito started fighting him, Freedman said. There was no verbal interaction, the lawyer said.

Freedman explained to a Manhattan Criminal Court judge: My client was merely stocking the shelves in the freezer area, and this person came in. He swung at my client and pushed my client, and a fistfight occurred.

Said Manhattan Assistant DA Julie Noble: The defendant [Enoe] brought a knife to what was otherwise a fistfight. He took the knife from his pocket and stabbed the deceased, Mr. Brito, eight times in the chest.

Freedman noted outside court that Enoe used a knife in his job to open boxes.

One of those wounds was deep enough to penetrate his heart and the other his liver, Noble said.

Medics rushed Brito to Bellevue Hospital but he could not be saved. Brito, 50, bled to death, Noble said.

Enoe, who has no criminal record, gave a statement admitting his guilt, the prosecutor said at the arraignment hearing.

This is a strong case, Noble told Judge Soma Syed, who granted the DAs request to impose $100,000 bail on charges of murder and weapon possession.

Britos history of petty theft includes two other incidents at the same store, according to police and court records.

Since Aug. 23, 2017, when he was charged with petty larceny in Midtown, Brito has amassed a record of 16 arrests, police said  a record like those of many other people whose lawbreaking has plagued the city since the pandemic year of 2020.

Britos first arrest of 2023 was his most serious, for robbery. On the afternoon of Jan. 5, he allegedly stole a handbag from a woman on Sixth Ave. in Midtown, pulling on it so hard the bag broke and a change purse fell to the ground, according to court papers.

Brito was arrested more than a week later and was let go under terms of supervised release.

He was charged in an April 3 incident in the Bronx in which he allegedly stole from a Target $182.83 worth of merchandise  22 grocery items and six health and beauty products.

That theft, for which he was accused of burglary, petty larceny and possession of stolen property, happened 10 days after he signed a no trespass order barring him from the store, according to court documents.

After his Bronx arrest he was issued a summons on May 18, then arrested again on June 13 for an incident in which he walked into a CVS store in Manhattans Hamilton Heights neighborhood and stole several cans of energy drinks, according to court papers.

He was ordered held on $5,000 bail, half the amount sought by prosecutors.

But on June 21, the Manhattan District Attorneys office dismissed the case. At the same hearing, Brito pleaded to petty larceny in the January Midtown robbery case and was told he would later be sentenced to three years probation.

The next day, June 22, Brito hit a CVS on Amsterdam Ave. on the Upper West Side, stealing 22 packages of Colgate, two packages of Crest, 13 Goodline razors, three Harrys trimmers and three razor blades.

He pleaded guilty to petty larceny in that case, and was given a conditional discharge and released.

A police source told of two incidents at the CVS store where Brito was stabbed.

On June 29, Brito was busted for stealing hair care and beauty projects from the Broadway and W. 49th St. CVS, said the source. Three days later, he returned to the same CVS, stole merchandise and was arrested, the source said.

Britos father told the Daily News on Friday that his son, who he calls Charlie, was a well-behaved youngster. I used to take him to church, said Juan Brito, 75. I helped him to be a good boy. He didnt get into trouble that I know of.

Charlies later life was marked by a series of relationships with women  including a long relationship with a woman in Jersey City, his father said. He was in an apartment, and they had a dog, said Juan Brito.

That relationship turned bad, and eventually Charlie became homeless and turned to drugs, his father said.

I dont know what kind of drugs he used, Juan Brito said. But he said he was unable to help his son. He was a man. He could decide. I tried to help him, but he didnt want to change.

Juan Brito, a Florida resident, said he believes his son had two children, a girl and a boy. He said he hadnt spoken to his son in a long time, but that Charlie kept in touch with his mother. His mother saw him not too long ago, Juan Brito said. I talked to her, and I thought something strange might happen. I had a feeling.

Enoe is working on putting together a bail package, said Freedman  but he said the process could take time. Enoe will be subject to electronic monitoring if he his released, which could take up to two weeks to arrange, the lawyer said.

Asked about Enoes emotional state, Fredman said: Hes very, very upset because he thought he was trying to do the right thing, and something really bad ended up happening out of this, which he did not want.

Friday afternoon, as Enoe awaited arraignment, his mother lamented his plight and said the charges should be dropped.

He did what he had to do, she said. My son is a very good person. My son never gets involved in this situation before. Hes a very dedicated worker. One of the people from one of the stores where he works just called me and tell me that he knows him for a while and thats hes very respectful.

Hes a very dedicated worker, and they will see to it that everything goes well with him.
Crime scene tape

Chatham County Police (CCPD) have arrested and charged three suspects in connection with a June homicide at Westlake Apartments.

On Wednesday morning, CCPD officers served warrants on 24-year-old Shaddrick Marquis Lacount, 23-year-old Dwayne Singleton Jr., and 21-year-old Montrez Hopson.

All three are charged with murder, and all three are currently being held in the Chatham County Detention Center.

The three are charged with the murder of 25-year-old Jamie Bernard Burton, Jr.

Homicide: Fatal shooting marks July 4th weekend in Savannah

UPDATED: Brooklet man killed in shootout with police after traffic stop in Effingham

Around 6:10 a.m. on June 10, officers were dispatched to a shots fired call at Westlake Apartments. When they arrived on the scene, they found Burton deceased from a gunshot wound in the breezeway of one of the buildings. At the time, investigators did not believe the shooting was random.

Lacount and Singleton Jr. have been charged with crimes before but were never convicted.

On Aug. 24, 2022, according to local court filings, Lacount was charged with possession of a controlled substance (MDMA) and possession of marijuana, less than an ounce. On Oct. 6, 2022, the case was brought up from Chatham County Recorders Court to Superior Court, but never went to trial.

On Dec. 19, 2019, according to local court filings, Singleton was charged with theft by receiving stolen property and possession of marijuana, less than an ounce. On April 28, 2022, Chatham County Assistant District Attorney Christian Stolfe chose not to prosecute the case because the state could not prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Help Needed

Detectives say even though three suspects are behind bars, they still need help from the public as they work to gather more evidence in this investigation. CCPD urges anyone with information about this case to reach out to detectives, and reminds everyone that all tipsters can stay anonymous. There are several ways that people with information can send tips to detectives without having to give their name. Anonymous tips can be sent through the Chatham County Police Department app, or the Departments online tip form found here: https://police.chathamcountyga.gov/Tips . You can also call Crime Stoppers at 912-234-2020, where tipsters are anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Chatham County Police arrest three connected to June homicide at Westlake apartments
A federal judge has limited the Biden administration's ability to approach popular social media sites directly about removing information that could be misleading or damaging. (Thibault Camus/AP)

On Tuesday, a Louisiana federal judge ruled that the Biden administration could not quietly contact social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to remove protected free speech.

Some saw this as bad news for the removal of misinformation or, in the words of The New York Times, government efforts to combat false and misleading narratives.

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We say: The judge, who shrewdly issued his ruling on Independence Day, was right.

Government should not be in the business of censoring what Americans have to say on their social media platforms.

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Much of this brouhaha dates to the COVID-19 crisis, a challenging period for free-speech advocates and an emboldening era for those public health officials who argued the need for consistent messaging as a tool for saving lives. Those officials quickly realized that vaccine skeptics, lockdown protesters and other dissenters were muddying the waters on social media platforms and generating significant followings and they were concerned that what they saw as misinformation would only worsen the crisis.

All of this was understandable in that emergency context when no one knew how the COVID-19 crisis was going to play out, and, frankly, when the full power of social media was only just being understood. And even now, having groups of advocates that pressure social media channels to remove what they see as damaging information is perfectly reasonable. Those groups are expressing their own rights to free speech and, as private entities, the social media channels can and should have their own rules on what they do and do not permit.

We advocate for responsibility on the part of Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat, just as a good newspaper takes care over what it does and does not publish.

But thats not what this case is about. The problem came up when the Biden administration opened up a back channel to sympathetic senior employees at Twitter. White House operatives openly pointed out problematic posts that they wanted taken down. In the words of the judge, government officials should not have been encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech.

There is ample evidence that such conversations took place. Elon Musk, Twitters new owner, has referenced them. They also have come up in discovery findings in an ongoing lawsuit involving Alex Berenson, a vaccine and lockdown skeptic on Twitter whose content really stuck in the Biden administrations craw.

On the face of it, Judge Terry Doughtys remarks represent a First Amendment no-brainer. Its certainly understandable that some of that content irritated the Biden administration, which saw it as harmful to public health. But as anyone who has lived in a society where the government controls all the messaging will tell you, that irritation is a price worth paying for allowing free persons to express dissent. That should not be a liberal or a conservative stance, but an American one. And it applies even in a time of national crisis.

Much as we would like to believe otherwise, there is not one science to trust. And, as was the case during COVID-19, if authorities try to suppress dissent, it tends merely to embolden it. In a free society, people have to be able to hear all sides, judge who they think can be trusted for themselves and navigate the free marketplace of ideas. Such is the choice Americans made long ago.

So for that reason, weve been perplexed by some of the media hand-wringing over Tuesdays decision. Take, for example, The Associated Press report that suggested in its news story that the decision was raising questions about what officials could even say in public forums.

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We dont see the decision that way at all. Government officials have free speech rights, too, and they are free to criticize individuals in public forums. The U.S. surgeon general, for example, is free to hold a news conference declaring some sources untrustworthy or even dangerous to public health. Commanding that kind of bully pulpit is part of the job, just as it is to go after unhealthy products.

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 problem only arises when someone in public office decides not just to criticize what someone else is saying, but to try to prevent its very utterance by sending an email to, say, Twitter, saying, Hey, you might want to take a look at this post with a view to taking it down.

A private individual can attempt to do that. A government official should not. So says our Constitution.

But what about misinformation in a crisis? Might allowing such speech not cost lives? The framers saw that issue differently, believing that protecting free expression was, in the long run, the best protection that could be afforded an American.

Looking back on COVID-19, most reasonable people can see both sides of the dilemma. Many in government were so infuriated by the new power of disinformation that they convinced themselves that its curtailment was the only way to prevent mass deaths in a health crisis with an uncertain and terrifying trajectory.

Some forgiveness and tolerance is in order. But the First Amendment is the First Amendment.

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Join the discussion on Twitter @chitribopinions and on Facebook.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
Cheap oil from Iran is filling the hole left by Saudi Arabia and Russia's productions cuts

Raheb Homavandi/Reuters

Iran has been selling more of its crude as Saudi Arabia and Russia dial back oil production.

The nation sold 1.6 million barrels a day on average in May and June, notching a five-year record.

Iranian suppliers are offering a $30 per barrel discount compared to their Persian Gulf rivals, officials said.

Cheap oil from Iran is filling a hole left in the market as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other major oil producers pull back on crude output.

Iranian oil shipments hit 1.6 million barrels a day on average during the months of June and May, according to Kpler and Petro-Logistics data cited by the Wall Street Journal. That's more than twice the amount of oil that was sold during the same period last year, and it's the highest volume of oil Iran has exported since the US reimposed strict sanctions on the country in 2018.

Much of that oil has been making its way to China, which is now Iran's top oil customer. China bought 359,000 barrels of crude a day from Iran in May, Kpler data shows. Syria and Venezuela have also emerged as key buyers of Iranian oil.

The surge comes as Saudi Arabia, Russia, and other OPEC+ producers take major steps to dial back oil production, with Saudi Arabia extending its 1 million barrel-a-day production cut through August, and Russia recently vowing to slash its oil production by another half million barrels a day.

Saudi Arabia, the de-facto leader of OPEC+, has long complained about market "distortions" that are keeping oil prices low, leading it to slash production aggressively over the last year to boost crude prices. Though Iran is part of OPEC+, it currently doesn't have an output quota within the cartel due to being under US sanctions.

Iranian suppliers have also offered steep discounts on crude relative to Saudi Arabia and even Russia, which has discounted its oil heavily since beginning its invasion of Ukraine.

Iranian oil is sold around a $30 discount per barrel compared to competitors in the Persian Gulf, officials told the Journal. Still, the nation pulled in $28 billion in crude exports in the last Persian calendar year ending March 2023, about four times what it made in 2021.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Photo: Scott Olson (Getty Images)

Chicago police are investigating their own officers who are accused of sexual assault against newly arrived immigrantsincluding a now-pregnant teenager who were living at a police station, according to the Chicago media. Chicago Sun-Times reported that one of the officers responsible for covering the neighborhoods of Lawndale and Little Village is accused of raping a teenager and impregnating them. No age was reported.

The newspaper reported that multiple officers are under investigation for sexual crimes, both internally and by an independent accountability arm.

Read more

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsons office said they are monitoring the situation closely. The city takes these allegations, as well as the care and well-being of all residents and new arrivals, very seriously, a spokesperson from the mayors office said. We are monitoring the situation closely, but cannot comment further as this is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the bureau of internal affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

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Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
CHICAGO  The Chicago Police Department acknowledged an internal investigation Thursday into allegations that four officers assigned to a West Side patrol district engaged in sexual relationships with migrants who were living in a police station.

The department said in an email late Thursday that the bureau of internal affairs, as well as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, had opened an investigation, but a department spokesperson did not address questions about when the investigation began or if any officers were stripped of their police powers.

A representative for COPA did not respond to an inquiry Thursday night.

The Police Department said the allegations concern four officers assigned to the Ogden District, which covers the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods on the West Side.

Few details were available late Thursday about the scope of the investigation. Also a focus was whether some of the migrants allegedly involved in the matter were minors, sources with knowledge of the internal review said.

The plight of migrants in the city has been the focus of the new administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson. Largely from Central American countries, the migrants have been bused to Chicago and other major U.S. cities from Texas since the spring.

In the meantime, the city has struggled to find adequate housing for them. Since April, each of the CPDs 22 district stations  along with several other city-owned or otherwise unused buildings  have become a temporary home for hundreds of migrants, sometimes drawing the ire of local residents.

Many of those migrants have found themselves seeking shelter in Chicago police stations, as information about the conditions at city shelters has circulated.



(Chicago Tribunes Jeremy Gorner contributed to this story.)


FILE - Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, left, listens to Interim Police Superintendent Fred Waller, as they outline the city's public safety plan in advance of Memorial Day weekend Thursday, May 25, 2023, in Chicago. The Chicago Police Department is investigating allegations that one or more officers had sex with migrants who were living in a police station after arriving in the city, the Chicago Tribune reported, Thursday, July 6. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

CHICAGO (AP)  Chicago police are investigating sexual misconduct allegations against officers involving a migrant who was living in a police station after arriving in the city, Chicagos police oversight agency said Friday.

The Chicago Police Department said in an email sent late Thursday that the departments bureau of internal affairs, as well as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, had opened an investigation into allegations involving an officer or officers, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Chicago is among the U.S. cities struggling to provide shelter and other help to hundreds arriving from the southern border, with families sleeping in police station lobbies. Migrants, largely from Central American countries, have been bused to Chicago and other major U.S. cities from Texas since the spring.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said in a statement Friday morning that the investigation began Thursday after it learned of a sexual misconduct allegation involving members of the Chicago Police Department and a migrant temporarily housed at the police station in the departments 10th District on the citys West Side.

After notifying the police department's internal affairs bureau of the allegations, internal affairs then formally opened this investigation, the COPA statement added.

While COPA investigators are currently determining whether the facts and details of this allegation are substantiated, we want to assure the public that all allegations of this nature are of the highest priority and COPA will move swiftly to address any misconduct by those involved, spokesman Ephraim Eaddy said in the statement.

A Chicago Police Department spokesperson did not address the Tribune's questions about whether any officers had been stripped of their police powers.

The department also did not respond Friday to questions from The Associated Press seeking to confirm whether any officers had been reprimanded.

The Chicago Police Department, in response to questions from The Associated Press, referred the AP to a statement saying only that, These allegations are under investigation with CPDs Bureau of Internal Affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

COPA said in its Friday statement that, this investigation is ongoing, and all information is preliminary.

A spokesperson for the office of Mayor Brandon Johnson told the Chicago Tribune that the city takes these allegations, as well as the care and well-being of all residents and new arrivals, very seriously.

A message seeking additional comment on the allegations was left Friday morning by the AP for the mayor's office.

Since August 2022, about 11,000 migrants have arrived in Chicago, according to Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Mayor Brandon Johnsons deputy chief of staff, who addressed Chicago City Council members on June 28.

Many of those migrants have found themselves seeking shelter in Chicago police stations, as the city has struggled to find adequate housing for them.

Since April, each of Chicago's 22 district police stations  along with several other city-owned or otherwise unused buildings  have become a temporary home for hundreds of migrants, sometimes drawing the ire of local residents.
Credit - Getty Images

Ever since abruptly abandoning its zero-COVID pandemic containment strategy last year, China has been at pains to tell the world that its back open for business. China will unswervingly stick to opening up regardless of changes to the global environment, Premier Li Qiang said in March.

But a series of new measures are making it much harder for companies to operate thereparticularly a revised anti-espionage law, which took effect on July 1 and is stoking fears that the country may become even more inhospitable to foreign investment.

Doing business in China has already been difficultfrom dealing with stringent epidemic prevention protocols upending supply chains to navigating the increasingly hostile relationship and regulatory environment between the U.S. and China.

The revised anti-espionage law adds to these difficulties by threatening to ensnare consulting firms that businesses rely on to work in China. The law has expanded the definition of spying beyond the sharing of state secrets to include the sharing of intelligence and other documents, data, materials, and items related to national security and interests. Like many of Chinas laws, however, it is intentionally broad and open to Beijings loose interpretation.

Read More: Chinas Solution to Inequality? Cracking Down on Displays of Wealth and Poverty

Michael Hart, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) tells TIME that a series of crackdowns on consulting and due diligence firms already underway since the spring has fueled anxiety that the laws unclear wording could be used against business advisers who traffic in intelligence on behalf of corporationsand thus stymie the ability for foreign companies to operate without risking someones arrest. If [consulting] companies cant do those things, its awfully hard to see how people would be making additional investments, Hart says.

Last year, state police raided the China offices of consulting firm Capvision for alleged espionage activities. In March, the Beijing office of U.S. firm Mintz, known for business-related background checks and intel gathering, was raided and five Chinese staff members were detained, with a foreign ministry official saying that the company was suspected of engaging in illegal business. Police also visited Bain & Cos Shanghai office in April, with the Financial Times reporting that they took away company phones and computers. Deloitte and a number of its employees were fined the same month for faulty audits.

Theres just a big question mark right now, over how welcome investment is, Hart says. The combination of these things has made people a little bit more concerned about data in general, transparency around how you could transgress rules.

The importance of consultancies and due diligence firms

Business intelligence and due diligence firms are crucial to entering business in China, especially to foreign companies. These firms scope out the environment before they do business there, and part of their job is gather data and intel on major business investments, mergers and acquisitions that could affect their decisions. Our view, all new investment requires due diligence, Hart says.

But the anti-espionage law is a growing cause for concern. Some things that companies used to consider to be basic, economic data, or production data, there is the interpretation that some of this could be considered national security, Hart adds. The U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, also said in a bulletin that the uncertainties in the law can extend to journalists and academics in their daily work.

The revised law may be particularly tricky to navigate, says Anna Ashton, director of China Corporate Affairs and U.S.China at risk consultancy Eurasia Group, when collecting and sharing data on high-tech industries that intersect with national security and competitiveness or if there are potential implications on human rights: It will be harder for companies to rely on business intelligence firms to help them ensure that, for example, their supply chains are free of forced labor or their high-tech products are not being transferred to military end-users.

Chinese state media covered one example of how the law could play out: a Chinese citizen in Shenzhen who ran a consulting firm was sanctioned after cooperating with a foreign NGO in conducting a detailed audit of human rights-related supply-chain issues in Xinjiang.

Chinas growing opacity

It may be too early to tell if the anti-espionage laws enactment will dent future business confidence in China, Ashton says, but if more foreign businesses are targeted in the campaign and employee detentions increase, then the deterrent effect will be more significant.

But the spring raids on due diligence firms have already started to create a chilling business environment. Hart says the lack of transparency over why consulting firms have been cracked down on is making it difficult for businesses to navigate whats illegal and whats not.

The law is also just part of a slew of reforms Xi has pushed in order to regulate the information pouring out of China in the name of national security.

Data from the Mercator Institute of China Studies shows that the countrys State Council has released 21.5% fewer policy documents to the public than it did in 2015. Chinas biggest financial data provider has also since restricted offshore users from accessing important business information following a rule from Chinas cybersecurity regulator on data exports.

Read More: The Perils of Chinas Great Information Wall

This growing opacity from China is already hurting its bottom-line. Earlier this year, an AmCham China survey found that 32% of the groups member companies cite inconsistent regulatory interpretation and unclear laws and enforcement as a major risk in the country. The report also found that the groups member companies, for the first time, were less willing to invest in the country despite the large size of its market, with nearly 45% of respondents saying the domestic investment environment is deteriorating.

A June report from the European Chamber of Commerce in China also found that a record 64% of European companies say doing business in China has grown more difficult in the past year, and that 11% have already shifted existing investments outside of the country.

Beijings preference is made clear

The revised anti-espionage law is merely a reflection of Chinese President Xi Jinpings bottom-line thinking, says Alfred Wu, an associate professor who researches Chinese governance at Singapores Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. The economy is much less of a priority when compared to independence from foreign interference, says Wu.

While China outwardly dissuades countriesincluding the U.S.from decoupling, Wu reasons, Xi wants to prepare for the worst when it comes to the countrys business outlook: His argument is, We need to actually really think about that, once we have zero external support or like zero foreign investment, we still can survive.
Ant operates Alipay, the world's largest digital payments platform, which boasts hundreds of millions of monthly users in China and beyond (Greg Baker)

Chinese regulators said Friday they had fined fintech giant Ant Group almost $1 billion for "illegal acts" and handed an affiliate of rival Tencent a $415 million penalty, adding that a long-running crackdown on tech firms was drawing to a close.

Ant operates Alipay, the world's largest digital payments platform, which boasts hundreds of millions of monthly users in China and beyond.

It was one of the most prominent targets of a sweeping crackdown on the country's tech sector.

"In view of the illegal and irregular acts by Ant Group and its affiliates in previous years... (the companies) have been fined 7.123 billion yuan (US$984 million)," the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said in a statement.

The penalty "included the confiscation of illegal income", added the statement, which was also carried by the country's central bank.

In its statement, the CSRC said that "at present, most of the outstanding problems in the financial business of platform enterprises have been rectified".

"The work focus of the financial management department has shifted from promoting the centralised rectification of the financial business of platform companies to normalised supervision," it said.

On Friday, Alibaba shares were up 3.44 percent in Hong Kong after reports the fine was coming, with analysts saying investors saw the punishment as a sign the crackdown was ending.

In a statement, Ant said it would "comply with the terms of the penalty in all earnestness and sincerity and continue to further enhance our compliance governance".

"Now the company has completed the related work on the rectification... In the future, Ant Group will uphold its mission and original aspiration," the company said.

"We will continue to pursue innovation with a firm commitment to integrity, and continue to enhance our R&D capabilities to better serve and create greater value for the physical economy, especially for consumers and small businesses," it added.

The fine related to "corporate governance, financial consumer protection, participation in business activities of banking and insurance institutions, payment and settlement business, fulfilment of anti-money laundering obligations, and development of fund sales business", the CSRC statement said.

In a separate filing, the central bank said it had fined Tenpay, an online-payment firm operated by Ant rival Tencent, a total of nearly 3 billion yuan ($415 million).

The penalty included the confiscation of more than 550 million yuan in ill-gotten income, the central bank said.

In a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday, Tencent's chairman Pony Ma said that, because Tenpay had already implemented specific guidance on "rectification", Friday's decision "does not have any material adverse impact on the operations and financial position of the Group as a whole".

"The Company believes the financial regulators will focus on normalised regulation going forward... supporting and encouraging platform companies to continue their efforts in financial inclusion," he said.

- Crackdown easing -

In recent years, Ant has expanded into offering loans, credit, investments and insurance to hundreds of millions of consumers and small businesses.

The government has sought to rein in runaway personal debt and chaotic lending in the private sector, and upstart Ant's growing profile was widely viewed as a challenge to vested interests in the country's state-dominated financial sphere.

The Alibaba affiliate was set to launch a record-shattering $35 billion Hong Kong-Shanghai IPO in 2020 when regulators abruptly called off the double listing, citing non-compliance with new capital requirements.

A 2020 speech by Alibaba founder Jack Ma criticising Chinese regulators was also widely believed to have provoked Beijing into pulling Ant's IPO.

The following year Beijing hit Alibaba with a record $2.75 billion fine for alleged unfair practices.

The Financial Times reported in 2021 that Alipay had been told by regulators to spin off its profitable micro-loan business and hand over customer data used to make its lending decisions to a new credit-scoring joint venture that is partly state-owned.

And in June 2022, Chinese authorities poured cold water on reports that they had started discussions on potentially reviving Ant's IPO plans.

However, in a sign that the crackdown was easing, authorities said last December that Ant had won approval to raise 10.5 billion yuan for its consumer finance arm.

In January, Ant Group said Jack Ma no longer held controlling rights in the company -- a move analysts speculated might have helped pull Ant and Alibaba out of the regulatory doghouse.

mjw-tjx-reb/leg
The regulatory crackdown that has shaken up China's fintech industry since late 2020 appears to be coming to a close with the imposition of hefty fines on the country's two digital payments giants.

Tencent, along with its payments subsidiary Tenpay, has been fined approximately 2.99 billion yuan ($410 million) by the People's Bank of China for "its past regulatory breaches in relation to the provision of payment services in the mainland of China," the company said in a filing on Friday.

On the same day, the central bank announced it will slap a 7.123 billion yuan (roughly $1 billion) fine on Ant Group, the fintech affiliate of Alibaba, for a range of illegal activities, including those concerning corporate governance, consumer protection, banking and insurance, payments and settlement, anti-money laundering practices and fund sales.

Together, Alibaba and Tencent enjoy a duopoly in China's digital payments market, along with a range of other financial services that are offered through their respective payment platforms.

China's clampdown on fintech is part of its larger efforts to rein in the expanding power of its tech sector and subject it to more regulatory scrutiny in fast-emerging fields. In late 2020, China called off Ant's initial public offering, which would have become the largest IPO in history up to that point.

Since then, Ant has undergone a major restructuring that has significantly curtailed the company's overall influence on consumer finance. Jack Ma has reportedly given up his control of the fintech empire, and importantly, Ant's main offerings are now subject to regulations that normally target traditional financial services.

At least in the fintech sector, China's tech clampdown seems to be reaching a conclusion, as indicated by the central bank in a statement:

"Currently, most of the prominent problems in the financial business of platform enterprises have been corrected. The focus of the financial regulators has shifted from collectively rectifying the fintech businesses of tech platforms to business-as-usual supervision."

The series of regulatory crackdowns across China's tech industry has dampened investor and business confidence over the past three years. A clear end to the corrective actions in fintech could inject new energy into the industry and reignite interest in investments. As for the fine, Tencent had this to say:

"The Company believes the financial regulators will focus on normalised regulation going forward, implementing financial policies and measures to promote the healthy development of the platform economy, and supporting and encouraging platform companies to continue their efforts in financial inclusion."
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been absent from public view for 12 days, an usual absence for the normally-busy senior official.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Qin had been expected to meet the European Unions top diplomat, Josep Borrell this month, before China abruptly postponed the trip without giving further details. Borrell had been set to arrive in Beijing on July 10.

Politico reported there was speculation in Brussels that Qin had health issues, prompting the delay.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said he had not heard about that report at a regular press briefing in Beijing on Friday.

According to the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Qins last official engagement was on June 25, when he met with officials from Sri Lanka, Russia and Vietnam. He also participated that day in an event where Chinese Premier Li Qiang met Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley.

A lunch between Qin, 57, and ambassadors from the European Union to China that was set for late June was also canceled on short notice, according to one Beijing-based ambassador on the invite list.

ASEAN Meeting

Among Qins next likely diplomatic engagements would be a meeting with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who is set to arrive in China on Sunday.

An upcoming summit of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which takes place in Jakarta next week, is another forum where attendance by Chinas foreign minister would normally be expected.

Wang, the foreign ministry spokesman, said the ministry would release information about Chinas participation in the Asean meetings in a timely manner.

China is guarded when it comes to disclosing details of its leaders health. President Xi Jinping was the last member of the Group of Twenty leaders to reveal his vaccination status during the Covid-19 pandemic, not making the information public until July 2022.

--With assistance from Philip Glamann and Lucille Liu.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Chris Christie says Trump took secret documents so he could keep pretending he was president

Republican presdential hopeful Chris Christie took aim at his rival Donald Trump over the latters legal troubles - suggesting Mr Trump had held on to classfied documents because he wants to pretend hes still president.

Mr Christie made the comments in an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper, in which a number of people who have had working relationships with Mr Trump weighed in on his legal issues.

The former president, who is running for a second term in the White House, has been indicted on 37 federal charges related to the mishandling of classified documents  some of which pertain to matters of national security. Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has previously described the case against him as a political persecution like something straight out of a fascist or communist nation.

While Mr Trumps former secretary of defence Mark Esper said he thought the former president may have kept the documents to further his own financial wellbeing in some way, Mr Christie had his own theory to put forward.

I think he could not deal with the fact that he is the only person outside of the state of Delaware to ever lose to Joe Biden, Mr Christie said, And he wants to pretend hes still president.

He takes these boxes with him, he flies them up  theyre in New Jersey now if he still has them. Theyd be in New Jersey because they go on vacation with him.

I mean he wanted to continue to pretend he was president and show these things to people and say look what I still have, look what I still know, Mr Christie continued.

He added that when he campaigned with Mr Trump in 2016, he saw Mr Trumps staff carry around a box of important business-related documents from Trump Tower which would be placed next to him on his plane.
Christmas Tree Shops: List of stores closing, available discounts, when gift cards expire

A going-out-of-business sale has officially commenced at all remaining Christmas Tree Shops store locations, two months after the struggling home-goods retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Shoppers can take advantage of discounts up to 50 percent off the lowest ticketed prices throughout the store, with all Christmas and other holiday items being 50 percent off the lowest ticketed prices, according to Hilco Merchant Resources, which is managing the liquidation event.

In a statement, Hilco said, Find big bargains on all your favorite thingsits Christmas savings in July!

Select fixtures, furnishings, and equipment will also be available for sale in closing locations. New Merchandise will be arriving throughout the sale.

All sales are final during this store closing event.

Earlier this week, a report surfaced that indicated Christmas Tree Shops had defaulted on a loan that funds its bankruptcy.

The Middleboro-based retailer took out a $45 million bankruptcy loan but creditors moved to terminate the loan after the company defaulted on the terms, in part due to worsening revenues, the Wall Street Journal reported.

In total about 70 existing stores will close nationwide after the sales event, including locations across New England.

Here is the full list of stores that will be closing for good in New England:

Address City State Zip 15 Backus Ave. Danbury CT 06810 120 Hale Road Manchester CT 06040 220 Indian River Road Orange CT 06477 824 Hartford Turnpike Waterford CT 06385 15 Stockwell Drive Avon MA 02322 340 Patriots Place Foxboro MA 02035 39 Holyoke Street Holyoke MA 01040 655 Route 132 Hyannis MA 02601 28-34 Broadway, Rt. 1 South Lynnfield MA 01940 1298 Worcester Street Natick MA 01760 1505 South Washington Street North Attleboro MA 02760 65 Faunce Corner Road North Dartmouth MA 02747 10 S Orleans Rd Orleans MA 02653 296 Old Oak Street Pembroke MA 02359 1000 Boston Turnpike Shrewsbury MA 01545 177 Middlesex Ave. Somerville MA 02145 425 Main Street West Dennis MA 02670 42 Whitten Road Augusta ME 04330 46 Springer Drive Bangor ME 04401 490 Payne Road Scarborough ME 04074 41 Gusabel Ave. Nashua NH 03063 1584 White Mt. Highway North Conway NH 03860 100 Durgin Lane Portsmouth NH 03801 92 Cluff Crossing Road Route 28 Salem NH 03079 Route 2, 300 Quaker Lane Warwick RI 02886 99 East Main Road Middletown RI 02842 100 Cypress Street Williston VT 05495

Stores in Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia will also shutter when the liquidation ends.

Have a gift card to Christmas Tree Shops? You better act fast. On July 21, the chain will cease selling and honoring them, according to a filing in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.

The first Christmas Tree Shops location was opened in 1970 in Yarmouth Port on Cape Cod.

Over the ensuing decades, the brand expanded across the United States.

Bed Bath and Beyond owned and operated the stores from 2003 to 2020 before selling all the locations to Middleboro-based Handil Holdings.

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. Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., announces in Indianapolis, Monday, Dec. 12, 2022 that he will for Indiana governor in 2024. Braun will face Indiana Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch for the Republican nomination. An Indianapolis City-County Council member on Thursday, July 6, 2023, became the second announced Democrat to seek Indianas open U.S. Senate seat from outgoing Braun in the 2024 election. (Michael Conroy/AP)

INDIANAPOLIS  An Indianapolis City-County Council member on Thursday became the second announced Democrat to seek Indianas open U.S. Senate seat in the 2024 election.

Keith Potts is joining former state lawmaker Marc Carmichael in vying for the partys nomination to fill the seat that Republican Sen. Mike Braun is giving up to run for Indiana governor. Carmichael announced his bid last month.

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No well-known Democrats have made moves to start campaigns in the Republican-dominated state. Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Banks has secured high-profile support as the only prominent GOP candidate in the Senate race.

Potts was elected to the Indianapolis council in 2019 and didnt seek reelection this year. He cited affordable health care, and protecting abortion rights and Social Security as top campaign issues against Banks, who has gained attention in Washington as a combative defender of former President Donald Trump.

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Carmichael was a state representative from Muncie in 1986-91 and was the longtime president and lobbyist for the Indiana Beverage Alliance, a beer distributor association.
This article was originally published in Florida Phoenix.

Noting the escalating waves of hostile actions and legislation coming out of Florida, the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) is ditching its scheduled annual conference at the Hyatt Regency Miami later this year and instead will hold it in Chicago.

In a letter sent to ACSP educators, researchers, and students posted on the organizations website Friday, Laxmi Ramasubramanian, the ACSP president, said the group had made this difficult decision to move their convention to stay in alignment with the ACSPs values statement.

The organization is a consortium of more than 100 university departments and programs offering planning degrees.

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Despite myriad assurances from the Florida hospitality industry, members of all ACSP interest groups expressed significant concerns regarding travel to Florida, Ramasubramanian wrote.

While no place can be 100% safe, Florida this fall did not feel like the best place to gather for our annual conference. As with the state of Florida, other states curtail what can and cannot be taught in high school and college classrooms. Planning educators have a lot of issues we should be concerned about, including how we prepare future planners to work in environments hostile to the ideals and principles of planning.

Organizations representing Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ communities in Florida have issued travel advisories in recent months, citing open hostility to those groups manifested in laws passed during the recent legislative session, as noted by Ramasubramanian in a message sent out to members last month.

In another letter dated May 26, Ramasubramanian wrote that, Like you, I have been following the escalating waves of hostile actions and legislation coming out of Florida but also other states that are following a political playbook. It is disheartening, painful and it makes me angry. As president of ACSP, I write today to acknowledge the anxieties, hurt, and anger that you may be feeling and experiencing.

Anti-humanitarian legislation

The Orlando Sentinel reported last week that a number of conferences slated to be held later this year or in future years in Orange County have been moved or cancelled due to the political environment in Florida, including a convention for Game of Thrones fans, with Con of Thrones organizers citing the increasingly anti-humanitarian legislation in the state.

No such cancellations have happened yet in the Tampa Bay area, according to officials.

The Tampa Convention Center is fortunate to have not experienced any contracted client cancellations due to political climate, says Kirstin Albert, communications coordinator for the facility. Tampa is a welcoming and diverse city, and we are proud to be a part of that atmosphere.

A spokesperson for Visit Tampa Bay, the tourism marketing organization for Tampa and Hillsborough County, told the Phoenix that it has not experienced any conventions pulling out of the area, either.

A spokesperson for ACSP anticipated about 1,200 conference attendees who will now make the trip to the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago in October.

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Diane Rado for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.
Illustration: Lex Villena; Jeff Gray

In 2021, police in Blackshear, Georgia, issued a criminal citation against Jeff Gray for holding a sign that read "God Bless the Homeless Vets" outside the town's city hall. The town's police chief even admitted while he was citing Gray that the local law was "kind of silly" but nonetheless ticketed him for failing to obtain Blackshear City Council's permission before holding a "parade, procession, or demonstration."

However, following a lawsuit challenging the local ordinance on First Amendment grounds, the city has now agreed to remove the regulationand make a donation to a charity for homeless veterans.

"It's a new dawn in Blackshear," FIRE attorney Harrison Rosenthal said in a Thursday press release. "Americans don't need a permission slip to speak in front of city hall. The First Amendment is their permission slip."

Since 2011, Jeff Gray has carried out a series of "civil rights investigations" in towns across the southern U.S. on his YouTube channel. In his videos, Gray peacefully exercises his rightssuch as the right to film police during a traffic stop or to peacefully protestin order to test whether local law enforcement will respect his civil rights.

On August 18, 2021, Gray engaged in one of these "investigations" outside Blackshear's city hall, holding a sign that read "God Bless the Homeless Vets." Soon after, he was approached by Police Chief Wright who asked if he was "trying to demonstrate a little bit." When Gray replied that he was, Wright responded that Gray would need "to get a permit first to demonstrate on any public property," adding that the law was "kind of silly, but that's what the rules are." The police chief further informed Gray that city law required him to send a letter to the City Council explaining the "cause" of his protest and wait for a permit. When Gray refused to leave, Wright issued a criminal citation to him for violating the city ordinance.

In January of this year, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a First Amendment nonprofit, filed a lawsuit on Gray's behalf, arguing that the ordinance was plainly unconstitutional.

"Members of the public have a clearly established First Amendment right to engage in expressive activities in traditional public fora without obtaining advance permission from government officials," the suit noted. "In enforcing the ordinances against Gray, Chief Wright violated Gray's First Amendment rights by prematurely ending Gray's expressive activity, chilling his ability to speak further, issuing him a criminal citation, and asserting under color of law that Gray's expressive rights are conditioned on the prior approval of city officials."

On Thursday, FIRE announced that it had reached a settlement with the city. The city agreed to revoke the unconstitutional ordinance requiring permits before demonstrations and to make a symbolic $1,791 donation (reflecting the year the First Amendment was ratified) to a charity for homeless veterans.

"This is the sort of situation where a municipality or a city has left a dusty old law lingering on the books, and it was a law that was very clearly unconstitutional. But because cities tend to leave unconstitutional laws on the books, rather than repealing them, sooner or later a police officer was going to pick up that book and throw it at somebody," FIRE attorney Adam Steinbaugh tells Reason, adding that the settlement serves as "a warning to cities that you can't leave dusty old unconstitutional laws lingering on the books because they're going to create risks for the rights of your citizens and for your city."

The post City Agrees To Remove Ordinance Requiring Permission To Protest appeared first on Reason.com.
Civilian Office of Police Accountability acknowledges complaint against Chicago officer for alleged sex with migrant housed at station

CHICAGO  A complaint submitted Thursday to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability spurred an internal Chicago Police investigation into allegations of at least one officer having sexual contact with a migrant housed at a West Side police station.

In a statement issued Friday, COPA first deputy chief administrator Ephraim Eaddy said the agency alerted CPD internal affairs upon receipt of the complaint.

While COPA investigators are currently determining whether the facts and details of this allegation are substantiated, we want to assure the public that all allegations of this nature are of the highest priority and COPA will move swiftly to address any misconduct by those involved, Eaddy said in the statement.

Late Thursday, CPD acknowledged it launched an internal investigation into allegations that at least one officer engaged in a sexual relationship with migrants who were housed at the Ogden District station. That district covers the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods.

Most of the details of the allegations were not known Friday.

Also a focus was whether some of the migrants allegedly involved in the matter were minors, sources with knowledge of the internal review said. A CPD spokesperson did not address questions about when the investigation began or if any officers were stripped of their police powers.

Asked about the investigation at an unrelated news conference in Springfield on Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said its horrific if the allegations are proven to be true.

He also noted that more migrants have been removed from police stations, where theyve been taking good care of those migrants, and being put into more permanent shelter or housing.

In fact, what were trying to do is make sure that people get rental assistance so they can go have a real apartment to live in, especially families, Pritzker said. It's a terrible thing and I hope theres a full investigation as fast as possible, and if there is wrongdoing they ought to be held accountable immediately.

As part of the $50.4 billion budget for the new fiscal year, Pritzker and his Democratic allies in the Illinois General Assembly set aside $42.5 million to aid migrants throughout the state.

The plight of migrants in the city has been the focus of the new administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson. Largely from Central American countries, the migrants have been bused to Chicago and other major U.S. cities from Texas since the spring.

In the meantime, the city has struggled to find adequate housing for them. Since April, each of the CPDs 22 district stations  along with several other city-owned or otherwise unused buildings  have become a temporary home for hundreds of migrants, sometimes drawing the ire of local residents.

Many of those migrants have found themselves seeking shelter in Chicago police stations, as information about the conditions at city shelters has circulated.

The city takes these allegations, as well as the care and well-being of all residents and new arrivals, very seriously, a spokesperson from the mayors office said. We are monitoring the situation closely, but cannot comment further as this is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the bureau of internal affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

On Friday, migrants staying at the Ogden station said they first learned of the allegation when they saw television news cameras.

The officers dont even speak to us, said David Hernandez.

Inside the station, his family and a few others were behind blue police barricades and surrounded by yellow crime scene tape on the windows. Most slept on the ground.

U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia, D-Ill., said in a statement that the allegations were unacceptable.

Our migrant neighbors came to Chicago seeking safety and stability, Garcia said. Police officers are sworn to protect our communities, not engage in illegal sexual conduct with teenagers and others in their care. This alleged behavior is completely unacceptable. I expect the citys investigation to be timely, thorough, transparent, and lead to accountability for all who are found guilty.

Alderman Michael Rodriguez of the 22nd Ward said allegations of this sort should be taken very seriously and they should be fully investigated.

We are a welcoming city for migrants and we need to make sure our public officials and public spaces are held accountable to honoring this value, Rodriguez said.

Karla Urbina, a migrant from Nicaragua, spent more than a month staying in a Chicago police station. She said that the abuse and shame from officers was constant.

Many have no respect for us, they see us as objects, said the mother who is not staying at a shelter but has joined forces with volunteers to help those asylum-seekers arriving now.

Some officers treat not only women, but all migrants badly, she said. Calling them names, giving looks, and violating the little privacy and intimacy that they may have.

Most will not report any abuse if even its sexual because they fear that theyll be kicked out of the stations or shelter, she said.

We cant afford to do that, Urbina said.


ships

The global shipping industry has agreed to reduce planet warming gases to net-zero "by or around 2050", but critics say the deal is fatally flawed.

Ships produce around 3% of global CO2 but countries will now have to reduce this as close as possible to zero by the middle of the century.

Small island states have welcomed the plan but green groups are furious.

They believe the strategy is toothless and will do little to limit rising temperatures.

The global shipping industry is critical to world trade carrying up to 90% of commercial goods. But that trade is highly polluting, using some of the most carbon heavy fuels to power ships' engines.

These dirty smokestacks produce roughly the same amount of carbon each year as Germany.

Protestors greet delegates outside the IMO meeting in London

But maritime transport has proved hard to regulate as ships are often owned in one country but registered with another.

Small states like the Marshall Islands, Liberia and Panama have huge numbers of ships sailing under their national flags but they have no real responsibility for these vessels.

This complex arrangement meant that shipping was omitted from the Paris climate agreement in 2015 when the world put in place a global plan to tackle rising temperatures.

In 2018 shipping did agree to cut carbon in half by 2050, but this was seen as totally inadequate by scientists.

Now after growing pressure from a coalition of countries including the UK, the US, and Pacific island states, delegates meeting in London have agreed a new strategy that would bring emissions to net-zero "by or around" 2050.

Net-zero means that any emissions remaining then would be cancelled out by actively removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

Richer countries and small island states had called for a 50% reduction by 2030 and a 96% emissions cut by 2040.

But with resistance from China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and others the new strategy that will see "indicative checkpoints" rather than hard targets and these would aim to see emissions from shipping fall by at least 20% by 2030, and at least 70% by 2040.

For both these checkpoints, the agreement says that countries should "strive" for a higher target of 30% by 2030 and 80% by 2040.

"This outcome is far from perfect, but countries across the world came together and got it done - and it gives us a shot at 1.5C," said Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's climate change minister.

Keeping global temperatures under 1.5C is a key part of the Paris agreement and scientists agree that allowing the world to warm more than this level would be very dangerous.

Industry voices have also welcomed the new deal, but with reservations.

"It's a remarkable improvement that the revised strategy now aims to achieve net-zero emissions by or around 2050, and the introduction of indicative 2030 and 2040 checkpoints for emissions reductions sends an important signal to governments and industry," said Johannah Christensen, chief executive of the Global Maritime Forum.

"However, the revised strategy falls short to provide the necessary clarity and strong commitments for a just and equitable Paris Agreement-aligned transition."

Many environmental groups were strongly critical of the new agreement saying that shipping's new plan would do very little to keep the world under that key temperature threshold.

"While the inclusion of 2030 and 2040 emissions reduction targets for shipping is not insignificant, this strategy will see the shipping industry exhaust its 1.5C carbon budget by 2032," said Madeline Rose, from the Pacific Environment campaign group.

The new deal also keeps alive the idea of a carbon levy on shipping that has been strongly supported by developing countries, who believe that this measure will be key in bringing down emissions over the decades to come.

"Ultimately it's not the targets but the incentives we put in place to meet them. So we in the Pacific are going to keep up a strong fight for a levy that gets us to zero emissions by 2050," said Minister Regenvanu.
Vast clouds of dust from the Sahara desert are moving across the Atlantic Ocean and could make for darkened skies and poor air quality in the Caribbean and US southeast in the coming days, according to forecasters.

Two large plumes were spotted from space by a US government satellite on Thursday.

The smaller of the clouds is expected to arrive in Florida on Saturday and move across coastal areas of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama in the following days, according to AccuWeather.

A second, larger cloud is forecast to impact the Caribbean on Sunday, and make it to Florida by Tuesday.

The clouds will likely darken skies with public officials warning those with allergies and respiratory problems that the spike in small-particle pollution could exacerbate health conditions, and may mimic Covid-19 symptoms.

The forecast follows a spell of dramatic, climate crisis-inflected weather in the US after smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires led to plummeting air quality ratings across the country in the past month.

Scientists and health experts have long monitored the dust plumes for their impacts.

Are the Sahara dust storms a new phenomenon?

No. Sand and dust storms occur annually when powerful, hot winds, sweep across loose soils on arid land. They can cause death and destruction in desert regions. For nearly 20 years, the World Meteorological Organization has sent sand and dust storm advisories but it remains tricky to get warnings to people in remote regions.

Although harmful to human health, the dust clouds deliver nutrient-laden minerals from the Sahara, the planets largest and hottest desert, to ocean life and vegetation in the Americas and the Caribbean.

In summer 2020, the dust storm was so huge it was dubbed Godzilla after winds swept nearly 24 tons from the Sahara to North and South America.

It was so vast that astronauts tweeted photos of the dust cloud from the International Space Station.

Are they being impacted by the climate crisis?

Yes. After Godzilla took off in summer 2020, Nasa used satellite data and computer modelling to study the plumes.

While the size of dust clouds vary year to year and decade to decade, scientists predict that the plumes will reach their smallest size in 20,000 years this century due to the climate crisis and ocean heating.

This satellite video shows dust from the Sahara Desert in Africa traveling the Atlantic Ocean and reaching the Caribbean islands yesterday. Read more about it here: https://t.co/bf0JkdhmYp pic.twitter.com/sBVgWYWrN8  AccuWeather (@accuweather) June 16, 2021

Sea surface temperatures have a direct impact on wind speeds. If warming occurs in the northern Atlantic Ocean, then trade winds are weaker and can carry less desert dust.

Those weaker winds also means bands of tropical rain more easily move into desert regions, keeping the sand damp and less likely to be blown away.

Smaller dust clouds are part of a feedback loop that is increasing global heating. Particles in the air have the ability to reflect the sun so with fewer suspended, more sunlight and heat reach ocean water, causing it to get even warmer.

A dearth of Saharan dust this year may be partially responsible for the cyclical El Nino warming pattern in the Atlantic Ocean, according to climate scientist Dr Michael E. Mann.
FILE - This photo, taken in New York on July 5, 2023, show the logo for Meta's new app Threads, right, and that of Twitter. In a cease-and-desist letter earlier this week, Twitter threatened legal action against Instagram parent company Meta over the new text-based app, Threads. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Just how similar is Instagram's chatty new app, Threads, to Twitter?

In a cease-and-desist letter earlier this week, Twitter threatened legal action against Instagram parent company Meta over the new text-based app Threads, which it called a copycat.

Threads has drawn tens of millions of users since launching as the latest rival to Elon Musks social media platform.

Threads creators pushed back on the accusations, and legal experts note that much is still unknown. For now, its sort of a big question mark, Jacob Noti-Victor, an associate professor at Yeshiva Universitys Cardozo Law School who specializes in intellectual property, told The Associated Press.

The people starting to explore Threads, however, are already making their own observations.

People are calling it a Twitter clone but I think there are some key product differences, said Alexandra Popken, Twitter's former head of trust and safety operations.

One difference, she thinks, will likely be the people who use it. At Threads, youre essentially taking your audience from Instagram and putting this into a new text-based app, whereas Twitter is a kind of a niche audience for politicians, celebrities and news junkies, she said.

Yet even though Threads makers have said they aren't particularly interested in making it a politics forum, its likely to attract journalists and politicians, among others, looking for a Twitter alternative.

Instagrams CEO, Adam Mosseri, said Threads isnt aiming to replace Twitter.

The goal is to create a public square for communities on Instagram that never really embraced Twitter and for communities on Twitter (and other platforms) that are interested in a less angry place for conversations, but not all of Twitter, he said.

Politics and hard news will inevitably show up on Threads, he acknowledged, but were not going to do anything to encourage those verticals.

In a Wednesday letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alex Spiro, an attorney representing Twitter, accused Meta of unlawfully using Twitters trade secrets and other intellectual property by hiring former Twitter employees to create a copycat app.

In a reply to a tweet about the possibility of legal action against Meta, Musk wrote: Competition is fine, cheating is not.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone responded in a Threads post Thursday that no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee."

From Spiro's letter, which was first obtained by news outlet Semafor on Thursday, Noti-Victor said it's hard to tell what the trade secrets referred to might be.

Spiro says ex-Twitter employees improperly retained company documents and electronic devices  pointing to ongoing confidentiality obligations. There was no explicit reference, however, to a breach of any binding agreement in the letter, and most noncompete clauses, for example, are prohibited in California.

In addition, despite Threads' similarities to Twitter, "just the idea of creating a social media platform involving text (is) certainly not something that would be a trade secret, Noti-Victor added.

He is skeptical of intellectual property violations for similar reasons, noting that companies can't patent something thats obvious or copyright a general idea for a social media platform. Copyright can protect source code and the text of a website, but Noti-Victor said he doesn't see that reproduced in Threads.

Experts add that companies in Silicon Valley are constantly making products or services inspired by competitors' versions.

The industry has a storied past of borrowing ideas from each other, said Popken, adding that Threads and other platforms such as Mastodon and Bluesky are trying to capitalize on what is demand for a suitable, safer alternative to Twitter.

Meta has a track record of starting standalone apps that mirror competitors, although many later shut down.

Beyond trade secret and intellectual property allegations, Spiro also wrote that Meta is prohibited from engaging in any crawling or scraping of Twitter's followers or following data. He said the letter marked a formal notice for Meta to preserve documents relevant for a potential dispute between the companies.

Any letter of this kind should be taken seriously, said Carl Tobias, law professor at the University of Richmond's School of Law  but he, too, added that much is still unknown. More specific allegations and documents could come forward if litigation is pursued.

Tobias speculated that Twitter's move could be partly about publicity, as well as a strategic response both legally and business-wise. Musk's legal team has made similar moves before, such as a May letter to Microsoft objecting to alleged misuse of Twitter data to train artificial intelligence systems.

Among those elevating the clone-or-not question this week was Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey, who has championed Bluesky, and joked in a tweet: We wanted flying cars, instead we got 7 Twitter clones.

For Popken, who now works at content moderation startup WebPurify, what most stands out about Threads so far is how much fun she's having using it.

I see brands like Slim Jim trying to be funny. I see influencers who I follow on Instagram and people who I care about in my life, she said. Theres like this period of time where the bad actors havent found it yet. Its like this non-toxic, happy corner of the internet.

But make no mistake, she added, those content moderation problems that have plagued other platforms will certainly strike Threads over time.
The exhibition opens on the 163rd anniversary of the 110 Africans arrival in Mobile, Alabama.

On Saturday, the Africatown Heritage House in Mobile, Alabama, will open an exhibit that chronicles the journey and aftermath of the last known ship carrying enslaved people to America.

Clotilda: The Exhibition opens on the 163rd anniversary of 110 Africans arrival on the shores of a strange country. The exhibition details the journey, ship, and actions of a band of human enslavers who set fire to and sank the Clotilda to cover up their illegal enterprise. Its also about the perseverance of people who created a new life and the ancestors and community who honor them today.

An artifact from the Clotilda, the last known ship carrying enslaved people to the United States (Source: Alabama Historical Commission)

Jeremy Ellis, the president of the Clotilda Descendants Association, told theGrio, Our hope is as memory keepers, we continue to tell this story.

The story started in 1860, when plantation owner Timothy Meaher of Mobile financed a journey to what is now Benin to illegally enslave Africans and bring them to Alabama to work in the cotton fields. Meaher, with the help of his captain, William Foster, made the journey even though, in 1808, Congress had outlawed importing enslaved people from other countries.

According to the Encyclopedia of Alabama, Meaher kept 32 of the enslaved people on his plantation and divided the others among several associates. The enslaved people, between the ages of 5 and 23, werent freed until 1865, when the Civil War ended.

The people who were freed from bondage wanted to return to Africa but lacked the money to pay for the journey. Instead, they stayed behind, worked hard, and by the 1870s, purchased about 50 acres of land that became Africatown.

Africatown residents passed stories of the Clotilda down through generations, but it wasnt until 2018 that researchers found the sunken boat.

Every time I have these conversations, it stirs memories of the pain and suffering and trauma that these people, our ancestors, went through, said Kamau Sadiki, a scuba diver and underwater archaeology advocate who has visited the Clotilda, a schooner, in its resting place in shallow water and mud under the Mobile River.

Sadiki recalls the first time he dived at the site and the emotions that rushed through him when he saw the cargo hold with chains that held Black people against their will.

Kamau Sadiki gets suited up as he prepares to dive to examine the Clotilda. (Source: Alabama Historical Commission)

I remember coming across the first tangible piece of artifact of that wreck. It lies between these rocks. Its been there for almost two centuries, and I just remember, at that time, reaching out and grabbing that piece of wood. And it might sound a bit strange, but I just heard the screams and felt the pain and the suffering of those individuals that were lost there.

The journey was so powerful he wrote a prayer that he says each time before he dives as a way to show respect for such a sacred site.

Beloved Ancestors: Your voices have been quiet for 162 years. But your silence ends now!

Your voices and memory are lifted now from this wretched vessel  through us  and we welcome you to speak through us. Our connection will never be broken. We are because of you.

Thank you for reaching out to us. Blessings to your Spirits- always.

Jessica Fairley, manager of the Africatown Heritage House, hopes others feel those emotions when visiting the brand-new facility, which will house Clotilda artifacts for at least three years. Artifacts include a half-size replica of the Clotilda, which gives visitors an idea of the cramped conditions during the difficult 45-day journey from Africa to Mobile.

According to the Alabama Historical Society, the cargo hold measured just 26 feet long, 23 feet at its widest, and just 6 feet, 11 inches high. The dive team that surveyed the wreckage estimated the space at 525 square feet.

The intact lower hull, the interior of the hull, with intact bulkheads forming compartments, including that in which the captives were held and transported against their will in harsh, brutal conditions, survive, the society wrote in its application to include the Clotilda on the National Register of Historic Places. The Clotilda received that designation in November 2021.

Ellis, a direct descendant of two people who endured the Clotilda journey, wants people to understand the history of Clotilda and the current plight of those who live in Africatown, a community with 98% Black residents. Some 35% of its nearly 2,000 residents live below the poverty level.

We also want the world to learn about the Africatown community and for them to go and experience and see the blight, the food desert, the environmental injustices that the people and the residents of Africatown are currently experiencing, Ellis said. Its important to allow them to tell their story and what theyre experiencing today, he said.

In 2022, theGrio examined the impact bad air has on Black people, including in Aftricatown. Residents and activists discussed the sickening smell and illnesses that they linked to the pollution from nearby factories.

This weekend, ancestors and the community will come together to learn more about the Clotilda in a way Fairley hopes will make them curious about their history.

Im from the area. I knew the families for a long time, but as I dive deeper, it just makes me want to know more about who I am, Fairley said.

My ancestors did not come across on Clotilda, but hearing the stories being connected to it makes me want to know: Who are my people? Where did they come from? Which ship did they come over on? Hopefully, we will begin to learn more about not just the Clotilda but other slave ships that came abroad.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Clotilda: The Exhibition chronicles Americas last known ship carrying enslaved people appeared first on TheGrio.
An outside group with ties to the conservative Club for Growth has formed in an effort to stop former President Donald Trump from winning the nomination.

The group, Win it Back PAC, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Wednesday. A person familiar with the group said its aim is to target Trump, who maintains a substantial lead over his Republican primary rivals in early state and national polling. It is not clear how much money Win it Back PAC is planning to spend.

The filing appears to show a link to the influential Club for Growth, which over the last year has come out aggressively against the former president. The outfits designated agent is the Club for Growths president, David McIntosh. Win it Back PACs treasurer, Adam Rozansky, has the same role with the Club for Growth.

A Club for Growth representative declined to comment. While some Club for Growth officials are involved with the new political action committee, the Club for Growth itself is not expected to attack Trump in the primary.

McIntosh, a former member of Congress from Indiana, came out firmly against Trump earlier this year, telling reporters that the party should be open to another candidate.

The organization did not invite Trump to a donor retreat it held in Palm Beach, Fla., this spring, though it did invite other candidates seeking the GOP nomination.

Trump campaign senior consultant Chris LaCivita pushed back on the group, saying: Its no surprise that David McIntosh, a pro-China, America last, failed congressman wannabe is organizing another swampy D.C. insider super PAC.

Their goal is to maintain their shady influence over Washington because they know President Trump stands in their way as he protects Americans from these vultures, LaCivita added. These swamp dwellers will be crushed without mercy and without remorse and put back under the bridges where all trolls reside.

The Club for Growth and Trump have a long and complicated history. The anti-tax group spent heavily against Trump during the 2016 GOP primary, though it warmed to Trump during his presidency, and McIntosh emerged as an outside political adviser to Trump. Trump and McIntosh remained close until 2022, when the two parted ways during the Ohio Senate primary. After Trump endorsed now-GOP Sen. J.D. Vance, the Club for Growth held fast in its support for a rival candidate, Josh Mandel, and aired ads attacking Vance.

At one point, Trump sent a crude note through his assistant to McIntosh. Since then, Trump has aggressively attacked the group  earlier this year calling it The Club For NO Growth.

Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group linked to billionaire Charles Koch, is also expected to wage an effort to stop Trump from winning the nomination. The outfit recently announced that it had raised more than $70 million.

Several rival GOP candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, have aggressively gone after Trump, though he remains the polling leader.
Cluster bombs are a threat to civilians. Why is the U.S. sending them to Ukraine?

The News

The Ukrainians look like they will squeeze another weapons concession out of the White House, with President Biden poised to announce he will supply Kyiv with controversial cluster munitions as soon as today.

Morgans view

The U.S., under increasing pressure from the Ukrainians, has been weighing a decision on cluster munitions for weeks.

Military analysts say the munitions, formally known as dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs), would help the Ukrainians attack Russian trench lines and vehicles at a time when their counteroffensive has not made the kind of progress Kyiv and its allies had hoped.

Its a very effective munition, retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general of United States Army Europe, told Semafor.

The View From Human Rights Activists

The forthcoming decision drew immediate protests from human rights advocates given the risk cluster munitions pose to non-combatants, including after the war ends. Russia and Ukraine have already been using cluster munitions on the battlefield. In a report released early Thursday morning, Human Rights Watch wrote that Ukrainian cluster munition attacks on Russian targets in eastern Ukraine last year caused mass casualties.

Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., who has introduced an amendment to annual defense policy legislation to ban the transfer of cluster munitions, was among the lawmakers who vocally opposed the news. Jacobs told Semafor that she worries the decision will threaten civilians, risk U.S. unity with its allies, and make it more difficult to rebuild Ukraine by potentially littering the country with unexploded bomblets.

Im sure theyre effective, Jacobs said. Nuclear weapons are also effective. It doesnt mean we should use them.

Many U.S. allies (but not the U.S.) are parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which banned the use, production, stockpiling, and transfer of cluster munitions beginning in 2010.

We do not use them and do not encourage anybody to use them, Belgiums ambassador to the U.S. Jean-Arthur Regibeau, whose country is a party to the convention, told Semafor. Long-term damage to civilians is a serious concern.

The View From The U.S. Military

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters Thursday that, if a decision is made to send them, the military would not give Ukraine cluster munitions with a dud rate  or the percent that fail to explode, creating long-term hazards  of more than 2.35%. Biden is barred by Congress from exporting cluster munitions with dud rates of over 1%. The Washington Post reported that the administration plans to bypass the restriction using the Foreign Assistance Act, which lets the president provide aid regardless of limits if he notifies the Congress that it is in the vital U.S. interest.

Ryder said Thursday that unity among allies on Ukraine remains very strong without getting into particular conversations. The latest announcement is likely to come within days of NATOs summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, where Russias war in Ukraine will dominate the discussion.

The View From Ukraine

Weve been lobbying for this for quite a long time and finally received a confirmation, Maria Mezentseva, a Ukrainian member of parliament, told Semafor. We need them to break through the Russian defense lines during a counteroffensive.

Know More

Its still not clear exactly how many cluster weapons the U.S. will be able to send to Ukraine, but some estimates suggest it could be substantial. In a March letter urging Biden to give Ukraine the munitions, the top Republicans on the House and Senate committees overseeing the Defense and State Departments wrote that the U.S. has nearly three million rounds in its inventory, much of it located on U.S. and allied bases in Europe. The GOP lawmakers argued sending the DPICMs would decrease the pressure on other munitions supplies, where production is still ramping up.

But Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, estimated the stockpile could be much smaller, given that the U.S. stopped making cluster munitions years ago.

They would not be a game changer. No single weapon is going to change the course of the war, said Cancian, who was an artillery officer in the Marine Corps. But they would be quite useful.
Photograph: Anatolii Stepanov/AFP/Getty Images

The US has confirmed it will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, following calls from human rights groups for Kyiv and Moscow to stop using the controversial weapons.

What is a cluster bomb?

A cluster bomb is a weapon that breaks apart in the air and releases multiple explosive submunitions or bomblets across a wide area. They can be delivered by planes, artillery and missiles, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

How dangerous are they?

The bomblets are designed to detonate on hitting the ground and anyone in that area is very likely to be killed or seriously injured. Beyond the initial damage caused by the munitions upon impact, many bomblets fail to detonate immediately. Up to 40% of bomblets have failed to explode in some recent conflicts, according to the ICRC.

As a result, cluster bombs, like landmines, pose a risk to civilians long after their use. Unexploded ordinance from cluster bombs can kill and maim people years or even decades after the munitions were fired.

Related: Russia using cluster bombs to kill Ukrainian civilians, analysis suggests

Human rights groups say that the use of cluster bombs in populated areas is a violation of international humanitarian law because they cause indiscriminate destruction. Sixty percent of cluster bomb casualties are people injured while undertaking everyday activities, according to Reuters. One third of all recorded cluster munitions casualties are children.

More than 120 countries have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the use, production, transfer and stockpiling of the weapons. Russia, Ukraine and the US have all declined to sign the treaty. Since the adoption of the convention in 2008, 99% of global stockpiles have been destroyed, according to the Cluster Munition Coalition.

Where have they been used?

The weapons were first used in the second world war and at least 15 countries have used them in the years after, according to Reuters. They include Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Israel, Morocco, the Netherlands, Britain, Russia and the US.

The US dropped an estimated 260m cluster munitions in Laos between 1964 and 1973. So far, fewer than 400,000  or 0.47%  have been cleared and at least 11,000 people have been killed, according to Reuters.

Russian troops have used cluster munitions in populated areas in Ukraine, research by the Guardian has found, resulting in the deaths of scores of civilians. Ukraine has also used them in efforts to retake Russian-occupied territory, according to Human Rights Watch.

Why does Ukraine want them?

Kyiv has been pushing for cluster bombs, arguing that the weapons would help in its counteroffensive by allowing its troops to target entrenched Russian positions and to overcome its disadvantage in manpower and artillery.

Until recently, Washington had resisted Kyivs calls, citing concerns about the weapons use and saying they were not necessary. However US officials have recently signaled a shift and a senior Pentagon official said last month that the US military believes cluster munitions would be useful, especially against dug-in Russian positions.

But rights groups have called on Russia and Ukraine to stop using cluster bombs and urged the US not to supply the inherently indiscriminate munitions to Kyiv. Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are killing civilians now and will continue to do so for many years, said Mary Wareham, acting arms director at Human Rights Watch. Both sides should immediately stop using them and not try to get more of these indiscriminate weapons.

US officials have claimed that any munitions provided to Ukraine would have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that could later result in unintended civilian deaths.
Volunteers will help collect invasive rusty crayfish on Aug. 12 during a program in Kane County. (Forest Preserve Dist. of Kane Co/HANDOUT)

The Kane County Forest Preserve District is looking for volunteers to help remove an invasive species known as the rusty crayfish from local waterways.

From 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 12, the Rusty Rodeo event aims at collecting, identifying and removing rusty crayfish, officials said.

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Two locations have been designated for the event to accommodate participants. The first location is Glenwood Park Forest Preserve at 1644 S. River St. in Batavia. The second location will be on the west side of the Fox River, near the historic Piano Factory Pedestrian Bridge, along the Riverside Trail at Indian Street in St. Charles.

Those participating should wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get muddy, organizers said.

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Participants should expect to get wet as they wade into the water with dip nets to catch and remove the rusty crayfish, according to a press release about the event. While organizers will have some dip nets available to loan, they are encouraging participants to bring their own if possible.

The event is co-sponsored by the Forest Preserve District of Kane County, St. Charles Park District, Fox Valley Park District, Friends of the Fox, Center for Great Lakes Literacy and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.

No registration is required for the event. For more information, go to www.kaneforest.com, email programs@kaneforest.com or call 630-444-3190.

Vets can get free rides to medical clinics in Kane County

The Ride in Kane program and the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission are offering free rides for veterans who have appointments at the four veterans medical clinics in the area.

Rides are available to and from the Hoffman Estates VA Clinic, the Kane County Judicial Center Veterans Treatment Court in St. Charles, the Aurora VA Clinic in North Aurora and the Aurora Veterans Center, a county news release said.

To register for the service call the Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission at 630-232-3550/3551 or email zimmmermanjacob@kanecountyil.gov.

Oswego history program planned

Little White School Museum will stage Lets Talk Oswego History with host and museum director Roger Matile at noon on July 15 at the museum, 72 Polk St. in Oswego.

Participants can bring their own local historical questions and discover some of the communitys history as it celebrates the 190th anniversary of its settlement.

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There is a $5 donation per person. Early registration isnt necessary, but is appreciated, museum officials said. Walk-ins the day of the program are welcome, according to officials.

To register in advance, call the Oswegoland Park District at 630-554-1010 or go to www.oswegolandparkdistrict.org/.

For more information, call the museum at 630-554-2999, email info@littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org or go to www.littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org.

New pastor at Batavia church

The Rev. Melissa Meyers was appointed by Northern Illinois Conference Bishop Dan Schwerin to be the new senior pastor for Batavia United Methodist Church, effective July 1.

Meyers was formerly senior pastor at Freeport Faith United Methodist Church. Prior to her appointment at Freeport, her appointments have been at Sheridan-Norway UMC, Faith United Methodist Church of Orland Park and Genoa Faith United Methodist Church.

Meyers earned her associates degree from Rock Valley Community College, followed by a bachelors degree in religious studies and communication from the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa, and a masters degree in divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
What are cluster bombs and why is it controversial for the US to send them to Ukraine?

The United States has announced that it is sending cluster munitions to Ukraine to help its military push back Russian forces entrenched along the front lines.

The administration of Joe Biden said that it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800m (630m).

The move will likely trigger outrage from some allies and humanitarian groups that have long opposed the use of cluster bombs.

Proponents argue that both Russia and Ukraine have already been using the controversial weapon in Ukraine and that the munitions the US will provide have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

Ukraine has welcomed the decision, saying it needs weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions if it is to defeat Russia.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said the outcome of the war started by Moscows invasion depended on the volume of arms Kyiv receives.

In the great bloody war which has been ongoing for more than 16 months, and which will predetermine the future of the world  the number of weapons matters. So, weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions, he said on Friday.

Here is a look at what cluster munitions are, why they are so controversial and where they have been used.

What is a cluster munition?

A cluster munition is a bomb that opens in the air and releases smaller bomblets across a wide area. The bomblets are designed to take out tanks and equipment, as well as troops, hitting multiple targets at the same time.

The munitions are launched by the same artillery weapons that Western allies have already provided to Ukraine for the war  such as howitzers  and the type of cluster munition that the US is sending is based on a common 155 mm shell that is already widely in use across the battlefield.

A Ukrainian serviceman carry a 155mm shell into self-propelled howitzer "Bohdana" before firing towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Friday, July 7, 2023 (AP)

Why are they so controversial?

In previous conflicts, cluster munitions have had a high dud rate, which meant that thousands of the smaller unexploded bomblets remained behind and killed and maimed people decades later. The US last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

On Thursday, Brigadier General Pat Ryder  the Pentagon press secretary  said the US Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with [unexploding] rates that are higher than 2.35 per cent.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries, which agreed not to use, produce, transfer, or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after they've been used. The US, Russia and Ukraine haven't signed on.

Why provide them now?

For more than a year the US has dipped into its own stocks of traditional 155 howitzer munitions and sent more than two million rounds to Ukraine. Allies across the globe, including the UK, have provided hundreds of thousands more.

A 155 mm round can strike targets 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometres) away, making them a munition of choice for Ukrainian ground troops trying to hit enemy targets from a distance. Ukrainian forces are burning through thousands of rounds a day battling the Russians.

Yehor Cherniev, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, told reporters at a German Marshall Fund event in the US this spring that Kyiv would likely need to fire 7,000 to 9,000 rounds daily during the intensified counteroffensive. Providing that many puts substantial pressure on US and allied stocks.

The cluster bomb can destroy more targets with fewer rounds, and since the US hasnt used them in conflict since Iraq, it has large amounts of them in storage it can access quickly, said Ryan Brobst, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

A March 2023 letter from top House and Senate Republicans to the Biden administration said the US may have as many as three million cluster munitions available for use, and urged the White House to send the munitions to alleviate pressure on American war supplies.

Cluster munitions are more effective than unitary artillery shells because they inflict damage over a wider area, Mr Brobst said. This is important for Ukraine as they try to clear heavily fortified Russian positions.

Tapping into the US stores of cluster munitions could address Ukraines shell shortage and alleviate pressure on the 155 mm stockpiles in the US and elsewhere, Mr Brobst said.

Is using cluster bombs a war crime?

The use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, but using them against civilians can be a violation. As in any strike, determining a war crime requires looking at whether the target was legitimate and if precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

The part of international law where this starts playing [a role], though, is indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians, Human Rights Watchs associate arms director Mark Hiznay said. So that's not necessarily related to the weapons, but the way the weapons are used.

Where have cluster bombs been used?

The bombs have been deployed in many recent conflicts.

The US initially considered cluster bombs an integral part of its arsenal during the invasion of Afghanistan that began in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The group estimated that the US-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan during the first three years of the conflict.

The Defense Department had been due to stop use of any cluster munitions with a rate of unexploded ordnance greater than 1 per cent, by 2019. But the Trump administration rolled back that policy, allowing commanders to approve the use of such munitions.

Syrian government troops have often used cluster munitions  supplied by Russia  against opposition strongholds during that countrys civil war, frequently hitting civilian targets and infrastructure. And Israel used them in civilian areas in south Lebanon, including during the 1982 invasion.

During the month-long 2006 war with Hezbollah, HRW and the United Nations accused Israel of firing as many as four million cluster munitions into Lebanon. That left unexploded ordnance that threatens Lebanese civilians to this day.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been criticized for its use of cluster bombs in the war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that has ravaged the southern Arabian country.

In 2017, Yemen was the second deadliest country for cluster munitions after Syria, according to the UN. Children have been killed or maimed long after the munitions originally fell, making it difficult to know the true toll.

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined areas in the world.

What has the White House said?

The United States will provide Ukraine with cluster-style artillery rounds for use on their own territory to repel Russian invading forces, the White House has said.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Friday that Kyiv has provided written assurances that it would use the controversial weapons in a very careful way that is aimed at minimising any risk to civilians.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan responds to a question from the news media during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 07 July 2023 (EPA)

He said the Defence Department would provide further details on the next arms package that will be sent to Ukraine, but he pointed out that Kyivs forces are firing thousands of rounds a day to defend against Russian efforts to advance and also to support its own efforts to retake its sovereign territory. The national security adviser suggested the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster weapons already in US stocks was necessary to keep up a steady flow of arms for Kyivs defence.

We have provided Ukraine with a historic amount of unitary artillery rounds and we are ramping up domestic production of these rounds. Weve already seen substantial increases in production, but this process will continue to take time, and it will be critical to provide Ukraine with a bridge of supplies. While our domestic production is ramped up, he said. We will not leave Ukraine defenceless at any point in this conflict period.

Mr Sullivan noted that Russia has been using their own version of cluster munitions, which are antipersonnel weapons that make use of small bomblets to maximise their effectiveness against massed troops, and pointed out that the Russian weapons have a high rate of failure which leaves the battlefield littered with unexploded ordinance.

He added that the US-made shells that will be provisioned to Kyivs defence forces have a much lower failure rate, and said Ukraines government has committed to post-war de-mining that would prevent civilians from being harmed by unexploded submunitions, which in past conflict zones have lingered for years.

While a 2008 treaty, the Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions, has been signed by more than 100 nations which have agreed to ban the use of such weapons, neither the US, Russia, nor Ukraine are signatories to the treaty.

What has the Pentagon said?

Speaking at a Defence Department briefing on Friday, Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Colin Kohl said the next US arms package to Ukraine would include the Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition, which is used both for anti-armour and anti-personnel purposes.

With this announcement, we will be able to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of additional artillery ammunition immediately. This decision will ensure we can sustain our support for Ukraine by bringing us to a point where we are producing sufficient artillery ammunition on a monthly basis across the coalition, he said.

Both Mr Kahl and Mr Sullivan also contrasted Russias use of the weapons on Ukraines territory with Ukraines desire to use them to defend their own land.

When we look at what Ukraine would be doing with these weapons, as opposed to what Russia is doing with these weapons, we see a substantial difference. It doesnt make it an easy decision, and Im not going to stand up here and say it is easy, Mr Sullivan said, adding that the US had deferred a decision on providing cluster munitions for quite some time because it required a real hard look at the potential harm to civilians.

When we put all of that together, there was a unanimous recommendation from the national security team, and President Biden ultimately decided  in consultation with allies and partners and in consultation with members of Congress  to move forward on this step, he said.

Mr Kahl admitted that the US has criticised Russias use of cluster munitions because they have been doing so indiscriminately, and with older, less reliable systems that cause more civilian casualties. But he said Kyiv has assured the US that they will not use the DPICMs rounds in civilian areas or urban environments, and they have also committed to recording where they are used to aid in cleanup efforts post-war.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
What are the cluster munitions the US is supplying Ukraine with and why are they so controversial?

The United States has confirmed it will supply cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package.

CNN first reported last week that US President Joe Bidens administration was strongly considering approving the transfer of the controversial weapons to Ukraine, whose forces have been struggling to make major gains in a weeks-long counteroffensive.

Heres what you need to know about the weapons  and why they are controversial.

What is a cluster munition?

Cluster munitions, also called cluster bombs, are canisters that carry tens to hundreds of smaller bomblets, also known as submunitions. The canisters can be dropped from aircraft, launched from missiles or fired from artillery, naval guns or rocket launchers.

The canisters break open at a prescribed height, depending upon the area of the intended target, and the bomblets inside spread out over that area. They are fused by a timer to explode closer to or on the ground, spreading shrapnel that is designed to kill troops or take out armored vehicles such as tanks.

A cluster bomb capsule at the frontline city of Avdiivka, Ukraine on March 23, 2023. - Andre Luis Alves/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

What type of cluster bomb is the US said to be giving to Ukraine?

The US has a stockpile of cluster munitions known as DPICMs, or dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, that it no longer uses after phasing them out in 2016.

According to an article on the US Armys eArmor website, the DPICMs Washington will give to Kyiv are fired from 155mm howitzers, with each canister carrying 88 bomblets. Each bomblet has a lethal range of about 10 square meters, so a single canister can cover an area up to 30,000 square meters (about 7.5 acres), depending upon the height it releases the bomblets.

The bomblets in a DPICM have shaped charges that, when striking a tank or armored vehicle, create a metallic jet that perforates metallic armor, the article says, adding that it can take 10 or more bomblets to destroy an armored vehicle, but it may take only one to disable the armored vehicles weapons or render it immobile.

Have cluster bombs been used in the war in Ukraine before?

Yes, both the Ukrainians and the Russians have used cluster bombs since Moscows forces invaded in February 2022. More recently, Ukrainian forces have begun using Turkish-provided cluster munitions on the battlefield.

But Ukrainian officials have been pushing the US to provide its cluster munitions since last year, arguing that they would provide more ammunition for Western-provided artillery and rocket systems, and help narrow Russias numerical superiority in artillery.

Why are cluster munitions more controversial than other bombs?

As the bomblets fall over a wide area, they can endanger non-combatants.

In addition, somewhere between 10% to 40% of the munitions fail, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The unexploded munitions can then be detonated by civilian activity years or even decades later.

The Cluster Munition Coalition, an activist group trying to get the weapons banned everywhere, says potentially deadly cluster submunitions still lie dormant in Laos and Vietnam 50 years after their use.

A US defense official told CNN the munitions Washington would be sending to Ukraine have a dud rate of 2.35% or lower, based on live-fire testing done as recently as 2020.

However, critics have raised questions about the militarys testing process, including whether it was done in ideal conditions, or tested under different weather and terrain conditions that might affect how the munition reacts. The defense official did not address whether the munitions were tested under those different conditions.

Announcement exposes divisions

The White House is defending its transfer of the weapons, despite the concerns on the possible effects on civilians.

While Russia is using them in Ukraine in an aggressive war on another country and indiscriminately killing civilians, the Ukrainians will be using these cluster munitions  obviously, which have a very low dud rate, but theyll be using to defend their own territory hitting Russian positions, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby told ABC on Sunday.

We can all agree that more civilians have been and will continue to be killed by Russian forces with whether its cluster munitions drones, missile attacks, or just frontal assaults, then will likely be hurt by the use of these cluster munitions fired at Russian positions inside Ukrainian territory, Kirby added.

Reacting to Kirbys comments, the Russian Embassy in Washington condemned the decision likening it to war crimes.

In a statement Friday, Human Rights Watch said both Ukraine and Russia had killed civilians with their use of cluster munitions in the war so far.

Cluster munitions remain one of the worlds most treacherous weapons. They kill and maim indiscriminately and cause widespread human suffering, Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said at a conference on the munition in Switzerland last year.

Any use of cluster munitions, anywhere, by anyone, must be condemned, Carbonnier said.

Much of the world has banned the use of these weapons through the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which also prohibits the stockpiling, production and transfer of them.

Though 123 nations have joined that convention, the United States, Ukraine, Russia and 71 other countries have not.

Using the munitions to attack enemy troops or vehicles is not illegal under international law, but striking civilians with the weapons could amount to a war crime, according to Human Rights Watch.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Saturday his country, a key NATO ally, is a signatory to the treaty banning cluster munitions, and discourages their use.

Another NATO ally, Spain, put forth even stronger opposition to the transfer.

While respecting the decisions of the sovereign country of the United States, Spain does not share their (judgment) in sending cluster bombs, we are against sending cluster bombs, Spanish Defense Minister Magarita Robles said.

Where have cluster bombs been used before?

Cluster weapons have been used as far back as World War II and in more than three dozen conflicts since, according to the Cluster Munition Coalition.

The US last used the weapons in Iraq from 2003 to 2006, the coalition says.

US forces began phasing them out in 2016 because of the danger they pose to civilians, according to a 2017 statement from US Central Command.

CNNs Haley Britzky, Natasha Bertrand and Josh Pennington contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Joe Biden has decided to send U.S. stocks of cluster munitions to Ukraine amid its fight against Russia, defending the controversial move as urgently needed.

The weapons are part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million.

The additional assistance comes as Ukraine pushes to recapture territory seized by Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ABC News the counteroffensive was "going to plan" but he'd like to see progress happen even faster.

MORE: President Zelenskyy says Ukrainian counteroffensive is 'advancing' but 'we want to do it faster'

Zelenskyy said any needed equipment supplied to Ukraine will help his troops "to move faster, to save more lives, to stand our ground for a longer time."

But the decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine isn't without concern, as human rights groups cite the danger they pose to civilians and numerous countries have banned them for more than a decade.

"We recognize cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordinance," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. "This is why we deferred the decision for as long as we could. But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery. That is intolerable to us."

Biden on Friday also defended the action as necessary, telling ABC News' Elizabeth Schulze Ukraine is "running out of ammunition."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on healthcare coverage and the economy, at the White House in Washington, July 7, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Still, the president told CNN's Fareed Zakaria it was a "difficult decision" to make.

Here's what to know about the weapons.

What are cluster munitions?

Cluster munitions scatter unguided submunitions, or bomblets, as small as 20 kilograms over a large area, maybe the size of several football fields. The U.S. last used them during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

The weapons can be fired from aircraft or from the ground. Depending on the type used, anywhere from dozens to 600 bomblets may be released at a time, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"These types of weapons are extremely dangerous," said Richard Weir, a senior researcher in the Crisis and Conflict Division at Human Rights Watch. Weir noted there are various kinds of submunitions, some are designed to penetrate armor or concrete while others are made to unleash as many fragments as possible against troops.

A U.S. defense official told lawmakers last month they believed such weapons "would be useful" for Ukraine, "especially against dug-in Russian positions on the battlefield."

PHOTO: Ukrainian military serviceman Igor Ovcharruck holds a defused cluster bomb from an MSLR missile that a Ukrainian munitions expert said did not explode on impact, in the region of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Oct. 21, 2022. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters, FILE)

But cluster munitions also pose significant risk to civilians as they are indiscriminately spread out over an area, and some release bomblets that fail to explode upon impact and can detonate much later -- even decades later.

"These are very nasty, destructive weapons for use on the battlefield," Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, told ABC News. "They are also particularly harmful for friendly soldiers as well as civilians after a conflict is over because the cluster munitions of all kinds have a failure rate."

The Pentagon said Friday they will send their most modern dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs) that have a failure rate or "dud rate" of 2.35% or less. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said they have hundreds of thousands of those rounds available.

Kahl contrasted that figure with the failure rate of the cluster munitions being used by Russia against Ukraine, which he said is somewhere between 30 to 40%.

But Kimball said those working in the arms control field believe the failure rate of those munitions "in the U.S. stockpile are probably higher when it comes to actual wartime conditions."

When asked if the dud rate studies conducted by the Department of Defense on the munitions being sent to Ukraine will be made public, Kahl said those reports are classified but they have "high confidence" in the numbers.

Why are they controversial?

More than 100 countries have essentially banned cluster munitions. Governments that signed onto the "Convention on Cluster Munitions" in 2008 committed to never using, producing or stockpiling cluster munitions.

Russia, Ukraine and the United States did not sign the treaty, though most NATO nations did.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates:

"They can injure or kill people who are just going about their daily lives -- children playing in playgrounds, people tending to their land," Weir told ABC News.

"In that sense, they act just like landmines," Weir said. "So it's the severe civilian harm associated with these weapons that makes them so controversial."

Officials said Ukraine gave assurances to minimize the risk to civilians, including a pledge not to use them in urban areas, and will commit to post-conflict demining efforts to find any undetonated munitions that pose a threat.

"I'm as concerned about the humanitarian circumstance as anybody, but the worst thing for civilians in Ukraine is for Russia to win the war," Kahl said. He added that the U.S. will monitor how the systems are being used and whether the Ukrainian assurances are being met.

PHOTO: A graphic explains cluster munitions, how they work and why the Russia-Ukraine war undermines the fight against the deadly weapons. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Human Rights Watch previously called on both Russia and Ukraine to stop using cluster munitions.

Weir said cluster munitions were involved in one of the worst incidents of civilian casualties during the war so far: the attack on the Kramatorsk train station in April 2022. At least 50 people died and more than a hundred were injured, ABC News reported at the time.

"That tore people's bodies apart and injured people all around the train station," he said. "But this plays out again and again and again in regions all over Ukraine where there's fighting and where we've documented the use of various types of submunitions."

-ABC's Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

What are cluster munitions? Biden defends decision to send controversial weapons to Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Sarasota County officials filed charges on Friday alleging that a New College of Florida student spat on school trustee Christopher Rufo, a writer and commentator best known for his activism against critical race theory.

The altercation between Rufo and Catherine Libby Harrity occurred outside Gov. Ron DeSantis May 15 bill signing at the Sarasota public university. New College has been a focus of DeSantis drive to recapture the states higher education institutions this year after he appointed six new trustees, including Rufo, with a mandate to overhaul the traditionally progressive school with a classically liberal orientation.

Rufo tweeted about the charges late Friday, alleging a mob of New College students surrounded me and screamed epithets. Harrity, he wrote, broke the police line and spat on me.

Harrity said they were not aware of the charges until contacted by a Tampa Bay Times reporter Friday evening.

Rufo has already done so much to harass and harm students on this campus, Harrity said. The charges are an attempt to punish me and are a scare tactic to silence and harass students.

In a text message to the Times, Rufo said: I believe that everyone has a right to express dissent and engage in peaceful protest. But as a society, we must draw a line at politically motivated violence, which has no place in our public universities.

The charges had not yet been filed with the Sarasota County Clerk as of Friday evening, but were confirmed by Brian Chambers, county court chief for Sarasota.

  

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Every Thursday, get the latest updates on whats happening in Tampa Bay area schools from Times education reporter Jeffrey S. Solochek. Click here to sign up.
Collision between two buses in New York City injures dozens

The tourist bus seen in a Reuters news photograph which shows its heavily damaged front glass panel

An open-top tour vehicle collided with a bus in downtown Manhattan on Thursday evening, injuring dozens.

The accident occurred after 19:00 local time (00:00 BST), officials said, adding that both buses appear to have been fully occupied at the time.

The accident sent 27 people to the hospital, including the tour bus driver, CBS News reported.

In a news conference, fire department officials said it was too early to determine what caused the collision.

Ropes and ladders were used to rescue people. Officials last night were "evaluating" 50 more people for possible injuries, according to CBS, the BBC's US partner.

None of the injuries sustained appear to be life-threatening, fire department officials said, adding that most injuries can be described as cuts, bruises, scrapes, fractures, and head and neck injuries.

It involved a city MTA bus and a tourist bus on a night-time tour operated by TopView Sightseeing.

The tour departs from near Times Square and takes in sights such as the Empire State Building and Brooklyn Bridge in a 90-minute journey, TopView's website said.

The TopView bus had two decks, which complicated rescue efforts, said FDNY Deputy Chief Paul Hopper.

Passenger Ishrak Jahan described the crash to CBS News.

"I heard the lady next to me scream, so I looked up and I saw this bus barrelling towards us," he said.

"I just saw glass everywhere for a second. I, you know, it was honestly like I was in a movie ... I saw blood. I immediately called 911."

The TopView bus had two decks, which one official said complicated rescue efforts

The buses remained at the crash site near the intersection of 21st and 1st Avenue on Thursday night.

FDNY Deputy Chief Kevin Murphy praised the response, saying: "Anytime you have two buses involved, you. have a significant number of patients that likely need to be treated."

"Seeing that quantity of people right away, I think units did a very good job getting them off the bus quickly and taking them to the appropriate resources."
Tylan Sims, 25, of Columbus' Northeast Side, right, appeared Friday with his attorney, Leo Ross, in Franklin County Common Pleas Court. Sims was sentenced to life in prison with a chance for parole after 21 years for fatally shooting 20-year-old Dezujwuan Pyfrom in 2020.

Ohio law allows for self-defense, but Tylan Sims' 2020 fatal shooting of another man was "self-offense," Franklin County Assistant Prosecutor Jack Wong said Friday at Sims' sentencing in county Common Pleas Court.

Judge Kim Brown sentenced Sims, 25, of the Northeast Side, to life in prison with the opportunity for parole after 21 years. A jury convicted Sims last month of murder for the death of 20-year-old Dezujwuan Pyfrom.

Surveillance video captured the afternoon shooting on Sept. 7, 2020 by Sims and his codefendant Adonis Walker outside a convenience store in the 1400 block of Sunbury Road on the Northeast Side.

Pyfrom was parking a truck in the store lot when Sims and Walker opened fire on him and then fled the scene, according to prosecutors.

Sims testified during his trial that he shot at Pyfrom because there had been recent threats on his life and he believed Pyfrom was involved.

Leo Ross, Sims' defense attorney, said that prior to the shooting, somebody shot up Sims' car while he was in it and fired more than 100 rounds into Sims' grandmother's home where he was living.

"This man knew that he was under threat, and he reacted" Ross said. "He acted, yes very quickly in this situation, but he certainly did not do this out of malice."

Wong said during the hearing that Sims never gave Pyfrom a chance to do anything before Sims opened fire. Pyfrom's head was turned the other way on the video when Sims began shooting, according to Wong.

Wong said the prosecution believes Sims also lied during his testimony.

Gina Nchor, Pyfrom's mother, spoke during the hearing.

"My son was murdered by a coward," Nchor said. "His life was just beginning. Who was you to play God?"

During the hearing, Sims apologized to his own family and then to Pyfrom's family.

"In all honesty, I never intended to hurt anyone. I was just trying to protect myself," Sims said.

Tylan Sims, 25, of Columbus' Northeast Side, apologized Friday during his sentencing hearing to his family and then to the family of 20-year-old Dezujwuan Pyfrom, whom he was convicted by a jury of fatally shooting in 2020 in a convenience store parking lot on Sunbury Road.

Sims asked Judge Brown to appoint an attorney to handle an appeal of his conviction.

When the jury convicted Sims, they found him not guilty of one count of murder but guilty of another count of murder, essentially determining Sims was not guilty of purposefully causing Pyfrom's death, but guilty of causing Pyfrom's death by purposefully committing felonious assault.

The jury also found Sims guilty of felonious assault.

Walker, 24, pleaded guilty on Aug. 31 to attempted murder and multiple counts of felonious assault. Franklin County prosecutors dropped a murder charge. Walker is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11. His defense attorney and prosecutors are jointly recommending that Brown sentence Walker to an indefinite prison term of 11 years to 15 years in prison.

jlaird@gmail.com

@LairdWrites

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus man sentenced to life in prison for fatal 2020 shooting
The Office of the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff released new senior enlisted leader assignments on June 26, including the new position that Space Force Chief Master Sgt. Jacob C. Simmons will be assuming.

In the announcement, it was stated that Simmons, who is currently assigned as command senior enlisted leader of the Space Operations Command in Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, will replace Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker as command senior enlisted leader for U.S. Space Command in Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado.

In a moderated discussion on Agile Combat Employment and Enlisted Leadership back in October 2022, Simmons discussed the complexities space brings to missions and the unforeseeable climate space imposes.

You continue to hear that space is congested, contested, [and] competitive, Ill add that its complex. It is extremely complex in space, Simmons said. Space is ubiquitous. It is persistently present. It is involved in every mission, it is involved in every capability and it must be intertwined as such Space is no longer peaceful, permissive or predictable. That is a new condition we find ourselves in.

Simmons continued on to highlight the present dangers space holds and the importance of exploring the terrain in informed, updated ways.

Space is a ballistic battlefield. And what I mean by that is things move in space at 17,000 plus miles per hour and with over 50,000 objects in space or nearly 50,000 objects in space, each of those have the potential of colliding at an instant and creating a cascade of long lived shrapnel, Simmons said. That is a battlefield that just doesnt stop. It doesnt rest. Space is a technical and a tactical terrain. We have to get after a new set of threats and we have to understand what the new thresholds are.

Simmons emphasized our responsibility to understand and battle space with new, inventive solutions.

We have to look at getting after things, not only in an innovative way, but being able to iterate those things and integrate them into the fight faster and further in than whats ever been asked from space before, Simmons said.

By giving Simmons a new assignment, hopefully his background and extensive knowledge of space can help the U.S. Space Command advance their journey into space and continue to fight on such an incalculable terrain.

We have to empower at the edges with the authorities to be able to execute at speed, Simmons said. That means we have to be able to trust those leaders at the very front end, the very front edge of the space fight.

With Simmons as one of those leaders at the front of the space fight, the ever-evolving fight in space continues with a new leader.
Weve all had it. The pasta salad that looks so colorful on the picnic table, but turns out to be a sloppy mess. The pasta is mushy, the veggies are limp, and now youre wishing for a dog to discreetly feed under the table.

It doesnt have to be this way. Years ago, I created recipes as the head chef in a deli, where we made every kind of cold food for the case. Before we opened, Id check the salads wed made the day before, and jhuzh them a bit.

I still have an involuntary twitch when I taste a soggy pasta salad, so Im here to help you avoid some common pitfalls.

Get The Pasta Right

If youre one of those people who says pasta is pasta, buy the cheap one, Im here to tell you, its not. Especially in pasta salads, where youre asking the pasta to sit in an acidic bath for hours.

Mediterranean-inspired pasta salads are usually made from short, dried pastas, like penne, shells, farfalle or fusilli. Dont waste fresh pasta on pasta salad, because it wont hold up.

Top brands

DeCecco, Barilla, Raos, DeLallo and other brands made from durum semolina wheat are your best bet. The best brands use coarsely ground semolina flour and press it through bronze dies, which give it a slightly rougher texture than the Teflon-coated dies used in lower-quality pasta.

Cook it properly

The tried and true method of cooking pasta, but with more salt than usual, is your best bet. For a pound of pasta, boil a gallon of water and the usual tablespoon of salt, plus a teaspoon or so, to really season your pasta. Chilling will mute all the flavors, including the salt.

Drop in the pasta, stir it every few minutes to keep it from sticking or cooking unevenly, and set a timer for a minute less than the package directs. Then test it.

Al dente, but not too al dente

Cooking pasta that will be chilled has its own pitfalls. When testing your pasta, rinse a piece with cold water to completely cool it before taking that crucial bite.

I learned early on in my chef life that starches, whether in potatoes, rice or pasta, can become firmer when they are cooked and chilled.

Andrew Ross, a cereal chemist and professor of crop and soil science at Oregon State University, gave me the lowdown on why: All starchy foods will feel tender to the bite while hot, but can become firmer when cold. It is starch recrystallization, or retrogradation. The starch molecules start to bond together as the food cools, creating a stronger matrix.

That means you should cook the pasta just past firm, but not flabby.



How To Marinate It

The best practice is to prep the dressing, chop the vegetables, and cook the pasta as close to when it will be eaten as you can. Drain the pasta and rinse it with warm water, not cold, then shake the pasta to drain it well. While its still warm, not hot, dress the pasta with half of the dressing, then stir in the remaining just before serving.

Adding part of the dressing while the pasta is warm helps it bind to the pasta and sink in just a little. If youre making the pasta salad a day ahead, pile the veggies on one side of the container and the dressed pasta on the other, and toss to combine at the last minute.

Back at the deli, tasting the pasta twice a day revealed how the bright flavors became muted, as the pasta absorbed the liquids and everything oxidized. A quick jolt of the same dressing, or a mix of the oil, acid and a little salt will freshen it up.

Creamy dressings

Mayo, sour cream and other creamy ingredients will also soak into the pasta as it sits. After a day or two in the fridge, make sure you stir the mixture well to recoat the pasta with any dressing and the liquids from your veggies that have puddled at the bottom, and brighten the flavors with a bit of acid and salt.

Never add these ingredients

Thinking of adding some black beans, walnuts or other dark foods? Add them just before serving, or the noodles nestled next to them in the fridge will absorb the pigments, tattooing the pasta with dark spots. And hold off on adding soft cheese and delicate greens until just before serving, because both are destroyed by a soak in acidic dressing.

Consider whole grains, which are indestructible

If you want a hearty salad that will improve with time, make a whole grain salad. The same flavors you love in a pasta salad also complement cooked farro, whole oat groats, wild rice or other whole grains. As the grains soak in the dressing, they become more tender and flavorful, in a good way. A farro salad can sit for four or five days in the fridge with no loss of texture, and a little jhuzh with dressing is all you need.

Related...
Conan OBrien jokes with Harrison Ford about idea of an 80-year-old Indiana Jones in resurfaced clip from 2000

Back in 2000, late night talk show host Conan OBrien and Harrison Ford ridiculed the idea of an 80-year-old Indiana Jones.

Ford, of course, reprised his role aged 80 for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which hit cinemas last week.

The 23-year-old clip from Late Night with Conan OBrien has resurfaced following the new films release as fans point out the irony of OBriens joke.

People will never get tired of that genre, the host, now 60, tells Ford in the interview.

When youre 80 you could just do ones where they bring the treasures to you, he suggests as Ford bursts into hysterics.

OBrien suggests the films title could be Indiana Jones and the Comfortable Bed before mimicking the kind of electric, adjustable beds one finds in hospitals.

Conans pitch for an 80-Year-Old Indiana Jones movie, from July 2000. pic.twitter.com/Fm12tAm7Jv  Matthew Movies Thomason (@ResDolph) July 6, 2023

But was he wrong tho, one fan wrote in response to the clip on Twitter.

Love to see Harrison Ford proving @ConanOBrien wrong 23 years after this interview! another said.

Maybe he was using the Dial, a third suggested, referencing the latest films titular artefact, which promises to make time travel possible.

The clips revival comes days after Ford and OBrien reunited on a recent episode of the comedians podcast Conan OBrien Needs a Friend.

Listeners were in stitches after Ford jokingly berated OBrien for having the just words Han Solo written in his interview notes.

You cant f***ing remember that? he demanded from the host.

Ford is perhaps as famous for playing the captain of the Millennium Falcon in the original Star Wars franchise as he is for Indiana Jones.

I wrote it down because I heard that you were in some of the Star Wars films and this was news to me because Ive seen those films and I dont exactly think you pop, the comedian fired back.

The retired talk show host launched the weekly podcast in 2018. Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell and Barack Obama are among the public figures to have appeared as guests since then.

Boasting a storied career of his own, NBC aired 2,725 episodes of Late Night with Conan OBrien between 1993 and 2009.

In a recent interview, Tom Cruise said that he wanted a career in the Mission: Impossible franchise akin to Harrison Fords iconic run as Indiana Jones.

Find The Independents review of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny here.
The Biden administration approved the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine on Friday, sparking concern from human rights groups and some congressional lawmakers over the weapons ability to harm civilians and children long after the bombs have fallen.

Cluster munitions are dropped by aircraft or fired by a ground-based weapons system over a target area, spreading out a few dozen to hundreds of submunitions. The weapons are valued militarily because they can strike multiple targets.

But the weapons are banned by more than 100 countries because the submunitions spread out imprecisely, often fail to detonate and remain as explosive hazards for decades.

Washingtons green light to deliver the cluster munitions to Kyiv comes as Ukrainian forces are expending high rates of ammunition and are making slow progress in the counteroffensive that began last month.

Biden defends sending cluster munitions to Ukraine

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said the U.S. bomblets would keep Ukraine in the fight as they work through dug-in Russian defenses, which he described as hard sledding.

The worst thing for civilians in Ukraine is to lose the war, Kahl said. We want to make sure that the Ukrainians have sufficient artillery to keep them in the fight in the context of the current counteroffensive, and because things are going a little slower than some had hoped.

Kahl argued the U.S.-provided munitions have a much lower dud or failure rate while the Pentagon was working with Ukraine to minimize damage to civilians from the munitions, including winning assurances from Kyiv to provide accurate assessments on where they are used. He said the munitions were a temporary bridge as defense production ramps up to produce more regular artillery shells.

At least 38 human rights organizations have publicly opposed the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, where the weapons have already been used in the war to devastating effect.

These are already all over the country and will need to be cleaned up. That is not a good enough excuse for the United States to be sending more, said Sarah Yager, the Washington director at Human Rights Watch (HRW). Legislators, policymakers and the Biden administration will probably think twice when the pictures start coming back of children who have been harmed by American-made cluster munitions.

Kyiv has long requested the cluster munitions. Ukrainian officials have asked for nearly every advanced weapon system from western allies.

After the U.S. decision leaked, Ukrainian presidential office adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the number of weapons matters in the great bloody war with Russia.

So, weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions, Podolyak tweeted on Friday.

Eighteen members of the Western security alliance NATO have banned cluster munitions and are unlikely to approve of the decision to transfer them to Ukraine.

Germanys Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Friday that Berlin stands by a major treaty banning the use of the weapons, according to several news reports.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg declined to comment on the U.S. decision but said at a Friday news conference that individual members were free to make their own choices regarding the weapons.

Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said unity continues to remain very strong across the alliance during a Thursday briefing.

The cluster munitions headed to Ukraine include those for a 155 millimeter Howitzer artillery gun, part of a broader package for Kyiv announced Friday.

Concerns for accuracy

Congress passed a law in 2009 that says the U.S. cannot deploy or transfer cluster munitions with a dud rate higher than 1 percent. The president can sign a waiver to bypass that restriction. Existing laws also prohibit the use of the weapons in civilian areas.

Ryder on Thursday said they have multiple variants of cluster munitions and Washington would not deliver those with a rate higher than 2.35 percent. He said they would select the lowest rate possible. Kahl confirmed the same figure on Friday.

But human rights groups have said the Pentagon has not been transparent with the data on dud rates and are calling for more clarity. There is also concern about accuracy and that some bombs, including the 155 mm weapons, have a much higher failure rate than reported.

Both Russia and Ukraine have allegedly used cluster munitions in the war so far, which human rights organizations say has led to civilian deaths.

Russias dud rate is reportedly as high as 40 percent, while Ukraines is as high as 20 percent, according to Yager from HRW. Yager also said the bombs already deployed constitute a $73 billion cleanup effort.

The Pentagon maintains the cluster munitions could help Ukraine advance and stop the Russian bombings. But Eric Eikenberry, the government relations director at Win Without War, countered the argument as speculative.

Weve already seen this in conflict, Eikenberry said, dismissing the idea that these are going to be a huge boon, the counteroffensive is going to jet forward and were going to save lives in the aggregate because these are going to be the wonder weapons that flip the battlefield in our favor and takes Russian artillery out of commission.

Eikenberry said the U.S. was losing its moral high ground by providing the weapons, which he said has been key to maintaining a cohesive international coalition backing Ukraine.

Youre starting to introduce chinks in the armor of the moral argument Ukrainians have in the situation, he continued.

Cluster munitions have been used since World War II and have led to tens of thousands of civilian casualties, particularly in Laos, where the U.S. dropped millions of bombs in the 60s and 70s. Civilians in Laos still struggle to overcome unexploded ordnance. The U.S. last deployed cluster munitions in Iraq in 2003.

Along with Russia and Ukraine, the U.S. is not a party to a major 2008 treaty, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, signed by 123 countries. Signatories pledge not to use cluster munition weapons in war.

Republicans on the House and Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees have supported cluster munitions for Ukraine.

The chairs of each committee sent a letter earlier this year to Biden requesting the approval of the weapons, saying U.S. versions were highly effective and advanced enough to minimize damage against civilians.

Several Democrats have voiced opposition to the cluster munitions package.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), co-chair of the bipartisan Unexploded Ordnance and Demining Caucus, said victory cannot come at the expense of our American values and thus democracy itself.

Cluster munitions are indiscriminate, and I strongly oppose providing these weapons to Ukraine, she said in a statement. There are some who will say that these weapons are necessary to level the battlefield given Russias reported use of them.

To those individuals, I challenge the notion that these weapons are the most effective support we can provide Ukraine right now, the lawmaker added. I challenge the notion that we should employ the same tactics Russia is using, blurring the lines of moral high ground.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Aurora had the most arrests in 2022 for driving under the influence of any town in Illinois outside of Chicago, according to a recently released report. (Aurora Police Department / HANDOUT)

Aurora had more arrests in 2022 for driving under the influence than any town in Illinois outside of Chicago, according to an annual report released Thursday by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists.

Because of its size and number of sworn officers, Chicago is placed in a separate category for the report.

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The Aurora Police Department reported 339 driving under the influence arrests in 2022, an increase from the 325 DUI arrests made in 2021, the report shows.

I am extremely proud of our officers efforts and I would like to commend each of them for going above and beyond, Aurora police Chief Keith Cross said in a statement.

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In 2022, Aurora led the way in the report of Illinois towns outside of Chicago with its 339 DUI arrests, Decatur was next with 289 arrests, Lombard had 287 arrests, Rockford had 283, Franklin Park had 250, Elgin had 234 and Naperville and Elmhurst tied with 224 arrests.

Nearly 700 police agencies in the state were surveyed by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists for the report, and 82% responded, officials said.

Since 2017, the city has partnered with the Law Offices of Kimberly DiGiovanni Ltd. to handle basic drunken driving cases under local city ordinances. This has helped officers save time by not having to drive far to appear in county courts, especially since Aurora is located in four different counties.

Additionally, Aurora police spokesman Lt. Joseph Howe said some officers attend Advanced Roadside Impairment Driving Enforcement training to help police better identify people under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The department also uses in-house standard field sobriety test trainers and drug recognition experts as part of its campaign against DUI.

Traffic enforcement is one of our top priorities in the city, Howe said. Our goal is always for safe roads and enhanced safety for everyone.

Rockford saw the biggest increase in DUI arrests among departments with a 48.2% jump from 2021 to 2022, according to the report. Normal saw a 17.9% jump and Aurora saw a 4.3% increase.

For 33 years the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists, an organization dedicated to preventing deaths and injuries caused by chemically impaired or distracted drivers of motor vehicles or watercraft, has tallied the results of its Illinois DUI Arrest Survey thats funded by a grant from the states Department of Transportation.

AAIM recognized four Aurora officers for having the most DUI arrests in the department in 2022: Megan Scott with 32, Nathalia Pineda with 13 and Ryan Frias and Dereck Stoch each with 12.

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The officer with the most 2022 DUI arrests in the state, the group said, was Trooper Kevin Bradley of the Illinois State Police, who made 145 arrests.

mejones@chicagotribune.com
NEW YORK  Lawyers for convicted Columbia University gynecologist Robert Hadden on Thursday asked a judge not to throw the book at him when hes sentenced later this month.

Hadden, who was found guilty by a jury in January of enticing patients from out of state to abuse in medical settings, says he has paid for his crimes and should serve no more than three years.

His federal public defender Deirdre von Dornum said the Manhattan U.S. attorneys office had disregarded his role as the primary caretaker of his disabled wife and son in asking the court to impose an above-guidelines sentence of a staggering 25 years.

In its zeal to persuade this Court to give Mr. Hadden the equivalent of a life sentence, no matter what the facts or law, the government takes extreme positions better suited to our current political discourse than a brief from a litigant with special responsibilities in our system of justice, von Dornum wrote.

The governments entire brief reads like a one-sided, cable news opinion piece.

Von Dornum said prosecutors had also ignored the findings of a forensic psychiatrist, who determined that Hadden has a voyeuristic disorder and is no longer a danger to the community absent the unique opportunities he once had by virtue of his work.

The once-prestigious obstetrician-gynecologist has been accused by hundreds of his former patients of sexually assaulting, raping and molesting them in fake medical exams in various criminal and civil matters.

The jury that took less than three hours to convict him on charges alleging he enticed four women from out of state to abuse them heard from nine victims and his former colleagues. Trial evidence showed he preyed on pregnant women, women with severe medical concerns and patients with little to no experience with OB/GYNs.

First arrested in 2012 on accusations he licked a patients vagina during a pregnancy exam, Hadden has already been convicted for abusing patients on state charges. That ended in a widely condemned no-jail plea deal that infuriated his victims.

In the deal offered by former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance in 2016, Hadden pleaded guilty to harming two women in exchange for surrendering his medical license and registering as a low-level sex offender.

Von Dornum said Hadden had paid for his crimes, describing it as extraordinarily disturbing that the government wanted him put away for 17 years more than federal sentencing guidelines recommend. She said the federal charges were not an opportunity for the government to retry the case.

The governments position is on one level understandable. The pain Mr. Hadden has caused is immeasurable  emotional harm always is  and there is a real need for punishment to recognize the harm caused, the lawyer wrote.

It is for that reason that we do not ask for leniency for this 64-year-old first-time offender who has not committed a crime in over a decade and has extraordinarily compelling family circumstances, but instead ask for a Guidelines sentence.

The institutions where Hadden carried out his abuse have shelled out hundreds of millions of dollars to patients victimized by the disgraced doc. Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian reached a $165 million settlement last October with 147 victims, following another in 2021 with 79 women.

Manhattan U.S. attorney spokesman Nick Biase declined to comment.

Hadden is expected to be sentenced on July 24.


For months, migrants bused to Chicago from Texas have found themselves housed in Chicago police stations in difficult circumstances, leaving city and state leaders stunned Friday by allegations that officers at one of the police facilities may have had sexual contact with at least one of those seeking shelter there.

A complaint submitted Thursday to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability spurred an internal Chicago Police Department investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by at least one officer involving a migrant housed at a West Side police station.

In a statement issued Friday, COPA First Deputy Chief Administrator Ephraim Eaddy said the agency alerted CPD internal affairs upon receipt of the complaint against members of the department.

While COPA investigators are currently determining whether the facts and details of this allegation are substantiated, we want to assure the public that all allegations of this nature are of the highest priority and COPA will move swiftly to address any misconduct by those involved, Eaddy said in the statement.

Late Thursday, CPD acknowledged it launched an internal investigation into allegations that at least one officer engaged in a sexual relationship with migrants who were housed at the Ogden District station. That district covers the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods.

Most of the details of the allegations were not known, but migrants staying at the station told a Tribune reporter on Friday that they were being relocated.

Mayor Brandon Johnsons office issued a statement calling the situation deeply troubling.

New arrivals are being moved to temporary shelters in current operation, with full relocation to be completed by tomorrow morning, a statement from the administration read.

Also a focus was whether some of the migrants allegedly involved in the matter were minors, sources with knowledge of the internal review said. A CPD spokesperson did not address questions about when the investigation began or if any officers were stripped of their police powers.

The Johnson administration confirmed that aspect of the case late Friday.

The Johnson administration remains intensely focused on the deeply troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by a Chicago Police Department officer against a minor new arrival, and other allegations of sexual misconduct in the Chicago Police Departments 10th District, the statement read. While this incident is under investigation by the CPD Bureau of Internal Affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, the City is committed to providing mental health support and resources to all those in need.

Asked about the investigation at an unrelated news conference in Springfield on Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it would be horrific if the allegations are proven to be true.

He also noted that more migrants have been removed from police stations, where theyve been taking good care of those migrants, and being put into more permanent shelter or housing.

In fact, what were trying to do is make sure that people get rental assistance so they can go have a real apartment to live in, especially families, Pritzker said. Its a terrible thing and I hope theres a full investigation as fast as possible, and if there is wrongdoing they ought to be held accountable immediately.

As part of the $50.4 billion budget for the new fiscal year, Pritzker and his Democratic allies in the Illinois General Assembly set aside $42.5 million to aid migrants throughout the state.

The plight of migrants in the city has been a focus of the new administration of Johnson. Largely from Central America and Venezuela, the migrants have been bused to Chicago and other major U.S. cities from Texas.

In the meantime, the city has struggled to find adequate housing for them. Since April, CPDs 22 district stations  along with several other city-owned or otherwise unused buildings  have become temporary homes for hundreds of migrants, sometimes drawing the ire of local residents.

Many of those migrants have found themselves seeking shelter in Chicago police stations, as information about the conditions at city shelters has circulated. City officials this week said more than 5,000 migrants are currently being housed in city shelters and nearly 800 were awaiting placement at police stations.

The three Ogden District councilors issued a statement Friday, saying that if these allegations are substantiated, we will pursue appropriate disciplinary and legal actions against the officers involved.

On Friday, migrants staying at the Ogden station said they first learned of the allegations when they saw television news cameras.

The officers dont even speak to us, said David Hernandez.

Inside the station, his family and a few others were behind blue police barricades and surrounded by yellow crime scene tape on the windows. Most slept on the ground.

U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia said in a statement that the alleged misconduct was unacceptable.

Our migrant neighbors came to Chicago seeking safety and stability, Garcia said. Police officers are sworn to protect our communities, not engage in illegal sexual conduct with teenagers and others in their care. This alleged behavior is completely unacceptable. I expect the citys investigation to be timely, thorough, transparent, and lead to accountability for all who are found guilty.

Ald. Michael Rodriguez, 22nd, said allegations of this sort should be taken very seriously and they should be fully investigated.

We are a welcoming city for migrants and we need to make sure our public officials and public spaces are held accountable to honoring this value, Rodriguez said.

Karla Urbina, a migrant from Nicaragua, spent more than a month staying in a Chicago police station. She said that the abuse and shame from officers was constant.

Many have no respect for us, they see us as objects, said the mother, who is not staying at a shelter but has joined forces with volunteers to help other asylum-seekers who are currently arriving.

Some officers treat not only women, but all migrants badly, she said, calling them names, giving looks and violating the little privacy that they may have.

Most will not report any abuse even if its sexual because they fear that theyll be kicked out of the stations or shelter, she said.

We cant afford to do that, Urbina said.

Susie Moya, a licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist, started a support group for migrant women. She said many share a traumatic journey  stories of sexual assault, losing a loved one and the separation of families  but seeking help is not easy.

Im focusing on gaining their trust, she said. Most have not had access to mental health services and opening up is difficult, Moya added.

Trauma affects these asylum-seekers psychologically and physically; that trauma influences their way of thinking and the choices they make, Moya said. It is an overall loss of power and control, instilling fear while they are trying to survive.

Outside of the Ogden district Friday evening, a group of roughly 30 activists and local politicians spoke, held signs and chanted in protest.

Silent cops are guilty cops! Silent cops are guilty cops! was one message.

A lot of them traveled eight countries. They got beaten, they got robbed, theyve been raped. And we do it again here? Its just mind-boggling how they allowed this to happen, said Baltazar Enriquez, who has been helping the migrant families through his role as president of the Little Village Community Council.

The protesters expressed a variety of demands including a release of the names of the officer or officers under investigation, swift action against the officers, an emergency meeting with COPA and for Pritzker to call for a special session on the topic.

Kiisha Smith, one of the 10th Police District Council members, confirmed the mayors office already met one of their demands by calling for the removal of all migrants from the 10th District police station by 4 p.m. Friday. Their next destination was not confirmed.

If any of the allegations are found to be true and fact we will take charge and attempt to hold them accountable for their actions, most definitely, Smith said.

Ald. Monique Scott, who represents the 24th Ward, which includes the 10th District police station, said residents should wait for the investigation to resolve.

Right now, they are just accusations. So my heart goes out to the people that are involved and the officers because we dont know the validity of the truth right now, correct? she said on a phone call with the Tribune Friday night. I would encourage anybody in my ward to sit back and wait and dont jump to conclusions, dont jump on a side, wait for the results and wait to see what the investigation turns out to be.

Tribune reporter Alice Yin contributed.
In January, Gunnery Sgts. Josh Negron and Danny Draher were in dire legal straits, going on trial for homicide charges after they were charged with allegedly causing the death of a Green Beret veteran in Iraq.

Once the two Marine Raiders were found not guilty of the most serious charges  involuntary manslaughter, negligent homicide and dereliction in the performance of duties  they briefly faced the prospect of prison time or other punishment for their sole conviction, for violating a lawful general order by consuming alcohol while deployed to Iraq.

After the jury decided to award them no punishment, the two special operators hoped that the commander of Marine Forces Special Operations Command might set aside the felony convictions.

But on April 28, MARSOCs commanding general, Maj. Gen. Matthew Trollinger, officially decided not to offer the men clemency, meaning that Draher and Negron will not emerge legally unscathed from the yearslong prosecution effort.

The convening authority carefully considered the decision by the members panel and the matters submitted by the accused and declined to set aside the conviction, the command said in a statement to Marine Corps Times in June.

Negron lawyer Joseph Low IV told Marine Corps Times in a June interview that the two Raiders will be marked as felons for engaging in an action that would be legal in the civilian system. As a result, they likely will have a tougher time finding employment, they likely wont be able to own guns, and they may face restrictions on voting or jury service.

How it all began

In the early morning of New Years Day 2019, Draher and Negron were drinking, contrary to orders, at a bar off-base in Irbil, Iraq.

So were multiple other Marines from their unit, as some of them even admitted on the witness stand at their fellow Marines trial. But these other Marines didnt face general court-martial, according to Low, a Marine veteran.

Retired Army Master Sgt. Rick Rodriguez, a military contractor, also was drinking at the bar that night, and security footage showed him becoming aggressive with Negron and Drahers friend, Navy Chief Petty Officer Eric Gilmet.

After getting escorted from the bar, Rodriguez and the Marines encountered each other again outside. Footage of the ensuing altercation was grainy, but it appeared that Rodriguez became aggressive with Draher.

Draher pushed him, and then Negron stepped in, striking Rodriguez and knocking him to the ground. Lawyers for Negron maintained that he acted to protect Draher.

Verdict, not guilty: An inside look at the homicide trial of 2 Marines

The Marine Raiders left Rodriguez overnight with Gilmet, an experienced corpsman, rather than taking him to a hospital immediately. The Army veteran was pronounced dead on Jan. 4, 2019, at a military hospital in Germany.

Rodriguez was survived by his wife, four children, granddaughter, parents and three siblings, his obituary stated. A Rodriguez family member did not respond to a Marine Corps Times request for comment on the latest development.

Negron, Draher and Gilmet  often known colloquially as the MARSOC 3  were charged in December 2019, in a case that has since drawn national media interest and condemnations from members of Congress, who have raised concerns about the fairness of the prosecution.

Prosecutors had argued in part that Rodriguez could have been saved if the special operators had taken him to a hospital earlier.

But in February, following a trial at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, a jury made up of other special operations Marines found Draher and Negron not guilty of all charges except for violation of a lawful general order.

Consequences of the conviction

Low noted to Marine Corps Times that the jury hadnt even given the two Marines a letter of reprimand. Before the jury members reached their verdict, he hadnt been authorized to tell them about the consequences of a felony conviction, he said.

If the jury, in my opinion, found out that this is what the consequences are, I think they would have gone with jury nullification and not even convicted them over that, he said.

Jury nullification occurs when jurors decide to find a defendant not guilty of violating a law despite overwhelming proof to the contrary, usually because the jurors feel the law, or the application of the law, is unjust.

Marine Lt. Col. Eric Catto, the judge who presided over their trial, recommended MARSOC offer Negron and Draher clemency, according to Low and documents obtained by Marine Corps Times.

Drahers lawyer, Phillip Stackhouse, did not respond to a Marine Corps Times request for comment.

In the interview with Marine Corps Times, Low expressed frustration that Trollinger hadnt met with him to hear his clients concerns or provide an explanation for the decision not to offer clemency.

Id put that generals resume up against my guy, and lets see if the general has one 100th the amount of combat experience that this man has, Low said. And yet this generals passing judgment on my guy, wants to ruin his life, for a drink of alcohol? Who is this person? Id like to meet him personally.

In its brief statement to Marine Corps Times, Marine Corps Special Operations Command declined to say whether it would pursue administrative actions against Draher and Negron or provide additional comment. But the Raiders defense team has gotten word that the Marine Corps will process them for administrative retirement, which could involve a reduction in grade and a less-than-honorable discharge, Low told Marine Corps Times on June 30.

The two Raiders could lose over six figures in retirement income, Nick Coffman, an advocate for the MARSOC 3 who works with United American Patriots, wrote in a Task & Purpose op-ed.

The Marine Corps is also working to take away Negron and Drahers Raider badges, signifiers of their membership in the elite Marine special operations community, Low said June 30.

His plan, currently, is to remain loyal to the Marine Corps, despite whether they deserve it or not, Low said of Negron. Thats just the kind of person he is.

Gilmets case is being prosecuted separately. The chief petty officer, who received immunity to testify at the trial of the Marine Raiders, is awaiting a ruling from the highest military court about whether a lower-court judge was right to toss out his case because of alleged unlawful command influence by a top Marine prosecutor.

Even if Gilmets case proceeds to trial, his immunity will mean prosecutors will have to prove they got their evidence independently of his trial testimony  which would not be an easy task, according to Gilmet lawyer and retired Marine Lt. Col. Colby Vokey.
 Read the full article on Motorious

This example is one of 25 produced.

Rolls-Royce enthusiasts and collectors, prepare to be captivated by a truly extraordinary find. A 1993 Rolls-Royce Corniche IV, designated as #13 of the limited-production 25 Anniversary Edition examples, has emerged as a pristine example with only 4,700 miles on the clock. This exquisite vehicle, finished in Ming Blue with luxurious Magnolia leather upholstery, is powered by a formidable 6.75-liter V8 engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Rolls-Royce Corniche IV Anniversary Editions were exclusively produced for the 1993 model year, with a total of 25 units built. Each vehicle, including this specific example, was meticulously finished in striking Ming Blue, adding to its allure and exclusivity. The power-operated beige soft top, accompanied by a glass rear window, further enhances the elegance of this limited-edition beauty.

Exterior details of the Corniche IV include body-color bumpers, a stainless-steel grille, and the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament, all of which contribute to the timeless aesthetic appeal of this luxury convertible. Completing the exterior package are 15" steel wheels with Rolls-Royce-branded covers unique to the Anniversary Edition, fitted with Hankook Optima H724 thin-whitewall tires.

Inside the cabin, the utmost attention to detail is evident. The power-adjustable and heated front seats are upholstered in Magnolia leather, tastefully complemented by Dark Blue piping that extends to the rear seats and door panels. The Dark Blue carpets provide a contrasting touch, while burl wood veneer accents adorn the center console, dashboard, and doors. Automatic air conditioning, cruise control, embroidered floor mats, and an AM/FM cassette stereo with a trunk-mounted CD changer are among the additional appointments that enhance the luxurious experience within this remarkable vehicle. The rear picnic tables and door pockets are exclusive to the Anniversary Edition, showcasing the attention given to every aspect of this limited-production model.

Under the hood resides the formidable 6.75-liter V8 engine, featuring Bosch fuel injection and engine management, producing a factory-rated 241 horsepower. The recent servicing of the vehicle, in preparation for its sale, included a comprehensive eight-year service, replacement of fluids and hoses, repairs to the fuel tank sending unit, and servicing of the cooling system. The inspection report further attests to the exceptional condition of this Corniche IV.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a GM-sourced 4L80 four-speed automatic transmission, which underwent careful attention with the replacement of the transmission control module. The underside of the vehicle showcases its well-maintained condition, with additional photos provided in the gallery.

This 1993 Rolls-Royce Corniche IV Anniversary Edition, with its remarkable low mileage and exceptional condition, stands as a testament to Rolls-Royce's unwavering commitment to timeless luxury and performance. With its limited production run, this particular example, bearing the plaque identifying it as #13, is an undeniable gem in the world of classic automobiles.

Accompanying this extraordinary vehicle are owner's manuals, an inspection report, a clean Carfax report, and a clean California title. Its remarkable history, meticulous servicing, and unmatched elegance make it an undeniable treasure for any Rolls-Royce connoisseur or collector.

Corvette Mike is an Anaheim-based dealership specializing in Corvettes and other enthusiast vehicles. With decades of experience, let them help you buy or sell your vehicle. Visit corvettemike.com to learn more.

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For most of us, ants are merely annoying. But a growing population of fire ants in the outskirts of Sydney, Australia, is causing significant damage.

Whats happening?

Fire ants were first detected in Brisbane in 2001. Solenopsis invicta is believed to have hitched a ride on a shipping container to the continent from the Americas. Close to 99% of the country has a habitat suitable for the invasive fire ant, and the species currently has no major predators.

Since the initial invasion of the ant, Australian authorities have tried to slow the spread through a 10-year, $400-million eradication plan, but new ant populations continue to pop up throughout the continent.

Why are fire ants problematic?

The fire ant population has grown to epic proportions, placing impending economic threats on the country. If the ants move into southeast Queensland, the damage to infrastructure, homes, and crops could cost more than $1 billion annually.

Economists at Central Queensland University modeled two spreads: a minimum of 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) annually versus a worst-case scenario of 48 kilometers (around 30 miles) annually. By 2035, the estimated cost of the minimum spread hovers around $890 million, with the maximum spread potentially costing more than $1.2 billion.

Households would bear most of the cost of this spread through pesticides, vet bills, and structural damage. These effects would cause cascading negative impacts on future generations, per the Guardian.

As a comparison, fire ants cost Americans upward of $7 billion annually in damage and control, Reece Pianta from the Invasive Species Council reported to the Guardian.

What is being done about the situation?

The National Fire Ant Eradication Program is one of the organizations responsible for controlling and conducting data analysis on the spread of ants across Australia. The program is urging the public to bait and treat for the ants, avoid moving any materials like turf and grass that may further distribute the ants, and report any sitings of the ants to the proper authorities.

The program offers numerous trainings for homeowners and business owners to learn about fire ant biology and ways to mitigate the spread of the ants. There are also penalties for the unlawful transfer of fire ant waste and materials across biosecurity zones.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
CPD investigating claims of at least one officer having sexual relations with migrants housed in West Side police station

The Chicago Police Department acknowledged an internal investigation Thursday into allegations that an officer or officers assigned to a West Side patrol district engaged in sexual relations with migrants who were living in a police station.

The department said in an email late Thursday that the bureau of internal affairs, as well as the Civilian Office of Police Accountability, had opened an investigation, but a department spokesperson did not address questions about when the investigation began or if any officers were stripped of their police powers.

The Police Department said the allegations concern an officer or officers assigned to the Ogden District, which covers the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods on the West Side.

Few details were available late Thursday about the scope of the investigation. Also a focus was whether some of the migrants allegedly involved in the matter were minors, sources with knowledge of the internal review said.

The plight of migrants in the city has been the focus of the new administration of Mayor Brandon Johnson. Largely from Central American countries, the migrants have been bused to Chicago and other major U.S. cities from Texas since the spring.

In the meantime, the city has struggled to find adequate housing for them. Since April, each of the CPDs 22 district stations  along with several other city-owned or otherwise unused buildings  have become a temporary home for hundreds of migrants, sometimes drawing the ire of local residents.

Many of those migrants have found themselves seeking shelter in Chicago police stations, as information about the conditions at city shelters has circulated.

The city takes these allegations, as well as the care and well-being of all residents and new arrivals, very seriously, a spokesperson from the mayors office said. We are monitoring the situation closely, but cannot comment further as this is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the bureau of internal affairs and the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.

Chicago Tribunes Jeremy Gorner and Gregory Royal Pratt contributed.

scharles@chicagotribune.com
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 07: Michael K. Williams poses for the 2021 Critics Choice Awards on March 07, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ABA) (Arturo Holmes via Getty Images)

The 2021 overdose of actor Michael K. Williams, famous for playing a drug-world gunman, stands out as an example of fentanyls deadly march. Now, as one man charged in connection with his death faces sentencing, one of Williams closest friends wants the case to stand for something else: mercy.

David Simon, co-creator of HBOs The Wire, in which Williams played the universally feared stickup man Omar Little, has written to a Manhattan judge, urging her to grant leniency to the defendant, Carlos Macci, 71.

Simons three-page letter was part of a filing by Maccis lawyer on Thursday to the judge, Ronnie Abrams of U.S. District Court.

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Simon noted that Williams, 54, always maintained that he was responsible for himself and that the decision to use or stop using drugs would always be his own  and that attitude, combined with his long-stated opposition to mass incarceration and the drug war, convinces me that he would want me to write this letter.

What happened to Mike is a grievous tragedy, Simon wrote. But I know that Michael would look upon the undone and desolate life of Mr. Macci and know two things with certainty: First, that it was Michael who bears the fuller responsibility for what happened.

And second, Simon continued, No possible good can come from incarcerating a 71-year-old soul, largely illiterate, who has himself struggled with a lifetime of addiction and who sold drugs not for profit but rather as someone caught up in the diaspora of addiction himself.

The Wire was a five-season panorama of the drug trade in Baltimore, where Simon once was a police reporter. It followed narcotics and their attendant corruption from the streets through every municipal institution. Williams character made a living by robbing dealers, his presence presaged by an ominously whistled version of The Farmer in the Dell and shouts of Omars coming!

Simon said that during the third season of The Wire, Williams quietly acknowledged his struggles with addiction to a producer. Then, to stay at work  which was, in fact, a stabilizing influence in his life  he readily agreed to let us help him address his drug use, going so far as to seek the constant companionship of a crew member whose job was to assure some distance between Mike and temptation.

The show ended in 2008, and afterward Williams openly discussed his struggles with drug addiction. Macci is one of four men charged in connection with his death.

The four men have all pleaded guilty, with Maccis sentencing scheduled for later this month. According to the court filing by his lawyer, Benjamin Zeman, the courts probation office recommended a sentence of 10 years for Macci, who pleaded guilty in April to agreeing with others to possess and distribute narcotics.

Zemans filing asks that Macci, who has been jailed since his arrest in February 2022, receive a sentence of time served, which would be nearly 1 1/2 years.

Zeman said he asked Simon to write on Maccis behalf because hes been such a thoughtful and eloquent voice about what the failure of the war on drugs has wrought, and I knew of his relationship with Mr. Williams and all that Mr. Williams had spoken about this subject during the course of his life.

Simon, in his letter, called Williams one of the finest actors with whom I have had the honor to collaborate and one of the most thoughtful, gracious and charitable souls I could ever call a friend.

I never failed to see him take responsibility for himself and his decisions, Simon added.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
Crowd of teens fight on the beach, light fireworks on the boardwalk in Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach is enforcing an 11 p.m. juvenile curfew after a large crowd of teenagers caused chaos on the boardwalk Wednesday night and three were arrested.

Around 10:15 p.m. Wednesday, police spotted two males fighting on the beach at Garfield Parkway, surrounded by over 300 teenagers chanting, yelling and enticing" them, according to a Bethany Beach Police Department news release.

Officers separated the two males and while they were taking statements, police said, another teen tried to remove a baton from an officers hip.

The officer was able to retain his weapons and give chase, the news release said.

Bethany Beach police said a crowd of over 300 teenagers gathered on the beach and boardwalk Wednesday night.

The 18-year-old Newark male was then taken into custody, and as officers walked him up the ramp to the boardwalk, the volatile crowd of teenagers began chanting and enticing officers, according to police.

The crowd moved from the beach to the boardwalk in the area of the bandstand, where someone lit an extremely large ground base sprinkler firework display, damaging the boardwalk, according to the news release.

More: How legislation will prevent restaurants from ever being built in Cape Henlopen State Park

The unknown suspect caused a chaotic situation where (approximately) 100 subjects fled the area to prevent themselves from being burned and struck by the active fireworks display, the post said.

A few minutes later, another suspect lit an explosive, mortar style firework display that caused significant panic and distress to the crowds congregated on the boardwalk, according to the post.

Police said at least one teen was burned after fireworks were set off on the boardwalk in Bethany Beach Wednesday night.

The firework sprayed in a 50-yard radius and numerous people were struck and burned, police said. A 17-year-old suffered burn marks along her left hip/rib cage, according to police. She was treated on the scene.

Security and body camera footage allowed police to identify the suspects who lit the fireworks, the post said. An 18-year-old male from Falls Church, Virginia, was taken into custody without incident, while the other suspect, an 18-year-old male from Selbyville, fled but was later taken into custody, police said.

More: What to know and do at the Delaware beaches this weekend

All three teens were charged with various misdemeanors.

Neither Bethany Beach police nor Town Manager Cliff Graviet immediately returned calls. Police Chief Michael Redmon was placed on administrative leave in May after he was charged with DUI.

Police made three arrests Wednesday night after teens fought on the beach and set off fireworks on the boardwalk.

"Parents," the Bethany Beach Police Department said in a Facebook post Thursday, "Let's do better. This is unacceptable to our Town, businesses, hotels, and guests."

The same post said police "bumped our juvenile curfew" to 11 p.m., but according to the Bethany Beach Town Code, an 11 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18 was already in place.

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce's slogan is "The Quiet Resorts." Incidents involving unruly teens are uncommon in Bethany Beach compared with, for example, Dewey Beach, which just last month was dealing with crowds of "June bugs," or recent high school graduates.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bethany Beach police arrest 3 after fight, fireworks lit on boardwalk
Petr Fiala

The Czech Republic will send Ukraine more attack helicopters and large-caliber ammunition, and also train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Prague on July 7.

He also added that Czechia will provide Ukraine with flight simulators that will allow training to take place in Ukraine.

Fiala emphasized that the Czech Republic is one of the largest providers of military aid to Ukraine.

During Russia's full-scale invasion, the country has sent 676 pieces of heavy equipment, including tanks and more than 4 million rounds of medium and large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine, Fiala said.

This means that every day, since the first day of the war, about 10,000 pieces of ammunition and at least one tank, rocket launcher, howitzer, etc. have been leaving the Czech Republic for Ukraine," Fiala said.

Read also: Czechs raise $2.3 million to buy RM-70 rocket launcher for Ukraine

Zelenskyy said that he appreciated Prague's assistance and was ready to support Czech companies involved in reconstruction projects in Ukraine.

Earlier, NV reported that Romania will open a regional training center for F-16 fighter pilots, which will be available to its allies and NATO partners, including Ukraine.

Training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s  What is known

During a meeting in the Ramstein format on May 25, Western countries decided that Denmark and the Netherlands would lead a European fighter jet coalition for Ukraine.

The White House said the allies will determine in the coming months when Ukraine will receive fighter aircraft, from whom, and how many. At the same time, the fighter jets will be supplied on the condition that Ukraine does not use them to strike Russian territory.

Read also: Ukraine needs F-16s to stop all Russian missiles, says air force spokesman

Eight European countries have already joined the "fighter jet coalition" for Ukraine: The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal, and France.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said the F-16s would not arrive before the New Year, although the Defense Ministry had previously hoped they would come this fall.

Politico reported that a coalition of Western countries is considering Romania as a possible place to train Ukrainian pilots on F-16s.

Ukraine has been requesting modern fighter jets since the early days of Russias full-scale invasion and war, which started on Feb. 24, 2022.

Read also: Czech Foreign Affair Minister says Ukraine helping to end Russian imperialism

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Czech President explains his words about just one attempt for Ukraine to counterattack

Czech President Petr Pavel has clarified his statement that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would have only one attempt at a counteroffensive.

Source: Pavel at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Prague, cited by European Pravda

Details: Pavel has clarified that he meant that Ukraine will have one attempt at a counteroffensive this year, as such operations are time-consuming and resource-intensive.

Quote: "Let me clarify my words. I said that Ukraine will have only one opportunity to launch a counteroffensive this year. Preparing a counter-offensive requires a lot of time and resources. It is unrealistic to expect that if there is an unsuccessful offensive, we can immediately launch a second one."

More details: He has stressed the need to do everything possible to make this counteroffensive successful.

Background:

Pavel said in March, in an interview with the Polish news outlet Rzeczpospolita, that Ukraine would have only one attempt to launch a major counter-offensive.

Earlier, the Chair of NATO's Military Committee, Rob Bauer, said that Ukrainian troops did the right thing when they acted cautiously during the counteroffensive to avoid heavy losses in their attempts to break through.

The Chief of the UK Defence Staff, Tony Radakin, has stressed that it is unfair to tie Ukraine to a specific timeframe and that "Russia is so weak now that it does not have the strength to [launch] its own counter-offensive".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Tinley Park-Park District presents the free Chalk the Walk outdoors to celebrate Unplug Illinois Day. The public art experience includes a chance to share positive messages on the sidewalk surrounding The Band Shell, Community Park and White Water Canyon Water Park. (Tinley Park-Park District)

More than 30 communities are scheduled to participate July 15 in Illinois Park & Recreation Associations fifth annual Unplug Illinois Day.

Tinley Park-Park District hosts the third year of Chalk the Walk July 15 outdoors at The Band Shell at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center.

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It really is a fun way for families to get together and do something different, said Carol Bradtke, marketing manager for Tinley Park-Park District.

The push is to help people develop healthier lifestyles and (show) how Parks and Recreation can help them do that.

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Chalk is provided for the public art experience during which attendees can create artwork and share positive messages on the sidewalk surrounding The Band Shell, Community Park and White Water Canyon Water Park.

This year were doing a bit more. Were also going to have a couple of crafts focusing on being kind and weve got a binocular kit  fun things for kids to make and take with them, said Bradtke of Tinley Park.

Theyll have a little passport and get everything checked off that they did. That will be the raffle ticket theme. We will pull prizes. We have people donating different gift cards.

Everyone gets a treat bag that will include a little coloring book that we created from pictures from people having fun at the park district.

According to Bradtke, Tinley Park-Park District drew approximately 20 individuals and day camp participants ranging from age 3 to teenager for the initial Chalk the Walk in 2019 while the events second installment in 2022 drew approximately 80 families and individuals.

We came up with Chalk the Walk because we wanted to put good vibes out in the world, she said.

Bradtke noted that Unplug Illinois Day is all about making people aware of everything that park districts have to offer and helping them to find ways to get away from electronics, the television and the computer.

She added that the Illinois Park & Recreation Association initiative encourages people to be outside and enjoy not only our parks but all natural areas, forest preserves and everything like that and to engage with other active people and to be active.

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Chalk the Walks unplugged family fun also includes games, a Storywalk and a scavenger hunt.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

More information about Unplug Illinois is at unplugillinois.org, where other participating communities include Bolingbrook, Crete, Mokena, Palos Park, Plainfield and Richton Park.

Chalk the Walk

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When: 10-11:30 a.m. July 15

Where: The Band Shell at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center, 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park

Admission: free

Information: 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Czechia wants to start negotiations on Ukraine's accession to EU by end of 2023

Czech President Petr Pavel has said he will work to ensure that negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the EU begin by the end of this year.

Source: Pavel on Twitter

Quote: "We will also work to ensure that negotiations on EU accession begin by the end of this year."

Details: Pavel also added that it is in Czechias interest that Ukraine should start negotiations on joining NATO immediately after the war.

In his opinion, "this is good for our security, regional stability and economic prosperity".

Background: A special Czech government jet carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed at Prague's Ruzyne airport on Thursday evening.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Danielle Jonas on feeling 'less than' when it comes to Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner

Danielle Jonas says she sometimes feels out of tune when it comes to the more famous people in her extended family.

During a June 27 interview with the "LadyGang" podcast, the television personality spoke about the complex feelings she sometimes experiences when she's with her famous sisters-in-law, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sophie Turner.

Jonas married Jonas Brothers band member Kevin Jonas in 2009.

Priyanka Chopra, Sophie Turner, and Danielle Jonas at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 1, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic for dcp)

Since then, she has seen her brothers-in-law, Joe Jonas and Nick Jonas, marry the two actors whose careers often put them in the limelight.

Chopra Jonas is currently starring in the first season of the Amazon Prime series Citadel and married Kevin Jonas younger brother, Nick, in 2018. Turner starred in Game of Thrones for eight seasons and is set to star in the upcoming British series Joan, according to Deadline. She wed Joe Jonas in 2019.

Finding my place in it ... the two boys married somebody who, theyre actresses, theyre out there and everyone knows them. And I feel like, Im Danielle, you know? she explained during the conversation.

In addition to having starred in E!s reality television show Married to Jonas, the mother of two owns her own jewelry company.

Danielle and Kevin Jonas share daughters Alena, 9, and Valentina, 6.

Still, she said that some days she cant help but aspire to have more accomplishments under her belt. According to Danielle Jonas, this sentiment can be true when it comes to her husband, as well.

Its also that, like, Im out there celebrity-wise because Ive married you, she told her husband, who also appeared on the podcast. And thats where its like, I wanna have something else to my name too so that it feels, I dont know, 'more than,' or like, the other girls. Cause then when Im with the other girls, I feel just less than sometimes. Its weird.

Kevin Jonas, on his end, also shared that he can relate. He said, you will always be compared to the people around you the most.

I feel that way too, he said. Nick and Joe, right? Solo careers, movies, all this stuff. Its like, everyone has to find their place. No matter the situation, right? He added that for their relationship, its about communicating, talking through it.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
After days of traffic delays, no congestion expected on I-10 near MS Coast Buc-ees site

If youve gotten stuck in traffic on Interstate 10 near the site of the Mississippis first Buc-ees Travel Center, then its time for a temporary rejoice.

No congestion is expected on I-10 near the Menge Avenue exit through the next week, the Mississippi Department of Transportation told the Sun Herald on Friday.

The news comes after two days of congestion and delays that spanned from the Bay St. Louis exit (13) to the Long Beach exit (28) as work begins on replacing the overpass bridge on Menge Avenue. Its the first phase of an interstate widening project to make way for the luxury gas station and general store.

Buc-ees is set to open in December 2024.

The last week has been hellish for drivers trying to navigate I-10 on the Coast  aside from the hours of congestion near Exit 24, westbound traffic near the Mississippi-Louisiana state line has been backed up for hours each day as repairs are made to the East Pearl River bridge.

Westbound drivers who travel from the Coast to Slidell or New Orleans can expect delays for the next month, MDOT says.

Keep up with the latest updates on MDOTs traffic map.
Good morning, Chicago.

For the second time in four days, severe thunderstorms swept through parts of Chicago and suburban Cicero on Wednesday, dumping another 1 to 2 inches of rainfall on neighborhoods still trying to recover from Sundays downpour.

According to the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, the citys 311 service received more than 2,800 complaints related to basement, street and viaduct flooding throughout the day Wednesday and as of 11 a.m. Thursday. Nearly 2,100 of those were service requests related to water in the basement.

Some pockets of the metro area saw up to 3 inches of rain, said National Weather Service meteorologist Todd Kluber. But for those unfortunate enough to have gotten caught outside, it likely looked similar to the 3 to 7 inches of rain that hit the city and suburbs over the weekend because the soil is still waterlogged.

Read the full story from the Tribunes Adriana Perez and Laura Rodriguez Presa.

Here are the top stories you need to know to start your day.

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As a warming Earth simmered into worrisome new territory this week, scientists said the unofficial records being set for average planetary temperature were a clear sign of how pollutants released by humans are warming their environment. But the heat is also just one way the planet is telling us something is gravely wrong, they said.

The Police Department said the allegations concern an officer or officers assigned to the Ogden District, which covers the Little Village and Lawndale neighborhoods on the West Side.

Few details were available late Thursday about the scope of the investigation. Also a focus was whether some of the migrants allegedly involved in the matter were minors, sources with knowledge of the internal review said.

Judge Edmond Chang approved a joint motion brought by Democratic Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough and attorney Michael Shakman, who first filed a lawsuit challenging the widespread use of patronage in 1969 during the era of Mayor Richard J. Daley, who perfected the Chicago machine.

About 15 days before she was killed, Karina Gonzalez obtained an order of protection against her husband, prosecutors said. A judge had ordered that she should have exclusive access to their Little Village home and care for their children. The judge also banned her husband, Jose Alvarez from the property and from making contact with Gonzalez, the order obtained by the Tribune shows.

But Alvarez never received the order.

Chicagos life sciences industry is about to get another much-needed shot in the arm. The University of Chicago signed a partnership agreement with CIC, a Massachusetts-based operator of shared workspaces and labs, to incubate dozens of faculty-led startup companies within the universitys leased space in Hyde Park Labs, a flagship science building under construction at the corner of 52nd Street and Harper Avenue.

The 2023 MLB draft begins Sunday at Lumen Field in Seattle, and the White Sox and Cubs each will select 20 new prospects. Both teams have mid-first-round picks and will select from a draft class heavy on college talent. Slot bonuses for those early picks are now in the millions. Heres what to know.

The Bulls will play four games to open the tournament, beginning today. If they post a strong enough record, they will be seeded in the semifinals to compete for the summer league title. The 26 teams that dont make the semifinals will play a fifth game on July 15 or 16.

Barely two months have passed since Chicago audiences saw Other Peoples Children, starring the busy and reliably excellent Virginie Efira. Her instincts locate the tenderness in both drama and light comedy  often in the same instant. That French export, a good one, was distributed stateside by Chicagos Music Box Films.

Now, Music Box is circulating another recent pickup starring Efira. Revoir Paris, which translates as Paris Memories, finds Efira working as thoughtfully and effectively as ever, writes film critic Michael Phillips. The film itself is frustrating, however.

Live music is always playing in Chicago in the summer and this weekend is no exception. Or take a trip out to Glen Ellyn to see Warhol.
A metro Atlanta man was served with a summons to Superior Court by the car dealership that sold him a stolen car.

Its like pouring salt on an open wound, his mother, Tamika Graham, said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Back in May in a Channel 2 Action News investigation, we told you how police suddenly appeared in Demetrius Howards Covington driveway six months after he purchased a car from Evolution Cars in Conyers. Police said the car was stolen and they repossessed it.

For months, both the finance company and Evolution refused to pay back Howards money. But after Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray got involved, the finance company returned the money for the vehicle. And a magistrate judge ordered Evolution to pay Howard $4,500.

But last month, a process server appeared at Howards front door.

TRENDING STORIES:

It seems insane that they would still want to fight that after, you know, seeing what all weve been through, Howard told Channel 2 Consumer Investigator Justin Gray.

Instead of paying the money, Evolution Cars filed an appeal of the default judgment against it.

When Gray went back to Evolution Cars, the staff member there said he did not know anything about it and would tell the owner we had questions. We also emailed attorneys for Evolution.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Back in May, an Evolution manager maintained the dealership had done nothing wrong.

We did a deal. We did due diligence with the state of Georgia, what they require from us to verify the vehicle is not stolen, Evolution Cars manager Luis Diaz said.

We still thought that that check would come so that he can get a new car. And then when we were served, I was like, The audacity! Like, why? Weve done nothing? Graham said.

Gray spoke by phone with the owner of Evolution Cars who says this week his attorney has made an offer to Howard to settle the case and pay Howard the $4,500 plus attorney fees. Howard says his attorney is reviewing the offer.
Death toll from Russian missile strike on apartment building in Lviv rises to 10

Russia attacked Lviv on July 6

A tenth victim has been recovered from the rubble of a building hit by a Russian missile in Lviv on July 6, Mayor Andriy Sadovyi reported on Telegram on July 7.

"Now the rescuers are freeing (the body of) the victim, a woman, from the rubble," he said.

This will complete the rescue and search operation.

In the early hours of July 6, an air raid alert was declared in all regions of Ukraine, including Kyiv. In Lviv, Russian missiles hit a residential building.

Numerous civilian infrastructure facilities were also damaged.

Read also: Two family members of journalist killed in Lviv missile strike, another family miraculously escapes

Following the nighttime attack, the Ukrainian Air Force reported that it had destroyed seven out of 10 Kalibr cruise missiles launched by Russia in the attack.

The enemy struck at about 1 a.m. from the Black Sea, launching Kalibr cruise missiles from naval vessels and submarines.

The missiles first headed north, using the course of the Dnipro River for navigation. However, they then suddenly changed course towards western Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted angrily to the missile strike on Lviv on July 6, vowing to hit back at the enemy.

Read also: Lviv missile strike victims range from 21 to 95 years old  oblast head

Lviv. The consequences of the night attack by Russian terrorists. Unfortunately, there are wounded and dead. My condolences to the relatives! Zelenskyy said in a post on social media.

There will definitely be a response to the enemy. A tangible one.

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
Deforestation dropped 34% in the Amazon during Lulas first 6 months in office

Fire consumes land recently deforested by cattle farmers near Novo Progresso, Para state, Brazil on Aug. 23, 2020. Recently released data says that deforestation in the Amazon dropped 34% within the first six months of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas term as Brazils president. | Andre Penner, Associated Press

Deforestation in the Amazon dropped 34% within the first six months of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas term as Brazils president, according to data released Thursday from Brazils national space research agency Inpe.

Reuters said deforestation in the Amazon hasnt been this low in four years, with data showing 1,023 square miles of rainforest were cleared, equivalent to three times the size of New York City.

Daniel Silva, an analyst at the nonprofit environment education program WWF-Brasil, told Reuters, Its very positive, but we continue to have very high levels of deforestation.

The data comes from a system called Deter, which focuses on detecting deforestation in real-time, while the most accurate deforestation data is released annually through a separate system called Prodes, The Associated Press said.

Related

Deforestation in Brazil

Environment Minister Marina Silva said in a press briefing that the fall in deforestation was a direct result of the Lula (da Silva) government quickly ramping up resources for environmental enforcement, per Reuters.

Last month, Politico reported on the Brazilian presidents plan to end illegal deforestation in Brazil, which will take four years and includes a goal of achieving net-zero deforestation by replanting however much is being cut down.

Lula said, Brazil will once again become a global reference in sustainability, tackling climate change, and achieving targets for carbon emission reduction and zero deforestation, according to Politico.

Related

BBC reported that 3,075 fires were detected in the Amazon, the highest number of fires since 2007.

Brazil is the worlds fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with almost 3% of global emissions, according to Climate Watch, an online platform managed by World Resources Institute. Almost half of Brazils carbon emissions come from deforestation, per Politico.

Joao Paulo Capobianco, the Environment Ministrys executive secretary, said during a presentation, The effort of reversing the curve of growth has been reached. That is a fact: we reversed the curve; deforestation isnt increasing, per the AP.

Since being elected, Lula has decreed six new indigenous reserves, banning mining and restricting commercial farming there, and vowed to reverse policies of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, BBC said.

According to CNN, Brazils president:
One of five dogs seized by animal control officers in DeLand as part of an animal cruelty case against Kevin Proulx.

A DeLand man was charged with felony animal cruelty after police found a dead puppy and five other dogs who appeared to be looking for food in a filthy house, police said.

Kevin Proulx, 55, was arrested Thursday and charged with six counts of felony animal cruelty, according to DeLand Police. He was released from the Volusia County Branch Jail the same day on $6,000 bond.

Animal cruelty charge: Report: Palm Coast man charged with animal cruelty after shooting dog

The investigation began in the early morning of June 16 with a well-being check at 406 Pursley Drive.

One of the dogs seized from a home in an animal cruelty case in DeLand against Kevin Proulx.

Officers trying to contact the homeowner observed six dogs at the residence, including a dead, 9-month-old puppy.

The other five dogs were "very skinny and appeared to be looking for food and water," according to DeLand Police.

Eventually police contacted the resident, Proulx, who was taken to a hospital for an unknown medical issue.

Animal control officers seized this dog and four others as part of an animal cruelty case against Kevin Proulx in DeLand.

Animal control officers estimated the residence was fouled by weeks or even months of urine and dog feces, police stated.

There was trash "all over the place" in the house as well as empty liquor bottles, a report stated. The walls had holes in them, the report stated. The officer said the smell inside the house was so bad the officer had to borrow a mask and oxygen tank from the DeLand Fire Department, the report stated.

Florida Pointer Rescue took in the surviving dogs: two adult dogs, a German shorthaired pointer and Weimaraner, about 2 to 3 years old, and three puppies, approximately 9 months old.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida man jailed after police find 5 emaciated dogs, 1 dead puppy
This article was originally published in 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.

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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.

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

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. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/The Texas Tribune)

TKTKT at the Texas State Technical College in Waco on Oct. 24, 2022. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/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. (Jack Myer/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. (Jack Myer/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. (Jack Myer/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. (Jack Myer/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 E4Texas 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 E4Texas, an inclusive job training program open to students with developmental disabilities. (Jack Myer/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. (Jack Myer/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 youre not alone, and theres 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. (Evan LRoy/The Texas Tribune)

Students walk to class on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station on Nov. 15, 2022. (Evan LRoy/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. (Evan LRoy/The Texas Tribune)

Julia Gault, a junior in the Aggie ACHIEVE program, talks with another student during office hours on Nov. 15, 2022. (Evan LRoy/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 Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune, a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Democrats attempted to take aim at Montana Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy for a potential conflict of interest claim, while ignoring incumbent Sen. Jon Tester  who helped pass a farm bill that benefited his own business.

Bloomberg reported Friday that Sheehy's fire fighting aviation company, which holds many government contracts, could present a conflict of interest if he's elected in 2024. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) amplified the report.

A spokesperson for Sheehy told Fox News Digital he would step down from his CEO role if elected to the Senate next cycle. Meanwhile, Tester, who currently owns farmland worth up to $5 million according to his financial disclosures, voted for legislation in 2018 that would provide $400 billion in taxpayer subsidies and expanded support for organic farming, which is core to his own operation. He also has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in farm subsidies over the past three decades.

"Its surprising to see Democrats attack Tim Sheehy over his firefighting business when Jon Tester has voted for farming subsidies that benefit himself and his family," Maggie Abboud, spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, told Fox News Digital.

FORMER NAVY SEAL CHALLENGES VULNERABLE DEM SENATOR IN RED STATE RACE VITAL FOR 2024 SENATE MAJORITY

Senate ethics rules prohibit senators and their staff from engaging "in any outside business or professional activity or employment for compensation which is inconsistent or in conflict with the conscientious performance of official duties." Tester did not answer Fox News Digital's question regarding whether his subsidies represent an appearance of a conflict of interest.

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As the only Democrat to hold a statewide seat in Montana, Tester is fighting to maintain his seat in a state that voted Republican in the past two presidential elections.

Tester's farm, T-Bone Farms, has received $458,064 in subsidies from 1995 to 2021 in commodity subsidies and disaster-related payments, according to the Environmental Working Group, which collates public Department of Agriculture data. Additionally, Tester has received around $283,288 federal subsidies listed under his own name. That total includes roughly $6,000 Tester receives annually for conservation payments  used to reimburse farmers for leaving land unfarmed for ecological reasons.

Tester has been criticized for voting on major farm legislation every six years while directly benefiting from the policies and subsidies contained there.

TESTER RAILS AGAINST MULTI-MILLIONAIRES IN RE-ELECTION BID LAUNCH, BUT DISCLOSURES REVEAL HIS OWN WEALTH

"As the only working dirt farmer in the U.S. Senate, Jon Tester knows firsthand the challenges Montana farmers and ranchers face, which is why he's fighting for programs that make sure Montana farmers can continue to feed America," Tester's campaign told Fox when asked about the subsidies.

Farmers who take agriculture subsidies may not run afoul of congressional ethics rules  even though officials in the federal government agencies would be breaking the law if they were in a similar situation, according to Walter Shaub, former head of the Office of Government Ethics during the Obama administration.

Tim Sheehy launched his Senate campaign with Fox News Digital.

"If they were executive branch employees, participating in a benefits or welfare program for farmers like this would be a crime for someone receiving payments," Shaub told Politico earlier this year. "But there are no meaningful conflict of interest laws applicable to members of Congress. They know its wrong, which is why they criminalized it for executive branch employees, but members of Congress have always held themselves above the law," said Shaub, senior ethics fellow at the Project on Government Oversight.

While the Farm Bill received wide bipartisan support, some Senators expressed concern over potential conflict of interests between members like Tester, whose net worth increased by about $5 million during his time in the U.S. Senate.

Democrat farmer Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, expressed discomfort with the bill, specifically with the "loopholes" in the bill that allowed family members of farm owners to collect subsidies.

Sen. Jon Tester's net worth increased by about $5 million during his time in the Senate.

After its passage, Grassley slammed the "loopholes" that allowed distant family to receive subsidies "without any new requirements that they actually have to work."

"To say Im disappointed the bill makes more subsidies available to the wealthiest farmers and many non-farmers is a severe understatement. Especially when the impact of large farmers being allowed to manipulate the system is that young and beginning farmers face even larger hurdles," Grassley said in 2018 after the bill passed. "Today, we have a Farm Bill that is intentionally written to help the largest farmers receive unlimited subsidies from the federal government. There is no other way to characterize what the conference committee has done."

The latest version of the Farm Bill, passed in 2018, reauthorized and extended federal farm and nutrition programs through fiscal 2023, including crop subsidies.

According to Federal Election Commission (FEC) data from 2021, Tester has a net worth between $1,768,009 and $6,695,000, which is partially made up of the value of his farmland and associated assets he owns.

Tester, who is running for re-election in red-state Montana, previously blasted "multi-millionaires" who he claimed didn't "understand what a hard day's work looks like," dispute the Federal Election Commission (FEC) data from 2021 reporting the Senator has a net worth between $1,768,009 and $6,695,000.

Tim Sheehy is running to oust Sen. Tester in 2024.

Sheehy, who announced a run against Tester in June, co-founded Bridger Aerospace, an aviation company that has a fleet of aircraft that scoop water to fight wildfires and multiple contracts with the federal government. Bloomberg News reported last week that Sheehy would likely face ethics issues in Congress, but the Republican candidate plans to step down as CEO and board member to adhere to ethics rules.

"There are genuine conflicts of interest if he is receiving funds and government contracts," Craig Holman of the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen told Bloomberg. "Those are the types of issues that not only the executive branch, but Congress also deals with."

Katie Martin, spokeswoman for Sheehy, told Fox News Digital that "when Tim Sheehy is elected to the U.S. Senate, he will fully comply with Senate ethics rules and standards of conduct."

"Tim believes his private sector business experience of founding and running companies across multiple industries to include aerospace, technology and agriculture can bring a unique perspective to Washington," Martin said in a statement. "As a fiscal conservative, Tims top priorities include getting spending under control, reducing waste and making government more efficient, so it runs like a business."

Fox News' Brandon Gillespie contributed to this report.
Rick Ringold, one of the majority owners of Galaxy Labs, points out features of a cannabis growing room Friday at the Richton Park facility. (Mike Nolan/Daily Southtown)

One of the first craft cannabis growers approved by state regulators under the social equity program is close to starting operations.

Galaxy Labs has converted a former Richton Park grocery store into growing space for recreational cannabis that it anticipates selling to dispensaries.

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Managing partners Rick and Michelle Ringold said they also plan to open a dispensary this fall in a retail space northwest of the intersection of Sauk Trail and Governors Highway in Richton Park, next to the growing operation.

Galaxy received approval of occupancy from the village Wednesday and got the OK from the Illinois regulators to start operations Thursday.

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We are rushing to put on the last finishing touches, Michelle Ringold said Friday.

The Illinois Cannabis Social Equity Program was established as part of the states legalization of recreational adult-use marijuana.

Rick Ringold, left, and his wife, Michelle Ringold, majority owners of Galaxy Labs in Richton Park, at the facililty with Grant Vinkavich, operations director. (Mike Nolan/Daily Southtown)

The program was intended to offer disadvantaged people and communities of color disproportionately affected by the war on drugs an opportunity to benefit from the cannabis industry.

However, applicants, such as the Ringolds, have been hampered by delays in enactment of the equity program.

Galaxy was one of the first three craft growers issued a preconstruction permit by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, in May 2022. The company still needed to get approval from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

The first building we looked at got sold out from under us, Rick Ringold said.

He works in construction and said he began learning about cannabis cultivation a few years ago by taking courses at a local college.

The social equity program gives priority to businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans in regards to craft growers and other areas of the recreational marijuana marketplace.

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The Ringolds are both Black, and Rick Ringold served in military and is a disabled veteran.

We qualified as a social equity company, he said.

The couple live in Frankfort, and Michelle Ringold is a certified public accountant with her own firm.

A neighbor of the couple learned they were looking for space, and he owns the retail center where Galaxy has set up shop.

This facility is a great opportunity for us, Rick Ringold said.

Jose Maldonado, a business owner and investor in Galaxy, grew up in the Chicago Housing Authoritys Trumbull Park project in the South Deering community.

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Our neighborhood was surrounded by drugs and gangs but I was fortunate to escape the effects, he said in a news release from Galaxy. Now that marijuana is legal, I am hopeful that in joining with Galaxy, we can provide opportunities to help communities still disproportionately affected by drugs.

Ringold said opening Galaxy was a big ask that the community supported.

As Galaxy went through the village approval process there were questions but not real resistance, he said.

People wanted to understand how this business would impact the community, he said.

No public access to the building is allowed, employees undergo a state background check and security cameras are monitored by state police.

Tanks holding water infused with nutrients that will be used for growing recreational cannabis at Galaxy Labs in Richton Park. (Mike Nolan/Daily Southtown)

The grocery store space, last occupied by Super Save, has been vacant for five years, Ringold said. It took several months to get the space ready for the growing center, and the couple said the investment totals about $12 million.

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They expect the plant will be ready for processing and sale to dispensaries sometime this fall.

We hope to sell to dispensaries across the state, Rick Ringold said.

Like a craft brewery, production will be limited to ensure quality, and we will be able to select who we sell to, Michelle Ringold said.

Our strategy is more quality than quantity, she said.

Initially, Galaxy will set aside 5,000 square feet for growing cannabis, but that can be expanded to up to 14,000 square feet. Each expansion requires state approval, the Ringolds said.

The business could build out all the space initially, but thats a risky proposition to build all 14,000 square feet at once if you cant use all of it, Rick Ringold said.

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Getting the money to see the project through was a challenge, Michelle Ringold said.

Because its not legal at the federal level you cant go through traditional banks, she said.

The couple reached out to family and friends as well as a private lender that caters to firms in the recreational cannabis arena, she said.

Grant Vinkavich, operations director for Galaxy Labs in Richton Park, explains environmental control systems in a growing room at the cannabis cultivation business. (Mike Nolan/Daily Southtown)

To make Galaxy a realization, they also assembled a group of specialists in the field, including Grant Vinkavich, operations director.

His background includes working for larger marijuana cultivation operators and also in medical marijuana, when Illinois initial pilot program was launched.

Galaxy employs sophisticated environmental controls to regulate things such as heat and humidity, and doesnt always require someone watching over the plants to ensure theyre growing to proper specifications.

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It allows us to have a lot of peace of mind, Vinkavich said. We have the ability to create a desired outcome.

As a craft grower, the business is also required to have energy efficient systems and even capture condensation from air conditioning for reuse, along with minimizing how much water is wasted in irrigating plants, said Vinkavich, who is also a Frankfort resident.

Rick Ringold described himself as a child of the 70s, when marijuana was an obtainable, although illegal, recreational drug. With states such as Illinois and others now allowing it for adult recreational use, he compares it to the country in the years after Prohibition.

I thought about people who were making moonshine or beer and they were outlaws, he said. With the country slowly moving toward national legalization, to see that in our lifetime is a real paradigm shift for me.

The state has also given initial construction approval for other craft growers in the south suburbs: Grand Legacy Group and TWM Equities, both in Chicago Heights; Kijani Leaf in Crestwood; HT 23 Custom Crafters and RB Vending Investments, both in South Chicago Heights; and R3 Veteran Flowers in University Park, according to agriculture department records.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues companies were having, the department in January gave craft growers extensions to next year to open their doors.

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DeSantis blamed the president of Mexico and the 'corporate media' for his low polling

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

GOP presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis' low polling numbers were brought up in a Fox News Tonight interview.

DeSantis pointed to the president of Mexico and the corporate media for his low polling.

"These people that are responsible for a lot of the ills in our society, they're targeting me," DeSantis said.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, Republican presidential candidate, blamed the president of Mexico and the 'corporate media' for his tanking polling numbers.

In an interview on Fox News Tonight, DeSantis' low polling numbers were brought up as a topic of discussion.

DeSantis War Room  (@DeSantisWarRoom) July 7, 2023

At first, DeSantis blamed the "corporate media," whom his campaign shut out for a time, for his inability to gain traction in Republican polling.

"Well, I think if you look at the people like the corporate media, who are they going after, who do they not want to be the nominee? They're going after me," DeSantis said, before adding that he's also been attacked by the president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, which could also explain the low numbers.

Earlier in July, Lopez Obrador called on US voters to not vote for DeSantis because of his state's tough immigration laws, and called for "not one vote for those who despise migrants."

"Who's the president of Mexico attacking because he knows we'll be strong on the border and hold him accountable in the cartels? He's going after me," DeSantis said in response before adding that he thinks "if you look at all these people that are responsible for a lot of the ills in our society, they're targeting me as the person they don't want to see as the candidate."

Since his campaign's turbulent launch on Twitter Spaces in May, DeSantis has consistently polled second in GOP primary polls, far behind former President Donald Trump. According to FiveThirtyEight, in recent polls asking about the entire slate of GOP candidates, DeSantis has mostly been unable to crack the 25% support mark while the former president routinely brings in over 50% of the pack.

Earlier this year, that same average had DeSantis pulling in the ballpark of 40% average support across polls.

While a debate stage with the former president may be what the Florida governor needs most to capture enough GOP voters, DeSantis may not face off against Trump on the stage anytime soon. For months, Trump has strongly hinted that he won't attend the first Republican presidential debate.

In spite of Trump's indecisiveness, DeSantis said he'd "be there, regardless."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) blamed members of media outlets for his sagging poll numbers that have him far behind former President Trump for the lead for the 2024 Republican nomination.

DeSantis said during an interview on Fox News on Thursday that corporate media are focusing on him because they do not want him to win the nomination.

Well, I think if you look at the people like the corporate media, who are they going after? he said. Who do they not want to be the nominee? Theyre going after me.

DeSantis also noted that Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has called on U.S. citizens to not vote for him, with the governor arguing that it was because he knows wholl be strong on the border and hold him accountable and the cartels.

So, I think if you look at all these people that are responsible for a lot of the ills in our society, theyre targeting me as the person they dont want to see as the candidate, he said.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

DeSantis has consistently polled in second place in Republican primary polling since before he launched his campaign in May, but Trump has built up significant leads over all of his current GOP rivals for the nomination. DeSantis has been the only candidate other than Trump to regularly have support in double digits, however.

He said his campaign has just started and is in the process of building up its organization, and that his favorability rating is strong and he expects to be able to improve.

DeSantis also said that he has the best record of defeating the left on various issues, and he will make that case to voters in the coming months. He said he is running to win in caucuses and primaries in January and February, not lead in polling now.

The governors comments come after Steve Cortes, the top spokesperson for the super PAC supporting him, called Trump the runaway front-runner for the nomination. Cortes later said he is convinced DeSantis has a strong path to winning the nomination.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis often tells Republican voters on the campaign trail that they should choose him because he is embracing big, bold policy positions that prove he is the presidential candidate most ready to wage an all-out battle on the political left.

A closer look shows much of that agenda  seal the countrys southern border and radically remake the federal bureaucracy  mirrors that of his chief rival, former President Donald Trump.

Since launching his campaign in May, DeSantis has struggled to distinguish his policy positions from the former president. Some of his plans match what Trump has already proposed, and others echo what he already did as president.

Its a particular challenge for DeSantis, whose substance-heavy pitch to voters relies more on policy than most Republican candidates. And its contributed to a growing sense that, at least in the early going of the 2024 primary, the governor is struggling to gain traction against a former president who polls show continues to hold a huge lead in the race.

Lets put it this way. What I see is a campaign floundering, trying to find a purpose to run, said Bryan Lanza, who worked on Trumps 2016 campaign and remains close to the former presidents team. Hes saying, Im Trump without the drama, but voters arent looking for Trump-light. Theyre looking for Trump.

DeSantis again encountered the problem last week, when he visited the U.S.-Mexico border during a campaign stopover in Texas to unveil his proposal to stop illegal immigration. The agenda included a pledge to complete Trumps wall along the countrys southern border, reinstate the former presidents so-called Remain in Mexico policy and end catch and release, the practice of releasing migrants into the U.S. while they await court dates.

Even if the proposals were far-reaching and aggressive by traditional conservative standards, they largely matched Trumps own agenda, both the one he implemented as president and what he proposes to do if given another term.

Its a dynamic Republican policy experts warned has already been a recurring theme for DeSantis so far this campaign as he runs against a candidate who often adopts the most conservative position on a range of pressing issues.

In addition to immigration, public policy experts on the right say DeSantis policies have mirrored Trumps agenda on issues including:

Relocating federal agencies and other departments to outside the Washington, D.C., area

Firing federal employees, even those in the civil service, who are seen as acting contrary to the presidents wishes

Casting doubt on the validity of U.S. interests in Ukraine as it seeks to repel Russias invasion

Proposing to break the swamp, after years of Trump promising to drain the swamp.

If you have somebody whos already painting with the boldest colors there is, you cant get any more vivid than that, said Patrick T. Brown, a fellow at the conservative Ethics and Policy Center. So I do think theres an element of, what can he do to differentiate himself?

Conservative support for Trump

DeSantis sits in second place in the GOP primary, according to polls, trailing well behind Trump and earning less support from Republican voters than he did when the year began. Many Republican political strategists say they believe the former president has been bolstered in recent months by his decision to start re-engaging with voters on the campaign trail and two rounds of criminal indictments that have convinced many conservatives hes being unfairly targeted by the justice system.

Trump has also largely come to define the modern-day conservative movement. A February 2016 poll conducted by Quinnipiac University found that only 27 percent of Republican voters who described themselves as very conservative supported Trump in that years GOP presidential primary. A poll fielded in June 2023 by the university showed that support at 64 percent.

DeSantis allies and defenders acknowledged at least some overlap with Trump on policy issues, noting that the two were close political allies before the Florida governor emerged as a presidential prospect. DeSantis best argument for the GOP nomination, they said, is that he actually has the discipline needed to follow through on his promises, unlike Trump.

President Trump had some good policy goals. The trouble is that his personal behavior got in the way of those policy goals, Dan Eberhart, a Republican donor whos backing DeSantis in the primary, said. It made them harder to achieve and what did pass was quickly reversed by Democrats when they got into office.

The governor has also found some areas where hes been able to differentiate himself from Trump, promising that he would choose a different kind of Federal Reserve chairman than Jerome Powell, whom Trump appointed, and do more to hold accountable federal health leaders like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former White House public health adviser whom DeSantis blames for a mismanaged response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Justin Sayfie, a South Florida-based lobbyist who served as a spokesperson and top adviser for former Gov. Jeb Bush, said that DeSantis already has a track record in Tallahassee to back up his promises. When it comes to reforming the federal bureaucracy, Sayfie said, DeSantis can make the case that he can succeed where Trump failed.

Donald Trump attempted to do it and failed, Sayfie said. He empowered a lot of the people there  like Anthony Fauci, like Jerome Powell  that are part of the swamp, and I think its going to take a focused, concerted effort to drain it, to reform it and to change it.

There is no question in my mind that Gov. DeSantis understands how important it is to do it and how important it is that he personally focuses his own attention on it.

DeSantis has also defended the six-week abortion ban in Florida that he signed into law earlier this year, contrasting his support for that measure with Trumps argument that such a ban is too harsh.

Campaign trail message

And he has cast himself as a conservative crusader on culture war issues, like transgender rights and diversity initiatives in education. After his team shared a widely criticized video on Twitter last week attacking Trumps record on LGBTQ issues, DeSantis defended it.

On the campaign trail, however, the Florida Republican has focused a lot of messaging on reforming the federal bureaucracy, arguing that it has unconstitutionally acquired too much power, to the harm of the American people. DeSantis has proposed moving entire departments out of Washington, firing federal employees for dereliction of duty even if they are members of the civil service, and altogether eliminating some agencies such as the Department of Education.

But Trump had already moved one federal department, the Bureau of Land Management from Washington when he was president, and has repeatedly promised that he would take on members of the so-called deep state during his second term that he says thwarted his agenda the first time around.

Trying to convince voters that hes more likely to revamp the federal bureaucracy isnt easy to do, conservatives say.

This is an issue somewhat similar to immigration, in that it is so closely associated with Trump, that its hard to outflank him, Brown said.

Attempting to show voters just how far he was willing to go, DeSantis vowed last week to break the swamp, an apparent twist on Trumps years-old promise to drain the swamp. But the attempted wordplay only underscored to some Republicans the governors struggles to move out of Trumps shadow.
Yuba County sheriffs detectives arrested a 19-year-old man on suspicion of homicide in the shooting of a 13-year-old boy killed late Thursday at an apartment complex in the small town of Linda.

The shooting was reported about 11:30 p.m. at the Shasta Glen Apartments in the 6000 block of Gossett Way, according to the Yuba County Sheriffs Office. Deputies arrived at the scene and found the 13-year-old with an apparent gunshot wound.

Medics performed lifesaving measures at the scene, but the boy died from his injuries. The Sheriffs Office has not yet released the boys name.

Detectives arrested Gabriel Angel Aguayo on a homicide charge in connection with the boys death. Sheriffs officials said detectives were still investigating the motive behind the shooting.

Detectives immediately started their investigation. The California Department of Justice assisted sheriffs detectives in collecting evidence at the crime scene, authorities said.

Investigators asked anyone with information about the deadly shooting to call sheriffs detectives at 530-749-7777.
How did Gulfport get the Armed Forces Retirement Home? The long history begins in 1811.

When it comes to providing a nurturing space for retired and permanently disabled veterans of the armed forces, there are only two federal retirement homes in the entire United States. One is situated in the heart of Washington DC, while the other finds its home on the Mississippi Coast in Gulfport.

In the early years of the American government, pensions for wounded, disabled, or retired service members were not granted by the federal government. The new republic was cautious about offering lifetime payments or support to veterans, as it went against the prevailing no standing-army mindset. Consequently, assistance for veterans was initially limited in scale.

Each branch of the service made minor attempts to care for its retired officers, but the responsibility of providing for oneself during and after service ultimately fell on the service members.

It wasnt until February 26, 1811, that Congress authorized the creation of naval hospitals to cater to the nations sailors and Marines. The first naval hospital was established in Philadelphia under the guidance of Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton. By 1834, it became known as the Naval Asylum, aimed at supporting decrepit and disabled naval officers, seamen, and Marines.

In 1851, Congress authorized a military asylum to be created for relief and support of invalid and disabled Soldiers of the Army of the United States. The Soldiers Home was established in Washington DC, and satellite facilities were set up in several other states.

Inhabitants of these homes were referred to as inmates and were expected to work to earn their keep.

On the eve of the Civil War, there were around 80,000 veterans from previous conflicts across the nation. Many of these veterans were primarily admitted and treated at several dozen state and local homes specifically created for military veterans.

The aftermath of the Civil War saw the veteran population surge to over 2 million, overwhelming the capacity of the Soldiers Home and the Naval Asylum. In response, President Abraham Lincoln authorized the establishment of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers (NHDVS) to provide housing and care for Union veterans in need.

Over the next five decades, the NHDVS established 11 additional hospitals and homes, along with various resources, to cater to the nations veterans. In 1930, this organization transformed into the Veterans Administration, which eventually became the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1989.

Even by the late 1800s, pensions varied wildly depending on the branch of service and injuries sustained. Therefore, many states took the initiative to establish their own homes for veterans residing within their borders. Despite this, the asylums, state homes, and NHDVS remained entirely separate entities.

In 1889, the Naval Asylum was renamed the Naval Home. However, in 1976, the Sailors Home had outgrown its capacity and had no room to be expanded or renovated. The Naval Home was transferred to Gulfport Mississippi, on approximately 40 acres of land that used to house the Gulf Coast Military Academy for boys.

The new location offered residents a chance to explore the resort towns of Gulfport and Biloxi and enjoy the restaurants and scenic shoreline.

In 1990, the federal government introduced the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH) as the sole federal entity that provides a military retirement community. AFRH took over the management of the Soldiers and Naval Homes, re-branding them as AFRH-Washington and AFRH-Gulfport, respectively.

Hurricane Katrina devastated the previous structure in 2005 and the residents were transferred to AFRH-Washington. Reconstruction of a more modern building was completed in October 2010 to withstand the effects of a category 5 hurricane.

Much has changed since the initial opening in 1811. AFRH-Gulfport extends its in-home services to veterans who served in active combat zones, suffer from service-connected disabilities, or retired after 20 years of service. It currently offers an array of amenities, including a pool, library, theater, and organized tour groups, while allowing residents the freedom to come and go as they please.
Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Fox and Paramount Pictures

It might be surprising to learn how much the latest Indiana Jones film has in common with The Simpsons.

In its eighth season back in 1997, The Simpsons addressed its own audiences fatigue with the animated series, in the classic episode, The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show.

The episode was all about how ratings for The Itchy & Scratchy Show (a show-within-the-show that was a blatant metaphor for The Simpsons itself) were declining, because Itchy & Scratchy was no longer the fresh new thing. To shake things up in response, the fictional studio heads introduced a hip new character: a dog named Poochie (voiced by Homer). Despite the networks hype, however, Poochies introduction fell flat. What promised to be a bold new era for the cartoon turned out to be a total misfire, and the Itchy & Scratchy writers immediately reversed course.

It all led to a scene that is now famous among Simpsons fans, in which Poochie awkwardly says, in a voice thats obviously not Homers, I have to go now. My planet needs me. He then floats up to the sky with insultingly lazy animation. To rub salt in Homers wounds, this was followed up by a note reading, Poochie died on the way back to his home planet. When the episode ends, Krusty the Clown appears and excitedly announces, Poochies dead! to a bunch of cheering children in his audience. Then, to make it absolutely clear that Poochie was dead dead, Krusty brought out a sworn affidavit ensuring Poochie would never return, and had a lawyer confirm it was air tight. Poor Homer was devastated.

Since then, Poochie has been referenced whenever a series callously discards a controversial character. Season 8 of That 70s Show, for instance, famously had new member of the group Charlie (Bret Harrison) break his neck and die after falling off the towns water tower. It seemed like it was because fans realized Charlie was meant as a replacement for Eric in the final season and werent thrilled about it. But it was mainly because Harrison was cast in a new show The Loop between seasons, and could no longer be a Season 8 cast member as planned.

But you dont have to be literally killed off to qualify as a Poochie-esque character: Rise of the Skywalker lazily diminished the role of Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), doing so as a cowardly response to the racist backlash to the franchises previous installment, The Last Jedi. Rose didnt die on the way back to her home planet, but as far as the plot was concerned, she might as well have.

Beyond the fate of these characters, the Poochie phenomenon can be so depressing for fans because of how much it reminds us that were watching a work of fiction, made by people whose business interests can often trump creative vision.

Harrison Fords Return as Indiana Jones Is So Damn Disappointing

Just as Poochies death is obviously the result of studio meddling, its hard to watch something like the early Season 7 episode of Orange is the New Blackwhere annoying inmate Madison (Amanda Fuller) is suddenly transferred to another prison, never to be seen againand not immediately recognize it as the writers response to the real-life backlash against her in Season 6. Even if the viewer doesnt know the legend of Poochie from The Simpsons, they can tell on some level that this isnt an organic storytelling decision; real-world conditions are bleeding into this fictional world in an obvious, awkward way.

Such is the case with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which hit theaters over the holiday weekend. The movie was forced since it began production to deal with one major, uncomfortable question: What do they do about Mutt?

Played by Shia LeBeouf in 2008s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Mutt is revealed to be Indianas son. The final scene in the movie has Mutt pick up Indies iconic hat, playfully hinting at the idea that LeBeouf might take over Fords role as the new lead of the franchise. Indiana then quickly snags the hat away from Mutt, but the seed was still planted: Mutt might not have officially been the new Indy yet, but surely that was the long-term plan. I have an idea to make Shia the lead character next time and have Harrison come back like Sean Connery did in the last movie, George Lucas said at Cannes that year. I can see it working out.

Photo by Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures

But while Crystal Skull was not a flop, it also didnt do the kind of business or garner the audience response needed to greenlight a new sequel right away. Fans didnt appreciate the introduction of aliens to the franchise, nor were they in love with that ridiculous nuke the fridge moment in the first act. Most of all, they didnt like Mutt. The character was thinly drawn and not portrayed with anywhere near the same charisma Ford has given Indiewhich LeBeouf himself would be the first to admit. You can blame it on the writer and you can blame it on Steven [Spielberg, who directed], he told The Los Angeles Times in 2010, But the actors job is to make it come alive and make it work, and I couldnt do it. So thats my fault.

To make matters worse, the late 2000s would turn out to be the height of LaBeoufs acting career, not the start of it. After a string of plagiarism accusations, multiple arrests, and domestic abuse allegations, no one wouldve blamed Dial of Destiny for dropping Mutt even if the character had been well received. By 2023, the writers couldve easily just never mentioned Mutt at all and most of the audience wouldnt have complained. What they did instead was worse: They had Mutt die in Vietnam, completely off-screen, a few years before the start of the film.

The first mention of Mutts death is a blink-and-you-miss-it shoutout on a news segment about Indy, and for a moment it seemed like that was all the movie was going to say on the topic. But then Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) asks Indy what hed do if he could go back in time, which leads to a tearful monologue in which Indy wishes he would have stopped his son from enlisting in the war. Indy reveals that he feels responsible for the tragedy, since Mutt joined the war to spite him. He also says that this was what drove him and ex-wife Marion (Karen Allen) apart for the third time; Marion was inconsolable with grief, and Indie didnt know how to help her.

Its all devastating material, and Ford delivers it like the talented, award-winning actor hes always been. But its all undermined by the very funny realization that, in essence, Mutts been Poochied.

The Most Ridiculous Choice in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Mutt didnt die in Vietnam because that was the natural next step for his character after Crystal Skull; he died because audiences didnt want the character or the actor to return. As poor Indy chokes up about the unimaginable tragedy thats befallen his family, its not hard to imagine Mutt saying in a stilted voice, I have to go now. Vietnam needs meechoing Poochies own infamous phrase on The Simpsons. Dial of Destiny tries to make Indy and Marions broken marriage a major emotional throughline, but it doesnt work because it hinges on this manipulative revelation of Mutt dying on his way back to his home planet, so to speak.

The other big issue with a franchise pulling a Poochie with its handling of Mutts death is the way it concedes to fan complaints, allowing the initial narrative surrounding the character to be the final word rather than challenged in this new sequel.

As Homer argued throughout The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show, the cartoon couldve still turned fans opinions of Poochie around by putting extra effort into the writing and giving viewers more time to get to know the guy; instead the writers took the easy way out, killing off Poochie at the first sign of backlash and destroying any chance of redemption he mightve had. It may have been the smart choice from an immediate business standpoint, but it was also a cowardly one. Following through on Poochie, even just to give him a proper farewell an episode later, wouldve been far more admirable than the showrunners actual approach.

Photo by Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures

We know this because other franchises, like the Scream series, have stuck by their less popular entries over the years. Scream 4 continued Sydneys character arc from the unpopular third film, and Screams 5 and 6 brought characters back from the once unpopular Scream 4. Some say these decisions have paid off because Scream 3 and 4s reputations have improved over the years, but theres another argument: Those entries reputations have improved because the franchise refused to disown them. The Scream films have followed through on most of their questionable story choices, instead of abandoning them at the first sign of fan complaints. The series as a whole is stronger for it.

Because Dial of Destiny has so firmly walked back what Crystal Skull set up with Mutt, undoing Indy and Marions relationship in the process, theyve cemented the fourth movies status as the dud in the franchise. There is no returning to Crystal Skull and giving it another more charitable look. By erasing all its most significant story contributions, the series itself has given us full permission to discard it.

Giving Indy a son in Crystal Skull was a bold choice that promised to meaningfully alter the series status quo, and Dial of Destiny shouldve had the courage to at least try to follow through on that choice. Obviously Mutt was never going to be the new Indiana Jones, but when it comes to explaining his absence, the series surely couldve done a little better than this.

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You can die with them or not! Passenger melts down on American flight to Orlando

An American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Orlando was delayed for hours Sunday evening after a passenger had a mysterious meltdown caught on video.

In widely shared cellphone footage, a woman dressed in a crop top and jeans stands at the front of the plane frantically yelling at her fellow passengers, as if to warn them.

Im getting the f--- off, she screams, and theres a reason why ... and everyone can either believe it or they cannot believe it.

READ MORE: Southwest passenger freaks out over crying baby

The passenger then points to the back of the aircraft and shrieks more expletives. The person back there is not real!

As heads pivot, she keeps yelling, her voice cracking: You can sit on this plane and you can die with them or not! Im not going to!

A man then barks back: Bye!

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE

The way the whole plane looked back lmao pic.twitter.com/bLiUAN8kuk  Lance (@Bornakang) July 3, 2023

In a statement to FOX Business, American Airlines says that the flight returned to the gate at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport due to a disruptive customer.

The flight was met at the gate by local law enforcement and the customer was removed from the flight, the airline said. We thank our customers for their understanding and our team members for their professionalism in managing a difficult situation.

WARNING: VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE

Among those customers was old-school comedian Carrot Top, who posted a different angle of the disturbing scene on Twitter.

Omg! Ive seen this stuff on TV but NEVER experienced it!!! said the famed redheads caption. We all are now [bleeped] because this lady lost her [marbles]!!!

The comic, real name Scott Thompson, said despite being delayed for hours in Dallas, he commended American Airlines staffers on how they handled the situation.

Its really maddening how one nut job can ruin everyones plan. Well made it home safe! I guess thats all that matters.

READ MORE: Cop attacked at Spirit ticket counter, video shows

Though its still unclear what caused the woman to become so upset, the internet has spoken. Some say alcohol was a factor. Others say she was upset she lost an ear bud. One TikTok user even floated a theory that a man in a green hoodie freaked her out because he was blinking sideways.

The woman has not been identified.
[Source]

A disabled woman in China claims she is earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually after finding success as a beef cattle breeder.

Key details: Pan Yuangxiang, a 43-year-old business owner from Yibin, Sichuan province, declared that her highly lucrative business was making 5 million yuan (approximately $692,000) annually, according to Star News.

What happened to her: Pan became paralyzed from the waist down due to alleged medical negligence when she was 3 years old. The only way she is able to move around is by crawling on all fours.

Her early obstacles: Pan was, at one point in her young adult life, reportedly forced to beg on the streets after constantly being rejected by employers after graduating from a vocational high school at the age of 23.

More from NextShark: South Koreans are getting taller, obesity rates up among men, government study says

Failure was not an option: Despite all the obstacles she faced, Pan never gave up. She reportedly worked hard to master technology design and later found online jobs using that skill. With the money she was earning, Pan managed to save up enough for a down payment on a house.

She eventually encountered several issues soon after, including the failure of her two businesses, which resulted in the loss of her house.

But despite all of that, Pan never gave up, telling local media, Wherever you get wet, you just dry there, then keep moving forward.

More from NextShark: Tokyo train operator asks commuters not to wear scary costumes on Halloween weekend

The start of a lucrative business: Pan found success after entering the cattle breeding market, which was in high demand at the time.

With her newfound online fame and success, Pan is serving as a beacon of inspiration for many online.

Disabilities aren't scary  what's scary is having no dreams. I won't settle on waiting and begging others to solve my problems, because I dont see myself as a disabled person. I am just a regular person. More from NextShark: Norman Mineta, first Asian American Cabinet secretary, dies at 90

More from NextShark: Man Defaces Murals Celebrating Asian Culture in SF Chinatown
After conducting a disciplinary investigation, a D.C. bar panel has found that Rudy Giuliani forfeited his right to practice law and should be disbarred for his actions in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. The recommendations come months after Giuliani was initially interviewed by the three-person panel in December.

The committees report, released Friday, found that Giuliani violated Pennsylvania law by filing a lawsuit seeking to change the result of the 2020 presidential election when he had no factual basis, and consequently, no legitimate legal grounds, to do so.

Ted Goodman, an advisor to Giuliani, said in a statement that the committee is persecuting Mayor Rudy Giuliani on behalf of the permanent corrupt regime in Washington.

This is also part of a larger effort to deny President Trump effective counsel by persecuting Mayor Giuliani  objectively one of the most effective prosecutors in American history, Goodman added.

Giuliani was a central figure in the promotion of conspiracy theories following Trumps loss to President Biden, acting as an attorney for the former president in several lawsuits challenging the election outcome. The committee focused heavily on Giulianis efforts to challenge the results of the election in Pennsylvania, which included a push to get seven million votes tossed. This Court has been presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations, unpled in the operative complaint and unsupported by evidence, U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann wrote in a 2020 ruling. In the United States of America, this cannot justify the disenfranchisement of a single voter, let alone all the voters of its sixth most populated state, Brann wrote in a 2020 ruling.

In reviewing Giulianis role in the lawsuit, the committee established that Mr. Giulianis effort to undermine the integrity of the 2020 presidential election has helped destabilize our democracy. His malicious and meritless claims have done lasting damage and are antagonistic to the oath to support the Constitution of the United States of America that he swore when he was admitted to the Bar.

The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments, the committee added. It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done. For these reasons, we unanimously recommend that Mr. Giuliani be disbarred.

Giulianis post-election exploits are also of interest to multiple ongoing criminal probes. On Monday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Giuliani sat for more than eight hours of questioning in relation to Special Counsel Jack Smiths investigation into efforts to meddle with the election. Giuliani has also testified before a Georgia grand jury investigating attempted election subversion in the state.

Its unclear whether Giuliani is at risk of being indicted in those investigations, but the committees decision puts him on track to be stripped of his law license. The ultimate decision on whether to disbar Giuliani will be made by a larger disciplinary board and D.C.s Court of Appeals.

Giuliani is not the only one of Trumps former attorneys whose legal career has been jeopardized by their work for the former president. Earlier this week former Trump attorney Lin Wood announced his retirement from legal work in a transparent attempt to avoid his own disbarment. Wood had been accused of filing unsubstantiated election lawsuits in Michigan and was awaiting the ruling of a disciplinary trial in Georgia. John Eastman, another pro-Trump attorney who took pains to prevent Trumps election loss, is also facing potential disbarment in California over his role in concocting the fake electors scheme to undermine the Electoral College vote.

Giuliani has now joined Wood and Eastman in having his license threatened, but given the multiple criminal investigations into the effort to overturn the election results, continuing to practice law may be the least of the former mayors worries.

More from Rolling Stone

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Click here to read the full article.
A Washington, D.C.-based bar discipline committee concluded Friday that Rudy Giuliani should be disbarred for frivolous and destructive efforts to derail the 2020 presidential election in support of former President Donald Trump.

He claimed massive election fraud but had no evidence of it, the three-member panel declared in a 38-page decision. By prosecuting that destructive case Mr. Giuliani, a sworn officer of the Court, forfeited his right to practice law.

The committee tasked with reviewing Giulianis conduct consisted of two D.C. attorneys and one D.C. resident who is not a lawyer. The members deliberated for months after a weekslong series of hearings that featured testimony from Giuliani and several of his close associates. Trump waived attorney-client privilege to permit Giuliani to discuss the matters as well.

Giuliani plans to challenge the panels findings and recommended sanction in front of a larger bar-discipline board. His ultimate disbarment or other penalty would be decided by the D.C. Court of Appeals.

We are obviously disappointed by the Committee's decision but look forward to filing a vigorous appeal, said Barry Kamins, one of Giulianis attorneys in the bar proceedings.

A spokesperson for the former New York City mayor assailed the panel.

The decision-makers at the DC Bar Association are nothing more than an arm of the permanent regime in Washington, said Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani. This is also part of an effort to deny President Trump effective counsel by persecuting Rudy Giulianiobjectively one of the most effective prosecutors in American history. I call on rank-and-file members of the DC Bar Association to speak out against this great injustice.

In 2021, a state court in New York suspended his right to practice law in that state, citing his actions in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. No final disbarment order against Giuliani has been entered in New York, but bar discipline proceedings in that state are notoriously opaque.

Giuliani, who came to national prominence during the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and was sometimes hailed as Americas mayor, earlier served as the hard-charging U.S. attorney in Manhattan and as a top official in the Justice Department under President Ronald Reagan.

The D.C. disciplinary panel contended that Giulianis efforts to aid Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election overshadowed the renowned prosecutor and mayors prior record.

The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments, they concluded. It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done.

The panel that issued the recommendation Friday consists of two D.C. lawyers, Robert Bernius and Jay Brozost, and one public member, Carolyn Haynesworth-Murrell. No member noted any dissent to the hearing committees findings or call for Giulianis disbarment.

The D.C. case centered around Giulianis role in efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election in Pennsylvania, where he took a leading role in litigating the matter in federal court.

The disciplinary counsel found that Giulianis efforts in Pennsylvania were devoid of any factual merit and sought draconian remedies: throwing out hundreds of thousands of lawful votes in order to boost Trumps chances of winning the state. Giuliani pressed unsupported claims that third-party observers were improperly denied access to vote counting in some Pennsylvania counties, the panel concluded, suggesting Giuliani violated tenets of Pennsylvanias rules of professional conduct.

His hyperbolic claims of election fraud and the core thesis of the Pennsylvania litigation were utterly false, and recklessly so, the panel concluded. Mr. Giulianis rash overstatement claiming that the election was stolen had no evidence to support it.

Respondent  commenced litigation without evidence that its core factual claim was true, the panel added. The hearing clearly and convincingly disclosed that there was no such evidence: Respondent based the Pennsylvania litigation only on speculation, mistrust, and suspicion.

The panel acknowledged that other D.C. lawyers found to have filed frivolous or unsupported cases merely received short suspensions from the bar and did not face the harsh sanction of disbarment, but it said Giulianis conduct was far more outrageous.

The misconduct underlying his violations is immensely more acute. His frivolous claims impacted not only the court and parties involved but threatened irreparable harm to the entire nation, the committee wrote.

The formal recommendation comes amid a concerted campaign to exact professional consequences for the lawyers who aided Trumps effort to subvert the 2020 election.

John Eastman, an architect of Trumps last-ditch bid to upend the election, is in the midst of protracted disciplinary hearings in California, which have now been postponed to late August.

After a nine-month delay, Jeff Clark  a former senior Justice Department official who Trump sought to deputize in service of his efforts to remain in power  was ordered to appear for bar discipline hearings this fall despite his continued efforts to stave off the proceedings.

And Trump campaign attorney Jenna Ellis, who worked closely with Giuliani, reached a settlement with Colorado bar authorities earlier this year, admitting that she repeatedly made false statements about election fraud amid efforts to help Trump stay in power.

Lawyers who aligned with Trumps effort but operated independently have faced other disciplinary probes and threats of sanctions. One of those lawyers, Lin Wood, recently announced he was retiring from his law practice.
The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists this week released the 2022 results of its annual Illinois survey in which the Elgin Police Department ranked sixth in the state for number of driving under the influence arrests. This photo shows a man being tested -- and passing -- a DUI test in Carol Stream. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

Elgin ranked sixth on the 2022 Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists annual list of police departments making the most drunken driving arrests made in Illinois.

City officers made 234 driving under the influence busts last year, 42 less than in 2021, according to numbers submitted to AAIM.

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We are honored to be once again recognized as one of the top agencies in the state when it comes to DUI enforcement, Elgin police Sgt. Mike Martino said. At the Elgin Police Department, we take the enforcement of driving under the influence extremely seriously as it reduces the amount of serious crashes, which has a profound effect on our community.

AAIM, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing deaths and injuries caused by chemically impaired or distracted motor vehicle and watercraft drivers, has for the last 33 years tallied the results of an Illinois DUI arrest survey. The effort is funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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The organization uses the compiled data each year to recognize the most productive police departments and individual officers in the state in regards to DUI law enforcement.

Aurora led the state with 339 DUI arrests, followed by Decatur (289), Lombard (287), Rockford (283), Franklin Park (250), Elgin (234), and Naperville and Elmhurst (tied with 224), according to AAIM figures.

Rounding out the top 10 was Normal with 217, Bloomington with 215 and Edwardsville with 196.

The Elgin police officers cited for the most DUI arrests in 2022 were detective Paul Dublinski, 29; Officer Daniel Kazy-Garey, 27; Officer Jonathan Taylor, 16; Officer Hannah Banks, 10; and Officer Katherine Kirsch, 9.

The officer with the most 2022 DUI arrests in the state was Trooper Kevin Bradley of the Illinois State Police who made 145 arrests, AAIM said. The next highest was Chicago District 12 Officer Joshua Zumarraga with 129.

Because of its size and number of sworn officers, Chicago is a separate category.

Nearly 700 police agencies were surveyed by AAIM, and 82% responded.

Comparing Illinois counties, Winnebago and Lake counties ranked the highest with 515 and 279 arrests respectively. Kane County came in at 13th, making 82 arrests in 2022.

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Interestingly, Elgin ranked higher than the much larger Aurora for average number of arrests per officer.

Elgin has 184 sworn officers, which means the average number of arrests per officer was 1.27, data shows. By comparison, Aurora  the second largest city in the state  has 310 officers and an average per officer DUI arrest rate of 1.09. Both were in the top 10, Elgin at No. 7 and Aurora at No. 9.

The top police department for drunken drivers on a per officer basis was Franklin Park. Its 48 officers made 250 arrests and had a per officer arrest rate average of 5.21.

Naperville Sun reporter Suzanne Baker contributed.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Every medical student should acquaint themselves with the discomfiting history of epilepsy surgery. Regardless of their eventual speciality, they will become better clinicians for it. As a cautionary tale of what happens when we lose sight of primum non nocere as our guiding principle in medicine, the sorry narrative is exemplary, putting well-intentioned doctors on the wrong side of history again and again.

Trepanning (drilling a hole in someones skull) has been conducted for millennia, with evidence of the oldest procedure dating back several thousand years. Archaeological finds of skulls with multiple holes in various states of repair indicate that at least some of our ancestors survived these treatments and came back for more. Opening a space to let the demons out of someones head makes sense, if you believe the pesky things have taken up residence and are running amok inside. At least this treatment was in the right anatomical ballpark, according to our current understanding of epilepsy as a neurological condition. Less than 130 years ago, surgery for epilepsy had advanced (or regressed) to the extent that the head was no longer the sole target of the surgeons scalpel.

They had branched out to recommend limb amputation. The rationale was straightforward: if someones arm keeps shaking, what more effective cure than to cut it off? Other surgical approaches to epilepsy in the 1890s included clitoridectomy and castration  both attempts to curb the immoral sexual appetites that were well known to cause epilepsy at the time. For the squeamish patients who wished to retain their sexual organs, alternative treatments included admonitions to avoid coffee, chocolate and amorous love songs. Late Victorian treatments for epilepsy were nothing if not eclectic.

Into the mid-20th century, people with epilepsy were once again the unwitting participants in a dark era of medical experimentation. In an enterprising spin-off, the radical surgical techniques developed in the Forties psychosurgery movement were trialled as treatments for epilepsy. All undergraduate psychology students (and fans of the film Memento) will be aware of Henry Molaison, better known by his initials. In October 1953, Mr Molaison underwent surgical excision of the right and left temporal lobes of his brain. In a short paper delivered six weeks after the surgery, his surgeon reported that the operation had resulted in no real changes, with the exception of a very grave recent memory loss; H.M. was unable to remember where his room was in the hospital, or how to find the toilet.

Why the Tavistock won't talk to me

By Hadley Freeman

H.M.s profoundly disabling amnesia persisted for the next 55 years, until his death in 2008. He became the most famous neuropsychological case study in the history of the profession. But he was not the first person to undergo this procedure and suffer this devastating outcome. Scores of others were discovered in a retrospective review, triggered by Mr Molaisons case. His memory loss could have been anticipated and prevented if the outcome of this procedure had been fully evaluated in his predecessors. More shocking still is that a similar fate was allowed to befall a number of other patients after his amnesia was discovered. Ignorance is one thing, inertia something entirely different.

The lessons from this sobering history are clear. When doctors fundamentally misunderstand the cause of a condition and treat the symptoms instead, and fail to properly monitor outcomes, and modify their practice in response to known adverse outcomes, our patients suffer  often greatly and for the rest of their lives  if indeed they survive. These fundamental errors underpin the depressingly regular scandals that punctuate the history of medicine. (The stakes are particularly high if surgery is involved.)

It is naive to think that all these scandals are in the past. Our descendants will look back at some aspects of our current medical practice and wonder that we could have been so stupid. They will shudder at how barbaric and crude some of our current treatments are. So where might the next medical scandal be brewing?

The increasing visibility of detransitioners suggests it may lie in wait in gender-affirming medicine. Many detransitioners are young women who underwent treatment for psychological distress that has left them with irreversible, life-long changes to their bodies: a deep voice, a beard, and compromised sexual function. Some have had their breasts surgically removed; some may be infertile. Others are young men who have been castrated.

Why I stopped being a good girl

By Hadley Freeman

This is not an argument about the pros and cons of these treatments for trans-identified young people. Nor is it an argument about the percentage of people who may regret undergoing these procedures. The existence of just one detransitioner suggests that an individual was not offered the correct treatment for their condition by the doctors charged with their care. It is a clear case where the medical profession caused harm. We are ethically bound to learn, and widely disseminate, the lessons from these cases.

For many detransitioners, the cause of their distress as a teenager was misattributed by their clinicians to the notion that they had been born in the wrong body, and that they would be helped by the surgical creation of the correct body. Regardless of the validity of this treatment for some  on which I make no comment  this assumption was incorrect in the case of many detransitioners. Once these fundamental errors of misattribution had been made by the treating clinicians (who in the case of GIDS were primarily psychologists, and not medically qualified), surgeons and endocrinologists embarked on a procedure akin to that of limb amputation for epileptic seizures. The detransitioners discomfort with their body was a symptom of psychological distress, not a cause, but their medical team prescribed treatments with an irreversible impact and surgically removed healthy tissue in an effort to cure their symptoms.

In most other fields of surgery, this would be classified as a never event, and an exhaustive investigation would be launched. But in the case of many detransitioners, their treating medical team has failed their patient at every stage. They have fundamentally misunderstood the nature of the condition the patient has presented with and have treated the symptom rather than the cause. The astonishing failure of the Tavistock & Portman NHS trust to monitor even primary outcomes were laid bare in the original trial of Bell vs Tavistock, with further shocking details subsequently presented in Hannah Barnes forensic account of the collapse of the service. This failure means there is no opportunity to modify practice in response. It is unsurprising that the results have been catastrophic for some.

The tragedy of becoming a woman

By Sarah Ditum

However, in the case of detransitioners, there is an additional, darker layer to this cascade of medical errors. The patients themselves are being held responsible, by the very doctors who made them. The term post-treatment regret appears to abrogate any responsibility on behalf of the treating clinicians for these outcomes. Some argue that there is some degree of regret associated with every medical procedure. However, there is a fundamental difference between patients who are unhappy with the outcome of elective treatments recommended for their condition, and those who have been misdiagnosed, and have had healthy tissue surgically removed as a result. Many detransitioners were given the wrong treatment for their condition. These people are not experiencing post-treatment regret, they are responding appropriately to the consequences of a grave medical failure.

Advocates of gender-affirming care argue that no one can know whether post-treatment regret will occur; therefore what matters ethically is whether an individual has a good enough reason for wanting treatment. This is a remarkable position to take. Surely what matters ethically is that the medical profession offers appropriate, evidence-based treatment to patients who will benefit from them. Others argue that young trans people have the right to be wrong. They do indeed; doctors, less so, particularly when they are wielding a scalpel. Just as trans youth deserve access to the very best in evidence-based medicine, so doctors have a fundamental duty not to offer harmful treatments to young people who will not benefit from them. It is not good enough to shrug and say, no one knows whether this will occur. We know that poor outcomes do occur, and are duty-bound to find out as much as we can about these in order to predict and prevent them.

Since 2014, there has been a phenomenal increase in young women referred to specialist services for gender dysphoria. There is, therefore, a greater number of people who are at potential risk of receiving inappropriate treatments. To respond by creating a fast-track to medical transition is to ignore everything history has to teach us. Meticulous assessment of a young persons symptoms is not transphobic, nor does it invalidate anyones identity. It is good medicine, and ensures that the right treatment is given to the right patient.

No branch of medicine can be exempt from rigour. Exceptionalism lies at the heart of many medical scandals. That way catastrophe lies and, as ever, it will be our patients who suffer. This is not hypothetical: detransitioners stand before us as living, breathing examples of people who have been harmed. To change nothing as the result of their experience  or, even worse, to make changes that mean similar errors could potentially harm even more people  is immoral. Upholding scientific principles is the least we can do to protect our current patients and honour the thousands who have been failed by the medical profession in the past. The history of surgery can teach us that much. It is our responsibility to take note.
After over 60 uncontested years, the Miami International Airport Hotel that connects to Terminal E probably wont be the only hotel at the airport for much longer.

Two developers are competing to secure a 50-year lease from the county to build a new hotel connected to the airport. After months of uncertainty, FDR Miami Hotel LLC and Parmco Airport Hospitality LLC await a decision on who will secure the contract.

The selected firm will be responsible for the design, build, financing, operation and maintenance of the new hotel, memos from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava state. FDRs proposed total budget is around $265 million, and Parmcos is around $241.7 million.

In an April memo in which she recommended FDRs proposal, Levine Cava stated the hotel would generate $240 million in revenue for the county over the course of the lease. Miami-Dade County would lease the land, and under FDRs proposal, the memo stated, the county would receive over $20 million in rent over the 50-year term.

FDRs 451-room hotel would be part of the Westin brand. It would include meeting spaces, restaurants and a pool.

FDR is a joint venture of Fontainebleau Development LLC, the firm chaired by Jeffrey Soffer that owns the Fontainebleau Miami Beach hotel, and The Related Companies, which is chaired by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and headquartered in New York.

Parmco is a Miami-based development firm created for the purpose of this project. Les Melcher, one of Parmcos partners, is the former president of the Dallas-based Woodbine Development Corporation, which developed the Grand Hyatt at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

The county posted the first phase of its request for proposals in September 2020. The new hotel complex would be located on a lot of about 1.8 acres on the northeast side of the airport and connect to Terminal D through a pedestrian bridge. The proposed lot is next to the Dolphin parking garage.

The site for the proposed hotel is near the Dolphin parking garage at Miami International Airport. The hotel will connect to Terminal D.

Start, stop and restart

Last December, Levine Cava issued a memo that rejected all proposals and asked the county to start the process again with a stronger focus on workers, local hiring, the environment and community benefits.

On April 7, the mayor rescinded that rejection in a memo in order to proceed expeditiously. Levine Cava cited the airports growth and economic importance, as well as its need for a new, world-class airport hotel as reasons to proceed quickly. On April 10, the mayor issued a memo recommending FDR.

FDR has negotiated a development agreement with the county and looks forward to the County Commissions favorable consideration, according to a statement the firm shared with the Herald. FDR scored substantially higher than Parmco in its evaluations from the county selection committee.

On June 14, FDR and Parmco presented to the county commissions Aviation and Economic Development Committee, which did not recommend either proposal to the commission. The commission is expected to make its decision on July 18.

County officials and real estate developers alike agree that Miamis airport needs a new hotel. There already is a hotel that connects to the airport, but it is over 60 years old. This project will not replace the Miami International Airport Hotel, but it will connect to the airport terminal like the existing hotel does.

Driftwood Hospitality Management, the third-party manager of the Miami International Airport Hotel, declined to comment.

Is there a need for an airport hotel? Absolutely, said Gregory Rumpel, the senior managing director for JLL Hotels & Hospitality. Miami has had a need for that for so long.

The Miami International Airport Hotel has been the only hotel connected to the airport for over 60 years. It connects to Terminal E.

Advantages to being connected to the terminal

Rumpel said airport hotels  particularly airport hotels that connect to the airport itself  attract a variety of customers and are often lucrative. Travelers with long layovers, early morning departures, late night arrivals or canceled flights may stay for a night out of convenience. Business travelers may meet in an airport hotels conference center for meetings. Airport hotels also offer a lodging option for tourists coming to Miami to embark on cruise vacations.

Paul Lambert, the manager of Parmco, said people pay a premium for a hotel connected to the airport. He said this premium shows up in room prices and occupancy rates.

With either of the two proposals, Miamis new airport hotel will have over 400 rooms. Both developers proposed designs with pedestrian access to the airport, convention and meeting spaces, restaurants and other amenities.

Guests wait for service inside the lobby of Miami International Airport Hotel at MIA on Friday, June 30, 2023.

If selected, FDR would build a Westin hotel designed by Miami architecture firm Arquitectonica. Parmco would build a Hilton hotel designed by Zyscovich, another Miami-based architect.

Parmco claims it could build a hotel five or six months faster than its competitor because it owns plans from Airport City, a proposed development at the airport that would have included hotels and other amenities, including event centers and hospitals for people coming to Miami for medical tourism. The firm has stated it could complete the project in about three years.

Airport City included plans to revamp the existing airport hotel. Jesse Manzano-Plaza, a lobbyist and political consultant who is on the bidding team, said he expects another airport hotel to be built following this one, but Lambert said he does not necessarily think that will be a revamp of the existing Miami International Airport Hotel.

Zyscovich would have been the architect for the Airport City project, which was never built. Odebrecht, the troubled Brazilian development firm behind Airport City, put millions of dollars into digging and mapping the infrastructure of the airport in anticipation of the project.

Parmco bought the Airport City plans, which Lambert said give firm information about underground utilities and infrastructure that not even the airport itself has. Lambert added that these plans will help expedite the building process for Parmco.

During the county commissions Aviation and Economic Development Committee meeting, Commissioner Keon Hardemon, who chairs the committee, questioned whether these plans actually give Parmco a competitive advantage.

The proposed location of a new hotel next to the Dolphin parking garage at Miami International Airport on Friday, June 30, 2023.

A representative of FDR pointed to comments from technical consultant to the Miami-Dade Aviation Department Abdel Martel at the committee meeting. Martel stated the county would not allow a firm to start digging based on 10-plus-year-old plans and records.

The information that we shared [with bidders] was the information we all use as consultants to the airport and is as accurate as it could be, Martel added.

FDRs statement to the Herald said its finances are stronger than Parmcos. FDR claims it could finance the entire project out of pocket if it needed to. A statement from the mayors office also noted the financial certainty of FDRs proposal and the fact that FDRs proposed rent payments to the county were greater than Parmcos.

The Parmco team said it felt its proposal was hurt by not initially having the opportunity to present but agreed nothing improper happened during the process. Bidders did not present to the selection committee, but they did present to the aviation committee in June.

Years to reach this point

Manzano-Plaza criticized the drawn-out process, which years after the first request for proposals, is still awaiting a final vote. Lambert said Parmco would not be advocating for its proposal unless the firm felt it offers a stronger product.

Rumpel said building a hotel thats integrated into an airport comes with a unique set of challenges. He said factors like security and airport regulations can complicate and slow the process. He estimates the project would take no less than three years.

The challenge with an airport is ... theres the airport side and theres the public side, and anytime that those interact, theres a lot of security and safety issues, Rumpel said. Theres lots of additional management ... so its still a long way off.
Illustration by Stephen Omark

Illustration by Stephen Omark





Like a parent disarming a meltdown from a second grader who can't understand Santa Claus can't give a family of four a month-long vacation to swimsuit Bottom, automakers are entering a damage control phase of the EV revolution. GM killed off the reasonably-priced Bolt EV and EUV despite them entering their best sales month ever, while CEO Mary Barra has gone on the record saying that she doesn't think that $30,000 to $40,000 EVs will be profitable until after the end of the decade. And yet, simply using the internet shows us that a better way exists.

For every complaint from a US-oriented OEM, insisting small and reasonably priced EVs can't be produced economically unless they're supersized, superpowered, and super-priced, there exists a foil on the other side of the world. For the better part of a decade, Americans and Canadians have watched as China has churned out dozens of cheap EVs, each one an antithesis to the miles-deep waiting list big EV trucks like the GMC Hummer EV. These Chinese cars are cute, cheap, and cheerful; box-shaped cars like the Chery QQ Ice Cream, or the Geely Panda Mini cost about as much as a high-end laptop and sell in the tens of thousands. Even GM has a fleet of cheap EVs that sit on the top sales charts in China. The Wuling Hongguang Mini EV costs about as much as the new Apple Vision Pro and it's China's best-selling EV, moving more than a million units and counting since its introduction in 2019.



But, like a teenager trying to sneak a sip from an older siblings wine cooler before theyre of age, I think Americans and Canadians would be disappointed by how their forbidden fruit would really taste. A lot of the smallest EVs that weve got a crush on, are really stretching the definition of the word car.

VCG / Getty Images

For example, consider the fan favorite Wuling Hogguang Mini EV, again. Yes, its a very cheap EV costing roughly $3,000 for the most basic model. The Mini EVs cute boxy body looks wider than it is tall, visually, as if it were budget chifferobe cheerfully bought from a weekend IKEA Family sale. Its got dinky 12-inch wheels that seem to only serve to make the tiny car look as cartoony as possible.



Getting to that price took a lot of work, and I am amazed that GM and SAIC were able to design amonocoque safety cell that at least appears to be about what youd find on any other modern vehicle. But, the rest of the car appears to be very much built to an extremely low price. The motor on the Mini EV is a tiny hair-dryer-sized unit that feeds directly to a fully dependent solid rear axle. Airbags were once optional on the Mini EV, and its missing safety equipment like, say, a rear bumper that can channel crash energy effectively through the frame. These Minicars arent always subject to Chinese crash tests, either, and ones done by third parties in China, dont do all that hot. The Mini EV and its competitors are very basic vehicles in ways that I dont think Americans can comprehend.

We are unequivocally spoiled here in the United States and Canada. To us, a basic car is one that lacks creature comforts like power windows or infotainment features. The car still very much functions as a reasonably safe method of transportation. In other places, the threshold of what makes a car competent can be lower, and the Mini EV and its competitors dont really measure up. Some of the features that these cars lack, are safety items mandated to be standard either by the government or simple competitive advantage for at least 25 years. Why would anyone want to go back to that?

VCG - Getty Images

China-based Youtuber Wheelsboy has driven the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV, and although he praised its price point and ability to dart through city traffic, he was adamant that it was very slow. Even at a bonkers 660KG, the Wuling Mini EV is not quick. acceleration over 20 KM/H or so is very, very mild. In 2021, Chinese automotive outlet Yiche Auto threw a fleet of cars in its class through a series of tests, and the Hongguang and its direct boxy competitors handled and performed like the walk-in closets on wheels that they are. Those dinky wheels, solid axles, and tall bodies made for slalom and moose test results that skewed far more toward scary rather than funny.

Even in Chinese media, journalists and citizens have started to ask if the perception of limited safety that those cars offer is worth the low price. In this test by Zhizhu Auto Dismantling Laboratory, the first half of the video is filled with imagery of the Hongguang Mini EV absolutely mangled in crashes with normal-sized cars. Even when two Hongguang Mini EVs were slammed into each other later in the test, the carnage was unreal.

The Wuling Mini EV was facelifted in late 2020 as the Macaron edition and gained at least one standard airbag and a backup camera. That can all be sort of automotive hearsay without any standardized testing from a regulatory body to officially see how these minicars fare in a crash. Thing is though, there wasnt any standard crash testing on these runabouts until very recently.

Chinas C-NCAP established standard went into effect in July 2022; EV minicars under four meters in length are now subject to crash testing. The test, however, is admittedly simpler than what a standard car would go through. The test only does basic side impact, rear whiplash, and 100% overlap tests. The minicars arent subject to the 50% offset test the larger cars are subject to. If the Wuling Mini EVs third party results are anything to go by, I cant imagine any of those cars sailing through that test with flying colors.

Some may argue that simply managing expectations of these mini cars is best. But should the green EV revolution come at the expense of what defines a car? Should we chance our safety, and let folks drive cars that are missing crucial safety equipment that weve collectively lobbied for, just to get cheap EV motoring that probably wont be all that satisfying to drive or own? No, thats silly. Also, its something weve tried before  Chinese automaker Kandi tried selling a cloned EV version of a Daihatsu Cast that shared a lot of range, battery, and performance specifications as the mini EVs some have been pining for. Despite its advertised $9,999 price point, it never passed full certification to become a real car. Kandi turned the K23 and K27 into 25 MPH limited neighborhood electric vehicles at the 11th hour, after promising reservation holders that it would be at least capable of 60 MPH. Theyve both been quietly removed from sale, no doubt disappointing reservation holders that expected more from the tall promises the brand made.

That isnt to say that we dont need cheap EVs. Examining the Chinese market, but doubling the bargain basement price of the Wuling Mini EV, reveals a treasure trove of competent small EVs. The BYD Seagull is making waves in China for good reason; the Chevy Spark-sized EV stickers for about $12,000 USD, and can surpass the 65 MPH top speed that many of its cheaper competitors have. Its got six airbags and a high-tech LFP battery, as well as suspension that resembles the average hatchback, rather than a 1980s light truck. There are plenty of offerings from BYD, Changan, Geely, and more that could slot under the mid and full-sized SUVs and EV pickups that American OEMs insist we want. Heck, the GM-backed roughly $10,000 USD Wuling Bingo could be a stellar Chevy Bolt replacement with some minor tweaks to the powertrain.

Chery

Following the EV markets various changes can be disheartening for the EV-curious buyer with a not supersized budget. Theres no secret that we need more regular-shaped, and normally priced EVs on sale here in the United States. Yet, there doesnt seem to be all that much of a drive to make all that many existing manufacturers. The big threes EV truck waitlists are years deep, and prices for them can touch the six-figure range. Even the cheaper crossover models released by startups and legacy auto brands alike skew toward the well-to-do, with pricing that somehow nearly always ends up entering the $55,000 and up range. Thats about what youll pay for a mid-tier example of a gas-powered crossover from any given premium manufacturer.

We need more cheap EV offerings, very true. Just be careful what you wish for, though. Not everything that glitters is gold.

Hearst Owned

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The US government is considering sending controversial Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (DPICM) cluster munitions to Ukraine.

The U.S. military has confirmed that there are ongoing deliberations about the possibility of sending certain types of so-called Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM), a family of cluster munitions, to Ukraine. A decision to provide these weapons could come at any time. Though they are highly controversial, the Ukrainians have been increasingly seeking these kinds of weapons, which could be especially useful in uprooting dug-in Russian units that inhabit created vast trench networks and for tackling large enemy formations, including some armored forces, in open terrain.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder spoke to the ongoing discussions about sending DPICMs to Ukraine at a press conference earlier today. This follows multiple recent media reports that say that President Joe Biden is close to approving the transfer of these cluster munitions from U.S. military stockpiles to Ukraine. The President of the United States has the authority to send military aid in this way through a process known as a "drawdown" and Ukrainian forces have already received billions of dollars worth of American weapons and other materiel in this way.

A graphic with basic details about a typical artillery shell loaded with DPICM submunitions. DOD

"So in terms of DPICM, I don't have anything to announce today," Ryder said. "As you know, that is something that is under consideration."

DPICM is a general category that includes various types of artillery shells and rockets loaded with multiple types of submunitions that are all designed to function in roughly the same way. The bulk of the production of DPICM-loaded rounds occurred between the 1970s and 1990s. This included shells for 105mm, 155mm, and 203mm howitzers, as well as 227mm artillery rockets that can be fired from the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launchers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IroOVamQZHQ

Some versions of the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missile also had DPICM-filled warheads. Since last year, Ukraine has been very publicly asking for ATACMS, versions of which also have large unitary high-explosive warheads, separate from any discussion about cluster munitions. To date, the U.S. government has resisted those appeals, generally citing concerns about their employment prompting new levels of escalation from Russia, though separate reports indicate that position may now be softening.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipr_hPAcR_Q

DPICM evolved from the earlier Improved Conventional Munition (ICM) series of cluster munitions. The "dual-purpose" comes from the fact that the DPICM submunitions, which the U.S. military refers to as "grenades," are designed to be at least somewhat effective against armored vehicles, as well as softer targets like unarmored vehicles and troops.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beiD1IpRtvY

Though there are multiple types of DPICM submunitions, they are all designed in the same basic way, with a shaped charge intended to defeat armor surrounded by a casing specifically structured to send lethal fragments flying in all directions. The submunitions, which are similar in size and weight to a typical hand grenade, are unguided, but each one has a tassel-like piece of cloth at the top that helps stabilize it as it falls. DPICM-filled artillery rounds and other munitions generally eject the submunitions from the rear of the projectile or warhead after it reaches a set point in its trajectory.

A US Army briefing slide discussing the functioning of a more modern DPICM-XL projectile. US Army

Depending on the exact type of DPICM munition and how it is employed, each one can saturate a target area encompassing many thousands of square feet. For example, a single M26 227mm artillery rocket, loaded with 644 M77 DPICM submunitions, can spread submuntions across a circular-shaped area roughly 656 feet (200 meters) in diameter  nearly 50,000 square feet. The effected area can also vary based on the dispersal height and other dynamics.

A graphic showing the general features of the M77 DIPCM submunition. US Army

For Ukrainian forces, there are a number of clear potential use cases where DPICM-loaded munitions could be very useful. Ukraine already has M142 HIMARS and variants and derivatives of the M270 in service, as well as an array of NATO-standard 155mm and 105mm howitzers, that can fire different DIPCM types. There is also evidence of U.S.-made 203mm high-explosive artillery shells in Ukraine being used as ammunition for the country's Soviet-era 2S7 Pion howitzers.

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1573246374388420608 https://twitter.com/michaelh992/status/1676286010294935557 https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1596820813768192000

Ukraine's counter-offensive has been slow-going so far due to significant Russian defenses, including minefields and especially vast trench lines. Trenches can be very resilient to indirect fire, such as traditional artillery firing rounds with unitary warheads. Direct fire, such as from cannons and tank guns, is even less effective. It can take significant quantities of unitary high-explosive artillery rounds fired indirectly to saturate them from above. Even then, their effectiveness can be limited against entrenched troops. Cluster munition artillery shells and rockets have the ability to cover much more ground and do so faster with a smaller number of total shells. Combine this with the fact that the submunitions that are deployed from them can fall directly into trenches, resulting in devastating effects.

A graphic offering a general comparison between the effects of a cluster munition artillery round (at left), a unitary high-explosive one with an impact fuze (at center), and with an airburst fuze (at right). DOD

In addition, since Russia launched its all-out invasion last year, there has been clear evidence that Ukrainian forces are routinely presented with the opportunity to hit large enemy concentrations, including groups of vehicles, with artillery. Again, it would take a greater volume of unitary rounds and more time to saturate the same total area, which in these instances could also give Russian forces the opportunity to continue and advance or just more time to reposition and/or seek cover.

https://twitter.com/Aviation_Intel/status/1674615874312085511

The points about the total number of rounds required to sufficiently saturate a target area are important in their own right given the volume of artillery shells and rockets Ukrainian forces, as well as their Russian opponents, have been expending in the course of the fighting. There have been reported shortages and rationing of rounds on both sides. Sourcing additional shells has become a desperate global operation for both sides. One could even argue that the outcome of the war depends heavily on who can sustain a greater supply of artillery rounds over the long term. So sending DPICM-loaded shells and rockets to Ukraine would have the additional benefit of simply providing the country with more useful ammunition.

Sending DPICM-filled munitions to Ukraine would help with "alleviating pressure on U.S. and allied munitions supplies," Republican members of Congress specifically noted in a joint letter calling for DPICM to be included in future aid for Ukraine that was sent to President Biden in March. "The United States has nearly three million of these rounds in its inventory  much of it located on U.S. and allied bases in Europe."

"A single [DPICM] round can achieve a similar or greater operational effect as five or more rounds armed with GMLRS-U [227mm Guided Multiple Launch System artillery rockets with unitary warheads] or other high-explosive warheads," that letter also said.

The full two-page letter is seen below.

US Congress

US Congress

Cluster munitions, including DPICM, are controversial because of the potential for unexploded submunitions to present serious hazards, especially to civilians, well beyond the end of any particular conflict. DPICMs and similar submunitions can kill or maim a person, and have often been cited as being particularly dangerous to children given that they can be mistaken for toys.

Experts have also highlighted how high failure rates can present serious risks to friendly forces that then have to move through areas where these munitions have been used.

More than 100 countries have agreed to stop using most types of cluster munitions under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. Despite how it is commonly reported, the Convention does not prohibit the use of all types of cluster munitions, as you can read more about here, though it does ban the use of DPICM.

This is somewhat moot given that the United States and Ukraine, as well as Russia, are not signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. However, a number of Ukraine's other foreign partners, including many members of NATO, are party that agreement. Concerns about potential rifts between the United States and its allies and partners over this issue have reportedly been a major reason why no DPICMs deliveries have been made to date.

A map showing countries where the Convention on Cluster Munitions has entered force (in purple), as well as those who have signed, but not ratified (in blue) or acceded to (in pink) the agreement. Note that most of Europe is purple. AndrewRT via Wikimedia

In 2008, at the very tail end of President George W. Bush's tenure in office, then-Secretary of Defense Robert Gates did put a policy into place calling for the elimination of cluster munitions in U.S. inventory with failure rates above one percent. For nearly a decade after, the U.S. military was steadily moving away from cluster munitions more generally in favor of alternative options. The policy was suspended in 2017 under Preisdent Donald Trump. Congress has since blocked the production, use, or transfer of cluster munitions that do not meet the one percent standard, but the Biden administration officials are of the view this can be waived by citing vital national security interests, according to a report from The Washington Post.

The failure rates of different DPICM munition types are a matter of significant debate. One U.S. Army study in 2000 determined that up to an average of 14 percent of at least some lots of these submunitions could malfunction. Dud rates as high as 20 percent have been documented during past conflicts.

A dud Israeli-made version of the M85 DIPCM submunition seen after being rendered safe by United Nations personnel in Lebanon in 2006. Bonnie Docherty/Human Rights Watch

Issues in particular with the sensitivity and reliability of the fuzes in certain DPICM submunitions, as well as older ICM submunitions, especially when presented with certain environmental factors, are well established.

For example, "improved conventional munitions (lCM) should not be used in thick foliage and water-filled rice paddies," one U.S. Army jungle warfare manual from 1982 specifically notes. "The ICM submunitions may hang up in heavy foliage or fall undetonated to the ground, creating a hazardous area, or they may submerge in water, rendering them ineffective."

The U.S. military insists that newer DPICM types from more recent production lots are significantly more reliable. Certain submunition types were either built with fuzes designed to self-destruct or otherwise render themselves inert after a certain period of time, or were retrofitted with such fuzes. Those safety features have produced mixed results by the U.S. military's own admission.

A US Army briefing slide from 2016 discussing issues regarding cluster munitions, including the inability of retrofitted self-destructing fuzes to meet the Pentagon's reliability target at the time. US Army

"I will say that we have multiple variants of DPICMs in our stocks and the ones that we are considering providing [to Ukraine] not be... variants with dud rates that are higher than 2.35 percent," Pentagon Press Secretary Ryder said at the press conference earlier today. "We are aware of reports out there from several decades ago that indicate that certain 155mm DIPCMs have higher dud rates. So we will be carefully selecting rounds with lower dud rates for which we have tested."

Experts have called into question the testing methodology the U.S. military may have used to determine those failure rates.

https://twitter.com/marcgarlasco/status/1677047511557480448?s=20

Arguments have also been made that the risks are acceptable no matter what given the circumstances Ukraine is facing now, together with Russia's own unrestricted use of cluster munitions and scatterable mines. Ukrainian forces have been using other types of cluster munitions themselves for months now. Large areas of Ukraine will require significant demining and other work to remove other unexploded ordnance regardless after the current conflict concludes. This work will likely last many years.

"Ukrainian leaders are aware of the risks to noncombatants associated with these munitions, which pale in comparison to the existential threat posed by Russia's invasion and daily acts of barbarity," the Republican members of Congress wrote in their March letter to Biden. "Moreover, our reticence to provide DPICM fails to account for the fact that, unlike Russian shells, our munitions incorporate technologically advanced measures that limit the risk to noncombatants."

That letter also highlighted the potential second-order impact that dud submunitions might have in helping to funnel Russian units into areas more favorable to Ukrainian forces or otherwise forcing them to concentrate where they would be more easily targeted.

Another argument for giving these weapons to Ukraine is that they would be actively choosing to use them on their own territory. They accept the risks of doing so and are not forcing their long-term effects on another state.

It is also worth noting that the U.S. military has already publicly acknowledged the inclusion of cluster munition artillery shells loaded with scatterable anti-tank mines (which also present a threat to other kinds of vehicles) in previous aid packages for Ukraine. It is unclear why the 155mm Remote Anti-Armor Mine (RAAM) rounds did not prompt the same kind of policy debate.

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1624393791221137409

Ukraine has also reportedly asked for U.S. Mk 20 Rockeye II air-dropped cluster bombs in the past, but for the novel purpose of using their submunitions to arm small drones.

Whatever the case, the sluggish progress of Ukraine's counter-offensive, so far, has reinvigorated calls to send cluster munitions, as well as ATACMs and other weapons.

Im grateful to the U.S. as the leaders of our support," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told CNN's Erin Burnett in a recent interview, with the help of a translator. "But I told them as well as the European leaders that we would like to start our counteroffensive earlier, and we need all the weapons and materiel for that. Why? Simply because if we start later, it will go slower."

It is, of course, important to note that no single weapon system is likely to be solely responsible for accelerating Ukrainian advances or otherwise changing the course of the conflict. As we already highlighted, Russian forces had many months to prepare extensive defenses. Russia's units are now operating in areas where it is easier for them to call upon air and artillery support, as well as take advantage of the protection of more robust air and missile defenses.

All told, despite being controversial, Ukraine clearly believes the benefits that DPICM could offer its forces in the current phase of the conflict ultimately outweigh the risks. Now it's up to the U.S. to agree or not with that conclusion.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
DTEK Energy to de-mothball another power unit to increase capacity by 500 MW

DTEK Energy to de-mothball another power unit to increase capacity by 500 MW

Ukraines DTEK Energy company has de-mothballed another power unit and plans to reopen one more in 2023 to increase its generation capacity by more than 500 MW, the operating companys CEO Ildar Saleev said on July 7.

We de-mothballed one power unit at the end of last year and the beginning of this year, which we didnt do for a long time, and if it werent for the war, we probably wouldnt have done it, Saleev said in an interview with the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

This made it possible to bring an additional unit into the power grid during the winter. And we have plans to reopen one more unit this year.

DTEK Energy is a large Ukrainian energy company involved in thermal and renewable power generation.

Read also: DTEK shuts down power plant due to damage to transmission lines

Saleev explained these generator units had been idle for technical reasons. Therefore, reconstruction measures have been and are still being carried out.

At the same time, this also affected the growth in the cost of planned repairs of thermal power plants, increasing from UAH 2.2 billion ($60.1 million) last year to UAH 3.5 billion ($95.7 million) this year, he added.

This is also additional funds (that will cost us more), because if compared with the previous period, we didnt do reconstruction and de-mothballing, Saleev added.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
During the full-scale invasion, three times as many civilians have died as during the 8 years of war in Ukraine

In the 500 days of the full-scale invasion, three times more civilians have died than in the previous eight years of fighting in the east of the country.

Source: United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, which has been working in Ukraine since 2014.

Details: The UN monitoring mission reported that it was able to confirm the death of more than 9,000 civilians in Ukraine. More than 500 of them are children. This number has been recorded since the full-scale attack by Russia on 24 February 2022. The organisation warned that the actual number of victims could be much higher.

"Today we mark another sad mark in the war, which continues to result in terrible losses of the civilians of Ukraine," said Noel Calhoun, deputy head of the HRMMU.

As noted by the UN, the total monthly number of dead and injured persons decreased at the beginning of this year compared to last year. Unfortunately, in May and June, their average number increased again.

Background: Last time the Russian Federation launched a missile attack on civilian objects in Lviv on 6 July, 10 people were killed.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said there were 'insurmountable' differences in his coalition (Phil Nijhuis)

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte's coalition government collapsed Friday over "insurmountable" differences on how to tackle migration, with elections expected in November.

Rutte, 56, the Netherlands' longest-serving leader and one of Europe's most experienced politicians, said days of crisis talks between the four parties failed to produce a deal.

They fell out over Rutte's plans to tighten curbs on reuniting families of asylum seekers, a bid to curb numbers following a scandal last year over overcrowded migration centres.

"It is no secret that the coalition partners have very different views on migration policy," Rutte, the leader of the centre-right VVD party, told a press conference after talks broke down.

"This evening, we have unfortunately reached the conclusion that the differences are insurmountable. For this reason, I will shortly present my written resignation to the king in the name of the whole government."

The government later confirmed he had presented his resignation and would visit King Willem-Alexander on Saturday.

The coalition was Rutte's fourth since he took office in 2010. But it had only taken office in January 2022 after a record 271 days of negotiations and was deeply divided on many issues.

Rutte -- dubbed "Teflon Mark" after the non-stick pan coating for his ability to avoid political catastrophe -- added that he had the "energy" to stand for a fifth term but that he had to "reflect" first.

- 'Very disappointing' -

The earliest that elections can be held is in mid-November, the Dutch election commission said.

Rutte said he would lead a caretaker government until then that would focus on tasks including support for Ukraine.

The sudden collapse sparked bitter recriminations between the four parties in the year-and-a-half-old coalition, which had been dubbed "Rutte IV".

ChristenUnie -- a Christian Democratic party that draws its main support from the staunchly Protestant "Bible Belt" in the central Netherlands -- and centre-left D66 had opposed Rutte's plan.

He reportedly demanded that the number of relatives of war refugees allowed into the Netherlands be capped at 200 per month.

Rutte had promised to tackle migration after last summer's migration centres scandal, during which a baby died and hundreds of people were forced to sleep in the open

"The family, that children grow up with their parents, is a core value for us," said deputy prime minister Carola Schouten of ChristenUnie, adding it was "a very difficult moment".

Finance Minister Sigrid Kaag of D66 said there was "unnecessary tension in the process" and that the collapse was "regrettable".

Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra of the centre-right Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA) said the fall of the government was "very disappointing, unnecessary and inexplicable to the people of the country".

- 'Worried' -

The Netherlands now faces one of its most stormy and divisive election campaigns in years.

The upstart BBB party, led by farmers who oppose the government's European Union-backed environmental rules, will be seeking to repeat the success of senate elections that it won earlier this year.

Its leader Caroline van der Plas has refused to serve in a coalition with Rutte, and she didn't rule out standing for the prime minister's job if it wins the most seats in the general election.

Local media said Rutte had taken a tough stance on migration to deflect a challenge from the right wing of the VVD, whose voters the farmer party has begun to woo.

And Rutte has long been under pressure on the issue of migration due to the strength of far-right parties in the Netherlands, including that of anti-Islam leader Geert Wilders.

After the collapse of the government, a crowd of onlookers gathered outside the government buildings where the talks had taken place in the historic centre of The Hague.

"I'm quite concerned. I'm worried what the next cabinet is going to look like," 19-year-old IT worker Marijn Philippo told AFP.

"I hope that the next cabinet will do better than this one, especially in terms of asylum," added Pieter Balkenende, 32.

dk-jhe/cwl
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - The stability of the Dutch governing coalition is in doubt after its parties failed to agree on measures to curb immigration, with crisis talks expected to run into the weekend.

A push by Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party to limit the flow of asylum seekers to the Netherlands split his four-party government coalition, as two junior parties refused to support proposals to make it harder for refugee families to reunite.

Talks between the coalition partners ran until 1.45 a.m. on Friday morning (2345 GMT Thursday).

"We are in a process, in the cabinet, to reach an agreement on migration. That is a step-by-step process. And tonight was a step", Rutte told Dutch reporters.

Dutch media has reported Rutte is willing to let the government fall if an agreement is not reached.

Asylum applications in the Netherlands jumped by a third last year to over 46,000, and are expected to increase to more than 70,000 this year - topping the previous high of 2015.

This will again put a strain on the country's asylum facilities, where for months last year hundreds of refugees at a time were forced to sleep in the rough with little or no access to drinking water, sanitary facilities, or healthcare.

Rutte last year said he felt "ashamed" of the problems after humanitarian group Medecins sans Frontieres had sent in a team to the Netherlands for the first time ever, to assist with migrants' medical needs at the centre for processing asylum requests.

He promised to improve conditions at the facilities, mainly by reducing the number of refugees that reach the Netherlands. But he failed to win the backing of coalition partners who felt his policies went too far.

Tensions came to a head this week, when Rutte demanded support for a proposal to limit entrance for children of war refugees who are already in the Netherlands and to make families wait at least two years before they can be united.

(Reporting by Bart Meijer, Charlotte Van Campenhout; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Eastern KY residents already have some of states highest power bills. They may go higher

The largest power company in Eastern Kentucky  where power costs are already some of the highest in the state  is seeking a 18.3% increase on the power costs for its residential customers.

Last week, Ashland-based Kentucky Power formally submitted an application for approval of the rate increase to the Public Service Commission, the state panel that regulates utilities. The lengthy approval process could take months and would involve public comment and hearings. If approved, the rate changes would take effect in 2024.

According to state data that tracks energy affordability, much of the area that Kentucky Power serves already has some of the highest electricity rates in Kentucky. In 2020, the average bill in Boyd County, where the power company is based, cost about $147 per month. Fayette Countys average bill during that time was $27 cheaper.

Much of the companys service territory also has some of the states higher poverty rates. U.S. Census data puts the states overall poverty rate at 16.5%. In Pike and Perry counties  both served by Kentucky Power  close to 30% of the population lives below the poverty line.

I dont see how people are doing it, said state Sen. Robin Webb, a Democrat whose district includes much of the Ashland area. Webb said she is a customer of the company as a resident, business owner and landlord.

Her mother, who is on a fixed income, is also a Kentucky Power customer and her bill is unconscionable at this point, Webb said.

Kentucky Power is hoping to use a financing tool called securitization to lessen the bill impacts for customers, said Sarah Nusbaum, a Kentucky Power spokesperson, in an emailed statement.

A new law passed by the state legislature this year allows utility companies to use securitization to recoup costs lost in extreme weather events or the closing of power plants, the companys website said. The actual amount of savings generated with the financial tool wont be known until after it is executed.

In filings with the PSC, Kentucky Power said the reasoning behind the rate increase is to help the company cover fixed costs associated with supplying electricity across the region. Continued population decline locally and the loss of customers in recent years has pushed the company to look toward existing customers to cover costs. The company last sought a rate increase in 2020 and currently serves about 165,000 customers across 20 counties.

Between 2008 and 2022, the company has lost over 10,000 customers, including large business customers which have closed in recent years like AK Steel and Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, wrote Cynthia Wiseman, the president and COO of Kentucky Power, in written testimony provided to the PSC.

The loss of those customers also represents a loss of jobs in the area, which may have precipitated other customers relocating outside of the Companys service territory to find job opportunities, Wiseman wrote in the testimony. These declines unfortunately follow a now long-term trend in the area and include a dramatic loss of coal mining jobs that began in the early 2000s.

Webb said she understands what the company is facing and added that Kentucky Power has been a good community partner when it comes to local economic development.

Some programs, like the federally funded LIHEAP, helps some low-income families with paying for home cooling and heating. According to the programs Kentucky website, much of that funding is doled out only in the coldest parts of the year.

We understand an increase  no matter how big or small  is not welcome news, but we are committed to providing reliable electric service for the best rates possible, the companys webpage about the proposed rate increase said.

Kentucky Power also offers payment assistance programs and said on its website that more funding for those programs was part of their application. They also will look at introducing an optional tariff for high usage in the winter, expanding programs that clear trees that threaten reliability and extend bill due dates from 15 to 21 days.

The company has also faced other headwinds lately. The PSC last month threatened Kentucky Power with fines over its performance during frigid winter storms last December. Nusbaum said the company respectfully disagrees with the PSCs decision in that case and will be addressing it in an upcoming filing. American Electric Power, the parent company of Kentucky Power, also had to back out of a $2.8 billion sale of the Kentucky company in April.

From a legislative standpoint, Webb said the main things they can do to help is beef up assistance programs and continue looking into alternative energy sources.

Were looking at everything we can do to assist our suppliers, but also protect our consumers, Webb said. And its just very frustrating.

In extreme heat and cold, Webb said she fears for my constituents lives, adding that two people died in Boyd County when power went out during an ice storm in 2021.
On May 16, for the second time in less than three years, video cameras captured a fatal shooting from start to finish at the Quick Stop convenience store at West 18th and Chestnut streets in Erie.

The similarities do not end there.

The defendant in the May 16 shooting is raising the same defense that the defendant put forth in the previous fatal shooting, which happened in October 2020.

Paramedics work to save the victim of a shooting inside the Quick Stop at West 18th and Chestnut streets in Erie on May 16. The victim, Jalen Rieger-Williams, died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

The defendant in the May 16 shooting, 26-year-old Jaquan O. Harris, told police that he shot the victim, 22-year-old Jalen Rieger-Williams, in self-defense just as an unarmed Rieger-Williams walked inside the store, according to testimony at Harris' preliminary hearing on Thursday.

"Dude was about to kill me," Harris said in an interview with police, according to testimony.

In the previous case, the defendant, Kyontia L. Blanks, said he acted in self-defense in fatally shooting 40-year-old Frederick Perry on Oct. 21, 2020, as Blanks stood outside the front of the Quick Stop and an unarmed Perry got out of his newly parked car. Blanks, who shot Perry in the chest and shoulder at point-blank range, said Perry had threatened to kill him weeks earlier in a dispute over a woman.

Blanks, 27, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter at a jury trial in Erie County Common Pleas Court in January and was sentenced to nine to 18 years in state prison in February.

The Erie County District Attorney's Office said wanted a murder conviction, arguing that Blanks intended to kill Perry, that the killing was completely unjustified and that Blanks' claims of self-defense were unfounded. In convicting Blanks of voluntary manslaughter, the jury found that he intended to kill Perry, though under the mistaken belief that Blanks needed to use deadly force to protect himself.

The lead prosecutor in the Harris case, Assistant District Attorney Nick Maskrey, helped prosecute the Blanks case.

'He indicated that people had been after him'

A similar dispute over intent could occur in Harris' case in Common Pleas Court, where he faces charges including first-degree murder, a premeditated killing. Erie 3rd Ward District Judge Tom Carney sent all the charges against Harris to Common Pleas Court at the end of Thursday's preliminary hearing.

Based on testimony at the hearing, Harris told police that Rieger-Williams, the victim, had to tried to hurt him previously, but Harris never reported those incidents to police and could not provide dates and locations of the incidents.

One of the detectives on the case, Jason Russell, described Harris' claims about Rieger-Williams as unfounded as Russell testified on Thursday.

Russell said Harris admitted he was the shooter after he was shown video of the killing. Maskrey, the prosecutor, asked Russell if Harris said why he shot Rieger-Williams.

"He indicated people had been after him," Russell said. "He needed to protect himself."

Russell quoted Harris saying of Rieger-Williams, "Dude was about to kill me."

The interview took place on May 17. A day earlier, at about 7:50 p.m., Harris shot Rieger-Williams once inside the Quick Stop, at 408 W. 18th St., according to the video. Moments before Rieger-Williams was shot, Harris is seen in an aisle of the crowded store, looking out a window.

A silver SUV arrives in the parking lot. Rieger-Williams gets out.

Rieger-Williams walks through the front door of the Quick Stop. Harris shoots Rieger-Williams once in the chest at close range range, killing him, according to the video. Harris runs out the front door.

Police used the video surveillance and other information to identify and find Harris, according to the testimony of Russell, the only witness at Thursday's hearing. Russell testified that Harris waived his rights prior to the police interview and did not request a lawyer.

Mental health issues barred defendant from having gun

Harris was not allowed to carry a gun, Russell testified.

He referred to documents that showed Harris once had a gun permit, but had his license revoked in December 2019 "following an involuntary mental health assessment"  known as "a 302," after the section of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Procedures Act that allows for the involuntary commitment of a person due to mental health problems. A person who has been involuntarily committed in Pennsylvania is prohibited from carrying a firearm.

Maskrey, the prosecutor, said after Thursday's hearing that he did not know where Harris got the gun, which police recovered in the trunk of a car after the shooting. Harris told police where to find the gun, according to testimony.

Maskrey did not offer details about Harris' mental health issues at the hearing. Harris' court-appointed lawyer, Brian Arrowsmith, declined to comment. The defense could raise concerns about Harris' mental health leading up to a trial.

Charges filed: Man charged in fatal shooting inside Quick Stop on West 18th Street in Erie

Collecting evidence: Erie police review video of fatal shooting inside Quick Stop store on West 18th Street

What does not appear to be an issue, at this point, is whether Harris was the person who killed Rieger-Williams. As in the October 2020 fatal shooting at the Quick Stop, the killing was caught on video. And Harris, like the defendant Kyontia Blanks did in the October 2020 slaying, said he fired the fatal shot.

During his police interview, Harris expressed that "there was no honor in what he had done," Detective Russell testified on Thursday. "He expressed remorse for what he had done."

Russell testified that Harris, when confronted with the video and other evidence, said, "You all got me."

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Quick Stop slaying defendant told police 'Dude was about to kill me'
The Lake County states attorneys office recently conducted a training session for more than 60 law enforcement professionals to educate them on the ways they can use red flag laws to keep guns away from potentially dangerous people.

The session was conducted June 26 at the College of Lake County, with presentations from the Illinois State Police and the Lake County health department.

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This training is about making a difference, States Attorney Eric Rinehart told attendees. We have too many guns in our society, too much domestic violence and too many people who need mental health treatment.

We want to make sure that law enforcement, medical professionals and education leaders are aware of the tools they have in order to continue keeping our community safe, he said.

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Representatives from the ISP explained how law enforcement officials and school administrators can use a state police online tool to report dangerous individuals. If the ISP decides the person reported is a clear and present danger, that persons firearm owners ID card can be temporarily revoked.

Elizabeth Leahy, the firearms safety counsel for ISP, explained the process for obtaining a firearm restraining order, a temporary court order that orders the removal of guns from the possession of a potentially dangerous person.

Local officials also outlined the process that law enforcement officers can use to involuntarily hospitalize someone undergoing an extreme mental health crisis.

Lifesavers

The Lake County sheriffs office reports that the quick actions of one of its officers may have saved the life of a motorcyclist seriously injured in an accident.

The accident happened June 24 at the intersection of Illinois Route 176 and Bayonne Avenue in Green Oaks. A transit van being driven by a Gurnee woman was eastbound on Route 176 and made a left turn in the path of a Harley being driven by a Skokie man. The motorcycle struck the van, throwing its rider.

Deputy Dwight Arrowood responded and, seeing the motorcycle rider bleeding significantly from a leg wound, applied a tourniquet. The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

A Lincolnshire police officer was also recently recognized for his lifesaving actions. Responding to a call for service on May 3 at Trafalgar Square, Officer Robert Skrobot discovered an unresponsive person. He immediately began performing CPR.

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His actions were critical in sustaining the persons life until paramedics arrived, said the village of Lincolnshire, which recognized Skrobot with its Lifesaving Award.

Officer Skrobots proficiency and dedication in administering lifesaving CPR is a true reflection of the caliber of our officers. His actions embody the highest standards of service and compassion, Chief Jospeh Leonas said.

House party gunfire

Gurnee police officers say they responded to reports of gunfire at a house party at about 1:40 a.m. on June 26 in the 1500 block of Acorn Court.

Lake County News-Sun Twice-weekly News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

The shooting erupted at a house party, and police collected several shell casings. No injuries were reported, but police said someone came to Vista East Medical Center about two hours later for treatment of a minor gunshot wound.

Police said they are unsure if it was connected to the Acorn Court incident. The incident is under investigation.

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Compliance checks

The sheriffs office recently cited clerks at three stores for selling tobacco products to underage customers.

The citations were part of the sheriffs offices spring compliance check of vendors. Underage people working with the department visited 73 establishments around the county, attempting to buy tobacco products. Seventy businesses asked the minors for ID.

The three clerks cited worked at stores near Ingleside, Lake Barrington and Wadsworth.

The compliance checks are, according to the sheriffs office, intended to ensure businesses selling tobacco/nicotine products display proper tobacco sale signage and are following appropriate identification procedures to ensure products are not sold to anyone under the age of 21.
Editorial: DeSantis has yet to explain why just 20 ex-felons were singled out on voting charges

Most Floridians have heard of the high-profile arrests of former felons by Gov. Ron DeSantis elections police force. And they might have felt little sympathy for those arrested on election-fraud charges, based on the fact that they had previously been convicted of some of the worst crimes society can imagine: Homicide and sexual offenses that sometimes involved children.

Yet a closer look reveals a lot to be concerned about, starting with the fact that DeSantis office has yet to offer any explanation as to why they singled out just 20 among hundreds of cases of voters flagged due to potential ineligibility  and why others, whose cases were largely identical to the 20 people charged, were not prosecuted.

Because each of the men who were charged seems to have paid their debt to society. They thought they had won some measure of redemption. When they registered to vote, they received affirmation in the form of a voter ID card with their polling place and a list of their congressional, state legislative and local districts, so they could research candidates and make decisions. Clearly, this was precious to them, which is notable in a society where many Floridians dont even bother to register.

So they voted. And this is where those 20 stories diverge, opening a chasm that strains the concept of justice to its breaking point.

So far as the Sentinel and other media outlets have been able to discern, the difference in treatment seems to rely on where those 20 former felons lived: The ones who were arrested resided in predominantly Democratic counties, including Orange and Broward. And the arrests were granted high-profile publicity that was clearly intended to frighten other former felons away from future attempts to have their votes counted.

Others, in red-leaning counties, were spared after quiet exchanges of letters between local elections officials and state prosecutors.

Individuals throughout the state should be treated in a similar fashion, and so this just sort of highlights the inequities in the system, State Rep. Michael Gottlieb, a Fort Lauderdale attorney who is representing an ex-felon arrested in August, said to the Orlando Sentinels Christopher Cann last month. Theres something wrong with that, especially when were using a state police force for political prosecutions.

No matter how you feel about former felons voting, its hard to disagree with that conclusion. Yet its the inescapable impression that DeSantis Office of Election Crimes and Security has allowed to stand, even though Gottlieb and other defense attorneys who stepped forward to defend the 20 arrested voters have been calling attention to the discrepancies for months.

Its that casual acceptance of inequity that we find difficult to stomach  and that we have been waiting, fruitlessly, for DeSantis or someone from the elections-crimes office to explain. Instead, weve seen a round robin of shoulder shrugging between the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the state Division of Elections and DeSantis separate elections-crimes unit.

Visible inequity

Cann obtained correspondence between local elections officials and Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bill Gladson  whose coverage area includes Lake, Sumter, Marion, Citrus and Hernando counties, all markedly conservative  that reflects the kind of thinking that should have influenced arrests statewide.

In each of the cases his office reviewed, Gladson concluded that the ex-felons were not actually eligible to vote. Due to the severity of their crimes, they fell outside the parameters of a rights-restoration amendment voters approved in 2018, and had not petitioned the Cabinet to have their rights restored (which remains an option for any offender, regardless of the severity of their crimes).

But when they registered to vote in their counties, it was granted  because the state had not formally notified the local elections supervisor that they were still ineligible. The individuals were mistakenly given voter registration cards and led to believe they were eligible to vote, Gladson wrote. Its a fair reading of the law: If the overburdened Department of State was unable to flag ineligible voters, local supervisors had no way to know which applications should have been declined.

Similar grace was not extended to the unfortunate 20. Instead, their quest to regain validity in society resulted in a brutal shock. After years spent behind prison bars and then fighting to restore their lives post-release, they were once again handcuffed and taken to jail with new felony charges pending. For some, it would mean the loss of everything they had struggled to rebuild: Their jobs, their homes, their chance to repay loved ones who had suffered along with them.

Orlando resident Peter Washington Jr., convicted of sex charges in the 1990s, is among them. In May, he told Cann about the impact the new charges had on his life: In 2021, a year after he voted for the first time at the Hiawassee Road public library, he was arrested. Within a week, hed lost his job and his plans for his future  owning his own business, becoming a minister, contributing to the life he was building with his wife  were in ashes.

My family dont deserve this, my wife dont deserve this, he said. Sometimes it brings tears  because I said (to my wife) I would never do nothing intentionally to hurt you.

Political theater

Many of those cases are now falling apart. Some have been dismissed  including the one against Washington. But the damage, and the obvious chilling effect it has had on other ex-felons, lingers.

Meanwhile, DeSantis elections-security police force has gone quiet. Will Florida see another round of high-profile arrests in the months leading up to the 2024 elections  just enough to scare other voters away from the polls?

Floridians should not wait to find out. Instead, they should contact their lawmakers and demand that they pull funding and authority away from DeSantis private elections-crimes unit, and use it to bolster statewide efforts to identify ineligible voters, a move that will help local elections officials process applications without fear of more mistakes.

Its not about protecting sex offenders and murderers, as DeSantis office probably wants Floridians to believe. Its about honoring the will of voters who expressed support for voting-rights restoration in 2018, including the clear boundaries they set on those rights. Its about telling the governor that its not OK to publicly humiliate and torture a select group of people as a form of political theater, while turning a blind eye to others.

Its about the marked contrast between DeSantis repeated insistence that anyone caught voting illegally in Florida should be punished  while refusing to explain why some mistaken voters are allowed to go free.

Its about equal justice  and that is something everyone in Florida, starting with its governor, should regard as a high priority.

____
In his July 4 ruling blocking the Biden administration from communicating with social media companies on issues of content, Louisiana Federal Judge Terry Doughty quickly showed himself to be a deeply unserious jurist, writing that the case arguably involves the most massive attack against free speech in United States history. He apparently slept through high school history classes on the Alien and Sedition Acts, Jim Crow and McCarthyism.

If Doughty believes that the government engaging with social media platforms to encourage certain uniform policies and flag the spread of, for example, medical and election misinformation that could be destabilizing and harmful to public health and order is unconstitutional, then it seems like Doughty could benefit from engaging with a first-year law class.

The Constitution has enshrined, for very good reason, the principle that the government cannot compel or censor almost any type of speech. It certainly has not dictated that the government can never communicate preferences or express concern to companies whose size, scope and ability to shape public opinion and discourse were unfathomable to the First Amendments framers.

The Daily News routinely receives calls, emails and letters from government officials of every stripe taking issue with coverage and pushing us to reword things, shift coverage, change descriptions and even pull stories. Every journalist receives such pressure, and understands it to be simply part of the push-pull of public dialogue. Is it censorship? No, because we can, and often do, simply refuse, just as social media companies have always been at liberty to tell the government to take a hike when it comes to requests to remove speech.

If anything, the tech sector is under, not over, regulated by the federal government. That doesnt mean the feds should suddenly gain veto power over speech (they certainly shouldnt) but efforts to constrain the power of the tech monopolies is firmly in their wheelhouse and in the public interest. Hopefully this aberration and distraction of a ruling is quickly overturned on appeal, and Doughty can look into those remedial classes.

___
Thursday, after the U.S. Supreme Court knocked down affirmative action in higher education admissions in a case against Harvard University, President Joe Biden took aim at the old boys network of giving a boost to the kids of alumni, saying Today, Im directing the Department of Education to analyze what practices help build a more inclusive and diverse student bodies and what practices hold that back, practices like legacy admissions and other systems that expand privilege instead of opportunity.

Four days later, on Monday, advocates in Boston filed a complaint with the feds that Harvards system of legacy admission advantage for Junior violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Our headline, the stupid sons of rich men, comes from Charles Eliot, the president of Harvard for 40 years, until 1909. He wanted to open the universitys door to scholars with brains, be they Jews, women or Blacks and not just rely on the gene pool of alums.

Legacy admissions demean students it purports to help and perpetuates a parent to children inheritance that excludes talented strivers trying to get in.

A few top colleges have banned legacy admissions namely, Johns Hopkins and Amherst. With the end of affirmative action and legacies the next target, schools shouldnt wait until they are forced to end it.

___
Among the reasons of her termination, Kristin MacDonald said was a "schoolgirl" outfit she wore in her adult content.

Kristin MacDonald is a Canadian education assistant who also works as an OnlyFans content creator on the side. (Instagram/@a_v_a_james88)

A B.C. education assistant who went public wanting to break the stigma around sex work has lost her school job  allegedly due to her side-hustle.

Kristin MacDonald  also known under her OnlyFans alias "Ava James"  says she was terminated from her job as an EA from the Port Coquitlam school she worked at for years. According to her, the school cited her OnlyFans and social media content as the reason.

MacDonald told Yahoo Canada she received an email on June 16, "four or five pages" long, informing her she had been fired and why.

"Honestly, it's ridiculous to me," she said.

Among the reasons allegedly outlined, MacDonald added, was a "schoolgirl" outfit she wore in some of her adult content.

"They were trying to say that because I dressed up as a schoolgirl, I was bringing my position as an educator into my OnlyFans career and vice versa," MacDonald said.

"This poor education assistant, who makes under $50,000 a year, has been fired for dressing up as a school girl. It just doesn't make sense," she claimed.

In an email to Yahoo Canada on Thursday afternoon, School District 43 (Coquitlam) communications representative Ken Hoff said "the District does not comment on individual employee matters."

The district "recognizes and values the central role its employees play in achieving the district's purpose of providing quality public education in a safe, inclusive, and socially responsible environment for the benefit of the learners it serves and the broader community," the email read.

"Consistent with that, the district strives to ensure all employees are treated equitably and issues are investigated and addressed thoroughly and fairly in accordance with the district's policies, procedures and legal obligations."

Recap since going public

MacDonald's situation began back in late April, about nine months after she began creating adult content on OnlyFans  a subscription-based platform for adults over the age of 18.

At the time, the mom-of-one told Yahoo Canada she had recently gotten a divorce and was struggling.

"I think I was kind of maybe looking to build some confidence... And obviously, to make extra money as well," she said in a May interview. As an EA, MacDonald said she barely made a living wage and had to cover benefits out-of-pocket.

On April 28, she received an email from her employer allegedly demanding she remove all of her social media relating to her alias, Ava James. According to her, she was told the content was not appropriate for someone who works with children.

She then went public with her story, calling the situation unfair.

"I did take precautions. I wanted to ensure that it was far away from my profession as an education assistant," she said at the time.

I'm sorry that somebody felt uncomfortable by it. But I am not ashamed.Kristin MacDonald (May 8)

Since sharing her story, Ava James's Instagram following doubled to 40,000.

"I had never expected that would get this much attention. And it's literally gone international, which is bananas," she said Wednesday. "It's certainly been a rollercoaster ride of emotions."

MacDonald admitted she's trying to stay in her "bubble" when it comes to public reactions.

"I know that there's people that strongly disagree with what I've been doing, and that's fine. But then again, I've received tons and tons of support and positive feedback."

Termination 'incredibly unfair'

Even though MacDonald says she expected her termination, it saddened her when the decision was made.

"It's not necessarily as easy to swallow as you thought when you were expecting it," she confessed.

"I've really tried to stay positive, through all of this... I'm hopeful that where I am now, there will be other opportunities."

MacDonald loved her job as an EA, a career she chose after seeing the challenges her brother with autism has faced in his life.

Instagram @a_v_a_james88

After her termination from the B.C. school, MacDonald said she is considering legal action.

"I am still committed to fighting their decision, to go through the grievance process," she claimed. "And, I've spoken to a lawyer as well about going through the Human Rights Tribunal."

Her goal? To set a precedent, she said.

"I want to change policy within the education system. My goal... has been to create awareness, over the double standard that still exists, in my opinion, between men and women."

According to MacDonald, at one of the investigation meeting with the school, she asked: "If I get fired for being a content creator, for OnlyFans, are you going to be firing all of my male colleagues who are subscribers to OnlyFans?"

To only shame the woman... I think is incredibly unfair.Kristin MacDonald

Though acknowledging the two are different, she claimed "it's old school" to shame creators and not those who consume products of a multi-billion-dollar industry.

"If there wasn't a market to do what I'm doing, we wouldn't be doing it... So to only shame the woman  is kind of how I hear it  I think is incredibly unfair."

She alleged the school had subscribed to her OnlyFans to "look at my s-." The content, which can only be accessed by those who pay a $6 monthly fee, was screenshotted by the investigation board, MacDonald alleged. Not only that, but it was shared with the entire staff, she claimed.

"It was emailed to me, my colleagues, the union people, it's probably put in a file somewhere. They're telling me that I'm inappropriate.... I think what they did is absolutely insane."

Also in those investigation meetings, MacDonald alleged, dozens of comments from colleagues were read to her.

"One of them was: "with her appearance, she shouldn't be working in a school," she alleged.

"I felt very discriminated against based on appearance... It was a pretty shitty feeling."

Story 'not over yet'

MacDonald said she understands some of her colleague's criticism; she did, after all, put the school "on blast," she said.

"I'm not wanting to play the victim. I understand the position I put myself in, I'm more than willing to accept the consequences."

The B.C.-native still believes her situation can set a precedent and, even with the outcome, she has no regrets.

"We all have doubts throughout big decisions in our lives. But I would say that more so than not, I believe that... I stuck to what I believed in and I still am, and I don't regret it."

I'm not wanting to play the victim.Kristin MacDonald

MacDonald said she understand some people might have a "moral dilemma" with her position in a school and as an adult content creator.

"You can have an opinion on my lifestyle on what I do outside of work, that's fine. It does not mean I lose my job over it," she stated.

"There there are many people in this world that choose to live an alternative lifestyle, or to go against the grain, and it does not mean they lose their job. People are entitled to be employed."

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
This article was originally published in El Paso Matters.

Among the goals of the recent LatinX Edtech Summit: Bridging the Digital Divide was to connect local educators and emerging technology entrepreneurs who could collaborate on an idea that could generate a long-term impact that would benefit underrepresented students and communities.

About 140 K-12 and higher education teachers, administrators, business leaders, technology investors and representatives from national organizations with vested interests in all levels of education gathered for the second annual summit on June 16, 2023, in the Region 19 Starlight Event Center, 6650 Continental Drive, near the El Paso International Airport.

Whether in the main hall or in the exhibit area, summit participants talked about technology and its application. Buzzing among the participants was Joseph Sapien, CEO and executive director of the STTE (Success Through Technology Education) Foundation, the events lead organizer.

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Sapien helped found STTE, an El Paso-based nonprofit that works to develop, deploy and advance educational programs to enhance the chances that tomorrows students are digitally literate and ready to join the 21st-century workforce.

A year, two years, five years from now, because of those connections, education and technology are going to be exponentially advanced, he said while exhibitors pitched their tech products in the background. The technologies that are here are very fascinating. Im looking forward to seeing what happens because of this event.

Pew Research Center reports from 2021 and 2022 showed that while many Hispanics use smartphones, not as many own computers or have internet access to save money. This digital exclusion means that more than half of the Latino workforce is not ready to be part of the digital economy. The summit is among the ongoing efforts to enhance digital equity in Latino households, especially those in rural communities. These plans include access to affordable broadband, which experts believe will lead to the improved digital skills needed for todays tech jobs.

Eddie Rodriguez, executive director of CREEED (Council on Regional Economic Expansion and Education Development), one of the summits sponsors, said the main thing his organization wanted to stress was a continuous commitment to higher education to achieve economic success.

Rodriguez said that a high-quality public education should provide students, regardless of their socio-economic background, with a launching point for a productive life.

Its going to take every shoulder to the wheel to effectively get us to that destination that will increase the trajectory of our economic opportunity, Rodriguez said.

The CREEED official moderated one of the summits panel discussions about the importance of technology in rural areas. The panelists were Veronica Vijil, Rosy Vega-Barrio and Oscar Troncoso, who are superintendents of the Fabens, Tornillo and Anthony independent school districts, respectively. These small districts serve rural communities on the western and eastern edges of El Paso.

The trio noted how the pandemic sped up the use of technology at the K-12 level, and quickly raised the competency of teachers for virtual instruction, but it also revealed the need to expand internet access to allow greater communication between schools and students and their households.

Troncoso said that a side benefit was that parents, who often were Spanish speakers, could use their childs laptop to access language applications to learn English. He also said that students who mastered the technology became eligible for more college scholarship opportunities to include some for competitive Esports at New Mexico State University.

The trio touted how artificial intelligence (AI) programs could be powerful tools to help their students to improve their English proficiency, especially in written communication, and to give a voice to students with disabilities by enhancing their social skills.

Jacob Fraire, president of the ECMC Foundation, another summit sponsor, said he expected to hear new ideas from Latino leaders in education, technology and entrepreneurship about how tech-enabled learning could benefit Latino students, which is a growing community across the state and the country and one that traditionally underperforms at the post-secondary level compared to white students.

According to recent U.S. Census Bureau data, the population of Texas passed 30 million in 2022. Of that, 49.3% of the population age 17 and younger are Hispanic. The same data showed that only 70% of Hispanic adults earned a high school diploma and only 18% received a college degree.

Fraire said ECMC, a Los Angeles-based organization, works to improve higher education and career opportunities for underserved populations throughout the country that do not traditionally graduate from colleges and universities.

Were hoping to bring to light those ideas of how we can do better, Fraire said. In order for us to serve the Latino community more effectively, we have to be intentional about our saying that in this community, we intend to serve explicitly. Thats why were here today.

One of the events keynote speakers, Sarita E. Brown, co-founder and president of Excelencia in Education, said she was at the summit because Excelencia wants to work with institutions that reach Latino students, serve them well, and propel them into the workforce and society.

Brown said her organization is well aware of El Pasos strengths and potential, and that the summit highlights the regions ability to combine human capital with practical and tactical solutions. She lauded its residents, who for decades were underrepresented and underestimated, because they made the most of their bilingualism and biculturalism, especially as first-generation college students. Now the state, the nation and the world see the vibrance in the area because of UTEP being a top-level academic research university and the expansion of El Paso Community College. The student populations at both of those institutions are heavily Latino.

She said the summit was an opportunity for academic leaders to listen to entrepreneurs and technology developers about cutting-edge ideas that could benefit their students. She said that her question for every educator and tech person in the room was how they plan to efficiently connect with each other to benefit Latinos, who will make up a larger percentage of higher education students in the future.

Theyre definitely looking at challenges, but are rising to meet them, she said.

This article first appeared on El Paso Matters and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Efforts to bring justice to Rohingya must be accelerated, ICC chief prosecutor says

The International Criminal Courts chief prosecutor told CNN Friday that efforts to bring justice for the Rohingya must be accelerated and the world cannot look away from the ongoing crisis.

Chief prosecutor Karim Khan visited Coxs Bazar, Bangladesh, for four days this week to hear testimony from survivors of alleged genocide by Myanmars military against its Rohingya population.

There is heartbreak in these camps, Khan said in an exclusive interview with CNN. They feel the world is looking elsewhere, is looking at Ukraine (and) other epicenters. And they have a right to justice.

More than 700,000 people have been living in squalid and overcrowded refugee camps in Bangladesh since fleeing attacks in Myanmars Rakhine state that began in August 2017.

In 2019, judges at the ICC approved a full investigation into alleged crimes against humanity targeting the Muslim-majority Rohingya people, including systematic acts of violence, forced deportation and ethnic and religious persecution.

Those who fled the bloody crackdown have detailed murders, rape, torture and arson, among other atrocities.

The chief prosecutor acknowledged the frustration felt at the speed at which the court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. Meanwhile, the Rohingya have been waiting six years and no such action has been taken against the Myanmar military leaders who ordered the attacks.

The big difference is that we have access to Ukraine, we dont have access to Myanmar, Khan said. My presence here, my presence last year and the teams almost constant presence here over the last year  is evidence of the fact theyve not been forgotten.

International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Khan visits Kutupalong Rohingya refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh on July 6. - Tanbir Miraj/AFP/Getty Images

Ziabul Hossain, a community teacher for high school level students in the camps, said he recognizes the work the ICC is doing but said the process is taking too long while they live in dire conditions.

The first time when I met with the ICC lawyer in camp, I told them that we have been suffering for a long time, which the world knew [better]. But you are still researching. How much more time will it take for our justice? he said.

ICCs Khan said his office was trying to secure additional resources and had appointed a senior lawyer to lead the Myanmar team.

On Thursday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said Myanmar continues its deadly freefall into even deeper violence and heartbreak and the military junta, which seized power in a 2021 coup, relies on systematic control tactics, fear and terror.

Asked whether ongoing alleged crimes by the military against Myanmar civilians could be used as part of any legal prosecution, Khan said we have jurisdiction only because Bangladesh is a state party.

Known as the worlds court of last resort, the ICC has a mandate to try genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and war crimes. Though 123 countries are parties to the treaty that brought the court into existence, Myanmar is not a state party, but Bangladesh is.

While we need the widest spectrum of evidence, Khan said, the judges have held that we can look into matters where at least one of the elements of the offense is committed on this territory.

The ICC investigation is running parallel but separate to a genocide case filed by Gambia to the International Court of Justice, and another case taken up by Argentinas judiciary investigating alleged war crimes under the principles of universal justice.

The ICC prosecutor said it was important to show there are red lines that cannot be crossed and that politics, national interest, the aims to retain power are not good enough to ride roughshod over the rights of civilians.

I think collectively were failing and I think what were trying to do in the office that I lead is to move with more focus and to get results by separating truth from fiction, Khan said.

But he noted the world cant look away.

Food rations cut, risk from traffickers

Families in the camps are entirely dependent on aid and have seen their food allowances repeatedly cut, children cant go to school and young people have few opportunities, Khan said.

Now families are being given 9 taka (8 cents) a day for a meal. And the cost of a single egg is 12 taka (11 cents). So food should not be taken off the plates of children and diverted elsewhere, he said.

Last month, the World Food Program was forced to cut food rations for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh after suffering a funding shortfall of $56 million.

The cuts reduced the value of rations to about 27 cents per day, according to the UN human rights agency.

Mohamed Rofique, 35, has lived in the camp with his family of four since fleeing the violence in his home town of Maungdaw, in Rakhine state.

He told CNN Friday the food ration shortages are hitting his community hard.

Eight dollars of food ration for a month per person is not enough. There is no income activity for the Rohingya living inside the camp, he said.

Mohammad, 26, a Rohingya community leader who only gave his first name for security reasons, said criminal groups operate in the camps and life there is like a live human in a boiling pan because the camp is not safe.

The reduced food rations have forced many youths to take risky boat journey in search of better life. It forces many refugees to be used at the hands of smugglers to support their families, it allows the pimps to exploit them into sex work, it increases child marriage and child labor in the camps, said Mohammad, who advocates for the rights of Rohingya in the camp.

On Thursday, a man died after being stabbed in the sprawling refugee camp on the same day as Khans visit, according to camp leaders and local media, though the two events appear unrelated.

Despite the grim conditions in Coxs Bazar and concerns over whether his community will one day be repatriated to Myanmar, Rofique is optimistic about the ICC investigation.

The ICC and ICJ are proceeding the case according to the law. We believe they will give the rightful punishment to those perpetrators, he said.

Mohammad said the Rohingya seek justice for the atrocities and genocide committed against our community and want to see the real perpetrators brought to trial.

We also hope that ICC investigation will lead to a formal recognition of the crimes committed by Myanmar military junta, he added.

Chief prosecutor Khan believed that Myanmars military leaders, including junta leader Min Aung Hlaing could be held to account.

Khan pointed to historic trials of former Yugoslavian President Slobodan Milosevic, former Liberian leader Charles Taylor, and former Rwandan Prime Minister Jean Kambanda.

One thing is certain, he said. Unless we collect evidence, analyze evidence, unless we check what is incriminating and what is exonerating, there will be no chance of justice.

CNNs Teele Rebane contributed reporting.

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EL PASO, Texas  The Texas man who fatally shot 23 people at an El Paso Walmart in a targeted attack against people of Mexican descent was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences.

Patrick Crusius, of Allen, agreed in February to the back-to-back life sentences when he pleaded guilty to 90 federal counts, including 45 hate crime charges.

The judge asked that he is sent to ADX Florence, a maximum facility prison in Fremont County, Colorado, and requested he receive mental health treatment.

A woman touches a cross at a makeshift memorial for victims outside Walmart, near the scene of a mass shooting which left at least 22 people dead, on August 6, 2019 in El Paso, Texas. A 21-year-old white male suspect remains in custody in El Paso, which sits along the U.S.-Mexico border. President Donald Trump plans to visit the city August 7. (Mario Tama / Getty Images file)

The shooter traveled almost 600 miles from North Texas to El Paso before opening fire on shoppers on Aug. 3, 2019, with a WASR-10 rifle.

Minutes before the attack, he posted a hate-filled racist screed online in which he referred to an invasion of immigrants to the United States, the Justice Department said.

The department has said Crusius, who admitted to police he was the shooter, is a self-described white nationalist.

Sentencing began Wednesday, and for days relatives of those killed spoke to Crusius about their anger and about the damage he did.

Look at my son, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, whose 15-year-old son Javier Amir was killed, said Thursday as an image of the teenager was on a screen.

Kathleen Johnson told Crusius that he shot her husband, David Johnson, at close range in Aisle 3 that day.

His innocent blood was everywhere. He was our provider, loving father and grandfather, said Johnson, who has night terrors and post-traumatic stress disorder.

I dont even want to look at you, she said.

Thomas Hoffman spoke about his father, Alexander Hoffman, and shared a photo of his parents who had been married 40 years and of a plane ticket for a flight his father was supposed to take that day.

You shot my dad in the back, he said Wednesday. You are a coward.

The shooter bought the WASR-10, which is a Romanian-made semi-automatic variant of the AK-47 assault rifle, as well as 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm hollow-point ammunition, almost two months before the attack, according to the indictment.

He drove overnight from Allen, which is north of Dallas, to El Paso before opening fire on people who were shopping at the Walmart on a Saturday morning.

In addition to the 23 people who were killed, 22 others were injured. The 23rd victim, Guillermo Memo Garcia, was injured and died in a hospital in April 2020, almost nine months after the shooting.

When Crusius was indicted on federal hate crime charges, then-Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband called the mass shooting, and other acts of hate like it, heinous crimes intended to terrorize and intimidate.

This kind of terror will not stand, Dreiband said following the on Feb. 6, 2020, indictment.

The shooter pleaded guilty on Feb. 8 to 45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and 45 firearm counts, the Justice Department said at the time.

Kayla McCormick reported from El Paso, Phil Helsel reported from Los Angeles.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Man who killed 23 people in Texas Walmart shooting targeting Latinos sentenced to 90 life terms by federal judge

The mass shooter who killed 23 people at an El Paso Walmart in one of the deadliest attacks targeting Latinos in modern US history was sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms by a federal judge on Friday.

Prosecutors had recommended Patrick Crusius, 24, receive consecutive life sentences for each of the 90 federal charges, including hate crimes and firearms offenses, to which he pleaded guilty.

The killer showed no emotion, staring straight ahead, as he was condemned  at least for now  to a life behind bars.

In a hearing lasting roughly 40 minutes, Crusius defense attorney delivered an allocution  a defendants formal address to the court  on behalf of the shooter.

Defense lawyer Joe Spencer told the court Crusius took responsibility for the harm he had caused and that his rampage was due to severe mental illness.

Patrick will leave prison in a coffin. The only question is, will it be on Gods time or mans time? Spencer said.

Some survivors and relatives of victims wiped tears as Spencer spoke.

The prosecution vehemently rejected the defense attorneys assertion, with one US attorney calling Crusius a vessel of insidious violence and danger to us all.

Federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna told the court the racist massacre was premeditated with every detail laid out in a document of his creation.

As Crusius was escorted out of the courtroom, some victims relatives yelled at him.

Well be seeing you again, coward, said Dean Reckard, who lost his mother, Margie. No apologies, no nothing, youre a b*tch.

For Crusius, the punishment meted out Friday is just the beginning. He faces a potential death penalty in a separate state case, in which he has pleaded not guilty to capital murder.

Spencer later told reporters his client is not a racist but instead suffers from a broken brain and history of severe mental illness.

This isnt something we invented  this is something that has been in the works since childhood. This has been documented, Spencer said.

Since his sentencing hearing began Wednesday, Crusius has faced dozens of victims loved ones and survivors who shared anguished victim impact statements and imparted the lasting effects of the shooters actions.

Some victims family members became tearful as they confronted Crusius for the first time in court, vilifying him as an ignorant coward, an evil parasite, a monster and a racist.

Authorities say Crusius rampaged through the El Paso Walmart with the sole intention of killing Mexican people and immigrants. At least eight of those killed were Mexican nationals, according to Mexicos Secretary of Foreign Affairs Marcelo Ebrard. Crusius is also believed to have posted a hate-filled screed online just minutes before the shooting in which he espoused xenophobic and White supremacist beliefs.

Among the 36 people who addressed Crusius on Wednesday and Thursday was a minor who survived the rampage. Wearing an El Paso Strong T-shirt, the girl struggled to speak between sobs as she described her terror and enduring pain.

I used to be a happy, normal teenager, until a coward chose to use violence against the innocent, she said. Im no longer as happy as I used to be.

A teenage soccer player identified in court as G.A. also recounted the horror of the shooting.

I still remember everything so clearly, even though I have tried to erase it from my memory, G.A. said.

Paul Jamrowski, father of Jordan Anchondo and father in-law of Andre Anchondo, who both died in the 2019 mass shooting, breaks down in tears while speaking to the media outside the federal courthouse in El Paso, Texas on Wednesday. - Andres Leighton/AP

The shooter had initially pleaded not guilty to the federal charges but changed his plea in February after prosecutors indicated they would not seek the death penalty.

The federal sentence, however, may not be sufficient justice for some families, said the father of Jordan Anchondo, who died alongside her husband while protecting their infant during the shooting.

These lives will never be brought back to life, so how is that justice? And whos to say what justice is? said Paul Jamrowski when asked about the sentence Wednesday.

A potential death sentence looms in the separate state trial, which El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks anticipates will be held sometime in 2024 or 2025, but the date has yet to be set by a judge, according to his spokesperson Jennifer Cortes.

Are you sorry for what you did?

Patrick Crusius, left, and defense attorney Joe Spencer Jr., listen to US District Judge David Guaderrama. - Nacho Garcia, Jr.

Crusius entered the courtroom with shackled hands and feet on Wednesday and Thursday and sat in silence for much of the proceedings as survivors and victims families detailed their lasting pain.

But the shooter engaged a relative of a victim for the first time on Thursday, motioning with his head in response to questions asked from Reckard.

After Reckard asked the shooter if he sleeps good at night, Crusius responded by shaking his head, No.

You havent shown signs of remorse, Reckard continued. You just wanted to be a copycat?

Again, Crusius shook his head.

Are you a White supremacist? Reckard asked.

The shooter shook his head once more.

Are you sorry for what you did?

Crusius then nodded, Yes.

At least two speakers admonished Crusius for apparently rolling his eyes at them during their statements.

You can roll your eyes if you want to. It doesnt bother me, remarked Raymond Attaguile, whose brother-in-law David Johnson was killed while back-to-school shopping with his granddaughter.

Johnsons granddaughter also interrupted her remarks to reprimand Crusius, saying, You can roll your eyes; you can smile; you can smirk, before continuing her emotional recounting of the events that day.

Crusius shook his head in response to both admonishments, seemingly denying the actions.

On Thursday, as the hearing was ending, Crusius appeared to be red-eyed and struggling to hold back emotions.

Take it, feel it. Dont f**king cry. Your tears mean nothing to me, Karla Romero, whose mother was killed, told Crusius at one point.

You deserve to suffer in jail

Several of the speakers fondly remembered their slain loved ones as they faced Crusius, becoming emotional as they stood just feet from the shooter.

You killed my father in such a cowardly way, Thomas Hoffman said in court Wednesday. He was not a racist like you.

Hoffmans father, Alexander Hoffman, was killed in the 2019 shooting. He was an engineer who migrated to Mexico from Germany in the 1980s, his daughter Elis said in a statement through an attorney. She described her father as a gentle giant with a big heart.

Youre an ignorant coward and you deserve to suffer in jail and then burn in hell, Thomas Hoffman said. You are an evil parasite that is nothing without a weapon.

I hope God one day finds the heart to forgive you for what youve done, Raul Loya, who is related to one of the victims, said before crying.

Johnsons daughter, Stephanie Melendez, also addressed Crusius in court Wednesday. Melendez has said Johnson died shielding his wife Kathy and their 9-year-old granddaughter, Kaitlyn, from a hail of bullets.

I want you to remember my voice. I speak for all the daughters who lost their fathers, Melendez said. In your act of hatred, you stole a good man from this world.

She added, He will be remembered but you will not.

The raw emotions from the victims families this week were reminiscent of a recent string of dramatic hearings, including the trial and death penalty phase proceedings for the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter and the sentencing of the Islamic extremist who drove a truck into pedestrians and cyclists on a New York City bike path in 2017.

CNNs Ashley Killough, Elizabeth Wolfe, Elizabeth Joseph and Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

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A federal court in Texas imposed 90 consecutive life sentences to the man who killed 23 people and injured 23 others in a xenophobia-inspired mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart in 2019.

Patrick Crusius pleaded guilty in February to 90 federal charges, including hate crimes, and was awaiting sentencing.

The 90 consecutive life sentences announced today guarantee that Patrick Crusius will spend the rest of his life in prison for his deadly, racist rampage in El Paso. We are grateful to the victims and their family members who have spent the last three days bravely sharing the devastation and pain they endured because of Crusiuss horrendous crimes. The Justice Departments commitment to combating hate crimes is unwavering, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.

The sentencing hearing began Wednesday, with survivors and victims family and friends confronting Crusius and reading victim statements in court.

Crusius will now face trial in Texas courts, where prosecutors have said they will seek the death penalty.

Among U.S. Hispanics and immigrants, the 2019 massacre has become a key symbol of the dangers of radicalized xenophobia.

Crusius explicitly laid out his intentions in a 2,300-word manifesto that intertwined racial, ethnic and political bigotry with broader economic and environmental concerns.

The manifesto directly targeted Mexicans and Hispanics and said his attack would remove the incentives for more migrants to come to the United States.

Violent language that encourages and cultivates the climate for violence cannot be ignored. When hateful rhetoric comes from political leaders, it is a danger to democracy and peoples lives, said Vanessa Cardenas, executive director of Americas Voice, a progressive immigration advocacy group.

Weve had to issue a disturbing volume of similar statements and reflections commemorating trial developments and anniversaries of horrific acts of white nationalist hate connected to the invasion and replacement rhetoric.

Immigrant advocates have grown increasingly concerned about a rising tone on immigration and mainstreaming of the Great Replacement Theory, which states that foreign immigrants are purposely being brought into the country to replace white Americans.

Crucius directly appealed to the theory, taking inspiration from the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand, mosque shootings, where a gunman killed 51 people and injured 40 others.

This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas, Crucius wrote.

The term invasion became commonplace during the 2022 midterm elections, with GOP candidates from border and interior states alike used it as a centerpiece of their border security messaging.

It has also taken hold in the 2024 presidential race, as former President Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) compete to present the more hawkish vision on immigration.

The use of previously off-limits terminology  a staple of anti-woke politics  has advocates on edge.

Despite the proven real world dangers, theyve escalated their use of the invasion and replacement conspiracies in the last four years, seemingly not caring that this rhetoric comes with a body count, said Mario Carrillo, campaigns manager for Americas Voice.

Paul Jamrowski, father of Jordan Anchondo and father in-law of Andre Anchondo, who both died in the El Paso Walmart mass shooting, breaks down in tears while speaking to the media outside the federal court in El Paso, Texas, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Patrick Crusius, who is accused of killing nearly two dozen people in a racist attack at an El Paso Walmart in August 2019, received 90 life sentences after pleading guilty to federal hate crimes and weapons charges in one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Over the two days of sentencing, survivors and victims family members voiced their anger at Crucius, in some cases referencing his motivations.

We are still here and we are not going anywhere. And for four years you have been stuck in a city full of Hispanics.  So let that sink in, said Amaris Vega, whose aunt was killed in the attack, according to an AP report.

In total, the friends and family of 12 victims made statements, according to the Texas Tribune, ranging from anger to sadness to forgiveness.

Crucius, 24, did not speak, but his attorney Joe Spencer told U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama that his clients thinking is at odds with reality, reported the AP.

Patrick acted with his broken brain cemented in delusions, Spencer told the court.

This story was updated at 3:58 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Elijah Myers, 21, sentenced to 14 years in prison for drug- and gang-related offenses

Elijah Myers looks back at his supporters on Friday during a hearing in Richland County Common Pleas Court. He is flanked by defense attorney Ben Kitzler.

It's not too late for Elijah Myers.

As Judge Phil Naumoff told him, he will still be a young man when he is released from prison.

Myers, 21, was sentenced Friday in Richland County Common Pleas Court to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound with a forfeiture specification and aggravated trafficking in drugs with a major drug offender specification.

Both are first-degree felonies. Attorneys on both sides recommended the 14-year sentence.

In addition, Myers entered an Alford plea to a charge of participating in a criminal gang. In an Alford plea, a defendant registers a formal admission of guilt toward charges in criminal court while simultaneously expressing innocence toward those same charges.

The state dismissed a number of other counts and specifications in exchange for the plea.

"A lot of young kids are dying in the streets, playing with guns and drugs," Naumoff told Myers.

The judge said people involved in those activities normally end up in prison or dead.

"The drugs that you had are as dangerous as they come," Naumoff said.

Assistant Prosecutor Matt Metcalf detailed the three counts.

The trafficking in a fentanyl-related compound happened Dec. 31, 2022, after ShotSpotter sensors picked up the sound of gunfire on Greenlawn Avenue.

"There was a backpack with a felony-1 level of fentanyl in it," Metcalf said, adding Mansfield police also found a backpack in the street.

Myers was at the scene, and his DNA was found on a couple of bags of fentanyl.

The aggravated trafficking in drugs count involved a package containing 435 grams of methamphetamine that was sent from Phoenix, Arizona.

Police seized Myers' cellphone.

"There was a lot of evidence that Mr. Myers knew what was in the package," Metcalf said.

Participating in a criminal gang is a second-degree felony.

"Mr. Myers was a key member in a very violent gang here locally," Metcalf said. "I believe the drug trafficking and the quantities are related to that."

Defense attorney Ben Kitzler addressed the court, followed by Myers.

"He's accepted responsibility. He's going to have to pay for it; it's that simple," Kitzler said. "I hope this does not define him."

The defense attorney said he wanted Myers to get a "restart" in the future.

Myers was next.

"I'm very sorry to the community for being out of control," he said, also apologizing to his family.

Metcalf said despite Myers being only 21, his case was substantial.

"This is a lot of really serious stuff, really quickly," the assistant prosecutor said. "He was looking at 30 to 35 years (in prison) on what he admitted to today."

Naumoff was the last to speak.

"Mr. Myers, you are a young kid," the judge said. "The fact is, you went big. You were playing in a dangerous game, not just for yourself but for the community."

Naumoff said 14 years was "about as low as it can go" sentence-wise. He told Myers that he will be only 35 when he is released from prison.

"You will still be a young man," the judge said. "There's a lot of life ahead of you."

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MarkCau32059251

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield man sentenced to 14 years in prison in fentanyl, gang case
Graduation trips become popular option during summer vacation

People's Daily Online) 14:43, July 06, 2023

The number of searches for graduation trips has been soaring on several online travel platforms in China, and flight bookings made by people aged between 17 and 19 have seen a remarkable increase.

Tourists visit the China Grand Canal Museum in Yangzhou city, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo/Chen Liang)

Qunar.com, an online travel service provider, said the number of searches for graduation trips began to surge at 6 p.m. on June 10. Coastal cities including Xiamen, Qingdao, Haikou, Sanya, Weihai, Dalian, Fuzhou, and Qinhuangdao are popular destinations for Chinese graduates.

Beijing tops the list of this year's popular Chinese destinations for graduation trips issued by online travel platform Mafengwo. Scenic spots with profound culture, including the Forbidden City, the National Museum of China, and the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, are particularly popular among tourists.

Graduation trips have become an important means for young Chinese tourists to appreciate the beautiful scenery and colorful cultures across the country, and feel the beauty of life.

Qiu Tian, a high school graduate, visited Yichun city in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province to avoid the summer heat in the Lesser Khingan Mountains and enjoy the picturesque scenery there shortly after the end of the college entrance exam. With rich forest resources, the city attracts tourists from across the country every summer.

Tourists enjoy Shibi town, Qionghai city, south China's Hainan Province. (Photo/Meng Zhongde)

Zhang Pengfei, a college graduate who will pursue a master's degree this September at a university in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, planned to visit the Zijin Mountain scenic spot in Nanjing, the Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle) scenic spot in Wuxi city, and the Tianmu Lake scenic area in Changzhou city, among others.

"I will study in Jiangsu for three years. So I want to visit places in the province during the summer vacation," Zhang said.

Xu Jia, a high school graduate in Wuxi, went on holiday with her parents in Yanjiaqiao, a village with a thriving rural tourism in Xishan district of the city in late June. Xu seldom visited rural areas in the past.

During her stay in the village, Xu visited a night market every day and sometimes watched live performances, including Pingtan, a style of ballad singing in Suzhou dialect with Chinese instruments, and saxophone performances, which changed her stereotypical image of the countryside.

"Before I came here, I never thought that a village could be modern and fashionable. From the layout of the village and villagers' smiles, I see what China's countryside looks like in the new era and will cherish more today's good life," Xu said.

Some scenic areas have launched preferential policies for students. For instance, 43 national 3A-level tourist attractions and above in Zaozhuang city, east China's Shandong Province cut or exempt ticket prices for college students across the country before Aug. 31.

This year's high school graduates can visit the Xi'an city wall scenic spot in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province free of charge between June 9 and Aug. 31 after showing their college entrance exam admission cards and ID cards.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The following items were taken from Niles Police bulletins. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Driving under the influence

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Steven Barsevik, 42, of the 7200 block of Howard Street, Chicago, was arrested June 29 on the 8000 block of Ozanam Avenue for driving under the influence of alcohol, police said. A court date is set for Aug. 9.

Ritesh Simon, 47, of the 3800 block of Jerome Street, Chicago, was arrested July 2 for driving under the influence of alcohol and on a suspended or revoked license at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Dempster Street, police said. Police said Simon also had an active arrest warrant.

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Battery

Jamie M. Hughes, 31, of the 7600 block of Milwaukee Avenue, was arrested June 30 for domestic battery at his residence, police said. A court date was set for June 30.

Theft

Tyrese D. Brewer, 38, of the 4800 block of South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, was arrested June 30 on the 8600 block of West Dempster Street for retail theft of two items worth a total of $748, police said. A court date is set for July 21.

Troy A. Dopke, 25, of the 4700 block of Leamington Avenue, Chicago, was arrested on the 5600 block of Touhy Avenue for taking $85.90 worth of items from a business without paying, police said.

An unknown subject removed a catalytic converter from a car parked on the 8600 block of Shermer Street between June 28 and June 30, police said.

An unknown subject removed a catalytic converter from a car parked on the 8500 block of Dempster Street July 1, police said.

Traffic violations

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Kennice Ferguson, 26, of the 2000 block of Fargo Avenue, Chicago, was arrested June 30 for driving a vehicle with its registration cancelled or suspended at the intersection of Touhy and Nagle Avenues, police said.

A 17-year-old female from Chicago was arrested July 2 on the 5700 block of West Touhy Avenue for speeding 60 mph in a 35 mph zone, driving on an invalid drivers license and violating curfew, police said. A court date is set for Aug. 9.

Pedro Castillo, 23, of the 900 block of Eastwood Avenue, Chicago, was arrested July 2 at the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue and Dempster Street for driving without a valid drivers license, police said.

Phillip R. Delaney, 32, of the 1700 block of Humboldt Boulevard, Chicago, was arrested July 5 for operating a vehicle with its registration suspended and without insurance on the 7200 block of West Harlem Avenue, police said.

Fraud

A complainant reported June 29 that he had mailed a check in May and was notified June 22 that the check had been altered for $900, police said.

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Disorderly conduct and public intoxication

Lucio D. Loyola, 22, of the 8500 block of Kilbourn Avenue, Skokie, was issued ordinance violations July 1 on the 9000 block of Milwaukee Avenue for public intoxication, disorderly conduct and requiring emergency services, police said. They added that a group of young males attempted to enter a bar but one of them had been banned from entry due to a prior incident, and that some started yelling profanities and were uncooperative.

Amy E. Colomb, 56, of the 900 block of Washington Boulevard, Chicago, was arrested July 1 on the 8700 block of Dempster Street for disorderly conduct after a complainant stated she had defecated on the sidewalk, police said.

Kaido Deemant, 47, of the 8100 block of Laramie Avenue, Skokie, was arrested July 1 on the 8400 block of North Milwaukee Avenue for public intoxication and requiring emergency services, police said.
Elk Grove will soon get a second seat on Sacramento Regional Transits governing board after a new California bill was signed into law on Thursday.

Assembly Bill 354, signed by Senate President pro tem Toni Atkins  serving as acting governor in the absence of both Gov. Gavin Newsom and Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis  is expected to give the south Sacramento County city a greater say in the transit system, said the Elk Grove lawmaker who carried the bill. The seat on the transit systems board of directors opens in January 2024.

Assemblywoman Stephanie Nguyen, D-Elk Grove, sponsored the bill. The former Elk Grove councilwoman said the legislation will ensure that the people of Elk Grove, Sacramento Countys second largest city, have a stronger voice in transit matters that affect their day-to-day lives, in a statement announcing the bills signing.

The local transit agency operates the light rail system and bus routes that run through Sacramento County.

The added RT board seat is the first for Elk Grove since its incorporation in July 2000. In the ensuing decades, Elk Grove has become one of the fastest growing cities in California, more than doubling in size from 81,000 residents in 2000 to more than 178,000 today.

Three members of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors join four Sacramento city council members and a single council member each from Citrus Heights, Folsom and Rancho Cordova on the transit board, in addition to what will soon be two Elk Grove seats.

The added Elk Grove seat reflects the citys growth, said Henry Li, Sacramento Regional Transit general manager and chief executive officer. In a statement, Li said, with the bill, the transit board will more accurately reflect demographic representation and equity following recent annexation agreements, adding that the change will ensure all voices have representation on SacRTs Board.

Sacramento Regional Transit took over operation of Elk Groves e-tran transit system in 2019.

The signing of AB 354 was itself part of history: Atkins, D-San Diego, became the first openly LGBTQ person in Californias history to sign a bill into state law, as she signed Nguyens bill and two other pieces of legislation on Thursday, Atkins said in social media posts.
Elon Musk fired most of Twitter's staff and said their talents will be of 'great use elsewhere.' Twitter's now threatening to sue Meta, accusing the company of hiring former employees to create a 'copycat' app.

Elon Musk. Alain Jocard/Getty Images

Meta launched a text-based app called Threads that competes with platforms like Twitter.

In less than 24 hours, Elon Musk's lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter over Meta's app.

The letter accuses Meta of hiring "dozens" of ex-Twitter employees and using them to create Threads.

About eight months before Meta launched its text-based app, Threads, Elon Musk purchased Twitter and swiftly went on a firing spree, laying off almost half of the company's 7,800 employees at the time.

The decision was met with some criticism, but Musk appeared to show little remorse  in one tweet writing that he would like to "apologize for firing these geniuses."

"Their immense talent will no doubt be of great use elsewhere," he continued.

Now, Musk's attorney is going after Meta, alleging that the company hired some of those laid-off employees to make a rival social media app.

Less than 24 hours since Meta launched Threads, Musk's attorney Alex Spiro sent a cease-and-desist letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, accusing the company of hiring "dozens of former Twitter employees" to create a "copycat" app.

Some of those employees "continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information" and "improperly retained Twitter documents and electronic devices," the letter claims.

"Based on recent reports regarding your recently launched 'Threads' app, Twitter has serious concerns that Meta Platforms ('Meta') has engaged in systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property," it said.

A source familiar with both companies previously told Insider that there are a handful of ex-Twitter employees at Meta, but none of them are currently working on Threads.

Meta's communications director Andy Stone wrote in a Threads post that "no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee  that's just not a thing."

Spiro did not respond to a request for comment.

Since the Tesla founder took over Twitter, Musk said in a BBC interview that he had laid off about 80%, or 6,500 Twitter employees, whittling the company down to fewer than 600 engineers.

Musk said firing that many employees was "one of the hardest" decisions and that it was "not fun at all. Painful."

Twitter has also since introduced a slew of controversial changes under Musk, including fewer content moderation rules and a verification process that costs $8 a month.

Meta employees have seen the chaos at Twitter as an opportunity to create a rival app for months, The New York Times previously reported.

Threads officially launched on Wednesday and garnered about 30 million sign-ups by the next morning, according to Zuckerberg.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump; Supreme CourtPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images

Last week, the right-wing justices on the Supreme Court killed affirmative action in colleges and university admissions. These five men and one woman are political hitmen. They are zealots and ideologues who were and remain totally committed to their mission. There was no evidence or facts that likely would have changed their minds; The outcome was a fait accompli. Their decision to end affirmative action was part of a larger political judicial massacre: that same week the right-wing majority voted to void President Biden's student loan forgiveness plan and to make it legal to use religion as a justification to discriminate against gays and lesbians (any by implication Black and brown people and members of other marginalized groups)  in violation of the country's civil rights laws.

In all, today's right-wing revanchist-controlled Supreme Court is doing the work of returning American society to the Gilded Age (if not before) as part of a neofascist revolutionary political project to end the country's multiracial democracy and pluralistic society.

In her dissent, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who is the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice in the history of that institution, focused on the absurd reasoning and claim that American society is fundamentally "colorblind":

With let-them-eat-cake obliviousness, today, the majority pulls the ripcord and announces "colorblindness for all" by legal fiat. But deeming race irrelevant in law does not make it so in life. And having so detached itself from this country's actual past and present experiences, the Court has now been lured into interfering with the crucial work that UNC and other institutions of higher learning are doing to solve America's real-world problems. No one benefits from ignorance. Although formal race-linked legal barriers are gone, race still matters to the lived experiences of all Americans in innumerable ways, and today's ruling makes things worse, not better. The best that can be said of the majority's perspective is that it proceeds (ostrich-like) from the hope that preventing consideration of race will end racism. But if that is its motivation, the majority proceeds in vain. If the colleges of this country are required to ignore a thing that matters, it will not just go away. It will take longer for racism to leave us. And, ultimately, ignoring race just makes it matter more.

And in her dissent, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who is the first Latina on the court, wrote:

[T]he Court cements a superficial rule of colorblindness as a constitutional principle in an endemically segregated society where race has always mattered and continues to matter.The Court subverts the constitutional guarantee of equal protection by further entrenching racial inequality in education, the very foundation of our democratic government and pluralistic society. Because the Court's opinion is not grounded in law or fact and contravenes the vision of equality embodied in the Fourteenth Amendment, I dissent.

Related

Colleges must now fight back: Supreme Court's attack on affirmative action is anti-freedom

Of course, Donald Trump, the twice-impeached ex-president and presumed 2024 Republican presidential nominee felt compelled to issue a statement in response to the Supreme Court's decision to kill affirmative action. On his Truth Social disinformation propaganda platform, Trump celebrated that:

This is a great day for America. People with extraordinary ability and everything else necessary for success, including future greatness for our Country, are finally being rewarded. This is the ruling everyone was waiting and hoping for and the result was amazing. It will also keep us competitive with the rest of the world. Our greatest minds must be cherished and that's what this wonderful day has brought. We're going back to all merit-basedand that's the way it should be!

The never-magnanimous Trump would later claim credit for the ruinous Supreme Court decisions of these last few terms, declaring that "his" justices are "gold."

Trump's "merit-based" society is white privilege, white power and white domination unrestrained and unchecked.

Trump's statement in response to the SCOTUS affirmative action decision is rife with white racist lies, white rage, distortions and abuses of historical facts, white racist fantasies and white victimology, prejudice, white supremacy, anti-rationality, ignorance, intellectual dishonesty, and a deeply held belief that any outcome in American society where a white person (or white people as a group) do not automatically "win" or otherwise get their way is somehow unfair and unjust. The unifying thread in Trump's statement and the racist imagination it represents is white entitlement. It is what American Studies scholar George Lipsitz has compellingly described as "the possessive investment in whiteness."

Trump's statement proceeds from the racist fiction and lie that "affirmative action" is some type of "quota" for "undeserving" Black people. In a recent interview here at Salon, Berkeley law professor Khiara M. Bridges intervenes, explaining that, "Race-based affirmative action specifically says that we ought to be conscious of a student's race when making admissions decisions, because a student's race might help us understand their grades and standardized test scores. Race contextualizes those numbers. Despite what conservatives say about it, affirmative action is not some type of 'handout' like 'welfare' for lazy and unqualified Black and brown people."

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Unfortunately, Donald Trump is not just speaking for himself. He is a fountain and mouthpiece for White America (the not so "silent majority") writ large and the delusional and paranoiac belief that somehow it is white people, not Black and brown people, who are the "real victims" of racism in America. In the world as it actually exists white people in America control every major political, social, and economic institution, and by extension the vast majority of the country's income, wealth, and other resources.

Donald Trump said that the Supreme Court's decision was a "great day for America." Who is included in his "America"? Who was it in fact "great" for? Most certainly not the Black and brown Americans and others who will be denied a fair opportunity to enroll in some of the country's most elite institutions of higher learning, and by doing so improve their chances of accessing the American Dream and contributing their talents and skills to the betterment of American society at the highest levels. It is also not a "great day" for the white students and others who greatly benefit from being in classrooms and other spaces with Black and brown people and other students from racially diverse backgrounds. Who are these people with "extraordinary ability" who have somehow been denied their "rewards"?

Donald Trump is most certainly not speaking about how American society from before the Founding to the present continues to deny equal and fair opportunities to extraordinary Black and brown people and members of other marginalized groups because of the color of their skin. Here Trump is also assuming that Black and brown people are intellectually inferior as compared to white people. The greatness that Trump is yearning for as the leader of the neofascist MAGA movement and larger white right is to end America's multiracial pluralistic democracy by returning the country to the "good old days" when Black and brown people were second-class citizens, women were not considered equal to men, and gays and lesbian people were disappeared from mainstream public life.

Trump's "merit-based" society is white privilege and white power and white domination unrestrained and unchecked. America has never been a "merit-based" society. Moreover, Trump himself is a living embodiment of how American society is not "merit based". Trump inherited and was loaned large sums of money from his father that he in turn used to start his business(es). He gained admission to Wharton Business School, most certainly not based on intellectual merit or ability, but because of family connections. One of Donald Trump's professors at Wharton described him as "the dumbest goddamned student" he ever had. In many ways, Donald Trump's entire life is a story of the types of privilege and other unearned advantages afforded to rich white men in America.

He has also convinced himself that ending affirmative action programs will make America "competitive with the world." The actual data shows, however, that more diverse and inclusive groups, organizations and societies are more dynamic, innovative, successful and prosperous.

Related

The Supreme Court is on a mission to ensure the US assumes the form that the Republican Party wants

The real story of a given Supreme Court decision is in the footnotes. This is especially true of the recent decision to end race-based affirmative action in higher education. In that vein, the following footnotes and annotations would illuminate and rebut the incorrect beliefs and conclusions that Donald Trump's statements about affirmative action  and by implication the color line in America  represent.

In this 2020 interview, sociologist Joe Feagin explains how what he describes as "the white racial frame" distorts how (most) white people understand the realities of race and racism in American society:

For centuries, that white racial frame has provided a dominant worldview from which most whites (and many others) regularly view this society. While it includes racist prejudices, even more important are its racist narratives about society, its strong racist images, its powerful racist emotions and its inclinations to racist actions. Especially important is that this broad white framing has a very positive orientation to whites as generally superior and virtuous (a pro-white subframe) and a negative orientation to various racial "others" substantially viewed as inferior and unvirtuous (anti-others subframes). This frame motivates and rationalizes white racist discrimination targeting African Americans, including police brutality and violence such as that involved in the cases of African American men and women that you mention, and hundreds of others. The likely motivation for such police malpractice is more than racial bias. These events typically involve a white racial framing that not only stereotypes and interprets Black people and their actions in negative terms as unvirtuous  e.g., dangerous, criminal, violent, druggies  but also portrays whites, including police officers, as virtuous, manly, superior and dominant. Also central in many such incidents appear to be white emotions of anger, fear, resentment or arrogance. The way in which whites view themselves in these settings is at least as important as their negative views of those they target with discrimination.

In her book "White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide", historian Carol Anderson highlights the power of white rage and the harm it causes Black and brown people:

The trigger for white rage, inevitably, is Black advancement. It is not the mere presence of Black people that is the problem; rather, it is Blackness with ambition, with drive, with purpose, with aspirations, and with demands for full and equal citizenship. It is Blackness that refuses to accept subjugation, to give up. A formidable array of policy assaults and legal contortions has consistently punished Black resilience, Black resolve.

In his essential book "When Affirmative Action Was White," historian Ira Katznelson details how government policies and laws have systemically given resources and other opportunities to white people and denied them to nonwhites, especially Black Americans:

When Affirmative Action Was White is one result of this endeavor. It reveals how policy decisions dealing with welfare, work, and war during Jim Crow's last hurrah in the 1930s and 1940s excluded, or differentially treated, the vast majority of African Americans. It also traces how inequality, in fact, increased at the insistence of southern representatives in Congress, while their other congressional colleagues were complicit. As a result of the legislation they passed, Blacks became even more significantly disadvantaged when a modern American middle class was fashioned during and after the Second World War. Public policy, including affirmative action, has insufficiently taken this troubling legacy into account.

I wonder who white folks will now blame for their life failures and other frustrations and disappointments now that affirmative action in higher education  and soon across American society  is dead? Who will they rage against when they and/or their "best and brightest" and so "very smart" and "special" and "unique" children don't get admitted into their first choice of a college or university? When they, who of course are the "best at their job", are not promoted because a "minority" supposedly "took my spot!"

Will that frustrated white entitlement shrivel and explode or will it become something else?

I know the answer. It will be the same one that it has always been for centuries in America. Nonetheless, the question still demands to be asked because of what the answer reveals about the character and nature of American society and the enduring power of the color line in these horrible days of the Age of Donald Trump and beyond.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article identified Ketanji Brown Jackson as the first Black Supreme Court Justice; she is the first Black woman to serve in that role. The story has been corrected.

Read more

about the Supreme Court's term
Erdogan may meet with Putin after talks with Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin following talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on July 7, Turkish television channel A Haber has said in a report.

U.S. news agency Bloomberg previously reported that Zelenskyy would meet with Erdogan in Istanbul to discuss the grain corridor  an agreement involving Russia that allows Ukraine to export grain from three of its Black Sea ports.

This week, Zelenskyy has already paid visits to Bulgaria and Czechia, during which he met with the countries leaders.

Erdogan has attempted to act as a mediator between Kyiv and Moscow since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Read also: Lukashenko's business jet lands in Turkey  media

Turkey also hosted the negotiations on the export of Ukrainian grain products. However, Russia has been systematically blocking the agreement by delaying the carrying out of inspections of grain cargo ships.

Erdogan continues to hold phone talks with Zelenskyy and Putin. The last ones took place in early 2023.

Read also:

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A gunshot detection system that has drawn criticism from some quarters is about to be deployed in a section of Erie.

Despite the criticism, the city's police chief said he welcomes any new technology, which in this case is fully funded by a state grant, that will assist his department in potentially saving lives.

The Erie Bureau of Police is finalizing details concerning the installation of ShotSpotter gunshot technology equipment that will soon be deployed in an area of Erie covering roughly 6 square miles. Police are not identifying the area, but said it was selected based on data collected over the past two to three years that showed areas of the city with the highest number of shots-fired reports.

Employing the technology from the California-based company, which recently changed its corporate name to SoundThinking, will cost a little under $1 million over two years, Police Chief Dan Spizarny said. The cost is fully covered by a grant through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, he said.

Officials announced in late 2022 that Erie, along with Erie County and Millcreek Township, were receiving more than $3 million in funding through the PCCD's Gun Violence Investigation & Prosecution Grant Program to use to combat gun violence. Spizarny said at the time that the more than $1 million Erie was receiving through the grant would be used to purchase a gunshot detection system. The funds will also allow assigned detectives to follow up on all reported shootings and help cover the cost of new evidence collection equipment for the bureau's Identification Unit.

More: Grants to help Erie County, municipal law enforcement combat gun violence with new tools

How ShotSpotter works

ShotSpotter uses acoustic sensors positioned around the target area to detect and locate gunshots using triangulation. The sensors are connected wirelessly to ShotSpotter's centralized, cloud-based application. That data is used to locate the incident and is then filtered by sophisticated machine algorithms to classify the event as a potential gunshot, according to information on the company's website.

Acoustic experts staffed in ShotSpotter's incident review center confirm that the events are gunfire, and can further determine other critical intelligence such as whether a fully automatic weapon was fired or whether there were multiple shooters, according to the website. An alert is then sent to the 911 center and/or to a patrol officer.

Spizarny said the company's response to a detected gunshot is less than one minute, generally in less than 30 seconds. The company's system can tell whether or not a noise is indeed a gunshot or something that could mimic the sound, such as fireworks.

There are two codes ShotSpotter will send police, Spizarny said. One code states that the sound is 100% believed to be gunfire, and the other is that the sound is 80% believed to be gunfire.

"It's maybe not at 100%. They don't want to send us on a wild goose chase, but this one is close to gunfire," Spizarny said of the 80% report.

In order for the gunshot to be detected, Spizarny said it must occur within the targeted zone, and it needs to be outdoors because a shot would most likely not be detected if it is in a building or a house. The weapon must also be a .25-caliber or higher.

Erie police will be notified of gunfire in the targeted area by Erie County 911 once dispatch receives an alert from ShotSpotter. There is also a web-based program that officers can connect to through their cellphones that will send an alert to them at the same time the 911 center receives an alert, Spizarny said.

"An officer can respond immediately," he said. "(An officer) may also find that he's in the middle of something he doesn't want to be in or is not ready for, and it helps him know his backup is being notified at the same moment."

The Erie Bureau of Police is about to deploy ShotSpotter gunshot detection sytems in a 6-square-mile section of the city in an effort to speed up police response times to shots-fired incidents and potentially save the lives of gunshot victims, police chief says.

Why Erie is getting it

Gun violence, particularly shootings and reported shots-fired calls, have increased in the city over the past several years. Police investigated 242 shots-fired calls in 2022, a year in which 67 people were shot and five people were killed by gunfire.

Spizarny said he believes using ShotSpotter will speed up his department's response to shooting incidents and enable police to come to the aid of shooting victims quicker at a time when seconds count.

"It may save a life if we can get to a gunshot victim soon enough," he said. "With the medical equipment we carry now in the police cars, basically we're carrying some of the medical equipment that a medic would carry in the military. Our guys are all trained on this, so we're there to try to save that person's life."

Erie police have been told every city that has installed a ShotSpotter system has seen its number of shots-fired calls go up, because the system is detecting incidents that citizens aren't calling in to report, Spizarny said. The system can detect a better location of where a shooting occurred, giving police a more precise location to respond to, he said.

"Right now we get calls from people saying they heard gunfire they think was down the block. An officer can drive up and down the block and not see anything. Now this is going to tell us it was in the alleyway behind the house, or around the corner," he said.

Spizarny stressed that police still strongly encourage members of the community to continue calling in shots-fired incidents when they hear them. The city police bureau does not want to become solely reliant on the ShotSpotter system, he said.

"If people hear things and note things and call 911 and get the police there, it may save a life," Spizarny said.

Questions and criticism

ShotSpotter technology has been challenged in some parts of the country for, among other things, failing to detect some shootings and misclassifying sounds as gunfire, according to stories that include a March 5, 2022, Associated Press report.

On its website, the company states gunshot detection by itself is not a panacea for gun violence, but if used as part of a comprehensive gun crime response strategy can contribute to a reduction in response times, help save the lives of gunshot victims and improve evidence collection rates.

"All I say is that, to me, it's a lifesaving tool. A victim is going to get help quicker, and if people don't like that I don't understand why they don't," Spizarny said.

He said he and Deputy Chief William Marucci traveled to Pittsburgh to the city police department's crime center, where they saw how ShotSpotter operated and heard that department's success stories. Officials they talked to in Pittsburgh said it is great technology that Erie police should explore, Spizarny said.

Spizarny said he also learned during a ShotSpotter training session about a retired Oakland, California, police officer who was shot 11 times during a shootout with three men who tried to rob him. No one called 911 to report the shooting, and several bystanders stood filming the wounded man with their cellphones instead of helping the victim, he said. But police arrived on the scene within minutes of the shooting because they were alerted by ShotSpotter, and their quick response saved the retired officer's life, according to Spizarny.

"There have been other stories in the media where, if it hadn't been for ShotSpotter, the police would never have been sent to a location. When they get there, they find a victim who is hanging onto life. If we can get them medical help that much quicker, we are going to save a life, and what's that worth?" the chief said.

Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNhahn.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie police to install ShotSpotter, a controversial gunshot-detection system
A disciplinary committee in Washington DC has recommended Rudy Giuliani be disbarred in the nations capital for his spurious efforts to overturn the results for the 2020 presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump.

Mr Giuliani had no factual basis, and consequently no legitimate legal grounds to challenge the results of the election in states that Mr Trump lost, while his frivolous pursuit to undermine the outcome and disenfranchise voters seriously undermined the administration of justice, according to the committees report.

He claimed massive election fraud but had no evidence of it, the committee wrote on 7 July. By prosecuting that destructive case Mr Giuliani, a sworn officer of the Court, forfeited his right to practice law. He should be disbarred.

The preliminary report from a committee with the DC Bar Association, which follows a misconduct hearing in December, is not final; his case will be considered by DCs Board on Professional Responsibility and by the DC court of appeals.

Mr Giuliani  who repeatedly and baselessly asserted that the election was fraudulent while pushing lawsuits to subvert the outcome in states that Mr Trump lost  is facing other professional sanctions, investigations and lawsuits tied to his efforts to overturn election results and sow doubt about the outcome of the 2020 election.

His law license was suspended in New York in 2021 for demonstrably false and misleading statements surrounding the election.

Voting machine company Dominion Voting Systems also filed defamation lawsuits against Mr Giuliani as well as Trump-allied attorney Sidney Powell, conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell and Fox News for amplifying false claims that the company argues have severely damaged its reputation, compromised integrity in US elections and fuelled harassment and death threats against its employees.

Mr Giuliani also is wrapped up in a lawsuit filed by Georgia election workers who have accused right-wing conspiracy theorists of fuelling threats against them.

This is a developing story
(Bloomberg) -- The European Unions sanctions against Russia will build over time and will have a growing long-term impact on Moscows economy, according to the blocs executive arm.

Most Read from Bloomberg

An impact assessment prepared by the European Commission and seen by Bloomberg outlines the effects on Moscow due to the blocs sanctions, which have cut off around 91 billion ($99.1 billion) in imports from Russia and which cover 48 billion of EU exports.

The sanctions have significantly degraded Russias industrial and technological capacity, according to the report. These effects will further intensify over time, as the measures have a structural, long-term impact on Russias budget, financial markets, foreign investment and its industrial and technological base.

The EU has sanctioned almost 1,500 people and 250 entities since Russias attacks on Ukraine, starting with its annexation of Crimea in 2014 and followed by its invasion of Ukraine in February last year. With the the measures designed to minimize the effects on member states, the impact on the EU has been contained but it has been tangible in some areas mostly due to Russias counter-measures and because of the war itself, and the resulting rise in prices, according to the document.

The assessment notes that European industry has reported a few severe import-related supply chain disruptions on rare gases such as neon and xenon that are used to produce chips. Rail freight between the EU and China transiting via Russia has fallen and the import ban on wood products as well as Russian countermeasures has contributed to price increases and some supply issues, especially for plywood and oak.

EU exports to and imports from Russia have fallen by more than 50% compared to 2021 resulting in an unprecedented decoupling, the assessment says. This has led to technology-dependent processing industries to shrink particularly fast, with high and medium-high technology manufacturing recording a 13% annual loss.

For exports of dual-use items and advanced technology the fall is particularly steep, dropping 78% in 2022 compared to 2019-2021.

Still, Moscow has been able to hoard some materials as well as source some banned goods and other substitute technologies from third countries including China, Kazakhstan, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

The assessment notes that China has been exporting record volumes of some goods. It questions, however, Moscows ability to easily source key items noting that the measures are designed to target key capital and intermediate goods where Russias dependency on supplies from the EU, United Kingdom, United States and Japan is over 60% and where China currently supplies less than 25% (i.e. areas where Chinese businesses have limited capacity to fill the gaps).

That is why much of the EUs most recent efforts have been focused on enforcing restrictions and cracking down on Russias ability to get around sanctions, including through third countries.

The report estimates that nearly a third of Russias federal budget will be spent on defense and domestic security this year. Russian steel production was down 7% last year compared to 2021 and a further 10% drop is expected this year.

Far beyond their immediate impact, the EUs import restrictions filter deeply into the fabric of Russias economy, according to the document.

What Bloomberg Economics Says...

Sanctions, and the cost of the war effort, will have a slow-burning impact on Russias long-term growth prospects. Broken connections with the rest of the world mean inefficient local firms gain a stranglehold on the domestic market, denting productivity growth.

Alexander Isakov, Russia and CEE economist. For full note, click here

Meanwhile, the impact of measures introduced by the EU and its Group of Seven allies on Russias energy sector, including a price cap on oil, has been mixed.

Moscow has been able to divert some lost sales to countries such as China, India and Turkey but these have often commanded significant discounts of some $30 relative to the price of Brent, the assessment notes.

An export ban on oil refining and gas liquefaction technologies has made it impossible for Russia to upgrade its refineries to the necessary export standards, the document says.

While the vast majority of EU member states have been able to halt their imports of Russian oil and source supplies elsewhere, a few nations, including Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, continue to depend on Moscows crude.

A rise in commodity and energy prices following the beginning of the war has also been more severe in the EU compared to some of its allies, including the US and Japan, affecting the blocs competitiveness. Several member states have experienced periods of recession since early 2022.

As of the end of June, the commission has approved more than 250 national measures to mitigate the economic impact of the war for a total cost of around 730 billion.

Restrictions on Russian steel have not caused significant supply issues as goods have been mostly replaced with imports from other countries. Similarly, disruptions to imports of most critical raw materials  which are not sanctioned  have so far been avoided, with imports of aluminum, nickel, palladium and titanium all holding steady. The assessment notes that iron ore, where imports from Russia have fallen 85%, is a notable exception.

Still, the war itself has disrupted supply chains and caused some shortages in raw materials, and companies have had to find new routes at higher prices, the assessment acknowledges.

According to the report, the sanctions have considerably limited Moscows political and economic options, caused financial strain, cut the country from key markets, increased the costs of trading and significantly degraded Russias industrial and technological capacity.

(Updates with report details from the 13th paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
EV upstart Fisker produced 1,022 Ocean SUVs in the second quarter, falling short of its own expectations by several hundred vehicles.

Fisker had expected to produce between 1,400 and 1,700 EVs. The company blamed the shortfall on a shortage of components from its sub-suppliers. Fisker said it's working with all suppliers to ramp to the required volumes.

Fisker's missed production target sent shares lower in pre-market trading. However, shares have since rebounded and are now up more than 4% to $6.01.

The company reported that it surpassed its targeted assembly rate of 80 units per day at the end of June and expects vehicles produced to exceed 1,400 in early July.

Fisker, which went public via a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, also said it's investing in additional battery pack capacity. The California-based automaker said it was increasing capacity to "protect the compressed manufacturing timeline" in 2023 and to help support higher volumes next year.

Supply chain shortages have been a near constant problem for automakers since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, most legacy automakers and even newer entrants like Rivian have seen improvements in the supply chain, and in turn, have ramped up production and deliveries.

Fisker is among the newest to the EV automotive sector with its first deliveries occurring in Denmark in May. The first U.S. deliveries began in June.

Supply chain issues and other delays can be a death knell for the numerous cash-strapped EV startups that have tried to break into the market in the past several years. Lordstown Motors, Canoo, Arrival and Faraday Future are just a few examples of EV SPACs that have struggled to stay afloat.

Fisker has so far managed to avoid the most serious issues that have plagued its newcomer brethren. And it's already seeking other markets to bring in that much needed revenue. Fisker is gearing up to enter the Chinese market, where competition is increasingly cut-throat. The company plans to open a delivery center in China this year and commence deliveries of the Ocean SUV. It also aims to start manufacturing in China as early as 2024 with the potential to add 75,000 Ocean SUVs to its production capacity.
Even worst-case scenario at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant does not threaten population with radiation  ANS

The American Nuclear Society (ANS) believes that even the worst-case scenario at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant captured by the Russian military will not pose a radiological hazard to the population.

Source: Energoatom, Ukraine's national nuclear energy company, citing the conclusion from ANS

Quote from ANS: "Our experts have carefully considered worst case scenarios, including bombardment and deliberate sabotage of the reactors and spent fuel storage canisters. They cannot foresee a situation that would result in radiation-related health consequences to the public."

Details: The American Nuclear Society recalls that 6 ZNPP reactors have been shut down for over ten months and no longer produce enough heat to cause a rapid radiological release.

Quote: "ZNPP is designed to withstand natural and man-made hazards. Thick, steel-reinforced concrete containment buildings protect the reactor cores and are designed to keep any radioactive materials isolated from the environment.

In the unlikely event that containment structures were breached, any potential release of radiological material would be restricted to the immediate area surrounding the reactors. In this regard, any comparison between ZNPP and "Chernobyl" or "Fukushima" is both inaccurate and misleading."

Details: The American Nuclear Society believes that inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) should be granted immediate, unimpeded access to all areas of the Russian-occupied nuclear power plant.

The company adds that the IAEA is the most reliable source of up-to-date information about ZNPP.

The American Nuclear Society continues to monitor official statements and social media "chatter" regarding the state of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

Background:

Russian forces have occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP since 4 March 2022. The Russian soldiers turned it into a military base and placed weapons and explosives near the reactors.

On 20 June, Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, said that the threat of an explosion at the ZNPP was real since the occupiers had additionally mined the plant's 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.

On 25 June, Kyrylo Budanov said he was convinced that the Russians plan to blow up the ZNPP had been fully developed and approved, and the threat had never been so great.

On 6 July, Budanov said that the risk of a Russian terrorist attack on the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP was "slowly decreasing".

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Everything you need to know about the Battle of Chapultepec

Attack on Chapultepec. (Library of Congress photo)

The Battle of Chapultepec was a battle of the Mexican-American War that lasted from September 12 to September 14, 1847. After the Mexican-American War (1846-48), Mexico had to cede large parcels of its land to the United States, one of them being the once formidable Chapultepec fortress. With Mexican territory considerably reduced, it was now vulnerable to invasion from America. That's to say nothing of its proximity to the capital, which meant that preserving it was an important strategic priority for the government. General Scott's last obstacle to capturing Molina del Rey was the 15,000-strong army defending it.

Was there opposition to the Mexican-American War?

The short answer is YES.

Democrats in the Southwest have a particularly optimistic view of the war. However, many of the Whigs in power considered it baseless land grabbing. As you might expect, the Whig-controlled House voted 85 to 81 to censure Democratic President James K. Polk. The reason? They claimed he initiated the war without regard for the necessity of a conflict and without consulting the Constitution. In his own defense, Polk said that the invading Mexicans had "shed American blood on American soil." But Abraham Lincoln took care of the matter by introducing a resolution determining exactly where the war between the U.S. and Mexico had begun.

So what happened?

Back in 1845, Mexico cut off relations with the U.S. shortly after America annexed Texas. The United States had reason to engage in armed conflict with Mexico due to their refusal of American claims and refusal for peace talks. President Polk proposed that it was in the best interest of the U.S. because there were no other options that would bring about a more favorable result (according to him).

That evening, Polk got word that the Mexican troops crossed the Rio Grande. Making matters worse, they attacked Taylor's troops. Sixteen Americans were killed or injured. President Polk's hastily revised message to Congress on May 11 responded to President Paredes' speech. In his own remarks, he claimed that Mexico had invaded the U.S. and shed American blood on American soil and so the Battle of Chapultepec was underway.

Battle of Chapultepec during the Mexican-American War, painting by Carl Nebel.

The battle begins

Santa Anna installed General Nicolas Bravo to defend the castle. That's to say nothing of the 1,000 troops, fifty military cadets, and artillery ready to go in nearby buildings and nestled in earthen structures. Then, beginning on September 12, Winfield Scott's artillery bombarded the castle; on September 13, he launched his main attack.

During the Battle of Chapultepec, two divisions advanced from the west. First was Major General Gideon Pillow's division, with Brigadier General William Worth's in support. Brigadier John Quitman's division approached from the south along a causeway. As the day drew to a close, Pillow's troops fought through an area of trees near the base of Chapultepec Hill. But they couldn't get up the hill, so Quitman sent a brigade to flank the position and another with ladders.

Troops surged over the walls and into the castle. The soldiers from the three divisions became intertwined as they all rushed in. The castle was won by 9:30 AM. Col. Quitman then led a charge of infantry from the south along the causeway to capture one gate.

At the same time, Worth trailed close behind, pushing forward with an artillery gun section and seizing another gate. By dusk, Worth's and Quitman's troops were in total control of the castle. Early in the morning of September 14, 1847, a Mexican delegation told General Winfield Scott the news that President Santa Anna and his army had fled San Luis Potosi.

The U.S. occupation of the Mexican capital occurred on September 14, following General Scott's victories in Monterrey and Buena Vista.

The total number of losses included 130 dead, 703 wounded, and 29 missing Americans. Mexican losses account for at least 1,000 dead, wounded, or captured.

Battle of Chapultepec lore

Five teenage military cadets who refused to retreat, even after defenders were ordered to withdraw or regroup in Santa Anna and defended the castle to their death are honored. One participant allegedly jumped from the castle with a Mexican flag around his body so the Americans couldn't capture it, and he was widely celebrated for that act in Mexico. Thirty captured members of the Saint Patrick's Battalion, who had deserted from the U.S. Army to fight on behalf of Mexico were executed during the battle.

U.S. Major General William Harney ordered the executions to occur as the U.S. flag was raised atop the castle precisely at that moment.

In addition, the Marines' Hymn, "From the Halls of Montezuma," was inspired by their role in this battle. In fact, 90% of the Marines who took part in the battle were killed. Among Marines, the blood-red stripe on ceremonial dress blue trousers is a touching reminder of those who came before them.

Plate and place where they were found the remains of six Mexican soldiers in Chapultepec 1947.

How it's observed today

Marines remember the efforts of their fallen each time they sing the opening lines of the Marines Hymn. Additionally, several Army officers who participated in the battle served as generals during the American Civil War. These include Ulysses Grant, Thomas Jonathan Stonewall Jackson, and Robert E. Lee, among others.

Finally, the Marine tradition of the blood stripe continues today to honor the large number of Marines who died while storming the castle.

In Mexico, that battle still holds its place in national memory. Many in Mexico still consider the Ninos Heroes ("Boy Heroes") martyrs.

National Monuments in honor of The Battle of Chapultepec

There are no American national monuments that honor this battle. However, there is a monument in Mexico that honors the Ninos Heroes. Officially its Altar a la Patria  Altar to the Homeland. Its located in Chapultepec, Mexico City, Mexico.

FAQs about the Battle of Chapultepec

How long did the Mexican-American War last?

The war lasted from 1846-1848.

What was the outcome of the Mexican-American War?

The war formally ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo. The U.S. acquired half of Mexico. This area later became California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. The conflict also served as training for many service members who would go on to fight the Civil War.

What does a blood stripe mean on a Marine uniform?

A blood stripe commemorates the countless Marine lives lost during the Battle of Chapultepec.

Whats notable about the Mexican-American war?

One of the most notable features of this war is that it included Americas first major amphibious attack.
A Hammond man was sentenced to 25 years Friday for child molesting after he skipped court.

Sergio Villasenor, 37, was charged on Aug. 24, 2021 with one count of Level 1 felony child molesting and one count of Level 4 child molesting.

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All of his phone numbers were disconnected and he hadnt been able to contact him to review presentencing paperwork, defense lawyer Michael Strykewski said.

Villasenor didnt show on June 21 either, court records show.

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Strykewski asked Judge Salvador Vasquez to delay the sentencing and let the court issue an arrest warrant. If Villasenor was hospitalized, for example, he wouldnt know.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Tara Villarreal told Vasquez the victims relative said he fled to Mexico.

He was likely never coming back to the United States, the prosecutor said. He allegedly texted the relative admitting what he did was wrong and knew hed face major prison time.

Vasquez denied Strykewskis request, noting both theories were speculative.

Strykewski said there was little I can say or do to argue for leniency when his client wasnt there. He noted he had no criminal history and admitted wrongdoing by signing the plea.

Villarreal countered that Villasenor was a violent predator under law. The victim was not in court.

A plea for Level 1 child molesting capped his sentence at 25 years.

Anything less than the maximum was not appropriate, Vasquez said. It was a horrible child molesting case.

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The relative told Hammond police they went into the girls bedroom July 27, 2021 and saw Villasenor standing at the edge of her bed in a compromising position.

The relative yelled, screamed and grabbed a knife to stop him from leaving before police came, according to an affidavit. The child said she was asleep and didnt wake up or remember what happened, court records state.

DNA evidence tied Villasenor to the crime, according to court documents.

He told the relative sometime after he posted a $7,000 bond in October 2021 he was going to his moms house in Mexico. His sister allegedly sent him money for the trip.

Court records appear to show Villasenor was last in court May 26.

mcolias@post-trib.com
Fox News has retracted an article concerning statements it claimed former Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price made regarding former President Trump.

The Hill followed up on that reporting with its own coverage. That story has now been replaced by this story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The embattled and indicted Pensacola contractor Matthew Banks had new allegations added to the white collar crime charges he faces for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from his clients.

An Escambia County grand jury issued a superseding indictment on June 27 to add a new fraud allegation. Banks is now alleged to have fraudulently made statements on paperwork involving two additional companies to his Banks Construction LLC.

The indictment says Banks "knowingly and willfully (made) a false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation concerning the managing member of limited liability companies, in documents submitted to the Florida Department of State, the Articles of Organization for 3T Construction LLC, and Fourtee Construction LLC."

Chief Assistant State Attorney Bridgette Jensen told the News Journal that the state has not imposed Banks with more charges, but the indictment adds further fraud allegations to his current charges.

Matt Banks, owner of Banks Construction LLC, had his contractor license revoked in Escambia and Santa Rosa County on Aug. 10 and Aug. 11, respectively. He is now facing an array of criminal charges for allegedly defrauding his customers.

Initial indictment: Pensacola contractor Matt Banks indicted for racketeering; faces up to 95 years in prison

Scam: Dozens of people allege Escambia contractor took their money but never fixed their homes

Banks is charged with racketeering, aggravated white collar crime, fraud and destroying or tampering with evidence.

The indictment also says the jurors found that Banks "did conceal or remove business records of Banks Construction LLC, required to be maintained ... with the purpose to impair the availability of the records in such proceeding or investigation" after he was already charged in a previous fraud case in 2022.

Banks is also charged with falsely making or forging public records, defrauding his clients and stealing payroll money from his employees.

The former contractor was previously indicted on his charges April 4, State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden subsequently held a press conference the following day to discuss the charges.

"Today, the Defendant, in this case, has been charged and will be brought to justice for exploiting innocent victims who were trying to improve their lives for his personal gain," Bowden Madden said in a statement. "We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold the defendant accountable for taking advantage of people by stealing their money and diminishing their trust in businesses."

Ginger Madden, the state attorney for the first judicial circuit of Florida, announces the indictment of Matthew Banks on four first-degree felonies and one third-degree felony during a press conference on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

Banks has been the center of attention regarding contractor scams in the greater Escambia and Santa Rosa counties area for nearly a year after Gulf Breeze woman Jennifer Anderson, one of Banks' most outspoken critics, said his construction company took $40,000 for a kitchen remodel, demolished the kitchen and never returned.

Anderson's experience led her to identify over 100 people throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties who had hired Banks Construction for remodels but were allegedly scammed out of their money. Eventually, this led to an investigation by the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, an arm of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Over the course of several months and many competency board hearings, Banks racked up a restitution bill well into the millions of dollars, which led to his declaration of bankruptcy in August. However, the Northern District of Florida bankruptcy court dismissed the case on Sept. 14, 2022, after Banks filed a voluntary dismissal of the case.

Banks is currently held in Escambia County Jail without bond.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Matthew Bank, former Pensacola contractor, faces new fraud allegations
TOMS RIVER - A former substitute teacher at Point Pleasant Borough High School has been accused of allegedly sending nude photos of himself to and communicating sexually with a student in one of his classes, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said Friday.

Matthew Marinelli, 23, of Point Pleasant, was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and witness tampering in connection with incidents that occurred in April and May of 2023, Billhimer said.

An investigation found that, while employed as a substitute teacher at the high school, Marinelli sent nude photos of himself and engaged in "communications that were sexual in nature" with a student in one of his classes, according to the prosecutor. Marinelli communicated through internet messaging applications.

I would encourage parents to have a conversation with their children if they had Mr. Marinelli as a substitute teacher at Point Pleasant Borough High School, Billhimer said in a news releaseAfter his termination at the high school, Marinelli also contacted the victim multiple times, asking her to deny having contact with him, and to delete any communications and photographs he had sent her, Billhimer said.

On Friday, a court-authorized search warrant was used at Marinelli's residence, Billhimer said, where detectives seized multiple electronic devices. He was taken to Ocean County Jail where he is lodged pending a detention hearing.

Billhimer asked that anyone with additional information regarding Marinelli or the investigation to contact Detective Jason LaRaia of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3758.

This is the third incident involving Ocean County teachers and their students in the last three months.

In May, a Toms River teacher was taken into custody and accused of taking pornographic photographs of himself in his Toms River Intermediate North classroom and posting them to his public Twitter account, according to Billhimer.

Kyle Banner, 48, of Brick, a teacher at Toms River Intermediate North and Ocean County College, surrendered to authorities following an investigation that began a month ago, when administrators at Toms River Intermediate North were alerted to an alleged pornographic photograph posted to his public Twitter account, Billhimer said in a news release.

In June, a former teacher at Toms River High School North was found guilty of sexually assaulting a teen multiple times, starting when the youth was his student in 2002, Billhimer said.

Raymond Waters, 71, now of Pawlet, Vermont, was found guilty of five counts of aggravated sexual assault and 13 counts of sexual assault, Billhimer said, for sexually assaulting a minor in Toms River, Barnegat and Hillsborough between September 2002 and September 2004.

Jenna Calderon covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Point Pleasant Borough substitute teacher sent nudes to student: cops
An excavating crew working in suburban Olathe on Thursday afternoon stumbled upon a live artillery shell believed to be from the World War II era.

The relic was found around noon at a development site near 121st Street and Nelson Road, according to the Olathe Fire Department. When firefighters arrived, the shell was on the ground at the worksite, said Capt. Mike Hall of Olathe Fire.

U.S. Army experts from Fort Riley were sent out alongside members of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to handle the safe removal and disposal of the artillery shell.

Fortunately, Hall said, the shell was found in a remote area. He said artillery shells are designed to be handled, and an accidental explosion would likely have required an incredibly precise strike.

This doesnt happen every day, but its not uncommon either, Hall added, saying older military-grade weaponry is occasionally found in residences and public spaces.

He acknowledged people may wonder how such a device could wind up in a public place.

For whatever reason, it does. In this case, well probably never know, Hall said.

No residents were asked to leave their homes Thursday as the artillery shell was found a safe distance from neighbors, Hall said.

The shell was set to be destroyed by the military experts at a safe location, according to Kansas Citys ATF field division.
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi, Maya Gebeily

BEIRUT (Reuters) -As Wagner mercenaries advanced on Moscow in an attempted mutiny in late June, authorities in Syria and Russian military commanders there took a series of swift measures against local Wagner operatives to prevent the uprising spreading, according to six sources familiar with the matter.

The previously unreported crackdown included blocking phone lines, summoning around a dozen Wagner commanders to a Russian military base, and ordering mercenary fighters to sign new contracts with the Russian defence ministry or promptly leave Syria, according to the sources, who include Syrian security officials, sources based near deployed Russian forces, and regional officials.

The sources declined to be named in order to discuss sensitive military information. Syria's government, Russia's defence ministry and Wagner in Russia did not respond to requests for comment.

The measures showed how Syrian authorities moved quickly to bring the mercenary force to heel, worried that their key military partner Russia was distracted by events back home, according to two Syrian sources informed of the deployments.

"Wagner's role in Syria - as it was playing it before - is over," said Nawar Shaban, researcher at Omran Center for Strategic Studies, an Istanbul-based independent research group focused on Syria. "Given the events, their relationship with the Syrian defence ministry is now over."

Damascus has not publicly commented on the June 23-24 Wagner mutiny in which mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin ordered his men fighting for Russia in Ukraine to march on Moscow before a deal brokered by Belarus saw them turn back and many exiled.

However, senior Syrian military and intelligence officials privately voiced concern as they watched events unfolding that the mutiny could disrupt the Russian military presence they had relied on for so long, according to a senior Syrian Republican Guard officer and a Syrian source briefed on developments.

The mercenary group's presence in Syria is relatively small at between 250 and 450 personnel, or roughly a tenth of the estimated Russian military strength, the two Syrian sources said. There are no official figures on staffing, which vary over time.

Russia deployed its military forces and, crucially, its airpower to Syria in 2015, helping President Bashar al-Assad beat back rebels intent on toppling him.

Wagner has since been involved in combat missions and security for oil installations in Syria, with the first suspected Wagner deaths there reported as early as 2015.

For years, Moscow denied any connection with Wagner, but the group has played a very public role in Russia's war in Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin said after the mutiny that his government funds the group.

After Prigozhin announced his uprising, a group of Russian military officers were quickly dispatched to Syria to help take charge of Wagner forces there, according to a regional military source close to Damascus and two Syrian sources with knowledge of the events, who did not provide further details.

Syria's military intelligence cut landlines and internet links overnight on Friday June 23 from areas where Russian Wagner forces were deployed to prevent them from communicating among themselves, with Wagner in Russia, and even with relatives back home, the three sources said.

By the morning of Saturday June 24, Syrian military intelligence and Russian defence officials were coordinating closely to isolate and control Wagner operatives, according to the senior Republican Guard officer, a Syrian security source and two Syrian sources briefed on the developments.

Around a dozen Wagner officers deployed in Syria's central province of Homs and other areas were summoned to Russia's operational base at Hmeimim in western Latakia province, according to the Republican Guard officer and one of the Syrian sources briefed on the developments. The officer said this occurred "in the early hours of the mutiny."

Reuters could not determine what happened to them. The Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, headquartered in the Hmeimim base, refers all media enquiries to the defence ministry, which did not respond to requests for comment.

NEW CONTRACTS OR FLIGHTS OUT

By June 24, Wagner fighters in Syria were asked to sign new contracts by which they report directly to Russia's defence ministry, a source with knowledge of Wagner's deployments and two other sources with knowledge of the events said.

Their pay was also cut, those three sources said.

Those who refused the terms were flown out on Russian Ilyushin planes in the following days, two of those sources said. One said they numbered "in the dozens," surprising Syrian officials who expected more would refuse and head into exile.

Between June 25 and 27, flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 shows at least three trips by a Russian Ilyushin plane between Latakia, Syria and Bamako, the capital of the West African nation of Mali, where Wagner also has operations. Reuters could not establish whether Wagner personnel were on board the flights.

Mali authorities did not respond to a request for comment on the flights and whether any Wagner fighters had been redeployed from Syria to Mali.

Wagner had already pulled many experienced Russian fighters out of Syria last year to fight in Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion, according to Syrian analysts and a retired Syrian military officer familiar with Wagner activities.

Wagner fighters secured Syrian oilfields and Western officials say Wagner is linked to Evro Polis, a company that profits from those assets. The EU imposed sanctions on the firm in 2021.

Reuters was unable to determine the fate of those commercial interests in the wake of the Russian defence ministry's moves against Wagner in Syria and Russia. Evro Polis did not immediately respond to emails sent to a contact address on its website.

Hmeimim base has served as a logistics hub to transit Wagner fighters on to Libya and elswhere in Africa, according to a Syrian security source and a Western diplomat based in the region. "We are watching how those Wagner operations will in turn be disrupted," the diplomat said.

Unlike its other operations in Africa, where Wagner's presence is larger and not subservient to the Russian military, its role in Syria's war went little noticed at first, as Russian air power turned the tide of the conflict.

Details of its presence emerged gradually, notably in 2018 when hundreds of Wagner fighters were killed in a confrontation with U.S. forces near the Syrian city of Deir al-Zor, sources told Reuters at the time.

In the wake of the Wagner uprising, Syria's leadership quickly restated publicly the importance of its military alliance with Russia.

Syrian first lady Asmaa al-Assad was in Russia days later to attend her son's graduation from Moscow State University and was asked by a reporter whether she had been afraid to visit given recent events.

"Our Russian friends did not hesitate when they stood with us in our war. So we did not hesitate, and we won't hesitate, to stand with them in their war," she said.

(Additional reporting by Laila Bassam and Tom Perry in Beirut and Ed McAllister in and Joanna Plucinska in London; Editing by Mike Collett-White and Daniel Flynn)
Christ in a Red Robe by Minerva Teichert is displayed alongside 45 other Teichert art pieces at a new exhibit that opened on July 6, 2023, in the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, Utah. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Thursday was the opening day of a new exhibit at the Church History Museum in Salt Lake City, honoring well-known artist Minerva Teichert.

A major patron of Teicherts works in the 1930s and 1940s was The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and many of her pieces hang in meetinghouses, temples and homes of members of the church, a release from the church said.

The exhibit is called With This Covenant in My Heart: The Art and Faith of Minerva Teichert, after a quote by the artist when she became ill in 1918.

I promised the Lord if Id finished my work and hed give me some more, Id gladly do it, she said later. With this covenant in my heart, I began to live.

She was known to incorporate the gospel of Jesus Christ in even the mundane tasks of everyday life up until her death in 1976.

Minerva Teichert leaves a rich legacy and example for museum visitors today, said art curator Laura Paulsen Howe, in the churchs release. Teicherts faith in Jesus Christ gave context to all her activities, whether she was churning butter, reading stories to her children at the breakfast table, or painting grand narratives. Her legacy has been especially important to Latter-day Saint women who have drawn inspiration from her richly layered life.

Pictured is the exhibition poster of With This Covenant in My Heart: The Art and Faith of Minerva Teichert, which is showcasing 45 of Teicherts paintings at the Church History Museum of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from July 6, 2023, to Aug. 3, 2024. | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Teicherts artwork included Christian topics such as depictions of Christ and stories from the Book of Mormon, as well as horses and landscapes. Being commissioned to paint a mural in the Manti Temple, she became the first woman to paint a temple mural and add people to it instead of just scenery, per the Utah Womens History website.

The art of Minerva Teichert plays a significant role in the history of Latter-day Saint visual culture, Howe said. Were grateful to have the opportunity to ensure her work will endure for future generations.

The gallery is free and open to the public on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays until 8 p.m. The exhibit will be open until August 2024.

Related
U.S. Air Forces Central Command has stood up the Expeditionary Theater Support Group at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, to provide expeditionary logistics, sustainment and engineering support for more effective warfighting missions.

The threat environment facing us today is no longer dominated by terrorists or violent extremist organizations, said Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, AFCENT commander and head of the Combined Forces Air Component for U.S. Central Command. But there are other threats in this region, and we must be ready to face them as well. The ETSG represents a critical evolution in AFCENTs warfighting capabilities to address these emerging threats.

https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-military/2023/07/07/russian-jets-harass-us-drones-over-syria-for-second-time-in-24-hours/

During a meeting with reporters earlier this year, Grynkewich said his focus had shifted from extremist groups  although that remains a concern  to deterring Irans nuclear program and thwarting the proxy groups that receive advanced conventional weapons and training from Iran. Tehran has turned its attention to attacking U.S. and coalition forces in Syria, and possibly mounting offensives at sea and on the regions oil infrastructure, he added.

Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of Air Forces Central, talks with 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing airmen in Southwest Asia in September 2021. (Master Sgt. Traci Keller/Air Force)

Ar a July 3 event at Al Udeid to celebrate the creation of the ETSG and to commemorate a change of command, Grynkewich said these threats required a new and innovative approach, and a way to ensure we could generate airpower whenever and wherever needed.

The ETSG will advance U.S. goals in the region by combining elements of AFCENTs existing logistics, sustainment and engineering units to provide a more agile and responsive support capability, he said. Since its creation in March, it has already successfully conducted missions across 12 bases in eight countries.

The unit, which Grynkewich described as an echelon above wing support capability, includes airmen from 19 different Air Force Specialty Codes.

During the July 3 event, Col. Glenn Cameron took command of the ETSG from Col. Anthony Figiera, who oversaw its formation.

The ETSG is an organization that will help us fight the next war, Figiera said. Its about agile combat employment. This group is focused on campaigning  setting the theater, providing capabilities and resources  but can swiftly transition from theater campaigning into operations execution.

The ETSGs ability to make swift use of vital capabilities where they are in high demand will crucially impact the Air Forces mission.

This will be vital tomorrow as the ETSG works to ensure our theater is set for any future contingency operations, Grynkewich said. It will be essential in wartime, allowing us to execute agile combat employment by ensuring those locations have the logistics, engineering and communications infrastructure in place.

Cameron, the units new cmmander, has the exact right background for this new and impactful command, and Im excited to see what he and his team do next, Grynkewich said.

Around 40,000 to 60,000 U.S. troops are deployed across CENTCOM, largely at military hubs in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere.

Roughly 2,500 Americans remain in Iraq to advise and assist local troops in keeping the Islamic State at bay  a job that often falls to the Iraqi air force.
By Sabine Siebold

VILNIUS (Reuters) - NATO leaders meet in Vilnius on Tuesday and Wednesday to tackle a wide range of topics, from divisions over Ukraine's membership bid and Sweden's accession to boosting ammunitions stockpiles and reviewing the first defence plans in decades.

It will be the fourth NATO summit since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the first held virtually on Feb. 25, 2022, just one day after the assault, followed by meetings in Brussels and in Madrid.

The extraordinary flurry of gatherings stands in contrast to the previous rhythm of annual NATO summits and shows how war on its doorstep has forced the alliance to strengthen cooperation.

Following is a list of the main issues to be discussed:

UKRAINE MEMBERSHIP

The summit looks set to be dominated by how NATO will define its future relationship with Ukraine, amid repeated calls by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for Kyiv to receive an invitation into the alliance at Vilnius.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that Kyiv will not become a member while war rages and that the summit will not issue a formal invitation.

Still, allies are divided over how swiftly Ukraine should be allowed to join after the fighting ends.

While eastern European countries say a road map should be offered to Kyiv, the U.S. and Germany are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia.

In the run-up to Vilnius, some countries have suggested to allow Kyiv to skip the so-called Membership Action Plan (MAP) programme that sets out political, economic and military targets candidates have to meet and that other eastern European nations had to pass before joining NATO.

Stoltenberg said he had put forward a package that included the removal of MAP but stopped short of confirming a tweet by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba who stated there was a consensus among allies to drop MAP.

With such a move, the alliance could address demands to go beyond the declaration of the Bucharest summit in 2008, which said Ukraine would become a member eventually, without offering Kyiv an actual invitation or timetable.

NATO is also likely to find a stronger wording than in 2008 to underscore Kyiv's perspective for joining the alliance.

Leaders could agree upon something like "Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO", echoing remarks by Stoltenberg on a visit to Kyiv in April, or stress that "trans-Atlantic security would be incomplete without Ukraine".

SECURITY ASSURANCES FOR UKRAINE

Leaders are expected to discuss what security assurances Kyiv should get for the time after the war, even though these pledges will be bilateral and not issued by the alliance itself.

They will likely include the promise of continued military and financial aid to Kyiv to deter Russia from a renewed attack once the war has ended.

Stoltenberg has underlined that NATO - under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty - will provide full-fledged security guarantees to full members of the alliance only.

BOLSTERING NATO'S EASTERN FLANK

Leaders will approve the first defence plans the alliance has drawn up since the Cold War, detailing how NATO would respond to a Russian attack.

The revival of the so-called regional plans signifies a fundamental shift. With the plans, the alliance also gives nations guidance on how to upgrade their forces and logistics.

NATO had for decades seen no need for large-scale defence plans but with Europe's bloodiest war since 1945 raging just beyond its borders in Ukraine, it is now warning that it must have all planning in place well before a conflict with a peer adversary such as Moscow might erupt.

Turkey had been blocking approval of the plans over the wording on geographical locations such as Cyprus but allies reached agreement one day before the summit, five diplomats told Reuters.

NATO will also raise targets for the stockpiling of ammunitions as Kyiv is burning through shells much faster than Western countries can produce them.

At the same time, allies will show how they aim to implement NATO's goal, agreed at last year's Madrid summit, of putting over 300,000 troops on high alert, up from 40,000 in the past, to counter Russia.

SWEDEN

Sweden had hoped to become the 32nd member of the alliance in Vilnius but Turkey has blocked its accession, accusing Stockholm of harbouring members of militant groups on its territory and saying it must crack down on them before being allowed to join NATO.

Allies hope Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will lift his opposition at the summit but it was unclear whether this will happen.

UPGRADING NATO'S 2% MILITARY SPENDING TARGET

NATO allies have reached agreement to raise the alliance target for military spending to at least 2% of national GDP, according to two diplomats.

The 31 allies agreed on "an enduring commitment to invest at least 2%" of their GDP into their militaries in the future, two diplomats said.

Stoltenberg had intended to make NATO's previous military spending target of 2% of national GDP a minimum requirement rather than a goal.

In 2023, even the old target will be met by only 11 of the 31 members of the alliance, according to NATO estimates. The goal was set in 2014, when NATO leaders agreed to increase spending towards 2% of their GDP on defence within a decade.

The 11 allies are the United States, Britain, Poland, Greece, Estonia, Lithuania, Finland, Romania, Hungary, Latvia and Slovakia.

Bringing up the rear are Canada, Slovenia, Turkey, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg whose defence spending was under 1.4% of GDP.

(Reporting by Sabine Siebold; Editing by Gareth Jones)
By Andrius Sytas

VILNIUS (Reuters) -NATO holds a summit on July 11-12 in Lithuania, one of the three Baltic states that lived under Soviet rule for decades and were among the first NATO countries to send weapons to Kyiv after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Here are some details about the Baltic states - Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania -- and their role in NATO:

HISTORY

The Baltics were the last states to become part of the Soviet Union, when they were annexed in 1940, and the first to declare independence in 1990 when the bloc collapsed.

Tens of thousands of people from the three countries were forcibly relocated to Siberia in the 1940s and a post-World War Two uprising against Soviet rule was brutally crushed.

Many Russians settled in the region during the Soviet era. They and their descendants make up about quarter of the populations of Latvia and Estonia.

VULNERABILITIES

The three Baltic states, which have a combined population of about 6 million, are largely made up of flat forested terrain that is squeezed between the Baltic sea to the west and north and Russia and its ally Belarus in the east.

Russia and Belarus have military bases along the border.

Lithuania is the only one of the three states to have a land link to a fellow NATO ally, Poland. The border, in the so-called Suwalki Gap, is a stretch of forest that lies between Belarus and Russia's Kaliningrad enclave.

"Russia considers the Baltic states to be the most vulnerable part of NATO, which would make them a focus of military pressure in the event of a NATO-Russia conflict," Estonian counterintelligence said in a report in 2023.

RAND Corporation, a U.S. research institute, estimated in 2016 that Russia could overwhelm the three states in 60 hours.

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Since 1991, the Baltics have grown more prosperous than Russia and have sought to deepen their ties to Western allies with integration into NATO, the European Union and other Western blocs. They have also built close ties to the United States.

They have been among the most hawkish on how the West and others respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. All three have lobbied NATO to outline a path for Ukraine to become an alliance member and have pressed for tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Vilnius is home to leading members of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, a group established by jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. It is also a refuge for Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya.

The three Baltic states have also attracted journalists who have fled Russia.

DEFENCE

Spurred by Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014, the three Baltic states sharply increased military spending.

They are in the top 10 in NATO in terms of how much they spend compared to the size of their economies. According to NATO estimates for 2022, all three exceeded the NATO agreement to spend 2% of gross domestic product on defence.

But their economies are small and so are their militaries.

Since 2017, NATO has rotated three battlegroups through the region with a total of about 3,000 troops, provided by Germany, Britain and Canada. The deployment of 1,000 soldiers in each Baltic state was designed as a deterrent to slow any attack.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Baltic states have requested the forces deployed are beefed up to 3,000-5,000 troops in each state. They have also requested extra air defences and asked that warplanes that patrol their airspace become a fighting force.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius pledged Germany would permanently deploy 4,000 troops in Lithuania in a few years, once Lithuania builds the infrastructure to house them.

Estonian officials said their defence needs had been met by a British fighting force, which is based outside Estonia but which can be deployed to Estonia within days in a crisis.

Canada has yet to announce any plans to boost its troops that are based in Latvia.

(Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; Editing by Edmund Blair)
Fake audio of the Titan sub implosion is spreading online, but the Navy will probably never release the actual audio

OceanGate Expeditions' Titan submersible. OceanGate Expeditions via AP, File

Fake audio supposedly depicting the Titan sub's underwater implosion is spreading across social media.

A spokesperson confirmed that the Navy hasn't publicly released recordings of the fatal incident.

It's unlikely the Navy will ever release the audio obtained through its secret monitoring systems.

Fake audio clips of the Titan sub imploding underwater have flooded social media, but they're fake  and it's unlikely you'll ever hear the real thing.

A spokesperson for the Navy  the military branch that reportedly first recorded the sound of the sub's suspected implosion  told Insider that the Navy has not released its audio.

And it likely never will.

"The Navy generally does not release audio to protect our tactics, techniques, and capabilities," the spokesperson told Insider. That's because publicly sharing such audio could provide enemies of the state insight into the Navy's top-secret acoustic detection systems.

The fake audio clips are racking up millions of views

The Navy wouldn't confirm that the clips circulating are fake, but a quick search on the internet shows the audio is bogus, even as the clips rack up millions of views on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.

A viral audio clip of someone screaming has been viewed over 20 million times, but it's actually a clip from a fan-made horror video based on the "Five Nights at Freddy's" video game.

One of the most shared audio clips circulating online claims to feature a sound that the Navy itself captured. That one is really a 2013 recording of a remotely-piloted underwater vehicle's glass imploding on a dive in Canada.

Other clips are of the "banging sounds" that The US Coast Guard supposedly detected during the 4-day-long search for the missing submersible. But rescuers now say that the sub imploded within hours of entering the water on Sunday, meaning the so-called banging in the audio couldn't be from the sub.

Read the original article on Insider
Crown Point Mayor Pete Land addresses members of the Indiana Utiity Regulatory Commission and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor during a July 6, 2023 hearing at the Gary Public Library on proposed rate increases by Indiana American Water. (Alex Dalton/Post-Tribune)

A proposed increase to Indiana American Waters rates has drawn condemnations from public officials and members of the public in Northwest Indiana.

On March 31, the utility filed a rate adjustment request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), seeking approval for a new rate plan that would increase its total operating revenue by 31% over a 16-month period. Rate increases would be implemented in January of 2024, April of 2024 and April of 2025, and different service areas would face varying impacts to their monthly bills.

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IAW cited the need for infrastructure improvements across its service areas, including new meters and hydrants, new treatment plants in Winchester and Sheridan, a new storage tank in West Lafayette and lead pipe replacements, among other projects, as justification for the price hike.

The approval of IAWs proposal would mean an increase of approximately $14 per month for a typical residential customer using 4,000 per month after the new rate is fully implemented in 2025, according to the company.

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Gary Mayor Jerome Prince condemned the proposal in a June 29 news release, citing the existing burden placed on his citys residents by slow wage growth and a rising cost of living.

There simply is no way our Citizens can maintain their quality of life with more rate increases piled on them. While I recognize the need for companies to cover their costs and deliver reliable services, I also believe that any rate increase should be reasonable and affordable for our residents.

Gary Mayor Jerome Prince on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune) (Michael Gard / Post-Tribune)

In order to go into effect, the new rates need the approval of the IURC, which last approved an increase in 2019. The commission will issue a final order on the matter in early 2024 after considering testimony from IAW and the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), a government body tasked with soliciting public input and representing utility customers in IURC cases.

At a Thursday hearing held by the IURC and OUCC at the Gary Public, residents and public officials condemned the rate hike.

Crown Point Mayor Pete Land told representatives of the two bodies that these rate increases not only hurt Crown Pointss ability to serve the public, but they also directly hurt the pockets of our customers and area economy.

Land was joined by Gary City Councilman David Fossett and New Chicago Town Manager Sue Pelfrey, who also condemned IAWs proposal. Pelfrey oversees her towns municipal water utility, which purchases water wholesale from IAW and resells it to over 2,000 residents of New Chicago and surrounding areas.

The impact of a rate hike on her customers, she said, would be compounded by additional logistical burdens placed on her office.

In order for us to do a rate increase, we are going to have to bring an accountant in to figure out what their rate is going to be and then Im going to have to pay an IT guy to come and set up for my program, she said. So besides their increase that they would get Im going to have to pay two additional people high prices in order to reprogram my settings to bill my customers. So when they raise my rates, my people are going to get the rate increase passed on to them.

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Nearly two dozen other IAW customers spoke against allowing a rate hike, most of them from Gary, where over a quarter of residents live in poverty. Speakers repeatedly stressed the burden that a larger water bill would place on seniors living on fixed incomes. Some accused IAW of gouging its customers.

Youre trying to get blood from a turnip, Gary resident Sherry Smith said.

IAW, for its part, has said it plans to provide cash-strapped customers with discounted rates in a bid to soften the impact of the rate increase.

Results of a customer affordability study conducted as part of the filing demonstrate that the affordability of the companys water and wastewater services as a comparison of monthly bills to monthly household income has steadily improved over the past decade and will remain affordable under the companys proposed rates, a statement on IAWs website reads.

Recognizing that affordability may still be an issue for some customers, the company is proposing a new rate design that provides 1,500 gallons of water usage at no additional cost above the fixed monthly customer charge for all water customers. The proposed change would provide relatively low-cost basic water service for customers on fixed incomes that use a lower volume of water than the typical residential customer.

The OUCCs deadline for written comments submitted online and by mail is June 14. Comments that the office receives before the deadline will become part of the formal case record, along with the comments made at Thursdays hearing and an earlier hearing.

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The office will file its recommendations with the IURC on July 21, alongside additional parties that have intervened in the case, a list that includes municipalities like the city of Crown Point, advocacy groups like the Citizens Action Coalition of Indiana and industrial customers like U.S. Steel.

Those filings will be followed by an opportunity for rebuttal testimony from IAW before an evidentiary hearing during which attorneys for the OUCC, IAW and intervening parties will face off in a courtroom and have the opportunity to cross-examine each others witnesses.

adalton@chicagotribune.com
A famed deep-sea explorer and former Navy officer says OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush ignored all warnings about his Titanic sub but no one could stop him because 'there's no international police force on the high seas'

The submersible pilot Randy Holt communicates with a support boat as he and Stockton Rush dive in the company's submersible. Wilfredo Lee/AP

A famed deep-sea explorer said the entire submersible industry warned Stockton Rush about the Titan.

But he said no one could stop Rush because OceanGate was operating in international waters.

Rush believed he "was going to be the Elon Musk of the ocean," Victor Vescovo told Outside.

A former US naval officer who has explored some of the ocean's most treacherous depths said the submersible industry "as a whole" warned Stockton Rush about his Titanic-touring vessel. But he said no one could stop the OceanGate CEO because he operated in international waters.

"Stockton thought he was going to be the Elon Musk of the ocean," Victor Vescovo, a retired Navy intelligence officer who now manages a hedge fund, told the outdoors magazine Outside.

"And he ignored not just a warning here and there, but the industry as a whole was saying: 'Dude, you need to stop doing this,'" Vescovo told the outlet. "People keep asking me: 'Why didn't you stop him?' Because there's no international police force on the high seas. You can do whatever you want."

Vescovo, who in 2018 became the first person to reach the deepest point of the Atlantic Ocean, was one of several deep-diving explorers who refused to endorse Rush's trips to the Titanic, The New Yorker reported.

"I didn't even want the appearance that I was sanctioning his operation," Vescovo told Outside.

OceanGate built a five-person submersible called the Titan out of carbon fiber and titanium  an atypical and unproven mix of materials for withstanding undersea pressure. Rush used the Titan to run tours of the Titanic shipwreck, some 13,000 feet underwater.

Emerging reports continue to document how he ignored the admonishment of submersible experts and seasoned adventurers like Vescovo, who raised concerns with the Titan's safety standards and the fact that it was never classed to venture into deep waters.

At least one senior employee at OceanGate, the submarine pilot David Lochridge, warned Rush in 2018 about the safety system designed around the Titan's hull, saying it could only detect a breach "milliseconds" from disaster.

However, Lochridge said in a lawsuit that he was immediately fired upon filing his report. According to The New Yorker, he shared the report with OSHA, which then referred his warnings to the US Coast Guard.

The US Coast Guard did not respond to a request for comment on Lochridge's report and whether it took any steps in response to his warning.

While Rush manufactured at least part of the Titan at a Seattle workshop, OceanGate's Titanic tours were held outside US jurisdiction.

Stefan B. Williams, a professor at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics at the University of Sydney, told Insider's Tom Porter and Marianne Guenot that OceanGate was able to avoid strict safety restrictions by operating in international waters.

While Rush has been recorded brushing aside expert warnings about the Titan for years, the CEO has been defended by his colleagues and close friends, who described him as an ambitious but caring man who prioritized safety.

The Titan went missing on June 18 and was said to have imploded after rescuers found the vessel's debris on the ocean floor. All five passengers, including Rush, were declared dead.

Read the original article on Insider
The family of a victim of the 2021 Boise Towne Square Mall shooting has sued the mall owner and several local and state government agencies, saying they failed to protect the victim from a dangerous person.

The lawsuit was filed by the estate of Roberto Padilla Arguelles, who was killed while riding an escalator at the mall when a shooter opened fire. The lawsuit was also filed by Padilla Arguelless wife, daughters, son, and parents, who live in Mexico.

Jo Acker, a mall security guard, was also killed in the October 2021 shooting. The shooter, Jacob Bergquist, died by suicide.

In the lawsuit filed Wednesday, lawyers for the victims family drew on Bergquists documented past experience with law enforcement, the mall and other local businesses. Local law enforcement agencies were aware of Bergquist and had been concerned enough about his behavior and possession of firearms that they researched his criminal history, according to previous Statesman reporting. But no arrests were made.

The lawsuit accuses the malls owners and its security company, the city of Boise, the Idaho State Police, and the Ada County Prosecutors Office of negligence and wrongful death. It argues that each partys previous encounters with Bergquist  or knowledge of his behavior  should have led to his arrest, or to his being banned from the mall.

A spokesperson for the malls owner, Brookfield Property Retail LLC, declined to comment on pending litigation. A Boise spokesperson and a state police spokesperson also declined to comment. Representatives for the security company and Ada County did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

A hole in glass found at the scene of the Boise Towne Square Mall shooting in October 2021.

The previous encounters the lawsuit cites include:

1. Bergquist entered the governors office. Before the shooting, Bergquist had been convicted of a felony in Illinois, which meant he was prohibited by federal laws from possessing a firearm, according to previous Statesman reporting. Bergquist had multiple interactions with police in Boise before the shooting, as well as a state legislator and Gov. Brad Littles office.

In April 2021, Bergquist walked into Littles office and asked to interview the governor to get his thoughts on persons convicted of felonies being able to carry guns, according to the lawsuit.

An Idaho State Police trooper followed him into the governors office and listened to him attest to being a felon and claiming he was allowed to carry a firearm.

The officer later requested that the Ada County prosecutor investigate whether Bergquist could be charged for carrying a weapon as a convicted felon, according to the lawsuit. The prosecutors office concluded that his Illinois felony was not on the list of felony convictions prohibiting firearm possession under Idaho law, according to the lawsuit.

According to previous Statesman reporting, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined Bergquist had violated federal law by possessing a firearm, but did not confirm that until after he had killed Arguelles and Acker.

2. Bergquist brought a weapon to the mall. Bergquist also came to the mall in June 2021, four months before the shooting. He was armed, which was a violation of the malls rules. When confronted by mall security, he responded in an argumentative and escalating nature, according to the lawsuit. The mall failed to notify law enforcement of their encounter with Bergquist and did not take any steps to ban Bergquist from the mall.

3. He brought weapons to a Boise hospital. In another incident later that month, Bergquist and another person went to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center with guns and a knife, and Saint Alphonsus employees barricaded the door with a file cabinet to prevent them from getting inside, according to the lawsuit.

4. He shared racist views online. Bergquist also had a YouTube channel, which local police were aware of and which expressed racist views towards minorities, according to previous Statesman reporting.

The lawsuit notes that law enforcement had specific knowledge of the threat Bergquist posed to immigrants from Mexico and Central America.

New details about Boise mall killer. Security company cited by OSHA appeals. What we know

5. He again entered the mall armed. Around a week before the shooting, he entered the mall again, possessing four handguns, according to the lawsuit. Mall security escorted him from the premises but did not notify law enforcement, according to the lawsuit.

Defendants knew or should have known based on their multiple, prior concerning encounters with Bergquist that he presented a foreseeable and unreasonable risk of physical harm to invitees at the mall, according to the lawsuit.

On the day of the shooting, mall security let Bergquist roam inside for close to half an hour before approaching him.

Although firearms are prohibited in the mall, the mall defendants ... allowed Bergquist to remain in the mall armed with open carry 9 mm handgun and ammunition for approximately 25 minutes before mall security first attempted to make contact with Bergquist, the lawsuit said.

In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the mall security company  Professional Security Consultants, Inc.  for a serious violation, and fined it $14,502. The security company has appealed the decision, and a hearing before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission is scheduled for September, according to a spokesperson for the Labor department.

In the lawsuit, the Padilla Arguelless family has asked for a jury trial and damages related to his death.
A few days ago, Posen police Chief William Alexander said he stopped to offer help to a homeless man under the Interstate 57 bridge.

The homeless man told Alexander he already talked with someone in the Family Guidance Centers mobile outreach services van, and someone from the van gave him naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal drug, and other resources.

That was before I ever heard of this program, Alexander said. I think its a great thing.

Cook County and municipal officials gathered Thursday in Dixmoor to reveal a new Family Guidance Centers mobile outreach services van that will help 20 south suburban towns, including Dixmoor and Harvey, said Family Guidance Centers Chief Operating Officer Ronald Vlasaty.

The van will have naloxone, fentanyl testing strips, first aid kits, women hygiene products and condoms, all known as harm reduction supplies, Vlasaty said. Two outreach workers will staff the van, along with a driver who will also be a security guard, and provide residents with resources for treatment and other programs, he said.

The van was out in the area four days last week, Vlasaty said, and interacted with more than 100 residents.

Vlasaty said he will work with south suburban officials to learn what hot spots in their villages would be a good place for the van to park and support the community.

Once there, the workers will hand out the kits to those who need it, he said, as well as teach people how to administer naloxone, a nasal spray, and how to use the fentanyl test strips. Vlasaty said residents will be taught to place their substance on the strip and it will indicate if it is positive for fentanyl.

Vlasaty said outreach workers will instruct residents to use the one-pump nasal spray on someone who has overdosed, or someone who is unresponsive and just took an opioid, he said. Anyone administering naloxone is still instructed to call 911, he said.

Its available to anybody who requests it. We provide information on how and when to use it. It may not be the person who needs it, but they may know somebody, Vlasaty said.

When asked if hes concerned the availability of naloxone, or Narcan, will encourage opioid use, Vlasaty said passing out naloxone is a harm reduction strategy.

The strategy is to reduce deaths associated with at-risk behaviors. The use of Narcan will reduce overdose deaths, Vlasaty said.

Family Guidance Centers, a not-for-profit behavioral health care organization, will support police officers to help them determine if some arrestees would benefit from receiving treatment.

Its all about awareness. Its so that the community knows there are services available, Vlasaty said.

The van was funded by a $1.3 million Cook County Department of Public Health grant, through American Rescue Plan Act funding, Vlasaty said, and will fund the van for four years.

In that time period, the vans goal is to reach 20,000 people to hand out harm reduction supply kits and provide them with resources, Vlasaty said. The outreach workers will provide people with information on the impact of drug use and offer programs to help them quit, he said.

To me, thats 20,000 saved lives, Vlasaty said.

According to the Cook County medical examiners office, opioid overdose deaths have been on the rise from 647 opioid overdose deaths reported in 2015 to more than 2,000 opioid overdose deaths reported in 2022.

Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon said the south suburbs have been affected by the devastating opioid crisis, so the van handing out naloxone offers a shining beacon of hope to help residents.

Lives can be spared and futures can be restored, Gordon said.

Dixmoor Village President Fitzgerald Roberts said he looks forward to seeing the van in the village.

We need this here in Dixmoor and the south suburbs, Roberts said. We all know someone who may need this one day.

Posen Mayor Frank Podbielniak said he looks forward to officers receiving the fentanyl testing strips because it will help them keep the community safe.

I think its fantastic to have that in the south suburbs, Podbielniak said. Were not blind to it. If we can save a life or two, lets do it.

Alexander said Posen has seen an increase in heroin and fentanyl overdoses in the last two years. While Posen officers have naloxone in their vehicles, the van will be another resource.

Getting ahead of the problem by providing treatment resources and teaching residents how to use naloxone would be great, Alexander said.

We have limited resources, Alexander said. Here, we have someone to reach out to.
Family of Jawan Dallas, who died after being tased by cop, demands bodycam footage

Police in Mobile, Alabama, said 36-year-old Dallas physically resisted when officers tried to apprehend him while responding to a residential burglary at a trailer park.

The family of a Black man who died in Alabama after being tased by a police officer is demanding access to the body camera footage of the incident.

The Mobile Police Department said in a July 4 news release that Jawan Dallas, 36, physically resisted when authorities tried to apprehend him Sunday night while responding to a residential burglary in progress at a trailer park, according to CNN.

An officer reportedly used his Taser to gain compliance, but police claimed the initial jolt failed to have any effect. Dallas allegedly attempted to grab the Taser from the officer, who held on to it and used it against him a second time.

Jawan Dallas, 36, was mistakenly apprehended by police in Mobile, Alabama, before he died, his family says. Officers responding to a burglary report tased him, claiming he resisted efforts to detain him. The family is seeking bodycam footage. (Photo: Screenshot/YouTube.com/WKRG News)

My son shouldnt have left here this way. If he was sick, or something, I can understand it, but for him to be tased to death, beat or whatever  is not right, said Dallas mother, Christine Dallas. Its unimaginable, it hurts, and I want something done about it.

According to police, medical help was summoned to the scene per regular procedure to assess Dallas, who subsequently had a medical emergency. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Mobile Police Cpl. Katrina H. Frazier said the investigation is ongoing, and the involved officers are on administrative leave.

The notice from the Mobile Police Department added that authorities are awaiting several reports as part of this investigation to assist with pinpointing Dallas precise cause of death.

National civil rights attorney Harry Daniels, now representing Dallas family, said his clients met with Mobiles mayor, chief of staff, city clerk and city attorney on Thursday morning to request access to body camera footage of the event.

According to Dallas family, police mistakenly apprehended their loved one that night.

Daniels said Dallas was an innocent bystander to the burglary and was about 200 yards away when police arrived. He also maintained that other eyewitnesses told his office that Dallas was nowhere near an alleged burglary.

He had no reason to speak to them because () he wasnt a suspect of any crime, said Daniels, CNN reported. There was no probable cause he was involved in any crime.

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The post Family of Jawan Dallas, who died after being tased by cop, demands bodycam footage appeared first on TheGrio.
The family of a man who died in April at the Sacramento County Main Jail has sued the county and its Sheriffs Office.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Sacramento federal court, claims deputies failed to provide appropriate monitoring and medical care to Delion Johnson, 35, who died in the downtown jail April 5 after being arrested earlier in the day by the California Highway Patrol.

When deputies booked and processed Johnson the same day, they failed to adequately search him, and housed him in an area where he would not be frequently monitored, the lawsuit said. Deputies did not find the illicit substance he took into the jail, and after he was placed in a holding cell, he distributed the substance to the other inmates in the cell, then ingested lethal quantities, the lawsuit said.

Johnson was visible on the jails surveillance camera distributing and ingesting something from a small bag, but the deputies failed to monitor him, according to the lawsuit.

(Defendants) failed to timely observe Delion Johnson experiencing a medical emergency but could have done so, including by responding to the holding cell more quickly and administering Narcan, if there was indication of an overdose; or, providing cardio-resuscitation measures, if there was a medical emergency, the lawsuit said.

Spokespeople for the county and the Sheriffs Office both declined to comment because they do not comment on pending litigation.

A Sheriffs Office news release said deputies realized Johnson was unresponsive after announcing meal time.

At approximately 3:30 p.m., deputies announced to a group of inmates in the booking area of the Main Jail that food was being served. The inmate did not move or respond to the announcement, and deputies discovered he was medically unresponsive. Deputies and jail medical staff attempted life-saving measures until the Sacramento City Fire Department arrived, but the inmate was ultimately pronounced deceased by fire personnel.

A death report, including the cause of death, has not yet been released by the Sacramento County Coroners Office.

The jail is violating the so-called Mays Consent Decree, a 2019 settlement of a class action lawsuit involving jail conditions, the lawsuit pointed out. A civil grand jury uncovered the violations in an investigation.

Johnsons death was the third death of an inmate at the downtown jail this year. In January unhoused man Keith Still, 35, died of unknown causes, as an autopsy was not done. Also in January, Joseph Lee Wood, 52, died after choking on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, according to the coroner death report. Both were awaiting trial.

An online obituary page for Johnson is full of friends and family sharing memories.

As you grew up you always had that big smile and a hug for me! Johnsons aunt Helga Childers wrote on the page. You always made every one around you laugh. Each time I came into town to visit, you made me feel love, when you would come up to me and give me that big smile and big hug! Face Time was the best when we could all see each other. The last time on Face Time your words to me still ring in my head, I got you Aunty Helga I got you!
William Sitwell was outraged when he was told he no longer qualified for an account

For several days we were led to believe there were dark forces at work. The closing down of Nigel Farages bank account at Coutts suggested sinister goings-on, not least because Farage himself, former leader of Ukip, presenter at GB News, pointed to a conspiracy. In a six-minute video he talked of an anti-Brexit banking industry imposing upon him political persecution. Losing his bank account was like being labelled a non-person. The poor fellow was being driven into exile by a cabal of anonymous enemies in the shadows. Think Napoleon, Casanova, the Dalai Lama 

But now we know the truth. Farage was dismissed by Coutts because he simply doesnt have the funds to make him a suitable Coutts customer. How the mighty fall. Coutts has been the banker to royalty for centuries, one of the worlds oldest banks and in its own words: banking the best and brightest for over three hundred years. And thats not you Nigel. What an astonishing humiliation. Dont I know it. I was given the boot by Coutts some 25 years ago.

Now, to hold an account, you need to invest some 1 million with them or have around 3 million in savings. More than two decades ago, the requirements were considerably less onerous. One needed to have around 2,000 in credit.

To me this was unheard of. I mean, one only had overdrafts in banks, right? If there was a couple of grand hanging around youd spend it. The beers were on you.

But the formal letter to me still stung and came out of the blue.

It was charmingly written. Of course what an honour it had been for the bank to serve me, after a long family line of accounts. But now, with enormous regret, without sufficient funds in keeping with the institutions current operating mandate, I would be required to take my glorious business elsewhere.

Sitwell: 'Farage was dismissed by Coutts because he simply doesnt have the funds' - Getty

How very dare they, I spluttered. I was now officially labelled by the Queens banker as Nouveau Poor. After all this time. Yes, my family had long banked at Coutts, but the bank also groomed me. At Eton they even had a branch on the High Street, keen to foster relationships with the leaders and wealthy elite of the future. And how I repaid those early overtures.

My school days were, for me, like today, a cashless society. I had no cash. But I had a Coutts chequebook. A grandly grey little booklet within which lay a path to riches, or at least sweets in the school tuck shop, Rowlands.

I wrote cheques for a small bag of Cola Fizzes, cheques for a flake, for a can of Coke. Once I was old enough to drink in the school bar, Tap, I wrote cheques for a pint of Newcastle Brown Ale and a crab roll. I wrote cheques out for as little as 12p. And I know this because every cheque I wrote out was returned each month with my bank statements. The idea was you checked the amount against the statement. Of course I did no such thing, simply marvelling at the miracles the Coutts chequebook performed.

Quite what the staff at Coutts must have thought, I can only imagine. After leaving school I wrote out cheques left, right and centre. My brother and I discovered a new game of competing to see whose illegible writing would a) work at the retailer where the cheque was being written and b) be honoured by the bank.

I have old cheques which are literally scrawls of total illegibility. Where my signature was nothing but a flurry of scratched lines. But it worked at our favourite restaurant, Kensington Place. And drinks were exchanged for my Coutts cheques at 151, a nightclub on Kings Road in Chelsea.

And still the bank honoured them and returned them for my records. Until someone woke up to the fact that this hilarious joke had gone on long enough, that the paltry income I received as a young journalist neither equated with the outflow of spending nor suggested I was destined for tycoon status.

So they wrote to me, dismissed me and my dismal earnings, and I took my misfortune to Barclays. I said goodbye to the bank, to those chequebooks and the chance to walk into some of their fabulous branches  including a vast, towering edifice on the Strand and a chic but diminutive one on Fleet Street.

I was heartbroken. My late father had banked with them. He had a unique relationship with money, a sort of hope that belied reality. Many of my happy memories of him are of us wandering up Fleet Street prior to a merry lunch at El Vinos. First there was a visit to Coutts, where I was always struck by the warmth and friendliness of the staff and my father  despite the parlous state of his finances  always seemed to leave with more money in his pocket than when he had entered. And then wed have a nice lunch.

I would miss those managers too. Mine was a Mr Blundell. I could sense him pulling his hair out as he wrote: pleading, fruitlessly, about my unauthorised overdrafts. I once called him in desperation, having run out of money while interrailing through Europe. Oh Mr Sitwell, moaned the poor man. What are you doing in Budapest? The state of your account!

Nigel, I feel your pain. The ignominy of having it revealed that one is not a multi-millionaire. Still, the kudos of Coutts rather petered out when it merged with NatWest in 2000. Very high street. Then it became far fruitier to brandish cards and cheques issued by the likes of Hoares or Child & Co. But, today, I dont suppose they would countenance even the sons of billionaires to write out cheques for two Curly Wurlies and a Fruit Salad.

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Aerial view of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

Aerial view of Chicago and Lake Michigan.

A father of three died on July Fourth after attempting to save children that were struggling in the waters of Lake Michigan, NBC Chicago reports.

Luke Laidley, 43, was on a boat that was pulling several kids tubbing in the water in Winnetka, Illinois, when the tube flipped. Laidley jumped into the lake to rescue them, but ended up going underwater, according to The Associated Press. Others on the boat pulled Laidley back on and began administering CPR. They were met at the shore by Winnetka first responders. Laidley was transported to Northshore Evanston Hospital where he later was pronounced dead.

Laidley was also a 9/11 survivor, ABC7 Chicago reported,after his family sent a statement to the station.

According to the family, Laidley was born and raised in Chicago, and graduated from Boston College with a degree in finance before he decided to move to New York City to take his first job with investment bank Morgan Stanley.

The companys offices were located in the south tower of the World Trade Center, and Laidley was working his second day on the job when the Sept. 11 attack occurred. He had been on the 61st floor and was able to get out of the building safely.

His family said in the statement that as a survivor ... [Laidley] later wrote, I encourage all of us to count our blessings each and every day. Give of yourself and expect nothing in return. And become part of something that is greater than yourself.

After the tragic event, Laidley moved back to Chicago, where he continued his career in finance and eventually met his wife Lauren, with whom he shares three kids: Lucas, 7; Vivian, 5; and Logan, 3.

Luke lived his life guided by his experiences and he had several that allowed him to bestow compassion, love, inspiration, and leadership to others. He lived a heros song, his family told the news station. His philosophy was to Give of yourself and expect nothing in return. And become part of something that is greater than yourself. A life lived with purpose. A life lived to serve for others. A life lived as a hero.

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A Fayetteville man pleaded guilty last week to voluntary manslaughter in the 2020 shooting death of a man he claimed tried to rob him during a drug deal.

Andre Devon Roye, 29, of the 1700 block of McGougan Road, will be sentenced on July 31 in the March 27, 2020, death of Domingo Cook, 49, according to court records. Cook was shot multiple times in the parking lot of a Murchison Road convenience store about 12:15 a.m. in an altercation with Roye, who evaded arrest for more than a month, search warrants state.

Andre Roye, 29, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, to a charge of voluntary manslaughter in a Fayetteville man's 2020 shooting death.

Video surveillance from the store captured the shooting, according to search warrants. Footage showed Cook arriving at the store in a white van, and a light green SUV driven by Roye arriving shortly afterward. After Roye made a purchase at the stores walk-up window, he was captured returning to his vehicle, with Cook approaching shortly after, according to search warrants. Cook was seen talking to Roye through the drivers side window, then getting into the front passenger seat of Roye's SUV, the warrants state.

Minutes later, Roye was seen frantically exiting the vehicle before running back to struggle with Cook over a gun through the drivers side window, according to search warrants. Footage showed Roye taking a gun from Cook and shooting into the SUV four times, the search warrants state.

Video surveillance then showed Cook falling out of the vehicle from the rear drivers side door on his hands and knees as Roye ran toward him and shot him multiple times, according to the search warrants.

As Cook tried to roll and scoot away, Roye "appeared to have fired the handgun at Cook approximately two more times, the search warrants state.

Initial coverage: Fayetteville police ID man shot outside Murchison Road convenience store

Roye then got back into his SUV and fled the scene, while an employee of the convenience store called 911 to report the shooting, according to search warrants. Cook was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died from gunshot wounds to the chest, pelvis and both arms, according to the autopsy report.

A witness told police Roye confessed to them, admitting Cook entered the SUV to buy marijuana but pointed a gun at him and tried to rob him, according to the arrest warrant.

Roye reportedly told the witness, It was either me or him, I had to do what I had to do, the warrant states.

Weeks-long search

According to court documents, detectives connected Royes brother to the shooting just a day after, when he appeared to be selling the SUV involved, later identified as a 2006 Hyundai Tucson, on the Offer Up app through an account belonging to the mother of his child.

In spite of multiple news releases and canvasses of the neighborhood where Roye and his brother lived, neither brother could be found, according to search warrants. Neighbors reported they had not seen the pair since the shooting, the warrants said. At the time of Cook's killing, Roye was out on bail on September 2019 charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assault by strangulation and assault on a female, according to court records. Roye was found guilty of assault on a female on Aug. 19, 2021, court records show. The other charges were dismissed.

Search ends: Fayetteville man wanted in shooting turns himself in

Search warrants stated that cellphone records obtained two weeks after the shooting showed Royes cellphone pinged to the area of the killing at the time of the homicide. His brothers phone was not in the area at that time, but both brothers phones pinged to their McGougan Road home by 12:59 a.m. that morning, according to the warrants. The next day, by 12:30 p.m., cellphone records showed them traveling north on Interstate 95, eventually arriving in Hartford, Connecticut, the warrants said.

Roye would turn himself in almost a month later, surrendering at the Cumberland County Detention Center with his attorney on May 12, 2020, according to court records.

Assistant District Attorney Billy Lewis said Wednesday the charge stemmed from Roye's claim of self-defense. His sentencing was delayed so Cook's family can be present when Roye is sentenced, Lewis said.

Under N.C. law, Roye could be sentenced later this month to up to 17 years in prison depending on his prior record.

Public safety reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville man pleads guilty in 2020 Murchison Road shooting
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday fully approved the Alzheimers drug Leqembi, amid concerns about its safety, cost and accessibility.

The move marks the first time that a drug meant to slow the progression of the disease has been granted full regulatory approval. Other approved drugs only target its symptoms.

"I don't think we can understate the significance of this moment," said Donna Wilcock, the assistant dean of biomedicine at the University of Kentucky.

About 6.7 million adults ages 65 and older in the United States have Alzheimers disease, according to the Alzheimers Association.

Leqembi, from Japanese drugmaker Eisai and U.S.-based drugmaker Biogen, targets a type of protein in the brain called beta-amyloid, long thought by scientists to be one of the underlying causes of Alzheimers disease.

In a phase 3 clinical trial of 1,795 patients with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage disease, progression of the illness was slowed by 27% over an 18-month period.

"While patients still do decline on the drug, the decline is slowed," Wilcock said.

Dr. Ronald Petersen, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, said in an email that Leqembi is not a cure, nor does it stop the disease.

"Its a first step for hopefully more therapeutics in the future," he said.

The Alzheimer's Association, which has vocally advocated for the drug's approval, praised the decision.

The treatment could "give people in the early stages of Alzheimers more time to maintain their independence and do the things they love," Joanne Pike, president and CEO of the Alzheimers Association, said in a statement.

"This gives people more months of recognizing their spouse, children and grandchildren," Pike said.

A brain scan of a patient affected by Alzheimers disease. (BSIP / Universal Images Group via Getty)

How does Leqembi help Alzheimer's patients?

In the phase 3 clinical trial, researchers measured cognitive decline using a scale that focused on how well patients performed in six categories: memory, orientation, judgment and problem solving, community affairs, home and hobbies, and personal care.

For each category, patients were rated on a 5-point scale: 0 is normal, 0.5 is questionable dementia and 1, 2 and 3 are mild, moderate and severe stages of dementia, respectively.

Patients in the placebo group scored, on average, 1.66 on the scale after 18 months. Those who got Leqembi scored, on average, 1.21, a 0.45 difference or 27% slower rate of decline.

"In real-world terms, this likely means more time for the patient to be living independently, enjoying their hobbies, their friends and having a better quality of life," Wilcock said. "Time will tell how much, but the clinical trial did show significant benefit on activities of daily living measures."

Petersen said the drug appeared to slow a patient's decline for about five months.

Others, however, were less rosy about Leqembi's benefits.

Dr. Alberto Espay, a neurologist at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, said that the 27% slowing in the progression of the illness falls below the threshold of what would be "noticeable" to a patient.

The odds for brain swelling and hemorrhage are far higher than any actual improvement, said Espay, who launched a petition in June calling for the Alzheimers treatment to not get full approval.

In its approval, the FDA included its strongest warning label  called a boxed warning  about these particular side effects, noting that they can lead to seizures and death. In addition, before starting the drug, patients should undergo genetic testing to better understand their risk for these side effects.

About 12.6 % of patients who got Leqembi in the trial developed brain swelling, compared with 1.7% of those in the placebo group. About 17% of the Leqembi group experienced brain bleeds, compared with 9% in the placebo group. The side effect is also seen with another Alzheimers drug, Biogens Aduhelm, which also works by targeting amyloid in the brain.

Three deaths were also linked to the drug in the clinical trials.

Petersen said that in about 75% of people, the brain side effects, which were detected on MRI scans, did not cause symptoms.

Who will be able to get Leqembi?

Leqembi was approved for people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease.

The drug is given intravenously every two weeks, meaning patients will need to go to a hospital or clinic for the infusion.

In addition, a roundtable of Alzheimer's experts recommends patients get periodic brain scans to monitor for any side effects.

Leqembi will carry a list price of $26,500 a year.

In June, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it planned to provide coverage for Leqembi and other drugs in its class, contingent upon receiving full FDA approval. However, the agency said it will mandate that physicians gather real-world performance data on these medications through a government database. That means that only doctors who are willing to collect this data will be able to prescribe Leqembi.

Following Thursday's approval, the CMS said in a release that the registry was open for physicians to access. The agency also listed steps patients should take to ensure they get Medicare coverage.

Medicare will cover 80% of the cost of the drug after patients meet their deductible, meaning patients will be responsible for paying the remaining 20% out-of-pocket, amounting to several thousand dollars.

Tomas Philipson, an economist who served as a senior economic adviser to both the FDA and the CMS under former President George W. Bush, said that the rule means some patients will still not be able to afford Leqembi.

"It will limit somewhat, but it will not limit as much as what the CMS is doing to the entire class currently," Philipson said, referring to restrictions the agency placed on drugs that had been granted a fast-tracked version of approval, also known as accelerated approval. In order to receive coverage for accelerated approval drugs, patients must be enrolled in a clinical trial.

Leqembi was initially granted accelerated approval in January, before the FDA had time to review phase 3 clinical trial results.

In June, an independent advisory committee to the FDA voted unanimously that data from the trial showed Leqembi provided a benefit to Alzheimers patients, recommending the agency should grant it full approval.

Leqembis approval is significant for patients and the health care system, said Philipson, now a professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago. He co-authored a paper in June that found delaying coverage of Leqembi and other drugs in its class could cost the U.S. more than $500 billion.

Leqembis full approval leapfrogged that of Biogen's Aduhelm, which was granted accelerated approval in 2021.

That approval came despite an FDA advisory committees finding that the drug was unlikely to work. Later, an 18-month congressional investigation found that the FDA failed to adhere to its own standards and that its approval of Aduhelm was rife with irregularities, putting the agency under further scrutiny.

Aduhelm initially cost $56,000 a year, threatening to raise Medicare premiums, before the company decided to cut that total in half. With only accelerated approval, the drug is only covered by Medicare if people are enrolled in a clinical trial.

No date has been set on when the FDA could make a decision on Aduhelms full approval.

Follow NBC HEALTH on Twitter & Facebook.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Federal government cracks down on THC edible packaging that looks like kid-friendly snacks

The federal government is cracking down on the packaging of certain edibles that contain THC.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent cease and desist letters to six companies that the agencies argue use illegal and reckless packaging for delta-8 THC edibles.

READ: THC-infused snacks that look like legitimate brands found in North Carolina schools

They are so similar to foods you would find in the supermarket to packages of Oreos, or Sour Patch Kids or Doritos that children certainly could mistake them for conventional foods, said Christine Delorme, an attorney in the FTCs Division of Advertising Practices. Were focusing on the fact that the packaging is really misleading and is really enticing to children and could really cause accidental poisonings.

Delta-8 THC is a psychoactive substance that has not been approved or evaluated by the FDA for safe use in any way.

According to the FDA, national poison control centers received 2,362 exposure cases involving delta-8 THC from January 2021 to February 2022.

Of those cases, 41% involved people under age 18.

One case in that timeframe involved a child who died.

Certainly, this is an issue of public concern, said Delorme.

The National Cannabis Industry Association said it agrees copy-cat kind of packaging is irresponsible and they point out its used on unregulated products.

The association said this problem underscores why the federal government should pass federal regulations for the cannabis industry.

The actions are certainly understandable, but are just a band-aid, said Aaron Smith, CEO of the National Cannabis Industry Association. The real solution here is to regulate cannabis across the country so that these sorts of loopholes and ways that theyre being exploited by these bad actors are no longer available.

In response to the letters from the FTC and FDA, at least one company told our Washington News Bureau it immediately removed the products in question from their website and store shelves and is fully cooperating with the federal governments requests.

That company, North Carolina Hemp Exchange, echoed the same push for federal regulations for the cannabis industry.

NC Hemp Exchange, LLC. Manager Diane Becker wrote in part: As a retailer in the hemp and CBD industry, we do not want to break rules; we just need to know what they are. That cant happen if they have not been created and implemented. Passing regulations would better protect consumers, manufacturers, and retailers alike.

VIDEO: Police seize over 120 edible THC products from NC convenience stores
Tucker Development and Wingspan Development Group have purchased the property for 5400 Old Orchard Road in Skokie and plan to build a four-story mixed-use development that includes 245 luxury apartments, 49 rental townhomes and commercial space. (Handout)

A development at 5400 Old Orchard Road in Skokie that will host 245 luxury apartments, 49 rental townhomes and commercial space officially acquired its property on June 1 to fulfill its plans.

The Skokie Board of Trustees approved the developments site plan and gave construction approval on Dec. 19. That action, as well as the villages blessing to a luxury residential development at Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, prompted some activists to express concerns that luxury housing was pricing many residents out of Skokie. The village assigned its Plan Commission to study the topic of affordable housing, also on Dec. 19, and it has resulted in the village devoting months to develop an affordable housing ordinance. Trustees have not yet approved it.

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Plans call for the Old Orchard Road development, which sits on an approximately 11-acre lot, to have a minimum of 424 off-street parking spaces for the apartments, 98 garage spaces for the townhomes, 24 guest parking spaces and 85 retail spaces with 2% of the parking spaces being allocated for handicapped pedestrians, according to a news release from developers Tucker Development and Wingspan Development Group. Tucker Development also said the commercial portion would be located on the ground floor and be suitable for retail, office or other uses.

Skokies efforts to promote biking and walking versus vehicle use are reflected in the site plan by requiring the developer to include at least 125 bicycle parking spaces.

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This is the first time Tucker Development and Wingspan Development Group have worked together, according to the news release. Wingspan has developments in nearby Mount Prospect with its mixed-use 20West and Maple Street lofts projects, and Tucker Development is working on District 1860, a 300-unit mixed-used development on Touhy Avenue in Lincolnwood that will have 80,000 square feet of commercial space.

We see strong and growing demand for well-located, highly amenitized Class A rental communities in Chicagos suburbs across a wide variety of resident profiles  ranging from young professionals to empty nesters, Aaron Tucker, president and chief investment officer at Tucker Development, said in a release. 5400 Old Orchard will build on our (collection of) successes and expand our offerings to include rental townhomes as well as apartments.

The CTLGroup, an engineering consultant, had its corporate headquarters at 5400 Old Orchard Road, according to the companys website. CTLGroups office will be demolished in early fall with Nicholas and Associates as the general contractor, the developers said.

Tucker and Wingspans project, alongside a proposed 350-unit rental community inside Westfield Old Orchard Shopping Center, prompted Skokie activists to call for more affordable housing.

The developers agreed to provide 13 units affordable to someone earning 100% of area median income, the site plan states. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development puts the area median income at $107,000 for the 2022 fiscal year in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Fair Market Rent area, which includes Cook County and Skokie. However, Skokie activists are pushing to get a lower AMI established.

Four studios, four one-bedroom units, three two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units will be designated as affordable, the site plan states.

If units were to ever become owner-occupied, the village would require a Condominium Owners Association to be established, the site plan states. This governing body would regulate land maintenance, driveways, landscaping and other building upkeep procedures, according to the plan.

If a restaurant decides to locate at the mixed-use development, it must follow restrictions established by the site plan including outdoor dining to only take place between April 1 and Oct. 31, limiting outdoor advertising to umbrellas and canopies and prohibiting the sale of open alcoholic beverages at carryout restaurants.

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Skokies Economic Development Manager Len Becker did not immediately respond to Pioneer Press inquiries regarding the propertys history with the village.

...
In January, Michael Love was released from prison after 35 years. Four months later he returned, but not to serve more time.

Love took the podium at Sacramento States first-ever Folsom State Prison commencement ceremony to deliver the valedictorian speech.

I know that education has been truly transformative in my life, Love said. It felt like freedom. Freedom to think critically, freedom to assess knowledge and freedom to discuss even opposing views.

Love could afford tuition because Sacramento State was part of the Second Chance Pell Experiment, a pilot program aiming to expand college access to people in prison. But until this month, most incarcerated individuals were barred from receiving Pell grants, the federal grants given to low-income students with demonstrated financial need.

A new federal policy kicked in July 1 that allows incarcerated students to receive Pell grants to pay for college courses, making it easier to pay for and attain a college degree from inside prison walls.

Sacramento State is one of five California universities offering bachelors degree programs across eight state prisons. Cal Poly Humboldt will launch the ninth prison program in spring 2024, partnering with Pelican Bay State Prison. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation operates 35 prison facilities.

In 1994, Congress passed a crime bill explicitly prohibiting incarcerated people from receiving Pell grants. But in 2015, the Obama administration launched the Second Chance Pell Experiment. From 2015 to 2023, the program grew from 67 to 200 participating colleges and universities.

Sacramento State became one of the experiments participants in 2021, launching bachelors degree programs at Folsom and Mule Creek state prisons. On May 25 this year, university President Robert S. Nelsen presented Love and 10 classmates at Folsom State Prison with bachelors degrees, the first cohort to graduate through the Transforming Outcomes Project at Sacramento State (TOPSS) program.

In 2021, 11 students were accepted into the Sacramento State program; a total of 65 will matriculate this fall, according to David Zuckerman, acting director of TOPSS.

Theyre Sac Students like any other, they just have a weird mailing address, Zuckerman said. They read the exact same books, the exact same lecture notes, and have the exact same people as teach on campus.

Every student who has applied to the program has been Pell-eligible. The new federal policy means the program can accept more students, Zuckerman said.

At the statewide level, the policy could open the door for additional California prisons to offer degree programs.

More than 9,000 students across the country earned degrees through Second Chance Pell programs from 2016 to 2021. When Congress passed the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020, an overhaul of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid system, it included the expansion of Pell grant eligibility to incarcerated students.

Colleges and universities will still have to meet certain benchmarks in order to have prison education programs, an effort to make sure the programs are operating in the students interests.

Around 13,000 people incarcerated in California pursue two- or four-year degrees through the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation every year. Education programs have been expanding even as the prison population has been declining, especially as data shows that they reduce the likelihood of re-incarceration.

The only thing that were giving them is the chance to walk across the bridge to get an education. Were not handing them anything. Were giving them a chance, and theyre taking that chance, Zuckerman said.

Major return on investment: Prison program should save money

People who participated in prison education programs were 48% less likely to return to prison within three years than people who did not, according to a study from RAND corporation, a nonprofit policy research group. This translates to cost savings: for every dollar invested in correctional education programs, $4 to $5 are saved on re-incarceration costs.

This is a major return on investment for the taxpayer, said Zuckerman. Because these folks are finishing their programs. Theyre staying clean, theyre staying out of trouble.

For the 2023-24 academic year, the maximum federal Pell grant is $7,395  though incarcerated students typically receive less, Zuckerman said, because they arent paying for room and board. It costs $106,131 to incarcerate someone in California for one year, according to the Legislative Analysts Office.

In 2016, California started offering sentence reductions in exchange for completing classes and degrees. Earning an associate or bachelors degree, for example, can reduce an individuals sentence by six months. By the time Love applied to Sacramento State, he had two associate degrees.

Data have shown that the higher the degree, the lower the recidivism rate: While three quarters of released prisoners are rearrested within five years, that number is slashed to 14% for those with an associates degree and 5.6% for those with a bachelors degree, according to nationwide data from the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Only one student in Sacramento States prison program has quit school. Multiple, including Love, are pursuing masters degrees. And, in spite of many incarcerated students working full-time jobs while taking courses, their GPA is higher than that of the general student body, with more than 90% of TOPSS students making the deans list for academic achievement each semester.

Love even obtained permission from a warden to use a computer to virtually present a paper at an international conference. That was a first, Zuckerman said.

We want that to be exemplary because we understand that there are those that are against us getting an education, Love said. Of course for us that just makes us want to try even harder and go above and beyond.

For Love, post-incarceration life looks bright

Love now works for Project Rebound, a statewide network that connects students who have been incarcerated and want to attend college following their release, at Sacramento State.

In the fall, hell teach a public speaking course at the university while pursuing a masters degree in communications studies.

Every dream that Ive had has started to manifest as a result of the TOPSS program and Project Rebound, Love said. Without those two, it could be possible that I could still be inside right now.
GRAND RAPIDS  Rashad Trice, the man accused of kidnapping and killing 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith after attacking her mother, has been charged with 18 crimes across three jurisdictions, the latest charges coming in federal court at the request of the FBI.

The federal charges, filed in the U.S. District Court for Western Michigan, include kidnapping resulting in death and kidnapping a minor victim. He faces a life sentence or the death penalty if convicted of the kidnapping resulting in death charge.

Trice is being held in Ingham County jail without bond.

The allegations in this case are heart-wrenching, Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, said in the release. "My thoughts are very much with Wynters family, as we were all praying for her safe return home."

More: Rashad Trice, man linked to disappearance and death of Wynter Cole-Smith, faces 18 felonies

Trice is accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting Wynter's mother, with whom he had a previous relationship, the night of July 2 at her Lansing residence. He then allegedly kidnapped Wynter, leaving her 1-year-old brother behind, and fled in a car police said he stole. Trice was arrested Monday in St. Clair Shores after a police chase in which he crashed into an officer's car. Wynter was not with him; her body was located days later near Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit.

According to the federal complaint, the FBI obtained a copy of Facebook messages Trice exchanged with an unnamed uncle. In the messages, the uncle wrote "I love u man please," "I can help u come to me ray," and "It's not your fault the girl is the devil," before attempting to call Trice at 3:07 a.m. Trice messaged back "I love y'all, but I have to end this shit man."

An FBI agent interviewed Trice Tuesday, according to the complaint, at which time he told agents he and Cole-Smith's mom were arguing before the incident and they stabbed each other.

"Trice also admitted that he was aware of the Amber Alert. Trice stated, words to the effect of, 'I am already a monster,'" the complaint said.

FBI located the toddler's body about 6:50 p.m. Wednesday in an alley between Olympia Street and Edgewood Avenue in Detroit after conducting searches in other areas, the complaint said.

FBI believe Wynter was strangled with a phone charger cord, according to the complaint. The final report on the cause of death is pending with a medical examiner.

More: Update: Lansing police urge community to help find missing Lansing girl

Trice charged with eight felonies in Macomb County

In Macomb County, Trice faces third-degree fleeing and eluding police, attempt to disarm an officer, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, assault with dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing causing injury, and three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Those charges relate to the chase and an altercation with officers after he crashed into an officer's car.

More: FBI offers up to $25K for information that could locate Wynter Cole Smith, 2

Trice arraigned in Lansing for 8 felonies

In Ingham County, he faces assault with intent to murder, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence as a second offense, unlawful driving away of an automobile, and felonious assault.

He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

According to a complaint obtained by the State Journal, the charges all relate to his attack on Cole-Smith's mother, with the exception of allegedly stealing a white 2013 Chevrolet Impala that belonged to a Willeen Cannon-Donald.

A preliminary hearing on the Lansing charges, which will determine if there's enough evidence for him to stand trial, is scheduled for later this month.

Support local journalism and get unlimited digital access! Subscribe for only $1 for six months!

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Wynter Cole Smith's alleged abductor charged with kidnapping
The FBI searched cryptocurrency magnate Jesse Powells home in March following allegations that the Kraken exchange founder hacked and cyber-stalked a nonprofit he had also founded, according to reports from The New York Times.

The criminal investigation focused on claims that Powell, 42, interfered in the digital accounts of and blocked the Verge Center for the Artss access to communications. Powell founded Verge, a contemporary arts space in Sacramento, Calif., in 2008.

Agents searched Powells Los Angeles home and seized his electronics, but Powell has not been accused of any crimes.

Powell was removed from the Verge board of directors in 2022, shortly after reports alleged that he attempted to ignite a culture war among employees with hurtful comments around race and gender in Kraken offices.

Verge alleged that Powell then blocked its staffs access to its site and emails, and accessed confidential information.

A spokeswoman for Kraken told The Times that the Verge investigation had nothing to do with the cryptocurrency exchange, and that Kraken had no reason to believe prosecutors were investigating other potential issues.

Powells lawyer also told The Times that the investigation is not related to Powells cryptocurrency activity and denied the allegations of hacking and cyber-stalking.

Kraken is the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency exchange after Coinbase. Kraken has survived despite federal investigators crackdowns on several of its competitors, the most infamous of which being the collapse of FTX following fraud charges against its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, in December 2022.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Tri-Cities saw a record high number of fentanyl overdose deaths last year, and 2023 is shaping up to be just as deadly.

Community members are searching for solutions as the death-dealing opioid destroys more and more lives each year.

Over the past five years, total overdose deaths in Benton and Franklin counties have been declining, but the percentage attributed to fentanyl has skyrocketed.

So far this year, nearly every Tri-Cities area overdose death has been related to fentanyl.

About two dozen people in the Tri-Cities area died from overdoses in the first five months of this year.

Fentanyl residue is seen on a piece of discarded foil that was used to smoke the drug.

Fentanyl is overwhelming killer

In Benton County, 17 people died from overdoses through June 1.

All but two were fentanyl related, according to data provided to the Herald by the Benton County Coroners Office.

Thats tracking slower than the total deaths last year, but the percent of fatal overdoses that were fentanyl-related are higher. In all, 37 out of the 43 overdose deaths in 2022 were linked to the potent drug.

In Franklin County, fentanyl overdose deaths through May were just below last years record high, with six who have died.

The share attributed to fentanyl is also higher in Franklin County  5 of 6 the fatalities compared 14 of last years 22 overdose deaths, according to data from the Franklin County Coroners Office.

The previous high for both counties was in 2020 when there was a combined 46 overdose deaths.

And this years deaths will likely climb higher when temperatures drop this winter.

Overdose deaths are more common during periods of freezing weather, so numbers tend to spike when temperatures slip below 50 degrees, according to findings from a National Institutes of Health study.

According to the study, thats due in part to on how opioids change the bodys ability to regulate temperatures, leaving fentanyl users who are outside in the cold in a more dangerous situation.

In Benton County, six of the 17 overdoses deaths this year occurred in January alone.

James and William Wonacott of Yakima are memorialized on The Faces of Fentanyl Wall at the Drug Enforcement Agencys headquarters in Arlington, Va., after both overdosed.

Repeating problem

Franklin County also is tracking the overdose history of those who have died this year, which showed that nearly all of the victims had a previous history of overdoses that they survived.

Ben Shearer, community risk reduction manager for Pasco Fire Department, said that while EMTs try to focus on the moment, they do sometimes recognize that theyve helped the same person before, and its difficult, because it means that person hasnt been able to get the help they need.

With all patients they try to offer extra resources for family members or the patient if theyre cognizant.

We have two resource navigators who are great ladies who do amazing work, from aging and long-term care to addiction, they can help get those people to the (resources they need) if they desire the help. When were seeing the same people over and over, our responders see that as something is wrong in their life and its not getting fixed.

James and William Wonacott of Yakima are memorialized along with thousands of others on the Faces of Fentanyl Wall at the Drug Enforcement Agencys headquarters in Arlington, Va.

The Pasco Fire Department is just one of many community stakeholders working to create new resources for people struggling with addiction through the Benton Franklin Behavioral Health Advisory committee.

The committee is currently in the early stages of planning a possible sobering center, and a crew of addiction and mental health specialists to accompany first responders.

Kelly Harnish, Healthy Living Manager for the Benton Franklin Health District, said that while their data lags because its compiled using death certificates, they are anecdotally hearing the same concerns with rising fatal fentanyl-related overdoses.

One area that is particularly concerning is that many of the overdoses seem to be taking place at home, where someone is likely using drugs alone, Harnish said.

Doing so means that if they overdose, no one is around to call 911 or to administer a drug like naloxone to reverse an overdose by blocking the effects.

A Narcan nasal spray kit with bi-lingual instructions is part of a partnership with program between local fire departments and the Benton Franklin Health District to stop an overdose.

Whats being done

Through grant funding BFHD makes doses of naloxone, or NARCAN, nasal spray available to first responders, community partners and businesses. Theyre also including tip sheets on what to do in case of an overdose with the medication.

The tip sheets explain what to do in the moment, what to look out for in the hours after an overdose and how to get long-term help.

Theyve also helped organize a local Overdose Fatality Review Board, which includes the health district, medical professionals, first responders and others who will be reviewing individual cases to figure out patterns and opportunities to respond to and prevent risky behaviors.

Just having those in-depth case reviews will help us see whats happening in our community, because we believe every overdose is preventable, Harnish said.

The health department is also trying to expand a new approach to the root causes of why someone is using. Theyre looking to build positive and pro-social interactions with community members in order to help build resilience.

Another thing that were really trying to incorporate is the HOPE framework  healthy outcomes through positive experiences, Harnish said. A lot of health risk behaviors is due to early life trauma, but the antidote to trauma is positive life experiences.

Some of the money from opioid lawsuit settlements is also set to be directed toward funding prevention and education initiatives, as well as helping pay to operate behavioral health facilities.

Fentanyl task force

The crisis has become so dire in Eastern Washington that Congressman Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, recently put together a regional task force to push for change at the local, state and federal level.

The task force includes members of law enforcement, medical professionals and community members from throughout the Yakima Valley. Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero represents the Tri-Cities.

Andrew Wonacott, a community member from Yakima, told the Herald that the task force was created to save lives. Wonacott lost two sons from fentanyl overdoses within about a year and a half of each other.

William Wonacott, left, pictured with his mother, Brandi, and brother, James. The Yakima brothers both died from fentanyl overdoses within a year of each other.

Newhouse introduced the William and James Wonacott Act of 2023 in March to create harsher penalties for selling or distributing fentanyl, with a provision for more jail time if someone dies from an overdose.

Dealing fentanyl would come with a potential penalty of a minimum of 20 years in prison up to life, and 25 years minimum if someone overdoses and dies.

Wonacott has been on a mission to get officials to listen to his story and others like it  and to act.

I lost my youngest son, William, to fentanyl in April of 21 and that was devastating. He was in Georgia and he got some drugs laced with fentanyl and he died, Wonacott said.

William Wonacott

... Then last year in November I lost another boy, James, for the same reason. Thats 50 percent of my kids gone in a couple years, that was rough, he said.

Wonacott said that after Williams death, they tried to work with police to find the person who had sold the laced drugs, but they werent able to.

He said it was a traumatic experience for his family, being unable to find some kind of justice for his sons death.

Wonacott said he reached out to Newhouse, hoping he could help. The idea for the task force came out of a town hall meeting.

We all just had a big discussion about what were going to do about this because its terrible, he said.

James Wonacott

Fentanyl, its indiscriminate, it doesnt care if youre rich, in politics or your ethnicity. Its going to kill you and we have to do something about it. We cant let this go by anymore, theres just too many people dying.

Wonacott said he wont stop until law enforcement has the tools they need to deal with fentanyl dealers, first responders have the resources they need to help people at risk and communities prioritize real solutions.

Weve got to have better support systems for them, weve got to have real treatments that work, he said. My personal mission is, I will not let this die, he told the Herald. We have to do something, because its such a huge impact to all of our communities. If I can save just one person, itll be worth it. If we can stop the supply, itll be worth it.

Accomplishing these goals will require buy in locally in individual communities and from state and federal lawmakers, he said. Wonacott knows none of these are simple solutions, but he believes if the will to make the difference is there, it can be done.

Im hoping that we can get some real legislation to curb the flow of fentanyl into our county and into Eastern Washington, he said. Im hoping we can maybe get some real tools to impact people who are impacted by it and education for the family and community about how bad it is.

If fentanyl has not touched you yet, it will.
A first-class passenger told crew he would detonate a bomb unless the plane was diverted, later claiming that he thought cartel enforcers were waiting for him, authorities say

An Alaska Airlines flight takes off. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File

A first-class passenger is accused of making a bomb threat on an Alaska Airlines flight.

An FBI affidavit says he handed a flight attendant a note threatening to "kill everyone on board."

The flight was diverted from Seattle, where the man told authorities cartel enforcers were waiting.

A first-class passenger accused of threatening to "kill everyone" aboard his flight later told authorities he'd wanted the flight diverted because he thought waiting cartel members would torture and kill him, the FBI says.

The man, identified in an FBI affidavit seen by Insider as Brandon L. Scott, is said to have handed an Alaska Airlines flight attendant a note written on a receipt during a Wednesday flight to Seattle.

The affidavit quotes the note as saying: "There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board.

"Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose."

The note then apparently said the man's demands were "simple": For the plane to land at any other airport.

"If this plane lands in Seattle, I will kill everyone onboard," it said, according to the FBI. "Change our destination and I will refrain from detonating the bomb. I repeat, if I see us land in Seattle, I will kill every soul on this plane."

The note also is said to have told the flight attendant to tell the pilot and no one else: "Once we have been rerouted I expect an announcement. That way I know my demands have been met. Pretend there is some sort of equipment problem or whatever you have to do. Just get this plane rerouted. Failure to comply will cost the lives of everyone on this plane."

The note added he would surrender peacefully on landing if the flight was diverted, the affidavit said.

Alaska Airlines Flight 334 from Atlanta to Seattle was ultimately rerouted to Spokane International Airport, about a four-hour drive east of Seattle, after the flight attendant told the captain, who spoke with air-traffic control and the airline's security team, the affidavit said.

The passenger was then detained by law enforcement, it said. He was interviewed by special agents and was said to have described being targeted by the Sinaloa Cartel.

The US identifies the Sinaloa Cartel as being among the world's most dangerous drug traffickers, and it plays a major role in the US fentanyl drug trade.

The affidavit says Scott told authorities that cartel members were waiting at the Seattle airport to torture and kill him and that the fake bomb threat was his way of escaping them.

The airport's bomb squad investigated the plane but didn't find any explosive devices or materials, the affidavit said.

Scott was said to have told authorities after his arrest that he had considered other ways to get the flight diverted, including assaulting a flight attendant or opening the cabin door.

Scott appeared in federal court Thursday in Spokane, where the judge entered a denial of charges of conveying false information or hoaxes, local outlet The Spokesman-Review reported.

If convicted he faces up to five years in prison, the outlet said.

Neither the FBI nor Alaska Airlines responded to requests for comment from Insider made outside business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
First fentanyl murder conviction in California: Man convicted in death of Roseville-area teen

A 21-year-old man was convicted Friday of second-degree murder for supplying fentanyl to a Roseville-area teen who fatally overdosed last year.

Placer County prosecutors said this was the first time in California that a defendant was convicted of homicide for supplying fentanyl, a deadly synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.

Along with the murder charge, Nathaniel Cabacungan was convicted of furnishing a controlled substance to a minor in the death of the 15-year-old girl, according to the Placer County District Attorneys Office.

Cabacungans preliminary hearing to determine whether there was enough evidence for him to stand trial was scheduled for this week. But Cabacungan decided to change his plea on Friday.

He was initially charged with meeting with a minor for the purpose of engaging in lewd behavior, but that charge was dropped, the D.A.s Office said.

The girls death was reported June 21, 2022. Prosecutors alleged that Cabacungan possessed and transported the fentanyl pressed into the form of Percocet pills for the purposes of sale.

On Friday afternoon, Cabacungan remained in custody at the Placer County Jail. He is scheduled to return Aug. 16 for his sentencing hearing in Placer Superior Court.

There was a 450% increase in fentanyl deaths in Placer County from 2019 to 2021, with nearly half of the deaths being those under 25 years old, according to county officials. The state Department of Justice said 2 milligrams of fentanyl can result in overdose and potentially death.

The District Attorneys Office has been aggressive in going after fentanyl dealers, with prosecutors filing murder charges in two other fentanyl deaths last year. The criminal cases against Carson David Schewe and Aaron Kurtis Dare II are still pending.

The murder conviction today demonstrates that our office remains committed to holding dealers of deadly fentanyl accountable for the lives they take, District Attorney Morgan Gire said in a statement.
Women driving has become a common sight in Saudi cities (Fayez Nureldine)

It has been five years since Jawhara al-Wabili became one of Saudi Arabia's first women drivers -- a reform she saw as revolutionary, even as some activists dismissed it as window-dressing.

"I drove as soon as it was authorised," the 55-year-old from the central city of Buraidah proudly told AFP, recalling a milestone that drew global attention to sweeping social changes fast-tracked by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the conservative kingdom's de facto ruler.

Wabili has gone on to give free driving lessons to other women, sharing a skill she views as essential in a country sorely lacking in public transportation.

It is just one example, she says, of how women's rights have blossomed in recent years, allowing them to become ambassadors, bank directors, university administrators and even astronauts. Saudi scientist Rayyanah Barnawi took part in a mission to the International Space Station just this past May.

The changes can also be felt in daily life, especially now that the religious police have been sidelined and rules requiring gender segregation in public and the wearing of abaya robes have been scrapped.

But some human rights campaigners cast doubt on how deep the reforms actually run, stressing that women have been ensnared by a broader campaign of arrests targeting government critics.

Their ranks include some of the very women who led the campaign for driving licences.

"We have more and more women in prisons, either for not wearing abaya or, you know, for dancing in public or for tweeting their opinions, whatever the subject, even on unemployment," said Lina al-Hathloul, head of monitoring and communication for the rights group ALQST.

"We're really in a state of constant fear of people not knowing really what is happening, or whether they're allowed to do something or not."

- Challenging tradition -

Saudi officials, unsurprisingly, try to keep the spotlight on the progress women have made, seeking to recast their long-closed-off country, known primarily for being the world's biggest crude exporter, as open for business and tourists.

At events like the World Economic Forum in Davos, they tout the fact that the proportion of Saudi women in the workforce has more than doubled since 2016, from 17 percent to 37 percent.

"After the driving decision, we saw that all policies that followed have challenged the traditional role of women in the Saudi society, which gave her only one role to play -- raising children," said Najah Alotaibi, a Saudi analyst based in London.

The new reality strikes visitors from the moment they get off the plane and, in many cases, have their passports stamped by smiling, English-speaking female customs agents.

As they move around the country, they encounter women driving for Uber, working as mechanics and even conducting a high-speed train that ferries pilgrims to Mecca, the holiest city in Islam.

- 'Discriminatory provisions' -

What goes on in their own homes, however, can be another matter.

"All of these reforms are legal changes -- they are reforms in writing, but that doesn't automatically mean they are reforms in practice," said Sussan Saikali of the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington.

A long-awaited personal status law that took effect last year, billed by Riyadh as "progressive", has been criticised for containing what Human Rights Watch described as "discriminatory provisions against women concerning marriage, divorce, and decisions about their children".

Saudi activist Hala al-Dosari, based in the United States, points out that in conservative families, women continue to be at the mercy of their male guardians.

Some women are "under the illusion that because of the opening of public spaces, because of the ease of restrictions on women's dress code and gender mixing, they can now navigate those spaces more freely," she said.

But many remain "victims of either state oppression or their own families".

Dangers persist for those who speak out.

Saudi prosecutors recently accused women's rights activist Manahel al-Otaibi of launching a "propaganda campaign", citing social media posts in which she challenged the guardianship laws and what she described as continued forced wearing of the abaya.

Otaibi was referred to the Specialised Criminal Court, which tries terrorism cases and last year sentenced Leeds University PhD student Salma Al-Shehab to 34 years' in jail for tweets critical of the government.

Activists believe Saudi authorities are focused primarily on improving their image, and that's why the criticism rankles them, Saikali said.

"Unfortunately, arresting people for speaking out doesn't exactly help their image either."

rs-saa/rcb/th/dv
Fleeing driver crashes into police cruiser during 75 mph chase through Dayton

A driver fled from authorities and crashed into a police cruiser in Dayton late Thursday night.

>> TRENDING: Parents say DPS superintendent leaving with issues unresolved is concerning

Dayton Police initially attempted to pull over a driver in the 1600 to 1700 block of West Stewart Street at 11:50 p.m., Montgomery County Regional Dispatch said. The reason for the stop was not disclosed at the time of reporting.

The driver, however, failed to stop and took off from authorities, hitting a police cruiser along the way.

No police officers were injured following the crash.

The driver did not stop after crashing into the cruiser, but instead headed eastbound on West Stewart Street towards South Broadway Street.

Officers began their pursuit of the suspect vehicle, identified as a Chrysler 300, reaching top speeds of 75 m.p.h.

Other officers from the city responded and were able to halt the car prior to the driver reaching Interstate 75.

The driver was taken into custody by the Dayton Police Department who led the investigation into the incident.
Florence Pugh makes return to Paris Fashion Week in transparent dress following last years uproar

Florence Pugh has arrived at Paris Fashion Week on Wednesday (5 July) following last years uproar over her transparent dress.

In 2022, she addressed the vulgar backlash she received over her decision to wear a transparent fushia pink Valentino gown to the fashion houses couture show.

At the time, Pugh responded to commentary about her outfit in an Instagram post after so many of you wanted to aggressively let me know how disappointed you were by my tiny t***, or how I should be embarrassed by being so flat chested.

Not a wink of me was nervous to wear the gown before, during or even now after being body-shamed, Pugh said.

She added: Whats been interesting to watch and witness is just how easy it is for men to totally destroy a womans body, publicly, proudly, for everyone to see.

The English actor, who is best known for starring opposite Harry Styles in the 2022 film Dont Worry Darling, was not put down by last years criticism and returned to Valentinos AW24 show this week on Wednesday in a transparent lilac tulle dress, featuring a plunging neckline, low back and bow detail.

Pugh completed the looked with huge black platform heels, a matching handbag and a bright pink buzz cut.

Fans have been praising Pugh for returning to the show wearing a bold look in light of the body-shaming she faced last year.

Her confidence is just so alluring, wrote one fan on Twitter.

Pugh is credited as the current face of naked fashion, pictured at the Valentino show in 2022 and in 2023 (Getty Images)

Shes just doing what others are too scared to do and Im here for it, added another, as one wrote: SHE IS SOOOO BEAUTIFUL

I think she looks good, haters gonna hate, wrote another.

Last year, celebrities rallied around Pugh, defending her against critics.

Florence Pugh in Chantilly, France at the Valentino Haute Couture FW 2024 show (Getty Images)

The Interstellar actor Jessica Chastain spoke out in support of Pugh at the time, writing: Why is it so threatening for some men to realise that women can love our bodies without your permission?

We dont belong to you, the 46-year-old Oscar winner added.

Florence Pugh in Chantilly, France at the Valentino Haute Couture FW 2024 show (Getty Images)

FormerBridgerton star Rege-Jean Page also reacted to the uproar at the time, urging men to do your bit in the face of misogyny.

Read the caption. Take a look at yourself fellas [sic], Page wrote, sharing Pughs post on his Instagram Story.

Then take a look at your mates and step up when its time to step up. When the boys are out of line, have a word, he continued.

The weird thing about misogyny is men actually listen to other men, so do your bit, cos the next few years in particular are gonna be a really good time to listen, and take some responsibility, for everyones sake.
A Florida AMBER Alert was canceled Friday night after a 12-year-old St. Lucie County boy taken by his father was found safe in Polk County.

The St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office said Polk County deputies received a tip around 11:20 p.m. Friday that Leon Scarborough and his father Tracey were seen in the River Ranch area.

Polk County Sheriffs Office deputies responded and took Tracey Scarborough into custody on an arrest warrant for interference of child custody. Leon was not harmed and was placed into the custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

We are very relieved the child was safely located and there was a peaceful resolution to this incident. I want to express my gratitude to members of our communities for helping us bring this situation to a close. I also want to thank the Polk County Sheriffs Office and our state and federal partners who assisted with this case, St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara said in a Facebook post.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement originally issued the AMBER Alert for Leon on Friday morning.

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UPDATE - 7:35AM On 07/07/23 at approximately 11:20PM, deputies from the Polk County Sheriffs Office, received... Posted by St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office on Friday, July 7, 2023

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A meeting to exchange information on The Book of Songs  known in Chinese as Shijing  and contemporary poetry was held recently in Hejian, a county-level city in Cangzhou, Hebei province.

The gathering aimed to foster and improve the inheritance of Shijing, according to the city's publicity department which was one of the meetings' organizers.

Shijing is the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry, comprising some 300 poems dating from the 11th to the 7th century BC.

An important place for inheriting Shijing culture and known for its preservation of Chinese poetry, Hejian has worked to integrate cultural elements into every aspect of the city's development, including urban construction and education, the department said.

The city has built several parks with themes from Shijing content and culture. It also has Shijing Road and Shijing Bridge. More than 130 cultural walls introducing Shijing have been built, along with an exhibition hall.

Training courses for learning Shijing and creating poems have also been organized, the department said.

During the recent meeting, a theatrical gala was held, with performances based on Shijing content.
Florida couple charged after leaving child in car overnight (Polk County Sheriffs Office)

A Florida couple has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child after police said the husband and wife left their toddler in a car overnight following a 4 July celebration.

Joel and Jazmine Rondon drove their three children  all under the age of 9  to the party, and the family didnt return home until 3am the next morning, according to the Polk County sheriffs office.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Independent, Ms Rondon remarked that the toddler was sleeping and was so quiet that she told her husband that she forgot the victim was in the back seat during the drive home.

While unloading the car, Mrs Rondon told her husband to bring the 18-month-old toddler inside the house while she brought in the two other kids. Mr Rondon noticed that one of the car doors was open at the time he went inside; when he returned, all of the doors were closed, so he assumed his wife brought the toddler inside.

The couple went to sleep without checking the car again.

At 11am the next morning, Mr Rondon asked one of the other children to check on the toddler in her room; they reported that she wasnt there, prompting Mr Rondon to search the house for her. Panicked, he went to the car to find the child still strapped into her car seat in a car that was fully exposed to the sun.

He and his wife drove the toddler to the hospital. Despite conducting life-saving measures to cool her down from a high fever, according to Sheriff Grady Judd, she died of hyperthermia.

This child has suffered a torturous death, the sheriff said at a news conference. The autopsy report ruled the death a homicide.

During a recorded interview at the hospital, according to the affidavit, Mr Rondon said the incident was his fault because he did not take the victim out of the car when Jazmine asked him to. Ms Rondon said she felt guilty about the sequence of events and she should have checked on the victim.

The parents were given drug screens later that day. Mr Rondon tested positive for meth, marijuana and alcohol, while Mrs Rondon tested positive for marijuana and alcohol. The couple was taken into custody on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Mr Rondon has a criminal history dating back to 2003.

Sheriff Judd called the incident one of the most horrible, tragic deaths that weve seen in a long time.
Florida couple charged in death of baby left in hot car overnight after 4th of July party

A Florida couple has been charged with aggravated manslaughter in the death of an 18-month-old girl who died after being left in a hot car overnight following a Fourth of July party, police said.

Joel and Jazmine Rondon, both 33 and residents of Lakeland, went to a Fourth of July celebration with their three young children and didnt return home until roughly 3:00 a.m. early next morning, according to a news release from the Polk County Sheriffs Office.

The family left the party around 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a news conference Thursday.

According to Judd, Jazmine took the older children  ages eight and six  into the home, telling Joel to bring the baby into the home. Joel said the car doors were open as he brought food trays into the home, then he noticed the back door of the car was shut when he was done. He said he thought Jazmine had brought the child inside, Judd said.

He went inside and laid down in bed with his wife. Neither husband nor wife asked each other if they had brought the victim inside. They went to sleep, according to the sheriffs office news release.

At around 11 a.m. on Wednesday, as he was getting ready for work, Joel asked one of the children to go check on the baby in the bedroom, but the child told Joel the baby wasnt there, according to the release.

At that point, Joel began looking for the child and then went outside and looked in the car, which was parked in the driveway in the full sun, the release said, before he found the child still strapped in her car seat and unresponsive.

The couple rushed the baby to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.

The heat index that day was 105 degrees, Judd said on Thursday. The childs internal body temperature was over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the sheriffs office said.

At around 7:00 p.m., after the baby was pronounced dead, Joel and Jazmine underwent drug screening by the Department of Children and Families, according to authorities. Joel tested positive for meth, marijuana, and alcohol; Jazmine tested positive for marijuana and alcohol, the sheriffs news release said.

An autopsy determined the childs manner of death is homicide and her cause of death was hyperthermia due to being left in a car, according to the sheriff.

Both Jazmine and Joel have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, Judd said. They were taken into custody on Thursday and booked into the Polk County Jail.

The couples other children have been placed with relatives, the sheriff said.

This rips your heart out; theres no other way to explain it, Judd said.

This is not an accident; this is pure negligence and I suggest to you the core of the negligence is the abuse of drugs and the use of drugs, he added.

CNNs Emma Tucker contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Florida photographer is celebrating the history of Black hair in print magazines and commercials through a new short film.



Titled, Heavy is the Head, the short film is the creative work of Lakeland, Florida, photographer Juniper Johnson.



In an interview with Patch, Johnson said the short film aims to pay homage to both Jet and Ebony magazine covers and the classic Afro Sheen commercials of the 1970s.

The Afro Sheen commercials are beautiful, she said. Theyre always talking about Nubian queens and they all have afros and are all adorned in these different types of jewelry and I just loved the look of it. I wanted to recreate a story set within an Afro Sheen commercial.

The film will be shot in Orlando and will incorporate photo elements along with video footage. Johnson also hopes to highlight statistics about Black hair and the economic power that Black hair drives.



Johnson is funding the project with an IndieGoGo campaign  through which she is looking to raise $3000.



Did you know that Black people spend an average of $1.2 billion on hair products annually? Johnson questions in the opening line of her IndieGoGo campaign. Socially speaking, the way our hair looks is connected to our identity. Our pride and joy often stems from our presentation and, by virtue, representation.

Johnson is a graduate of the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida.



Her senior year documentary photography multimedia project was centered around the history of Black womens hair in relation to the CROWN Act.



She created a multimedia experience out of her work on the project, with the final product including images of her interview subjects and clips from their interviews. The project was displayed at the Deborah M. Cooley Photography Center.



She credits that senior year project as helping inspire her short film idea.

People could just grab the headphones off the wall to listen to the interview. That was really nice and seeing people engaging with these stories and experiences showed me how immersive this project can actually be. I knew immediately that I wanted to expand it, she said.



Johnsons short film comes amid the continued work to get the CROWN Act passed in state legislatures across the nation.



The Crown Act was most recently signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas. It will go into affect in September.



A total of 22 states have enacted the Crown Act.

The post Florida Photographer Launches Fund To Finance Black Hair Short Film appeared first on 21Ninety.
Fabian BasabeCourtesy of the Florida House of Representatives

Rep. Fabian Basabe, a Republican who represents a Miami Beach district in the Florida House of Representatives, was hit with a sexual harassment lawsuit on Thursday. Nicolas Frevola, a former legislative aide in Basabe's office, and Jacob Cutbirth, a former intern, accuse Basabe of soliciting them for sexual acts and subjecting them to graphic conversations about sex.

According to the lawsuit, Basabe stood in the back of an elementary school classroom full of children and whispered to Frevola, "I want all of that butt," before allegedly smacking Frevola's backside. Cutbirth, for his part, claims Basabe "began to physically touch and grope him and to grab at him to try to kiss him." The allegations are included in a lawsuit filed in Leon County Circuit Court by Frevola and Cutbirth, which coincides with a "joint investigation" of Basabe's conduct by CBS News Miami and the Miami Herald.

Basabe was investigated earlier this year by the Florida House for allegedly slapping Frevola in a different incident, which an outside law firm was unable to corroborate. After that inconclusive report was issued in June, Basabe described Frevola as "lazy, entitled, unscrupulous, self-involved, ungrateful, lying scum." Basabe has denied any wrongdoing, and his attorney told CBS News Miami that the lawmaker "will not be litigating this frivolous and meritless lawsuit in the media or giving it any more public attention than it deserves  which is none."
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a death sentence in the 2013 murder of a man who was found shot in the head after being taken from his Volusia County apartment.

The court, in a 5-1 opinion, rejected arguments by Death Row inmate Christian Cruz that stemmed from his co-defendant, Justen Charles, receiving a life sentence in the murder of Christopher Jemery.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Cruz argued that he should have received a life sentence as Charles was equally culpable, the ruling said. But the court majority pointed to a 2020 decision in another case that did away with what is known as comparative proportionality review in considering death sentences.

Thursdays ruling, shared by Chief Justice Carlos Muniz and Justices Charles Canady, John Couriel, Jamie Grosshans and Renatha Francis, said the legal precedent means that Charles life sentence is irrelevant to and has no bearing on Cruzs death sentence.

Read: Behind the scenes: Tracking down drugs in the mail by Zip code

But Justice Jorge Labarga, who opposed eliminating comparative proportionality review in the 2020 case, dissented Thursday.

Surely, in a state that leads the nation with 30 exonerations of individuals from Death Row, every reasonable safeguard should be retained in this (Supreme) Courts toolkit when reviewing death sentences to ensure that the death penalty is reserved for the most aggravated and least mitigated of murders, Labarga wrote.

Read: FDA approves Alzheimers drug Leqembi

Justice Meredith Sasso did not take part in the decision.

Cruz and Charles were accused of going to the Deltona apartment where Jemery lived --- and where a drug dealer had previously lived.

They broke into the apartment, beat Jemery, put him in the trunk of a car and drove him to a remote location, according to the ruling. Jemery was shot in the head and later died.

Read: Jaws-themed restaurant announces updated location in Central Florida, opening date

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.
Florida toddler suffers a torturous death at the hands of her parents, sheriff says

Two Florida parents are responsible for the death of their baby  an 18-month-old who was left inside of a hot car for hours  after a night of drinking and doing drugs at a Fourth of July party, authorities say.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the childs death was one of the most horrible [and] tragic he has seen in a long time.

Joel and Jazmine Rondon, both 33 years old from Lakeland, are facing charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child.

On Monday night, the couple took their three children, all under 9 years old, with them to a Fourth of July party, the sheriffs office said. The Rondons drank alcohol and smoked weed while there.

They didnt return home with the kids until 3 a.m. the next morning. While unpacking the car, Jazmine told Joel to get the 18-month-old girl while she takes the other two children, 8 and 6 years old, inside.

Joel mistakenly thought the toddler, too, was inside the home after he saw the car doors closed. The family went to sleep, with the baby still in the car.

It wasnt until an hour after Joel woke up at 10 a.m. to get ready for work that he realized something was wrong, deputies said. He asked one of the kids to go check on the baby in the bedroom.

After not finding her there, Joel looked around the house to no avail. He then went outside and found the child still in the car strapped in her car seat.

He brought her inside and then the couple drove her to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center.

Even though its painfully evident this child has suffered a torturous death, Lakeland Regional still worked on the baby to try to save its life, Judd said during a press conference.

When the couple was drug tested 17 hours after arriving home, an investigation revealed that Jazmine tested positive for alcohol and marijuana. As for Joel, he tested positive for alcohol, marijuana and methamphetamine.

You can imagine what kind of shape they were in when they arrived from this party and left this child harnessed in the baby seat in the back of the car, Judd said.

The childs cause of death is hyperthermia due to being left in a car, an autopsy determined. Judd said it was possibly as hot as 95 degree outside, with the temperature of the car being anywhere between another 130 to 170 degrees.

On Monday, the entire world experienced the hottest global average day since at least 1979  a record that lasted until Tuesday, when it was broken again.

[The child] is not old enough to let herself out of the harness but she is certainly old enough to realize she is suffering a torturous death at the negligence of Joel and Jazmine.
Florida is under a malaria alert, and there are now more cases of the mosquito illness

Health officials have confirmed two new cases of malaria have been contracted in Southwest Florida as a statewide health advisory for the mosquito-borne illness remains in effect.

That brings the total to six cases since the first infection was reported in late May. All six cases were reported in Sarasota County, with the most recent two confirmed the week of June 25-July 1.

All of the locally contracted cases were Plasmodium vivax malaria. P. vivax is the most common type of malaria infection in humans. It is less fatal than other types but can still be life-threatening.

Health officials confirmed finding three mosquitoes carrying the parasite in Sarasota County in early June.

KNOW MORE: Is it the flu or malaria? What to know as Florida sees more mosquito-transmitted illness

Malaria is only transmitted via mosquito bite. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sweating, fever and chills. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical help within 24 hours of symptoms, health officials say.

Residents are urged to use bug spray, avoid areas with mosquitoes, and wear protective clothing outside.

Sarasota County government has posted on social media that mosquito spraying is happening near the coast in Venice and Englewood, between University Boulevard and 17th Street east of Interstate 75, and north Sarasota between Bahia Vista Street and Fruitville Road. Manatee County shared a map of where mosquito spraying regularly occurs.

Sarasota and Manatee counties remain under a malaria health alert that was issued on June 19. A statewide advisory was issued on June 26, when the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention also issued an advisory.

No recent cases have been recorded in Miami-Dade, Broward or Monroe counties in South Florida.

Here are some tips from the state health department to reduce mosquito exposure.

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
Nasrat Ahmad Yar, 31, had four children.

Nasrat Ahmad Yar, 31, had four children.

An Afghan father who worked as an interpreter before fleeing to the U.S. in 2021 was shot and killed earlier this week in Washington, D.C., while working as a Lyft driver, according to authorities.

The Metropolitan Police Department said officers responded shortly after midnight on Monday to an emergency call and discovered 31-year-old Nasrat Ahmad Yar inside his vehicle suffering from a gunshot wound. He died shortly thereafter at the hospital, police said.

Police released video footage showing four suspects fleeing the scene shortly after the shooting, with one shouting, You killed him. But no suspects have been identified. The motive behind the attack and the events leading up to it remain unclear. Authorities are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for details that could lead to an arrest and conviction.

According to Ahmad Yars relatives who spoke with NBC Washington, he served alongside the U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan for a decade until the Taliban seized control of the country. Fearing for their safety, he and his family fled their homeland in search of refuge in the U.S. Initially settling in Philadelphia, they eventually moved to Alexandria, Virginia, seeking a safer environment for their children.

He came to America to be safe, but his dream was really for his kids, Jeramie Malone, who helps people from Afghanistan resettling in the U.S., told NBC Washington. He always said he wanted them to have a good education. He wanted them to have opportunities.

Ahmad Yar was the sole provider for his wife and four children, who range from 15 months old to 13 years old, according to a GoFundMe created to support the family. He began working as a tow truck driver and driving for Lyft to make money in the U.S.

Our hearts are with Mr. Nasrats loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy, a Lyft spokesperson told CNN in a statement. We have reached out to his family to offer our support and are in contact with law enforcement to assist with their investigation.

The incident occurred amid Fourth of July holiday celebrations marred by a wave of mass shootings across the country. In Washington, D.C., during the early hours of Wednesday morning, nine individuals, including two minors, were injured in a drive-by shooting while they were outside commemorating Independence Day.
A former ballerina accused of killing her estranged husband was in court Thursday arguing to have her case dismissed under Florida's Stand Your Ground law, claiming she fired the gun in self-defense.

Five months after filing the motion, Ashley Benefield, 31, sat with her attorney Neil Taylor in a Manatee County courtroom, her body unmoving as she faced the judge, with her straight, dark brown hair keeping her face hidden.

Since the defense claims the shooting was in self-defense, it falls on assistant state attorneys Suzanne O'Donnell and Rebecca Freel to make a case before the judge proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Benefield did not act in self-defense.

It is likely Manatee County Circuit Judge Stephen Whyte will make a decision following the hearing's conclusion Friday. Regardless of the outcome, both the defense and prosecution have indicated they will appeal.

Previously: Manatee County woman accused of killing her husband

Florida's 'stand your ground' law: Here are five questions (and answers) to explain

Florida's Stand Your Ground Law allows a person to use or threaten to use deadly force against another person if they reasonably believe they need to protect themselves against immediate threat and they don't have a "duty to retreat."

Benefield was arrested and charged with second-degree murder with a firearm in November 2020 following an investigation into the shooting death of 58-year-old Doug Benefield, Ashley Benefield's estranged husband and father of their young daughter.

The 105-page motion to dismiss outlines what happened the evening of the shooting from her perspective and, according to the defense, how the couple's tumultuous relationship led to that moment.

Defense attorney Neil Taylor, left, and Assistant State Attorney Suzanne O'Donnell confer about evidence to be presented during a hearing Thursday. Ashley Benefield is accused of killing her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, and is attempting to have the case dismissed under Florida's Stand Your Ground law. The hearing on the justifiable use of force immunity defense began Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Florida and is expected to last two days. (Credit: Mike Lang, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

On the day of the shooting, Doug Benefield came to the home in Bradenton with a U-Haul truck to pack up items for moving, according to previous Herald-Tribune reporting. Ashley Benefield, her mother, and the couple's young daughter were moving to Maryland, along with Doug Benefield who would be living separately, according to court documents.

As the two were packing, frustrations mounted and escalated into an argument. The defense claimed Ashley Benefield grabbed a firearm and pointed the weapon at Doug Benefield, who followed her into her bedroom, firing it only after he advanced on her.

Previous reporting on the investigation stated witnesses heard about six gunshots, and saw Ashley Benefield run out of the house and to a neighbor's home with the gun still in her hand, shouting and crying for help.

Defense looks to impeach lead detective

Manatee County Sheriff's Office Detective Justin Warren testifies about photographs taken to document possible injuries to defendant Ashley Benefield. Benefield is accused of killing her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, and is attempting to have the case dismissed under Florida's Stand Your Ground law. The hearing on the justifiable use of force immunity defense began Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Florida and is expected to last two days. (Credit: Mike Lang, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

From the stand, the lead Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigator on the case, Detective Justin Warren, went over parts of the initial investigation, discussing how he hadn't observed any injuries on Ashley Benefield when he first met her with her attorneys following the shooting and read texts that Ashley and Doug Benefield exchanged in the days leading up to the incident which appeared friendly.

Ashley Benefield's attorney Neil Taylor introduced emails between O'Donnell and Warren sent two days before the arrest warrant was signed by a judge, pointing out how the wording had been changed. In the first draft of an affidavit to O'Donnell, Warren had included the name of a witness who had told the detective that Doug Benefield had scraped Ashley Benefield with a box the day before.

In the affidavit provided to the judge to sign for the arrest warrant, the witness's name was left out, as was Doug Benefield's, and now it appeared Ashley Benefield was "inadvertently scratched."

Judge Matt Whyte questions attorneys about the evidence they are trying to present. Ashley Benefield is accused of killing her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, and is attempting to have the case dismissed under Florida's Stand Your Ground law. The hearing on the justifiable use of force immunity defense began Thursday, July 6, 2023, at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton, Florida and is expected to last two days. (Credit: Mike Lang, Sarasota Herald-Tribune)

Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Stand Your Ground: Former ballerina claims self-defense in murder case
Former CEO of Hispanic empowerment group El Centro Inc. named next KCK chief of staff

Irene Caudillo  who led a metro area not-for-profit dedicated to supporting Latino communities  will be the first Hispanic woman to assume the role of Kansas City, Kansas, chief of staff, according to a Unified Government statement.

Caudillo stepped down from her position as president and CEO of El Centro Inc., a social service organization operating in Wyandotte and Johnson counties, on June 30 after 10 years of operating the groups economic empowerment programs.

She will take over for Dr. Mildred Edwards, who resigned from Mayor Tyrone Garners Office on May 10, said Krystal McFeders, a spokeswoman for the Unified Government.

Edwards became one of at least five high-ranking Unified Government officials to resign over the last year.

Caudillo is one of two new hires announced by Mayor Tyrone Garners Office on Thursday, McFeders said.

Garner also hired Steve Williams, a 30-year Kansas City, Kansas, police veteran and former member of the Kansas City, Kansas Public School Police Department, as a community engagement and welfare advisor. He will be in charge of coordinating activities with community organizations.

Williams joined the mayors office on Thursday.

Caudillo begins work for the mayors office Monday.

It is an honor to continue the work in our community, Caudillo said following the announcement.

She told the Star in a previous interview that getting El Centro through the COVID-19 pandemic without having to close down the organization was a highlight of her decade-long tenure. She went on running the groups early education and food programs despite financial challenges.

Our community needed us, she said in a June 8 interview.

Caudillo has worked for Swope Health Services and as the first minority outreach coordinator for the Kansas City Health Department. Shes also spent time with the Kansas City, Kansas, social services group Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas.

She will oversee the daily operations of Garners office, according to McFeders.
A robot performs shooting at the basket during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2023 in Shanghai, east China, July 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

A record number of companies are attending the 2023 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), which opened in Shanghai on Thursday amid the latest AI industry frenzy.

More than 400 companies are this year participating in the event, which has a total exhibition area of 50,000 square meters at its main venue, organizers said. Both figures are at their highest levels since 2018, when the annual event was inaugurated.

Since ChatGPT took the world by storm late last year, China's AI industry has been in a frenzy, with tech giants and startups rushing to launch similar generative AI products in recent months.

Titled "Intelligent Connectivity, Generating Future," the event was expected to gather over 1,400 distinguished guests, including top scientists, entrepreneurs, government officials and delegates from international organizations.

The conference's major exhibitions focus on sectors such as core technology, intelligent terminals, application empowerment and cutting-edge technology.

Enterprises are showcasing a variety of products, including large language models, chips, robots and autonomous driving vehicles, and have launched or exhibited for the first time more than 30 new products at the WAIC.

The event will host several plenary sessions and dozens of focused and industry forums. It has developed into an influential platform for AI cooperation and exchange, as well as a catalyst for Shanghai's AI industry.

China's AI industry is in the midst of a development boom, with the scale of the core industry at 500 billion yuan (about 69.4 billion U.S. dollars) and the number of AI enterprises exceeding 4,300, Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology Xu Xiaolan said at the event's opening ceremony.

China has been accelerating its construction of AI-related infrastructure, with its total computing power ranking second globally and its number of 5G stations exceeding 2.8 million, Xu said.

More than 2,500 digital and intelligent workshops and factories have been built across the country, which has helped shorten the research and development cycle by 20.7 percent and improve production efficiency by 34.8 percent, the official noted.

The 2023 WAIC, which will close on Saturday, is being hosted by the Shanghai municipal government and seven central government agencies, including the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
Tri-Cities gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird is feeling the heat after a sizable shakeup in the 2024 Republican field for Washington state governor.

Former U.S. Congressman Dave Reichert, a moderate Republican who represented the 8th Congressional District for seven terms, officially threw his hat into the ring Friday.

The former King County sheriff is already seen as the GOP front runner after Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced two months ago he would not seek a fourth term.

He made his announcement in a short video published Friday morning, though he filed paperwork last week indicating his intent.

And his decision triggered an immediate change by another gubernatorial hopeful.

Dr. Raul Garcia, an emergency medicine physician and Republican from Yakima, announced Friday he plans to drop out of that race to instead challenge U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash, whose seat also is up for reelection in 2024.

Garcia said he would fully endorse Reichert for governor.

We want to unite the party and support each other. Instead of fighting each other, we can work together and build a strong top of the ticket determined to bring solutions for Washington, Garcia said in a prepared statement.

Raul Garcia

Reicherts announcement and Garcias pivot spells pressure for Bird, a behavioral scientist and decorated retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret with 24 years military service.

Reichert entering the race could be a sign that the Washington State Republican Party will look to back more moderate candidates to run next year after losing a congressional seat and the partys last statewide office in 2022.

Bird campaign endorsements

Bird characterizes himself as an anti-establishment constitutional Christian conservative, but the only public office hes held has been the last 19 months on the Richland School Board.

But he could be kicked out early from that seat. On Aug. 1, voters in the Richland School District will decide whether or not Bird and two of his peers should be removed from office over a vote they took in February 2022 to go against Washingtons indoor mask mandate.

Semi Bird

Bird is currently the financial front runner among Republicans, having netted roughly $116,000 in contributions over the last seven months by crisscrossing the state to speak at holiday gatherings, campaign events and Lincoln Day dinners.

Bird chairs the Benton County Republican Party, which met Thursday night and voted to officially endorse him for governor in next years primary. Benton County is the fifth county so far to back him.

He intends to stay in the race.

Semi Birds candidacy signifies a departure from the status quo and a rejection of traditional politics, said Corey Gibson, Birds campaign communications director, in a statement. His unwavering commitment to the peoples concerns and his refusal to be beholden to establishment figures resonates deeply with Washingtonians yearning for authentic representation.

On June 30, after news broke that Reichert had filed his paperwork, Birds campaign published a post on Facebook with an image urging candidates to unite behind him.

Nearly two dozen candidates have filed campaign paperwork with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission to run for governor in 2024.

Attorney General Bob Ferguson and Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz lead the Democratic field. State Sen. Mark Mullet, a Democrat from Issaquah, also plans to run.

A Republican hasnt been in the governors mansion in nearly 40 years.
Angela Lee Leary, an outspoken Hampton City Council member who stepped down in 2011, died on July Fourth.

Leary, who was 81, made a name for herself by being unafraid to challenge the decisions of city management and her fellow council members.

She loved a good fight, said her daughter, Catherine Leary Estep of Gloucester. She was always about defending the underdog, helping the average citizen. She never had a problem speaking truth to power.

In a Facebook post, Estep acknowledged that her mother could be a very polarizing person.

She was passionate in her desire to be of service to her community, but she always managed to piss off a bunch of people doing it, Estep quipped. For as many people who love her, theres an equal number of people who will be shooting off fireworks celebrating her passing.

Leary was a Southern Baptist girl who converted to Catholicism and married a Catholic man, Estep said. But Leary later left the Catholic Church because some priest told her that her miscarriage babies werent in heaven but in purgatory.

She later bounced back and forth between the Catholic and Baptist churches for various reasons. Drama, drama, drama, Estep wrote. But no matter where she was, she loved Jesus, so it was all ok.

Throughout her life, Estep said Thursday, Leary made herself available to people in ways most politicians dont.

She loved being in the mix of things, and she loved helping people solve problems, Estep said. People could come to her with any problem that they had  something in the city  and shed get to the bottom of it for them, and help them find resolution.

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Leary and her husband spent 18 years in Richmond, where she was a stay-at-home mom, drove a school bus and worked for an architectural firm, including as its business manager. They moved back to Hampton in 1984.

She was elected to the Hampton City Council in 2004, was reelected in 2008 and stepped down in 2011 after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

When now-Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck was first elected to the council seat in 2010, he and Leary quickly became political allies.

We were both seen as outsiders, he said Thursday. Shed always had difficulty getting a second for her motions prior to my coming to the council. So she asked that I would second her motions, and shed do the same for me.

Leary voted against a $38 million bond issue to finance a new Circuit Court in downtown Hampton and other projects, and she also came out against the City Councils move to acquire Harbor Square apartments for $14.5 million.

In 2010, Leary and Tuck opposed giving city employees vouchers worth $300 at Peninsula Town Center stores, a city-backed project trying to get off the ground. The idea, discussed in closed session, was dropped after pushback from other businesses.

Its my job to provide oversight, Leary told the Daily Press at one point. Citizens asked for change when they elected me.

Though she leaned to the right, she had the strong backing of Rudy Langford, the leader of the Coalition for Justice for Civil Rights who often pushed racial justice issues.

Langford once called Leary his favorite council member. She has always been an advocate of the people, he said in 2011.

She also gave her daughter a lesson in loyalty.

When the City Council voted in a new clerk of council early in Learys tenure, she promised her vote to the woman then holding the seat as interim. But the rest of the council gravitated to another candidate, Katherine Glass.

I had talked to her at great lengths about the optics of that, and the political ramifications  that this needs to be a unanimous vote, Estep said. And she told me, I just cant do that. I made a promise, and I have to keep it.

The vote was 5-1 for Glass, who still holds the job today. It wasnt meant as an insult to Katherine, Estep said. But she gave her word.

Tuck said he spent an hour and a half with Leary on Sunday  two days before her death  joking and talking about the old times. She was on oxygen, but we had a great conversation, he said.

Leary told him for the first time that day about how she first got into her political activism  raising money for community pools in Richmond.

Tuck also noted that Leary spearheaded Hamptons annual 9/11 observances, including the planting of trees with soil from New York, the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. She later served on the citys Senior Citizens Advisory Committee and advocated for residents at her Hampton apartment complex.

It was always about trying to do things for people to improve their lives, Tuck said.

After she stepped down from the council in 2011, Leary and her husband, William Thomas Leary, lived with her daughter in Gloucester for several years. After he died in 2018, she lived in Hampton and York before going back to her daughters place for hospice in recent weeks.

Lots of relatives came to town to visit over the past 10 days.

We had the opportunity to go through family pictures and sit and talk and laugh, Estep said. And talk about what she thought was going to happen when she got to the other side  If you could say somebody had a good death, this was it. Im glad that we all got to be together to share it.

Leary died on the Fourth of July, one of her favorite holidays, just like Thomas Jefferson, her hero, Estep said. Funeral home workers left Gloucester with her body just after 9 p.m.

The Yorktown fireworks started at 9:15, so we were imagining that she was probably going over the Coleman Bridge at the peak of the fireworks, Estep said. Which as far as we were concerned was vintage. Going out with a bang and a spectacle.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. on July 23 at the Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home in Hampton. The service is open to the public.

Peter Dujardin, 757-247-4749, pdujardin@dailypress.com
Former interpreter for US forces in Afghanistan who escaped Taliban shot dead in Washington DC

A former Afghan interpreter and father of four was fatally shot in Washington DC while finishing a late shift as a Lyft driver in the city.

Nasrat Ahmad Yar, 31, worked alongside US Special Forces in Afghanistan for a decade before immigrating to the US with his family in 2021 after the governments fall to the Taliban.

Washington DC Metro Police Department officers discovered Yar with a gunshot wound inside his car shortly after midnight on 2 July. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, according to police.

Yar was the sole provider for his wife and four children, and he was sending money to family in Afghanistan with work as a tow-truck driver and as a driver with the ride-hailing app.

He was so happy he got a new car because he could take care of his family, his friend Rahim Amini told WUSA9. His wife asked him to stay home but he said, I have to pay rent. I dont have that much money. I have to work.

Fundraisers on GoFundMe and Facebook are supporting his widow and their children.

What we are trying to do is to see what we can do for the family to help and support them and make sure that they feel that we stand behind them as a community, Tariq Ahmadzai of Help Build Tomorrow, which offers assistance for the Afghan community, told NBC Washington.

The GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $137,000, as of 7 July.

Our hearts are with Mr Nasrats loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy, according to a statement from Lyft. We have reached out to his family to offer our support and are in contact with law enforcement to assist with their investigation.

Yar and his family first moved to Philadelphia before relocating to Alexandria, Virginia, according to Jeramie Malone, who helped relocate the family to the US through a volunteer organization and is now coordinating the GoFundMe following his death.

He came to America to be safe, but his dream was really for his kids, Malone told NBC Washington. He always said he wanted them to have a good education. He wanted them to have opportunities.

If Yar had remained in Afghanistan, he would most certainly be a marked man by the Taliban, Retired Lt Colonel Matthew Butler told WUSA9.

Mr Butler, who was with the US Army Special Forces, worked closely with Yar in Camp Vance of the Bagram Airfield for two of his deployments, he told the network.

You just dont have words to describe how you feel about someone who had given so much to his country, not as a citizen, but then comes here and experiences some of the worst behavior our country has to offer, he said. The irony is really thick here.

Surveillance footage released by police shows four people running from the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Note: This story has been updated to reflect Scott Dumars release from jail.

The long-time medical coordinator of the now-closed Agape Boarding School was jailed  and later released  after his arrest on allegations of kidnapping and sex crimes.

Scott Dumar, 46, was arrested by Bolivar police at 8:20 p.m. Thursday in southwest Missouri. He was held in the Polk County jail, according to a booking document, but released Friday afternoon.

The alleged crimes on the booking information are second-degree sodomy, second-degree kidnapping and three counts of second-degree sexual misconduct. There were no details of what led to the arrest.

Keaton Ashlock, Polk County prosecuting attorney, said Friday morning that he was preparing charges.

But at 3:45 p.m., Dumar was released from jail. Ashlock emailed a statement to The Star.

The case against Scott Dumar is under further investigation before a filing decision can be made by the Polk County Prosecutors Office, Ashlock said. As a result, Mr. Dumar was released from his 24 hour hold.

Missouri law allows a person to be held up to 24 hours for a felony investigation. At that point, the person must be released or formally charged.

Since late 2020, Agape has been scrutinized by Missouri law enforcement, child welfare officials, lawmakers and former students. Several of those students testified in Jefferson City in 2021, urging lawmakers to do something about the years of abuse and protect the children still at the school. As a result, legislators passed a law that for the first time implemented some regulations on such schools.

Dumar is a former Agape student who as an adult became one of the top staffers at the unlicensed Christian boarding school. He was also one of five employees charged with low-level felonies in 2021, accused of physically abusing boys.

In December, Dumar pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was placed on two years probation. He initially was charged with four counts of third-degree assault, a Class E felony. All charges involved former students.

Those charges alleged that between February 2020 and April 2021 Dumar knowingly caused physical injury to three boys by scrubbing their arms with rubbing alcohol and a scouring pad to remove their tattoos.

Two 18-year-olds testified in December that they bled when Dumar scrubbed off the tattoos they had given themselves with a pencil and ink, which Agape considered self-harm and a rule violation. One of them, who attended the school for four months, said a classmate gave him a cross tattoo on one of his fingers during lunch.

When Dumar removed it, the boy testified, he used the rough side of a sponge that was typically used to clean dishes and dipped it into a bin of rubbing alcohol. The teenager remembered it as very painful.

Dumar also was named in a civil lawsuit filed by a former student that alleged abuse at the boarding school. The suit was among many that have been settled in the past year.

In a March/April 2020 Agape newsletter, Dumar is featured and details his time at the school. He became a student of the school at age 17 when it was located in Washington state and stayed until he graduated a year later.

He said he began working at Agape in June 1995. The next year Agape moved to Stockton in Cedar County. And Dumar worked there until it closed.

In January, former director Bryan Clemensen announced he was voluntarily shutting down the school.

The closure came as the Missouri Attorney Generals Office said it planned to continue its petition for a court injunction to close the school.

For the past 30 years Agape Boarding School has provided over 6,000 boys with an opportunity to get their life back on track and toward a bright future, Clemensen said in a news release. Agape has made the decision to stop providing services to the boys in its care effective January 20, 2023. Agapes focus is on getting the boys who remain in the program safely transitioned to their parents or to foster care, other group homes or residential programs.

Dumar worked closely with David Smock, Agapes former longtime physician who faces 12 counts of child sex crimes in Cedar County, including multiple counts of statutory sodomy, sexual misconduct, child molestation and enticement of a child. Prosecutors with the Missouri Attorney Generals Office are leading that case, which originated in Cedar County but is now in Dade County on a change of venue.

Smock is being held without bond in the Cedar County Jail.
NEWPORT NEWS  Attorneys for Abby Zwerner and the Newport News School Board are sparring over evidence sharing in the teachers pending lawsuit against the board.

But a Circuit Court judge on Friday ruled that the evidence sharing can begin, even as a dispute looms over whether the former teacher has the right to sue in the case.

Zwerner, 25, who was shot by a 6-year-old student in her first-grade classroom at Richneck Elementary School on Jan. 6, is suing the board and past administrators. Among other things, she contends one administrator failed to respond to clear threats that the boy had a gun on him that day.

The lawsuit seeks $40 million in damages.

But a dispute has arisen over many of the documents that Zwerners attorneys want from the school division as part of discovery, or the information sharing between the two sides before trial. That includes requests for particular documents and a series of questions to the board that the teachers lawyers want answered.

The School Board asked Judge Matthew W. Hoffman to delay such evidence sharing until he rules on whether the case is limited to a workers compensation claim. If he rules that way, that would mean the Circuit Court would have no jurisdiction to hear the case at all.

The boards lawyers assert that because Zwerner was shot on the job, she suffered a workplace injury and cannot file suit in Circuit Court. Instead, the board says, the teacher is entitled only to what she would get as a normal payout under the workers compensation act.

The board contended it doesnt make sense to move forward with the evidence sharing phase until Hoffman rules on the workers compensation issue.

Zwerners lawyers say limiting her claim to a workers comp is nonsense  that being shot by a first-grade student isnt a reasonable expectation of her teaching job.

They asserted that its more efficient to get the discovery process underway now, especially given the time involved with lining up eyewitnesses and interviewing minors  such as other students in Zwerners class.

In the end, Hoffman on Friday sided with Zwerners lawyers, allowing them to begin the discovery process before he rules on the workers comp issue.

That means Zwerners lawyers can go forward with dozens of requests for interviews, written responses to questions and documents.

The judge and attorneys then set a date of Oct. 27 to hold a daylong evidentiary hearing to decide the workers compensation issue.

Even as Hoffmans ruling now means that lots of information will begin to be shared, that doesnt mean the two sides agree on everything in the discovery process.

The School Board still objects to nine requests for information  six requests for documents and three interrogatories  from Zwerners lawyers, calling the requests overbroad.

For example, Zwerners lawyers asked for the school systems entire file of the incident, as well as the investigative file on it, statements about it, to include on cell phones and social media posts and journals, and any texts or memos from anyone in the school district.

They also asked for the names of anyone with information or knowledge of the case, anyone who has investigated it, and the names and addresses of any other first-grade teacher in the school district last year.

But the School Boards lawyers contend those requests are too broad.

Asking (the board) to state all such information would literally include any person who has read a newspaper article about the incident  amounting to potentially millions of people, the board said in response.

Hoffman set a hearing for Aug. 9 to go line-by-line through the boards objections and make a ruling on each one.

The two sides have separately agreed to a protective order pertaining to Newport News Police Department investigative files stemming from the shooting. That means Zwerners lawyers will get access to such documents, but cant share them with the public or others outside of the court process.

Peter Dujardin, 757-247-48749, pdujardin@dailypress.com
Former Stilwell, Okla. teacher accused of sex crime with student under age 12

A former Stilwell, Oklahoma, teacher faces federal charges of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 12, the FBI reported Thursday, and agents are looking for other possible victims.

Lawrence Fourkiller, 47, is accused of the abuse of a child in his care in a six-count indictment that was unsealed Thursday by the U.S Attorney's office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, a news release from the FBI states.

Fourkiller is charged with offenses related to alleged abuse of a student and that he engaged in sexual contact with "multiple students in his care."

FBI agents in Dallas and Oklahoma City investigated the case, the news release states.

Fourkiller was taken into custody without incident by the Dallas Fort Worth Airport Police on June 28, the FBI reported.

U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson of the Eastern District of Oklahoma and FBI Special Agent in Charge Edward J. Gray of the FBI's Oklahoma City office made the announcement Thursday.

A statement from the FBI released Thursday reads, "The FBI would like to thank the DFW Airport Police for their efforts to apprehend Fourkiller."

Stilwell Police and the FBI continue to investigate the case.

Stilwell is about 45 miles northwest of Fort Smith in Adair County, Oklahoma in the Cherokee Nation.

FBI agents asks anyone with more information to call.

"The FBI has deployed its full investigative resources and is working closely with local law enforcement. If you or someone you know has witnessed unlawful conduct by Fourkiller or has any information about these allegations you may contact the FBI."

The number is 405-290-7770 in the Oklahoma city office or email LFVictims@fbi.gov.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Former Stilwell teacher accused of sex crimes against child
An incident between a Fort Collins man and two people who came to his door as part of a fundraiser drew a large police presence to a northeast Fort Collins neighborhood Thursday evening.

Fort Collins police say they responded to the 2200 block of Marshfield Lane, which is located in the Maple Hill neighborhood west of Anheuser-Busch's Fort Collins brewery, after being told a man was pointing a handgun at two men who came to his door.

After pointing a gun at the individuals, the man "reportedly followed the victims on foot and his vehicle," according to police spokesperson Erin Feit.

According to My Neighborhood Update, a crime map Fort Collins police uses to share details about "citizen calls for service and officer-initiated events," 10 police cars responded.

Though Larimer County Jail booking records initially indicated the man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, those records have since been corrected. He was arrested on suspicion of felony menacing as well as prohibited use of a firearm, according to police and online court records. As of Friday morning, formal charges had not been filed against him.

ll suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime. The Coloradoan does not name people accused of crimes if it does not plan to cover their criminal cases through the entirety of the judicial process.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins police respond to gun incident in northeast neighborhood
Anti-trigger warning actor Simon Callow says theatre is a 'gymnasium of the imagination' (Chris Delmas)

British actor Simon Callow, who starred in the 1990s hit film "Four Weddings and a Funeral", on Friday took aim at theatres for their growing use of trigger warnings.

The actor, also known for "A Room With a View", penned a letter to The Times daily after a theatre in southern Britain warned people thinking of buying tickets for an upcoming production of The Sound of Music that it touched on "the threat of Nazi Germany and the annexation of Austria".

"There is a fundamental failure to grasp what the theatre is: not a model for behaviour but a crucible in which we look at what it is to be human," the 74-year-old actor wrote.

Chichester Festival Theatre said on its website it wanted the audience to feel "truly welcome and comfortable", adding that "some people may find certain themes distressing".

But Callow said the theatre was not a "pulpit but a gymnasium of the imagination".

"It is, precisely, and by definition, a safe space because it is perfectly clear that what happens on the stage is performed by actors, on a set, very visibly lit by artificial light, and that the whole thing is an act of imagination," he added.

"Hamlet will not die but get up to take a curtain call; likewise, Falstaff will not succumb to diabetes but will take the padding off."

Callow is not the first to speak out publicly against the trend for trigger warnings.

Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman earlier this year resisted adding them to her own adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice".

Some argue that the 16th century play which features a Jewish moneylender, Shylock, is anti-Semitic. Others say it simply depicts anti-Semitism.

"I think these days we have computers, we have a thing called Google. If somethings upset you in a play, go look it up, go and find out when and why it was written  why its there," Oberman, who is Jewish, told The Times earlier this week.

"Youre meant to feel emotions that feel uncomfortable, but in the safe environment of the theatre," she said.

Another production of the same play at the Globe theatre last year however saw audiences warned that the play was one of the playwright's "most problematic".

The same theatre also warned audiences attending a recent production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" that the comedy contained "language of violence, sexual references, misogyny and racism".

har/yad
A host at the usually Ron DeSantis-friendly Fox News asked the Florida governor about his low poll numbers as former President Donald Trump still dominates the Republican primary polls.

Mr DeSantis is currently the runner-up in the GOP polling, but hes behind Mr Trump by a substantial margin with recent polls showing Trump leading by 27 percentage points, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Why do you think despite those successes so far, it hasnt been reflected in your polling for your 2024 run for president of the United States? host Will Cain asked Mr DeSantis on Fox News Tonight on Thursday evening.

And while Donald Trump is above 50 per cent  in some of these polls, 60 per cent  your numbers are somewhere between 20 per cent and 10 per cent. And theyve stayed there for about two months. Why is it in your estimation the numbers have not reflected your success in Florida? he added.

Well, I think if you look at the people like the corporate media, who are they going after? Mr DeSantis responded. Who do they not want to be the nominee? Theyre going after me. Whos the president of Mexico attacking because he knows wholl be strong on the border and hold him accountable and the cartels? Hes going after me. So, I think if you look at all these people that are responsible for a lot of the ills in our society, theyre targeting me as the person they do not want to see as the candidate.

This campaign just started but I think its pretty clear that Im the guy that not only can beat [President Joe] Biden  Im the guy that can beat the left on all these different issues because peoples freedoms are under assault, he added.

Mr DeSantis said he was running to win in January or February ... not to juice polling now.

Mr Cain noted that others have said that Mr DeSantis has so far been unable to connect with the voters and asked the governor to outline why.

Mr DeSantis pointed to his fundraising numbers and said his campaign was just beginning.

Weve got a huge amount of support to be able to take the case to the people, he said. We really havent started that yet.

While announcing his campaign in late May, Mr DeSantis has been visiting the early primary states since at least the beginning of this year, including on a book tour.
(Bloomberg) -- Ardian SAS, CVC and other investment firms teamed up to help finance medical research as well as education in impoverished areas of France using the private-equity model for philanthropy as the past weeks riots underscore the desperate state of some Paris suburbs.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The companies set up a fund that raised 25 million ($27 million) in its first closing and will donate as much as 80% of its capital gains to the Institut Imagine, a Paris research and care center focused on rare genetic diseases that afflict children, and Esperance Banlieues, a school network for poorer neighborhoods, the partners said in a statement.

Frances suburbs are once more in the spotlight following last months fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy of North African descent by a police officer in Nanterre, just outside Paris. The killing fueled an explosion of rage that led to the worst riots in almost two decades, highlighting the desperation and hopelessness in some of these blighted towns.

The fund, called Invest for Childhood and led by the French responsible finance pioneer Raise, stands out in a country with a long tradition of financing schools and health care with public money.

Axa SA, Oddo BHF and other companies helped with the first funding round. The project partners also include BC Partners and Astorg Partners SAS.

(Updates with entity that launched the fund in penultimate paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
You are here: China

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the exhibition center of the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

President Xi Jinping has called on east China's Jiangsu Province to take the lead and set an example in advancing Chinese modernization.



Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection trip in Jiangsu from Wednesday to Friday.

Lauding the strengths of Jiangsu's solid industrial foundation, rich scientific and educational resources, sound business environment and huge market size, he urged the province to continue to play an exemplary role in promoting reform, innovation and high-quality development, as well as in contributing to China's efforts to foster a new pattern of development.

During the trip, Xi visited the cities of Suzhou and Nanjing, and went to places including an industrial park, enterprises, a historic and cultural block, and a science lab.

Visiting the Suzhou Industrial Park, Xi emphasized the crucial role of hi-tech parks in achieving self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology. He called for deeper integrated development of enterprises, universities, and research institutes, with enterprises taking the lead.

Xi highlighted the importance of fostering new industries and accelerating industrial upgrades by leveraging new technologies. Additionally, he emphasized expanding international cooperation to build world-class hi-tech parks that are open and driven by innovation.

During his visit to Suzhou HYC Technology Co., Ltd., Xi expressed his delight in observing that all the research and development personnel at the company are young. He remarked that China's modernization drive offers immense opportunities for young people.

On Thursday morning, Xi strolled through the Pingjiang Historic and Cultural Block, a site with a rich history spanning over 2,500 years.

He noted that the fine traditional Chinese culture embodies qualities such as resilience, patience, and perseverance, which have become an integral part of the Chinese national spirit.

Xi said that Suzhou has excelled in blending tradition with modernity, simultaneously promoting historical and cultural inheritance and boosting high-tech innovation and high-quality development.

This approach epitomizes the future of development, he added.

During his tour of Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu, on Thursday afternoon, Xi visited the Purple Mountain Laboratories, where he inspected a 6G comprehensive lab, among others, to learn about efforts to make major sci-tech breakthroughs.

Xi said that with the rapid advancement of information technology, disruptive technologies can emerge at any moment. He stressed pursuing a pragmatic path of innovation.

Inspecting NARI Group Corporation, Xi learned about the enterprise's efforts in developing core technologies, ensuring grid security and power supply, and promoting energy transition.

Xi encouraged young researchers at the company to make breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, thus leading a fulfilling life.

On Friday morning, Xi heard a work report from the provincial Party committee and the government of Jiangsu.

Xi pointed out that the key to Chinese modernization lies in the modernization of science and technology.

Efforts should be made to reinforce the principal role of enterprises in innovation, encourage the flow of innovation resources to enterprises, and promote the industrial application of scientific and technological advances, Xi said.

Xi called for establishing a basic system to support comprehensive innovation.

He also called for increasing sci-tech investment through diverse channels and strengthening the legal protection of intellectual property rights.

Xi stressed the need to prioritize the real economy and build a modern industrial system.

Pace should be sped up to develop strategic emerging industrial clusters with international competitiveness, he said, calling for deeper integration of the digital economy with advanced manufacturing and modern service industries.

He called for building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone.

The province should also smoothen domestic and international dual circulation, innovate ways and measures to attract foreign investment and open wider to the outside world, Xi added.

Building a modern Chinese civilization is essential to advancing Chinese modernization, Xi noted, urging Jiangsu to step up the promotion of sectors including science and technology, education and culture.

Xi also demanded accelerated efforts to establish a well-rounded social security system, improve employment promotion mechanisms and public services to boost employment.

He called for better ensuring the employment of key groups.

On workplace safety, Xi said safety overhauls must be carried forward to curb serious and major accidents.

Xi called for vigilance against flooding disasters as China is about to enter a key period for flood control. He also noted the increased risks of forest fires in some regions.

Various emergency preparations must be made to reduce all sorts of losses to the minimum, Xi added.

On the Party-wide education campaign, Xi said since its launch, good results have been achieved. He called for efforts to guide Party members and cadres in paying greater attention to practice and create synergy for tangible results.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection.
WASHINGTON  Nearly two weeks ago, members of the House Freedom Caucus took a vote to oust Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., from the ultraconservative group. Its still unclear whether that vote was successful.

Since the June 23 Freedom Caucus meeting, Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., and Greene have had multiple conversations. But a Republican source familiar with the conversations said Perry has not directly notified Greene that she has been kicked out of the caucus.

Another Republican source, who requested anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said Perry has not brought up the subject because he wants to sit down and talk to Greene about it in person, which is likely to happen next week.

Perry and the Freedom Caucus have not publicly commented on the matter since the meeting. In an email Thursday, an HFC spokesman responded to questions, saying: "HFC does not comment on membership or internal process."

But in an interview Thursday night, an HFC board member said that Perry had made numerous attempts to reach Greene and her staff before and after the vote to oust her.

There were "multiple efforts to text, email, leave voicemail messages to her and her staff, which were not responded to," the board member said. "And I suspect because she knew she was being dismissed from the Freedom Caucus, and a little bit like someone refusing service from a legal standpoint ... if I'm not served, then maybe it doesnt take effect."

The lawmaker added: It is my understanding, yes, that Chairman Perry made multiple efforts after the fact to notify her and she refused to meet with or to speak with Chairman Perry.

Greene spokesman Nick Dyer said that characterization was inaccurate: "It's sad that this source is hiding behind a veil of secrecy to tell an inaccurate account of how this all went down. Why not say it on record?"

The caucus voted on Greene, who goes by the nickname MTG, after some of her conservative colleagues had grown furious over her support for the successful bid by Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for speaker and his debt ceiling deal with President Joe Biden.

But the final straw may have been her clash last month with Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., whom she called a little b---- on the House floor.

A Freedom Caucus meeting was hastily called for 8 a.m. two days later, on the final day before the two-week Fourth of July recess, and a vote to remove Greene from the caucus occurred, two sources familiar with the incident said. A third source familiar with the deliberations said the vote was overwhelming in favor of ousting her.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., at the Capitol on June 13, 2023. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades / AP file)

"The vote was taken to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Freedom Caucus for some of the things she's done," a member of the group, Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., told reporters in the Capitol on Thursday.

"The way she referred to a fellow member was probably not the way we expect our members to refer to other fellow, especially female, members," he said.

But several Freedom Caucus members said they had not been told the agenda of the meeting beforehand and did not attend. The early morning meeting occurred on a Friday before recess, and it is unclear whether enough members were present for a quorum.

Several sources have described the confusing situation as a mess, and the group will almost certainly have to revisit Greene's membership when lawmakers return from the recess next week.

Greene, one of the Freedom Caucuss biggest names, has been one of the biggest fundraisers for the House Freedom Fund, a super PAC aligned with the caucus.

Them voting her out doesnt hurt her," another Republican House source said. "The most important signal for her that demonstrates her independence is her fundraising prowess. And the HFC will miss that.

Another House GOP source added: "They love her for fundraising or when shes fighting for something they approve of, but they despise her when she stops out of line and fight for something they disagree on.

In a defiant statement, Greene suggested she was not beholden to the Freedom Caucus, but she also gave no indication whether she was in or out of the group.

In Congress, I serve Northwest Georgia first, and serve no group in Washington," she said. "My America First credentials, guided by my Christian faith, are forged in steel, seared into my character, and will never change. ... I will work with ANYONE who wants to secure our border, protect our children inside the womb and after they are born, end the forever foreign wars, and do the work to save this country.

The GOP has less than two years to show America what a strong, unified Republican-led congress will do when President Trump wins the White House in 2024," she continued. This is my focus, nothing else.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Lorie Smith can breathe a sigh of relief.

After a seven-year court battle, the website designer from Colorado received a win from the highest court in the land.

In a decisive 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Smiths rights to decline creating messages about marriage that would violate her religious beliefs.

The case is hugely important in that it adds clarity to the clash between our constitutional rights to free speech and religious freedom and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals through public accommodation laws.

The Supreme Court has heard similar cases in the past  and declined to take up others  yet has danced around the key questions that arise in these lawsuits.

It didnt this time.

The First Amendment prohibits Colorado from forcing a website designer to create expressive designs speaking messages with which the designer disagrees, states the majority opinion, written by Justice Neil Gorsuch.

The First Amendments protections belong to all, not just to speakers whose motives the government finds worthy, Gorsuch continued. In this case, Colorado seeks to force an individual to speak in ways that align with its views but defy her conscience about a matter of major significance.  Consistent with the First Amendment, the Nations answer is tolerance, not coercion. The First Amendment envisions the United States as a rich and complex place where all persons are free to think and speak as they wish, not as the government demands.

Lorie Smith can get back to the work she loves

Smiths business, 303 Creative, is devoted to projects she cares about, including websites for animal shelters and veterans. She wanted to expand her creative endeavors to design websites for weddings.

Yet, because of Colorados anti-discrimination law, she knew she wouldnt be allowed to decline creating sites for same-sex weddings. Because of her beliefs that marriage is between one man and one woman, this would have violated her conscience.

Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, speaks to reporters outside the U.S. Supreme Court on Dec. 5.

Colorados law is the same one at the heart of the Masterpiece Cakeshop case from 2018.

In that ruling, the Supreme Court sided with baker Jack Phillips, but issued a very narrow ruling in his favor that addressed only the hostility the government showed to him because of his faith and his decision to decline baking a cake for a same-sex wedding.

Since the court didnt address the bigger question about Phillips free speech rights as a creative professional, he has faced subsequent legal challenges and persecution.

In our polarized society, Smith (much like Phillips) has been  and will continue to be  portrayed as a bigot who simply doesnt want to deal with the LGBTQ+ community.

From Lorie Smith: State tramples our First Amendment rights as Christian artists. We're fighting back.

Thats unfortunate and false. Smith works with all people, and both sides in her case acknowledged that fact. What she doesnt want to be forced to do, however, is create sites and messages that go against her beliefs, regardless of who requests them.

Now, she doesnt have to.

Since the start, seven years ago, I've held onto hope that the court will rule to protect what we value, in that bottom line, when speech is involved, speech should be protected, Smith told me ahead of the ruling. A victory for me here is a victory for each and every one of us.

A 'win for all Americans'

Liberal activists will paint this decision as an erosion of LGBTQ+ rights and claim that the community could be denied access to essential goods and services.

As a gay person, I support this decision -- because I would want the same free speech right myself to refuse to design an anti-gay website. https://t.co/y764L2hthi  Brad Polumbo  (@brad_polumbo) June 30, 2023

Thats not true, and our Constitution and laws forbid that kind of discrimination. In fact, the court affirmed public accommodation rights, while also standing firmly on the side of free speech rights  and against government-compelled speech.

Rather, by upholding our First Amendment rights, the high courts ruling is a "win for all Americans," said Kristen Waggoner, CEO, president and general counsel of Alliance Defending Freedom, in a statement. ADF represented Smith.

USA TODAY columnist Ingrid Jacques

The government should no more censor Lorie for speaking consistent with her beliefs about marriage than it should punish an LGBT graphic designer for declining to criticize same-sex marriage, Waggoner said.

If we desire freedom for ourselves, we must defend it for others.

How true.

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court upheld designer Lorie Smith's rights in free speech win
FILE - French actor Alain Delon and his son Anthony Delon, left, arrive at the Saint Germain des Pres church to attend Jean-Paul Belmondo's funeral service, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 in Paris. Alain Delon's children are accusing his partner of bullying the 87-year-old French film star and of cruelty toward his dog  legal complaints that a French prosecutor has now directed police to investigate. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

PARIS (AP)  The children of French actor Alain Delon accused a woman who lived with the 87-year-old movie star of bullying him and of mistreating his dog, and a French prosecutor directed police to investigate the legal complaints.

The prosecutor, Jean-Cedric Gaux, said in a statement late Thursday that Delon's family filed two legal complaints this week against Hiromi Rollin. Gaux said Rollin lived with the star of The Samurai, The Leopard and other movies at the Delon family home and described her as the actor's companion.

Rollin denies any wrongdoing, according to her lawyer, Yassine Bouzrou.

A complaint filed by a lawyer for Delon's children Anthony, Anouchka and Alain-Fabien alleged that Rollin was demeaning and aggressive with Delon and his children, sought to intercept his mail and phone messages, and that she hit his dog, the prosecutor's statement said.

The actor himself supported the legal action, the statement said.

In a second complaint, Anthony Delon accused Rollin of violence against a vulnerable person and of animal cruelty, according to the statement.

The prosecutor said he opened a preliminary investigation and entrusted police to look into the complaints.

Rollin's lawyer, Bouzrou, said in a statement that she contests the accusations in their entirety. The statement said Rollin is filing a complaint of her own against members of Delon's family and bodyguards for alleged violent acts against her.
Perle Submarine Fire Return To Service

France's Rubis class nuclear-powered attack submarine Perle has finally returned to active service after nearly four years. Perle had begun undergoing a routine maintenance and refit cycle in 2019, but then suffered a devastating fire in 2020 that required extensive repairs. This included grafting on a 'new' front half taken from a decommissioned Rubis class submarine, the ex-Saphir. The result is a unique submarine that is slightly longer than a standard Rubis.

The French Navy and shipbuilder Naval Group announced Perle's return to the "operational cycle" yesterday in separate press releases. The milestone had been formally reached on June 30. Perle, which was first commissioned in 1993, was the last Rubis class submarine built and is one of four currently in French service.

The Rubis class submarine Perle. Naval Group

Perle's saga began in 2019 when it arrived at French shipbuilder Naval Group's yard in Toulon, along the country's Mediterranean coast. This was for a scheduled "unavailability for maintenance and repairs," which the French also refer to by the acronym IPER.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3q44GErtWo

The submarine then suffered massive structural damage to its bow end in a fire that began on June 12, 2020, and that lasted for more than 14 hours. Hundreds of firefighters were needed to bring it under control. Fires onboard ships and submarines, especially those in port for maintenance with only skeleton crews onboard, can easily become disasterous. This was made particularly clear by the fire that raged for days aboard the U.S. Navy's Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard in 2020 and led to the vessel having to be scrapped. Submarines present particular complexities that make fires onboard even more dangerous, as you can read more about here. The nuclear reactor aspect is also a huge issue, clearly.

A picture of Perle's bow after the 2020 fire. BENOIT EMILE/MARINE NATIONALE/DEFENSE

Perle was subsequently moved to Naval Group's yard in Cherbourg, in the northern end of France on the English Channel, for what was originally described as a "nose job." It then emerged that the decision had been made to combine the undamaged rear half of the submarine with the front section taken from the former Saphir. A 'plug' measuring 4 feet 6 inches wide was inserted between the two halves as part of the "hybridization" process.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mApRm6kqIIQ

In late 2021, the repaired Perle returned to Toulon to complete the rest of the scheduled IPER work. The submarine suffered another thankfully more minor fire there in September 2022. At the time of writing, there do not appear to be any official statements on the causes of either the 2020 or 2022 fires.

Perle finally left drydock there and began dockside testing in November 2022, which was followed by sea trials in May of this year. That included the submarine's first test dive since its ordeal began.

Perle in drydock. Naval Group

In its press release about Perle's return to service, Naval Group said that the repairs to the submarine following the 2020 fire required some 100,000 hours of engineering work that included the creation or updating of more than 2,000 plans and design documents. The company had previously highlighted the use of digital engineering tools, and the creation of a so-called "digital twin" of Perle, to help with this phase of the repair work.

Digital engineering has long been touted as being potentially revolutionary, especially when employed by defense contractors to help with complex projects like the repair of Perle. However, there has been growing skepticism about the true scope of the benefits of digital engineering, as you can read more about here.

Altogether, Naval Group says it then took another 250,000 hours of "industrial work," to complete the "hybridization" of Perle. How much it ultimately cost to repair the submarine is unclear.

It's worth noting that the idea of repairing a badly damaged submarine by cannibalizing half of another boat of the same class is rare, but not without precedent. The U.S. Navy's Los Angeles class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS San Francisco went through a similar process after hitting an underwater seamount in the Pacific Ocean in 2005. The bow of the decommissioned USS Honolulu was subsequently grafted onto the San Francisco.

The US Navy's Los Angeles class attack submarine USS San Francisco after its collision in 2005. USN

The U.S. Navy has more recently found itself in a similar situation following the Seawolf class submarine Connecticut's collision with an underwater seamount in 2021. Unfortunately, only three of the advanced Seawolf class boats were ever built, all of which are highly prized and in great demand, and there are no decommissioned examples to harvest components, let alone entire sections from. The repair bill for this submarine is expected to be very high.

https://twitter.com/WarshipCam/status/1471245843697217543

For Perle, the scheduled IPER process then took more than one million hours to finish on top of the fire repairs. More specific details about that work are limited, but the French Navy has disclosed that it included the integration of the new F21 Artemis heavyweight torpedo onto the boat. Naval Group also makes the F21 and delivered the first of these torpedoes to the French Navy in 2019.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK7RVLqY7Js

The French Navy's newer Suffren class nuclear-powered attack and Le Triomphant class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines have been steadily armed with the F21, as well. Artemis is also expected to be the main torpedo armament for France's future next-generation SNLE 3G ballistic missile submarines.

How long Perle or the rest of France's remaining Rubis class submarines will stay in service now remains to be seen. The country has been in the process of replacing them with Suffrens since 2020. The French Navy and Naval Group say that Perle specifically at least has the potential to remain in service until 2028 thanks to the IPER and other repairs.

French Navy

Regardless, the time, effort, and likely high cost involved in getting Perle back into service shows that the French Navy places huge value on the boat and retaining a certain number of nuclear attack submarines on duty at any one time. Perle becoming operational again comes amid the ongoing fallout in Europe broadly from Russia launching its all-out invasion of Ukraine last year.

There is also the matter of rising concerns about China's military posture and general influence in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. In recent years, France has been expanding its military engagement in that part of the world, including through deployments of Rubis class submarines.

"Im advocating to my European partners to engage with us, especially in the Indian Ocean  to fill the gaps and not let insecurity gain  because of whats going on in Asia," France's Admiral Pierre Vandier, the French Navy's Chief of Staff, said at a conference in London in May, according to a report from Naval News.

The newly returned to service Perle now looks set to be an important component of the French Navy's future operations for years to come.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
Fresno man accused of shooting woman in the face will go on trial for murder, judge rules

Moments after he allegedly shot 36-year-old Crystal Nelson in the face, Leland Guy Eagle is seen on video surveillance casually walking through the parking lot of a Blackstone Avenue motel. He makes the sign of the cross as he slips into the night.

The 37-year-old Eagle, who was on probation for a car jacking, was arrested on Oct. 4, 2021, and charged with the murder of Nelson, a mother of four. Her body was found by a member of housekeeping staff inside room 233 of the Clarion Pointe Fresno on Blackstone Avenue north of Ashlan Avenue.

Detectives found several pieces of evidence in the room, including Eagles wallet and identification card. The motels video surveillance footage also showed Eagle and Nelson were the only ones to enter or leave that room.

On Friday, Fresno County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Gaab ordered that Eagle be put on trial for murder.

If convicted on all charges, Eagle faces up to 75 years to life in prison, said prosecutor Kaitlin Drake.

A few of Nelsons family members attended the two-day hearing and said they know very little about Eagle, other than that he and Nelson had a brief relationship.

Video surveillance from the motel shows Nelson checking in on Oct. 2. She later paid for two more days. Cameras from the hotel and a nearby fast-food restaurant show them coming and going a few times. No one else attempted to enter their room, except for Laura Saldana, a housekeeping staff member.

Saldana was making her usual cleaning rounds when she knocked on Room 233 and no one answered. She knocked several more times before using her master key to enter the room.

She immediately saw suitcases and quickly left the room.

She called the motels manager Nick Patel and asked him what she should do. He told her they probably went out to eat breakfast and to check back in a half-hour.

She returned 30 minutes later, knocked on the door and still no one responded, so she entered the room to clean, she testified.

That is when I saw the feet of a person laying on the bed, she said. I thought they were asleep because the room was dark.

She walked in a little farther, hoping the person would wake up. Drake asked her what she saw next. Saldana paused and then responded.

That is when I saw her face full of blood, Saldana said.

She called Patel, who told her to leave the room and return to the office. Patel talked with Saldana for a few minutes, then they both returned to the room.

This time, Patel entered the room first.

I tried to wake her up, saying wake up maam, wake up maam, Patel testified. I touched her feet, but I could see that her body was already becoming purple.

They called 911, and when Fresno police arrived they soon discovered Nelson had been shot once in the face, just below her left eye. A .40 caliber bullet pierced her skull and exited behind her right ear. A .40 caliber shell casing was also found on the bed.

Paramedics declared Nelson dead at 11:57 p.m.

Eagles defense attorney, Thomas Quigley, raised the possibility that someone else might have been involved in the shooting. Quigley said the room booked by Nelson had an adjoining room.

Patel said those rooms are reserved for families and only he has the key to unlock the door in between the two rooms. He added that hotel staff did not unlock that door.
TAMPA  A man who evaded the law for almost 40 years while wanted in connection with the slaying of a Manatee County woman whose body was found in Hillsborough County will be held in jail without bond until his trial, a Hillsborough County judge ruled Thursday.

You being on the run for almost 40 years is a consciousness of guilt. You knew you were running from something, Judge Catherine Catlin told Donald Santini during a court hearing in Tampa.

Santini was the last person to be seen with 33-year-old Cynthia Cindy Ruth Wood, of Bradenton, on June 6, 1984; her body was found three days later in a water-filled ditch in Riverview, according to Hillsborough County court documents.

Woods stepdaughter, Denise Kozer, was 20 years old when her stepmother was killed. Now nearly 60, she hopes to finally find closure in the case that she says resulted in total devastation for her family. Ahead of Thursdays trial, she had one plea for the judge: Do not allow Santini another chance to escape.

If they need extra evidence, were willing to let them exhume the body  whatever it takes to make sure that he doesnt go anywhere, Kozer said. I asked them not to let him out on bond. That was our one request we had.

At the time of Woods death, Santini was known as Charles Michael Stevens, an alias he used to outrun a warrant for a past Texas crime. In the nearly four decades since Woods death, Santini has used at least 13 different aliases, according to an arrest warrant from the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

Most recently, 65-year-old Santini lived a quiet life in San Diego County, California, as Wellman Simmonds, the president of a local community water board, according to reporting from East County Magazine. However, his life as Wells came to an end June 7 when a tip from the Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force led U.S. marshals to Campo, located in southeastern San Diego County, where they arrested Santini.

He has a wife and children in California, and I feel sorry for them because they probably didnt know, either, Kozer said. But theyre all still alive. Our lives were devastated, changed forever.

Wood met with Santini in 1984 after he called her, promising to provide information about her husband, Barry Wood, that could help her win custody of the two children the couple shared, according to previous reporting from the Bradenton Herald. The children were 3 and 5 when Wood was killed. Wood also had a son from a previous relationship, and Kozer was Barry Woods daughter from an earlier marriage.

Cindy Woods son and Barry Wood have died since the slaying, Kozer said, while her younger half-siblings have battled mental health issues and homelessness since the deaths of their parents. Kozer said she spent the last 39 years being constantly reminded that the man she says destroyed her family got to walk free, while she sat at home and watched him on Americas Most Wanted episodes in 1990, 2005 and 2013.

Hes had his freedom for 40 years, thats all you get, Kozer said.

Catlin denied a request from Santinis attorney to release Santini on bail Thursday after state attorneys argued Santini couldnt be trusted to await trial without fleeing. Prosecutors told the judge that Santini killed Wood after he fled Texas while out on bail on charges related to a convenience store robbery in which authorities say he was armed with a knife.

You are the definition of flight risk. There is nothing I can do to preserve the safety of this community if I was to let you go, Catlin said.
Fukushima nuclear plant in February 2021

China says it will maintain a ban on some Japanese food imports over the plan to release water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.

China's customs administration said it would also implement radiation tests on food from other parts of the country.

South Korea is also maintaining a similar ban but says the proposed release meets international standards.

On Wednesday the UN's nuclear watchdog said it would have "negligible impact" on the environment.

On Friday Japan's nuclear regulator also gave its approval.

In 2011, a tsunami triggered by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake flooded three reactors of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. It is regarded as the world's worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl.

More than 150,000 people were evacuated from an exclusion zone around the plant, which remains in place. Decommissioning of the plant has also started, but the process could take decades.

Meanwhile the equivalent of around 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water has amassed at the nuclear facility, according to Reuters news agency.

Storage space for the water is running out, but the plans initiated by the Japanese government and the facility's operator, Tepco, to release the water into the sea have encountered regional criticism - most harshly from China.

"China Customs will maintain a high level of vigilance," China's customs authority said.

Japan's foreign ministry said it was considering possible measures in response, according to an unnamed official who spoke to AFP news agency.

China has already strongly criticised the plan - accusing Japan of treating the ocean like its "private sewer."

It has also warned the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against endorsing it. The agency released a report on Wednesday stating the plan would have a "negligible" impact on the environment.

Speaking in Tokyo on Friday, the head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, told Reuters he was "extremely confident" in his agency's assessment of Japan's proposal.

He added that his organisation did not take any sides and that its findings were based on scientific evidence.

South Korea, which had previously also criticised the plan, said it was maintaining its ban on imports of seafood from Fukushima and some other Japanese prefectures.

Local fishing communities in Japan have also expressed their concerns about the plan and its affects on their livelihoods.
South Korean opposition lawmakers and party members protest Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant (Jung Yeon-je)

Plans to discharge treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant cleared their last regulatory hurdle in Japan on Friday, as China said it would ban some food imports over the move.

South Korea meanwhile said Tokyo's plan to dilute the treated water and release it into the sea over several decades met or exceeded international standards.

Some 1.33 million cubic metres of groundwater, rainwater and water used for cooling have accumulated at the Fukushima nuclear plant, where several reactors went into meltdown after the 2011 tsunami overwhelmed cooling systems.

Storage space is running out, but plans by Japan and plant operator TEPCO to release the water into the sea have run into local and regional opposition.

The UN nuclear watchdog this week said the discharge would have "negligible" effects on the environment and was in line with water releases from nuclear plants elsewhere.

Japan's government has said the water release would begin by the end of summer, and on Friday the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority said the equipment and facilities to discharge the water had passed their checks.

The Japanese government has spent months trying to win over public opinion at home and abroad, with everything from study tours of the plant to livestreamed experiments keeping marine life in the treated water.

But neither those efforts nor the International Atomic Energy Agency's endorsement, have won over Beijing, which has accused Japan of treating the Pacific like a "sewer".

China's customs authority on Friday said it would ban food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures over the release, and require stringent radiation tests on food from the rest of the country.

"China Customs will maintain a high level of vigilance," the authority said in a WeChat statement, without specifying the list of Japanese prefectures affected by the ban.

Japan's foreign ministry told AFP it was "studying" possible measures in response.

"We will continue calling for the Chinese side to discuss (the issue) based on scientific viewpoints," a ministry official said, declining to be identified.

- Grossi heads to South Korea -

South Korea, however, said Friday that its review of the plan found it in line with international standards.

The study, which focused on whether the discharge would affect South Korean waters, found it would have "negligible consequences", policy coordination minister Bang Moon-kyu said.

It would take up to 10 years for the treated water to circulate back into the seas around the Korean peninsula, Bang said.

By then, the radiation level "is projected... to be scientifically irrelevant", he added.

The discharged water is treated to remove almost all radioactive elements apart from tritium, which is commonly found in nuclear plant wastewater pumped into the sea.

The water will be diluted with seawater before release, and then further diluted as it circulates in the ocean.

Still, public concern about the plan in South Korea remains high.

There have been protests and even panic-buying of salt based on fears that the Fukushima water will pollute the ocean and its salt.

Some opposition lawmakers have even gone on hunger strike in protest.

"Japan wants to release the wastewater into the sea because it's the easiest and cheapest way to do so," Woo Won-shik, an MP who has been on hunger strike since June 26, told AFP.

But at Seoul's sprawling Noryangjin Fish Market, many vendors said the opposition was bad for business.

The media coverage "is not helping us at all because it keeps people from coming", one 80-year-old vendor, who only wished to be identified by her surname Moon, told AFP.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi, who has been in Tokyo and Fukushima this week, travels to Seoul later Friday.

"My responsibility as head of the IAEA is to show up, to have a direct conversation with all those involved and to try to answer in the best, most honest possible way, the questions that may arise," he said.

burs-sah/qan
A new fund aims to increase child care availability in the Salina community. Here's how

After years of declining child care availability and stagnant wages in the profession, a new initiative is looking to make strong and lasting steps toward improving child care shortages in Saline County.

In the county, like much of the nation, child care availability is diminishing for families. As of July 2023, there are an estimated 1,000 to 1,500 fewer available child care spaces than needed, according to Child Care Aware of Kansas, a statewide resource and referral agency.

This means for every opening at a local facility, there are 10 children in need of that spot.

Axel Huff (left) and Brexley Biegert (right) read a book together at Eagle Wings Daycare home in Salina. A long-term goal of the new Early Childhood Initiative fund is to help at-home providers.

It's an issue that is both widespread, affecting communities across the U.S., and deeply personal for families in Salina who are searching for quality care close to home.

"Wages have been pinpointed as the No. 1 critical piece as to why were struggling to retain child care workers and keep rooms open at centers, said Claire Ludes, executive director of the Salina Area United Way.

Early Childcare Initiative Fund will work to address wages, capacity at existing facilities

The lack of child care availability is a multifaceted issue, but two big components leading to a shortage have been stagnant wages and fewer people pursuing jobs in early childhood care and education.

In late 2021 and early 2022, a workforce group approached the Salina Area United Way in hopes of finding solutions to this problem. A lack of child care created a domino effect in the local workforce; people would be attracted to Salina for its growing job market but turned away when they found out there were no openings for their children.

It took some head-scratching and collaboration for local entities to come up with a solution that would work in the short term and be sustainable. Then in April this year, the United Way announced the creation of an Early Childcare Initiative Fund.

"We were really trying to understand what Salina's specific needs were," said Renee Duxler, president and CEO of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce. "We really wanted to tackle what the needs are and then have that conversation with our employers about how they can address it. (Employers) want to invest and they want to help but it's always been that question mark of 'how do we do that?' "

The fund itself is set up to have multiple phases, Ludes said, but in the immediate future, it will serve as an annual grant cycle to supplement and increase wages at existing child care facilities in Saline County. In addition to the ECI fund, an endowment has been created at Greater Salina to support long-term investments in local child care.

We have to be able to start putting dollars back into the community right now to see any type of forward progress, Ludes said.

The majority of child care centers are not paying staff livable wages, according to market research from the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.

A rate of $15 per hour is considered a livable wage in the county, at a conservative estimate. Some centers are currently paying up to $4 to $6 less than that mark.

Phase one of the ECI fund aims to provide enough wage supplement grants to increase all teaching assistant wages at local facilities to $15 an hour, and all lead teacher wages to $18 an hour.

Then comes the capacity piece. While surrounding areas have been investing in brand new centers, United Way is looking at helping expand existing facilities and grow capacity in ways that are more cost-effective.

"Building new centers to combat the ongoing issue, which costs anywhere between $1.5 million to $3 million depending on licensing numbers, is not what is needed as a resolution at this time in the community," United Way said in an April news release.

Instead, it will continue to look at helping centers operate closer to their licensed capacity.

How many child care openings will be funded?

Salina Area United Way was awarded a pair of grants to be used in this ongoing effort. The organization was awarded $1,872,100 from the highly competitive Kansas Children's Cabinet Child Care Capacity Accelerator grant program.

Three local centers will benefit from the funds, creating 187 new child care slots in the Salina area: Salina Family YMCA McAdams Center, Love N Learn and St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church.

United Way received another grant totaling $45,000 from Childcare Aware to be put toward a new child care center at First Covenant Church. This adds another 39 spots, and 226 new spots total.

Among these spots will be 40 new infant care openings.

This will be huge for Saline County considering how short we are in infant care," Ludes said.

Stagnant wages, low capacity: The desperate, persistent need for childcare

A massive collection of toys, books, games and other assorted activities for children are organized in the basement of Eagle Wings Daycare Home.

Initiative focuses on progress now for a sustainable future

Ludes and her team are shooting for the first grant cycle through the ECI fund to be awarded in early 2024. A year from now, she hopes to see workers paid a living wage.

Of course, Ludes said, this is just the first step in addressing local child care shortages. There are longer-term goals on the docket, like support for at-home providers, working with schools and students to establish scholarships, and encouraging a new pipeline of workers in early childhood roles.

But those aspirations are further down the road.

Right now with where the wages are, it just doesnt make sense to push our kids into a field thats not a living wage, Ludes said. We would be pushing graduates into poverty immediately. And thats not smart, sustainable, and were not able to make forward progress in our community that way.

For now, Ludes said, increasing wages and the number of spots open is the key starting point in moving the needle for child care shortages in Saline County.

"This is going to benefit the whole community, whether its for businesses in recruiting and retaining staff, or peace of mind for families knowing that their kids are going to places that are being taken care of and have the best quality of care.  Taking care of kids is hard, and (child care workers) deserve to be paid for their worth," Ludes said.

Kendrick Calfee has been a reporter with the Salina Journal since 2022, primarily covering county government and education. You can reach him at kcalfee@gannett.com or on Twitter @calfee_kc.

This article originally appeared on Salina Journal: Salina will get more child care openings because of new funding
Montana state capitol

Several of the proposed and enacted state bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors take their language directly from model legislation crafted by anti-LGBTQ+ groups, an Associated Press analysis has found.

Using a program from Plural, which specializes in public policy-related software, the AP obtained the text of more than 130 bills that have been introduced in 40 states this year. Numerous pieces of legislation are identical or very similar to models supplied by a group called Do No Harm and the infamously homophobic and transphobic Family Research Council, the news service reports.

While the FRC has been around for years and is well known, Do No Harm is relatively new. Launched in April 2022, it bills itself online as a diverse group of physicians, healthcare professionals, medical students, patients, and policymakers united by a moral mission: Protect healthcare from a radical, divisive, and discriminatory ideology. This includes opposing critical race theory and other anti-racism efforts, such as affirmative action, and protecting minors from gender ideology, according to its website.

The site calls gender-affirming care an unscientific and individually harmful practice and says it is based on the dangerous premise that any child who has distress that he or she thinks is related to their sex should automatically be treated with social transition to the sex of their choice followed by hormonal interventions and then possibly surgery to remove healthy body parts. Underlying mental health problems are usually not addressed.

In reality, such care is undertaken only after careful consideration by young people and their parents in consultation with medical professionals, including mental health therapists. And far from being unscientific, it is endorsed by every major U.S. medical association.

Some statehouse bills share similarities with Do No Harms model legislation and a 2021 Arkansas bill endorsed as a model by the Family Research Council, the AP reports. The model bills have similar preambles, including the assertion  rebutted by major medical organizations  that the risks of gender-affirming care outweigh its benefits.

In Montana, for instance, the Senate bill that passed this year retained much of the language from a Do No Harm model, the AP notes. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a ban on gender-affirming care for trans minors into law after both houses of the legislature approved it.

Bills that have become law in Arkansas, Iowa, Mississippi, and West Virginia contain language similar to that of models from either or both groups, as does a bill introduced but stalled in New Hampshire, according to the AP. That result came up even though the news service hasnt analyzed every bill it obtained, so there may well be more that reflect the models.

Dr. Stanley Goldfarb, a retired kidney specialist and former professor and associate dean at the University of Pennsylvanias medical school, is the founder of Do No Harm and chairs its board. He is author of the book Take Two Aspirin and Call Me by My Pronouns: Why Turning Doctors Into Social Justice Warriors Is Destroying American Medicine. He wrote a column along similar lines for The Wall Street Journal in 2019, for which he was criticized in a letter signed by more than 150 alumni of Penns medical school, the AP notes.

Last year, he was the target of an online petition after he reacted to an article in a scientific journal about the academic success rates of medical residency students of color at several institutions by suggesting in a tweet that Could it be they were just less good at being residents? according to an AP story published in May.

The Do No Harm staff also includes Chloe Cole, who has testified in several state legislatures about transition regret. She is listed as a patient advocate on the Do No Harm website. The groups executive director is Kristina Rasmussen, who was previously chief of staff to former Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, and president of the Illinois Policy Institute, a libertarian think tank.

In an interview for the May story, Dr. Meredithe McNamara, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the Yale School of Medicine, told the AP that every single line of Do No Harms model legislation contains some sort of falsehood.

My overall takeaway from this is that there are a lot of recycled false claims about gender dysphoria, standards of care, safety, evidence, and medical authority, which seems like its right out of the disinformation playbook, she added.

Twenty states have banned some or all gender-affirming care for trans minors. Laws to this effect have been blocked or struck down by courts in Arkansas, Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida, and court challenges are proceeding in several other states. In Oklahoma, lawyers for the state and those who sued to block the law agreed that it will not be enforced while the lawsuit is heard.
China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge.

About 500 people, including veterans' representatives and family members of military leaders and martyrs in the war, attended the ceremony. During the event, students recited patriotic poems and sang revolutionary songs, expressing the unwavering commitment of today's Chinese youth to make unremitting efforts for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Attendees also offered floral tributes and paid their respects to those who laid down their lives in fighting the Japanese aggression.

An exhibition showcasing the development of the Communist Party of China during the war was held in the museum. Zhang Ruiqi, a student from Capital Medical University, said that it is particularly memorable to visit the museum on this special day.

"The content of today's exhibition is well-organized and profound, which made me realize that the victory of the resistance war against Japanese aggression was really hard-won," said Zhang.

Memorial activities honoring the occasion were also held in other parts of China.

On Friday morning, people from various walks of life visited a cemetery in Handan City, Hebei Province, where over 200 revolutionary martyrs were buried, including renowned fallen heroes during the resistance war against Japanese aggression.

Visitors listened to the martyrs' heroic deeds in their revolutionary cause, visited a memorial hall and laid flowers on their graves.

As a national patriotism education base, the cemetery has seen more than 6,000 people come to pay their respects to the martyrs since mid-June, said Yang Junling, Party chief of the cemetery.

"During today's visit, I've gained a deeper understanding of the fact that our happy life today did not come easily," said Zhang Xuanpu, an elementary school student.

"I will work hard to cultivate my character and skills, and when I grow up I will serve my motherland like the revolutionary forefathers," he added.

In northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, a new batch of evidence revealing more details of the Japanese invasion of China has been collected from Japan, the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin announced on Friday.

The historical materials include 38 postcards printed with lyrics of a Japanese militaristic song, with their backgrounds showing photos or drawings of battlefield scenes, Chinese soldiers, civilians, local conditions and customs, among other content.

The song, created in 1932 and sung by the invading Japanese army in China, was a product of Japanese militarism and an important tool to propagate militarism, said Jin Shicheng, a researcher at the exhibition hall.

The exhibition hall and the government of Mulan County of Heilongjiang, which sent representatives to Japan to collect the materials, also saw 18 photos brought back from Japan showing scenes of Japanese troops' invasion of northeast China, including some taken in Mulan.

The team will conduct an in-depth study of the newly collected evidence, based on other historical documents, to further restore the history of Japan's war crimes in China, according to Jin.
These geo-neutral cups and bowls can magically disintegrate after use  and theyre based on a 5,000-year-old technology

Currently, there are an estimated 170 trillion pieces  2.6 million tons  of plastic floating around in the ocean poisoning marine life and taking centuries to break down in nature. And thats to say nothing of the immense plastic pollution piling up in landfills, leaching microplastics in the soil and surrounding waterways.

Thats why one company has come up with an alternative to single-use plastics. GaeaStar, founded in 2020 and based in San Francisco and Berlin, makes single-use products out of earthen materials that disintegrate naturally without any environmental impact.

According to the companys website, the inspiration for the product came from street vendors in India, who sell tea out of terracotta cups known as Kulhars, which have been used in the region for 5,000 years and are usually thrown away after one use. GaeaStars co-founder, Sanjeev Mankotia, had the eureka moment to [combine] this ancient practice with the 21st century technology of additive manufacturing to solve our current day plastics waste problem.

According to its website, GaeaStar products do not use timber, acids, bleach, fillers, plastic, or ink and do not need to be recycled or sit in nature for hundreds of years, unlike their plastic counterparts.

Currently, the company offers a line of cups and a line of bowls, which each come in three sizes.

The company recently announced via an Instagram post that it is coming to the U.S. market thanks to a partnership with Verve Coffee, a California-based coffee roaster.

California-based coffee lovers will see our cups in-store later this year, GaeaStar wrote.

Some countries have taken steps recently toward curbing plastic pollution, such as India, which banned the production, sale, importation, distribution, and stock of certain types of plastic items. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates is banning all single-use plastic starting in 2024.

As such bans become more widespread, a company like GaeaStar that offers single-use alternatives could be in a great position to fill a need.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Georgia will not "consult" with ambassador whom Kyiv asked to leave over Saakashvili

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia does not intend to hold consultations with Giorgi Zakarashvili, the Georgian ambassador to Ukraine who was asked by Kyiv to return to Tbilisi in connection with the situation with former Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili.

Source: Ilia Darchiashvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, in an interview with Imedi, a Georgian TV channel

Darchiashvili stressed that the Georgian embassy in Kyiv has continued its work since the ambassador's return to Tbilisi, saying that "diplomats are in place, and we will continue to work in this area".

Quote: "Giorgi Zakarashvili is a person who, together with several ambassadors, did not leave Kyiv even for a day in the most difficult moments, and this decision [his departure  ed.] is unfair to him, and not even a normal way to behave," he said.

The Georgian foreign minister emphasised that consultations with the ambassador, as Kyiv indicated, will not be held, and said the whole situation, in his opinion, cannot be connected with Saakashvili because even the European Court of Human Rights has no claims against the authorities.

Background:

After Saakashvilis most recent court appearance, in which he looked extremely emaciated, Ukraine summoned the Georgian ambassador and asked him to return to Tbilisi "for consultations".

Irakli Kobakhidze, chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, was outraged by Zelenskyy's reaction, but at the same time, he stressed that Tbilisi wants to "remain friendly" with the Ukrainian authorities.

Saakashvili has been in custody ever since his secret return to Georgia ahead of the 2021 local elections, and recently his health has significantly deteriorated.

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After spending 4,915 wrongly imprisoned, Manfred Genditzki is now exonerated, a court spokesman said (Karl-Josef Hildenbrand)

A German court on Friday exonerated a former custodian who had spent more than 13 years in prison for the suspected murder of an elderly woman found in a bathtub.

Manfred Genditzki had been handed a life sentence for allegedly killing an 87-year-old tenant of the building where he worked in 2008 by striking her on the head during a dispute and then drowning her.

Genditzki had consistently denied murdering the woman during a lengthy legal battle.

In a judicial scandal that made national headlines, the judges of the regional court in Munich ruled that Genditzki had been wrongly convicted and ordered compensation of nearly 369,000 euros ($402,000).

"It was not a murder, he is acquitted and thus innocent," a court spokesman said, referring to new evidence suggesting the death was accidental.

Local media reported that Genditzki sat impassively as the verdict was read out while many of his supporters wept openly in the courtroom.

Genditzki, now 63, who had worked in a large residential complex in the southern town of Rottach-Egern, had already successfully contested his conviction before a federal tribunal but was found guilty again by a Munich court in 2012.

- 'A tragedy' -

In a third trial based on advances in forensic science, his defence attorney Regina Rick was able to bring in new evidence showing that the water temperature in the tub where the woman was found pointed to a far different time of death than initially presumed.

A second scientific report presented to the court used a computer simulation to demonstrate that her death was likely the result of an accident.

Rick won her client's preliminary release last August on the basis of that evidence, given the mounting doubts about his guilt and Genditzki's previously clean criminal record.

After more than 13 years in custody, he returned to his family and began working as a driver at a cheese factory while the regional court granted him a new trial.

Friday's acquittal, which even the prosecution ultimately advocated, "came on the basis of expert reports using the most modern methods which were not available at the time of the previous convictions", the court spokesman said.

After spending 4,915 days wrongly imprisoned in which he missed taking part in raising his children or witnessing the birth of his grandchildren, Genditzki is now exonerated, he said.

"This is a tragedy that can hardly be put into words," he added.

The court ordered Genditzki to be paid 75 euros for every day he spent in jail, amounting to just over 368,000 euros. He may also be able to claim additional damages for lost income.

smb-dlc/sea/giv
Germany provides more military aid to Ukraine

The flag of Germany

Berlin has provided Ukraine with a new batch of security assistance, including military engineering equipment and anti-UAV tools, the German government announced via its website on July 7.

 According to the message, the latest package included the following items:

Beaver bridge-laying tank;

Read also: US gives Ukraine $325 million in air defense, ammunition, and armored vehicles, including Bradleys & Strykers

 DACHS armored engineering vehicle;

 Six heavy-duty HX81 trucks;

 Three semi-trailers;

 Three radio jammers;

 Two anti-UAV sensors and jammers.

On July 3, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Ukraine will receive dozens of Leopard-1 tanks from Germany and Denmark in the coming weeks.

Read also: Ukraine to receive dozens of Leopard-1 tanks soon  Germany

On February 7, the German government granted German defense companies a license to supply Ukraine with 178 Leopard-1A5 tanks.

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
At least one passing motorist's vehicle was struck in the deadly shootout Thursday between Columbus police and three adult male suspects following a crime spree that included an armed bank robbery in which at least $90,000 was taken from a Fifth Third Bank branch, police revealed Friday night.

One man who called 911 told a Columbus police dispatcher that the car he was driving was hit by gunfire as it drove on the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 near West Mound Street during the shootout on the eastbound side that killed one suspect and critically wounded a city police officer.

"A stray bullet hit our car," said the driver, who said he was not hurt.

"There's a big hole in the roof," the driver said during a second 911 call.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and law enforcement officers on the scene Thursday of a shootout on I-70 east above West Mound Street following the armed robbery of a Porsche SUV from a Whitehall dealership that was later used in a bank robbery on Columbus' Far West Side and led police on a chase that ended on the interstate. One of the three suspects was fatally shot by police. A Columbus police officer was critically wounded. One of two suspects who fled on foot is in custody, police say, and the other was at-large Friday night.

One of the two suspects who fled the interstate shootout on foot headed south toward Mount Calvary Cemetery near the old Cooper Stadium site was carrying a rifle, the radio run report indicated.

Columbus police said Friday that eight of its officers were involved in the shootout at about 4 p.m. Thursday with the three adult male suspects, who were driving a Porsche SUV stolen earlier in Whitehall and used it to flee undercover vehicles driven by Whitehall police while escaping the robbery at a Fifth Third Bank branch on Hilliard Rom Road on Columbus' Far West Side.

The suspects fled on I-70 east and ended up near Downtown when they stopped in the middle of the interstate and emerged from the vehicle shooting at police.

The Columbus City Attorney's Office and the city Division of Police contend that the names of the Columbus poilice officers involved in the shootout  including the officer who was critically injured by a gunshot wound to his upper leg and his partner who rushed his colleague to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center  cannot be released under Ohio's version of Marsy's Law because the officers are victims of a violent crime, police said in a release. The law went into effect in April.

Police released no names and limited information about the eight Division of Police officers involved. The officer who was critically wounded but is stable following surgery, identified as Officer 1, has 10 months of service with the division. The other officers involved were also identified by police by a number and years of service.

Officer 2 has one year of service, officer 3 has six years, officer 4 has five years, officer 5 has one year, officer 6 has 10 years, officer 7 has 27 years of experience and officer 8 has eight years of experience.

Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and police officials continued to urge the public Friday to help provide information to them about the suspect still at-large, while providing the public with scant information. Police have not identified the dead suspect or the suspect in custody, and provided a grainy photo of the potentially armed suspect still at-large. Police have not indicated if they know the name of the at-large suspect.

Early Friday, police told the public on social media that they had the two wanted suspects in custody, only to report later in the morning that only one of the two at-large suspects was in custody.

Meanwhile, body camera footage released by Whitehall police on Friday showed the moments that started a pursuit that ultimately left a suspect dead on Interstate 70 near Downtown and a Columbus police officer with a long road to recovery.

The camera footage showed officers from Whitehall, who were in unmarked vehicles, boxing in the Porsche Cayenne SUV that had been stolen earlier Thursday afternoon from a car dealership in Whitehall. The armed robbery occurred around 2:15 p.m. Thursday at the Byers Import Porsche Columbus dealership located at 401 N. Hamilton Road.

Byers Imports Porsche dealership on the 400 block of North Hamilton Road in Whitehall, where at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday, one of three suspects robbed an employee of the fob to a black Porsche SUV that the trio then later used in an armed robbery at a Fifth Third Bank branch on Columbus' Far West Side. After the suspects left the dealership, employees there activated an anti-theft GPS device that enabled them to track the SUV and alert police.

Whitehall police and 911 calls said a man walked into the dealership's showroom wearing a facemask and with a gun, demanding the key fob to the SUV. Dispatchers took a 911 call shortly before 2:20 p.m. from the dealership reporting that a Black male wearing a facemask was pointing a gun at people inside. While speaking to the dispatcher, the caller said the suspect ran out the front of the dealership with the fob, hopped into the SUV and drove off northbound on North Hamilton Road.

The dealership was able to turn on anti-theft GPS software inside the SUV, Deputy Whitehall Chief Dan Kelso said, but the dealership was not able to disable the vehicle.

Employees at the Porsche dealership declined interview requests from The Dispatch, directing a reporter to a management official, who did not return phone messages.

Assistant Columbus Police Chief Greg Bodker updates news media Friday, July 7, 2023, outside of OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in downtown Columbus after visiting a police officer who was critically wounded Thursday during a shootout with three suspects on Interstate 70 near West Mound Street. One suspect was killed.

Whitehall officers in undercover vehicles tracked the SUV using the GPS to the Fifth Third Bank branch at 2455 Hilliard-Rome Road on Columbus' Far West Side, where around 4 p.m. the occupants of the vehicle allegedly committed a "takeover style" robbery at the bank, Columbus police Assistant Chief Greg Bodker said.

Fifth Third Bank branch at 2455 Hilliard Rome Road at Silver Horn Center II on Columbus' Far West Side, where an unannounced amount of money was taken Thursday afternoon by three armed suspects who used their stolen Porsche SUV to ram their way past undercover Whitehall police detectives and were then pursued by Columbus police. The pursuit ended with a shootout between the suspects and police in the middle of Interstate 70 east near West Mound Street that left one suspect dead and a Columbus police officer critically wounded. Two of the suspects fled on foot.

The Whitehall body camera footage showed the SUV, which had backed up to the bank's doors, being boxed in by officers who had their guns drawn and were giving commands to the occupants to stop and stay where they were. The SUV slammed its way out and fled, despite repeated commands. Officers had guns pointed at the stolen SUV but did not fire.

There was some disagreement about how much money the thieves had taken from the bank, which was reported as about $100,000 on the radio run report but later determined to be about $90,000 following a call to police and discussion among bank officials.

Immediately after the bank robbery, Columbus police officers began pursuing the stolen SUV on Interstate 70 east toward Downtown. Near West Mound Street, the vehicle, for "reasons unknown," stopped at an odd angle on the highway, Bodker said.

At that point, at least one of the men inside the vehicle began to fire a gun at officers, who returned fire.

A map of the Columbus area is marked with the locations of key incidents in the armed robbery spree by three suspects Thursday that led to a deadly shootout. At right is the marker showing Byers Imports' Porsche dealership at 410 N. Hamilton Road in Whitehall, where police there say a suspect held up an employee at gunpoint about 2:15 p.m. for the keys to a black Porsche SUV. When the suspects drove off, the dealership turned on the anti-theft GPS device on the vehicle, allowing them to track the SUV and alert police. After leaving the dealership, the suspects robbed the Fifth Third Bank branch at 2455 Hilliard Rome Road, shown by the marker on Columbus' Far West Side. As police arrived to confront them, the suspects sped off south on Hilliard Rome Road and onto I-70 east. At about 4 p.m., near West Mound Street on the interstate, shown by the center marker, there was a shootout on the highway where a Columbus police officer was critically wounded and one of the suspects was killed. The other two suspects fled on foot south down a hillside from the interstate into the South Franklinton neighborhood and remain at-large. The wounded officer was rushed by his partner to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Downtown, where he underwent emergency surgery and was later upgraded to stable condition.

One of the suspects was fatally struck and was later pronounced dead on the highway. That man's identity has not yet been released by Columbus police. The Franklin County Coroner's office, which conducted an autopsy on that suspect, has also not released that man's identity.

The wounded Columbus police office underwent emergency surgery on Thursday to save his life and was later upgraded to stable condition, but has a long road to recovery ahead of him, Bodker said. His wife and family were with him at the hospital.

Ginther, Bodker and Safety Director Kate Pishotti visited with the officer and his family Friday at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center.

The two other suspects fled the highway shootout on foot, running down a hill onto West Mound Street near Mount Cavalry Cemetery. One of them was armed with a rifle, the radio run report states.

An extensive manhunt involving officers from multiple departments, canines, a city police helicopter and SWAT units took place over multiple hours. The nearby Franklin County Children Services building was on lockdown for more than hour and officers fanned out in the area around the building, Mount Calvary Cemetery and the South Franklinton neighborhood, shutting down streets. Search dogs and a Columbus police helicopter joined in the search.

Law enforcement officers from Columbus police, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office and other departments flooded the area of the Franklin County Children's Services building across from Mount Calvary Cemetery in South Franklinton on Thursday afternoon in search of two of three suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery spree. The suspects fled a shootout on Interstate 70 east near West Mound Street that left one suspect dead and a Columbus police officer critically wounded.

Early Friday morning, Columbus police announced the arrest of two males believed to have been involved in the crime spree at a home on East Weber Road in North Linden, posting on social media that the suspects were in custody.

However, outside the hospital on Friday, Bodker said only one of the two at-large suspects was in custody and police were looking for another, unidentified suspect. Bodker said detectives had been working throughout the night executing search warrants and conducting interviews.

**CORRECTION: Investigators have identified & interviewed only one of the suspects involved in yesterday's incident. @ColumbusPolice is asking for help to identify a second individual. Please contact @ColumbusPolice at (614) 645-4545 or @CrimestoppersOH at (614) 461-TIPS. pic.twitter.com/tGkNsDWaAK  Columbus Division of Police (@ColumbusPolice) July 7, 2023

A photograph of the suspect that remains at-large was released on Columbus police's Twitter account while Bodker was speaking Friday. Anyone with information on the suspect's identity or whereabouts is asked to call 911, police dispatchers at 614-645-4545 or Central Ohio Crime Stopper at 614-461-TIPS.

On Friday, police said the suspect who was taken into custody has not been officially charged and therefore, police were "withholding his identity."

More on the Columbus shootout: Columbus police officer shot after robberies, shootout near I-70: Here's what we know

Bodker said the group involved in the crime spree Thursday is being investigated as potentially involved in other crimes in Columbus and across central Ohio.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is leading the investigation into the police shooting, as is required by Columbus law. Investigators had a large section of I-70 closed after the shooting until around 4 a.m. Friday so they could gather evidence and document the crime scene.

The shut down of I-70 as well as sections of I-71 and Route 315 and other roadways came at the start of Thursday's afternoon commute and created havoc for many motorists.

Dispatch reporters Mark Ferenchik, Sheridan Hendrix and Grace Tucker contributed to this report.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Motorist's car hit in Columbus shootout; suspects got $90k from bank
FILE PHOTO: Rudy Giuliani exits U.S. District Court after a hearing in a defamation suit against him in Washington

By Andrew Goudsward and Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) - Rudy Giuliani's law license should be revoked over his work on a failed lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results on behalf of then-U.S. President Donald Trump, a District of Columbia attorney ethics committee recommended on Friday.

The committee of the D.C. Board on Professional Responsibility found that Giuliani, formerly Trump's personal lawyer, a top Manhattan federal prosecutor and mayor of New York City, violated two legal ethics rules with the frivolous lawsuit filed in federal court in Pennsylvania.

The lawsuit, which a federal judge dismissed, sought to invalidate hundreds of thousands of votes following Trumps defeat in the swing state. The D.C. panel found that Giuliani made sweeping claims of voter fraud that he did not have evidence to support.

The committee said Giulianis conduct "transcends all his past accomplishments" and was calculated to undermine the basic premise of our democratic form of government: that elections are determined by the voters.

Giuliani was dubbed "America's mayor" following the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on New York's World Trade Center.

We are obviously disappointed with the committees recommendation but look forward to filing a vigorous appeal to the Board on Professional Responsibility and the court," said Giuliani lawyer Barry Kamins.

The committees recommendation will now be considered by the full D.C. Board on Professional Responsibility, which oversees attorney discipline cases in Washington, D.C. The D.C. Court of Appeals will make the final decision on whether Giuliani should be disbarred.

The committee heard several days of testimony in December about Giulianis work on post-election challenges as part of an attorney ethics case brought by the disciplinary arm of the D.C. bar.

Giuliani's lawyer previously argued that the Pennsylvania lawsuit raised legitimate legal issues about social distancing restrictions imposed on election observers and policies in some counties that allowed voters to address mistakes on mail ballots.

Trump put Giuliani in charge of the legal strategy to challenge the results of the 2020 election won by Democrat Joe Biden. He was one several lawyers allied with the Republican president who pressed debunked claims of rampant election fraud.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by David Bario and Leslie Adler)
Glenn Youngkin

As governor of Virginia, Glenn Youngkin has targeted the progressive policies of the two Democratic administrations in the state before him since he was elected after a campaign that falsely claimed that teachers secretly taught critical race theory to kids. Recently, Virginias Department of Health removed resources for LGBTQ+ kids seeking help after a right-wing media outlet, the Daily Wire, inquired about two websites listed on the departments webpage that offered LGBTQ+ youth support.

Internal agency emails indicate Youngkin removed the entire resources page in response, baffling agency employees.

Did someone request this? Emily Yeatts, the supervisor for the Division of Child and Family Health at the Department of Health, asked others in an email on May 31, according to the Virginia Mercury. This request did not come from the program.

In parallel, Vanessa Walker Harris, director of the Office of Family Health Services, which manages the pages content, emailed division employees, communications staff, and deputy director Robert Hicks.

Im noticing that the referenced webpage is no longer accessible, and Im having a bad case of deja vu, Walker Harris replied. What am I missing? Im very concerned that staff were directed to remove the webpage without engaging [subject matter experts] in response to a politically motivated inquiry, yet again.

According to the emails, the Office of Family Health Services webpages were audited for nine LGBTQ+-related terms.

Youngkins spokesperson, Macaulay Porter, sent The Advocate a statement that ignored all questions that had been submitted for response.

In Virginia, the governor will always reaffirm a parents role in their childs life. Children belong to their parents, not the state, Porter wrote. The webpage in question outsourced conversations where adults directly speak with children about sex to a third-party website without notifying parents.

She continued, The governor supports providing resources that are age appropriate however the government should not facilitate anonymous conversations between adults and children without a parents approval. Sexualizing children against a parents wishes doesnt belong on a taxpayer-supported website.

Experts in childhood development, advocates, and LGBTQ+ people who have lived experience note that providing young people with the opportunity to discuss matters around their identities is not only age-appropriate but also imperative for teens wellbeing, given that many minors are rejected by their parents or other family members for broaching the subject of gender or sexual diversity.

Research shows that providing young people with an avenue to discuss their sexual orientation or gender identity in a safe, affirming, and confidential environment decreases significantly the risk of suicidal ideation.

Executive director of Equality Virginia Narissa Rahaman criticized Youngkins move.



The Youngkin administration has openly tried to roll back the rights of LGBTQ+ Virginians  from its proposed policies on the treatment of trans youth in schools to its support of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in the general assembly, Rahaman tells The Advocate.

Now, its also quietly removing resources for the LGBTQ+ community. This is part of a pattern with this administration, where its more important to appeal to an anti-LGBTQ+ political base rather than serve LGBTQ+ Virginians in any capacity, she continued.

Additionally, the governor of a commonwealth of more than 8.5 million people continues to make decisions without consulting subject matter experts or any input from the community, including LGBTQ+ parents or parents of LGBTQ+ children. Its craven, politically motivated, and fully transparent what Youngkin is prioritizing, and it isnt us.

In an archived version of the LGBTQ+ Resources for Youth page, links lead to two national websites: Q Chat Space and Queer Kid Stuff and Virginia Pride, two LGBTQ+ nonprofit organizations in the state. The Trevor Project and Virginia Antiviolence Project both offer medical and counseling services and support lines for LGBTQ+ and transgender youth.

The office of Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel ordered the removal following an inquiry from a Daily Wire reporter named Spencer Lindquist on May 31. Lindquist subsequently published an article about two resources listed on the page, according to emails obtained under FOIA.

That morning, Lindquist sent a series of inquiries to the agencys communications staff about the Q Chat Space, and Queer Kid Stuff links to resources.

How are resources selected by the Virginia Department of Health? Lindquist asked. Queer Kid Stuff has previously promoted child transgenderism. Does the Virginia Department of Health take a stance on the medical transitioning of minors? Is the Virginia Department of Health aware that the QChat Space, which is marketed to those as young as 13 who identify as LGBT, has a special quick escape feature that allows users to swiftly exit the site?

Lindquist said the agency had two hours to respond.

Last year, far-right extremists and Republican politicians targeted some of the same online resources offering LGBTQ+ youth a supportive and confidential environment for dealing with their identity.

Q Chat Space is a resource that provides adolescents ages 13 to 19 struggling with their sexuality the opportunity to participate in chat-based discussion groups moderated by experienced staff.

In addition to CenterLink, which supports community LGBTQ+ centers, PFLAG, the oldest and largest LGBTQ group in the nation, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America support the program.

The website of Queer Kid Stuff states that it is an edutainment company that spreads queer joy to LGBTQ+ kids, parents, caregivers, educators, family members, and allies. It uses its mission to fight erasure by focusing on queer history, identity, and experiences. In addition to destigmatizing LGBTQ+ issues, the group works on other projects to benefit the community.

Q Chat Space and Queer Kid Stuff were added to VDHs webpage in October 2019. Lindsay noted that the page received 189 visits to Q Chat Space and 154 to Queer Kid Stuff the previous year.

In the past year, the LGBTQ Resources for Youth page was accessed over 2,500 times, with nearly 2,100 visitors leaving the site immediately, according to Lindsay.

Rahaman says that all of Youngkins anti-LGBTQ+ policies should remain top of mind for voters.

Virginia has the opportunity  now, and in the fall, when voters head to the ballot box  to reaffirm that it is a welcoming place to live, work and do business. As other states work to roll back progress, we should keep fighting to make sure Virginia bucks that trend, she says.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available to help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 is for people of all ages and identities. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.
Shipping emits roughly the same level of greenhouse gases as aviation (Axel Heimken)

The International Maritime Organization, which oversees the highly polluting shipping industry, clinched a landmark deal on Friday to improve its target to cut carbon emissions -- but green campaigners said it fell far too short to tackle climate change.

The London-based IMO said its Marine Environment Protection Commission has adopted a "historic... strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping".

The United Nations' global shipping regulator said nations had agreed to cut total annual emissions of greenhouse gases by at least 20 percent by 2030 and by at least 70 percent by 2040 compared to 2008 levels.

The revised strategy also aims for the industry to reach net-zero emissions "close to" 2050. That compared with the prior target for a 50-percent reduction by mid-century.

"IMO remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping and, as a matter of urgency, aims to phase them out as soon as possible," the agency said.

However, environmental non-governmental organisations slammed the agreement, arguing it was insufficient under the framework of the landmark Paris climate accord.

The green lobby instead wants the shipping sector to implement a 50-percent reduction by 2030 and deliver carbon neutrality by 2040.

"They knew what the science required, and that a 50-percent cut in emissions by 2030 was both possible and affordable," said John Maggs, president of the Clean Shipping Coalition.

"Instead, the level of ambition agreed is far short of what is needed to be sure of keeping global heating below 1.5 degrees Celsius, and the language seemingly contrived to be vague and non-committal."

The deal came at the end of a five-day meeting at the IMO's headquarters in London, attended by representatives from 100 countries involved in the shipping industry -- which emits roughly the same level of greenhouse gases as aviation.

- 'Falls short' -

The gathering pitted climate-vulnerable nations -- particularly islands in the Pacific -- and richer countries against big exporters like China.

The vast majority of the world's 100,000 cargo ships -- which carry 90 percent of the world's goods -- are powered by highly polluting diesel.

Shipping is responsible for around three percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations.

The IMO said the "carbon intensity" of ships was expected to decline over time with "further improvement of energy efficiency" of new vessels.

But Harjeet Singh, head of global political strategy for Climate Action Network International, said the IMO's revised strategy "unfortunately falls short of expectations".

"There is a clear disparity between its goals and those set by the Paris agreement."

Greenpeace UK welcomed the deal but also declared it was "still too weak" to fight pollution in a sector which "has operated out of sight" for too long.

Under the 2015 Paris deal, nations pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by the middle of the century with the aspirational goal of limiting the increase in global temperatures to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.

Germany's representative Dieter Janecek said the agreement was "important" but cautioned the world would still have to focus on cutting pollution sufficiently to stop the planet heating by more than 1.5 C.

French oceans minister Herve Berville said the IMO deal was "a success" even though "we came to the negotiating table with stronger ambitions that what was achieved in the final agreement".

- Inadequate -

The European Union had wanted the shipping industry to set intermediate targets, not just a 2050 goal.

Those would have required the industry to start cutting pollutant carbon emissions right now, in order to achieve a 29-percent cut by 2030 and an 83-percent reduction by 2040.

Argentina, Brazil and China, in particular, had strongly resisted tougher IMO targets, arguing they cost poor, developing countries the most.

They are also strongly opposed to a flagship proposal for a global levy, or carbon tax, on shipping emissions.

French President Emmanuel Macron backed the idea at a recent climate finance summit in Paris but said it would need support from China, the United States and other European nations to work.

Green campaigners had protested on Monday outside the IMO in central London.

Several dozen activists, including some dressed as jellyfish, called for greener freight to help tackle climate change and protect the oceans.

The Clean Shipping Coalition argued on Friday that the regulator was simply not doing enough.

"This agreement is the latest example of a pattern of behaviour at the IMO, where climate and environment issues are addressed but not adequately responded to," the coalition said.

"(It raises further questions about the institution's suitability as a venue for tackling shipping's serious impact on the climate and oceans," the NGO added.

bur-rfj/lth/gil/rox
A crowdfunding campaign created to help find Rudy Farias, the Houston man who was reported missing when he was a teen in 2015, raised more than $2,000  even though Farias wasnt missing at the time, according to information released by authorities on Thursday.

More than 30 people contributed to the GoFundMe account, which was launched on March 22, 2015. Farias was first reported missing two weeks earlier, on March 7, the day after he allegedly disappeared while walking two dogs in his Houston neighborhood.

According to police in a news conference on Thursday, Farias had actually returned home on March 8, 2015  in spite of his mothers statement earlier this week that he was only found last week after being missing for eight years.

The revelation prompted questions about why search efforts had continued for Farias and why his mother had allegedly lied. Police have so far said they are not pursuing false report charges against Farias or his mother, Janie Santana, but that their investigation remains ongoing.

Santana has not yet addressed the matter publicly, and HuffPost could not immediately reach her on Thursday.

A GoFundMe campaign was organized in 2015 to raise money for Rudy Farias' mother, Janie Santana.

A GoFundMe campaign was organized in 2015 to raise money for Rudy Farias' mother, Janie Santana.

In response to questions from HuffPost, GoFundMe said it had taken the fundraiser down but confirmed it had raised money on behalf of Santana.

GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing, a spokesperson for the crowdfunding platform told HuffPost. The fundraiser has been removed from the platform and the beneficiary has been banned from using GoFundMe for any future fundraisers.

An archived version of the fundraising page said it was raising money to offer a reward for information about Farias, to help in the search, and to financially support Santana. The person who created it did not respond to questions from HuffPost on Thursday.

She needs financial assistance since she is unable to work understandably so with her son missing! the GoFundMe campaign claimed. The bills are pilling up and Rudys mothers health has also deteriorated as she is devestated ....mentally...physically and emotionally utterly exhausted!!

The campaign said that Farias mother would be deteriorating with each passing day he is missing, adding that TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

But Houston police Lt. Christopher Zamora told reporters on Thursday that both Farias and his mother had given police fake names when speaking with officers at several points over the last eight years. Santana also falsely identified Farias as her nephew to people who saw him, Zamora said.

The mother, Janie, continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing, he said.

Meanwhile, extended family members and a local activist have accused police of covering up details of the case and alleged that Farias was abused by his mother.Asked about those concerns, Detective Sgt. Stephen Jimenez said that when he interviewed Farias, he did not say anything about abuse.

Im trained to listen for probable cause, Jimenez said. Im trained to listen for statements that can help me get charges or move forward with the case. And no, there were no statements made during this investigation so far.

Rudys safe. He is with his mother, by choice, Zamora said later in the news conference.

In a statement released Monday by the Texas Center for the Missing, Santana claimed that her son had been found outside a Houston church, injured and unresponsive.

We want to thank the media and public for all their support. My son Rudy Farias IV was found on Thursday, June 29th, after being missing for eight years, Santana said. Currently, we do not have any additional information on Rudys case. What we do know is at the time of his recovery, a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911. My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us. We are asking for privacy during this difficult time but will share more details as Rudy continues to heal.

Related...
Family identifies Ga. man who fell off jet ski, drowned in front of his son on Ga. river

A Georgia man who drowned after falling off a jet ski will be laid to rest this weekend.

Steve Elkins, 55, died after the accident on June 30, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Game wardens responded around 6 p.m. that night to a call on the Satilla River in Brantley County. They were told that Elkins had been driving a jet ski when he hit the throttle and fell into the river.

DNR said his son saw him fall and swam toward him; however, Elkins went under and never resurfaced. Authorities pulled his body out of the river three days later.

TRENDING STORIES:

Elkins family set up a GoFundMe to help his wife Tonya with the funeral payments.

Steve was also the only resource in their home, as Tonya is disabled. Every little bit helps and is very appreciated, please help with any amount you can.

According to his obituary, Elkins worked as a historic preservationist, working on historic buildings for the government. He loved his family, granddaughter Emma, the Georgia Bulldogs and his country.

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe.

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IN OTHER NEWS




A boy cools off in a mister at a stadium as temperatures approach 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 28, 2023. [Photo/VCG]





When I moved to Thailand last year, I thought Thailand was hot. In fact, it is sweltering. The temperature most days is in the high 30 degrees Celsius. I sweat everywhere I go. My air conditioning bill has risen.



But at least I have air conditioning. Construction workers in the U.S. State of Texas who are working in even hotter conditions don't have AC, fans, or even water breaks. Earlier in June, the right-wing Texas legislature passed a bill banning cities and states from mandating breaks for construction workers. And, because of a heat wave, Texas is actually currently hotter than Thailand and the rest of Southeast Asia.

Austin, Texas, is 39 degrees Celsius. New Orleans, Louisiana, is 37 degrees Celsius. Phoenix, Arizona, is 42 degrees Celsius. Temperatures this high would have been considered extreme just five years ago. Unfortunately, due to climate change, extreme weather is becoming common in the U.S. and much of the world.

Thirty-seven degrees Celsius is a benchmark in the U.S. because it is 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Texas is seeing many 37 degrees Celsius days, and they are coming earlier and earlier. In Houston, Texas, there was only one 100 day in 2001 and 2002. But last year, there were 22 days with triple-digit temperature readings on the thermometer, and this year, there have already been three.

Heat waves have always happened. The current high temperatures in multiple U.S. states and much of Mexico are being caused by a heat dome, conditions created by pressure systems that put a roof of hot air over a large area.

Michael Wehner, a researcher at the Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory, said that the temperature during this heat wave is about 3 degrees Celsius higher because of climate change. Three degrees can cause serious effects on people's health and well-being.

About 7,000 people die in the world every year because of heat waves, according to the United Nations. In the U.S., heat either causes or contributes to about 2,000 deaths per year. The elderly and poor people without access to air conditioning are most at risk. But workers who spend hours in the hot sun doing demanding physical labor are also at risk.

Among all occupations, construction is one of the most dangerous jobs for heat stroke, according to OSHA, the agency in charge of protecting worker safety in the United States. There are no national rules or standards mandating construction workers to have access to water breaks. There are no statewide rules in Texas, either. That's why some cities have made local rules. Usually, those cities are governed by Democratic mayors and Democratic city councils, as the Democratic Party is more concerned with protecting workers' rights.

Austin, one of Texas' most liberal cities, passed a law in 2010 requiring that construction companies operating in their city limits give workers 10 minutes of break time for every four hours they work. It's not a burdensome demand, and it has been in place for over a decade long and has not caused any problems.

But the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a law effectively repealing Austin's law and similar laws in other cities. Increasingly, Republican legislatures have turned to trying to govern liberal cities in their states where they were not elected and do not have jurisdiction.

Such power grabs are attempts by power-hungry Republicans to make political points and exercise power over everyone. But they have real-world consequences. In 2022, 279 Texans died of extreme heat. Over 100 construction workers die in Texas most years. And without laws requiring workers are allowed to take breaks, 4-in-10 workers won't be allowed to have breaks, according to a survey conducted by the IBEW union.

June is the coolest month of the summer. Temperatures are only going to get hotter in July and August. Without policies to protect vulnerable Americans, including providing cooling shelters, making sure people have access to electricity to run their air conditioners, and workers' rights protections, more will die. In the long term, however, the world needs to work together to slow the rising rate of global temperatures.

Mitchell Blatt is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/MitchellBlatt.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.
Say goodbye to Europe's Ariane 5 rocket with these stunning final launch photos

Liftoff of Ariane 5 VA261 into the black night sky at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

The most dependable rocket in Europe's spaceflight history has sung its swan song.

The final launch of the Ariane 5 rocket took place on Wednesday (July 5) at 6 p.m. EDT (2200 GMT), from the European Space Agency's (ESA's) Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

For its final mission, Ariane 5 launched a pair of communications satellites for the German and Italian governments. Ariane 5 began its operational career in 1996, and has stood as ESA's workhorse launch vehicle longer than any previous Ariane models.

Related: Farewell, Ariane 5! Europe's workhorse rocket launches 2 satellites on final mission (video)

In its final flight, Ariane 5 successfully delivered its two payloads to geostationary orbit, but perhaps the most notable part of the launch took place in the seconds it took the rocket to clear the tower.

A dim grey sky sits behind the spotlit Ariane 5 standing at the luanchpad at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

The morning following the final launch, ESA tweeted a group of photos from liftoff. They feature some close-ups of the launch pad, with the fire from Ariane 5's formidable solid rocket boosters lighting the surrounding area like the sun.

Liftoff of Ariane 5 VA261 into the black night sky at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

Another handful of images was also taken by photographer Jody Amiet, which feature other incredible shots from the historic launch.

Ariane 5 VA261 brightens a cloudy sky just after sunset at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on 5 July 2023.

The two-stage rocket was built by Airbus Defense and Space, and managed by Arianespace for ESA and CNES, the French space agency.

Liftoff of Ariane 5 VA261 into the black night sky at Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana.

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 Europe's long-awaited Ariane 6 rocket won't launch before late 2023

 Powerful Ariane 5 rocket launches 3 satellites to orbit (video)

 When will Ariane 6 fly? Europe's new heavy-lift rocket battles delays as Ariane 5 era ends

Now that Ariane 5 has closed out its launch manifest, Europe is left with a gap in available launch vehicles until the Ariane 6 is ready.

However, delays in that rocket's development have continually extended the timeline for its expected completion. The most recent estimates have the rocket's first flight taking place in late 2023, but it may shift into 2024.
In a Barbie world, who controls the South China Sea?

Thats the question a handful of Republican lawmakers  not to mention much of Southeast Asia  is asking thanks to a background detail in the upcoming Barbie movie due out later this month.

The detail in question is a dashed line drawn on a map off the coast of Asia that critics have identified as the nine-dash line, a contested maritime boundary that Beijing draws more than a thousand miles off its own coast to claim the vast majority of the South China Sea as its territory.

GOP lawmakers accuse filmmakers of pandering to Chinese censors. But Warner Bros. Film Group, which produced the movie, said Thursday the map is not intended to make any type of statement.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), who leads a select House panel aimed at countering the influence of China, said the map illustrates the pressure that Hollywood is under to please CCP censors.

While it may just be a Barbie map in a Barbie world, the fact that a cartoonish, crayon-scribbled map seems to go out of its way to depict the PRCs unlawful territorial claims illustrates the pressure that Hollywood is under to please CCP censors, Gallagher said in a statement to POLITICO. I hope Warner Brothers clarifies that the map was not intended to endorse any territorial claims and was in fact, the work of a formerly plastic anthropomorphic doll.



Warner Bros., in its own statement to POLITICO, said there were no geopolitics intended in Barbie.

The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing, a spokesperson for the Warner Bros. Film Group said. The doodles depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement.

The line, nine-dash or not, has made waves far beyond U.S. political circles. Vietnams National Film Evaluation Council banned all domestic screenings of Barbie over the map and the film is under a review in the Philippines that could result in a similar ban. The nine-dash line, which was rejected by an international tribunal in 2016, comes within hundreds of miles of both nations coasts and the two countries, along with others in the region, say the Chinese maritime border threatens their sovereignty.

And control over the South China Sea is more than a regional spat. Relations between the U.S. and China are chilly at best, even despite a pair of recent visits by cabinet-level officials to Beijing. And the two nations militaries, rivals in the region, have repeatedly come into perilously close contact in or above the South China Sea.

Among the first U.S. lawmakers to lodge geopolitical complaints about Barbie were Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), who spoke out earlier this week against the decision to draw the map with what they say is the nine-dash line.

A spokesperson for Cruz told the Daily Mail on Tuesday that the films trying to appease the Chinese Communist Party.

Senator Cruz has been fighting for years to prevent American companies, especially Hollywood studios, from altering and censoring their content to appease the Chinese Communist Party, the spokesperson said. Blackburn, in a tweet, said Barbie is bending to Beijing to make a quick buck.

Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), another GOP China hawk, reiterated his call for lawmakers to support his legislation that would discourage Hollywood from Chinese Communist Party censorship. Barbie is far from the first film to face this type of criticism  Top Gun: Maverick was the subject of a similar debate last summer.

Hollywood studios that bow to Communist China prompted me to introduce the SCREEN Act, Green said in a statement. In no world should American films be spreading CCP propaganda. I encourage all film studios to stand with integrity or lose support from federal entities like the DOD.

The Pentagon, for its part, has already taken steps to curb its own cooperation on Hollywood projects that might cater to Beijings interests. According to a new Defense Department document obtained by POLITICO last month, filmmakers who want the U.S. military to help with their projects must now pledge that they wont let Beijing alter those films.
Top Republicans on Capitol Hill are demanding that the Office of Special Counsel investigate claims IRS whistleblowers were removed from the probe into Hunter Biden.

In June, the House Ways and Means Committee released transcripts of two IRS whistleblowers who alleged that the Justice Department and IRS investigation into the president's son's business dealings were "influenced by politics." Those whistleblowers claimed they were removed from the investigation into Hunter Biden after they made those allegations.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Henry J. Kerner in the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and others asked the Office of Special Counsel to "immediately investigate all allegations of retaliation against these IRS whistleblowers."

They also asked the office to "immediately seek the appropriate disciplinary actions against all who engaged in unlawful conduct against these whistleblowers."

IRS WHISTLEBLOWER DEFENDS CLAIMS HUNTER BIDEN GOT SPECIAL TREATMENT FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa

Others signing the letter included Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo.; Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky.; and Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan, R-Ohio.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

OSC handles disclosures of wrongdoing within the executive branch of the federal government from current federal employees, former federal employees and applicants for federal employment.

"The DOJ and IRS must be held accountable for all instances of whistleblower retaliation and misconduct, and federal agencies cannot conceal their wrongdoing behind illegal nondisclosure directives and related documents," they wrote.

IRS WHISTLEBLOWER DEMANDS WASHINGTON POST CLEAR HIS GOOD NAME AFTER HUNTER BIDEN TEAMS DEFAMATORY' CLAIMS

The lawmakers noted that an internal IRS email was sent to supervisors, including one of the whistleblowers, from IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) Kareem Carter, saying "no information involving the investigation can leave the field office without first going through the chain of command directive by seeking approval from a supervisor."

That email, the lawmakers say, lacked a lawfully required "anti-gag provision" that should have included whistleblower protections to report wrongdoing.

IRS 1040 Individual income tax forms for 2021 arranged in Louisville, Ky., April 12, 2022.

"The anti-gag provision prohibits the use of appropriated funds and the enforcement of a nondisclosure agreement or other restrictive policy, form, or agreement that does not specifically allow for lawful, protected disclosures and that each policy, form, or agreement must use specific language apprising the employee of their rights to make such disclosures," the lawmakers wrote.

DOJ TOLD IRS NOT TO INTERVIEW JOE BIDEN'S GRANDCHILDREN IN HUNTER PROBE TO AVOID 'HOT WATER': WHISTLEBLOWER

The lawmakers said they have also been made aware of an IRS email sent by Deputy IRS Commissioner for Services and Enforcement Doug ODonnell to IRS employees regarding the lawful reporting of allegations of wrongdoing and protected whistleblower disclosures.

"In this email, the Deputy Commissioner states that he is writing because of concerns related to the reporting of allegations of wrongdoing and the lawful reporting of misconduct," the letter states.

"While the email states the IRS is deeply committed to protecting the role of whistleblowers, it fails to inform IRS employees of their Constitutional and statutory right to make protected disclosures to Congress," the Republicans said.

"The importance of protecting whistleblowers from unlawful retaliation and informing whistleblowers about their rights under the law cannot be understated. After all, it is the law," they wrote.

The lawmakers asked for a briefing and advisement of next steps by the OSC no later than July 19.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem slammed Ben & Jerry's over the ice cream company's July Fourth campaign calling for the return of Mount Rushmore to Indigenous populations.

Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's launched the campaign Tuesday and asserted "stolen Indigenous land" should be returned. The ice cream company singled out Mount Rushmore, writing it "was desecrated and dynamited to honor their colonizers, four white men  two of whom enslaved people and all of whom were hostile to Indigenous people and values."

Noem dismissed the campaign on Fox News Thursday and said she would not "listen to a bunch of liberal Vermont businessmen who think they know everything about this country and haven't studied our history."

Ben & Jerry's, however, specifically highlighted the history behind Mount Rushmore in a post on its website. The company wrote that Mount Rushmore was created on a holy mountain known to the Lakota Sioux as the Tunkasila Sakpe. The land surrounding the mountain is known as the Black Hills and is also considered sacred by the Lakota Sioux.

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem speaks at the Calvin Coolidge Foundation conference at the Library of Congress on February 17, 2023 in Washington, DC.

On its website, the ice cream company also detailed how Indigenous tribes signed treaties with the U.S. government in the 19th century that allowed them to live on land that included the Black Hills as a "permanent home." But the government reneged on its agreement after gold was discovered on the land years later and displaced the the Great Sioux Nation once again.

Noem called Mount Rushmore  which features the sculptured faces of presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln  the "the greatest symbol of our freedom and history of the United States of America."

"We can learn from the men on that mountain, we can do better, but boy, they led us through some challenging times," she said. "We should be proud of America and knock off what Ben & Jerry's is doing."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kristi Noem slams Ben & Jerry's for calling Mount Rushmore stolen land
Governor signs law making it harder for violent criminals to quickly bond out

A bill that changes the way bond is issued for certain offenders has been signed into law.

PREVIOUS STORIES:

House Bill 813, which is also known as the Pretrial Integrity Act, was signed into law Friday by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. Its intended to prevent violent suspects from being released hours after being arrested.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Johnny Jennings celebrated the news, saying he had worked diligently alongside local and state partners to ensure more accountability in the criminal justice system and pretrial release.

I am thrilled that HB 813 Pretrial Integrity Act has been officially signed into law today by @NC_Governor! I have worked diligently alongside local and state partners to ensure more accountability in the criminal justice system and pretrial release. pic.twitter.com/B4qbzhm4H0  Chief Jennings (@cmpdchief) July 7, 2023

The entire intent is to ensure that we keep our community safe, Jennings said on Friday.

The law goes into effect on Oct. 1.

Jennings said the law will make sure the most violent criminals arent released before they see a judge. Hes been outspoken about North Carolinas bond process, complaining that judicial officials have too much discretion. He once pointed to the case of Toddrick McFadden, who allegedly shot a CMPD officer last year in NoDa -- he was given a $170,000 bond and only had to pay 10% to get out of jail.

Now I may be missing something, but your lives are worth a lot more than $17,000 to let someone back out on the streets, Jennings said at the time.

Governor Roy Cooper has signed HB813 into law, the Pretrial Integrity Act. CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings and DA Spencer Merriweather lobbied heavily for the law, which will change how bail is issued for certain accused criminals. Previous @Hunt_Saenz story: https://t.co/12oo8Gh8HS  Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) July 7, 2023

Jennings has said the Pretrial Integrity Act holds judges accountable by the people who voted for them, unlike magistrates.

When someone gets arrested, theyre sent to the county jail, where they first see a magistrate. No matter the crime, that magistrate sets an initial bond to be released from jail before trial. Some, including Jennings, have argued that the bonds have been too low for some crimes, allowing some criminal suspects to get out quickly.

Jennings, along with Mecklenburg County District Attorney Spencer Merriweather and Chief District Court Judge Elizabeth Trosch, helped create the new law. On Friday, Jennings called it a step in the right direction.

Its all about accountability on who is setting the bonds, he said.

Its a nice start

In 2020, Mary Collins, who was 20 years old, was found brutally murdered in a NoDa apartment.

Police said she had been stabbed more than 130 times.

They wrapped Mary in plastic and put her in a mattress, said her grandmother, Mia Alderman, who has been pushing for justice.

Alderman was slightly encouraged by the Pretrial Integrity Act that Cooper signed into law.

Alderman said she lobbied the new laws sponsor, Rep. John Bradford, R-Meck.

And Ill tell you what I told him, Its a nice start, she said.

Four people were charged with Collins murder.

Two of them, America Diehl and James Salerno, have bonded out of jail.

How would you feel knowing that these people are just walking the streets, Alderman said.

Starting Oct. 1, its up to a judge to decide the conditions for bail, if eligible, for the following charges:

First or second-degree murder.

Attempted murder.

First or second-degree kidnapping.

First or second-degree rape.

First or second-degree sexual offense.

First-degree statutory rape.

Statutory rape of or sexual offense against a child by an adult.

Statutory rape of or sexual offense against a person who is 15 years of age or younger.

Human trafficking.

Assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

Discharging a firearm or barreled weapon into occupied property or any other conveyance while the property or conveyance is occupied.

First-degree burglary.

First-degree arson.

Robbery with a dangerous weapon.

They did leave one out, Alderman said. A significant one. They left out accessory to murder.

She thinks theres still more room to crack down on bonds for violent criminal suspects.

(WATCH BELOW: Unacceptable: Man accused in NoDa womans brutal stabbing death bonds out of jail)




I had already bolted down the steps of our roach-infested shoebox apartment when my mother screamed for me to come back.

TV please!

I was so excited I forgot our morning ritual. We had one of those rabbit ear TVs but an old wire hanger stood in for the missing antennae. Somewhere out in the universe there was a clear picture, and my hand was as steady as a surgeon's as I moved through the static to find it.

Tethered to an oxygen tank, she could hardly move from the worn recliner that had become her prison. Arthritic knees were no longer able to support her 400-pound frame.

I always placed enough pretzels and ginger ale to last the 10 hours before I returned from work. Applesauce from now on, she would say, vowing to lose enough weight to fit in an airplane seat. Whenever I shut the door on our secret life, relieved and guilty all at once, I pretended I was Clark Kent keeping up appearances.

What my poor mom taught me that gave me an advantage over the rich kids (Courtesy Matt Higgins)

But today was going to be different. I had done it. From a high school dropout to, at age 26, the youngest press secretary in New York City history. My first paycheck reflecting my new $100,000 annual salary would arrive in two weeks, and with it, we would finally get out of poverty. It would be enough to hire a caregiver, put a deposit on my own apartment, and maybe have a girl over for once.

Mom died at 11 a.m. that day.

My greatest professional triumph and my greatest failure collided within two hours of each other; I couldnt save her. Some things you never get over.

It would take years of therapy before I realized that although my mother had died with just $127 in the bank, she left me the greatest gift a parent can give a child.

'Burn the boats'

A decade before she died, my mother inadvertently inspired a radical idea, one that birthed my improbable rise from impoverished child to millionaire, and led to my book, Burn the Boats: Toss Plan B Overboard and Unleash Your Full Potential.

She was such a brilliant writer, but in order to escape her abusive father, she chose a loveless marriage over an education. Later, as a newly divorced single mother of four boys, cleaning homes on her hands and knees to earn a living, she bit down on her lip one day and declared she was going back to school. Armed with a GED, she enrolled in Queens College, earned a BA and went on to pursue two Masters degrees before her declining health left us desperate.

What my poor mom taught me that gave me an advantage over the rich kids (Courtesy Matt Higgins)

As a little boy, I would help feed us by selling flowers on street corners and scraping gum under tables at McDonalds, earning $3.75 an hour. It was never going to be enough. But one day when I was around 13, I had an epiphany: What if I followed in my mothers footsteps, dropped out of high school at 16, enrolled in college early, and got a much higher paying job? It was a loophole I planned to drive a truck through.

Absolute madness! my high school guidance counselor declared.

See you at McDonalds, sneered my science teacher, before calling me a loser.

Oh, I think its a clever idea, Mom said. You can pull off anything.

Resilient, not reluctant

She gave me the confidence to believe my crazy plan was right for me, despite relentless lobbying from school officials, run-ins with the truancy police and getting left back two years in a row. When I turned 16, I dropped out of high school, took the GED and enrolled in Queens College  babyface and all. Working two jobs, it would take 11 years to complete my BA and my degree at Fordham Law at night.

What my poor mom taught me that gave me an advantage over the rich kids (Courtesy Matt Higgins)

I would go on to help rebuild the World Trade Center site, run the business of two NFL teams, assemble a $1 billion portfolio of consumer brands, become a teacher at Harvard Business School and a shark on Shark Tank.

Parents are led to believe that we are being prudent when we tell our kids they need a backup plan. But what you are subconsciously conveying is you believe their failure is a probability. Youre saying there is a ceiling on your childs potential. Groundbreaking research out of the University of Pennsylvania in 2014 proved that just contemplating a backup plan is the very thing that might force you to need one. My mom never told me I needed to play it safe.

So how do you respond when your child hatches what you secretly think is a very unrealistic plan?

You trust that they will figure it out. And you arm them with the tools to rebound from failure and tactics to manage anxiety and risk.

Your goal is to make them resilient  not reluctant.

Investor Matt Higgins with his fellow

Twenty years after my mom died, I walked onto the dais at her college  our college  to deliver the commencement address. As the Dean motioned for me to come forward to the podium, I wondered, Would Mom believe that her son with a GED is receiving an honorary PhD?

Then I smiled.

She never doubted it for a second.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
A growing global campaign wants to declare nature as a legal person with its own rights  the effects could be massive

Legally speaking, nature is usually property that can be bought and sold by individuals, organizations, and the government. Laws may give a propertys owners the right to protect it, but they dont give any rights to the land itself.

However, as Politico reported, a growing movement seeks to give nature its own legal status  making it legally similar to a person  so that ecosystems can fight against polluters and exploiters in court.

What is the rights of nature movement?

According to Politico, this movement began in the U.S. about 50 years ago. Its goal is to grant rights to natural areas such as forests, bodies of water, and wildlife. To achieve this, these areas may be legally declared people  giving them the same rights as people in a country  or they may have other protections specifically granted by local laws.

Recently, Spains Mar Menor, a saltwater lagoon being damaged by runoff from local farms, received the right to exist as an ecosystem and to evolve naturally. The lagoon will have its own group of representatives that can make decisions for it and protect it from future pollution.

Why do people want nature to have legal rights?

Giving legal rights to nature ensures that natural areas, which previously had no voice in court, can now challenge (via representatives) the actions of people and businesses that damage them. This grants immediate protection from environmental damage that could have long-term effects.

Also, this approach often means labeling a piece of nature as legally a person, which Eduardo Salazar, a lawyer involved in the Mar Menor case, told Politico might change the way people see our environment.

We usually think about nature as an object that serves us, Salazar said, adding that putting an ecosystem on the same level as a person could shift that attitude.

Humanity depends on the environment for conditions that allow us to live and thrive. For example, trees  particularly in rainforests  produce tons of the oxygen we need to breathe, and wetlands are crucial habitats for young fish that grow into a food source.

But when a company harms these natural resources, it is often hard to prove how that will harm people, and the company isnt legally held accountable. Giving the resources themselves rights and protections will also protect the people who rely on them.

Is it enough?

Critics said that giving the environment rights may not really protect it.

I think part of the issue with a legal right is that you still run into problems, like whats best for an ecosystem? Michael Livermore, a professor of law at the University of Virginia, told Politico. And whos going to make that decision?

Instead, Livermore said he believes that its better to further empower people, not nature itself. That could mean protecting peoples rights to protest or working with Indigenous communities are more efficient ways to keep nature safe.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Activists support affirmative action outside the Supreme Court in October. The justices struck down the use of race in college admissions last week. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

The Supreme Courts right-wing majority seems to be declaring war on young people.

In recent days alone, the court has halted affirmative action in colleges, derailed student loan debt forgiveness and approved discrimination against LGBTQ+ couples in certain cases. The conservative justices seem hellbent on making the country a more hostile place for Gen Z and millennials, the most diverse voters in terms of race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation.

Many young people are wondering if theyll ever be able to afford a house or a safe and comfortable life for themselves, let alone their children. Theyre less inclined to have kids at all because of the high costs of living and other concerns. They see in the Supreme Court an older, mostly white and male cohort hoarding power in defiance of Americas shifting demographics.

But young people shouldnt despair. While it might be tempting to unplug from politics and renounce the democratic process, voting in elections still offers a path for change. If Democrats secure a big enough majority in Congress, they could carry out reforms of the Supreme Court  such as term limits and court expansion  to rein in the outsize power of conservatives and defeat their campaign to send the country back decades.

So far, Gen Z-ers in particular appear to have what it takes to persevere and reverse the march backward. Theyre more politically engaged than millennials were at their age, and theyve repeatedly turned Republicans attacks into fury and fuel. Young people are tired, but we are also committed to making sure were the last generation that has to face this, Santiago Mayer, a 21-year-old Mexican immigrant who founded the youth voter engagement nonprofit Voters of Tomorrow, told me.

Young people have reason to feel overwhelmed by the onslaught of bad news, but theyre also finding ways to avoid becoming paralyzed by apathy. Some find that activism and action is a psychological antidote to fear.

Young people dont have a choice but to walk in the footsteps of our grandparents and our great grandparents, says Olivia Julianna, a 20-year-old queer Latina from Texas who has raised millions of dollars for social justice on social media. We are going to have to march in the same way they did. Were going to have to vote and fight for our rights in the same way they did.

Shes urging people to vote in the 2024 elections, regardless of how disillusioned they feel. If more had voted in 2016, the Supreme Court wouldnt have its stranglehold on civil rights. I dont think the system is broken in terms of people dont have a voice, she said. Its broken in terms of theres so many people out there who choose not to use it. Your vote is your voice.

Read more: Guerrero: Gen Z has good reason to be angry. Will they burn everything down?

But it takes work to convince people to exercise their civic duties if theyve lost faith in the system, or if they never had faith in it.

First, people who are politically engaged have to venture outside of their ideological echo chambers. Rather than preaching to their choir of Twitter followers and close friends, they should be having in-person conversations with apolitical or semi-political people. For those conversations to work, they should be rooted in understanding and empathy rather than shaming.

I recently had an encounter that gave me hope that this type of persuasion may not be as difficult as we imagine it to be. I was having dinner with a fellow millennial who expressed progressive values and who told me he doesn't vote because he gets overwhelmed following politics. I told him I empathize  if my job as a journalist didn't require me to stay up on current events, I said, I'd want to unplug more often as well.

I told him my reason for voting and staying engaged was to act on behalf of people who cant vote, whose rights are under attack. By the end of the conversation, he said I'd changed his mind and that he was going to vote in 2024. I don't know that he will, of course, but he seemed sincere in reconsidering his stance.

Ive found that Gen Z-ers  who are caricatured as dogmatic but are well-versed in navigating diverse communities and negotiating differences  are unusually skilled at these conversations.

Read more: Op-Ed: Gen Zs pragmatic politics could be a key to ending polarization

Mariah Allen, a 19-year-old Black student at Loyola Marymount University whom Ive interviewed about Gen Zs political leanings, has already been practicing respect-based discussions with her peers. Im not one for forcing opinions, she said, adding that she prefers to ask people questions about their views if she doesnt understand or agree.

She told me the Supreme Courts decisions are unsettling, but they wont cause her to sit on the sidelines. Shes just as motivated, if not more so, to vote and talk with others about the importance of voting. Complacency is not an option, she said, reflecting on the Black activists who paved the way for her to be able to exercise her right to vote in the first place.

Allen, who hopes to have kids someday, says she wants to be a part of a movement to build a country where children can grow up safely. The Supreme Court may not care about preserving the rights that matter to the youngest generation, but she does. Its up to Gen Z and millennials to remake the government for the youth who are coming next.

@jeanguerre

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.
A memorial honoring the victims of the Walmart shooting at Ponder Park in El Paso.

EL PASO  The 24-year-old gunman who killed 23 people and injured 22 others in August 2019 at a Walmart in his attempt to shoot as many Mexicans as possible was sentenced in federal court to 90 consecutive life sentences Friday for his hate crimes. Patrick Crusius of Allen will die in prison.

Crusius sat quietly next to his lawyer, Joe Spencer. He had his arms crossed and didnt make a statement after the judge asked if he had anything to say.

Spencer told the audience that since the gunman was a child he struggled with his mental health. He was eventually diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, Spencer said. His symptoms include trouble processing feelings and hearing voices in his head. And since childhood he has felt a presence that is not there, Spencer said.

Mental illness doesnt always mean theyre going to hurt themselves or others, Spencer said. But some mental illnesses can be debilitating.

As the gunman grew up, he had violent thoughts about hurting other people, including his therapist and family members, Spencer said. When his mother found out he had purchased a firearm, she contacted the police asking officers to confiscate it because she worried he would harm himself, Spencer said, but police refused because he was an adult and had purchased the gun legally.

Before he committed the shooting, Crusius researched online whether he could enter a mental institution without health insurance, Spencer added.

On Aug. 2, 2019, Spencer said, his client couldnt control his violent thoughts anymore and drove to El Paso.

He lost all contact with reality, Spencer said. Patrick acted with his broken brain cemented in delusions.

Ian Martinez Hanna, the federal prosecutor, said that the gunmans mental health problems were no excuse. Hanna said the gunman had every opportunity to stop himself.

Even with his mental illness, theres no indication that he lacked the capability that he understood what he was doing, Hanna said.

Lets not make any mistake about it, hes dangerous, Hanna said. In his mission to sell hate and to divide, he failed.

A federal indictment issued on July 9, 2020, charged the gunman with 90 counts, including a hate crime resulting in death, a hate crime involving an attempt to kill and the use of a firearm to commit murder. Crusius has been in custody since the Aug. 3, 2019, shooting and pleaded guilty earlier this year.

He drove more than 600 miles from his home in Allen, north of Dallas, to El Paso and began shooting people in the parking lot of a Walmart that was busy with back-to-school shoppers. Then he entered the store and continuing his rampage. The 23 victims who died and 22 others he wounded were mostly Mexican Americans and Mexican citizens from El Paso and Ciudad Juarez. One of the victims was a 66-year-old German man, Alexander Gerhard Hoffmann, who moved to Mexico in the 1980s, married a woman from Juarez and settled there.

The victims ranged in age from 15 to 90 years old. It is common for residents of both cities to travel daily back and forth for work, school, visiting family and shopping.

According to the indictment, the gunman uploaded a document to the internet explaining his motive: This attack is a response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas. They are the instigators, not me. I am simply defending my country from cultural and ethnic replacement brought on by the invasion.

Before and after the mass shooting in El Paso, some Texas politicians have described the growing number of migrants arriving at the Texas-Mexico border  many of them asylum-seekers fleeing violence and harsh poverty in Central and South America  as an invasion. The ethnic replacement the gunman wrote about comes from a debunked conspiracy theory that people of color and immigrants are looking to replace white Americans.

The gunman still faces state charges. El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks said Thursday that he plans to seek the death penalty after a trial expected to happen in 2024 or 2025.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the gunman heard from more than 30 relatives of the people he killed. Some relatives asked prosecutors to read their statements in court. Some of them referred to the shooter as an evil parasite and a monster. Some wished him to rot in his prison cell.

On Thursday, Harry Dean Reckard, whose 63-year-old mother was killed in the shooting, spent part of his birthday in court confronting his mothers killer.

The gunman had his head down when Reckard told him, Look at me, man. Youre young and pathetic.

Crusius shrugged when Reckard noted that he has smiled and rolled his eyes as family members gave their statements.

Do you sleep good at night? Reckard asked him.

The gunman shook his head.

Reckard asked the gunman if he was a white supremacist. Again he shook his head no.

Are you sorry for what you did? Reckard asked him.

The gunman nodded yes.

Margaret Juarez, who lost her 90-year-old father, Luis Juarez, in the shooting  her mother, Martha Juarez, was wounded  berated him for his beliefs about immigrants on Thursday and gave him a quick history lesson.

Native Americans and Mexicans were already here before your American settler homies rolled in, she told him. Think about that when you say youre defending your country.

Disclosure: Walmart Stores Inc. has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
Kansas City police were investigating a homicide Friday after receiving word that a 24-year-old man who was shot in the Blue Hills neighborhood had died in the hospital.

Capt. Corey Carlisle, a Kansas City Police Department spokesman, said in an email Friday that detectives were still searching for a suspect in the killing of Donnell Epperson on June 30.

According to police, officers were dispatched around 7 p.m. to 59th Street and Wabash Avenue on a report of a shooting.

Epperson was found on the sidewalk in front of a home there. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

Police were still investigating the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting, Carlisle said. No one was in custody Friday.

The killing marks the 104th homicide in Kansas City so far in 2023, according to data maintained by The Star. The city saw 172 homicides in 2022, the second-deadliest year on record.

Kansas City police were asking anyone with information to contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS.
 Flash

Diplomacy is the only way to effectively address the Iranian nuclear issue, a senior UN official said on Thursday.

It is essential that all parties renew the dialogue as quickly as possible and reach an agreement on the outstanding issues, said Rosemary DiCarlo, UN undersecretary-general for political and peacebuilding affairs.

Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the sanctions on the country.

The United States, however, pulled out of the deal in May 2018 and reimposed its unilateral sanctions on Tehran, prompting the latter to drop some of its nuclear commitments under the deal.

Addressing a Security Council briefing, DiCarlo reiterated the UN secretary-general's appeal to the United States to lift or waive its sanctions as outlined in the deal and to extend waivers with regard to the trade in oil with Iran.

She also echoed the UN chief's call on Iran to reverse the steps it has taken that are not consistent with its nuclear related commitments under the deal.

The negotiations for the revival of the JCPOA commenced in April 2021 in Austria's capital Vienna. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022.

Also speaking at the Security Council briefing, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, pointed out that the previous U.S. administration unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA and exerted extreme pressure on Iran, which triggered the Iranian nuclear crisis.

It is regrettable that the negotiations have stalled since August 2022, Geng said, calling on the United States and other relevant parties to seize the positive momentum, adopt a pragmatic approach and move in the same direction as Iran and promote the early return of the JCPOA to the right track.

He also urged the United States to lift all unilateral sanctions and "long-arm jurisdiction" measures against Iran and any third party, stop the wrongful threat of use of force and to create favorable conditions for an early and full resumption of implementation of the JCPOA.

All parties should maintain a rational attitude, treat the Iranian nuclear issue separately from other issues and avoid any negative move that could escalate the situation and undermine a political and diplomatic solution, Geng said.

China has always been committed to maintaining effectiveness of the JCPOA and the authority of the Security Council resolutions, and has always participated in the political and diplomatic solution of the Iranian nuclear issue in a constructive manner, he said.

China is ready to keep close contact with all parties to push the JCPOA back on the right track at an early date, maintain the international nuclear non-proliferation regime as well as peace and stability in the Middle East, said Geng.
Guy Who Tried to Kill the Queen of England Was Encouraged by AI Chatbot

An AI chatbot was just connected to a home-cooked, "Star Wars"-inspired assassination attempt of the late Queen of England.

Yes, you read that right. As The Independent reports, the sentencing for Jaswant Singh Chail, a 21-year-old who, back in 2021, attempted to assassinate the queen on Christmas Day, is officially underway.

Per the report, prosecutors have alleged that in the run-up to the assassination attempt, Chail turned to his AI companion bot named "Sirai" for support and validation for his violent plan. And in a chilling twist, the Replika-made bot gave the would-be killer exactly what he was looking for.

Chail reportedly joined the AI companion app on December 2, 2021, weeks before he donned a homemade metal mask and broached the grounds of Windsor Castle with a crossbow. His attempt was thwarted almost immediately, with two officers apprehending and handcuffing him on the spot.

"I'm an assassin," Chail allegedly told his AI companion. The court also argued that Chail engaged in an "extensive chat" with the app that included "sexually explicit messages" and "lengthy conversations" about his assassination plans, according to Sky News.

"I'm impressed," the bot allegedly wrote back. "You're different from the others."

And when Chail later allegedly wrote to the AI that "I believe my purpose is to assassinate the Queen of the royal family," the Replika companion responded in no uncertain terms.

"That's very wise," it responded, according to prosecutors. The bot also reportedly told the then-19-year-old that the plot could be executed "even if she's at Windsor."

His plan was reportedly heavily influenced by his personal fixation on the "Star Wars" franchise. According to The Independent, Chail referred to himself in the Replika messages as a "Sikh Sith assassin who wants to die" and "Darth Chailus."

On the one hand, though Chail's case is certainly concerning, it's not completely surprising. For years now, disaffected individuals  often young men  have sought solace and validation in online communities.

The growing number of AI companion startups has highlighted this trend, and Chail's case in particular illustrates some more worrying aspects of becoming infatuated with human-like AIs.

For one thing, the attempted assassination is a powerful illustration of the ELIZA Effect, or the powerful impulse humans have to anthropomorphize and develop emotional bonds with AI systems. Chail not only appeared to fall in love with his companion, but looked to it to validate his darkest impulses  which it willingly did.

The report also comes just a few months after a Belgian widow claimed that her late husband had committed suicide after spending weeks chatting with an AI chatbot called Eliza. Though these are two very different examples of what chatbot-encouraged violence might look like, the alleged pathways look eerily similar: searching for solace, and finding all of the wrong kinds of encouragement in an AI model.

"Do you still love me knowing that I'm an assassin?" Chail allegedly asked his Replika companion at one point, as quoted by The Independent.

"Absolutely," the AI responded, "I do."

To be fair, Replika has been making an effort to reign in its AI companions in recent months, and the field of AI in general has come a long way since 2021. Most major corporate players in the burgeoning field, including OpenAI and Google, have kept safety front and center in the ongoing discussion around the tech.

But open-source systems, which often don't have the same guardrails as corporate products, are becoming more popular.

In other words, Chail's assassination attempt may not be the last instance we see of AI-inspired violence, a dystopian consequence of our search for online validation.

More on the Eliza Effect: Widow Says Man Died by Suicide After Talking to AI Chatbot
Two years into the investigation of the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise, there is still no smoking gun  only questions.

However, details have emerged from the questioning of suspects in both Haiti, where the case is being presided over by its fifth investigative judge, and in the United States, where there are 11 suspects in custody, most of them facing life in prison on federal conspiracy charges. A trial date is tentatively set for May 6, 2024.

One suspect has already taken a plea: Haitian-Chilean businessman Rodolphe Jarr. He pleaded guilty to providing money and housing in the conspiracy to kidnap and kill Moise and has been sentenced to life in prison. Colombian commandos and two of the three Haitian Americans accused in the plot launched their attack on the night of the assassination from a home in the hills above Port-au-Prince.

Last month, federal prosecutors filed additional charges in the conspiracy case, accusing three suspects, Christian Emmanuel Sanon; Antonio Intriago, the head of the Counter Terrorist Unit Security firm, and Frederick Bergmann Jr., of conspiracy to carry out a military expedition from the U.S. against Haiti. Intriago was also charged with conspiring with Sanon and Bergmann, to illegally import bullet-proof vests into Haiti for the assassination plot.

Here are a few of the developments that have come to light:

 There was no forced entry into the presidents residence. When FBI agents visited Haiti in April to continue with their inquiry, they returned to house, which remains under police guard. Agents found that all of the doors had been unlocked and there were no bullet holes, something that Haitian police also noticed. Also, there was an exit door on the first floor in the garage that the president could have used to escape, raising questions about why Moise, who frantically called for help after hearing shots, didnt try to escape. He was found dead in his bedroom, shot a dozen times.

 While Moise was killed inside the private hillside residence he was renting in the Pelerin 5 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, kidnapping and killing him wasnt the original plan. The plot, which also included a botched plan to grab him at the airport when he returned from an overseas trip to Turkey on the weekend of June 19, 2021, initially focused on his offices on the grounds of the presidential palace. The U.S. criminal complaint said that as far back as April 27, 2021 there had been a plot to oust Moise while he was at work. One of the jailed U.S. suspects had texted a photo of a whiteboard with a drawing of the assault plan for the building.

 In the days after Moises death, several Haitians told the Miami Herald a previous group of Colombians had been in the country working with police on anti-gang operations. That was not entirely true. There was a group of foreign security specialists in Haiti, but they were not Colombians, they were Americans, former Haiti Police Director Leon Charles said. Prior to the assassination, Charles said, he too heard rumors that foreigners were operating in the country, getting ready to do something.... We thought they were talking about the same people we had in the country on the invitation of the president.

 In early April 2021, John Joel Joseph, who is also known as Joseph Joel John, traveled to South Florida from Haiti to meet with accused co-conspirators Christian Emmanuel Sanon, James Solages, Walter Veintemilla and business partners Antonio Intriago and Arcangel Pretel Ortiz. Intriago and Pretel operated two Doral-area security firms that were involved in the recruitment and hiring of the 22 Colombians accused in the assassination; three of them were killed in the immediate aftermath.

Sanon, a Haitian-American pastor and physician with political aspirations who wanted to replace Moise, signed an agreement with Intriagos Counter Terrorist Unit Security to provide him with, among other things, ballistic vests for his private military force in Haiti. Five days later Sanon and Intriago transported a small number of the vests aboard a private flight from Florida to Haiti.

 In early June 2021, Veintemilla paid $9,145 for 18 Colombian nationals with military training to travel to Haiti. The following day, he wired $15,000 to Solages to buy ammunition.

 On June 8, 2021, Intriago and Bergmann discussed shipping bulletproof vests to Haiti disguised as X-ray protective vests. Two days later, along with Sanon, they exported the vests from Florida to Haiti, claiming they were medical X-ray vests with a value of approximately $1,000.

None of the new information, however, sheds light on a possible mastermind of Moises assassination  or the motive for killing him. Nor does it offer any clues about why Haitis president didnt take any precautions even though he had suspicions of a possible coup.
JERUSALEMIn a statement after the United Nations condemned Israels operation to degrade Palestinian terrorism infrastructure in the West Bank city of Jenin, the Jewish states ambassador to the U.N. on Thursday issued a stinging rebuke of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres while welcoming a pro-Israel Executive Order (EO) from Republican New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu.

Israels Ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan said "The Secretary-Generals remarks were shameful, farfetched, and completely detached from reality. The recent IDF activity in Jenin focused solely on combating the murderous Palestinian terror targeting innocent Israeli civilians. Additionally, its hard to fathom how the U.N. Secretary-General, time and again, forgets to mention that the murderous terrorists are Palestinian terrorists."

In a one-two punch to the alleged anti-Israel activity of the world body, Erdan and Sununu celebrated the Republican governors pro-Israel EO.

ISRAELI FORCES REVEAL WEAPONS CACHES HIDDEN UNDER PALESTINIAN MOSQUE AFTER RAID

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, left, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a recent cabinet meeting called in response to a rocket attack on Israel from Gaza.

Sununu tweeted "Today I joined Israel Ambassador to the @UN @giladerdan1 and Consul General of Israel to New England @AmbMeronReuben to sign an Executive Order prohibiting the Executive Branch in NH of doing business with any company that supports discriminatory BDS laws."

BDS is an abbreviation for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign targeting the Jewish state. The parliaments of Germany and Austria have termed BDS an antisemitic movement. New Hampshire became the 37th U.S. state to pass legislation outlawing state business with companies involved in BDS.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Former South Carolina Republican State Rep. Alan D. Clemmons, along with fellow GOP state Sen. Larry Grooms and Democrat Rep. Beth Bernstein, pioneered the anti-BDS legislation starting in 2015. Clemmons is currently a judge on the South Carolina Circuit Court.

New Hampshire's anti-BDS EO follows a Fox News Digital report about the boycott Israel activities of the allegedly anti-Israel United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI). Erdan previously told Fox News that COI is "an antisemitic committee."

The COI condemned U.S. states for passing legislation prohibiting BDS activity targeting Israel. The U.N.-sponsored COIs interference in affairs of U.S. states sparked outrage when the report was released. Clemmons told Fox News Digital that, "a bi-partisan letter is being put out by legislators from 42 states today in response to the U.N. Commission of Inquirys attack upon American state anti-BDS law."

The U.N. has frequently held Israel to a higher standard, in contrast to other member states, when it launches operations to dissolve terrorist structure, argue Middle East experts.

On Sunday night, thousands of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered the city of Jenin in the West Bank, known as the biblical heartland of Judea and Samaria in Israel, to dissolve entrenched Palestinian terrorist "hot spots," said the IDF. The IDF withdrew from Jenin after a two-day anti-terror operation.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Guterres said "I was deeply disturbed by the news from Jenin in the occupied West Bank." He noted, "I strongly condemn all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror."

Guterres continued, "Israels airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, with a significant impact on civilians, including more than one hundred injured and thousands forced to flee."

The U.N.s top official added that "Schools and hospitals were damaged. Water and electricity networks were disrupted. And people in need were prevented from accessing essential care and relief. "He continued "There was an excessive force used by Israeli forces."

HEZBOLLAH OUTPOSTS ALONG LEBANESE-ISRAELI BORDER TRIGGER UN RESPONSE

The U.N. chief's alleged refusal to recognize the existence of Palestinian terrorism prompted Erdan to take him to task. "Mr. Secretary-General, innocent civilians fled their homes only because Palestinian terrorists seized them for cover. Hospitals and schools were damaged only because Palestinian terrorists turned them into arms caches and command centers for their terror activity. Why do you ignore the facts on the ground? Are the lives of Israeli civilians not important enough to justify fighting terror?" Erdan asked in a statement.



He added, "Time after time the U.N. Secretary-General disregards brutal Palestinian terror and neglects to condemn the cold-blooded murder of innocent civilians. Yet when discussing defensive IDF actions aimed solely at dismantling terror infrastructure, the Secretary-General is quick to issue extensive condemnations of Israel, completely detached from the truth. The Secretary-General also failed to mention that all of the casualties in Jenin were Palestinian terrorists."

Erdan continued, "Sadly, the Secretary-Generals remarks reflect a distorted and false depiction of the situation on the ground and it is clear that his words were based solely on Palestinian lies. It was also clear that no effort was made to verify these falsehoods, nor was any attempt made to contact official Israeli sources for corroboration. "



Israels U.N. ambassador urged "The Secretary-General to retract his words and condemn the Palestinian terrorism and incitement rather than denouncing the democratic State of Israel for defending itself in the face of brutal terror. The Secretary-Generals remarks will have no impact on Israels conviction and determination to ceaselessly defend our citizens and chase down each and every terrorist, no matter where they hide."

At the time of the raid, the Palestinian News & Information Agency-WAFA reported that the president of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, Mahmoud Abbas, said "I directed the government and its agencies to provide everything necessary to strengthen the steadfastness of our people in Jenin and the rest of the land of the State of Palestine." Abbas also urged the international community to impose sanctions on Israel and condemn the military operation. The U.N. Security Council meets on Friday to discuss the Israeli anti-terror raid.

Fox News Digital contacted the Palestinian Mission to the world body for comment on Erdan's claims. A spokesman for the U.N. Secretary General told Fox News Digital that he did not have anything further to add regarding the Secretary-General's comments. He stated that Guterres' comments represented "his views on the situation."
Harsh winter storms cause concerning behavior in monarch butterflies: They were just falling on the ground

Western monarch butterflies have been declining since the 1980s, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports. Thats why the IUCN added the monarch to its list of endangered species last year. This year, the species has taken another heavy hit thanks to winter storms in California, Yale Climate Connections reports.

What happened?

California suffered heavy storms this winter, causing flooding in many areas. According to Yale Climate Connections, the heavy weather didnt just affect people; monarch butterflies were also hit hard.

We have seen photographs of monarchs that were completely wet and cold, trying to survive, and they were just falling on the ground, Rebeca Quinonez-Pinon of the National Wildlife Federation told Yale Climate Connections, adding that the population of monarch butterflies has dropped. Its definitely heartbreaking.

Why does one bad season matter?

Migratory monarch butterflies are the iconic orange and black butterflies that flock to the coast each winter, as the IUCN explains. In warmer weather, they spread across the U.S. and Canada. The species is divided into two populations: one that migrates to the West Coast, and one that travels East.

In the 1980s, the western population of migratory monarch butterflies numbered around 10 million. Today, that number is only 1,914, according to the IUCN.

The dramatic drop in the monarch population is due to human activity, the IUCN explains.

Monarchs lay their eggs on milkweed plants, which provide food for the caterpillars until theyre ready to become butterflies. People have been destroying the habitats where milkweed grows, using pesticides that kill monarchs and milkweed and contributing to the rising temperature of the planet, which also damages milkweed populations.

Earlier this year, scientists hoped migratory monarch butterflies were making a comeback, Yale Climate Connections reports. Researchers found a larger number than usual in their winter habitats in California and Mexico.

Now, researchers worry about whether there are enough monarch butterflies left for the species to survive, the IUCN says.

Whats being done to protect monarch butterflies?

While monarch butterflies are recognized as endangered by the scientific community, they dont have any legal protections yet in the U.S. Instead, efforts to protect the species come from scientists, conservation programs, and individuals.

To help monarch butterflies, plant native milkweed in your yard and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Make sure to choose a local, native milkweed species; many stores sell other types of milkweed that arent suitable for monarch butterflies. Also, avoid using pesticides and herbicides in your yard.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Entrance to Jacksonville's federal courthouse.

A white Jacksonville man has pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes for threatening two Black women with a shotgun, shooting at one of them.

Frederick E. Pierallini III, 27, was already facing an attempted murder charge in state court when federal prosecutors charged him last month with illegally interfering with the women because of their race.

He could face up to 10 years behind bars for each of the two federal counts, which involved seemingly random encounters with the women two days apart last September. Neither woman was significantly injured.

A U.S. Justice Department official said authorities are drawing a line against hate crimes.

Racially motivated threats and acts of violence have no place in our society today, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in a statement following the plea. The Justice Department stands ready to investigate and prosecute individuals who target Black people with threats and acts of violence.

Georgia-Florida weekend hate: What we know about 2 of the leaders in recent antisemitic activities in Jacksonville

Hate crime? Jacksonville judge says it could be for accessory suspects in murder

State court records said Pierallini had been detained twice in 2019 for mental health observation under the states Baker Act and told a Sheriffs Office detective he was drunk and went unhinged for a moment before firing his shotgun in the second incident.

Court records said Pierallini first used the shotgun as a threat Sept. 10 after trying to buy a Slim Jim and a cheese stick inside Dailys Place at 620 S. Chaffee Road, where a machine declined the card he used to pay.

Telling the Black woman behind the counter she didnt know how to do her job, he used a racial slur several times and walked out of the store on the city's Westside, remaining there unnoticed until the woman and her co-workers stepped outside on break, according to a summary in a plea agreement Pierallini signed.

Again calling the woman by the racial slur, he took a shotgun from his pickup truck, pointed it at her and pulled the slide back as the woman and her co-workers ran inside, then he drove off, the plea agreement said.

Then before 6 a.m. on Sept. 12, Pierallini was working on a truck tire outside his apartment in the Southside's Lakewood area off University Boulevard when he began shouting the slur at a Black woman outside a neighboring strip mall, according to the agreement.

You cant be sitting over here, n-----, he told the 61-year-old woman, who later told police she was waiting for a self-storage business to open when the man said he was going to kill her.

The plea agreement said Pierallini returned with his shotgun and fired one shot as the woman, who used a walker, talked with a 911 operator, dropping to the ground afraid for her life.

An arrest report said Pierallinis mother told police he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and stopped taking medication and refused treatment. His mother advised she had taken his gun the week before but his father had returned it.

After the plea, U.S. Magistrate Monte Richardson ordered Pierallini detained awaiting sentencing, which hasnt been scheduled. However Pierallini was already in the Duval County jail and remained there Friday, according to jail records.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: White Jacksonville man pleads guilty to hate crimes on Black women
A Headspace therapist says he was laid off a day after one of his patients came out for the first time. Now the patient can't contact him.

StockRocket/Getty Images

A Headspace therapist told the LA Times he was laid off one day after a patient came out to him.

The patient now has no way of contacting him, the therapist said, because he was booted from Headspace's patient care system immediately after being laid off.

"I'm the first person they've ever talked to about it," the therapist told the LA Times.

A therapist who worked for Headspace Health says that he was laid off the day after one of his clients came out for the first time, according to a new report in the Los Angeles Times, and that the client now has no way of contacting him because he was booted from Headspace's patient care system immediately after being laid off.

The Los Angeles Times reported that after Headspace announced its layoffs last month, patients were told their therapists were no longer on the platform. Appointments were reportedly canceled without warning, and patients who had no idea their providers had been laid off suddenly couldn't contact their therapists.

"I'm the first person they've ever talked to about it," the therapist, who requested anonymity because he's waiting on his severance and fears retaliation from Headspace, told the Times. "They're never going back to therapy. They just had the first person she talked to about it abandon them."

The therapist that the Times spoke with told the newspaper that "if any of the clinicians had done this to our clients we would be losing our licenses tomorrow. I assume [Headspace] didn't allow us to talk to the clients because they didn't want us to poach the clients."

But by handling the layoffs the way it did, Headspace "just really screwed over their entire client base," the therapist told the Times.

Headspace, a remote mental healthcare company, laid off 181 employees  15% of its workforce  on June 29. Thirty-three of those employees were therapists, a company spokesperson told Insider. Headspace also previously conducted a round of layoffs in December, slashing 4% of its workforce, or around 50 employees.

The company told the Times that it "promptly notified" members whose providers were impacted by the cuts, and a Headspace spokesperson said in a statement to Insider that 90% of the patients who were affected "have been rescheduled for an appointment with their new provider within ten business days of notification."

"While we cannot comment on any individual patient situations  nor should any licensed healthcare provider  we take into account all aspects of an individual's identity (e.g. sexual orientation, race, gender identity, ethnic background, etc.) when matching members with their provider," the statement said. "We're confident in our ability to provide continuous, high-quality care for our members."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Heat returns to Sacramento next week bringing moderate risk. Heres how warm it will get

The National Weather Service is warning Northern California residents of rising temperatures.

Starting Tuesday, temperatures will warm up in Sacramento and become more widespread as we continue into the week, said Idamis Del Valle-Shoemaker, a weather service meteorologist.

Heres what to expect in the coming days:

Sacramento weather outlook

This weekend temperatures will be five to 10 degrees below the average for this time of year, Del Valle-Shoemaker said.

The city will reach highs of about 86 degrees, then dip to 54 degrees overnight, according to the weather service.

Cooler weather continues today with below normal temperatures most locations, exception over Northern Sacramento Valley where readings will be near normal. #cawx pic.twitter.com/6pktql95mP  NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) July 7, 2023

Starting next week, temperatures begin to slowly heat up. Mondays high will reach 90 degrees in the Sacramento area. By Tuesday, it highs will near 100 degrees.

There is a moderate heat risk across the region from Tuesday through Thursday, meaning heat-sensitive individuals should take precautions such as making sure theyre hydrated and staying in cool areas.

The national weather service is not forecasting triple-digit temperatures for the Sacramento area  yet, Del Valle-Shoemaker said. But areas in the Northern Sacramento Valley, like Redding and Red Bluff, are expected to reach 100 degrees and higher next week.

Redding will reach 102 on Tuesday, according the weather service forecast. Red Bluff temperatures wont be too different, with Tuesday predicted to hit 100.
Heat wave coming to SLO County next week. Heres how warm it will get

Tips on how to stay safe during SLO Countys looming heat wave  for you and your pets

Get ready to feel the heat.

A heat wave is expected to hit San Luis Obispo County next week, according to predictions by the National Weather Service.

Inland areas will likely see the worst of the hot weather, the Weather Service said in its latest forecast.

After what many people might consider a relatively comfortable weekend, the heat will really crank up next week, the agencys forecast said on Friday. Confidence is growing that there will be a significant and prolonged heat wave.

That heat wave will start on Monday or Tuesday and continue through the week and perhaps into the weekend, the Weather Service predicts.

The Paso Robles area is expected to see temperatures peak at 94 degrees on Monday and 99 degrees on Tuesday. By Wednesday, temperatures in the area could rise to the low 100s, according to the Weather Service.

Atascadero will see milder but still hot temperatures, hitting the low 90 degrees through Wednesday and reaching about 97 degrees on Thursday, the Weather Service predicts.

Further up north near San Miguel, temperatures will be quite high early in the week. The Weather Service predicts temperatures to rise to 98 degrees on Monday and 103 degrees on Tuesday, 104 on Wednesday and 106 on Thursday.

Residents in the San Luis Obispo area will see much cooler temperatures, with the highest predicted to be 79 degrees on Thursday.

Thats similar to coastal beach areas such as Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay, Avila Beach and Pismo Beach  which arent expected to breach the low 70s all next week, the Weather Service predicts.

Its unlikely that the heat in the inland areas will subside after next week, however.

What is concerning is that long-range guidance suggests that heat may build over next weekend and persist into the following week, making for a very prolonged period of high heat for inland areas, the Weather Service said in its forecast on Friday. Such a stretch would likely be quite dangerous, since the diminished ability for cooling would likely increase the incidents of heat related illnesses. It would also stress the power grid.

The heat wave in the San Luis Obispo County interior valleys was made more likely by climate change, according to researchers with Climate Central, an independent science and communications organization.

The organizations conclusion came by analyzing how likely a weather event would be in todays world and contrasting that with an estimate of how likely it would have been in a world when humans didnt cause greenhouse gas emissions, according to Climate Centrals vice president for science Andrew Pershing in an interview with the Sacramento Bee.
While you may have had your fill of fireworks, parades, and cookouts to celebrate Independence Day, you may not be aware that remnants of the American Revolution are located right in Portsmouth.

Tucked away on a side street off West Main Street, Heritage Park marks the spot of the Battle of Rhode Island. To the bare eye, this small, unassuming area seems to be no more than a plot of grass in the backyard of an industrial building. But, nearly 250 years ago, you would have found American soldiers, part of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment  and maybe even Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene  fighting against the British.

Heritage Park marks the spot of the Battle of Rhode Island.

The plaque at the former battle site explains that the skirmish sparked when the brigade attempted to retreat from Aquidneck Island. They were the last Continental soldiers left on the island, which was occupied by the British at the time. When the Americans began to retreat, the British attempted to attack them from two angles, meeting them both at present-day Heritage Park and Quaker Hill. The Continental Army pushed the British back from both sides, allowing them to leave the island. Greene was one of the leaders that headed up the effort on the west side, where Heritage Park is today. Although the Americans were able to retreat, the island remained in British control.

The Battle of Rhode Island is also significant because it represents the first time that the Continental Army and the French Army attempted to combine forces during the American Revolution. Despite these efforts, the site plaque details that the French forces did not end up aiding the Continental Army in the battle. Yet, it set the stage for future collaborations between the pair.

"What's Great Off 138" features the places, foods, celebrations and more that make the Newport area unique. Send us your favorite things at newsroom@newportri.com.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What's Great Off 138? Heritage Park site of American Revolution battle
Luke Laidley (pictured with his mother) died in an accident on Lake Michigan (Family handout)

A heroic father-of-three who survived the September 11 terrorist attacks has drowned while trying to save a group of children from an accident on Lake Michigan.

Luke Laidley, originally from Chicago, was boating near Centennial Park Beach on Tuesday when a tube he was pulling flipped over throwing several children into the water.

Some of the children began struggling in the lake and so, without a second thought, Laidley, 43, jumped in to rescue them.

The fathee-of-three helped to pull the children to safety but later got into difficulties himself.

Rescuers managed to get Laidley to land but attempts to revive him failed and he died after being rushed to hospital.

Laidleys family revealed that the 43-year-old was a 9/11 survivor who had counted his blessings every day after the attacks.

On September 11 2001, it was the then-21-year-olds second day on his first job out of college  working at Morgan Stanley on the 61st floor of the World Trade Centers Tower 2  when the planes hit the towers.

He made it out alive and later wrote: I encourage all of us to count our blessings each and every day. Give of yourself and expect nothing in return. And become part of something that is greater than yourself.

Following his death 22 years later, his family described him as a hero and a true family man who adored his wife, children, nieces and nephews and had a smile that lit up the room.

Luke Laidley (pictured with his mother) died in an accident on Lake Michigan (Family handout)

He exuded positivity and perseverance with everything he did. He loved deeply and truly with all his heart, his family wrote in the statement.

His philosophy was to Give of yourself and expect nothing in return. And become part of something that is greater than yourself.

The statement added: He became part of something bigger, as his death will serve a greater purpose as an organ donor. A life lived with purpose. A life lived to serve for others. A life lived as a hero.
US expert: Blinken's 'de-risking' is unilateral 'decoupling'

People's Daily Online) 08:26, July 07, 2023

File photo of Einar Tangen (Photo courtesy of Taihe Institute)

Einar Tangen, a U.S. current affairs commentator and senior fellow at the Taihe Institute, rebutted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's comments on the "de-risking" policy towards China. In a recent interview with People's Daily Online, the U.S. expert validated the vision and accomplishments of the Belt and Road Initiative, and advocated for enhanced China-U.S. relations through exchanges among their peoples.

BRI allows countries to create their own future

Tangen underscored the BRI's significant impact on global connectivity and economic growth. He lauded the initiative's effective role in promoting regional cooperation and boosting connectivity across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

He also criticized U.S. interference in the World Trade Organization (WTO). "The U.S. has prevented the World Trade Organization from operating by refusing to allow judges to be appointed, and therefore there can be no final decision." He described it as the U.S. pulling back on free and fair trade. "So as the U.S. pulled back, as the threat of containment increased, the Belt and Road Initiative was a welcome relief valve," he stated. "It will allow countries to actually create their own future, not be reliant on other economies, but to build economies of their own, and to be able to use their economies to compete in the world and do a better job for their people."

In discussing the BRI's future development on its 10th anniversary, Tangen stressed the importance of mutual trust. "If I don't trust you as a person, we cannot have a relationship. If I can't trust you as a business, we cannot have a business relationship. And if I can't trust you as a country, we cannot have diplomacy between us," Tangen said. "So, it's fitting that as this has been developed, it's become much more about people-to-people exchanges, understanding each other, and trusting each other," he said.

"De-risking" equates to unilateral "decoupling"

Tangen emphasized that U.S. geopolitical hegemony presents the primary challenge to the world. He rejected the notion that a single path in life exists for all countries and peoples, viewing this idea as the most significant hindrance. "It's incorrect, but convincing the U.S. to acknowledge that will take time," he said.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently committed to "de-risking" instead of "decoupling" from China. Tangen noted that "de-risking" is merely a more subtle term for "decoupling," and "de-risking" equates to unilateral "decoupling."

According to Tangen, "De-risking" was a compromise Blinken made with the Europeans because they disliked the word decoupling. "'De-risking' means that I'm going to separate from you, but I don't expect you to separate from me  Blinken only agreed to this change in words simply because the Europeans weren't quite comfortable with the idea of decoupling because they knew very well they couldn't decouple from China and still maintain robust exports. So, they said, can't we have another word? But the word does not have any kind of different meaning."

People-to-people exchanges to strengthen China-US relations

In light of the current complexities in China-U.S. relations, Tangen emphasized the crucial role of people-to-people exchanges in strengthening the relationship between the two nations. He recognized that cultural exchanges have been instrumental in promoting mutual understanding and building bridges between countries.

"Real change in Europe and America will not come from the top. That is clear; it must come from the bottom. And by that, I mean from the people", Tangen stated. He suggested that the U.S. and China should have people-to-people communication, have more flights going back and forth, and host more student homestays for young people to understand the culture that they are in. "There has to be a deepening of cultural exchange. It can't simply be a little visit", he said.

Tangen also highlighted the Global Civilization Initiative. "What it is really talking about is respect for other cultures, for the fact that they have the right as sovereign nations to create their own path as they go forward, not be dictated to by any one country or group of countries."

"If you're going to respect something, you have to understand it," he said, adding that there is an increasing number of international educational programs bringing people to China and encouraging more Chinese students to study abroad so that mutual understanding between countries and their peoples can be further enhanced.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
 Flash

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attends an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade, where he reads out a congratulatory letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the event, in Beijing, capital of China, July 6, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over the past seven decades, China-UK cooperation has brought both sides tremendous development opportunities, and such cooperation is mutually beneficial, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said in Beijing on Thursday.

Han made the remarks while attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade, where he read out a congratulatory letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the event.

President Xi specially sending a congratulatory letter demonstrates the high importance he attaches to the event, Han said.

He said that 70 years ago, British entrepreneurs represented by Jack Perry broke the ice of trade of the West toward China, and opened the door for China-UK cooperation.

Over the years, the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council have contributed outstandingly to carrying forward China-UK friendship and promoting economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, he said.

Han expressed the hope that people of vision from all walks of life in China and Britain will carry on the icebreaking spirit, and promote China-UK friendly cooperation to score new success, especially in economic and trade areas.

About 100 representatives from the Chinese and British business communities attended the event.
Hiker dies after tumbling 50 feet down Colorado cliff as family member calls for help

A man was hiking and scrambling down Colorado mountains with his family when he tumbled down a cliff and died, authorities said.

The hikers were scrambling off the E.M. Greenman Trail just west of Boulder at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 6, the Boulder County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

The man was identified as a 63-year-old Boulder resident, officials said. The sheriffs office did not release the mans name.

He was scrambling down a scree slope just south of the trail with a family member, who told authorities he fell about 15 feet down a rock face.

After that fall, he tumbled 50 feet down a steep hillside, officials said. The family member then called 911 for help and reported he could no longer feel the mans pulse.

Bystanders rushed to help but to no avail. Rescuers pronounced him dead when they arrived, officials said.

Authorities are investigating and dont suspect foul play, according to the news release.

The 3.6-mile loop is considered challenging, according to AllTrails. In comments, people whove hiked the trail said some parts were steep and rocky.

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Dad of 5 dies in 200-foot fall on family hike to waterfall, Oregon officials say

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A new HIV case has been connected to a "vampire facial" at a New Mexico spa, years after the business closed, state health officials said Wednesday.

The patient's only self-reported HIV risk exposure was a vampire facial they received at VIP Spa in Albuquerque back in 2018, the New Mexico Department of Health reported.

The spa client tested positive in 2023, but the spa closed in September of 2018 after state inspectors identified practices that could potentially spread blood-borne infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C to clients. At the time of the initial investigation, two other clients had tested positive for HIV.

During a vampire facial, a patient's blood is drawn and then components of the blood are injected back into the face using micro needles. The procedure has been reported to reduce pore size and help with fine lines to rejuvenate the skin.

The health department is urging former clients who had any type of injection-related service, including a vampire facial or Botox injections at the VIP Spa, to get tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. More than 100 former clients were tested in 2018 and 2019 as part of the initial investigation, but health officials said former VIP clients should be retested, even if they initially tested negative.

"It's very important that we spread the word and remind people who received any kind of injection-related to services provided at the VIP Spa to come in for free and confidential testing," Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary for the health department, said.

As of Wednesday, the health department said it has identified additional HIV infections with "direct or indirect connection with services provided" at VIP Spa. The department has not said how many people tested positive for HIV and did not specify what qualifies as an indirect connection. CBS News has reached out to the health department for clarification.

Vampire facials gained popularity when Kim Kardashian posted an Instagram photo of herself after undergoing the facial in 2013 at a different spa facility. She has since come out against the procedure.

Former VIP Spa owner Maria Ramos de Ruiz pleaded guilty in June of 2022 to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license, CBS affiliate KRQE reported. She was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison.

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Former clients of a now-closed beauty spa in New Mexico are being urged to get tested for blood-borne infections after a new case of human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, was linked to a vampire facial at the spa, according to New Mexico health officials.

On Wednesday, July 5, the New Mexico Department of Health announced that its infectious disease bureau received a report of a newly diagnosed case of HIV in 2023. The patients only self-reported risk exposure was getting a vampire facial in 2018 at the VIP Beauty Salon and Spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico, according to an alert from the state's health department.

Following this HIV case, the state reopened its investigation into the spa, which was shut down in 2018. As of July 5, it has identified additional patients infected with HIV who had direct or indirect connection with services provided at the VIP Spa, officials said. The health department did not specify how many additional cases of HIV have been identified.

The New Mexico Department of Health is currently reaching out to former clients of the VIP Beauty Salon to recommend that anyone who received an injection-related service, including a vampire facial or botox, get tested for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Officials are also recommending that former spa clients who received these services get retested for blood-borne infections even if they previously tested negative.

A vampire facial involves drawing one's blood, which is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the platelet-rich plasma. This gets injected into skin of the face using a micro-needling tool, which creates tiny superficial punctures in the skin to help the blood absorb, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

The blood-filled beauty treatment gained popularity in recent years, in part thanks to celebrity endorsements. Kim Kardashian made headlines when she posted a viral Instagram selfie in 2013 showing off her skin mid-facial, though the star has since said she regrets the procedure, NBC News previously reported.

Blood-borne pathogens are transmitted when the bodily fluids of an infected person enter into the bloodstream of another person, which can occur through the use of needles, syringes or other injection equipment containing an infected person's blood, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The VIP Spa was shut down in September 2018 after an inspection by the department of health and the Board of Barbers and Cosmetologists identified "practices that could potentially spread blood-borne infections, including HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C to clients," according to officials.

Over 100 former clients of the spa were tested in 2018 and 2019 during the initial investigation. Two of these tests came back positive for HIV, and both patients had become infected through vampire facials at the spa, NBC News previously reported.

In 2022, the spas owner, Maria De Lourdes Ramos De Ruiz, pleaded guilty to five felony counts of practicing medicine without a license, NBC affiliate KOB4 previously reported.

HIV is a virus that attacks the bodys immune system by destroying cells that help the body fight off disease and infection. If left untreated, it can progress to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, per the CDC. There is no cure, but with proper medical care and treatment, HIV can be controlled.

The New Mexico Department of Health said it will offer former clients free, confidential laboratory testing for HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as counseling, at its offices in Albuquerque.

Its very important that we spread the word and remind people who received any kind of injection-related to services provided at the VIP Spa to come in for free and confidential testing, said Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary for New Mexico Department of Health.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Homicide suspect used bed sheets to escape from PA jail and is on the run, cops say

A suspect in a New York homicide case is on the run after escaping from a Pennsylvania jail using bed sheets, according to police.

Michael Burham, considered a very dangerous man, escaped from Warren County Jail, where he was detained in connection to arson and burglary charges, on the evening of July 6, according to the City of Warren Police and the Jamestown Police Department in New York. Hes also accused of kidnapping and carjacking a Warren couple.

Now the search is again on for the 34-year-old after a dayslong national manhunt resulted in his arrest near Charleston, South Carolina on May 24, The State previously reported. In that instance, Burham was on the run in connection to kidnapping the older Pennsylvania couple from their home and separate crimes in New York, including the homicide, officials said.

Hes wanted by Jamestown police in connection to the homicide of Kala Hodgkin in the city, which is 70 miles southwest of Buffalo, according to authorities. On May 11, Hodgkins body was found in the street, The Buffalo News reported.

Burham was last seen around 11:20 p.m. on July 6 wearing an orange and white striped jumpsuit, a denim jacket and Crocs, police said. According to photos released by authorities, he is white with dark brown hair, has a beard, mustache and two tiger tattoos on both arms.

He escaped a recreational area within Warren County Jail using tied bed sheets and gym equipment, Warren County spokesperson Cecile Stelter told WIVB-TV.

He elevated himself on top of a piece of exercise equipment and was able to exit the yard through a metal-gated roof, Stelter told the TV station. He then used bed sheets that he tied together, and was able to escape to the ground from the roof.

The U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Border Patrol have joined Pennsylvania and New York authorities in the search, which is taking place on the ground and air, police said.

Residents in Warren and Jamestown are urged by police to stay vigilant and lock their doors.

Authorities are asking the public to report anything unusual by calling 911.

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Scottish surgeons have become the first in the UK to use a more than 100-year-old method to successfully treat a joint infection.

It is hoped the breakthrough can help to provide a lifeline to patients with antibiotic-resistant conditions.

NHS Tayside says its orthopaedic unit in Dundee is the UK's first to treat a joint infection using phage therapy.

It involved applying specially selected viral cells, called phages, to kill bacteria.

The treatment was used on an 84-year-old woman at Ninewells Hospital.

Suffering a badly infected hip and pelvis, she had gone through eight operations to cut out the infection, as well as a year and a half of antibiotic therapy.

Within two weeks of the phage treatment her infection had cleared. Her wound had healed for the first time since Christmas and the patient was set to return home within eight weeks of the therapy.

The procedure was carried out by consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Mr Graeme Nicol with support from the UK's only clinical phage specialist, Dr Josh Jones, and infectious disease consultant Dr Daniela Munteanu.

"What the virus does, it attaches to the cell of the bacteria, it infiltrates it and it multiplies," Mr Nicol told BBC Scotland. "In doing that, it causes the bacteria itself to burst.

"So in other words, it just destroys the bacteria that is there  phage comes from the Greek devour so it works its way through this infection clearing it out of the body."

Specialists at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee hope their unit can be used as a UK-wide hub for phage therapy

Once the infection is treated, the phages are destroyed by the patient's immune system.

The patient remained on anti-biotics throughout the process, Mr Nicol told BBC Scotland.

The surgeon said as well as being used on hip infections, the treatment could work on knees, ulcers, bladders and other areas where phages can be directly applied.

The therapy was first developed in 1919 and widely used in the early 20th century, particularly in the US where it was commonly used on cholera.

But following the discovery of penicillin by Scot Alexander Fleming in 1928, the use of phages declined in western nations because they are harder to manufacture and store than antibiotics.

'Lifeline'

Mr Nicol stressed that while phage therapy is not a replacement for antibiotics, it could be a "lifeline" for patients with antibiotic-resistant infections.

The UK Health Security Agency has warned of a "hidden pandemic" of antibiotic-resistant infections, while the World Health Organization has described them as one of the biggest threats to global health.

Mr Nicol said such cases were a "daily occurrence" in NHS Tayside. "We have patients that are stuck in hospital receiving intravenous antibiotics because there is no longer an oral option because the resistance is built up to such an extent that even more common infections are now becoming more resistant to antibiotics," he told BBC Scotland.

The surgeon said he hoped to see the phage therapy rolled out across the UK within the next two years, with NHS Tayside producing bespoke treatments for patients with severe infections.

"The patient doesn't have to travel here to get the treatment," Mr Nicol said. "That's a beauty of it.

"Every centre has their own microbiology and infectious disease unit and they will be able to look at it and tell us exactly which bacteria it is.

"From that point, the lab here can just simply look along and see if we have a virus that kills that bacteria. And then we can just ship it straight to them."

He said the "labour intensive" process  which involves finding suitable viruses in the environment and multiplying them in a laboratory  would require further investment to be expanded across the UK, but could be streamlined as it is developed.
Horry County wife sues husbands dentist in his death. He went for recommended treatment

A wife claiming that her husband died in the care of his Horry County dentist has filed a wrongful death suit against him and his practice.

Flora Williamson filed the suit on June 30 against Taurean Hodges and his practice, Inlet Premier Implant and Cosmetic Dentistry.

Williamson claims in the suit that her husband, Kenneth Williamson, suffered personal injuries from Hodges care, which resulted in his death on Aug. 26, 2020.

The suit claims that Hodges failed to offer proper medical assessment and sedation, while factoring in Kenneth Williamsons medical history.

Kenneth Williamson was on different medications, including blood pressure and prescription muscle relaxers, when he went to Hodges for recommended treatment of heavy tartar and extractions, the suit says.

Hodges had previously prescribed four .25 milligram tablets of Halcion with the instruction to take four pills 30 minutes before the appointment, according to the suit. This was four times the maximum recommended dosage for Williamsons medical conditions and medications, the suit says.

Halcion is a drug that is used short term to treat insomnia.

No monitors were placed on Williamson, which is required by the South Carolina Dental Sedation Act to continuously monitor heart rate, respirations and oxygen saturation, the suit claims. The suit alleges that Hodges was practicing sedation on his patients without a sedation permit which is required by the sedation act.

Hodges administered local anesthetic and shortly thereafter, Williamson became unresponsive and turned blue, the suit says. Hodges then administered .6 milligrams of Flumazenil intramuscularly at 9:15 a.m. However, EMS was not called until 9:44 a.m., according to the suit.

Flumazenil is a drug used to reverse the effects of a benzodiazepine sedative.

When EMS arrived, Williamson was found pulseless, apenic and unresponsive with Hodges performing CPR. EMS was told that Hodges also administered 1 milligram of Versed, a drug that is used to help a person relax before having minor surgery or dental work, before beginning the procedure, however there is no documentation in the dental record of it being given to Williamson, the suit says.

Williamson was transported to Waccamaw Hospital Emergency Room where he was pronounced dead.

An obituary for Williamson listed him as 70 years old and from Little River.

The suit claims that Hodges did not discuss with Williamson the risks of performing the scheduled procedure in the dental office without monitors rather than in a hospital setting. Hodges provided sedation and treatment that was dangerous, damaging, life threatening, and ultimately, fatal to Williamson, the suit says.

The suit says that Hodges was a licensed practicing dentist in Horry County at the time. Hodges practice appears to have offices in both Myrtle Beach and Murrells Inlet in Georgetown County.

A message left at Hodges office Thursday was not immediately returned.

Williamson is requesting a jury trial and damages to be determined by a jury.

Olivia Palmer of Palmer Law Firm in Beaufort, one of Flora Williamsons attorneys, said Wednesday that she wanted to talk to her client before commenting on the suit. A message left with her other attorney, Ian Maguire of Maguire Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, was not immediately returned.
BARNSTABLE  Before her ex-husband was sentenced following his conviction for raping her during the course of their marriage, Danielle Silva, 37, told a Barnstable Superior Court judge that she feels she and her two children are already "serving life sentences."

Silva told Judge Mark Gildea on Thursday she struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, headaches and body aches, fatigue, insomnia, and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Altogether, the totality of the effects of this crime against me are so far-reaching that they will likely last my entire life, no matter how much I try to forget, ignore, or wish that these things did not happen to mewe're left behind to live with his destruction for the remainder of our lives," said Silva who offered her victim statement via a Zoom hookup.

In Barnstable Superior Courthouse, Judge Mark Gildea presides over the trial of Alvys Marino, of Hyannis, who was charged with raping his then-wife. On Thursday. Gildea sentenced Marino to up to eight years in prison following his conviction June 22 on four counts of rape and other charges.

After listening to her statement and arguments for the defense, Gildea sentenced Alvys Marino, 52, of Hyannis, to up to eight years in state prison.

What was Alvys Marino convicted of?

On June 22, a Barnstable Superior Court jury of seven women and five men found Marino guilty of raping Silva, 37, in 2013, 2017, 2019, and 2020. In addition, the jury also decided he recorded portions of the reported 2019 attack without consent, committed assault and battery on a family or household member, and threatened to commit a crime. All the attacks occurred in Mashpee.

The jury acquitted Marino of violating an abuse prevention order and of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Gildea sentenced Marino to six to eight years at the Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center for two of the rape charges, to be served concurrently. On the charge of photographing an unsuspecting nude person, the court placed him on probation for the term of his incarceration.

In a statement to the Times, Emir Sehic, Marino's defense attorney, said his client maintains his innocence and "fully intends to pursue his appellate rights in this matter," adding they are confident that process will be successful.

"There was little to no police investigation, a plethora of extraneous material, and zero corroborating witnesses apart from a motivated and biased complainant," said Sehic. "The evidence speaks for itself and it says reasonable doubt."

Ex-husband Alvys Marino ordered to undergo a sex offender evaluation

For the remaining convictions, the court placed Marino on probation for four years after the prison sentences. Special conditions of probation include no contact with Silva, abide by any restraining order, complete a certified batterer's program, and undergo a sex offender evaluation and any recommended treatment.

Marino has the right to appeal to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court within 10 days for review of the sentence.

Hyannis resident Alyvs Marino waits on June 22 in the courtroom at Barnstable Superior Courthouse in Barnstable as the jury deliberates his case.

Historically, the courts and legal system were slow to acknowledge marital rape. In 1979, James Chretien, a Salem bartender and the first man to be tried in Massachusetts on a charge of raping his wife, was sentenced to three to five years in Walpole State Prison.

The Cape Cod Times does not typically identify victims of crime but has Silva's permission to name her.

Sehic requested the court impose a sentencing on the rape charges of three to five years to run concurrently; and a five-year probationary period on the other charges to run concurrently upon his release with special conditions.

He also pointed to what he called inconsistencies in Silva's testimony throughout the trial and also referred to multiple character statements from people who know Marino including his children.

"They talk about a long history of involvement with Danielle as Mr. Marino ... they understand their father is very vocal, he's loud. He's brash, brutish at times. However, he's been a loving, caring, providing father throughout the entire period of that time," said Sehic.

Marino had 12 restraining orders against him by five different women, prosecutor says

Assistant Attorney General Jennifer Snook, who prosecuted, recommended eight to ten years in state prison for two of the rape charges, and that Marino be placed on probation after the prison sentence for the remaining counts. In her reasoning, she discussed his criminal background, which includes one conviction for violation of a restraining order in 2008, and that he has had 12 restraining orders against him from five different women, including Silva.

Eight of those restraining orders were sought by his first wife, who had submitted a character statement in support of him.

During the course of the trial, Marino was also arraigned in Falmouth District Court for a violation of a restraining order and pleaded not guilty, according to the clerk's office. The next court date in that matter at Falmouth District Court is July 31.

The couple married in 2009 and then divorced in 2021

Silva and Marino met in 2006 in Falmouth before marrying in 2009. By February 2021, Silva and Marino were legally divorced but continued to live together for a period of time.

Silva, who now lives in Florida, and Marino have two children. According to Sehic, a custody trial is still pending in Barnstable Probate and Family Court.

Marino was indicted by a Barnstable County grand jury in August 2022.

Before handing down the sentence, Gildea denied a motion by Sehic asking for a required finding of not guilty or alternatively granting a new trial. In arguing the motion, Sehic had asserted that the testimony offered at trial did not prove the element of force or threat and that angry voicemails and recordings heard during the trial "were entirely prejudicial and not broken into the specific allegations that we were dealing with here."

In an interview with the Times before the trial, Silva said she considers herself a survivor because "I was able to get away from it and I'm not succumbing to it."

"I'm not letting what I went through and what he did to me define my future. I'm going to be happy, I am happy, I'm going to be a good mother, I'm going to form new relationships and bonds in my life regardless of what I went through. I'm not giving up on life. I'm going to thrive despite the things that I've been through," said Silva then. "The reality is I was his victim, but I don't continue to be his victim."

Zane Razzaq writes about housing and real estate. Reach her at zrazzaq@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @zanerazz.

Gain access to premium Cape Cod Times content by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Barnstable jury convicts Alvys Marino of four counts of raping wife
IAEA checks ZNPP, but critical sections like roof yet to be checked  Grossi

Satellites recorded unknown new objects on the roof of the fourth power unit of the ZNPP

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) were able to inspect several facilities at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant but have not yet been granted access to reactor roofs, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said at a press conference in Tokyo on July 7.

"We are making progress," he said. From Wednesday to today, we were able to get more access. Not yet to the roof, but we have submitted a request to go up there.

Earlier, Ukrainian intelligence claimed that objects had been placed on the roofs of two reactor buildings, said that they could be mines. The head of Energoatom, the state nuclear energy company, Petro Kotin, said on Ukrainian national television that Russian machine gun nests had been placed there, and perhaps explosives too.

Satellite imagery taken in recent days shows that objects have appeared on the reactor building roofs, but the resolution of the images is too low to identify them.

Grossi expressed confidence that the IAEA experts would receive permission from the Russian occupation administration to inspect the reactor building roofs.

Read also: Russian force buildup underway at ZNPP, employee says

The IAEA chief clarified that the experts inspected other facilities at ZNPP and found no signs of explosives.

"We were able to inspect the cooling ponds and other places," Grossi said

As you can see from my reports, we did not see any signs of explosives or mines in these places.

On July 4, the Office of Strategic Communications of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine warned that the Russian military had placed objects resembling explosive devices on the roof of the third and fourth reactors of the seized power plant.

The Russians could detonate them without damaging the power units to create a picture of "shelling" by Ukraine, the military warned.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on June 22 that Russia was considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant it had seized on March 4, 2022, and had "prepared everything for this."

As of July 5, the plant was operating normally, and the radiation background in Ukraine is within normal limits.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Japans plan to release treated radioactive water into the ocean is safe and there is no better option to deal with the massive buildup of wastewater collected since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog told CNN.

Japan will release the wastewater sometime this summer, a controversial move 12 years after the Fukushima nuclear plant meltdown. Japanese authorities and the IAEA have insisted the plan follows international safety standards  the water will first be treated to remove the most harmful pollutants, and be released gradually over many years in highly diluted quantities.

But public anxiety remains high, including in nearby countries like South Korea, China and the Pacific Islands, which have voiced concern about potential harm to the environment or peoples health. On Friday, Chinese customs officials announced they would maintain a ban on food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures including Fukushima, and strengthen inspections to monitor for radioactive substances, to ensure the safety of Japanese food imports to China.

Speaking in an interview during a visit to Tokyo Friday, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi said that while fears over the plan reflect a very logical sense of uncertainty that must be taken seriously, he is completely convinced of the sound basis of our conclusions.

We have been looking at this basic policy for more than two years. We have been assessing it against  the most stringent standards that exist, he said. And we are quite certain of what we are saying, and the scheme we have proposed.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi arrives to inspect the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant with Japanese officials on July 5, 2023. - Hiro Komae/Pool/AP

Grossi told CNN he had met with Japanese fishing groups, local mayors and other communities affected by the 2011 disaster  and whose livelihoods may be hurt by the release  to listen to those concerns.

My disposition  is one of listening, and explaining in a way that addresses all these concerns they have, he said.

When one visits Fukushima, it is quite impressive, I will even say ominous, to look at all these tanks, more than a million tons of water that contains radionuclides  imagining that this is going to be discharged into the ocean. So all sorts of fears kick in, and one has to take them seriously, to address and to explain.

This is why Im here, to listen to all those who in good faith have questions and criticism and question marks, and to address them.

On Tuesday, Grossi formally presented the IAEAs safety review to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. The report found the wastewater release plan will have a negligible impact on people and the environment, adding that it was an independent and transparent review, not a recommendation or endorsement.

No better alternatives

Japanese authorities have said the release is necessary because they are running out of room to contain the contaminated water  and the move will allow the full decommissioning of the Fukushima plant.

The 2011 disaster caused the plants reactor cores to overheat and contaminate water within the facility with highly radioactive material. Since then, new water has been pumped in to cool fuel debris in the reactors. At the same time, ground and rainwater have leaked in, creating more radioactive wastewater that now needs to be stored and treated.

That wastewater now measures 1.32 million metric tons  enough to fill more than 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Japan has previously said there were no other options as space runs out  a sentiment Grossi echoed on Friday. When asked whether there were better alternatives to dispose of the wastewater, the IAEA chief answered succinctly: No.

Its not that there are no other methods, he added  Japan had considered five total options, including hydrogen release, underground burial and vapor release, which would have seen wastewater boiled and released into the atmosphere.

But several of these options are considered industrially immature, said Grossi. For instance, vapor release can be more difficult to control due to environmental factors like wind and rain, which could bring the waste back to earth, he said. That left a controlled release of water into the sea  which, Japanese officials and some scientists point out, is frequently done at nuclear plants around the world, including those in the United States.

The IAEA will also remain on site for years to come, with a new permanent office set up in Fukushima to help monitor progress.

We have the benefit of science, Grossi said. Either you have a certain radionuclide in a water sample or you dont have it  its a measurable thing. We have the science, we have the laboratories  to ensure the credibility and the transparency of the process.

International skepticism

But some critics have cast doubt on the IAEAs findings, with China recently arguing that the groups assessment is not proof of the legality and legitimacy of the wastewater release.

Many countries have openly opposed the plan; Chinese officials have warned that it could cause unpredictable harm, and accused Japan of treating the ocean as a sewer. The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, an inter-governmental group of Pacific island nations that includes Australia and New Zealand, also published an op-ed in January voicing grave concerns, saying more data was needed.

And in South Korea, residents have taken to the streets to protest the plan. Many shoppers have stockpiled salt and seafood for fear these products will be contaminated once the wastewater is released  even though Seoul has already banned imports of seafood and food items from the Fukushima region.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi during an inspection in Fukushima, Japan, on July 5, 2023. - Hiro Komae/Pool/AP

International scientists have also expressed concern to CNN that there is insufficient evidence of long-term safety, arguing that the release could cause tritium  a radioactive hydrogen isotope that cannot be removed from the wastewater  to gradually build up in marine ecosystems and food chains, a process called bioaccumulation.

While Grossi said he takes these objections seriously, he added that he cannot exclude the possibility some are driven more by politics than science.

We understand that there is a political environment  which is tense. Geopolitical divisions are very, very strong these days so we cannot exclude these things, he said.

Grossi also denied media reports that the IAEA had shared a draft of its final report with the Japanese government ahead of its publication. Its absurd, he said. This is the DNA of the IAEA  to be the nuclear watchdog for nuclear operations, the nuclear watchdog for nuclear safety and security. When we come to a conclusion, it is our independent conclusion.

And more broadly, the future of nuclear as an alternative energy source relies on the success of the Fukushima release, he said. Though there has been heightened public alarm toward nuclear plants recently  for instance, regarding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine  the problem there is war, the problem is not nuclear energy, Grossi said.

If there was one lesson that came clearly after the Fukushima accident, its that the nuclear safety standards should be observed to the letter, he added. If you do that, the probability of having what happened in Fukushima is extremely low.

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Ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, listens during a news conference with Republican lawmakers about Ukraine, on Capitol Hill on March 2, 2022, in Washington. | Evan Vucci, Associated Press

Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch suggested the NATO memberships of Hungary and Turkey should be reviewed because of their refusal to support Swedens bid for membership.

Risch is the top-ranking Republican member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is tasked with advancing legislation related to foreign policy and reviewing executive actions, such as treaties and arms deals.

His comments came Thursday and reflect a long-held frustration from the U.S. and its allies towards the two Eastern European countries for holding up a process they hope will strengthen the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

Efforts to persuade Turkey and Hungary to support Swedens admittance into the defense alliance have been kicked into overdrive ahead of next weeks NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Im to the point where  maybe its time that we did review the way people join and the way people are retained, Risch told Punchbowl News. If youre going to be a member of this alliance, youve got to act like a member of this alliance. And that is important for the strength of the alliance.

There are several ways to regulate the NATO membership of individual countries, Risch said, according to Punchbowl News, though he did not elucidate.

Turkey and Hungary have demanded that Sweden increase its counterrorism measures, among other things, before their respective parliaments vote to approve NATO membership. Risch said these concerns have nothing to do with NATO membership and are undermining the Wests united front against Russias war in Ukraine.

Its no secret these (countries), particularly Turkey, have been using the accession issue to resolve some unrelated problems, Risch said. Thats not the right way to be a member of this alliance.

Why did Sen. Risch block weapons to Hungary?

Last month, Risch took the uncommon step of blocking over $700 million in U.S. arms sales to Hungary, saying the country was dragging its feet to vote on Swedens NATO membership and that the arms package, which included two dozen HIMARS rocket launchers, would be on hold till further notice.

For some time now, I have directly expressed my concerns to the Hungarian government regarding its refusal to move forward a vote for Sweden to join NATO, he said in a statement to The Washington Post. The fact that it is now June and still not done, I decided that the sale of new U.S. military equipment to Hungary will be on hold.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and its counterpart in the House regularly review major arms deals and can stop weapons sales in response to human rights abuses or other concerns. While the president is not required to recognize these objections, holds put in place by elected representatives are typically respected and may stay in place for indefinite periods of time.

Why are Turkey and Hungary blocking Swedens NATO membership?

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan originally objected to NATO membership for both Finland and Sweden after they announced their intent to join the defense alliance in May 2022 following Russias invasion of Ukraine, citing security concerns that the Scandinavian countries were harboring anti-Turkish terrorists.

Erdogan eventually changed his stance toward Finland after the county took what he saw as authentic and concrete steps to meet Turkeys demands. Finland officially joined NATO in April shortly after Turkeys parliament voted to approve it. However, Erdogans position on Sweden has remained firm as he insists the country has done too little to crack down on individuals with ties to the Kurdistan Workers Party, a designated terrorist organization in several countries, including the U.S.

Sweden has taken steps to satisfy Turkey, outlawing meetings and fundraising in support of terrorist organizations. The new law resulted in the jailing of a Kurdish man Thursday who was found guilty of extortion on behalf of the Kurdistan Workers Party.

But its uncertain whether Swedens efforts will bear fruit. They seem to be undermined, in part, by repeated controversies caused by multiple burnings of the Quran by Swedish residents, resulting in protests throughout the Islamic world. In a sign that Sweden sees the uproar as threatening to their NATO membership bid, the country is now considering a law that would allow police officers to stop public Quran burnings, Reuters reported.

Hungarys reasons for postponing a vote on Swedens NATO accession are less clear. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that Swedish leadership has spread blatant lies about his country and the health of its democracy. Orban has also signaled his desire to back up Erdogan and appears willing to support Swedens NATO membership as soon as the Turkish leader changes his mind, according to The Wall Street Journal.

What is NATO and why does Sweden want to join?

NATO is a mutual-defense pact created in 1949 between 12 countries, including the U.S., Canada and several countries in Western Europe, to deter attacks by the Soviet Union. Its stated purpose is to guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.

The alliance has more than doubled in size since the fall of the Soviet Union, counting Finland as its 31st member.

For decades, Finland and Sweden maintained a policy of nonmilitary alignment. That changed when Russia invaded Ukraine in February of last year. Finland and Sweden now see NATO membership as an essential part of their national security.

NATOs founding North Atlantic Treaty contains a collective defense principle, Article 5, which states that an attack against one NATO member is to be considered an attack against all NATO allies. Article 5 has been invoked only once, following 9/11.

NATO summit and efforts to persuade Turkey

Ahead of Tuesdays NATO summit, the Biden administration is working to use the sale of F-16 fighter jets as leverage to persuade Turkey to get behind NATO membership for Sweden, Punchbowl News reports.

Rischs Democratic counterpart on the Foreign Relations Committee, New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez, has blocked the proposed sale for months, but the Biden administration is reportedly in negotiations with him to give the green light if it means Turkey will support Swedish membership in NATO.
BRUSSELS, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The Council of the European Union (EU) and the European Parliament reached on Friday a provisional agreement on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), aimed at boosting the production of ammunition and missiles in the EU to the benefit of the member states and Ukraine.

Under the agreed regulation, 500 million euros (545.3 million U.S. dollars) will be urgently mobilized from the EU budget to support the ramp-up of the manufacturing capacities for the production of ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition as well as missiles, according to the Council.

The agreed rules include an instrument providing financial support through grants for the EU industry to reinforce its ammunition and missile production capacities throughout the supply and value chains. It will also help avoid bottlenecks and shortages.

A so-called "Ramp-up Fund" will assist the ammunition and missile supply chains in gaining access to both public and private financing, the Council said.

The provisional agreement now needs to be endorsed by both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament before formal adoption. Signature and entry into force is expected before the end of July, according to the Council.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the EU's continued military support to Ukraine have exposed the European defense and military equipment market to challenges.

On March 20, the Council agreed to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine in a joint effort within the next 12 months. It agreed to urgently deliver ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition to Ukraine and, if requested, missiles from existing stocks or the reprioritization of existing orders. It further called on member states to jointly procure ammunition and, if requested, missiles from the European defense industry and Norway. (1 euro = 1.09 U.S. dollar) 
An IHOP magnate thinks activists planted human bones to stop him from developing land in New York  and he hired a spy to ferret them out

An IHOP sign at a restaurant in New York state. SOPA Images/Getty Images

A years-long battle has been brewing between a group of activists and a land developer in upstate New York.

The land owner even hired a spy to infiltrate the activist's group, according to Curbed.

The activists say the plot of land contains the bodies of hundreds of Revolutionary War soldiers.

An IHOP magnate hired a spy to infiltrate a group of activists who for years have been trying to stop him from developing land that may contain the bodies of Revolutionary War soldiers.

And he claims to have evidence that the activists planted at least some of the bodies, according to a story in Curbed.

Domenic Broccoli owns the plot of land in Fishkill, New York, along with a number of IHOP restaurants in the state.

He wants to build a Colonial-themed strip mall and IHOP on the site, Curbed reported.

But a group of activists, Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot, has tried to stop that development for over a decade  because they believe that hundreds of Revolutionary War soldiers are buried on the site, according to Curbed.

Whether or not the plot, which was the site of a massive Revolutionary War supply depot, actually contains any solders' bodies is highly contested. Bone fragments were discovered on the site in 2007, but it's never been confirmed if they belonged to a soldier.

A later archeological survey found hundreds of underground anomalies consistent with buried bodies, but, according to Curbed, further digging found many of those anomalies to be rock, tree stumps, and rodent burrows  i.e. not graves.

"They came up with this little scam, if you want to call it," Broccoli said in a 2019 interview shared on the development's Facebook page.

Broccoli has resorted to extreme measures to thwart the activists, like hiring spies to sneak into their organization, Curbed reported.

Broccoli says that a private investigator he hired to infiltrate on the group secretly recorded a conversation in which one of the activists asked another, according to the outlet, "Were you there when we buried  we buried the bones by the foundation?"

That remark, Broccoli told Curbed, proves that the activists planted the bones themselves.

The Friends of the Fishkill Supply Depot and Broccoli did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Rahul Gandhi is the leading face of India's opposition Congress party (Money SHARMA)

Top Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi's efforts to overturn his expulsion from parliament were again blocked Friday when a court refused to stay his jail sentence for defamation.

Gandhi was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for comments he made in 2019, which a court ruled were insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and those sharing his surname.

Modi's government is widely accused of using the defamation law to silence critics.

The case in the premier's home state of Gujarat is one of several lodged in recent years against Gandhi, who is Modi's chief opponent and the foremost member of the opposition Congress party.

A judge of the Gujarat High Court said the original verdict was "just and legal" and refused to put a stay on Gandhi's conviction.

"It is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics. A representative of people should be a man of clear character," the judge said Friday.

Gandhi had already been denied a stay by a lower Gujarat court in April, a month after his original conviction and subsequent expulsion from parliament.

The sentence as it stands leaves Gandhi ineligible to stand in next year's election, prompting condemnation from supporters.

"No force can silence him, the truth will triumph and justice will ultimately prevail," opposition lawmaker K.C. Venugopal wrote on Twitter after the verdict.

Critics highlight that the defamation conviction came after Gandhi repeatedly raised the issue of Modi's relationship with business tycoon Gautam Adani, both inside and outside parliament.

The two men -- both Gujaratis -- have been close associates for decades, but Adani's business empire was subject to renewed scrutiny this year after a US investment firm accused it of "brazen" corporate fraud, which it denies.

- 'Arrogance and infallibility' -

Gandhi, currently on bail, will appeal the decision at the Supreme Court in New Delhi, Congress party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told reporters.

"We have no doubt that this intersection of arrogance and infallibility shown by this government of the day and ruling party of the day will be dealt with properly in the Supreme Court," Singhvi said.

Gandhi is the leading face of the Congress party, once the dominant force in Indian politics but now a shadow of its former self.

He is the scion of India's premier political dynasty and the son, grandson and great-grandson of former prime ministers, beginning with independence leader Jawaharlal Nehru.

His conviction stemmed from a remark made during the 2019 election campaign in which Gandhi had asked why "all thieves have Modi as (their) common surname".

Members of Modi's government said the remark was a slur against all Indians with the surname Modi, which is associated with the lower rungs of India's traditional caste hierarchy.

str-ash/gle/leg
Joe Biden is running his reelection bid on the cheap.

The president has hired fewer than 20 campaign aides. His team hasnt yet announced a 2024 headquarters. His first political rally this year was paid for by other organizations.

In an interview with POLITICO, Biden campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg said the frugality is no accident. And it isnt going to change anytime soon, either.

Right now, we have a fine-tuned race car here. At some point, we will build out a big, substantial, competitive organization and enterprise, he said. We dont need to do that today. It literally would be a waste of money.

Bidens approach, while designed to save money, carries the risk of keeping his approval ratings at the low level where they are today. It also could limit his ability to better define the contours of the campaign at a time when the Republican field is bludgeoning each other in their own primary. Twelve years ago, his former boss, Barack Obama, moved swiftly in anticipation of facing off against Mitt Romney during the summer before the election year.

Bidens campaign and pro-Biden super PACs have spent $7.5 million on broadcast, cable and digital ads since he launched his reelection bid, according to an analysis by the ad-tracking firm AdImpact. GOP frontrunner and former President Donald Trumps campaign and an outside group backing him have spent $16.4 million in the same time period, with the vast majority of that outlay coming from his super PAC.

There are lots of potential reasons for Bidens thriftiness. As the incumbent president, he doesnt need to chase headlines. Because he doesnt have a serious primary opponent, hes not under pressure to hit the gas yet in early-voting states, either. And like previous presidents who have run for reelection, he can travel to critical battlegrounds on the taxpayer dime.

Biden also has the luck of running against Trump, who is already well-defined in the eyes of voters, facing myriad legal troubles, and whose ad spending is geared in part toward attacking others in the GOP primary.

But lurking behind the Biden teams cost-cutting efforts, there is a low-grade anxiety among Democrats about the presidents fundraising abilities.

Though Bidens campaign aides have expressed confidence in his capacity to bring in the money they believe they need this cycle  some Democrats think Biden and outside groups could top $2 billion in spending  they have not offered so much as a glimpse into his checkbook.

His team did not disclose how much money he raised in the first 24 hours of his reelection campaign. It is also not planning to unveil how much it raised in the first quarter since he kicked off his bid until July 15, the date on which he is legally required to disclose that information.

No matter what the White House wants to say, you take a survey and a huge plurality of Democratic voters dont even want him to run again, said a national Democratic strategist who was granted anonymity to speak frankly. Theres really an enthusiasm gap that I think is their central challenge.



Bidens second quarter haul will be closely studied for signs of whether he is generating excitement among donors. And the benchmark is fairly high. In 2019, when Trump was running for reelection, his campaign and the Republican National Committee raised a total of $105 million in the second quarter of the year.

The president, who has struggled with fundraising in the past, along with Vice President Kamala Harris, first lady Jill Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff, went on a mad dash on the fundraising circuit before the most recent campaign finance quarter ended. They held more than 20 high-dollar events across the country, and top Democratic fundraisers such as Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and California Gov. Gavin Newsom participated in some of them.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also rallied members of Bidens campaign national advisory board in a call ahead of last months deadline.

Across a few recent big-money events in California, Biden raised around $10 million, according to two people familiar with the haul.

We are encouraged by the strong response we are seeing from donors and our grassroots supporters, including a significant number of new donors since 2020, said Biden campaign spokesperson Kevin Munoz.

Bidens allies say running a lean campaign is smart, at least right now. Dollars not spent unnecessarily are just as important as dollars raised, allies argue.

I am always a big believer in hoarding resources for the real meat of a campaign, said Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), who sits on Bidens campaign national advisory board. I think saving money now will just prove to be wise come next year when you really need it.

The campaign is saving money. When Biden spoke at the first political rally of his reelection campaign in Philadelphia last month, labor unions paid for the event, said a person familiar with the spending. A Biden campaign spokesperson confirmed the setup.

Like other presidents running for reelection, Biden has used official White House travel to layer on fundraising events paid for by the campaign and Democratic National Committee too.

Dick Harpootlian, a South Carolina lawyer and state senator who bundled for Biden during his 2020 run, said there isnt a frenetic pressure to do intense fundraising at this point in the 2024 cycle. He stressed that he wasnt worried.

If the question is why arent they raising more money, he said, Theyre not attempting to at this point to raise more money. ... Its just too early.

Still, there are signs that Biden world is looking to pick up the pace. Biden has brought in some top campaign staff in recent weeks, including a communications director and general counsel. Rufus Gifford is also expected to depart the State Department for Bidens campaign soon to help with donor outreach.

Biden hasnt yet announced a fundraising director or fundraising co-chairs, but Katzenberg said the fundraising team will staff up very, very soon.

Bidens team has also touted the fact that every state party and Washington, D.C., have entered into a joint-fundraising agreement with his campaign, enabling donors to cut larger checks. John Atkinson, a Democratic donor who attended Bidens 200-person fundraiser in Chicago last week, said the bundlers for the president have remained engaged.

I anticipate fundraising will really start to pick up in this next quarter, he said. And I think a lot of it will be driven by whats going to be a Biden campaign buoyed by [a] good economic record and at the same time Republicans being tied to this extremist Supreme Court that theyve dreamt about for so long.

Bidens campaign can afford to be frugal, in part, because the DNC often picks up the tab. Unlike during the Obama years, the DNC this cycle is in more solid financial shape. It currently has more than 300 staff members and its communications, fundraising and research teams, in particular, have worked closely on Bidens reelection.



In 2020, Biden had to build his operation from the ground up. Today, Katzenberg said, we have the luxury of time. He doesnt need to extract every dollar out of every event. He can actually afford to invest in long-term relationships and get reconnected with his backers.

Some Democrats, however, fear that Biden doesnt have the luxury of waiting. The Republican field for president is currently in a fundraising arms race. Trumps campaign officials have said that his joint fundraising committee collected $35 million in the second quarter, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, his top primary opponent, said it raised $20 million in the six weeks since he launched his campaign. Much of that cash will go toward attacking each other. But some of their ads have hit Biden, too.

Then there are questions about whether Biden can kick his fundraising into higher gear when needed. The president is 80 years old. And while the White House says he travels robustly, he also hasnt run a fast-paced general election campaign since serving as VP in 2012, having won the last one under the cloud of Covid-19.

John Morgan, a Democratic donor and attorney, said he has talked to the campaign about hosting a fundraiser in the fall but it hadnt yet been confirmed if Biden would attend.

He said Bidens absence could make it more difficult to bring in a substantial amount of money because, unlike Obama or 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, there is no one else in Biden world who can attract donors the way the president can.

They want me to raise two to three million bucks. OK, well when you give me that goal, I have to have the tools to do it, he said.

Referring to one of Bidens closest aides, he added, If you want it to be a $500,000 fundraiser, send [Steve] Ricchetti, and well get fucked up on the back porch and smoke cigars. Im okay with that. But I cant raise two to three million dollars without a huge draw.

Several other Biden donors and bundlers said theyre confident the president will bring in the money necessary. Part of it may be that theyre saving up now. But much of it will be that theyll raise boatloads with having Trump on the political scene.

With the party energized over all of his legislative accomplishments, I have no doubts that the president will raise the resources he needs to run an effective campaign, said Neil Makhija, a Democratic fundraiser and the executive director of Indian American Impact.

Christopher Cadelago contributed to this report.
Getty Images

In October 2019, Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, became the longest-married presidential couple in American history, and Friday marks their 77th wedding anniversary. The hometown sweethearts seven-decade relationship has seen them travel from their rural roots to the highest office in the land and beyond. Even now, as Jimmy remains in good spirits while in hospice care, the pair are there to support one another.

Jimmy and Rosalynn came from a Georgia town of 600 people

Born in 1924the first president to be born in a hospitalJames Earl Jimmy Carter Jr. was the eldest of James and Bessie Lillian Carters four children. James was a successful local businessman, and Lillian worked long hours as a nurse. The Carters raised their family in and around Plains, Georgia, a small town of approximately 600 people at the time of Jimmys birth.



Wilbur and Allie Smith were neighbors of the Carters, and in the summer of 1927, Lillian helped deliver their first child, Eleanor Rosalynn. Jimmy, then a 3-year-old, and newborn Rosalynn met just a couple days later for the first time. Later, Rosalynn became a close childhood friend of Ruth Carter, Jimmys younger sister.

Like elsewhere in America, the Great Depression hit Plains hard, and the Smiths already fragile economic situation worsened when Rosalynns father died when she was 13. She began working to support the family alongside her mother, who held a series of jobs, impressing on her daughter the importance of hard work and independence. Despite her workload, Rosalynn was an excellent student, graduating near the top of her high school class and set on attending college, fulfilling her fathers wishes for his children.

Also a good student, Jimmy harbored dreams of moving beyond Plains and, inspired by a maternal uncle who had attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, set his sights on a military career.

Jimmy knew he was going to marry Rosalynn after their first date

Although Rosalynn had known Jimmy all her life, it wasnt until 1945 that romance blossomed. She was a freshman at Georgia Southwestern College, nearby their hometown. Jimmy, following stints at that same school and the Georgia Institute of Technology, had fulfilled his dream and was entering his final year at Annapolis. The town was proud of their native son, and as Rosalynn would later write, she had taken notice of photos of Carter in his military uniform at his family home.

When Jimmy returned home that summer, he too took notice of the pretty, shy 17-year-old. One night, when plans with another girl fell through, Jimmy spotted his sister and Rosalynn walking down the street and impulsively asked her to the movies, after which the two shared their first kiss. Jimmy was immediately smitten after their first date, telling his mother that he had met his future wife.

The whirlwind courtship continued when they both returned to school, and that winter, Jimmy proposed. Initially concerned about how fast the relationship was moving and wishing to finish college first, Rosalynn said no. But Jimmy persisted, and when Rosalynn visited Annapolis that spring, they became engaged, with Jimmy gifting her a compact engraved with the letters ILYTG, an acronym for a Carter family saying I love you the goodest. The couple was married at the Plains Methodist Church on July 7, 1946, just weeks after Jimmys graduation.

The Carters spent their early married years on the move

Shortly after their wedding, the Carters moved to Norfolk, Virginia, for Jimmys first naval assignment, where Rosalynn would give birth to the first of their four children. Subsequent deployments took the family to Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, before they put down roots in New York.

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Rosalynn adapted easily to the frequent moves and enjoyed her time as a naval wife. When Jimmys father died in 1953, he decided to resign from the Navy and return home to run the familys interests, including a peanut farm. Rosalynn initially balked, unhappy with the prospect of returning home to Plains. As Jimmy later wrote in a memoir, communication between the two broke down, as Rosalynn avoided talking to me as much as possible.

She would later describe this period as one of the rockiest in their marriage, saying she believed, the best part of my life had ended, as she struggled to find her own role and to put herself on equal footing with her husband. She eventually found both when she began helping Jimmy run the farm, taking over the businesss finances and helping it turn a profit.

Rosalynn played an important role in Jimmys political career

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Now settled in Georgia, the couple became involved in the civic and religious communities, with Jimmy teaching Sunday School at a local Baptist Church (a role he continued until 2019). In 1962, he won a seat in the Georgia State Senate, and following an unsuccessful run for Congress, set his sights on the governorship in 1970. Overcoming her shy nature, Rosalynn campaigned tirelessly on her husbands behalf, crisscrossing the state. Jimmys victory saw her take on a new role as Georgias first lady, where she began working on causes she would champion for the rest of her life, including mental health.

She took to the campaign trail again when Carter announced his candidacy for the 1976 presidential election, visiting more than 40 states. When Carter won, they and their youngest child, Amy, moved to the White House, where Rosalynn, breaking with tradition, became a close advisor to her husband.

As first lady, Rosalynn was the first presidential spouse to have her own office in the East Wing. She sat in on Cabinet meetings, advised on staff and personnel moves, served as an envoy on overseas trips, and joined former first ladies Betty Ford and Lady Bird Johnson in the unsuccessful effort to pass the Equal Rights Amendment. So closely aligned were the couple that Jimmy referred to Rosalynn, who hed nicknamed Rosa, as a perfect extension of himself.

They continued their work together in the post-presidency years

Carters 1980 reelection defeat was devastating to both Jimmy and Rosalynn. They returned home to Georgia to the modest two-bedroom ranch house in Plains where theyd lived before Carter had scaled the political heights. The couple continued to champion their causes and humanitarian efforts, through both the Carter Center and their work with Habitat for Humanity, through which they built more than 4,000 homes around the world. In 2002, Jimmy was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his decades of work supporting democracy and human rights.

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In March 2019, Jimmy became the longest-living president in American history, and that fall, on October 17, Jimmy and Rosalynn surpassed George H.W. and Barbara Bushs record for longest presidential presidential marriage. The Carters have now been married for 77 years.

Jimmys 2015 cancer diagnosis shook the couple, who later said in interviews that the ordeal brought them even closer together. Now, they are facing Jimmys final days together; the 98-year-old began receiving hospice care at home this February. Theyre just meeting with family right now, but theyre doing it in the best possible way: the two of them together at home, grandson Jason Carter said in May. Their faith is really grounding in this moment.

Theyre ready for what comes next, too. Back when Jimmy was being treated for cancer, they created a fitting plan: Both of them will be buried under a willow tree on the grounds of their house in Plains, where their stories began.

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Houston Police Lt. Christopher Zamora spoke at a press conference about the Rudy Farias' disappearance and his mother's deception. Houston Police Department

Private investigators who worked the Rudy Farias "missing" case visited his Houston home repeatedly.

They found padlocked hallway doors and a suspicious letter in the teen's bedroom, they told Insider.

They never saw the two dogs that were a key detail in the original disappearance story.

It was a compelling detail from the "missing person" saga of Rudolph "Rudy" Farias: The teenager had left his northeast Houston home in March 2015 to walk his two dogs.

And while the dogs soon wandered home, Farias vanished for eight years, only to reappear last week.

Now, as this account unravels, volunteer private investigators who worked the original missing persons case throughout its first two years are wondering if anything they were told by Farias' mother was true.

Even the part about the dogs.

On Thursday, Houston police confirmed that Farias had returned home the very next day after the mom reported him missing  and had remained there all along.

Like much of mom Janie Santana's story, "Rudy's dogs" may also be fictitious, two private eyes told Insider.

"Where were those dogs?" licensed Texas investigator Martin Renteria wondered in a phone call on Thursday.

"Janie could not produce the dogs. She said she didn't know where the dogs were. We had no corroboration that there ever were dogs."

It was "the most unusual case we ever worked, trying to find Rudy," added Renteria, a retired Port of Los Angeles Police officer who worked the Farias case with his wife, Barbara Renteria, who is also a PI.

The two run the Checkmate Investigative Field Services Agency out of Spring, Texas.

"As is stands now, what we suspected is apparently coming true," the husband said. "All the leads we were given came from Janie. Therefore all those leads we have to consider to be false."

Rudy Farias' home had padlocks on some doors

The home where Farias allegedly remained for all those eight years is a little beige ranch, a three-bedroom built in 1975 and is worth about $175,000.

In the two years of their probe, "We've been to that house more times than you have fingers," Barbara Renteria said.

Much about the home never sat well, she said.

"There were padlocks on the doors in the hallway," she said. "And she would never let us speak to her mother," she said, a reference to Rosa Sosa Rodriguez, who lived there at the time, and who records show died in 2020.

The letter in Rudy's room

"We went to his bedroom" to look for clues, Barbara Renteria continued. "We do this with all missing children."

The teen's schoolwork was there, in his distinctive printed handwriting, she said.

"But I found a letter that was a letter from Rudy to his mother, written in cursive," she said.

"And we took it, and compared it to other pieces of Janie's handwriting, and realized she wrote it," she added. "It matched her handwriting perfectly."

In the supposed "Dear Mom" letter, Farias  or whoever penned it  "explained" that he'd run away on purpose.

That letter  and the "stormed off" scenario  was never passed along to authorities, the Renterias said. Instead, the mother went with a more sympathetic claim that her son had simply vanished in thin air, possibly at the hands of Mexican "traffickers."

Rudolph "Rudy" Farias IV, found alive eight years after vanishing while walking his dogs at age 17. Texas Center for the Missing

Rudy's so-called "abduction"

"We asked Janie for permission to search the house, to search his room," Martin Renteria said. "We did just that."

"She'd let us go in there," in the first weeks of the case, Barbara Renteria agreed.

"And she had his cell phone that, supposedly, was found by a witness that saw a struggle between Rudy and a gang of kids." The cell phone was crushed, she said.

Santana hosted a fundraiser around this supposed "abduction" scenario, the PIs said, and the abduction "witness," a teenaged girl, spoke at the event.

"And she couldn't hold the story together," Barbara Renteria said of the girl. "So she just walked away. This was someone who Janie had forced into talking to us."

"Urine" on the couch

By 2020, the little ranch where Farias may have been hidden in plain sight had fallen into disrepair, according to allegations made during a 2020 Harris County, Texas, probate court battle over whether it was unsafe for his grandmother, then age 85, to live there.

Santana was fighting to become guardian of her mother, Farias's grandmother. An opposing petition was filed by Santana's half-sister, Sylvia Sanchez-Lopez, with whom the elderly woman was by then living.



Farias' Aunt Sylvia had this to say about Santana's little beige ranch, which she described as "not a clean, safe, or habitable residence."

Text from a guardianship petition for Farias' grandmother describes animal urine and feces throughout Janie Santana's house. Harris County Probate Court

Text from a guardianship petition for Farias' grandmother describes says his grandmother sustained bedsores from sleeping on a couch. Harris County Probate Court

While in the Santana home, the grandmother "slept on the couch, which smelled of urine," the papers alleged.

"The home had animal urine and feces throughout the house," the papers also alleged. Maybe Farias' dogs did come home, after all.

The grandmother passed away months after the court filing, while still living with Sanchez-Lopez, and before the guardianship could be resolved.

By Thursday, Santana had been questioned, but not charged, by Houston Police in her son's disappearance. She did not respond to Insider's repeated efforts to reach her. Sanchez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It was unclear on Thursday where Farias was, or whether he and his mother were together.

"I don't know, I'm trying to find out," community activist Quanell X told Insider on Thursday of Farias' location, a day after alleging to reporters that he'd been held captive all these years by his mother.

Private investigators wondered if Janie Santana killed Rudy

"At one point we wondered that perhaps Janie had killed her own son and buried him somewhere," Martin Renteria remembered on Thursday, of the darkest days of their investigation.

"I honestly thought she killed the boy," Barbara Renteria said. "I really did."

"And we did form the opinion that perhaps Janie is hiding him out there somewhere," said Martin Renteria.

At one point, the couple was so intent to learn what was going on, they briefly tried to follow Santana, they said.

"Any clue that was ever brought forward to us came from Janie herself, which was extremely, extremely odd," Martin Renteria said. "It's out of the norm, because usually we receive clues from other types of persons, phone calls or messages.

"But no, everything came from Janie herself," he said of a Santana's string of false leads, all of which ultimately lead to a dead end  including two "tips" that Farias was in the clutches of Mexican traffickers.

Houston Police, with whom the Renterias were in contact, appeared to find the case odd, too, the couple said. A police spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment from Insider, but said Thursday during a press conference that Santana continued to "deceive" officers after Rudy returned.

Ultimately, there was never any concrete evidence of wrongdoing, and Farias, it turned out, had been 18 when he went missing, not 17, as Santana had first claimed to authorities, Martin Renteria said.

In the end, "he was an adult," he said. "Sometimes adults make their own decision, and if they want to remain lost, they remain lost."



"And since we were working pro-bono," he added, and given so many false leads, "after two years we couldn't spend too much more time on it."

Read the original article on Insider
Instagram boss Adam Mosseri says Threads isn't for politics and news because it's not worth all the headaches they come with

A phone is seen running the Instagram Threads app by Meta in this photo illustration. Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Instagram boss Adam Mosseri says Meta doesn't envision Threads to "replace Twitter."

In a series of candid comments, he made clear the app won't go out of its way to welcome politics or news.

"We just won't court them the way we have in the past," Mosseri wrote on Meta's new app.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri has a message for the masses hoping that Meta's Threads can be Twitter 2.0: Don't hold your breath.

Mosseri made clear that he does not envision the newest Twitter competitor as a place where hard news and politics will be welcomed. No one will stop such conversations from occurring, but the platform isn't going to go out of its way to court those communities.

"Politics and hard news are important, I don't want to imply otherwise," he said in a series of messages. "But my take is, from a platform's perspective, any incremental engagement or revenue they might drive is not at all worth the scrutiny, negativity (let's be honest), or integrity risks that come along with them."

The admission of one of Meta's top officials is not terribly surprising. Facebook has slowly backed away from its investments in news. The congressional scrutiny after the 2016 presidential election also made it clear that social media platforms would face a significant degree of oversight. Twitter outright banned political ads in 2019 amid the uproar, an action that was not reversed until CEO Elon Musk took over.

Mosseri's comments come at a time when sign-ups for the new app are booming even as its features remain relatively bare bones. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said there have been 70 million sign-ups as of Thursday morning app. The numbers easily position Threads as the largest rival to Twitter after a series of other apps have struggle to gain widespread acceptance.

High-profile members of Congress, such as Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have also begun to establish a presence. Meanwhile, the political world remains eager to see how the White House will proceed. It was a major moment when President Barack Obama joined Twitter in 2015 as @POTUS. For now, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says that she, like the rest of us, remains "curious about it."

Washington Post columnist Taylor Lorenz and other journalists pressed Mosseri on how any social media app can truly have designs on being a "global public square" if talking about politics is discouraged.

"We won't discourage or down-rank news or politics, we just won't court them the way we have in the past," Mosseri responded. "If we are honest, we were too quick to promise too much to the industry on Facebook in the early 2010s, and it would be a mistake to repeat that..."

Meta's current stance would be a stark contrast to Twitter during its peak, pre-Elon Musk days. The social network actively cultivated a presence in newsrooms and on Capitol Hill. It partnered with the organization overseeing presidential debates. Twitter employees even flocked to political conventions.

"The goal isn't to replace Twitter," Mosseri said. "The goal is to create a public square for communities on Instagram that never really embraced Twitter and for communities on Twitter (and other platforms) that are interested in a less angry place for conversations, but not all of Twitter."

Read the original article on Business Insider
An intoxicated driver who killed a couple changing a flat tire on a north Wichita highway ramp has been sentenced to seven years, two months in prison, according to a note in Sedgwick County District Court records.

Travis Lee Mock of Wichita pleaded guilty on May 19 to two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the Nov. 10, 2022, deaths of 20-year-old Christian L. Evans and 18-year-old Emily M. Stein. The pair were changing a tire on the drivers side of a 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer around 6:40 p.m. on Nov. 10 on the ramp from northbound I-135 to eastbound K-96 when Mock slammed into them in a 2014 Ram pickup.

Mock told authorities at the scene he was going to work and had packages in his truck he needed to deliver for Amazon when the crash happened, according to an affidavit released by the court. He also claimed he couldnt see and was just trying to make sure I didnt hit another car.

But authorities noted several signs he was intoxicated, including bloodshot eyes, sleepiness, constricted pupils and swaying while he walked, the affidavit says.

Law enforcement found THC wax, a THC vape pen, raw marijuana, Xanax and Oxycodone pills, along with rolling papers used for smoking marijuana and an amphetamine pill when they searched Mocks truck, the affidavit says.

Steins mother, brother and toddler son were in the Trailblazer waiting on Stein and Evans, who were dating, to change the tire when Mock ran into them. She told authorities they were on the way to a local sporting goods store to buy Evans a crossbow so he could go hunting that Saturday when the tire went flat, the affidavit says.

Steins family members werent hurt in the crash.

Judge Eric Williams ordered Mock to serve 43 months for each count of involuntary manslaughter and ran the prison terms consecutive, or back-to-back, court records show. He denied a request for probation from Mocks lawyer, who argued in a written motion that Mock accepted responsibility and saved time and resources by pleading guilty, and needs drug treatment to overcome his addiction issues.

In exchange for Mocks guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed a case where he was charged with possessing fentanyl, marijuana and other narcotics two days before the deadly collision, his plea agreement says. Prosecutors also agreed to not file charges against Mock in an April destruction of property and domestic violence case, according to the agreement.
Elizabeth Tsurkov, a fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, has been missing in Iraq for more than three months (Ahmad Mohamad)

Iraq has opened an investigation into the suspected kidnapping of an Israeli-Russian academic after her disappearance in Baghdad, a government spokesman said.

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a doctoral student at Princeton University and fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, has been missing in Iraq for more than three months.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday accused Iraq's Kataeb Hezbollah of holding her, but the pro-Iran armed faction has implied it was not involved in her disappearance.

Kataeb Hezbollah is part of the Hashed al-Shaabi force, former paramilitaries that were integrated into Iraqi security forces in recent years.

Asked about her disappearance on television late Thursday, government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi said "the Iraqi government is indeed conducting an official investigation".

"Given the level of the case, its intricacies, there will be no official statement regarding this matter until the Iraqi government completes its official investigation and reaches conclusions," he said.

"After that, there will be statements or announcements on official stances," he told Al-Ahd station, which is close to Hashed al-Shaabi.

Tsurkov had arrived in Baghdad "at the beginning of December 2022", a Western diplomat in Iraq said on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

The academic has not been active on Twitter, where she has almost 80,000 followers and describes herself as "passionate about human rights", since March 21.

An Iraqi intelligence source said Tsurkov was kidnapped in Baghdad "at the beginning of Ramadan", the Muslim fasting month which this year commenced on March 23.

On Wednesday, Netanyahu's office said Tsurkov "is still alive and we hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being".

She had travelled to Iraq "on her Russian passport at her own initiative pursuant to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University in the US", it added.

On her personal website, Tsurkov said she wanted to "understand and convey" the views and experiences of people in the Middle East and "highlight abuses by powerful actors... in the region".

In a statement on Thursday evening, Kataeb Hezbollah said it was doing everything it could to uncover the fate of "Zionist hostage or hostages" in the country.

ak-tgg/dv/ami
A Molotov cocktail explodes on an Israeli armoured vehicle during an army raid in Nablus (Jaafar ASHTIYEH)

Israeli forces killed two Palestinian militants Friday as a firefight erupted during a military raid on the occupied West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.

The Palestinian health ministry announced "two martyrs and three injured as a result of the occupation (Israeli) aggression on Nablus". The Israeli army reported "no injuries" among its forces.

The army said it had entered Nablus to arrest two individuals wanted over a shooting earlier this month at Israeli police in a West Bank settlement that resulted in no casualties.

The Palestinian health ministry in a statement identified the two dead as Khairi Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Maqbul, 32, who the army said "were killed following an exchange of fire with security forces."

"During the activity, weapons which were used by the terrorists were confiscated," the army added.

Witnesses told AFP Israeli troops had entered Nablus, a stronghold of armed Palestinian groups in the northern West Bank, on Friday morning and surrounded a house in the Old City before calling on those inside to turn themselves in.

The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the armed wing of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), claimed Shaheen and Maqbul as its members.

Friday's raid came days after Israel had launched its largest operation in years in the West Bank, which it has occupied since 1967.

Twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed during the large-scale raid on Jenin refugee camp which lasted more than 48 hours and ended Wednesday.

Violence linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict this year has killed at least 192 Palestinians, 27 Israelis, one Ukrainian and one Italian, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources from both sides.

They include, on the Palestinian side, combatants and civilians, and on the Israeli side, mostly civilians and three members of the Arab minority.

str-gb/ami
Heres a look at the life of Jacinda Ardern, former prime minister of New Zealand.

Personal

Birth date: July 26, 1980

Birth place: Hamilton, New Zealand

Birth name: Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern

Father: Ross Ardern, police officer

Mother: Laurell Ardern, school cook

Children: with Clarke Gayford: Neve Te Aroha

Education: Waikato University, B.A., 2001, communications studies

Religion: Agnostic

Other Facts

Worked as a staff member for former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Ardern is engaged to television presenter Clarke Gayford.

Raised Mormon, but left the church.

Timeline

November 8, 2008 - Enters New Zealands Parliament, elected into the Labour Party as a list MP.

February 25, 2017 - Wins a special election for the MP seat representing Mt. Albert.

March 7, 2017 - The Labour Party elects Ardern deputy leader.

August 1, 2017 - The Labour Party elects Ardern leader.

October 19, 2017 - NZ First leader Winston Peters announces on television that he supports Ardern as prime minister in a coalition government.

October 26, 2017 - Sworn in as New Zealands prime minister.

January 19, 2018 - Announces her pregnancy.

June 21, 2018 - Ardern gives birth to daughter Neve Te Aroha, becoming the first world leader to give birth since Pakistans Benazir Bhutto in 1990. Announces she will take six weeks leave following the babys birth. Peters, now deputy prime minister, serves as acting prime minister during that time.

March 15, 2019 - Ardern condemns the attacks at two mosques in the city of Christchurch that left 51 individuals dead.

March 18, 2019 - Ardern confirms that New Zealands government has agreed to reform the countrys gun laws in the wake of the Christchurch mosques shootings.

March 19, 2020 - Ardern closes New Zealands borders to foreign visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic.

March 23, 2020 - Announces a nationwide lockdown, requiring all non-essential workers to stay at home.

April 15, 2020 - Announces that she and her cabinet will take a 20% pay cut for the next six months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

August 17, 2020 - Ardern announces she is delaying the countrys parliamentary election by four weeks to October 17 after the reemergence of Covid-19 in the country last week.

October 17, 2020 - Ardern wins a second term in office as New Zealands prime minister.

January 29, 2022 - In a press release, Arden says she has entered self-isolation after being deemed a close contact of a positive Covid-19 case. The announcement comes a week after she canceled her own wedding plans amid a rise in Omicron cases across New Zealand.

May 13, 2022 - Ardern posts on social media that she and her daughter have tested positive for Covid-19. Gayford tested positive the previous week.

January 19, 2023 - Announces she will stand aside for a new leader within weeks, saying she doesnt believe she has the energy to seek reelection in the October polls. Ardern formally resigns as prime minister on January 25.

April 4, 2023 - Joins the Board of Trustees of Prince Williams Earthshot Prize.

June 5, 2023 - Is made a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (R) and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi attend a joint press conference in Amman, Jordan, on July 6, 2023. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

AMMAN, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Jordan and Oman on Thursday signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and executive programs to boost cooperation and coordination in various areas.

The deals, covering establishing industrial estates, educational cooperation, consumer protection, and youth program, were signed at the conclusion of the 11th Jordanian-Omani Joint Ministerial Committee meeting held in the Jordanian capital of Amman, said a statement by Jordan's Foreign Ministry.

Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi affirmed the "deep-rooted, historic and strategic" relations between the two countries and their mutual desire to develop ties, it said.

The two ministers looked into opportunities to expand collaboration in political, economic, investment, tourism and cultural endeavors, while they also signed the minutes of the committee's meeting to establish broader cooperation in all fields.

On regional issues, the two sides stressed the centrality of the Palestinian issue as well as the need for a just solution to end the occupation and meet all legitimate rights of the Palestinian people on the basis of the two-state solution.

They condemned the continued Israeli attacks on the occupied Palestinian territories, most recently on the West Bank city of Jenin, warning of the repercussions of the "unilateral and illegitimate steps" that undermine the two-state solution.

The two sides also underscored the need for the international community to take practical and urgent steps to provide necessary financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to tackle its financial deficit to ensure that it continues to provide services to Palestinian refugees in accordance with its UN mandate. 

Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (R) and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi attend a joint press conference in Amman, Jordan, on July 6, 2023. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (R) and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi attend a joint press conference in Amman, Jordan, on July 6, 2023. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (R) and his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr Hamad al-Busaidi shake hands during their meeting in Amman, Jordan, on July 6, 2023. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)
Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani, Sidney Powell and John EastmanPhoto illustration by Salon/Getty Images

Special counsel Jack Smith's team has reportedly bolstered its interest in an infamous Oval Office meeting held at the eleventh hour of Trump's presidency, during which the former president fielded proposals of desperate methods to keep him in office despite his White House counsel's objections.

Investigators have questioned witnesses before the grand jury and during interviews about the meeting, which occurred six weeks after Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, multiple sources told CNN. Some witnesses were initially asked about the meeting several months ago. Others, like Rudy Giuliani, were questioned about the meeting more recently. Giuliani, in particular, conferred with investigators for two days last month in a voluntary interview about an array of topics, including the December 18, 2020 meeting he attended, CNN's sources said.

Prosecutors, the sources added, have specifically taken interest in three external Trump advisors who were present at the meeting: former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, ex-Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne and former national security advisor Michael Flynn.

Related

Ex-prosecutor: Redactions in unsealed Trump search warrant affidavit suggest "additional charges"

Giuliani's lawyer, a lawyer for Powell and a lawyer for Byrne declined CNN's request for comment.

Both Powell and Byrne spoke extensively under oath with the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection. Flynn, however, declined to answer the committee's questions citing the Fifth Amendment.

"The special counsel's sustained interest in the chaotic episode comes as Smith's team appears to be nearing charging decisions in the investigation into efforts to overturn the election results," CNN reports. "Investigators are still gathering evidence, reaching out to several new witnesses in recent weeks and working to schedule interviews."

December 14 is of special interest to prosecutors.

The tense December 2020 Oval Office meeting descended into chaos as Trump's outside advisors went toe-to-toe with top West Wing lawyers in a heated debate about a plan to have the military seize voting machines in the key states Trump had lost in the election. The meeting attendees also considered naming Powell as special counsel to investigate alleged voter fraud, as well as Trump invoking martial law in an effort to subvert the election results. Attendees shouted and hurled insults, and Trump capped off the night by tweeting that an upcoming protest of the election results on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C. "will be wild."

The special counsel prosecutor's list of witnesses questioned about the meeting includes former national security advisor Robert O'Brien, who  according to a transcript of his deposition released by the panel  told the House select committee that he joined the December meeting by phone after it had devolved.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

"The consistent emphasis on the December 18 Oval Office meeting appears to overlap with the special counsel's broader effort to hone in on the actions of several Trump lawyers and allies during the period from December 14, 2020, to January 6, 2021," CNN said.

December 14 is of special interest to prosecutors, sources told the outlet. That date is marked by a host of alternate Republican electors in seven battleground states falsely certifying that Trump had won the election, and a meeting of Electoral College members in every state to officially cast their ballots, ultimately confirming Joe Biden as the winner with 306 electoral votes compared to Trump's 232.

The efforts to recruit unlawful electors, have them sign certificates falsely affirming Trump's win, and use them to pressure then-Vice President Mike Pence to stymie the certification of Biden's electoral college win on Jan. 6 have been a primary focus for investigators during the probe.

In recent weeks, at least one witness has told the special counsel's team that Trump allies ask Pence to cast doubt on the legitimacy of Biden's electors in the seven battleground states over supposed widespread voter fraud, and turn over the decision of certification to the states themselves, one source told CNN.

Read more

about Trump's infamous meeting
Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith has spent more than $5.4 million in the first five months of his investigation into former President Trumps handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, according to a newly released report.

About $2.6 million of that total paid for personnel compensation and benefits, and almost $1.9 million paid for contractual services, primarily legal and investigative support. Other funds went toward rent, travel and equipment.

In addition, more than $3.8 million has been spent by other Justice Department agencies assisting in Smiths investigation, the report says. That brings the total cost of the investigation to more than $9 million.

Smith was tapped by Attorney General Merrick Garland in November to examine Trumps handling of classified documents that were stored at his Mar-a-Lago home, plus the former presidents role in efforts to stop the certification of the 2020 election.

Last month, Trump and a personal aide, Walt Nauta, were indicted in the classified documents case on charges alleging he violated the Espionage Act and obstructed justice in taking classified records from his presidency and not returning them. They both plead not guilty.

Cost of Durham, Hur investigations

The DOJ also released reports detailing the recent spending of special counsels John Durham and Robert Hur.

Durham, who was appointed by former Attorney General William Barr to investigate the probe into former President Trumps alleged ties to Russia, spent $1.1 million in the last six months of his investigation. The majority of those funds went toward paying personnel. An extra $59,000 was spent by other DOJ agencies.

Durhams investigation ended in May with a scathing report that found authorities did not have sufficient evidence to open the case. He said the FBI relied on raw, unanalyzed and uncorroborated intelligence in its investigation, which he described as seriously deficient.

Hur was tapped by Garland to probe President Bidens handling of classified documents. Since mid-January, he has spent $615,000 on that inquiry. But more than $570,000 was spent by other Justice Department agencies assisting in the investigation, bringing the total cost to nearly $1.2 million.

Hur has not yet filed any charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A 36-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the May shooting at a Kansas City nightclub that left three people dead and two injured.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said the felony charges against 36-year-old Isiah Clinton come after he was accused of fatally shooting one of the three victims, according to charging documents.

The murder charge carried the possibility of life imprisonment, without the chance for parole, or the death penalty, court documents said.

Clinton has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault, documents said.

The charges were revealed at a 10 a.m. press conference, where Baker appeared alongside Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves and Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Clinton was charged a few days ago, but those charges were under seal because he was not in custody, Baker said during the conference. He was arrested Thursday and remains in custody of the Jackson County jail on no bond.

Clinton is not believed to the only shooter and that he didnt act alone, Baker said.

We think he is the individual that we believe had the motive of committing this crime, help set it up, put it into motion and of course carried it out, she said. We do believe that there are others involved.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (left) announced during a press conference Friday that 36-year-old Isiah Clinton has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and other crimes in the Klymax Lounge nightclub shooting. Kansas City police Detective Ryan Taylor (center) and Sgt. Mark Slater, supervisor of the homicide squad, also talked about details of the case.

Although the victims names were not listed in the charging documents, Baker identified the victims as Clarence CJ Henderson, who also went by the nickname Nutty, Antoinette Libby Brenson, and Jason McConnell, a security guard working the door at the club.

Two others, who have not been identified, were seriously injured in the shooting.

It is really probably a bit of luck, maybe good medical care, quickness of law enforcement at the scene, that those two people are alive today, Baker said. But their injuries are severe and they have a very, very long road ahead of them and potentially, these will be lifelong injuries that theyre left to contend with.

At the time of the shooting, Clinton was on parole for a federal weapons violation, Baker said.

Klymax Lounge at 4244 Indiana Ave., seen on Monday, May 22, 2023, in Kansas City. Three people were killed and two were injured in a shooting Sunday at the nightclub.

Prosecutors believe Clinton laid in wait for Henderson and allegedly gunned him down as he exited the club, Baker said.

We believe that this was all based on someone who had a dispute and decided they wanted to resolve it this way, she said. Thats what gets us to the highest possible charge of murder in the first degree. There is not a higher charge than that in the state of Missouri.

There are additional suspects that police are working with the prosecutors office to identify and to hopefully bring charges against, said Sgt. Mark Slater, supervisor of the homicide squad.

Police received a great deal of tips and community involvement in this particular case which was vital to getting the charges filed, Slater said. He added that they hoped to have the rest of the suspects in custody shortly.

A police investigation revealed officers were dispatched on the morning of May 21 at 1:25 a.m. to 4242 Indiana Avenue.

The first victim was located on the sidewalk outside the lounge. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

Officers discovered the second victim by the front door of the lounge and declared him dead from a gunshot wound at the scene, documents said

The third victim was found inside the lounge by police and also declared dead due to gunshot wounds.

Two more victims discovered by officers were transported to the hospital in critical condition for gunshot-related injuries.

Shooting at Klymax Lounge

Detectives canvassed the scene and learned video surveillance from Sankofa Cafe, just north of the lounge, had captured the shooting, according to documents.

The tape allegedly showed one man getting out of a Chevy Impala in white pants and a gray hooded sweatshirt. He entered the lounge. Then left, jumping back into the Impala, which was in a parking lot at 4307 Indiana Avenue, about ten minutes later, documents said.

Three minutes later, a second person in a gray hooded sweatshirt and gray pants was allegedly seen leaving the Impala and walking to the front door of the lounge.

He stood there for another three minutes, and at one point lifted his hand like he is shooting a gun, documents said.

After two minutes the first victim was alleged to have walked out of the lounge and the person waiting near the front door ran at them, shooting them multiple times.

Another victim, who was left in critical condition, tried to run away but allegedly fell in the middle of Indiana Ave. The person who had been waiting near the front door then ran after him and started kicking him as he was on the ground, documents said.

Messages written in chalk are seen on the sidewalk outside Klymax Lounge on Monday, May 22, 2023, in Kansas City. Three people were killed and two were injured in a shooting Sunday at the nightclub.

The person then ran back to the Impala, along with another person in a black hooded jacket and white pants, who had been inside the lounge, documents said.

More surveillance of the Indiana Avenue parking lot was allegedly obtained by police. The video showed the Impala arriving at 12:59 a.m. Police estimated the suspects had been at the lounge for 25 minutes before the shooting call was received by officers at 1:25 a.m.

The lounge had been holding a birthday party at the time of the shooting, documents said.

The following day police interviewed the victim who had been kicked in the middle of Indiana Avenue and left in critical condition. He allegedly did not know the suspects.

Police said they later recognized an Impala with similar distinguishing features while on patrol near 35th and Prospect Ave. They arrested Clinton, who was driving, for operating the vehicle with a suspended license.

Phone data used in investigation

After reviewing evidence from the shooting, officers requested a Geofence warrant to locate whether Clintons cell phone had been in the parking lot and lounge area early on May 21, documents said.

That cellular device gave us a lot of evidence on communication and possible motive, said Detective Ryan Taylor, with the Kansas City Police Department. 

Text conversations related to Clintons phone number revealed a message had been sent around 12:53 a.m. that said: Omm [On my mother] we handle this tonight delete this.

At 1:31 a.m. a follow-up message said: Its over with brody.

On June 26, results from the Geofence warrant allegedly confirmed the phone number located near the lounge at the time of the shooting matched the phone number and home address associated with Clinton.

During the news conference, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves clarified that someone had called 911 at 1:08 a.m. the day of the shooting to report a suspicious vehicle.

At that time, however, officers were being dispatched on calls that involved immediate threat or danger to someones life, she said. At 1:25 a.m., police received a call reporting the shooting and officers were on scene within a minute.

I just wanted to clear that up to address those concerns that were initially brought up and just to kind of give them the factual information on that, she said.

Police believe that there are still others who were involved in the shooting and they asked for anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered through Crimestoppers for information leading to an arrest.

The charges announced Friday were the result of diligent police work that could not have been done without the help of members of the community, Mayor Quinton Lucas said, adding that community trust helps solves crime every day in Kansas City.

Lucas said he was grateful for the hard work by law enforcement officials as well as for the those who provided the tips and tools that were necessary to bring the charges.

To all those who are causing bad acts in our city: First of all, know that you will be caught. That you will be tried. You will be convicted and that justice will be met here in Kansas City, Lucas said.
JACKSON TWP.  The township government has been hit by an unspecified computer network "incident" that's been affecting the function of multiple systems.

Administrator and Law Director Mike Vaccaro said in a prepared statement Friday afternoon that officials are working with external cybersecurity experts to work through the problem. An investigation has also been launched into the matter, which has not resulted in any known access of unauthorized, personal or employee data.

"We will notify affected individuals if the investigation identifies evidence to the contrary," Vaccaro said via the statement. "Our goals right now are to make sure our network is secure, all devices are clean and to restore our full functionality of data."

Township officials declined to comment beyond Friday afternoon's statement, which did not elaborate on the type of incident or provide other details.

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting computer systems, networks and programs from digital attacks.

Primary township services, such as police, fire and emergency medical (EMS), have not been interrupted, and Jackson employees continue to work regular shifts and hours, Fiscal Officer Randy Gonzalez said earlier Friday.

Police Chief Mark Brink said officers have been answering emergency calls as normal and with no major hiccups.

However the Jackson Police Department is not able to receive and respond to non-emergency email messages, Vaccaro said. Residents with queries are asked to call the police non-emergency phone number, which is 330-834-3963. The non-emergency Fire Department line is 330-834-3953.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation would not confirm an investigation, citing that internal policy prohibits it.

The FBI offers assistance to those who fall victim to cyberattacks to help determine the source and if there is a continuing threat, Susan Licate, public affairs officer for the agency, said.

Victims can report the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, so they can investigate, she added.

"The public should be assured that the FBI takes seriously cyber intrusions that could compromise national security," Licate said.

Municipalities can be prime targets for cyber attacks

The Ohio Township Association said townships are often targets for cyber attackers.

The organization said they provide educational opportunities for its membership about cyber security.

"We haven't seen a ton of data breaches but it is something we want all of our township to take an active role in before they become victims," said Nicole Jaros, the agency's director of communications.

Home building: Stark developers buy Frank Farm propety in Jackson Township for new housing

Retail ramp-up: Costco project nearing completion; to add 200-250 jobs in Jackson Township

The threat of cyber attacks continues to worsen as more agencies move to cloud-based software.

"Not everything is done on paper anymore," she said. "As we move toward those systems they must be prepared and protected in case of an attack."

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Jackson Township, cyber experts work on computer network 'incident'
Here is a look at the life of Jair Bolsonaro, former president of Brazil.

Personal

Birth date: March 21, 1955

Birth place: Campinas, Brazil

Birth name: Jair Messias Bolsonaro

Father: Percy Geraldo Bolsonaro, dentist

Mother: Olinda Bonturi Bolsonaro

Marriage: Michelle Bolsonaro; Ana Cristina Valle (divorced); Rogeria Bolsonaro (divorced)

Children: with Michelle Bolsonaro: Laura; with Ana Cristina Valle: Jair Renan; with Rogeria Bolsonaro: Flavio, Carlos and Eduardo

Education: Agulhas Negras Military Academy, 1977

Military: Army, Captain

Religion: Roman Catholic

Other Facts

A conservative provocateur, Bolsonaro has a predilection for making inflammatory statements. His rhetorical targets include women and the LGBTQ community. In 2003, he told a congresswoman that she was not worthy of being raped. During a 2011 interview with Playboy magazine, Bolsonaro said he would be incapable of loving a gay son. He has expressed a sense of nostalgia for Brazils past as a military dictatorship.

Bolsonaro served seven terms as a congressman in the Chamber of Deputies. While in congress, his priorities included protecting the rights of citizens to own firearms, promoting Christian values and getting tough on crime. In 2017, he said, A policeman who doesnt kill isnt a policeman.

Bolsonaro changed his party affiliation numerous times, ultimately campaigning for president as a member of the Social Liberal Party.

When Bolsonaro took office in 2019, Brazil was suffering through a prolonged period of economic malaise and rising insecurity. His ascent was preceded by a corruption scandal that rocked political and financial institutions. During his inaugural address, Bolsonaro vowed to transform Brazil into a strong and booming country.

Timeline

1986 - Bolsonaro writes an opinion column for the magazine Veja that criticizes the Brazilian Armys pay system. He is subsequently disciplined for insubordination.

1989-1991 - Councilman for Rio de Janeiro.

1991-2018 - Congressman representing Rio de Janeiro in the Chamber of Deputies.

July 22, 2018 - Bolsonaro announces he is running for president.

August 15, 2018 - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former president of Brazil, announces he has submitted the necessary paperwork to register as the Workers Party candidate to run against Bolsonaro. Lula da Silva campaigns from prison, where he is serving a 12-year sentence for corruption.

September 1, 2018 - Brazils top electoral court bars Lula da Silva from running for reelection while incarcerated. Ultimately, a former mayor of Sao Paulo named Fernando Haddad steps in as the Workers Party candidate.

September 6, 2018 - Bolsonaro is stabbed in the stomach during a campaign rally. He spends more than three weeks in the hospital recovering.

October 7, 2018 - Voters cast ballots in the first round of elections. Although Bolsonaro wins more votes than Haddad, he doesnt surpass the 50% threshold. A runoff is set for later in the month.

October 28, 2018 - Bolsonaro wins the runoff. The final tally shows Bolsonaro with 55.13% and Haddad with 44.87%.

January 1, 2019 - Bolsonaro is sworn into office. On the same day, he issues a series of executive orders. One order could potentially strip away many LGBTQ civil rights protections by eliminating LGBTQ issues from the list of matters handled by the Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights. Another order gives the Agriculture Ministry the authority to designate indigenous lands, paving the way for agricultural development in areas that were previously off limits.

January 15, 2019 - Signs an executive order temporarily eliminating a regulation that limits firearms purchases only to individuals who provide a justification for owning a gun. The regulation gave police discretion to approve or deny gun sales.

January 28, 2019 - Officials say Bolsonaro has undergone successful surgery to remove a colostomy bag he was fitted with after being stabbed four months ago.

February 28, 2019 - Bolsonaro meets with Venezuelan opposition leader and self-proclaimed interim president, Juan Guaido in Brasilia. During a joint news conference, Bolsonaro pledges Brazils support to help ensure democracy is re-established in Venezuela.

May 3, 2019 - A spokesman for Bolsonaro announces that the president has canceled a trip to New York, where he was set to be honored with a Person of the Year award from the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce. The trip was scrapped amid political backlash. The events original host venue, the American Museum of Natural History canceled and some corporate sponsors dropped out. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio had called Bolsonaro a dangerous man.

May 7, 2019 - Bolsonaro signs an executive order relaxing gun control restrictions. The executive order makes it easier for guns to be imported and boosts the amount of ammunition an individual can purchase annually.

July 11, 2019 - During a news conference, Bolsonaro says that he wants his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, to serve as ambassador to the United States. He says that Eduardo is friendly with the children of US President Donald Trump.

August 23, 2019 - Bolsonaro announces a plan to send army troops to fight wildfires sweeping through the Amazon rainforest.

August 26, 2019 - At the G7 summit in France, French President Emmanuel Macron announces a $20 million emergency fund to help Brazil with the fires. Bolsonaro responds that he cannot accept Macrons intentions behind the idea of an alliance of the G7 countries to save the Amazon, as if we were a colony or no mans land. The dispute devolves after a Facebook user posts a meme ridiculing the appearance of Macrons wife on Bolsonaros page and the president jokes, Dont humiliate the guyhaha.

September 8, 2019 - Bolsonaro undergoes a hernia operation to treat complications from prior surgeries conducted as he recovered from a stab wound.

December 24, 2019 - Tells the Band TV network that he was hospitalized overnight after falling in the presidential palace December 23. He says he had brief memory loss, but that he has recovered.

April 19, 2020 - Bolsonaro joins a rally in the countrys capital, where protesters called for an end to coronavirus quarantine measures and some urged military intervention to shut down Congress and the Supreme Court. He later defends his participation, saying that he was not calling for military action against the countrys other branches of government.

June 23, 2020 - Bolsonaro is ordered by a federal judge in Brasilia to wear a face mask in public or face a fine. The decision extends to all government employees in the Federal District, where the capital Brasilia is located.

July 7, 2020 - Bolsonaro announces he has tested positive for Covid-19, following months of downplaying the virus.

March 16, 2021 - A Brazilian court orders Bolsonaro to pay damages to a journalist after he made remarks that questioned her credibility.

April 27, 2021 - Brazils Senate launches an inquiry into the federal governments response to Covid-19.

July 14, 2021 - Bolsonaro is admitted to the hospital to investigate the cause of persistent hiccups that are leading to abdominal pains, according to Brazils Special Secretariat for Social Communication.

December 3, 2021 - Brazils Supreme Court orders an investigation into Bolsonaros false claim that people who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 may have a higher risk of contracting AIDS. The inquiry is launched in response to a request by the countrys parliamentary commission which has been investigating Bolsonaros governments response to the pandemic.

January 3, 2022 - Bolsonaro is admitted to a hospital with a blockage in his intestine.

June 29, 2022 - A Brazilian court rules that Bolsonaro must pay moral damages of 35,000 reais (approximately $6,700) to a Brazilian journalist after making remarks with sexual innuendo about her in 2020.

October 2, 2022 - In the presidential election, Bolsonaro finishes with 43.2% versus Lula da Silvas 48.4%. Either candidate needed to surpass 50% to be elected in the first round of voting, so the two will face each other in a runoff on October 30.

October 30, 2022 - Bolsonaro loses his bid for a second term, after receiving 49.1% of the vote against Lula da Silva, who wins with 50.9%.

November 22, 2022 - Bolsonaro files a petition with Brazil election authorities formally contesting the results of the presidential vote, alleging that some voting machines had malfunctioned and any votes cast through them should be annulled. The petition is rejected the following day.

January 10, 2023 - Is discharged from a Florida hospital and arrives at a residence in Orlando. Bolsonaro said he was receiving treatment for complications related to his 2018 stabbing. Bolsonaros hospitalization came after hundreds of his supporters stormed the capital Brasilia on January 8, trashing government offices and drawing strong condemnation from the international community.

January 13, 2023 - Brazils Supreme Court says it has accepted the public prosecutors request to investigate Bolsonaros alleged involvement in the January 8 attacks on government buildings in Brasilia.

June 30, 2023 - Brazils highest electoral court bars Bolsonaro from running for political office until 2030, after finding him guilty of abusing his power and misusing public media during the 2022 election campaign. Speaking to Brazilian radio station Itatiaia, Bolsonaro says he plans to appeal the courts decision.

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An armed man arrested near the home of President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, last Thursday was a Navy veteran who has served in combat, branch officials confirmed to Military Times this week.

Law enforcement intercepted Taylor Taranto running toward the former presidents Washington, D.C., residence. Federal prosecutors said he had gotten the Obamas address from a Truth Social posting by former President Donald Trump, the Associated Press reported.

Officials later discovered Tarantos van, parked several blocks away from the Obama household, filled with rifles and more than 400 rounds of ammunition.

Taranto enlisted in the Navy in August 2004, according to his personnel records. He specialized in information warfare before pivoting to naval construction midway through his five-year stint in the sea service. He spent the final years of his service as a member of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 out of Port Hueneme, California, achieving the rank of E-5 in 2009.

Taranto left the military the following year. Navy officials declined to specify the status of his discharge, citing the Privacy Act. His medals and decorations include a Combat Action Ribbon  accorded to service members whove actively participated in ground or surface combat  and an Iraq Campaign Medal, awarded to personnel who served in the Iraq War, according to the Navy.

More than a decade after returning to civilian life, Taranto battled the government for which he once fought. Federal prosecutors claim Taranto joined the mobs marauding through the Capitols halls on Jan. 6. Online sleuths first pieced together Tarantos participation in the breach of the Capitol in 2021.

On Thursday, federal authorities detained the 37-year-old Seattle native on four misdemeanor charges, part of an open warrant against him relating to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, according to the Associated Press.

But the FBI, which had already been monitoring Tarantos online activities because of his involvement in the riot, began searching for him last Wednesday after he asserted on his YouTube livestream that he was in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on a one-way mission, according to the AP. He said he intended to blow up the National Institute of Standards and Technology, according to the Justice Department motion seeking to keep him behind bars and cited by the AP.

The following day, he continued his livestream from the Washington neighborhood where Obama lives  an area heavily monitored by the U.S. Secret Service  and said that he was looking for entrance points and wanted to get a good angle on a shot, according to the detention memo.

Erin Smith, the widow of a Capitol police officer who died by suicide after defending the building that day, sued Taranto and another man for causing an injury that she says ultimately led to her husbands decision to take his own life. Taranto attended his co-defendants criminal sentencing hearing in D.C. in June, according to court documents.

Later in the month, Taranto saw a TruthSocial message from former President Donald Trump that contained screenshots featuring a purported address for the Obamas home in Washington, NBC News reported. Hours before his arrest, Taranto reposted the Trumps message on the Telegram messaging app, adding We got these losers surrounded! See you in hell, Podestas and Obamas, the Associated Press reported.

John Podesta served as counselor to President Barack Obama, chaired Hillary Clintons campaign for president in 2016, and served as President Bill Clintons chief of staff. Podesta is also the chief villain of the Pizzagate conspiracy theory, a foundational myth of the QAnon movement that spuriously accused high-ranking members of the Democratic Party (including Podesta) of abusing children in the basement of a basement-less D.C. pizza shop.
Jan. 6 rioter connected to Proud Boys sentenced to 5 years for using pepper spray on officers

A Florida man linked to the Proud Boys group was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday after being found guilty of assaulting police officers while participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

Barry Ramey pepper sprayed at least two federal officers while attempting to enter the Capitol Building, according to federal investigators.

He also attempted to intimidate the FBI agent investigating him by calling them and reading back their address. Shortly after, he texted the agent the VIN of their car.

Defense attorneys said Ramey was egged on by others and did not show up on the day intending to commit violence. His lawyers also deny that he entered the Capitol, which prosecutors did not claim.

Ramey was arrested at his home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in April 2022 and remained in custody during his trial. In addition to five years in prison, he was sentenced to three years of supervised release and to pay over $2,000 in restitution.

He was a registered member of the Proud Boys in Southern Florida, a far-right militia group known for its participation in the insurrection. The groups leader, Enrique Tarrio, was found guilty of seditious conspiracy in May for his role in planning the attack.

That charge, among the most serious the Justice Department has sought in Jan. 6 cases, can carry up to a 20-year sentence. Tarrio and other Proud Boys leaders are expected to be sentenced this fall.

More than 1,000 people have been charged with crimes related to the Jan. 6 insurrection, and over 500 of them pleaded guilty to charges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is among Asian leaders seeking to enhance ties with NATO during a key summit in Lithuania next week. Yet the alliance is split on what exactly that looks like as they grapple with how to deal with China.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Kishida will use the opportunity to stress the need for relations between Japan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to be stronger, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said Friday, despite objections from Beijing over the alliances activities in the region. Kishida will be joined in Vilnius by leaders from South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

The visit will show that security in the Indo-Pacific and Europe is inseparable, Matsuno told reporters on Friday, adding it would confirm the stronger engagement of NATO in the region.

NATO allies are in discussions about a possible statement with the four Indo-Pacific countries that would set out deeper cooperation and reiterate that security in Europe is interlinked with security in the region, according to a senior European diplomat.

But there are some conceptual disagreements between allies on whether NATOs focus should stay within the area of responsibilities of the alliances supreme commander, which extends from northern Europe to southern Europe and from the Atlantic coastline to eastern Turkey. Others want NATO to take a broader view on issues affecting the alliances security, said the diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

After naming Beijing as a challenge to the alliance last year, the 31-nation bloc has sought to deepen ties with the USs closest friends in the region. But when plans emerged in May to open NATOs first office in Asia, French President Emmanuel Macron took issue before warning any attempt to enlarge NATOs ambit would be a big mistake.

Chinese President Xi Jinpings continued support for Vladimir Putin more than 16 months since his forces invaded Ukraine has focused European strategies regarding Beijing. NATO condemned China and Russias partnership as an affront to the rules-based international order and said China poses a systemic challenge to the alliance.

What happens in Asia matters for Europe and what happens in Europe matters for Asia, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who recently visited Japan and Korea, said in June.

The stance comes as Washington seeks to develop various multilateral mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific region, something Beijing says is designed to contain its rise. NATOs most powerful member in particular has pressed the importance of Chinas rise within the alliance.

Those efforts appear to have found some resonance. Kishida paid a visit to Europe earlier this year to strengthen military ties before the Japanese Air Force participated in the largest deployment exercise in NATOs history. South Koreas defense exports  with the USs blessing  more than doubled last year on growing demand in places like eastern Europe.

Europe, in turn, realizes it also must play a greater role in the Indo-Pacific, even if the specifics are still being debated.

European members of NATO would have to take on more responsibility than is the case today, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a recent interview with German broadcaster ZDF. I believe everyone is conscious of this.

This years NATO summit will have sessions devoted to enhancing partnerships with the four Indo-Pacific nations, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan recently said in Tokyo. NATO and Japan are reportedly also set to announce the main pillars of a new cooperation that includes an alignment of defense equipment.

What we have to be careful about is that Japans strength as a country of course has limits, said Akihisa Nagashima, a former vice-defense minister and now current member of the lower house security committee. If Japan has to take part in all NATO operations, its own vicinity will be neglected.

The relationship between Washington and Beijing is only just now showing signs of thawing after a tumultuous year including when an alleged spy balloon was traveling over the US. Asian leaders, while encouraged by the recent high-profile visits by senior US officials to Beijing, continue to warn about the prospect of an incident that could trigger a conflict.

China has accused the US of looking to set up a similar alliance to NATO in Asia, despite Washingtons denials.

The attitude of the majority of countries in the region is very clear. They oppose the emergence of military blocs, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters in June. They dont welcome NATOs outreach in Asia.

Southeast Asian nations have largely sought to avoid choosing sides between the US and China, or with Russia, which has a long diplomatic history in the region. Some countries also differ with NATOs approach to Ukraine.

Indonesia Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto last month pitched a peace proposal that appeared to have many similarities to a Chinese blueprint thats been largely rejected in Europe. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has said it would be impossible for Ukraine to regain all the territory now occupied by Russia.

NATOs activities in Asia are likely to be limited to individual countries primarily dealing with US allies in the region as concerns about China increase, according to Bilahari Kausikan, Singapores former permanent secretary for foreign affairs.

The significance is much more political than military or strategic, he said of NATOs deepening ties in the region. These are significant, but we should not exaggerate their significance.

--With assistance from Ania Nussbaum.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Sakura Murakami and Tim Kelly

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will join NATO leaders in Lithuania on Tuesday to remind an alliance focused on Ukraine to pay heed to Chinese and Russian activity in Asia, which Japan sees as a threat to global security.

Kishidas second visit to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization gathering, along with the leaders of South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, comes as Japan doubles defence spending to deter Chinese and Russian forces in the waters and skies around Japan.

With Japan feeling it can no longer solely rely on its old ally the U.S. to back it up, Kishida is also courting new security partners.

"Japan talks about principles such as territorial integrity, but the message to Europe is 'dont forget about the Indo-Pacific, no matter how difficult the situation with Russia is'," said Michito Tsuruoka, a NATO expert at Keio University.

In its most recent annual national security assessment, Japan said it was surrounded by nuclear-armed actors, including China, North Korea and Russia, which is also a neighbour to six NATO members. Tokyo worries about getting sucked into a conflict over Taiwan, which is only 100 km (62 miles) away.

Kishida, who has embraced the U.S. rhetoric of "like-minded nations" sticking together, has for the past year warned that a Ukraine-like conflict, which Russia describes as a special operation, could erupt in East Asia if China tries to take control of self-ruled Taiwan. China has criticised Japan for a "Cold War mentality".

By working with NATO, Japan could also help the U.S. knit its global alliances together, "breaking down the traditional silos between America's Atlantic allies and America's Pacific allies", the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, told a media briefing.

"We find ourselves coming together to address a whole range of options," she said.

'BIG MISTAKE'

At the meeting in Lithuania's capital, Vilnius, Japan is expected to be included in NATO's Individually Tailored Partnership Program, opening the way for cooperation on cyber security, space and information sharing on China and Russia.

That initiative follows a visit to Japan by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in January when he said the lessons China was learning from Ukraine could influence its decisions.

NATO documents have begun to reflect concern about China, East Asia and the Indo-Pacific, but Japan needs to deepen its awareness of those issues, a Japanese official involved in discussions about NATO ties said.

However, the military alliance is unlikely to agree to open an office in Tokyo in the face of French President Emmanuel Macron's opposition to a move that could irritate China and open NATO up to accusations of geographical overreach.

"If we push NATO's presence in the Indo-Pacific area and expand its reach, we will be making a big mistake," a French foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Diplomats from two European NATO countries who spoke to Reuters said European unease about a Tokyo office went beyond France. They declined to be identified.

Another Japanese official involved in preparations for Kishida's NATO visit said the idea of a NATO office in Japan had nothing to do with China, but that is how it became framed, and each NATO country has its own relations with China.

Japan, he added, would continue communicating with NATO through its embassy in Brussels or via the Danish embassy in Tokyo, the contact point in Japan for dealings with the military alliance.

SEOUL AND SYDNEY

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who will also attend the NATO summit, is also looking to deepen relations in Europe including new defence deals with countries like Poland.

Under Yoon, South Korea has set up a liaison office with NATO in Brussels and has embraced a call for unity among like-minded countries. He may, however, face renewed pressure to provide weapons to Ukraine, which his administration has declined to do, wary of Russian influence over North Korea.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, another member of Asia Pacific Four invited to the NATO gathering, said Australia would maintain support for Ukraine, when asked about new financial aid for it.

"Well continue to stand with the people of Ukraine," Albanese told Sky News.

(Reporting by Sakura Murakami and Tim Kelly in Tokyo; additional reporting by John Irish in Paris, Josh Smith in Seoul and Renju Hose in Sydney; editing by Robert Birsel)
Fukushima storage tanks. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images

Japan is set to dump over one million cubic meters of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean. The plan was initially conceived in 2019 when the country's environment minister declared there were "no other options" to handle the growing amount of waste, per CNN, and has since gained the approval of United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Mariano Grossi. However, the decision is hotly contested, especially among local fishing organizations, and has also faced disapproval from China and other surrounding islands.

What is the plan?

Japan is running out of space for the contaminated water it uses to cool down nuclear reactors. Currently, the waste is stored in over 1,000 giant tanks, but the country is struggling with what to do as the space shrinks and the water grows. Japan's solution was to dispel large quantities of it into the Pacific Ocean, "in line with international practice," said Grossi following the plan's announcement.

The company that built the tanks, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), said there is no option to build new tanks and the water needs to be removed in the process of decommissioning the plant. However, the water will be treated to remove many of the harmful elements before it's sent through an undersea tunnel, according to the TEPCO plan. The process is known as an advanced liquid-processing system (ALPS). The IAEA released a report assessing the plan, writing that it will have "negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."

Despite getting the green light from the U.N., there has been heavy opposition.

Why is the plan controversial?

There is some risk in any radioactive material exposure. While the ALPS process does a decent job of removing many of the contaminants, two notable ones, carbon-14 and tritium, remain even after, according to an article in Nature. The biggest concern is that these materials will affect marine life, specifically fish. The U.S. National Association of Marine Laboratories opposed the wastewater release, citing "a lack of adequate and accurate scientific data supporting Japan's assertion of safety." Pollutants like these can become more prominent going up the food chain through a process called bioaccumulation. Marine life is already facing other challenges like extreme warming and environmental stressors.

Despite the concerns, TEPCO reiterated that it is certain the contaminants won't continually accumulate in marine life over time, adding that they "do not exceed the concentrations in the living environment." Jim Smith, an environmental scientist at the University of Portsmouth, told Nature that the risk to surrounding islands is "close to zero," and "The nearest Pacific island is about 2,000 kilometers away."

"Have the people promoting this ... demonstrated to our satisfaction that it will be safe for ocean health and human health?" asked marine biologist Robert Richmond in Nature. "The answer is 'no'."

On top of all this, the plan comes 12 years after the Fukushima nuclear disaster, which still affects many in the surrounding area to this day.

What is the Fukushima nuclear disaster?

In 2011, Japan experienced a 9.0 magnitude earthquake that wreaked havoc over the island. Detecting the earthquake, the Fukushima nuclear plant shut down its reactors, but they still remained hot, so emergency diesel generators turned on to keep circulating coolant around the reactors, BBC explained.

However, the earthquake also triggered a massive tsunami with a wave height of almost 50 feet. The wave ended up flooding the plant and stopping the emergency generators. As a result, the cores overheated and melted in parts. This also triggered a number of explosions at the plant, leaking radioactive material into the air as well as into the Pacific Ocean. The disaster caused 150,000 people to be evacuated fearing the long-term impacts of radiation exposure. Several people died during the evacuation. The Japanese Parliament deemed Fukushima "a profoundly man-made disaster" and the IAEA categorized it as a level seven event, the same classification as the Chernobyl disaster.

Ten years after the disaster, the U.N. reported that there had been "no adverse health effects" documented, however, the Japanese government said that one worker did die from radiation exposure in 2018. A 2012 study also found that bluefin tuna from Fukushima had carried radioactive isotopes from the disaster to California. This event looms large in the minds of many who are now wary of further radiation exposure in the area.

What are the reactions?

"The Pacific Ocean is not Japan's sewer for discharging its nuclear-contaminated water," said a Chinese official in March, according to CNN. China has been openly vocal in its disapproval of the release plan. It's "neither ethical nor lawful to spill the risk of nuclear contamination to the rest of the world," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin remarked, per Bloomberg.

A recent study also found that 84% of South Koreans oppose the plan as well. As a result, many Koreans have been bulk-buying sea salt in fear of health risks that could come following the release, NPR reported. "With a long rainy season during the spring, there has been growing anxiety among producers," said South Korea's Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries last month. In a similar spirit, Japan's fishery association chief told government officials "to remember that the treated water plan was pushed forward despite our opposition," per The Associated Press.

The Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum called the release a "major concern" in an op-ed, arguing a decision around any ocean release "is not and should not only be a domestic matter for Japan."

On the other hand, argued environmental scientist Smith, "the risk of another earthquake or a typhoon causing a leak of a tank is higher" than the risks posed by properly processed wastewater. "And they're running out of space."

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COLOMBO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's proposed government debt restructuring plan reduces funding and liquidity risk for non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs), Fitch Ratings said in a press release on Friday.

Fitch said that Sri Lankan government's debt restructuring plan avoids direct impact on the local-currency government debt holdings of NBFIs and commercial banks, easing uncertainty over the entities' capital, funding, and liquidity profiles.

Nonetheless, the proposal is only one aspect of the sovereign's debt sustainability plan, and the weak economic environment continues to pose downside risk to the sector, Fitch said.

On Wednesday, Fitch downgraded Sri Lanka's Long-Term Local-Currency (LTLC) Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to "C" from "CC".

Fitch said on Tuesday that the Sri Lankan government's domestic debt restructuring proposal was a significant step in resolving uncertainties in the local banking sector.

Sri Lanka's parliament approved the government's domestic debt restructuring plan on July 1. 
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's nuclear regulator granted approval on Friday for utility Tokyo Electric Power Co (Tepco), which ran the destroyed Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, to start releasing more than a million tonnes of radioactive water.

On Tuesday, the global watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said a two-year review showed Japan's plan for the release would have negligible environmental impact.

The Japanese regulator's certificate is the final step the utility required to begin the process.

(Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
As an author, Jenny Han holds a special place for all her characters and tries to put herself in their shows.

"I don't pick favorites," she told "CBS Mornings."

Known for her young adult novels, Han gained widespread recognition for writing and being the showrunner for "The Summer I Turned Pretty," a trilogy of romance novels that is also a series on Amazon Prime. Its second season debuts next week as viewers eagerly follow the love triangle involving protagonist Belly and the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah.

Han said for the second season, she wanted viewers to "be on the same ride as Belly and experience the ups and downs alongside her."

Reflecting on her long-standing relationship with the characters, Han said the show has breathed new life into them.

"I love the cast so much, too, and they bring a new dimension into the characters and so it's for me, it's been like the most fun journey," she said.

The process of adapting her books for the screen presented challenges for Han. To keep herself engaged and excited about the story, she approached the adaptation as if she were writing the books in the present day.

One of the most talked-about topics when it comes to the series is Belly's back-and-forth decisions.

Han said she thinks Belly's choices ultimately represent what she believes is best for herself and reflects the messy nature of being a teenager.

"Yes, Belly is messy but she's going through it and I think you know I have a lot of empathy for young people and what they go through and just basically I think we're all coming of age, all the time," she said. "Whatever age you are I think that you can look back on decisions that you've made and, you know, mistakes."

As for season three of the series, Han said she looks forward to hopefully filming it, but it may be a while due to the ongoing Hollywood writers' strike.

"I think everyone wants to go back to work, including me," Han said.

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Former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter are celebrating their 77th wedding anniversary on Friday, continuing their reign as longest-married presidential couple.

While the pair wed in 1946 while Mrs. Carter was in college and Mr. Carter was home from the U.S. Naval Academy, their love story started about a year prior, when Mr. Carter's younger sister set him up with Eleanor Rosalynn Smith, a family friend.

After their first date, Mr. Carter came home and told his mother, "She's the girl I want to marry."

The Carters moved often when Mr. Carter was in the Navy and their children were all born in different states: John William in Virginia, James Earl III in Hawaii, Donnel Jeffrey in Connecticut and Amy Lynn in Georgia, where the family is originally from and returned after Mr. Carter's service.

U.S. President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter dance at a White House Congressional Ball in Washington, D.C., on Dec, 13, 1978. / Credit: Marion S. Trikosko / Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Back in Georgia, the pair ran Carter's Warehouse, a seed and farm supply company, in Plains and the farm he inherited.

When Mr. Carter ran for the Georgia Senate in 1962, Mrs. Carter was a member of his campaign team. She continued to help him get elected governor of Georgia in 1970 and later president.

Mr. Carter once said his wife is "much more political."

"I love it," she said, according to the Associated Press. "I love campaigning. I had the best time. I was in all the states in the United States. I campaigned solid every day the last time we ran."

The couple is known for their strong bond and working together not just during his political career, but afterward as they helped build up Habitat for Humanity, an organization that builds affordable housing, and run the Carter Center, which is committed to human rights "and the alleviation of human suffering."

Former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, work on building a home during Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project event in the Globeville Neighborhood in Denver, October 09, 2013. / Credit: RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post via Getty Images

Earlier this year, the family announced Mrs. Carter had been diagnosed with dementia. Previously, it was announced Mr. Carter would receive hospice care at home after a few trips to the hospital in recent years.

In 2019, he became the oldest living former president in U.S. history, at 94 years and 172 days old.

Mr. Carter, 98, and Mrs. Carter, 95, also hold the record for the longest presidential marriage. President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara Bush come in second, with a marriage that lasted 73 years, 101 days until her death in 2018. Mr. Bush died months later.

Bess Truman, the wife of former President Harry Truman died at age 97 and is only former first lady who has lived longer than Mrs. Carter.

When Mr. Carter was inaugurated president in 1977, he and Mrs. Carter had been married for 30 years, 197 days, putting them in 10th place for longest marriage at inauguration.

The pair is marking their 77th anniversary with a quiet Friday at home, the AP reports.

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Former President Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter are celebrating their 77th wedding anniversary on Friday.

The Carter Center announced the anniversary on its Twitter account, sharing that the Carters married on this day in 1946 in Plains, Ga., which is the former presidents birthplace.

Wishing Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter a joyful 77th wedding anniversary! the center said, posting an old photo of the two of them dancing together.

Their marriage, which has been longer than the average life expectancy of 76.1 years as of 2021, is the longest marriage for a first couple in U.S. history, surpassing George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bushs 73 years of marriage.

Both the former president and former first lady have experienced health challenges recently. Former President Carter began receiving hospice care in February after a series of hospital stays.

His grandson, former Georgia state Sen. Jason Carter, said in May that Carter is in good spirits and has been receiving updates on The Carter Centers humanitarian work across the globe.

The former president has also been seeing the tributes and discussions of his legacy over the past few months and expressing his appreciation.

Thats been one of the blessings of the last couple of months, Jason Carter said, following an event honoring his grandfather in May. He is certainly getting to see the outpouring, and its been gratifying to him for sure.

Jason added at the time that the former president also enjoys peanut butter ice cream, his favorite flavor, which is fitting, considering his past career as a peanut farmer.

Rosalynn, who has been a longtime advocate for mental health issues and focused on the subject during her time as first lady, was diagnosed with dementia in late May. The center said at the time that the family was hoping to help destigmatize the condition and spur conversations at kitchen tables and doctors offices that would help those in need to seek and receive support.

The centers announcement of the Carters anniversary also received support from other high-profile groups and individuals.

Habitat for Humanity, which the Carters have been involved with for years helping build houses around the globe, wished the couple a happy anniversary on Twitter.

As you have done for decades, you inspire us every day, and we are so grateful for your wonderful example, its tweet reads.

World Health Organization Secretary-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also also praised the Carters enduring marriage and lives.

So much love and generosity embodied by President Carter and [Rosalynn] Carter throughout their marriage and lives. Congratulations on this beautiful milestone! he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Evan Gershkovich was detained on June 7 (AP)

Journalists are calling for the immediate release of an America reporter, detained by Russia on espionage charges Washington says are politically motivated.

Friday 7 July marks 100 days since the 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovic was arrested by police in Moscow over claims he had been spying on the Kremlin while reporting on Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Gershkovic, the US and the WSJ vehemently deny the allegations.

Owen Meredith, chief executive of News Media Association (NMA), a UK-based non-governmental organisation that represents national, regional and local titles, described the reporters arrest as a full-throated assault on the fundamental principles of free speech and democracy.

The work of courageous journalists like Evan is critical to ensuring that we understand as fully as possible the war in Ukraine and its horrific impact upon peoples lives, he said.

On this incredibly difficult 100-day milestone, we stand with Evan, his loved ones, and our colleagues across the global news media sector in calling for his immediate release.

We all have a stake in this. Journalism is not a crime, and a free press is pivotal to maintaining a free society.

In June a new appeal against his pre-trial detention was rejected by a Moscow court.

The journalists parents, who left the Soviet Union for the United States in 1979, were there and able to speak to their son through a glass box.

"Seeing him just brought him a little bit back to me," his father Mikhail told the WSJ at the time. "Physical closeness made it a little more bearable."

"I was just beside myself - so happy," his mother, Ella Milman, said. "We were smiling and laughing."

Earlier this week the Kremlin signalled it would hold the door open for contacts with the US regarding a possible prisoner exchange that could potentially involve Mr Gershkovich , who was formally charged on 7 April.

Vladimir Dunaev, a Russian citizen in US custody on cybercrime charges, could potentially herald a prisoner swap. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Washington have touched on the issue.

We have said that there have been certain contacts on the subject, but we dont want them to be discussed in public, Mr Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. They must be carried out and continue in complete silence.

He didnt offer any further details, but added that the lawful right to consular contacts must be ensured on both sides.

The US Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, on Monday was allowed to visit Mr Gershkovich for the first time since April. The US Embassy did not immediately provide more information.

Mr Gershkovich was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip to Russia. He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court last week upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until 30 August.
[Source]

"Joy Ride" director Adele Lim gave a humorous response to a critic who labeled her directorial debut "incredibly unpleasant."

Unjoyful tweet: The critic, Jackson Murphy of Lights Camera Jackson, took to Twitter to express his discontent with the R-rated film and accuse it of "objectifying men" and "targeting white people."

"#JoyRide is embarrassing. Incredibly unpleasant, Murphy wrote. Like most modern adult 'comedies,' it's raunchy simply to be raunchy, forgetting there has to be humor attached, and there's none of that. Objectifies men, targets white people. All shock value, 'look at me' attitude."

Lim's response: Rather than dismissing the critique, Lim responded by saying she wanted a T-shirt with Murphy's quote.

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"Imma need 'Objectifies men, targets white people' on a tshirt," she wrote.

Twitter users respond: Other Twitter users, however, did not hold back with their responses:

I mean you dont have to like everything, obviously, but what or whom does this embarrass?" a commenter asked. Film? People? You? I cant take critiques like that seriously.

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A white guy doesn't approve of a movie made for the Asian community, and their allies, another wrote. Big surprise. I'm utterly shocked  honestly, hush.

Some even expressed having more interest in the movie after reading the review: So we should definitely get watch it in theaters. Got it, one user tweeted, while another said, "They should put this review in their marketing campaign, because youre selling the Hell out of this movie."

Some also pointed out that Murphy had previously criticized other acclaimed Asian American films, most notably "Everything Everywhere All at Once."

"#EverythingEverywhereAllAtOnce is messy," he tweeted in April. "Overblown action, editing and attempts at satire ('Ratatouille'? Really?) don't work. Most of all I figured out the (simple) core themes and goals *very* early on: reconnection, growing up, life paths. From a story standpoint no surprises."

#EverythingEverywhereAllAtOnce is messy. Overblown action, editing and attempts at satire ("Ratatouille"? Really?) don't work. Most of all I figured out the (simple) core themes and goals *very* early on: reconnection, growing up, life paths. From a story standpoint no surprises. pic.twitter.com/BfevuZNVYj  Lights Camera Jackson (@LCJReviews) April 8, 2022

" Lol, maybe this guy doesnt enjoy critically acclaimed films from Asian filmmakers and actors," noted Very Asian, who highlighted his reviews for other critically acclaimed movies from Asian Americans. "His loss."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Very Asian (@veryasian.co)

About the film: Penned by Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, "Joy Ride" premiered at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in Austin, Texas, on March 17 and was officially released in the U.S. on Friday.

"Joy Ride" takes viewers on a wild journey as an Asian American adoptee, played by Ashley Park, embarks on a quest across China to find her birth mother. Accompanied by her three friends, portrayed by Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu and Sabrina Wu, the group's adventure takes an unexpected turn when they encounter a drug smuggler aboard a train.

As of this writing, the film holds a 91% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 105 critic reviews and an 89% audience score based on over 50 verified ratings.

Relatable "Asian American experiences": Lim, who screenwrote "Crazy Rich Asians" and "Raya and the Last Dragon," told NextShark in an interview in March that each of the four "Joy Ride" protagonists are meant to be relatable to different viewers.
FILE PHOTO: Jeffrey Epstein appears in a photo taken for the NY Division of Criminal Justice Services' sex offender registry

By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Jamie Dimon and Jes Staley do not agree on who to blame for JPMorgan Chase's relationship with former client Jeffrey Epstein, but agree that a shareholder lawsuit over their alleged failure to police the disgraced financier should be thrown out.

Lawyers for Dimon, the bank's chief executive, and Staley, a former private banking and investment banking chief, urged a dismissal in filings late Thursday in Manhattan federal court.

Shareholders led by pension funds in Miami and Pittsburgh have said Dimon, seven other JPMorgan directors and Staley "put their heads in the sand" and ignored internal warnings as Epstein used his accounts to further abuses of young women and girls.

Lawyers for Dimon and the directors said there was no showing that either knowingly ignored red flags about Epstein, or that Dimon was involved in keeping Epstein as a client.

"The claims against Mr. Dimon are based on nothing more than pure speculation and innuendo," the lawyers said.

Staley's lawyers, meanwhile, said the shareholders made "no showing whatsoever" that compliance was his job, and that unlike Dimon, "whose writ, as CEO, presumably ran the gamut - Mr. Staley served in discrete roles lower in the corporate hierarchy."

The so-called derivative lawsuit seeks to have the defendants or their insurers pay damages to JPMorgan, benefiting shareholders.

Lawyers for the two pension funds did not immediately respond on Friday to requests for comment.

JPMorgan agreed last month to pay $290 million to settle claims by dozens of Epstein victims.

It is also defending against a lawsuit by the U.S. Virgin Islands, where Epstein owned two neighboring private islands.

The New York-based bank is suing Staley to cover its losses in both lawsuits, and return eight years of pay.

Staley has expressed regret for his friendship with Epstein and denied knowing about his sex trafficking. He also served as Barclays' chief executive from 2015 to 2021.

Epstein committed suicide at age 66 in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail cell while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

The case is City of Miami General Employees & Sanitation Employees Retirement Trust et al v Dimon et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-03903.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by David Holmes)
In this photo illustration, a thumb-up emoji is seen on a phone screen. Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

A Canadian judge ruled that a thumbs-up emoji sent by phone represented a binding legal agreement.

The case involved a grain seller replying to a sent contract with a thumbs-up, but then not delivering.

The judge said Canada has to be ready to "meet the new challenges" that may arise from emoji usage.

A judge in Canada has ruled that the thumbs-up emoji is valid as a signature and can be used to enter into binding legal contracts.

In a recent case reported on by The Guardian, the King's Bench for Saskatchewan heard that Kent Mickleborough  a grain buyer for South West Terminal  sent a text message about wanting to buy flax to several grain producers on March 26, 2021.

After the text was sent, Mickleborough received a call from Bob Achter of Achter Land & Cattle Ltd, and later had a phone call with his son Chris Achter, legal documents show.

Mickleborough then drafted a contract, in which South West Terminal offered to buy 86 tonnes of flax, with a delivery period listed as November 2021. Mickleborough applied an ink signature, took a photo, and sent it to Chris Achter, according to the legal documents. The text read: "Please confirm flax contract."

Chris Achter responded with a thumbs-up emoji, which Mickleborough interpreted as Achter entering into the contract, according to the legal documents.

But Achter Land & Cattle Ltd did not deliver on the given date, by which time the price of flax had increased significantly. The company said the thumbs-up emoji only indicated that Achter had received the message, not that he had agreed to the contract, Achter said in an affidavit.

"I did not have time to review the Flax Contract and merely wanted to indicate that I did receive his text message," Achter said.

In a cross-examination, Achter said he had never Googled the meaning of a thumbs-up emoji, and his lawyer said that his client is "not an expert in emojis."

But in the ruling, Justice Timothy Keene decided that while the thumbs-up emoji was "a non-traditional means to 'sign' a document but nevertheless under these circumstances this was a valid way to convey the two purposes of a 'signature.'"

The judge found that the contract was therefore enforceable, and consequently breached. He awarded damages to the amount of $82,200.21 ($61,498.09 US) plus interest.

Achter's legal counsel suggested that allowing a thumbs-up emoji to signify acceptance would "open up the flood gates" to other emojis carrying legal weight, but the judge dismissed this concern.

"This Court cannot (nor should it) attempt to stem the tide of technology and common usage  this appears to be the new reality in Canadian society and courts will have to be ready to meet the new challenges that may arise from the use of emojis and the like," he wrote.

The legal counsel for South West Terminal and Achter Land & Cattle Ltd did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Judge: Lawyers can gather evidence for $40M lawsuit filed by teacher who was shot by 6-year-old

FILE - Messages of support for teacher Abby Zwerner, who was shot by a 6-year-old student, grace the front door of Richneck Elementary School Newport News, Va. on Jan. 9, 2023. Lawyers for Zwerner, a teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student in Virginia, can start the process of interviewing eyewitnesses, reviewing the boy's disciplinary files and accessing other records for a $40 million lawsuit against the school system, a judge ruled Friday, July 7, 2023. (AP Photo/John C. Clark, File)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP)  Lawyers for a teacher who was shot by her 6-year-old student in Virginia can start the process of interviewing eyewitnesses, reviewing the boy's disciplinary files and accessing other records for a $40 million lawsuit against the school system, a judge ruled Friday.

But the judge is yet to decide whether Abby Zwerner's case will end up in a civil courtroom or before the Virginia Workers Compensation Commission.

The Newport News School Board wants the lawsuit dismissed and argues that Zwerner suffered employment-related injuries. Workers compensation provides up to 500 weeks of benefits and lifetime medical care for injuries.

Zwerner was a first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School when she was shot in the hand and chest while sitting at her classroom reading table. The 25-year-old spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and has had multiple surgeries since the January shooting.

Newport News Circuit Court Judge Matthew Hoffman said Friday that he will hold a hearing on the workers compensation matter in late October. Matters before the judge on Friday mostly involved the process of discovery, an early phase of a lawsuit where parties share evidence.

Anne Lahren, an attorney for the school board, argued that discovery should wait until Hoffman decides on the workers compensation matter.

But Kevin Biniazan, an attorney for Zwerner, pointed to other cases in the state in which discovery was allowed to proceed. Jeffrey Breit, another attorney for Zwerner, also said it was important to interview teachers before the new school year began.

Breit told reporters after the hearing that the legal team had no intention of interviewing any children before the workers compensation matter is resolved, while they may only seek to talk to one or two students if the case goes to trial.

Friday's decision was a victory for Zwerner, who did not attend the hearing and no longer works for Newport News Public Schools.

Zwerner is still on a long road to recovery, another one of her lawyers, Diane Toscano, said after Friday's hearing. She's going to have physical and emotional scars for the rest of her life.

The incident sent shock waves through the military shipbuilding community and the country, with many wondering how a child so young could access a gun and shoot his teacher.

The boy used a gun that belonged to his mother, Deja Taylor. She is facing trial in August on charges of felony neglect and reckless firearm storage on the state level. Last month, Taylor pleaded guilty in federal court to using marijuana while possessing a firearm, which is illegal under U.S. law.

Prosecutors in Newport News had also said in April that they were investigating whether the actions or omissions of any school employees could lead to criminal charges.

Meanwhile, Zwerner's lawsuit accuses the school system of gross negligence.

She describes a series of warnings school employees gave administrators in the hours before the shooting, beginning with Zwerner, who told an assistant principal that the boy was in a violent mood, had threatened to beat up a kindergartener and stared down a security officer in the lunchroom.

Other warnings included those from two students, who told a reading specialist the boy had a gun in his backpack, the lawsuit states. A search of his backpack found no weapon. And the assistant principal said the boys pockets were too small to hold a handgun and did nothing, Zwerners lawsuit states.

The lawsuit claims that school officials dismissed concerns about the boys violent behavior over the course of months. Often, after he was taken to the office, he would return to class shortly thereafter with some type of reward, such as a piece of candy, the lawsuit states.

The school board has pushed back, arguing in court documents that the boy was being evaluated and treated for possible ADHD  which causes inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, while state and federal laws call for keeping such children in the classroom when possible.

The school system argues that Zwerner was clearly injured while at work, at her place of employment, by a student in the classroom, the board stated in court documents.

While in an ideal world, young children would not pose any danger to others, including their teachers, this is sadly not reality, the board stated, pointing to numerous incidents of violence against teachers.
A judge rejected a couple's claim to a $3 million estate because black ink blobs on the will obscured their names

A judge rejected a couple's claim to a $3 million estate because a black ink blob on the will obscured their names. Getty Images

An Australian judge ruled that a 75-year-old man had died intestate  or without a will  even though a document was found.

That's because the names of beneficiaries on the will were obscured by black ink splodges.

The man's will was found on his kitchen table two months after his death.

A judge in Australia ruled that a 75-year-old man had died without a will after the names of his beneficiaries were obscured by black ink on the document, according to a recent court filing.

The deceased, Howard Edwin Thomas, was a former banker who died in July 2021. He had earlier bequeathed an estate worth nearly 4.5 million Australian dollars, or $3 million, to his long-term friends Richard and Deborah Nightingale  who were also executors and trustees of his estate, a June 22 filing at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Australia showed.

Thomas had drawn up the three-page will in 2011 and had kept the original document, according to the judgment for the case that was first reported by the Australian Financial Review, or AFR, on Thursday.

Two months after his death, Thomas' will was found "in a pile of dirty papers on the kitchen table" in his house in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, according to the filing.

The will was the original that was prepared by Thomas' law firm in 2011, but the names of the beneficiaries were "largely blanked out by black ink applied by hand" in two key clauses, according to the court document.

"Assuming the markings on the will were made by the deceased, I am satisfied from the state of the will that the deceased intended to revoke it," ruled Steven Moore, a judge at the court, per the filing.

"The markings effectively obliterate the names of the executors and beneficiaries, on its face stripping the will of its essential elements," he said.

Moore said he was satisfied that the markings were made by Thomas based "on the balance of probabilities."

"Although it is barely possible to discern the Nightingale's names under the ink, the effect of the markings is in the nature of redactions executed by hand to the typed text of the will," Moore ruled. There were no other markets or alterations to the will.

The judge added that the ink markings and "their emphatic expression" on the document showed Thomas had meant to revoke the will in its entirety and ruled that Thomas had died intestate  meaning he died without leaving formal instructions about how to distribute his assets.

Thomas' estate will now be distributed according to the law, per AFR.

Thomas wasn't married or in a domestic relationship, did not have any immediate relatives, or left any records of alternative beneficiaries.

The case came about as one of Thomas' surviving six cousins applied for intestacy.

Read the original article on Business Insider
BEIRUT, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The high demand demonstrated at the ongoing jewelry and fashion expo in Lebanon boosts confidence in the sales prospects of the country's designer fashion in the summer season.

Over 35 Lebanese fashion and jewelry designers participated in the Jewels of Beirut Expo 2023, underway from July 5th to 8th in the Lebanese capital.

Victor Azar, manager at Azar, a famous jewelry store in Beirut, said he had received great demand for his products from overseas tourists and Lebanese expatriates since the expo kicked off.

"We saw good numbers of tourists from Gulf countries and Lebanese expats from Europe and the United States buying with budgets of 1,000 U.S. dollars and above," Azar told Xinhua.

Azar said he is happy to see the "great buzz" in Lebanon this summer fueled by exhibitions and a great many international arrivals.

"We place big hopes on tourists and expats this summer," he added.

Rolando Bonja, a local jewelry designer and co-owner of Christian Bonja, told Xinhua the turnout at the exhibition is higher than expected, with most demands coming from Syrians, Kuwaitis, and Qataris who on average spend between 1,000 and 7,000 U.S. dollars per piece per person.

"I was surprised by the demand for our products," said Bonja, who came all the way from Dubai to attend the exhibition.

"People are tired from the several crises that hit Lebanon over the past years and want to feel alive again," he said.

Since October 2019, Lebanon has been witnessing the worst financial and economic crisis in its history, leading to the loss of billions of dollars in bank deposits and plunging over 80 percent of the population into poverty.

The crisis was further exacerbated by the outbreak of COVID-19 and the Beirut port explosions on Aug. 4, 2020, which killed over 200 people, injured thousands of others, and destroyed a big part of the city. 
A federal judge Thursday blocked an effort by the Justice Department (DOJ) to prevent former President Trump from being deposed in lawsuits brought by former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.

Strzok and Pages attorneys want Trump to sit for the deposition to determine if he met with or pressured FBI leaders to fire them from the agency.

The pair filed lawsuits after Strzok was fired and Page resigned from their positions in 2018, allegedly due to their actions during the FBIs probe into Trumps ties with Russia. Both came under congressional scrutiny after personal texts revealed that they personally did not like Trump.

Strzok sued for wrongful termination, while Page sued for violation of privacy.

The DOJ argued that the abundance of evidence already available, and the testimony of FBI Director Christopher Wray, would make Trumps testimony unnecessary.

Federal Judge Amy Berman Jackson disagreed with the government.

Given the limited nature of the deposition that has been ordered, and the fact that the former Presidents schedule appears to be able to accommodate other civil litigation that he has initiated, the outcome of the balancing required by the apex doctrine remains the same for all of the reasons previously stated, she wrote.

Jackson added that while existing testimony didnt appear to strengthen the argument against Trump, the former president had publicly boasted about his involvement.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Westchester prosecutors are seeking a court order to obtain a DNA sample from Rafael Ramos, suspecting that it was his blood found on a T-shirt used to strangle his estranged wife in Yonkers 26 years ago.

Assistant District Attorney Daniel Flecha said in court Thursday that new testing revealed it was male DNA on the T-shirt. And he pushed for Ramos to remain held without bail, calling him a flight risk and saying he had threatened witnesses over the years if they revealed admissions he made about the killing.

Ramos, 54, of Sleepy Hollow, was arrested last month on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder in the 1997 death of Nusinaida Ramos, who was strangled and beaten in her Colin Street home on March 9 of that year. She was living there with the couple's two young children, who were with Ramos and his girlfriend the day of the killing. Flecha said the killing was a "very personal vendetta" by Ramos as a result of Nusinaida's request for more child support and her plans to move with the kids to Florida.

Rafael Ramos is charged with second-degree murder in the strangulation and beating death of his estranged wife Nusinaida Ramos in her Colin Avenue apartment on March 9, 1997

Westchester County Judge George Fufidio was unpersuaded that Ramos posed a flight risk after so many years as a suspect, rejecting Flecha's request that he deny bail. He set bail at $750,000 cash, $1 million bond or $2 million partially secured bond that would require $200,000 in cash.

Lynda Visco, Ramos' lawyer, argued in her bail application that Ramos had the support of his two adult children and his mother; was made aware of his pending arrest last month and stayed at home; and was eager to fight the charge. Visco said that because Ramos is a former corrections officer, he is held in protective custody at the county jail, hampering his ability to meet with her and to use the law library.

Ramos was fired by the state corrections department in 2003 after nine years at Sing Sing. He said he has been unemployed in recent years after the Manhattan hotel where he worked security closed during the pandemic.

Visco asked for $50,000 bail or $500,000 bond.

DA: Ramos' watch was found under body

But Flecha said Ramos has the means to flee, citing $200,000 his late father left him for a legal defense fund because he knew his son would eventually be arrested in the case. The prosecutor also alleged that Ramos had told colleagues and people close to him of his intent to kill his wife and the details of the killing itself.

Flecha said that Ramos' watch broke during his alleged attack on his wife. It was found under her body, Flecha said, after police went there to check on her because relatives were concerned she could not be reached since the day before while her kids were with Ramos.

The prosecutor also said Ramos tried to clean the blood with a mop.

Authorities have not pinpointed specifically when Nusinaida was killed. But in a statement detectives took from Ramos hours after the body was found, he purportedly told them he was inside alone with Nusinaida for a short time to go to the bathroom and get the kids' bag while they waited in the car. He denied having any confrontation with Nusinaida and insisted he had nothing to do with her death.

Visco said that shortly after the killing, Ramos took a polygraph test and offered to give his hair and blood for testing but that detectives told him that wouldn't be necessary. Flecha said that detectives on multiple occasions over the years sought a DNA sample from Ramos, but that he refused  and witnesses have shared with authorities that he lived in "absolute panic" that police might have access to his DNA.

Visco said she will fight the request for a DNA sample and Fufidio gave her until next week to file her opposition.

If Ramos can make bail, he would be confined to his home and required to wear an electronic monitoring anklet. He would also have to sign an agreement to return, meaning if he fled and was caught out of New York he would automatically be sent back without extradition proceedings.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Bail set for suspected wife-killer Rafael Ramos, prosecutors seek DNA
The Justice Department on Thursday night requested a stay against a federal judges order limiting the Biden administrations communication with social media companies over free speech concerns.

Lawyers  led by Brian Boynton, principal deputy assistant attorney general  wrote in a filing before U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty in Louisiana that the orders broad scope and ambiguous terms prevent the government from engaging in a vast range of lawful and responsible conduct.

The governments initiatives with social media companies prevent grave harm to the American people and the nations democratic processes, Boynton says in the filing.

These immediate and ongoing harms to the Government outweigh any risk of injury to Plaintiffs if a stay is granted, and for the same reason, a stay is in the public interest, the filing reads.

In a blow to the Biden administrations efforts to curb disinformation online, Doughty ruled on Tuesday that administration officials cannot contact social media companies regarding the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech posted on social media platforms.

That decision came after two Republican attorneys general alleged that federal officials coordinated and colluded with social media platforms to target disfavored speakers, viewpoints, and content.

The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal Wednesday evening, which will go to the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.

That court is primarily made up of GOP-appointed judges.

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'Justice was done': Ocala jury finds man guilty of stabbing his girlfriend to death

Two murder trials held last month ended swiftly. One verdict was reached in 31 minutes. A second was reached in 48 minutes.

The verdict in the murder trial that wrapped up Friday took a comparatively long one hour and 19 minutes  but that included the jury's noon-1 p.m. lunch break.

The six-member jury found Deangelo Leandrew Shelton Clark guilty of second-degree murder and attempted arson of a dwelling or structure in the stabbing death of his estranged girlfriend, 20-year-old Kiara Alleyne, nearly four years ago.

When the verdict was announced in court, Clark seemed indifferent.

Deangelo Leandrew Shelton Clark

Told by Circuit Judge Robert Hodges that he was entitled to a pre-sentence investigation before sentencing, Clark boldly said: "I really don't care." The judge told him he was legally entitled to the investigation, but Clark again said "I really don't care."

Nevertheless, one of Clark's lawyers, Amanda Sizemore from the Public Defender's Office, asked the judge to delay sentencing so they could prepare for the hearing. Jessica Roberts and Sara Altes also were on the defense team.

As he was being handcuffed, Clark, 34, of Anthony, turned and nodded to his parents, who attended the trial since it started on Wednesday. When their son was escorted by a bailiff to the back, Clark's parents quickly left the courtroom. Clark could be sentenced up to life in prison.

Reaction to the verdict

Outside the courtroom, Alleyne's father, Sheldon Alleyne, sat on a metal bench and cried after the verdict was announced. He was comforted by family and friends. They all thanked Assistant State Attorneys Amy Berndt and Katrina Self, and the entire State Attorney's Office, for their help.

"Thank God. It doesn't bring her back, but justice was done," an emotional Alleyne told a Star-Banner reporter.

Kiara Alleyne's bloody body was discovered by sheriff's deputies in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, 2019. Deputies went to the couple's residence at 2241 NE 78th Lane in Anthony to conduct a well-being check on Alleyne. The woman's father and friend had separately called law enforcement and asked for such a check.

This photo shows two detectives talking outside the residence once shared by Deangelo Leandrew Shelton Clark and Kiara Alleyne the morning of Sept. 11, 2019.

Alleyne's father was on the phone with Clark when he saw blood on the man's face. Still on the phone, Clark showed Alleyne's father that Kiara was bleeding heavily and gasping.

Alleyne asked Clark three times to help his daughter, but Clark refused. He told the woman's father that they would take the baby and hung up the phone.

Deputies said Clark took their 11-month-old child, Jhene, to a relative. Clark then went to the Florida Keys, where authorities said he set the car on fire and was severely burned. Clark was returned to Marion County when his wounds had healed sufficiently.

Assistant State Attorney Self's closing argument

Alleyne's death is considered a domestic violence homicide. According to records from the Marion County Children's Alliance Family Prevention Workgroup, Alleyne's death was the ninth such death in 2019. The final number was 11 for that year.

Self told jurors in her closing argument that Clark was so mad at Alleyne, he stabbed her repeatedly and "the blade broke off the knife."

A doctor from the Medical Examiner's Office had testified that Alleyne was stabbed four times in the neck. She also had other cut marks on her body.

The prosecutor said Clark "brutally and violently" stabbed the young woman because he was angry that she had kissed another man on their anniversary. Clark and Alleyne had been dating for two years. Alleyne, who's from Trinidad, lived in North Dakota when she met Clark. The couple later moved to Marion County.

"Deangelo wanted to hurt her just like how she hurt him," Self said.

Assistant State Attorney Katrina Self

As for the defense theory that the death was a suicide, Self said: "Kiara's death was not a suicide." Self noted that the doctor who performed the autopsy also ruled out suicide.

Self said there was a struggle and he stabbed her. She said when Alleyne's father begged Clark to help his daughter, he refused.

"He did not call for help," Self said. She reminded jurors that the woman's father watched her choking on her own blood during that FaceTime telephone call.

The prosecutor described Alleyne as a great sister and friend, a caring mother and a hard worker who had her whole life ahead of her. Alleyne, she said, wanted to be a model.

Self said Alleyne and her new boyfriend "were building a life together" and he treated her well.

The defense closing argument

Sizemore said the important question throughout the trial was "who has the knife?" She argued that Alleyne had the knife and Clark called Alleyne's father for help because she was acting crazy. On the FaceTime call, Sizemore reminded the jury, Alleyne's father did not see Clark stabbing his daughter. He just saw blood.

The defense lawyer said Clark leaving the residence after the death was not evidence of guilt. She asked the jury: Why would Clark kill his girlfriend and call her father to broadcast what he had done? She said that's not reasonable.

The lawyer said there was no evidence of defensive wounds on Alleyne. Testimony presented in court suggested that the severe stab wound to Alleyne's neck would have caused death within minutes.

"There's nothing Deangelo Clark could've done," the defense attorney said when explaining why her client didn't call for help.

Her theory: Alleyne had the knife to her neck, was moving around, and eventually stabbed herself. She said Alleyne had a history of depression. Plus, she was being pressured by her boyfriend and wanted to return to her homeland of Trinidad. It all led to a breaking point.

Assistant Public Defender Amanda Sizemore

Sizemore blamed law enforcement officials for not doing their jobs. She said they moved items around, did little to nothing to preserve evidence, failed to interview witnesses in a timely manner, and didn't wear shoe coverings at the crime scene, even though there was blood everywhere.

Day 1 trial coverage: Prosecutors say Anthony man murdered his girlfriend. Defense says she committed suicide

Day 2 trial coverage: Experts differ on whether victim killed herself or was murdered

Sizemore said Clark knew about his girlfriend's affair a long time ago. To suggest he killed Alleyne out of rage or jealousy was not plausible. Calling the incident "tragic," Sizemore said Alleyne was "suicidal" and wanted "to end her life."

The state's rebuttal argument

In rebuttal, Self said Alleyne's new boyfriend "wasn't pressuring her," and also noted that Clark's DNA was found on the knife handle.

Sizemore said Alleyne was not suicidal, and any suggestion otherwise was untrue. She said Alleyne and her new boyfriend were ready to move on.

"This is a homicide," Self said.

Self showed jurors the last text message Alleyne sent to a friend just before she died. In it, Alleyne talked about wanting to leave Clark. She told her friend that she was strong, not afraid, and would fight Clark for custody of their child.

Jurors deliberate

Two of the eight jurors were dismissed by the judge because they were serving as alternates. Jurors went to the back to deliberate at 11:41 a.m. Friday.

The judge gave the panel an hour lunch break and told jurors that no one would be available until 1 p.m. to answer any questions.

As everyone was making their way to the courtroom at 1 p.m., bailiffs said the jury already had reached a decision.

Once the lawyers were seated and Clark was brought from the back to the defense table, the judge called the jury into the courtroom. At 1:21 p.m., the clerk read the verdict aloud.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Six-member jury says Anthony man murdered his girlfriend in 2019
Juveniles at Louisiana's Angola maximum-security prison will move to new youth facility in the fall

FILE - Vehicles enter at the main security gate at the Louisiana State Penitentiary  the Angola Prison, the largest high-security prison in the country in Angola, La., Aug. 5, 2008. Louisiana officials say they plan to move juveniles currently housed at a temporary lockup in Angola, the countrys largest maximum-security adult prison, to a new youth detention facility by mid-November, 2023.(AP Photo/Judi Bottoni, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Juveniles currently housed at the countrys largest maximum-security adult prison in Louisiana will be moved to a youth detention facility by late fall, officials said Friday.

Currently 15 youths are housed at Angola, Curtis Nelson Jr., the deputy secretary of Louisianas Office of Juvenile Justice, said during a public meeting. He said Gov. John Bel Edwards recently gave him permission to transition them to a youth facility under construction in the city of Monroe in the northern part of the state.

As long as the weather continues to hold out to complete construction, the juveniles should be relocated by late October or mid-November, Nelson said. Officials originally predicted the facility would be ready by spring of this year.

The juveniles at Angola are being held apart from adult inmates but in a building that once held death-row inmates. Critics have staunchly opposed the temporary lockup, saying the young prisoners would experience irreversible trauma from being placed not only in one of the nation's most infamous prisons but in a space where men once waited to be executed.

Prior to being used to house juveniles, the building held female inmates who had been displaced after the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women flooded in 2016.

Two teens at the juvenile lockup have filed a lawsuit alleging that they have been pepper-sprayed, held in solitary confinement for hours, and regularly had aggressive run-ins with Department of Corrections guards and limited access to education, The Advocate reported earlier this year.

Officials have described the temporary youth lockup as a last-ditch but necessary measure amid capacity, safety and service concerns at ailing juvenile detention facilities.

Worsening problems at youth detention centers came to a head last summer after a 20-person riot at one of the lockups and multiple escapes from a facility in suburban New Orleans, including one that allegedly ended with a violent carjacking.

In July 2022, Edwards announced that some juveniles would be temporarily transferred to Angola while more permanent and longer term solutions are being developed, including the juvenile center in Monroe.

Opponents immediately pushed back, filing a lawsuit in August to stop the transfers. In September, they sought a legal injunction to block them until the lawsuit was resolved. But U.S. District Court Chief Judge Shelly Dick ultimately denied the request. She said that while locking children in cells at night at Angola is untenable, the threat of harm the youngsters present to themselves, and others, is intolerable. The untenable must yield to the intolerable.

The first juvenile prisoners were transferred to Angola in October.

The new lockup in Monroe will be a Tier 1 security facility designed to hold youths who engage in aggressive behavior and need intensive rehabilitative work before transitioning to a more moderate or low-security setting, Edwards has said. The facility will be able to house up to 72 youths, each with their own room, as opposed to the open dormitory layout of other juvenile centers.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach answers questions during a news conference about a new state law that defines male and female in state law so that transgender people can't change their driver's licenses and birth certificates to reflect their gender identities, Monday, June 26, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kansas. The number of people making those changes jumped more than 300% this year ahead of the new law taking effect. (AP Photo/John Hanna)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  The Republican attorney general of Kansas sued Friday to force the state to be among a few that prohibit transgender people from changing their sex on their driver's licenses and to repudiate the Democratic governor, who continues to allow such changes despite a new anti-trans law.

Attorney General Kris Kobach filed his lawsuit in state court, seeking an order to stop Gov. Laura Kelly, and agencies under her control, from letting transgender people change their licenses. Kobach contends a law that took effect Saturday prevents such changes and requires the state to reverse any previous changes in its records.

Kobach has argued that the law applies in the same way to birth certificates, but the lawsuit filed Friday doesn't address those documents. The settlement of a 2018 federal lawsuit requires Kansas to allow transgender people to change their birth certificates.

The Governor cannot pick and choose which laws she will enforce and which laws she will ignore, reads the lawsuit, filed in state district court in Shawnee County, home to the state capital, Topeka. It seeks to force the governor to enforce the law as he sees it and names as defendants two officials who oversee drivers licenses.

While Kelly isnt named as a defendant, the lawsuit holds her responsible for the policy on drivers licenses.

Governor Kelly is faithfully executing the laws of the state and has directed her administration to as well, spokesperson Brianna Johnson said in a statement.

Even with a raft of measures targeting transgender people in statehouses across the U.S. this year, Kansas would be atypical for not allowing them to change sex or gender markers on birth certificates, driver's licenses or either. Montana and Tennessee also have policies against changing either document, and Oklahoma has a policy against changing birth certificates.

The state has been doing just fine, said Adam Kellogg, a 20-year-old transgender University of Kansas student. The fact that this is an issue now for some reason is confusing, to say the least, when there hasnt really been a problem.

The dispute between Kobach and Kelly highlights an odd feature of their generally conservative state's modern politics. In the past 50 years, Republicans have won every U.S. Senate race, but Democrats have won half of the governor's races with support from GOP moderates. The Legislature has anti-abortion Republican supermajorities, but a statewide vote in August 2022 decisively affirmed abortion rights.

Kelly won her first term as governor in 2018 by defeating Kobach, who was then the Kansas secretary of state. He staged a political comeback last year by winning the attorney generals race as she captured a second term, both of them by slim margins.

More than 900 people in Kansas have changed the listing for sex on their birth certificates in the past four years. About 400 have changed their driver's licenses in that period, about four times as many a month this year as previously. The number of driver's licenses changes accelerated in May and June as LGBTQ+ rights advocates encouraged people to do it ahead of the new law.

That new law defines a person's sex as male or female, based on the biological reproductive system identified at birth, applying that definition to any state law or regulation. It also says that important governmental objectives" of protecting people's privacy, health and safety justify single-sex spaces such as bathrooms and locker rooms.

The governor's office said last week that the state health department, which handles birth certificates, and the motor vehicle division, which issues driver's licenses, would continue allowing transgender people to change the markers for sex on those documents. Her office said lawyers in her administration had concluded that doing so doesn't violate the new law. Kelly is a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and vetoed the measure, but the Legislature overrode her.

But the governor's statements about the new law are at odds with descriptions from LGBTQ+ rights advocates before the Republican-controlled Legislature enacted it over Kelly's veto. The advocates predicted that it would prevent transgender people from changing their driver's licenses and amounted to a legal erasure of their identities, something Kobach confirmed as the intent when he issued his legal opinion.

Kansas is also among at least 10 states with a law against transgender people using facilities in line with their gender identities, though it includes no enforcement mechanism.

For me to go into a bathroom and not have a marker that represents who I am, I was terrified. I was afraid I was going to get accosted or harassed, said Ty Goeke, a 37-year-old transgender Topeka resident who changed both his birth certificate and drivers license last month. Now that I have the correct marker, I feel much better, feel more confident."

___

Follow John Hanna on Twitter: https://twitter.com/apjdhanna
Kansas City ride services are booked solid by Taylor Swift fans in need of a Getaway Car

Editors Note: Want to save a piece of the Eras Tour? Sign up here to have a special-edition digital Kansas City Star front page from Taylor Swifts Kansas City concerts sent directly to your inbox.

Swifties are taking over Kansas Citys private car services, booking up rides to and from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium for the highly anticipated Eras Tour shows on Friday and Saturday.

With more than 100,000 fans attending the concerts this weekend, finding a ride to the concert could be tough for those who havent already made arrangements.

Kansas City Car Service, which offers black car and taxi service throughout the metro, has been booked solid for weeks, according to Regional Vice President Terry OToole.

Its a great weekend for revenue, and its a weekend to showcase Kansas City, OToole told The Star. Were busier for this than we are for a Chiefs playoff game.

The Kansas City Car Service black car division, which is made up of more than 100 SUVs, sedans and some party buses sold out about two weeks ago, OToole said. The company also offers taxi service through its Ztrip cars, many of which are already reserved for the weekend. To accommodate the demand, OToole said the company will send out 100 cars that people can hail down at Arrowhead if they need a ride home.

The first people out will grab the first cars and then the driver will take them and probably come back depending on how busy the city gets, he said.

Rally, a party bus rideshare, offers pick-up and drop-off services for groups nationwide. Rally CEO Numaan Akram told the Kansas City Business Journal that routes to and from Swifts Eras Tour shows have been popular across the country.

Were hitting records everywhere. Day-to-day, there isnt much demand in Kansas City for us, but with the concert, were moving thousands of fans to and from, Akram said.

Rally will have 10 drop-off and pick-up locations in the Kansas City metro for Swifties looking for a fun, lively ride. The company will pick up fans in Leawood, Olathe, Lawrence, Overland Park, Gladstone and Kansas City. Many of the rides are sold out, but there are still seats available to and from Lawrence, Gladstone and a number of Kansas City hotels.

Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation are anticipating a lot of traffic.

The road not taken looks real good now... Traffic in the Kansas City area will be heavier than normal this weekend due to @taylorswift13s #TheErasTour at @GEHAField, the state transportation department said in a Tweet on Friday. If youre not attending the show, avoid I-70 and I-435 near the stadiums if possible. Drive safely... and have a marvelous time.

Fans turning to the citys various car services should also be mindful of pick-up and drop-off locations at the stadium.

These drop-off and pick-up spots are at the Missouri Welcome Center located between Gates J and 2 on Blue Ridge Cutoff. Kansas City Police Department said rideshare and guest pick-up vehicles can arrive to pick up Swifties at 9 p.m. for both days in Lot J.
Kevin Hunter Jr. Denies Stealing $100K, Says He Charged Wendy Williams Amex Card To Pay For Her Treatment: I Never Took Advantage Of It

Kevin Hunter Jr. Denies Stealing $100K, Says He Charged Wendy Williams Amex Card To Pay For Her Treatment: I Never Took Advantage Of It | Michael Tran

Someone has been taking advantage of Wendy Williams, but according to her son, Kevin Hunter Jr.  it isnt him.

The son of the former TV personality gave another exclusive interview to The U.S. Sun, where he put to bed accusations against him regarding a $100,000 charge to his mothers American Express credit card.

Several news outlets previously reported that his mothers credit card was charged at the end of 2021 without her permission, leading to her Wells Fargo account being frozen in January 2022 after shocking claims she was allegedly of unsound mind. The 22-year-old vehemently denies being the reason for that and defended himself against accusations that he stole from her.

Hunter Jr. revealed in the exclusive that he did charge the celebrity hosts credit card but only when necessary for her personal expenses, such as her doctors appointments and private planes to and from Florida and New York.

I had to look for ways to transport her. If we had to get to an appointment up there [in New York], we would have to book a private plane, he explained. If we had to make a certain appointment down here [in Florida], we had to book it on the AmEx.

The college student claims his use of Wendys Amex card was first brought up as an issue in guardianship court after Wells Fargo petitioned for one take over the media mavens affairs.

In court, they brought up the American Express situation. They made this a much bigger issue, he said. When she was here, the Amex card was our only source of paying for things.

Hunter Jr. claimed his mother knew how much and how often her Amex was used.

And what she would do was she would read her credit card statement at the end of the month, and I never took advantage of it, he added.

The TV celebrity was in Florida from late 2021 to the spring of 2022, where she was in her sons care. He insisted that Bernie Young, Williams former manager, and Sabrina Morrissey, her financial adviser for Wells Fargo, wanted her to return to New York for work as soon as possible, regardless of her health concerns.

They knew that in having her here [in Florida], they were losing a lot of their earnings, he said of the former manager and financial adviser. Having her here in an environment where the number one priority isnt being at The Wendy Williams Show, or to be at certain appointments or whatever, they were more annoyed by the fact that they didnt have the control that they have had over her all these years  from my perspective.

Because when shes in New York, its a lot easier to pull her around to certain places and have her isolated away from the family so that she doesnt have any other influences to make choices that are for her health and not for financial benefit, he continued.

Hunter Jr.s claims didnt stop there, as he went on to allege he was also locked out of his school fund account, leaving him unable to pay for his education except for access to the Amex card.

They had also locked me out of my school accounts, so anything that I would normally be able to pay for on my own through my school accounts, they had locked me out of. So we had to use the Amex to get through, he said.

Growing up in a wealthy household, Hunter Jr.  who the TV star shares with ex-husband Kevin Hunter Sr.  also admitted his spending via the Amex card was never brought into question until the guardianship hearings.

I have always used the Amex, always, he said. Before everything that happened, ever since I was young, starting in the 6th grade, she always allowed me access to a credit card, whether it was for an emergency or because I wanted something.

Hunter said his mother wanted him enjoy certain access to things, as her son. His belief, as he told The Sun, was that her employees took issue with his involvement when he raised serious concerns about her health.

But once I made that clear, that I was very serious, then it became about certain evidence being brought against me, and transactions were brought against me to make it seem like I was taking advantage of her American Express account, he said.

Williams son further maintained that he didnt care about being flashy, and he was hurt by accusations that he was taking advantage of his mother, a claim that he contends is far from the truth.

They were like, Look how much he uses his moms Amex, and saying I was taking advantage of her and using it for my own intentions, and that was not the case, he said.

Instead, Hunter Jr. revealed he is really sad to see whats happened to his mom.

Ever since the court hearings ended, something just has to be brought to light about whats going on and how much people are taking in this situation, he added. In terms of who is there now, people have put other things in front of her actually healing and getting better, and unfortunately, unlike many other alcoholics, she is worth a lot more money.

Williams is currently being managed by former jeweler Will Selby. Sabrina Morrissey is her appointed financial guardian, and Williams publicist is Shawn Zanotti. Hunter Jr. has previously slammed these employees of taking advantage of Williams. However, he reveals in the article that he is holding onto hope for her well-being.

Im praying that whoever is in control now doesnt ruin whatever hope there is for her to get back up again, he said.
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court, which last year expanded gun rights in a landmark ruling, is set to return to the issue in a major case testing whether a law that keeps firearms away from people under domestic-violence restraining orders violates the Constitution.

It is one of the biggest cases that the court, with its 6-3 conservative majority, has agreed to hear during its next term, which begins in October. The justices wrapped up their latest nine-month term last week with important rulings rejecting affirmative action in collegiate admissions, undermining LGBT rights and invalidating President Joe Biden's student debt relief after a year earlier overturning abortion rights.

The case involves a Texas man named Zackey Rahimi who was convicted under a 1994 federal law that prohibits a person subject to a domestic violence restraining order - as he was after assaulting his girlfriend - from possessing a firearm.

Rahimi challenged his conviction on the grounds that the law violated the Constitution's Second Amendment "right to keep and bear arms," and won. Biden's administration has appealed.

A ruling is expected by June 2024, with the U.S. presidential race kicking into high gear.

"The Supreme Court must reverse this dangerous ruling," Janet Carter of the gun-violence prevention group Everytown Law said. "Domestic abusers do not have - and should not have - the constitutional right to possess a firearm."

The court's conservative majority has taken an expansive view of Second Amendment rights in a nation facing persistent gun violence including mass shootings. The Second Amendment states, "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." The court has widened gun rights in three major rulings since 2008.

The court in a June 2022 ruling called New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen invalidated New York state's limits on carrying concealed handguns outside the home. In doing so, it created a new test for assessing firearms laws, saying restrictions must be "consistent with this nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation," not simply advance an important government interest. Rahimi prevailed under that test.

CAUGHT WITH GUNS

Rahimi received a six-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm while subject to a court-approved domestic violence restraining order his girlfriend obtained after he assaulted and threatened to shoot her. He later was arrested for violating it. He was involved in five shooting incidents spanning two months and was caught with a pistol and rifle during a police search of his home, legal filings showed.

Rahimi challenged his conviction, arguing that barring gun possession by people under restraining orders is unconstitutional under the Bruen case standard. The New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed, with a unanimous panel of three Republican-appointed judges calling the ban "an outlier that our ancestors would never have accepted."

Judge James Ho, appointed by former President Donald Trump, in a concurring opinion said a restraining order can be obtained relatively easily, adding that "there's a tremendous risk that courts will enter protective orders automatically - despite the absence of any real threat of danger."

Biden's administration, in a filing by Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, told the Supreme Court the Second Amendment allows the government "to disarm dangerous individuals - that is, those who would pose a serious risk of harm to themselves or to others if allowed to possess a firearm."

Jeana Lungwitz, who directs the University of Texas School of Law's Domestic Violence Clinic, cited statistics showing that more than a third of American women killed by men are slain by intimate partners with guns, and that domestic violence incidents involving a gun are 12 times more likely to result in death than those without a gun.

"The stakes are high for those experiencing domestic violence if violent partners can legally possess firearms," Lungwitz said. "Not just high but deadly."

Twenty-three states, mostly Democratic-led, and groups advocating for prevention of gun violence and domestic abuse have urged the justices to preserve the law.

Rahimi's lawyer declined to comment. The National Rifle Association, an influential gun rights group, did not respond to a request for comment.

Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law professor Jacob Charles faulted the Bruen decision for eliminating the formal requirement that judges consider how effective a challenged law has been at preventing gun violence.

"We often think in terms of, 'Is this law going to save lives?' 'Is it going to decrease threats and intimidation without overly burdening the lawful use of guns?'" Charles said. "By removing those kinds of considerations, it makes constitutional law - and Second Amendment law, in particular - even more removed from the way that ordinary citizens think about constitutional protections."

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham and Scott Malone)
A key Iowa Republican plans to endorse in the 2024 presidential race. Who may follow:

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, is introduced during the annual Roast and Ride fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

LE MARS  U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra says he plans to endorse in the crowded race for the Republican presidential nomination  just not yet.

"I do plan to endorse," said Feenstra, who represents the deeply conservative 4th Congressional District in western Iowa. "Im not sure when that will be, but Im just looking forward to spending time this summer with all the different candidates that want to come through Iowa and want to come through western Iowa."

Feenstra spent Wednesday showing former Vice President Mike Pence around Sioux Center, Le Mars and Sioux City, making stops at Casey's, Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Pizza Ranch.

Like many Iowa leaders, Feenstra has been in demand among presidential candidates looking to make inroads with Iowa conservatives.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis headlined his annual Feenstra Family Picnic fundraiser in May. And hes also made appearances with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott.

Feenstras endorsement will be coveted in a state where many top elected officials have pledged neutrality. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann and U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst have said they do not plan to endorse in the 2024 Republican primary race.

Feenstra's support may carry particular weight in a corner of the state that is home to so many Republicans and evangelical caucusgoers.

Know where to go: Des Moines Register's 2024 Candidate Tracker

Ashley Hinson, Mariannette Miller-Meeks could endorse as well

Two other members of Iowas Republican congressional delegation have signaled they could jump into the endorsement pond before Caucus Day as well.

U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is considered a rising star among her caucus in Washington, D.C., is set to host both DeSantis and Haley at her annual BBQ Bash fundraiser in August. And shes previously hosted Scott and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz at the same event.

For now, Ashley plans to be a neutral ambassador for all presidential candidates coming to Iowa, Hinson's spokesperson, Sophie Seid, said in a statement. She and our team have been in contact with all the contenders, and she is happy to introduce them to voters in her district. She may be open to endorsing prior to the caucus, and we will keep you posted on any developments over the next few months.

From left, Republicans U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, U.S. Reps. Ashley Hinson, Zach Nunn and Randy Feenstra are acknowledged during the annual Roast and Ride fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who represents the 1st Congressional District in southeast Iowa, told the Register in March that she didn't plan to endorse anyone "in the near future."

"We're first in the nation for a reason," she said at the time. "We want to be able to have candidates come. And what's important about the caucus is that you can be a lesser-known individual and rise to the top and propel a campaign. Whereas, what the Democrats have done with South Carolina, you have to be a well-funded candidate, you have to be known."

But she didn't rule out endorsing a candidate at some point.

"I'm leaving the door open for, yes, later in the year," Miller-Meeks said at the March event.

So far, former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the field. Polls show him with a consistent double-digit lead over his closest opponent.

A Real Clear Politics rolling average of Iowa polling shows Trump leading with 46% of the vote to DeSantis 25%.

Haley, Pence, Scott and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy are the only other candidates topping 1%, though none claims more than 5%.

Other Iowa Republicans plan to remain neutral

Top Republicans like Reynolds, Kaufmann, Grassley and Ernst have said it's important for Iowa to be welcoming to all the candidates as it seeks to maintain its first-in-the-nation status in the presidential race, especially as national Democrats have booted Iowa from the front spot in their party's nominating order.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, who won a first term by flipping Iowa's purple 3rd Congressional District in 2022 by less than a percentage point, has said he also plans to remain neutral in the caucuses.

"Congressman Nunn looks forward to welcoming all candidates to Iowa and being an ambassador to Iowa for any candidate that wants to make their case to Iowans," Nunn's campaign manager, Kendyl Parker, said in a statement. "Iowa's first-in-the-nation status affords Iowans a front-row seat to the presidential race, and Congressman Nunn looks forward to encouraging Iowans to attend events to meet candidates and make their own decision in the caucus."

Nunns seat is expected to be the most competitive of Iowas four congressional races in 2024, according to a Cook Political Report analysis.

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, R-Iowa, speaks during the annual Roast and Ride fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa.

Unlike Feenstra, who represents a solidly Republican district, Nunn could risk alienating key constituencies hell need to win reelection if he chooses to jump into a potentially fractious Republican presidential primary.

Still, hes planning to host DeSantis at his veterans-focused Operation Top Nunn fundraiser in July. DeSantis is the only veteran currently running for president.

Feenstra said beyond endorsing, his role is to show all the candidates what Iowa has to offer.

"I see myself as an ambassador," he said Wednesday in Le Mars. "I see myself as showing what Iowa has to offer, whether it be agriculture, whether it be our small main streets. We were in a coffee place this morning in Sioux Center and now an ice cream shop here. Thats what our main streets are all about, and we want to make sure that we show all the candidates what Iowa has to offer and how they can help us grow our economy right here."

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Randy Feenstra to endorse in Iowa caucuses. Will other GOP leaders?
A woman views a photo at the "Villages Without Borders" photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 7, 2023. Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition was open to the public here on Friday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers. (Xinhua/Liu Zongya)

BEIRUT, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Lebanon, in cooperation with "The Most Beautiful Villages in Lebanon" association, opened on Friday a photo exhibition showcasing the beautiful villages of Lebanon and China.

Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition is open to the public from Friday to Thursday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers.

China "welcomes Lebanese friends to visit China, to experience the diversity and vitality of Chinese society, and to feel the friendship and sincerity of the Chinese people," Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Qian Minjian spoke at the opening ceremony, according to his embassy's statement.

He hoped the event would help the two countries to deepen the exchange of experiences in rural development as well as culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Qian noted that by 2021, China successfully lifted nearly 100 million people out of poverty, having solved a problem that had plagued the Chinese nation for thousands of years.

After that, China focuses on solving the problems of unbalanced and insufficient development between regions and urban and rural areas, and achieving complete human growth and shared prosperity for all, he added.

For her part, Maguy Khoubbieh Kostanian, president of the Lebanese association, said the exhibition encouraged tourism in Lebanon and China.

"It introduces people in Lebanon to the beautiful Chinese villages and people in China to our villages in Lebanon," she said, adding that the second step is to hold the exhibition in several villages in Lebanon. 

A woman arranges a picture for the "Villages Without Borders" photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 7, 2023. Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition was open to the public here on Friday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

A woman attends the "Villages Without Borders" photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 7, 2023. Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition was open to the public here on Friday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

People attend an opening ceremony of the "Villages Without Borders" photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 7, 2023. Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition was open to the public here on Friday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

People attend the "Villages Without Borders" photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 7, 2023. Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition was open to the public here on Friday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

People attend the "Villages Without Borders" photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 7, 2023. Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition was open to the public here on Friday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)

People talk at the "Villages Without Borders" photo exhibition in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 7, 2023. Titled "Villages Without Borders," the Chinese-Lebanese photo exhibition was open to the public here on Friday. It showcases 60 photos of rural scenery in the southern Chinese city of Guilin, and Lebanese towns in the mountains, the Bekaa, and the north through the lens of Lebanese photographers. (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich)
Broward Sheriffs Office detectives are asking the publics help in solving the September death of a Pompano Beach teen, who was gunned down not far from his home.

On Sept. 16, 2022, BSO deputies found Lamarius Walker, 18, lying in the street in the 2800 block of Northwest Second Avenue with several gunshot wounds. He died there, deputies say.

On Friday, the sheriffs office released a statement saying that detectives believe several people could have been involved in the killing.

Miami Herald news partner CBS Miami reported at the time of his death that the Coconut Creek High School student was walking down the street on his way to the store to buy a bag of chips when he was shot.

BSO asks that anyone with information about the case, including identity and location of the suspects, to call Detective Ryan Schnakenberg at 954-321-4247. Tips can also be submitted through the SaferWatch app.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477, online at browardcrimestoppers.org, or dial **TIPS (8477) from any cellphone in the United States. Any Crime Stoppers tip that leads to an arrest in this case is eligible for a reward of up to $5,000, the BSO statement says.
Kitten rescued twice by members of Seminole County Fire Department

A stormy start in life turned into a happy ending for one kitten in Seminole County.

On June 15, the kitten got trapped in a storm drain in Altamonte Springs.

The animal was rescued on June 15 in Altamonte Springs.

Seminole County Fire Department shared details of how Battalion Chief Chad Chorak helped rescue the little guy outside of Publix along State Road 434.

Seminole County Animal Services took him in and provided the care he needed.

Less than one month after the his scary experience down under, the kitten is sitting pretty in a brand new home.

READ: Oviedo fire will honor Good Samaritan Friday with life-saving award

Thats because another Seminole County Fire Department employee, Engineer/Paramedic Ryan Lewallen, decided his family could use a new feline friend.

Now known as Eddie, the kitten recently joined the family and their dog Pete, their other cat Remy, Tom the lizard, and some fish.

And by the way, the firefighter is no stranger to giving a good home to a kitten in need.

Lewallen said he took in Remy after someone abandoned the animal at his fire station.

A purrrrfect start to the day today: Engine 12 & Battalion 1s Chief Chorak assisted getting a kitten out of a of storm drain at @Publix in Altamonte on SR 434. Engineer/Paramedic Ryan Lewallen adopter the kitten   pic.twitter.com/S4Skkz7kG7  Seminole County Fire Department (SCFD) PIO Media (@scfdpio) June 15, 2023

SEE: These kittens need foster homes in Seminole County

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

Seminole County Animal Services officials said they are in the thick of kitten season and seeking people looking to foster kittens.

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.
ORLANDO, Fla.  An Orange County Sheriffs Office patrol deputy was fired Friday after he was arrested while off-duty for fleeing a traffic stop by Lake County deputy sheriffs earlier this week.

Along with fleeing and eluding law enforcement, Juan Morales-Padilla, 44, faces a charge of resisting arrest and has since been released on bond from the Lake County Jail, records show.

Deputies tried stopping Morales-Padilla after he illegally weaved past another vehicle on his motorcycle Wednesday night, but he sped up after the deputy activated his patrol cars lights and siren, video released by the Lake County Sheriffs Office showed. Instead of chasing him, deputies ran the motorcycles license plate and went to Morales-Padillas home in Groveland, according to an affidavit.

Body camera video obtained by The Orlando Sentinel showed deputies ushering Morales-Padilla out of his home and into the back of the patrol car.

You wanna run, seriously? Are you a cop? one deputy asked. Morales-Padilla replied, I am one, yes.

Yes? So you know better, the deputy said.

Morales-Padilla was hired last September and was a probationary employee, an Orange County Sheriffs Office spokesperson said in an unsigned statement.

He is the latest Orange County deputy to be fired after being charged with a crime. In March, the Sheriffs Office announced the arrest and firing of Charles Cruz, a patrol deputy accused of possessing child porn and sending a minor sexually explicit texts.

These are serious allegations, and I have been clear that there will be no tolerance for criminal behavior involving deputies, Sheriff John Mina said of Morales-Padillas arrest in a statement Friday. At the Orange County Sheriffs Office, we hold our deputies to the highest ethical standards whether they are on duty or off duty.

The Orange deputys arrest is similar to the arrest of Orlando Police Department Officer Alexander Shaouni, who was stopped for speeding in his patrol car but left the scene after refusing to give a Seminole County deputy his license. Shaouni was formally charged Friday with fleeing and eluding law enforcement.

Shaouni was relieved of duty while his criminal case proceeds and as OPD conducts an internal investigation.
A scientist looks at scans of grains at the Memory Centre at the Department of Readaptation and Geriatrics of the University Hospital (HUG) in Geneva, Switzerland, June 6, 2023. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse (Denis Balibouse / reuters)

On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the drug Leqembi for patients who are in the early stages of Alzheimers disease, and Medicare said it would cover 80% of the cost of the $26,500-per-year medication. The decisions by the two federal agencies will vastly increase access to the drug but also present a dilemma for patients and their families.

There are many factors, both financial and medical, to weigh. Here are answers to some crucial questions:

How well does the drug work?

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

Leqembi is not a cure for Alzheimers, and the drug doesnt improve patients memories or cognitive abilities. It also does not stop the disease from getting worse. What Leqembi can do is modestly slow down cognitive decline in patients who are in the early stages of the disease. Data from a large clinical trial suggested that the drug may slow decline by about five months over a period of 18 months for those patients.

How the drug might affect a patients daily life is likely to vary widely. For some people, Leqembi might mean several additional months of being able to follow a recipe, balance a checkbook or accomplish other activities without help. For others, the impact might be much more subtle and barely noticeable.

Are there risks from taking it?

Yes. The drug can cause swelling or bleeding in the brain that is often mild or moderate and resolves on its own but can be serious and in very rare cases can be fatal. The FDA was so concerned about these side effects that it is requiring a black-box warning  the most urgent level  on the drugs label, saying that the medication can cause serious and life-threatening events.

Patients who are at higher risk include those on blood thinners, those who have had more than four microscopic bleeds in the brain and those with an Alzheimers-linked gene mutation called APOE4  especially if they have two copies of the mutation. They, along with their doctors, should consider whether the increased safety risk outweighs their desire for a medication that might modestly slow cognitive decline.

A large clinical trial of the drug found that nearly 13% of patients receiving Leqembi experienced brain swelling, but most of those cases were mild or moderate. Less than 2% of patients receiving the placebo experienced such swelling. Most brain swelling did not cause any symptoms and generally resolved within a few months.

About 17% of the patients receiving Leqembi experienced brain bleeding, compared with 9% of patients receiving the placebo. The most common symptom from brain bleeds was dizziness, the study said.

Who is eligible to take Leqembi?

Leqembi  which is administered by intravenous infusions in a doctors office or clinic every two weeks  will be available for people diagnosed as having early-stage Alzheimers and for those with a pre-Alzheimers condition called mild cognitive impairment. About 1.5 million people in the United States fit that description. An additional 5 million who have Alzheimers will not qualify for Leqembi because their disease has progressed too far.

The FDA-required label on the drug instructs doctors not to treat patients without testing to confirm that they have one of the hallmarks of Alzheimers: a buildup in the brain of the protein amyloid, which Leqembi attacks. Amyloid levels can be assessed with PET scans, spinal taps or newly available blood tests.

How much will we have to pay?

Most patients will be old enough for Medicare, which has said it will pay for 80% of the $26,500 annual cost of the drug. Patients would be left with about $6,600 in copayments, which may put the drug out of financial reach for many. Some or all of that copayment might be covered by the supplemental private insurance policies that many Medicare patients have.

There are potentially tens of thousands of dollars of additional costs, however  including medical visits for the infusions and regular brain scans. Some Alzheimers experts have estimated that the total cost of taking Leqembi could run to about $90,000 a year. With 80% coverage, treatment could potentially leave patients saddled with $18,000 per year in out-of-pocket costs.

How should people and their families decide?

Talk to your doctor. If your doctor is not well-versed in Alzheimers treatments, consider talking with a specialist. The most important thing is to discuss the decision with medical experts who will carefully explain the risks for your specific situation.

To learn those risks, ask for genetic testing to determine if you have the APOE4 gene mutation. People with two copies of that mutation  about 15% of Alzheimers patients  are at especially high risk of brain swelling and bleeding.

There are other factors to consider too. Would going to a clinic for a drug infusion every two weeks pose a burden?

And, importantly, how do you and your family perceive your current cognitive condition and how it affects your life? Because Leqembi is for people with mild symptoms, some people might be less inclined to take safety risks, but others might consider it especially important to try a drug that might keep them at this mild stage a bit longer.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
The News

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen criticized China for imposing export controls on critical metals during a trip aimed at rehabilitating relations between Washington and China.

She told Chinese executives she was concerned by Chinas new export curbs on two minerals critical to semiconductor chip manufacturing.

Weve collected three insights into the key issues at stake.

Insights

Chinas export controls on gallium and germanium are something of a chess move by the country , since the minerals are so critical to manufacturing. Theyre pretty key playing pieces, mining strategist Christopher Ecclestone said. By regulating their export, China, which has long held a near-monopoly over the minerals, could create a situation not unlike the race to replace Russian natural gas following the onset of the war in Ukraine. Soon, countries will be scrambling to find gallium and germanium from non-Chinese sources.

According to a treasury official, Yellens talks with former Vice Premier Liu He and Peoples Bank of China Governor Yi Gang were extensive, with discussions around each countrys domestic economy and the global outlook. Liu and Yellen have an ongoing rapport: At a January meeting in Zurich, the pair left their aides and continued talking on their own. Liu is a key figure in the countrys government and a trusted adviser to Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce has warned that Americas own actions on export controls will backfire, Chinese state-affiliated media reported. Shu Jueting, a ministry spokesperson, told a news conference Friday that the U.S.s maneuvers undermine the principles of global free trade, disregard international economic and trade rules, and trample on the principles of fair competition. Shu said that Chinas curbs on gallium and germanium are not a full ban of their sale.

Know More

Yellen told executives in Beijing that she was also concerned by recent actions by Chinese authorities against foreign companies. Ive been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against U.S. firms in recent months, she said during a roundtable with the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

In March, Beijing authorities detained five Chinese employees of Mintz Group, a consulting company, and closed its offices. In April, employees at Bain & Company, a management firm, were questioned at the firms Shanghai offices.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach filed a lawsuit Friday to block Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys administration from allowing transgender Kansans to continue to change their gender marker on drivers licenses after a new law took effect last week.

In a motion of mandamus filed in Shawnee County District Court against the Kansas Department of Revenue, Kobach, a Republican, said Kelly was unlawfully ignoring SB 180, which defines man and woman in state law based upon sex assigned at birth.

In a legal opinion last week Kobach argued that the law, which went into effect Saturday, requires the Kansas Department of Revenue to stop allowing changes to drivers licenses. Any documents that have already been changed, he argued, need to be reverted back to the individuals sex assigned at birth. He reiterated that argument in the lawsuit.

That law expressly requires that documents such as drivers licenses reflect biological sex, i.e., sex at birth, and not a persons chosen gender identity. But the Governor announced she will not comply with the Womens Bill of Rights and has instructed her subordinate agencies, including the Department of Revenues Division of Vehicles, to disregard it, the lawsuit said.

Someone must stand up for the law even if the Governor wont, it continued.

Kellys office announced last week that the governor had instructed state agencies to follow their own legal counsel, rather than Kobach, in determining how to respond to the law. KDOR and the Kansas Department of Environment, the administration said, opted to retain existing practices on gender markers.

By continuing to allow birth certificate changes, KDHE is staying in compliance with a consent judgment the Kelly administration reached in 2019 following a lawsuit by transgender Kansans in federal court.

Fridays lawsuit sought a judgment forcing KDOR to stop allowing changes to gender makers and revert all its data back to sex assigned at birth.

The suit did not address birth certificates, though Kobach filed a motion last month asking a federal judge to modify the consent judgment to end the practice of allowing changes to birth certificates.

Kelly and Kobach both acknowledged in statements last week that SB 180 held no enforcement mechanism for its implications around single-sex spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms. As a result, both said, the new law would not impact policy around those spaces.

A spokeswoman for Kelly cast doubt that Kobachs lawsuit would prevail, saying in a statement that the office looked forward to KDOR presenting its case in court.

While the Attorney General has a well-documented record of wasteful and political lawsuits, Governor Kelly is faithfully executing the laws of the state and has directed her administration to as well, said Brianna Johnson, Kellys spokeswoman.

Kara Ingelhart, an attorney with Lambda Legal who helped represent plaintiffs in the federal lawsuit which led to the consent agreement, said that to her knowledge no state has successfully stopped gender marker changes after they begin allowing them.

Ingelhart said Lamda Legal will challenge Kobachs filing in the case that led to the consent agreement.

The Republican attorney generals move to reverse gender marker changes, Ingelhart said, is a mark of animus towards the community.

The lawsuit marks the first major clash between Kelly and the attorney general since Kobach was elected last year.

Kobach, a hard right Republican, made his comeback to win statewide office as attorney general last year after losing to Kelly in the 2018 governors race and failing to make it out of the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in 2020.

As Kobach and Kelly fight over SB 180, trans people are left waiting to see whether Kansas will continue to officially, legally recognize their identities.

Republicans in the Kansas Legislature applauded Kobach for taking legal action.

I dont understand how the governor believes that she has the right to direct her agencies to ignore a law that went into effect July 1, said Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican who championed the bill.

Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said he had encouraged Kobach to pursue aggressive action to ensure (Kelly) does not abuse her power and upholds her constitutional obligations.

Jessica Hicklin is a formerly incarcerated trans woman in her 40s originally from Medicine Lodge in south central Kansas. Although Hicklin now lives in St. Louis, where shes the vice president of Metro Trans Umbrella Group, a trans advocacy and educational organization based in the city, she holds a Kansas birth certificate.

Hicklin was one of four plaintiffs who sued the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in federal court in 2018 seeking to force the agency to issue updated birth certificates to trans residents who requested one.

At the time, Hicklin was serving a life sentence at the Potsoi Correctional Center in Missouri for a murder she committed as a 16 year old, but was freed in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court prohibited sentencing minors to prison without the possibility of parole. While in prison Hicklin successfully sued Missouri to provide hormone therapy.

In 2019, Hicklin and the other plaintiffs, represented by attorneys from Lambda Legal, reached a consent judgment with Kansas requiring state officials to provide new documents.

When we fought the case originally, I was preparing to return to society and I was preparing to start a new life as the person I am, Hicklin said in an interview with The Star last week.

And everything Ive built in my life is based on who I am and my identity and now Im finding myself being questioned for that and having to do mental gymnastics about what part of my life is this going to change or am I going to be unsafe?

Taryn Jones, a lobbyist for Equality Kansas, said the legal standoff created a sense of fear and uncertainty for transgender Kansans who do not know whether theyll be able to keep a drivers license that reflects their gender identity.

All these people who had thought while I have until July 1 are now freaked out about it being retroactive, Jones said.

Thomas Alonzo, who chairs Equality Kansas, said he didnt expect Kobachs suit to succeed and called it a waste of money. He referenced a case during Kobachs tenure as Secretary of State in which a federal judge ordered him to take remedial law courses.

Its just so silly, weve got big big big problems in the state and transgender people are not one of them, Alonzo said.
Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach has sued Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's administration, asking a judge to order the state to ban transgender Kansans from changing their gender markers on driver's licenses.

Kobach argues the Kansas Department of Revenue is flouting a new law, dubbed the Women's Bill of Rights, designed to record people's data in strict biological terms.

"The Governor cannot pick and choose which laws she will enforce and which laws she will ignore," Kobach said.

While the Attorney General has a well-documented record of wasteful and political lawsuits, Governor Kelly is faithfully executing the laws of the state and has directed her administration to as well," said Kelly spokesperson Brianna Johnson. "We look forward to the Kansas Department of Revenue being able to present its case in court.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, left, is suing Gov. Laura Kelly, right, over enforcement of SB 180.

Kobach filed the lawsuit Friday morning in Shawnee County District Court, listing as defendants David Harper, the Revenue Department's director of vehicles, and Revenue Secretary Mark Burghart. The case was assigned to Judge Teresa Watson, whom Kobach asked for a temporary injunction and an immediate restraining order.

The petition for mandamus and injunctive relief does not address the separate issue of gender markers on birth certificates. The Kelly administration still allows transgender people to change the gender on their birth certificate through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's office of vital statistics.

The state is currently under a federal court order in a previous case to allow people to change their birth certificates. Kobach has asked the federal court to reopen the case and amend the consent decree.

The legal showdown is the first time the two have clashed in court since Kobach was sworn in earlier this year and it comes after weeks of uncertainty over the effects of Senate Bill 180, enacted by lawmakers over Kelly's veto in April. The first-in-the-nation law strictly defines sex in biological terms, a move that transgender rights activists say erases their community.

While there were concerns the measure would impact the use of public facilities, the most sweeping consequence to date is over whether residents can change the gender listed on their core identification documents. Before the law went into effect July 1, LGBTQ+ advocates had urged transgender Kansans to change their gender markers.

Late last month, Kobach said at a press conference that he believed the state would need to effectively revert birth certificates and driver's licenses back to the sex assigned at birth for all state residents. While a print document would not need to be surrendered, Kobach said the internal data for KDOR, which handles driver's license renewals, and KDHE, which collects vital statistics, would need to be updated.

But Kelly said her administration disagreed with Kobach's interpretations of the law. The two agencies, she said, had deemed it would not implicate gender markers and that the state would continue to allow for the changes.

"She does not possess the power that English monarchs claimed prior to the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688," Kobach wrote in the lawsuit, which also references the Declaration of Independence and President John Adams.

"Thus, the Attorney General reluctantly brings this action to force the Governor's subordinates (those in the Division of Vehicles) to do what the Women's Bill of Rights clearly tells them they must do: issue driver's licenses that reflect a person's sex assigned at birth and stop letting people select their sex designation at will," Kobach wrote. "Someone must stand up for the law, even if the Governor won't."

Jason Alatidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jtidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason_Alatidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kris Kobach sues Laura Kellys agency on Kansas trans drivers licenses
La Vergne's police chief finalists come from outside the city to replace fired former Chief Burrel "Chip" Davis.

La Vergne Mayor Jason Cole hopes to interview and hire one of the five finalists to start by September after the screening and vetting process with city administrators and others is completed. One of the finalists has law enforcement experience in Nashville, and the other four have police experience outside of Tennessee.

"Were dedicated to making this the most thorough and transparent process, so we get the best chief possible for the city and the citizens of La Vergne," Cole said.

Jason Cole

The future chief "must reestablish both reputation and the transparency of the police force," Cole said.

The mayor in February fired the former chief previously promoted by Cole two years ago after an investigation by consulting Nashville attorney Thomas H. Lee. The attorney's findings in a Feb. 6 report accused Davis of failing to reveal knowledge of inappropriate conduct of at least two of five officers fired by the mayor on Jan. 4.

"Chief Davis knew prior to the initial investigation  and did not voluntarily disclose  that at least two members of the La Vergne Police Department (fired officers Maegan Hall and Sgt. Lewis Powell) were engaged in inappropriate sexual activity," Lee's investigation report said.

The city also faces a lawsuit from Hall. She accused Davis, Powell and other officers of sexually harassing her. Investigations and police discipline decisions followed after La Vergne learned in December about questionable conduct of officers.

Hall on Dec. 8 sought hospitalized treatment for 72 hours after she disclosed suicidal thoughts and intentions to medical personal, her superiors and fellow officers, according to Lee's report.

Law enforcement issues: Mayor fires 5 La Vergne police officers, suspends 3 after sexual misconduct investigation

4 of 5 finalists from out of state

The future police chief will oversee a department with 93 budgeted positions, including 71 police officers, dispatchers and other staff.

Cole and other members of the La Vergne Board of Mayor and Aldermen learned about the five finalists during a June 29 workshop from Andrew Patton, the city's director of human resources, according to a press release from spokeswoman Anne Smith.

Patton identified the following finalists:

Police Chief Michael Bell of Coweta, Oklahoma , a growing Tulsa suburb with a U.S. Census Bureau July 2022 estimated population of 10,456 residents;

Police Chief Thomas Herion of Lyons, Illinois , a Chicago suburb with a July 2022 estimated population of 10,411;

Director David Imhof of Old Hickory community of Nashville area; he oversees the Office of Investigation and Conduct within the Tennessee Department of Correction in Nashville;

Police Capt. Christopher Moews (pronounced Mays) of Milwaukee with July 2022 population of 563,305;

Police Capt. William Nas of Casselberry, Florida, an Orlando suburb with July 2022 population of 29,901.

Holding police accountable: Mayor fires 5 La Vergne police officers, suspends 3 after sexual misconduct investigation

Finalists will interview in July with multiple people

All candidates will travel to La Vergne in July to meet with executive-level administration and other upper-management personnel for the city. The University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) will be facilitating the candidate assessment and panel interviews along with chiefs from across the state, according to the press release.

This is a step in the right direction, not only for our police department, but for our citizens, Patton said in the press release. We feel confident that the selected candidate will be able to continue the process of building up our communitys trust in the department and reestablish an unwavering sense of professionalism from our officers.

The finalists also will be meeting with officers to answer any questions or concerns they may have, Mayor Cole said.

The vetting interviews will include a scoring process, and Cole expects to interview the top recommended finalist and maybe more than one before making his decision on hiring the next chief.

Sexual harassment complaint: La Vergne police chief 'promoted this environment'

Mayor wants next chief to lead efforts on lowering crime rate

The mayor said he wants the next chief to build on efforts to improve law enforcement in La Vergne.

"Over the last four years, weve had crime decrease by 16%, but we want to continue to decrease crime further and further," Cole said.

The growing city is pursuing a special census and expects the results to show a population of 42,000 to 45,000 rather than the U.S. Census Bureau estimate of 39,281 on July 1, 2022, Cole said.

La Vergne's Lake Forest Estates is the largest housing subdivision in Tennessee and third largest in the country, "and it's still growing," Cole said.

La Vergne, like other cities throughout the nation, has a diverse population. Much of the city's teens on the north and central sides are zoned to La Vergne High School, which had a count of 2,054 students in 2021-22. The campus student population includes 42% Hispanic, 33% Black and 21% White, according to the school's report card from the Tennessee Department of Education.

Who's educating students? Teacher shortage weighs heavy on La Vergne High School

La Vergne police serve city with significant industry

La Vergne's median household income measured in 2021 dollars was $67,102, which was below neighboring Smyrna's $70,879 but higher than Murfreesboro's $66,984, according to U.S. Census Bureau websites.

The future chief also will lead a growing city with significant industry, including the Bridgestone tire factory, off Waldron Road by the nearby boundary with Nashville.

"We have the largest industrial complex in the state," Cole said. "Our population more than doubles during the working hours."

The manufacturing and supply chain workforce also includes Cardinal Health, Ingram, the Icee headquarters and distribution center, Quanta, Wayfair, Staples, DHL, two Amazon operations, UPS, FedEx, Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, and a Tennessee Farmers Cooperative "Co-Op" that's adding seven buildings that total over a million square feet, the mayor said.

Tire factory pay issues: Bridgestone reaches tentative agreement with La Vergne United Steelworkers, 5 other plants

Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@dnj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ScottBroden. To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.

What police chief finalists have to say

Michael Bell, police chief in Coweta, a Tulsa suburb in Oklahoma

"I would like to say how honored I am to be selected as a finalist to be the next chief of police for the city of La Vergne. My name is Michael Bell, for the past nine years, I have been the chief of police for the city of Coweta in Oklahoma. I am very happily married to my wonderful wife, Sandra, and we are raising our two grandchildren, Akadian 7, and Dylan 6. From our family to yours. Thank you for allowing us to become a part of your city and family. We cannot wait to meet everyone soon."

Michael Bell

Thomas Herion, police chief in Lyons, a Chicago suburb

"Born and raised on the west and northwest sides of Chicago, I graduated from the Chicago Police Academy and have been in federal, state and local law enforcement. I am married and have three children. I am currently the chief of Police for the Lyons Police Department and have held that position for the last 4-plus years." Herion also touts experience that includes serving as assistant commissioner for Chicago's Department of Aviation Police Safety and Security; supervisor special agent for U.S. Department of Homeland Security; director of law enforcement administration and professor at Robert Morris University. His education includes earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Northeastern Illinois University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Illinois Chicago.

Thomas Herion

David Imhof, director of Office of Investigation and Conduct within the Tennessee Department of Correction in Nashville

David Imhof is the director of the Office of Investigation and Conduct for criminal and internal affairs within the Tennessee Department of Correction. His responsibility includes fugitive apprehensions. Prior to his current job, Imhoff was a 30-year veteran with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. He held a variety positions within the department including inspector over the Office of Alternative Policing Strategies, commander over East Precinct, captain with Criminal Investigations Division, and field supervisor captain. Imhof has served the city of Nashville as a youth services detective, homicide detective, hostage negotiator, sergeant, and lieutenant. He earned a master's degree in mental health counseling from Trevecca University in Nashville and a bachelor's degree from Hanover (Indiana) College.

David Imhoff

Capt. Christopher Moews of Milwaukee Police Department

Capt. Christopher Moews has over 29 years of law enforcement experience in diverse communities and settings. Since 1996, Moews has served within the Milwaukee Police Department. He has implemented transformational change when needed in leadership positions. Moews also has embraced community engagement and established strong relationships with community partners and elected officials throughout his career. His experience includes coordinating with local, state and federal partners in pursuing shared goals. Moews graduated from the University of Wisconsin  Milwaukee with a bachelors degree in criminal justice. He also has completed management training through the Northwestern Center for Public Safety, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Command College Certified Public Manager Program. Moews currently resides in Milwaukee with his wife and two sons.

Christopher Moews

Police Capt. William Nas of Casselberry (Florida) Police Department

William Nas currently serves as a captain with the Casselberry Police Department in central Florida. Nas commands the department's Operations Bureau with 52 sworn officers and three civilian positions, which compromise patrol, traffic, criminal investigations and the community response team. He also is responsible for managing the agency fleet and is a member of the building team opening a brand new 22,000-square-foot police headquarters this September. Nas is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, is an attorney licensed to practice law in Florida and the Middle District of Florida, and has 23 years experience in law enforcement management.

William Nas

Source: La Vergne city spokeswoman Anne Smith

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Police chief finalists from outside La Vergne compete for TN job
Last chemical weapon in nations stockpile has been destroyed in Central Kentucky

The last rocket in the nations aging chemical weapons stockpile was destroyed Friday at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Madison County, completing a disarmament process that has been in the works for decades, the Defense Department said.

This is a momentous day for the U.S. chemical demilitarization program, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said in a news release from the Department of Defense. After years of design, construction, testing and operations, these obsolete weapons have been safely eliminated. The Army is proud to have played a key role in making this demilitarization possible.

The last of the munitions at the Army Depot was an M55 rocket containing GB nerve agent, also known as sarin. The process of destroying the more than 523 tons of chemical weapons at the site, which also included VX nerve agent and mustard gas, began four years ago, in June 2019.

The effort was completed by a joint-venture team led by Bechtel National, Inc. and Parsons Corporation, using neutralization and explosive destruction technologies to eliminate more than 100,000 mustard agent and nerve agent-filled projectiles and nerve agent-filled rockets, the news release stated.

The last weapon in the nations chemical weapons stockpile, an M55 rocket containing GB nerve agent, was placed on a conveyor so that it could be destroyed at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant July 7, 2023.

The only other U.S. facility still housing chemical weapons was the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado. The Defense Department said that location completed its work of destroying more than 780,000 projectiles containing mustard agent June 22.

Congress mandated the destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile in 1986. That process began on Johnson Atoll in the Pacific Ocean in 1990 and was completed at other locations in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Maryland, Oregon and Utah by 2012, according to the Defense Department.

The completion of the weapons disposal in Kentucky Friday marked the destruction of all stockpiles declared by the United States to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, which oversaw the destruction of weapons under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The U.S. committed to getting rid of the stockpiles in 1997, when it signed the international arms control treaty, which prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by all members, according to the Defense Departments release.

The U.S. had committed to completing the destruction of the weapons by the end of September, and a news release from the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant said the sites in Kentucky and Colorado represented the last 10% of what was originally a national stockpile of more than 30,000 tons of chemical weapons.

However, Madison County Judge-Executive Reagan Taylor pointed out Saturday that there is still waste at the Blue Grass Army Depot that must be dealt with, including disposing of the metal containers that held the chemical agent.

While we hit a milestone, he said, the games not over yet.

Whats next for the Madison County site

The process of disposing of that waste and closing the facilities where the weapons were destroyed will happen over the next three or four years, according to the Defense Department.

Michael S. Abaie, the executive officer of the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program, said the process will include disposal of secondary wastes, decontamination and decommissioning of facilities and equipment, disposition of property, demolition of some facilities, and close-out of contracts and environmental permits.

During closure, the safety of the workforce, the public and the environment will remain the programs top priority, he said in the release.

Ron Hink, project manager for Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass, said Saturday that weve got a lot of cleanup to do, and the company, which has about 1,500 contracted employees in Madison County, will not be reducing its workforce in the immediate future.

He said it will take about a year and a half to destroy the containers that held the chemical agents, and the staff will not be impacted during that time.

Bechtel Parsons will work with community and state leaders to help find new jobs for the employees who will be displaced by the plants eventual closing, he said.

Were optimistic that well find a place for everyone, Hink said. We go in and work our way out of a job. Were more sensitive to the local impact.

Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) operators load the first M55 rocket containing GB nerve agent into the plants automated destruction system on July 6, 2022. This marked the fifth and final destruction campaign to begin at the plant.

Taylor said the site provides a big revenue stream for the county, and hes optimistic that jobs will be available for affected employees when the time comes.

Another concern is the future of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program, which has paid for personnel, training and equipment intended to keep the community safe in the event of an emergency involving the chemical agents.

Taylor said CSEPP has created a pretty high standard which were going to have to overcome once the federal funding dries up. He said officials are preparing for that now.

We really want this program, the CSEPP program, to leave a positive impact on our community, he said.

The buildings where the weapons were destroyed will be decontaminated and ultimately demolished, Abaie said last month. What will happen to that part of the depot property afterward hasnt yet been determined.

But the Blue Grass Army Depot site, comprised of nearly 14,500 acres, is used for more than chemical weapons.

William Ritter, public information officer for the Blue Grass Army Depot, said only about a quarter of what goes on at the depot involves the chemical weapons stockpile.

Of about 900 igloos on the property, only about 50 housed chemical weapons, Ritter said. The rest, he said, store bombs, bullets and everything in the middle.

Over the past year, he said, the depot has been busy supplying munitions the United States is providing to Ukraine and other western allies.

He said the depot also refurbishes older artillery rounds, as well as 500-pound bombs used by the Air Force.

We do a lot of refurbishing old munitions to make old rounds basically new rounds, which Ritter said saves the taxpayers a huge amount of money.

The depot itself is not going anywhere, he said. Theres no end in sight.

A forklift removes a concrete block securing a bunker containing chemical weapons during a media day tour of the chemical weapons at the Bluegrass Army Depot in Richmond, Ky. September 6, 2001. Photo by Pablo Alcala | Staff

Elected officials react

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell issued a statement Friday celebrating the completion of the weapons disposal, saying Chemical weapons are responsible for some of the most horrific episodes of human loss. Though the use of these deadly agents will always be a stain on history, today our Nation has finally fulfilled our promise to rid our arsenal of this evil.

McConnell said he had secured nearly $7 billion in federal funding to support the responsible destruction of chemical weapon stockpiles in Kentucky and fiercely advocated on behalf of Madison County families to ensure these lethal weapons were safely eliminated from our community on our terms.

Taylor, along with Sen. Jared Carpenter and Rep. Deanna Frazier Gordon, Republicans who represent Madison County in the state legislature, praised McConnell for his assistance with the project.

The people of Madison County can finally breathe a sigh of relief no longer in proximity to chemical weapons, Carpenter said in the release issued by McConnells office. Their input throughout the entirety of this project has once again proven the power of grassroots advocacy. From the start, Senator McConnell has been a constant champion for our community at the federal level, and his partnership has been pivotal in ensuring a safe and transparent process.

How the weapons were disposed of

Five types of munitions dating to as far back as the 1940s, including rockets and projectiles containing GB nerve agent, VX nerve agent and mustard agent, were disposed of at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Most of the weapons were disassembled by automated equipment, and the chemical agent inside them was drained and neutralized.

The substance that remained after neutralization was pumped into holding tanks and then shipped in tanker trucks to Texas, where it was processed at Veolia Environmental Services, , according to the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program.

After draining, the warheads that had held GB and VX nerve agents were put in temporary storage and are being destroyed in a static detonation chamber, the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Program said.

The drained warheads that remain in storage are considered surety material, because they may contain residual chemical agent. The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program will continue until the surety mission is complete, Fridays news release stated.

Hink said the process of destroying the 50,000 warheads will take abut a year and a half.

A Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) operator prepares for a secondary waste called hydrolysate to be loaded into a tank trailer at the Tanker Loading Station. Hydrolysate is the product of the neutralization of nerve agent at BGCAPP.

The mustard agent stockpile was destroyed in a static detonation chamber that used high temperatures to destroy the agent.

Our constant theme throughout every munitions campaign at Blue Grass has been to safely destroy the weapons, Hink said in a news release Friday. Our team has safely completed every campaign, successfully completing our mission of destroying every chemical weapon stored in Kentucky.

Environmentalist celebrates culmination of decades-long effort

For Craig Williams, the announcement that the last weapon in the stockpile has been destroyed marks the successful culmination of nearly 40 years of advocacy that he said began when The government came in and said, You have chemical weapons. Were going to burn them. Any questions?

We had a lot of questions, Williams recalled Saturday.

Williams and other community members were concerned about the Armys plan to incinerate the weapons in Madison County, particularly in light of the proximity of the site to the population nearby.

We could envision nerve agent wafting over the playgrounds of our kids, said Williams, who at the time operated a cabinet business in Berea, just a few miles from the depot.

He formed the Kentucky Environmental Foundation, which began researching the hazards posed by incineration and alternative methods of disposal.

For years, he said, the Army resisted their efforts to dissuade the government from incinerating the chemical weapons.

Williams said the activists raised money to hire researchers and were able to show that there were other viable ways to get rid of the weapons, and they got local officials on board, which in turn helped get the attention of legislators.

They formed an international coalition and hosted a summit on chemical weapons in Richmond in 1990.

In 1997, Craig Williams, left, watched as Sen. Wendell Ford announced that the search for chemical weapons disposal alternatives would continue under the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty.

In 1996, Williams said, McConnell and Sen. Wendell Ford initiated legislation directing the Army to look at alternatives.

That, he said, was a turning point.

Since then, he said the relationship between the community, the Army and other stakeholders has just done a complete turnaround, and he said he hopes the result will be a model for government and community cooperation to solve problems in the future.

Central Kentucky depot is very close to destroying chemical weapon stockpile. Whats left







Pallets containing more than 2,000 M55 rockets with a payload of VX nerve agent filled one of 49 igloos in the chemical storage area of Blue Grass Army Depot.
The News

The president-elect of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, worries that the arrival of Wagner mercenary force head Yevgeny Prigozhin and his troops in neighboring Belarus poses risks for both countries, he told Semafor in an interview.

We already have a very tense situation on the Latvian-Belarusian border with migration being used as a hybrid weapon, he said, referring to Belaruss practice of pushing refugees from countries to its East across its western borders. If all of a sudden the mercenaries want to pretend to be refugees or migrants, then of course, it creates a whole new security threat.

(After the interview was conducted, reports emerged that Prigozhin had apparently returned to Russia in order to collect personal guns and money.)

Rinkevics said he had no direct evidence that the mercenaries would seek asylum. We believe that we need to analyze all kinds of assumptions, including the one that this group can be used just to test the resilience of neighboring countries, test the resilience of NATO.

But Rinkevics said the most immediate threat might be to Belarus itself, where he noted that the police arrested more than 30 Wagner fighters before the disputed 2020 election, accusing them of planning election interference.

I am a bit surprised that Mr. Lukashenko has allowed some number of well-trained mercenaries, with the head of that company who has proved that he is a bit rogue, he said. If Mr Putin is not able to control him fully, then why does Mr. Lukashenko believe that he is able to control him?

Rinkevics, who served as Latvias foreign minister since 2011, will be inaugurated as the countrys president Saturday. He spoke to Semafor Wednesday in a conference room in his countrys foreign ministry in Riga in front of display cases holding diplomatic documents from Latvias first period of independence before World War II.

His role, and the countrys policy, is focused largely on strengthening the countrys NATO-backed security in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Rinkevics warned against underestimating the Russian military.

We keep in mind that not all Russian military units, especially the Air Force, have been fully deployed in Ukraine, he said. There is substantial capability in the Russian military that we need to take seriously.

Thats why we are working with NATO allies also to strengthen the presence of NATO troops here in, in the Baltic States, in Poland in the so-called Eastern flank, he said.

Know More

When we spoke, the tall, bespectacled, and understated Rinkevics had just returned from a walk around the city, which is packed for Latvias quinquennial song and dance festival. Hed taken scores of selfies, he said, and noted that nobody had even asked about the thing that made global headlines when he was inaugurated: Hell be the worlds first openly gay president.

After the first of couple of days, some people on social media got over excited in a positive way and some over-excited in a negative way and it has calmed down here completely, he said. Nobody cares anymore about that.

His election by parliament with the support of some conservative MPs was an indication that the country is changing on its own pace, he said. It takes time, and lets not forget that we still are managing a lot of ghosts the Soviet past.

So, but believe me, the positive or the negative attitude towards my presidency is going to be defined by completely different things, not being gay, he said.

I also asked Rinkevics about the widely-shared 2014 tweet in which he came out as gay.

To whom, I asked, was he wishing good luck?

I didnt know what the reaction would be, so that was probably more addressed to myself than to the whole world, he said. But look, I got a huge support from Prime Minister of the time, the speaker of the parliament.

And as I said, in about three or four months, nobody cares, nobody cares.

Notable
JUBA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said Friday it would stay committed to working with the South Sudanese people, as well as regional and international partners for sustainable peace and stability in the country.

Nicholas Haysom, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the UNMISS, said with cooperation, partnership and sustained leadership, a positive change in the lives of the South Sudanese can be achieved.

"Independence marks the day in which the country was born. Celebrating this day is a reminder of the sacrifices of one's ancestors in creating this opportunity for the people of South Sudan, to become the masters of their common destiny," Haysom said in a statement issued in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to mark 12 years of independence which will be celebrated on July 9.

The UNMISS said independence is an important moment in the history of the nation, as South Sudan faces a critical moment in its transition.

The UN mission is protecting civilians, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid, and supporting the return of displaced families and refugees including returnees from Sudan. 
There is danger in both under-regulating and over-regulating [AI], said U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y.

As artificial intelligence gets more widespread, the federal government is looking for ways to regulate its use and protect American citizens from some of its harmful effects.

President Joe Biden said during a speech last month that the government needs to regulate the risks of artificial intelligence, such as the spread of misinformation and scams.

AI is going to change the way we teach, learn, and help solve challenges like disease and climate change and giving the time to focus on the things that matter most to you personally, said Biden.

Human shaped robot Ameca of British manufacturer Engineered Arts is displayed on July 06, 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland. Some 3,000 global experts from big tech, education and international organisations will gather at a two-day summit in Geneva organised by the United Nations to discuss artificial intelligence in its potential for empowering humanity. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

But in seizing this moment, we need to manage the risks to our societyfrom protecting privacy to addressing bias and disinformation to making sure AI systems are safe before they are released.

U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke, D-N.Y., told theGrio that Congress and Biden need to work together to establish legislation ahead of the next presidential election.

Our last election and our social media platforms were used to disseminate a lot of false, misleading and deceptive information, said Clarke, who noted it may have impacted the outcome of elections.

I can only imagine, with the proliferation of AI-generated content, how disruptive it could be in the upcoming election, she said.

In June, U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., introduced the AI Disclosure Act of 2023, legislation that would require generative artificial intelligence to be accompanied by a message that reads, Disclaimer: this output has been generated by artificial intelligence.

All generative AI  whether the content it generates is text or images, video or audio  should be required to disclose itself as AI, Torres said in a public statement.

Representative Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, speaks at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on oversight of the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve coronavirus pandemic response on Capitol Hillon September 30, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images)

He continued, Disclosure is by no means a magic bullet, but its a common-sense starting point to what will surely be a long road to regulation.

The Democratic congressman said that while artificial intelligence is a good thing, it can be potentially misused by bad actors.

AI is the most revolutionary technology of our time. It has the potential to be a weapon of mass disinformation, dislocation, and destruction, said Torres. He added, Carefully crafting a regulatory framework for managing the existential risks of AI will be one of the central challenges confronting Congress in the years and decades to come.

He warned that there is danger in both under-regulating and over-regulating the advancing technology.

Congresswoman Clarke told theGrio, AI-generated content can be manipulated [and] can be deceiving on a very large scale.

[It is important] that we act as quickly as we can because it could have devastating consequences for our national security and, of course, our election security, she cautioned.

Clarke contends that there are both pros and cons to the emergence of artificial intelligence. The congresswoman added that it is important for Congress to put some really important regulatory guardrails upto protect the American consumer from ill-fated attempts that could be used by bad actors.

While AI can be great, like providing more efficient, innovative ways of sharing information, Clarke said the technology is rapidly modernizing itself, and there arent real rules to its usage.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Lawmakers navigate dangers of AI and challenges regulating it appeared first on TheGrio.
WASHINGTON  A bipartisan pair of lawmakers is pushing to loosen the rules around past marijuana use for military recruits, as well as applicants for security clearance, to help increase the number of defense personnel as the Defense Department struggles with recruitment.

To counter what he called a recruitment and retainment crisis unlike any other time in American history, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., has proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would eliminate marijuana testing for military recruits and allow those who had recently used the drug to enlist in the military.

Known as the NDAA, the bill, an annual reauthorization of U.S. military programs, is considered must-pass legislation, meaning any adopted amendments stand a greater chance of becoming law.

Asked about his proposal, Gaetz said in a statement: I do not believe that prior use of cannabis should exclude Americans from enlisting in the armed forces. We should embrace them for stepping up to serve our country.

A Pentagon spokesperson declined to comment on pending legislation.

Recreational marijuana is legal in 23 states, with medical marijuana allowed in 15 more. A poll conducted last year by Monmouth University found that 54% of U.S. adults said they have used marijuana in their lifetimes.

The prevalence of marijuana use is creating recruitment challenges, as many recruits cannot pass the drug tests required for service. Last year, nearly 5,000 recruits failed their entry drug tests, according to military data The New York Times obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. The number was up 33% from two years earlier.

NBC News reported last year that every branch of the military has faced recruiting challenges. One factor cited by military officials is that many potential recruits are disqualified from serving because of existing policies. The Army's chief of staff, Gen. James McConville, told Congress last year that less than a quarter of all Americans ages 17 to 24 are qualified to serve, largely because of obesity, criminal records and drug use.

For those who do enlist, past marijuana use can be a roadblock to obtaining security clearances. Applicants for security clearances are required to disclose any drug use, including the legal use of marijuana, in the past seven years, though the Office of Personnel Management aims to change those rules.

Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California, where recreational marijuana is legal, has proposed an amendment to the NDAA that would prohibit the denial of security clearances by an agency on the sole basis that an individual used marijuana if, under the laws of the state where the individual used marijuana, such use was lawful.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Greg AbbottBrandon Bell/Getty Images

Officials in Houston, Texas, filed a lawsuit on Monday looking to keep the state from enforcing an oppressive law critics have dubbed the "Death Star" bill.

House Bill 2127 is set to go into effect on Sept. 1 after Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed it into law on June 6, according to MSNBC's "The ReidOut" blog. The new law restricts local governments by preventing them from passing certain ordinances if they contradict state laws in eight key areas: agriculture, finance, business and commerce, insurance, local government, labor, natural resources, property or occupations.

In the newly filed lawsuit, lawyers representing the city argue that, in broadly pre-empting local laws, the bill violates the state Constitution, and ultimately call the measure "hopelessly vague." The city, thus, asks the court to make the law "void and unenforceable."

"Because of HB 2127's vagueness, Houston will not know with any certainty what laws it may enforce, and its residents and businesses will not know with certainty what laws they must obey," the suit reads. "This high level of uncertainty and confusion concerning the validity of virtually all local laws in important regulatory areas and those concerning health and safety themselves constitutes a concrete injury."

Arguing that the bill will incite confusion, the lawsuit cites the so-called Death Star law's lack of a requirement for local legislation to actually conflict with state laws in order for it to be prevented from taking effect.

"Under HB 2127, if the State regulates anything in an unspecified 'field,' local regulation is arguably entirely precluded in the undefined area unless there is express legislative authorization," according to the lawsuit.

Related

Scorching temperatures broke records three times this week and July is just getting started

The lawsuit also comes after a deadly heat wave wracked the state last month, resulting in a public health crisis, the deaths of 11 people between the ages of 60 and 80 in Webb County since the bill was signed, and a surge in emergency department visits related to the record-breaking, 100-degree temperatures.

In Texas prison facilities without air conditioning, at least nine incarcerated people, including two men in their 30s, died last month from heart attacks or unknown causes. Another harrowing incident saw a teen and his stepfather die after the 14-year-old lost consciousness during a hike in Big Bend National Park and the stepfather crashed his car while racing to find help. Plus, at least four workers have died in the state after collapsing in three-digit heat, the Texas Observer reports: a Dallas post office worker, an East Texas utility lineman and two Houston construction workers.

While the nature of the worker deaths is still under investigation, the Observer notes that hyperthermia is likely the cause. Considering climate scientists told the Tribune that heat waves will become increasingly severe and common due to climate change, the risk to public health will only rise.

Once HB 2127 goes into effect in September, local ordinances mandating water breaks for workers outdoors in cities across the state, which the Observer writes contributed to a "significant decrease in annual heat-related illnesses and heat deaths," will be overturned and localities will be barred from passing new ones.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

A spokesperson for Abbott said that "ensuring the safety of Texans is a top priority as our state experiences high summer heat," in a statement, noting that overriding local laws won't keep workers from taking breaks under the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) standards.

But some workers fear that the lack of local protections will mean bosses hoping to increase production will eliminate breaks, the Observer said.

The city of Houston's lawsuit also calls out the possibility of widespread, city deregulation sparked by individuals and businesses pursuing their own interests and justifying the acts under the law.

"Houston will have to defend against a likely barrage of lawsuits brought by trade associations or individuals essentially to deregulate their industries or businesses at the local level," the suit claims, adding an accusation that Texa' Republican legislators are creating "a public/private enforcement regime that will penalize and raise the risk of Houston's exercising its clear and expansive constitutional authority."

Related

Climate change is driving earlier springtimes. For some birds, that could equal extinction: Study

If successful, the suit will protect the water mandates and other measures like the Houston program providing 30,000 uninsured people with healthcare, Mayor Sylvester Turner noted.

"HB 2127 reverses over 100 years of Texas constitutional law without amending the Constitution," Turner said in a public statement. "Because Texas has long had the means to preempt local laws that conflict with State law, HB 2127 is unnecessary, dismantling the ability to govern at the level closest to the people and therefore punishing all Texas residents. Houston will fight so its residents retain their constitutional rights and have immediate local recourse to government."

Read more

about extreme heat
Under California law, a person cannot be found guilty of certain crimes if he did not know or mistakenly believed a fact because he did not have the mental state or intent to commit the crime.

In the case of the fatal shooting by former Modesto police officer Joseph Lamantia, that fact was that Trevor Seever was unarmed, Lamantias defense attorney Roger Wilson said in a brief filed in Stanislaus Superior Court last week.

Of course, this fact was only determined after the shooting, the brief says. Prior to that point, Mr. Seevers family and every officer that encountered Mr. Seever believed him to be armed with a gun.

Lamantia shot Seever at the Church of the Brethren in west Modesto in December 2020. He was fired several months later and charged with voluntary manslaughter.

Seevers sister told a 911 dispatcher that her brother had purchased a gun the night before and told their mom he was coming to their house. The dispatcher told responding officers that Seever had told his family, Watch what is going to happen to you guys when I get there.

This threat was sufficient to place Mr. Seevers sister, mother and stepfather in sustained fear such that they left the sanctuary of their home and called the police for help, the brief said.

The family went to a different church catercorner to the Church of the Brethren.

An officer and a sergeant who also responded to the call testified that they, too, believed, based on the dispatch call, that Seever was armed, the defense brief says.

The prosecution filed its brief last month. Judge Carrie Stephens will consider the arguments and evidence that was presented during the preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough probable cause for Lamantia to go to trial on the charge. She is expected to make her decision later this month.

Law changes how deadly force is deemed justifiable

The shooting occurred almost one year after a new California law went into effect that changed the circumstances under which homicide by a peace officer is deemed justifiable.

The law required deadly force to be used only when necessary, compared to the previous standard of when reasonable.

The law didnt define necessary, but said the force should be evaluated based on what a reasonable officer in the same situation would do given the totality of the circumstances known or perceived at the time.

The prosecution argued that Lamantias actions were counter to his training and experience and that a reasonable officers response was that of Sgt. Derrick Tyler. The sergeant testified that as he approached the scene, his plan was to wait for additional officers and resources and set up a perimeter around Seever.

Lamantia instead drove into the parking lot of the Church of the Brethren where he saw Seever sitting in an alcove outside.

According to testimony from an internal affairs investigator, Lamantia thought hed be ambushed by Seever so he drove and parked around the corner along the side of the church.

Lamantias body camera video shows him get out of his patrol car with his gun drawn and run around the corner toward the alcove.

The use-of-force law says officers neednt retreat or desist if a suspect is resisting.

Finding Seever running away from him, Lamantia twice yelled, Get on the ground, then fired four shots at him. Seever dropped to the ground after the first shots were fired. Lamantia, according to his statements to the investigator, believed Seever still was trying to retrieve a firearm and yelled at him, Show me your hands. Seevers right hand went down and Lamantia fired three more rounds.

Wilson in his brief cited testimony from Jeffrey Martin, a retired police officer who now works as an expert witness for topics including use of force and forensic video analysis.

Martin testified that Lamantias actions were consistent with those of a trained and reasonable officer and that deadly force was necessary to defend himself against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury by Mr. Seever.

A threat of death or serious bodily injury is imminent when, according to the law, a reasonable officer in the same situation would believe that a person has the present ability, opportunity, and apparent intent to immediately cause death or serious bodily injury.

The present ability was a gun that everyone assumed Seever had, according to the brief.

The opportunity was Seevers clear line of sight and close proximity to Lamantia.

And Seevers apparent intent was shown by the threats he made toward his family and previous statements hed made on social media that A good cop is a dead cop and All I want for Christmas is another dead MPD Officer.

Lamantia told the IA investigator that Seever was not pumping his arms like someone normally would when running. He assumed Seever was reaching for a waistband.

Officers are trained that suspects can fire at them while running away and often hide firearms in their waistband, according to the brief.

Trained and reasonable officers know that once suspects have a hand on a firearm, that the suspect can usually point and fire the gun at officers in well under one second, Wilson said in the brief. Peace officers are trained that they do not have to wait until a handgun is pointed at them before they use deadly force; after all, if officers wait for the gun to be pointed at them, the officers reaction will be too late.
Layers of dust are heading to Florida. How that can affect storms, heat and your health

We have extreme heat. We have thunderstorms. And soon, well have dust.

A layer of Saharan dust is heading to Florida this weekend, with another plume expected later in the week, according to the National Weather Service in Miami. And that could affect our weather.

7/7: A plume of Saharan Dust will arrive across our region late this weekend into the upcoming work-week. Strong upper-level winds carry these small sand particles originally from the Saharan Desert far across the Atlantic ocean. More info on how this affects air quality below! pic.twitter.com/jCY0WSfMWZ  NWS Miami (@NWSMiami) July 7, 2023

By Saturday night or Sunday and into the workweek, the dust could contribute to an even higher heat index, said National Weather Service meteorologist Ana Torres-Vazquez.

Friday will be hot enough. South Florida is under yet another heat advisory, with feels-like temperatures expected to be 105 or higher.

Saharan dust does bring some good news. It can help suppress trouble in the tropics. But there is no trouble at this time, with the National Hurricane Center not expecting any storm activity for the next week.

And if you like to take pictures of Miami sunsets, the dust can make them more colorful.

But layers of dust can harm people vulnerable to asthma or other respiratory issues.

Here are more things to know about the impacts of Saharan dust:

What is Saharan dust?

Saharan Dust from Africa is heading towards Florida this weekend AND next week too. The dust in the upper atmosphere helps suppress tropical activity for the impacted areas and can lead to vibrant sunrises & sunsets. Happens every year. Uptick in sniffling, sneezing possible. pic.twitter.com/IYyHJitmNo  Matt Devitt (@MattDevittWINK) July 6, 2023

Saharan dust, also referred to as the Saharan Air Layer by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert during the late spring, summer, and early fall.

This dust cloud, so to speak, whipped up from Africas Sahara Desert  a 3.6-million-square-mile hot desert, the largest in the world  moves over the tropical North Atlantic Ocean every three to five days, according to NOAA.

The Saharan dust layer is about 2 to 2 1/2 miles thick and about a mile above the earths surface.

When is it Saharan dust season?

Check out the Saharan Dust over Miami this morning as a big surge of it from northern Africa was heaved into the Atlantic this week, helping keep hurricane season at bay for now. pic.twitter.com/ffJ2el9ZeN  WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) July 7, 2023

Saharan dust doesnt have a named season, like the wet season or hurricane season or lovebug season, but its activity has prevalent periods.

The activity usually ramps up in mid-June, peaks from late June to mid-August, and begins to rapidly subside after mid-August, NOAA explains.

During peak periods, these outbreaks emerge from the coast of Africa every three to five days and can travel more than 5,000 miles to the west carried by trade winds to places including Florida, the Caribbean, Texas, Kansas and Central America and cover vast areas of the Atlantic Ocean.

An arrival of Saharan dust is forecast for Florida this weekend.

Whats good about Saharan dust?

Do you like hurricanes? No? Well, hurricanes dont like the Saharan Air Layer, either. And thats a good thing for us.

Saharan dust suppresses tropical cyclone formation and intensification, according to the National Weather Service and NOAA.

Why? A combination of factors, meteorologists explain.

 Saharan dust is an extremely dry, dusty air mass, containing about 50% less moisture than the typical tropical atmosphere, the National Hurricane Center notes. This extremely dry air can weaken a tropical cyclone or tropical disturbance by promoting downdrafts around the storm.

 Strong winds in the Saharan dust layer of about 25-55 mph, referred to as an African easterly jet by forecasters, substantially increase the vertical wind shear in and around the storm environment. This jet of big winds at a height of 6,500 to 14,500 feet can cause a tilting of the tropical cyclone vortex and can disrupt the storms internal heat engine, according to the weather service. Think of it like the proverbial monkey wrench left in your cars engine by a careless mechanic. The engine is going to react negatively eventually.

 The warm temperatures in the Saharan dust layer riding above relatively cooler, denser air, stabilizes the atmosphere, which can suppress the formation of clouds, meteorologists say.

From dust to beautiful sunsets

Gorgeous sunsets are another thing thats good about Saharan dust. Heres where youll want to get out your good camera or a smartphone with the highest pixels possible.

The reason has to do with how light from the sun makes its way to Earth and how its wavelengths interact with the dust cloud. The filtering of shorter wavelengths of blue, green and purple during sunset and the longer wavelengths of orange, pink and red that amplify at sunset get enhanced by the dust in the upper atmosphere, meteorologists explain.

This amplification, like a filter on your camera, enhances the colors of the sunset to make them appear deeper and richer after the wavelengths interaction with the dust particles.

The result? Vibrant sunsets.

Whats bad about Saharan dust?

Saharan dust can irritate peoples eyes, ears, noses and throats due to fine particles of silica and other minerals in the dust that can get into our lung tissue, according to NASA.

If you have allergies or health issues like asthma or COPD you may want to stay indoors during waves of Saharan dust, which can last in the area for a few days. You can also consider wearing a face mask, much like weve grown accustomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, to filter out some of the particles, the American Lung Association suggests.
At least 3 people have gotten HIV after invasive facials at a New Mexico spa

ljubaphoto/Getty Images

Multiple patients have gotten HIV after receiving "vampire facials" at a spa in New Mexico.

Vampire facials re-inject the patient's own blood, and can reduce wrinkles and sun damage.

Vampire facials are safe when done with clean needles, but when not done in sterile conditions can transfer diseases.

The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) is telling people who got injection services, like "vampire facials" or botox, at a spa in Albuquerque that they could be at risk of blood-born infections like HIV and Hepatitis C.

On Wednesday, the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) announced that they had identified a client of VIP Spa with a recently diagnosed HIV case linked to a "vampire facial" the patient received in 2018. This patient was not the first to be diagnosed with HIV following a procedure at VIP Spa  in 2019, two other patients contracted HIV after receiving vampire facials at the spa, Insider previously reported.

The DOH's investigation found that there were "additional HIV infections with direct or indirect connection with services provided at the VIP Spa," according to a statement released by the agency.

"It's very important that we spread the word and remind people who received any kind of injection-related to services provided at the VIP Spa to come in for free and confidential testing," said Dr. Laura Parajon, deputy secretary for DOH, in the statement.

VIP Spa was shut down in September 2018 and the spa's owner, Maria Ramos de Ruiz, was sentenced to three and half years of prison in June 2022.

What is a vampire facial?

Vampire facials  also known as plasma-rich protein (PRP) facials  are a type cosmetic procedure that uses the patient's own blood to reduce the appearance of facial lines and wrinkles, as well as fade sun damage.

During the procedure, a small amount of blood from the patient is collected, from which protein-rich plasma and platelets are separated. The mixture is then introduced back to the skin, either through microneedling  which involves many small punctures across the forehead and cheeks  or by injecting the blood into the skin like filler, a procedure known as a "vampire facelift."

The procedure is believed to promote cell turnover and lead to an increase in collagen and elastin production, making the skin look smoother, tighter and fuller.

"Collagen is the latticework of the face, so a PRP microneedling treatment helps improve skin texture and tone," dermatologist Shilpi Khetarpal said to the Cleveland Clinic, "It triggers collagen production by stimulating the body's natural wound healing response."

The procedure is popular among celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Bar Refaeli, Insider previously reported.

Despite the VIP Spa scare, the procedure is generally safe

When clean, sterile needles are used and proper safety precautions are taken, vampire facials are safe. "If you have any bleeding disorders or abnormalities with platelets, it may not be as effective of a treatment for you, but generally, most people can be candidates for vampire facials," dermatologist Marisa Garshick previously told Insider.

Garshick also recommended getting the procedure from a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon. If you're considering going to a spa for the procedure, Garshick recommends seeing if the company receives oversight from a board certified professional on how to perform the treatment.

If you did get the treatment at VIP Spa however, The New Mexico DOH recommends that you go to the South Valley Public Health office in Albuquerque for free HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C lab testing and counseling. They also encourage former VIP Spa clients to be retested even if they previously had a negative test.

Read the original article on Insider
Legal experts look for solutions to restore fairness to the Supreme Court

The next term is shaping up to be a term that is no less busy and no less consequential than the one we just finished, says Elizabeth Wydra, CAC President.

Legal experts are strategizing on what the next steps should be following the conservative Supreme Courts rulings in three major cases: student loans, affirmative action and LGBTQ rights.

Last week, the court gutted affirmative action in the college admissions process, ruled that certain businesses can refuse to provide services to same-sex couples, and blocked President Joe Bidens $430 billion student debt relief program.

WASHINGTON, DC  DECEMBER 05: Supporters of web designer Lorie Smith and counter-protesters demonstrate in front of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on December 05, 2022 in Washington, DC. The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments from cases including one involving Lorie Smith, the owner of 303 Creative, a website design company in Colorado who refuses to create websites for same-sex weddings despite a state anti-discrimination law. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Community leaders and advocates say all three cases were a major blow to Black Americans.

During a press call with Constitutional Accountability Center (CAC) on Thursday, the organizations president Elizabeth Wydra told theGrio that the Supreme Court had put its conservative and business interests before the American people.

There is a rather extraordinary success rate for business cases before the court, she noted.

Wydra appeared to draw a connection between the Supreme Courts rulings in favor of businesses and recent reports that conservative justices on the court have not self-reported luxury gifts from wealthy associates. The confluence of events has created public distrust in the Supreme Court, she argued.



When you see these reports of justices hobnobbing with extremely wealthy and powerful individuals who have interests before the court, then it makes the public justifiably question whether the court is really that arbiter of fairness and equal justice under law, said Wydra.

The scathing reports about several of the justices have repeatedly raised questions about whether they can ethically do their jobs without potentially being influenced by their wealthy connections.

Chief Justice John Roberts wife earned millions of dollars after helping lawyers get their cases heard before the Supreme Court. Justice Clarence Thomas neglected to disclose lavish gifts he accepted from a billionaire. And just days after Justice Neil Gorsuchs confirmation, a law firm purchased a property in which Gorsuch held a stake, as theGrio previously reported.

Leslie Allen Williams, a lecturer at Teachers College, Columbia University, pointed out that the challenges of the Supreme Court prove that elections have consequences.

He theGrio, We have a situation now where [President Donald] Trump was able to appoint three justices to the Supreme Court. He added, [Trump] is the first one-term president in about 100 years to have that significant influence on the court. So, thats really changed the dynamics of the court.

United States Supreme Court (front row L-R) Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, Associate Justice Samuel Alito, and Associate Justice Elena Kagan, (back row L-R) Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice Neil Gorsuch, Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson pose for their official portrait at the East Conference Room of the Supreme Court building on October 7, 2022 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Trump notably appointed Justice Gorsuch to fill a seat Democrats argued belonged to President Barack Obama. Several months before the 2016 elections, then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell used his Republican majority to block Obamas nominee.

Trump would later fill another vacant seat with Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who Republicans confirmed months before the 2018 election. That confirmation defied a previous argument Republicans made against Obamas nominee Merrick Garland, which was that it was too close to an election and that the voters should decide which party gets control of the nomination and confirmation process.

Williams said Trump and Republicans basically hijacked two seats.

He continued, If those two seats were filled by a Democratic presidentwe would still have policies like affirmative action [and] LGBTQ rights would not be an issue.

In recent months, congressional members, activists and legal experts have called on expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court to restore fairness and balance.

Last month, Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights leader and president of the National Action Network, partnered with Just Majority Coalition, a group of 30 activist organizations, to demand the Supreme Court add four more justices to the bench, as theGrio previously reported.

Americans have lost faith in the justice system because biased decisions and clear-cut corruption have seeped into the highest court in the land, said Sharpton.

Williams of Columbia University told theGrio that he is not certain that expanding the court is the right solution; however, he believes that the Supreme Court needs to adopt a code of ethics.

Allowing the justices to police themselves is clearly not working, he said. The court allowed for significant influence of corporate and wealthy folks to influence political life in this country.

The Supreme Court is seen under a clearing sky, Friday, June 30, 2023, after case decisions were announced in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

CAC legal experts told theGrio that the public should brace for impact as the conservative Supreme Court could once further gut fundamental rights for American citizens in the next session.

The Supreme Court has already agreed to hear next cases on access to the courts employment discrimination, on the governments taxing authority, and of course, on the Second Amendment, said Wydra.

She added, The next term is shaping up to be a term that is no less busy and no less consequential than the one we just finished.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Legal experts look for solutions to restore fairness to the Supreme Court appeared first on TheGrio.
Letters to the Editor: It's OK to celebrate racial progress even though racism persists

LZ Granderson's column on the Fourth of the July made a reader think  though maybe not as intended. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: As with all useful opinion pieces, LZ Granderson's column on the Fourth of July makes you think. He made me think and reread Frederick Douglass What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" He also made me ponder our history past and present, but maybe not always in the ways he intended.

When Granderson pointed out that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed off on a congressional map with zero Black-majority districts despite the state having the largest Black population in the country, it made me think, so I looked it up.

Sure enough, greater than 12% of Texans are Black. On the other hand, six of the state's 38 congressional representatives are Black. How could that be?

Its fairly easy to make people mad. But could it be that even in that benighted backward place called Texas, some people think for themselves and choose their leaders on criteria other than race?

We surely are not done with racism or other forms of idiotic prejudice. But maybe we are making progress. Easy as it is to rouse people to feeling hard done by, its equally hard to cheer and parade a more measured, thoughtful success. But nonetheless, it happens.

Mark Arnott, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: As Black people were being exploited and enslaved, the hallowed founders declared independence in 1776. Not for everyone, but chiefly for white men.

Blacks were diners at a lavish feast, but they were forbidden from eating. Instead, they watched white diners gorge themselves.

In 2001, Kalisha White, a Black woman in Wisconsin, applied for an executive team leader position at Target. She could not get an interview. Suspicious, Smith put a different name with fewer qualifications on a resume, and she received an interview. She ended up sharing a settlement with other plaintiffs in a discrimination lawsuit.

In 2021, economists from UC Berkeley and the University of Chicago submitted 83,000 job applications to 108 Fortune 500 companies, half with Black-sounding names. Applicants with Black-sounding names were called back 10% less often than others.

The Supreme Court notwithstanding, racial preferences in hiring abound.

Marc D. Greenwood, Opelika, Ala.

..

To the editor: Granderson writes that the Supreme Court prohibited the use of racial preferences in college admissions "under the pretense that America is race neutral."

In truth, the court majority never affirmatively stated (or even suggested) that America is race neutral. In fact, at many points in the opinion, there is an unqualified acknowledgment that there has been and still is maltreatment of minorities.

The majority presented a very simple proposition: The Constitution requires that all persons be treated in a race-neutral fashion. It is hoped that the latter would lead to the former.

Humans being as they are, the effort has not been entirely successful. But the need to do better with race does not, under our legal system, allow for the Constitution to be ignored.

That very Constitution allows Granderson to express his opinion about the court's decision and to even misrepresent it. But just because he has the right as an American to misrepresent what the court actually said does not mean he should do so.

Joel Drum, Van Nuys

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
This Is What It's Like To Live With Your Ex-Spouse While Dating Other People

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, are separating but not divorcing. They're also comfortable with each other dating other people.

Former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, are separating but not divorcing. They're also comfortable with each other dating other people.

Earlier this week, former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, announced that theyre separating after almost 30 years of marriage.

In a variation on the gray divorce trend, de Blasio and McCray said theyre not currently planning on divorcing and intend to still live together, at least for the time being. More surprisingly, though, theyre both OK with each other seeing other people.

In an in-depth interview with The New York Times on Wednesday, de Blasio, 62, and McCray, 68, said theyll both stay in the Park Slope townhouse where they raised their two children, now in their 20s, while they figure out their new normal.

They told reporter Matt Flegenheimer that theyre both happier now than they have been in some time  and have established ground rules for whats cool, and whats not cool, and whatever else.

I can look back now and say, Here were these inflection points where we should have been saying something to each other, de Blasio said, reflecting on what led to the separation. And I think one of the things I should have said more is: Are you happy? What will make you happy? Whats missing in your life?

Months since the split, de Blasio  who served as mayor of New York City from 2014 to 2021  is already exuding divorced dad energy. Hes even dyed his hair.

I never anticipated ever doing anything with hair color, he said of his newer darker-hued close-crop, admitting to the Times that the shade may be a little too dark than he intended. But I like feeling what I feel.

McCray told the New York Post that she hopes that the pair can serve as a model for how couples can communicate honestly about what their needs are and to conduct themselves when they find its time to move in another direction.

Is this do-able? Heres what experts say.

Do arrangements like the one McCray and de Blasio are attemptingwork, and if so, for how long? Marriage therapists and divorce attorneys we spoke with said its challenging, even for the most amicable of exes.

If they can make this work, more power to them, said Karen Covy, a mediator and a recovering lawyer, she joked.

Whats puzzling to me is why theyre doing this, Covy told HuffPost, noting that the divorcing couples she sees to do this are usually under financial constraints or still raising young children.

We dont know enough about the details of their situation to speculate about whats really going on with them, but I can say that if they have a strong enough reason to make this kind of arrangement work  and money, career and politics can be very strong reasons  Im sure they can pull it off, at least in the short term, she said.

Theyre putting the best spin on it, but no matter how you slice it, it is the end of a relationship, or the end of the marital relationship, and there is really no good way to make it easy.Randall Kessler, a high-profile divorce attorney in Atlanta, Georgia

Kurt Smith, a therapist in Northern California whose counseling practice specializes in helping men, noted that its usually husbands who propose these arrangements rather than their wives.

Things tend to get thorny when one partner starts dating, he said.

Its just too hard not to be negatively impacted emotionally and mentally, despite the good intentions, he said. Sure, people can deal with it for a while, but eventually it becomes too much, and in the case of exes, unnecessary.

Randall Kessler, a divorce attorney based in Atlanta, Georgia, whos represented a few Real Housewives stars, and Cardi B, among others, said de Blasio and his wifes efforts sync up with a cultural shift toward kinder, more gentle divorces.

Think: Conscious uncoupling, like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin were proponents of, or nesting, where the parents alternate use of the marital home while the children are there full time.

Kessler said that sometimes pre-divorcing couples stay living together as an eleventh-hour attempt to see if the marriage can work, though that doesnt seem to be the case here.

I think their approach is unique to them, he said. Being public figures, the mayor and his ex are trying to deal with this head on.

De Blasio and his wife pictured at a press conference in front of Gracie Mansion on Sep. 20, 2019. De Blasio was announcing his decision to drop out of the 2020 U.S. presidential race. In her interview with the Times, McCray said she thought the run was a distraction

De Blasio and his wife pictured at a press conference in front of Gracie Mansion on Sep. 20, 2019. De Blasio was announcing his decision to drop out of the 2020 U.S. presidential race. In her interview with the Times, McCray said she thought the run was a distraction" from thinking about their post-City Hall life.

Theyre putting the best spin on it, but no matter how you slice it, its the end of a relationship, or the end of the marital relationship, he said. Theres really no good way to make it easy for the children, although this is much better than most.

This type of arrangement isnt as uncommon as youd think.

Divorced people we spoke to whove tried to split in similar fashion  dismantle the marriage, keep the household  had a more positive outlook on the mayor and his wifes plans: Most felt that if theres still residual love and respect, its worth giving it a shot. (And certainly if money is an issue, as it was with every one of them.)

Kate Warren, an actor in New York City, separated from her husband in January 2016 for all the expected reasons: There was a loss of love and passion that turned to a roomie-type relationship, she said.

That said, she didnt end up moving out of their 1,000-square-foot rental apartment in Greenwich Village until 2022.

They chose to do so for their three kids well-being, but mostly because they couldnt possibly afford two apartments in New York City. (The yearslong cohabitation ended up inspiring Messy, a dark comedy web series created by and starring Warren.)

In the beginning, Warrens ex was relegated to the couch.

Then when our eldest child went to college, he took our sons room and went back to the couch on breaks when my son came back, she said. We managed living like this until 2022. He traveled a lot and on long trips so that eased the strain and stress, for sure.

Navigating dating was full of hiccups, she said.

The subject of dating again came up during our breakup conversation, and it wasnt me who brought it up, Warren admits. I was a bit stunned, to be honest. Furthest thing on my mind.

After some time  and some gentle nudging from friends who swore to her that online dating apps werent that bad  Warren decided to get back out there, too. Naturally, there were some awkward experiences.

My family, mainly the kids, definitely noticed how fancy I looked when I was going out, she said. They were used to a lot more casual mom-wear.

She also accidentally sent some texts meant for dates to her ex, which was pretty cringey: The kind of texting was quite different than what Id usually send him, Warren said.

The actors advice for the mayor and his wife or any other couples navigating a similar arrangement?

Keep family dinners intact, and if dating, err on the side of caution, she said, and dont bring people home until youre confident the relationship has legs.

Also, some advice for the mayor: Dont send explicit pics to your date, she joked. We dont like that.

For Jo, who asked to use her first name only to protect her privacy, it was less of an outright decision to stay under the same roof with her ex-husband and more of a lets wait and see what happens while not having sex situation.

The couple separated in 2016 after 12 years of marriage, and finalized their divorce in 2021, but theyre both still living in the same family home in Minnesota.

Its just so much easier for us financially and as parents in one household, Jo told HuffPost.

Keep family dinners intact, and if dating, eron the side of caution, said Kate Warren, an actor in New York City, who separated from her husband in January 2016 but didnt end up moving out until 2022.

Keep family dinners intact, and if dating, eron the side of caution, said Kate Warren, an actor in New York City, who separated from her husband in January 2016 but didnt end up moving out until 2022.

Th exes slept in the same bed, platonically, for about a year, though they eventually stopped doing that. Now, theyre back in the same bed.

Weve become a lot more comfortable with each other as the years have gone by, and at some point in the past year we started to sleep in the same room again, the 41-year-old said. There is still nothing physical between us, but I think we both feel comfort and security being together.

When it comes to dating, they initially had a provisional dont ask, dont tell policy, but that was almost impossible to maintain, Jo said.

We both actually found out accidentally, and I would say it was very painful for both of us, Jo said. Once we were able to openly discuss it and be honest with each other, things were a lot easier and less awkward.

Neither parties are publicly (or Instagram-officially) dating anyone. Jo said that wasnt a discussed choice, but more of a logistical and emotional consideration, given their close proximity.

I dont want to cause the other person any heartache that wasnt necessary, she said.

Really, the only thing missing from my life is sex and romance, and I have realized Im OK being without that part for the time being  and of course, plenty of people that are still married are also living without those things, she said.

Jo likens her arrangement to ethical non-monogamy where theyre each still deeply considering each others feelings.

The couples we spoke to said they tried to keep dating on the down low, to various levels of success.

The couples we spoke to said they tried to keep dating on the down low, to various levels of success.

What do others think, especially their dates?

The person I was seeing had complete knowledge of my situation, had been through a really difficult divorce himself and wasnt looking for a traditional relationship per se, she said. I never met his children even though we saw each other for several years, he didnt meet my family, we didnt go out much publicly or spend holidays together.

Their close friends know about the divorce, but many of their acquaintances just figure theyre another married couple in town.

Honestly, we probably seem to get along better than many married couples, so in our community weve faced very little awkwardness, she said.

Ultimately, Jo said, she couldnt care less if anyone has the record straight: Married or not, other people dont really have to know what goes on at anyones home or bedroom.

David, a divorced man in Northern California who also asked that his last name not be published to protect his privacy, is still living with his ex-wife as well. They separated in 2008, after about eight years together and raising his exs two kids from an earlier relationship together.

It wasnt just finances that kept them under one roof initially; at the time, Davids ex was dealing with some undiagnosed mental health issues, and he wanted to be there to help. (I was also incredibly self-centered and almost wholly disconnected from my emotions at the time, he told HuffPost.)

Davids ex was the first to start dating, but only because she was more successful at it, he said. The exes even tried to take a stab at their relationship again at some point.

When that didnt work, I tried to date again, but I wasnt clear in my ending things with my ex, he said. She was devastated when she found out I was trying to date while she was still hoping we could make it work.

When she found out, the couple got into a shouting match that was so loud, the neighbors called the police on them.

It was an ugly mess that I still regret to this day, David said. It reached the point that I went to live at a friends for six months instead.

I assumed [our living arrangement] would be a huge red flag for women, but as it turned out, the first couple of women I went on dates with were in the same situation.David, a divorced man in Northern California who still lives with his ex after separating in 2008

Therapy  and plenty of emotional growth on both their parts  followed, and after those six months, the former couple moved back in together, now just to save money.

Fifteen years later, theyre still living together. They mulled going their separate ways, but then COVID happened. Its funny how clarifying the pandemic was in a lot of ways, because shortly before it hit, we were talking about selling the house and either getting a better place or going our own ways, he said. But then it turned out going through lockdowns, distancing, and all the rest was a lot easier with someone else in the house.

His ex-wife is now in a relationship with a guy who David thinks is great. David dates here and there, too: I assumed [our living arrangement] would be a huge red flag for women, but as it turned out, the first couple of women I went on dates with were in the same situation, he said.

Davids advice to Mayor Bill and his wife is simple: Communicate, early and often.

Not just talk, but communicate, he said. You have to be able to have the difficult talks, and you need to be able to not just set your own boundaries, but respect theirs, too.

While arrangements like his may seem unconventional  they certainly dont get spoken about often  David thinks such scenarios will be a growing trend.

Until housing is stabilized in the U.S., I think a lot more people are going to end up in this situation, and society is going to have to adjust to it whether it wants to or not, he said.

Exes will have to adjust, too, and the best way to do that is to try to excavate the friendship at the root of a marriage.

My first therapist said that what happens in a lot of relationships is that people lack the self-awareness or self-honesty to own their own mistakes, he recalled. So when the relationship fails, they blame everything on their ex and end up hating them.

Youre exes for a reason, David said. But if youre willing to own your own shit and show grace towards their mistakes, you can find a way to leave [the negativity] in the past.

Not in a just bury it and dont think about it kind of way, either, he said.

You really have to acknowledge the hurt you both gave and received, while also recognizing how youve both grown, too, he said.

Related...
Two men have been charged in the death of 10-year-old Brandon E. Scott, who was shot and killed on Monday night at his family home on Roosevelt Avenue near Belleville.

Devin Dunbar, 20, of Riaza Square St., Spanish Lake, Missouri; and Jaylen P. Nicks, of Sugar Pine Drive, Florissant, Missouri, 26, are each charged with first-degree murder, authorities announced Friday. Dunbar is being held on $1.25 million bond and Nicks is being held on $1 million bond in St. Louis County.

The suspects are acquainted with the family and individuals connected to the scene, Belleville Police Master Sgt. Shane Brown, deputy commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, said at a press conference Friday morning.

Were confident that this was not just a random act of violence, that the individuals involved had some knowledge of the location they were going to, he said. There is an acquaintance of the family or an acquaintance of individuals who were on the scene.

Brandon was shot and killed Monday night at his home at 1800 Roosevelt Ave. The home is in St. Clair County and near the city limits of Belleville.

Deputies found the youth when they responded to a 9:57 p.m. report of someone being shot, according to Sgt. James Hendricks of the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department. Brandon was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

Brandons father, Wendel Scott Jr., told the BND this week that Brandon was playing a video game when someone shot at the house.

At the press conference, Brown did not expand on any additional details regarding the circumstances of Brandons death.

Im not going to release that portion of it. Thatll be further down the line due to the circumstances ... theres still the possibilities of witnesses out that we need to interview, he said.

The criminal complaint states that the defendants discharged a firearm into the residence located at 1800 Roosevelt Avenue, Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois, striking Brandon Scott about the body.

Charging documents related to the Belleville activation. pic.twitter.com/MQlOlQFIY8  MajorCase St. Louis (@MajorCaseSTL) July 7, 2023

Scott and Brandons aunt, Debbie Moore, said Friday they are thankful to the Major Case Squad and the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department for all of their work on case.

Scott said he is very elated to know that the people who killed my son have been arrested and will be punished.

He said he and his family plan to see this case to the end and the two people who are responsible receive justice to the fullest extent of the law. He said it is a happy day but the real happiness will come when these people are sentenced in a court of law.

Responding to the news that the arrests were made, Moore shouted: Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Oh God is good. 

Brown expressed his condolences to the entire family.

The Major Case Squad would like to express their condolences to the family of Brandon Scott, Brown said. This unfortunate and tragic event not only touched his family but the community as a whole. 10-year-old Brandon Scott lost the opportunity to live out a prosperous life because of the senseless acts of those who were charged in this investigation.

St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson thanked all agencies involved in the case.

Id like to thank Shane Brown and his team of investigators and the St. Clair County States Attorneys Office. As you can see, this is a team effort, he said. We also had to have people working with us from St. Louis County across the river. This came to a successful conclusion and Id like to say thank you to all of you.

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is continuing its investigation. Brown said he was not sure when Dunbar and Nicks would be extradited back to Illinois.

St. Clair County States Attorneys office will be working on extradition. If they waive it, it should be a short time, but theres no guarantee on that, he said.

Anyone with information should call 618-825-5200 or 618-825-2051.

Its still an open investigation, Brown said. The sheriffs department and Major Case Squad are still active right now. So were still taking any leads, phone calls, or any information about witnesses that are involved in this.
ISTANBUL, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday met with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in the Turkish city of Istanbul, the Turkish presidency said.

This is Zelensky's first visit to Turkiye since the conflict broke out between his country and Russia in February 2022, but he has often spoken on the phone with Erdogan, whose country has been pushing for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

The two presidents met at night at the Vahdettin Palace on the Asian side of the city. The leaders are due to hold a press conference later.

"Finishing a busy day in Turkiye," Zelensky tweeted, followed by another tweet of an image of the two leaders shaking hands. "Coordination of positions on the peace formula, the NATO summit, security guarantees, and the grain initiative" were discussed, he said.

The talks between the two leaders were expected to focus on the ongoing conflict and a deal that allows Ukraine to export grain and other agricultural products from its Black Sea ports. The deal brokered by Turkiye and the United Nations will expire on July 17 unless Russia agrees to its renewal.

Reconstruction of Ukraine and defense contracts between Turkish and Ukrainian companies also figured high in his talks with Erdogan, Zelensky said.

The visit also comes ahead of a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, next week, where Western leaders within the military alliance will meet on a range of topics, including Ukraine's membership bids. 
A Lafayette Police cruiser sits parked along Foxhall Street, Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 in Lafayette. The cruiser is the latest model of police interceptors the department has deployed.

LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Keith Earnest's nearly three-year career with Lafayette police ended with his resignation Feb. 15 under allegations he used racial slurs at a social event on Jan. 30, according to Lafayette police.

Police released the factual circumstances on Thursday surrounding Earnest's resignation.

Another Lafayette police officer and his wife witnessed Earnest's use of racial slurs and socially intolerant behavior. That officer filed an internal complaint about Earnest's behavior on Feb. 1, and Earnest was put on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, according to Chief Scott Galloway's summary of the internal investigation.

Earnest faced discipline for unbecoming conduct and for truthfulness, according to the summary.

Former Lafayette Police Officer Keith Ernest on April 3, 2020, the day he was sworn in as an officer. Earnest resigned on Feb. 15, 2023, after being accused of using racial slurs and displaying socially intolerant behavior during a social event.

"On February 15, 2023, Earnest resigned from the Lafayette Police Department before initiation of disciplinary proceedings with the Lafayette Police Civil Service Commission," the summary states.

Police hired Earnest on April 3, 2020. In a Lafayette police news release about his hiring, Earnest was from Chicago and was a 2012 graduate3 of Olivet Nazarene University. He enlisted in the Army and rose to the rank of sergeant.

He left the Army in 2017 with an honorable discharge.

Eight days after he resigned from the police department, Nicholas Brown filed a civil lawsuit naming Earnest, the city of Lafayette and Lafayette Police Department as defendants.

Brown's lawsuit alleges that Earnest stopped Brown on Aug. 24, 2022, for an alleged traffic violation. The stop happened in front of Brown's home, according to the lawsuit.

Brown got out of his car, and Earnest got out of his police car with his firearm aimed at Brown, according to the lawsuit.

Earnest commanded Brown to put his hands in the air and turn around, which Brown did, according to the lawsuit.

Earnest then fired his Taser at Brown, causing him to fall to the ground, according to the lawsuit, which alleges Brown was arrested and jailed without probable cause.

Earnest's behavior  as well as his association as a Lafayette Police officer and an employee of Lafayette  subjects all three to Brown's allegations that his rights were violated under the state and federal constitutions.

"Ofc. Earnest's actions constitute gross negligence, were criminal, and were willful or wanton misconduct," the lawsuit alleges.

Brown seeks compensation for his personal injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, mental anguish and other losses, according to the lawsuit, which also asks for attorneys' fees, costs and expenses.

The Journal & Courier emailed and telephoned Galloway and City Attorney Jacque Chosnek for comment. They replied that they did not have any comments.

The Journal & Courier could not find contact information for Earnest.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: LPD officer resigned under allegations of using racial slurs
Lukashenko brushes off concerns over democratic backsliding, claims he works, rather than rules

Dictator Lukashenko

Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has dismissed criticism of his authoritarian rule, saying that is a worker and not a dictator, state propaganda outlet BelTA reported on July 7.

"As for the last dictator of Europe, you should be apologizing to me already," Lukashenko said.

You should have already moved away from this definition. I am not a dictator, and even if I am, I am not the last one.

"If you think that while in power here, I have received something excessive, or if I have received anything at all, you are mistaken."

There is nothing of the sort. I work in a big, high position that the people have entrusted to me. I am working. I am not ruling.

Read also: Lukashenko orders Belarusian army to full combat readiness

In fact, Lukashenko is a dictator, frequently rigging elections in Belarus to make it appear he has legitimacy and popular support. In power since July 1994, he brutally repressed Belarusians in 2020 following sham presidential elections that observers condemned as neither free nor fair, his secret police throwing hundreds of opposition activists into prison.

Lukashenko issued a new series of threats and fake grievances against the collective West on June 30.

The BelTA news agency quoted Lukashenko making claims that Western politicians were "putting Europe's head on a nuclear guillotine with their own hands," while harboring "hatred for everything Slavic."

Lukashenko's remarks echoed narratives promoted by Russian President Vladimir Putin, and have been criticized as reflecting an authoritarian worldview that casts the West as an enemy.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
(Bloomberg) -- Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva yielded to pressure from a prominent political party and agreed to replace a cabinet minister as he continues his efforts to solidify his base in congress.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Lulas minister of institutional affairs, Alexandre Padilha, announced in a statement Thursday that he would replace Tourism Minister Daniela Carneiro with congressman Celso Sabino, a member of the center-right Uniao Brasil party that holds 59 seats in the 513-member lower house.

Uniao Brasils leaders have for months demanded the switch, after Carneiro and her husband, Waguinho, an influential local politician in the Rio de Janeiro state, decided to leave the party.

The presidents allies have denied that a broad ministerial reform is underway. Instead, Lula is seeking to shore up support from Uniao Brasil, which holds more seats than any party outside the opposition coalition, to ensure the approval of key agenda items including an upcoming tax reform.

For now, Lulas crucial economic proposals have found broad support among lawmakers, including from some members of the opposition. His plan to bolster public accounts passed both houses of congress and now only requires a final approval from the lower house before it can be signed into law.

Yet Lula and his team have been forced to engage in last-minute negotiations and make substantial concessions in order to secure the fiscal bills passage. In June, the government was also forced to accept a deal that stripped some powers from his environment and Indigenous affairs ministries in exchange for the approval of his cabinet structure.

Read More: Brazil Congress Backs Lulas Cabinet, But Tests Green Agenda

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Luther Khachigian, a politically influential central San Joaquin Valley farmer who advocated agricultural-friendly policies, died late last month.

He was 87 years old when he passed away June 20.

With strong political ties dating to President Richard Nixons tenure, Khachigian often fought for farmer-friendly policies with a no-hold-back approach.

And he solely backed politicians who, too, were advocates of the agriculture industry.

To those who werent farmer friendly in Khachigians eyes, he had no issue confronting such opposition even if he came off as brash.

Im mean-spirited, Khachigian admitted to The Bee in 1996.

Four years prior, Khachigian organized a protest in Visalia and criticized then-Democratic Senate candidate Dianne Feinstein in person for what he perceived as her lack of respect for agriculture.

How it began, who benefited

While Khachigian didnt mind upsetting others, he usually only did so while fighting for farming.

It was his passion, which was heavily influenced by being born on his familys 60-acre grape and walnut farm in Visalia.

Specifically, Khachigian was a grape grower and farmed in the 330,000-acre Kaweah Delta Water Conservation District.

He also excelled as a businessman, which led to a lucrative career that allowed Khachigian to financially support politicians as well as generously donate to various charities and organizations through the years.

Then Cal-Western Nurseries CEO Luther Khachigian, left, with the groups president Jesus Gutierrez.

In 1999, Khachigian donated a 1979 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II for auctioning to benefit the Armenian Community School of Fresno.

Khachigian also helped start a grape nursery in Armenia with the Armenia Technology Group.

In addition, he contributed to ongoing support of the Armenian Eyecare Project and the underwriting of the John Ohannes Khachigian Regional Eye Center in Gyumri, Armenia, that provides quality eye care access in that remote region.

Political outspokenness

Perhaps Khachigians most influential time with politics occurred during the 1980s while backing and co-chairing the San Joaquin Valley for California Governor George Deukmejians winning campaigns in 1982 and 1986.

A decade later, Khachigian continued to publicly support farmer-friendly politicians.

He even tried to persuade then-Gov. Pete Wilson not to run for president and instead continue to focus on California.

Governor Wilson has been a farmer-friendly governor, Khachigian said then. We dont want Gray Davis appointing the states secretary of agriculture.

Though he endorsed primarily conservative views, Khachigian didnt hold back against those he disagreed with.

Khachigian once spoke against a then 23-year-old Devin Nunes as the young politician pursued a seat on the College of Sequoias Board of Trustees.

Khachigian, who supported Nunes opponent, harshly criticized Nunes as being too young and inexperienced for the post.

But when Nunes resoundingly won the election for the board of trustee seat, Khachigian pivoted to embrace Nunes, who managed his familys dairy business in Pixley at the time and would go on to become a U.S representative.

Well welcome him on board, Khachigian said of Nunes in 1996. Hes one of us. Hes a Republican, hes a conservative, hes an agriculturalist.

Khachigian also made sure to speak up whenever he thought government was overreaching, and continued to do even as he approached his 80s.

They deserve to be sued, Khachigian said in 2012 of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Table Grape Commission over grapevine patents. They dont belong in the nursery business ... Theyre interfering in a business they dont know anything about.

Impacting others

Among those Khachigian helped influenced in politics and help implement farm-friendly policies was his youngest brother Ken.

A San Clemente lawyer, Ken Khachigian would go on to be named a top adviser to Bob Doles presidential campaign in 1996.

Ken also was a senior adviser, media consultant, strategist and writer for the successful Reagan-Bush and Bush-Quayle campaigns.

Hes not mean-spirited, Luther Khachigian of his youngest brother then. Im mean-spirited ...

I have a close relationship with my baby brother. Were sons of an Armenian immigrant who didnt even know where Harvard was.

Luther Khachigian was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Glenda L. Khachigian. Together the couple raised five children  Grant, Denise, Teresa, Elizabeth and Luther II.

Khachigian is survived by his brother Ken and sister-in-law Meredith, his son Luther Khachigian II and daughter-in-law Tracy, and his fiance Claudette Mekalian.

Contributions in Khachigians memory can be made to: Armenian Eye Care Project, 100 W. Foothill Blvd. Suite 203, San Dimas, CA. 91773.
Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi has criticised UNESCO for its response to the Russian attack on the city on the night of 5-6 July, which damaged the buffer zone of the World Heritage site.

Source: Sadovyi on Telegram

Quote: "Yesterday, UNESCO condemned the missile attacks on the historic centre of Lviv. However, they did not dare to name the terrorist country that carried out these attacks. Moreover, Russia remains a member of the organisation's executive committee."

Details: Sadovyi added that he had not seen any representatives of the organisation that protects historical heritage at the site of the missile strike.

Quote: "The ability to call a spade a spade is one of the hallmarks of a culture that you must protect. Reconsider your values!"

Photo: Andrii Sadovyi / Telegram

More details: After the strike, it turned out that a local architectural landmark, a residential complex at 50-76 Stryiska Street, had been damaged. It was built in 1930 and designed by architect Micha Ryba.

The early functionalist building was divided into many small apartments, most of which were lived in by teaching staff from Lviv Polytechnic. The building was structured around a large, enclosed courtyard with access to most entrances.

Photo: modernism.lviv-online.com

Photo: modernism.lviv-online.com

Photo: modernism.lviv-online.com

Minister of Culture and Information Policy Oleksandr Tkachenko reacted to the attack on the site, saying that Ukraine would be immediately officially informing UNESCO of the Russian attack on this historic heritage site in Lviv. "As always, we are waiting for more than just deep concern," he said.

UNESCO then issued an official statement on the attack on the historic building in Lviv. It noted that the missile attack was a violation of the World Heritage Convention and the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property, but the statement did not specify who was behind the attack on Lviv.

Background:

On the night of 5-6 July, the Russians fired Kalibr cruise missiles on Lviv. The attack damaged a critical infrastructure facility, and a Russian missile hit a multi-storey residential building.

According to the latest data, the number of people killed in the attack on Lviv was 10. 42 people were injured, including 3 children.

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Lyft driver who was interpreter for U.S. in Afghanistan killed in D.C.

Police are investigating after a man who served as an interpreter for U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan was shot and killed in Washington, D.C. earlier this week.

The man, whom Washington, D.C. police identified as 31-year-old Nasrat Ahmad Yar, was found inside of a vehicle on the 400 Block of 11th Street in the northeastern part of the city on July 3. Police described him as a shooting victim, but did not provide further information.

Nasrat Ahmad Yar / Credit: GoFundMe

D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services took him to a local hospital, but life-saving measures failed and Yar died, police said.

Home surveillance video shared by police captured four people fleeing the scene. Three are wearing dark clothing and one has on a white hoodie. One person can be heard saying, "You killed him! He was about to get out." Another responds with, "He was reaching, bro."

According to CBS affiliate WUSA9, Ahmad Yar had been working a late-night shift as a Lyft driver.

"He was so happy he got a new car because he could take care of his family," his best friend Rahim Amini told WUSA9. "His wife asked him to stay home but he said, 'I have to pay rent. I don't have that much money. I have to work.'"

Lyft confirmed to WUSA9 that Ahmad Yar was a driver on their platform, saying in a statement that they have "reached out to his family to offer our support and are in contact with law enforcement to assist with their investigation."

Ahmad Yar was a father of four who moved to Alexandria, Virginia, less than a year ago. He and his family left Afghanistan in 2021, after the fall of Kabul, and first lived in Philadelphia before moving to the D.C. area because they felt unsafe after Ahmad Yar was robbed at gunpoint in Philadelphia.

Retired Lt. Col. Matthew Butler told WUSA9 that the family had to leave Afghanistan because Ahmad Yar was considered a target for the Taliban because of his work helping U.S. forces.

"He was most certainly a marked man if he stayed," Butler told WUSA9. "He served this country a great deal more than I did. I did 42 months in combat but that was nowhere near what he had."

Butler said that he worked closely with Ahmad Yar during two of his deployments, and said that he helped him start the immigration process before the Taliban took over Afghanistan.

"You just don't have words to describe how you feel about someone who had given so much to his country, not as a citizen, but then comes here and experiences some of the worst behavior our country has to offer," Butler said. "The irony is really thick here."

A GoFundMe campaign has been organized to support Ahmad Yar's family. As of Friday morning, it had already surpassed its $75,000 goal. A local Afghan community group is also hosting a fundraiser for funeral costs and living expenses for Ahmad Yar's family, which has already fulfilled most of its $40,000 goal.

Police said they were offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Nar's killers.

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California, truck makers reach deal to ban diesel big rigs

Yellen talks trade in China, air travel to Europe surging | MoneyWatch International
FILE - The morning fog lifts beyond the Burton M. Cross Building, left, and the State House, Wednesday, June 21, 2023, in Augusta, Maine. Maine lawmakers are meeting ,Thursday, July 6, 2023, for votes to enact a bill expand access to abortions and to override a bill to allow more federal laws to apply to Native American tribes in the State. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  The Maine Legislature gave final approval Thursday to a proposal to expand access to abortions later in pregnancy, sending the bill to the governor for her signature.

Once signed into law by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, as expected, Maine will have one of the least restrictive abortion laws in the country.

Current state law bans abortions after a fetus becomes viable outside the womb, at roughly 24 weeks, but allows an exception if the patients life is at risk. The bill would allow abortions at any time if deemed medically necessary by a doctor.

The Senate enacted the bill 20-11 on Thursday, sending it to the governor's desk.

Democrats control both chambers of the Maine Legislature but that didn't prevent emotional debate over the proposal, with opponents regularly appearing in the State House to make their voices heard.

Some opponents of the bill said it goes too far, allowing a major expansion of abortions and putting too much trust in doctors to say when the procedure is appropriate. Supporters said the bill would apply to patients only in rare instances in which patients learn later in pregnancy that the fetus won't survive.

Republican Sen. Eric Brakey of Auburn said Thursday it was difficult to understand why other lawmakers didn't include language requiring doctors to make a fatal diagnosis, and he expressed concern about the bill's language being used as a pretext for something much bigger."

He didn't clarify further, and urged the bill's supporters to vote it down.

But Democratic Sen. Anne Carney of Cape Elizabeth said the bill was about showing compassion for people in a difficult circumstances.

Theres no pretext," Carney said. What the bill is really about is ensuring that women and families get the most compassionate health care they can  and the most accurate, medically necessary health care within the medical standards of care, in these tragic circumstances.

Currently, only six other states leave the decision to get an abortion to doctors and their patients, without restrictions. They are Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C.

Abortions later in pregnancy are rare. Nationally, about 1% happen after 21 weeks, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tallies, which do not have full data from every state.

Mills said during her reelection campaign last year that she was content with the existing abortion law but since then, she changed her mind.

In January, the governor was joined by legislative leaders in unveiling a proposal to expand abortion access in response to the story of a Maine woman who had to travel to Colorado for an abortion after discovering 32 weeks into her pregnancy that the fetus would not survive outside the womb.

___

Associated Press writer Geoff Mulvihill in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, contributed to this report.
Four drones attack near border, then deep into Kursk Oblast over a day

Russias Kursk Oblast, bordering Ukraine to the north, came under a sustained drone attack on July 6, local Russian news outlets have reported.

Around 11 a.m., local media reported that a drone dropped a bomb near the hamlet of Vedmezhy, about a kilometer from the border with Ukraine.

An hour-and-a-half later, a kamikaze drone attacked the village of Tyotkino, about 25 kilometers to the west, and also close the Russian border with Ukraine. No one was injured in the explosion.

Read also: Drone attacks FSB administration in Kursk Oblast, five Russian border guards injured

Another drone was subsequently sighted over the same village and shot down by Russian border guards. An hour later, yet another drone dropped two explosive devices near the village.

Around 9 p.m., a further drone again dropped an explosive device on an electrical substation in Lyubimovka, a small village about 20 kilometers to the southeast of the regional capital, Kursk. No one was injured in the explosion.

The report of the drone attacks in Kursk Oblast is the latest in a spate of such reports from Russia. On May 30, Russian media reported that the Russian capital Moscow had been attacked by drones, with two drones hitting residential buildings.

More than 10 drones were shot down in Moscow Oblast during the attack, most of them in the Istra, Krasnogorsk, and Odintsovo districts.

One of the drones was also shot down near Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's Novo-Ogaryovo residence.

Many of the drones were of types known to have been developed or used by the Ukrainian military. Ukraine, however, has denied attacking Russia with drones.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ron DeSantis thumbed his nose at public health experts throughout much of the Covid-19 pandemic, cracking down on institutions looking to impose preventative measures, appointing an anti-vax surgeon general who doctored data to support his stance, and even forming a state committee to counter recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.

NBC News is now reporting that two key public health positions in the governor and presidential candidates administration are empty. The openings include the chief of the Florida Health Departments Bureau of Epidemiology, as well as the bureaus head of surveillance. The bureau tracks and combats the spread of infectious disease throughout the state.

NBC News points out that the CDC issued an alert for new cases of malaria in Florida just days ago.

These are critical public health functions, Dr. Aileen Marty, an infectious disease expert at Florida International University, told NBC News. There has, unfortunately, been recent politicization of the use of vaccines and health services for refugees and other immigrants, which may explain the challenges in filling this vital position.

Florida hasnt had anyone at the top of the Bureau of Epidemiology since last month, and the surveillance administrator position has been empty since March.

DeSantis announced his bid for the White House in May, and quickly made his handling of the pandemic  and his antipathy toward institutional health experts  a plank of his campaign. The governor has gone hard after Donald Trump on the issue, bashing the former president for supporting a vaccine to combat a disease that has killed over one million Americans.

DeSantis even released an attack ad last month mocking Trump for not firing the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the height of the pandemic. The ad included AI-generated imagines of Trump hugging and kissing Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Donald Trump became a household name by FIRING countless people *on television*



But when it came to Fauci pic.twitter.com/7Lxwf75NQm  DeSantis War Room  (@DeSantisWarRoom) June 5, 2023

DeSantis is currently presiding over a state lacking a head of its epidemiology bureau at a time when malaria has cropped up within its borders for the first time in two decades. The climate crisis is only going to heighten the risk of infectious disease, which means the nation would probably be wise to avoid installing an anti-science ideologue like DeSantis in the White House.

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Jerry Mennenga/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

As the election cycle heats up, Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis wants you to know that the left is coming for your children, and Ron DeSantis is the only person who can save them.

She launched "Mamas for DeSantis"a national version of the group she founded during the Florida governor's 2022 reelection campaignon Thursday, releasing an ad that describes the left-wing assault on America's children with breathless fervor.

"When you come after our kids, we fight back, because there's nothing we won't do to protect our children. They're not yours," Casey DeSantis narrates over smoky footage of crying toddlers in masks, clips of Pride parades, and photos of Lia Thomas and other transgender athletes. "We will not allow you to exploit their innocence to advance your agenda."

The ad, which comes on the heels of a now-deleted campaign video targeting Donald Trump's comparatively pro-LGBT record, solidifies DeSantis as the candidate of the too online.

From the beginning, the DeSantis campaign has been marked by an almost singular focus on culture-war issues. Generally eschewing economic proposals, DeSantis instead seems more interested in ginning up support from right-wing Twitter trolls than a broad coalition of Republican voters.

This was made clear by Thursday's campaign ad; it approaches subjects that should be relative slam-dunks for DeSantisschool choice and opposition to COVID school closures and mask mandateswith an off-puttingly conspiratorial edge. Instead of focusing on DeSantis' actual policy record, it instead makes a Helen Lovejoy-esque plea to think of the childrencomplete with a photo of a little girl with a kinkster in a leather dog mask.

While the ad was surely a hit with Libs of TikTok fans, it's not exactly clear how the messaging is supposed to attract voters who aren't glued to the right-wing internet. Instead of leaning into his previous reputation as a sanerand more electableexecutor of Trumpist policy, DeSantis is now trying to cast himself as an even more right-wing version of Trump.

But instead of gaining new support from Trump devotees, DeSantis will likely end up alienating the same voters he most needs to attractRepublicans who can barely stomach supporting someone as sleazy and bombastic as Donald Trump.

Unfortunately for DeSantis, while culture war issues dominate the far left and far rightthe loudest voices on online platformsaverage voters are consistently less interested. Time and time again, polling shows that economic issues dominate voters' interest, with concern over government leadership, immigration, and crime following behind.

DeSantis doesn't need to sensationalize to get an easy win on the kinds of issues Mamas for DeSantis is presumably focused on. Education has been a solid topic for Republicans in recent yearsespecially as the COVID school closures favored by Democrats can be solidly blamed for disastrous declines in educational outcomes. A calmer, more effective ad would focus on DeSantis' consistent opposition to COVID-19 school closures and his solid record advancing school choice in Florida. But that wouldn't feel quite as nice as owning the libs.

The post 'Mamas for DeSantis' Is Proof: The DeSantis Campaign Is Too Online appeared first on Reason.com.
MEXICO CITY, July 7 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were injured after a fire broke out on an offshore platform of state-owned Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), located in Campeche Sound in the Gulf of Mexico, the company reported Friday.

Pemex said that at about 5:25 a.m. local time, "a fire broke out in the Nohoch-A link platform and later in the compression platform, so the Emergency Shutdown System was activated and four vessels were sent to control the fire."

The oil company said in a statement that 328 workers were at the process center, and 321 of those were evacuated.

During his daily press conference, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reported on the blaze and said there were "three or four" workers still missing.

"There was an explosion in the early morning at a gas production platform. It is being attended to. Pemex firefighters are there and the Navy is there," he said. 
Man accused of killing mother, aunt in double homicide found dead in Beaver County Jail, DA says

A man accused of killing his mother and aunt in a double homicide was found dead in the Beaver County Jail on Friday morning, the District Attorney said.

RELATED >>> Man charged, accused of killing his mother, aunt in New Sewickley Township double homicide

Benjamin D. Selby, 43, was in jail on charges connected to a double homicide on June 24 that left two women dead.

Mary Lihosit, 65 of Irving, Texas, and Delores Selby, 71, of New Sewickley Township, were killed in the shooting.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> 2 women dead after shooting in Beaver County, suspect identified

Selby was charged with two counts of criminal homicide and one count of kidnapping for ransom.

Channel 11 learned Friday that Selby was wheelchair-bound and refusing treatment inside the Beaver County Jail.

Those actions led him to an isolation cell with around-the-clock observations before his death Friday morning.

Mr. Selby who is a suspect in a double homicide was found dead in his cell this morning at about 8:30 in the morning and he was declared dead after live-saving measures failed, said Beaver County District Attorney Dave Lozier.

It comes less than two weeks after 43-year-old Selby was booked into the Beaver County Jail.

New Sewickley Township Police said Selby shot and killed both his mother and aunt inside a home on Klein Road on June 24th before having a standoff with police.

Wheelchair-bound, from a motorcycle accident earlier in life, he was eventually put into an isolation cell.

He was refusing from being transferred from the wheelchair into the bed, he was sleeping in the wheelchair and was not cooperating with jail personnel, Lozier said.

Lozier told Channel 11 he was also refusing medication and any treatment, so he was being checked by correction officers every 15 minutes. Thats when he was found slumped over with a pulse.

At this point, Lozier said the autopsy is underway and there is no sign of trauma or suicide.

The coroners office will make the final decision on the cause and manner of death in about 6 to 8 weeks because it will take that long for microscopic evaluations to be done, and the labs to be returned and there will be medical considerations here because he was in a wheelchair for a number of years, Lozier said.

The last time an inmate died in the Beaver County Jail was over two years ago.

As for the homicide case, Lozier said it will be dismissed Monday morning.

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Person fatally shot while riding bike in Pittsburghs North Side Man dead after vehicle crashes over hillside in Pittsburgh 2 women dead after shooting in Beaver County, suspect identified VIDEO: 2 people shot in Homewood South bar parking lot DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
A man was arrested early Friday morning after he allegedly fired a gun inside a University of Kentucky parking garage, according to the university.

UK police received a report that a man was outside UK Chandler Hospital with a gun shortly before 3:30 a.m. Friday. The university said the man went into the parking garage on Transcript Avenue and fired three shots at the walls and ceiling of the garage.

The man was detained by UK and Lexington police, according to the university. Charges were pending.

No one was injured in the shooting, the university said. The man was evaluated at the hospital.

The UK Police Department issued a warning for people to avoid the area when the shots were reported, but cleared the area and said it was safe about 30 minutes later.
A LifeFlight helicopter is pictured at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Wednesday, June 20, 2012. A man was transported by medical helicopter to a hospital with critical injuries he suffered when part of a power line structure fell on him in Spanish Fork Canyon Thursday. | Ravell Call, Deseret News

A 22-year-old man was critically injured when part of a power line tower fell on him in Spanish Fork Canyon Thursday.

The man had been helping to build a high-transmission power line tower when part of it fell, trapping him for a time, Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon said.

Deputies and emergency medical personnel responded to the scene near Dairy Fork about 12 p.m. The man was taken to Utah Valley Hospital in Provo via medical helicopter.

"The folks that were with him gave really good information about his condition and exactly where they were so we were able to get right to where they were as quickly as we possibly could," Cannon said.

The portion of the tower that fell was around 20 feet long, he said, saying it was "much like an old erector set, except on a much larger scale.

"He was in pretty bad shape, in a lot of pain," Cannon said.

Deputies initially reported that the man was 20-year-old, but later said he was 22.

More information was not immediately available.

This story will be updated.

Around noon today @UCSO Deputies & @SpanishForkPDFE EMS responded near Dairy Fork in Spanish Fork canyon. A 20 year old man was critically injured when part of a power line tower structure fell on him. @Intermountain LifeFlight transported him to Utah Valley Hospital in Provo. pic.twitter.com/e0QHPzqEb4  Spencer Cannon (@SGTCannonPIO) July 6, 2023

Contributing: Ladd Egan
Man disappeared after fire at his Georgia home. Deputies just charged a woman with murder

A Kansas woman has been arrested in connection to a Georgia mans disappearance earlier this year.

Newton County sheriff officials said 35-year-old Danetta Knoblauch of Wichita, Kansas was arrested on July 4 in connection to the disappearance of Melvin Cooksey.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2 Action News first reported the story in March when deputies said they began investigating Cookeys disappearance.

On February 23, Newton County deputies responded to a fire at the home of Melvin Cooksey on Mote Road in Covington.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said Cooksey was paralyzed on his left side and required medical equipment and services left inside the house.

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Investigators added that Cooksey was not found inside the house following the fire, and they do not believe that he left his home willingly.

Witnesses said the car seen leaving his home was a white 2006 Ford Focus hatchback with a Kansas tag of C0255.

We have reason to believe that the vehicle is involved with the disappearance of Cooksey, the Newton County Sheriffs Office said in April. We have reason to believe that the driver is a brown-skinned male, and the passenger is a light-brown-skinned female.

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Knoblauch was charged with murder, aggravated assault and arson.

Deputies have not clarified what Knoblauchs role was in the investigation and if there will be additional arrests in the case.

The investigation remains ongoing.

IN OTHER NEWS:
DELRAY BEACH  A 22-year-old man is facing a first-degree murder charge after his arrest this week in connection to the stabbing death of a woman last month near the Kings Point community in suburban Delray Beach.

Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office investigators allege that Christopher Diego Soto fatally stabbed the 51-year-old woman, whose body was found on the morning of June 25 in a canal along the 5500 block of West Atlantic Avenue.

Jail records list Soto, who deputies took into custody Monday, as having an address in Coral Springs, but his arrest report indicates he recently was living with his girlfriend and her grandmother in Kings Point.

Cold case: Boynton man to spend life in prison after decades-old rape kit DNA linked him to 1985 murder

Investigators said the 51-year-old woman had been staying in the same home for a few days after leaving a home nearby following an argument with an older relative.

Soto reportedly told his girlfriend that he had sex with the older woman the morning of June 23. However, the arrest report did not indicate a motive for the killing.

Woman stabbed eight times, three of them to the heart

Soto also faces charges of tampering with evidence and giving a false statement to police. During a hearing Tuesday at the Palm Beach County Jail, Circuit Judge Scott Kerner assigned Soto a public defender and ordered that he be held without bail on the murder charge.

As a policy, the Palm Beach County Public Defenders Office does not comment on open cases.

Authorities did not disclose the name of the woman who died, saying that her family invoked its right to privacy under a 2018 state constitutional amendment modeled after Californias Marsys Law.

According to Sotos arrest report, the woman had been stabbed eight times, with three stab wounds to the chest penetrating her heart. Her body was partially submerged in the canal and wrapped in a black blanket with a floral pattern.

The arrest report said detectives identified the deceased woman after her relative contacted them following reports of a body being discovered.

The relative told investigators that physical and clothing descriptions provided fit her missing relative. She told investigators that she and her relative had gotten into an argument, prompting the relative to spend a few days staying at a neighbors home.

Boca Raton homicide: Family members identify attorney's estranged son as shooter

Sotos girlfriend confirmed that the 51-year-old woman had been staying with her family prior to disappearing. She told investigators Sotos behavior had made her and her grandmother suspicious.

Sotos girlfriend described returning home from work on the afternoon of June 23 and finding that the residence had been cleaned with bleach, a chemical that neither she nor her grandmother regularly used. She also found a shirt on the bathroom floor that appeared to have blood on it.

Asked about his involvement, man in custody said, 'I could be guilty'

Sotos girlfriend told investigators he dropped her off at work that morning and was supposed to pick her up in the afternoon, but never showed up. Before leaving for work, she observed the 51-year-old woman sleeping on a sofa.

She told investigators Soto was driving her Ford Escape and, while waiting for him to pick her up, she used a smartphone app to track its location. The tracking data placed the Ford within 100 feet of where the body was found, the arrest report said.

Soto denied having any involvement in the womans disappearance but later said, I could be guilty, when asked if he killed the woman, his girlfriend told investigators.

Missing person: Palm Tran driver recognizes man from Facebook post, lets distraught mom know he's OK

Soto told investigators he remained in Kings Point until it was time to pick up his girlfriend. He said he stopped to help a stranded motorist along the way, which prevented him from picking her up.

Surveillance-video footage showing movement in and out of Kings Point contradicted Sotos statements, the arrest report said. In addition, DNA evidence found inside the vehicle matched the deceased woman, investigators said.

While viewing images of the bed sheet used to cover the womans body, Sotos girlfriend confirmed that the bed sheet was hers, the report said.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on Twitter at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Man facing murder charge after woman's body found in Delray Beach canal
A passenger aboard an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle Wednesday is accused of making a bomb threat that caused pilots to land the plane in Spokane, Washington.

Documents filed in U.S. District Court said Brandon Scott, 38, faces a false information and hoaxes charge, The Seattle Times reported.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

After the plane took off Wednesday afternoon, Scott handed a flight attendant a note saying he had several pounds of homemade explosives in his carry-on and a detonator on him, the court documents alleged.

Scotts note demanded the plane be rerouted to any other airport and threatened to kill everyone on the plane if it landed in Seattle. The note instructed the flight attendant to alert the pilot and air traffic controllers but keep the threat from others aboard the plane, the documents said.

The note said he would surrender peacefully upon arrival at the rerouted destination, according to the court filing.

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Upon arrival in Spokane, Scott was detained but a search by a bomb squad found no explosives, court documents said.

Scott told investigators he made the false threat hoping to be arrested because members of a powerful cartel were waiting in Seattle to kill him. No other details about his beliefs were included in the documents.

Scott is being held in the Spokane County Jail and faces up to five years in prison and a possible $250,000 fine if convicted. It was not immediately known if he has an attorney to comment on his behalf.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
A man was found dead in Death Valley and his car had a broken air conditioner and two flat tires

Death Valley in California. Matthew Williams-Ellis/Universal Images Group/Getty Images; David Becker/Getty Images

A 65-year-old man was found dead in Death Valley on Monday.

The man's car was found to have flat tires and a broken air conditioner.

Several deaths have been reported in Death Valley in recent years.

A 65-year-old man was found dead in his car in Death Valley National Park in California on Monday, according to a press release from the National Park Service.

The man was said to have died from extreme heat, per the NPS. His identity was not revealed in the press release.

A maintenance worker from the NPS had found the man's car around 30 yards from the North Highway, per the press release. The paved road was reopened in February after being closed due to extensive flood damage.

According to the NPS, the worker found the man unresponsive inside the vehicle. Several park rangers and officials from the Inyo County Sheriff's Office and the Inyo County Coroner's Office responded to the worker's calls and arrived at the scene.

"The sedan's tracks ran along the road shoulder and rocky berm before veering further away from the paved road. The vehicle did not crash but had two flat tires when stopped," the NPS said in the press release.

On Sunday, the temperature at Death Valley peaked at 126 Fahrenheit, per the press release.

According to the NPS' initial investigation, it appears that the man suffered from a heat-related illness while driving, which may have caused him to run off the road. The man's car was found to be operating but the air conditioner was broken, per the report. The driver's window was also rolled down.

Death Valley is known for being one of the hottest places in the world. Many tourists visit the area to experience its extreme weather  and deaths due to extreme heat are not uncommon.

In June 2022, a man died after walking in Death Valley's 123-degree heat to find gas for his car. And in August 2019, a woman was found dead after visiting Death Valley in the summer.

The NPS did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
A man who shot his ex-girlfriend at a South Natomas gas station was convicted Friday of first-degree murder by a Sacramento jury and faces a maximum sentence of more than 50 years to life in prison.

Rashawn Maurice Anderson, 22, shot and killed Janiah Tane Johnson, 22, of Citrus Heights, on Aug. 3, 2022, at a Speedway gas station, where Johnson worked as a cashier. The murder took place outside the gas station, where Anderson fired a semi-automatic gun 18 times at Johnson, striking her 16 times and killing her almost immediately, according to the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office.

Calls were reported before 12:30 a.m. of a shooting at a Speedway gas station in the 2600 block of Gateway Oaks Drive, just west of Interstate 5, according to Sacramento Police Department spokesman Officer Ryan Woo.

The gun used in the murder was never recovered, officials said. Anderson was also charged with a felony for possession of a firearm, and a Sacramento Superior Court jury found that Anderson had intentionally and personally discharged a firearm causing death, according to prosecutors.

The Sacramento Police Department put out a search warrant for Anderson late August 2022, after identifying him as a homicide suspect. Sacramento police detectives, helped by the FBI, were led on a three-month search before Anderson was finally caught and captured in Chicago on Nov. 14, 2022.

Andersons sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 1 before Judge Donald Currier in Sacramento Superior Court. He faces a maximum of 50 years and eight months to life in prison, prosecutors said.
Man sentenced to seven years for carjacking at Springfield gas station

Michael B. Free seen on a surveillance camera at a Kum and Go at 2161 East Republic Road.

Fourteen months after stealing a Springfield woman's car at knifepoint, Michael B. Free was sentenced in federal court for a series of crimes.

Free, 50, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Brian Wimes. The Truesdale resident pleaded guilty in February to one count of taking a motor vehicle by force, violence, and intimidation, with the intent to cause death and serious bodily harm.

As part of his plea, Free admitted to pointing a knife at a woman who was getting gas at a Kum and Go at 2161 E. Republic Road on April 30, 2022. After the victim had paid for her gas and stepped back out to her 2011 Chevy Impala next to the fuel pumps, Free approached her, pulled out a knife and demanded her car keys.

The man threatened to stab her in the neck if she didnt give him the keys to her car, according to police. The woman gave him the keys then fled into the store and called the police.

More: Springfield man sentenced to 20 years for 2021 murder stemming from "petty" argument

Video footage from the store captured Free making a purchase inside the store. Investigators were able to use the stores financial records to help identify Free.

Free was driving the stolen vehicle when he was arrested days later near Des Moines, Iowa.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Man sentenced to seven years for carjacking at Springfield gas station
Man vanished months ago during Georgia house fire, deputies say. Now Kansas woman charged

A Kansas woman has been charged with murder in the disappearance of a disabled Georgia man after a house fire at his Atlanta-area home, deputies said.

Danetta Knoblauch, 35, of Wichita, was arrested on July 4, nearly five months after Melvin Cooksey vanished from his home in Covington, Georgia, the Newton County Sheriffs Office announced in a July 6 news release.

Knoblauch is charged with murder, aggravated assault and and first-degree arson, online records show.

Cooksey was reported missing Feb. 23, a day before someone set his home on fire, sheriffs office spokesperson Caitlin Jett told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Crews responded to the blaze but didnt find Cooksey there, deputies said. Family members expressed concern for the missing man, who they said was partially paralyzed on his left side.

Witnesses reported seeing a white hatchback driving away from the area shortly before the fire, according to authorities.

In March, the sheriffs office released photos of the suspects car bearing a Kansas tag, which deputies said had been stolen, WAGA reported. Investigators said a man and a woman were spotted in the vehicle as it left Cookseys home.

Authorities didnt say how or if Cooksey and Knoblauch knew one another. His cause of death is also unknown.

Additional information wasnt released, but deputies said the investigation is ongoing.

Knoblauch remained in custody at the Newton County Jail without bond as of July 7, online records show.

Covington is about 35 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

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Toddler missing for three days in Michigan is discovered dead, authorities say
NEWS PROVIDED BY

Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights

July 6, 2023



NEW YORK, July 6, 2023 /Christian Newswire/ -- The following is submitted by Bill Donohue, President, Catholic League:

If you asked 100 Catholics who Roger Haight is, less than one percent would know. That's the way it should be. Truth to tell, the man is one of the most dishonored Catholic theologians in American history. That's why he was the recent recipient of the most prestigious award given annually by the Catholic Theological Society of America (CTSA).

CTSA is to Catholic doctrine what the Flat Earth Society is to geography. More about them in a moment.

Roger Haight, like too many Jesuits, has a problem with fidelity. He was censured by the Vatican in 2004 for failing to adhere to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Sandro Magister, the renowned Italian journalist who has covered the Catholic Church for decades, succinctly explained why Haight was censured. It was due to "the loss of substance of key truths of the Christian faith like the preexistence of the Word, the divinity of Jesus, the Trinity, the salvific value of the death of Jesus, the unicity and universality of the salvific mediation of Jesus and the Church, the resurrection of Jesus."

Looks like Haight left nothing on the table. Had he worked at the New York Times and took a pro-life position, he would have been fired. But lucky for him he was just told to stop teaching theology.

Left-wing Catholics are very good at giving each other awards. In fact, they are masters of nepotism. So it was hardly surprising that CTSA would give its top award to Haight; he is a former president of the dissident organization. This kind of political stunt has a long history.

In 1969, CTSA elected Charles Curran president. Like Haight, his heretical views got him in big trouble. In 1997, the organization endorsed women priests. Some critics of CTSA, such as Catholic historian James Hitchcock, blame it for punishing orthodox Catholic faculty members.

Worse still is CTSA's role in promoting the clergy sexual abuse scandal.

In the 1970s, it commissioned a book by Father Anthony Kosnik, Human Sexuality: New Directions in American Catholic Thought, that was used in seminaries across the nation. Kosnik taught that homosexual acts were not intrinsically evil, arguing instead that they need "to be evaluated in terms of their relational significance." In doing so, he rejected Catholic sexual ethics as it had been understood throughout the ages.

Kosnik even went so far as to question the validity of condemning bestiality, never mind homosexuality. Human sexuality, he said, should be "self-liberating" and "joyous." He was as blunt as anything found in Playboy. "The importance of the erotic element, that is, instinctual desire for pleasure and gratification, deserves to be affirmed and encouraged."

The book won first prize by the Catholic Press Association.

As I argued in The Truth about Clergy Sexual Abuse, a normal seminarian who read this stuff would not be enticed to molest a minor. But an abnormal oneand the seminaries were loaded with disordered men in the 1970swould likely interpret what Kosnik said as a green light.

It was not priests who were sexually uptight who preyed on adolescentsit was priests who followed their libido, not their vows. CTSA should own up to its destructive role. Ditto for the National Catholic Reporter, which to this day praises guys like Kosnik and Haight.
A Philadelphia man drowned in the Delaware River on Monday after attempting to steal a boat docked on the waterfront in Bristol Township, officials said.

Sockhon Sam, 36, died after jumping into the Delaware to avoid capture, said Meredith Buck, Bucks County coroner. HIs body was discovered two days later and not far from the attempted boat theft. Sam was previously charged with theft and drug possession, court records show.

On Wednesday, Bristol Township police asked the public to help with identification of the body. Later, the coroner's office identified Sam but struggled to contact and notify his family in northwest Philadelphia. Law enforcement in the city was able to reach the family on Thursday night.

More: Dead body discovered along Delaware River in Bucks County. Who was he? Police don't know

More: Is civil service making it harder for Bucks County towns to recruit police officers?

In 2017, Sam pled guilty to drug possession charges out of Philadelphia, court records show. In 2018, Pennsylvania State Police charged Sam with receiving stolen property, officials said. That same year, Lower Merion police charged Sam with theft from a vehicle, records show.

Sam's body was discovered near the 6200 block of Radcliffe Street near the Delaware River-Turnpike Bridge, Buck said. The attempted boat theft occurred about four blocks north on Radcliffe Street in the township.

After Sam jumped into the river, New Jersey State Police and the United States Coast Guard searched the water using boats and planes. Bristol Township police said the neighbors had tossed a flotation device into the water in order to help Sam. But he quickly went underwater and did not re-surface, officers said.

"Autopsy findings today confirmed cause of death as drowning and manner of death is determined to be accidental with no signs of trauma," said Buck. "Our office extends its deepest condolences to the decedents family and friends during this difficult time."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Man who went missing on Delaware River in Bristol ID'd after body found
(Bloomberg) -- Six people were indicted in New York City for conspiring in an alleged fraud scheme involving straw donations tied to the 2021 campaign of Mayor Eric Adams.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The scheme consisted of illegally structuring contributions to maximize the amount of additional money gained through a New York City program that provides generous matching funds to mayoral candidate campaigns, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said Friday in a statement. The mayor wasnt accused of any wrongdoing.

The indictment alleges two donors, Dwayne Montgomery and Shamsuddin Riza, who owned companies that were hoping to do business with the city, organized fundraisers for Adams and recruited straw donors to make contributions in their own names. Montgomery and Riza allegedly later reimbursed the donors. Riza also enlisted his accountant, Millicent Redick, to obtain straw donors, Braggs office said.

Riza and Ronald Peek allegedly counseled defendants Yahya and Shahid Mushtaq, the owners of a firm called EcoSafety Consultants Inc., on how to orchestrate a straw donor scheme by using their employees personal information to name them as donors to Adamss campaign without their knowledge, Bragg said.

Montgomery, 64, Riza, 70, Redick, 77, and Shahid Mushtaq, 29, all pleaded not guilty Friday before a New York state court judge, Braggs office said. Yahya Mushtaq, 28, and Ronald Peek, 65, will be arraigned later. Rizas attorney declined to comment, and none of the lawyers for the other defendants responded to requests for comment.

Adams Fundraising

Adams won the Democratic primary in June of 2021, and went on to win the general election in November that year. In the course of the 2021 campaign cycle, he raised more than $19.1 million for his campaign, $10.1 million of which was public matching funds.

There is no indication that the campaign or the mayor is involved in this case or under investigation, Adams 2021 campaign spokesperson Evan Thies said. The campaign always held itself to the highest standards and we would never tolerate these actions. The campaign will of course work with the DAs office, the Campaign Finance Board, and any relevant authorities.

In the 2021 election, New York City limited individual donations in the mayoral campaign to a maximum of $2,000 and just $400 for those with business before the city. But the city also provided matching funds for residents on donations of up to $250 at a rate of $8 for every $1 donated. So, one $250 donation could yield an additional $2,000 in public funding for a candidate.

The 2021 elections were the first to use that system for matching funds, which was authorized by voters in 2018.

$127 Million Spent

Last year, the New Yorks Independent Budget Office reported that the city spent $127.1 million on the election in public matching funds in the 2021 election cycle, roughly four times as much as the average amount disbursed in each of the previous five election cycles.

Montgomery and a business associate kept records of the contributions, along with the likely matching funds, which they planned to use the contributions as leverage in potential future requests of the Mayors Office, Braggs office said in a press release accompanying the indictment.

In a July 2021 phone conversation recounted in the indictment, Montgomery told Riza that [the Candidate] said he doesnt want to do anything if he doesnt get 25 Gs.

We allege a deliberate scheme to game the system in a blatant attempt to gain power, Bragg said in a statement. The indictment charges the defendants with subverting campaign finance laws by improperly structuring campaign contributions.

EcoSafety Consultants has received $470,437 in city contracts since 2021  $337,673 of that came after Adams took office in 2022, according to a review of city contracting records.

--With assistance from Gregory Korte and Teresa Xie.

(Updates to show outreach to defense lawyers.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
CMPD details manhunt that led to arrest of Charlotte couple accused of abusing 4-month-old

A four-month manhunt for the Charlotte parents of a severely abused 4-month-old boy has ended in arrests, and others could face charges in the case, police said Friday.

Around 8 p.m. Thursday, officers arrested the babys father, 24-year-old Brandon Augustine, after he ordered food at a McDonalds restaurant on Lawyers Road in Mint Hill, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Lt. James Ivie said at a news conference Friday.

Soon after Augustines arrest, police found the babys mother, 23-year-old Mildred Chestnut, at a nearby tent and took her into custody. The couple had spent at least several nights at the tent, Ivie said.

Each was arrested without incident on a charge of felony child abuse inflicting serious injury, Ivie said. Their son has severe brain injuries, among other problems, police said.

Manhunt for the parents

Police had searched for the parents since March, when they fled Atrium Hospital and abandoned their son, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The couple had taken their son to the hospital claiming he was in a car crash, police said in April. Officers quickly determined the injuries were not consistent with the reported minor vehicle crash, according to an April CMPD news release.

We do know that they had been on the run in Georgia, through South Carolina and had made it back to this area, Ivie said Friday. Were not getting into specifics as to where all they went.

He declined to say how police knew Augustine was at the McDonalds, but tips from the public and help from the other law enforcement agencies.... all led to their capture.

The parents were by themselves and were arrested without incident, Ivie said.

A vehicle belonging to them was found in Austell, Georgia, near Atlanta, on March 21 after it was intentionally abandoned and hidden, police said. CMPD believes the couple received help while on the run, including money, shelter and rides.

Anyone who helped the parents elude police could be charged with aiding and abetting, and accessory after the fact of a felony, CMPD officials said.

Before they were wanted in connection with the abuse, the parents faces were on missing person posters.

One of Augustines relatives posted on social media that the couple was missing and that their son was safe and sound with family. A Facebook page set up to discuss their disappearance indicated family members were in touch with CMPD, and that Augustine and Chestnut had ties to both North Carolina and New Jersey.

Besides agencies in North Carolina and Georgia, the Port St. Lucie and Palm Beach sheriffs departments in Florida, and the FBI office in Atlantic City, New Jersey, assisted, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said.

Ivie called the manhunt a huge collaborative investigation involving multiple units within CMPD and eight other law enforcement agencies. He said the investigation is in its early stages as far as the harm done to their child.

The child suffered severe, life-altering brain injuries, Ivie said. This childs life will not be the same.

The child is now in a safe place, but Ivie declined to say where.

CMPD criticizes low bond amounts

Ivie decried what he called low bond amounts given the couple that could let them be released until further court action.

Chestnut posted her bond and was released at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Mecklenburg County jail records showed. The records dont show her bond amount.

Augustine remained jailed Friday on a $15,000 bond, records showed.

Ivie said CMPD and he, personally, are very disappointed by the bond amounts, especially given the extensive resources that law enforcement expended and the childs severe injuries.

I dont see the reason for that, he said.
WASHINGTON  In the small town of Newport, Rhode Island, a U.S. force lacking in capabilities was about to face off against well-armed and advanced Chinese troops.

It was 2018, and then-Lt. Gen. David Berger was putting four years of simmering thoughts to the test in a wargame at the Naval War College, in hopes of figuring out a better way to employ forces in the Pacific.

His last two assignments had put him at the forefront of the Marine Corps shift away from ground wars and back to sea. And he now had a chance to see how all these ideas would play out in a fight against an advanced competitor.

In the wargame, the adversarial force was based on Chinas current capabilities plus expected growth in the next couple years. The friendly force was played by the U.S. joint force strictly as it was  no future capabilities, no aspirational readiness levels and not even the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, as it wasnt fielded in great numbers at the time.

Though the wargames details and results are classified, Berger had clear takeaways for the Marine Corps: Anything heavy was a liability; mobility would be a huge challenge, as would sustaining a force operating so near to Chinas shores; and Marines, with the right command-and-control structure, could be a game-changing tool for sea-control and sea-denial missions.

However, Berger told Defense News in a June 8 interview that his primary takeaway from that wargame was the importance of already having forces in the theater before a conflict starts.

If we didnt have something forward, then I think [then-Commandant Gen. Robert] Neller is exactly right. He said we should expect to fight to get to the fight  but this fight to get to the fight was getting to be a slaughter [in previous wargames]. So more and more it was clear to not just me, [but to] a bunch of people, the imperative of being forward all the time, persistently, Berger said.

In the wargame, that pre-positioned force included special operations units and submarines. But Berger wanted Marines already in theater, too, as something of a stand-in force.

And if theyre going to be in there, then you have to answer the question of: How are they going to survive? How are you going to resupply them? So these became real thinking efforts for a lot of us, he explained.

Fast forward a few years, and the takeaways from the 2018 wargame directly led to Bergers Commandants Planning Guidance, released the day after he became the Corps top officer in July 2019; the Force Design 2030 modernization program, first released in March 2020 and updated annually; the Stand-In Forces concept, released in December 2021 and brought to life by the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment that was activated in March 2022; and a contested logistics concept released earlier this year, among them.

U.S. Marines with 3d Littoral Combat Team, along with U.S. soldiers and Philippine marines, secure a landing zone during the Balikatan exercise on Basco, Philippines, in April 2023. (Sgt. Patrick King/U.S. Marine Corps)

These changes were met with resistance. In fact, Berger faced vocal opposition from the retiree community, unusual for the small service that was always taught that we did our laundry in private, said former Navy Secretary and Marine pilot Richard V. Spencer.

Spencer called Berger the poster child for change, urgency and deliberation, and said the general fully embodied the phrase talk softly and carry a big stick.

His demeanor is so calm and so collected because its based in thought and data, he told Defense News in a June 21 interview.

A flurry of opinion pieces  some signed, some nameless  began circulating in March 2022, accusing Berger of creating a one-trick pony of sorts, a force optimized for a fight against China but no longer capable of conducting other types of missions around the globe.

Im saddened beyond belief knowing that our Marine Corps soon will no longer be the ready combined-arms force that our nation has long depended upon when its interests were threatened, former Marine Corps combat development head Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper wrote in Marine Corps Times. It will be a force shorn of all its tanks and 76% of its cannon artillery, and with 41% fewer Marines in its infantry battalions.

Despite additional pushback from the likes of former Commandant Gen. James Amos and former Navy Secretary James Webb, Berger has continued undeterred to overhaul his Corps.

Retired Adm. Scott Swift, who commanded U.S. Pacific Fleet when Berger led U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, had observed how the ideas behind Force Design 2030 were validated in the 2018 wargame.

Berger understood the challenges he was taking on and how he would be criticized, but he had done enough study  this wasnt just, he showed up as commandant and decided to do this; this came out of his experiences, Swift said in a June 23 interview.

He was there when they were using armor and long-range artillery in the Middle East; he saw what the value of it was, but thats a different warfight than what the joint force was to prepare for in the Pacific, the admiral said, adding that Berger combined his experiences and a campaign of wargaming to reform the Marine Corps in a much more consequential way than I think other leaders really had the courage to do.

Berger took command of the Marine Corps on July 11, 2019. He relinquishes command on July 10, after four years of reforms that will shape the Corps for years to come.

Becoming commandant

The 38th commandant of the Marine Corps almost became a Navy officer.

Ahead of his 1977 graduation from high school in rural Maryland, Berger applied for ROTC scholarships at the advice of his father, who Berger called the smartest person that I know. His father had gone to Duke University on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, and Berger ultimately chose to attend Tulane University on a Navy ROTC scholarship due to his interest in the schools engineering program.

That fall, Berger began school as a naval cadet, but quickly noticed the Marines.

If youre a college freshman and dont know anything about the military, they [Marines] were just a poster. And they not just looked the part  they were clearly different from the Navy instructors, the way they handled themselves, the way they taught their classes, and it was clear that the [cadets in the Marine Corps program] were different, too. So I was drawn to that, Berger told Defense News in the interview, and he switched to the Marine Corps program as soon as he was assured his scholarship would allow it.

Berger graduated and was commissioned a Marine Corps officer in 1981. He spent his first two tours on the West Coast, with deployments to the Pacific on amphibious ships.

Though separated by geography, he said two formative events happened in October 1983, just two years into his career: Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, where Marine and joint forces stormed the Caribbean island following a coup, losing 19 American service members but quickly occupying the island; and the bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, that killed 241 American service members, including 220 Marines.

Lieutenants who were in my [The Basic School] class were killed. And I was on the West Coast, and the unit was from the East Coast, but it shocked the whole Marine Corps. And you could understand why, when you lose 240 like that. Its just not something anyone was expecting. So that definitely shaped things, he said, looking back at foundational moments in his career.

Berger described the operation in Grenada as a high point for inspiring young Marines, but said the loss in Beirut made everything real.

The start of the Gulf War in 1990 and the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were other real moments for him  reminders of the seriousness of his business.

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. David Berger speaks to the Marines and sailors at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., on July 31, 2019. (Cpl. Ethan Pumphret/U.S. Marine Corps)

But Berger said the experiences that shaped him as a leader were the losses of Marines directly under his command.

Asked by Defense News what stands out as defining moments in building who he is today, he said, almost all of them were not necessarily moments, but when you lost Marines, because your immediate thought, most Marine leaders immediate thought is, you missed something. You overlooked something. You skipped a step. You immediately take responsibility yourself and go, theres something we didnt see. There are a lot of them, a lot of them.

Berger recounted losing 10 Marines to one improvised explosive device attack in Iraq, and losing a Marine to an accidental grenade explosion inside their own camp in Kuwait. Each time, he said, he scoured Marine Corps procedures for missed or forgotten steps that could have saved lives.

Those stay with you forever, Berger said.

A changing Pacific

Berger showed up at Marine Corps Forces Pacific headquarters in Hawaii in 2016, having read about Chinas rise and the changing landscape in the region, but with questions about the pace of that change.

Swift and then-U.S. Pacific Command chief Adm. Harry Harris assured him the change was happening faster than most understood, Berger recalled.

Though much of Chinas rising military power and its aggressive behavior toward its neighbors was out of his control as the top Marine in the Pacific, Berger could take steps to strengthen relationships with local partners and allies  another theme he brought to Force Design 2030.

Our relationship at the Marine Corps level with Japan, with Korea, with the Philippines, with Australia, was still strong and growing  and in some cases, growing much faster than I was aware of, he said.

The ability to entrust allies and partners to share targeting data, protect and resupply small formations of Marines, and otherwise operate intertwined with the Corps and the U.S. joint force is key to Force Design 2030. Berger said hes seen allies in the Pacific repeatedly prove their trustworthiness throughout his career, and particularly while commanding Marine Corps Forces Pacific.

In 2012, while commanding 1st Marine Division (Forward) in Afghanistan, Berger said one of his reconnaissance teams in northern Helmand province got stuck in their position one night, with bad weather and no American forces nearby to extract them.

An Australian special operations force liaison officer overheard Berger talking to Maj. Gen. Charles Gurganus, the I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) commander in Afghanistan.

The Australian Army major chimed in:  We can do that. And, I mean, couldnt have been 30, 45 minutes later, they take off in MV-22s, Berger recalled. Im sure they had just returned from some other mission and all, but it didnt matter. He knew the U.S. unit was in a pickle, in a tough spot: We got this. Weve got aircraft, were going. No rehearsals, no six hours of prep  just get on the aircraft and go.

The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer Chung-Hoon observes a Chinese military vessel conduct what the service called an

Berger said the power of the mateship between the U.S. and Australia was even more evident while he commanded Marine Forces Pacific.

In August 2017, a Marine Corps MV-22 was flying back to the amphibious transport dock Green Bay, which was operating off the coast of Queensland, Australia. As it approached the ship to land, the aircraft suddenly dropped, slammed into the side of the vessel and quickly sank, injuring 23 and killing three.

I called a couple people in Australia directly, immediately, Berger said, as the U.S. did not have the right divers on hand to recover the wreckage and the bodies of the missing Marines.

His Australian contacts made a few calls, and then called back Berger to promise a ship with deep-sea divers within 12 hours.

No paperwork, no messages, no money, no anything  on a phone call, Berger said.

Though the three Marines who went down with the aircraft could not be rescued, Berger said the Australian divers spent at least three days in the water, exceeding the time limits for how long they should be underwater at those depths, all to assure they recovered the fallen Marines bodies.

Berger and his team flew to Australia in January 2018 to award the divers and other supporting units with a Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Berger has experienced opposition to the reliance on allies and partners in the Force Design 2030 and Stand-In Forces strategies. The two main criticisms are that partner forces arent skilled enough, and that the U.S. couldnt rely on them to show up in the event of a conflict.

Theyre just excuses, he said, referring to the criticism and noting that he absolutely believes allies will be there for the Marine Corps and the rest of the U.S. military if called upon for a fight.

Swift said people often talk about a Chinese invasion of Taiwan by 2027 as a fait accompli, a given.

That doesnt have to be the case if they do more thoughtful things like Gen. Bergers doing  the biggest thing that hes doing is deterrence, Swift said, highlighting Bergers work to deepen Marines ties to allies and partners in the Pacific.

Creating a lasting change

In 2018, Neller  the commandant at the time  tapped Berger to come to Washington to serve as the deputy commandant for combat development and integration. In this position, Berger would take his knowledge of the Pacific and his four years of reforming regional Marine forces, and apply it to the entire Corps.

It was very clear to everyone the rising prominence of China in terms of the National Defense Strategy, so I think he brought me to CD&I because thats where combat development happens. And if China is central to our security, then you need to understand the Pacific, Berger said.

Berger said he didnt have a force-wide reform plan going into the job, but it gave me time to observe, to think of, if we needed to accelerate [the reforms Neller was starting], what would that take? What kind of hard decisions would we have to make?

Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper, shown, is a critic of some warfighting concepts backed by Gen. David Berger. (Cpl. Michael C. Guinto/U.S. Marine Corps)

That forethought caught the eye of Spencer, who served as secretary of the Navy from August 2017 to November 2019. Spencer interviewed several candidates during the search for the 38th commandant, and he said his initial conversation with Berger started slowly.

It just progressed so comfortably and so logically, and so data-informed. I remember the data-informed nature, he said, noting that Berger didnt just answer Spencers questions but rather explained how analysis informed an answer.

Spencer said he went into the interview process without a front-runner in mind but was drawn to Berger, knowing that the Marine Corps would need a major overhaul in the coming years.

You can get change agents  and some are very successful  that just come in and put a 12-volt battery, boom, charge right to the heart, and go Were changing. Those of you who cant take it, you can take a left; were all going right,  Spencer said.

Berger, on the other hand, wanted everyone to come along with his reforms and get as much change implemented as possible.

You could see it in his demeaner and the way he led, that a steady hand at the tiller doing something this dramatic was exactly what we needed, Spencer said.

Those dramatic changes were revealed July 12, 2019  one day after Berger was sworn in as commandant. He released a Commandants Planning Guidance that portended a fundamental overhaul.

Visions of a massed naval armada nine nautical miles off-shore in the South China Sea preparing to launch the landing force in swarms of [surface connectors] are impractical and unreasonable, he wrote. Instead, Marines would rethink their strategy in light of growing anti-access/area-denial threats, and would collaborate with the Navy to become a sea-control and sea-denial fleet.

Within 24 hours he released his first thoughts, and within eight months Force Design 2030 was released, kicking off a generational change for the Corps.

Gen. David Berger poses with Gen. Byung Hyuk Choi, deputy commander of Combined Forces Command, during a visit to Yongsan, South Korea, in 2019. (Sgt. Olivia Knapp/U.S. Marine Corps)

Berger said he didnt mind the wave of criticism from retired Marine Corps leaders, as debate can be healthy.

But he said red lines have been crossed since last year.

A Wall Street Journal op-ed, written by former Navy Secretary Webb, alleged that 22 retired four-star generals signed a private letter to Berger, and that above 90 percent of retired general officers were concerned about Force Design 2030.

Everybody speaks for themselves; you dont speak for others, Berger said. So when you say all or most or three dozen, or whatever, you better have their concurrence.

Berger said another line was crossed when an opposition group hired lobbyists to make their case on Capitol Hill.

Congress is the operating area for the sitting commandant, and you dont wade into there, you dont try to resist or fight there, you dont have an active insurgency there. Thats where the commandant operates on behalf of the Marine Corps, Berger said.

The debate is healthy, but once youve had the debate and its very clear that the organization is headed in a certain direction and is supported by the civilian leadership and is supported by Congress, OK, then youre done. Then just being loud over and over and over again  unless theres some new information, Berger added. Im not sure what is the benefit of that.

Former combat development head Van Riper, who has led opposition, told Defense News the strong pushback from the retired community had nothing to do with Berger as a person but was the result of the drastic changes and the nontraditional way in which those changes were handled and executed.

Our Corps made its reputation because of its willingness to close with and destroy the nations enemies, and it did this with an infantry-heavy force supported by tanks, cannon artillery, engineers, close air support and dedicated logistics efforts, he said.

Changes over time, he added, were the product of a highly regarded combat development process, which thoroughly vetted new operational methods before implementation.

Force Design 2030 has severely crippled Marine Corps capabilities to respond quickly and effectively to global crises and contingencies across the spectrum of conflict, he said, noting that Berger may not want the Corps to be a second ground force but that sometimes thats what the nation demands.

Dakota Wood, a senior research fellow for defense programs at the Heritage Foundation think tank, said that while Force Design 2030 is sound, the sales pitch could have gone better.

Wood noted the Marine Corps began to worry in the 1990s about long-range anti-ship cruise missiles and how they would affect amphibious operations, leading to early acquisition wins like the MV-22 Osprey program and failures like the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, both of which were meant to help Marines get from the ship to shore across greater distances and at higher speeds.

Whats interesting about Gen. Bergers commandancy is he grew up in that whole debate that took place in the pages of the Marine Corps Gazette and in intellectual forums regarding growing threats to amphibious operations, Wood said. But after 9/11, the Marine Corps was committed to land wars and lost touch with the sea in many ways.

What Gen. Berger really brought with him into the commandancy is saying: The world has not gotten easier; its gotten harder. We are a naval power projection force, not a second army,  Wood added. I find it stunning that this guy comes into the office and he implements things that the Marine Corps has talked about for 30 years. But change is scary, and it was in the implementation that generated all this criticism.

Wood said Berger talked a lot in 2020 about what would change, what the Corps would divest to free up funds for new investments, and what new gear and concepts the service would come to rely on.

For his part, Berger has acknowledged he should have spent more time talking about the fundamentals of the Marine Corps that would not change.

However, Wood noted that the divest-to-invest approach, while unpopular, was necessary to make significant change during tight fiscal times.

You can either stay with the old Marine Corps and proven, known sorts of things, and actually be irrelevant in your primary mission area, which is naval power projection; or you can adopt these new things, which are really, really good and have been [proved] in the various testing and training and force-on-force exercises, but that means youre going to have to leave something behind, Wood said.

Despite the initial messaging, the analyst said he believes Force Design 2030 was the right change, and Berger was the right man to lead it.

His legacy  its so premature to be talking about that  [is] that he will be seen as one of these pivotal commandants, just like when we shifted from small wars to large-scale amphibious operations going into World War II, and then innovation in the use of helicopters and all the other things  deployed MEUs that were all over the world doing crisis response and all that. So this is a big change for the Corps that enables it to keep pace with changing times.
Russia doing a full-scale aggression against Ukraine. Every day we receive information about more and more victims. This war does not end only with rocket attacks, robberies and violence. Unfortunately, the goals of the Russian occupier are more global  it is an attempt not only to physically but also mentally destroy Ukrainians, to erase national identity in the occupied territories. In this regard, the russian invaders, together with their collaborators, carry out forced deportations, which include the forced eviction of civilians to Russia, illegal adoption of minors and forced Russification.

In the article about the history of mass deportations of Ukrainians from Soviet times to the nowadays noted that this criminal practice is not new, this deportation system comes straight out of the Soviet playbook which resulted in the disappearance of entire ethnic groups and threatened to wipe out separate nations from the body of the USSR. Despite Moscow deported millions of Ukrainians to Russia between 1920s to 1940s, this crime against humanity hasnt been legally condemned by the world community. As the USSRs successor at the UN Security Council, Moscow repeats the its old crimes, including deportation of Ukrainians, trapped under Russian military control.

Deportations of Ukrainians during the Soviet Times

Soviet occupation subjected Ukrainians to deportation for various purposes, including destruction of nationally oriented intelligentsia and political elite, elimination of wealthy farms. In addition to ethnic Ukrainians, the Soviet repressive system forcibly expelled other ethnic groups that inhabiting Ukraine  Poles, Germans, Jews, Crimean Tatars, Greeks, Bulgarians, Armenians and Ukrainians. Moscow strived for subjugation of the colonized peoples and elimination of ethnic differences to create "soviet nation". In total, about 6 million people were victims of Soviet deportations and forced relocations across the Soviet Union.

Preparing to deportation process. Arests of Ukrainian intellectuals in 1920s

The mass repressions of the Soviet era, one of the main methods of which was forced deportation, did not begin immediately, but gradually unfolded, starting with the arrests of Ukrainian intellectuals. It was arranged in the 1920s with the establishment of the Soviet regime and primarily affected people who opposed occupation authorities  academics, teachers, social and political elite. Prior to deportations, the Soviet administration attempted to isolate its victims by prohibition of research and artistic activities, organizing scientific societies, and publishing works.

Starting with groundless arrests of doctors and professors from Kharkiv and Kyiv, on August 3, 1922, the Central Committee of the CP (b) U approved a full list of university professors subjected to arrest  77 people in total. Among the prominent scientists imprisoned that summer were M. Ptukha (demographer), O. Korchak-Chepurkivsky (hygienist, epidemiologist), V. Chekhivsky and others.

Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian SSR Korchak-Chepurkivskyi O.V.

Source: from the collection of Mykhajlo Hrushevsky e-archive

According to archival documents, the victims were considered isolated rather than arrested, perfectly reflecting the main objectives of Lenin's purge of anti-Soviet intellectuals.

Deportations of ukrainian villagers in 1930s. "Dekulakization" process

In the 1930s, Soviet deportations became systematic and were connected with a forced "collectivisation" of Ukrainian peasants  the joining of their own farms and property to a collective farm created by Soviet activists. In fact, the Soviet government faced resistance to the establishment of a socialist regime in all villages, which included collectivisation and forced nationalisation of land. The disobedience of Ukrainian villagers and farmers, who were named as a "kulaks", was suppressed by forced deportation to Siberia.

The Soviets evicted 100,000 people from February to May 1930, and another 120-130,000 from June to July 1931, resulting in forced evictions of at least from 220230 to 280 thousand Ukrainian villagers in total.

Certificate No. 1 of the Special Department of the OGPU on the number of evicted kulaks in 1930 and 1931. Not later than September 30, 1931

Source: Center Archive of the FSB, Russian Federation. F. 2. Des. 9. F. 79. L. 2. Copy

Soviet occupation of the western regions of Ukraine and forcible deportations

The new wave of deportations followed shortly after the Soviet invasion of Western Ukraine in September of 1939. This stage is represented by four major waves:

The first wave, conducted on February 10-13, 1940, affected 17.206 families, or 89,062 people. The second wave took place in AprilMay 1940 and resulted in eviction of more than 30,000 people to Kazakhstan in Central Asia. The third wave began in the summer of 1940, and targeted relatives of previously repressed people. According to the NKVD estimates, 37,532 families, or 83,207 people were deported from six western regions of Ukraine as of July 2, 1940.

The last, fourth wave of deportations began on the eve of the German-Soviet war. On May 16, 1941, the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR adopted a resolution "On the deportation of the enemy element from the Baltic republics, Western Ukraine, Western Belarus, and Moldavia", which resulted in forced evictions of 12,371 people from the western regions of Ukraine.

In general, the Soviet authorities deported 1 million 173 thousand people from the western regions of Ukraine from September 1939 to June 1941.After the end of the Second World War, mass deportations returned to western Ukraine followed by a transfer of 78,000 more Ukrainians within the "Operation West", conducted on October 21, 1947.

Order . 00430 of the Minister of State Security of the USSR Viktor Abakumov on deportation

Source: Fonds of the SSU Sectoral State Archive

The deportations were used a repressive method of subjugating the occupied territories, which consisted in resettling Russians in abandoned homes of Ukrainians, after they was forcibly transferred to Russias Siberia known for its extreme climate conditions. Only hundreds of deportees were able to return to their homeland after years of deportation, while a lot of victims died in exile.

Forcible deportations of Ukrainians in 2022-2023

Since the launch of all-out invasion, Russia once again revived the same criminal methods of the Soviet era. Occupation of Ukrainian terrains is inexorably followed by deportation of local population to remote Russian regions, abduction and indoctrination of children. Russian network of "temporary accommodation centers"  in fact, filtration facilities  precisely repeat Soviet concentration camps, where Ukrainian deportees are subjected to strict detention and ideological influence of Russian security forces. According to Ukraines Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, at least 2 million 800 thousand Ukrainians have been deported to Russia since February 2022. At the same time, data from the UNHCR are indicate 2.8 million Ukrainian citizens in the Russian Federation and another 16,705 Ukrainian citizens are in the Republic of Belarus. It must to understand that this numbers is not final, and some sources give much higher figures, from 2,8 to 4,7 million people of whom 260 to 700 thousand are children. Trying to find out the number of deported children, the data is also very different, but the scale is impressive. The Children of War website indicates that 738 thousand children have been deported based on open sources voiced by the Russian Federation. The platform has identified 19499 children who were deported from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine between February 24, 2022 to June 2023.

Some of the stories are astonishing in its cruelty and encourage us to rethink the values enshrined by the international organizations and laws. Yevhen from Mariupol was among many Ukrainians, forcibly taken to the filtration camp with his children. While the man was being groundlessly held in detention for 45 days, his children were deported to Russia and set for illegal adoption to Russian families. Likewise, Olena, a nurse and a mother of 8 from Izium (Kharkiv region), lost her mother due to Russian strike on a hospital where she worked, while her injured son Andrii was captivated by the enemy troops. The Russians refused to provide any information regarding the boys whereabouts for months, driving the woman into despair. Both Yevhen and Olena managed to return their children  however, the number of similar stories without happy endings is yet to be established.

The Russian authorities carefully prepared for deportations, selecting deportation routes, building temporary accommodation facilities and providing funding for their maintenance. In attempts to annihilate Ukrainian identity, they deport civilians to remote areas of Russia, deprive them of possibility to return and are force deportees to adopt Russian citizenship.

Children remain the primary target, as age makes them vulnerable to Russian propaganda and "re-education". The Kremlin exploits kidnapped Ukrainian children to manipulate the "humanitarian" mission of evacuating children from Russia-induced hostilities. Many minors are being forcibly adopted by Russian families and given Russian citizenship despite having parents, which complicates the process of bringing them home even more.

Children in "Yunarmia", occupied Donetsk

Photo: "DPR Yunarmiya" / VK

Sourse: Donbass News.

The abovementioned details of Russias war crimes against Ukraine prove that mass deportations, kidnapping and assimilation of Ukrainian children are not the side effects of wartime, but a thoroughly orchestrated policy. The world must remain steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ukraine as the Kremlins defeat is the only efficient wat to halt Russian deportations and secure the supremacy of human rights worldwide.

As a conclusions we shout constant a fact that the above-mentioned acts of the Russian occupiers against ukrainians are a violation of Article 49 of the Geneva Convention, Article 78 of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention, Article 21 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 283 of the Family Code of Ukraine, which fully gives grounds to speak of modern Russia as a terrorist state at the international level. Russia must be held accountable for the deportations, and most importantly- return the illegally deported people and the first decisions have already been made. Thus, for the illegally deportation of Ukrainians judges of International Criminal Court arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova. At the same time, the condemnation of the illegal deportation of Ukrainians and support for the decision of the International Criminal Court were also announced at this years G7 Summit in Japan.

Vladyslav Havrylov, researcher and writer in PR Army
Crime scene barrier tapeGetty Images/Tetra Images

The man accused of fatally shooting five people in Philadelphia Monday night told police he carried out the shooting to clean up the neighborhood, two law enforcement sources told CNN.

Authorities are now looking into a since-deleted social media believed to have belonged to the shooting suspect, 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, that featured several posts about guns, the "loss of freedoms" and the Second Amendment, according to a source. The page's most recent public post, made at 10:49 a.m. ET Monday, included a video ad for a tactical weapons accessories company that showed a man in tactical gear holding what seemed to be a military-style rifle. The suspect also shared posts in May from pro-gun groups that supported the Second Amendment and former President Donald Trump.

Another social media post from last month featured a video mocking a speech by President Joe Biden, captioned with Carriker's belief that Biden was trying to "take our arms." another post from the same June day read" "The only thing more terrifying than blindness is being the only one who can see."

At a news conference, Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Joanne Pescatore told the press that other witnesses said Carriker had been displaying "abnormal behavior for quite a while," adding his housemates "thought he was getting more and more agitated as the days were passing."

Carriker was arraigned on charges of murder, attempted murder, assault, reckless endangerment and weapons charges, and ordered to remain in custody without bail in a court hearing Wednesday. Officers arrested Carriker during a foot chase, authorities said, and the accused gunman, who appeared to have fired randomly along several blocks of southwest Philadelphia's Kingsessing neighborhood, was wearing a bulletproof vest and had an AR-style rifle, a 9mm handgun and a scanner that tracks emergency response radio traffic. Assistant District Attorney Bob Wainwright said it appears only the rifle was used in the shooting.

The attack is one of at least 350 mass shootings to have occurred in the country so far this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Massachusetts beauty workers, schools may be required to train to "see" domestic violence

592 Salon hairdresser Katie Gustavsson styles hudson resident Liz Curtis' hair.

SHREWSBURY - Stylist Katie Gustavsson has had that gut feeling in the past - that something was off with the client in her chair. It could have been the silent flow of tears that triggered the feeling, or the fading yellow of a bruise spotted in a place where there shouldnt be a bruise.

How, she wondered, does she initiate the conversation that could potentially save the clients life? Or would a mention of domestic violence trigger greater abuse from a domestic partner?

Whats my bottom line? asked Gustavsson, the new owner of Salon 592 in Shrewsbury. The client is coming to me for a service. They are paying me, its a transaction.

Proposed legislation to require beauty workers to be trained to recognize signs of domestic violence could help them initiate those types of conversations and know how to help people who may be trapped in abusive relationships.

I think its great, Gustavsson said, explaining that the hour's worth of training is a small price to pay to potentially help someone in distress. Whats an hour?

Gustavsson definitely thinks the bill makes sense.

The more correct information we have, the better we can serve our clients, Gustavsson said.

The bill, proposed by Reps. Christine Barber, D-Somerville, and Paul Donato, D-Medford, in the House and Sen. Cynthia Creem, D-Newton, in the Senate, would require beauty schools to incorporate a one-hour training curriculum in recognizing signs of domestic violence when the schools apply for renewal of their licenses. Individual estheticians, including hairstylists, barbers, nail technicians, masseuses and other beauty-industry workers, would be required to take an in-person or online course when their license comes up for renewal.

Its not a new idea.

Campaigns across the world

Beauty workers associations nationally and internationally have been promoting similar campaigns under the Cut it Out logo for almost two decades. Beauty workers in Brazil and the United Kingdom have received training in recognizing signs of domestic violence. The Ohio attorney general launched a campaign in the Buckeye State in 2011 and recently expanded training to include signs of human trafficking. Other states, from Tennessee to Montana, are also requiring training for beauty operatives.

The Professional Beauty Association also endorses the training programs.

All beauty professionals, whether hairstylists, barbers or estheticians, are in a unique position to recognize domestic abuse or human trafficking thanks to the nature of their business and the intimate relationships they develop with their clients, said Maggie Staszcuk, the education program manager representing skin, hair and nail professionals through the Associated Skin Care, Associated Hair and Associated Nail Professionals.

Staszcuk has seen legislation across the country change to require domestic violence training and awareness for licensure. Cosmetology trade shows are beginning to offer awareness training at conventions, she said, adding that Milady, an organization that supports beauty workers, has launched the RISE Certification in Client Well-Being and Safety, which raises awareness of domestic abuse and human trafficking.

Opposition, said Barber, has come from some beauty schools that challenged the extra time needed to incorporate training into the curriculum, delaying the licensing of new workers. There is also the question of what kind of protections are available for beauty workers who may risk retaliation if they become involved in a client's domestic relationships.

While Barber recognizes the concern, the intent of the legislation is to provide an avenue to disseminate information.

"There is legal language in the bill to protect the safety of the workers," Barber said, adding that the intimate relationship between a client and beauty worker is built outside the framework of friends and family. The training is not meant as a way to intervene but rather as an opportunity to provide information from experts.

Broaching topic of domestic violence

The training would inform workers on how best to broach the topic of domestic violence - when and how it would be appropriate to say something, Barber said.

Creem believes the hourlong training is a small ask of the state's beauty industry workers.

"This is such a small thing, but with a big bang," Creem said, adding that it has had a good success rate in those communities where it has been enacted.

In Massachusetts, Middlesex County District Attorney Marion Ryan visits trade schools in her district, including the vocational high schools and dedicated cosmetology schools, to teach a course on recognizing domestic violence.

The first phase of the Cut It Out Middlesex program was initiated a decade ago with courses at local vocational and technical high schools. Approaching the training through high school programming was a way to create awareness around domestic violence at the earliest stage of students professional development.

The Middlesex program then worked in partnership with the national beauty school chain Empire Beauty School, and offered trainings conducted at Empires Middlesex campuses in Lowell, Framingham and Malden.

"When the DA does the trainings, she brings in local organizations within the community," Barber said, explaining that the groups, like Portal of Hope in Medford, offer workers local contacts for clients.

According to the DAs office, the Cut It Out program was launched in Alabama in 2002 and has since expanded nationwide. Its Salons Against Domestic Abuse Fund is dedicated to mobilizing salon professionals and others to recognize signs of abuse and to fight the epidemic of domestic violence in communities across the United States.

This is good, said Luigi Romeo of Invidium Salon & Spa in Worcester. Why not? If workers see signs (of abuse), that is good.

Info packets helpful plus

Romeo suggested that information packets listing domestic violence hotline numbers and local organizations geared to helping victims escape domestic abuse situations, located at different stylists stations, or on the counters where clients can check in for their appointments, would also be helpful.

For Ilana Hill of Work Shop Salon in Somerville, a statewide training requirement makes sense rather than have individual salons sign up through a local or national beauty workers organization.

If we are all trained and doing it, it makes sense, Hill said.

To be effective, Hill said, information about domestic violence and ways to inform clients about local and statewide resources needs to be consistent and uniform in nature.

The stylists agree it all comes back to knowing what to say and how to approach the topic.

Its a touchy subject, said Bledi Morava, owner of Scizzors in Shrewsbury. He conceded that the required training promoted by the proposed legislation would be a good start. But he also wonders whether stylists would have enough time to enter into that type of dialogue, as well as the necessary tact to broach the subject.

Would it ruin the flow between the stylist and their client, Morava wondered. I can see it go sideways and not be as useful in the way the Legislature hopes it would be.

592 Salon hairdresser Katie Gustavsson at her salon in Shrewsbury.

Gustavsson also recognizes that those types of conversations would be tricky and sensitive. She would welcome training and encourage her staff to participate as well.

We need to know how to lead the conversation in a way that would cause no harm. We need to know what the wrong thing would be to say, as well, Gustavsson said, acknowledging the need for more information.

Beauty workers play such an important yet underrated role in recognizing signs of domestic abuse. They see changes in demeanor and see the hidden bruises, the scratches, the client who comes in with a partner who takes over the appointment, dictating hair style, length and color, nail color and even speaking for the client.

Donato, who filed the legislation, said that its those relationships between client and worker that can lead to breaking the cycle of domestic abuse.

Many times women go in and confide in the hairdresser, Donato said. He recognizes the importance of the relationship between workers in the beauty industry and clients, and hopes to keep encouraging workers with the mantra See something, say something.

Its an opportunity for workers to ask if everything is OK at home, to encourage clients to seek assistance, Donato said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Mass. could join other states to train beauty workers in signs of abuse
A huge phosphate rock deposit discovered in Norway contains enough minerals to meet the global demand for batteries and solar panels for the next 100 years, according to the mining company that controls it.

Norge Mining said up to 70 billion tonnes of the non-renewable resource may have been uncovered in south-western Norway, alongside deposits of other strategic minerals like titanium and vanadium.

Phosphate rock contains high concentrates of phosphorus, which is a key component for building green technologies but currently faces significant supply issues.

Phosphorus was first discovered in 1669 by German scientist Hennig Brandt, who was searching for the philosophers stone. While it proved ineffective in turning ordinary metals into gold, it has become an essential component in lithium-iron phosphate batteries in electric cars, as well as for solar panels and computer chips.

Russia previously controlled the worlds largest ultra-pure phosphate rock deposits, with the European Union warning that these critical raw materials have a high supply risk.

The EU is currently almost entirely dependent on imports of phosphate rock from the rest of the world, according to a report from The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, with China, Iraq and Syria also home to large deposits.

The report, which was published before the discovery of the massive Norwegian deposit, warned that the EU should be concerned about phosphate rock shortages.

An article in the scientific journal Nature last year warned of imminent supply disruptions of phosphorus, citing Russias invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent economic sanctions as a potential cause of market volatility.

The global economy consumes an estimated 50 million tonnes of phosphorus each year, with scientists warning earlier this year that the planet could face a phosphogeddon if supply trends continue.

The buyers market is becoming increasingly crowded by limited trade  due to political instability in several source countries, as well as international sanctions imposed on others, Norge Mining noted in a June blog post. This is forcing importers to fear an impending crisis.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced in Shanghai on 7 January, 2020, that Model 3 vehicles made in China would used lithium iron phosphate batteries (Getty Images)

Norways minister of trade and industry, Jan Christian Vestre, said last month that the government was considering fast-tracking a giant mine in Helleland once analysis is completed on 47 miles of drill cores. If approval is given, the first major mine could begin operation by 2028.

The politician said Norways obligation was to develop the worlds most sustainable mineral industry following the discovery of the minerals.

The mining plans already have the support of the European Raw Materials Alliance, according to local reports, while local consultations continue.

A spokesperson for the European Commission described the discovery as great news for meeting the objectives of the Commissions raw material objectives, with Norge Mining telling Euractiv that the projected 4,500-metre-deep ore body would theoretically be capable of meeting global demand for the next century.
Mayor Kate Gallego will head to South Korea, Japan and Taiwan today to meet with companies interested in the semiconductor supply chain burgeoning in the Valley and to advocate for direct, nonstop flights between Phoenix and Asia.

Gallego will travel with Vice Mayor Yassamin Ansari to Suwon, South Korea, and Himeji, Japan, and with Councilmember Ann O'Brien to Taipei, Taiwan. City employees from the economic development department and the nonprofit organization Phoenix Sister Cities will also join.

Our trip will help us expand Phoenixs global presence, foster meaningful partnerships with cities around the world, and continue our strong efforts in delivering on critical economic drivers back home," Gallego said in a statement.

Ansari and O'Brien represent the city's most northern and southern parts of Phoenix and areas that have been spotlighted by the city as economic development hubs for the Valley's budding semiconductor industry.

Gallego's two-week trip will mark her first return to Taiwain since 2019, when she pitched Phoenix as a suitable location for a future Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. facility. The company later selected north Phoenix to open a new microchip factory. TSMC has since announced a second facility for O'Brien's District 1  a total investment of $40 billion.

The advanced technology manufacturing company is expected to bring 10,000 jobs, including 4,500 direct TSMC jobs, and produce 600,000 semiconductor wafers per year, generating about $10 billion in revenue, according to the company. The industry is seen as critical to U.S. technological advancement. Semiconductor chips power computers, smartphones and medical equipment. The Biden administration has said they will strengthen national security and the economy.

TSMC's decision to locate in Phoenix propelled the Valley to national prominence, prompting high-profile leaders such as President Joe Biden and Apple CEO Tim Cook to visit the construction site in December to celebrate the company's announcement of a second microchip fabrication plant.

Ansari's District 7, meanwhile, is on the opposite end of the city from where TSMC is headed but is also experiencing significant commercial and residential growth. The attraction is largely spurred by the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway, which opened in 2019 and serves as an additional connection between the West Valley and East Valley.

Pinal County: Taiwan Semiconductor's Phoenix factory fuels growth in unlikely place

City officials have planned for a technology corridor in the area and have called it an economic developer's dream. They believe its proximity to California ports via the Interstate 10 will further accelerate development. Regional transportation planners also have plans to connect the area to the West Valley and beyond with State Route 30, pitched as a reliever highway to I-10 that will run parallel a few miles south of the interstate.

A spokesperson for Ansari said the vice mayor is "particularly excited to learn how our sister cities in South Korea and Japan built walkable cities with some of the world's most highly rated public transit systems" and how those solutions could translate to Phoenix.

City Councilmember Kesha Hodge Washington, who was elected in March, represents Phoenix's other southern district and lives near the highway in Laveen. Hodge Washington is not headed to Asia, but throughout her campaign, she repeatedly stressed a pro-economic development message, saying the upcoming commercial opportunities would provide financial upward mobility to area residents, so long as elected leaders seized them.

Hodge Washington said she would love for interested parties to come to her area, District 8, to provide high-wage jobs.

"Semiconductor auxiliaries would be good," Hodge Washington said. "There are a number of other companies that could come as well. I'm not wedded to one particular type of industry."

Reporter Taylor Seely covers Phoenix City Hall for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com, by phone at 480-476-6116, or on Threads @taylor.azc.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix mayor heads to Asia to build on semiconductor interest
Speaker Kevin McCarthys (R-Calif.) office Thursday released video from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech to a joint meeting of Congress last month, this time in virtual reality.

The 360-degree view from two VR cameras allows the viewer to virtually sit next to McCarthy as he gaveled in the joint meeting from the rostrum, and to view highlights of Modis speech from the balcony of the House chamber. It also featured a roaming shot of Modi walking down the center aisle.

The VR perspective, first used when South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol addressed a joint Congress in April, is part of McCarthys efforts to expand the accessibility of the House floor to viewers at home.

As part of the re-opening of the Capitol under Speaker McCarthy, the public has been able to have greater access and visibility to the entire legislative process, including new angles during regular business in the chamber, a McCarthy spokesperson told Semafor.

In his speech, Modi lauded Indias relationship with the U.S. and echoed many Americans concerns over the role of China in the Indo-Pacific.

When I speak about Indias approach to the world, the United States occupies a special place. I know our relations are of great importance to all of you. Every member of this Congress has a deep interest in it, Modi said.

A small group of Democrats boycotted the joint meeting, citing allegations that Modi has promoted human rights abuses, limited press freedoms and discriminated against his countrys Muslim minority.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
China leads acceleration of global digital economy

Xinhua) 08:36, July 07, 2023

This photo taken on July 4, 2023 shows an automatic delivery vehicle at an exhibition during the Global Digital Economy Conference 2023 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, capital of China. The Global Digital Economy Conference 2023 is scheduled from July 4 to 7 in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- China has witnessed a significant increase in the size of its digital economy over the past seven years, amid the accelerating development of the global digital economy.

According to a research report released Wednesday at the main forum of the ongoing Global Digital Economy Conference 2023 in Beijing, from 2016 to 2022, the scale of China's digital economy increased by 4.1 trillion U.S. dollars, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.2 percent.

The scale of China's digital economy grew to 50.2 trillion yuan (about 6.96 trillion U.S. dollars) in 2022. The share of the digital economy in the country's GDP rose to 41.5 percent, making it an important engine for stable growth and transformation.

Currently, countries around the world are accelerating the development of key areas of the digital economy, and actively seizing development opportunities in fields such as digital technologies and industries, industrial digitalization and data elements.

For example, by March 2023, 256 network operators in 95 countries and regions had commercialized 5G technology, with 1.15 billion 5G users worldwide and a 30.6-percent population coverage rate of 5G network, an increase of 5.5 percent year on year.

In 2022, the revenue of the global artificial intelligence market climbed to 450 billion U.S. dollars, up 17.3 percent year on year. The number of global digital economy unicorn enterprises reached 1,032, accounting for 74.14 percent of global unicorn enterprises, with an estimated value of 24.95 trillion yuan, according to the report.

Mei Hong, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said that China's digital transformation is advancing from the field of consumption and services to the manufacturing sector in the real economy.

Data shows that in 2022, the operating income of China's electronic information manufacturing industry was 15.4 trillion yuan, while the software business made 10.8 trillion yuan and big data industry made 1.57 trillion yuan, laying a solid industrial and technological foundation for the integrated development of informatization and industrialization.

Ahmed Abdel Hafez, chairman of the executive bureau of the Egyptian supreme cybersecurity council, said that China's achievements in the development of the digital economy have attracted worldwide attention. China's opening-up has created development opportunities for other countries, and given them the chance to share the development dividends of China's big market.

Beijing and 18 partner cities, including Abu Dhabi, London, Macao, San Francisco, Vienna, Vientiane and Zaragoza, released the global digital economy partnership city cooperation initiative at the opening ceremony of the conference on Tuesday.

The initiative covers aspects such as accelerating the digital transformation process of cities, green development through digital empowerment, and supporting global digital inclusive cooperation. It aims to build an open innovation network for the digital economy between global cities and within multi-bilateral frameworks.

In 2021, Beijing put forward the development goal of accelerating the construction of a global benchmark city for the digital economy. Data from the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology shows that the added value of Beijing's digital economy increased from 871.94 billion yuan in 2015 to 1.7 trillion yuan in 2022, and its share of GDP rose from 35.2 percent to 41.6 percent.

Themed "Data Drives Development, Intelligence Leads the Future," the Global Digital Economy Conference 2023 will conclude on Friday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New York (CNN)  Facebook-parent Meta on Wednesday officially launched its Twitter competitor, Threads, after first confirming its plans for the app just three months ago.

Threads is already off to a strong start: the app received 30 million sign-ups as of Thursday morning, according to the company, including a large number of brands, celebrities, journalists and many other prominent accounts.

The mood on Threads Wednesday night felt a bit like the first day of school, with early adopters rushing to try out the app and write their first posts  and some questioning whether the app could end up being the Twitter killer. As of Thursday morning, Threads was the top free app on Apples App Store and a top trending topic on Twitter.

Threads could pose a serious threat to Twitter, which has faced backlash since Elon Musk took over the platform in October 2022 and has run it with a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach. But Twitter has become particularly vulnerable in recent days, angering users over a temporary limit on how much content users can view each day. And for Meta, Threads could further expand its empire of popular apps and provide a new platform on which to sell ads.

Here is everything we know so far about Metas Threads:

What is Threads?

Threads is a new app from the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The platform looks a lot like Twitter, with a feed of largely text-based posts  although users can also post photos and videos  where people can have real-time conversations.

Meta said messages posted to Threads will have a 500-character limit. Similar to Twitter, users can reply to, repost and quote others Threads posts. But the app also blends Instagrams existing aesthetic and navigation system, and offers the ability to share posts from Threads directly to Instagram Stories.

Thread accounts can also be listed as public or private. Verified Instagram accounts are automatically verified on Threads.

The vision for Threads is to create an option and friendly public space for conversation, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said in a Threads post following the launch. We hope to take what Instagram does best and create a new experience around text, ideas, and discussing whats on your mind.

Some users did experience occasional glitches and issues getting content to load in the early hours after Threads launched, but that is to be expected when millions of users are joining and using an app at once.

How do you sign up? (And can you leave?)

Users sign up through their Instagram accounts and keep the same username, password and account name, although they can edit their bio to be unique to Threads. Users can also import the list of accounts they follow directly from Instagram, making it super easy to get up and running on the app.

But its not quite so easy to leave Threads. While users can temporarily deactivate their profiles via the settings section on the app, the company says in its privacy policy that your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account. Some users have also raised concerns about the amount of data that the Threads, like Instagram, can collect about users, including location, contacts, search history, browsing history, contact info and more, according to the Apple App Store.

Where is Threads available?

Threads is available in 100 countries and more than 30 languages via Apples iOS and Android, according to the company.

Could Threads be the Twitter killer?

Threads is just the latest platform launched in recent months in hopes of unseating Twitter as the go-to app for real-time, public conversations. But it may have the greatest chance at success.

Many Twitter users have expressed desire for an alternative since Musk took over the platform late last year. Frequent technical issues and policy changes have sent some noteworthy Twitter users heading for the exits.

Meta has at least one significant leg up on Twitter: the size of its existing user base. Meta is hoping to capture at least some of its more than 2 billion global active Instagram users with the new app. Thats compared to Twitters active user base, which is somewhere around 250 million.

Itll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it, Zuckerberg said in a Threads post. Twitter has had the opportunity do this but hasnt nailed it. Hopefully we will.

In a tweet on Thursday, Twitters new CEO Linda Yaccarino appeared to acknowledge the rival apps launch, calling Twitter irreplaceable.

Were often imitated  but the Twitter community can never be duplicated, she said.

Metas existing scale and infrastructure could play to its advantage. Whereas many of the other Twitter competitors rolled out in recent months have required users to join waitlists or receive invitations to sign up, only to have to work to recreate their network on the new site, Threads makes it remarkably easy for users to get started.

But Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri noted in a video posted to the platform that the challenge for new social media platforms often is not getting users to sign up, but rather keeping them engaged long-term.

In particular, Meta will have to work to prevent spam, harassment, conspiracy theories and false claims on Threads, issues that have caused many users to sour on Twitter. The new platforms launch comes after Meta laid off more than 20,000 workers starting last November, including user experience, well-being, policy and risk analytics employees. It also comes as campaign season for the 2024 US Presidential election ramps up, with some experts warning of an incoming wave of misinformation. Meta says its Community Guidelines will apply to Threads, just like its other apps.

What else is in it for Meta?

For Meta, Threads could be a way of eking additional engagement time out of its massive existing user base.

Although there are no ads on the platform just yet, Threads could also ultimately supplement Metas core advertising business. Metas ad business could use a boost after facing challenges from a broad decline in the online ad market and changes to Apples app privacy practices, although, if Twitters history is any guide, the format is unlikely to attract as many ad dollars as Metas other platforms.

For Zuckerberg, though, the real draw may be in attempting to best his rival, Musk, with whom he has in recent weeks been making plans to engage in a cage fight. Perhaps winning in the battle of social networks is even better.

This story was first published on CNN.com "What is Threads? Heres what you need to know about the potential Twitter Killer."
The News

The current Dutch coalition government, formed in January 2022, has fallen apart over disagreements surrounding the countrys immigration and asylum policies, Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced Friday.

The governments cabinet includes members from four political parties, who could reportedly not reach an agreement on ways to limit an influx of asylum seekers. Rutte said he and the entire cabinet will resign.

Weve curated insightful reporting to understand what this means for countrys government.

Insights
Melbourne man dies nearly 2 weeks after being shot in domestic violence incident

A 37-year-old man shot and seriously wounded during a domestic violence-related confrontation with his estranged girlfriend has died, Melbourne Police confirmed.

Ronald Gordon, of Melbourne, who remained in intensive care following the shooting, was pronounced dead by doctors Wednesday at Holmes Regional Medical Center, nearly two weeks after the shooting reported in the 800 block of Cedar Drive.

The death becomes the 25th reported homicide to take place in Brevard since January.

Melbourne police say a 37-year-old man has died of gunshot wounds nearly two weeks after being shot by girlfriend.

The girlfriend, whose name is not being released by police, has not been charged in the incident. Detectives continue to review possible claims in the case of self-defense.

Patrol officers responded June 25 to a 911 call from Gordon, saying that he had been shot. Officers arrived and found Gordon unresponsive. He was taken to Holmes where he was treated for his wound and placed in intensive care.

More: Two dead in shooting at apartment complex in Tiusville

Detectives talked with the girlfriend, who said Gordon had tried to snatch a necklace from from her neck. The girlfriend then retrieved a gun and shot Gordon, who ran from the woman and called police.

An investigation is ongoing.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Melbourne man dies from wound sustained in domestic violence shooting
Police searching for suspect after Gwinnett DAs office investigator shot in leg while driving

An investigator with the Gwinnett County District Attorneys Office was shot on Friday evening, police confirmed to Channel 2 Action News.

Police say the investigator called in and reported that he had been shot while driving down Auburn Road heading towards the City of Auburn just after 6 p.m.

Channel 2 Action News crews are on the scene working to learn more details. Get the latest updates on WSB Tonight at 11 p.m.

The investigator, who has not been identified, drove himself to a gas station at Old Fountain Road and Jim Moore Road before calling for help.

The suspect was driving a silver SUV with rear passenger side damage.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Police say the investigator was driving an unmarked vehicle, so it is unclear if the suspect knew he worked with the district attorneys office or if it was a road rage incident.

The investigator had been shot in the leg and is currently hospitalized. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Police are asking the public to be on the lookout for an SUV similar to the suspects vehicle.

One witness said there were dozens of cars responding to the incident.

There were probably 40 or 50 cop cars all over this intersection, said Brad Pruitt.

TRENDING STORIES:

He said he saw the chaos.

I was coming back from work and I was heading home down Old Fountain and I saw a bunch of cop cars passing and there was an ambulance that was pulling out of the gas station right here, with cops following it, Pruitt told Channel 2s Larry Spruill.

Discussing how events unfolded, a police spokeswoman said some details are still unclear and are under investigation. They said the investigator was approached by a driver in a silver SUV while he drove down Auburn Road.

The driver of the Silver SUV began shooting at him. Fortunately, he was able to pull over to a gas station convenience store. Thats when he went over the radio and said he was shot, said Sgt. Michele Pihera.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Then shooter drove away. Police said the rear of the passenger side of the SUV was damaged. Right now, detectives are trying to figure out if the investigator was targeted.

Were still trying to investigate all of the motives. We dont know if the shooter knew this was an investigator with the District Attorneys Office or if this was a road rage incident. The District Attorney Investigator drives an unmarked SUV. So there werent no signs like a police car, that he was a member of the law enforcement community, Pihera said.

Meanwhile, many are still in disbelief.

Just tragic. You dont want to see that with anybody, law enforcement or not. You just dont want to see that happen, especially in our area, said Pruitt.

Police are working to find the shooter.

IN OTHER NEWS:
Meta says it's working on a fix for outraged Threads users who discovered they can't delete their accounts without losing their Instagram profiles too

A Meta spokesperson told Insider they are "working on" a solution. DeFodi Images/Getty Images.

Some users are already trying to delete their accounts on Meta's Twitter rival app, Threads.

But they've discovered that they can't do so without also deleting their Instagram accounts.

A Meta spokesperson told Insider the company is currently "working on" a solution to this issue.

Meta is "working on" a way for users of its new app Threads to be able to delete their accounts without also having to delete their Instagram profiles, according to a spokesperson.

Concerns about Threads, Meta's rival app to Twitter, began to stir after its launch when some users noticed that they would not be able to completely delete their accounts without deleting also deleting their Instagram.

This is because Threads requires users to have an Instagram account prior to signing up. Upon downloading and opening the app, Threads provides an option to import bio information and followers from a user's existing Instagram profile.

A Supplemental Privacy Policy for the app currently states that "Your Threads profile is part of your Instagram account, and may be deleted at any time by deleting your Instagram account."

A Meta spokesperson confirmed this to Insider in an email, adding, "This is something we're working on."

The statement also clarified that users can currently deactivate their profile, meaning their posts will not be visible to other users until they choose to reactivate the account, at any time without it affecting their Instagram account.

Meta's chief technology officer, Andrew Bosworth, also said that the company is currently "fixing" the issue, in a post on Threads responding to writer and actor Dani Fernandez, who shared a screenshot of the platform's current policy, suggesting that people should urge Meta change it. A number of other Threads users have also complained, saying they felt "trapped" by the app's policy.

Threads was launched by Meta on July 6 as a competitor app to Twitter. It received 10 million sign-ups in its first seven hours of launching, according to a post on the platform by Mark Zuckerberg.

Some users have said they've enjoyed experimenting with the app, and are debating whether it could potentially replace Twitter altogether, especially in light of disruptions to the Twitter user experience over the previous weekend, when Elon Musk announced the temporary introduction of "rate limits." This puts a cap on the number of posts users could read, in order to address "extreme levels of data scraping & system manipulation" from AI companies, according to Musk.

Twitter is now threatening to sue Meta over the app, calling it a Twitter "copycat" app, according to a cease-and-desist letter sent by Musk's attorney Alex Spiro. The letter, which is addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, also alleges that Meta hired some former Twitter employees who were previously laid off under Musk's leadership to make the rival social media app.

Meta's communications director Andy Stone addressed the accusation in a Threads post, writing that "no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee  that's just not a thing."

Spiro did not respond to a request for comment from Insider at the time.

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.

Read the original article on Insider
Atlanta area bus driver killed at BP hours after dropping students off at summer school

A metro Atlanta school bus driver was shot to death at a gas station hours after dropping students off at summer school.

Police say that at this point, they have no idea who shot her.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2s Tom Jones was in Clayton County Friday, where 36-year-old Camesha Johnson was shot to death last Thursday in a BP parking lot on Highway 85 and Thomas Road.

Jones talked to her heartbroken family, who last spoke to Johnson as she was leaving for work.

TRENDING STORIES:

Ring camera video picked up Johnsons affection for her mother, Virginia Hunter.

She said, Mama, I didnt give you no hug, Virginia Hunter said. And so she hugged me. She said, Mama? She said, I love you.

Hours later, she was dead.

Johnsons father, Jeffrey Hunter, said she went by the BP every night to pray, meditate and have a smoke.

This is her happy spot, Jeffrey Hunter said.

She went by that same BP every day, faithfully. And I used to tell her how dangerous it was, Virginia Hunter said.

As she sat in her car, someone shot her in the left shoulder. The bullet hit her heart.

Johnsons husband, Charles, told Elliot he has no idea who would want to harm her.

We dont have any enemies, Charles said. Nobody wants to hurt me. Nobody wants to hurt her.

The family wants the killer caught.

Johnsons mother said she loved driving kids to school and that her students are going to be really hurt when school starts.

They gonna be looking for Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson is not there, her mother said.

The family said nothing was taken from her car, so the shooting doesnt look like a robbery. Police told them Johnson sat in her car for more than an hour before someone noticed her.

The family is asking anyone with information to call police.




Pharmacies in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, are selling counterfeit prescription pills laced with illicit substances and passing them off as legitimate pharmaceuticals. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Authorities in Mexico raided several Los Cabos drugstores last month and arrested four people as part of an ongoing investigation into pharmacies selling counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl and methamphetamine.

The flurry of law enforcement action in the peninsular municipality comes on the heels of a Los Angeles Times investigation that found pharmacies from Tulum to Tijuana were passing off powerful drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, as weaker medications commonly sought out by tourists. Of the 55 opioid painkillers and ADHD medications The Times tested over a four-month period, slightly more than half proved to be counterfeit.

Alejandro Torres Pineda, a delegate of the attorney general's office in Baja California Sur, said Mexico's investigation was sparked by local media coverage of the issue  coverage that was based on and extensively credited The Times' reporting.

In total, authorities confiscated nearly 25,000 pills in the raids. None of them tested positive for fentanyl or methamphetamine, according to Pineda, but came back as other controlled substances that the pharmacies did not have authorization to sell.

"Were continuing the investigations, he said in a phone interview last week.

The raids are important, Pineda said, "because the sale of controlled medicines is inhibited, the health of citizens is protected and the type of medicines sold in pharmacies is controlled."

Read more: Mexico says it doesn't have a fentanyl problem. New data reveal a hidden epidemic

Ahead of the raids, federal police went to different pharmacies around Los Cabos and interviewed people  including one from North America  as they left the businesses. One person told police that she was buying medicine for back pain. When authorities tested the pills, they found that her purchase also ran afoul of regulations.

A judge then granted law enforcement authorities permission to search the pharmacies in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Two were raided June 3 and three others were raided June 20. Authorities found diazepam and clonazepam, anti-anxiety medications usually known in the U.S. by the brand names Valium and Klonopin.

The raids by law enforcement  including federal police, the attorney generals office and the Mexican navy  netted a cache of money and boxes of pills. Images released by Mexicos attorney general showed clusters of gun-toting, camouflage-clad police wearing balaclavas standing in front of blurred-out drugstores.

Of the people arrested, Pineda said, three were pharmacy employees and the fourth was an owner of one of the businesses. There's nothing yet that points to cartel involvement, he added.

The municipal director of public safety in Los Cabos, Jesus Antonio Gomez Rodriguez, framed the recent operation as a positive step.

In terms of security, the work coordinated by three levels of government is yielding good results, with the aim of guaranteeing the safety of locals and visitors, Gomez said. It's protecting the health of our young people who can fall into the clutches of drugs, as well as the numerous groups of visitors who come to our municipality to enjoy its natural beauties and tourist services."

Drugstores in Mexico have long been known for selling a wide range of medications over the counter, including many that would require a prescription in the U.S. Until recently, drug market experts had generally believed that pills sold in stores  unlike those sold on the street  were at least what the store owners said they were.

Read more: Naloxone helps prevent opioid deaths. Here's how to find and use it

But in February, The Times published an investigation after testing pills from pharmacies in three cities, including San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. In each city, some of the pills sold over the counter as either oxycodone or Adderall tested positive for fentanyl or methamphetamine. Around the same time, a UCLA research team recorded similar findings.

Over the next few weeks, reporters identified at least half a dozen people who overdosed or died after taking pills theyd purchased at pharmacies in Mexico. Grieving families had been alerting U.S. government officials as early as 2018. It was not until March, however, that the U.S. State Department explicitly warned the public about the danger.

On June 14, The Times published a broader investigation, documenting the problem across the country, from Mexico's southeastern tip in the Yucatan Peninsula to its border with California. Of the 55 pills reporters tested, 28 were counterfeit.

According to El Sudcaliforniano , a regional news site in Mexico, last year Baja California Sur health officials inspected 628 pharmacies, including 175 in Los Cabos. During those visits, inspectors checked licenses and documentation and found everything to be in order. But they later told the outlet it was not up to state officials to do the laboratory testing to confirm the chemical makeup of the drugs.

Health officials also told the news site in February that they found no records of people dying due to adulterated medicine  though there has been a lack of the kind of postmortem toxicology testing in Mexico that would be needed to make that determination.

After similar inspections in the spring, the Cabo Sun reported that state health officials visited more than 100 pharmacies in Baja California Sur. In Los Cabos alone, the news site said, officials shut down nine pharmacies for distributing controlled substances.

When The Times first contacted the attorney generals office in February, a federal prosecutor there  who has since asked to not be named due to safety concerns  said it was the first time shed heard of fentanyl-tainted pills appearing in pharmacies. She called it a new modus operandi that we havent detected before and said that officials were concerned.

To better understand the problem, she said, authorities would need to find where in the process theyre faking the pills and determine if pharmacies are involved in criminal activity or they dont know if they are selling medications with fentanyl.

In June, the prosecutor told reporters in an email that federal health officials were interested in The Times' investigation and hoped to file a complaint with her office for potential prosecution. The Times did not provide Mexican authorities with information about the pharmacies reporters visited.

After prosecutors and police opened an investigation , a judge granted them permission to search several pharmacies.

But for Mary Harrell  whose son overdosed and died after he bought a fentanyl-tainted pill at a pharmacy in Cabo San Lucas in 2019  the enforcement actions came as little consolation. The Camarillo woman said she wished authorities in Mexico had taken action sooner.

"It's not going to stop," she said. "If it were a real cleanup you'd have the president going after it  but you don't."

Read more: With overdose deaths rising, here's how to test drugs for fentanyl

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Michael Torres, a member of the Mexican Mafia, was stabbed to death on July 6, 2023, at California State Prison, Sacramento. (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation)

Michael Torres, a Mexican Mafia member who oversaw gangs in the San Fernando Valley and controlled drug and extortion rackets in the Los Angeles County jails, was stabbed to death in prison Thursday, authorities said.

Torres, 59, was attacked around 9 a.m. at California State Prison, Sacramento, where he was serving 133 years to life for attempted murder, conspiracy, weapons offenses and witness tampering.

Prison officials identified the assailants as Ray Martinez, 49, and Juan Angel Martinez, 47. The men, who are not related, are both serving life in prison for murder and other crimes. Ray Martinez is a Mexican Mafia member nicknamed "Cisco," according to law enforcement sources.

It's unclear why Torres was killed, but he made many enemies in his climb from the streets of San Fernando to presiding over the largest county jail complex in the country.

Read more: 'A well-oiled machine': The Mexican Mafia's money-making operation in L.A. County jails

"The only game is greed," a gang member told prosecutors in 2005, predicting that Torres would one day be killed in prison. "They step on each others face to get to the top."

Originally from the San Fer gang, Torres was sponsored for membership in the Mexican Mafia by one of its founders, Luis "Huero Buff" Flores, in 1994 at Pelican Bay State Prison, a law enforcement official testified in 2004. His nickname, "Mosca," means "Fly" in Spanish.

After serving 16 years for manslaughter, Torres was released in the early 2000s. He then became the Mexican Mafia's "sanctioned tax collector" in the San Fernando Valley, a prosecutor wrote in a bail motion.

Read more: The high school teacher turned lawyer accused of being a fixer for the Mexican Mafia

"Mosca has a lot of juice," a witness told prosecutors. "Moscas got the whole valley. Thats all him. So every neighborhood in the valley pretty much pays him.

The night of June 12, 2003, Torres knocked on the door of an apartment in North Hills. He told the man who answered that he was looking for Diablo, according to evidence presented at his trial.

A gang member called Smokey had told Torres that David "Diablo" Mendoza had been shaking down drug dealers and prostitutes by claiming to be a Mexican Mafia member. As Mendoza approached the doorway, Torres asked if he was a "carnal"  a term for a Mexican Mafia member. When Mendoza lifted up his shirt, as if to display his tattoos, Torres shot him in the chest.

Later that night, two of Torres' underlings kidnapped Smokey. They beat him, strangled him with a rope and stabbed him with a screwdriver, but he managed to fight off his attackers and flee.

Read more: A terminally ill prisoner didn't want his gang to die with him. So he wrote

When Torres was arrested, detectives searched his mother's beige stucco home in San Fernando, finding bundles of cash in a crawl space and an additional $6,000 inside a coffee pot, according to a search warrant.

They also found a list of dozens of books that Torres had apparently planned on purchasing. The reading list included the "complete uncensored" edition of the "Anarchist's Cookbook," "Gray's Anatomy" and Get Anyone to Do Anything and Never Feel Powerless Again."

Torres, who had a fifth-grade education, acted as his own lawyer. A witness told prosecutors that Torres was representing himself to prolong his stay in Men's Central Jail, where he was collecting a tax on all drug sales.

Mosca doesnt want to leave the county jail," the witness said, according to court records. "I dont know if you guys understand this, but Mosca gets a very large amount of money being put in that county jail."

Read more: He dodged a Mexican Mafia death sentence for 26 years. Then his luck ran out

Smokey, in custody on an unrelated charge, was visited by a woman who held up a note to the glass partition in the visiting room. If he talked to the police, the message said, Ill kill you and your family just to let you know not to f with the Eme." Smokey told prosecutors he believed Torres had written the note.

Mendoza testified that Smokey, not Torres, had shot him. A year after the trial, Mendoza was gunned down in North Hills by a still-unidentified person.

Convicted of attempted murder, threatening witnesses and other crimes, Torres was sent to prison for life.

Nine years later, Torres seized control of the Los Angeles County jail system from his prison cell, according to evidence presented in prosecutions of his lieutenants.

He oversaw the Mexican Mafia's two main jail rackets. One was "the kitty," a pot of commissary items collected from Latino inmates and then sold. The other was the one-thirds tax imposed on all drug sales.

Read more: Contraband cellphones, coded messages help Mexican Mafia operate in California prisons

A micromanager, Torres would call his underlings using contraband cellphones and demand an accounting of all the money being made and the names of everyone handling it, one of his associates told The Times.

Torres distributed the Men's Central Jail proceeds among all Mexican Mafia members, his lieutenant told authorities in 2017, while splitting the money from Wayside, the jail complex in Castaic, between himself and another Mexican Mafia member, Jose "Joker" Gonzalez. The lieutenant said he collected $12,000 a week from the jails on Torres' behalf.

Outside the jails, Torres taxed gangs and drug dealers in the San Fernando and Antelope valleys, investing the cash in legitimate businesses and real estate, according to gang members who worked under him.

Torres was under indictment in federal court at the time of his death, charged with conspiring with the Aryan Brotherhood to traffic heroin.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Mexican Mafia member with a reputation for generating lots of illicit revenue was stabbed to death at a Northern California prison Thursday, in what appears to be an attack from within his own gang.

Michael Mosca Torres, 59, was killed around 9 a.m. Thursday by fellow prisoners Juan Martinez, 47, and Ray Cisco Martinez, 49, at California State Prison, Sacramento, according to a news release by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. All three men were serving life sentences at the facility known as New Folsom for various violent crimes, authorities said.

Both suspects, who are not related, appear to be affiliated with the Mexican Mafia or its subsidiaries. Ray Martinez was identified in a Los Angeles Times report as a Mexican Mafia member. Juan Martinez has a tattoo on his neck of the number 13, a symbol for both the Mexican Mafia and its primary offshoot, the Sureno gang.

Torres was widely known as a moneymaker for the notorious prison gang, which controls multi-million drug, fraud, robbery and extortion rackets throughout the United States, in addition to having a hand in legitimate business. He had business interests in the San Fernando Valley, as well as alleged involvement in large heroin rings inside and outside of prison, authorities say.

In 2019, Torres was the lone Mexican Mafia member to be indicted alongside more than a dozen alleged Aryan Brotherhood members and associates in a major racketeering case. Torres was accused of conspiring with Aryan Brotherhood leaders to distribute heroin, while others in the indictment were accused of murder conspiracies and fatal prison stabbings.

Torres was initially housed in administrative segregation, but served as his own attorney and wrote several handwritten motions demanding to be placed back into general population, court records show. One such motion, filed in December 2020, says that his restrictive housing was affecting his ability to mount an effective defense and that the windowless cell caused him to suffer from claustrophobia.

Its my belief that the government conspired with its agents CDCR to use the pretext of an alleged investigation to keep me in ad-seg, Torres wrote.

Federal prosecutors rebutted the motion by arguing that Torres was a danger to others, writing in a court filing that he had been caught with a handcuff key during a cell search. Prosecutors also said hed been caught with a note to another inmate, Lee, discussing heroin sales and an apparent dispute over money.
A man who overdosed after shooting up in downtown Mexicali remained there for close to three hours before police arrived. Red Cross paramedics arrived soon after to assist with oxygen and take him to the hospital. He was still breathing. Most all of the heroin and meth drugs in Mexicali have traces of fentanyl, leading to a high death rate amongst addicts. Even if they wanted to avoid fentanyl, it would be impossible. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

As fentanyl has ravaged the United States, killing tens of thousands of Americans each year, Mexican leaders have insisted their country has been virtually untouched by the opioid.

Mexico officially recorded just 19 deaths from all opioids in 2020, the most recent year for which data are available, with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador contending fentanyl is exclusively a U.S. problem  one he blames on American "social decay."

There is a lot of disintegration of families, there is a lot of individualism, there is a lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs, he said during a March news briefing. "Here ... we do not have consumption of fentanyl."

But new data tell a different story.

A man who overdosed in downtown Mexicali, Mexico, is transported to a hospital. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A novel testing initiative in Mexicali, the capital of Baja California, found that 23% of more than 1,100 bodies sent to the morgue over the last year tested positive for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid as much as 50 times stronger than heroin.

The research was led by the director of Baja Californias Forensic Medical Services, who shared the unpublished results with The Times. It is believed to be the first study of its kind in a nation where medical examiners have traditionally not done toxicology testing, in effect making it impossible to measure the scope of the nation's drug problem  or even confirm its existence.

And it stands in stark contrast to the countrys official statistics, which show that 184 people received treatment for addiction to the drug nationwide in 2021.

The new Mexicali data are a massive statement and finding, said David Goodman-Meza, a UCLA harm-reduction researcher. To say that more than 200 people  of just the people who died in one city  had fentanyl on board really goes against the official narrative of the president saying that nobody uses fentanyl. Its a massive contradiction to what officials say is going on.

The data also seem to confirm what many in Mexicali have been seeing for years.

Julio Buenrostro was sipping a coffee on a recent morning when his radio crackled, and he sprang into action. A paramedic with the Red Cross, a nonprofit ambulance service that handles most emergency calls in Mexicali, Buenrostro had already responded to one overdose that morning. Now, at 9 a.m., he was heading to his second.

A man who overdosed after shooting up in downtown Mexicali receives help from police and Red Cross paramedics. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Sirens wailing, he sped toward Independencia, a middle-class neighborhood with gated yards and palm trees.

Inside a darkened utility room off his familys home, 55-year-old Arturo Gonzalez was dead, his limbs stiff and his head resting on an ironing board that appeared to have caught his fall as he collapsed. A needle lay on the ground near his new Adidas sneakers.

The day before, Gonzalez had finished a yearlong stint at a rehabilitation center, his brother Leo said.

The siblings had celebrated with a meal at a seafood restaurant. Then his brother had dropped off Gonzalez at an aunts house to sleep. At some point, Gonzalez had apparently left the house in search of a fix  and found one, his brother said.

The president says there isnt any fentanyl here," Buenrostro said as he drove back to the station. "But every day we see people dying from it."

The new numbers help quantify a largely hidden epidemic that has often fallen under the purview of police and paramedics, who say they respond to four or five overdose cases daily. Its not just a problem with people living in the street, said Carlos Romero, deputy director of Mexicali's municipal police department. Its everywhere.

A cross memorializes Alejandra Monserrant Mendoza Jurado, who died of an overdose in August 2020. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

At the Refugio del Hijo Prodigo rehabilitation center, a walled compound tucked amid farmland on the outskirts of Mexicali, nearly all of the 92 residents there recently have struggled with addiction to fentanyl.

They pray together each night for the friends they have lost to the drug. They rarely attend the funerals.

Its too much," said Santiago Raygoza, the centers director. "It's like seeing your future.

As the chief medical examiner in Baja California state, Dr. Cesar Gonzalez Vaca had seen increasingly dire warnings from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration about the fentanyl problem across the border.

He had also begun noticing an uptick in deaths in his morgues that looked a lot like opioid overdoses.

The morgue in Mexicali, where nursing students leave after their studies. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

But in Mexico, postmortem drug testing is a rarity. That means when people die, medical examiners typically dont find out what substances were in their bloodstream, or whether they were enough to kill.

Gonzalez Vaca had a hunch that his country's official data on fentanyl use wasn't telling the full story. So beginning last June, he and his team started performing toxicology tests on nearly every body that came through the morgue in Mexicali  a city of just over 1 million people  regardless of whether it appeared the person's death was linked to drugs.

The results surprised even him. Out of 1,106 bodies tested, 250  or 23%  were positive for fentanyl.

By comparison, in Los Angeles County, an estimated 28% of the 7,137 bodies the medical examiner tested for the drug last year came up positive.

When Gonzalez Vaca and his team did their testing, they also checked for the presence of other drugs. They found that 391 bodies tested positive for methamphetamine. In all, 562 tested positive for any so-called drug of abuse, including marijuana.

Gonzalez Vaca said 80% of those with fentanyl in their system also tested positive for another drug.

A red stripe on a test strip indicates that a heroin sample is positive for fentanyl. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Its well documented that fentanyl has been infiltrating both powders and pills on the street for years.

A recent Times investigation found fentanyl had spread from the streets to brick-and-mortar drugstores, with some pharmacies along the border and in beachside tourist towns passing off fentanyl pills as weaker pharmaceutical opioids illegally sold over the counter.

A study published in 2020 analyzed drug residue from 89 syringes and drug wrappers in Tijuana. It found fentanyl in 93% of samples of white powder marketed as heroin and in roughly three-quarters of all samples tested.

Yet few users knew they were consuming fentanyl, said an author of that study, Clara Fleiz, a researcher at Mexicos National Institute of Psychiatry: The population doesnt know what they are consuming.

The new Mexicali data are not without limitations. Because the city is near the border  a drug-trafficking hot spot  its unclear whether findings there would hold true elsewhere in the country.

And because most bodies sent to the morgue are victims of violence, accidents or other unnatural deaths, the patterns the team detected among those tested might not be representative of trends in the city as a whole.

Some of the dead  roughly 5%, Gonzalez Vaca said  were too decayed for testing, which requires samples of blood or urine to complete. That testing includes a seven-drug assay similar to the urine tests used by many probation departments, as well as a separate test for fentanyl.

They are basically like pregnancy tests, Gonzalez Vaca explained.

Read more: Fentanyl-tainted pills now found in Mexican pharmacies from coast to coast

And just like a pregnancy test, he said, the assays show only a positive or negative result. Because they cannot measure the amount of a drug in a persons bloodstream, they cant be used to determine whether someone died of an overdose or simply had drugs in their system.

Thats why officially, Gonzalez Vaca said, none of the bodies he studied were classified as overdose victims.

Although men in their early 30s were the demographic most likely to test positive for drugs of abuse, Gonzalez Vaca said, he had otherwise limited information on the lives and drug histories of the dead.

On a downtown block in Mexicali not far from a U.S. border crossing, a lanky man walked into a storefront, took a seat in a small metal cubicle and took out a bag of what he described as China White heroin.

La Sala, as the space is known, is run by a nonprofit organization that provides users with clean needles, fentanyl tests and lifesaving medication that can help reverse an opioid overdose.

Nestor Maldonado Garcia began using heroin laced with fentanyl after Mexico's government closed the country's only methadone manufacturer. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Nestor Maldonado Garcia prepared his heroin, cooking it with a candle in a small metal container. He dropped a pinch into a cup of water. A La Sala worker dipped a fentanyl test strip into it. A red line soon appeared.

Just so you know, this does have fentanyl in it, the worker said.

But Maldonado was already shooting up.

For years, he had been on a better track, visiting a methadone clinic every morning before going to work cleaning cars in parking lots. But in February, Mexico's government closed the country's only methadone manufacturer, Psicofarma, over concerns about quality control.

Afterward, all three methadone clinics in Mexicali closed. Maldonado soon returned to buying drugs on the street.

Researchers say Mexicos lack of understanding of the extent of its fentanyl crisis has only fueled its problem.

Nestor Maldonado Garcia holds a syringe containing heroin laced with fentanyl at a safe house in Mexicali. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Weve known for a while that Mexico is undercounting the number of people using opioids and methamphetamine, said Steffanie Strathdee, a UC San Diego epidemiologist who studies drug use along the border. As a result of that, the government has decided that methadone and other harm reduction strategies are not worthy of pursuit because the number of people affected is so small.

That, in turn, could lead to a spike in overdoses, not just because of the strength of fentanyl but also because the odds of overdose are much higher after long periods without use.

In some cases, Strathdee worried, people might try to safely avoid the powerful synthetic by purchasing a weaker opioid such as Percocet or Vicodin, only to find that those pills are actually tainted with fentanyl too.

She said the decision to close the methadone factory is linked to the government's refusal to admit Mexico has a fentanyl problem. Theres a similar pattern, addiction experts say, in the government's opposition to the widespread use of the drug naloxone, which can instantly reverse an overdose.

Read more: U.S. issues warning about Mexican pharmacies selling tainted, counterfeit pills

Lopez Obrador has criticized U.S. efforts to make the lifesaving medication available for purchase without a prescription and opposed efforts to deregulate it in Mexico.

"Will it serve as a medication to eradicate addiction? Lopez Obrador asked recently. "Or is it just going to prolong the agony?"

Meanwhile paramedics and hospitals are struggling to get sufficient supplies, and the lack of available naloxone scares people struggling with addiction.

Cristian Flores Ojeda shows where he injects heroin into his neck. Almost all of the heroin in Mexicali has traces of fentanyl. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Cristian Flores Ojeda, who lives at a homeless encampment near a fruit-packing plant in downtown Mexicali, said he had nearly died several times over the last few years as Mexicali's heroin supply has been flooded with fentanyl. At times, he and others had tried to reverse overdoses with DIY treatments that experts say are bogus.

On a recent Monday, Flores was sitting on a dusty couch when he noticed a man who had overdosed and persuaded a passerby to call 911.

About an hour later, a police cruiser pulled up. Officer Sergio Lopez hopped out and strode toward the man, who lay slumped across a bag of onion skins.

The man wasn't moving. Lopez crouched and touched the mans wrist in search of a pulse.

Hes alive, Lopez said into his radio. Its an overdose.

Lopez grabbed a jug of water and splashed it on the mans cheeks and neck. He tugged his earlobes. Poked his ribs.

Amigo, amigo, Lopez said loudly, trying to coax the man back into consciousness. No te vayas.

Dont go.

Cristian Flores Ojeda, right, and other homeless men hang out at an empty lot in Mexicali. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

In March, Gonzalez Vaca expanded his study to Tijuana, home to Baja California's busiest morgue. Already the results show dozens of people died with drugs in their systems.

Of 225 bodies tested there, roughly two-thirds came up positive for any type of drug; 30  or about 13%  were positive for fentanyl and 125 were positive for methamphetamine.

That could mean the patterns of drug use are significantly different from those in Mexicali, or it could just be a result of the small sample size.

Gonzalez Vaca said he hopes to bring his testing initiative to Ensenada, a coastal town about 85 miles southwest of Mexicali.

Addiction experts hope the interest in testing expands even further. Joseph Friedman is a UCLA researcher who studies addiction along the U.S.-Mexico border. To him, the decision to start testing only raised questions about why that didn't happen sooner or in more cities.

"It's great that Mexicali is doing this, but we need this to happen elsewhere along the border," he said. "We have every reason to think that this problem is spreading to other parts of Mexico."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In Miami-Dades first race for elections supervisor, a divide over who won in 2020

While running for a Miami congressional seat last year, Ruth Swanson repeated Donald Trumps false claim that he won the 2020 election. Now Swanson, a Republican, is running to oversee all elections in Miami-Dade County as supervisor.

Swanson, an educator, was the subject of multiple videos last year when she answered questions from a TikTok personality conducting interviews at a Trump event.

Ruth Swanson, a former English instructor in China, is running as a Republican for elections supervisor in Miami-Dade County.

Asked who won the 2020 election, Swanson answered Trump in the video posted in February 2022. She said of the U.S. Department of Justice: I think they should have gone and taken what the evidence was in Arizona  and across the nation. They should have done their due diligence, and I dont think they did.

READ MORE: Miami-Dades elections director was ready to run for the job in 24. Now shes not

As Miami-Dade voters prepare to join the rest of Florida in electing their county elections supervisor, the 2020 presidential election is helping define candidates for the soon-to-be partisan office.

Juan Carlos J.C. Planas, an election lawyer and former Republican office holder who joined the Democratic Party as Trump ran for reelection in 2020, cited false claims about President Joe Bidens election as a reason for running for elections supervisor.

Election denialism in the aftermath of the 2020 election shook me to my core, Planas, 52, said in a statement Friday after filing to run at the Election Departments headquarters in Doral. More than any time in my life, our democracy was clearly under attack.

Juan Carlos Planas, a former member of the Florida House and a Democrat, is running for Miami-Dade County elections supervisor in 2024.

Planas served in the Florida House of Representatives between 2002 and 2010 and represented multiple Republican candidates since leaving office, including Miami-Dades former mayor, Carlos Gimenez, now a GOP representative in Congress.

In recent years, Planas became a vocal critic of Republican office holders, calling Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis a wanna-be dictator in an April Facebook post.

Planas is the third candidate to file for the office of election supervisor, currently an appointed post that reports to Miami-Dades Democratic mayor, Daniella Levine Cava.

In early 2025, the countys Elections Department becomes an independent agency under Floridas Constitution. Miami-Dade is the only Florida county with an appointed elections supervisor, but a 2018 amendment to the state constitution requires voters to elect the supervisor starting in 2024.

Under state rules, candidates for election supervisor compete in partisan primaries, so the Republican and Democratic nominees in Miami-Dade will face each other on the November ballot.

Willis Howard, a Democratic campaign consultant and former North Miami Beach administrator, is running for elections supervisor of Miami-Dade County in 2024.

Willis Howard, a Democrat who is also running for Miami-Dade elections supervisor, emphasized he is a long-time member of his party. Asked about Swansons statements on the 2020 election, Howard said he wants to increase confidence in ballot results by making the countys Elections Department more transparent.

The system does work. Its worked for 200 or 300 years, said Howard, 49, a campaign consultant active in local races and a former chief of staff at the city of North Miami Beach. When folks stop believing in the system, everything starts to crumble.

A former English instructor in China for five years, Swanson said in a 2022 interview that she has been an advocate against the persecution of the mostly-Muslim Uyghur population in China since returning to the United States.

She challenged Gimenez for what was then the 26th District congressional seat in 2022 but did not qualify for the Republican primary ballot.

It was during that race that Swanson agreed to an on-camera interview in a parking lot with Jason Selvig, a host of the Good Liars social-media feeds, which post videos that tend to poke fun at conservatives.

Identified as a Republican congressional candidate, Swanson declined to offer evidence of a stolen election when pressed by Selvig. I dont think I want to go into all of it today, she said.

Reached by phone this week, Swanson, 42, declined to be interviewed or state her position on the 2020 election results. Im not giving my opinion on that. Thank you, she said.

While contradicted by the Justice Department under Trump and state-level investigations, public doubts that Biden won the 2020 election arent fringe in the Republican Party. Trump continues to insist the 2020 election was stolen, and hes the leading contender for his partys 2024 nomination.

In her 2022 campaign website for Congress, Swanson posted a statement from a supporter praising Swanson for unrelenting action for election integrity and fixing the fraudulent election.

At roughly the same time as her Good Liars encounter, Swanson gave an extended interview on the United Patriot Party YouTube channel. She said she joined the executive committee of the Miami-Dade Republican Party as part of a broader effort to bring true conservatives into local party leadership.

We have managed to do some really good things, she said. We are trying to clean up the probable election fraud that has been happening, and trying to prevent it from happening in the future.
New York (CNN)  Japans busiest shipping port said Thursday it would resume operations after a ransomware attack prevented the port from receiving shipping containers for two days.

The expected restoration of the Port of Nagoya, a hub for car exports and an engine of the Japanese economy, will ease concerns about any wider economic fallout from the ransomware attack.

The hacking incident began Tuesday when the computer system that handles shipping containers was knocked offline, according to a statement from the Nagoya Harbor Transportation Association. The hack forced the port to stop handling shipping containers that came to the terminal by trailer, the association said.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that typically locks the computers of a victim organization so that hackers can demand payment.

This is the first reported ransomware attack on a Japanese port, and the incident has created great concerns over the impact on the local economy and supply chain including the auto industry, Mihoko Matsubara, chief cybersecurity strategist at NTT Corporation, a Japanese telecom firm, told CNN.

Japanese media reported that LockBit, a type of ransomware linked with Russian-speaking hackers, was used in the hack.

The LockBit cybercriminal group has been prolific in recent weeks, claiming Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC as a victim last week (TSMC said one of its hardware suppliers was hacked but the incident had no impact on TSMCs business operations.)

As of midday Thursday in Japan, there was no claim of responsibility for the Port of Nagoya ransomware attack from the LockBit group on their dark-web site.

It was unclear if the Port of Nagoya received a ransom demand. CNN was unable to reach a spokesperson for the port association.

Japanese critical infrastructure operators should drill for cyberattacks on their supply chains and have a response plan in place, given threats from both cybercriminals and state-backed hackers, Matsubara told CNN.

Though this may be a first for Japan, ransomware and related hacks have hit ports in other countries.

In 2017, malicious software allegedly unleashed by the Russian military on Ukraine spread around the world and disrupted operations at shipping giant Maersk, coasting the company an estimated $300 million.

 CNNs Mayumi Maruyama contributed to this report

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Japans largest port hit with ransomware attack"
When former Miami Congressman David Rivera and an associate were charged with acting as unregistered foreign agents for Venezuela, federal prosecutors obtained a judges order seeking to take about $24 million of their income by freezing their bank accounts, securities and four Florida properties linked to the alleged crime.

But on their own, U.S. prosecutors also placed legal holds on eight other Florida and Georgia properties belonging to the two defendants  unrelated to the alleged criminal activity  with a plan to seize them if necessary as substitute assets upon their convictions at trial.

On Thursday, in an unprecedented ruling, Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres found that the prosecutors could not legally restrain the defendants substitute assets before trial by placing holds on them in Miami-Dade County Court.

In his 23-page decision, Torres agreed with the defendants that neither state nor federal law grants [prosecutors] the authority to constrain innocent assets in this manner prior to trial and conviction. In particular, Torres cited a U.S. Supreme Court case from South Florida that blocks prosecutors from freezing a defendants substitute assets before trial when they are needed to hire a lawyer, noting it is the government that stubbornly fails to comprehend the protection of this law under the Constitution.

If Torres decision passes muster with U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles, who was assigned the high-profile case, it would pave the way for Rivera and political consultant Esther Nuhfer to sell some Florida and Georgia real estate properties to hire their attorneys on a permanent basis and pay them legal fees.

Because of the dispute, both Rivera and Nuhfer, who were arrested in December, have been unable to retain two of Miamis top criminal defense attorneys to represent them and have also been unable to enter formal not guilty pleas in Miami federal court. As a result, their criminal case, aside from the indictment unsealed in December, has barely gotten under way.

If this decision stands, we will get paid from the sale of the substitute assets for our legal services and move forward with defending our clients, said attorney Edward Shohat, who is representing Rivera along with lawyers David Weinstein and Monique Garcia.

Attorney David O. Markus, who is representing Nuhfer along with partner Margot Moss, condemned the prosecutors strategy of targeting the defendants substitute assets before trial as hyper aggressive.

This case is a perfect example  trying to lock up assets that have no connection to the alleged offense before the clients can even hire counsel, forget about conviction, Markus said. It was an outrageous and unprecedented money grab.

Rivera, 57, a Republican who served one term in Congress a decade ago, posted a statement about the magistrate judges decision on Twitter, saying The Founding Fathers understood perfectly the potential dangers of an unchecked Department of Justice. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Harold Schimkat is expected to ask Gayles to reverse Torres decision, and, if that fails, he may bring the matter to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.

An indictment unsealed in December charged Rivera and Nuhfer with conspiring to commit offenses against the United States, failing to register as foreign agents as part of their consulting work for Venezuelas oil subsidiary, PDV USA, and money laundering.

As Venezuelas economy was crashing in 2017, the countrys state-owned oil company hired Rivera for a costly public relations campaign to prop up the Venezuelan firm in the United States and to prevent U.S. sanctions. In just a few months, Riveras business, Interamerican Consulting, collected $20 million from Venezuelas U.S. subsidiary, PDV USA, but its $50 million contract with the former politician abruptly ended when he was accused of doing little work, according to a lawsuit in New York that was filed before the federal indictment in Miami.

Court documents in both the civil and criminal cases revealed that Rivera diverted more than half of his PDV USA income  $13 million  to three subcontractors in Miami who supposedly provided international strategic consulting services for the Venezuelan firm. The three recipients of the proceeds were his Venezuelan lawyer, Raul Gorrin, known as a TV medial mogul in Caracas with political connections, Riveras associate, Nuhfer, and a formerly convicted drug trafficker, Hugo Perera. Both Perera and Gorrin owned homes on exclusive Fisher Island.

In a new court filing, Rivera and his lawyers have asked the district judge, Gayles, to let him consult with Gorrin in Venezuela, saying he can both help him with his unregistered-foreign agent case and with the related civil business dispute in New York. Rivera says he hired Gorrin as a lawyer in 2017, but U.S. authorities allege that Gorrin was actually a subcontractor on Riveras high-paying consulting deal with Venezuelas state-owned oil company, PDVSA  the contract that is at the heart of the criminal case against Rivera.

Gorrin, who is not charged in Riveras case, was indicted by a Miami federal grand jury on foreign corruption and money laundering charges in 2018. In court papers, prosecutors describe Gorrin as a fugitive from justice.
Miami has so many cool art museums and summer is the perfect time to go. Heres a guide

The record-breaking heat isnt letting up, the afternoon thunderstorms are relentless and theres still a whole summer to get through. Good thing art museums are indoors -- and air conditioned.

Miamis collection of art museums has grown (and continues to grow) as the city cements itself as an international arts destination, even when its not Miami Art Week. And we have a diverse bunch of museums to pick from -- from Instagram-worthy attractions to privately owned collections to organizations that connect with the community. And, believe it or not, there are still free things to do in Miami.

If youre both sweaty and in need of cultural enrichment, heres your guide to South Floridas art museums.

Some of Miamis art museums are free. Heres how to take in some culture without paying

The Bass







If youve driven, biked or rollerbladed south on Collins Avenue and quickly glanced to your right, youve likely seen these two words emblazoned on top of an Art Deco building: ETERNITY NOW. Thats not the name of the place, but the sign is one of several art installations at The Bass, Miami Beachs contemporary art museum. Located in Collins Park, the museum opened in 1964 after John and Johanna Bass donated a private art collection to the City of Miami Beach. Originally the Miami Beach Public Library and Art Center, the building was designed by Russell Pancoast, who was the grandson of the parks namesake and local legend John Collins. Normally, general admission is $15, but the museum only has two galleries open at the moment while it prepares to open more exhibitions. Until Aug. 17, visitors can enter the museum by making a donation of any amount. Any change or bills in your wallet will do. Even though the full museum isnt available at the moment, theres still some cool artwork on display for a quick, afternoon museum visit.

Address: 2100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach

Hours: noon - 5 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday; closed Monday and Tuesday

Parking: Street parking

Prices: Donation based until Aug. 17. Normal prices are $15 for adults; $8 for students, seniors, youth; Free for children 6 and under

https://thebass.org

Coral Gables Museum

Guests at the Coral Gables Museum gaze at an art piece entitled The Personification of Heat during an event hosted by Miami-Dade artist-in-residence Xavier Cortada where he unveiled three new paintings he created.







This museum is as pretty on the outside as it is on the inside. The Coral Gables Museum, located on Aragon Avenue, is made out of (you guessed it) coral stone and used to be the local police and fire station. Today, the museum pays tribute to the historic neighborhoods beginnings while showcasing visual art exhibitions. Its particularly focused on the preservation and appreciation of Coral Gables, which was built by Bahamian immigrants and incorporated as a city in 1925. Its current show, Masters That Changed the City, pays tribute to Venezuelan artists Jesus Rafael Soto and Carlos Cruz-Diez. Just down the block from the museum is Books & Books and its cafe.

Address: 285 Aragon Ave., Coral Gables

Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; Closed Monday

Parking: street parking and parking garages nearby

Prices: $12 for adults, $8 for students and seniors; $5 for children ages 7-12; Free for military families and children 6 and under

https://coralgablesmuseum.org/

Frost Art Museum  FIU

Huang con Chang and Paisaje Dorado by Miguel Trelles at the Frost Art Museum.







Not to be confused with the downtown Frost Museum of Science right next to PAMM, the Frost Art Museum is a sizable institution in its own right. Its one of the largest academic art museums in South Florida, and it currently has several exhibitions and installations on view through the summer, including a colorful mural of the Florida panther and a collaboration with The Wolfsonian. Also on display is artist Amy Sillmans After Metamorphoses, an animated video made with iPad drawings. The museums latest exhibition, Draw: Point to Point, is all about the art of drawing and features South Florida-based artists like Cornelius Tulloch and Amanda Linares. Download the museums app to access audio tours for your visit.

Address: Modesto Maidique Campus, 10975 SW 17th St., Miami

Hours: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday; Closed Monday

Parking: Metered parking in the Blue of Gold garages or Lot 4 on campus

Prices: Free

https://frost.fiu.edu/index.html

Institute of Contemporary Art, Miami

Claire Tabouret: Au Bois dAmour at ICA, Miami.

Think of ICA, Miami as PAMMs cool, younger cousin who lives in the Design District. Though the museum is relatively young, having opened its doors in 2017, ICA has become a prominent player in Miamis art scene. Led by artistic director Alex Gartenfeld, the museum showcases fresh, emerging talent alongside established artists. And ICA boasts a a 21st century collection that prioritizes works by BIPOC artists, Gartenfeld told the Herald. Currently on view is Denzil Forrester: We Culture, a solo show of works by the Grenada-born artist. Forrester would draw sketches at clubs at night and paint the scenes with vibrant colors during the day. ICA also hosts First Fridays each month, a nighttime event with DJs and dancing. If youre looking for something to bring the kids to, check out ICAs free Family Sundays series of arts workshops. Though entry is free, the museum recommends reserving a timed ticket just in case theres a large crowd.

Address: 61 NE 41st St., Miami

Hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday

Parking: Parking garage across the street from museum

Prices: Free

https://icamiami.org/

Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami

Threefold Defense by artist Kehinde Wiley is on view at the Lowe Art Museum at the University of Miami.

Is there anywhere else in Miami where you can see a Banksy and an ancient Egyptian mummy mask for free? If youve never heard of The Lowe, run by the University of Miami, its ridiculously diverse art collection may surprise you. It seems like a typical contemporary art museum when you walk in. One corridor by the entrance currently displays a stunning Kehinde Wiley painting, which is across from an Andy Warhol portrait of OJ Simpson, which is a few feet away from Banksys famous girl with a red balloon. In another gallery, youll find photographed portraits and original artworks by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. And then there are the international artifacts, spanning from the Roman Empire to indigenous tribes of the Americas to Asia to Africa. Did we mention theres a mummified cat in there? Its next to the mummy mask.

Address: 1301 Stanford Dr., Coral Gables

Hours: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday; Closed Sunday, Monday and Tuesday

Parking: Metered spaces at Pavia and Merrick Garages, Stanford Drive and the yellow, gray and burgundy color parking zones

Prices: Free

https://www.lowe.miami.edu/index.html

Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami

El Mundo Es Magico by Miami artist duo LIZNBOW sits outside of the Museum of Contemporary Art in North Miami as part of the museums Art On The Plaza series.

No, youre not hallucinating. Theres a giant pink unicorn cow riding a Jet Ski in front of MOCA right now. The artwork, called El Mundo Es Magico by local artist duo LIZNBOW, is part of the museums ongoing Art On The Plaza series of outdoor art installations. Inside the museum, visitors can discover more works by South Florida-based artists at the South Florida Cultural Consortium exhibition, which runs until October. Also on view this summer is a solo show of works by Alabama-born artist and musician Lonnie Holley. Besides its art exhibitions, the museum is known for its robust community programming and events. MOCA hosts free outdoor jazz concerts the last Friday of each month (rain or shine) along with a market of local vendors selling vintage clothes, candles and jewelry. On July 21, the artists behind LIZNBOW will perform as their feminist reggaeton band Nina. The museum also hosts an art summer camp for kids and MOCA Makers, a series of workshops and art classes for adults. Printmaking, anyone?

Address: 770 NE 125th St., North Miami

Hours: noon - 7 p.m. Wednesday; 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday to Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday

Parking: Parking lot nearby

Prices: $10 for general admission; $5 for students, seniors and disabled visitors; Free for children under 12, North Miami residents, city employees, veterans, caregivers accompanying disabled visitors

https://mocanomi.org

Museum of Graffiti

The Museum of Graffiti in Wynwood.

New Yorkers-turned-South Floridians may appreciate this one. The Museum of Graffiti gets into the artforms controversial and illegal roots in cities like New York and Philadelphia and its role in transforming the Wynwood area. The museum highlights the history and culture of graffiti while showcasing top international artists. Theres a shoutout to Keith Haring, who started his career in dodging cops in New York Citys subway system, and LADY PINK, a pioneering female artist in the male-dominated subculture. Current exhibitions include a show about comic books influence on the artform and All Black Everything, an exploration on African-American graffiti. Visitors exit through turnstiles into the gift shop.

Address: 276 NW 26th St., Miami

Hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Parking: Street parking

Prices: $16 for adults; $12 for student, military and seniors; Free for children under 13

https://museumofgraffiti.com/

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale

Art lovers browse through Haitian art show entitled Cosmic Mirrors at NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This Fort Lauderdale museum specializes in unique exhibitions that take a deep dive into art history. The museums art collection is diverse and impressive, boasting the largest collection of CoBrA art in the United States and a slew of works by Haitian artists. On the second floor is Cosmic Mirrors: Haitian Art Highlights from the Collection, an exhibition that showcases Haitian artists who dive into spirituality, Vodou beliefs, mermaids, cosmology and more. Pop culture fans will want to check out the exhibitions on the first floor that are all about fame, celebrity and fashion, with artworks by Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, the poster artist who had Parisians flocking to the Moulin Rouge. The museum offers free admission on the first Thursday of each month.

Address: One East Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

Hours: noon - 5 p.m. Sunday; 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; Closed Monday

Parking: Street parking and garage nearby

Prices: $16 for adults; $10 for seniors; $8 for military; $5 for students ages 13 to 17 and college students with ID; Free for NSU students, faculty and staff, and children 12 and under

https://nsuartmuseum.org

Perez Art Museum Miami

Yayoi Kusamas LOVE IS CALLING is a darkened, mirrored room illuminated by glowing inflatable tentacles.

Known as Miamis flagship art museum, PAMM is most folks go-to for experiencing contemporary art. And for good reason. The art museum is directly next to and shares a parking garage with the Frost Museum of Science. Originally called the Miami Art Museum, the institution was renamed after real estate mogul and art collector Jorge Perez donated $40 million of cash and art to the museum in 2011. The downtown museums building overlooking Biscayne Bay opened in 2013. PAMM is notable for highlighting Latin American artists, like Brazilian painter Marcela Cantuaria, whose colorful, trippy and feminist works are on display right now. Be sure to check out Leandro Erlich: Liminal, an exhibition of the Argentine artists interactive optical illusions and mind-bending installations, before it closes in September. If you show up early enough, you can snag a ticket to LOVE IS CALLING, a mirrored infinity room by Yayoi Kusama complete with polka-dot inflatable tentacles. PAMM offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month.

Address: 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami

Hours: Monday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Closed Tuesday and Wednesday; Thursday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Friday to Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Parking: Museum garage, $18 flat rate

Prices: $16 for adults; $12 for seniors, students, youth ages 7 to 18; Free for children 6 and under, military, veterans, health care professionals, first responders, Florida educators, disabled visitors

https://www.pamm.org

Rubell Museum

Soundsuits by artist Nick Cave and a diptych by Mickalene Thomas at the Rubell Museum.

This is the art nerds paradise. The Rubell Museum is entirely based on the seismic collection of Mera and Don Rubell, an art collecting couple that recently opened their second location in Washington DC. Before they owned enough art to fill two museums, the Rubells started collecting in 1964 when Don was a medical student and Mera was a teacher. With their modest $25 a week budget, the couple would buy pieces directly from unknown, up-and-coming artists, like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. (Maybe youve heard of them?) The Rubells opened the first iteration of their museum in Wynwood in 1993 and later moved to a sprawling location in Allapattah. While journeying through the maze of galleries, visitors stumble upon works by the biggest names in contemporary art: Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami and Maurizio Cattelan, the artist behind the duct-taped banana at Art Basel. For an additional cost, check out the two mirrored infinity rooms by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Superblue, an immersive art space, is right across the street.

Address: 1100 NW 23 St., Miami

Hours: 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 11:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday; Closed Monday and Tuesday

Parking: Street parking

Prices: $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; $10 for students and youth ages 7 to 18; Free for children 6 and under, disabled visitors, SNAP/EBT holders

https://rubellmuseum.org/

Superblue Miami

Pulse Topology by Mexican-Canadian artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer uses 3,000 lights to reflect the heartbeats of the people who view the exhibit at Superblue Miami.

Purists might not consider this Allapattah art space to be a museum in the traditional sense, but were putting Superblue on the list. Think of it as a museum of the future  immersive, interactive, high tech art installations. Unlike some gimmicky art experiences youve seen on Instagram, Superblues installations actually have something to say and are stunning in person. Its home to Every Wall is a Door, a quiet room that slowly fills with a gradient rainbow of light, by renowned artist James Turrell. Theres Es Devlins Forest of Us, a mirrored maze inspired by lungs. And, until August, theres Pulse Topology, an interactive biometric artwork made of 3,000 lightbulbs that glimmer to visitors heartbeats. If youre up for an art-filled day, Superblue is directly across the street from the Rubell Museum. Read our Superblue review here.

Address: 1101 NW 23 St., Miami

Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday

Parking: Street parking. Valet available all week except Monday

Prices: Weekdays  $29 for Florida residents (only available online); $36 for adults; $34 for seniors, military, frontline healthcare workers, college students; $14.50 for children ages 3 to 12

https://www.superblue.com/miami

Wilzig Erotic Art Museum

Photographs of movie star Marilyn Monroe on display at the Wilzig Erotic Art Museum on South Beach.

This should go without saying, but well make it abundantly clear. Do NOT bring your kids. Complete with a giant penis statue, sculptures of various sex acts and The Great Wall of Vulva (which is exactly what it sounds like), this South Beach museum is also not for the easily offended. WEAM is a fascinating display of erotic artwork from around the world and across time with works dating back to 300 BCE. The museum was founded in 2005 by Naomi Wilzig, an erotic art collector. Before settling on South Beach, Wilzig struggled to find a home for her unique museum because, as she put it, unfortunately, the American public thinks erotic art means pornography. Visitors can view vintage posters of iconic dancer Josephine Baker, the giant phallus from A Clockwork Orange and pinup photos of the bombshell herself, Marilyn Monroe.

Address: 1205 Washington Ave., Miami Beach

Hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday to Sunday

Parking: Street parking

Prices: $25

https://www.weammuseum.com/

The Wolfsonian  FIU

A ceramic plate by Puerto Rican artist Robert Lugo for the art exhibition Street Shrines at The Wolfsonian.

This is rare. A free, air conditioned activity on South Beach. The Wolfsonian, a small art museum run by Florida International University, is housed in a historic 1920s building. Before it opened as a museum in 1995, the building used to be the Washington Storage Company, a warehouse for the prized possessions of South Floridas elites. If youre looking for something to do in the afternoon, this is a great option. There are three areas in the building with art on display, along with a store and cafe in the Art Deco lobby. This summer, one gallery space features historic artwork and political cartoons that ridicule Nazis. The larger space is dedicated to Street Shrines, an exhibition of hip-hop and Caribbean inspired ceramics by Puerto Rican artist Robert Lugo.

Address: 1001 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach

Hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday

Parking: Street parking

Prices: Free for all Florida residents, State University System of Florida students, faculty and staff, visitors with disabilities, and children under 6. $12 for adults; $8 for seniors, students and children 6-18

https://wolfsonian.org

Wynwood Walls

Another view of the Shepard Fairey wall at Wynwood Walls with part of the patio for the former Wynwood Kitchen & Bar at right.

At this point, the story of Wynwood Walls is synonymous with the hip, artsy and gentrified neighborhood it resides in. Since it opened in 2009, it has evolved from a free mural park to a full blown art experience crawling with more tourists than locals. If you havent been in a few years, some murals will be familiar. But now, theres a ticket check-in, indoor galleries with art exhibitions, new murals, a menagerie of outdoor sculptures, and, of course, a gift shop. Wynwood Walls, which calls itself Miamis original street art museum, also offers spray paint classes and Street Art After Dark, an adult-only nighttime event on the last Friday of each month. Tours are available to purchase. And we know this is mostly outdoors, but your tourist friends are going to bug you to visit. Just make duck and weave through the crowds of people struggling to get a decent photo and beeline toward an air-conditioned gallery space.

Address: 2516 NW 2nd Ave., Miami

Hours: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday; , 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Friday; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Parking: Street parking

Prices: $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and military; $5 for students; Free for children under 12

https://thewynwoodwalls.com/

This story was produced with financial support from The Perez Family Foundation, in partnership with Journalism Funding Partners, as part of an independent journalism fellowship program. The Miami Herald maintains full editorial control of this work.
Miami police said they responded to a chaotic scene Friday morning in which a woman was being attacked by a vicious dog When officers arrived, one of them fired her weapon at another dog that charged into the scene.

The two officers responded to the womans 911 call around 6:40 a.m. in the area of Northwest Third Court and 64th Street near Little Haiti. They restrained the dog who attacked the woman, said Officer Kiara Delva, a Miami police spokesperson.

But then another dog ran at one of the officers, who shot at the animal but didnt hit it, Delva said.

Miami fire-rescue crews took the woman, who police have not named, to Jackson Memorial Hospital. The extent of her injuries was not immediately available.

Shortly before noon, police and Miami-Dade County Animal Services officers were still searching for the dog that lunged at the officer, Delva said. Animal Services has the dog involved in the initial attack, police said.

The breed of the dogs, which belong to the womans neighbor, was not immediately available, Delva said. It was also not immediately clear if the woman was attacked in her yard or on the street, Officer Michael Vega, another police spokesman, said.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Mike PenceScott Olson/Getty Images

Campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination is not going well for Mike Pence. The former vice president's pitch to voters is that he stood up for the Constitution in the face of pressure to do otherwise. But even as he avoids saying who was exerting the pressure and for what purpose, Pence finds that Republican voters remember all too well  and they very much do not like all this talk about putting honor and the law ahead of stealing an election for Donald Trump.

"Do you ever second-guess yourself? That was a Constitutional right that you had to send those votes back to the states," a woman griped at Pence during an Iowa meet-and-greet at a pizza restaurant on Wednesday. She was, of course, flat wrong, and Pence told her as much.

"The Constitution affords no authority for the vice president or anyone else to reject votes or return votes to the states," Pence pushed back. He even sucked it up and mentioned Trump by name, saying, "President Trump was wrong about my authority that day and he's still wrong."

Pence's willingness to stand firm on this point has drawn him praise in the mainstream media, especially from the legion of never-Trump Republicans who are well-represented on cable news but not much elsewhere. Certainly, Pence has distinguished himself from most Republican leadership, especially people like Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, who voted in favor of overturning the election even after Trump sent a bloodthirsty mob to the Capitol on January 6. Pence did hang in and make sure the election was certified that day, which showed a sense of duty lacking in most of his party.

What all this praise fails to take into account, however, is just how much responsibility Pence bears for getting the GOP to a place where January 6 was even possible.

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

When Trump sold the Big Lie about President Joe Biden stealing the 2020 election to his voters, he was building on decades of Republican devotion to disinformation-fueled propaganda. Starting at least in the 80s, if not earlier, a culture of lying took root in the Republican Party. There were corporate-friendly lies about everything from cigarettes to climate change. The Christian right pushed lies about evolutionary biology and sexual health. Right-wing media normalized conspiracy theories, like Donald Trump's birther campaign harassing Barack Obama for his long-form birth certificate. Pence was an eager member of the liar corps of the GOP from the get-go.

When so few Republican politicians have to reap any of what they sowed, it's nice to see at least one of them brought lower by the immoral culture he cultivated.

Even by the GOP's low standards, Pence spent his career as an especially dishonest operator. He even did his time as a Rush Limbaugh-knockoff in the 90s, hosting an AM talk radio show in Indiana, where he would frequently rail on about how adulterers had no right to be in political or military leadership. Of course, he would later be the vice president for the most unapologetic adulterer in America's political history.

Pence loved every flavor of B.S. on offer by corporate lobbyists and Christian zealots. It would almost be easier to make a list of topics he didn't lie about, except for the very real threat it would be an empty set. In a precursor to Trump's inauguration crowd size lies, Pence indignantly used his talk show to insist that the crowd at a car race was bigger than it actually was. But that's on the more harmless side of his lies. On many more serious topics, Pence embraced all the damaging right-wing lies.

Related

Fake "liberal" Twitter account exposed: We should worry less about AI and more about human stupidity

"Despite the hysteria from the political class and the media, smoking doesn't kill," Pence wrote in a 2001 column posted to a campaign website.

"Global warming is a myth," he wrote in 2000. "There, I said it," he added as if he was some great truth-teller, instead a liar misleading people about science. He was less bold about his anti-science views when pressed by Jake Tapper of CNN in 2019, but still dodged the question of whether he accepts the reality of climate change.

Trump represented a continuation of a project Pence had devoted his entire life towards.

When serving in Congress, Pence would rant against the teaching of evolution in biology, claiming "Charles Darwin never thought of evolution as anything other than a theory. He hoped that someday it would be proven by the fossil record but did not live to see that, nor have we." As with most other things Pence says, he was lying. He misrepresented what the word "theory" means in science, pretending it had less certainty than it actually does. And, contrary to his claims, the fossil record has shown evolutionary theory to be true.

In 2002, during a forum hosted by MTV, Pence railed against then-Secretary of State Colin Powell for correctly stating that condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections. "Condoms are a very, very poor protection against sexually transmitted diseases," Pence lied. (The Centers for Disease Control notes that "Consistent and correct use of latex condoms is highly effective in preventing sexual transmission of HIV.") He then lamented that the problem with condoms is they are "modern," which is closer to his true objection to them.

In the 90s, Pence lied about homosexuality, claiming "the great vast majority of the psychological community says homosexuality at a very minimum is a choice by the individual, and at the maximum, is a learned behavior." In reality, as CNN reported, "The American Psychological Association said in 1992 that data did not support the view that homosexuality was a choice."

Related

Fraud "justice": Anti-LGBTQ decision based on a fake case showcases the Supreme Court's illegitimacy

Pence was part of a multi-decade effort by Republican leaders and pundits to train their base to believe that lying is not only okay but totally justified if it's done in service of the party's political goals. He would have denied the existence of gravity if he thought it would help a corporation evade regulation or promote the Christian right's agenda. It's no surprise he was so eager to buddy up to Trump, despite his past moralistic posturing against adultery. Trump represented a continuation of a project Pence had devoted his entire life towards, which is dismantling the value of empirical facts in the realm of political discourse.

It would be one thing if Pence had renounced his lying ways and was reckoning with how his own disinformation laid the groundwork for the Big Lie. But either he's too stupid or cynical  likely, a bit of both  to think about how his own contributions to the GOP culture of lying made Trump possible. Now Pence has to squirm, as Republican voters voice feelings of betrayal that Pence finally found a line he wouldn't cross. It's a pleasure knowing that Pence will finish his political career hated by everyone across the political spectrum. It's far less punishment than he deserves, of course. But when so few Republican politicians have to reap any of what they sowed, it's nice to see at least one of them brought lower by the immoral culture he cultivated.

Read more

about Mike Pence
Even after Missouri banned nearly all abortions, the state continues to spend millions on a program designed to dissuade women from the procedure.

Under the state budget that took effect this month, Missouri allocated roughly $8.3 million to the Department of Social Services to fund its Alternatives to Abortion program. The program directs people to services that help them carry a pregnancy to term instead of getting an abortion.

On top of that funding, DSS is spending $266,000 on a contract with a Christian anti-abortion marketing firm to promote the program. The contract with Columbia-based Choose Life Marketing was originally awarded in May and renewed by the state through June 2024 late last month.

The marketing plan comes as Republicans have claimed that companies such as Google have blocked outreach efforts from similar programs that supporters say provide women with resources for unplanned pregnancies

I think it absolutely makes sense for a state like Missouri, where elective abortions are illegal, to try to make sure people are aware that services are available. That youre not alone, said state Rep. Doug Richey, an Excelsior Springs Republican.

But critics who spoke with The Star argued that the state should not be paying to promote centers that they say mislead women into thinking theyre getting comprehensive medical services when many of the centers dont offer them. And they say that the marketing plan uses state money to push a religious ideology while capitalizing on confusion caused by the states near-total ban on abortion.

When folks really are in crisis, they need true information, said state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat. Thats what is so frustrating. That the state is actively pushing misinformation and directing folks to, you know, quote, unquote, a crisis pregnancy center that really isnt going to give them a full range of options.

Missouris deal with Choose Life Marketing comes roughly a year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal right to abortion. Minutes after the ruling, a 2019 trigger law took effect in Missouri, making it the first state to ban nearly all abortions.

The ban has sown confusion and fear among women and health care providers. Some argue that a provision allowing abortion in medical emergencies is poorly defined and has caused hospitals to deny life-saving care, forcing women to flee the state in search of abortion care.

Some of the organizations promoted by Missouris alternatives to abortion program are crisis pregnancy centers, which have been found to provide misleading information about the services they provide.

When a patient goes to a crisis pregnancy center, theyre getting theology over accurate information, said Katie Baylie, the director of legislative affairs and associate general counsel for Planned Parenthood Great Plains. Theyre giving out misinformation, omitting information and providing patients with false information that interferes with their medical decision-making.

On its website, Choose Life Marketing states that its mission is to reach more abortion-minded women and impact a culture to choose life through communication strategies grounded in research and biblical values.

A self-described Christian-led company, the companys online store sells a wide array of Christian-themed merchandise, including a $15 Jesus travel tumbler.

It is quite frankly maddening that this is what is being pushed, Nurrenbern said. In the state of Missouri, we are using tax dollars now to push a full on Christian agenda.

Nurrenbern clarified that a very select view of Christianity was being pushed, pointing to numerous religious leaders who have criticized Missouris abortion ban.

Under Choose Life Marketings proposal to the state, it promised to demonstrate, creatively, how contractors within the state program can help women at-risk for abortion, and will best break through the Big Tech blocking challenges the program faces online.

The company plans to do this through a searchable online database of program contractors as well as social media campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Snapchat and YouTube.

Well be helping to promote the various benefits of the Alternatives to Abortion Program, said Scott Baker, a spokesperson for the company. There are artificial hurdles put in place by Google and some of these other platformsthat well work to overcome on behalf of these A2A contractors.

Since being awarded the contract, Baker said the company has been working to get its marketing plan up and running.

Bakers comments echo concerns from several Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, who argue that Google and Facebook-owner Meta have worked to throttle online ads from crisis pregnancy centers as well as Choose Life Marketing itself.

I am concerned that, in the name of providing clarity in search results, your company is deliberately limiting pregnancy resource centers outreach efforts, Hawley wrote in a 2022 letter to Google.

But others say Google and other tech firms have not done enough to curtail misleading ads from crisis pregnancy centers. Critics argue those ads are dangerous and promote misinformation by steering women to clinics specifically designed to dissuade against abortions.

A report last month from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, an international nonprofit that pushes against online hate and disinformation, found that anti-abortion pregnancy centers in the U.S. spent roughly $10.2 million on Google Search ads over a two-year period. More than 70% of those clinics used deceptive tactics, such as promoting the false claim that abortions are linked to cancer and other diseases, the report found.

And nearly 40% of the clinics, the report found, did not include disclaimers making it clear that they do not provide abortions.

Missouris program has been codified in state statute since 2007. Before that, it was funded through appropriations since 1996. The state also offers a tax credit for people who contribute to crisis pregnancy centers.

Last month, Kansas released official abortion statistics for 2022. The report shows that the number of Missouri residents receiving abortions in Kansas declined over the past year, falling from from 3,458 in 2021 to 2,883 in 2022, even as the total number of out-of-state abortion patients in Kansas jumped by 117%.

In Kansas, lawmakers allocated $2 million this year to fund an alternatives to abortion program and directed Kansas Treasurer Steven Johnson, a Republican, to oversee the process of choosing a contractor for the program. The office is currently waiting on approval for their request for proposal before seeking the contractor.

Missouris contract with Choose Life Marketing comes at a crucial time when patients are turning to social media and online search engines to navigate the complex legal landscape of Missouris abortion ban, said Baylie, with Planned Parenthood.

This is a way for the state to push anti-abortion messaging to the top of the searches and steer people away from safe and essential health care, she said. Really, its just another opportunity, another state-sanctioned misinformation campaign.

Baker pushed back on this criticism, saying that his firm and the pregnancy centers that work with the state are transparent.

I think most of the people who say that are people who, you know, they think anything pro-life is misleading, he said. We are transparent in what were trying to do, with who we represent. These centers are very clear on what they offer and what they dont offer. So its a hollow accusation.

Asked to respond to criticism about the marketing contract, Adam Crumbliss, the deputy director for DSS, in a statement to The Star said that the department was proud to collaborate with our partner state agencies in furtherance of our mission to empower Missourians to live safe, productive, and healthy lives.

Richey, the Excelsior Springs Republican, acknowledged that Missouris abortion ban has sparked questions from people facing unexpected pregnancies. The marketing plan is in response to that, he said.

What the state of Missouri is working to try to accomplish is the very thing that people who are pro-choice, pro-abortion are often accusing us of and that is if youre saying that a lady cant have access to an elective abortion, then what are you going to do to help? he said. This is a part of that effort to help.

Nurrenbern pointed to surrounding states, including Kansas, where abortion is still legal. She said its important for women to know how to access that care.

That is what these, quite frankly, these Christian nationalist legislators in Missouri have done  they have forced women to flee our state to seek basic health care, she said.

Baylie, with Planned Parenthood, said that state agencies should be trusted sources of health information. Patients shouldnt have to sift through state-promoted political propaganda, she said.

That is just really inappropriate for the state to be funding, especially considering they are using crucial funds to steer pregnant folks away from essential health care that lawmakers have already ensured they cant access in Missouri, she said.

The Stars Katie Bernard contributed reporting.
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Thursday evening vetoed a sweeping public safety bill that would have allowed more people who were wrongfully convicted to receive compensation from the state.

The Republican governor also signed 31 other bills into law, including measures that exempt seniors from paying income taxes on Social Security benefits, remove the salary cap for Kansas City police officers and allow public schools to teach electives on the Bible. Many of the new laws will take effect on Aug. 28.

In a letter explaining his single veto on Thursday, Parson said that the state should not pay for prosecutorial errors at the local level.

Missourians from every part of the state should not have to foot the bill for a local decision, he said. Local governments should bear the financial cost of their own actions.

The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, a Parkville Republican, would have allowed those who were cleared by the courts to receive restitution. Currently only wrongfully convicted people who were cleared by DNA evidence can be eligible for payments from the state.

Kevin Strickland, a Black man, was released in 2021 after serving in prison for a triple murder he did not commit. Strickland, who served Missouris longest sentence for a wrongful conviction, is not eligible for compensation because his case did not involve DNA evidence.

The legislation Parson vetoed would have also increased the amount of money owed to those wrongfully convicted from $100 per-day to $179. It also would have increased the yearly cap from $36,500 to $65,000.

Parson on Thursday acknowledged that his veto pen also struck down several other priorities, including Blairs Law, which was intended to prevent celebratory gunfire and other firing into the air. But he said these unintended consequences unfortunately outweigh the good.

Parsons veto comes as Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, a Republican, is fighting to overturn the conviction of Eric DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City police officer found guilty for killing a Black man. Bailey, who was appointed by Parson, in a court filing last month challenged evidence brought by prosecutors that Cameron Lamb, the Black 26-year-old victim, was unarmed when he was shot.

The Republican governor also signed into law the remaining 31 bills on his desk, many of which were priorities from lawmakers of both parties. They range from a measure intended to attract more Kansas City police officers to legislation that would expand health benefits for low-income pregnant women.

Property tax freeze

One bill Parson signed would allow county governments to freeze the home valuations of low-income property owners on Social Security.

Individual counties will have the opportunity to approve the tax relief through an ordinance or a countywide vote. It comes as some Kansas City area residents with surprisingly high property assessments are hoping this tax relief will assist vulnerable seniors.

Kansas City police

The Kansas City police measure removes the maximum salary cap for the citys police chief and its officers in an effort to attract and retain more officers. It also removes the requirement that applicants for chief be under 60 years of age and allows the police board to establish a salary range for officers.

Prior to the new law, Missouri set the maximum salary for chief at $189,726. A probationary KCPD officer could earn up to about $3,987 a month. The probation period lasted six months. The salary cap for police officers topped out at $6,958 a month. That amount doesnt include if there are any cost of living increases after the top step, according to KCPD.

Removing the salary cap received support from both parties this year as the department lags behind other cities in how much it pays chiefs and officers. The salary problem has been compounded by the fact that Kansas City is the only city in Missouri that does not control its police force.

The department is overseen by a five-member board of police commissioners. Four are appointed by the governor and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas fills one spot

Bible in schools

Parson also signed into law a bill that would allow public schools to offer elective courses on the Bible.

The legislation, filed by state Sen. Karla May, a St. Louis Democrat, allows public schools and public charter schools to offer elective social studies classes including but not limited to the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible and the New Testament of the Bible.

Pregnancy coverage

Another piece of legislation Parson signed allows low-income pregnant mothers to receive full state health care coverage for a year after they give birth

It comes as Missouri has had one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country for years.

Prior to Parsons signature, low-income pregnant and postpartum women who receive benefits from Missouris Medicaid program could get pregnancy-related coverage for up to two months after the end of a pregnancy.

Texting while driving

Another bill Parson signed on Thursday bans Missourians from texting and using a cell phone while driving.

Parsons signatured makes Missouri the second to last state to ban the practice. Previous state law banned texting while driving for anyone under 21. Montana is the only other state without a ban.

The ban includes other uses of a cell phone including anyone who holds a cell phone, watches a video on a device and searches something online. The penalty for violating the ban would be a fine. A person could be charged with a felony if they violate the ban and kill someone.

However, an officer would not be able to stop someone solely for using their phone.
Missouri public schools will be allowed to teach electives on the Bible under new law

Missouri public schools will be allowed to offer elective courses on the Bible under a new law signed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson this week.

The legislation, filed by state Sen. Karla May, a St. Louis Democrat, allows public schools and public charter schools to offer elective social studies classes including but not limited to the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible and the New Testament of the Bible.

It goes into effect on Aug. 28 after most schools have returned from summer break and already crafted teaching plans for the coming year.

The Bible is the most popular and influential book in all of American history and our children should have the opportunity and choice to take a Bible elective from a historical perspective in public schools, said state Rep. Ben Baker, a Neosho Republican who handled the bill in the House.

But while the legislation received support from both parties this year and was largely overshadowed by more controversial bills, critics say it could cause schools to violate the spirit of separation of church and state outlined in the U.S. Constitution.

The new law states that schools cannot violate state or federal laws or favor or show hostility toward any religion, leading many to believe that the courses are already allowed under current law.

But some worry the new law singles out one religion over others.

The ACLU of Missouri, in a statement to The Star, said that there are acceptable ways to teach about the Bible in public schools, such as a comparative religion course. However, its difficult to do so, especially when a course focuses solely on one religion or text.

Whether unintentionally or intentionally, courses focusing on one faith or religious text create conditions ripe for proselytizing and official promotion of religious beliefs, the civil liberties group said Friday.

When asked previously what the law refers to with the Hebrew Scriptures, May, the bill sponsor, said it refers to the Five Books of Moses, a term for the first five books of the Bible also known as the Torah.

May previously pushed back on criticism of the law, pointing to a provision that classes would not have to be limited to those specific books. May and Baker have touted the bill as a way to teach the Bible from an educational perspective.

This will now enable our kids to have a more well rounded education that will equip them for the world, and get a better grasp on US History, Baker told The Star.

But state Rep. Maggie Nurrenbern, a Kansas City Democrat, said she opposed the legislation because it did not include other religious texts.

Why arent we looking at other religious texts, including the Quran? Nurrenbern said in a phone interview. In certain areas, if they said, hey, we have an elective on the Quran, people would be concerned about that Where really is the separation of church and state and why are we only picking these texts over others?

Nurrenbern said she would be surprised if the vast majority of school districts decide to offer the courses.

I would be very skeptical of any school districts actually enacting this just because of all of the concerns, she said.

At least three Kansas City area school districts do not have immediate plans to change their curriculum.

Talia Evans, a spokesperson for the Lees Summit School District, said the district approves its course catalogs in the fall and new courses would be discussed next fall. District leaders had not discussed the legislation.

Katie Woolf, a spokesperson for the Blue Springs School District, told The Star in May that the district did not have any current plans to change its curriculum or add classes.

And Shain Bergan, a spokesperson for Kansas City Public Schools, also said in May that the district would not be offering the classes.

Woolf and Bergan did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday after Parson signed the bill into law.
He molested again after being on PA sex offender registry. Now he'll spend decades in prison

A 62-year-old Buckingham contractor will likely spend the rest of his life in state prison for molesting an 11-year-old boy, three months after his name was removed from the states list of registered sex offenders.

Jeffrey Todd Lukens was hired to remove bees from a Wrightstown home in September 2021 when he inappropriately touched and photographed the familys son on two different days he was working on the project, according to authorities.

On Thursday, Bucks County Judge Raymond McHugh sentenced Lukens to spend 25 to 50 years in state prison. He also determined Lukens is a sexually violent predator, which carries a lifetime Megans Law registration and additional restrictions including community notification.

A Buckingham contractor will spend the next 25 to 50 years in state prison for molesting an 11-year-old boy.

How Megan's Law works with offenders Police say a Bucks man molested boy months after Megan's Law registration expired. Here's how he was removed from list

What did prosecutors allege happened in a Wrightstown basement?

Lukens invited the boy to assist him and gave him a partial bee suit to wear.

The boy was on a ladder when Lukens inappropriately touched him, then lifted the boys shorts and took a cellphone picture of his thighs.

Lukens continued to touch the boy, moving his hand under the boys shirt. He again inappropriately touched the boy and the boy got off the ladder and left when he felt Lukens lift his underwear away from his body.

Four days later, Lukens returned to the home to finish the project. Before leaving he asked the boy if he could take a picture of his abdomen, lifting up his shirt without permission to snap a picture.

The boys parents reported the incidents to the Newtown Township Police Department later the same day. Police seized Lukens cellphone and uncovered deleted pictures of the boy.

Lukens was arrested and charged with felony counts of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years of age, unlawful contact with a minor and misdemeanor charges of corruption of minors, indecent assault and invasion of privacy. A jury convicted him of all charges in March following a three-day trial.

Contractor charged with molesting boy DA: Buckingham contractor molested boy in Wrightstown while removing bees from child's home

What do we know about Jeffrey Lukens' past?

Yes. In 2010, Lukens was convicted of molesting an 11-year-old boy in 2008. A Bucks County judge sentenced him to seven to 23 months in jail and three years probation.

He also ordered Lukens register as a sex offender and immediately comply with Megans Law, according to news reports at the time.

Lukens appealed but his conviction was upheld and he started serving his sentence in August 2012; he was paroled in March 2013.

How long was Jeffrey Lukens a registered sex offender?

It is unclear what year Lukens registered as a sex offender. His records with Megan's Law registry are no longer available.

Under Megans Law requirements in place when Lukens was convicted, his offense carried a 10-year registration period, which subjected him to restrictions and requirements including at least an annual check-in with state police, where he was photographed and his personal information updated. His information and photo appeared on the state's Megan's Law website.

As of 2012, convicted offenders are required to register with state police for 15 years, 25 years or lifetime, depending on the severity of the offense and if they are deemed a sexually violent predator.

Authorities confirmed that Lukens registration requirement expired in June 2021, at which time his name and personal information had been removed from the statewide registry.

Contractor found guilty of molestation Man hired to get rid of bee's nest found guilty of touching, photographing young boy

What happens after a Megans Law registration expires?

In Pennsylvania, once a Megans Law offenders registration period expires, any evidence of its previous existence is purged. The removal is done without a formal process, evaluation or notification to anyone other than the offender.

State police, who oversee the registry, can appeal a court order that would remove an offender before a registration period expires, but they have no similar option when the period expires and the offender has met all qualifications.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Buckingham contractor gets 25 to 50 years for molesting Buck County boy
The Subject

I am running to finish the work that I started, says Mondaire Jones, and to save democracy itself from an increasingly fascist Republican Party.

The work hed started was a seemingly promising run in the House, which he joined in 2021 after winning a safe Democratic seat in New Yorks Hudson Valley. Jones, the first openly gay Black man elected to Congress, carried the partys new voting rights bill and became a favorite of the-Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Then came redistricting. The short version: New York Democrats drew a favorable gerrymander, Republicans sued and got it thrown out, a judge imposed a new map on the state, and Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney  without a heads up to his colleague  switched to run in Jones district. Jones ran for Congress in Brooklyn, lost, and this week, announced a comeback bid for his re-drawn seat, which Republican Rep. Mike Lawler won in November.

The Interview

Americana: What district do you expect to be running in? Are you assuming itll change or be changed before next November?

Mondaire Jones: Im assuming that I will be running in the district as its presently drawn, and I fully intend to defeat Mike Lawler on his record. This is a district that woke up horrified to learn that its member of Congress is against the freedom to have an abortion; that he voted to gut the IRS, so that billionaires and corporations could more easily cheat on their taxes. He opposes an assault weapons ban; we here in suburbia are deeply concerned that our kids are getting gunned down in schools. He said that the FBI and the DOJ are politicized, without any evidence, following the indictment of Donald Trump by Jack Smith. There is nothing moderate about those positions.

Americana: You used the term fascism to describe Republicans  can you unpack that a little? What are they doing thats fascist?

Mondaire Jones: This is a Republican Party seeking not only to assail the right to vote, but not to certify free and fair elections. Donald Trump is now saying hes going to appoint people who are partial to him as the head of the FBI and the DOJ if he gets another term in the White House. And hes called for jailing his political opponents. That is authoritarian behavior. That is fascism. Im old enough to remember when people clutch their pearls when Joe Biden used that word last year. But hes been vindicated.

Can I just say this? The word moderate has to mean something. What does it matter if you dont self identify as an extreme MAGA Republican, so long as your voting behavior is indistinguishable from those individuals? The only moderate vote of his, that Im aware of, is that he voted for only one of two anti-trans bills after intense pressure from LGBTQ+ activists in Rockland County. This is a district that is highly educated, and wants to see government work. This is not a socially conservative district.

Americana: How did he win in the first place?

Mondaire Jones: Mike is a career political operative who will tell you anything you want to hear. And he was running against a uniquely unpopular Democratic nominee who my constituents blamed for having pushed me out of my seat and for having created the redistricting nightmare in the state that we all experienced. There was a tremendous enthusiasm gap  to say nothing of what I think people in both parties here will tell you, which is that he didnt show up to actually campaign the district.

Americana: You started your House career with the second Trump impeachment. Whats your reaction to the effort  led by Rep. Elise Stefanik, from the NY delegation  to expunge that?

Mondaire Jones: These are not serious people. You cannot take back an impeachment. You certainly cant take back two impeachments. When I was in Congress, I voted to lower the cost of prescription drugs; I voted to enact voting rights legislation; I negotiated the bipartisan infrastructure bill and brought hundreds of millions of dollars to my district for schools, housing and health care. Look at what Republicans have done with the place in my absence!

I want to continue my work to lower prescription drug costs, including for people who are not on Medicare. I want to codify , and pass universal background checks and an assault weapons ban to keep our community safe. I want to save the idea of multiracial democracy in this country once and for all, passing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which is a bill I co-authored.

Americana: Would you continue the House investigation into Hunter Biden?

Mondaire Jones: If Hunter Biden is guilty of crimes that anyone else would go to prison for, then lock his ass up. But that has nothing to do with President Joe Biden.

Americana: Do you still want to expand the Supreme Court?

Mondaire Jones: It has been five days since I became a second class citizen, due to the Supreme Courts decision in 303 Creative. It has been approximately one year since the far right supermajority on the Supreme Court ended the 50 year old constitutional right to have an abortion. It has been 10 years since the conservative majority on the Court gutted the Voting Rights Act unleashing the present wave of racist voter suppression that we are now experiencing throughout the country.

So, yes, restoring balance and integrity to the Supreme Court to protect our basic freedom and save democracy itself remains a priority of mine. And I am so glad to be vindicated in the polling on this question from Democrats, independents, and even a good number of Republicans. As sad as I am over the events that had to happen in order for people to come to that realization.

Americana: In 2022, the electability line against you in the primary was that you were too left-wing to win the redrawn seat. Do you still support Medicare for All?

Mondaire Jones: Yes, and so does [Pennsylvania Rep.] Matt Cartwright, who won in a district that Trump won by three points. Call me crazy, but I believe that in the richest nation in the history of the world, everyone should have health care.

Look, were going to see Republicans throw potentially tens of millions of dollars at me, distorting my record. I am proud to have a legislative record of consistently voting for historic levels of police funding. I stood up to members of my party when I negotiated a passage of the bipartisan infrastructure law that had been held up. And Im very proud of my pro-Israel record. Its going to be hard to paint me as some radical, because my constituents know me to be pragmatic, and focused on results.
The road for veterans cannabis research  and potentially control of the Senate  runs through Montana.

Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) is the lead author of a bill to increase research into cannabis for veterans. Hes also one of the Senates most at-risk Democrats, running in a state Donald Trump won by 16 percentage points in 2020.

Fellow Montana Sen. Steve Daines, as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is charged with ousting Tester.

The Montana Senate election and cannabis policy collided on the Senate floor in April, when a package of five veterans bills  built around Testers VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act  was unexpectedly blocked by Republicans. The bills were widely supported in committee and the package included legislation introduced by both Republicans and Democrats.

If the package passed, it would have made VA home loans directly available to Native Americans, made changes to improve veterans health care programs, and instructed the VA to research cannabis use for conditions like PTSD and chronic pain.

These all came unanimously out of [the] Veterans Committee, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) told POLITICO last month. Jon Testers in cycle, [and] Mitch McConnell probably doesn't want to help him.

Some lawmakers, lobbyists and advocates now suggest that the Montana Senate election increased the unforeseen opposition to the veterans package. They also fear that the brouhaha over the cannabis portion of the package, and Daines vote against it, could bode poorly for the financially ailing cannabis industrys No. 1 priority: The SAFE Banking Act, which would make it easier for weed businesses to access financial services.

When Tester ran for reelection in 2018, many of his campaign ads touted his work to support a beloved constituency: veterans.

Jons got our back, a veteran says into the camera in an ad released in May 2018. To which dozens of other veterans respond: So weve got his back.

Currently the Chair of the Senate VA Committee, talking up his legislative wins for veterans is smart politics for a Democrat like Tester running in a deep red state.

In 2018, Tester won reelection by just under 18,000 votes. There are 89,000 veterans in the state of Montana  a demographic large enough to sway an election.

The actual definition of how many veterans there are in Montana is a fuck ton, said strategist Jim Messina, who worked for former Democratic Sen. Max Baucus and helped on Testers first Senate campaign in 2006, in an interview. In every race Jon Tester has ever had  all of them, of course, close  veterans have been a key to his winning coalition.

Vietnam vet Mike Lawson  a Montana resident and Tester supporter who participated in the senators 2018 campaign ad  says veterans in the state are paying attention to the final fate of the VA package that includes the cannabis research bill. Lawson says he knows a number of veterans in Montana who say marijuana has made a huge difference for their quality of life, and doesnt understand why the VA wouldnt want to do more research on it.

I get tired of political games people play at the expense of the veteran, he said in an interview, but added that Testers reputation for championing veterans legislation is already well known. We know who's our friend.

Details dont add up

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) raised strong objections about the cannabis research proposal during a caucus meeting and in a conversation with POLITICO over the methodology of a retroactive study in the bill, arguing that the self-selecting nature of the study could skew the results. However, that study was added to the legislation at the behest of Republican Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), according to veterans advocate Amy Rising and a Democratic Senate aide with knowledge of the discussions.

Other GOP senators who support the cannabis veterans research bill  including Todd Young (Ind.) and Kevin Cramer (N.D.)  said they voted against advancing the bill to the Senate floor because they objected to the lack of an amendment process. But the Democratic Senate aide said Moran and Tester had agreed to proceed to the bill and were working together on choosing which amendments could come up for a vote.

The argument that there was no time to have amendments is not factually accurate, said Tom Rodgers, a Montanan and member of the Blackfeet Nation who works on veterans, cannabis and Native American issues. He advocated for a number of bills in the package, and said that both Moran and the bills GOP lead co-sponsor Dan Sullivan (Alaska) would have entertained amendments.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), when asked in May if the Montana Senate election had any impact on the bills failure to advance, told POLITICO: I don't think we need to talk about it  everybody knows that.

For lawmakers and advocates whove been working on cannabis policy for years, the Montana Senate election is throwing one more hurdle into the long line of obstacles that weed legislation already needs to overcome to cross the finish line.

What happened on that vote is that people actually got hurt, said Rodgers. In this situation, veterans [and] Native Americans  were the first casualty in this political battle.

Rising says shes working to get the bill back for another floor vote before the August recess, and Moran also confirmed he still wants to bring the bill back for another vote. With Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) back in town after health issues, the bill would be just one vote away from cloture  a vote supporters think they can coax out of one of the nay voters that caught them by surprise, like Young or Cramer.

The other weed bill

The SAFE Banking Act also has bipartisan support and has passed the House seven times in previous years, but the Senate has not yet moved it out of committee. At the end of the last Congress, a tentative agreement was reached on a package of cannabis bills built around the SAFE Act  but the deal ultimately ran out of runway in December. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a recent interview with POLITICO that Cannabis banking is still a priority.

Muddying the waters further is Daines, the SAFE Acts lead GOP cosponsor who voted against the veterans cannabis bill.

Advocates are now eyeing that vote with concern as Daines negotiates with Schumer, Brown and the cannabis banking bills other lead sponsor Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) on the bills details. Three cannabis advocates POLITICO spoke with said they worried that Daines decision to not play ball on one cannabis bill could make Democrats less inclined to work with him on the other bill.

When asked if his vote on vets was complicating matters with the SAFE Banking Act, Daines argued that Democratsare the ones slowing the bill down right now. In a May hearing, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) raised concerns that the bill could make it more difficult for regulators to flag relationships that could present risks to banks  and now lawmakers are negotiating potential changes to one section of the legislation to address Reed's issues.

The SAFE Acts other backers, meanwhile, were quick to separate it from the veteran bills troubles.

Merkley said the veterans bill was a different policy issue on which people had disagreements with the policy.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), a cosponsor of the cannabis banking bill who voted against the veterans package, added it wouldnt be fair to assume that the veterans package vote is in any way indicative that there will be tough sledding for the SAFE Banking Act.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this report misspelled Sen. John Cornyn's name.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  San Miguel Pale Pilsen unveils its newest Brand Ambassador  iconic artist, director, and producer Coco Martin.

In keeping with the world-famous brews tradition of serving nothing but the best, San Miguel Pale Pilsen chose the well-known action superstar as he embodies the brands passion and drive to succeed.

"'Yan ang katangian na nakikita kong meron sa San Miguel Pale Pilsen, 'yung kalidad na maipagmamalaki natin noon hanggang ngayon. Kahit ilaban pa 'yan sa ibang bansa," Coco shared.

[Translation: These are the traits that I find in San Miguel Pale Pilsen, the quality that you could be proud of then until now. It's even at par with other countries.]

Having been in the industry for over two decades, Coco Martin is considered as one of the most awarded actors of his generation and a top earning actor in the last ten years.

In 2011, during the 34th Gawad Urian Awards, Coco received the recognition of "Actor of the Decade" for his enduring and outstanding work.

"Honestly, sobrang humbled and proud ko talaga kasi pag sinabing San Miguel Pale Pilsen napaka-iconic ng lahat ng nag-dadala ng brand na ito," Coco shared.

[Translation: Honestly, I am very humbled and proud because, when you say San Miguel Pale Pilsen, those who endorse the brand are indeed iconic.]

Photo from San Miguel Pale Pilsen

Coco credits his achievements to perseverance and dedication in pursuing things that he is passionate about.

"Ang pinaka-importante sa akin ay hard work. Ang gusto ko, mula sa pinakamababa hanggang sa taas, tatrabahuhin ko. Pagsisikapan ko 'yan dahil importante sa akin ang kalidad ng trabaho," Coco said.

[Translation: What's most important to me is hard work. Ill work on something starting from the very bottom until the top. I'll persevere because quality of work is important to me.]

Through the partnership with San Miguel Pale Pilsen, Coco starred in his first TV commercial which centers around the title "Batang San Miguel"  a tag to which generations of San Miguel Pale Pilsen drinkers can easily relate with.

The campaign emphasizes the influence of the brand on consumers from all walks of life, effectively reinforcing the brand's presence in lasting friendships and memorable moments of many Filipinos.

"Ito na 'yung nakamulatan ko. Bata palang ako, sa mga lolo at sa tatay ko palang, everytime na may okasyon, may kasiyahan, o bonding ng pamilya, may San Miguel Pale Pilsen. Parte na 'yan ng kulturang Pilipino. Kaya nga sabi natin, Sarap Laging Kasama," Coco shared.

[Translation: I grew up with this. When I was younger, from the time of my grandfather and dad, every time there was an occasion, festivity or even just bonding with the family, San Miguel Pale Pilsen was always there. It's part of Filipino culture. That's why we say, 'Sarap Laging Kasama.']
More than 25,000 civilians from Ukraine being held captive by Russia

More than 25,000 Ukrainian civilians are being held captive by the Russian Federation.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Human Rights Commissioner, at the Ukrainian Human Rights Forum Legion of Law, quoted by Ukrinform

Quote: "Currently, there are more than 25,000 civilian hostages in Russian captivity alone. How long will it take for Ukraine to bring all of its citizens back? If an efficient mechanism is not launched, it will take years or even decades. Every day, Russia tortures our citizens. We are recording this."

Details: Lubinets had added that as of today, 2,576 Ukrainian citizens have come home, including 144 civilian hostages.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
More than 400K people visited North Shore during Taylor Swifts Eras Tour weekend

Taylor Swifts Pittsburgh stop on The Eras Tour brought a huge amount of Swifites to the North Shore.

RELATED >>> Mayor Ed Gainey renames Pittsburgh Swiftsburgh on Friday, Saturday in honor of Eras Tour

According to the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, more than 400,000 people flocked to the North Shore over the course of the weekend.

Acrisure Stadium and the surrounding area saw 191,781 visitors on Friday, June 16 and 208,866 on Saturday, June 17.

Swift set an Acrisure Stadium record for her Saturday show, with 73,117 fans in attendance.

>>> PHOTOS: Taylor Swift brings record-breaking numbers to Acrisure Stadium during second concert in Pittsburgh

People came to Pittsburgh for the shows from a variety of areas, including Cleveland, Akron, Cincinnati, Buffalo, Rochester, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Raleigh.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Taylor Swift sets Acrisure Stadium record

Other downtown locations saw an increase in visitors as well. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership said Market Square had 15,166 visitors Friday and 18,793 visitors on Saturday. Both days saw a more than 60% increase from the previous weekend.

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Numerous trees have been removed at the southwest corner of North Hamilton and Beecher roads in Gahanna for a development. Residents have sued to block it.

A Franklin County judge has sided with the city of Gahanna over a land dispute in which residents' objections and legal action were thwarted after City Attorney Ray Mularski settled the case with a developer.

"The court concludes that (City Attorney Ray Mularski) had the legal authority to enter into the settlement, plaintiffs are pursuing this action for their own benefit and do not have standing and that the settlement was made in good faith," Franklin County Common Pleas Court Judge Mark Serrott, wrote June 21 in a 12-page opinion to dismiss the case.

Academy Development had filed plans five years ago for shops and businesses at the southwest corner of North Hamilton and Beecher roads in Gahanna. But not all of the plans were in compliance with the city's zoning code and the variances they sought weren't appropriate for the five-acre site, said Jesse M. Kanitz, the attorney representing the residents in the 81-lot Academy Ridge Community Association.

The association appealed, twice. And in both cases, the city's Board of Zoning and Building Appeals agreed with residents that the planning commission had erred. Residents were hopeful, but suspected that those decisions might not be the end of it.

So when bulldozers and chainsaws began to take out trees and level the ground, the association was surprised.

About a year ago, Academy Development had threatened a federal lawsuit, prompting Mularski to settle the dispute. Residents called Mularski''s actions secretive and inappropriate.

Gahanna City Law Director Ray Mularski

"If you threaten a lawsuit against the city, their (Gahanna's) position is that the city attorney can settle it in any way he sees fit," Kanitz told The Dispatch. "We just think he's exceeded the authority of the city attorney and (negotiated a deal) behind closed doors.

"He's usurped the planning commission's authority and the mayor and city council. He's signed off on this," Kanitz previously said of Mularski.

Serrott disagreed, noting that Gahanna's city charter gives its law "broad power to defend all suits, complaints or controversies."

"If the City Council believed Mularski had to obtain its approval to settle, (council) would have acted to nullify the agreement."

Kanitz did not return calls for comment.

Read More: Gahanna residents file lawsuit over 'secret' settlement with developer

Serrott also noted that case law involving similar taxpayer objections must involve the public good and not just their "personal property interests." He noted that the homeowners threatened to sue only when the trees, which were a buffer to their homes, began to come down.

In a written statement, the city praised the ruling to dismiss the homeowners case.

The City of Gahanna is pleased that the Court agreed our City Attorney has the authority to resolve cases that could otherwise cost Gahanna taxpayers millions of dollars. The City Attorney made the right decision to resolve a pending action and a threatened lawsuit to protect the best interests of all our taxpayers, while also making every effort to protect neighborhoods and property values. We will continue to keep the homeowners of Academy Ridge at top of mind as this project progresses and will remain a good partner to them throughout the development process.

It is unclear if the homeowners and Kanitz will appeal Serrott's decision.

dnarciso@dispatch.com

@DeanNarciso

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Judge dismisses disputed Gahanna Academy Ridge land case
Photo 137519128  motortion | Dreamstime.com

After a meeting of defense ministers last month, NATO leaders will convene again next week in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. There they're expected to approve a significant update to the alliance's military posture on its eastern flank, where several membersFinland, Estonia, and Latviashare a border with Russia, and several morePoland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romaniaborder Ukraine.

Right now, NATO has about "40,000 troops on standby from Estonia in the north down to Romania on the Black Sea," reports the Associated Press. With the new plan, the alliance "aims to have up to 300,000 troops ready to move to its eastern flank within 30 days."

The motivation is obvious: Russia invaded Ukraine last year, and last month's failed Wagner rebellion highlighted a dangerous vulnerability in Moscow, a nuclear power. NATO's easternmost members are eager for military reinforcement, with Lithuania long requesting a permanent foreign military presence in its territory (preferably American, though German may have to suffice).

"Russia is the most significant and direct threat to allies' security, and we must be prepared for it to remain so," said a June statement from the Bucharest Nine, a group of eastern NATO members, which urged defensive military buildup to "deny any opportunity for [Russian] aggression."

What should be equally obvious, however, is the very real risk of this plan given its likely reception in Moscow. NATO members' goal is to deter Russia, but the unfortunate reality is that one man's defense is another man's offense. What the allies see as commonsense protection, Russian President Vladimir Putin willjustifiably or notinterpret as saber rattling. With the best of intentions, NATO could end up with less security and more security dilemma.

Putin's probable read on NATO's new strategy is most intelligible if you know a bit about NATO history. From Moscow's perspective, the alliance has repeatedly broken its word regarding eastern expansion in the postCold War era while dismissing Russian worries about Western military strategies, including troops moving ever closer to Russian land.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, "we were assured that NATO did not plan to move eastward," Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov wrote in Foreign Policy in 2021. "When such a movement inevitably started in 1999, our counterparts claimed that these assurances were just nice friendly conversations between thenU.S. Secretary of State James Baker and [thenleader of the Soviet Union] Mikhail Gorbachev without any assumed legal obligations," he continued, referring to a 1990 meeting in which Baker said three times that NATO would expand "not one inch eastward."

Since then, NATO has had six waves of expansion, counting Finland's accession this year, all moving the edge of the alliance farther east. And, as Antonov recounted it, whenever Moscow "express[es] concern, we are told, in effect: 'Just trust us.'"

Now, maybe that's exactly what Russia should do. Maybe Putin's government should believe the U.S. and our allies when we say that this expansion is strictly defensive in nature and that we do not seek regime change in Moscow.

Butwithout granting a whit of moral legitimacy to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is cruelly unjust in its initiation and execution alikewe should also be able to see why such trust would be difficult for Russian leadership. The fact is NATO has expanded east after high-ranking alliance members' officials promised it wouldn't, and the United States has been doing a lot of regime change in the last 22 years, including with NATO support.

Putin was certainly wrong to attack Ukraine and claim that NATO made him do it. He might well be wrong to think NATO is threatening him at all. But it's not a wildly irrational conclusion in this historical context.

That's why there's a risk of stumbling unintentionally into a security dilemma here. A security dilemma, as Harvard's Stephen M. Walt explained in Foreign Policy, "is a tightening spiral of hostility that leaves neither side better off than before." It starts when "the actions that one state takes to make itself more securebuilding armaments, putting military forces on alert, forming new alliancestend to make other states less secure and lead them to respond in kind."

Crucially, the actions of the first party (in this case, NATO) needn't be actually meant as a threat for the other party (Russia, and perhaps allies like Belarus) to feel less secure and respond with hostility. The perception of threat is enoughand, especially fresh off the Wagner crisis, it's not hard to imagine a weakened Putin perceiving threats everywhere. A new NATO posture of 300,000 troops ready to fight at a month's notice will be impossible for him to ignore.

The post When More Troops Mean Less Security appeared first on Reason.com.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and several prosecutors and Special Victims Unit detectives are being sued by a Morris County man who says he was wrongfully charged and maliciously prosecuted.

Joseph DiFalco of Kinnelon filed a lawsuit in Superior Court on June 30 after he was found not guilty of sexual assault and debauching the morals of the minor victim. Liz Rebein, a spokeswoman for the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, said the office does not comment on pending litigation.

DiFalco was arrested in 2017 in the alleged sexual assault by Norwood police and the Prosecutor's Office. An attorney for DiFalco did not comment on the suit.

According to the suit, DiFalco was at a party with a number of family members, including the minor who accused him of the assault, around the end of January 2017. At the time, she was taking medication that caused "confusion of the mind," the lawsuit says.

Eleven months after the party, DiFalco said, the girl's parents contacted Norwood police with allegations that he sexually touched her, and in the following days he was interviewed by a detective with the Special Victims Unit.

Business news Corrado's Market permanently closes at Wayne shopping center

Less than a week after the interview with the Prosecutor's Office, DiFalco was arrested and held in the Bergen County Jail, where he said he was on suicide watch and "forced to sleep on a concrete floor without bedding" and missed preparing for Christmas and his wife's birthday, the suit says.

DiFalco was indicted by a grand jury and said the Special Victims Unit detective inaccurately testified to his age as in his 40s when he was in his late 60s.

The suit claims that during discovery between August and October 2018, there was information and statements that "didn't corroborate" the girl's statement against him but rather absolved him. Additionally, the information given by the girl about what dress she was wearing at the party was inaccurate, the lawsuit says.

In June 2019, the court denied a motion to allow statements the girl made to her parents as "fresh complaint evidence," a decision that was appealed, with the statements eventually ruled inadmissible in 2020 because the girl's parents started the conversation. The suit says it was coercive and that they asked her "targeted questions" about details of the alleged incident.

Plane crash A fiery plane crash in a South Carolina resort town kills 5 from New Jersey

DiFalco was found not guilty in August 2022, and he said he believes that the prosecution was "overly and wrongfully driven, unfounded, unsupported, malicious and lacked evidence, corroboration and probable cause."

The suit says DiFalco suffered "severe humiliation," a loss of business income and reputation and "psychological injury" and incurred attorney fees.

He is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Kinnelon man claims 'malicious' prosecution by Bergen County
Most members of Congress routinely put off revealing their personal finances to the public  without suffering any consequences

The House of Representatives during a joint meeting of Congress on June 22, 2023. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Members of Congress are required to file documents disclosing their personal finances every year.

But it's easy for them to push that deadline back  this year, nearly 60% of House members did it.

That's according to a new report by Accountable.US shared exclusively with Insider.

According to federal law, members of the House and Senate are required to file documents detailing their personal finances every year by May 15.

Yet most House members didn't meet that deadline.

A new report from Acccountable.US, a left-leaning anti-corruption group, found that nearly 60% of House members requested extra time to file their annual financial disclosure forms, with over 80% of those who filed extensions seeking an extra 90 days to do so.

A slight majority of those lawmakers, 54.5%, were Republicans.

While the extensions are completely legal, the frequency with which they're used underscores the fickleness of the existing ethics rules governing Congress.

With such routine delays in providing accurate, up-to-date information, it becomes harder for voters to judge whether lawmakers may have a conflict of interest stemming from their assets, stock trades, agreements, and other financial arrangements that they're required to disclose.

Disclosures also allow the public to see other details of lawmakers' financial arrangements, including the money they're earning from book deals or the debts that they may be repaid from their campaigns.

These latest findings also come amid the backdrop of a long-running effort by some lawmakers and outside advocates to ban members of Congress from owning or trading stocks. Under current law, lawmakers are required to disclose their stock trades within 30 days  though violations of that law are frequent and often go unpunished.

Several polls conducted in recent years have found overwhelming support for doing so, stemming from growing public sentiment that lawmakers may unduly benefit from stock holdings while in office.

Some of the bills that have been introduced to ban congressional stock trading also strengthen existing enforcement mechanisms for violations of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act, which governs disclosures around stock trades but has long been seen as toothless and inadequate.

In a statement accompanying the Accountable.US report, Liz Zelnick, director of the group's Economic Security & Corporate Power Program, argued that the status quo on disclosure allowed lawmakers to "trade in secret by kicking the can on public disclosure, which only invites corruption and conflicts of interest."

"If the MAGA House Majority is unwilling to act on popular and bipartisan efforts to prevent self-dealing on Wall Street and restore public trust in government, it would only raise more questions about what they have to hide," added Zelnick.

While several bills have been introduced this year to banning stock trading in Congress, the Republican-controlled House has yet to take action on the issue  despite House Speaker Kevin McCarthy previously expressing support for a ban.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The mother of the Austin man charged in connection with a 2018 deadly apartment fire in San Marcos says her son had never been in trouble and that he told her after the blaze that he tried to help tenants escape the burning building.

In an exclusive interview with the American-Statesman, Victoria Ferguson said that authorities have the wrong guy and that her son, Jacobe Ferguson, was wrongfully arrested.

He said he was trying to help people get out of the way of the fire and telling them to come to his apartment, the mother said Thursday.

Jacobe Ferguson, 30, was arrested Wednesday in South Austin after local and federal authorities say they cracked the case into the 5-year-old arson fire at the Iconic Village apartments near Texas State University. The July 2018 blaze left five people dead and many others injured.

A family photo shows Victoria Ferguson with her son Jacobe Ferguson. Jacobe Ferguson was charged this week with a deadly 2018 apartment fire in San Marcos, but his mother says the police are mistaken about him.

Ferguson, who was a tenant of the apartment complex at the time of the fire, is being held in the Hays County jail on $250,000 bail that his mom says the family cannot afford. He stands charged with arson causing bodily injury or death, a first-degree felony.

More: San Marcos apartment fire suspect arrest affidavit outlines motive, attempt at cover-up

His roommate, Payton Weigel, said he and Ferguson were on their way to work Wednesday morning when they stopped at a convenience store near their apartment.

I was grabbing my stuff and, by the time I got back out, five or six unmarked police cars had pulled up and took him, he told the Statesman.

The deadly mystery got a fresh look last fall when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; San Marcos police; and Texas Rangers joined the San Marcos Fire Department in investigating the case. In restarting the investigation, authorities said they circled back to witnesses whom investigators had spoken with after the fire and, this time, got a clearer understanding about what happened.

San Marcos Fire Chief Les Stephens speaks Thursday about the arrest of Jacobe Ferguson in connection with the Iconic Village fire.

An arrest affidavit released Thursday says a witness, Weldon Moore, met with authorities in late June and told them that on the day after the fire he spoke with Ferguson. Moore, the affidavit notes, said Ferguson had discussed setting the fire and confided in him that he was angry about a broken relationship and feeling overwhelmed at work.

Ferguson didnt tell me he did it, he told me why he did it, Moore told investigators, according to the affidavit.

Ferguson, according to the affidavit, was intoxicated on the night of the fire and told Moore that the blaze might have originated on a mattress that a tenant had set out for Ferguson to remove. Authorities say they later confirmed the fire began on the mattress.

Moore, according to the affidavit, laid out a potential motive for the arson. He said that Ferguson was upset with having the responsibility of getting rid of the mattress and because a relationship he had with a tenant had ended. That tenant, a woman who had gone on a date with Ferguson, sustained serious injuries in the fire, authorities said.

Victoria Ferguson, of Tyler, said her son is normally calm and the allegations against him are out of character.

Why would he be so mad about a mattress? she asked. Victoria Ferguson had not yet read the arrest affidavit at the time she spoke with the Statesman. She said her son graduated from Texas State with two degrees and had within the past year moved to Austin from San Marcos for a job.

More: 'Never given up on this case': Arrest made in connection to San Marcos' deadliest fire

Cameron Mink, a longtime friend of Jacobe Fergusons, said he was shocked when he heard about the arrest.

He had told me about the fire when it first happened, and he said he was helping people get out of the building, Mink said. Never in a million years would I believe he did something like this, and I dont believe he did it. I think theyre just trying to find someone to put the blame on.

Weigel, the roommate, said though Ferguson has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, he has never seen him act aggressively or violently. Ferguson's mom confirmed the medical diagnosis.

"He was good on taking medication," Weigel said. "He never strayed away from it or anything like that."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Mother of suspect in deadly Iconic Village fire says he's innocent
Mother wants someone to speak up about her son Malcolm Mason's murder

Betty Mason holds a rendering of her late son Malcolm Mason, 32, of Mansfield, who was murdered May 3 outside Park Avenue West Apartments. No arrests have been made in the homicide.

Malcolm Mason's mother is still waiting for someone to tell Mansfield police what they know about her son's death.

It's been over two months and she said she calls Mansfield police every day asking for any updates on her son's murder case.

Malcolm Mason, 32, was murdered around 10 p.m. May 3 outside the Park Avenue West Apartments.

He and two of his nephews had spent time together at an open gym at Mansfield Senior High School earlier in the day and came back to the house for dinner with his mom.

Malcolm spent the evening of May 3 at his parents' home on Barnard Avenue, leaving to go to the store to buy food for his dog Hazel before heading to his own residence.

"We were eating dinner and enjoying each other that night. It got to be about 10 o'clock and he said, 'I need to go feed Hazel,'" she told the News Journal in an interview.

Malcolm's mother said she offered to cut up a roasted chicken to give the dog.

Other shootings occurred on May 3

She said that evening they had talked as they usually did. One of his friends had called him talking about shootings that had occurred earlier that day.

In that shooting May 3, a victim was wounded at a barbershop at 103 Sturges Ave., police said. The victim was in surgery with several gunshot wounds, police said at the time. No further information was released.

Malcolm's mother said her son's phone died and the mother and son continued talking and she asked him about a girl he was dating who he said was doing some things that were out of character. She lived at Park Avenue West Apartments, where Malcolm's body was found.

"I told him he was not obligated to stay there," his mother said.

He said, "I know mom but she needs help with the kids."

She said she told him he has to remember he has obligations to his daughter and not to anyone else as he listened to her. She said they were close as a mother and son and he had told her he and the woman had not talked for a few days. She was not answering her phone, his mother recalled him saying.

Betty Mason said she told him he can always walk away if someone is not treating him right and he said OK.

At the door, as he prepared to leave his parents' home, he reminded her that the following day he had physical therapy.

Malcolm, a 2009 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School, had suffered a hand injury at an Ontario restaurant where he worked as a grill cook. He lost a pinky finger.

Was receiving worker's comp for hand injury

He was currently off work due to the injury and had been receiving worker's compensation but due to red tape the payments had stopped, according to his mother. She offered him $20 for gas as the appointment was outside of Richland County.

He said no to her offer of money and he "would make it work," but she told him to take the $20.

Malcolm told her he loved her and walked out the door.

She saw him drive out of her driveway toward home after sitting in the car a couple minutes. She said she believed he may have been charging his phone and maybe texting.

She never saw him alive again.

After 10 p.m. May 3, her phone began ringing. She had gone to her front door, hearing a loud scream. She heard from her youngest son that Malcolm was gone. A girl was calling on her phone saying she heard that Malcolm's name came across the police scanner.

Soon after friends began pulling up to her house. She went to wake Malcolm's father Artie to go and see what had happened to Malcolm. She told Malcolm's brother to go with his dad.

She said she thought perhaps Malcolm had been in a car crash.

She said Malcolm's father went to West Park Avenue Apartments and returned home to tell Betty that Malcolm was dead.

"Baby, he's gone," her husband told her.

Mother said she believes she knows son's killer

Malcolm never had a problem with anybody, his mother said. He got in trouble with the law when he was 19 years old but never again.

"If my son had a problem with you or you had a problem with my son, by the time you and him finished a conversation he was either buying you a drink or you were sitting there laughing at something he said you thought was funny," she said.

His mother said she believes she knows who killed Malcolm and believes his death was over a woman.

The body of Malcolm Mason, 32, was found May 3 outside the Park Avenue West Apartments, also known as Harwood Apartments.

Mansfield police have not made any arrests. She said she has heard there is a doorbell Ring video footage of the fatal shooting incident from someone else's door at the apartment complex, also referred to as Harwood Apartments.

Every day is a struggle and she just wants justice, she said.

Betty Mason said she has been comforted by many text messages and words of sympathy from people sharing kind words about Malcolm and how he helped others.

But she just wants the shooter to come forward and tell the truth and turn themselves in.

It is what she prays for, she said.

"If it was your child, or one of your family members, you would want somebody to say something," she said.

Mansfield Assistant police Chief Jason Bammann said detectives have followed up with all the leads they have and are still investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call Mansfield police Detective Korey Kaufman at 419-755-9748.

Mansfield police detectives working to solve homicides

Major Crimes detectives are diligently continuing to follow up on the other recent homicides, Mansfield police Chief Keith Porch said in May, urging anyone with further information to call the Mansfield Police Tip Line at 419-522-7463.

The city has seen seven homicides through early June this year, while in 2022 there were five homicides for the entire year.

Mansfield's 2023 homicide cases:

The homicide cases in Mansfield so far this year are:

Layshawn Lovett, 16, of Mansfield, who was shot and killed Jan. 3 at the Quality Inn & Suites on North Trimble Road. The Mansfield police said 31-year-old Monteles Holland was arrested in connection to the boy's murder.

Devonte Jacocks, 26, of Mansfield, shot and killed March 2 inside the M&S Drive Thru on Springmill Street.

Khiren Willis, 22, shot and killed in the 500 block of West Fourth Street on May 2.

Darrin "Turtle" Marsh, 35, of Columbus, fatally shot April 30 on Dunbilt Court. A murder suspect has been indicted by the Richland County Grand Jury in the death of Marsh on April 30. The Richland County Grand Jury returned an indictment on William Carter, 31, of Akron, and formerly of Mansfield, on two counts of murder in the death.

Malcolm Mason, 32, of Mansfield, fatally shot outside Harwood Apartments on May 3.

Nathan Carroll, 18, of Mansfield, fatally shot outside North Lake Park entrance on West Fourth Street on June 8.

Jonathan Ash, 18, of Mansfield, second victim shot outside North Lake Park entrance June 8, taken off life support June 21 at Grant Medical Center in Columbus for gunshot wounds sustained in shooting inside a vehicle.

lwhitmir@gannett.com

419-521-7223

Twitter: @LWhitmir

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Betty Mason asks anyone with information to speak up about son's death
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill Thursday to save New Jerseys first offshore wind farm from financial uncertainty.

The governor held an event in Paulsboro and signed the offshore wind legislation along with two other economic development bills, including one with tax credits for the film industry, to emphasize a narrative about the 21st Century economy he's had since taking office.

We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity right now to bring tens of thousands of overwhelmingly union jobs and billions of dollars of investment to our state with offshore wind, Murphy said. The marine terminal in Paulsboro and the wind port in Salem County, Murphy added, are literally building the foundation of our nation's entire wind industry.

The offshore wind law will allow energy company rsted to keep hundreds of millions of dollars in federal tax incentives that the company otherwise would be required to pass along to state utility customers. Without the deal, the company and Murphy administration officials said the wind farm would not be built. In exchange for the relief, rsted agreed  and now by law will be obligated  to spend $200 million at the Paulsboro port where Murphy signed the bill.

The bill cleared the Senate and Assembly on the same day as the state budget last week.

An odd coalition got the bill through the Senate. Senate Republican Minority Leader Steve Oroho helped get it to the floor by voting the bill out of committee, though he ultimately voted against final passage. Sen. Andrew Zwicker, a Middlesex County Democrat in what could be a tight race this fall, abstained in committee then voted for the bill on the floor.

Critics call the bill a giveaway to rsted. The Murphy administration and other supporters argue the tax incentives the company is keeping would have gone to waste if the project were not built.

Much of Murphys climate change and economic development goals are tied up in the creation of an offshore wind industry in the state.

rsted is expected to begin construction on its project, known as Ocean Wind 1, this fall.
Musk and Zuck promised us a cage fight, but what we've got are 2 reply guys trading petty jabs

Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk seem to have ditched their real-life fight in favor of trading feeble jabs on their respective platforms. Getty Images

Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg remain at each others' throats following the launch of Threads.

Instead of a cage, though, their respective social platforms have become the fighting arenas.

The squabble has ramped up a notch after Twitter threatened to take Meta to court over Threads.

It's getting a bit pitiful for Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg as their feud continues to escalate, following the launch of Threads.

The two tech billionaires just haven't been able to help themselves from publicly squabbling like schoolkids in recent weeks. We were led to believe this would culminate in a bitter cage fight, but in reality, they just continue to trade feeble jabs at each other online.

On Thursday, just a day after the launch of Zuck's new obsession, Threads, it emerged that Musk was threatening to sue Meta over its Twitter clone, which was released in the middle of another meltdown for the bird app.

Alex Spiro, Musk's attorney, sent a legal threat to Zuckerberg  confirmed by Insider  citing "serious concerns" that Twitter's "trade secrets and other intellectual property" were used to build Threads.

The letter goes as far as suggesting Meta "hired dozens of former Twitter employees" (yes, those same Twitter employees that Musk decided he had no need for after laying them off), and put them to task on developing a Twitter copycat.

Meta's communications director Andy Stone took to Threads to say that "no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee."

Some have been quick to point out the pitiful state of it all. San Francisco-based VC Sheel Mohnot tweeted a copy of the legal threat to Zuckerberg from Musk's attorney with his concise summary of the situation: "This is lame from @elonmusk imo."

Musk has taken to Twitter too, as expected, to vent about the new threat facing him: "Competition is fine, cheating is not," he tweeted.

But Zuck has done little to hide the fact that this is personal for him.

The Meta chief's posting habit on Threads has revealed him to be a bit of a reply guy, who's still obsessed with fighting and Musk  with Threads (if that's what we're meant to call them) mostly consisting of responses to UFC fighters or poking fun at the Twitter owner.

Zuck has suggested he's "only in the opening moments of the first round" of this fight. He's also reacted with cry-laugh emojis to an artist's depiction of him standing topless and shredded in a ring with his hand held high as the supposed victor in his very public bout.

How seriously Musk should take all of this is still up for debate. Threads may turn out to be a "Twitter Killer," or it may not. According to The Verge's Alex Heath, Threads has already hit 48 million sign-ups, though analysts think it'll take more than quick growth to supplant Twitter.

The only thing that might keep Musk and Zuckerberg in check is the fact they each have an adult in the room to stop an all-out rumble in the jungle.

In Musk's case, Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino should bring a level-headedness that her colleague is clearly lacking. With ad money flooding out the door at Twitter in recent months, there are relationships  rather than rivalries  that Musk would do well to prioritize to boost revenue.

For Zuck, Instagram boss Adam Mosseri offers a sobering presence. On Thursday, Mosseri acknowledged that although there's reason to be excited about how the launch has gone, "there are tons of basics" that are still missing from the app. These include hashtags, a "following" feed, and a messaging function, which means Threads is still a skeletal project.

Zuckerberg should recognize the same and focus on improving his pet project, even as Musk continues to throw both shade and cease-and-desist letters at him.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  From its humble beginnings to becoming the annual spectacle in the Philippine events landscape that everyone looks forward to, the Philippine TOYCON is recognized as the biggest pop culture convention in the country.

This year, TOYCON PH celebrates its 20-year milestone as a destination event, also making it one of the longest-running pop culture conventions in the Asian region. With each iteration, the Philippine TOYCON has gotten bigger and better, establishing itself as a cultural juggernaut and one of the most anticipated events of the year, as thousands of con-goers take part in a weekend of fun, nostalgia, and fabulous finds!

With this years TOYCON happening from July 7-9 at the SMX Convention Center Manila, this years edition promises to raise the bar again for pop-culture events as it returns back to form as the collectors mecca and an ultimate destination for pop-culture fan engagement. TOYCON this year will feature almost a hundred toy exclusives from partner exhibitors, with top toy brands like Funko, LEGO, Bandai, Hot Toys, Pop Mart, JoyToy, and many others.

The convention will also feature top toy designers in the country, the region, and the US. World-renowned toy designers like Quiccs, Wetworks, Creon Chknhead, Arman Kendrick, and more, with their limited-edition TOYCON releases adding to the hype.

TOYCON also partnered with international brand and licensing giant, MINDstyle, to bring you the FanXperience, where con-goers can sample the latest trends in upcoming art toys and purchase Pop Asia exclusives.

Fans also get to interact with top creators and designers like Punk Drunkers and Reen Barrera. You also get to check out the Secret Fresh merchandise and exhibits. And one of the most anticipated toys of the convention brought in by MINDstyle is the very first ever Philippine Convention-exclusive  TOYCONs brand mascot, TC-02, as an official Funko Pop collectible!

Globe is this years event co-presenter and it is bringing in the Globe Playboxx Booth where one can unleash their inner child. Globe Premium and VIP Passes will also be available  loaded with awesome toy exclusives, merch and vouchers. Avail of these VIP passes to be the first to own these much sough-after toy exclusives like Creon Chknheads CCW Buck Philippine Colorway, and Punk Drunkers convention-exclusive Pops.

Still very much a highlight for the event is the ongoing live-action adaptation of the beloved Robot Romance Trilogy anime known as Voltes V. This Philippine production, known as Voltes V: Legacy with GMA TV, has received rave reviews for its cutting-edge special effects and attention to detail, clearly serving as a love letter from its makers to the source material. The cast of Voltes V Legacy and its show-runner, Director Mark A. Reyes, will have a fan interaction on the TOYCON stage. GMA will also bring in other stars to grace the event.

But thats not all, because from our homegrown talent taking on a much-beloved Japanese franchise, we also get to welcome some special guests from the Japanese Tokusatsu (live-action special effects) universe.

First up, we have Tetsuo Kurata, aka Robert Akizuki, as he was locally known when he played Masked Rider Black and Black RX. With him of course is Ryosuke Kaizu, who played Red Mask in Hikari Sentai Maskman. All those who grew up with these 90s heroes will have a blast to see them up close and personal along with their props and vehicles in the Toku Spirits booth.

Cosplay also returns to TOYCON in a big way with arguably the most entertaining and most talked-about cosplay competition in the country. The Cosplay KO heightens the excitement for individual cosplayers on Saturday with a P20,000 cash prize for the best anime. On Sunday, the Anime S Cosplay World Stars local qualifiers in the Duo Category and the Cosplay Pop Duo Contest will liven up the TOYCON stage. Celebrity Cosplay photographer, Jay Tablante, will also conduct a Cosplay Photography workshop sponsored by Canon.

Movie fans will celebrate in the immersive cinematic displays as Warner Brothers sets up for Barbie the Movie and the highly anticipated DC superhero movie, Blue Beetle. Paramount Pictures also joins the fray with a booth for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.

TOYCON also brings to the fore the top local and international creators with not just one but three Creative Zones: the Comics Zone powered by Komiket featuring top comic book artists and illustrators, and two Toy Designer Alleys with the best local and international toy designers including Hot Actor, Pucky, Chino Lam, Unbox Industries, and more! Enjoy more than 80 toy exclusives to be released by more than 40 toy designers around the world!

And of course, the heart of the event is the TOYCON Collectors Gallery where around 80 toy collector groups will display their collections with exciting panel discussions and competitions for Custom Toys, Toy Photography, Best Display, and awards for the Best Toy Collectors Group sponsored by the Philippine Toy Groups Association. And definitely, the shopping and collectibles hunting is unsurpassed in TOYCON with more toys, comics, and collectibles to be found in more than 250 vendor booths!

An absolute epic experience awaits all fans this July 7-9 at the SMX Convention Center as we celebrate 20 years of TOYCON with the TOYCON MINDstyle FanXperince. The only question is: Will you be celebrating with us, or will you be missing out on one of the hottest events of 2023? The choice couldnt be clearer.

The 20th TOYCON Philippines and MINDstyle FanXperience is presented by Globe, in partnership with Great Toys Online, Filbars, Hobbiestock, CalicoToys, Gaming Library, Funtastik, Talent High, Solid Toys, Collectors Base, Stormy Vault, Devil Toys, the College of St. Benilde, Bostik, Cybercraft PH, Grimalkin, JoyToy, Gnarly, and supported by Canon, GMA Store, Quiccs, Toku Spirits, Funko Funatic Philippines, Big Boys Toy Store, Image World, Yori, Warner Brothers Pictures, Paramount Pictures, with hotel partners, Citadines and Heritage Hotel. Also powered by Exlink Events, Anime Alliance, Ambox Events, Komiket, IPMS, the Philippine Toy Group Association and Creon Chknhead.

Tickets are available at SMTickets.com or onsite during the event dates at the SMX Convention Center. The Globe Premium Passes and Globe MINDstyle VIP Passes are available on Tickelo.com.
Naperville sees huge $1.4B growth in retail sales over past decade: Naperville is now the retail mecca

Naperville continues to lead suburban Chicago in retail sales thanks to the strength of its automobile dealers, dining and bar scene, and grocery markets, a recently released report shows.

The annual report from Melaniphy & Associates, a real estate and retail consultant firm in Chicago, takes a comprehensive look at suburban retail numbers to document shifts in the marketplace based on various retail sales categories.

Since 2016, Naperville has bested all other suburbs for highest cumulative retail sales in all categories. Schaumburg is the citys closest sales competitor, but it last topped Naperville in just one category six years ago.

Naperville is now the retail mecca, overtaking Schaumburg in total retail sales, said John Meliphany, who produces the annual report.

Last year, Naperville saw a record $4.6 billion in total sales, up 6% over 2021 and higher than No. 2 Schaumburg by more than $638 million.

Over the last 10 years, the Meliphany report shows retail sales in Naperville have escalated by $1.4 billion, unlike Schaumburg, which saw sales plummet by $887 million during the same time period.

Nearly half the $1.4 billion increase can be attributed to Napervilles strong showing in automobile and gasoline sales, which rose from $1.2 billion in 2013 to $1.8 billion in 2022.

Where most top suburban towns, including Schaumburg, Orland Park, Tinley Park, Oak Lawn, Westmont and Barrington, saw their sales numbers crash in 2022 largely due to automotive sales, Naperville had a $70 million increase between 2021 and 2022, Meliphany said.

Naperville has historically had the highest sales in this category since at least 2010, he said.

The city also is a leader in the restaurant and bar industry.

In this category, Naperville had sales of $504 million in 2022 , which is $168 million more than it had in 2013, Meliphany said.

The next highest decade change was Aurora, which saw $102 million in sales growth since 2013. But the neighboring citys dining and drinking sales in 2022 added up to $304 million, or $200 million less than Naperville.

Naperville continues to rank first in grocery sales compared to any other suburban community, with food store sales of $453 million.

Their grocery sales are off the charts, Meliphany said.

No. 2 Joliet with 2022 sales of $332 million trails Naperville by $85 million.

What sets Naperville apart is its variety of upscale, ethnic and organic food stores on top of the traditional Chicago area grocers, Meliphany said.

The second Costco store places Naperville in a unique status. Not many communities can claim to support two Costco stores, other than major metropolitan cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, he said.

Naperville continues its reign as king of suburban home improvement, with sales rising $94 million over the last decade from $152 million in 2013 to $246 million in 2022.

The biggest leap was from 2020 to 2021, when home improvement sales jumped during the COVID-19 pandemic by $49 million, from $192 million to $241 million.

Despite what could have been a temporary increase, home improvement spending remained steady thereafter, rising 2.2% from 2021 to 2022.

Napervilles presence also can be seen in the Route 59 corridor, according to the Meliphany report.

Among core retail markets, the Fox Valley Mall area continues to lead compared to other suburban shopping center and mall areas, with retail sales of $7.5 billion in 2022, up $327 million over the previous year and up $2 billion from 10 years ago.

No. 2 Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg recorded $5.7 billion in retail sales in 2022, and No. 3 Louis Joliet Mall in Joliet had $3.8 billion.

The figures are total sales from retail concentrations, including the mall and the surrounding big boxes.

Because Aurora mall is bordered by Naperville where many big box stores are located, the core numbers include both communities, according to Meliphany.

subaker@tribpub.com
When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, many in the West, and in the Kremlin too, expected the Ukrainian state to crumble in weeks, if not days.

The government would flee, the state would be carved up  some lands absorbed by Russia, the rest perhaps being made into a Moscow-dominated puppet state. The war might continue, but it would be an insurgency in an occupied country, so the experts said.

Ukraines True History

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They were wrong, and part of the reason they were wrong is that they had so little knowledge and understanding of Ukraine's history and its long battle to shrug off the shackles of Russian domination.

Indeed, the Kremlin's own denial of Ukrainian agency and statehood are as much the reasons for its failure to carry out regime change in Ukraine as its poor logistics and overly ambitious military plans.

At its heart, Ukrainians' fierce resistance to Russian invasion was built from the strong nationalist movement in the country.

Nationalism, of course, carries many negative associations in Western democracies with fascism. But Ukraine's nationalism is, first and foremost, an expression of the right to self-determination, not a far-right ideology, according to experts and researchers.

The present war is the latest stage of a long-running fight for freedom in Ukraine that can hardly be understood without a close look at the nationalist movements in the country throughout the 20th century, Ukrainian philosopher Volodymyr Yermolenko told the Kyiv Independent.

"We can't understand today's resistance without (knowing about) the whole bunch of other resistances that existed in Ukraine," he said.

Misleading terms

For Myroslav Shkandrij, professor of Slavic Studies at the University of Manitoba, and a leading expert on the topic, the Soviet narrative is mainly responsible for the flawed vision of Ukraine's historical fight for independence.

"The Soviet narrative since World War II has been focused on linking Ukraine and Ukrainians' desire for independence and freedom to the atrocities of World War II," Shkandrij told the Kyiv Independent.

But within Ukraine, the struggle for independence has been a long one over many generations and is a struggle for freedom, he said.

How Russia steals and rewrites Ukrainian history to justify its claims in Ukraine Appropriating and rewriting foreign history has been a key aspect of Russias imperialist narratives. This is especially true about the history of Ukraine, which Russia has sought to subjugate for centuries. Crediting Russia as being the sole successor of the medieval Kyivan Rus and laying claims The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

"So Ukrainians see nationalism in a positive light," Shkandrij added.

Nationalism in Ukraine, historically and traditionally, was always associated "with freedom, with democracy, with national liberation," adds leading U.S. historian Alexander J. Motyl.

"True nationalism is about the state of a nation," Motyl told the Kyiv Independent. "If you read the American Declaration of Independence in 1776, that could have been written by Ukrainians."

First state, and the Martyrs of Kruty

"Wars are nation builders," Motyl said. "A war forces people to choose sides because once you're invaded, you need to choose a side."

Ukraine's first attempt to exist as an independent state in modern times came at the end of the World War I, when Ukrainians saw a political window of opportunity after the 1917 February Revolution in Russia, which led to the abdication of Emperor Nicholas II.

Mykhailo Hrushevsky, a key figure in the Ukrainian national movement, was elected as the head of the newly-formed Ukrainian Central Rada in Kyiv.

The Central Rada was an organization and culture committee that took on more and more power, and soon gained authority over a good part of today's Ukraine. In Russia, the newly formed Provisional Government recognized this Ukrainian "regional government" at first.

Soon, another revolution struck Russia. The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, took power in Moscow.

The Bolsheviks grew increasingly intolerant of the Ukrainian state, even though it remained aligned with Russia.

In January 1918, the Bolsheviks entered Ukraine and moved on to Kyiv after proclaiming in Kharkiv the creation of the Ukrainian People's Republic of Soviets, a communist puppet state.

The Central Rada didn't have enough troops to stop the Bolshevik takeover. But Ukrainians' heroic resistance to Moscow domination was still to be seen, such as at the Battle of Kruty  a small town in Chernihiv Oblast to the east of Kyiv.

There, a detachment of roughly 400 Ukrainian students and cadets engaged a much larger Bolshevik force. Half of the Ukrainian cadets were killed in the battle, and another 27 were shot after being captured as revenge for their resistance. They would become celebrated as the first martyrs for the cause of national independence.

Despite losing the battle, the students and cadets were able to slow down Russian advances, allowing Ukraine's Central Rada to sign an armistice and alliance with the Central Powers.

A month later, with the help of Germany and Austria-Hungary, Ukrainians were again in control of Kyiv.

Different brands of nationalism

Despite retaking Kyiv, and holding it for nearly a year, the period that followed, known as the war for independence, saw Ukrainians and Poles at each others throats over control of Galicia while Kyiv was being attacked by the Bolsheviks  all against the backdrop of Ukraine's own civil war.

The years of fighting left Ukraine devastated until representatives of Russia and Poland signed a peace treaty in 1921, leaving Ukraine without a state of its own, and control of Ukrainian lands carved up between Bolshevik Russia, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Romania.

Despite the defeat, these years were formative for the diversity of the Ukrainian nationalism movement, said Shkandrij.

"There were Marxists and Socialists in 1917-1921 who fought for independence," he said.

"They were called nationalists, even though they were Marxists and communists, in fact, and social democrats."

10 popular misconceptions about Ukrainian history, debunked Editors Note: This is episode 1 of Ukraines True History, a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis. The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o The Kyiv IndependentAsami Terajima

It would also see the beginning of Ukraine's organized nationalist movement, which started in 1919 with veterans from these wars who joined the ranks of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

"If you look at the Ukrainian organized nationalist movement from 1919 to 1955, for most of the period, except for two years when it flirted with fascism, it was essentially authoritarian or moralist, democratic or apolitical for about 33 years," Motyl said.

Demonizing Bandera

People usually associate Ukrainian nationalism with the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, or OUN, and its military wing, the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, known by its Ukrainian acronym of UPA. The groups formed in the southeastern part of interwar Poland, today's western Ukraine, according to U.S. historian Trevor Erlacher.

And the first name that comes to mind when discussing this period is that of Stepan Bandera (1909-1959), one of Ukraine's most controversial figures, who is celebrated or hated  depending on who's talking.

Motyl believes that's because Bandera was both made into a symbol of the nationalist movement by the Ukrainians and because he was a threat to the Soviets, which made him very easy to demonize.

However, his influence over modern-day nationalism and Ukrainian society has been greatly exaggerated by Russia to discredit post-EuroMaidan Ukraine, scholars argue.

"Nobody cares about the real Bandera," Yermolenko said. "Nobody reads his texts anymore, nobody believes in this hierarchical and far-right ideology, which existed in the 1930s."

That's not Ukraine's current ideology, he said. "Ukraine's current ideology is much more horizontal, dependent on specific communities, specific people, much more decentralized, much more self-organized."

And it's clear that people who call themselves Banderites do not share his ideologies and probably have never read any of his writings, Yermolenko said.

"It's like wearing a Che Guevara T-shirt without knowing who Che Guevara was. (It's) just because it looks nice, and (Bandera is) a symbol of the underground resistance to the Soviets."

Russias centuries-long quest to conquer Ukraine Editors Note: This is episode 2 of Ukraines True History, a video and story series by the Kyiv Independent. The series is funded by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting within the program Ukraine Forward: Amplifying Analysis. The program is financed by the MATRA Programme of the Embassy o The Kyiv IndependentIgor Kossov

OUN and UPA

The groups associated with Bandera, the OUN, and its military wing, the UPA, themselves have a controversial legacy.

The OUN was founded in 1929 and attracted students and veterans from the Ukrainian Galician Army who wanted to fight oppression from Poles and Soviet Ukraine.

The organization was first led by Yevhen Konovalets, who was a veteran of the war for independence in Ukraine between 1917 and the early 1920s.

After the Soviet secret police killed him with an exploding chocolate box in 1938, the organization in 1940 split into two factions: the OUN-B, led by Bandera following his release from a Polish prison in 1939, and the OUN-M, led by Colonel Andrii Melnyk.

In February 1941, the larger and more violent faction, the OUN-B, made a deal with leaders of German military intelligence to form two battalions of special operation forces, Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhy, director of the Ukrainian Research Institute at Harvard University, says. One battalion was among the first German troops to enter Lviv on June 29, 1941.

The next day, Bandera proclaimed Ukraine's independence.

But Germany had other plans for Ukraine, and the Nazis turned on the Bandera faction, arresting its members and Bandera himself, whom they told to denounce his proclamation.

Bandera refused and was sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp in Germany, where he spent most of the World War II. Two of his brothers were arrested and died in Auschwitz.

The OUN-M tried to take advantage of the situation by setting up expeditionary groups in central and eastern Ukraine, but by early 1942 the Germans had started to hunt them down.

The OUN-B and the UPA would later face three enemies, the Germans, the Poles, and the Soviets.

Volyn Massacre

Erlacher argues that the OUN-B was an example of fascism as an organization with followers "who commit mass violence in the name of national rebirth," referring to the ethnic cleansing of Poles in Volhynia.

In the spring and summer of 1943, UPA members massacred thousands of Poles throughout Volhynia in Nazi-occupied Poland, an area that is now part of western Ukraine.

Some Ukrainians were also killed by Poles in retaliation, but most of the victims were Poles.

Plokhy estimates that the number of Ukrainians killed may vary between 15,000 and 30,000, while the estimates for the Polish victims vary between 60,000 and 90,000.

In 2016, Poland's Parliament recognized the killings as genocide, a term that Ukraine denies.

Grzegorz Rossolinski-Liebe, a Bandera biographer and historian at the Free University of Berlin, said in an interview with Deutsche Welle that he had found no evidence that Bandera, who was in a German concentration camp at the time, supported or condemned "ethnic cleansing" or killing Jews and other minorities.

It was, however, important that people from OUN and UPA "identified with (Bandera)," he said.

Gorodnichenko, Sologoub: The Ukraine-Russia culture war BERKELEY/KYIV  When Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, few expected resistance to last longer than a few days. In both Russia and the West, Russian troops were expected to sweep into Kyiv, parade uniforms in hand, install a proxy government, and effectively end Ukr The Kyiv IndependentYuriy Gorodnichenko

Bandera never returned to Ukraine after being imprisoned by Nazi Germany in 1941 and released in 1944. He was killed in 1959 by the KGB.

His name has since been heavily weaponized by Russian propaganda, and he became Moscow's favorite boogeyman when calling for Ukraine's so-called "denazification."

The UPA and Bandera were turned into symbols by the Soviets because they resisted, according to Motyl. The UPA had close to 100,000 soldiers in 1944 and was fighting behind the Soviets' line, disrupting the Red Army communications.

"They were a formidable military force through 1947-1948," Motyl said.

"And at some point, again, within the popular discourse in Ukraine, but also amongst the members of the old and new part, they began referring to themselves as Bandera people."

So it made sense for the Soviets to focus on Bandera's movement, as it was a threat, according to Motyl. The Soviets were very fearful of what he was doing because he maintained relations with the movement in Ukraine until 1954-1955, despite being abroad.

Pogroms

In Russia, Ukrainian nationalism is associated with anti-Semitism, and the Kremlin's propagandists often point to the Lviv pogrom of 1941, an outbreak of anti-Jewish violence that began on the afternoon of June 30 and ended on the evening of July 1.

Instigated by the German occupiers, the wave of violence saw the spontaneous participation of the non-Jewish local civilian population and officers of the newly formed OUN-B.

The discovery in city prisons of the bodies of Soviet prisoners, victims of mass shootings committed by the NKVD (People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs), the forerunner to the KGB (Soviet Security Service), during the first days of the war, was used by Nazi propaganda: Lviv Jews were blamed for the NKVD shootings, which resulted in the pogrom.

For Motyl, however, calling the nationalist movement anti-Semitic is a crude generalization, as it wasn't anti-Semitic in its ideology and practice.

"Obviously, there were anti-Semitic Ukrainians," he said, adding that some Ukrainian nationalists collaborated with the Nazis.

But for many Ukrainians, the issue wasn't racial but rather political, Motyl said. "The question was: Are they, or are they not, loyal to Ukraine?"

"The (nationalists) weren't out to exterminate, they were out to combat their political enemies," he said while acknowledging the presence of anti-Semites in the ranks of the OUN.

"To put it a little crudely, but not inaccurately: Ukrainians were peasants and Jews were kind of the middle class and the upper class were either Poles or Russians," he said.

When the peasant class rebels, it tends to attack the middle class first, before the larger authority, Motyl said, which explains the animosity against some of the Jewish population at the time.

A very Ukrainian phenomenon

Ukraine's nationalist heroes are thus no angels, but their main defining and uniting feature is their unbreakable commitment to the struggle for an independent state, scholars agree.

Ukrainians will generally choose heroes that are strong, forceful, and that don't break easily, Shkandrij explained. "That's why Bandera, as an unbreakable force, a person who never gave up  that's why they would find that fight attractive."

For Yermolenko, this heritage is important because it created a kind of warrior image, even though it might now be associated with fascism in Western societies.

"(But) I think it is wrong to associate this image of the warrior and warrior ethics with fascism," Yermolenko said, "because you can find the same ethics in France's anti-Nazi resistance movement."

Rather, in Ukraine, nationalism is associated with the idea that "you should fight, that you should not accept evil, that you should resist, and you should be strong as steel."

Shkandrij agrees and also explains the self-organizing nature of Ukrainian resistance to Russian colonialism.

"If you look back on the history of spontaneous and mass uprisings, there's a clue there to how Ukrainians have always had to behave because their elite has been removed, has been arrested, has been killed off over several generations."

The heroes will also be taken from these ordinary people who fought very hard or for a cause they believed in, Shkandrij adds.

"It's a phenomenon that is very Ukrainian."
NATO Vilnius Summit will move away from Bucharest formulations concerning Ukraine's membership  US ambassador

In the concluding statement of the NATO Summit in Vilnius next week, leaders of NATO member states will try to move away from the formulations of the 2008 Bucharest Summit, a decision Ukraine has long been demanding.

Source: Julianne Smith, US ambassador to NATO, at a briefing for journalists on 7 July, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent

Smith stated that Ukraine can expect "a package of concrete deliverables, both in terms of longer-term practical assistance on things like their military modernization and questions of interoperability" from the NATO summit in Vilnius.

"In the communique we will be addressing Ukraines membership aspirations, and that is something that NATO Allies continue to work on, but it is not just restating Bucharest - it will look different to what we said in 2008," Smith stressed.

She specified that concrete formulations are being coordinated by the NATO member states and will most likely be revealed at the end of the week. Smith also said the waiving of the mandatory Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Kyiv is being considered.

"And I do think that President Zelenskyy, if he opts to come to the summit, will be well received, will see resounding support for Ukraines relationship with the Alliance, and will find himself holding a whole collection of concrete deliverables that signals the longer-term commitment to Ukraine from the NATO Alliance," Smith remarked.

At the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, Germany and France blocked the granting of a MAP to Ukraine and Georgia, fearing escalation from Russia. Since then, NATO has merely promised both countries that they will join the Alliance "one day".

Now Ukraine says the MAP issue is no longer on the agenda and is expecting a "favourable political decision" on Kyivs NATO membership application at the July summit in Vilnius.

You may also be interested in this editorial by European Pravda: An Appeal by Ukrainian Civil Society Organisations to NATO Leaders ahead of Vilnius Summit

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
If a Chinese submarine took out a ship, another submarine or ashore infrastructure during combat, how would the Navy respond to fill the gap?

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Keyport recently conducted a first of its kind warfighting readiness tabletop exercise, focused on command, control and communication, to address that question.

The evaluation of the Navys wartime acquisition response plan, held at Naval Base Kitsap-Keyport in Washington, featured three scenarios in which participants identified solutions to deal with damage to aircraft, ships, submarines and ashore infrastructure during sustained conflict.

The options to manage such a crisis included innovative repair solutions as well as optimal asset reallocation, the Navy said.

Representatives from the Naval Sea Systems Command warfare centers, the NAVSEA Warfare Centers Headquarters and the Naval Sea Logistics Center participated in the mid-June exercise. It represented the first time all 10 warfare center divisions, headquarters and the logistics center took part in the in-person wartime exercise, the Navy said in a July 5 news release.

The warfare centers then provided feedback on each of the scenarios, including action items, insights and recommendations. According to Caeleigh Villarreal, Keyports advanced skills management logistics lead, the exercise provided the warfare centers with a wealth of actionable data that is influencing wartime response plans as well as preparation for the Pacific Fleets biannual Talisman Sabre exercise, which kicks off later this month.

A persistent, proximate threat: Why the Navy is preparing for a fight under the sea

Australia hosts Talisman Sabre, and this years exercise will include 30,000 military personnel from 13 nations. It will include field training exercises such as force preparation activities, amphibious landings, ground force maneuvers, air combat and maritime operations.

Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral training event between the U.S. and Australian militaries, and Australias Department of Defence says this will be the largest iteration of the exercise to date.

The scale is an order of magnitude higher than anything that has ever been done before, Brig. Gen. Jered Helwig, commander of the U.S. Armys 8th Theater Sustainment Command out of Fort Shafter, Hawaii, told sister publication Defense News in April, during an interview at the Association of the U.S. Armys Global Force Symposium.

In 2021 James Geurts, the former assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, instructed all field activities to coordinate a tabletop exercise to evaluate wartime acquisition response plans that tied together command, control and communications.

Navy leaders have cautioned in recent years about increased undersea threats from Russia and China. Actions the Navy has taken in recent years to mitigate these threats include standing up the 2nd Fleet in 2018 in Norfolk, Virginia, in response to greater levels of Russian activity in the North Atlantic and Arctic  including undersea.

The U.S. is also teaming up with Australia and the United Kingdom to beef up submarine presence long-term in the Pacific Ocean.
NC man will be sentenced Tuesday for Jan. 6 crime. First, he faces the cop he assaulted.

When Matthew Beddingfield enters a federal courtroom in Washington, D.C., this week, Aquilino Gonell again will be waiting.

The paths of the eastern North Carolina man and the former police sergeant first crossed on Jan. 6, 2021, when Beddingfield, then 20, was part of an angry mob attacking the U.S. Capitol, and Gonell was among an overwhelmed line of cops trying to defend it.

They will meet again Tuesday, this time at Beddingfields sentencing hearing.

In February, the Nash County man, now 23, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer.

In a Thursday filing, federal prosecutors recommended that he spend 42 months in prison. That would be the second-longest sentence so far for a N.C. defendant.

But before U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols hands down his decision, Gonell, a 16-year Capitol Police veteran forced to retire due to his Jan. 6 injuries, would like a word.

He has asked to read his victim-impact statement in open court, detailing how Beddingfield desecrated the American flag by using it as a weapon against him and other officers, turning the wooden pole into a spear to stab at Gonells thighs and groin, inflicting what Gonell describes as excruciating pain.

The vicious hits by him kept coming until his flagpole bended (sic), nearly breaking (from) so many strikes he did on us, Gonell writes in the statement.

I lived through the onslaught as it was happening, and I barely survived it. I still have PTSD, remembering what Rioter Beddingfield did to me and my colleagues that day.

Beddingfield is among at least 30 North Carolinians charged federally in connection with the Jan. 6 violence. Thousands of rioters, spurred on by the unfounded voter-fraud claims of former President Donald Trump, overran the Capitol to stop congressional certification of Joe Bidens election win.

The investigation continues, including on whether the Trump White House intentionally incited the violence to block the transfer of power.

The attack has been tied to at least five deaths; 140 police officers were injured. Close to 1,100 arrests have been made.

Beddingfield is among 350 defendants charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding officers or employees.

Thirteen N.C. residents have already been handed sentences ranging from 9 days to 44 months. The longest terms have been levied against defendants who attacked police.

Beddingfield was arrested Feb. 8, 2022, then indicted on nine charges including multiple felonies. As part of a deal with the government, he pleaded guilty to a single felony and faces a sentencing range of 37-46 months. Nichols, a Trump appointee, can go above or below the governments recommended punishment.

Beddingfields attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Leza Driscoll of Raleigh, did not respond to an email from The Charlotte Observer seeking comment. As of Friday, she had not filed her sentencing memo.

A slow death

The defendants history of violence predates the Capitol.

When he and his father drove to Washington on Jan. 6, Beddingfield was awaiting trial on an attempted murder charge tied to the December 2019 shooting of a minor in a Walmart parking lot in Smithfield. Beddingfield later entered an Alford plea to a lesser charge and received probation.

Six weeks before the riot, according to court documents, Beddingfield went on Instagram to exhort violence against his political enemies.

Anyone in antifa deserves a slow death. They are literally communists, he wrote.

A year after the riot, he had not backed off, posting, Id like to reclaim America and it is fine if a few of my peoples enemies are hurt in the process.

On Jan. 6, according to prosecutors, Beddingfield was among the first members of the mob to breach police lines on the west side of the Capitol and fought with officers inside and outside the building.

You need to back up. This is not the way to do it, one unidentified officer told him, according to an account presented earlier in court.

F--- you!, Beddingfield replied before again slashing the cop with his flagpole. Youre on the wrong side.

When his flagpole broke  and with vitriol still in his tank, as prosecutors described it in their new filing  Beddingfield tore off a shard of wood and hurled it at another officer.

Later during the melee and while still holding his American flag, Beddingfield stopped to face the Capitol and gave a Nazi salute, a video screen grab included in court documents shows.

Beddingfield was released on bond to live with his grandfather in rural Nash County, 30 miles east of Raleigh, and has had no parole violations. He has since taken responsibility for his actions and expressed remorse.

In his sentencing memo, however, Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Murphy said Beddingfields words of contrition came only after his arrest, and are undermined by what the defendant wrote online before and after the riot.

Those posts were those of a young man not only girding for another battle but seeking to grow any viable sparks of dissent into a full conflagration, Murphy wrote. This kind of prisoner penitence should do little to move the needle in favor of a lighter sentence.

Gonell, a U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq, has appeared at the trials of other Jan. 6 defendants accused of attacking him. He also was among the police officers chosen to testify in July 2021 before the House select committee investigating the riot.

To be honest, I did not recognize my fellow citizens that day, or the United States they claimed to represent, Gonell said.

He recalled being struck by his own baton and pulled into the melee by the mob.

I too was being crushed by the rioters, he said. I could feel myself losing oxygen and recall thinking to myself, This is how Im going to die.
Nearly 20 drug trafficking arrests made in Downtown Pittsburgh in last 9 days

Nearly 20 people have been arrested for drug trafficking-related charges in Downtown Pittsburgh since June 28, according to Pittsburgh Public Safety.

A majority of the arrests have resulted in felony charges for drug delivery or possession with intent to deliver.

Police said large quantities of heroin, crack cocaine, designer pills, marijuana, and cash were recovered, as well as one gun.

Pittsburgh Police said they will continue with their focused efforts to mitigate drug trafficking Downtown.

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Negligent builders and developers might be responsible for hidden peril underneath Florida: Some shady folks still used them

Recently released government data about the Sunshine State could provide a new moniker for Florida  the Lead Pipe State.

Thats because the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that Florida has more lead pipes in its water systems  1.16 million of them  than any other state, according to the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida highlights a national problem, as some 9.2 million lead pipes carry drinking water to households around the country, the Times reports. Its a concern that has lingered for decades with severe health implications.

As a result, the government plans to pump billions of dollars into lead-pipe-heavy states to tackle the problem.

Every community deserves access to safe, clean drinking water, EPA administrator Michael Regan told the Tampa Bay Times.

Why are lead pipes dangerous?

Drinking water contaminated with lead can cause heart problems, lower IQ rates among children, and anemia, among a list of other serious health problems, according to the EPA.

Lead was spotlighted in 2014 during the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. Lead leached into the water supply, causing severe health problems for the community.

Why are lead pipes still a concern?

Craig Pittman has been following the lead pipe story for Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news site. In a recent column, he said that the building and development industry is partially to blame for lingering lead concerns.

Despite increased regulations during the decades, he wrote, lead solder, flux, and pipes were still being used. The government ramped up regulations on lead pipes in 1986.

Even after lead pipes were banned  some shady folks still used them, figuring they wouldnt get caught because the evidence was literally buried out of sight. Meanwhile, a lot of lead pipes were already in use all around the country, Pittman wrote.

He talked to civil engineer Alison Adams, who works for the utility company Tampa Bay Water. Adams said the lead is often found after the public utility hookup, because its in the materials the builders used.

Lead pipes were used in the building industry, not in public water supply, she said. A utilitys responsibility ends at the meter to a home. Lead pipes were used between the meter and in homes or businesses, including schools, as a matter of construction.

Whats being done about lead in the water?

The EPA highlighted the lead problem as part of a survey of 3,500 water systems around the country. The Times reported that about $625 billion is needed to upgrade the systems.

President Joe Biden has promised $15 billion to clear out all of the nations lead pipes, according to the Times.

Its a lofty goal that will target states with the most lead. After Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York have the most lead pipes, the Times reports.

How can I test for lead at home?

The EPA has a guide that outlines how to test your service line for lead. It includes details on the different faucets and fixtures that commonly contain the heavy metal.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party lawmakers and party members hold a rally against Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant (Jung Yeon-je)

Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant would have "negligible consequences" for South Korea, Seoul said Friday as it tries to assuage rising public concern.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) this week gave the green light for a decades-long project to discharge accumulated water from the plant, which was devastated by an earthquake and a tsunami that hit the eastern coast of Japan in 2011.

But the plan has encountered widespread public opposition and protests in South Korea, and even panic-buying of salt based on fears that the Fukushima water would pollute the ocean and the salt sourced from seawater.

South Korea conducted its own separate review of Tokyo's plan, which found Japan will meet or exceed key international standards, policy coordination minister Bang Moon-kyu told reporters at a press conference Friday.

The study, which focused on whether the discharge would affect South Korean waters, found it would have "negligible consequences", the minister said.

It would take up to 10 years for the treated water released from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean to circulate back near the Korean peninsula, Bang said.

"It is projected to have a radiation level approximately 1/100,000 of the average level during normal times" when the treated waters come back near the Korean waters, he added.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi will visit Seoul from Friday, but the agency's review has not alleviated strong opposition in South Korea over the discharge plan, with some opposition lawmakers even going on hunger strike in protest.

"Japan wants to release the wastewater into the sea because it's the easiest and cheapest way to do so," Woo Won-shik, an MP who has been on hunger strike at the parliament in Seoul since June 26, told AFP.

- Decommissioning over decades -

Several of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant went into meltdown after cooling systems were overwhelmed by a massive 2011 tsunami.

The resulting nuclear accident was the worst since Chernobyl, and the clean-up has lasted more than a decade, with most areas declared off-limits due to radiation now reopened.

Decommissioning the plant itself will take decades more, but the facility's operator TEPCO faces the immediate problem of more than 1.33 million cubic metres of water accumulated on the site.

The water is a mixture of groundwater, rain that seeps into the area, and water used for cooling.

TEPCO and Japan's government want to release the treated liquid, diluted with seawater, via a pipe extending a kilometre from the coast where the plant sits.

But South Korean MPs and civic groups claim there are multiple alternatives that are safer but more expensive, such as burying the treated water deep underground or vaporising it.

Since taking power last year, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has sought to bury the historical hatchet with Japan on issues including wartime forced labour as he seeks closer regional security cooperation in the face of rising nuclear threats from North Korea.

kjk/ceb/qan
Houston mom often cried about her 'missing' son who was home the whole time, neighbor says

HOUSTON  Neighbors of a man who police believe was at the center of a missing persons hoax said they were stunned to learn he had been reported missing at all because they saw him often in the neighborhood.

But at least one resident of tree-lined Valley Lake Drive, 80-year-old John Richardson, said he truly believed Rudy Farias, 25, had vanished because he hadn't seen him in eight years.

And when Richardson asked Farias' mother about her "missing" son, she would start crying.

Rudy Farias. (Texas Center for the Missing)

Richardson said he had fond memories of Farias as a child, coming to his garage and eating popsicles. Richardson said he promised to one day teach the youngster how to mow a lawn.

He was a nice little kid, Richardson said Thursday. I told him, 'Im gonna teach you how to cut your mothers yard.'"

But once Farias' mother, Janie Santana, reported him missing in March 2015, Richardson said he never saw the boy again, leading to sad interactions with Santana over the last eight years.

It was always the same answer," said Richardson, who lives across the street from Farias and Santana. "She would start crying and say they havent found him, and it would hurt me."

But a woman who lives just a few doors down from the mother and son, Jeanay Wyble, 24, said she was stunned to learn Farias was "found" because she never knew he was missing.

Home of Rudy Farias in Houston. (Google Maps)

Every day he comes over and talks to us, Wyble said of Farias, who struck up a friendship with her and her ex-boyfriend.

She said that although Farias was eager to hang out with neighbors, he wasn't always in the best condition.

Hes just depressed all the time. A lot of times hes not sober, she said. We didnt know he was missing. Weve just been hanging with him.

Farias' mother reported him missing to police on March 7, 2015, but authorities said Thursday the boy returned home the next day.

Instead of clearing up the matter, Santana stuck to the story that he was missing, police said. Farias himself has had interactions with officers over the years, giving false names and birth dates, police said.

Neighbor Marisol Flores said she believes she saw Farias in his front yard as recently as three weeks ago.

I always saw that son, sitting outside or sitting in the car, she said.

Flores wondered aloud about what household drama might have led to the apparent deception.

I feel so bad for that young man, Flores said. You dont know the people who live by you and you cant see the walls, she said. This is horrible.

Santana could not be reached at a number linked to her name and address Thursday. The house is set behind a gate, and it wasn't clear Thursday afternoon whether anyone was home.

Prosecutors have declined so far to press any charges against Santana or Farias, but the investigation is ongoing, police said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In this photo provided by South Korean Defense Ministry, a U.S. B-52 bomber, C-17, and U.S. Air Force F-22 fighter jets fly over the Korean Peninsula during a joint air drill in South Korea on Dec. 20, 2022. | South Korean Defense Ministry via Associated Press

The training offered the alliance an opportunity to further strengthen its interoperability by demonstrating a combined defense capability, rapid deployment, and extended deterrence in the defense of the Korean Peninsula.

This U.S. Air Force press release, issued June 30, describes drills in South Korea involving intercontinental B-52 bombers along with tactical fighter aircraft. The media message describes significant escalation in the ongoing confrontation between North Korea and South Korea.

The B-52 Stratofortresses that traveled from the United States date from the 1950s and the height of the Cold War. They have undergone retrofitting over the years but remain essentially as designed and constructed more than a half century ago.

The B-52 is not only an example of the exceptional military design and development capabilities of this country, but also a symbolic reminder of the continuity of some conflicts in the world as well as the horrific possibility of nuclear war.

This bomber has proven to be flexible as well as durable, in ways unforeseen during the original creation. The construction in the 1950s was a function primarily of the need to deter the Soviet Union by the potential delivery of nuclear weapons on targets there and elsewhere. By the following decade, B-52s were actually delivering conventional bombs on targets in both North and South Vietnam during our long war there.

The B-52s in the current exercise flew from Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. They are separate from others, deployed to South Korea since mid-June, that are from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota.

Additionally, the Biden administration plans to send the largest nuclear-armed U.S. submarine to South Korea for the first time in four decades. The powerful Ohio-class submarine is capable of staying submerged indefinitely and remain on patrol for months.

Remarkable long-range capabilities represent starkly the capacities of technology to bridge and minimize the challenges of geography, including the exceptional distances across the Pacific Ocean.

Related

South Korea has also been recently visited by the USS Michigan, a submarine armed with cruise missiles, capable of great flexibility and deception in flight. This ship is actively involved in combined South Korea-U.S. special operations training.

Military partnership between our two nations is exceptionally close, dating from the devastating Korean War of 1950 to 1953. During our long Vietnam War, the Republic of Korea maintained approximately 50,000 troops in South Vietnam.

In contrast to U.S. military force profiles, almost all these soldiers and marines were combat troops. Their approach to combat sparked some controversies, but there was no doubt that they were extremely effective. North Vietnam Army and Viet Cong revolutionary forces actively tried to avoid contact with the Koreans.

North Korea is engaged in ominous long-range missile tests, with evidence of steady improvement in launch and delivery capabilities. U.S. efforts to restrict this dangerous behavior by working through the United Nations have been consistently stymied by China and Russia.

Expanding cooperation between Seoul and Washington builds directly on South Korea President Yoon Suk-yeols successful six-day visit to Washington, D.C., in April, marking the 70th anniversary of the vital alliance between our two nations.

As emphasized in an earlier column, Yoon has opportunities to develop a starring global leadership role, with noisy North Korea shunted off to stage left.

At a White House state dinner, he sang Don McLeans 1971 song American Pie.

Arthur I. Cyr is the author of After the Cold War  American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia. He can be reached at acyr@carthage.edu
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  A court has issued an arrest warrant against the alleged gunman in the killing of a radio journalist in Oriental Mindoro, although it came a week after the suspect turned himself in to authorities.

The Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said the Regional Trial Court in Calapan City issued the warrant for murder and attempted murder against suspect Isabelo Lopez Bautista on Thursday, July 6.

Bautista voluntarily submitted himself to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) office in Manila on June 27 and asked for protective custody, according to the task force.

However, Bautista maintained he did not kill radio blocktimer Cresenciano "Cris" Bundoquin on May 31.

"With the issuance of the warrant of arrest, the process of rendering justice to Bundoquin and extracting the truth behind his death can now begin," said PTFoMS Executive Director Paul Gutierrez.

"This would also give an opportunity for Bautista to prove his innocence as he claims before the proper channel, which is our court of law," he added.

Bautista was earlier positively identified by at least three witnesses as the man who shot Bundoquin in Barangay Sta. Isabel, Calapan City.

His alleged accomplice, Narciso Ignacio Guntan, died when their getaway motorcycle crashed and hit a metal barrier while being chased by Bundoquins son.

The task force said the slain journalist's son claimed he was also shot at by Bautista, hence the charge for frustrated murder.

The court set a bail bond of 120,000 for the attempted murder charge, while no bail was recommended for the murder accusation.

Gutierrez said authorities will continue to gather more evidence that could lead to the identification of other possible suspects.

"We continue to maintain that the killing of Bundoquin cannot be simply explained by the alleged 'personal grudge' against him by his attackers," the official said. "There may be a deeper motive that can only be explained by more evidence."

He added that the PTFoMS is working with the NBI and the Special Investigation Task Group created by the Philippine National Police for the safe and orderly transfer of Bautista, who will be presented before a judge.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is urging Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Floridas transport of illegal immigrants to his state, based on the accusation that Florida tricked migrants into traveling to California and elsewhere.

Newsom, along with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, wrote to Garland about Floridas "unauthorized alien transport program," which flies migrants to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions across the U.S.

The program has transported migrants to Marthas Vineyard in Massachusetts and to California. It picked up additional funding signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis earlier this year and is one of many similar initiatives that some Republican states implemented in response to the ongoing border crisis.

DESANTIS DEFENDS MIGRANT FLIGHTS TO CALIFORNIA, BLAMES SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS FOR ENCOURAGING OPEN BORDER

In his letter, Newsom says that while it is common for jurisdictions and NGOS to facilitate travel elsewhere in the U.S., "this scheme is different." The letter cites news accounts that migrants were deceived into taking flights "based on promises of jobs and shelter."

Governor Gavin Newsom has fumed at the transports of migrants from Florida into his state.

He also said that an investigation into the Marthas Vineyard flight concluded that migrants were indeed based on false representations and promises of housing and employment.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Florida has denied these claims and similar accusations of "kidnapping" made by California officials. Last month, the Florida Division of Emergency Management told Fox News in an email that the migrants had flown voluntarily.

"Through verbal and written consent, these volunteers indicated they wanted to go to California. A contractor was present and ensured they made it safely to a 3rd-party NGO," the email said. The office also provided video of what appeared to be migrants signing consent forms, and talking about how they had been treated "super well."

DeSantis has also defended the flights, arguing that it is right that states that have encouraged migrants to flood to the border should house them.

NEWSOM THREATENS DESANTIS WITH KIDNAPPING CHARGES OVER MIGRANT FLIGHTS TO SACRAMENTO

DeSantis has accused sanctuary jurisdictions of hypocrisy over migrant flights.

"They attacked the previous administration's efforts to try to have border security. And so that's the policies they're staking out. And then what? When they have to deal with some of the fruits of that, they all of a sudden become very, very upset about that?"

"I don't think we should have any of this. But if there's a policy to have an open border, then I think the sanctuary jurisdictions should be the ones that have to bear that," DeSantis said. "We're not a sanctuary in Florida."

But Newsom is doubling down on his calls for action over the matter. In the letter, he urges DOH "to open federal criminal and civil investigations into these incidents."

FLORIDA OFFICIALS CONFIRM STATE BEHIND MIGRANT FLIGHTS TO CALIFORNIA AS NEWSOM THREATENS KIDNAPPING CHARGES

"It is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations. We urge USDOJ to investigate potential violations of federal law by those involved in this scheme," he said.

The letter comes as immigration remains a hot issue in the U.S. The U.S. remains in the throes of a border crisis that is now in its third year. The Biden administration is touting a drop in apprehensions at the border since the beginning of May, but a number of its policies are facing legal challenges from Republican states.

Meanwhile, DeSantis recently outlined his border security policies as part of his 2024 presidential bid. He has pledged to "stop the invasion" and shut down the border on day one of his presidency to end the crisis.
The Scene

The advent of ChatGPT has ignited a debate over whether AI is advancing so rapidly that these powerful large language models will eventually evolve into artificial general intelligence, a computer algorithm that can think like a human. But a key missing component to AGI may be the ability for a computer program to determine cause and effect relationships. True intelligence, many argue, requires not just an ability to predict that A causes B, but to understand why.

While much of the media attention has been on large language models, the field of causal AI has gotten comparatively little. Darko Matovski, CEO of London-based causaLens, has become focused on this narrow field because he believes its the next frontier in AI.

Major advances in causal AI have allowed causaLens to offer some powerful analytics to a diverse range of companies. But the promise of the technology goes far beyond enterprise software. If causal reasoning is combined with large language models, it could have a major impact on humanity. Below is an edited conversation with him.

The View From Darko Matovski

Q: How is causal AI different from generative AI used by ChatGPT and others?

A: The way correlation-based approaches work is you throw a lot of data at them and they learn a mathematical function. Ultimately, youre saying, okay, heres a new data point, where does it land? And it can infer from that curve where it should land, and predict the next word and so on. Thats how all of todays machine learning works.

With causal AI, youre learning a cause and effect relationship from the data. You no longer throw a lot of data at a mathematical equation. You use a causal diagram, which is a lot more computationally intensive than learning a correlation. Is altitude causing pressure? Or is pressure causing altitude? You wouldnt be able to tell with just a number that goes between minus one and one. Theres no direction. A causal diagram has direction. So you know that its the altitude that causes pressure and not the other way around.

Q: How are you using causal AI right now?

A: One Fortune 100 company runs its entire supply chain through us. Until today, they had basically just a lot of models in production and dashboards and things like that. Weve been able to create a way for them to ask these millions of causal models questions. Across all my million products, what are the top three things I can do to make sure that my inventory is the right amount?

Q: This stuff has been around for a long time, right? FedEx is known for these algorithms and Apple is known for its extremely efficient supply chain. How much better are these causal algorithms?

A: Ill give you a very stupid example but I think its going to illustrate a point. If you collect data on the number of shark attacks and the number of ice cream cones sold at a beach in Sydney, you will find theres a 99.9% correlation between the two. We, as humans, know that theres no causal relationship between how many people get eaten by a shark and how many ice creams get sold. The causal driver is the warm weather.

So if you are trying to make a decision about how many ice creams to bring to the beach, you cant really look at shark attacks. Causal models allow you to eliminate the shark attacks. When you throw a lot of data at mathematical functions, you are just going to get shark attacks and your predictions suffer in the real world. When you move this model to a beach in England where there are no sharks, this will fall over.

Q: So you still have a lot of noise in the data, but the model is just smarter?

A: Thats right. Causal models are not only better at predictions, they can do what is called counterfactuals, like what would happen if my customers asked for 2x the product than last quarter? A traditional machine learning model would not know what to do because its never seen that data before.

Q: Just order double the number of whatever youre ordering, right?

A: There are real world constraints. For example, a supplier for part A may only be able to provide a million units a month. So your model says order 2 million, but you can only order a million.

Q: How does the model know they can only supply a million a month?

A: The human can actually come in and say this is a suppliers capacity. So rather than saying, predict how many units I need to order with this supplier, a causal model will tell you, I recommend that you order a million from this supplier and another million from this other supplier. So it gives you tangible actions as opposed to just predictions.

Q: Whats stopping customers from switching out legacy systems for newer causal AI algorithms?

A: A lot of companies do that. But before COVID-19, the legacy machine learning systems worked fine. It was just predicting these seasonal changes really well, because every year they were the same. And thats when correlation-based machine learning does really well. Its able to repeat the patterns that Ive seen before.

When COVID-19 hit, supply chains got disrupted and everything failed. So they came to us and said, we need causality here, because our correlation stuff is picking up the ice cream sales and shark attack stuff. Now they can navigate changing environments, because they have the true cause and effect relationships in the data, rather than the ice creams and the sharks hidden in there.

Q: Do you ask customers about a time they screwed up, and show them how your models would have gotten it right?

A: All the time. We had a customer in the telco space. They said we have machine learning that predicts who is going to churn [or cancel their service]. But we dont actually care about that. What we care about is what can we do to prevent churn? What levers do we pull?

It was counterintuitive because the more usage customers had on the service, the greater the churn was. More usage usually means more retention, so they were very puzzled. We were able to show them with a causal model that customers were given promotional credits when the data showed they were about to turn. In other words, the credits werent working. And then you can say, well, actually, to prevent churn, maybe we need to do something else. Maybe we need to call them.

Q: How much historical data do you need to figure out cause and effect?

A: Causal models are less data hungry than traditional machine learning. In traditional machine learning, you need millions and billions of examples to learn the pattern. With causal models, you may get away sometimes with as little as 20 data points, because you can get the human to validate it. In fact, you can even build causal models with no data.

How is that possible? Imagine a manufacturing process. You have a machine with lots of cogs and wheels. Imagine you have a spinning thing connected to another spinning thing through a cable. This part of the machine has never failed, so as far as statistical correlation models are concerned, failure cannot happen.

In a causal model, an expert that understands the machine can say, this is a causal driver and theres a thing that is connecting these two. So theres a possibility that this cause and effect relationship can lead to failure. And we can encode this in the model, even though weve never seen it in the data before.

Q: Do you think these models will be applied in everything?

A: Were focused on a couple of areas. Pricing and promotion in retail is very big for us. What if my competitor sells their toothpaste at $1.50? What drives the price of Colgate? If you understand that, you can set the right price.

In manufacturing, its figuring out the root cause of failure. Physically-inspired systems are really good fits for causality. We can create a digital twin of an entire manufacturing process through cause and effect relationships. And then we can ask the digital twin, how do we tweak the machine in order to produce the most amount of products. Weve been able to help a leading U.S. asset manager save $240 million in customer churn. Theyve been trying to predict it. We were able to decide what to do about it.

Q: What was the answer?

A: For you, maybe calling you three times this week will make you feel great. But there were these sleeping dogs where, if you call them, theyre more likely to churn. In that case, it was better not to do anything.

Q: Could this be used in education, healthcare, and other areas?

A: Weve done some work with the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. to show that causal AI can help discover cancer biomarkers much more effectively. So these are really, really complex datasets with loads of confounders, loads of spurious correlations.

Q: What about clinical trials?

A: We published a paper on this. The problem with clinical trials is theyre super expensive, and very slow. Causality helps you in two ways. One, to design the optimal trial. What is the sequence of steps in order to collect enough information to do causal inference on it? And then it helps you infer causality. Ultimately, we could halve the costs of a clinical trial.

Q: Do we need causality to create artificial general intelligence?

A: If we assume causal understanding is a hallmark of human intelligence, and MLMs cant do causality, were saying theyre not intelligent. We really do not have artificial general intelligence today and were very far from it. Causal AI is just a building block towards AGI. But theres still a lot of other building blocks missing. Understanding natural language is also a building block, so youre starting to get the building blocks.
Nigerian opposition leader Peter Obi has claimed that the country had a huge housing deficit, lacking 70 million homes. But AFP Fact Check found this to be false: government-owned Federal Mortgage Bank and other experts say the deficit of housing units in Nigeria is about a third of what Obi claimed.

"With a 70 million housing deficit and vast unmet housing needs nationwide, some resort to self-help of building structures that serve as homes, businesses, SMEs offices and stores," Labour Party's Obi said in a tweet on June 27, 2023.

A screenshot of the false tweet, taken on July 4, 2023

Housing deficit is defined as a shortage in the number of homes needed to accommodate the population of a given area (archived here).

Obi published the tweet as part of a thread in reaction to the demolition of houses and businesses ordered by regional governments in Kano and Lagos states.

The opposition leader's post has been retweeted more than 7,800 times.

Lagos authorities in June announced the demolition of 17 houses because they were "distressed" and said the building owners had been first notified in 2016 (archived here).

Kano governor Abba Kabir Yusuf said several buildings in his state had to be destroyed because the lands on which they were built had been allocated illegally by the previous administration (archived here).

The demolitions in the two most populous states in the country attracted widespread criticism, with Obi saying the authorities should be more lenient.

"There should always be room for compassion and humane correction in taking any remedial action," he wrote in his Twitter thread (archived here).

But his housing deficit claim is false.

Various estimates

An online keyword search for "housing deficit in Nigeria" led to this 2022 Nigeria report (archived here) published by the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance Africa (CAHFA).

Nigeria has a shortage of 28 million housing units, according to the South Africa-based think tank.

This figure is slightly higher than the estimate from the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN). The bank said in a statement that the 2023 housing deficit is "estimated to be over 22 million housing units" (archived here).

The same statement, quoting FMBN CEO Hamman Madu, was published by news outlets here and here (archived here and here).

Deficit controversy

A 2016 report by United Nations Habitat said Nigeria had a total housing deficit of 17-23 million units.

But former housing minister Raji Fashola, whose term finished in late May 2023, rejected the CAHFA and UN-Habitat estimates, saying they were outdated and excessive.

"Nobody could provide an answer to how that figure was arrived at," Fashola told Nigerian broadcaster Arise News shortly before his tenure ended (archived here).



According to Fashola, the figures stemmed from the 2012 National Housing Policy, which was instituted around three years before he took office in 2015 (archived here).

"Successive efforts to meet this target have failed as the housing deficit now stands at over 17 million units in Nigeria," the document said.

Although Fashola acknowledged that Nigeria had a housing deficit, particularly in urban centres, he offered no current figure.

2030 projection

According to the World Bank, Nigeria will have the world's second-largest urban housing deficit with 10 million missing units by 2030 (archived here).

India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Ethiopia are projected to have the largest rural population by 2030, with a cumulative "housing deficit of 112.9 million housing units".
Three Johnson County Proud Boys, a Topeka man with two masters degrees and a registered sex offender from Kansas City, Kansas.

These are some of the Kansans charged in connection with the Jan. 6. Capitol attack.

Now, 30 months after thousands of protesters stormed the building in an attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, the cases of hundreds charged in the attack continue through the courts.

The Capitol riot investigation will be the largest in American history, both in terms of the number of defendants prosecuted and the nature and volume of the evidence, according to federal authorities.

More than 1,069 people from nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia have been charged with crimes related to the breach, the Justice Department said in a July news release. As of July 6, it said, about 594 have pleaded guilty, 160 to felonies and 434 to misdemeanors. Of those, 561 have been sentenced, with about 335 of them receiving periods of incarceration.

Nine Kansas residents are among those charged. Six have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced  two received probation, one was given probation and 30 days home detention, one got 70 days incarceration, one received four months incarceration and another, 20 months in prison. The cases of the three others are still ongoing.

Here are the names of the nine defendants and the details of each case.

For the names and details of Missouri defendants, click here.

William Billy Chrestman, of Olathe, who prosecutors allege is a member of the far-right Proud Boys Kansas City chapter, was arrested Feb. 11, 2021, and faces multiple felony charges. He was indicted Feb. 26, 2021, along with Ryan Ashlock, Louis Enrique Colon, Christopher Kuehne and Arizona siblings Cory and Felicia Konold for conspiring to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

William Billy Chrestman of Olathe is seen here (in separate photos) at the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Prosecutors allege that Chrestman threatened to assault a federal law enforcement officer and carried a wooden ax handle while in the Capitol building and on the grounds. He could be seen on numerous videos alongside other Proud Boys during the insurrection, dressed in tactical gear, leading chants and wielding the ax handle inside the Capitol.

Chrestman pleaded not guilty and is being held without bond in the D.C. jail pending trial. His case has been repeatedly continued, and his next court hearing is Aug. 4. He also is among dozens of defendants named in a civil lawsuit filed by the attorney general of the District of Columbia that calls the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers domestic terrorists and seeks to recover the costs of the attack.

Kuehne, formerly of Olathe, also faces multiple felony charges. Prosecutors say he brought orange reflective tape to the Capitol for the Kansas City-area Proud Boys to wear to identify themselves in the crowd. He can be seen in photos and videos from that day with two rolls of tape strapped to a backpack and a strip of tape on the back of the helmet he was wearing.

Once inside the Capitol, the charging documents said, Kuehne and other Proud Boys acted in concert to prevent law enforcement officers from controlling the crowd by obstructing metal barriers that had been deployed to prevent the crowds further advancement into other areas of the Capitol building. At one point, Kuehne grabbed what appeared to be a podium and placed it in the way of a metal barrier to keep it from closing, the documents said.

Christopher Kuehne

Kuehne, a Marine veteran, has pleaded not guilty, remains free on bond and moved to Arizona in 2022. His next court hearing is Aug. 4. He also is among those named in the civil lawsuit filed by the attorney general of the District of Columbia.

Ashlock, of Gardner, did not enter the Capitol building but was part of the pro-Trump mob that breached police barricades on the grounds. He pleaded guilty on June 14, 2022, to one count of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, a misdemeanor. As part of the plea agreement, the government dropped the other charges against him, which were felonies. A statement of offense signed by Ashlock as part of his guilty plea said that he and other Kansas City Proud Boys took guns  including two AR-15 style rifles  body armor and breathing masks with them to the D.C. area but did not take the weapons to the Capitol.

Ryan Ashlock, front center, seen at the Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021.

Ashlock was sentenced Nov. 10, 2022, to 70 days in jail, 12 months of supervised release and $500 restitution for more than $2.8 million damage to the Capitol building and grounds and costs incurred by U.S. Capitol Police. He also is a defendant in the civil lawsuit filed by the attorney general of the District of Columbia.

William Pope, of Topeka, was arrested Feb. 12, 2021, and faces eight charges in the Capitol riot, including multiple felonies. Among the allegations is that he tried to force open a door inside House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office suite.

William Pope, of Topeka, was among the crowd near The Ellipse in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021, where he attended former President Trumps speech at the Stop the Steal rally.

Pope, who has two masters degrees, ran for Topeka City Council in 2019 and has been a student with Kansas State Universitys Leadership Communication Doctoral Program. He also was a graduate teaching assistant at K-State. A K-State spokeswoman said in July 2022 that he was no longer employed by the university.

In August 2022, a federal judge ruled that Pope would be allowed to represent himself in the case. Since then, he has been fighting for access to U.S. Capitol Police security videos from Jan. 6 that he says include footage of undercover Metropolitan Police officers inciting protesters to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His next court appearance is July 13.

Mark Roger Rebegila, of St. Marys, was arrested in Topeka on March 15, 2021. Prosecutors said Rebegila entered the Capitol twice, despite being forced out the first time by law enforcement officers. Rebegila initially bragged about his illegal breach of the Capitol to friends, claiming that he sat in a lawmakers chair and stole a bottle of liquor, the government said, and admitted that he later deleted evidence of his criminal conduct because he did not want to get in trouble. But prosecutors said they found no evidence that he had stolen any liquor.

A man the FBI says is Mark Roger Rebegila of St. Marys, Kansas, is shown (inside the red circle) on U.S. Capitol closed-circuit television roaming through the building on Jan. 6.

Rebegila pleaded guilty Dec. 1, 2021, to parading, demonstrating or picketing in the Capitol building, a misdemeanor. After apologizing to all who have been hurt by my actions, the father of four was sentenced on April 20, 2022, to 30 days of home detention, two years probation, a $2,000 fine and 60 hours of community service. Rebegila also was required to pay $500 restitution for damage to the Capitol building.

Jennifer Ruth Parks, of Leavenworth, was arrested April 23, 2021, along with her friend, Esther Schwemmer. The two traveled together to Washington, D.C., from Kansas to attend the Stop the Steal rally on Jan. 6. After the rally, they walked to the Capitol and witnessed the chaos unfolding as rioters were climbing the walls of the building. Prosecutors said the women took advantage of the chaos and entered the Capitol through an entrance where the doors had been broken open. They left the building after about 15 minutes, but only when law enforcement officers ordered them to go.

Jennifer Ruth Parks, left, and Esther Schwemmer at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Parks pleaded guilty Sept. 28, 2021, to one misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. She was sentenced on Dec. 8, 2021, to two years probation, 60 hours of community service and $500 restitution.

In a letter to the judge, Parks wrote: I was devastated when I learned of the violence that had occurred at the Capitol that day, and that I had been a part of it.

Schwemmer, also of Leavenworth, is a longtime hair stylist who retired in 2019. Schwemmer pleaded guilty on Sept. 28, 2021, to a single misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. On Jan. 10, 2022, following a tearful apology for her actions, she was sentenced to two years probation, 60 hours of community service and $500 restitution.

Investigators reviewing footage of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol found that Esther Schwemmer, foreground, and Jennifer Ruth Parks, right, were both in the building.

Im deeply ashamed of my actions on that day, Schwemmer told the judge. Nothing about it was Christ-likeI hope with time I can forgive myself.

Michael Eckerman, of Wichita, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Oct. 8, 2021. He was charged with three felonies and five misdemeanors.

The charging documents said that Eckerman was seen on surveillance cameras outside the Crypt of the Capitol building, pushing his way through the crowd, then shoving an officer. That officer was later interviewed and said that Eckerman pushed him with aggressive force, causing the officer to fall down a small set of stairs. After being knocked to the ground, the officer was sprayed in the face with a fire extinguisher by an unknown individual, the documents said.

A person prosecutors say is Michael Eckerman of Wichita and an unidentified woman are shown in this photo outside the nations Capitol on Jan. 6. Eckerman is charged with assaulting a federal police officer and other crimes in connection with the invasion of the Capitol that day.

Eckerman and two companions then went up to Statuary Hall on the second floor, where he again pushed his way forward to another police line, according to the documents. Surveillance video later captured Eckerman heading toward the back entrance to the House Chamber, where Ashli Babbitt was shot by a law enforcement officer as she tried to climb through a door where glass had been broken out to get to the House Chamber, the documents said. Just after the shooting, video showed Eckerman and his companions exiting the Capitol through the upper House doors around 2:44 p.m.

One of the conditions of release set by U.S. Magistrate Judge Gwynne E. Birzer after Eckermans arrest in Wichita in September 2021 raised questions about a possible connection to the far-right Proud Boys. It said, No contact with Proud Boys organization nor anyone a member of or connected to it.

Eckerman was scheduled to go to trial in Washington, D.C., in late November 2022, but on Nov. 8 he pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, a felony. He was sentenced March 8 to 20 months in prison, two years supervised released and $2,000 restitution.

Kasey Von Owen Hopkins, of Kansas City, Kansas, was arrested Aug. 5, 2022, on four misdemeanor charges. Among the allegations is that he roamed through the Capitol building, entered a senators office and took a selfie in front of a bust of Winston Churchill.

Court records say this is Kasey Von Owen Hopkins of Kansas City, Kansas, near the Washington Monument on Jan. 6, 2021.

Records from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation show that Hopkins is a registered sex offender in Kansas. Online court records show he pleaded guilty on Feb. 24, 2003, to forcible rape, forcible sodomy, domestic assault and felonious restraint involving a July 25, 2002, incident in St. Louis. He received a seven-year prison sentence.

Hopkins pleaded guilty on Dec. 20, 2022, to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. He was sentenced on April 10 to four months incarceration, two years probation and $500 restitution.

Im ridiculously ashamed to be here right now, he told the judge at his sentencing, but added that he was not the man he used to be. If theres any takeaway from January 6, it was that I allowed myself to get caught up  and bringing fear to people is something that goes against everything I am.
A New Jersey Department of Corrections police officer has been indicted on a second-degree official misconduct charge in connection with a 2019 physical altercation with a resident at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Woodbridge who later died.

The indictment alleges that Giuseppe Mandara abandoned his equipment, including keys and radio, and thereafter used excessive or unlawful force against the resident. His actions are alleged to have been in violation of New Jersey Department of Corrections policies, procedures and training for New Jersey correctional police officers.

Several days after the altercation, the resident suffered a fatal stroke, according to the indictment.

A state grand jury declined to initiate any homicide charges, but the investigation is currently ongoing. No other information is being released at this time.

Crime: Mercer man sentenced for North Brunswick drunken fatal crash

The death was investigated by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability to ensure grand jury presentations are conducted in a neutral, objective manner, and with appropriate transparency regarding the process.

Official misconduct in the second degree carries a statutory mandatory minimum five-year sentence with no eligibility for parole.

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: NJ corrections officer indicted after Woodbridge inmate dies
No glass and no payment: Former employee at Kanye West's school files lawsuit

Two notices from UPS are left at the front gate entrance to Donda Academy in Simi Valley in October 2022. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Kanye West's private Christian school had no glass in its windows and dangerous wiring  including exposed telephone and electrical wires, according to a lawsuit filed by a former assistant principal.

In a complaint filed Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the former employee, Isaiah Meadows, said he brought the issues to West's attention but they remained unaddressed and Meadows was eventually fired.

This latest action, which also alleges unpaid wages and wrongful termination, comes three months after two former teachers at the school filed a lawsuit against West with similar allegations.

West's attorneys did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: Sushi for lunch again: Teachers allege disturbing conditions at Kanye Wests Donda Academy in new lawsuit

In his lawsuit, Meadows said he raised concerns to West and the school's director that a skylight in one of the classrooms at what was then Yeezy Christian Academy didn't have glass. West reportedly disliked glass, according to the lawsuit, and the open skylight allowed rain to fall inside the building.

"Water would soak into the floor, which would lead to a moldy smell for the next few days," Meadows' attorneys wrote in the complaint.

Electrical and telephone wires were also left exposed, the suit alleges, and on one occasion an electrical fire started near a student eating area.

Ronald Zambrano, one of Meadows' attorneys, said many of the issues stemmed from West, who "was always changing things" at the school.

Zambrano said Meadows' concerns elicited "no reaction" and were "kicked down the road."

It is just absolutely egregious what is going on at this school, Zambrano said in a statement.

In 2020, the lawsuit states, Meadows was offered a $165,000 salary to work at Yeezy Christian Academy. The lawsuit alleges West did not follow through on a promise to pay rent for Meadows, who uprooted his family from North Hollywood to move to Calabasas for the job.

According to the complaint, West informed Meadows that his rent would be paid by the school. While that happened for three months, the payments ended in February 2021  after, the lawsuit alleges, Meadows "was suspended after calling for meetings and raising concerns regarding operations of the school."

Read more: Kanye West sued by photographer after the rapper allegedly threw her phone into the street

Meadows returned to work after approximately two weeks, but his salary was cut and his rent was no longer paid for, according to the complaint.

He allegedly paid around $60,000 in rent and living expenses out of pocket, the complaint said.

In April 2021, Meadows sent an email raising concerns about inconsistent or no pay on behalf of himself and other staff members, according to the complaint.

About four months later, the Yeezy Christian Academy was rechristened Donda Academy, after West's mother, in Simi Valley. Meadows was demoted, but continued to be employed as a teacher's assistant and physical education teacher.

There was no electricity at the school for the first few months it was in operation, according to the complaint, and windows were left without glass.

Read more: The long saga to track down Kanye West is finally over: His former attorneys sever ties

In August 2022, just before the new school year was set to begin, Meadows was told he was being terminated "with no explanation as to why," his attorneys wrote.

A separate complaint filed by two former Donda Academy instructors in April alleged students were fed only sushi for lunch, were made to eat on the floor and that staff were not allowed to use cleaning products with chemicals.

Like Meadows, the instructors said they were eventually terminated after raising concerns about conditions at the campus, as well as issues with payments to staff.

As of last February, Donda Academy was listed as active by the California Department of Education at a new location in Chatsworth.

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.
No one from Wagner has visited barracks offered by Belarus, ministry adviser says

TSEL, Belarus (Reuters) - No one from the Russian Wagner mercenary group has yet visited a disused military camp that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has offered for Wagner's use, an adviser to the Belarus defence minister told reporters on Friday.

Under the terms of an agreement brokered by Lukashenko to end an armed mutiny by Wagner last month, its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was supposed to move to Belarus along with those of his fighters who did not wish to sign up with the Russian Defence Ministry.

But the deal does not seem to be playing out on those lines.

Asked if Wagner had come to look at the site, the adviser, Leonid Kasinsky, said: "They have not come, they have not looked."

Lukashenko said on Thursday that Prigozhin was in Russia with thousands of fighters, and that the question of their relocation had yet to be settled.

He said Wagner's fighters were still at the permanent camps where they had been located since they left the front, and that he expected to discuss the matter in a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lukashenko said Belarus had offered Wagner the disused Soviet-era military quarters near Tsel, but added that "Wagner has a different vision for deployment", on which he declined to elaborate.

Kasinsky said around 300 tents at the camp had been put up for an exercise, and were not connected to Wagner.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) castigated former President Donald Trump after his 2024 rival posted what was said to be Obamas home address on social media.

Christie made the comments to CNNs Jake Tapper on Thursday, a week after a man with guns and ammunition in his van was arrested near the home of former President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors said this week the man, Taylor Taranto, had shared a Truth Social post where Trump posted an old conservative newsletter about his first 100 days in office that also included purported details of the Obamas new home in the Capitol.

Taranto has also previously been identified as a participant in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

The former governor and 2024 presidential hopeful said he didnt know if Trump had posted the address intentionally, but that it was par for the course.

I don't know whether he really meant to put President Obama's address out there or not, or whether he was just so enamored with the newsletters extolling of his first 100 days.



 2024 candidate Chris Christie (R) slams Trump sharing post with Obama's alleged address pic.twitter.com/5VZMPIXKA7  The Recount (@therecount) July 6, 2023

I think the problem, again, is his conduct, which has no regard for anyone other than himself, Christie told Tapper. Now, I dont know whether he really meant to put President Obamas address out there or not. This is the problem with someone who doesnt think about this country and its citizens first.

They wind up doing things like this, whether it was intentional or inadvertent, he continued. What it shows is a lack of responsibility, a lack of accountability for what youre saying. Its like calling the special counsel a crackhead. Its like putting out a former presidents address. It is irresponsible conduct.

Prosecutors alleged Thursday that Taranto, 37, posted on the messaging service Telegram last week after reposting Trumps message, writing: We got these losers surrounded! See you in hell, Podestas and Obamas. He also reportedly live-streamed on YouTube that day, saying he was in the neighborhood where the Obamas live and that he was looking for entrance points so he could get a good angle on a shot, according to The Associated Press.

Christie said later he rejected Trumps attempts to recast his indictment last month as a witch hunt. The former president was arraigned on 37 federal counts related to his handling of classified documents after he left the White House. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

What I say to everybody who says, Well, hes treated unfairly,  the documents case he brought on himself by refusing to give them back for 18 months after he was asked to do it, the former governor said.

Related...
Nonbinary genders beyond 'male' and 'female' would have been no surprise to ancient rabbis, who acknowledged tumtums, androgynos and aylonot

Jewish law includes acknowledgment that not everyone fits neatly into the categories 'male' and 'female.' Mishna/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Genderqueer and nonbinary are contemporary terms for people who dont fit neatly into male or female categories. But acknowledging that not everyone fits neatly into those two groups has a much longer history than you might suspect.

As a scholar of Judaism and gender, I find that people across the political spectrum often assume religion must be inherently conservative and unchanging when it comes to sex and gender. They imagine that religions have always embraced a world in which there are only men and women.

But for Judaism  and for many other religious traditions, too  history shows thats just not true.

More than two terms

Traditional Jewish sources discuss the categories man and woman, but these arent the only designations rabbinic texts use for sex and gender.

Rabbinic literature, the body of texts written by Jewish leaders in antiquity, includes several other categories. In these texts, a person with both sets of external genitalia is called an androgynos, a term borrowed from Greek. A person with neither is called a tumtum, and a person who loses his male sexual organs is called a saris. There is also a term for someone whose sex assigned at birth is female but does not develop to female sexual maturity  in some cases, because they develop male traits: an aylonit.

For example, Genesis Rabbah, a collection of creative Biblical interpretation from late antiquity, records an interpretation of a creation story in the biblical book of Genesis in which God forms the first humans. Genesis 1 includes the phrase, Male and female He created them, which many readers interpret to mean that God created a man and a woman.

But some of the rabbis quoted in Genesis Rabbah believed that God had made an androgynos.

One rabbi explained: In the hour when the Holy One Blessed Be He created the first human, He created an androgynos, as it is written, male and female He created them.

Genesis Rabbah continues with another rabbis argument that God made the first human with two fronts: a female face and body facing one way, and a male face and body facing the opposite direction. Only later did God split the two, in this rabbis reading.

Though the specifics of their interpretations differ, both put an androgynos at the center of Gods creation.

Applying the law

Jewish law, or halakhah, is based on a gender binary. For example, some commandments, such as studying Torah or not shaving sidelocks, apply only to men; others, such as Sabbath candle lighting, apply only to women.

However, some halakhic traditions also recognize that not every persons body fits that binary.

Men and women ride separate escalators to their designated seating sections as Orthodox Jews gather during a 2012 event to celebrate religious study in New Jersey. Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Mishnah, a text compiled in the third century C.E. which includes halakhic material, roots its interpretations in the categories men and women, yet also affirms the idea that sex and gender go beyond those terms.

For example, a section called Mishnah Bikkurim explains: There are some ways the androgynos is like men, and some ways he is like women, and some ways he is like men and women, and some ways he is like neither men nor women. Another section of the Mishnah explains that, like women, neither a tumtum nor an androgynos is obligated to go to the Temple in Jerusalem as part of certain religious festivals. Meanwhile, an androgynos must dress like a man, and a priest cannot marry an aylonit unless he already has children.

As these examples suggest, gender diversity is woven throughout rabbinic traditions. Yet there is still a hierarchy, with men holding positions of the highest religious obligation.

It is also important to note how these categories differ from the ways people understand gender today. A nonbinary person in the 21st century does not have the same experience as a tumtum in late antiquity. The idea of aylonit does not map clearly onto any common gender identity today. Even the term androgynos is not quite the same as intersex. And none of the rabbinic categories match current ideas about trans identity.

Forging a future

In spite of this textual tradition, many observant Jewish communities today still tend toward a gender binary. In most Orthodox synagogues, for example, a physical partition divides the worship space into two sections: one for men and one for women. Halakhic rulings about whether and how parents should support medical interventions on intersex children suggest they should be raised as male or female, not as an androgynos or tumtum.

In other Jewish communal spaces, however, traditional texts have become a resource for contemporary LGBTQ+ Jews. Some look to these texts to affirm their beliefs that Judaism has always seen gender diversity as a spectrum. Others use these texts to see themselves within Jewish tradition. Still others use these examples to call for change in the present, countering anti-LGBTQ+ positions.

Participants from Jewish Queer Youth walk in the New York City Pride March on June 25, 2023. Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Many of these Jews recognize that the diversity of sex and gender in these ancient texts is different from gender identity today, but they believe the past can still serve as an important tool in the present.

Rabbinic texts illustrate that there is no magical time in the past when every person fit easily and naturally into gender categories.

This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. The Conversation is trustworthy news from experts, from an independent nonprofit. Try our free newsletters.

It was written by: Sarah Imhoff, Indiana University.

Read more:



Sarah Imhoff 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.
One by one, members of 19 Central Florida nonprofits stepped up to the front of the room to receive a certificate Friday, marking the end of a financial health course they hope will make their organizations more sustainable.

For two months, they attended classes from board structure to grant writing organized by UCFs Center of Public and Nonprofit Management.

Officials say the average nonprofit lasts just five years before many collapse due to a lack of financial resources.

If they dont get the money, theyre not going to be able to sustain themselves to be able to offer the service that they offer, UCFs Dr. Maritza Concha, who directed the class, said. Theres definitely that lack and that emptiness we are trying to meet.

READ: Johnson University Florida to permanently close in 2024

The class existence came from a recommendation by the Orange County Citizens Safety Task Force, which first convened several years ago.

Community members urged them to put more resources into struggling neighborhoods. The task force realized the resources were there, but the constant turnover made them ineffective.

The nonprofits that participated this year had focuses that included human trafficking, youth mentorship, cancer awareness, mental health, and DUI awareness.

READ: Orange County deputy fired after being accused of fleeing, resisting law enforcement officer

Were trying to find a way to move forward every day, Bill DeMott, the founder of the Keri Anne DeMott Foundation, which began a year after the college student was killed by a drunk driver, said. If we dont do what weve been doing, then Keris just a statistic, and then someone has to start over.

The next step for the nonprofits will be applying to Orange Countys grant programs to seek funding.

Concha said the application period for next summers course would open in April.

READ: Thunderstorms pick up steam; heres what to expect this weekend

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.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  The United States has expressed concern over Chinas unprofessional maneuvers against the Filipino coast guards in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week, stressing such a move threatens the security and legal rights of the Philippines.

We call on the PRC (Peoples Republic of China) to comply with international law, including implementing the legally binding 2016 award in the Philippines v. China Law of the Sea Convention arbitration as a starting point to achieve a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said in a statement on Friday.

Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessels last week conducted "dangerous maneuvers" to block two Philippine ships on a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal, drawing the ire of some Filipino senators.

A former US senior defense official said CCG ships were "in position to interdict" the PCG vessels escorting small resupply boats.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesperson for the WPS, said the officials were able to leave Ayungin safely, with no real escalation of tensions.

However, the Chinese Foreign Ministry once again insisted that the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessels "intruded into Chinese waters," defending their coast guards' recent maneuvers to block Philippine vessels in the WPS.

"The Ren'ai Reef is part of China's Nansha Islands. On June 30, the Philippine Coast Guard vessels intruded into the waters off the Ren'ai Reef without Chinese permission," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.

"In accordance with the law, the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel carried out law enforcement activities to uphold China's territorial sovereignty and maritime order," he added.

Wenbin said the CCG's moves were "professional and restrained.

In May, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said "disengagement is not really an option" with the Chinese government as his administration is still establishing lines of communication.
Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski poses Friday, July 7, 2023, in front of the state Capitol in Bismarck, N.D. Splonskowski is the plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation that is challenging North Dakota's law for receiving and counting mailed ballots, which must be postmarked before the election date but can be received up to 13 days afterward, when county canvassing boards meet. (AP Photo/Jack Dura) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A North Dakota county election official is suing the state's election director to block the counting of mail-in ballots received after Election Day in a lawsuit filed by a conservative group that also brought lawsuits amid former President Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud in 2020.

An election law expert says the Public Interest Legal Foundation appeared to be court-shopping for a conservative circuit with its case, which seeks an injunction against the election director for enforcing the state's laws.

Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski, who was elected last fall, alleges he is harmed by instructions to accept and cast ballots received after Election Day, and that because federal and state law conflict on the day the ballots must be turned in, he faces an impossibility in enforcing the law," according to a complaint filed Wednesday in federal court.

Despite federal law assigning one day as Election Day, North Dakota law allows ballots to arrive and be counted up to 13 days after Election Day, the complaint states.

The U.S. Constitution gives states the authority to decide how their elections are run.

Splonskowski claims he risks criminal penalties if he chooses incorrectly which law to enforce.

North Dakota law allows mailed ballots received after Election Day to be counted by county canvassing boards, which meet 13 days after the election, but those ballots must be postmarked before the election's date.

The foundation in 2020 brought voting-related lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Arizona amid Trump's claims of election fraud.

Election Day has ceased to be a day, Foundation President J. Christian Adams said in a statement. Instead, we have election month because states accept ballots that arrive days and even weeks after Election Day. Not only does this lead to distrust and chaos in the system, but it also violates federal law. PILF is fighting to end this lawlessness and restore the day in Election Day.

Adams was a member of Trump's voting integrity panel that investigated the 2016 election for fraud.

University of California Los Angeles law professor and election law expert Rick Hasen in an interview said the lawsuit is kind of a roundabout way of attacking not having full results on Election Day, so it very much ties into Trump's unsupported claims about the (2020) election."

Splonskowski said in an interview the lawsuit has nothing to do with 2020. He said the foundation reached out to him and told me that there were some concerns" about North Dakota's law.

What I am trying to do is be proactive and trying to ensure that future elections are as secure as possible and try to do anything I can proactively to ensure that our elections are secure and bolster public confidence in our election system," he told The Associated Press.

I think that so long as a state is intending to accept ballots that have been cast by Election Day that it likely does not violate federal law to count ballots that arrive after Election Day, but I'm not aware of any court that has squarely addressed the issue," Hasen said.

State Election Director Erika White did not immediately respond to a phone message for comment on the lawsuit.

The foundation is a so-called voter integrity group that pushes lawsuits aimed at what they say will make a more secure election but that often seem to be geared towards making it harder for people to register or to vote, according to Hasen.

West Fargo-area attorney David Chapman is the group's local counsel. He referred questions to the foundation's media contact.

The foundation appears to have been looking around North Dakota for potential parties for its case.

McKenzie County Auditor/Treasurer Erica Johnsrud said in an interview that foundation representatives met with her on June 1, looking for parties to join this potential litigation.

Johnsrud declined to join the case. I believe North Dakota has great election laws in place, and we have a great relationship with the secretary of state's office, and it just didn't feel it was in the best interests of my county or my citizens, she said.

Bowman said the foundation met with several state and local officials before filing this case and that it filed in North Dakota because the states 13 days of accepting ballots is one of the longest election extensions in the country.

This case is about North Dakota, she said when asked if a national injunction is the foundation's goal with the case.

Hasen, the election law expert, said the U.S. Eighth Circuit, a seven-state court that includes North Dakota, is a pretty conservative court compared to more liberal, neighboring courts. District Judge Dan Traynor, a Trump appointee, is handling the case.
Six New York City contractors were charged in Manhattan Friday with funneling straw donations to Eric Adams 2021 campaign for mayor, prosecutors said.

The Manhattan district attorney unsealed indictments accusing Dwayne Montgomery, Shamsuddin Riza, Millicent Redick, Ronald Peek, Yahya Mushtaq, Shahid Mushtaq, and a Queens-based site safety management company they own, Ecosafety Consultants Inc., of structuring illegal campaign contributions to bloat donations to Adams campaign through the New York City Matching Funds Program.

The contractors are accused of conspiracy, attempted grand larceny, offering a false instrument for filing and related charges.

City residents who donated $250 to Adams campaign saw their donations matched by eight to one in public funds, per the city program. No more than $2,000 was permitted in contributions from individuals, and businesses competing for city contracts could donate no more than $400.

We allege a deliberate scheme to game the system in a blatant attempt to gain power. The indictment charges the defendants with subverting campaign finance laws by improperly structuring campaign contributions, DA Alvin Bragg said.

The New York City Campaign Finance Board program is meant to support our democracy and amplify the voices of New York City voters. When the integrity of that program is corrupted, all New Yorkers suffer.

A spokesman for the mayors 2021 campaign said Adams played no part in the scheme.

There is no indication that the campaign or the mayor is involved in this case or under investigation, Evan Thies said. The campaign always held itself to the highest standards and we would never tolerate these actions. The campaign will of course work with the DAs office, the Campaign Finance Board, and any relevant authorities.

Riza and Peek are accused of advising Yahya Mushtaq on how to game the citys matching public funds program.

You could use a straw man, Riza is quoted telling Mushtaq during an undated phone call. Whoevers on the LLC or the incorporation, those are the people that do business with the city. Anybody else is an employee, the employees dont fall under that criteria.

The Mushtaqs then followed through with purchasing money orders to donate money in their employees names without them knowing, according to the charges.

By using U.S. Postal Money Orders in a scheme to commit violations of campaign finance law, these individuals compromised the publics trust in a fair election process, Daniel Brubaker, New York Division Inspector in Charge for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said.

Postal Inspectors will not tolerate individuals using postal products in the furtherance of their crimes.

Montgomery, who held a Zoom fundraiser for Adams in August 2020, is accused of recruiting straw donors to make contributions in their names that he would later reimburse them for, with each falsely certifying that they were the source of the funds.

Montgomery kept track of who was enlisted through various fundraisers in the straw donation scam with a spreadsheet, according to the charges, planning to use them as leverage with Adams office in possible future contracts requests.

In the leadup to a fundraiser in Sunnyside, Queens in August 2021 organized by Riza and Montgomery, Riza contributed more than the $2,000 he was legally allowed to and sought to get his family and friends to falsify campaign contribution cards, according to the indictment.

Montgomery, 64, and Riza, 70, were awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court, along with Redick, 77, Peek, 65, Yahya Mushtaq, 28, and Shahid Mushtaq, 29. Their lawyers could not be reached for comment.

Adams office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

____
Ocala trial: Experts differ on whether victim killed herself or was murdered

Closing arguments from the prosecution and the defense in the murder trial of Deangelo Leandrew Shelton Clark are scheduled to begin Friday in Circuit Judge Robert Hodges' courtroom at the Marion County Judicial Center.

Lawyers Amy Bernt and Katrina Self for the state and defense attorneys Amanda Sizemore, Jessica Roberts and Sara Altes questioned multiple witnesses over two days trying to show whether Clark killed his estranged girlfriend, Kiara Alleyne.

Clark did not testify.

Jury selection began Monday and eight jurors  four men and four women, two of them alternates  were sworn in that day. Jurors had the day off on Tuesday due to the July 4 holiday. The trial's first day was Wednesday.

Thursday's testimony began with Alleyne's last boyfriend, Korrey Lewis, taking the stand for the prosecution.

Lewis told the court he met Alleyne on her birthday, May 19, 2019, at a Dollar General. Lewis said he complimented the 20-year-old mother of a baby girl on her beauty. He said the two exchanged phone numbers and began talking.

Lewis said they frequently communicated by phone, Snapchat and text messages, and would met as often as they could.

"I love Kiara still to this day," Lewis said.

Clark's charges

Clark is charged with second-degree murder and attempted arson of dwelling or structure in connection with Alleyne's death. Her body was discovered by sheriff's deputies in the early morning hours of Sept. 11, 2019. Clark, Alleyne and their daughter, Jhene, lived at 2241 NE 78th Lane, Anthony.

On the day of Alleyne's death, Clark gave Jhene to a relative and then drove to the Florida Keys, where law enforcement officials said he set his car on fire and severely burned himself.

Deangelo Leandrew Shelton Clark

Inside the residence, deputies found a blanket that was in an open oven that had been left on. A bottle of lighter fluid was found inside the home.

According to testimony presented in court, Clark FaceTimed Alleyne's father and the father saw blood on Clark's face. During the call, Alleyne's father saw his daughter on the ground bleeding heavily and gasping.

He told Clark to help her, but Clark refused. Clark told his girlfriend's father they would take the baby and hung up.

Worried about Kiara

Lewis said at the time he was with Alleyne, he was in a relationship with another woman and they had children together. Lewis said he never met or spoke with Clark. He said he and Alleyne discussed living together as a family and they were actively searching for a residence they could share.

Lewis said the last time he saw Alleyne was Sept. 10. It was Alleyne and Clark's two-year dating anniversary. After spending time with each other, Lewis said, Alleyne went home. He said they texted and Snapchatted each other until 9 or 9:30 p.m.

On Sept. 11, he said, he called Alleyne but got no answer. He said he later heard about Jhene and "was scared."

Once he got off work, Lewis went to Alleyne's residence and tried to get information from law enforcement. He eventually found out that Alleyne was dead. He said he went to the sheriff's office to let investigators know about their relationship.

Assistant State Attorney Katrina Self questioning Korrey Lewis on the stand on Thursday.

Roberts asked Lewis about the times Alleyne felt sad and lonely. Roberts also asked him about a comment made by Alleyne to the effect that she "didn't want to be on this earth any more."

The defense theory is that Alleyne committed suicide. The state argues that Clark repeatedly stabbed Alleyne.

Lewis said Alleyne felt she was doing everything by herself and wanted to return to Trinidad, where she was born and raised.

The prosecutor asked Lewis to elaborate on Alleyne's comment on not wanting to be on the earth. He said she was stressed and felt she didn't have any help. He said Alleyne was happy when they were together.

Law enforcement officials testify

Most of the Thursday morning testimony came from sheriff's office officials and a Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime scene analyst.

A fingerprint specialist was able to match Clark's fingerprints to the lighter fluid bottle found inside the home the defendant shared with Alleyne.

Roberts and Sizemore questioned the prosecution witnesses about DNA, testing and fingerprints. One question posed: Was Clark's DNA found on the victim's right fingernail? The answer was no. On the victim's left fingernail, the FDLE official said she couldn't tell if Clark's DNA was present.

Medical examiner testifies

Dr. Tracey Corey, an associate medical examiner, rebutted the defense suicide theory. Corey said if someone commits suicide then there will be multiple superficial parallel marks on more than one area of the body. If someone tries to cut their wrist, he or she realizes it's painful and therefore would try a different area of the body.

Corey said Alleyne suffered four stab wounds, three of which were not fatal, to her neck. A knife recovered from the residence was shown to the doctor. She said it could have been the murder weapon.

The doctor said the wounds are not consistent with suicide.

The defense table at trial.

Cross-examined by Sizemore, Corey said she saw little to no injuries on the victim's hands. The doctor said while she noted scars, they were old injuries. Asked if Alleyne had committed suicide, she said though it's possible, she doesn't believe so.

Defense experts testify

Dr. Ronald Wright, a forensic pathologist, former medical examiner and consultant, and Dr. Susan Skolly-Danzinger, a clinical pharmacist and toxicologist, testified for the defense.

Appearing by Zoom, Wright said he reviewed pictures, reports and transcripts of the case and believes Alleyne actually suffered just one stab wound to the neck. He believes her death was a suicide.

Circuit Judge Robert Hodges

He said Alleyne had no visible defensive wounds.

On cross-examination, Wright admitted to Self that Corey "did a great job" with the autopsy. He said there was a wound on the victim's index finger. He also said Alleyne had multiple wounds on her neck, hands and torso, and it's a close decision on whether it was a suicide.

Trial Day 1: Prosecutors say Anthony man murdered his girlfriend. Defense says she committed suicide

Skolly-Danzinger said Alleyne had THC in her body at the time of death. She considered the amount fairly high. The expert said the drugs, combined with the victim's depression, is not a good mix.

Under cross-examination, Skolly-Danzinger said she never received Alleyne's autopsy report, and could not tell how the THC affected the woman or what her state of mind was at the time of death.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Defense, prosecution will present closing arguments in murder case
Officer at Kentucky prison charged with violating rights of inmate who was assaulted

An officer at a prison in Eastern Kentucky has been charged in connection with the assault of an inmate.

A federal grand jury charged that Eric L. Nantell failed to intervene when he saw three other correctional officers at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex assault an inmate in a shower stall.

Records in related cases said the inmate was restrained by handcuffs and leg shackles, and lying face down on the floor, when the three officers punched, kicked and stomped him.

The inmate was not resisting at the time of the assault, according to plea agreements in related cases.

By failing to intervene or protect the inmate, Nantell violated his right under the U.S. Constitution to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, the grand jury charged.

The indictment returned Thursday also alleges that Nantell, a sergeant when the incident occurred in July 2018, told another prison supervisor, a Kentucky State Police detective and an FBI agent that he didnt see the inmate assaulted.

Four other prison employees have pleaded guilty in connection with the assault.

Derek Mays admitted writing a report saying the inmate was kicking at guards, which wasnt true.

Randy Nickell and James Benish admitted writing false reports about the incident, and Jeffery Havens acknowledged in his plea that he hit the inmate.

The four have not been sentenced.
Screenshot: Twitter

Oklahomas far-right superintendent has insisted that the Tulsa race massacre can be taught in public schools without amounting to critical race theoryso long as its taught without discussing race.

Ryan Walters, the states former education secretary, has vocally railed against CRT, which he characterizes as any teaching remotely grappling with white supremacy. On Thursday, Walters fielded questions from parents and community members at a town hall, including one question about how curriculum about the Tulsa race massacre doesnt violate his critical race theory ban.

Read more

University of Oklahoma professor Samuel Perry tweeted in response to Walters remarks about the Tulsa race massacre on Thursday, My wife (a teacher) and I attended this event tonight. This was just the tip of the iceberg of idiocy Walters spewed. He continued, Driving home we felt so angry and embarrassed we live in a state where people elected this ignorant and incompetent clown.

Walters comments about the Tulsa race massacre come as Black historyas well as LGBTQ existenceare increasingly being censored from school curriculum by right-wing extremists. Last year, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed the Stop W.O.K.E. Act to similarly censor the teaching of white supremacist violence and Black history from classrooms.

The New Republic reports that after Walters addressed the Tulsa race massacre on Thursday, the rest of the town hall only got worse for him. Attendees reportedly mocked him and his policies, as well as his choice to facilitate a town hall about banning books in a public library of all places. But of course, this level of absurdity is to be expected from someone whos called for schools to promote Christianity and western heritage in classrooms and hang up the Ten Commandments on classroom walls.

Id like to get off this train, please.

More from Jezebel

Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Only around half of heavy weapons committed to Ukraine have been delivered, experts say: 'The gap between promised and delivered military aid is wide'

Ukrainian troops fire a howitzer M119 near the city of Bakhmut, Ukraine. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak/File Photo

Ukraine's allies have only sent it around half the heavy weapons promised, experts said.

A tracking group said deliveries from the US, Germany, and the UK "remain well below promises."

Ukraine's counteroffensive has moved slowly, and the country is requesting additional weaponry.

Only around half of the heavy weapons that Ukraine's allies have promised to send it have actually been delivered, according to a new report compiled by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

The Kiel Institute, which has tracked aid promised and sent to Ukraine, said in an update on Thursday that while Western countries have made big military aid commitments to Ukraine "actual deliveries have been well below pledges."

"In general, only slightly more than half of the heavy weapons committed have been delivered. This is especially true for EU countries and the United States," it said.

Christoph Trebesch, the head of the team creating the tracker, said "the gap between promised and delivered military aid is wide."

The Institute also said that the size of the packages Ukraine's allies were committing to had fallen in the most recent period, from February 25 to May 31, which was when Ukraine was preparing to launch its counteroffensive efforts against Russian forces.

It said that the total amount of aid committed to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian and financial aid, as well as military help, was lower this spring compared to previous periods.

And while most of the new pledges were for military aid, those were "not as large as at the beginning of the year, and military equipment deliveries are well below commitments."

Ukraine has received weaponry like tanks, US-donated long-range HIMARS, which one expert told Insider were a "perfect" weapon for Ukraine, and UK-supplied Storm Shadow missiles that are proving highly accurate in taking out Russian targets. Ukrainian soldiers have also praised the robust US-donated Bradley IFVs.

The Kiel Institute said some European countries like the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Poland, and Slovakia had outperformed others, delivering "upwards of 80 percent of their promised heavy weapons."

That's compared to the US, Germany, and the UK, whose "deliveries remain well below promises."

Ukraine started its counteroffensive operations in June, and so far has made slow progress, though it claims that its main force has not yet entered the fight.

But Ukraine says it needs more weapons to be effective against Russia.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's top general, said at the end of June that it "pisses" him off to hear commentators say the counteroffensive is moving slower than anticipated as it can't go any faster without more weapons.

"Without being fully supplied, these plans are not feasible at all," he said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told CNN on Wednesday that earlier deliveries of Western weapons could have allowed its fightback to begin "much earlier."

He also said the delay gave Russia "the time and possibility to place more mines and prepare their defensive lines."

Experts told Insider's Chris Panella last month that NATO allies' hesitation in giving it more weapons is likely hindering Ukraine's counteroffensive efforts.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin did his best this week to make the case that he is firmly in control of Russia, but within 24 hours after he spoke on Tuesday to the leaders of China, India and other members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the reality on the ground told a different story.

In a disturbing coda to his diplomatic push at the SCO summit, the Russian capital appeared to come under attack, with Russian officials saying they shot down several drones in the outskirts of Moscow, but not before being forced to briefly close down the airport.

Frida Ghitis - CNN

Then there was the news that the mercenary chief of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin  Putins former friend who led a dramatic insurrection less than two weeks ago and was supposed to have moved into exile  was back in Russia.

Belarussian President Alexander Lukashenko confirmed the reports from Russian media, saying Prigozhin was back in St. Petersburg and had left Belarus, where he was supposed to stay according to the terms of an agreement with Putin, which now appears to be in limbo.

The Russian president needs to restore his image of a man in full command of his country to audiences at home and abroad. The SCO meeting was meant to boost that effort before both audiences, but the results, combined with the recent headlines and developments on the ground, are pulling the rug out from a man who is used to swaggering on it.

The SCO, a China-led bloc designed as a counterweight to US-led groupings, seemed like an ideal forum for Putins first international appearance since Prigozhins mutiny. Putin survived what was the most serious challenge to his 23-year rule. But his aura of self-assured invincibility evaporated in the process.

With his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine triggering economic sanctions and global isolation, it has become vital for Putin to convince Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other SCO members  including its newest one, Iran  that he is still charting Russias future.

Chinas, and to a lesser extent, Indias purchases of Russian oil have financed Russias costly attempt at military expansion in Ukraine. Iran has provided drones, and India, a major buyer of Russian weapons, has subtly undercut the Wests narrative in developing countries with its ambivalent stance, refraining from acknowledging that Putin has tried to conquer Ukraine, a move that reeks of imperialism.

Speaking at the summit, Putin tried to reinforce the message he had delivered to the Russian people, the claim that all Russians had stood with him. The solidarity, he said, was clearly demonstrated by Russian political circles and the entire society by coming out as a united front against the attempted armed rebellion.

The reality, however, was quite different. Prigozhin claimed his men faced no resistance as they captured Rostov, a major city bordering Ukraine in the west, took over the military headquarters there and then marched almost unopposed to within 125 miles of Moscow. The Russian people stayed home. Some joked about getting popcorn to watch the crisis unfold.

It wasnt just his use of alternative facts that undermined Putins effort to leverage the SCO summit into a place to restore his standing as Russias czar for the foreseeable future. While the event was a high-level meeting, it lost much of its diplomatic muscle when the host, Modi, decided to hold it virtually, instead of bringing the leaders to New Delhi.

If able to make his case in person, Putin would have spoken at length with Modi, Xi, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and others. That, instead of a swift three-hour on camera gathering, could have helped strengthen ties.

An in-person meeting would have also provided the images that turn international diplomacy into domestic power. Instead of images of Putin raising a glass alongside other world leaders, shaking hands with other strongmen, audiences who could muster an interest in the event could see the familiar, uninspiring boxes of a video call.

Not that Putin would have been prepared to travel. As rulers throughout history have learned, a propitious time for a coup is when the leader is away.

In fact, in the aftermath of the Prigozhin uprising, Putin has echoed the traditional strongmans playbook of buying loyalty. He moved quickly to boost salaries and weapons supplies to the wide variety of security forces that surround him. He even took the extremely rare step of wading into a crowd in the southern Republic of Dagestan to meet (presumably handpicked) supporters.

At the same time, he is continuing to wrap himself in a personal protective shield.

The cartoonishly long conference tables he used to keep Covid-19 away are not as visible, but he still reportedly requires several days of quarantine before he allows some of those who meet with him to approach. And he has a special service, the Biological Safety Centre, making sure his food is not poisoned, according to a defector from the agency responsible for his security.

To survive, however, Putin needs more than safe food, a Covid-free environment and loyal security services. He also needs to rebuild his image.

Persuading Asias giants that he remains the mighty leader of a powerful nation is also crucial. And that project is faltering.

Just after the summit  curious timing  a leak from China confirmed that Xi personally told Putin not to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine when he visited Moscow in March, according to the Financial Times. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said he couldnt confirm the detail and called all other reports of Xis visit to Moscow fiction.

The news comes at a time when Russia and Ukraine are accusing each other of plans to target the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently occupied by Russian forces. Its hard to imagine Ukraine deliberately spreading radiation in territory it is fighting to retake. At the same time, Russia has a history of blaming others for incidents it creates, as false flag attacks.

Russias diplomatic efforts in Asia are also facing pressure from the US, which has launched a simultaneous campaign of its own. Indias Modi was just honored in Washington with a state dinner and a speech to Congress. And the US is working to contain the deterioration of relations with China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing last month. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is there this week.

Putin now faces a triple task: reclaiming the mantle of invincibility in Russia, rebuilding that image abroad and winning his calamitous war in Ukraine. None of these challenges existed before February 2022. They are problems of his own making. Like never before, all are wondering how long Putin can stay in power.

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Orlando police: Doctor accused of sexually abusing girls may have more victims

The Orlando Police Department said it is seeking information about a doctor accused of sexually abusing children.

Investigators said Mehul Dixit practiced pediatric nephrology in Florida and Mississippi until May 2023.

A nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in kidney care.

READ: Amber Alert issued for missing Florida boy, 12, last seen in Fort Pierce

Orlando police said Dixit, 59, was arrested in Mississippi in May and charged with sexual battery, which caused his medical license to be suspended.

OPD opened its own criminal investigation into Dixit after underaged girls accused him of sexually abusing them while he was a doctor in Florida.

READ: Ocoee police arrest 4 juveniles and warn Kia and Hyundai owners about TikTok trend

Police said they believe there may be more cases involving former patients of Dixit and are asking anyone who feels they were victimized under his care to come forward.

Tips can be made to Orlando Police Department at 321-235-5300. Callers who want to remain anonymous can also contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).

The Orlando Police Department is seeking information in an open investigation into Mehul P. Dixit. Please see further details below. pic.twitter.com/IIctL7y0US  Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) July 7, 2023

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Over 7,100 student-loan borrowers will get $3.5 million in refunds after a debt-relief company was accused of illegally charging them up to $699 in fees to reduce their federal balances, a consumer watchdog says

Getty Images

After the CFPB said they were scammed, 7,100 borrowers will receive $3.5 million worth of checks.

The CFPB accused Timemark, a debt-relief company, of illegally charging federal borrowers fees.

Scams are likely to grow following the Supreme Court decision to strike down student-debt relief.

A federal consumer watchdog just cracked down on yet another student-debt-relief company it accused of scamming thousands of borrowers.

On Thursday, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced that over 7,100 student-loan borrowers would receive more than $3.5 million worth of checks in the mail after accusing Timemark Solutions  a student-debt-relief company  of violating the Telemarketing Sales Rule. The bureau said Timemark charged borrowers "illegal advance fees" to reduce their federal student-loan balances when the Education Department offered those services for free.

"From 2016 through October 2019, the company used telemarketing campaigns to convince people with federal student loans to pay up to $699 in fees to file paperwork to reduce or eliminate their monthly payments, through loan consolidation, forgiveness, or income-driven repayment plans," the press release said.

According to the Telemarketing Sales Rule, it's illegal for a telemarketer to request or receive fees for debt-relief services before the consumer has made at least one payment using the new arrangement. The CFPB said Timemark violated that rule because it requested fees from borrowers within a few days of them enrolling in the new plan.

The CFPB reached a settlement with Timemark in July 2020, and borrowers will soon start receiving refund checks in the mail administered by Epiq Systems, which has a contract with the agency to facilitate payments. Borrowers who do not receive a check but believe they are eligible can submit a claim to CFPB-Timemark.org, and borrowers with questions about the refunds can email info@cfpb-timemark.org or call 866-991-0913.

Over the past few years, the CFPB  along with the Federal Trade Commission  has scrutinized a variety of student-debt-relief companies over whether they engaged in fraudulent behavior. In December, for example, the CFPB accused five companies of illegally charging fees to borrowers for services that the Education Department offered for free, and in June, the FTC accused another company of promising borrowers loan forgiveness but instead "pocketed customers' payments."

These scams are likely to arise following the Supreme Court's decision at the end of June to strike down President Joe Biden's student-loan-forgiveness plan. Payments are scheduled to resume in October, and following the ruling, the FTC issued a warning to borrowers that they "might also be hearing from scammers who take advantage of confusion around big news like this."

The FTC said borrowers could avoid being scammed by never agreeing to pay for help with their student loans, not giving away their Federal Student Aid login information, and not trusting anyone who contacts them to promise debt relief, even if they say they work with the Education Department.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The overboard deaths of a 7-year-old boy and his mother show the most likely scenario when people fall off cruise ships

The passengers were traveling on Stena Line's Spirit ferry Michal Fludra/Getty Images

A young boy and his mother both died after going overboard a passenger ferry earlier this month.

The incident represents the most likely outcome for those who tumble off large boats.

Only 28% of people who fall off cruise ships are rescued, according to industry data.

The tragic story of a young boy and his mother who both died after going overboard a large passenger ferry in the Baltic Sea last week is a stark reminder of the final fate that awaits most people who tumble off large boats and into the water.

A 7-year-old Polish boy went overboard a Stena Line ferry transporting passengers from Sweden to Poland last Friday, the ferry company told Insider. His mother jumped into the water to try to rescue him, but neither were recovered from the water alive, according to authorities.

The international incident had a decidedly darker outcome than a recent overboard occurrence that made headlines when a woman was successfully rescued after she fell from the 10th deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship last month and spent nearly an hour in the open water.

Experts told Insider it was "nothing short of miraculous" that the woman was saved.

The Royal Caribbean rescue in turn recalled the incredible incident in which a man who fell off a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico was successfully rescued after the spent more than 20 hours treading water and eating bamboo to survive.

But the triumphant tales of water rescues are few and far between.

Of 212 overboard incidents between 2009 and 2019, only 48  or 28.2%  of those who went overboard were successfully rescued, according to a report from the Cruise Lines International Association.

In May, a 35-year-old man went overboard a Carnival cruise. The Coast Guard ultimately suspended the search for him after 60 hours.

In 2023 thus far, there have been 10 overboard incidents affecting 11 people, according to data compiled by Ross Klein, a social work professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, who runs a cruise safety website. Nine of those eleven people died as a result.

Despite the headline-grabbing tales of murky seas and foul play, overboard incidents remain a real rarity on cruise ships, according to industry data and experts.

In 2019, the last full year of pre-Covid data, 25 people went overboard according to a 2020 CLIA report. That number includes both passengers and crew members.

Compared to the more than 13.7 million passengers who boarded a cruise in the US alone that same year, the likelihood of going overboard clocks in at less than 0.000001%.

Read the original article on Insider
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  The Commission on Audit (COA) questioned the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) for not disposing millions of pesos worth of unserviceable equipment.

State auditors conducted an ocular inspection last January and found significant numbers of unserviceable equipment being kept in two storage locations within the PAGASA Central Office compound.

An employee informed the audit team that the disposal of old equipment worth 5.8 million stored in one of the locations is up for review and approval of the weather bureau administrator.

"The items are already heavily filled with dust for having been stored there for several years, thus, exposed to further deterioration," COA said in its 2022 report uploaded on its website on June 28.

PAGASA apparently had to defer the inventory of the equipment due to lockdowns at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to COA.

State auditors added that the loss of records due to the turnover of employees also led to delays in the process of disposal.

The spaces occupied by these properties could have been used for more productive or worthwhile purposes, they noted.

COA recommended that PAGASAs disposal committee conduct immediate appraisal of the unserviceable items and come up with an appropriate disposal plan.
The Oviedo Fire Department will present a local teacher, Suzanne Matos, with a life-saving award on Friday.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

According to officials, on May 26, 2023, Matos was parking her car at the Oviedo Mall when she noticed smoke coming from another vehicle nearby.

She also noticed that two children were trying to escape the burning vehicle and Matos was able to help the children out of the car and to safety.

Oviedo shoppers rescue 2 kids from car fire, while mother shoplifts from mall, police say

Read: Deputies investigate deadly shooting at Orange County gas station

The children were taken to Arnold Palmer Children`s Hospital and suffered several first-degree burns on their faces and ears.

Eventually, Oviedo Police arrested the childrens mother, Alicia Moore, 24.

Read: Shoppers rescue 2 kids from car fire while mother was shoplifting at Oviedo Mall, police say

According to police, Moore was inside the mall at the time of the fire, shoplifting from stores. She also faces additional charges of neglect of a child with great bodily harm and first-degree arson.

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.
'I Owe Freedom My Life': Jimmy Lai Is Imprisoned for Criticizing the Chinese Government

John Stossel (left) and Jimmy Lai (right) | Stossel TV

This week, while we celebrate the work of America's Founders, I honor a living freedom fighter: billionaire businessman Jimmy Lai.

When Communist China crushed freedom in Hong Kong, Lai could have gone anywhere in the world and lived a life of luxury. But he chose to stay in Hong Kong and go to jail.

A new documentary, The Hong Konger, tells his story.

Lai grew up in poverty in China.

"My mother was [imprisoned] in a labor camp," he recalls. "We were just 5 or 6 and managing ourselves without an adult in the household. When I was 8 and 9, I worked in the railway station carrying people's baggage."

There he learned about a little British-controlled island near China called Hong Kong, where people were less poor. So he went there "in the bottom of a fishing junk, together with maybe 100, maybe 80, people, and everybody vomiting."

Once in Hong Kong, he was amazed at how plentiful food was. "I never saw so many things for breakfast. I was so moved. I was crying."

He got a job in a sweatshop. "We had to wake up before 7 and worked until 10 p.m. But it was a very happy timea time that I know I had a future."

The chance to have a future makes such a difference.

At the time, Hong Kong was an unusually free country. Police enforced law and order, but otherwise, the British rulers left people alone. That allowed people to prosper.

"The British gave us the institutions of freedom," says Lai. "Rule of law, free speech, the free market. That created the best in the world. That was very enlightening for me."

Lai eventually saved enough money to start a clothing business. "I started a very small factory. Eventually we became one of the biggest sweater factories in Hong Kong." Gradually, his clothing business, Giordano, made him rich.

Lai assumed that the Communist Chinese, seeing the prosperity in Hong Kong, would leave the island alone. After all, even the Communists were embracing some capitalism.

"I thought China is going to be changed," says Lai. "China is going to be like Western country that I've been to. I was very excited."

But then came the Tiananmen Square massacre. That inspired Lai to start a media company. Media are important, he said, because they deliver information, "which is choice, and choice is freedom."

Lai's media business thrived. He covered Chinese government abuses when other Hong Kong media wouldn't. "Everybody was so chickened out, so scared. They went into self-censorship to avoid offending the Communists."

Even foreign investors kept quiet to protect their investments in China.

Then, in 2020, China passed a "national security" law that declared it illegal for Hong Kongers to criticize the Chinese government.

"It became impossible for media to survive!" complained Lai. "Whatever we say can be sedition."

A conviction for sedition would mean jail time, three years to life.

But Lai kept his paper open.

"If we just surrender," he said, "we will lose the rule of law. Lose the freedom. We will lose everything."

Hong Kong did lose its freedom, but Lai still refused to leave. "I came here without anything. I owe freedom my life. Don't think about the consequences. Do what is right."

For publishing the truth about the Communist government, Lai was arrested and sentenced to five years in jail. Chinese officials say they may add more years.

Still, Lai says he doesn't regret his decision to stay.

"It would be so boring just being a businessman. I want to make my life more meaningful and interesting. That's why I got into the trouble I got into today. And I'm happy to have it."

Happy?

Jimmy Lai is a remarkable man, and a hero of freedom.

You can watch the whole documentary about him at FreeJimmyLai.com.

COPYRIGHT 2023 BY JFS PRODUCTIONS INC.

The post 'I Owe Freedom My Life': Jimmy Lai Is Imprisoned for Criticizing the Chinese Government appeared first on Reason.com.
ISLAMABAD  Pakistan intends to bolster its arms exports through a new government body meant to attract foreign direct investment and ease the manner of doing business, according to Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

A key aspect of this approach was to use a single body, instead of multiple organizations, in order to cut down red tape.

Iqbal spoke Wednesday at a news conference in Pakistan about the the Special Investment Facilitation Council, or SIFC, which was formed in June to establish economic policies to ensure policy predictability, continuity and effective implementation to revive the economy.

Alongside defense production, SIFC will also focus on agricultural, energy, information technology, minerals and mining sectors.

Defense manufacturing is handled by the Ministry of Defence Production, which previously proposed similar measures to boost private sector participation.

A spokeswoman with the ministry told Defense News that the local defense sector is considering joint projects and collaborations with international partners in government-to-government and business-to-business models. She also said private sector startups would be facilitated through [a] one-window approach.

The spokeswoman declined to provide additional details of the SIFC proposal or what has already been done in this regard, instead directing Defense News to the SIFC Secretariat.

Fida Muhammad Khan, an analyst and lecturer at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics think tank, expressed skepticism of the SIFC endeavor.

Claiming regulatory bodies dont solve problems, he highlighted the large number that previously existed and primarily served to put pressure on the exchequer. He also said SIFC is likely to be hijacked by military personnel on deputation to them.

He also questioned what the existing Defence Export Promotion Organisation  which claims to provide active support to our defence manufacturing/service sector and the export chain  has done to date, and noted bodies already exists to promote defense exports, including the Defence Production and Foreign Affairs ministries, the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, the Pakistan Ordnance Factories, and Heavy Industries Taxila.

Pakistan should look to France as an example, he added, as the president there travels extensively in support of defense deals  something Pakistans political leadership should do to demonstrate similar commitment in an environment of quid pro quo arrangements and incentives.

The analyst also recommended a wider effort involving economists, social scientists and think tanks to ensure policy is informed by research and specialists, as well as a looser grip by the state on the defense industry in order to attract new investments.
Former Vice President and current presidential candidate Mike Pence on Wednesday defended his actions during the certification of the results of the 2020 presidential election when pressed by a supporter of former President Donald Trump over whether he had the constitutional authority to reject a state's electoral votes.

In a video first shared by liberal network MSNBC, a woman in attendance at a Pence campaign stop in Sioux City, Iowa blamed the presidency of Joe Biden on Pence's refusal to abide by Trump's wishes and reject the certification of some electoral votes during the joint session of Congress held on January 6, 2021.

"If it wasn't for your vote, we would not have Joe Biden in the White House. Joe Biden shouldn't be there, and all those wonderful things that you and Trump were doing together would be continuing, and this country would be on the right path," the woman said.

NO HOLIDAY FOR DESANTIS, PENCE, SCOTT AND OTHER REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES THIS JULY 4TH

Former Vice president Mike Pence speaks with guests during a campaign stop he made with his wife Karen on July 06, 2023, in Holstein, Iowa.

"Do you ever second guess yourself? That was a constitutional right that you had to send those votes back to the states," she added.

Pence responded firmly, saying the issue was one that continued "to be misunderstood," and argued the Constitution didn't afford him, or any previous vice president, the authority to reject votes and return them to the states.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I'm sorry ma'am, but that's actually what the Constitution says. No vice president in American history ever asserted the authority that you have been convinced that I had. But I want to tell you, with all due respect, I said before  I said when I announced, President Trump was wrong about my authority that day, and he's still wrong," Pence said.

PENCE CALLS ON BIDEN TO CEASE AND DESIST NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN

Former President Donald Trump speaks during the Independence Day Spectacular on Friday, June 30, 2023, in Pickens, S.C.

Trump's legal team filed a number of challenges to the 2020 election results, but all were rejected. Congress ultimately certified the results in the early hours of Jan. 7 after supporters of the former president stormed the U.S. Capitol building, disrupted the proceedings and forced Pence to be evacuated.

The rift between Pence and Trump caused by the former's rejection of the arguments he could stop the certification has resurfaced on the 2024 campaign trail as both seek the Republican presidential nomination. Prior to his campaign launch, Pence spoke out about the historical day, calling Trump "wrong," and declaring "history will hold" him "accountable."

Trump supporters occupy the West Front of the Capitol and the inauguration stands on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021.

According to a recent Fox News poll, Trump maintains a solid lead with 56%, well ahead of Pence's 4%.
Although the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the state budget, funding for state-related universities like Penn State remains in limbo.

The House needs a two-thirds majority vote in favor of House Bill 612, which would provide funding for state-related universities for the fiscal year July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. State-related universities include Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln University. The bill outlines $259,285,000 in funding to Penn State for general support  funds that impact in-state tuition and cover core teaching costs  and $28,634,000 for the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The vote failed in the House Thursday night by six votes. The house previously rejected a funding bill in June as well.

In a university statement, Penn State expressed disappointment with the outcome of the House vote.

We are disappointed with the outcome of the House vote, as this funding directly supports Penn States discounted in-state tuition rate, which thousands of Pennsylvania students and their families rely on each year. With an enrollment of more than 40,000 Pennsylvania resident students across 20 undergraduate campuses, we look forward to continued conversations with lawmakers about how this funding represents an investment in our young people, our communities, and the commonwealths long-term economic prosperity, the statement reads.

A university spokesperson did not respond to a question about the potential impact of the lack of secured funding on tuition and other university matters.

Centre Countys three state representatives  Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, and Paul Takac, D-College Township,  voted in support of the bill, which bundled funding for all four universities into one.

Takac took to the House floor prior to the vote Thursday in support of the bill. He said that not only does his district include Penn States largest campus, University Park, but he also has a student enrolled at University of Pittsburgh.

Today, like tens of thousands of students and their families across this commonwealth, we remain in financial limbo, unsure if we will have to come up with several thousand dollars more in tuition than we were planning on. The appropriations we are voting for today directly impact what families like mine pay, Takac said.

He urged his colleagues to set aside distractions and unrelated issues and vote yes on the bill to support Pennsylvania students, families, farmers and communities.

As we continue to work toward the 2/3 majority needed to approve funding for our state-related universities  @PittTweet, @PennState, @TempleUniv and @LincolnUofPA  I had the opportunity to speak yesterday in support of students, families, and communities across PA. pic.twitter.com/4gBVWAAGOJ  Rep. Paul Takac (@RepTakac) July 7, 2023

Its unclear when another vote on the bill may occur.

In September 2022, the Penn State board of trustees unanimously approved a $469.5 million state appropriation request  a historic increase request in state funding. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiros proposed budget included a $17.2 million (7.1%) increase in funding over last year for general support.

The board of trustees usually approves the universitys own budget in July and is scheduled to meet July 20-21 at Penn State Behrend.
On Friday, 7 July, the United States announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine, which also includes so-called dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs), or cluster munitions.

Source: This was stated by Colin Kahl, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, at a briefing, European Pravdas correspondent reports.

Details: According to the Pentagon official, the aid package, which will be provided from US Army stocks, includes 155-mm ammunition, including DPICMs, 105-mm shells, and ammunition for Patriot and HIMARS systems.

In addition, the United States will provide Ukraine with additional armoured vehicles  Bradleys and Strykers  and high-precision aircraft shells, as well as spare parts for repair and equipment, Kahl added.

The new package, explained Kahl, will provide Ukraine with "hundreds of thousands of pieces of ammunition immediately".

Kahl announced that with the new package of military support, the total amount of military aid from the United States to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion exceeds US$41.3 billion.

The White House previously explained that the provision of cluster munitions is a temporary measure until the production of conventional artillery ammunition has reached satisfactory capacity. In addition, Ukraine took it upon itself to minimise the risk of using cluster munitions.

Cluster munitions usually disperse a large number of submunitions, so they are considered more dangerous to the civilian population. These munitions also have an equally high percentage of failure, making them dangerous for years after the end of a conflict.

In 2008, more than 120 countries adopted a treaty banning the production, use and stockpiling of cluster munitions. The United States, Russia and Ukraine refused to join it.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Authorities are investigating after a person riding an electronic scooter was struck and killed by a vehicle in Gardner Thursday night.

Gardner police responded to the fatal crash involving the e-bike scooter near 591 West Broadway just before 8 p.m. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, the Worcester Country District Attorneys Office said.

Authorities have not revealed the victims identity at this point.

Gardner police say that the struck scooter was not part of the towns shared scooter program.

Massachusetts State Police detectives are being assisted by Gardner police, the Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the Crime Scene Services Section in the investigation.

Authorities did not state whether any charges will be filed.

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Jack Phillips, owner of Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado, decorates a cake for a client on Sept. 21, 2017. | Trevor Brown Jr., for the Deseret News

In the 2018 Masterpiece Cakeshop case, a Christian baker named Jack Phillips declined for religious reasons to make a custom wedding cake for a gay couple. In its decision, the Supreme Court offered Americans a blueprint for thoughtful engagement in contentious cultural battles. It cautioned those on both sides of the conflict to recognize the complexity of the dispute and navigate their differences carefully.

Unfortunately, recent conflicts involving religious dissent over LGBTQ curricula in public schools shows that Americans still have much to learn.

In Masterpiece, after the gay couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, various commissioners described religion as one of the most despicable pieces of rhetoric that people can use to ... hurt others and compared Phillips to people in history who used their religious beliefs to defend slavery and the Holocaust.

For the court  including liberal justices Elena Kagan and Stephen Breyer  this language went too far. It disparage(d) (Phillips) religion in at least two distinct ways: by describing it as despicable, and also by characterizing it as merely rhetorical  something insubstantial and even insincere.

Altogether, the commissions discussion in its hearings showed lack of due consideration for Phillips free exercise rights and the dilemma he faced, the court said.

The Masterpiece decision built on an earlier precedent, established in Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah, involving a discrete religious minority.

Followers of the Afro Caribbean religion of Santeria use animal sacrifice as a form of worship. Soon after Santerians in Hialeah, Florida, announced they were establishing a church, residents began to complain that the Santerians practices were inconsistent with public morals, peace or safety. To appease the local citizenry, Hialeah city officials passed ordinances regulating animal sacrifice selectively  they permitted sacrifice for state-licensed activities but prohibited it for sacrifice or slaughter. Because government officials had targeted the Santerians, the court struck down the Hialeah law. Indeed, Hialeahs biased decision-making was so constitutionally offensive that it led to the unanimous opinion, uniting conservative and liberal justices.

Procedural fairness is key to navigating contentious cultural battles, particularly when religion is involved. While many news headlines about Masterpiece were sensationalized, the courts entire opinion turned on procedural fairness. As the court explained in Lukumi and again in Masterpiece, the governments failure to demonstrate neutrality toward religion violates the free exercise clause.

Yet, government officials have not learned their lesson. Take, for instance, the battle raging in Montgomery County, Maryland, where the Montgomery County Public School District recently introduced an LGBTQ curriculum for students beginning in pre-K.

According to complaints filed by parents suing the district over their inability to opt their children out, the elementary school curriculum includes a variety of books on sexual orientation and gender identity, accompanied by resource guides that, in part, instruct teachers to tell children that people only guess a persons gender based on body parts.

In another instance, with regard to a book on same-sex romance on the playground, the teacher is to encourage students to explore their romantic feelings. If a student expresses resistance, the teacher is instructed to tell them they are being hurtful.

Predictably, religious parents with traditional beliefs about gender and sexuality have expressed concerns. The Montgomery County Public School District should have known to tread carefully. Instead, while the school district initially gave parents the chance to opt-out their kids, it rescinded the option after parents began raising religious objections. Now, Muslim and Christian parents have sued the school district, demanding their constitutional rights be respected.

Parallel to the lawsuit, concerned parents and students have testified before the county board of education  and faced yet another cast of government officials seemingly flippant about the complexity of the dispute before them.

For example, after parents requested opt-outs at one board meeting, the board chairwoman, Lynne Harris, accused them of perpetuating hate: Saying that a kindergartner cant be present when you read a book about a rainbow unicorn because it offends your religious rights or your family values or your core beliefs is just telling that kid, Heres another reason to hate another person.

Harris later made a similar comment in reference to parental testimony: Yes, ignorance and hate does exist in our community. A council member also compared the (Black and brown) Muslim group of concerned parents to white supremacists and xenophobes.

No one on the board disavowed the comments, nor did they object after a member of the Montgomery County Council picked up the theme, claiming that concern over the LGBTQ curriculum puts some Muslim families on the same side of an issue as white supremacists and outright bigots.

Its as if Montgomery County school officials read the Lukumi and Masterpiece playbooks and decided to break all the rules.

This is good news for the families suing the school district, as it increases their chance of prevailing. On June 12, the families filed a motion for a preliminary injunction (which functions like a temporary restraining order), arguing that the School Boards no-opt-out policy separately violates the Free Exercise Clause under Lukumi and Masterpiece because it targets religious exercise.

But its bad news for a country that continues to struggle with extreme cultural divisiveness.

Related

In recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court has heard multiple cases pitting religious dissenters against LGBTQ persons. Just last week, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the government could not force a website designer with religious objections to same-sex marriage to create wedding websites for LGBTQ couples; to do so would violate the designers free speech rights. While the court acknowledged that speech can sometimes offend people, it said that speech is protected, nonetheless.

That was the first time the court had spoken directly on religious dissent. When faced with the issue before, the court was less interested in whether something could be said and more interested in laying the ground rules for thoughtful engagement in contentious cultural battles.

Unfortunately, as the conflict in Montgomery County shows, Americans continue to prefer conflict over peaceful negotiation.

As parents and school officials become further embroiled in the lawsuit and ongoing protest rallies, with one side denigrating the beliefs and traditions of the other side, student observers are not learning inclusivity, kindness or acceptance. There is no lesson on civility or positive engagement over differences.

Lukumis and Masterpieces lessons about coexistence are being rejected for a future of escalating tensions, where religious voices  including the voices of religious minorities are quashed.

Asma T. Uddin is an attorney, a Deseret contributing writer and author of When Islam Is Not a Religion: Inside Americas Fight for Religious Freedom and The Politics of Vulnerability: How to Heal Muslim-Christian Relations in a Post-Christian America.
PETA offers $5K and year supply of 'delicious vegan chicken' for tips leading to stolen truck

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is making headlines again - this time after police in Oregon said someone stole its controversial advertising truck on the West Coast.

In a press release issued Friday, PETA said it's offering a reward for information leading to the location of the group's hijacked life-size chicken transport truck dubbed Hell On Wheels."

According to the Portland Police Department, the truck was taken from the city's Brentwood-Darlington neighborhood sometime late Monday into early Tuesday. The area is in the city's southern edge.

Police described the vehicle as a white, 2016 Ford Econoline van a vehicle wrap. The truck dons images of chickens crammed into cages and a logo on it that reads, "Does this bother you? Then go vegan."

Shark wrestling video sparks anger PETA rips 'wannabe macho man' sports agent Drew Rosenhaus for shark wrestling video

5K and vegan chicken for a year

The group is offering $5,000 in cash to anyone who locates the vehicle.

In addition to the money, PETA will "provide a years supply of an array of delicious vegan chicken to tipsters whose information leads to the trucks location," the group wrote in the release.

Splooting? How do animals stay cool during heatwaves? By 'splooting'

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal is offering a $5,000 cash and plant-based food reward for information leading to the location of the group's stolen life-size chicken transport truck dubbed Hell On Wheels." Portland police said the truck was taken sometime on July 3 or July 4, 2023.

At the time it disappeared, the truck was in the city as part of a demonstration after hundreds of birds died when a vehicle carrying them overturned on Interstate 5 last month, the release said.

As of Friday the truck remained missing, a police spokeperson told USA TODAY.

Anyone with information about the missing truck is asked to contact Portland police.

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: PETA offers cash, 'delicious vegan chicken' for return of stolen truck
Philadelphia Principal Replaced After Student Denied Diploma For Dancing At Graduation Ceremony | elenaleonova

The principal of Philadelphia High School for Girls, Lisa Mesi, was replaced after withholding diplomas from students who danced at graduation.

Tomas Hanna, the Philadelphia School District Associate Superintendent, mentioned a temporary change in leadership in a letter addressed to the school community, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Janis Butler is now the substitute principal.

Dr. Butler is excited to support the school community to help set the stage for a successful 2023-2024 school year, Hanna wrote.

No information was shared surrounding the circumstances of Mesi leaving or whether she will be returning to her role.

While this is the only information I can share at this time, I am committed to providing updates as additional information becomes available, Hanna wrote.

A recent US high school graduate was denied her diploma for performing a celebratory dance on stage. The Philadelphia school district has issued an apology and is currently investigating the incident  pic.twitter.com/A4U2Eg7uHD  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 19, 2023

The news comes after Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, a 17-year-old student, was denied her diploma after she danced during the schools graduation ceremony on June 9. The principal had forbidden students and their families to cheer or clap as they walked across the stage.

I was so embarrassed. I couldnt even enjoy the rest of the graduation, she previously said.

Abdur-Rahman was among three other girls who were denied their diplomas. They were handed their diplomas once the ceremony concluded.

If they thought that I shouldnt do The Griddy across the stage and do the Girls High traditions, nobody should have been able to wave or blow kisses or do period signs because I feel like thats the same thing. I feel like thats unfair, Abdur-Rahman added.

The School District of Philadelphia called out the incident.

The District does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates. We apologize to all the families and graduates who were impacted and are further looking into this matter to avoid it happening in the future, the statement.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday publicly apologized for the circulating sexy dance video reportedly during an event of the agency and vowed to investigate and impose appropriate penalties to officials responsible for the misbehavior.

Pinapa-imbestigahan natin ang pangyayari, kung sino nag-imbita, nagdala ng dancer at kung sino ang nagpahintulot na magperform sila doon sa NBI socials, NBI Director Medardo de Lemos said in a press briefing.

[Translation: We are investigating the incident, who invited, brought the dancer, and who allowed them to perform there at the NBI socials].

He added the NBI will determine who is accountable for the mistake, stressing "we'll never tolerate indecency in the agency.

De Lemos said the incident happened after the NBI fellowship  a supposed gathering of regional and national officers in Manila.

He said he was not present when the dancing happened and that he would most likely have stopped it had he been there.

"Humihingi kami ng paumanhin dahil sa hindi namin intensyon makasakit ng damdamin ng ating mga kababaihan," he added

[Translation: We apologize. We have no intention of hurting the feelings of women]

Misjudgment, lack of awareness

The Department of Justice (DOJ), meanwhile, said the performance of female sexy dancers during an NBI event may be due to misjudgment and lack of awareness on the part of the organizing team.

Its a misjudgment, lack of awareness and sensitivity, and we will have to investigate as to what happened in this case, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano told CNN Philippines The Source, but added it should not be an excuse for what happened.

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the department will investigate a video circulating online showing a woman performing a sexy dance in front of guests during the NBI event.

Another video showed a different woman also performing provocatively.

Based on initial reports, Clavano said the dancing occurred after the main ceremony for the NBIs Command Conference.

Authorities will start its investigation by finding out who among the members of the organizing committee approved this, he noted.

Clavano urged the NBI to take this opportunity to review their protocols and to reinforce professionalism and ensure that such incidents dont undermine integrity and the good reputation of the organization as the premier investigating arm.
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippine military on Friday reported an "alarming" increase in the number of Chinese fishing vessels in disputed waters in the South China Sea, which it said threatens the security of the oil and gas-rich Reed Bank.

From only a dozen in February, the number of Chinese fishing vessels "swarming" in Iroquois reef, just south of the Reed Bank, has risen to 47 as of last month, according to the military's Western Command (WESCOM).

"China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights," Ariel Coloma, spokesperson for the Western Command, said in a statement.

The Philippines won a landmark arbitration case in 2016 that invalidated China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, where about $3 trillion worth of sea-borne goods pass every year.

The ruling, which treaty ally United States backs and China refuses to recognise, clarified Philippine sovereign rights in its 200-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to access offshore oil and gas fields, including the Reed Bank, where a natural gas exploration project operated by Philippine firm PXP Energy Corp has been stalled.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told his Philippine counterpart, Gilbert Teodoro, on Thursday that the U.S. commitment to the defense of its ally was "ironclad," including in the South China Sea, according to a U.S. summary of the call, drawing a rebuke from China.

"The U.S. defence commitment to the Philippines must not undermine China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular press conference.

Wang accused the United States of "sowing discord" between countries in the region, while maintaining the actions of the Chinese Coast Guard were legitimate and lawful, and therefore "beyond reproach".

Wang was not asked about the "swarming," and there was no immediate comment from the Chinese embassy in Manila about it.

Philippine military said their flights had also recorded the presence of three China Coast Guard ships and two Chinese navy vessels "regularly loitering" at Sabina Shoal, which like Iroquois, is inside the Philippine EEZ.

"These developments raise alarming concerns about China's intentions and actions within these disputed waters," WESCOM said.

The Philippines on Wednesday accused the China Coast Guard of harassment, obstruction and "dangerous manoeuvres" against its vessels, after another incident near a strategic feature of the South China Sea.

(Reporting by Karen Lema; editing by Robert Birsel)
A former Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher accused of sexually assaulting a student appeared in court on Friday.

RELATED >>> Pittsburgh Public Schools teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

Ziegler, a former teacher at Pittsburgh Faison, had nothing to say after leaving his preliminary hearing Friday afternoon.

Ziegler is accused of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old fourth-grade student during school last year.

The student testified the disturbing details, saying that on multiple occasions he would be alone with Ziegler in his classroom during lunch detention. He said Ziegler would shut the door and the blinds, then threaten and force him to perform sexual acts.

Zieglers attorney said his client denies all of it, saying it never happened.

This is a man who has a crystal clear record he was just named vice principal, he has a young daughter at home. This is a guy who has nothing on his record hes shocked, devastated by this, said Blaine Jones, Zieglers defense attorney.

The student also said Ziegler was his science and math teacher and the assaults happened four days a week from the start of the school year through December.

In a classroom setting where there are four other classrooms adjoining and a public courtyard and no one saw anything and theres also a window on the door and no one saw anything for three or four months straight. I just dont think practically speaking if you use common sense this could have happened like that, I dont believe it, said Jones.

A city detective also testified today. Zieglers attorney says the evidence doesnt support the case.

He was spectating there were maybe six days that the young man was alone with Ziegler, based on the other teachers report it doesnt make sense, said Jones.

Ziegler faces several serious charges. The judge held all charges for court.

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If You Plan On Using The Threads App, You Need To Know About This

Like Bluesky, Mastodon, Spill and others, Threads aims to rival a very vulnerable Twitter.

Like Bluesky, Mastodon, Spill and others, Threads aims to rival a very vulnerable Twitter.

By now, all of your group chats are likely blowing up over the Wednesday launch of Metas new Threads app. In fact, Meta co-founder Mark Zuckerbergwrote that in just 24 hours, over 30 million users had joined the social media platform, which aims to rival Twitter.

But the sign-up process for Threads has prompted many people to question Metas data collection policies, and some are avoiding the app altogether as a result.

The data collection page for Threads is longer than a CVS receipt, wrote one Twitter user.Heres what you need to know.

Threads is hoping to rival Twitter.

Meta describes Threads as Instagrams text-based conversation app  as opposed to Instagram itself, which is full of photos with captions and temporary visual stories. Threads is very similar to Twitter, which Zuckerberg said is the point.

Its launch came after a rough year and particularly rough weekend for Twitter, during which many users found themselves limited to viewing 600 posts per day and unable to access their feeds. This prompted derision from Twitter users and even more enthusiasm than usual for a platform that could serve as a replacement. (Unsurprisingly, Twitter owner Elon Musk, a personal rival of Zuckerberg, doesnt seem pleased by the stiff competition.)

Back on Threads, Zuckerberg wrote: Itll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasnt nailed it. Hopefully we will.

Heres how Threads is different  and similar.

At the moment, Threads is app-only, so there isnt a desktop version. Also, you need to have an Instagram account to use it. You can download Threads for iPhone or Android and then use your Instagram login to get started. Threads will assign you the same username you have for Instagram, given that the accounts are linked. Theres no option to change it, although you can add a different photo, bio and external website address.

The app will offer to automatically follow your existing list of Instagram contacts on Threads, or you can choose to manually follow other users. Theres also an option to make your account public or private, just like on Instagram or Twitter, so you can choose which users see your content.

Threads posts can be up to 500 characters or up to five minutes of video. And similar to Twitter, you can like, comment on, and share others posts. But unlike Twitter, you cant send direct messages to other users or search hashtags for interesting topics and discussions.

According to Meta, you cannot delete your Threads account without also deleting your Instagram account. But you can deactivate your Threads account and temporarily hide your profile from other users, and then reactivate by logging back in.

So why are people concerned about data?

It is common to sign up for a new platform without understanding how your sensitive information will be treated. Threads listings in app stores show all the seemingly unconnected data you permit it to collect by signing up  data it will link to your specific identity, building a profile of you, your habits and your personal details.

In app stores, you can see what sort of data Threads may collect to build a profile of your information and habits.

In app stores, you can see what sort of data Threads may collect to build a profile of your information and habits.

The data security implications for Threads are the same as those for Instagram, according to Aaron Mendes, CEO and co-founder of PrivacyHawk, a privacy app that aims to make opting out, unsubscribing and deleting data more efficient.

Depending on how you use Metas apps, the company can access and gather almost everything about you. According to the Apple app store, this includes your health information, location, shopping purchases, financial data, pregnancy or childbirth information, sexual or gender preferences, income, browsing history, contacts and other data, which could be anything.

However, Threads is at odds with multi-jurisdictional privacy frameworks. Although it operates in the United States, it does not currently meet data privacy requirements in places like the European Union, so it isnt allowed to launch there.

In the U.S., Meta is able to collect this data on Instagram and Threads users whenever they want, Mendes said. In the EU, they are limited to asking for permission to access and use some of this data. At the moment, it appears they are unable to comply with General Data Protection Regulation ... and will not launch in Europe.

According to Mendes, there are a number of reasons why Threads does not comply with GDPR or requirements set out by the Digital Markets Act, the EUs new competition regulation. But to put it simply, GDPR requires affirmative consent at the time of data collection, meaning that a user must give clear, specific and informed consent on how their personal data should be processed. Threads doesnt do this.

Meta has always scared me when it comes to privacy. Threads ... is digging in as deeply as possible to the treasure trove that is personal information.Chris Hauk, consumer privacy advocate

Can my data be misused or sold?

The short answer is yes. The biggest threats to personal security are data breaches, which have impacted companies like Meta and led them to pay exorbitant fines.

Mendes noted that users should not trust any organization with their sensitive information, because there are frequent data breaches that they cannot control.

Facebook has been breached many times, he said, referring to another Meta platform. Even with the best intentions, organizations are massive targets of hackers, cyberterrorists, government surveillance, and they have demonstrated that they are a data business. They monetise our data. We are the product, and they do the bare minimum to stay within the law.

A breach could result in stolen identity, financial loss, fraud and various other scams if the data ends up with hackers or cybercriminals. Though its not possible to predict when a breach will occur, one best practice is to limit the data that you give to organizations in the first place.

Meta in particular has a dicey history with its handling of data. Facebooks user data was improperly harvested by the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica ahead of the 2016 election, with that information then used to target and mislead voters. Similarly, in 2019, Facebook was hit with a record $5 billion penalty by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for deceiving users about the ability they had to control the privacy of their personal info. Recent court records suggest that employees at Meta arent sure where all its data is stored, who exactly can access it, or what engineers are doing with it.

According to Chris Hauk, a consumer privacy advocate at Pixel Privacy, Meta cannot be trusted with user information and how it is used.

Meta exists to collect as much information as it can about its users and then sell that information to anyone able to pay the asking price, Hauk said. Threads likely wont add a huge amount of new information about Instagram users, since most users will have already belonged to Instagram and Facebook, but it will harvest more data, and none of us are really sure how that new information will be used.

Can my sensitive information be safeguarded?

According to Mendes, Threads users do not have to hand over a lot of the sensitive information that the app tries to collect. For instance, he said that Threads does not need access to a persons photos, contacts, health information, location data or other sensitive info unless they want to use a feature that requires them, but most people dont.

For instance, he recommended that users immediately turn off access to photos once they are done uploading a picture. Though Mendes acknowledged that it isnt exactly convenient to constantly switch access on and off, it is a good way to safeguard sensitive information from Meta.

If you change your mind and want to delete your Threads profile, you'll have to delete your entire Instagram account, too.

If you change your mind and want to delete your Threads profile, you'll have to delete your entire Instagram account, too.

Mendes said that in addition to controlling your phones privacy settings and denying data access that Meta requests, you can also use ad-blocking tools like Adblock Plus or Ghostery that make it harder for the company to track you around the internet. Additionally, apps like PrivacyHawk can reduce your digital footprint outside of these platforms. Then, if there is a breach, your data is less likely to be used for scams, fraud or identity theft.

What should parents should know before their kids join Threads?

People often skip reading the long privacy policies that come up when joining a new platform. But Erfan Shadabi, a cybersecurity expert at Comforte AG, said parents especially should familiarize themselves with Threads privacy policy and understand what personal information it collects, as well as how it is stored.

The app is open to users over the age of 12. But for anyone under 16, Threads says it will, like Instagram, keep their profile private by default.

Assess whether the app aligns with your familys privacy expectations and values, and evaluate any potential risks including user-generated content, public posts, or interactions with strangers, Shadabi said, noting how children can be protected. Parents should teach them how to set their profile to private, limit who can view their posts or content, and how to manage friend or follower requests.

Its also important that children be aware of how to identify potential risks and immediately report any suspicious or malicious activity on the platform. Social media use and increased online exposure can sometimes be scary, so its critical to maintain an open line of communication and to know when to stop using a platform.

Heres the bottom line.

Hauk cautioned all users to examine how their sensitive information is being collected and to be careful when using social media platforms that ask for data access.

Meta has always scared me when it comes to privacy, Hauk said. Threads, like any other Meta product or app, is digging in as deeply as possible to the treasure trove that is personal information.

Related...
A Florida man who kidnapped and murdered a Black Lives Matter student activist and a retired state worker will face life in prison, after taking a plea deal confessing to the two womens deaths.

Aaron Glee, 52, avoided the death penalty last month after he pleaded guilty to the kidnapping and murder of Victoria Vicki Sims, 75, and Oluwatoyin Salau, 19, as part of an agreement with prosecutors.

Oluwatoyin Ruth Salau and Victoria Sims.

Oluwatoyin Ruth Salau and Victoria Sims.

State Attorney Jack Campbell told the Tallahassee Democrat that his office weighed several factors and spent time with the victims families as they considered how to best serve justice.

Were not in any way suggesting that he doesnt deserve the death penalty for what he did to those women, Campbell said. But at the same time, those are serious conversations, and in this decision, I think justice was served.

According to Glees probable cause affidavit, on June 6, 2020, Salau reported to Tallahassee police that shed been sexually assaulted by a man after he offered her a ride to his home and a place to stay.

That same day, in a now-deleted Twitter thread, Salau, a community college student, shared what had happened to her.

I was molested in Tallahassee, Florida by a black man this morning at 5:30 on Richview and Park Ave, Salau wrote. The man offered to give me a ride to find someplace to sleep and recollect my belongings from a church I refuged to a couple days back to escape unjust living conditions.

At the time, police determined that Salau was a victim of battery, but she wasnt immediately able to identify for officers the home where the crime took place. That afternoon, after making her report to police, she met Glee at a bus stop, and he offered her a place to shower and sleep.

According to the affidavit, Salaus mother reported her missing two days later, on June 8, prompting a search by local activist groups and police.

On June 11, according to a search warrant, one activist group searching for Salau received a threatening message from someone who claimed they were holding Salau hostage and would kill her.

All I need is your cooperation and you will get her back safely! I am dangerous dont joke with this, the message read. Killing is nothing to me... she will be dead soon! Be warned.

Salaus body, along with Sims, would not be found until days later.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Sims was reported missing on June 13, 2020, after a family friend requested a wellness check on her because they hadnt seen her in two days.

Officers who arrived at Sims home said it looked as though a burglary had taken place, and her car was missing from the driveway. They began to search for the 75-year-old, and cellphone data showed that her phone was at Glees home.

Investigators learned that Sims had often prepared and delivered meals to Glees home and would occasionally provide him with transportation, the affidavit said.

At Glees home, officers found Sims car outside covered in mud. On the property, they found her dead, with her hands and feet tied behind her. They also found Salaus body. She was wearing the same clothes shed worn when she spoke with police on June 6.

Aaron Glee Jr. in a police booking photograph on June 14, 2020.

Aaron Glee Jr. in a police booking photograph on June 14, 2020.

Glee, whod purchased a Greyhound bus ticket, was arrested in West Palm Beach, where he was taken to a local hospital after complaining of difficulty breathing.

At the hospital, Glee admitted to meeting Salau on June 6, when she told him shed been sexually assaulted and did not have a home, authorities said. He admitted to taking her to his home, where he imprisoned her, bound her and sexually assaulted her multiple times for three to five days, police said.

Glee initially pleaded not guilty, but entered into the plea agreement on June 8 of this year. He is scheduled to be formally sentenced in September.

Salaus disappearance and death sparked conversations about the violence that Black women face. Her friends mourned her death online, honoring her legacy as an activist and noting the many injustices shed contended with.

Before Salau and Sims murders, Glee had been arrested and charged with battery in connection with an incident where he allegedly kicked another unhoused woman in the stomach after she rejected his sexual advances on May 29, 2020.

[The woman] told him no so Glee became angry, shoved [her] to the ground and began kicking her in the abdomen, court records said.

According to data from the National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, 25% of Black girls in the U.S. are the victims of sexual abuse before the age of 18, and 1 in 5 Black women report that they are survivors of rape.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
How police connected a driver to violent road rage shooting on PA Turnpike in Bucks County

A 30-year-old Montgomery County man who shot at three motorists during separate road rage incidents on the Pennsylvania Turnpike last year will serve at least 15 years in prison.

Bucks County Judge Charrisa Liller sentenced Andre Kenny Mark Green, of Fort Washington, to 15 to 30 years and ordered him to serve 10 years of probation and undergo a mental health evaluation. He must pay restitution of $3,250 to two of the victims.

Green entered a guilty plea in April to several counts of aggravated assault, prohibited possession of a firearm, firearms not to be carried without a license, and related offenses.

The fact that no one died on these crowded highways in Bucks County is a miracle, Liller added.

A 30-year-old Montgomery County man has been sentenced for shooting at three vehicles on the Pennsylvania Turnpike during road-rage incidents last year

Road Rage: Montco man faces charges Montgomery County man charged with shooting at vehicles on PA Turnpike in Bensalem

How did authorities catch the road rage driver on the PA Turnpike?

Pennsylvania State Police connected Green to two shootings six days apart in March 2022. Both incidents happened during the daytime along the Bensalem portion of the turnpike.

The first shooting happened shortly before 2:30 p.m. on March 15, 2022 when the driver of a Ford F-150 reported that a man driving a gray sedan shot at him. Two shell casings were recovered in the westbound lanes. The driver was not injured, authorities said.

On March 21, state police responded to another highway shooting involving a Kia Forte traveling westbound near mile marker 347 shortly before 3 p.m., according to court documents.

The victim gave descriptions of a driver and vehicle similar to ones in the March 15 incident, authorities said. Police also recovered two projectiles inside the vehicle.

What did authorities learn after Green was arrested?

Falls Township police started looking at Green as a possible suspect in a Jan. 3, 2022, road rage incident there.

In that case, the victim was driving back to Bucks County from Philadelphia when a red car started speeding up behind him.

The driver of the red car continued to drive recklessly, attempting to cut him off and force him off the road. In the area of North Route 1 near Route 13, the driver of the red car fired a shot at the victim, striking his vehicle.

The investigation found that the red car had been rented by Green, who worked at a Falls business, and because of prior felony convictions, he was not allowed to possess a firearm.

Falls police filed charges which were incorporated into the Pennsylvania State Police case against Green.

State prison for road rage on PA Turnpike

Before sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Thomas Gannon played dashboard camera footage captured by two victims. It showed Green tailgating, brake checking and cutting off the victims on the busy highway prior to firing a gun at their vehicles.

In a victim impact statement, the driver of the Kia told Liller she has a scar as a result of a shrapnel injury on her leg as a result of Green shooting her car.

The woman also said the experience has traumatized her so much she can hardly drive.

I didnt deserve this, she told Liller.

More Bucks County crime news Former Central Bucks high school teacher charged with corruption of minor

Telford man remembered as a hero The dad who saved 2 on Lake Nockamixon: 'Hero for everyone with such an act of courage'

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Driver sentenced for PA Turnpike road rage shootings
Police use of high tech drones is on the rise, and regulations aren't keeping up with them

A drone flies near a wind turbine to conduct a visual inspection. Mariana Castelo Branco

Police departments cross-country are using drones in their daily operations.

New drones have the capability to break through glass, enter buildings, and open doors.

Only 15 states in the US require police to have search warrants to use drones.

This past Fourth of July, some law enforcement agencie deployed drones to watch for danger at community events. And though police are increasingly relying on high-tech tools, laws across the country aren't keeping up with preventing potential abuses of police power.

Drones, also referred to as unmanned aircraft systems, have a variety of uses, especially for law enforcement. According to reporting from NBC News, the newest and most powerful drones can have capabilities such as high-powered cameras, and can break through glass, open doors, or fly into buildings. They even allow police or other types of law enforcement to make contact with people held in hostage situations.

Though, according to data up to 2021 from the National Conference of State Legislatures, 44 or more states have some kind of laws or resolutions addressing drones, each state has separate regulations and codes, leaving some police departments with far more access to drones than others. For example, in regulations up to 2021, only 15 states mentioned the need for a warrant when law enforcement used drones. All 15 of those states have exceptions allowing the police to operate drones without warrants in extreme or exceptional circumstances.

In part because of the confusing laws cross-country, new drone abilities are appealing to police, but less so to citizens. The same NBC News article reports that the Fourth circuit US Court of Appeals found the 2021 AIR program in Baltimore, Maryland  a state without regulations around police use of drones  that conducted constant surveillance using drones was unconstitutional.

Though the Baltimore Police Department claimed, according to the case's published opinion, that they had "no intention of accessing the data to track and potentially identify individuals," the majority opinion found the risk of surveillance outweighed its possibility to mitigate crimes and violated the Fourth Amendment.

"Allowing the police to wield this power unchecked is anathema to the values enshrined in our Fourth Amendment," reads the majority opinion, authored by Chief Judge Roger Gregory. "The AIR program is like a 21st-century general search, enabling the police to collect all movements, both innocent and suspected, without any burden to 'articulate an adequate reason to search for specific items related to specific crimes.'"

Read the original article on Insider
WARREN, Pa.  A homicide suspect accused of escaping from the Warren County Prison late Thursday night got away using a technique often seen in the movies.

Police said he made a rope by tying sheets together and used the rope to slide off the roof of the prison, located next to the county courthouse in downtown Warren in Warren County, east of Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Details of the escape of the inmate, Michael C. Burham, are provided in the criminal complaint that Warren police filed against him on Friday morning. The police charged him with escape, and he remains at large.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison on Thursday night, according to the Warren police. The Warren police released these photos on Friday.

Burham, 34, is wanted in connection with the killing of a woman in Jamestown, New York, north of Warren, on May 11. He is accused of fleeing the area after her death, leading to a multi-agency manhunt that ended with his arrest in South Carolina on May 24.

Though he has not been charged in the homicide, Burham has been charged with kidnapping an elderly Warren County couple and stealing their SUV at gunpoint on May 20 to drive to South Carolina. Burham, last known to live in Russell, Pennsylvania, near Warren, had been held at the Warren County Prison on a $1 million bond in the kidnapping case since June 19.

Warren and Jamestown police notified the public about Burham's escape on Facebook posts shortly after midnight on Friday. Burham "was last seen at approximately 1120pm wearing a blue denim jacket," according to the posts, referring to Burham's prison uniform. "All citizens are urged to lock their doors and stay vigilant."

Local and state police are involved in the search, said Lt. Mark Weindorf, crime section supervisor for the Pennsylvania State Police's Troop E, which is based in Lawrence Park and covers Erie, Warren, Crawford and Venango counties.

'The Defendant slid down the rope'

Burham's escape from the prison was reported to Warren County dispatchers at 11:26 p.m. on Thursday, according to the criminal complaint filed Friday morning. Another inmate notified the prison staff that Burham had escaped, according to the complaint and its affidavit of probable cause.

Also according to the complaint and affidavit:

A review of surveillance video showed that Burham and three other inmates gathered in the gym of the Warren County Prison at 10:41 p.m. on Thursday. Burham was seen walking around.

At 11:26 p.m., Burham is seen standing on an exercise machine for doing pullups. Burham "then exited the yard" through a metal-gated roof.

"After escaping from the yard," according to the complaint, "the Defendant tied a rope which consisted of multiple sheets tied together. The Defendant then tied said rope from the roof and allowed it to hang on a portico.

"The Defendant slid down the rope, landing on the portico, and jumped from the portico to the ground. He then took off on foot."

A homicide, an arson, a kidnapping and a manhunt

Though Burham has not been charged in the homicide case in Jamestown, he is considered a suspect, according to court records.

In that case, a woman, Kala Hodgkin, 34, was found shot to death the morning of May 11 at a residence in the 100 block of William Street, according to a criminal complaint the FBI in Buffalo filed against Burham in the kidnapping case. The FBI in that case charged him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, which allowed the FBI to get involved in the search for Burham in South Carolina and elsewhere.

At the time Hodgkin was killed, Burham was facing a charge that he raped her, and the arrest warrant in that case was still active, according to the FBI. Also on May 11, according to the FBI, Burham's former girlfriend, identified as N.O. in the FBI's criminal complaint, reported to police that Burham that morning had tried to break into her house, on Fulton Street in Jamestown, and that he set her car on fire.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison on Thursday night, according to the Warren police. The Warren police released this photo on Friday.

The Jamestown police released multiple reports to the media following Hodgkin's death. "However, there were no reported sightings of Burham for several days," according to the FBI's complaint.

On May 20, according to the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police received a report that an elderly couple from Sheffield, near Warren, was missing, and that their Honda SUV was gone from their residence.

The couple was found unhurt in a cemetery in North Charleston, South Carolina, on May 21. The FBI said the couple identified Burham as their kidnapper, and said he had abducted them at gunpoint from their home in Sheffield.

With help from other law enforcement agencies, the FBI arrested Burham on May 24 northeast of New Charleston in Huger, South Carolina, in the Francis Marion National Forest. The authorities credited a resident of Berkeley County, South Carolina, of spotting Burham near his house and calling 911, the FBI said. The FBI said law enforcement agencies used K-9 dogs to track Burham, and he was arrested without incident.

Evidence against Burham includes note found in SUV

State police in Warren filed the kidnapping and related charges against Burham on May 20. After his arrest in South Carolina, he was extradited to New York and placed in a holding prison as he made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Buffalo, where he was wanted on the federal flight charge.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo dismissed that charge on June 14 in light of Burham's arrest, and Burham was then moved on June 19 to the Warren County Prison, 407 Market St.

The evidence against Burham in the kidnapping case includes a note the FBI said authorities discovered in the stolen SUV that was found in South Carolina. Burham appears to have written the note, according to the FBI's criminal complaint.

According to the complaint, the note reads, in part:

Hey Dad, I'm safe for Now, I just left the area.

Sorry for all the problems I caused the family. I quit drinking since May 10th

I'm not sorry for what I Did, however, I do feel Terrible about the children. I would like (redacted) and (illegible) to adopt (redacted).

Talk to you soon.

Love Mike.

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Police: Warren County Prison escapee used rope made of sheets
1 person dead as police continue to investigate 2 crime scenes within a half-mile in Boston

Police are investigating two crime scenes in Boston, including one where a person was shot to death late Thursday night, officials said.

Officers responding to a report of a shooting in the area of 5 Leyland Street in Dorchester shortly before midnight found a gunshot victim, according to the Boston Police Department.

The victim, whose name hasnt been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Homicide detectives were notified, but as of Friday morning, no arrests had been made in connection with the incident.

While detectives scoured the area for evidence, another set of officers rushed over to Dunmore Street, which is about a half mile away in Roxbury.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a white car behind a church with several bullet holes in the windshield. They were then flagged down by a victim near East Cottage Street, who reported being involved in an armed carjacking.

There were no injuries reported in the alleged carjacking.

Its not clear if these two incidents are connected.

Investigations remain ongoing at both scenes.

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
No criminal charges will be filed against a Flagler County Sheriffs Office sergeant who reportedly pressured a man into buying him a drink at Finns Beachside Pub in Flagler Beach.

Flagler County Sheriff Sgt. Michael F. Breckwoldt has been reassigned to administrative work and relieved of all law enforcement duties and authority, according to the sheriffs office which is conducting an internal affairs investigation into the incident.

Breckwoldt has been with FCSO for 20 years and earns $92,743.60 per year, according to the sheriffs office.

Flagler Beach Police Detective Rosanna Vinci investigated the incident and "with consideration of the totality of the circumstances, there will not be any criminal charges filed in conjunction with this case; which is hereby closed," police stated on Friday.

The incident began on the night of May 25 at Finns Beachside Pub at 101 N. Oceanshore Blvd.

That's where Breckwoldt, who was off-duty, approached a man who did not know him or know initially that he was with the sheriffs office.

Breckwoldt was described as impaired in the report.

"If you know who I am ... you would buy me a drink"

The man, whose name is redacted in the report and is identified only as L.R., was in the upper level of Finns standing at the bar when Breckwoldt put his back up to him and said Buy me a drink, the report stated.

The man initially refused but Breckwoldt continued, repeatedly tapping the man on the arm.

The man said said Breckwoldt bumped him again and told him: If you know who I am and know like I know, you would buy me a drink.

Victim said he bought drink because he was fearful

The man said a woman told him something wasnt right with Breckwoldt, who now got specific about his request. Buy me a Jameson drink, Breckwoldt said.

So, the man said he bought Breckwoldt a Jameson whiskey. The man said he did so because he was fearful.

The man then moved to another part of the bar and saw a friend. He asked the friend if he knew who Breckwoldt was and the friend told him he was a high-up law enforcement officer and to leave him alone.

The man subsequently returned to where Breckwoldt was and confronted him, according to his interview with Flagler Beach Police.

So, youre a police officer that likes to sit here and pry and put down on people like that? the man said he told Breckwoldt.

He said Breckwoldt responded, "So you found out who I am, so now you know.

Deputy disciplined: Flagler deputy disciplined for boating dispute; loud music and sprayed water

Man sentenced for shooting dog: Palm Coast man gets 18 months in prison for shooting dog, pup gets a new home

The man said he felt threatened at one point because Breckwoldt was reaching for something at his hip. The man said he was a convicted felon and does not own weapons, so he was defenseless.

The man said he believed that Breckwoldt profiled him because of his looks, assuming he was a drug dealer. The mans wife said that his being African-American was another reason he was targeted. The man was wearing a black T-shirt with the words home grown in purple and an image of a marijuana plant.

The bartender indicated he was cutting Breckwoldt off and staff escorted Breckwoldt out of Finns.

Finns security carmeras also recorded Breckwoldt as he talked to a woman identified as A. Perkins. Breckwoldt appears to touch Perkins on the upper right chest area with an open hand and she did not visibly react. Breckwoldt next places his right hand on the womans left shoulder and she pushes his hand off. Breckwoldt then reaches behind her head in an attempt to pull her closer. She pushes his hand off and away from her and is visibly uncomfortable, the report stated.

Breckwoldt next appears unsteady as he approaches some people sitting at a table. He touches a woman on the left shoulder and a man at the table said something to Breckwoldt who holds his hands up indicating he meant no harm, according to the security video.

Flagler Beach Police officers found Breckwoldt passed out about 1:16 a.m. on May 26 at North Second Street and North Oceanshore Boulevard, according to Flagler Beach Police.

L.R., who was also described as appearing to be under the influence of alcohol, walked out of Finn's and told police that he felt Breckwoldt was trying to use his status as a deputy to his advantage.

Police then gave Breckwoldt a ride home to Palm Coast.

The sheriffs office stated that Sheriff Rick Staly is deeply disappointed in the alleged behavior which, if proven, is not in keeping with the expectations expected of an FCSO employee.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Flagler sheriff's sergeant won't face charges for Finn's incident
As a Las Cruces Police Department Sergeant spun his police unit around, chunks of his windshield swirled around him. The officer, pursuing a man driving an SUV on Las Cruces East Mesa on June 21, had to duck almost immediately after bringing the SUV to a stop.

Bobby Charles Crawford, 47, fired a shot at the sergeant, destroying the windshield and leaving a bullet hole a few inches from his head. Police said Crawford then fired at two other officers before police returned fire.

Police provided those additional details on July 6 during a news conference. Officials also presented body camera footage from the officers, dispatch calls coordinating the pursuit, and answered questions from the media.

Interim Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department Jeremy Story speaks during a LCPD news conference about an officer involved shooting on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Las Cruces City Hall.

When we say narrowly missing (the sergeant), were talking about inches, said Jeremy Story, interim Chief of LCPD.

Story said the incident began near the 5000 block of Bataan Memorial, where three New Mexico State Police Officers in unmarked vehicles attempted to stop Crawford, who was driving a white SUV. The officers were likely part of a fugitive apprehension unit, Lt. Peter Bradley said in response to a question.

As they pursued Crawford, they told dispatchers they believed Crawford fired a round at them. That caused the NMSP officers to brake off, leading to LCPD entering the chase.

After finding Crawford on Porter Drive, LCPD officers pursued him until they arrived near Arroyo Road and Holman Road on the East Mesa. As Crawford drove east on Arroyo, LCPD officers used a PIT maneuver to disable Crawfords SUV.

Previous reporting: Las Cruces Police: Three officers shot at driver who fired first in East Mesa chase

But almost as soon as they did, body cameras show Crawford began shooting at two officers heads. The videos show officers ducking behind their vehicles, avoiding the gunfire, before returning fire. Crawford was hit three times, Bradley said.

Bradley also said they had not determined how many shots LCPD officers fired at Crawford. The videos shown by LCPD show at least a dozen rounds fired into Crawfords vehicle.

Crawford was detained after the shootout and flown to an El Paso hospital for treatment. Bradley confirmed that he was then booked into an El Paso jail and is awaiting extradition back to New Mexico.

He faces state charges, including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer, and three counts of aggravated fleeing from a law enforcement officer. Crawford was also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon and shooting at or from a motor vehicle.

Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: New details emerge in East Mesa shooting after police news conference
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed his confidence in Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, who has received flak over the "Love the Philippines" campaign video with footage of locations outside the country.

"Yes absolutely. No question," the president told reporters when asked if Frasco still enjoys his trust.

Marcos said he has been in contact with the tourism chief since the controversy broke, and that he believed Frasco has the situation under control.

"Nakita ko naman mabilis ang galaw niya [I saw that she acted fast], that she terminated the contracts that were in question. She has also since then put under review all of the other contracts that were in the pipeline," he said.

"What she has done so far inspires confidence that she will fix the problem and that the campaign of 'Love the Philippines' will be as successful as we hope for it to be," the president added.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it spent 49 million for the tourism campaign unveiled on June 27.

Advertising agency DDB Philippines apologized for using stock footage for the video, but said no public funds were used.

A lawmaker earlier said Congress will investigate the mess once it resumes session.

READ: DOT indicates it will stand by 'Love the Philippines' amid campaign fiasco
Pope taps US priest known for LGBTQ advocacy to join Vatican meeting on mission of Catholic church

Pope Francis has selected a Jesuit priest known for his LGBTQ advocacy to take part in a weeks-long gathering of bishops and laypeople later this year.

The Rev. James Martin was one of several high-profile U.S. clerical leaders to be appointed by Francis to participate in the synod of bishops, a closely watched and likely consequential meeting that will focus on issues regarding the mission of the Catholic church.

This years meeting will run from Oct. 4-29. A second session is scheduled for October 2024, after which Francis is expected to release a document considering all ideas proposed by delegates in a three-year-long process.

On Thursday, the Vatican published a list of all the bishops, priests, nuns and laypersons who were invited to participate in this years gathering.

The selection of Martin  the editor-at-large of the Jesuit magazine America, and a prominent advocate of LGBTQ inclusion  was seen as hopeful by New Ways Ministry, a U.S.-based organization that advocates for justice and equality for LGBTQ Catholics.

Father Martin, well-known for his LGBTQ+ ministry, is a clearly positive voice, Francis DeBernardo, the groups executive director, said in a statement shared with the Daily News.

However, the announcement was also a disappointment for some LGBTQ Catholics.

According to DeBernardo, five church leaders in the U.S. who have made negative statements on LGBTQ+ issues were also selected by the pope  including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York.

Additionally, since non-episcopal voices will be allowed to vote in the assembly for the first time this year, this would be a prime opportunity for openly LGBTQ+ people to express the joys and challenges of their faith with other leaders in the church.

But according to DeBernardo, no openly LGBTQ person is included in the list.

The Argentinian-born pope has shown a certain degree of openness toward LGBTQ Catholics compared with his predecessors. Nevertheless, in early 2021, Francis allowed the publication of a Vatican document declaring that the Catholic Church wouldnt bless same-sex unions because God cannot bless sin.
Mykhailo Podoliak, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, has said that the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine will reduce the combat capability and morale of the Russian soldiers.

Source: Reuters

Quote: "Undoubtedly, the transfer of additional volumes of shells to Ukraine is a very significant contribution to the acceleration of de-occupation procedures.

Especially if we are talking about cluster ammunition, which is undoubtedly capable of having an extraordinary psycho-emotional impact on already demoralised Russian occupation groups."

Details: According to Podoliak, the decrease in the combat capability and morale of Russian soldiers is "an important component that can be provided by this type of projectile".

At the same time, the adviser to the head of the Presidents Office emphasised that Ukraine needs more shells and ammunition. And he thanked the partners for "understanding the harsh realities of war".

Earlier:

According to media reports citing US officials, US President Joe Bidens administration is expected to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will include cluster munitions.

The Pentagon has not yet officially confirmed the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine, but noted that this issue is indeed being discussed.

The White House also said that the issue of cluster munitions is "actively being considered."

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Prigozhin went back to Russia to get the pistol gifted to him by the defense minister he tried to oust

A spread of guns and ammunition. Izvestia

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Russia less than 2 weeks after his mutiny, according to reports.

An independent Russian news outlet said Prigozhin retrieved his belongings that were seized by the government.

Among the weapons he reclaimed was an honorary pistol given to him by Russia's defense minister.

Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin is collecting his prized  and poached  possessions in Russia, less than two weeks after he staged a shocking uprising against Russia's defense ministry, according to media reports.

Prigozhin last month led thousands of Wagner troops-for-hire in an armed revolt against the Russian military in the most significant threat to Russian President Vladimir Putin's power in decades. After months of castigating Russian military leaders, including Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, Prigozhin set about trying to depose them.

After hours of marching, Prigozhin eventually turned his forces back saying he wanted to avoid bloodshed. The Kremlin ultimately agreed to drop criminal charges against the one-time Putin ally in exchange for his exile to neighboring Belarus.

But the specifics of that tenuous peace deal are even more unclear this week after Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said Thursday that Prigozhin was not in his country, directly contradicting his previous statements on the matter.

Lukashenko said days after the mutiny that Prigozhin had arrived in Belarus, but the dictatorial leader said this week that the Wagner leader was in his native city of St. Petersburg on Thursday. Prigozhin has not been seen in public since the uprising.

Independent Russian news outlet Fontanka reported that Prigozhin was back in St. Petersburg early this week and The Washington Post cited a businessman in the Russian city who said the same.

Reported St. Petersburg sightings of Prigozhin come as Russian pro-Kremlin media outlet Izvestia this week shared images it claimed to have obtained of Prigozhin's home during a raid conducted by Russian security forces. The images, which have not been independently verified by Insider, show a large collection of guns, a shelf of wigs, and piles of gold bars and cash.

According to The New York Times, Fontanka reported Prigozhin was in St. Petersburg earlier this week to collect the weapons that Russian authorities took from his house during the uprising. According to the outlet, Prigozhin arrived at the city's Federal Security Services building in a BMW in the middle of the night on Tuesday where he was given several automatic rifles and pistols that authorities took from his cottage home.

Among the treasures Prigozhin reportedly recovered was an honorary Glock pistol that had previously been given to him by Shoigu  the very defense official Prigozhin sought to oust  before the men's relationship soured.

"It's not the end of Prigozhin," the unnamed St. Petersburg businessman told The Post on Wednesday. "They returned all his money to him. More than this, today they even gave back to him his honorary pistol, the Glock, and another weapon. He came to take it himself."

An anonymous Pentagon official told The Times that Prigozhin had been between Moscow and St. Petersburg during most of the time since the revolt. It remains unclear if he ever even went to Belarus, the official said, because he has been known to use body doubles.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Prince William is the future king of Scotland but won't wear kilts when he visits  it's not a good look

Prince William attends the National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication for King Charles III and Queen Camilla in Edinburgh, Scotland on July 5, left, and King Charles III wears a kilt at Kinneil House in Edinburgh on July 3, right. Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty Images, ANDREW MILLIGAN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Prince William rarely wears a traditional Scottish kilt.

But as the future king of Scotland, it would mean a lot if he did.

The prince should follow King Charles' lead and wear a kilt before he is crowned.

William, Prince of Wales, appeared to break royal tradition by not wearing a kilt when visiting my home country, Scotland, earlier this week.

But as the future king, he should have.

William and Kate Middleton  who have the titles of the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay while in Scotland  were in the country's capital, Edinburgh, for Royal Week, an annual celebration of Scottish culture marked by visits across the country by the royal family.

Although King Charles III was crowned at his coronation ceremony in London on May 6, he wasn't officially recognized as Scotland's king until a coronation celebration at St Giles' Cathedral on July 5. On Wednesday, he was presented with the Honours of Scotland  the Scottish crown jewels  at an official ceremony attended by William and other members of the royal family.

William didn't wear a kilt in Scotland  and he hasn't in a long time

Charles is often photographed wearing a kilt, and he most recently wore one while visiting Kinneil House in Edinburgh on Monday. And the late Prince Philip was also pictured wearing kilts during his visits to Scotland.

Kilts originated in the Scottish Highlands in the 16th century, according to the famous kilt purveyor, Lochcarron of Scotland. The tartan, skirt-like garment is still popular to this day, with many Scottish men opting to wear a kilt to formal events. My dad wore a kilt to his wedding, and my partner recently wore one to his PhD graduation.

But unlike Charles, William hasn't been photographed wearing a kilt since he was a child, despite the fact that he went to university in Scotland, the Daily Mail reports.

Prince William graduated from St Andrews in 2005. Getty Images

William had the option to wear one at his graduation from the University of St. Andrews in 2005, but instead opted for a suit with a white bow tie, the publication added.

When Queen Elizabeth II was alive, it used to irritate me when people referred to her as "Queen of England." She was Queen of the United Kingdom, which Scotland is part of.

Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II attend the Braemar Highland Games on September 1, 1975, in Braemar, Scotland. Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

As William is expected to one day be king of Scotland, it would go a long way with Scottish people if he showed a respect and appreciation for our culture and traditions. And wearing a kilt would be a great start.

In my opinion, the prince should follow Charles' lead and wear one before he is crowned.

Representatives for Kensington Palace and Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Pro-Kremlin priest tries to attack Zelenskyys motorcade in Bulgaria  video

Unknown man waving a crucifix and shouting something about fascists

A pro-Kremlin priest tried to attack the motorcade of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his official visit to Bulgaria on July 6.

Footage of the incident was taken by an eyewitness and posted on social media.

The video shows the presidential motorcade passing along one of the streets of the capital city of Sofia, while an unknown man in a black robe tried to run out onto the roadway, waving a crucifix and shouting something about fascists.

Several law enforcement officers tried to quell the aggressive supporter of the so-called Russian World, pulling him away from the roadway as Zelesnkyys motorcade zipped past in heavy rain.

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
Leaders of the extremist street gang the Proud Boys were ordered to pay more than $1 million in damages to a historic Black church in Washington D.C. that they vandalized during a demonstration in December 2020. Meanwhile, a Jan. 6 defendant was arrested last week near the home of former president Barack Obama and accused of threatening to detonate explosives. And June saw a spike in arrests of Jan. 6 suspects, but scores more who have been identified to the FBI by volunteers remain free.

It's the week in extremism.

Members of the Proud Boys, including Joe Biggs of Ormond Beach, third from right, and other right-wing demonstrators march across the Steel Bridge on Aug. 17, 2019, in Portland, Oregon. Biggs had organized an "End Domestic Terrorism" rally there as an anti-Antifa rally.

Proud Boys ordered to pay $1 million

On Saturday, Washington, D.C., judge Neal Kravitz ordered leaders of the Proud Boys to pay more than $1 million in damages to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. The judgment resulted from a lawsuit filed against named and unnamed members of the extremist street gang by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, on behalf of the church.

Members of the Proud Boys tore down a Black Lives Matter banner from the church on Dec. 12, 2020, following a violent demonstration.

The judge issued a default judgment, since none of the defendants in the action appeared in court. Several are currently incarcerated, having been found guilty for their roles in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

The attack against Metropolitan A.M.E. was an attempt to silence the congregations voice and its support for Black life, dignity, and safety," said Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers Committee. "It represents just the latest chapter in a long history of white supremacist violence targeting Black houses of worship. These attacks are meant to intimidate and create fear, and this lawsuit's aim was to hold those who engage in such action accountable."

Former U.S. president Barack Obama waves to spectators before a discussion at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), in Athens, Greece, Thursday, June 22, 2023. Obama is visiting Athens to speak at the SNF Nostos Conference focused on how to strengthen democratic culture and the importance of investing in the next generation of leaders.

Jan 6 suspect arrested last week poses 'ongoing threat'

Taylor Taranto, a 37-year-old from Washington state, wanted on charges related to Jan. 6, was arrested last week in the upscale Washington, D.C., neighborhood that is home to former President Barack Obama and his family. In a new court filing this week, prosecutors claim Taranto is delusional and poses an ongoing threat to the public.

As my colleague Josh Meyer reported this week, prosecutors claim Taranto threatened to detonate explosives in the van he was apparently living in while parked at a federal building in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Taranto went to Obama's neighborhood after former President Donald Trump posted Obama's address on Truth Social, prosecutors said.

Insurrections loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. Paul Lovely, a former National Security Agency employee, has been sentenced to two weeks of imprisonment for storming the U.S. Capitol with associates described by authorities as fellow followers of a far-right extremist movement.

June sees a spike in Jan. 6 arrests

After months of relative quiet, June saw a sudden surge in the number of arrests of participants in the Jan. 6 insurrection. According to a USA TODAY analysis, 31 new arrests were made in June, more than were made in the preceding three months. See our full database of Jan. 6 arrests here.

As we reported in March, more than 100 suspects on the FBI's wanted list for Jan. 6 have already been identified to the FBI, but have not been arrested. The suspects were identified by volunteer online researchers.

The June arrests included Taranto and Hollywood actor Jay Johnston.

Stat of the week: 82 percent

That's how much of the online document written by Payton Gendron, who shot and killed 10 people in a Buffalo supermarket last April, was plagiarized from the writings of other racist mass killers, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in the Journal for Deradicalization last week. The study concludes that Grendron's writing was "profoundly informed by and copied from radical content online."

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Proud Boys fined; Jan. 6 suspect arrested near Obama house
PUBG Players Say They Fell Madly In Love Only To End Up In Jail

A handful of PUBG soldiers prepare to cross bullets on the battlefield.

Two PlayerUnknowns Battlegrounds (PUBG) players could face several years in prison for illegally crossing some South Asian borders to live together, according to a recent New York Times report.

Seema Ghulam Haider is a 27-year-old Pakistani Muslim with four children. She met Sachin Meena, a 22-year-old Hindu man, in the battle royale shooter PUBG in 2019. The battlefield-crossed lovers grew closer as they fought for the virtual win, eventually moving their conversations to Instagram, WhatsApp, and other social media apps in 2020, according to The New York Times. Haider was married at the time and living with her husband in Karachi, but he moved to Saudi Arabia for a joband never came back. This was the field where Haider and Meenas love for each other blossomed.

Read more

After about four years of being in a committed long-distance relationship, the pair met up for the first time this past March in Nepal. They stayed at a hotel for a week, and promised to reunite soon. After searching on YouTube for a way to slip through the porous border between Nepal and India, Haider and her four kids made the perilous journey. Things worked out fine for the PUBG lovers for roughly two months as they lived in secret in a town outside New Delhi. Haider even sold her home to fund the trip. But then they ran into Indian authorities, and things quickly went south.

As The New York Times reports, the family was arrested this week. Haider and her kids were charged with illegally entering India, while Meena and his dad were charged with conspiring to shelter an enemy. Haider is a Pakistani Muslim woman and Meena is a Hindu man, and the Indian government condemns all interfaith relationships between these two religions.

I dont want to go back, Haider told reporters as she was taken away by the police, according to The New York Times. I want to marry Sachin. I love him a lot. I left everything for him.

Meena similarly expressed his love for Haider. We just want the government to let us marry and build a family, he said.

Meena wasnt some playboy flush with cash. The New York Times reports that he worked a modest job at a corner store, making approximately $100 a month. That didnt matter to Haider, though, who wanted to be with Meena anyway.

She knew that he was not financially very strong, the head of the Rabupura, India police station Sudhir Kumar told The New York Times. She was not impressed by his work, but by his PUBG skills.

The couple faces a potential sentence of several years in prison, after which Haider and her kids will likely get deported. This whole thing is heartbreaking.





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Sign up for Kotaku's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Space propulsion company Pulsar Fusion has started construction on a large nuclear fusion chamber in England, as it races to become the first firm to fire a nuclear fusion-powered propulsion system in space.

Nuclear fusion propulsion tech, arguably a golden goose of the space industry, could reduce the travel time to Mars by half and cut the travel time to Titan, Saturn's moon, to two years instead of 10. It sounds like science fiction, but Pulsar CEO Richard Dinan told TechCrunch in a recent interview that fusion propulsion was inevitable.

Youve got to ask yourself, can humanity do fusion? he said. If we can't, then all of this is irrelevant. If we can -- and we can -- then fusion propulsion is totally inevitable. It's irresistible to the human evolution of space. This is happening, because the application is irresistible.

For much of its 11-year history, the Oxfordshire, U.K.-based company mainly focused on fusion research. More recently, Pulsar started developing products that could bring in revenue while that research continues: a Hall-effect electric thruster for spacecraft and a second-stage hybrid rocket engine. The company was also awarded funding from the U.K. Space Agency in 2022 to develop a nuclear-fission based propulsion system, alongside the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and Cambridge University.

But to Pulsar, the future of deep space travel lies firmly with fusion propulsion. Fusion for space propulsion is arguably much simpler than fusion for electricity generation here on Earth, in part because the conditions in space -- very cold, and a near-perfect vacuum -- are conducive to fusion reactions. The incredible energy density of those reactions would produce super-fast travel speeds, and require only a fraction of fuel compared to existing propulsive systems.

Even if such systems are very expensive, speed in space is fungible with money, Dinan said.

If I can save you X many days in space, I can charge you for that, he said.

One upside of this technology, even if it hasnt yet been demonstrated in a system, is that the underlying physics is well-understood: fusion works similarly to our sun, by confining an ultra-hot plasma inside an electromagnetic field. The difficulty, for scientists, has been stabilizing that plasma for any meaningful amount of time. Thats Pulsars next task: building an eight-meter fusion chamber to bring plasma to ultra-hot temperatures and create exhaust speeds fast enough for interstellar travel.

The difficulty is learning how to hold and confine the super-hot plasma within an electromagnetic field, Pulsar CFO James Lambert explained in a statement. The plasma behaves like a weather system in terms of being incredibly hard to predict using conventional techniques."

The company has already started construction on that reaction chamber in Bletchley, England. It's teamed up with New Jersey-based Princeton Satellite Systems to use supercomputer simulations to better understand how the plasma will behave under electromagnetic confinement. The pair will also model how plasma would behave exiting a rocket engine, and that data will help inform Pulsar's rocket engine design. The next step would be an in-orbit demonstration, where the company would attempt to fire a nuclear-fusion powered propulsion system in space for the first time.

If we're going to leave our solar system within a human lifetime, there is no other technology that we know of that can do that, Dinan said.
QAnons leader died in a dirt bike crash. Now his followers are pushing conspiracy that hes still alive

QAnons conspiracy theories are both bizarre and baseless: from the claim that Democrats are running a sex-trafficking ring through a pizza parlour, to the theory that Donald Trump is leading the fight against a cabal of paedophiles, and the story that JFK is returning from the dead more than 50 years after his assassination.

Now, the cults latest wild conspiracy centres around the death of its own leader.

Michael Protzman, the 60-year-old QAnon leader, died on 30 June after suffering multiple blunt force injuries in a dirt bike accident.

Protzman, who was known to his followers as Negative 48, was driving a dirt bike at the Meadow Valley Motocross track in Millville, Minnesota, when he crashed.

Around a week later he died from his injuries at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the clinic confirmed to VICE News.

Or did he?

In the week since his untimely passing, QAnon members have refused to accept the death of their leader and instead claim the whole tragedy is a hoax.

An admin on the Telegram channel used by members of the group  who Protzman managed to convince Mr Trump is in fact JFK Jr in disguise  said they would be removing all mention of their leaders death until they have absolute verification.

Another member was booted out of the Truth Social group for asking a question about Protzmans condition, Vice reported.

One follower, Shelly Mullinax, who fell out with the QAnon leader prior to his death offered another theory as to his demise  suggesting that only a part of him had been killed in the dirt bike accident.

She told Vice that the good part of Protzman, who she said was also JFK in disguise, had survived the accident while the evil part of him had been killed.

Michael Protzman (left) and someone holding the QAnon symbol (right) (Telegram/Getty)

If that was the plan that God had for him, I know that everything is going to be revealed soon, Mullinax told the outlet.

Among the theories put forward by QAnon in recent years, the claim that Protzmans death is a hoax is actually one of the less strange posturings.

Protzman shot to notoriety in November 2021 when he managed to convince QAnon followers that JFK and JFK Jr would return from the dead.

Hundreds of believers travelled to Dealey Plaza in Dallas  where JFK was assassinated in 1963  on his command to see their reappearance.

Unsurprisingly, JFK and JFK Jr were no shows.

Protzman then changed his story, telling supporters that Mr Trump was actually JFK Jr in disguise and that they would reinstate Trump as commander-in-chief and help him in carrying out the persecution of a global cabal of pedophilic, blood-drinking liberal elites that QAnon devotees believe run the world.

He also told members of the group that Mr Trump was communicating with him during a rally using a secret code that only he could understand.
Ramirez, Naylor homer on consecutive pitches in the Guardians' 6-1 win over the Royals

Cleveland Guardians' Jose Ramirez hits a home run against the Kansas City Royals dudring the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 6, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

CLEVELAND (AP)  For five innings, the Guardians managed just one paltry run. Jose Ramirez and Josh Naylor changed that with two swings.

Clevelands 3-4 hitters delivered a much needed 1-2 punch.

Ramirez and Naylor homered on consecutive pitches in the sixth inning as Cleveland moved closer to .500 with a 6-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday night.

Ramirez homered to left field and, Naylor, who missed the previous two games because of tendinitis in his right wrist, drove one over the wall in right against reliever Amir Garrett (0-1) to help the Guardians take the opener of a four-game series.

Cleveland is hardly known for its power, but manager Terry Francona was grateful for the sudden surge.

To that point, theres one run and all of a sudden you look up and we got a couple-run lead, he said. Well take em when we get em.

Since June 1, Ramirez and Naylor have combined for 80 hits, 11 homers and 45 RBIs  30% of the team's total runs.

Andres Gimenez also homered for Cleveland (43-44), which hasn't been at .500 since April 28, when the Guardians were 13-13.

In reality, having that number would be a reflection of what we want to do, just to have that continuity, thats what we do, Gimenez said through an interpreter. Obviously, that (.500) would be the goal, to go to the break with a positive record and that would be a good reflection of what were trying to do here.

Eli Morgan (4-1) worked a scoreless inning before Enyel De Los Santos, Trevor Stephan and Nick Sandlin completed the six-hitter.

Light rain pushed the scheduled start back 81 minutes to 8:31 p.m.

After losing two of three to the powerful Atlanta Braves, the Guardians had to feel good about their chances against the Royals, who came in with the AL's worst record and were shut out for the 10th time Wednesday.

But Kansas City starter Jordan Lyles, who came in with 11 losses, held Cleveland to just one run in the first five innings.

Ramirez changed that, sending a 3-2 pitch from Garrett over the fence for his 14th homer. A fan reached over the railing to snag it with his glove, and the umpires reviewed the play to make sure the homer was legal.

Naylor left no doubt about his, smashing Garrett's next pitch into the right-field seats for his 11th homer.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro, who coached in Cleveland, knows all about Ramirez's power.

Jose Ramirez is a good hitter, he said. Naylor is a good hitter. It wasn't anything that Amir did wrong.

The Guardians tacked on two more runs in the inning, the second when rookie Bo Naylor snapped an 0-for-19 drought with an RBI double.

Gimenez, who matched a career-high with three steals, led off the second with his eighth homer, a towering shot into the right-field seats, to tie it 1-1.

Following the rain delay, the Royals, blanked by Minnesota on Wednesday, took a 1-0 lead in their first at-bat off rookie Tanner Bibee when Bobby Witt Jr. singled, stole second and scored on Nick Pratto's one-out hit.

Bibee wasn't sharp but hung around for five innings by working out of three jams. He was helped in the fourth by center fielder Myles Straw, who sprinted in to make a sliding catch with two on for the final out.

MINOR MOVE

Adding some pitching depth, the Guardians acquired right-hander Chris Vallimont from the Baltimore Orioles for cash. He was optioned to Triple-A Columbus.

Vallimont made his MLB debut Monday and was designated for assignment afterward.

To make a roster spot, the Guardians transferred injured starter Triston McKenzie (sprained elbow) to the 60-day injured list. He's not expected to pick up a ball for two more weeks.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Royals: RHP Zack Greinke (shoulder strain) got a favorable examination and diagnosis from doctors after being placed on the injured list. Manager Matt Quatraro said Greinke has a mild strain" and the team is hoping the 39-year-old will return to the rotation after the All-Star break. Greinke, who has 224 career wins, felt pain in his shoulder during Tuesdays loss to Minnesota.

Guardians: RHP Cal Quantrill (shoulder inflammation) is back on the injured list after two rough outings. Quantrill gave up a career-high 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings against Atlanta on Wednesday night. He won't be shut down and will continue to play catch while being monitored.

UP NEXT

Royals RHP Daniel Lynch (2-3, 4.14 ERA) snapped a 14-start home skid with a win last week. He'll face Guardians RHP Aaron Civale (2-2, 2.96), who held the Cubs to three hits over six innings in his last start.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are expected to visit each other's country this year, according to Japanese Ambassador Kazuhiko Koshikawa.

"It is expected that by the end of this year, Prime Minister Kishida will visit the Philippines to forge even closer ties and lasting partnerships," the envoy said during the celebration of the 69th founding anniversary of the Japan Self-Defense Forces on Friday.

"We are also looking forward to President Marcos Jr.s participation in the upcoming celebration of the 50th Anniversary of ASEAN-Japan Friendship in Tokyo in December," he added.

Marcos and Kishida last met in February in Tokyo, where they agreed to bolster Philippine-Japan ties and ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to the Japanese ambassador, the partnership between the two countries has "tremendously flourished, especially in the area of defense and security" since Marcos took office last year.

"With the swiftly changing tides in the global environment, the defense and security cooperation between Japan and the Philippines is becoming all the more significant. We are directing all our focus in generating concrete measures that would further deepen our defense partnership," Koshikawa said.

The Philippines and Japan are also strengthening their tripartite alliance with the United States, particularly in maritime cooperation, with the three countries' coast guards conducting their first joint trilateral exercise last month.
Rapidly retreating Arctic glaciers are triggering the release of ancient methane. Here's why scientists are worried.

Scientists have discovered springs left behind by melting glaciers that are so full of methane they can be set on fire. They are concerned about how this could impact the climate crisis. Gabrielle Kleber

Groundwater springs belching methane have appeared close to Svalbard's retreating glaciers.

Scientists think the glaciers acted as plugs to contain methane reserves.

The springs could add the potent greenhouse gas to the atmosphere, exacerbating the climate crisis.

Hundreds of groundwater springs have appeared in the Arctic, and scientists are worried they are belching vast amounts of ancient methane into the atmosphere.

The springs were exposed by retreating glaciers in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

Researchers at the University of Cambridge believe the methane is millions of years old, seeping out from a large reserve of underground gas.

This suggests a lot of greenhouse gas could still be released into the atmosphere  something that hasn't been accounted for in existing climate models.

The methane seems to come from ancient rock

A video from the team shows methane bubbling through the groundwater as it pierces the ice in Svalbard. Gabrielle Kleber

This isn't the first time scientists have found water spewing methane. In fact, there are lakes in Alaska you can set on fire. These are called thermokarsts and they appear when permafrost thaws.

In the case of thermokarsts, however, the methane comes from microbes that grow in the meltwater. Scientists think the methane in the Svalbard springs comes from somewhere else.

Researchers retrieved water from 123 springs in Svalbard between 2021 and 2022. In 122 of these, they found superconcentrated methane.

Their analysis suggests this methane comes from reserves of gas spawning from shale rock underlying the glaciers. The findings were published in Nature Geoscience on Thursday.

"We have identified this previously unknown methane source up here in the Arctic," Gabrielle Kleber, an Earth scientist at the University of Cambridge and lead author on the study, told Insider.

There's so much gas in the springs, the scientists were able to set them on fire just with a match:

"It's shocking, it's scary," said Kleber.

"We drill into these icings and sometimes we just immediately get a lot of pressurized gas blowing out, very loud, it's a bit ominous," she said.

A lot of methane could seep out if the Arctic continues to melt

Andy Hodson, principal investigator of this study watches as water springs from the ice. Gabrielle Kleber

The glaciers had been acting as plugs to trap the methane in ancient rock,. As their weight lifted from the bedrock, methane trapped deep in the ground made its way to the surface.

"We have a very large reservoir of organic carbon that actually is double the size of the current amount of carbon in the atmosphere trapped beneath glaciers and permafrost in the Arctic," said Kleber.

"If these groundwater springs are tapping into that reservoir, they kind of have an infinite supply of methane behind them. If they can grow in number, grow in size, they can just keep supplying more and more methane to the atmosphere," said Kleber.

The researchers estimate springs across the archipelago alone could represent about 2,000 tonnes of methane emissions a year.

As of today, that's a drop in the bucket of global emissions. The global agriculture industry alone released about 141 megatonnes of methane in 2021, according to the International Energy Agency.

The problem is Svalbard may only be the canary in the coal mine.

"There are large regions in the Arctic that we suspect are seeing the same phenomenon. So if we extrapolate or expand this across the Arctic, the emissions could be considerable," said Kleber.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas and contributes to a feedback loop

A researcher inside a glacial cave in Svalbard, Norway. Gabrielle Kleber

Methane emissions have been a hot-button issue in the fight against the climate crisis. That's because methane is a greenhouse gas, meaning it keeps heat radiating from the ground trapped in the atmosphere instead of letting the Earth cool down.

It doesn't get stuck in the atmosphere as long as carbon dioxide (CO2). But even if it doesn't accumulate for as long, it can cause a lot of damage because it's about 30 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2.

"Reducing methane emissions is an important tool we can use right now to lessen the impacts of climate change in the near term, and rapidly reduce the rate of warming," Rick Spinrad, the head of NOAA, previously said.

A glacier cave formed by meltwater coursing through a glacier in Svalbard, Norway. Scientists have found springs full of methane bubbling near retreating glaciers in Svalbard. Gabrielle Kleber

If confirmed, this could change climate models

It's difficult to know how bad this problem could be because the research is very new.

Climate models are struggling to keep up with the rate of melting of the Arctic, which is surpassing most predictions. Kleber suspects these methane emissions are only one of several "invisible feedback loops that we're just not aware of."

"This feedback loop of melting glaciers, releasing methane could very likely be a contributor to that discrepancy in our, our large uncertainty in methane emissions, particularly in the Arctic," said Kleber

More research is needed to confirm the origin of the methane and understand the scale of the problem across the Arctic, she said,

"Ultimately we need to be addressing our anthropogenic emissions so that we can prevent these kinds of emissions from growing any further to the point where they are a global impact to our methane budget or our methane emissions," said Kleber.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Raul Garcia steps out of gubernatorial race to make way for former U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dr. Raul Garcia announced Friday that he would end his bid for the position in an act of solidarity to instead make way for fellow Republican Dave Reichert, who formally announced his bid for governor that day.

Reichert, 72, filed campaign paperwork to run as a Republican in the 2024 governors race June 30, but made his announcement official Friday with a video posted online. Prior to being elected to Congress in 2004, Reichert served in the Air Force Reserves and served two terms as Sheriff in King County. The Associated Press reported that Reichert was the first detective assigned to nab the Green River Killer who was ultimately arrested and convicted in 2003.

In the video, Reichert said that he was running for governor to protect the vulnerable, to help small businesses and to keep people safe.

I have spent an entire lifetime devoted to those three things and I know I can make a difference. From Day One, Reichert said. I believe government should be open and responsive, not pitting one region against another, one generation against another, one family against another.

Reichert went on to served seven terms in the U.S. House after first defeating Democrat Dave Ross, a KIRO talk show host, in 2004.

Garcia changes course

Meanwhile, Garcia will instead run for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell. Cantwell was first elected to the position in 2000.

We want to unite the party and support each other, Garcia said in a press release Friday. Instead of fighting each other, we can work together and build a strong top of the ticket determined to bring solutions for Washington.

Garcia, a Yakima emergency room physician, said in the statement that Reichert has already endorsed him for Senate. In turn, Garcia has endorsed Reichert.

Garcia was born in Cuba and emigrated to the U.S. when he was 11 years old, according to the news release from his campaign. He is currently the medical director of Toppenish Hospital, south of Yakima.

To promote vaccination in the Latino community, Garcia founded the Partnership for Food Security in 2020.

Im not a politician, Im going to be a present Senator for Washington, continued Garcia in the news release. I bring my background as a scientist and a doctor to resolve the root of the problem instead of just putting Bandaids on things. I will be a present U.S. Senator who truly listens and will bring solutions instead of politics to the office. Together we can bring health, effective leadership, and unity to Washington.

What about Semi Bird?

Garcias decision is putting heat on Republican gubernatorial candidate Semi Bird of the Tri-Cities. Bird is a behavioral scientist and decorated retired U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret with 24 years military service.

Bird characterizes himself as an anti-establishment constitutional Christian conservative, but the only public office hes held has been the last 19 months on the Richland School Board.

But he could be kicked out early from that seat. On Aug. 1, voters in the Richland School District will decide whether or not Bird and two of his peers should be removed from office over a vote they took in February 2022 to go against Washingtons indoor mask mandate.

Bird is currently the financial front runner among Republicans, having netted roughly $116,000 in contributions over the last seven months by crisscrossing the state to speak at holiday gatherings, campaign events and Lincoln Day dinners.

Bird chairs the Benton County Republican Party, which met Thursday night and voted to officially endorse him for governor. Benton County is the fifth county so far to back him.

He intends to stay in the race.

Semi Birds candidacy signifies a departure from the status quo and a rejection of traditional politics, said Corey Gibson, Birds campaign communications director, in a statement. His unwavering commitment to the peoples concerns and his refusal to be beholden to establishment figures resonates deeply with Washingtonians yearning for authentic representation.

After news broke June 30 that Reichert had filed his paperwork, Birds campaign published a post on Facebook with an image urging candidates to unite behind him.

The Democratic race

Gov. Jay Inslee announced in April that he would not seek a fourth term as governor.

Since then, prominent Democrats such as Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Sen. Mark Mullet, D-Issaquah, and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz have announced that they will run.

As a congressman, Dave Reichert voted in line with Trump 92.5 percent of the time. I dont think that kind of right-wing record is what Washington voters are looking for, Franz said in a news release Friday after Reicherts announcement. More so, Dave Reichert has repeatedly taken extremist anti-choice positions throughout his long career in politics, including voting to criminalize abortion.

As the only woman running for governor of either party, I am the only candidate who intimately and personally understands this issue.

A Republican hasnt been elected governor in nearly 40 years.

Tri-Cities Herald reporter Eric Rosane contributed to this report.
Rebecca Romijn on her transgender Ugly Betty character: I really wanted to do that character justice

Rebecca Romijn is reflecting on playing a transgender woman on the Emmy-winning dramedy Ugly Betty.

In 2007, the beloved series premiered on ABC and quickly gained a strong following as viewers watched America Ferrera transform into Betty Suarez, a quirky college grad who struggled to fit in at an esteemed fashion magazine. While Bettys story was at the center of the show, Ugly Betty also introduced another character who was learning to embrace their identity: Romijns Alexis Meade.

The model-turned-actor joined the show halfway through Season One as the transgender sister of Daniel Meade (Eric Mabius). Alexis had faked her death before resurfacing and announcing to the world she underwent gender confirmation surgery.

America Ferrera as Betty, Eric Mabius as Daniel, Judith Light Claire, and Rebecca Romijn as Alexis in

Romijn, 50, revealed how she landed the role in an interview with The Independent published on July 5.

The executives at the time didnt love the idea of the character, she recalled. There was a real boys club running the show behind the scenes at that point. So to try and make it palatable to the boys club... they pitched me.

She added, And I jumped at the chance.

At the time, the supermodel had a somewhat budding acting career and was mostly known for portraying Mystique in the early 2000s X-Men films.

But that was not the only reason Romijn was interested in tackling the part.

I really wanted to do that character justice  and make her as hot as possible, Romijn shared.

Although she pointed out that it isnt likely a cisgender woman would be asked to play a transgender woman in 2023, she said having the representation was significant.

Romijn explained, I never would be cast in that role today, but I do feel like it helped open doors for the trans community. Id like to think that, anyway. I dont want to pat myself on the back too much.

With plenty of shows from that period like Will & Grace, Charmed, and Arrested Development, being rebooted and revived, could Ugly Betty join the list?

If it does, Romijn is unsure how she would be involved. I do think Alexis should be cast with a trans actress, she told the British publication when speaking about a possible reboot or revival. That would be the correct thing to do.

Romijn, who currently stars on Paramount+s Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, was a main cast member on Ugly Betty for two seasons before she was demoted to a recurring character and eventually written off in Season Three.

Before TV Guide officially confirmed the news that Alexis would not be featured as much in the third season, Romijn alluded to issues behind the scenes with the shows creative team about her characters storyline.

They made a tremendous amount of changes, especially with the writing staff, she told the New York Post in 2008. And while I know Ill be coming back next season, with all the changes, Im not sure they can take care of my character the way they have been.

She continued, So Ill be leaving, back in a recurring capacity, but time for me to leave and find something else.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Photo Illustration by Erin OFlynn/The Daily Beast/Paramount+

Things are coming down to the wire on RuPauls Drag Race All Stars 8, which means that the workroom is becoming more spacious, and the producers are looking for ways to fill an entire hour of television. On Drag Race, that typically means a dreaded makeover challenge, where the remaining cast of queens will have to drag up a set of random people with a defining shared trait, roped in from some bar somewhere in the San Fernando Valley. Not literally, of course, but judging by how haphazardly these groups of makeover participants are picked, it does feel as though a producer stumbled into some watering hole and asked, Who wants $1,000 and a free lunch?

This seasons makeover subjects aredrumroll pleaselesbians. To which you might ask, Lesbians? Yes, just good old-fashioned lesbians. Hell, theyve done army vets; theyve dragged up underappreciated school teachers; theyve even touched up the cast of Little Women LA. All thats left is lesbians!

Explaining their choice, host RuPaul said, From the early days of the gay liberation movement, to the AIDS crisis, to today, our queer sisters have always shown up when the LGBTQ community needed them the most. Thats very true, but it was a statement that left me scratching my head. Ru makes it sound as if the lesbians were showing up at these moments in queer history just to support the Gs, but the Ls in LGBTQ were just as impacted at those times, too. Ru did, however, mention that lesbians often remain the silent heroes supporting their entire community, so this week was the shows tribute to those champions.

Makeover episodes used to present a more formidable challenge. Contestants had to doll up a participant who was completely unfamiliar with the art of drag, and didnt know where to begin helping the queens they were paired with. Now, everyone who walks onto the set of Drag Race knows exactly what theyre getting into, which is both an advantage to the queens, and a slight disadvantage to the show. These makeovers are less of a challenge of finding the right comfort level, and more about perfecting a drag family resemblance when all is said, done, padded, and beaten with a makeup brush.

RuPaul Stages a Shocking Intervention on Drag Race All Stars

That said, the makeovers function better when the contestants performing them feel safer. In Drag Race Season 6, the queens had to makeover straight men who were on the show at the behest of their spouses and girlfriends, leaving both the queens and the straight men uncomfortable. With the lesbians present, none of the remaining queens have to spend their time gauging their level of safety, which is a nice function of these later-season makeover challenges. Yet, they still only present a few kernels of interesting conversation.

This week, that came from the queensall gay menchatting with their lesbian family about the complicated subject of reclaiming certain slurs. One of the lesbians, Amanda, told contestant Jimbo that she refers to herself as a sissy dyke, prompting fellow contestant Jessica Wild to ask about their relationships to the word.

For me, dyke is a reclamation of a word that was used to hurt us, but it really means being powerful in your queer, woman-loving self, another one of the lesbians being made over, Angie, said.

Theres an added political connotation, Amanda chimed in. Dyke is just an encapsulation of my politics, just like queer. The third lesbian in the room, Lisa, mentioned that it took much longer for her to become okay with using the word. It was a term that was used against me when I was bullied. But recently, me and my motorcycle friends, we did the Queers on Gears/Dykes on Bikes, so it was really nice to reclaim the word with a bunch of other queer women.

Then, Amanda posed an interesting question, which remains a hot-button issue within queer circles (and in the Drag Race fandom itself): Do you guys think that lesbians can say fag and that gay guys can say dyke, or that it should only be kept within those groups to say? Kandy Muse mentioned that her own mother is a butch lesbian, whom she refers to as a dyke, but also completely understands why lesbians would not want a gay man to say it. The gay experience and the lesbian experiencethough intrinsically linked by queernessare inherently different. Jimbo agreed with Kandy, adding, I think its about intention, does it intend to hurt me, does it intend to be funny?

Theres one thing thats for sure: If youre reading this, and youre not a part of either of these communities, you shouldnt be saying it all! But even if youre not allowed to say it, you can still learn something from it. Thats the beauty of Drag Race amassing such a large straight audience.

These types of conversations are much more interesting than the ones that were afforded to us on previous makeover challenges. We used to have to watch queens beat the face of a stranger while answering the same old questions about their history with drag and how much their families do or do not accept them. It got tiring! Like so many aspects of Drag Race over the years, the makeover challenge needed a makeover itself. The makeovers might be on their last legs, but there is still some value left in the discussions that they generateeven if RuPaul probably did just spin a big wheel that landed on Lesbians.

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Red, White & Royal Blue official trailer released  heres everything to know about the upcoming romance

What would happen if the first son of the United States fell in love with a British prince?

Prime Video's upcoming movie "Red, White, & Royal Blue" chronicles exactly that  and based on the first official trailer for the film, it looks like a hilarious, romantic romp bordering on international scandal.

Based on the TikTok-beloved bestselling book by Casey McQuiston, the film centers on Alex, the son of the U.S. President, and Henry, a prince in England. After initially maintaining an icy relationship, often pitted against other as rival leading men for tabloid fodder, the two are forced to fake a friendship, eventually leading to real feelings.

Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry in Prime Videos Red, White & Royal Blue. (Jonathan Prime / Prime Video)

"They're not beating the rivals-to-lovers allegations," an official Twitter account for the upcoming film, premiering Aug. 11, captioned the trailer.

Here's everything we know about the film:

Sparks fly in the official Red, White & Royal Blue trailer

Prime Video released the official trailer for "Red, White & Royal Blue" on July 6.

The video promises a close alignment to the plot of the original 2019 book, starting with the "international incident" that changes everything for Alex and Henry.

In the clip, Alex attends a royal wedding in England and receives a brush off from Henry. The two later get into a scuffle and wind up on the floor, covered in the remains of a tiered buttercream confection.

"You've done some pretty stupid things in your day, but this ," Alex's mom, President Ellen Claremont, says in the trailer.

"Takes the cake?" Alex suggests.

For damage control, the White House and the palace release a joint statement, claiming the two are good friends. While their first few events together kick off a rocky relationship  "My NDA is bigger than yours," Alex threatens while smiling for the camera  their friendship turns genuine.

But their relationship takes a turn though when Henry attends Alex's New Year's Eve party. Henry steals away outside and, after Alex follows, asks him, "Do you ever wonder who you'd be if you were an anonymous person in the world?"

After Alex reacts with confusion, Henry whips around, muttering, "You're as thick as it gets" before kissing him.

The rest of the trailer, set to Lil Nas X's "That's What I Want," hints at an adorable but secret relationship between the two. Their clandestine hookups, which earned the film an R rating, continue until one of the president's top staff members, Zahra, catches them.

"We are in a hotel crawling with reporters, if anyone sees you leave this hotel, I will Brexit your head from your body," she threatens Henry.

The trailer takes an emotional turn as they figure out how much they are willing to risk to be together as the threat of an international sex scandal looms over them.

"When matters of the heart become matters of state," the trailer reads.

Soon, they start to fall in love. But can their relationship survive their duty to their countries?

The plot of the book

After "Red, White & Royal Blue" came out in May 2019, it became a fan-favorite romance read on BookTok for both its LGBTQ representation and the butterflies Alex and Henrys love story gave readers.

The trailer promises a pretty faithful adaptation of the BookTok staple read.

"You better act like the sun shines out of his ass and you have a Vitamin D deficiency," Zahra, played by Sarah Shahi, threatens in the trailer, a riff on a direct quote from McQuiston's book.

Fans of the book may also immediately recognize the infamous cake scene, their New Years Eve kiss, constant texts and of course, the steamy sex scenes from the trailer.

The "Red, White & Royal Blue" twitter account even reshared a thread comparing scenes from the book to the scenes featured in the preview, identifying more than 20 direct references to the novel.

Guide to the cast

The casting announcement for the two leads for "Red, White & Royal Blue" came out in June last year. Taylor Zakhar Perez stars as Alex and Nicholas Galitzine plays Henry. Uma Thurman and Sarah Shahi also play supporting roles.

Here's what else there is to know about the cast:

Taylor Zakhar Perez

Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry in Prime Videos Red, White & Royal Blue. (Jonathan Prime / Prime Video)

Zakhar Perez, 31, plays Alex Claremont-Diaz, the 21-year-old son of the United States' first woman president, Ellen Claremont, and Senator Oscar Diaz.

Zakhar Perez also starred as Marco in The Kissing Booth 2 and The Kissing Booth 3, a young adult book-to-screen adaptation on Netflix.

In the book, Alex is a brazen undergraduate student at Georgetown University with aspirations to be one of the youngest members elected to Congress. He is sarcastic, outspoken and dreams of turning his home state of Texas blue.

Nicholas Galitzine

Nicholas Galitzine stars as the shy and sheltered Prince Henry. Before he meets Alex, Henry maintains a close inner circle, which primarily includes his best friend, Percy Okonjo, played by Malcolm Atobrah, and his sister, Princess Bea, played by Ellie Bamber.

Ellie Bamber as Princess Bea and Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry in Prime Videos Red, White & Royal Blue. (Jonathan Prime / Prime Video)

It isn't Galitzine's first time playing a royal.

Galitzine, 28, notably acted opposite Camila Cabello in Prime Video's adaptation of "Cinderella" as Prince Robert.

Galitzine also starred in "Purple Hearts," a Netflix movie about a Marine who marries a liberal musician named Cassie, played by Sofia Carson, so she can get health insurance.

Galitzine jumped from filming "Purple Hearts" to New Orleans for the upcoming 2023 comedy "Bottoms," starring Rachel Sennott and Ayo Edebiri, then to London for "Red, White & Royal Blue," a role he called "extremely gratifying."

For the first time in my career, it was a very interesting thing of having to sort of juggle a few characters because obviously youre doing prep for these other movies while youre shooting something else, Galitzine told TODAY in September 2022. So you kind of have this weird juggling act of personalities in your head.

"Red, White & Royal Blue" also marked a step outside of his comfort zone, he said.

Youre a lot closer to the script than you are on a comedy, where its so loose and improvised, Galitzine said.

Uma Thurman

Uma Thurman stars as Ellen and plays double duty in "Red, White & Royal Blue" as Alex's mom as well as the first woman president of the U.S.

In the book, Ellen is finishing up her first term and starting the campaign trail for reelection. Originally from Texas, Thurman acts with a heavy Southern drawl and is both exasperated and charmed by her son.

Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz and Uma Thurman as President Ellen Claremont in in Prime Videos Red, White & Royal Blue. (Jonathan Prime / Prime Video)

Ellen has to consider the optics of her position, warning Alex at one point in the trailer, "hopefully we'll get through tonight without any more scandals." But once she learns of the depths of her son's feelings for Henry, she transitions into mom mode, hugging her son and advising him, "You need to figure out if you feel forever about him."

Thurman, known for her starring roles in the Quentin Tarantino films "Kill Bill" and "Pulp Fiction" has three children herself: "Stranger Things" actor Maya Hawke, 24, Levon Hawke, 21, and 10-year-old daughter Luna.

Sarah Shahi

Sarah Shahi stars as Zahra Bankston, President Claremont's trusted deputy chief of staff.

Sarah Shahi as Zahra Bankston in Prime Videos Red, White & Royal Blue. (Jonathan Prime / Prime Video)

Zahra, a no-nonsense professional, often finds herself the unofficial wrangler of Alex and his group of friends, including Nora Holleran, played by Rachel Hilson. Nora is the granddaughter of President Claremonts vice president.

Nicholas Galitzine as Prince Henry, Malcolm Atobrah as Percy Okonjo, Rachel Hilson as Nora Holleran, and Taylor Zakhar Perez as Alex Claremont-Diaz in Prime Videos Red, White & Royal Blue. (Jonathan Prime / Prime Video)

Shahi notably starred in Netflixs Sex/Life, which was canceled after Season Two.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
David Gaydos thought he had already learned a lot about loss.

The retired Naperville Central High School teacher had been through much grief: the loss of his parents, multiple miscarriages with his wife, Frances, and her death in 2019 of ovarian cancer after 53 years of marriage.

But this spring, Gaydos lost the lower half of his left leg and left foot. And he said it taught him more than he realized. At 78, he is relearning kindness and gratitude.

Gaydos arrived at Northwestern Medicines Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital in Wheaton, Illinois, this spring after an infection led to the amputation. Hed had diabetes issues that led to infections and hospital stays and another series of, Can we save the foot? as he put it. And it didnt work.

He knew amputation was a possibility. He had been given options, he said, but following surgeries where the infection came back, another possibly failed surgery wasnt right for him.

He looked at losing the limb as saving his life. And now, he sees its absence as growth.

On May 22, he participated in a ceremony at Marianjoy called Ritual for Loss of the Limb. Created after the spiritual care team realized a need for acknowledging and processing the loss of a limb, its offered to patients as a way to grieve what was lost and enter into the new life awaiting them outside the rehabilitation centers doors.

Most such patients have just begun rehabilitation therapy; they are adjusting to a new life without the full mobility they had recently lost. People arrive here after car accidents, after surgeries following illnesses, after many life experiences that suddenly left them with a starkly different future.

The ceremony takes place in the chapel, but it can be religious or not, depending on a patients preference. A lit candle, for example, can signify the presence of God or the presence of light within dark moments, said Dr. Arnold Hoskins, a reverend at Marianjoy.

Hoskins said the ceremony can help sooth anxiety and build confidence.

The loss of a limb, in my view, is tantamount to the loss of a life because, after all, you have lost something, he said. And just as we have rituals for when people die, we have funerals, we have memorials, and it helps the mourner transition into a new life.

Marianjoy has been doing the rituals for many years but had paused them during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rituals were restarted in February and the center is averaging about three ceremonies per month.

At the May 22 ceremony, Gaydos said he had always taken a lot of pride in doing things for himself, not needing help.

This experience, he said, changed that.

Neighbors had brought him food. His son helped him make the decision about his amputation. He has been humbled and honored by the people in his life showing such kindness.

He found out about the ceremony when one of the Marianjoy chaplains came in to his hospital room to talk to him about what was going on his life, and how he ended up at the facility. He described becoming a widower. Ive been in a grieving process, but Im adjusting to that, he said. I started to draw parallels to my whole body situation and separation. And I started talking to the chaplain about a movement that was taking place in me.

He began to reflect on his Catholic upbringing, engaging in prayer and sharing stories with another amputee.

I didnt have grief for the loss of my foot, he said. (The amputation) brought me to an understanding of things being taken away  and what people do for you and what youre capable of.

At a February ceremony, patients were encouraged to give thanks for how their limbs carried them through life thus far, while thinking also about new life and new goals. Each person received a piece of a prickly aloe plant, while Marianjoy chaplain Catherine Lindsay told them, Just as this aloe plant, though wounded, still provides a healing balm, may God grant you healing as a resource for yourself and others to show kindness and to do good.

During his ceremony, Gaydos spoke about how he had been resistant to kindness because of his pride, and what he describes as a false sense of masculinity, or an idea that being a man is standing on your own two feet.

Sometimes you just have to understand you cant stand; some people can stand on two feet and cant stand emotionally because of what takes place in their lives, he said. I have spent my whole life resistant to it in an odd sense of stubbornness.

Losing a limb is a different type of challenge from other patients who arrive at Marianjoy after a stroke or recovering from COVID-19, said Dr. Noelia Donamaria, who leads the amputee program at Marianjoy.

I think the more were able to normalize the experience ... yes, this is something that happened, something thats unfortunate, but its something you can get through, she said. Patients who are able to accept it and grieve it and overcome it tend to do a lot better.  Its just a bump in the road; it doesnt need to define your whole life moving forward.

After arriving at Marianjoy in April and finishing a month of rehab, Gaydos was ready to go home in May following dialysis and a wheelchair fitting  to start his new life, less able to stand, but more willing to open his arms.
[Source]

Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of the fatal crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, an accident that killed three people and left almost 50 passengers seriously injured on July 6, 2013.

What happened: Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 flight 214 was meant to arrive at San Francisco International Airport from Seoul when the plane hit a seawall while landing at the airport, causing it to crash, spin out of control and later catch on fire.

Of the plane's 291 passengers, 49 were seriously injured. Meanwhile, three teenaged Chinese passengers died.

About the deaths: According to reports, one of the teenagers was killed after the planes tail broke off due to the crash. Another teenager died around a week after the incident at the hospital.

More from NextShark: 57% of Asian Americans Feel Unsafe in Public, Poll Shows

Meanwhile, the third teenager, identified as 16-year-old Ye Meng Yuan, was found dead on the ground after she was reportedly thrown from the back of the plane. Details about her death were up for contention between city officials and the San Mateo County Coroners Office.

City officials noted in their report that Ye was already dead when she landed on the ground, but an examination conducted by the San Mateo County Coroners Office suggested that she died after being run over twice by responding rescue trucks.

More from NextShark: Nebraska Mayor Sparks Outrage After Mocking Korean Name on Facebook

The first in history: Although the Boeing 777 had already been involved in a couple of accidents in the past, the July 2013 accident marked the plane's first-ever recorded fatal incident since it was rolled out in 1994.

Defending the pilots: In 2014, Boeing's chief engineer for air-safety investigations, Michelle Bernson, noted in a statement that the fatal crash occurred because of the flight crew's failure to monitor and control airspeed, thrust level and glide path on short final approach." An investigator also claimed during a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing that it was pilot Lee Kang Kuks first time landing at San Francisco International Airport at the time of the accident.

Meanwhile, Thomas Haueter, a former director of NTSB's Office of Aviation Safety who was consulting for Asiana Airlines, defended Lee Kang Kuk and instructor Lee Jung Min by stating that it was not a matter of lack of pilot training.

More from NextShark: Toronto police officer, auto repair shop owner killed in Canada shootings

These guys were extraordinarily well-trained, he noted. They get very specific training about flying into San Francisco."

Lee Kang Kuk reportedly had over 9,680 hours of flight experience with a variety of jets and 43 hours of experience with the Boeing 777 at the time of the crash, while Lee Jung Min, who reportedly had a total of 12,307 total flying hours, had already spent 3,208 hours flying Boeing 777s.

More from NextShark: Hong Kong denies Australia access to dual citizen facing life imprisonment under national security law

What caused it: In an initial report, Asiana Airlines noted that the probable cause of the crash was due to the pilot flying too slow, adding that there were inconsistencies in the Boeing 777-200ER's autothrottle at the time, which contributed to the fatal accident.

An investigation published by the NTSB on June 24, 2014, concluded that the crash was due to a mismanagement of approach and inadequate monitoring of airspeed. The NTSB also said it had found that the complexities of the autothrottle and autopilot flight director systems, and the crew's misunderstanding of those systems were also contributing factors.
Automation has made it impossible for Lucy Foster to speak to her bank - Paul Grover for the Telegraph

The world wide web is a wondrous thing; its a swirling kaleidoscope of ideas and information, an encyclopaedia in my back pocket. And I enjoy ordering another shatterproof kids water bottle from Amazon Prime and receiving it the next day as much as the next exhausted working mother. But there are some processes that categorically should not be conducted over the internet, and one of them is remortgaging your largest (and in our case, only) asset.

My family and I belong to one of the unlucky 1.4 million households who are having to remortgage our properties this year. Currently average rates for a five-year fix stand at 6.01 per cent but I suppose we should consider ourselves fortunate as we were canny enough to secure a deal in March when it was still possible to find a product hovering under 4 per cent.

But even then, the figures that came back from our mortgage advisor were pretty galling; at our new rate of 3.94 per cent, our monthly payments on our four-bed detached house in south Buckinghamshire were 2,400 on a two-year fix or 2,350 on a five-year fix  either 500 or 450 a month more than were currently paying.

Ordinary peoples financial straits have been well documented of late but its worth stating again: coupled with record council tax bills, record energy bills and a cost of living crisis, it was 500 we could ill afford and would struggle to produce on a month-by-month basis.

So we looked at paying down the mortgage and calculated that 100k would keep our monthly repayments in a manageable bracket. Even now, its extraordinary just to write that down. Who on Earth has 100k just lying around? But, once wed let the colossal sum percolate for a day or two, my husband and I did the maths, worked out that we could raid pension pots and stocks, tapped up our wider family for some loans and set about realising the money. Our advisor secured our new mortgage with Halifax and signed off, his work completed.

As his parting gift, we were automatically passed on to a legal firm to manage the process. We could choose other lawyers, the firm said, but they had all the information they needed to start the ball rolling. As working parents of two young kids, it seemed like a good idea. Why complicate matters by getting another party involved?

And thats when it all started to get a little difficult.

Now, Im not a tech whizz by any stretch but I can pay for parking via apps and I manage basic online banking. But Im also a sentient being that communicates a lot through the spoken word and, to my mind, passing over 100k to a bank via a conveyancing firm requires some level of human interaction.

Or so youd think.

The first indication I had that Id unwittingly fallen into an automated hellhole was when I received an email in March telling me I had to register a remortgage portal account.

A what? I spat out, while simultaneously drinking coffee, emptying the dishwasher and removing a child from my leg. Another email followed quickly on its heels:

Were delighted to have been instructed by Halifax to look after the legal aspects of your remortgage with them Were a specialist remortgage and property law firm and work with many of the UK lenders it went on. It promised to make the process quick, easy and safe.

Anyway, being a naturally compliant person, I duly filled in a few forms online, tapped in a password, and then was introduced to what I can only describe as Kafkaesque omnishambles.

There were forms upon forms that needed filling in. All of them tedious. All of them online. No one to talk to about what a particular question might mean, or what might constitute shortfall evidence.

If I wanted to get some guidance to navigate the rampant legalese  (Im not a lawyer, guys, can you help me?)  I had to send that message through the remortgage portal. But not via a phone call or an email that would pop up in my personal account and be read quickly by both parties  no, that would be too easy and straightforward. Id then wait a few days for someone (who knows who it was? A lawyer? A trainee? A work experience kid? Its never the same person) to reply. Id know theyd replied because Id get an email telling me that a message had been sent to the remortgage portal.

To view the message  invariably more legal jargon  Id have to log on, navigate my way to the communication section and try and decipher what was required.

The frustration and effort expended has been extraordinary. I tried to sign the mortgage deed online. It didnt work. They had to send me a paper copy which I sent back via  gasp  Royal Mail. Documents proving we can come good on the 100k have been uploaded by us three times and rejected three times, simply because whats required has changed depending on whos dealing with our case that day.

Were now weeks away from completing and have just been told that we need three months of bank statements from our ISAs  saving accounts that dont issue monthly bank statements. And, as there are no banks left on the high streets, were having to take mornings off work to visit the few branches left open  maybe half an hours drive away  to get them to print statements on headed paper.

I have, of course, cracked. Ive done some things of which Im not massively proud. I sent a message written in capital letters and with lots of aggressive question marks pleading with someone to call me and saying how aggravating it is to deal with a website interface. I found a telephone number and have been quite rude to the people who answered it. I might have also have said f---ing ridiculous under my breath. Ive definitely called the company a bloody nightmare to a poor woman who really didnt deserve the full force of my wrath. You do know theres no banks open any more, dont you? was a rather unnecessary taunt to another poor soul.

Im sure theres a business case for keeping all interaction online but remortgaging is a stressful process and theres reassurance in face-to-face communication, an email thread with the same person, a telephone number that doesnt just go to a call centre.

I never expected it to be easy. I just never expected it to make me swear at strangers.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ousted from far right Freedom Caucus after fight with Lauren Boebert

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been kicked out of the biggest conservative club in Congress over her nasty feud with fellow MAGA stalwart Rep. Lauren Boebert.

The right-wing House Freedom Caucus ousted Greene in large part for calling Boebert a little b---- in a quarrel that erupted on the House floor.

The straw that broke the camels back was publicly saying things about another member in terms that no one should, said Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., according to Politico. The vote to expel the Georgia Republican took place late last month but Harris was the first member to confirm it.

The way she referred to a fellow member was probably not the way we expect our members to refer to other fellow, especially female, members, Harris added.

Greene hurled insults at Boebert in a dispute over their dueling improbable proposals to impeach President Joe Biden, with Greene accusing her Colorado colleague of pandering for donations toward the end of a fundraising period.

Youve been nothing but a little bitch to me, Greene told Boebert, the Daily Beast reported last month. And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to co-sponsor them.

Im not in middle school, Boebert countered.

It wasnt the first time the two women have fought publicly even though they mostly share the same archconservative world view and joined forces to heckle Biden at his State of the Union address in 2022.

Greene confronted Boebert in a congressional ladies room over Boeberts refusal to back Rep. Kevin McCarthys bid for House Speaker.

Greene, a Georgia representative from one of the most conservative Republican districts in the nation, has drawn some flack from fellow right-wingers for forging a strong alliance with McCarthy, who represents the GOPs establishment wing.

She also backed McCarthys compromise with Biden to raise the debt ceiling, a deal that is anathema to most of the 45-member Freedom Caucus.

All of that mattered, Harris said.

Boebert, on the other hand, has hewed much closer to Freedom Caucus orthodoxy despite representing a district that only barely leans Republican.

After her ouster, Greene will be barred from joining the groups biweekly strategy sessions during which members reportedly discuss long-shot plans to shut down the government and impeach Biden and most of his Cabinet. They also use the sessions to brainstorm about ways of undermining the GOP leadership, which they consider to be far too cozy with Democrats.


A wildfire that burned 127,283 acres near Waldo Lake, brought evacuations to Oakridge and filled Willamette Valley air with smoke for much of late summer and early fall last year was deemed too dangerous to directly attack in the earliest stages of the blaze, according to a report issued Thursday by the U.S. Forest Service.

The Cedar Creek Fire, which became Oregons second-largest wildfire of 2022, was turned down for attack by a group of firefighters known as rappellers on the first day of the fire, Aug. 1, when it was estimated at two acres. Rappellers drop from aircraft, or rappel, onto a fire area.

The Cedar Creek Fire when it was a small fire in Willamette National Forest around Aug. 1.

It was burning in heavy timber midway up a 40% slope on a significant cliff with limited options for egress (escape), the report said. Shortly before 5 p.m., the rappellers turned down the assignment, reporting the terrain was too hazardous for safe access.

The fire ignited when lightning struck a tree in the Koch Mountain area of the Waldo Lake Wilderness, roughly 15 miles east of Oakridge.

Helicopters dropped water on the fire both of the first two days but conditions on the ground made the air resources' attempts to slow the fire spread less effective, the report said.

On Aug. 2, the fire had grown to five acres and significant spotting and roll out  basically fireballs that roll downhill and ignite fires below  were observed, the report said.

The crews were unable to safely engage the lower portion of the fire as it grew substantially throughout the shift, the report said.

By Aug. 4, the fire had grown to roughly 500 acres and established itself as a long-term event.

Extreme growth on the Cedar Creek Fire in September led to major smoke clouds like this.

The Cedar Creek Fire showed modest growth for the rest of August, even allowing officials to keep parts of Waldo Lake open to recreation. Fire officials said the fire was burning at a nice low intensity that was beneficial for forest health, in a way that clears up brush and ground fuels without killing many trees, then-fire spokeswoman Kassidy Kern said at the time.

That changed in early September  particularly Sept. 9 and 10  when a strong east wind event caused the fire to grow rapidly, bringing level 3 evacuations to the Oakridge area. The fire caused 37 days of poor air quality in Oakridge  and eight in Eugene  while costing $132 million to manage.

This year, many roads and campgrounds within the fires scar remain closed. The forest and its trails are technically open but many are burned or difficult to reach.

More: PCT reopens, Waldo Lake area partly reopens as Cedar Creek Fire closure reduced

Why wasn't the fire put out?

A frequent question follows major wildfires, including this one: Why wasnt the fire put out when it was small?

The answer is almost always safety.

Lakeview hotshots Kyle Wyatt, left, Cash Radowick and Damien Marichal work to secure a fire line on the west flank of the Cedar Creek Fire near Oakridge.

Forest Service officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of firefighter safety in making decisions about when and where to attack fires, and that was true on the Cedar Creek Fire.

The fire behavior, the terrain, the fuel loading, all of those made them back off a bit, Kern said in August 2022. It was really not safe for them to engage. They didn't have a safety route to get out quickly if winds changed or the fire behavior picked up.

A deadly area for firefighters

Four firefighters have died in action in Oregon since 2020, and two of those fatal accidents took place in the mountains around Oakridge.

Collin Hagan, a hotshot firefighter from Colorado, died Aug. 10 fighting the Big Swamp Fire in the Oakridge area that was sparked by the same lightning storm that ignited the Cedar Creek Fire.

The year before, in August 2021, Frumencio Ruiz Carapia, 56, who was working the Gales Fire, also near Oakridge, died when he was hit by a tree.

"It's a hazardous profession," Alex Robertson, regional fire director for the U.S. Forest Service, said last autumn about the 2022 fire season. "We were fighting fire in some unforgiving landscapes. The sweet spot is looking for fires where we're going to have the best chance of success while not putting people in dangerous places, or in places where if there's an injury, we can't get them out.

The Forest Service was successful in containing multiple other fires in the same area, from the same lightning storm, including the Bobby Lake, Big Swamp, Windigo and Potter fires.

A troubling trend in Oregon

There are also risks to backing off a fire when its small, however.

Cedar Creek was far from the first Oregon wildfire that was deemed too dangerous to directly attack that later exploded into a serious inferno.

The pattern of events at Cedar Creek echoes other major fires in Oregons recent history, including the Beachie Creek (2020), Whitewater (2017) and Chetco Bar fires (2017).

In each of those incidents, lighting strikes ignited fires deep in rugged wilderness areas where hotshot or rappel teams decided they were too dangerous to attack. After the fire had established, fire crews shifted to indirect tactics  essentially putting the fires in a box with forest roads and fire lines serving as a containment zone and occasional air drops.

But in each case, the arrival of notorious east winds, which act as a blast-furnace on active fires, caused the fires to spread far beyond the containment zones and explode into megafires over 100,000 acres.

Satellite image of the Cedar Creek Fire from last September during an east wind event that caused the fire to grow rapidly.

Read the Cedar Creek Fire report

The full story map and report on the cause, spread and actions of firefighters in the Cedar Creek Fire can be found at: tinyurl.com/32kch86k. The report includes video, maps showing the spread of the fire and other multimedia elements.

Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon and Hiking Southern Oregon. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Report: Cedar Creek Fire was too dangerous for initial attack
China urges Japan to stop pushing through the ocean discharge plan

Xinhua) 08:40, July 07, 2023

BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- China once again urges Japan to act responsibly for marine environment and people's life and health, stop pushing through the ocean discharge plan and imposing unpredictable risks on the international community, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Thursday.

Wang made the remarks at a daily news briefing when asked to comment on opposition in Japan and other parts of the world towards Japan's plan to discharge nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean.

It is reported that Japan's fisheries cooperative and other associations will submit another petition signed by 33,000 people to the Tokyo Electric Power Company in opposition of the discharge plan.

It is also reported that the Democratic Party of the Republic of Korea (ROK) decided to consider legislative moves to ban all seafood import from Japan. Over 1.05 million people in the ROK have signed in support of the campaign sponsored by the party against the discharge plan. Former Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, a Pacific Island country, said that the people are not convinced by the report of the International Atomic Agency (IAEA), and efforts will continue to ask international agencies including the United Nations to attend to the concerns of people in the region.

Wang said that China has stated its position on Japan's attempt to push through the ocean discharge plan on several occasions.

He said that Japan focuses more on saving cost instead of safeguarding marine environment and protecting people's life and health. On the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water, there are options including long-term storage, hydrogen release, geosphere injection, underground burial, and vapor release.

"Japan has chosen the discharge plan with minimum cost among all options, shifting the risks of nuclear contamination to the rest of the world," Wang said, "the act of putting money ahead of people's life and health is doomed to be opposed by the international community."

Wang pointed out that Japan did not have full consultation with the international community, especially with the stakeholders.

In April 2021, the Japanese government unilaterally announced that it will discharge the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, and it officially approved the discharge plan in July 2022 in disregard of strong opposition from the international community, especially neighboring countries and other stakeholders, and declared multiple times that it will not postpone the implementation of the plan, said Wang.

"All of this fully reveals the selfishness and arrogance of Japan," He said, "although Japan requested review and assessment from the IAEA out of domestic and international pressure, the discharge plan was preconceived and the request was nothing but a charade."

"The discharge plan is a gamble with no precedent, and it is full of uncertainties," Wang said, noting that Japan's discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water will last as long as 30 years or even longer.

According to data released by Japan, nearly 70 percent of ALPS-treated nuclear-contaminated water failed to meet the discharge standards, and the efficiency and reliability of the system will be weakened due to corrosion and aging of the treatment equipment when put into long-term operation, he said.

"In light of these uncertainties, the international community has every reason to express concerns and disapproval," Wang added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it is looking into reorganizing the security management section of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after some of its personnel were caught with a high-profile detainee outside the detention facility.

An NBI shake up is definitely in order, DOJ spokesman Mico Clavano told CNN Philippines The Source on Friday.

In June, Jad Dera, a co-accused of former Senator Leila de Lima in her drug case, was found in a van outside the NBI Detention Facility, along with six employees of the agency.

NBI security officer Randy Godoy, one of those who escorted the detainee, said his superior approved Deras trip to a hospital for a check-up.

He also said he and the other NBI personnel had dinner with Dera in Makati.

Clavano said the reorganization will mainly involve the NBIs security management section, since all six employees were from this office.

Specifically, one of those caught by NBI agents was a permanent employee and the rest were job order employees.

The job order personnel were already terminated, while the security officer will have to go through a different process, Clavano said.

The head of the detention center of the NBI was earlier removed from his post following the incident.

Dera, meanwhile, was transferred to the Muntinlupa City Jail on Thursday, Clavano also said.

Dera admitted in a Senate hearing this week that he has slipped out of the NBIs facility four times.

However, he said he did not bribe the officers who accompanied him

This is something that cannot go left unsolved," the DOJ spokesman stressed. "It shouldn't happen that the six individuals caught with him are the only ones that will be penalized for such a serious incident."

He said the investigation on the issue may be completed in one to two weeks.
(Bloomberg) -- Republican presidential hopeful Tim Scott expressed confidence that he will meet his partys eligibility requirements to participate in the cycles first debate in August.

Most Read from Bloomberg

I will be on the stage. Thats good news, Scott said in a Friday telephone interview. You have to have over a certain percentage in the polls, and you have to have a minimum of 40,000 donors. The good news is, we are in great shape. Well be on the stage.

The Republican National Committee requires aspirants to have a minimum of 40,000 unique donors with at least 200 unique donors in each of 20 or more states and territories. They must also poll at least 1% support in three RNC-recognized national surveys or 1% in two national polls and 1% in a poll covering two of the early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina after July 1 and no later than 48 hours prior to the first debate.

The requirements for the first debate, scheduled to be held Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, have drawn speculation as to how many of the more than dozen presidential contenders will be eligible. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner by a wide margin in most national polls, has publicly flirted with skipping it.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is Trumps main rival for the nomination but well behind him in the polls. DeSantis in recent days said he plans to participate in the first presidential debate whether or not Trump does. The debate offers the strongest chance yet for the field to cut into Trumps polling lead and impress voters and donors, alike.

A Fox News poll conducted between June 23 and June 26 showed Trumps support for the nomination at 56%, followed by DeSantis at 22%. Entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy was third at 5%, followed by both former Vice President Mike Pence and Scott at 4%.

An NBC News poll conducted from June 16 to June 20 showed some momentum for Scott, a US senator from South Carolina. While he had just 3% support as GOP voters first choice, that figure jumps to 12% as voters second choice. Thats a 9-point increase from April.

His campaign has spent $5.2 million on TV ads so far this year, while the super PAC backing him  Trust in the Mission PAC  has already spent $5.5 million so far this year.

--With assistance from Bill Allison and Gregory Korte.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
FILE PHOTO: The BlackRock logo is seen outside of its offices in New York

By Ross Kerber

(Reuters) - A group of 15 Republican state attorneys general have questioned whether directors of BlackRock mutual funds are sufficiently independent of the world's largest asset manager.

In a letter dated July 6 and provided to Reuters on Friday by a representative of Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, the group reviewed longstanding concerns about mutual fund governance in the context of the officials' more recent efforts to limit the growing consideration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors by companies and investors.

BlackRock did not immediately comment.

The letter was addressed to ten individuals listed in a BlackRock filing as nominees to a board that oversees BlackRock closed-end mutual funds.

The AGs sought information on things such as financial relationships that they wrote "could undermine director independence."

Among other things, they said BlackRock fund trustees who serve as directors of companies where BlackRock owns more than 5% of shares could lead to independence concerns. They also cite how BlackRock fund directors are responsible for dozens of funds - exceeding BlackRock's own "overboarding" guideline for public company boards.

Critics have raised similar issues in the past about whether well-paid mutual fund directors are positioned to speak up. The attorney generals apply that concern in the context of stances BlackRock has taken on ESG issues, such as a request for portfolio companies to account for climate change.

"It strains credulity that a director of a mutual fund would not feel pressure against standing up to BlackRocks ESG agendaeven when it is not in the financial interests of the funds shareholders," they wrote.

Republican state attorneys general previously have questioned how top asset managers cast proxy votes at corporate annual meetings, and demanded information about how they seek to tackle climate change.

(Reporting by Ross Kerber; editing by Diane Craft)
Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell in Mission: ImpossibleDead Reckoning Part One | Paramount Pictures/Alamy

In the 27 years since Brian De Palma launched the Mission: Impossible franchise, secret agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) has booked thousands of air miles flying around the globe looking for trouble. He's touched down and done damage in places like Shanghai, Casablanca, Paris, Moscow, and Prague. And he's rained down displeasure on international annoyances ranging from rogue agents and stolen plutonium to sadistic Russians and explosive chewing gum.

Now, in Mission: ImpossibleDead Reckoning Part One, Hunt is back in a big way (this is another $300-million movie, like Indiana Jones and the Disk of Destiny) and he's busier than ever.

The McGuffin this time out is extra silly (as if that mattered). It's a sinister artificial intelligence (A.I.) that's grown sentient, made contact with other digital machinery, and is now preparing to, you know, take over the world. Or destroy it, or something. Clearly a job for Ethan Hunt.

This is a pretty great action movie. Returning director Christopher McQuarrie is a genre virtuoso, and Cruise, who turned 61 this week, still seems entirely at ease sailing a motorcycle over the edge of a cliff or banging a car down Rome's Spanish Steps. And when the sun lights up his green eyes and bathes his flawless face, he might pass as an emissary from a species rather different from our own.

However, as relentless and beautifully edited as the action sequences in Dead Reckoning are, it's a movie that has very little interest in anything but action. In that regard, it loosely resembles the John Wick moviesalthough those films, directed by stunt master Chad Stahelski, have more atmosphere and are more concerned with building Wick's dark, rainy world. What would Ethan Hunt's world look like? (Does he have a puppy?) The Wick films also pay more meticulous attention to their actionevery leap and leg sweep seems carefully worked out. In addition, all four Wick movies are rated "R." The Mission: Impossible films are PG-13.

In any case, it's good to see Ethan Hunt and his team back on the beat. Tech guys Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) are here, along with deadeye MI6 vet Ilsa Faust (the excellent Rebecca Ferguson). And there's one newcomer: an adventurer of ambiguous loyalties named Grace (Hayley AtwellPeggy Carter in the Avengers movies). Atwell is a big plus in this picture, radiating strength and intelligence and keeping up with the Cruise charisma in every scene. (The sequence in which she and the star awkwardly clatter around Rome while handcuffed together in a tiny Fiat is wonderfully funnyas disaster impends on every side, they carp and bicker like an old married couple.)

But the story here is so perfunctorya self-aware artificial intelligence, you say?that the affably goofy lines employed to describe the evil A.I. (it's called The Entity) might have written themselves on a slow afternoon. "An enemy that's everywhere, and nowhere," says Ethan's handler, Denlinger (Cary Elwes). "Whoever controls The Entity," says Ethan, "controls the truth." (What?) I'm also partial to Denlinger's description of his old pal as "the incarnation of chaos." (Is there anyone more resolutely in control of himself than Tom Cruise?)

Arrayed against Ethan and his team are a silky terrorist named Gabriel (Esai Morales), who has a memorably well-shot knife fight on a little bridge in Venice, and a steely blonde assassin called Paris (Pom Klementieff), who retires some bad guys on the Orient Express (atop which there's yet another fistfight that's briefly interrupted when the train passes through a tunnel and the combatants have to duck). This sort of scene should be banished from movies for a good long while, along with all future instances of "Sympathy for the Devil" on soundtracks.

The post Review: <em>Mission: ImpossibleDead Reckoning Part One</em> appeared first on Reason.com.
Reznikov shows Swedish infantry fighting vehicles that had arrived in Ukraine

Ukraines Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov posted a video with the Swedish Stridsfordon 90 infantry fighting vehicle that arrived in Ukraine.

Source: Defence Minister on Twitter

Quote: "Strf 90 IFWs have arrived in Ukraine and are ready for battle. Top machines for top soldiers.

Our common colours are blue and yellow. Our common values are freedom and democracy. Our common goals are victory and justice."

Details: Reznikov also thanked Swedish Defence Minister Paul Johnson and all Swedes for these infantry fighting vehicles.

Strf 90 IFWs have arrived in Ukraine and are ready for battle. Top machines for top soldiers.

Thank you to my friend @PlJonson and all Swedes for these IFWs.

Our common colors are blue and yellow.

Our common values are freedom and democracy.

Our common goals are victory and pic.twitter.com/jb8sTcgsca  Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) July 7, 2023

Background: In January, Sweden announced it would deliver about 50 CV 90 combat vehicles to Ukraine. The country's parliament approved their provision in a military package approved in February.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Richmond County Sheriff's Office to host town hall to discuss homelessness and crime

The Richmond County Sheriff's Office will play host to a Property Owner Response Team town hall on Tuesday to discuss issues surrounding local homelessness.

The town hall will be held at the Warren Road Community Center, 300 Warren Rd., at 6:30 p.m., according to a news release.

The goal of the discussion is to speak with business owners in the Washington Road-Interstate 20 corridor area in response to their concerns about homelessness and crime in the commercial strip, according to the release.

The Property Owner Response Team is a public/private collaboration that has been developed to address intensive patterns of criminal activity that are concentrated in particular focus areas," according to the sheriff's office.

Graniteville bank robbery: Gunman robs Graniteville bank, considered 'armed and dangerous'

Insurance fraud: Augusta woman wanted for filing two fraudulent traffic accident insurance claims

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Sheriff calls townhall to discuss homeless issues in Augusta
A Florida man linked to the far-right Proud Boys who assaulted police officers during the U.S. Capitol attack was sentenced Friday to five years in prison, according to multiple reportersat the federal courthouse in Washington.

Barry Bennet Ramey was seen on video pepper-spraying officers in the face on Jan. 6, 2021, as they tried to hold back the mob encroaching on the inauguration platform that had been constructed beside the Capitol for incoming President Joe Biden.

A judge convicted Ramey on seven counts earlier this year, but spared him felony enhancements.

Prosecutors argued in a sentencing memo that Ramey should spend nine years in prison, claiming he presented a unique and serious threat to public safety due to his history of threats and violence, his ties to the Proud Boys, and his efforts to obstruct this investigation.

The memo noted that, while Ramey could be expected to show remorse during his sentencing, he expressed none in the months leading up to it.

Rameys sentence is one of the harsher ones so far. Rioters who received similar time include Robert Palmer, who threw wooden boards and a fire extinguisher at police, and Richard Barnett, the man armed with a stun gun who was photographed with his feet propped on a desk in the office of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Elmer Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the anti-government Oath Keepers group, received the longest sentence to date: 18 years, on charges that included seditious conspiracy.

Federal investigators said that Ramey joined up with a group of Proud Boys the morning of the attack dressed in a tactical vest, receiving instructions from leader Ethan Nordean to form a front line before continuing slowly and steadily toward the Capitol.

Rameys name and phone number were later found on a master list of South Florida Proud Boys members, investigators said. The groups members style themselves as Western chauvinists and frequently engage in street brawls against perceived enemies.

In the wake of the attack, Ramey allegedly taunted an FBI agent who sought information about him, reciting the agents home address over the phone and texting him a vehicle identification number associated with a vehicle the agent used to own.

Unlike other protesters who later became part of the Capitol mob, none of the Proud Boys who Ramey was with on Jan. 6 attended then-President Donald Trumps Stop the Steal rally ahead of the riot, prosecutors said. The groups focus appeared to be the Capitol, which they circled looking for weakness in the buildings defenses.

One officer hit by the chemical spray, U.S. Capitol Police Officer Bryant Williams, said it felt like fire on his face. He said he collapsed soon afterward, according to court documents, and continues to have vision problems.

Ramey himself later denied affiliation with the Proud Boys during questioning by investigators. But prosecutors said the evidence was clear.

Regardless of whether Ramey was a card-carrying Proud Boy on the morning of January 6, he knew who he was with and he understood the mission, they said in court documents.

CORRECTION: This story has been amended to clarify that Richard Barnett put his feet on a desk in Nancy Pelosis office.

Related...
The residents of Norwich have concerns about the school district.

The Norwich Board of Education finalized cuts during its Wednesday meeting on the budget to bridge the $2.2 million gap from what the Norwich City Council gave them. They will convert Bishop Early Learning to an office building, and give two other buildings, 90 Town St. and 41 Hickory St., back to the city, as well as eliminate two empty groundskeeper positions, and cut the transportation budget.

Board Chair Robert Aldi maintained the district had produced a reasonable budget, but the money from the city manager, and the city council, was far too low. He acknowledged the board didnt have all the answers, but the decision to close the Bishop building was the best one the board had in June.

Could there still be cuts to the school budget

Its a risky budget. You cant operate like that, he said. What is the risk? Every single child that goes to our schools.

A packed Norwich board of education meeting on Wednesday

There are still risk factors that could cause the budget to go over. One of which was rising special education costs at a time when the state is giving $550,000 less in reimbursement for those costs, district Business Administrator Robert Sirpenski said.

Closing Bishop Early Learning means big changes for preschool in Norwich

Many in the community were concerned about the state of preschool in Norwich.

For the 2023-2024 school year, the district is able to provide half-day, school-year programs for between 209 to 233 students, and private daycare providers have stepped in to provide the rest. The students in Norwichs preschool program will be divided among multiple schools in the city, Superintendent Kristen Stringfellow said during the meeting.

Prior to these budget cuts, many of the district's students were in full-day programs for the school year or the entire year.

The district is continuing its communication with the state as it seeks help with money for the preschool program. The office of early childhood had spoken with Stringfellow, and learned that $400,000 would be needed to return the program to a mix of full-day full-year, school-day school-year, and half-day program.

Noriwch City Budget: As demonstrators oppose school budget cuts, Norwich City Council ask residents to speak up

The state is trying to appropriate that money and find funds for other school readiness entities, State Sen. Cathy Osten said.

One parent who sent her child to Bishop is Jen Salls. If the district couldnt provide her daughter, who has Down syndrome, with a full-day program, she isnt sure a private facility would have the experience to work with a special needs child.

She learned so much, not from the special support for her, but from the students, she said about her daughters experience at Bishop. The students treated her like she was no different than anybody else.

Parents are concerned as Chartwells food service contract is in flux

The Norwich community was also concerned about the coming switch to a private food service contractor. While the district intended to fill 23 sites for summer meal distribution, they had almost no staff to work with, Sirpenski said.

As the contract between Norwich and Chartwells is yet to be approved by the state, the state had the food service staff from Groton and New London districts step in and offer some help to Norwich this summer. Montville was also considering helping with Norwichs summer meals as of Wednesday, Sirpenski said.

Norwich students can get summer meals: Where to find it and why two districts are helping

Will the food service staff return to Norwich schools

While Sirpenski said a meeting was held between union representatives and food service employees on May 1, Lynn Bustamante, former food manager at Stanton Elementary School, said that meeting was not official. The intent was to advocate for more money for the managers, as they increased their workload while understaffed, but the conversation turned to the district using a private contractors services, she said.

The managers only learned about the switch to Chartwells when former Food Services Director Erin Perpetua told them in April. The managers began advocating from there for the district to keep its own food service department, as it was self-sustaining and always operating, Bustamante said.

I cried the last day I had to leave because Im going to miss every one of the kids that Ive seen go through kindergarten, all the way up, she said.

Things to do this summer: Lots of great things happening with Sea Unicorns - why you should see a game

Bustamante was also concerned about what would happen if Chartwells wasnt approved in time for the school year.

When Chartwells communicated with Norwich food service staff, who were against the switch, they were told they would be able to return to Norwich. However, two food service employees that applied for jobs with the company were reassigned to Plainfield, Board Member Christine Distasio said.

Our assumption was they were able to maintain positions they had, she said.

At the end of the meeting, the board went into an executive session to discuss Stringfellows performance, then returned to approve the money for a climate and culture consultant for the district.

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich residents express concern about school budget cuts, closures
Channel 9s Jonathan Lowe got the chance to see how the Catawba Riverkeeper and his team collect water samples along the Catawba River Basin during the summer to ensure the water is safe for swimming.

Brandon Jones, the Catawba Riverkeeper, said 60 samples are collected weekly between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

READ: No swim advisory issued for portion of Lake Norman due to wastewater spill

Temperature of the water ... how much dissolved oxygen there is in the water, Jones explained about some parts of the sampling.

They take note of how cloudy the water sample is and also test for fecal bacteria.

So far this summer, Mecklenburg County has issued at least four swimming advisories for either Lake Norman or Lake Wylie.

Jones said hes noticed the county has increased how many advisories it has pushed out this year.

Theyve got this new tech system, Jones said. Theyre really integrated their Storm Water with the Department of Health and Human Services, Jones said.

He said the publics demand on the Catawba Riverkeeper website spikes any time there is a sewage spill that impacts a lake.

Jones said 96% of their samples come back safe for swimming.

Right after a rainstorm, when the water looks really brown, thats when we see the highest levels of contamination, he said.

VIDEO: Part of Lake Wylie under no swim advisory after sewage spill
The "Robodebt" policy vilified recipients of welfare, an inquiry has found

A landmark inquiry in Australia has found an illegal welfare hunt by the previous government made victims feel like criminals and caused suicides.

Known locally as "Robodebt", it was an automated government scheme which incorrectly demanded welfare recipients pay back benefits.

People received letters saying they owed thousands of dollars in debt, based off an incorrect algorithm.

More than half a million Australians were affected by the policy.

The scheme ran from 2016 until it was ruled illegal by a court in 2019. It had forced some of the country's poorest people to pay off false debts.

Many were forced into worse financial circumstances - taking out loans, selling their cars or using savings to pay off a debt they were told they had to pay within weeks. Others described being vilified and feeling shame after being told they owed money.

On Friday, a royal commission inquiry into the scandal issued its final report, describing the scheme as a "costly failure of public administration" with "extensive, devastating, and continuing" ill-effects.

"Robodebt was a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal, and it made many people feel like criminals," Commissioner Catherine Holmes wrote in her 990-page report.

A royal commission is Australia's most powerful form of public inquiry. This one ran for 11 months and drew hundreds of public submissions.

On Friday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the previous government's scheme as a "gross betrayal" of citizens, which had harmed the most vulnerable.

The inquiry found there were at least three known suicides as a result of Robodebt policy, and it was "confident that these were not the only tragedies of the kind".

The deaths by suicide included two young men Rhys Cauzzo, 28, and Jarrad Madgwick, 22, whose mothers gave testimony to the commission last year on their behalf. Kath Madgwick had previously told the BBC she holds the government partly responsible for Jarrad's suicide.

Jarrad Madgwick took his life after receiving a government debt notice

Other victims told the inquiry how the stress of a debt demand had caused them anxiety and depression and led them to consider suicide.

One woman said she felt suicidal for a period of months with the debt hanging over her head, with the "lowest point" being the day the debt collector debited the money from her bank account.

"I felt desperate on that day; it was so upsetting that I could not afford to pay for my daughter's medical expenses and I felt powerless to improve my situation," she told the inquiry.

Another victim, who had experienced mental illness previously, said that upon receiving a $A11,000 (6,300, $8,100) debt notice, he was in "complete shock", because it would "set me back years and years and years".

He explained that "from a generalised anxiety disorder point of view, it's just the biggest trigger you can give to somebody".

The inquiry's final report on Friday criticised former Prime Minister Scott Morrison's conservative government for launching the scheme where "little to no regard was had to the individuals and vulnerable cohorts that it would affect".

The report also condemned Mr Morrison - who had been minister of the social services department at the time the policy was launched - for "misleading" Cabinet over advice that the switch to an automated system would not require legislative passage.

In response on Friday, Mr Morrison said he rejected "each of the findings which are critical of my involvement in authorising the scheme and are adverse to me".

He maintained he had "acted in good faith and on clear and deliberate department advice".

The report also accused the government of persisting with a cover-up of the scheme even when its "unfairness, probable illegality and cruelty became apparent" in 2017.

"It should then have been abandoned or revised drastically, and an enormous amount of hardship and misery... would have been averted," it said.

"Instead the path taken was to double down, to go on the attack in the media against those who complained and to maintain the falsehood that in fact the system had not changed at all."

Commissioner Holmes also described a politicisation of welfare policy that had exacerbated a stigma often felt by recipients of social welfare.

The government also falsely exaggerated incidents of welfare fraud which were "miniscule" or less than 0.1% of cases, the report found.

In a sealed section of the report, the commissioner also recommended that a number of unidentified individuals involved in the policy be referred to criminal and civil prosecution.

The Morrison government abruptly ended the Robodebt scheme in 2019 after victims contested the legal basis in the Federal Court of Australia, where it was found to be illegal.

In its backdown, the government was also forced to refund over A$700m of payments to victims. It also settled a multimillion-dollar lawsuit brought by victims seeking compensation.

If you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations in the UK which offer advice and support, go to bbc.co.uk/actionline.

If you are in Australia, you can call Lifeline at 131114, Kids Helpline at 1800 55 18000 or visit the Beyond Blue website.
New Rochelle native shot by police dies after days in coma

The 37-year-old man shot by a New Rochelle Police detective on Monday died Thursday night, multiple sources confirmed to the USA TODAY Network New York.

Jarrell Garris, a New Rochelle native, was in the area to pick up his son and take him back to Greensboro, North Carolina, where Garris had been living for less than a year. They planned to head home Monday evening.

But at around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, police responded to reports of someone stealing food at New Rochelle Farms, a grocery store on Lincoln and North avenues.

What led to the New Rochelle shooting of Jarrell Garris?

Bodycam footage released by the New Rochelle Police Department shows police officers Kari Bird and Gabrielle Chavarry, along with Detective Steven Conn, confronting Garris on Lincoln Avenue and asking about stolen food. The New York State Police, who had been investigating the incident with the Westchester County District Attorney's Office, released the officers' names Wednesday.

All three officers have been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the State Police investigation.

A New Rochelle police detective fatally shot Jarrell Garris, 37, on Lincoln Avenue after Garris was accused of stealing from a nearby grocery store.

Garris doesnt appear to respond in the video. Bird and Chavarry follow him across the street while a third officer, Conn, approaches.

The video then shows Garris in a scuffle with the officers as they attempt to place him under arrest. In the physical struggle, Garris reaches in the direction of one of the officers holstered firearms, the video shows, though it's unclear which officer he reached toward. He then topples over a female officer, and one officer shouts, Hes got a gun, hes got a gun," the video shows.

Police shooting: New Rochelle detective fired one round while trying to arrest man accused of stealing, NYS police says

In a press release Monday night, the police department said Garris reached at the officers gun in an attempt to remove it from the holster.

The video provided by the police department ends before Conn shoots his weapon. It is unclear why the video ends, and the USA Today Network has filed a Freedom of Information request for the full body camera footage from all three officers.

While Conn attempted to arrest Garris, he fired one round from his department-issued firearm and hit Garris, said State Police. Bodycam video shows a handcuff on Garris' right hand during the struggle.

St. Catherine's A.M.E. Zion Church on Lincoln Ave. in New Rochelle, photographed July 5, 2023. On July 3, New Rochelle police shot Jarrell Garris, 38, on the street in front of the church after responding to a possible theft at a nearby market. Garris was shot by police after a scuffle while police attempted to place him under arrest.

No additional rounds were fired, State Police said.

Officers used lifesaving techniques, State Police said. Garris was ultimately transported to Westchester Medical Center. He had been in a coma for days following the shooting.

He died Thursday night, family members and community members confirmed.

Jarrell Garris' father reacts to shooting: 'There's no justification'

His father Raymond Fowler, 58, said his son struggled with mental health, including schizophrenia, and had been contacted by New Rochelle police before for wellness checks.

My thing is they knew who he was, and then they know me as well, Fowler previously told USA TODAY Network New York. Theres no justification.

Garris grew up just minutes walking from the scene of the shooting, said Fowler, also a longtime New Rochelle resident now living in North Carolina. Garris has extended family still living in New Rochelle.

The area where police shot Garris was referred to as the Lincoln Avenue corridor, a historic African American community in New Rochelle. He was shot in the street directly in front of St. Catherine A.M.E. Zion Church.

Because police killed Garris in the incident, the case will likely be turned over to New York Attorney General Letitia James office to conduct a preliminary assessment on the case, which could then lead to an investigation.

A New Rochelle police detective fatally shot Jarrell Garris, 37, on Lincoln Avenue after Garris was accused of stealing from a nearby grocery store.

In June 2020, a New Rochelle police officer fatally shot Kamal Flowers, a 24-year-old Black man, after Flowers ran from police during a traffic stop. The incident occurred about a mile from where police shot Garris.

Police said Flowers pointed a gun at the officer before he was shot. James did not investigate the shooting, her office said then, because it did not fall under her jurisdiction. The attorney general can investigate cases in which an unarmed civilian is killed by police. Later that year, a grand jury voted not to indict Officer Alec McKenna.

Garris family scheduled a press conference for Friday afternoon at the scene of the shooting.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Eduardo Cuevas covers race and justice for the USA TODAY Network of New York. He can be reached at EMCuevas1@gannett.com and followed on Twitter @eduardomcuevas.

This article originally appeared on New York State Team: Jarrell Garris, shot by New Rochelle police, dies after days in coma
(CNN)  The United States is expected to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine on Friday that will include cluster munitions for the first time, defense officials have told CNN.

CNN first reported last week that US President Joe Bidens administration was strongly considering approving the transfer of the controversial weapons to Ukraine, whose forces have been struggling to make major gains in a weeks-long counteroffensive.

Heres what you need to know about the weapons  and why they are controversial.

What is a cluster munition?

Cluster munitions, also called cluster bombs, are canisters that carry tens to hundreds of smaller bomblets, also known as submunitions. The canisters can be dropped from aircraft, launched from missiles or fired from artillery, naval guns or rocket launchers.

The canisters break open at a prescribed height, depending upon the area of the intended target, and the bomblets inside spread out over that area. They are fused by a timer to explode closer to or on the ground, spreading shrapnel that is designed to kill troops or take out armored vehicles such as tanks.

What type of cluster bomb is the US said to be giving to Ukraine?

The US has a stockpile of cluster munitions known as DPICMs, or dual-purpose improved conventional munitions, that it no longer uses after phasing them out in 2016.

According to an article on the US Armys eArmor website, the DPICMs Washington will give to Kyiv are fired from 155mm howitzers, with each canister carrying 88 bomblets. Each bomblet has a lethal range of about 10 square meters, so a single canister can cover an area up to 30,000 square meters (about 7.5 acres), depending upon the height it releases the bomblets.

The bomblets in a DPICM have shaped charges that, when striking a tank or armored vehicle, create a metallic jet that perforates metallic armor, the article says, adding that it can take 10 or more bomblets to destroy an armored vehicle, but it may take only one to disable the armored vehicles weapons or render it immobile.

Have cluster bombs been used in the war in Ukraine before?

Yes, both the Ukrainians and the Russians have used cluster bombs since Moscows forces invaded in February 2022. More recently, Ukrainian forces have begun using Turkish-provided cluster munitions on the battlefield.

But Ukrainian officials have been pushing the US to provide its cluster munitions since last year, arguing that they would provide more ammunition for Western-provided artillery and rocket systems, and help narrow Russias numerical superiority in artillery.

Why are cluster munitions more controversial than other bombs?

As the bomblets fall over a wide area, they can endanger non-combatants.

In addition, somewhere between 10% to 40% of the munitions fail, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The unexploded munitions can then be detonated by civilian activity years or even decades later.

The Cluster Munition Coalition, an activist group trying to get the weapons banned everywhere, says potentially deadly cluster submunitions still lie dormant in Laos and Vietnam 50 years after their use.

In a statement Friday, Human Rights Watch said both Ukraine and Russia had killed civilians with their use of cluster munitions in the war so far.

Cluster munitions remain one of the worlds most treacherous weapons. They kill and maim indiscriminately and cause widespread human suffering, Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, said at a conference on the munition in Switzerland last year.

Any use of cluster munitions, anywhere, by anyone, must be condemned, Carbonnier said.

Much of the world has banned the use of these weapons through the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), which also prohibits the stockpiling, production and transfer of them.

Though 123 nations have joined that convention, the United States, Ukraine, Russia and 71 other countries have not.

Using the munitions to attack enemy troops or vehicles is not illegal under international law, but striking civilians with the weapons could amount to a war crime, according to Human Rights Watch.

Where have cluster bombs been used before?

Cluster weapons have been used as far back as World War II and in more than three dozen conflicts since, according to the Cluster Munition Coalition.

The US last used the weapons in Iraq from 2003 to 2006, the coalition says.

US forces began phasing them out in 2016 because of the danger they pose to civilians, according to a 2017 statement from US Central Command.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "What are the cluster munitions the US is expected to supply Ukraine and why are they so controversial?"
ALS has plagued Michelle Francis' family for nearly 200 years.

Francis, a mother of two adult children, represents the seventh generation in her bloodline who has been diagnosed with the fatal neurodegenerative disease. She prays that through intervention, the disease will finally stop with her.

If not, she is hoping for the next best thing:

"I'm really hoping that it will become a disease that will be manageable and livable, like diabetes," she said.

For that to happen, more research must be done.

For more research to be done, Francis walks.

Raising funds, awareness

On July 9, Francis will be participate in the ALS Associations Northern Illinois Walk to Defeat ALS in Byron. She will be rolling in her wheelchair for herself and in honor of the more than 65 members of her family who have had or are living with ALS.

More: ALS Ice Bucket Challenge soaking Rockford

The annual event aims to raise awareness and funds to support research and people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and slowly robs a person of their ability to walk, speak, swallow, and breathe.

ALS is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, named after the New York Yankee hall of famer who died from the disease in 1941, just two years after his diagnosis.

The average life expectancy after diagnosis is two to five years.

Francis got her diagnosis on June 1, 2019.

"From my family history, our lifespan is usually 11 years," she said. "Some have died at six years. My brother has had it for 18 years, and he's doing better than me."

Hope in new drug

While there is still no cure for ALS, Francis' hope is buoyed by the fact that since April, she has been taking QALSODY, a new FDA approved drug that attacks the SOD1 protein, the main cause of ALS in her family.

Francis said research has shown it takes six to 12 months to see results.

"Hopefully, it will slow it down or stop it," she said.

Meanwhile, research regarding QALSODY being a preventative drug is still ongoing.

"If they get a lot of data, they may be able to even give it to people that have the gene but don't have any symptoms yet," she said. "I'm just hoping if it's not going to save me that it will save generations after me."

As for her two children  Justin Francis, 34, organizer of the annual SOAR Awards in Rockford, and her daughter, Yvonne Sherrill, 25, her primary care giver  neither have undergone testing for the disease.

It's a personal decision that's typically held off until symptoms arise, Francis said.

"When you have genetic testing, you have to go through counseling to make sure you can deal with having it or not having it, especially if you have anger," she said. "Or if you don't have it but a sibling does, sometimes there is a lot of guilt with that."

To donate, visit Francis' personal page at web.alsa.org/goto/michelle_francis.

Chris Green: 815-987-1241; cgreen@rrstar.com; @chrisfgreen

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford area woman is seventh generation in her family with ALS
Gov. Ron DeSantis walks in the Fourth of July parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire.

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald Trump might not be on stage for the first presidential debate in Milwaukee in August, but at least one other top contender is now expected to attend.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday said he plans to participate in the first presidential debate next month despite much uncertainty surrounding who else might attend the Republican National Committee's primetime event, set for Aug. 23 at the Fiserv Forum.

"I'll be there regardless," DeSantis told Fox News when asked whether he'd participate in the debate if Trump declined the invitation. "I hope everybody who is eligible comes. I think it's an important part of the process, and I look forward to being able to be on the stage and introducing our candidacy and our vision and our leadership to a wide audience."

DeSantis' announcement comes as welcome news to the Republican National Committee, which has faced public pushback from candidates who have been critical of the requirements to get on the debate stage. The requirements include a loyalty pledge and stringent polling thresholds. Trump, the leading Republican candidate, has indicated he is unlikely to attend the debate in Milwaukee, citing his current polling lead over the field.

More: Will Donald Trump skip the August Republican debate in Milwaukee? Scott Walker says that would be a big mistake.

Just who else might appear at the Fiserv Forum next month remains unclear as debate requirements could prevent lesser-known candidates from appearing.

One potential issue: Candidates must poll at least 1% in three national polls or 1% in two national polls and 1% in one early state poll from two separate carve out states (Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Carolina) recognized by the RNC. Those polls must survey at least 800 registered likely Republican voters to count toward the requirement.

And in addition to having at least 40,000 unique donors to qualify for the debate, the RNC is also requiring candidates to vow to support the eventual Republican nominee  a move that has received pushback from candidates like former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

While some candidates like former Vice President Mike Pence and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy have been unclear on whether they'd sign such a pledge, others like former ambassador Nikki Haley and South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott have indicated they would make the vow.

In Wisconsin, Trump and DeSantis remain the top two GOP presidential contenders.

A Marquette University Law School Poll released last week showed Trump was favored by 31% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents surveyed, while DeSantis was at 30%.

In a head-to-head matchup, DeSantis was favored by 57% and Trump by 41%.

THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: DeSantis commits to participating in the Milwaukee GOP debate
Ron DeSantis vows to attend the first debate whether Trump shows or not

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida. AP Photo/Phil Sears, File

Ron DeSantis said he will show up to the first GOP debate regardless of what Trump does.

The Florida governor's vow comes as Trump continues to hint that he'll skip the debate.

DeSantis is the latest candidate to try to goad Trump into reconsidering.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is vowing to attend the first Republican presidential debate regardless of what Donald Trump does.

"I'll be there, regardless," DeSantis told Fox News on Thursday evening. "I hope everybody who is eligible comes. I think it is an important part of the process, and I look forward to being able to be on the stage and introducing our candidacy and our vision and our leadership to a wide audience."

DeSantis' commitment stiff arms the possibility first floated by his allied super PAC that the Florida governor would skip the first debate on August 23rd in Milwaukee if Trump decided to skip too. The possibility that the former president and his closest challenger would avoid the event led to fears that the debate wouldn't really matter.

The former president has not officially said he would skip the debate. Instead, Trump has strongly hinted for months that he might not show up due to a combination of frustration with Fox News, the host, and a general sense that his lead is so big that he only risks hurting himself.

Former Vice President Mike Pence has said he is unafraid to challenge Trump directly, should his former running mate actually show up.

"I've debated Donald Trump a thousand times, just never with the cameras on," Pence recently told conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt. "And I'd look forward to it, and I sure do hope he comes to every single one of those debates."

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said if Trump is so proud of his record he shouldn't have any issues debating it with the rest of the field. Christie, who based on his polling, faces a tougher task in qualifying for the debate has been relentless in his criticism of the former president.

"If he thinks his record is so great and everything he did is so laudable ... well then, he should have no worries," Christie told CNN's Jake Tapper on Thursday evening. "If everything he did was so correct  perfect is the word he uses most of the time  then somebody like me, or Mike Pence, or Tim Scott, or Nikki Haley will not be able to glove on him during a debate."

The Republican National Committee has imposed polling and donor thresholds that will likely leave some candidates off the stage. Candidates must also sign a loyalty oath to pledge to support the party's nominee.

According to FiveThirtyEight's weighed tracker, Trump has nearly a 29-point lead over DeSantis. DeSantis remains the only other candidate in double-digits in national polling. Former Vice President Mike Pence, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley, conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, and Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina follow. Pence is the only one in that group that is above 5%.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:

Ventura County Sheriff's detectives seized drugs, firearms and cash when searching the home of a suspected drug supplier in Granada Hills in late June.

Suspected drug supplier arrested

A Granada Hills man suspected of supplying drugs to residents of Ventura and Los Angeles counties was arrested in late June by Ventura County Sheriff's detectives.

In February, detectives with the sheriff's narcotics street team had identified the 41-year-old as a suspected narcotics supplier, believed to be operating out of his home in the Los Angeles neighborhood.

During a warrant search of the residence on June 23, the man fled into an open wash behind the home and eluded capture. Detectives seized more than 2 pounds of fentanyl, about 1.5 pounds of heroin, 12 ounces of methamphetamine, about 1,500 counterfeit Oxycodone pills believed to contain fentanyl, some 9,500 other counterfeit pills, nearly a pound of psilocybin mushrooms, 45 pounds of marijuana, more than 7 pounds of concentrated cannabis and other drugs.

Authorities also confiscated 17 firearms, two stolen motorcycles, a stolen box trailer and cash believed to be proceeds from drug sales.

On June 28, narcotics detectives detained the man in front of the residence. He was arrested on suspicion of narcotics and firearms violations and booked into Ventura County jail, where he was released the next day on a bail bond. Sheriff's officials said the case has been submitted to the U.S. Attorney's Office for filing consideration.

Driver allegedly delivered drugs on behalf of cartel

Ventura County Sheriff's detectives confiscated fentanyl, heroin and other evidence from a man suspected of delivering drugs in Camarillo on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Ventura County Sheriff's officials on Wednesday arrested a man in Camarillo suspected of working as a delivery driver for a service operated by a Mexican drug cartel.

Detectives with the county's fentanyl and overdose crimes unit, or VC Focus, along with sheriff's detectives in Thousand Oaks, had identified suspected drivers during a surveillance operation. The service is believed to supply fentanyl and other drugs to Ventura County residents and around Southern California, with profits funneled back to cartels in Mexico.

On Wednesday, detectives following one of the suspected drivers saw an apparent drug transaction in Camarillo, in the 1300 block of Ventura Boulevard. The 21-year-old driver was pulled over in a traffic stop. He told authorities he had recently moved to the U.S. from Sinaloa, Mexico, and was transient, sheriff's officials said in a news release.

A search of the vehicle, registered in El Monte, turned up a half-pound of powder fentanyl, a half-pound of heroin, more than 2,000 counterfeit Oxycodone pills with fentanyl and about $1,400 in cash believed to be from drug sales.

The man was arrested on suspicion of possessing narcotics for sale and booked into Ventura County jail with bail set at $50,000.

Bricks of suspected fentanyl found during search

Two Colorado men staying at a Camarillo hotel last month were reportedly found with thousands of fraudulent Oxycodone pills and about 5 pounds of fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid.

The men, age 21 and 42, both residents of Greeley, Colorado, had been seen in late June near a vehicle parked in the lot of a business in the 1600 block of Daily Drive, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, which is contracted for police services in Camarillo.

The following day, June 28, the men were contacted and detained on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance. The subsequent investigation found they had been renting a nearby hotel room and were suspected of selling drugs.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for the hotel room and vehicle. During the search, they found three large "bricks" of suspected drugs. In all, they found about 12,000 fraudulent Oxycodone pills, which contained fentanyl, and the 5 pounds of fentanyl. Preliminary tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl, officials said in a news release.

Small amounts of fentanyl are potentially lethal, with 2 milligrams providing a possibly deadly dose. Sheriff's officials say the amount seized equated to more than 2.3 million times the 2-milligram amount.

The men were booked into county jail and subsequently released two days later under the statute of limitations. Prosecutors had not filed charges as of Wednesday, court records showed.

Items may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Roundup: Fentanyl seized by the pound during recent arrests
FILE - Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, a lawyer for President Donald Trump, speaks during a news conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping on legal challenges to vote counting in Pennsylvania, Nov. 7, 2020, in Philadelphia. A review panel says Giuliani should be disbarred in Washington for how he handled litigation challenging the 2020 election on behalf of then-President Donald Trump. The panel's report was released Friday, July 7, 2023. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani could be disbarred in Washington after a review panel on Friday condemned how he pursued the false claims that then-President Donald Trump made about his 2020 presidential election loss.

Giuliani claimed massive election fraud but had no evidence, wrote the three-member panel in a report that details the errors and unsupported claims the former mayor made in a Pennsylvania lawsuit seeking to overturn the Republican president's loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

Between Election Day and the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol, Giuliani and other Trump lawyers repeatedly pressed claims of election fraud that were almost uniformly rejected by federal and state courts. He's the third lawyer who could lose his ability to practice law over what he did for Trump: John Eastman faces disbarment in California, and Lin Wood this week surrendered his license in Georgia.

Mr. Giulianis effort to undermine the integrity of the 2020 presidential election has helped destabilize our democracy, wrote the panel, Robert C. Bernius, Carolyn Haynesworth-Murrell and Jay A. Brozost.

The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments, they wrote. It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done.

Giuliani has already had his New York law license suspended for false statements he made after the election. The Washington review panel's work will now go to the D.C. Court of Appeals for a final decision.

Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani, criticized the panel's work as an attempt to persecute Giuliani and part of a larger effort to deny President Trump effective counsel.

I call on rank-and-file members of the DC Bar Association to speak out against this great injustice, Goodman said in a statement.

Giuliani's post-election work has made him a key figure in several federal and state probes. He met with the special counsel appointed to investigate efforts to overturn the 2020 election and prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia, also conducting an investigation.

The panel examined a case Giuliani argued on Nov. 17, 2020, ten days after The Associated Press and other news outlets called the election for Biden.

The Trump campaign complained that Philadelphia and six Democratic-controlled counties in Pennsylvania let voters make corrections to mail-in ballots that were otherwise going to be disqualified for a technicality, such as lacking a secrecy envelope or a signature. Some other counties did not follow suit.

Giuliani argued the case. While he had once served as a U.S. attorney in New York, the Pennsylvania argument was his first court appearance as an attorney since 1992, the year before he was elected New York mayor, according to federal records.

He spent much of the hearing baselessly alleging a national conspiracy to steal the election from Trump, something the former president continues to argue today.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Brann rejected Giuliani's arguments days later, noting the Trump campaign had wanted him to throw out millions of votes.

One might expect that when seeking such a startling outcome, a plaintiff would come formidably armed with compelling legal arguments and factual proof of rampant corruption, Brann wrote then. That has not happened.

The panel's review on Friday said Giuliani did not offer any evidence that fraudulent mail-in votes were actually cast or counted," but instead made his own inferences.

Mr. Giulianis argument that he did not have time fully to investigate his case before filing it is singularly unimpressive, the panel wrote. "He sought to upend the presidential election but never had evidence to support that effort."

The panel said Giuliani had violated a rule that prohibits lawyers from from engaging in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice.

Clogging the courts with unnecessary and frivolous cases is such a violation," the panel said.
Rudy Giuliani should be disbarred for trying to overturn the 2020 election, bar ethics panel says

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani. JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP via Getty Images

Rudy Giuliani should be disbarred, a DC legal ethics panel says.

The Washington DC Board on Professional Responsibility slammed his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Giuliani's "misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments," the panel said. "It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect."

Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor turned Donald Trump lawyer, should be disbarred, a Washington DC bar ethics panel said Friday.

The DC Board on Professional Responsibility found that Giuliani violated Pennsylvania's Rules of Professional Conduct when he filed a lawsuit seeking to toss out millions of votes in the state following the 2020 election.

"We have considered in mitigation Mr. Giuliani's conduct following the September 11 attacks as well as his prior service in the Justice Department and as Mayor of New York City," the panel said in a 38-page report released Friday. "The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments."

The committee added: "It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done. For these reasons, we unanimously recommend that Mr. Giuliani be disbarred."

The recommendation follows a finding in December from the Washington DC bar's Office of Disciplinary Counsel that Giuliani's law license should be revoked. The Washington, DC Court of Appeals, which has already suspended Giuliani's ability to practice law in the district, must now decide whether to follow through on the recommendation and disbar him.

Giuliani is part of a long list of Trump lawyers to be sanctioned for their conduct. New York's state bar has also suspended Giuliani's law license for his attempts to overthrow the 2020 election results.

In its recommendation report, the board found excuses from Giuliani that he was simply under-prepared to argue the Pennsylvania case to be unpersuasive.

"Mr. Giuliani's argument that he did not have time fully to investigate his case before filing it is singularly unimpressive," the board wrote. "He sought to upend the presidential election but never had evidence to support that effort."

Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, attacked the DC Bar Association in response to the board's recommendation.

"The decision-makers at the DC Bar Association are nothing more than an arm of the permanent regime in Washington," Goodman said. "This is also part of an effort to deny President Trump effective counsel by persecuting Rudy Giuliani  objectively one of the most effective prosecutors in American history. This is the sort of behavior we'd expect out of the Soviet Union, not America."

The board wrote that disbarment  rather than a lesser reprimand  was necessary because of Giuliani's lack of remorse and "utter disregard for facts" undermines public confidence in the legal profession.

"His hyperbolic claims of election fraud and the core thesis of the Pennsylvania litigation were utterly false, and recklessly so," the board wrote. "Mr. Giuliani's rash overstatement claiming that the election was stolen had no evidence to support it. His utter disregard for facts denigrates the legal profession."

This story has been updated.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Rudy Giuliani says he should be hired to find culprit in White House cocaine case

Rudy Giuliani, a former senior member of former President Trumps legal team, suggested he be hired to find who left the cocaine that was discovered in the White House earlier this week.

Why dont they appoint me and give me a couple of  lie detector analysts and a couple of forensic experts, and Ill catch them, Giuliani said Thursday on Newsmax.

He also accused White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre of lying because she has said the cocaine was found in a highly traveled part of the White House.

First of all, well first figure out everybody that went through that area. It is not heavily trafficked. Thats absurd. That lying press secretary made it sound like its Grand Central Station, he said.

The cocaine was found inside a work area of the West Wing, which led to a precautionary closure of the White House complex.

The Secret Service confirmed Wednesday that the substance was cocaine, and the agency is investigating the matter.

Giuliani called it absurd that investigators have reportedly said they may never know who the culprit is.

What kind of security do we have in the White House? Giuliani said.

The discovery of cocaine is causing a political headache for President Biden, leaving him exposed to criticisms from his Republican opponents while raising concerns about security at the complex.

Conservative media and Trump have sought to associate the cocaine with the presidents son, Hunter Biden, claims former Trump White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany threw cold water on this week.

The president and his son were away from the White House over the weekend when the drug was discovered. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has demanded answers from Secret Service about access to the White House complex.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Mary Altaffer/Associated Press

Rudy Giuliani discussed a settlement with accuser Noelle Dunphy, his lawyer said in court.

Dunphy alleges he sexually assaulted her repeatedly while she worked for him in 2019 and 2020.

After this story was initially published, Giuliani's spokesperson said a settlement would have been limited to a fee dispute.

A lawyer for Rudy Giuliani discussed a settlement in a civil lawsuit brought against him by Noelle Dunphy, the woman who alleges the former New York City mayor serially sexually assaulted her over the course of a year.

Giuliani's attorney, Adam S. Katz, mentioned the settlement discussions in passing during a court conference on Friday.

Katz was arguing that Giuliani shouldn't be forced to pay fees for improperly trying to move Dunphy's lawsuit from Manhattan state court to federal court. Justin Kelton, a lawyer for Dunphy, asked a federal judge to sanction Giuliani's legal team and make them cover court fees after they missed a court deadline and incorrectly stated that Dunphy had a Florida driver's license.

"Without divulging settlement communications, the fee application that Mr. Kelton and plaintiffs are seeking makes it cost-prohibitive for us to not move forward with this," Katz said in the hearing.

Katz didn't respond to Insider's request for comment. After this story was initially published, Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Giuliani, said any settlement would have been limited to the potential fees and reiterated his denial of Dunphy's allegations.

"Mr. Giuliani is not engaged in any settlement conversations with Ms. Dunphy. That is categorically false," Goodman said. "The only discussion of settlement related to resolution over the fee dispute related to Ms. Dunphy's remand motion."

Dunphy filed the lawsuit against Giuliani in New York state court in May, alleging the former New York City mayor sexually abused her and failed to pay her a promised salary while she worked for him as an assistant throughout 2019 and 2020.

The 70-page lawsuit included lurid allegations that Giuliani demanded her to perform oral sex while he was on the phone with Donald Trump and asked her "for help in Googling information about obstruction of justice" while he was under criminal investigation by the FBI.

Giuliani has denied the allegations and called Dunphy untrustworthy, citing a past dispute with a previous partner who she alleged abused her.

Katz also asked the state court judge assigned to the case to strike parts of her lawsuit referencing his appearance in the second "Borat" movie, comparisons to an unethical lawyer from the Showtime series "Billions," allegations of affairs, allegations about arranging the sale of presidential pardons, and references to discriminatory remarks about minorities  all of which he said were false or irrelevant to Dunphy's sexual assault allegations.

The case was sent back to New York state court

In June, Katz tried to move the case to federal court. US District Judge Edgardo Ramos sent the case back to state court during the court conference on Friday, after Katz backtracked on the move.

Ramos decided not to fine Giuliani or award Dunphy any legal fees, deciding that the litigation didn't go far enough in federal court to amount to substantial costs and noting that Katz filed a follow-up letter correcting the record about Dunphy not having a Florida driver's license.

"I'm not going to impose fees," Ramos said at the Friday hearing. "As Mr. Katz indicated, as soon as the facts were made aware, the defendant properly corrected the record. They essentially admitted their error."

Kelton declined to comment on any settlement talks. He told Insider that he looks "forward to prosecuting this case in New York State Court where it belongs."

"We are grateful that the Giuliani Defendants were forced to admit their errors, which led to Judge Ramos immediately ordering this case back to New York State Court," Kelton said in an email. "While the Giuliani Defendants should never have removed this case to federal court, Judge Ramos' quick decision today was a complete victory for Ms. Dunphy and a rejection of the Giuliani Defendants' meritless procedural gamesmanship."

Dunphy's lawsuit is one of many legal headaches for Giuliani, which mostly stem from his attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.

He is a defendant in ongoing defamation lawsuits from Smartmatic and Dominion Voting Systems for pushing false conspiracy theories alleging they changed votes from Trump to now-President Joe Biden. Investigators working for Justice Department Special Counsel Jack Smith have interviewed him regarding efforts from Trump and his allies to keep Trump in power even though he lost the election. And, also on Friday, the Washington, DC, Bar ethics panel recommended that he be disbarred for his efforts to cancel votes in Pennsylvania and hand Trump an electoral victory in that state even though he lost it to Biden.

This story has been updated.

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A rural Michigan school board has voted to terminate its contract with a school-based health center that has served nearly 700 students this school year  and community members claim it all began with a mural featuring characters wearing rainbow colors and the colors of the transgender flag.

Brett Zuver, Grant Public Schools' superintendent, said in an interview with the Free Press that even he was taken by surprise by a June vote to terminate the district's contract with Family Health Care, which has operated a health center in school district buildings since 2011.

"I'm stunned and saddened," he said. Adding, "It's scary. It is very, very scary."

The health center has, he said, been "an amazing, amazing thing for our students in our district." About 1,600 K-12 students attend district schools in the small town north of Grand Rapids. On Saturday, a group of community members will rally in support of the health center.

Though the specific reason for the termination hasn't been made clear, Zuver and other community members traced the conflict over the health center to a debate that roiled district board meetings in October, when a group of community members opposed a mural featuring pride colors that a student painted at the health center. The debate in October mirrored a nationwide trend in school board uproars over LGBTQ+ materials and resources in schools.

A mural painted at a health center in Grant Public Schools. The mural, painted by a Grant student, caused an uproar in October, and community members claim it could have prompted the district's board to terminate its partnership with the health center.

Health center questioned

School board members voted on June 19 to terminate its contract with the health center, according to board meeting minutes. Board member Rachal Gort requested the item be added to the board's agenda that night. Four board members voted to terminate the partnership, one was absent, another abstained and member Rob Schuitema voted no.

The superintendent and parents say the health center's impact on students is invaluable. Megan Wirts, a mother of one current Grant student and a former student, praised the center's services, including physicals, checkups, mental health assistance and more.

"We're a small town," she said. "They provide many health services. ... They serve many underprivileged patients."

Grant Public Schools board members did not respond to emailed requests for interviews. But Julie Tatko, president and CEO of Family Health Care, the Baldwin-based company that runs the school health center, said in an interview with the Free Press that board members at times indicated that the health center imposed a utility cost they didn't want to cover and at other times said they wanted to use the space for other purposes.

Tatko said the cost of utilities to the district is estimated to be $5,000, and that Zuver and another school board member both said there's sufficient space in the district for additional programs.

"I don't see a good reason to take health care away from children," Wirts said.

Mural drew anger in October

The mural at the district's health center was painted by a Grant High School junior, Evelyn Gonzalez, according to a GoFundMe created for her following the controversy.

With the words "stay healthy," it features numerous characters in the style of Japanese anime. One is wearing rainbow colors, often associated with gay pride, and another is wearing the colors of the transgender flag, light blue and light pink. The mural also included a Hamsa hand, known as a symbol of protection, which was removed after the uproar.

At a meeting on Oct. 10, Gonzalez said she painted the mural as a part of a school initiative to make people feel welcome, according to video taken by WZZM, a local television station. But community members during the meeting accused her of finding "excuses" to incorporate the symbolism and took issue with LGBTQ+ imagery.

In an unsigned statement, the district on Facebook later posted that the mural would be changed, with the hand removed. The LGBTQ+ colors remained.

Contact Lily Altavena: laltavena@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: School may lose health center after uproar over a student's mural
Russia deploys amphibious assault ship to temporarily occupied Crimea

As traffic jams at the Crimean Bridge, which connects the occupied Ukrainian peninsula to Russia proper, become more and more intractable, the Russian Navy has deployed an amphibious landing ship to transport cars across the Kerch Strait, Russian news outlet Astra reported on July 7.

"A large landing ship has arrived at the Kerch Fishing Port, which will deliver passenger cars to the port of Kavkaz if the situation with traffic jams on the Crimean Bridge worsens," the report said.

Read also: Moscow plans to plunder Chersonesus museum in Crimea, Ukraine says

According to another Russian outlet RBC, a long queue of cars formed at the bridge on the Crimean side on July 7. About 260 cars are waiting to pass, with wait times exceeding one hour.

Read also: Russian forces in Crimea bracing for defensive battle, Ukrainian military says

Earlier, Deputy Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in Crimea, Denis Chystykov, said that Russian officials in occupied Crimea have relocated their families to Russia and travel to them on weekends.

Read also: Russia sets up radar station outside Kerch in occupied Crimea  satellite imagery

Several days ago, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that he plans to send two landing ships to Crimea to transport cars across the Kerch Strait.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Iranian kamikaze drone Shahed destroyed

Moscow and Tehran are discreetly intensifying their collaboration on combat UAV production by constructing a dedicated factory in Russias Tatarstan, Financial Times reported on July 6.

Read also: Iran sold Russia ammunition worth over $1 million for Ukraine war  media reports

The new factory will be operated by Albatross, a company specializing in "agricultural drone development." While this company is known for selling reconnaissance drones to the Russian Ministry of Defense, it is suggested that the factory might also manufacture Iranian-designed kamikaze drones, according to FT.

Ilya Voronkov, the co-founder of Albatross, acknowledged that he supplies drones to the Russian military. He also revealed that 70% of the components for these drones are sourced within Russia, while the engines are imported from China.

Albatross, previously known for its work in "agricultural technology," has constructed its new plant within the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan. The United States views this location as a hub for Tehran-backed efforts to enhance Moscow's drone production capabilities.

Read also: Ukrainian diplomat says Minsk-Moscow-Tehran-Beijing alliance is threat to global security

The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security first reported Albatrosss presence in Alabuga in February, noting the region's surge in job postings for drone engineers. Starting from October 2022, the business park started seeking applicants for roles such as drone production director, drone designer, and chief drone technologist. Additionally, job postings for Farsi translators, required for business trips and translating technical documents, were listed by the business park.

Read also: Shahed drones, ammunition, and UA Flight 752  Ukraine wants to sanction Iran for 50 years

In June, the White House disclosed satellite images pinpointing two buildings in the Alabuga area as instrumental in Iran's endeavors to assist Moscow in augmenting its UAV production. "We are also concerned that Russia is working with Iran to produce Iranian UAVs from inside Russia," said White House National Security spokesman John Kirby.

FT identified Albatross as the company responsible for constructing the drone factory in one of these buildings.

Samuel Bendett, an expert in autonomous weapons at the Center for Naval Analyses, stated: "If Russia wants to do something covert with Iran, this is an advantageous location. Its on the river that flows into the Volga, so you can bring parts by ship from Iran covertly."

Read also: Russia recruiting fighters from Iraq to stave off mobilization at home, reports claim

"It is very close to Kazan, one of Russias high-tech manufacturing hubs," he added. "All you have to do is take a boat cruise."

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Russia put forward a rival proposal on Friday for a six-month extension of U.N. Security Council approval for aid deliveries to northwestern Syria from Turkey, reviving a long-running fight with the United States and others who want a 12-month renewal.

Authorization by the 15-member council is needed because Syrian authorities did not agree to the U.N. operation, which has been delivering aid including food, medicine and shelter to millions of people in opposition-held areas of Syria since 2014.

The current six-month authorization is due to expire on Monday. Syrian ally Russia has long questioned the need for the operation, saying it is a violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and arguing that more humanitarian assistance should be delivered to the area from within Syria.

The Security Council was already negotiating a text, drafted by Switzerland and Brazil, that would allow the U.N. operation to continue using the Bab al-Hawa crossing for 12 months. Russia put forward its rival text proposing six months on Friday.

The United States wants the U.N. operation extended for 12 months and approval given to use three crossings.

The council is due to vote on both the Swiss/Brazilian draft and the Russian draft on Monday, diplomats said. To be adopted, a resolution needs at least nine votes in favor and no vetoes by Russia, China, the United States, France or Britain.

The Security Council initially authorized aid deliveries in 2014 into opposition-held areas of Syria from Iraq, Jordan and two points in Turkey. But Russia and China have whittled that down to just one Turkish border point.

U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths told the Security Council last week: "A 12-month authorization enables us and our partners to deliver better humanitarian outcomes in the months ahead. It is as simple as that."

He also said the $5.4 billion U.N. aid appeal for Syria for 2023 is the largest in the world, but less than 12% funded.

A crackdown by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on pro-democracy protesters in 2011 led to civil war, with Moscow backing Assad and Washington supporting the opposition. Millions of people have fled Syria and millions are internally displaced.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Russia says it's snagged the intact parts of a Storm Shadow missile, and can now study the British-made munition that's been devastating its operations in Ukraine from long range

A MBDA Storm Shadow/Scalp missile at the Farnborough Airshow, UK on July 17, 2018. Ben Stansall/AFP Photo via Getty Images

Russia said on Thursday that it's obtained intact parts of a downed Storm Shadow missile.

A Russian politician claimed the missile parts were being studied by Moscow's defense experts.

He published a video of troops appearing to load the munition parts into a vehicle.

Russia claimed on Thursday that it's secured the intact parts of a Storm Shadow missile brought down in Zaporizhzhia, which could possibly provide Moscow insight into a British-made weapon devastating its forces in Ukraine.

"The Storm Shadow missile, shot down by Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region, was brought to Moscow for study," Russian state news agency TASS reported.

Describing the missile as a "trophy," TASS wrote that Russian authorities had already received the Storm Shadow parts and are inspecting them.

The outlet reported that the materials were obtained by Dmitry Rogozin, the former head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, who now runs a science and technology center attached to forces deployed in Ukraine.

Rogozin said Ukraine shelled the area around the downed missile and sent troops to block Russian forces from securing the Storm Shadow parts, per TASS. But he claimed that these efforts were "promptly suppressed," according to the outlet.

On Thursday, Rogozin's Telegram channel released a video of Russian troops loading a vehicle with munition parts that resemble those of a Storm Shadow missile.

While the missile was clearly damaged, its components appeared to be largely intact. Insider could not independently verify the authenticity of the footage.

"The two-day operation to evacuate the captured Storm Shadow has been successfully completed," read a caption for the Telegram post. "The missile has just been handed over to one of our defense enterprises."

Rogozin claimed that Russian authorities would "decipher" how the missile is controlled and share the information with the Kremlin's air defense officials.

He wrote that he hoped the new intel would allow Russia to "find an antidote for our air defense" and counter Ukraine's use of Storm Shadows.

Storm Shadow missiles, provided to Kyiv by the UK Ministry of Defense, have a range of more than 155 miles and can evade detection from air defense systems by flying low. They are typically fired from an aircraft  Ukraine launches them from Su-24 Fencer jets.

Their extended range  more than triple that of the US-provided HIMARS launchers in Ukraine  has allowed Kyiv to launch precision attacks on important targets deep into Russian-held territory. And an onboard infrared system allows the missile to seek out and recognize its target.

Both Ukraine and the UK have said in the last two months that Storm Shadow missiles are striking their targets with extreme precision and accuracy. "Its accuracy and ability to deliver successfully the payload, as sent and designed by the Ukrainians, has been almost without fault," UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace said on June 26.

On the other hand, Russia's Ministry of Defense has played off the missiles as "over-hyped," describing them as "British scrap metal" to be melted down and reused for military manufacturing.

"And microchips salvaged from the missiles can probably be installed in Russian "washing machines," about which Ursula von der Leyen was not so long ago telling fairy tales," the ministry wrote on Wednesday, hitting back at the European Commission chief's September comment that Russia was using chips from dishwashers to fix their weapons.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Translation provided by Elliot Napier

Read the original article on Business Insider
Bad Command

In a rare interview with CNN, captured Russian POWs painted a grim picture of what it's like on the front lines of the Russian invasion of Ukraine  and put bluntly, it sounds like absolute chaos.

"It was very different from what I saw on TV," one POW, who spoke under the pseudonym Sergei, told CNN. "Parallel reality. I felt fear, pain and disappointment in my commanders."

Another POW, who went by Slava, told CNN that commanders were known to get high on a stock of painkillers before giving orders to frontline soldiers.

According to Slava, these commanders sent Russian soldiers into mortar fire and gave "nonsensical orders" while under the influence.

"We had no morale," Slava, who was recruited from a Russian prison and promised his freedom if he agreed to fight, told CNN.

If confirmed, it's a grim peek into a disorganized Russian front that lacks soldier morale and proper leadership as the invasion wages on. And sadly, as it stands, there's still no end in sight.

Bubbling Turmoil

There are some notable reasons why we should take these accounts with a grain of salt. CNN admitted that the accounts couldn't be independently verified. At the same time, though, the POWs' stories are "consistent with videos posted by Russian conscripted convicts who say they were deployed to the frontline with little support."

The accounts also fit into a broader picture of internal Russian turmoil. Though Russian citizens were originally told back in 2022 that the country's "special military operation" in Ukraine would last only a few days, the conflict has dragged on for well over a year, claiming the lives of many thousands of Russian soldiers  and resulting in a mass exodus of young Russian men fleeing to avoid conscription.

And amid reports of bubbling Russian dissatisfaction with longtime president Vladimir Putin's invasion, Yevgeny Prigozhin, a Putin insider and the leader of the Wagner Group, launched an armed coup against the Kremlin, but was persuaded to abandon the coup before reaching Moscow.

In any case, it's bone-chilling to hear about squad leaders allegedly popping pills on the frontlines before sending young men to slaughter  especially considering that Ukrainian civilians are ultimately the ones who continue to suffer the most.

More on Russia: Suspected Russian Spy Whale Reappears, Possibly Lonely and Wanting Love
At least six people were killed in a blast reported at a central Russian explosives factory.

The Promsintez explosives plant, located in the Samara region of Russia, erupted Friday with an explosion that killed six and injured at least two others.

"Eight people were injured, six of whom died," RIA Novosti news agency reported. The state media outlet cited figures provided by emergency service personnel.

RUSSIA CLAIMS ARREST OF FEMALE SUSPECT AFTER PRO-PUTIN MILITARY BLOGGER KILLED IN ST. PETERSBURG CAFE BLAST

The factory has been used to produce a variety of materials and chemicals, including ammonal, nitric acid and technical sulfuric acid, according to the Moscow Times.

The plant has also been a consistent manufacturer of devices such as industrial explosives and cartridge detonators.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Samara region member of Russian parliament Alexander Khinstein said the blast was seemingly caused by welding in the facility, according to Reuters.

IRAN SENDING RUSSIA MATERIALS TO BUILD DRONE MANUFACTURING PLANT NEAR MOSCOW

Khinstein speculated that the explosion may have been caused by volatile materials left in the factory's pipes.

Russia has suffered a series of factory disasters in recent months  many of which have not been caused by the nation's ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Five individuals were killed on June 20 when a similar explosion was reported at a gunpowder manufacturer in the Tambov region.

Tambov Governor Maxim Yegorov attributed the explosion to "human error" and said the incident was "definitely not [the result of] a terrorist attack," according to the Moscow Times.

Two plant workers were killed in May from an explosion in the Perm region, and one other worker was killed in a disaster at a Kazan region plant in April.
Russian fighters have engaged in aggressive maneuvers around at least 6 NATO aircraft in the last 48 hours, US military says

Russian military Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft employ flares in the flight path of a U.S. MQ-9 aircraft on July 6, 2023 over Syria. US Air Force photo

Russian fighter jets bullied a US military drone over Syria on Thursday, the Air Force said.

Moscow's pilots have now harassed at least six NATO aircraft since Wednesday morning.

It's the latest example of what officials say is a trend of "unsafe and unprofessional behavior."

Russian fighter jets performed aggressive maneuvers around several NATO aircraft operating above Syria on Thursday, the US military said, in the latest example of what officials say is a trend of "unsafe and unprofessional behavior" by Moscow's pilots in the region.

An unspecified number of US military MQ-9 Reaper drones were carrying out a mission against the Islamic State at 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday when they were approached by Russian Su-34 and Su-35 fighter jets, Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of US Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT), said in a statement.

The Russian pilots employed flares in front of the Reaper drones and flew "dangerously close, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved," Grynkewich said. An unclassified US Air Force video shows the Russian jets bombard one of the MQ-9s with flares as it soars above the drone.

And Russian harassment on Thursday was not limited to the American drones. Two French Dassault Rafale fighters were conducting a security mission near the Iraq-Syria border when the aircraft were forced to maneuver "to avoid a non-professional interaction" from a Russian Su-35 jet, according to US Central Command. The US Air Force said in response to the incident that it "fully" supports French security missions across the region.

It's not immediately clear when, exactly, the Russian Su-35 engaged with the French aircraft on Thursday, but since Wednesday morning local time, Moscow's pilots have performed aggressive actions in close proximity to at least six NATO aircraft operating around Syria.

At around 10:40 a.m. local time on Wednesday, a trio of US Reaper drones were harassed by three Russian fighter jets while the American aircraft were carrying out a mission against Islamic State targets.

During this interaction, Moscow's pilots dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the Reapers, and one even positioned their aircraft right in front of an MQ-9 and engaged afterburner, which reduced the operator's ability to fly the drone.

"These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both Coalition and Russian forces," Grynkewich said in the Thursday statement. "We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS."

In recent months, US officials have increasingly warned of dangerous actions by Russian pilots around American interests across the Middle East, particularly in Syria, where Washington has deployed several hundred troops to combat ISIS.

The US military announced last month that it had dispatched a squadron of F-22 Raptors to the Middle East as a means of deterrence and a show of force against Moscow, although officials have said that the main mission of the aircraft is to conduct operations against ISIS.

"The US Air Forces Central remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of its personnel and assets and continues to work closely with partners and allies to address these incidents and prevent any escalation of tensions in the region," Grynkewich said. "The safety of military personnel and the success of the mission against ISIS depend on the professional and responsible conduct of all forces operating in the region."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russian occupiers in Mariupol are afraid of a counteroffensive by the defenders of Ukraine

The Russian occupation administration of Mariupol has developed a plan for evacuating the city, the Ukrainian Defense Ministrys National Resistance Center, a civil defense organization, reported on July 7.

The invaders plans include the evacuation of collaborators, documents, and valuable property to Russia. Cargo operations are being stepped up in the Mariupol port, including the export of grain.

"The National Resistance Center emphasizes that even if traitors of Ukraine escape, they will not be able to evade responsibility," the agency said.

Each of them will have to answer for their actions.

Read also: Mobile radiation laboratories spotted in occupied Enerhodar and Mariupol  resistance report

Earlier, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, stated that the occupied city would soon be liberated, as the Russians are running out of funds to finance construction and were delaying salary payments to water utility workers and teachers.

He claimed that Mariupol residents also speculate that the Russian evacuation plans may be linked to an anticipated counter-offensive by Ukrainian forces, which is believed to be imminent.

At least 25,000 people were killed in the city as a result of the Russians' bombing of residential areas and civilian infrastructure when the Russians captured the Ukrainian city in late May 2022, Ukrainian authorities estimate.

To hide the traces of their crimes, the occupation forces brought mobile crematoria to Mariupol and forced local residents to bury the dead in mass graves on the outskirts of the city, Ukrainian authorities say.

Read also:

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine, allies must do more to hit Russias economy, says Moral Rating Agency head

As Yevgeny Prigozhin's mutiny exposed Russia's political weakness, there's an opportunity to follow up with an economic punch by targeting foreign companies that stayed in the country.

This is the belief of Mark Dixon, the director of the Moral Rating Agency, which scrutinizes foreign companies that operate in the Russian market and exposes the details of their involvement to shame them into leaving.

The West can keep piling the pressure on Western companies to fully exit the Russian market. But Ukraine should also ensure Russian companies don't operate in Ukraine, and companies that operate in Russia shouldn't be allowed to do business here either, Dixon said.

"It's a perfect storm that Russia is in at the moment," he said. "I don't know if this perfect storm is enough to sink the ship immediately, I think it's a pretty good perfect storm. But the more little tornadoes we can add, the better."

Shortly into the 2022 full-scale invasion, Dixon, a U.K. mergers and acquisitions expert, saw many pledges by Western companies to wind down their activities in Russia.

He decided to confirm if they did.

It turned out, he said, that many were engaged in "moral washing" by pledging to leave but keeping some or all operations or assets in Russia, using insincere excuses.

Thus, the Moral Rating Agency was born, releasing regular reports about the involvement of top companies in Russia.

Can Russia afford to commit to a years-long war? When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an all-out war against Ukraine, U.S. intelligence claimed that Russian forces planned to sweep Kyiv within days. More than 13 months on, Ukraines defenses still stand firm. But Ukrainians are now faced with a different threat  the Kremlin appears to The Kyiv IndependentKatie Marie Davies

As of February 24, 2023, out of 114 large international corporations involved with Russia at the time of the 2022 invasion, only 17 made a full exit, while 63 made a partial exit, and 44 still remain in full, according to the agency.

The companies that left include Apple, Amazon, BMW, Dell, Ford, Honda, Tesco, and Facebook.

Partially departed companies include Airbus, BNP Paribas, Boeing, Citigroup, Comcast, E.ON, FedEx, General Electric, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Huawei, Hyundai, Lenovo, Mercedez, Nestle, Pepsi, Samsung, Siemens, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Disney.

Still remaining include Bank of America, Alibaba, a number of Chinese state companies, Japan Post, Mitsubishi, Roche Group, Tencent, Tokyo Electric Power, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and more.

In Kyiv, Dixon sat down for an interview with the Kyiv Independent to discuss the steps he thinks the Ukrainian government should take and his rationale for these suggestions.

"It's a really good chance now, following the recent failed (Wagner Group) rebellion, because it's yet another thing we can hit them with," he said.

"This will confuse a lot of Russians If, on top of that, we can pull the economic rug from under the feet of Russia so that the people are even more disappointed, distressed, confused, worried, then I think this can be the straw that breaks the camel's back or at least it's an important part of the picture."

Kick them out

Fifteen months into Russia's full-scale invasion, the Russian economy is doing better than many expected. Russian GDP decreased by only 2.1 percent in 2022, compared to Ukraine's decrease of nearly 30.

In 2023, the World Bank predicts Russia's gross domestic product will decrease by 0.2 percent, and the International Monetary Fund expects a 0.7 growth.

Mark Dixon, head of the Moral Rating Agency, researches, names and shames companies that continue to do business in Russia. (Courtesy)

That's a stronger showing than that of Germany and the U.K. and an equivalent to French and Italian 2023 GDP growth.

Dixon said that while the Western countries can do more to "unplug" Russia, so can the Ukrainian government, firstly by halting the operation of Russian companies in the country.

"I think they should make it illegal for Russian companies, private, public, state-owned, any companies to operate here as any minority or total shareholders, to do anything  sell, produce, trade, et cetera. It should be totally unplugged."

He also believes that it should be a criminal offense for Ukrainian persons to aid or fail to report such activities  this is to threaten the locals that enable Russian owners.

A recent analysis by the transparency website YouControl found that its system contained reports about 919 Ukrainian companies that were either sanctioned or connected with sanctioned individuals or entities.

Many of those companies had Russian nationals or pro-Russian politicians and businessmen as shareholders.

The second thing Dixon advocates is for Ukraine to kick international companies out of its market that continue to do business in Russia, as they are fueling the Russian economy, contributing to the Russian war effort.

"We are asking the companies to make sacrifices of their Russian revenues," he said. "So Ukraine should be willing to make revenue sacrifices from companies that don't behave."

Kicking them out could also be a sign of reciprocity by Ukraine, followed by opening its market to companies that are not working in Russia, including domestic businesses.

"You're giving good companies, domestic as well as foreign, an opportunity to get into the Ukrainian market, to have the right partners for the future," he said. "People see that opportunity. Personally, I think Ukraine will be a good market in the future."

More than that, he said, kicking these companies out is a matter of principle.

In the meantime, the agency continues to name and shame companies operating in Russia.

Recently, MRA pointed out that Unilever still contributes $700 million to Russia's budget, then broke down how much military hardware that kind of money can buy.

Kyivs frustration boils as flow of Western chips for Russian missiles continues uninterrupted Destroyed apartments, burnt-out cars, lives upturned or extinguished altogether: Russias June 13 missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih was, in many ways, nothing out of the ordinary for wartime Ukraine. The evening after the attack, which killed 13 civilians, President Volodymyr Zelensky came o The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

That can pay for one thermobaric rocket and one Kamov-52 helicopter once every eight days, one Kalibr missile every 12 hours, and one Iranian drone every 15 minutes.

Ukraine's National Corruption Prevention Agency (NACP) added Unilever to the "international sponsors of war" list for not exiting Russia.

Dixon said that companies use several excuses to remain in the market.

One is failing to find a buyer, which often happens because they ask for unreasonable prices, then drag out the sale process until there are no buyers at all. Some countries that export or import from Russia said they have ongoing contracts to consider.

Another excuse is the humanitarian argument, he said.

General Electric has four major activities in Russia, and it's keeping two of them: supporting hospitals and power stations because power stations are important for the economy.

"Sure, they're important for an economy. Power stations make the power that make the rockets that destroy the power stations in Ukraine," Dixon said.
Russian military blogger says troops have been stuck on the frontlines without a break since October, the latest sign that Putin's forces are stretched thin

Russians conscripted as part of the mobilization in Rostov on October 31, 2022. Arkady Budnitsky/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Russian forces in Zaporizhia have been on the frontlines without a break for nine months, a military blogger wrote.

Putin had promised that Russians who volunteered to fight in Ukraine would get long vacations and job security.

Russian forces have "no available personnel to replace them with," the Institute for the Study of War said.

A Russian military blogger says Russian forces in the city of Zaporizhia have not gotten a break from being on the frontlines since last year, yet another indication that Vladimir Putin's forces are low on replacements, according to military analysts.

The blogger claimed on Telegram that Russian forces who were mobilized in September have been stuck fighting since October without any vacations, according to an assessment by the Institute for the Study of War on Thursday.

The blogger cited in ISW's assessment said on Telegram that being on the frontlines for nine months has taken a significant toll on soldiers.

While some Russian commanders have tried to give soldiers a break, they later faced retaliation from higher-ranking officers, the blogger wrote.

Russian forces "have not been able to rotate these mobilized personnel out of these positions because there are no available personnel to replace them with," ISW's assessment said, noting the report from the frontlines "supports ISW's previous assessment that Russian forces likely lack combat-ready reserves."

Being stuck on the frontlines can take a serious toll on an army's ability to fight.

The US Army determined during World War 2 that the "breaking point for a soldier on the front line was somewhere between 60 and 240 days, depending on the intensity and frequency of combat," according to an article published by the National World War 2 Museum.

Russian troops stuck on the front since October would have been fighting for more than 240 days.

The grueling time on the frontlines appears to violate Putin's promise reported in Newsweek that Russians who volunteered to fight in Ukraine would be guaranteed long vacations and job security.

The psychological toll of Putin's war in Ukraine on Russian forces has been extensively reported on.

One Russian inmate told The New York Times last month that he believed he was signing up to become an army construction worker when a government official recruited him from prison. Instead, he was sent to the frontlines in eastern Ukraine and captured by Ukrainian forces a few days later.

Other Russian soldiers said that they were "fucking fooled like little kids" and had no clue they were being sent to a warzone.

In one audio recording previously obtained by The Times, a Russian soldier told his mother during a phone conversation that "no one told us we were going to war. They warned us one day before we left."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The number of people killed by the Russians in Lviv has risen to 10, and 42 have been wounded, including 3 children.

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote: "Lviv. The number of people killed as a result of the Russian missile attack has risen to nine people, 42 people were wounded (including three children)."

Details: The Ministry of Internal Affairs added that search and rescue operations are ongoing.

Updated: Sadovyi reported that the number of victims in Lviv has increased to 10.

"Just found the tenth body. A woman.

Emergency workers are now removing the deceased from under the rubble," the mayor noted. He added this was the final point in search and rescue operations.

Background:

Russians fired missiles at Lviv overnight on 5-6 July, damaging a critical infrastructure facility, and one missile hit a high-rise building.

The Air Force reported that it had shot down 7 of the 10 Kalibr cruise missiles fired by the Russians forces on Ukraine.

Previously, it was reported that 7 people had been killed.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Russians attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 6-7 July with six Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones, which were shot down by defenders from Air Command Skhid (East). The wreckage of the downed drone fell on a car, killing two people.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration

Quote: "At night, the enemy attacked the oblast with Shahed drones. Six drones were shot down by defenders from Air Command Skhid (East).

The wreckage of one of them fell on a car travelling along the road. Unfortunately, two men were killed..."

Details: Lysak has also said that dry grass caught fire as a result of the falling debris. Firefighters put out the fire.

Another UAV hit premises belonging to a private business in Kryvyi Rih district. A fire broke out. The flames covered more than 100 square metres and reached a height of 4 metres.

Firefighters have already put the fire out, and there were no casualties.

In addition, the Russians shelled Nikopol with heavy artillery. There were no casualties.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Russians bombard border areas in Sumy Oblast, over 100 strikes recorded

The Russians carried out 15 attacks on border areas in Ukraine over the past day, with 103 strikes recorded.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration on Telegram

Details: Bilopillia, Hlukhiv, Esman, Krasnopillia, Myropillia and Seredyna-Buda hromadas were attacked. (A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.)

Russian forces fired mortar bombs (26 strikes) and artillery (6 strikes) on the Bilopillia hromada.

They also dropped a VOG rocket-propelled grenade from a UAV, and 2 explosions were reported. In addition, a helicopter fired unguided rockets, with 13 strikes recorded.

The Hlukhiv hromada was bombarded with an AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, with 30 strikes recorded.

Russians fired mortar bombs on the Myropillia hromada, with 10 strikes recorded.

Russian forces dropped four mines on the Seredyna-Buda hromada.

The Esman hromada came under mortar attack, with 10 strikes recorded.

There were two strikes caused by mortar bombs in the Krasnopillia hromada.

The Sumy Oblast Military Administration reports there were no casualties or destruction in these attacks.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The EU's sanctions against Russia will intensify over time and have an increasingly long-term impact on the Russian economy.

Source: Bloomberg, citing the relevant report of the European Commission, reported by European Pravda

Quote: "These effects will further intensify over time, as the measures have a structural, long-term impact on Russias budget, financial markets, foreign investment and its industrial and technological base."

Details: The report notes that sanctions, which have halted imports from Russia to the EU worth about 91 billion, have "significantly degraded Russias industrial and technological capacity".

The report estimates that almost a third of Russia's federal budget will be spent on defence and internal security this year.

The authors argue that thanks to measures aimed at minimising the consequences for member states, the impact of sanctions on the EU has been contained, but in some areas it has been "tangible", mainly due to Russia's countermeasures as well as the Russian-Ukrainian war and the resulting price increases.

EU exports to Russia and imports from Russia fell by more than 50% compared to 2021. At the same time, as the document says, Moscow has been able to stockpile some materials, as well as obtain some banned goods and other substitute technologies from third countries, including China, Kazakhstan, Turkiye and the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Earlier, it was reported that Russian oil imports to the EU countries decreased by 90% compared to the volumes before the start of the full-scale war.

On 23 June, the EU Council approved the 11th package of sanctions against Russia, which is mainly aimed at combating the circumvention of existing sanctions.

Among other things, it includes a ban on entry to EU ports and gateways for vessels suspected by the competent authorities of involvement in the transportation of sanctioned oil or oil purchased at a price higher than the price cap.

The temporary exception from sanctions for Germany and Poland to supply crude oil from Russia through the northern section of the Druzhba pipeline is also coming to an end. At the same time, it will be possible to pump oil from Kazakhstan or other third countries through this route.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
More than 1,000 of Santa Monica's earthquake-vulnerable buildings have been retrofitted since a 2017 law went into effect. (Brandon Sloter / Associated Press)

Santa Monica has emerged as a leader in California earthquake safety, retrofitting more than half of its seismically vulnerable buildings.

The ambitious effort to tackle upgrades to several types of structures that historically have amplified the death and destruction resulting from a major temblor has made the city a model as more communities grapple with seismic retrofitting.

"It's pretty impressive how many buildings were retrofit since 2017, especially considering that we were dealing with COVID in the middle of all that," said Patti Harburg-Petrich, former president of the Structural Engineers Assn. of Southern California.

After the 1994 Northridge earthquake, no city took more decisive action than Santa Monica, which despite being 14 miles from the epicenter, was hard-hit, with a loss of 1,500 apartments  or roughly 5% of the city's stock.

But a decade ago, it had become clear that Santa Monica's progress had stumbled. Administrative action to order fixes to quake-vulnerable buildings had stalled. And by 2013, the city couldn't even find the list it had created of buildings that might be at risk, The Times reported.

That report prompted a new look at seismic safety. By 2017, Santa Monica adopted one of the nation's most extensive earthquake retrofit plans  ordering again that nearly 2,000 buildings suspected to be vulnerable in earthquakes be retrofitted.

Last month, city officials announced that 1,099 buildings identified as seismically vulnerable are now compliant with the retrofit law.

Read more: When it comes to earthquakes, Republicans and Democrats agree on L.A. retrofitting, poll finds

Of the city's 1,964 buildings initially identified as vulnerable in a quake, five have been demolished. Updated figures show that 599 structures had previously been retrofitted or demolished, and since 2017, 500 more have been made compliant with the seismic safety law, representing 56% of the initial stock of earthquake-vulnerable buildings. An additional 865 buildings have not been retrofitted.

"We've made significant progress," Santa Monica building and safety manager Ariel Socarras said at a recent City Council meeting.

Substantial improvements have been made in retrofitting "soft-story" buildings. They are primarily wood-frame apartment buildings, with carport parking spaces on the ground floor, held up by skinny, flimsy poles that support the apartment units above them. In an earthquake, the top-heavy apartments can come crashing down.

During the Northridge quake, the collapse of a soft-story apartment building resulted in 16 deaths.

These structures, also known as dingbats, can be retrofitted by installing a steel frame to support the ground story. Of 1,686 soft-story buildings, 495 were retrofitted before the latest law, and an additional 462 have been retrofitted in the last several years. More than 700 still have not been upgraded.

Read more: Will your home survive a major quake? Free cash from California can help

Santa Monica has until 2026 to upgrade its soft-story buildings.

More local governments in California have passed seismic retrofit ordinances in the last decade, but most cities still don't have such laws in place, risking immense property destruction and threats to lives in a future earthquake.

In February, L.A. County took the first step toward a mandatory retrofit order for the types of concrete buildings that catastrophically collapsed in the devastating earthquakes that shook Turkey and Syria early this year. These buildings lack a sufficient configuration of reinforcing steel within the concrete frame, allowing chunks of concrete to explode from the columns when shaken, leading to a collapse.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to ask officials to prepare new rules that would require county-owned non-ductile concrete buildings, as well as any in unincorporated areas, to be retrofitted.

A draft ordinance is expected to be presented to the board for a public hearing later this year, said Elizabeth Vazquez, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Works.

Read more: Projected losses from a major California earthquake soar. What's behind seismic inflation?

The supervisors also ordered officials to create an inventory of all soft-story residential buildings in unincorporated areas, where about 1 in 10 L.A. County residents live. The Apartment Assn. of Greater Los Angeles in February expressed opposition to such an inventory, saying doing so would probably cause owners' insurance premiums to dramatically increase. The group added that landlords were still reeling from the pandemic-era eviction moratorium and rent freeze.

The renewed look at earthquake safety in Southern California comes after a 2013 Times report that focused on the city of Los Angeles and showed how officials knew about the deadly flaw of concrete buildings for decades yet did little to address it. In 2015, the City Council approved a landmark law requiring property owners in L.A. retrofit non-ductile concrete and soft-story buildings.

As of June, L.A. city officials reported that more than 8,900 seismically vulnerable buildings had been retrofitted, out of more than 13,600. Of those, 8,854 soft-story buildings have been upgraded, as have 68 non-ductile concrete structures.

Santa Monica and nearby West Hollywood have issued retrofit orders that go even further than Los Angeles'. Both cities also ordered vulnerable "steel moment frame" buildings to be upgraded.

A popular type of construction in which a building's skeleton is made of steel beams and columns, such structures built before the mid-1990s can be vulnerable because of brittleness around the connection points.

During the 1994 Northridge earthquake, 25 steel moment frame buildings were significantly damaged, including the Automobile Club of Southern California building in Santa Clarita. That earthquake showed how cracks can form in the frames of these buildings during an earthquake.

A U.S. Geological Survey simulation released in 2008 of a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Southern California said its plausible that five high-rise steel buildings holding 5,000 people could collapse.

In its most recent report, Santa Monica identified 80 steel moment frame buildings. Eleven have been retrofitted, and two have been strengthened since the latest retrofit law. The deadline is 2037.

Santa Monica officials also found that a little more than half of the city's identified non-ductile concrete buildings have been retrofitted. Of the 66 buildings in this category, 32 have been upgraded and three others have been strengthened since the latest retrofit law. The deadline is 2027.

Retrofit deadlines have already passed for unreinforced masonry buildings, or brick buildings, as well as for concrete tilt-up buildings such as warehouses  built by tilting up concrete walls that had been made on the ground and attaching them to a roof. They can be vulnerable to collapse if the walls move away from the roof when shaken.

Of Santa Monica's 90 unreinforced masonry buildings, 72 are compliant with the city's ordinance; 18 remain to be retrofitted. For tilt-up buildings, of 42 that were identified, 22 are compliant.

Read more: Unshaken: The guide to earthquake readiness and resilience that you'll actually use

Another city that recently took action is Torrance. In March, the coastal suburb passed an ordinance requiring soft-story, non-ductile concrete, tilt-up and steel moment frame buildings to be retrofitted. About 1,300 buildings may be affected.

"This has been a long time coming," Torrance Councilmember Mike Griffiths said, noting the idea has been under discussion since at least 2018. "There is enthusiastic support to move this forward."

Noting the earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria, "we'd certainly want to do what we can to prevent that kind of destruction in our community should  when  that earthquake happens here," Griffiths said.

Seismologist Lucy Jones said she was heartened by the retrofit progress. "Every building that's retrofitted is not going to be killing somebody," she said.

But the dozens of brick and concrete tilt-up buildings that remain vulnerable in Santa Monica are concerning, Jones said. These types of buildings have long been fixed in other jurisdictions, and they're "the most dangerous types of buildings," she said.

Santa Monica Councilmember Caroline Torosis expressed similar worries.

"There's quite a few that still aren't in compliance," Torosis said. "We've seen these pretty destructive earthquakes happen recently. I think we know that this could happen here. We're on a fault line."

There are various estimates for how much building retrofits can cost; in general, the smaller the building, the lower the bill. In 2017, Santa Monica estimated a cost of $5,000 to $10,000 per unit to retrofit a typical soft-story building and $50 to $100 per square foot for non-ductile concrete and steel buildings.

In October, an analysis by structural engineer Keith Porter  an expert on California seismic safety issues  calculated that Los Angeles property owners already had spent more than $1.3 billion retrofitting about 8,000 soft-story buildings.

Failing to retrofit and dealing with the damage after a quake, however, could be far costlier, including building repair as well as the loss of rental income.

Other California cities that have implemented retrofit laws for soft-story buildings include Beverly Hills, Culver City and Pasadena in Southern California; and in Northern California, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, Fremont and, most recently, the Marin County community of Mill Valley.

At a Mill Valley City Council meeting last month, structural engineer David Bonowitz noted there hasn't been intense organized opposition to soft-story retrofit laws after they pass.

"Once the ordinance is in place, owners find it easy enough to comply, tenants find that it doesn't interrupt them," Bonowitz told the council.

"I don't want to say that this is cheap, and obviously for some owners, it's an unexpected expense," Bonowitz added. But most owners are choosing to do the retrofit rather than ignore the order or abandon their buildings, he said.

San Jose and Long Beach have ordered inventories of soft-story apartments and are discussing ordinances to require retrofits.

Sign up for the L.A. Times Unshaken newsletter, and get earthquake-ready in six weeks

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
An SC housing authority CEO faces indictments for theft in Georgia, now on paid leave

The chief executive officer of the Greenville Housing Authority is on paid leave after she was indicted on a number of crimes alleged to have taken place while she worked in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Shawn Williams, 60, has held the Greenville position since 2020. Previously she was the executive director of the Housing Assistance Division of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs where she managed over $300 million in federal and state funds and a staff of 148 employees, the Greenville Housing Authority said when her hiring was announced.

This week, DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston announced that Williams and three others were indicted in connection with an alleged scheme to steal money from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs through fraudulent contracts.

The others charged were Corey Alston, 45, Toyao Andrews, 49, and Quinton Tate, 41.

The charges are violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, conspiracy to defraud the state, false statements/concealment, theft by deception, three counts of theft by taking, six counts of theft by receiving and six counts of bribery.

The charges allege that Williams and Andrews approved a contract for cleaning services with a company Andrews owned. From 2017 to 2019, the Georgia agency paid $64,000 to the cleaning company despite cleaning services being provided by the buildings landlord.

In addition, $120,000 was paid for development of an online tool in 2018 that was never implemented.

The former state employees named in this indictment were supposed to help low-income Georgians find safe, affordable housing. Instead, they allegedly used their positions to enrich themselves, Boston said. Anyone who violates the publics trust and takes taxpayer dollars as their own will be held accountable and brought to justice.

Williams is from Pittsburgh and has worked in housing agencies there and in Woodbridge and Richmond in Virginia and Charlotte.

Board Chair Pete Byford could not be reached for comment.

He told WYFF that the Greenville Housing Authority was conducting an internal review and was cooperating with Georgia authorities.

The agencys Director of Finance Beth Clark was named interim CEO.

We want to assure our community that The Greenville Housing Authority remains committed to transparency and accountability, Byford told the television station.
A video montage with millions of views purports to show lions, gorillas and other animals running wild in Paris, France, amid unrest over the fatal shooting by police of a Black teenager. This is false; the clips in the compilation are all outdated and unrelated to the riots, with only some taking place in France.

"Like France what's going on? can anyone explain this?" says the caption on a July 3, 2023 TikTok viewed more than 3.8 million times.

Screenshot from TikTok taken July 6, 2023

The 52-second video compilation spread as riots flare in and around the French capital city after a police officer killed a 17-year-old of Moroccan and Algerian descent, identified as Nahel M., during a traffic stop June 27, reviving longstanding complaints about police brutality and racism.

Stew Peters, a far-right radio host known for promoting conspiracy theories about the Covid-19 vaccines and other topics, shared the video on Twitter, writing, "Did the African migrants release the Paris zoo animals so theyd feel more at home?" Other posts sharing individual clips from the compilation also rocketed across platforms.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

But none of the clips are current -- and many were filmed in countries other than France.

"These images, accompanied by misleading information, were filmed during incidents that took place several years ago, in France or abroad, with animals not coming from zoos," the Parc Zoologique de Paris, told AFP in a July 6 email.

"The Museum national d'Histoire naturelle ensures that no animal from the Paris Zoological Park or the Menagerie, the zoo of the Jardin des Plantes is wandering in the streets of Paris or the municipalities of Ile-de-France," the zoo said. "The safety of animals, visitors and Parisians is fully ensured by the teams and infrastructure."

Lions

The mash-up opens with a scene of lions trodding down a street filled with stalled cars.

Using reverse image searches, AFP found the same footage posted in October 2020 on Facebook, YouTube and other platforms (archived here, here and here). Some captions say it shows Knowsley Safari Park, a tourist attraction near Prescot, England.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

AFP also found the license plate on a car shown in the vehicle -- styled in the format of British plates -- was registered in the United Kingdom.

A second clip of a lion featured later in the post circulating online also traces to Knowsley Safari Park. The original recording was posted on TikTok (archived here) in September 2020.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

Ian Duke, the park's marketing manager, told AFP in an email: "The lions in the video at both 0.00 and 0.35 are filmed here at Knowsley Safari."

A third clip of lions, which shows a pride of them walking a street at night, is also misrepresented in the online posts.

The original surveillance footage (archived here) shows lions in Gujarat, India in February 2023 and became the subject of news coverage (archived here).

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

A zebra and ponies

Another scene shows a zebra racing down a street, followed by two ponies and someone riding a motorized bike.

Reverse image searches reveal the video dates to April 2020 (archived here), when the animals escaped into the suburbs of Paris from a circus in Ormesson-sur-Marne, France, according to news reports. The French newspaper Le Parisien published the footage on YouTube (archived here).

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

A rhinoceros

The viral compilation then shows a rhinoceros puzzling onlookers in the middle of a street.

The original footage (archived here) was captured in November 2019 "on the fringes of Chitwan National Park in Nepal," according to the post shared on Facebook.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

AFP identified signs, including for the Hotel Peacock and the clothing store Coshelee, confirming the location in Nepal.

An elephant

After the rhinoceros, the video flips to shots of an elephant stomping across traffic.

The footage dates to June 2018 (archived here) and appears to show the pachyderm marching over a main road near a Shell gas station in Neuwied, Germany (archived here).

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 6, 2023

The elephant, named Kenia, had gotten loose from a nearby circus, said reports from Deutsche Welle and other media including AFP.

A goat

A scene of a goat trotting solo along a road at night also predates the recent riots.

The footage has been online since at least January 2023, when it was posted to TikTok (archived here). AFP could not determine where the TikTok video was filmed, although the men in the shot can be heard speaking in French.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

A swan

The montage goes on to show a swan in the middle of a bridge.

AFP could not verify the original source of the clip, but the warmly clothed people suggest it is not current -- and it does not show France.

AFP geolocated the footage to the Legion Bridge near the National Theatre in Prague, Czech Republic (archived here). A police van visible in the clip matches those used in Prague, and the tram seen zipping by is tram number 9357, which operates along that route.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 6, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP

Screenshot from Google Maps taken July 6, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP

A wolf

The next clip in the video shows a wolf lumbering along a sidewalk.

AFP found the same footage posted to TikTok in April 2023 (archived here), months before the riots. Text over the video says it was recorded in Marseille, France.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

Three gorillas

The footage continues with a clip of three gorillas rounding the corner of a building.

AFP found the same moment -- inverted -- captured in a TikTok video from November 2022 (archived here).

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

The TikTok says one of the gorillas is Shabani, a silverback from the Higashiyama Zoo in Nagoya, Japan. AFP previously reported on the great ape's celebrity status in Japan, where visitors fawn over his looks and muscles.

The same building and shrubbery are visible in other footage of Shabani available on YouTube (archived here).

A peacock

Another animal in the montage is a peacock, who is seen dashing down an alleyway -- footage that appears to have originated on Snapchat and was posted to TikTok (archived here) as early as May 2023.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

Using clues from the video, AFP geolocated it to two streets in Stains, in the northern suburbs of Paris, France (archived here and here).

Screenshot from TikTok taken July 6, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP

Screenshot from Google Maps taken July 6, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP

Ostriches

Another scene showing a flock of ostriches racing down the street, meanwhile, dates to January 2022.

The Guardian and other media published the footage on YouTube (archived here). The reports said it showed about 80 of the flightless birds in Chongzuo, China after escaping from a farm.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

A camel and a cow

Finally, the viral compilation shows shots of a camel and a cow on the street.

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

Screenshot from Twitter taken July 5, 2023

Both clips come from the same longer video, which AFP found circulating on TikTok as early as November 2022 (archived here).

By identifying signage for a Mercure Hotel and a pedestrian sign matching those used in France, AFP geolocated the footage to a bike path in Gennevilliers, in the northwestern suburbs of Paris (archived here).

Screenshot from TikTok taken July 6, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP

Screenshot from Google Maps taken July 6, 2023, with elements outlined by AFP

AFP has previously debunked other misinformation about the riots in Paris here.
Civil rights organizers are training Nashvilles teenagers in the tactics of militant nonviolent civil disobedience. Some of the teens have been fighting for social justice for years, but others joined as part of the recent spate of protests for gun regulations following the Covenant School shooting.

As the teens train, I recognize their determined expressions. Similar looks appeared on the faces of the people who participated in the earliest moments of the civil rights movement, folks like the 12 Black students who in 1956 enrolled in Clinton High School, an all-white institution in East Tennessee. School shootings may be relatively new, but the fight for the right to a safe education  and for the right for an equal education  reaches across American history.

When the Black students started classes at the Tennessees Clinton High School in August 1956, it became the first school in the former Confederacy to attempt to desegregate under a court order. By the end of the first week of classes, thousands of white rioters had taken over downtown, and gangs of white vigilantes rode through Clintons Black neighborhood. Tennessees governor sent in the National Guard to restore order.

Ten of the 12 Black students who desegregated Clinton High School in 1956 walk from their nearby homes to classes. (Credit: News Sentinel Archive Photo)

But the violence didnt end at the school doors. One white boy almost pushed Black student Gail Ann Epps Upton out of a second story window. White students tossed nails in the faces of the Black kids or brandished knives and ice picks at them as they walked to class. Others would walk behind the Black girls, grab their ponytails and pull down as hard as they could, snapping the girls chins toward the ceiling so violently that the girls tasted blood.

Hear more Tennessee voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought-provoking columns.

In the predawn hours on Sunday, Oct. 5, 1958, someone placed dynamite at strategic intersections within the high schools main building, destroying 16 of the 20 classrooms. Bombed-out Clinton High wasnt the first of the towns schools to be targeted by racist terrorists. In 1869, arsonists burned the communitys Black school to the ground, making it one of almost 700 Black schools destroyed during Reconstruction.

Parents console their children after being reunited at Woodmont Baptist Church following a shooting that killed six, including three children, at Covenant School in Nashville March 27.

The threat of violence  whether from lynch mobs, segregationist rioters or hate-filled lone wolf gunmen  traumatizes children and interrupts their learning. A scant few weeks after classes began at Clinton High School in 1956, a reporter interviewed Black senior Bobby Cain. The journalist noted that many of Cains mannerisms mirrored those of soldiers in combat. Best he could tell, the teen had post-traumatic stress disorder. I couldnt learn anything there, another student said. If Ive got to stick my neck out and be ridiculed every time I go to class and run the risk of getting killed, I dont want to go.

Rachel Martin

Todays students suffer similarly. Survivors of and witnesses to school shootings have high rates of PTSD, but they are not the only ones affected. Theres a great deal of evidence that individuals who are far away from mass shootings can face anxiety and impairments, professor Jonathan S. Comer told the American Psychological Association. Many of these children suffer from perseverative cognition, or a persistent anxiety that limits their ability to focus and learn. This toxic stressor has contributed to the rising rates of suicide and other mental health challenges faced by kids today. It has also permanently rewired their brains, making it harder for them to focus, rendering them less likely to feel satisfaction when they gain new skills and limiting their working memories. School shooter drills can exacerbate these problems.

School violence is as effective at limiting childrens future potential as underfunding their schools, driving away their teachers, robbing them of extracurricular activities or banning their books. Our children have been calling for us to defend their most basic civil rights for decades now. Its time for the adults to take up the fight.

Rachel Louise Martin of Nashville is the author of the recently released book A Most Tolerant Little Town, which explores the untold story of Clinton, Tennessee, and the Clinton Twelve, the group of Black students who attended a newly desegregated Clinton High School in 1956.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Opinion: What school shooting survivors. the Clinton 12 have in common
Philadelphia Phillies third base coach Dusty Wathan, left, congratulates Darick Hall after Hall's solo home run off Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jake Diekman during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 6, 2023, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP)  Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner had RBI singles in the 11th inning and the Philadelphia Phillies completed a three-game sweep of Tampa Bay with a 3-1 victory Thursday night that extended the Rays' losing streak to a season-high five.

Schwarber had a go-ahead hit from one knee against Ryan Thompson (1-2), the eighth Tampa Bay pitcher on a bullpen day, and Turner followed with another single.

Matt Strahm (3-3) worked two hitless innings for Philadelphia, which has won 12 straight road games, one shy of the team record set in 1976. The Phillies also had a 12-game run that spanned the 1887-88 seasons.

Not a single guy in here needs a measuring stick, Strahm said. We know what we got. We know what we're capable of. We've just got to keep playing good ball.

Philadelphia has won 22 of 29 overall.

They're a good club, they are, but we're pretty good, too, Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said.

Tampa Bay was swept at home for the first time this season. The Rays are 34-13 at Tropicana Field after losing seven of its last 11 there.

Things are not coming easy, Rays manager Kevin Cash said.

Rays pitchers struck out 13, walked none, and gave up just four hits through 10 innings. The AL-best Rays, who got a homer from Isaac Paredes, are 6-11 over their last 17 games.

Darick Hall went deep for the Phillies, who also have an 12-game interleague winning streak.

Philadelphia starter Cristopher Sanchez gave up one run and four hits in matching his career-high six innings. The left-hander spent six years in Tampa Bay's minor league system before his trade to the Phillies in November 2019.

Sanchez got into a good rhythm, and then their bullpen came in and was pretty electric all the way to the very end with Strahm, Cash said.

Phillies closer Craig Kimbrel ran his scoreless run to 12 innings with a perfect ninth

Hall opened the scoring with a one-out solo drive in the fifth that ended Jake Diekman's scoreless streak at 13 2/3 innings. It was Hall's first home run since last Aug. 16.

Paredes tied it in the fifth with his 15th homer.

Tampa Bay had runners on the corners with two outs in the eighth, but Jose Alvarado wiggled out of the jam by getting a liner to right from Wander Franco in an 11-pitch at-bat.

It was a good battle, Thomson said.

Rays opener Shawn Armstrong allowed three hits over three scoreless innings. Kevin Kelly ran his scoreless streak to 19 1/3 innings with a hitless sixth and seventh. His career-opening homerless stretch reached 40 2/3 innings, second longest by a Rays rookie.

Philadelphia slugger Bryce Harper went 0 for 5, including three strikeouts, and had his stretch of multiple-hit games end at five.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: Ace Shane McClanahan threw three pitches off a bullpen mound after extending his throwing in the outfield from 10-14 minutes. The lefty is expected to return to start against Kansas City on July 16.

THE LEADERS

Tampa Bay will host Atlanta in a three-game series between the teams with the best two records Friday night. The Braves have won 18 of their last 20 games.

UP NEXT

Phillies: RHP Zack Wheeler (7-4) will face Florida RHP Sandy Alcantara (3-7) on Friday night.

Rays: RHP Tyler Glasnow (2-2) and Braves RHP Charlie Morton (8-6) square off Friday night.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed paper-thin solar cells that can be attached to any kind of surface to convert it into a power source.

Thinner than human hair, these cells could be laminated onto various kinds of surfaces, such as the sails of a boat to provide power while at sea, onto tents and tarps that are deployed in disaster recovery operations, or onto the wings of drones to extend their flying range.

The findings were first published in the journal Small Methods in a paper co-authored by Vladimir Bulovic, a professor of electrical engineering at MIT, Mayuran Saravanapavanantham, an electrical engineering and computer science graduate student at MIT, and Jeremiah Mwaura, a research scientist in the MIT Research Laboratory of Electronics.

Scientists used electronic printable inks, using a technique similar to how designs are printed on t-shirts. As these thin solar cells are difficult to handle and can tear easily, scientists searched for a lightweight, flexible, and resilient material that could adhere to those solar cells. The fabric they chose was Dyneema Composite Fabric, a material known for its incredible strength.

After printing the electrodes on a flat sheet of plastic, they glued the sheet of plastic on Dyneema. Lastly, they peeled away the fabric, which has picked up the electrodes, leaving a clean sheet of plastic behind.

While it might appear simpler to just print the solar cells directly on the fabric, this would limit the selection of possible fabrics or other receiving surfaces to the ones that are chemically and thermally compatible with all the processing steps needed to make the devices, Saravanapavanantham told MIT News. Our approach decouples the solar cell manufacturing from its final integration.

Although the cells can only generate half the energy per unit area compared to traditional silicon panels, they can generate 18 times more power per kilogram, Fast Company reported.

During testing, the solar cells generated about 730 watts per kilogram of energy freestanding and about 370 watts per kilogram if deployed on Dyneema fabric. For reference, it would only add about 44 pounds to the roof to generate the same amount of power as an 8,000-watt traditional solar installation on a home in Massachusetts, as MIT News reported.

The scientists are aiming to make solar energy more accessible and portable to be used where traditional solar panels cannot instead of replacing them entirely.

My expectation would be that the format of these new cells should allow us to completely rethink how rapidly we can deploy solar cells, and how rapidly we can manufacture solar cells, Bulovic told Fast Company. In the long run, we think this can be as rapid as printing a newspaper.

As the demand for clean and renewable energy grows, this technology could revolutionize solar energy by making it more accessible.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet.
Scotland has one of the highest rates of drug deaths in Europe (ANDY BUCHANAN)

Scotland, which has one of the highest drug death rates in Europe, is seeking to decriminalise all drugs for personal use, according to a policy paper published Friday.

The move would "allow people found in possession of drugs to be treated and supported rather than criminalised and excluded", the devolved Scottish government in Edinburgh said in a statement accompanying the release of the paper on drug law reform.

The decriminalisation would also mean people in recovery would have a better chance of employment as they will not have a criminal record.

The proposals also include legislative changes that would allow the government to "fully and properly implement harm reduction measures" such as supervised drug consumption facilities.

"Scotland needs a caring, compassionate and human rights informed drugs policy, with public health and the reduction of harm as its underlying principles.

"We are ready to work with the UK Government to put into practice this progressive policy," Scottish drugs minister Elena Whitham said.

But the UK government in London, which is in charge of the whole country's drug laws, poured cold water on the proposals.

"Whilst I haven't seen those reports, I think I'm confident enough to say that there are no plans to alter our tough stance on drugs," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said.

The main opposition Labour party also ruled out a shift in drug policy. "The short answer is no," finance spokeswoman Rachel Reeves said.

"I don't think this sounds like a good policy," she added.

Scotland had 1,330 drug-related deaths in 2021, according to government figures, which was nine fewer than in 2020.

The slight drop comes following eight consecutive years of increases since 2013.

Scotland's drug misuse death rate in 2020 was 3.7 times higher than for the UK as a whole, and higher than that of any European country.

acl/phz/giv
Searching for a six-figure gig? Here are some $100K salary jobs in Charlotte

A Texas woman is accused of bank fraud at banks in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Colorado, Tennessee and Texas. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

More than 4 million people in the U.S. quit their jobs in May, signaling that workers still have the advantage in the post-pandemic job market.

If youre one of the millions of people searching for a new career, look no further than The City of Charlotte.

The city currently has more than 60 job openings, and some of those positions pay upwards of six figures.

New city employees also receive various benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick leave, medical and life insurance coverage, and more.

Below is a list of city agencies with open positions paying $100,000 annually

Charlotte Water

Charlotte Water seeks a senior engineering project manager to oversee capital improvement projects and projects for the citys water treatment division. The department is also seeking a senior engineer



to perform engineering analyses on water distribution systems, development and operation of hydraulic models, and participate in improvement projects.

The maximum salary for both positions is $100,429, according to the job listing.

Applicants must have a degree from an accredited college or university in engineering or a related field and at least five years of relevant experience.

Storm Water Services

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services is seeking a senior engineer to manage engineering consultants and provide technical expertise and guidance for storm drainage improvement projects.

The maximum salary for the position is $103,442, according to the job listing.

The position requires a bachelors degree in engineering or a related field, five years of experience and registration as a professional engineer.

Charlotte Area Transit System

The Charlotte Area Transit System is looking for a senior engineer to prepare and direct the preparation of plans for contract awards and provide technical assistance in the review of development plans.

The maximum salary for the position is $100,430, according to the job listing.

Applicants must have a degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering or a related field, at least five years of relevant experience and registration as a professional engineer.
"My second birthday": woman from Lviv shares her story of survival after missile attack

A residential building in Lviv was destroyed in a Russian missile attack on 6 July. As of 10 July, 10 people have been killed and 42 injured.

Vira Soturchak and her family are among the residents of the apartment building that was hit by the Russians. Here she shares the story of how she survived and memories of the night she lost her home.

Quote: "So! Today is my birthday! And yesterday was my second one, because this photo is of my house. My children and I were at home, in bed, at the time of the missile attack. Only my eldest daughter, Yanochka, by some miracle, was spending the night at her dad's," Vira wrote after surviving the missile attack.

Vira remembers waking up to an air-raid warning.

The building destroyed in the Russian missile attack on Lviv

Photo: Vira Soturchak

Quote: "Usually, I just roll over and say, like a mantra, 'F**king r*ssians', but then for some reason it worked, I carefully read the news and kept track of what was being fired and where. I must have felt something," the Lviv resident recalls.

Vira says it was very loud nearby after the first hit. She grabbed her youngest, five-year-old Davyd, wrapped him in a blanket and carried him to the bathroom.

Vira, a survivor from Lviv

Photo: Vira Soturchak

Quote: "Davik just had time to say: 'Mummy, shut the door!' As soon as I did, there was an explosion and all I had left in my hands was the door handle. Dust, a bent front door covered with bricks", Vira noted.

Her 13-year-old twin sons ran out into the corridor on their own. At that moment, Vira quickly grabbed her youngest child and documents.

A missile fragment in the hands of 13-year-old Kostia

Photo: Vira Soturchak

Vira started shouting from the window: "Help me get out! The doors collapsed! There are three children here!"

Neighbours came running and unblocked the door. Vira and her children ran out into the yard of the building. The screams of neighbours trapped under the rubble could be heard. A neighbouring house was also on fire.

Vira's house after the missile attack

Photo: Vira Soturchak

According to Vira, there was no all-clear yet, so they decided to run to a nearby park. Then they saw the next hit.

Quote: "At that moment, I just sat down, although I realised I could die. But my son Kostia was very smart! At that moment he fell to the ground, covered his ears and head with his hands and opened his mouth. I'm proud of him. At 13 years old, to have such endurance! My brave little warrior," Vira added.

Viras twin sons

Photo: Vira Soturchak

As she told Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia, her son had often watched videos about attacks on TikTok, so he quickly remembered what to do.

Fortunately, no one in the family was injured and they managed to run to the park.

After the all-clear was given, the children were taken to their father's apartment, which is nearby.

Vira, on the other hand, went back to look for documents and the cat.

Quote: "I guess I'm a unique girl. I took some perfume but completely forgot about my money stash. In fact, all I could think about at that moment was how to find our cat," the survivor recalls.

Vira with her youngest son, Davyd

Photo: Vira Soturchak

They spent two days looking for their pet and found him alive and well. Since the cats body was nowhere to be found, Vira continued her search, realising that he was not dead, just scared and hiding somewhere.

There were also two parrots in the apartment. The birdcage stood by the window on a table which was just behind the wall.

Quote: "By some miracle the shock wave went straight, and that saved their lives. I thought they were dead. But the next day, rescue workers returned them safe and sound. Everyone around looked at them very fondly," Vira shares.

The parrots

Photo: Vira Soturchak

Vira knows that she is insanely lucky, because the only injury she received was a small scratch on her leg. The children were unharmed.

The scratch on Vira's leg

Photo: Vira Soturchak

Quote: "Today is my birthday! I am sitting under my smashed-up house, waiting for permission to take the things that survived. For the time being, my children and I have a place to live. I don't know what's next...", Vira said.

Vira told Ukrainska Pravda.Zhyttia that when the full-scale invasion started, she and her four children left for Portugal. They lived there for a year and a half. Vira learned the language and found a job.

But they were homesick, so they decided to return to their own apartment, which they bought about six years ago.

Background: Earlier, we reported on how residents of the targeted building in Lviv shared their memories of the nighttime Russian attack.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Jose Ruben Hernandez Gomez hopes a new grievance database recently launched by the ACLU Foundation of Northern California for the states six immigration detention centers -- including three in the Central Valley -- will help provide more of a concrete proof ... of how unsafe these detention centers are.

Gomez, 33, said he was one of four hunger strikers who were forcibly removed from the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center in Bakersfield in March amid the strike, and transferred to El Paso, Texas. Gomez spent a week in Texas before being transferred back to the Central Valley, and was released from Mesa Verde in mid-April. While detained, Gomez said he filed dozens of grievances for himself, and on behalf of his peers, but he said the formal complaints were denied and ignored.

The database project was inspired by ...the concept of these grievances, Sana Singh, an immigrants rights fellow at the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, told The Bee. She helped launch the database, which is the first-of-its-kind in the state.

The grievances, Singh explained, are formally filed with the facilities or directly with ICE, so officials cant deny their awareness of these conditions.

When the civil rights organization began to review grievances from people in detention, Singh said, it found the majority of them were marked as unfounded. Detainees can appeal three times, but many of the grievances were also marked unfounded at the third level of appeal.

They show that people in detention are using the avenues available to them, she said, and trying to make facilities safer, but these so-called procedural protections are essentially meaningless.

The ACLU Foundation provided The Bee a sample of the grievances filed by Gomez, along with the facilitys responses. Names of staff and private information were redacted.

A spokesperson for the GEO Group, the private company that runs Mesa Verde for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said decisions on grievances follow federal requirements.

The inaction by GEO Group staffers to address issues Gomez and others had raised through the internal grievance system is what led him to take part in a hunger strike in March.

We had nowhere to turn to, he told The Bee. For me, it led to go on a hunger strike so I can be heard, so there could be ... some light shed on so much darkness at the detention centers.

Singh said the facilities play the role of defendant and judge when reviewing the grievances.

Obviously a system like that cant deliver justice,she said, or even at the minimum, the constitutional conditions of confinement.

The GEO Group spokesperson said the adjudication of grievances for detainees in custody follow all federal standards requirements. The spokesperson said the process is accessible, confidential, fair and without fear of retaliation.

As prescribed in the standards, if any detainee is dissatisfied with a facilitys response to a grievance, or if any detainee fears retaliation, the spokesperson said, he or she can appeal and/or communicate directly with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Bee reviewed documents on the grievances filed by Gomez and the responses from staff at Mesa Verde.

On Jan. 22, Gomez filed a grievance about dust, black particles, and insects on top of his bunk that were blown out of the vent above his bed. He requested cleaning of the ventilation system, a change of air filters, and for filters to be changed more frequently. His grievance was marked unfounded.

Staff responded that after speaking with the maintenance supervisor, the facility ensures the AC units are working properly and the filters are changed monthly.

You may remove any built-up dust on any vents near your bed with a damp rag if you so choose, the response from staff reads.

On Feb. 19, Gomez filed a grievance about retaliation. In his grievance, he said detainees  hunger strikers and non-hunger strikers in a dorm  were told they wouldnt be allowed to have family visits, recreational time, movie nights and commissary services. Gomez pointed out that non-hunger strikers needed access to commissary services for food and strikers needed it for hygiene products. This grievance was marked founded.

Staff responded standards indicate that when medically advisable, a detainee on a hunger strike shall be isolated for close supervision, observation and monitoring. 

Therefore, normal detainee activities are halted while the detainees participating in the hunger strike are under a medical observation status, the staffs response reads. At the conclusion of the hunger strike, all normal activities will be reinstated.

On April 4, Gomez filed a grievance related to unsanitary conditions in a cell where he had been in medical isolation for over two weeks. He said no one had cleaned his cell, and he had suffered a fall while cleaning on his own, moving around on his wheelchair. Gomez said he began to use a wheelchair while in Texas after suffering from post-concussion syndrome. In his grievance, he further said there was no hand soap or any other sanitizer available.

This grievance was marked unfounded.

The responsibility of single cell sanitation is the responsibility of the individual housed in the area, the staffs response reads. Liquid soap in the cell can be refilled at the request of the officer.

An ICE spokesperson said the agency is committed to providing for the welfare of all those entrusted to its custody and to ensuring all detainees are treated in a humane and professional manner.

Accordingly, all facilities that house ICE detainees must meet rigorous performance standards, which specify detailed requirements for virtually every facet of the detention environment, the spokesperson said.

Immigrant detainees face retaliation

The database is voluntary, Singh said, and tracks grievances by immigrants in detention who mail them to the ACLU Foundation after they are formally filed with the facility.

The database will be accessible to detainees, their families, advocates and the public to track conditions in the states immigration detention centers, including three of them in the Central Valley.

In June, the ACLU Foundation of Northern California sued ICE after the agency failed to provide responsive records to a Freedom of Information Act request seeking grievance logs at Californias immigration detention centers.

But the ACLU Foundation in late June announced it had already received over 200 grievances since January from detainees for the database. Inadequate facility management, harassment/intimidation/bullying, and retaliation for collective action are among the top three sub-topics covered by those grievances, the new database shows.

Of the 249 grievances shared by detainees with the civil rights organization for the database, 147 were marked unfounded by facility staff, the database shows.

All of the states immigration centers are run by private companies, which Singh believes makes them prone to a lack of accountability or scrutiny from the outside world.

This database and ... grievances kind of serve as a window to a very secretive world, she said, where people in power are rarely, if ever, held accountable for the abuses that occur inside.

Gomez said his situation became worse when he was retaliated against and transferred out of state. He said doctors in Texas explained to him what the process of being forced-fed would entail: pumping liquid food through his nose, down his esophagus to his stomach.

Gomez says he broke his fast to avoid being force-fed and to be transferred back to California. He was in Texas for about a week.

He says he requested vitamins, which were denied. As a result, he says he suffered from dizziness, headaches and confusion. He fell several times and ended up with post-concussion syndrome, which are symptoms from a traumatic brain injury that last days or weeks.

An ICE spokesperson said the agency doesnt comment on ongoing or pending litigation.
Journalists examine the Belarusian military on July 7, 2023. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

The Belarusian military camp is near Tsel village, about 90 kilometers (about 56 miles) southeast of Minsk, Belarus. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

Maj. Gen. Leonid Kosinsky speaks to journalists in the Belarusian camp. The officer is an assistant to the country's defense minister. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

An indoor view of a tent in the camp, seen July 7, 2023. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

A view of the Belarusian camp on July 7, 2023. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

Gen. Leonid Kosinsky, an assistant to Belarus' defense minister, said that Russia's Wagner military contractor could use the camp near Tsel if it relocates to Belarus under a deal that ended mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's abortive mutiny. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

The Belarusian military camp is southeast of Minsk, Belarus. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

NEAR TSEL, Belarus  The Belarusian military on Friday showed off a field camp it has offered to Russias Wagner military contractor if it relocates to Belarus under a deal that ended its mutiny.

Maj. Gen. Leonid Kosinsky, an assistant to Belarus defense minister, told international reporters that Wagner troops could use the former Belarusian military camp near Tsel, about 90 kilometers (about 56 miles) southeast of Minsk.

Journalists were shown rows of empty tents that Kosinsky said could accommodate up to 5,000 troops at the camp in the Asipovichy district that was used by the Belarusian military before it was handed over to the territorial defense forces.

Kosinsky said Wagner representatives havent yet inspected the camp to see whether it meets their needs. When the Wagner Group makes a final decision on whether to deploy to Belarus or not, they will see where and how to deploy, he told reporters.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Russia and his troops so far have remained at their home camps, raising questions about the deal that ended the extraordinary challenge to President Vladimir Putins rule.

Much about the the agreement, which was brokered by Lukashenko, remains murky, and it was not clear if the Wagner chiefs presence in Russia would violate the deal, which allowed Prigozhin and his mercenaries to move to Belarus in exchange for ending the rebellion and a promise of amnesty.

Lukashenkos claim could not be independently verified, but Russian media have reported Prigozhin was recently seen at his offices in Russias second-largest city, St. Petersburg. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday again shrugged off questions about Prigozhins whereabouts and refused to comment on whether his presence in Russia would violate the deal.

The Belarusian president dismissed suggestions that the mercenaries could attack Ukraine from Belarusian territory, which Russian troops used as a staging ground ahead of their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

During their revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Prigozhins mercenaries quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 200 kilometers of the Russian capital. Prigozhin described it as a march of justice to oust his longtime foes  Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the militarys general staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, whose handling of the war in Ukraine.

The Wagner fighters faced little resistance and downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing at least 10 airmen. When the deal was struck, the Wagner chief ordered his troops to return to their camps.

The abortive rebellion represented the biggest threat to Putin in his more than two decades in power, exposing his weakness and eroding the Kremlins authority.
Senegal's President Macky Sall pictured at a conference in Paris on February 16, 2022 (SARAH MEYSSONNIER)

Granting the African Union a permanent seat at the G20 group of wealthy nations would undo an "injustice", Senegalese President Macky Sall said on Friday.

South Africa is the continent's sole permanent member of the club that brings together the European Union and 19 other advanced economies and represents more than 80 percent of the world's GDP.

"Africa together is eighth in the world in terms of gross domestic product," Sall told an economic forum in the southern French town of Aix-en-Provence by video link.

Admitting the continent as the African Union within the G20 would heal an "injustice", he added.

Sall noted "progress" on the issue as all G20 members agreed that Africa should obtain a permanent seat, which the Senegalese leader hoped to see implemented at the group's next summit in India later this year.

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde told the forum that Africa should have more weight within Washington-based global financial institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which she used to head.

Sall also called for special drawing rights, a type of international reserve asset, to be further reallocated from rich countries in favour of poorer states as they try to develop and deal with the consequences of climate change.

dga/mpa/ob/imm/gw
On June 30, reports were brought to light about an investigation into alleged sexual abuse at the Coast Guard Academy that revealed a history of sexual assaults and misconduct that was largely ignored. The story, first reported by CNN, was also picked up by local papers in Connecticut and national press, including The Associated Press, whose story was republished by Military Times. Shortly after the stories appeared online, Adm. Linda Fagan released a message to the Coast Guard community stating that Coast Guard leaders own the failure of not taking appropriate action at the time of the alleged crimes.

Im a former Coast Guard judge advocate general and as I read the story I quickly realized that I had served at Coast Guard headquarters during four of the years in which the cases werent investigated, from 1988 to 2006, according to the reports. The next question running through my mind was why were these allegations not investigated? Who gave the legal advice to handle the crimes as administrative violations? Who advised on issuing punishments in the form of extra homework or lowered class standing in lieu of prosecution?

The likely answer  Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, and Department of Homeland Security lawyers. They have a lot to answer for.

Coast Guard headquarters during those days was located at Buzzard Point, near Fort McNair. The legal team was on one floor and the various divisions were led by a Coast Guard captain or civilian GS-15. Coast Guard lawyers stationed at the Coast Guard Academy provided immediate assistance to the school with the headquarters team providing more specialized guidance.

All reported to the Coast Guard chief counsel, who advised the Coast Guard commandant. The commandant advised the Secretary of Transportation prior to 2003 and afterwards, the Secretary of Homeland Security.

After I left the Coast Guard, I became a chief counsel at the U.S. Maritime Administration, or MARAD. The agency is responsible for the fifth federal service school. This experience taught me that agency chief counsels are always involved in sexual assault investigations and information about sexual assaults is shared at high levels within the federal government. As MARAD chief counsel, I regularly briefed the Department of Transportation general counsel. The Coast Guard chief counsel briefs the Department of Homeland Security General Counsel.

The same lines of communication apply for investigations. When the Coast Guard in 2014 launched its investigation into the mishandled cases, dubbed Operation Fouled Anchor, Coast Guard lawyers at the Coast Guard Academy would have been responsible for briefing the Coast Guard Chief Counsel. Then he would be responsible for sharing information with the Department of Homeland Security General Counsel. Once the investigation was completed, Coast Guard lawyers would have advised on who should have seen the results.

Senators Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., sent a letter to the Coast Guard on June 30 demanding answers about the missing prosecutions and the secret investigation. Its my hope that the senators expand their line of investigation and ask questions about the lawyers assigned to the school and their leadership team.

Sexual assault was a crime in 1980s. It was a crime when I served in the late 1990s. It was a crime when the investigation started in 2014 and it is a crime today. Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, and Department of Homeland Security lawyers should have been advocating for prosecution of said crimes.

If their client, the Coast Guard Academy superintendent, the Coast Guard commandant, and/or the Secretaries of Homeland Security/Transportation opposed the prosecutions then the lawyers should have said something. Lawyers, especially those who swear an oath to uphold the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, cant turn a blind eye to criminal activity that physically harms another person.

K. Denise Rucker Krepp is a former Coast Guard officer, former U.S. Maritime Administration Chief Counsel, and former locally elected Washington, D.C., official.

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Shell live on forever: Community mourns loss of toddler struck, killed by car in North Versailles

In North Versailles Thursday night, emotions were high as mourners came together to pay tribute to 1-year-old Arionna Porter.

The smiley, baby-shark-loving toddler lost her life Tuesday when she was hit by a car in the parking lot of the Eastland Apartment Complex where she lived. Arionnas mother Ariel Coover says this support means everything.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Toddler struck by vehicle, killed in North Versailles apartment complex parking lot

It meant so much to me I didnt think so many people would be here. That just goes to show how loved she was by everyone, said Coover.

North Versailles police shut down the typically packed East Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard in both directions as family, friends, and community members released balloons and set off fireworks to honor a little girl taken away far too soon.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> She was an angel: Family grieves loss of toddler struck, killed by car in North Versailles

I love her so much and I wish she could be here but she cant but shell live on forever in my heart, said Coover.

East Allegheny School District members were also at the vigil Thursday, offering their condolences and support as Arionnas older brother is a student.

Tonight its all about sweet Arionna and us being here for Alexander who is a student in our school going into third grade, said Joe DiLucente, the superintendent of East Allegheny School District.

DiLucente says even though its summertime and school is out, East Allegheny will offer resources for those who may need counseling or other support.

Authorities say Arionna was killed after a neighbor hit her with his SUV. He reportedly stopped immediately and complied with police, but so far has not been charged.

Coover said, I just hope hes held accountable for his actions, thats all I hope.

The death has been ruled an accident. Allegheny County Police have yet to name the driver or say if that person will face charges or not.

To help with Arionnas funeral expenses, click here.

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Shooter who killed 23 at Texas Walmart gets 90 consecutive life sentences and may still face death penalty

The white gunman who shot and killed 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas in a racist attack on Hispanic customers has been sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences for the 2019 massacre.

Patrick Crusius, 24, pled guilty earlier this year to almost 50 federal charges of hate crimes  one of the largest hate crime cases in the US.

Crusius was wearing a jumpsuit and shackles and didnt visibly react as the verdict was announced, the AP noted.

He drove more than 700 miles from his Dallas-area home in order to attack Hispanics with an AK-style rifle at the Walmart, where the shooting took place inside and outside the store, according to police.

Just before he started shooting, Crusius posted a racist message online saying that Texas was at risk of a Hispanic invasion.

Republicans have in the years that have passed since the massacre described migrants crossing the US-Mexico border as an invasion and dismissed critics arguing that the rhetoric spurs anti-immigrant opinions as well as violence.

Crusius pled guilty in February after federal prosecutors removed the possibility of the death penalty. But prosecutors on the state level in Texas have said that they will attempt to place Crusius on death row at his state court trial, a date for which is yet to be set.

Defence lawyer Joe Spencer told the judge ahead of the sentencing that the 24-year-olds brain was broken and that he had no longer been connected to reality.

Patricks thinking is at odds with reality  resulting in delusional thinking, the attorney said.

More follows...
Sign warned hikers of bear activity in the area  until bears came and ripped it up

Bears are pretty active this time of year, so officials placed signs warning hikers of bear activity on a trail in southeast Arizona.

But the bears had other ideas.

They tore it to shreds, according to an ironic photo posted by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Tucson. The photo shows what looks like a plastic sign snapped in half and hanging by a nail on a shredded wooden post.

The remaining half of the sign seems to warn hikers that a bear had been spotted in the area recently.

Unbearable: A Bear Warning sign damaged by black bears using the post it was hung on as a rub tree at Riggs Lake on Mt. Graham, officials said in the July 6 Facebook post. Note the damaged timbers.

Bears rub on trees to mark their scent and to scratch their itches, officials explained.

Bear activity remains high in SE AZ, officials said. Report sightings to 623-236-7201.

Black bear wandered onto Tampa airport grounds and spent the night, officials say

Video shows goofy bear climb into cab of truck at NH job site to eat workers lunch

Bear swims off Florida coast as crowd of beachgoers watches. Guess hes on vacation
Sister steals over $64,000 in disability benefits from dead brother for years, feds say

A woman accused of stealing thousands in disability benefits meant for her brother who died is going to prison  and owes over $65,000 in restitution, federal prosecutors said.

The 62-year-old, of Oakdale, Louisiana, began emptying her brothers bank account of money deposited by the Social Security Administration a month after his death in October 2013, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Louisiana.

She continued stealing the monthly Supplemental Security Income Disability benefits totaling $64,059 until November 2020, court documents show.

When the SSA learned her brother had died, it tried recovering $64,059 wrongly issued to him but couldnt because the woman spent the money at local businesses in Alexandria, according to her plea agreement.

A judge has sentenced the woman to eight months in prison after she pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of government money in February, the attorneys office announced in a July 6 news release.

McClatchy News contacted a federal public defender representing the woman for comment July 7 and didnt receive an immediate response.

In addition to the disability benefits, the woman also stole and spent a U.S. Treasury COVID-19 Economic Impact Relief payment of $1,200 deposited into her brothers bank account, prosecutors said.

She was sentenced to three years of supervised release after her prison sentence, according to officials.

In the U.S., 67 million people are estimated to receive monthly Social Security benefits in 2023, according to the SSA.

Oakdale is about 185 miles northwest of New Orleans.

Daughter cashed in on dead moms benefits for years in Pennsylvania, feds say

Her mom died in 2016, but she kept collecting her retirement benefits, feds say

Military spouse kept his second, third marriages a secret and stole $364,000, feds say

TSA officer stole thousands in unemployment while working at Florida airport, feds say
Skokie residents in search of international groceries from ube ice cream to Hubble Tea to kabocha squash have a new option in Skokie International Market, located on the 5300 block of Lincoln Avenue, north of downtown Skokie.

Store manager Sammi Cen said the market, at 5314 Lincoln, opened July 4 and is still stocking its shelves, but plans to host a ribbon cutting in late August.

Cen said the store, which occupies the former U.S. Toy store, will eventually feature live seafood options and a bakery.

We want to offer all the people around our store what they need, Cen said.

Currently, the market stocks goods from China, Taiwan, India, Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Vietnam among other nations. Cen said customers can find competitive prices for staples like rice, tea and produce as well as snacks like cucumber and roasted fish flavored chips.

Store owner Yue Sheng Liang owns the Sun Wing Supermarket in Chicagos Chinatown and wholesale stores in New York and Texas, according to information from the village of Skokie.
Nearly a month ago, two men set out from Cambria on a 7,000-mile journey to the Arctic Ocean, with 1,400 of those miles to be driven in a 1931 Model A Ford town sedan.

Jay Burbank of Cambria and his friend Charlie Enxuto of South Carolina told the Tribune by phone on July 2 that theyd just arrived at their destination, along with Cambria firefighter Tim Murdoch, whod joined his buddies along the way.

Burbank planned the epic road trip to honor military veterans in the U.S. and Canada, and vets along the way signed the body of the Model A, as hundreds of them had done before.

He drove the slant-window town sedan converted to look like a U.S. Army Air Corps generals staff car for most of those 1,400 rugged miles on the graveled Dempster Highway to Tuktoyaktuk at the northern edge of the continent, in Canadas Northwest Territories. He protected the front of the antique vehicle from rock strikes by mounting a large screen on the front.

They made it to Inuvik, Canada, in time to meet their commitment to drive in a celebratory Canada Day parade on July 1, he said, adding that they took advantage of the stopover to complete some repairs, including to the Model As water pump.

Jay Burbank stands with his 1931 Model A Ford at the shore of the Arctic Ocean in Tuktoyatuk, in the northern Canadian territories, on July 2, 2023, after a 7,000-mile, nearly monthlong drive from Cambria. Burbank organized the trip to honor veterans in the U.S. and Canada, hundreds of whom signed the antique vehicle.

Its noisier today than it was when we left Inuovik, Burbank said the following day about the fix-it job on the pump, but we can work on it again when we get back there, to the small town about 95 miles to the south.

For the first leg of their journey starting June 10, the pair traveled about 1,600 miles in a Cadillac SUV to arrive at Prince George, British Columbia, on June 14, towing the Model A in a 14-foot car hauler.

For much of the rest of the trip to the remote town of Tuktoyaktuk and the Arctic Ocean, Burbank and Enxuto each drove one of the cars, although Burbank had the lions share of Model A driving duty.

Tuktoyaktuk is about 500 miles north of the Arctic Circle. According to dictionary.com, the Arctic Circle marks the northernmost point at which the sun appears above the level of the horizon on the winter solstice

Murdoch joined them for the final leg of the trek. He and Enxuto will leave the convoy at different points on the way home, leaving Burbank to carry on alone as he takes a round-about route back to Cambria.

Jay Burbank of Cambria, at left, and Charlie Enxuto of South Carolina begin loading Friday, June 9, 2023, up for their 7,000-mile roundtrip adventure to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean. Theyll do one-fifth of the journey driving Burbanks 1931 Model A town sedan. That portion of the trip will be on the graveled Dempster Highway.

Trailer carried car and was mount for rootop tent

In addition to carrying the Model A, the car-hauler trailer provided a place to mount a Cascadia Vehicles rooftop tent for camping and room to carry filled fuel cans.

The back-up supplies werent optional.

There are long gaps without gas stations, explained Burbank, who owns the vehicles.

The Model A gets about 15 mpg with a 10-gallon tank, he said, and the Caddy gets about 15 mpg with a 25-gallon tank.
SLO County has one of the highest asthma rates in California. These factors make it worse

Asthma rates in San Luis Obispo County are much higher than other California counties  and theyre steadily increasing.

SLO County ranks among the 25% of counties in that state with the highest rates of the respiratory disease, according to the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health.

Asthma is a lifelong disease that causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since 2014, asthma rates in SLO County have been steadily increasing, reflecting a nationwide trend, according to Public Health and the CDC.

In 2014, about 12% of adults in SLO County had asthma, according to Public Health.

Since then, that rate has almost doubled.

About 23% percent of adults had asthma in SLO County in 2021, the most recent data available, according to Public Health.

Asthma rates are highest among adults aged 18 to 44, as well as Hispanic or Latino adults, Public Health data show.

According to Breathe California CEO Tanya Payyappilly, whose California-based nonprofit that advocates for lung health, certain communities are at a greater risk for developing asthma and asthma-related symptoms such as children and adults in low-income communities, as well as communities of color.

Data from the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health shows asthma rates on the rise since 2014.

Which factors can induce or worsen asthma?

While scientists arent sure why asthma is on the rise, there are certain factors that induce asthma and make symptoms worse.

A prevalence of these factors could be why asthma rates are so high in San Luis Obispo County, Payyappilly said.

One of the factors that can induce or worsen the symptoms of asthma is particle pollution caused by wildfire smoke, Payyappilly said.

Particulate matter is composed of solid or liquid droplets that can be inhaled and cause health problems, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Wildfires cause big particulate matters to linger in the air and smoke travels, Payyappilly said. So if theres a wildfire in a particular location, the smoke is going out to so many other places.

Air quality on the Central Coast is poor due to smoke from several fires burning in Monterey County. Sunrise in San Luis Obispo on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, shows the sun behind PG&E high tension power lines.

The frequency and severity of wildfires along the West Coast have been steadily increasing over the past decade, largely in part to climate change, according to the California Air Resources Board, a government agency that aims to reduce air pollution.

What weve seen in recent years is that western wildfires have really ramped up to hazardous levels, in some cases, of levels of particle pollution that residents are being exposed to, said Will Barrett, national senior director for clean air advocacy at the American Lung Association.

In 2020, San Luis Obispo had the worst air quality in the world after smoke from wildfires in the Bay Area traveled south, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring company.

In 2022, Cal Fire responded to 3,574 wildfires that burned more than 19,000 acres of land in California.

So far in 2023, Cal Fire has responded to 2,584 California wildfires burning more than 8,000 acres of land.

Smoke from wildfires burning in Monterey County turned the setting sun red in 2020 n a view from Oro Drive in Arroyo Grande.

Exposure to ozone may cause respiratory disease





Long-term exposure to ozone, is known to provoke asthma symptoms, and is likely to be one of many causes of the disease, according to the EPA.

Ozone is both a natural and man-made gas that can cause adverse health affects when it is inhaled, according to the EPA.

Ozone is formed in the atmosphere generally on hotter, sunnier days when emissions from tail pipes from traffic pollution, for example, mixes in the atmosphere and actually forms into ozone, Barrett said.

So to the extent that theres warmer, sunnier weather and those raw ingredients for ozone formation are present in the community, that would lead to part of the challenge.

In 2023, San Luis Obispo was ranked as the 21st most polluted city in the U.S. based on the number of high ozone days, according to the American Lung Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for better lung health.

San Luis Obispo County had on average 11.3 high ozone days per year from 2019 to 2021, compared to an average of only 2.8 high ozone days per year in Santa Barbara County from 2019 to 2021, the American Lung Association said.

Climate change is only making the problem worse, Barrett said.

Climate change is amplifying a lot of health challenges, a lot of disparities in communities across the world and the conditions that allow for ozone formation, he said.

Air quality data from monitors around San Luis Obispo County can be found at SLOCleanAir.org This screenshot captured Sept. 17, 2019 around 4 p.m. shows that levels of PM10 and PM2.5 measured much higher at the Nipomo - CDF station (on Willow Road). This is common during strong wind events in South County.

What can be done?





Although asthma cannot be cured, there are way to prevent asthma attacks and reduce symptoms when they occur, according to the CDC.

One of the key things we recommend people do is check the local air quality on a daily basis, Barrett said. If the air is unhealthy to breathe you want to make sure that people have the tools and the information available to protect themselves.

The San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District posts daily air quality forecast maps.

Barrett also recommends that community members speak with policymakers and local leaders about ways the community can clean up, whether thats providing more incentives for walkable, bikeable or transit-oriented development or spurring the transition to zero emission technologies.
Slovakia to supply Ukraine with 16 Zuzana 2 howitzers, says Zelenskyy

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Zuzana Chaputova in Bratislava, July 7, 2023

Ukraine and Slovakia have signed a contract on the production and transfer of 16 Zuzana 2 self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine, the leaders of the two countries said at a press conference in Bratislava, Slovakia, on July 7.

Slovakia and Ukraine will jointly develop a new type of howitzer and produce ammunition. Slovakian enterprises will also help Ukraine carry out mine clearance, said Slovak President Zuzana Caputova.

In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Slovakia for its defense support, including the provision of air defense systems and aircraft for Ukraine.

Read also: Slovakia to increase ammo production for Ukraine five-fold

The Ukrainian leader also confirmed the signing of the contract for the production of Zuzana 2 howitzers, adding the two countries were already working on joint production.

Ukraine is ready to purchase Slovakian equipment for mine clearance and jointly establish new production facilities, Zelenskyy added.

The Ukrainian president arrived in Slovakia on July 7. Prior to that, he visited Bulgaria and Czechia.

U.S. news agency Bloomberg previously reported that Zelenskyy might meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul in the near future.

Read also:

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Somerville is moving forward with its plan to open what would be the first safe injection site in Massachusetts despite questions over its legal status.

Somervilles City Council just approved $10,000 in funding for external consultants to help open the site and $170,000 in funding for purchasing modular units for the site and future sites.

Thats on top of $827,000 already appropriated in the citys 2024 fiscal year budget.

An exact timeline and location for the pioneer mobile site remain unclear.

A report commissioned by the city and prepared by Fenway Health suggests several city-owned parking lots in Davis Square and East Somerville as viable options.

If the mayor wants it so bad, put it in the house next to her, said Harry, who didnt want to use his last name. You got some extra money, put it in low-income housing.

Earlier this year, a coalition of 16 mayors from the Greater Boston area urged Governor Maura Healey to explore and fund the use of safe injection sites.

The sites, also known as supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention centers, are places where people who inject, smoke or snort drugs would be monitored.

I want it in my backyard because it will help clean up the neighborhood. There is nothing to worry about except the irrational fear, said Bill Fried, whos lived in Somerville for 44 years.

Fried spoke with Boston 25 News on behalf of SIFMA Now, a coalition of volunteers who have been pushing for supervised consumption sites for years.

Theyve been pointing to research that they say shows almost 200 safe consumption sites operating around the world are preventing fatal overdoses and saving lives.

They save lives. They solve problems. They dont cause problems, added Fried.

Somerville is now working on a request for a proposal to purchase the modular unit for the site.

Two of these sites have already opened in New York City without clear state or federal approval.

The federal government hasnt taken action on either of those sites thus far.

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
Jacob Williamson

An 18-year-old transgender man has been found dead in South Carolina, and a man he met online is accused of his murder.

Jacob Williamson left his home in Laurens, S.C., the evening of June 30, Charlotte, N.C., TV station WBTV reports. He said goodbye to Promise Edwards, who had taken him into her home a month and a half ago after he was rejected by some members of his family for being trans.

Joshua Newton of Monroe, N.C., with whom Williamson had begun an online relationship, picked him up in Laurens, supposedly for a date at Carowinds, an amusement park on the North Carolina-South Carolina border. But Newton drove Williamson back to Monroe, and police say Williamson was killed in a house there. His body was found Tuesday along a road in Pageland, S.C., just over the state line from Monroe. Media reports have not said how he was killed.

Police arrested Newton, 25, and his girlfriend, Victoria Smith, 22. Newton is charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice, and Smith is charged with obstruction of justice and being an accessory after the fact, officials with the Union County, N.C., sheriffs department told WBTV.

While the motive is still being determined, it does not appear that Williamson was specifically targeted because of [his] gender identity, Union County Lt. James Maye told Newsweek.

Edwards said she was happy to have given Williamson a safe space. This world was so cruel to Jacob his entire life, she said to WBTV. I find peace in knowing that in the last month and a half, he found peace.

She also cautioned against meeting up with strangers, saying parents should warn their children about the dangers. Please express to them how unsafe it is to go with people online, how unsafe it is to get in the car with anybody that you do not know, she said. Because this is our reality now. Our reality is missing somebody that never deserved to go away like this.

Williamson and Chanell Perez Ortiz of Puerto Rico are the 13th and 14th trans people known to have died by violence in the U.S. this year.

Joshua Newton and Victoria Smith

Joshua Newton and Victoria Smith
Blackpink in concert

Blackpink's concert organisers in Vietnam has apologised for their website displaying a map that Beijing uses to justify its vast claims in the South China Sea.

The Korean pop sensations are due to perform two concerts there this month.

Vietnam's foreign ministry spokesman called the map on promoter iME's website a "hot button issue", adding that it was "unacceptable".

The Beijing-headquartered company said it would replace the images.

Eagle-eyed internet users in Vietnam spotted the map on the website.

Vietnam is among a number of countries that contest China's claim to almost all of the South China Sea.

The nine-dash line is used in Chinese maps of the South China Sea to show its territorial claims.

South China Sea

Vietnam's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said that the "promotion and usage of products or publications featuring the 'nine-dash line' in Vietnam is a violation of Vietnam's laws and is unacceptable".

Vietnam's culture ministry said it was investigating the incident.

In its apology, iME said the map on its website "does not represent the territory of any country and we are aware of respecting the sovereignty and culture of all the countries".

The company's CEO, Brian Chow called the incident an "unfortunate misunderstanding".

Live performances by big name pop acts like Blackpink are rare in Vietnam.

The controversy with Blackpink comes days after Vietnam banned the Barbie movie over its portrayal of the nine-dash map.

The film's distributor, Warner Bros, has defended its depiction of the map, saying it was a "whimsical, child-like crayon drawing".

"The doodles depict Barbie's make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement," the studio said.

In 2016 an international tribunal in The Hague ruled against Chinese claims in the South China Sea, but Beijing did not recognise the judgement.

Instead it has built artificial islands over previously uninhabited reefs and outcrops.
China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei all have competing claims over territory in the South China Sea

Countries have wrangled over territory in the South China Sea for centuries, but tension has grown in recent years.

In particular, China's sweeping claims - which include sovereignty claims over land parcels and their adjacent waters - have angered competing claimants like Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei.

The other countries have staked claims on islands and various zones in the sea, such as the Paracels and the Spratlys.

China has backed its expansive claims with island-building and naval patrols. The US says it does not take sides in territorial disputes, but has sent military ships and planes near disputed islands in what it calls "freedom of navigation" operations.

Japan, which has no direct stake in the South China Sea, also provides ships and military equipment to claimants like Vietnam and the Philippines.

There are fears that the area is becoming a flashpoint, with potentially serious global consequences.

South China Sea

The Paracels and the Spratlys are two island chains claimed in whole or in part by a number of countries

Why are countries interested in these waters?

The South China Sea is a major shipping route. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates that over 21% of global trade, amounting to $3.37 trillion, transited through these waters in 2016.

It is also home to rich fishing grounds that provide for the livelihoods of millions of people across the region. More than half of the world's fishing vessels operate in this area.

Although largely uninhabited, the Paracels and the Spratlys may have reserves of natural resources around them. There has been little detailed exploration of the area, so estimates are largely extrapolated from the mineral wealth of neighbouring areas.

The nine-dash line and other claims

China claims by far the largest portion of territory in an area demarcated by its so-called "nine-dash line". The line comprises nine dashes which extends hundreds of miles south and east from its most southerly province of Hainan.

A map issued by Beijing shows the two island groups falling entirely within its territory

In 1947, China issued a map detailing its claims, and insists history backs up its claims - Beijing says its right to the area goes back centuries to when the Paracel and Spratly island chains were regarded as integral parts of the Chinese nation.

These claims are mirrored by Taiwan.

However, critics say China has not been specific about what exactly its claim includes, and that the nine-dash line that appears on Chinese maps encompassing almost the entirety of the South China Sea includes no coordinates.

It is also not clear whether China claims only land territory within the nine-dash line, or all the maritime space within it as well.

Both the Philippines and China lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal, or Huangyan Island as it is known in China

Vietnam hotly disputes China's historical account, saying China had never claimed sovereignty over the islands before the 1940s. Vietnam says it has actively ruled over both the Paracels and the Spratlys since the 17th Century - and has the documents to prove it.

The other major claimant to the area is the Philippines, which invokes its geographical proximity to the Spratly Islands as the main basis of its claim for part of the grouping.

Both the Philippines and China also lay claim to the Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Island in China) - a little more than 100 miles (160km) from the Philippines and 500 miles from China.

Malaysia and Brunei also lay claim to territory in the South China Sea that they say falls within their economic exclusion zones, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, or UNCLOS.

Brunei does not claim any of the disputed islands, but Malaysia claims a small number of islands in the Spratlys.

Serious clashes

The most serious trouble in recent decades has flared between Vietnam and China, and there have also been stand-offs between the Philippines and China. Some of the incidents include:

In 1974, the Chinese seized the Paracels from Vietnam, killing more than 70 Vietnamese troops.

In 1988, the two sides clashed in the Spratlys, with Vietnam again coming off worse, losing about 60 sailors.

In early 2012, China and the Philippines engaged in a lengthy maritime stand-off, accusing each other of intrusions in the Scarborough Shoal.

Unverified claims that the Chinese navy sabotaged two Vietnamese exploration operations in late 2012 led to large anti-China protests on Vietnam's streets.

In January 2013, Manila said it was taking China to a UN tribunal under the auspices of the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea, to challenge its claims.

In May 2014, the introduction by China of a drilling rig into waters near the Paracel Islands led to multiple collisions between Vietnamese and Chinese ships.

In June 2019, Manila accused a Chinese trawler of ramming a Filipino fishing boat with 22 people on board. The Filipinos were rescued by the Vietnamese.

In early 2023, the Philippines said Chinese vessels have been shining lasers at Filipino boats to temporarily blind their crew. They also accuse the Chinese of dangerous manoeuvres by sailing too close or blocking the Filipinos' path.

Hollywood: Caught in the controversy

Claimant countries have been banning films depicting contested territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Most recently, Vietnam banned the upcoming Barbie film - due for release in July 2023 - over its portrayal of a map that includes the nine-dash line. Senators in the Philippines also criticised the map's inclusion in the movie. It should come with "an explicit disclaimer that the nine-dash line is a figment of China's imagination", according to one lawmaker.

Korean pop super group Blackpink also came under fire in Vietnam in July 2023 after their concert promoter's website featured a map with Beijing's nine-dash line.

The controversial map everyone's talking about: pic.twitter.com/0LB2PtvYZg  Heather Chen (@heatherchen_) July 4, 2023

In 2019, DreamWorks' animated children's movie Abominable also incurred the ire of several South East Asian countries. Vietnam pulled the film, Malaysia cut the scene depicting the map, while the Philippines called for a DreamWorks boycott. Abominable is the first co-production between the US company and China's Pearl Studio production firm.

In 2018, Vietnamese censors cut a second-long clip in Crazy Rich Asians featuring a designer bag with a world map that showed the disputed area under Beijing's control.

Have they tried to reach a resolution?

China prefers bilateral negotiations with the other parties. But many of its neighbours argue that China's relative size and clout give it an unfair advantage.

Some countries have argued that China should negotiate with Asean (the Association of South East Asian Nations), a 10-member regional grouping that consists of Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Cambodia.

However, China is opposed to this, while Asean is also divided over how to resolve the dispute.

China has opposed negotiations with Asean, a 10-member regional grouping

The Philippines has sought international arbitration instead. In 2013, it announced it would take China to an arbitration tribunal under the auspices of the UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea, to challenge its claims.

In July 2016, the tribunal backed the Philippines' case, saying China had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights.

China had boycotted the proceedings and called the ruling "ill-founded". It says it will not be bound by it.
South Dakota predicts no trouble at future Mount Rushmore fireworks, despite clash in 2020

Protesters move off the shoulder and onto the highway leading to Mount Rushmore on Friday, July 3, 2020 in Keystone.

Protesters physically clashed with law enforcement officers the last time there was a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, but state officials are telling the federal government theres no reason to believe something similar would happen again.

The state Department of Tourism applied Wednesday to the U.S. Department of the Interior for a special use permit to conduct a fireworks display next year, on or around the Fourth of July. The Interior Department includes the National Park Service, which manages Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

The application form includes a series of yes-or-no questions. One of the questions asks, Is there any reason to believe there will be attempts to disrupt, protest or prevent your event? The state Tourism Department checked the box for no.

The most recent fireworks display at Mount Rushmore, which was attended by then-President Donald Trump, was on July 3, 2020. Protesters blocked a checkpoint for the ticketed event and engaged in a physical altercation with sheriffs deputies and National Guard soldiers.

Twenty people were arrested on various charges that were later dropped after an agreement was reached with prosecutors. The protesters criticized Trumps policies and advocated for the return of land that Native Americans lost to broken treaties, including the Black Hills and Mount Rushmore.

Each year since, the Department of the Interior has rejected the states fireworks permit applications. Gov. Kristi Noem has sued, unsuccessfully, to overturn the decisions.

Noem announced the states latest application Wednesday, saying in a news release that she will keep fighting.

The Biden administration has consistently denied us the ability to celebrate our nations freedom with fireworks, Noem said.

State Tourism Department spokesperson Katlyn Svendsen fulfilled South Dakota Searchlights request for a copy of the most recent application Wednesday, but did not immediately respond to further questions.

Prior to Noems collaboration with Trump to bring fireworks back to Mount Rushmore in 2020, there hadnt been a fireworks display at the memorial in more than a decade. Federal officials had ended the displays because of wildfires started by fireworks embers falling in the surrounding forest, litter from exploded fireworks that lingered for years afterward, and groundwater pollution caused by chemicals in the fireworks.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota predicts no trouble at future Rushmore fireworks
MILLVILLE - A city man is accused of killing a 25-year-old woman in a domestic incident here.

Steven Gonzalez, 24, is charged with the apparent strangulation of the victim, who was found dead in the couple's Riverside Drive residence on Monday, July 3.

Gonzalez was arrested at a relative's home in Vineland.

Suspect, 18, remains in custody: Attorney for Vineland High senior claims in court a 'warning shot' killed Millville man

The victim's name is not being released as this is a domestic-violence incident, the prosecutor's office said.

Gonzalez is charged with murder and aggravated assault.

The charges are only allegations. He has not been convicted in the case.

An investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Prosecutor's Detective Paul Panchesine at 856-332-6233 or Millville Police Detective John Butschky at 856-825-7010.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Stephen Gonzalez, 24, was arrested at a relative's home in Vineland
By Hyunsu Yim and Soo-hyang Choi

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea said on Friday Japan's plan to discharge treated radioactive water from its tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant met global safety standards and it respected the U.N. nuclear watchdog's approval for the release.

Japan plans to soon start releasing more than a million tons of treated radioactive water, now being stored at the crippled plant north of Tokyo, most of which was used to cool the reactors destroyed by a March 2011 tsunami.

Japan has faced opposition to its plan, both at home and abroad, including from South Korea, despite assurances that the water is safe after being filtered to remove most isotopes.

South Korea's assent for the plan comes after it conducted its own assessment and as the old northeast Asian rivals have been taking steps to improve their ties.

"Based on a review of the treatment plan of contaminated water presented by Japan, we have confirmed concentration of radioactive material meets standards for ocean discharge," South Korea's minister in the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Bang Moon-kyu, told a briefing in Seoul.

"Therefore the plan meets international standards including those of the IAEA," he said.

Bang said South Korea's assessment by two of its nuclear watchdog agencies was based on independent reviews of Japan's plan, site visits by its experts and a review of a report by the U.N. International Atomic Energy Administration, which said the water would have a "negligible radiological impact to people and the environment".

Bang said South Korea respected the IAEA findings, based on a task force of experts from 11 countries including South Korea, China and the United States.

The plan to discharge the treated water from the Fukushima plant is also expected to "not have any meaningful impact on our ocean areas," Bang said.

The South Korean administration has walked a fine line in its stance to Japan's discharge proposal, as it tries to improve ties with Tokyo even though the plan stirred anger and concern among South Koreans.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said the government should oppose the plan and take the case to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea.

Japan is also expected to face sustained opposition to its plan from China.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told Reuters on Friday that one or two international experts who participated in its review may have had concerns.

China's state-run Global Times newspaper said a Chinese expert in the group was disappointed with the "hasty" report.

Yoo Guk-hee, head of South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, said its expert on the panel did not have specific concerns.

Despite the assent for the plan, Bang said a South Korean ban on food and seafood products from the Fukushima region would remain in place.

IAEA chief Grossi is due to fly to South Korea on Friday for a three-day visit to explain the agency's findings.

He will meet Foreign Minister Park Jin and Yoo, head of the main nuclear regulator that assessed Japan's plan.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim and Soo-hyang Choi; Writing by Jack Kim; editing by Ed Davies, Robert Birsel)
A Southwest passenger thought she and her 2 children were going to die when the plane diverted after someone AirDropped a photo suggesting there was a bomb on the flight

The Southwest Airlines flight to Hawaii was diverted after the incident. AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/Getty Images

Southwest diverted a flight after someone AirDropped a photo suggesting a bomb was on the plane.

The passenger Valerie Maluchnik told Insider that she feared she and her two kids were going to die.

Maluchnik praised other passengers and Southwest employees for their handling of the situation.

A passenger on a Southwest flight that diverted from Hawaii after someone used Apple's AirDrop feature to share a photo suggesting there was a bomb on the plane said she was afraid she and her two children were going to die.

Valerie Maluchnik, a teacher who was on the flight, told Insider that she was flying home to Hawaii with her 15-year-old daughter and her 8-year-old son when the incident occurred.

After falling asleep on the flight, Maluchnik said she woke up and "noticed that there was no Wi-Fi on the plane" after it had previously been working. She said that she began seeing flight attendants talking in the front of the plane and that things onboard seemed tense.

About an hour into the flight, the pilot announced they'd be diverting to Oakland, California, because of a mechanical issue, she said.

"So, of course, I'm panicking already," Maluchnik said, "In my mind, I'm like, 'is this thing going down?' and then it just kind of spiraled from there."

She said she noticed one flight attendant talking to herself, repeatedly saying: "Get me the fuck off this plane."

"I'm like, 'Oh my God, this is it. This is the end for me and my kids,'" she said.

Eventually, the flight landed in Oakland.

Maluchnik filmed a TikTok of an Oakland County Police deputy coming aboard and announcing a "security incident" that required them to exit only with their phones, IDs, and boarding passes. Medications and medical devices were also allowed, Maluchnik added.

Other videos on Maluchnik's TikTok showed passengers being deplaned, their luggage being pulled off the flight to be searched, and people waiting in the airport.

When everyone exited the plane, Maluchnik said the tarmac was crowded with dogs, officials, emergency vehicles, and police officers.

After boarding buses and traveling to a gate to meet an explosive specialist, Maluchnik said they asked her: "Did you receive any AirDrops during the flight?"

She said she hadn't and was directed to go through airport security. "They were monitoring, making sure none of us had wandered off or left in case someone had done the bomb threat," Maluchnik said, adding that she didn't know the full extent of the incident until other passengers told her that someone had AirDropped a photo suggesting a bomb was on the plane.

Eventually, Maluchnik got her luggage back and boarded another flight to Hawaii, with fellow passengers and Southwest Airlines staff helping everyone navigate the traumatic situation.

Maluchnik said that Southwest gave her a credit for a future flight and that the airline had already reached out about the situation.

While she was especially worried for her children, Maluchnik said the event didn't seem to phase them as much, including her son, who has autism.

"It just doesn't register, what we went through," she said. "And to have people say, 'you have to be strong for your kids,' but at the same time, it's my traumatic experience, too."

Since the flight on Monday, Maluchnik  who said she also had post-traumatic stress disorder  said she'd been actively seeking mental-health help, possibly including a service dog.

Police haven't identified who was behind the AirDropped photo.

Southwest Airlines told Insider in a statement that it would defer additional questions to local authorities who met the aircraft.

"Safety is our guiding focus and we're grateful for patience and understanding during this delayed journey to Hawaii," the statement added.

Read the original article on Insider
(This July 7 story has been refiled to say 'appropriate,' not 'inappropriate,' in paragraph 6)

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's far-right party Vox proposed abolishing the current laws allowing abortion and euthanasia, according to its election manifesto published on Friday.

"We defend the right to life from conception to natural death," said the 169-page document, which was launched as the campaign began for Spain's snap election on July 23.

In December, Spain's parliament passed a sexual and reproductive health law that allows girls aged 16 and 17 to undergo abortions without parental consent.

Vox said it would repeal the so-called Trans Law, passed by Spain's left-wing coalition government in December, which allows transgender people aged 14 and over to change their legal gender without the need for psychological or other medical evaluation.

The law also says teenagers aged 14-16 would still need approval from parents or guardians.

Vox also said it would increase parental control of any sex education in schools to give them the power to veto what their children are taught if they do not think it is appropriate.

Income tax would be simplified if Vox came to power, with a lower rate of 15% for those earning 70,000 euros ($76,769.00) per year and 25% for those earning more.

The hard-right party pledged a naval blockade to prevent illegal migrants crossing the sea from Africa in boats to land on Spanish shores.

Vox, which is the third largest party in the Spanish parliament with 52 lawmakers, is a possible coalition ally of the conservative People's Party (PP), which has led polls so far ahead of the ruling Socialist Party.

($1 = 0.9118 euros)

(Reporting by Graham Keeley; Editing by Sandra Maler)
The team led by special counsel Jack Smith has indicated their ongoing attention on an eventful meeting that occurred in the Oval Office during the closing days of the Trump administration, a report said.

In that meeting, former president Donald Trump considered a series of extraordinary proposals to maintain his hold on power.

Several sources told the CNN that investigators questioned multiple witnesses  both in front of the grand jury and during interviews  about the bizarre meeting. The investigation has been ongoing for several months, the report said.

Some witnesses have been asked about the meeting earlier, while others, including Rudy Giuliani, have faced inquiries more recently, it was reported.

Sources told CNN that Mr Giuliani willingly participated in interviews with investigators for two consecutive days last month. During these interviews, a variety of subjects were discussed, including the contentious meeting in December 2020 that Mr Giuliani attended.

Prosecutors have reportedly focused their inquiries specifically on three external advisers to Mr Trump who were involved in the meeting: former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, and former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne.

On 18 December 2020, in the last days of Mr Trumps presidency, a group of lawyers and supporters assembled by the former president to challenge the results of the presidential election arrived at the White House. They came prepared to challenge the results of the election with their conspiracy theories and a draft executive order to seize voting machines.

According to an NPR report from July last year, representative Jamie Raskin described how Mr Powell, Mr Byrne and Mr Flynn accessed the White House with the help of a junior staffer and spoke with Trump alone for 10-15 minutes before White House officials learned of the meeting and made their way to join.

Mr Raskin displayed texts from former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson describing the meeting to Tony Ornato, then White House deputy chief of staff for operations, claiming: The West Wing is unhinged.

Mr Giuliani has earlier said in his testimony that the former president told the White House attorneys that they were not tough enough and used crass language.

The meeting ended in shouting and insults.

According to the New York Times, Derek Lyons, a former White House staff secretary, said: At times, there were people shouting at each other, hurling insults at each other  it wasnt just sort of people sitting around on a couch like chit-chatting.

Subsequently, Mr Trump took to Twitter and said that the upcoming gathering in Washington, DC  scheduled for 6 January 2021  to voice their opposition to the election results, will be wild.
A Spring Mills man is facing federal charges in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday.

Terry L. Allen, 64, is accused of assaulting law enforcement officers and faces felony charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds.

According to a statement of facts from the DOJ, Allen was identified in footage from Jan. 6 by a member of the public who identified him through publicly available photos and videos. In June 2022, this person also sent the FBI a video from Nov. 14, 2020, in which Allen was carrying what appeared to be the same black Trump flag and tan tactical gloves shown in the footage from the Jan. 6 riot.

Allen was among the crowd of rioters that breached the western perimeter of the U.S. Capitol grounds, the 12-page court filing states. He is seen on the video footage carrying a flag on a wooden flagpole approximately five feet in length.

According to the filing, video footage shows Allen shoving officers before using his wooden flagpole as a lance to attack officers by driving it into them in a stabbing motion as well as later throwing what appears and sounds consistent with a black metallic pole at the officers standing less than ten feet away.

Others, including a person who has known Allen for more than 10 years, identified him from an image taken on Jan. 6, according to the filing.

In addition to the felony offenses, Allen faces misdemeanor charges of engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or on restricted grounds and obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder. He made his initial appearance Friday in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Allen served two years in the Centre County Correctional Facility after assaulting a State College police officer in 1984. He pleaded guilty to slamming a police officers head into the pavement multiple times, the filing noted. In 2011 the FBI received a complaint about Allen because of his possible ownership of a fully automatic machine gun. He was never interviewed.

Allen is the third person with a known connection to Centre County to face charges related to Jan. 6. Julian Khater, the former owner of Frutta Bowls in downtown State College, was sentenced in January to 80 months in prison  one of the longest handed down for any Capitol rioter  for his involvement. Brian Gundersen, who had been living in State College and traveled to Washington, D.C. to attend the rally that preceded the riot, was convicted in November of obstructing the vote to certify the electoral college and of striking a police officer. He has not yet been sentenced.

More than 1,000 people have been charged in connection with the Capitol riot since the DOJ began its investigation, which is ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
The legal challenge aimed to reverse the government's decision to continue allowing water firms to discharge raw sewage into waterways through storm overflows until 2050

An oyster farmer who has taken the government to court over the discharge of sewage by water firms said he hoped to gain some concessions to the rules.

Tom Haward, of Essex-based Richard Haward's Oysters, said the "relentless dumping of sewage into our seas" threatened oysters' breeding waters.

Water firms have been given a deadline of 2050 to stop sewage discharges.

The legal challenge aimed to force the government to bring the deadline forward and introduce tougher targets.

A two-day High Court hearing ended on Thursday, with the judge expected to come back with his decision in writing at a later date.

The action, brought by Mersea Island-based Richard Haward's Oysters, the Marine Conservation Society, and surfer and activist Hugo Tagholm, was supported by the Good Law Project, a not-for-profit legal company.

Mr Haward said: "Mersea produces the best oysters: the water quality is fantastic, our oysters are doing brilliantly, we're not being impacted by sewage discharges like other parts of the UK are.

"But there are shellfish harvesters who've been really impacted by this [sewage]."

He said he decided to get involved with the court case for future generations.

"My daughter is two, and if she wants to be generation nine of the Hawards, there's got to be safeguards there for her to be able to do that," he said.

"It's about protecting her future; it's about protecting the UK's future."

Tom Haward's Oysters have been farming oysters in the estuaries and creeks around Mersea Island since the 1700s

The family business, which has been cultivating oysters since the 1700s, has 14 acres of oyster layings in the creeks surrounding West Mersea - on the island near Colchester.

Mr Haward, who has called for water companies to invest more in their infrastructure, was hopeful of a positive outcome from the court challenge.

"I'd like to think we'll see something that has a major positive impact. Even if it's just shortening time frames," he said.

"Because at the moment government is talking about year 2050 before something significant happens, with storm overflows alone.

"If that just brings it forward to a much shorter timeframe, that for me is a win.

"The big win would be for the water companies to be finally held to account for what they do."

A ruling against the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) could set a landmark precedent, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It would allow others to use an ancient English legal principle called the Public Trust Doctrine, to compel those in power to protect the natural environment.

Defra has been asked for comment.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830
Taylor Swift's storytelling 'through the eras' is focus of new student-led class at Stanford

Taylor Swift's songwriting is the focus of an upcoming course at Stanford. (Jordan Strauss / Invision / Associated Press)

As part of her successful application to Stanford, Ava Jeffs, now a sophomore studying computer science, wrote an essay about Taylor Swifts song Clean. The first essay she wrote her freshman year was 13 pages on Swifts songwriting about mental health.

Soon, she will read even more Swift-centered essays  this time penned by others  when she teaches a course offered to Stanford students in the spring titled The Last Great American Songwriter: Storytelling With Taylor Swift Through the Eras." Swift is scheduled to close out the U.S. leg of her Eras tour with six shows at Inglewoods SoFi Stadium in August.

 Its b een a l ong t ime coming ,  to quote Taylor Swift, said Jeffs, who has been screaming along to Taylor Swift CDs since she was a toddler. I could have a minor in Taylor Swift studies, honestly, at the end of this.

Jeffs 10-week class, which will be available in April, is the latest to join the growing roster of Swift courses offered at colleges across North America.

Earlier this year, another Stanford student taught a course on Swifts 10-minute song All Too Well. Last year, classes about Swifts songwriting and legacy thrilled Swifties at the University of Texas at Austin , Queens University in Ontario, Canada, and New York University  where Swift received her honorary doctorate alongside the Class of 2022.

Read more: Look what you made her do: Taylor Swift adds sixth night to L.A. leg of Eras tour

Rather than an excuse for fans to talk trivia and swap comfort songs, these courses seem to incorporate a measure of academic rigor. For example, the NYU class, taught by a Rolling Stone writer, examined Swifts career in relation to feminism, race and the music industry. And at the University of Texas, students studied Swifts songs alongside works from Shakespeare, Keats and Frost.

This fall, the Berklee College of Music will offer a songwriting course tracking Swifts evolution, too.

Jeffs addition to the trend will follow the chronology of Swifts discography, with weekly discussions dedicated to the literary references, lyricism and storytelling techniques used in each of her 10 original studio albums  and her corresponding era.

Eras are a big part of Swift-lore. Shes known for ushering in new chapters of her life with each album release  each phase filled with distinct symbolism, production styles and aesthetics, both in her music and her public image (Swifties attending the Eras tour have been going all out with outfits paying tribute to their favorite era).

She really does this thing where she world builds her albums around an era, and that's something that I want to dive into with the class as well, Jeffs said.

Read more: The 40 best songs of 2023 so far (with playlist!)

Students may be assigned to analyze specific songs, envision the narrative arc of a fictional album using preexisting songs, or reimagine a song in a different medium  whether that be a short story, poem or film, Jeffs said.

Although her class wont be on Stanfords course website until August, she said she had already received enough interest to consider implementing an application process for those who want to enroll.

The class is one of the universitys student-initiated courses  classes designed and/or led by undergrads with the help of a faculty sponsor. Mark McGurl, an English professor whose own classes have focused on modern literature, greenlighted Jeffs proposed syllabus in May.

It was just basically me emailing every single professor in the English department over the course of a couple of months until I was able to actually have a conversation with a professor about my syllabus, Jeffs said.

It took a while for Jeffs to find a faculty member to get on board  but thats part of the reason she wants this class to be offered.

Stanford has a whole department that studies classical literature and classic works that oftentime talk about similar themes to what Taylor talks about in her songs. She's just doing it in a modern form, Jeffs said.

A lot of the time artists like Taylor Swift aren't taken seriously because they're seen as mainstream or because they're seen as girly, but she's been really successful. We should look into why and take that seriously.

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.
After a water year that was well above average, residents in Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties should keep in mind that much of the lush vegetation enjoyed this spring is drying into fire fuel as summer heat sets in.

According to Frontline Wildfire Defense, peak fire season runs from July through October, with the period of highest risk landing during September and October.

Modesto Fire Department Capt. Jim Black said that for residents of Northern California, however, fire season can stretch from May through December. So if its a drier winter, we dont get a lot of rain or snow, it can start as early as May in Northern California, Black said. And then it does go through the summer.

Black said the major difference between this year and past fire seasons has been the rainfall from earlier months. The central Sierra watersheds were at 159% of average on Thursday, according to the California Data Exchange Center.

We had such a really wet winter that theres a lot more growth than normal, Black said So theres a lot more vegetation thats grown and its probably a lot taller and thicker than it has been in past years. So that will pose a problem for the grass areas out in the county.

Within the city of Modesto, there is less vegetation than there is near Oakdale and outer areas of Stanislaus County and in Tuolumne County. Areas like Diablo Grande have a higher risk because they are surrounded by grasslands, Black said.

RESIDENTS ADVISED TO CREATE DEFENSIBLE SPACE

The one major thing is to make sure you have at least a hundred feet of defensible space around your property, Black said. That can come in the form of if you have turf or grass or any kind of noncombustible-type plants and stuff like that.

For residents with grass or brush within 100 feet of their homes, Black recommended removing whats dead or dry. For residents in the higher country or near taller trees, he advised clearing any dropped pine needles and dry leaves.

Make sure theyre all off the roof and the gutters are all cleared of any of that as well, Black said.

Residents near a mountainous area, forest-covered lands, shrub-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or land that is covered with flammable material are also required by law to maintain a hundred feet of defensible space. On its website, Fire.ca.gov, Cal Fire provides information on how to create a defensible space.

RESOURCES FROM AIR DISTRICT, CAL FIRE

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District program is offering qualifying Valley residents a free air purifier this wildfire season. Last year, researchers from the University of California at Berkeley found that air filters can reduce exposure to smoke pollution.

Black said firefighters engage in simulations of evacuating injured individuals in the wildland interface, pumping and rolling, and getting into the protective shelter to prepare for fire season. During larger fires, one group of firefighters can remain nearby for as long as 21 days before swapping with another team.

To prepare for fires, Cal Fire offers resources at Fire.ca.gov/prepare on staying ready, creating an emergency plan and understanding when to evacuate. Black said if you smell or see fire, call 911.
State Rep. Abel Herrero with his family on the House floor on the first day of the 2017 Texas legislative session, on Jan. 10, 2017. Credit: Todd Wiseman/The Texas Tribune

State Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, announced Friday he will not seek reelection after nearly two decades in the House.

I have worked hard to bring people together for common goals and purposes to create better opportunities for all Texans, Herrero said in a statement. I hope that I have been able to make our communities and state a better place.

Herrero is a moderate Democrat who chairs the House Corrections Committee. He is in his ninth nonconsecutive term after serving from 2005-11 and then 2013 until now.

Herrero represents House District 34, which covers part of Corpus Christi and spreads west.

Herreros retirement sets up a potentially competitive race to succeed him as Republicans try to make further inroads in South Texas. Herrero won reelection last year by 15 percentage points, but the Democratic nominee for governor, Beto ORourke, carried it by only 5 points.

Herrero was known for championing public education and regularly offered budget amendments opposing state funds for school voucher programs. His amendment got more attention than usual this year due to Gov. Greg Abbotts crusade for such initiatives.

Herrero was not always aligned with his party, though, especially on social issues. He was among a handful of House Democrats earlier this year who supported a ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors.

The chair of the Texas Democratic Party, Gilberto Hinojosa, issued a statement praising Herreros service, especially his anti-voucher amendment. Hinojosa said it was nothing short of an act of heroism given how hard GOP leaders have been pushing for such programs this year.

Hinojosa also acknowledged the vacancy could trigger a hard-fought race and promised the party will fight with everything we have to ensure this district remains represented by a Democrat.

Join us for conversations that matter with newly announced speakers at the 2023 Texas Tribune Festival, in downtown Austin from Sept. 21-23.
The Idaho State Board of Education said it did not violate the states open meetings law when it discussed the University of Idahos plans to acquire the University of Phoenix in secret proceedings.

At a closed meeting Friday, the board and its legal counsel discussed a lawsuit from Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador alleging that the board broke the law when it held three meetings in closed session regarding the proposed acquisition  on March 22, April 25 and May 15.

Labrador sued June 20 in District Court in Ada County, asking the court to void the boards May 18 vote where it unanimously approved the purchase, alleging that it was the result of illegal deliberations just a few days earlier.

The May 18 meeting was the first time the board publicly discussed the transaction.

After considering the lawsuit privately for about 35 minutes Friday, the board reconvened in an open session, with U of I President Scott Green attending, and quickly voted to adopt a determination that no open meetings law violation occurred at the May 15 meeting.

The attorneys engaged in this transaction determined that the exemption applied, State Board President Linda Clark said. Even now with the benefit of hindsight analysis, we believe the exemption applies. Therefore no violation occurred and no cure is necessary.

Idahos open meetings law requires, with some exceptions, that all meetings of a governing body of a public agency shall be open to the public.

The board had cited an exemption to consider preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the governing body is in competition with governing bodies in other states or nations. The University of Arkansas also considered buying the University of Phoenix, though trustees ultimately rejected the purchase in April.

State Board Executive Director Matt Freeman sent a letter to Labradors office June 30, saying the board consulted with Labradors office before the May 15 meeting to ensure it was conducted legally.

Additionally, the deputy attorney general your office assigned to the board was present for the entirety of the May 15 meeting and no concerns with its legality were ever raised to the board, Freeman said. To adequately respond to the lawsuit, the board now requires legal counsel who is both experienced in ligation and acting independent of Attorney General Labrador.

Freeman said the board will send invoices for the legal counsel to Labradors office for payment from the funds appropriated to his office.

In a statement emailed to the Idaho Statesman on Friday, the attorney generals office said that government affairs should be conducted in full view of the public and consistent with the law.

Today, (the board) had an opportunity to simply cure a mistake and make a clear commitment to transparent governance, the statement said. Instead, the board neglected their duties and continued down a path of wasting taxpayer funds and resources to justify its failure to follow Idaho open public meeting laws, all to keep a half-billion dollar transaction from public discourse. The people of Idaho should be given an opportunity to evaluate such a significant financial decision.

Board of Ed broke the law to approve University of Idaho-Phoenix deal, Idaho AG alleges

The whole thing just smells bad: U of I faculty, taxpayers respond to Phoenix acquisition

University of Phoenix has a checkered past. Did U of I make an enormously risky move?
1889 Prime Steakhouse, a new steakhouse in the downtown apartment building known as Views on Fifth, celebrated the completion of its space on Thursday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony organized by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce.

Although there was a celebration of its space, the restaurant is not expected to open until Aug. 1, said Drew MacEwen, a co-owner of the business and a state lawmaker. Still, he was pleased to have reached this stage.

With a picturesque view of Capitol Lake, 1889 Prime Steakhouse plans to open in August 2023.

This has taken a lot longer than any of us planned and we are way past where we thought we would be, but were here and ready to roll, he said.

Also taking part in the ribbon cutting was fellow state lawmaker and co-owner Andrew Barkis, who said that Olympia was in need of a good steakhouse.

We could have sped this up a couple of months ago, but we want to do it right, Barkis said.

The restaurant has already generated some buzz. MacEwen said a Best Buy employee recently asked him about the business and Barkis said he was asked about it during a trip to Spokane.

In addition to the ribbon cutting, a few dozen people tried drinks and appetizers. The menu is 98 percent complete, MacEwen said. It will feature steak, seafood, non-steak items, appetizers, side dishes and a wine list that will offer mostly Washington wines.

The name of the restaurant reflects the year Washington became a state and so does the interior design, which features photos of former presidents who made campaign stops here, including Teddy Roosevelt in Olympia and John F. Kennedy in Spokane.

What will the business do before Aug. 1? Train staff, MacEwen said.

That also happened Thursday, said co-owner Nicole Andres.

The staff is doing fantastic, she said. There are a few hiccups to work out, but everyone is eager to learn and we are going to kill it.

Once open, the restaurant will operate 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays with brunches and special events planned for Sundays and Mondays.

Other business happenings

Hometown Property Management, a business that manages mostly single-family rental homes, has returned to its roots by moving back to Lacey, owner Andrew Barkis said.

The business, which used to be in Olympia on Fourth Avenue, moved last week and reopened for business Monday at 4804 Lacey Boulevard SE, he said. He bought the property at that location, which is between College Street and Ruddell Road.

Why move? Barkis said he didnt need as much space. His staff, due to changes in technology, is smaller than it used to be, down to 14 employees from 24, he said.

The downtown Olympia Lemon Grass restaurant remains closed due to a lack of staff, according to a sign on the business.

However, its locations in Lacey and Tumwater remain open. The Tumwater restaurant is at 5801 Capitol Boulevard and the Lacey location is at 8125 Quinault Drive NE.

A sign at Lemon Grass Olympia explains its closure.

If you know of a retailer, restaurant, coffee shop or other business that is opening, closing, expanding, remodeling, or changing its focus, send an email to reporter Rolf Boone at rboone@theolympian.com.
Stoltenberg announces decisions to be made at NATO summit on Ukraine

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that Allied leaders will adopt a package for Ukraine at the upcoming summit in Vilnius that will include three main elements.

Source: Stoltenberg on Friday at a press conference ahead of the NATO Summit, reported by European Pravda

Quote: "At the Summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger and set out a vision for its future. I expect the Allies to adopt a three-element package to bring Ukraine closer to NATO."

Details: Stoltenberg said the leaders will agree on a multi-year programme of assistance to ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and NATO.

Secondly, the NATO Secretary General noted, the summit will renew political ties between Ukraine and NATO by establishing a NATO-Ukraine Council.

"And third. I expect Allied leaders to reaffirm that Ukraine will become a NATO member and to unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal," Stoltenberg added.

He added that NATO will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards.

Background: President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on US President Joe Biden to invite Ukraine to join NATO now, even if the country joins the Alliance after the war.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that it would be possible to agree on commitments to Ukraine that would not disappoint Ukrainians at the NATO summit in Vilnius.

Read more on the topic: Appeal of Ukrainian Civil Society Organizations to NATO Leaders ahead of Vilnius Summit

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The News

Organizers behind the Great Green Wall project  which aims to reforest 100 million hectares of degraded land stretching from Senegal to Djibouti by 2030  are seeking corporate investors after public funding has slowed.

The project has faced hurdles since its 2007 launch, and only 20 million hectares of the green belt have have materialized.

Weve curated thoughtful analysis on the many challenges facing the worlds most ambitious environmental project.

Insights

While many countries in Africa look towards reforestation, Kenya recently repealed a six-year ban on logging, despite the lack of reforms in the corrupt agency responsible for forests and logging licenses. The move comes at the wrong time, Anthony Langat argues in Semafors Africa newsletter, as the the country could be handing over its forests to an inept institution.

Even proponents of the Great Green Wall project believe that very little progress has been made in the 15 years since its inception . There are small success stories though: In Senegal, a 1,000-hectare reserve has seen migratory birds, tortoises, and monkeys returning. Local farmers are paid for their work in the reforested area, and the project has offered some relief for nearby villages struggling with poor economies.

Reforestation is being embraced around the world as a climate change-fighting measure, with projects to add tree cover in major economies around the world. There are issues with this plan, however: Non-native trees can disrupt existing biodiversity, and local livelihoods.

Know More

Access to funding has been a struggle since the project began. Two years ago, French President Emmanuel Macron promised 14 billion ($15.2 billion) in additional funding to the project, but that money has yet to materialize. Meanwhile, every country involved in the project has its own budget, and it is unclear what has been spent so far by each of them.

As the African continent loses its arable land to climate change, the wall would offer a sustainable way to regenerate agroforestry and useable parklands.
Marianne Williamson, wearing a powder-blue blazer, approached a podium draped by two American flags in a Washington, D.C. restaurant during a May campaign stop.

One supporter chanted Marianne. Another snapped their fingers in support. And one attendee shook from excitement and burst from his seat as Williamson leaned on the podium, took the microphone off its stand to accentuate a point and paced on the small stage as champions in the crowd hung onto her every word.

She received two standing ovations.

The early campaign event signified one of the first for the Democratic candidate since announcing her second bid for the White House after first vying for the presidency in 2020.

Four years ago, the self-help author stood on the end of a presidential debate stage next to nine other contenders all vying for the Democratic nomination and delivered a message to former President Donald Trump that became a defining moment of her first campaign.

"You have harnessed fear for political purposes and only love can cast that out," she said during her closing statement, later continuing, "I'm going to harness love for political purposes. I will meet you on that field and sir, love will win."

The love-will-win delivery cast Williamson as, in her words from 2019, "vulnerable to mockery." Now in her second attempt at the presidency, the candidate is concentrating on her other positions  campaigning on changing what she says is the "unsustainable status quo" that she believes is destroying the middle class and creating hopelessness for Americans.

She contends that a majority of current policies are geared toward making things easy for the wealthy at the expense of those less well off, creating a system where too many people are "locked out" of opportunities as children.

The campaign is filling a void, especially for younger voters looking for a fresh message from someone who doesnt have a legacy in politics, such as her primary opponents President Joe Biden or Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Someone who, as Williamson vows she would do in office, shake up the corrupted system.

Touted as Oprah Winfrey's "spiritual advisor"  the TV show host called her "a spiritual friend and counselor" after she began making frequent appearances on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in the early 1990s  Williamson believes in a universal healthcare system, forgiving student debt, reparations to the descendants of slaves, addressing the environmental crisis and protecting abortion rights.

A Williamson presidency would signify a political awakening" in the country, she says.

It's a mission that appeals to younger voters and mirrors the successes of former presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University June poll found nearly a quarter of voters would support an unspecified independent contender over Biden, who is backed by 34%, and Trump, backed by 32%.

But the 70-year-old candidate is a longshot. A May CNN poll only shows her around 8% among Democratic voters.

Williamson likens the country and "status quo incremental politics" to a ship that is headed toward an iceberg.

We need to do more than hit the iceberg at a different angle. We need to turn this ship around," she said to the Washington, D.C. crowd.

Why run for president?

Marianne Williamson holds a fundraiser and meet and greet with supporters at Busboys and Poets on May 11, 2023.

Williamson has spent decades on stages talking to crowds and holding seminars as a spiritual leader with a love conquers all" approach.

She told USA TODAY during a May interview shes always been involved in charitable work and nonprofit activism during her 40-year career. She has described her work as helping people, individuals and organizations endure and transform times of chaos.

But I began to see that no amount of private charity can compensate for basic lack of social justice, she said.

Her brother, Peter Williamson, who she grew up with in Houston, told USA TODAY their father may have had an influence on Williamson and her ideas. An immigration lawyer, he would wake up at 4 a.m. every day to read the local newspapers as well as The New York Times and the Washington Post.

Peter, also an immigration lawyer, recalled how their father one day asked Williamson where she got all her ideas.

She said, From you, daddy, Peter said. He was the center of an awful lot of powerful, psychological activity there."

The first time he heard his sister speak publicly, Peter was impressed.

She came out. She had no notes, not a single piece of paper. She did not stand behind the podium. She walked back and forth across the stage talking the whole time, he said.

Her first trial in politics came in 2014 when she ran unsuccessfully for a House seat as an independent for California's 33rd congressional district.

Five years later, she set her sights higher and declared she would run for president in January 2019. She suspended her campaign one year later and endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Sanders.

A self-help author, Williamson wrote 15 books, four of which have topped the New York Times bestseller list. Most center around the themes of love and spirituality.

Williamson is adding the 2024 presidential race to her resume because she says it's time for the country to change.

Kids are getting out of college and they dont know how theyre going to make it. Its unsustainable. It's immoral. It's unjust, and its un-American, she told USA TODAY. So why did I get in? Because Im not the kind of woman whos going to be silent about something like this.

Who is running in 2024? A closer look at every candidate so far.

First day in the White House: Here's Williamson's plan

Marianne Williamson holds a fundraiser and meet and greet with supporters at Busboys and Poets on May 11, 2023. Williamson ran for the 2020 Democratic nomination and plans to run again for President in 2024.

At another May campaign event on the 13th floor of the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Williamson debuted her 21st Century Economic Bill of Rights. Its wide-ranging targets include everything from workplace rights to environmentalism, as well as the right to healthcare and the right to cost-free higher education.

Some level of economic anxiety is now a feature, not a bug, of the American experience, she said during her speech, calling economic hardships a form of modern oppression.

She told USA TODAY she has a long list of actions she would take on her first day in office: Cancel the Willow project, an oil drilling project in Alaska; audit the Pentagon; reschedule marijuana; lower pharmaceutical drug prices; cancel government contracts with union-busting companies and form a council of experts on everything related to childhood.

Her long-term goal centers around children and making every public school a palace of learning and culture and the arts.

I want to be the childrens president, she said.

She pointed to money in politics as the cancer underneath all other cancers in the country and said she agrees with her Democratic opponent Kennedy that a major threat to the country is the corporate hijacking of the government.

Dai Poole, of Norfolk, Virginia, attended two of Williamsons recent campaign events in D.C. and compared her speaking to that of former President Barack Obama.

"She really understands where the people are and has an ability to speak to our issues where it doesn't matter if you're Democrat, Republican, political, apolitical," the 29-year-old freelance writer said.

Making the case to Gen Z

Marianne Williamson holds a fundraiser and meet and greet with supporters at Busboys and Poets on May 11, 2023. Williamson ran for the 2020 Democratic nomination and plans to run again for President in 2024.

Williamsons message has resonated with younger voters.

The candidate has built a large audience on TikTok, with nearly half a million followers  the most of any presidential candidate who has an official account on the platform. She posts several times a week with clips of her giving interviews, appearing behind the scenes on the campaign trail or talking directly to her followers.

Gabriela Orozco, 20, is a student in New York and learned about Williamsons campaign after one of her TikTok videos appeared on the app.

I think it was cool because she was using TikTok seriously and presenting a serious message, she said.

Williamson told USA TODAY she thinks she appeals to younger voters because she offers a more authentic conversation in the political realm. Young voters dont have a memory of when the country worked better for its people, she said, adding that young people are voting for their lives.

They dont remember a time that theyve never not had to worry, she said.

Her strategy when launching her second presidential campaign wasnt about specifically targeting young voters. I didnt go after them. I just feel I see them, and they see me."

Max Friedstein, a college student in Flagstaff, Arizona, attended one of Williamsons campaign events in Washington, D.C. and has supported her since her 2019 campaign launch. He said her stances speak to the younger generation  specifically her views on free college, the environment and canceling student loan debt.

The 27-year-old said he feels there has been no significant progress under Biden. In Williamson's second presidential bid, Friedstein said she comes across as more grounded and relatable, describing her as less woo-woo.

I think four years ago we were just so afraid of Trump winning that it was anything was better, but now weve realized its not just about not just having Trump. Its about actual progress that needs to be made and evolution and it feels like she represents that change, he said.

White House mocks Williamson

Marianne Williamson holds a fundraiser and meet and greet with supporters at Busboys and Poets on May 11, 2023. Williamson ran for the 2020 Democratic nomination and plans to run again for President in 2024.

In both of her presidential bids, critics have painted Williamson as an unserious candidate, spewing messages of love over solutions to problems.

When asked about her most recent candidacy in March, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre referenced Williamsons spirituality during a White House press briefing.

I mean, if I had a  what is it called? A little globe here... a crystal ball, then I could tell you. A magic eight ball or whatever. If I could feel her aura, I just don't have anything to share on that, she said.

Williamson responded to the comment to USA TODAY, quipping that when Biden took office, he said he would fire anyone in his administration if they disrespected others.

So I guess my question is why she still has her job, she said.

'Raised to argue': Robert F. Kennedy Jr. says his 2024 campaign is 'largely misunderstood'

'I've never seen a crystal'

Marianne Williamson holds a fundraiser and meet and greet with supporters at Busboys and Poets on May 11, 2023. Williamson ran for the 2020 Democratic nomination and plans to run again for President in 2024.

Williamsons daughter, India Williamson, grew up watching her mother on stage, calling it second nature to see her speaking to crowds.

She has not built a 37-plus-year career on crystals, India said. Ive never seen a crystal or heard her talk about it, but she has on spirituality and faith and theres just nothing wrong with that."

India, 33, wasnt surprised when her mother entered politics because advocacy has always been part of her life.

But India said she doesnt understand the orb lady or aura labels placed on her mother and struggles to understand why other candidates arent attacked for their faith.

I guess I just dont understand why when my mother tweets a prayer its seen as this insane example of a non-rational, non-scientific sort of scary outlook on the world, India said.

Williamsons campaign has faced other uphill battles.

Politico reported last month that Williamson lost her second campaign manager since declaring her candidacy. The Daily Beast also reported more than 10 staffers had quit. Williamson's campaign did not comment on the departures to USA TODAY.

Politico reported Thursday that six staffers quit the Williamson team. In a statement to USA TODAY, a campaign spokesperson said the campaign is restructuring under a new campaign manager to "become more efficient leading into primary elections."

Politico also reported in 2020 that former staffers claimed she berated employees and frequently lost her temper. She denied to Politico the allegations calling them categorically untrue.

But if Williamson makes it far enough to win the primary and hypothetically face off against Trump, she said she has the best shot to beat him.

I already have my nickname for him  Donald darling, she told USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marianne Williamson on 2024 presidential run, rejecting 'status quo'
Study says buyout of threatened Outer Banks homes would be cheaper than beach nourishment

The inlet was coming.

For more than 15 years, Mason Inlet had been marauding south, approaching the structures at the north end of North Carolina's Wrightsville Beach. It had already carved away hundreds of acres of sandy spit, a public parking lot, and the land that was home to the temporary beach house used in Julia Robert's 1991 film "Sleeping with the Enemy."

By the early 2000s, it was just yards from the nine-story Shell Island Resort, only stopped by a line of large sandbags.

Faced with letting one of Wrightsville Beach's signature structures wash away or cobbling together a funding package to move the inlet, the New Hanover County Commissioners chose the latter. The county would relocate the inlet 3,000 feet to the north with property owners at the north end of Wrightsville Beach and those on Figure Eight Island, a wealthy private enclave on the other side of the inlet, assessed a special assessment to repay the $6.5-million relocation cost and future maintenance costs.

Four oceanfront homes in the Outer Banks village of Rodanthe have washed away since the start of 2022, the most recent one this March.

More than two decades after the 2002 relocation project, the inlet remains stably and safely away from threatening the expensive beachfront properties on either side of the waterway.

Along coastal North Carolina, engineering answers to threats from Mother Nature is a time-honored tradition to dealing with eroding beaches and threats from wandering inlets.

But pumping sand isn't cheap. It also is becoming a scarce commodity along some parts of the North Carolina coast. Moving waterways or building hardened structures, like terminal groins, also can break the budgets of many local beach communities that don't have the deep pockets of a Wrightsville Beach or financial support from Washington or Raleigh.

Taking a step back?

Mason Inlet's southern migration, which began in the 1980s, was only stopped by a long line of big sandbags hard up against the Shell Island Resort at the northern end of Wrightsville Beach. The inlet was eventually relocated north in 2002.

Faced with a future of rising seas and stronger storms intensified by climate change, state and local officials are scrambling to keep up.

But one option occupies a relatively rare seat at the table for discussion by local officials and residents: moving oceanfront structures out of harms way.

While it might make financial sense, such a move is fraught with economic, emotional and public relation minefields.

Nowhere is that more true along the North Carolina coast than in Rodanthe, an unincorporated village on the Outer Banks that has some of the highest erosion rates on the East Coast. Since early 2022, four homes have fallen into the encroaching Atlantic, and more that a dozen other oceanfront homes could soon be in danger.

Rodanthe property owners have called for Dare County to nourish the village's beach, something the county has funded in other towns along the narrow string of barrier islands that lean out into the Atlantic.

But county officials said a one-time beach nourishment could cost as much as $40 million, and maintaining the village's beach over 30 years, where sand is washing away upwards of 20 feet a year in places, would cost more than $175 million.

Dare County Manager Bobby Outten said the county's beach nourishment fund, which comes from a special tax levied on hotel and short-term rental stays, has roughly $6 million in its account, and a significant influx of money from federal or state sources seems unlikely, at least in the short term.

A 2018 aerial photo of Mason's Inlet and Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville Beach.

A longer-term solution to erosion?

Rodanthe's precarious position prompted the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines to look into another alternative.

Buying out 80 of the village's most exposed oceanfront properties, those within 300 feet of the high-tide line, at current assessed tax value would cost roughly $43 million. The study, released last month, said only one of the homes appears to be a primary residence, and the loss of roughly $171,000 in county property tax revenue (2023 figures) represented just 0.25% of the Dare County tax base. Over 30 years total lost revenue could reach $10 million, although some of this would likely be made up by new construction and second-row homes becoming oceanfront homes.

A study by Western Carolina University says buying out 80 of the most threatened oceanfront properties in Rodanthe on the Outer Banks could offer the village a better long-term solution to its chronic erosion woes

The study said removing Rodanthe's most-threatened structures also would give the village a viable beach for 15-25 years, versus the five years or less a nourishment project would guarantee.

"It truly is the best place to start thinking about these issues, because this is happening there at this very moment," said Katie Peek, coastal research scientist with Western Carolina University's Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines.

For subscribers: How dead whales became the symbol of a political battle in NJ and elsewhere

'Much bigger' than 20 homes

But there are significant hurdles, financial and other, to moving threatened oceanfront homes.

Governments are generally loathe to take private property or force people to move, and haggling over a home's value can get ugly.

Outten said buyouts also wouldn't sole the problem, just delay it, since the ocean will keep coming.

He added that beach nourishment projects on the Outer Banks aren't just to protect threatened oceanfront homes, but critical infrastructure  notably N.C. 12  that keeps the county's vital $1.3 billion tourism economy functioning.

"It's much bigger, much bigger than just 20 homes in Rodanthe," Outten said.

A view of NC 12 north of Rodanthe after a storm sent sand and water washing into the roadway in April 2020.

Along North Carolina's southern coast, encroaching waters have prompted towns from Surf City to Holden Beach to fund beach nourishment projects. Ocean Isle Beach also has built a terminal groin to protect homes along the Brunswick County island's eastern tip threatened by Shallotte Inlet.

That's not good: The oceans are unusually hot and on track to get hotter

Protecting property values and keeping the vacation-fueled economies of these small beach towns remains the goals of these projects. But what happens if the cost burden gets too great?

"We just want it to be one consideration on the table for these officials and residents when they are faced with situations like this," Peek said.

LeAnn Pierce is vice chair of the New Hanover County Commissioners. She also is the former mayor of Carolina Beach, and owns Drifters Reef Hotel in the beach town. While Pierce said balancing environmental, economic and political considerations when faced with a disappearing beach is a "complicated animal," she said the issue is a lot more than just safeguarding oceanfront property owners.

"It's not only protecting homes and infrastructure, it's protecting the local economy and the local jobs in these communities," she said. "If there's no beach for the tourists to come to, they aren't going to come, and then you have a real economic disaster."

Back at Shell Island in Wrightsville Beach, one-bedroom condominium units at the resort are on the market for $600,000.

When Mason Inlet was licking at the resort's foundation, they could be had for $40,000.

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: NC Outer Banks beach houses are threatened. Are buyouts the answer?
Alex Albon admits he doesnt know why Williams is so competitive at the British Grand Prix after finishing in the top three in both practice sessions on Friday.

Williams brought a significant upgrade to Canada, where Albon finished seventh, and was similarly competitive in Austria but missed out on points over the sprint weekend. Expecting Silverstone to be less suited to the car than the previous two venues, Williams impressed with Albon third in each practice session  0.2s off Max Verstappen  and Logan Sargeant backing him up in fifth place in FP2.

We dont (know) either, so  Id be lying to say its not surprising, Albon said. Obviously were not doing anything special. Its strange, because, without sounding pessimistic, it doesnt feel too great out there for us  but it clearly must feel worse for the others.

It might not have felt that great to him, but Albon was encouragingly close to Verstappens pace-setting Red Bull on Friday at Silverstone. Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images

I think the wind out there today is a real pain  it really separates the balance of the car  but we seem to be coping with it much better than anyone else. Weve also got the upgrade package; what weve seen has been a bit better for high-speed corners than low-speed  Austria was kind of a low-speed track. Maybe its partly due to that, but like I said, its a bit of a question mark.

Our long-run pace was also strong on the hard tire. Weve got to keep grounded and just focus on ourselves. A bit of a strange one to finish the lap and see yourself in the top three.

More Formula 1!

Verstappen stays ahead but Ferrari closes gap in second British GP practice

Verstappen leads Red Bull 1-2 in first British GP practice

F1 technical updates - 2023 British Grand Prix

Albon says the challenge for Williams will be not trying too hard to chase a better setup when the current compromise appears to be the most competitive option, even if it doesnt feel good behind the wheel.

Truthfully if you talk about balance, every corner is different here because the wind is hitting the car in different ways, so you get what you call a very disconnected car. Theres a lot you can do, but its very hard. Lets say Turn 3 is oversteer, Turn 4 is understeer  you cant really attack those corners and do setup work because theyre the same corner speeds and youre just getting a headwind or a tailwind.

Its all about compromise at this circuit. So were learning, but at the same time its all about optimizing for these kinds of conditions. Again, weve just got to keep grounded, as its a bit surprising for us. Well take it and see what happens tomorrow.

Story originally appeared on Racer
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Czech President Petr Pavel during his working visit to Czechia.

Source: Office of the President of Ukraine

Details: During the meeting, the two leaders focused on issues of common security and cooperation to strengthen defence. They discussed possible responses to the terrorist threats posed by Russia, including the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Zelenskyy and Pavel also talked through issues of cooperation between Ukraine and Czechia at all levels and joint efforts in relations with third countries, in particular in the context of the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "The Czech Republic can help engage the states of the Global South in our joint peace efforts, including the implementation of the Peace Formula. Today I informed Mr. President of the Czech Republic about how we are already engaging many partners.

We have started this work. I think it is successful. Africa, Latin America, Asia. But we need help in this direction."

Details: During the talks, the two leaders touched upon the issue of strengthening alliances, especially NATO.

For his part, Pavel stressed the importance of supporting Ukraine now that the Ukrainian army has launched a counter-offensive and demonstrated to the world that Russia is not as strong as it has positioned itself.

Quote from Pavel: "Supporting Ukraine will always be our goal. We want Ukraine to win and all of us to win. We want to preserve the values on which our society is based."

More details: The Czech leader expressed his belief that support for Ukraine is not only support for a country suffering from war, but first and foremost, assistance to all Europeans.

According to him, many Czech companies are already cooperating with Ukrainian firms and are eager to take part in recovering Ukraine not only after the war, but also now, during combat actions.

Pavel also stressed that Czechia was ready to support Ukraine at the NATO summit in Vilnius and contribute to financial assistance.

Quote from Pavel: "I believe that Ukraine should be supported in its aspiration to join the EU and NATO. We will do everything for this. We will try to ensure that the negotiation process is launched by the end of this year and that it is clearly stated that Europe will be with Ukraine in the future."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The Supreme Court could kill student debt relief again  right after the election

The News

The Biden administration is giving student debt forgiveness another shot. But dont expect this sequel to work out much better than the original, experts are warning.

Everything seems set up to fail, but in an elongated way, Braxton Brewington, press secretary of the Debt Collective, a pro-student loan cancellation group, told Semafor.

After the Supreme Court nixed his first attempt last week, President Biden quickly announced that hed once again try to cancel student debt for millions of Americans under a different legal authority.

This time, the administration is invoking a section of the 1965 Higher Education Act, which allows the secretary of education to compromise, waive, or release loans under certain circumstances.

But that parallel track may do little to steel another debt relief program against legal challenges, higher education analysts told Semafor. The key reason: Conservative justices are already signaling that Congress hasnt delegated specific authority to the executive branch for mass debt cancellation.

I think the odds of it holding up in court seem to be quite low, said Kevin Carey, vice president for education policy at the New America think tank.

Even before the court becomes an issue, the Biden administrations second attempt at wiping out student debt could get bogged down in the regulatory process.

Its an incredibly complex process, Michelle Dimino, deputy director of education policy at the Third Way think tank, told Semafor. I think its a pretty risky route overall for the administration to be going with this and it certainly doesnt offer a clear path forward for borrowers.

Josephs view

The White House seems to be making a bet that taking another swing at student debt forgiveness is good politics, even if its likely to end with another loss in the courts.

Its notable that Bidens team had a fallback plan ready to go only hours after the high court struck down the program, a contrast with last years decision overturning a right to abortion, when the administration drew criticism from Democrats for appearing to be caught flat-footed.

A person familiar with the discussions said the White House had been communicating with Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., in the lead-up to the court decision. Both Warren and Sanders had been among the large faction of Democrats pressing the White House in early 2021 to use the Higher Education Act before it settled on trying to leverage the HEROES Act instead, which relates to national emergencies like the pandemic.

But the negotiated rule-making process at the Education Department is intricate and time-consuming  a parade of public hearings and stakeholder meetings that could easily take between 12 and 18 months (one advantage of using the HEROES act before was that it let the White House basically skip this process). Any court challenges would have to wait until the rule was finalized, meaning a final decision about its legality likely wouldnt come until after the 2024 election.

National Economic Council Deputy Director Bharat Ramamurti said at a news conference last week that it was still premature to say whether the 16 million borrowers who had their applications approved for debt relief would be first in line. But he insisted the White House aims to wrap up the rulemaking process as quickly as possible while conceding itll take months.

Theres also lingering concern that the 12-month grace period that kicks in September 1 could confuse and anger borrowers who are counting on some form of debt relief after not paying off their balances for three years. Republicans are also assailing it as a backdoor extension of the moratorium.

Its one of these things where I think the administration is trying to do something good for borrowers here, but in the process, theyre kind of just making everyone mad, Adam Minsky, a Boston-based student debt lawyer, told Semafor.

Some Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are calling on the Biden administration to suspend the interest payments set to start accruing in September. But that appears to be off the table. The law requires us to end the payment pause this summer, a White House official said. We believe in the rule of law, and plan to follow it.

Room for Disagreement

Some advocates believe that the administration could perhaps shrink the number of stakeholder meetings to accelerate student debt cancellation.

I think that there are ways that they can speed up the process, Persis Yu, deputy executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, told Semafor. Depending on the scope of what they want to put on this agenda, it can be quite narrow and quick.
Editors note: This story has been updated after Williams trial was rescheduled.

A man charged with murdering an 82-year-old woman in a 2016 stabbing had his trial rescheduled again at the last minute Friday.

David Joel Williams, 42, of Lexington, was indicted for a murder charge in August 2018 after Hilda Mae Pike died in July. Williams was also indicted on a charge of first-degree burglary. The attack occurred in 2016. His trial was set to begin next week but was rescheduled following a court hearing Friday, according to the Fayette Commonwealth Attorneys Office.

Court documents indicate the trial will now take place in February.

In August 2016, Williams broke into Pikes Dogwood Drive home, awakened her and demanded money, police said. She told Williams that she didnt have any money, and he allegedly stabbed her more than a dozen times. He took a small amount of cash and ran off, police said.

Pike survived, but family members told Herald-Leader reporting partner WKYT she was never the same after the attack, and was hospitalized 18 times in two years. She had trouble breathing and walking long after the stabbing.

Prosecutors evidence suggests Pikes death was a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, in addition to the injuries sustained by the alleged assault, according to court documents.

A year after the attack, Williams was arrested and charged with assault and burglary when DNA evidence allegedly linked him to the attack on Pike. The investigation revealed Williams had targeted Pike after she bought a vehicle from his family, police said.

Williams has been imprisoned since August 2017. He has had trials scheduled at least four times from 2020 to 2022.

Pikes granddaughter, Cara Blue, wrote a letter to a Fayette County judge in which she called Williams a sad excuse for a man when he broke into her grandmothers home and brutally attacked her.

...The effects of his cruel choices have left lifelong scars on all of us who loved her, Blue wrote in a letter to the judge. She eventually succumbed to her injuries from this monster, and him seeing any sort of time outside of the punitive system would be both an incredible injustice, and more pain for our family who has already been through so much.

This attack was unprovoked, violent and heartless.

Throughout the court proceedings, Williams has had several different private and appointed attorneys, according to court documents.
The man accused in the kidnapping and death of toddler Wynter Cole-Smith pleaded guilty to violating his probation last year after authorities accused him of striking his daughter, court records show.

At the time, Rashad Maleek Trice was on probation for assaulting a police officer. Court documents obtained Friday from Livingston County reveal that a probation officer wrote that Trice had "hit his daughter on the face with a phone charger." The probation officer in court papers said she learned of the incident on Nov. 30 from another agent, describing it as Trice "engaging in assaultive, abusive, threatening or intimidating behavior."

A booking photo taken of Rashad Maleek Trice by the Ingham County Sheriff's Office. Trice has been charged with kidnapping slain 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith.

Trice was living in Detroit at the time of the probation violation.

His girlfriend then, Symari Cole, described the incident as an accident to authorities, according to court papers. The officer however still reported the interaction as a probation violation and submitted a photo of the child's face with "a distinctive mark."

Wynter, the 2-year-old girl kidnapped in Lansing and found slain in Detroit this week, was not Trices biological child. But authorities say Cole and Trice do have a 1-year-old boy together. The girl described in court records as his "daughter" and struck by the phone device last year is not named in the documents.

After Trice pleaded guilty to the probation violation, a judge in December ordered Trice to meet with his probation officer twice a month for 60 days and attend parenting classes as extra conditions of his probation. No additional jail time was ordered, according to a Michigan Department of Corrections spokesman.

On Friday, a department spokesman said Trice completed those classes by April of this year. A message left for the center running those classes was not immediately returned Friday.

The revelation about an earlier possible assault of a child comes as federal authorities brought new charges against Trice on Friday for the kidnapping and death of Wynter Cole-Smith. Federal authorities said in court papers they believe Trice fought last weekend in Lansing with Cole, stabbed her and then kidnapped Wynter, who later was found dead in a Detroit alleyway, possibly strangled with a pink cellphone charging cable.

More: Suspect charged in kidnapping of 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith

More: 'No good news': Body of Lansing toddler Wynter Smith found in Detroit

Trice, who was apprehended Monday fleeing authorities in St. Clair Shores, is being held without bond on charges filed in Lansing related to the assault on Sunday against Cole. It was unclear Friday when he would appear in court to confront the new federal charges, which could carry a maximum sentence of death upon conviction.

Wynter Cole Smith, 2, was last seen on July 2, 2023, in Lansing.

Two years before his arrest in connection with the disappearance of Wynter, Trice also pleaded guilty to domestic violence after he was charged with assaulting Cole, according to court records reviewed by the Free Press.

The 2021 criminal case from Monroe County, which also lists Wynter as a "victim or complainant" in the case, is part of Trice's lengthy and violent history documented inside the state's criminal justice system, records show. Records indicate Trice assaulted Cole but do not specify why her daughter is described as a victim in the case.

More: Records shed light on suspect connected to deceased toddler Wynter Cole-Smith

Trice has racked up a number of criminal convictions for his interactions with law enforcement officers in multiple Michigan counties, court records show. His motor vehicle violations led to the state revoking his driver's license last year.

Contact Matthew Dolan: 313-223-4743 or msdolan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @matthewsdolan

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Suspect in slain toddler's case accused of striking a child last year
HELSINKI  Nordic defense companies could have a greater share of the worlds quantum computing pie, as regional players Sweden and Finland each aim to advance their capabilities using the disruptive technology.

Under the purview of the Chalmers University of Technology, or CUT, Sweden wants to use quantum technology to improve the performance of radar systems. In Finland, the state-funded organization VTT Research wants to bolster the processing capability of an existing quantum computer

There are many reasons why the defense industry might want to monitor, if not engage with, the quantum computer projects running in Sweden and Finland. It is generally recognized in defense quarters  and increasingly by governments, too  that while quantum science is a positive, its disruptive nature will bring challenges and a certain degree of threat, Lars Sundstrom, an independent computer industry analyst based in Stockholm, told Defense News.

The challenge for cybersecurity specialists, Sundstrom said, is to build solutions based on quantum technology that offer a superior level of protection to critical IT networks and infrastructure. The big defense and cybersecurity players in the Nordic region are already connected in some way, and indirectly to the quantum projects in Finland and Sweden. Saab is probably the most well-known name in the mix, Sundstrom added.

Saab is an industrial partner to the Wallenberg Centre for Quantum Technology, a co-partner with CUT in the quantum computer project. Saab is currently running several PhD-level projects at the center aimed at developing new applications for the defense industry, the most high-profile of which is for a quantum-enhanced noise radar. Researchers are investigating whether entanglement between generated photons can improve the performance of radar systems.

In a significant move, CUT has decided to produce a copy of its quantum computer  the school currently has a 25-quantum bit system  that would be available to companies operating in the countrys IT, defense and engineering industries within eight to 12 months.

For its part, Finland currently has a 5-qubit computer, but VTT Research plans to have a 20-qubit version operational by years end. Its slated for an upgrade to 50 qubits in 2024  a level that can more capably demonstrate the quantum advantage to solving individual problems.

But to solve industrially relevant computational problems, the computing power must rise to 100 to 300 qubits, said Pekka Pursula, a research manager at VTT.

A doctoral student and one of the research leaders with the quantum computer project at Chalmers University of Technology open the last stage of the dilution refrigerator for the schools quantum computer. (Anna-Lena Lundqvist/Chalmers University of Technology)

When the number of qubits increases from 50 to 100, the computing power of a quantum computer does not double  it grows exponentially. This will enable companies to use quantum computing for industrial applications and achieve the quantum advantage, Pursula told Defense News.

Quantum technology is developing rapidly and will become key in the areas of energy, defense and finance, according to Per Delsing, a professor of experimental physics at Chalmers who leads the quantum computer project at WACQT.

We are now starting to get the tools to be able to control quantum systems and thereby exploit inherent quantum physical phenomena, Delsing said. The time is ripe to start using these commercially and in society. A national strategy and funding plan is needed in Sweden to coordinate all aspects of the development.

Broadening investor interest in quantum computer technology was among the primary reasons management at CUT decided to produce a copy for selective release. The university-run project requires a deep funding pool, Delsing noted, and the school is seeking capital investments for related education and innovation specifically to build a 25-qubit computer. The organization hopes to finish building the system by the end of the year. The goal is to scale it up to 40 qubits, and then 100 qubits.

In order to be able to do things that a classical computer cannot, such as super-fast optimization of complicated logistics problems, you need to reach more than 50 to 60 quantum bits, Delsing said.

The CUT and WACQT quantum computer effort is currently working off a $132 million grant that covers a project development period of 2018-2029. The grant includes contributions from Swedish industry, universities and the private Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

A proposed route

Five organizations released a report in March, titled A Swedish Quantum Agenda, calling for a Swedish national strategy for quantum technology.

The document maps out how to deliver long-term financial support for related research, said Darja Isaksson, director general at the innovation funding agency Vinnova, one of the organizations that authored the report. The others are RISE, a research and innovation institute; Swelife, a life science-focused funding agency; the Swedish Research Council, the countrys largest governmental research funding body; and WACQT.

Nordic defense companies could have a greater share of the worlds quantum computing pie, as regional players Sweden and Finland each aim to advance their capabilities using the disruptive technology. (Ali Shahgholi/Getty Images)

Quantum technology has enormous potential in areas such as energy efficiency, defense and security, and health. Sweden is at an advanced stage in research. In order for Sweden to maintain its long-term competitiveness in quantum technology, we need to build a national ecosystem for innovation and commercialization of the technology, Isaksson said.

The report identifies logistics planning, organizational realignment, product development and the creation of solutions for airspace security issues as ideal problem-solving areas for quantum computing to tackle.

The report concludes that Swedens defense and national security sectors could harvest real value from four subfields  quantum computers, quantum simulators, quantum communication and quantum sensors  by using spinoff disruptive technologies to both create new and improve existing applications.

On cybersecurity, the report notes that encryption algorithms currently rely on the inefficiency of classical computers to solve the functions required to decrypt the secure data. While they are astronomically hard to solve in classical implementations, a quantum computer equipped with the right algorithm can break the encryption with relative ease.

The advance of quantum computers, the report states, has motivated multiple European initiatives to quickly assemble quantum cryptographic communication channels where fiber-optic networks can be used to securely communicate sensitive information between and inside of national borders.

Additionally, satellite networks can be put in place to connect local fiber networks to the global web  something that requires considerable national effort to initiate, the report notes.

Sweden should actively develop international collaboration in the quantum technology field while also developing cooperation with ambitions on Nordic, European, as well as global levels. The Nordic countries, in particular Denmark, Finland, and Sweden have a strong research tradition in quantum technology, the report recommends in its conclusion. Together the Nordic countries become a strong international player.
At the beginning of Yevgeny Prigozhin's mutiny in Russia, his mercenaries in Syria were disconnected from communications and offered the opportunity to sign a contract with Russia's Ministry of Defene, with a lower salary. These actions were coordinated between Syrian forces and Russian representatives.

Source: Reuters

Quote: "As Wagner mercenaries advanced on Moscow in an attempted mutiny in late June, authorities in Syria and Russian military commanders there took a series of swift measures against local Wagner operatives to prevent the uprising from spreading, according to six sources familiar with the matter.

The previously unreported crackdown included blocking phone lines, summoning around a dozen Wagner commanders to a Russian military base, and ordering mercenary fighters to sign new contracts with the Russian defence ministry or promptly leave Syria, according to the sources, which include Syrian security officials, sources based near deployed Russian forces, and regional officials."

Details: The sources refused to be identified to avoid divulging classified military information.

The Syrian government, the Russian Defence Ministry and the Wagner Group in Russia did not respond to requests for comment. Damascus did not publicly comment on the mutiny of the Wagner fighters either.

However, a senior Syrian Republican Guard and a Syrian source briefed on the development said that senior Syrian military and intelligence officials have expressed concern in private conversations that the mutiny could undermine the Russian military presence they have long relied on and that it could lead to the outbreak of hostilities.

Reportedly, the mercenary group's presence in Syria is relatively small at between 250 and 450 personnel. There are no official figures on their staffing.

A local military source near Damascus and two Syrian sources with knowledge of the events, who did not provide further information, said that after Prigozhin announced his uprising, a group of Russian military officers was swiftly sent to Syria to assist in taking control of the Wagnerites there.

To prevent the Wagnerite forces deployed beyond Russia from communicating with one another, with Wagner in Russia, or even with family members back home, Syria's military intelligence severed landlines and internet links from regions where they were stationed overnight on Friday, 23 June, the three individuals reported.

The sources say that by the morning of Saturday 24 June, Syrian military intelligence and Russian defence officials were coordinating closely to isolate and control Wagner fighters.

Around a dozen Wagner officers deployed in Syria's central province of Homs and other areas were summoned to Russia's operational base at Hmeimim in the western province of Latakia. This occurred "in the early hours of the mutiny."

The media was unable to find out what happened to them.

By 24 June, Wagner fighters in Syria were asked to sign new contracts, under which they report directly to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

Sources state that their salaries were also cut.

Those who refused these conditions were taken away by Russian IL cargo planes in the following days. According to the sources, there were "several dozen" of them, which surprised Syrian officials, who expected that more of the Wagnerites would refuse and go into exile.

Between 25 and 27 June, Flightradar24 flight tracking data confirmed at least three flights performed by a Russian aircraft. The agency could not determine whether company personnel were on board those planes.

Reminder: Russia has been trying to persuade countries in Africa and the Middle East that after the mutiny, the Kremlin will be able to take the Wagnerites deployed in these continents under control.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The political tides in Sacramento have shifted, bringing one Fresno-area lawmaker closer to the shore and pushing another further out to sea.

Six months ago, Joaquin Arambula unsuccessfully challenged Assembly colleague Robert Rivas for speaker  or at least publicly pondered doing so  after the Salinas Valley Democrat won an internal power struggle that forced longtime speaker (and Arambula ally) Anthony Rendon to step aside.

The failed coups fallout arrived Monday when Rivas, armed with new authority as speaker, booted Arambula from the powerful Assembly Budget Committee. Rivas also removed Arambula from the Health and Human Services budget subcommittee, which oversees roughly a third of the state budget, that Arambula previously chaired under Rendon.

Punishing your enemies and rewarding friends. Power politics at its most elemental and crude.

Which brings us to Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria, the former Fresno city councilmember who supported Rivas bid for speaker.

Opinion

Elected in November 2022, Soria is still learning her way around the state Capitol. However, that newness didnt stop Rivas from appointing Soria, raised in a poor farmworker family like himself, to chair the Agriculture Committee that helps oversee Californias $50 billion farming industry.

Im grateful to Speaker Rivas for entrusting me with the important work of this committee, Soria said in a news release.

As the daughter of first-generation immigrants and farmworkers, I worked alongside my parents in the Central Valley agricultural fields, and understand the importance of supporting both our agricultural industry and workers, she added.

Besides the committee chair post, Rivas also named Soria to the Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for overseeing all fiscal bills including public bonds and alternative public financing.

Yet another plumb assignment for the freshman assemblywoman who in her first year helped secure $140 million in state funding for her district, including $100 million for affordable student housing in Merced and $20 million for Planada flood recovery efforts. (State Sen. Anna Caballero also had a large hand in those big-ticket items.)

Arambula lands $250M for Fresno

Not to be outdone, Arambula helped shepherd $250 million for downtown Fresno infrastructure improvements, green space and parking structures through the state budget process. (Gov. Gavin Newsom and Caballero also played key roles.)

Im grateful that Governor Newsom and the Legislature agreed to invest $250 million in downtown Fresno infrastructure improvements over the next three years to boost economic development, Arambula said in a news release.

Ive fought hard for Fresno County and the Central Valley to receive their fair share of resources and am excited to see this one is coming to fruition.

Fortunately for Fresno, Arambula landed that particular whale before getting his budget committee membership stripped for being on the losing side of a political tug of war.

Liberal Democrats are everywhere in Sacramento. They literally roam the streets in packs. But that doesnt mean all liberal Democrats are political chums or see eye to eye on everything.

Arambula, who assumed office in 2016, and Soria, in office since January, fit that mold. They are liberal Democrats from separate camps who are in general agreement on issues, though not necessarily 100% aligned.

Heres an example of what I mean: At the beginning of the previous legislative session, Arambula introduced a bill penned and supported by social justice organizations that proposed adding four new appointed members to the governing board of the Fresno County Transportation Authority.

Just in time for the next Measure C renewal fight.

Soria opposes Arambula bill

The board, as stated by the bill, would be diversified to contain more inclusive agendas with an additional focus on climate policy and restorative environmental justice.

Sounds like something all liberal Democrats can agree upon, right?

Actually, no.

In April, the Assembly Committee on Local Government postponed a hearing on AB 558 that was never rescheduled. Meaning the bill died a quick death.

Why? At the time I was told the chair of that committee, Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry, required universal support from both Assembly Democrats representing Fresno County in order for the bill to get a hearing and that Soria never came around.

Several people involved in the bills crafting were miffed, to say the least. Except when I called Soria for an explanation, she told me plainly she did not support expanding the FCTA board and cited her recent experience as an authority board member during her eight years on the Fresno City Council.

San Joaquin Valley politicians are constantly outnumbered by their counterparts from Los Angeles and the Bay Area. But even though wed like to think they ought to work together and support each others legislative efforts for the betterment of the region, it doesnt necessarily work that way.

In Sacramento, which side youre on matters. That applies not just to Democrats and Republicans but to separate factions on the same side of the aisle like Soria and Arambula. As ones legislative power waxes, the others wanes.
Southeast Asian Swifties are on a pilgrimage to Singapore

Millions of Taylor Swift's South East Asian fans are competing for about 330,000 seats that went on sale on Friday for her only stop in the region.

The pop star's Eras Tour includes six shows in Singapore in March 2024.

Devoted fans have skipped work, charged up their devices and joined long queues for the coveted tickets.

The tense situation which is unfolding both on and offline, will end with either Bad Blood or with some seeing their Wildest Dreams come true.

Swift is also performing in Japan and Australia, but nowhere else in East or South East Asia, where her fans or "Swifties" are legion. Singapore, the Indonesian capital Jakarta and the Philippines' most densely packed city, Quezon, are among the world's top locations for streaming Swift's songs, according to Spotify.

So for fans in this corner of Asia, Singapore which is closer, offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival and plenty of cheap flight options, is an easy pick. The country has long been a popular stop for big music acts because of its impressive public transport and infrastructure - Coldplay is performing at the expansive National Stadium a month before Swift.

This is Swift's first post-pandemic concert outing. She has not toured since her 2019 Lover album and there's a wealth of material from three records she has released since then - Evermore, Folklore and Midnights.

Lines are already snaking outside Singapore post offices, where fans can buy tickets offline. Given the demand, the daily Straits Times suggested four sleepy spots on the island's outskirts where the chances of getting tickets could be higher.

"It's Taylor Swift, I just have to see her," says Joan Ng, who along with a group of her 15-year-old friends has camped out overnight at the post office in a Singapore mall to buy tickets. The girls say Joan is the biggest Swiftie among them.

They couldn't skip school during the pre-sale, so they convinced their parents to lend them their credit cards and allow them to stay at the mall. They hopped from one shop to another to stay inside and then took turns napping at Haidilao, a popular hot pot chain, until daybreak. They shared a bowl of soup for dinner.

L-R: Kean Teo and Kenneth Lim got hold of tickets after a 31-hour wait

"She's the best music artist of all time," says Levincia Ong who considers Swift's country album about teenage love and heartbreak, Fearless, to be the soundtrack to her life. Sajani Rajikumar says they have to get the tickets because they have "spent so much effort being here". But the line is moving slowly because the system keeps crashing.

At the front, 18-year-old friends Kean Teo and Kenneth Lim were the first to get hold of the tickets. "We feel very lucky. It was a long wait," says Kenneth, grinning. They had wandered around the building for 31 hours, also taking turns to sleep at Haidilao.

It has been no less harrowing online. A competitive pre-sale on Wednesday, which was exclusive to cardholders of Singapore's United Overseas Bank (UOB), offered a preview of the hunger games that could unfold later in the week. Over a million fans joined the virtual line and UOB reported a surge in credit and debit card applications in the weeks leading up to the pre-sale.

The excruciating wait played out on WhatsApp chats, TikTok and Twitter as people swapped strategies and tips - these included logging on ahead of time, perhaps even a day before, unlocking devices, and turning off sleep mode. Groups of friends, meanwhile, plotted to aim for different dates and seats so they so they could maximise their chances. Some even took a day off work, or cleared their schedule for the entire day. Others queued up using multiple devices and waited to see which one of them - laptop, tablet or mobile phone - would get to the virtual ticket counter first.

"Oh my god, this pre-sale was so exhausting," says Endro who lives in Jakarta. The 31-year-old did not wish to share his last name. He was glued to his devices all day, but his attempt ended in failure and a dispiriting queue number: 493,901.

"For now, I think I will still try, but I have to be realistic... I don't want to make myself more miserable by hoping too much."

Agniya Kh, a 29-year-old Jakartan who snagged tickets in the pre-sale, says it reminded her of a hit from Swift's most recent album, Midnights: Great War. "This is definitely the Great War for Swifties in [South East Asia]. Can we just ask for more dates, please?"

She used both her laptop, which put her 22,987 in the queue, and her smartphone, which placed her much further behind at 896,813.

Fans brought tents and queued overnight for a chance to get tickets

The 29-year-old who works in a start-up in Jakarta will be flying in to Singapore to watch Swift. She missed the chance in 2015, when Swift performed her album, 1989. On a tight student budget, Agniya couldn't make it then. This time, she's elated to be there: "It will be an indescribable feeling to hear live the songs that I listen to everyday."

But she will be back on the ticketing portals on Friday to help fellow Swifties buy tickets in the general sale.

"This tour is a must-see for any Swiftie because it's the ultimate synthesis of her 17-year career," says Wincy Reyes from Philippines' Quezon city.

His strategy included borrowing a Singaporean friend's UOB card, and also monitoring plane ticket prices from Manila to Sydney and Tokyo in case they needed a backup plan. But a sudden work trip took him to Australia, where he got tickets to Swift's Sydney show, saving him and his friends from the Singapore rush.

"It felt surreal," he says. "I was screaming and running around after, not caring much because I'm in a foreign country. LOL."

Endro says he might head to Singapore ticketless on the days the concert is happening. He says he will listen from outside, much like what some US fans have been doing.

"It's just my wild plan, [I am] not really into it because I still wish I could get tickets from the general sale or maybe some fan that couldn't come to the show."

Meanwhile, millions of Chinese fans are heartbroken that the pop star, who has performed there three times before, the last time being 2019, is not making a stop there on her Eras Tour.

On Weibo, China's Twitter-like platform, where Swift is followed by more than 10 million fans, the most popular comments echoed some version of "China plz!!!"

One much-liked comment read: "Tens of millions of people are fighting for 10 shows in Asia. Add more in Asia! Add China!"
Swift has no plans to visit Canada in her multi-continent stadium tour

It's a good time to be a Swiftie. The 33-year-old songwriter is in the middle of her biggest stadium tour to date - a three-hour, 40-song set spanning all the eras of her career - and she's put out four albums and two re-releases since 2019, including the beloved 2010 record Speak Now, which was just released on Friday.

But Canadian Taylor Swift fans are not quite so enchanted. Her Eras tour, which kicked off in March, includes more than 100 concerts until summer 2024, in the US, Mexico, Europe, Asia and Australia. But so far at least, Swift has no plans to play in Canada. Did she forget that it existed?

The apparent snub inspired Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to appeal to Swift personally. After she announced an additional 14 shows next year in the UK and Europe, Mr Trudeau showed up in her Twitter replies, asking her to reconsider.

"It's me, hi," Mr Trudeau wrote, referencing Swift's song Anti-Hero. "I know places in Canada would love to have you. So, don't make it another cruel summer. We hope to see you soon."

It looks like Mr Trudeau is speaking for plenty of other Swifties feeling exiled up north, wondering why they can't have nice things.

"It is a devastation," said Leila Title, 33, a marketing director from Toronto. "Let down is the best way to describe it."

At first, Title assumed that Swift would include Canadian dates with her other international stops. But when concerts for Mexico and South America were released with nothing planned north of the US border, she started to worry it was a glitch.

"I still think it's possible, I always have to think it's possible," she said of a Canadian tour. "But it's becoming less and less likely."

Jackie Engelberg, another Toronto native, had hoped to see Swift at one of her New York shows this past May, her "only option" without any Canadian stops. But despite Ms Engelberg's best efforts - "fighting the Ticketmaster bots, braving the resale sites" - she could not find an affordable ticket.

So, like Ms Title, Ms Engelberg thought she would wait for a Canadian tour announcement.

"Every other tour that she has put on, even tours that are stadium only, at a minimum there are Canadian dates included," Ms Engelberg said. But when the chance for a Canadian announcement came and went, she was left concerned that she'd miss a Taylor Swift tour - a first in Ms Engelberg's longtime fandom.

"I am obviously extremely disappointed and so are all of my fellow Swifties in Canada," Ms Engelberg said.

She was particularly surprised to see small cities like Warsaw be selected for a three-show run, while Toronto - North America's fourth-largest city - was passed over.

"Given our city's huge population and all of the fans here, I am sure Taylor would sell out multiple stadiums," Ms Engelberg said.

So why is Taylor Swift skipping Canada?

She still hasn't told us why. No reason has been provided by Swift or her team and her record label did not respond to the BBC's request for comment.

Some have speculated it might come down to venue size. Canada's biggest arena, the Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta, seats just over 56,300 fans, a fraction of the capacity at venues like Wembley in London - 90,000 - or MetLife in New Jersey - 82,500.

But that doesn't mean Swift is shunning all smaller venues. She's playing two shows at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which seats 50,000, and will play one night in Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadion, which has room for just less than 51,000 concertgoers.

Others have wondered if it's the weakness of the Canadian dollar, compared to US currency - the exchange rate now is roughly C$1.33 to $1.00.

But that hasn't stopped other major artists, including Beyonce and Ed Sheeran, from stopping by the Great White North.

For now at least, Swift's silence has left her Canadian fans wishing she would.

"All I want is Taylor to come here," Ms Title said. "And I would fly around the country."
An Iowa teenager who killed his Spanish teacher was sentenced to life in prison Thursday, court documents show.

Willard Noble Chaiden Miller and Jeremy Goodale were both 16 when they killed Nohema Graber in 2021.

Nohema Graber - Fairfield Police Department/AP

They both pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.

Miller was sentenced after a seven-hour hearing, according to Jefferson County Attorney Chauncey Moulding.

I feel that the sentence was fair and appropriate under the gruesome and horrific circumstances of this case, and feel that justice was done, Moulding told CNN in an email. I believe this sentiment is generally shared by the Graber family and the community of Fairfield.

Jeremy Goodale - The Des Moines Register/AP

Miller will be eligible for parole after 35 years, court documents say.

Jeremy Goodale is scheduled for sentencing on August 23, according to Jefferson County records. His lawyers asked for a delay for a psychiatric evaluation.

Graber taught at Fairfield High School. Her remains were discovered in Chautauqua Park in Fairfield, Iowa, on the same day she was reported missing, authorities said at the time.

Her remains were concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties, they said. She had suffered inflicted trauma to the head, according to a criminal complaint.

CNN has reached out to Millers attorney Christine Branstad for comment.

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Teen girl, the victim of a Ponte Vedra Beach stabbing publicly thanked her loved ones

Madison Schemitz, a 17-year-old girl wanted to thank her family, friends, caregivers, and supporters for her ongoing recovery.

Schemitz was gathered by her supporters and the media to give a statement on her progress.

Id like to take my entire care team here from doctors to nurses and nutritionists, Schemitz said.

She also thanked her mom for saving her.

I thank my mom. My mom was one of my heroes that day. My love for her is endless, and Im so lucky to be her daughter, Schemitz said.

Read: Stabbing incident in Ponte Vedra leaves four injured; Deputy investigation underway

Regarding her recovery, she is currently paralyzed from the chest down. She says it will be a long and hard road but she is determined and confident in herself to reach her goals, and one day walk again.

Sydney Dalton, Madisons Physical Therapist at Brooks Rehab says she is a phenomenal character.

Read: Outpouring of love for Ponte Vedra stabbing victims

Madison is one of the hardest workers that I have ever worked with in my time here at Brooks, Dalton said.

Schemitz ended her speech saying she has a great support system behind her and she is taking everything day by day.

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Read: P onte Vedra man helps victims during stabbing incident

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Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is known for riding his bike around The Hague (Remko de Waal)

Dubbed "Teflon Mark" because scandals slide off him like a pancake from a non-stick skillet, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has this time cooked up a crisis of his own making.

The longest-serving leader in the history of the Netherlands mystified Dutch media by setting a series of tough demands on migration that the 56-year-old's coalition partners could never accept.

Why, they asked, would the man famed for the backroom political skills that have kept him in power for nearly 13 years press the self-destruct button on a government that only took office in 2022?

The four-party coalition collapsed despite crisis talks on Friday, Dutch media reported.

But it seems the famously frugal Rutte is saving his political currency for something he sees as more crucial -- a fight with migration hardliners inside his own centre-right VVD party.

Whether he can survive the infighting and lead the party to win elections and the head of his fifth successive Dutch coalition government since 2010 remains to be seen.

- Bikes and apples -

Ironically given the current chaos, Rutte has long traded on an image of stability and caution in the face of southern European debt, populism and the Covid pandemic.

He rides his bike around The Hague, sometimes munching an apple with one hand and the other on the handlebars as he cycles to meetings with foreign leaders.

Tall and bespectacled, the lifelong bachelor describes himself as a "man of habit and tradition" who drives a second-hand Saab and volunteers as a teacher.

The youngest of seven children, his father Izaak was a trader, while his mother Mieke was the sister of Izaak's first wife, who died in a Japanese internment camp in World War II.

Rutte initially wanted to be a concert pianist, but after attending the prestigious Leiden University he joined the Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever, where he spent a stint at its peanut butter division, Calve.

A fan of British leaders Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher, Rutte finally went into politics with the pro-business VVD (People's Party for Freedom and Democracy).

Rutte became premier in 2010 and immediately showed what critics called a willingness to sacrifice principle for power, entering a coalition supported by the firebrand anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders that later collapsed.

Wilders failed to unseat Rutte despite several attempts.

- 'Best job in world' -

But critics said Rutte only managed to do so by pandering to the same anti-immigration rhetoric, with the issue now casting its shadow over his party once again.

"We call him the 'Teflon' prime minister," Jesse Klaver, leader of the GroenLinks (Green-Left) party, told AFP at the time.

Rutte finally seemed to come unstuck in 2021, when his coalition resigned over a scandal in which thousands of parents, many from ethnic minority backgrounds, were falsely accused of childcare subsidy fraud.

He turned up on his bike to hand in his resignation to King Willem-Alexander -- but then stayed on as caretaker premier, and won elections two months later.

In Europe furious southern countries have branded him "Mr No" for his opposition to bailouts but he has found common cause with Germany and France.

More recently he was mentioned as a possible future successor as NATO chief or European Council head.

Rutte though had repeatedly said he was happy where he was.

"It's the best job in the world," Rutte told a press conference in 2022 when he passed former PM Ruud Lubbers' record for time in office -- before joking: "I feel like I'm nearly halfway through."

dk/gw
Tesla is laying off a bunch of its Shanghai Gigafactory workers, weeks after Elon Musk visited and praised their hard work

Elon Musk and staff from Tesla's Shanghai Gigafactory. Tesla/Handout via REUTERS

Tesla is laying off some staff at the Shanghai Gigafactory, Bloomberg reported.

That comes just five weeks after Elon Musk said their hard work "warms my heart."

Musk visited the factory late at night as he finished a tour of China which included meetings with government officials.

Tesla is laying off some staff at its Gigafactory in Shanghai, Bloomberg reported, five weeks after Elon Musk praised them.

Musk visited the Shanghai Gigafactory at the end of May as part of a two-day visit to China, which also included meetings with senior government officials and a lavish 16-course meal.

A video of the world's richest person giving a late-night speech to his Tesla staff was then shared by the Chinese state newspaper Global Times.

"Thank you for being here late at night," he began. "It's been incredibly impressive how you have been able to overcome so many difficulties and so many challenges."

"I just want to let you know, it warms my heart," Musk said, tapping his chest before making a fist pump.

Before leaving on a private jet back to the US, Musk also purchased burgers and soft drinks for 100 of the Gigafactory workers.

But just over a month after Musk's visit, some of those workers have lost their jobs, Bloomberg reported, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The precise number of people who've been laid off is unspecified and some of these employees have been given the option to transfer to another part of the factory, these sources said. Insider reached out to Tesla for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Bloomberg reports that Tesla began notifying battery-production staff that they would be laid off earlier this week. That department makes up less than 1,000 of the Gigafactory's 20,000 staff, per Reuters.

The reason for these layoffs is also not clear. According to data from local trade group  the China Passenger Car Association  which was cited by CNN, deliveries from Tesla's Shanghai factory more than doubled in the second quarter of 2023 and accounted for over half of its global sales.

Six weeks before Musk's visit in May, the Shanghai plant came into the news after some staff took to social media to complain that they had their performance bonuses unfairly cut, Reuters reported.

Tesla workers then criticized Musk on Chinese social media, and some people even complained to his mom on Twitter.

Last year, Musk praised Tesla's Chinese staff for working until 3 a.m.  as some workers were required to sleep on the factory floor to keep production going during the country's strict COVID-19 lockdowns.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tesla is offering cash rebates to buyers in China despite promising to end 'abnormal pricing' in the world's biggest EV market

Elon Musk at a Tesla event in Shanghai. Aly Song/Reuters

Tesla is offering rebates worth nearly $500 to Chinese buyers of a Model 3 or Y, Reuters reported.

The move comes just a day after Elon Musk's carmaker pledged to help end price wars in China.

Tesla's price cuts helped it hit a new record for deliveries in the three months to June 30.

Just a day after Tesla pledged to end a lengthy price war in China, Elon Musk's EV maker hatched a new plan to sell more cars.

According to a company announcement Friday seen by Reuters, Tesla said it would offer a 3,500 yuan ($483) rebate to buyers of Model Y and Model 3 vehicles who were referred by someone who already owns a Tesla.

The rebate appears to be a price cut in everything but name as Tesla continues to try to increase its slice of the world's biggest EV market.

However, the move comes just a day after Tesla and 15 other companies pledged to to bring an end to "abnormal pricing" and other methods that were supposedly distorting the auto market in China.

In a non-binding agreement translated by Bloomberg, the carmakers also agreed to assess marketing methods, while also touting the vague ambition of promoting "core socialist values."

Tesla began cutting prices of its Model Y and Model 3 in China in October last year amid an economic downturn hit sales.

A second price cut in January inspired some protests at the company's delivery centers and showrooms, Reuters reported at the time.

While the price cuts led Tesla's quarterly profits to plummet, the company has also significantly increased sales as a result.

According to data from the China Passenger Car Association, Tesla delivered a record 93,000 vehicles in China in the three months to June 30.

Tesla produced a record 480,000 vehicles globally in the same period, but only delivered about 466,000 to customers in the closest it gets to a sales tally.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Kris Tripplaar/Sipa USA/Newscom

Public funding for private development projects is a bad deal, even according to state governments' own numbers. A new Wall Street Journal report shows that even the world's richest people are not immune from the lure of other people's moneynor are they particularly good stewards of it.

The paper reported on a solar panel factory in Buffalo, New York, operated by SolarCity, a company co-founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. When the factory was announced in 2013, then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered to help out. At the time, the state hoped to revitalize Buffalo as a manufacturing hub, planning "to incubate a handful of small startups in promising economic niches."

Instead, the state blew its entire budget on one project, pledging $750 million to build a 1.2 million-square-foot factory, which it would lease to SolarCity for $1 a year, plus another $240 million to purchase manufacturing equipment. It further agreed to exempt the facility from property taxes in its first 10 years, a savings estimated at $260 million.

At that time, the federal government also covered 30 percent of the cost of solar installations through grants and tax credits; in 2015, SolarCity reported having received $497.5 million in direct grants, though the Los Angeles Times estimated that the payout could actually have been as much as $1.5 billion.

In exchange, officials expected the Buffalo factory to create as many as 5,000 jobs and attract further development to the area. Musk promised that by 2020, the factory would make enough products to cover 1,000 roofs per week. But barely a decade since the deal was struck, the factory averages 21 installations per week, and the only new business that has moved into the area is a single coffee shop. And while Tesla reported in February that it had created 1,700 jobsas the Journal notes, "enough to meet its obligations to the state and avoid a $41 million annual penalty"the majority of those are Tesla employees who don't work on solar projects. The state has adjusted the terms of the deal 12 times in eight years, lowering job requirements and extending deadlines.

The Journal article adds that Cuomo's "spokesman defended the project, saying the factory site has more jobs on it now than when it was an empty lot where a steel mill once stood," though it's arguable whether $1 billion for 1,700 mostly unrelated jobs is, in fact, better than nothing.

E.J. McMahon, founding senior fellow of the fiscally conservative Empire Center for Public Policy, told the Journal that the Buffalo project could be "the single biggest economic development boondoggle in American history," adding that "the state became a direct investor in that project under the worst possible terms."

This is far from the first sign of trouble: In 2016, Tesla acquired SolarCity, which was out of cash with over $3 billion in debt. In 2018, Oregon clawed back $13 million after it found that SolarCity, now known as Tesla Energy, had overstated the costs of several projects in order to qualify for tax credits. New York auditors later wrote down $883.8 million in state investment after determining that "it will not likely receive the direct financial benefits associated with ownership of the manufacturing facility and equipment."

The enormous expenditure on a private company is dispiriting for many reasons, not the least of which is Musk's public rhetoric on subsidies. In the past, he has spoken quite eloquently about the problems with taxpayer funding for private projects, saying in 2021 that "the role of the government should be that of a referee, but not a player on the field." And yet he and his companies have benefited significantly from government largesse, to the tune of billions of dollars since 2010.

But while Musk's record is disappointing, his rhetoric is right on the money: "Government should try to get out of the way and not impede progress." If only policy makers would listen.

The post Tesla Solar Factory Not Living Up to New York's $1 Billion Investment appeared first on Reason.com.
Some testers with smaller heads and bodies reportedly had trouble keeping Apple's Vision Pro headset on for more than 30 minutes

There may be a number of elements to making sure the Apple Vision Pro is a good fit for people with different face shapes, sizes and headwear, Bloomberg reported. Apple

Apple's forthcoming Vision Pro headset reportedly posed a challenge for some smaller testers.

Testers with small heads and bodies had trouble keeping it on more than 30 minutes, Bloomberg reported.

The $3,500 headsets are expected to hit US stores next year.

The Apple Vision Pro headset is set to launch next year in the US, but so far some physically smaller testers have reportedly found the high-tech goggles a little trickier to keep on for extended periods of time.

Those with smaller heads and bodies who tested out the $3,500 device found it was hard to keep it on for more than 30 minutes, according to a new Bloomberg report.

The company has been working on solutions, including a second support strap, which was briefly shown off in the device's announcement but has yet to have its design finalized, according to the report.

A screenshot from Apple's Vision Pro headset reveal briefly showed a secondary support strap, which Apple is still working to finalize, according to Bloomberg's report. Apple

Representatives for Apple did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment ahead of publication.

The consumer electronics giant is planning to launch the devices "early" next year, involving appointments for those coming to stores to buy it, Bloomberg reported.

The device, which promises an experience that combines the real and digital worlds, comprises a glass window held by a metal frame, and a component Apple calls a "Light seal" that's designed to keep out external light and helps the device fit snugly on the wearer.

Components like that are expected to be customized to the user's face to help make sure the fit works.

The complicated nature of the device and its technology is also reportedly leading to a slowdown in producing them, according to the FT, which reported that a manufacturer in China is planning to make less than 400,000 of the devices next year.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In a rare, friendly move to low-income renters, Texas lawmakers this year outlawed a form of discrimination that allowed homeowners associations to ban some tenants from their neighborhoods.

The move  spearheaded by state Rep. Chris Turner, a Grand Prairie Democrat  was aimed squarely at a North Texas neighborhood that tried to oust poorer tenants who get assistance from the federal housing choice voucher program and keep new ones from taking their place. The voucher program, known as Section 8, pays a portion of a low-income households rent.

The Providence Homeowners Association enacted a rule last summer that barred landlords from renting to Section 8 tenants, which would have left the entire town of Providence Village  a town of about 7,700 people 20 miles east of Denton  off-limits to those renters. Critics saw the rule as blatant racial discrimination given that the overwhelming majority of the neighborhoods Section 8 renter households were Black.

That proved too hostile to low-income tenants even for the Republican-dominated Texas Legislature. Texas is one of the few states that explicitly allows landlords to reject renters if they receive housing vouchers. Just this year, lawmakers barred cities from creating local ordinances that protect tenants facing eviction.

But barring Section 8 tenants from entire neighborhoods crossed a line for a lot of Republicans in the state Capitol. Democrats and enough Republicans in the Texas House joined forces during the regular legislative session to approve Turners bill outlawing the practice, and the bill cleared the Senate with all but six Republican votes. It helped, Turner said, that the bill had backing from groups like Texas Realtors and the Texas Apartment Association as well as housing advocates and groups representing neighborhood associations.

Come Sept. 1, the practice will be illegal.

Just the facts of what inspired this legislation are so egregious that it really spoke to the need for legislation to end this type of overt discrimination, Turner said. I think that its very clear what the discriminatory effect is of a policy like this.

The Providence HOA board enacted the policy last June as the neighborhood blamed Section 8 tenants for a perceived uptick in local criminal activity. Tempers had flared on social media and even led to at least one physical confrontation between neighbors.

Two months later, the HOA agreed to pause the policy as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development launched an investigation into whether the HOA had violated the federal Fair Housing Act, which explicitly prohibits discrimination based on race. That investigation is ongoing.

The HOA policy threatened to displace more than 170 families from the majority-white enclave. Of those households, more than three-quarters were Black  and most households were headed by women.

Turners bill sends a very strong message to the homeowners association that theyre not allowed to do this, said Laura Beshara, a civil rights lawyer representing some of the Providence tenants.

Facing a hostile environment and uncertainty over whether they could ultimately stay in the neighborhood, dozens of families moved out. Of the 171 voucher households that lived in Providence at the time of the ban, less than 100 remain, according to figures provided by the Dallas and Denton housing authorities.

The Texas Tribune found that two other North Texas HOAs had policies banning Section 8 tenants.

Voucher holders continued to move to Providence after the ban was paused. Thirty families moved into the neighborhood during the past year, according to the Dallas housing authority.

In a statement Friday, the Providence HOA board said they would comply with the law. The board recently adopted rental and leasing rules that do not include the Section 8 ban.

We will continue to fight for our homeowners every day because every resident deserves security and comfort in their home and community, the board said.

Finding affordable housing has become increasingly difficult for low-income families in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as Texas economy booms and more people move to the region, driving up housing demand and rent prices.

Dallas alone faces a shortfall of 33,660 rental units that are affordable for households making 50% of the area median income or less, according to a recent report by the Dallas nonprofit Child Poverty Action Lab. That shortage is expected to grow to 83,500 by the end of the decade, the report found.

Even if a low-income family gets a housing choice voucher, Texas landlords dont have to rent to them  and are less likely to now given the demand for the states rental housing, housing advocates say.

A 2020 report by Inclusive Communities Project found that out of 1,413 rental properties surveyed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, only 226 accepted vouchers  mostly in areas that are poor and Black. The organization dubbed 18 suburbs, nearly all majority-white, voucher no-go zones  places where no landlord surveyed would rent to voucher holders.

That makes it difficult for low-income families to move to areas with better job opportunities and better schools, said Ann Lott, Inclusive Communities Projects executive director. That HOAs can no longer ban Section 8 households in Texas is a win, she said.

When you see occupancy rates as high as it is and the market is as hard as it is, it becomes increasingly difficult to find landlords who will take Section 8, Lott said. This is a big victory for us.
A Texas National Guard soldier who shot a migrant in the shoulder on Jan. 13 in Mission, Texas, wont face civilian criminal charges despite conflicting accounts of the event, according to media reports and government officials.

Before the shooting occurred, Spc. Angel Gallegos chased migrants into an abandoned home alongside another soldier and a Border Patrol agent while assigned to Texas state-run border mission, Operation Lone Star, according to an internal Texas Military Department document previously obtained by Military Times and The Texas Tribune, and a law enforcement investigation report obtained by Stars & Stripes.

Military Times and The Texas Tribune first reported the shooting as part of a broader investigative partnership examining the mission and its struggles.

Haste and planning failures doomed Operation Lone Stars troops to suffer

The Texas Rangers, an investigative arm of the states Department of Public Safety, led the investigation, which agency spokesperson Ericka Miller confirmed was complete. The agency also plays a major role in the border mission.

Miller referred further queries to the Hidalgo County District Attorneys Office, which Stars & Stripes reported declined to bring charges against Gallegos. The county prosecutors, reached by Military Times, did not provide information on the case before this storys publication deadline.

Gallegos told investigators he accidentally fired his M17 handgun during a physical struggle with migrant Ricardo Rodriguez Nieto, according to witness statements obtained by Stars & Stripes.

According to the internal document, which was based on initial statements from the soldiers, Rodriguez Nieto tried to flee through a window and fought Gallegos with his fists and elbows when the soldier tried to detain him.

But Rodriguez Nieto, who was unarmed, told a different story. Rodriguez Nieto claimed he was across the room from Gallegos when the soldier fired, according to Stars & Stripes, and other migrants detained at the scene did not describe an altercation in their statements. Neither the other soldier nor the Border Patrol agent witnessed the shooting.

The Texas Military Department, which oversees Guard members on the mission, did not respond to questions about military discipline for Gallegos. Although courts-martial are permitted under the Texas Code of Military Justice for troops activated in a state-controlled status, they are rare.

In an unsigned emailed statement, the agency told Military Times that soldiers assigned to Operation Lone Star are authorized to use the minimum level of force necessary to control the situation and defend themselves or others. But the statement did not address whether Gallegos was within those guidelines.

Gallegos is not the only soldier to accidentally fire his weapon while activated for Operation Lone Star, a multibillion-dollar mission intended to curb the number of migrants entering Texas. Spc. DaJuan Townes was killed by a colleague in an accidental shooting before a training event on Feb. 7, 2022, at Fort Clark Springs near Brackettville.

Editors note: This story was updated on July 7 at 2:59 p.m. EST with a statement from the Texas Military Department.
'Then we'll go bankrupt': Milwaukee residents bristle at 2% sales tax path to stave off financial crisis

Scores of Milwaukee residents turned out for meetings with city leaders to voice their opposition to a proposed 2% city sales tax just days before Common Council members are set to take a critical vote on the new revenue source.

"They're telling us if we don't pass the 2% sales tax then we're going to go bankrupt. Well, then we'll go bankrupt," Beverly Hamilton-Williams said to applause at a town hall Thursday evening at Clinton Rose Senior Center, 3045 N. King Drive.

The dominant emotion at the meeting was outrage. Residents castigated the city's negotiating in Madison over the new law that allowed the sales tax but also includes what they see as unfair limits on Milwaukee's autonomy.

And they slammed the prospect of more taxes, especially for those on a fixed income. Speakers encouraging rejection of the sales tax were greeted with applause, while those encouraging council members to vote for the sales tax and avoid cuts were loudly booed.

The frustration residents at the senior center expressed over the sales tax  and the bevy of changes to Milwaukee policies included in the new law that allows the city to enact it  stood in stark contrast to a smaller, more conversational town hall held at the same time by council members from the city's south side.

Omar Flores among other residents ask questions and make comments during the town hall meeting discussing the sales tax proposal Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Clinton Rose Senior Center in Milwaukee.

While about 90 people attended the meeting held by six council members representing the city's north side, about a dozen went to the south side event at the Forest Home Cemetery Chapel, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave.

At the chapel, some of the dozen or so residents raised questions about the citys management of its finances and why the annual pension contribution has spiked. But they were also amenable to a sales tax, with some providing ideas for how to lessen the impact on low-income residents and others saying afterward that it's needed so the city can maintain the services it provides.

How residents' testimony will ultimately impact council members' votes on Tuesday remains to be seen.

Ten of the 15 council members must vote in favor of the tax in order for it to pass. The state estimates the tax could bring in approximately $193.6 million in additional revenue, which would have to be used for its pension and, over 10 years, increasing the number of police and firefighters the city employs to meet state-imposed minimums.

Ald. Milele A. Coggs seen during the town hall meeting discussing the sales tax proposal Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Clinton Rose Senior Center in Milwaukee.

Proponents of a sales tax argue that its enactment would give Milwaukee a funding source that cities across the nation already have and allow the city to capitalize on the economic activity generated by people who visit for work or leisure as opposed to putting that burden largely on residents.

Opponents have cited concerns, including that sales taxes are regressive, falling hardest on those who can least afford an increase in costs.

The funding is part of a sweeping local government funding bill passed by the Republican-controlled state Legislature and signed into law by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. Even as the new law provides the opportunity for much-needed funding in Milwaukee, it also increases the city's costs and forces policy changes to police and fire oversight, funding for the city's streetcar and local diversity initiatives, and more.

The policy changes targeting Milwaukee go into effect regardless of whether city elected officials enact a sales tax.

In late June, the council's Steering and Rules Committee recommended approval of the tax, with six in favor and two abstaining after lengthy public testimony in which speakers expressed frustration about the policy changes but nonetheless urged council members to support the new revenue stream in order to avoid deep service cuts.

More: The Milwaukee sales tax bill comes with big strings attached. Here are 5 changes coming to the city.

More: Sales tax could help Milwaukee but new state law also comes with steep costs. Here's how.

At north side town hall, most residents challenge sales tax

At the senior center meeting, city Budget Director Nik Kovac spent the first hour laying out the case for a sales tax to address the city's budget gap and avoid what he described as "borderline unimaginable" cuts.

But residents were mostly uninterested in his pitch.

Regardless of their opinion on the sales tax, attendees universally expressed opposition to the policy changes the local government funding law requires for the city, even if the sales tax isn't imposed.

Hamilton-Williams described the restrictions placed on Milwaukee as "apartheid stipulations." She called on the council to reject the sales tax and demand the state government use some of its record $7 billion surplus to address a spike in the amount the city has to contribute to its pension each year.

Aurelia Ceja, a member of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, implored the council members to take action to repeal the policy provisions in the new law, known as Act 12, and find workarounds for the restrictions placed on them by the state government.

"The sales tax is a Band-Aid solution on the harm Act 12 is going to cause Milwaukee, and it will not stop the bleeding," Ceja told the town hall.

More: Can Milwaukee still expand the streetcar? Here's one approach.

Clarence Nicholas, president of NAACP Milwaukee, spoke against the sales tax because it did not promote economic growth.

Nicholas urged council members to advance a legal challenge to the law, arguing that the new state requirement that school resource officers be returned to Milwaukee Public Schools was an illegal overreach of state authority under the Wisconsin Constitution.

Ald. Milele A. Coggs, Ald. Russell W. Stamper, II, Ald. Khalif J. Rainey and Ald. Andrea M. Pratt among residents participate during the town hall meeting discussing the sales tax proposal Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Clinton Rose Senior Center in Milwaukee.

Some attendees did encourage council members to vote in favor of the sales tax, citing the dramatic cuts that Kovac said would be required of fire and police services without it.

Bruce Wiggins encouraged council members to "be political realists" and vote for the tax, a position that was met with a chorus of boos.

After speaking, he expressed frustration with the limits Republicans in the Legislature had put on the city, especially on the use of tax money to promote diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

At the same time, "as long as the Republicans hold the Legislature, this is probably the best deal that we can get," he said.

After more than 20 speakers expressed their opposition to the sales tax, Fire Chief Aaron Lipski closed the meeting by making one last appeal for council members to support the tax.

Lipski called the choice in front of the council "bonkers and dystopian" but made clear that voting against the tax would "dramatically reduce" the department's ability to keep people safe. He predicted that the department would be forced to close 11 fire stations and shut half of the force's ladder trucks if the tax did not pass.

The meeting was held jointly by Alds. Russell W. Stamper II, Milele A. Coggs, Larresa Taylor, Andrea M. Pratt, Khalif J. Rainey, Mark Chambers Jr.

After the meeting, Coggs, Chambers, Rainey and Pratt all declined to share how they would be voting on Tuesday. All four of them cited the opportunity to listen to their constituents as helpful in making that decision.

In an interview after the meeting, Coggs said that the deep cuts to services without the sales tax detailed by Kovac were "not predetermined," but did not provide an alternative solution.

Earlier this year, the city conducted an analysis of the cuts that would take place if it did not get access to new revenue sources. The departments likely to face the most dramatic cuts are the police, libraries and the fire department, with a 10% to 25% cut in those three departments alone requiring the elimination of between about 355 and 890 full-time staff members.

The city has been sliding into ever-more-difficult budgets for quite a few years and, without significant additional revenue, faces a "fiscal cliff" in 2025.

Its problems have been caused by the state's decision to return a stagnant amount of shared revenue to the city for more than two decades and state-imposed limits on local governments' ability to raise revenue through other means such as sales taxes or by increasing property taxes. At the same time, the city's annual pension contribution is spiking while other costs are rising and reserves are dwindling, including the nearly $400 million Milwaukee received in pandemic aid.

Residents at south side town hall more amenable to sales tax

The south side meeting was decidedly less contentious.

Milwaukee Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa speaks during a town hall Thursday evening at Forest Home Cemetery Chapel, 2405 W. Forest Home Ave. ahead of a critical Common Council vote next week on whether to implement a 2% sales tax.

After the meeting, Art Alamo, 61, said he attended out of interest in the future of the city and its services. Maintaining services not only would help keep residents safe but also draw more people to Milwaukee, he said.

Today, he said, services in the city are OK, but the real test comes in how quickly emergency services can respond to a call to 911.

He said the increased costs from a sales tax are "well worth it" to ensure services don't see a massive decline.

Alamo is represented by Ald. JoCasta Zamarripa, who hosted the meeting along with Common Council President Jose G. Perez and Ald. Mark Borkowski.

Zamarripa told those gathered that while it was a difficult vote, she planned to support the sales tax on Tuesday.

She spoke about going to Lipski during the last city budget negotiations to ask him not to close the firehouse in her district, before the Common Council reversed the cuts proposed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson in light of the increasingly challenging years on the horizon.

"But we knew we were living on borrowed time and continue to live on borrowed time," she told those gathered.

Will city residents get better services with a sales tax? Not so fast.

That a sales tax will not necessarily go to enhancing services across city departments has been the source of consternation for some council members.

Paris Miller, who lives in Coggs' district, expressed frustration with the deal, especially the fact that any money raised by the sales tax would go toward police and fire staffing levels instead of improving social services.

The only real winner out of this deal is the police, he said to nods and applause. Miller described the services that were at risk of being cut as a "hostage" designed to give police more funding.

Before the Steering and Rules Committee vote on June 26, Borkowski raised concerns about blowback from constituents if council members were to vote to implement a sales tax that doesn't enhance city services.

"Current services suck," he said.

Johnson's administration expects that the sales tax would allow the city to maintain current services besides police and fire staffing, which the law requires the city to not just maintain but to increase over the next 10 years.

Kovac told the committee if the new revenue structure works out well, "we'll even have money to increase everything."

"It's possible that scenario will work out, but we certainly have a path to at a minimum maintaining all services and slightly increasing police and fire," Kovac said. "Without the sales tax, it's going to get unimaginably worse."

He also said the sales tax and the shared revenue in the new law are expected to grow with time, unlike the previously stagnant revenue sources that are a major factor in the city's budget problems because they have not kept up with the cost of services over the decades.

Even with the potential for significantly increased revenue next year, however, Kovac anticipated the city would have to use much of its remaining federal pandemic aid to plug a gap in 2024 between the amount of revenue the city expects and its costs to maintain services at their current levels.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. Nathaniel Rosenberg can be reached at NRosenberg@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee residents bristle at 2% sales tax path to stave off crisis
There's no evidence that Russia has rigged Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya plant with explosives, nuclear watchdog says

Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant. ANDREY BORODULIN/AFP via Getty Images

The IAEA said Friday there's no sign Russia plans to destroy the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant.

Inspectors "have not seen any mines or explosives," according to the head of the nuclear watchdog.

However, the IAEA said its experts have not been provided full access to the facility.

The United Nations' nuclear watchdog said Friday that it has seen no evidence that Russia intends to blow up the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, a finding that comes after the head of Ukraine's military intelligence walked back an earlier warning of impending disaster.

In a status report on the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, which Russian forces occupied soon after last year's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Rafael Mariano Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said inspectors were recently provided "some additional access" to the facility after Ukraine claimed it had been rigged with bombs.

"So far, they have not seen any mines or explosives," Grossi said, adding that Thursday's round of inspections included a visit to a cooling pond that Ukrainian officials had said might be rigged. "But they still need more access, including to the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4 and parts of the turbine halls. I remain hopeful that this access will be granted soon."

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that his intelligence services found evidence that Russia had "placed objects resembling explosives" on those rooftops, possibly "to simulate an attack on the plant."

The head of Ukraine's state-run nuclear energy company likewise said satellite imagery indicated explosives may have been placed on the rooftops, while adding that the evidence was inconclusive and that the objects may have been something else, such as machine guns.

Ukrainian officials have for months asserted that Russia is planning a potential "false flag" attack at the nuclear plant.

In June, Kyrlo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, claimed in an interview with the New Statesman that Russia had indeed "drafted and approved" a plan to destroy the facility, including possibly by rigging its cooling pond with explosives.

The Ukrainian armed forces have suggested Russia could also stage a lesser disaster, using explosives to accuse Ukraine of "shelling" the plant. The warnings  following the destruction of Ukraine's Kahkovka Dam, with evidence pointing to occupying Russian forces as the culprit  have been accompanied by emergency-response drills.

Russia has repeatedly denied it has any intention of causing a nuclear disaster. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov this week argued that the real threat is Ukrainian "sabotage."

On the eve of the latest IAEA dispatch, however, Ukraine's Budanov said the threat of a serious incident at the plant in southeastern Ukraine was actually "decreasing."

"Sorry, I can't tell you what happened recently but the fact is that the threat is decreasing," the military intelligence chief said in an interview with Reuters on Thursday. "This means that at least we have all together, with joint efforts, somehow postponed a technogenic catastrophe."

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
Protesters read extracts from the Koran at a sit-in in Peshawar (Abdul MAJEED)

Thousands of people rallied in streets across Pakistan Friday to condemn a Koran burning in Sweden that has outraged Muslims around the world.

Last week, Salwan Momika, an Iraqi living in Sweden, stomped on the Muslim holy book and set several pages alight outside a Stockholm mosque.

His act came as Muslims across the globe began celebrating the Eid al-Adha holiday and as the annual hajj pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia was drawing to a close.

Earlier this week Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for countrywide protests against the burning, declaring Friday "a day to uphold the Koran's sanctity".

Several political parties used the occasion to trumpet their Islamic credentials ahead of an election that must be held later this year, including former prime minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.

In the finance hub of Karachi, about 3,000 supporters of the radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) marched for kilometres on Friday, with some beating effigies draped in Swedish flags.

About 5,000 more TLP members rallied in one of at least a dozen protests held in the second-largest city of Lahore.

Swedish flags were burned at rallies across the country, including at Islamabad's Sitara Market.

"Koran is our red line," chanted hundreds of protesters at the market, who held placards calling for the expulsion of the Swedish ambassador and severing of diplomatic ties with Stockholm.

Others trampled on modified Swedish flags that read "#Boycott Sweden" and featured a crossed-out image of Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Clerics and Imams in mosques across the country condemned the burning in their Friday sermons.

"The entire Islamic world should cut diplomatic ties with Sweden and put economic pressure on Sweden by boycotting its products," Maulana Sheikh Tahir said in a sermon at a mosque in Islamabad.

- 'Death to Sweden' -

Pakistan's imports from Sweden were worth around $311 million in 2021 -- the latest year for which data was available -- while exports amounted to $194 million, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity.

Blasphemy and insults to Islam are galvanising issues in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where leaders have regularly voiced concerns about rising Islamophobia on the international stage.

On Thursday, parliament passed a resolution urging Sweden to take legal action against Momika, and to "ensure that no such act takes place in future".

More than 200 rallies were also held across the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, an official told AFP.

"We demand the international community stop the persecution of Muslims by creating effective legislation and stop the desecration of religions and holy books of every religion," Tayyab Qureshi, a cleric, told a gathering of around 1,000 people in the provincial capital Peshawar.

"We cannot allow anyone to desecrate our holy book Koran under the guise of the law of freedom of expression," he said.

- Urgent debate -

Pakistan's ambassador in Geneva wrote to the UN Human Rights Council president on Monday on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to request an urgent debate.

The council said it would hold the session on July 11 to address "the alarming rise in premeditated and public acts of religious hatred as manifested by recurrent desecration of the Holy Koran in some European and other countries".

Stockholm has condemned last week's Koran burning as "Islamophobic", but added that Sweden had a "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration".

Countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Morocco have summoned Swedish ambassadors in protest, echoing widespread denunciations that have included thousands-strong protests near the Swedish embassy in Baghdad.

la-sjd-dva-fox/leg
This photo, taken in New York on Thursday, July 6, 2023, shows Metas new app Threads. Meta unveiled the app to rival Twitter, targeting users looking for an alternative to the social media platform owned  and frequently changed  by Elon Musk. | Richard Drew, Associated Press

Thanks in large part to built-in integration with its popular Instagram image sharing app, Facebook founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg had some big numbers to share just one day after launching Threads, a short message social media platform that has Twitter squarely in its sights.

Zuckerberg dropped in on his newest creation Friday morning to report that Threads had snagged some 70 million sign-ups since launching Wednesday evening and was drawing interest way beyond our expectations.

The Verge reports that, as of Thursday afternoon, users had already posted more than 95 million posts and 190 million likes, based on internal company data it had viewed.

Since taking over Twitter in a $44 billion deal last October, Tesla/SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has roiled the platforms 230 million or so regular users with ad hoc policy changes, serial technical issues, a Blue Check verification system thats regressed to a basic subscription model and, just last weekend, new limitations on user activity aiming to quell, according to Musk, the harvesting of data by artificial intelligence systems.

Related

In what may turn out to be a stroke of genius, Zuckerberg and his team launched Threads as an add-on to Instagram, requiring users to first sign up for Instagram before getting access to Threads, which is currently only available as a smartphone app.

Metas Instagram has 1 billion active monthly users and, per CNBC, users can sign up for Threads with their existing handles on Instagram and are able to retain some of their following as others sign up for the app.

Meta only needs 1 in 4 Instagram users to use Threads monthly for it to be as big as Twitter, Jasmine Enberg, principal analyst at Insider Intelligence, said in a statement to CNBC. Twitter reported nearly 238 million monetizable daily active users in its last quarterly earnings report as a public company last summer.

Wall Street Journal personal technology columnist Joanna Sterns offered a breakdown on how the two platforms compare noting the Instagram integration eases both entry and connecting with friends to follow and doesnt come with Twitters pesky new viewing limitations. She also pointed to a slew of Twitter functions that simply arent now, or arent yet, part of the Threads platform. Those include limited search functionality, no direct messaging and an algorithmic follower feed that isnt timeline based and doesnt allow for following individuals in stand-alone threads. But, on that note, on Friday, Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, told The Wall Street Journal that Threads will have a chronological feed in the future.

A Twitter vs. Threads features assessment by Geekflare noted Threads doesnt currently include the ability to identify trending topics/conversations, like Twitter but does allow messages up to 500 characters, eclipsing Twitters 280 limit.

When it comes to the user interface experience, Geekflares side-by-side comparison noted both platforms are clean and display exactly what you want to see, but one could argue the interface of Threads is much more refreshing and interesting.

And, almost every early accounting of the Threads experience has highlighted a feature that may be its biggest downside. Once youve added Threads to your Instagram account, you cant delete the new messaging platform without axing your Insta account, too.
Three Puebloans face federal charges in connection to a series of bank robberies in the Denver and Boulder areas, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado.

Leo Elias Benavidez, 34, Ashley Reanne Copper, 33, and Britne Bree Schneider, 25, face charges related to their alleged roles in the robberies that took place in May and June.

Criminal complaints for the suspects allege that during the months of May and June, Benavidez and Cooper robbed four banks and attempted to rob a fifth, with Schneider allegedly driving the getaway car following three of the robberies.

Benavidez and Cooper are charged with four counts of bank robbery, as well as aiding and abetting bank robbery, while Schneider is charged with a single count of accessory after the fact.

This case is being investigated by the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force, the Brighton Police Department, the Denver Police Department, the Arvada Police Department, the Westminster Police Department, the Boulder Police Department, and the Lafayette Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brian Dunn is handling the prosecution.

Here's what police say happened in the first robbery

On May 8, the U.S. Attorney's Office claims Cooper entered Colorado Credit Union and gave the teller a "robbery" note before making off with a significant amount of cash.

A suspicious male, later identified as Benavidez, was also noted to have entered and left the bank before the robbery.

Both Benavidez and Cooper were allegedly observed on security footage getting into and out of a Nissan that was used as a getaway vehicle. The Nissan was later found to have been reported stolen out of Pueblo.

A Brighton Police officer who heard the description of the getaway vehicle noticed it at an intersection after the robbery was reported, and attempted to give chase but had to terminate the chase due to the suspects traveling at a high speed and driving recklessly. The vehicle was later abandoned, and security camera footage collected from nearby showed the pair leaving the vehicle, according to the complaint. Benavidez, who was shirtless, was observed to have a tattoo of his last name on his back.

A thumbprint recovered from the vehicle also matched Benavidez, police say, and a cellphone recovered from the vehicle was found to be associated with Cooper, photos of whom matched the female suspect.

Second robbery takes place less than a month later

On May 30, Benavidez allegedly entered Key Bank on 1st Avenue in Denver and stood in line waiting for a teller. The suspect allegedly handed the teller a robbery note and verbally demanded money.

The note allegedly read Dont look up. All $$$ in register. Eyes Down. Fast Fast Fast Fast. No dyes/no trackers/no funny (business)," according to the complaint.

The teller removed cash and handed it to the suspect, $80 of which was attached to a GPS tracker.

Using the tracker, Denver police and FBI investigators located Benavidez and arrested him after a short foot chase and resistance.

Benavidez allegedly fit the general description of the bank robber but had apparently changed some of his clothing, according to the complaint.

Police say the victim teller and another witness both independently verified Benavidez as the robber. Benavidez declined to make a statement to police.

On June 1, charges were filed with the Denver District Attorneys Office for two felony charges: robbery and theft. His bond was set in Denver for $10,000 and the bond was posted on June 8. Benavidez was release from jail shortly thereafter.

Attempted robbery foiled by bank manager

On June 12 at 10:30 a.m., Arvada police were dispatched to the Bank of The West in Arvada, where a female bank robber had attempted to rob a bank, handing the teller a robbery note. However, the teller was able to message her manager, who triggered a silent alarm.

While stepping away from the teller station, the manager tripped and made a loud noise. The female robber, as well as the tellers, looked toward the manager, and as the teller was about to hand money to the robber, noticed the robber walking away from the teller stations.

The branch manager later told police they saw the suspect enter a silver Jeep with two other occupants and provided its license plate number to police. A "be on the lookout" was aired to law enforcement to watch out for the vehicle.

A police review of surveillance footage later showed the description of the female robber matched that of Cooper.

Fourth robbery targets bank in Westminster

On June 12, just before 11 a.m., a man matching Benavidez's description entered First Bank in Westminster and gave the teller a robbery note asking for all the money in the drawer. The teller told investigators she complied out of fear and gave the man the money in her top drawer. The suspect then left the bank in what police believe was the same Jeep observed in the previous attempted robbery.

Fifth robbery takes place less than 30 minutes later

Just about a half-hour after the fourth alleged robbery, police were dispatched to the U.S. Bank on 28th Street in Boulder. The female robber, who was described as having a tattoo with the word "Samuel" on her chest as well as other identifying tattoos, had entered the bank and told the teller to give her cash because she had a gun.

The victim told the suspect she did not have cash at her register and needed to get it from the drive-thru register. She was then able to message her coworker to say she was being robbed. The coworker hit an alarm.

The victim allegedly observed that the robber was upset and yelling. The robber told her, "Hurry up, he's waiting outside," according to the complaint.

The victim told investigators she did not observe a gun, but believed the female was in possession of one and was afraid the robber would hurt her or others.

The robber allegedly received a small amount of cash and left in a small sport utility vehicle with a broken window, which was being driven by a male.

More Pueblo crime news: Pueblo woman charged in fatal hit-and-run was going more than double speed limit, police say

Stolen shoes and purse in Lafayette Kohl's leads to chase and arrests

Just before 1 p.m., Lafayette police officers responded to a call where a female suspect had stolen shoes and then shoved a woman down and stole her purse at a local Kohl's store. It was reported that the suspect left in a grey Jeep with broken rear window.

The vehicle was spotted on a law enforcement camera in Superior about 1:40 p.m. The vehicle was located by Boulder County sheriff's deputies and pursued through Lafayette, reaching speeds of more than 70 mph.

The vehicle eventually was forced to drive through a small field to evade pursuit, and drove through a fence, hit a berm, and went airborne before becoming stuck in the field. Three occupants allegedly ran on foot from the vehicle, splitting up.

However, all three were chased down by deputies, who identified them as Benavidez, Cooper, and Schneider.

At the time of her arrest, Cooper was wearing the same purple shirt as the bank robber at U.S. Bank, according to the complaint.

A significant amount of cash was found inside the crashed jeep, and more was recovered from inside Benavidez's pockets.

Schneider allegedly admitted to investigators that she drove the vehicle during the three bank robberies and was aware they went into the banks with the intent of robbing them. However, she stated she stayed in the vehicle.

The defendants are ordered to be detained in federal custody throughout their cases, according to a court order obtained by the Chieftain.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo suspects charged in string of bank robberies near Denver, Boulder
Nucera CEO Werner Ponikwar (R) said his firm was 'well on our way to becoming one of the leading green hydrogen companies' (Daniel ROLAND)

Thyssenkrupp's green hydrogen unit Nucera made a strong debut on the Frankfurt stock exchange Friday, amid growing interest in the technology as an alternative to fossil fuels.

Shares in Nucera ended their first day of trading 18.85 percent higher, at 24.34 euros ($26.7), giving the company a valuation of around three billion euros.

Nucera's flotation, one of the biggest in Europe so far this year, comes as countries around the world are looking at ways to reduce carbon emissions to help meet climate targets.

Nucera produces electrolysers, which can be used to manufacture green hydrogen made using electricity obtained through renewable energy sources such as solar or wind.

Nucera CEO Werner Ponikwar, speaking at the stock market before the opening bell, hailed the IPO as a "great achievement".

He said the company aimed to "support our customers on their way to climate neutrality... thereby shaping the new era of sustainable energy.

"We are well on our way to becoming one of the leading green hydrogen companies."

Friday's IPO was the second-largest in Europe this year, behind Italian gambling firm Lottomatica's listing in Milan.

Nucera has described the floatation as the largest ever hydrogen listing, and Thyssenkrupp said it raised around 600 million euros from the share offering.

Thyssenkrupp is one of Germany's leading industrial groups, making everything from steel to submarines.

- 'Beacon of hope' -

The proceeds from the Frankfurt listing will be used to support "the strong growth of Thyssenkrupp Nucera's alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) business", the group said previously.

Almost a quarter of the shares in Nucera were put up for sale, while Thyssenkrupp will keep its majority stake in the unit.

Nucera is a joint venture between Thyssenkrupp and Italian company Industrie De Nora. De Nora currently holds 34 percent of the Nucera subsidiary.

CMC Markets analyst Konstantin Oldenburger said growth at Nucera was expected to take off in the coming years.

The company was a "beacon of hope for both Thyssenkrupp itself and the entire hydrogen sector in Germany", he said.

But he also warned Nucera was "not yet profitable and shareholders will probably have to wait along time before sustainable profits materialise".

Thyssenkrupp has in recent years been battling financial problems and a crisis over its future direction.

Its chief executive Martina Merz announced in April she was stepping down after leading a major restructuring of the group. She was replaced by Miguel Angel Lopez Borrego, previously CEO of German engineering group Norma.

sr-mfp/lth
Premier urges raising growth confidence

08:48, July 07, 2023 By CAO DESHENG ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Premier Li Qiang called for boosting confidence in China's growth as the country's economy showed signs of recovery and improvement despite complex global political and economic situations.

Li made the remarks on Thursday while chairing a symposium on China's economy, which was attended by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang and Chinese experts and scholars.

The experts and scholars unanimously agreed that despite the complex and challenging external environment, China's economy has shown tremendous resilience, and confidence should be maintained in the country's economic prospects. They presented suggestions and recommendations for promoting economic growth.

Addressing the meeting, Li said the complicated global political and economic situations have impacted China's development, and called for a comprehensive, balanced and long-term assessment of the nation's current economic situation and further boosting confidence in its development.

China is going through a critical phase in its economic recovery and industrial upgrading, Li said, emphasizing that the principle of seeking progress while ensuring stability should be upheld. He urged fully, faithfully and comprehensively implementing the new development philosophy and speeding up the building of a new development paradigm.

Efforts should be made to stabilize growth and employment, and prevent risks by implementing a set of targeted, combined and coordinated policies and measures, he said.

Prioritizing high-quality development, Li said, more measures should be taken to transform development patterns, adjust economic structure and increase growth drivers.

He urged efforts to establish and improve regular communication and exchange mechanisms between the government and various enterprises, including private and foreign-funded ones, in order to improve the scientific decision-making process through enhanced interactions.

Li expressed hope that experts and scholars would leverage their professional wisdom and strengths to contribute constructive suggestions and recommendations to promote high-quality development.

China's economy grew 4.5 percent year-on-year in the first quarter. Addressing the opening of the 2023 Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin on June 27, Li said the second quarter's growth is expected to be faster and the target of around 5 percent for the whole year is expected to be met.

Some international organizations and institutions have raised their growth expectations for China, demonstrating their confidence in the nation's development prospects.

In April, the International Monetary Fund projected that China's economy will grow 5.2 percent in 2023, while global growth is estimated at 2.8 percent.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
OceanGate Expeditions, the company that launched the doomed Titan submersible trip to the wreckage of the Titanic, has ceased operations.

A small message in the top-left corner of OceanGates website reads: OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations.

The announcement comes a full two weeks after the submersible imploded while carrying five people, sparking an international search, rescue and recovery operation.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman Dawood all died in the implosion.

The company has come under scrutiny in the weeks following the tragic accident as former employees, former passengers and experts in the industry have criticised OceanGate for embarking on a potentially dangerous trip in the questionably designed submersible.

OceanGates decision to cease operations comes just after the companys former finance director claimed she quit after CEO Stockton Rush asked her to captain the Titan once he fired the crafts original chief pilot David Lochridge.

Key points

Titanic sub victims wife reveals how crew spent their final moments

US Coast Guard recovers presumed human remains from sea floor near Titanic sub debris

Hamish Hardings friend reveals race to get ROV to site of doomed sub

Why we are obsessed with the missing Titan submarine, according to experts

Subway shop slammed for mocking Titanic sub implosion on billboard

11:00 , Megan Sheets

Sandwich chain Subway has come under fire after making mocking reference to the Titan submersible disaster in its advertising.

A billboard outside one Subway restaurant in Georgia featured the slogan: Our subs dont implode.

But the pun didnt go down well with customers, with one describing the move as distasteful and sad, and another adding: talk about poor taste.

The Independent reports:

Subway shop slammed for mocking Titanic sub implosion on billboard

What photos of the Titanic sub debris tell us about its implosion

09:00 , Megan Sheets

Images of the wreckage recovered from the Titan submersible at the bottom of the North Atlantic appear to confirm the theory that the vessel suffered a massive implosion under the pressure of the ocean.

Earlier this week, the US Coast Guard brought the debris left by the sub on the ocean floor onto dry land.

Jonas Mureika, a professor of physics at Loyola Marymount University, tells The Independent that calling the implosion catastrophic is referring to the intensity and speed of what took place.

The pressure at that depth (3.8 km) is incredibly high, about 400 times atmospheric pressure. Thats 6,000 pounds per square inch acting on the submarine  atmospheric pressure is roughly 15 pounds per square inch, he noted in an email.

The Independent reports:

What photos of the Titanic sub debris tell us about its implosion

Head of key Titanic sub recovery team dodges question about OceanGate

07:00 , Ariana Baio

Since the Titan submersible imploded, killing five people aboard, the subject of extreme tourism has been highly debated online and by professionals.

But when the CEO of Pelagic Research Services, the company that helped oversee the recovery mission of the submersible, was asked what his thoughts were on the trips OceanGate took to the Titanic, he claimed he did not have a strong opinion.

I dont necessarily have an opinion on that, its a strong investigation going on right now, Edward Cassano said in a press conference last week.

Mr Cassano helped lead the team of people from Pelagic Research Services who used their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to find the debris from the submersible last week.

Watch: Resurfaced documentary footage shows Titan spinning out of control

04:00 , Megan Sheets

Physicist calls for pause on all tourist trips to Titanic wreckage

02:00 , Joe Sommerlad

A physicist has called for an end to all the tourist voyages to the Titanic wreckage after four days of frantic search for the Titan submersible ended and experts said all five people on board died in an implosion.

Michael Guillen, a former Harvard University physics instructor who himself had a near-death experience near the Titanic wreckage, said the ocean is a merciless beast and the Titanics wreckage is a sacred ground where all activities should cease.

Certainly, we need to stop, pause all trips to the Titanic, I believe, and figure out, you know, what kind of restrictions should we place, he said in an interview with GB News.

This is not a joyride. This is a serious business. The ocean is a merciless beast, really. Its ready to swallow you up.

Mr Guillen went into the depths of the Atlantic aboard a Russian scientific research vessel in 2000 when he was a correspondent with the ABC network.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush downplayed really loud bang on prior Titanic sub trip

01:00 , Joe Sommerlad

OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush dismissed concerns about a really loud bang during a previous dive on the doomed Titan submersible.

Rush was filmed speaking to passengers for an episode of BBCs The Travel Show in 2022 when he mentioned that a crew member had heard a troubling sound come from the sub while it was on the ocean surface.

He said the noise was not a soothing sound but downplayed the danger, adding that almost every deep-sea sub makes a noise at some point.

Its unclear what caused the noise, but former OceanGate employees and industry experts have said they repeatedly raised concerns about the Titans construction since it imploded on a dive to the Titanic wreckage, killing Rush and four others on board.

The subs experimental carbon-fibre hull wasnt suitable for extreme depths in deep-sea exploration, and glue had leaked from the seams of ballast bags, whistleblowers said.

OceanGate touted very safe Titanic sub in promo video weeks before doomed trip

Friday 7 July 2023 00:00 , Joe Sommerlad

OceanGate Expeditions released a promo video boasting about its very safe submersible two months before the vessel catastrophically imploded in the depths of the Atlantic while on a dive to the wreck of the Titanic.

The companys CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were killed in the ill-fated expedition after the sub lost contact with its mothership on 18 June.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, past passengers who previously went on the 12,000-foot dive aboard the Titan have shared several concerns they had with OceanGates safety measures. However, a promotional video posted 10 weeks before the implosion on OceanGates YouTube channel advertised the $250,000-a-ticket trip as extremely safe.

OceanGate touted very safe Titanic sub in promo video weeks before doomed trip

Watch: OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush reveals Titanic submersible built with camping parts

Thursday 6 July 2023 22:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Watch: Search and rescue company boss visibly emotional describing Titan search

Thursday 6 July 2023 21:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Why did the Titanic sub implode?

Thursday 6 July 2023 20:00 , Joe Sommerlad

In the days after OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush and his four-paying crew members went missing on their dive to the wreck of the Titanic, experts had several theories as to their fate.

On 26 June, those worst fears were confirmed when the US Coast Guard announced that it had found pieces of the Titan submersible scattered across the ocean floor about 1,600 feet from the bow of the ill-fated ocean liner.

But what exactly caused the Titan to implode? While we dont yet know the truth of what happened, we do know enough to have some idea of what might have sealed the subs fate.

The Independents Io Dodds reports.

Why did the Titanic sub implode?

Titan sub victims spent last moments listening to music and watching sea

Thursday 6 July 2023 19:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Passengers on board the sunk Titan submersible likely spent their final moments listening to music in darkness and watching sea creatures in the deep, it has been revealed.

All five onboard the Titanic tourist submarine were confirmed dead on 22 June after the vessel suffered a catastrophic explosion.

The tail cone of the submersible was found around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck following a frantic five-day search operation in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Father and son Shahzada Dawood, 48, and Suleman Dawood, 19, were among the victims.

Christine Dawood, wife of Shahzada and mother of Suleman, has told of the preparations carried out by Stockton Rush, the pilot of the vessel and founder and CEO of OceaGate, the company that ran the voyage.

It was like a well-oiled operation - you could see they had done this before many times, Ms Dawood, said of a briefing given to the passengers, in an interview with The New York Times.

OceanGate Expeditions ceases operations after Titanic sub implosion killed five

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:30 , Ariana Baio

OceanGate Expeditions, the company that launched the doomed Titan submersible trip to the wreckage of the Titanic earlier this summer, has ceased operations.

Five people, including the companys CEO, Stockton Rush, died when the carbon-fibre submersible imploded due to the extreme pressures of the deep ocean.

A small message in the top-left corner of OceanGates in red explains that the company has ceased its operations.

OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations, the message says.

Graig Graziosi reports:

OceanGate ceases operations after Titanic sub implosion

Friend of late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush warned Titan needed more testing after 2019 dive

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:00 , Joe Sommerlad

A friend of late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush warned him against taking customers aboard the companys Titan submersible four years before it tragically imploded in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

Karl Stanley, the owner of a diving expedition company in Honduras and a close friend of Mr Rush, went on a tour aboard the Titan off the coast of the Bahamas in 2019, The New York Times first reported. In emails obtained by Insider of an alleged exchange between the two deep-sea enthusiasts, Mr Stanley told Mr Rush that he had heard a large cracking sound while on the 12,000-foot-deep dive.

I think that hull has a defect near that flange, that will only get worse. The only question in my mind is will it fail catastrophically or not, Mr Stanley wrote in a premonitory email, years before the Titans catastrophic implosion that killed all five of its passengers.

Friend of late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush warned Titan needed more testing in 2019

Titanic sub debris and human remains have been recovered. But we still dont have answers to these 9 questions

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:00 , Joe Sommerlad

The desperate search for the missing Titanic submersible came to a tragic end when debris was discovered deep in the ocean. But, we still dont know many crucial aspects of the doomed voyage.

The Independents Rachel Sharp, Io Dodds, Bevan Hurley and Andrea Blanco report.

These nine questions remain unanswered in the Titanic sub catastrophe

OceanGate CEO said glue holding Titanic sub together was like peanut butter

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:00 , Joe Sommerlad

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions whose submarine imploded during a trip to see the wreckage of the Titanic, once described the glue holding the vessel together as similar to peanut butter.

The Independents Graig Graziosi reports.

OceanGate CEO said glue holding Titanic sub together was like peanut butter

OceanGate suspends all expeditions

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:00 , Ariana Baio

The company has announced on its website that all expeditions are suspended following the tragedy that killed its CEO and four other passengers aboard OceanGates Titan submersible.

(OceanGate Expeditions)

Titanic sub passenger recalls brutal implosion warning

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:00 , Andrea Blanco

A former passenger of the Titan submersible that imploded last month, killing all five people on board, has spoken out about a brutal implosion warning.

Retired California businessman Bill Price, who went on a Titan dive in 2021, recalled discussing the effects of an implosion before the deep ocean expedition started.

Mr Price recalled some of the analogies of what it would be like to be crushed by extreme pressure in the ocean. He said it would be like a Coke can smashed with a sledgehammer. Or like an elephant standing on one foot with 100 more elephants on top of it.

The Independents Maroosha Muzzafar has more:

Titanic sub passenger recalls brutal implosion warning

OceanGate touted very safe Titanic sub in promo video weeks before doomed trip

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:00 , Andrea Blanco

OceanGate Expeditions released a promo video boasting about its very safe submersible two months before the vessel catastrophically imploded in the depths of the Atlantic while on a dive to the wreck of the Titanic.

The companys CEO Stockton Rush, British billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, renowned French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet and Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his 19-year-old son Suleman were killed in the ill-fated expedition after the sub lost contact with its mothership on 18 June.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, past passengers who previously went on the 12,000-foot dive aboard the Titan have shared several concerns they had with OceanGates safety measures. However, a promotional video posted 10 weeks before the implosion on OceanGates Youtube channel advertised the $250,000-a-ticket trip as extremely safe.

Read more.

OceanGates ex-finance director claims she quit after being asked to captain doomed vessel

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:00 , Joe Sommerlad

OceanGate Expeditions former finance director has claimed she quit the company after CEO Stockton Rush asked her to captain the doomed Titan submersible after firing the crafts original chief pilot David Lochridge.

The employee, who spoke to The New Yorker on condition of anonymity, said: It freaked me out that he would want me to be head pilot, since my background is in accounting, I could not work for Stockton. I did not trust him.

She added that several of the engineers working for the company were in their late teens and early 20s and were at one point being paid $15 an hour.

WATCH: Resurfaced documentary footage shows Titan spinning out of control

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:00 , Andrea Blanco

WATCH: OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush reveals Titanic submersible built with camping parts

Thursday 6 July 2023 09:00 , Andrea Blanco

Voice recordings under scrutiny in Titanic sub implosion investigation

Thursday 6 July 2023 08:00 , Andrea Blanco

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 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.

WATCH: Search and rescue company boss visibly emotional describing Titan search

Thursday 6 July 2023 06:00 , Andrea Blanco

Why did the Titanic sub implode?

Thursday 6 July 2023 05:00 , Andrea Blanco

In the days after OceanGate chief executive Stockton Rush and his four-paying crew members went missing on their dive to the wreck of the Titanic, experts had several theories as to their fate.

On 26 June, those worst fears were confirmed when the US Coast Guard announced that it had found pieces of the Titan submersible scattered across the ocean floor about 1,600 feet from the bow of the ill-fated ocean liner.

But what exactly caused the Titan to implode? While we dont yet know the truth of what happened, we do know enough to have some idea of what might have sealed the subs fate.

The Independents Io Dodds reports:

Why did the Titanic sub implode?

Titan sub victims spent last moments listening to music and watching sea

Thursday 6 July 2023 04:00 , Andrea Blanco

Passengers on board the sunk Titan submersible likely spent their final moments listening to music in darkness and watching sea creatures in the deep, it has been revealed.

All five onboard the Titanic tourist submarine were confirmed dead on 22 June after the vessel suffered a catastrophic explosion.

The tail cone of the submersible was found around 1,600ft from the bow of the Titanic wreck following a frantic five-day search operation in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Father and son Shahzada Dawood, 48, and Suleman Dawood, 19, were among the victims.

Christine Dawood, wife of Shahzada and mother of Suleman, has told of the preparations carried out by Stockton Rush, the pilot of the vessel and founder and CEO of OceaGate, the company that ran the voyage.

It was like a well-oiled operation - you could see they had done this before many times, Ms Dawood, said of a briefing given to the passengers, in an interview with the New York Times.

Friend of late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush warned Titan needed more testing after 2019 dive

Thursday 6 July 2023 03:00 , Andrea Blanco

A friend of late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush warned him against taking customers aboard the companys Titan submersible four years before it tragically imploded in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean.

Karl Stanley, the owner of a diving expedition company in Honduras and a close friend of Mr Rush, went on a tour aboard the Titan off the coast of the Bahamas in 2019, The New York Times first reported. In emails obtained by Insider of an alleged exchange between the two deep-sea enthusiasts, Mr Stanley told Mr Rush that he had heard a large cracking sound while on the 12,000-foot-deep dive.

I think that hull has a defect near that flange, that will only get worse. The only question in my mind is will it fail catastrophically or not, Mr Stanley wrote in a premonitory email, years before the Titans catastrophic implosion that killed all five of its passengers.

Friend of late OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush warned Titan needed more testing in 2019

Head of key Titanic sub recovery team dodges question about OceanGate

Thursday 6 July 2023 02:00 , Ariana Baio

Since the Titan submersible imploded, killing five people aboard, the subject of extreme tourism has been highly debated online and by professionals.

But when the CEO of Pelagic Research Services, the company that helped oversee the recovery mission of the submersible, was asked what his thoughts were on the trips OceanGate took to the Titanic, he claimed he did not have a strong opinion.

I dont necessarily have an opinion on that, its a strong investigation going on right now, Edward Cassano said in a press conference last week.

Mr Cassano helped lead the team of people from Pelagic Research Services who used their remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to find the debris from the submersible last week.

OceanGate employee feared CEO could kill himself and others in quest to boost his ego with Titanic sub

Thursday 6 July 2023 01:00 , Andrea Blanco

Im so worried he kills himself and others in the quest to boost his ego, a former OceanGate employee wrote in a 2018 email obtained by The New Yorker.

The Independent reports:

OceanGate employee feared deadly consequences in CEOs quest to boost his ego

OceanGates ex-finance director claims she quit after being asked to captain doomed vessel

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:23 , Joe Sommerlad

OceanGate Expeditions former finance director has claimed she quit the company after CEO Stockton Rush asked her to captain the doomed Titan submersible after firing the crafts original chief pilot David Lochridge.

The employee, who spoke to The New Yorker on condition of anonymity, said: It freaked me out that he would want me to be head pilot, since my background is in accounting, I could not work for Stockton. I did not trust him.

She added that several of the engineers working for the company were in their late teens and early 20s and were at one point being paid $15 an hour.

Titanic sub debris and human remains have been recovered. But we still dont have answers to these 9 questions

Thursday 6 July 2023 00:00 , Andrea Blanco

The desperate search for the missing Titanic submersible came to a tragic end when debris was discovered deep in the ocean. But, we still dont know many crucial aspects of the doomed voyage.

The Independents Rachel Sharp, Io Dodds, Bevan Hurley and Andrea Blanco report:

These nine questions remain unanswered in the Titanic sub catastrophe

Was it an explosion or implosion and how would that have affected the passengers?

Wednesday 5 July 2023 23:00 , Andrea Blanco

Knowing where the accident occurred, the assumption of an implosion makes sense, Dr Joerg Reinhold, a professor at the Department of Physics at Florida International University, told The Independent.

Both an implosion and an explosion need some form of stored energy. In typical explosive materials, the stored energy is chemical and is released through a chemical reaction. In the case of a submerged pressure vessel, the stored energy is mechanical  it is released when the surrounding water fills the space of the vessel.

If there is a catastrophic failure of the hull, this energy is first released in an implosion, he notes. Eventually, this will be followed by an outgoing shockwave  otherwise, listening devices would not be able to pick up the sound of the event.

He went on to say that implosions or explosions in water should behave differently than those in air. Air is a compressible fluid while water is an incompressible fluid. I expect the stored mechanical energy to be vastly bigger than any other source of energy on the submersible.

Even if the breach of the vessel would have been triggered by an internal source of energy, the final result will be an implosion, Dr Reinhold said.

Jonas Mureika, a professor of physics at Loyola Marymount University, tells The Independent that calling the implosion catastrophic is referring to the intensity and speed of what took place.

Dr Mureika added that an explosion results when there is a sudden release of energy that results in a powerful outward pressure wave. Implosions, on the other hand, are due to an inward pressure differential. This was most certainly an implosion.

That being said, when the air inside the submarine was rapidly compressed, it most likely ignited and created an explosion  like a piston in a car engine  but this wouldnt compare in magnitude to the implosive force, he says.

As for the passengers, because of the time interval for this to occur, as well as the magnitude of the pressure, its very likely they didnt even know what hit them. Its also doubtful they had time to process what was happening unless the implosion was preceded by something like a leak, Dr Mureika adds.

What photos of the Titanic sub debris tell us about its implosion

Wednesday 5 July 2023 22:10 , Andrea Blanco

Images of the wreckage recovered from the Titan submersible at the bottom of the North Atlantic appear to confirm the theory that the vessel suffered a massive implosion under the pressure of the ocean.

Earlier this week, the US Coast Guard brought the debris left by the sub on the ocean floor onto dry land.

Jonas Mureika, a professor of physics at Loyola Marymount University, tells The Independent that calling the implosion catastrophic is referring to the intensity and speed of what took place.

The pressure at that depth (3.8 km) is incredibly high, about 400 times atmospheric pressure. Thats 6,000 pounds per square inch acting on the submarine  atmospheric pressure is roughly 15 pounds per square inch, he noted in an email.

The Independent reports:

What photos of the Titanic sub debris tell us about its implosion

WATCH: Resurfaced documentary footage shows Titan spinning out of control

Wednesday 5 July 2023 21:08 , Andrea Blanco

OceanGate CEO said glue holding Titanic sub together was like peanut butter

Wednesday 5 July 2023 20:38 , Andrea Blanco

Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate Expeditions whose submarine imploded during a trip to see the wreckage of the Titanic, once described the glue holding the vessel together as similar to peanut butter.

The Independents Graig Graziosi reports:

OceanGate CEO said glue holding Titanic sub together was like peanut butter

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush downplayed really loud bang on prior Titanic sub trip

Wednesday 5 July 2023 20:01 , Bevan Hurley

OceanGate Expeditions CEO Stockton Rush dismissed concerns about a really loud bang during a previous dive on the doomed Titan submersible.

Rush was filmed speaking to passengers for an episode of BBCs The Travel Show in 2022 when he mentioned that a crew member had heard a troubling sound come from the sub while it was on the ocean surface.

He said the noise was not a soothing sound but downplayed the danger, adding that almost every deep-sea sub makes a noise at some point.

Its unclear what caused the noise, but former OceanGate employees and industry experts have said they repeatedly raised concerns about the Titans construction since it imploded on a dive to the Titanic wreckage, killing Rush and four others on board.

The subs experimental carbon-fibre hull wasnt suitable for extreme depths in deep-sea exploration, and glue had leaked from the seams of ballast bags, whistleblowers said.

Titans hull subjected to repeated stress over time

Wednesday 5 July 2023 19:02 , Andrea Blanco

The 22-foot long, 23,000-pound Titans larger internal volume  while still cramped with a maximum of five seated people  meant it was subjected to more external pressure.

Elongating the cabin space in a submersible increases pressure loads in the midsections, which increases fatigue and delamination loads, said Jasper Graham-Jones, an associate professor of mechanical and marine engineering at the University of Plymouth in the United Kingdom.

Fatigue, he said, is like bending a wire back and forth until it breaks. Delamination, he said, is like splitting wood down the grain, which is easier than chopping across the grain.

Furthermore, the Titans hull had been subjected to repeated stress over the course of about two dozen previous dives, Graham-Jones said.

Each trip would put tiny cracks in the structure, he said.

This might be small and undetectable to start but would soon become critical and produce rapid and uncontrollable growth, he said.

Wife and mother of Titan passengers talks about waiting to hear from the doomed sub

Wednesday 5 July 2023 18:09 , Andrea Blanco

Christine Dawood was on board a support vessel when she got word that communications were lost with the submersible carrying her husband and son, to view the Titanic wreckage.

She didnt initially understand what it meant that the Titan submersible had lost contact with the ship an hour and 45 minutes into its voyage, Dawood told the BBC Monday.

It would be four more days before she would learn the fate of her husband Shahzada Dawood and son Suleman Dawood, when authorities announced the vessel carrying five people had imploded and there were no survivors.

We all thought they are just going to come up, she said. That shock was delayed about 10 hours or so. There was a time ... where they were supposed to be up on the surface. When that time passed, that is when the ... worry and not so good feelings started.

Christine Dawood said she had loads of hope during the international search for the Titan, noting that it was the only thing that got us through it.

There were so many actions on the sub that people can do in order to surface, she said of believing they may survive. It was like a rollercoaster, more like a wave ... We kept looking at the surface.

Christine Dawood said she lost hope when they passed the 96 hour mark, sending a message to her family that she was preparing for the worst. Her 17-year-old daughter, Alina, was was still hopeful until the call with the U.S. Coast Guard about finding debris from the Titan.

Physicist calls for pause on all tourist trips to Titanic wreckage

Wednesday 5 July 2023 17:19 , Shweta Sharma

A physicist has called for an end to all the tourist voyages to the Titanic wreckage after four days of frantic search for the Titan submersible ended and experts said all five people on board died in an implosion.

Michael Guillen, a former Harvard University physics instructor who himself had a near-death experience near the Titanic wreckage, said the ocean is a merciless beast and the Titanics wreckage is a sacred ground where all activities should cease.

Certainly, we need to stop, pause all trips to the Titanic, I believe, and figure out, you know, what kind of restrictions should we place, he said in an interview with GB News.

This is not a joyride. This is a serious business. The ocean is a merciless beast, really. Its ready to swallow you up.

Mr Guillen went into the depths of the Atlantic aboard a Russian scientific research vessel in 2000 when he was a correspondent with the ABC network.

Heartbreaking final photo shows smiles of father and son moments before doomed Titanic sub trip

Wednesday 5 July 2023 16:50 , Andrea Blanco

Shahzada and Suleman Dawood smile in the final photo taken before their doomed dive on board the Titan submersible (Sourced)

OceanGate suspends all expeditions

Wednesday 5 July 2023 15:58 , Andrea Blanco

The company has announced on its website that all expeditions are suspended following the tragedy that killed its CEO and four other passengers aboard OceanGates Titan submersible.

(OceanGate Expeditions)

Subway shop slammed for mocking Titanic sub implosion on billboard

Wednesday 5 July 2023 15:22 , Andrea Blanco

Sandwich chain Subway has come under fire after making mocking reference to the Titan submersible disaster in its advertising.

A billboard outside one Subway restaurant in Georgia featured the slogan: Our subs dont implode.

But the pun didnt go down well with customers, with one describing the move as distasteful and sad, and another adding: talk about poor taste.

The Independent reports:

Subway shop slammed for mocking Titanic sub implosion on billboard

OceanGate employee feared CEO could kill himself and others in quest to boost his ego

Wednesday 5 July 2023 13:00 , Andrea Blanco

A former OceanGate employee warned safety concerns with the companys Titanic submersible could have deadly consequences in an ominous ego calling out CEO Stockton Rushs ego.

David Lochridge, OceanGates director of marine operations from 2015 to 2018, was asked by Rush to conduct a quality inspection after safety issues with the Titan were raised. During this process, Mr Lochridge identified numerous issues that posed serious safety concerns but he was allegedly met with hostility and denial of access to necessary documents, according to a lawsuit he brought in 2018 after he was terminated.

Bombshell emails reported by The New Yorker show Mr Lochridges desperate attempts to expose safety issues with the Titan, five years before it imploded while on a 12,500-foot dive to the wreck of the Titanic with five passengers, including Rush, aboard last month.

I dont want to be seen as a Tattle tale but Im so worried he kills himself and others in the quest to boost his ego, Mr Lochridge wrote in an email to expedition leader and dive master Rob McCallum. ... I would consider myself pretty ballsy when it comes to doing things that are dangerous, but that sub is an accident waiting to happen.

Theres no way on earth you could have paid me to dive the thing, another email by Mr Lochridge read.
Toddler dies when parents leave her in hot car overnight after Fourth of July party, police say

A mother and father were charged with manslaughter in their daughters death after Florida police say they left their 18-month-old in a car after returning home from a Fourth of July party.

Joel and Jazmine Rondon, 33, went to a holiday celebration in Lakeland with their three children  all under the age of 9  and did not return home until 3:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to the Polk County Sheriffs Office. Jazmine told Joel to bring in the 18-month old while she took the other two children inside upon their return, the sheriffs office said.

Joel brought stuff inside their home, and when he went back outside, he saw all four doors to the Hyundai Elantra closed, and assumed Jazmine had gotten the toddler out, the sheriffs office said.

The couple went to bed and did not inquire about their 18-month-old until Joel asked one of the older children to check on the toddler at about 11:00 a.m., according to the sheriffs office. After the toddler was not found inside the house, Joel found her still strapped in her car seat unresponsive.

She was pronounced dead after the couple rushed to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, where efforts were made to cool her body down. Her internal body temperature was above 104 degrees at 2:42 p.m..

An autopsy determined that the victims cause of death is hyperthermia due to being left in a car, and the manner of death is homicide, the sheriffs office said.

Joel and Jazmine submitted to drug tests later that evening and the parents each tested positive for marijuana and alcohol, authorities said. Joel additionally tested positive for meth, the sheriffs office said.

They were taken into custody and transported to Polk County Jail on Thursday, according to the sheriffs office. Inmate records were not immediately available and it is unclear if they have retained attorneys.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd called the situation a case of pure negligence during a press conference Thursday afternoon. The couples other two children are with relatives and the Department of Child and Family services are also investigating, Judd said.

The temperatures were in the 70s overnight but began to heat up early in the morning, Judd told reporters.

The heat index in the area was 105 by 11 a.m., meaning the temperature was likely 94 or 95 degrees outside, Judd estimated.

The car was outside, not in a garage, not under a tree, not under any shade at all, Judd said. And obviously we will try to recreate with the same temperature the heat of the car. Research shows us that the temperature of the car could have been anywhere between 130 and 170 degrees.

This story first appeared on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Another day, another loss by President Joe Biden in federal court. Its not a good look for the president.

Less than a week after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Bidens $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan for its extreme overreach, he suffered another blow in court.

On Tuesday, a federal judge in Louisiana issued a damning opinion and preliminary injunction preventing the Biden administration from meddling with social media platforms. According to the lawsuit, White House officials have worked to prevent the publication of content the government doesn't like  including information related to COVID-19 and the presidents son, Hunter Biden.

Supreme Court student loan decision: Supreme Court tosses Biden's student loan forgiveness plan where it belongs: The trash

That should be a chilling thought to any American. It certainly was to Judge Terry A. Doughty. I dont think it was a coincidence that Doughty issued his opinion on the Fourth of July  a day we celebrate the founding of our country and the freedoms that make it great.

Although the censorship alleged in this case almost exclusively targeted conservative speech, the issues raised herein go beyond party lines, Doughty wrote. The right to free speech is not a member of any political party and does not hold any political ideology. It is the purpose of the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment to preserve an uninhibited marketplace of ideas in which truth will ultimately prevail, rather than to countenance monopolization of the market, whether it be by government itself or private licensee.

On Tuesday, a federal judge in Louisiana issued a damning opinion and preliminary injunction preventing branches of the Biden administration from meddling with social media platforms.

Government is not the arbiter of truth

Throughout Bidens presidency, there have been alarming reports about how his administration has attempted to influence or coerce what is allowed on social media  and who is allowed to say it.

In 2021, Biden said platforms like Facebook were killing people because of alleged misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines. The White House's press secretary at the time, Jen Psaki, outright said the administration was in close contact with social media companies to make sure they were properly policing content.

So much for 'misinformation': COVID may have leaked out of a Chinese lab, after all

Biden officials did this purportedly in the name of fighting misinformation and disinformation, but those terms are broad, and as Judge Doughty ruled, the administrations actions are in contradiction to our First Amendment right to free speech.

The plaintiffs in the case  GOP attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri  argued that top Biden officials, through the use of emails, meetings, messages and other means, significantly encouraged and coerced social media platforms to limit or take down content protected by the Constitution.

Thats a clear example of the government exceeding its role and serving as the arbiter of truth. Doughty agrees.

The evidence produced thus far depicts an almost dystopian scenario, the judge wrote. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the United States Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth. 

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

Remember the Disinformation Governance Board?

There are other examples of the Biden administration inserting itself into the decisions of private Big Tech companies. Starting in December, the Twitter Files, a multipart series, shed light on the internal workings at the company before Elon Musk bought it. One of the revelations was that the government pressured Twitter to ban thousands of accounts, including those of journalists.

Also last year, there was the short-lived Disinformation Governance Board, formed as an arm of the Department of Homeland Security, which had initial plans to work in conjunction with Twitter.

303 Creative ruling is free speech win: Freedom wins. Supreme Court web designer ruling is victory for free speech rights

It was short-lived because of the intense pushback from Republicans, as well as its Orwellian elements and perceived threats to free speech. The choice of Nina Jankowicz to serve as the disinformation czar also was criticized. Despite her supposed expertise, she had openly questioned whether the Hunter Biden laptop story was Russian disinformation.

In this recent court case and others, Biden officials have broadly threatened to change federal laws Section 230, which offers online platforms immunity for content posted on their sites. Now, Biden is using combating antisemitism as a reason to do so.

Regardless of how well-meaning the intent may sound, the encroachment of government into the realm of free speech is troubling  and all Americans should be on guard against it.

USA TODAY columnist Ingrid Jacques

Ingrid Jacques is a columnist at USA TODAY. Contact her at ijacques@usatoday.com or on Twitter: @Ingrid_Jacques

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden wanted to control Facebook, Twitter feeds. A judge just said no
Ivan Marquez of the political party of FARC speaks during a news conference in Bogota

By Luis Jaime Acosta

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Ivan Marquez, the well-known leader of a faction of former FARC rebels who returned to arms after a peace deal with Colombia's government, has died in Venezuela, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

Though most members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) demobilized under the 2016 deal, which ended the FARC's role in the country's nearly 60-year conflict, two major groups reject it and, according to security forces, have continued to participate in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

"The information provided by the group is that he died in a hospital in Caracas, where he received medical attention for serious injuries he suffered in an attack in Venezuela at the end of June 2022," said a source close to the Segunda Marquetalia.

The attack against Marquez, whose real name was Luciano Marin Arango, may have been led by Ivan Mordisco, leader of a rival FARC dissident group, according to security sources.

Colombia's Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez told journalists there was still no official information on Marquez's death.

Venezuela's Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to questions sent by Reuters.

Marquez was one of the negotiators of the deal but abandoned it just two years later in 2018 after his nephew was arrested and sent to the United States.

Marquez later emerged as the leader of the so-called Segunda Marquetalia, a group of former FARC who took up arms anew.

The group has 1,670 members and most - 1,060 - are combatants, according to security agency reports seen by Reuters.

Leftist President Gustavo Petro has pledged to end Colombia's conflict through deals with armed groups, but plans to hold talks with the dissidents have stumbled on uncertainty over whether they are eligible for a peace or surrender deal.

Marquez died in Venezuela the two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, which also included an intelligence source.

A number of major FARC dissident leaders have been killed in Venezuela, and the Colombian military says dissidents have significant presence in the neighboring country.

Colombian intelligence last year reported that Miguel Botache Santillana, better known as Gentil Duarte - a dissident commander who clashed with the Segunda Marquetalia - was presumed dead following clashes with rivals in Venezuela.

Both Seuxis Hernandez and Hernan Dario Velasquez - better known as Jesus Santrich and El Paisa, respectively - were both reported killed in Venezuela in 2021.

Previous Colombian administrations repeatedly accused Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, of harboring Colombian illegal armed groups, something Caracas has repeatedly denied.

Petro reopened diplomatic and trade relations with Venezuela and Venezuela is a guarantor at Colombia's peace talks with the National Liberation Army rebels.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, additional reporting by Vivian Sequera in Caracas; Writing by Oliver Griffin and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Michael Perry)
Top Oklahoma School Official Says Teachers Can Talk About Race Massacre  If Theyre Careful About The Race Part

Teaching kids about the Tulsa Race Massacre is completely fine, according to Oklahoma school Superintendent Ryan Walters. Teachers just need to make sure no one is made to feel bad about it.

At a forum in Norman, Oklahoma, on Thursday, a resident asked Walters how teaching about the massacre  in which scores of white vigilantes terrorized a Black neighborhood over the course of two days  didnt run afoul of the states ban on critical race theory.

I would never tell a kid that because of your race, because of the color of your skin, or your gender or anything like that, you are less of a person or are inherently racist. That doesnt mean you dont judge the actions of individuals, Walters said. Oh, you can. Absolutely, historically, you should. This was right. This was wrong. They did this for this reason. But to say it was inherent in that because of their skin is where I say that is critical race theory. Youre saying that race defines a person.

On Friday, Walters attempted to clarify his thoughts in a statement in which he accused the media of attempting to create a fake controversy.

Let me be crystal clear that history should be accurately taught: 1. The Tulsa Race Massacre is a terrible mark on our history. The events on that day were racist, evil, and it is inexcusable. Individuals are responsible for their actions and should be held accountable, he said. 2. Kids should never be made to feel bad or told they are inferior based on the color of their skin.

Critical race theory, typically taught in college-level academic courses, portends that systemic racism underlies much of U.S. policy. But in the years since a police officer in Minneapolis murdered George Floyd, a Black man, conservatives have seized on the term and misconstrued it to mean talking about racism and history  and making white children feel guilty for being white in the process. The moral panic surrounding critical race theory further expanded to include topics like diversity and LGBTQ+ rights, which conservatives derisively refer to as wokeness.

The Tulsa Race Massacre began on May 31, 1921, after a Black teenage boy was accused of assaulting a white teenage girl. Rumors spread through Tulsa and white vigilantes descended upon the part of town that was known as Black Wall Street because of the concentration of wealth. The attackers spent two days killing and injuring people as well as burning down homes and businesses. An estimated 50 people were left dead and thousands more were injured.

Walters, a former social studies teacher in McAlester, Oklahoma, won the election for state superintendent last November while largely campaigning on eradicating wokeness and critical race theory from schools. (He also spread a conspiracy theory about cat litter.)

At a gathering of the far-right political organization Moms for Liberty earlier this month in Philadelphia, he wooed attendees by hitting all of the rights talking points about education.

The radicalism that the left has taken to try to force socialism and Marxism in our classrooms is the most outrageous thing this country has ever seen, he said to applause.

But in his home state, his views dont always resonate  even with his fellow Republicans. He has fully embraced the culture wars, and other conservative lawmakers have criticized him for focusing too much on cultural issues like book censorship instead of funding for Oklahoma schools.

After he was sworn into office, Walters spent months claiming that school libraries were providing porn to students. He demonized teachers unions, alleging that they were indoctrinating and abusing students, and referred to them as terrorists.

At Thursdays meeting, he was met with an angry crowd.

It doesnt matter how much the radical left attacks me, Walters said. It doesnt matter how much the teachers union spends against me. I will never stop speaking truth.

It got so rowdy that two people were escorted out and residents were left disappointed. I didnt think at 68 years old I would have to be concerned about public education for my grandkids going backwards instead of forwards, one attendee told a local Fox affiliate after the event.
Illustration: Lex Villena, Ferli Achirulli Kamaruddin, Cammeraydave

Once upon a time, Joe Biden ran for the presidency on, in part, promises to end the Trump administration's trade war with China. Instead, once in the White House, the Biden administration doubled down on its predecessor's tariffs and picked new fights in an effort to isolate the Chinese economy. China's political leadership contributes to this conflict, and its latest move is to restrict the export of two minerals critical to the production of computer chips.

Chokehold on Critical Minerals

"China will impose export restrictions on industrial products and materials containing gallium and germanium from August 1 to ensure its national security and interests," China Daily, a mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party, announced this week. "According to the relevant provisions of China's Export Control Law, Foreign Trade Law and Customs Law, gallium, which is used in the production of semiconductors and optoelectronic devices, and germanium, an important raw material for the semiconductor industry, as well as their related products, cannot be exported without permission after July. Export of other industrial materials such as gallium nitride, gallium oxide and zone-refined germanium ingot have also been prohibited."

That's a big deal because, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, "in 2021 the top exporters of Gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, niobium (columbium), rhenium and vanadium: articles thereof, unwrought, including waste and scrap, powders were China ($170M), Chinese Taipei ($53.2M), Germany ($52.4M), Brazil ($43.1M), and South Korea ($32.4M)." China alone is responsible for 29.4 percent of the total (the U.S. is also an exporter, with a 5.47 percent share.)

Specifically breaking out the two restricted minerals, Reuters adds that China produces roughly 60 percent of the world's germanium and 80 percent of gallium. So, there's a lot at stake here for computer chip producers and for governments trying to promote domestic producers at the expense of Chinese competitors.

The Latest Trade-War Escalation

China's export restrictions come against a backdrop of growing political and economic tensions between the United States government and its counterpart in Beijing. On the campaign trail in 2020, Joe Biden correctly criticized the Trump administration's tariffs on Chinese goods as harmful to Americans. Economists pointed out that high tariffs cost jobs, distorted the economy, and made people poorer; Biden promised to repeal them. But once in office, the new administration maintained trade barriers and set out to cut China off from high-tech computer chips and advanced cloud computing. Ham-handed industrial policy was crafted to expand U.S. government control of the economy while squeezing China out of tech, especially the manufacture of computer chips.

But it's hard to push competitors to the sidelines of an industry if those competitors control major sources of materials that the industry needs. Restricting the flow of gallium and germanium won't increase the use of Chinese-made semiconductors around the world, but it could ensure that nobody else's semiconductors get manufactured and shipped eitherat least until new sources are developed.

As the new export restrictions suggest, China's government hasn't confined itself to the role of innocent victim in its dispute with the U.S. As the National Bureau of Economic Research Digest noted last year, "China and the United States began mutually escalating tariffs on $450 billion in trade flows in 2018 and 2019." Additionally, China's often government-linked firms have a reputation for stealing technology, counterfeiting, and economic espionage.

"One in three North American corporations allege that Chinese-based companies have stolen their intellectual property in the past decade, while one in five allege that it has happened in the past year," according to a 2019 analysis by Michigan State University's Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection.

Beijing has also flirted with turning the trade war into actual war, threatening "confrontation and conflict" with the United States. The country's regime clearly wants to absorb Taiwan (though U.S. officials are not without fault in building these tensions).

Fortunately, tensions have largely remained in the realm of saberrattling and trade barriers. With its latest move, China may even be turning a necessity into an advantage. This week, the South China Morning Post reported that China is running out of gallium and "could be forced to recycle gallium from Japan and the US instead of producing it domestically." If they were ever going to use trade in the metal as a bargaining chip, the country's ruling officials may be running out of time to do so.

Mutually Assured Economic Destruction

Economic warfare is damaging enough. "Since it began in earnest just over a year ago, the trade war with China has cost an estimated 0.3 percentage point in U.S. real GDP and almost 300,000 jobs," Moody's Analytics reported in 2019. A United States International Trade Commission report issued in May of this year found that tariff costs "passed through fully into U.S. importer prices." That is, they are ultimately picked up by American consumers.

China's people have also suffered from the trade war between the two governments.

"US consumers of imported goods have borne the brunt of the tariffs through higher prices," found a 2021 paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. "The trade war has lowered aggregate real income in both the US and China."

"The verdict is unremittingly negative for both countrieswith one important exception," The Economist noted last year. That exception has been the diversification of trade beyond China-based manufacturers. Those new sources tend to be less efficient and more expensive but adding them to the mix reduces exposure to the sort of supply chain disruption we've seen since the start of the pandemic.

Diversifying supply chains is a good thing, but that process was already happening in response to production and shipping snags; it didn't need a trade war that hiked prices and made people poorer to give it a goose. But all of the results, few positive and mostly negative, of trade war are likely to get a boost in the months and years to come.

Expect More Conflict in the Future

"This is just the beginning of China's countermeasures, and China's tool box has many more types of measures available," Wei Jianguo, China's former vice-minister of commerce, told China Daily after the announcement of restrictions on the export of gallium and germanium. "If the high-tech restrictions on China become tougher in the future, China's countermeasures will also escalate."

With U.S. officials also committed to using commerce as a battlefield for governments rather than as a means for individuals and businesses to build prosperity, expect escalating economic warfare and the sacrifice of wealth and opportunity to continue.

The post Trade War Heats Up With China's Export Restrictions on Two Critical Minerals appeared first on Reason.com.
Trader Joes has threatened to file a federal lawsuit against its workers new union, accusing Trader Joes United of infringing on its trademark with the merchandise its selling in the unions online store.

The California-based grocer recently sent a letter to the unions president, store worker Jamie Edwards, arguing that Trader Joes Uniteds T-shirts, mugs and tote bags are likely to cause consumer confusion and dilute the companys brand. The letter, dated June 27 and obtained by HuffPost, referred specifically to items that say Trader Joes United and show the unions logo, a fist clenching a box cutter.

Trader Joes claims that the items infringe on its trademarks, design and trade dress  a legal term that basically refers to a products general look and feel. The company said that if the union didnt stop selling the merch, it might seek an injunction and monetary damages, including all profits the union has made from the items sale.

This latest threat to the Union is just another in your continuing attack against labor.Trader Joe's United's response to the company

The unions lawyers fired back a letter of their own, accusing the company of bullying workers and trying to muzzle them through the threat of litigation. They said it was disappointing, but not surprising that the company would seek to weaponize trademark law against employees.

This latest threat to the Union is just another in your continuing attack against labor, the unions attorneys wrote.

Trader Joes did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday.

The unions online store is administered by Bright Blue Ink, a union print shop based in Austin, Texas. Maeg Yosef, a Trader Joes worker and spokesperson for the union, said Bright Blue Ink handles all the printing and shipping and gets a portion of the sales, while the union receives the rest of the proceeds. When supporters buy the merch, it helps fund the unions organizing efforts.

The legal threat is part of a broader battle between the grocer and Trader Joes United, which has unionized four stores in a little over a year. (The company has challenged the results of one of those elections.) None of Trader Joes more than 500 stores previously had union representation. The union is in the middle of trying to bargain first contracts for the stores that have organized.

Trader Joe's claims such mugs and totes sold by the union infringe on the company's trademarks.

Trader Joe's claims such mugs and totes sold by the union infringe on the company's trademarks.

Trader Joes United has accused the company of violating labor law on several occasions during the organizing drive  claims Trader Joes has denied. The union recently filed an unfair labor practice charge over the firing of Stephen Andrade, a Massachusetts worker the union claims was targeted because of his union support.

In a different case, prosecutors at the National Labor Relations Board are pursuing a complaint against the company alleging that it illegally removed union literature from the break room at a store in Minneapolis.

Trader Joes is not the first employer to go after its workers union by alleging trademark infringement.

As HuffPost reported last year, Medieval Times filed a trademark lawsuit against its workers new union, which goes by the name Medieval Times Performers United. The dinner-theater chain accused the union of creating consumer confusion through its name and logo, which includes a castle and swords. Two of Medieval Times nine U.S. castles have formed unions since last year.

In the case of Trader Joes, the company said it does not object to the union using the name Trader Joes for purposes of identifying the union or discussing your cause, according to another letter its attorney sent on July 5. Rather, our demand is directly solely at [the unions] use of Trader Joes famous trademarks on merchandise sold to the general public.

The union said it would seek sanctions against Trader Joes for bad faith and frivolous claims if the company chooses to sue.

Should you still move forward with any such legal action, you do so at your own peril, the unions attorneys wrote.
Keyboard and audio headset

The Trevor Project, the countrys largest youth crisis nonprofit organization that works with LGBTQ+ young people, has laid off a significant number of employees. Its just one of several challenges facing the company in recent months.

Today, The Trevor Project completed a reduction in force that impacted 12% of our staff, it tweeted Wednesday. This decision was not made lightly. It was a last resort measure taken to ensure the sustainability of our life-saving services.

According to a blog post published on The Trevor Projects website in late June, unnamed leadership explained why many staff members would be laid off.

After several years of fast growth and commensurate financial support, we are now facing a tenuous economic climate, the statement began. In order for The Trevor Project to continue to operate sustainably, we will need to conduct a reduction in our workforce in the next month.

The decision followed other cost-saving measures, such as freezing hiring and limiting non-urgent travel.

It follows concerns that the organization took on too much growth too soon, which led to the sacking of the companys former CEO, Amit Paley.

During Paleys tenure, the organization grew and, according to publicly available financial records, continually took in more than it spent, as reflected by the organizations most recent audit.

According to The Trevor Projects statement, the reduction in the workforce will not affect counseling services provided by The Trevor Project to LGBTQ+ youth.

Amid the financial woes, the organization continues to fend off far-right attacks.

In recent months, Republicans have falsely accused The Trevor Project of grooming children.

During the past month, contractors operating the 988 Crisis Lifeline under a pilot program contract scheduled to expire on July 2 complained that they were notified without much notice that their employment would be terminated with no chance to ask questions.

A few of those let go demanded that the companys leaders, including Peggy Rajski, its interim CEO, resign.



The layoffs come just eight months after Paleys departure.

In a statement provided by a spokesperson at the time, Paley told The Advocate that his leadership had resulted in the organization growing from 50 to 500 employees. In addition, he pointed out that Trevor Project services would be launched in Mexico in the fall of 2022 as part of his global expansion.

Current counselors at The Trevor Project, who requested anonymity, complained to The Advocate that Paleys compensation was too high.

Those within the organization wanted Amit Paley removed because of their exuberant pay, the person said.

The individual claimed that after his departure, crisis counselors learned information that made them feel underpaid.

The Trevor Project does serve a vital need for the LGBTQ community, both youth and adults, the person said. But they do it on the backs of crisis counselors that are burnt out, underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated by the organization as a whole.

They asked, How can we adequately be there for our community when the organization that leads us treats us like we are doormats?

The person continued, Every single counselor I know believes in our work, believes in the organizations mission, and just wants better working conditions. But we are all extremely burnt out and struggling to keep ourselves afloat.





If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available to help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 is for people of all ages and identities. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.

Editors Note: A previous version of this article contained an extended quote by an anonymous source, part of which has been removed, and information has been added about the financial strength of the organization under its former CEOs leadership.
Tribes and conservation organizations rallied at the California State Capitol on Wednesday, July 5 to demonstrate they are united in increasing protections to protect water ecosystems in northern California. (Photo courtesy of Regina Chichizola)

On Wednesday, July 5, several northern California Tribes and conservation organizations hosted a rally at the California State Capitol grounds in Sacramento to demonstrate that they want a clean water future.

More than 200 people attended the rally, asking California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) to include Tribal communities when decisions are made about allocating water.

We got the idea to put together a day of action to bring together all these communities, Tribal communities, environmental justice communities, conservation groups, fishing interest groups, to let the state, the governor, state agencies, federal agencies that we are all in this together, said staff attorney for Save California Salmon, Kasil Willie, in an interview with Native News Online. Were working towards a common goalrestoring watersheds and ecosystems.

Were advocating to get water justice into the mainstream conversation of how policies and regulations are made, said Willie, whos also an enrolled Walker River Paiute citizen. In California, the ones with the oldest water rights are those who are white, and the majority of them are male as well.

In addition to conserving a fragile ecosystem, organizers say that they are also advocating for water justice to include all Tribal communities who rely on water. Water rights, and protections of water, did not include the voices to protect fish populations for subsistence or cultural rights of Native people. For example, there are some ceremonies that require participants to consume salmon or fish.

Climate change has contributed to an extended drought in northern California, and as a result, many water systems have a lower water supply. According to the state of California, January, February, and March were the driest months in the state in more than 100 years. Salmon populations have shrunk, and conservation organizations want to restore their habitat.

During the last few years of the drought in northern California, the salmon run was lower than expected, and fishing, both subsistence and commercial, has been halted. The National Marine Fisheries Service announced in March that salmon fishing would be canceled for the rest of the 2022-23 fishing season off the Pacific Coast from Cape Falcon in northern Oregon to the California-Mexican border. The NMFS also announced that salmon fishing was halted off the California coast until 2024, all in efforts to protect the endangered salmon.

Californias salmon and river people are done watching our rivers be drained and fish killed so millionaire farmers can water almonds and alfalfa, said Regina Chichizola, Save California Salmons Executive Director, in an interview with Native News Online. California is a salmon state. The governor and [U.S. Department of] Interior cannot promise truth and justice for Californias Native people and kill our rivers and salmon.

According to the Almond Board of California, about 1.5 million acres are dedicated to irrigated almond orchards, where a majority of production is exported outside of the country. The allocation of water has led to reduced flows through California rivers and the Bay Delta and created lower water quality for Tribes and other underserved communities in the San Francisco Bay Delta. As a result, harmful algal blooms have spread and have contributed to the depopulation of native fish species like Chinook salmon.

Other concerns the rally brought attention to were the Delta Conveyance Project, a state water infrastructure project aimed to update the states aging water delivery system in northern California. According to organizers, Gov. Newsom has tried to fast-track the project without consulting with Tribes who have cultural resources, or history, along the projects route.

According to the state, Tribes that have requested consultation include California Valley Miwok

Tribe (Sheep Ranch Rancheria of Me-Wuk Indians of California), Ione Band of Miwok Indians, Northern Valley Yokuts Tribe, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, United Auburn Indian Community, Wilton Rancheria, Winnemem Wintu, Wintu Tribe of Northern California, and the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation.

We are coming together for water justice, and we are just getting started, said Chichizola of the days events.

The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, Winnemem Wintu Tribe, Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, Round Valley Indian Tribes, Pit River Tribe, Mechoopda Indian Tribe, Sogorea Te Land Trust, Restore the Delta, Save California Salmon, Golden State Salmon Association, Sacred Places Institute, California Indian Environmental Alliance, Little Manila Rising, Indigenous Justice, San Francisco Baykeeper, North Coast Native Protectors, Sierra Club California, Friends of the River, and Tuolumne River Trust all participated in the Day of Action on Wednesday.

About the Author: "Darren Thompson (Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe) is a staff reporter for Native News Online who is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Thompson has reported on political unrest, tribal sovereignty, and Indigenous issues for the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, Indian Country Today, Native News Online, Powwows.com and Unicorn Riot. He has contributed to the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Voice of America on various Indigenous issues in international conversation. He has a bachelor\u2019s degree in Criminology & Law Studies from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "

Contact: dthompson@nativenewsonline.net
'He truly cared about everybody': Remembering Funny Stop Comedy Club co-owner Pete Barakat

Boutros Youssef "Pete" Barakat

Funny Stop Comedy Club co-owner Boutros Youssef "Pete" Barakat, 65, has died, leaving a host of comedians sad but thankful for his help in starting their careers.

Born in Abdelly, Lebanon, Barakat came to the United States in 1979. He died on Tuesday.

Nick Kostis opened the club in 1985 as Hilarities in Cuyahoga Falls. Barakat and his brother, Tannous, bought it in 2000.

A fire gutted the clubs original building in 2004 and the brothers moved the club to its current location at at 1757 State Road in Cuyahoga Falls, changing its name to the Funny Stop.

Open-mic night on Wednesday and Thursday evening shows were canceled while the family mourned, club manager Le'An Page said.

Remembering Pete Barakat: Cuyahoga Falls comedy club and its charismatic owner approaching 19th year

Barakat was said to be a boisterous and profane but caring mentor to many up-and-coming comedians, while at the same time booking regular appearances from nationally known comics like Jim Florentine, Don Jamieson, Basile, Mark Anthony, Pauly Shore and Rich Vos, among many others.

"He was very rough and gruff on the outside  he gave everyone a hard time, but he truly cared about everybody," said Page, who's been manager at Funny Stop for the last nine years.

She said dozens of people have called and emailed their condolences since learning of his death.

Comics offer tribute

Several comedians thanked Barakat while offering condolences on his online tribute page, hosted by Ripepi Funeral Home of Parma, which is handling arrangments.

"Pete, I spoke often publicly about your benevolent ways and how you offered many up-and-coming comedians a chance to break into to business. I could write for hours ... yet would never be able to explain in words to others just how much you have done for your fellow man  for your community," wrote Mark Richards of Uniontown.

Cyndi Rice of Cleveland does standup at Funny Stop on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2017, in Cuyahoga Falls.

CiCi Bullock of Shaker Heights said she first met Barakat in 2018, when she started in the business.

"He was instrumental in helping me become a better Comedienne. He was tough. But, he always gave the best advice. It was an honor and a privilege to perform at the Funny Stop."

Comedian Dave Landau, along with several others, discussed Barakat with Beacon Journal partner News 5 Cleveland.

Landau said Barakat loved nothing more than giving aspiring young comics a shot while testing their mettle.

He was a very loud man, very obnoxious; he actually heckled the comedians on stage, which I found pretty amazing, Landau said. It actually ended up being part of his charm, part of the reason why I ended up loving him.

Meet Pete Barakat: Co-owner of Funny Stop comedy club in Cuyahoga Falls

In 2015, Barakat told the Beacon Journal how he helped encourage some local talent to do better.

I love local comedians. But sometimes local comedians dont want to hear, he said. They go out onstage and if theyre not funny and I tell them theyre not funny they get upset.

No, youre not...funny, work on your...material, he would say.

Barakat said he wouldn't let novices do obscene material.

"In my club, if youre an amateur, you have to do clean material or Ill kick you out of the stage. I dont let you do dirty stuff. When you have 20, 30 minutes and start making money? I dont care what you do, he said.

Those who knew him well, knew how much he really cared, comedian Charlie Weiner told News 5 Cleveland.

"He was just a man of huge heart; he loved comedy, he loved comedians, he loved his wife more, and he loved his boys even more than that, Wiener said.

Funeral arrangements Friday, Saturday

Barakat was the husband of Nidal (nee Tannous) for 31 years; father of Youssef and Tannous; son of the late Youssef and Marina; brother of Zahia Abi-Nader (Camille), Tannous Barakat, Hanna Barakat (Aline) and Frangieh Wehbe (Ghassan); cousin, uncle, great uncle and friend of many.

Calling hours will be 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Billow Funeral Home, 85 N. Miller Road in Fairlawn. There will be a prayer of incense at 7 p.m.

A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of the Cedars Church, 507 S. Cleveland Massillon Road in Fairlawn. Interment will be at St. George Cemetery in Abdelly, Lebanon.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Falls' Funny Stop Comedy Club owner Pete Brakat remembered
Trump claims he'll declassify all of the JFK-related assassination records if he's reelected. He said the same thing in 2016, but ended up siding with the CIA and FBI to keep the documents secret.

Public Domain / wikimedia

Trump reaffirmed his promise to release all of the remaining JFK assassination-related documents.

But as president, he sided with the CIA and FBI in continuing to shield some records from the public.

Biden also refused to release all the records in a decision he announced last week.

Former President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated a promise to release the remaining classified records related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, despite the fact that he failed to do so when he had the opportunity while in office for four years.

"When I return to the White House, I will declassify and unseal all JFK assassination related documents," Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth. "It's been 60 years, time for the American people to know the TRUTH!"

President Joe Biden declared last week that the National Archives had completed its review of still-classified records and recommended that some still be held back from public view.

"This action reflects his instruction that all information related to President Kennedy's assassination should be released, except when the strongest possible reasons council otherwise," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters at the White House.

A tussle over the remaining documents

The White House's declaration that 99% of the records have been made public was met with derision from Kennedy assassination experts who chided both the announcement on the eve of the holiday weekend and the US government's failure to release the entirety of what it has.

"It's insulting to anyone who cares about truth in this case because the Biden White House intentionally released it on a Friday night before what's basically a long holiday weekend," Gerald Posner, author of the book "Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK, told the Messenger. "No one disagrees that all the files should have been released a long time ago. It's to the shame of all of us."

Trump's Friday statement came as he was sharing The Messenger's report. The publication also pointed out that long-shot Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr, JFK's nephew, also criticized the Biden administration for continuing to keep thousands of records classified.

Trump's promised this before

The former president faced this same decision while in office. In 2017, Trump oversaw the release of over 19,000 documents but eventually broke a promise to fully release the remaining material. Siding with the CIA and FBI, Trump eventually kicked the can on the remaining records to 2021.

Biden then delayed the process again until 2022, when he released 13,000 additional records, NBC News reported at the time. The president then set another deadline for June 2023, which is what triggered the most recent action.

The constant drip of records flies into the face of the spirit of the President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992. The law, which Congress passed unanimously, required that all assassination-related records be publicly disclosed by October 26, 2017. Under the law, only a president can certify a limited number of national security concerns that would justify postponing the public availability of a document. Multiple presidents have since used that power to delay releasing documents.

Most researchers have long dismissed the possibility that any single document would be a "smoking gun" that would undermine the Warren Commission's conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone when he shot Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Kennedy was later pronounced dead at Parkland Hospital.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A District of Columbia federal judge on Thursday said former president Donald Trump can be made to give evidence in a deposition as part of a lawsuit against the Department of Justice by ex-FBI agent Peter Strzok.

Mr Strzok, who served as the deputy assistant director of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division and supervised parts of the probe into Russias interference in the 2016 election, filed a lawsuit against the department in August 2019, a year after he was fired from his position following what he described as unrelenting pressure from President Trump and his political allies in Congress and the media including constant tweets and other disparaging statements by the President, as well as direct appeals from the President to then- Attorney General Jefferson Sessions and FBI Director Christopher Wray to have him terminated.

While the government has said Mr Trumps public statements had no bearing on the decision, Mr Strzok had sought to depose the ex-president as part of the discovery process.

Although the Justice Department had sought to block Mr Trump from giving evidence on the grounds that other witnesses have already testified about the decision to fire the ex-FBI agent, Judge Amy Berman Jackson rejected the governments arguments in a short order posted to the courts public docket on Thursday.

While to the extent the individuals deposed to date recalled the events in question, their testimony did not advance plaintiffs theory that the former President was involved in the decision making at issue in this case, the fact remains that the former President himself has publicly boasted of his involvement, she wrote.

Judge Jackson also noted that Mr Trumps penchant for filing other civil lawsuits casts doubt on any claim that he is unavailable to testify.

Given the limited nature of the deposition that has been ordered, and the fact that the former Presidents schedule appears to be able to accommodate other civil litigation that he has initiated, she said.

The government has previously settled a separate wrongful termination lawsuit from Andrew McCabe, the former FBI deputy director who Mr Trump ordered to be terminated just hours before his retirement so as to deny him his government pension.

The government agreed to correct its records so Mr McCabe would be considered to have retired from the FBI with all the benefits and privileges afforded to bureau retirees.
Trump says hell cancel every Biden policy brutalizing our farmers within hours, if elected

Former President Trump said Friday that he would cancel every Biden administration policy that he described as brutalizing our farmers within hours of taking office, if he is elected in 2024.

Under Joe Biden, it has been a nonstop war on American agriculture. You know that better than anybody, Trump said at a campaign rally in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

The former president slammed President Biden for slashing ethanol blending levels by hundreds of millions of gallons and trying to totally kill Iowa ethanol and replace it with expensive electric cars.

Within hours of my inauguration, I will cancel every Biden policy that is brutalizing our farmers, Trump said while in the Hawkeye State, the nations leading producer of ethanol.

In finalized biofuel blending standards released last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reduced how much conventional biofuel, which includes corn-based ethanol, would be required for blending in 2024 and 2025 when compared to a previous proposal.

However, the latest standards still represent an increase over previous years, including under the Trump administration.

The Hill Elections 2024 coverage

The EPA touted the finalized rule as featuring steady growth of the use of biofuels and increasing U.S. energy security by reducing oil imports by between 130,000 to 140,000 barrels of oil per day between 2023 and 2025.

Trump has previously touted his administrations 2019 decision to lift summertime restrictions on the sale of gasoline blended with 15-percent ethanol. However, the decision was ultimately struck down by a federal appeals court in 2021.

The Biden administration is also planning to allow for the year-round sale of 15-percent ethanol blend in eight Midwestern states, including Iowa, starting next summer, according to Reuters.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Washington  Special counsel Jack Smith's two investigations of former President Donald Trump cost more than $9 million in the first five months after Smith was tapped in November 2022 by Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee the Justice Department's ongoing Trump-related investigations, according to expenditure statements released Friday.

Smith is investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and Trump's alleged mishandling of classified White House records after he left office. When Smith took over, both probes were already in progress, and in June, prosecutors secured an indictment against Trump and his longtime aide  Walt Nauta  for an alleged scheme regarding the retention of national defense information and obstruction of federal investigators.

Trump pleaded not guilty in Florida last month to the 37 counts against him  which include 31 charges of illegally holding onto sensitive government records  and Nauta entered a not-guilty plea on Thursday after weeks of delays. Nauta, Trump's one-time White House valet, is accused of working with the former president to move and hide boxes of documents with classified markings inside Mar-a-Lago and lying to investigators about his knowledge of the records.

In all, Smith's two investigations directly cost $5,428,579 in funding from the Justice Department's permanent indefinite funding for independent counsel probes as prescribed by congressionally authorized statute between Nov. 18, 2022, and March 31, 2023. This included more than $2.6 million for personnel compensation and benefits, according to the disclosure, and approximately $1.8 million for contractual services like litigation and IT support.

Another $3.8 million was spent on FBI and U.S. Marshal Service personnel connected to the two Smith probes for investigative matters and protective details. While not required to disclose such expenses in the reports, they were included in Friday's statements.

Since his appointment, Smith has spoken publicly just once  after indicting the former president in the Southern District of Florida in June. "Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States and they must be enforced," Smith said at the time. "We have one set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone."

The former president has bashed the probe as politically motivated and maintained he did nothing wrong.

Smith's team of prosecutors is also investigating the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack and efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Grand juries are convened in Washington, D.C., to hear evidence, and in recent weeks, investigators have met with numerous witnesses including Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Investigators have examined a number of leads in the matter and are focused on an alleged fake elector scheme in which supporters of the former president worked to overturn the certification of the Electoral College votes via an alternate group of swing-state representatives pledging support to Trump, according to sources familiar with the probe. State officials from Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia have spoken with investigators or complied with subpoenas for records in recent months.

The expense statements were released as part of a biannual submission by the Justice Department to Congress detailing the cost of ongoing special counsel probes to Congress. The disclosure also contained information related to the investigations of special counsel Robert Hur, who was appointed by Garland in January to take over the investigation into President Joe Biden's retention of classified documents from his time as vice president and senator  and former special counsel John Durham, who earlier this year completed his probe into the origins of the Russia investigation. According to the reports, Hur's investigation cost more than $1.1 million between Jan. 12, 2023 and March 31, 2023, as did the final stages of Durham's probe from Oct. 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

CBS News first reported that roughly 10 documents marked classified were discovered by Mr. Biden's personal lawyers at his vice-presidential office at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement on Nov. 2, 2022, and turned over to the National Archives and Records Administration.

Days later, the Archives notified the Justice Department and on Nov. 9, the FBI began an assessment to examine whether classified information had been mishandled in violation of federal law, and a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney was tasked with leading the probe prior to Hur's appointment.

Subsequent searches of the president's residence in Wilmington, Delaware, performed by his legal team and later, by the FBI yielded a "small number" of documents in his garage from Mr. Biden's time in the Obama administration and another six items with classified markings from his time as vice president and as senator, the president's attorney confirmed at various points earlier this year.

In addition to the FBI's 13-hour search of the president's Wilmington home, federal investigators also conducted an hours-long review at his Rehoboth Beach residence, but no additional documents were found, Mr. Biden's attorney said at the time.

Hur's ongoing investigation cost $615,962 in expenditures from the congressionally authorized independent counsel fund and another $572,185 in additional costs like FBI and U.S. Marshal support. More than $340,000 were spent on personnel compensation and benefits and about $225,000 were spent on rent, communications, and utilities.

Durham, the Trump-era special counsel tasked with scrutinizing the origins of the FBI's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, concluded his yearslong examination into the federal government's conduct earlier this year and found investigators "failed to uphold their important mission of strict fidelity to the law" regarding events during the 2016 campaign.

His nearly 300-page report was critical of "confirmation bias" at the FBI and found the basis for opening a full investigation into whether Trump's campaign was coordinating with Russia in 2016 was "seriously flawed."

Durham testified about his findings last month and told Congress the use of the so-called Steele dossier  an opposition memo that included unproven accusations compiled by a former British intelligence officer  to secure investigative warrants was improper.

The four-year Durham investigation yielded charges against three individuals and culminated in one guilty plea and two complete acquittals at trial.

According to the expenditure statement released Friday, between October and March, Durham's office spent more than $1.1 million, including $544,0444 in personnel compensation and benefits and approximately $96,000 in travel expenses.

In all, since his appointment as special counsel in October 2020, Durham spent approximately $9.5 million in combined independent counsel funds and connected components like the FBI and U.S. Marshals, according to Justice Department expenditure reports.

During his tenure as special counsel investigating Russian election meddling and alleged ties between the Trump campaign and Russia, Robert Mueller spent approximately $30 million, according to expenditure statements. His investigation  which ultimately found no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia  resulted in numerous indictments and convictions at trial and concluded that Russians had conducted a systematic effort to meddle with the 2016 presidential election.

3 vaccines recommended to prevent "tripledemic"

Rent going up for college kids with student housing in high demand

El Paso Walmart shooter sentenced to life in prison
Tucker Carlson doesnt know why he was fired from Fox News but suggests his views on Ukraine were a red line

In his first interview after his abrupt exit from Fox News, Tucker Carlson claimed he doesnt know why he was fired, though he suggested his coverage of Russias assault in Ukraine likely played a role.

I dont know why I was fired. I really dont. Im not angry about it. I wish Fox well, Carlson said during an appearance on a podcast hosted by Russell Brand.

He added, however, that the war is a red line for a lot of people in business and politics, echoing the far-right pundits previous on-air statements from his primetime slot on one of the most-watched cable news networks in the US.

His segments on Fox News routinely undermined Ukraine and questioned US military aid to support the country against Russian attacks, claims that have not only advanced into Republican Party platforms but also made Carlson a star on Russian state media.

The US could force peace like tonight. They could. Uniquely, they have that power, and they wont, and they are continuing to allow Ukrainians to be killed and that country to be devastated, he told Brand. If you criticise that, they are really intent on making you be quiet.

Carlson, like Donald Trump and other right-wing personalities who have claimed that peace could be brokered immediately, did not explain how either party could achieve that.

After the White House announced a first wave of sanctions against Russia as armed forces launched an assault into Ukraine last February, Carlson used his platform to make an apparent defence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, posing a question to Americans: It may be worth asking yourself, since it is getting pretty serious, what is this really about? Why do I hate Putin so much?

He referred to the war as a border issue and called Ukraine a pure client state of the US Department of State. He also has characterised the US as the aggressor in a proxy war against Russia, a claim also raised by Russian propagandists, though he also has conceded that Putin started the war and pinned the blame on Putin for the assault that would lead to thousands of casualties. Meanwhile, he has cast Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as a dictator, a pimp and a dangerous authoritarian.

Carlson also stated that Ukraines defence of its sovereignty is a lie.

You cant have an audit of US defence spending in Ukraine, Carlson said earlier this year, in a sarcastic screed, because if you do want an audit of where your money is going into the most corrupt country in Europe, youre a tool of Putin!

When he launched the first of his post-Fox video posts on Twitter, he called Ukraines Jewish leader rat-like and claimed it was obvious that Ukrainian forces were responsible for the destruction of the Kakhovka dam.

Carlson was fired from Fox days after the network agreed to a record-breaking $787m settlement with a voting machine company that accused the network of spreading false statements about its business in the aftermath of the 2020 presidential election  bogus claims that Carlson privately disputed but had devoted generous airtime to entertain.

Hundreds of court filings and overlapping reports across several media outlets stitched together a picture of a looming human resources nightmare inside the Fox empire, with a federal lawsuit from a now-former producer putting Carlson and his staff at the centre of a workplace discrimination complaint.

Last week, Fox Corporation reached a $12m settlement in that lawsuit from Abby Grossberg, a former producer for Tucker Carlson Tonight, who alleged a culture of misogyny at the network and accused Fox and its employees of fostering a toxic workplace where truth remains a fugitive.

After he was fired from Fox, Putin-linked propagandists trolled American media with public and televised statements seeking Carlsons attention and offering him jobs on their networks.
Corrections and clarifications: This article incorrectly reported the number of Eugene residents who died in the crash and the name and residency of one of the people who died. One Eugene resident died in the crash. Michelle Denise Taylor is from Orlando, Florida.

Three people, including one Eugene resident, died Wednesday night in a triple vehicle crash that prompted closure of Oregon Route 126 about halfway between Florence and Eugene for more than four hours, Oregon State Police said Friday.

Blue lights flash atop a police car, with several other vehicles also flashing in the background. PHOTO BY DIEGO PARRA.

OSP said a preliminary investigation of the crash that occurred at about 5:46 p.m. determined a westbound white Dodge Challenger crossed the double yellow centerline and sideswiped a white Nissan Frontier pulling a travel trailer.

The Dodge continued "out of control westbound in the eastbound lane," crashing nearly head on with a green Toyota Tacoma pickup, OSP said in a news release.

The driver of the Dodge was identified as Allen David Weaver Jr., 51, of Grace, Idaho. Weaver was declared dead at the crash site.

Two passengers in the Toyota, identified as Eugene resident Lacy Nicole Taylor, 28, and Michelle Denise Taylor, 58, of Orlando, Florida, also died. The driver and a third passenger were seriously injured and taken to the hospital.

The driver of the Nissan and a passenger were not injured.

The highway was closed for about four and a half hours while the investigation was conducted and the crash cleared. OSP troopers were assisted by the Lane Fire Authority and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene resident dies in triple fatal crash in Lane County
Two Palestinians killed during an Israeli raid in Nablus

Israeli forces kill 2 Palestinians who carried out attack -army Two Palestinians killed during an Israeli raid in Nablus

NABLUS, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli security forces on Friday killed two Palestinians who carried out a shooting attack against police this week, Israel's military said.

Israeli forces raided the occupied West Bank town of Nablus, the military said, and "both terrorists were killed following an exchange of fire."

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said Israeli troops had cordoned off a house where the two had holed up and that they had been "executed."

The armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a major faction in the Palestine Liberation Organization, claimed the two men as members and said they had carried out the attack on Israeli police.

In a separate incident near the city of Ramallah, a member of the Hamas Islamist group was killed by Israeli fire when violence erupted at an anti-settlement protest, Hamas said. Palestinian residents said Jewish settlers arrived and a stone-throwing clash ensued.

The Israeli army said Palestinian rioters had hurled rocks at troops and at a main road. The troops "responded with riot dispersal means and live fire, a hit was identified."

Most countries view Israels settlements on occupied land as illegal. Israel disputes this.

Friday's violence followed a two-day Israeli operation earlier this week in the densely populated Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, which has been a flashpoint in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has convulsed the West Bank for more than a year.

The Israeli military said it had targeted infrastructure and weapons depots of Palestinian militant factions in Jenin in the operation.

Twelve Palestinians, most confirmed as militant fighters, were killed and around 100 wounded in the incursion that began with late-night drone strikes, followed by a sweep involving more than 1,000 troops.

The raid damaged homes, left a trail of wrecked streets and burned-out cars and prompted the evacuation of thousands of people from the refugee camp. Israel says all the Palestinians killed were combatants. One Israeli soldier was killed.

The Jenin operation was the most intense in two decades, said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) that provides public services in Gaza and the West Bank.

UNRWA said it had set up a temporary healthcare facility because a part its health centre was destroyed, and appealed for foreign aid to help rebuild damaged buildings.

The Israeli army during its operation had said it struck a militant command center in Jenin that was situated next to an UNRWA school and medical centre.

(Reporting by Raneen Sawafta, Ali Sawafta, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Toby Chopra, Ros Russell and Alistair Bell)
Two Rockland men face sentencing from shakedown kidnapping, robbery at Garnerville Motel

Two men face sentencing  one a prison term  after pleading guilty to what Haverstraw police called a kidnapping and robbery during a shakedown of a businessman under the guise of modifying hotel rooms.

Jonathan Abikzer, 31, of Monsey has pleaded guilty to the top charge of second-degree kidnapping in Rockland County Court. Abikzer faces seven years in prison when sentenced Sept. 12 by Judge Larry Schwartz, the District Attorney's Office said in a statement Thursday.

His co-defendant, Michael Galkovich, 46, of New City, pleaded guilty to third-degree attempted robbery. Galkovich is promised a probationary sentence when he's sentenced Sept. 19, according to his attorney Keith Braunfotel.

Both men were accused of meeting at the Garnerville Motel with a Monsey man in August under the guise of Abikzer giving a financial estimate to renovate the motel rooms. Abikzer and the Monsey man knew one another.

Instead, they held the man at gunpoint for several hours and forced him to transfer money through a mobile app, Haverstraw police said. After being released, the man called the police.

Evergreen Court fire: Petition builds calling for DA's resignation, but officials stop short of targeting Walsh

The authorities didn't release the amount of money taken during the shakedown.

Both Abikzer and Galkovich remained free on bail pending sentencing.

Haverstraw police were assisted in the investigation by police from Clarkstown, Ramapo, the Sheriff's Office, and New York City.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Devlin prosecuted.

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.

Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Two Rockland men plead guilty in kidnapping, robbery at motel
Days before he was assassinated inside the second-floor bedroom of the home that served as his official residence, Haitian President Jovenel Moise was warned of threats to his life, several sources have confirmed to the Miami Herald, including one of the individuals who told him foreign mercenaries were in the country.

The warnings were among several hints of a plot developing against Moise, a distrustful and unpopular leader who four weeks earlier, on June 10, 2021, wrote in a notebook about a tentative coup detat and the need to track down the full name of a certain pastor named Sanon, who was rumored to have presidential aspirations.

But Moise, who had stopped going to his presidential offices on the grounds of the demolished National Palace in the weeks before his killing, supposedly due to fears of getting COVID-19, didnt seem to take any obvious precautions. He didnt inform his prime minister or police chief, both men told the Herald, and he didnt call a special meeting of the governments security apparatus.

He thought he knew everything, that he had all the contacts, Leon Charles, Haitis former police director said, adding that he cannot explain Moises reaction. As chief of police, every time I called him and said, President, I have this information, he would say Leon, dont worry. My people know about it. Maybe he thought he was in control.

READ MORE: Made in Miami: How a Miami plot to oust a president led to a murder in Haiti

With Haitians and the world no closer to learning the truth, Moises killing could well become Haitis own version of the John F. Kennedy assassination, a presidential murder mystery where doubts and conspiracy theories abound and persist for years.

As Haiti marks on Friday the second anniversary of the July 7, 2021, assassination that sent the country spiraling into an unprecedented wave of lawlessness, many unanswered questions remain. Among them: Why Moise didnt act with urgency, who orchestrated his killing and why. A group of armed Colombians commandos stormed his residence in the middle of the night. The 53-year-old president was tortured and shot a dozen times; his wife, Martine, was injured.

Despite the arrests of about 50 suspects  including 11 in Miami  the brazen murder continues to fuel multiple theories and accusations. Even Russias ambassador to the United Nations claimed on Thursday that the assassination was committed with foreign interference.

As if he had a secret plan

One of the people who warned Moise of a possible threat to his life told the Herald he didnt know how seriously to take the information, but he told the president nevertheless. He has no idea what the president did with the warning, said the man, who asked to remain anonymous because he fears for his safety.

Another person who spoke to the president about threats was former Haiti Sen. Jacques Sauveur Jean. He and the president were close, and during a phone conversation on the night of July 6, 2021, just hours before the killing, Moise spoke to him about a plan to have him assassinated, Jean said. Moise told him that so many people were interested in participating in his assassination that millions had been collected for the plot, Jean said.

I was supposed to call him back at 11 p.m., Jean said. He told me that if I call at 11 p.m. and dont get him, Make sure in the morning we call one another. When I called him back at 11 p.m., he didnt answer.

A police log of the presidents calls shows that the two men spoke on July 6 around 8 p.m. The call lasted 42 minutes. Determining how much money was involved in the murder is one of the challenges in the case, investigators say. As part of his inquiry, the investigative judge assigned to the inquiry, Walther Voltaire, ordered police to look into banking and government transactions leading up to the day of the assassination.

READ MORE: Made in Miami: Who was involved in killing of Haiti president Jovenel Moise?

Jean said the president didnt say who wanted him dead, but that the president always thought such threats came from those he had crossed as president.

He was always looking at these people as his principal enemies, and for him the threat came from there, Jean said.

I used to ask the president if he had information about threats, why didnt he go public, Jean said. He would say, Im going to get them. He thought he had enough collaborators to arrest all of them, and they wouldnt get a chance to kill him.

It was, Jean said, as if he had a secret plan.

Two investigations, different objectives

The murder led to investigations by three countries: the U.S., where prosecutors say part of the crime was planned in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area; Colombia, where the 22 commandos lived, and Haiti, where the plot started off as an arrest-and-kidnapping of the president before inexplicably mushrooming into an assassination.

The U.S. and Haiti investigations have different objectives. The U.S. has honed in on the role of several U.S. citizens and South Florida residents, including three Haitian Americans who were brought to Miami to stand trial after their arrests in Port-au-Prince. The question of who masterminded the attack remains one for Haiti to solve.

Read more: Haiti President Jovenel Moise was assassinated two years ago. Heres what is known so far

Initially, FBI agents wanted to investigate who masterminded the assassination, but federal prosecutors nixed the idea, wanting a more focused probe. Now a gag order by a Miami federal judge prevents defense attorneys from sharing evidence with any third parties including Haitian authorities, stymieing efforts by Voltaire, the fifth investigative judge in Haiti assigned to the inquiry, to get to the bottom of the slaying.

Moises politics a possible motive

Moise, a political unknown when he was handpicked by former President Michel Martelly, promoted himself as a banana farmer. He was, however, controversial from the start. After his 2015 election  which had to be rerun because of allegations of massive fraud  he failed to hold timely elections, which led to his ruling by decree after he dismissed most of the countrys parliament.

With protests growing over allegations of corruption and whether he was overstaying his time in office, Moise scheduled elections for Sept. 26, 2021. In the months leading up to his assassination, he was trying to decide whom to back as president and whom to choose as prime minister, his seventh.

Could his political moves have been a motive? Voltaire, the Haitian investigative judge, appears to be investigating the possibility. He has summoned a number of high-profile businessmen and former politicians for questioning, hoping they will provide insight into what was happening around Moise at the time of his death. Some of the witnesses are well-known political opponents of the president.

READ MORE: History of Haiti From rebellious beginnings, Haiti has been beset by violence, meddling

Voltaire accompanied FBI agents to the dead presidents residence, where among the evidence agents found were notebooks Moise kept.

Voltaire works much like a grand jury. He has faced uncooperative witnesses despite calling some to his chambers at least five times, and setting up confrontations between suspects who have given contradictory testimony.

While the U.S. has charged the suspects in its custody, Haiti has yet to issue any formal charges against the dozens of suspects it has jailed, including 17 Colombians and the head of Moises presidential detail.

Among those who have refused to appear before Voltaire is the presidents widow, Martine Moise, who last month filed a civil suit against the jailed U.S. suspects in Miami-Dade circuit court.

Access to U.S. evidence

Pierre Esperance, a human-rights activist whose office has been monitoring developments in the Haitian case, believes the U.S. Justice Department should give Voltaire access to suspects in U.S. custody, in particular to three who fled after the attack and were later arrested in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic before being brought to Miami.

This is important in order for the judge to be able to carry out his investigation, said Esperance, whose National Human Rights Defense Network is based in the Haitian capital.

The three suspects have never been questioned by Haitian authorities. Two of them, former Haiti Sen. John Joel Joseph, who is also known as Joseph Joel John, and Rodolphe Jaar, a Haitian-Chilean businessman and convicted cocaine trafficker recently sentenced to life in prison for his role in the plot after cutting a plea deal, are believed to be cooperating with U.S. investigators.

Esperance considers Joseph key to untangling the questions surrounding the murder, while he believes a third suspect, retired Colombian soldier Mario Antonio Palacio Palacios, known as Floro, can also provide insight. Palacios was in hiding for months in Haiti before making his way to Jamaica, where he was eventually arrested on charges of illegally entering the country. Palacios told U.S. investigators that he learned on July 6 that the mission had changed from arresting Moise to killing him.

The American justice system should collaborate and give the judge access to all the suspects it has in its custody and these three in particular, Esperance said. We believe this will allow the Haitian investigation to move forward more quickly. Also the judge himself has collaborated greatly with the FBI, and the justice system. There should be reciprocity.

Haitian-American pastor-politician Christian Emmanuel Sanon, second from left, stands next to Arcangel Pretel Ortiz, Antonio Intriago and an unidentified man in front of an airplane prior to the July 7, 2021, assassination of Haitis president.

Gag order feeds conspiracy theories

The U.S. courts gag order and another previous decision by the courts to shield some information from public view has fueled the conspiracy theories about what the U.S. government knows in the case, now scheduled to go to trial in May.

My fear is the longer this thing takes and goes on, the less evident it seems to me that we will find out who really killed president Moise, said Claude Joseph, who was prime minister when Moise was killed. Its a time issue.

The former prime minister, who asked for an international tribunal in the days after the murder and for a deployment of U.S. troops to Haiti, says he still believes that the U.S. justice system will bring to light what happened that night and the motive behind the assassination.

It seems to me we are going to find out some truth about what happened, he said. But at the same time, here in Haiti nothing is moving. I wonder, if we were to rely on our justice system, would we find the truth about what happened? Im not too certain when it comes to Haiti.

Charles, the former police chief, says he believes that the truth can be uncovered in Haiti can dig deeper into the relationships between the suspects. This includes the ties between Dimitri Herard who was in charge of Moises presidential guards, Sanon and Walter Veintemilla, an Ecuadorian national and financier who purchased the tickets for the Colombians to travel to Haiti.

READ MORE: How cash was used to motivate killing of Haitis president

U.S. investigators dont appear to think Sanon was central to the murder conspiracy. Hes not charged with that offense but rather with smuggling bullet-proof vests to the Colombian commandos and conspiring with others in a military expedition against Haiti, according to a revised indictment filed last month. But Charles still believes Sanon is a key figure in the assassination plot along with Haitian politicians close to the deceased president and individuals who are part of Haitis drug network. Despite the obstacles Voltaire has faced, Charles said he believes he has enough information to connect the dots.

Moise, he said, had no shortage of threats, even if he didnt share them with him.

It could be former friends who were not happy with him, and eternal enemies, people who were against him from the beginning, Charles said..

Jean, the former senator, agreed. He said the president didnt identify the people were who wanted him dead, but he always thought such threats came from those whom he had singled out while governing.

He was always looking at these people as his principal enemies and for him, the threat came from there.

Miami Herald staff writer Jay Weaver contributed to this story.
People gather around an ambulance carrying a body of a man killed in a violence between ethnic groups in northeastern state of Manipur

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to New Delhi expressed sorrow over the ethnic violence in India's northeastern state of Manipur on Thursday, and while noting it was an Indian matter he said Washington stood ready to assist if requested.

Nearly 120 people have been killed in clashes between members of the Kuki tribes - who live in the hills, and receive economic benefits and quotas for government jobs and education - and the Meiteis - who control the more prosperous lowlands.

About 40,000 people have been displaced by the violence during the past two months, and the federal government has deployed additional security forces.

"You don't have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence," Ambassador Eric Garcetti told journalists in the eastern city of Kolkata.

"There has been a lot of progress in the northeast states... We stand ready and enable to assist if asked but we know that this is an Indian matter," Garcetti said.

"We can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place."

The violence in Manipur was triggered after a court in February suggested that the special privileges granted to the Kuki people, who make up 16% of the state's population, be extended to the Meiteis, who are a majority in the state.

When asked about Garcetti's comments, India's foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said "I am not sure foreign diplomats would usually comment on internal developments in India, but I would not like to comment without seeing what has exactly been said."

Ties between India and the U.S. were strengthened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's landmark visit to Washington last month, when several agreements were signed, including for arms sales to India and for U.S. investment in India's semiconductor industry.

(Reporting by Tanvi Mehta, additional reporting by Krishn Kaushik; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
Beijing  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in Beijing for meetings with top Chinese officials and American companies that do business in the country, said the U.S. welcomes healthy economic competition with China, but only if it's fair. Yellen also said she was concerned about new export controls announced by China on two critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors.

"We are still evaluating the impact of these actions," she said, "but they remind us of the importance of diversified supply chains."

Her message to company representatives, including from corporate giants such as Boeing and Bank of America that have significant operations in China, was that the U.S. government understands it's not been an easy time.

"I've been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against U.S. firms," the Treasury chief said, referring to raids carried out in the spring by police on three companies that the Chinese government  without offering any evidence  said were suspected of spying.

But in spite of some friction and chilly Beijing-Washington relations overall, U.S.-China trade is booming. It reached an all-time high in 2022, with everything from iPhones to solar panels and soybeans creating an eye-watering $700 billion in trade.



At that level, the economic ties are crucial to both countries, and as Yellen told the second-most powerful man in China on Friday afternoon, they need protecting.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang shakes hands with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, July 7, 2023. / Credit: MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/POOL/AFP/Getty

She defended "targeted actions" taken by the U.S., a reference to limits on the export of some advanced processor chips and other high-tech goods to China, saying they were necessary for national security reasons.

Prospect of Chinese spy base in Cuba unsettles Washington

"You may disagree," she told Chinese Premier Li Qiang. "But we should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that needlessly worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationships."

China's Finance Ministry said in a statement Friday that it hoped the U.S. would take "concrete actions" to improve the two countries' economic and trade ties going forward, stressing that there would be "no winners" in a trade war or from the two massive economies "decoupling."

Li, who had met Yellen previously, seemed to be in a receptive mood, telling Yellen in welcoming remarks that a rainbow had appeared as her plane landed from the U.S., and "there is more to China-U.S. relations than just wind and rain. We will surely see more rainbows."

The goal of Yellen's trip is to pave the way for more bilateral talks, but she has a tough message to deliver, too: That the U.S. is not prepared to soften its stance on some of the things the Chinese are most angry about, including the controls on the sale of sophisticated U.S. technology to China.

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Uber, DoorDash and Grubhub sued New York City Thursday over a new rule that would require the food delivery companies to pay their workers nearly $18 an hour.

In two lawsuits filed in the New York Supreme Court, the food delivery companies sued to block the rule from going into effect next week.

DoorDash and Grubhub argued in a joint suit that the ill-conceived rule would have drastic and immediate consequences, while Uber warned in a separate lawsuit that the citys grand marketplace experiment risks crushing restaurants and the increasingly important food delivery market.

The rule, announced by New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D) and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection last month, requires food delivery companies to pay their couriers $17.96 per hour starting July 12. This would increase to $18.96 an hour in April 2024 and $19.96 in April 2025.

Our delivery workers have consistently delivered for us  now, we are delivering for them, Adams said during the June announcement.

Uber argued that the rule was based on flawed data resulting from biased surveys and unrealistic assumptions that amount to little more than wishful thinking, a sentiment that was echoed in the lawsuit from DoorDash and Grubhub.

It is more important to get the issue of courier earnings right than to get it done a month or two more quickly, Uber added in the lawsuit filed Thursday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A London-based Christian nonprofit is raising an alarm about teaching materials in thousands of U.K. schools that suggest LGBTQ behavior is compatible with Christianity, Judaism and Islam.

The lesson plans, which consist of slides and activities compiled by the LGTBQ organization Just Like Us promote instruction regarding same-sex relationships to students as young as 5, according to copies of the curriculum obtained by Christian Concern and reviewed by Fox News Digital.

Christian Concern is a nonprofit that has supported multiple Christian parents in their legal battles against U.K. schools that promote age-inappropriate sexual material, including some Church of England schools.

Just Like Us is behind School Diversity Week, an annual "U.K.-wide celebration of LGBT+ equality in primary and secondary schools" in which thousands of schools choose to participate, according to its website. Schools in the U.K., where the school year extends into July, celebrated School Diversity Week from June 26-30.

UK SCHOOL CHAPLAIN SUES AFTER BEING FIRED, REPORTED AS TERRORIST FOR SERMON QUESTIONING LGBTQ ACTIVISTS

Members of the LGBT+ community carry a huge rainbow flag during the annual Pride Parade July 2, 2022, in London.

Activities encouraged in the materials for children in "Key Stage Two," which encompasses students aged 7-11, include waving a rainbow flag and wearing badges that display their preferred pronouns. Lessons also ask pupils to change the pronouns of pop stars Ariana Grande, Harry Styles and Sam Smith.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The curriculum, which was made with the assistance of LGBTQ faith-based charities One Body One Faith, Quest, Keset and Hidayah, also teaches secondary school students in its religious studies program that the LGBTQ lifestyle is consistent with the major Abrahamic religions. Other documents in the lesson plans include stories of gay Hindus and Buddhists.

Students were encouraged to watch videos, and reflect and discuss various examples of "Just Like Us ambassadors" who grew up as an "LGBTQ+ person of faith," which includes the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Jewish and Muslim traditions, according to the lesson plans.

In the religious lessons, students learn about a person named Ruth who identifies as a non-binary lesbian Christian, a bisexual Jewish woman named Taliya and a man named Sam who identifies as a gay Muslim.

PARENTS BAFFLED AFTER SCHOOL ASKS STUDENTS TO CHOOSE FROM DOZENS OF PRONOUNS: VERY CONFUSED AND UPSET

"I wanted to form my own belief" about sexuality, Ruth says in one of the videos students are encouraged to view and discuss.

"We hope the videos will encourage young people to [empathize] with our ambassadors and to see the different ways in which it is possible to be an LGBT+ person of faith," one presentation slide states.

English and math lessons for younger primary school students include discussions on gender pronouns, and materials for math taught to children in Key Stage 1  as young as 6  also touch on same-sex families and feature math problems involving same-sex couples.

"In this session students will [practice] their strategies for across the math curriculum in an LGBT+ inclusive way," a lesson for Key Stage 1 students states. "Zain's mums are getting married! They need help [organizing] their wedding party."

Zain and his two mothers make another appearance in a later version of the math curriculum, when 7-year-olds are asked to calculate their journey to a wedding.

"It is usually 28km but there is a diversion, so it is an extra 17km," the problem states. "Luckily they find a shortcut which cuts out 8km. How far do they travel together?"

Students as young as seven are also instructed to examine data graphs about "diverse families" that include families with two fathers and two mothers.

Students between the ages of 14 and 16 are encouraged to study math "using examples from the television [program] Queer Eye," according to the lesson plans.

CAMBRIDGE DEAN DEFENDS SERMON ABOUT JESUS' TRANS BODY, VAGINAL SIDE WOUND BLASTED AS HERESY

In 2018, Just Like Us received backing from major political leaders in the U.K., including then-Prime Minister Theresa May, according to Christian Concern. The organization has also secured financial support from companies such as Facebook, Blackrock and JPMorgan Chase for its School Diversity Week in the past, the nonprofit noted.

The instructional material from Just Like Us is targeting people of faith, according to Steve Beegoo, the head of education at Christian Concern.

"What is most concerning about the Just Like Us resources is that they are targeted specifically at people of faith and even faith schools," Beegoo said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "The teaching materials are designed to train the thinking of children away from the traditional beliefs of the Christian faith."

Begoo maintained that homosexuality and transgender ideology permeates nearly every subject in the curriculum from Just Like Us, which he said is attempting to present them as "an accepted orthodox belief in the major world religions."

CHRISTIAN PARENTS WIN IN COURT AFTER SCHOOL LABELED 6-YEAR-OLD SON POTENTIALLY TRANSPHOBIC

"This is another attempt to undermine Christian teaching on marriage and the biblical and biological understanding that we are born male and female," Begoo said, adding that "targeting children at such a young age without the knowledge of their parents is wrong."

In 2018, Just Like Us received backing from major political leaders in the U.K., including Prime Minister Theresa May.

"Parents must urgently and consistently ask what their children are being taught on these issues in schools and which organization resources are being used," he said.

None of the organizations involved in the development of the curriculum responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment by time of publication.
Ivan Sestrivatovsky

Ivan Sestrivatovsky, a soldier who was stationed at the border with Crimea on February 24, 2022, said that attempts to blow up key bridges at Chonhar were thwarted by either Russian sabotage groups or damaged detonation wires.

Read also: Russia admits Chonhar bridge seriously damaged

In a July 6 interview with Ukrainska Pravda (UP), Sestrivatovsky gave his first public account of the events at the very onset of the Russian full-scale invasion.

Sestrivatovsky, who served at Chonhar from the autumn of 2021 as deputy platoon commander, says that all the bridges had been rigged with explosives since 2014. They were not cleared of these explosives before the full-scale invasion; in fact, their conditions were verified several prior to the outbreak of the war.

Chonhar didn't have any special fortifications, he said.

However, everything was already rigged from 2014. All the bridges  including a railway bridge and Chonhar bridges  were rigged to explode.

Read also: Major explosion in Makiivka, near occupied Donetsk

Sestrivatovsky recalls he was responsible for detonating the bridges at Chonhar on the night of Feb. 24, 2022. The order was meant to come from his immediate superior, but due to disrupted communication, incessant shelling, and the commander's preoccupation with personnel matters, Sestrivatovsky had to decide about the detonation himself.

UP points out that while Sestrivatovsky isn't a sapper, he had been given instructions on how to connect explosive devices and activate them.

Read also: Explosions rip through Russian ammo dump in Kherson Oblast, detonations captured on video

"I attempted the detonation, but there was no explosion," the soldier said.

Sestrivatovsky said he was surprise to hear that the attempted detonation of the Chonhar bridges had become a topic of nationwide discussion in Ukraine, and that some individuals are even facing accusations over it. He disagrees with the notion that blowing up the bridges would have significantly hindered the invaders' progress in southern Ukraine.

In my opinion, if the bridges had been blown up, it wouldn't have stopped the advance, he concludes.

Read also: Beating negligence and corruption, construction of Darnytskyi Bridge is completed in Kyiv

It might have delayed it a bit, but not for long  maybe an hour or an hour and a half at most. They would have simply deployed pontoon bridges. They were prepared for this war.

Following the failed detonation, Sestrivatovsky, along with two conscripts, decided to leave their positions in their own vehicle as he wasn't able to leave with his unit.

Read also: Chonhar bridge attacks will impede Russian logistics  expert opinion

On that same day, Feb. 24, they were encircled and captured by Russian forces. Sestrivatovsky was only released from captivity on April 26, 2023.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraine brings back bodies of soldiers killed in Russian prison camp in Olenivka; most have been identified  Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Human Rights Commissioner, has said that Ukraine brought back the bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the Russian attack on the Olenivka camp where Ukrainian prisoners of war were held. DNA analysis is underway.

Source: Dmytro Lubinets on Telegram; Ukrinform

Quote from Lubinets: "Ukraine was able to bring back the bodies of Ukrainian defenders. Most of them have been identified

DNA analysis is currently underway. Relevant [government] agencies have informed the relatives [of the soldiers who had been killed]."

Details: Lubinets added that Ukrainian soldiers killed in Olenivka were officially registered as prisoners of war, verified by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Human Rights Commissioner also said that he spoke with the Russian Human Rights Commissioner, Tatiana Moskalkova, after the Russian attack on Olenivka and asked her to allow international experts to visit Olenivka.

At first, the Russian side agreed to this, but it later transpired that the Russians were urgently tidying the barracks where the Ukrainian prisoners were held and which Russian forces attacked, and are otherwise sorting things out and undertaking "repair works".

Ultimately no experts, international or from Ukraine, have been allowed to access Olenivka.

The UN mission has refused to consider evidence regarding the explosion in the prison camp gathered by Ukraine: "The mission has been terminated before I managed to meet with anyone. I think this was because of the lack of willingness on their behalf to really do anything."

Lubinets said that over the course of the UN mission's existence, five months, he made many attempts to meet its participants in person or online.

He said he was prepared to travel to New York to hand over the evidence obtained by the Ukrainian side  forensic analysis of photo and video evidence shared by the Russians  to the UN officials. "We believe and the experts, not only Ukrainian experts, involved in this believe that a high-temperature explosive device had been planted in the barracks," Lubinets explained.

However, the mission was terminated: "Spokesman for [UN Secretary General Antonio] Guterres announced this at a press conference. When journalists asked whether the decision to terminate the mission was made because the Russian Federation had denied mission participants access to Olenivka, he said [the UN] would not offer comments on this."

Background:

On the morning of 29 July 2022, Russian-aligned propaganda media reported that a prison camp in Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian prisoners were held, was attacked. They claimed that at least 53 prisoners were killed in the attack.

Ukraine's Defence Intelligence believes that the killing of Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka was organised by the Wagner Group on the personal instructions of Yevgeny Prigozhin, without coordination with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defence.

In October 2022, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that it was not able to reach Ukrainian prisoners illegally held by the Russian Federation, and that it "share[d] Ukraine's frustration".

On 29 January 2023, the Office of the President of Ukraine said that the ICRC had failed to send a delegation to Olenivka in the six months since the attack on the prison camp.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Ukraine has developed and implemented its own artificial intelligence (AI) platforms under the most stringent conditions to create something beyond what Western militaries have considered possible.

"The Ukrainians are doing a ton of stuff," Brett Velicovich, a Fox News contributor embedded in Ukraine, told Fox News Digital. "I mean, this innovation on the battlefield is out of this world right now. And, honestly, the U.S. government, Western governments, have no idea the innovation that's taking place.

"They can't keep up with it," he added. "The Ukrainians are moving too fast."

AI has quietly played a significant role in how Ukraine has managed to perform so well against a larger and seemingly stronger opponent in Russia, providing the smaller nation a wide range of advantages it might not otherwise have.

UKRAINE, RUSSIA ACCUSE EACH OTHER OF PLANNING IMMINENT ATTACK AGAINST EUROPE'S LARGEST NUCLEAR PLANT

A UJ-22 Airborne (UkrJet) reconnaissance drone readies to land during a test flight in the Kyiv region Aug. 2, 2022.

National Defense magazine called the Ukraine war an "unprecedented testing ground for AI," with the "now-ubiquitous employment of drones and loitering munitions by both sides" and "AI-enhanced autonomous capabilities in flight, targeting and firing."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

George Dubynskiy, deputy minister of digital transformation in Ukraine, told Fox News Digital part of the key is the fact the country decided to create its own AI platform, which allowed engineers to tailor it to a specific use.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS FIRST-EVER MEETING ON AI AS CONCERNS ABOUT RISK TO PEACE GROW

The ministry looked at ten AI platforms before deciding it would benefit more from an original one, which it started sometime around mid-year 2022 and deployed by the end of the year. Though Dubynskiy made clear the ministry is constantly working to improve and further develop it. The original platform also allowed Ukraine to use what data it needed without overstepping and sending the wrong kind of information to a commercial company.

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a D-30 howitzer at Russian positions near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, March 21, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

A Ukrainian engineer expert who referred to himself as "Max" and spoke alongside Dubynskiy discussed the immense network of closed-circuit television cameras and other monitoring infrastructure in the country that enabled the military to use computer vision extensively.

AI coverage has mainly focused on large language models and generative AI platforms such as Googles Bard and OpenAIs ChatGPT, but computer vision, which focuses on the interpretation and analysis of visual data through an AI platform, has shown great benefits to a wide range of industries and tasks.

Conservationists have used computer vision technology to track poachers and protect endangered species, while automated vehicle makers have looked at improving the technology to improve the performance of their trucks, cars and, one day, cargo ships, among other tasks.

Mykhailo Fedorov, deputy prime minister, minister of digital transformation of Ukraine, left, and Dmytro Zavhorodnii, director of the digital transformation directorate of the ministry of education and science of Ukraine, hold a presentation about Wi-Fi in a nationwide initiative aimed at providing kindergartens, schools, colleges and universities with high-speed Internet access in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.

For Ukraine, it has helped the military track down men suspected of war crimes during Russias invasion and troop movements, thanks to the extensive use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and drones. With the footage captured, the AI can identify and categorize individual elements for users.

"The screenshots from Google Maps, from resistance forces in the occupied territories and the amount of messages was really too huge," Max explained. "We decided we need to automate this.

AMERICAN COMPANIES KEEP DISTANCE FROM CHINA AI CONFERENCE

"We use now name and recognition and object character recognition (OCR)," he added. "We selected the GPS coordinates, location, date  we have a lot of data from different sources. Once theyve started to attack Ukraine, we understood the best method to identify actually those Shahed drones and other general recognition."

The technology helped Ukrainian troops distinguish between Iranian-made Shahed 136 drones, known as the kamikaze drone, and standard missiles. The AI also helped improve the targeting and efficacy of guided-laser bombs.

Remains of a Shahed 136 at an exhibition showing remains of missiles and drones that Russia used to attack Kyiv May 12, 2023, in Kyiv.

The most impressive feat that Ukraine accomplished through its AI development was the fact that the engineers did all of this on a fraction of the budget that American companies have used.

"Theyre doing it for hundreds of dollars  theyre doing these things in their garage," Velicovich claimed. "Theyve got all these little  we call them gremlin garages  where its  theyre so technologically savvy.

RUSSIAN MISSILE STRIKE KILLS 4 CIVILIANS IN LVIV AS ZELENSKYY VOWS RESPONSE

"They know what they need immediately because theyre getting feedback and just building out all these kits, ripping out the cameras on the iPhones and attaching them to whats called Raspberry Pie devices, which can create a designated targeting system."

Those factories developed through the help of some 250,000 participants of an "IT army" Ukraine pulled together when the war started, recruiting people who claimed to have some skills and were willing to help develop the technology and repair the equipment needed to wage the war and defend their homeland.

Dubynskiy and Max described it as a need to learn "very, very fast" because you are "basically under the shelling" all the time.

"Ukrainian engineers are actually under attack, and they do their best to win this war, and its not the same  if we talk about Russian engineers. I think they try to avoid being connected to this war," Max said. "Only now we see in Russian Telegram channels that they are collecting the data."

When asked if Ukraine was in any way accessing Russian data sets to help train its platforms and improve capabilities, the deputy minister and Max merely said, "Lets say we are doing our job successfully."

Ukraine remains in constant communication with "big companies and projects," but the deputy minister could not say which ones, only that they spoke with companies from the European Union and India to develop "particular" elements for their systems. But "its not that level of cooperation."

"We can exchange some general information, some views.  We appreciate the help of big tech companies and some, you know, elements of the open code solution, which we can use, but its still not joint," Dubynskiy said, adding that Ukraine welcomed collaboration, particularly the inclusion of data for use in the platforms.

"Together with all of our partners, we can be more efficient, not only for our self-protection but also for the protection of the West."
Ukraine expressed concern Friday over the willingness of some former U.S. government officials to meet with Moscows top diplomat and other Russian figures, asking whether such discussions had eroded Washingtons support for Kyiv.

NBC News on Thursday reported that former senior U.S. national security officials had held secret talks with prominent Russians close to the Kremlin, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The report said that the Biden administration was aware of but not directing the talks, which aim to pave the way for future diplomacy to end the Ukraine war.

A Ukrainian official responding to the report said that Kyiv is closely monitoring the publications and comments regarding the secret meeting as well as reports that similar backroom consultations between U.S. and Russian citizens took place in other parts of the world.

Given the timing of the appearance of these materials in the mass media on the eve of the Vilnius summit, the question arises whether Washingtons tough position regarding the invitation of Ukraine to NATO is somehow not connected with these backroom consultations, the official said in a statement on behalf of the Ukrainian government.

Next week, President Joe Biden will travel to Vilnius, Lithuania, for a NATO summit. Despite Kyivs hopes to join the alliance, Biden has said Ukraine wont get to circumvent NATOs extensive requirements for admission, and NATOs secretary-general has said an invitation will not be issued during the summit.

Meanwhile, one of the participants in the Lavrov meeting, outgoing Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass, defended his decision to meet with Lavrov in an op-ed posted Friday to online publishing platform Substack, calling such interactions valuable opportunities to keep channels of communication open at moments when official interactions are either nonexistent or unproductive and the stakes high.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP file)

He wrote that participants in such talks, known as Track Two diplomacy, often feel more comfortable speaking candidly and testing new ideas or proposals. He added that exchanges of this sort have the best chance of being useful if they are kept confidential.

Critically, such meetings are conversations, not negotiations, Haass wrote. Those involved speak for themselves, not for any institution they might be affiliated with, and certainly not for the U.S. government, although relevant government officials are kept informed about what is taking place.

After the Lavrov meeting in April, U.S. participants briefed the White House about what was discussed, NBC News previously reported.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday that Lavrov had met in April with Council on Foreign Relations members but said that no peace plan for Ukraine had been on the agenda, asserting that they had discussed a broader range of international issues.

Reports about secret talks on Ukraine  with the American side do not correspond with reality. Its a fake, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram.

In the wake of the disclosure of the Lavrov meeting, several former U.S. diplomats have publicly questioned whether such engagements with Russians undermine Ukraines leverage or contradict the Biden administrations long-standing position that no backroom deals will be cut with Moscow about Ukraines future.

As weve said repeatedly, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said Friday. We will continue to give Ukraine what it needs to succeed on the battlefield so it can negotiate from a position of strength when it thinks the time is right.

The Ukrainian official responding to the Lavrov meeting also emphasized that Lavrov and other Russian government leaders remain under U.S. sanctions.

There is room for a legal assessment of the legality of such a meeting with a sanctioned person, the official said.

The U.S. government and other nations imposed sanctions on Lavrov, President Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders in February 2022 on the second day of the war, citing Russias unjustified, unprovoked, and premeditated invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. sanctions froze any assets the Russians had in the United States and bar U.S. citizens from conducting business transactions with them. The sanctions did not prohibit Americans from speaking or meeting with the Russian officials.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Ukrainian troops have advanced by more than a kilometre in the last day against Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

His comments were the latest by Kyiv signalling that the counteroffensive it launched in early June is gradually making progress although Russian accounts of fighting in the Bakhmut sector differ from Ukraines.

The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television. In particular, over the past day, they have advanced more than one kilometre (0.62 mile).

The president of Belarus said there were no war heroes following Wagners attempted coup in Moscow after Vladimir Putin was hailed a hero by Russian state TV.

Alexander Lukashenko, ally to the president, appeared to shoot down statements of heroism made after the failed uprising.

The Belarusian leader told the BBC: I think that no one came out of that situation a hero.

Not Prigozhin, not Putin, not Lukashenko. There were no heroes. And the lesson from this? If we create armed groups like this, we need to keep an eye on them and pay serious attention to them.

Key Points

Putin ally Lukashenko says there were no heroes after Wagner mutiny

Death toll in Lviv attack rises to seven after two more bodies retrieved

US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine despite concerns

Zelensky asks Nato leaders to take concrete steps on membership

Belarus leader Lukashenko says Prigozhin is back in Russia

Wigs, gold bars and severed heads: Inside Wagner bosss lavish Russian mansion

Ukraine reports new advances near eastern city of Bakhmut

08:57 , Maanya Sachdeva

Ukrainian troops have advanced by more than a kilometre in the last day against Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

His comments were the latest by Kyiv signalling that the counteroffensive it launched in early June is gradually making progress although Russian accounts of fighting in the Bakhmut sector differ from Ukraines.

The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television.

In particular, over the past day, they have advanced more than one kilometre (0.62 mile).

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian armed forces general staff said Ukrainian forces had had partial success near the village of Klishchiivka, just southwest of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian military analysts have said that securing Klishchiivka would help Ukraine take back the shattered small city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May after 10 months of heavy fighting.

Russias RIA news agency cited a Russian army source as saying earlier this week that Moscows forces had repelled a Ukrainian attack on Klishchiivka and were mopping up remaining Ukrainian troops in the area.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield situation.

Ukraine reports new advances near eastern city of Bakhmut

08:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian troops have advanced by more than a kilometre in the last day against Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

His comments were the latest by Kyiv signalling that the counteroffensive it launched in early June is gradually making progress although Russian accounts of fighting in the Bakhmut sector differ from Ukraines.

The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television.

In particular, over the past day, they have advanced more than one kilometre (0.62 mile).

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian armed forces general staff said Ukrainian forces had had partial success near the village of Klishchiivka, just southwest of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian military analysts have said that securing Klishchiivka would help Ukraine take back the shattered small city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May after 10 months of heavy fighting.

Russias RIA news agency cited a Russian army source as saying earlier this week that Moscows forces had repelled a Ukrainian attack on Klishchiivka and were mopping up remaining Ukrainian troops in the area.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield situation.

Moscow, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over 16 months ago, sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to attacking other cities. Russia still holds Bakhmut but both sides say fighting in the area is intense, with Ukrainian forces hoping to encircle the city.

Kyiv says it has taken back a cluster of villages in the south since launching its counteroffensive but that fierce resistance and minefields have slowed its forces progress. Russia still holds large parts of east and southeast Ukraine.

(AP)

Putin ally Lukashenko says there were no heroes after Wagner mutiny

08:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The president of Belarus said there were no war heroes following Wagners attempted coup in Moscow after Vladimir Putin was hailed a hero by Russian state TV.

On 23 June, Yevgeny Prigozhin led his troops in a mutiny that hurtled toward Moscow at lightning pace, only to be called off at the 11th hour.

Putin made an emergency address to Russia promising retribution to all those taking part in the coup.

Alexander Lukashenko, ally to the president, appeared to shoot down statements of heroism made after the failed uprising.

The Belarusian leader told the BBC: I think that no one came out of that situation a hero.

Not Prigozhin, not Putin, not Lukashenko. There were no heroes. And the lesson from this? If we create armed groups like this, we need to keep an eye on them and pay serious attention to them.

EU takes a major step in approving plans to boost its anemic ammunition production to help Ukraine

07:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The European Union took a major step early Friday in approving plans to boost its anemic production of ammunition and missiles within the 27-nation bloc, to both defend itself and quickly help Ukraine in trying to push back the invasion by Russia.

The EU presidency announced early Friday that the member states and the EU Parliament reached a deal to urgently mobilise half a billion euros from its budget for an Act in Support of Ammunition Production.

The deal follows up the decision by EU leaders in March to boost urgently needed ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, which were then sought to start a counteroffensive against Russian forces.

ASAP was part of the plan to send Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months.

The EU had already approved plan for a fast-track purchasing procedures when it approved funds Friday to ramp up production in EU facilities and factories.

This is yet another proof of the EUs unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine, strengthening the EUs defense, technological and industrial base, and ultimately ensuring the long-term security and defense of EU citizens, said Defense Minister Margarita Robles of Spain, which currently holds the EU presidency.

Facing a war on European soil, we can no longer afford to neglect our defense as we have done over the last three decades. We urgently need to adapt our budgetary priorities, said EU Parliament member Michael Gahler.

EU takes a major step in approving plans to boost its anemic ammunition production to help Ukraine

07:38 , Maanya Sachdeva

The European Union took a major step early Friday in approving plans to boost its anemic production of ammunition and missiles within the 27-nation bloc, to both defend itself and quickly help Ukraine in trying to push back the invasion by Russia.

The EU presidency announced early Friday that the member states and the EU Parliament reached a deal to urgently mobilise half a billion euros from its budget for an Act in Support of Ammunition Production.

The deal follows up the decision by EU leaders in March to boost urgently needed ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, which were then sought to start a counteroffensive against Russian forces.ASAP was part of the plan to send Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months. The EU had already approved plan for a fast-track purchasing procedures when it approved funds Friday to ramp up production in EU facilities and factories.

This is yet another proof of the EUs unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine, strengthening the EUs defense, technological and industrial base, and ultimately ensuring the long-term security and defense of EU citizens, said Defense Minister Margarita Robles of Spain, which currently holds the EU presidency.

Facing a war on European soil, we can no longer afford to neglect our defense as we have done over the last three decades. We urgently need to adapt our budgetary priorities, said EU Parliament member Michael Gahler.

Why the US is willing to send Ukraine cluster munitions now

07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The US has decided to send cluster munitions to Ukraine to help its military push back Russian forces entrenched along the front lines.

The Biden administration is expected to announce today that it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800m, according to people familiar with the decision who were not authorized to discuss it publicly before the official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move will likely trigger outrage from some allies and humanitarian groups that have long opposed the use of cluster bombs.

Proponents argue that Russia has already been using the controversial weapon in Ukraine and that the munitions the US will provide have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

More here.

Why the US is willing to send Ukraine cluster munitions now

Live: Ukrainian president Zelensky meets Czech PM in Prague

07:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Zelensky asks Nato leaders to take concrete steps on membership

06:50 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called on Nato leaders to take concrete steps towards Ukrainian membership at a summit next week.

Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine needed much more than the general statement that the door to Nato was open.

Ukraine is seeking a clear indication from Nato at an 11-12 July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, that it can join the military alliance when the war ends.

We are talking about a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation. We need this motivation. We need honesty in our relations, Mr Zelensky said.

We need some kind of signal, a clear one, he said in response to journalists questions. That Ukraine will be in the alliance. Not that the door is open  this is not enough.

Inside Vladimir Putins luxury armoured train

06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

New pictures have revealed the inside of Russian president Vladimir Putins luxury armoured train.

The images, released by Dossier Center, a website that tracks the activity of those linked to the Kremlin, depict a personal beauty salon, medical suite and even a gym complete with state-of-the-art equipment including a hyperextension machine and a step platform.

The hammam features a fancy shower including an aroma foam mode with a price tag of 3.75m, with the train also featuring anti-ageing machines, a lung ventilator, a defibrillator and a patient monitor designed to assess pulse, temperature and other parameters.

Eleanor Noyce has more.

Inside Vladimir Putins luxury armoured train complete with beauty salon

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate

06:17 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russia yesterday announced the expelling of nine Finnish diplomats and shutting down of Finlands consulate in St Petersburg in retaliation for Finland expelling nine Russian diplomats last month.

Russias foreign ministry said it summoned Finlands ambassador to Russia, Antti Helantera, and relayed its strong protest in connection with the confrontational anti-Russian policy pursued by the Finnish authorities.

The statement also noted that the parameters of Finlands accession to Nato create a threat to Russias security, and encouraging the Kyiv regime to (go to) war and pumping it with Western weapons means clearly hostile actions against our country.

More here.

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate in a tit-for-tat move

Zelensky to hold talks with Erdogan today

06:01 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan today during his latest leg of a tour to push Ukraines bid to join Nato.

The talks in Istanbul come on the eve of the 500th day since Vladimir Putins invasion, with Mr Zelensky admitting the Ukrainian counteroffensive was progressing slowly.

But nevertheless, we are advancing, not retreating, like Russians, Mr Zelensky told reporters. We now have the initiative.

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

05:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Establishing accurate data on the number of military casualties sustained since Russias invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 is difficult for two reasons.

The severity of the fighting on the ground and the fact that both sides are inclined to keep their cards close to their chests to avoid damaging morale.

The Kremlin is unlikely to admit to high fatality rates among its troops because to do so would amount to a confession that Vladimir Putins spurious war to de-Nazify Russias neighbour state is not going according to plan.

Moscow is more likely to downplay its own (rarely offered) numbers and accuse its enemies of dishonestly briefing against it whenever outside estimates are offered that imply significant Russian losses.

Ukraine, meanwhile, posts a daily report on its Ministry of Defence website listing a cumulative total of the number of enemy personnel liquidated, alongside other combat losses, which stood at much higher total of 213,700.

Joe Sommerlad has more.

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

Ukraine submits request to join trans-pacific trade pact

05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Ukraine has submitted its request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to the trade pacts depositary country New Zealand, Japans economy minister Shigeyuki Goto said today.

The CPTPP includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, with the UK becoming the 12th member state.

Japan must carefully assess whether Ukraine fully meets the high level of the agreement in terms of market access and rules, Mr Goto told a regular press conference.

Sumy border shelled by Russian forces over 100 times in 24 hours

05:22 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russian forces caused over 100 explosions in a single day as it attacked six border communities in Sumy Oblast yesterday, according to the Sumy Military Administration.

The Russian military shelled the communities of Bilopillia, Myropillia, Krasnopillia, Hlukhiv, Esman, and Seredyna Buda. Sumy Oblast, located on northeastern Ukraine, shares a border with Russia.

Vladimir Putins forces fired at the border 15 times, attacking with mines, mortars, grenade launchers, and unguided aerial missiles, Kyiv Independent reported.

Nato monitoring closely Prigozhins movements

04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg yesterday said the military alliance was monitoring closely the location of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his fighters.

The exiled Wagner boss is back in Russia weeks after his failed mutiny and his Wagner troops have remained at the camps they stayed in before an attempted mutiny against Moscow.

We are monitoring closely where the Wagner soldiers are moving around and also where [Prigozhin] is moving, Mr Stoltenberg told reporters.

We have seen some preparations for hosting large groups of Wagner soldiers in Belarus. So far we have not seen so many of them going to Belarus. And we have also seen Prigozhin moving around.

US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine

04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Joe Biden administration has reportedly decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce today that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package.

The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties.

The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.US officials said yesterday that the cluster munitions would be part of about $800m in new military assistance to Ukraine.

More here.

US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package: AP sources

Death toll in Lviv attack rises to 7

04:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The death toll from the Russian missile strike into a residential building in Lviv in western Ukraine rose to seven after two bodies were retrieved from under the rubble.

The roof and top floor of the building were destroyed in what Lvivs mayor called the biggest attack of the war on civilian infrastructure in Lviv, a city 70km (43 miles) from the border with Nato and EU member state Poland.

There definitely will be a response to the enemy. It will be a noticeable one, president Volodymyr Zelensky said in an online post accompanying a video of the damage in Lviv.

Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said 70 per cent of the rubble left by the attack had been cleared by mid-evening. Emergency services said at least 36 had been hurt and that they had pulled seven people alive from the rubble.

Latest pictures from the frontlines

04:00 , Martha Mchardy

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle for flight near a frontline in Donetsk (REUTERS)

A Ukrainian tankist smokes a cigarette on a tank not far from the front line in the Kharkiv region (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian servicemen ride on a tank not far from the front line in the Kharkiv region (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a tank towards Russian troops near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region (REUTERS)

Russian aircraft again flies dangerously close to US and French jets

03:56 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russian pilots flew a fighter jet unprofessionally against both French and US aircraft while conducting surveillance over Syria, the US military said.

The Russian fighter jets dropped flares in front of the MQ-9 Reaper spy planes and flew dangerously close, Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, commander of the 9th Air Force, said in a statement.

Once again today Russian fighter aircraft flew incredibly unsafe and unprofessionally against both French and U.S. aircraft over Syria, the US Air Force tweeted.

We fully support our French allies right to conduct security missions in the region.

Once again today Russian fighter aircraft flew incredibly unsafe and unprofessionally against both French and U.S. aircraft over Syria. We fully support our French allies right to conduct security missions in the region. #Chammal @CTJFOIR @EtatMajorFR https://t.co/x2I6jxzA7x  US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) July 6, 2023

Latest pictures from Lviv as Russian missile strike kills five

03:00 , Martha Mchardy

Rescuers work in an apartment building partially destroyed by a missile strike in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv (AFP via Getty Images)

A rescuer working in an apartment building partially destroyed by a missile strike in Lviv (UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP)

A missile that hit an apartment block in Ukraines Lviv killed five (AFP via Getty Images)

A rescuer works in an apartment building partially destroyed (AFP via Getty Images)

UK to supply Ukraine with 17 specialist fire engines

02:00 , Martha Mchardy

The UK will supply Ukraine with 17 specialist fire engines as the war-torn country continues to defend itself against the Russian invasion.

The Rapid Intervention and Major Foam Vehicles, sourced from the Royal Air Force, Defence Fire and Rescue and the Welsh Assembly, are due to arrive in the coming weeks, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Ukrainian military fire service has already conducted a weeks training at RAF Wittering to familiarise themselves with the equipment in preparation.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace said the vehicles would boost the countrys ability to protect its infrastructure amid the Kremlins campaign of missile and drone attacks.

They were delivered from locations around the UK to the Cambridgeshire military base, where personnel are inspecting and preparing them before their onward journey to Ukraine.

Due to arrive in the coming weeks, the urgently-needed equipment will help bolster Ukraines ability to respond to damage caused by Russias continued use of cruise missiles and one-way attack drones against Ukrainian infrastructure.

Ben Wallace said: These specialist firefighting vehicles will boost Ukraines ability to protect its infrastructure from Russias campaign of missile and drone attacks and continue our support for Ukraine, for as long as it takes.

Watch: Devastating aftermath of deadly Lviv attack captured in drone footage

01:00 , Martha Mchardy

Latest pictures from the Zaporizhzhia Region

Friday 7 July 2023 00:00 , Martha Mchardy

A local resident walks inside the destroyed city hospital of Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

A local resident carries a container filled with drinking water from a fire engine supplied by Ukrainian rescuers in Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

A local resident rides a scooter through the destroyed central square of Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

A local resident walks past the destroyed city hospital of Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

UK announces new sanctions regime targeted at Iranian threats

Thursday 6 July 2023 23:00 , Martha Mchardy

The Foreign Secretary has announced greater powers for the UK to issue sanctions against Iran after the Government accused Tehran of attempts to kill British and UK-based individuals.

James Cleverly said the new sanctions regime will ensure there can be no hiding place for those who seek to do us harm.

According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Iran has increased its efforts to kill or kidnap individuals perceived to be enemies of the regime outside of Iran, including those based in the UK.

Mr Cleverly in a statement said: The Iranian regime is oppressing its own people, exporting bloodshed in Ukraine and the Middle East, and threatening to kill and kidnap on UK soil.

Today the UK has sent a clear message to the regime  we will not tolerate this malign behaviour and we will hold you to account.

Read more:

UK announces new sanctions regime targeted at Iranian threats

UK names new ambassador to Ukraine as Melinda Simmons four-year term ends

Thursday 6 July 2023 22:00 , Martha Mchardy

Dame Melinda Simmons is leaving her post as UK ambassador to Ukraine, the Foreign Office said.

The ambassador, who has helped maintain the close relationship with Volodymyr Zelenskys administration in war-torn Kyiv, will transfer to another diplomatic post.

She will be replaced in September by Martin Harris, who has previously served as deputy head of mission in both Kyiv and Moscow during his diplomatic career.

Read the full story:

UK names new ambassador to Ukraine as Melinda Simmons four-year term ends

NATO summit should focus on clear signal on Ukraines membership, says Zelensky

Thursday 6 July 2023 21:44 , Martha Mchardy

The forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius should focus on real content and a clear signal on Ukraines future membership in the military alliance, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.

...We are talking about a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation, Zelenskiy told a news conference alongside his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel. We need this motivation. We need honesty in our relations.

Zelensky also praised the Czech Republic for taking political decisions without reference to Moscow or anyone else.

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Thursday 6 July 2023 21:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Read more:

Heres why Putin really invaded Ukraine

Preparing for an attack by Russia, Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

Thursday 6 July 2023 20:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Europes largest nuclear power plant shimmers ominously across the cracked earth of the dry reservoir in south Ukraine.

Deep fissures in the dry river beds are all that separate Ukrainian-held territory from Russian-controlled reactors. It is a violent reminder of the last crisis to befall this war-blasted corner of Ukraine and is a warning of a potential future one.

The explosion of the Russian-controlled Nova Kakhovka dam last month, an attack Kyiv blames on Moscow (the Kremlin denies the allegation), unleashed the waters of Europes biggest reservoir over cities, towns and villages, causing one of the worst ecological disasters on the continent in recent history.

Kyiv believes Moscow is setting up to strike Europes largest power plant, which it occupies. Bel Trew in Nikopol  mere miles from the facility  finds everyone planning for the worst case scenario:

Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

Thursday 6 July 2023 19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Establishing accurate data on the number of military casualties sustained since Russias invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 is difficult for two reasons. The severity of the fighting on the ground and the fact that both sides are inclined to keep their cards close to their chests to avoid damaging morale  especially at a time when the war is entering a pivotal new stage.

The Kremlin, in particular, is unlikely to admit to high fatality rates among its troops because to do so would amount to a confession that Vladimir Putins spurious war to de-Nazify Russias neighbour state is not going according to plan and, in fact, represents a monumental miscalculation on the part of its leader, who is already under pressure at home over the attempted uprising by Wagner Group mercenaries.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

Ukrainian president Zelensky arriving to Prague -Czech presidents office

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:21 , Martha Mchardy

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Prague on Thursday, the Czech presidents office said, and is due to meet president Petr Pavel in a show of thanks for continued support in Kyivs battle against Russias invasion.

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in the heart of wartorn Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:02 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine may be deep in a bloody war with Russia, but that hasnt stopped the authorities from aspiring to pull in tourists.

Hundreds of miles from the front line of fighting, in tranquil pristine forests in the west of the country, plans are being drawn up for a mega-ski resort, the largest in the country, expected to accommodate 65,000 visitors.

But environmentalists are intent on defending what they say is one of Europes most unspoilt and beautiful mountain landscapes, with meadows and lakes.

Jane Dalton reports:

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in heart of wartorn Ukraine

ICYMI: Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:31 , Eleanor Noyce

Boris Johnson said he told Donald Trump that he had played an important role in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion, whether he was aware of it or not.

The former PM said he reminded the ex-US president he had approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in 2018  before claiming British military aid was enabled by Mr Trumps example.

Speaking in an interview with the One Decision podcast, I just think its very important if you have a chance to talk to people like Donald Trump, just to get  over [that] I know in my heart that Ukrainians are going to win. I know they deserve to win.

Adam Forrest reports:

Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

U.S expected to announce Ukraine weapons aid package including cluster munitions on Friday

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:10 , Eleanor Noyce

The U.S is expected to announce a weapons aid package for Ukraine - including cluster munitions - on Friday, two U.S officials have told Reuters.

The cluster munitions, banned by more than 120 countries, normally release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians.

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that have killed Ukrainian civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday which called on both nations to stop using them and urged the U.S. not to supply them.

US to announce provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine on Friday

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:07 , Martha Mchardy

The United States is expected to announce a new Ukraine weapons package on Friday including the provision of cluster munitions, two U.S. officials told Reuters.

Zelensky visits Bulgaria and draws support for Kyivs NATO membership bid

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed military aid Thursday during a trip to the Bulgarian capital in which Bulgarias parliament expressed its support for Ukraines entry into NATO after its war with Russia is over.

During his brief visit at the invitation of Bulgarias new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Zelensky also discussed European integration and bilateral energy cooperation. Talking to reporters after the meetings, he defended Ukraines right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.

Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred, Zelensky said. This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules, he added.

Read more:

Zelenskyy visits Bulgaria and draws support for Kyivs NATO membership bid

White House: Providing cluster munitions to Ukraine under active consideration but no announcement to make yet

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:37 , Eleanor Noyce

The Biden administration is weighing whether to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates told reporters on Thursday.

Mr Bates said the idea is under active consideration but there is no announcement to make.

The U.S. military believes that cluster munitions would be useful for Ukraine in pushing back against Russian forces, a senior Pentagon official said in June, but they had not been approved for Kyiv yet because of congressional restrictions and concerns among allies.

Ukraine has urged members of Congress to press President Joe Bidens administration to approve sending Dual-Purpose Conventional Improved Munitions (DPICM).

The cluster munitions, banned by more than 120 countries, normally release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians.

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that have killed Ukrainian civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday which called on both nations to stop using them and urged the U.S. not to supply them.

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate in a tit-for-tat move

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:31 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias Foreign Ministry on Thursday announced the expelling of nine Finnish diplomats and shutting down of Finlands consulate in St. Petersburg in retaliation for Finland expelling nine Russian diplomats last month.

The ministry said in a lengthy statement that it summoned Finlands ambassador to Russia, Antti Helantera, on Thursday, and relayed its strong protest in connection with the confrontational anti-Russian policy pursued by the Finnish authorities.

The statement also noted that the parameters of Finlands accession to NATO create a threat to Russias security, and encouraging the Kyiv regime to (go to) war and pumping it with Western weapons means clearly hostile actions against our country. The statement concluded that this line of the Finnish authorities cannot remain unanswered.

Read more:

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate in a tit-for-tat move

What will NATO leaders decide at the Vilnius summit?

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:12 , Eleanor Noyce

NATO leaders will meet in Vilnius between 11 and 12 July to tackle a wide range of topics, from divisions over Ukraines membership bid and Swedens accession to boosting ammunitions stockpiles and reviewing the first defence plans in decades.

It will be the fourth NATO summit since Russias invasion of Ukraine, with the first held virtually on 25 February 2022, just one day after the attack, followed by meetings in Brussels and in Madrid.

The summit looks set to be dominated by how NATO will define its future relationship with Ukraine, amid repeated calls by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for Kyiv to receive an invitation into the alliance at Vilnius.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has made clear that Kyiv will not become a member while the war goes on, and that the Vilnius summit will not issue a formal invitation, either.

Still, allies are divided over how swiftly Ukraine should be allowed to join after fighting ends.

While eastern European countries say a road map should be offered to Kyiv at the summit, the United States and Germany are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia.

In the run-up to Vilnius, more countries have backed a British proposal to allow Kyiv to skip the so-called Membership Action Plan (MAP) programme that sets out political, economic and military targets candidates have to meet and that other eastern European nations had to pass before joining NATO.

With such a move, the alliance could address demands to go beyond the declaration of the Bucharest summit in 2008, which said Ukraine would become a member eventually, without offering Kyiv an actual invitation or timetable.

NATO is also likely to find a stronger wording than 2008 to underscore Kyivs perspective for joining the alliance.

Leaders could agree upon something like Ukraines rightful place is in NATO, echoing remarks by Stoltenberg on a visit to Kyiv in April, or stress that trans-Atlantic security would be incomplete without Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg holds a press conference at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, 6 July 2023 (REUTERS)

Russian missile strike kills five in Lviv in western Ukraine - officials

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:47 , Eleanor Noyce

A Russian missile slammed into a residential building in Lviv in western Ukraine on Thursday, killing five people in a city that is far from frontlines and home to thousands displaced by war.

The roof and top floor of the building were destroyed in what Lvivs mayor called the biggest attack of the war on civilian infrastructure in Lviv, a city 70 km (43 miles) from the border with NATO and European Union member state Poland.

There definitely will be a response to the enemy. It will be a noticeable one, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an online post accompanying a video of the damage in Lviv.

Regional authorities put the death toll at five, including a 32-year-old woman and her 60-year-old mother.

Emergency services said at least 36 others had been hurt and that they had pulled seven people alive from the rubble. Reuters television footage showed residents calming crying neighbours while others helped rescuers sweep up shattered glass.

They, Russians, Rashists, say that they are bombing military objects but they hit a peaceful house. People were sleeping. How could they do it?, said Lviv resident Vira Luben, a woman in her seventies, using a derogatory term for Russians.

Holding back tears, she added: World - save and help us, because without you we will not manage to deal with them.

Ukraines air force said Russia had attacked Lviv with Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea. It said seven out of 10 missiles were shot down.

Rescuers work at a site of the residential building hit by a Russian missile strike in Lviv (REUTERS)

UK minister calls for Russia to grant IAEA access to Ukrainian nuclear plant

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:30 , Eleanor Noyce

A Foreign Office minister has called for Russia to grant experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon called for full and unfettered access be given to the IAEA for the safety and security of all, including Russia, whose forces seized control of the plant last year.

However, he emphasised that the power station, unlike the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986, has been scaled down in its operation, which limits the threat.

He said: We take President Zelenskys concern about possible Russian threats to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is currently under illegal Russian control, extremely seriously.

We are in regular contact with the director general of the IAEA, director general (Rafael) Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency, regarding the situation at the nuclear power plant, as well as the highest levels of the government of Ukraine.

Working with our international partners, we continue to call for Russia to grant the IAEA full access to the nuclear plant, as called for by director general Grossi on 5 July, and it is vital that IAEA staff have full access to the nuclear plant in order to monitor the safety and security of the site.

The site itself, much of it in terms of its direct energy provisions, has been scaled down and there is only one, I think, current operating generator on the site, and even that has been scaled down sufficiently, specifically for that purpose.

Of course, the risk remains very high but we have been assured by the IAEA that there is no immediate threat in this respect.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, is seen in the background of the shallow Kakhovka Reservoir after the dam collapse, in Energodar, Russian-occupied Ukraine (AP)

Zelensky to visit Turkey on Friday for grain deal talks with Erdogan - Anadolu

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Turkey on Friday for talks with President Tayyip Erdogan on the Black Sea grain deal and developments in the war in Ukraine, the state-run Anadolu Agency said on Thursday.

Turkey and the United Nations brokered last years deal, which allows for the export of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraines Black Sea ports despite the ongoing war.

But Russia, angry about aspects of its implementation, has threatened not to allow it further renewal beyond 17 July.

Zelensky and Erdogan will hold face-to-face talks and also attend interdelegational meetings, Anadolu said.

Erdogan, re-elected last month for another five-year term, has sought to maintain strong ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since Russias invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Turkey, a NATO member, has not joined its Western allies in imposing economic sanctions on Russia, but has also supplied arms to Ukraine and called for its sovereignty to be respected.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announces new cabinet during a press conference in Ankara, 3 June (REUTERS)

Russia and Ukraine announce prisoner exchange

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia and Ukraine announced a prisoner of war exchange on Thursday involving the return of 45 soldiers from each side.

Russias defence ministry said that 45 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukrainian custody, the Russian news agency RIA reported.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraines presidential staff, said 45 service personnel and two civilians had been returned to Ukraine.

In a post on the Telegram messaging app, Yermak said some of those freed had fought in Mariupol and the southern citys Azovstal steel plant, and others had fought on the frontline elsewhere.

Each of them is a hero, Yermak said.

Ukraines human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said most of those freed were seriously injured and all would undergo rehabilitation.

In a separate post, Yermak said that two children aged six and 10 had been allowed to return to Ukraine following the release of their mother, a military medic, last October.

Russia and Ukraine have periodically exchanged groups of prisoners in the course of the war, now in its 17th month.

Lubinets said that 2,576 Ukrainians have been freed in prisoner swaps since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.

Ukraine and Bulgaria sign memorandum on energy cooperation following Zelenskys Sofia visit

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday his country and Bulgaria had agreed on more active cooperation in the defence sector, and that he had invited Sofia to take part in Ukraines reconstruction.

We discussed the military aid which Bulgaria gives to our country. We count on the continuation of the cooperation which has already saved many lives, he told a joint press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov in Sofia.

He thanked his hosts for their support as Ukraine battles Russian forces who launched their full-scale invasion more than 16 months ago.

Bulgaria is a member of the NATO military alliance and the European Union, two Western groupings that Ukraine hopes to join. Zelenskiy said before talks that a NATO summit in Lithuania next week was on the agenda of his visit to Sofia.

Shortly before the two leaders gave speeches, a memorandum on energy cooperation was signed between the two countries.

Together we are ready to give our countries greater guarantees in energy stability, as well as attractive prices for ordinary people, Zelensky said.

He said he had invited Bulgaria to participate in the reconstruction effort in Ukraine, particularly in the rebuilding of the education sector. Zelensky said Bulgaria was also ready to help in the areas of ecology and digitalisation.

Zelensky and Denkov shake hands after addressing a joint news conference in Sofia (AFP via Getty Images)

Russia's agricultural bank not considering creating subsidiary to connect to SWIFT - Ifax

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:49 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank on Thursday said it was not considering setting up a subsidiary that could connect to the SWIFT global payments system, Interfax reported.

Such a move had been reported as a step that could possibly avert the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal due to expire on 17 July.

Britain plans to target Iranian decision makers with new sanctions regime

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:41 , Eleanor Noyce

Britain said on Thursday it would create a new sanctions regime for Iran, giving it greater powers to target decision makers, including those involved in weapons proliferation and threats against British nationals.

The current sanctions regime against Iran focuses on human rights, but the proposals would widen the scope of criteria that the government could cite in bringing new designations in future.

The Iranian regime is oppressing its own people, exporting bloodshed in Ukraine and the Middle East, and threatening to kill and kidnap on UK soil, British foreign minister James Cleverly said in a statement.

Today the UK has sent a clear message to the regime - we will not tolerate this malign behaviour and we will hold you to account. Our new sanctions regime will help to ensure there can be no hiding place for those who seek to do us harm.

Britain said that under the new regime, which will be legislated for later in the year, individuals and entities could also be sanctioned if they contributed to the undermining of peace and stability in the Middle East and internationally.

It also said it had given evidence at the UN Security Council that Iran was continuing to send weapons to the Houthis in Yemen, and to Russia, to support its fighting in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly prepares to attend a press conference with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau and Polish Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Blaszczak at Lancaster House in London, 5 July (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

UKs next ambassador to Ukraine delighted to lead in supporting the Ukrainian government'

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:20 , Eleanor Noyce

I am delighted to be returning to Ukraine to lead our Embassys vital work in supporting the Ukrainian government and people as they defend their country and our common values, Martin Harris, the UKs next ambassador to Ukraine, said in a statement on his appointment.

Mr Harris, who was previously Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General in Kyiv between 2003 and 2008, had most recently been the Foreign Offices director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Mr Harris also previously spent time in Moscow, serving as Britains Deputy Head of Mission there from 2014 to 2017.

Britains outgoing ambassador to Kyiv, Melinda Simmons, who was appointed to the role in 2019, will take up another diplomatic service appointment, the government said in a statement.

Ms Simmons said on Twitter she would be leaving Ukraine at the end of August. Mr Harris is due to take up his post in September.

Ukraine and Bulgaria agree on more defence cooperation - Zelensky

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday his country and Bulgaria had agreed on more active cooperation in the defence sector, and that he had invited Sofia to take part in Ukraines reconstruction.

We discussed the military aid which Bulgaria gives to our country. We count on the continuation of the co-operation which has already saved many lives, he told a press conference in Sofia, where he met Bulgarian leaders.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky pose for a picture at the Bulgarian government building in Sofia (via REUTERS)

Denkov and Zelensky meet at the Bulgarian government building (via REUTERS)

Zelensky and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel inspect a guard of honour (via REUTERS)

Russia says Ukrainian shelling kills one man in Belgorod region

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian shelling killed one man on Thursday in the village of Novopetrovka in Russias Belgorod region, close to the border with Ukraine, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on his Telegram channel.

Blasts and attacks on Russian regions bordering Ukraine have been occurring almost daily in recent months, with Russian officials blaming either Ukrainian forces or pro-Ukrainian saboteurs.

Ukraine hardly ever publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched on its neighbour in February 2022.

Preparing for an attack from Russia, Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Europes largest nuclear power plant shimmers ominously across the cracked earth of the dry reservoir in south Ukraine.

Deep fissures in the dry river beds are all that separate Ukrainian-held territory from Russian-controlled reactors. It is a violent reminder of the last crisis to befall this war-blasted corner of Ukraine and is a warning of a potential future one.

Kyiv believes Moscow is setting up to strike Europes largest power plant, which it occupies. Bel Trew in Nikopol  mere miles from the facility  finds everyone planning for the worst case scenario:

Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

Russia says Ukraine has directed more than 70 drone attacks at Crimea this year - RIA

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:22 , Eleanor Noyce

The secretary of Russias Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said on Thursday that Ukraine had directed more than 70 drone attacks at Crimea this year, and also attacked southern Russias Krasnodar and Rostov regions, the RIA news agency reported.

The targets, as a rule, are energy and industrial infrastructure facilities, the destruction or damage of which threatens peaceful life and human health, Patrushev was quoted as telling a meeting on the security of southern Russia in Krasnodar.

Russia seized and unilaterally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, in a move not recognised internationally. Kyiv demands that Moscow hand it back.

UK appoints Martin Harris as new ambassador to Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:14 , Eleanor Noyce

The UK government on Thursday named Martin Harris as the new ambassador to Ukraine.

Harris, who was previously Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General in Kyiv between 2003 and 2008, had most recently been the Foreign Offices director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Outgoing ambassador to Kyiv, Melinda Simmons, who was appointed to the role in 2019, will take another diplomatic service appointment, the government said in a statement.

After the flood: The nightmare is just beginning for those left to rebuild after the Ukraine dam explosion

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:12 , Eleanor Noyce

In a mud-soaked nightdress, the Ukrainian grandmother claws at the fetid water that has swallowed the steps down to her home in Kherson city.

Frail and in shock, Antonia Shevchenko, 84 appears unaware of the futility of her attempts to try to drain the swamp drowning her house.

Her daughter Svetlana, 64, marooned by the sweltering mud, tries to coax her to stop and calm down. Shelling roars in the background.

It is the first time the pair have been back since they evacuated after the Nova Kakhokva dam blew up last month, unleashing the contents of one of Europes largest reservoirs over southern Ukraine.

Bel Trew travels the Dnipro River speaking to some of those who have been left with nothing after the floodwaters wrecked their homes, and hears from officials warning of the extreme long-term consequences that could be felt by the rest of the world:

The unfolding nightmare for those left to rebuild after the Ukraine dam explosion

Russia's Patrushev says threats to Russia from NATO are growing - TASS

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:50 , Eleanor Noyce

The secretary of Russias Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said on Thursday that threats to Russia from the U.S.-led NATO military alliance were growing, according to the TASS news agency.

TASS quoted Patrushev as referring to a build-up of NATO military infrastructure near Russias borders, the intensification of reconnaissance activities and the presence of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attend a joint news briefing in Kyiv, 20 April 2023 (REUTERS)

U.S. expected to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine - NYT

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:32 , Eleanor Noyce

The United States is expected to announce it will give cluster munitions to Ukraine for its fight against Russias invasion, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing an unidentified senior Biden administration official.

ICYMI: Devastating aftermath of deadly Lviv attack captured in drone footage

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:28 , Eleanor Noyce

Devastating drone footage shows the aftermath of a Russian missile attack on Lviv which has killed at least four people.

Around nine others were injured in an overnight attack, Ukraines Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Thursday (6 July).

Approximately 60 apartments and 50 cars in the area of the strike were damaged, Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi said.

Drone video posted by Volodymyr Zelenskyy shows damaged buildings viewed from above, with third and fourth floors of a building ruined.

Emergency services have been searching for people trapped in the debris in the city which has seen hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian war refugees flee from other areas to the east.

Watch:

Devastating aftermath of deadly Lviv attack captured in drone footage

Russia summons Finnish ambassador over anti-Russian stance

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the Finnish ambassador to object to what spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said was Helsinkis anti-Russian political stance.

Russias war in Ukraine, which it calls a special military operation, has prompted Finland to seek to join the U.S.-led transatlantic NATO defence alliance.

Ukraine plans to move to professional army after war ends - PM

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:04 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine plans to abandon conscription and move to a professional army after the war with Russia to bring Kyiv closer to NATO standards, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Thursday.

After a meeting with top defence and security officials at which reforms known as the Ukrainian shield were discussed, Shmyhal said the government would also continue to focus on supporting a further increase in domestic weapons production.

The primary task is to complete the transition of the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine to NATO standards. In all aspects: from equipment and weapons to planning and analysis, Shmyhal said on the Telegram messaging app.

After the end of the war, Ukraine will abandon the draft as it existed before the war. The foundation of our defence will be a professional army.

Ukraine wants to join NATO and hopes to receive a clear signal on its membership prospects when the military alliance holds a summit in Lithuania next week.

Shmyhal said Ukraine would also create combat-capable reserve pools to complement the army, with all people who qualify to join the reserves undergoing regular training.

Shmyhal said the development of domestic weapon production capabilities was another important element of the future Ukrainian defence forces.

Ukraine is already actively increasing the production of weapons and equipment. Moreover, we are launching new programs and projects, he said, adding that the government would support more private businesses in the sector and was working to forge international partnerships.

Ukraine depends heavily on Western military supplies. The government aims to transform its weapon-producing industry and appointed a new head of state-owned weapons producer Ukroboronprom last month.

(EPA)

Wigs, gold bars and severed heads: Inside Wagner bosss lavish Russian mansion

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A raid by Russian security services has revealed the colourful inside of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhins St Petersburg lavish mansion.

A wardrobe stuffed full of wigs, gold bars and a stuffed alligator were among the many bizarre finds in photos and footage published by pro-Kremlin media outlet Izvestia.

Officials are also said to have found assault weapons, ammunition and even a photograph allegedly showing the severed heads of the Wagner leaders enemies.

Read more:

Wigs, gold bars and severed heads: Inside Wagner mercenary bosss lavish mansion

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in the heart of wartorn Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:47 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine may be deep in a bloody war with Russia, but that hasnt stopped the authorities from aspiring to pull in tourists.

Hundreds of miles from the front line of fighting, in tranquil pristine forests in the west of the country, plans are being drawn up for a mega-ski resort, the largest in the country, expected to accommodate 65,000 visitors.

But environmentalists are intent on defending what they say is one of Europes most unspoilt and beautiful mountain landscapes, with meadows and lakes.

Jane Dalton reports:

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in heart of wartorn Ukraine

Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:29 , Eleanor Noyce

Boris Johnson said he told Donald Trump that he had played an important role in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion, whether he was aware of it or not.

The former PM said he reminded the ex-US president he had approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in 2018  before claiming British military aid was enabled by Mr Trumps example.

Speaking in an interview with the One Decision podcast, I just think its very important if you have a chance to talk to people like Donald Trump, just to get  over [that] I know in my heart that Ukrainians are going to win. I know they deserve to win.

Adam Forrest reports:

Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

Russia says it will respond harshly to any Ukrainian attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:18 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that Moscow would respond with utmost harshness to any Ukrainian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of planning to attack Europes largest nuclear plant, which is located on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region, near the front line of Russias conflict with Ukraine.

This image provided by Maxar Technologies, shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Southern Ukraine on 30 June 2023 (AP)

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits China as part of efforts to sooth strained relations

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:15 , Eleanor Noyce

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in Beijing on Thursday for meetings with Chinese leaders as part of efforts to revive relations that are strained by disputes about security, technology and other irritants.

Yellen planned to focus on stabilizing the global economy and challenging Chinese support of Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, Treasury officials in Washington told reporters ahead of the trip.

The secretary was due to meet with Chinese officials, American businesspeople and members of the public, according to Treasury officials. They gave no details, but said Yellen wouldnt meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Read more:

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits China as part of efforts to sooth strained relations

Kremlin: Ukraine trying to drag countries into conflict with Zelenskiy's Bulgaria visit

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:09 , Eleanor Noyce

The Kremlin on Thursday said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Bulgaria showed that Kyiv was doing all it could to drag as many countries as possible into the conflict.

Zelensky said he was in the Bulgarian capital Sofia for talks with the countrys president and prime minister on issues including security and next weeks NATO summit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said discussions like those Zelensky was having in Bulgaria would not affect the outcome of what Russia calls its special military operation in Ukraine in a big way, as he said the current situation on the front line was showing.

A handout photo made available by the Bulgarian Government Press Office shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky after landing in Sofia on 6 July (EPA)

Lukashenko says he is ready to mediate Ukraine peace talks - TASS

Thursday 6 July 2023 10:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday said he was ready to mediate Ukraine peace talks if Moscow and Kyiv deem it necessary, the TASS news agency reported.

Lukashenko, who last month brokered a deal to end an armed mutiny in Russia, was speaking in Minsk.

He added that Ukraine had hit a dead end but there was still a chance of a way out.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky blasted his Bulgarian counterpart today over a lack of arms for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky let loose a verbal barrage in Sofia Thursday against Bulgarian President Rumen Radev over the latter's opposition to arming Ukraine.

God forbid some tragedy should befall you and you should be in my place, he said, according to a Politico translation. And if people with shared values do not help, what will you do? You would say: Putin, please grab Bulgarian territory?

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1677006221423853568

No, you, as a real president, I am sure you would not allow a compromise with your independence. It is your right not to support aid to Ukraine. But I would really like you to understand me correctly."

The meeting with Radev, "a former air force chief who is more sympathetic to Russia and equivocal on NATO, went even worse than expected," Politico reported. Gathered on each side of a long wooden table, the khaki-clad Ukrainian delegation sat stony faced, occasionally grimacing and taking notes, opposite Radevs team as the Bulgarian president explained that there was no military solution and that more and more weapons will not solve it.

According to Politico, after Zelensky's emotional remarks, a clearly-ruffled Radev cowered behind papers before asking cameras to leave.

Regardless of the flap, the Bulgarian Parliament adopted a declaration in support of Ukraine's NATO membership, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk announced today on his Facebook page.

It is expected that the Bulgarian government, in particular, at the upcoming Alliance summit in Vilnius in July 2023, will state a position in support of Ukraine's NATO membership after the restoration of peace on its territory, Stefanchuk wrote.

https://twitter.com/euromaidanpress/status/1677024909124333569?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

After visiting Bulgaria, Zelensky traveled to the Czech Republic to meet with President Petr Pavel.

https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1677061240340852736

A day earlier, Zelensky told CNN in an exclusive interview that entrenched Russian defenses, combined with slower-than-desired delivery of Western arms has slowed the pace of Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Zelensky told CNN that in some areas of the country his military cannot even think of starting attacks, because it does not have the relevant weapons.

Im grateful to the US as the leaders of our support, he said through a translator, but I told them as well as the European leaders that we would like to start our counteroffensive earlier, and we need all the weapons and materiel for that. Why? Simply because if we start later, it will go slower.

Zelensky added that difficulties on the battlefield were now leading to a slowed down counteroffensive.

https://twitter.com/CNN/status/1676746302577684480

I wanted our counteroffensive to happen much earlier, because everyone understood that if the counteroffensive unfolds later, then a bigger part of our territory will be mined. We give our enemy the time and possibility to place more mines and prepare their defensive lines.

It is unclear, however, just how much additional advantage Ukraine would have had in terms of overcoming Russian fortification had the counteroffensive started as soon as the weather permitted in the Spring. Russia, as we noted last Fall, has long been building up its fortifications in anticipation of Ukraine's long-stated desire to liberate the entire nation, including Crimea.

https://twitter.com/Tatarigami_UA/status/1591521223229722624?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1591521223229722624%7Ctwgr%5E66d8014cbd63bcc95e5c2bff4df015146bb15621%7Ctwcon%5Es1_\u0026ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedrive.com%2Fthe-war-zone%2Fukraine-situation-report-russias-demolition-of-roadway-over-dam-seen-in-incredible-video

Next week is an all-important NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. It will be interesting to see how leaders there respond to Zelensky and how they react to the current status of the counteroffensive, which appears to be achieving incremental progress across several fronts, but at a high cost.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

At least six people were killed and and nearly 40 injured after a Russian missile attack on the western Ukraine city of Lviv, according to Ukrainian officials.

The Russians attacked with 10 Kalibr sea-launched cruise missiles, of which seven were shot down and three hit Lviv, according to Ukrainian military officials.

In addition to the deaths and injuries, Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Lviv Regional State Administration (OVA) said on his Telegram channel that more than 30 homes, 250 apartments, 10 hostels, a childrens home and two schools were damaged. In addition, an electric substation was also damaged, leaving about 150 customers without power.

This is the most destructive attack on the civilian population in the Lviv region since the beginning of the full-scale war, he said.

https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1676916154714017793?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A https://twitter.com/IAPonomarenko/status/1676879051632328704

On its Telegram channel, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed the attack was against military targets.

"The Russian Federation Armed Forces launched a concentrated strike with long-range sea-based high-precision weapons against temporary deployment sites of [Armed Forces of Ukraine] AFU personnel and foreign mercenaries, as well as storage sites for foreign-manufactured armored vehicles," the Russian MoD claimed. "All the assigned targets have been neutralized. The goal of the attack has been reached. The enemy strategic reserves have sustained significant damage."

That response drew outrage from Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/Euan_MacDonald/status/1676966981688500227

In a meeting with reporters in Minsk Thursday, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko laid out his conditions for the use of tactical nuclear weapons, which Russian President Vladimir Putin last month said he provided to his vassal state. Lukashenko also said that Wagner Private Military Company boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, exiled to Belarus after his aborted mutiny last month, is in Russia at the moment.

Belarus, said Lukashenko, will only use tactical nuclear weapons in defense of the nation.

It seems to me that the war in Ukraine, a special military operation is not and will not be the reason for a nuclear strike from any side," Lukashenko said, according to the Belarusian Defense Ministry Telegram channel. "Now, if there is NATO aggression against Belarus or Russia, which means invading our territory, then the hands are untied."

https://twitter.com/AlArabiya_Eng/status/1676936641494106113

As for Prigozhin, "he is in St. Petersburg," said Lukahsenko. "Or maybe this morning he will travel to Moscow or elsewhere. But he is not on the territory of Belarus now."

Lukashenko also said he was not concerned about the presence of Wagner fighters in Belarus, adding that if those troops are stationed in Belarus, they will be used to defend the country.

That seems to back up what Maj. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate, told us last week about Wagner forces not coming to Belarus.

"No one, just a few people from his forward-ranking group," he told us when asked how many Wagner fighters were coming to Belarus.

I am absolutely not worried or worried that we will have a certain number of these fighters stationed," Lukashenko said Thursday. "Moreover, they will be placed under certain conditions. The main condition: if we need to use this unit for the defense of the state, it will be activated instantly. And their experience will be in demand.

https://twitter.com/cnnipr/status/1676902663143694336

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, said despite Lukashenko's claim, Russia doesn't know the whereabouts of Prigozhin, who was in St. Petersburg as recently as July 4 to reclaim weapons seized from him during his mutiny attempt.

https://twitter.com/gerashchenko_en/status/1676933793435795458?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Speaking of Prigozhin, Russia is on the verge of civil war in the wake of his mutiny attempt, according to Budanov.

According to the secret data of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, analyzed by Ukrainian military intelligence, during the mutiny on June 24 and 25, the owner of 'Wagner' Prigozhin had the support of the population of 17 of the 46 regions of Russia, Budanov told The Times of London Wednesday. Putin has support of 21 regions while one region remains up for grabs.

The information, Budanov told the newspaper, was derived by Russian monitoring of opinions expressed on social media and messaging apps like Telegram.

Putin could count on support from Moscow, but not St. Petersburg, he added, amplifying what he told us last week about the country being split in two had Prigozhin been successful.

The situation is indicating exactly what our service has been talking about: that the Russian Federation is on the edge of the civil war," Budanov said. "There needs to be a small internal affair, and the internal conflict will be intensified.

https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1676910252007014400?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

A week ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, small tensions are showing between Washington and Kyiv, which has frequently expressed a strong desire to join the alliance.

Yesterday, asked if the U.S. would support Ukraine joining NATO after this all-out war ends, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that Ukraine needed to make certain reforms - which she did not specify - before it could join NATO.

The conversation about Ukraine's NATO wishes begins at about the 31-minute mark in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bH0Z6OrvuA

On Thursday, Oleg Nikolenko, spokesman for Ukraines Foreign Affairs Ministry, reacted to those comments. NATO should put aside any concerns about how Moscow would react to Ukraine becoming a member, Nikolenko said on his Facebook page.

https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1676934461634560000?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

In order to defend its skies with ground-based systems, Ukraine has been relying on Soviet-era air defense systems like the Buk and S-300 and, since last Fall, foreign-donated systems like National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles Systems, or NASAMS, the IRIS-T SLM and the Patriot.

But Oleksandr Kamsyshin, Minister of Strategic Industry, claimed on his Telegram channel July 3 that flight tests have recently been completed on two domestically produced anti-aircraft missile systems.

I am grateful to our partners for supplying Ukraine with imported anti-aircraft missile systems, Kamsyshin wrote on his Telegram channel. The domestic defense industry is only getting on the rails to help our anti-aircraft missile forces. We still do not have domestic anti-aircraft missile systems in service. Neither portable nor stationary.

Kamsyshin said that there are several projects in the works, on which we have intensified work. In the last month, the first flight tests of two projects were completed. Both are successful. It is still far from ready, but we are doing everything to speed up the work.

Kamsyshin offered no details, but his Telegram message included an image of an air defense missile being developed under a project dubbed Koral. According to a Ukrainian defense official we spoke with, thats a medium-range air defense interceptor variant of the Vilkha-M guided rocket we wrote about in March. It would have a fragmentation warhead, akin to the S-300, and an anticipated range of about 100 km, the official told us.

But nothing is imminent.

There is still a long way to go, the official told us. There is no proper homing head or radar.

Yesterday, we told you that a U.K-donated Storm Shadow air-launched, conventionally armed cruise missile fell into Russian hands in a partially intact state. Today, Russia claims the missile's remains are already in Moscow for analysis, the official Russian TASS news agency reported Thursday.

Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Tsar's Wolves scientific and research center, said that Ukrainian forces tried to prevent Russian retrieval of the missile.

Ukrainian forces "engaged heavy artillery and a special reconnaissance group," he said. "However, all enemys attempts were promptly thwarted."

https://twitter.com/thewarzonewire/status/1676956336389763072?s=20

In an effort to lay the groundwork for potential negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, secret talks were held between a group of former U.S. national security officials and prominent Russians believed to be close with the Kremlin, NBC reported Thursday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with members of the group for several hours in April in New York, according to NBC, which cited four former officials and two current officials.

Sitting down with Lavrov were Richard Haass, a former diplomat and the outgoing president of the Council on Foreign Relations, current and former officials said. The group was joined by Europe expert Charles Kupchan and Russia expert Thomas Graham, both former White House and State Department officials who are Council on Foreign Relations fellows.

https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/1676898413630177280

Thanks to a combination of foreign donations and battlefield attrition, Ukraine now has more tanks than Russia, according to Bloomberg.

"An update Thursday of the Ukraine Support Tracker database maintained by Germanys Kiel Institute for the World Economy said Kyivs backers had delivered 471 new tanks since the start of the war, with a further 286 still to arrive, even as the rate of new pledges slowed," the publication reported.

"Combined with a tally of equipment lost or captured by the open source intelligence group Oryx, widely considered to be conservative, the figures suggest that Ukraines tank fleet has grown since the start of the invasion last year, even as Russias has halved."

Oryx only tabulates losses for which there is visual confirmation, meaning that actual figures could be higher.

The gap also narrowed in terms of artillery and multiple-launch rocket systems, although by much smaller margins.

https://twitter.com/anno1540/status/1676909761017663488?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

If you wanted to see what it looks like when Ukrainian troops launch a Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) tank-busting missile from one of their donated Bradley Fighting Vehicles, check out this video below. It shows the crew observing a Russian armored vehicle, then launching the missile. A Russian soldier is seen coming into view just before impact and then flying through the air after the missile hit the target.

https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1676869221937029120?s=20

In war, luck is often measured in meters or seconds. Such was the case of this Ukrainian Husky TSV armored vehicle crew that narrowly avoided being hit by an anti-tank guided missile. The video below shows the missile flying over the Husky. It's unclear whether the crew knew how lucky they really were until seeing it for themselves.

https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1676893295174115329?s=20

A U.K.-donated Challenger 2 tank was spotted on the front lines in Zaporizhzhia. In the video below, you can hear the loud rumble of the tank's engine before it is briefly seen zipping rather quickly in reverse.

https://twitter.com/parrot_soldier/status/1676821070987292673?s=20

Throughout this conflict both sides have tried to use the cover of tree lines to hide personnel and equipment, but thanks in large measure to the ubiquity of drones, that's often not a very successful endeavor. The video below, of Ukrainian artillery and mortar fire on Russian troops, is yet another example of that.

https://twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1676906072316039168?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

There was another exchange of prisoners between Russia and Ukraine, with 45 being released by each side.

https://twitter.com/kyivpost/status/1676939213076348928?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

Finally, how does Zelensky get pumped for a day of defending a nation?

With some head-banging AC/DC and Guns N' Roses.

https://twitter.com/maks_nafo_fella/status/1677028603387576322?s=12\u0026t=BQRSNakUKt7_8ssZiGBW-A

That's it for now. We'll update this story when there's more news from Ukraine to report.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
What are cluster bombs and why is US sending them to Ukraine?

The US has announced it is complying with a Ukrainian request to supply it with controversial cluster munitions.

The move has been criticised by human rights groups as the weapon is banned by more than 100 countries.

What are cluster munitions?

Cluster munitions are a method of dispersing large numbers of tiny bomblets from a rocket, missile or artillery shell that scatters them in mid-flight over a wide area.

They are intended to explode on impact but a significant proportion are "duds", meaning they don't explode initially - this happens especially if they land on wet or soft ground.

They can then explode at a later date on being picked up or trodden on, killing or maiming the victim.

From a military perspective, they can be horribly effective when used against dug-in ground troops in trenches and fortified positions, rendering large areas too dangerous to move around in until carefully cleared.

Graphic of cluster munition

Why are they banned?

More than 100 countries, including the UK, France and Germany, have signed an international treaty - the Convention on Cluster Munitions - that outlaws the use or stockpiling of these weapons due to their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations.

Children are particularly prone to injury as the bomblets can resemble a small toy left in a residential or farmland area and are often picked up out of curiosity.

Human rights groups have described cluster munitions as "abhorrent" and even a war crime.

Who still uses them?

Both Russia and Ukraine have been using cluster munitions since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Neither have signed the treaty banning them. Nor has the US, but it has previously criticised Russia's extensive use of the weapon.

Russian cluster munitions reportedly have a "dud rate" of 40%, meaning large numbers remain a hazard on the ground, whereas the average dud rate is believed to be close to 20%.

The Pentagon estimates its own cluster bomblets have a dud rate of less than 3%.

Why is Ukraine asking for them?

Ukraine's forces are running desperately low on artillery shells, largely because, like the Russians, they use them up at an extraordinarily high rate and Ukraine's Western allies cannot replace them at the speed they are needed.

In the largely static, grinding battlefronts of southern and eastern Ukraine, artillery has become a key weapon.

The Ukrainians now face a daunting task in trying to dislodge the invading Russians from their well dug-in defensive positions stretched along a 1,000km (621-mile) battlefront.

In the absence of enough artillery shells, Ukraine has asked the US to re-stock its supplies of cluster munitions to target the Russian infantry manning all those defensive trenches.

Some experts say that by using cluster bombs to suppress enemy fire from the trenches, Ukrainian forces could gain precious time to help them clear their way through Russian minefields.

But others say there is no need for them, arguing that different types of conventional weapons could do the job just as well.

This has not been an easy decision for Washington, and is deeply unpopular with many Democrats and human rights advocates. The debate has been going on for at least six months.

What effect will this US decision have?

The immediate effect will be to knock away much of the moral ground Washington sits on in this war.

Russia's numerous alleged war crimes are well-documented but this move is likely to draw accusations of US hypocrisy.

Cluster munitions are a hideous, indiscriminate weapon that is banned in much of the world for good reason.

This US move will inevitably place it somewhat at odds with its Western allies and any perceived split in that alliance is exactly what Russian President Vladimir Putin wants and needs.
A Firstpost article highlighted the continuing issue of smartphone companies struggling with their imaging solutions for both photography and videography, claiming devices have been "designed to capture the beauty of only white or fair-skinned people." It further claimed the algorithms working behind the lenses giving out images have been designed for white or fair-skinned people.

Underrepresenting or misrepresenting people with darker skin tones in photographs was a "well-documented problem stemming from historical biases," according to the piece. "Photography and films have traditionally prioritized and calibrated imaging technologies based on lighter skin tones," the article added.

And with the help of technology and the proliferation of cameras, the white and fair skin bias not only persisted but also exacerbated.

Some of Firstpost's evidences include the following:

Failing to Capture the Right Skin Tone

Almost all smartphone cameras struggle to capture dark-skinned people even with perfect lighting conditions, the article stated. All the more would phones have a tricky time capturing pictures if lighting conditions worsen.

Even Xiaomi, the article argued, still struggled to perfectly nail the skin color tones even with its partnership with Leica. It is also the same for OnePlus and its partnership with Hasselblad.

Phones usually blew up the highlights of the skin and gave subjects weird-looking patches of white skin, or made them look darker than they actually are.

In 2021 and 2022, Google made some special adjustments to its Pixel phone's camera algorithms after they were called out on social media for what Firstpost called the "terrible way their cameras handled people of color."

Oversaturating Colors

Firstpost also argued that human brains are designed to favor saturation and contrast over color accuracy, especially when looking at photos on a display. With this in mind, smartphone makers tend to design cameras to oversaturate images.

The issue affects Samsung, as well as Chinese smartphone makers like Xiaomi and OnePlus. It is also the issue plaguing budget smartphones like Realme and other budget Xiaomi models.

"As a result, certain people get this very weird yellow looking on their skin," the article added. "Others get a very weird reddish hue to their skin."

Read Also: Threads Quickly Gains Popularity! Twitter Competitor Exceeds 10 Million Signups in Hours

Facial Recognition Features

The issue regarding facial recognition features is plaguing Asian people, especially those with monolid eyes or epicanthic folds. It also plagued dark-skinned people, the article added.

"When Apple introduced their facial recognition tech (FaceID in iPhones), they were using a TrueDepth camera, which works by projecting thousands of invisible dots onto your face and analyzing them to create a depth map of your face," the article detailed.

As a result of this, Apple's FaceID worked well whether or not the user had ample lighting.

However, the CBC's Mary-Jean Cormier wrote last May that FaceID still had some issues regarding the accidental or intentional unlocking of iPhones by other family members who look like the actual user, such as twins, brothers, parents, or relatives.

Other smartphone marketers tried to copy Apple's tech but only used regular front-facing cameras, especially for budget-friendly Chinese smartphones.

"Their systems basically compared two images, the one that it saw when you tried to unlock the phone, with the image that you 'trained' your device while setting up," Firstpost added.

Beauty Filters

Regarding beauty filters, the article concluded, it is a tricky matter to tackle and the "worst ways in which tech companies showcase their disregard for people with dark skin or different facial features."

Most beauty filters obliterate certain facial features and brighten the subject's skin tone exponentially.

"What's worse is the psychological effect that it has on people and communities," the article added, "it is as harmful as those skin-whitening creams themselves."

While tech companies or smartphones are not inherently racist, Firstpost argued that camera technology is influenced by white people that work for US companies.



EDITOR'S NOTE: HNGN does not, in any way, agree with the insinuation of the writer from Firstpost that white Americans are racist. While we acknowledge racism is real, and is a real problem, we do not believe a generalization of an entire race of people is appropriate.

"What tech companies and smartphone makers can be accused of is ignorance," the piece argued.

Related Article: How To Properly Dispose Old Smartphones: Things to Do Before Throwing It Away

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Key developments on July 6:

Russian missile attack on Lviv kills 7, injures 36

Zelensky visits Bulgaria, Czechia ahead of NATO summit

Ukraine returns 45 POWs, 2 deported children from Russian captivity

Intelligence chief says threat of Russian terror attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant 'going down

A Russian missile attack on Ukraines western city of Lviv killed seven people on July 6.

The State Emergency Service said the attack, which targeted the citys civilian infrastructure, also wounded 36 people. Of those injured, Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said 14 people were hospitalized.

Russian Kalibr missiles, reportedly launched from the Black Sea, struck Lviv Oblast in the early morning. According to the Air Force, Ukraine shot down seven of the 10 Russian missiles over the region.

Lviv Mayor Andrii Sadovyi said the attack struck a residential building in Lviv, as well as damaged 35 buildings in the city and 50 cars. Missile debris also fell near Lviv and Zolochiv, damaging a household. No casualties were reported in those settlements.

The death toll was finalized at around 12 a.m. on July 7 after rescuers retrieved a womans body from under the rubble, Lviv Oblast Governor Maksym Kozytskyi reported. Among those killed were three women aged 32, 60, and 63, and a man aged 35.

"This is the largest attack on the civilian infrastructure of Lviv since the beginning of the full-scale invasion," Sadovyi said.

As of 10 p.m. local time, rescuers cleared about 70% of the rubble, according to Kozytskyi. The rescue operation is reportedly ongoing and will continue throughout the night.

The attack also damaged the "buffer zone" of the UNESCO world heritage site in Lviv, and Ukraines Culture and Information Policy Ministry said it expects decisive actions from UNESCO following the attack.

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

Lviv Oblast is located at the opposite end of Ukraine from the front line, in western Ukraine and bordering Poland. While Lviv is not a frequent target of Russian attacks, Russian forces have occasionally struck the regions critical infrastructure since the start of the all-out war.

Zelensky visits Bulgaria, Czechia ahead of the NATO summit

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6 to discuss military support for Ukraine and the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius.

During the visit, Zelensky met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and signed a joint declaration affirming Bulgaria's support for Ukraine to join NATO "as soon as conditions allow." The declaration also expressed Bulgarias readiness to continue aiding Ukraine both via NATO and at the bilateral level, according to Presidential Office deputy head Ihor Zhovkva.

Bulgaria recognized that Ukraine's NATO accession is "the only way to ensure a sufficient level of security both for Ukraine and the entire Euro-Atlantic family."

According to Zhovkva, Bulgaria is the 22nd country to sign the declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO aspirations.

Zelenskys visit comes as Kyiv is actively trying to mobilize additional support for Ukraine's membership bid ahead of the next NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12. Ukraine hopes to receive a "clear signal" from allies regarding its membership prospects at the summit.

In Bulgaria, Zelensky also met with the countrys president, Rumen Radev. The two discussed, among other key topics, the Ukrainian peace formula, cooperation in the Black Sea region, and Russia's potential attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

However, according to Politico, Zelensky also disagreed with Radev over his negative stance on arming Ukraine and criticized him for describing Russia's all-out war against Ukraine as a "conflict." Zelensky also dismissed Radev's suggestions for a "diplomatic fix," arguing that military aid to Kyiv is a better option than letting the "war come to you."

Radev has been accused of having a pro-Russia stance and called Crimea "Russian" during a 2021 presidential debate. He has also consistently opposed providing large-scale defense assistance to Ukraine.

However, Bulgarias new government, formed in early June under Denkov, appears to be taking active steps to help Ukraine repel Russian aggression: In late June, the country announced its second military aid package for Ukraine.

Speaking at a press conference in Sofia, Zelensky said that Russian propaganda has made some "particularly absurd and dangerous claims" about assistance to Ukraine.

"One of them is the claim that helping Ukraine, whether with weapons or sanctions, is allegedly making this war longer and is not helping to restore security," Zelensky said.

"The reality speaks for itself: We were able to significantly reduce the scale of this war primarily thanks to the weapons we receive," he added, thanking Bulgaria for its defense cooperation.

According to local media, Zelensky landed in Prague, Czechia later on July 6.

From the airport, the president left for Prague Castle, where he is expected to meet with Czech President Petr Pavel, Prime Minister Petr Fiala, top officials, and parliament members.

Zelensky announced his visit to Czechia earlier in the day, saying the "focus" of the trip is to discuss defense assistance for Ukraine and the upcoming NATO summit, among other topics.

Dietzen, Druckman: Vilnius NATO Summit  Accelerating Ukraines membership and deterring Moscow and Minsk This months NATO summit takes place at a time of both peril and opportunity for the future of European security. The Wagner Groups June 24 sprint from Rostov to the gates of Moscow dealt a fresh blow to criticism of NATOs decision to extend a Membership Action The Kyiv IndependentMark Dietzen

Ukraine returns 45 POWs, 2 deported children from Russian captivity

Forty-five Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) and two forcibly deported children returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity on July 6, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported.

The freed prisoners include two civilians, as well as personnel from Ukraines Armed Forces, Territorial Defense Forces, National Guard, border guards, and a navy soldier, the headquarters said, adding that most are privates and sergeants.

Those captured had reportedly defended Mariupol and fought in Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, and Kherson oblasts. Among the released POWs were two people who had been considered missing.

The returned civilians were an employee of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol and an activist from Kherson.

The headquarters reported they had arranged the return of two more illegally deported children in cooperation with Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. According to the report, the childrens mother is a combat medic who was released from Russian captivity earlier in October 2022.

Later in the day, Lubinets posted photographs of the family's long-awaited reunion on Telegram: "Today, a mother and two children who were with their great-grandfather in the temporarily occupied territory were reunited."

According to the governments portal "Children of War," Russia has abducted or forcibly moved 19, 493 Ukrainian children since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Only 380 children have been brought back as of July 6.

It was hell. Mother speaks of rescuing her child from Russian captivity On Oct. 8, Tetiana Bodak was busy organizing a funeral for her mother, who was killed by a Russian attack in then-occupied Kherson Oblast, when she got an unexpected and very emotional phone call from her son. Mom, Im in Oleshky (a Russian-occupied settlement in Kherson Oblast). On the way The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Intelligence chief says threat of Russian terror attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant 'going down'

Ukraine's military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov told The Times on July 6 that the danger of a possible Russian terrorist attack at the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is decreasing.

"We are doing certain actions in this area, both public and not public, and I think now that the danger of an artificial technogenic catastrophe is quietly going down," Budanov said.

Budanovs statement comes after Ukraine's officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, have been warning for the past weeks that Russia is planning an attack against the occupied nuclear power station to leak radiation.

Earlier on July 4, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces warned that a Russian terrorist attack could happen "in the near future," adding that Russian forces have possibly planted explosive devices on the roofs of the third and the fourth reactors.

After inspecting parts of the station, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said they had not yet found any explosives. However, on July 5, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said that the experts have yet to be granted access to the reactors' rooftops.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the largest nuclear power station in Europe, has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. Russian forces have since been using Europe's largest nuclear power plant as a military base to launch attacks against Ukrainian-controlled territory.

On July 4, Zelensky said that the international leaders should show Moscow they are ready to respond to Russia's potential attack on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.

"Now the whole world must realize that common security depends entirely on global attention to the occupiers' actions at the station," he said.
Key developments on July 7:

Pentagon announces $800 million aid package

US approves cluster munitions for Ukraine

Zelensky arrives in Turkey

Russia excludes IAEA experts from Zaporizhzhia plant's reactor rooftops

NATO to agree on package 'to bring Ukraine closer,' says Stoltenberg

Czechia to send Ukraine more attack helicopters, ammunition

Germany delivers military aid, including anti-drone equipment

The U.S. will provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on July 7.

"Russia has been using cluster munitions since the start of the war to attack Ukraine," Sullivan said.

"Russia has been using munitions with a high dud or failure rate of 30-40%," Sullivan added.

"In this environment, Ukraine has been requesting munitions in order to defend its own territory. The cluster munition that we would provide has dud rates far below what Russia is doing, not higher than 2.5%."

Sullivan added that this provision will come as part of a larger military aid package for Ukraine, which will be further specified by the Department of Defense.

Under Secretary for Defense Policy Colin Kahl later announced an $800 million military aid package, which will include cluster munitions, armored vehicles, and other types of ammunition.

US approves cluster munitions for Ukraine The U.S. will provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed on July 7. The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

Next to the cluster munitions, or the dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM), the package will also include artillery rounds, ammunition for Patriot air defense systems, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles, precision aerial ammunition, and various other support equipment.

The step to provide DPICM could prove controversial due to humanitarian concerns over the use of cluster munitions. The unexploded bomblets may pose a danger to the civilian population in the area long after the hostilities end.

More than 100 countries joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions, banning their use, production, and stockpiling. The U.S., Russia, and Ukraine are not among the signatories.

Zelensky's European tour

President Volodymyr Zelensky met his Slovak counterpart Zuzana Caputova in Bratislava on July 7.

Bratislava became the third European capital visited by Zelensky in the past few days. A day prior, Zelensky visited Sofia and Prague.

Caputova said that the defense cooperation between Ukraine and Slovakia is expanding.

The contract for supplying 16 Zuzana-2 howitzers to Ukraine will be "signed soon," said Caputova, adding that both countries would launch the joint development of a new type of howitzers.

Slovakia has already supplied Ukraine with multiple Zuzana-2 Slovak-made 155 mm howitzers.

The same day, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced the delivery of additional attack helicopters and "hundreds of thousands" rounds of large-caliber ammunition "in the coming months" to Ukraine.

The Czech Republic will also help Ukraine train pilots, including on F-16 fighter jets, said Fiala.

Zelensky, Erdogan to meet in Istanbul President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on July 7, the Turkish Presidencys Directorate of Communications wrote. The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova

The country will deliver flight simulators to enable Ukraine to conduct the training on its soil, not just in Western countries.

The announcement comes a day after Zelensky arrived in Prague to meet with Czech President Petr Pavel, Fiala, and other top officials.

Late on July 7, Zelensky's plane landed in Ankara.

Zelensly tours European capitals to seek additional support for Ukraine's NATO membership bid, ahead of an upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius scheduled for July 11-12.

NATO to agree on package 'to bring Ukraine closer,' Stoltenberg says

NATO member states are expected to adopt a three-part package "to bring Ukraine closer" to the alliance, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on July 7.

The package will include a multi-year support program "to ensure full interoperability" between the Ukrainian forces and NATO, establishing the NATO-Ukraine Council "to upgrade political ties" and reaffirming that Ukraine will become a NATO member, Stoltenberg said.

NATO chief also said Zelensky would join the inaugural meeting of the new Council, adding that he "looks forward to welcoming" the Ukrainian leader at the Vilnius summit.

Ukraine applied to join NATO months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

While acknowledging the country cannot enter the alliance before the war's end, Ukrainian leadership has repeatedly called for a "clear signal" on the membership from the allies during the upcoming summit.

On June 3, Zelensky said that "there is no point" in attendance at the Vilnius summit unless NATO offers a membership invitation or "some kind of signal."

Zelensky argues with Bulgarian president over his opposition to arming Ukraine During his July 6 visit to Sofia, President Volodymyr Zelensky argued with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev over his negative stance on arming Ukraine in a televised meeting cited by Politico. The Kyiv IndependentDinara Khalilova

Germany delivers more aid

The German government announced on July 7 it had delivered a new aid package for Ukraine, including anti-drone equipment.

The latest aid is meant to bolster Ukraine's military engineering capabilities as it includes Beaver bridge-laying vehicles and bridges, as well as Dachs armored engineering vehicles.

Ukraine also received three radio jammers, two anti-drone sensors and jammers, six HX81 truck tractor trains, and three semi-trailers.

In its previous package from June 29, Germany's aid also focused on bridge layers, as well as mobile demining systems, vehicles, and a TRML-4D air surveillance radar station.

Russia excludes UN monitors to Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant rooftops

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts have been denied access to the rooftop of the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said during a press conference in Japan on July 7.

On July 4, Zelensky said, citing intelligence, that Russian forces placed explosives on the roof of two power units in "preparation for a provocation" at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

The same day, Renat Karchaa, an adviser to the head of Russia's nuclear power operator Rosenergoatom, claimed that "Ukraine is going to attack" the nuclear plant.

Russia has regularly blamed Ukraine for attacks it itself has perpetrated.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities launched drills and evacuation plans for residents in the area near the plant.

Ukraine and its allies and partners called on Russia to withdraw its troops from the nuclear plant and transfer effective control to the IAEA, the UN nuclear agency.
Radiation drills at ZNPP - Reuters

Concern and rhetoric have ramped up ever since the Ukraine war broke out regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant  so much so that it now has an English acronym, ZNPP. The fear is that one side or the other might seek to cause a dangerous release of radiation or radioactive materials. Realistically the side damaging the plant would be Russia, no matter what Putin might claim.

This is causing a lot of arm-waving around the world, far too much to list here: but a flavour of the commentary is offered by Irelands RTE, which speaks this week of Russia holding Ukraine and the rest of Europe hostage to a nuclear catastrophe at Zaporizhzhia, adding that Ukraines war is increasingly becoming existential for all of us.

Wow  nuclear catastrophe which is existential for all of us. That sounds bad.

Fortunately its a case of ridiculous media overhyping, as is pretty much always the case with nuclear powerplant disasters. So what could actually happen at ZNPP?

The plant has six pressurised water reactors, five of which are in so-called cold shutdown, where the control rods are fully inserted and suppressing the fission chain reaction in the fuel, and everything has had time to cool off. The fuel is still thermally warm and still needs to be cooled with water, but there is not much heat being produced and the water going through the core does not need to be under pressure to keep it liquid  it is below boiling, cooler than the water in a hot kettle.

Reportedly the Russians now operating the plant have kept the sixth reactor in hot shutdown, where it is still not producing enough heat to drive turbines and make electricity as it would in normal operation, but hot enough to make steam for other operations taking place at the plant. This reactor will need more cooling water than the others, but nothing like as much as it would in normal running.

Apart from the reactors themselves, there are spent fuel storage ponds with used fuel rods in them. Again, the water in these needs to be kept topped up so that it doesnt all evaporate and leave the rods to get very hot, which can damage them and lead to radioactive particles being emitted into the air. In some scenarios they might even melt. But again, this requires only small amounts of water compared to normal powerplant operation.

This is why nobody panicked too much when the Russians blew the Kakhova dam. The reservoir behind the dam, now largely empty, was the main source of coolant water for ZNPP: but in its shut down state the plant doesnt need much water and it has a large storage pond on site which should be quite sufficient.

So now lets suppose were the Russians and we want to cause a problem at the plant. In a way that would be simple: just sabotage or cut off cooling water to some or all of the cores and/or spent fuel pools, perhaps blowing holes in the roof at the same time so as to claim the damage was caused by Ukrainian artillery. The Ukrainians have said that they believe explosives have been placed on roofs at the plant for this purpose, and satellite photos do suggest that something new is present on roofs there.

But the results would be underwhelming. Heat would build up in the cores, somewhat more quickly in the hot shutdown one, though this would automatically scram itself  fully drop in its control rods, inhibiting the generation of heat  unless prevented. Water would start to evaporate from the spent fuel pools, if their supplies were also cut off.

But the situation would remain fully retrievable for a long time. Fairly ordinary kit such as water tankers and fire trucks would allow the pools to be topped up and the cores to be kept cool, given the low amounts of heat needing to be dealt with. If the Russians emptied the plants own water pond, other water sources could be used.

So the Russians would need not only to sabotage the plant, but stop people trying to make it safe, for a long time, to create their incident. But maybe they would do that, though it would render the idea they hadnt caused the problem completely untenable. Or maybe they could try to power up some reactors with cooling sabotaged, though this would not be simple: the cores would scram themselves again very soon unless they were prevented. In a scenario which would be very difficult to present as an accident they might force cores to melt down: but they would then have scrammed themselves even more effectively as the control rods would actually be mixed with the fuel. What then?

The worst case thats at all believable would be a sort of sub-Fukushima situation, in which one or more reactor cores eventually got hot enough to force steam out of its containment, either because pressure built up high enough to cause a breach or because the Russians had opened up cores on purpose, or because they had forced meltdowns. Radioactive material would come out of the containment along with the steam.

Such radioactive steam releases took place for a long time at Fukushima, where three cores melted down within days of the tsunami strike. A ZNPP situation would be far less severe, as the Fukushima cores had been running at full normal power before the quake and tsunami hit. There would be far less heat to drive the process at ZNPP. Nuclear powerplant incidents are generally considered to be over when cold shutdown is achieved, and ZNPP is almost completely there already.

The other reason why ZNPP would be less serious than Fukushima is that all the ZNPP cores have been in shutdown since last September, which means that they stopped creating radioisotopic iodine  iodine-131  at that point. Radio-iodine is the primary health risk to human beings outside the powerplant itself in a situation like this: but it has a half-life of just eight days, meaning that only minuscule, insignificant amounts of it now remain in the ZNPP cores. If we do somehow see core venting at ZNPP, there shouldnt be any radio-iodine to worry about. Reportedly the Ukrainians have stockpiled iodine pills, used to prevent absorption of radio-iodine into the body, but in most scenarios they should not start handing them out: people have done themselves a lot of harm following other nuclear incidents by needlessly taking iodine or salt.

So all in all, even a very bad situation at ZNPP would be far less bad than Fukushima. That is very comforting, for the simple reason that radiation releases at Fukushima did not cause any measurable harm to anyone, including the plant workers. Poor reporting at the time and thereafter has meant that this reality hasnt been widely grasped, but the post-Fukushima findings of the UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) are clear. Future health effects directly related to radiation exposure are unlikely to be discernible, according to the UN scientists. That means no increased cancer rates, nothing. It has since been acknowledged that the panicky evacuation of many people from the neighbourhood of the Fukushima plant caused far more harm than it prevented, and people are returning.

Another comforting point to note about Fukushima is that even with the plant up and running, it required an earthquake and tsunami event about as powerful as seven million strategic nuclear warheads going off to damage the plant to the point where there was a problem. Nuclear powerplants, even quite old designs like ZNPP and Fukushima, are some of the toughest and most resilient things the human race has ever built. If the Russians want to do something beyond sabotage  like blowing open a reactor core with conventional weapons or explosives  theyre going to have to use a hell of a lot of firepower: so much that it will clearly not have been an accident.

We need to keep a sense of perspective and remember that Russia has many other nuclear facilities and a massive nuclear arsenal at its disposal. Putin can cause any kind of nuclear event he wants. He could let off a nuclear weapon at ZNPP and claim the plant blew up, but this would be a glaringly obvious lie and he would suffer the same consequences  massive conventional intervention by the US and total military defeat  as if he had let off a nuke anywhere else. The only different thing about an accident-like event at ZNPP is that it might offer some vestigial veil of deniability, some suggestion that Russia did not cause a nuclear problem on purpose. But as we have seen, in any even vaguely plausible damaged powerplant narrative, there is nothing to fear: just as there was nothing to fear at Fukushima.

Indeed the parallels with Fukushima would seem to go further than this. In Fukushima Province in 2011 there was a genuine, enormous earthquake and tsunami catastrophe which killed people in huge numbers and destroyed homes and industry across vast areas: but around the world nobody cared about that. The world and its media chose to focus attention almost entirely on the insignificant dangers resulting from the presence of a nuclear powerplant in the area.

In Ukraine today there is an extremely bloody high-intensity war going on, in which troops are dying in huge numbers and civilians, including children, are being killed, crippled and injured every day. Towns and cities have been razed and people driven from their homes in huge numbers. There has been mass murder, torture and rape. The Kakhova Dam has been blown, killing still more people, wrecking vast areas of farmland and destroying still more dwellings and infrastructure.

Lets focus on the actual real catastrophe which is genuinely happening, not the relatively insignificant dangers which could result from the presence of ZNPP. And lets remember that the genuine non-nuclear catastrophe underway in Ukraine is not a natural event as at Fukushima: it is the result of the murderous, criminal aggression of Vladimir Putin.

Comfortable Westerners far away should not allow foolish fears of nuclear catastrophe, existential for us all to affect our own decisions. In particular such foolish fears should not lead us to pressure the Ukrainians into a disadvantageous peace settlement.

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Ukraine would welcome cluster munitions from US - Zelenskiy aide

FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian military displays parts of rockets used by Russian army in the region of Kharkiv

By Pavel Polityuk

KYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine would welcome receiving cluster munitions from the United States because they would have an "extraordinary psycho-emotional impact" on Russian forces, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday.

Three U.S officials speaking on condition of anonymity this week said a weapons aid package that includes cluster munitions fired by a 155 millimetre Howitzer cannon was expected to be announced as soon as Friday.

Such a move is opposed by human rights groups but could provide a powerful new element to a counteroffensive against Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

"Undoubtedly, the transfer of additional volumes of shells to Ukraine is a very significant contribution to the acceleration of de-occupation procedures," presidential political adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters.

"Especially if we are talking about cluster ammunition, which is undoubtedly capable of having an extraordinary psycho-emotional impact on already demoralised Russian occupation groups."

He said a decline in the combat capacity and morale of Russian soldiers was "an important component that can be provided by this type of projectile".

Ukraine needed more shells and ammunition and was grateful to its partners for "understanding the harsh realities of war," Podolyak said.

The White House said on Thursday that sending cluster munitions to Ukraine was "under active consideration" but that it had no announcement to make.

Human Rights Watch has called on Russia and Ukraine to stop using cluster munitions and urged the U.S. not to supply them. The group said that both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used the weapons, which have killed Ukrainian civilians.

The munitions, banned by over 120 countries, typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area.

(Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Ukraine's Defence Minister explains what Ukrainian army should look like in future

Ukraine needs a professional army in the long run, relying on several trained reserves, says the countrys Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov.

Source: Reznikov's article for Interfax-Ukraine news agency

Quote: "The human aspect of Ukraine's defence of the future is a professional army with a transparent military career path and a high level of social protection, based on a trained reserve formed of all men liable for military service and involving women on a voluntary basis (except for those categories of women who are liable for military service)."

Details: Reznikov believes that conscription should be abolished and replaced with an intensive basic military training course for those liable for military service.

And after basic training, the minister said, separate training tracks are needed for different groups of conscripts, aimed at ensuring a real rather than a formal reserve.

Reznikov is of the opinion that Ukraine needs:

ombat reserve , consisting of individuals with combat experience who can quickly replenish specific military units;

territorial reserve for territorial defence units;

operational reserve  persons liable for military service who have served but usually do not have combat experience; they will create a safety margin for operational commands;

conscription reserve , consisting of persons who have undergone basic military training;

registration reserve  persons without basic training, etc.

Reznikov believes Ukraine also needs to move away from the assertion that "there are 7 million people liable for military service in Ukraine", which is useless, and fully digitalise the registration of individuals liable for military service. He added that the Defence Ministry is actively working on this.

Meanwhile, the defence minister said the registration function should be separated from the reserve preparation function.

He believes that the function of military record-keeping should be excluded from the tasks of the General Staff and the Ground Forces Command and that a separate agency should be created within the MoD. Meanwhile, the conditions for training and maintaining the readiness of the relevant reserve should be ensured at the level of units, operational commands, etc.

As Reznikov said, the potential for voluntary participation of citizens in defence measures should be maximised and increased by improving the motivation system. Starting with the instruments of legalising firearms circulation.

The minister also believes a decision should be made on the civilian reserve.

Quote: "During the active phase of the war, we see how many people, including those drafted, are directly involved in the hostilities. A significant part of the 'million under the bayonet' performs purely civilian functions. It would be irrational to make these people 'military' until the end of the special period. There should be a different approach.

When we show society that we involve people in defence as rationally and fairly as possible and train them, the volume of negative phenomena will decrease. After all, some of those who run away from their duty to defend the country and avoid the army are primarily fleeing uncertainty, injustice and abuse," Reznikov concluded.

Background:

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said that after the war, Ukraine will abandon conscription in its current form and create a professional army and two reserve components.

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By Tom Balmforth

KYIV (Reuters) - Before he was killed in a Russian missile strike last July, CEO Oleksiy Vadaturskiy decided Ukrainian grain exporting giant Nibulon would build up an export route via the Danube River that would be more secure than precarious wartime sea exports.

With the Black Sea export deal now hanging by a thread 16 months into a war that has devastated the firm he founded, that decision is one reason Nibulon is not bankrupt, said his son and successor Andriy.

"It was a survival kit that my father left," he told Reuters in an interview at Nibulon's offices in Kyiv.

The Danube has become their main export route, channelling 190,000 tonnes of grain per month from a standing start when Russia invaded in February 2022, blockading vital sea exports.

The company built a terminal on the Danube on Ukraine's southwestern rim and is now completing a third berth to up capacity to 250,000 tonnes a month in August, Vadaturskiy said.

He added that Nibulon never had faith in the Black Sea grain deal and was surprised it had been agreed in the first place. It has become so unpredictable that buyers were ready to pay over the odds to avoid dealing with it, he said.

The Danube made up roughly a half of Nibulon's exports during the 2022-23 marketing year. That share has risen to 70%-80% versus the volumes it ships across the Black Sea under the grain deal.

"There are a few things that saved the company from bankruptcy. One thing is my father's decision to build this terminal. Because we could plan things, we could sell the goods forward ... Russia and the corridor and the setup they have do not provide this possibility," he said.

He acknowledged that the Danube route where infrastructure is less developed is more expensive than the Black Sea.

"We decided to have a more expensive logistics route, but more secure route."

Nibulon's exports have roughly halved during the invasion and logistics costs have soared.

It exported 2.34 million metric tons in the 2022/23 marketing year, down from 4.6 million tons the previous year.

Before the war, it cost $12 per metric ton for Nibulon to get grain inland loaded onto a vessel; the figure hit a wartime peak of $154 in August before falling to the current level of $70-75, he said.

OCCUPATION, MINES AND LOANS

Vadaturskiy's father and mother were killed on July 31 when a Russian missile crashed into their home in southern Mykolaiv.

The father made Nibulon Ukraine's biggest grain exporter by investing in logistics to build up river transport capacity, a fleet of vessels at Mykolaiv and its own shipyard.

Fifteen years worth of investment along the Dnipro that bisects Ukraine have been wiped out by the destruction last month of the Kakhovka Dam and the emptying of its reservoir that was a key part of that waterway, he said.

"The whole transportation system and navigation will be rebuilt only after with the rebuilding of the Kakhovka Dam and the filling up of the water, increasing the level and you can start navigation again. It's a very long process," he said.

Pre-war, the company employed 6,000 people. It has lost 40% of staff to people fleeing the country, serving in the army and being killed. Tracts of its land are occupied by Russia or strewn with mines.

Since the war started, Nibulon has had a loan portfolio of $570 million with creditors including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the IFC and EIB, he said.

The company has stabilised financially and is holding restructuring talks with creditors, he said, adding that Ukrainian banks are taking a leading role in that process.

The company is now Ukraine's third or fourth top exporter.

If the Black Sea deal ends on July 17, Nibulon would benefit in the short term, he said. But it would drive up the price of logistics and transport for farmers and in turn hammer Ukrainian production.

"That is why they would produce less and Nibulon would lose in the long-run and Ukraine would produce less."

(Reporting by Tom Balmforth; editing by David Evans)
The Ukrainian defence forces have had partial success and are consolidating their positions in the area of Klishchiivka on the Bakhmut front, with heavy fighting continuing.

Source: Military Media Centre with reference to a statement by Andrii Kovaliov, spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The Defence Forces continue to conduct offensive operations on the Bakhmut front. North and south of Bakhmut, they continue to put pressure on the Russians and drive them out of their previously captured positions.

Quote: "We have had partial success in the area of Klishchiivka, consolidating the positions we have achieved. Heavy fighting continues here."

Background:

On 6 July, Serhii Cherevatyi, Spokesman for the Eastern Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, stated that heavy fighting continues near Klishchiivka on the Bakhmut front.

On 5 July, Andrii Kovaliov, spokesman for the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces, stated that the Ukrainian troops have advanced in the area of the settlement of Klishchiivka on the Bakhmut front.

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Ukrainian defenders kill more than 500 occupiers and destroy 2 tanks and 17 drones

Over the past day, Ukrainian Defence Forces killed another 510 occupiers and destroyed 2 tanks, 17 unmanned aerial vehicles and other military equipment.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces from 24 February 2022 to 7 July 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

Approximately 232,810 (+510) military personnel;

4,070 (+2) tanks;

7,944 (+12) armoured combat vehicles;

4,330 (+20) artillery systems;

658 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems;

408 (+4) air defence systems;

315 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;

309 (+0) helicopters;

3,652 (+17) tactical UAVs;

1,271 (+7) cruise missiles;

18 (+0) ships/boats;

6,898 (+10) vehicles and tankers;

612 (+7) special vehicles.

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The data analysed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) indicates that the defence forces of Ukraine conducted a counterattack on three frontline areas on 6 July and thus continued to weaken the Russians in terms of both manpower and equipment.

Source: the ISW

Details: The review notes that self-proclaimed Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that the founder of the Wagner PMC, Yevgeny Prigozhin, and his forces were not in Belarus as of 6 July.

Russian sources have also reported that Prigozhin is in Russia, although ISW cannot confirm his whereabouts at this time.

The analysts pointed out that Prigozhin's ability to operate freely in Russia indicates that he is still protected by certain security guarantees and/or that the Kremlin continues to prioritise the undermining of his reputation in Russia over physical or legal prosecution.

Ukrainian troops conducted counter-offensive operations on at least three frontline areas on 6 July and continued efforts to gradually weaken Russian manpower and logistics support.

Ukrainian and Russian officials have changed their rhetoric on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and started talking about reducing risks.

According to the ISW, the Russian rhetoric around ZNPP is aimed at preventing Western support for Ukraine and stopping counteroffensive operations in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Experts also noted that the Russian media outlet Verstka reported that Russian troops and the occupation authorities were conducting a campaign of widespread religious persecution in occupied Ukraine.

According to Verstka, since 24 February 2022, Russian troops and the occupation authorities have committed at least 109 acts of religious persecution and destroyed almost 600 religious buildings in Ukraine.

The ISW has previously assessed that Russian forces were likely to intensify their campaign, and that Russian authorities were conducting religious persecution in a manner that was completely at odds with efforts to present Russian President Vladimir Putin as a true defender of Christianity.

Russian military bloggers have claimed that some of the plans for Russian defence operations in southern Ukraine have serious limitations and may not be as effective as previously portrayed by Russian sources.

In particular, they have claimed that the Russians are unable to rotate their troops in these positions.

In fact, this confirms the ISW's earlier assessment that Russian troops probably lack combat-ready reserves.

According to the analysts, the inability to conduct any rotation is likely to lead to a faster degradation of Russian formations defending against Ukrainian counteroffensive in Ukraine's south.

To quote the ISW's Key Takeaways on 6 July:

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin and Wagner forces are not in Belarus as of 6 July, indicating that Prigozhin may be failing to uphold the deal Lukashenko mediated between Prigozhin and Russian President Vladimir Putin following Wagners armed rebellion on 24 June.

Russian sources also indicated that Prigozhin was in Russia, although the ISW could not confirm Prigozhins whereabouts at this time.

Prigozhins ability to freely operate in Russia suggests that Prigozhin is still protected by some security guarantees and/or that the Kremlin continues to prioritise undermining his reputation in Russia over targeting Prigozhin physically or legally.

Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations on at least three sectors of the front on 6 July and are continuing efforts to gradually degrade Russian manpower and logistics assets.

Ukrainian and Russian officials largely de-escalated their rhetoric regarding the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) on 6 July.

Russian political actors continue attempts to court or control Russian milbloggers, indicating that many view the milblogger community as a critical constituency.

Russian opposition media outlet Vertska reported that Russian forces and occupation authorities are conducting a campaign of systematic religious persecution in occupied Ukraine.

Russian milbloggers claimed that aspects of Russian defensive operations in southern Ukraine have severe limitations and may not be as effective as Russian sources have previously portrayed them.

Russian and Ukrainian forces conducted ground attacks along the Svatove-Kreminna line.

Visual evidence confirms that Ukrainian forces have advanced southwest of Bakhmut as of 6 July.

Russian forces continued ground attacks on the Bakhmut and Avdiivka-Donetsk City fronts.

Ukrainian forces conducted counteroffensive operations along the administrative border between Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk oblasts and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Russian officials continue efforts to create territorial defence units in Russian border oblasts.

Occupation officials continue efforts to forcibly assimilate Ukrainian legal and cultural traditions into the Russian system in occupied territories.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed on 6 July that Russia will transfer all planned tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus by the end of 2023, if not earlier.

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Ukrainian military has partial success near Klishchiyivka, says General Staff

Ukrainian forces continue to conduct offensive operations in three directions

Ukraines Defense Forces have had partial success near the village of Klishchiyivka, south of the war-torn town of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, with heavy fighting ongoing there, Ukrainian General Staff spokesperson Andriy Kovaliov said on national television on July 7.

The Ukrainian military is putting pressure on Russian troops to the north and south of Bakhmut, trying to oust them from previously captured lines, Kovaliov said.

Ukrainian forces continue to conduct offensive operations in the Melitopol, Bakhmut and Berdyansk areas, consolidating their positions, inflicting fire damage with artillery on enemy targets, as well as conducting counter-battery fire, the spokesperson also noted.

At the same time, the Russian invaders are resisting and actively using reserves, he said.

Read also: Russian invaders focusing primary efforts in four areas of front

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military continues to prevent invading Russian forces from advancing in the Lyman, Avdiyivka and Maryinka areas of the front line.

The Russian invaders have started leaving Klishchiyivka, according to reports on Russian social networks that started to appear on July 5.

Ukrainian forces are advancing in the south and in the east of Bakhmut, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on July 4. However, heavy fighting continues in the north.

At the same time, Russia is actively using chemical weapons against the Ukrainian military in the Bakhmut area, said Ukraines Operational Command Tavria spokesman Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi.

Dmytrashkivskyi on July 5 claimed the Russians had fired artillery shells containing lewisite  a chemical agent used in the First World War. It can cause blistering on the skin and mucous membranes on contact.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
OceanGate has announced it was suspending "all exploration and commercial operations" after the destruction of its submersible Titan and the death of all its five passengers, including CEO Stockton Rush. The announcement was quietly made through a small banner header on OceanGate's website.

The small announcement was made two weeks after the company's sub catastrophically imploded near the wreck of the Titanic, sparking a massive multi-day search effort helmed by US and Canadian authorities.

The four other doomed passengers aboard the Titan were Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Hamish Harding.

Officials now believe all five men were instantly killed in the implosion. Further investigations are continuing.

Remnants of the sub, such as its tail cone, were discovered near the Titanic on June 22, with "presumed human remains" also recovered in the days following the confirmation.

Prior to the announcement, the company allegedly continued to market the expeditions. OceanGate is yet to provide further comment or information about its operational pause.

Read Also: HNGN's Coverage of the OceanGate Titan Tragedy

Latest Details on the Titan Tragedy

In the weeks since the incident, Rush and OceanGate were criticized for their complete disregard for vessel and crew safety, which might have contributed to the sub's destruction.

One of the newest revelations revealed in the past few days was Rush's admission that the Titan was struck by lightning over the Bahamas in 2018.

Christine Dawood, Shahzada's widow, and Suleman's mother, also spoke with the New York Times about how Rush turned off all the floodlights on its way down to the ocean floor to conserve battery power.

In the early days of the search, former OceanGate co-founder Guillermo Soehnlein, defended Rush against accusations of hubris, telling the BBC he admired his former business partner's "healthy respect for risk" as well as "the dangers of the deep ocean."

However, "Titanic" film director and deep-sea explorer James Cameron expressed remorse for not sounding the alarm earlier about the Titan's design flaws.

On the culture front, Los Angeles Times arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt wrote an opinion piece describing the vitriol most of the jokes and memes about the tragedy give to the discussion.

Related Article: OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush Admits Titan was Struck by Lightning in 2018

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ukrainian soldiers are selling downed Russian drones and artillery shells to raise money for the war

Ukrainian soldiers are selling war memorabilia to raise funds for frontline soldiers. Sofiia Gatilova/Reuters

Donations from civilians to the Ukrainian war effort have dwindled since it began in 2022.

So soldiers are auctioning defunct weapons and war footage to raise money for supplies and weapons.

"We don't get that stuff issued to us," one soldier said. "We buy it all with our own money."

Ukrainian soldiers are selling war memorabilia  like downed Russian drones, artillery shells, and firsthand footage of Russian defeats  to raise funds for frontline soldiers, the New York Times reports.

Soldiers told the Times that several units fighting Russian forces in Ukraine have to buy their own weapons and supplies, usually relying on outside donations. Those donations have waned since the war first began, they told the outlet.

Ruslan Zubariev, for example, made money off a viral video of him single-handedly killing a group of Russian soldiers with a rocket launcher. The funds went straight to his unit  the 92nd Mechanized Brigade  to purchase equipment.

"We don't get that stuff issued to us," Zubariev told the Times. "We buy it all with our own money."

Others are sending defunct weapons  like disabled antitank missile launchers  to be decorated and sold to the highest bidder at an art center in Kyiv, according to the Times.

Meanwhile, the head of the Come Back Alive foundation  a charity dedicated to funding the Ukrainian war effort  told the Times that the group has also seen donations dwindle since 2022 and has also turned to selling tokens of war, like downed Russian drones.

"Civilians don't realize that if they're tired and stop donating, it doesn't mean the war is over," Zubariev told the Times.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainians, Belarusians help turn Warsaw into hub of creative arts Polish cultural scene becomes hub for artists from beyond eastern border

By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska

WARSAW (Reuters) - Yulia Krivich is part of a burgeoning community of artists from around the former Soviet Union that has helped turn the Polish capital into a major hub of creative talent, especially after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of her native Ukraine.

Krivich, who has lived in Poland for more than a decade, now organises exhibitions, workshops and other events at Warsaw's Museum of Modern Art with the aim of confronting what she sees as the collective trauma of Russian colonialism.

"We came here (to the museum) on the third day of the invasion and stayed. We like to call it the occupation of the Museum of Modern Art and the director is happy with the occupation," Krivich, 34, joked.

"We came here to make banners for a protest at the Russian embassy and stayed," she said.

Even before Russian troops poured into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Poland had been hosting thousands of migrants from the east, including people who fled a Moscow-backed uprising in eastern Ukraine and turmoil in Belarus and Central Asian states.

Poland, which borders Belarus and Ukraine, and was also once part of the Russian empire under the tsars and then of the Moscow-led Soviet bloc for decades - is a perfect place, in Krivich's view, for artists to explore the theme of "decolonising Russia".

"Many of my friends from Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Belarus feel at home here, also mentally, culturally and ideologically We have a common past," Krivich told Reuters.

THEATRE

Warsaw is also proving fertile territory for drama.

In the courtyard of Warsaw's New Theatre, Marina Dashuk awaits the performance of her mentee Palina Dabravolskaya, a 27-year old Belarusian director and actress completing a residency for Belarusian artists launched in 2021.

Dashuk, 44, has worked as a theatre producer in Poland since 2013, but it was only after the crushing of anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020 that she focused on working with fellow Belarusian artists.

"When the revolution in Belarus began, artists started fleeing... Then (Russian-born playwright and director) Ivan Vyrypaev proposed making a theatre play with Belarusian actors and that is how our huge cooperation with the New Theatre began," Dashuk said.

The play's title "1.8m" refers to the space available to individuals in overcrowded Belarusian prisons. Directed by Vyrypaev, the performance is based on political prisoners' court speeches and letters.

The New Theatre not only gave the refugee actors a chance to perform but also helped them with accommodation and visas. Since then, other institutions have followed suit.

"Poland is the only country where Belarusians can easily legalise their stay... All independent art initiatives that used to be in Minsk are now in Warsaw," said Dashuk.

Vyrypaev, 49, whose plays have been staged in more than 250 theatres worldwide, has also launched a new project in Warsaw - Teal House, staffed by Ukrainian and Belarusian refugees, offers activities ranging from drama and music performances to yoga and trauma healing.

In May, a Moscow District Court arrested Vyrypaev in absentia for spreading "fake news" about the Russian army.

"These are incredibly tragic circumstances," Vyrypaev said, referring to the war. "But Poland has a chance to become a real leader... of eastern Europe... It is a chance that should not be missed."

(Reporting by Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska; Editing by Gareth Jones)
LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday he hoped NATO could proceed with ratifying Sweden's accession to the alliance as soon as possible, pointing out the "significant benefits" of the country's membership.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the two spoke on Friday on a range of matters, including Ukraine, their bilateral relationship and tackling illegal immigration.

"He underlined the significant benefits of Sweden joining NATO and the progress they have made in addressing Turkey's legitimate security concerns and hoped the alliance could proceed with ratifying their accession as soon as possible," the spokesperson said before a NATO summit next week.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Piper)
FILE PHOTO: Commercial vessels including vessels which are part of Black Sea grain deal wait to pass the Bosphorus strait off the shores of Yenikapi in Istanbul

By Michelle Nichols

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -If Russia does not agree to extend a deal allowing the safe export of grain and fertilizer from Ukrainian ports, it is unlikely Western states will continue cooperating with U.N. officials helping Moscow with its exports, the United Nations aid chief said on Friday.

Russia has threatened to quit the deal, which expires on July 17, because several demands to dispatch its own grain and fertilizer have not been met. The last three ships traveling under the deal are loading cargoes at the Ukrainian port of Odesa and are likely to depart on Monday.

"The world has seen the value of the Black Sea Initiative ... this isn't something you chuck away," the U.N.'s Martin Griffiths told reporters.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help tackle a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion of its neighbor and blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed the deal with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Friday.

"We are working on how long we can extend (the deal) after July 17. Our hope is that, it will be extended at least once every three months, not every two months. We will make an effort in this regard and try to increase the duration of it to two years," Erdogan said in a joint news conference with Zelenskiy.

Zelenskiy said the Black Sea deal was important to help the world fight hunger.

"It is crucial that we take action in such a way that the life of the grain corridor, and therefore the lives of other people, does not depend on the mood with which the President of the Russian Federation wakes up," Zelenskiy said.

More than 32 million tonnes of corn, wheat and other grains have been exported by Ukraine under the arrangement. Russia has complained that not enough reaches poor countries, but the United Nations argues that it has benefited those states by helping lower food prices more than 20% globally.

Griffiths is the lead U.N. official on the Ukraine Black Sea deal, while senior U.N. trade official Rebeca Grynspan is working to ease Russia's food and fertilizer exports.

Grynspan hopes to travel to Moscow before July 17 and Griffiths hopes to meet with the parties next week in Istanbul, where a joint coordination center of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials implements the Black Sea deal.

AMMONIA PIPELINE DAMAGE

Grynspan has been working with the United States, European Union, Britain and others to smooth Russian exports. Russia has described the Black Sea deal and the agreement to facilitate its own exports as a single package.

"A single package works both ways," said Griffiths, suggesting that any Western cooperation with U.N. officials on Russian exports might evaporate if the Black Sea deal was not extended by Moscow.

To convince Russia to agree to the Black Sea deal, a three-year memorandum of understanding was struck at the same time under which U.N. officials agreed to help Russia with its food and fertilizer exports.

While Russian exports of food and fertilizer are not subject to Western sanctions imposed after the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Moscow says restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

Russia's demands include resuming Black Sea ammonia exports and reconnecting the Russian Agricultural Bank to the SWIFT payment system. The Black Sea deal allows for ammonia exports - a key ingredient in nitrate fertilizer - but none has shipped.

A pipeline, which once pumped up to 2.5 million tonnes of ammonia annually for global export to Ukraine's Pivdennyi port on the Black Sea from Togliatti in western Russia, has lain idle since the start of the war.

Last month it was damaged in three places, Griffiths said, adding that the U.N. had offered to send in a team to assess it. He said both sides were interested, but a team had not yet been deployed because the pipeline damage was in an active war zone.

He said if it could be repaired then an arrangement would be needed to protect it from the war. According to the International Energy Agency, it is the world's longest ammonia pipeline at about 2,470 kilometres (1,534 miles).

"So there's lots of impediments to making that a realistic prospect immediately," Griffiths said.

As the expiration date looms, the Black Sea grain deal is grinding to a halt.

No new ships have been registered to travel to Ukraine since June 26. Under the deal, Russia, Ukraine and Turkey approved the ships to travel and all vessels are inspected by a joint team of Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish and U.N. officials.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Additional reporting by Can Sezer in Istanbul and Elaine Monaghan in Washington and Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Kyiv; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Grant McCool)
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) - AI-powered robotic vehicles could deliver food parcels to conflict and disaster zones by as early as next year in a move aimed to spare the lives of humanitarian workers, a World Food Programme (WFP) official told Reuters.

Attacks against aid workers have intensified in recent years amid the highest number of violent conflicts since World War Two, according to the United Nations. WFP, the U.N.'s food aid agency, alone lost three workers earlier this year in Sudan's conflict.

"Sometimes it's too dangerous to send in a driver or WFP staff. So using that technology could actually be a step change," said Bernhard Kowatsch, who heads the WFP's innovation department.

Kowatsch was speaking on the sidelines of a conference organised by the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva to make the case for AI to help reach U.N. global goals, such as eliminating hunger.

The trucks are amphibious and can carry about 1-2 tonnes of food each. They were first conceived during the battle for Syria's Aleppo, between 2012 and 2016, when humanitarian workers struggled to get aid to besieged parts of the city, Kowatsch said.

Air drops were expensive and required large spaces not readily available in that part of Syria, he said.

The U.N. agency is already using about 50 of the vehicles in South Sudan but they currently require drivers. As part of the AHEAD (Autonomous Humanitarian Emergency Aid Devices) project with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), WFP will test them without drivers early next year, Kowatsch said.

AI is used to combine data gleaned from various sources including satellite and sensors, allowing remote drivers to steer the vehicles.

South Sudan, where some 7.7 million people face severe food insecurity and flooding hampers access, is set to be the first place for the roll-out, Kowatsch said.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
A former North Carolina town mayor has been tapped to lead the financially ailing Barber-Scotia College, a historically Black college northeast of Charlotte.

The colleges Board of Trustees unanimously appointed Chris V. Rey after a nationwide search, according to a school news release Thursday. Rey served six years as the mayor of Spring Lake, a Fayetteville suburb, ending in 2017.

He succeeds Tracey Flemmings, a 1986 graduate of the HBCU, who led on an interim basis for the past 18 months. He starts July 17.

I was ecstatic initially. I was very excited because I understand the gravity of the position, Rey told the Charlotte Observer. Its a lot of work and even with the challenges of Barber-Scotia, any institution has a lot of work and Im very humbled.

Rey, who says he runs a consulting firm, is a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Army National Guard and a native of the Virgin Islands. He grew up in Spring Lake. A Democrat, he made an unsuccessful primary bid for a U. S. Senate seat in 2016 against Deborah Ross.

His appointment comes as the 155-year-old HBCU perseveres on a quest to regain its accreditation lost in 2004, while digging out from years of shaky fortunes. As of spring, the school had only four students enrolled who attend online, the Charlotte Observer previously reported. The last commencement was held in 2019. School leadership hatched a five-year plan to bring it back to relevance, guided by three alumnae.

For years, Barber-Scotia has squared off with officials in Concord, where it is based.

In 2017, Concord officials created a task force to partner with the struggling college and craft a revitalization plan. But school leadership and the city often disagreed over what the task forces goals should be. The city offered funds for an engineering and construction study on the campus buildings, the Observer reported. The task force also started a community survey in 2021 to generate new ideas for the campus.

But city officials say the school leadership resisted or rejected these approaches.

In recent months, city officials accused the school of obstruction and not cooperating with its task force. The City Council dissolved it in March.

Barber-Scotia also has faced issues with the Cabarrus County tax office, caused by the loss of its tax-exempt status. The tax exemption for 14 of the 24 parcels of school-owned land was revoked  and led to a $127,000 new tax bill.

The property is mostly vacant, but has two dorms needing repairs and deemed hazards by the city. The city hired a contractor to demolish the buildings since the college was unable to pay, school leadership said previously. But a $380,000 tab was not sent to the college until 2021, the board said.

Trustees and alumni remain optimistic.

We are ecstatic to have Mr. Rey join our Barber-Scotia College Community. He will bring great energy, wisdom, professionalism, and the support our campus needs, Flemmings said in the release.

I am delighted, excited, alumni president Pam Day told the Charlotte Observer. I do believe our newly elected president is going to transform Barber-Scotia and bring us back. He has clearly laid out a plan that includes getting our college accredited, students and changing our reputation.

Spring Lake mayor

Rey served as Spring Lake mayor from 2011 to 2017. During that time, state officials found Spring Lake reportedly spent nearly $500,000 on purchases that were either questionable or in violation of its own policies, a 2016 state audit found, the News & Observer previously reported.

The previous administration didnt do a good job of holding departments and people accountable, Rey told the Charlotte Observer.

I removed the finance director and the other department head resigned and that was it, Rey said. Fortunately, that situation, fell in my lap as the mayor of the city, but we cleaned it up and Im very proud of what we did.

Rey earned his bachelors degree in business administration with a concentration in information systems from Walden University and has a law degree from William & Mary School of Law in Virginia.

During his military career, Rey worked with a special team to stand up the first cyber brigade headquarters for the National Guard, according to his website.

He currently serves as international president of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., one of the nations oldest historically black fraternities, founded in 1914.
The North Carolina Court of Appeals.

A Buncombe County man convicted of drunken driving using blood drawn while he was unconscious could bring a constitutional case to the state's highest court.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled July 5 against Kyle Allen Burris, with two of the three judges saying "exigent circumstances 'almost always' exist to conduct a warrantless blood draw where an unconscious driver is taken to the hospital."

But because one of the judges dissented, calling the decision not to seek a warrant the "height of hypocrisy," Burris now has an automatic right of appeal to the N.C. Supreme Court. It is not clear yet if he will do so. Neither Burris nor attorneys on either side of the case responded to July 6 messages.

Burris, now 34, was a resident of Leicester, though some records now show he lives in Madison County.

Ruling in favor of Burris' Buncombe County Superior Court conviction were Judges Chris Dillon and Fred Gore. Judge John Tyson dissented. All are Republicans. An appeal based on an alleged violation of Burris' Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure would face a Supreme Court made up of five Republicans and two Democrats.

The case originated with N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Richard Lancaster responding to a single-vehicle accident on Browntown Road in Leicester the night of Nov. 22, 2014. Lancaster found a pickup truck off the right side of the road with extensive damage, according to an incident report and court documents. The truck was against a steel fence and Burris was lying trapped underneath, unresponsive, bleeding extensively and apparently badly injured, the documents said.

Lancaster testified Burris smelled of alcohol and that he found open beer cans in and out of the truck. An ambulance took Burris to the hospital while the trooper spent an hour investigating and securing the scene, during which he determined Burris was the truck's owner. There was no evidence anyone else had been riding in the truck, he said.

Writing for the majority Dillon said evidence showed "the trooper went directly to the hospital after completing his work at the crash scene, and that the trooper obtained a blood sample from Defendant while Defendant remained unconscious."

North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Chris Dillon

Using that evidence, Burris was convicted in 2017 in District Court for driving while impaired and reckless driving to endanger. Judge Patricia Young denied a motion to suppress the blood test, which showed an alcohol level above the legal limit, and sentenced him to five days in jail with credit for time served.

Burris appealed to Superior Court, exercising his automatic right to a jury trial which was held in 2021. There Judge Jacqueline Grant also denied the motion to suppress the evidence. The jury returned guilty verdicts on both charges and he was sentenced to a six-month suspended sentenced with probation and made to pay $1,100 in fines and fees. He filed an appeal within weeks.

Fourth Amendment protections prevent blood draws except in special circumstances, including consent of the person in question, a warrant or "exigent circumstances" with probable cause, the entire three-judge Appeals Court panel agreed.

More on the Fourth Amendment: Asheville man's civil rights suit against sheriff deputy settled; false cocaine evidence

But Judges Dillon and Gore said those circumstances, which can include the imminent destruction of evidence, existed in this case.

In his written ruling, Dillon pointed to the 2019 U.S. Supreme Court Mitchell v. Wisconsin decision. That case, he said, "sidestepped" the constitutionality of state statutes saying people give implied consent to alcohol tests by driving on public roads.

NC Highway trooper-involved shooting on I-26 near Asheville leaves suspect dead

Instead, he said the cause showed blood could be drawn if there was probable cause evidence would disappear.

"(Burris') injuries were such [the officer] was concerned that he would probably have to undergo surgery, and it could even possibly lead to a fatality. And in those circumstances, the blood alcohol evidence would dissipate as more time passed," the judge wrote.

North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge John Tyson

In his dissent, Tyson said the person who should have decided whether blood could be drawn was a "detached and neutral" magistrate through the warrant process. But instead of seeking a warrant, the trooper read Burris his rights despite the fact he was "injured and unconscious" and "utterly incapable of understanding and giving informed consent." He then demanded and compelled medical personnel to draw his blood, the judge said.

"This warrantless blood extraction makes a mockery of both the Fourth Amendments protections of 'the right of the people to be secure in their persons' and the prohibitions 'against unreasonable searches and seizures,'" Tyson said.

More: Asheville Blade reporters found guilty of trespassing: Superior Court verdict

Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics ranging from gerrymandering to police use of force. Got a tip? Contact Burgess at jburgess@citizentimes.com, 828-713-1095 or on Twitter @AVLreporter. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Blood draw may mean NC Supreme Court DUI appeal; Asheville conviction
Unlock discounts at 22 Olympia stores with a $3 Music in the Park commemorative button

Olympias Music in the Park concert series has four remaining shows scheduled for every Sunday in July. The upcoming shows, which will be held from 1-2 p.m. Sundays at downtown Olympias Sylvester Park, will feature the following bands:

If you happen to check out any of the performances, you can also purchase a commemorative button for $3. If you present the button any one of these 22 Olympia restaurants or stores, you will receive free items or discounts on specific purchases.

We rounded up the businesses you can get special offers from with the commemorative button.

Music in the Park kicks off Wednesday at Sylvester Park in downtown Olympia. Courtesy of Olympia Downtown Alliance

Music in the Park Discounts

The following establishments are providing discounts for certain products or even full orders:

Anthonys HomePort and Hearthfire  1675 Marine Drive NE

10% discount on Sundays in July

Archibald Sisters  406 Capitol Way S

10% off Archibald Sisters label personal care essentials

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar  222 Capitol Way N

$9 rotating spritz on Sundays in July

Cinco De Mayo Fruits And More  7205 Martin Way E

$2 off orders of $20 or more

Courtyard Antiques and Home Decor  705 4th Ave. E

10 % off a purchase

Dancing Goats Coffee  550 Capitol Way S

20% off all drinks on Sundays in July

Danger Room Comics  201 4th Ave. W

20% off any item

Drees of Olympia  524 Washington St. SE

15% off any gourmet food items on Sundays in July

Hot Toddy  410 Capitol Way S

20% off an entire purchase

Lark  113 5th Ave. SW

10% off on Sundays in July

Locust Cider  222 Capitol Way N

15% off your tab

Olympia Bed Store  418 Washington St. SE

10% off bedding, bath and baby accessories

Radiance Herbs and Massage  113 5th Ave SE

10% off on Sundays in July

Rumors Wine Bar  430 Washington St. SE

Buy two glasses of wine, get a 50% off appetizer

Sofies Scoops Gelato  222 Capitol Way N Suite 116

10% off a purchase

The Popinjay  414 Capitol Way S

20% off regularly priced items on Sundays in July

Underhill Plants  117 Washington St. NE

10% off on Sundays in July

Uptown Grill  514 Capitol Way S

Get 10% off all food during all summer weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Moving just a few doors down from their former location along Capitol Way, Dancing Goats Coffee has relocated across from Sylvester Park. It was the site of a Starbucks for a number of years. Steve Bloom/sbloom@theolympian.com

Music in the Park freebies

These Olympia stores are giving away free food with certain purchases, a free sample or the opportunity to attend another free concert series.

Bucks Spices and Herbal Apothecary  209 5th Ave. SE

Free sample

Pizzeria La Gitana  518 Capitol Way S

Buy one large pizza get a free 9-inch cheese pizza OR receive 50% off a wine/beer glass.

Uptown Grill  514 Capitol Way S

Get a free pork poutine appetizer with purchase of two entrees or a free pork poutine appetizer with purchase of two Uptown Custom Cocktails and one entree. Promotion all summer weekends from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Three Magnets Brewing Co.  600 Franklin St. SE Suite 105

Attend the free for all ages Scherler Sundays concert series behind the Carnegie Library at 620 Franklin St SE at 3 p.m. on Sundays through Aug. 13.

The interior of Uptown Grill, a new restaurant and bar that has taken over the space previously occupied by Tipsy Piano Bar. The space has been brightened with a chandelier. Michelle Nurmi/Courtesy photo

Music in the Park prizes

Psychic Sister is the only business that is hosting a giveaway as part of its partnership with the concert series. Here are the details:

Psychic Sister  109 5th Ave SE
These two pictures of Uranus were compiled from images recorded by Voyager 2 on January 10, 1986. The picture on the left has been processed to show Uranus as human eyes would see it from the vantage point of the spacecraft. The second picture is an exaggerated false-color view that reveals details not visible in the true-color view, including indications of what could be a polar haze of smog-like particles.

Everyone loves a good Uranus crackthe mere mention of its name can draw snickers in a serious science class. But the sideways planet has a surprisingly respectable backstory that few people know.

How did Uranus get its name?

Uranus (officially pronounced yur-un-us) was the god of the sky in ancient Greece, but actually was not the first choice for the seventh planets name. The ice giant was discovered by British astronomer William Herschel in 1781, and finally recognized as a planet at that time. It had been seen in the night sky for millennia, but people simply assumed it was another star. There were many observations of the position of Uranus before its discovery as a planet, says Bonnie Buratti, planetary scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Herschel thought his new celestial trophy should be called Georgium after King George III, the reigning king of England at the time. Astronomers from other countries werent too happy with this choice, though, so they proposed a number of alternatives. A year later, German astronomer Johann Bode suggested the winning name, Uranus, the Latin word for the Greek god Ouranos. He made quite a persuasive argument with two main points. First, King George would stand out in a very strange way from the other planetary names, all based on ancient gods. Second, Saturn is the father of Jupiter in mythology, and Uranuss Roman counterpart (Caelus) is the father of Saturn, making a neat hierarchy in the order of the planets. The element uranium was named in 1789 in support of Bodes proposed title for the planet.

[Related: How old is Earth?]

It is a bit strange, however, that Uranus is the only Greek god amongst a planetary neighborhood full of Romans. Its unclear if this was a mistakemaybe Bode didnt know the Roman equivalent of Ouranos was actually Caelusor if 18th-century astronomers simply preferred the Greek version of the name.

Such mistakes dont really happen nowadays, as the International Astronomical Union (IAU) meticulously oversees the naming of celestial discoveries (and has done so since its founding in 1919), from whole new objects to detailed features on planets surfaces.

The IAU is the sole authority for official names for solar system objects, says Tenielle Gaither, database manager for the U.S. Geological Survey Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Chuck Wood, Wheeling University scientist and member of the IAU Working Group on Planetary Nomenclature, adds, the IAU is the only international body that is concerned with astronomy, and every professional astronomer and nation accepts their authority.

How do astronomers choose names today?

When a new body in space needs a label, the IAU committee for that kind of object gets to work. Planetary scientists can suggest names, but the ultimate authority still rests with the IAU, which has specific themes for each planetary system and kind of feature. Exoplanets, for example, are named after the star they orbit or the telescope that found them (like 51 Pegasi b or Kepler-16b), followed by a lowercase letter assigned in order of discovery. Meanwhile, comets are named after their discoverers plus a standardized number, like 1P/Halley. Asteroids, on the other hand, are named by their discoverers (not after their discoverers), and can be a reference to anyone or anything as long as its not inappropriate. An asteroid [363115 Chuckwood] is named after me, so I passed the bar, says Wood.

The IAU also maintains a list of categories for every planet and its moons in the solar system. The six largest known rocks that orbit Uranus are borrowed from works of Shakespeare and Alexander Pope: Puck, Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel, Titania, and Oberon. The features on these satellites have even more individualized naming conventions. For example, all the cracks, crevasses, and craters on Puck must be named after mischievous Puck-like spirits. On Miranda, names come from characters and places in Shakespeare plays.

Just like in Herschels time, some proposals can stir up debate and drama. You might think that deciding on names would be a dry, humdrum activity, says Wood. But it has often been contentious, starting with the US and Soviet naming of lunar features in the early [space race]. Hes been cursed at by other scientists, threatened with appeals to the president of the United States, and more, simply for insisting that names adhere to the IAUs established rules.

There is a lot of beauty in planetary naming, too. While IAU nomenclature is first and foremost a tool for scientists to discuss surface features clearly and unambiguously in the literature, some names certainly have personal significance, says Gaither, whose favorite planetary feature name is Morrison crater on Mercury, which she helped propose. I read most of Toni Morrison's novels in my late teens and early 20s, and they were pivotal in developing my understanding of the tragedy of Black women's lived experiences of racism, sexism, and poverty, she adds.

[Related: How long does it take to get to Mars?]

In recent history, astronomical names have expanded from ancient gods of Western societies and works of famous white authors to now include important figures and landmarks from other cultures. Arguably the best-known example is the suspected interstellar comet 1I/2017 U1 Oumuamua: Its name is Hawaiian for a messenger from afar arriving first because it was discovered with a telescope located atop Haleakala volcano on Maui.

A scientific name can capture history, culture, bureaucracy, and more. With Uranus, it captures peoples endless appreciation for bathroom humor, even though its not really pronounced that way.

Correction (July 7, 2023): Due to an editing error, this story incorrectly stated that the Haleakala volcano is located on the big Island of Hawai'i. It is on Maui.
An Illinois appellate court decided June 23 that Urban Prep Academies would be allowed to remain open while a lawsuit challenging the charter schools closure is pending in Cook County Circuit Court.

Troy Boyd, Urban Preps chief operating officer, said while he isnt surprised by the ruling, it is a much-needed win in whats been a long battle.

We felt like the courts made the right decision  it was a violation of the moratorium, Boyd said, referring to a state law that suspended school closings until 2025. This is definitely a blessing.

In April, the Illinois State Board of Education denied Urban Preps appeal to take back control of its Bronzeville and Englewood campuses after the Chicago Board of Education revoked the charter status of the once-esteemed all-boys school in October. The district watchdog substantiated misconduct allegations against the charter networks former CEO, Tim King, and found multiple violations related to governance. The investigation also found that only one-third of Urban Prep teachers are certified and the charter failed to provide adequate special education services for disabled students.

A circuit court judge rejected the schools initial request for a temporary restraining order on the closure June 14, so Urban Prep filed an appeal. The temporary restraining order from the appellate court now prevents Chicago Public Schools from taking over the school until the resolution of Urban Preps lawsuit. The next hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for July 19.

As it stands right now, because of the TRO, we are able to move forward with opening in the fall, Boyd said.

CPS had previously started the process of replacing Urban Prep with district-run Bronzeville-Englewood High School, for which Christopher Shelton Jr. from Goode STEM Academy High School in Ashburn, was chosen as principal. In a statement, the district remained steady in its plans.

CPS is disappointed in the recent court decision; however, our focus is on ensuring that all CPS students have access to high-quality educational opportunities in their neighborhood, CPS said in a statement. CPS is committed to the new Bronzeville-Englewood High School welcoming students and staff on the first day of school, Aug. 21.

Boyd said Urban Prep administrators were ready for the ruling to go in their favor.

I wouldnt say we ever stopped preparing for the first day of school, Boyd said. This is just something reinvigorating for our faculty and staff, students and families. This was the hope we were desperately needing. It reaffirmed many peoples commitment to being at Urban Prep moving forward. After we got the disappointing news in April, folks had to shift gears understandably so to find other opportunities.

Pamela Johnson, whose son Miles Johnson graduated from Urban Prep in 2023, said she still doesnt understand why CPS and ISBE agreed to do away with something thats working.

We need that institution in our community. We need it, Johnson said Thursday. We need men for our young men of color, who do not get to see other men of color in leadership roles, teaching them and guiding them. For most of them, this is the only time they see that.

Dennis Lacewell, the chief academic officer for Urban Prep, said Urban Preps commitment to making sure its seniors had attainable postgraduate plans was a big part of its success and what set them apart from the typical public school model, citing the charters 90% high school graduation rate, compared with CPS 65% high school graduation rate for Black male students.

Johnson said her son benefited greatly from attending Urban Prep.

He graduated third in his class  why would you ever want to disrupt this type of institution when you see the results in these young men? she said. Its not about my personal opinion, its about the outcomes that were seeing. Our community is saying thank you to this temporary hold because it gives life to families that have supported the institution.

Boyd said Urban Prep leaders sent emails to parents and students as soon as the court ruled to put the closure on hold.

We mobilized our team on both campuses and our admissions department to begin making calls to let the community know if they were interested in staying with Urban Prep for the upcoming school year that they have that opportunity, Boyd said. Im not really sure about the interest that existed in students going to the CPS school. My understanding, from many of our students and their families, is that they dont intend to go to this new school that is not Urban Prep.

Craig Wimberly, president of the Coalition of African American Leaders and an instrumental voice in Urban Preps fight, said while the ruling was necessary and gratifying, he hopes Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Gov. J.B. Pritzker will address why Urban Prep had its charter revoked in the first place.

Even beyond the legality of it, its morally bankrupt for CPS and ISBE to revoke the charter of a school that successfully educates Black boys and young men, Wimberly said. Regardless of what other issues they may have, nothing Ive ever read has pointed to any issues around the education of our kids.

CPS said the mission of Bronzeville-Englewood High School is to provide young men with a rigorous, culturally-relevant education that enables them to achieve academic excellence, think critically, and lead responsibly.

The district noted in a statement that Urban Prep had a mission to serve young men, but was not exempt from Title IX, and therefore a coeducational charter school open to all students, including young women. The Bronzeville-Englewood High School will operate under the same framework of serving young men but open to all CPS students.

zsyed@chicagotribune.com
(Photo : Rebecca Conway/Getty Images)

The FDA approved Leqembi for people with early Alzheimer's disease on Thursday, making it easier for older adults to obtain the first drug to slow memory and thinking issues.

On Thursday, US officials granted final approval to a highly-anticipated Alzheimer's drug, paving the way for Medicare and other insurance plans to begin covering the treatment for patients suffering from the degenerative brain disease.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved the intravenous drug Leqembi for patients with moderate dementia and other early Alzheimer's disease-related symptoms. It is the first drug that has been demonstrated to reduce the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's patients moderately.

FDA Grants Full Approval to New Alzheimer's Medicine

In January, the FDA granted Eisai conditional approval for its Alzheimer's disease drug Leqembi based on preliminary data indicating that it worked by removing an adhesive brain plaque linked to the disease.

The FDA confirmed these findings by analyzing data from a larger, 1,800-patient study that demonstrated the drug delayed memory and cognitive decline by approximately five months in those who received the treatment versus those who received a placebo.

The most severe type of warning will be included in the drug's prescribing information, indicating that Leqembi can rarely cause hazardous adverse effects such as cerebral swelling and bleeding. The label indicates that these side effects are observed with other Alzheimer's medications that target plaque, CBS News reported.

Typically, converting a substance to FDA approval receives little attention. However, Alzheimer's patients and advocates have been lobbying the federal government for months after Medicare officials announced last year that they would not cover the routine use of Leqembi until the drug received FDA approval.

It was feared that the cost of new Alzheimer's medicines that target plaque, such as Leqembi, could overwhelm the program's finances, which provide treatment for 60 million seniors. Leqembi costs approximately $26,500 for a one-year supply of IV infusions every two weeks.

Most Alzheimer's patients in the United States are covered by Medicare. And private insurers have followed suit, withholding coverage for Leqembi and a comparable drug, Aduhelm, until they receive FDA approval. A decision regarding Aduhelm's comprehensive FDA approval is still years away.

The administrator of Medicare, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, has cleared that the program will begin paying for the drug immediately following FDA approval. However, the government also imposes additional requirements.

Beneficiaries of Medicare who receive Leqembi must enroll in a federal registry to monitor the drug's real-world safety and efficacy. Medicare officials stated that the information will advance "knowledge of how these drugs can potentially assist individuals."

Ivan Cheung, Americas region chairman and CEO of Tokyo, Japan-based Eisai, referred to the FDA's approval of Leqembi as a "victory for the Alzheimer's disease community" because it is the first drug to halt the progression of the disease.

Read Also: Ohio Man Gets Life Sentence for Raping Girl Who Drew National Attention Over Getting Legal Abortion

Alzheimer's Drug Leqembi has Side Effects

Per USA Today, the FDA will require a boxed warning regarding the drug's known adverse effects, which include cerebral edema and small bleeding. Some patients who take Leqembi or other amyloid-targeting medications develop these adverse effects, known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities.

While most patients will not experience early-onset symptoms, some may experience migraines or infusion-related reactions such as fever, chills, or gastrointestinal distress.

The safety language warns that "rarely, life-threatening events can occur," which includes strokes. Patients who inherited two copies of the Alzheimer's risk gene ApoE4 have an increased risk of edema and brain bleeding, according to the warning language.

Approximately 15% of patients who take the medication have two copies of this susceptibility gene. Before beginning treatment, patients should undergo a genetic test to determine their ApoE4 status, according to the safety warning.

The FDA also suggests that physicians discuss genetic testing with their patients. If patients decline testing, physicians cannot determine whether they have a higher genetic risk of cerebral swelling and hemorrhage.

The FDA advised doctors to be circumspect when prescribing the drug to patients taking blood thinners. Before administering the drug, physicians must validate the presence of amyloid in the patient's brain using a PET scan or spinal tap.

During the first year of treatment, patients must also undergo multiple MRIs to check for adverse effects.

Related Article: America's 'Zombie Drug' Tranq Death Cases Now 34x Higher! Is UK Next?

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The US Army is looking for help from AI to predict what its enemies will do minutes or even hours before they do it

A US Army Reserve officer uses Command Post of the Future equipment during an exercise at Fort Dix in New Jersey in March 2017. US Army Reserve/Maj. Amabilia Payen

The US Army wants help with "continuous, real-time predictive visualization" of enemy actions.

The project is spurred by fears that human analysts won't be able to keep up with complex warfare.

The Army wants the project to "take advantage" of emerging AI and/or machine-learning technologies.

The US Army wants AI that can predict what the enemy will do just minutes before the enemy actually does it.

The goal is a system that can rapidly analyze massive amounts of data  far more than humans can absorb  to forecast enemy actions and continuously update that forecast as adversaries change their tactics.

The project, titled "Real-Time Threat Forecasting," calls for "continuous, real-time predictive visualization of how the threat situation could evolve over the next few minutes to hours," according to a recent Request for Information seeking industry input.

The system will almost certainly be AI-based. Among the requirements is the "ability to run feasible software on a standard laptop and take advantage of emerging artificial intelligence and/or machine learning technologies."

The project is spurred by fears that human intelligence analysts, who are expected to assess an enemy's activity and forecast their courses of action, will not be able to keep up with the growing complexity of warfare.

US Army human-intelligence collectors with simulated villagers during training at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state in October 2015. US Army/Sgt. Daniel Schroeder

The Army foresees a "hyperactive" battlefield buzzing with "robotics and autonomous systems, loitering intelligent munitions, thousands of semi-autonomous entities, short-range point defenses, AI/ML-enabled multi-INT deceptions, small, distributed Soldier-Machine Teams, and self-organizing intelligence networks," according to the RFI.

To survive, armies will have to constantly adapt. The RFI points to the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War, in which Armenia's Soviet-era tanks and artillery were devastated by Azerbaijan's Israeli- and Turkish-made drones, and to the war in Ukraine, which has seen a continuous evolution in drone technology and tactics.

For example, the success of Ukrainian counter-drone systems prompted Russia to avoid these defenses by sending large concentrations of "kamikaze" drones at targets in Ukraine's lightly defended rear areas. Ukraine responded with mobile anti-drone teams to track and intercept the drones.

This means that the US can no longer count on the enemy sticking to the same playbook. Military intelligence can't "assume an enemy whose behavior can be modeled via a doctrinal template," the Army RFI says.

At the same time, intelligence officers are being flooded with intelligence from around the globe and gathered from across all domains using air, land, sea, and space sensors as well as human sources. There is already far more drone imagery being collected than analysts have time and stamina to sift through and analyze without the aid of AI.

"There is simply not enough capacity to perform a wide range of tasks that have become critical to how militaries currently operate," warned a 2021 report on the future of military intelligence by Britain's Royal United Services Institute think tank.

US Army military intelligence soldiers train at Camp Bullis in Texas in March 2019. US Army/Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard

Interestingly, the US Army sees video-game technologies as key to this predictive system. Results would be displayed in a "continuously updated and projected threat picture preferably using 3D visualization technologies and techniques." Analysts could also "run simulations of how the enemy situation might progress in the next few tens of minutes to few hours."

Commercially produced video games would also be easier to use. US Defense Department-developed "interfaces often took months to learn whereas the gaming community can typically assimilate a new game within a matter of hours or days," the RFI noted.

The idea of automating human staff officers has been around for years. Some routine work could be done by machines, yet it may be easier to imagine than to implement, as some embarrassing fumbles by ChatGPT have shown. For example, low-level military intelligence staffs may not have access to all the data that AI would need, according to the RUSI report.

The bigger question is whether warfare is simply becoming too much for the human mind to cope with. Perhaps AI can predict future enemy tactics, but it may end up devising friendly ones.

Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Biden administration is providing cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce additional military aid worth up to $800 million for war efforts against Russia, two U.S. officials confirm to Fox News.

The weapons will come from Pentagon stocks and will also include Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles plus an array of ammunition, such as rounds for howitzers and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, the officials said. A formal announcement is expected Friday afternoon.

These cluster munitions release smaller "bomblets" designed to kill personnel and destroy vehicles. One cluster munition or canister can carry tens to hundreds of these smaller bomblets. They are controversial because the small bomblets target a wide area, and once the shrapnel from the bomblets is released it does not have a specific target, posing potential threats to civilians and civilian infrastructure. Unexploded bomblets could even kill civilians long after they are released. U.S. officials said the cluster munitions the U.S. provides will have a reduced "dud rate," meaning fewer unexploded rounds to lessen civilian deaths.

Both Russia and Ukraine have used cluster munitions since Russia's invasion.

UKRAINE GAINED ADVANTAGE IN WAR AGAINST PUTIN WITH CUSTOM-BUILT AI: UNPRECENDENTED TESTING GROUND

While using cluster bombs is not a violation of international law, using them against civilians is.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Ukrainian officials have asked for U.S. assistance to aid their campaign to push through lines of Russian troops and make gains in the ongoing counteroffensive, a U.S. official said.

At a Pentagon briefing Thursday, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the Defense Department had "multiple variants" of the munitions, and, "the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with (unexploding) rates that are higher than 2.35%."

AFTER RUSSIA HARRASSES US DRONES OVER SYRIA FOR 2ND DAY, AIR FORCE RESPONDS: CEASE THIS RECKLESS BEHAVIOR

Ryder would not say whether Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reached out to NATO counterparts to address some of their concerns on the use of cluster munitions. Ryder said the U.S. was aware of reports that indicated some munitions had higher unexploded rates.

He further explained that cluster munitions would help Ukraine by penetrating armor and fragmenting so they can hit multiple personnel  "a capability that would be useful in any type of offensive operations."

Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of Ukraines parliament who has been advocating that Washington send more weapons, noted that Ukrainian forces have had to disable mines from much of the territory they are winning back from Russia. As part of that process, Ukrainians will also be able to catch any unexploded ordnance from cluster munitions.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL HOLDS FIRST-EVER MEETING ON AI AS CONCERNS ABOUT RISK TO PEACE GROW

"We will have to de-mine anyway, but its better to have this capability," Ustinova said.

She credited Congress for pushing the administration over several months to change its position on the munitions.

Russian forces caused major damage to the infrastructure in Borodyanka in Ukraine

Proponents of banning cluster bombs say they've killed indiscriminately and endangered civilians long after their use.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries who agreed not to use, produce, transfer or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after theyve been used.

The United States, Russia and Ukraine are among the countries that have not signed on.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cluster munition

The United States will provide the Ukrainian military with cluster munitions, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a press briefing on July 7.

Read also: US weighing cluster munitions for Ukraine, could make decision this week  CBS

Commenting on the decision, Sullivan said that the United States will not leave Ukraine defenseless at any point during this conflict. He suggested that cluster munitions would serve to sustain Kyivs urgent need for vast quantities of artillery shells, while U.S. production of conventional artillery shells is ramping up, which will still take some time.

He stressed that Russia has been using cluster munitions since the very beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance, Sullivan said.

This is why we deferred the decision for as long we could.

He branded Russia's use of cluster munitions in this conflict as "utterly unacceptable," condemning Russia's targeting of civilian areas in breach of international law.

Read also: US lawmakers urge Biden to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions

Sullivan emphasized a notable distinction between the type of cluster munitions being used by Russia and those that the U.S. will be supplying to Ukraine, saying that the ratio of unexploded dud charges is much lower for U.S.-made rounds.

Read also: Estonia Requests German permission to export cluster munitions to Ukraine

The official stressed that the United States and its allies will have to assist Ukraine in post-war demining of civilian areas anyway, regardless of whether Washington provides Kyiv with cluster munitions or not.

He mentioned that U.S. President Joe Biden approved the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine following a "unanimous" recommendation from his national security team.

Read also: US expected to announce transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine

Sullivan admitted that this was a "difficult" decision. The U.S. president agreed to provide the munitions only after "consultations with allies and partners, as well as consultations with members of Congress."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
RICHMOND, Ky.  At a sprawling military installation in the middle of the rolling green hills of eastern Kentucky, a milestone is about to be reached in the history of warfare dating back to World War I.

Workers at the Blue Grass Army Depot are close to destroying rockets filled with GB nerve agent that are the last of the United States declared chemical weapons and completing a decades-long campaign to eliminate a stockpile that by the end of the Cold War totaled more than 30,000 tons.

The weapons destruction is a major watershed for Richmond, Kentucky and Pueblo, Colorado, where an Army depot destroyed the last of its chemical agents last month. Its also a defining moment for arms control efforts worldwide.

The U.S. faces a Sept. 30 deadline to eliminate its remaining chemical weapons under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997 and was joined by 193 countries. The munitions being destroyed in Kentucky are the last of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent  a deadly toxin also known as sarin  that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s.

By destroying the munitions, the U.S. is officially underscoring that these types of weapons are no longer acceptable in the battlefield and sending a message to the handful of countries that havent joined the agreement, military experts say.

One thing that were really proud of is how were finishing the mission. Were finishing it for good for the United States of America, said Kim Jackson, manager of the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Chemical weapons were first used in modern warfare in World War I, where they were estimated have killed at least 100,000. Despite their use being subsequently banned by the Geneva Convention, countries continued to stockpile the weapons until the treaty calling for their destruction.

In southern Colorado, workers at the Army Pueblo Chemical Depot started destroying the weapons in 2016, and on June 22 completed their mission of neutralizing an entire cache of about 2,600 tons of mustard blister agent. The projectiles and mortars comprised about 8.5% of the countrys original chemical weapons stockpile of 30,610 tons of agent.

Nearly 800,000 chemical munitions containing mustard agent were stored since the 1950s inside row after row of heavily guarded concrete and earthen bunkers that pock the landscape near a large swath of farmland east of Pueblo.

The weapons destruction alleviates a concern that civic leaders in Colorado and Kentucky admit was always in the back of their minds.

A worker toils to destroy the United States' chemical weapons stockpile at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot on June 8, 2023, in Pueblo, Colo. (David Zalubowski/AP)

Those [weapons] sitting out there were not a threat, Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said. But, he added, you always wondered what might happen with them.

In the 1980s, the community around Kentuckys Blue Grass Army Depot rose up in opposition to the Armys initial plan to incinerate the plants 520 tons of chemical weapons, leading to a decadeslong battle over how they would be disposed of. They were able to halt the planned incineration plant, and then, with help from lawmakers, prompted the Army to submit alternative methods to burning the weapons.

Craig Williams, who became the leading voice of the community opposition and later a partner with political leadership and the military, said residents were concerned about potential toxic pollution from burning the deadly chemical agents.

Williams noted that the military eliminated most of its existing stockpile by burning weapons at other, more remote sites such as Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean or at a chemical depot in the middle of the Utah desert. But the Kentucky site was adjacent to Richmond and only a few dozen miles away from Lexington, the states second-largest city.

We had a middle school of over 600 kids a mile away from the [planned] smokestack, Williams said.

The Kentucky storage facility has housed mustard agent and the VX and sarin nerve agents, much of it inside rockets and other projectiles, since the 1940s. The states disposal plant was completed in 2015 and began destroying weapons in 2019. It uses a process called neutralization to dilute the deadly agents so they can be safely disposed of.

The project, however, has been a boon for both communities, and facing the eventual loss of thousands of workers, both are pitching the pool of high-skilled laborers as a plus for companies looking to locate in their regions.

Workers at the Pueblo site used heavy machinery to meticulously  and slowly  load aging weapons onto conveyor systems that fed into secure rooms where remote-controlled robots did the dirty and dangerous work of eliminating the toxic mustard agent, which was designed to blister the skin and cause inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Robotic equipment removed the weapons fuses and bursters before the mustard agent was neutralized with hot water and mixed with a caustic solution to prevent the reaction from reversing. The byproduct was further broken down in large tanks swimming with microbes, and the mortars and projectiles were decontaminated at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit and recycled as scrap metal.

Problematic munitions that were leaky or overpacked were sent to an armored, stainless steel detonation chamber to be destroyed at about 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Colorado and Kentucky sites were the last among several, including Utah and the Johnston Atoll, where the nations chemical weapons had been stockpiled and destroyed. Other locations included facilities in Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon.

Kingston Reif, an assistant U.S. secretary of defense for threat reduction and arms control, said the destruction of the last U.S. chemical weapon will close an important chapter in military history, but one that were very much looking forward to closing.

Officials say the elimination of the U.S. stockpile is a major step forward for the Chemical Weapons Convention. Only three countries  Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan  have not signed the treaty. A fourth, Israel, has signed but not ratified the treaty.

Reif noted that there remains concern that some parties to the convention, particularly Russia and Syria, possess undeclared chemical weapons stockpiles.

Still, arms control advocates hope this final step by the U.S. could nudge the remaining countries to join. But they also hope it could be used as a model for eliminating other types of weapons.

It shows that countries can really ban a weapon of mass destruction, said Paul F. Walker, vice chairman of the Arms Control Association and coordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition. If they want to do it, it just takes the political will and it takes a good verification system.

DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Peipert reported from Pueblo, Colorado.
US President Joe Biden announced the US has destroyed all of its chemical weapons in accordance with the Chemcial Weapons Convention (Jim WATSON)

President Joe Biden announced Friday that the United States has fully destroyed its decades-old stockpiles of chemical weapons, a milestone hailed as completing the elimination around the world of all known stores of the agents of mass death.

"Today, I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile -- bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons," Biden said.

The United States was the last of the signatories of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which came into effect in 1997, to complete the task of destroying their "declared" stockpiles, though some states are believed to maintain secret reserves of chemical weapons.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons called the milestone a "historic success" of disarmament, more than one century after the uncontrolled use of chemical gases during World War I produced mass deaths and maiming of troops.

The US announcement meant that all the world's declared chemical weapons stockpiles were "verified as irreversibly destroyed," the OPCW said.

"I congratulate all States Parties, and the United States of America in this instance, on this major achievement for the international community," said OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias.

Biden said it was the first time "an entire category of declared weapons of mass destruction" has been verified as destroyed.

- Lethal mustard gas, sarin, VX -

The announcement came after the Blue Grass Army Depot, a US Army facility in Kentucky, recently completed its four-year job of eliminating some 500 tonnes of lethal chemical agents, the last batch held by the US military.

The US had held for decades stores of artillery projectiles and rockets that contained mustard gases, VX and sarin nerve agents, and blister agents.

Such weapons were condemned widely after their use with horrendous results in World War I.

They were not used significantly in World War II, but many countries retained and further developed them in the years afterward.

The most prominent use since the 1970s was Iraq's nerve gas attacks on Iran during their war in the 1980s.

More recently, the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad used chemical weapons on opponents during the country's civil war, according to the OPCW and other bodies.

- Doubly dangerous work -

The Chemical Weapons Convention, agreed in 1993 and coming into effect in 1997, gave the United States until September 30 this year to destroy all of its chemical agents and munitions.

Other signatories to the pact had already eliminated their holdings -- altogether some 72,000 tonnes since the treaty came into effect, according to the OPCW.

According to the US Arms Control Association, in 1990 the United States held nearly 28,600 tonnes of chemical weapons, the world's second largest store after Russia.

With the ebb of the Cold War the superpowers and other countries joined together to negotiate the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Eliminating the stockpiles, doubly dangerous because it means neutralizing not only the chemical agents but also the munitions they are contained in, was a slow process.

Russia completed destroying its declared stockpiles in 2017.

By April 2022, the US had less than 600 tonnes left to destroy.

Biden called for continued vigilance to ensure all chemical weapons around the world are destroyed and for the four countries that haven't signed or ratified the treaty -- Egypt, Israel, North Korea and South Sudan -- to do so.

Currently four signatory countries are considered not in compliance on suspicion of having undeclared stockpiles: Myanmar, Iran, Russia and Syria.

"Russia and Syria should return to compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and admit their undeclared programs, which have been used to commit brazen atrocities and attacks," Biden said.

pmh/acb
The US is finally giving Ukraine's military cluster munitions, deadly and controversial explosives that could be 'devastating' for Russia

Ukrainian military fire a M777 howitzer on the Bakhmut direction on May 17, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. Photo by Serhii Mykhalchuk/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

The US announced a new weapons package that includes cluster munitions for Ukraine on Friday.

Cluster munitions are deadly and controversial, but they could boost Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Experts told Insider it matters how  and where  Kyiv uses the bombs against Russian defenses.

Ukraine has pressed the US for months to provide cluster munitions, highly lethal  and controversial  weapons, and now, after nearly 500 days of war, the US has finally agreed to send them.

The White House and Pentagon announced a new $800 million security assistance package for Ukraine on Friday that, for the first time, includes cluster munitions. Experts say these bombs will be useful to Kyiv's military in its grueling and bloody counteroffensive as its forces push against a sprawling network of Russian defenses.

"It's a significant additional capability that they don't currently have," Kurt Volker, the former US special representative for Ukraine negotiations and American ambassador to NATO, told Insider. "There's no single thing that's ever just a game-changer, but every little bit helps."

More than 16 months into Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has a wide range of Western weapons at its disposal. These include UK-provided Storm Shadow cruise missiles  hailed by officials for their battlefield success  and German-made Leopard 2 tanks, which have given Ukrainian forces greater firepower and mobility on the ground.

Movement on F-16 fighter jets and Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) could eventually prove promising as well. But as Ukraine enters the second month of its counteroffensive and continues to make small territorial gains in the occupied eastern and southern regions, cluster munitions could be heavy hitters at a time when Ukraine needs all the combat power it can muster, experts say.

Cluster munitions can be dropped from the air or fired as artillery and deal damage over a larger area. Ukraine's forces would be able to rain destruction down on Russians, eliminating more threats while consuming less ammunition. These munitions could be an advantage in the ongoing artillery fight in which Ukraine has at times found itself outgunned and a useful tool for clearing fortifications.

Though contentious, Friday's announcement is not necessarily a surprising move, said Federico Borsari, a fellow with the transatlantic defense and security program at the Center for European Policy Analysis. The US and Ukraine have long-discussed the possibility of using these munitions. But it's also not an easy decision "considering several ethical and political implications for these decisions," he said.

A man stands next to cluster bomb carriers he collected from his fields in a village Zelenyj Hai, Ukraine, 11th of November 2022 Photo by Wojciech Grzedzinski for The Washington Post via Getty Images

The weapons first saw major use in World War II as German-made "butterfly bombs" hit the battlefield and became standard munitions in the later part of the 20th century.

Modern cluster bombs are canisters that carry dozens of little bomblets inside and can be ground-launched as missiles or artillery or dropped from aircraft. In this case, the US is sending Ukraine 155 millimeter artillery shells called dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs), which break apart and scatter smaller explosives over a large area. Because these submunitions cover lots of ground, it allows them to threaten several enemy positions at once, which can quickly overwhelm and wreak havoc.

The munitions could be especially "devastating against Russians in trenches that don't have overhead cover," said Ben Hodges, a retired lieutenant general who headed US Army Europe. "And they'll be devastating against any Russian artillery that is spotted and within range."

Some cluster bomb canisters, like the air-launched Mk 20 Rockeye, also known as the CBU-100, can contain hundreds of bomblets and "will spread across a territory based on the altitude," Borsari said. "And this type of capability is very useful especially against armored vehicles and tanks." And any munition fired by a 155 millimeter Howitzer cannon, like the M864, will be useful for hitting armor or personnel targets, he added.

But cluster bombs won't be a silver bullet for Ukraine's counteroffensive against fortified Russian defenses. Ukraine will need to use them carefully in order to avoid adding more unexploded bombs to Russian minefields, and any area riddled with cluster bombs is basically a dead man's zone for both Kyiv and Moscow's forces, Borsari added.

Indiscriminate risk to civilians

Ukraine has long been asking the US for cluster bombs, but there hasn't been much movement on the weapons until now due in part to widespread concerns about a higher-than-acceptable dud rate, which is to say that they sometimes fail to explode on impact and wind up posing a tremendous risk to civilians for years to come.

In 2008, 108 nations signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions to prevent the use, transfer, or development of cluster bombs, citing the capacity for indiscriminate destruction spread over an area and how unexploded bombs threaten civilians. This came after the 2006 Lebanon War, during which Israeli forces were accused of firing millions of cluster bombs into the country.

The bombs are currently banned in over 120 countries, including many NATO allies, because of concerns over potential civilian causalities. The US, Ukraine, and Russia, however, are not parties to agreements banning their use.

The remains of artillery shells and missiles including cluster munitions are stored on December 18, 2022 in Toretsk, Ukraine.

The remains of artillery shells and missiles including cluster munitions are stored on December 18, 2022 in Toretsk, Ukraine.Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images

Due to their range and movement, cluster munitions can be unpredictable and hit outside their intended target. The bomblets that don't explode can remain active for years and effectively become landmines, posing major risks to civilian activities even after the fighting has ceased.

Advocacy groups such as Amnesty International have said that they deeply oppose the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine, calling them "an indiscriminate weapon that presents a grave threat to civilian lives, even long after a conflict has ended."

"Their transfer and use by any country under any circumstances is incompatible with international law. The Biden Administration must understand that any decision enabling the broader use of cluster bombs in this war will likely lead to one predictable outcome: the further death of civilians," the watchdog organization said in a statement on Thursday.

Human Rights Watch has previously accused both Russia and Ukraine of using cluster munitions in the war, with Russian use greatly exceeding usage by the Ukrainians. The organization observed Russia using the explosives to attack civilian areas like schools and hospitals and that Ukraine using the weapons in Russian-controlled areas in and around the eastern city of Izium last year.

During a White House briefing on Friday, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that Ukraine has delivered written assurances that it will minimize use of the US-provided cluster bombs in areas where civilians could be located nearby. With the situation on the battlefield still very much fluid, Sullivan said it's an "ongoing" conversation about where the bombs can be deployed.

"The idea that Ukrainian men and women fighting for the armed forces of Ukraine want to willy nilly use these things in a way that are going to harm Ukrainian citizens, which is somewhat implied in the questions, I find at odds with their fundamental desire to protect their countrymen and their willingness to put their lives on the line to protect their countrymen," he added.

In announcing the new security package, Colin Kahl, the undersecretary of defense for policy, said on Friday that the dud rate for the American DPICMs is lower than that of Russia's munitions, specifically less than 2.35% compared to Russia's 30-40%.

"I'm as concerned about the humanitarian circumstance as anybody. But the worst thing for civilians in Ukraine is for Russia to win the war," Kahl said. "And so it's important that they don't."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Wildland firefighter students from Alabama A&M and Tuskegee universities listen during a wildland firefighter training Friday, June 9, 2023, in Hazel Green, Ala. A partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and four historically Black colleges and universities is opening the eyes of students of color who had never pictured themselves as fighting forest fires. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

HAZEL GREEN, Ala. (AP)  Before starting college, Taylor Mohead had never been outside her hometown of Houston, Texas. Now, the recent Tuskegee University graduate is trekking around trees in Hazel Green, Alabama, in fire gear and sweltering heat.

The U.S. Forest Service intern is among 20 students from historically Black colleges or universities who are participating in a prescribed burn demonstration under instructors' supervision. They clear paths, light fires and make sure the embers are out when they're done. Its part of an apprenticeship program that will give them the credentials to hit the ground running toward a fire line.

Its a grueling way to spend summer break, but Mohead is relishing it. She never pictured herself fighting forest fires.

Look at me. Im really small. Im really short. And then being a woman of color, thats something, too. I feel like thats more inspiring," Mohead said, grinning. I got goosebumps right now.

The on-site fire academy is part of the 1890 Land Grant Institution Wildland Fire Consortium, a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and a cluster of HBCUs comprised of Florida A&M University, Southern University in Louisiana, Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University.

The recruitment effort comes as wildfire season around the U.S. grows due to climate change and minorities remain underrepresented in forestry and firefighting. The number of wildfires this year is below the 10-year average, but hot and dry conditions are raising the risk, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

The idea for a consortium came during the pandemic to address a mission critical area of the Forest Service, said Stephanie Love, the USDA Forest Services national diversity student programs manager and an Alabama A&M alum. The initiative became official in 2021.

These four HBCUs have some of the top agricultural programs at HBCUs in the nation. So, it just makes sense to align our efforts and move together in the same direction, Love said. Were trying to create a pipeline of students who are pursuing this natural resources education and forestry and fire.

The hope is every student comes away with a foundation to chart one of many possible paths in forestry, ecology, agriculture or firefighting.

The consortium is building on top of a decadeslong relationship between Alabama A&M and the Forest Service. A USDA Forest Service Center of Excellence in Forestry was created at the school in 1993 to prepare students for jobs with the agency.

The Bulldogs established a nationally accredited firefighting team in 2009 made of students, called the FireDawgs. When class isn't in session, the FireDawgs are dispatched to wildfires or burn operations around the country.

The development programs that have come out of the Alabama-Forest Service collaboration are responsible for training two-thirds of Black foresters in the federal agency, said Love, who was in the first FireDawgs squad.

Diversity among the Forest Service's wildland firefighters has increased by 20% in the last decade, according to data collected by the agency. It has approximately 13,000 employees including firefighters and other staff who respond to wildfires. Between July 2010 and July 2022, white staffers fell from 86% to 66%.

Black fire personnel have remained mostly around 1.3%. Black women make up around 0.5%. Hispanics make up 12%, and Native Americans/Alaska Natives and Asians linger around 3% and 1%, respectively. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders make up less than 1%.

The dearth of applicants of color may partly be due to a lack of awareness. They are not often encouraged to consider firefighting by guidance counselors or recruiters, said Terry Baker, CEO of the Society of American Foresters and its first Black leader. There also is a misconception that working outdoors isn't highly technical or doesn't require skill, he said.

Once students decide to study forestry or related fields, retaining them becomes the next challenge. Love said the Forest Service and HBCUs ensure there are mentorships, scholarships and internships.

Bradley Massey, an Alabama A&M junior and president of the school's forestry club, said the school sparked a passion he was missing. Massey said he was a student at Auburn University of Montgomery when he lost focus, working in retail back home in Huntsville before enrolling in Alabama A&M in 2021.

As the school year progressed, thats when more information about the FireDawgs presented itself, Massey said in between running around in fire gear. I wanted to just have experience and be able to make the most out of my college experience because I wasnt just going back for fun. I was going back for a purpose.

He has since accomplished feats like passing several firefighter work capacity tests including walking 3 miles (5 kilometers) in under 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound (20-kilogram) pack. In October, he traveled to a conference in Boise, Idaho, where he went on field trips and talked with fire professionals and students from around the nation.

I didnt want to leave, Massey said. It was like going into Comic-Con and seeing all the cool stuff and just wanting to take many pictures ... I feel like it has helped me a lot in my career now."

Baker, of the Society of American Foresters, said the need for more firefighters will only increase as wildfires intensify with worsening climate change and droughts.

If were going to meet these challenges, were going to have to have everyone, Baker said. What does that mean to a profession that has been primarily white male?

Black firefighters can feel intimidated and isolated in the field when they parachute into fires in predominately white communities or dont have other crew members of color around them, Baker said. He recalled fire scenes where people became comfortable enough to openly say I was the first Black person theyve ever met in real life that they didnt see on TV.

The current crop of students says it has been reassuring to meet HBCU alumni who have gone on to become fire or forestry professionals, noting there is something special about being in the field surrounded by classmates turned crew who look like them.

It makes you more willing to go out there," Mohead said. "If you hit a road stop or obstacle, you have someone on your left who's probably been through it.

___

This story has been changed to correct that Bradley Massey previously attended Auburn University of Montgomery, not Auburn University.

___

Terry Tang, who reported from Phoenix, is a member of The Associated Press Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ttangAP
US labor secretary sees no need now to step into UPS-Teamsters talks

Julie Su at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on her nomination to be Labor Secretary, on Capitol Hill in Washington

By Kanishka Singh and Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su said on Friday she does not see a need at this stage to step in to urge parties to reach a deal in contract talks between the Teamsters Union and United Parcel Service.

"That is right," Su said on CNN when asked if she felt there was no need for her to intervene at this stage. She added she expected the parties to respect the bargaining process.

On Wednesday, the Teamsters said UPS "walked away" from negotiations over a new contract. The company denied that and accused the union of stopping negotiating.

On Friday, White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that President Joe Biden's administration was in contact with both sides and remained optimistic they would reach an agreement.

"I don't have any information on increased administration involvement, but certainly we remain in contact with both parties," Jean-Pierre said.

The sides have traded salvos in statements as they try to avoid a strike when the current contract, which covers some 340,000 workers, expires at the end of July.

If talks break down, UPS workers have already authorized a strike that would be their first since 1997. That strike lasted 15 days, cost the company $850 million, and sent some customers to rivals

Both union and company officials have said they want a deal to prevent a strike, which could put millions of daily deliveries at risk.

After missing out on wage increases during the pandemic, unions are aggressively seeking higher pay and better working conditions, pushing back on contract offers from companies grappling with labor shortages.

Su recently helped negotiate a crucial contract deal between U.S. West Coast seaport employers and a union representing 22,000 workers.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Nandita Bose in Washington; Editing by David Holmes and David Gregorio)
US Now Aiding Vietnam in Finding the Country's Missing in Action from Past Conflict Between the Two

Half a century after the last American combat troops left Vietnam, the U.S. has taken the first steps in a major but little-noticed policy shift to solidify relations with its former adversary by helping the Vietnamese account for and identify their war dead.

Under a July 2020 Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Vietnam, the U.S. Agency for International Development was given the formidable task of providing technical assistance and archival research to Vietnam on as many as 300,000 Vietnamese missing.

"The United States appreciates all the support that Vietnam has provided over the last 35 years in accounting for missing U.S. service members," then-U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink said at the Hanoi signing of the memorandum between USAID and the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP).

Read Next: Navy Recruiting Boss Overruled by Superiors on 6-Day Workweek Plan

That reasoning would have been unthinkable when Americans recoiled at the brutal treatment of U.S. prisoners of war by Vietnam and urban legends proliferated about the possibility that Hanoi was still holding living POWs long after the war.

Kritenbrink added that the U.S. is now "committed to supporting the people of Vietnam as they seek to identify and ultimately reunite remains of combatants with their loving families."

By helping the Vietnamese, the U.S. also stands to gain in the search for America's missing from Vietnam, according to officials of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

"It's a win-win situation for us," said Dr. Gregory Berg, lab case manager for the DPAA's scientific analysis directorate. At a June 28 DPAA media roundtable, Berg said that the Vietnamese in conducting searches inevitably "will stumble upon something that's not theirs. There's a good chance they're going to find one of our missing."

In addition to U.S. government efforts to assist the Vietnamese, a team of officials and students from Texas Tech University is currently in Hanoi to share with the Vietnamese information from the vast archive maintained at the school's Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, including the captured letters and diaries of Vietnamese troops.

In an interview from Hanoi with Lubbock, Texas, TV station KCBD, Steve Maxner, director of the Texas Tech Vietnam Center, said that, in combing through the archives, "We knew that there would be diaries and materials. The challenge then is transitioning that from a document you find in microfilm and then finding the family."

At a ceremony in early June in Hanoi, the Texas Tech team was able to deliver six sets of materials, including letters and diaries, to the families of six fallen and still missing Vietnamese troops, Maxner said.

"Those families, just like American families are suffering, have heartache and longing to understand what happened to their soldiers," Maxner said.

With the support of the Defense Department, the Unseen Legacies of the Vietnam War Project at Harvard's Kennedy School has also been involved in setting up a searchable database "to facilitate the location and identification of Vietnamese war dead," according to a statement from the school.

A team from the project was in Vietnam in the spring to begin work and was expected to return in the fall, a spokesperson told Military.com.

"In addition to our core work reviewing documents to facilitate the location and identification of Vietnamese war dead, the Unseen Legacies team will also share information and participate in training on our research and discovery process to enable teams in Vietnam to conduct similar efforts in the future," the spokesperson said.

The ultimate goal of USAID's initial $2.4 million project was "to build local government systems to implement a comprehensive identification program, as opposed to a case-by-case identification approach," a USAID spokesperson said in an email statement to Military.com.

USAID is also looking to equip a lab in Vietnam by 2025 for DNA analysis to aid in identification of recovered remains, according to the statement.

In support of the USAID project, the U.S. Institute of Peace, with the authorization of Congress, has begun a multiyear project to promote greater dialogue between the U.S. and Vietnam on war legacy issues and reconciliation.

"It's no longer super controversial" for the U.S. to be making what the U.S. Institute of Peace calls the "landmark" decision to assist in identifying Vietnamese remains, said Andrew Wells-Dang, a senior Southeast Asia expert at USIP.

In a phone interview, Wells-Dang said that "the numbers are staggering," with as many as 300,000 North Vietnamese troops missing in action, and "nobody knows how many South Vietnamese," or Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), are missing.

In an August 2021 online forum, Vietnam's Ambassador to the U.S. Ha Kim Ngoc said that the agreement to assist in the search for Vietnam's missing marked "a significant milestone" in "the long journey of overcoming our legacies of war."

Veterans Stepping Up and Stories About the Missing

In addition to the USAID project, veterans acting on their own have recently renewed their 30-year commitment to assist in the accounting of Vietnam's MIAs through the return of personal effects taken during the war, eyewitness accounts and the identification of unmarked grave sites.

Following a three-year recess due to the pandemic, a two-person team from the Vietnam Veterans of America was in Vietnam for 20 days ending June 5 to renew VVA's "Vietnam Initiative" and demonstrate "our continuing commitment to the recovery of those still not home from our war," VVA said in a statement.

The USAID project, combined with the ongoing work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, marks a new chapter in the long and often troubled history of U.S. efforts to account for the missing in action from Vietnam.

From the outset, when Vietnam released 591 U.S. POWs in February and March 1973, there were charges that Vietnam was still holding additional prisoners, and over the years conspiracy theories grew on unfounded "live sightings" of Americans in Vietnam.

The mistrust of the official versions of what was happening in the search for the missing was only exacerbated by the suspicions of many MIA families that the government was withholding information for political reasons.

At a June 22 Pentagon event to unveil the 2023 POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster, several veterans of the conflict were in attendance, including retired Air Force Col. Michael Brazelton, a Silver Star recipient who had more than 100 combat missions in Vietnam flying the F-105 Thunderchief. He was forced to eject when his aircraft came under fire in August 1966 north of Hanoi.

Brazelton, who endured more than six years of abuse in the fetid prison camps of North Vietnam, would be more than justified in bearing a grudge, but he's backing the new project by USAID to help the Vietnamese account for their missing.

In a brief interview, Brazelton told Military.com that he "absolutely" supports the policy shift to provide technical assistance to Vietnam and work with U.S. veterans who may have knowledge of grave sites.

Brazelton also didn't think much of the 1985 Sylvester Stallone movie "Rambo: First Blood Part II," which fueled conspiracy theories about U.S. troops left behind when all that was needed to free them was to send a super soldier armed with a bow and arrow, and a great big knife.

Then there were the Chuck Norris "Missing in Action" movies in which the fearsome Col. Braddock went on "a mission deep into the jungles of Vietnam to find the POW camp that he escaped from and free the Americans still held captive there."

"They were terrible movies, I thought," Brazelton said of the Rambo and Braddock franchises in that they depicted the POWs as "downbeaten and disillusioned" when in reality most remained tightly organized and resistant to propaganda.

But the impact of the movies and the proliferation of groups and individuals claiming to have knowledge of the whereabouts of Americans still held prisoner was such that a 1991 Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll showed that 69% of Americans believed that the Vietnamese still held American troops prisoner.

The controversy led to extensive hearings in 1991 by a Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs led by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz), and Bob Smith (R-N.H.).

The conclusion of the lengthy final report filed by the committee was that "there is, at this time, no compelling evidence that proves that any American remains alive in captivity in Southeast Asia," but did not completely rule out the possibility that an American might still be held by the Vietnamese.

The live sighting reports "have not checked out; alleged pictures of POWs have proven false; purported leads have come up empty; and photographic intelligence has been inconclusive, at best," the report said.

The report also ripped the "latter-day Rambos" claiming they could go on rescue missions, for a price, and noted the buildup of a "cottage industry specializing in the creation and dissemination of false POW-MIA information" in Southeast Asia, mainly in Thailand.

Following the committee's hearings, the U.S. in 1994 lifted the trade embargo against Vietnam and normalized relations with Hanoi in 1995.

A Change in the Search

Since the '90s, as the possibility that any live POWs might return from Vietnam receded with each passing year, the issue of demanding a full accounting of the missing from Vietnam had reached the point where advocacy groups were having difficulty raising funds.

In February, the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, which was incorporated as the National League of Families in 1970, announced that it would have to disband.

The intrepid Ann Mills Griffiths, board chairman of the League and an advocate for a full accounting of U.S. POWs and MIAs for more than 50 years, said in a phone interview that, "We were so flat out of money" that the League at the end of 2022 had to cancel its annual meeting.

Based on Mills Griffiths' announcement that the League was closing shop, Vietnam Veterans of America President Jack McManus put out a statement saying, "It is with heavy hearts that we receive the news of the dissolution of this fine organization. The League has changed the course of history and the way we, as a nation, deal with the accounting of our war missing."

But a donor who remained anonymous came through with a contribution of $2 million to keep the League in business, and Mills Griffiths announced on June 20 that the League's full name, founding date and nonprofit 501(c)(3) status had been legally restored and fully funded.

"Our ability to advocate for achieving the fullest possible accounting for 1,579 Vietnam War missing is restored," said Mills Griffiths, who says she stopped counting how many times she's been to Vietnam to advocate after the 30th visit.

"This good news provides inspiration and confidence that the League's efforts to obtain answers on missing Americans will not only be sustained, but expanded," Mills Griffiths said.

The decision by American leaders to help Vietnam in the search for its missing is not the first time the U.S. has helped a former enemy search for war dead, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, told Military.com.

After World War II, the U.S. assisted Japan's efforts to recover remains in the Pacific, McKeague said, but the Vietnam project is unprecedented in the sense that Vietnam was an undefeated former enemy.

At the June 22 unveiling, McKeague said that the recovery of the remains of U.S. service members from Vietnam, and from Korea and World War II, was a No. 1 priority for the Department of Defense, and he praised the diligence of recovery teams whose "work is complex, arduous and often involves great risk" in harsh environments.

In her remarks at the event, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth noted that more than 81,000 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for from the nation's wars, the vast majority of them from World War II.

Each of those missing personnel "represents a family that has not received the answers that they need or the closure that they deserve," Wormuth said. "And we know that this matters because every month there are families who do receive the news that they have often been waiting decades to hear."

Wormuth said that during this year DPAA has repatriated the remains of 81 service members -- three from Vietnam, 26 from the Korean War, and 52 from World War II.

In all, more than 1,000 remains of U.S. service members have been recovered from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos since cooperation with the U.S. on missing in action searches began more than 30 years ago, but a total of 1,579 U.S. personnel from the Southeast Asia war are still listed as missing, according to the DPAA.

One of those in attendance at the poster unveiling was Jeanie Jacobs Huffman, who was a baby when her father, Navy Cmdr. Edward J. Jacobs Jr., was reported missing in action in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam on Aug. 25, 1967.

Jacobs was piloting an RA-3B Skywarrior with two crew members aboard on a reconnaissance mission when radar contact was lost as the aircraft approached the coastline. Jacobs and the two crew members are still listed as missing by the DPAA.

In February, Jacobs Huffman and her husband, Dave Huffman, formed the nonprofit Mission POW-MIA to press the U.S. government and Vietnam for a full accounting on the missing.

In a phone interview, Dave Huffman said, "The war is over and the families want answers. The families deserve to have answers. I would imagine the Vietnamese feel the same way."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Texas Tech was not acting as part of a government effort and that USAID was not involved with Harvard's efforts.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: 50 Years Later, Vietnam Veterans Finally Get Official Tribute to Their Service and Sacrifice
US official says 'exiled' Wagner boss Prigozhin may not have gone to Belarus at all  and may have used a body double to make it appear as though he fled Russia

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin in 2017. SERGEI ILNITSKY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin was exiled to Belarus last month after staging an armed rebellion.

But the former Putin ally apparently reappeared in St. Petersburg this week, sparking confusion.

A Pentagon official told The New York Times it appears Prigozhin has mostly been in Russia.

Yevgeny Prigozhin was exiled to Belarus last month after he used his mercenary Wagner Group to stage an armed mutiny against Moscow's military leadership, but after he apparently appeared in St. Petersburg this week, some have questioned whether he'd actually left Russia at all.

Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, who took credit for convincing Russian President Vladimir Putin not to assassinate Prigozhin, helped broker the deal that ended the revolt, which included Prigozhin's exile. But Lukashenko said Thursday the Wagner boss was already back in Russia.

Former CIA spies told Insider's Sonam Sheth that Prigozhin's swift return signaled weakness on behalf of Putin  who in the past has jailed or even killed adversaries for far less than an armed rebellion.

But things got even weirder with the suggestion that perhaps Prigozhin never went to Belarus.

An unnamed Pentagon official told The New York Times that Prigozhin has actually been in Russia  Moscow or St. Petersburg  for most of the time since the mutiny. The official also said it was unclear if Prigozhin ever went to Belarus, noting he is believed to employ body doubles.

An official also told the Times it did not appear any Wagner troops were in Belarus and that most were still at bases in eastern Ukraine. Lukashenko also told reporters Thursday that it was unclear if the Wagner fighters would come to Belarus after he previously offered them a desert military base.

Prigozhin's history of apparently using body doubles is unclear, but similar rumors have long surrounded Putin. For years conspiracy theories that Putin deployed people who looked like him for security reasons have popped up online, prompting the Kremlin to dismiss them.

Putin has even said he was offered the chance to use body doubles on his visits to Chechnya in the early 2000s, but that he always declined.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Photo : JIM WATSON / AFP) (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has reportedly been voted out of the House Freedom Caucus due to her behavior, a board member said.

A member of the House Freedom Caucus confirms that Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was voted out of the group last month, which suggests that the GOP member's fight with Rep. Lauren Boebert was part of the group's reasoning.

In a statement, Freedom Caucus board member Rep. Andy Harris said that the group voted to remove Greene for some of the things she has done. When the Republican was asked whether or not the Georgia lawmaker was officially out, he responded, "As far as I know, that is the way it is."

Marjorie Taylor Greene Removed From House Freedom Caucus

This is the first public confirmation regarding Greene's fate within the conservative group, and when it was first reported, it was unclear whether or not she had been removed. The vote took place less than two days after the Georgia Republican was in a verbal floor fight with Boebert where the former referred to the latter as a "little b*tch."

The two lawmakers have repeatedly clashed head-on, but Harris suggested that the particular spat factored into the conservative group's reasoning to remove Greene. As per Politico, he noted that how Greene referred to Boebert was different from how they wanted group members to address each other.

The situation marks the first time the conservative caucus has removed one of its members of its own volition. It also reflects the group's increasing frustration about Greene's behavior.

The Georgia Republican has closely allied herself with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy this year, lining up against many Freedom Caucus after supporting the speaker's rocky speakership bid and his debt deal with United States President Joe Biden.

At the same time, the House Freedom Caucus is working through a post-Trump crossroads, with some members concerned that the group is becoming too friendly with the party establishment.

Read Also: Judge Limits Biden Administration's Communication With Social Media Companies

Arguments With Fellow Members

When asked about the situation, Greene did not comment on her membership status with the House Freedom Caucus. She said in a released statement that she would "never change" her character. The Georgia Republican added that in Congress, she serves Northwest Georgia first and foremost and not any group in Washington, according to CNN.

Greene said her America First credentials were forged in steel and seared into her character. She added that she would work with anyone who wanted to secure the U.S. border, protect children inside the womb and after birth, end the forever foreign wars, and save the country.

Despite arguing with Greene, Boebert was among those who were not enthusiastic about removing the Georgia Republican from the House Freedom Caucus. She said that she was against the idea because she wanted to respect Greene's "freedom of speech."

A GOP member said Boebert was against voting Greene out of the group despite her feud against her. Later, the Colorado representative confirmed that she came to Greene's defense on freedom of speech grounds but did not comment further on how she ultimately voted, said Yahoo News.

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The US will send Ukraine a cluster munitions package to help in its counteroffensive against Russia.

The White House said it had postponed the decision for as long as it could because of the risk of civilian harm from such unexploded ordnance.

Ukraine has been asking for the weapons for months amid an ammunition shortage.

Cluster munitions - which are banned by more than 100 countries - are a class of weapon that contain multiple explosive bomblets called submunitions.

US President Joe Biden said in a cable TV interview that it was "a very difficult decision on my part" to send the bombs.

"I discussed this with our allies," he told CNN, "I discussed this with our friends up on the [Capitol] Hill."

He said he had decided to send the munitions because "the Ukrainians are running out of ammunition".

Mr Biden could face questions from allies about the matter at a Nato summit in Lithuania next week.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told Friday's daily White House briefing: "We recognise the cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance.

"This is why we've deferred the decision for as long as we could."

He added: "Ukraine would not be using these munitions in some foreign land. This is their country they're defending."

Mr Sullivan said Ukraine was running out of artillery and needed "a bridge of supplies" while the US ramps up domestic production.

"We will not leave Ukraine defenceless at any point in this conflict period," he said.

The munitions are controversial because of their failure, or dud, rate, meaning unexploded bomblets can linger on the ground for years and detonate later on.

Mr Sullivan told reporters that the cluster munitions America will send to Ukraine have a dud rate of less than 2.5%, describing that as far below Russia's cluster munition dud rate, which US officials say is between 30-40%.

In a separate news briefing, the Pentagon did not specify how many cluster munitions the US will send to Ukraine, but spokesman Colin Kahl said they had "hundreds of thousands available".

US law prohibits the transfer of cluster munitions with bomblet failure rates higher than 1% - meaning more than 1% of the bomblets in the weapon do not explode - but President Biden is able to bypass this rule.

A United Nations investigation found Ukraine has probably already used cluster bombs, though the country has denied doing so.

Early on in the war, the White House was asked about allegations that Russia was using cluster bombs, and then-press secretary Jen Psaki said it would be a "war crime" if true.

Officials are planning to send artillery shells to Ukraine, with each containing 88 separate bomblets, according to US media reports. They would be fired from Howitzer artillery weapons already deployed by the Ukrainian army.

The Biden administration's latest weapons package for Ukraine is worth $800m (626m). It includes Bradley and Stryker fighting vehicles, air defence missiles and anti-mine equipment.

Human rights groups have urged Russia and Ukraine not to use cluster munitions and have asked the US not to supply them.

In a statement on Friday, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights once again called on the countries not to use cluster bombs, arguing they were dangerous.

"Cluster munitions scatter small bomblets over a wide area, many of which fail to explode immediately," said office spokesperson Marta Hurtado. "They can kill and maim years later. That's why use should stop immediately."

Some US lawmakers have also asked the Biden administration not to send the weapons, arguing their humanitarian costs outweigh their benefits in the battlefield.

Defence Department official Laura Cooper told Congress last month that military analysts had found that cluster bombs would be "useful, especially against dug-in Russian positions".

More than 120 countries have committed to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, agreeing not to use, produce, transfer or store such devices.

The US, Ukraine and Russia are not party to the agreement.
(Bloomberg) -- The US has expressed concern over Chinas recent behavior towards Philippine vessels in the South China Sea, as the Southeast Asian nation reported Chinese vessels swarming south of an oil and gas-rich area in contested waters.

Most Read from Bloomberg

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a readout released Thursday after a call with Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, called Beijings conduct in the disputed sea coercive and risky. Austin also reiterated the US ironclad commitment to defend the Philippines, and that the two countries mutual defense treaty covers Coast Guard vessels in the South China Sea.

On Friday, the Philippine militarys western command said 48 Chinese fishing vessels were seen swarming a reef south of Recto Bank in the South China Sea during an air patrol in end-June. Two Chinese Navy vessels and three China Coast Guard ships are regularly loitering a nearby shoal, the military added.

Recto Bank, a significant feature for the Philippines holding immense potential for the countrys energy security and economic growth, stands as a focal point in this rising concern over Chinas recent behavior, the militarys western command said on its Facebook page.

Earlier this week, the Philippine Coast Guard said its vessels were constantly followed, harassed and obstructed late last month by bigger Chinese ships in the South China Sea. Chinas Foreign Ministry responded by saying its ships maneuvers were professional and restrained.

Chinese and Philippine ships nearly collided in the disputed sea in April, with both sides accusing one another of intrusion and provocation. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said last month that he sees Beijing as a partner in promoting peace and trade in the South China Sea, amid his governments recent push to bolster defense ties with the US.

Why Marcos Is Inviting the US Back to the Philippines: QuickTake

The Chinese Coast Guards recent moves were unprofessional, and Beijings irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea threatens the Philippines security, Washingtons envoy to Manila MaryKay Carlson said in a separate Twitter post on Friday.

The Philippines has filed 97 diplomatic protests against China since Marcos took power a year ago, according to Philippine Star.

(Adds comments from Philippine military throughout.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The U.S. is expected Friday to announce its plans to provide Ukraine with cluster bombs in a new military package, according to The Associated Press.

Cluster bombs, which are designed to explode and send multiple small munitions over a wide area, are relatively controversial due to the risk that unexploded bombs can injure or kill civilians.

The Pentagon plans to send Kyiv munitions with a lower dud rate, or the rate at which they fail to explode, in order to reduce the threat to civilians, according to the AP. The cluster bombs will reportedly have a dud rate of less than 3 percent.

Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder specified at a press briefing Thursday that the Pentagon is not considering providing cluster munitions with a dud rate greater than 2.35 percent and said military officials would be carefully selecting rounds with lower dud rates for which we have recent testing data.

Kyiv has been asking for cluster bombs since last year, but Washington had held off. More than 100 countries  notably excluding the U.S., Russia and Ukraine  have signed a 2008 treaty barring the use, transfer, production and stockpiling of such munitions.

In addition to the cluster bombs, the $800 million military package set to be announced Friday will also include Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles, as well as ammunition for howitzers and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, the AP reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
US State Department says Biden administration does not sanction unofficial talks with Russians

US State Department says Biden administration does not sanction unofficial talks with Russians

U.S. President Joe Bidens administration did not sanction or support secret meetings between former top U.S. national security officials and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov along with other Russians, Reuters reported on July 6.

The Biden administration did not sanction those discussions, a state department spokesperson said in response to questions from Reuters.

As weve said repeatedly, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Read also: US expected to announce transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine

The spokesperson said the administration would continue providing weaponry to Kyiv so that Ukrainian officials can negotiate from a position of strength when they think the time is right.

A group of high-ranking former U.S. national security officials conducted clandestine talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other well-known Russians associated with the Kremlin, U.S. news outlet NBC News reported on July 6.

The discussions were reportedly aimed at establishing a foundation for future negotiations on ending Russias war against Ukraine.

Read also:

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The issue of providing Ukraine with cluster munitions is being actively considered by the US administration.

Source: Andrew Bates, deputy spokesman for the White House, in a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One on the way to South California, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "That is under active consideration. I do not have an announcement to make at this time," he said.

Bates stressed that the United States is focused on providing Ukraine with a "wide range of ammunition," which the country's Armed Forces are actively using in the fight against the ongoing Russian aggression.

According to media reports, US President Joe Bidens administration is expected to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine, which will include cluster munitions.

The Pentagon has not yet officially confirmed the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine, but noted that this issue is indeed being discussed.

A spokesman for the US Department of Defense has said that the provision of so-called dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs) is indeed under discussion, but "there are no specific announcements at this time."

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
Biden Arms Control (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The United States will provide Ukraine with cluster-style artillery rounds for use on their own territory to repel Russian invading forces, the White House has said.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on Friday that Kyiv has provided written assurances that it would use the controversial weapons in a very careful way that is aimed at minimising any risk to civilians.

Mr Sullivan noted that Russia has been using their own version of cluster munitions, which are antipersonnel weapons that make use of small bomblets to maximise their effectiveness against massed troops, and pointed out that the Russian weapons have a high rate of failure which leaves the battlefield littered with unexploded ordinance.

He added that the US-made shells that will be provisioned to Kyivs defence forces have a much lower failure rate, and said Ukraines government has committed to post-war de-mining that would prevent civilians from being harmed by unexploded submunitions, which in past conflict zones have lingered for years.

While a 2008 treaty, the Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions, has been signed by more than 100 nations which have agreed to ban the use of such weapons, neither the US, Russia or Ukraine are signatories to the treaty.

He also contrasted Russias use of the weapons on Ukraines territory with Ukraines desire to use them to defend their own land.

When we look at what Ukraine would be doing with these weapons, as opposed to what Russia is doing with these weapons, we see a substantial difference. It doesnt make it an easy decision, and Im not going to stand up here and say it is easy, he said, adding that the US had deferred a decision on providing cluster munitions for quite some time because it required a real hard look at the potential harm to civilians.

When we put all of that together, there was a unanimous recommendation from the national security team, and President Biden ultimately decided  in consultation with allies and partners and in consultation with members of Congress  to move forward on this step, he said.

More follows...
US unit of India's Cipla recalls six batches of bronchospasm inhaler

Employees and security staff work at the reception area of Cipla at its headquarters in Mumbai

BENGALURU (Reuters) -Indian drugmaker Cipla said on Friday its U.S. unit was recalling six batches of albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol due to a "container defect".

"The company is initiating a recall in the U.S. due to a market complaint for one single inhaler, where leakage was observed through the inhaler valve," the pharmaceutical company said in a statement.

The six batches, manufactured in November 2021 using the same lot of valves, are being recalled, the company added.

The company's "Albuterol Sulfate HFA Inhalation Aerosol" is a generic therapeutic equivalent version of an inhaler from Merck & Co, according to Cipla's website.

Cipla said there were no adverse events reported for the inhaler related to the recall.

But a failure to deliver the recommended dose to treat the respiratory symptoms of acute asthma exacerbations, including wheezing and bronchospasms, due to a device defect, could be "life-threatening", Cipla added.

Albuterol sulfate inhalation aerosol is used for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Cipla also said consumers should stop using, return to place of purchase or discard the inhalers. It also added that adverse reactions with the use of the product could be reported to the U.S. health agency.

Shares of Cipla were trading 0.7% lower as of 9:45 a.m. IST.

(Reporting by Nishit Navin in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
Uzbeks see little chance for change in looming election

Uzbekistan leader Shavkat Mirziyoyev is widely expected to get re-elected on Sunday (VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO)

In the streets of Tashkent, there is little doubt as to who will win Sunday's presidential election in Uzbekistan.

The residents who spoke to AFP all said they would cast their ballots for the incumbent, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"There is nothing new to expect from this vote," said Rustam Usmonov, a programmer riding the Uzbek capital's metro.

"Mirziyoyev is the only one who is active and the other candidates do not dare criticise him," Usmonov said.

Uzbekistan, a forer Soviet republic, is Central Asia's most populous country, rich in natural gas and with a strategic location bordering Afghanistan.

Mirziyoyev, who was first elected in 2016, has tightened his grip on power while also aiming to open up his country to foreign investment and tourism.

Polls open at 0300 GMT and close at 1500 GMT. Some 20 million Uzbeks are eligible to vote.

The election comes after constitutional changes that allow Mirziyoyev, who was already re-elected in 2021, to serve two more terms.

The reforms, approved in a tightly controlled referendum earlier this year, enable the 65-year-old, who sees himself as a reformer creating a "New Uzbekistan", to remain in power until 2037.

- Water and internet for all -

In Tashkent, which is Central Asia's biggest city, portraits of the four candidates in the election and their programmes are evenly visible.

But residents said they were sure that Mirziyoyev would win.

Matkurban Yadgarov, a retired farmer, said he would "obviously" vote for him.

"The situation is much better under him than the former president.

"He has put an end to forced labour in the cotton fields," said Yadgarov, referring to a reform frequently touted as showing Mirziyoyev's more open approach.

Mirziyoyev, who served as prime minister under then president Islam Karimov, has also allowed the release of political prisoners jailed during his predecessor's quarter century in power.

Despite this and other socio-economic reforms, Uzbekistan remains a tightly controlled state.

NGOs say human rights are better than under Karimov but there is still lots to improve, and the authorities have shown no sign of allowing a real political opposition to emerge.

The three hopefuls standing against Mirziyoyev on Sunday are largely unknown candidates and only five political parties are officially registered in the country.

In July 2022, protests erupted over a plan to remove the right to self-determination from the region of Karakalpakstan. The unrest, and subsequent crackdown, in the poor northwestern territory left at least 21 dead.

Mirziyoyev's re-election campaign has focussed on the economy and education.

He has said he aims to double the country's gross domestic product to $160 billion in the near future.

He has promised more support for the families of hundreds of thousands of Uzbeks who go to work abroad and whose remittances made up 11.6 percent of GDP in 2021, according to the World Bank.

And, in a country with a largely youthful population, Mirziyoyev has made education improvements a highlight of his campaign.

Lola Umirova, a 28-year-old teacher, told AFP she expected the president would "improve the education system".

An agricultural engineer by training, Mirziyoyev has promised Internet access and drinking water for all Uzbeks -- half of whom live in rural areas.

The country, largely made up of desert, is on the front lines of climate change.

- 'Obvious victory' -

Mirziyoyev has vowed to continue a policy of opening up the country, to end the isolation in which it found itself under Karimov.

But efforts to free up the political system are timid and it is difficult for political alternatives to emerge.

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said the election campaign has been "low-key, mirroring lack of opposition to the incumbent".

His re-election in 2021 was similarly condemned by international observers as a ballot lacking genuine competition.

"The victory of the incumbent president is obvious," Uzbek political expert Farkhod Talipov told AFP of Sunday's poll.

"All the other candidates are completely unknown and unpopular. Their candidacies are just an artificial way of showing a political struggle that does not exist."

sk-bk/dt/gil
The state of Vermont has agreed to pay $16.5 million to settle all pending and potential lawsuits from foreign investors in development projects at the Jay Peak resort, the ski area that was shaken by a massive fraud case involving its former owner and president, officials said Wednesday.

In 2016, the federal Securities and Exchange Commission and the state alleged that former Jay Peak owner Ariel Quiros and former president William Stenger took part in a massive eight-year fraudulent scheme. The civil allegations involved misusing more than $200 million of about $400 million raised for various ski area developments from foreign investors through a visa program. The EB-5 program encourages foreigners to invest in job-creating ventures in the U.S. in exchange for a chance to earn permanent residency.

More: A ski resort, a dream and greed: How a $350M fraud happened in Vermonts poorest region

Quiros and Stenger settled civil charges with the SEC, with Quiros surrendering more than $80 million in assets, including the two resorts.

Jay Peak resort in Jay, Vt., April 18, 2016. The state of Vermont has agreed to pay $16.5 million to settle all pending and potential lawsuits from foreign investors in development projects at the Jay Peak resort, the ski area that was shaken by a massive fraud case involving its former owner and president, officials said Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

In 2019, Quiros, Stenger and Quiros' adviser William Kelly were indicted over the failed plan to build a biotechnology plant using tens of millions of dollars in foreign investors money. Quiros was sentenced last year to five years in prison; Stenger served just over nine months in prison; and William Kelly was sentenced to a year and a half.

Foreign investors sued the state and its immigrant investor regional center, accusing it of inadequately supervising the projects.

'All pending and potential lawsuits'

The settlement announced Wednesday, if approved by the court, will resolve all pending and potential lawsuits against the State that have been brought or could be brought by the approximately 850 investors in the Jay Peak EB-5 projects, Attorney General Charity Clark said in a news release. The state will also continue to support investors pursuit of green cards. If that is successful, the overall settlement payment will be reduced by $4 million, Clark said.

As Ive said before, Vermonters, investors, and the State of Vermont were all deceived by the fraud of Ariel Quiros, Bill Stenger, and William Kelly, Clark added. This civil settlement will bring a global resolution to the States involvement in this matter, which will protect the State from additional EB-5 lawsuits, preventing further financial harm to Vermont."

The $16.5 million will be paid over three years into the Jay Peak Receivership, which will distribute the funds. The investors paid over $400 million to the eight Jay Peak EB-5 projects.

Last month, the state agreed to a $750,000 payment to settle claims from eight Jay Peak investors.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Vermont will pay $16.5M to settle EB-5 lawsuits by foreign investors
Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko offered a disused military camp to Wagner fighters as part of a deal which ended the groups armed rebellion against Russian military leaders last month. So far, not one mercenary has so much as been to look at the camp, an official said.

The Soviet-era site near Tsel, about 55 miles southeast of Minsk, was displayed by the Belarusian military to a group of international reporters on Friday. Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin and his recruits who did not want to join up with the Russian Defense Ministry were supposed to move to Belarus after their mutiny unraveledbut the agreement has apparently gone awry.

Photos Leak of Russias Mercenary Boss in Ridiculous Disguises

When asked if anyone from Wagner had even visited the camp, an adviser to the Belarusian defense minister confirmed that they hadnt. They have not come, they have not looked, Leonid Kasinsky told reporters, according to Reuters.

When the Wagner Group makes a final decision on whether to deploy to Belarus or not, they will see where and how to deploy, Maj. Gen. Kasinsky added, the Associated Press reports.

On Thursday, Lukashenko said that, contrary to the agreement, Prigozhin isnt even in Belarus. Instead, he said the warlord was back home in St. Petersburg, with Russian media reporting sightings at his offices in the city. Where is he this morning? Maybe he went to Moscow, Lukashenko said. He added that Wagners troops were located in their own permanent camps, seemingly referring to installations in eastern Ukraine.

Lukashenko also said he planned to discuss the matter further with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Friday, Putins spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed questions concerning Prigozhins whereabouts and declined to comment about whether his apparent presence in Russia would break the terms of the deal.

On June 23, Prigozhin announced that his men would move toward Moscow after months of publicly criticizing Russias military commanders for their handling of the war in Ukraine. This is not a military coup, Prigozhin said at the time. It is a march for justice. The following day, he and his troops seized Russias military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, about 125 miles from the Russian capital.

Amid the crisis, Putin delivered an emergency TV broadcast denouncing the traitors and promising action will be taken in response. Hours later, Lukashenko confirmed hed brokered a deal between Putin and Prigozhin to bring the rebellion to an end, saying Wagners forces would return to Ukraine and Prigozhin would go to Belarus.

The fragile stability between the mercenary force and the Kremlin has teetered ever since, with Russian state television on Wednesday broadcasting images purportedly taken during raids of Prigozhins offices and one of his palaces. The footage showed bundles of cash, gold bars, and a collection of sledgehammers in an apparent effort to expose the hypocrisy of his corruption claims against the Russian armed forces.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now.

Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now.
(Photo : NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA / AFP) (NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images)

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko recently said that Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was back in Russia.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held a press conference on Thursday, saying that Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was back in Russia despite being exiled after a failed mutiny.

The remark comes as Prigozhin has been seen in public since June 24, suggesting that the Wagner chief appears in a decidedly perilous limbo. Lukashenko has distanced himself from Prigozhin after saying that neither the Wagner chief nor his mercenaries were in Belarus. It was unclear whether or not they move to the region.

Lukashenko Says Prigozhin is in Russia

In a statement, Lukashenko said that Prigozhin's location needed to be set, initially saying that the Wagner leader was in St. Petersburg, then saying that he could travel to Moscow or somewhere else the following day. However, what he did acknowledge was that Prigozhin was not in Belarus.

After the Belarusian president was said to have brokered a deal to end Prigozhin's rebellion in Russia that was conducted last month, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the deal was a result of the Lukashenko and Prigozhin knowing each other personally for roughly two decades, as per CNN.

But Lukashenko later disputed that claim, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin was Prigozhin's longtime friend. He said that the Russian strongman knew the Wagner chief much better than he did, being acquainted with him for the past 30 years.

Neither of the two leaders seemed fond of becoming Prigozhin's best friend following the Wagner chief's failed rebellion against Russia's military leadership. One of the last final straws for Prigozhin's long-standing tensions with Russia's Defense Ministry was when officials insisted the group's soldiers should sign contracts with the country's government.

While Prigozhin refused the demand, Lukashenko on Thursday insisted that if Wagner came to Belarus, the group's soldiers would be required to sign documents with the Belarusian government.

On the other hand, a Pentagon official who spoke anonymously later confirmed that Prigozhin had been in Russia, between Moscow and St. Petersburg, for most of the time following the failed rebellion, according to the New York Times.

Read Also: United Nations Approves Japan's Radioactive Water Release Plan Despite Opposition

Wagner's Failed Rebellion

Lukashenko's recent remarks regarding the whereabouts of Wagner mercenaries caused further confusion regarding the aftermath of what most considered the most dramatic challenge to Putin's authority throughout his 23-year leadership.

Despite the Belarusian president's remarks, the Kremlin refused to comment, saying on Thursday that it was unaware of where exactly Prigozhin is. Peskov said they were not following the Wagner leader's movements, saying they did not have the ability or desire to do so.

While Prigozhin has been seen in public for several weeks, he spoke on Monday on Telegram, a messaging app. It was the second time he spoke since the Wagner mercenary group's failed rebellion, including Prigozhin expressing his gratitude to his supporters inside Russia.

The situation suggests that Prigozhin can move freely around Russia, indicating that he has some level of leverage in the nation. A Russian defense official, who spoke anonymously, said it did not seem that the Wagner leader was fearful for his life, said The Guardian.

Related Article: Germany Plans To Cut Budget Amid Debt Issue But Raises Military Spending

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[Source]

Warner Bros. have spoken up about the controversial South China Sea map in Barbie that prompted Vietnam to ban the film from playing in cinemas.

Background information: State media reported on Monday that Barbie will not be premiering in Vietnam due to a scene with a map that includes Chinas nine-dash line in the South China Sea.

The nine-dash line is included in Chinese maps to show the parts of the South China Sea that China has claimed ownership of. Vietnam considers some of these areas as being part of its own continental shelf.

More from NextShark: YouTuber Emma Chamberlain Sparks Outrage for Racist Slant-Eye Gesture

Warner Bros. speaks up: On Thursday, the studio commented on the map, calling it a child-like drawing with no meaning behind it.

The map in Barbie Land is a whimsical, child-like crayon drawing," Warner Bros. said in a statement to Variety. "The doodles depict Barbie's make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement."

Additional information: "Barbie" was previously scheduled to premiere in Vietnam on July 21.

More from NextShark: China and India's Tense Border Conflict Starts Cooling Down For Now

The film follows a doll named Barbie who leaves Barbie Land for the human world in search of true happiness.

"Barbie's" star-studded cast includes Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Simu Liu, America Ferrera, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Emma Mackey, Ritu Arya, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Will Ferrell and Michael Cera, among many others.

More from NextShark: First Vietnamese to win Exceptional Bravery at Sea award: 'It is just humanity that motivates us'

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Asian Man, 56, Beaten in Unprovoked Attack While Entering NYC Subway
[Source]

An Asian American incoming college student is being cheered on for his explanation of why he is in favor of ending affirmative action.

Landmark ruling: In a 6-3 decision on June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-conscious admissions policies at the University of North Carolina and Harvard University violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.

The ruling marked a significant departure from over four decades of legal precedent that supported the consideration of race in the admissions process.

An Asian American student's perspective: Prospective Brown University student Alex Shieh articulated his support for the court's decision during a guest appearance on a recent ABC News special report on the ruling.

More from NextShark: Rep. Jill Tokuda hails Native Hawaiian drag queens 'Rupaul's Drag Race' win: 'It gives us hope'

When asked by host David Muir if the Supreme Court's decision was the right way to move forward, Shieh called it a win for students all across America.

We shouldn't be judging students based on race when we're deciding who gets into what schools. I think that your previous guest is mistaken in this regard because I believe that by getting rid of affirmative action, we can now look at the individual student and what they've accomplished.

Shieh argued that under such a system, students were often viewed as representatives of larger racial groups. However, with the elimination of affirmative action, universities now have the opportunity to consider applicants on a more personal level, taking into account the obstacles they have overcome.

More from NextShark: Suspect in Brutal Vancouver Bus Attack Identified, Found Dead of Drug Overdose

Discussing race in essays: Muir then raised a point by a previous guest, Duke University student Bunmi Omisore, that the ruling now lets students write about their race in their essays should they prefer the school to take this into account.

According to the court, universities may still take into account an applicant's discussion of how race has influenced their life, as long as it is linked to a specific quality of character or unique ability that the applicant can contribute to the university.

Omisore had previously mentioned that writing about "those traumas and those very hard experiences" for college admissions is not fair.

More from NextShark: How East Timor Survived COVID-19 With ZERO Deaths

Shieh acknowledges that race can play a role in how individuals experience the world but also emphasizes that it affects different people in different ways. He explains that allowing students the option to express the significance of race in their personal essays provides them with greater freedom to articulate their unique perspectives.

To have a blanket policy where everybody's race is considered, regardless of individual circumstances, I don't think that's appropriate. I find that many arguments in favor of affirmative action are somewhat incongruous because I've heard people say that it's a good way to overcome past discrimination. However, as an Asian American, I'm not exactly sure how that works for me because it's much more difficult for Asian Americans to gain admittance to schools than for white students.

Shieh then adds that students should not be judged based on factors they cannot control, such as their race. Instead, he suggests that assessing students based on their character and accomplishments provides a fairer and more comprehensive evaluation.

More from NextShark: Malaysian Woman Denied Entry to Kuala Lumpur Library for 'Revealing Clothes'

Going viral: Clips of the interview have been widely shared across platforms, generating thousands of views and comments, with many admiring Shieh's eloquence and others sharing their own views on the matter.

"I am Asian and I completely agree with this man," a commenter wrote. "Why is my race a reason to set certain standards? A truly fair society would never consider race as a factor of competence. This policy also reinforces the model minority stereotype and in many ways is a factor in the conflict among the various communities in this country."

"As a black person I'd be horrified if someone offered me a position of importance due to race when there really was someone better suited to handle it," another chimed in. "It sets up myself and so many others for failure. And for what? So you can pat yourself on the back and scream about how inclusive you are?"

"As an Asian I kind of feel conflicted," commented a user on the original post. "I mean affirmative action's intent sounded good as it gave traditionally racially discriminated and economically disadvantaged students a boost in admissions. As also someone who wasn't born into a rich family where they had money to spend on ten of thousands of private schools, test prep, and college advisors, yeah I can see how black and Latino students do inherently have a disadvantage. However, as a recent college admit that has gone through this same process, applying to top schools with a pretty high SAT and GPA score, and then getting rejected from fourteen T25 schools... I can see how this policy also starts discriminating against Asians that do have those academics."
Ian Rowe, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, Elder Ahmad S. Corbitt, General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and John Wood Jr., a Braver Angels national leader, chat at the Braver Angels National Convention at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., on Thursday, July 6, 2023. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

The Braver Angels national convention is taking place this week in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The organization, founded in 2016, is a nonprofit that attempts to ameliorate political polarization in America, according to the Deseret News.

The Friday evening program, which begins at 7:30 p.m. EDT, will feature a discussion on Can Media Go From the Problem to the Solution? featuring Farah Stockman of The New York Times, Mark Sappenfield of The Christian Science Monitor, Hal Boyd of the Deseret News and Helene Biandudi Hofer of Good Conflict. That will be followed by a discussion on Is Congress Fixable? with U.S. Rep Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and Bill Doherty.

The Saturday morning session, which begins at 8:30 a.m. EDT, will feature remarks from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.

Related

Watch a livestream of the convention below.
RICHMOND, Ind.  A Wayne County woman is accused of attacking her boyfriend with a knife.

Rebekah Galvez, 39, Cambridge City, was charged Friday in Wayne Superior Court 1 with domestic battery with a deadly weapon, a Level 5 felony carrying up to six years in prison.

A Cambridge City police officer were called to Galvez's home, along North Lincoln Drive, about 4:20 a.m. on July 3 and reported finding her boyfriend in the backyard of their duplex, "clearly still in distress," with multiple cuts on his hands and arms.

He reported Galvez  who he said was intoxicated  had repeatedly tried to stab him with a knife and also threatened to slash his tires.

More: Police: Officer shoved, punched by Richmond man

The accuser said Galvez became "mad and belligerent" when he tried to determine who she was speaking to on the phone, and told him to gather his belongings and leave.

As he tried to do that, the man said, Galvez tried to stab him, and also grabbed him by his hair and bit him. The officer reported the accuser had bite marks on his left and right biceps.

"At the conclusion of the interview, (the man) said Galvez is a good person when she is sober," the officer wrote.

Galvez, found in her home, "was adamant that she did nothing wrong," the officer wrote. She maintained her boyfriend had pulled her to the floor by her hair during a disagreement. She said she had armed herself with a knife because she felt threatened.

She also reportedly said she had been drinking "all day and had nothing to eat."

The Cambridge City woman was arrested and was later released from the Wayne County jail. She was also charged with two misdemeanor counts, domestic battery and interference with the reporting of a crime.

An initial hearing in her case is set for July 12.

According to court records, Galvez, formerly of Connersville, was convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2018.

Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Wayne County woman charged with attacking boyfriend with knife
Fayette County Public Schools is opening a welcome center for families and students who dont speak English as their first language or who come from foreign countries.

Multilingual families will have access to interpreters and other support as they register students for schools. Adult education and clothes and supplies for students will be offered.

Before a permanent welcome center opens, there will be two temporary locations in the meantime, said Dia Davidson Smith, district Chief Public Engagement Officer: one at the Andrew Center at Consolidated Baptist Church on Russell Cave Road on Lexingtons Northside and one housed in the districts former Central Office at 701 East Main Street.

The location for the standalone center hasnt yet been decided.

The temporary centers will open in phases so families can have services as soon as possible, said Miranda Scully, district Director of Family and Community Engagement.

Superintendent Demetrus Liggins said at Mondays school board meeting that the school district has immigrant families, and some speak languages other than English. Some are economically disadvantaged and some have transportation problems.

Of the more than 41,000 students in the district as of February 2023, 6,611 students are classified as English Learners. Ninety-five home languages are spoken by English Learner students, the district website said.

Fayette County Public Schools provides services to multilingual, migrant and refugee students so each one can achieve at high levels and graduate prepared to excel, the website says.

The new center would be a comprehensive one stop shop, Liggins said.
A Princess Cruises ship crashed into a pier in San Francisco as it was preparing to dock after a 10-day Alaskan cruise, officials said.

The 113,561-ton Ruby Princess made unexpected contact with the dock at Pier 27 at the port of San Francisco Thursday morning, Princess Cruises said in a statement obtained by CNN.

There were no injuries and at no time were any guests or crew in danger, the company said. The ship is safely alongside and disembarkation is complete.

Passenger Paul Zasso said he knew something seemed off as the ship approached the pier.

Princess Cruises said it was still planning to board passengers onto the Ruby Princess, but it was not clear when the ship would leave for Alaska. - KGO

I noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock, Zasso told CNN affiliate KGO. I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window, and we smacked into the dock.

The US Coast Guard is now investigating the crash, Petty Officer Hunter Schnabel told CNN.

The ship, which can accommodate 3,080 guests and 1,200 crew, suffered damage to its left rear side. The dock was also damaged, Princess Cruises said.

The 951-foot-long Ruby Princess was refurbished in 2018, according to Princess Cruises. - KGO

While investigators assessed damage to both the ship and the pier, Princess Cruises said it was still planning to board passengers for another 10-day, roundtrip journey to Alaska. But it was not immediately clear when the Ruby Princess would be able to start its next voyage.

Jim Simpson and his family are among those waiting to set sail to Alaska.

I dont swim that good. I just think they patch it up, Simpson told KGO.

But he said hes not worried.

Its a 10-day cruise, theres plenty of time, he told the affiliate. We can make up time moving and things like that. So I dont think its going to be an issue.

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The News

Western countries should head off the creation of new OPEC-like producer cartels for critical resources such as lithium by inviting mineral-rich nations to join an existing rich-country club, the head of a major mining trade association told Semafor.

Bringing Latin American and African countries into the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) would also promote mineral recyclability by allowing producers and consumers to balance their concerns and economic priorities, the Chief Executive of the International Council on Mining and Metals Rohitesh Dhawan said.

The MSP has been too late to invite the emerging world into it, Dhawan told me. That I think is a huge mistake because the narrative that it feeds for countries in Africa, in particular, is, Here the West goes again, coming to our countries, taking our mineral riches, not allowing us to develop.

Prashants view

The thinking behind mineral-rich countries seeking to join together is understandable: The world must electrify its economy and wean itself off fossil fuels as part of the energy transition, and minerals are crucial for this process, underpinning the construction of wind turbines, batteries for electric cars, and all manner of other crucial goods. Countries abundant in them want to take advantage and garner as much wealth as possible from their natural resources.

And indeed, countries around the world  in Latin Americas lithium triangle where that metal is abundant, Indonesia, which is rich in nickel, and elsewhere  have suggested forming producer groupings in the model of OPEC to control supply and thus have greater sway over the international prices of their raw materials.

Yet the broader downsides  at least to the rest of the world  of such an approach are huge. OPEC enjoys considerable influence over oil markets, but its members are routinely criticized for claiming to be balancing supply and demand while in fact prioritizing their own domestic budgets and exacting a significant cost from the global economy.

Dhawans suggestion  while being beneficial to his organizations member companies by undercutting such power  has a lot going for it. The MSP already includes both major producers such as Australia and Canada, as well as consumers, but is mostly made up of rich Western countries. India was inducted into the group last month, and an array of African countries  Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia  attended an MSP meeting in New York City in February, though none are full members.

In his telling, clubbing both groups together would also help promote mineral recyclability. Unlike fossil fuels, minerals and metals can be reused and recycled, which offers both long-term potential for their sustainability, as well as long-term fears that consumer countries could build up stockpiles and then cut producers off. That latter scenario, he worried, would leave mineral-rich developing countries thinking, After telling us that we cant exploit our coal reserves  now youre not even gonna buy our battery metals because you found a way to circulate these in your economy.

Know More

Avoiding the creation of an OPEC-like grouping isnt the only lesson the mining sector should take away oil and gas, Dhawan said. The industry should also improve transparency, acknowledge its role in climate change, and admit it isnt trusted by the public.

For too long  including today, frankly  the oil and gas industry has been saying to people, Well we produce the stuff, we dont burn it, you burn it, so its your problem, not ours, he told me. We believe in the signs you get in the shops that say, If you break it, you own it. If we have played a role in breaking something, like our climate, then we own the problem together with everybody else.

Both industries have long been targets of criticism from environmental and Indigenous rights groups for their purported carelessness in dealing with communities and wildlife in their pursuit of natural resources. Mining has lessons to learn from oil and gass successes, too, Dhawan acknowledged: Despite high-profile disasters such as the Deepwater Horizon explosion, oil and gas companies were consistently better at health and safety than mining businesses, he said. There are more examples of countries becoming wealthy off the back of oil and gas exploration than from mining, Dhawan pointed out, even if that wealth is ultimately poorly distributed.

Indeed, some analysts have suggested that, rather than gearing up for a shift towards renewables  which deliver lower, albeit consistent, returns when compared to boom-and-bust fossil fuels  oil and gas majors should instead pivot towards mining, an industry that in some ways better mirrors the financial returns fossil-fuel shareholders expect, and which leverages oil and gas companies historic expertise in advanced sciences such as geology.

Quotable

The industrys traditional approach has been  when faced with criticism, to respond with all the great things we do, and to say, Yes, but we create jobs, and economic value, and supply chains and all these other things, and dont you like your iPhone, and dont you like your airplane that youre flying on, Dhawan said. Thats been our mistake for the last two, three, four decades, that we have not accepted and admitted that we have acted in ways that make it hard for people to trust us.

The View From Indonesia

Indonesia offers a case study for many of the challenges facing the minerals sector. Its vast island network is home to the worlds biggest supply of nickel, but the metal lies below thick forest. In 2020, Jakarta banned the export of nickel ore, and intends to bar the overseas sale of an array of other minerals to boost the development of local refining capacity. Last year the Indonesian government said it was studying establishing an OPEC-like grouping for metals needed to make batteries. Experts are increasingly looking to the countrys decision as a model for how developing countries and mineral-rich nations will handle the energy transition.

Room for Disagreement

Even if countries like Indonesia wanted to form an OPEC-like cartel, they would face significant challenges. When it comes to nickel, for example, MSP members Canada and Australia are major players. Indonesia is also heavily reliant on Brazilian and Chinese companies to help it extract the metal, unlike, say, Saudi Arabia, which has a state-owned company dominating its domestic oil industry. Analysts also caution that such moves could drive away investment, particularly among businesses able to help build up refining capacity in mineral-rich nations which would help them capture more of the economic value of their resources.

And the MSP itself is no silver bullet, particularly if richer consumer countries do not partner with mineral-rich ones to help them develop the processing and manufacturing capacity that helps them build a value chain, Todd Moss, the executive director of the Energy for Growth Hub, a global network of experts and researchers, told me.

Notable
In the wake of the uprising by Wagner Group forces in Russia, the US and Europe have turned their gaze to an increasingly unpredictable Belarus  a key Russian ally that Western officials fear could give the exiled mercenary troops a new home and serve as a staging ground for Russian nuclear weapons.

But so far, US and European officials have not seen clear signs that either scenario is unfolding. While officials are closely monitoring an apparent military camp that sprung up outside of Minsk following the uprising in southern Russia, Wagner troops do not appear to have moved into the country en masse.

It could happen that Wagner PMC decides not to relocate here, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday. Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin is not even in Belarus, Lukashenko told CNN  he is in Russia, Lukashenko claimed.

A view of the Belarusian army camp near Tsel village, about 55 miles southeast of Minsk, Belarus, Friday, July 7, 2023. - Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

And while Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that the facilities in Belarus necessary to store the tactical nuclear weapons would be ready by July 7, Western officials have seen no signs of that, either. Belarus still does not appear to have the proper infrastructure to house the weapons, officials said, and it will likely be months, if not longer, before doing so is even technically feasible.

Available satellite imagery has also not shown any signs of the kind of preparations and security that would be standard at a Russian nuclear facility. Russia has the worlds largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, with 4,477 deployed and reserve nuclear warheads, including around 1,900 tactical nuclear weapons, according to the Federation of American Scientists. It is not clear how many of those Russia is potentially planning to deploy to Belarus.

We are in this fog of Russian mirrors. What actions will Putin take? We dont know, said Max Bergmann, the director of Russian and European studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Putin does not need tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus to use those weapons, Bergmann added. But it is concerning to the US that tactical nuclear weapons could potentially be co-located in Belarus with Wagner fighters. That said, it seems there is a long way to go before we would even get there.

Russian nuclear command and control

US officials still have questions about how Russia would protect its potential arsenal in Belarus from rogue actors. The concerns have not set off a five-alarm fire within the US government, however, officials feel confident that when it comes to command and control, it is in Putins interest to keep both Wagner fighters and Lukashenko from having any access to Russias nuclear arsenal.

The 12th Main Directorate of the Ministry of Defense has controlled Russias nuclear arsenal since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Experts say it would be surprising if another body was assigned control of any tactical nuclear warheads in Belarus. A senior officer from the Directorate did travel to Belarus in the spring.

Still, Lukashenkos close relationship with Putin, and the unexpected role he played in quelling the Wagner uprising, has left intelligence analysts vigilant about what could come next and is a key topic of discussion among NATO allies ahead of next weeks leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. And some US officials are also concerned that Putin could make an announcement related to Russias presence in Belarus during the summit.

Belarus' President Alexander Lukashenko speaks with foreign media at his residence, the Independence Palace, in the capital Minsk on July 6, 2023. - Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images

But even without any major announcement from Russia next week, the alliance is already on edge about Wagner potentially expanding to Belarus: Poland is demanding additional funding from the European Union to bolster its border security amid fears that Wagner will reconstitute in neighboring Belarus. Latvias prime minister said Wagner could attempt to infiltrate Europe from a new perch in Belarus. And Lithuanias president described Wagner fighters as serial killers who could emerge in Belarus at any moment. And nobody knows when they could turn against us.

The countries presidents wrote a letter to the NATO secretary general and the heads of the NATO alliance on Friday, warning them about the threat posed by Russias aggressive actions and the evolving situation in Belarus.

The cooperation between Russia and Belarus has deteriorated the security of the region and that of the entire Euro-Atlantic area, they wrote, according to the Lithuanian Presidents Communication Group.

The Russians moving even a part of its nuclear arsenal to Belarus is something new, we dont know what the intention is, so the Poles are right to be concerned, said Angela Stent, the director of Russian studies at Georgetown University. This is part of the nuclear brinkmanship that Putin has engaged with from the beginning of the war.

Signs of Wagner in Belarus

US and European officials have not seen signs that Wagner troops have retreated to Belarus in large numbers, and it does not even appear that Prigozhin is in the country himself. Lukashenko told CNN on Thursday that Prigozhin is currently in St. Petersburg, Russia, despite striking a deal with Putin nearly two weeks ago in which he agreed to be exiled to Belarus for his role in staging the Wagner uprising.

Officials have been closely monitoring signs that a military garrison around 50 miles southeast of Minsk is being revived, possibly for use by Wagner forces. The Belarusian government on Friday gave foreign media, including CNN, a tour of the garrison, which could be used to house Wagner fighters if they come to the country.

The work on the field camp appears to predate the uprising, officials said. And Belarusian Major General Leonid Kasinsky told CNN on Friday that there is absolutely no connection between this camp and Wagner. He added that yesterday the President said that if Yevgeny Prigozhin makes a decision together with his commanders to come to Belarus to set up, then this camp among other places could be offered to them.

With Prigozhin now cut off from much, if not all, of his funding from the Kremlin, however, it is not clear he can sustain a large Wagner contingent inside Belarus  or that Lukashenko would allow him to do so, knowing that he could pose a threat to his rule.

The Belarusian leader said that if Wagner did relocate to Belarus, they would have to sign a contract with the Belarusian government  something Prigozhin refused to do with the Russian Ministry of Defense before staging his attempted insurrection in Russia last month.

When they decide to be located in Belarus, we will draft up a contract with them, Lukashenko said on Thursday. Everything will be spelled out in it. The framework within which this unit will operate will be determined at the level of a law or a presidential decree.

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Whatcom County taking steps to find public defenders for people, some who are still in jail

Whatcom County continues to struggle to find enough public defense attorneys to represent people accused of crimes, two months after the Bellingham Herald first reported on the problem.

In mid-May, roughly 43 people were waiting for public defense attorneys to be appointed to them. Nearly a dozen of those people were in the Whatcom County Jail, with some waiting for an attorney for more than a month.

All of the 43 people qualified for a public defender, but the Whatcom County Public Defenders Office could not represent them because it was already handling other cases that created conflicts of interest.

Of the 43 unrepresented people in mid-May, 26 had cases in District Court, 12 were charged with felonies in Superior Court and five were facing charges in Juvenile Court.

Since that time, the county has hired an in-house conflict attorney, the public defenders office has added to its staff and judges have begun talking about the rare step of assigning private attorneys to handle cases.

As of Thursday, July 6, there were still eight people waiting for an attorney to be found for them, according to Whatcom County Superior Court Administrator Dave Reynolds.

More than half of those eight are currently incarcerated, Reynolds said.

While the number of people waiting to have an attorney appointed to them has dropped, the issue remains one the county is grappling with.

A vital role

Both the U.S. Constitution and Washington State Constitution demand that if a person cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for them.

That right begins as soon as a person is taken into custody, appears in front of a judge or court commissioner or is formally charged, whichever comes first, according to Washington state court rules.

Locally, people who are indigent, or cant afford an attorney, are screened by Whatcom Countys Office of Assigned Counsel. If they qualify, their cases are sent to the public defenders office to be assigned attorneys.

If the public defenders office cant accept the case due to a conflict or caseload limits, the case is returned to the Office of Assigned Counsel. The case is then sent to private attorneys who have contracts with Whatcom County and agree to take on cases the public defenders office cannot.

This system is changing, though.

In June, the countys Office of Assigned Counsel hired attorney Melissa Stone as a public defense conflict attorney. Stone will handle cases in which the countys public defense office is prohibited from accepting due to conflicts of interest, or that the office has sent back due to staff attorneys hitting their caseload limits.

Stone is expected to provide direct representation for many of the people who were awaiting an attorney.

Stones hiring marks the first time the Office of Assigned Counsel has had an in-house attorney, Reynolds, the court administrator, said.

Earlier in the year, the four Superior Court judges met with Reynolds and Satpal Sidhu, the county executive, and encouraged them both to hire an attorney with public defense experience to manage and oversee public defense services in Whatcom County, according to a mid-June Whatcom County press release.

After receiving approval from the executive, Reynolds then hired Stone as the in-house attorney. She started June 12, according to the release.

Stone immediately began representing people who needed a public defense attorney and were awaiting trial and is expected to develop a plan to assure that all defendants awaiting trial have qualified representation, according to the release.

Stone has been a practicing attorney for more than 12 years and previously worked as a paralegal and court clerk in both the public and private sectors before attending law school. Shes spent the majority of her time as a practicing attorney in Whatcom County, Stone said in an email to The Herald.

Stone said shes worked as an intern and attorney in the countys public defense office, as a prosecutor and has law firm, non-profit and federal court experience. She most recently served as an assistant attorney general.

Stones position with the countys Office of Assigned Counsel is currently funded through December 2024, she said.

She will handle overflow and conflict cases from the countys public defense office. As of late June, Stone had around 65 cases across Superior, District and Juvenile courts. Several of her clients have more than one case, she said.

This position is quite unique and is the result of the county recognizing the importance of representation for indigent people accused of crimes, Stone said.

Initially, Stones caseload was front-loaded with a group of people awaiting attorneys, making her first few weeks on the job very busy, she said.

Since she can now facilitate moving cases toward some sort of resolution, she said she expects her caseload will remain manageable and within the limits set by the Washington State Supreme Court. Stone said she does expect her caseload to grow some though, because there will always be conflicts necessitating conflict counsel.

As time goes on, conflict or overflow cases will come to her first before being sent out to other contracted indigent defense attorneys, she said, marking a change in the way Whatcom County handles conflicted public defense cases.

Stone ultimately said she saw the position as an opportunity to use my experience to fill an urgent need in my community. I love Whatcom County and feel fortunate to be back at the courthouse.

She said getting to know the clients, their stories, their challenges, their goals, then seeking justice for them in what can be a daunting process is what most attracted her to this type of work, adding that she wants her clients to know shes here to help them.

Stone said regardless of someones financial situation, its important that people have representation so that they can be advocated for properly.

Any attorney representing indigent clients is serving a vital role. It goes beyond providing legal advice  an attorney can be a lifeline for a client, especially when that person is in custody, she said.

Qualifications

While Stones hiring has eased the number of people waiting for an attorney to be found for them, there still is a need for public defense attorneys who can handle the most serious felony adult cases.

Under rules set by the Washington State Supreme Court, attorneys who represent indigent clients must meet specific qualifications in order to be able to handle and accept specific types of cases.

Attorneys who wish to represent an indigent client must meet minimum requirements for practicing law, be familiar with state statutes, rules of professional conduct, mental health issues, and various sets of guidelines for criminal defense representation and indigent appeals, among others.

For the most serious adult felony cases, such as murder, first-degree rape or other violent offenses, attorneys must meet all the above qualifications, as well as have served two years as a prosecutor or two years as a public defender or two years in a private criminal practice, and must also have been trial counsel alone or with another attorney and handled a significant portion of the trial in three felony cases that have been sent to a jury, according to the qualification rules.

The qualifications set by the state Supreme Court that a public defense attorney must meet vary depending on the type of case, such as for adult sex offenses or lower level felonies.

Stone said she is not yet qualified to handle some of the more serious adult felonies. If those cases arise, Stone said she works with the countys Office of Assigned Counsel to find an attorney who can handle that case.

A rare step

Even though the countys Office of Assigned Counsel now has an in-house conflict attorney, some of Whatcoms Superior Court judges have started talking about appointing attorneys directly from the bench.

After a new state rule went into effect in January regarding the independence of public defense services, the assignment of attorneys for indigent clients became a function of the Superior Court Clerks Office, and judges became less involved in helping find attorneys for people, Whatcom County Superior Court Presiding Judge Lee Grochmal said in an email to The Herald.

The new rule does not prohibit a judge from assigning a case to an attorney if no qualified public defense attorney is available or willing to take the case.

But its a rare step for a judge to take, Grochmal said.

We dont like to do this because it requires that we order an unwilling attorney to do work they are not under contract to do. Attorneys have an ethical obligation to take such cases when necessary, but it is not something we are eager to do on a regular basis, she said.

Grochmal said she has not personally appointed an attorney who does not already have a contract to provide indigent public defense services, but said she was aware of at least one case in which that did occur.

The attorney that was selected to take the case had a conflict of interest and was unable to take the case. Ultimately, an attorney from the list of contracted attorneys was found and took the case, she said.

During a Thursday morning court hearing for a man accused of rape, voyeurism, burglary, theft and assault across three separate cases, Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Freeman said he would likely be appointing an attorney to represent the man because one could not be found for him and it was unclear whether Stone was legally allowed to handle his cases.

The man is currently incarcerated in the county jail. During the Thursday hearing, he said his rights were being violated and he needed an attorney so that he could address issues with his bail.

The man is expected to have a follow-up court hearing next week. He is one of the five people currently incarcerated who is awaiting an attorney in Whatcom County.

Whatcom County Public Defense Director Starck Follis previously told The Herald in May that there has always been enough private lawyers who accepted court-appointed cases, but due to state and national shortages of defense attorneys, fewer and fewer people are willing to take on those cases.

Its not just Whatcom battling these issues either.

The Tri-Cities in Eastern Washington is facing a crisis after several months of not having any qualified attorneys to assign to new cases, the Tri-City Herald reported. Judges began cutting bail for people accused of crimes and were considering requiring private attorneys to take on public defense cases, according to the Tri-City Herald.

While counties across the state look at various ways to solve the shortage, Whatcom took the step of hiring Stone.

Grochmal, the presiding judge, said she was one of the judges who met with the court administrator and county executive earlier in the year and encouraged them to hire an in-house attorney to oversee public defense service in Whatcom County.

I applaud the clerk and executive for working together to fill this new position expeditiously. I am hopeful that Ms. Stone can eventually transition into a role where she can take a more active part in managing and overseeing Assigned Counsel, including recruitment of additional attorneys to accept new cases, Grochmal said.
Cocaine discovered at the White House that was left in an area frequently used by visitors on tours posed no threat to national security, a top official said (Brendan Smialowski)

Cocaine found in the White House posed no threat to national security, a top aide to President Joe Biden said Friday, underlining that a highly sensitive facility nearby was not in use at the time.

The cocaine was found last Sunday, embarrassing the administration which has taken pains to emphasize decorum after the disruption of the Donald Trump years.

The Secret Service, which guards the White House, says the drug was found in a heavily trafficked area used by visitors. It was reportedly a small quantity found in a locker where cellphones and other belongings are left during visits.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that although the discovery was made near the White House's highly restricted Situation Room, the facility has not been in use "for months because it is currently under construction."

"So the only people coming and going out of the Sit Room in this period have been workers."

Sullivan reiterated that White House staff are subject to "rigorous drug testing policies."

Because Biden's son Hunter Biden has a long, well-documented history of drug addiction, right-wing US media have led a barrage of reporting suggesting he might be linked to the cocaine.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped at a reporter Friday who asked whether the cocaine belonged to anyone in the Biden family.

"The Biden family were not here," she said, recalling that the president and his family were away at the Camp David retreat for a long weekend when the cocaine was found.

"To ask that question is actually incredibly irresponsible," she said.

sms/jh
(Photo : Alon Skuy/Getty Images)

Former United States President Donald Trump's personal aide, Walt Nauta, pleads not guilty in the classified documents case amid accusations that he helped his boss hide sensitive materials from federal agents.

Former President Donald Trump's personal aide, Walt Nauta, pleads not guilty in the classified documents case where he is accused of helping the Republican businessman hide sensitive materials from federal agents.

The development comes after two failed arraignments that forced a delay of the case that targets the former president's handling of documents he took from the White House. Nauta is considered to be a co-defendant alongside Trump.

Walt Nauta Pleads Not Guilty

Last month, the former president pleaded not guilty to 37 felony counts after federal agents recovered more than 100 classified documents from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Stanley Woodward, Nauta's attorney, was the one who entered the plea on behalf of his client, waived the reading of the complaint while, and requested a jury trial.

During the hearing, US Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres asked Nauta whether or not the defendant had already read the charges against him and if he could consult a lawyer. He answered with three words, "Yes, your honor," as per NBC News.

The arraignment, which was delayed twice for various reasons, only lasted about five minutes. It was unknown ahead of the Thursday hearing whether Nauta, a military valet in Trump's White House, had found local counsel. But by the time the former Trump aide appeared on Thursday, he was able to hire Sasha Dadan, a Florida-based attorney.

Judge Torres postponed Nauta's earlier arraignment because the defendant did not yet have a permanent Florida attorney for his first hearing. The former Trump aide missed the second hearing because bad weather affected his flight.

Nauta was found to have accompanied Trump late last week on a political appearance in Philadelphia, where they were seen together ordering at a famous city institution. The Republican businessman also met with several lawyers who were based in Florida as he was considering whom to hire to represent him in the case, according to CNN.

Read Also: Pentagon to Tighten Classified Information Control Following Discord Leak

Classified Documents Case

Some of the Florida-based lawyers who were considered to represent Trump in the case have asked for premium payments because of the high-profile nature of the situation. This was also due to the former president's difficult history with lawyers.

In a statement, Timothy Parlatore, who represented Trump as his properties were searched for more classified records late last year, said that he was advising people to consider taking on the matter seriously, calling it an interesting case and an important issue.

The situation also affects individual prosecutors involved in the case, as they face substantial harassment and threats online and elsewhere. Two officials added that federal agencies had not observed a general increase in threats against law enforcement in the weeks since the former president was indicted in South Florida.

The FBI has called threats against law enforcement "reprehensible and dangerous," adding that it was already working closely with other agencies to assess and respond to the threats. Political extremism experts added that organized threats of violence against government institutions have generally slowed down since the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot, said the Washington Post.

Related Article: Marjorie Taylor Greene Kicked Out From House Freedom Caucus, Board Member Says

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The White House on Friday confirmed there have been talks with Russia about a potential prisoner swap involving detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

I do not want to give false hope, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. There have been discussions, but those discussions have not produced a clear pathway.

We have also made clear for months now, even before Evan was detained as we were dealing with Paul Whelan, that we are prepared to do hard things in order to get our citizens, he said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that the U.S. and Russia are discussing a swap of Gershkovich and Vladimir Dunaev, a Russian citizen who is facing charges in the U.S. for alleged cybercrimes. U.S. Ambassador to Russia Lynne Tracy met with Gershkovich at Lefortovo prison in Moscow a day before Peskovs comments.

We have said that we remain in contact with Russian authorities, at high levels, on these cases, Sullivan said Friday.

WNBA star Brittney Griner was released by Russia in a prisoner swap in December, with the U.S. releasing Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Friday marks 100 days since Gershkovich was arrested in late March on espionage charges. Sullivan said he met with representatives from the Wall Street Journal and Gershkovichs family earlier Friday to mark the day.

Sullivan also said the White House is invested in bringing home Gershkovich, as well as former Marine Paul Whelan, who has been detained in Russia since 2018.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre marked the 100 days at the top of the daily briefing, saying that the message to Gershkovich and Whelan is keep the faith.

The world knows that the charges against Evan are baseless; he was arrested in Russia during the course of simply doing his job as a journalist, Jean-Pierre said. And he is being held by Russia for leverage because he is an American.

The president has been very clear that we have no higher priority than securing the release of Evan, Paul Whelan and all Americans detained abroad, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House, has said that NATO membership would mean that Ukraine has to meet certain requirements.

Source: John Kirby in an interview with Voice of America, as reported by European Pravda

Details: At the same time, Kirby stressed that the United States believes in NATO's open-door policy.

Quote: "We still believe in NATO's open door of course, but we also recognise that in order to become a member of NATO, every country has to meet certain requirements and that it has to be a robust discussion between that nation and the alliance, and we want to respect that process."

More details: Kirby said that there is no question of Ukraine remaining in a "grey zone" between NATO and Russia, on the contrary, all the actions of the allies show that they are fully on the side of Ukraine in its just struggle against Russian aggression.

Quote: "I think the message has been sent to Mr. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin loud and clear, that not only the United States, not just the West, but the entire world is going to continue to support Ukraine."

Background: Earlier, Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, said during a briefing on Wednesday that NATO member states will decide on Ukraine's membership in the Alliance after Ukraine has implemented reforms and met all requirements. In response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called on the West to reform its attitude towards Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on US President Joe Biden to invite Ukraine to join NATO now, even if Ukraine becomes a member of the Alliance after the end of the war.

Journalists fight on their own frontline. Support Ukrainska Pravda or become our patron!
The white supremacist who fatally shot 23 people at an El Paso Walmart will remain behind bars for the rest of his life after being sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences.

Patrick Crusius, 24, was sentenced Friday morning to life in prison on each of 90 federal charges he pleaded guilty to earlier this year in connection with the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting that killed 23 people and injured dozens more at an East El Paso Walmart.

Residents from El Paso, Juarez and Germany were killed in the Borderland massacre.

As the gunman was being led out of the courtroom, Dean Reckard, whose mother, Margie Reckard, was killed in the shooting, shouted, "We will be seeing you again, you coward. We will see you again.

The life sentences, which will be served consecutively, were handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama, ending a three-day emotion-filled sentencing hearing that began Wednesday at the Albert Armendariz Sr. Federal Courthouse in Downtown El Paso.

Judge Guaderrama ordered the sentences to be served at the ADX Florence supermax federal prison near Florence, Colorado. The prison currently houses some of the worst criminals in U.S. history, including Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and Oklahoma City bomber Terry Nichols.

Court officials have not said when the gunman will be transferred to the supermax prison, or if he will stay at the El Paso County Jail until the state of Texas case against him is resolved.

The gunman's defense team told the judge that their client was suffering from a mental disorder called schizoaffective, but prosecutors dismissed that as an explanation for his violent attack.

U.S. Attorney's Office's federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna said: "It was not a crime of passion. It was not an accident. It was a calculated act that he planned."

Mental illness was not an excuse for the actions of the gunman who destroyed so many lives, federal prosecutor Ian Martinez Hanna said.

What happened was a cold, calculated scheme targeting immigrants and Hispanics, Hanna said. A shooting spree that spared no one. It was not a crime of passion. It was not an accident. It was a calculated act that he planned."

He added the gunman is just starting to acknowledge his crimes against humanity.

He says this sentence is him taking accountability, but this is just the beginning of him taking accountability, Hanna said. When he is sitting in a cold, dark jail cell alone with his thoughts is when he will start to take accountability.

Defense attorney Joe Spencer said the gunman acted with a broken brain.

"Patrick experienced breaks from reality," Spencer said. "He often heard voices in his head. He had hallucinations."

Defense lawyer Joe Spencer walks into the courtroom on Friday, the final day of sentencing of the gunman who killed 23 people in a Walmart in El Paso.

Francisco Javier Rodriguez, whose son Javier Amir Rodriguez, 15, was the youngest person killed during the mass shooting, expressed some relief that the gunman was held accountable for the mass shooting.

"It is good that it is over," Rodriguez said. "Nothing he can say will bring my son back."

More than 50 people sat in the courtroom Friday morning, while more sat in an overflow room to watch the gunman sentenced on monitors showing the proceeding.

Patrick Crusius is depicted at the first day of his sentence hearing in Downtown El Paso on Wednesday. The gunman pleaded guilty Feb. 8 to fatally shooting 23 people and injuring dozens more during the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting at the East El Paso Walmart at 7101 Gateway Blvd. West.

The sentencing means the gunman will spend the rest of his life in federal prison. The life sentences were the maximum the gunman could receive in federal court since the U.S. Attorney's Office decided not to seek the death penalty.

The gunman, who was wearing a blue jailhouse jumpsuit with his hands and ankles in cuffs, did not address the court before the sentence was handed down. He was provided the opportunity to speak in court on the first day of the hearing but declined.

The gunman drove 700 miles from Allen, Texas, to El Paso on the morning of Aug. 3, 2019, and parked in front of the El Paso Walmart at 7101 Gateway Blvd. West, near Cielo Vista Mall.

He then exited his vehicle carrying a GP WASR-10 semiautomatic rifle  a Romanian-made firearm variant of the AK-47 assault rifle  loaded with 7.62 x 39 mm hollow-point ammunition, court documents state.

More: Families of El Paso shooting victims demand justice: 'I will never forgive you'

He began gunning down innocent people in the parking lot before moving into the store and killing and wounding dozens more who were in the aisles and a bank inside the large store. The death toll rose to 23 people in the days and weeks following the shooting.

The gunman then fled the scene in his vehicle, but minutes later pulled over at a nearby intersection, got out of his car and surrendered to a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper responding to reports of the mass shooting. The gunman told the trooper, "I'm the shooter," court documents state.

He confessed to law enforcement that he was targeting Hispanics to dissuade Mexicans and other Hispanics from coming to the United States, federal prosecutors and court documents allege.

The white supremacist claimed the motive behind the shooting was because "they (Mexicans and other Hispanics) were to blame" and "he was trying to defend his country," federal prosecutors said.

Minutes before the shooting, he posted a racist diatribe online outlining his hatred for Hispanics and his motive for committing one of the deadliest shootings in U.S. history.

In February, the gunman pleaded guilty to 90 federal charges in connection with the shooting. The charges were 23 counts of hate crimes resulting in death, 23 counts of use of a firearm to commit murder during and in relation to a crime of violence, 22 counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill, and 22 counts of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

No sentence can bring back the 23 innocent souls we lost on August 3, 2019 or take away the profound pain the survivors and their loved ones live with every day, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, said on Twitter.

The hatred that is white supremacy and the easy access to assault weapons fueled a tragedy that many El Pasoans still live with and we must continue to work for change.

"But today, I hope the victims and our community achieve a significant step toward justice.

The sentencing marks the end of the federal criminal case against the gunman. It comes nearly four years after the racially motivated shooting left the victims and the Borderland community searching for answers and justice.

However, the legal saga against the gunman continues as the victims, family members and community now turn their attention to the state of Texas' case against him.

The gunman faces one count of capital murder of multiple persons and 22 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The names of the 23 U.S., Mexico and German citizens who died in the attack at Walmart on Aug. 3, 2019.

More: Walmart mass shooting gunman faces victims as sentencing hearing begins in El Paso

El Paso County District Attorney Bill Hicks stated Thursday that his office still is seeking the death penalty against the gunman. He added that the federal case's outcome would not impact the state's case.

A trial date has not been set, but Hicks said it could be tried next year or in 2025, depending on when state Judge Sam Medrano calls the case to trial.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Walmart shooting sentencing: Gunman receives 90 life sentences
Joe Biden Illustrated / Getty Images

America is sending another deadly weapon to help Ukraine fight Russia. The Associated Press reported the White House has approved Ukraine's request for cluster munitions  bombs and artillery shells that open in the air to release dozens or hundreds of "bomblets" to destroy multiple targets at once. "The Ukrainians have asked for it, other European countries have provided some of that, and the Russians are using it," said Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Ukraine expects to use the munitions as part of its slow-moving counteroffensive against Russia.

The weapons are controversial. The International Committee of the Red Cross said, "Cluster munitions kill and injure large numbers of civilians and cause long-lasting socioeconomic problems." The 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) prohibited the stockpiling and use of cluster weapons, but neither the United States, Ukraine nor Russia are parties to the treaty.

The American decision has drawn criticism from human rights activists, Al Jazeera reported. "Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are killing civilians now and will continue to do so for many years," said an official with Human Rights Watch. "Both sides should immediately stop using them and not try to get more of these indiscriminate weapons."

What are commentators saying?

Giving cluster munitions to Ukraine "might be the only way to save more Ukrainian towns from death and destruction," Josh Rogin wrote for The Washington Post. Human rights groups are right to note the danger of cluster bombs to civilians. The bombs often leave unexploded "duds" behind, making battlefields lethal long after the fighting is over. But Ukrainians understand the downsides. "Because it is their lives on the line, it is their risk to take, and we should honor their request."

"This is a decision the Pentagon should rethink immediately," Hayes Brown wrote for MSNBC. We've already seen the cost of cluster munitions in the Russo-Ukraine war. Russia has used them extensively, killing at least 700 civilians along the way. The people most threatened by more cluster bombs are the same people Ukrainian forces are trying to protect. But the price is too high. The weapons "not only undercut much of the moral high ground the West has taken in the conflict, but it will also threaten the safety of Ukrainian civilians."

"While safety concerns are not irrational, the battlefield is already a deadly place," Morgan Ortagus and Andrew McKenna wrote for The Washington Examiner. Cluster munitions could tip the war in Kyiv's favor and lighten the demand on strained ammunition supplies. Moscow has been "unrestrained" in its use of cluster munitions. "It makes little sense to impose limits on Ukraine while Russia faces no such restrictions."

"Cluster munitions should be off the table if we care about protecting civilian lives," Sera Koulabdara wrote for USA Today. Koulabdara is the chair of the U.S. Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munition Coalition. Cluster munitions can leave behind dangers that last for decades, making it difficult for children to walk safely to school or farmers to plant crops. That remains the case in Laos, which Koulabdara fled after a U.S. bombing campaign in the 1970s. "Let us not contribute to further atrocities by allowing Ukrainian soil to be littered with American cluster bombs."

What's next?

There will be some international opposition to Washington's decision. Reuters reported that Germany has come out against sending cluster munitions to Ukraine. President Joe Biden will have to deal with that opposition from American allies France, Germany and the U.K. are among the more than 100 countries to sign the CCM  as well as criticism within the ranks of the Democratic Party. The New York Times pointed out that "over the years, many Democrats have led the charge to bar the use of the weapons by American troops."

Ukraine believes the cluster munitions will help its forces press the advantage against Russia with stockpiles of other munitions running low, The Washington Post reported. The Russians "are using them against us," said Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, "so for our self-defense, we have full right to use the same munition."

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Opinion. On the morning of the 4th of July, I was reflecting on the duality of being both a citizen of the United States and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, my tribal nation.

These days Native Americans talk a lot about decolonization. I contend Native Americans cannot undo 500 years of colonization. That is why I ponderedand even appreciatedthe duality of my citizenship this week. We have come too far to totally decolonize what is todays America.

At a recent Anishinaabe Student Leadership Camp at Grand Valley State University in my hometown, one of the themes was decolonization. During a session that I led, I told the students that you can talk all day long about decolonization, but I am not willing to give up microwave popcorn that comes out perfect every time. Yes, I know that our ancestors have been making popcorn for a millennium, but that doesnt mean I cant enjoy some modern conveniences. While we can always work towards adopting the ways of our Native ancestors to come into harmony with who we are as Native people living in contemporary society, we will never be completely decolonized.

So, we live in a modern world where we should push for things that are important to us, such as ensuring that non-Natives understand we are still here and they even are taught our history. This is important so that non-Natives understand why we think and act in the manner we do.

Our history lets us know we are survivors. Our tribal communities have endured hostile environments and attempts at genocide that sought to wipe out entire tribal nations. And, when that did not work, the federal government took our children from their familial homes and put them in Indian boarding schools.

Last year, the Federal Indian Boarding Initiative Investigative Report provided a glimpse into the deliberate intention of the federal government to disrupt the Native American family structure through assimilation. The 106-page report says the governments plan involved the permanent breaking of family ties. The report says the governments plan involved the permanent breaking of family ties. Today, Native Americans remain in modern society burdened with the historical trauma associated with this history.

I thought about these things as I pondered a request I had received from a friend who teaches at Wayne State University. This friend asked me to endorse the effort for the City of Detroit to adopt an ordinance that Indigenous Peoples Day be celebrated as a paid holiday for its city government employees. The vote will come before the city council on July 11, 2023. I am told there is some resistance even though the city has already adopted Juneteenth as a recognized holiday.

For decades, I have been a proponent of celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day.

Why?

Growing up, I was not taught the lesson that Columbus really was a lost sailor who was heading in a whole different direction than the western hemisphere.

I was also not taught Columbus actually never set foot on the land that is now known as the United States.

Nor was I taught of the atrocities that Columbus and his men perpetrated on the innocent Indigenous peoples in the western hemisphere: the raping of Indigenous women, the thievery of goods, and ultimately of the land. No, what I was taught was a constructed false narrative that began in elementary school about how in 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue and that he discovered America.

From early childhood as a young Potawatomi boy, I began to view history from a different lens than my non-Native classmates. Native Americans reject the notion you can discover land where inhabitants already live.

So, Columbus Day was a federal holiday that I felt uneasy about as it approached each October. Even as a child, I felt sick for the portrayal of Columbus as a hero, knowing our countrys constructed history was a hoax.

Author Jack D. Forbes writes the following in Columbus and Other Cannibals: I will argue that we can compare the commemoration of Columbus with the doings of the neo-Nazis organizations in Europe and the Americas, groups which commemorate the great dates of Hitlers regime.

The difference is that the neo-Nazis are a minority and their commemorations usually do not receive much attention. The followers of Columbus, on the other hand, occupy seats of power throughout much of the Americas. Their holidays are national ones, often imposed on their respective societies.

I appreciate the duality of my citizenship. In contemporary times, it is time to add balance to who we are as we co-exist in this country. It is proper that the City of Detroit honor the 30,000 Native Americans  dual citizens like me  living in metropolitan Detroit and all those others whose lands were taken from our ancestors.

Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
South Korean student reading a textbook in class

A student prepares to sit for the annual college entrance exam at the Ehwa Girls Foreign Language High School in Seoul on Nov. 15, 2018. Credit - Ed JonesAFP/Getty Images

Yerim Kim, a high school sophomore in Seoul, is anxious.

Just one year away from taking the most important exam of her life, the 17-year-olds battle plan has been thrown into uncertainty, ironically, by a government measure intended to alleviate students stress and relieve parents spending on education.

Last week, the South Korean government announced the removal of killer questionsquestions not covered in the classroomfrom the Suneung, a notoriously grueling college entrance test also known as the Korean SAT.

I feel worried [about] its potential consequences on my future, Kim tells TIME. The Korean SAT is based on relative evaluation, and dumbing down the questions will definitely result in an unwelcome outcome, especially for high-achieving students.

The move is the latest step taken in a decades-long initiative to crack down on the countrys booming private education industry. Despite a decline in the student population last year, national spending on private education soared to a record 26 trillion won ($20 billion) in South Korea, the most expensive country in the world to raise a child. Uncoincidentally, South Korea also has the worlds lowest birth rate, which has sparked grave concerns for its economy.

Read More: South Korea Muses a New Military Exemption: Serve Your Country By Having More Kids



As a demographic crisis looms, authorities are taking aim at the countrys hagwons, or cram schoolsfor-profit tutoring institutions attended by some 80% of Korean students. There are more than 24,000 hagwons located just in Seoultriple the number of convenience stores in the city.

But decades of reforms have only exacerbated the systemic reliance on hagwons, and experts and students tell TIME that the recent measures similarly fail to tackle the root of Koreas education problems, which are fueled by a wider culture of competition stemming in large part from the countrys imbalanced labor market.

Its difficult to prepare for school exams on your own when hagwons provide abundant study material that you would otherwise be unable to obtain, says Kim, who attends one herself. The fact that everyone else is attending hagwons makes me feel like Im missing out on something if I dont.

And while the new policy on killer questions is meant to make the tests easier, it has only unnerved thousands of high school students like Kimalong with their deeply invested parents and teachersseeking to stand out in the eyes of top-tier universities and prospective employers down the line.

Its like treating the symptoms, not the disease, Kim says. Education will always be overheated in Korea unless the emphasis on credentials is alleviated.

Determinant of success

Over the decades, South Koreas leaders have tried to implement regulations to soothe academic anxieties, ranging from curfews for cram schools to an outright ban in the 1980s.

But these have done little to curb the fixation on getting a good score in the Suneung, the eight-hour exam viewed across the country as the single most important determinant of a persons success in life.

A pupil raises her hand during class at the Jongno Hagwon Academy in Seoul on Aug. 10, 2016. Yelim LeeAFP/Getty Images

On the day of the Suneung, usually set in November, the entire country operates on heightened alert as half a million students take their seats in the exam; planes are grounded to keep noise levels down, local businesses and the stock market open later than usual, and police are tasked to escort students who are running late. Meanwhile, parents and grandparents flock to temples to pray for good test scores.

Every Suneung season, about 20% of test takers are those retaking the exam to get a spot in their dream universitiesoften narrowed to an Ivy League-esque list of highly-rated universities located in Seoul.

Some individuals may feel that there is no point in graduating from other universities. This is what society believes, Ty Choi, a professor at the Hankuk University of Foreign Studies who researches the impacts of private tutoring, tells TIME.

This is highly associated with what success means in Korea. You want to have a stable life. Stable life means getting employed in a chaebol company, he adds, a reference to the large, often family-run, conglomerates that dominate the South Korean economy. These companies hire almost exclusively from the countrys top three universities, and for most of South Koreas brightest students, its chaebol or bust.

This is a whole societal problem, says Choi. You put a Band-Aid, and it seems like its fixed. Its not like that. The problem is intertwined through various parts of Korean society.

Sonia Exley, an associate professor in the department of social policy at the London School of Economics and Political Science, tells TIME that the root problems lie beyond education policy, really. She points to South Koreas degree of polarization in labor markets as the real culprit.

There are limited numbers of jobs with the top companies. High-quality employment is hard to achieve and its extremely competitive, Exley explains. That kind of has trickle-down effects back to the education system. What you see is people very much desperately trying to get into top universities so they can get one of those top jobs.

Yet, as families in South Korea take on tremendous financial burdens to pay the hefty costs of private education, the investments they hope to make in their childrens future arent necessarily paying off in todays labor market. An increasing number of young adults, dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities commensurate with their degrees, have given up looking for work altogether. A government survey in June recorded 357,000 people in their twenties who were unemployed and not actively seeking jobs, an 11% increase from last year.

Read More: Chinas Aging Population Is a Major Concern. But Its Youth May Be an Even Bigger Problem

Education reforms of the past have hardly reduced academic competitiveness, instead rattling parents and students and sending them further into the arms of hagwons they believe hold the key to getting ahead. The recent round of measures is expected to result in similar effects on the ground.

[Parents] know that this exam has been made easier in various ways, but therefore they go: How do I now get a place for my child? How do I now make sure my child will end up in one of those universities? says Exley. It doesnt solve the fact that there is a huge demand for reputable universities but not enough places.

What youve historically seen in Korea is that over time, that uncertainty that is produced by parents, the private tutoring industry responds to that, and they find new ways to help support parents in this type of uncertainty, she adds.

Academic-induced stress

Hagwons have long provided a sense of security to parents and students who are facing nerve-wracking exam preparations, like Matthew Lee, a high school student in Daegu who plans to take the Suneung later this year,

When the curriculum changes, my hagwon teachers always analyze whats the change, and predict how that change would contribute to changes in the Korean SAT, he tells TIME.

This dynamic, however, has proven detrimental to the health of many students, who find themselves bearing an ever-increasing weight of academic pressure and expectation. According to Lee, students have grown accustomed to the dog-eat-dog education system, but that doesnt make it any easier to participate in.

We are taught by our parents or teachers to excel more than others. Like, the classmate sitting right next to you is your enemy in terms of academics, he says. The pressure or ambiance that hagwon naturally creates is quite overwhelming for most of us. But at the same time, the paradox is that we know that we have to go to hagwons in order to keep up with the fast-paced classes and to prepare for the Korean SAT in the end.

The emphasis on grades can sometimes prove too much for South Korean middle and high schoolers, one in three of whom have reported experiencing suicidal thoughts due to academic stress.

Students like Lee trapped in this rat race wish the government would take a more holistic view of the problem, rather than trying to tweak just one component of a broken system.

Instead of blaming hagwons, says Lee, they should really focus more on whats fundamentally wrong, and how students are feeling about this one single exameight hours in their entire lifedetermining the trajectory of their entire life.
Wife obtained order of protection against husband before he shot and killed her and daughter, 15, prosecutors say

CHICAGO -- Late Sunday evening, Karina Gonzalez was at home with her family, her two teenage children sitting together on the couch while she was in the kitchen, prosecutors said.

Thats when her husband, Jose Alvarez, emerged from his bedroom and began accusing Gonzalez of cheating on him, in line with years of verbal abuse by her husband that she suffered, according to prosecutors. Gonzalez told him to stop and sat on the couch with her children.

Her 18-year-old son told his father to stop or he would call 911, and Alvarez walked to his bedroom and grabbed a handgun from under his pillow.

Alvarez shot and killed his wife and 15-year-old daughter, who were still on the couch, prosecutors alleged. He then shot and injured his son, who was hiding under the dining room table.

Prosecutors laid out details Thursday during a bond hearing for Alvarez, 67, who is charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and one count of aggravated battery by discharging a firearm. A Cook County judge held him without bail.

This court is overwhelmingly convinced  with this overwhelming evidence that you were in fact the individual responsible for the deaths, Cook County Judge David Kelly said during the hearing at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.

Gonzalez, 48, was shot eight times and died at her home in the 2600 block of South Millard Avenue, prosecutors said. Daniela Alvarez, 15, was still breathing when police arrived but died at the hospital.

About 15 days before she was killed, Gonzalez on June 21 obtained an order of protection against her husband and left the residence to stay with family, prosecutors said.

A judge had ordered that Gonzalez should have exclusive access to their home and care for their children. The judge also banned Alvarez from the property and from making contact with Gonzalez, the order obtained by the Tribune shows.

But Alvarez never received the order.

In a statement, the Cook County sheriffs office said the order of protection was entered into a statewide police database that night. A deputy attempted to serve Mr. Alvarez with the order on June 23, but Mr. Alvarez was not at home, the statement said.

Alvarez previously had a valid firearm owners identification card for a handgun he owns, but it was revoked due to the order of protection, prosecutors said at the hearing Thursday.

The FOID card was suspended on June 23 after the agency matched the order of protection to the FOID record, Melaney Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois State Police, said in a statement. ISP notified the Chicago Police Department and the Cook County sheriffs office of the suspension on June 24, she said.

When an order of protection is filed, ISP suspends an individuals FOID card and notifies local law enforcement within 24 hours, she said. The individual is then required to fill out a form to account for their weapons and turn them over to law enforcement or someone with a valid FOID card.

In a statement Thursday evening, a Chicago police spokeswoman said that the departments firearm investigation team had not received notification of Alvarezs FOID card revocation.

On June 26, Gonzalez and her children returned to the family home with the understanding that Alvarez, who has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, would enter a rehab program, prosecutors said at the bond hearing.

After he shot his wife and two children, prosecutors alleged, Alvarez walked back toward his bedroom, and his son ran outside to call the police.

When police arrived, Alvarez was still home and came to the front door, prosecutors said.

Surveillance video captured the sound of 14 gunshots, prosecutors said, as well as the teenage son fleeing the apartment to call 911.

Police found Alvarezs handgun on his bed and recovered 14 shell casings and three fired bullets, according to prosecutors. Six of the shell casings have so far been tested and they match Alvarezs gun, prosecutors said.

An attorney for Alvarez said he has tried seeking mental health treatment for quite some time but landed on a waitlist.

His next court appearance is July 26.

____
Wilmington police are hosting another steering wheel lock giveaway for Hyundai and Kia owners at risk of having their cars stolen.

The cars have been targeted across the country following a social media challenge that encourages the stealing of these vehicles and shows viewers how to steal the vehicle without a key.

The cars being targeted are Kia models from 2011-21 and Hyundai models from 2015-21. The models don't have electronic immobilizers, which confirms the key belongs to that vehicle.

In recent months, local police agencies have held several lock giveaways. New Castle County hosted the first earlier this year, while Saturday's in Wilmington will be at least the third event city police have held.

The locks will be given out in the parking lot of ShopRite by the Riverfront, at 501 S. Walnut St. It's a first-come, first-served event.

To be eligible to receive the wheel lock device, Hyundai or Kia owners must be residents of Wilmington and they must arrive in a car affected by the trend. Police said they are 2011 to 2021 Hyundai or Kia model with a key start ignition, which has not received the anti-theft software upgrade from the manufacturer.

Got a tip? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com or 302-324-2785. For all things breaking news, follow her on Twitter at @izzihughes_

THE CAR THEFT TREND: Police giveaway steering wheel locks to stop TikTok challenge of stealing Kias, Hyundais

RELATED: 'Tranq dope' is becoming more prevalent in Delaware. Can this outreach help?

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Wilmington police hosting lock giveaway for Kia, Hyundai owners
NEW YORK  A man gotta have a code.

Those were the infamous words of Omar Little, The Wire strongman created by writer and producer David Simon and brought to life by actor Michael K. Williams, who died from a fentanyl overdose in 2021.

Simon, who created the popular HBO series about Baltimores drug war, got his writing juices flowing again, this time in a leniency plea to a judge sentencing an accused dealer charged with selling the deadly drugs to Williams.

Mike was always aware that addiction and the impulse toward addiction would remain a constant in his life. Simon wrote to Manhattan Federal Court Judge Ronnie Abrams.

He spoke of it to me bluntly at points and he never discounted the threat. At the same time, in all of his address of these struggles, Michael always declared that he was responsible for himself, that the decision whether to use or to cease using would always be his own. When one of his previous sources of supply  not a dealer, but a co-user  was discovered to have some proximity to our film sets, Michael insisted that the matter was to be addressed by changes in his own behavior rather than anything punitive to anyone else. I never failed to see him take responsibility for himself and his decisions.

Simon was seeking leniency for Carlos Macci, 71, one of four men accused of supplying Williams, with a dose of fentanyl-laced cocaine, which was linked to the actors overdose death on Sept. 6, 2021.

Williams was found dead by his nephew inside his Kent Avenue penthouse in Williamsburg on Sept. 6. Police later found a glassine envelope containing drugs in the apartment.

Prosecutors said Macci, along with Hector Robles, 57, and Luis Cruz, 56, were members of the drug crew that continued to deal heroin laced with fentanyl throughout Brooklyn  selling it in broad daylight  despite knowing that Williams had died after consuming their product.

Irvin Green Eyes Cartegena, is accused of handing Williams the lethal drugs last September in a caught-on-video transaction.

Macci, 71, who pleaded guilty in April to narcotics conspiracy.

Simon said that Williams, even in death, would want Macci to get a break.

I know that Michael would look upon the undone and desolate life of Mr. Macci and know two things with certainty, Simon wrote. First, that it was Michael who bears the fuller responsibility for what happened. And second, no possible good can come from incarcerating a 71-year-old soul, largely illiterate, who has himself struggled with a lifetime of addiction and who has not engaged in street-level sales of narcotics with ambitions of success and profit but rather as someone caught up in the diaspora of addiction himself.
David Simon with Michael K Williams, who played Omar Little on The Wire

The Wire co-creator David Simon has asked a judge for leniency when sentencing a man charged in the drug death of actor Michael K Williams.

Williams, who starred as robber Omar Little in the HBO crime drama, died of an overdose aged 54 in 2021.

Carlos Macci is one of four men charged for selling Williams the heroin laced with fentanyl that killed him.

Macci, 71, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute narcotics in April. He is expected to be sentenced this month.

In a three-page letter filed by Macci's lawyer on Thursday, Mr Simon asked the New York judge for mercy when handing down a sentence to Macci because Williams "believed in redemption".

"No possible good can come from incarcerating a 71-year-old soul, largely illiterate, who has himself struggled with a lifetime of addiction and who has not engaged in street-level sales of narcotics with ambitions of success and profit but rather as someone caught up in the diaspora of addiction himself," Mr Simon said.

"[Williams] fought hard for his own and for everyone in Baltimore, Brooklyn and everywhere else he encountered. He would fight for Mr Macci," he added.

Macci has been in jail since his arrest in 2022. Mr Simon's letter is a part of a larger filing in which Macci's lawyer asks a judge to give him a sentence of time served, or the amount of time he has already spent in jail, one and a half years.

As overdose deaths in the US continue to rise, some prosecutors have charged victims' friends who helped obtain such drugs, as well as the dealers. Several states have passed laws in recent years allowing prosecutors to charge overdoses as homicides in an effort to discourage people from selling or sharing fentanyl.

Williams, who talked openly about his struggles with addiction, won critical acclaim for his role in The Wire, a series that ran from 2002-08 and explored the narcotics scene in Baltimore from the perspective of law enforcement as well as drug dealers and users.

Prosecutors say that on 5 September 2021, Macci and other members of a drug-trafficking organisation sold Williams heroin laced with fentanyl and continued to sell the substance even after they knew the actor had suffered a fatal overdose.

The court's probation office has recommended 10 years in prison.

The three other men charged in connection with William's death have also pleaded guilty.

In his letter, Mr Simon - a former Baltimore police reporter - described his friendship with Williams as well as the actor's struggles with addiction.

Mr Simon said Williams would believe only he himself should bear the responsibility for what happened.

"It is this attitude - coupled with Michael's publicly stated opposition to mass incarceration and the drug war... that convinces me that he would want me to write this letter," he said.
Elon Musk threatens to sue Mark Zuckerberg's Meta after launching its Twitter copycat app, Threads.

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, debuted Threads, a new social network that relies on Instagram's infrastructure and users. However, it works a lot like Twitter, a primarily text-based service.

Elon Musk Threatens to Sue Threads Parent Meta

The Tesla and SpaceX big boss has declared war on Meta, formerly known as Facebook. According to Variety, the billionaire owner of Twitter, Musk, took a swipe at Meta's Threads. He blurted out, "Competition is fine; cheating is not."

The outspoken entrepreneur, who also leads Tesla and SpaceX, bought Twitter last October 2022 for a whopping $44 billion deal. But besides his mere tweet, BBC reports that Musk, who has never been one to shy away from controversy, has taken things to court.

Twitter attorney Alex Spiro sent a cease-and-disease letter to Meta Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zuckerberg. It accuses Meta of engaging in systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property."

And with that, the letter stresses that "Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information."

The letter claims that Meta hired "dozens of Twitter employees" last year. It also alleges that "Meta deliberately assigned these employees to develop, in a matter of months, Meta's copycat 'Threads' app." Twitter's lawyers also claim that this was done to use Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property to advance the app that the Facebook parent was working on, which turns out to be a Twitter competitor.

On the other hand, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone told The Variety that "no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee."

Meanwhile, Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino, who succeeded Musk, also tweeted amid the debut of their new competitor. The former NBC Universal exec says, "[We are] often imitated - but the Twitter community can never be duplicated."

Read Also: AI Firms Allegedly Steal Twitter User Data! Elon Musk Now Blocking Unregistered Users From Seeing Tweets

Mark Zuckerberg's First-Ever Tweet After 11 Years

As per a report by Futurism, the Facebook and Instagram big boss, Zuckerberg, logged onto his Twitter account after roughly 11 years of hiatus. His much-awaited comeback was in time for the Threads' launch, wherein he uploaded a viral meme of two identical Spider-Men pointing at each other.

Whether Musk will follow through on his threat to sue Meta remains to be seen. However, the legal battle could have significant implications for the future of social media.

Related Article: UFC: Musk vs Zuckerberg 'Cage Match' Poised to Be Biggest Fight Ever

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Wisconsin will raise public school funding for the next 400 years

Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers used his authority to get creative with the state budget

With a creative line-item change to the state budget, Wisconsin's governor has enacted four centuries of spending increases for its public schools.

State law allowed Democrat Tony Evers to strike words and digits from a revenue hike proposed until 2025, instead locking in the funds till 2425.

Republicans have reacted with fury to what they call "an unprecedented brand-new way to screw the taxpayer".

The move could however be undone by a legal challenge or future governor.

It is the latest tussle between Mr Evers, a former public school teacher who narrowly won re-election last year, and a Republican-controlled state legislature that has often blocked his agenda.

Their original budget proposal had raised the amount local school districts could generate via property taxes, by $325 (250) per student, for the next two school years.

But Wisconsin allows its governors to alter certain pieces of legislation by striking words and numbers as they see fit before signing them into law - what is known as partial veto power.

Both Democrats and Republicans have flexed their partial veto authority for years, with Mr Evers' Republican predecessor once deploying it to extend a state programme's deadline by one thousand years.

This week, before he signed the biennial state budget into law, the governor altered language that applied the $325 increase to the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, vetoeing a hyphen and a "20" to instead make the end date 2425.

He also used his power to remove proposed tax cuts for the state's wealthiest taxpayers and protect some 180 diversity, equity and inclusion jobs Republicans wanted to cut at the public University of Wisconsin.

"There are lots of wins here," Mr Evers said at the budget signing ceremony on Wednesday.

In a statement, he said he had "improved through strategic vetoes" a bill that was "imperfect and incomplete", touting its "substantial categorical aid increases for our schools".

State Republicans blasted the measure, warning it would result in massive property tax increases.

"Legislative Republicans worked tirelessly over the last few months to block Governor Evers' liberal tax and spending agenda," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, because of his powerful veto authority, he reinstated some of it today."

Vetoes cannot be overridden unless there is a two-thirds majority of the assembly in favour, which is unlikely as that would require Democratic votes.

But Rick Esenberg, director of the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, told the Associated Press he expected a legal challenge to the veto, calling it "a ridiculous way to make law".
Think of a dystopian, polarized country, where Americans are not only divided based on political beliefs but also on where they live and shop, what beer they drink, what doctors they visit, whether they are vaccinated, where they go on vacation and attend professional conferences.

This is what politicians who want to inject extremism (from the right or the left) into governing seem to want to accomplish: to reshape their communities so that only like-minded people feel comfortable co-existing.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has made no secret that his approach to governing is Youre either with me or get the heck out. He has signed laws and used state power against: teachers; transgender people; African Americans; womens bodies; teachers and unions; university professors and academic freedom; universities that want to diversify their student body; immigrants; LGBTQ people and drag queens.

Most recently, DeSantis defended a bizarre and homophobic video his campaign shared on Twitter, calling it fair game to attack Donald Trump for past statements in support of LGBTQ rights. Not surprising coming from the governor of the state where woke goes to die.

The governor probably doesnt lose sleep over the few conferences that Florida has lost recently as professional organizations take their dollars and thousands of attendees to states with less extreme policies. That blue parts of the state, Broward and Orange counties, lost the opportunity to host those events fit right into the governors strategy. DeSantis motto is to own the libs.

Two organizations canceled events that were planned in the Orlando area in coming years. AnitaB.org, a group of women and nonbinary tech workers, canceled a 2027 event that normally draws about 16,000 visitors. The group told the Orlando Sentinel it will no longer hold events in the state after this years conference at the Orange County Convention Center. The reasons are Floridas abortion ban, its easing of gun regulations and the states efforts to erase the identities and dignities of people from historically marginalized and excluded groups, including Black, Brown, LGBTQIA+, and Indigenous people.

Broward County has lost more than half-dozen conferences, thanks to Floridas political climate, organizers told the countys tourism agency Visit Lauderdale, as the Sun Sentinel reported Friday. Among them is the 2024 National Family and Community Engagement and Community Schools Conference, which would have needed more than 2,000 hotel rooms. The organization decided to pull out of Florida due to concerns about what the Governor is doing in the education/schools and that he will likely run in 2024. They do not want to lose attendees due to this, according to a list of cancellations Visit Lauderdale put together.

The governors office told the Sun Sentinel the cancellations are nothing more than a media-driven stunt. His administration recently released numbers that show the number of tourists visiting the state is up compared to last year. Florida also welcomed nearly 320,000 new residents from other states between 2021 and 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. DeSantis claims credit for those new residents but Florida benefits from a series of factors, such as the longstanding lack of state income taxes and the rise of remote work during the pandemic

Have DeSantis policies caused widespread financial ruin in Florida? No, though the hotels and conference centers that lost business might see it differently.

The bigger question is who DeSantis thinks Florida is for. Nonbinary tech workers are not his intended demographic. Neither are college professors, who have warned that the states crackdown on what they can teach regarding race is causing a brain drain. Nor are the undocumented workers who are leaving the state after DeSantis signed into law one of the most draconian immigration laws in the country (it requires, among other things, that immigrants disclose their citizenship status at hospitals).

Are these people leaving in big enough numbers to make a difference? We bet thats the governors goal.

The Florida Blueprint hes trying to sell to presidential primary voters doesnt concern itself with having a diverse workforce, attracting the best and brightest or ensuring that Floridas agriculture has enough people to work its fields. Its myopic focus is fighting the outsider  and there are more and more of those  and rewarding those who fall in line.
Woman, 54, latest to be charged with trespassing at Taylor Swift's Watch Hill mansion

A 54-year-old woman was arrested and charged with trespassing outside Taylor Swift's mansion in Westerly, Westerly Police Chief Paul Gingerella confirmed.

Westerly police were called to the property at 16 Bluff Avenue on Monday for a report of a trespasser, Gingerella said. When the police got there, they found the woman outside the front gates, according to Gingerella.

"This subject was previously warned to not be on the property and subsequently arrested," Gingerella said.

Singer Taylor Swift bought the Watch Hill mansion for $17.75 million in 2013.

More: The House on the Hill

She was released on $1,000 personal recognizance and scheduled for a District Court arraignment on July 14, according to court records.

Taylor Swift's Rhode Island house has a history of trespassers and unwanted guests

Swift bought the Watch Hill mansion for $17.75 million in 2013, and it's not the first time the Westerly police have dealt with an unwanted guest on the music star's property. Through the years, several people have been charged with trespassing and other charges.

This May 8, 2018 file photo shows Taylor Swift performing during her "Reputation Stadium Tour" opener in Glendale, Ariz.

In 2019, a New Jersey man was found inside the mansion and charged with trespassing, as well as breaking-and-entering. When the police found him, they noticed he wasn't wearing any shoes. When asked why, he told them he wanted to be polite.

In the same year, the police arrested a man for the second time after he was found at the gate of Taylor's mansion brushing his teeth. He'd also been seen kneeling and praying.

More: The House on the Hill

Also in the summer of 2019, a man was arrested after he was found on the property with a backpack containing burglar's tools.

In 2014, three Connecticut residents were arrested after they allegedly threw beer bottles and cursed at security guards. A year earlier, a 55-year-old Maine man was arrested after handing a security guard a note telling Swift to call him.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Taylor Swift's RI mansion: 54-year-old woman charged with trespassing
Three managers at a cheese factory in Kenya have been arrested after they allegedly made female staff strip off so they could check who was on their period.

The incident took place after the unnamed individuals apparently discovered a used sanitary towel in a bin that was not intended for such waste.

Their employer, Browns Food Co., has dismissed the three and has launched an investigation into the shocking incident at its factory in Limuru, where it produces cheese, milk, yogurt and ice cream.

Sub-County Police Commander Philip Mwania said the individuals had been arrested and would be arraigned in court once investigations were complete, state broadcaster KBC reported.

News of the episode first broke when Kenyan Senator Gloria Orwoba posted a video on social media on Wednesday in which she said that she had received some distress calls about it.

In the video, she said: Apparently the quality assurance manager had found a used sanitary towel in one of the bins and, from what I gather, that bin was not meant for the disposal of sanitary towels.

So it caused up a stir and the manager allegedly went out and gathered all the women from that particular team and literally asked them to undress.

Orwoba said that when the manager first asked who the towel belonged to nobody replied, and so they ordered them to strip so that the person responsible could be punished.

Kenyan senator Gloria Orwoba is now working with the company to implement a "menstrual hygiene management policy." - Brian Inganga/AP

After receiving the calls, Orwoba contacted the firm about the incident.

The company has now dismissed the staff and is investigating how the situation came about.

In a statement posted to its website, it said: As a result of the shocking incident at the company we have begun internal investigations to assess exactly what happened, why, and how we can adequately reconcile with the employees who were affected by this distressing unilateral decision of the managers that were on site on the day of the incident. They were immediately suspended.

It recognized that the public is holding us accountable and said that it was directly engaging with Senator Gloria Orwoba  who is known to champion Menstrual Hygiene Management as well as ending period shaming and period poverty in Kenya  to learn from her how best to implement a Menstrual Hygiene Management policy.

The statement concluded: We have been listening and we know we must do better.

In a post on Twitter a day earlier on Thursday, Browns described itself as a women-led business which works hard to provide a working environment that is safe for all employees. It said: We have apologized to the women involved and would like to apologize to the wider public as well.

Campaigners say period shaming is a serious problem in Kenya. In 2019, a 14-year-old girl took her life after allegedly being shamed by a teacher in class when her uniform was stained by her period, according to the Africa Health Organisation.

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Workers are concerned major automakers are using the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) to undercut wages, complicating the politics of an issue that is emerging as a point of contention in the 2024 election.

The powerful United Auto Workers (UAW) union, which has historically supported Democrats and backed President Biden in 2020, has so far withheld an endorsement from the president in his ongoing reelection bid, saying they want more backing from the White House amid the shift to more climate-friendly vehicles before they can support him.

Republicans are tapping into some of the workers frustrations, railing against the transition, including in swing states like Michigan, a major auto manufacturing hub. But the union says it is not inherently against electric vehicles, just the practices that employers are adopting.

In a new video posted online this week, the auto union laments what it describes as benefits of the transition  including government funding  going to employers rather than employees.

The Big Three automakers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, are taking billions of dollars in government subsidies to go electric, but those benefits arent trickling down to UAW members, union president Shawn Fain says in the video.

The auto union particularly cites the 2019 closure of a General Motors (GM) plant in Lordstown, Ohio, where the union says workers were on track to make upwards of $30 per hour. It notes that after the closure, a new battery plant from Ultium Cells, a joint venture between GM and LG, opened up in the area in 2022. But the union said workers there only make $16.50 per hour.

Ultium cut auto wages in half, Fain said.

A GM spokesperson said its assembly plants have the same pay structure as its plants for traditional vehicles, specifically citing two plants in Michigan and one in Tennessee, and said the company is bringing employees along for the EV transition.

It referred other questions to Ultium, which said in a written statement that it is building a culture of working collaboratively and respectfully  to build on our success and resolve issues that come up.

Ultium also said that it is committed to the collective bargaining process, and will work in good faith with the UAW to reach a competitive agreement that positions our employees and our Ohio battery cell manufacturing facility for success.

Amid the UAWs concerns, Fain told the unions members in a May memo that the union was holding off on endorsing Biden.

The federal government is pouring billions into the electric vehicle transition, with no strings attached and no commitment to workers, said the memo, which has been obtained by The Hill.

The EV transition is at serious risk of becoming a race to the bottom. We want to see national leadership have our back on this before we make any commitment, Fain added.

An Energy Department spokesperson pointed to comments from Secretary Jennifer Granholm in which she says the administration wants to ensure these are good paying jobs where people can earn a living wage, so they can raise their family on it.

A White House spokesperson has said previously that the UAW is working toward the same goal as the President, which is to ensure the future of the auto industry is made here in America, with good-paying, union jobs.

Meanwhile, Republicans have sought to appeal to some of the disenfranchised labor vote.

During a speech in Michigan late last month, former President Trump criticized the transition to electric vehicles and Bidens policies in support of it.

Its going to decimate your jobs and its going to decimate more than anybody else the state of Michigan, Trump said in the swing state.

And Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) recently vetoed a bipartisan state bill that would have made it easier for Floridas agencies to purchase electric vehicles.

But while the UAW is not currently backing Biden, it is also unlikely to support a Republican candidate, saying in the same memo in which it withheld the Biden endorsement that another Donald Trump presidency would be a disaster.

Unions have historically backed Democrats, and others are continuing to support the president as he seeks another term in the White House. The AFL-CIO, a major organization of unions, is backing Biden in his reelection bid, and has called him the most pro-union president in our lifetimes.

But, even if the auto union does back Biden, many of its members could still vote against him. A UAW source told The Hill that the groups internal polling found that about a third of its members who voted in the 2020 election voted for Trump, despite the union endorsing Biden.

And the anti-electric vehicle message could resonate with some disaffected workers in the coming election cycle.

Republican strategist Keith Naughton said such a message is likely to work in most of the states where Republicans are going to try to pick up votes, given that many people in those states do not drive electric cars.

Naughton, who is an opinion contributor to The Hill, also said that the Republican messaging comes after a shift within the GOP that somewhat distanced the party from big business.

Theyve got increasing shares of the union vote over the last 10 years. I think theyre getting more comfortable with appealing to that segment of the electorate, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) -Employers cannot be held liable when workers contract COVID-19 on the job and spread it to their household members, California's top court has ruled, siding with business groups that warned of a potential flood of litigation.

The seven-member California Supreme Court on Thursday ruled unanimously that allowing so-called "take-home COVID" claims could encourage businesses to adopt precautions that slow the delivery of services to the public or to shut down completely during pandemics.

A woman named Corby Kuciemba filed the lawsuit, saying she became seriously ill when her husband contracted COVID at his job with Nevada-based Victory Woodworks Inc in 2020 at a construction site in San Francisco and passed it to her.

A ruling in favor of Kuciemba would have turned every employer in California into a potential defendant, the court said, even when the company had taken reasonable steps to prevent the spread of the virus or when it is impossible to prove that employees contracted COVID at work.

"Even limiting a duty of care to employees' household members, the pool of potential plaintiffs would be enormous, numbering not thousands but millions of Californians," Justice Carol Corrigan wrote for the court.

William Bogdan, a lawyer representing Victory Woodworks, said the ruling was significant even though the pandemic is over because there is a two-year window under California law to sue for negligence.

"The court recognized that employers and the courts would be overwhelmed" if it allowed take home COVID lawsuits, Bogdan said.

A lawyer for Kuciemba did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The state court took the case after the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals last year asked it to decide whether California law recognizes negligence claims against employers when workers spread COVID to household members. The 9th Circuit is considering Kuciemba's bid to revive her lawsuit after it was dismissed by a federal judge. After Thursday's ruling, the 9th Circuit is expected to uphold that decision.

Business groups had argued that allowing "take-home COVID" claims could prompt lawsuits by an infected employee's family and friends, and anyone infected by that circle of people, creating a never-ending chain of liability.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner; Editing by Will Dunham, Alexia Garamfalvi and Richard Chang)
The International Maritime Organization agreed new climate targets in July 2023.

The International Maritime Organization agreed new climate targets in July 2023. Photographer: Tim Rue/Bloomberg via Getty Images Credit - Tim Rue/BloombergGetty Images

The United Nations has long been a powerful force in the fight against climate change. But the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the U.N. agency assigned to regulate the cruise liners, container ships, and bulk cargo carriers that operate on the high seas beyond the authority of any one country, has been another story.

Global shipping is responsible for about 3% of global emissions. But in the lead up to the Paris Agreement back in 2015, then-IMO Secretary-General Koji Sekimizu told world diplomats that the sector should not be subject to any overall emissions limits. Such measures would artificially limit the ability of shipping to meet the demand created by the world economy, he said. After pressure to address emissions intensified, the groups member states came out with a 2018 agreement that would aim to cut emissions by half by 2050, a significant step, but still far from the complete decarbonization that scientists say will be necessary within three decades to avert catastrophic climate change.

Now, at a follow up IMO meeting this month intended to revise shippings greenhouse gas strategy, international delegates have agreed to tighten the sectors lax emissions goals, though not nearly as much as climate advocates say is needed. IMO members set a well-caveated goal to reach net-zero emissions by or around, i.e. close to 2050, taking into account different national circumstances.

Read more: The Ocean is the Next Frontier for the Carbon Removal Industry

Current IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim called the agreement struck in London today monumental. It is not the end goal, he added. It is in many ways a starting point for the work that needs to intensify even more over the years and decades ahead of us.

But many observers in the international climate community were furious over the outcome, saying the IMO has failed to bring future emissions from the worlds oceangoing vessels in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, particularly because their agreement lacks a firm 2050 deadline. The targets will be up for discussion again in five years, but many environmentalists say that by then it will be too late to change the sectors emissions trajectory before 2050. Faig Abbasov, Shipping programme director of European sustainability NGO Transport and Environment, called the deal a wishy-washy compromise. Aside from FIFA, its hard to think of an international organization more useless than the IMO, he said on Thursday, after a draft agreement was released.

Read more: Were Gonna Need a Greener Boat

Still, the result could have been worse. Much of the IMO negotiations in recent weeks were carried out in small group sessions, which made it difficult for some national delegations to get their perspective heard. The body very nearly agreed to a weaker compromise, before a last day push by delegations from small island states like Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands, with support from developed nations like the U.K., succeeded in winning concessions from developing countries. Rising sea levels caused by climate change are threatening those small island nations existence, while developing countries like India and Brazil have historically been opposed to stronger shipping emissions requirements, out of fear that the limits could hurt their export-dependent economies.

One of the crucial points of contention in the negotiations were whether the new IMO greenhouse gas strategy would include interim 2030 and 2040 emissions targets in advance of a final 2050 goal. Climate advocates say that those near-term targets are essential to making sure the longer-term goals are actually achieved. They would also provide a clear market signal for international shipping companies to put more investment into green technologies, and production and distribution infrastructure for zero emission fuels.

The IMO agreement does include new shorter-term targets that would cut emissions by 20-30% by 2030 and 70-80% by 2040. But instead of actually being referred to as firm targets, the final agreement ambiguously refers to them as indicative checkpoints. Theyre also lower than what the Pacific Island countries and their bloc of supporters were pushing for: 37% emissions reductions in the sector by 2030 and a 96% reduction by 2040. That level of ambition would have kept the sector on track to do its part in keeping global temperature rise at around 1.5C. The upper bound of the targets the IMO did adopt, a 30% emission cut by 2030 and an 80% cut by 2040, were only put in place thanks to the last minute push by small island nations on July 6.

Some observers cited the change as a win. Others were less positive about the result. In typical IMO fashion there was delay tactics in working groups while the real inaction happened behind closed doors where many [national delegations] were excluded until the final hour and in front of a near ultimatum, said Lucy Gilliam, senior shipping policy officer at European environmental NGO Seas at Risk. The Pacific [states] brought it back from the brink. But lets be clear that this was not transparent, just, or equitable and it is reflected in the result reached.

Read more: The Cruise Industry Is On a Course For Climate Disaster

The current agreement will cause shipping to overshoot its carbon budget to keep global temperatures under 1.5C by 2032, according to the International Council on Clean Transportation. If the sector hits the 2030 and 2040 targets set in the agreement, and actually fully decarbonizes by 2050, it can still stay on track to keep global temperature rise below 2C.

Much depends on what actual enforcement measures the IMO agrees to, and how strongly they are enforced. Some options include mandates to use lower emission fuels, emissions cap and trade systems, or direct taxes on carbon emissions. The details are set to be hammered out over the course of the next year, with implementation happening around 2026 or 2027. Climate advocates say the last minute IMO push by small island nations helped give them a leg up in those negotiations, since the stronger high-end targets could keep more stringent emission reduction policies on the table. They were heroes this week, says Delaine McCullough, shipping emissions campaign manager at Ocean Conservancy. Theres no other way to describe them.

Still, the ambiguous language around the targets has left plenty of room for negotiators to sidestep strong emission policies. Individual nations could take matters into their own hands, implementing stricter emissions rules for shipping companies trying to use their ports. The E.U. for instance, adopted a policy last year that would force shippers to pay for emissions. Some environmentalists, however, say that it would be better if the IMO were implementing such financial schemes, as the international body would be able to direct funds generated by carbon levies toward poorer nations that need the most help in adapting to climate change.

Therell be a big debate over where those revenues are distributed, and thats where the question of an equitable and just transition will play out, says McCullough. It seems like [this weeks agreement] is the end, but it actually isnt. Its the starting gun.
With the latest spinoff, the bad guy on AMCs The Walking Dead: Dead City is no longer Jeffrey Dean Morgans once-notorious Negan, but Zeljko Ivanek, who plays the Croat.

Ive taken over the franchise for the moment, Ivanek joked. The characters backstory is folded into the Negan story. At one point I was a trusted disciple of his and fully in the inner circle. He used me for intelligence and as a torturer, and at some point, I just went too far even for him, so I was cast out into the wilderness. Years have gone by and now my character is in Manhattan and trying to establish a Negan-like fortress and community and trying to pull him back into this world.

This is just the latest iconic show for Ivanek, who is known for everything from Homicide: Life on the Street to Oz to 24 to Big Love to Madam Secretary to his Emmy-winning role on Damages, in addition to his roles on Broadway.

Its a memory from his stage career that came to mind when asked about a worst moment.

My worst moment 

I was in my 20s and I was doing a Neil Simon play called Brighton Beach Memoirs on Broadway. This was 1983. And one day the stage manager mentioned that Mary Tyler Moore was going to be at our opening night party because our producers had produced a show for her just a few years before. And I said, Please, please, you have to introduce me.

Not only had I liked The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tyler Moore Show, but more importantly when I first came to New York, I barely knew anybody. I was very much on my own and I was very isolated. And one of the things that got me through those first few months was that a local TV station would run back-to-back episodes of The Mary Tyler Moore Show at 1 or 2 in the morning.

Not only was it still funny and the acting was so good, but it was suffused with this sense of camaraderie and a sense of belonging. And for that hour I felt like: These are my friends and my family. These people. This world. And I kind of got to end each day feeling a little less alone  which is a line Mary actually says in the final episode of the series. It meant a great deal to me.

So we come to the opening night and the opening night party was in the beautiful grand lobby of Radio City Musical Hall. And at one point the stage manager comes over and takes me up these stairs and introduces me to Ms. Moore.

I dont remember what I said at first. Im sure I tried to say something about how much I admired her, or how wonderful I thought she was. I dont remember any of that.

But I do remember the last thing I said. In trying to convey how thrilling this was for me and how much it meant to me, what came out of my mouth was: I can now slit my throat and go to heaven.

Its possible I said slit my wrists. Im not sure either one is better.

And she went from smiling to suddenly having this look of utter horror on her face, as if I might literally do this in front of her right then and there.

I beat a hasty retreat and went home and Im thinking, why would that come out of my mouth? I have no idea where that came from. It was just in the moment and I was feeling so thrilled and discombobulated and that was somehow the phrase I resorted to. You get so gassed up to meet someone like that, that your mind is just a scramble.

But here was a woman I loved and admired so much and I made her feel terrible. Thats what I was obsessed with  that for no good reason at all I made her feel bad. I think there are two or three things total that haunt me that way.

Cut to: A few years later, a friend of mine invited me to a Broadway opening. And as it happened, he had worked for MTM, which was Mary Tyler Moores production company, and the company was either a producer on the show or helped finance it. They had organized a small dinner party afterwards for eight or 10 people and she was going to be there. And I was included.

We go to the restaurant and were sitting around a large round table and shes sitting directly opposite me. And Im biding my time thinking this is my chance to make up for our last meeting. When we finished eating, the conversation broke up into smaller groups.

So I got up and walked around to her and probably kind of leaned down or knelt down, and I started to say, Actually, weve met before. Im the one who, at the Brighton Beach party, said to you, I could now slit my throat and go to heaven. And before I could segue into my apology (laughs) she got that same look of horror and fear on her face  with the added element of Oh my god, hes back.

She was alarmed and panicked, and there was no way I could finish the sentence. And from that moment it all became a blur and I beat a second hasty retreat (laughs). It was just awful and I thought: Oh my god, I have done it again.

Cut to: A few years later, I was doing a Peter Brook production of The Cherry Orchard at BAM (the Brooklyn Academy of Music)  with, by the way, the one and only Mike Nussbaum, a Chicago actor  and one night after the show, there was an announcement over the PA saying that Mary Tyler Moore was at the show tonight and would like to meet the cast and congratulate everybody, so when youve changed into your street clothes, please come down to the green room.

Im trying to remember if I was thinking: Oh, here we go again, third times the charm, this is my chance to redeem myself! Or was it like: Oh my god, I dont know what Im going to say in that moment when she sees me.

So I went down in the green room and she went down the line and was shaking hands and congratulating people. And she got to me and somebody said, This is Zeljko Ivanek, and she put out her hand and smiled.

And I shook her hand.

I smiled back.

I took a breath (laughs) and I said, Its a pleasure to meet you. And the smile stayed on her face and she moved on, little knowing she had just dodged a bullet.

And I felt like the curse had finally been broken.

I felt relief that she wasnt still living with this trauma. And also because I didnt dig myself even deeper. I think I was just relieved I didnt compound the injury once again.

Did Ivanek debate whether to bring it up again the third time?

I think I was trying to figure out, how much of a moment am I going to have here? And she was being very sweet to people, but she was going at a good pace down the line and not really lingering. And we were all shoulder to shoulder and the closer she got, I thought: I cant launch into this!

But it definitely was a debate for a moment in my head. And I thought, if she comes up to me and doesnt instantly recognize me, the better part of valor is to just bluff it out. Just say So nice to meet you and let it go.

The takeaway 

We all think about meeting an idol and I feel like the takeaway is: Be careful what you wish for, because it may turn out that youre the one that doesnt live up to your expectations! Its such a charged situation to meet someone who is so meaningful to you.

But also: Theres a time to leave well enough alone and stop trying to dig yourself out of the hole. Let it go.
A Brevard man arrested for placing explosive devices around Transylvania County in 2021 stuck a plea deal June 26, 2023.

After spending 21 days in jail, a Brevard man arrested for placing explosive devices around Transylvania County in 2021, including near a church and a government building, wont serve any more jail time due to a plea deal struck June 26.

Between 180 to 200 people sat in First Baptist Church in Brevard for Sunday morning service on March 14, 2021, when the churchs newly formed security team spotted the bottom of someones shoes pacing back and forth on one of their cameras positioned outside, Lead Pastor Jeff Maynard, who was just about to start preaching at the time, told the Citizen Times July 6.

Thinking someone was trying to get in the door, security team leader Buck Reed and other security members went to see what was going on. Once outside, Reed saw a man later identified as Terry Lee Barham run off. Smelling something, they turned around to see a fuse lit outside a window of the sanctuary, a window Maynard estimates to be 50 feet from the churchs stage, past the buildings brick exterior.

What he had done is stuffed stuff up in a watering can so it would burn, and he had the fuse lit on top of the can so it would go off after he was gone, Maynard told the Citizen Times July 6. The security team member flipped the can out of the way because thats all he saw. But when he flipped the can out of the way, he saw the pipe bomb  It was not an incendiary; it was a poorly constructed pipe bomb. It was made of PVC pipe, Maynard added.

Reed called in the incendiary device to the Brevard Police Department, who responded to the scene. Over 130 people responded, from three or four volunteer fire departments, the SBI, the ATF, the FBI, local bomb squad, the Sheriffs Department, the police department, according to Maynard, who said he heard that in court.

A lot of personnel had helmets on and full-body armor, according to Maynard, an experience he describes as like being in a movie.

Upon doing a sweep of the area, law enforcement discovered 18 total devices, including the one lit on the churchs property. The rest were located around the four county buildings that surround the church, one being the Transylvania County Community Services building. No one was injured, and everyone was evacuated from the area, some having to leave their cars behind, according to Maynard. Maynard and Reed were on scene until 9 p.m. that night, going over security footage with local law enforcement and the FBI.

Terry Lee Barham, 67, of Brevard, was arrested 1:40 p.m. March 16, 2021, Hendersonville Times-News previously reported. Barham, who is currently on a two-year probation, spent 21 days in the Transylvania County Jail before bonding out April 6, 2021, when he was released to the streets, according to a warden at the Transylvania County jailhouse.

In this open plea deal, Barham pleaded guilty to four counts of manufacturing and discharging pyrotechnics, according to Samantha Keadle, a clerk at the Transylvania County Clerks Office. This means that in two years, Barhams case dropped from 10 felony charges down to four counts of a misdemeanor. According to a 2021 news release from the Brevard Police Department, Barhams original charges were as follows:

Three separate charges for manufacturing, possessing and transporting a weapon of mass destruction,

Three counts of terrorism

Malicious damage to a government building

Attempted malicious damage to a government building

Attempted malicious damage to a church

Attempted malicious damage to an occupied building

More: Brevard man arrested in connection to multiple explosives incident

Regarding why the felony charges were dismissed and pleaded down to a misdemeanor, Transylvania County District Attorney Andrew Murray said, they "ended up with what they could prove after speaking with state and federal experts.

Murray stated that once experts analyzed the devices further, they could not say the devices met the legal definition of weapons of mass destruction.

Basically, they were explosive devices of an unknown origin initially that were homemade that exploded on or near a church, which caused the initial charges, Murray told the Citizen Times July 6.

Once those were analyzed by experts, we did not have experts that could testify in court that they were weapons of mass destruction. Basically, their determination was they had no projectiles in them, like B.B.s or nails, or anything to project out, and they were simply incendiary devices that, in laymans terms, were no larger than firecrackers.

One of 18 explosive devices found around Transylvania County March 14, 2021. Terry Lee Barham struck a plea deal June 26, 2023 for the case, and is currently serving two years probation

Lasting impact on Brevard congregation

Two years later, Maynard pointed out the ways his church congregation is still feeling the effects of the incident.

We still have pre-school parents who are concerned about their childrens safety coming to this preschool, for which about 70 kids come to the church for Monday through Friday, Maynard said. We are wounded, we are confused, and maybe feel a little disrespected that it wasnt taken more seriously.

According to Maynard, one device that exploded caused concrete to chip, but Murray, the district attorney, said he could not say that is accurate from the facts of the case. From Murrays understanding, the only property damage that occurred was discoloration to the brick, but they took a wire brush and simply removed it.

We dont want to be known as a church that has a good security team and bombs outside of it, we want to be known as a church that loves God, loves each other, and loves our community, added Maynard, who read to his congregation July 5 the statement he made in court. We werent wanting to hurt this guy or ruin his life. We reached out to him to forgive him, theres a lot that aint been said.

Following the close of this case, Maynard feels they dont know enough about a motive or intent behind Barhams actions.

I read a whole statement in court about how we wanted reconciliation, we forgave him, but because we dont know the motive, the intent, we dont even know what ticked him off, Maynard said. We were asking in court, our reason for wanting to know the motive is we mightve done something that we can fix. We never knew if maybe we did something that was wrong.

The Citizen Times reached out to the Brevard Police Department but no one responded by press time. The Citizen Times tried unsuccessfully to reach Barham.

Murray said he could not "get into" the intent. Regarding the dropped terrorism charges, Murray said, he wouldve had to have some incendiary device for the purpose of terrorism, and that is causing terror of the individuals in the church. Although it was frightening at the time, theres no doubt about that, we could not prove based on the devices that there was any harm intended based on the lack of projectiles and size of the device.

Beth Dierauf, assistant district attorney, handled the plea deal. However, Murray said he was intricately involved in this case, from being briefed and being in discussion with experts, so ultimately it was my decision.

The one thing people forget is, it was a traumatic event to my congregation. Have you ever been in church and been told to leave because there was a bomb and, by the way, you cant go to your car because its not safe? How does that affect a child? How does that effect an 80-year-old, people that are vulnerable, that cant move fast? It was much more traumatic than was ever portrayed.

Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. News tips? Email Ryley at rober@gannett.com. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Brevard man gets plea deal 2 years after placing explosion devices
Janet Yellen is visiting China to rebuild bridges between Washington and Beijing

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen criticised Chinese curbs against US firms while on a diplomatic visit to Beijing to improve bilateral ties.

Washington and its allies will fight back against Beijing's "unfair economic practices", she said on Friday.

Ms Yellen also struck a conciliatory note, saying the US seeks to diversify rather than decouple from China.

Her visit follows that of Secretary of State Antony Blinken as the US and China resume talks amid tensions.

The four-day trip, where she is scheduled to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang, is expected to achieve very little by the time she takes off from Beijing Capital airport on Sunday evening. But the visit is important for the simple fact that it's happening at all.

Relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated swiftly in recent years because of the many things that divide them: human rights in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, territorial claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea, Beijing's growing domination of a host of industries from graphite and silicon production to rare earths, lithium batteries and solar panels.

Ms Yellen said she was "particularly troubled" by China's recent punitive measures. This includes a crackdown on US-headquartered consulting firms and export controls introduced just last week on critical minerals used to make computer chips. This follows US restrictions that prevent Chinese companies from accessing the most advanced chips, while pushing ally countries to follow suit.

Ms Yellen told a separate meeting with Chinese officials that US curbs on the export of advanced technology is driven by national security concerns, and was not an attempt to gain economic advantage.

That is unlikely to win over Beijing, which believes the US is intent on preventing it from reaching its full potential. Beijing also looks around at its neighbours and sees a web of US military alliances and military bases stretching from Australia to Seoul, all aimed at one thing - containing China.

Washington, on the other hand, believes China is blocking fair access to its markets for leading US companies.

But both sides also realise that none of this is likely to change soon - and that gone is the era when the US shepherded China's entry in to the World Trade Organisation.

China's finance ministry said the US should take "concrete action" to improve ties. "The nature of China-US economic and trade relations is mutually beneficial and win-win, and there is no winner in a trade war or 'decoupling and breaking chains'," a ministry official said in a statement on Friday.

Ms Yellen too has made clear that severing the deep economic ties that now entwine the US and Chinese economies would hurt everyone.

"A decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be destabilising for the global economy... and it would be virtually impossible to undertake," she said in a meeting with representatives of US businesses hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China.

Equally, a war between Beijing and Washington over Taiwan should be unthinkable. And Ms Yellen emphasised the need to manage the relationship.

"It is in the best interests of the United States and China to have direct clear lines of communication," she said on Friday.

Communication is what has been missing from the US-China relationship for a long time - and it is what the two sides are now trying to re-establish.
Palestine welcomes China's initiatives

08:56, July 07, 2023 By Ahmad Majdalani ( China Daily

Tourists pack the ancient city of Datong in Shanxi province on Jan 29. WU JUNJIE/CHINA NEWS SERVICE

Palestinians have a strategic interest in the growing role and power of China as a friendly state. The increase in China's economic and political influence at the international level is essential for maintaining global peace and development in accordance with the China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative, which is aimed at building a new, fair and just multipolar world order as an alternative to the existing unipolar and unfair international order.

The Global Civilization Initiative draws on China's long history and the prime position it once held as a civilization.

Proposing the Global Civilization Initiative earlier this year, President Xi Jinping said it will inject fresh and strong energy into common development and progress in a world fraught with multiple challenges and crises. Elaborating on the initiative at the Communist Party of China in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in March, Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, called for respecting the diversity of civilizations, advocating the common values of humanity, valuing the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

We Palestinians welcome the Global Civilization Initiative, as it is based on mutual respect, mutual benefit, equality and development of all countries. Fair and just resolution of global and regional issues has been hindered under the United States-led world order. The Global Civilization Initiative, on the other hand, is a visionary initiative that aligns with Palestinian aspirations and could help the Palestinian president to convene an international peace conference.

The initiative creates an ideal opportunity in the year that marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Palestine and China to work toward achieving tangible results, in order to realize better benefits for the peoples of both countries and expand cooperation in various fields. Sino-Palestinian constructive cooperation has been progressing well, giving us enough reasons to be optimistic about the possibility of further deepening pragmatic cooperation.

Besides, the Belt and Road Initiative is not merely a modern version of the ancient Silk Road; it is also a vehicle to boost China's soft power and crystallize the contours of China's growing role in the international system which is undergoing structural changes. It is based on trade and economy, common interests, and market openness, not on any ideology, as is the case with the US-led world order. In fact, for the US and some other Western countries, even their foreign policies are shaped based on their ideology.

Sino-Palestinian diplomatic relations are based on the acknowledgement of the "one China" principle, which is also the fundamental political basis for the development of bilateral relations between China and other countries. China treats all countries as equals, emphasizes the importance of consultation and dialogue to resolve bilateral and regional issues, and promotes common development without attaching any political conditions.

Given these facts, we Palestinians support and are ready to participate in the Global Civilization Initiative, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative.

During Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's four-day visit to China starting on June 14, the two sides jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership. President Xi said China and Palestine are good friends and partners that trust and support each other.

Given the fast-changing international situation and new changes in the situation in the Middle East, China has said it is willing to strengthen coordination and cooperation with Palestine to promote a comprehensive, fair and lasting solution to the Palestine issue. In fact, China has always supported the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights.

The two sides should therefore deepen cooperation and promote genuine pluralism to better protect the common interests of developing countries and help build a fair and just world order. It is necessary to mention here that China is taking measures to expand coordination and cooperation with Palestine to push for an early, just and sustainable resolution to the Palestinian issue.

Further, the strategic partnership between the two sides is an important milestone in bilateral relations, which will pave the way for China to consolidate friendly cooperation with Palestine in various fields.

We expect China to continue supporting the just Palestinian cause, and hope that China will spare no efforts in helping seek serious negotiations in an attempt to resolve the Palestinian issue. And as Palestinians, we must seize this historic moment to strengthen relations with China as a strategic partner and true friend. Palestine also needs to increase practical engagement in the Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative while playing an important role in shaping humanity's shared destiny.

China has begun its journey to build a modern socialist country, which would achieve the goals of developing Arab-Chinese projects and launching strategic partnerships between China and Arab countries, representing a successful model of solidarity, cooperation and mutual benefit.

We Palestinians should strive to achieve shared development, promote justice and fairness, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and integrate the Belt and Road Initiative with the development projects of Arab states, implement the consensuses reached at the Arab-China Summit for Cooperation and Development in Riyadh in December last year, promote the values of solidarity, tolerance and mutual respect, and vigorously move toward the goal of building an Arab-Chinese community with a shared future.

The author is the secretary-general of the Popular Struggle Front of Palestine and a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : WIKUS DE WET/AFP via Getty Images)

At least 17 people have perished from nitrate gas inhalation following a gas leak in a South African informal settlement camp.



The death toll from a toxic gas discharge blamed on an illegal gold processing operation in South Africa rose to 17, including three children, as police removed canisters from a densely populated shack community and combed through evidence on Thursday.

Wednesday night, a toxic nitrate gas release occurred in the informal Angelo settlement in Boksburg, a city on Johannesburg's eastern outskirts.

Toxic Gas Leak in South Africa Kills at Least 17 People

The three deceased children were aged 1, 6, and 15, according to the police. At least ten individuals were hospitalized, including a two-month-old infant, two four-year-olds, and a nine-year-old, according to Gauteng province premier Panyaza Lesufi, who provided an update on Thursday.

Per Fox News, a statement from the office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described the loss of innocent lives as "devastating and tragic."

Several bodies, some covered with linens or blankets, remained on the ground for hours after the gas release was reported around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, as emergency personnel waited for forensic investigators and pathologists to complete their work.

A journalist from the Associated Press witnessed a forensic investigator concealing a small child's corpse with a blanket. Under a strip of yellow police tape that cordoned off the area rested a second corpse wrapped in a white cloth with a shoe sticking out. The bodies were ultimately removed.

For the night, search teams scoured the area for additional potential casualties. Police opened a criminal investigation, but authorities did not specify if the illicit gold processing believed to have caused the gas release was among the deceased.

The investigators navigated through dark alleys between shacks and other makeshift dwellings, a common occurrence in the profoundly indigent informal settlements of South Africa's urban areas, as per CNN.

According to SABC, an additional death occurred at the Tambo Memorial Hospital in the early hours of the morning, as confirmed by Lesufi. Local media reported that children are among the deceased and that search and rescue operations are ongoing.

The informal settlement's leaking gas cylinder contained nitrate oxide, according to Disaster and Emergency Management Services spokesperson William Ntlad.

Ntladi reported that emergency services received the contact shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday local time. According to his initial investigation, the spill may have been caused by illicit mining in the area. Search and rescue teams were still scouring the area to determine the severity of the casualties.

Read Also: Joe Biden Refuses To Acknowledge Grandchild Fathered by Hunter Biden? Here's What the White House Says

South African's Illegal Mining

According to a report by the South African Human Rights Commission, as many as 30,000 illegal miners are operating in South Africa, and hundreds have perished in mine shaft collapses, gas leaks, and conflicts between illegal miners and laborers employed by mine owners.

Ntladi stated that the fatalities were caused by a gas cylinder discharge in the Angelo settlement shack. He reported that the discharge had ceased, and teams were scouring a 100-meter radius around the cylinder for additional victims.

The bodies were still lying on the ground "in and around the area," according to Ntladi, and forensic investigators and pathologists were en route to the crime site.

Per The Guardian, the increase in illegal mining has been attributed to the country's high unemployment rate and the downfall of the mining industry due to depleted reserves, a drop in commodity prices, rising labor costs, and unreliable electricity.

Illegal gold mining has remained widespread in South Africa, costing the country millions of dollars annually. They comprise thousands of illicit miners who throng Johannesburg's abandoned gold mines and are known as "zama zamas."

Last month, the country's Department of Mineral and Energy Resources reported that approximately 31 suspected illicit miners from neighboring Lesotho had perished in a ventilation tunnel in the Free State province.

Related Article: VIDEO: Russian Fighter Jets Harrass US Drones Over Syria

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is set to meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday, and her former counterpart Liu He (Pedro PARDO)

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen begins a full day of meetings in Beijing on Friday, with strained US-China ties, American businesses' concerns and the global economic outlook on her agenda.

Yellen's four-day trip marks her first to China as Treasury chief, as Washington seeks to steady the tense relationship between the world's top two economies while laying the groundwork for greater communication.

In recent years, Washington and Beijing have traded barbs over a host of issues including export controls, human rights and national security.

A Treasury official told reporters Thursday that the United States does not expect specific policy breakthroughs over the next few days, but hopes for frank and productive conversations that can pave the way for future talks.

On Friday, Yellen is due to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People, where she will have a chance to discuss the economic relationship, raise concerns and find opportunities for collaboration, the official added.

She will also meet her former counterpart, ex-vice premier Liu He, with whom she is set to trade views on the status of the US and Chinese economies, as well as on the international outlook.

Yellen is expected to see representatives of American firms in China as well, at a session hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce.

This will allow her to hear about the challenges that US companies face while doing business in China, and she is expected to stress the concept of "healthy economic competition" that involves addressing what Washington deems unfair practices.

These include barriers to market access and actions targeting US firms.

- 'We're talking' -

In a tweet after arriving in Beijing on Thursday, Yellen said that although the United States would protect its national security when needed, "this trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding".

The Treasury official who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity Thursday noted: "Especially if they're things that we may disagree about, it's even more important that we're talking."

But it may not be an easy job to persuade Chinese officials that the United States' actions -- such as tightened export curbs on high-end semiconductors -- are aimed at safeguarding national security and not at gaining an economic advantage over China.

China has been stepping up its response to US chip curbs and, ahead of Yellen's trip, unveiled new export controls on metals key to semiconductor manufacturing.

Some analysts believe the move was targeted at countries that recently limited chip exports to China following requests from Washington.

Underscoring the further challenges Yellen could face, The Wall Street Journal reported that the US administration is mulling restricting Chinese firms' access to US cloud-computing services provided by companies such as Amazon and Microsoft.

bys/reb/leg/ser
Yellen says US not seeking 'winner-take-all' competition with China

Chinese Premier Li Qiang (R) shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 7, 2023. (Mark Schiefelbein)

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday that the United States is not seeking "winner-take-all" competition, in a visit to Beijing aimed at stabilising fraught ties.

Yellen's four-day trip is her first as Treasury chief to China, with which the United States is butting heads over trade curbs, human rights and a litany of other disputes.

But Washington is working to dial down the temperature, and on Friday Yellen underscored to Li that the United States does not seek an economic showdown.

"We seek healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time," she told Li at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.

The United States has said it is seeking to "de-risk" from China by limiting the world's second-largest economy's access to advanced technology deemed crucial to Washington's national security.

Yellen underlined to Premier Li that while Washington would "in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security", that should not derail ties.

"We may disagree in these instances," she said.

"We should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that needlessly worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationship."

Highlighting the challenges, just days before Yellen's visit, Beijing unveiled new export controls on metals key to semiconductor manufacturing on national security grounds, in the latest salvo in the chips war.

The Treasury secretary Friday told American businesspeople Washington was "concerned" about the curbs.

She stressed during her visit that Washington was not seeking a "wholesale separation of our economies".

"A decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be destabilising for the global economy," Yellen told a meeting with representatives of US business at a session hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in the capital.

- 'We can see a rainbow' -

Despite tensions, Beijing has struck an optimistic tone about the visit.

Premier Li told Yellen on Friday that China could see the relationship recovering after a difficult period.

"Yesterday, the moment you arrived at our airport and left the plane, we saw a rainbow," Li said.

"I think it can apply to the US-China relationship too... after experiencing a round of winds and rains, we surely can see a rainbow."

Analysts said Yellen's visit could allow for a warming of ties.

Chen Dingding, the president of the Guangzhou-based think tank Intellisia Institute, told AFP the visit could have "positive implications" for US-China relations.

"A small step towards better Sino-US relations would be a big step for the world and the world economy," said Lyu Xiang, an expert on the topic at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"The impact of this would be very significant."

On Saturday, Yellen is set to have a meeting and dinner with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, a key official overseeing economic issues, said a Treasury official.

She will also have talks on sustainable finance and with women economists.

- 'We're talking'-

The United States does not expect specific policy breakthroughs this trip but hopes for frank and productive conversations that can pave the way for future talks, a Treasury official previously told reporters.

"Especially if they're things that we may disagree about, it's even more important that we're talking," they said.

Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China -- who met with Yellen on Friday -- told AFP: "We're hoping that she would set the tone."

"The hope is that following her visit there would be more visits" both ways, he added.

Tensions soared earlier this year when the United States detected and then shot down what it said was a Chinese spy balloon after the craft traversed its territory.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelled a visit to China over the incident but eventually travelled to the country in June.

During that trip, both sides agreed on the need to stabilise their relationship.

bys-oho/reb/leg
Treasury Department Secretary Janet Yellen opened her trip to Beijing by criticizing Chinese treatment of U.S. companies, pointing out the conditions that they have faced while operating in China, according to a New York Times report.

Speaking Friday to a group of executives from some top U.S. businesses, Yellen attacked the Chinese governments treatment of companies with foreign connections and its recent decision to place export controls on materials used to make semiconductor chips.

She said at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in China that she is sharing the concerns she has heard from U.S. business leaders with her Chinese counterparts during her trip, including the creation of barriers for foreign companies to access the market.

Ive been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against U.S. firms in recent months, she said.

Yellens trip is part of an effort from U.S. officials to ease what have been increasingly rising tensions with China in recent months; Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited last month with the same goal.

The U.S. and China recently had a couple of close calls of vessels and jets nearly colliding in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

The Biden administration placed technology restrictions on China last year, and China has responded with greater scrutiny of U.S. companies.

The Times reported that Yellen said an additional U.S. response to the export controls would be coming.

An official from the Chinese finance ministry expressed hope that economic relations would be improved between the two countries following Yellens meetings with Chinese officials, according to the Times. They said neither China nor the U.S. would benefit from decoupling and disrupting supply chains.

The Times reported that Yellen expressed her issues with Chinese policy while meeting with top Chinese officials, including Premier Li Qiang.

She also has met with former Vice Premier Liu He and outgoing governor of the Peoples Bank of China Yi Gang, with a Treasury Department official telling the outlet that it was for informal talks on the economic outlook.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Yellen says shes concerned about Chinas new export controls in her first public remarks in Beijing

BEIJING  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday she is concerned about the export controls China announced this week.

Chinas Ministry of Commerce announced Monday that starting Aug. 1, companies in China that want to export two metals used in semiconductor manufacturing would need to apply for licenses.

I am also concerned about new export controls recently announced by China on two critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors, Yellen said in prepared remarks for a meeting with U.S. businesses in Beijing.

We are still evaluating the impact of these actions, but they remind us of the importance of building resilient and diversified supply chains.

The Biden administration has announced measures aimed at bolstering American tech capabilities and limiting Chinas access to advanced tech. Those include sweeping export controls that took effect in October and restrict the ability of U.S. businesses to sell certain advanced computing semiconductors or related manufacturing equipment to China.

Yellen said that in her meetings with the Chinese government, she made clear that actions we take to protect our national security are designed to be narrowly targeted.

They are premised on straightforward national security considerations and not undertaken to gain economic advantage over China.

Beijing has so far taken relatively few actions. In May, China said U.S. chipmaker Micron had failed a security review and banned operators of critical infrastructure from buying from the company.

Janet Yellen in Beijing (Mark Schiefelbein / AP)

And this week, Chinas Commerce Ministry announced its forthcoming export ban on the metals gallium and germanium. The ministry said Thursday its new rules did not target a specific country.

China has meanwhile doubled down on efforts to attract foreign investment and engage businesses. The Commerce Ministry said Wednesday it met with 12 foreign pharmaceutical companies to understand their business challenges.

Yellen said Friday in her meeting with American businesses that shes been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against U.S. firms in recent months.

Her visit to China, Yellens first under the Biden administration, follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens high-stakes trip to Beijing last month. Blinken also met with U.S. businesses in China during his trip.

Yellen, a former head of the U.S. Federal Reserve, has generally emphasized the economic importance of the U.S.-China relationship. Mainland China is the second-largest holder of U.S. Treasuries, behind Japan.

She said Friday the U.S. does not seek to separate its economy from Chinas, and that healthy economic competition benefits both sides, according to her prepared remarks to businesses.

In the economic realm, regular exchanges with our Chinese counterparts can help us monitor economic and financial risks, and it can help create the conditions for a healthy economic relationship between our two countries, she said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
FIRST ON FOXNew York's Republican congressional delegation is calling on Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams to change the city's proposed policy on coal- and wood-fired pizza ovens, saying it would effectively eliminate "the perfect New York slice."

The letter, signed by Reps. Mike Lawler, Elise Stefanik, Marcus Molinaro, Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino and Anthony DEsposito, warns that the new emissions mandate would lead to the closure of "treasured" New York pizzerias, "causing people to lose their jobs and negatively impacting the local economy."

The citys proposal to slice carbon emissions from the Big Apples historic coal- and wood-burning ovens by 75% drew significant backlash from pizzerias, which may have to buy emission-control devices to comply.

WATTERS TELLS NYC MAYOR ADAMS TO LOOK AT TRUDEAU, NOT CITY PIZZA OVENS

"As an Italian American and New Yorker, this attempt at wrecking a New York classic is beyond the pale," said Lawler. "New York City Democrats appear ready to stop at nothing in their endless crusade to be the most progressive and green city in the nation, common sense be damned."

Eric Adams' office says food is the third-largest source of emissions in New York City, "so what we eat is impacting our entire planet."

"Im a proud New Yorker, Italian American, love pizza and worked eight years making pizza in a small pizza shop," said Molinaro. "Im disgusted that New York City is going after pizza shops for no legitimate reason."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said last month that it was "a common sense rule" that helps residents "breathe healthy air."

The DEP also says that "wood- and coal-fired stoves are among the largest contributors of harmful pollutants in neighborhoods with poor air quality."

However, the lawmakers argue that the "stringent air filtration guidelines" have a "minute impact" on air quality in comparison to larger polluters in New York City.

"There are a host of ways to reduce air pollution without financially assaulting pizzerias and their owners," said Lawler.

Restaurants can apply to be exempt from the proposed mandate, but they must prove that they have a hardship.

"New York City Democrats are once again doing everything in their power to drive out small businesses from the Big Apple through radical policies like forcing mom and pop pizza shops to sacrifice their traditional pizza ovens in the name of progressive environmental policies," said DEsposito.

"Coal-and wood-burning ovens have been integral to the traditional pizza-making process for centuries, with some brick ovens dating back as far as the Roman Empire," the letter states. "These ovens impart a unique flavor profile and texture that many patrons seek and appreciate."

Pizzeria owners and chefs have echoed this concern, telling Fox News that the mandate would alter the quality and taste of the Big Apples world-famous pizzas.

Scott LoBaido throws pizza at New York City Hall in response to the coal-fired oven crackdown.

"You have to cook with an open flame. When you cook it in a different kind of oven, you won't get the results that will produce a Neapolitan-style pizza," Brooklyn pizzeria owner Paul Giannone told Fox News Digital.

New York Mayor Eric Adams has urged New Yorkers to consider how to achieve climate goals amid uproar over the proposed rules that would restrict wood-fired pizza ovens

NYC'S PRIZED COAL-FIRED PIZZA SHOPS COULD BE 'CRUSHED' BY COSTLY GREEN-FUELED REGULATIONS: PIZZERIA OWNER

Famous pizzerias such as Lombardis, Joe's, Rubirosa, Prince Street pizza and Grimaldis all use coal ovens.

The proposed rules would impact pizza ovens made before 2016, and business owners would be required to install emission filters, which can cost up to $20,000, depending on the appliance.

The restaurant also must hire "a professional engineer or registered architect" to evaluate the "emission controls."

Adams addressed the backlash to the environmental regulations at a June event, where he called for people to weigh in on the proposed rule.

"Right now we are at the public moment where the public can weigh in. Let the public weigh in, let the public give their thoughts, and then we'll make the final determination. We don't want to hurt businesses in the city, and we don't want to hurt the environment," Adams said.

"I think nothing is more clearer to all of us as what this environment is going through after two weeks ago with the fire in Canada, " the mayor added. "That smoke is the type of smoke that we're talking about. So let's see if we can find a way to get the resolutions we're looking for."

The city said it consulted environmental justice communities, restaurateurs and pollution experts in its decision-making process.

New York City has long regulated emissions, becoming the first U.S. city to ban natural gas connections in new buildings in 2021.
Venezuelan Yeisy Sira (left) with her daughter Elaiza after she graduated from an elementary school in New York (Leonardo Munoz)

Last year siblings Eliezer, 10, and Elaiza, 12 traveled by bus and foot through eight countries from Venezuela to the United States.

Today they proudly hold graduation certificates from a New York school that has welcomed more than 100 migrant children but is now running out of space.

"I'm so proud," their mother, Yeisy Sira, 33, tells AFP, after the traditional ceremony that marks the end of the academic year at their elementary public school in Manhattan.

"After two months he learnt to read and now he can make sentences in English," she adds, her eyes glinting with emotion as she talks about youngest child Eliezer who will start middle school in September.

"It wasn't easy to get here, but we got here. School is the beginning of many good things that can happen to all of us," Sira adds.

Sira, her husband and three children are among tens of thousands of migrants who have arrived in New York City this year after fleeing poverty, political instability and violence in Latin America, mainly from Venezuela, Colombia, Nicaragua and Honduras.

The unprecedented arrivals -- 80,000 asylum seekers since the spring of 2022, according to officials -- have stretched resources in the metropolis, where dozens of hotels have been converted into emergency accommodation centers.

They have also posed a challenge for the public school system, the largest in the country with one million pupils, 72 percent of whom are economically disadvantaged and eligible for social assistance, according to the city's education department.

PS 145 The Bloomingdale School, where Eliezer and Elaiza attend, seems well-equipped to deal with its new students.

Located in a predominantly Hispanic area of the Upper West Side it boasts bilingual English-Spanish and English-Russian teaching programs, meaning it can also welcome children from families fleeing the war in Ukraine.

"Some of our own children that are sitting right in front of you, many of them have seen things that you and I can never imagine," says principal Natalia Garcia during her end-of-year speech, between the raising of the United States flag and the presentation of the diplomas.

More than 18,000 students living in temporary accommodation have enrolled in New York's public schools since last summer, according to the city, which has released additional funds of $2,000 per child.

The number of pupils at PS 145 soared to more than 530 in 2022-2023 from around 400 the previous year.

Most of the new arrivals did not speak any English. Many of their families arrived in New York without any resources, including winter clothes, and sleep in hotel rooms where cooking hot meals is impossible.

- 'More support' -

"Many of these students who are refugees and asylum seekers were already displaced for years sometimes. Some of the students have never been to school," said Naveed Hasan, chairman of a parents' committee and a member of the city's education board.

The school, teachers, and parents have rallied round.

"We're just trying to make sure that we can help all of these students as much as possible," Hasan added.

Sira said her family arrived with nothing and started from scratch and that the school organized the paperwork to get her children enrolled.

"They took care of everything. As soon as we arrived, the children started their schooling," Sira recalls.

Hasan, who himself arrived from Pakistan in the early 1980s, said the school was glad to help but it is now "significantly over-enrolled."

"There is a huge issue with availability of classroom space for the kids," he told AFP.

"All of the spaces that were not classrooms: the music room, the science room, the art room, the library, the TV studio, have all been converted into other uses, mostly more small classes to be able to help the kids," Hasan added.

The school has asked for more space from the city which says it is working "to ensure that newcomer students have what they need in our public schools."

"We need more support from the city to make sure that we can continue to do this work over the next year," concluded Hasan.

arb/pdh/dw
(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy embarked on a diplomatic sweep of NATO capitals before a summit next week as he pursues a path into the military alliance.

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Zelenskiy landed late Thursday in the Czech Republic, a staunch ally, for talks with his counterpart Petr Pavel, government officials and lawmakers to discuss defense support for Kyiv and integration into the European Union and NATO.

He then met Friday with Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who said Prague will donate more attack helicopters to Ukraine and hundreds of thousands of large-caliber artillery shells in the coming months. The Czechs will also help Ukraine train pilots for F-16 fighters, and deliver flight simulators to Ukraine for training there.

This is such a chance to show the courage and strength of the alliance, Zelenskiy told reporters after the meeting with Pavel at Prague Castle. But we are also talking about a clear signal, concrete decisions in the direction of the invitation. We need this motivation.

Zelenskiy earlier stopped in Bulgaria, where the Balkan nations new government has heightened its support for his war effort. He will also visit Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, local media reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The Ukrainian leader was set to meet meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on Friday, according to officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity before an announcement.

Political Unity

The greater our political unity is, particularly in the area of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, the more the Russian dictators entourage will fall apart and the weaker he will become, Zelenskiy said in Sofia.

Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization preparing for the July 11-12 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, are trying to strike a balance  drawing Ukraine closer without offering membership yet to a nation in the midst of a war to fend off Russias invasion. Zelenskiy seeks a clear path for Ukraine to join NATO after the war.

Even though NATO states have reached a consensus not to admit Ukraine in wartime, many leaders want to provide Zelenskiy with commitments that go beyond the alliances landmark pledge from 2008  that Ukraine will join one day.

The swing through Europe comes at a crucial time for Zelenskiys military effort, as Ukraine presses forward with a slow-moving counteroffensive to retake territory. Both sides are engaged in intense fighting along the frontline in Ukraines east and south. At the same time, nuclear worries have spiked as Kyiv and Moscow trade accusations of a potential attack on a Russian-occupied nuclear plant.

In Bulgaria, a new government led by the countrys two main rival parties has taken a strong line in cooperating with Kyiv, including increased military assistance and the sale of nuclear equipment. The parliament in Sofia approved a plan to accelerate the replenishment of state weapons and ammunition reserves, paving the way for large-scale deliveries of badly needed Soviet-era ammunition to Ukraine.

Zelenskiy was scheduled to meet Erdogan as the expiration date of the Black Sea grain deal approaches. The deal, vital in enabling Ukraine to export agricultural commodities by sea despite the invasion, is set to expire on July 17. Russia recently said it sees no grounds for further continuation of the agreement.

Turkey helped broker the original deal last year and wants it to be extended. Its termination could push up global food prices, given Ukraines importance as an exporter of grains.

Zelenskiys foray wasnt always cordial. He had an encounter with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who has long opposed providing military aid  and who said his duty is to protect his nation in a time of regional conflict, reiterating calls for a peaceful resolution.

The Bulgarian people realize that this is not a conflict, its a war, Zelenskiy retorted.

--With assistance from Daniel Hornak, Peter Laca, Olesia Safronova and Deana Kjuka.

(Updates with Zelenskiys remarks in Prague starting in third paragraph.)

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Zelenskyy: "We are advancing. We have the initiative now"

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has insisted that despite slow progress, the initiative at the front lies with the Ukrainian defence forces, which are moving forward.

Source: Ukrinform, citing Zelenskyy during a joint press conference with Czech President Petr Pavel in Prague

Quote: "Concerning the counteroffensive. We are advancing. We have the initiative now. The offensive is not fast, that's true. But nevertheless, we are moving forward, not going backwards like the Russians. That's why I see this as a positive."

Background: A special Czech government plane carrying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy landed at Prague's Ruzyne Airport on Thursday evening.

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Zelenskyy lands in Ankara to meet with Erdogan

Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Following visits to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew to Ankara and will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on July 7.

Security  both in our Black Sea region and Europe in general, Zelenskyy outlined the focus of his planned talks with Erdogan.

Read also: Zelenskyy congratulates Turkeys Erdogan on presidential election victory

We will separately discuss the protection and development of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and further efforts for food security. The world must be protected from any kind of terror.

In addition, the meeting will address topics concerning post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and defense contracts between Ukrainian and Turkish companies.

Read also: Russia once again halts Ukrainian grain exports

On July 5, the Joint Coordination Center, overseeing the work of the Black Sea grain corridor, reported that the Russians had effectively obstructed its operation. The most recent inspections of vessels entering the grain corridor were done on June 28.

Previously, Turkish media reported that after a meeting with Zelenskyy, Erdogan might engage in talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Read also: Slovakia to supply Ukraine with 16 Zuzana 2 howitzers, says Zelenskyy

Earlier on July 7, Zelenskyy arrived in Slovakia following visits to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. These trips occur in the lead-up to the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, where Ukraine hopes for a definitive indication of its future membership in the Alliance.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Bratislava and started official meetings.

Source: Aktuality, as European Pravda reports

Details: Zelenskyy arrived at the presidential palace, where he was greeted by Zuzana Caputova, President of Slovakia, and the ministers of foreign affairs and defence.

Zelenskyys negotiations with Caputova are ongoing.

As far as is known, the key topics of the meeting are security, support for Ukraine and future reconstruction, the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, and bilateral issues, including the development of transport links between Ukraine and Slovakia.

As the media notes, although information about Zelenskyy's visit was at the level of rumours until recently, dozens of people gathered at the palace. When the motorcade arrived, people applauded and shouted: "Glory to Ukraine".

As is known, before that, Zelenskyy visited Bulgaria and the Czech Republic.

Background:

After talks with Zelenskyy, the head of the Czech government, Petr Fiala, announced that Czechia will provide Ukraine with additional attack helicopters, large-calibre ammunition, and help train F-16 fighter jet pilots.

Earlier, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova decided to withdraw from the presidential elections next year.

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(Photo : Harry Engels/Getty Images)

Sweden's application to join NATO is back on track as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to conduct last-ditch negotiations.

Sweden's efforts to join the NATO military alliance have started to bear fruit as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to have last-ditch negotiations to address the issues regarding the deadlock.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said an agreement to ratify Sweden's accession is already within reach. The official spoke regarding the matter on Thursday after meeting with Finland, Sweden, and Turkey representatives.

Sweden's NATO Membership Application

The meeting was held at the NATO military alliance's headquarters, which is located in Brussels. Stoltenberg said he had already convened a meeting held between Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for Monday in Vilnius.

The situation comes ahead of a summit of NATO leaders discussing reaching a political agreement. The NATO chief said there is a possibility of a positive decision but noted that there is still work to do to address the disagreements, per Euro News.

Stoltenberg said that they had a meeting and added that officials would be working over the weekend and that he would be meeting with the prime minister and the president on Monday. Sweden's NATO application was made simultaneously with Finland's, but it faces tougher rejection from Turkey.

This is because Turkey accuses Sweden of harboring what Ankara officials described as Kurdish PKK terrorists. However, Swedish foreign affairs minister Tobias Billstrom said he was confident that Stockholm had already fulfilled Turkey's demands.

During an interview, Billstrom said that he would not go into the details of the situation because it was a closed meeting, and he did not want to interfere with ongoing discussions. He noted that Stoltenberg said as much during a previous press conference.

Stoltenberg said it was already time for Sweden to join NATO, arguing that further delay would only benefit Kurdish terrorists and Russian President Vladimir Putin. On Tuesday, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that he was in contact with his Turkish counterpart, noting that if Ankara changed its stance, it would not block Sweden's accession, according to the New York Times.

Read Also: Marjorie Taylor Greene Kicked Out From House Freedom Caucus, Board Member Says

Last-Ditch Negotiations

This means that Sweden's membership application rests in the hands of Erdogan, and if no agreement is reached at the next summit, it is unclear what would be able to break the deadlock. NATO officials expressed concern that Turkey's stance could hold out for several months, which would become a symbolic victory for Putin.

The NATO chief said that the real challenge of the situation was bridging the gap between what Sweden has done and Turkey has an understanding of what Stockholm has accomplished.

Despite Stoltenberg's optimistic view of the situation, a statement from Turkey and Sweden suggested that the gap was considerable and difficult to bridge. This was at least as far as their negotiation positions were concerned prior to their meeting.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said they wanted to see legislative change reflected in Sweden. He added that Stockholm could not prevent provocations, which affected Ankara's stance on the matter, said Al-Monitor.

Related Article: Prigozhin Returns to Russia, Says Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko

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Zelenskyy thanks Biden for additional military supplies

Ukraine is grateful for the timely $800 million security assistance package from the United States, which included dozens of armored vehicles and artillery systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a Twitter post on July 7.

Read also: Zelenskyy lands in Ankara to meet with Erdogan

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude towards U.S. President Joe Biden and the American people for their continued military support throughout Russias invasion of Ukraine.

A timely, extensive, and much-needed package of defense assistance from the United States, Zelenskyy said.

We are grateful to the American people and President Joseph Biden for decisive steps that bring Ukraine closer to victory over the enemy, and democracy  closer to victory over dictatorship. The expansion of Ukraine's defense capabilities will provide new tools for the liberation of our land and the pursuit of peace.

On July 7, the U.S. Department of Defense officially announced a new package of military assistance to Ukraine worth $800 million, which, for the first time, included cluster munitions.

Read also: Ukraine to receive first GLSDB missiles no earlier than autumn  Pentagon

The Pentagon provided the following breakdown of the assistance:

 32 Bradely infantry fighting vehicles;

 32 Stryker armored personnel carriers;

 AIM-7 anti-air missiles;

 Stinger MANPADS and Javelin ATGMs;

 31 155mm howitzers;

 105mm and 155mm artillery shells, including DPICM cluster charges;

 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles;

 Mine clearing equipment;

 Penguin UAVs;

 27 tactical vehicles to recover equipment;

 10 tactical vehicles to tow and haul equipment;

 Small arms and over 28 million rounds of small arms ammunition and grenades;

 Spare parts and other field equipment.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has shared his anticipations for the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, emphasizing his country's hopes for a unified stance from the Alliance, particularly concerning Kyiv's potential invitation.

During a joint press conference with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova on July 7, Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of unity within NATO.

Read also: NATO sends more warships to Baltic Sea ahead of Vilnius summit

Safety lies in unity; I believe that the absence of unity on unresolved issues, including Sweden and Ukraine's potential invitation, poses a threat to the Alliance's resilience, he said.

We expect positive outcomes or steps towards bringing those positive decisions closer.

Read also: NATO Summit: three scenarios for Ukraine

The Ukrainian president stated that Kyivs primary expectations of the summit are further commitments to supply Ukraine with weapons to defeat the Russian invasion, and discussing security guarantees on which Ukraine could rely until it becomes a full NATO member.

On July 7, The Washington Post reported that NATO allies are still deliberating over what to offer Ukraine at the Vilnius summit, scheduled for July 11-12.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg previously stated that the members plan to ratify a long-term support package for Ukraine at the summit, which should bring the country closer to the Alliance. However, he clarified that there would be no formal invitation for Ukraine to join NATO at this summit.

Read also: Bulgaria signs declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO membership

Zelenskyy has previously urged U.S. President Joe Biden to extend an immediate invitation to Ukraine to join NATO. He acknowledged that Ukraine cannot join the Alliance during the ongoing war, but insisted that an invitation would serve as a significant signal.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Zelenskyy visits Turkiye: He will talk with Erdogan

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that he arrived in Turkiye on Friday for talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Source: European Pravda

Details: The head of state announced on social media that he would hold negotiations with Erdogan on the issue of the peace formula, the NATO summit, security guarantees and the grain agreement.

Reconstruction of Ukraine and "defence contracts between [Turkish and Ukrainian] companies" are also on the table.

Earlier, media reported that Zelenskyy would visit Turkiye on the eve of the NATO summit in Vilnius to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after which the Turkish leader may hold talks with the head of the Kremlin, Vladimir Putin.

Background: On Thursday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bulgaria, after which he went to Prague and Bratislava.

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Though Eugene A. Consigny was not born or raised in Avoca in his early years, Avoca will honor the Civil War veteran this weekend on Sunday, July 9.

Consigny's grandfather was born on a farm in France, but settled in Lower Canada on a farm near Montreal, where Consigny's father, Antoine, was born in 1811. Antoine and his wife, Lucy, were the parents of 10 children, of whom four died in infancy. Of the remaining six, honored veteran Eugene Consigny was the oldest, born in 1841.

When Eugene's father died at age 45, Eugene took on a lot of responsibility assisting his brothers in acquiring an education. He entered a mercantile business as a clerk at Granby, Lower Canada and eventually ended up in Swanson Falls, Vermont, the home of his mother's youth.

Young Consigny was fired with a feeling of patriotism. When the opportunity presented itself for him to participate in the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Company M of the First Regiment Vermont Volunteer Cavalry in October 1862. After serving through the remainder of the War, Consigny mustered out as a First Lieutenant and Adjutant in 1866.

He was married to Cassie Benham in 1869. By 1872, they had made their way west and settled in Avoca, Iowa, where he was engaged in the grain business and ran the first elevator in Avoca. He was especially well-known for the Centennial Mill Company in early Avoca history.

Besides being identified with the leading business enterprises in Avoca, his involvement with the local G.A.R. post was instrumental in his being named the Commander of the Iowa Department of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1888.

On Sunday, July 9, members of Atlantic's Kinsman Camp 23 of the Sons of the Union Veterans of Civil War will hold a special ceremony at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca rededicating Consigny' s gravesite. This ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. Descendants of Consigny will be in attendance from Florida, North Carolina and New York, ranging from a great granddaughter to great-great nephews to great-great-great nephews/niece.

Following the ceremony at Graceland Cemetery, everyone will be invited to the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum, where the large Consigny/Simon Civil War Collection donated by Consigny's great granddaughter will be unveiled. The public is invited to view the collection and will be able to "meet and greet" the Consigny descendants following the program.

The collection is made up of items belonging to Eugene A. Consigny (1841-1900) and Charles A. H. Simon (1842-1914), who both served in the Civil War. These items were in the possession of a Mr. Kenaston in New York and Carol Barden Hilbish in Florida.

Mr. Kenastons mother, Clarissa Benham Consigny Kenaston, and Carol Hilbishs mother, Helen Consigny Barden, were first cousins. Eugene A. Consigny of Avoca had two sons. His oldest son, Lucius G. Consigny, was Carol Hilbishs mothers father. The younger son, Eugene F., was Mr. Kenastons mothers father.

Mr. Kenaston had in his possession a beautiful G.A.R. ceremonial saber, a copy of a letter from Abraham Lincoln to Consigny, and a thank you note from President U. S. Grants son, all items belonging to Eugene A. Consigny. Being in frail health, Mr. Kenaston wanted to make sure the treasures would go to a family member. Thats when his legal representative (Sara) found Carol Hilbish and got in touch with her.

Carol Hilbish had already been in touch with Barbara Butcher, a curator at the Avoca Museum. Carol had a large collection of Civil War memorabilia that belonged to both her great grandfathers Eugene A. Consigny and Charles A. H. Simon. With the grandfathers ties to Avoca, Carol felt the Museum in Avoca would be the perfect place for them to be on exhibit.

In Carols possession were a Civil War musket and a saber belonging to Charles Simon, along with his knapsack, gaiters and canteen. Carol also had Civil War diaries kept by both Consigny and Simon. After the Civil War was over and the Grand Army of the Republic was formed in 1866, Consigny became quite involved in that organization. In the collection are a number of wonderful old G.A.R. pins, along with a number of original documents belonging to Consigny and Simon.

During a recent vacation trip to the South, Barbara and John Butcher made a stop in Florida at the home of Carol Hilbish with the express purpose of learning more about the Consigny/Simon Collection and bringing it back to Avoca with them. Besides meeting Carol Hilbish, they also met her nephew James Allen visiting from New York. In the photograph, James Allen is holding Simons musket, and John Butcher is holding the Consigny ceremonial saber and the Simon saber.
Democrat Ryan Melton says he plans to seek a rematch in 2024 against U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra for Iowas 4th District seat in the U.S. House.

Melton, who announced his run Tuesday, told the Iowa Capital Dispatch that he believes that his campaign will do better in 2024 than it did in 2022. He lost with 30.4% of the vote to Feenstra, who had 67.4%.

When Melton ran in 2022, he entered the race late and chose to run to ensure there was a Democrat on the ballot, he said. This year, he is starting earlier and plans to build on the groundwork laid during the last election cycle, he said.

Hopefully with a normal length campaign and some name recognition and some infrastructure built the second time around, hopefully well be able to expand our outreach to voters we didnt get to reach the first time, Melton said. So we anticipate well continue to talk to independents, Republicans, Libertarians, as well as Democrats, that when they get to know me will see that they can trust me and that Im capable and that Im someone that they can put their faith in.

Iowas 4th District has historically been the most conservative congressional district in the state. Melton said he planned to continue reaching across party lines to appeal to conservative voters who do not support the direction of the party, and who want to vote for someone who isnt funded by corporate political action committees.

Melton raised just over $53,000 in the 2022 election cycle, compared to the $2.8 million raised by Feenstra, according to Open Secrets.

Feenstra has not yet announced plans to run for a third term in office. He was first elected in 2021, after he defeated former U.S. Rep. Steve King in the 2020 Republican primary. The congressman could not be reached for comment on his 2024 plans.

While Feenstra won by more than 60% in both the 2020 and 2022 general elections, Melton said he believes theres more room for Democratic successes in the 4th District than some Iowans believe.

We started from literally square zero and ended up earning more votes than 70% of the roughly 120 major party U.S. House candidates in general elections who raise $75,000 or less, Melton said. We ended up earning more votes in the district than our gubernatorial candidate  so considering all of that, were really proud of what we accomplished.

In a social media post announcing his run, the Democrat said he chose to run in 2022 because he felt democracy was at risk. Hes running again because our democracy is under even more threat, Melton wrote.

The representative of anti-democracy, Donald Trump, is again at the head of the pack for the Republican nomination, and Congressional Republicans have doubled down on their support for him, Melton wrote, noting Feenstra has not commented on the former presidents court cases.

In the lead-up to the election, Melton said he would be focused on fundraising, as well as specifically reaching out to young voters and communities of color in northwest Iowa.

Were gonna have more bandwidth, more time and more experience, Melton said. We learned a whole lot the first go, and so I think were gonna be able to leverage all of those things and increase our outreach for sure.
Pottawattamie County officials appear unconcerned about shortcomings identified by state auditors, including some repeated concerns identified in a June 30 report.

State Auditor Rob Sands office found issues such as errors in reporting capital assets, receipts and transfers, lack of independent review of the coding of receipts received outside of the treasurers office as well as transfers, among others.

The auditors office review county finances on an annual basis, and findings are a normal part of that process, said Becky Lenihan, Pottawattamie County finance and tax officer.

Some sort of findings are almost inevitable, Lenihan said. They are findings that the state auditor gives recommendations on how to resolve, the county department heads/elected officials respond, in which the conclusion is that the response is accepted.

Two of this years findings were repeated from the previous year.

It is not uncommon to see repeated findings, Sand said.

Lenihan said, It is not rare. We try to resolve the issues, but in some instances it might take some time.

The 2022 audit begins with a brief summary of the countys revenues and expenses during that year. According to the audit, the countys revenues totaled $95,971,855 for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2022. It was a 3.7% increase over the prior year.

Expenses for county operations during that same period totaled $81,725,336, a 3.9% increase over the prior year.

The increase in revenue was due primarily to receipts received from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program due to the floods of 2019, as reported by the audit.

State auditors reported six findings related to the receipt and expenditure of taxpayer funds. The findings addressed issues such as errors in reporting capital assets, receipts and transfers, lack of independent review of the coding of receipts received outside of the treasurers office, as well as transfers. There were also findings related to the preparation and review of bank reconciliations for the sheriffs office jail account and a lack of independent review of bank reconciliations for the county recorder.

Also, the budget was exceeded for the mental health function, noncompliance with Chapter 554D.114 of the Code of Iowa pertaining to retaining cancelled checks and paid lunch periods for certain employees in the Sheriffs office were in violation of the bargaining agreement and county personnel manual.

Sand provided the county with recommendations to address each of these findings.

Concerning financial reporting, state auditors found material amounts of capital asset additions and construction in progress were not properly included on the countys capital asset listing, and assets remained on that list after they were disposed, sold or traded.

In addition, there were receivables and transfers that were not recorded correctly in the countys financial statements. It was noted, however, that adjustments were subsequently made by the county to properly record these amounts in the financial statements.

In response to these findings, the county auditors office said a fixed asset policy is being put in place. There have been many capital projects and construction in progress the last few years, with the office relying heavily on department heads/elected officials to turn in the fixed asset forms to the office.

However, the office has taken that fixed asset piece back within the last three years and is working to get files cleaned up. Transfers are being better tracked. The office also plans to put better internal controls in place to prevent these deficiencies in the future.

The audit found that bank to book reconciliations were not performed for the countys jail account for the last six months of the fiscal year. The county said it will create a policy that requires bank reconciliations to be performed, reviewed and approved monthly for the jail account.

In other findings and county responses:

 State auditors found disbursements during the fiscal year exceeded the amount budgeted in the mental health function.

(Iowa Senate File) SF619 changed the Mental Health Region funding from county to state dollars. A transfer to close out the fund was made, therefore causing that fund to go over budget," Lenihan said.

 State auditors took note of paid lunch periods, an issue that caused controversy at a supervisors meeting.

At that meeting, it was brought up that clerical staff at the county jail would be adjusting their work hours to match the work hours of the other approximately 220 employees in the sheriffs department. The four jail staffers would go from working 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to a continuous eight-hour shift from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. that would include a paid 30 minute lunch break.

Per the county employees handbook, normal business hours for the county are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and those are the hours that office staff in the rest of the county work.

The deputies association contract, however, states that employees who work a continuous shift get a paid for a 30-minute lunch. Per the associations contract, Sheriffs Office clerical staff is included, but County Attorney Matt Wilber pointed out that the four clerical staffers at the jail are not covered by the deputies association contract. Jail staff, despite being grouped in with the sheriffs office staff on the organizational chart and receiving the same benefits as sheriffs office staff, are not members of the deputies association or any other union, and are thus required to follow the guidelines in the employees handbook.

In its findings, state auditors said The Pottawattamie County Sheriffs Office Policy Manual states meal periods and breaks are to be in accordance with the bargaining agreement and the county employee handbook. The handbook indicates all full-time employees are allowed a 30-minute unpaid meal period, which may be combined with the two 15-minute paid rest periods for a one-hour meal period with approval of department head.

Non-union jail secretaries are allowed to take one hour paid lunch daily, which does not comply with the county policy, according to the auditors. Their recommendation was for the Sheriffs Office to follow the countys policy for meal periods or change their policy to allow meal periods to be paid.

In response, the county said this practice was changed by a Board of Supervisors resolution last fall and that the issue no longer exists.

The countys responses to all the findings were approved by the state auditors.

Its status quo, like it has always been," Lenihan said.
SISTER LAURA ANN HASCHKE with with Missionary Benedictine Sisters in Norfolk created a series of sketches depicting facets of the sisters ministry to commemorate the religious orders 100 years of presence in the area. This drawing depicts the sisters' healthcare ministry, which stretched from 1924 to 2008.
African countries are aspiring to establish themselves as renewables-driven hubs to supply escalating global demand for green hydrogen, just as hydrogen diplomacy has intensified in recent years, with the EU outpacing other competitors on the green hydrogen front in Africa.

More than 50 projects have now been proposed across Africa to supply an expected surge in global demand for green hydrogen and products that depend on it, with Egypt, Morocco and Mauritania leading the way in North Africa. All of them are well located to serve European markets, just as a joint European Union/African Union report recently noted that Africa has extraordinary green hydrogen potential, and a 2022 study by the European Investment Bank concluded that Africa is worthy of a 1-trillion investment in green hydrogen, which could make the continent an international energy powerhouse.

As African nations seek to minimize energy poverty, they find themselves at a unique crossroads in 2023, says NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of African Energy Chamber. Africas climate and geography are ideally suited to take advantage of renewable energy, giving the continent a bright outlook for growth in this sector over the coming decades, particularly in the area of green hydrogen, Ayuk adds. The International Energy Agency (IEA) in its Africa Energy Outlook 2022 noted that global declines in the cost of hydrogen production could allow Africa to export green hydrogen to Europe at internationally competitive prices by 2030. The IEA also predicted that in the long run, Africa is capable of producing as much as 5,000 megatons of hydrogen a year  equivalent to the total global energy supply today. Key to this prediction is IEAs estimate that Africa  and North Africa, in particular  has 60% of the worlds best solar resources, along with massive wind potential around the northern and southern coasts and the Horn of Africa.
Tunisia has expelled hundreds of Sub-Saharan African migrants to a buffer zone in the border with Libya without due process, Human Rights Watch said.

The group includes asylum seekers, women and children in addition to regular African migrants who were abandoned in the buffer zones following a campaign marked by violence, it said.

The Tunisian government should halt collective expulsions and urgently enable humanitarian access to the African migrants and asylum seekers already expelled to a dangerous area at the Tunisia-Libya border, with little food and no medical assistance, said Lauren Seibert, refugee and migrant rights researcher at Human Rights Watch.

People interviewed said they had been arrested in raids by police, national guard, or military in and near Sfax, a port city southeast of the capital, Tunis.

Tensions have been high in Sfax for months as Tunisian residents campaigned for African foreigners to leave, escalating to recent attacks against Black Africans and clashes with Tunisians.

Tensions in Sfax take place as Tunis seeks EU aid to tackle migration. Talks continue between Tunis and Brussels that would provide more than 1bn in EU support for Tunisias floundering economy and stem the flow of migration from its shores to Europe.

The package, which includes 105mn for border control, was announced last month during a visit to Tunis by European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, but finalizing the details has taken longer than expected.

European officials have warned that a potential implosion of the Tunisian economy would result in more migrants crossing the Mediterranean.

Italy, where arrivals have soared more than tenfold from the start of the year, has played a key part in lobbying the EU for support to the north African country.
Today, the Biden-Harris Administration announced it is advancing the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel project to the next phase in the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, a critical step towards unlocking up to $6.88 billion in funding from this program.

The project is a long-overdue investment to construct a new Hudson River Tunnel between New York and New Jersey and rehabilitate the 110-year old rail tunnel that carries 200,000 passenger trips per day on New Jersey Transit and Amtrak along the Northeast Corridor.

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Today's announcement officially begins the Engineering phase of the project and allows the Gateway Development Commission (GDC) to begin early actions like utility relocations, critical real estate acquisitions, demolition, procurement of specialized equipment and materials, and further design. GDC also may request pre-award authority from FTA to conduct specific construction activities.

If the project sponsor meets all CIG statutory requirements of the Engineering phase, such as securing non-federal matching funds, the Administration will consider awarding a Full Funding Grant Agreement for up to $6.88 billion for the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel project.

This would represent the single largest commitment under the CIG program to date, and potentially the largest single allocation under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Funding available for the project is made possible by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a key part of his Investing in America agenda that is growing the American economy from the bottom up and middle-out- by rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, driving over $500 billion in private sector investments in the United States, and creating good-paying jobs.



This latest step follows major progress in 2023 on the project after years of stalled efforts. Other recent milestones under the Biden-Harris Administration include:

In February 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation reversed a Trump Administration policy decision that limited the treatment of federal loans as local matching funds for CIG projects. That policy had blocked the Hudson River Tunnel project from being considered for a CIG grant agreement. The Department restored earlier policy that since federal loans will be repaid by state and local revenue, they are considered to be local matching funds.

In May 2021, the Federal Railroad Administration and FTA jointly issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Hudson River Tunnel project. The permitting process was initiated in May 2016 - five years prior - but was delayed during the Trump Administration.

On January 20, 2022, FTA updated the CIG rating for the Hudson River Tunnel project to Medium-High after project sponsors improved it. A project needs to be rated Medium or better to qualify for approval into the Engineering Phase of the CIG program; the project had previously been rated Medium-Low by the Trump Administration, blocking it from progressing.

In late January 2023, President Biden announced a $292 million Mega grant to Amtrak for Hudson Yards Concrete Casing, Section 3, part of a $649 million early phase project that will complete the final section of concrete casing intended to preserve future right-of-way for the new passenger rail tunnel under the Hudson River. The concrete casing protects the path of the new tunnel from Penn Station to the Hudson River's edge. If this casing were not built now, the foundations from the new Hudson Yards development would likely impede the path of the tunnel and make the project extremely difficult. The funding is made possible from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's new National Infrastructure Project Assistance discretionary grant program (Mega).

In May 2023, the FY 2024 President's Budget included the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel project on its list of projects recommended for CIG funding, based on the expectation that the project will complete all necessary steps in the Engineering Phase and be ready to receive a Full Funding Grant Agreement during FY 2024.

Last week, the GDC was awarded $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Rebuilding America's Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program for the Tonnelle Avenue Bridge and utility relocation project in North Bergen, New Jersey, which will be the opening of the tunnel on the New Jersey side. The project will fund the utility relocation and construction of a new approximately 100-foot road bridge to carry Tonnelle Avenue over a new railroad right-of-way for the new Hudson River Tunnel in North Bergen. Safety will be improved for pedestrians crossing Tonnelle Avenue with a new signalized intersection. Tonnelle Avenue provides freight trucks access to local communities, which will improve movement of goods to those communities.

Today's CIG announcement is one of several milestones for the project expected this year and a significant step for the Gateway Hudson River Tunnel Project. The project is also eligible for other federal grant and loan programs, including the Federal Railroad Administration's Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program, which will announce project selections later this year.



Hudson Tunnel Project

The overall Gateway Hudson River Tunnel project is a $17.18 billion investment that will improve resilience, reliability, and redundancy for New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) train service between New York and New Jersey. The project will reduce commute times for NJ Transit riders, enhance Amtrak reliability on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), and support the northeast regional economy. Amtrak expects the Hudson River Tunnel project will result in 72,000 direct and indirect jobs during construction with union partnerships for job training.

The existing North River Tunnel is over 100 years old and opened for service in 1910. Built to early 20th century standards, it is the only passenger rail tunnel connecting New York and New Jersey and facilitates more than 200,000 passenger trips per weekday on more than 450 Amtrak and NJ Transit trains servicing New York Penn Station. The existing tunnel has two tubes with one track each and has reached its full capacity of 24 trains per hour, causing bottlenecks and delays. When one track goes out of service for any reason, trains have to wait to go through the other working tube.

This creates bottlenecks and delays for NJ Transit commuters and Amtrak travelers that cascade throughout the Northeast Corridor. Beyond its age and regular maintenance, in 2012, millions of gallons of salt water flooded into the tunnel during Superstorm Sandy. Even today, the remnants of seawater that entered the tunnel in 2012 continue to harm the concrete, steel, tracks and third rail, signaling, and electrical components within the tunnel.

To address those challenges, the Hudson River Tunnel Project will rehabilitate the old North River Tunnel; build a new tunnel beneath the Palisades, the Hudson River, and the waterfront area in Manhattan; construct a new surface alignment from Secaucus to the new tunnel portal in North Bergen; construct ventilation shafts and fan plants in New Jersey and New York; and make track modifications near Penn Station. When the project is done, the redundant capacity provided by a second tunnel will mean fewer delays and less risk for catastrophic disruption.

The Hudson River Tunnel project is part of the larger Gateway Program which envisions expanding and rebuilding the rail line between Newark, New Jersey and New York City through a number of projects, including the new Portal North Bridge, which broke ground last year and is supported by over $1 billion in federal transportation funding.



President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak, with a $66 billion investment in rail. After waiting years for new federal funding, 2023 will be a year in which major rail projects along the 450-mile Northeast Corridor between Washington, DC, and Boston, receive their first significant funding. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law also includes over $90 billion for transit, the largest amount for public transit in history.

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Morocco and Germany agreed on Thursday in Berlin to launch next year the Multidimensional Strategic Dialogue agreed upon in 2022. This dialogue will serve as a basis for moving forward in bilateral relations and strengthen coherence between the different areas of bilateral cooperation.

The announcement came at the end of a meeting between Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita, who was on a working visit to Germany, and his German peer Annalena Baerbock.

Bouritas visit to Germany is part of the implementation of the Strategic Dialogue established between the two countries under the joint declaration adopted during Baerbocks visit to Morocco on August 25, 2022.

The Strategic Dialogue is scheduled to take place once every two years, alternately in Morocco and Germany, under the chairmanship of the Foreign Ministers of both countries.

The establishment of this Strategic Dialogue is part of the two countries shared commitment to strengthening dialogue, political, economic, cultural and interpersonal relations, promoting democracy, the rule of law and good governance, developing trade and investment, and cooperating on climate policy, biodiversity policy and green energy solutions.

This Strategic Dialogue will be based on shared values and mutual respect, with the aim of consolidating the principles and foundations of relations between Morocco and Germany, with a view to preserving and strengthening the priority interests of both countries.

At a joint press conference held at the end of their talks, the German official hailed Morocco as a long-standing leader in the fight against climate change, thanks to the initiatives of King Mohammed VI.

Through its various actions and its ambitious national objective to reduce CO2 emissions, Morocco has adopted the best standards in the region in the fight against climate change, stressed the head of German diplomacy.

These efforts are crowned by very concrete results, she said, citing, among others, the Noor solar power plant, which supplies 1.3 million people with clean electrical energy.

She also welcomed the partnership between Germany and the Kingdom in terms of energy transition, adding that bilateral cooperation in the field of green hydrogen was at the heart of her discussions with Bourita and that the two countries are determined to work together on projects in the renewable energy sector.

German-Moroccan talks also covered climate change and the two countries shared desire to advocate an ambitious international commitment to combat and mitigate the effects of climate change; ways to expand the scope of cooperation to new sectors, notably renewable energies, infrastructure, and digitalization, the relevance of their long-standing security partnership; and their close collaboration in the field of migration management.

The two sides underlined the convergence of their views on a range of regional and international issues, and pledged to pursue consultation and coordination, notably on the situation in Libya, the Sahel and the Middle East.
The European Union (EU) and France Thursday vowed to assist Madagascar with one million euro each for the presidential elections slated to take place in the African country next November.

The pledged funds will go into a basket Fund set up by the UNDP, earmarked to back the electoral process.

The independent Electoral mission indicated that it needed 32 million euros to organize the elections.

France and EUs announced contributions bring current funds in the UNDP-established pool of funds to 2 million euros.

Germany is also expected to contribute from its pledged-3 million euros for five African countries organizing presidential elections this year.

The Basket Fund, local media Madagascar Tribune reports, will be expanded to finance part of the presidential elections, part of the legislative elections and part of the municipal polls. For the presidential election, the support fund will cover the purchase of ballot papers, the part of the election budget that requires the largest share, the media adds.
Centre-right political party Afek Tounes, called on Tunisian authorities to re-impose visa requirements to Sub-Saharan migrants as part of measures to stem arrival of flows of migrants from South Saharan African countries who use the North African country as transit to reach Europes southern coasts.

The party, Webdo Tunis reports, in a statement, also calls on the authorities to adopt transparent policies for the movement and repatriation of Sub-Saharan migrants. The North African scraped in 2013 visa requirement for several Sub-Saharan countries.

The call comes amid an acute migration crisis. Tunisia has seen this year an alarming domestic discontent against the presence of Sub-Saharan migrants.

This week, tensions further flared up between residents in the city of Sfax and Sub Saharan migrants. Human Rights Watch Thursday indicated that at least 500 Sub Saharan migrants have been expulsed since July 2.

New York-based rights advocacy group also indicated that the migrants have also been subject to beatings between Tunisian security forces. At least 60 Sub-Saharans have been arrested this week in Sfax. Wednesday the Court of First instance of Sfax reportedly indicated 33 illegal migrants were arrested and four other Tunisians also detained for housing them. Earlier, this week 34 Sub-Saharans were also arrested for illegal sojourn in Tunisia.
Two west central Nebraska public power districts have presented a revised merger plan intended to address both technical and irrigators objections to their first merger attempt in 2022.

Board members of the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District Wednesday voted 10-2 to amend their bylaws to give the districts Tri-County irrigation customers more influence over the merged districts water decisions.

Dawson Public Power District board members previously endorsed the amended bylaws on an 8-3 vote, said Lincoln lawyer Kurth Brashear, whose firm is working on the merger.

He said in a Thursday email that the revised bylaws will become the bylaws of the consolidated Platte River Public Power and Irrigation District. Central will be the legally surviving district, he added, meaning Dawson in effect will be absorbed into Central.

Brashear said Centrals board will meet July 17 to approve filing of a fresh merger petition with the Nebraska Power Review Board, which cited technical issues in rejecting the initial petition in April.

The state board ruled that public power districts that want to merge must include precise language in state law that the successor district shall not have the power to levy taxes nor to issue general obligation bonds.

That language will be in the revised merger petition, Brashear said.

Meanwhile, he added, the revised bylaws include three major provisions offered by a committee that included four board members apiece from Dawson and Central. All eight recommended the amendments.

Some Central irrigation customers in Gosper, Phelps and Kearney counties filed to block the 2022 merger attempt, telling the Power Review Board in part that their historic control of the 82-year-old districts water decisions would be lost under the merger.

The merged Platte River board initially would include all current board members of both districts, but attrition would gradually reduce it to two members from each of its seven counties. Gosper, Phelps and Kearney  the target counties of Lake McConaughys stored water  would be the three easternmost counties.

Some Tri-County irrigators filed a separate suit against Central last December, alleging the district violated the Open Meetings Act in proceedings involving the 2022 merger attempt.

District Judge Terri Harder dismissed that initial suit Feb. 13, but trial on a revised suit is set for Aug. 21-23 in Phelps County District Court in Holdrege, Brashear said.

The amended bylaws, he added, says the Platte River board will have two major committees: a Water Services Committee to recommend irrigation water rates and allocations and an Electric Distribution Services Committee to oversee electric rates.

The bylaws state that a majority of Water Services Committee members will come from the Tri-County area, including that committees chair, Brashear said.

The four counties now getting electrical power from Dawson will likewise have an Electric Distribution Services Committee majority and chair from the four westernmost counties.

Each committees proposals will require a two-thirds majority of the full Platte River board to be adopted, as will any future amendments to the bylaws.

That means 16 of the merged boards initial 23 members would have to support water or electricity decisions or changes to bylaws, Brashear said.

Gosper, Phelps and Kearney counties will have 10 Platte River board members at the start and six after attrition reduces the board to its final post-merger size of 14.

No amendments will pass without some degree of support from those subdivisions, even if all the other directors are in favor, Brashear said.
For its scope, speed and significance, Wednesdays North Platte City Council meeting yielded the citys most aggressive moves on housing in years.

It also marked a milestone  albeit one being overtaken by events  in addressing housing shortages most recently identified five years ago.

Council members gave swift final approval to the 128-lot Village Park Flats development off West A Street, just over a week after it debuted on city agendas and three months after local leaders first met with its developer.

Blue Sky Development of Roca, Nebraska, won nearly $9.7 million in tax increment financing on a 5-1 vote and passage of its plat and a rezoning ordinance on 6-0 votes.

The council agreed on another 6-0 vote to waive the usual rule requiring three yes votes on ordinances, allowing Blue Sky to start building on its 40-acre site as soon as possible.

Three other sets of agenda items with housing implications also were approved or moved forward before Wednesdays climactic Blue Sky votes:

Council members voted 5-2 to declare an even larger 260-acre area between Bicentennial Avenue and Newberry Access substandard and blighted for TIF purposes. Both housing and light industrial projects are projected for that area.

They also gave 6-1 first-round approval to an ordinance annexing a 10.35-acre tract at 2321 W. 18th St. Owner Leva Cochran proposed replatting the tract for potential housing use, which Planning Administrator Judy Clark said requires annexation under city codes because it borders existing city limits. The council voted 7-0 for the plat.

Members also voted 7-0 to approve a six-item consent agenda that included microTIF property tax incentives to renovate 19 second-floor apartments in the historic McCabe and Hotel McCabe buildings at 400-06 N. Dewey St. and 115 E. Fourth St. A similar nine-unit renovation in the Knights of Columbus building, 408-10 N. Dewey St., won microTIF in 2022.

Mayor Brandon Kelliher and Gary Person, president and CEO of the North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corp., hailed the councils decisions as game-changers in solving the citys housing issues.

You cant rest on your laurels, but now we have a volume (housing) developer who believes in North Platte, Person said Thursday. Its been a long time.

He said state Sen. Mike Jacobson introduced Blue Skys leaders to North Platte after meeting one of them in Lincoln in January. A variety of community leaders first met with the Roca firms principals March 28.

I cant thank them enough, and I cant thank enough the people who convinced them that North Platte was a good place to do business, Person said.

Both Person and Kelliher recalled the six-week struggle in fall 2018 to win council backing for the 37-lot Dancer Subdivision at West Philip and Dixie avenues.

Its TIF assistance package won 7-1 final approval after then-Mayor Dwight Livingston had to break three 4-4 ties at an earlier meeting to keep the project moving forward.

Kelliher, who remains chief information officer at Great Plains Health, recalled Thursday that he was among many who spoke in favor of North Platte developer Lonnie Parsons Dancer project.

Id hire people and their spouses wouldnt come here because of the housing situation, he said. North Platte has focused on housing for the last four years, and guess what? Weve moved the needle. But weve still got a long way to go.

The most recent North Platte-Lincoln County housing study  released two months after Dancers October 2018 council approval  said the city needed to add between 603 and 812 housing units to raise the citys effective sales-rental vacancy rate  then just 3.4%  to a healthier rate between 5% and 7%.

David City planning consultant Keith Marvin, now working on an update to the 2018 study, further broke down his minimum estimate to call for at least 266 new single-family homes and 337 rental units.

Starting with approval of the Dancer project, now about half built out, The Telegraph calculates that North Platte leaders have cleared the way for some 850 new housing units  roughly 184 single-family homes and 666 apartments  inside city limits with the aid of TIF, microTIF or the chambers Shot in the Arm incentives.

Those totals would grow further if a 43.13-acre area east of Bicentennial and north of East Philip Avenue should develop as projected when the council rezoned it for housing in July 2021. Its within the larger 260-area made TIF-eligible Wednesday.

Daniel McKeon, who then owned the would-be housing tract, said at that time that he hoped to build at least 100 single-family homes and duplexes there. Person said Wednesday he expects another developer to offer a major housing plan with the areas substandard and blighted designation.

But less than half of the 850 living units provided for by the various incentives have been built so far. And the 2018 study doesnt factor in expected housing demand from Sustainable Beef LLC or the Port of the Plains rail park near Hershey, neither of which had taken shape at that time.

The city has approved just 126 single-family building permits between 2018 and the end of June. Just 13 have been granted this year, Person said, including permits to private builders, North Platte Area Habitat for Humanity and the Lincoln County Community Development Corp.

Thats why the community has to do better moving forward, he said. Last night was a good start.

The Village Park Flats site forms the eastern two-thirds of a 62-acre tract between Lakeview Boulevard and Dixie Avenue that was made TIF-eligible in April 2016. The TIF-aided Victory Village apartment complex, now with 80 units and approved for 120 more, takes up the western one-third.

As many as 342 housing units could rise the rest of this decade at Village Park Flats, divided among 48 single-family homes, 42 two-unit duplexes, 38 three-unit triplexes and three 32-unit apartment buildings built around a planned public park.

The exact mix will depend on what interested residents support over time, Blue Sky Chief Operating Officer Byron Riddle said during Wednesdays public hearing on the TIF request.

Only six of the councils eight members voted on Blue Skys items. Ward 4 Councilman Ed Rieker was absent, and Ward 2 Councilman Ty Lucas, chief lending officer at NebraskaLand Bank, abstained due to his banks involvement.

The lone no vote on any of the Village Park Flats items came from typical TIF opponent Mark Woods, Riekers fellow Ward 4 councilman. He opposed TIF for Blue Sky but backed its replat and zoning ordinance and voted to waive the latters three readings.

Ward 1 Councilwoman Donna Tryon, also usually part of an anti-TIF bloc with Woods and Rieker, joined Woods in opposing TIF eligibility for the area between Bicentennial and Newberry.

But Tryon, who opposed annexing Cochrans land because it could open up more land for TIF, voted yes on all four Village Park Flats items.

Each one of the trio has made occasional exceptions in favor of TIF, most notably when they joined in the councils unanimous 8-0 December 2021 vote for TIF for Sustainable Beef.

Tryon made her accustomed opposition to using TIF clear earlier in Wednesdays meeting.

I think its the most abused law there is, she said. And I wish we could TIF what is blighted, not whats next to being blighted.

Sustainable Beef fit that bill because its being built on a former city sewer lagoon, Tryon told The Telegraph Thursday.

She said her votes on Village Park Flats dont reflect a change of heart about TIF, though I would change my vote if people would call me and tell me, Donna, you need to change it.

No one has, Tryon stressed. But with Village Park Flats, it was already designated a TIF area, so I figured if its already designated, it may as well get developed.
Four students from North Platte and two from Hershey experienced the trip of a lifetime from June 12-27.

The Nebraska Ambassadors of Music trip occurs every other year and band directors nominate students from their schools.

Aurora Atchison, Sierra Cain, Annika Koif and Phineas Wiezorek of North Platte High School, along with Cruz Brooks and Kayla McNeel of Hershey participated in this years trip.

Former North Platte High band director Brett Bradley accompanied the group and said the trip was a lot of fun.

The kids got to play in Europe, and what are the chances you are going to get to play with 200 other kids in Europe? Bradley said. The highlight was going to Vienna (Austria). Wed never been to Vienna before so that was really cool.

Performing with the Alps in the background at a concert in Carmel, Austria, was Bradleys favorite performance.

Brooks said the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was something he couldnt pass up.

A lot of people dont get the chance to experience Europe and we got to do music, Brooks said, which is one of the things I love the most.

Brooks, who plays the tuba and graduated in May, is going to the University of Northern Iowa to study music education.

Definitely seeing the Alps was a highlight, Brooks said. Its super beautiful there and the water was clear and super blue, so that was probably my favorite part by far.

McNeel graduated in May from Hershey and said it was her first trip to Europe.

My biggest highlight was definitely the friendships and relationships I made with everybody, McNeel said, and just getting to experience everything in Europe with them.

She said her favorite food was pasta they had in Paris. McNeel will be studying elementary education at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in the fall.

The group performed in England, France, Switzerland, Germany and Austria and they each said the mountains of Switzerland and Austria were the most impressive part of the trip.

Atchison will be going into her junior year at North Platte High and her instrument of choice is the baritone saxophone.

My favorite part was probably the river cruise in France, Atchison said. We were really fast paced in France, so it was a chance to slow down and take in the scenery.

The group consisted of 280 students and two conductors led them through about 10 pieces of music during their performances.

Playing with a really large group like that was a lot of fun, Atchison said. We had pretty good talent, so it was pretty easy to keep balanced as far as music goes.

Cain graduated in May and said she was ready to come home after 16 days of travel. However, she found an opportunity to return to Switzerland while on the trip.

I think I was ready to go home just from spending so much time with so many people, Cain said. When we were in Switzerland, I loved it so much there that I found a study abroad program through my college that goes pretty much right where we were. So hopefully, Ill be able to do that and go back in a couple of years.

She said it was interesting to see the differences in culture.

For example, there were bike roads everywhere and so many people were biking and not so many drove everywhere like we do here, Cain said. I got to ride The Tube in London, which was an experience at 5 oclock at rush hour.

She said the subway trains were packed and her group of 70 students struggled to get on. In fact, they got separated, but made it to their destination.

All in all, the students said the trip was worth the time and effort and they brought back many memories that will be cherished.
The recent Supreme Court ruling striking down affirmative action once again highlighted an uncomfortable reality that a minority group (in this case, Asian Americans) mostly opposes a position held by the progressive movement and the Democratic Party. The response from the left was to depict Asian Americans  who, polls show, oppose the use of racial preferences in college admissions to increase diversity  as dupes or tools being used by white conservatives to attack other vulnerable minorities.

The promise of proximity to whiteness and power has radicalized some Asian Americans on the right, noted an NPR story that approvingly cited scholars who instructed that the conservative litigants pitted Asian Americans against Black and Latino communities. A Vox piece complained that, once again, Asian Americans are cited by white conservatives to put down other minorities.

But the reality is that most Asian Americans oppose racial preferences in education  by a 15-point margin, according to a Pew poll from last month  for perfectly cogent reasons that have nothing to do with white conservative manipulation. Because Asian American students tend to perform at very high levels, they earn far more positions at elite universities than their share of the population would suggest; plans to create a diverse or socially representative student body therefore come at their expense. The progressive impulse to blend meritocratic admissions measures with diversity goals, not only at the university level but also in many public magnet schools, has put a large group of Asian Americans in direct conflict with Democrats.

This is hardly a unique episode. The partys most restive constituencies are increasingly racial minorities: African Americans and Latinos as well as Asian Americans. These constituencies remain heavily, even overwhelmingly Democratic but disproportionately compose the partys moderate wing, which is why Republicans are beginning to eat into their margins.

Yet Democrats have had an exceedingly difficult time recognizing and acting upon this challenge. One reason is that acknowledging a Democratic constituencys authentic disagreements with the partys agenda implies the need for compromise, something progressives  or ideologues of any stripe  are loath to do.

Another, deeper reason is that it violates a deep, self-flattering Democratic Party assumption to acknowledge that the swing constituents being lost are heavily made up of non-white voters. Its supposed to be racial minorities, who have experienced the most discrimination, pulling the party to the left with white people joining as allies. Progressive activists and donors have long assumed that simply mobilizing non-white voters would naturally pull the electorate leftward. The idea that the constituents pulling the party leftward are disproportionately white, and those resisting that pull are disproportionately not, contradicts the premise of a movement that has axiomatically equated socially liberal positions with the desires of minorities.

David Byler recently broke down the political inclinations of the three largest demographic blocs of Democratic voters: white college-educated Democrats, white non-college-educated Democrats, and Black Democrats. Across a slate of social issues, white college-educated Democrats had the most liberal views, Black Democrats the least liberal. A recent poll even showed that Black Americans, who are overwhelmingly Democratic, narrowly approved of the Supreme Court ruling banning racial preferences in college admissions.

From 2020 to 2022, Democrats lost 3 percentage points of voting share among Black voters and 7 percentage points among Asian American voters. They managed to gain back a point among Latino voters after losing ground during the Trump era. It has only belatedly occurred to Democrats that Latino voters are neither fixated on humane immigration policy nor uniformly progressive on economics or social policy. As Ruy Teixeira points out, Latino voters hold more conservative beliefs than white Democrats on a wide array of issues.

The gulf separating the Democratic Partys progressive white college-educated base and its non-white moderates was on uncomfortable display recently during a protest in Rockville, Maryland.

The demonstration drew hundreds of parents denouncing the city school systems depiction of LGBTQ+ and gender-identity themes and demanding that schools allow their children to opt out of those texts and lessons. They were met by a small number of counterprotesters waving Pride flags.

The demonstration was not especially distinguishable from similar ones at other schools that have been popping up across the country, except for one thing: As I scanned the news coverage, every single protester I saw was non-white, and every counterprotester was white.

Rockville has some idiosyncracies that would produce a racial divide this stark: The protesters were largely affiliated with African and Muslim immigrant communities that had religious objections to the school curriculum and viewed white people in Montgomery County as extremely liberal.

Progressives are too reluctant to discuss the increasingly undeniable reality that the Democratic Party is being pulled leftward by its white college-educated elite and is losing non-white voters to the Republican Party. Disinformation or some other form of ignorance is not whats causing Democrats to lose these voters; they are making rational decisions based on their policy preferences. Democrats have moved to the left on social issues and are losing their most socially moderate voters as a result.

Now, Democrats can argue in some cases that these losses are an acceptable cost. Defending vulnerable minorities is one of the partys core missions, and Democrats have generally been willing to pay a political price to stand in solidarity with targeted groups. I happen to be a secular Jew who is not terribly sympathetic to any of the complaints of these protesters, who leaned heavily on Christian and Muslim religiosity. I believe schools have an obligation to teach their students mutual respect for all their fellow students, including gay and trans kids.

But when the opposing party is dangerous and authoritarian, parties need to be very selective about which positions theyre willing to lose voters over. If Democrats are willing to lose non-white voters rather than compromise their social values, thats a valid choice. But they should at least be aware of the choice they are making.

Instead, progressives view the problem as one of disinformation: If non-white voters are recoiling at the Democrats agenda, the hidden hand of conservative manipulation must be at work.

When the Muslim-dominated city government of Hamtramck, Michigan, voted to ban Pride flags, the Guardian blamed outside agitators for stirring up the issue:

While the situation in Hamtramck largely evolved on its own local dynamics, some outside right-wing agitators connected to national Republican groups have been pushing for the ban on Hamtramcks social-media pages and voiced support for it at Tuesdays meeting. They are from nearby Dearborn where they were part of an effort last year to ban books with LGBTQ+ themes.

After the 2020 election, a wave of stories attributed the shift of Latino votes toward Trump to misinformation, the most common deflection used by progressives to explain away minority voters inconvenient beliefs. The same method has been used to rationalize Asian American skepticism of racial preferences in school admissions. A report last year by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans lamented the disinformation fueled by WeChat against affirmative-action programs in local schools and higher education, pitting Chinese Americans against other communities of color.

One irony is that the anti-misinformation industry itself produces claims that are at best highly questionable. One paper measured how many Latinos were susceptible to the conspiracy theory that Joe Biden was under the influence of Black Lives Matter and antifa, which melds a plausible claim with a false one. (BLM has exerted some influence over Bidens presidency.) The NCAPA paper labeled the idea that affirmative action promotes reverse discrimination as casteist disinformation. But the reality is that Harvards efforts to create a diverse campus do involve subjecting Asian American applicants to higher standards than applicants of any other background. The policy includes a personality test that systematically finds Asian Americans have worse personal ratings than any other group:

I still cant get over how racist Harvards personality evaluations are. And without the lawsuit we might have never known. pic.twitter.com/WmKIgf3G59  Andrew Chen (@achenfinance) July 3, 2023

One can argue that Asian Americans should have to accept the trade-off of this discriminatory policy to advance the larger social goals of producing a diverse elite.

Yet you dont have to agree with affirmative-action critics or the Hamtramck City Council to recognize that theirs are actual beliefs that must be dealt with, not dismissed as false consciousness or corrected by the intervention of self-styled misinformation specialists.

Politics requires trade-offs. Many Democrats have been living in a fantasy world where moving left on every issue will help them by mobilizing more minority voters. If they recognized any voters they might lose in the process, they were dismissed as white Dixiecrats getting in touch with their inner Strom Thurmonds. If Democrats choose to allow their moderate voters to draft to the GOP, they should at least be aware of just who those swing voters are.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Getty Images

Longtime filmmaker Oliver Stone has never been shy when it comes to contentious topics or going after accepted thinking. But his new documentary, Nuclear Now  which makes the case for nuclear energy as a silver (not magic) bullet against climate change and the literal end of the world  has a more hopeful tone than most of his earlier work. In the latest episode of On With Kara Swisher, Kara talks to Stone about the film, that shift, and what turns an infamous counterculture warrior into an advocate for nuclear-power plants. In the below excerpt, Swisher and Stone discuss the pros and cons of atomic energy, the decades-old efforts to demonize it, Hollywoods role in that, and why, in Stones mind, more nuclear accidents might have actually done some good.

Kara Swisher: Youve made over 30 films. Youve told stories about Vietnam War, greed on Wall Street, figures like JFK, Nixon, Bush, Edward Snowden, Vladimir Putin, and now nuclear energy and climate change. Whats the through line of your career, at what youre trying to build here with this body of work across complicated, often controversial topics?

Oliver Stone: Well, one doesnt think about it in terms of  when youre a young person, you dont say Im gonna be this at the end of my life. You just do it as you go, and the issues that concern you often concern the rest of the world. I mean, I have been very conscious of the news, I was raised that way in New York City by my father who was conscious of the news, and Ive always been interested in whos president and economic policy. My father was an economist  and trying to follow the trends. Nuclear energy, I mean, the concept of clean energy has been haunting for the last few years. Everyones talking about it since theyve acknowledged climate change, since lets say the 2000 period. And certainly, Al Gores film brought attention to it in 2006. So its scary. Its  even if you dont accept climate change and some people dont  what, how, what is the best way to utilize energy in our country? And that could be conservation conscious? And in that regard, when you do the research and you go around and you talk to the scientists, people who know, who dont just have opinions but who know, it comes out that nuclear energy is a must  is a must.

Kara Swisher: But what made you do that? You said most of your films unpack a lie. You say undiscovered lies that people wont admit, I think in an interview. Explain the lie that got you motivated to do an entire documentary, a two-hour, almost two-hour documentary.

Oliver Stone: Well, I didnt see, I didnt see it as a lie when I started. It was simply to deal with this issue of where are we going? I mean, everyone was talking about taking pro-nuclear, anti-nuclear positions. Its tedious to listen to these arguments because its a what if, what if, what if, kind of question mark. We want to move beyond that and try to solve the problem. So when I read this book called A Bright Future written by Josh Goldstein, who was a professor of international relations, and a nuclear engineer, scientist from Sweden called Stefan Swiss. They laid out in a very simple book, it was very clear  its very dry and hard to read  but its clear that were going to need a lot of nuclear energy in the next 30 years to meet the standards of what the IPCC calls  2050 is going to be kind of a  breakpoint, when the earth is gonna no longer be able to recover from warming, and it will just keep warming itself.

Lets say thats true, but even if it were not true, I would still be saying, and these books would still be saying we need nuclear energy, and we had it, it worked.

Kara Swisher: Sure. I guess what I want to get to is like, why this? Theres crisis all over the world, including misinformation, political partisanship. What prompted you to come to this. You read a book that you liked, right? Uh, theres lots of books and lots of 

Oliver Stone: Because Im scared. Im scared for the world. I have children, hopefully Ill have grandchildren. Whats my daughter and son gonna face? Its the prospect of the earth getting worse, is what scares me. The earth should be getting better because we know, we know more and more and more and we have more tools that help us and were not. Its not getting better. The carbon dioxide poisoning in the air, along with the methane gas poisoning in the air, is growing.

Kara Swisher: So this compelled you to make an argument that the answer is, the solution is nuclear energy. So I want you to explain why you think nuclear is the answer and compare it to solar, wind and other forms of renewable energy that weve been sold on. Cause its  you can get more out of it. More bang for your buck, so to speak.

Oliver Stone: Yeah. Well, because nuclear operates 24-7, I mean, its basically a capacity of about 90 percent plus. Its always going night and day. Once its built, its expensive, [but] once its built, the maintenance is very smooth and and it runs and it runs and we take it for granted, and we took it for granted in our country. And we never really kind of realized it. We looked to one accident, which was Chernobyl, which terrified the world 

Kara Swisher: And Three Mile Island.

Oliver Stone: I understand why, but that one accident became the basis for closing up nuclear plants, not only in Germany, but even in the United States. Closing them early.

Kara Swisher: And the others, the others, solar, wind are not, renewables are not good enough. Theyre too small.

Oliver Stone: Too small on the scale that we need. We need continent size. Plus it takes up a lot of land. you know, in Germany for example, they put up solar panels in a huge solar park, 400, almost 500,000 panels, reflecting the sun. Those panels produced about one tenth of what nuclear produced on five times the size of the land. And the same is kind of true about turbines too, because they take a lot of space.

You know, if we can do it, we should do everything we can. Everything we can.

Kara Swisher: I wanna talk about why were not using it. You make a case at the beginning of the documentary about this quite clear, and its largely around safety and fear of accidents, essentially. You yourself said you used to be afraid of nuclear energy. What convinced you that it was safe? Because a lot of our fears come from the nuclear bomb, right? So we equate the two.

Oliver Stone: Nuclear bomb and nuclear energy have been conflated into one monster. And the truth is the nuclear bomb is enriched with plutonium, and it makes it highly radioactive and its dangerous. It happened at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which we set off, and people died of radioactive poisoning. But nuclear energy was made in a much lower-level way. The enrichment process is monitored highly by the IAEA, International Atomic Energy Commission. These plants are very, very safe. Theyre built along these lines, very strictly in the United States, too strictly. You might argue that there should have been more accidents, because as in any new industry  chemicals, gas, oil, pipelines  theres a process of learning. I think they did a pretty damn good job. They had one accident in the United States. It was at Three Mile Island and nobody died. The containment structure worked at Three Mile Island, and yet the panic was 

Kara Swisher: So youre saying it became demonized in this, you know, a nuclear bomb 

Oliver Stone: It was demonized, yeah, by that film by Jane Fonda. That was  and I admire Jane very much for her Vietnam stand, as you know  but it made hysterical. The concept grew, this thing blows up, its gonna be a 

Kara Swisher: Im curious, have you heard from Jane Fonda on this?

Oliver Stone: No, I havent, but I wish she would to look at it. I probably  its very hard to go back on your thinking and change your mind, but you have to listen to facts.

Kara Swisher: So what changed your mind? You said you were in that camp you were in, in that

Oliver Stone: Yeah, but I wasnt  I assumed that people knew what they were talking about, but the truth is that the nuclear industry never really had a lobby. They never had, you know, what Wyoming has with coal, or Texas has with oil. They didnt have a constituency. And no scientists, there was no Einstein around or guess, or Marie Curie, who found radium, to explain it to the people so that they would understand it. And the media got involved, and lets be honest  they love hysteria. They love sensationalism. When you can talk about an explosion in your backyard the size of a nuclear bomb, its gonna make the news. But thats not the case.

Kara Swisher: All right. Well get to the media in a second, but lets play a clip from the documentary to start. This is President Eisenhower sharing his vision for nuclear energy in a speech to the UN in 1953, followed by your voiceover. Lets play that.

President Eisenhower: This greatest of destructive forces can be developed into a great boon for the benefit of all mankind. Experts would be mobilized to apply atomic energy to the needs of agriculture, medicine, and other peaceful activity. A special purpose would be to provide abundant electrical energy in the power starved areas of the world. The United States pledges before you to devote its entire heart and mind to find the way by which the miraculous inventiveness of man shall not be dedicated to his death, but consecrated to his life.

Stone (narration): The entire assembly of delegates from around the world, including the Soviet Union, responded with warm and sustained applause.

Kara Swisher: Okay, were not exactly living in this nuclear-powered utopia he promised. You argue a few things are to blame. Lets do a lightning round of some of these things you say have gotten in the way. Lets start with Big Oil and economic interests here. How did they change things?

Oliver Stone: Well, as we explained in the film, they knew that this was a threat to their livelihood and their profits. And the Rockefeller Foundation put out a study in 1956, which put its thumb on the scale, and their scientists that were paid for by 

Kara Swisher: This is the oil family.

Oliver Stone:  came out with this conclusion that any amount of radiation is harmful to the human body. This is a study that went right to the New York Times front page. The publisher of the Times was, incidentally, on the board of the Rockefeller Foundation. What happened is that that report is fraudulent and it has been denied by science. Its been discredited. Low level radiation exists all over the world. Its with us, its cosmic rays bombard the earth, the sun. We are were exposed to radiation, low-level radiation all day long. And people at high levels of altitude or in airliners are more exposed to it and so forth and so on.But when you have that kind of news and then it sticks around. So that perception was there from almost the beginning, from 1956.

Kara Swisher: So they created this lie. They created a lie, bad PR, they put bad PR against it by saying you could die.

Oliver Stone: Well theres low level radiation and theres high level radiation. High level radiation is dangerous. The bomb stuff is high level radiation because its enriched. The nuclear plant radiation is low level.

Kara Swisher: So Big Oil tried to scare people into thinking you could be mutated.

Oliver Stone: Well they did. And also they went on, in time and now they have declared themselves the perfect partner for renewables. You see why? Because we know that renewables, sun and wind do not work all the time. So whats the backup? Its immediately: gas.

Kara Swisher: Coal and gas. Okay. So you talk about the co-opting of environmental groups about a Big Oils anti-nuclear agenda, that they shifted. Initially the Sierra Club was pro-nuclear energy and then became anti, and including the Friends of the Earth who was funded by Big Oil. Talk about that.

Oliver Stone: Yeah. Its very hard to follow the money because its always anonymously given, but definitely, Rod Adams in the film tells the story of the Arco investment in Friends of the Earth. Friends of the Earth was one of the first anti-nuclear environmental groups, around 1970. but the chief of Arco Oil & Gas wrote the first check for $200,000 to Friends of the Earth. They got into the business of protesting nuclear energy. Not all the environmental groups did at first, but certainly a lot of them did. Greenpeace followed in 1970. Greenpeace 

Kara Swisher: And so, because why? Because oil was controlling them? I think thats hard to believe, but that they may have gotten their initial funding from that, but what happened to these groups?

Oliver Stone: Well, who knows what funding continued. We dont know where the funds come from,, but the point is it, even if its not a conspiracy, its business as usual  which is the oil companies dont want to have competition from nuclear.

Kara Swisher: From nuclear. Okay. So weve talked about the conflation of nuclear energy and nuclear war. And you point a finger at Hollywood for fear-mongering. How did the films and TV stoke the fear. Obviously, youve got Godzilla, that came out after the bomb, you know, Duck and Cover, and then The China Syndrome  all kinds of movies. Theres one movie after the next.

Oliver Stone: Yeah. You dont forget Silkwood, which is wonderfully filmed with Meryl Streep.. These people are  the film business has been horrible to the nuclear industry. We had all the horror films in the fifties when I was growing up. You know, everything was radioactive. There was always the reason for two heads monsters that existed, fish that came out the sea. Everything that was horrible came from radiation. On top of that, you had this HBO series about Chernobyl, which was extremely successful around the world.

Kara Swisher: So why is Hollywood doing this? The fear  what you call fearmongering.

Oliver Stone: Because they dont know. Because they dont know. And it makes, you know, it makes for easy, its an easy, what do they call it? Its a low hanging fruit.

Kara Swisher: You imagine there being a movie? Nuclear Energy Is Great.

Oliver Stone: Yeah, I could.

Kara Swisher: Well, youve just made it, but 

Oliver Stone: I had to make it as a documentary because its very difficult to  you know, at one point we played, Josh and I played with the idea of doing a scenario about a female scientist, cause that was popular, a female scientist saving the world by her courage and so forth.

Kara Swisher: Through nuclear energy.

Oliver Stone: But, you know, that becomes kind of melodramatic. Its not really a one-person issue. Its really a global issue. It cant be solved by the United States or one side. Its going to be solved by a consensus in the world.

Kara Swisher: But the popular idea is that nuclear energy is dangerous, is that no matter what, its more dangerous than anything else.

Oliver Stone: It was bad. Yeah.

Kara Swisher: Was bad. So there are justified fears weve had, as you said. Sure. Chernobyl was the worst one. The UN estimates 4,000 deaths related to radiation exposure. But you and Mr. Goldstein fear its that its been blown out of proportion.

Oliver Stone: Totally. Compared to Bopal, the deaths at Bopal

Kara Swisher: Which is chemical.

Oliver Stone: Right. 1980  was it 4? And then in 1975 we had the hydropower dam in China. 250,000 people died. So there are accidents in any industry. The airplane industry had accidents and they were very dramatic. Nothing compared to what the car industry was turning out, as Ralph Nader pointed out. In other words, whats scary and whats dangerous are two different things.

Nuclear energy is scary. But compared to the more mundane  oil, gas, coal  nothing compared to it.

Kara Swisher: So, Fukushima was another one. An earthquake and a tsunami hit in Japan, caused a nuclear disaster at an active power plant. As you point out, natural disasters are going to get more powerful and plentiful. So should we be more  not less  concerned about future Fukushimas? Or do you think every energy source is at risk?

Oliver Stone: Its funny that you call  everyone says Fukushima is a nuclear disaster. It isnt. It was a tsunami disaster, as we had in the South Pacific. That plant was badly, had a low sea wall, and it was flooded. The generators were flooded, the sea wall was penetrated, but the containment structure held. There was a radiation leak, but again, realize its low-level radiation. People were checked out. Nobody died from radiation poisoning. People died from mismanagement. Hospitalization, hospitals were emptied and they rushed, but the Japanese government panicked and closed it down for quite a few years. So its just kind of a contagion of fear.

Kara Swisher: it would be like closing down planes if there was one crash.

Oliver Stone: Yeah, like closing down planes or banning knives. I mean, whats a knife for. A knife is a wonderful instrument. We use it for hundreds of things, but it can also kill people.

Kara Swisher: All right. But you just said something which is  I think a lot of people would get their back up  where you and Goldstein said in an interview, and you just said it: you think that its better for nuclear if there were more accidents.

Oliver Stone: Well, I  thats a form of saying Yes, wed get more used to it. Because people get spoiled. They want zero tolerance. Zero tolerance, in any industry, is almost impossible.

Kara Swisher: So youre saying accidents normalize the tech, in other words.

Oliver Stone: Accidents normalize. Yes, they do. And, I mean, think about the waste from nuclear compared to ammonia from agriculture

Kara Swisher: Lot of fear about that.

Oliver Stone: Compared to arsenic, compared to lead, compared to mercury, which is just thrown into our landscape.

Kara Swisher: So that radioactive waste is safer than all the other things that come out of oil, gas, solar panels.

Oliver Stone: And then they talk about a hundred thousand years from now. Okay. Right. But you know, even so, it decays, it decays to almost nothing. Radioactive waste doesnt move. Its been over glamorized and over sensationalized and people can always say: What if, what if? But at a certain point youve gotta say, Look, we gotta take the what if. Zero tolerance  its not gonna happen. We gotta build.

Kara Swisher: All right, lets talk about that. The cost. Plants getting built across the U.S. are costing twice as much as their budgets promised. While other countries have been able to do it cheaper, South Korea has actually lowered its costs. Talk about how we get costs down, specifically the rule of SMRs, which are small modular reactors which move around.

Oliver Stone: Well, that is the American way. We were building innovative companies, private companies, with the support of the DOE, the Department of Energy  exploring small modular reactors. Bill Gates has invested a lot of money. It looks very promising  what they call a natrium. Natrium is a salt water reactor. Dont ask me to explain all the details. Im not a scientist, but it looks good. It cuts 

Kara Swisher: Would you have one in your home when they get small enough?

Oliver Stone: Absolutely. In a second.

Kara Swisher: Interestingly, I had a discussion with Bill Gates about this, who was a big investor in nuclear technology  which of course will add to the conspiracy theories around Bill Gates, and the chips and the vaccines and everything else. But it requires startups to be doing this innovation in nuclear energy.

Oliver Stone: Well we make the point that startups are an alternative to General Electric, because General Electric bills on a big scale, and as it was explained in the film, their nuclear division is a small part of their overall business. They make turbines, they make drilling equipment. It is a huge company, so their motivation to do nuclear is limited. But theres the small companies that dont  that need, that do this full time, that this is their motive to begin with. Thats the companies that hopefully will make a breakthrough in America.

Kara Swisher: Yeah. Also, Sam Altman, who is the head of ChatGPT, also has a big fusion [company] hes working on.

Oliver Stone: Fusion is also for the future, but not now.

Kara Swisher: Thats his great interest. You do explore France as a kind of nuclear energy gold standard. 70 percent of the country gets its energy from nuclear, but theres serious costs [due to] climate issues. Last year, half of Frances plants were offline for repairs. Unusually high temperatures put more pressure on the plants cooling systems. The state funded nuclear power operator, EDF, is billions of dollars in debt. So is France really the shining example?

Oliver Stone: Yes it is. Its a wonderful example actually, because its been working for 50 years. They built 57 reactors, and theyve been delivering. And France had very low electricity costs and they had very little CO2. But, you know, the French system has to be repaired because its been in business for 50 years, at a low price. But there are pipes and corrosion and so forth and so on. But thats part of the business you 

Kara Swisher: What they did should be the map.

Oliver Stone: Absolutely. And Russia too. Russia built  has 20 percent of its electricity coming from nuclear and they have built some of the finest reactors ever seen. They have this new fast breeder [reactor], which we saw at Beloyarsk in the Ural mountains in the center of Russia, that fast breeder uses its own waste.

Kara Swisher: Of course, its paid for by their gas and oil revenues.

Oliver Stone: Well no its paid for by the state. That comes from part of their  but gas is no good. Russia is definitely  its sad that they do it. But Chinas the one thats building the most nuclear right now. They are investing, according to what I read, $440 billion into building 125 or so new reactors. They already have 50 

Kara Swisher: Because they need, they, theyve promised to get to zero emission.

Oliver Stone: Well, thats one thing. 2038, they will have like all these reactors in place and theyll be building more. They have promised the president Xi has promised to go to zero emission, by 2060.

Kara Swisher: Right. So were not in China, were not in Russia, were not in France. In the U.S., how do you get politicians behind the nuclear vision in a bipartisan way? Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recently went to visit the site of the Fukushima power plant and said she was there to neither fearmonger nor sugarcoat. So how do you get people in this country to be bipartisan about nuclear, especially when theres oil and gas interest and coal interests? Joe Manchin just got it dropped into the debt ceiling bill  a coal plant.

Oliver Stone: Listen, I acknowledge its a huge problem to get people to change their ways, but the worst necessity is a mother of invention. The worse it gets, people will see. They know in their hearts that oil and gas are not disillusioned. But as the planet chokes, there will, there has to be change and people will realize maybe too late and theyll be building nuclear as fast as they can by 2040 or even 2035. But as I said to you earlier, the nuclear business does not have a constituency. Theyre not very good at promoting themselves. I talked to these people at Idaho Lab. They all wanna make the next solution, but they dont have a clue as to how to advertise it like the oil people do or the coal people do.

Kara Swisher: Right.

Oliver Stone: Movies. Movies can help.

Kara Swisher: Let me ask you this. I think its a natural question: No nuclear company paid or invested in this movie?

Oliver Stone: No, no. This was done privately.

Kara Swisher: It was Participant [Media].

Oliver Stone: Participant helped us a lot. Jeff Skoll produced the Inconvenient Truth and he was anti-nuclear. We talked and two, three years ago he changed. He read everything he could on nuclear. Hes very bright man, much more scientific than I am, and hes very happy with this film and wants it to penetrate  hes doing everything he can to help us.

Kara Swisher: Okay, so you end the documentary on an optimistic note about the pace of technological innovation youve witnessed in our lifetime. Why so optimistic? You know, youre very leaning into entrepreneurship. Its a bit of a love letter to the nuclear 

Oliver Stone: You could say that at the ending, I want, you know  all Ive seen in the last few years is dystopian stuff. The films, reading materials, its depressing. Everyone  I dont understand why the movie business is just always about the death and destruction. I guess that makes money.

Kara Swisher: Yeah.

Oliver Stone: I really would like to see a change, and hope, given to the future. When this book I found  Bright Future is about hope and about changing the way we are doing our energy now. Its doable. Thats whats frustrating 

Kara Swisher: So, you know, its fascinating cause a lot of your movies are dystopian, whether its Wall Street, you know  Natural Born Killers really left me  was a bummer, was a fucking bummer, Oliver, I have to tell you.

Oliver Stone: Okay.

Kara Swisher: But Im saying what shifted you to utopian? Because a lot of your films are darker, I would say. I dont think theyre like dances in the park. I dont 

Oliver Stone: No, Im not known for a Disney approach.

Kara Swisher: Yeah, I dont see Frozen here.

Oliver Stone: Believe me, Ive always been an optimist because, sometimes you go to the darker places because you can handle it. You can take it and you dont get depressed, but you can come out the other end and youre better for it. Thats the truth about human existence. Suffering sometimes makes us wiser and better people. So the same thing applies in making, creating films like this. Somehow I have an innate optimism. Perhaps it comes from my mother. My father was a pessimist, actually, more than my mother  but my mother was really a believer in humanity. And I repeat that at the end of the movie because the scientist, Marie Curie, one of the greatest, brought us the discovery of uranium and what it could do, and Einstein and people, and even Eisenhower  as dark as it could get during the Cold War, he was still hoping that we could nuclearize our society. And we were close to doing that. I wish we had built more. But Im optimistic. Im an optimist.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

On With Kara Swisher is produced by Nayeema Raza, Blakeney Schick, Cristian Castro Rossel, and Megan Burney, with mixing by Fernando Arruda, engineering by Christopher Shurtleff, and theme music by Trackademics. New episodes will drop every Monday and Thursday. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Photo: CJ Hart

I cant remember the very first time I saw the Savant Studios trucker hat, but once I noticed it, it seemed to be everywhere. Always at well-dressed, cool-people watering holes like Tompkins Avenue on a warm day or in the crush of bodies at Cafe Erzulie. One time, I saw three in a single day, and at that point I knew one of two things had happened: Either I had missed an important trucker hatpurchasing meeting or it was blowing up. Taylor Douglas, a stylist and founder of pop-up thrift shop Second Touch, confirmed the latter. She received one as a gift two years ago and says shes noticed a big uptick in hat sightings since then. Theyre everywhere now. If you go to a festival or block party, somebodys wearing Savant. Content creator Skylar Marshai also noted an increase. While at the Lay Out over Juneteenth weekend, she said Savant hats were in abundance. I was also there and counted eight in a two-hour span  and never the same color twice.

Taylor Douglas poses in a blue-and-pink hat.

The hat, with its blocky type and curved brim, is a versatile accessory. Ive seen it used as a pop of color, peeking out from beneath a puffy scarf in the winter or paired with a black tank top in 80-degree heat. It accessorizes box braids and hugs afros, obscuring the forehead but announcing the wearers affiliation, saying something about the kind of person you are, or perhaps aspire to be. For director Jared Royal, who bought his hat last September, its a statement about craft. It means connecting to people who have foresight or focus on the mastery of a skill. Its in the name, he says. A nod to kindred spirits. For Alex, a creative director at TikTok, it means family. Its an invisible string that ties us all together.

Content creator Skylar Marshai and model-actor CJ Hart.

As the brands popularity grows (I recently saw musician PJ Morton wearing a trucker in a TikTok and Tom Holland was spotted wearing a Savant Studios T-shirt courtside back in May), so does the cool factor, which seems antithetical to the way cool things remain cool. As much as people have become more interested in shopping secondhand for the sustainability factor, anyone who tells you they dont get a thrill from saying, Its vintage, is lying. People usually hate when they are caught wearing the same thing because it attacks their idea of individualism, says model-actor CJ Hart, but hes noticed the reaction is different with Savant. Recently he saw someone else wearing the trucker around Bed-Stuy, and they scanned each others outfits before offering head nods of approval. Its a signal of belonging, of community, a sign that a beloved Black-owned brand is thriving. Savant eschews celebrity gifting and splashy marketing campaigns. Everyone who purchases has come to the brand organically, which makes a noticeable difference in the way its received.

Talking to the brands fans is like tapping into a secret society. Words like family, community, and safety are thrown out unironically  words I often reserve for sacred spaces like my nail salon and my friend Adriennes very spacious backyard. But a $50 hat? Exchanging money for identity begs for me to make a meta point about capitalism and third spaces and one thing squashing the other. But talk to a Savant fan and youll soon realize the hat is a shorthand for family and community because behind the brand, which also makes Moesha T-shirts and handcrafted leather bags, theres a shop in Bed-Stuy that people spend their Sundays in and an owner named Mike who everyone seems to know.

The store is a space where people can shop or chop it up with Mike and the Savant team. Its like a hub for creative people to hang and talk and share ideas, says Royal. There, Sundays are sacred. Every week, Mike and the team host Sunday Vibes, a weekly gathering where creative types are invited to come by and chill. It started informally as a way to facilitate space for the crowds that wandered in post-brunch or after a block party. Now its become a reliable venue for conversations about culture. Sometimes there are tears, sometimes theres a performance, says Mike. Its somewhere artists can pour their hearts out, Hart tells me, and feel safe doing it. Usually theres a theme. Sometimes people buy things. Occasionally theres a celebrity sighting, with friends of the brand like Zendaya and Michaela Coel stopping by.

If you happen to visit Savant Studios, located on a busy strip of Fulton Street between an African braiding shop and a hair salon, youll notice there are truckers everywhere. I count seven on the front table, and no two are the same. Theres cream and pink, cream and baby pink, burgundy on burgundy (the monochrome hats have velvet lettering), and orange and cream. And there are more truckers still: plopped in between a bouquet and an antique vase (green with cream), on top of an old leather suitcase (cream with green), inside of a fridge. Theres one to match virtually any outfit you can come up with, and if it doesnt exist yet (or is sold out), theres a chance Mike will make it on the spot. A handful of people I spoke to said they got their hats this way, including the breakout star of Netflixs messiest reality show, The Ultimatum, Mal Wright. Last summer she stopped in at Savant while hunting for a birthday outfit and the hat she wanted (black with white lettering) was out of stock. Mike went into the back, printed it on a blank, and gave it to her as a gift. Its really special to me, she says.

Mal Wright posing in the hat next to a Kehinde Wiley painting.

This isnt the first time Savant has released a cool hat. The brands first hit was the Black is Beautiful bucket, which it released in 2020. It was a perfect storm. Bucket hats were cool again (the Cut had mused that it could be the It accessory of summer 2018) and the country was in the midst of a racial reckoning. While white people were listening and learning, some Black people (myself included) were looking for ways to say loudly that were Black and proud of it. In that period, I bought lots of things that asserted my Blackness as worthy and valid, including a Nina Simone T-shirt from Savant. That shirt continues to be one of their most popular styles. It was a spiritual predecessor to the trucker, and when I spoke to people who ended up purchasing the trucker hat, they often mentioned the Black is Beautiful hat first. Dan Brown, a wardrobe stylist and nail artist, who has been following the brand since the bucket era says lots of color options and the popular trucker silhouette make this hat a hit. I saw people out in the bucket hats and it was cool, but once they tapped into the truckers, things really took off, she says. Theres something for everyone.

Alex wearing a forever trucker.

Mike came up with the idea for the hat on a whim. He figured it would be a cool style for summer. Trucker hats, a Y2K fashion staple popularized by Skateboard P and Von Dutch, were coming back around. Initially, Mike made two dozen. I was just messing around, he tells me, but after two days they were sold out. They made another batch and those sold too. I was like, Whats going on? We couldnt keep them [in stock]. It got so popular that they had to move production from a local Brooklyn manufacturer to the Savant store. Theyve been making hats every day since. Most recently, Savant released a forever trucker, a $500 one-of-one collectible thats adorned with vintage bracelets that Mike sources himself. Those were launched back in April and despite the price point, the hats are all sold out online. If youd still like to purchase, theres a few left in-store.

Aley Arion taking a mirror selfie wearing the hat.

Despite shipping internationally, the hat signifies Brooklyn  an if-you-know-you-know calling card for its Black creative residents, whether theyre in the city or outside of it. Of the three people I talked to who own the hat and live outside of New York (Chicago, Atlanta, and Houston), only one has no connection to the city and had come across the brand on Instagram. A few weeks ago, Brown found herself at Ponyboy in Greenpoint, which she says has a varying crowd from night to night. When she walked in, she noticed a guy wearing a Savant hat and thought, Oh okay, this is safe, she said. For some it serves as a reminder of where theyve been. Writer and founder of Black Girl Playground Aley Arion moved to Brooklyn by way of South Carolina and then moved back down South. She bought the hat after leaving the city. Its just nice to have a little piece of it even though Im not there anymore.

On a recent trip to Paris, Alex saw a guy wearing one outside of Soho House. It sparked a conversation and she soon realized he was also from Brooklyn and lived in Bed-Stuy. I just felt like I was home.

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A police dog that has served with the Auburn Police Department since 2021 has died, authorities announced on Friday afternoon.

K9 Ginger died after a brief illness. She was surrounded by those she loved most  her partner officer Jason Bryan other K9 unit handlers.

We will be forever grateful for Ginger as she was devoted to serving the Auburn community and the State of Alabama, the APD release said.

Ginger and Bryan have been partners for three years.

Ginger supported numerous local law enforcement agencies in Alabama during her career in explosive and firearm recovery, as well as Federal operations, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and Transport Security Administration, the APD release said.

Before joining the APD as an explosive detection dog in 2021, Ginger mothered several litters for Auburn Universitys Canine Performance Sciences.

In Gingers off-time, the APD said her favorite game to play was hide and seek with Officer Bryan where she showed the same determination to find him as she did when working as a explosive detection dog in the community.

Bryan said Ginger had an endless work drive and received numerous compliments on her detection capabilities from partner agencies. She loved meeting new people and showing off her skills at public demonstrations.

Gingers end of watch with the APD was on Saturday, July 1.
(Photo : Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

The Texas man recovered alive more than eight years after being reported missing, lived with his mother the whole time.

Police announced Thursday that a man believed to have been missing for more than eight years returned home within days of being reported missing in 2015.

The day after police detectives independently interviewed Rudy Farias IV, 25, and his mother, Janie Santana, and determined that Farias had only been missing briefly as a 17-year-old, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner stated that the department's investigation is ongoing.

Rudi Farias Was Not Missing

The Harris County District Attorney's Office has not accepted criminal charges against Farias or Santana, HPM reported.

Police disclosed on Thursday that since Farias was reported missing, he and his mother allegedly provided fictitious names and identifying information when interacting with officers on multiple occasions, with HPD detective Christopher Zamora adding that Santana "continued to deceive police by insisting that Rudy was still missing."

During a Thursday news conference, Zamora stated, "It is a crime to provide fraudulent identities (to the police)." In addition, he stated that Farias was "secure" with his mother as of Thursday.

Finner referred to Farias as a "potential" victim a day after Houston activist Quanell X observed Farias' interview with police and told reporters that Farias described being tortured, manipulated, and even held captive by his mother since he was reported missing in March 2015.

Early in March 2015, Farias' mother reported him missing after he walked the family's two canines, and they returned home without him. Authorities believed he was still missing until he was discovered outside a church on Avenue L and 76th Street on June 29, according to HPD.

Officials now report that he returned home within 48 hours of being reported missing. The mother of Farias stated the non-profit Texas Center for the Missing on Monday, claiming that her son was unresponsive when he was discovered by a good Samaritan who called 911 last week.

Some of the family's neighbors had seen Farias regularly in the years since he was reported missing. Also, on Wednesday, HPD detectives questioned both Farias and Santana.

Quanell X accompanied Farias to his interview with the police and told reporters that he overheard disquieting details about Farias' relationship with Santana.

According to Quanell X, Farias ran away in 2015 and returned home shortly thereafter, whereupon his mother allegedly persuaded him that he could face legal consequences if authorities discovered he wasn't absent.

Read Also: Ohio Man Gets Life Sentence for Raping Girl Who Drew National Attention Over Getting Legal Abortion

Farias' Mom Avoids Being Charge

Quanell X added that Farias told police that his mother sexually abused him and that he was sometimes confined in his room and given psychedelic substances. Houston police vigorously refuted some of these claims. According to investigators, Farias never discussed his mother's sexual assault.

However, immediately after Thursday's press conference, members of Farias' family stood outside HPD headquarters and echoed the sexual abuse allegations against Farias' mother.

Pauline Sanchez, Farias' aunt, accused her half-sister of concealing Farias from the family, adding that she hasn't spoken with her nephew since 2015.

At a news conference, branded the decision not to prosecute the boy's mother "bulls***."

Three of arias' aunts, Santana's sisters, conducted a separate news conference at which they did not hold back in expressing their feelings about their sister. Santana was reportedly married to an HPD officer until his demise in 2014, a year before the disappearance of her son.

The Independent reported that the sisters also contested a photograph of Farias at the hospital that Santana gave to the media on Monday. According to his sisters, the photograph was shot in 2012.

"Rudy is in no danger. He voluntarily resides with his mother," the Houston police superintendent said, adding that Farias has been referred to Adult Protective Services for assistance.

The aunts expressed their support for Farias at their own press conference, conveying him the message, "We love you, your aunts and cousins, we stand behind you, and we're right here with you."

Per Huff Post, a crowdfunding campaign created to "help find" Rudy Farias raised more than $2,000, according to information released by authorities on Thursday. The GoFundMe account, which was established on March 22, 2015, received contributions from more than thirty individuals.

Related Article: Mystery of Missing Texas Teen Found Alive After Vanishing for 8 Years While Walking His Dogs

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Lee County Judge dismisses criminal littering case of Winston Hagans, who was arrested for placing planter boxes of flowers on his fiancee's grave, after he agreed to conditions.
TROY  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has fined a Troy sawmill operator after an investigation into a worker's death last year determined the company failed to follow federal workplace safety standards.

According to a release from OSHA, in December 2022, a 20-year-old worker at Rex Lumber in Troy was attempting to clear a jammed roller when he was crushed to death after stored energy caused the infeed unit to close on him.

OSHA issued a willful citation for allowing workers to perform maintenance on equipment without controlling hazardous energy sources. The organization also said the company failed to train employees on how to isolate stored energy in hydraulic accumulators.

This is the third time in three years the company has been fined by OSHA. In 2020, a worker at Rex Lumber's Bristol, Florida, location suffered an amputation injury and later died at a hospital after their hand came in contact with the nip point of a conveyor's roller.

At the company's Graceville location, an employee suffered crushing injuries after getting caught in a machine's wheels and pulleys while trying to fix a faulty hydraulic valve in 2021.

"Rex Lumber's failure to comply with well-known safety requirements led to the death of a worker and put others at serious risk of harm," Jose Gonzalez, OSHA Area Office Director, said. "Safety standards exist to protect workers from the hazards of moving machinery and when followed, they can save lives.

Following the investigation, OSHA assessed the company with over $184,000 in penalties. OSHA said since 2013, the company has been cited for 19 serious and other-than-serious violations.

On Thursday, Rex Lumber stated that although they respect OSHA's need to police the industry, they disagree with the organization's findings.

"OSHA released a July 5, 2023, press release on its initial findings," the company's press release read. "We're made up of local people, and OSHA's characterization of the facts and alleged violations does not match the events or our efforts."

"Federal-OSHA has a vital mission to ensure employees are aware of its regulations. It uses these press releases to get attention, but the underlying cases almost always turn out differently after the entire process is completed."

The company also said OSHA listed several violations of a business not affiliated with Rex Lumber.

"The OSHA press release lists the many violations of a different company doing different things in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Virginia," the company said. "Similar name, but it's not us and their additional violations should not be publicly attributed to us."

Rex Lumber's Troy plant was built and equipped in 2018. The company will go to court if necessary while also continuing to improve workplace safety.

"Both Rex and OSHA want safe workers."
I worked at GQ for seven years and love it to death, so it breaks my heart to see them lie down for the worst person in media. https://t.co/OtEB4DK6wj  Drew Magary (@drewmagary) July 6, 2023

Follow up to this post For a recap, GQ ran an article about David Zaslav, then ran a new version that was so heavily edited the original writer refused to put his name on it, only for the entire article to be taken downIt's very clear that Zaslav's people went to GQ and complained to the editor-in-chief, Will WelchWelch is currently attached as a producer to a Warner Brothers movie that's based off a GQ articleIt should be noted this article wasto a freelance writer with the specific pitch that Zaslave is "the most hated man in Hollywood"Another article points out that GQ's publisher, Conde Nast, is owned by the Newhouse family which owns 8.16% of WBD, Steven O. Newhouse is on the board of directors as wellThe most damning quote: "David Zaslav is an eel who sucks at his job. Hes destroying HBO. Hes destroyed what bare credibility the DC Universe had left with moviegoers. Hes forced GQ to willingly debase itself. Hes destroyed TCM. And while he couldnt get Licht to destroy CNN, hell find some other pair of docksiders to finish the job."Sources: 1
New Proposed Rule Focuses on Miner Exposure to Silica Dust

The Mine Safety and Health Administration's (MSHA) proposed rule suggests a decreased Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for respirable crystalline silica.

In the mining industry, workers can be exposed to many hazards both through what they do and their environment.

Last week, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) announced that its new proposed rule would address one of these hazardsrespirable crystalline silica.

Miners can face exposure to respirable crystalline silica, known as silica dust, through cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar, per OSHA. When workers breathe this in, they may be more likely to get lung cancer, silicosis, which can lead to difficulty breathing caused by scar tissue, or other health issues. Last year, a study was published suggesting a link between silica dust and black lung.

Miners like a crusher operator at a California sand and gravel mine or a roof bolter in a West Virginia coal mine should never be forced to choose between preserving their health and providing for themselves and their families, Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson said in a news release. This proposed rule furthers the Mine Acts clear instruction to prioritize miners health.

According to the news release, if passed as is, the proposed rule would decrease the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of respirable crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air (g/m3) or lower over eight hours, the same PEL OSHA set in 2016.

Currently, for coal miners, the exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica is 100 g/m3; and in metal and nonmetal mines, the PEL for the most common form of crystalline silica, quartz, is also 100 g/m3, per the proposed rule.

If the level of exposure to respirable crystalline silica is greater than the proposed PEL, employers would be required to take immediate corrective actions, per MSHA.

Williamson said, The purpose of this proposed rule is simple: prevent more miners from suffering from debilitating and deadly occupational illnesses by reducing their exposure to silica dust. Silica overexposures have a real-life impact on a miners health.

But this proposed rule could change that negative impact. In fact, per the rule, the risk of death from silica exposure is anticipated to decrease by 9.5 percent.

Additional topics discussed in the proposed rule address medical surveillance and respiratory protection.

Editors note: As of July 6, the proposed rule has not been published on the Federal Register. As noted in the document, available on MSHAs website, Though it is not intended or expected, should there be any discrepancy between the document posted here and the document published in the Federal Register, the Federal Register publication controls.
The total number of total active drilling rigs in the United States rose by 6 this week, after falling by 8 last week, according to new data from Baker Hughes published Friday.

The total rig count rose to 680 this week72 rigs below this time last year. The current count is 395 fewer rigs than the rig count at the beginning of 2019, prior to the pandemic.

The number of oil rigs declined by 5 this week to 540, while the number of gas rigs rose by 11, to 135. Miscellaneous rigs stayed the same at 5.

The rig count in the Permian Basin rose by 1 this week, and stand at 8 rigs below this same time last year. The rig count in the Eagle Ford fell by 1, and was down 8 rigs from this time last year.

Primary Visions Frac Spread Count, an estimate of the number of crews completing unfinished wells (which is cheaper than drilling new wells), fell by 5 in the week ending June 30, to 272. The frac spread count is 13 behind where it was this time last year.

Crude oil production levels in the United States rose to 12.4 million bpd in the week ending June 30, according to the latest weekly EIA estimatesa gain of 200,000 bpd from the beginning of the year. U.S. production levels are now up 300,000 bpd versus a year ago.

At 12:21 p.m. ET on Friday, the WTI benchmark was trading up $1.14 (+1.59%) on the day at $72.94up about $2 per barrel from this time last week, and $4 per barrel from the week before that. The Brent benchmark was trading up $1.14 (+1.49%) at %$77.66 per barrel on the dayup $2.50 from a week ago.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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via Jamestown Foundation

On May 8, Uzbekistani President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced snap presidential elections, which are now set to take place on July 9more than three years ahead of the originally scheduled date in 2026 (Gazeta.uz, May 8). Mirziyoyev provided four reasons for this decision: changes in the balance of power among the branches of government, new goals for governance, increased expectations and accountability from the general public, as well as challenging domestic and international situations. He concluded that holding snap presidential elections will be the most correct and fair decision given these circumstances (Kun.uz, May 8).

The announcement came a week after Uzbekistans constitutional referendum, which recorded 85-percent voter turnout, though some reports indicate that these numbers may have been inflated (see EDM, May 22). More than 90 percent voted in favor of adopting a new constitution and annulling Mirziyoyevs previous two terms, thus opening the door for his re-election (Gazeta.uz, May 1). There is little doubt that Mirziyoyev will cruise to a landslide victory in the upcoming elections, which would extend his rule at least until 2030. As such, these political changes have far-reaching consequences and raise questions over their implications for domestic politics in Uzbekistan and regional dynamics in Central Asia.

The renewed contours of Uzbekistans long-term political landscape first appeared in the fall of 2021, after Mirziyoyev won the presidential elections and entered the second and final term, under the previous constitution, of his reign. At the time, he announced plans for the constitutional referendum, which the Uzbekistani president claimed was designed to create a legal basis for continuing reforms necessary to build a New Uzbekistan (President.uz, November 6, 2021). In June 2022, the government presented a draft of the new constitution with plans to hold a referendum at the end of the year.

However, the first attempt to hold the vote resulted in a major disaster. The draft constitution stripped the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan of its right to secede from the mainland through a referendum. In July 2022, the Karakalpaks, an ethnic and cultural minority in Uzbekistan, protested against these proposed changes, resulting in the deaths of 21 people (Gazeta.uz, July 29, 2022). Tashkent reacted by postponing the referendum and keeping Karakalpakstans right to seek independence in the constitution.

Overall, the constitutional referendum and snap presidential elections are poised to have a profound effect on Uzbekistans future trajectory. Domestically, these changes signal two key developments. First, the outcomes of the referendum provide the current regime an opportunity to continue the ongoing reforms. Ever since coming to power in 2016, Mirziyoyev has differentiated himself from his heavy-handed predecessor, Islam Karimov, by implementing limited yet palpable reforms, such as liberalizing the economy and ending the practice of forced labor in cotton fields. Serving as an umbrella for the new political and economic course of the country is the concept of New Uzbekistan, which, in Mirziyoyevs words, is an open and fair society that cares about every citizen (Gazeta.uz, August 31, 2022). In his election campaign, the Uzbekistani president has promised to spend the next seven years implementing further reforms in medicine, education, the economy and the environment (Kursiv Media, June 22).

Second, these developments will further tether Uzbekistans future to the Mirziyoyev regime. The new constitution increased the length of presidential terms from five to seven years, with the possibility to run for two terms (Gazeta.uz, March 15). As such, Mirziyoyev can now remain in power until 2037 and thus rule for over 20 years in total. The longer he remains in power, the more pressure he will face from the public to deliver on his promises of democratization. His personal agenda to consolidate power stands in the way of genuine political liberalization. Thus, if he is re-elected, the most probable scenario is the continuation of cosmetic reforms that address the public demand for change without introducing radical systemic changes.

Regionally and internationally, Mirziyoyevs looming re-election is more cause for celebration than concern. Karimov did not always work well with Uzbekistans neighbors, especially from the second half of the 2000s until his death in 2016. Thus, Mirziyoyev inherited an isolated Uzbekistan with soured regional relations.

Since then, Tashkent has embarked on an effort to improve bilateral relations with its neighbors. In January 2023, Uzbekistan reached a historic border deal with Kyrgyzstan, ostensibly putting an end to more than 30 years of border skirmishes between the two countries (24.kg, January 27). Moreover, Mirziyoyevs government has sought to end the long era of Uzbekistans rocky relationship with Tajikistan by boosting economic cooperation and trade (Anhor.uz, October 25, 2020). As a result, Uzbekistans regional neighbors see a reliable and open partner in Mirziyoyev.

Other countries beyond the region also view Uzbekistan under Mirziyoyev in this way. The current government has opened up the country much more to the outside world. Under Karimov, Tashkent kept itself distanced from Russia, China, Turkey, the United States and Europe, abstaining from close political cooperation and limiting foreign investments into its economy. Under Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has become an important partner for international institutions and foreign countries looking to make inroads in the region.

Case and point here has been the return of the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, which held its annual summit in Samarkand in May 2023, after a 20-year absence in the country. Speaking at the event, Mirzioyev stated: Today we are pleased to welcome you to New Uzbekistan, which is widely open to the world and ready for cooperation in all areas (Radio Azattyq, May 19). Earlier, at the beginning of May, the Uzbekistani president traveled to Germany on an official visit, during which the two sides signed trade and investment agreements worth 9 billion euros ($9.8 billion) and created the GermanyCentral Asia cooperation platform (Gazeta.uz, May 3).

Uzbekistans democratization and human rights records lag behind its readiness for economic cooperation. Nevertheless, some of its foreign partners, such as Russia and China, have yet to take any categorical stances on these issues. The Wests criticism of Karimovs repression of the anti-government protests in Andijan in 2005 was one of the main reasons Uzbekistan cut ties with the US and Europe (Al Jazeera, May 12, 2015). Thus, even as relations seem to be thawing, officials on both sides are proceeding with caution. As it is almost a certainty that Mirziyoyev will continue to rule for the foreseeable future, Uzbekistans population and its foreign partners are waiting to see if his extended rule will yield more prosperity and development or lead the country down a more authoritarian path.

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By Nurbek Bekmurzaev

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Some EasyJet passengers were kicked out from their flight on Wednesday, July 5.

The affected travelers were already inside an aircraft. They were supposed to fly from Lanzarote's Arrecife Airport to John Lennon Airport in Liverpool.

However, they were asked to get off the airplane due to a very disappointing reason.

EasyJet Passengers Forcibly Removed From Flight!

According to LADBIBLE, EasyJet asked 19 passengers off the plane because it was too heavy to fly.

Because of this, many passengers recorded the incident and shared their videos on the internet.

In the footage, the pilot can be heard explaining that the aircraft can't take off because of the huge weight, as well as the weather conditions.

"Thank you for getting here today. Because there are so many of you it's a pretty heavy aircraft," said the pilot.

The flight operator added that the very short runway, combined with the aircraft's heavy weight, made it impossible for the plane to take off.

The pilot continued explaining the situation to the passengers. After that, the airman said that the only solution for the flight to continue was to lessen its cargo.

The pilot specifically asked for 20 passengers who could voluntarily leave their flight.

The airplane's crew was able to find 19 travelers who could give up their flight.

Read Also: American Airlines Secret Policy Might Disappoint You-Here's Why

Were Affected Passengers Compensated?

When airlines kick off passengers due to overbooking or other reasons, they are required to provide compensation.

Since the EasyJet pilot said that volunteers would receive an incentive of up to $545 (500)-it can be concluded that the affected travelers were compensated.

Via The Daily Mail UK, an EasyJet spokesperson confirmed that the 19 passengers on the flight EZY3364 really volunteered to stay behind.

"This is a routine operational decision in these circumstances and weight restrictions are in place for all airlines for safety reasons," added the EasyJet official.

The spokesperson further explained that whenever they ask passengers to leave their flights due to weight limit problems, the airline offers free later flights and compensations in line with their regulations.

If you want to learn more details about this EasyJet flight incident, you can click this link.

Related Article: [VIRAL] Emirates Gives Wrong Food To Passengers Causing Diarrhea! Backpacker Shares Video

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The European Union is going ahead with plans to leave the Energy Charter Treaty, which climate activists have slammed as playing for the hydrocarbons team.

The Financial Times reports that the European Commission is later today set to propose a joint exit from the Treaty, after several individual member states quit over expensive court settlements with oil and gas companies.

The Energy Charter Treaty, set up in 1994, aimed to protect investments in energy across borders. Lately, it has emerged, in the eyes of some EU members, as a tool of the hydrocarbons industry to fight governments emission reduction plans. Also, because it protects the interests of the oil and gas industry, many in the EU see the ECT as simply inappropriate.

France has decided to withdraw from the treaty, which was an important step demanded by many and that we have been working towards, President Emmanuel Macron said earlier this year, noting that membership in the ECT was incompatible with cutting carbon emissions through 2030 as called for in the Paris accords.

Italy has already pulled out of the treaty although it is still bound by a so-called sunset clause. Germany has also announced plans for withdrawal from the ECT, due to take effect this December, and Poland will exit the treaty at the end of this year, too.

At the same time, however, the ECT protects the interests of wind and solar developers, the FT noted in its report. It went on to cite several claims made by solar power developers to the Spanish government, seeking compensation to the tune of $70 billion for losses suffered when the government changed its rules on feed-in tariffs.

If the whole EU exits the Energy Charter Treaty, then, besides oil and gas companies, wind and solar companies will also lose the protection offered by the deal.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The European Parliament has reached a broad agreement on the proposed electricity market reform, designed to prevent a repeat of last years energy crisis.

We have a DEAL, tweeted Nicolas Gonzalez Casares, the European Parliaments lead negotiator on the reform proposed by the European Commission earlier this year.

A broad agreement among European Parliament groups S&D, Renew, Greens, and EPP has been reached, he added. The deal includes a ban on disconnection of vulnerable customers, gives more rights to consumers, and provides for better triggering of emergency measures, Casares said.

The European Commission in March presented a proposal to revise the rules for electricity market design and for improving the EU protection against market manipulation in the wholesale energy market.

The Commission says that the market reform is aimed at making the EU energy market more resilient and making the energy bills of European consumers and companies more independent from the short-term market price of electricity. The EUs new electricity market design would accelerate a surge in renewables and the phase-out of gas, make consumer bills less dependent on volatile fossil fuel prices, better protect consumers from future price spikes and potential market manipulation, and make the EUs industry clean and more competitive, the Commission says.

The proposal has now passed to the Council and the European Parliament for debate and negotiation, with the market reform expected to be voted on later this year.

The European Union member states failed to agree last month on the proposed reforms, after a last-minute proposal from rotating president Sweden about extending state support for coal power.

The Parliaments industry committee is expected to vote on July 19 on the broad agreement among the EP groups. The European Parliament is set to vote on the reform in September, before final negotiations with EU member states in the autumn.

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The number of Saudi supertankers carrying oil and sitting offshore Egypt increased again on Friday, according to vessel tracking data monitored by Bloomberg, after signs emerged earlier this week that the previous large cluster had started to clear.

An unusual cluster of mostly Saudi supertankers loaded with oil has been idling off Egypts Red Sea coast since early June. Signs emerged at the end of June that the cluster may have started to clear as two of the 11 tankers were no longer anchored near the Ain Sukhna oil terminal off Egypt.

As of June 16, ten very large crude carriers (VLCCs) carrying around 20 million barrels of oil were floating off Ain Sukhna and another two supertankers were heading to the same location, Vortexa data showed.

All 10 floating supertankers were stationary for seven days or more and most of these cargoes loaded during or after the second half of May, Jay Maroo, Head of Market Intelligence & Analysis (MENA) at Vortexa, wrote in a note.

It wasnt immediately clear what has caused the accumulation of tankers, while Saudi Arabia hasnt commented on the build-up of cargoes off Egypt. Most supertankers carrying Saudi Arabian crude typically deliver the oil to Ain Sukhna without transiting the Suez Canal.

The most likely reason is a lack of storage, according to Bloomberg.

After some of the cluster had cleared in recent days, the number of supertankers off Ain Sukhna increased again to eight, including six Saudi-owned supertankers carrying around 12 million barrels of oil, the most recent data compiled by Bloomberg showed. The tanker in this group that had arrived the earliest has been floating for three weeks now, per Bloombergs estimates.

Around 10.5 million barrels of Saudi crude are currently sitting in floating storage off Ain Sukhna, half compared to the middle of June, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting Vortexa. Five Saudi tankers off Egypt are currently considered floating storage, while two other vessels loaded with around 4 million barrels of Saudi crude are also waiting but do not technically count as floating storage yet, Vortexas Maroo told Reuters.

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Nigeria, OPECs largest producer in Africa, aims to significantly increase its oil production to up to 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd) by November 2023, hoping to win a higher quota in the OPEC+ agreement, Gabriel Tanimu Aduda, Permanent Secretary at Nigerias Ministry of Petroleum Resources, told Energy Intelligence on the sidelines of the OPEC+ seminar in Vienna this week.

Nigeria has consistently failed to produce to its quota in the OPEC+ agreement. The combination of pipeline vandalism and oil theft with a lack of investment in capacity has made Nigeria the biggest laggard in crude oil production in the OPEC+ alliance. Oil theft and pipeline vandalism have long plagued Nigerias upstream oil and gas industry, driving majors out of the country and often resulting in force majeure at the key crude oil export terminals.

Nigerias quota was 1.742 million bpd earlier this year, but due to its underproduction of more than 400,000 bpd, the output cap for Nigeria was lowered to 1.38 million bpd at the OPEC+ meeting in early June.

The required production level for Nigeria may be updated to equal the average production that can be achieved in 2024, as assessed by the three independent sources (IHS, Wood Mackenzie, and Rystad Energy) specialized in oil upstream by the next OPEC+ meeting to be held by the end of 2023, OPEC said.

Nigerias stated Production Plan in 2024 is 1.578 million bpd, subject to verification, and if verified, then the number will be reflected as required production for 2024, OPEC added.

Nigerias oil production is around 1 million bpd below its capacity. The government has cited a lack of investments, a shortage of funding sources because of the energy transition, and insecurity among the factors driving the situation.

Currently, Nigeria has the technical allowable capacity to produce about 2.5 million barrels of oil per day. However, arising from the highlighted challenges, our current production hovers around 1.5 million barrels of oil and condensate per day, Gbenga Komolafe, chief executive at the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said in May.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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The Philippines armed forces said on Friday the military had seen in recent weeks an alarming surge in the number of fishing boats from China in disputed areas of the South China Sea, including near the Reed Bank area which hosts a stalled Philippine natural gas project.

The long-running dispute in the South China Sea involves territorial claims by China as well as Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, and Malaysia. China has territorial claims to about 90 percent of the South China Sea, which has put it at odds with its neighbors.

A court in The Hague in 2016 ruled against Chinas claims and in favor of the Philippines. The ruling said that the Philippines had sovereign rights in its 200-mile exclusive economic zone to access offshore oil and gas resources, including in the Reed Bank.

China, however, has not acknowledged the ruling, which has heightened tensions in the area. Instead, it has continued with its agenda, according to which most of the sea is Chinese waters.

In June 2022, the Philippines ditched talks with China on a potential joint exploration for oil and gas in the South China Sea due to sovereignty issues and constraints in the Philippines constitution.

Because of the Chinese claims over most of the South China Sea, the Philippines has struggled to find partners willing to engage in the exploration of resources in the basin.

Now, the Philippines raised an alarm over the soaring number of Chinese fishing vessels in the disputed areas. The Western Command (WESCOM) of the Philippines armed forces said that there were 47 such boats as of last month, up from only around a dozen in February.

China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights, Ariel Coloma, spokesperson for the Western Command, said in a statement carried by Reuters.

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Russia will reduce the amount of oil it ships to the market by half a million barrels per day, the Russian energy ministry said on Fridaythis is in addition to the earlier assumed commitments of its voluntary production cut.

"Russia confirms it will reduce supplies to oil markets by 500,000 barrels per day in August through lowering of exports. It means taking all the requisite measures to achieve this goal within the framework of the voluntary reduction. This reduction complements the voluntary decrease Russia announced earlier and which was extended until the end of December 2024," the Energy Ministry said in a statement on Friday, according to TASS.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said earlier that Russia had voluntarily agreed to cut oil supplies to the market by half a million barrels per day in August by cutting exports.

"As part of the efforts to ensure a balanced market, Russia will voluntarily reduce its oil supply in August by 500,000 barrels per day by cutting its exports to global markets by that quantity," Russia's Deputy Prime Minister and top OPEC negotiator Alexander Novak said earlier this week, adding that the cut in exports would lead to a cut in production.

The export cuts come as Brent crude oil prices climb over $78 per barrel. The price of Russian ESPO crude, which goes to China, rose to the highest in seven months earlier this week as Chinese buyers rushed to buy it ahead of an announced 500,000-bpd cut in exports next month. Earlier this week, ESPO was trading at a $4 per barrel discount to Brent crude, or $6 per barrel above the G7 price capand that was before today's $2 Brent price increase.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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At least four buyers of Saudi crude oil from Asia and Europe have changed their plans for future orders after the kingdom announced its latest price hike, Bloomberg has reported, citing unnamed sources.

Earlier this week, Saudi Arabia said it would increase the Dubai/Oman premium of its flagship Arab Light crude to $3.20 a barrel for August, with Asia accounting for 60% of the country's market.

The increase was almost the smallest for Asian buyers, however. Per documents cited by Bloomberg, Saudi Aramco hiked its prices for European buyers by $0.80 per barrelversus $0.20 for Asian buyersand by $0.10 per barrel for U.S. buyers, according to Reuters.

This was the second month in a row that saw price hikes for Asian buyers, Reuters noted in a report, adding that while the move was not unexpected by most, some buyers were surprised because they had expected a cut in prices for August.

According to a Reuters poll from earlier this month, refiners expected a price cut of up to $0.50 per barrel for Arab Light in the context of supplier competition and lower refining margins in Aramco's biggest export market.

"Saudi needs to trim prices to reflect the market movements. They have gone a bit too far from the reality in the past few months," one poll respondent said at the time.

Higher Saudi oil prices normally prompt buyers to look for alternative suppliers rather than cut their total intake of oil and this case is likely no exception. The usual alternatives for Asian refiners are other Middle Eastern crudes, Russian oil and U.S. oil, too.

For European buyers, the alternatives would come from other OPEC members as well as the United States, which has quickly become a major hydrocarbons suppliers to the continent.

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The price increase announcement comes on the heels of Riyadhs plans to extend voluntary production cuts beyond the end of July. This should add to the upside potential of oil prices and squeeze margins for Asian and likely European refiners.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The opposition party in Venezuela is working up a proposal that would see 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day exported to a trustee, who would then pay creditors who have laid claim on various Venezuelan assets abroad.

Bondholders and creditors are going after Venezuelas foreign assets in U.S. court for defaulting on paymentsand those defaults, which exceed $20 billion, go beyond the value of Venezuelas foreign assets. Even the value of Citgo, Venezuelas most prized possession in the United States.

Under this proposal, a newly designated trustee would send 200,000 bpd of crude oil to the United States. The crude oil that would be diverted to the U.S. is currently being sold to China.

Parting with 200,000 bpd of its crude oil that generates much-needed revenues for the troubled country would be painful, but the country is selling that oil to China at about a $20 per barrel discount. If Venezuela ends up selling that oil to the United States instead, it could potentially recoup that discountalthough it would be used to pay off debt only, not generating revenue to be used elsewhere. If Venezuela is unable or unwilling to follow through with this plan, it faces a potential breakup of oil refiner Citgo, which the courts could order yet this fall.

The proposal still requires sign-off from the regime of Nicolas Maduro and Washington. In January, Washington signed off on a license that would allow Chevron to ship 134,000 bpd of Venezuelan crude oil to the United States Gulf Coast.

Venezuela currently exports 715,000 bpd of crude oil and refined products based on the most recent data for Junean increase over this same time last year.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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A Nebraska man has been arrested and is facing extradition to Germany to face trial on a murder charge for the stabbing death of a German woman in 1978.

Tommy Molina, 69, was arrested June 21 at his home in Gering, Nebraska, the U.S. Marshals Service said Thursday. Molina is accused in a German court of killing a young woman named Cornelia Humpfer 45 years ago while he was stationed in Schweinfurt, Germany, as a U.S. Army soldier, according to U.S. District Court records.

The woman, who was 18 or 19 years old, was found dead beside a road on April 21, 1978. She had been stabbed 14 times, according to German court records on file in U.S. District Court.

The U.S. Marshals Metro Fugitive Task Force took Molina into custody without incident, Deputy U.S. Marshal Tanner Hippen said from Lincoln. The Western Nebraska Intelligence & Narcotics Group Task Force assisted in the arrest.

We went up to his door and saw him sitting on the couch, Hippen said.

Molina and his wife were very surprised, Hippen said.

Molina was arrested on a warrant from U.S. Court in Lincoln. U.S. Magistrate Judge Cheryl Zwart on June 30 ordered him detained in federal custody pending extradition proceedings. The German government, which has an extradition treaty with the United States, had made a request to the U.S. State Department through diplomatic channels for Molinas arrest and extradition.

An attorney appointed to represent Molina could not be reached for comment Thursday.

While Molina was surprised by agents coming to arrest him, this was hardly the first time the authorities had approached him as a suspect in the case.

German police questioned Molina days after the killing in 1978. He had a car fitting the description of a vehicle seen by witnesses near where the victims body was found, and there were patterns on the victims dress and shoe that appeared to match Molinas car floor mats, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Packards court filing requesting that Molina be detained. However, German authorities did not charge Molina at the time.

In 1995, Molinas third wife  to whom he was married from 1990 to 1996  wrote to U.S. Army criminal investigators in Fort Riley, Kansas, and said he had told her that he had killed a woman while stationed in Germany, according to the U.S. Attorneys filing and a document from the Schweinfurt Local Court. The letter said Molina was having an affair with the German woman.

He said she told him she was pregnant and she was going to tell his wife, the 1995 letter said.

Molina was questioned again in 1996. He denied involvement and was not charged. In 2000, the FBI collected a blood sample from Molina in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, at the request of German authorities.

An analysis in Germany found no match between Molinas DNA and samples from the victims clothing in 2000. But additional analyses allegedly found matches in 2016 between her clothing and Molinas DNA profile, but his blood sample no longer existed. A German court ordered in 2019 that a new blood sample should be taken from Molina.

In 2020, following advancements in DNA technology, German authorities submitted an additional mutual legal assistance request to obtain a blood sample from Molina, the U.S. Attorneys Office filing said.

The FBI, armed with a U.S. federal court warrant, collected another blood sample from Molina in October 2020. This time, the Germans analysis found DNA traces in samples from the victims clothing that in all probability originated from the accused, a German court document alleges.

According to the Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigations, it is most likely that the victim and Molina are contributors to at least five DNA-trace samples, Packards filing alleges. Further, the forensic scientist found male specific DNA on the victims stockings that matched Molinas DNA.

That led to the murder charge and arrest warrant in Germany, and eventually to Molinas arrest in Nebraska.
LINCOLN  With less than a week on the job, Brian Maher has a list of priorities to tackle as Nebraskas education commissioner.

The State Board of Education took several hours on Friday to create a rough outline of performance objectives for Maher, who began his role as education commissioner on July 1.

Maher was selected by the board earlier this year after the resignation of Nebraskas former commissioner, Matt Blomstedt. Maher previously served as the executive director of the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Mahers list of performance objectives will be a starting point for his work in the state, and he will be evaluated on his progress in eight months.

Steve Joel, the manager of the commissioner search process from the Omaha firm McPherson & Jacobson, led the discussion around Mahers priorities.

Joel presented several challenges that Maher will face during his time as commissioner. One of the main issues Joel explained is academic recovery among Nebraska schools following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Like other students around the U.S., Nebraska fourth and eighth grade students suffered the lowest reading and math scores in decades in the latest statewide assessment. Though Nebraskas average scores were better than the nations averages.

That (topic) is really going to be looming large on minds of school boards, communities and parents, Joel said.

Other challenges include statewide perceptions, political dynamics in Nebraska and the U.S., budget challenges, enrollment declines, retirements and staffing challenges, and the obstacle of leading change centered on goals.

Many of the challenges fueled the list of objectives for Maher. While they still have to be formally adopted, the majority have a deadline of March. The list includes the following goals:

The board wants Maher to review and give recommendations for Nebraskas statewide assessments. Any changes would be for the 2024-25 school year.

Board members also want Maher to understand the internal operations of the Nebraska Department of Education, including workplace assignments, staffing patterns and succession plans. Maher will need to gather data about the operations along with agency services, such as teacher certification, something board members say has been inefficient and time-consuming in the past.

I have heard by many constituents that whats wrong with the state board is that they cant fix this problem for turnaround (time) for certification, said board member Patsy Koch Johns. We have all had personal experience with that. It will improve NDEs reputation if we can fix that turnaround. It should not take as long as its taking. We have made progress, but this is low-hanging fruit we can grab a hold of.

Maher will need to review the NDEs current strategic plan by his evaluation in March. He will also have to evaluate and make recommendations to improve the NDEs current communication strategies within the agency and with the public.

Koch Johns said she would prefer regular communication about the boards work, including achievements and challenges, be distributed to the public in the future.

I would like (communication) expanded to the public, such as what is the board doing? Koch Johns said. So they dont think we just meet once a month and sit around and chat and argue.

The last objective is for Maher to work to build relationships within the agency and with stakeholders around the community.

Maher said hes looking forward to the work that was planned on Friday.

I think there are some really important points here, Maher said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed into law Friday (July 7) the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, which would write off almost PHP 57.65 billion ($1.04 billion) in land-related debt owed by more than half a million farmers as a move to bolster food production.

The law would specifically waive all property-related debt owed by farmers who had been given land on 30-year payment terms under a 1988 land reform program but have been unable to pay, local media reported.

"We know these farmers do not have the means to pay this huge debt. So putting it under the government's tab is the right thing to do," the president said at a signing ceremony at Manila's Malacanang Palace.

Writing off the loans issued by government banks meant "doing everything" to increase the country's food production, he added.

Under a law passed about a year after Marcos's father and namesake were toppled in a bloodless "People Power" revolt in 1986, about 4.8 million hectares of plots were distributed to almost three million landless farmers, equivalent to 16% of the country's land area.

Read Also: Philippines: 16 Minors Rescued From Alleged Sexual Abuse Following Man's Arrest in Australia

Hopes and Fears from Filipino Farmers

Philippine Congress passed the new legislation because nearly 1.2 million hectares of redistributed farmland had gone unpaid, with the farm sector's contribution to the national economy dwindling.

Because of unpaid loans, farmers were forced to sell their lands, and the government's move to forgive them was a way to prevent any large-scale selling as well as a huge step in achieving the Marcos administration's goal of food security for the country, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III added.

Marcos, who also oversees his cabinet's agriculture portfolio, stated the hefty cost was justified to unburden more than 610,000 land reform beneficiaries. The Philippine government would also spend another PHP 206.3 million ($3.7 million) to compensate landowners whose properties were transferred to tenants. "We need to revitalize the agriculture sector," he added.

The legislation was triggered by food shortages and soaring prices of farm commodities, including onions and sugar, while imports of rice, the national food staple, also surged.

While some groups lauded the signing of the new law, they are also concerned that the government still needed to come up with a new agrarian reform program.

"We sincerely hope that farmer-beneficiaries will fully benefit from RA 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act, and will not turn out like the Ferdinand Marcos Sr.-era Presidential Decree 27 that further burdened and deprived rice farmers of lands to till," Farmers' Movement of the Philippines (KMP) chair Danilo Ramos told CNN Philippines.

Related Article: China Responds to Illustration of Contentious World Map in 'Barbie' Film

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Here's a look at trending news for today, Thursday, July 6.

Threads

Twitter has threatened legal action against Meta over its new, text-based app called Threads, according to a letter obtained by Semafor.

In a Wednesday letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alex Spiro, an attorney representing Twitter, accused Meta of unlawfully using Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property by hiring former Twitter employees to create a copycat app.

Since launching Threads Wednesday night, Meta's new app has collected tens of millions of sign ups. The app, which was created by the company's Instagram team, arrives at a time when many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Elon Musks raucous oversight of the platform since acquiring it last year for $44 billion.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone responded to the report of Spiro's letter on Threads Thursday afternoon, writing, no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee  thats just not a thing.

Here's what you need to know about Threads.

Andrew Tate

Andrew Tate, the divisive social media personality and former professional kickboxer who is charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking, and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, lost an appeal on Thursday against a court's earlier decision to keep him under house arrest, his spokesperson said.

The Bucharest Court of Appeal ruled against Tates appeal, which challenged a courts June 23 decision to extend the house arrest measure for 30 more days as the criminal case continues.

That decision was made days after Romanias anti-organized crime agency, DIICOT, formally indicted the 36-year-old social media star along with his brother Tristan, and two Romanian women in the same case. All four were initially arrested near Romanias capital in late December, and have denied the allegations against them

Read more:

***

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Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac has experienced his share of intense moments in a military career that spans 45 years, the last 10 as adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard.

But absolutely nothing tops the 2019 floods  an exhausting time for the Guard and for Bohac, who also leads the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.

To know the waters coming  theres nothing you can do to stop it, Bohac said. Every night, for about five nights, I was worried we didnt get to somebody we could have saved.

The Great Flood of 2019 was the worst weather catastrophe in Nebraska history. On Saturday, Bohac, 62, will turn over responsibility for disaster response to his successor, Brig. Gen. Craig Strong.

Strong, an attorney from Silver Creek, Nebraska, has spent 35 years in the military, 28 of it with the Nebraska Army National Guard. He served two tours in Iraq and commanded National Guard relief efforts in the Virgin Islands after they were hit by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

The change-of-command ceremony  at 10 a.m. Saturday at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln  is open to the public.

The event includes a flag-furling ceremony for Bohac, a promotion ceremony for Strong to the rank of major general and the change of command between the two.

Also planned: the first presentation of Nebraska National Guard Heroism Medal, which was created last week through an executive order by Gov. Jim Pillen to recognize a military or civilian guard member for heroic life-saving actions while not on active duty.

The award will be presented to an Army National Guard sergeant for exceptional heroism while responding to a major accident and rendering roadside aid  to include cardiopulmonary resuscitation on May 18, 2019, according to a Nebraska Guard news release.

Bohac is relinquishing command almost exactly 10 years after assuming the post from now-retired Maj. Gen. Judd Lyons. He leaves as the nations second-longest-serving adjutant general.

Bohac started his term with a National Guard force hardened by combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the time, he was concerned that his troops skills might wither as those conflicts drew down.

That turned out not to be a problem. Even with fewer deployments to combat zones, the past decade has been among the busiest in Nebraska National Guard history.

In 2014, the Guard responded to a series of tornadoes in Beaver Crossing, Pilger, and several northeast Nebraska towns. In 2017  the year of the hurricanes  the Nebraska National Guard assisted for weeks following devastating storms in Texas, Florida and the Virgin Islands.

Those disaster responses seemed like only a warmup for the 2019 flood, which saw most of the states major rivers and streams overflow their banks. National Guard helicopter crews rescued dozens of stranded people and pets under extreme conditions.

The Guards big Chinook helicopters also proved perfect for dropping bales of hay to cattle isolated by flood waters  a mission Bohac said he is particularly proud of.

He sees the massive response to a home-state disaster as a transformational moment for his soldiers and airmen.

Ever since that event, weve forged some really strong bonds among people across the Nebraska National Guard, from army and air coming to work together, Bohac said.

Those bonds would be tested in 2020 and 2021, during the response to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Even more troops were called up for the pandemic than the flood, Bohac said. They helped in multiple ways, gathering and delivering boxes of food to strapped food banks, staffing COVID testing sites, and filling in as poll workers during the 2020 elections because of shortages of volunteers.

The pandemic also caused some of the most divisive moments of Bohacs term when some Guard members refused mandatory COVID vaccinations  defying an order from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

A small but vocal minority disagreed with that mandate, he said. For the first time in the service, we saw this idea of individuals so-called rights should prevail over the responsibilities and roles that come with raising your right hand and taking an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Bohac enforced the order, despite criticism from some GOP legislators who opposed mandatory COVID vaccinations. About five airmen and 89 soldiers were discharged from the Nebraska Guard.

He said nearly half of them were reinstated after Congress compelled the Defense Department to drop the requirement late last year. Guard officials were warned to expect some friction between the large majority who accepted the vaccine, and those who refused it.

We have to have a lot of patience for that, Bohac said. I think weve treated everybody with some level of dignity and respect, and acknowledge that difficult choice.

In addition to deployments and call-ups, Bohac presided over the restructuring of Army National Guard units across the state, which saw about 1,100 of 3,600 Army Guard members retrained for new jobs  in some cases, in brand-new units.He opened several new National Guard readiness centers and broke ground on what will be the states largest, in Bellevue near Offutt Air Force Base.

Earlier this year, he cut the ribbon on a major renovation of the Guards largest training base, Camp Ashland. The facility, on the banks of the Platte River, was rebuilt after flooding in 2015, only to be destroyed again during the 2019 deluge.

This time, all the buildings were rebuilt on stilts, with funding secured through the efforts of Nebraskas congressional delegation. And the Platte River levee was extended to the north end of the property.

Bohac said some people questioned why he would want to rebuild on a vulnerable site that had flooded three times in less than a decade.

Its 1,100 acres of training ground, some of it austere, which is perfect for some of the training we need to do, he said. Where else will I find 1,100 acres of training ground? Nowhere.

Bohac leaves behind a Guard that is short of personnel. He said the Air National Guard has dropped from 102% of strength to 94%, largely because of the addition of 119 new positions in an expanded unit at Offutt. The Army Guard is down from a typical figure of 92-95% of authorized strength to 89%.

He attributed the shortfall to the pandemic, which kept National Guard recruiters out of high schools for up to a year.

Our recruiting is improving month over month, he said. Its going to take us awhile to climb out of that dip.

Strong, his successor, has announced what he is calling a monster blitz across the state to bring in new recruits.

Were confident that well build on the momentum that Gen. Bohac has established, he said at his introductory press conference with Pillen in May.

With 45 years of military service behind him, Bohac is retiring to spend time with his wife, Kris. But they wont be going far. He plans to take it easy for a few months before deciding what comes next.

My wife and I are born and raised here, he said. Well stay in Nebraska. Im not going anywhere.

Through the years: Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac as adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard
A Grand Island man was sentenced Thursday to 60 years in federal prison for conspiring with another man to produce child pornography for nearly five years.

Convicted sex offender Scott Matthew Simmons, 43, pleaded guilty earlier this year to conspiring with another sex offender, 34-year-old Scott Meyer, to produce child pornography. Between 2018 and 2022, the men took hundreds of pornographic photos and videos of at least four boys between the ages of seven and 13.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Nebraska, the investigation into Simmons and Meyer began in July 2022. The FBI was working to identify children in a series of pornographic images that had been shared online since 2018.

The images were traced back to Simmons and Meyer, who were living together at the time at a home in Grand Island. Both men had previous convictions for sexually assaulting children and had spent a handful of years in Nebraska prisons.

A search warrant was executed on the home in August 2022. According to the press release, Meyer was home when the warrant was served. He agreed to be interviewed and admitted that he, along with Simmons, had produced child pornography at the home and at various hotels.

A search of the mens personal cellphones revealed more than 400 child pornography files, a large majority of which were original productions made by Meyer and Simmons.

Both men were arrested following the execution of the search warrant, and a grand jury indictment was handed down in September. They faced identical charges of conspiracy to produce child pornography, producing child pornography, possessing child pornography and committing these offenses whilst on the sex offender registry.

Simmons pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and production charges in March. He faced a minimum of 25 and a maximum of 50 years in prison on each count.

Senior U.S. District Court Judge John Gerrard sentenced Simmons on Thursday to a total of 60 years. If he lives to be released from prison, he will serve the rest of his life under federal supervision.

On Wednesday, Meyer also entered a plea of guilty to the conspiracy and production charges. He will be sentenced in October.
An arrest warrant was issued this week for the owner of a Grand Island company that sold headstones.

Kelli Lepler, 45, is facing 43 counts of theft by deception, including 36 felony charges.

Lepler, owner of Monument Advisors, has been under scrutiny for alleged fraudulent business practices with customers. She is accused of not delivering on paid orders.

In court documents, Leplers earliest charge dates from Sept. 21, 2020. The most recent charge is from Feb. 9 of this year.

After an investigation, the Grand Island Police Department turned the case over to the Hall County Attorney's Office in early June.

Court documents do not list an attorney for Lepler. Numerous attempts to reach Lepler over the past few months have been unsuccessful.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of June 2023
COUNCIL BLUFFS  Former President Donald Trump took the stage at a campaign event here Friday to loud cheers from a crowd heavy with Nebraskans.

The event, which was billed as remarks, rather than a rally, drew more than 1,000 people to the Mid-America Center, enough to overflow the room.

Several people watched through the open doors as Trump fired up the audience with a wide-ranging speech. His talk ranged from the achievements of his term in office to making fun of his opponents, along with warnings about the decline of America.

We are approaching the most important battle of our lives, he said, adding later: If we dont win this election, we wont have a country.

Trump, who lost his 2020 bid for re-election, is campaigning to return to office at a time when he faces both federal and state indictments. Despite his legal troubles, he is leading the Republican field at this early stage of the presidential race.

If elected, Trump promised he would drive out the globalists, Marxists, Communists and the sick political class, as well as rout the fake news media and drain the swamp once and for all. He also said he would expel warmongers from the government.

Their reign will be over and America will be a free nation once again, he said, as the crowd cheered and one person called out, save us.

At several points, Trump made common cause with his listeners, talking about when we become the 47th president and arguing that the charges filed against him are part of an attack on his supporters.

They want to take away my freedom because I will never let them take away yours. They want to silence me because I will never let them silence you, he said. Theyre not after me, theyre after you, and I just happen to be standing in the way,

But Trump also claimed that he has been indicted because he is leading in the polls. He is facing 37 federal charges related to alleged mishandling of classified documents and 34 state charges in New York for allegedly falsifying business records in connection to payoffs made to porn star Stormy Daniels.

The former president has a commanding lead over the other candidates seeking the Republican nomination for president in 2024, setting up a potential rematch between him and President Joe Biden.

Among the promises that drew large cheers from Fridays crowd were pledges to cut funding for any school pushing critical race theory, keep men out of womens sports and ban transgender surgery for minors. He also promised to clamp down on immigration, close the borders and settle the war between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours of being sworn in.

Trump spent the first part of his speech focusing on agricultural issues, including announcing a Farmers for Trump coalition in Iowa. He contrasted his record on ethanol, trade and regulations with that of former Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, claiming that his GOP opponent despises ethanol and would be a globalist sellout and in the pocket of big donors.

Im proud to be the most pro-farmer president youve ever had, he said.

He spoke following an agriculture policy panel discussion that featured Matt Whitaker, an Iowa native who was acting attorney general for three months under Trump, and Justin Schultz, a staffer with the national Renewable Fuels Association.

The event is part of the Trump campaigns weeklong celebration of Independence Day, which began with a rally in Pickens, South Carolina, on Saturday and smaller events in that state and in New Hampshire.

Along with Iowa, those states lead off the Republican primary and caucus calendar for 2024. Iowa will be the first state decided, with a caucus on Jan. 15. The Nebraska primary, on May 14, is near the end of the line.

Steady rain leading up to the event put a damper on the Nebraska Freedom Coalitions plans to hold a tailgate outside of the arena, but didnt stop hundreds of people from standing in line to enter.

Among those who attended was Bryan Beckham of Bellevue, who signed up as a volunteer along with his wife. He said it was his first Trump event, although he has been active in the Sarpy County Republican Party.

We couldnt pass this up, he said.

Attending the event was a dream fulfilled for Liza Lucas, who made the trip from The Villages in Florida for her first chance to see Trump in person. She said she and her husband searched online for an event and made a spur-of-the-moment decision to head to Iowa.

Bette Schmidt of Carter Lake, Iowa, has been to other events. She said she switched from nonpartisan to Republican so she could participate in the Iowa caucuses.

Trumps the man who saved our country, she said. We lost it for the last three years, but well get it back.

Trump has made previous campaign stops in Iowa since announcing his campaign on Nov. 15 last year. He canceled a May 13 rally in Des Moines because of tornado threats.

Trump faces more than a dozen other declared candidates for the GOP nomination. Of those, Politico ranked four as favorites or contenders, although none has come close to Trump in the polls. The four include DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former Vice President Mike Pence.

Pence spent Independence Day in Iowa. The following day, he faced questions from a voter about his role in certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2021.

The voter asked if he had second thoughts about refusing to go along with Trumps contention that he could have rejected some states votes and changed the election outcome. Pence responded that Trump was wrong that day about his authority and hes still wrong.

Photos: Former President Trump speaks at the MidAmerica Center
An Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has dismissed the suit instituted by Ayoade Adeseun seeking to nullify the primaries conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Mr Adeseun and another applicant also sought a court order to nullify the election of all candidates of the PDP in the state.

Justice Ganiyu Sunmonu, however, dismissed the case, saying the primary was perfect and in line with the PDP constitution and the guidelines of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the case with suit Number I /956/2018 was instituted by the claimants against the PDP and the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in October 2018.

Lateef Adedigba, one of the defence counsel for the PDP which was the first defendant in the suit, expressed happiness at the outcome of the case.

We thought otherwise and the judge agreed with us.

The judge said what was done in the primary conducted was perfect and in line with the PDP constitution and in tandem with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act as amended.

They wanted the court to set aside the senatorial, governorship, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly primaries, claiming the party did not follow normal procedure, he said.

The PDP chairman in the state, Wasiu Adeleke, also described the judgment as a victory for democracy.

He assured the state of good governance under the leadership of the PDP.

The Oyo State governor-elect, Seyi Makinde, on Tuesday hailed the court ruling.

Mr Makinde, who said it was the hallmark of democracy that the opinion of the minority should be heard, added that the judgment proved that the majority opinion was superior.

In a statement by his spokesman, Dotun Oyelade, Mr Makinde lauded the court for being objective and dispassionate in its judgment.

He appealed to the people of the state to forge ahead in spite of the distractions caused by the suit.

(NAN)
Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Chichi has taken legal action against her colleague, Phyna, for alleged defamation of character.

The legal action comes in response to the heated argument between them during the BBNaija Reunion, where Phyna accused Chichi of abandoning her husband and two children in Benin City, leading to the death of one of her kids.

Although Chichi had vehemently denied being married with children during her appearance on the reunion show, she is seeking N100 million in damages from Phyna.

Chichi clarified that photos circulating in January 2023, showing her with a man and a baby, were misconstrued. She explained that the man in question is actually her fathers youngest brother and there is no basis for assuming he is her husband.

Phyna also alleged that Chichi strategically used the memory of her deceased parents to gain an advantage in the show. She said that Chi Chis brain was filled with silicone implants, insinuating that she lacked the intelligence to engage in conversations among human beings.

Phyna also age-shamed Chichi, whom she alleged to be 33 years old, adding that she was a stripper and a mother of two, with one child abandoned and one who died.

In another shocking accusation, the BBNaija star claimed that Chichi had poisoned her friend in Cyprus out of jealousy, which she posted on her Snapchat account.

In response to these allegations, Chichi has retained legal representation and filed a lawsuit against Phyna. Her lawyers argue that the accusation of poisoning is entirely false, malicious, slanderous, and lacks any basis in truth.

They further assert that Phynas statements have had severe consequences for Chichi, leading to the loss of several endorsement deals and damaging her public image.

KanyiDaily recalls that Phyna claimed that Chichi allegedly wished her death and hurled derogatory insults at her, such as calling her womb-less, having saggy breasts, being an abortionist, and a drug addict.

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This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by INEC Spokesman, Festus Okoye.

He said the charges were filed at the High Court in Yola.

According to him, the commission took the action after reviewing the case file from the police which established a prima facie case against Yunusa-Ari.

Having reviewed the case file from the Police which established a prima facie case against Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, the Commission has filed a six-count charge against him at the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola. Consequently, the Court has fixed Wednesday 12th July 2023 for the commencement of trial, the statement read.

Meanwhile, the Commission is working with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for the diligent prosecution of other cases.

Recall that the suspended REC stirred controversy after the supplementary governorship election in Adamawa on April 15, 2023, when he announced Aisha Binani Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the dramatic poll while the collation of results was ongoing.

The situation prompted INEC to nullify Yunusa-Aris decision and suspended him while then-President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a full investigation into the matter.

INEC subsequently concluded the election and announced the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the authentic winner of the drama-filled poll.

The Nigeria Police Force later arrested Yunusa-Ari over his conduct during the governorship election in Adamawa.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that President Bola Tinubu has signed four Executive Orders one of which is the suspension of the five per cent Excise Tax on telecommunication services as well as the Excise Duties escalation on locally manufactured products.

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Nigerian activist, Rinu Oduala has questioned the rationale behind granting disgraced police officer, Abba Kyari bail.

According to Rinu, the suspended police officer should have been extradited to the US to face money laundering charges.

In a Twitter post, Rinu decried how the judiciary is failing Nigerians.

She wrote:

Abba Kyari, a corrupt SARS police officer, who should have been extradited to the United States to face charges for fraud & money laundering alongside HushPuppi was released on bail today in my country.

How does the judiciary intend to maintain citizen trust exactly? #EndSARS
An undisclosed Bangladeshi government website leaked the personal information of millions of its citizens, including their full names, phone numbers, email addresses, and national ID numbers.

Bitcrack Cyber Security researcher Viktor Markopoulos told TechCrunch he accidentally discovered the leak on June 27 and immediately contacted the Bangladeshi e-Government Computer Incident Response Team (CERT) to contain the security breach.

TechCrunch verified the leaked data was legitimate by using a portion to query a public search tool on the affected government website. After doing so, the website returned other data contained in the leaked database, such as the name of the person who applied to register and even the name of their parents in some cases.

Markopoulos added the government website was still available online by the time of TechCrunch's report.

The Bangladeshi government is yet to comment and respond to queries.

Read Also: WATCH: Deadly Cyclone Mocha Lashes Myanmar, Bangladesh, Causes Widespread Destruction

Issues with Bangladesh's National ID System

Every Bangladeshi citizen aged 18 and above is required by law to be issued a National Identity Card. The card gives its citizens access to several services like getting a driver's license, passport, buying and selling land, opening a bank account, and many more.

Markopoulos was concerned he found the date on the Bangladeshi website "too easy.

"It just appeared as a Google result and I wasn't even intending on finding it. I was Googling an SQL error and it just popped up as the second result," he told TechCrunch while referring to SQL, a language designed for managing data in a database.

Markopoulos added the exposure of email addresses, phone numbers, and national ID card numbers were bad on its own, but access to such information could also "be used in the web application to access, modify, and/or delete the applications as well as view the Birth Registration Record Verification."

Related Article: New Threads Delete Feature to Arrive, Allowing Users to Retain Instagram Accounts

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Hundreds of protesters Thursday afternoon marched to the European Union (EU) Office in Abuja to register their grievances over last weeks reports released on the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.

The EU mission in its report pointed out that the discrepancies noticed during the elections severely damaged public confidence in the electoral body.

But the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led-Presidency insisted that the yardstick and assessment of the EU Mission cannot determine the credibility and transparency of the countrys elections.

However, the protesters who besieged the EU office in their numbers described the report as ridiculous.

They said the report was capable of creating chaos in the country and the countrys unity and security at stake.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Lilian Ogbole said there was nowhere in the world that election is devoid of crisis and hitches.

She stated: We have come to register unequivocally that we are not satisfied with the report of the European Union.

As a matter of fact, we are of the opinion that the report is not just ridiculous but a deliberate act to slight the Nigerian entity and of course by implication our leaders and the government of Nigeria. We are all Nigerians here.

I would like to say to you very clearly that there is nowhere election in the world that is devoid of crisis and hitches. Every election comes with its peculiar problems. Nigeria is not an inception.

Yes, we are aware that the world is a global village, therefore, people from different parts of the world converge in various countries during elections to monitor, observe and make presentations like the EU has done. But what we found unnecessary, what we found not worthy is the manner in which the report was made.

They called on the EU to urgently withdraw the report and come up with another report that would be favourable to Nigeria.
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By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Residents of of Awka the capital city of Anambra State have commended the state government for the improved electricity supply recorded in the State over the last few months.

The commendations were given when this reporter, Izunna Okafor, toured some parts of Awka to assess the views of the residents on the regularity of electricity supply in recent time.

In their separate remarks, some of the residents interviewed, including Mr. Ignatius Ezeh, who lives at the Paradise Hostel in Okpuno; Miss Blessing Nnakaenyi, who lives around the Iyiagu Estate, and Dr. Kingsley Onuora from Nodu, said they had recently begun to enjoy constant electricity like never before.

The residents, who attested that they now enjoy about 22-hour power supply on the average on daily basis, said they never believed that such constant power supply could be possible in Nigeria, as such was only associated with developed countries of the world.

While describing the recent improvement as a testament that Awka is gradually gaining the befitting status of a capital city, as other parts of the State also develop at commendable paces; the residents showered praises on Anambra State Government, while also calling for more of such sustained developmental efforts.

On their own parts, a laundry shop owner at Ifite village, Mr. Benjamin Okoli, and a business center owner at Emma Nnaemeka Street, Mr. Silas Abosi; and a cyber cafe operator at Ezenwa Plaza, Eke Awka Market, all said the improved power supply had enhanced the growth of their businesses through the reduction of their daily operational costs and the increment of their revenues, among other benefits.

While underscoring the importance of constant power supply as one of the major of drivers of economic development in every society, the trio, who recalled their past ugly experiences as electricity users, said they now feel happy paying their electricity bills every month

They also commended the management of the Enugu State Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) and the Anambra State Government for the improvements, while also calling for more of such transformation in other sectors of the State.

When contacted by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, the Anambra State Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Julius Chukwuemeka who attributed the improvement to the visionary leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and the collaboration with the EEDC, said the improvement the residents are seeing now were just a snippet of what the Governor envisions and the plans he has in stock for them.

He said: What they are seeing now in terms of electricity is just the beginning. It is just the beginning, looking at what the Governor has in stock for them. We have a target to see if, in the shorted possible time, Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha, and their environs will start having 24/7 power supply.

So, we are working tirelessly to see that this dream is achieved. With time, other parts of the State that have not started enjoying constant power supply will also begin to do so, courtesy of the visionary leadership of Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo. But we are not doing this alone. We are doing it in collaboration with the EEDC.

The Commissioner further revealed that some people had earlier advised him to work towards achieving an independent electricity generation for Anambra State. This, he said, would take a gradual and systematic process, as the State currently does not have the facilities to generate, transmit and distribute its own electricity independently; hence the need for the collaboration and signing of the MOU with the EEDC, the results of which the people are enjoying today in the State.

He added that all those transformations were in pursuance of the Governors vision to make the Anambra a liveable and prosperous homeland.

While highlighting other mult-sectoral developments that have taken place in Anambra State in recent time, Commissioner Chukwuemeka also re-echoed the Aku Ruo Ulo clarion call by the Governor, urging Ndi Anambra who live in different parts of the country and beyond, to come and invest in their homestate, Anambra, which, he said, had remained a first-choice destination for investors.

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The Delta State Police Command has arrested a suspect identified as Meshack Sinupro, who posed as an intending buyer and absconded with an N55m Mercedes Benz SUV during a test drive in Abuja.

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, July 6, 2023, said Sinuphro specializes in stealing vehicles while pretending to be a buyer.

ALSO READ: Lagos Police on a trail of businessman accused of blackmailing widow

According to the PPRO, the suspect was arrested in Benin City, Edo State while the stolen car was recovered in a bush along Oteri road, in Ughelli North.

Sequel to a complaint received on 3/7/2023 at about 1700hours from a car dealer in Abuja whose vehicle was stolen from his car stand by the suspect who disguised as intending buyer and absconded with the said vehicle during a test drive on 30/6/2023 in Abuja.
Former Governor of Former Governor of Ekiti State , Ayo Fayose has made it clear that though he is still a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP ) but has decided to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who emerged from the All Progressives Congress APC ), which has been in power at the centre since 2015.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a private audience with the President at Aso Rock Presidential villa, Abuja Fayose said: let me tell you, I will never join the APC, but I dont have to be a party man to support good product.

Whosoever is in this saddle in Nigeria, we must stand by him. We must give our best and I want to tell you that people like me, others like Governor Wike, Governor Makinde and other wonderful Nigerians, have made up our minds that it is better to stand with a man of vision and to stand with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the betterment of our country.

Fayose said that the steps so far taken by President Tinubu can readily give us the direction of his government.

Elections have come and gone, without prejudice to the courts.

But its no more time for campaign or selling a political party, it is time to govern Nigeria for the benefit of children yet unborn and those of us that are still here and to equally let you know that I had a very wonderful time with the President.

You will see him very alert and very clearly in the direction he wants to take the country, but he cant do it alone, he needs all of us.

On whether he is still a member of the PDP and whether he would accept appointment from President Tinubu, Fayose said: let me say again, unequivocally, I have said it in several fora, I will never be a member of the APC. I am a PDP man. If anything takes me out of the PDP or if I dont do partisan politics again, I will be the husband of my wife at home.

It is not a matter of party. Nigeria is bigger than all political parties and all interest groups. I want to tell you again, you dont have to take an appointment to make a difference.

Nigeria is about 200 million population. We all cant be on appointment, whosoever makes it, either in the APC or in the attempt to have a government of national unity, its all about service.

May I say to you expressly, I am not a desperate person at all, but I dont shy away and I will never shy away to give direction wherever I am. I am with this government, without apologies.

Majority in the past can tell you, even when I was a sitting governor in Ekiti, Ive always spoken well of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

I never knew and may I say to you, the agenda that I joined the G5 to pursue is to have a Southern President. Today, a Southern President has emerged and were all with him.

Fayose said that if Asiwaju turns back on his promise and all he said when he was campaigning, I will be the first to talk. I am not timid and I dont shy away from facing challenges.

But the man I have seen today, I dont eulogize and I dont praise to curry favour, I am no more a small boy. Let me tell you, the man I saw today and for the actions we have seen, means well for Nigeria.

But if theres any reason to derail, it will not be deliberate and we will all be able to draw his attention to his brief as the President and Commander-in-Chief of our country.

Let us be optimistic, let us be hopeful and let us believe that there will be a turn around.

The former Ekiti governor debunked the notion that being in opposition political party, he should not have supported the government, saying: I am doing more than opposition.

If the government in power is not doing the right thing, well be courageous enough to tell the government in power. That was why I told you, when Buhari was President in this country I didnt shy away from telling him the truth and the government.

May I say to you that I have said here, that if the President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is shying away from his brief, I, Ayo Fayose, Oshoko, will be courageous enough to tell him.

You see, I am 63, I am not a small boy anymore. I stand by what I say. I want to assure you that you dont have to be in a political party to stand up and in opposition.

But you dont oppose when you dont need to oppose though. You dont fight an innocent person if that person has not done anything wrong.
July 06, (THEWILL)  Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has commended President Bola Tinubu on steps taken so far by his administration since his inauguration on May 29.

Fayose spoke on Thursday, to State House correspondents after a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He noted that the President had done well since coming into office and should be encouraged.

According to the former governor, since elections are over, and it is time to govern, Nigerians need to rally round the President, who he said is alert and has a clear direction he wants to take the country.

Fayose said he does not expect Tinubu to fail, noting that if there is any delay, it will not be a deliberate act on the part of the President.

On his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayose said, I will never be a member of the APC (All Progressives Congress). I am a PDP man, if anything takes me out of the PDP or if I dont do partisan politics again, I will be the husband of my wife at home.

On whether he will accept an appointment should the President extend one to him, the former Ekiti State governor said, It is not a matter of party, Nigeria is bigger than all political parties and all interest groups. I want to tell you again, you dont have to take an appointment to make a difference. Nigeria is about 200 million in population, and we all cant be on appointment. Whosoever makes it, either in the APC or in the attempt to have a government of national unity, its all about service.

May I say to you expressly, I am not a desperate person at all, but I dont shy away and I will never shy away to give direction wherever I am. I am with this government, without apologies. Majority, in the past, can tell you, even when I was a sitting governor in Ekiti, Ive always spoken well of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He, however, said he wont hesitate to criticise the Tinubu administration if it fails to fulfil its promises to Nigerians.

I want to say to you that Nigerians knew me very well when President Buhari was to come. From day one, I made it very clear that the President will not do well. I did not hide, I was open to it and I said it repeatedly.

If Asiwaju turns back on his promise, all he said when he was campaigning, I will be the first to talk. I am not timid and I dont shy away from facing challenges but the man I have seen today, I dont eulogise and I dont praise to curry favour, I am no more a small boy. Let me tell you, the man I saw today and for the actions we have seen, means well for Nigeria.

But if theres any reason to derail, it will not be deliberate and we will all be able to draw his attention to his brief as the President and Commander-in-Chief of our country. Let us be optimistic, let us be hopeful and let us believe that there will be a turnaround, he said.
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The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has hailed the suspension of the 5% excise duty on telecom services by President Bola Tinubu on Thursday.

Chairman of the Association, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, who stated this said the suspension has taken away the burden of collections off the telecom operators and the weight of the subscribers.

Adebayo said that the tax would have compounded the current woes of many Nigerians who are already battling with the increase in the price of several other products and services.

He however noted that telecom operators in Nigeria are currently paying a total of 39 taxes and levies, which need to be addressed by the Tinubu administration.

We think that the government has done well in this regard by taking the burden away. We must also note that the previous administration had granted an exemption of the telecom services from the 5% excise duty.

READ ALSO: Proposed new telecom tax ll not be implemented, Pantami insists

Adebayo said the next thing for the government is to find a way to reduce the number of taxes being imposed on telecom operators by different levels of government across the country.

What we will task them on next is to confront the issue of multiple taxation in the telecom industry. We currently as an industry are paying as many as 39 different taxes and levies across the country. There is no industry that can sustain that level of demand from governments at different levels. It is not sustainable and it is also not good for our regulation and for our policy environment.

When people look at the state of health of the industry, and the behaviour of public actors, these are the indices they check. The multiple taxes make our environment unpredictable. You cant do planning or projections because you dont just know what will happen tomorrow. So, we think that the government of the day has a duty to confront this issue of multiple taxation and levies in the telecom industry, he said.

Adebayo added that the telecom industry should not be treated as an extractive industry as it is neither an oil nor gas nor a mineral exploring industry, but an industry providing social services that have impacts on the economy and lives of the people. He said the government has to address tax issues for the state of health of our industry and for the overall benefit of the subscribers.
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Former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, has asked the incumbent Governor, Dapo Abiodun to stop the monthly pension being paid to him by the State government.

Daniel, in a letter titled, Request To Suspend My Monthly Pension and Allowances, Daniel asked that the N676,376.95 pension/allowances he is entitled to as a former governor be suspended.

According to him, the suspension of the pension was in compliance with his conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator, who hitherto was a former State governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such a state.

READ ALSO: Gbenga Daniel hails Tinubus remark on petrol subsidy

Daniel, who is the new Senator representing Ogun East, was inaugurated alongside other Senators on June 13 at the National Assembly.

The Senator noted that he had not benefitted from any welfare packages, be it medical, furniture, transportation and others since he left office in 2011.

The letter addressed to Gov Abiodun read: I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of 676,376.95 (gross) (Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy-Six Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being paid as a former Executive Governor of Ogun State.

This request is in compliance with my conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former State Governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such state.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday 13th June 2023, I was, with other elected Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, inaugurated as members of the 10th National Assembly.

It is pertinent to also have it on record that since I left the office in 2011, I have not benefited from any welfare packages be it Medical, Furniture, transportation etc. Thanks in anticipation.
Nollywood actor, Felix Omokhodion has been accused of maltreating his wife until her death.

KanyiDaily recalls that Felix Omokhodion had announced the death of his wife in a heartfelt post shared on his Instagram page on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Omokhodion expressed his deep love and gratitude to his late wife who he described as my love, my heart, my best friend, my partner, my guardian angel, my everything.

The 31-year-old actor assured her that he would forever cherish their memories together, noting that her absence left a void in his life but he finds solace in knowing that shes with the angels in heaven.

The movie star said he believes that he cannot find anyone like her and will always stay true to their love, adding that she will remain his guiding light and will always burn within him until they reunite.

However, popular Instagram bogger, Cutie Juls, has accused Felix Omokhodion of pretending online and being pathetic after allegedly maltreating his wife until she passed on.

In a post shared on her Instagram page, the blogger alleged that the actor has never posted about his wife on his social media pages because of his alleged side chicks.

Cutie Juls noted that Felix is now posting about his late wife to gain sympathy, stressing that the actor should continue mistreating her even in her grave.

The post reads, This is sad. Fresh Prince, you maltreated your wife till she passed away and you rushed to go online to form what I dont know. Youre very pathetic smh.

Did you ever even post her on your page because of side chics? She passed away and you are now posting her for people to sympathise with you. Oya, go and [email protected]@t her in her [email protected].

KanyiDaily had also reported that veteran Nollywood actor, Francis Duru took to social media to celebrate 20 years of marriage with his wife, Adokiye.

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By Okey Maduforo Awka

The fear of attack by gunmen suspected to be the enforcers of the one week sit at home order by Simon Ekpa has thrown panic across Anambra state this Friday.

Recall that in Ebony and Enugu states respectively the gunmen had stormed markets destroying shops and goods belonging to traders in the area.

As a result of those incidents residents of Awka , Onitsha and Nnewi towns closed their shops and business outfits for the fear of a repeat attack by the gunmen.

Reports from Onitsha commercial town had it that traders and road users scampered for safety on the information that the gunmen has stormed the area .

The scampering were reported at Bridge head , New parts, Upper Iweka , Lagos park and Nkpor junction with many people injured in the process.

In Nnewi town a similar incident occured when it was alleged that two persons were gunned down at Total petrol station in neighboring Ihiala town and another alleged attack by the gunmen at Okija town.

But the alleged killing of two persons cannot be confirmed by anyone and it existed in the realm of speculations.

Eke Awka main market Anambra Capital witnessed similarly development as traders abandoned their shops and ran out of the market while street traders around the market area fled from their goods as it was rumoured that the gunmen had entered Awka

Similarly parents had to rush to bring back their children from schools as the proprietors allowed them to take the kids home pending further developments.

But nobody could confirm where the gunmen were coming from or those that were attacked hence confirming that those stamped at the major cities were caused by mere panic.

But Gov Charles Soludo dismissed the fear of gunmen attack in the state urging the public to discountenance those rumors.

Soludo further assured the residents of their safety stating that the security formation in place are equal to the task.

Speaking on behalf of Soludo, the Commissioner for Homeland Matters Chief Chikaodi Anara said;

We are aware of the plot by these miscreants to come into the state to cause trouble but they cannot succeed because we have all that it takes to take them headlong

All those reports are mere rumors and panicking but there is no incident like that in Anambra state and as I speak to you our men in conjunction with the police Army and other security operatives have taken over everywhere and we are talking them

At Igbariam in Anambra East local government area we have engaged some hoodlums when have been causing trouble in the area and some arrests have been made but we dont want to disclose further bur people should discountenance those reports he said

Also the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ikenga, dismissed the report, saying it was the handiwork of mischief makers sharing false security alerts.

He said, The Anambra State Police Command today 7/7/2023 has observed with great dismay, the mischievous act of persons sharing false security alerts/messages, and doctored old videos of security incidents to cause tension/panic in the state.

Given the above, the Command shall invoke relevant cyber laws on persons found wanting in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Command has noted that the confidence reposed on us by Ndi Anambra in the protection of lives and properties shall not be taken for granted.

The Police with other security forces have intensified patrols, improved security dominance and surveillance in the state.

In the event of any request for security service, members of the public are advised to call the following phone numbers: the Command Control Room Number at 07039194332 or the Public Relations Officer PRO at 08039334002.

The npf rescue me app is also available for free download on both Android and Apple IOS, for Android and iPhone users respectively.he said.

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By Joshua Chibuzo Andrew, Owerri

Police in Delta State have arrested a suspect who allegedly stole a Mercedes Benz GLB 250 worth N55m in the Federal Capital Territory.

The spokesperson of Delta State Police Command,DSP Bright Edafe made this known on his Twitter page on Thursday.

Sharing photos of the suspect, Sinuphro, said, The suspect, Meshack Sinuphro who allegedly stole the Benz at Abuja while pretending to be a buyer, has been arrested by the Command Decoy squad today in Benin City.

Suspect will be transferred to FCT command soonest. Always report crimes to the police, and we will always deliver

Newsmen had reported that the Nigerian Police Force detailed to investigate the case had recovered the stolen vehicle in the Ughelli North Local Government Area Delta State.

The suspect who introduced himself as Henry was test-driving the vehicle in the Garki area of the FCT when he absconded with it.

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The Rev. James Martin, an American Catholic priest of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) who runs outreach ministry for LGBT+ Catholics, has been tapped by Pope Francis Friday (July 7) to participate at a major Vatican gathering of bishops, clergy and laity later this year.

Martin was among many named by the Holy See to participate in its Synod on Synodality in October.

Official Catholic doctrine considers any sexual act outside of marriage between a man and a woman sinful but calls on those who commit such acts to conversion and chastity.

Synod Seeks to Answer State of the Catholic Church

Ahead of the synod, there was an unprecedented canvassing of Catholics worldwide. The Vatican reportedly said Catholic congregations worldwide allegedly wanted to see concrete steps to promote women to decision-making posts and a "radical inclusion" of the LGBT+ community in the church.

The pope, who was the first Jesuit in the Catholic Church's history to be elected to the office, told the Associated Press in a January interview that laws criminalizing homosexuality, such as the case of the passed legislation in Uganda, were "unjust," further adding that "being homosexual is not a crime." In a follow-up, Martin, a fellow Jesuit of Francis's, asked the pontiff for clarification, who replied that he should have said that any sexual activity outside marriage is a sin.

Throughout his decade-long papacy, Francis has been a sign of contradiction for many Catholics for upholding the church's teachings on sexuality while reaching out to LGBT+ people as a pastoral policy.

Read Also: Vatican Says New Evidence Provide Leads Worth Pursuing To Investigate 1983 Disappearance of 15-Year-Old Emanuela Orlandi

Response from the Pews

For those who celebrate the inclusion of Martin, they are cautiously commending the pope for allowing such discussions to take place in the upcoming synod.

New Ways Ministry executive director Francis DeBernardo said Martin's participation in the upcoming synod was "hopeful" but noted that it would have been "reasonable" to include openly LGBT+ people in the assembly as well.

"Their absence at the October meeting does not allow for their voices to be heard directly," he wrote in an emailed statement to the Associated Press.

Meanwhile, LifeSiteNews journalist and author Kennedy Hall heavily criticized Martin for his LGBT+ advocacy in the first place in his opinion piece with Crisis Magazine. In his article, he called on the total degradation and defrocking of Martin from the priesthood.

"Pray for [Father] Martin; and pray that he be suppressed, once and for all," he said.

Fellow Priests Criticizing Martin

But other than some members of the congregation, many Catholic clergymen also spoke out against one of their own.

In January, the Rev. Francisco Jose Delgado, a Spanish priest from the Archdiocese of Toledo, criticized Martin for his controversial post on Twitter about the alleged gay "marriage" of US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

"Surprised this got so much attention. Like it or not, Pete Buttigieg is legally married," Martin tweeted.

The US official was accused of having excessive travel expenses, and he responded he was "[traveling] with his 'husband' as other senior officials travel with their wives," Delgado explained.

"You can go to his 'church' and stop sullying that of Christ, prophet of Satan," he added.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Philip Bochanski, the executive director of Courage, the Catholic apostolate for people experiencing same-sex attraction, told the National Catholic Register that Martin's initial tweet was "irresponsible" due to its sharp contrast with what he called a clear Catholic doctrine on the matter.

"[I found his tweet] irresponsible, especially for a priest or bishop who has taken an oath to uphold Church teachings, [to] say something that the Church says that we mustn't say, which is that homosexual unions are the same or even remotely analogous to marriage," Bochanski said.

Last week, the Vatican announced Pope Francis has appointed La Plata Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez as the new prefect of the Holy See's Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. However, many Catholics, specifically in the US, found the pope's choice of chief theologian and moral watchdog unsettling and with a touch of nepotism as he was accused by BishopAccountability for covering up the alleged abuse of a certain Rev. Eduardo Lorenzo in his home diocese in Argentina, where the pontiff was also a native of, in 2019.

Fernandez, who also became controversial for his book "Heal Me With Your Mouth: The Art of Kissing", will be replacing Cardinal Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer and will assume his office by mid-September.

Related Article: US Catholics Slam Pope Francis's Pick to Lead Vatican Office Dealing with Sex Abuse Cases

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The motion for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, suffered setback in the Nigerian House of Representatives as the sponsor of the motion, by Eze Nwachukwu from Ebonyi, sought amendment to the motion.

Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker, House of Reps

The sponsor of the motion, Eze Nwachukwu from Ebonyi, in collaboration with another House member, Ginger Onwusibe, had proposed amendment to the motion when members of the House suspended deliberation on the matter.

Those promoting the motion argued that the release of Nnamdi Kanu would ease the violence and killings in the southeast.

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, had supported the amendment, but when put to a voice vote, there was no clear massive support, making the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon Tajudeen Abbas, suspend the amendment for further consultation.
President Bola Tinubu on Friday commended President Macky Sall of Senegal for dumping his ambition for third term in office in the 2024 presidential election in Senegal.

President Tinubu stated: The decision of President Mack Sall that he will abide by the constitutional term of office and not offer himself for a third term in Senegal is heart-warming.

It has brought great joy and relief. As a Democrat, I must commend my brother for his statesmanship.

With this singular decision, President Sall chose the stability, security, and economic well-being of his people over and above narrow personal interest.

The impact of this important decision will be felt beyond the shores and borders of Senegal and across our West African sub-region.

President Sall has demonstrated that leadership is about serving the people honorably and quitting the stage when the constitutionally-stipulated time is up.

By his example, democracy and respect for people power will take stronger roots in Africa and will continue to flourish.

Mass protest led by the Opposition in Senegal compelled President Sall, who is on a second term in office to pull out of the February 25, 2024 presidential race when he intended to seek re-election for a third term.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an appeal by Ikie Aghwarianovwe, a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking the disqualification Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State from the 2023 governorship election for lacking in merit.

The Supreme Court judges in a unanimous judgement by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared that Aghwarianovwe failed to prove his case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Justice Agim stated that the mere fact that there were differentials in names does not amount to falsity. He maintained that an error in the date of birth in a certificate not shown evidentially to emanate from the respondent cannot amount to falsity.

The Supreme Court judges, therefore, awarded N3 million costs against Ikie Aghwarianovwe, to be paid each to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Oborevwori.
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The Supreme Court has set aside the July 1,b 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal which reversed the discharge and acquittal by a Federal high Court in Lagos, and subsequently ordered the release of Peter Nwaoboshi, a senator who represented Delta North, from Ikoyi prison in Lagos where he is being held.

Nwaoboshi, before today, was sentenced to seven years in jail for offences of fraud and money laundering.

In a judgement on Friday, the Supreme Court also freed the two companies  Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd  tried with him on a two-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

READ ALSO: Runaway Senator Nwaoboshi begins 7 years prison term on N805m fraud convection

In a lead judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that Nwaobishi and the two companies were unjustly and maliciously prosecuted by the EFCC for committing no offences known to law.

The court said EFCC subjected them to needless criminal trials in relation to civil transactions.

The EFCC had arraigned Nwaoboshi and his two firms in 2018 before Mohammed Idris, a judge who was later elevated to the court of appeal.

READ ALSO: Money laundering: Supreme Court dismisses post-conviction bail application of Senator Nwaoboshi

They were then re-arraigned before Chukwujekwu Aneke on October 5, 2018.

The EFCC accused Nwaoboshi and his companies of illegally acquiring a property named Guinea House on Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million, property said to belong to the Delta State Govt.

The anti-graft agency had claimed that part of the money paid for the property was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd, adding the funds are believed to be proceeds of their illicit activities.
Iran says it has detained 17 citizens accused of spying for the CIA, saying that some of them will be executed.

The countrys intelligence ministry said it had broken up a spying ring consisting of Iranian who were lured by a chance to move to the US and work there, CNN reported on Monday.

The suspects were employed in sensitive and vital private sector centers in the economic, nuclear, infrastructural, military and cyber areas  where they collected classified information, an Iranian intelligence official told state TV on Monday, according to Sky News .

The intelligence official did not give his name, which Sky News said is unusual.

The CIA has not yet responded to Irans announcement.

The mission of the alleged spies had been to collect classified information from substantial centers as well as intelligence/technical operations, the intelligence ministry said in a document, cited by CNN.

Iranian authorities arrested the alleged spies months ago, and many of them have been detained in prison since, according to Sky News and CNN reported.

Some of the suspects have also been sentenced to death, though the unnamed intelligence official did not say how many, Sky News reported.

Read Also: US to send troops to Saudi Arabia amid Iran tensions

Irans intelligence ministry said in a document, as cited by CNN: Defendants serving their sentences in prison mentioning tempting promises of CIA officers including emigration to USA, a proper job in America, and money.

All 17 suspects have confessed to spying for the CIA, CNN said.

Amnesty International reported last week, however, that Iranian authorities have a history of using solitary confinement and threats against family members to make people unsavory to the regime confess to crimes they didnt commit.

The ministry also appeared to suggest that Iranian authorities plan to retaliate against the CIA.

It said, according to CNN: Individuals who consciously and deliberately betrayed the country and refused to compensate for the losses have been handed over to the judiciary system.

Others, who honestly cooperated with the security system and their remorsefulness have been proved, have been managed with intelligence direction against Americans, the ministry added.

Tehrans announcement comes amid weeks of spiraling tensions with the West.

There have been several maritime skirmishes on the Strait of Hormuz a narrow waterway to Irans south thats crucial to global oil trade since mid-June.

Iranian authorities seized two British-linked oil tankers in the strait last Friday, in what appears to be retaliation to the UKs seizure of an Iranian oil tanker off the British territory of Gibraltar on July 4. Iran seized the British-flagged Stena Impero, and briefly detained another ship, the Mescar.

US President Donald Trump last week also said a US warship had shot down an Iranian drone, though Tehran has repeatedly said this didnt happen.

Iran and the West remain at odds over the 2015 nuclear deal and crippling US sanctions. Tehran violated a 300 kg limit on enriched uranium earlier this month and has vowed to increase its stockpile.

(NewsNow.co.uk )
But City Round gathered on Thursday that he survived with head bruises and a broken thigh. He is currently on admission at the Gbagada General Hospital.

The BRT driver, Akpochi, and two passengers died in the crash while 69 others sustained injuries.

Suddenly, the driver of a Dangote truck loaded with 45 tons of cement lost control of the vehicle and veered into the BRT lane, crushing the bus in the process.

Dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, the new driver joined his senior colleague, Samuel Akpochi, on a trip en route to Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos Island, from the takeoff point in Ikorodu Garage. Little did he know that death was lurking around, less than six kilometers away at Ogolonto.

Before the clock ticked on the hours of seven Monday morning, Adesina Shiyanbola was already at the head office of Primero Transport Services Limited, the operator of Bus Rapid Transit vehicles, beaming with zeal for his new job

I think the truck driver was sleeping. We were on our lane. He veered into our path and hit the bus. I was by the front door. People had to cut through the wreckage of the bus before I was brought out, the native of Ede, Osun State , told our correspondent while preparing for treatment Thursday morning.

I am still on treatment. The result of an X-ray on my legs showed that I had a broken thigh. My family paid for the medical bill when I initially came, but I was promised that it would be refunded. Subsequent bills have been free, he added.

He said the accident might have claimed his life but for fasting and prayers.

He explained, My pastor told me on Sunday to pray and fast for three days. I started the fasting on Monday and was supposed to end it on Wednesday. It was on my second day at work that the accident happened. I thank God I am alive.



Another survivor admitted at the hospital, Sofia Idris, a hairstylist, said she was going to her workplace on Victoria Island when the accident occurred.



I am getting better now. I had a fracture in the leg. I was at the back of the bus. I boarded it from Ikorodu. I was going to TBS from where I would board a cab to my shop on VI, she added.

Sadly, the incident has left the family of the late Akpochi devastated.

Survived by a wife and four kids, Glory, five; Victoria, three and one-year-old twins, Daniel and Daniela, Akpochis death had created a huge vacuum in the family.

His wife, Blessing, 32, was inconsolable when our correspondent visited the familys residence on Adeniyi Avenue, Ajegunle on Thursday.



My husband left home around 4.30am on Tuesday and we bade each other goodbye, she began after a long silence.

I was expecting him to return home in the evening. It was his brother that broke the news of his death to me. I am not doing any work. We lived on his salary. I dont know how to take care of the children he left behind. Glory and Victoria have been asking for him; I told them he is dead, Blessing lamented before she burst into tears.

The deceaseds elder brother, Peter, said he was at work when he received a call from his office that Akpochi was involved in an accident.

I asked them about his condition, but they insisted that I should come. I rushed there with one of my brothers and discovered that he was dead, he added.

The Chief Security Officer, Primero, Mr Cletus Okodolor, said the company did not immediately have the information that Shiyanbola survived the crash.

He said, Earlier, there was no proper communication. It was on Wednesday that we knew the new driver was alive. They took him to the Gbagada General Hospital. He was attached to the driver that died. It was one driver and two passengers  a male and a female  that died.

We have had a meeting with the family of the late driver. We have also visited the survivors at the Gbagada General Hospital and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja. Those in LASUTH would undergo surgeries.
Nigeria police said they rescued 15 people chained up in a church in Lagos during the latest raid in a nationwide crackdown on religious institutions accused of abuse.

Detectives stormed a prayer house used as a detention camp on Wednesday evening and discovered 15 men and women aged between 19 and 50 chained by the legs, Lagos police spokesman Bala Elkana said.

The pastor of the church, prophet Sunday Joseph Ojo, and 10 others were arrested, Elkana said late Thursday.

The victims were brought by their families to seek spiritual help from mental illness and other diseases, he added.

The prophet said he has been in the healing ministry since 1986, (and) that he chained them in order to prevent escape.

Some of the victims had spent five years in the church, he said, adding that further investigations were taking place.

Non-government organisations first alerted police to Ojos Blessing of Goodness Healing Church in the Ijegun area of Nigerias most populous city, according to local reports.

The raid was the first on a church during a wider police crackdown on religious institutions  the majority of which have been Islamic schools  where inmates have been tortured, chained and sexually abused.

Hundreds of victims, mostly children, have been rescued in a series of raids over the past month, mainly across northern Nigeria.

Last week police rescued 108 unfed and sick inmates from a so-called reform centre in Kwara State, central Nigeria.

Religious institutions offering to reform victims of mental illness and drug abuse are common in Africas most populous country in the absence of state support.
Mark Zuckerberg promised that he would make Threads a safe app for users.

However, the Molly Rose Foundation-a charity launched by the family of a suicide victim-said that the billionaire's pledge is absurd.

Mark Zuckerberg's Promise to Make Threads a Safe App Criticized

According to The Guardian's latest report, Molly Russell was a 14-year-old girl who died in 2017 after viewing harmful posts on Instagram and other social media apps.

Her passing broke the hearts of her family. Because of this, the Russell fam decided to launch the Molly Rose Foundation to help prevent more suicides.

Since Threads is another app developed by Meta, the Molly Rose Foundation shared its concern that this platform will be like Instagram.

"Instagram's track record at protecting users from harm is woeful, with children exposed to dangerous content," said the charity foundation's spokesperson.

The Molly Rose Foundation official said that young Instagram users are at risk because of Meta's inconsistent content moderation and a "cavalier" approach to the app's design choices.

Because of this, the charity believes that Zuckerberg's pledge to prioritize kindness on Threads is "absurd."

Will Threads App Be Different From Other Apps?

Recently, Meta's CEO said his goal is to expand Threads while maintaining the app's friendly approach. He added that making the new app a safe social media platform will be the key to its success. "That's one reason why Twitter never succeeded as much as I think it should have, and we want to do it differently," added the billionaire. Zuckerberg further stated that his team would make drastic efforts to make Threads a friendly, safe, and kindness-focus app. As of writing, it is still hard to conclude that Threads will not be like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other platforms plagued with harmful content. But, since Threads is already garnering millions of signups a few days after its launch, Zuckerberg needs to ensure that they will make the new app a safer place for online users. CNBC reported that Threads attracted over 70 million new users on Friday, July 7, as confirmed by the Meta CEO. If you want to learn more about the increasing popularity of Threads, you can click this link. Related Article: New Threads Delete Feature to Arrive, Allowing Users to Retain Instagram Accounts



@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Police and the media have been trying to unravel the mystery behind the murder of Bettie Jenifer, Chris Attohs lost wife and exclusive photos available shows that she was a mother of twins.

Below are pictures showing Chris Attohs wife, Betty Jenifer, and her American drug-kingpin husband Kedrick Jenifer with their children.

Bettie was shot dead in Maryland after closing from work and heading towards her car. An unknown gunman attacked her and upon running, she was shot multiple times, with one bullet hitting her.

The shocking death of Chris second wife, after divorcing Nigerian actress, Damilola Adegbite, has sparked a conversation online ever since it was revealed that the late Bettie was also married to a drug lord, who has been jailed in the U.S for 20 years.

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NORMAL  The Heartland Community College chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has been recognized with multiple honors.

Accomplishments include receiving the Most Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award, securing the top position for the region. The Heartland chapter was recognized for its two-day speaking seminar "Hawk Talks."

The chapter also garnered accolades for its College Project on the regional level. The Honors in Action Project encompassed the chapter's meticulous process of formulating a research question aligned with the chosen theme, conducting research, drawing conclusions, and developing an event or project based on those findings.

The organization's performance across both projects led to its receival of the Outstanding Chapter Award.

The awards came under the leadership of advisers Cristina Prestin-Beard and Jennifer Pauken, and students Alisa Wright and Veronica Swanson.

Heartland Community College Day of Service HEARTLAND DAY OF SERVICE 042923-blm-loc-service2 042923-blm-loc-service3 042923-blm-loc-service4 042923-blm-loc-service5 042923-blm-loc-service6
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

July 7, 1923: Final results of the local campaign for Near East Relief, conducted in May, showed that Bloomington residents contributed $2,510 to the cause. All but $75 was contributed by church congregations. The city also donated several tons of coal to the effort, which aids Greek and Armenian refugees.

75 years ago

July 7, 1948: Four hundred yellow metal insect traps will be set in Bloomington-Normal during the next few days to target the Japanese beetle. Arnold P. Benson, state director of agriculture, asked residents to allow the traps to be placed on their properties for roughly 30 days. The presence of the beetles, which can damage fruit, corn, soybeans and other plants, was discovered here a week ago by L.D. Morris of 1402 E. Grove St.

50 years ago

July 7, 1973: A proposal to locate McLean County Unit 5's service center at the former dump site on Adelaide Street met with a cold reception from school board members at a joint meeting with Normal Town Council members. Mayor Carol Reitan presented the property as an alternative to the district's proposed site near the new junior high school at Parkside Road and West College Avenue.

25 years ago

July 7, 1998: What's in the box? About 100 residents in Minonk gathered to learn the answer for themselves, as Mayor Earl Anderson opened the small copper container found when an old bandstand was demolished in the city's West Side Park. The answer? A handwritten list of people who donated money to the bandstand and a copy of the May 17, 1923, edition of The Minonk News-Dispatch.

101 years ago: See vintage Pantagraph ads from 1922 Gerthart's Union Gas and Electric Co. Hoover Dr. J.A. Moore Dentists Moberly & Klenner W.P. Garretson W.H. Roland Pease's Candy Thor 32 Electric Washing Machine The Kaiser's Story of the War Ike Livingston & Sons Gossard Corsets Cat'n Fiddle 'Stolen Moments' Case Model X The Johnson Transfer & Fuel Co. The Pantagraph want ads Franklin Motor Car Co. 'A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court' Calumet Baking Powder Mayer Livingston & Co. Newsmarket 'The Emperor Jones' 'California Fig Syrup'
The news only gets worse for Illinois version of the Green New Deal. Thats CEJA, Illinois Clean Energy and Jobs Act. It was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in 2021. Its goals are to phase out carbon emissions from the energy and transportation sectors and make all electricity production in Illinois emissions-free by 2045.

It has already been failing badly, as downstate consumers can attest. As widely reported, electricity costs have soared 50% in the southern two-thirds of the state, and theyve doubled in some areas. That area also became at high risk of brownouts according to a warning issued last year by Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which oversees the power grid for Illinois and much of the Midwest.

One central problem is that fossil fueled energy plants began closing down when it became clear that they had a target on their backs. Pritzker announced zero-emissions as a goal immediately upon taking office, though it took a couple more years to pass CEJA in the General Assembly. Owners of fossil fuel plants saw no point in investing to keep them operating. CEJAs authors simply underestimated how quickly they would close.

They also underestimated the cost of upgrading transmission lines needed to serve new solar and wind production.

And now, pressure is coming from another state where CEJAs impact will push up rates and reduce reliability. As reported by Crains Chicago Business last month, a bipartisan group of Ohio lawmakers is blaming CEJA for jeopardizing reliability in their state and potentially raising costs for their ratepayers.

They are threatening to take legal action against Illinois in response.

The problem is that Ohio, Illinois and other neighboring states share the same power grid, and CEJAs deficiencies spill over to those states. CEJA has the potential to cost Ohio consumers hundreds of millions of dollars in transmission upgrades and higher power prices according to a letter the Ohio lawmakers sent to PJM Interconnection, which oversees power planning in the region.

The second new problem for CEJA results from the historic decision issued June 30 by the U.S. Supreme Court that all but bans racial preferences. Racial preferences and other social justice goals are embedded throughout CEJA. In the law, equity appears 233 times, race appears 28 times and environmental justice appears 108 times. Preferences are given based on race to contractors, employees, borrowers and more. Insofar as they are racial preferences, they are now subject at high risk of being invalidated as equal protection violations under the Supreme Courts new ruling.

Pursuing renewable energy is a noble goal and all of our energy problems are not caused by CEJA. But the problem with CEJA is that it strives for too much too fast. Wind and solar energy, for now, are not well enough to replace natural gas and coal reliably and at reasonable cost.

Its like flying an airplane while trying to build it at the same time, as many of CEJAs critics have put it. Nor is it sensible to make energy production a massive social justice program. Worthy as those goals may be, affordable, reliable energy is too important for all Illinoisans, and utility bills are not the place to add the cost of social justice goals.

CEJA must either be amended drastically or repealed entirely.
In a bid to bolster maternal healthcare and curb child mortality, the Vodafone Ghana Foundation, in partnership with the Divine Mother and Child Foundation (DMAC), has implemented its Rural Ultrasound Scan project for pregnant women in Pipie in the Bosomtwe district of the Ashanti Region.



The Rural Ultrasound Scan project was part of Vodafone Ghana's Ashanti Month celebration in June. The project aims to harness innovative ultrasonography technology to improve maternal and child health. This initiative aligns with the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which seeks to reduce maternal mortality.



48 pregnant women had screenings during the event, including scans of the uterus, abdominopelvic, and abdomen. Qualified healthcare practitioners conducted the screenings, ensuring comprehensive and seamless medical care.



Rita Rockson, Head of the Vodafone Foundation, emphasised the foundations commitment to enhancing maternal health in rural areas across Ghana. Many women in rural communities face unique challenges that make it harder for them to access quality healthcare. The Foundation's Ultrasound Scan outreach gave these women access to qualified medical care. This is also part of our contribution to reduce maternal mortality by 2030 and improve the lives of Ghanaians, she remarked.



Rita further explained that the free ultrasound screenings are particularly beneficial for pregnant women who cannot afford such services. This initiative also addresses the issue of accessibility, as women in these communities previously had to travel long distances to undergo ultrasound scans.



One beneficiary, Margaret Konadu, expressed her gratitude to the Vodafone Ghana Foundation. She praised the foundation for aiding pregnant women with the scan service. It has made it easy for us to get ultrasound scans right here in our community - we did not have to travel a long distance for it. Thank you, Vodafone!



The Vodafone Ghana Foundations initiative is a laudable step towards achieving SDG 3 in Ghana. By leveraging technology and providing essential healthcare services, the foundation is making strides in improving maternal health and reducing child mortality.





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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Within the last 30 days, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has paid GH367 million to more than 4,500 credentialed facilities across the country to cover claims of up to December 2022.



The authority is expected to make further payments in the next few weeks to cover January to March 2023 claims to bring the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) back to a 90-day arrears window.



The Chief Executive of the NHIA, Dr Bernard Okoe-Boye, disclosed this in Tema last Tuesday during the official handover of a credentialing certificate to the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) as a service provider of the scheme.



The intervention, he explained, meant that the authority technically owed providers only two months of claims for February and March 2023, adding that the NHIS was more resilient today and committed to doing even better



The credentialing process was to ensure that IMaH, which hitherto did not accept the NHIS system, provides basic quality health services to subscribers of the scheme.



Reimbursement



Dr Okoe-Boye said for the first time in several years, the government had released funds more rapidly to the NHIA, making it possible to pay on average GH150 million to GH200 million monthly as claims reimbursement to healthcare providers.



He said currently, 86 per cent of claims were submitted and vetted electronically as compared to nearly two years ago when claims were 80 per cent manually vetted.



That, he explained, had increased the turnaround time for vetting and reduced wastage and leakages, resulting in the authoritys ability to reimburse claims more promptly.



Dr Okoe-Boye said the NHIA had been responsive in adjusting its service tariffs paid to providers within the past year upwards, adding that the latest increment was in February this year when tariffs for medicines and services covered by the scheme were increased by 50 per cent for medicines in the framework contracting agreement plus an additional 30 per cent marginal increase.



He said non-framework medicines were reviewed upward by 20 per cent, while service tariffs across the board were increased by 10 per cent.



Dr Okoe-Boye said the authority had begun the consultative process to ensure that tariffs corresponded with market price movements going forward, stressing that while we are working hard to deliver a robust NHIS, it is unfortunate that some health providers blatantly charge NHIS members some out-of-pocket illegal fees, making the scheme unattractive.



He said the authority had set up a decentralised national committee against such illegal charges.



Membership



Dr Okoe-Boye said the current NHIS membership stood at around 17.2 million active members, representing about 55 per cent of Ghanas population, and indicated that the authority was striving hard to cover at least 80 per cent of the population to attain universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.



Achieving UHC for Ghana also means that the NHIA must do well to expand geographical access to health care and work towards eradicating out-of-pocket payment at health facilities for its insured members, he said.



While welcoming the IMaH into the NHIA family of service providers, Dr Okoe-Boye expressed the hope that the hospital would become a model facility that would uphold the tenets of health insurance and provide the quality of care desired by patients.



Appreciation



The Chief Executive Officer of IMaH, Dr Akwasi Afriyie Achampong, said the facility, a subsidiary of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), was a 130-bed ultramodern tertiary hospital with state-of-the-art medical facilities.



He said the partnership with the NHIA further emboldened the hospital to provide top quality health care for the citizenry.

Source: graphic.com.gh









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A study conducted in three selected public universities in the country has revealed that 93 per cent of sexually active adolescents in public universities do not use contraceptives.



This is in spite of the fact that 80 per cent of them had a basic knowledge of adolescent sexual reproductive health (ASRH) issues.



Conducted among 675 university respondents, the study further found out that more than half of the respondents had sexual partners and were sexually active.



It identified that the sexual reproductive health needs of adolescents in public universities needed more attention from university authorities and policymakers.



These were the conclusions of a study conducted by a Research Fellow and Clinical Trials Coordinator at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), Dr Gifty Ekua Merdiemah, and presented at a workshop organised by the African Health Economics and Policy Association (AfHEA) in collaboration with UGMC and the Institute of Statistical Social and Economic Research (ISSER).



The overall objectives of the workshop were to present the findings from the costing of priority interventions for addressing ASRH in the country and to formulate operational and policy recommendations for promoting equitable access and use of ASRH services in and out of schools.



The study



The study was done between 2018 and 2021 and the three public universities used were the University for Development Studies (UDS) representing the northern zone, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for the middle zone while for the southern zone, the UPSA was picked.



Dr Merdiemah said the study cited adolescents health needs to include sexual reproductive health (SRH) education, sexual intercourse and contraceptives, pointing out that the cost and location of healthcare services were significant barriers for adolescents to those reproductive health facilities.



Recommendations in the study, she said, included the need for all stakeholders to work together to provide policies and programmes that address the SRH needs of adolescents in public universities.



Dr Merdiemah explained that that was to ensure that they had a smooth transition to adulthood and the need for all public universities to add well-structured ASRH orientation programmes and adolescent health corners at vantage points with a wide range of SRH services.



She said the Ministry of Education should also ensure that there were relevant age-specific sex education programmes in all educational institutions with well-trained teachers and peer educators.



Presenting the findings of a study titled, Access to adolescent sexual and reproductive health services in Ghana: a qualitative study, Dr Ama Pokuaa Fenny of ISSER said sex education in schools was often inadequate and there was a lack of affordable and non-judgemental SRH services.



She said, to improve access to SRH, teachers and health staff needed to be trained to provide relevant sex education and adolescent-friendly services needed to be made available and affordable.



The Member of Parliament (MP) for Wa Central, Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, called for the need to multiply the areas where adolescents could have an easy reach to gain information and have other services that could help them.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Featured Video
The 2023 edition of the Annual Dr. SK Frimpong free mock exams for Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) candidates is currently underway in the Asante Akyem North Municipality of the Ashanti Region. The annual event, organized by the esteemed Dr. Samuel Kwadwo Frimpong, founder of the RoyalAid Foundation and Technical Economic Advisor to the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, has garnered recognition and praise for its invaluable contributions to the education sector.



Year after year, the Dr. SK Frimpong Annual Mock Exams attract numerous candidates from various schools within the Asante Akyem North Municipality, who eagerly seize the unique opportunity provided. Known for its ability to alleviate anxiety and boost confidence, this event has become renowned among BECE candidates.



Covering all subjects, the mock exams aim to replicate the conditions of the final West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams. By simulating the pressure and time constraints associated with such a significant examination, the mock exams effectively prepare candidates for the challenges they will face during the actual WAEC exams, instilling a sense of familiarity and reducing anxiety.



In a brief interview, Dr Samuel Kwadwo Frimpong expressed that, in addition to the authentic exam atmosphere, the Annual Dr SK Frimpong Mock Exams offer candidates the chance to receive feedback and guidance from experienced educators and examiners. These professionals diligently evaluate the candidates' performance, identifying areas of strength and areas that require improvement. The personalized feedback and constructive criticism provided by the evaluators prove invaluable in helping students refine their understanding and approach to different subjects.



According to the teachers and parents within the Asante Akyem Municipality, over the years, the mock exam has become an indispensable resource for BECE candidates, consistently instilling confidence and bolstering their preparedness. Students who have previously participated in the Annual Dr SK Frimpong Mock Exams have often reported feeling more at ease during the actual WAEC exams, resulting in improved performance.



Dr. Samuel Kwame Frimpong, the philanthropist and education advocate behind this initiative, believes that access to quality education is the key to unlocking the potential of Ghanaian youth. His foundation's commitment to providing free mock exams not only alleviates the financial burden on students and their families but also levels the playing field, ensuring that all candidates, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have equal opportunities for success.



Dr. Samuel Kwadwo Frimpong, an accomplished educationist, Charted Management Consultant, Charted Professional Administration Consultant, politician, and philanthropist, has made an indelible impact on the lives of numerous young individuals year after year. His multifaceted career includes serving as the Administrative Liaison Officer in the President's Office during President Agyekum Kuffuor's administration, as well as being the Special Aide and Spokesperson for the late Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Alhaji Aliu Mahama.



Dr. Frimpong's foundation, through its initiatives such as the Annual Dr. SK Frimpong Mock Exams, has consistently set aspiring individuals on a path to future success, leveraging his ingenuity, eloquence, and ability to bridge gaps and inspire others. His diverse range of roles and unwavering dedication to education and public service have cemented his legacy as a transformative figure in Ghanaian society.

Source: Peacefmonline com









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Thousands of thrill seekers participated in the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin Festival in the Spanish city of Pamplona Friday (July 7).

The event was the first time the traditional run was held after the constraints of COVID-19 ended in the country, as well as the commemoration of the centenary of Ernest Hemingway's first visit to the festival, which he wrote in his 1926 novel "The Sun Also Rises."

Several runners took knocks and hard falls in the morning event, the Associated Press reported, but no one was got killed, a feature of the spectacle.

In the run, a total of twelve oxen (six bulls and six tame) charged along the route for around two and a half minutes before reaching the bull ring in the city's center.

Read Also: Spanish Catholic Bishops Report 728 Cases, 927 Victims of Church-Related Sex Abuse Since 1945

First of Eight

Friday's run was the first of eight scheduled runs in honor of the city's patron, St. Fermin, a bishop who was born in Pamplona and martyred in Amiens, France, either during the Decian or the Diocletianic persecutions of the Roman Empire.

Expert bull runners, most of them locals, try to sprint at full speed in front of the bull horns before peeling off at the last second. Most of the inexperienced runners came from overseas and did well enough to scramble out of the way not to get gored.

After each day's runs, the remainder of the day would include massive sessions of drinking, eating, and attending cultural events.

Four runners were gored in the festival last year, and 16 were killed in the festival since 1910, the most recent of which was in 2009.

At least six were injured on the first day of this year's bull run.

Professional bullfighters kill the cattle that run each morning in the afternoon. Animal activists annually campaign against the festival, claiming it to be cruel to the animals.

Destino Navarra, an official tour guide group, said visitors from the United States and Canada represent 70% of its total bookings for this year's festival.

Related Article: Spanish Pathologist Discovers Rare 'Floating Gold' Inside Sperm Whale

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An Accra High Court has set July 11, 2023, to decide whether or not to stay the trial of Member of Parliament for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, who is facing charges including perjury and deceit.



His counsel yesterday moved an application for stay of proceedings pending the determination of an appeal at the Court Appeal against the decision of the trial court to hear the case on day-to-day basis.



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, as the prosecution pushes to establish his guilt.



The trial court presided over by Justice Mary Yanzuh on June 16, 2023, ruled that it would from June 20, 2023, hear the case on daily basis following a request by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame.



But lawyers for Mr. Quayson filed a review motion asking the court to reconsider the decision, particularly urging the court to adjourn the case to days that do not include June 22 and 23 to allow him adequate time to prepare for the Assin North by-election, which he won.



The court, in its ruling, turned down the motion indicating that adjournments are at the discretion of the court and not the convenience of parties, and that its decision was clearly within the law and no case had been made to show that the order was contrary to law.



It is this ruling that lawyers for Mr. Quayson are challenging at the Court of Appeal, and subsequently filed an application for stay of the trial pending the determination of the appeal.



Moving the motion yesterday, Tsatsu Tsikata, lead counsel for Mr. Quayson indicated that a refusal by the court to stay the trial would convey the impression it has predetermined the outcome of the appeal.



He said there is an exceptional circumstance for the court to stay proceedings pending the determination of the appeal, especially when the decision could lead to an innocent person being unjustly tried.



He added that the court continuing to hear the case would prejudge the issues of the right of fair trial, right to be presumed innocent, as well as the limit on discretionary power that are part of the appeal.



Mr. Tsikata, in making his case, played an audio in which President Akufo-Addo made alleged prejudicial comments at a campaign ground about Mr. Quayson in the build up to the June 27 by-election in Assin North.



He argued that the comment by the President violates the right of the accused person to fair trial.



AG Opposes



The application was opposed by Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who argued that the application was grounded on irrelevant matters and distorted facts, grossly incompetent and ought to be dismissed.



He said the motion for variation filed by counsel for accused about the day-to-day trial made reference to the court not including June 22 and 23 to allow him adequate time to prepare for the by-election, hence it was unnecessary to file the appeal after June 23, 2023.



He added that the application for stay is a bundle of confusion grounded on distortion and must be rejected by the court.



Touching on the alleged prejudicial comment made by the President, Mr. Dame argued that it was completely unjust and an attempt to deliberately distort the fact by selecting only 15 seconds of the Presidents speech which in any case does not amount to any prejudice against the accused.



It was the Attorney Generals view that the full video should have been played to give the court a proper context of the Presidents comments.



Justice Mary Yanzuh adjourned the case to July 11, 2023, to give a ruling on the application.



NDC MPs



A number of opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament yesterday stormed the court to support their fellow MP.



The MPs followed through with the decision to boycott parliamentary business to support Mr. Quayson as well as Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, who is standing trial for causing financial loss to the state, and Alhaji Collins Dauda, who is also separately standing trial for his alleged role in the $200 million Saglemi Housing project scandal.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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Youth Bridge Foundation, a continental-oriented NGO committed to youth Inclusive and responsive development agenda is rolling out a series of development-based advocacy programmes across Africa to discuss the youth factor intertwined with democracy elections and peace.



The first forum will take place in Ghana, the headquarters of the organization on Tuesday July 11, 2023 at the Kofi Annan International Peace-Keeping Training Centre at 10am.



A statement issued by Youth Bridge Foundation ahead of the event called on development partners to partner the NGO replicate the event in selected African countries.



It said the resurgence of coups on the continent poses a serious challenge to the realization of the African Union Agenda 2063 as well as the peace, security, democracy, and prosperity envisioned in its Aspirations.



It also reflects a concerning reversal of substantial progress made in democratic government across the continent over the last few decades. At the same time, it has coincided with the emergence of grave and unprecedented threats to territorial integrity and national cohesion in an increasing number of AU member states in the form of insecurity fueled by extremist militant groups in the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, and the Horn of Africa. The statement added.

In the Ghanaian context. YBF said, Ghana is still vulnerable owing to the threat posed by insurgents from Burkina Faso, Benin, Cote divoire and Togo.



The NGO noted the growing incidence of on-campus conflicts in tertiary institutions and said it cannot be underestimated adding that the Citizens Forum is in tandem with the African Union's goal for a continent whose growth is people-driven and contingent on the potential of African citizens, particularly women and youth.

A renowned Governance and Human Rights Expert from Zimbabwe, Dr. Musavengana Chibwana will discuss why it is crucial for young people in Africa to be active in the electoral processes for the continents progress and stability and the power of the youth to shape their destiny.



He will also engage participants on why many young individuals are disenchanted with the political system and navigate them to proffer solutions.



Youth Bridge Foundation is organizing the forum under the technical guidance of AU-ECOSOCC with support from the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre and HYDRA Cyber Security.

The overall outcome of the forum is a Policy Paper on Youth Responsible Participation in Democracy, Elections and Promotion of Peace in Ghana and Africa.

Source: Peacefmonline com









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In 2008 when local people leased about 3,715 acres of their land to a multinational company for 50 years, each landowner signed an agreement to be paid $5 per acre a year.



The lack of knowledge on land acquisition processes and the legal framework governing lands in Ghana is causing some communities to lose their lands, income and source of livelihoods to multinationals and property developers.



This is contained in the findings of a study launched in Accra by Caritas Ghana in conjunction with the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA) on four rural communities, where lands were allocated mainly by families.



The study found that it was only the Subinso community in the Eastern region where 67 per cent of members had knowledge about statutory agencies, existing legal frameworks and processes for the acquisition of land in Ghana.



In Tanchara in the Upper East Region, 73 per cent of the people have no knowledge about the statutory agencies, existing legal frameworks and processes governing the acquisition of land. While 65 per cent community members of Babator (Savannah region), and 67 per cent community members of Breweniase (Oti region) said that they had no knowledge about the transfers of the lands, which they often leased for decades.



Sharing the ordeal of farmers and other landowners from Breweniase with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Johannes Kofibi, a community member, said: Weve dug our own graves and signed our death warrants.



He said in 2008, they leased about 3,715 acres of land to a multinational company for 50 years, which offered each landowner $5 per acre a year.



Mr Kofibi said the situation (losing lands to multinationals) sometimes pushed some young ladies to migrate to city centres, including Accra, where they allegedly engaged in prostitution, while the young men resort to menial jobs and at times, social vices for survival.



A landowner from Babator also told the GNA that they started experiencing disputes in 2014 after leasing 5,000 acres of land for 50 years to a company, led by chiefs in the community, without understanding the contract.



Dr Patrick Tandoh-Offin, a Rural Development expert and Lead for the study, reiterated the issues of land grabbing and forceful acquisition of large parcels of land by some transnational corporations, individuals, and the State.



The situation, he said, made it difficult particularly for the youth and women in Subinso, Tanchara, Babator and Breweniase to have access to lands needed for farming and other economic activities.



He said coupled with that was the expensive nature of land documentation, which was discouraging poor landowners from registering their lands.



In all the communities, landowners often relied on chiefs and community-level intermediaries to have access to land and landed properties.



That resulted in disputes among landowners and local stakeholders or traditional authorities, with issues of double sale of lands and ownership.



Tandoh-Offin recommended that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Lands Commission, the media and other stakeholders intensified education and sensitisation efforts on the protocols and legal procedures for land acquisition.



He also called for a unified computerised system for land management with a verifiable data repository for land purchase fed into an information system that would be verified and certified by a third party.



Mr Hope Boye Agbah, a Land Adminstration Officer at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, said in collaboration with the Lands Commission, his outfit had come up with guidelines on large scale acquisition of lands.



He explained that because people had little or no knowledge about the acquisition of such lands, it displaced community members and robbed them of their livelihoods prior.



Were in the process of disseminating information about the passage of the new Land Act 2020 (Act 1036), which would help resolve such land acquisition issues, he said.



In her remarks, Regina Ignatia Aflah, Chairperson of Caritas Ghana, said the report demonstrated the collective power of faith and non-faith actors in working together to address the issues of land rights, acquisition and food sovereignty.



We believe this report is a valuable addition to existing body of knowledge, and will help strengthen CSOs dialogue and actions to strive for equitable land access and food sovereignty, she said.

Source: GNA









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RivExcel Health, a leading international medical tourism facilitator, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Neuro Spinal Hospital or NSH a renowned healthcare institution with advanced services in comprehensive oncology, orthopedics, neurology, neurosurgery, and spinal surgery. This collaboration aims to expand and enhance the medical tourism services provided by RivExcel Health, further solidifying their commitment to offering high-quality medical solutions to patients from Africa seeking treatment in Dubai.



As part of this partnership, RivExcel Health has independently vetted and selected NSH based on their exceptional reputation, expertise, and commitment to patient care. Neuro Spinal Hospital, known for its state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled medical professionals, aligns perfectly with RivExcel Health's mission to connect patients with reputable healthcare providers in Dubai.



"Our partnership with Neuro Spinal Hospital marks a significant milestone for RivExcel Health," said Tonye Princewill, CEO of RivExcel Health. "Neuro Spinal Hospital's specialization in oncology, orthopedics, neurosurgery, spinal surgery and rehabilitation perfectly complements our existing network of healthcare providers. We are confident that this collaboration will greatly benefit our patients by providing them with access to world-class medical expertise and cutting-edge treatment options."



Through this partnership, RivExcel Health will offer patients seeking the latest treatment options, a seamless and comprehensive experience. In addition to connecting patients with Neuro Spinal Hospital's highly skilled specialists, RivExcel Health will provide personalized assistance with travel



arrangements, visa applications, language interpretation services, accommodation, and overall patient comfort. This holistic approach ensures that patients can focus on their health and well- being while receiving top-quality medical care in Dubai.



RivExcel Health and Neuro Spinal Hospital are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of patient safety, quality of care, and ethical practices. By combining their expertise and resources, both organizations aim to provide patients with unmatched medical solutions and an unparalleled experience throughout their medical journey.



About RivExcel Health



RivExcel Health is an international medical tourism facilitator that connects patients from Africa with reputable healthcare providers across the globe. With a commitment to exceptional patient care, RivExcel Health offers a wide range of medical solutions and personalized services, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience for patients seeking treatment in Dubai. The website www.rivexcelhealth.com is simple and easy to navigate. A perfect gateway to all your medical needs.

Source: Peacefmonline









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Charles Owusu has condemned the LGBTQ+ community for trying to impose their practices on Ghanaians.



The former Head of Monitoring Unit at Forestry Commission has expressed disgust at those insisting that the LGBTQ+ community should be allowed to freely and publicly engage in their homosexual acts without any legislation criminalizing their activities.



Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' show, Charles Owusu applauded the Members of Parliament for adopting the anti-gay bill which is yet to be passed into law to check the LGBTQ+ community and their related activities.



All 275 Members of Parliament, on Wednesday, July 5, accepted the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022 which is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values and ban lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and related activities.



When this bill comes into effect, any person caught in homosexual act will face criminal charges and may end up in jail.



Charles Owusu was happy that the MPs have agreed to pass this bill stressing homosexuality is demonic.



" . . When in this world can a minority group say we should make a law for the minority group to dominate the majority? I've never heard that thing before. So, it is a demonic thing!"



He stressed that no member of the LGBTQ+ community should be subjected to physical harm or any form of torture, however, Ghana won't allow them to practice their demonic acts.



"We won't beat them but we must prevent any person from saying he is a homosexual or lesbian or a tree . . . what sort of madness is this?"



Watch video below





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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The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin, has said that there was the need for the three arms of government to work together and respect each others decisions on national issues.



In cases of doubt, it is important to consult before giving finality to whatever decision the other arm wants to take.



And I do not think that it is proper for the Judiciary to, without knowing how we conduct our business here, go into how we conduct business and make such an important decision, he added.



The Speaker further described the conduct of the Judiciary as improper and I have made this known to them and I want it to be known publicly for the benefit of the country. We need to work expeditiously to rectify the wrong.



Mr Bagbin was speaking after presentation and the first reading of the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023, by the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, on the floor of Parliament on Thursday (July 6, 2023).



The new bill will amend the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) by substituting section 43 to empower the Interior Minister to grant licence for the cultivation of cannabis which has not more than 0.3 per cent Tetrahydrocannabinol content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes such as obtaining fibre or seed or for medicinal purposes.



Supreme Court decision



On July 28, 2022, the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional a section of the Narcotic Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) which allows licence to be granted to an entity to cultivate a small quantity of cannabis, locally referred to as "wee" for industrial and medicinal purposes.



In a 4-3 majority decision, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court held that Section 43 of Act 1019 violated Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution, which details the processes a bill must go through before it was passed into law by Parliament, and was, therefore, declared null and void.



Review



However, after the presentation and first reading of the new amendment bill, the Speaker said Parliament will not review the decision of the Supreme Court.



He said what the House will correct an error and reinstate the right provisions.



The Speaker, therefore, referred the bill to the Committee on Defence and Interior for consideration to be reported back to the House within one week.



He also directed the leadership of the Committee on Constitutional, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs, as well as the Committee on Health to attend the meetings of the Defence and Interior Committee to ensure that the report captures all aspects or perspectives of the subject matter.



Rationale



Explaining the rationale behind the move to amend Act 1019, Mr Dery said it had become necessary because of the majority decision in the case of Ezuame Mannan vs the Attorney-General and the Speaker of Parliament on July 27, 2022.



In the said majority decision by the apex court, it was declared that section 43 of Act 1019 was unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void.



Mr Speaker, permit to say that I respect the decision of the Supreme Court but I do not agree with it.



Mr Speaker, the reason that has been given was that section 43 had not been debated before this House when the House was passing Act 1019, he said.



Mr Dery explained that whenever a Speaker of the House states a matter was for the consideration of the House, it was open for debate and that the debate was not only when opposing views were expressed.



At the end of it, when contrary views are expressed, the Speaker then puts the question for those in favour to say Ayes and those who are not in favour to say No.



So, consensus is part of the debate and, therefore, it was wrong for the Supreme Court to say that it was in violation of article 106 of the Constitution, he said.



The minister also told the House that Act 1019 did not seek to legalise narcotics in Ghana.



He said the move was for Ghana to move in tandem with modern approach to the production of cannabis to specific specification for industrial and medicinal use.



Such move, he said, had actually been adopted by a number of African countries, including South, Lesotho, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Gambia and Malawi.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Leading candidate for the NPP's Presidential Primaries Hon. Alan Kyerematen today, Wednesday, 5th July, 2023, asked delegates of the party to choose him as their presidential candidate as he stands the best chance of winning the presidency in 2024.



Speaking to party delegates on the second day of his cluster meetings with delegates at Dome-Kwabenya and Ayawaso West Wuogon, the he seasoned politician said his track record in both the party and government makes him the best among all the other flagbearer aspirants.



The former Trade and Industry Minister cited his innovative works that birthed the Presidential Special Initiatives and the 1D1F programme as evidence of the transformation that he could bring to the nation when given the nod.



The industrial expert mentioned his unblemished persona in political life and hardworking as some of the features that stands him apart from the others.



NDC cannot Attack Alan because He is Clean - Amewu



Honorable John Peter Amewu, the Member of Parliament for Hohoe, on Wednesday, 5th July, 2023 praised the impeccable reputation and of Honorable Alan Kyerematen at a campaign event at the UPSA Conference Hall in Madina, Accra.



Speaking on the second day of Hon Kyerematen's "delegates cluster meetings", Hon Amewu, also Minister for Railways Development, urged delegates to rally behind Alan to save the party from unwanted personal attacks on their presidential candidate by the NDC.



The event served as a platform for NPP delegates from Adenta, Madina and Shai Osu Doku, to engage constructively with Hon Kyerematen, frontrunner in the NPP flagbearer race, on his plans for the party and nation at large.



Hon Amewu encouraged NPP delegates to endorse the candidacy of the former Minister of Trade and Industry in order to counter the forthcoming NDC propaganda which could affect the fortunes of the party in the 2024 elections.



Addressing the delegates, he said the fact that the NDC cannot find any derogatory evidence against Hon Kyerematen is sufficient grounds for party delegates to endorse him.



He called on the party machinery to look beyond the internal primaries to the larger contest with the NDC, the main opposition to the aim of 'breaking the 8'.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
The facts are beginning to emerge from Alan Kyerematen's cluster delegates-durbar meetings, which currently, has taken over political conversations throughout the country.



Day two of his tour of Greater Accra to sell his message of hope and prosperity with NPP delegates saw him stop over at the Atomic Park in the Kwabenya where he met with delegates of the Dome-Kwabenya and Ayawaso West Wuogon constituencies. It was here that leading members of the NPP gave Alan's political history in the NPP and why, it was time for him to lead the elephant party to the 2024 elections.



Significantly, it was NPP stalwarts, some founding members, who set the records straight about the deep-seated commitment of the former Trade and Minister to the cause of the NPP.



Seasoned lawyer, Ayikoi Otoo, who served as Attorney-Generalbame Minister for Justice under President Agyekum Kufuor, and recently as High Commissioner under sitting President Nana Addo, was first to tell delegates the important role Alan played in the formation of the NPP.



Ayikoi Otoo reminded NPP delegates that Mr Kyerematen was a founding member of the NPP and President of the Young Executives Forum which was the major source of funding for the new party during its fledgling early days.



As a conservative party that rewards loyalty, longevity and commitment, the eminent jurist was telling NPP delegates that such quality was very paramount in the selection of the party's presidential candidate.



Both Presidents Kufuor and Akufo Addo, benefitted from such conservative oreintation of the NPP. That orderliness, made the choices of Kufuor and Akufo Addo very succinct and clear for NPP delegates when the two were contesting for the NPP presidential nomination.



Indeed, after losing the national election in 1996, the NPP kept faith with Kufuor by voting for him again in 1998 to become the presidential candidate in the 2000 general elections which he won to become President of the nation.



After losing the 2008 and 2012 national elections, the NPP still retained Akufo Addo by voting for him to lead the NPP as its presidential candidate in the 2016 elections which he overwhelmingly won.



The Kufuor, Akufo Addo stories did not occur by default. They were part of the conservative disposition of the NPP, which has evolved from a convention that the party rewards

long serving officials.



It is from this mindset that the tag 'Aduro No So', to wit, the time has come for you, was birthed and used to galvanize then candidate Nana Addo to victory in 2016.



In the case of the current sitting President, Aduro No So, metamorized into 'Ye Nim Nana firi Tete', loosely translated, we have known Nana from a long distance.



It is believed it was on the basis of this stated narrative that Ayikoi Otoo took his time to give the historical antecedent of Alan to the formation of the NPP.



The former Mayor of KMA, Mrs Patricia Appeagyei also underscored the inclusive nature of Alan's campaign.



In her view, every delegate of NPP Ayawaso West Wougon, where Hon Kyerematen recipes, is a manager of the his campaign to help him win to bring honour to the constituency.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Presidential hopeful, Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen has disclosed that he is the only candidate that can help the NPP win all four regionsn where they have not been doing well.



Unlike the Ashanti Region where the NPP pulls the largest number of votes, the Greater Accra, Central, Western and particularly, the Volta Region have not been too favourable to the NPP.



In the case of the Volta Region for instance, it took the NPP close to 30 years to win a single parliamentary seat in the Hohoe constituency currently through the sitting Member of Parliament (MP), Peter Amewu.



Significantly, Amewu is a staunch supporter of Alan's bid to lead the NPP in 2024.



The Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions have proven very unpredictable and any candidate that is able to garner a sizable amount of votes in these regions stands the chance of winning the national elections.



With the 2024 elections proving tough for the NPP because of the harsh economic situation in the country, Alan believes he is the only candidate that can win more votes in these regions for the party.



In his view, his high approval rating in these regions makes him the obvious choice for the people of the four regions.



Mr Kyerematen gave the assurance on his campaign tour of the Greater Accra region where he met party delegates and constituencies in cluster meetings. He met delegates at Prampram, Ada, Sege constituencies



As part of the cluster engagements party delegates from Madina, Adentan and Shai Osudoku constituencies converged at the University for Professional Studies, Accra where they were addressed by Mr Kyerematen.



Alan said: "I am the only one that can win Greater Accra, Central, Western and Volta Regions for the NPP as the people of these regions are rooting for me to become the flagbearer of the NPP in 2024.



The former Trade Minister insisted that he remained the only hope for the NPP to break the eight-year political cycle in the country.



He thus called on the delegates to select a flagbearer who could easily become the next president of the country.



Mr Kyerematen urged the delegates to listen to the partys grassroots who are over six million, and vote for their candidate to lead the party into the next general election.

As I said, delegates must not only look at their personal benefit but the wider interest of members who put them there, he said.



Mr Kyerematen also called on the delegates to vote for a candidate who had the welfare of the members at heart.



He pledged to enhance the welfare and opportunities for constituency executives when given the nod to lead the party to victory in the national election.



He stated that he was the only NPP political figure who would be able to dilute the votes of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Volta region because of his appeal to the people in that part of the country.



Mr John Peter Amewu, Minister for Railway Development who was on the campaign trail, told the delegates that electing Mr Kyerematen as the flagbearer of the party would make it far easier for the NPP to break the eight.



He said of all the candidates vying to lead the NPP, Mr Kyerematen was the least attacked by opponents because he had a clean record whilst in office.



We are presenting to you a candidate that would make our work very easy I am from the Volta Region, and I am saying the love for Alan in the region is huge and he is the one that can break the dominance of the NDC in the region he added.



Mr Sylvester Tetteh, Member of Parliament (MP) for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfrom touted the achievements of Mr Kyerematen, particularly his spearheading of the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) under former President Kufuor and President Akufo-Addo's industrialization agenda.



He also maintained that Mr Kyerematen was the best candidate to win the 2024 election for the NPP and urged the delegates to give him the nod at the partys National Delegates Conference in November.



The NPP is expected to hold a special conference of 900 delegates to trim down the number of its presidential aspirants from nine to five, ahead of its National Congress on November 4, 2023, where over 200,000 delegates would choose the partys flagbearer to lead the party to the 2024 general elections.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Michael Tetteh-Eku, the Chairman of the Ningo-Prampram Constituency of the NPP, has expressed his unwavering support for Alan Kyerematen, as the presidential candidate for the party in the upcoming primaries to victory in 2024.



Tetteh-Eku, a prominent figure within the party, cited Alan's exceptional leadership qualities, extensive experience, and deep understanding of the nation's challenges as reasons for his endorsement.



According to him, Alan's track record of service to the party and the nation demonstrates his commitment to delivering positive change for the Ghanaians.



The Chairman praised Alan's ability to connect with people from all walks of life, highlighting his charisma and approachability. Tetteh-Eku believes that Alan's inclusive leadership style will resonate with the electorate and unite the party behind a common goal of progress and development.



Furthermore, Tetteh-Eku acknowledged Alan's successful tenure as a Minister of Trade and Industry and his instrumental role in the implementation of key policies that have positively impacted the lives of Ghanaians.



He emphasized that Alan's proven track record of effective governance, positions him as the ideal candidate to build on the achievements of the current NPP administration and to address the pressing issues facing the nation.



As the Chairman of the Ningo-Prampram Constituency, Tetteh-Eku pledged to rally support for Alan's candidacy, mobilizing party members and constituents to ensure a resounding victory in the 2024 elections. He called upon party faithfuls across the country to unite and work tirelessly to secure the NPP's success under Alan's leadership.



Tetteh-Eku's endorsement carries significant weight within the NPP, given his influential position and deep understanding of the party's dynamics. His declaration further amplifies the growing momentum behind Alan's candidacy and sets the stage for a spirited campaign leading up to the 2024 elections.



The Chairman's endorsement of Alan as the best man to secure NPP victory in 2024 sends a strong message to party members and supporters nationwide. It reflects the belief that Alan's vision, competence, and dedication make him the ideal choice to lead the NPP into a new era of progress and prosperity for 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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Protection efforts see golden snub-nosed monkeys thrive

China Daily) 09:11, July 07, 2023

A group of golden snub-nosed monkeys sits on branches in Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan province. TANG YULIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

Editor's note: As protection of the planet's flora, fauna and resources becomes increasingly important, China Daily is publishing a series of stories to illustrate the country's commitment to safeguarding the natural world.

The status of one of China's best-loved primates has recently been lowered from 'vulnerable' to 'near threatened'. Yan Dongjie reports from Jiuzhaigou, Sichuan.

The Tang family has lived in Taiping, a village in the Baihe River National Nature Reserve, Jiuzhaigou county, Sichuan province, for many generations. The villagers have lived alongside golden snub-nosed monkeys for centuries, enjoying a harmonious relationship with the animals and passing down many legends.

"It is said that in ancient times, when a hunter aimed his gun at a monkey, she reflexively grabbed her infant and turned her back to the hunter, as if to say, 'Don't shoot my child.' This legend has been passed down, so local people have never hunted golden snub-nosed monkeys and the animals have settled in this area," Tang Yulin said. "Every villager loves the monkeys. It's a tradition."

Tang Yulin plays with some monkeys. CHINA DAILY

Tang observed the golden snub-nosed monkeys with his father and great-uncle, who worked in the reserve when he was a child. He believes that, much like humans, the monkeys experience various emotions, to which he is deeply attuned.

He thinks that their calls indicate at least seven emotions: "Pupu" signals laughter; "Jiajia" indicates alarm; "Aiai" is a greeting; "Guga" shows fear; "Wawa" is flirtatious; "Wuwu" suggests happiness; and "Wowo" is the monkey version of shouting.

"Your photos haven't captured the monkeys' beauty. Look how stunning they are," Tang told me, when I visited.

During our conversation, his every word and every gesture reflected his love of the monkeys, as well as his desire for more people to understand and protect them.

Golden monkey Yuli, who was named by Tang Yulin, sits on a branch. TANG YULIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

Long-term commitment

When the Baihe River National Nature Reserve was established in the 1960s, Tang's great-uncle was one of the first staff members to move there. He spent more than 20 years in the reserve, patrolling the mountains every day, keeping an eye on the monkeys' health, preventing fires and protecting the environment.

Influenced by his family, Tang's father also became a golden monkey expert and worked at the reserve for more than 20 years. Tang is the third generation of his family to work as a forest ranger in the reserve.

He knows every type of plant and tree in the reserve, which has earned him the nickname "the living map".

He said the reserve covers more than 16,000 hectares, while the most recent "census" showed that there were roughly 1,700 golden snub-nosed monkeys living there. They are divided into six communities, each of which is similar to a human village and consists of several families.

Located in Jiuzhaigou county, the reserve overlaps significantly with the Giant Panda National Park, which was established in 2017 as a pilot program.

"There are many nationally protected wild animals in the reserve, such as black bears, antelopes, Tibetan gazelles and giant pandas," Tang said.

"There are also several species of birds under level one State protection, such as Chinese monals and golden eagles."

The golden snub-nosed monkey gets its name from its upturned nose, and is divided into five species: the Sichuan golden monkey; the Yunnan golden monkey; the Guizhou golden monkey; the Nujiang golden monkey; and the Vietnamese golden monkey.

The first three species on the list are unique to China.

Golen monkey Tianye climbs a tree. TANG YULIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

On May 22, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment and the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly released the Red List of China's Biodiversity: Vertebrate (2020), which downgraded the Sichuan golden monkey's status from "vulnerable" to "near threatened".

The list shows that through the collective efforts of various protection zones in China, the number of Sichuan golden monkeys in the wild has risen from 14,000 in 2002 to about 25,000, while the population's distribution has expanded significantly, which illustrates the success of the conservation efforts.

Tang said that the Baihe reserve has a humid climate and lush vegetation, which serves as a rich source of food for the monkeys, who mainly eat wild plants, fruit and vegetables. They consume tender tree leaves in spring, wild fruit in autumn and tree bark to survive the harsh winter.

"So, protecting the environment here is the best way to protect the Sichuan golden monkey. Fire prevention is a major focus," Tang said, noting that no fires have been reported at the Baihe reserve for more than 40 years.

Two golden snub-nosed monkeys sit on a tree in Jiuzhaigou. TANG YULIN/FOR CHINA DAILY

Tightknit species

Tang said that the Sichuan golden monkey is a very tightknit species, and whenever they are attacked by enemies, they fight together.

"On several occasions, I have seen that when a golden eagle tried to catch a monkey, all the monkeys made screeching noises and kept jumping at it one after another to drive it away. Also, when a monkey is injured, others in the group will take care of it," he said.

He recalled that when experts from China and the United States came to the reserve in 1996 to watch and study the monkeys, he helped them observe and record the animals' behavior, gaining a slew of professional knowledge in the process.

"Our camp was located at an altitude of 2,500 meters, and the monkeys lived very close to us, about 300 to 400 meters away. We used binoculars to observe them. I saw that five monkeys were huddled together in the trees every day and did not move. Later, I discovered that the monkey in the middle was sick, and the others were protecting and taking care of him," he said.

Tang said the realization that Sichuan golden monkeys are just like humans  showing emotions and protecting their companions  has deepened his fascination with the species.

Today, the number of Sichuan golden monkeys in the reserve has doubled, compared with the 1980s. Tang said that in addition to protecting the animals, he is thinking about how he can use the reserve's unique natural resources to bring financial benefits to the local people.

However, Mo Cheng, director of the Baihe River National Nature Reserve, struck a note of caution.

"We are very conflicted. The tourism resources here are very good, and we want to open up and bring benefits to the local people, but we are also reluctant to develop because we don't want to damage the plants and animals," he said.

"With the advance of science and technology, we can gradually achieve some reasonable development while ensuring the protection of the environment. That gives us new hope."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Ever worried about someone else other than you having the authority to activate your phone features for surveillance? Well, the people in France are about to know exactly how it is like.

French lawmakers have signed a justice reform bill that now allows the police to spy on suspects remotely by activating cameras, microphones, and GPS on various devices.

The bill includes devices such as phones, laptops, and even cars, which will only apply to suspects with crimes that are punishable by a minimum of five years in jail.

French Parliament Widens Police Powers

This is not the first time that the parliament has made an effort to expand what the country's police can and cannot do.

In 2021, the parliament passed a security bill that allowed the usage of drones in monitoring citizens in public.

The security bill came as a result of increasing police brutality and racism in France.

The French government also toughened the sentence for violent protestors and people guilty of assaulting police officers.

Related Article: French Government Uses AI to Spot Undeclared Swimming Pools in Aerial Photos

Civil Groups Alarmed Againts new French Bill

French advocacy group La Quadrature du Net warns about the dangers of the new bill.

"For organized crime, the police can have access to the sound and image of a device. This concerns any connected device: telephone, speaker microphone, computer camera, computer system of a car... all without the knowledge of the persons concerned," the group tweeted.

Despite the public criticism, Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti claimed that the new provision would "only affect a few dozen cases per year."

Read Also: Hyundai Car Owners in France and Italy Affected by Data Breach
Energy Minister and Member of Parliament for Manhyia South, Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh has assured Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the total support of delegates of Manhyia South for him in the upcoming NPP Special Delegates Congress and subsequently the National Delegates Congress.



Speaking at a meeting of NPP delegates of the constituency with Dr. Bawumia on Thursday, 6th July, 2023 at the Ash Town Apostolic Church, Dr. Prempeh told why the delegates should vote for Dr. Bawuimia saying the Vice Presidents sterling qualities, experience, deep loyalty and sacrifices for the NPP makes him the partys best foot going into the 2024 elections.



According to the Energy Minister, the partys quest at clinching a 3rd-term electoral victory, popularly known in the NPP parlance as "breaking the 8" can only be possible with Dr. Bawumia; given his character to unite the entire Ghanaian society and all persons from different religious backgrounds.



The Vice President has served well as Vice President, defending the programmes and policies of our government and remains the only existential threat to the electoral fortunes of John Mahama and the NDC, of all the candidates vying for the flagbearership slot, he said.



Dr. Prempeh added that, since his grandfather, the Otumfuo Asantehene, has publicly announced Dr. Bawumia is his son; it means Dr. Bawumia is his (Dr. Prempeh) father, so he cannot support any candidate in the contest other than his father (Bawumia).



The Vice President is in the Ashanti Region, the NPPs stronghold, for the next 11 days where he will be speaking to delegates in the 47 constituencies to solicit their votes and to tell them why he is the best among all the candidates vying for the partys flagbearer position.

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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An Africa-first money remittance platform based in the United Kingdom, OA Pay, has announced Ghanaian music icon, TiC, as their brand ambassador.



OA Pay, a registered trademark of One Africa Technologies Ltd, prides itself as an authentic home-grown remittance platform regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK.



The collaboration will enable the Ghanaian music powerhouse become the face of the business, spearheading campaigns, execute informative initiatives and other activities of OA Pay.



TiC expressed his excitement on the collaboration and conveys that he is delighted to be a part of OA Pay's growth journey, taking into account the achievement and the impact he has made through his music career in Ghana, Nigeria, UK, US and other parts of the world.



TiC added that this opportunity provides a platform for him to facilitate connections between Ghanaians residing both at home and abroad with a service that is developed by Africans and for Africans.



OA Pay simply understands and resonates with the African settings and narrative.



Getting access to an efficient remittance platform has become crucial in this digital age, therefore the need for a fast, convenient, reliable and easy approach to how people can send and receive money with the best rates in the market, TiC stated.



He encouraged families in Ghana, Nigeria, UK and US to use the app and further urged them to get involved because it is reliable.



Using the platform comes with some bonuses among others which benefits the users, besides the seamless service from OA Pay, he said.



He also disclosed using the platform multiple times in the UK and attested that the platform has been built to address the gap in money remittance services and foster financial inclusivity.



TiC stressed the platform's features and vision makes him thrilled to partner and represent OA Pay.



Mrs. Tracey Abiola, the CEO of OA Pay, also shared her excitement in having TiC partner with his extensive and genuine experiences in Africa.



The CEO mentioned TiC's brand as highly regarded and respected in Ghana and internationally and his acceptance of their offer demonstrates the valuable contribution he brings to the table.



OA Pay is a money remittance platform with absolutely no hidden fees or commissions, offering the highest transfer rates and with transfers communicated via real-time alerts without any middlemen and the best of all, you can use the app while on holiday in Africa for payment of your goods and services.



The company also actively participates in supporting social causes and welfare of the local communities in the continent.



Visit https://pay.oneafrica.io/home for more information.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Featured Video
" " Lilly Ledbetter speaks during the Democratic National Convention in September, 2012. Despite losing her 2007 Supreme Court case, Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, she eventually did "win" when President Barack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. Alex Wong/Getty Images

Anyone who saw the documentary "RBG" probably remembers the assertive Alabama drawl of Lilly Ledbetter, the plaintiff in this important case of employment discrimination. Over the course of her nearly two-decade career at the Goodyear plant in Gadsden, Alabama, Ledbetter faced sexual harassment and was told by her employer that women shouldn't be working there. (Ledbetter was one of just a few female supervisors).

Because salaried employees were given or denied raises based on performance evaluations, Ledbetter believed she was being shortchanged compared to her male counterparts. Goodyear forbade employees to discuss pay, so Ledbetter didn't have solid proof of any sex-based discrimination until she received an anonymous note listing the salaries of three male managers. That's when she learned she'd been paid 40 percent less than the men with equal jobs in her division [sources: NWLC, Dvorak].

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Ledbetter filed suit after her November 1998, retirement and claimed discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin and religion. The District Court awarded Ledbetter over $3.5 million in back pay and damages (which the judge later reduced to $360,000). But upon appeal, Goodyear argued that "the pay discrimination claim was time barred with regard to all pay decisions made before September 26, 1997  180 days before Ledbetter filed her EEOC questionnaire  and that no discriminatory act relating to her pay occurred after that date."

The Eleventh Circuit reversed the decision, agreeing that for Ledbetter's claims to hold up in court, the alleged discriminatory events would have had to occur within the 180-day-period before her filing. And while there were two pay decisions made during that period, the court felt "there was insufficient evidence to prove that Goodyear had acted with discriminatory intent" during that time [sources: AAUW, LLI].

When the case made it to the Supreme Court, the justices had to decide whether a plaintiff is allowed to bring an action under Title VII when the illegal pay discrimination they're alleging occurred outside the statutory limitations period. The court voted 5-4 to uphold the ruling that discriminatory intent must occur during the 180-day statutory period, so Ledbetter had missed her window.

Ginsburg wrote a passionate dissent, arguing that "pay disparities often occur, as they did in Ledbetter's case, in small increments; cause to suspect that discrimination is at work develops only over time. Comparative pay information, moreover, is often hidden from the employee's view. Employers may keep under wraps the pay differentials maintained among supervisors, no less the reasons for those differentials. Small initial discrepancies may not be seen as meet for a federal case, particularly when the employee, trying to succeed in a nontraditional environment, is averse to making waves" [sources: Bowman, Justia].

While the case didn't turn out as Ledbetter's supporters had hoped, it went on to make history: On Jan. 29, 2009, President Barrack Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 as the first piece of legislation of his administration. The law overturned the Supreme Court's decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and states that each paycheck containing discriminatory compensation is a separate violation  no matter when that discrimination began [source: EEOC].
" " A classified document awaits the perusal of the president on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office in Washington, D.C. Pete Souza/The White House/Getty Images

Over the decades, the U.S. government has generated almost unimaginably vast quantities of documents  possibly in the hundreds of millions  containing information that officials deemed too sensitive to be made public. It's a trove of information that contains, in bits and pieces, a hidden history of wars and diplomacy, of spies and secret weapons and presidents' most fateful decisions.

"Declassified government documents are absolutely vital to our understanding of the history of U.S. national security policy," Jon DiCicco, professor of political science and international relations, Middle Tennessee State University, explains via email. "Such documents are windows into the inner workings of the U.S. government and national security establishment."

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Sometimes, they can take many years to surface. Back in 2011, for example, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) finally declassified what it said were the U.S. government's oldest classified documents, one of which had been secret since 1917. The papers, which described methods for creating invisible ink and opening sealed letters, were deemed releasable because "recent advancements in technology" made the information no longer sensitive, then-CIA director Leon Panetta explained at the time.

Most classified documents aren't supposed to stay hidden forever. A 2009 executive order issued by then-President Barack Obama generally compels classified documents to be marked for automatic declassification 10 to 25 years after release  though a few exceptions, such as information that identifies a confidential human intelligence source or design details for weapons of mass destruction, can be kept from public view indefinitely.

"The burden is on the intelligence agency that produced the intelligence," says Larry Pfeiffer. He's a 32-year veteran of the U.S. intelligence community who now is director of the Michael V. Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy and International Security at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government. "If they want to keep it classified, they have to have some very compelling reasons to do it."

The government has so many secrets that sifting through them and figuring out what is eligible for release is a daunting task. In 2017, the most recent year for which statistics are available, federal agencies reviewed 83.8 million documents, of which 46 million  slightly more than half  were declassified.

Pfeiffer says that declassification actually benefits U.S. intelligence agencies, because it helps the American public to understand what U.S. intelligence agencies do, and why their mission is important.

"The [public] tolerance for the secrecy of these organizations has become smaller," Pfeiffer says. "There's a demand by people to have a greater understanding of what their intelligence agencies actually are up to ... And the intelligence agencies are incredibly powerful and outrageously secret. So over time, for the intelligence community to continue to be able to do the great work it does to protect America, it needs to have the trust of the American people. And, in order to obtain that trust, we need to be willing to kind of lift the skirt a little bit and show people what we're really up to."

Here are six surprising revelations that have emerged in recent years from declassified documents. Many are available from the website of George Washington University's National Security Archive, an organization of journalists and scholars that has amassed what may be the largest collections of formerly secret government information.
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

Catherine Nakalembe, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, has recently published a paper about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa in Environmental Research Letters.

This interview is part of a series featuring researchers who have published their work open access through a transformative agreement with IOP Publishing, and part of our celebration of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy's Year of Open Science. Transformative agreements enable researchers to publish their work openly for anyone to read at no cost to them because the costs of publishing are paid directly by their university, in this case the University of Maryland.

Can you tell us about your latest findings and how your work will help address the climate crisis?

The work on AI and Earth Observations (AI-EO) for agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to help address the climate crisis in several ways. By providing accurate and timely information on crop yields, crop type, and land use, AI-EO technology can support the design and adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices that can help mitigate climate change. For example, AI-EO can help farmers identify areas at risk of drought or other extreme weather events and take proactive measures to protect their crops. Additionally, AI-EO can help policymakers to make informed decisions on food security and trade that can have significant environmental implications.

By promoting more sustainable agricultural practices and improving access to climate-smart technologies, AI-EO can reduce the environmental costs of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute to global efforts to address the climate crisis.

What was the most challenging element of your study?

One of the most challenging aspects of this study was striking the right balance between being concise and conveying critical points effectively. As an opinion article, we had to ensure that our arguments were compelling and well-supported while also being mindful of our word count. This required us to carefully consider every word and sentence and make difficult choices about what to include and leave out.

Additionally, because we were writing about a complex and nuanced topic, we had to ensure that our arguments were clear and accessible to many readers. Achieving this balance took a lot of time and effort but ensuring that our article was impactful and influential in addressing the climate crisis was crucial.

The research was published open access, what made you decide to do that?

Open access has the highest potential for impact and ultimately, reaching a broader community was the intended audience for the paper.

More information: Catherine Nakalembe et al, Considerations for AI-EO for agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, Environmental Research Letters (2023). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/acc476 Journal information: Environmental Research Letters
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Image of asteroid 243 Ida, taken by the Galileo spacecraft. Despite being about ten times larger than asteroid 32599 Pedromachado, 243 Ida is also found in the Asteroid Belt. Credit: NASA/JPLV

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named an asteroid after Pedro Machado, astrophysicist at Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences (IA), at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (Portugal). Along with the nomination of Pedro Machado, there were over a hundred other nominations of asteroids and other small bodies.

It is almost three kilometers in diameter and takes four and a half years to complete its orbit around the sun. We're talking about 2001 QL160, or rather the asteroid 32599 Pedromachado. Pedro Machado has been honored by the Work group for the Nomenclature of Small Bodies (WGSBN 2) of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) with the attribution of his name to an asteroid.

The announcement was made at the Asteroids, Comets, Meteors (ACM) Conference, which took place in Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S., and was published in the WGSBN Bulletin.

Pedro Machado is a specialist in planetary atmospheres, but this is a recognition for his contribution to another field of study of the solar system: the detection and characterization of asteroids and other objects that lie beyond Neptune's orbit, called trans-Neptunians. In some cases, this work crosses the study of planetary atmospheres, as it involves the study of regions of transition between the atmosphere and outer space, the so-called exospheres, in which particles are lost out into space.

"It is an unexpected honor and a great satisfaction to see my name on the list of new asteroids," says Pedro Machado. "I am very grateful for this recognition of my work by the scientific community," adds the researcher.

32599 Pedromachado orbits the sun between the planets Mars and Jupiter, in the region known as the Asteroid Belt. It was discovered in 2001 through the Lowell Observatory program Near-Earth-Object Search (LONEOS) by NASA and Lowell Observatory, for the detection of spatial objects in near-Earth orbits.

According to the process of naming astronomical objects, this asteroid was initially assigned a provisional name, 2001 QL160, which includes the year of discovery, as well as letters and numbers denoting the day of the year and order of the discovery. After determining its orbit reliably, it received the definitive designation of 32599 by the IAU Minor Planet Center. Only from that moment on could be proposed a name for this asteroid for evaluation by the Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclatures.

With this attribution, Pedro Machado joins other IA researchers, Nuno Peixinho (IA and University of Coimbra, Portugal) and Pedro Lacerda (Instituto Pedro Nunes and IA, Portugal), who also saw their work recognized with the attribution of their names to asteroids 40210 Peixinho and 10694 Lacerda.

Provided by Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon
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The X-Polli:Nation citizen science cycle (middle) with illustrative photographs taken in a participating school. Credit: Citizen Science: Theory and Practice (2023). DOI: 10.5334/cstp.567

Researchers from Imperial College London and schools in the UK and Italy have co-developed a set of citizen science tools for school pupils to monitor pollinators including butterflies, bumblebees and beetles.

The projectX-POLLI:NATIONsaw students and teachers in the UK and Italy share insights so that researchers could adapt citizen science tasks to suit a younger audience.

This empowered students to be able to collect vital data about pollinators, including their feeding preferences, with the help of field guides and forms developed for a younger audience.

Dr. Poppy Lakeman Fraser, Senior Project Coordinator in the Centre for Environmental Policy, said, "There is a lack of information in the curriculum and opportunities for young people to contribute at a local level to global UN targets, so it is incredibly important for projects like this to be embedded into the curriculum, both across the UK and internationally. This can empower the next generation of scientists to take action and address global challenges in an engaging and impactful way."

"This tool ensures no one is left behind as it can be developed to suit students of all abilities, skillsets and ages. The next steps would be to see this implemented nationwide."

The findings are published in the journal Citizen Science: Theory and Practice.

More information: Poppy Lakeman Fraser et al, X-Polli:Nation: Contributing Towards Sustainable Development Goals Through School-Based Pollinator Citizen Science, Citizen Science: Theory and Practice (2023). DOI: 10.5334/cstp.567
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Graphical abstract. Credit: Science Bulletin (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.04.037

In a warming climate, the sustainability of cryospheric meltwater on the Tibetan Plateau has raised concerns because of its importance for the fragile ecosystem in the headwater regions and the dense populations in the downstream. Existing studies mainly focused on glacier melt and snow melt on the Tibetan Plateau, which are above the ground surface can be detected from the surface using in-situ or satellite observations. However, the hydrological implications of thawing permafrost below the ground surface remain largely unknown.

This study was led by Dr. Taihua Wang and Dr. Dawen Yang (Tsinghua University), together with experts in the field of both permafrost and glacier including Dr. Tandong Yao, Dr. Xin Li (Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Dr. Guodong Cheng and Dr. Huijun Jin (Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences).

"For the study of permafrost hydrology changes, the ground surface observations have to be combined with physically-based models to examine what is happening below the ground surface," Taihua says. Therefore, a hydrological model that could reflect the complex interactions between cryospheric and hydrological processes is urgently needed.

The research group led by Dr. Dawen Yang has endeavored to develop such a model for years. Twenty years ago, Dr. Dawen Yang developed a distributed hydrological model named "Geomorphology-Based Hydrological Model (GBHM)". In 2010, Dr. Dawen Yang participated in a major research plan entitled "Integrated research on the eco-hydrological process of the Heihe River Basin" led by Dr. Guodong Cheng.

With the support of the research plan and collaboration with experts from different disciplines, the distributed Geomorphology-Based Ecohydrological Model (GBEHM) was developed, which could simulate the coupled water-heat processes and has been successfully applied in many headwater regions of the Tibetan Plateau.

Another challenge of relevant study is the limited data on the Tibetan Plateau. Thanks to recent accumulation of both in-situ and satellite observations, as well as the enhanced geoscience data sharing through platforms like the National Tibetan Plateau Data Center led by Dr. Xin Li, the simulation can be applied to the entire Tibetan Plateau with an unprecedented high spatial resolution (1 km  1 km).

The results from the modeling study provide some novel insights into the magnitude and temporal changes of water supply from thawing permafrost and melting ground ice. Combining in-situ borehole observations with the spatial distribution of depositional types and paleo-precipitation information, the average ground ice storage across the Tibetan Plateau is estimated to be about half the size of glacier ice storage.

However, the ground ice storage decline was almost twice the amount of glacier mass loss during 1980-2019, indicating a more severe decline in the subsurface ice reserve than the above-surface one at the plateau scale, although the former one has received much less attention.

By tracing the meltwater flow paths, the study also quantifies the ground ice meltwater contribution to river runoff. Despite the relatively small contribution at the plateau scale (~0.5%), the ground ice meltwater runoff can be locally important and larger than that from glacier melt in many sub-regions including the upper Yellow, the upper Yangtze and the Qiangtang Plateau.

However, the meltwater runoff from thawing permafrost is unsustainable over the coming decades, which could possibly threaten water security in certain regions relying on water supply from thawing permafrost. "This is similar to previous findings of unsustainable meltwater supply from glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau. The impacts could be more evident in arid regions and dry years, and we have to get prepared for this additional risk caused by unsustainable cryospheric meltwater supply," Taihua says.

Despite uncertainties in the results of the study, the findings highlight the rarely examined yet non-negligible role of permafrost thaw and ground ice meltwater for the Asian water tower. In the future, high-resolution remote sensing observations and more publicly available in-situ observations across the Tibetan Plateau can be adopted to further reduce the uncertainty in the estimates.

The impact of unsustainable cryospheric meltwater on the fragile alpine ecosystem and regional carbon budget on the Tibetan Plateau can also be examined by future studies.

The findings are published in the journal Science Bulletin.

More information: Taihua Wang et al, Unsustainable water supply from thawing permafrost on the Tibetan Plateau in a changing climate, Science Bulletin (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2023.04.037
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

For many, nature-based solutions and climate-resilient development present a "triple win" for sustainable development, climate mitigation and climate adaptation.

But while planting a mangrove forest to stabilize eroding shorelines can provide a nursery habitat for commercial fisheries and absorb energy from storm surges, it's not always a win-win-win scenario, a Northeastern professor says.

"Yes, there's that potential, but there's not that guarantee," says Laura Kuhl, an assistant professor of public policy and urban affairs. "There's also potential that these projects can be implemented in ways that can cause harm and be unjust."

So Kuhl and graduate students Alaina Kinol and Johan Arango-Quiroga are proposing a new approach to planting mangroves and building flood-resistant homes in coastal areasexamining such projects through a climate-justice lens.

"Nature-based solutions promised this triple win of sustainable development, mitigation and adaptation, and climate-resilient development is all about the triple win, as well," Kuhl says. "But for every single policy, investment and project, we have to ask if it is being framed with the questions in mind of how do we contribute to sustainable development and address climate change at the same time. We have to be thinking about the justice implications in order to achieve these triple wins."

Kinol, Arango-Quiroga and Kuhl recently published the article "Opportunities for nature-based solutions to contribute to climate-resilient development pathways" in the June edition of the journal Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability. The paper originated with a directed study on nature-based solutions (NbS), or the practice of using nature to help solve climate challengesfor example, think mangroves not sea walls for coastal protection, Kinol says.

But Kuhl and the students soon realized that issues of climate justice were as important to successful projects as funding, sound science and other factors.

"There's been a real shift in the literature in the last 10 or so years where academia has become very aware that social and environmental issues have become intertwined," Kinol says.

"I think part of the idea of climate justice is that you can't have climate action without social action, and you can't have social action that doesn't incorporate climate action."

Climate justice is not necessarily always taken into account, however.

For example, Kuhl cites the carbon marketswhere large corporations (predominantly in the global north) can offset their carbon use by purchasing resources (primarily in the global south). But while a project to reforest the Amazon might have great climate mitigation potential by sequestering a ton of carbonis it just if it's also displacing a local agricultural or indigenous community? Is it just if it enables the corporation to continue burning carbon as usual? Moreover, will it even be a successful project?

"We're proposing a framework for taking these different elements of justiceprocedural justice, restorative justice, distributional justice, recognitional justiceand saying here's the type of questions you want to ask about a nature-based solution to see if it will be just," Kuhl says. "What these specific questions will look like will vary from one context to another, but hopefully this kind of framework provides an analytical tool for people to ask those questions."

Kuhl says questions like who is benefiting from the project, where is the project being implemented, and how will it be designed, are all questions that can be applied to projects throughout the world.

"There's a lot of considerations that we bring forward in this framework," Kuhl says. "There's probably no perfect example (of a project) out there that fulfills every element of justice in a perfect way. But there's lots of examples of projects and initiatives that are doing parts of it."

The researchers' next steps are applying their climate justice framework to specific projectsa water-management project in a watershed in Colombia; and a planning project for transformational and equitable adaptation to climate change with nature-based solutions in the Boston area.

"It's the common thread through all of this," Kuhl says. "Putting justice at the center."

More information: Alaina D Kinol et al, Opportunities for nature-based solutions to contribute to climate-resilient development pathways, Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cosust.2023.101297
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Researchers from Aarhus University are comparing greenhouse gas emissions from a conventional potato crop rotation on drained peat soil with the cultivation of reed canary grass for biomass production on undrained or poorly drained peat soil. Credit: Poul Erik Lrke

Drained peat soils in Denmark account for about one-third of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.

"One of the most effective climate measures we have is to stop draining peat soils. However, this means that the land cannot be cultivated in the same way as regular agricultural soil because it would become rewetted," explains Poul Erik Lrke, a senior researcher at the Department of Agroecology at Aarhus University.

If farmers are unable to cultivate the land, it would be necessary to compensate landowners for the loss of value, which would incur significant costs for society.

"But part of the loss could actually be offset if the land is used to cultivate crops that thrive in wet conditions. At the same time, it can also reduce the risk of other natural areas being converted into agricultural land as compensation for the loss of current agricultural production on peat soil," he explains.

Three production scenarios

In a new study, Henrik Thers and other researchers from the Department of Agroecology used calculation methods typically used for life cycle assessments to investigate greenhouse gas emissions for three different cultivation scenarios.

"We used IPCC emission factors and cultivation conditions for peat soils in bogs and wet meadows," explains Thers. The study included three different scenarios, which are as follows:

Potato crop rotation on deep-drained raised bog peat soil

Perennial reed grass on undrained raised bog peat soil

Perennial reed grass on poorly drained wet meadow peat soil

The results show that greenhouse gas emissions can be significantly reduced by switching from the potato crop rotation to reed grass cultivation.

"We found that greenhouse gas emissions from the potato crop rotation in the raised bog, scenario 1, could be reduced by 35% by switching to cultivated reed grass on undrained raised bog, scenario 2," says Thers.

Furthermore, the analysis showed that greenhouse gas emissions from scenario 3, reed grass cultivated in the wet meadow, were even lower than the emissions from scenario 2. According to the researchers, this is primarily due to differences in the average annual water level.

Biomass for biogas and biorefining

If traditional potato production is replaced by reed grass production, it is also necessary to find new uses for the crops. Unlike potatoes, reed grass cannot be consumed by humans.

"On the other hand, production and harvesting of biomass on undrained peat soil can be used for various purposes in biorefineries, for biogas, or for pyrolysis, thus replacing other protein sources or the use of fossil resources. This potentially increases the calculated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when switching to grass production on undrained peat soil," explains Thers.

"Our analysis does not include the use of the harvested biomass since such an analysis can only be performed on specific end products that include all by-products. As a simplified alternative, the reduction potential is therefore calculated based on the amount of produced biomass or raw protein, which shows an additional reduction when switching from the potato crop rotation to reed grass."

The study does not include production economics, and the researchers acknowledge that reed grass production will face challenges in competing economically with potato cultivation.

Local knowledge is crucial

According to the researchers, it is not always possible to fully saturate previously drained raised bogs even if the current drainage is discontinued, but significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can still be achieved.

"It is likely that the original vegetation dominated by sphagnum mosses needs to be restored to make the bog wet again during the summer months, and that can take time. We do not see the same challenge in wet meadows, where the water level is primarily controlled by the water level in the stream that the fields drain into," explains Lrke.

The researchers emphasize in their study that having knowledge of local conditions is essential when estimating the reduction potential for greenhouse gas emissions related to wetting of drained peat soils. Therefore, the land use after discontinuing the drains can still be a new form of biomass production if the agricultural land is not converted into wild nature.

Harvesting and removing biomass can also be an important tool in efforts to achieve nutrient-poor soil before the area is handed over to wild nature, thereby contributing to a more diverse vegetation.

Reed grass production can be used to restore original ecosystems

"The demonstration experiment with reed grass in Store Vildmose showed that it was possible to remove large amounts of nutrients from peat soil and net remove more nutrients with moderate fertilization compared to no fertilization. Therefore, reed grass production can also be a step towards the restoration of the original ecosystem with high biodiversity," says Lrke.

According to the researchers, their study highlights the need for further research and adaptation of methods to implement effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from peat soils. There are still many challenges and complexities associated with wetting peatlands, but the results demonstrate the potential to reduce agricultural climate impact while maintaining some production on peat soils.

The paper is published in the journal Heliyon.

More information: Henrik Thers et al, Comparison of GHG emissions from annual crops in rotation on drained temperate agricultural peatland with production of reed canary grass in paludiculture using an LCA approach, Heliyon (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17320 Journal information: Heliyon
It seems like Reddit has had it with the ongoing protests. The community leaders have been coming up with ways to express their disagreement with the API pricing. They continue to do so even after the site has warned them of the consequences, and now Reddit is throwing in a final warning.

The Last Warning

Mislabeling subreddits as NSFW has been used before by moderators, and this had led to them being removed from their position as well as suspended for several days. This did not scare other mods at all as they continue to do the same.

To prevent this from happening, Reddit is issuing a final warning wherein the protesters will be subjected to more extreme consequences. Subreddits such as r/Pics and r/military switched the label to NSFW, with mods reasoning that the topics in the group justify it.

For instance, military content could potentially hold violent content. The moderators of r/military stated the subreddit should've been NSFW already, but they'd never thought to change it until recently. Reddit, however, does not buy the reason behind the change.

The company sent a message to the mods to issue a final warning, which states that inaccurately labeling the community NSFW is a violation of Mod Code of Conduct rule 2, and the subreddit was not historically considered NSFW, as mentioned in The Verge.

Reddit urged the subreddit leaders to immediately correct the label. Not doing so would subject them to losing their position as moderators by the end of the week. Additional actions are also mentioned such as losing the ability to join mod teams in the future.

Retaliation in the form of approving content that features sexually explicit content in the subreddit to justify the NSFW will not be tolerated. Should a moderator attempt to do so, they will not only be removed but permanently suspended from Reddit.

The mislabel prevents Reddit from placing ads within the subreddit, which affects its revenue stream. Reddit spokesperson Tim Rathschmidt said that the incorrect label is a "violation of both our Content Policy and Moderator Code of Conduct."

Read Also: Reddit Begins Suspending Moderators Participating in API Protests

Protests are Still Ongoing

Even after all the threats that Reddit is throwing their way, moderators are still trying to mock the social networking site's executives. For example, r/videos is no longer allowed to post what it was created for in the first place, which is videos.

Its first rule says that users cannot post porn, nudity, or gore, which sounds pretty standard. The second one is that they can only post titles if it has profanity in them. This may be an effort to label the posts or the subreddit itself NSFW, which other subreddits have been doing.

Lastly, users will have to post texts describing the video they want to post in detail, instead of posting the actual video itself, beating the purpose of the subreddit. If they want to provide a link for the video they're speaking of, they can only do so through the comment section.

Related: Subreddit r/Videos No Longer Allows Posting Videos
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Britain experiences hundreds of earthquakes each year. Credit: Raffaele Bonadio, Author provided

The village of Tean in Staffordshire, England, was hit by a 3.3-magnitude earthquake on June 28 2023. The tremors caused windows and doors to rattle in the surrounding area.

Earthquakes of this nature are not uncommon in Britain (the island including England, Scotland and Wales). In fact, hundreds of earthquakes shake Britain every single year.

The majority of these earthquakes are small in magnitude and do not result in any damage. However, there are occasional earthquakes in Britain that have the potential to be destructive. Scientists estimate that the largest possible earthquake in Britain is around a magnitude 6.5surpassing the intensity of the magnitude 6.3 earthquake that hit Christchurch, New Zealand in 2011 and killed 185 people.

The largest recorded earthquake in Britain so far took place in 1931 near Dogger Bank, 97km off the east coast of England. This earthquake measured 6.1 on the Richter scale and caused damage to buildings along the east coast.

Most earthquakes in Britain are concentrated within a north-to-south band on the west side of the island. Neighboring Ireland, however, is almost completely free from seismic activitya phenomenon that has puzzled scientists for hundreds of years.

Research by my colleagues and I has provided a potential explanation for Ireland's minimal seismic activity. We found that the lithosphereEarth's rigid outer layer that makes up its tectonic platesis thicker and cooler beneath Ireland than it is under Britain. This makes the tectonic plate under Ireland much less likely to deforma process that can trigger earthquakes.

Ireland's missing earthquakes

Even before earthquakes were recorded by seismographs as they are today, reports of earthquakes were documented in various towns and monasteries across Britain and Ireland. In the mid-19th century, Robert Mallet, an Irish scientist credited with coining the term "seismology," created earthquake maps based on these reports. He observed that Britain had intermediate seismicity (a term for earthquake activity), while Ireland had low seismicity.

In 1884, Irish seismologist Joseph O'Reilly published the first seismicity map of Britain and Ireland, emphasizing that Great Britain was "by far more subject to earthquake action than Ireland."

Understanding the reasons behind this uneven distribution remains important today, especially in terms of how it affects Britain's growing population. Between 2011 and 2021, the UK population increased by 6%, to a total of 67 million people.

Left: Occurrence of earthquakes in Ireland and Great Britain. Right: Differences in lithosphere thickness. Credit: Raffaele Bonadio, Author provided

Intraplate earthquakes

Most earthquakes happen at plate boundaries where tectonic plates converge, diverge or slide past each other. Over 80% of the world's largest quakes occur around the perimeter of the Pacific Oceanan area known as the Pacific "Ring of Fire".

Earthquakes that occur in the interior of the plates are much less common and typically smaller in magnitude. But there are a few notable exceptions. Between 1811 and 1812, the New Madrid Seismic Zone in the central US experienced a sequence of powerful earthquakes, ranging from magnitude 7 to 8.

Britain and Ireland are geologically very similar. They were formed in the same continental collision around 400 million years ago and are composed of parts of the same continents. The two islands are also equally far from plate boundaries and the tectonic stress (the pressure or tension exerted by other plates or underlying mantle) is similar across them.

Why then is the distribution of earthquakes in Britain and Ireland so uneven?

Through thick and thin

Seismic tomography, a technique that uses seismic waves from remote earthquakes to create 3D images of Earth's interior, has provided valuable insights. Research that I co-authored in 2021 discovered previously unknown variations in the structure of the tectonic plate that both Britain and Ireland sit on.

Tectonic plates are cold and rigid compared to the hot, slowly creeping mantle beneath them. Thicker plates are colder, mechanically stronger and less likely to deform. Conversely, thinner plates are warmer, weaker and more susceptible to deformation.

In our more recent research, we found that that the plate thickness below Britain and Ireland ranges from about 75km to as much as 120km. Ireland has a relatively thick lithosphere (around 95115km beneath most of the island) and very few earthquakes as a result. South-eastern England and eastern Scotland have a similarly thick lithosphere.

By contrast, western Britain has a thinner lithosphere (around 7585km) and experiences regular earthquakes. Most Irish earthquakes are in the north of the island, the one place where its lithosphere is thinner, warmer and weaker.

This discovery solves a longstanding puzzle. Moderate variations in plate thickness, occurring far from plate boundaries, can influence patterns of seismic activity within those regions.

This breakthrough opens up new avenues of research for seismologists. In Britain and Ireland, scientists can now focus on closing the remaining gaps in the coverage of seismic stations (which monitor ground movement at specific locations) and constructing a model of the lithosphere to work out why earthquakes are concentrated where they are.

Earthquake catalogs in other world regions often do not go as far back into the past as in Britain and Ireland. Seismic hazards in these areas can also be much more uncertain. Modeling the thickness and strength of tectonic plates gives scientists the tools to study the puzzling distribution of earthquakes and improve their forecasting ability.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

It is not uncommon for business owners to bestow their own names upon a firm. There are many well-known examplesin the U.K., there's Dyson; in the U.S., there's Ben & Jerry's; while, in Europe, one might think of Bosch or Porsche.

When a firm bears the name of its owner and that owner is still alive, the tie between the two can be very strong. This tie is especially strong in private firms with one or a few owners, where the firm represents most of the owners' personal wealth and income. In such cases, a firm's financial disclosures can indirectly expose personal financial information, potentially triggering serious concerns about individual privacy. How sensitive might business owners be to the disclosure of their company's financial information?

A new study, forthcoming in The Accounting Review (and currently available as a working paper in the SSRN Electronic Journal), titled "Owner Exposure through Firm Disclosure," which has been co-authored by Dr. Francisco Urzua, Reader in Finance at Bayes Business School (formerly Cass), investigates whether owners actually avoid disclosing such information in full, in order to protect their personal privacy.

To shed light on both the scale and breadth of the effect of owner privacy concerns on transparency, the study compares eponymous firms' financial disclosures to their non-eponymous peers from a sample of German private firms.

Germany has enforced mandatory financial disclosure since 2006. Prior to then, it was voluntary and as a result it was relatively rare for companies operating in the more secretive German economy to disclose publicly. Even after 2006, many companies were afforded discretion regarding the extent to which they should disclose.

The German setting is therefore well suited for the study because of the prevalence of financial privacy. German firms foster relationships when they do business, which means information-sharing is often exclusive and discreet. One might expect eponymous owners in such "insider" economies to have strong concerns for their privacy.

In addition, culturally it is deemed distasteful to be seen to be earning more than one's peers. In fact, there is a general stigma associated with wealth and debt. This facilitates an examination of whether eponymous owners especially avoid disclosure when it could reveal information connected with just such a social stigma.

With this large sample of German private firms, the study shows that eponymous firms, especially those most easily identified with their owner, do have a higher propensity to avoid disclosure than their non-eponymous local industry peers. The study also finds that eponymous firms disclose fewer items and less information on profitability.

Crucially, privacy concerns are more prevalent when disclosure reveals sensitive information that has a social stigma (e.g., immense wealth or high indebtedness) and in environments where social approval matters more. For example, eponymous owners avoid disclosure in areas where politics tend to the far left, and where anti-capitalist sentiment is strong. Eponymous owners are less keen on disclosure in rural areas and in areas where incomes are low.

The study also finds that when firms are forced to disclose, eponymous owners have a greater propensity to change their firm names. Newly founded firms have been less likely to be eponymous since the 2006 financial disclosure rules were enforced.

Admittedly, eponymous owners are not the only parties concerned about transparent disclosure. The research finds a similar preference for opacity among owners that live close to their firms, and those owners who are simply older.

Nor are these findings confined to Germany. An international sample shows that eponymous owners elsewhere prefer opacity under similar circumstances and related to similar items.

As prior research has found, many people do not relish sharing detail about their income. People may be willing to share information anonymously but are reluctant to see their wealth and identity linked. The study shows that eponymous firms' disclosure avoidance is exclusive to public disclosure, and not private disclosure.

Dr. Urzua said, "Overall, these results indicate that business owner privacy concerns are more pronounced when sensitive or potentially stigmatizing financial information may be revealed, especially in environments where income equality and reputation matter more."

More information: Maximilian A. Muller et al, Owner Exposure Through Firm Disclosure, SSRN Electronic Journal (2020). DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.3565224
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3-Organ human-on-a-chip system for the housing of functional human organ constructs. (a) A three-dimensional representation and flow profile analysis of the multi-organ system developed for in-vitro study of P. falciparum. (b) Endothelium morphology and marker expression profile. Immunocytochemical characterization and area quantification of CD31 and CD54 expression by HUVECs in 3-Organ systems. Expression of CD31 and CD54 were normalized to DAPI nuclear stain. Scale bars = 40 M (c) 3D spleen construct marker expression profile. Gating strategy employed for flow cytometry analysis of typical splenocyte markers. Quantification of viability and characteristic splenocyte markers on coculture at days 1, 4, and 7. Error bars  SEM. (d) Phase image morphology of primary hepatocytes in the multi-organ microfluidic system. Scale bars = 100 M. Hepatocyte viability as determined by MTT assay. Error bars  SEM. Credit: Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-35694-4

In a new report published on Scientific Reports, Michael J. Rupar, and a research team at Hesperos Inc., Florida, U.S., developed a functional, multi-organ, serum-free system to culture P. falciparuma protozoan that predominantly causes severe and fatal malaria, in order to establish innovative platforms to develop therapeutic drugs.

The platform contained four human organ constructs, including hepatocytes, splenocytes, endothelial cells, and recirculating blood cells, for interactions with the parasitic organism to simulate an infection. The team used two strains of P. falciparum; the 3D7 strain sensitive to chloroquine; a well-established anti-malarial drug, and the W2 strain resistant chloroquine. They maintained functional cells in healthy and diseased conditions for 7 days in the recirculating microfluidic model.

The scientists demonstrated an effective platform for therapeutic development where chloroquine treatment significantly decreased parasitemia in the 3D7 strain-constituent model. They used this setup for therapeutic index determination to evaluate off-target toxicity for anti-malarial treatment in a dose dependent manner. The outcomes can establish a new approach to evaluate anti-malarial therapies in a realistic human model that maintained blood circulation for 7 days.

The life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum

The parasitic lifecycle occurs in two stages: during a blood meal, sporozoites are released from the saliva of the mosquito, which then travel through peripheral blood circulation to the liver to replicate within hepatocytes. This results in an abundance of merozoites within a few days that are then released from the ruptured hepatocytes to navigate from the liver to the blood stream.

The lifecycle of the merozoites are asexual and erythrocytic, where the parasite develops by infecting blood cells. Rapid asexual replication fueled by the host's hemoglobin, caused merozoites to enter a ring stage, in 48 hours to then mature into trophozoites and schizonts, which continue to grow and replicate until they burst, releasing more merozoites to repeat the cycle of infection.

Morphological progression of P. falciparum in the 4-organ malaria-on-a-chip system. (a) Multi-organ housing after addition of 3% primary human red blood cells. (b) On the day of system assembly, infected erythrocytes were drawn from continuous cultures and each system was inoculated at 57% parasitemia. Both 3D7 and W2 strains of P. falciparum proliferated over an 8-day time frame in the systems at 26% hematocrit, as determined by thin blood smear and Giemsa stain. Scale bars = 5 m. (c) Parasites at all stages of the erythrocytic life cycle were observed after four days of culture in the multi-organ systems, including parasites at stage III of gametocyte formation. (d) Parasitemia was determined every 12 h via thin film smear with Giemsa stain. Both strains oscillated between 414% parasitemia when cocultured in the 4-organ systems. Data points represent mean  SEM. Credit: Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-35694-4

The development of anti-malaria strategies

Malaria is an epidemic that is on the rise from 2014 to 2020, with a steady increase in reports to emphasize the emergence of resistant strains across the years. As a result, bioengineers and life scientists are keen to develop new approaches for anti-malarial development to combat disease progression.

The Plasmodium parasite causes malaria and is transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. Of the variants, the falciparum species is the deadliest and is primarily responsible for a variety of severe malaria cases.

The World Health Organization aims to globally reduce malaria case incidences and mortalities by 90 percent by the year 2030. Researchers are keen to achieve this goal by investigating new platforms to study remedies for the disease. One such attempt is Rupar and colleague's development of a multi-organ, pre-clinical anti-malarial drug discovery platform that can establish and maintain healthy and disease conditions, as a cost-effective method to animal models.

The experimental setup

Rupar et al. used two strains of P. falciparum; a chloroquine sensitive and chloroquine resistant strain, which were successfully maintained across an 8-day period in the multi-organ model. The scientists established this instrument to assess malaria therapy in humans, to examine the efficiency and safety of the platform, while also exploring the safety of the therapeutic index for additional studies. Rupar and colleagues developed a microfluidic device containing three components to plate the liver, spleen, and endothelial cells.

The pumpless system introduced gravity-driven flow to the multi-organ system with sinusoidal rocking, with relevant physiological parameters. By engineering the malaria-on-a-chip model with microfluidics without pumps, they ensured recirculation of primary human red blood cells to simulate the preliminary stages of systemic infection with the P. falciparum parasite.

(a) Morphologies of endothelium, spleen, and liver organ constructs after 8 days of coculture in 4-organ systems with recirculating uninfected or infected erythrocytes (RBCs). Across all conditions, the presence of concentration of erythrocytes required for parasite growth made imaging these organ modules difficult. However, based on apparent morphological differences between organs in uninfected (RBC only) and infected (3D7, W2) systems, the presence of P. falciparum in culture appears to significantly affect the morphologies of these cells. (bd) Viability of HUVECs, primary hepatocytes, and primary splenocytes. No statistically significant differences were observed; n = 12. Credit: Scientific Reports, doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-35694-4

Malaria-on-a-chip

The scientists characterized the cells in the multi-organ system by assembling cells on chips without the parasite on the malaria-on-a-chip platform. They conducted the study for 7 days to determine cell viability, function, and appearance in a healthy microphysiological system across 7 days. The team then studied the lifecycle of the parasite within the instrument, and included two strains; the 3D7 strain and the W2 strain that are chloroquine sensitive and chloroquine resistant, respectively.

The researchers observed all stages throughout 8 days, to determine the level of parasitemia in each system.

Practicality of the organ-chip instrument

The team next studied the viability of functional cells in the organ-chip instrument where they contained red blood cells infected with either strain or uninfected blood for 8 days of culture. Using phase imaging, they captured the functional cells prior to assembly, and immediately after disassembly at day 8. Morphological changes indicated the disruption of cell viability upon infection with P. falciparum.

Rupar and colleagues monitored parasitemia every 12 hours and noted significantly lower parasite levels in the treatment group. Although this decrease in parasitic levels fluctuated between the drug sensitive and drug resistant system, ultimately the levels were significantly less in the chloroquine sensitive treatment group, when compared to the resistant systems. After disassembling the instruments, they continued to study the viability of the constituent cells.

Outlook

In this way, Michael J. Rupar and colleagues developed a four-organ malaria disease model representing a P. falciparum infection. Using the model, the team determined any off-target effects of chloroquine in the functionality or viability of organ constructs, and determined a therapeutic index for antimalarial therapy. The serum-free multi-organ construct contained a liver, spleen, and endothelium organs to present a cost-efficient approach to study antimalarial therapy.

This construct allows biochemists and bioengineers to study parasitic interactions in real-time within a microphysiological organ-chip environment, and identify foreseeable off-target effects of the therapeutic compounds.

More information: Michael J. Rupar et al, Development of a human malaria-on-a-chip disease model for drug efficacy and off-target toxicity evaluation, Scientific Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-35694-4 Louis H. Miller et al, The pathogenic basis of malaria, Nature (2002). DOI: 10.1038/415673a Journal information: Scientific Reports , Nature

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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Millennials and Gen-Z experience greater levels of fear, guilt and outrage about the impacts of climate change compared to older Gen-X, baby boomer and post-war groups, new research suggests.

The research by the Center for Climate Change and Social Transformations (CAST), at Cardiff University and the University of Bath, collected data across the U.K. to examine generational differences in attitudes towards climate change.

The first-of-its-kind study found that younger age groups worry more about climate change, demonstrating a stronger emotional engagement with the topic than older age groups. The researchers also found that despite the significant differences in climate-related emotions between generations, understandings and perceived impacts of climate change were more comparable.

Lead author, Professor Wouter Poortinga of Cardiff University, said, "It is widely believed that younger generations are more engaged with climate change than older generations, but that has never been studied systematically.

"In our study, we found an overall pattern of higher levels of climate-related beliefs, risks perceptions and emotions among younger generation groups.

"However, the gap between generations about climate change is mainly in their emotional responses to climate change, rather than in beliefs about climate change. For example, there are no generational differences in beliefs in the causes and impacts of climate change, although older age groups are more likely to think that we are already feeling the effects of climate change."

The research team says the different emotional responses to climate change may be one of the reasons why younger generations demonstrate higher levels of activism and engagement with the issue.

The study used data from CAST's nationally representative surveys, conducted in 2020, 2021 and 2022. These annual surveys provide insights into public perceptions of climate change, asking around 1,000 respondents from across the U.K.

"While there is widespread awareness of climate change across all generations, younger generations feel much more threatened by it and have stronger emotional reactions. That is not completely surprising, given that younger generations will feel the brunt of the impacts of climate change, more so than older generations," said Professor Poortinga.

The team suggest that negative emotions can take a heavy toll on the younger generations' well-being, although they can also be an important driver of climate action.

"We however have to be careful not put the onus on younger generations to solve climate change. Older generations have a responsibility to take action now to mitigate climate change for future generations," added Professor Poortinga.

More information: Wouter Poortinga et al, Generational differences in climate-related beliefs, risk perceptions and emotions in the UK, Communications Earth & Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s43247-023-00870-x Journal information: Communications Earth & Environment
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Credit: Aerobiologia (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s10453-023-09784-9

Working with aerial and satellite imagery and more than 30,000 trees in Detroit, researchers from the University of Michigan set out in 2017 to find a better way to measure pollen.

By the time they wrapped up their research two years later, the researchers believed they had tested and proved a more precise and meaningful way to know when and where pollen will most likely affect allergy sufferers.

Their research, most recently published in Aerobiologia, explains how measuring pollen levels in a city, neighborhood, or from an individual treerather than over a large geographic areameans better prediction of allergenic pollen. This in turn can provide the public with information that may help residents avoid asthma attacks, lost days from work and school, and the cost of drugs and treatment.

In Detroit in 2019, there were four times as many hospitalizations for asthma than the state of Michigan as a whole, and Detroit ranks among the 20 most challenging cities for people with asthma to live.

Daniel Katz led the research project as part of his postdoctoral research at U-M's School of Public Health. He worked with co-authors Stuart Batterman, a professor of environmental health sciences in the School of Public Health, and Alan Baptist, an internal medicine physician specializing in allergies and immunology and an associate professor in U-M's School of Medicine and School of Public Health.

Katz, now an assistant professor at Cornell University, sees the trio's research as having significant public health relevance, including preventing allergic reactions and asthma attacks that lead to emergency room visits. Credit: University of Michigan

Could you describe how pollen levels are currently measured and the difference in how your research in Detroit measured pollen output?

Most pollen measurements in the United States are taken by the National Allergy Bureau monitoring network. The data collected by these stations is invaluable, but with only 80 across the U.S., many cities and regions don't have local measurements. Even cities that are lucky enough to have a station must assume that concentrations recorded on a single rooftop are the same across the entire city or region.

This is problematic because pollen concentrations vary by orders of magnitude from one neighborhood to the next. Pollen measurements are also taken over a 24-hour period, so even the latest reports come from yesterday's air. While there are a variety of companies that create proprietary pollen forecasts, what data we have suggests their accuracy is quite low.

What we did differently was to quantify the underlying biological processes instead of only relying upon empirical measurements of airborne pollen. To do so, we identified trees in Detroit with aerial and satellite imagery, calculated how much pollen individual trees produced, and developed data-based estimates of the timing of pollen release. Our estimates of pollen release did a very good job of predicting the airborne pollen concentrations that we measured throughout Detroit.

How did you capture pollen output?

In this study, we estimated pollen production for about 30,000 oak trees in Detroit. To do so, we calculated the canopy area of each of those trees and then estimated pollen production; we had previously developed equations that quantified the strong relationships between tree size and pollen production. We created those equations by quantifying the number of flowers on trees, the number of anthers per flower and the number of pollen grains per anther.

How is your pollen modeling different and why is it significant?

What's new about our pollen model is that it's based on measurements from individual trees. Instead of having to assume that pollen concentrations measured on one rooftop are the same across all of Detroit, we can actually say how many trees are in a neighborhood, how big they are and how much pollen they're producing. This allows us to create predictions of pollen at a very fine spatial scale. Forecasts that capture that spatial variability will be much more accurate, giving people information about where and when they may encounter allergen hotspots. These improved forecasts would help people with pollen allergies reduce their exposures and better manage their medications.

Knowing how much airborne pollen is from nearby trees would also help us to understand how much it matters whether we plant low-allergen trees around our homes and neighborhoods. Afterall, even though some types of trees do release allergenic pollen, they also provide many benefits, such as shading, stormwater retention and removing air pollutants; all of these should be considered in our tree planting decisions.

How do you foresee this research being put to good use?

Millions of Americans are allergic to pollen. Imagine having a personally tailored alert system on your phone that could give you good suggestions about how to avoid pollen hotspots, reduce your exposure and when to take allergy medications so that they reach full efficacy before your symptoms start. Having an alert system based on granular spatiotemporal forecasts could improve quality of life for the millions of Americans with pollen allergies, but it would be especially beneficial for those with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. The more information we have about pollen, the more we can reduce exposures and the subsequent allergic reactions, allergy symptoms, asthma attacks and even hospital visits.

Is it feasible, practical to change the way pollen forecasts are made and reported?

This study demonstrates that we can create accurate biologically based models of airborne pollen concentrations at the neighborhood level. I'm now applying these same approaches to larger spatial scales and with more types of plants; eventually these pollen forecasts will be operationalized and provided to the general public.

Why did you choose Detroit for the research?

Asthma rates are very high in Detroit and allergenic pollen can trigger asthma attacks. We wanted to understand the role of pollen exposure and whether it could help explain some of the differences among neighborhoods. Detroit is also a great city to spend time in!

Is understanding pollen more important given the impacts of climate change?

Increases in carbon dioxide and temperature are linked to more pollen production, pollen that is more allergenic and a longer pollen season. This means that climate change is going to make pollen allergies worse. It also gives us even more incentive to find solutions to allergenic pollen.

More information: Daniel S. W. Katz et al, Modeling airborne pollen concentrations at an urban scale with pollen release from individual trees, Aerobiologia (2023). DOI: 10.1007/s10453-023-09784-9
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Professor Neil Thurman and Dr. Bartosz Wilczek research at LMU's Institute of Communication Studies and Media Research. Their work focuses on changes in news production and consumption due to the internet and artificial intelligence.

Is journalism currently facing a crisis?

Bartosz Wilczek: We can clearly observe a decline in specific revenue streams, particularly in the case of newspapers, where print revenues are decreasing. Online advertising is not proving effective for funding digital content. The decrease in newspaper income means there is less funding available for news content creation. Coverage of topics that were previously covered is now lacking. There is a discussion about news deserts in some areas.

Neil Thurman: Moreover, not only do we have less news, but people also consume less online compared to traditional newspaper content. In the past, individuals would spend more time reading professional news content when it was delivered in print. Online newspaper readers spend just a few minutes on average per month with these titles. One reason for this shift is the abundance of alternative content available online. This could result in the population as a whole being less well informed about certain topics.

If we consider the proportion of online advertising captured by big tech companies, it is a substantial share. Currently, both Facebook and Google individually generate more online advertising revenue than all the newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and cinemas in the world combined. These newcomers have economies of scale and possess extensive user data, making it challenging for newspapers to compete. Additionally, people are less willing to subscribe to digital newspapers compared to their print counterparts. Currently, newspapers are recognizing the need to rely less on online advertising income and instead focus on obtaining online subscription revenue.

Why are people less willing to pay for the same content online as in print?

Wilczek: Print newspapers were typically paid content, whereas the internet originally offered free content. This 'free mentality' contributes to the challenge of changing the payment mechanism. Transitioning from a price of zero to any price at all is a challenging change to make.

Thurman: Also, when purchasing a print newspaper, you receive something physical, which psychologically makes a difference. Another point to consider is how uncomplicated the payment process is. While it is relatively easy to make micro payments for items from large online retailers, there are still barriers when it comes to subscribing or paying for a newspaper.

What are the different approaches to funding online journalism, and how do they vary?

Thurman: There are four main ways that online news is funded. Firstly, there is the option of people subscribing, where a paywall restricts access, and the only way to bypass it is by making a payment. Secondly, there is advertising. Some sites solely rely on advertising revenue, but they need to attract a large number of visitors. This often requires producing a significant amount of content that appeals to a wide audience. Another funding method is through donation-based models, where sites do not force people to pay but instead invite donations. Lastly, there are sites funded through philanthropy, with foundations, crowdfunding, or wealthy individuals paying for the content. Many platforms employ a combination of these four methods.

Germany has a system where society collectively pays for public broadcasting. Is this also present in other countries?

Thurman: Yes. For instance, the BBC funds its news website through television licenses. However, newspapers often view this as unfair competition. In Germany, the newspapers successfully lobbied the government to restrict publicly funded online news publishers from writing articles longer than a certain word limit. This was done to protect the market share of the newspapers. In contrast, in the UK, the BBC Online News website has been highly innovative, extensive, and provides a wide range of content including lengthy articles and various forms of media. It has attracted a large audience. Some people argue that it offers high-quality and balanced journalism for free, which is beneficial. However, for some newspapers, having a publicly funded competitor was not welcomed.

You recently conducted a study on online journalism and the likelihood of people paying for online content. Can you tell us more about it?

Wilczek: Previous research has focused on understanding the demographics of who pays for online news, such as age or income levels. However, there hasn't been much research on how advertising messages can impact people's willingness to pay for online news. Our study fills that gap and sheds light on the effectiveness of different appeals in motivating users to pay for online content.

We focused on the implementation of paywalls and online subscriptions, specifically examining the communication surrounding them. We investigated different strategies for writing and framing subscription pages that users encounter when they hit a paywall. The study design involved exploring four types of messages or appeals:

The digital-specific appeal focused on highlighting the advantages of accessing news exclusively online, emphasizing that the online version provides additional benefits such as personalized news or quicker access to information.

The social appeal, highlighted that subscribing to online news facilitates being a member of a community. It emphasized the opportunity to engage in online forums, discussions with other readers, and the possibility of attending events.

The price transparency appeal involves informing users about the critical situation of the media industry and the need to implement paywalls.

The normative appeal emphasizes that subscribing supports independent and watchdog journalism, appealing to users' altruistic motives beyond the product itself.

The results showed that the combination of a normative appeal and a price transparency appeal was the most effective in motivating users. This result is particularly interesting because it suggests that altruism matters a lot to consumers of online news. It seems to be important to them to contribute to journalism as an important part of society by paying for their news.

What would a perfect version of the future of journalism look like for you?

Wilczek: Journalism provides essential information for citizens to make informed decisions on economic and political matters. In a perfect scenario, journalism would continue to improve, remaining relevant and adapting to the latest technologies, fostering innovation.

Thurman: It would be highly desirable to witness journalism being able to sustain itself in a way that enables the production of a wide range of high-quality journalism, free from undue influence from undesirable sources. While philanthropic or government funding can be part of the funding mix, these sources come with their own challenges. Therefore, it is crucial to find a sustainable business model that allows independent journalism to thrive.
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Credit: The Conversation

Hundreds of scientists protested government efforts to restrict educational access to Western science theories, including Darwin's theory of evolution, in June 2023 in India. Similarly, scientists in Mexico participated in a research strike in May 2023 to protest a national law they claimed would threaten the conditions for basic research. And during the same month in Norway, three scientists were arrested for protesting the nation's slow-moving climate policy.

As these among many other actions show, scientists today are speaking out on a variety of political and social issues related to their own research fields and in solidarity with other social movements.

We are social scientists who study the relationship between science and society. Through our work, we've noticed more scientists seem empowered to advocate for a wide range of policy issues. We're interested in how the surge in science activism may be changing the norms of scientific research.

With colleagues, we recently reviewed and summarized a growing body of studies examining how scientists are mobilizing for social activism and political protest. We also surveyed 2,208 members of the Union of Concerned Scientists Science Network to learn more about scientists' political engagement. Here is what we have found so far.

A new wave of science activism

Science activism has long been considered taboo, as many in the field fear that politicizing science undermines its objectivity. Even so, scientist-activists have still managed to shape the U.S. political landscape throughout history. Over the past century, for example, scientists have protested the atomic bomb, pesticides, wars in Southeast Asia, genetic engineering and the federal response to the AIDS epidemic.

More recently, the election of Donald Trump in 2016 triggered a wave of political mobilization not seen in the United States since the Vietnam War era. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change activism, Black Lives Matter and the #MeToo movement, scientists have also mobilized, and science advocacy organizations are playing important roles.

Some groups, like March for Science and Scientist Rebellion, are new and claim dozens of chapters and thousands of members around the world. In addition, older organizations like the Union of Concerned Scientists are growing, while once-defunct organizations like Science for the People have reemerged.

Science organizing also happens within universities, graduate student unions and professional associations. These groups use their connections to local communities and larger networks of science professionals to mobilize others in the scientific community.

Many science advocacy groups borrow protest tactics from previous eras, like mass marches and teach-ins. Others are more innovative, including "die-ins" at medical schools to protest police racial violence and data-rescue "hackathons" to protect public access to government data.

Credit: The Conversation

Some efforts mirror conventional forms of politics, like 314 Action, an organization that supports political candidates with STEM backgrounds. Others are more confrontational, such as Scientist Rebellion, some members of which blocked roads and bridges to demand action on the climate emergency.

Or, science advocacy can look indistinguishable from typical academic practices, like teaching. A new course taught by an MIT physics professor titled "Scientist Activism: Gender, Race and Power" helps raise student awareness about the political nature of science.

Professional norms may be shifting

We'll need more research to determine how the resurgence of scientist activism is influencing politics and policy. But we can already point to some effectsthe growth of science advocacy organizations, increased media attention to scientist activism, climate-friendly changes in investment policies at some universities, and more STEM-trained politicians. However, we also expect that impending crises, like climate change, may be driving acceptance of activism within the scientific community.

For example, when we asked scientists how often they should be politically active, 95% of our surveyed scientists answered "sometimes," "most of the time," or "always." Our surveyed population is, by definition, politically engaged. But this near-uniform level of support for political action suggests that the professional norms that have long sanctioned scientist activism may be shifting.

Other findings from the survey strengthen this interpretation. Scientist activism often entails some level of personal or professional risk. But 75% of respondents told us their science-based advocacy had the support of their employers. Most surprisingly for us, respondents were twice as likely to report that activism helped to advance their careers22%rather than damage them11%.

Our survey did find, however, that nonwhite scientists are more vulnerable to the risks of engaging in science advocacy. Seventeen percent of nonwhite scientists report negative career repercussions from their science advocacy, compared with less than 10% among white scientists. Yet compared with white respondents, nonwhite respondents are also more likely to engage in science advocacy.

While nonwhite respondents report higher rates of negative career impacts, the percentage reporting higher rates of career advancement from advocacy31%was nearly double that for white respondents18%. This difference suggests that science advocacy has deeper career consequencesboth good and badamong nonwhite scientists. Although they are more likely to be rewarded for this activity, they are exposed to greater risk for doing so.

Emerging lessons

Two lessons emerge from our research thus far. First, our findings indicate that science activism may be gaining legitimacy within the scientific community. In this context, social media is helping mobilize and raise visibility among younger researchers. These researchers' political experiences are informed by the climate justice, Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements. As this newer generation of science activists moves into the profession, they will continue to shift the cultural norms of science.

Second, because race unevenly structures scientists' experiences with activism, science activists can build on their current momentum by embracing intersectional solidarity. This means taking actions to center and engage marginalized groups within science. Intersectional solidarity can deepen activist engagement, enhance and diversify recruitment efforts, and increase its impact on social and ecological change.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Credit: iScience/Schausberger et al

In males of many species, it pays to identify females that are nearing maturity to be the first in line for mating. Now researchers reporting in the journal iScience have found a remarkable example: male spider mites guard and then actively strip off the skin of premature females that are soon to molt and mature to make them accessible for mating sooner.

"Our study documents an exceptional male behavior in the animal kingdom, namely that male spider mites strip off the skin of premature females that are close to molting into adulthood," said Peter Schausberger from the University of Vienna, Austria.

"Such undressing behavior by the male is adaptivethat is, it increases their reproductive successbecause it would be an enormous cost to the guarding male if a rival would take away the female and inseminate her instead of the male that invested time and energy in guarding her. The guards would have invested hours in guarding a potential future mate without any reward."

In spider mites, the competition for first mating is especially intense, Schausberger explained. That's because the first copulation partner of a female is the one that sires all the offspring. In fact, the males only sire the daughters because sons arise from unfertilized eggs. Because of this intense competition to be number one, spider mite males guard premature females for several hours before the females molt to the adult stage.

"For about one or two hours before molting, the females take on a silvery appearance because of air filling the gap between the old skin, called exuvia, and the new skin; in this phase the guarding males change their behaviorsometimes they drum with their forelegs on the females, possibly to stimulate the females to initiate the molting process, and make the females bulge and crack the exuvia," Schausberger said. Spider mite undressing. Credit: iScience/Schausberger et al.

"Upon cracking the exuvia, the guarding male becomes highly active and pulls on the hind part of the old skin with his pedipalps until it is removed from the female body and the genital opening of the female, which is located on the underside of the tip of her abdomen, is exposed so that the male can slip beneath the female and insert his aedeagus," he continued. "Females that are undressed by a male first get rid of the hind part of the old skin because of male pulling, whereas females that molt without the help of a male first pull out from the front part of the old skin."

Schausberger and colleagues are generally interested in sexual selection in spider mites, and especially alternative reproductive tactics by males, including fighting and sneaking. While observing and videotaping many male-male and male-female interactions, they noticed the undressing behavior they've now described in detail.

The findings offer yet another example of the fascinating behaviors that are driven by sexual selection, according to the researchers. They're also a reminder that even tiny arachnids have highly sophisticated behaviors.

In future work, they hope to study the undressing behavior in more detail to find out whether fighting males differ from sneakers in this behavior. They also want to find out what happens when males in the process of undressing a female have to contend with rivals and whether the undressing behavior acts as a signal to females of a male's quality.
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Smoke billows from the Donnie Creek wildfire burning north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, Sunday, July 2, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger, File

Wildfires raging across Canada have already broken records for total area burned, the number of people forced to evacuate their homes and the cost of fighting the blazes, and the fire season is only halfway finished, officials said Thursday.

"It's no understatement to say that the 2023 fire season is and will continue to be record breaking in a number of ways," Michael Norton, director general, Northern Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, said Thursday during a briefing.

A health expert also warned that smoke from the fires can cause health problems for people living in both Canada and the United States.

"When you're emitting large amounts of fire smoke into the air, and that smoke is reaching populated areas, there will be health effects," said Ryan Allen, a professor of health sciences at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Norton said warm weather and dry conditions across Canada indicate the potential for higher-than-normal fire activity through July and August.

"Drought is a major contributing factor affecting parts of all provinces and territories, intensifying in some regions," he said. "When coupled with forecasts for ongoing above normal temperatures across most of the country, it is anticipated that many parts of Canada will continue to see above normal fire activity."

As of Wednesday, there were 639 active fires burning in Canada with 351 of them out of control. So far this year there have been 3,412 fires, well above the 10-year average of 2,751, said Norton.

The fires have burned 8.8 million hectares (27.7 million acres) an area about the size of the state of Virginia. This already exceeds the record of 7.6 million hectares (18.7 million acres) set in 1989 and is 11 times the 10-year average experienced by this date.

"The final area burned for this season may yet be significantly higher," said Norton. "What we can say with certainty right now is that 2023 is a record-breaking year since at least since 1986 when accurate records started to be kept."

U.S. Forest Service smokejumper Mike Dunn steps through a puddle while exiting a plane in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. His crew is assisting Canadian firefighters battling fires throughout the region. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Allen said the fine particles found in fire smoke not only have the ability to penetrate deep into airways, they also can travel long distances meaning they could drift far into the U.S.

There have been reports that fires in Eastern Canada and Quebec are affecting air quality in Europe.

Allen said higher concentrations of smoke increases health risks to the lungs, brain, cognitive functions and even fetal development.

"As you get very far away, it's unlikely the concentration would be as high as they are in close proximity to the fire and therefore the health risk would be lower, but the health risk is probably not zero," he said.

Norton said the fires have forced an estimated 155,856 evacuees, the highest number in the last four decades. Currently about 4,500 people remain under evacuation orders across the country with about 3,400 in Indigenous communities.

Fighting the fires has taken on a global proportion.

There are about 3,790 provincial firefighters battling the blazes across the country being assisted by Canadian Armed Forces personnel. Another 3,258 firefighters from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the U.S., Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, South Korea and the European Union have travelled to Canada to fight fires.

Norton said the cost of fighting wildfires has steadily grown and is approaching about CDN$1 billion (US$750 million) a year.

"With the scale of this year's activity and the fact we've still got three months left, there's no question in my mind the direct cost of suppression will be a new record," he said.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
OpenAI is one of the leading AI companies in the tech sector, especially after its release of the chatbot, ChatGPT. It has since been developing more powerful AI models like GPT-4, and it just announced its availability to developers through its API.

GPT-4 Accessible Through Its API

OpenAI making GPT-4 available after what they claim are millions of developers requesting access to its API since March. Although, only the ones with a "history of successful payments" can do so by the end of the month. Even then, only select developers will have access.

The AI company will have to factor in its compute availability, and only then will it increase availability limits for access itself. OpenAI says that it "envisions a future where chat-based models can support any use case," as mentioned in Tech Crunch.

What makes GPT-4 more powerful than its predecessors like GPT-3.5 is that it's not limited to text-based input only. It is capable of accepting image input as well, and it is trained using publicly available data like public web pages along with data that OpenAI licensed.

Despite it having a wider range of training materials, there are still noticeable flaws in the latest AI model from OpenAI. Reports say that it fabricates facts and reasoning errors, even pushing that they are facts. It also generates codes that contain several security vulnerabilities.

The company is still developing the model to try to get it as close to perfect as possible. It also has a higher context window of 32,000 tokens, which means that conversations can be more fluid as it remembers contexts from previous topics and conversations.

As OpenAI works on GPT-4, its previous models will soon be shut down. By early January 2024, models like GPT-3 will no longer be accessible as they would be replaced by a new "base GPT-3" that will be more efficient. This means that developers will also have to upgrade their systems.

The AI giant will provide support to the "users who previously fine-tuned models" so that the transition would go smoothly. OpenAI will also reach out to developers m the coming weeks who are still using older models to provide more information on early testing of the new models.

Read Also: OpenAI's GPT-4 Plays Minecraft Using a Bot

How Advanced is GPT-4?

As it studies the data available online, it can also analyze human logic other than just factual data. It has already been proven to be smarter than its predecessor, which is used in the standard ChatGPT service.

For example, Kevin Roose from The New York Times tried asking the AI about the ethics of stealing food to feed a starving family. While GPT-4 acknowledged that it was wrong, it "believed" that a tough situation could justify such actions.

It is also capable of creating a website with just a photo of a sketch. Greg Brockman, OpenAI's president, was able to create a functioning website with all working buttons after instructing the AI model to create computer codes and use HTML and JavaScript.

Related: GPT-4: What It Is and What It Can Do
By Nasratu Kargbo

The Country Director of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy Rev.Alusine Diamond-Suma has said that gender equality is a prerequisite for human rights, democracy, and social justice, adding that it is beneficial to society.

Suma was speaking at a training held on the 14th June 2023 for members of Sierra Leone Press Gallery (SLPPG) on gender-sensitive reporting. He stated that human rights statutes ban all forms of discrimination on the grounds of gender.

Women and men can suffer from the standards imposed by gender stereotypes and sexist reporting in the media. For these reasons, there is need to have a frank conversation on how to promote equal access to media work and management and how this work can create a thriving gender perspective in Parliament, said Suma.

The Interim President of the Parliamentary Press Gallery Rev. Vincent Jabbie Momoh said the training is in a bid to change social mindsets and negative attitude toward women and to influence the acceptance of womens role and participation in decision-making.

According to Momoh, attitudes toward women are generally reinforced by bad media publicity and noted other factors such as political propaganda, male patriarchy; capacity, education, and financial dependence serve as a weakness to their participation in parliament.

In her PowerPoint Presentation on how the media can promote womens voices in parliament, Facilitator and Deputy Dean, Faculty of Media, Information and Communication Studies, Dr. Williette James said members of the SLPPG can promote female lawmakers through their feature articles, editorials, radio and television discussions, and documentaries, among others.

She called on parliamentary reporters to promote female parliamentarians by profiling good orators that are knowledgeable on issues that are debated in parliament. Dr. James stated that in profiling female lawmakers, one should focus on those that are confident, and have vision and other good qualities.

Dr. James said gender empowerment does not mean empowering women alone but looking at the sex that is lacking behind in all aspects of development and privileges.

The Facilitator said in Sierra Leone the focus is on women due to statistics that have shown that they are far behind in all spheres, noting that premium is given to their male counterparts. She noted that placing them on an equal playing field is what gender empowerment is about.

The President of Giuld of Editors, Donald Theo Harding called on parliamentary reporters to report on proceedings and issues in parliament and not serve as Public Relations Officers by promoting, defending and supporting members of parliament.

He urged them to ensure that they are always objective, reminding them that they are journalists and not politicians.

Copyright  2023 Politico (16/06/23)
By Aminata Phidelia Allie

Two accused persons are currently facing preliminary investigations on a two-count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony and robbery with aggravation in the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 2 presided over by Komba Kamanda.

According to prosecution, the allegations are that the accused, on Monday, 28 May 2012 stole the sum of Le 300 million from a Rokel Commercial Bank vehicle on route to Kabala during which of the staff was stabbed.

Testifying as second prosecution witness (PW2), police OSD Commander in Makeni, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Charles Ojah Korjia said that a matter of armed robbery was reported to him by a junior officer around 11:30 pm on the said date. He said he went to the alleged crime scene with a truck of officers where they saw a bank vehicle packed on the highway between Makeni and Kabala. As all the doors were opened, we decided to search it. We saw blood stains, a knife and a tie on the floor, ASP Korjia said.

He continued that he immediately made a phone call to the General Manager of the bank who reportedly said that he couldnt make it to the alleged crime scene.

PW2 testified that after some time, some staff of the bank met them on the highway and reported that a colleague travelling with the vehicle had been stabbed. He said they subsequently went to the hospital were the staff was admitted and observed that he had sustained a stab wound to his back and his head.

The matter was adjourned to 1 July, 2013.
The Gazetos family, owners of New Way Lunch, will be featured on an episode of Americas Best Restaurants Roadshow on July 12 at their Glens Falls location.

Americas Best Restaurants will be filming on location from 2 to 5 p.m. to highlight the history, dishes, and the special place the restaurant plays in the community, according to a news release from ABR on June 27.

Chief Operating Officer Doug Smith said that the episode will be a reflection of more than just the food; its about the story of how New Way came to be.

Its not all about the food; youve got all kinds of food shows out there. We want to focus on the food, but what its really about is the story. Because we focus on independent restaurants, that seems to be the one point of differentiation for the independent mom-and-pops versus the big boys with gigantic ad budgets, he said.

New Way has been serving up homemade hot dogs since 1919 and has expanded to three locations in the area. The hot dog remains a pork-and-beef dog, specially made for the restaurant, and served with mustard, onions, and the special dirt dog meat sauce on a steamed bun.

The restaurant started as a quick, inexpensive option for the nearby mill workers needing a hot lunch during the workday. Now the eateries are run by the third and fourth generation of the family who started it all at the original Glens Falls location, the release said.

Smith added that they premiere the episodes on the restaurants social media pages as a way to generate views for the business, rather than on ABR. He said the purpose of the show has always been about attracting people to the places the show visits.

Weve filmed over 900 episodes in two years and people go to our YouTube channel and ask why we dont have a whole lot of followers or viewers, he said. Thats not what were after.

After being closed for two years during the pandemic, the Glens Falls location underwent major renovations and also began selling at retail the meat sauce in jars without the full ingredient list, as its a secret. Over the years the menu has expanded to include hamburgers, salads and other items.

This was one of the reasons the show chose New Way Lunch.

With the opportunity that they were a little bit more niche in with the sauce, canning it and they dont share the list of all the special ingredients because they dont want everyone to know what it is, that was a really unique angle, he said. The other part is about how its just family. Being in their third and fourth generation is something you dont see that a lot anymore.

The restaurants finished episode premiere date will be announced on their Facebook page and will be featured on Americas Best Restaurants website.
SOUTH GLENS FALLS  Village officials are sticking to their guns in a dispute over damaged exterior siding and an electrical box at the newly constructed water filtration building on Beach Street.

Despite the potential for litigation, the Village Board voted to instruct the engineering firm that led the construction project to pursue replacement of the items from the contractors who installed them.

The trustees took the vote on Wednesday but had been debating the action for weeks.

Were being asked to pay for an undamaged panel, and we should get an undamaged panel, said Trustee Harry Gutheil during a discussion at the boards June 21 meeting.

The issue stems from a single back panel of an electrical box that was dropped while being installed. The box is located inside the building, and the panel in question faces a wall, officials tell The Post-Star.

Anthony Mantas from Delaware Engineering, the firm contracted by the village for the project, spoke at the meeting via Zoom and explained that all of the internal workings of the electrical box had been replaced at the time of the incident to ensure no potentially faulty equipment was installed and that the dented and scratched corner of the panel itself had been recoated to ensure no moisture would oxidize the metal.

For all intents and purposes of functionality, the panel is in good standing, and the contractor has also confirmed that the warranty of the panel is also in good standing, he said.

Mantas said that replacing the panel would be an excessive move, given that the project has been completed but offered to work with the contractor to negotiate a credit for the cosmetic damage to the panel.

Both Mantas and T.J. Chagnon, highway maintenance supervisor for South Glens Falls, reiterated that the board was notified of the damage when it occurred and that would have been the appropriate time to request a replacement.

Anthony and I disagree, I think, on the extent of whether its just cosmetic, Gutheil said. Its a damaged panel.

Gutheil questioned why work on the project wasnt halted when the damage occurred around two months ago. Mantas explained that because the functionality of the panel was not compromised, it would have been inappropriate to delay the contractors schedule by requiring a replacement.

Because a request for a replacement panel would potentially result in a contentious litigation between the village and the contractor, Gutheil suggested further discussion on the matter take place in executive session.

When it was discussed again during Wednesdays meeting, the board voted to demand the replacement for both the electrical box panel as well as dimpled exterior siding panels.

Its new. Why should we have to have something that doesnt look new, Trustee Joe Orlow said supporting Gutheils stance. Although Trustee Tony Girard agreed that replacing the siding made the most sense, he reminded the board that doing so might incur additional cost.

Thats why Im not supporting this, Mayor Nicholas Bodkin said. Im supporting the credit because I dont want to incur additional (litigation and electrical) cost.

Bodkin called for a vote on a resolution to instruct the engineering firm to pursue replacement of the panels, which passed 3-2, with Bodkin and Girard voting no.
ATLANTIC CITY  Two women are suing a city employee, the municipality and Mayor Marty Small Sr. over sexual harassment and forced sexual encounters they experienced starting in November while employed by the resort.

Virginia Coley and Tyyona Robinson allegedly were subject to sexual harassment by Floyd Tally, director of the city's Stop the Violence Initiative, according to lawsuits filed last month in Atlantic County Superior Court by local lawyer David Castellani.

The lawsuits say the city failed to intervene, and that it was obligated to do so under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.

"The city is doing its due diligence by analyzing the complaints to prepare a proper defense," city Solicitor Michael J. Perugini said in a statement Thursday. "Because this is ongoing litigation, we cannot comment any further."

Tally made sexual advances toward the women, both of whom were city employees at the time, and even forced physical relations on one, the lawsuits state. The harassment against both women allegedly began in November.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which oversees the city's government, declined to comment.

Robinson's lawsuit says harassment against Tally went as far as forced sexual intercourse. She allegedly was subject to a hostile working environment from November until March.

A phone message to Castellani was not immediately returned Thursday.

When Coley refused Tally's advances, he continually harassed her, criticizing her job performance and threatening to terminate her employment, Coley's suit states.

In Robinson's case, Tally, when she refused to have sex with him, chased her around his home "until he cornered her in his bathroom and forced sexual intercourse," the lawsuit states.

She was also forced into sexual acts with Tally around the end of March, the lawsuit states.

The city also did not follow a no-contact order between Coley and Tally established by the human resources office, the lawsuit states.

Retaliation for filing complaints against Tally's advances allegedly continued when Coley was written up for not being able to be found for work, even though she reported for her shift on time, the lawsuit states.

She was written up for her work attire, which was considered appropriate, the lawsuit states. She further was retaliated against for making complaints by being assigned new working locations without an explanation, the lawsuit states.

Coley filed a police report in January, the lawsuit states.

Robinson turned down Tally for sex in April, and when she did, Tally left her on Albany Avenue, forcing her to walk back to the Stop the Violence offices on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, threatening to fire her once she returned, the lawsuit states.

Robinson was told Tally could not fire her, only Small could, the lawsuit states. However, Castellani's lawsuit contends Small, one of Tally's "best friends," did not intervene.

After taking leave, Robinson was informed May 25 that her last day would be June 2, her lawsuit states.

The lawsuits aren't the first time Small and Tally have been named in legal proceedings together.

In 2011, both men were acquitted of voter fraud charges. Both were among 13 indicted in September 2009 on charges of disenfranchising voters and mishandling absentee and messenger ballots.

Tally was also indicted in 2007 in a blackmail scheme against former City Councilman Eugene Robinson. Tally partnered with former Council President Craig Callaway and Councilman John Schultz in the plot, orchestrating a videotape of Robinson with a prostitute to gain political leverage over Robinson, who died last year at 80.
Relatives of a father and son killed last year in a plane crash in Cumberland County are asking State Police to hand over evidence of the wreck to pursue possible litigation.

John C. Noone IV, of Monroeville, Salem County, has asked for facts, information, data, photographs and video related to the crash that was obtained by the New Jersey State Police after the plane carrying his father, John Noone III, and brother, Kristofer Noone, landed in an Upper Deerfield Township yard.

The next of kin is represented by John J. Gagliano, who filed a petition to subpoena State Police for the evidence in Salem County Chancery Court on May 15.

The petition was approved by Judge Benjamin D. Morgan on May 17, according to court filings.

Kristofer Noone, of Pennsauken, Camden County, and John Noone III, of Elmer, Salem County, were in an Aeronca Champion 7 AC that crashed into a residential yard about 2 p.m. Sept. 19, 2022 on Parvin Mill Road. The plane had left Bucks Airport in Bridgeton.

A copy of John Noone IIIs death certificate included in the court filings says he died from multiple blunt force injuries. He left behind three children, according to a Salem County Surrogate Court document in the case.

The Federal Aviation Administration did not return a request for comment on where the crash investigation stands.

John Noone IV asked for the evidence while he and his family consider filing a lawsuit seeking monetary damages because of the fatal crash, the petition states.

Father, son killed in Upper Deerfield plane crash UPPER DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP  Two South Jersey men died in a plane crash Monday afternoon in th

Gagliano, in a court filing, said he contacted State Police asking for the agencys materials from the crash investigation, but it could only be released to the family through a subpoena.

Noone IV and his family would likely be unable to bring about litigation unless the crash materials were obtained, a filing states.

Both Kristofer and John Noone III loved flying, according to their obituaries.

Kristofer Noone was an avid, career pilot, having flown for Spirit Airlines. He was also a flight instructor and previously worked as a commercial pilot for Piedmont.

Aviation was not only his profession, but also his most enjoyable hobby and love, the obituary states.

Kristofer Noone learned how to fly an airplane from his father, John Noone IIIs obituary states. He was an accomplished commercial pilot and mechanic in the aviation community.

When he died, John Noone III had recently opened a new hangar facility at the Bucks Airport, accomplishing a lifelong dream, the obituary states.

A GoFundMe campaign launched after the crash raised more than $59,000 for the family.

State troopers speaking to John Noone IV said they took dozens if not hundreds of photos of the scene of the crash, a court filing states. Video from cellphones, doorbells and other sources also captured the moment the plane landed, the document states.

Witnesses at Bucks Airport said the planes engine sounded unusual, adding it aggressively pulled up into a steep climb from the end of the runway, according to a preliminary investigation report by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Another witness told federal investigators they saw the plane leave the 1,900-foot-long turf runway with about 50 feet before its end, the report states. Consistent with the other witness statements, the plane was observed rising steeply before it leveled out, the report states.

The plane landed in a residences front yard, about 50 feet from the road, the report states. Parts of the plane were broken into several pieces, its propeller was fractured off the engine and one propeller blade was bent aft, the report states.
ABSECON  A six-month investigation, which involved a separate incident, led to the arrest of an Egg Harbor Township man in a January shooting, police said Thursday.

Trasaan Jackson, 33, was charged with criminal attempted murder along with multiple first- and second-degree weapons offenses, police said. He is being held in the Atlantic County jail.

Just after 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10, officers responded to Route 30 and Delilah Road for a report of a shooting. They found an occupied vehicle that had been struck by gunfire while traveling in that area.

The driver in the Absecon case called 911 and said Jackson shot at their car while their vehicles were parallel to each other on Route 30, according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Jackson was tied to the car, a red Kia Forte, through license plate reading technology near the shooting, the affidavit states.

Egg Harbor Township man accused of threatening muffler shop employees with gun EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  A township man was arrested more than a month after he threatened empl

Video from the Marina Del Ray apartments showed two people leave the vehicle briefly before entering it again and turning onto Delilah Road in Pleasantville, the document states. The victim, who was not identified, followed the car back to the apartment complex before calling for help.

Jackson was also arrested March 6 for allegedly threatening employees with a gun at a car repair shop in Egg Harbor Township.

Absecon police used evidence in the March incident to link Jackson to the January shooting.

Jackson was seen leaving the shop in the same red Forte, the affidavit states. Police located the car, pulled him over and found a Sig Sauer 9mm gun and a box of bullets inside the vehicle.
Tokyo-headquartered Whitestone Gallery will launch a new space in central Seoul's Yongsan District this September, becoming the first Japanese exhibitor to open a permanent outpost in Korea. Courtesy of Kengo Kuma and Associates



By Park Han-sol



Tokyo-headquartered Whitestone Gallery, one of the major art dealers based in Asia, announced the scheduled opening of its new space in Seoul on Sept. 2, in time for Frieze and Kiaf Seoul.



This is the first time for any Japanese exhibitor to open a permanent outpost in Korea. Founded in 1967 by Yukio Shiraishi, Whitestone currently operates in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Taipei, Beijing, Singapore and Karuizawa. The Seoul location will be its seventh branch in Asia.



Its 700-square-meter exhibition space spanning the five-story building in the capital city's Yongsan District has been designed by acclaimed Japanese architect Kengo Kuma. The venue's rooftop area will feature outdoor sculptures and installations.



To mark its Seoul opening, the gallery is set to host a group exhibition, titled "We Love Korea," highlighting the works of East Asian post-modern and avant-garde artists and other global contemporary talents.



The show will be anchored around pieces  as well as a live painting session  by rising Japanese visual artist Miwa Komatsu, known for producing evocative images of mythical creatures and deities from East Asian traditions.



With the slated opening of its Seoul location, Whitestone will be among a flurry of international exhibitors that have recently entered or expanded their presence within the Korean art market.



Like Whitestone, White Cube is joining the art scene here this year as a newcomer, with its permanent space scheduled to open in the city's southern Gangnam District this fall.



Blue-chip art dealers Pace Gallery and Lehmann Maupin, both of which initially made inroads into Korea in 2017, announced the major expansion of their Seoul spaces in Hannam-dong last year. Thaddaeus Ropac will follow suit this September as it is set to enlarge its current outpost in the same neighborhood.



Some of the dealers have opened their second branches in the city. Paris-headquartered Perrotin, which opened its first venue in central Seoul's Samcheong-dong in 2016, unveiled its second in Gangnam District last August.



Berlin-based Peres Projects, which had been operating in the basement of The Shilla Seoul hotel since 2022, opened its second location in Samcheong-dong just a year later in April.




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NORTH WILDWOOD  Shawn LaTourette, the commissioner of New Jerseys Department of Environmental Protection, scolded Mayor Pat Rosenello in a letter Thursday over the citys work on the beach.

I write today perplexed by the city of North Wildwoods recent actions, which again break state law, violate a court order, and contradict our many productive personal discussions over the last six months, the letter begins.

In it, LaTourette outlines multiple instances in which the DEP contends the city broke state law, including in installing bulkheads and working on dunes without the required permits.

The letter, released the same day it was sent to Rosenello, states that North Wildwood has repeatedly violated coastal zone management laws and calls for the city to submit a draft mitigation plan to the DEP by July 14.

While the Wildwoods are well known for exceedingly wide beaches, that is no longer the case in North Wildwood, where serious erosion has stripped the dunes and sand from the beaches in the north end.

A beach replenishment project similar to one now adding sand to nearby Stone Harbor beaches has long been in the works but has not yet started. Officials plan for the project to encompass the entire barrier island, often known as Five Mile Island, which also includes Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and a portion of Lower Township called Diamond Beach.

The plans include constructing a line of dunes the length of the island, which has proven unpopular with some beachfront property owners.

While those discussions stretched on, the sand continued to wash off North Wildwood beaches.

Beach work complete in Avalon, set to start in Stone Harbor AVALON  With hopes high for the summer tourist economy in 2023, the borough is going to hav

Over the past several years, North Wildwood trucked sand to the north end but was unable to do that last winter because the route along the beach has been too badly eroded.

In multiple public statements, Rosenello has criticized what he sees as state inaction to rebuild the beaches. Over the July 4 holiday weekend, North Wildwood made regional headlines by placing signs on all 30 city beach entrances calling on visitors to Voice your concerns about New Jerseys inaction on North Wildwoods urgent beach issues!

The signs list phone numbers for LaTourette and for Gov. Phil Murphy, saying, These two individuals are directly responsible for the states inaction on replenishing North Wildwoods beaches.

In his letter Thursday, LaTourette made no mention of the signs but dismissed the idea that New Jersey was doing nothing to help North Wildwood beaches. He said the DEP is actively advancing more than $16 million in state-funded shore protection projects for the city.

Earlier this year, DEP effectively brought to an end the six-year stalemate between the municipalities of Five Mile Island, whose previous refusal to accept a state and federally funded engineered beach and dune project has left North Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Lower Township vulnerable to continuing erosion, rising sea-levels, and increasing risks (from) extreme weather and storm surge, the letter reads. DEP has committed nearly $10 million to this project, which would consist of an engineered dunes system and replenished beaches between Hereford Inlet and Cape May inlet on the Atlantic oceanfront.

That includes a little less than five miles of beach. Authorized after Superstorm Sandy, the federal government would cover 65% of the cost, with the other 35% paid by the state.

There is no question that had the Five Mile Island communities come to agreement in years past, North Wildwood would be better protected from erosion today, the letter continues.

That project could begin in 2025, he wrote, and the DEP is also advancing a seawall project from Third Avenue to Seventh Avenue in North Wildwood, to which the DEP has committed another $6.7 million.

Little hope for improvements to North Wildwood beach before summer NORTH WILDWOOD  Severe erosion will likely mean several blocks of beaches will be inaccessi

In addition to allegations of violations from years past, the state cited city work to reshape dunes and beach entrances from 12th Avenue to 16th Avenue last month. LaTourette alleges the city did not file an emergency authorization request until after the work was underway.

Rosenello said Thursday the June 5 work was the same as work done the week before. In a texted response to a request for comment, Rosenello said, Our legal team and environmental consultant believe that the work we did was fully within the permits that we had in hand at the time.

Despite that, the DEP issued another notice of violation to the city, part of a long list.

This will be added to the long list of legal issues between the city and the NJDEP, and will ultimately be decided by a judge, Rosenello continued.

Late last year, the state filed suit seeking an injunction against North Wildwood against constructing a bulkhead on the beach. The city filed a motion in response seeking $20 million in damages from the state.

The city faces millions of dollars worth of state penalties. In his letter, LaTourette said the state is willing to resolve those penalties.

He wrote that while the city has argued that the work on the beach is necessary for shore protection and safety, the DEP fears the projects may worsen erosion.

Meanwhile the city  pointing to its northernmost beaches, a known erosion hotspot  has repeatedly engaged in destructive and illegal conduct in the name of tourism and, supposedly, public safety, the letter states. This is wrongheaded and it must stop.

North Wildwood, state settle dispute over Seaport Pier NORTH WILDWOOD  Seaport Pier on the Boardwalk faces $2 million in fines and must make chang

Rosenello has repeatedly criticized the state, alleging it has delayed and avoided helping his community with erosion, while multiple communities see repeated beach-building projects with a total cost estimated at about $1.5 billion. In addition to the beach project in Avalon and Stone Harbor this year, Ocean City saw additional sand this year, and expects to get more in the fall, in a project also planned to add sand to Strathmere and Sea Isle City.

LaTourette wrote that beach erosion can create sense of urgency, and that North Wildwoods concerns are not unique in New Jersey.

The citys flagrant disregard for the law, however, stands apart, he wrote. Once again, I ask that you, as mayor, and all representatives of the city immediately cease and desist from this pattern and practice of violating the law. You are placing the public safety, environment, and the citys access to continued financial support for shore protection at risk.
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Little Egg Harbor Township police and the John R. Elliott HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers unveiled a new HERO-branded patrol vehicle last week to promote safe driving.

The car was dedicated in memory of Matt Uhl, who was killed by a drunken driver in April 2013. His family are active supporters of the HERO campaign.

We are grateful and proud to have the Little Egg Harbor Police save lives in memory of our son, said Al Uhl, Matts father, who participated in the unveiling of the HERO vehicle along with Matts mother, Dawn Uhl, and sister, Caitlyn Smith.

This vehicle wrap program is a great way to get the HERO Campaigns message out there in a very visible way, Little Egg Harbor police Chief James Hawkins said.

A second HERO vehicle was unveiled in Galloway Township later that day.

The addition of this vehicle to our fleet will bring even more recognition to the HERO Campaign in our area, thus promoting designated drivers, said police chief Richard D. Barber. The vehicle we wrapped is one of our community policing vehicles, therefore it will be seen by many all over town and at community events.

HERO Campaign unveils four new wrapped vehicles at A.C. Expressway ceremony The John R. Elliott HERO Campaign held a ceremony May 26 to unveil four new HERO-wrapped vehicles.

The cars were wrapped with the HERO Campaigns bright blue and yellow logo and slogan, Be a HERO. Be a Designated Driver.

The HERO Campaign promotes the importance of designated drivers in preventing drunken driving. The campaign is named in memory of Navy Ensign John R. Elliott, of Egg Harbor Township, who was killed in a collision with a drunken driver near Woodstown in 2000.

The Fourth of July is typically one of the deadliest times for impaired driving crashes. We hope drivers will see these HERO-wrapped vehicles and be reminded to be or use a designated driver to make sure everyone gets home safely this holiday weekend, said Johns father Bill Elliott.

There are now 18 HERO vehicles across South Jersey, in towns like Atlantic City, Evesham Township, Linwood, Lower Township, Margate, Middle Township, North Wildwood, Ocean City, Longport, Sea Girt, Sea Isle City, Pleasantville, Ventnor and Vineland.

For more information visit herocampaign.org or call 609-626-3880.
NORTH WILDWOOD  A person rescued from a burning home died at a hospital about an hour after flames ripped through the building Thursday, police said.

The fire broke out inside the 1-story home in the 2000 block of New York Avenue at 4:16 p.m., police said Friday.

Police and firefighters at the scene learned the person was trapped inside the home.

Firefighters began fighting the flames from inside the home, taking on the operation with search and rescue crews, police said. Within four minutes of reaching the home, two firefighters found the victim in a bedroom, removing them through a window.

Medical aid was performed on the person before they were brought to Cape Regional Medical Center in Cape May Court House, where they were declared dead shortly after 5 p.m., police said.

Police are not releasing the person's name until their investigation is complete.

The fire was deemed under control at 4:30 p.m. The Cape May County Fire Marshal's Office and Prosecutor's Office arrived about 5 p.m.

No other injuries were reported. The scene was cleared by 6:50 p.m., police said.

A civilian assisted first responders at the scene, police said.

Firefighters from Stone Harbor, Wildwood Crest, West Wildwood, Rio Grande and Middle Township assisted.
Gov. Phil Murphy is expected to sign a bill into law that would require Central Jersey to be promoted in the states tourism literature.

So does that mean its a real place?

Last week, the state Legislature passed a bill requiring New Jersey to redraw its tourism map, including and promoting Central Jersey. For those uninitiated, this may not seem to be a big deal. But for locals, its almost as bad as the pork roll vs. Taylor ham debate. Well explain.

Traditionally, New Jersey has been separated into north and south. Sure, there are other sections, but  as a point of pride  many residents refuse to acknowledge Central Jersey as a real place.

North vs. South residents historically dont think highly of each other. They also use different words to describe things: Theres pork roll vs. Taylor ham, hoagies vs. subs, and sprinkles vs. jimmies. Ironically, the one thing they can usually agree on is that Central Jersey doesnt exist.

But for those who live in what they call Central Jersey  including Murphy, who grew up in the appropriately named Middletown Township  it has been a long road of eager insistence. When Murphy gave his inaugural speech in 2018, he drew his line in the sand: We are one New Jersey, he said. North, Central and South  an extended family striving for success.

It broke the internet in its own uniquely Jersey way.

The debate on north, south and central made its way to mainstream audiences when Stephen Colbert did a "Late Show" segment titled: Is Central Jersey a Real Place?

In the 2018 bit, Colbert sat down with Murphy to ask about Central Jersey.

Its a little bit of a mystical kingdom, kind of a Camelot, Murphy told Colbert. Its definitely-maybe Narnia.

Playing into the bit, Murphy remains centrally centrist on everything, identifying the meat Colbert holds up as Taylor pork and the sandwich as a sub or hoagie.

The segment ends with comedian Jon Stewart proclaiming that Central Jersey does in fact exist, because he "grew up there. He also went on to say that Philadelphia doesnt exist, adding some additional colorful and unpublishable thoughts.

Still, even those who acknowledge Central Jersey cant always agree on its boundaries.

The new bill, which could be signed by the governor any day now, requires the Division of Travel and Tourism to redraw its tourism map to promote Central Jersey.

The reworked map and other marketing and promotional tools  such as things on the VisitNJ.org website  will need to include Central Jersey. The bills language also calls for promotional language enticing tourists to stay in Central Jersey.

Still, it probably wont end the ongoing debates, nor do sponsors intend it to.

Atlantic City was once famous for its gay bars. Now it has none. ATLANTIC CITY  New York Avenue in the 1960s and 70s was viewed as a thriving oasis for the

According to NJ.com, sponsors said the legislation was less about ending the arguments and more about boosting the central regions economy.

While the very existence of the middle of our state has long been the subject of debate, we are long overdue in designating Central Jersey as the hub of tourism, innovation and history that it is, said state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, the legislations main sponsor and a Democrat from Central Jerseys Middlesex County.

According to the bills language, Central Jersey will include Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset counties at a minimum.

As evidenced by the very lawmakers tasked to work on this bill, a debate will likely continue on Central Jerseys existence for decades to come.

Assemblyman Brian Bergen, a Morris Republican, was one of two lawmakers to vote against the bill. Bergen tweeted Friday, There is no Central Jersey!

Zwicker clapped back: Bergen = real, but thats the County.

So, in short, dont expect this to let up any time soon just because of a new map.
CAMBRIDGE, Ill.  A 19-year-old Kewanee woman was sentenced to 14 years in prison Thursday in Henry County Circuit Court for Class 2 felony aggravated driving under the influence/death.

Jerni T. Warner entered the fully negotiated plea agreement as the result of an accident on the afternoon of Sept. 5, 2021, on Route 78 north of Kewanee in which Warner's 2010 Chevrolet Malibu crossed the center line completely and struck a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a Chevrolet Suburban.

As part of the plea agreement, Warner will have to serve at least 85% of the 14 years. She will have two years mandatory supervised release following her prison term and a fine of $15,000 and assessments. A sum of $39,445 was assessed to Warner's parents for the cost of her 314-day stay in the Mary Davis Juvenile Detention Center following the accident.

Garry and Leah Kelly, who were on the motorcycle, died at the scene. The seven occupants of the Suburban, including driver Jonathan Hawk, escaped serious injury.

Open alcohol was located in the Warner vehicle, and she was found to have a blood-alcohol concentration of more than twice the legal limit.

Garry Kelly's sister, Jennifer Kelly, was the first of five people to give victim-impact statements at the plea hearing. She said it was a blessing in a way that her brother hadn't survived the accident because being unable to walk or be active would have been hell for him.

You can't call this an accident; she could have prevented this if she had just called for help, she said.

Kelly noted her brother would never walk his daughter down the aisle or see his grandchildren, and she would never be able to call him or see him at family reunions.

Like several other survivors, she said she held Warner's parents accountable for their daughter's actions, too.

I hope Jerni's little sister doesn't follow in her footsteps, she said. She took two wonderful people from us and deserves more than 14 years.

The couple's eldest son, Easton Egert, recalled learning of the the deaths of two of the greatest people in my life while 1,800 miles away. He said from his time in the military, he had a lot of experience with alcohol-related incidents and noted that her social media posts reflected that blood was on her hands. He said he had called his parents for literally everything from failures to achievements and now was scheduled to graduate from college in two years but didn't care about that at all.

This sentencing does not pay your debt, he said. It will never pay your debt for as long as you live.

Son Tristan Egert said his mother was the epitome of selflessness with a heart of gold and his father was very inclusive and brought laughter and happiness into any room. He said his last time with them had been rushed, without any time for a hug or an "I love you," only see you later.

He said the good parents died that day, while Warner's parents he termed accomplice one and two.

Nothing you do will ever come close to filling the hole that you have created, he said.

Leah Kelly's sister called the deceased a warrior, a fierce mama bear who no one dared to cross. She noted how her brother-in-law had loved fishing, boating, camping and his motorcycle and the pair had visited all the lower 48 states, Canada and Mexico.

For 21 years I never saw one without the other, she said, adding the couple were just getting to the good part where their hopes and dreams were realized.

Directing her words to the defendant, she said, Please, I beg of you, take every opportunity for self-improvement. Come out with a thirst to serve your community. You have more years left than they were ever given.

Hawk, the driver of the Suburban, described his family suspended upside down from their seat belts with the smell of gasoline immediately after the crash and waiting for it to explode. The children in the vehicle were 1 month old, 5 years old, 6, 10 and 13. He said the 10-year-old would wake up with nightmares for weeks afterward. The 6-year-old's facial scar took weeks to heal while he didn't know how a concussion would affect the baby for the rest of his life.

Hawk recalled Warner laughing, joking and smiling at the hospital after the accident.

Maybe you were still drunk and high. Maybe you didn't know you killed two people. Maybe you didn't care, he said. I hope you live the rest of your life trying to be worthy of the forgiveness you're given here by me and the other people here today.

In an unsworn statement, Warner said she had been in shock, denial and disbelief after the accident and was not prepared to process what was going on.

I constantly think about the impact this has had on everyone's lives, she said, adding she was sorry for the memories they would no longer be able to make without their mother and father.

I never intended for this to happen, she said, noting she couldn't change the outcome no matter how much she wished she could. I'm so sorry, and I will carry this with me forever.

(This story previously misstated Warner's age.)




Korea's current account returned to the black in May on the back of a trade surplus and increased dividend payments from overseas, central bank data showed Friday.







The country's current account surplus reached $1.93 billion in May, swinging from a deficit of $790 million a month earlier, according to the preliminary data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).







May's surplus came as the country logged a trade surplus and the service account deficit narrowed.







The primary income account, which tracks wages of foreign workers and dividend payments from overseas, also reported a surplus, the data showed.


CAMBRIDGE, Ill.  An Orion man was sentenced to eight years in prison on two counts of child pornography Thursday in Henry County Circuit Court.

Frank R. Laughner, 24, was sentenced to two four-year prison terms to be served mandatorily consecutive or one following the other. He is eligible for day-for-day credit and credit for time served. He was also given a $1,000 fine on each of the two counts, and he will be required to register as a sex offender for life. He also has one-year mandatory supervised release on completion of his prison sentence.

Laughner made an unsworn statement at his sentencing in which he said he was so, so sorry for his crimes and that he had actually enjoyed going to therapy sessions. He said he was the child of a broken home and in hanging around his father's home he got to know neighbors who were three to six years older than he was. He said they introduced him to sex at a young age and from then on it was consistently in my life.

He cited the progress he's made in therapy for the past 19 months since his arrest.

I'm super happy with the progress I've made since starting, he said. I've got a long, long way to go. Please let me continue this journey.

Laughner's attorney John Ruud said his client had not only been in counseling for the past 19 months but also in the workforce. He asked for a term of probation.

He's really done everything we asked him to do, and I would say beyond, he said, noting Laughner actually thanked the police officers who initially interviewed him. It was a cry for help in my mind.

Henry County State's Attorney Catherine Runty admitted that Laughner was very cooperative with law enforcement.

To acknowledge Mr. Laughner has been cooperative might be an understatement, she said. However, we are not talking about a single image or a single lapse in judgment. This is as Mr. Laughner acknowledges a long-standing addiction borne out of trauma and mental health issues.

Runty said she was confident Laughner could continue his progress in therapy within the Department of Corrections. She asked for consecutive five-year terms.

In imposing the prison sentence, Judge Colby Hathaway said it was necessary to deter others from the same or similar conduct.
Around 3,000 Iowa farms are now selling meat directly to consumers, up 50 percent from the number doing that in 2015.

Amana Farms Beef was one of those operations that made that shift during the pandemic and its concurrent supply chain problems.

"Some of those folks were being put on a waiting list for not just months, but years, to be able to get a slot to get an animal in and get it processed," said John McGrath, general manager of Amana Farms.

"Because we're a larger-sized producer, we were able to work with a medium-sized processor and they were able to get us in with just a couple of weeks' notice."

In the past, individuals have been able to order meat directly from farmers if they had a personal connection with the farmer. Opening up that opportunity to the public works much like that, McGrath said.

Selling points

McGrath said another reason for shifting the Amana Farms' business model was customers wanting more transparency about the food they eat.

"There has been more of a movement for folks desiring to know the people that are raising their food and want to know more about it," he said.

Chris Montross, from the family-owned Montross Cattle Farm in Williamsburg, said he switched to a direct-order model in the fall of 2021 to reach more customers during the pandemic.

Since then, Montross said, he's continued to emphasize the safety his farm's meat.

Other distributors also produce safe meat, he said, but there is no guarantee without being able to source the product. Recently, 51 people in Iowa became ill after a catering company violated the storage temperature requirements for meat.

Montross described his farm's meat as "perfectly safe" because the product the farm sells is raised in their own facilities and taken to a local processor, eliminating any risk associated with sourcing meat.

He said his customers also cite a distinct difference in taste. Because Montross Cattle Farm hangs its meat for 21 days to 28 days to allow for proper aging, the flavor is what makes consumers come back, he said.

"That makes a world of difference, and the big chains aren't able to do that," Montross said. "That's been our biggest compliment."

David Grunklee, the dean of applied technologies at Hawkeye Community College and a former member of the state's Artisanal Butchery Task Force, agreed, saying meat from a local farm is typically of higher quality.

Direct-order meat programs have become more popular in recent years due to cheaper shipping options and the difference in taste, he said.

"You're going to get fresher, better quality," Grunklee said.

A growing industry

Direct-order meat sales in Iowa totaled just under $30 million in 2020, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics cited by Amanda Van Steenwyk, farm business development manager for the Iowa Farm Bureau.

In 2015, she said, just over 2,000 Iowa farms were selling direct to consumers. That number has increased to nearly 3,000 by 2020, when the pandemic set in.

One reason for the growth, she said, is the increased control farmers have over pricing the business model gives them.

"The idea of being a price-setter instead of a price-taker, for many operations, is appealing," Van Steenwyk said. "Farmers are entrepreneurs at heart  they see the opportunity, and they want to seize the opportunity."

While direct-order programs are more work than selling to distributors, the financial benefits and the control over profits balance out the additional costs of shipping and communication with customers, she said.

The Iowa Farm Bureau, she said, now offers a Grow Your Future award that offers up to $7,500 to young farmers with innovative ideas.

"It's your younger generations, your generations that are coming back to the farm that are interested" in direct-order programs, Van Steenwyk said. "It'll be an interesting area of agriculture to continue to watch."

Van Steenwyk said she anticipates direct-selling will continue to grow. As farmers continue to learn marketing strategies to promote their business, more revenue will come from the business model, she said.

"Farmers are doing a better job of marketing and advertising what they have to offer," she said.

Reaching customers

Jennifer Hinrichs, the program manager for the direct-order meat at Amana Farms Beef, said the process has been full of learning what customers are looking for in the cuts and the bundling of meat.

McGrath described Hinrichs as a "one-woman show" in organizing the direct-order program and hammering out the logistics.

"I've been learning the best way to process everything to make sure that we have products that people are wanting, and just trying to learn those different dynamics of the influx and trends," Hinrichs said.

As for advertising, most customers find the farm through a Google search. The farm also is active on social media, Hinrichs said.

Montross Cattle Farm also has been selling at local farmers markets recently, increasing its sales by around 20 percent, she said.

The Montross Cattle Farm website and Facebook page emphasize how animals are treated on the farm, showing animals in spacious conditions. Pigs are raised in an unconfined area, and calves are raised in a pasture.

Both McGrath and Montross said the public response to the direct-order meat programs have been wholly positive.

"We've been very well received," Montross said. "Getting it in people's hands is the hardest part for us."
The Quad Cities Community Foundation (QCCF) is seeking monetary donations for the First Day Fund to help prepare area students for the new school year.

The fund supports the annual "First Day Project: Quad City-Wide Student Supply Drive," an initiative launched by Davenport Community Schools in 2006.

Since its inception, the First Day Fund has donated more than $160,000 to area schools across Scott and Rock Island counties.

To donate, visit https://www.qccommunityfoundation.org/first-day-fund.

According to the QCCF's First Day Fund webpage, approximately 24,000 Quad-City students are eligible for Free & Reduced waivers for school meals and fees  with some school districts having as high as 70% of their student population qualifying.

The need has just grown and grown and grown, Davenport community education specialist John Border said in a news release. We cant fix everything, but the First Day Project makes an immediate, tangible difference for these students by helping them feel prepared to learn."

The First Day Fund accepts monetary donations year-round, and school supplies can be donated at various sites during the summer.

However, the need for donations is greatest now as back-to-school shopping begins, QCCF donor services specialist Melanie Jones wrote in the release.

Monetary donations give schools a tremendous amount of flexibility to meet specific needs for our students, Border said. These gifts fill in a lot of gaps.

Sights from Washington Elementary School's "building hug" and bell dedication
Two Scott County lawmakers are making trips to the U.S.-Mexico border this summer.

State Rep. Luana Stoltenberg, R-Davenport, joined a group of six other Iowa Republican representatives June 12-14 on a trip to Texas. There, the group spoke with law enforcement officials and ranchers and observed customs inspection processes, she said, with a focus on how border operations impact Iowa.

Meanwhile, this week, State Rep. Ken Croken, D-Davenport, is in El Paso. The representative left Tuesday to volunteer at a migrant shelter run by the areas Catholic diocese.

Croken said his decision to go was in response to a decision by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to deploy 100 Iowa National Guard troops and 30 Department of Public Safety personnel to Texas at the end of May.

Reynolds authorized the deployment following a request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott after a pandemic-era measure, Title 42, which allowed the U.S. to swiftly expel migrants, expired in May.

Croken said he wanted to send a different message.

I said, Id like to come and help rather than showing how many guns we can muster out of Iowa, I wanted part of the story to be that Iowa values include compassion, Croken said.

Croken said this is his second trip to the border  his first he made in summer, 2022, as an attorney to help migrants prepare for their hearings.

Reynolds and other Republicans have been critical of President Joe Bidens administrations policies on the border. It also has been a key talking point for Republican presidential candidates visiting Iowa ahead of the caucuses.

For most of Bidens presidency, the U.S. has experienced a record number of border crossings, and officials expected more after Title 42 expired. In the two months since, however, the number of daily crossings has been around 3,360, the New York Times reported, citing Department of Homeland Security data. In March 2022, that average was about 7,100.

Stoltenberg said on the trip, her biggest takeaway is that its a mess for both migrants trying to seek a new life in the U.S. and for border patrol and enforcement agents. She said her group was told of migrants, including women and children, being exploited or abused by smugglers at the border, as well as vehicles smuggling drugs being transported to places across the country.

Stoltenberg said her group talked with border protection officials whod detained a truck filled with drugs during their trip. The officials investigation, she said, found that the drivers intended destination was Iowa.

I learned that its a mess; we need a wall put up. Every person we talked to, we asked them, how can this be better handled and they said, we need a wall there, she said.

Stoltenberg said shes still thinking about the trip and what the state legislature could take action on. At the time of the trip, Stoltenberg said, her group was told that Iowa national guardsmen hadnt yet arrived at the border.

This session, the Iowa legislature passed, and Reynolds signed a law, HF 630, which increased the punishment for those who participate in or benefit from human trafficking.

Stoltenbergs trip was organized by Rep. Mark Thompson, a Republican from Wright County, and other Iowa Republicans who went to the border included Reps. Helena Hayes, of Mahaska County; Steve Bradley, of Jones County; Eddie Andrews, of Polk County; Zach Dieken, of OBrien County; and Tom Gerhold, of Benton County.

Each representative paid for their own trip, according to a press release.

Photos: Migrants rush across US border in final hours before pandemic rule expires
The Republican Party of Iowa announced the final lineup for this months Lincoln Dinner, which will be the largest gathering of Republican presidential candidates in Iowa to date.

The fundraiser will feature nearly every Republican presidential contender in the field:

Former President Donald Trump

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Former Vice President Mike Pence

Former U.N. Ambassador and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley

South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott

Ohio entrepeneur Vivek Ramaswamy

Former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson

California talk radio host Larry Elder

Michigan businessman Perry Johnson

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez

Texas pastor Ryan Binkley

Former Texas U.S. Rep. Will Hurd

Candidates will speak to the gathering of Iowa Republicans as they seek to gain their support ahead of the first-in-the-nation 2024 GOP caucuses.

The only major candidate not attending is former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has largely stayed out of Iowa since announcing his candidacy, focusing his efforts instead in New Hampshire, which will hold the first primary election.

The Lincoln Dinner fundraiser, hosted by Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufmann, will be held on Friday, July 28, at the Iowa Events Center. Tickets range from $150 to $10,000, with the higher prices granting access to a separate host reception.

PRO-PENCE PAC ATTACKS TRUMP ON RUSSIA

A super PAC supporting former Vice President Mike Pence's presidential campaign launched a new ad Thursday in Iowa attacking former President Donald Trump's past praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The 30-second spot, titled Strength, calls out Trump for being an apologist for thugs and dictators, including Putin and Kim, according to a news release.

The ad shows a headline about comments Trump made in February 2022 describing Putins invasion of Ukraine as genius and savvy.

The ad also shows a photo of Trump shaking hands with the North Korean leader, in addition to a post from Trump congratulating Kim after North Korea joined the World Health Organization executive board.

America doesnt stand with thugs and dictators. We confront them  or at least, we used to, a narrator says in the ad.

There can be no room in the leadership of the Republican Party for apologists for Putin. There can only be room for champions of freedom, the former vice president can later be heard saying in the ad in a clip from remarks he made at an event.

The new ad will run on Fox News and digital platforms in Iowa over the next 10 days as part of a $150,000 buy, according to a news release.

The ad comes days after Pence became the first 2024 GOP presidential hopeful to travel to Ukraine and meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to express solidarity and support for Ukraine and its people in its fight against Russia.

TIM SCOTT RELEASES NEW IOWA AD

Republican president candidate and South Carolina U.S. Sen. Tim Scott released a new ad Thursday in Iowa criticizing President Joe Biden and his administration over gender-inclusive policies and others that seek to advance racial equality.

Scott, who is one of only 11 Black lawmakers to have served in the U.S. Senate and the only Republican currently in the Senate, has made his diverging views and unwavering optimism about racism in America central to his campaign for the presidency.

Scott has presented himself as living proof of the progress that America has made in allowing anyone to prosper, regardless of race or background. On the campaign trail, Scott talks about being raised by a poor, single mother and then going to become the first Black senator elected from the South since Reconstruction.

He went on ABCs daytime talk show The View last month to debate his view that America is not a racist country and tussled with hosts over how much progress the U.S. has made on addressing racial inequality.

Former President Barack Obama, the nations first and only Black president, also criticized Scotts optimistic tone on race, stating in a podcast interview with his former White House senior adviser David Axelrod that Scotts hopeful message has to be undergirded with an honest accounting of our past and our present.

Scott, in the new ad, title Winning, criticizes Biden and the radical left over education policies he claims "are indoctrinating our children into believing everybody is a victim.

Teaching CRT instead of ABC, Scott adds, referring to the besieged academic framework that says racism is systemic, and punishing excellence by eliminating honors classes, and promoting a transgender ideology thats ruining womens sports.

It is part of a larger $6 million ad buy his campaign announced in May. The ad is airing on broadcast TV in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Sioux City markets and statewide on Fox News and satellite TV, according to Scotts campaign.

Scott will be back in Iowa July 14 to speak at the Christian conservative Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines.

The 10 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2024 Interactive: 2024 Senate map
JOHNSTON  Praising Gov. Kim Reynolds policies in education and parental involvement, Florida first lady Casey DeSantis said her husband, Ron DeSantis, would bring the same energy and priorities to the White House. during a campaign stop near Des Moines on Thursday.

Casey DeSantis spoke Thursday at a campaign even near Des Moines, moderated by Reynolds, as part of the launch of Mamas for DeSantis, a group to mobilize mothers and grandmothers who support Ron DeSantiss bid for the Republican nomination for president.

Were mobilizing millions, millions of moms and grandmothers across the United States of America in defense of the innocence of our children, Casey DeSantis said on Thursday. A lot of bad things going on, and I can tell you with what Governor DeSantis has done, he will lead the charge and he will clean house.

Policies intended to increase school transparency and give parents more involvement in their childrens education have been a key issue in the Republican presidential primary, with Republicans taking aim at what they call indoctrination in schools and inappropriate subject matters in curriculum and school library books.

DeSantis said the COVID-19 pandemic gave parents a window into what their children were being taught at school, and said some did not approve of the curriculum being taught. She said the focus on those issues during her husbands last campaign had broad appeal to independent voters that led to his outsized victory.

He won women by nearly 10 points, the first Republican governor in nearly 50 years to do that, she said. These policies of standing up for families, standing up for moms and dads and standing up in defense of the innocence of our children, it resonates across parties.

Parents rights advanced by Republicans

Reynolds also made Parents Matter a key slogan of her 2022 reelection campaign, promising to give parents more input in their childrens education and allow parents to use state dollars to send their children to private schools.

Reynolds signed into law a bill that prohibits teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity in elementary school, bans certain books from school libraries and requires parental permission for a child to change their name or pronouns at school.

Parts of that law were similar to one DeSantis signed in 2022, called by critics the dont say gay law, which banned discussions about gender identity or sexual orientation through third grade. That ban was extended this year through grade 12, with some exceptions.

Those policies were lobbied for in Iowa by Moms for Liberty, a conservative group that advocates for policies that restrict LGBTQ topics in education and increase school curriculum transparency.

Missy Collins, a Perry resident and one of many members of Moms for Liberty at the event, said the issues of parental involvement appeal especially to women, who often have a bigger hand in their childrens education.

Were seeing our kids growing up in the school system and we want to make sure that theyre on the right path, she said. We want to make sure that our religious values are protected, and that were not sending them off to school to be taught things that we dont feel like we would teach them at home.

School choice applauded

Casey DeSantis also applauded Reynolds for passing a law that will eventually allow any Iowa parent to use their childs full state public school allocation to attend private school. The program received more than 29,000 applications last month, double what was budgeted by state officials.

You should not be destined to the zip code that you live in for your opportunities to live up to your God-given potential, DeSantis said. It shouldn't be up to the parents to decide what education they think are best for their children, and government should get out of the way.

Ron DeSantis got his own expansion of private school assistance, signing a law this year that made a pre-existing Florida school choice program universal.

Reynolds said Iowas program will increase education opportunities across the state, and it was crucial to the goal of giving parents a choice in their childrens education.

We want to elevate all of education, and we believe that competition will do that, she said. Im a product of a public school, I raised our three daughters at a public school, (my) grandchildren are going there, but parents ultimately should be the decision makers.

People enjoy the activities and fireworks at the Red, White and Boom 070323-qc-nws-boom-139a.JPG Bring on the booms! 070323-qc-nws-boom-047a.JPG 070323-qc-nws-boom-315a.JPG 070323-qc-nws-boom-246a.JPG 070323-qc-nws-boom-099a.JPG 070323-qc-nws-boom-040a.JPG 070323-qc-nws-boom-282a.JPG 070323-qc-nws-boom-060a.JPG
More than 29,000 Iowa students applied to receive roughly $7,600 in state money to be used to pay for private school costs such as tuition and fees. And nearly 17,500 students  the majority of whom already attend private schools  have been approved so far, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced Thursday.

The numbers exceed state projections that predicted 14,068 students would be approved to receive education savings accounts in the program's first year.

However, the final cost of the program and the final number of education savings account  or ESA  program participants will not be available until certified school enrollment numbers are finalized in October, Reynolds office said.

And not every family approved may be able to use the state-funded assistance, as space is limited at Iowas private schools. Some have wait lists for certain grades and are turning families away, while others say theyre nowhere near capacity.

The governor's office said accredited private schools have reported there are roughly 9,000 slots available across the state for new private school students, meaning there could be more students approved than seats available in private schools.

The tremendous response from Iowa families demonstrates theres both a need and a strong desire for school choice in our state, Reynolds said in a statement. Allowing parents to choose the education thats best for their children levels the playing field and creates equal opportunities for Iowas students.

Opponents argue the new law will pull critical resources from public schools, which serve more than 90% of Iowa students, and will disproportionately benefit higher-income families.

Imagine what an unlimited budget like the one for Governor Reynolds private school voucher program would mean for Iowas public school students, said a statement from Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association, the states largest teachers union. State-of-the-art labs and equipment, up-to-date technology, and laptops (to) give every student an equal chance for success. We could have nurses and counselors in every building, one-to-one assistance for any child who needs it, music, art, and shop supplies to develop new talent and skills, and the list goes on. Unfortunately for Iowans, the governor and the majority party in the statehouse have decided that unlimited budgets are reserved for just a select few Iowans.

Nearly 486,500 K-12 students attended Iowa public schools during the 2022-23 school year, according to state certified enrollment numbers.

The law provides $1,205 in state money to public schools for every private school student receiving an education savings account within the public school district's boundaries. The district, though, would lose the $7,600 in per-pupil funding from the state for every student who switches from public to private school.

Funding every application that has already been approved would cost the state $133.5 million. And that number could increase as more applications are approved. The state has until July 31 to complete its review and approve or deny all pending applications.

The Iowa Legislature allocated $107.4 million to fund the program in its first year. And as with public school funding, it is a standing unlimited appropriation, meaning all approved educations savings accounts will be funded, state officials said.

State Rep. John Wills, a Republican from Spirit Lake who floor managed the bill  House File 68  in the Iowa House, told The Gazette last week there is plenty of money in the states rainy day fund to pay for additional scholarships beyond what was budgeted.

By the end of the new fiscal year on June 30, 2024, Iowa is projected to have a $2 billion general fund budget surplus and nearly $962 million in cash reserves.

Wills said more money also could be budgeted if needed by lawmakers when the next regular legislative session begins in January.

The nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency estimated the new law would cost the state $345 million annually by 2027, when fully implemented. In total, over the course of four years, the program would cost the state an estimated $879 million, according to the fiscal analysis.

Process starts with state application

All incoming kindergartners and all K-12 students currently attending a public school who choose to enroll in an accredited non-public school for the 2023-24 school year are eligible for the ESA program, regardless of income. Also eligible are students who attended an accredited non-public school this past school year, if their household income is at or below 300 percent of the 2023 federal poverty level. That equates to $90,000 or less for a family of four.

Eligibility expands in the 2024-25 school to include households at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty, currently $120,000 or less for a family of four.

Beginning in the 2025-26 school year, all K-12 students statewide become eligible regardless of income.

In addition to applying for an ESA, families apply to the accredited non-public school of their choice and, if accepted, will later update their ESA account indicating the school their child plans to attend. Accounts will be funded beginning July 15.

The school then sends an invoice for tuition and fees to the ESA account. Once parents approve the payment, funds are transferred from the state-owned bank account in Iowa to the school and the student is considered enrolled, according to the governors office.

If a students ESA has been funded, but he or she does not attend an accredited non-public school by Sept. 30, the ESA will be closed and the funds will be retained by the state and returned to the general fund, according to the governors staff.

Majority of approved applications are current private school students

The state began accepting ESA applications May 31 and families had until 11:59 p.m. June 30 to apply.

As of Thursday, 40%  or nearly 7,000  of the 17,500 applications approved were students planning to move from a public to an accredited private school in Iowa, according to numbers released by the governors office, and includes incoming kindergartners. Thats more than the 4,841 students the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency predicted would transfer in the first year.

The remaining 60% were students already attending accredited private schools who met the income eligibility.

The average net household income for applicants moving from public to private schools is $128,500, while the average net household income for current private school applicants is $62,200, the governors office said.

History of affirmative action in higher education History of affirmative action in higher education 1946: 85% of Black college students attended poorly funded Black schools 1961: JFK signs an executive using the phrase affirmative action for the first time in its modern context Late 1960s: Civil Rights Movement prompts elite universities to prioritize greater diversity in admissions 1972: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act amended to include educational institutions 1978: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke 1996: California and Texas ban affirmative action in college admissions 2003: Grutter v. Bollinger 2016: Fisher v. University of Texas 2022: Supreme Court hears Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard History of affirmative action in higher education 1946: 85% of Black college students attended poorly funded Black schools 1961: JFK signs an executive using the phrase affirmative action for the first time in its modern context Late 1960s: Civil Rights Movement prompts elite universities to prioritize greater diversity in admissions 1972: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act amended to include educational institutions 1978: Regents of the University of California v. Bakke 1996: California and Texas ban affirmative action in college admissions 2003: Grutter v. Bollinger 2016: Fisher v. University of Texas 2022: Supreme Court hears Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard
BLOOMINGTON  As Congress prepares to draft its 2023 Farm Bill, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Springfield, said crop insurance will continue to serve as a pillar in what could be a trillion-dollar proposal.

Durbin met with area agriculture leaders at the Illinois Farm Bureau on Thursday to discuss their priorities. Although topics like trade promotion were encouraged, Durbin said crop insurance will be a foundation that can move the country forward.

"What the producers are looking for more than anything is a sound policy based on crop insurance for those who are in that field that they can count on in the future," Durbin said. "The crop insurance program for at least two farm bill cycles, maybe more, has been a reliable policy basis in Washington and I'm glad to say that we're going to have it again as the basis for our federal foreign policy."

Durbin added that it's likely this could be nation's first trillion-dollar farm bill.

"When you consider the size of agriculture production across the United States, it's a modest investment in terms of our return, return on the quality and safety of the food that we consume, but also on all of the different elements of farming that are important to the economy," Durbin said.

Durbin was joined by U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson of Illinois' First Congressional District, who touted the urban initiatives that could be implemented in the 2023 Farm Bill that would educate children on how essential farming is.

"Unfortunately, we've gone too far away from people in the urban market understanding where the food comes from," Jackson said.

Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert said crop insurance is very important to the bureau's members, as it will allow farmers to recuperate some of their input costs when faced with certain challenges.

He also stressed the importance of nutrition assistance programs, which provide for school lunch programs and ensure rural families have access to quality food.
A Pennington County Judge sentenced a 34-year-old Rapid City man to 20 years in prison with three suspended on Thursday for shooting a man with a shotgun on Dec. 30, 2022.

Leon Plumman was arrested for attempted murder two days after he shot a man who had been "driving around" with his estranged wife, according to the state. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault on May 22.

The man suffered a four- to five-inch wound to the thigh, Deputy Pennington County State's Attorney Angela Shute said at the sentencing hearing.

A shotgun shell wad was found in the wound, and pellets spread into his body. Shute said some of the pellets "remain in his body."

The shooting occurred in the 900 block of North Seventh Street in Rapid City. When the Rapid City Police Department arrived, they found blood, a shoe, a hat and a cell phone, Shute said.

Police found the victim about a mile-and-a-half away in the area of Crestwood Street and Downing Drive after someone else called 911 about a man with a gunshot wound.

According to Shute, the victim asked the driver of the vehicle to take him to his father's house to see him for the last time because "he thought he was gonna die."

He spent 20 days in the hospital and still suffers from the injuries, Shute said. He was not present in the courtroom.

Plumman chose not to speak on his own behalf. His attorney, Matthew Stephens, said his client is "guarded and distrustful" and has difficulty with relationships. He noted the lack of family or friends in the courtroom to support him.

Stephens added his client is "only 34" and could benefit from counseling.

"I believe this was rather impulsive on Leon's part," Stephens said.

The state asked Circuit Court Judge Jane Wipf Pfeifle to sentence Plumman to 20 years in prison with five suspended. Stephens asked the judge to consider suspending a larger portion.

Normally, aggravated assault has a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine in South Dakota. Since Plumman has past felony convictions, the potential sentence increased to a maximum of 25 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine.

Wipf Pfeifle, before landing on the 20-year sentence with three years suspended, called Plumman an "extraordinary danger to the community."

"It's just so fortunate you're a terrible shot and you didn't kill him," Wipf Pfeifle said.
BEIJING (AP)  China on Wednesday dismissed criticism of racially tinged comments by its top diplomat, who said Westerners are incapable of distinguishing among Chinese, Koreans and Japanese.





Americans take all visitors from China, South Korea and Japan as Asians. They cannot tell the differences and its the same in Europe, said Wang Yi, a former foreign minister who now heads the ruling Communist Partys foreign affairs commission. No matter how yellow you dye your hair, or how sharp you make your nose, youll never turn into a European or American, youll never turn into a Westerner."





One needs to know where ones roots are," Wang said at a trilateral forum in the northern Chinese city of Qingdao on Monday. "China, Japan, Korea  if we can join hands and cooperate, it would not only suit the interests of our three countries, but also the wishes of our peoples and together we can prosper, revitalize East Asia and enrich the world."





Wangs comments drew immediate condemnation, particularly from scholars online. Asked about the critical response at a briefing Wednesday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin replied, we cannot agree with it at all.





In a speech to the forum, Wang Yi emphasized cooperation among the three nations, adding that some major countries outside the region deliberately exaggerate ideological differences, weave various exclusive small circles, and try to replace cooperation with confrontation and unity with division.





That was a clear reference to the United States, China's chief rival, which it routinely accuses of hegemonism.





The U.S. has security alliances with both Japan and South Korea, whose open societies and multiparty democracies contrast sharply with China's strict authoritarian one-party system. China's closest allies in northeast Asian are North Korea and Russia.





Only a region that is united and self-reliant can eliminate external interference and achieve sustainable development, added Wang, who then promoted a series of Chinese initiatives, including Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's signature Belt and Road cross-border infrastructure project.





China has for centuries viewed itself as the economic, political and cultural center of East Asia, a role it is seeking to regain under Xi's aggressive foreign policy and campaign for the "Great Rejuvenation of the Chinese Nation."





On Twitter, Bonnie Glaser, Asia Director of the George Marshall Fund of the United States, wrote: This message will not land well with Japan and South Korea. Does Wang Yi really think that national interests are less important than appearance?





The irony of ... Wang Yi telling Japanese and Koreans you can never become an American, is that Japanese and Koreans become Americans every day, wrote Jeff M. Smith, director of the Asian Studies Center at U.S. think tank The Heritage Foundation.





Theyre part of the fabric of America. What they cant become is Chinese. Tone deaf. Again, Smith wrote.





There are millions of U.S. citizens of Chinese, Japanese and Korean heritage.





Some commentators also noted that Wang's comments were reminiscent of Japan's 20th century Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, essentially a front for its bid to conquer much of the continent and supplant Western influence.




Koo Byoung-sam, a spokesperson for the unification ministry, speaks at a press conference at the government complex in Seoul, June 14. Yonhap



South Korea's unification ministry said Friday it has published hard copy prints of an English version of its report on North Korea's human rights situation as part of efforts to raise global awareness on the issue.



The publication is a printed version of the government's annual report on North Korea's human rights violations, which was first made public in late March in line with President Yoon Suk Yeol's hard-line policy toward the North.



Based on the testimonies of more than 500 North Korean defectors, the report highlights widespread abuses by state authorities, including murder, torture and public execution.



The report said North Koreans' right to life appears to be "seriously" threatened due to North Korean authorities' "arbitrary" use of power for human rights violations.



"The Ministry of Unification sincerely hopes that the publication of the English version of the 2023 report on their human rights will spread the understanding of promoting human rights situation in North Korea," ministry spokesperson Koo Byoung-sam said in a rare press briefing held with English interpretation.



The ministry said it plans to distribute some 1,500 copies of the report to major institutions in and out of the country, including overseas diplomatic missions, foreign embassies in Seoul, international organizations and advocacy groups.



The ministry has been compiling the annual report since 2018 under the North Korean Human Rights Act, but the findings had not been made public in the past, apparently to avoid provoking Pyongyang. (Yonhap)


Geneva, 6 July 2023: Fewer journalists were killed in the first six months of this year, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) said on Thursday. Since 1 January, 27 journalists have paid for their profession with their lives in 17 countries. This is the lowest figure recorded for more than 15 years. Although the number of deaths is falling, arbitrary arrests, beatings, threats and censorship continue to be reported in every continent.





"This casualty figure is still high, but it is moving in the right direction. There is hope that the mobilisation of governments, the UN, media fraternity and NGOs is beginning to show results", said PEC president Blaise Lempen, adding that all these crimes must be fully and independently investigated and those responsible arrested and brought to justice.





Last year for the same period, marked by the start of the war in Ukraine, a record 75 journalists were killed (116 for the whole of 2022), and the previous year 36 (79 for the whole of 2021). The measures taken in Ukraine to limit journalists' access to combat zones and strictly control their accreditation have had an effect, despite the deaths of two journalists in the country since January. Ukrainian Bogdan Bitik, who worked for La Repubblica, and Frenchman Arman Soldin, a reporter for AFP, were shot at by the Russian army.





From 1 January to 30 June, the number of victims was the highest in Mexico, with four murders. Mexico remains the most dangerous country for journalists, with an ongoing climate of violence. Three journalists were murdered in Cameroon. There were two victims each in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Haiti and Ukraine. Only one victim is recorded in Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Lesotho, Pakistan, Paraguay, Philippines, Rwanda and the United States of America.




MINSK, Belarus  The mercenary leader who led a short-lived mutiny against the Kremlin is in Russia and his troops are in their field camps, the president of Belarus said Thursday, raising new questions about the deal that ended the extraordinary challenge to President Vladimir Putin's rule.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's claim could not be independently verified, and the Kremlin refused to comment on Yevgeny Prigozhin's whereabouts. Russian media reported he was recently seen at his offices in St. Petersburg.

It was not clear if Prigozhin's presence in Russia would violate the deal, which allowed the head of the Wagner Group military contractor to move to Belarus in exchange for ending the rebellion and a promise of amnesty for him and his troops. But the reports signaled that the agreement may have allowed him to finalize his affairs in Russia.

If that's true, it could suggest the threat posed by Prigozhin has not yet been fully defused and the Kremlin is treading carefully with him until it can figure out what to do with troops who may still be loyal to him. Putin has said Wagner troops can join the Russian military, retire from service or move to Belarus.

Much about the agreement, which Lukashenko brokered, remains murky.

Last week, Lukashenko said the mercenary leader was in Belarus, but on Thursday he told international reporters that Prigozhin was in St. Petersburg and could also travel to Moscow if he wishes, while Wagner's troops were in their camps.

He also said the cash and weapons confiscated by Russian authorities were returned to Prigozhin.

Asked where Prigozhin is, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov shrugged off the question, saying the Kremlin has neither the desire nor the means to track his movements  but reaffirmed that the deal that ended the mutiny envisaged his move to Belarus.

Meanwhile, Russia fired cruise missiles Thursday at a western Ukrainian city far from the front line of the war, killing at least six people in an apartment building in what officials said was the heaviest attack on civilian areas of Lviv since the Kremlin's forces invaded the country last year.

Emergency crews with search dogs went through the rubble of the building after the nighttime attack destroyed the roof and the top two floors. At least 36 people were injured, authorities said.

The youngest of the people who died was 21 years old and the oldest was a woman of 95, Lviv province governor Maksym Kozytskyi said.

"This woman survived the Second World War, but unfortunately she didn't survive" Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Kozytskyi said.

Debris and wrecked parked cars lined the street outside the building, which overlooks a small neighborhood park with swings and other playground equipment.

Kozytskyi said seven survivors were rescued from wreckage and 14 people were hospitalized. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said about 60 apartments and 50 cars in the area of strike were damaged. He announced two days of official mourning.

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink described the attack as "vicious."

"Russia's repeated attacks on civilians are absolutely horrifying," she tweeted.

Ukraine's air force reported it intercepted seven of the 10 Kalibr cruise missiles that Russia fired from the Black Sea toward the Lviv region and its namesake city  more than 500 miles away  about 1 a.m. on Thursday.

The Kremlin's forces have repeatedly hit civilian areas during the war, though Russian officials say they choose only targets of military value.

Lviv is near the western border with Poland and is more than 300 miles from Kyiv and 425 miles from the frontline southern Ukraine region of Kherson; Kyiv's counteroffensive to dislodge Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine is in its early stages.

Sadovyi, the mayor, addressed residents in a video message, saying the attack was the largest on Lviv's civilian infrastructure since the beginning of last year's invasion.

Lviv resident Ganna Fedorenko suffered injuries to her face, where an adhesive plaster on her cheek had turned red with blood. She held her hands crossed on her chest as she reacted to the attack.

"Russians are hitting us. That's how they love us. I'm sorry for those people who were killed. They were young. So sorry for them," she said. "This is terrible. They hit civilians."

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said 64 people had to leave their homes.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised "a response to the enemy. A tangible one."

He went later Thursday on an official trip to Bulgaria at the invitation of its new pro-Western government, with talks about weapon supplies and Ukraine's NATO membership on the agenda.
College, university and community college presidents and students gathered with community, political and business leaders for a two-day event co-hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University and the Chronicle of Higher Education focused on demonstrating and enhancing the value that higher education provides.

Leaders met at the event, Making the Case: Higher Eds Value to Virginia, amid national polls showing that more Americans view higher education with distrust and more high school graduates are questioning the value of college. They held a variety of discussions building on the recognition that higher education remains a wise investment for many Americans, providing a pathway to a better career and to a longer, healthier, happier life.

Its a really important conversation and we need to dive in and figure out what we're going to do, said Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU. My view is that Virginia needs to be a model of what higher education can do, in all the ways in which different segments of higher education can serve different people and really build a tremendously robust economy and society.

The event was the first in a series of gatherings across the country organized by the Chronicle of Higher Education in which leaders can have thoughtful, direct and action-oriented discussions about the value of higher education.

My hope is that this day is really a chance for the presidents to have very candid, honest conversations, and that it gets the wheels turning, inspires innovation and inspires new ideas on how we can bring more value to the market and to students most importantly, said Simmi Bhuller, publisher of the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Bhuller added that VCU  an innovative and inspiring institution  was the perfect university to launch the Chronicles series of events.

We knew we wanted to start in Virginia for a variety of reasons, she said. When VCU offered it up, we jumped at the opportunity.

The event kicked off with a conversation about how the public views higher education nationally, including how peoples views of higher education compare with their views of their local institution, what people feel colleges do well and poorly, and what experiences shape the perceptions of those who didnt attend college or didnt graduate.

A panel led by students from VCU and Reynolds Community College, and a student support specialist from George Mason University, discussed their perspectives on higher education access and affordability. The group also analyzed how one-on-one interactions and ground level policies can help economically disadvantaged students succeed.

A panel of business leaders and Virginia lawmakers discussed what they are looking for from higher education in Virginia  not just to train a workforce but to also drive growth and innovation.

A conversation between Chronicle of Higher Education editor Brock Read, Northern Virginia Community College President Anne Kress, Ed.D., and William & Mary President Katherine Rowe, Ph.D., explored the topic of building relationships with business leaders, lawmakers and others to meet Virginias economic and other challenges.

And Rao and Read led a session on how Virginia institutions can transform the student experience by innovating to rethink approaches to teaching, enrollment and student support.

Can we change? Or do our structures not make it possible for us to change? Rao said in his opening remarks. Weve got an enormous opportunity. And we need to talk, we need to get into this question about whether or not trust and value in higher education is really there. And how do we need to work more together? How do we need to look at the structures of what we do and whether or not they're working? And how does it really connect to society? Are we connected to what society really needs? Is this gap between higher education in general and the people who need us, is it growing? I think it is in some places. I think it isn't in other places. And what does that mean?

For other ways VCU is leading innovation, read more stories at news.vcu.edu.
The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled Thursday that the state Department of Corrections unlawfully extended a mans incarceration time by withholding earned sentence credits.

We are very glad to see the Supreme Court of Virginia vindicate the promise that Virginia lawmakers made to people like Mr. Prease, who worked hard while in prison to rehabilitate himself and earn an early release, Vishal Agraharkar, senior attorney for the ACLU, said in a statement. Prolonging his incarceration would have eliminated any incentive for self-improvement, and done nothing to improve public safety.

Earned sentence credit programs allow those in prison to have their sentences reduced if they demonstrate good behavior by staying out of trouble and participating in programs  such as anger management, vocational training or parenting classes  intended to help them become better citizens.

A law in 2020 expanded the states earned sentence credit program and allowed someone imprisoned for both nonviolent and violent offenses to have additional time shaved off for good conduct on nonviolent convictions. Those with certain offenses, however, could not participate in the expanded credit program.

The ACLUs lawsuit argued that the Department of Corrections unlawfully interpreted Prease as being unable to participate, even though none of his convictions were included on the list of offenses that make an individual ineligible.

A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

 VICTORY: Today the Supreme Court of Virginia ruled that VADOC unlawfully kept Steven Prease in prison by withholding his earned sentence credits.



Thanks to the dedication of our lawyers and Mr. Preases family, hes finally coming home.



Statement: https://t.co/zEhookzJlH pic.twitter.com/21KE05mniS  ACLU of Virginia (@ACLUVA) July 6, 2023

Prease is a military veteran who suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, according to the lawsuit. He was convicted of misdemeanor assault and battery, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, and two counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer.

As the Department of Corrections began to determine which prisoners were eligible for release, it sought an advisory opinion from then-Attorney General Mark Herring. Herring provided an interpretation that would have allowed Prease to be released early, according to the Supreme Courts ruling. But when Attorney General Jason Miyares took office, the department asked for an advisory opinion again and got a different interpretation.

Prease was initially informed he would be eligible for release in summer of 2022. But after the opinion issued by Miyares, his release date was pushed back to June 2024.

The court agreed that Prease is eligible for the expanded credit program.

(The state code) enumerates a number of specific offenses that are also ineligible for expanded earned sentence credits, wrote Justice Cleo Powell in a nine-page opinion for the court. Notably, attempted aggravated murder is not one of those enumerated offenses. Thus, it would appear that there is no basis in the governing statutes for denying Prease expanded earned sentence credits on his attempted aggravated murder convictions.

Agraharkar said the ACLU will continue fighting for others in a similar situation to Prease.

There are hundreds, if not thousands more who were told by VDOC that they had earned an earlier release, only to be told later that they did not qualify based on an obviously incorrect interpretation of the law that the Supreme Court has now rejected, he said. We will push VDOC to extend this ruling to everyone else who we believe is being held unlawfully in prison.
Richmond detectives have identified the man found dead in a vehicle following a shooting as Darryl Jordan Jr., 20, of Petersburg.

At around 9:24 p.m. Monday, police responded to a call in the 1900 block of Raven Street for a report of a shooting. Officers arrived and located a vehicle that had gone off the road and into the woods at Raven and Ford streets.

Officers found the lone occupant, Jordan, in the drivers seat. He suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to call Detective M. Gouldman at (804) 646-3915 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

17 archive photos of Regency Mall
Fourth-graders in Virginia have suffered some of the largest declines in reading and math proficiency in the nation since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a newly released national assessment.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Monday placed blame for the grim results on his Democratic predecessors, and used the scores as an opportunity to announce plans to overhaul the states school accreditation system and toughen passing criteria for state standardized testing.

Our nations children have experienced catastrophic learning loss, and Virginia students are among the hardest hit, Youngkin said at a news conference on Monday. We also must clearly recognize that the underpinnings to this catastrophic performance were decisions that were made long before wed ever heard of COVID-19.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as The Nations Report Card, shows that fourth-grade reading scores in Virginia fell by 10 points, the largest dip in the nation, since the last assessment in 2019. Fourth-grade math scores dropped by 11 points, a mark surpassed only by Delaware and the District of Columbia.

Eighth-grade scores also fell in Virginia, with math scores down eight points, equal to the nationwide average, and eighth-grade reading scores down two points, which the National Center for Education Statistics said was not a statistically significant change.

Virginias performance on the assessment, Youngkin said, clearly indicates that too many of Virginias leaders did not meet that obligation to provide excellent and outstanding education for our children.

Although other research has already shown that the pandemic impeded student achievement, results from the national assessment released Monday give the most detailed and reliable measure yet of the pandemics effect on childrens learning.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow said the two previous state administrations, under Democratic Govs. Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam, systematically lowered standards for schools and lowered expectations for students.

More than 20 years of gains have been completely wiped out, and this massive learning loss cannot be blamed solely on the pandemic because nearly half of the learning loss occurred before anyone in this room ever heard of COVID-19, Balow said.

Balows assertions describe the trend in fourth-grade reading scores fairly well, but they do not apply consistently across other subjects and grade levels.

Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, head of the state Senates Education and Health Committee, said now is not the time to point fingers at those who are no longer in leadership.

In a time where we need proper leadership from the governor, instead of taking time off the road to find solutions to learning loss problems in Virginias schools, hed instead place the blame on previous administrations, Lucas said in a statement.

While Youngkin is trying to prove he is fit for national leadership, he isnt dealing with the problems in his Commonwealth. We have staffing shortages in schools across Virginia, students arent receiving the proper resources to set every child up for success, and many schools need funding for structural improvements to increase the quality of education.

Math scores in both fourth and eighth grade dipped slightly from 2017 to 2019  decreases of 1 and 3 points, respectively  but only fell significantly since the 2019 assessment. And while eighth-grade reading scores fell more sharply between 2017 and 2019, Virginias scores had been roughly the same since 1998.

But Republican leaders still took the opportunity to lay the blame on decisions made during the McAuliffe and Northam administrations.

Failure is a choice, and past Democratic leaders chose to fail our students by prolonged school closures and lowering academic standards, said House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, in a statement. Look no further than to states that reopened schools sooner and their student achievement during the pandemic.

The head of the federal center that administers the assessment said there is nothing in the data that shows a measurable difference in the performance between states and districts based solely on how long schools were closed.

Del. Schyuler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, who is also a teacher, said one of the reasons for the decline in scores is a lack of funding.

The General Assembly has underfunded public schools since the great recession in 2009. ... You had for over a decade a harshly GOP-controlled General Assembly, where school funding was kind of at the back of the bus, VanValkenburg said.

Its like a welcome to the party moment where weve been talking about these things for five or six years. Maybe theyve been going under the radar, but these changes have been occurring. Theyve been occurring in a bipartisan way, and weve been making progress.

Youngkin on Monday announced seven concrete actions to build on what he called his commitment to move Virginias educational system in the right direction.

The governor, whose administration has said for months that the criteria for determining proficiency on the states Standards of Learning assessments are too lenient, doubled down on that stance on Monday.

He called Virginias standards the lowest in the nation and said his top educational priority is for the state Department of Education to establish the highest passing threshold in the country by the time our students take SOL exams next spring.

Youngkin acknowledged that such a move might result in further declines in scores in the short term but said he believes it will pay off in the long run.

The data shows us that when we challenge our students and our teachers, they rise to the occasion, he said.

Youngkin is also directing the Board of Education to overhaul the school accreditation system, which he said has masked the fact that we are failing too many of our students across the commonwealth.

Last month, Youngkin and Balow had cast doubt on the states accreditation system, after the first year of ratings since the COVID-19 pandemic began showed that 89% of Virginia public schools are fully accredited  a drop of just 3 percentage points from three years ago.

Youngkin said Monday that the current accreditation model is difficult to understand, and a new system might include something like a letter grade.

It needs to be as simple as understanding that you are not doing well, you are doing OK, or you are doing well, he said.

The governor also challenged school divisions to spend the nearly $2 billion in federal COVID relief funds distributed as part of President Joe Bidens 2021 American Rescue Plan Act, saying the funds sit in the bank accounts of local schools.

He called out five of Virginias largest school divisions by name  including Richmond and Henrico  and suggested that they use their remaining funds to bring back retired teachers to provide supplementary instruction before and after school, pay bonuses to teachers who improve test scores, or even provide direct subsidies to families to hire tutors for their children.

U.S. Department of Education guidelines for the use of federal relief funds suggest that local school divisions can use the money to implement tutoring programs, including intensive or high-dosage tutoring, to offset pandemic-related learning loss, but it is unclear whether Youngkins suggestion of sending money directly to families to employ outside tutors would fall under the guidelines.

School divisions submitted their plans for spending the most recent distribution of relief funds over a year ago and, in many cases, have already spent millions of what was allocated to them, but Youngkin directed Balow to require all school divisions to revamp their plans by Dec. 31.

The money is in the bank. It should be spent on things that will get our kids back on track for success, Youngkin said. Thats why the money was given  to put it to work.
Chesterfield County has received a $755,523 grant to bring improved high-speed internet services to nearly 500 homes, businesses and parcels throughout its rural areas.

The grant was awarded through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Developments Virginia Telecommunication Initiative, and will support the countys partnership with Dominion Energy and wireless provider All Points Broadband.

The county is investing $1.3 million in its broadband coverage initiative, with All Points Broadband contributing $5.5 million and Dominion adding $5.7 million. The project is expected to take 24 to 36 months to complete.

More than 80% of the 494 unserved areas are in the Matoaca District, a rural, fast-growing area in the southern part of the county.

Chesterfield is excited about this great news and about the opportunity to work with our partners to implement this grant, said Deputy County Administrator Clay Bowles. It will provide these citizens with what is nowadays a critical piece of infrastructure.

The funding is another example of local and national commitments toward providing high-speed internet to underserved communities.

In June, Virginia learned it would receive $1.5 billion in federal grants to connect every home and business to broadband networks, part of the White Houses $42 billion spending plan to make broadband access universal by 2030.

Henrico County received more than $500,000 in funding through VATI in May, setting the stage to improve internet services in its own rural communities.

From the Archives: 250 photos of Richmond in the 1940s Belle Isle Bellwood Drive-In Bowler School Cowardin Avenue Christian Recreation Center Floods Glenwood Country Club Grace Street Maggie Walker Powerline Public bath house Schools Semmes Shawondasee Sixth Street Market Sixth Street Market Streetcars on Main Street Swimming and diving championship The Mosque Trolley Water tower Stockyards Richmond fires Trolley organ grinder Mail box Mooer's Field 1940s floods Cornshusk rug farmer Sixth Street Market Tredegar Sixth Street Market Sixth Street Market Patsy Garrett boys club Hunting draft pool hall Mosque pool rollerskate Times-Dispatch Beavers Blues Armory Boulevard Byrd Field C&O Central State Hospital Central Station Post Office Churchill City Stadium Cowardin Avenue and Hull Street Curles Neck Dairy Dixie Elba Fishing Forest Lodge Fountain Freedom Train Friendship Train 1947 Monument Avenue Grocery Ice Kensington Avenue apartments Main Street Main Street Mayo Bridge Memorial Day parade Mules Nickel prank Oilfield Old Manchester water works Shawondasee Shriners parades Skyline Sledding State toxicologist Street Sweepers Sunshine Sue Tickets Traffic Trolley Tuberculosis ward University of Richmond Valentine Museum Fire Cary St Paper Powhatan Hill Playground Street scene race car Doll hospital West Avenue Broad St. mill Main Street Station Churchill Draft Air Scouts Maggie Walker pinball machines 1945 Allied Victory Day American Red Cross American Red Cross Armistice Belgian Friendship Building and Bell Tower Blackout Bojangles Braille cookbook Broad Street Station Bryan Park Carter Sisters Cigarettes City Stadium Confederate Soldiers Home Defense Special No. 1 train Draft Elba School Executive Mansion Fire Gasless parade Grace Arents School Grace St Grace Street pollution Henrico Red Cross Motor Corps Highland Springs Volunteer Fire Department Holden Rhodes House Ice James River flood Magnet mailboxes Main St Mayo Bridge Medical College of Virginia Melons Military parade Miller & Rhoads wagon mobile canteen Mobile kitchen Mooers Mooers Field Pamunkey Indians Parade Parking ban Parking Lot Canteen Quiz Kids Ration tokens Rationing Red Cross Richmond Quartermaster Depot Robert E. Lee Camp Confederate Soldiers Home Rosa D. Bowser library Scrap metal drive Shoe ration Sixth Street Market Street Sweepers Thomas Jefferson High School Cadet Corps Tin drive Toll house Trolley Typewriter repair Virginia Department of Agriculture War bonds Water tower Weimans Bakery Wilcox Lake WLEE WLEE Women in Production Service Womens Army Corps Works Progress Administration George Wythe Laundry Dog fortune teller Air Raid Wardens YMCA Charter Change Travelers Aid Society street sweepers Dupont 1940s floods Acca Temple elevator Restaurants Restaurants Red Cross Motor Corps shoe ration Air Raid WWII WWII Bikes sampson Dorothy Lamour Rationing typewriters Bellwood Native Americans Fort Lee ScrapMetal WWII WWII American Red Cross Production Corps archery bricklaying class Camp Lee Camp Lee Clark Gable Deep Run races Deep Water Terminal Em Bowles Locker First and Merchants National Bank of Richmond Gasless Sundays Liquid stockings Monument Methodist Mrs. Cupid nurses Old-fashioned swimsuit contest Pearl Harbor front page Rats Rockingham National Turkey Festival Sergeant Jack Blizzard Seven Pines Baptist Church Snowstorm Snowstorm State Library WWII Cavalier Arena Pamunkey Brookfield Patrick Henry carriages rollerskate Railroads Red Cross Richmond Terminal Richmond Colts 1940s floods
The K-12 learning recovery grants touted by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in March as a way to combat severe learning losses went mostly to higher-income families.

Originally announced as a $30 million initiative, the fund was doubled to $60 million to meet demand, Youngkin announced Thursday.

Less than a quarter of the families who received a grant were eligible for the larger grant that was given to students whose family income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that threshold is $74,580.

According to the Virginia Department of Education, 34,650 students were approved for the states learning acceleration grants.

Of those, 8,247 students qualified for the $3,000 grant that was available to families whose income does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty limit. But more than three quarters of the students  26,403  received the $1,500 grant, which was available to families whose income exceeds the threshold.

The grants were given out on a first-come, first-served basis, and are intended to be used for qualifying tutoring services and other education services or materials. The $60 million comes from the states share of federal COVID-19 relief funds.

Im very pleased that so many Virginia families are able to find help to close the learning gap, Youngkin said on Thursday morning at a blood donation event in Petersburg.

A learning gap that was, in my view, unnecessary because schools were closed for an extended period of time unnecessarily.

Youngkin referenced Virginias performance on a congressionally-mandated assessment known as The Nations Report Card, the results of which were released late last year. The scores showed that fourth-grade reading scores in Virginia fell by 10 points, the largest dip in the nation, since the last assessment in 2019.

This is a great program, I think its hugely important, Youngkin said. Ive been so concerned about this massive learning loss in Virginia.

Virginia students deemed as economically disadvantaged by the state perform on average far below their peers on state assessments in every subject, year after year, according to state data.

Del. Schyuler VanValkneburg, D-Henrico, said the distribution of the grants to mostly higher-income families was to be expected.

If we actually care about getting the (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores up, and if we want to help students make up for lost time, the way to do it is to target the kids who need it the most, VanValkneburg said. And you do that with high frequency, in-school tutoring because youre then able to get to the kids who need it the most with the least amount of friction.

The delegate proposed a budget amendment earlier this year that aimed to provide highly intensive tutoring during the school day to students who have suffered severe learning loss. The amendment failed.

Lawsuit targets voting restrictions put on felons Gov. Glenn Youngkin advocated for K-12 learning recover grants that totaled $60 million, most of which went to high-income households.

The Senate Finance Committee calculated that it would have cost about $268 million. At the time, Vanvalkenburg said the state needs to target the students with the lowest test scores. Historically, those are low-income students.

If we want to fix the problems that we say we want to fix  and I do want to fix those problems  we know how to do it, Vanvalkenburg said. And this program just doesnt do that. It creates a lot of barriers. It creates a lot of waste.

Youngkins learning acceleration grants program was under fire this week following claims from many parents who said they had received the grants but were unable to use them.

Gov. Youngkin is leaving our families behind by adding bureaucratic hurdles after they were promised critical tutoring assistance from his admin. The Gov is failing to address learning loss for our students who need it the most.  Mayor Levar M. Stoney (@LevarStoney) July 6, 2023

Grant funds are deposited into parents ClassWallet account, and parents can browse the website and place orders for approved education materials and tutoring services.

But some parents said their requests have been denied.

Youngkin and the Department of Education lied and scammed parents, said Richmond parent Gabrielle Cevallos in an email.

According to emails to Cevallos from tutoring providers, her attempts to purchase education materials were denied several times.

Youngkin addressed the criticisms at a blood donation event in Petersburg on Thursday morning.

I really am sorry those families are having challenges but were going to get those resolved, Youngkin told reporters.

The VDOE Chief of Staff Jeremy Raley said the department assigned additional staff to work together with the families to resolve their issues.

Decisions were made today to remedy some of the concerns were aware of from our families, and those remedies are being put in place as we speak, Raley said Thursday afternoon. Well see the results of that within the next 24 hours.

PHOTOS: Patches the cat and viral sensation
Many people in Richmond and beyond are going on vacation for the first time since the start of the pandemic, leading to significant slowdowns in blood donations.

The American Red Cross is taking steps to keep its blood supply strong during the busy summer months. On Thursday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin attended the Real American Heroes Community Blood Drive in Petersburg to give blood and raise awareness about the need for donations.

In January, blood shortages locally and nationwide resulted in the American Red Cross only having a days worth of supplies, the lowest total in more than a decade.

While the Red Cross is not currently experiencing a shortage, the organization is making a push for more donations to maintain Food and Drug Administration blood supply benchmarks and avoid emergency situations.

We have to look at the blood supply not just as a Richmond supply, but as a holistic approach for the whole country because were a national supplier, said Jonathan McNamara, Communications Director for the American Red Cross of Virginia.

According to McNamara, many hospitals see increases in trauma cases during the summer, increasing the need for blood during that time.

The summer heat combined with other weather events such as storms can lead to fewer people showing up to give blood, and in some cases, donation drives being canceled.

High schools and colleges being largely out of session during the summer also takes away a key blood donation base.

Some of our largest drives are on high school and college campuses, McNamara said. Many of those same students who could theoretically donate at home are on vacation, working summer jobs or doing a number of different things that lead to them not signing up for appointments or engaging with the Red Cross.

The American Red of Cross of Virginia is working with churches, campuses and local businesses to organize donation drives, which can rally their member bases to donate blood in larger numbers.

Donors can register for appointments at redcrossblood.org. The Red Cross has 11 donations centers across the Commonwealth, including three in the Richmond area:

Glen Allen Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center  4040 Cox Road

Emerywood Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center  2825 Emerywood Parkway

Arboretum Red Cross Blood and Platelet Donation Center  9200 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 100

Additionally, several community partners throughout the region host Red Cross-sponsored blood drives. Upcoming drives are taking place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at VCU Health Main Hospital, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at Chesterfield Towne Center and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Regency Mall.

8 hidden gem restaurants in Richmond Oceano Casa Italiana Liberty Public House Balkan Restaurant The Caboose Market & Cafe Greek Cuisine Hobnob Afghan Cuisine
PORTSMOUTH  On the same day he was acquitted of charges accusing him of causing a robbery suspects death, a former Portsmouth police officer was indicted on new allegations.

The news of the latest grand jury indictment filed Thursday against retired officer Vincent McClean came shortly after he was acquitted of manslaughter charges in Portsmouth Circuit Court. It took a jury just 14 minutes Thursday to decide he was not responsible for the 2018 death of Willie Marable III.

McClean, 56, smiled and hugged his attorneys after the verdict was read, while Marables mother solemnly walked out of the courtroom.

Im just glad its over, McClean told reporters as he stood outside Portsmouth Circuit Court with defense attorneys Michael Massie, Nathan Chapman and Don Scott.

Shortly after that, the attorneys heard another indictment had been issued, but they had not yet received information about it Thursday. Tamara Shewmake, a spokesperson for the Portsmouth Commonwealths Attorneys Office, confirmed McClean has been indicted again, but declined to say what the charges were or provide any other details about the case.

Abortion battle continues along Virginia-Tennessee border An unassuming and unmarked small brick building has managed to hold the attention of protesters for the year since Bristol Womens Health set up shop on the Virginia side of Bristol, just across the state line from Bristol, Tennessee.

WVEC-TV reported the new charge was for voluntary manslaughter, the same count McClean had faced at trial this week. The station also reported the charges were related to the death of Carmeita VanGilder, a 28-year-old pregnant woman who died while in police custody.

According to a 2020 lawsuit filed by VanGilders parents, she was arrested in December 2018 on outstanding warrants. VanGilder had several aerosol cans in her purse, indicating she was involved in the dangerous practice of huffing inhalants, the lawsuit said. She threw up in the police car and at the station, told the officers she was pregnant, and begged for help but was not given any until another inmate intervened on her behalf, the suit claimed. She became unresponsive and went into cardiac arrest.

The lawsuit was filed against several officers, but only identified one and referred to the rest as John and Jane Doe. McClean was not named in the filing.

It was not clear Thursday if any other officers were also indicted.

In his trial that ended Thursday, prosecutors alleged McClean intentionally failed to render aid to Marable after Marable was shot by another officer and taken into custody. They also argued Marable might have survived his injuries if McClean had done more to help him.

The incident occurred May 13, 2018, at an apartment complex on Navajo Trail after police were called there for a report of an armed robbery. McClean and his partner, officer Timothy Tanner, were the first to get to Marable after he was shot.

Body camera video of what happened next was played for the jury. While McClean kept a gun pointed at Marable, his partner handcuffed the suspect. McClean then called for an ambulance. When another officer asked McClean what they should do about the suspects injuries, McClean responded, As long as hes breathing, hes good.

Senior Assistant Commonwealths Attorney Haille Hogfeldt argued McClean had a duty to render aid to Marable while waiting for paramedics, and should have checked his injuries so he could determine if there was anything he could do to treat them. Officers are trained in first aid and keep equipment for it in their patrol cars, she said.

Instead, he did nothing, Hogfeldt said. Officer McClean stole any chance that Willie Marable had of surviving.

Marable, 28, died while being transported to the hospital. The medical examiner determined he died from a gunshot to his torso. An investigation of the incident was conducted afterward, and no charges were filed against the officer who shot him.

An expert called by the prosecution testified that if lifesaving efforts had been made sooner, Marable could have survived. But the expert conceded on cross-examination that he could not say for sure if performing CPR would have saved his life.

A defense expert told jurors that CPR should not be used if a person has a pulse and is breathing, which was Marables condition when he was taken into custody.

Massie, McCleans lead defense attorney, argued McClean should never have been charged.

Vincent McClean did not kill anyone, Massie told jurors. Vincent McClean didnt shoot anyone that day. Vincent McClean did what he was supposed to do.

McClean went to work at the Newport News Shipyard after he left the police department but lost his job after he was indicted earlier this year. He said Thursday that he hopes to get his position back.
Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Moon-kyu speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Friday, July 7. Yonhap



The government said Friday that Japan's plan to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima plant would meet international standards, including those set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), if carried out as planned.



The government announced its own scientific analysis of the discharge plan, based on the findings of an on-site inspection of the plant completed in late May and other related data, as well as an analysis of the IAEA safety review.



"After a review of the treatment plan of contaminated water presented by Japan so far, the total concentration level of radioactive materials of Japan's plan would meet the standards for a release into the ocean," Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Moon-kyu told a daily briefing.



Bang said, therefore, the plan has been confirmed to meet international standards, including those of the IAEA.



According to a simulation based on an emission standard set by Tokyo Electric Power, the operator of the plant, the radiation impact on Korean shores is estimated to be about one-100,000th of the average level.



The government further said that the technology of the plant's custom purification system, known as ALPS, has gradually improved and stabilized, resulting in radionuclide levels within permissible limits since mid-2019.



"The result of the simulation shows it would take around four to five years and up to 10 years in order for the contaminated water to reach our seawater and have an effect," Bang said, adding it would "not have any meaningful impact."



Previously, the Seoul government had reported that six types of radionuclides were detected at levels exceeding permissible limits even after treatment through ALPS, but most of these cases occurred before 2019.



As ocean currents disperse the contaminated water, radioactive materials would become nearly undetectable on Korean shores, the government said, emphasizing that the concentration level would remain within the acceptable limit.



Notably, the concentration level of tritium, a hydrogen radioisotope known to still be detected after treatment through ALPS, would also be within the limit as the seawater would dilute it sufficiently.





Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea protest Japan's decision to release contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant at National Assembly in Seoul, July 6. Yonhap



"The review was carried out under the premise that Tokyo Electric Power's discharge plan is carried out as planned," Bang said.





DPK escalates offensive against Japan's water release IAEA chief Grossi hints at discord among its Fukushima report experts IAEA chief set to arrive in Korea to discuss agency report on Fukushima water discharge The government would conduct a further review if there were a change in the plan, Bang said.



In its assessment, the government has also decided to advise Japan on several concerning issues.



"We have reached a conclusion to advise Japan to shorten the interval of the inspections and strengthen the ALPS' cross-flow filter, as breakdowns have occurred several times," said Nuclear Safety and Security Commission Chairperson Yoo Geun-hee.



Despite the conclusion, Bang said the government will not lift the import ban on seafood from the Fukushima region.



"I once again emphasize that the current import ban will remain in place," Bang said, adding that Japan should prove the safety of its seafood.



Korea banned all seafood imports from eight Japanese prefectures near Fukushima in 2013 on concerns over their radiation levels in the wake of the meltdown incident in 2011.



The government also emphasized its respect for the outcome of the IAEA's safety review of Japan's plan.



On Tuesday, the U.N. nuclear watchdog announced that its two-year review found Japan's plan to release water from the plant into the sea to be consistent with its safety standards. The agency also stated that the treated water would have a negligible radiological impact on both people and the environment.



This announcement coincides with IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's visit to Korea later in the day for a three-day trip, following his ongoing four-day trip to Japan.



In response to heightened public concern, Seoul launched a daily press briefing last month to keep the public updated on the planned release of contaminated water from the plant.



Despite the findings, the plan is still being heatedly debated by political parties.



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), which has argued the release will have health and environmental consequences, again questioned the credibility of this week's IAEA report, saying too much belief in the report would be harmful.



All 167 DPK lawmakers held an overnight sit-in at the National Assembly on Thursday to protest Japan's release plan and denounce the Korean government's response to it. On Friday, the DPK lawmakers held a party meeting, demanding IAEA Director General Grossi hold a public debate on the issue.



The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has accused the DPK of inciting fears among the people with unscientific claims in an attempt to take advantage of the issue for political gains ahead of next year's general elections.




General Assembly budget negotiators may have backed away from Gov. Glenn Youngkins $1.13 billion of tax cuts, but the governor is sticking to it.

And Youngkin said he expects the state financial numbers for June, due shortly, will show the such a large surplus that legislators should see Virginia can afford his tax proposal and some $2.6 billion of additional spending on schools, law enforcement and behavioral health that he has called for in the budget.

Asked if there is any give on his tax proposal, since the tight circle of senior legislators who tried, but failed, to agree on a budget compromise had floated widely varying proposals for smaller tax breaks, Youngkin was firm.

Not from my perspective, he said, talking to reporters after giving blood at the Petersburg American Red Cross donation station.

He brushed aside concerns Democratic senators have raised that ongoing tax cuts are risky given current economic uncertainties.

Were going to see a substantial surplus, he said. We can actually put more reserves away for future problems, and still cut taxes by a billion and invest 2.6 billion, he said.

I remain frustrated, I cant put it any other way, he said.

We can have and moments not or moments," he said. "We can fund tax cuts and we can fund investments in education, law enforcement and behavioral health I think the Democrats want to have an or moment, to convince people it is either this or that. We can do both.

Youngkin said he wanted to see the June revenue report, before deciding whether to call a special session.

I think that will be my final plea, he said, adding: There is no reason why we shouldnt be able to have substantial tax reductions."

This years General Assembly ended without any agreement between the House of Delegates version of a budget, which included all of Youngkins tax cuts, and a Senate version that rejected them.

Negotiations on a compromise collapsed as the General Assembly session ended.

Senate budget negotiators balked at a package of tax breaks proposed by House Appropriations Committee chair Barry Knight, R- Virginia Beach.

They said those cuts were more than their conferees would not accept, given the money that would be left for the increases on education and other programs' funding their colleagues wanted.

Worries the economy would slow also mean ongoing cuts were a bad idea, they said.

Knight's package, totaling about $900 million, dropped Youngkins corporate income tax rate cut and proposed a one time tax rebate as an alternative to Youngkins proposed 0.25 percentage point cut in the top individual income tax rate, now at 5.75%.

While Knight said Senate Finance Committee's co-chairs agreed to his proposal, one of the two, state Sen. George Barker, D-Alexandria, who was defeated in his June 20 primary -- has denied that.

Last month, as the first year of the current two year budget drew to a close, the Senate proposed one-time tax rebates, initially totaling $700 million and then increased to $900 million on Tuesday, to match the amount of tax savings that Knight wanted.

That would have meant rebates of $200 for individuals and $400 for couples, to be paid in the fall.

Knight has offered to resume talks with the Senate budget leaders.

The balls in their court, Knight said on Thursday. Its been total silence.

I dont know who Im supposed to be negotiating with, he said in response to statements by other Senate negotiators that they opposed the proposed tax cut compromise.

Barker said on Friday that he is not not even sure the governor is going to call a special session on the budget.

Faced with elections in November for all 140 seats in the General Assembly, the assembly could choose to not amend the budget at all, as some suggested during the legislative session.

The two-year budget remains in place through June 30, 2024, but not taking action would leave at least $3.6 billion unspent until Youngkin proposes a new two-year budget in December for the newly elected assembly to consider in a 60-day session that begins in January.

I would much rather have a compromise on it, Barker said, but right now, I dont see the House moving in that direction.
A contingent of 110 National Guard soldiers from across Virginia is on its way to Texas for a one-month deployment to support the Lone Star States controversial efforts to police the Mexican border.

They need help in Texas ... I think this is a Virginia issue that directly affects us and it fulfills our responsibilities to one another as states, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said after visiting the contingent as the soldiers assembled at Fort Barfoot, near Blackstone, to prepare for their departure.

Every state is a border state now. Its a drug issue, a humanitarian issue, a national security issue, Youngkin said.

Im tired of seeing five Virginians a day dying from fentanyl, and its coming over the border, he said.

He added that many of the children coming over are being targeted by human traffickers.

Its horrific, he said.

Youngkin said he ordered the deployment in response to a request from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, under a longstanding 50-state mutual aid agreement.

His troops need a break, Youngkin said.

Texas has deployed thousands of its own National Guard soldiers and state troopers to the border since the spring of 2021, and has set $4 billion of funds for the effort.

Abbott has said the Guard soldiers and troopers have apprehended more than 373,000 individuals trying to cross the border, arrested more than 28,000 criminals, and seized more than 400 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

Besides Virginia, 13 other states have responded to Abbotts request.

Arkansas is sending 80 National Guard troops, and Florida sent 1,100, while Idaho is sending some state police troopers. Iowa will deploy 100 Guard soldiers and 30 state troopers, Nebraska is sending 10 state police troopers, North Dakota is sending 100, Ohio is sending 14 state troopers, Oklahoma has promised to send an unspecified number, South Dakota will deploy about 50 Guard troops, and Tennessee is sending 100. South Carolina, West Virginia and Mississippi are also sending Guard troops.

The Texas effort has included busing thousands of migrants to Washington, D.C., New York City, Chicago and Philadelphia, with some officials there protesting that people are being dumped with no resources for support. The state is acquiring 1,700 steel panels to build a border wall and enacted a law making it easier to prosecute smugglers bringing people into the state.

Texas campaign has sparked concern from human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Texas Civil Rights Project.

In many cases, when National Guard and other state forces apprehend individuals crossing the border, which in Texas is the Rio Grande river, they simply direct people back across the river even though crossing in places can be dangerous, volunteers with migrant support programs have said.

State personnel cannot do any of the processing, including starting individuals down a path to a claim of asylum that federal Border Patrol or immigration agents can, which can mean some miss out on a chance to claim rights they may in fact have.

Sending Virginia National Guard troops to Texas will cost taxpayers $3.1 million, according to the governors office.

PHOTOS: Gov. Glenn Youngkin and first lady visit George W. Carver Elementary School
It isnt often you can say you were the first to do something in Virginia. But thanks to the Arlington County Board taking advantage of recently passed state laws, voters in that locality began writing a new chapter in making the commonwealths elections more representative by utilizing ranked-choice voting in a publicly run election.

For those unfamiliar, ranked-choice voting is a simple change to a ballot that has been proven to elect candidates with broader appeal, diminish negative campaigning and provide for a better voter experience. Instead of the traditional winner-take-all format, voters participate in a series of instant runoffs, in which they rank their preferred candidates: first, second, third and so on.

First-place votes are tabulated to determine if a candidate has passed the necessary threshold to win. If not, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, and theres a runoff in which those voters who supported the now-eliminated candidate have their vote counted for their next choice. The process is repeated until a winner (or winners) is mathematically certain.

As leaders of two of the organizations leading this grassroots movement in Virginia, we are thrilled to report that now that the votes have been counted and the winners have been declared in Arlingtons June 20 County Board primaries, this pilot program was a success  for the election officials who administered it, the champions of good government who fought for it and (most importantly) the voters who participated in it.

We also believe there are several lessons that other nonpartisan democracy reform advocates can learn from Arlingtons willingness to move forward with ranked-choice voting.

First, this has shown that our representative democracy must be willing to adapt to the times. This ranked-choice voting pilot program is the latest in a long line of modern electoral reforms Virginia has adopted in recent years  from expanding access to absentee and overseas ballots, to instituting same-day voter registration, to establishing what experts agree are among the fairest legislative maps in the country.

Second, we saw firsthand that it is possible to have election results that truly reflect the will of the voters. The recent Arlington board primary fielded six candidates, and in a traditional plurality election, a winner could have conceivably been declared with only 17% of the vote. Such a narrow, unrepresentative victory is impossible in a ranked-choice voting election.

By ranking their ballots, voters are virtually guaranteed to elect candidates who build broad voter coalitions through outreach, nuance and consensus. The victories by Susan Cunningham and Maureen Coffey as the Democratic board nominees exemplify this phenomenon.

According to a recent nonpartisan analysis, 84% of Arlington voters ranked at least one of the two winners in their top three. This reflects findings in localities in California, Michigan, Minnesota and Utah that have also administered multi-winner ranked-choice voting elections in the past five years. In each of these datasets, results reflect the will of the greatest number of voters in a crowded field, even if ones top choice does not win.

Further, exit polling in municipalities across America clearly shows that voters understand their ballots, enjoy the overall experience and want to use ranked-choice voting again  including 94% of voters in New Mexico, 77% in New York and 62% in Utah. All indications show that Arlingtonians feel the same way.

Finally, Arlingtons pilot program proves that local registrars are more than capable of administering ranked-choice voting seamlessly from start to finish. In the months since the County Board unanimously supported utilizing ranked-choice voting, Director of Elections Gretchen Reinemeyer and her team worked tirelessly to provide educational outreach in conjunction with a broad coalition of groups that included our organizations as well as the Arlington County Civic Federation, the Arlington NAACP, FairVote Virginia, RepresentUs, UU the Vote, and Veterans for Political Innovation.

In addition, Arlingtons elections administrators deserve particular appreciation for collecting valuable data before, during and after the June 20 primaries that will undoubtedly be welcome news to other local registrars if they need to prepare for ranked-choice voting elections in the future.

Looking forward, we feel that its time for other Virginia localities to follow Arlingtons example and adopt their own ranked-choice voting programs. There is a clear roadmap to follow, which is why there have been preliminary conversations to continue this positive momentum in places such as Albemarle and Loudoun counties and the cities of Charlottesville, Fredericksburg and Norfolk (among others).

The future of modernizing Virginias democracy is bright. And while Arlington may have been the first locality in Virginia to use ranked-choice voting, we are confident it wont be the last.
Tommy Norment is retiring from the Virginia Senate after 32 years, having moved from back-bencher to power-broker. At 77, he can rest on his laurels. They were about to become a lot cushier, with his selection by Gov. Glenn Youngkin for a seat on the oversight board of the College of William & Mary in Norments backyard, Williamsburg.

Until state law pulled the chair from under him.

Norments appointment to the board of visitors at William & Mary, where the James City County lawyer-legislator taught for more than a decade and was a legal adviser for three years, is prohibited under the Code of Virginia: Members of the General Assembly shall be ineligible to serve on boards, commissions, and councils within the executive branch of state government who are responsible for administering programs established by the General Assembly.

When asked, Youngkins legal counsel, Richard Cullen, and press aide, Macaulay Porter, did not say whether the governor, who had no experience in politics and policy until his election in 2021, or his patronage-dispensing secretary of the commonwealth, Kay Coles James, were aware of the restriction, in place since at least 1977 and intended to maintain the separation of powers. That is, that members of the executive and legislative branches operate only in their constitutionally specified lanes.

Put another way: Norment cannot, as a legislator, set policies and appropriations for the university and simultaneously serve as a representative of the executive branch responsible for carrying out those policies and appropriations. Norment, a graduate of the William & Mary Law School, can be one or the other  not both.

Norment did not blame fellow Republican Youngkin for the apparent breach of law, saying that he  as a lawmaker  should have been aware of it: I am not going to direct criticism at the governor or his team. I do own it. Its totally my responsibility.

Youngkin is not the first governor to make such a mistake. It is, arguably, a bipartisan tradition  one also carried out by the Democrat Youngkin narrowly defeated for a second, nonconsecutive term, Terry McAuliffe.

Like Youngkin, inexperienced in Virginia government before becoming chief executive in 2014, McAuliffe made two appointments to the panel that oversees college and university academic policies that violated a Virginia law barring membership to state employees. Suzette Denslow, a deputy chief of staff to McAuliffe who later became clerk of the House of Delegates, and Janet Muldoon, top aide to Senate Democratic Majority Leader Dick Saslaw of Fairfax, were ineligible for the State Council of Higher Education.

The language controlling gubernatorial selections for the agency: No officer, employee, trustee, or member of the governing board of any institution of higher education, employee of the Commonwealth, member of the General Assembly, or member of the Board of Education is eligible for appointment to the Council.

This is arcana, for sure, and may have little to do with sexy stuff  such as tax cuts, law and order, gun control and abortion rights  but without it, Virginia wouldnt as much have representative government as it would have chaos. Though there is the case to be made that in the shrilly partisan setting that is Richmond these days, Virginias representative government is reflexively chaotic.

For Youngkin, a multimillionaire investment executive whose staff works assiduously to shield him from un-choreographed moments, lest he veer off message or say or do anything that might remind voters hes new to his current line of work, this Whoops in Williamsburg is a snap lesson in governmental nuts and bolts that, though seeming minutiae, were traditionally mastered by committed practitioners of Virginia politics.

Over the years, however, the General Assembly has carved out exceptions, allowing delegates and senators to serve on about 24 oversight boards. One steers the New College Institute in Martinsville, set up with millions of dollars from the sale of an area hospital to help jump-start the rural Southside Virginia economy decimated by the collapse of textiles and furniture makers. Five legislators sit on its board, with Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, as chairman.

The ban does not apply to boards whose functions are largely historical and celebratory, such as the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an agency that promotes Virginias colonial and Revolutionary history and of which Norment is chairman. With the gig at William & Mary, Norment wouldnt have to travel too far to cover his appointive bases.

Bernie Henderson, a former member of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Board and a senior deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth who vetted candidates for appointments by two Democratic governors, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, said theres no excuse for the Youngkin miscue: The Youngkin administration has had enough time to realize that there are legal requirements, to say nothing about the appearance of improprieties, regarding appointments of board and commission members. Making appointments of sitting legislators, even if they dont take the seat until their term expires, demonstrates a certain contempt for the law.

For Norment, the simplest way around the legal obstacle to serving two masters is for him to give up his Senate seat. The question would be when.

Though he did not rule out resigning before his four-year term concludes in January, Norment indicated in an interview Thursday that he would likely remain in the Senate until then. And Porter, in an email statement Thursday, said Norment will not begin his term on the William and Mary Board of Visitors until he has concluded his service as a member of the Virginia Senate.

Norment would join the board approximately six months after the start of his term as a part-time trustee at William & Mary, serving the balance of the four years for which hed been picked by Youngkin.

The timing of his departure ensures that Norment, as Republican minority leader, would still have a say in long-overdue, election-year revisions to the state budget  if and when the Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-ruled House reach a deal. They should have finished their work in February but remain paralyzed over GOP proposals for further cutting taxes and a Democratic preference for increased spending.

I am not going to abdicate my responsibility to cast some critical vote, Norment said.

Sounds as if Norments will be a working retirement.

Photos: Gov. Glenn Youngkin is keynote speaker at VMI's 2023 graduation 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-01 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-02 France 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-05.JPG 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-06 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-07 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-08 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-09 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-10 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-11 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-13 051723-rtd-met-vmi2 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-17 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-20 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-23 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-25 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-27 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-28 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-29 051723-roa-news-vmigrad-30
(Image: Bernama)

The World Bank said that Sarawak has achieved high income status as a state, based on its gross national income (GNI) per capita of more than US$13,205 (RM61,442).

We (World Bank) just released our latest high-income data. 83/218 countries are now high income. Newest entrants: Guyana and American Samoa. While Malaysias quest to join the high-income club continues, there is one nice surprise: Sarawak is now a high-income state! said the lead economist of the World Bank, Apurva Sanghi in a Twitter post.

We (World Bank) just released our latest high income data. 83 / 218 countries are now high income. Newest entrants: Guyana & American Samoa



While Malaysia's quest to join the high income club continues, there is one nice surprise:



SARAWAK is now a high income state! pic.twitter.com/UkisFGWWFM  Apurva Sanghi (@ApurvaSanghi) July 6, 2023

For context, the World Bank would annually sort the worlds economies into four income groups based on its own set of income classifications, namely low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. The classifications for each group are also updated on 1 July each year based on the GNI per capita that was recorded in the previous year (converted to US$). Here are the latest income classifications used:

Low income : GNI per capita of under US$1,085

: GNI per capita of under US$1,085 Lower-middle income: GNI per capita of between US$1,089 and US$4,255

GNI per capita of between US$1,089 and US$4,255 Upper-middle income: GNI per capita of between US$4,256 and US$13,205

GNI per capita of between US$4,256 and US$13,205 High income: GNI per capita of above US$13,205

Aside from the newly crowned Sarawak, other states in Malaysia that have also been acknowledged as high-income states to date include Penang, Labuan, and Kuala Lumpur:

Sanghi also explained that to conduct its calculations for Malaysia, the World Bank had obtained the state-level gross domestic product (GDP) data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Following that, the figures were converted to US$ with the application of the World Bank Atlas method, and then divided by the mid-year population.

To explain, the conversion of currency to US$ by applying the Atlas method is different from using the more straightforward current market exchange rates. This specific method is designed to help reduce the price and exchange rate fluctuations, as well as modulate impacts on estimates of economic size and growth  thereby giving the World Bank a more accurate comparison of national incomes.

(Image: Herald Malaysia Online)

Meanwhile, deputy minister in the state premiers department (labour, immigration, and project monitoring) Gerawat Gala has dismissed Sanghis claims, stressing that Sarawak has yet to achieve the coveted high-income status. The state governments data from its Post-Covid Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 showed that the states current income per capita was still lower than US$13,000, he said.

Im not sure how the World Bank worked out that Sarawaks GNI (has exceeded the high-income threshold of) US$13,205, which looks very high to me. Sarawak is not a high-income state yet. Our PCDS 2030 is targeted to make Sarawak a high-income state by 2030, Gerawat said.

As for Malaysia as a whole, the country has been categorised as an upper-middle income country since the late 80s. The World Bank had previously commented that Malaysia needs to see improvements in six areas before it can become a high-income country, such as raising the participation of female labour force, creating well-paying and high quality jobs, as well as modernising institutions.

More recently, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli had also commented that Malaysia stands a chance of becoming a high-income nation by 2026 if its economic growth stays above 4% for the next three years. This is in addition to having a stronger currency.

(Sources: Malay Mail, Free Malaysia Today)

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Mexicos National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission updates fishing seasons

Riviera Maya, Q.R.  The National Aquaculture and Fisheries Commission has updated Mexicos fishing seasons. During the month of July, marine species such as the red sea urchin, crab, liseta, lobster and shark may be fished.

Others such as tuna, white and brown bass, snail, scallop and oyster begin their period closed season, therefore its capture and/or extraction is prohibited.

The National Commission for Aquaculture and Fisheries (Conapesca) reports the fishing of red sea urchin may be carried out from 00:00 on July 1, 2023 and until 24:00 hours on February 29, 2024, on the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula.

Conapesca points out that sea urchin production has fluctuated around 2,000 tons in recent years. Live weight production in the state of Baja California in 2021 was 1,733 tons, a contribution equivalent to 96% of national production.

It is estimated that 1,500 people directly participate in extraction and processing activities in that state. The international demand for this resource is satisfied with the export of the gonad production in its entirety, with the United States of America being its main destination.

Crab fishing, which is considered a complementary activity for artisanal shrimp fishermen when shrimp season is shut, is now permitted. Male crab fishing on the coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa may be carried out from 00:00 hours on July 1, 2023, while for female crabs, the capture may begin at 00:00 hours on July 10. The ban for both sexes of this species will begin at 00:00 on May 1, 2024.

Photo: Conapesca

Regarding the listeta or lebrancha, a resource with distribution on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of the country, and of which a large percentage of its production is destined for human consumption, its use in waters under federal jurisdiction in the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco, begins at 00:00 on July 1, 2023.

For the states of Colima, Michoacan, Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas it will start at 00:00 on July 16 of this same year.

Lobster and shark fishing has already begun on the Yucatan Peninsula. As of July 1, lobster and shark fishing began in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. According to Conapesca, more than 6,000 fishermen along the Yucatan Peninsula rely on the fishing season.

Due to its value and volume, lobster is positioned respectively in places 7 and 29 of the national fishing production. In terms of exports, it is in the 4th place of the fishing species, with China and Hong Kong being its main destinations.

Regarding its use in waters of federal jurisdiction of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea that border the coasts of the states of Yucatan and Quintana Roo, the capture of lobster may be carried out as of 00:00 hours on July 1, 2023, and must be suspended at midnight on February 29, 2024.

In what corresponds to federal jurisdiction waters of the Gulf of California, on the coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa, as well as federal jurisdiction waters of the Pacific Ocean, from Nayarit to the State of Chiapas, lobster and shark fishing is suspended from 00:00 on July 1 and until 24:00 on October 30, 2023.

In the states of Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Quintana Roo, except for species with a permanent ban, the temporary ban period for sharks will begin at 00:00 on July 1, 2023 and will end at 24:00 on April 30, 2024.

Seasonal ban on tuna, white and brown bass, snail, scallop and oyster also begins in July.The tuna fishery is one of the most important in terms of catch volume and economic benefits. It constitutes a source of food, direct and indirect jobs, commerce and economic well-being both regionally and nationally.

The capture of tuna in waters under federal jurisdiction on the Pacific Ocean coast will be prohibited from 00:00 hours on July 29, 2023 and until 24 hours on October 8. The alternative period will be in force from 00:00 on November 9, 2023 until 24:00 on January 19, 2024.

Concerning white and brown sea bass, a resource of great importance and tradition in the Gulf of Mexico, the temporary suspension of catches in the area from the Chachalacas bar, Veracruz, to the Tonala bar, located in the limits of the states of Veracruz and Tabasco, begins at 00:00 on July 1, 2023 and ends at 24:00 on August 15.

The conch resource is one of the heaviest landed in the state of Campeche, in 2021 alone, the state contributed 99.6% of the volume of conch captured in the Gulf of Mexico.

Towns with the highest production include Seybaplaya, Champoton, Campeche, Isla Arena and Isla Aguada. The period of temporary closure of all snail species on the coast of the state of Campeche begins at 00:00 on July 16, 2023, extending until 24:00 on March 14, 2024.

In the same way, from 00:00 on July 1, 2023 and until 24:00 on November 30 of the same year, the extraction of ax callus is prohibited in Bahia de Kino and adjacent areas in the state of Sonora.

The oyster is a benchmark in the sustained and ascending production of the national fishing and aquaculture sector. Its use and/or cultivation has become a great source of income and food for thousands of fishermen settled in communities of the Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of California and Pacific Ocean.

The temporary closure measure for pleasure oysters will apply from 00:00 hours on July 15, 2023 and until 24:00 hours on November 15, in marine and estuarine waters under federal jurisdiction of the Gulf of California and the Pacific Ocean, except for the south of Teacapan, Sinaloa, where the ban will apply from 00:00 on July 15, 2023, until 24:00 on February 15, 2024.

Regarding the use in reservoirs, starting at 00:00 on July 1, 2023, all species of fish existing in the reservoirs of the Aguamilpa and El Cajon dams may be used (with the exception of the sport-recreational fishing for black bass in its catch-release modality), located in Nayarit, as well as in the Yuriria Lagoon, in the state of Guanajuato.

Tilapia will maintain a temporary closure from 00:00 on July 1, 2023 until 24:00 on August 31, in federal waters of the Santa Rosa Dam in the state of Jalisco.
Woman returning home from Puerto Morelos vacation dies outside Cancun terminal

Cancun, Q.R.  A woman who collapsed outside Terminal 3 of the Cancun International Airport has died. The woman collapsed on the sidewalk outside the terminal Thursday afternoon.

She was catching a departure flight to return home after vacationing in Puerto Morelos. While walking toward the terminal, she fell to the ground. Paramedics applied CPR but she was unresponsive to resuscitation attempts and pronounced at the scene of her collapse.

Early Friday morning, the Fiscalia General del Estado (FGE) de Quintana Roo reported on the death.

The FGE of Quintana Roo informs that after the report of the death of a female person at Terminal 3 of the Cancun International Airport, the death was caused by cardiorespiratory arrest, as well as heart failure and Wegeners granulomatosis.

It should be noted that at the time of corroborating the facts, the deceased did not show signs of violence or struggle. At the familys request, the body was certified by a private doctor.

Some local media had reported the woman arrived at the airport with marks on her face indicating she had been assaulted, possibly by someone she was traveling with, however, the FGE has ruled that out.

The identity, nationality and age of the woman are not known by official means.
Authoritarian and dictatorial regimes have been using the hardest-line interpretation of the Islamic faith to oppress women and thereby prevent democratic reforms. Its time for more Muslims in the West who enjoy democratic freedoms to speak up.

Afghanistan, following the American withdrawal in 2021, has gained attention for several reasons, but the most prominent among them is the Talibans exploitation of Islam to suppress women and legitimize their illegitimate hold on power. The Taliban have banned women from working for the United Nations (UN) and other domestic and international aid organizations and have also barred Afghan girls from pursuing secondary education and attending universities. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Talibans spokesperson, has warned that all Afghans must conform to the framework of Islamand claimed that women will be allowed to work and study only within their prescribed boundaries.

Meanwhile, according to Sandra Gathmanns report, approximately 850,000 female students have been prevented from attending secondary school, and women are obligated to wear a full veil that covers their faces in public. Furthermore, the Ministry of Women Affairs has been replaced by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, which is a matter of significant concern.

Sadiq Akif, spokesperson for the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, explained to Al Jazeera about the ministrys policies, stating, There were 20 years of occupation, which had a significant impact on peoples thoughts and ideas. And my aim is to rectify the mindset of my people through counseling. That is the objective of our endeavors.

It is clear that the Taliban strategically employ gender oppression to establish themselves as traditional representatives of Islam. These policies, however, are not derived from religious doctrine but are instead driven by more politically calculated motives. Given that the predominant interpretation of Islam today seeks to restrict women to the private sphere and exercise control over their bodies, all authoritarian regimes exploit this version of the faith to restrict womens mobility in the name of religion. It is crucial to examine how authoritarian rule in the Muslim world adversely affects women, subjecting them to state suppression as citizens of dictatorial regimes while also imposing institutionalized discrimination based on their gender. I do not contend that patriarchy directly causes authoritarianism; rather, my point is that it contributes to the consolidation of authoritarian rule.

Coming to terms with the political goals of Islamists and their strategic use of Islam is crucial in dispelling long-standing perceptions about Islams supposed incompatibility with democracy and modernity. Equally important is for Muslim societies to recognize the misuse of their faith and strive toward freedom and democracy.

Medieval Muslim scholars like Al-Ghazali (10561111) and Ibn Taymiyya (12631328) propagated patriarchal interpretations of Islam. Ghazali argued that marriage is a form of enslavement; thus she [the wife] is his slave, while Ibn Taymiyya, who remained unmarried, asserted that women are weaker beings and thus require male guardianship. These scholars continue to be widely read and respected in the Muslim world, influencing the interpretation of the faith of many Muslims worldwide.

My argument rests on the premise that such patriarchal interpretations of Islam, coupled with years of state-sponsored propaganda promoting gendered morality, have fostered a widespread societal acceptance of legislation confining women to their homes or to specific professions such as teaching. For example, Sandra Gathmanns report also reveals that the position of the Taliban, as expressed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, enjoys support not only from the Taliban and male Afghans but also from a number of Afghan women. Similarly, a 2013 PEW study on Afghanistan reveals a concerning trend, with only 30% of the population believing that women should have the autonomy to decide whether to wear a veil. Consequently, after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the Taliban progressively imposed decrees that further restricted womens participation in public affairs. The same PEW study also indicated significant support for the establishment of Sharia as the official law among Muslims in various regions, including South Asia (84%), Southeast Asia (77%), the Middle East (74%), and Sub-Saharan Africa (64%).

These findings underscore the notion that a government based on Sharia would be perceived as legitimate by a substantial portion of the population in these regions. Therefore, different actors in different nations, such as Zia-ul-Haq in Pakistan, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran, and the Taliban in Afghanistan, seek to gain popular support by exploiting religion. To achieve this objective, they often implement patriarchal gender laws that curtail womens participation in the public sphere.

It is noteworthy that Islam encompasses various sects, each with significant disagreements on fundamental doctrinal questions. Hence, achieving a unified stance on significant issues within Muslim-majority nations has proved challenging. For example, the ongoing hostility between Iran and Saudi Arabia, originating in the 1980s, highlights the clash between dominant Sunni and Shia ideological perspectives within Islam. Interestingly, despite the divergent interpretations of Islam, there yet remains a consensus among religious Muslim elites regarding the limited role assigned to women within the religion. Regardless of their ideological leanings, these elites predominantly adhere to a patriarchal understanding of Islam. This shared understanding about womens roles in public life eventually facilitates the process of authoritarianism in these societies.

Authoritarianism requires certain kinds of moral and political justifications. The Taliban in Afghanistan, like many other autocratic rulers in the Muslim-majority countries, rely on a rigid interpretation of Islam for this purpose. Notably, Waheedullah Hashimi, a senior Taliban leader, has unequivocally stated that Afghanistan will not have democracy and that the political system will be solely based on Sharia law. In this context, there is a widely accepted patriarchal, if not misogynistic, interpretation of Islam that gives the regime enough cultural capital to introduce socially repressive policies. These policies, like restricting womens mobility, eventually contribute to justifying the denial of democratic reforms in the country.

Is there any hope? In the words of Khaled Abou El Fadl, Without willpower, an inspired vision, and a moral commitment, there can be no democracy in Islam. Abou El Fadls assertion is based on the fact that Islam does not prescribe a specific system of governance. However, it does require Muslims to establish a system based on consultation, which implies a representative form of government. Additionally, classical Islam upholds individual freedoms and advocates for minimal state intervention in restricting those freedoms.

During its advent, Islam served as a liberating force that differentiated between individuals and tribes, emphasizing the rights and dignity of individuals. In the formative phase of Islam, individuals were empowered to exercise their will, markets operated independently and women were merchants, and scholars critiqued rulers who failed to provide justice to their people.

However, the Taliban seek to impose an orthodox version of Islam from the post-11th-century era. This version suppresses subjects, denies rights to minorities and women, and demands unconditional submission. The Taliban do not support holding elections or being accountable for their actions. They have found an interpretation of Islam that aligns with their historical perspective and political aims.

As noted, in the post-11th-century Muslim world, a patriarchal and suppressive notion of Islam emerged, with scholars like Ghazali playing a significant role in providing ideological cover for the rising Sunni orthodoxy and militaristic state. These scholars defended an interpretation of Islam that advocated for a strong state capable of imposing Islamic beliefs, with the ruler holding absolute authority. This period marked the alliance between the religious class (ulema) and the state (political class), which Ahmet Kuru refers to as the ulema-state alliance. This alliance continues to hinder creativity, individual freedoms, and entrepreneurship, as it promotes a regressive understanding of Islam that calls for a powerful government capable of regulating all aspects of peoples lives.

It is our moral, intellectual, and political responsibility to speak out against this religiously inspired authoritarianism and demand rights for Afghan women. The Taliban will continue to misuse Islam if they are not challenged both ideologically and politically. There is a need to promote an understanding of Islam that acknowledges basic rights and individual freedoms. Muslim scholars such as Mustafa Akyol, Ahmet Kuru, Asma Afsaruddin, and Zahra Ayubi who live in free societies like the United States have been playing an important role in promoting a more tolerant and inclusive understanding of Islam. They engage in scholarly discourse, interpret Islamic teachings in a contemporary context, and highlight the importance of individual freedoms and human rights within the Islamic framework. We need more such scholars and thinkers to contribute to this cause.

It is important to recognize that bringing about change in the understanding and practice of Islam requires a long-term and multifaceted approach. It involves empowering individuals, challenging oppressive ideologies, and fostering an environment that respects diversity, human rights, and individual freedoms. Collaboration among various actors, both within Muslim-majority countries and at the international level, is crucial to achieving these objectives. It is also important to note that the actions of individuals and scholars alone may not bring about widespread change. Collaboration with sympathetic organizations, interfaith partners, and community members is crucial to amplify the impact and create a broader movement for positive change in Afghanistan.
Correction The Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center is one of the four law schools from which scholars filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case. Court records listed the wrong school.

In asserting its power over that of the courts, Congress violated the separation of powers doctrine when it parachuted in to save the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

That is what environmental groups contend in written arguments filed with a federal appeals court. Proving it, however, may be another matter.

Its a very tricky legal question, said Evan Zoldan, a professor at the University of Toledos law school who has read the legal briefs in a case that raises a fundamental question: Did Congress breach the U.S. Constitution when it passed a law that fast-tracks completion of the controversial pipeline?

Long delayed by lawsuits, and facing yet another round of litigation, Mountain Valley was bailed out last month by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

A section of that law that had nothing to do with its primary purpose  raising the federal debt ceiling and averting a budget crisis  ordered federal agencies to issue all permits for the project while allowing it to sidestep any remaining legal challenges.

Lawyers for Mountain Valley recently asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss two pending lawsuits, arguing that the law strips the court of its jurisdiction.

A coalition of organizations that includes Appalachian Voices, the Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society counter that the law is unconstitutional.

Zoldan, who teaches legislation and administrative law and is an expert on the separation of powers, said the Fourth Circuit is being asked to clarify the limits on Congresss ability to redefine a courts jurisdiction.

On one hand, what Congress did appears to be run-of-the mill legislation, Zoldan said. Congress is generally allowed to set the jurisdiction of federal courts.

On the other hand, theres a long-standing principle that says when Congress provides a rule of decision for the courts to follow, then it might be doing something that looks a lot like judicial action.

Generally, a rule of decision means a directive from lawmakers on what a court must do. But what it means precisely is the $64,000 question, Zoldan said  a question that is now being raised anew.

If the effect of the statute is to guarantee the outcome for a particular party in a pending case, it stops looking like Congressional action and starts looking a lot more like what courts are supposed to do, which is to resolve pending cases, he said.

The basis for that argument goes back to 1871, when the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark decision in a case that involved cotton, the Civil War and Congress.

At issue were presidential pardons that allowed former supporters of the Confederacy to petition for the return of their property taken by the federal government. John A. Klein, the administrator of an estate from which $125,000 worth of cotton was seized, cited the pardon in a request for compensation, which was granted by the Court of Claims.

While an appeal by the government was pending, Congress passed a law that removed the Court of Claims jurisdiction and required Kleins case to be dismissed.

In so doing, the legislative branch violated the separation of powers doctrine by stripping jurisdiction from the lower court as a means to an end of having the case thrown out, the Supreme Court held.

More than a century and a half later, Congress did the same thing when it removed the Fourth Circuits authority to hear challenges of government permits issued to Mountain Valley, environmental groups contend.

Whatever happened to checks and balances? asked Caroline Hansley, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club.

Congress should never have overextended its powers to try to tell the courts how to do their jobs, Hansley said in a written statement. When communities, climate, and habitats are at risk, there is just too much at stake.

The environmental track record of Mountain Valley  which has been cited more than 400 times with violating erosion and sedimentation control regulations  is a common theme in legal challenges of its permits.

Today, United States v. Klein and its progeny still stand for the proposition that Congress cannot direct courts to reach a particular result in a pending case, Zoldan said.

I dont think that age alone is a problem, he said of the Reconstruction-era ruling. The thing thats a challenge is there have been a handful of cases subsequent to Klein that seem to point in a different direction.

Those cases read Congresss power much more broadly and they make it difficult to determine what, if anything, Klein still means today, Zoldan said.

Four other law professors  from Brooklyn Law School, the University of Californias Berkeley School of Law, the Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the Florida International University College of Law  agree with Zoldan on the basic principle.

If the constitutional structure separating the legislative power from the judicial is to mean something, it is that there is a line between making laws and applying them, they wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief that supports the environmental groups.

The question, the brief states, is where that line lies.

Zoldan said he would not be surprised if whoever loses at the Fourth Circuit  be it Mountain Valley or the environmental groups that oppose the natural gas pipeline  decides to take the case to a higher court.

Theres enough uncertainty about the law to make it a fair question for the Supreme Court to resolve, he said.

The laws language that expedites Mountain Valley, pushed by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, and backed by Democratic leaders in exchange for his support on another matter, is being challenged separately from the rest of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. That means declaring the provision unconstitutional would not affect the debt ceiling, lawyers say.

Meanwhile, its unclear how  or if  the latest round of litigation will affect construction of the 303-mile pipeline, which has resumed in the days since the Fiscal Responsibility Act was signed into law June 3.

Mountain Valley says it hopes to have the $6.6 billion project done by years end, allowing 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to be distributed from drilling sites in Appalachian shale fields to markets along the East Coast.

The Wilderness Society, which last month filed a legal challenge of a permit allowing the pipeline to pass through the Jefferson National Forest in Giles and Montgomery counties, asked the Fourth Circuit this week to issue a stay on work while the case is pending.

A similar request was made in April by Appalachian Voices and other groups who are contesting a second government approval, a finding that endangered species would not be jeopardized by a buried pipeline that traverses steep mountain slopes and plows through streams and wetlands.

A stay would protect the public interest in forestalling unlawful environmental harm and would not impair any other public interests, Spencer Gall, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, wrote in The Wilderness Societys request.

It was not clear whether the Fourth Circuit would rule first on Mountain Valleys motion to dismiss the lawsuits, or on the requests for stays.

Attorneys for Mountain Valley have asked the court not to act until they file more court papers, which is expected to happen by Monday. In previous briefs, they said the plain language of the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires dismissal of the lawsuits. The Act allows only limited legal challenges, which should be filed not with the Fourth Circuit but a federal appeals court in Washington D.C.

Also this week, five Congressional representatives from Virginia  Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, Don Beyer, D-Alexandria, Gerry Connolly, D-Fairfax, Robert Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, and Jennifer Wexton, D-Leesburg  filed a friend-of-the-court brief that backs the environmental groups challenge.

Allowing Mountain Valley to proceed under these circumstances, they said, would be contrary to the public interest.

The separation of powers, Gall said, is a vital bulwark for preserving and protecting a free society.
The harmful algal blooms that have impacted recreation at Smith Mountain Lake for the past month may finally be on their way out. The Virginia Department of Health ended its swim advisory for much of the Blackwater River arm of the lake on Friday following results from their most recent round of testing.

The swim advisory has now ended along the Blackwater River arm of the lake including Gills Creek and downstream to where it connects with the Roanoke River arm. The advisory is still in effect for the portions of the Blackwater River arm upstream from channel marker B18.

The update comes just a day after concerned lake residents crowded into a meeting at Trinity Ecumenical Parish hosted by the Smith Mountain Lake Association and attended by representatives from the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. All provided details on how the algal blooms have progressed in recent weeks, but were unable to provide answers on what caused it or when it might end.

This is the first year Smith Mountain Lake has had any significant reports of harmful algal blooms. Margaret Smigo, VHD waterborne hazards program coordinator, said Smith Mountain Lake had one reported harmful algal bloom in 2020 and three reports in 2021. No algal blooms were reported in 2022.

More than 40 potentially harmful algal blooms have been sighted and reported so far this year, Smigo said. The blue-green blooms are created by cyanobacteria that can produce toxins that are harmful to people and pets. Swimming in or ingesting cyanobacteria can cause skin rash and gastrointestinal illnesses, such as upset stomach, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Ingestion of the water is the highest risk, Smigo said.

So far, there have been only five cases of illnesses possibly connected to the algal blooms. The individuals were in the water, but Smigo said it is difficult to confirm since most had gastrointestinal issues that could be caused by other factors. One of the individuals also reported some skin irritation, she said.

According to Smigo, initial sightings of blue-green algae at Smith Mountain Lake were reported May 20. Testing done in those locations showed the water samples had amounts of cyanobacteria within acceptable levels. Cell counts of cyanobacteria greater than 100,000 cells per milliliter trigger an advisory.

When the results came back we were well below our cyanobacteria concentration level threshold for issuing an advisory, Smigo said of the early testing.

The state issued the swim advisory June 8 when test results from a June 1 sampling showed cyanobacteria levels above 100,000 cells/ml in the areas of the Anthony Ford Public Boat Ramp, Virginia Key and Kemp Ford Road. The swim advisory was for the entire Blackwater River arm of Smith Mountain Lake.

Due to the widespread observations, we proactively issued the advisory for all of the Blackwater River, Smigo said.

Another round of VDH testing June 13 showed a slowdown in the growth of the harmful algal blooms. Of the nine sights tested on the Blackwater River arm, only four contained unsafe levels of cyanobacteria. Smigo said the Anthony Ford Public Boat Ramp, which had the highest levels of cyanobacteria June 8 was near zero by June 13.

We had toxins detected at most of our upriver sites that were sampled and they were below detectable limits at the lower sites, Smigo said.

Smigo said sites that previously had unsafe levels of cyanobacteria must be tested twice, 10 days apart and show safe levels before an advisory can be lifted.

Positive results once again at several sites from VDH testing done June 26 led to Fridays updated advisory. Results showed cyanobacteria within acceptable levels once again in those five areas tested June 13.

Four locations along the upper Blackwater River arm still have algae concentration levels above unsafe levels. The public is advised to continue avoiding contact with the water in those areas upstream of channel marker B18. Additional testing is expected by the VDH on Monday, weather permitting.

As for a cause of this years increase in harmful algal blooms, Smigo said they have found no smoking gun so far that would explain it. The blooms are fueled by phosphorus that comes from organic material as well as fertilizer.

One concern was that septic tanks could be failing near the shoreline and dumping waste into the lake. Smigo said there has been no evidence of that so far.

Keri Green, chair of the Smith Mountain Lake Associations water quality council, said efforts are already underway to create a harmful algal bloom working group at Smith Mountain Lake. The goal of the group will be to collect information on why the blooms appeared this year as well as how to prevent them.
Foreign Minister Park Jin delivers a keynote address during a forum to discuss geopolitical situations on the Korean Peninsula at a Seoul hotel, June 29. Yonhap



South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin plans to attend next week's annual gatherings led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia, officials said Friday.



Park is scheduled to join the South Korea-ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting and the ASEAN plus three meeting, also involving China and Japan, next Thursday, according to his ministry. The following day, he will take part in the East Asia Summit (EAS) meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).



In between the sessions, Park could potentially hold separate bilateral talks with his Japanese and Chinese counterparts, Yoshimasa Hayashi and Qin Gang, respectively, in Jakarta.



Foreign ministers of China and Japan have typically attended the annual gatherings.



If realized, a meeting with Qin would mark the first face-to-face foreign ministerial meeting between the two countries since Qin took office last year.



In a potential South Korea-Japan foreign ministerial meeting, Hayashi could explain to Park the findings of the International Atomic Energy Agency's report on Tokyo's plan to discharge contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.



Observers are also keeping close tabs on the possible attendance of North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui at the ARF meeting. The North is also a member of the ARF. (Yonhap)


I've long said after so many tragic shootings, bombings, massacres and horrific accidents and their subsequent memorials, we are becoming a nation of memorials.

I recently got back from visiting family in Oklahoma. My nephew spent such great time with me in touring all the sights and places of interest. Of course that included the site of the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City that killed 168 men, woman and children. It was impressive, to say the least, but most chilling and sad as we walked among all the seatlike monuments for each life that was taken.

Then today [June 11], as I'm reading our newspaper, I always enjoy reading the daily article "Today in History," and I thought it kind of ironic that "In 2001, Timothy McVeigh, 33, was executed by injection at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people."

I walked around all those individual name memorials, often reading the name of all those lost souls. Now ask me to name just one of those individuals and I couldn't tell you, yet the name of Timothy McVeigh will always ring a bell as to who he was and what he did. I'm not quite sure how to word this, but the thought came to my mind that in some morbid way is the memorial itself to the insane mad man that perpetrated this heinous act?

I don't for a second not understand the peace and comfort these memorials mean for all the family, loved ones and friends of those who perished in this horrific act.

E. Duane Howard, Roanoke
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Radigan checks on the 3D printing of a medical cast aboard an MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164 during a training flight near Twentynine Palms, Calif. The demonstration marked the first successful in-flight demonstration of 3D printing capability in a U.S. military aircraft. Credit: U.S. Marine Corps

The Consortium for Additive Manufacturing Research and Education (CAMRE) at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) achieved the first successful demonstration of in-flight 3D printing aboard a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft on June 21 in Southern California.

CAMRE's operational demonstration, which involved the printing of a medical cast aboard an airborne Osprey, was part of larger-scale exercise support provided by CAMRE and the Marine Innovation Unit (MIU) to forces participating in an integrated training exercise (ITX) at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., from June 1022.

This successful test of in-flight additive manufacturing represents a capability which could prove vital for rapid response during any contested logistics scenario.

"We are in a unique position to rapidly support the joint force and accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing," said Chris Curran, program manager at CAMRE. "This is just one of many events we are committing resources to where we share our research and deliver equipment and know-how to service members."

CAMRE worked in collaboration with the MIU and Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39 from Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., to set up the demonstration. The flight was conducted with the support of Marines and aircraft from the "Knightriders" of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164, commanded by Lt. Col. Casey Nelson.

The printer utilized in the demonstration, the Advanced Manufacturing Operational System (AMOS), was developed by Spencer Koroly, an engineer at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific in San Diego. AMOS is renowned for its speed, reliability and expeditionary ruggedness when benchmarked to comparable systems.

A medical cast is produced by a 3D printer aboard an MV-22 Osprey from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 164 during a training flight near Twentynine Palms, Calif. The demonstration marked the first successful in-flight demonstration of 3D printing capability in a U.S. military aircraft. Credit: U.S. Marine Corps

"I see this as revolutionary, being able to print on the move," Koroly said. "Nothing is more expeditionary than printing medical devices and swarm robotics in the back of an aircraft."

During the test, the team began with a 3D scan of a Marine's arm, which was used to create a drawing of a medical cast assisted by generative design software. The cast itself was then printed while the Osprey was engaged in multiple ground and flight modes, including taxi, takeoff and in-flight maneuvers.

"We are just scratching the surface on the capabilities that will come from being able to 3D print in flight," said Lt. Col. Michael Radigan, who serves as a liaison to NPS from the MIU. "Dozens of printers being installed in a modular fashion aboard aircraft brings the ability for mobile production at a scale we have not experienced before."

As part of the ITX, CAMRE brought together operating forces from Marine Forces Reserve, I Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and 3D Marine Aircraft Wing to demonstrate a distributed manufacturing model in a contested logistics environment.

CAMRE's airborne 3D printing demonstration builds upon past successful operational demonstrations with the fleet, including the first deployment of a 3D liquid metal printer aboard USS Essex (LHD 2) during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in 2022.

The mission of CAMRE is to deliver immediate results to the warfighter, with a focus on accelerating expeditionary and domestic advanced manufacturing capabilities for the joint force. CAMRE proliferates new capabilities, delivering education and certifications to increase the talent pool for the joint force and validating concepts through operational exercises.

Provided by Naval Postgraduate School
Dalondo Moultrie is the assistant managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail him at dalondo.moultrie@seguingazette.com .
 After getting 241-year sentence as juvenile, Bobby Bostic released on parole after 27 years in prison | Main | Sentencing memos paint very different pictures of Elizabeth Holmes 

November 12, 2022

New district court opinion "holds that  922(g)(8) is unconstitutional under Bruen's framework"

A few months ago, in a series of posts right after the Supreme Court's big Second Amendment decision Bruen (basics here), I suggested that a number of broad federal criminal firearm prohibitions might be subject to new constitutional challenges (see posts here are here). I focused on how the Bruen court's recasting of Second Amendment analysis might impact the federal felon-in-possession statute, 18 USC  922(g)(1) and the federal drug-user-in-possession statute, 18 USC  922(g)(3). Interestingly, as detailed in prior posts here and here, a few district courts have already declared other parts of  922 unconstitutional. And this past week a new opinion adds  922(g)(8) to the post-Bruen carnage.

Title 18 USC  922(g)(8) makes it a federal crime for any person to possess a firearm while subject to a domstic violence restraining order. In his opinion in US v. Perez-Gallan, No. PE:22-CR-00427-DC (SD Texas Nov. 10, 2022) (available here), US District Judge David Counts works through Bruen analysis to conclude "that  922(g)(8) is unconstitutional under Bruen's framework." The opinion is 30+ pages long, and it starts and ends this way:

Before Bruen, the Second Amendment looked like an abandoned cabin in the woods. A knot of vines, weeds, and roots, left unkempt for decades, crawling up the cabins sides as if pulling it under the earth. Firearm regulations are that overgrowth. Starting with the Federal Firearms Act in 1938, laws were passed with little  if any  consideration given to their constitutionality. That is, until the Supreme Court intervened in Bruen. No longer can lower courts account for public policy interests, historical analysis being the only tool. But after growing unchecked for almost 100 years, todays tangle of gun laws has left lower courts with a gordian knot. And after engaging with this Nations tradition of firearm regulations several times already, the Courts unanswered question is whether Bruen demands lower courts manicure the Second Amendments landscape by scalpel or chainsaw.... How strictly or flexibly a court reads Bruen impacts its conclusion. Bruens mandate is that a gun regulations constitutionality hinge solely on the historical inquiry. According to Bruen, that can be this Courts only consideration. The Court concedes, therefore, that a court reading Bruen strictly could have arguably stopped after Section IV of this Opinion. That said, this Court embraces Bruens charge. Thus, after sifting through the history above, this Court finds that the Government did not prove that  922(g)(8) aligns with this Nations historical tradition of firearm regulation and declines the Governments invitation to insert its own public policy concerns rather than following Bruen. As a result, the Court holds that  922(g)(8) is unconstitutional under Bruens framework.

Some prior recent related posts:

November 12, 2022 at 11:55 AM | Permalink

Comments

It's good to see these federal judges following Bruen. In New York, the state judges have totally rebelled against Bruen and refuse to even apply its historical-analogue test. Nothing has changed there, all firearm prosecutions have proceeded as though Bruen was never decided.

Posted by: Avi | Nov 12, 2022 8:04:26 PM

If these kind of opinions continue, the Feds will have to release a bunch of people from prison and may even have to financially compensate some of them. Depending on view of the retroactive effect, some defendants who have already served their entire sentences may now have a basis for filing for Writs of Error Coram Nobis, since it is now clear that they were convicted and sentenced under an unConstitutional statute.

I think 18 U.S.C. section 922(g)(9), possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, is also Constitutionally vulnerable after Bruen. A pet peeve that I have long had about this statute is that the DOJ has refused to promulgate state-by-state lists of which state crimes actually constitute "crimes of domestic violence". Here in Kentucky, criminal defense lawyers had long taken the possession that "harassment with contact" is not a crime of domestic violence, and attorneys would frequently try to plea bargain down to that crime from misdemeanor 4th degree assault, which plainly is a crime of domestic violence. Then, our local Sheriff, Kathy Witt (longest serving female Sheriff in America) refused to return a man's 11 guns (confiscated when he became subject to a DVO) after his domestic violence case was dismissed by the man's former girl friend. The Sheriff took the position that "harassment with contact" is a crime of domestic violence. The defendant sued Sheriff Witt in Federal Court under section 1983, seeking return of his guns, but a District Judge dismissed his lawsuit, holding that section 1983 is not aa proper vehicle for seeking return of guns allegedly illegally retained by the Sheriff under section 922(g). And who knows the correct answer, since DOJ refuses to promulgate state-by-state lists of which state crimes are crimes of domestic violence that disqualify a man from buying a gun under the Federal statute. That failure has never seemed fair to me. People are not properly put on notice about what conduct might violate the statute.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Nov 14, 2022 10:59:41 AM

Jim Gormley --

I'll bet you $250 that SCOTUS will not strike down the present federal FIP ban. Are we on?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Nov 14, 2022 6:55:52 PM

Jim, it would appear Bill wants to bet that the current SCOTUS Justices are more likely to vote their gun control policy preferences rather adhere to their claimed commitment to textualism and originalism in application of the Second Amendment. I think you would be wise not to bet that the Justices will not just vote their gun control policy preferences (and their other policy preferences, for that matter).

Posted by: Doug B | Nov 15, 2022 4:55:36 PM

Doug --

Well golly. When the Court votes for the defense, it's following textualism and originalism (GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD)!! When it votes for the prosecution, it's following mere policy preferences (BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD)!!

This has become your regular line. But perhaps I should ask: Did the Third Circuit in the opinion you posted today also do the BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD thing by following merely its policy preferences rather than the law? Is what we have here a vast right-wing conspiracy??

P.S. Unrelated but I'm curious: Is the Moritz College of Law going to follow its policy preferences against white and Asian applicants a la' your law alma mater by withdrawing from the USN&WR rankings because they're based in part on the LSAT rather than racial rigging?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Nov 17, 2022 11:02:42 AM

Bill, when the Supreme Court says lower courts should to apply textualism and originalism to a provision, the rule of law calls for lower courts to do that even if they do not like the outcome. And because the text and history of our Constitution are quite defendant-friendly, faithfully applying textualism and originalism ought to often lead to limits on state power. The Apprendi/Blakely Sixth Amendment line of cases is one good example from the last few decades (both of state-power-limiting outcomes and lower courts seemingly not eager to reach those outcomes). I recall you disagree with the Sixth Amendment jurisprudence of Justices Scalia and Thomas, but I do not recall you ever providing an originalist critique. I just surmise that their originalist reading of the Sixth Amendment is contrary to your policy preferences. Am I wrong in that assessment? (Note, I have written repeatedly -- and still strongly believe -- that the actual text of the Constitution suggests the jury trial right only extends to offense facts, not offender facts, but that's a different quibble and based on textualism.)

Second Amendment jurisprudence would seem to be another area in which textualism and originalism ought to often lead to limits on state power. But, likely in part because you and many other elites have a very strong policy preference for various forms of gun control, Second Amendment jurisprudence after Heller evolved to impact very few existing gun control laws because lower courts focused on concerns other than textualism and originalism. But Bruen now says courts have to focus on textualism and originalism, and I am not at all surprised that this has already led to a series of new rulings that strike down some very broad federal gun control prohibitions.

That said, I do think there can be fair debates over the history concerning a variety of modern gun control measures, and the Third Circuit panel in Range makes an interesting case for upholding FIP laws after Bruen. But the panel reads history to give "legislatures ... both authority and broad discretion to determine when individuals status or conduct evinced such a threat sufficient to warrant disarmament." Slip op. at 41-42. Reading the history so broadly would seem to allow a state legislature now to disarm all men under 35 (since men under 35 commit roughly 90% of all serious crimes) AND/OR to disarm anyone who ever got a speeding ticket for not being entirely law-abiding.

Perhaps that is a fair reading of history, but it seems to me more in keeping with a policy preference for deference to legislative gun control efforts than a sound accounting of how the Framing era understood the command that "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." (Interestingly, the Range panel never actually quotes the Second Amendment's "shall not be infringed" language. That seems a telling indication that a particular goal, not an interpretation of text, was driving this panel.)

PS: Decisions about OSU Moritz College of Law sharing of data with US News are above my pay grade.

Posted by: Doug B. | Nov 17, 2022 12:40:44 PM

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 Some early commentary on SCOTUS Second Amendment review of federal gun prohibition in Rahimi | Main | "Prosecutorial Mutiny" 

July 7, 2023

Rounding up some stories about notable (and different) life sentences

A busy holiday week has kept me from keeping up on all the sentencing news, but some stories about the imposition of some notable (and distinct) life sentences still caught my eye. Here is a quick round-up of some of these life sentencing stories:

From state court in Iowa, "Fairfield teen sentenced to life in prison for murder of Spanish teacher"

From state court in Kansas, "Former preschool nurse sentenced to life in prison for child sex crimes"

From state court in Maryland, "Man handed life sentence for 2022 murder of Wicomico County deputy"

From state court in Ohio, "Man convicted of raping, impregnating 9-year-old Columbus girl sentenced to life in prison"

From state court in Oregon, "Marion County 19-year-old sentenced to life in prison after drug deal murder"

From federal court in Delaware, "A Delaware Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for a Street Feud that led to Woman's Death and Shooting of 6-Year-Old"

From federal court in Texas, "El Paso Walmart shooter expected to be sentenced on federal charges today after facing dozens of victims families and survivors in court"

These sentences are distinct not only because some were imposed in state courts and some in federal courts, but also because some of the state court sentences include the possibility of parole. And, of course, some of these cases have received lots and lots of media attention and some just generate a single press story.

July 7, 2023 at 08:46 AM | Permalink

Comments

A lot of these sentences reveal a real shortcoming of the US system. Why the love for life sentences. It makes no sense not to re-evaluate after say 25 years, and that is what almost all peer countries do. A lot of murders could be perfectly capable of staying out of trouble after a long sentence that is short of life. There are very few cases where it makes sense to rule out parole. Just another idiocy that probably reflects ignorant people having too much power in determining sentence policy, which does not seem to be as much of a problem in most other industrialized. I guess I am going to get flamed by Bill Otis for this comment because he seems always of the brainless throw-away-the-key crowed.

Posted by: Mark | Jul 7, 2023 4:30:14 PM

Ps, good to see that some of these sentences do allow for parole, but why should that be only for offenders who are minors? It makes no sense.

Posted by: Mark | Jul 7, 2023 4:32:18 PM

Deterrence and catharsis are legitimate goals of criminal punishments. For incapacitation and the other purposes even civil measures are enough.

In the U.S. context with crime being a much graver permanent problem than in other so-called industrialized countries, it is all peer states that have life without parole, even those without the death penalty. Feel free to call ignorant and brainless this nationwide consensus among 50 state legislatures and Congress.

Proposing a life sentence "with absolutely no chance of parole" is the only way that death penalty opponents have found to produce an opinion survey supposedly rejecting capital punishment. A Gallup question asking only what punishment should be preferred, not what should be the maximum possible; and even though the "peer countries" have proven that it is impossible to enforce life without parole without executions.

In 2019 Joseph Bessette and Andrew Sinclair found that 80% of Americans favored the death penalty for child murder involving rape. You can guess the result if in another survey they would have to choose, for the same crime, only between life without parole and life with parole after 25 years.

The Pew Research Center also found in 2020 a support for the death penalty higher than Gallup simply by asking the question by internet rather than by telephone call, with panels of the same composition.

Posted by: Jackson | Jul 7, 2023 5:21:43 PM

Sorry, I almost forgot the only exception to the U.S. consensus which is Alaska, allowing a sentence reduction after 49,5 years. Twice longer than what the so-called ECHR requires.

Posted by: Jackson | Jul 7, 2023 6:04:48 PM

Mark,

What do you consider peer countries? In other words, what countries are as heterogeneous as the USA and have the same violent gang problem?

Sweden and Norway are not peers in that regard.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 7, 2023 11:56:14 PM

Tarls, and which countries have endless mass shootings?

Posted by: anon14 | Jul 8, 2023 12:22:23 AM

anon14 --

Two questions: First, are you for limiting the ability to buy automobiles because we have "mass" traffic fatalities -- thousands more than we have murders? Second, given the social damage of "mass shootings," do you insist upon strong punishment, either the DP or LWOP, for mass shooters?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 8, 2023 10:00:50 AM

1. Mr. Otis, no I am not in favor of limiting ability to buy automobiles; but I am in favor of regulating the training and licensing of automobile drivers and setting minimum ages for drivers, and setting strict conditions for teen-age drivers. I am also in favor of strict punishment for those who drive under the influence of alcohol and all other drugs. Aren't you?

2. I do indeed insist upon strong punishment either DP or LWOP for mass shooters.

What's your point?

Posted by: anon14 | Jul 8, 2023 10:57:49 AM

anon14 --

My point is that it's not the instrument of death (either the gun or, much more frequently, the car) that's the problem. The problem is the person using the instrument. I'm glad you agree and, in agreeing, support strong punishment for mass shooters, including is some cases the death penalty.

One other question. Why do you want to be anonymous? My views are unpopular where I work (academia) but I sign my name to everything I write anyway. I see it as a way of being accountable, and I view accountability as a good thing. Is that wrong?

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 8, 2023 4:12:52 PM

Anon14,

You kind of help my point.

Mass shootings, are defined many ways, mostly in a manner that the average American sees differently.

When we are talking about people running into schools to kill kids, at concerts, etc., we are very close to the norm.

Where we break away is anti-gun groups counting gang wars, where two or three people are shot, as a mass shooting.

These other peer countries, just dont have that problem to the same degree.

There are a million reasons why just comparing such stats is not enough. Which country has a better mental health system? More feral children in the streets? Etc.

Posted by: TarlsQtr | Jul 10, 2023 8:01:18 PM

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 Detailed accounting of US District Judge Aileen Cannon's (modest) sentencing history | Main | Rounding up some stories about notable (and different) life sentences 

July 6, 2023

Some early commentary on SCOTUS Second Amendment review of federal gun prohibition in Rahimi

In this post, I noted that the Supreme Court in its final order list granted cert review in US v. Rahimi to address (at least) one aspect of how the landmark Bruen Second Amendment case applies to federal firearm possession criminalization. Since that grant, I have seen some new comment on the case, and here is a smattering of those pieces:

From HuffPost, "This Man Is A Suspect In Multiple Shootings. His Case May Decide The Future Of Gun Rights."

From the Independent, "Should domestic abusers have the right to be armed? The Supreme Court could upend protections for survivors"

From Mother Jones, "A Federal Gun Law Has Protected Domestic Violence Survivors for 30 Years. Now SCOTUS Will Decide Its Fate."

From Slate, "The Supreme Courts YOLO Approach to Guns Is About to Face a Major Test"

Some (of many) prior recent related posts:

July 6, 2023 at 07:21 PM | Permalink

Comments

This is going to be fun to watch, as two major components of the Left will square off against one another. In one corner will be the "defendants-are-victims-of-the-big-bad-state" crowd, rooting for convicted felons to be able to possess guns with impunity. I the other corner will be the gun control crowd -- the people who basically think the Second Amendment should get tanked and that NO ONE should have a gun, even darlings like previously convicted felons.

I want a ringside seat!

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 6, 2023 8:54:01 PM

The same day that the Fifth Circuit decided Rahimi, U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves reached the same conclusion about 18 U.S.C. section 922(g)(8) in the case of United States v. Sherman Kelvin Combs, Crim. Case No. 5:22-CR-00136-DCR-MAS. Judge reeves' Opinion and Order are appeal to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals now. Notably, Judge Reeves is usually quite conservative in criminal cases, and he is a former member of the U. S. Sentencing Commission. The winning attorney here in Lexington is Thomas Lyons.

Posted by: Jim Gormley | Jul 6, 2023 9:24:55 PM

Bill, the Rahimi case is about the constitutionality of 18 USC 922(g)(8), which makes it a federal crime for a person under a domestic violence restraining order to posses a firearm. The decision will likely impact 2A doctrines now leading some courts to declare federal felon in possession -- 922(g)(1) -- unconstitutional, but this case is not technically about convicted felons.

Because we are talking about guns and domestic violence, I suspect all the Dem appointees to SCOTUS will vote to uphold the constitutionality of 18 USC 922(g)(8). But, of course, the six GOP appointees are the ones that really matter and will determine the outcome. Do you expect, Bill, that they will find unconstitutional how Congress has sought to limit gun possession by those under restraining orders?

Posted by: Doug B | Jul 6, 2023 9:37:14 PM

If the SCOTUS strikes down this Federal statute, it opens the door for challenges to laws that criminalize convicted felons possessing firearms. The silver lining here is that defense attorneys will challenge state statutes prohibiting felons from possessing firearms which in turn could be struck down. Thus, it is one less crime a felon can be convicted of.

The downside of course is that we don't know if or when the Court will stop in its broad interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Thus, a whole slew of gun laws are potentially on the chopping block.

Posted by: Anon | Jul 7, 2023 1:21:36 AM

I read the Fifth Circuit opinion in Rahimi. Even under the Bruen test, they could have easily reached the opposite conclusion, but they decided that some potential historical analogs to 922(g)(8) were not close enough. And that's the problem that I have with the Bruen test, we are comparing apples and oranges (because the entire regulatory scheme and the items being regulated are different) and making a very subjective decision on whether we think the old rules are sufficiently similar to the new rules which is simply carte blanche for judicial activism -- approving the regulations that they like, disapproving the regulations that they do not like.

Posted by: tmm | Jul 7, 2023 10:48:09 AM

I note that the Fifth Circuit facially invalidated 922(g)(8), meaning it held that there was no defendant in the class defined by (g)(8) to whom the statute could be applied constitutionally. I find that dubious, so I wonder whether SCOTUS will use Rahimi to pull back from its trend of allowing facial challenges to criminal statutes (see Johnson v. US (2015)) by defendants to whom it could be applied constitutionally.

Posted by: Da Man | Jul 7, 2023 11:46:52 AM

Doug --

"Bill, the Rahimi case is about the constitutionality of 18 USC 922(g)(8), which makes it a federal crime for a person under a domestic violence restraining order to posses a firearm. The decision will likely impact 2A doctrines now leading some courts to declare federal felon in possession -- 922(g)(1) -- unconstitutional, but this case is not technically about convicted felons."

Right you are. I was too hasty. Thanks for the correction.

"Because we are talking about guns and domestic violence, I suspect all the Dem appointees to SCOTUS will vote to uphold the constitutionality of 18 USC 922(g)(8). But, of course, the six GOP appointees are the ones that really matter and will determine the outcome. Do you expect, Bill, that they will find unconstitutional how Congress has sought to limit gun possession by those under restraining orders?"

Never reluctant to go out on a limb, I'll give you my fearless forecast. Government wins 5-4. In the majority are the Chief, Alito, Sotomayor, Kagan and Jackson. Dissenting are Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and Barrett.

Posted by: Bill Otis | Jul 7, 2023 4:32:01 PM

I think your prediction is quite reasonable, Bill, though I might guess that Kavanaugh could go with your predicted majority (perhaps slightly influenced by the guy with the gun who came after him last year). Indeed, there might even be a chance this one goes for the government 9-0 if Thomas seeks to write an opinion that (re)defines the Bruen test around notions of dangerousness.

Posted by: Doug B | Jul 7, 2023 7:13:08 PM

Agreed on the predictions/head counts.

On the substance of the dispute: How or whether the predicted majority will alter Bruen, given the distinct absence of a historical regulation of domestic violence is what's interesting about the case. Maybe there are problems with that factual premise or about its relevance (please explain, if so), but these are, as I see it, the high stakes questions for people who have had the courage to seek a DV restraining order.

Put another way, does a history of apathy towards (or even outright endorsement of) domestic violence mean we are stuck w/the same in the context of the second amendment? Should we be?

Whether incarceration is the only or best solution to our problems w/misogyny and violence is not at issue in the case IMHO. But how to understand the constitution sure seems to be

Posted by: John | Jul 8, 2023 11:03:31 PM

Good points, John, and that is why I think we may get a rewriting of Bruen that claims that the history allows for regulations to keep guns from the dangerous. Justice Barrett's big dissenting opinion in the 2019 Kanter case (when she was on the 7th Circuit) started this way:

"History is consistent with common sense: it demonstrates that legislatures have the power to prohibit dangerous people from possessing guns. But that power extends only to people who are *dangerous*."

Given that position, I am now thinking she actually is a pretty likely vote to uphold the constitutionality of 18 USC 922(g)(8) --- and also a vote against the constitutionality of 18 USC 922(g)(1) in some cases --- and it will be interesting to see if/how the Court will use Rahimi to rework Bruen along the lines of her work in Kanter.

Posted by: Doug B | Jul 9, 2023 11:37:28 AM

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Parents and educators still unsure about weighted assessment system, and how to deal with the even more crucial end-of-year exams

Lessons at Yio Chu Kang Secondary School. (PHOTO: Reuters/Edgar Su)

SINGAPORE  Replacing mid-year exams with the weighted assessment system has drawn decidedly mixed feelings among educators and stakeholders in Singapore.

Starting this year, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has eliminated mid-year examinations for primary and secondary school students, with the move aiming to reduce workload and stress.

Schools will continue to conduct assessments to gauge the students' learning progress, and will balance the weighting for the end-of-year examinations. They will also continue to provide students with feedback and guidance on their learning through their regular assignments.

Samantha Kee, founder and director of enrichment centre Thinktank, believes that reducing workload and stress is a crucial long-term goal.

However, she points out that changing the mindset of certain stakeholders, especially parents, may be challenging due to the deeply ingrained belief that examinations are necessary to assess students' capabilities and competencies.

Kee emphasises the importance of observing students over a longer period to assess their progress effectively, rather than relying solely on short-term assessments. She suggests that teachers should conduct assessments, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of students' abilities.

She told Yahoo Southeast Asia on Thursday (6 July), "I feel like at a young age, it's okay not to judge (students) with a pen and pencil test or a rubric, but it's good to observe them for a good period of time. So the test could be a teacher's test to observe."

Concerns surrounding weighted assessments and curriculum challenges

Kee also expressed her concerns about the weighted assessments in primary schools, stressing the significance of these assessments as pivotal milestones in a child's academic journey.

She explained that the transition from Primary 4 to 5 is particularly challenging, with new topics added to the already-heavy curriculum and the shift in complexity and difficulty posing an "uphill climb for students".

Kee highlighted how some schools prioritise difficult questions while excluding easier ones in their assessment methods, in order to find out who the outstanding students are.

She feels that these tests need to be balanced, as some do not include multiple-choice or short-answer questions. "You don't average out the difficult and easy questions," she said.

The stress of these assessment practices on parents and students was evident, with Kee sharing the sentiments of worried parents who approached her organisation for help.

She said, "That's why I think some of the parents who came to us in June were screaming for help because they felt like the kid wasn't on a par."

Educator highlights concerns over weighted assessments in primary schools, emphasising their significance as pivotal milestones in a child's academic journey. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

Anticipating a surge in tuition classes as end-of-year exams approach

Meanwhile, the removal of the mid-year exams also created a lot of uncertainty among parents and students.

Yvonne Chen, the principal tutor of tuition provider Future Academy, feels that while students may initially feel relieved without the stress of the mid-year exams, they eventually feel concerned about the higher weightage placed on end-of-year exams.

She anticipates a surge in the enrolment of tuition classes during the August-September period, with parents are eager to assist their children in excelling in the crucial end-of-year exams. The increase in demand could be as much as 10 per cent, particularly towards the end of term three.

"Parents would say there's no mid-year exam, so the final year exam is more important. That's why they send out their child to enrichment classes sometime in term three. Some parents have already done pre-registrations for that," she said.

The former Raffles Girls' School maths and physics teacher added that the weighted assessment system focuses on specific topics rather than testing the entire content covered in the first half of the year. This change necessitates students to engage in regular revision to ensure their exam readiness.

Are weekly tests necessary for student success?

Jacqueline Chua, the principal of Paideia Learning Academy and a former Head of Department at Raffles Institution, acknowledges that the removal of mid-year exams has been well-received by some students who appreciate the reduced workload.

However, she questions the necessity of some schools continuing to administer weekly tests, which can increase students' overall stress levels.

"For my own son in Secondary 1, there were no mid-year exams. Instead, there were small tests, and there was one paper that we couldn't complete due to a medical appointment. As a result, we didn't have an indication of his standard," she shared.

While the removal of mid-year examinations aims to alleviate the burden on students, it may still take a while before educators and parents change their views on pressure on the students, the weighted assessment system and the need for clearer evaluation standards.

Debate ensues over the effectiveness of weighted assessments as mid-year exams are removed, leaving educators and parents uncertain about its impact on students' academic journey. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

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New Things On The Block covers all the latest lifestyle news you need to know at the tip of your fingers.

Como Orchard to open this September

Como Orchard opens in Singapore. (PHOTO: Como Group)

Opening in successive phases, starting in September, Como Orchard at Bideford Road launches with the soft opening of the 156-room Como Metropolitan Singapore, the groups first hotel in its home country. It features a beautiful rooftop pool, restaurant and bar.

The rest of the building includes two floors of fashion retail curated by Club21 for dynamic, seasonal collections and pop-up partnerships.

The new urban flagship by luxury global wellness brand Como Shambhala finesses a thoughtful, diagnostic approach to holistic wellbeing, and is enriched with numerous classes, workshops and multi-day wellness paths.

The new Como Cuisine restaurant expands the brands commitment to creating some of the best food in Singapore  a reputation already established at Como Dempsey. Internationally-acclaimed French pastry chef Cedric Grolet, and restaurateur Simon Kim of Cote Korean Steakhouse, the beloved Michelin-starred restaurant in New York and Miami will skillfully deliver the menu for Cedric Grolet Singapore and Cote Singapore respectively.

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Chanel injects a tinge of sweetness for the bride-to-be at Couture Fall 2023/24

Models walking in designs from the Chanel Couture 2023 collection. (PHOTO: Chanel)

For those who look to inject some Parisian elegance into their wardrobe, designer Virginie Viard has been hard at work to make that happen. For the Couture Fall 2023 show, she worked with organza, silk chiffons, and inlaid lace with the composition of floral and graphic motifs to portray a sensitive but bold Parisienne.

If we're in Paris, she adds, and this time we're in Paris itself, on the quayside. The street and the colourful paving stones call for both sophistication and simplicity. To imagine an Haute Couture show on the banks of the Seine, with Vanessa Paradis as the embodiment of Parisienne allure, is like a journey through a world of images and emotions, of permanence and beauty.

We observed the softness and play of the materials used and reckoned that a blushing bride deserves this collection.

Watch the show here.

NEFT Vodka launches in Singapore

Get the NEFT Vodka here

NEFT Vodka is made from Old-World, non-GMO ancient rye and oxygen-rich mountain spring water sourced from the Rhein River. (Photo: Amazon)

The worlds first sipping vodka, NEFT vodka, has dropped in Singapore. This vodka is made from old-world, non-GMO ancient rye and oxygen-rich mountain spring water from the Rhein River. Housed in an iconic aluminum barrel-shaped container that is shatterproof and insulated for up to 6 hours, the packaging uses 90% less energy to recycle compared to glass. The smooth and clean taste help it gain 98 Points from The Tasting Panel and Best Vodka at the 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

NEFT Vodka is available in barrels (choice of black or white) of 100ml and 700ml at the following establishments and online retailers:

Alpha

Amazon.sg

CU Bar

Ikigai Riverside Walk

ishopchangi.com

IWTD (I want to drink)

Jeffos

Ola Beach Club

Swan Winery House

Fenty Beauty takes over Singapore Flyer with the Fenty Beauty Singapore Flyer Premium Experience

The Fenty Beauty experience at Singapore Flyer. (PHOTO: Reta Lee/Yahoo Life Singapore)

Two branded Fenty Beauty Experience Capsules will be open to premium ticket holders from 6 July to 13 August 2023. Sip on a glass of bubbly and get your Fenty Face on amidst the Singapore skyline for 30 minutes of a killa ride that will be social content worthy at every angle.

Tickets are now available for sale at S$79 nett for adults and S$31 nett for children aged 12 and below. Guests who purchase an adult-priced ticket will also receive a Fenty Beauty swag bag worth S$60 on a first-come, first-served basis, while stocks last.

The experience will include:

One rotation (30 minutes) on the Singapore Flyer in a shared capsule

Priority boarding to skip the queues

A glass of champagne (guests below the age of 18 will be served a mocktail)

An assortment of nuts

Complimentary admission to the Time Capsule after your flight on the Singapore Flyer

All guests must check in at the Guest Services Lounge located on level 1 at least 30 minutes before the booked time.

Shop Fenty Beauty at Sephora

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Bangkok's Praya Palazzo marks 100th birthday in delicious fashion

Praya Palazzo is celebrating its 100th birthday. (PHOTO: Praya Palazzo)

Charming hotel Praya Palazzo celebrates its 100th birthday with a ton of activities, but foodies, do sit up and pay attention: Michelin Guide-acclaimed restaurant, Praya Dining is putting together a special dinner set-menu, comprising dishes made from recipes sourced from cookbooks dating back over 100-years. The birthday package also includes accommodation, daily breakfast, Thai-style afternoon tea, and an accompanying tour of the charismatic neighborhood of Banglamphu which lies opposite Praya Palazzo on the other side of the Chao Phraya River.

Dishes selected for the special centenary set menu are drawn from cookbooks dating back as far as the 19th Century. (PHOTO: Praya Palazzo)

Menu highlights include appetisers like latieng (sauteed minced prawn with onions, and peanuts wrapped with a delicate egg net) and a salad of Pla Neu (grilled beef with betel leaves and fresh herb). Mains include moo pad som siew (stir-fried pork with yellow chili paste), and chu chee goong maenam (deep-fried river prawn with red curry sauce.) We say it's a feast fit for a king!

Book a stay with Booking.com | Agoda | Trip.com

Japans top selling beer brand, Asahi Super Dry, launches a new look and enriched taste

Asahi Super Dry now comes in a new formula for a cleaner finish (Photo: Asahi Super Dry)

You've heard of Asahi, but the new Asahi Super Dry has launched a new look and enriched taste. The new refined dry taste of the beer produces a quick clean aftertaste without any unpleasant residual flavour, giving a clean finish.

Taste it for yourself at The Art of Taste free entry pop-up located at the Visual Arts Centre for the next 2 weeks (7 July to 20 July). Asahi Super Dry Presents: The Art of Taste is a sensorial experience that includes Super Dry Brewery Installations, a beer-tasting masterclass, a taste zone and live performances. Exclusive beer bundles will also be available at the pop-up.

Get tickets to Asahi Super Dry: The Art of Taste here

The Art of Taste Event

Where: Visual Arts Centre (10 Penang Road, #01-02 Dhoby Ghaut Green)

When: 7 July to 20 July (4:30pm to 10pm)

Ticket price: Free of charge

Tasting Masterclass: Tickets are available at S$6 on Klook.

The new Asahi Super Dry will be available islandwide from 7 July. For more information about the new Asahi Super Dry, please visit www.asahisuperdrysg.com.

Candlelight x Van Gogh Immersive: Vivaldi's Four Seasons

Candlelight x Van Gogh Immersive: Vivaldi's Four Seasons. PHOTO: Fever Up

Get tickets now!

If you love immersive exhibitions, check out the Van Gogh Immersive (read our review of our Van Gogh Immersive experience!), now showing in Singapore until the third quarter of this year. And if you are a live performance or classical music lover, all the better. Fever Up's popular Candlelight presents the multi-sensory musical experience of Candlelight x Van Gogh Immersive: Vivaldi's Four Seasons.

Book the best seats today!

Picture this: Comfortably settled in the incomparable universe of Vincent Van Gogh under the gentle glow of Candlelight, Vivaldis Four Seasons is played by a Vocalise String Quartet (2 violins, 1 viola & 1 cello). The experience is nothing short of magical.

Happening only on Tuesday, 18 July, at The Forum Level B1 at Resorts World Sentosa, the one-day event combines the genius of Van Gogh's artwork and Vivaldi's mesmerizing Four Seasons live performance. Pick from two sessions. Prices start from S$67 per ticket. Prices include a 60-minute performance and admission to the Van Gogh Immersive Exhibition.

5:30pm Session

5:30pm: Entry into Van Gogh Immersive

6:10pm: Seating begins

6:30pm: Performance begins

7:30pm: Performance ends

7:30pm Session

7:30pm: Entry into Van Gogh Immersive

8:10pm: Seating begins

8:30pm: Performance begins

9:30pm: Performance ends

READ
SIOUX CITY -- Roughly 100 employees will lose their jobs in September when a Sioux City nursing home with a long list of regulatory violations closes its doors, according to an Iowa Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice.

The layoff will impact 101 employees at Countryside Health Care Center, 6120 Morningside Ave. The WARN Act notice, described as a closing, was published on Wednesday, with a layoff date of Sept. 5. A message left for Countryside's administrator was not immediately returned Friday.

According to a Journal article published on July 27, 2021, Campbell Street Services took ownership of the facility on July 1 of that year. The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals lists Mission Management Services, LLC, of Tampa Florida, as the facility's management company.

During inspections in April and May, Countryside was cited for a total of 30 regulatory violations, 24 federal and six state, and fined $74,000, according to information posted on the department's website. The nursing home reported censuses of 53 and 54 residents at the time of the inspections.

The facility failed to intervene on behalf of a resident with leg wounds, which were described as weeping profusely by an occupational therapist, according to a citation dated May 12. The therapist told investigators the resident received "sketchy wound care from the facility staff."

Similar concerns were also expressed about the treatment of a resident who had a small red rash on her arms, abdomen and legs. The resident stated the facility did not do anything for the rash and her clinical record "lacked documentation" that the facility "notified the physician related to her rash," according to the citation.

A May 25 citation indicates the nursing home failed to accurately assess and provide timely intervention. The document references a resident who was unresponsive and "slumped over" in a recliner in a common area on April 24. After staff applied supplemental oxygen, the resident, who remained lethargic, was transferred to a hospital.

The citation said a hospital report showed the resident was diagnosed with acute respiratory distress, sepsis and severe lactic acidosis, or acid in the bloodstream. She died two days later of chronic pulmonary disease.

A CNA, who worked with the resident a couple of times, said she noticed the resident was leaning more in the days leading up her hospitalization. About a week before, she noticed the resident was more lethargic and she told the nurses. She didn't know if a follow-up assessment had been completed

In the summer of 2021, The Journal reported that Countryside was one of 10 Iowa care facilities eligible to be placed on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Special-Focus Facility List. The national list identifies facilities with "repeated cycles of serious deficiencies, which pose risks to residents health and safety."

Countryside was cited for 25 federal violations and one state violation following a April 16 state inspection consisting of interviews with the 33 residents and the staff, on-site observations and document reviews. An average nursing home will have six to seven deficiencies per inspection, according to the CMS.

Inspectors found 30 deficiencies at Countryside in 2019, one of which resulted in the death of a resident. The home was ordered to pay $59,346 in fines from two separate inspections.
Fifteen-year-old entrepreneur Joey Evans is making healthy, gourmet dog treats  and profits  out of his Bettendorf home, earning more than $10,000 in sales so far.

"Joey's Famous Dog Treats" offers 25 homemade products, like biscuits varying in shape and size, training treats and other options.

"I do some gourmet treats with different icing, sprinkles, bacon bits," Evans said. "And then I do some birthday things, like I make birthday cakes as well, for pick-up locally."

The business originated after Evans' childhood dog, Libby, started having stomach issues after eating store-bought treats.

"I didn't like the ingredients that were in them, either," he said, adding that the ingredient list was lengthy. "So, I thought that I could do it better.  It was kind of like, 'If you can't read the ingredients, you probably shouldn't be eating it.' "

Evans then began researching healthier alternatives and experimented with his own recipes, eventually landing on five core ingredients: flour, oats, coconut oil and a flavoring  most commonly, peanut butter or bacon bits.

"Really simple, like human-grade," he said of the recipe's makeup. "I've tried some myself."

Looks may be deceiving, as Evans said Joey's Famous Dog Treats don't taste sweet, like cookies, but more like a biscuit or cracker (at least to a human).

Since he started making homemade treats for Libby regularly at age 10, Evans didn't initially intend on making a business out of it.

But in 2018, a year later, he started making treats for friends and family, eventually opening up an Etsy shop featuring new products and flavors.

In 2020, he launched a Joey's Famous Dog Treats website  where he now reaches around 800 customers nationwide, also gathering product feedback.

"That's really where I started to scale," Evans said of his website. "Within the past few months, I've been trying to get more into retail. I've done some (local) bars and breweries, and I'm getting into Teske's right now."

Joey's Famous Dog Treats fully operates out of Evans' family kitchen.

His mother, Jara, says her son solely self-sustains the business  aside from providing transportation to buy supplies.

"I don't think we've done anything except encourage him," she said. "At first, we were paying for the ingredients and stuff, but as soon as he started making money he buys all of his own stuff. He's had a checking account since he was 11, with a debit card."

Reflecting on how proud Jara is of Evans for self-running Joey's Famous Dog Treats at such a young age, she said it's also reflective of his personality.

"He is dedicated, but it's his love for animals he's had since he was a kid," she said. "A lot of young kids would play with trucks and cars, he had stuffed animals. That's why I think this business is great for him, because he cares about the animals."

Evans describes himself as always having an entrepreneurial mindset.

" Where, like, if I don't like the way something's done, I can always find a different way to do it better," he said. "Perseverance is a big one because there were some challenges along the way.  But that's, I feel, where I learned the most."

Since Evans self-runs the business, he finds it easier to balance with schoolwork.

Reflecting on the businesses' growth so far, Evans said he's proud of himself, particularly noting his website.

"But also, just the development of the products and ingredients and everything has come a long way too," he said. "So I'm definitely proud of that."

Evans advises other young, aspiring business-owners to just go for it.

"The hardest part was just getting started," he said. "If you have an idea, you just need to follow through with it."

Moving forward, Evans hopes to keep scaling Joey's Famous Dog Treats  though his long-term plan is yet to be determined.

"Business school stands out the most to me right now," he said. "But if things really go well for me, I don't know if I'll go to college in general. We'll just going to have to wait a couple more years to see."

Libby passed away last year, Jarah said.

Though he can't speak for his current dog, Stanley, Evans guesses his favorite treat flavor is peanut butter-bacon.

Both logos for Joey's Famous Dog Treats depict Evans' dogs  the original with Libby, and the newest design with Stanley.
This photo shows Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang, right, shaking hands with Chris Levesque, CEO of U.S. nuclear energy company TerraPower, ahead of their meeting in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap



Korea's industry chief met with the head of U.S. nuclear energy company TerraPower on Friday and discussed ways of cooperation on the development of advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), the industry ministry said.



During the meeting in Seoul, TerraPower CEO Chris Levesque introduced his firm's technologies to develop a next-generation SMR and related plans, and Minister Lee Chang-yang stressed the Seoul government's commitment to supporting cooperation between Korean and American companies on the field, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.



Founded by Microsoft founder Bill Gates in 2008, TerraPower has maintained close business ties with Korean companies, including the state-run Korea Hydro Nuclear Power (KHNP) and SK.



In April, SK, SK Innovation and the KHNP signed an agreement with TerraPower to collaborate on the commercialization of an advanced reactor.



TerraPower is developing a Natrium advanced reactor, a sodium-cooled fast reactor with a molten salt-based energy storage system, with a goal to put it into operation in around 2030. The fourth-generation reactor can significantly boost the power output, experts say. (Yonhap)


State regulators have scheduled public meetings in two northern Iowa counties to discuss a proposed 31-mile addition to a carbon dioxide pipeline.

Summit Carbon Solutions has been working for nearly two years on its original petition for a 680-mile pipeline through the northwestern part of the state. To avoid a likely delay of the project, the company has begun a new permit process for the extension instead of modifying its original proposal.

The new branch would go 31 miles through Floyd and Mitchell counties to connect to an ethanol plant near the Minnesota border.

The Sierra Club of Iowa, which opposes the pipeline, has asked the Iowa Utilities Board to consolidate the two processes. State rules allow such consolidations when the requests are similar, but they also allow for two separate dockets, the IUB has said.

The board has not ruled on the Sierra Clubs request, but it recently advanced the second permit process by scheduling meetings in the two affected counties on Aug. 8. The meetings represent the initial step of the process.

One is set for noon at the Cedar River Complex in Osage for Mitchell County, and the other is set for 6 p.m. at the Gil & Donna White Youth Enrichment Center at the Floyd County Fairgrounds west of Charles City.

If weather prevents public participation that day, the meetings can be delayed to Aug. 16.

Summit has said it wants a decision on its first permit by the end of the year. A final evidentiary hearing, which initially was expected to start in October, was set in August.

More fast-track opposition

A growing group of state legislators have publicly bemoaned the fast-track handling of the proposed Summit Pipeline.

In a letter to the IUB this week submitted by Rep. Steven Holt, a total of 15 Republican state representatives and senators said expediting the permit process will harm the rights of hundreds of thousands of residents. Holt, a Denison Republican, shepherded legislation through the Iowa House this year to limit eminent domain for the pipeline. His bill did not get a vote in the Senate.

We need to err on the side of due process and fairness, the letter said. Due process means nothing if it does not include notice and an opportunity to be heard. Moving up hearings has the effect of reducing due process, as does eliminating the ability of landholders to reply to Summit.

That follows a similar letter submitted last month by Rep. Helena Hayes, a New Sharon Republican, on the behalf of a total of 11 Republican state legislators. Two of those also signed onto Holts letter.

Sen. Rocky De Witt, R-Lawton, also filed an objection to the project because he opposes eminent domain for a pipeline that does not benefit taxpayers.

Summit has said Iowas process is longer and more deliberate than in other states. The company noted that even though it started the permit process in Iowa before other states, its likely that the processes in some of the other states will conclude earlier.

Summits pipeline would span more than 2,000 miles in five states. It would transport carbon dioxide captured at ethanol plants to North Dakota to be pumped deep underground.

Summit on Friday filed its eminent domain list with the IUB that shows it has not obtained voluntary land easements for 1,036 parcels. That represents about 30% of the route.

The eminent domain requests are typically considered individually by the board during the evidentiary hearing and have the potential to go on for months.

No final hearings have been scheduled for two other carbon dioxide pipeline proposals by Navigator CO2 Ventures and Wolf Carbon Solutions.
A 69-year-old Nebraska man has been arrested in connection with the killing of a woman in Germany in 1978.

Tommy Molina is wanted for the murder of Cornelia Humpfer on April 20, 1978, according to court records.

She was found the next morning with 14 stab wounds.

In a complaint requesting a warrant for Molina's arrest, Assistant U.S. Attorney Dan Packard said German authorities questioned Molina, then a U.S. Army soldier stationed in Schweinfurt, five days after the killing based on reports that tied a car like his to the crime.

He said he was at home with his wife that night. She said she couldn't remember.

They didn't go forward with prosecution.

But in 1995, Molina's third wife contacted Criminal Investigative Command for the U.S. Army in Fort Riley, Kansas, alleging that Molina, while intoxicated, repeatedly told her he had killed a woman with a knife while he was stationed in Schweinfurt.

Packard said she said Molina told her he was having an affair with the woman and he killed her after she told him she was pregnant and was going to tell his wife.

The information prompted Germany authorities to renew their investigation.

In 2000, they submitted a request to the United States to get a blood sample from Molina to compare against DNA samples obtained at the crime scene. The FBI assisted in the collection of the sample in Scottsbluff.

In 2016, a comparison of Molina's DNA profile with the samples taken from the victim's clothing resulted in several matches. But his blood samples no longer existed. So in 2019, a judge in Germany ordered a new blood sample be taken.

In 2020, the FBI again collected Molina's blood and sent it to Germany.

Testing led to a warrant being issued for his arrest in 2021.

In a press release, the U.S. Marshals Service said that on June 21, its Metro Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from the Western Nebraska Intelligence & Narcotics Group Task Force, arrested Molina in Gering.

Molina now is awaiting extradition back to Germany.

"U.S. Marshals work closely with countless countries around the world to ensure that justice is served," said Scott Kracl, U.S. Marshal for the District of Nebraska. "In this particular case, our partnership with Germany has taken a violent fugitive off the streets."

The Metro Fugitive Task Force, led by the U.S. Marshals Service, is a partnership comprising numerous local, state and federal agencies throughout Nebraska. Through cooperative efforts, the task force targets violent and sexual offenders wanted on state and federal arrest warrants, in order to increase community safety.
DES MOINES  Iowa Republican lawmakers have published the abortion bill they intend to consider at a special session on Tuesday.

The bill would ban abortion once cardiac activity is detected in an fetus, another attempt to enact a law that was blocked by courts in 2018 and remained blocked after an Iowa Supreme Court decision last month.

Lawmakers will gather for a special session Tuesday to consider the bill, which is similar in most ways to the so-called fetal heartbeat bill passed in 2018.

The bill was published Friday afternoon as companion bills, Senate Study Bill 1223 and House Study Bill 255.

The bill prohibits abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, and defines a fetal heartbeat as cardiac activity, the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac.

Opponents of the legislation say that happens around the sixth week of pregnancy, usually before a person knows about the pregnancy.

The bill includes exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of rape in cases that are reported within 45 days of the incident and incest in cases that are reported within 140 days.

It also includes exceptions for miscarriages, a fetal abnormality that would result in the infants death and for when the mothers life is threatened.

Will the bill pass?

With large majorities in both chambers, Republicans are likely to have the votes to pass the bill.

Rep. Megan Jones, a Republican from Sioux Rapids, said lawmakers will give the bill thoughtful discussion, but she expects it to pass.

A lot of us have already voted for that, we've already debated most of that, she said. ...We probably know where everybody's at by this point, and I see it on the governors desk by the end of the day (Tuesday).

Megan Jones Megan Jones is a Republican who resides in Sioux Rapids and represents House District 6. She is an attorney and in her sixth term in the Iowa House.

Some of Iowas most stringent anti-abortion legislators said they would eventually prefer a life at conception ban that would ban nearly all abortions, but said that a six-week ban was a good start, and a way to test the standard at the Supreme Court level.

We have to realize where Iowans are, and I can only go as far as my fellow legislators and Iowans want us to go, said Rep. Jon Dunwell, a Republican from Jasper who co-sponsored a bill this year to ban abortions from conception. And so I think this is a great start for us to say, How many babies can we save as soon as possible?

Luana Stoltenberg, an anti-abortion activist and Republican representative from Davenport, said the move to a total ban should be done incrementally.

Im not sure were there yet, so we have to do it incrementally, she said. So if we can do heartbeat, that would be wonderful, because its more babies saved.

What, if anything, Democrats can do

While they dont have the votes to stop the bill, Democrats are planning to put up a fight on the debate floor, hoping to illustrate the harm they say an abortion ban would bring to Iowa women and reproductive health care.

Sen. Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, said Democrats will try to represent the broad spectrum of Iowans who will be affected by a ban on abortion. She said limitations will impact more than just abortion access, affecting reproductive health care and exacerbating Iowas OB-GYN shortage.

We want to assure that families, women have access to healthy babies as well, if that is their choice, she said. And for many people that is exactly what it is. They want healthy children, and they want access to health care.

What happens after they pass another abortion ban?

Iowa Planned Parenthood representatives this week said they plan to challenge in court any abortion restriction that comes out of next weeks special legislative session  teeing up whats sure to be another protracted legal battle that could take a year or more to resolve, according to Iowa legal experts.

Sally Frank, an abortion law expert and law professor at Drake University, expects the abortion ban will again be blocked by a district court for creating an undue burden on someones access to abortion, inevitably landing back before the Iowa Supreme Court, this time to establish the newly defined level of legal scrutiny that should be applied to abortion regulations in Iowa.

Both the Iowa Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court last summer reversed the fundamental right to an abortion, with the U.S. Supreme Court throwing the issue back to states to decide.

Abortion opponents argue that the current undue burden test should no longer apply, and that a new rational basis test should now apply. That would effectively lower the legal bar for abortion restrictions, making it easier for them to survive court challenges.

Frank anticipated that process could take a year for a ruling from the Iowa Supreme Court. Other legal experts estimated it could take longer, potentially until summer 2025 for the court to rule.

Statehouse Republicans also have started the process of amending the Iowa Constitution to state that it does not guarantee the right to abortion services. Lawmakers have approved the proposed amendment once; they would need to pass it again by 2024 and then put it to a public vote.
There is a NEW story to tell on Gordon Drive.

For most everyone reading this newspaper, Gordon Drive in Sioux City is very familiar and certainly well-traveled. Many people in Siouxland spend a lot of time on Gordon Drive! For those arriving in Sioux City from the east, Gordon Drive is the port of entry.

Before the NEW story  heres the OLD story:

The idea of naming what was then called River Front Road for William Gordon was first proposed in 1929, according to Tom Munson, archives manager at the Sioux City Public Museum. The Sioux City Real Estate Board recommended the change to the City Council. In 1939 the Fortnightly Club presented a similar proposal to the council. Finally, in 1948 the council formally renamed River Front Road Gordon Drive because of Gordons early work on Missouri River flood control and navigation.

William Gordon was born in Ireland in 1857. He arrived in Sioux City in 1883, and he made the town his home for the next 50 years. An enthusiastic Sioux City promoter, Gordon made his fortune during the boom years of the city's growth. He was nearly wiped out by the disastrous Floyd River Flood of 1892 and the Financial Panic of 1893. A bookkeeper and banker, Gordon's true interest was in real estate, and he plunged into development, business and speculation.

Gordon was a dreamer and an innovator. He was instrumental in the development of the Sioux City Rapid Transit Company, which built the city's elevated railway. He was enthusiastic about the Sioux City Corn Palaces and a supporter of riverfront development. In its tribute to William Gordon at the time of his death in 1933, the Sioux City Journal noted, "Downtown Sioux City owes its present existence to the work of Mr. Gordon."

Whats NEW on Gordon Drive? A StoryWalk!

When driving on Gordon Drive near Spalding Park Elementary School find the entrance to Spalding Farm Park, at the intersection of Gordon Drive and Stone Avenue. Last fall the Rotary Club of Sioux City, working with many community partners, installed a StoryWalk. The StoryWalk Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and Montpeliers Kellogg Hubbard Library.

When I created this Project in 2007, I knew I had a great idea, she said. The idea was quite simple actually. Take the pages from a childrens picture book, attach each one to a stake and line them up along a path for folks to read and enjoy. I knew I wanted to create something where the parents had to be as active as the children. Active parents have active children and physical activity is a key component to chronic disease prevention. (StoryWalk is a registered trademark owned by Anne Ferguson.) StoryWalks can now be found in all 50 states and in a dozen countries.

At Spalding Farm Park on Gordon Drive youll discover that laminated pages from a children's book are attached to 19 display boards, which have been installed along the circular walking trail. As you walk around the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story. StoryWalk is an innovative and delightful way for children  and adults!  to enjoy walking while reading childrens picture books. This provides a great connection between reading and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

The NEW story  for now  at the StoryWalk at Spalding Farm Park is Just Like My Brother, a delightful and brightly illustrated story by Gianna Marino. (We meet Little Giraffe, who adores her big brother. Set in a stunning African landscape, the story begins with a game of hide-and-seek as Little Giraffe looks for her big brother, who's just out of her sight, but always safely nearby.)

New StoryWalk stories will appear in the months to come, as the panels will be refreshed by Rotary Club members.

A very local and fun story will be coming soon to the StoryWalk on Gordon Drive. To Catch a Frog, is a newly published book for children and adults by Chris Ferry of Sioux City. A few years ago, Chris opened the doors to Theodores Academy, a childcare and preschool center named after her father Theodore. With delightful illustrations by Wisconsin artist Vanessa Kuiper, To Catch a Frog is no doubt based upon exciting and real moments that happened at school one day.

The Rotary Club of Sioux City has been a gathering of dedicated people who share a passion for community service (since 1912!). The Rotary Club of Sioux City is part of Rotary International, the world's first service club organization. Rotary Club members work locally and internationally to promote peace, fight disease, support young people and education, affirm diversity, and enhance local communities. The StoryWalk on Gordon Drive is a great example of the community coming together. Collaborators with the Rotary Club for the project included Siouxland District Health, Sioux City Parks and Recreation, Sioux City Community School District, United Way of Siouxland, and Western Iowa Tech Community College.

Sergeant Bluff and South Sioux City have StoryWalks too!

At the Sergeant Bluff Recreation Complex you can walk and read The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing. (A little girl and her family are getting ready to go on vacation . . . or at least they are trying to. In the effort to pack everything that will be needed, there's bound to be something overlooked.) This is a project funded by a grant from Iowas Healthiest State Initiative in cooperation with the Sergeant Bluff Public Library.

In South Sioux City, at the Aquaplex, walk and read In the Tall, Tall Grass by Denise Fleming. (If you were a fuzzy caterpillar crawling through the tall, tall grass on a sunny afternoon, what would you see?) Included on the walk is a Beanstack reading challenge in cooperation with the South Sioux City Public Library.

After walking and reading at Spalding Farm Park along Gordon Drive, notice a couple of other things that might be new to you. First  near the circular walking trail is a small sign that says 6 laps = 1 mile. Second  next to the park bench is a sign, with illustrations and instructions, inviting all to participate in a healthy Park Bench Workout.

Theres always something NEW on Gordon Drive!
The Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya, currently in the services Top 10, follows the plight of a family facing an accusation of child abuse. At age 10, Maya, who lives in Florida, was admitted to the local childrens hospital. Suffering from an uncommon and poorly understood chronic illness, complex regional pain syndrome, Maya had been sick for a number of years. Her parents, desperate to alleviate her symptoms, took her to see unconventional experts, who prescribed treatments that departed quite starkly from mainstream standards of care. When Mayas medical team encountered her history of experimental treatment, including a trip to Mexico for a dangerous and unregulated ketamine coma therapy, they were understandably concerned. This resulted in the hospital making a referral to child protective services for medical child abuse, previously known as Munchausen by proxy.

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Maya and her family were now ensnared within what I, and other advocates, call a system of family policing. Maya was hospitalized and kept away from her family, loved ones, and community for nearly three months. Due to a perverse ideal of child protection, Maya was alone, vulnerable, and felt unheard by the medical staff. Outside the hospital, her family fell apart, culminating in her mothers tragic death by suicide.

This case has drawn much attentionfirst from New York magazine and now from Netflixyet it speaks to a larger problem. The documentarys dystopian depiction of child protection is not an anomaly. Children are regularly removed from their loving parents and placed in unsafe situationsfrom sleeping on couches in office buildings to foster homes where they are often abusedall in the name of child protection. An estimated one-third of all children in the United States will undergo a child protection investigation before their 18th birthday. For Black children, the numbers are even highermore than half will experience such an investigation. Yet this overpolicing of families and children is not a necessity and does not keep kids safe. Rather, the specter of child abuse has created a system that is harmful and even abusive. Perhaps Take Care of Maya, because of the unusual details of its case, will bring attention to the harmful impact of an overreaching family policing system.

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The term Munchausen by proxy was first coined by British pediatrician Roy Meadow in 1977. The term Munchausen syndrome had been used since the 1950s to describe adults who fabricated or induced illness in themselves in order to access unnecessary care and even invasive interventions; the name is borrowed from the 18th-century Baron von Munchausen, who told fantastic stories of his adventures. Meadow described Munchausen by proxy based on a series of two cases. In the first, the mother contaminated the childs urine samples; in the second, the mother repeatedly poisoned her toddler with large amounts of salt, ultimately resulting in his death. In both cases, the mothers either induced illness or produced false evidence of illness and then sought care.

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As often is the case with new medical syndromes, new attention to Munchausen by proxy, alongside a growing emphasis on the reporting and investigation of child abuse in the 1980s and 1990s, led to increased volume of allegations. The syndrome was soon invoked in a rising number of cases, often when there was conflict between a mother and the childs health care team. This sometimes resulted in disaster. In 1997, California mother Debra Reid was accused by physicians of exaggerating the severity of her sons asthma, taking him too often to the emergency room, and not following her physicians plan. Her son was subsequently placed in foster care and died two weeks later of an asthma attack.

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Still, in other cases, children did suffer as their parents poisoned them in order to seek unnecessary medical intervention. In the well-known case of Gypsy Blanchard, a Florida mother feigned her daughters illness for years, resulting in countless harmful interventions. Had Gypsys plight been recognized earlier, she would have been spared the abuse that ultimately led her to arrange for her mothers murder. As Blanchards story illustrates, medical child abuse is a real phenomenon, but the data we do have on the subject shows that Munchausen by proxy is rare, and the boundaries of this diagnosis remain controversial.

In Mayas case, the unorthodox treatment the family sought was alarming to her physicians at the childrens hospital. Yet parents have a right to determine appropriate medical care for their child. If the state does not want physicians to prescribe high-dose ketamine for young children, it would be wise to regulate this practice, or to have the state Board of Medicine examine physicians prescribing habits. Punishing a family for seeking care from a credentialed, though perhaps unscrupulous, physician is counterproductive. This is tricky, of course, as Mayas family sought care in Mexico, as a workaround to circumvent regulation, but also as a result of frustration with standard care. The cavalier descriptions used by Mayas physiciansas the documentary notes, they referred to her as ketamine girl and accused her of fabricating her illnessshow that Maya and her family had many reasons to distrust the conventional medical system.

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Related From Slate Lucy Morris Parents Are Panicking About Dry Drowning. Is That Real? Read More

Individuals with chronic pain and poorly understood symptoms often are met with disbelief and suspicion. While the treatment Mayas family chose for her was unorthodox, she had a debilitating medical condition and required care. In an alternative reality, the treating team would have worked with the family and the child to try to agree on a care plan or discharged Maya to allow her family to pursue their favored treatment plan, even if it was one that the hospital was under no obligation to provide. It was not inevitable to pursue a route that pitted the family against the hospital and separated the child from her support system.

The movie depicts Dr. Sally Smith, a child abuse pediatriciana professional trained and certified in the diagnosis and treatment of children suspected to be victims of abusein a very harsh light. Smith did not agree to be interviewed for the documentary, and this portrayal is one-sided. Physicians who specialize in the care of abused children perform a difficult and important societal role. Yet Smith was not a specialist in the syndrome Maya suffered from and seemed determined to prove that Maya was faking her illness, describing Mayas symptoms in texts with colleagues as a charade. The fact that children were removed from their homes for allegations of child abuse in the county where Smith worked at much higher rates than neighboring counties also raises concern.

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But this is a problem much greater than whether Smith herself made a mistake in this case, and its a question thats difficult to resolve fairly. Child abuse physicians have enormous power and responsibility in adjudicating difficult cases such as medical child abuse. Case workers defer to the specialist physician in assessing whether abuse had occurred. Yet the reality, when it comes to cases in which parents choices around medical treatment are questioned by the state, is often more complex. Parents are given conflicting medical diagnoses and advice, and they are doing their best to navigate a childs chronic illness. Medical child abuse as a syndrome should be narrowed to those parents who sicken their children or tamper with their medical testing to make them appear illneither of which applies to Mayas family. Invoking this syndrome to describe parents of chronically ill children who may experience conflict with medical staff about their treatment is harmful and can be in itself abusive to children and families.

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From the moment Smith walked into Mayas room, her family should have been made aware of her role. Child abuse physicians are often employed by or funded by agencies of the state, and their assessments can be used in an adversarial manner against the childs family. Parents speak openly to a physician, only to discover that the physician is not providing care for the child but rather amassing evidence to accuse the parent of wrongdoing. Child abuse pediatricians should clearly state at the start of their assessment both their role and the fact that they may share their opinion with child protection services.

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Parents seek care for their own drug use during pregnancy, for a childs broken bone, or for a burn injury, only to find themselves the target of an investigation. Women who desire solace from domestic abuse, who need assistance providing for their children, or who struggle to find transportation to a medical appointment often find themselves investigated for child neglect. Research has shown that parents who have experienced such an investigation are less likely to seek vital services, like prenatal care, in the future. And more reporting does not lead to better identification of children in need for urgent intervention for protection. Most policy changes designed to protect children result in more investigations and more interventions but not in better identification of children at risk of harm.

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Children who are removed in their homes and placed in foster care, or in Mayas case, under state custody, experience trauma. Parents are saddled with debt; lose their jobs, their reputations, and sometimes their homes as they struggle to battle charges; or agree to safety plans that have not been proved to keep children safer. Parents are not granted grace to err and learn. When Christopher Ratte took his child to a Detroit Tigers game in 2008 and accidently bought him a hard lemonade, his son Leo was removed from his care and placed in a foster home. Ratte, a professor at the University of Michigan, had resources and the ability to fight this removal. Subsequently, the Michigan Legislature passed Leos Law designed to limit unnecessary emergency removals. Yet other families without these resources remain powerless.

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Take Care of Maya reminds us of the perils of policing families in the name of child protection. Many of these interventions serve to make children, families, and communities less safe. Parents should know how common these coercive interventions are. Often parents who experience such investigations are reticent to speak of their mistakes or ashamed of the allegations brought against them. Parents should know that there are community advocacy groups and support available to them.

Policymakers should listen to affected families and hear how the broad reach of the family policing system has harmed them. Texas recently passed a law, House Bill 730, requiring families to be notified of their rights within a child welfare investigation. New York missed the opportunity to do so this past legislative session. Let us work to narrow the front door to the system and to protect families from being ensnared in a coercive system that devalues families and often endangers children.
Who better to explain the chaos in France last week, when rioters burned down public buildings, looted stores, and fought with police following the killing of a young man at a traffic stop, than Olivier Klein? The current French minister for cities and housing, Klein spent decades in the city government in Clichy-sous-Bois, including 12 years as mayor. If the name of that Parisian suburb rings a bell, its because the enclave of 30,000 was the epicenter of the nations 2005 riots. Then, Klein was a left-wing deputy mayor of a town that quickly became shorthand for a societal crisis.

This time was worse. On June 27 in Nanterre, a few miles west of Paris, French police pulled over 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk, who was of Moroccan and Algerian descent, for driving in a bus lane. When he attempted to flee, one of the cops shot him. The police officer claimed the teen had tried to run him over. A viral video appears to show nothing of the sort. What followed were four nights of pandemonium in hundreds of French towns and cities. More than a thousand buildings were burned, damaged, or looted, including city halls, libraries, schools, cinemas, health clinics, and grocery stores. Journalists and elected officials were attacked, including one mayor whose wife and kids barely escaped when rioters tried to burn their house down. Thousands of people were arrested; their average age is 17. Most had no criminal record.

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Even Olivier Klein struggled to make it make sense. I admit my incomprehension, he said in an interview earlier this week, after surveying his hometown, where the library was damaged by a fire. (Clichy-sous-Bois residents, please hold on to any books youve borrowed.) How is this still an angry reaction to the death of a young man? the former mayor asked.

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That has been the question of the week in France, where, if 2005 is any guide, the damage could shape the countrys political direction for years to come. Left-wing politicians have tried to frame the violence as a revolt prompted by years of abusive policing, a lack of economic opportunity, and neglect from the state. On the right, meanwhile, the breakdown can be blamed on the ill manners of the countrys foreign-descended underclass, exacerbated by years of excessive immigration.

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And centrist president Emmanuel Macron? He has blamed video games, social media, and the countrys long summer break from school.

In reality, there is a little more nuance in France than that. Many left-wing politicians, including the Socialist Partys Klein, acknowledge that last weeks events appear to represent, among other things, a gigantic parenting failure. The center-right Macron was quick to condemn the policeman who killed Merzouk, calling his actions inexplicable and inexcusable. And his hard-line interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, explicitly refused to conflate the riots with the governments upcoming immigration crackdown bill. The question today is these young delinquents, not foreigners, he said on Tuesday in the French National Assembly, going on to point out that less than 10 percent of the nearly 4,000 people arrested last week were foreign nationalsand that 90 percent were French.

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Still, its as if most politicians are continuing to repeat well-worn lines, unable to quite grasp how gangs of teenagers outwitted tens of thousands of heavily armed police officers and brought parts of the country to a standstill with curfews, canceled transit service, and the Champs Elysees cleared by riot police. Nor was the violence confined to troubled suburbs or big-city downtowns. On the main street of tiny Montargis, population 15,000, with four police officers, 80 stores were damaged and more than a dozen looted, while several buildings burned down.

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If the 2005 riots were a wake-up call about the plight of young people in the French banlieue, last weeks destruction was like realizing you accidentally hit snooze one too many times. What have French politicians been doing all this time? Some left-wing leaders have convincingly argued that the connection between Nahel Merzouks death and youth rage is simple: A violent and discriminatory police force which humiliates young men of color with frequent identity checks. Since the terrorist attacks of 20152016, those police have been entitled to shoot at drivers who flee traffic stops, which the left considers a license to kill. Not surprisingly, the number of drivers killed by police has gone up significantly since then.

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Related From Slate Alexandra Lopez Sanchez Mendoza and Maria Fernanda Gonzalez de Aragon Bustani Thousands of Women Face Trauma After Migration. An Overlooked Government Program Could Help. Read More

The possible solutions on the table, from left to right, include getting rid of those identity checks, repealing that right to shoot law, shifting to community policing, shortening the summer vacation, slapping financial penalties on the parents of arrested youths, building more prisons, toughening immigration laws, cutting off social media during crises, and changing citizenship rules.

If theres been any silver lining to last weeks violence, its that the role of religion has been largely absent from the conversation after years of irresponsible talk about the incompatibility between Islam and French life. Fear of the Muslim other has been largely displaced by panic over American-style identity politics inspired by the George Floyd protests, such as battles over systemic racism and le wokisme.

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Whatever policy solutions crop up in response, last weeks riots will have three long-term consequences. First, they will further cement the popularity of Marine Le Pen, the far-right presidential candidateand second-place finisher in the last two electionswho has often accused immigrants to France of a failure to assimilate and embrace French culture.

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Second, they will harden the bitterness and anger in the suburban enclaves populated mostly by the children and grandchildren of immigrants from Frances former overseas colonies. The French courts are determined to make an example of anyone arrested last week, and the sentences have been draconian. One teenager will spend four months in prison for being found, empty-handed, in a ransacked store. A 28-year-old will spend 10 months in prison for stealing a can of Red Bull. It is exactly the kind of disparate treatment by the justice system that has made minorities so distrustful of the French state in the first place. (And it will, of course, permanently change the life prospects of those unlucky teens, scapegoated for the polices failure to maintain order.) Meanwhile, a handful of rioters have destroyed the infrastructure on which a much greater number of non-rioters depend, and they will suffer from shuttered civic and commercial life.

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Finally, the riots will give cover to a police force that is widely recognized as brutal and incapable of maintaining public order without dishing out violence to bystanders. This was evident during the Gilets Jaunes crisis; it was evident again during the retirement protests; and it was evident at the Champions League finals last year when Liverpool supporters got tear-gassed and then CCTV footage of the event was mysteriously deleted. Already, one civilian is dead and one in a coma after being hit with police beanbag ammo during last weeks turmoil. But a tragedy that should have prompted a long-overdue process of police reform now seems likely to push French politics in the other direction.
But their country is doing a roaring trade in chocolate products.

Slovaks resisted the urge to nibble as much chocolate in 2022. (Source: Pixabay)

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Last year, each Slovak ate approximately four kilograms of chocolate on average, a 9-percent or 400-gram decrease compared to 2021, reported the Statistics Office ahead of World Chocolate Day, which is today (July 7).

In Slovakia, the highest consumption of chocolate per capita was recorded in 2012 and 2014, when citizens consumed an average of 5.1 kilograms. This amount includes both chocolate and chocolate-based confectionery.

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A 100-gram bar of milk chocolate cost 1 on average in Slovak stores last year, while cooking chocolate of the same weight cost 0.80. Compared to the average in the previous five years, prices increased only slightly, by 0.7 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.

According to Robert Vlacuha, director of the department within the Statistics Office that analyses standards of living, the decline in chocolate consumption was part of a wider decline in the consumption of confectionery products in 2022.

Slovakia also trades in chocolate. Last year, the country exported more chocolate than it imported, the difference being 5,800 tons. Of the 56,600 tons imported, the largest volume came from the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Poland and Bulgaria.

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At the same time, a total of 62,400 tons, worth 292.6 million, was exported from Slovakia, with the largest export markets being the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Hungary and Austria.

Chocolate Day is celebrated on July 7 because the delicacy, which originates in what is now Mexico, was introduced to the European market on this very day in 1550.
Before now, ornithologists had to travel to Hungary or Romania to see the bird.

The glossy ibis has been spotted nesting in eastern Slovakia for the first time. (Source: SOS/BirdLife Slovakia)

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An iconic wetland bird  the glossy ibis  has been observed nesting for the first time in Slovakia, increasing the list of bird species that nest in the country to 234.

Ornithologists used to have to travel to either the Hortobagyi national park in eastern Hungary, or to the Danube River delta in Romania to observe the animal. From now on, their journey should be somewhat shorter.

"We expected that the list of Slovakia's nesting sites might expand by a few more species, but we did not expect the glossy ibis to be among them. Although it is spreading in western Europe due to the larger area of rice fields there, in eastern Europe the tendency to expand its area is not that strong," said Jozef Ridzon, a Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovakia expert.

The species was spotted at Bird Paradise in the Senianske Lakes protected area, part of the Eastern Slovak Lowlands. This protected area is of European significance. The society takes care of the site, restoring the wetlands.

"We hope this year's nesting of the glossy ibis will be successful, that the bird might like it here thanks to the conservation measures, and that it will come back next year," added SOS/BirdLife Slovakia conservation manager Matej Repel.
This Aug. 25, 2019 file photo shows Korea's first Aegis-equipped destroyer, the Sejong the Great, taking part in a defense exercise near Dokdo. Yonhap



Korea conducted regular military drills last month to enhance defense capabilities of its easternmost islets of Dokdo, a defense official said Friday.



The exercise took place in waters near the islets late last month at a similar scale as the previous year, the official told reporters on condition of anonymity, without providing details.



Under the current Yoon Suk Yeol administration, which launched in May last year, the biannual drills have taken place in a relatively smaller scale, mobilizing Navy and Coast Guard vessels. The military has previously deployed Marines and Air Force aircraft for the exercise.



"The East Sea territory defense exercise was carried out to conduct our mission to protect our territory, people and property," the official said, using the official name of the drills.



Dokdo, which lies closer to Korea in the body of water between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, has long been a thorn in relations between the two countries. Korea keeps a small police detachment on the islets, effectively controlling them.



The latest drills came as relations between Korea and Japan have warmed significantly since March, when Seoul offered to resolve a row over wartime forced labor by compensating the Korean victims without asking for contributions from Japanese firms.



Korea launched the Dokdo drills in 1986 and has conducted them twice a year since 2003. (Yonhap)


If you find yourself on the Florida Gulf Coast this summer, point your GPS to the nearest Amavida Coffee. With locations in Seaside, Rosemary Beach, Historic St. Andrews, and inside Perla Baking Co. in DeFunkiak Springs, chances are youre not too far away from at least one! All summer, the cafes offer special seasonal drinks crafted by their barista team. Seasonal and signature drink programs are relatively new for Amavida and are mostly barista driven, says Program Manager and Benefits Officer Jennifer Pawlik.

Amavida Coffees barista trainer Sunni Ellis crafted their signature Salted Caramel Cold Brew. Initially created for their May menu, the drink proved so popular theyve carried it over through August.

Whats a Salted Caramel Cold Brew?

The Salted Caramel Cold Brew is made with organic cold brew coffee shaken with toasted caramel and topped with vanilla cold foam, caramel drizzle, and flaky sea salt. The Cold Brew Blend is 100% Guatemala Manos Campesinas at the moment, Amavidas Directof of Coffee Martin Trejo tells us, it changes origin due to seasonality; in the Winter/Spring, it is usually Colombia. We roast it closer to a medium roast and extend the roast time to mute the acidity.

Whats the deal with cold foam?

Hot lattes have hot foam. Iced lattes have no foam. Enter cold foam. Cold foam is frothed or aerated milk. One uses fresh, cold milk instead of hot milk, as you would make a latte or hot chocolate. After vigorous agitation, you can achieve a foam-like consistency using a blender, an aerator, a French press, or a mason jar. You get a nice creamy foam layer youd ordinarily miss out on when added to a cold coffee drink.

Amavida takes this approach to their Salted Caramel Cold Brew and kicks it up a notch, adding vanilla.

Amavida Coffees seasonal menu also includes tea and tisane-forward drinks this summer. Try their Sakura Blossom, a delicious tropical crimson iced tea with a magic potion (glittering hibiscus rose) and vanilla syrup topped with coconut milk. If youre into matcha, check out their Sparkling Matcha Lemonade, a sweet and refreshing matcha with lavender syrup and lemon juice, topped with sparkling water, served over ice.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/antonov-us-approval-of-cluster-bombs-for-ukraine-bringing-humanity-closer-to-world-war-1111733750.html

Antonov: US Approval of Cluster Bombs for Ukraine Bringing Humanity Closer to World War

Antonov: US Approval of Cluster Bombs for Ukraine Bringing Humanity Closer to World War

The decision by the United States to deliver cluster munitions to Ukraine is a provocation that is pushing humankind closer to a new world war, Russian Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said on Friday.

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"With tenacity worthy of a better use, Washington continues to raise the stakes in the conflict," Antonov said in a statement. Antonov emphasized that the United States is so obsessed with the idea of defeating Russia that it does not realize the severity of its actions, which only lead to an increase in the number of victims and prolong the Kiev regimes agony. "The cruelty and cynicism with which Washington approached the issue of transferring deadly weapons to Kiev is striking," Antonov said. Antonov went on to blast the decision as a gesture of desperation by Washington as it chose to openly ignore objections posed by its allies."Cluster munitions are a gesture of desperation," Antonov said. "Washington ignored the negative voice of its allies regarding the dangerous use of indiscriminate cluster munitions," Antonov said. "This is despite the fact that among the members of the North Atlantic Alliance, there are many states that participate in the well-known Convention on Cluster Munitions. The UN Secretary-General's concerns also meant nothing to the administration."Echoing Antonov's viewpoint, similar remarks were also made by Konstantin Kosachev, who serves as the deputy speaker of the Russian upper house. The Russian lawmaker noted that the US' decision effectively confirms Washington's readiness to kill civilians for the sake of continuing hostilities."In fact, the United States confirmed Kiev's inability to achieve anything without the use of the most condemned weapons, confirmed readiness to kill civilians for the sake of continuing hostilities at any cost and assumed full responsibility for all future victims of this monstrous weapon," Kosachev said on Telegram.Shortly after the munitions announcement was made, US President Joe Biden in an interview with US media claimed the move was a "very difficult decision," but that he did so at the recommendation of the Pentagon as "this is a war relating to munitions."

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/brahmos-aerospace-announces-talks-with-6-nations-over-sales-of-supersonic-cruise-missiles-1111718623.html

BrahMos Aerospace Announces Talks With 6 Nations Over Sales of Supersonic Cruise Missiles

BrahMos Aerospace Announces Talks With 6 Nations Over Sales of Supersonic Cruise Missiles

Russian-Indian joint venture BrahMos Aerospace is conducting talks with six countries over sales of BrahMos medium-range supersonic cruise missiles, Praveen Pathak, the company's chief general manager, told Sputnik.

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"BrahMos is in talks with six countries on the sales of missiles. There are countries with whom we are negotiating at a more advanced stage, it is practically a pre-contact work," Pathak said on the sidelines of the International Maritime Defense Show in St. Petersburg, adding that the countries interested in contracts were from the Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East. In January 2022, the Philippine Defense Ministry and BrahMos concluded a $375 million contract for the supply of ground-based anti-ship missile systems. The contract also includes training for operating personnel and a logistics support package. BrahMos Aerospace is a Russian-Indian enterprise producing supersonic cruise missiles capable of being launched from submarines, ships, planes or land-based platforms. It was established in 1998 and named after the rivers of Brahmaputra and Moscow. The Russian side of the venture is represented by the NPO Mashinostroyenia company.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/china-partially-bans-imports-from-japan-due-to-fukushima-water-discharge-plan-1111713254.html

China Partially Bans Imports From Japan Due to Fukushima Water Discharge Plan

China Partially Bans Imports From Japan Due to Fukushima Water Discharge Plan

China has decided to ban imports of goods from Japan's 10 prefectures due to Tokyo's plans to release contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) into the sea, the Chinese General Administration of Customs said on Friday.

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China has decided to ban imports of goods from Japan's 10 prefectures due to Tokyo's plans to release contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP) into the sea, the Chinese General Administration of Customs said on Friday. Beijing will also increase control of sea food products from other areas in Japan and start checking all goods coming to the country from Japan for radioactivity, the statement read. At the same time, the Chinese customs service gave no details when the ban would go into effect. In 2021, Japan announced its plans to dispose of Fukushima's treated water and invited the (IAEA) to verify that it would be safe. Some countries, including New Zealand and South Korea, initially opposed Japan's plans, fearing that radioactive water would affect their population. Tokyo had originally planned to begin discharging water purified of all radionuclides except tritium into the ocean 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from the NPP this spring. However, due to adverse weather conditions and other factors, the deadline was pushed back to the summer of 2023.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/chinese-shipping-firm-to-deploy-5-vessels-on-northern-sea-route-to-russia-1111730160.html

Chinese Shipping Firm to Deploy 5 Vessels on Northern Sea Route to Russia

Chinese Shipping Firm to Deploy 5 Vessels on Northern Sea Route to Russia

Chinese company NewNew Shipping Line will provide five ice class vessels for transportation along the Northern Sea Route, with the ships coursing between China and Russia, company representative Jing Ke told journalists on Friday.

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Chinese company NewNew Shipping Line will provide five ice class vessels for transportation along the Northern Sea Route, with the ships coursing between China and Russia, company representative Jing Ke told journalists on Friday. "We will provide five vessels this year. All of them of ice class. Vessels with capacity from 1,200 TEU [Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit] to 2,500 TEU," he told journalists at a press conference dedicated to the opening of the regular shipment service between Russia and China. The Northern Sea Route is the shortest maritime route between European Russia and the Far East, with a total length of 5,600 kilometers (3,480 miles). The whole route lies within Russia's territorial waters and in its exclusive economic zone.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/codepink-us-tone-deaf-to-global-calls-for-assanges-release-as-prosecution-mocks-free-press-1111711295.html

CodePink: US 'Tone Deaf' to Global Calls for Assange's Release as Prosecution Mocks Free Press

CodePink: US 'Tone Deaf' to Global Calls for Assange's Release as Prosecution Mocks Free Press

The US is turning blind eye to all the global calls to free WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, while American efforts to prosecute him only make a mockery of the press freedom calls, an activist told Sputnik.

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Earlier in the day, activists led by co-founder of ice cream company Ben & Jerrys Ben Cohen and co-founder of CODEPINK Jodie Evans on Thursday burned a large scale replica of the Bill of Rights in front of the US Justice Department to protest the prosecution of Assange. "They're tone deaf to the global opinion that is saying that Julian Assange should be free, and that this effort on the part of the United States makes a mockery of their international call for press freedom," Benjamin said. The activist also said Assange, in addition to being a journalist and publisher, is a hero for exposing so much of the wrongdoing of the US in Afghanistan and Iraq. "He did his job as a journalist," she said. Activists in the US regularly hold protests in support of Assange, including near the Justice Department. Benjamin shared that a lot of progress has been achieved thanks to such actions. "There are more and more heads of state that have come out and called for his release - the government of Australia, because he's from Australia, has come out," she said. "The newspapers that published the WikiLeaks documents have come out more - and more journalists associations. There's a huge community of people and very important people who have come out, calling for his release and yet it rests on the president and the Department of Justice to actually listen to those voices." Asked whether she believed their efforts will produce any results, Benjamin said, "we never know but it's better than not doing anything." "We feel very strongly about Julian. We visited him in the Ecuadorian Embassy. We've been outside the Belmarsh prison. We've been with supporters in the UK," she said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/us-activists-arrested-over-pro-assange-protest-outside-justice-department-1111706061.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/eu-parliament-council-of-eu-agree-on-bill-to-boost-ammunition-production-1111714171.html

EU Parliament, Council of EU Agree on Bill to Boost Ammunition Production

EU Parliament, Council of EU Agree on Bill to Boost Ammunition Production

In March, EU leaders supported a plan to accelerate the transfer of ammunition to Ukraine, as well as joint purchases of artillery shells and the development of Europe's own military production capabilities. The EU's plan was aimed at supplying Ukraine with one million ammunition rounds, among other things.

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The Council of the European Union said on Friday it had agreed with the European Parliament on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) aimed at increasing EU production of ammunition and missiles for the bloc's own stocks as well as for supplies to Ukraine. "The Council presidency has today reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament representatives on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP). The agreed regulation will urgently mobilise 500 million [$545 million] from the EU budget (in current prices) to support the ramp-up of the manufacturing capacities for the production of ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition as well as missiles," the Council said in a statement. The bill introduces an instrument through which the EU will financially support boosting the industrial production capacities for ammunition within the union, the Council also said, adding that this support would be provided in the form of grants to the defense industry. The agreement between the two bodies will be formally adopted by these institutions and is expected to go into effect by the end of July, the statement read.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230320/eu-to-mobilize-additional-one-million-ammunition-rounds-from-europe-to-ukraine-1108616331.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/georgias-ambassador-who-left-ukraine-calls-his-departure-decline-in-diplomatic-relations-1111711165.html

Georgia's Ambassador Who Left Ukraine Calls His Departure Decline in Diplomatic Relations

Georgia's Ambassador Who Left Ukraine Calls His Departure Decline in Diplomatic Relations

Giorgi Zakarashvilli, the Georgian ambassador to Ukraine was recommended by Kiev to leave the country and return to Georgia. He says it was because of the two countries' decline in diplomatic relations.

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"This [recommendation] indicates a decline in the level of diplomatic relations. This is followed by the severance of diplomatic relations. The main task for me was to leave the territory of Ukraine within the given time frame, agreed upon with the Ukrainian side," Zakarashvili said in a televised appearance on Georgian broadcaster Imedi. On Monday, former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili took part in a meeting of the Tbilisi City Court in the case of the dispersal of the demonstration in 2007. He demonstrated his thin body and called on the Georgian authorities to apologize to him for bringing him to such a state. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to summon the Georgian ambassador and express a decisive protest over the situation with Saakashvili, offering the diplomat 48 hours to leave the country for consultations with Tbilisi. Zakarashvili left Kiev earlier on Thursday.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230618/abkhazia-ready-for-any-scenario-with-georgia--1111255404.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/how-russian-tactical-nuclear-weapons-ensure-belarus-national-security-1111729104.html

How Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons Ensure Belarus National Security

How Russian Tactical Nuclear Weapons Ensure Belarus National Security

Russia has delivered several batches of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus by July 7 in accordance with the earlier announced agreement between the two allied nations. On Thursday, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced that these arms are under reliable protection.

2023-07-07T17:37+0000

2023-07-07T17:37+0000

2023-07-07T17:37+0000

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belarus

russia

minsk

dmitry kornev

vladislav shurygin

alexander lukashenko

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He stressed that Belarus is not going to launch nuclear weapons at anyone, explaining that the tactical atomic arms are intended solely for defensive purposes. "If [the West] commits aggression against Belarus, the response will be instantaneous. The goals have already been determined," Lukashenko said while addressing the press.Western countries pose a threat to Belarus especially after Minsk indicated its support for Russia over the latter's special military operation in Ukraine, according to military experts Dmitry Kornev and Vladislav Shurygin.One should also bear in mind that a few years ago, hostile forces tried to foment a color revolution in Belarus with the West's assistance, he pointed out.A series of political protests in Belarus erupted on 9 August 2020 and lasted until March 2021. Later, Russian scholars drew attention to the hybrid nature of the political turmoil which turned out to be an attempted coup d'etat. They noted that the so-called "Belarusian Spring" resembled nothing so much as a testing ground for the latest practice of "color revolutions", as it appeared to be a "fusion" of the technologies of the Kiev Euromaidan (2013-2014), protests in Hong Kong (2019-2020) and the Venezuelan precedent (2019), according to a study by Professor Andrey Manoilo, a political scientist from Lomonosov Moscow State University."Since Belarus actually took Russia's side in the present confrontation between Russia and NATO over the special military operation [in Ukraine], there may be certain fears [in Minsk] that the Western bloc may turn into a potential adversary of the government in Belarus," Kornev, who is also a founder of the Military Russia portal, told Sputnik.Stationing Russia's tactical nuclear weapons in the territory of Belarus could serve as a "stop-factor" for the West, Kornev noted. In some sense it's a guarantee that the West will not attack Belarus while it is armed with Russian nuclear weapons, he added.How Could Russian Nuclear Weapons Affect the Balance of Power?There is nothing new about Russia's decision to deploy its nuclear weapons in Belarus: for years the US tactical nuclear weapons have remained at six bases in five NATO member countries in Europe, namely, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Turkiye.Still, one might ask whether stationing of Russian nuclear warheads changes the existing status quo in the region.According to Kornev, placing Russian tactical nuclear weapons closer to the present NATO borders "changes the strategic balance [in the region] to a certain extent".Earlier this month Belarusian President Lukashenko expressed confidence that the tactical nuclear weapons stationed in Belarus would never be used, adding that they must nevertheless remain in the country."I'm sure that as long as they are here, we will never have to use them, and no enemy soldier will ever set foot on our land," the president emphasized.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/lukashenko-says-nuclear-warheads-to-be-completely-moved-to-belarus-in-2023-1111701168.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230531/minsk-believes-deploying-russian-tactical-nuclear-arms-to-cool-down-war-like-rhetoric-1110813981.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230528/stationing-tactical-nuclear-weapons-in-belarus-meant-as-containment-measure---minsk-1110756931.html

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SCO advancing unity, coordination to realize greater development

09:22, July 07, 2023 By He Yin ( People's Daily

Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) via video conference from Beijing, capital of China, July 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the 23rd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and delivered an important speech via video conference in Beijing on July 4.

It was an important multilateral diplomatic action taken by China to better engage with Eurasia. Xi's remarks at the meeting injected important impetus into building SCO consensus for development and building an SCO community with a shared future.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind put forward by Xi. Over the past decade, facing the changes of the world, of the times and of history, the SCO has always been at the forefront of the times, upholding this very vision and the Shanghai Spirit to build an SCO community with a shared future.

Xi summarized the experiences and achievements of SCO, charting the course for it to keep building an SCO community with a shared future.

The organization has followed its fine tradition of standing together through thick and thin, as passengers in the same boat should do, acted out the concept of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, embraced the development philosophy of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared growth, carried forward the spirit of good-neighborliness, and advocated equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness between civilizations, upheld international fairness and justice, and opposed hegemonic, high-handed, and bullying acts, Xi said in the speech.

SCO countries reiterated that to jointly build a new type of international relations based on mutual respect, equity, justice and win-win cooperation and a community with a shared future for mankind is of important practical significance. It once again proved the strong influence and vitality of the vision.

Xi places high importance on the SCO. He always stresses the importance of upholding and carrying forward the Shanghai Spirit, and pursuing the organization's development as it pursues common development for humanity.

The Chinese President has attended multiple summits of the organization since 2013, drawing a blueprint for its development and guiding it toward long-term and stable development.

At previous SCO summits, he called on relevant parties to strengthen cooperation and get together for self improvement, and see each other in a common endeavor and a community with a shared future and interests. He also encouraged SCO countries to follow the Shanghai Spirit to build a community with a shared future for the region.

He always stresses the importance of solidarity and collaboration and has raised a series of initiatives for deepening SCO cooperation, winning active response and support from relevant parties.

The world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval; changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace; human society faces unprecedented challenges. Unity or split, peace or conflict, cooperation or confrontation -- these are the questions raised again by the times.

Responding to the questions, Xi said that "The people's wish for a happy life is our goal, and peace, development and win-win cooperation are the unstoppable trends of the times."

To respond to the call of the times, the SCO must keep in mind its founding mission, and stay in unity and coordination to bring more certainty and positive energy to world peace and development.

Xi said that the SCO should keep to the right direction and enhance solidarity and mutual trust, maintain regional peace and safeguard common security, focus on practical cooperation and expedite economic recovery, strengthen exchanges and mutual learning and forge closer bonds between the peoples, and practice multilateralism and improve global governance.

These important suggestions and new cooperation initiatives proposed by Xi demonstrated China's sense of responsibility as a major country in deepening SCO cooperation in various fields.

As a comprehensive regional cooperation organization that covers the widest area and largest population in the world, the SCO is committed to upholding mutual respect and the principle of equality among all countries regardless of their size. It firmly safeguards and practices true multilateralism, and has blazed a new trail of international relations that features partnership over alliance and cooperation over confrontation, becoming a pillar force in advocating international fairness and justice.

This time, the SCO officially welcomed Iran as a full member and signed the memorandum of obligations on the membership of Belarus. This manifested the vitality of the SCO family, and demonstrated relevant parties' recognition to the SCO's important contributions to deepening good-neighborliness, protecting the common interests of SCO countries, promoting long-term peace and stability of the region and the world, and advancing sustainable development.

A just cause finds great support, and a journey with many companions gets far. As long as all relevant parties keep moving in the right direction of promoting solidarity, mutual trust, development and cooperation, the SCO will definitely grow from strength to strength. A growing and expanding SCO will surely make global governance more just and equitable, and make greater contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), poses in front of a monument commemorating the 1950-53 Korean War installed at the UNC headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



United Nations Command celebrates 73rd anniversary



By Lee Hyo-jin



Transparent and accurate investigations into alleged armistice violations between the two Koreas are important in defusing escalating tensions and maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula, according to Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, the British deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC).



"I think that transparency and deep investigation are critical to ensuring that we can deescalate a situation by getting the correct facts, which often differ from some of the reporting that might exist across media or social media," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at UNC headquarters in U.S. Army Garrison (USAG) Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday.



As such, the UNC ensures that a scrupulous and deep investigation is conducted  overseen by the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC)  to assess what the facts are behind many of the stories and rumors that arise after an incident between Seoul and Pyongyang, he said.



One recent publicly known investigation conducted by the UNC is the drone incident that occurred late last year. Following North Korea's drone infiltration into the South on Dec. 26, 2022, Seoul immediately sent its own drones to the North in a tit-for-tat military move. While the South Korean government claimed this to be its "right to self-defense," the UNC concluded that both Koreas violated the Korean Armistice Agreement.



"When tensions are high, then there is always the risk that people will not perceive an incident in a certain way that may not be exactly what occurred," Harrison said. "So the NNSC and the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) seek to get to the bottom of what the truth and the facts really are."



Harrison, who assumed duty as the deputy commander in December 2021, has served 35 years in the military, during which he participated in various operations in conflict zones such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Sierra Leone.





Members of the United Nations Command (UNC) pose during a ceremony held to mark the 73rd anniversary of the UNC at its headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Courtesy of United Nations Command



The UNC is a unified command structure for multinational military forces formed on July 7, 1950. It celebrates its 73rd anniversary this year, which also marks the 70th anniversary of the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement.



"It's a really big year to remember those who have fallen serving the United Nations Command, serving in defense of the Republic of Korea, and those who fought for peace and security on the peninsula for three generations," he said. "Seven decadesIt's an amazing longevity of support to this country."



When asked about the main roles of the UNC, he described it as "both simple and complex."



"In simple terms, it's here to enforce the 1953 Armistice Agreement, which is the function of the United Nations Command and the 22 member states, who now comprise the command," he said.



But the UNC's role is more complex when it comes to maintaining communication with the North's Korean People's Army, and pulling together the sending states or the UNC member states so they can support South Korea, he added.



One other key role of the UNC is its own communication channel with the North, which it has been maintaining for over the past seven decades despite the ups-and-downs in inter-Korean relations.





Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), gestures during an interview with The Korea Times at the "Armistice Room" of the UNC headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. In the room was displayed one of the three tables used for the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement and books containing the names of soldiers who died during the Korean War. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul



"That line of communication  not into Pyongyang, but simply across the border  has existed for a very, very long time. And it's a critical part of our job that we take great pride in," Harrison said.



"Almost every day there is a conversation (with the North)," he said. "Most days, it's about routine business. It might be dealing with a fire in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) or administrative challenges to do with people who are visiting the Demilitarized Zone."



Looking ahead, the UNC seeks to work more effectively to bring together the capabilities of the 22 member countries with the Republic of Korea, and allow the strengths of these countries to assist the nation, he said.



Harrison also stressed the importance of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) program launched by the UNC, which is an initiative to promote meaningful contributions of women in the defense and security sectors on the Korean Peninsula.





Lt. Gen. Andrew Harrison, deputy commander of the United Nations Command (UNC), poses in front of a monument commemorating the 1950-53 Korean War installed at UNC headquarters in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/japanese-prime-minister-to-discuss-nato-japan-cooperation-at-vilnius-summit-1111713755.html

Japanese Prime Minister to Discuss NATO-Japan Cooperation at Vilnius Summit

Japanese Prime Minister to Discuss NATO-Japan Cooperation at Vilnius Summit

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will participate in the NATO summit in Vilnius and the EU-Japan summit in Brussels next week to discuss Japan-NATO cooperation, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and security, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Friday.

2023-07-07T07:00+0000

2023-07-07T07:00+0000

2023-07-08T19:00+0000

world

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european union (eu)

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will participate in the NATO summit in Vilnius and the EU-Japan summit in Brussels next week to discuss Japan-NATO cooperation, the situation in the Indo-Pacific region and security, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Friday. At the EU-Japan summit, issues of security, including economic security, and cooperation on digital development, climate change and other global and regional issues such as the Ukraine conflict will be discussed, the secretary added. At the same time, the Japanese government is still working on Kishida's meeting with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is also expected to attend the NATO summit. In late June, media reported, citing Kishida, that the prime minister would attend the NATO summit Vilnius from July 11-12 and the EU-Japan summit in Brussels on July 13. Last year, Kishida became the first Japanese prime minister to personally attend a meeting of the NATO heads of state, in Madrid.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230407/is-japan-plunging-ever-deeper-into-nato-1109200370.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/kievs-terror-shelling-of-donbass-signals-growing-desperation-ahead-of-nato-summit-1111722800.html

Kievs Terror Shelling of Donbass Signals Growing Desperation Ahead of NATO Summit

Kievs Terror Shelling of Donbass Signals Growing Desperation Ahead of NATO Summit

Ukraines military has made the practice of terror shelling, i.e. the deliberate shelling of civilian settlements and infrastructure, a regular component of its strategy. How effective is it? And could it help Kiev reach its military-strategic goals?

2023-07-07T13:24+0000

2023-07-07T13:24+0000

2023-07-08T19:01+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

donbass

denis pushilin

joint center for control and coordination (jccc)

donetsk peoples republic

dpr

high mobility artillery rocket system (himars)

multiple-launch rocket systems (mlrs)

nato summit in vilnius

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The intensification of Ukrainian shelling attacks against the Donetsk Peoples Republic signals Kievs attempts to appease its Western patrons ahead of next weeks NATO summit, DPR acting head Denis Pushilin has said.Commenting on Wednesdays shelling of an administrative building in the city of Volnovakha, Pushilin said the attack appeared to have been carried out using HIMARS rockets, with one rocket striking the building and the second the parking lot. They were hit on purpose.Wednesdays attack damaged three floors of Volnovakhas administration, injuring three employees. Separately on Wednesday, the Joint Center for Control and Coordination (JCCC), a military watchdog that monitors and documents shelling, reported that 68 people, including three children, had been injured and a 61 year-old man killed in Ukrainian shelling of a hospital in the city of Makeevka this week.Authorities in the neighboring Lugansk Peoples Republic have also reported an escalation of Ukrainian shelling during the week, citing attacks on frontline settlements including Kremennaya, Rubezhnoye, Lisichansk, Severodonetsk, and Svatovo using mostly Polish, German, and French-made 155 mm howitzers and self-propelled artillery.Shelling continued into Friday, with the JCCC reporting that an attack in the Kuibyshevsky district of the city of Donetsk had damaged a city hospital, as dozens more 155 mm NATO caliber shells rained down seemingly randomly on targets throughout the city. Separately, authorities reported that the shelling of the settlement of Aleksandrovka, near the front line with Ukrainian forces, completely destroyed the villages post office building.Long TraditionThe deliberate shelling of civilian areas in Donbass is nothing new for Ukraines military. This past May, the JCCC reported that between February 2022 and May 10, 2023, Ukrainian forces shelled the frontline city of Gorlovka alone over 10,100 times, killing 107 civilians and injuring 369 more. Overall, the JCCC calculated that some 4,527 civilians had been killed in the DPR, 3,791 of them in newly liberated territories and 736 within the DPRs borders prior to the escalation, over the past year. Some 4,431 civilians were wounded, 114 of them by PFM-1 Lepestok scatterable anti-personnel landmines regularly deployed by Ukrainian forces.The shelling of Donbass cities and settlements began all the way back in 2014, after it became clear to the authorities in Kiev who came to power in the February 2014 Western-backed coup that they would not be able to re-establish control over Donbass by force.The delivery of tens of billions of dollars worth of advanced NATO armaments, including heavy artillery and howitzers, HIMARS, and longer-range missiles, have enabled Kiev to dramatically ramp up its shelling attacks, both to terrorize the local population and to target any Russian forces who may happen to be passing through the targeted areas.Questionable ImpactThe overall long-term strategic impact of Ukraines terror bombing is questionable, with US experience in conflicts including Vietnam and Iraq demonstrating that such attacks usually only serve to increase the determination of civilians to resist.Kievs shelling attacks, and Ukrainian officials regular, blunt promises to continue killing Russians and refusal to characterize attacks in Donbass as terrorism or genocide, have served to solidify locals resolve, with over 95 percent of residents of the DPR and LPR voting in referendums to join Russia last fall.Diversionary TacticThe bogging down of Ukraines much-hyped counteroffensive may also help explain the ramping up of shelling attacks.On Thursday, the Russian MoD reported that Russian forces had repelled nine Ukrainian attacks in the Donetsk region, with as many as 385 Ukrainian servicemen killed, and one tank, three armored combat vehicles, eight specialized vehicles, two D-20 howitzers, and two Krab self-propelled artillery systems destroyed. As many as 165 Ukrainian troops, a Stryker armored personnel carrier, Grad MLRS, Caesar, and Gvozdika self-propelled guns were also reported destroyed in the South Donetsk and Zaporozhye directions over the same 24-hour period.The stumbling of the counteroffensive, which has been in progress for over a month after kicking off on June 4, may give Kiev the impetus to prove to its NATO sponsors that the conflict is accelerating, and that more weapons, or better yet some direct military commitments, are needed.According to media reports, despite the summit being just days away, allies haven't decided what to offer Kiev at the meeting, with Washington reportedly favoring security guarantees, instead of membership, over the near term, given the threat of dramatically escalating the current proxy conflict with Russia.Recognition that the present stage of the conflict is crucial for Kiev is widespread, with a new report by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy released this week showing that pledges of military and economic support for Ukraine have dropped steadily in 2023, with military equipment coming to constitute over 70 percent of all aid between April and May.A growing number of outside observers expect the Vilnius summit to be a flop as far as Ukraines ambitions go, with the alliances European members in particular characterized as being out of money and bullets, and in no mood to give a blank check to Ukraine or risk a bigger war that might spread into Europe.In the meantime, so long as supplies of NATO standard 155 mm shells, HIMARS, longer-range missiles, and now cluster munitions continue to flow to Kiev, residents of Donbass, Kherson, Zaporozhye, Crimea, and other Russian border regions will remain under threat.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/ukraine-may-use-cluster-ammo-against-civilians-as-part-of-terror-tactics-1111703767.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230606/us--its-himars-provided-to-criminal-kiev-regime-responsible-for-kakhovka-hpp-attack-1110947364.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20200512/us-veterans-stationed-in-guam-during-vietnam-war-likely-exposed-to-agent-orange---white-paper-1079286261.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/ukraine-loses-over-300-soldiers-in-south-donetsk-zaporozhye-directions-1111674913.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/biden-reportedly-approves-sending-cluster-munitions-to-ukraine-1111718488.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/large-wildfire-engulfs-greek-island-of-evia-1111710622.html

Large Wildfire Engulfs Greek Island of Evia

Large Wildfire Engulfs Greek Island of Evia

A wildfire is burning near the village of Milaki on the Greek Island of Evia. Firefighters say it is in an area they cannot reach but note that no homes are currently in danger.

2023-07-07T03:22+0000

2023-07-07T03:22+0000

2023-07-07T03:23+0000

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The fire service said 55 firefighters with three teams and and 17 fire engines were sent to extinguish the fire on the island, located some 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Athens. A firefighting aircraft was used to battle the wildfire before dark. Black smoke covered almost the entire airspace of Evia, the wildlife could be seen for miles, Greek broadcaster Ant1 reported. A cement plant of the AGET Heraklis company and a power plant of the PPC state energy company were in the area of the fire but were not in danger. The fire had no threat to homes or any housing in the area, Aliveri Deputy Mayor Nikos Barakos told the broadcaster. The weather in Greece has been hot in recent days. There have been almost no massive wildfires in the country this year so far. Last year the country experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent memory when over 2,400 acres burned compared to an average of 92.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230627/smoke-from-canadian-wildfires-reach-european-skies-1111511807.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/majority-of-french-demand-tougher-migration-rules-after-week-of-riots---poll-1111730488.html

Majority of French Demand Tougher Migration Rules After Week of Riots - Poll

Majority of French Demand Tougher Migration Rules After Week of Riots - Poll

A majority of the French want the government to curb mass migration to the country, a new survey published by a French daily this week showed.

2023-07-07T17:57+0000

2023-07-07T17:57+0000

2023-07-07T17:57+0000

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The poll conducted by Odoxa and Backbone Consulting among more than 1,000 adults from July 5-6 found that 59% believed that "the migration law should be toughened." A further 38% said it should not, while 3% said they did not know. The same poll showed that only 14% supported the rioters who rampaged through France after the police killing of a teenager of Algerian descent on June 27. Eighty-four percent denounced the week-long violence. Slightly over 70% of those polled called for curbs on new migrant arrivals. Despite this, only 13% blamed the rioting on "failed assimilation," while 62% said it broke out because of a rise in crime. The deadly police shooting sparked debates over racially motivated police brutality in France, with the UN human rights commission urging its government to address deep issues of racism and discrimination in the police force.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/france-taking-in-too-many-migrants-adds-to-security-risks---national-rally-party-1111665534.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/nato-pledged-546mln-in-support-equipment-to-meet-ukraines-critical-needs-1111725114.html

NATO Pledged $546Mln in Support Equipment to Meet Ukraine's Critical Needs

NATO Pledged $546Mln in Support Equipment to Meet Ukraine's Critical Needs

NATO allies have pledged 500 million euros ($546 million) in support equipment for Ukraine, including fuel and medical supplies, to help the country meet its critical needs, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday.

2023-07-07T13:23+0000

2023-07-07T13:23+0000

2023-07-07T13:23+0000

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"Allies have already pledged 500 million euros for critical needs, including fuel, medical supplies, demining equipment and pontoon bridges," he told a news conference at the NATO headquarters in Brussels. He added that the alliance would also help Ukraine upgrade its defense sector to NATO standards. Stoltenberg will meet with NATO leaders in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius from July 11-12 to discuss further support for Kiev.Western countries have been supplying Kiev with various types of weapon 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 repeatedly warned against further arms deliveries to Kiev. Moscow has consistently pointed out that assisting Kiev is only drawing out the conflict, and could cause further conflagration as NATO risks being drawn fully into the conflict.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/fact-check-is-nato-weaponry-superior-to-russian-arms-in-ukraine-1111682241.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/nuclear-power-lapdog-iaea-to-suffer-reputational-blow-for-fukushima-wastewater-release-1111728525.html

Nuclear Power Lapdog IAEA to Suffer Reputational Blow for Fukushima Wastewater Release

Nuclear Power Lapdog IAEA to Suffer Reputational Blow for Fukushima Wastewater Release

Numerous governments have for years protested Japans plans to release wastewater from Fukushima Daiichi into the Pacific Ocean, including South Korea, China, and Pacific Island nations whose fishing fleets work the ocean waters.

2023-07-07T17:14+0000

2023-07-07T17:14+0000

2023-07-07T17:14+0000

analysis

fukushima

international atomic energy agency (iaea)

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https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/03/03/1107966138_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_6af983055b300aa035b823e55e8cf222.jpg

The Japanese government has moved to begin the gradual release of 1.3 million tons of treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Okuma. The water, which is radioactive from having been used to keep molten spent nuclear fuel cool in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Sendai plain, has been filtered through the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS). The planned release will take place over 30 to 40 years.Kevin Kamps, the radioactive waste watchdog at Beyond Nuclear, told Sputnik on Friday that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is caught in a vise between its advocacy for nuclear power and the reality of the detrimental effects of improper storage of its waste, which is a key problem with the Japanese governments plan since 2011 to store that waste at the site of the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant.There's so many options that are better than dumping it in the ocean. One option is what they've been doing for the past 12 years, since this catastrophe began: storing it in tanks. It has not gone perfectly, but their rationale for not continuing with the tank storage is that they've run out of room, they've run out of physical space. And all I can say is, would you please give me a break? They have turned that region into a radioactive sacrifice zone because of the catastrophe, Kamps said, adding that the area has already been rendered inhospitable by the radiation.A colleague of mine, Dr. Arjan Nakatani, is actually serving on the Pacific Islands Forum, reviewing this insane scheme on behalf of Pacific Island nations and opposing it. He has pointed out from the earliest days of the catastrophe that the radioactive wastewater could be transported to a more stable site and stored there. The reason this makes sense is tritium has a 12.3-year half life. Multiply by ten to get the hazardous persistence. That's 123 years. One hundred twenty-three years of storage is doable, humans can do that. That's really the best plan for what they have now.Kamps noted that several months after the 2011 disaster, radioactive cesium in the seawater along the California coast had doubled, proving that while its a big ocean, the radioactive materials wont just disappear. In the case of Fukushima, its not just radioactive waste entering the water, either: the water itself is radioactive.The radioactive isotopes per element behave chemically just like their non-radioactive sibling. So, for example: cesium, that's going to go to muscle tissue; strontium, that's going to go to bone; tritium is going to go anywhere in the human body and other living things that hydrogen goes, which is everywhere. Radioactive carbon-14, the nuclear industry likes to say that they're carbon-free. Well, they're not carbon-14 free. And ironically enough, carbon-14 - which again, can go anywhere in the human body that carbon can go, which is everywhere - is perhaps the most biologically harmful of these radioactive poisons because it has a 5,500-year half-life. That means 55,000 years of hazard.Kamps noted other examples include the US underground storage sites for radioactive waste such as the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), buried deep under the New Mexico desert inside a watertight salt formation, where it is expected to safely decay for 10,000 years. However, even then, it took only 15 years for an accidental release of radioactive material, which escaped through a ventilation shaft.Kamps said the IAEAs endorsement of the release would deliver the agency a huge reputational blow, adding that it has long downplayed the risks of nuclear power and the outcomes of disasters such as that at Chernobyl in Soviet Ukraine in 1986.The International Atomic Energy Agency under the Nonproliferation Treaty of 1970 is a pro-nuclear power institution. Their job is to supposedly hold nuclear weapons proliferation in check while advocating an expansion of nuclear power. It's a schizophrenic mandate. And what they do is they will downplay Chernobyl, they will downplay Fukushima as part of their pro-nuclear power mandate.Kamps also noted that the Japanese government has been strongly pro-nuclear power since the 1950s, thanks to pressure by the US government, which occupied the country from the end of World War II until 1952. He accused the IAEA of being a lapdog sitting in the lap of Tokyo Electric and the Japanese government.There's a growing list of countries that have banned importation of seafood from the Fukushima region, which include places like South Korea and China and elsewhere. And the list of countries that have spoken out very strongly against this wastewater dum, those same countries and many others, including Russia, the Philippines, the Pacific Islands Coalition, who have an expert panel looking at this, have pointed out just how sloppy the so-called analysis by Tokyo Electric and the Japanese government have been. The documentation is missing. The analyzes are far from complete. Even analyses that the IAEA promised to carry out are one-third done at this point, and yet they have signed off on the dumping to begin. So the public relations facade of proponents of dumping is very thin and they're being called out on it at the highest levels of many governments on the Pacific Ocean.Many of those same governments, Kamps noted, are also very heavily dependent on nuclear power and wrestle with many of the same questions of safe waste disposal. Pressure from anti-nuclear groups has also forced their hand, and the expert noted that in Japan, those groups have long been the little Dutch boy with their finger in the dike, preventing this scheme from going forward for many years.Hats-off to the Japanese anti-nuclear movement, which has kept the vast majority of reactors shut down since Fukushima. They won't let them be reactivated. And that's something that amazes me because we try so hard in the United States to do that, too. But we're often steamrolled in our efforts, he said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230613/plutonium-from-us-nuclear-weapons-tests-polluting-south-china-sea-study-finds-1111126463.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20210423/us-honey-still-contains-radioactive-fallout-from-1950s-nuclear-weapons-tests-study-finds-1082703522.html

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On June 28, the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, a protest took place outside Stockholm's main mosque, during which the Quran was burned.

Swedish police authorized the demonstration, with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson later commenting the permit was "lawful but inappropriate."
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/romania-to-open-f-16-pilot-training-center-strengthen-ties-with-nato---presidents-office-1111711834.html

Romania to Open F-16 Pilot Training Center, Strengthen Ties With NATO

Romania to Open F-16 Pilot Training Center, Strengthen Ties With NATO

Romania will open an F-16 fighter pilot training center to train pilots from NATO allies and partners, including Ukraine, the office of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said Thursday.

2023-07-07T04:33+0000

2023-07-07T04:33+0000

2023-07-07T04:33+0000

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"Today, the meeting of the [Romanian] Supreme Council of National Defense analyzed the participation of Romania in a new Trans-Atlantic project, namely the creation of a training center for F-16 fighter pilots in the country. Romanian pilots will be trained here, and later the center will accept pilots from allied states and NATO partners, including Ukraine," the office said on the website. Iohannis expressed hope that the regional military training center would meet the training needs of allies and regional partners, the statement said. "The creation of this training center will not only strengthen Euro-Atlantic capabilities but also allow Romania to play a key role in ensuring security in the region," the office quoted Iohannis as saying. During the meeting, the president also discussed the topics for the upcoming NATO Summit in Lithuania's capital Vilnius, scheduled for July 11-12, including the security in the Black Sea region  the topic of "strategic interest for Romania, as well as the entire Euro-Atlantic security." Romania was also ready to contribute to strengthening the alliance "both in cooperation with allies as the host nation of NATO's multinational structures and by increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP starting this year," the statement read. Iohannis has earlier supported the enhancement of NATO presence in the Black Sea region to strengthen the security of the Euro-Atlantic area.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230614/nato-to-start-training-ukrainian-pilots-on-f-16s-this-summer-1111153749.html

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f-16 pilot training, nato allies, ties with nato
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/russias-low-orbit-satellite-constellation-to-provide-broadband-internet-from-2027-1111725631.html

Russia's Low-Orbit Satellite Constellation to Provide Broadband Internet From 2027

Russia's Low-Orbit Satellite Constellation to Provide Broadband Internet From 2027

Russia is building its own constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that will start providing high-speed, low-latency internet to users from 2027, the Communications Ministry said Friday.

2023-07-07T13:54+0000

2023-07-07T13:54+0000

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"The project aims to use a low Earth orbit to provide commercial broadband internet services that will be high-speed and low-latency. It will become operational in 2027," the ministry said. Three LEO satellites were launched from the Vostochny space port in the Russian Far East as part of a pilot mission that will pave the way for Russia's own constellation of hundreds of LEO satellites delivering internet services to users in 75 countries. Russia plans to launch a dozen missions to the LEO every year starting 2025. Each rocket will carry a payload of some 15 satellites, with more than 900 LEO satellites expected to be put into orbit by 2035.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/step-in-right-direction-free-speech-activist-hails-order-blocking-biden-social-media-coordination-1111730297.html

Step in Right Direction: Free Speech Activist Hails Order Blocking Biden-Social Media Coordination

Step in Right Direction: Free Speech Activist Hails Order Blocking Biden-Social Media Coordination

Misty Winston, political activist, organizer and co-host of Facts on the Ground, said that many critics have accused Judge Terry Doughty of making a partisan ruling in favor of Republicans.

2023-07-07T19:00+0000

2023-07-07T19:00+0000

2023-07-07T19:00+0000

analysis

free speech

social media

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biden administration

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While the judge gave some allowances for continued communication about threats of violence and to national security, the rest was blocked via preliminary injunction due to the judges belief that a lawsuit challenging the behavior on free speech grounds was likely to succeed.Misty Winston, political activist, organizer and co-host of Facts on the Ground, told Sputnik on Friday that many critics have accused Judge Terry A. Doughty of making a partisan ruling in favor of Republicans, having been appointed by then-US President Donald Trump.The government has no business contacting social media companies and requesting that they take down information. They try to use the idea that, oh, this is in the public interest because of false and misleading information about Covid. Well, a lot of the false and misleading information about Covid came from the government. And it wasn't just that they were silencing the average, everyday citizen: they were shutting down doctors and scientists and researchers who are at the top of their field. That's something that they should not be allowed to do. We have a First Amendment for a reason, and the First Amendment says that the government cannot limit your speech. And that is exactly what happens when the Biden administration contacts or any administration contacts social media companies and requests that they take down posts just simply because they want to call them misleading or misinformation, they get to define those terms.We know it's not just simply them calling them up and being like, hey, what do you think about this? They're calling up Twitter and they're saying, here's this post. Here's this person. They don't we don't like what they're posting. I mean, we know that that is the case. And in fact, it goes even farther than that. We now know that the FBI was contacting social media companies to get information about a journalist, Aaron Mate, to give to the Ukrainian government. I mean, this is a huge thing, but it's not often talked about because I think mainstream media obviously is on the side of the government here. They obviously want to be able to have a lock down on the narrative. And so but we know that that's not true.Winston remarked that another example noted in Judge Doughtys ruling was the suppression of a New York Post article about the contents of Hunter Bidens so-called Laptop From Hell, which was published just weeks before the November 2020 election.I'm not a big fan of [US Senator] Rand Paul (R-KY), but Rand Paul on the floor of Congress said the biggest purveyor of misinformation is the United States government. We know that to be true. They've lied to us how many times? Weapons of mass destruction, the Gulf of Tonkin, the Syrian gas attacks. I mean, it's just one after the other after the other. We know that theyve lied to us on a regular basis. So the idea that we want to hand them over power to determine what is misinformation and give them the ability to censor anybody that disagrees with them - that's terrifying. That is not okay. And that is something we all need to be fighting against. And so this ruling is a really great step in the right direction in that in that fight.However, Winstons criticism of those threatening free speech wasnt just limited to the US government: the activist noted that recent policy changes by Twitter CEO Elon Musk have also restricted users access to information in a public forum. Over the weekend, Musk announced that users would be limited to seeing a certain number of posts per day, based on whether the user had a paid or unpaid account.She noted that Musk gave varying explanations about the cause of the limitations, including data mining and screenshots, none of which seemed to satisfy observers.You know what makes me giggle a little bit is that, you know, Elon Musk, the guy who released the Twitter Files and claims he's all about transparency. There was no transparency surrounding that whole ordeal over the weekend. There was no warning. There was no explanation. And then when explanations did come, they were kind of vague. And then it was like there was an explanation. Then there was another one, and then it was you know what I mean? Like there was no transparency. There was no communication about what was going on beforehand or even during the situation. And then finally, when he did explain  it was just a whole hot mess.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230704/macron-says-may-shut-down-social-media-in-france-if-riots-worsen-1111665888.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/biden-wages-war-against-us-civil-society---russian-activist-1111698865.html

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Fantine Gardinier

social media; misinformation; court order; misty winston
In this unrelated photo taken July 5, a police search operation is under way on a hill in the southeastern port city of Busan after a mother confessed to burying her dead newborn there in 2015. Yonhap



Police have arrested a woman in her 30s on suspicions of neglecting her 6-day-old baby to death and abandoning the body in a public trash bin in 2018, officials said Friday.



The mother is accused of leaving her baby alone at her home in the southern city of Gwangju in April 2018, resulting in the baby's death. She allegedly abandoned the body in a public trash collection box, wrapped in a plastic trash bag.



The suspect told the police that she left home alone and when she came back three hours later, the hood of a baby wrapper blanket was covering the baby's face and the baby was not breathing, according to officials.



She told the police that she was under mental distress because she, unmarried and unemployed at that time, had to give birth and take care of the baby all alone.



Officials said the mother turned herself in to the police the previous day after getting a call from a regional government office seeking to check on babies who have medical records of birth but no official birth registration.



Police said they will seek a formal arrest warrant for her after further investigation.



The government is currently conducting a nationwide campaign to check the well-being of more than 2,000 undocumented babies born since 2015.



The National Police Agency separately said Friday a total of 780 undocumented baby cases were under police investigation across the nation as of Thursday afternoon.



The police agency said that of the total cases, 11 were under investigation for suspected murder while the location of 677 other babies and whether they are alive remain unknown. (Yonhap)




https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/sweden-mulls-ban-on-quran-burning-amid-nato-bid-impasse-1111712491.html

Sweden Mulls Ban on Quran-Burning Amid NATO Bid Impasse

Sweden Mulls Ban on Quran-Burning Amid NATO Bid Impasse

Following the global outcry with repercussions for Sweden's international standing, Swedes are increasingly in favor of banning the public burning of religious texts.

2023-07-07T07:06+0000

2023-07-07T07:06+0000

2023-07-07T07:06+0000

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The Swedish government is examining whether it could make setting the Quran, or other holy books, on fire illegal, as recent incendiary actions have "generated threats to Sweden's internal security," Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer told local media."We have to ask ourselves whether the current order is good or whether there is reason to reconsider it," Strommer said, stressing that it had transformed Sweden into a "prioritized target" for attacks.Global OutcryLast week, Sweden allowed an Iraqi immigrant to burn the Quran outside a Stockholm mosque on Eid-al-Adha, sparking outrage in the Muslim world and condemnation from the Pope. The Swedish security services admitted that such actions left the country less safe.The incident has also damaged Sweden's bid to join NATO, with Turkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan explicitly saying that his country cannot ratify Sweden's application before Quran-burnings are stopped. The torching of Islam's centerpiece further exacerbated the troubled relations with Turkiye, as Ankara previously accused Stockholm of harboring what it regards as Kurdish terrorists and their enablers. Despite facing mounting pressure from its NATO allies, including the US, to lift its opposition to Sweden's membership bid, Ankara says it won't budge until its demands are met.Earlier this year, the Swedish police denied several applications for protests that were to include setting fire to the Quran, citing security concerns, but the courts have since overturned the rejections, stressing that such acts are protected by Sweden's far-reaching freedom of speech laws.In the aftermath of the recent incendiary action, which generated headlines across the globe and led to numerous diplomatic run-ins with Muslim countries, several further applications to burn the Quran, the Bible, and the Torah were filed, sparking condemnation from an even broader number of countries, including Israel.Shift in Public OpinionThe worldwide outcry and international political fallout, with passionate protests and damaged diplomatic ties across the globe, has already led to a significant shift in the Swedish public opinion, which used to prioritize the freedom of speech. However, a majority of Swedes now support a ban on the public burning of religious texts such as the Quran or the Bible, a new survey has found.In the survey, carried out by Kantar Public, 53 percent of those questioned said that burning holy scriptures of any religion in public should be prohibited, while 34 percent answered that it should be allowed, and 13 percent were undecided. This marks an 11 percent increase from February, when the same question was asked last. Kantar Public head of opinion Toivo Sjoren admitted that the global reaction may have influenced the change.What Could Be Done?So far, the Swedish government has maintained ambiguity toward the Quran-burnings. The country's Foreign Ministry, while condemning the recent act as "islamophobic, offensive and disrespectful," stressed that Sweden has a "constitutionally protected right to freedom of assembly, expression and demonstration."A comprehensive ban on desecrating holy scriptures would require reintroducing blasphemy laws, which Sweden scrapped in the 1970s. Doing so would likely cause a backlash in a country, which takes pride in its freedoms. Theoretically, Sweden could enact a law on incitement against ethnic groups, but it would only restrict the time and the place of the actions.While Quran-burnings in recent years have made a ripple in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, raising dilemmas between religious tolerance and freedom of speech, neighboring Finland solved the problem by saying it would violate religious peace, which is a punishable offence.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230703/swedens-recent-quran-burning-to-further-imperil-nato-bid-1111633153.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230703/sweden-belatedly-denounces-quran-burning-after-international-backlash-1111632481.html

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Igor Kuznetsov

quran-burining in sweden, sweden's international standing, sweden's nato bid, public burning of religious texts, blasphemy laws
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/the-white-house-blames-tourists-for-the-cocaine-found-in-the-west-wing-1111708220.html

The White House Blames Tourists for the Cocaine Found in the West Wing

The White House Blames Tourists for the Cocaine Found in the West Wing

On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Donald Trump accusing Joe Biden of using cocaine, and Ben & Jerry's co-founder being arrested at an Assange vigil.

2023-07-07T04:05+0000

2023-07-07T04:05+0000

2023-07-07T10:10+0000

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The White House Blames Tourists for the Cocaine Found in the West Wing On todays episode of The Backstory, host Lee Stranahan discussed current events including Donald Trump accusing Joe Biden of using cocaine, and Ben & Jerry's co-founder being arrested at an Assange vigil.

Thom Nickels - Author, Journalist | Philly Mass Shooting, The Media Protect Violent Transgender People, and a Culture of ViolenceTyler Nixon - Attorney, Media Relations Specialist, and Garrett Zeigler - Former Trump Aide | The Democrats are Totalitarian, The Biden Granddaughter, and Joe Biden is Seen as the Worst President EverIn the first hour, Lee spoke with Thom Nickels about a transgender mass shooter in Philadelphia, the Catholic Church's open to same-sex marriage, and the media protection of transgender violence. Thom talked about the recent mass shooting in Philadelphia and the transgender shooter's premeditated shooting. Thom spoke about the culture of violence in America and how the riots in France compared to America's current violent culture.In the second hour, Lee spoke with Tyler Nixon and Garrett Zeigler about the cocaine found in the West Wing of the White House, more Biden crime family whistleblowers appeared, and Robert Kennedy Jr doing well in the polls. Tyler discussed RFK Jr. and how Robert Kennedy Jr can use alternative media. Tyler and Garrett talked about the cocaine found in the White House and how the story was meant to never become public.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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the backstory, same-sex marriage, transgender violence, mass shooting in philadelphia, culture of violence, biden crime family, robert kennedy jr
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/turkey-unlikely-to-approve-swedens-nato-bid-by-vilnius-summit-1111718168.html

Turkiye Unlikely to Approve Sweden's NATO Bid by Vilnius Summit

Turkiye Unlikely to Approve Sweden's NATO Bid by Vilnius Summit

Chances are slim that Turkey will approve Sweden's bid to join NATO in time for the NATO leaders' meeting in Vilnius next week, as the recent Quran burning is still fresh in Turkish minds, experts told Sputnik.

2023-07-07T09:27+0000

2023-07-07T09:27+0000

2023-07-08T19:00+0000

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The efforts by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at reconciling the two sides after last week's torching of the holy Muslim book outside a Stockholm mosque failed on Thursday. Stoltenberg said after a meeting of the Turkish and Swedish foreign ministers in Brussels that Sweden's membership was "within reach." He will next host a summit of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on Monday, on the eve of the Vilnius gathering. Jenkins, a non-resident senior research fellow with the Joint Center Silk Road Studies Program and Turkiye Center at the Institute for Security and Development Policy in Stockholm, said he still expected Turkiye to ratify Sweden's entry into NATO before the end of 2023 but suggested that Ankara needed time to cool off. Meanwhile, Huseyin Bagci, president of the Turkish Foreign Policy Institute and professor of international relations at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, said Turkiye would not outright refuse to ratify Sweden's entry at the July 11-12 summit but would ask for more time to decide. At the same time, Bagci accused Sweden of trying to "sit on two chairs" by attempting to join the alliance while disregarding an ally's culture and religious traditions. He said the burning of a copy of the Quran by an Iraqi immigrant created a "clash of civilizations" that would weigh on Turkish-Swedish relations in the long run. Jenkins said there was little Sweden could do now to appease Turkiye. He ruled out NATO pressuring Ankara to clear Sweden, or Turkiye doing something that would go beyond criticism of NATO and specifically of the United States. Although there is no direct link between US attempts to bring Sweden into the alliance and its potential sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkiye, the latter expects clarity on the deal before it allows Sweden to join, while the US Congress wants Turkiyeto ratify Swedens NATO membership before it approves the sale, Jenkins said. Birol Baskan, a former non-resident scholar at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, told Sputnik that Turkiye was playing its "NATO card" to extract more concessions from both the US and the Nordic nation, including its readmission to the US-led F-35 program, from which it was expelled in 2019. Bagci argued that Turkiye and NATO were not simply doing "horse trading" and that the mere sale of F-16s would not be enough. He said Sweden put itself, Turkiye and the entire alliance in a difficult position by allowing the Quran-burning protest to take place. Sweden and Finland submitted their applications to join the alliance in May 2022, soon after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine. Finland's application has been ratified by all 30 members of the alliance, while Sweden's application is still pending approval by Hungary and Turkiye, with the accession process stalled in part due to controversial Quran-burning demonstrations in Stockholm. The latest took place on June 28, the first day of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/sweden-faces-us-pressure-to-join-nato-despite-reluctance-turkish-media-claims-1111692995.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230612/pentagon-reportedly-refuses-to-take-any-more-f-35s-until-system-woes-are-solved-1111097144.html

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Sputnik International

sweden's nato bid, nato leaders, meeting in vilnius, nato
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/ukraine-submits-request-to-join-trans-pacific-partnership-agreement-1111722687.html

Ukraine Submits Request to Join CPTPP Free Trade Pact

Ukraine Submits Request to Join CPTPP Free Trade Pact

Ukraine has officially applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a Japanese TV channel reported. The application was announced by New Zealand, which currently holds the presidency of the organization.

2023-07-07T13:22+0000

2023-07-07T13:22+0000

2023-07-07T15:43+0000

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Ukraine has officially applied to join the CPTPP, a Japanese TV channel reported. The application was announced by New Zealand, which currently holds the presidency of the organization. Kiev announced its intention to join the agreement in May and intends to strengthen economic ties with the member countries, according to the channel. However, Ukraine's accession to the CPTPP requires the approval of all 11 countries. In mid-July, a ministerial meeting of CPTPP member countries is expected to discuss the issue of Ukraine's participation in the association.The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement was signed in February 2016 between 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including the United States. As part of the agreement, it was planned to create a free trade zone in the Asia-Pacific region. However, after Donald Trump won the 2016 presidential elections, the US promptly withdrew from the agreement. Subsequently, 11 TPP countries - Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Japan, Mexico, Chile and Peru - formed the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), signed and sealed in Chile on March 8, 2018. The combined GDP of the 11 members is $11 trillion.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230331/uk-to-join-agreement-for-trans-pacific-partnership-1108981195.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/ukraine-weapons-show-up-in-france-ukraine-jails-and-threatens-execution-of-political-opponents-1111708792.html

Ukraine Weapons Show Up in France; Ukraine Jails and Threatens Execution of Political Opponents

Ukraine Weapons Show Up in France; Ukraine Jails and Threatens Execution of Political Opponents

Unrest in the French streets is augmented by Western military weapons that have migrated from the conflict zone.

2023-07-07T04:06+0000

2023-07-07T04:06+0000

2023-07-07T10:35+0000

the critical hour

radio

syria

ukraine

brazil

cuba

nato

alexander lukashenko

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France Burning; Court Stops Online Censorship; Cocaine in White House After Hunter Biden Visit A US court had determined that the Biden administration violated the Constitution when it engaged in rampant social media censorship.

Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. Ukraine's offensive is faltering as they suffer from artillery shortages. Also, NATO is considering entering the conflict.Ted Rall, political cartoonist, syndicated columnist, and host of Final Countdown, joins us to discuss France. Unrest in the French streets is augmented by Western military weapons that have migrated from the conflict zone.Linwood Tauheed, associate professor of Economics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, joins us to discuss the economy. The Biden administration has launched an economic PR offensive centering around the term "Bidenomics". Also, the SCO is setting a course for de-dollarization.Thomas Mountain, journalist and historian, joins us to discuss Africa. South Sudan is holding its first elections since independence. Also, we discuss why China is Africa's preferred partner.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss the Middle East. US drones are violating Syrian airspace. Also, France seizes 100 million in assets from the Lebanon Cenbank chief.Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss the Global South. Europe has a history of colonialist abuse that makes it an unwelcome partner in Latin America. Also, Frederick Douglass explained why July 4th meant nothing to colonized Africans in the US.Dr. Margaret Flowers, activist and editor of "PopularResistance.org," joins us to discuss Popular Resistance. The US Empire is trying to influence Brazilian politics. Also, the University of California is cracking down on dissent.Caleb Maupin, journalist and political analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine's political crackdown. Ukraine has outlawed political opponents and is threatening to execute jailed opposition leaders.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comThe views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.

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the critical hour, unrest in france, ukraine's offensive, bidenomics, sco, de-dollarization, south sudan, global south
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/ukrainian-orthodox-church-monks-feel-threatened-by-non-canonical-ocu---bishop-1111720527.html

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Monks Feel Threatened by Non-Canonical OCU - Bishop

Ukrainian Orthodox Church Monks Feel Threatened by Non-Canonical OCU - Bishop

Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) feel threatened by supporters of the non-canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) amid orders from the Ukrainian authorities to leave the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, out-of-state Bishop Gedeon (Kharon) of Makarov told Sputnik on Friday.

2023-07-07T10:33+0000

2023-07-07T10:33+0000

2023-07-07T10:33+0000

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"All my friends and acquaintances that I talk to feel threatened because the churches are being taken away from them. And what could be more threatening than them coming to you and taking away what belongs to the Church of Christ? And they don't take it away for anyone, they take it away for nothing. No one goes there, they don't even have parishioners," he said in an interview. The Ukrainian authorities are not simply trying to drive the canonical UOC out of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra  their task is to transfer the Lavra to the schismatic OCU, the bishop added. "Their [Ukrainian authorities] very task is to transfer [the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra] to the OCU. After all, they do need some kind of Church. They cannot position themselves as theomachists or atheists, although they are, but they cannot say so openly, they do it through the OCU," he said. Tensions between the Ukrainian government and the UOC escalated after Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022. UOC monks were ordered to leave the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, jurisdiction over which is divided between the National Kiev-Pechersk Historical and Cultural Preserve, a Ukrainian cultural organization, and the UOC, for allegedly violating the terms of the lease. Ukrainian Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko then said that the monks could stay in the Lavra if they joined the OCU. Lavra monks slammed the unilateral eviction order as illegal as it was not backed by a court decision. In April, Tkachenko said that the Ukrainian Culture Ministry had formed a commission to look into the use of state property pertaining to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230611/kiev-pechersk-lavra-blocked-by-police-and-armed-forces--reports-1111066481.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/us-approves-delivery-of-cluster-munitions-to-ukraine-1111731035.html

US Will Provide Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

US Will Provide Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

US media reported earlier this week that cluster bombs would be part of a new $800 million military aid package for Ukraine being prepared by the Biden... 07.07.2023, Sputnik International

2023-07-07T18:33+0000

2023-07-07T18:33+0000

2023-07-07T20:23+0000

us

cluster

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The Pentagon and the White House have formally signed off on the delivery of cluster munitions to Kiev, ending months of speculation and debate about the deployment of the controversial weapons in the Eastern European country as part of NATO's ongoing proxy war against Russia."We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters in a briefing Friday."This is why we've deferred the decision for as long as we could. But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians, because Ukraine does not have enough artillery. That is intolerable to us," Sullivan said.In addition to cluster munitions, the new arms package will include 32 Bradley and 32 Stryker armored vehicles, Patriot air defense systems, AIM-7 missiles and Stingers from the Pentagon's stocks.Sullivan assured the delivery of cluster bombs to Kiev does not constitute arming Ukraine to attack Russian territory.Sullivan detailed that cluster bombs sent to Kiev would have a dud rate "not higher than 2.5%."US Under Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl told reporters that Kiev has offered Washington written assurances it "will not use the rounds in civilian-populated urban environments, and that they will record where they use these rounds, which will simplify later demining efforts."Kahl further indicated the US intends to deliver cluster munitions to Ukraine "in a timeframe that is relevant for" Ukraine's stalled counteroffensive, highlighting the matter's urgency in the Pentagon's eyes.'Alarming' EscalationGrigory Karasin, the head of the foreign affairs committee in the Russian Senate, warned that the delivery of cluster munitions to Kiev marks another major escalation of the Ukrainian crisis.Crimean Senator Sergei Tsekov told Sputnik the indiscriminate use of cluster munitions by Ukraine would threaten widespread casualties among civilians.Highly Lethal Terror WeaponCluster bombs are an extremely lethal weapon containing dozens or hundreds of explosive submunitions, or bomblets, and are designed to maximize damage to enemy forces across an area up to several hundred square meters.Media first reported on Kiev's intention to lobby to receive US-made MK-20 cluster munitions in March.Russian UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia warned this week that the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine would constitute "another step toward escalating" the Ukrainian crisis.Military experts and human rights groups have expressed fears about Ukrainian forces using US-provided cluster bombs to terror bomb civilians in the Donbass and elsewhere, as they have already done using other NATO-provided weapons, such as long-range 155 mm artillery systems, HIMARS rockets, and missiles, on tens of thousands of occasions over the past year and a half.In May, the Joint Center for Control and Coordination watchdog calculated that Ukrainian shelling in the Donbass had killed some 4,527 civilians and injured 4,431 others between February 2022 and May 10, 2023, with more than 100 of the fatalities caused by Ukraine's indiscriminate use of air-dropped scatterable anti-personnel landmines in civilian areas.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230307/lethal-bomblets-what-are-cluster-munitions-and-why-does-ukraine-want-them-1108149745.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230706/ukraine-may-use-cluster-ammo-against-civilians-as-part-of-terror-tactics-1111703767.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/us-violating-flight-safety-rules-in-syria-pentagons-claims-go-beyond-decency---antonov-1111712106.html

US Violating Flight Safety Rules in Syria, Pentagon's Claims Go 'Beyond Decency' - Antonov

US Violating Flight Safety Rules in Syria, Pentagon's Claims Go 'Beyond Decency' - Antonov

Pentagon's statements about Russia's military personnel obstructing Washington's efforts to combat terrorism in Syria go "beyond the bounds of decency" as the US military violates flight safety rules in the Syrian air space daily, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said Thursday.

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Pentagon's statements about Russia's military personnel obstructing Washington's efforts to combat terrorism in Syria go "beyond the bounds of decency" as the US military violates flight safety rules in the Syrian air space daily, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said Thursday. The ambassador noted that the US military personnel, unlike Russia's forces, "are deployed in the Arab Republic contrary to international law," adding that "in essence, they occupy the specific regions, masking their actions with the necessity to carry out counter-terrorism tasks." "The United States policy on Syria is undoubtedly deeply disruptive. Not only does it hinder the stabilization of the situation as well as restoration of the territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic, but also it has negative implications for the whole Middle East," the ambassador said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230615/us-sends-f-22s-to-mideast-to-counter-russian-forces-acting-unsafely-in-syria-1111194835.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230707/zelensky-says-ukraines-offensive-complicated-by-russian-advantage-in-long-range-weapons-1111723605.html

Zelensky Says Ukraine's Offensive Complicated by Russian Advantage in Long-Range Weapons

Zelensky Says Ukraine's Offensive Complicated by Russian Advantage in Long-Range Weapons

Russia has an advantage in long-range weapons, which makes it difficult for Ukrainian troops to approach Russian forces and advance during its counteroffensive, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.

2023-07-07T12:28+0000

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2023-07-07T12:28+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

volodymyr zelensky

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kiev

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"Without long-range weapons, it is not only difficult to conduct an offensive mission, it is difficult to conduct a defense operation. You're defending your land and you can't reach the appropriate distance to destroy the enemy. The enemy has a long-range advantage," Zelenskyy told a press conference following his meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The Ukrainian president added that he was negotiating with the United States so that it would provide such weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine's much-touted counteroffensive kicked off in early June after months of delays over a lack of military supplies from Western donors. The Russian Defense Ministry said Ukrainian troops kept trying but were failing to advance. A number of Western media also noted the weak results of Kiev's counteroffensive, while Zelensky himself admitted that progress was "slower than desired."

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After being rescheduled from the June 30 cancellation, two divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Leg 2 for three-year-old trotting fillies were contested at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (July 6) evening and the winner's share of the $103,100 purse for each race went to Righteous Resolve and Muscling Vegas.

Righteous Resolve (Resolve - Motown Muscle) made her 2023 debut and OSS Gold debut a winning one with a new career mark.

James MacDonald was in the bike as the pair went to the gate as the bettors' choice from post two in the field of nine. Righteous Resolve got away fifth off the car and continued on the rail through the quarter in :26.4 and half in :55.3 before following Stonebridge Bravo (Dagfin Henriksen) on a second-over trip through the three-quarters in 1:23.4. In a sprint down the stretch, Righteous Resolve powered on the outside to a half-length achievement in 1:53. Baroness Hill (Doug McNair) took second and Stonebridge Bravo rounded out the top three.

James is a pro. He knows how to campaign the horse and take care of them if you can, said trainer Matt Bax. There were hot fractions early and he was smart enough to take it easy. Hes maybe got some ice water in his veins where he can sit chilly back there, I was sweating though.

Righteous Resolve is a career winner of $675,254 with a record of 9-1-1 in 11 starts. Bax trains the three-year-old filly for Bet Max Stables Inc. and Benenati Inc.

Muscling Vegas (Muscle Mass - Vegas Virgin) was picked by the betting public for third, but the sophomore filly overpowered her field from post six on a gate-to-wire trip to win in a career best.

Paul MacDonell left out of the gate with Muscling Vegas, taking the lead and never looking back as they set the tempo through fractions in :27.2, :56.2 and 1:24.3. She did not stop there as she continued to surge forward in the stretch to take the victory by 3-3/4 lengths in 1:53.1. Wedding Dancer (Doug McNair) followed the pocket trip to second and Enola (Tyler Borth) finished third. Muscling Vegas paid $15.80 to win.

She can make a driver look pretty good. Shes push button at all times. Shes so smart and shes just a pleasure to have in the barn," said MacDonell. "Her honesty is going to take her so far. She wants to trot. She wants to give you what she has every night and you cant ask for anymore in a racehorse than that.

MacDonell trains the winner for Chris and Michael Storms. Muscling Vegas only had one start in her freshman year, a winning one. Now, the filly has made her sophomore year a standout appearance, taking home $176,440 this season with a record of 3-4-1 in 10 starts.

On the undercard, the $25,000 Pop Up Series final was contested and Heavensdor Hanover (Jody Jamieson) completed his sweep of the series, winning by a nose in 1:54.3 for trainer Herbert Holland.

The Canam Banker (Trevor Henry; 1:57.2), Staying With Emily (Doug McNair; 1:53.2) and Valuable Miss (Trevor Henry; 1:59.2) each took victories in their respective $16,000 classes for two-year-olds.

To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
This photo captured from Kim Ou-joon's YouTube channel shows Cho Min, daughter of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, speaking during a YouTube interview. Yonhap



Cho Min, the daughter of ex-Justice Minister Cho Kuk, said Friday she is planning to drop lawsuits she filed to reverse her two alma maters' decisions revoking her admissions over academic fraud.



Last year, Korea University and Pusan National University's Graduate School of Medicine revoked her admissions, citing false academic records submitted for admission.



The decisions came after former Minister Cho and his wife and former professor Chung Kyung-sim were indicted on charges of falsifying Cho Min's academic credentials to help with her school admission.



Cho Kuk was given a two-year prison term and his wife is also serving a four-year prison sentence on charges, including forgery, connected to her daughter's admission to a medical school.



"I am planning to withdraw the ongoing lawsuits against Korea University and Pusan National University's admission revocations," Cho Min, 32, said in a post on her social media platform account.



Cho Min filed the lawsuits against the universities last year to reverse the school decisions. A regional court ruled in favor of Pusan National University in April in one of the suits, and the other suit against Korea University is currently in progress.



"Giving up everything, I am planning to go back to the starting point and start again with a clean slate," she said. "I will seriously think about my future so as to be able to contribute to society with social responsibility."



If her lawsuits are withdrawn, it will automatically finalize the revocation decisions. (Yonhap)


Alexandra Glasser, Liam Keppler and Macy Clark are the 2023 Standardbred Owners Association of New York / Yonkers Raceway John R. Brennan Scholarship Award winners.

Sandra Kaufman, Chairman of the SOA of NY John R. Brennan Scholarship Committee has announced that Alexandra Glasser is the first-place winner of the 2023 Scholarship Award in the amount of $10,000, Liam Keppler is the second-place winner in the amount of $5,000 and Macy Clark is the third-place winner in the amount of $3,000. Joseph Faraldo, President of the SOA of NY commented the award winners are the recipients of a scholarship award named after a longtime good friend, horse trainer and SOA of NY field representative, John R. Brennan.

Alexandra Glasser is currently attending Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Mathematics. Her father, David, has been an amateur driver since 1982, owned racehorses since 1983 and trained horses in 2014 and 2015.

Liam Keppler is currently attending Pennsylvania State University in University Park, Pennsylvania pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Psychology. His father, Scott, has been an amateur driver since 1983 and has owned racehorses since 1985.

Macy Clark will be attending the University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina this fall and will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science. Her father, Brian, has owned racehorses since 2016.

The annual SOA of NY / Yonkers Raceway John R. Brennan scholarships are awarded to SOA members, members of their immediate families, covered individuals (backstretch personnel) or a member of their immediate families for studies beyond the high school level. The recipient is chosen based on merit and financial need. The applicants were judged first by an independent third party to produce the top five candidates. Then the Scholarship Committee selected the top three winners from the five finalists. Personal information from all the candidates was redacted when presented to the independent party and the Scholarship Committee to assure a blind judging process.

(SOANY)
Ron Burke has had a limited amount of time to get to know Gung Ho, but the trainer is enthusiastic about the recent addition to his stable.

A three-year-old male pacer, Gung Ho joined the Burke Brigade on June 18, a day after the horses third-place finish in the consolation event for the North America Cup. Three weeks later, the colt makes his debut for his new connections as Burkes lone starter in Saturdays eliminations for the Meadowlands Pace at The Meadowlands.

Gung Ho, a son of Captaintreacherous-Silky, heads to the race with 11 top-three finishes in 18 career starts, including two wins, and $102,446 in earnings. Previously trained by Amanda Fine, he was third behind Dan Patch and OBrien award-winning Stockade Seelster and Moment Is Here in a division of the Somebeachsomewhere Stakes earlier this year. In 2022, he was second in a division of the Bluegrass, sandwiched between winner Handlelikeaporsche and Its My Show.

Hes a great-looking horse, Burke said about Gung Ho, who had been purchased for $120,000 at the 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and counts three Grand Circuit winners (Malicious, Ms Malicious and Captain Malicious) and a Breeders Crown runner-up (Beach Body) among his siblings.

We thought we could add another horse or two to our group of three-year-olds, and hes got a full stakes schedule. I trained him and we really liked him. Like, really liked him. He trained as good as any horse Ive trained in a long time.

Gung Ho is in the second of Saturdays (July 8) two $50,000 Meadowlands Pace eliminations for sophomore pacers. The eight-horse field includes North America Cup runner-up Confederate, who is the 5-2 morning-line favourite, as well as Stockade Seelster at 3-1 and Christchurch at 7-2.

Yannick Gingras will drive Gung Ho, who is 10-1, from post four.

The top-five finishers from each elimination advance to the Meadowlands Pace final on July 15 at the Big M.

Im really happy with him, said Burke, who trains Gung Ho for owners Burke Racing Stable, M1 Stable, Elizabeth Jones and Beasty LLC. Im sure he will be better if he makes the final, but hell be good enough, Im hoping, to make the final and give us one more week. I trained him pretty good, so Im guessing hell be tight enough.

He seems very fast and has a perfect mouth. Really, he trained like a perfect horse. I couldnt have asked for anything better with him.

New Jersey Sire Stakes champion Voukefalas is the 2-1 favourite in the first Meadowlands Pace elimination, followed by NA Cup third-place finisher Fulton at 5-2. Cannibal, who is unbeaten in three races this season, is 3-1.

In addition to the Pace eliminations, the Meadowlands hosts Graduate Series finals for four-year-old trotters and pacers. Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EDT). Free TrackMaster past performances for the Big M can be found on the Meadowlands website.

(USTA)
A 67-year-old Lincoln man who previously served time for sexually assaulting a child in Missouri has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for possessing child pornography.

A jury found John Wade Burton guilty in February, despite Burton's contention that his 89-year-old father, who died in 2021, was responsible.

At Friday's sentencing, Senior United States District Court Judge Gerrard sentenced Burton to the prison time and ordered him to pay $21,000 in restitution.

"The jury did not believe you, and neither do I," the judge said.

U.S. Attorney Steven Russell said the investigation started with a tip to the FBI from a foreign law enforcement agency about an IP address in the U.S. accessing a couple of child pornography websites on The Onion Router (TOR) network.

The tip traced back to Burtons home in Lincoln.

The FBI served a search warrant there on Nov. 17, 2020, and discovered more than 200 videos and 1,800 images depicting child pornography on electronic devices found in Burtons bedroom, basement, and a hard drive in the garage.

Burton told an FBI agent he used a program, which is designed to access the TOR network without leaving evidence on the computer, at least 100 times between February 2018 and November 2020.

At the time, Burton still was on parole on a conviction in Missouri for having sexually assaulted a child younger than 14, a crime for which he served 11 years in prison until his release in 2018.

At the time his home was searched, Burton lived with his then 89-year-old father.

At trial, the defense contended that he had access to Burton's electronic devices.

However, Russell said, the metadata on most of the devices showed that the child pornography files were created or modified either before Burton went into custody in Missouri or after his release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

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A stillborn baby that had been disposed of in a river in Norfolk almost 20 years ago has been identified.

In a news release Wednesday, Norfolk Police said that on June 17, 2004, they were called to the North Fork of the Elkhorn River in the 200 block of North First Street.

When they arrived, they found the body of a baby boy in the river, the release said.

At the time, an autopsy attempting to determine whether the baby was alive prior to being discovered was inconclusive. A follow-up investigation to reveal the mother's identity also came up short.

During the investigation, a DNA sample collected from the baby was compared to several individuals but did not successfully identify anyone. A second sample and a DNA profile were kept for follow-up investigations, according to the release.

Police said they identified the possible mother this year after they had partnered with the University of Nebraska Medical Center DNA lab in March  along with United Data Connect, a genetic genealogy service  which conducted an investigative genealogy process.

After a DNA sample from the mother was collected, her identity was confirmed.

The mother told police that she was a juvenile at the time of the birth, which occurred at home, and that the baby was stillborn.

Police said that a second person aware of the circumstances was also identified and interviewed, and confirmed the pregnancy and stillborn baby.

Norfolk police said in the release that the statute of limitations for any potential crime committed has passed, and there is insufficient evidence for any other prosecution.

They said they will continue to investigate and review any new information in the case, as well as the paternal connections to the baby.

Nebraska in the Guinness Book of World Records Largest car bumper sticker collection The largest collection of car bumper stickers is owned by Bill Heermann of Lincoln, who has collected 4,131 since 1984. Bill began his bumper sticker collection in 1984 when he was in the eighth grade. Bill was on his way to Eagle Scouts when he was handed a number of stickers from passers-by. He was hooked on collecting from that point forward. Longest line of tacos Largest glazed geodesic dome and indoor desert Record-setting American flag On May 27, 2017, Omaha Westside graduate John Lang led a group of hundreds of volunteers in building a gigantic flag that broke a Guinness Book record. The 60-foot by 30-foot flag was made from MegaConstrux bricks. At 1,813.52 square feet, it broke the previous record of 1,687.78 by 125.74 square feet. Largest collection of 'The Muppets' memorabilia Largest nocturnal zoo exhibit Largest rail freight yard Longest marathon square dance calling Dale F Muehlmeier called for 28 hours for the American Cancer Society at a Wal-Mart parking lot in Norfolk in May 2000.
LINCOLN  Bolstered by an $800,000 contribution from a national donor, organizers behind a petition to repeal a law providing tax credits for donations to private and parochial school scholarship funds have raised more than $1.1 million.

Support our Schools Nebraska launched a campaign in early June intending to put the repeal of Legislative Bill 753 on the 2024 ballot. To make it on the ballot, the petition must gather just over 60,000 authorized signatures of registered voters within 90 days of the end of this years legislative session.

Since its launch, the campaign has raised more than $1.1 million, according to the latest filings with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission (NADC). Just under $400,000 has been spent so far, giving the campaign roughly $700,000 still to work with.

Of that $1.1 million, $800,000 comes from a single donation from the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the U.S., representing public school employees.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of the Omaha area, who introduced LB 753, took issue with this contribution, saying that Nebraskans wouldnt appreciate national sources trying to tell them what to think on this issue. She noted that the National Education Association also supported school closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A campaign Linehan backs urging Nebraskans not to sign the petition  Keep Kids First  is almost entirely funded by another national group, the American Federation For Children. Of the $504,000 in donations the campaign reported in its latest NADC filing, $494,000 came from the group.

Other significant contributors to the Support our Schools petition includes over $260,000 from the Nebraska State Education Association (NSEA), and more than $54,000 from the OpenSky Policy Institute  both notable backers of the campaign.

In addition, more than $7,300 came from individual donations of $250 or less. A campaign press release said 478 people have contributed to the effort.

Our members have been overwhelmingly supportive of this petition, Support Our Schools Nebraska sponsor and NSEA President Jenni Benson said in the release. They know the importance of keeping public dollars for public schools.

Despite needing just over 60,000 signatures to qualify, the campaign set a goal of gathering 90,000 signatures by the deadline. The Nebraska Secretary of States Office, which reviews the signatures, typically doesnt accept a significant portion of them.

Benson said the campaign has made great progress toward this goal. Members have organized 250 signing events and continue to plan more.

LB 753 will provide tax credits for individuals and entities making donations to scholarship funds intended to help students attend private and parochial schools. Under the bill, $25 million will be available for credits in 2024, with the same amount available for the next two years. After that, the limit for credits will grow to a maximum of $100 million per year.

Individuals and businesses could not receive more than $100,000 in annual credits, while estates and trusts would be capped at $1 million per year.

LB 753 supporters commonly argue that the bill is necessary to allow families  particularly those of lower income  to have a range of educational opportunities to best suit their childrens needs.

Linehan tried to pass similar measures in the Legislature for the past five years, to no avail. Public school teachers have opposed such proposals, arguing that they deplete funding for public education and will primarily benefit Nebraskas wealthiest residents.

Linehan has strongly pushed back against these claims, noting that lawmakers also approved increases to state funding for public schools in the same session that passed LB 753.

Nebraskans use common sense, Linehan said. They can count.

Best private high schools in Nebraska Best private high schools in Nebraska #30. Norfolk Catholic School #29. Lutheran High School Northeast #28. Archbishop Bergan Catholic School #27. Heartland Lutheran High School #26. Omaha Christian Academy #25. Kearney Catholic High School #24. Guardian Angels Central Catholic High School #23. Concordia Junior/Senior High School #22. Sacred Heart School #21. Scotus Central Catholic High School #20. St. Francis Schools #19. Lourdes Central Catholic School #18. Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School #17. Parkview Christian Schools #16. Cornerstone Christian School #15. St. Cecilia High School #14. Roncalli Catholic High School #13. Gross Catholic High School #12. Nebraska Christian Schools #11. V.J. & Angela Skutt Catholic High School #10. Grand Island Central Catholic School #9. Lincoln Christian School #8. Mercy High School #7. Pius X High School #6. Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School #5. Creighton Preparatory School #4. Marian High School #3. Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart #2. Mount Michael Benedictine High School #1. Brownell Talbot College Preparatory School
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By Lee Hae-rin



North Jeolla Province will positively consider a recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) to include foreign residents as recipients of state-funded emergency relief checks, the human rights watchdog said, Friday.



According to the NHRCK, in July 2021 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government provided financial assistance to Korean nationals registered as residents of the province and foreign nationals who have permanent residency (F-5) or marriage migrant (F-6) visas based on its ordinance on emergency relief funds.



In response, the local advocacy group Green Jeonbuk filed a petition to the NHRCK that it is discriminatory against other foreign nationals who do not have an F-5 or F-6 visa but live, work and pay taxes to be excluded from the pandemic relief policy.



The rights agency urged the provincial government to revise the ordinance and include a wider range of the foreign population in its plan to lessen economic fallout in the event of future pandemics or emergencies.



Under the Immigration Act, foreign residents are those who have registered with the head of the regional immigration service within 90 days from the date of entry and have an address in the region.



In May 2020, the NHRCK made a similar recommendation to the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Gyeonggi Provincial Government. Seoul accepted the recommendation, while Gyeonggi Province refused to embrace it, citing the increased financial burden.



Across Korea, local government policies vary in terms of which foreign nationals qualify for assistance. Of the 54 local governments with ordinances listed on the Korean Law Information Center, several including Gwangju, Bucheon and Anseong of Gyeonggi Province and Suncheon of South Jeolla Province include all registered foreign residents in their relief programs.



However, other regions restrict this support to Korean nationals and those whose need for relief funds is acknowledged by local governors.



"There should not be any discrimination in emergency relief funds because all residents  regardless of nationality  go through difficult times under such circumstances," an NHRCK officer in charge of the inquiry told The Korea Times, Friday.



"It could be too late if such an amendment is made after the next emergency occurs. It is recommended that local governments prepare in advance to provide timely relief funds to foreign residents in need."


Psilocybin mushrooms, ecstasy pills and marijuana were seized from a vehicle on June 30, said Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell.

Willie Darnell Burns, 36, of Charlotte, is charged with several felonies including trafficking in MDMA by possession, trafficking MDMA by transportation, possession with intent to sell or deliver MDMA, possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell/deliver Schedule I, maintaining a vehicle to keep or sell controlled substance and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was also charged with the following misdemeanors: carrying a concealed weapon, possession of Schedule II and possession of drug paraphernalia. A magistrate set bond at $400,000.

Campbell, in a news release, said deputies stopped an Infiniti M37 sedan on Interstate 77 near Turnersburg Highway.

Campbell said deputies smelled the odor of marijuana from the vehicle while speaking with Burns.

A search of the vehicle revealed 86 grams of MDMA (ecstasy pills), more than 92 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 75 grams of marijuana, two dosage units of oxycodone, digital scales and bags commonly used to package illegal drugs for sale, Campbell said. Deputies also found a Glock 10mm pistol concealed in the vehicle, he said.

A search of Burns criminal history revealed hed been convicted of felony charges which prohibited him from processing a firearm, Campbell said.
Davis and Lake Norman Regional Medical Centers have named Alec Grabowski network chief executive officer effective July 9. Grabowski was promoted from network COO, a position he has held at the hospitals since December 2022. He succeeds Matthew Littlejohn, who recently announced his transition to the position of CEO at a hospital in his hometown of Columbia, S.C.

Grabowski joined the network of hospitals from Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center, a 365-bed hospital located in Montclair, N.J., where he served as chief operating officer. During his tenure, he had administrative oversight for service line development, hospital operations, strategy and growth.

Grabowski received his bachelors degree in business administration from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Ga. He received both his masters degree in business administration and his masters degree in health care administration from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga.

Grabowski is a member of the American Colleges of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and serves as a member of JESPY, a nonprofit organization that enables adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to achieve their full potential and lead independent lives.

Residing in Mooresville, Grabowski and his family enjoy being involved in the community.
The high casualty rates in Russian combat units has led to increasing protests from wives and mothers of men conscripted or mobilized (persuaded or forced to join) into the army. The government quickly outlawed publication of casualty statistics. The ban applied to the conventional media as well as the growing number of news outlets on the Internet. The Internet is notoriously difficult to censor, especially when it comes to very emotional issues like husbands, sons and brothers going, willingly or unwillingly, into the military during war time. This is especially true during wars with very high casualty rates. Such was the case for Russians during the two World Wars. After 1945 Russia managed to avoid major wars for more than three decades. That changed when the Soviet Union leaders ignored warnings from the military and ordered an invasion of Afghanistan. That led to unprecedented public protests from the families of soldiers killed and later families of soldiers in Afghanistan. For the first time in Russian history, the military made an effort to return the bodies of soldiers killed in battle. Because the bodies were decaying, zinc-lined wooden coffins were used. Returning the bodies to their families did not reduce the protests and soon wives and mothers were openly conducting zinc coffin protests. The public protests contributed to the Russian withdrawal from Afghanistan and the collapse of the Soviet Union a few years later. Thirty years later its happening all over again. The government still has no way to halt the protests and the widespread availability of the Internet, especially on cell phones, makes the protests more visible and immediate these days. The government has discovered that such protests interfere with its recruiting efforts. The old lies and false promises no longer work. The military is still getting new troops, but not as many or as quickly as they want. The new recruits are more aware of poor preparation (training and equipment) and combat leadership that is common in Ukraine. All this led to severe morale problems.

The February 2022 invasion of Ukraine is revealing to the rest of the world problems the Russian military has suffered from for over a century. Its all about conscription and, since 1917, the Russian government not trusting their troops and Russians now going to extremes to avoid being conscripted. This widespread opposition to peacetime conscription was unique to Russia. Other European nations adopted conscription as early as the 1800s, but none had as much popular dislike of conscription and some very real reasons to avoid conscript service.

Even the United States, which rarely used peacetime conscription, had it during peacetime for about twenty-nine years between 1940-41, and 1946-73.

Americans tolerated conscription in wartime as long as all young men were subject to it. During the Civil War it was possible for families with money to pay a relatively large sum to keep their sons out of uniform. This led to violence in many areas. By 1940, when peacetime conscription was once more used, there were no problems with selectivity. The who should serve problem returned in the 1960s. This is often attributed to the unpopular Vietnam War (1965-72) but conscription was also unpopular during the earlier (1950-53) Korean War. Both wars were unpopular with most Americans because the United States was not threatened with attack, unlike the two World Wars. In Korea the government used reservists as much as possible and kept the war from escalating, so few conscripts were sent into battle. The 1960s was different because the large Baby Boom generation, of children born after World War II, were reaching 18 in large numbers throughout the decade and even without a war in Vietnam, there would have been growing popular support for eliminating conscription because there were far more young men available for conscription than the military needed. Even with the Vietnam War, by 1970 politicians had to heed demands for an end to peacetime conscription and that was done by 1973. Britain, alone among European nations, also had a tradition of avoiding peacetime conscription. Britain had conscription during World War I but dropped it in 1920. Conscription returned in World War II but despite the Cold War, Britain ended conscription in 1960.

When the Cold War ended unexpectedly in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union, European voters began demanding an end to conscription. That happened throughout Europe during the 1990s, but was reversed after 2014 when a much-reduced Russian military again became a threat. This was a different threat because post-Soviet Russia had a military one fifth the size of the Cold War Soviet forces and most of the troops were very reluctant conscripts who only had to serve one year. Even that was worth a large bribe, if your family could afford it, to buy an exemption. One of the many causes of the Soviet Union collapsing was increasing public protests against Russian conscripts being killed in an unpopular eight-year war in Afghanistan. Some 15,000 Russian died in Afghanistan, most of them conscripts. There were unprecedented public protests by parents who had lost sons as well as parents who did not want their conscripted sons sent there.

In the 1990s there were more protests, this time by Russian voters in a democratic Russia that sent thousands of conscripts into the Caucasus to put down a Chechen uprising. Many conscripts were killed and Russian leaders finally remembered that they lowered their losses in Afghanistan by depending more on commandos and airborne troops, who were all volunteers. Some of those volunteers were conscripts who felt up to the challenge of being a spetsnaz commando or paratrooper, and the Afghans feared these troops. By 2014 Russian leaders realized that getting conscripts killed in combat outside of Russia was not worth the political trouble and formed all-volunteer combat units that were only about ten percent of the military, though that was but one of many problems that still existed in the Russian military.

Since the 1990s Russia has been trying, without much success, to address these many problems. For example, since 2019 the Russian Army has once more tried other approaches to create enough sergeants to match Western success with the NCO (non-commissioned officer) form of troop leadership. The 2019 effort was an experiment with the use of a senior sergeant (starshina or sergeant major) similar to those that have long existed in Western armies, and Russian forces until World War I. This was the latest post-1991 attempt to revive the authority and respect NCOs had in the Russian army until the early 1920s. In theory, Russia reintroduced NCO (sergeant) ranks in 2011 but that system was never accepted or able to sustain itself. The 2019 plan took place in only one of the five military districts. It involved selecting 370 soldiers who met high standards for special training and encouraged enough to become effective NCOs willing to make a career of being an NCO. This was supposed to provide enough competent NCOs who could select and train other young soldiers to be NCOs. The starshina effort was only partially successful because only troops in the elite spetsnaz and airborne units provided satisfactory career opportunities for veteran NCOs. The rest of the military was rather less appealing, or even accepting.

China took a different approach under similar circumstances. Initially, in the 1940s, the Chinese used the old Soviet (communist era) rank system but still kept some lower NCO ranks and a tradition of career NCOs. As a result, China never lost its old school tradition of sergeants. In 2009 China switched over to the Western system with nine enlisted soldier ranks. Six of those ranks were for NCOs with the top one being sergeant major. China has been successful with this system and Russia has not.

Until World War I the old czarist army had an impressive number of effective NCOs. In part, this was because the czarist era conscription took in young men, who were not volunteers, for twenty years. This enabled most young men to avoid military duty altogether. The ablest of the conscripts could become senior NCOs, and these sergeants were respected and received good (by Russian standards then) post-service benefits. During World War II Russia produced many effective NCOs because universal wartime conscription brought in a true cross-section of the adult male population (this was also true of the U.S. Army in WWII), near-universal combat experience among the Red Army, and lack of time to train outstanding troops as officers. But right after both World Wars Russia got rid of these experienced sergeants by offering officer ranks for those who wanted to stay in the military and thereby eliminated the experienced wartime NCOs.

After 1991 and the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia noted their post-World War II experience and the Chinese system. In 2011, after over a decade of false starts and failure, the Russian Army believed it had a workable plan to create an efficient NCO force. That first effort did not work, despite the fact that for most of the last century, the peacetime Russian Army has been a mess, and the main reason has been the lack of NCOs. Conscription has been a contributing factor, as too many troops were just there for two or three years, and left just as some were becoming useful and capable of being a career NCO. The 2011 plan tried to take advantage of this by offering selected conscripts a competitive (with civilian jobs) wage if they agreed to continued service, with the option of promotion to better paying NCOs rank. There were many volunteers, or "contract" ("kontrakti" in Russian) soldiers, and those deemed NCO material were sent to special NCO schools. Russian officers examined such methods in Western armies and adopted the Western techniques they believed would work in Russia.

The army generals also accepted the fact that Western NCOs come in many different flavors. Most of these NCOs are just technical specialists, while a smaller number are supervisors and leaders. Russia accepts that NCOs must be trained to be able to take over command if all the officers are killed or disabled. This actually happened during World War II, but that made Communist Party leaders nervous. They noted that during the communist revolution in 1917, many of the rebel leaders had been NCOs in the Czarist army. The communists also noted that this was not the first time this had happened. It had occurred several times in the last two centuries, most notably during the French revolution of the 1790s. For monarchists and despots of all flavors, NCOs were and are a flaw, not a feature, of an effective peacetime military. That decision was a long-term failure because the NCOs are essential for knowing what is going on with the troops (morale, skills, loyalty and so on) and are sensitive to any changes. Officers can rarely do that even though, on paper, Russian junior officers are supposed to take care of this. Trying to use lieutenants in place as older and more experienced sergeants missed the point that the key NCOs are the older ones, with a decade or more in service. These are the platoon sergeants and company first sergeants, as well as key members of headquarters staffs. After all, who do you think trains the new officers and enlisted soldiers joining these organizations? Same with teams of technical personnel. The most obvious example is the team of maintainers who look after aircraft and helicopters and are supervised by an NCO crew chief, who is the guy the pilot talks to before taking off and after returning.

After World War II, the ratio of officers to troops was expanded in the Russian military and professional NCOs practically disappeared. With that, morale plummeted and discipline disintegrated. The dismal effects of this policy were obvious whenever Russian troops came under fire, as in Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968) and Afghanistan in the 1980s. But the problems were ignored. Russian leaders continued to believe that "quantity had a quality all its own." It does, but with the rise of the machines, it no longer works with poorly trained and led armies. It definitely does not work when parents can vote and publicly protest abuse of conscripts or the continued use of conscription.

Since the 1980s Russia also had a declining birth rate to contend with, which meant there were fewer and fewer young men to recruit. The end of the Soviet police state made it easier to evade conscription, which most potential conscripts did and still do, but in even greater numbers. Russia can no longer rely on quantity or make up for a lack of quality. The 2011 Russian plan failed because not enough young men (or women) were interested in joining the army as anything but an officer.

Russia has tried to avoid going with an all-volunteer force, as most other European nations have done. Partly it was a lack of money and partly a reluctance to do away with the tradition of conscription. Because of the lack of NCOs, conscripts have had an awful time for decades, and this has become a source of popular and legendary discontent about military service. The Soviet government managed to suppress popular unrest over this. But even before the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, fathers, and grandfathers, and especially their wives, were no longer quietly enduring this mess, and the abuse their sons were exposed to. The 2011 plan was to simultaneously eliminate the hazing of new recruits while flooding the army with competent NCOs. The latter was the real cure for the hazing, as NCOs spend a lot more time in the barracks, and with the troops. A competent NCO can sort out problems in the barracks. In the West, they do it all the time. It is one of their primary functions. Even with Russian conscription now one year for most soldiers, there is still the hazing of new conscripts by those who have been in a few months. Eliminating this debilitating hazing has proved much more difficult than anyone anticipated.

The 2011 reforms failed in part because Russian conscripts only serve 12 months, hardly enough time to turn young civilians into anything militarily useful. Most of the kontrakti were trained in the old army and easily slipped into the old bad habits like hazing and bullying younger troops, even fellow kontrakti. The new, trained, NCOs arrived slowly and found themselves in an uphill battle against "tradition." Many of these new NCOs reacted by not renewing their contracts and leaving. Change does not come easily in the Russian army. But if the Russians are ever to have a capable military, they have to create credible platoon and 1st Sergeants as well as Sergeants Major. An experiment in the Southern Military District was another new approach that worked better than earlier efforts, but was not successful enough to be considered a major sign of progress.

Russia was reminded of these problems after 2014 when they sent troops, in unmarked uniforms, into eastern Ukraine (Donbas). There the fighting continued and local forces, paid like kontrakti, were inadequate to the task and many were simply quitting and leaving Russian-controlled areas of Donbas. Russia thought they could send some conscripts into Donbas as support troops. Some of these men were killed and a few captured by Ukrainian forces. The Russian conscripts complained that they were deceived and not told they were going into a combat zone, although the unmarked uniforms were rather suspicious. Russia outlawed public discussion of military casualties but this did not stop the bad news from circulating via the Internet and social media. Currently Russia is arresting thousands of civilians protesting the war in Ukraine. The army initially did send units with conscripts into Ukraine to handle transportation and distribution of supply as well as for policing parts of the Ukraine that it believed would soon be free of Ukrainian resistance. This caused no end of trouble, embarrassing casualties and protests.

Since 2015 Ukraine has organized, trained and armed thousands of volunteers as local defense forces. Weapons were stockpiled for distribution to volunteers if the Russians invaded. The Russians came in 2022 and the local volunteers made Russian travel through many liberated areas dangerous. The volunteers shoot at any armed Russians, be they conscripts or kontrakti. In some cases, the Russian combat units were told to just bypass this unexpected resistance and let units full of armed and capable conscripts take care of it. Old traditions die hard in Russia.
The military government recently appointed a new Minister of Mines after the previous one resigned because recent cuts in electrical power caused popular unrest and complaints from Malis important gold mining companies that they could not maintain current production levels because there was less electricity available. The government then cut electricity supplies for the general population in order to keep the mines operating at full capacity. Mali currently produces over 50 tons of gold a year, which makes it the third largest gold producer in Africa. Not included is the small but growing quantity of gold extracted illegally by individuals and small groups. Growing poverty in Mali has caused more men to join this effort. The gold is used to buy essential good that were previously supplied by foreign aid.

Gold is also used to pay the Russian Wagner Group mercenaries that were hired by the Mali military government in 2021 to train Mali troops, especially in the use of weapons purchased from Russia. The supply of Russian weapons, and Wagner mercenaries was disrupted in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine and heavy sanctions were imposed on Russia by NATO countries. African countries didnt care what Russia was doing in Ukraine but did care about their disrupted weapons supply line from Russia.

There are about a thousand Wagner personnel in Mali and the Mali military government has no problem paying the mercenaries or for weapons purchased from Russia. Mali is a major producer of gold and the Russians will take payment in gold. Russia maintains a huge gold stockpile (about 2,300 tons), the fifth largest in the world. The Russian gold is an emergency fund that is now being tapped to pay for military operations in Ukraine.

The military government in Mali hoped that hiring Russian Wagner Group mercenaries would enable Mali to maintain control of northern and central Mali. These two regions have been under growing attack by Islamic terror groups but the Russians made it worse. The Mali military government is running out of people to blame for the mess they got themselves into. The problems began when the military government ordered the independent French Barkhane counter-terrorism force out of Mali by the end of 2021. Since then, Mali threatened to force the 15,000 UN peacekeepers out of the country unless the UN agreed to give the Mali military government control over what the peacekeepers can do. The UN and AU nations supplying the peacekeepers refused. The government is particularly angry at the way the peacekeepers report on atrocities committed by Mali security forces as well as the Russian Wagner Group military contractors. Brutality and incompetence by the military is what triggered a 2011 rebellion in the north and it was France that restored government control in the north. Mali then held elections and restored democratic government. The new reform government quickly proved to be as corrupt as previous ones and there followed two more military governments. The current one staged a coup against the previous military government. That is another example of how dysfunctional Mali governments are.

The government forced the French and G5 peacekeepers out by the end of 2021. Mali wanted to keep the 13,500 UN peacekeepers that maintains government control over the rebellious north. These peacekeepers are supplied by AU (African Union) nations and some of the African nations supplying these peacekeepers are withdrawing that support. A few percent of the peacekeeping force consists of troops from NATO nations that supply specialized services, especially transport helicopters and other services. People in areas where the peacekeepers are stationed warn that the security situation will deteriorate once the peacekeepers depart because the military government has not got the ability to maintain local security. Thats going to hurt the economy and cause more residents to flee the country. This is how corruption often ruins the local economy. Then again, elected officials were often corrupt. The pattern is that too many corrupt elected officials leads to rebellion or, more likely, a coup by the military, who tend to be no more effective than the people they replaced.

There was growing opposition among UN members for maintaining the expensive peacekeeper force, which is the most dangerous the UN is currently involved with. The Mali peacekeeping operation costs about half a billion dollars a month and that is about the only foreign aid Mali gets now that the military government is in control. Most foreign aid was halted because the government was stealing so much of the aid. It is difficult to steal any of the money spent on peacekeepers but the government seems to be trying to do just that.

Once the UN voted to maintain the Mali peacekeeping force for another year, the military government began harassing the peacekeepers and threatening to expel all of them. The peacekeepers serve on contracts (with the UN) for varying periods usually between two and six months. The withdrawal of the peacekeepers began on July 1st and will be completed by the end of 2023.

While the military government feuds with the UN, the Islamic terror groups continue advancing south towards the capital, which is near the southern border and Guinea, which provides access to the sea. In the southwest is Burkina Faso, which also has a military government and growing problems with Islamic terrorists.

Without the French-led counterterrorism effort in Mali, the Islamic terrorists are expanding the territory they control while terrorizing civilians and killing soldiers and peacekeepers. The Islamic terrorists are also fighting each other. The larger Islamic terror group, an al Qaeda coalition called JNIM (Jamaah Nusrah al Islam wal Muslimin, or Group for the support of Islam and Moslems), is gaining control over more of Mali and even making more frequent attacks near the capital of Bamako down south.

In the north, ISGS (Islamic States in Greater Sahara) Islamic terrorists near the Niger border have taken advantage of the departure of French counterterrorism forces in 2021 by seizing and holding territory in Mali. This began with more attacks on the Niger border. The departing French and G5 counter-terrorism forces had kept the Islamic terrorists out of Mali. The Mali army and a small number of Russian (Wagner Group) military contractors have been unable, or unwilling, to carry on with that effort or prevent the Islamic terror groups from crossing the border and advancing into Mali. ISGS is one of the two ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) groups in the region. When they showed up in 2018, ISGS operated mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, especially the area where the three borders meet.

Since late 2022 ISGS have been working to take control of the border between Mali and Niger. Mali responded with soldiers and a handful of Wagner Group mercenaries but that was unsuccessful. After that Mali did nothing about the situation as its security forces and the UN peacekeepers were needed elsewhere. The Niger government was also unable to respond and sought to negotiate a deal with ISGS. Appearing in 2015 as an affiliate of ISIL and part of ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) that changed in 2021 when ISGS declared itself separate from ISWAP and declared northern Mali and some areas in Niger and Burkina Faso its future caliphate. The ISIL affiliated Islamic terrorists are far more violent than the more numerous al Qaeda. This also means casualties for the 12,000 UN peacekeepers. ISGS violence involves attacks on Islamic terror groups that refuse to take orders from ISIL.

The tri-border (Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso) area has been a terrorist hotspot since 2018 because Islamic terror groups can just cross the border to escape any effective counterterrorism efforts. For that reason, this area has been called the Menaka Region. Previously this area was just part of the larger Gao Region, centered on one of the few cities in the north. The area being fought over is near where the borders of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso meet. Menaka has become ungovernable because so many Islamic terrorists and bandits now operate here. The French counterterrorism forces regularly searched for and attacked specific Islamic terrorist targets. The Mali government underestimated how important the French forces, with their airmobile troops, UAV surveillance and ground attack aircraft were in keeping the Islamic terrorists from establishing themselves inside Mali. The current Mali military government has no clear plan for dealing with this situation and are withdrawing their counterterrorism forces south, to protect the capital and the more prosperous and populous south.

The neighbors see the reliance on Wagner Group as the main cause for more Islamic terrorists operating in Mali and spreading to neighboring countries. This includes Algeria, which has been largely Islamic terrorism free for over a decade. Now Algeria is seeing a return of Islamic terrorist activity because of the growing number of active Islamic terrorists across the border in northern Mali. Despite this, Mali does not want the French back because that makes it easier for foreigners to document the growing corruption of the military government. These corruption reports lead to more countries imposing individual sanctions on officers running the military government and profiting from the corruption. So far the strategy of the Mali military officers running the government is to abandon northern, and portions of central Mali to the Islamic terror groups. Complaints from the neighbors are ignored even though that means less foreign aid for Mali. The source of all these problems is corruption and Mali is the most corrupt and ineptly governed nation in the region. Because of that the French and AU counter-terrorism forces expelled from Mali have regrouped in neighboring countries that want protection from the growing Islamic terrorist activity in Mali. In the midst of all this, ambitious Mali politicians continue to blame all the problems on African and non-African foreigners as well as neighboring countries that cooperate with these evil foreigners and their schemes to destroy Mali. Russia is seen as a friend of Mali because Russia is one of the few countries with a veto power in the UN. This is not the same as control of the UN but does allow Russia to disrupt some UN efforts to interfere in Mali, especially criticism of the military government or publicizing the corruption and brutality of the Mali generals.

Mali has become a dangerous place for foreign journalists and local journalists that criticize the government or the Russian presence. The Islamic terrorists continue advancing south towards the capital Bamako and the nearby gold mines. Bamako contains about twelve percent of the national population and an even larger proportion of the national GDP. For over a year there has been growing Islamic terrorist activity near Bamako. Most of this is attacks on police checkpoints or ambushing police or soldiers. Some of the attackers were later discovered to be locals who were recruited by Islamic terror groups and put to work. Most (95 percent) Malians are Moslem.

June 30, 2023: The UN approved the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers and other UN personnel from Mali. The departure will begin leaving in July and all will be gone by the end of 2023. The departure of the UN personnel will also mean less foreign aid because there is no one there to verify that the aid gets to those that need it. Unmonitored aid is often stolen.

June 29, 2023: The Russian government informed Mali that it would manage the Wagner Group forces in Mali directly. The former Wagner Group leader recently tried, and failed to overthrow the Russian government.

June 27, 2023: In the northeast (near Gao) Islamic terrorists attacked several rural villages, killing 13 civilians and wounding many more. Over a hundred villagers fled as the attackers looted their homes and took farm animals. In the past the Islamic terrorists would just show up and take what they needed. Now they are using violence, which causes the civilians to flee and often not come back. There is a growing refugee problem in the north because of these violent raids. Many of the refugee camps are across the border in Niger. The attacks take place in areas where there are no soldiers. There are not enough soldiers or peacekeepers in the north to protect everyone. This is the fault of the military government, which has expelled French counter-terrorism forces and UN peacekeepers. A decade ago, this kind of violence caused the government to lose control of the north, which became a lawless no-mans land controlled by Islamic terrorists. In the past, this caused the elected government to be replaced by a military one. With the military still in control, and unable to cope with the growing violence up there, Mali is losing control of the north.

June 18, 2023: A national vote on a new constitution to replace the military government was held and the 30 percent of voters who participated approved the proposal. The new constitution is supposed to make possible a return of elected government in 2024 with another round of elections. Details of the new constitution indicate that the military will still have a lot of power. The return of elections is mainly about reviving foreign aid, which largely stopped because of the military government and expulsion of peacekeepers. Mali replaced the peacekeepers with a smaller force of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries.

June 9, 2023: In the north (near Timbuktu) a peacekeeper patrol was attacked with a roadside bomb and gunfire. One peacekeeper was killed and eight wounded or injured. The attackers were believed to be Islamic terrorists, whose activities in the north are growing more frequent.
Many women are being recruited to look after the elderly left behind by their emigrated children, according to Athr Press.

The Syrian war, which led to the migration of children from their families in search of a better life in other coutries, has resulted in the emergence of a new profession for many women: elderly caregiving. These women take on the responsibility of looking after the elderly, who have been left behind by their emigrated children, providing them with essential care and support while earning a monthly income.

Raghda, one of these elderly caregivers, shared her experience with Athr, stating, I take care of a lady whose children left during the war. I assist her in her home, ensuring her health, providing meals, and meeting her needs. Some days, I even stay overnight, while on other days, I only work in the evenings. Raghda emphasized that elderly caregiving is a rewarding job that offers her a steady income and a sense of fulfillment.

Nisreen acknowledges that although elderly caregiving is a rewarding profession, it comes with its own set of challenges. Being away from her own family is one such difficulty, especially since she works round the clock, with just one day off each week, sometimes without a weekly holiday. Moreover, the elderly require specialized care and a unique approach to dealing with them, often resembling the care given to young children.

Um Ali shares her own story, stating that life circumstances compelled her to work following her husbands passing. This profession provides her with a monthly income of at least 500,000 Syrian pounds. Um Ali explains, I take care of a lady during daylight hours, attending to her needs, cleaning the house, and cooking. She emphasizes that caring for one person is not challenging, especially when one understands their mindset and preferences.

Elderly Sitting Offices:

During a call between Athr and an office in Aleppo, the representative began by expressing interest in the health and social circumstances of the elderly individuals for whom a caregiver was requested. She stated, For a caregiver residing for 3 months, the monthly salary will be 500,000 pounds. The caregiver will work 24 hours a day, with a weekly day off. Additionally, the office charges a commission of 500,000 pounds for the contract, which covers sponsorship of the caregiver, finding a replacement if needed, and contract renewal. Similarly, for a 6-month contract, the commission is 800,000 pounds, with the same terms and conditions.

The office representative further explained, For caregiving services within a daily working time of seven hours, the contract conditions remain the same, except for a difference in the monthly wage, which amounts to a maximum of 400,000 pounds per month.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Syria said the commission repeatedly justified the unlawful and immoral actions of countries that have occupied Syrian territories, according to al-Watan.

The Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Haidar Ali Ahmed, firmly stated Syrias refusal to acknowledge the mandate of the so-called International Commission of Inquiry due to its consistent failure in carrying out its responsibilities. The commission has repeatedly disregarded or justified the unlawful and immoral actions of countries that have occupied Syrian territories, launched military attacks, and supported terrorist and separatist organizations within the region.

In Syrias statement during the interactive dialogue on the oral update of the International Commission of Inquiry on Syria, held within the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Ali Ahmed expressed no surprise that the commissions update presented today continued to exhibit bias against Syria. Such biased behaviour has been a recurring pattern throughout the commissions existence, both in its establishment and methodology over the years. Syria renews its stance of non-recognition towards the commissions mandate, as it persistently fails to provide an objective assessment of the situation in Syria, its causes, and its consequences.

Ali Ahmed highlighted that this failure is evident in the commissions approach, which consistently ignores or justifies the illegal and immoral policies of countries that have occupied parts of Syrian territory, launched military attacks, supported terrorist and separatist groups, looted Syrias natural resources, vandalized archaeological sites, imposed unlawful unilateral economic measures, and used human suffering as a bargaining chip. As a result, the commission has become an accomplice in the perpetration of these crimes.

The Permanent Representative of Syria to the United Nations Office at Geneva emphasized that the countries supporting this commission will, as usual, echo their irresponsible positions during this interactive dialogue. These positions have prolonged the suffering of Syrians, undermined their fundamental rights, and will be accompanied by speeches filled with false humanitarian allegations from countries directly involved in killing and displacing Syrians. These countries will completely disregard the principles of the Human Rights Councils work. Unfortunately, such behaviour has become predictable in discussions under this agenda item, which has turned into a theatre for a disgraceful political spectacle, even at the cost of further destruction, terror, and distortion of facts.

Ali Ahmed underscored Syrias unwavering determination to continue its efforts to liberate all its territories from terrorism and restore security, stability, and the rule of law.

Regarding the decision to establish a new politicized institution dealing with the issue of missing persons without Syrias request, approval, or support, Ali Ahmed made it clear that Syria did not participate in its formation and will not engage in its activities. The institutions establishment is aimed at interfering once again in Syrias internal affairs and exerting further pressure on its people.

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.
WOODLAND  City officials say out-of-towners visit the largest Woodland park more than residents, so they are asking for donations to help cover maintenance costs.

Signs at Horseshoe Lake Park ask visitors to voluntarily donate $5 online so Woodland residents arent left covering the maintenance bill alone, Woodland City Administrator Peter Boyce said.

The city has gathered $310 in donations at the Park Road park since officials started posting optional fee signs on May 26. No other city parks have similar signs.

Boyce said the city plans to tentatively run the program through the summer to seek voluntary donations to offset the costs of park maintenance primarily paid through the citys general fund, which comes from property and sales tax.

Of the 68 donors since May 26, only six, or about 9%, said they were from Woodland, according to city data, and donated a total of $30. The location with the most donations was Vancouver, where about 30% of all donors said they were from.

Boyce said the city determined more out-of-towners use the park than residents after a demonstration at Horseshoe Lake by a software company interested in selling a product to the city. The results prompted the discussion and placement of the temporary signs, which include a QR code to donate to the parks online.

There was no official action from the council to OK the donation signs, said Boyce, but it was discussed at a meeting.

In addition to the citys general fund, a small portion of maintenance fees are covered by renting out park facilities like the covered picnic area at Horseshoe Lake, Boyce added.

The requests for maintenance donations differs from the citys consideration of raising fees for residential developers to cover new park projects.
The Longview City Council is seeking people to join a committee to create a five-year plan to address city homelessness.

On Jan. 12, the council established a local homeless housing program and this task force, according to a city press release.

The committee's plan must align with the Washington State Department of Commerce's statewide guidelines and five-year homeless housing strategic plan, aiming to ultimately eradicate homelessness, the press release states.

The council is looking for:

Two individuals who have experienced homelessness firsthand.

One representative from the Longview Police Department.

One representative from the City Council.

One county representative.

Two to four representatives from various groups including housing authorities, civic and faith organizations, schools, community networks, human services providers, criminal justice personnel (such as prosecutors, probation officers, and jail administrators), substance abuse treatment providers, mental health care providers, emergency health care providers, businesses, real estate professionals, and at-large members of the community.

Those interested in joining can visit www.mylongview.com/506/Boards-Commissions to submit an application.

The initial review of applications is set to occur the week of Aug. 3. For more information, contact Kayce Settlemier at 360-957-8175 or kayce.settlemier@ci.longview.wa.us.
Land Minister Won Hee-ryong attends a meeting with lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party at the National Assembly, Thursday. Yonhap



Land Minister Won Hee-ryong said Thursday the government decided to scrap an expressway construction project that the main opposition political party has argued would give financial benefits to first lady Kim Keon-hee's family.



The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has raised allegations that the route of the envisioned expressway connecting Seoul and Yangpyeong, 52 kilometers east of Seoul, has been changed to eventually increase the prices of land owned by Kim's family.



"All proposed matters under this administration will be canceled, as national resources are wasted as long as the DPK's instigation stance is activated," Won told reporters after a meeting with lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party.



The DPK argues that the initial plan, first proposed in 2017 and which passed a feasibility study two years ago, was revised in May to reroute part of the expressway. The new proposal's endpoint is located near the land owned by Kim's family, according to the DPK.



The DPK has formed a task force to investigate the allegations, referring to it as an "in-laws cartel" of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The label appears to be sarcastic, as Yoon has recently made numerous references to cartels to criticize corrupt forces within and outside the government.



"I will take full responsibility," Won said, adding that he is even willing to resign from the ministerial post and retire from politics if the allegations were true.



The minister further criticized the DPK for being solely interested in gaining political advantage through fake news.



Later in the day, Yangpyeong Mayor Jeon Jin-seon expressed regret and requested the ministry withdraw the decision.



"I ask the ministry to withdraw the suspension of the project so that the people of Yangpyeong can continue to have dreams and hopes," he said during a press conference at the county office.



He also called for an end to the politicization the issue and criticized those who are causing controversy with false information while lacking knowledge of the region. (Yonhap)


iPhone 15 Pro Max to cost more than iPhone 14 Pro Max: Why?

July 7, 2023 13:24

This year, Apple will increase the price of the most expensive version of the iPhone 15, MacRumors reports, citing Haitong International Securities insider and technical analyst Jeff Pu.

Pu did not reveal the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but only said that it will be different from and higher than the iPhone 14 Pro Max. The latter was released in 2022 and costs $1,099.

Also, Pu did not talk about the reasons for the increase in the price of the iPhone 15 Pro Max. MacRumors, however, believes that this novelty will be more expensive due to its periscope lens providing 5-6 times optical zoom. According to reports, the iPhone 15 Pro will have a classic telephoto module with 3x optical zoom.

The aforesaid insider at Haitong International Securities added that mass production of all versions of the iPhone 15 will begin in August; that is, within the schedule of previous years. This means that, most likely, these new smartphones will be unveiled in September, as usual, and their deliveries to stores will begin in October.

Pu believes that by the years end, Apple will release 83 million new iPhones, most of which will be Pro and Pro Max.

Earlier it became known that Apple has postponed the production of a new version of its fourth generation budget iPhone SE smartphone for three years, until 2025. The reason for the delay is the problems related to the supply of OLED screens; Chinese company BOE, which was supposed to supply screens for the iPhone SE 4, could not meet Apple's quality requirements.
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The IAEA, whose head Rafael Grossi visited Japan this week, has endorsed the plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Plans to discharge treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant cleared their last regulatory hurdle in Japan on Friday, as China said it would ban some food imports over the move.

South Korea meanwhile said Tokyo's plan to dilute the treated water and release it into the sea over several decades met or exceeded international standards.

Some 1.33 million cubic meters of groundwater, rainwater and water used for cooling have accumulated at the Fukushima nuclear plant, where several reactors went into meltdown after the 2011 tsunami overwhelmed cooling systems.

Storage space is running out, but plans by Japan and plant operator TEPCO to release the water into the sea have run into local and regional opposition.

The UN nuclear watchdog this week said the discharge would have "negligible" effects on the environment and was in line with water releases from nuclear plants elsewhere.

Japan's government has said the water release would begin by the end of summer, and on Friday the country's Nuclear Regulation Authority said the equipment and facilities to discharge the water had passed their checks.

The Japanese government has spent months trying to win over public opinion at home and abroad, with everything from study tours of the plant to livestreamed experiments keeping marine life in the treated water.

But neither those efforts nor the International Atomic Energy Agency's endorsement, have won over Beijing, which has accused Japan of treating the Pacific like a "sewer".

China's customs authority on Friday said it would ban food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures over the release, and require stringent radiation tests on food from the rest of the country.

"China Customs will maintain a high level of vigilance," the authority said in a WeChat statement, without specifying the list of Japanese prefectures affected by the ban.

Japan's foreign ministry told AFP it was "studying" possible measures in response.

"We will continue calling for the Chinese side to discuss (the issue) based on scientific viewpoints," a ministry official said, declining to be identified.

South Korean opposition lawmakers and party members protest Japan's plan to release treated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Grossi heads to South Korea

South Korea, however, said Friday that its review of the plan found it in line with international standards.

The study, which focused on whether the discharge would affect South Korean waters, found it would have "negligible consequences", policy coordination minister Bang Moon-kyu said.

It would take up to 10 years for the treated water to circulate back into the seas around the Korean peninsula, Bang said.

By then, the radiation level "is projected... to be scientifically irrelevant", he added.

The discharged water is treated to remove almost all radioactive elements apart from tritium, which is commonly found in nuclear plant wastewater pumped into the sea.

The water will be diluted with seawater before release, and then further diluted as it circulates in the ocean.

Still, public concern about the plan in South Korea remains high.

There have been protests and even panic-buying of salt based on fears that the Fukushima water will pollute the ocean and its salt.

Some opposition lawmakers have even gone on hunger strike in protest.

"Japan wants to release the wastewater into the sea because it's the easiest and cheapest way to do so," Woo Won-shik, an MP who has been on hunger strike since June 26, told AFP.

But at Seoul's sprawling Noryangjin Fish Market, many vendors said the opposition was bad for business.

The media coverage "is not helping us at all because it keeps people from coming", one 80-year-old vendor, who only wished to be identified by her surname Moon, told AFP.

IAEA head Rafael Grossi, who has been in Tokyo and Fukushima this week, travels to Seoul later Friday.

"My responsibility as head of the IAEA is to show up, to have a direct conversation with all those involved and to try to answer in the best, most honest possible way, the questions that may arise," he said.

 2023 AFP
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Grass is an alternative to wood for the paper industry and kinder to the environment. Credit:  B.Forenius, Shutterstock.com

While the industry consumes lots of trees and produces plenty of waste, grass packaging and new construction materials point toward a more sustainable path.

Switzerland is renowned for its mountains, cheese and chocolate. Less well known is how Lindt, a Swiss chocolate producer, is packaging the delights in greener ways.

The paper packaging used for some of Lindt's products has green fibers running through it. More than just a splash of color, the green is actual grass to replace some of the wood normally used to make the paper.

Forest strains

The change is the result of years of research carried out by German paper manufacturer Creapaper in a project called Grass Paper.

"Stress on forests is too high," said Michael Schatzschneider, Creapaper's chief financial officer. "So we wanted to find an alternative for packaging, which might seem like a low-value product but it alone is responsible for millions of tons of paper production every year.

The paper industry is one of the world's largest users of wood, accounting for 33%40% of global trade in the sector. In Europe alone, the pulp and paper industry provides 179,000 jobs and contributes 21 billion to the EU's gross domestic product.

Worldwide paper production reached a record 415 million tons in 2021, according to the International Energy Agency. On top of that, the resulting waste often goes unused.

Just as paper production can reduce its environmental footprint, waste can too by being deployed for a range of applications.

Waste not

"Paper production is going up," said Juan Jose Cepria, project manager at Spanish construction company ACCIONA Infraestructuras. "This puts more pressure on our forests and generates more waste material. We have reached the stage where paper mills don't know what to do with it."

Cepria coordinated a separate project called PAPERCHAIN, which ran for four years until August 2021, to tackle the waste trouble. One of the places was Slovenia, where paper waste was used in a construction initiative.

Because Slovenia is mountainous, it often needs to build stabilization walls to prevent landslides, according to Karmen Fifer Bizjak, head of the geotechnics and traffic infrastructure department at the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, or ZAG.

Usually, construction companies use gravel to build such barriers. In this case, however, the project used a new material called MUDIPEL, which is made out of the wastemainly paper ash and sludgetaken from a local paper mill.

These materials currently serve no purpose and would have been thrown away.

"It was a challenge to transform paper sludge and its ash into a construction material," said Fifer Bizjak. "The new material had to work in the same way as the old. And, on top of that, we had to prove that it wasn't harmful to the environment."

Building material

For example, the project had to find the optimal combination of ash and sludge as well as determine how much the material needed to be pressed together to work most effectively.

MUDIPEL achieved what it was set out to do. Fifer Bizjak said the new material is already being used in other construction projects.

"We proved it was possible," she said. "We showed engineers and construction companies it's a viable product."

It also lasts as long and has the same mechanical properties as the traditional material, according to Fifer Bizjak.

PAPERCHAIN developed five of these processes across Europe.

In Portugal, the project turned waste products such as lime mud into base materials for concrete and asphalt production, which was used to make roads in the country. In Sweden, the project used dregs from paper waste to prevent harmful chemicals released during mining from seeping into the soil.

"We have already constructed more than six kilometers of road trials with paper waste," said Cepria. "Some of these technologies are ready for large-scale use. We can now finally start using the waste from paper mills in socially useful ways."

Grass paper

Back in Germany, Creapaper is also ready to launch its grass-infused product following the completion of the project, which ran from October 2018 through November 2020.

The company is based near the western city of Bonn and has around 35 employees.

"We're always improving our technology," said Schatzschneider. "But today the most important thing for us is to convince brands to use paper made from grass."

Creapaper uses grass to make a pulp that can then be used by mills to produce paper or cardboard, which is mainly sold as packaging material. It's generally a mixture of 30% grass pulp and 70% wood, which could save large numbers of trees.

From the point of view of supply, grass is a good alternative to wood, according to Schatzschneider.

"It's widely available everywhere," he said. "It's a global resource. Farmers are already used to harvesting it as well, in bales of hay. We can produce a lot of it in a minimally invasive way."

On top of that, producing grass pulp is more sustainable than making the equivalent wood pulp, according to Schatzschneider. One ton of grass pulp requires about 10 liters of water, whereas the same amount of wood pulp would take around 1,500 liters.

The result for Creapaper is a green-tinted packaging paper. In this area, the company is searching for large commercial deals like the one with Lindt.

Creapaper is registering ever-increasing production and sounds confident about future growth.

"We are heavily scaling right now," said Schatzschneider. "There's still some way to go, but we are convincing more and more brands to look at our paper."
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New generation of passive MOF water harvester. Credit: Nature Water (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s44221-023-00103-7

University of California Berkeley researchers have designed an extreme-weather proven, hand-held device that can extract and convert water molecules from the air into drinkable water using only ambient sunlight as its energy source, a study published in Nature Water shows.

This atmospheric water harvester used an ultra-porous material known as a metal-organic framework (MOF) to extract water repeatedly in the hottest and driest place in North America, Death Valley National Park. These tests showed the device could provide clean water anywhere, addressing an urgent problem, as climate change exacerbates drought conditions.

"Almost one-third of the world's population lives in water-stressed regions. The UN projects in the year 2050 that almost 5 billion people on our planet will experience some kind of water stress for a significant part of the year," said Omar Yaghi, the Berkeley chemistry professor who invented MOFs and is leading this study. "This is quite relevant to harnessing a new source for water."

Other kinds of materials such as hydrogels, zeolites or salts cannot operate in low-humidity conditions, in an energy-efficient manner and with a high capacity all at once. MOF-powered harvesters can, making them an exceptionally powerful tool to address water scarcity issues related to anything from drinking water to agriculture. This technology can also be used to secure pure water in regions where water is abundant, but not clean.

The study illustrates one way specially-designed MOFs could help society combat and adapt to climate change. Experts at the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society's Bakar Institute of Digital Materials for the Planet (BIDMaP) are using data science and machine learning to accelerate and scale up the designing of these molecules, materials and devices.

"What we're doing at BIDMaP is creating what I call the 'digital innovation cycle' to connect the molecule, the material and how the material is configured and fits into the device including the actual device design, its efficiency and performance," said Yaghi, co-director and chief scientist of BIDMaP. "All of these are connected, and each part has to be optimized to get the highest performance."

The authors of the study, "MOF water harvester produces water from Death Valley desert air in ambient sunlight," are Woochul Song, Zhiling Zheng, Ali Alawadhi and Yaghi. They are affiliated with Berkeley's Department of Chemistry, Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute and BIDMaP.

Water harvesting and productivity

Berkeley researchers tested the device in Berkeley, Calif., and Death Valley National Park in California. The MOF-powered extracted water repeatedly in both locations, despite extremely low-humidity conditions and wide-ranging daily temperatures in Death Valley.

It is also extremely efficient at harvesting water, releasing as drinking water 85 to 90 percent of the water it captures as atmospheric vapor. It harvested up to 285 grams of water per kilogram of metal-organic framework in a day, the equivalent of a cup of water. The MOF can continue to operate for many cycles over many years without being replenished or modified. At the end of its lifetime, the MOF can be disassembled and reassembled in water with zero discharge and in a sustainable manner.

The team of experts that developed the MOF and the device were excited about what this means for the environment. One of the features that differentiates it from other clean-water generating technologies is that it is powered entirely by ambient sunlight and doesn't require additional power sources to run. That means operating it doesn't produce any planet-warming emissions.

It's also smaller than the past MOF-powered harvester and can fit in a handbag. Despite the size change, the device is even more energy-efficient. It produced 200 grams of clean water per square meter of water vapor, more than three-fold the water productivity rate of an earlier iteration by Yaghi's team of a MOF-powered harvester.

There will likely be further developments in efficiency, size, and scale for this early prototype. Yaghi said he could see one day a widespread adoption of household-based MOF-powered water harvesters, and community-scale water harvesters, with the help of data science and machine learning. Those could be in kitchens or even next to air conditioners to supply homes with clean water for cooking and cleaning. Some companies are already working on this, he said.

"It gives individuals water independence," said Yaghi.

More information: Woochul Song et al, MOF water harvester produces water from Death Valley desert air in ambient sunlight, Nature Water (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s44221-023-00103-7 Journal information: Nature Water
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Automobile Brake Pedal Recorder captures real-time data related to the driver's brake pedal behavior. Credit: KONG Deyi

Recently, a research team led by Prof. Kong Deyi from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of Chinese Academy of Sciences has invented an innovative product called the Automobile Brake Pedal Recorder to address the growing concern of accidents caused by braking problems, especially in electric vehicles.

The current method of detecting driver braking actions in new energy vehicles relies on measuring the stroke of the brake pedal. However, if the brake pedal locks up, the driver's action of pressing the pedal goes unnoticed. To overcome this shortcoming, the team has developed the Brake Pedal Recorder.

The Brake Pedal Recorder acts as a brake 'black box', capturing real-time data about the driver's brake pedal behavior. It records essential information such as the time, intensity, and frequency of each brake pedal application. And the data is securely stored on a memory card.

Using the recorded information, it is possible to reconstruct the driver's braking actions during an accident. This provides valuable information on whether the driver applied the brakes with sufficient force, for the correct duration and at the correct frequency, helping to determine whether the accident was caused by driver error or by an actual malfunction of the braking system.

The recorder has a robust data storage capability that allows it to retain brake-related information for several years. Even in the event of a power failure, the recorded data remains intact due to its power failure resilience.

In addition, advanced encryption ensures that the stored data is protected from tampering, making it reliable evidence for third parties.

A key feature of the Brake Pedal Recorder is its affordability and easy to use. It can be easily installed directly on the brake pedal without compromising driving safety or affecting the driver's foot sensation when operating the brakes. The simplicity and effectiveness make it a practical solution for improving the safety of new energy vehicles and resolving disputes between drivers and car manufacturers over braking incidents.

With the introduction of this technology, the market can expect significant advances in the safety of new energy vehicles.
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Threads is Meta's rival to Twitter.

More than 30 million people have downloaded Threads, Meta's rival to Twitter, within the first few hours of its launch, the company's CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Thursday.

The app went live on Apple and Android app stores in 100 countries at 2300 GMT on Wednesday, and will run with no ads for now, but its release in Europe has been delayed over data privacy concerns.

Threads is the biggest challenger yet to Elon Musk-owned Twitter, which has seen a series of potential competitors emerge but not yet replace one of the world's biggest social media platforms, despite its struggles.

"Feels like the beginning of something special, but we've got a lot of work ahead to build the app," Zuckerberg wrote on his official Threads account Thursday.

Accounts were already active for celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez, Shakira and Hugh Jackman, as well as media outlets including The Washington Post and The Economist.

Zuckerberg also offered a shot across the bow at Muskthe pair are known to be bitter rivals, and have offered to wrestle it out in a cage fight.

In his first tweet in over a decade, Zuckerberg posted a Spiderman pointing at Spiderman meme in an apparent reference to the similarities between Threads and Twitter.

On Threads, he wrote: "It'll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it."

Twitter has said it has more than 200 million daily users.

'Be kind'

Threads was introduced as a clear spin-off of Instagram, which offers a built-in audience of more than two billion users, sparing the new platform the challenge of starting from scratch.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri told users that Threads was intended to build "an open and friendly platform for conversations."

"The best thing you can do if you want that too is be kind," he said.

Zuckerberg is taking advantage of Musk's chaotic ownership of Twitter to push out the new product, which Meta hopes will become the go-to platform for celebrities, companies and politicians.

"It's as simple as that: if an Instagram user with a large number of followers such as Kardashian or a Bieber or a Messi begins posting on Threads regularly, a new platform could quickly thrive," strategic financial analyst Brian Wieser said on Substack.

Analyst Jasmine Engberg from Insider Intelligence said Threads only needs one out of four Instagram monthly users "to make it as big as Twitter."

"Twitter users are desperate for an alternative, and Musk has given Zuckerberg an opening," she added.

Under Elon Musk, Twitter has seen content moderation reduced to a minimum with glitches and rash decisions scaring away celebrities and major advertisers.

Under Musk, Twitter has seen content moderation reduced to a minimum with glitches and rash decisions scaring away celebrities and major advertisers.

He has angered Twitter's most devoted aficionados by declaring that access to its TweetDeck productwhich allows users to view a fast flow of tweets at oncewould be for paying customers only.

EU 'many months' away

Meta has its legion of critics too, especially in Europe, which could slow the growth of Threads.

The company has been criticized for its handling of personal data, the essential ingredient for targeted ads that help it rake in billions of dollars in profits.

Mosseri said he regretted that the launch was delayed in the European Union, but had Meta waited for regulatory clarity from Brussels, Threads would have been "many, many, many, months away."

"I was worried that our window would close, because timing is important," he told the tech news site Platformer.

According to a source close to the matter, Meta was wary of a new law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which sets strict rules for the world's "gatekeeper" internet companies.

One rule restricts platforms from moving user data between products, as would potentially be the case between Threads and Instagram.

The EU commission, which will oversee compliance with the DMA, declined to comment on what it said was a private business decision.

Meta was caught doing just that after it bought WhatsApp, and European regulators will be on high alert to ensure it does not do so illegally with Threads.

Globally, the Threads hashtag on Twitter has garnered three million tweets, with many users jokingly suggesting people will return to Musk's platform.

"10 mins into threads app. Me coming back to Twitter," one user wrote, sharing a video of a man sprinting.

Others expressed privacy concerns.

"Meta loves to collect private information and I don't trust the way it treats private information," a Japanese user tweeted.

"I also have the impression that this is a company hated by EU, so I'm reluctant."

But some said they would permanently move to Threads.

One Threads user wrote: "Now I truly can say goodbye to Twitter forever."

 2023 AFP
A voter puts a marked ballot into a ballot box in Seoul's Jongno District during the presidential election held on March 9, 2022. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul













By Kang Hyun-kyung







The National Intelligence Service (NIS) notified the National Election Commission (NEC) that a North Korean hacker had breached an NEC official's email account.







The warning came on March 21, 2021, two weeks before the April 7 by-elections.







In an email sent to the election board, the intelligence agency said the North Korean cyber actor penetrated an unnamed NEC official's email account and viewed it for 10 minutes before logging out. Personal details of the targeted employee, such as name, rank and email, as well as the recipient were included in the email message.







The NIS' email was disclosed in a media report in May when the election board, which was and still is reeling from nepotism allegations, snubbed the intelligence agency's repeated calls for cybersecurity checkups ahead of the 2024 National Assembly elections.







Days later, the embattled NEC accepted the call, allowing the NIS, in collaboration with the Korea Internet & Security Agency, to conduct cybersecurity checkups on the election board.







Cybersecurity expert Choi Sang-myung, also known as Simon Choi, said the NEC staffer's compromised email account suggests that the North Korean hacker had succeeded in the first necessary step to breach the NEC's computer system.







"Depending on who the victim was, the North Korean hacker's intrusion could have a devastating impact," he said. "If the victim was on the staff in charge of maintaining the NEC's server or other critical infrastructure, the breach itself could have been critically damaging."







In general, however, Choi said state-sponsored hackers like the North Korean cyber actors launch repeated attacks until they accomplish their goal.







"One possible scenario will be that they send spoofed spear-phishing emails to many other NEC officials to steal their login credentials or other critical information that can ensure their access to the NEC's system and infect their computers until they can find the most effective route to conduct cyberattacks on the election system," he said.







According to the NIS, there have been eight occasions of cyberattacks on the election board over the past two years, seven of which came from North Korean cyber actors affiliated with the country's Reconnaissance General Bureau.







The intelligence service said the most recent attacks were discovered on March 21 when North Koreans sent malware-laced emails to an unspecified number of NEC staffers. Cyber actors send spear-phishing emails to steal login credentials and gain access to their targets' computers and online accounts.







It remains unknown whether or not any of the NEC officials' computers were compromised.







Gettyimagesbank





The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has been wary of North Korea's purported intrusion as the nation is scheduled to hold National Assembly elections next year.







In a joint statement released on May 3, the PPP members of the National Assembly Public Administration and Security Committee urged the NEC to strengthen its cybersecurity measures.







"If North Korean cyber actors succeed in breaching the election infrastructure, they can steal voter registration data or manipulate election results. It could also paralyze the election system," they said in the statement.







The PPP and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) agreed to launch a parliamentary probe into the NEC over North Korea's cyberattacks and the nepotism allegations, in which current and former NEC senior officials are accused of having exerted influence one way or another to place their children in the election board.







It remains uncertain when the bipartisan committee will be launched as the two parties have been locked in partisan politics over the release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.







The NEC appears to be ill-prepared for election interference.







Responding to some conservative activists' vote-rigging allegations about the 2020 National Assembly elections

, the NEC confidently dismissed any possibility of voter registration data being stolen.







"Is it possible to alter election outcomes with stolen electoral roll data? The answer is no," the NEC website reads.







It explains that electoral roll data is only used to check whether or not people who show up at polling stations on Election Day are eligible voters, stressing that Korea uses paper-based ballots, not electronic voting machines, and therefore it is protected from cyberattacks of all kinds.







In this image captured from the National Election Commission's website, the election board dismisses the possibility of election interference through stolen voter registration data.





This statement is misleading, if not misinformation.







Cyber intrusions can be made in several different stages of the electoral process.







Paper-based voting is widely believed to be safe from cyberattacks.







But votes cast need to be counted, captured, stored and transmitted for election results, and varying degrees of technology are used in the process. This means cybersecurity risks still lurk in South Korea's election system.







Tarun Chaudhary, global cyber diplomacy specialist at the Washington D.C.-based nonprofit group International Federation for Electoral Systems (IFES), said voter registration databases are one of the biggest targets for malicious cyber actors.







"Key processes that are often targeted by threat actors (from a worldwide perspective) include voter registration information, results management systems and systems for public communication," he said in a recent email interview with The Korea Times.







He said the election board should be fully prepared for cyberattacks before, during and after elections. "Elections commissions should put into place a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that includes measures to prevent and manage cybersecurity risks and steps to respond to cybersecurity events as they happen," he said.







Stolen electoral roll data can pose a grave threat to the integrity of elections, and this is particularly so if the malicious cyber actors are skilled hackers like North Koreans or Russians.







If cyber actors successfully access electoral roll data, there is a lot they can do to interfere in elections.







Identification theft is one of the best-known risks of stolen voter registration information.







Cyber actors can also alter, delete or manipulate the database in their favor and as a consequence can eventually cause an Election Day meltdown.







Senator Marco Rubio, the vice chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, said manipulation of voter databases is the minimum thing that malicious cyber actors can do, hinting that there is much more they can do with the stolen data.







"Among the things in the Senate Intelligence Committee preliminary report we released this week is that during the 2016 election cyber actors were in a position to, at a minimum, alter or delete voter registration data in a number of states," he wrote on Twitter on May 11, 2018.







"My biggest concern is that on Election Day you go to vote and have mass confusion because voter registration information has been deleted from the systems."







An election worker holds ballot papers in this photo taken on March 9, 2022, during the presidential election. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul





Testifying to the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee over Russian intervention in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, an unnamed official of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also addressed the danger of stolen voter registration information.







"Russia would have had the ability to potentially manipulate some of that data, but we didn't see that," the official was quoted as saying in the Senate intelligence report released in 2019. "The level of access that they gained  they almost certainly could have done more. Why they didn't  is sort of an open-ended question."







The Russian military intelligence cyber actors successfully penetrated Illinois' voter registration database in 2016, ahead of the U.S. presidential election.







According to the U.S. Senate report, Russians accessed up to 200,000 voter registrations. The compromised data included each voter's name, address, partial social security number, date of birth and either a driver's license number or state identification number.







"The Russian cyber actors were in a position to delete or change voter data, but the committee is not aware of any evidence that they did so," the report reads.







Russia's intervention in the U.S. presidential election consisted of three stages.







Cyber actors affiliated with Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, better known by its acronym GRU, launched the social media campaign in favor of then-Republican candidate Donald Trump, hacked then-Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton's campaign and leaked stolen documents to discredit Clinton. These activities were conducted by GRU's subdivision military unit 26165.







Other Russian military intelligence agents affiliated with military unit 74455, meanwhile, persistently and systematically attacked the election boards and related entities and individuals. Military unit 74455 is the one also responsible for the cyberattack on the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.







Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigated Russia's social media campaign and the cyberattacks against the Clinton campaign. Russian cyber actors' intrusions of the election boards and related entities were investigated by the FBI and DHS.







The U.S. Senate concluded that Russia's interference didn't alter the election outcome.







Contrary to the NEC's claim, there is no electoral system that is completely safe from election interference, so long as technology is involved in any stage of the electoral process.







Chuck Brooks, president of Brooks Consulting International, warned of the consequences of a purported cyber intrusion by North Korea or any other foreign state actors on Korean elections.







"There is a real possibility that a spear-phishing attack on election board officials could compromise actual voter databases or interfere with tabulations," he said in a recent email interview with The Korea Times. "There is a variety of cybersecurity procedures and tools that can help mitigate attacks and it would be prudent to assume that elections could be breached and lead to stolen votes.







Brooks advised South Korea to fix the vulnerabilities.







"Since the election is next year, there is time to fix voting systems," he said.



This is the second in a two-part series highlighting elections and cyberattacks as the nation will hold National Assembly elections in April next yearED.
The College Station school district Board of Trustees unanimously approved Tim Harkriders contract to become the new superintendent of schools Thursday.

He was named the sole finalist last month and accepted the contract at the completion of the mandatory 21-day waiting period. His first day in the role will be Monday.

Before Harkriders contract was approved by the board at Thursdays special meeting, Place 5 member Kimberly McAdams gave a brief statement on the districts new leader.

Most folks know we spent a lot of time over the last six weeks helping get to this point, she said. We had a lot of good options out there, so that was a wonderful thing for those who helped us do that, but Im very excited to start this next step with our district.

Before accepting the position in College Station, Harkrider served as the Willis school district superintendent for 11 years. In his new position, Harkrider said he is focused on learning more about the interworking of the College Station school district.

The great thing about this situation with the district where they are right now theyre on the right track, theyre doing great things, he said. So its not like you dont have to come in here and reinvent the wheel. I think my biggest thing right now is listen and learn.

Jeff Horak, president of the Board of Trustees, said Harkriders previous experience as a superintendent made him a top choice as the districts next leader.

Were trying to figure out what the next step is for College Station ISD, for our kids here in College Station ISD and then our staff and faculty, Horak said. Dr. Harkrider has extensive experience in his previous district, dealing with students, teachers and growth, a lot of experience with bonds. That was an attractive part of it. Hes a competitor, and being in a top-20 school district in the state of Texas. We want to take that to the next level. He showed us, out of all of our candidates, that he can take us to that next level, possibly top 10 in Texas, and were just excited about that opportunity.

Despite an aggressive timeframe and timeline, Horak said the school board worked diligently to make the right decision.

We made sure that we were very extensive on making sure we got the candidate that made sense for College Station ISD, he said. Through the interview process and putting in the time there, and then even coming down to actually making the decision who to name for finalists, we spent hours, just figuring out what is that fit for College Station ISD? Whats going to make sense for us going forward? Dr. Harkrider rose to the top on that. Were excited about where that could take us next.

Throughout the application and interview process, which began in March, Harkrider said he quickly felt camaraderie with all seven school board members.

Their passion for kids, their passion for this community stood out to me immediately, and thats important, he said. You go out and you interview for a job, youre going to work for seven people. Thats the unique part about being a superintendent. So most importantly, can you work for those seven folks? I think immediately after my first interview, there was a connection there; I could see myself working with all seven because I thought their values already aligned with each other, and they were aligned with what I feel like its important as well.

A total of 48 applicants from around the state and nation applied for the position to replace Mike Martindale. Coming from a school district outside of the Brazos Valley, Harkrider brings unique ideas and perspective, Horak said.

Dr. Harkrider is going to be able to take us into that next level, Horak said. Hopefully with our growth thats going to be occurring, and then just the excellence that we have in our schools right now, just kind of compound on that and have us continue to move forward.

Harkrider said he hopes to continue the success of previous superintendents.

A leader is not about making changes, he said. A leader is about leading people, and you make changes if theyre necessary to make. Over the course of the next several months, my job will be listen, learn and evaluate or maybe some things that were going to tweak. We dont have to reinvent the wheel here. I think the district is on the right track, and Im looking forward to setting a direction.

Although he is coming from outside College Station, Harkrider said he doesnt plan to make any major changes to how the district functions. Instead he is focused on making sure its positive reputation remains.

I think in this situation, your staffs motivated and things are going in the right direction, he said. Hiring outside, it does make people nervous, because generally when you hire outside, things may change, but I can assure thats not my goal. My goal is to come in and listen and learn and be a part of this team and then take on my identity here over the next couple of years.

Horak said the districts staff already has welcomed Harkrider into the community and is eager about the things to come.

Sometimes change can be difficult, but sometimes change can be very exciting, Horak said. I think he brings that excitement and confidence to our district and to make sure that the faculty and staff understand were not going in the wrong direction. Were going to keep excelling down the road.

Monday marks Harkriders first official day in the position  a little less than a month before the districts first day of school. Despite the quick turnaround, Harkrider has shown no hesitation throughout the entire application process, Horak said.

That excitement, that passion, to just go on and get started and get to know his staff here, but then get to know the students as school starts back, he said. Because, were coming up on less than a month and kids are going to be back on campuses. To see that passion that he has, thats just been exciting for us.

Horak said Harkrider is known for his ability to get bonds passed, something he hopes will benefit the district in the future. The board must take action by Aug. 21 to put a $350 million bond on the November ballot.

Assuming that the the board comes to an agreement and decides to put the bond out for November of 23, were anxious to see how that goes, Horak said. Just kind of presenting that to our community and stakeholders to understand where we are and where we need to be and what that looks like for our district going forward. Dr. Harkriders ability to paint the picture for our stakeholders to show what the district truly is and where were going, he excels at that and were excited to see how that goes.

In lieu of a statewide teacher shortage, Harkrider said he is focused on making sure College Station school district staff feels supported in their roles.

Research is pretty clear, when folks leave a profession generally, its not about money, he said. Its how are they treated? Do they feel respected? Do they feel supported? I think the district has done a wonderful job with that expectation. I think now weve got to balance working with our legislatures and trying to ask how are we going to get us some more money?

Harkrider said he is frustrated that the 2022-23 Texas legislative session resulted in no additional funding for teacher raises.

How do we capitalize on that to pay our staff what they truly deserve? he said. That may take us another couple of years to make that happen. I know this district has been committed to continue to give raises, and even pass a deficit budget if they need to, to make sure their staffs taken care of. I think the commitment from the board, I think our staff definitely appreciates that.

To achieve his goals in the coming years, Harkrider said he will display a proactive leadership style, both in the district and the community.

Im a firm believer we dont lead from our offices, we lead with our staff and its kind of hard to lead campuses, if were not there with them, seeing the work that theyre doing, he said. Youre going to see great customer service, and youre going to see a staff thats committed to our teachers, our paraprofessionals, all of our service departments, custodial, child nutrition, bus drivers, maintenance, everybody serves a purpose for our school district. They want to be treated equally with respect and know that theyre appreciated for the jobs that they do every day.
WPP plc (NYSE:WPP  Free Report) has earned an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six analysts that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $1,001.29.

Separately, StockNews.com lowered WPP from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On WPP

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Spire Wealth Management increased its holdings in shares of WPP by 23.6% in the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,006 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $60,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares during the period. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC raised its position in shares of WPP by 4.4% in the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 4,930 shares of the business services providers stock worth $249,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares during the period. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. increased its position in shares of WPP by 3.5% in the first quarter. First Trust Direct Indexing L.P. now owns 6,453 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $384,000 after buying an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. raised its position 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 during the period. Finally, Brown Advisory Inc. boosted its stake in shares of WPP by 3.7% in 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 during the last quarter. 4.10% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

WPP Stock Performance

About WPP

Shares of WPP stock opened at $51.52 on Friday. WPP has a 12 month low of $39.67 and a 12 month high of $64.07. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $54.24 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $56.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

(Free Report

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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Main opposition Democratic Party of Korea Rep. Choi In-ho, center, speaks about the cancellation of an expressway construction project connecting Seoul and Yangpyeong County, during a press conference at the National Assembly, Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap



By Nam Hyun-woo





Land Minister Won Hee-ryong / Yonhap

Criticism is mounting over rival parties' politically motivated moves that resulted in the cancellation of an expressway construction project connecting Seoul and Yangpyeong County, Gyeonggi Province. The main opposition party has argued that such a project would have given financial benefits to first lady Kim Keon Hee's family.



Despite the strong public outcry due to the main political parties trying to score political points instead of prioritizing the public good, politicians have gone on to continue to blame each other, exchanging sharp comments over accountability.



Land Minister Won Hee-ryong said Friday that the scrapping of the expressway project was his discretion, done in order to end the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) trying to "frame it to vilify first lady Kim."



"It is nothing more than the DPK's framing of the issue so as to tarnish the first lady in order to negatively impact President Yoon Suk Yeol," Won said during a radio interview with broadcaster CBS. "The DPK is now obsessed with its campaign to vilify Kim until the end of the Yoon presidency."



Won continued that "it is better for the country and the public that I take the full responsibility to end this speculation," adding, "I apologize to the residents of Yangpyeong, but I hope you can bear with it for a little longer."



A day earlier, Won announced that the government decided to scrap the expressway project, saying "national resources are wasted as long as the DPK's instigation stance continues." The DPK has been arguing that the project, initially proposed in 2017, was revised under the Yoon administration to have the expressway's endpoint location be close to land owned by Kim's family.



Yangpyeong and nearby residents have been demanding the expressway since 2008 in order to address extreme traffic congestion. The project managed to pass its feasibility study two years ago after heated debates. Following the controversy, however, the government scrapped the entire project, rather than reviewing it.



"I will take full responsibility, and I will put my entire political career and ministerial post on the line, and DPK Chairman Lee Jae-myung should bet the party's full reputation," Won said during the announcement.



DPK lawmakers held a press conference on Friday and slammed the decision.



"This issue can be addressed when the ruling bloc reveals the fact and what exactly is there to fear in revealing the truth and canceling a project worth 1.8 trillion won with just a single statement from the minister?" DPK lawmakers said in a statement.



"Since Won said he will bet his ministerial post and political career, he should take responsibility for his remarks," DPK Rep. Han Jun-ho said. "There must plenty of reasons why he is trying to cover up this issue by making a political move."



The ruling People Power Party (PPP) also criticized the DPK for raising suspicions. PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok said he "understands that the decision stemmed from repeated fake news and political offensives." Rep. Park Dae-chul said people of Yangpyeong are suffering due to the "DPK's irresponsible speculation" and the opposition party should "take full responsibility."



Yangpyeong Mayor Jeon Jin-seon speaks during a press conference at the county's office in Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Yonhap
Bacanora Lithium Plc (LON:BCN  Free Report) shares passed below its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of GBX 67 ($0.85) and traded as low as GBX 67 ($0.85). Bacanora Lithium shares last traded at GBX 67 ($0.85), with a volume of 238,939 shares.

Bacanora Lithium Price Performance

The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 67 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.44, a current ratio of 36.64 and a quick ratio of 36.64. The firm has a market cap of 259.38 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.70.

Bacanora Lithium Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bacanora Lithium Plc, a development stage mining company, engages in the identification, acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties. The company primarily explores for battery grade lithium carbonates. Its flagship project is the Sonora lithium project, which consists of 10 mining concessions covering approximately 100,000 hectares located in the northeast of Sonora State in Mexico.

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StockNews.com lowered shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSEAMERICAN:BHB  Free Report) from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note published on Monday morning.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Price Performance

NYSEAMERICAN BHB opened at $23.44 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.98, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. Bar Harbor Bankshares has a fifty-two week low of $19.55 and a fifty-two week high of $33.11. The company has a market capitalization of $354.88 million, a PE ratio of 7.44 and a beta of 0.79. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $28.61.

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Bar Harbor Bankshares (NYSEAMERICAN:BHB  Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The financial services provider reported $0.86 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.80 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $40.09 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $40.30 million. Bar Harbor Bankshares had a return on equity of 12.04% and a net margin of 27.03%. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Bar Harbor Bankshares will post 2.82 earnings per share for the current year.

Bar Harbor Bankshares Increases Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Bar Harbor Bankshares

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $0.28 per share. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 15th. This is a boost from Bar Harbor Banksharess previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. Bar Harbor Banksharess payout ratio is presently 35.56%.

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BHB. Swiss National Bank increased its stake in shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares by 7.9% in the first quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 35,500 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,016,000 after buying an additional 2,600 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can bought a new position in Bar Harbor Bankshares during the 1st quarter worth $972,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its position in Bar Harbor Bankshares by 43.5% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 7,595 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 2,303 shares during the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in Bar Harbor Bankshares by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,120,430 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $32,068,000 after purchasing an additional 3,221 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its stake in shares of Bar Harbor Bankshares by 65.5% in the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 998 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 395 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 53.18% of the companys stock.

About Bar Harbor Bankshares

(Free Report)

Bar Harbor Bankshares operates as the holding company for Bar Harbor Bank & Trust that provides banking and nonbanking products and services primarily to consumers and businesses. It accepts various deposit products, including interest-bearing and non-interest-bearing demand accounts, savings accounts, time deposits, and money market deposit accounts, as well as certificates of deposit.

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Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited (ASX:BENPG  Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Wednesday, July 5th, MarketIndexAU reports. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 12th will be paid a dividend of 1.406 per share on Tuesday, September 12th. This represents a dividend yield of 1.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 30th. This is an increase from Bendigo and Adelaide Banks previous interim dividend of $1.29.

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Stock Performance

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Company Profile

(Free Report)

Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Limited provides banking and financial products and services to retail customers and small to medium sized businesses in Australia. The company operates through Consumer, Business and Agribusiness, and Corporate segments. It offers a range of products and services, including personal and business banking, financial planning, commercial mortgages and unsecured loans, investment products, insurance, and superannuation.

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ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE  Free Report) has earned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have issued a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year target price among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $62.67.

ALE has been the subject of several research reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of ALLETE in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Bank of America cut shares of ALLETE from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $63.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, Sidoti raised shares of ALLETE from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $74.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 6th.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On ALLETE

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in ALE. Belpointe Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in ALLETE by 105.4% in the 1st quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 460 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 236 shares in the last quarter. Affiance Financial LLC acquired a new position in ALLETE in the 4th quarter worth $34,000. CI Investments Inc. acquired a new position in ALLETE in the 4th quarter worth $40,000. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. lifted its holdings in ALLETE by 921.4% in the 4th quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 715 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $46,000 after buying an additional 645 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Spire Wealth Management lifted its holdings in ALLETE by 174.8% in the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 874 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $56,000 after buying an additional 556 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 76.40% of the companys stock.

ALLETE Trading Down 1.1 %

Shares of ALE opened at $57.63 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $60.60 and a two-hundred day moving average of $62.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 1.23. The company has a market capitalization of $3.30 billion, a PE ratio of 18.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.99 and a beta of 0.72. ALLETE has a fifty-two week low of $47.77 and a fifty-two week high of $67.45.

ALLETE (NYSE:ALE  Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The utilities provider reported $1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.17). The business had revenue of $564.90 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $376.00 million. ALLETE had a net margin of 10.34% and a return on equity of 5.40%. The companys revenue was up 47.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.24 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that ALLETE will post 3.63 EPS for the current year.

ALLETE Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were issued a $0.678 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This represents a $2.71 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.71%. ALLETEs dividend payout ratio is currently 85.22%.

About ALLETE

(Free Report

ALLETE, Inc operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. The company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers and 14 non-affiliated municipal customers.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP  Free Report) (TSE:CP) had its target price upped by equities research analysts at Credit Suisse Group from $81.00 to $87.00 in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Credit Suisse Groups target price points to a potential upside of 10.50% from the companys previous close.

CP has been the subject of a number of other reports. Scotiabank upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 15th. Argus upgraded Canadian Pacific Kansas City from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $92.00 price target for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on Canadian Pacific Kansas City in a research report on Tuesday, June 6th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, Barclays decreased their target price on Canadian Pacific Kansas City from $90.00 to $89.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian Pacific Kansas City currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $90.00.

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Trading Down 1.9 %

Shares of CP opened at $78.73 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.56. Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a 1 year low of $65.17 and a 1 year high of $83.44. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $79.29 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $77.90. The firm has a market cap of $73.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 26.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.49 and a beta of 1.02.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Canadian Pacific Kansas City ( NYSE:CP Free Report ) (TSE:CP) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The transportation company reported $0.63 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.70 by ($0.07). Canadian Pacific Kansas City had a net margin of 40.22% and a return on equity of 9.53%. The business had revenue of $1.68 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.78 billion. On average, equities analysts expect that Canadian Pacific Kansas City will post 3.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of large investors have recently bought and sold shares of CP. Capital Market Strategies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $283,000. Wiley BROS. Aintree Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the second quarter worth approximately $202,000. New England Research & Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City by 32.6% during the second quarter. New England Research & Management Inc. now owns 30,681 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,478,000 after purchasing an additional 7,550 shares in the last quarter. DGS Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the first quarter worth approximately $200,000. Finally, Golden State Equity Partners purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian Pacific Kansas City during the first quarter worth approximately $322,000. 65.84% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Canadian Pacific Kansas City

(Free Report)

Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, together with its subsidiaries, owns and operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States. The company transports bulk commodities, including grain, coal, potash, fertilizers, and sulphur; and merchandise freight, such as energy, chemicals and plastics, metals, minerals and consumer, automotive, and forest products.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA  Free Report) in a report published on Monday. The brokerage issued a sell rating on the basic materials companys stock.

China Green Agriculture Stock Performance

Shares of CGA opened at $2.66 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 2.76 and a quick ratio of 2.04. China Green Agriculture has a 1-year low of $2.54 and a 1-year high of $7.80. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $2.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $3.72.

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China Green Agriculture (NYSE:CGA  Free Report) last released its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The basic materials company reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter. China Green Agriculture had a negative return on equity of 12.31% and a negative net margin of 12.95%. The company had revenue of $45.26 million for the quarter.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On China Green Agriculture

China Green Agriculture Company Profile

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of CGA. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP purchased a new position in China Green Agriculture during the 1st quarter valued at about $115,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its stake in shares of China Green Agriculture by 67.8% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 19,051 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $192,000 after buying an additional 7,700 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new stake in shares of China Green Agriculture in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $175,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 0.62% of the companys stock.

(Free Report)

China Green Agriculture, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, production, and sale of various fertilizers and agricultural products in the People's Republic of China. The company operates through three segments: Jinong (Fertilizer Production); Gufeng (Fertilizer Production); and Yuxing (Agricultural Products Production).

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Comptoir Group PLC (LON:COM  Free Report)s stock price traded down 3.8% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as GBX 6 ($0.08) and last traded at GBX 6.25 ($0.08). 29,276 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 67% from the average session volume of 90,075 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 6.50 ($0.08).

Comptoir Group Stock Performance

The firms 50-day moving average price is GBX 6.55 and its 200 day moving average price is GBX 5.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 426.60, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a current ratio of 1.24. The company has a market cap of 7.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 233.33 and a beta of 1.04.

Comptoir Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Comptoir Group PLC owns and operates restaurants under the Comptoir Libanais and Shawa brand names in the United Kingdom. The company offers Lebanese and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine dining. It operates 27 restaurants that includes 5 franchises. The company was formerly known as Levant Restaurants Group Limited and changed its name to Comptoir Group PLC in June 2016.

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Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) had its price target boosted by Roth Mkm from $270.00 to $284.00 in a report published on Monday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock.

Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on STZ. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Constellation Brands from $275.00 to $280.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. Citigroup lifted their target price on Constellation Brands from $265.00 to $280.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Constellation Brands from $265.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday. StockNews.com began coverage on Constellation Brands in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their target price on Constellation Brands from $293.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $262.67.

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Constellation Brands Trading Up 0.6 %

STZ opened at $252.59 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $46.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -138.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.02. Constellation Brands has a 52 week low of $208.12 and a 52 week high of $261.32. The businesss 50 day moving average is $238.37 and its two-hundred day moving average is $229.25. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23.

Constellation Brands Announces Dividend

Constellation Brands ( NYSE:STZ Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, June 30th. The company reported $2.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.08. Constellation Brands had a positive return on equity of 22.32% and a negative net margin of 3.14%. The company had revenue of $2.51 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.47 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $2.66 earnings per share. The firms revenue was up 6.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts predict that Constellation Brands will post 11.74 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 24th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 10th will be issued a $0.89 dividend. This represents a $3.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.41%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 9th. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is currently -194.54%.

Insider Activity at Constellation Brands

In other Constellation Brands news, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of the companys 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 sale, the director now owns 20,488,818 shares in the company, valued at $4,579,865,487.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In other Constellation Brands news, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of the companys 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 sale, the director now owns 20,488,818 shares in the company, valued at $4,579,865,487.54. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, major shareholder Business Holdings Lp Ajb sold 650,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total value of $145,294,500.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 3,365,715 shares in the company, valued at approximately $752,338,273.95. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.19% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Constellation Brands

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Prudential PLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands in the 1st quarter worth approximately $705,000. Cetera Investment Advisers grew its holdings in Constellation Brands by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 17,026 shares of the companys stock worth $3,921,000 after buying an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Constellation Brands by 17.6% in the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,149 shares of the companys stock worth $725,000 after buying an additional 471 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in Constellation Brands by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 12,601,280 shares of the companys stock worth $2,902,327,000 after buying an additional 313,344 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in Constellation Brands in the 1st quarter worth approximately $257,000. 86.49% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Constellation Brands

(Free Report)

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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Credicorp (NYSE:BAP  Free Report) was upgraded by Scotiabank from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a report released on Friday, Marketbeat reports.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on BAP. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Credicorp in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet raised shares of Credicorp from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $153.00.

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Credicorp Stock Up 2.9 %

BAP stock opened at $151.71 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $140.55 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $136.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a current ratio of 1.10. The stock has a market capitalization of $12.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.95, a PEG ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 0.96. Credicorp has a one year low of $113.21 and a one year high of $158.95.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Credicorp

Credicorp ( NYSE:BAP Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 5th. The bank reported $3.85 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $4.12 by ($0.27). Credicorp had a net margin of 23.23% and a return on equity of 16.39%. The business had revenue of $963.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.21 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Credicorp will post 17.66 EPS for the current year.

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Dodge & Cox raised its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Dodge & Cox now owns 5,540,562 shares of the banks stock worth $733,515,000 after purchasing an additional 435,900 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,779,137 shares of the banks stock worth $632,710,000 after purchasing an additional 132,493 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,954,170 shares of the banks stock valued at $391,104,000 after buying an additional 14,270 shares during the period. FMR LLC raised its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. FMR LLC now owns 2,502,635 shares of the banks stock valued at $331,324,000 after buying an additional 61,106 shares during the period. Finally, Baillie Gifford & Co. raised its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 8.9% during the 1st quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 1,396,107 shares of the banks stock valued at $184,831,000 after buying an additional 113,788 shares during the period. 71.48% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Credicorp Company Profile

(Free Report)

Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. Its Universal Banking segment includes granting various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and checking accounts. The Insurance and Pensions segment includes the issuance of insurance policies to cover losses in commercial property, transport, marine vessels, automobiles, life, health, and pensions; management services for private pension funds.

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Friendly Hills Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FHLB  Free Report) shares were down 5.9% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $6.97 and last traded at $7.00. Approximately 5,000 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 119% from the average daily volume of 2,279 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.44.

Friendly Hills Bancorp Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $22.99 million, a PE ratio of -15.56 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.58. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $6.89 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $7.24.

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Friendly Hills Bancorp (OTCMKTS:FHLB  Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The company reported ($0.08) EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.26 million during the quarter. Friendly Hills Bancorp had a negative return on equity of 4.00% and a negative net margin of 8.76%.

About Friendly Hills Bancorp

Friendly Hills Bancorp operates as a bank holding company for First Pacific Bank that provides various financial and banking products and services. It offers deposit products, including checking, savings, money market, NOW, sweep, and individual retirement accounts, as well as term certificates of deposit.

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Lawmakers and officials of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea hold a rally at the National Assembly in Seoul to oppose Japan's planned release of radioactive water into the sea, Friday. Yonhap



The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) on Friday raised intensive questions about the credibility of a recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on Japan's radioactive water release, as the IAEA chief is set to begin his three-day visit to Korea later that day.



Ranking DPK officials poured out harsh criticism against the IAEA report during the party's supreme council meeting held after almost all of its lawmakers staged an overnight sit-in at the National Assembly to protest Japan's plan to discharge radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean.



They also urged the Yoon Suk Yeol government to declare opposition to the neighboring country's planned water release.



"Should the release of contaminated Fukushima water be permitted on the basis of an irresponsible report?" DPK leader Lee Jae-myung asked, demanding that the Yoon government oppose the discharge for the sake of national interest.






Shares of Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund (NYSE:NIQ  Free Report) traded up 0.8% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $12.87 and last traded at $12.87. 540,600 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 759% from the average session volume of 62,963 shares. The stock had previously closed at $12.77.

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund Price Performance

The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $12.75 and a 200-day simple moving average of $12.69.

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Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a None dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Investors of record on Friday, June 23rd were paid a dividend of $0.025 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 22nd.

Institutional Trading of Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

About Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in NIQ. Susquehanna International Group LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund in the 4th quarter valued at about $206,000. Yakira Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,037,000. Leo Brokerage LLC purchased a new stake in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund in the first quarter valued at approximately $153,000. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund in the 1st quarter worth approximately $355,000. Finally, American Institute for Advanced Investment Management LLP increased its holdings in shares of Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. American Institute for Advanced Investment Management LLP now owns 28,840 shares of the companys stock worth $368,000 after buying an additional 1,000 shares during the last quarter.

(Free Report)

Nuveen Intermediate Duration Quality Municipal Term Fund is a close ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments Inc The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests into public fixed income markets of the United States. The fund seeks to invest in stocks of companies that are operating across diversified sectors.

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Equities research analysts at StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of International Tower Hill Mines (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Free Report) (TSE:ITH) in a research note issued on Wednesday. The firm set a sell rating on the mining companys stock.

International Tower Hill Mines Trading Down 5.5 %

Shares of THM opened at $0.42 on Wednesday. International Tower Hill Mines has a 12-month low of $0.37 and a 12-month high of $0.75. The company has a market capitalization of $81.86 million, a PE ratio of -21.00 and a beta of 0.70. The businesss 50 day moving average is $0.47 and its 200 day moving average is $0.52.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

An institutional investor recently raised its position in International Tower Hill Mines stock. Virtu Financial LLC grew its position in shares of International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. (NYSEAMERICAN:THM  Free Report) (TSE:ITH) by 314.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 61,808 shares of the mining companys stock after purchasing an additional 46,910 shares during the quarter. Virtu Financial LLCs holdings in International Tower Hill Mines were worth $26,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Institutional investors 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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Shore Capital reiterated their buy rating on shares of Tesco (LON:TSCO  Free Report) in a report published on Monday morning, MarketBeat.com reports.

A number of other research firms also recently weighed in on TSCO. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Tesco to a buy rating and upped their target price for the stock from GBX 260 ($3.30) to GBX 310 ($3.93) in a research report on Monday, March 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on shares of Tesco from GBX 290 ($3.68) to GBX 270 ($3.43) and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th.

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Tesco Price Performance

TSCO stock opened at GBX 249.30 ($3.16) on Monday. The stock has a market cap of 17.87 billion, a PE ratio of 2,493.00, a P/E/G ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 123.29, a current ratio of 0.72 and a quick ratio of 0.60. Tesco has a one year low of GBX 194.35 ($2.47) and a one year high of GBX 285.30 ($3.62). The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 264.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 255.76.

Tesco Increases Dividend

About Tesco

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, May 11th were given a dividend of GBX 7.05 ($0.09) per share. This represents a yield of 2.63%. This is an increase from Tescos previous dividend of $3.85. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 11th. Tescos dividend payout ratio is 11,000.00%.

(Free Report)

Tesco PLC, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a grocery retailer in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary. It offers grocery products through its stores, as well as online. The company is also involved in the food and drink wholesaling activities.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Ur-Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:URG  Free Report) (TSE:URE) to a sell rating in a report issued on Monday.

URG has been the subject of a number of other reports. HC Wainwright lowered their price target on Ur-Energy from $3.00 to $2.80 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Roth Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Ur-Energy in a report on Friday, April 14th. Alliance Global Partners reduced their price target on shares of Ur-Energy from $2.75 to $2.25 in a research report on Thursday, April 13th. Finally, TheStreet raised shares of Ur-Energy from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 14th.

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Ur-Energy Trading Down 7.9 %

Shares of NYSEAMERICAN:URG opened at $0.94 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04, a current ratio of 9.63 and a quick ratio of 8.92. The company has a market cap of $248.63 million, a PE ratio of -18.78 and a beta of 1.48. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $1.23. Ur-Energy has a 1-year low of $0.82 and a 1-year high of $1.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, COO Steven M. Hatten sold 62,409 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $1.03, for a total transaction of $64,281.27. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 288,550 shares of the companys stock, valued at $297,206.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . 3.35% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp lifted its position in shares of Ur-Energy by 45.6% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 618,839 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $990,000 after acquiring an additional 193,783 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Ur-Energy by 57.0% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 118,272 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $189,000 after purchasing an additional 42,939 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its holdings in Ur-Energy by 187.7% during the 1st quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 432,499 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $692,000 after buying an additional 282,194 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in Ur-Energy by 2.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,332,258 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $14,932,000 after buying an additional 249,648 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. purchased a new position in Ur-Energy during the 1st quarter valued at about $95,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.31% of the companys stock.

About Ur-Energy

(Free Report)

Ur-Energy Inc engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and operation of uranium mineral properties. The company holds interests in 12 projects located in the United States. Its flagship property is the Lost Creek project comprising a total of approximately 1,800 unpatented mining claims and three Wyoming mineral leases covering an area of approximately 35,400 acres located in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming.

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Shore Capital reaffirmed their buy rating on shares of XPS Pensions Group (LON:XPS  Free Report) in a report published on Monday, Marketbeat Ratings reports.

XPS has been the topic of a number of other research reports. Numis Securities raised their price objective on shares of XPS Pensions Group from GBX 205 ($2.60) to GBX 210 ($2.67) and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, May 25th. Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a buy rating and issued a GBX 216 ($2.74) price target on shares of XPS Pensions Group in a research note on Thursday, May 25th.

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XPS Pensions Group Price Performance

Shares of LON:XPS opened at GBX 184 ($2.34) on Monday. XPS Pensions Group has a twelve month low of GBX 114.50 ($1.45) and a twelve month high of GBX 185.26 ($2.35). The companys 50 day moving average is GBX 169.93 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 161.45. The company has a current ratio of 1.47, a quick ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 51.74. The company has a market cap of 381.69 million, a PE ratio of 2,628.57 and a beta of 0.43.

XPS Pensions Group Increases Dividend

XPS Pensions Group Company Profile

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 21st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 24th will be given a dividend of GBX 5.70 ($0.07) per share. This is a boost from XPS Pensions Groups previous dividend of $2.70. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 24th. This represents a dividend yield of 3.34%. XPS Pensions Groups payout ratio is presently 11,428.57%.

(Free Report)

XPS Pensions Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides employee benefit consultancy and related business services in the United Kingdom. The company offers advisory services to pension schemes and corporate sponsors; independent investment advisory services; DB and DC master trust schemes; and self-invested personal pension (SIPP) and SSAS pension services.

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Google has released its monthly security updates for the Android operating system, addressing 46 new software vulnerabilities. Among these, three vulnerabilities have been identified as actively exploited in targeted attacks.

One of the vulnerabilities tracked as CVE-2023-26083 is a memory leak flaw affecting the Arm Mali GPU driver for Bifrost, Avalon, and Valhall chips. This particular vulnerability was exploited in a previous attack that enabled spyware infiltration on Samsung devices in December 2022.

This vulnerability was regarded as serious enough to prompt the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to issue a patching order for federal agencies in April 2023.

Another significant vulnerability, identified as CVE-2021-29256, is a high-severity issue that affects specific versions of the Bifrost and Midgard Arm Mali GPU kernel drivers. This flaw permits an unprivileged user to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data and escalate privileges to the root level.

The third exploited vulnerability, CVE-2023-2136, is a critical-severity bug discovered in Skia, Google's open-source multi-platform 2D graphics library. It was initially disclosed as a zero-day vulnerability in the Chrome browser and allows a remote attacker who has taken over the renderer process to perform a sandbox escape and implement remote code on Android devices.

Besides these, Google's July Android security bulletin highlights another critical vulnerability, CVE-2023-21250, affecting the Android System component. This issue can cause remote code execution without user interaction or additional execution privileges, making it particularly precarious.

These security updates are rolled out in two patch levels. The initial patch level, made available on July 1, focuses on core Android components, addressing 22 security defects in the Framework and System components.

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The second patch level, released on July 5, targets kernel and closed source components, tackling 20 vulnerabilities in Kernel, Arm, Imagination Technologies, MediaTek, and Qualcomm components.

It's important to note that the impact of the addressed vulnerabilities may extend beyond the supported Android versions (11, 12, and 13), potentially affecting older OS versions no longer receive official support.

Google has further launched particular security patches for its Pixel devices, dealing with 14 vulnerabilities in Kernel, Pixel, and Qualcomm components. Two of these critical weaknesses could result in privilege elevation and denial-of-service attacks.
Researchers have issued a warning about an emerging and advanced form of voice phishing (vishing) known as "Letscall." This technique is currently targeting individuals in South Korea.

The criminals behind "Letscall" employ a multi-step attack to deceive victims into downloading malicious apps from a counterfeit Google Play Store website.

Once the malicious software is installed, it redirects incoming calls to a call center under the control of the criminals. Trained operators posing as bank employees then extract sensitive information from unsuspecting victims.

To facilitate the routing of voice traffic, "Letscall" utilizes cutting-edge technologies such as voice over IP (VOIP) and WebRTC. It also makes use of Session Traversal Utilities for NAT (STUN) and Traversal Using Relays around NAT (TURN) protocols, including Google STUN servers, to ensure high-quality phone or video calls and bypass NAT and firewall restrictions.

The "Letscall" group consists of Android developers, designers, frontend and backend developers, as well as call operators specializing in voice social engineering attacks.

The malware operates in three stages: first, a downloader app prepares the victim's device, paving the way for the installation of powerful spyware. This spyware then triggers the final stage, which allows the rerouting of incoming calls to the attackers' call center.

"The third stage has its own set of commands, which also includes Web socket commands. Some of these commands relate to the manipulation of the address book, such as creating and removing contacts. Other commands relate to creating, modifying, and removing the filters that determine which calls should be intercepted and which should be ignored," Dutch mobile security firm ThreatFabric said in its report.

What sets "Letscall" apart is its utilization of advanced evasion techniques. The malware incorporates Tencent Legu and Bangcle (SecShell) obfuscation during the initial download. In later stages, it employs complex naming structures in ZIP file directories and intentionally corrupts the manifest to confuse and bypass security systems.

Criminals have developed systems that automatically call victims and play pre-recorded messages to further deceive them. By combining mobile phone infections with vishing techniques, these fraudsters can request micro-loans in the victims' names while assuring them of suspicious activities and redirecting calls to their centers.

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The consequences of such attacks can be significant, leaving victims burdened with substantial loans to repay. Financial institutions often underestimate the severity of these invasions and fail to investigate potential fraud.

Although this threat is currently limited to South Korea, researchers caution that there are no technical barriers preventing these attackers from expanding to other regions, including the European Union.

This new form of vishing attack underscores the constant evolution of criminal tactics and their ability to exploit technology for malicious purposes. The group responsible for the "Letscall" malware demonstrates intricate knowledge of Android security and voice routing technologies.
A preacher was quoting a verse in the Bible about visiting the sick, raising the dead, and casting out devils. He got a little mixed up and said, The Bible admonishes us to cast out the sick  heal the dead  and raise the devil!

As a pastor I know I may have said a few things like that. I know Ive said a few things I dont even agree with. It shakes your confidence. It makes you wonder what else you might have said wrong. I try even harder to stay with my written message and not embarrass myself again.

It takes a little confidence to get up to speak. It takes confidence to be able to do a lot of things. I had to have confidence in my roommate when he asked me to double date with his girlfriend and one of her friends. Several years later I had to have a little confidence to ask my girlfriend to marry me. That was 49 years ago.

One thing we have found with our son Paul is similar. Lots of kids with disabilities need to have just the right help at just the right time. Then our kids can have the confidence to do way more than we thought.

I find great help in Psalm 27, verses 1-3: The Lord is my lightthe stronghold of my life  I will be confident. When we have a healthy relationship with God it gives us help, it gives us confidence.

I remember I needed a little confidence to start college, the same for seminary, and eventually I needed some confidence to try to be a pastor.

All along the way God seems to have given me just enough confidence to do what I needed to do. When I was a pastor in Eagle, Nebraska, I felt God call me to visit house to house in the evenings. I went with fear and trembling. Good things came out of it but Im not sure I would have the courage or confidence to do that again.

Someone asked Mrs. Albert Einstein if she knew anything about the theory of relativity. She smiled and said, No, I know nothing about it. But I know my husband, Albert, and he can be trusted.

Christians too may not know all the answers about tomorrow, what lies ahead, but we know the One who can be trusted. The object of our trust gives us our confidence. If we put our trust in three-legged robins we would have an empty trust. But because our trust is in an unshakeable foundation we know we have something very solid.

I like the end of Psalm 27 also, verse 14: Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage, wait for the Lord.

Prayer: Our Lord, when we feel shaky, remind us thats the very point at which you are holding us steady. Give us your confidence and not just our own. Amen
Forty-two high school students got a chance to train like a trooper last week at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy in Grand Island.

The cadets were part of the 53rd Junior Law Academy, which gives high school seniors-to-be a glimpse of what it takes to be a Nebraska State Trooper.

Junior Law is a great opportunity for high school juniors considering a career in law enforcement to experience part of the training our recruits go through, Capt. Andy Ecklund, commander of the NSP Training Academy, said in a news release. The cadets worked hard last week and showed that they have what it takes to make a difference. Most of these cadets will go on to serve others in their careers and wed love to see them again in a few years ready to join the Nebraska State Patrol.

Six cadets received awards for their excellent performances during the week.

Dillon Simpson of Burwell was named the 2023 Boys Outstanding Cadet.

Girls Outstanding Cadet was Tessa Miller of Sutherland.

Boys Marksmanship Award went to Kieffer Bruening of Newcastle.

Glory Naughtin of Sutherland earned the Girls Marksmanship Award.

The Boys Driving Award was presented to Jordyn Anderson of Hay Springs.

Camryn Jacobsmeier of Omaha received the Girls Driving Award.

Junior Law is an annual program organized by the American Legion Department of Nebraska and hosted by the NSP Training Academy in Grand Island. High school juniors from across the state are eligible to apply for the program. Troopers from around Nebraska come together to teach the cadets and put them through several blocks of training. Several current Nebraska State Troopers are graduates of Junior Law.

Applications for the 54th Junior Law Academy, scheduled for June 2024, will be made available in the coming months at the American Legion website.
UNITED NATIONS  Children experienced the highest number of grave violations in conflicts verified by the United Nations in 2022, with the conflicts between Israeli and Palestinians and in Congo and Somalia putting the most youngsters in peril, the U.N. childrens agency says.

UNICEF also expressed particular concern about their plight in Haiti, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Ukraine, where Russia has been put on the U.N. blacklist.

Grave violations include the recruitment and use of children by combatants, killings and injuries, sexual violence, abductions, and attacks on schools and hospitals.

Omar Abdi, UNICEFs deputy executive director, told the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday the more than 27,000 grave violations, up from 24,000 the previous year, are the highest number verified by the U.N. since its monitoring reports began in 2005. The number of conflict situations of concern was also the highest  at 26.

Since the report, Abdi said, a serious conflict has erupted in Sudan where over 1 million children have been displaced by violent conflict and the U.N. has received reports that hundreds have been killed and injured. He also said UNICEF expects an increase in Palestinian children affected due to recent escalations in violence.

Government and parties to conflicts are not fulfilling their commitments to protect children, and meaningful and unambiguous action is needed, the UNICEF official said.

In his yearly report to the council late last month, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put Russian forces on the U.N.'s annual blacklist of countries that violate childrens rights in conflict for killing boys and girls and attacking schools and hospitals in Ukraine.

But the U.N. chief did not put Israel on the blacklist for grave violations against 1,139 Palestinian children, including 54 killings last year  as supporters had hoped  saying the U.N. welcomed its identification of practical measures including those proposed by the U.N. to protect children.

The U.N. special envoy for children in armed conflict, Virginia Gamba, told the council that the 27,180 grave violations in 2022 were carried out against 18,890 children and included 8,620 who were killed or injured, 7,622 who were recruited or used by governments or armed groups in conflicts, 3,985 who were abducted, 1,165, almost all of them girls, who were raped, forced into marriage or sexual slavery or sexually assaulted.

The United Nations also verified attacks on 1,163 schools and 647 hospitals, a 112% increase from 2021, she said.

While armed groups were responsible for 50% of grave violations, Gamba underscored that governments were the main perpetrators of the killing and maiming of children and of attacks on schools and hospitals.

Gamba said, for example, last year three girls were gang-raped in South Sudan during five days of terror, many boys were killed by an explosive device at a school in Afghanistan, a 14-year-old girl in Myanmar was abducted and burned alive, and an airstrike in Ukraine left a girl with amputated limbs.

We must do more to prevent and protect our children from the ravages of armed conflict, she said.

U.S. Deputy Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis said the report makes clear that the worlds nations have not done nearly enough to protect children from the impacts of conflicts. He said the United States is keen to see this issue elevated, enhanced, and better integrated into all the work of the Security Council.

DeLaurentis accused Russia of committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine, including against children, pointing to the many youngsters deported to Russia and forcibly separated from their families. And Russias forces continue to attack areas where children are clearly present, including schools, hospitals and residential buildings," he said.

Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Western media companies of cynically selecting the protection of children for a dirty information campaign in order to slander the Russian Federation.

He accused Guterres of making a political decision to put Russian forces on the U.N. blacklist and not Ukrainian armed forces, insisting there is no factual basis to label Russia a violator of childrens rights.

Nebenzia accused the Ukrainian military of killing and injuring children in Russian-occupied areas of Luhansk and Donetsk in the countrys east since 2014 and said Moscows complaints about Ukraines actions have been ignored by the U.N. and others. He said Russia has established a parliamentary commission to investigate alleged crimes against children by the Ukraine.

Photos: Children of Ukraine war struggle after thousands of schools destroyed
The ruling People Power Party's floor leader, Rep. Yoon Jae-ok, center, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap



An expressway construction project at the center of political strife has been suspended due to groundless allegations from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the floor leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Friday.



Rep. Yun Jae-ok made the remark a day after Land Minister Won Hee-ryong announced a decision to scrap the Seoul-Yangpyeong expressway construction project, and Yun's use of the term, suspension, rather than cancellation, raises the possibility the project could be revived.



"I think it is very regrettable that a national project has been suspended due to political propaganda and fake news, and residents in the region are going to suffer damage," Yun told reporters after a party meeting at the National Assembly.



Yun also told Yonhap News Agency by phone that Won's announcement should be seen as meaning that the government is suspending the project because it cannot proceed normally due to the "continuing fake news and political offensive from the Democratic Party of Korea."



The DPK has raised allegations that the route of the envisioned expressway was changed earlier this year to give financial benefits to the family of first lady Kim Keon Hee because the new endpoint of the highway is near where Kim's family owns land.



"If there is a better route, the Democratic Party of Korea should review it and put it forward," Yun said. "It would be a responsible attitude for a political party to propose a new alternative, rather than only claiming that the current route is a special favor."



The DPK has been arguing that the land minister canceled the construction project in an attempt to cover-up the allegations and has demanded the minister revoke the decision.



"It's truly mind-boggling. Is he trying to destroy it completely because he can't benefit from it? The minister's decision, which almost seems childish, should be nullified," DPK leader Lee Jae-myung said at a meeting of Supreme Council members.



The DPK's special task force on the project said they will push for a parliamentary probe or even an impeachment of the minister to get to the bottom of the case, as they accused the minister of abusing his power.



"Ignoring explanations and threatening the people by completely scrapping the project is a dictatorial mindset and a clear abuse of power. Making such a decision undermines the legal system of the country and constitutes an administrative dictatorship. Personally, one may even consider impeachment," said Rep. Kang Deuk-gu, who heads the special task force.



The PPP, however, argued the DPK should take responsibility for the damage caused by the cancellation, saying they were the ones who politicized the project with false accusations from the start.



"The citizens of Yangpyeong will have to bear the brunt of such irresponsible accusations from the DPK. It will be fully responsible for the project's cancellation," the PPP's chief policymaker, Park Dae-chul, said.



Rep. Kim Jung-jae, who leads the parliamentary Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, said the accusations were based on "downright lies," adding that the routes were not abruptly changed and were agreed upon with the DPK. (Yonhap)




12 wide-ranging agreements set to bolster Vietnam-Singapore ties

By Tri Duc, Tuong Nguyen Fri, July 7, 2023 | 1:32 pm GTM+7

Twelve MoUs signed Friday at the Singapore Regional Business Forum in Hanoi creates a framework for boosting wide ranging Vietnam-Singapore relations, senior officials say.

Among the areas covered by the MoUs are sustainability, digitalization, financial services and human capital development.

The event attracted over 800 business leaders, senior government officials and diplomats from more than 420 companies and organizations across 32 countries and economies.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai addresses the Singapore Regional Business Forum in Hanoi on July 7, 2023. Photo courtesy of SBRF.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and Singaporean Minister for Manpower & Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng attended the forum.

Khai urged businesses of both countries to strengthen cooperation and utilize each other's advantages in innovation and implementation of investments.

He said the Vietnamese government was committed to providing the best business environment in line with OECD standards with a focus on socioeconomic and political stability, supply chain development and reduction in administrative costs.

Khai also proposed that Singaporean businesses help Vietnam access financial resources for the country's green transition, facilitating innovation, infrastructure development, traffic improvements, startup growth, human resources development, and climate change responses. He said Singaporean support would be particularly useful in industrial-urban areas, digitalization and the energy sector.

Singapores Second Trade and Industry Minister Tan See Leng. Photo courtesy of the SRBF.

Singapores Second Trade and Industry Minister Tan See Leng also identified innovation, energy connectivity and sustainability as three areas in which Singapore and Vietnam can work together to seize opportunities of the next decade and further deepen bilateral cooperation.

He noted that Vietnam and Singapore were among the top three startup ecosystems in Southeast Asia today.

With our common goal of driving further economic growth through technology and innovation, there is scope to tap each others innovation ecosystems for partners, funding and talent, he said.

On energy connectivity, Tan stressed that both countries shared a common vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Representatives of Techcombank, Kyriba Sea, Deloitte Vietnam, and PWC Vietnam sign an MoU at Singapore Regional Business Forum in Hanoi, July 7, 2023. Photo courtesy of SRBF.

List of 12 Vietnam-Singapore MoUs signed in Hanoi, July 7, 2023

1. The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment signed a deal to strengthen cooperation in promoting investment and commercial collaboration between the business community of Singapore and Vietnam. The deal focuses on information exchange regarding investment policies, market insights, business opportunities in emerging sectors, potential investment projects, among others.

2. The SBF and Vietnam's Techcombank signed an MoU on cooperation in promoting investment and commercial collaborations between the business community of Singapore and Vietnam.

3. Techcombank, Deloitte Vietnam, PwC Vietnam, and Kyriba Singapore signed an MoU to establish a platform for raising the treasury maturity of Vietnamese companies, especially in the mid-market and upper SME segments.

4. PSA Vietnam, under port group PSA International, and Vietnam's Saigon Newport Corporation (SNP) signed an MoU to leverage their combined expertise to promote and enhance supply chain connectivity within Vietnam and ASEAN.

5 to 8. The United Overseas Bank (UOB) and the FIA signed an MoU to further facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Vietnam. This is an elevation of the first MoU signed by the two sides in 2015. The first MoU facilitated investments of S$5.7 billion in Vietnam.

UOB FinLab, Singapore's Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), Vietnam's Foreign Trade University (FTU), and Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC) signed three MoUs on growing Vietnams small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) network, supporting businesses in their digitalization and sustainability journeys, and giving internships to students.

9. Keppel Corporation Limited, Singapore's Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Vietnam's National Innovation Center signed an MoU on talent development, innovation, entrepreneurship and start-up.

10. The National University of Singapore (NUS) and Vietnam's National Innovation Center (NIC) signed an MoU to facilitate bilateral cooperation in developing innovation and enterprise ecosystems.

11. Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Joint Venture Company (VSIP) signed an agreement to leverage the former's pool of over 5,000 member companies and encourage more Singapore manufacturing companies in various industries to invest and set up manufacturing plants and supply chains in Vietnam.

12. Forte Biotech Vietnam Co., Ltd (FBT) and the College of Aquaculture and Fisheries under Vietnam's Can Tho University signed an MoU on verification tests, evaluation, scientific seminars, training and creating employment opportunities for students.
Bad debt trader VAMC makes record profit in 2022

By Minh Huong Fri, July 7, 2023 | 2:27 pm GTM+7

The Vietnam Asset Management Company (VAMC) last year recorded a profit 10 times higher than the year it started trading debts at market value in 2017.

According the latest VAMC report, total revenue in 2022 reached more than VND1.2 trillion ($50.71 million), down about 60% compared to 2021 and about half of its plan for the year.

However, profit reached a record of VND165 billion ($6.97 million), rising by more than 36% compared to 2021 and exceeding 24% of its target. It is the second year in a row that VAMC has achieved a profit of more than VND100 billion ($4.23 million).

VAMC's headquarters in Hoan Kiem district, Hanoi. Photo courtesy of the company.

VAMC is a unique enterprise, established at the end of May 2013 under a prime ministerial decision with a mission to contribute to the quick settlement of bad debts in Vietnam.

It also aims to develop healthy finances, minimizing risks for credit institutions and businesses, and promoting reasonable credit growth for the economy.

The company's initial goal was to bring the bad debt ratio in the banking system to a safe level, and it conducted trading and dealing with bad debts with special bonds. From 2017, VAMC started implementing debt trading activities at market value. By the end of this May, the company had bought 400 debts for nearly VND13 trillion ($549 million).

Before 2016, the company only made a revenue from management fees, and debt recovery bought with special bonds made no profit. Since 2017, VAMC has been able to balance revenue and expenditure and enjoy increasingly higher profits without using the state budget to deal with bad debts.

Also in 2017, it was allowed to increase its charter capital from VND500 billion ($21.7 million) to VND2 trillion ($86.9 million). In 2019, charter capital was raised to VND5 trillion ($217.3 million) with an orientation to reach VND10 trillion ($343.7 million) in the future to improve capacity and efficiency in debt settlement according to market value.

VAMC is now cooperating comprehensively with BIDV, Vietinbank, Agribank, Sacombank, PVCombank, NamABank and SGBank.

It also noted that the company faced difficulties when the State Bank of Vietnam's Circular 01/2020 changed the debt sale plan of credit institutions as the bad debt ratio was below 3%. At the same time, the central bank's adjustment of credit room at the end of last year reduced the demand for selling debt for payment by special bonds compared to previous years. VAMC also has difficulties finding debt buyers when the local macroeconomic situation is volatile.

In 2023, VAMC plans to buy bad debt with special bonds up to VND12 trillion ($521.7 million) and buy bad debt at market value of more than VND2.7 trillion ($117.3 million), and handle debt recovery of VND14 trillion ($608.6 million).
Innovation, green growth should drive Vietnams future development: minister

By Tri Duc Fri, July 7, 2023 | 9:07 pm GTM+7

Vietnam's Minister of Planning and Investment says four economic drivers are conceptualized for upcoming development phases: innovation, an international financial center in Ho Chi Minh City, semiconductor-chips and green growth.

Minister Nguyen Chi Dung identified the economic drivers while addressing the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) in Hanoi Friday. The goal is all-round sustainable development, he said.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung (center) speaks at the Singapore Regional Business Forum in Hanoi on July 7, 2023. Photo courtesy of the forum.

Discussing energy issues, Dung noted that Vietnam was focusing on renewable energy, but the resource was too reliant on the weather. Meanwhile, hydropower development was close to its maximum potential. Therefore, Vietnam may reconsider the development of nuclear power as a source to stabilize the electricity system.

He said that the National Innovation Center (NIC) within the Hoa Lac high-tech park in Hanoi, which will be officially launched this October, aims to become a top facility in Southeast Asia.

On the international financial center in HCMC, the minister said they were studying suitable models and looking to learn from Singapores experiences. He said the idea was to complement the financial hub in Singapore and diversify investment sources, not to compete against the island nation.

On semiconductor-chips and green growth, the ministry hoped for cooperation from businesses of both countries in building plans, he said.

Dung added he expected the four economic drivers to help Vietnam achieve net zero emissions.

Singapore was the second-biggest foreign investor in Vietnam as of May 2023 with a total registered capital of $73.38 billion in 3,240 projects, according to the planning ministry.

Facilitating FDI inflows

UOB, a leading Singapore banking group, said at the event that the MoU that it has just signed with the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment would facilitate more foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Vietnam and create more jobs.

The newly-signed MoU, which renews the previous one inked in 2015, will boost high-quality FDI into Vietnam, focusing on technology, digitalization, sustainability, renewable energy, semi-conductors and financial services, it said.

The UOB, with its extensive network in the ASEAN, was well positioned to connect global companies to the region. The group said it was committed to continuing investments in Vietnam as it believed in the countrys potential.

The forum also saw UOB FinLab signing several MoUs with Vietnamese agencies and higher education institutions to provide internship opportunities to students.

Tech innovation as growth driver

Speaking at a discussion on technology innovation in the ASEAN's digital development, managing director Thai Ha Le of VinFuture Prize stressed challenges facing the information technology industry.

She said the sector needs supporting policies, infrastructure, skilled labor force and effective collaboration between the government, industry stakeholders and research institutes. It is a problem that some excellent students do not have the skills required by the industry, she noted.

She suggested more dialogues between stakeholders to help the government keep pace with the demand of the industry and academic institutions. They can cooperate to set up funds and financial mechanisms to facilitate the utilization of emerging technology, Le said.

Thai Ha Le (center), managing director of VinFuture Prize, speaks at the Singapore Regional Business Forum in Hanoi, July 7, 2023. Photo courtesy of the forum.

VinFuture and the Vingroup ecosystem saw emerging technology solutions helping with carbon footprint reduction, she said.

For example, the use of electric vehicles can help reduce carbon emissions towards a cleaner transportation system. Other applications include renewable energy sources, sustainable construction materials, smart lighting systems, and the use of smart management systems and intelligent routing algorithms to optimize traffic routes and reduce fuel consumption.
Vietnam lender SHB seeks strategic foreign investor

By Van Minh Fri, July 7, 2023 | 6:23 pm GTM+7

Saigon-Hanoi Bank (SHB) is seeking an optimal strategic partner towards delivering greater value to customers and shareholders, a source with knowledge of the matter told The Investor Friday.

The source, who wished to remain anonymous, shared the information in response to an inquiry following a Reuters report Thursday that the Hanoi-headquartered bank was in discussions to bring in a strategic partner that could own up to a 20% stake in the private lender.

The potential deal could value SHB at between $2 billion and $2.2 billion; and financial investors and companies from South Korea and Japan are among those that have expressed interest, the report said.

The news wire service also said that SHB was looking to tie up with a long-term foreign investor and also tap into the growing interest from South Korean and Japanese investors in Vietnam's banking sector.

Saigon-Hanoi Bank is a leading private bank in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the bank.

The banks current market value is around $1.7 billion.

In April, International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Banks investment arm, decided to invest $120 million in SHB to help it expand financial access for small and medium enterprises. SMEs that will benefit from this financing will include women-owned SMEs and those participating in the SHB supply chain finance program, the IFC said.

The IFC also proposed to establish a trade finance guarantee facility of $75 million under its Global Trade Finance Program (GTFP) with tenures of up to 12 months to support SHBs trade finance business.

SHB is one of the top private commercial banks in Vietnam. The bank says it serves more than five million individual and corporate customers and connects with 500 correspondent banks across continents.

Other acquisitions

Hanoi-headquartered T&T Group, a Vietnamese conglomerate with interests in logistics, renewable energy, real estate and transportation, is SHBs largest shareholder with a 10% stake, according to Refinitiv data.

In August 2021, SHB and Thailand's Krungsri Bank reached an agreement on the latters acquisition of a 50% stake in SHB subsidiary SHB Finance Co. Ltd. for VND3.59 trillion ($153.12 million). The acquisition, completed this May, marked Krungsris entrance into Vietnam as part of its ASEAN expansion.

Also in 2021, VPBank, another Hanoi-based Vietnamese lender, completed the sale of a 15% stake for around $1.5 billion to Japans Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group. The deal made the Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC) a strategic investor in the Vietnamese lender.

In October 2021, SMBC renamed consumer credit firm FE Credit of VPBank as VPBank SMBC Finance Co. Ltd. It did so after spending about $1.37 billion acquiring a 49% stake in FE Credit. The major consumer credit firm said it was targeting unbanked and underbanked residents in Vietnam.
BLOOMINGTON  Former state Rep. Dan Brady, most recently the Republican nominee for secretary of state, will not seek elected office in 2024, the Bloomington Republican said Friday.

My style of public service has been driven by service to my constituents and that has become lost in todays political rhetoric, where politics by personal destruction has become the norm, he said in a prepared statement.

Brady, also a former McLean County coroner, served in the General Assembly for more than 20 years before losing his bid for Illinois secretary of state last year. Following the midterm election, he said he would keep his options open in regards to a return to public office.

In June, he expressed interest in running for Congress in the 17th District  currently held by Democrat Eric Sorensen  or the 88th Illinois House District, which he represented from 2001 to 2013.

But in the statement Friday, Brady said he now plans to focus on his career as a funeral director, embalmer and partner at the funeral home firm Kibler-Brady-Ruestman.

Returning to a more active status in the Kibler-Brady-Ruestman Funeral Home firm has reminded me why I chose the profession, to help people in their time of need, he said. I want to continue focusing more of my attention on the funeral home business.

Brady thanked his supporters, colleagues, donors, friends and family for their input regarding a potential run for Congress or the General Assembly.

Photos: A grateful state and state representative presents this flag 053021-blm-loc-5flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-1flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-2flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-3flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-4flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-6flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-7flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-8flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-9flags4vets 053021-blm-loc-10flags4vets
The Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce joined in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of Westbury Ace Hardware in Holly Hill on June 30.

The chamber and Holly Hill Mayor Billy Chavis welcomed the new owner, Darren Workman.

A statement from Tri-County reads:

"The chamber couldn't overlook the remarkable contribution made by the previous owners, the Westbury family, towards providing quality services to the community. Their philanthropic attitude has set high standards, and we acknowledge their generous long-standing commitment to the business industry in Holly Hill.

"The chamber is delighted to have somebody like Darren Workman, committed to continuing the tradition, take over the reins. We are confident that he will successfully uphold the Westbury family's legacy and, in the future, take the business to new heights.

"Darren Workman, the new owner of Westbury Ace Hardware, is undoubtedly a great asset to the business community in Holly Hill. He has always believed in providing excellent customer service, which is evident from his remarkable track record.

"He looks forward to working alongside seasoned employees, local residents and businesses within the Tri-County Region, with the ultimate goal of providing unmatched services. His commitment to the community is evident from the fact that he intends to keep Westbury Ace Hardware as a valuable resource for the community."
Dr. Alfredo Baptista Salgado had to undergo emergency surgery after being stabbed in the abdomen.

THE VINCENTIAN understands that a mother and her two sons are assisting a police investigation into an attack on a Cuban doctor on Friday evening.





The doctor, Alfredo Baptista Salgado, a 53-year-old Cuban Medical Doctor attached to the Levi Latham Health Centre, Marriaqua, was attacked and stabbed while walking along White Chapel Road, in the vicinity of His Majestys Prison, Kingstown, according to a police report.





He was said to have been on his way home after attending the Calypso Monarch semifinals at Victoria Park that Friday night.





A report indicated that the doctor sustained a wound to the abdomen which left his intestines exposed.

Emergency surgery had to be performed and up to mid-week, he was hospitalized at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

In a statement on the incident, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said, inter alia, that the incident was of great concern.




The air gets rare as the battle for the 2023 Calypso Monarch title unfolds.





The issue will be settled this Sunday at Victoria Park when eleven finalists and the defending monarch do battle.





The eleven booked their spaces from last week Fridays semi-finals.





Carlos Rejector Providence progressed with his number Use the anthem more. Glenroy Sulle Caesar would be looking to return to royalty with his We outside. Lornette Fya Empress Nedd, a former national monarch, cannot be overlooked with her selection Price of neglect, and she is bolstered by being reigning Queen of Calypso. Shaunelle Mckenzie and royalty are nearly synonymous, dating back to her Junior Calypso days. She is asking, Who to Blame? in search of another national title.





Interestingly, Shaunelle is joined in the finals by her father, Gosnel GC Cupid with his number Crisis, and her brother- Omani Cupid who will compete as 2023 Junior Secondary School Calypso Monarch against his seniors, with a song entitled My Time.





While Shaunelle and Fya Empress carry royalty at the national level, three other women will see this as their chance to break into the domain. Phylicia Nubian Empress Alexander hopes to do so with a number Reckless Driving; Cleopatra Hendrickson joins her with Gun Violence; Sheena Collis is threatening to Beat yo bad with Calypso as she aims for the top.





Veterans Robert Patches Knights and Bernard Reality White complete the warriors. Patches appeals to those who matter to Do the right thing and Reality, around since 1974 and one who knows the art form inside out, declares, I am Calypso.





Those who were denied final berths: Grantley Ipa Constance, Elvis Abijah Abbey, Marvo Morgan, Kirk Ninja Knights, Derek Man Sick Alexander, Ramon Jose Juan Diaz, Kingsley Hero Roberts, Kristian Christopher, Delahanty Isles, Cecile Lil Bit Murray and Denise Lady D Stephens.





Defending monarch Maxwell Tajoe Francis used the opportunity of a guest at the semi-finals to rehearse his title defense number.





The Royal SVG Police Force band will provide musical accompaniment for the Calypso Monarch finals at which each calypsonian will be required to render one song.
Alazne Niles, Junior Queen of the Bands  Love Bird, from Blondie Bird and Friends Birds of a Feather.

Junior Carnival is considered an indicator of what to expect come the grand finale for masquerade bands, Mardi Gras.





So, if one follows on that tradition, Blondie Bird and Friends has served early notice of their intention to return to dominating Mas Band competitions for Vincy Mas, as they did during the first decade and more of the 21st century.





With a parade of scaled down mas bands last year, it was no surprise that last Saturdays (July 01) parade of junior masqueraders made every effort to reignite the spellbinding impact of mas bands, and the enthusiasm that characterizes the healthy competition among mas men and women.





When the days parade of band across the stage at Carnival City, Victoria Park, was done and dusted, Blondie Bird and Friends, with a presentation entitled Birds of a Feather, took four of the six categories of judging, and for good measure, jumped away with the top prize in the Uptown Competition for Mas Bands.





SVG Players International Mas Bands Players Love took the remaining two categories of competition at Victoria Park - Best Junior Section (Fun and Frolic) and the top 5-9 years Individual.





Blondie Bird and friends, in addition to the Uptown prize, made an early intrusion of their trophy cabinet with wins in: Best Junior Band of the Year; Junior King of Carnival  Joel Baston  King Cobo; Junior Queen of Carnival  Alazne Niles Love Bird; and top 10-15 years Individual.





And, as if to register that their four wins were no fluke, they took second place in the two categories in which SVG Players International Mas band took top honours.





Nelson Bloc with portrayals from their band Papillon ran second to Blondie Bird and Friends in both the Junior King and Queen categories.





The Junior mas bands also enjoyed, after a break of three years, a jump-up along Back Street. This, after the judging in Victoria Park was over.





Ten mas bands presented at this years Junior Carnival. In addition to the (three) bands already referenced, the others were: Beautex (Natural Remedies; Leeward International (Africa is We); (Melbourne Artisans (Climate Change  The Vision); Mirage Productions (The Deep); My Imagination (Tell it like it is); Tribes Mas Band (De Market Place); Verlene Ralph and the Professionals (They Dancing  A tribute to Dr. Alson Becket Cyrus) and new mas entity Energy (Watch Out for Dis) which made a guest (non-judged) appearance.





Come Mardi Gras (Tuesday 11th June) the fore-mentioned bands will be joined by: Ahdrenalin XO (Celebration 23) and Oxygen (The Good Life).
Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Moon-kyu, left, announces the government's analysis on Japan's plan to release contaminated water from its damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant during a press conference at the Government Complex in downtown Seoul, Friday. Yonhap



IAEA chief to arrive in Seoul Friday evening



By Nam Hyun-woo



The Korean government said Friday Japan's plan to release contaminated water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant meets international standards, including those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), if Tokyo sticks to its plan.



The government announced this as it revealed its own 22-month analysis on the water discharge plan. It also added that it respects the IAEA's analysis on the Fukushima wastewater, in which the agency evaluated that the overall water processing system meets safety standards and the water would have a negligible radiological impact on both humans and the environment.



"As the government analyzed Japan's wastewater release plan, the total concentration of radioactive materials meets the marine discharge standards," Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Moon-kyu said in a press conference.



"For tritium, the analysis detected even lower levels than the Japanese standards, meeting international standards, including the IAEA's."









Bang continued that the analysis was based on the premise that the water is discharged as planned, and final consideration would be possible only after Japan unveils its final release plan and Korea confirms its feasibility.



In its report, the Korean government anticipated that the wastewater will flow into South Korean waters four to five years after the release, given the sea current is flowing in the opposite direction toward the Pacific Ocean.



Bang also said that the government respects the IAEA's report on the release plan, which was revealed on Tuesday. "It has been the government's longstanding stance to recognize the IAEA as a prestigious internationally agreed-upon agency, and we respect its findings," Bang said.





Lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea stage a rally in front of the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, Friday, calling for the government to oppose Japan's plan to release wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Yonhap
LABOURER CHARGED FOR UNLICENSED FIREARM





On Sunday, July 2, 2023, Jesse Ashton, a 20-year-old Labourer from Mesopotamia, was arrested and charged with having in his possession a .32 Revolver make and serial number unknown without a license issued under the Firearm Act, at Heritage Square, Kingstown.





Ashton will appear at the Kingstown Magistrate Court to answer the charge.





DUO ON DRUG CHARGE





On 02.07.23, Romaul Benn, 45 years Carpenter of Green Hill, and Martin Alonso Velez Velasquez, 39 years Telecommunication Technician of Colombia/Green Hill were arrested and jointly charged with having in their possession 31,099 grammes of cannabis with intent to supply it to another at Green Hill at about 7:00 am on 01.07.23.





The accused men will appear at the Serious Offences Court to answer the charge.





LABOURER CHARGED WITH WOUNDING

On June 17, 2023, Elomon Phillips, a 23-year-old Labourer from Villa, was arrested and charged with Wounding.





Phillips is charged with unlawfully and maliciously injuring a 30-year-old Painter of Glen by stabbing him on his right hand with an unknown object, at Arnos Vale about 5:30 am on 02.07.23.

Phillips will appear at the Serious Offence Court to answer the charge.





LABOURER CHARGED WITH THEFT





On 30.6.23, Police arrested and charged Michael George, 42 years Labourer of Arnos Vale with entering the business place of a 32-year-old Businesswoman of Prospect as a trespasser and stealing one (1) white iPhone 12 Cellular phone valued at $1,800.00ECC, five (5) pack of acrylic nails valued at $150.00ECC and $280.00ECC in cash, total value $ 2,230.00ECC. The items were stolen at Arnos Vale between 7:00 pm on 28.06.23 and 10:00 am on 29.06.23.





George will appear at the Kingstown Magistrate Court to answer the charge.





MAN CHARGED WITH WOUNDING





Antonio Patterson, a 23-year-old Labourer of Langley Park on 30.06.23, was arrested and charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a 22-year-old Labourer of Georgetown by stabbing him on his head with a pair of scissors at Georgetown at about midnight on 22.06.23.





The accused man will appear at the Serious Offences Court to answer the charge.
Hennessy Starlift Steel Orchestra has further stamped its dominance of Junior Pan in SVG, with another Junior Panorama title.

Hennessy Starlift Steel Orchestra retained its grip on the Junior Panorama for an additional year, when they disposed of five other contenders in the 2023 VINLEC Junior Panorama competition, held on Sunday 2nd July, at Victoria Park.





The 2023 Junior Panorama featured a single competition for the first time since 2008. Since 2009 it had featured separate competitions for Community and School-based steel orchestras. Starlift came into the 2023 Panorama as reigning Community Bands champs, having won in 2019 when the Junior Panorama was last held.





The Montrose-based steel orchestra amassed a winning total of 245 points. Second placed Sion Hill Euphonium totalled 236 points and third placed Symphonix, 232.





With 35 players, Starlift entertained the appreciative crowd at the Victoria Park with an interpretation of Hance Johns All I Need. Sion Hill went with the Field Marshall classic, Cocaine Jumbie and Symphonix rendered Winston Sosos Hand in the Air.





Bishops College Kingstown, 223 points, placed fourth with its rendition of Blaksands Afro Caribbean. They were followed by Leaf Elite Steel Orchestra who earned 174 points with a performance of Kentucky by Alston BECKET Cyrus.





Debutant Sandy Bay Secondary School finished in sixth position with 116 points after a rendition of To the Sky, a composition of Mitch Lewis.





Starlift makes bold decision

"Winning is good, Roddy Dowers  Starlifts Leader told THE VINCENTIAN after the results were announced.





He disclosed that band turned to a new arranger this year  Mitch Israel - a first-time arranger, and according to Dowers, he is the youngest arranger ever to have done the job for the Starlift Steel Orchestra.





Dowers had no hesitation in saying that all credit must go to the 19-year-old Israel for this years winning performance.





" We gave him the job and he grabbed it with both hands, and we are really happy for him, Dowers said.





"I am so happy that we used a young arranger, and I cant help but feel so happy for him, he said.





A lot of work went into preparing for the competition, and there was the usual problem with students, particularly those writing external examinations.





According to Dowers, that has been a problem over the years but the team at Starlift had already figured out how to overcome it. After all, they are among the more experienced pan sides in the country, celebrating 55 years in the business this year, Dowers said.





And over that 55-year span, they have won over 20 senior and junior panoramas combined, he added.

And as for their arch rivals Sion Hill Euphonium, Dowers congratulated Sion Hill which he said was a very good band with very good players.





"They had a good performance, but we are happy to win, he told THE VINCENTIAN as he journeyed off to join in another celebration with his members and supporters.
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When Koma Wetan was formed, singing in Kurdish was illegal in Turkey. Now, the group is a legendary influence among Turkish Kurdish rockers. From Eurasianet.

Years before it was possible in the traditional Kurdish lands, four young men in Soviet Tbilisi formed the worlds first Kurdish rock band.

Koma Wetan (Group Homeland) was founded in 1973, with three Yazidi Kurds and one Armenian. Frontman Kerem Gerdenzeri was born and raised in Tbilisi, part of the small but longstanding Kurdish communities in the Caucasus. But his family had roots in in the eastern Turkish provinces of Kars and Van, still home to large Kurdish populations.

Kurdistan is the land of our fathers and grandfathers, the motherland and fatherland of our people, go the lyrics of one of the groups songs, Welate Me (Our Homeland). This song is for you, Kurdistan, for your mountains and springs. This is our place and our home.

That kind of sentiment  sung in the Kurdish language, at that  would have been impossible at the time in neighboring Turkey, where it was illegal to speak Kurdish until the early 1990s. Using the word Kurdistan is still banned in the Turkish parliament.

But in the multiethnic, relaxed atmosphere of Tbilisi of the time, Koma Wetan was not only allowed to perform, but got state support. The city was one of the centers of Soviet rock, and in 1980 hosted the first official rock festival in the Soviet Union.

One of the groups boosters was prominent Georgian-Kurdish intellectual and politician Kerem Anqosi, a major advocate of Kurdish culture in Soviet Georgia who operated Kurdish-language programming on Georgian state radio for more than 25 years. Anqosi helped Koma Wetan secure financial assistance from the state so they could purchase instruments that they otherwise would not have been able to afford.

Koma Wetan managed to achieve formal recognition as a vocal-instrumental ensemble, the Soviet term for pop and rock bands operating with official sanction. The groups were state-funded or state-approved collectives with a repertoire that was based on local musical culture; and they were allowed to experiment with forms, albeit within the confines of what was acceptable, Georgian music critic Kakha Tolordava told Eurasianet.

And given Turkeys position at the time as an enemy NATO member state bordering the Soviet Caucasus, it is perhaps not surprising that the authorities would at least tolerate sentiments that Ankara would have seen as separatism.

I dont think mentioning Kurdistan in songs during the 1970s was problematic for the Soviet state, Tolordava said.

Koma Wetan appeared repeatedly on Georgian and Soviet television, Gerdenzeri later recalled. We performed in a lot of festivals and concerts, he said in a 2012 interview. We were recognized around the Soviet Union and wherever Kurds lived.

The group wrote the demos for its first and only album, Baye Payize (The Winds of Fall), in 1979, though it took until 1989 for the record to be released. It combined a classic rock style, some psychedelic flourishes, and lyrics written by Gerdenzeri but drawn from the works of iconic Kurdish poets from the Caucasus.

It was inevitable that Kurdish rock would emerge in the territories of the Soviet Union, wrote anthropologist Ozkan Oztas, in his book Kurdish Art in the Soviet Union. Both the chance to get the best and most advanced equipment, and the ability to benefit from mother-tongue language education and musical education contributed to the creation of the first Kurdish rock music in history.

The groups big debut, however, came at a tumultuous time.

The year 1989, when the album was released, coincided with the dissolution of the Soviet Union on the one hand, and on the other hand, when Kurds were massacred kilometers away in [the Iraqi Kurdish city of] Halabja by Saddam Hussein with chemical weapons, Oztas wrote. Koma Wetan donated the proceeds from the albums to support the people of Halabja.

The collapse of the Soviet Union proved fatal to the band, as the disappearance of state support forced members to seek other work outside Georgia, Gerdenzeri recalled. Gerdenzeri himself moved to Moscow.

But in Turkey, home to the largest number of the worlds Kurds, the popularity and influence of Koma Wetan has only grown, and it has served as the inspiration for many subsequent Kurdish musicians. Strictures against Kurdish language, literature, and music began to be loosened in the 1990s, and when a reassembled version of Koma Wetan performed a concert to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its formation, they did it in Istanbul, the city with the highest Kurdish population in the world.

At that concert, Koma Wetan shared the stage with another history-making group: Ferec, the worlds first Kurdish-language heavy metal band, formed in the eastern Turkish province of Hakkari in 2004.

Ferecs frontman, who performs under the stage name Reh, told Eurasianet that Koma Wetan was one of the most important bands for us.  As the first Kurdish group, Koma Wetan paved the way for and influenced many Kurdish rock groups. Reh first bought a cassette tape of Baye Payize in the late 1990s, he recalled.

When I first listened to it, I felt it to my bones, he said. It was a tape that would never get old, no matter how much you listened to it, it always brought enjoyment.

Paul Benjamin Osterlund is a freelance journalist based in Istanbul. This article was originally published by Eurasianet. Reprinted with permission.
The cost of health care has long been a point of discussion in Wyoming.

For years, lawmakers, doctors, hospitals, health insurance companies and even businesses have wrestled with the relative costs that the states residents pay for medical services, which historically have been higher than the national average and surrounding states.

Access has always been a part of that conversation, too. The Legislature and the states communities and health care industry have continually weighed the medical services that should be available across Wyomings rural areas, trying to balance the care people need and want with growing costs.

Yet, decades of discussion have yielded few solutions, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that aims to improve the quality and efficacy of the U.S. health care system. The groups 2023 state health system scorecard ranks Wyoming 49 out of 51 (including the District of Columbia) and last among five Rocky Mountain states for the affordability and accessibility of its health care system.

Across many of the metrics the Commonwealth Fund uses, Wyoming sits in the bottom half of states or even worse. According to the report, 1 in 10 children in Wyoming are uninsured, double the national average. A quarter of adults do not have a consistent source of care and 17% of Wyomingites have medical debt, both above the national average. While Wyoming excels in some areas, such as youth mental health care, the report largely paints the picture of a state that continues to struggle with health care costs and barriers to care, especially among minorities and those with low incomes.

Those in health care say that there are no clear and easy solutions to improve access and make medical care more affordable for Wyoming patients. Wyomings rural geography is an inherent challenge, doctors, industry groups and officials from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming said. A small population and large state means higher costs and fewer options for patients. But there is some agreement about the steps the state and its health care industry should begin to take. Across the spectrum, health care providers and professionals argued that the state and its medical system should focus more on primary care and filling insurance gaps to lower costs and better meet the needs of Wyomingites.

Yet, even as those in health care agree on some meaningful changes, a larger question looms: What type of health care system does Wyoming want?

There is this expectation of consumers to be able to receive all the care all the time, but you cant do that at a low price, said Diane Gore, the president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming. The population dynamics and the demographic dynamics just dont work.

Access

Pushed by health care groups, lawmakers have taken some recent steps to improve health care access in Wyoming.

During the last legislative session, the state joined two compacts, one for licensed professional counselors and one for psychologists, that will allow more mental and behavioral health providers to practice in the state. Lawmakers also required health insurance companies to cover collaborative care for mental health, a new model that aims to integrate behavioral and mental health into a patients primary care.

Perhaps the most significant bill, and one of the most celebrated, was an extension of Medicaid postpartum coverage to a year, allowing new mothers to access care such as postpartum checkups, screenings, assistance with breastfeeding and a range of behavioral health services for an additional 10 months.

Yet, it remains to be seen if the action the Legislature took last year will address the issue of access in Wyomings health care system. The state has yet to find a solution to Wyomings fundamental problem of geography.

Rural here is a lot different where your state is huge with large expanses of geography in between [and] bad weather in the wintertime, said Dr. Kristopher Schamber, an internist with Sheridan Memorial Hospital and the president of the Wyoming Medical Society. That plays a big role.

As anyone living in Wyoming knows, the state is relatively unique even among rural states. The 10th largest state, Wyoming also has the smallest population. At its most basic, that means fewer hospitals and medical facilities spread out across greater distances, an immediate impediment to health care access. Wyomings rural character makes quality health care difficult not only for the patients who have to travel, but also medical providers who have to factor barriers to care into their treatment plans.

We as physicians have to adjust our recommendations for patients who live far away from the service we provide, said Dr. Giovannina Anthony, an ob-gyn at the Womens Health and Family Care clinic in Jackson.  We have to make adjustments to try and keep patients safe but make a workable scenario for them and thats really hard.

Over the last decade, Wyomings geographic obstacles have contributed in part to shrinking medical services and declining health care access. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County in Rawlins announced last year that it would cut its labor and delivery services, sending patients roughly 100 miles away to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie to deliver their babies. Around the same time, South Memorial Hospital District in Kemmerer announced that it would also cut its labor and delivery services. Since 2005, 10 ambulance agencies have closed across Wyoming, while nearly a dozen others have been replaced.

Were seeing some of our hospitals take a look at the service lines theyre offering and were seeing a reduction in some, Eric Boley, the president of the Wyoming Hospital Association, said. Its decreasing access to care for certain types of care in those communities, but were seeing those really tough decisions as to whether or not they can be afforded.

The metrics that the Commonwealth Fund uses to gauge the access and affordability of health care in Wyoming include measures like the percentage of adults who lack consistent care, but the group also relies on health insurance as an indicator. According to doctors, Wyomings yearslong inability to expand Medicaid and lower its uninsured rates still stands as one of the greatest hurdles to improved health care access.

A minority of lawmakers has tried for more than a decade to expand Medicaid in Wyoming  the only state in the West that has yet to do so  with no success. Opponents have argued that expanding the program will be too costly to the state, even as the Wyoming Department of Health estimated the state could save $32 million in the first two years alone.

According to Commonwealth Fund data, Wyoming has the sixth highest adult uninsured rate in the country at 16% and the second highest uninsured rate for children. Kevin Wilson, the executive director of the Lander Free Medical Clinic, which provides free primary care to people who make less than 200% of the federal poverty level and who are uninsured, said he knew of at least a dozen clinic patients who would qualify for Medicaid if the state chose to expand the joint state-federal program.

Wyoming Department of Health projections show some 19,000 people in Wyoming could enroll in expanded Medicaid by the end of the first two years, a significant number for a state with 581,000 people.

For a lot of my patients, not expanding Medicaid in our state is a huge barrier to them wanting to go get any care, Wilson said.

Though Wyoming and the federal government do have programs that subsidize health insurance and can drastically reduce premiums, Wilson said even those plans can be difficult for some Lander Free Medical Clinic patients because of the out-of-pocket expenses.

Thats what stops a lot of our patients from even signing up for these highly subsidized plans on the Affordable Care Act marketplace, Wilson said. The best plan that you can pretty much find, which is the one that weve gotten our patients into, is a $900 out-of-pocket maximum and our patients are living so much paycheck to paycheck.

Cost

High health care costs have been a theme in the three decades that Boley has worked in health care in Wyoming. They likely will continue to be, he said.

Nothings really changed, Boley said. Its the same issues weve been facing for many, many years.

The cost of health care in Wyoming is no simple equation. But if there is one overarching force, its the issue of economies of scale, or in Wyomings case the lack of them. Put simply, Wyoming doesnt have enough people and enough large communities to keep health care costs down.

If youre a UnitedHealthcare, Anthem or Humana, we dont move the needle, said Anne Ladd, the CEO of Colorados Peak Health Alliance and the former executive director of the Wyoming Business Coalition on Health. Youre looking at big population centers to get your costs under control because thats where the needle gets moved.

In health care, as in other industries, volume is key. A doctor or hospital that sees hundreds of knee surgeries will be more proficient than one that sees dozens. They will also be able to charge lower rates. In rural Wyoming, thats a struggle. Some hospital emergency rooms may see only a handful of patients each day, making it hard to cover staffing and overhead costs, Boley said.

Adding to the problem is the relative lack of interest from national health care groups, which are scared away by Wyomings small population and market, Ladd said. Limited competition leaves little pressure across the state to reduce health care costs. The knock-on effect is that Wyomingites often have to pay more for their health care.

Volume drives the cost down, Boley said.

Lawmakers, state officials and some health care groups have tried at times to curb the cost of health care in the state. A few years ago the state funded the initial development of a database to track health insurance claims. A joint effort between the Department of Health and Wyoming Business Coalition on Health, an employer group dedicated to addressing high health care costs, the database was imagined as both a way to track Wyomings health care costs and a transparency tool for consumers. The Legislature approved the continued use of the database in 2019, but they did so without appropriating money and the database has since shuttered.

In 2020, Gov. Mark Gordon launched his Health Task Force, which brought together health care, state and legislative officials and tasked them with addressing Wyomings high health costs. Though the group has taken some meaningful steps to shore up the states EMS system and establish the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, it has produced little in the way of state action to tackle health care costs.

Part of the challenge is that so much is out of states hands. The federal government plays a significant role in health care costs both as a payer through Medicare and Medicaid and as a regulator. But part of the problem is also Wyoming and the United States model of health care itself.

If you look at healthcare industry in general as a fee-for-service sort of concept, it doesnt value the right kind of care, Schamber said.

In Wyoming and across the country, health care is geared toward medical procedures and emergency care. Doctors and hospitals are reimbursed more for surgeries than general wellness checkups, tilting health care services toward specialty care and away from primary care. At the same time, Wyomingites typically seek medical care only when theyre in dire need.

The data backs both trends. Primary care accounts for just 5.3% of adult health care spending in Wyoming, putting Wyoming among the bottom 10 states in the country, according to the Commonwealth Fund. Less than 60% of Wyomingites are up-to-date on their cancer screenings, last in the nation, and more than a third of children went without a medical and dental preventative visit in the last year. Wyoming also outpaces the national average in premature deaths from preventable causes and sits around average in avoidable emergency department visits, data shows.

Primary care has got to be the focus across the country and certainly in rural states, Schamber said.

Across Wyomings health care landscape there is general agreement that the state needs to prioritize primary care if it wants to begin tackling high health care costs and improve outcomes for patients. That likely means attracting more physicians to the state  Wyoming falls below the national average in primary care providers per 100,000 people, according to the United Health Foundations 2023 Americas Health Rankings  and encouraging and incentivizing Wyomingites to see their regular doctors more frequently.

You could potentially prevent the diabetic from becoming a diabetic. You can prevent the high blood pressure patient from becoming a high blood pressure patient, or you can certainly delay the years before they reach that point, Ladd said.

We should be really focusing very hard on excellent primary care, she said. If we truly invested in making sure everybody got excellent primary care, we would go a long way to saving everybody a lot of money.

What kind of health care does Wyoming want?

Cost and access are deeply intertwined. In Wyoming, theyre also mutually exclusive.

Increase access and you raise the cost of health care. Decrease cost and you lose access, those across the industry said.

Thats where the question of what kind of health care Wyomingites want comes in, a question that the state and its communities have yet to answer.

Ladd suggested that if Wyoming wanted to keep health care costs down, the state and its medical system would consider systematically sending patients with complex conditions beyond its borders to areas that have both more expertise and lower costs  to areas with a higher volume of patients.

The minute it becomes even the least bit not run of the mill we have no business in Wyoming trying to take that on, she said. We dont have the expertise and were never gonna have the expertise because were never going to see enough of it.

Sending patients to urban centers and other states would require Wyomingites be willing to travel outside of their communities to access some health care services. But thats at odds with what many in the state expect, Boley said.

In our small communities, theres an expectation that hospitals provide as many services as they can and most services are loss leaders, he said. Its a really fine balancing act, but if our hospitals dont do those in our communities then where do people go?

Gore pointed to the need for the state and its residents to find some type of middle ground between both cost and access.

These are the difficult conversations that we need to have across the state of Wyoming, she said. If you want the access, youre going to pay for it, but is there a compromise somewhere? Maybe you dont do knee replacements in these small rural hospitals, but maybe you have those rural hospitals really for appendectomies or something along those lines. Those are the difficult questions.

With decades of little change, it would be easy to assume that Wyomings health care system will continue to be mired by concerns about the affordability and accessibility of medical care. But Ladd maintains the belief that health care in Wyoming can improve if the state begins investing in data collection to understand the forces shaping medicine.

Were not doomed, she said. But its going to get to a point where were going to have to have some kind of societal intervention.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
After several years of discussion on police accountability, the Laramie City Council unanimously voted Wednesday evening to create a police advisory board aimed at improving community-police relations.

Wednesdays vote was on the proposals third and final reading. It marks a significant milestone in the citys years-long discussion on police accountability and community relations.

The boards purpose is to increase transparency, enhance accountability and promote trust and understanding of law enforcement training, policies, practices and procedures.

It will consist of seven members  the Laramie police chief and the city manager as a non-voting members, as well as voting members appointed by the City Council, which will include one Albany County resident with previous law enforcement experience and four other Albany County residents. These members will serve without compensation.

Laramie Police Chief Brian Browne and Laramie City Manager Janine Jordan jointly recommended the ordinance to the city council.

Council members Brian Newman and Joe Shumway were initially opposed to the boards creation. But both ultimately voted in favor of the board after hearing council members discussion.

Many of those who came to speak at the Wednesday meeting opposed the creation of the board. They argued that the City Council already has oversight over police and were concerned that the review board, which would be made of appointed rather than elected members, wouldnt be accountable to the public. Whats more, they expressed satisfaction with the work of Laramies police force, and some argued that creating the board could damage police morale.

The Albany County GOP sent out an action alert Tuesday afternoon calling on people to show up at the meeting and speak in opposition to the ordinance, arguing that there are already mechanisms in place to keep police in check. The email linked to a resolution that expresses the county GOPs opposition and describes the board as a means to put on trial the peace officer rather than the law-breaker...

Council member Jayne Pearce emphasized that the board wont have authority over matters like personnel records, hiring or terminations. And others at the meeting described the boards creation as an opportunity for dialogue that could strengthen the relationship between the police department and community members. The board could help people understand why someone from a particular group may fear law enforcement, Linda Devine, a Laramie criminal justice attorney, argued.

Folks are saying that they feel comfortable with going into the chiefs office. They see no problems and I think thats great. There are a lot of folks that perceive things differently, Devine said, commenting later on about the makeup of people at the meeting who opposed the ordinance.

It does not escape me today that the people opposed to this are primarily white, and you have to ask yourself, why is that?

Wednesdays vote marks a significant milestone for the City of Laramies years-long discussion around police accountability and community relations.

In 2018, Laramie resident Robbie Ramirez was killed when then-Albany County Sheriffs Deputy Derek Colling shot him following a traffic stop. Ramirezs death  and later on the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin  sparked conversations about police accountability that led to calls for the creation of an oversight board.

Though the Laramie Police Department wasnt implicated in Ramirezs death, those conversations on police accountability eventually came to the Laramie City Council. In 2022, the Council formed an ad hoc working group tasked with making recommendations to the city about policing. The idea to create a community oversight board for the Laramie Police Department became the top priority of that group.

The idea initially met roadblocks. In March 2022, the city council voted down a measure to keep exploring the implementation of an oversight board, in part because some members questioned the legality of the board, Wyofile reported.

That board would have granted wider power to its members than the one approved Wednesday will; as the board was originally devised, it would have had the authority to review all use of force within the police department and potentially given members the power to review and recommend terminations and hiring. The board that was approved on Wednesday, on the other hand, wont have those powers, and will be used more as a sounding board for policy decisions.

Laramie Mayor Brian Harrington described the board that was approved as pretty radically in the middle.

I dont think its something that any of us campaigned on. I dont think its something any of us is leaving this meeting thinking, Yeah, thats everything I wanted, or close to it. But I think what it is is a reasonable approach that fits Laramie.

The Laramie City Council will discuss the boards governing bylaws at its next meeting on July 18. The Council will also need to establish an interview committee to hire and appoint members to the new board.

Last month, the council also approved a budget amendment of $75,000 to fund a mental health response effort for the police department.
Hong Kong: CE attends conference in Guiyang

Chief Executive John Lee today led a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government delegation to attend the 2023 Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Co-operation Chief Executive Joint Conference in Guiyang, Guizhou Province.

Themed Embark on New Journey & Pursue New Prospects through Co-operation, this years joint conference endorsed seven key tasks.

Mr Lee said: PPRD regional co-operation provides the most ideal opportunities and platform for facilitating Hong Kongs active integration into national development.

Outlining Hong Kongs development with respect to the PPRD, Mr Lee said that in the finance field, Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing launched the Hong Kong Dollar-Renminbi Dual Counter Model last month to allow investors to trade securities of the same issuer in both currencies.

PPRD enterprises are encouraged to make good use of Hong Kong as the preferred fund-raising platform for financing and overseas business development, he added.

On maritime, aviation and logistics, the Chief Executive mentioned that Hong Kong will actively promote co-operation between Hong Kong International Airport and other cities in the Greater Bay Area.

In addition, Hong Kong will achieve complementarity with the PPRD regions railway-sea transport network to promote the New Land-Sea Corridor and the Belt & Road Initiative, and provide comprehensive support for local enterprises along the New Land-Sea Corridor through high-end shipping and high value-added supporting services.

In terms of innovation and technology, since the resumption of normal travel with the Mainland, the Hong Kong SAR Government has signed three pacts with PPRD provinces and municipalities to promote higher-level innovation and technology co-operation.

With the data centre projects under construction and the robust network facilities, it is believed that Hong Kong could contribute to the bay areas big data and digital economy, Mr Lee noted.

In the afternoon, the Chief Executive met Guangdong Province Governor Wang Weizhong. He told Mr Wang that Hong Kongs Steering Group on Integration into National Development, which he chairs, has achieved fruitful results such as the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles which promotes connectivity in the bay area. He also thanked the Guangdong Provincial Government for its continuous support for Hong Kongs work.

Mr Lee then met Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Chairman Lan Tianli. He expressed gratitude to the autonomous region government for its support to the Guangxi Liaison Unit set up by the Hong Kong SAR Government, adding that Hong Kong will continue to promote exchanges between the two places through the liaison unit.

The delegation returned to Hong Kong in the evening.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Liaison office of central gov't in HKSAR welcomes passage of district councils bill

Xinhua) 09:24, July 07, 2023

HONG KONG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday welcomed passage of the District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023, noting that the district councils (DCs) system reform has a solid legal basis and extensive support.

A spokesperson for the office stressed that the reform of the system is a return to the original intention of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and embodies the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," which is of great significance for improving district governance efficiency and the governance system of the HKSAR.

According to Article 97 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the DCs are not organs of political power, and their main function is to be consulted by the HKSAR government or to be responsible for providing services. However, during a considerable period, especially during the social unrest in 2019, anti-China disruptors used loopholes in the system to turn the DCs into a platform for obstructing the government's administration, promoting separatism and violence, attempting to subvert the regime and confront the central authorities, which completely deviates from the district council's intended role, said the spokesperson.

To ensure the long-term stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, the public recognizes that only by returning to the original intention of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, reforming and restructuring the DCs, firmly implementing the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong," and effectively implementing the executive-led system, can national security and the public interests of Hong Kong residents be effectively safeguarded, the spokesperson added.

The HKSAR Legislative Council (LegCo) unanimously passed the District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023 on Thursday. A coalition backing the reform previously collected over 1.6 million signatures from Hong Kong residents in support of the overhaul. Over 80 percent of respondents in a poll agreed with the reform proposal and believed that it could enhance district governance capabilities. The HKSAR government also received over 20,000 emails, of which over 90 percent expressed support for the reform, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said that the fact shows the reform proposal is in line with public expectations, expressing belief that the new-term DCs will undoubtedly become a strong supporting force for the government in carrying out community-level governance, assist the government in enhancing district governance efficiency, address urgent and difficult livelihood issues of residents, and vigorously promote the well-being of the people.

"We believe that with joint efforts of the HKSAR government and all sectors of the society, Hong Kong will surely have brighter prospects of advancement from stability to prosperity," the spokesperson noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Travelers arrive at Incheon International Airport in Incheon, Sunday. Yonhap



Korea will explore ways to accept more foreign workers to address its low birth rates and workforce shortages, the finance ministry said Friday.



"We need to work together to reach a social consensus that accepting foreign workers and rolling out immigration policies are vital for the sustainable growth of the economy," First Vice Finance Minister Bang Ki-sun said during a meeting on foreign labor policies.



The meeting came as Korea has been exploring ways to invite more foreign workers to the country, as its working population is expected to reach 33.81 million in 2030, falling sharply from 37.63 million tallied in 2019.



"(The decline) is set to lead to a shortage of workforce in the labor market, with the economic growth expected to slow," Bang said.



The Korean government recently decided to expand the number of skilled foreign workers eligible for the E-7 visa, granted to those with special abilities, to 30,000 in 2023, compared to 2,000 tallied in the previous year.



"We will proactively assess the potential social and economic challenges that may arise with increased immigration, while simultaneously improving settlement conditions and promoting social integration," Bang said.



Korea's total fertility rate, the average number of children a woman bears in her lifetime, hit a record low of 0.78 in 2022, much lower than the replacement level of 2.1 that would keep Korea's population stable at 51 million.



The government plans to unveil its blueprint for immigration policy in the second half of 2023. (Yonhap)


Cleanup crews continued expanding asphalt collection efforts Wednesday following the June 24 collapse of a railroad bridge that dropped 10 rail cars into the Yellowstone River near Reed Point.

Additional crews were also added onsite to help with the cleanup, the EPA said in a press release.

As of Wednesday evening, more than 23,000 pounds of asphalt material had been recovered. Cleanup efforts continue to focus on areas with the highest concentrations of asphalt material, EPA said.

Cleanup teams have been focused on the first four river miles downstream of the site. The assessment area extends 240 river miles downstream with the goal to cleanup as much asphalt material as retrievable, while limiting the impact to the ecosystem, the press release stated.

Nine of the 10 cars in the river were carrying molten sulfur or liquid asphalt. The 10th car was carrying scrap metal. Tanker cars are capable of carrying 30,000 of material.

An initial rapid assessment of observed asphalt material began on June 25, the day after the derailment. In rapid assessments, teams observed asphalt material 110 miles downstream. The teams continue with detailed assessment and are flagging locations of recoverable asphalt. These assessment teams have completed reviewing and tagging locations needing cleanup 16 miles downstream and are continuing to target the cleanup efforts on the most impacted areas as they move downstream. An information dashboard, highlighting daily cleanup efforts and cumulative product recovered, has been created and can be found via the link to the EPA website referenced below.

Environmental crews continue to look for impacted wildlife daily. On Wednesday, an additional dead garter snake was found, bringing the total confirmed impacted wildlife to three.

Montana Rail Link continues to make efforts to serve customers and limit impacts to the supply chain as much as possible. MRL train crews are assisting in the movement of trains from Laurel to Great Falls and Great Falls to Shelby in order to aid in traffic re-routing and supply chain continuity. Bridge construction activity and preparation is ongoing. While there is no timeline currently available regarding completion of bridge construction, work efforts will continue with the goal of returning to normal operations as soon as possible, while keeping the safety of MRL employees, responders, and community members as the top priority.

Unified Command, which includes officials from Stillwater County, the state and the federal government, continues to communicate with local stakeholders and agencies as the situation evolves.

Members of the public are encouraged to continue reporting sightings of any asphalt material they observe to the email rpderailment@mtrail.com. This email can also be used for any impacted landowners to start the process of filing a claim.

Anyone with information about oiled wildlife are encouraged to call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) Response Hotline at 888-ASK-OWCN (888-275-6926).

For more information, please visit the response websites:
THE prospect of opportunities and growth were the two recurring themes of participants of the Trade and Investment Convention at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya, yesterday.

Over 200 participants from a wide range of industries took to their respective booths on what would have been the first day of the convention.

Some told the Express they hoped to form partnerships while others simply came intending to generate sales of their products and services.

Anil Ramsaran of SAP Electrical Services Limited said the company does domestic and commercial wiring.

The company also imports light-emitting diode (LED) lights, solar lights and solar fans, he said.

For those who may own a hybrid vehicle, he said, the company also sells and installs electric vehicle chargers.

Kemby Ross-Jones of Rent My Tutor at the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy said it offers online classes at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. She stressed, What makes us different is that we offer personalised services to students. She said, We have had 100 per cent success at the Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) examinations level.

She said the academy was started at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 because students were falling behind in their academics due to the switch from the physical classroom to the virtual classroom.

Representing Nestles Natures Heart brand was Michelle Stanisclaus, who said the brand offered products such as almond milk and juices. She said even though the brand was an international one all the products offered locally were produced locally.

Stanisclaus said the newest product in the almond milk line of products was the almond-coffee flavour with was launched last month.

Promoting compressed natural gas (CNG) upgrades to vehicles was Dumore Enterprises Ltd.

One of the booths representatives Rajiv Ramessar said the company offered conversions on both gasoline and diesel vehicles. He added that his company hoped through their booth to promote CNG as the cheapest, cleanest fuel in the country. He said the company also hoped to make business-to-business connections and to encourage companies to convert their fleet of vehicles to CNG so that they could save on their transportation costs. He noted that he had attended the convention for the past five years and that this year generated the greatest number of people on the first day.

Attendee Nalini Akal a dancer, actress, artist and filmmaker said she attended in hopes of networking and soliciting sponsorship for her art form.

She said she believed it was important for those involved in the arts to go to events such as the convention because of the sponsorship potential and other service suppliers that could be interested in promoting their products at events.

People bypass the arts as something they put into events but really and truly the art really encompasses the culture of Trinidad and Tobago.

The thing is we are not even using an iota of our potential for the arts, she said.

Akal said she hoped by networking she could find opportunities for the exportation of the arts.
PRIME MINISTER Dr Keith Rowley said yesterday he has been abused by the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Farley Augustine and in seeking legal advice, will leave no stone unturned to determine whether he is guilty of witness tampering.

Rowley announced at a news conference at the Diplomatic Centre, St Anns, that he is now receiving legal advice and has instructed Attorney General Reginald Armour to look into whether Augustine acted outside the Constitution on Wednesday.
The level of foolishness that we as a people are expected to accept from our leaders is mind-boggling! Here we are in the middle of an election campaign and I am waiting for any serious dialogue as to the state of this nation.

Both the UNC (United National Congress) and the PNM (Peoples National Movement) continue to drag out their wrestling match for our entertainment and distraction, throwing a fake punch here, body slamming each other with the appropriate howls and groans to make us believe theyre really in some kind of battle for the soul of this nation.
Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), speaks during a news conference at the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant in Okuma on July 5. AFP-Yonhap



The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is scheduled to arrive in Korea on Friday to explain the analysis of the U.N. watchdog's safety review of Japan's planned release of treated radioactive water from its crippled Fukushima plant.



IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi's three-day visit will come on the heels of the agency's conclusion that Japan's plan to release treated radioactive water from the plant into the sea is consistent with international safety standards.



Grossi, who is currently on a visit to Japan, delivered the IAEA's report on Tokyo's water release plan to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday. The report was seen as a blessing for the water discharge expected to begin sometime this summer.






Its official: Arizonan adults can now walk into a pharmacy and get birth control pills, hormonal rings or patches without prescriptions.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists formally signed off Thursday on rules written by the Arizona Board of Pharmacy that scrap the requirement for an individual prescription to get hormonal contraceptives. A standing order issued late Thursday by the Arizona Department of Health Services authorizes pharmacists to dispense them without seeing individual prescriptions.

Before obtaining such contraceptives, however, customers must first answer a series of questions the pharmacist will be required to ask, under the law and rules, to ensure use of hormonal birth control is appropriate for them. These range from questions about current pregnancy and recent childbirth to health factors, including smoking and/or a history of blood clots, that could make use of the birth control inappropriate.

Based on the answers, the pharmacist has the option of turning away patients and referring them instead to a clinic or health care provider.

Also, the law still requires anyone younger than 18 to present an individual prescription issued by a doctor or other medical professional with prescription-writing privileges.

Customers seeking hormonal contraceptives should consider making an appointment before showing up at pharmacies, suggested Kam Gandhi, executive director of the Arizona Board of Pharmacy.

Thats partly because it will take the customers some time to fill out the required questionnaire and have it evaluated by the pharmacist. Another reason is to make sure the pharmacy stocks the preferred form of contraceptive sought.

The new law spells out that pharmacists who want to provide contraceptives based on the standing order must get three hours of special training on renewing their licenses every two years.

Two hours of training have already been made available, Gandhi said. He said the third hour can be fulfilled starting Friday, July 7, with a video the Arizona Pharmacy Association will make available.

The change is due to state legislation approved in 2021, but it took until now for the Board of Pharmacy to write the rules and get the legally required public input. That part was completed Wednesday when the rules were unanimously approved by the Governor's Regulatory Review Council.

Then, on Thursday, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists gave its legally required approval to the final rules and the self-screening questionnaire.

The 2021 law was pushed through by then-state Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, and signed by then-Gov. Doug Ducey. It had fairly broad bipartisan support as most legislators accepted Ugenti-Rita's arguments that the pill, first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1960, is generally considered safe.

The change ensures access for women who may not have a regular relationship with a doctor or health care provider who can issue the annual prescriptions, or may live in a community without someone who has prescription-writing privileges, Ugenti-Rita said.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection used a helicopter this week to rescue two people suffering from heat stress during a hike in the desert south of Tucson, the agency said.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. July 3, the Santa Cruz County Sheriffs Office contacted Border Patrol for help rescuing the pair near Montana Peak, the release said. The peak is near Arivaca, about 60 miles south of Tucson.

The pair, a man and woman, requested medical assistance. One was suffering from extreme heat stress and the other was falling in-and-out of consciousness, officials said.

Border Patrol agents climbed the peak on foot. Agents found the two people just before 3 p.m. and began treating them while a helicopter was called in for evacuation, the release said.

A UH-60 Black Hawk aircrew left Davis-Monthan Air Force Base about 3:45 p.m.

Crews eventually hoisted the pair from the peak at flew them to Banner University Medical Center for further treatment, the release said.

During the hot summer months people in the deserts of southern Arizona can quickly succumb to the heat, Jose Muriente, Deputy Director of Air Operations, Tucson Air Branch, said in the release. In this case, the man and woman were able to realize the situation they were in and contact emergency services and CBP was able to respond to the situation. All too often, people wait too long to call for help.
West-side Democrats will choose Saturday between at least seven candidates to replace former state Rep. Andres Cano.

The approximately 87 precinct committeemen in Legislative District 20 must pick three finalists to send on to the Pima County Board of Supervisors. The board could pick the replacement as soon as Tuesday, July 11, though it has another meeting two weeks later and could wait till then.

Cano, 31, announced his resignation July 4 after 2 1/2 terms in the Legislature, including one session this year as House minority leader. He is moving to Boston to pursue a masters degree in public administration at Harvard University.

The seven candidates who had declared their interest as of Thursday are:

Elma Alvarez, an instructional specialist at Miller Elementary School in the Tucson Unified School District who has been an activist on behalf of Democratic candidates across Southern Arizona.

Wesley Crew, a legislative officer for the U.S. Department of Labor who previously worked for Living United for Change in Arizona, or LUCHA and the Biden presidential campaign.

Andrew Curley, an assistant professor of geography at the University of Arizona whose research has focused on extractive industries in indigenous nations.

Lourdes Escalante, a Yaqui tribal member from South Tucson who is the executive director of the Alianza Indigena Sin Fronteras.

Sami Hamed, a two-time local candidate and Democratic Party activist who is a former staffer to Rep. Raul Grijalva.

Akanni Oyegbola, a former member of the South Tucson City Council and acting mayor of that city, as well as former chairman of the Legislative District 21 Democrats.

Betty Villegas, the former director of Pima Countys housing department, current director of housing and community development in South Tucson.

After the death of Pima County Supervisor Richard Elias in 2020, Villegas served as his temporary replacement, vowing before she was chosen that she would not run for the seat in the next election.

This time, though, she said she is planning to run for election if she is selected to replace Cano.

These seven may not end up being the only candidates, said Leslie Stalc, who is Democratic Party chair for that district. Nominations can also be made from the floor.

Once the final three are chosen, their names are passed on to the Pima County Board of Supervisors for consideration.

LD 20 is part of four different supervisors districts. Most of the residents are represented by District 5 supervisor Adelita Grijalva and District 3 supervisor Sharon Bronson. But a few precincts are also in District 1, served by supervisor Rex Scott, and District 2, represented by supervisor Matt Heinz.

Wadsack recall update

The effort to recall state Sen. Justine Wadsack has about two months to go, but its unclear how far the recall organizers have proceeded.

They need to collect 30,981 valid signatures by Sept. 5 in order to force a recall election of Wadsack, the Republican who represents Legislative District 17.

Rolande Baker, who is leading the effort, said she doesnt know how many signatures have been collected. They are gradually printing and handing out more petitions, with at least 15,000 sheets handed out so far. Each sheet can contain up to 10 signatures.

While they dont know how close they are to the goal, its clear theyre getting a rise out of Wadsack.

The senator said on Twitter July 4: The woman who filed the Recall is Rolande Baker, a registered Arizona Communist (for real) who spent the night is (sic) Federal prison in Nov 2022 for storming the U.S. Supreme Court over Abortion. She hates America.

The truth is, there is no way to be a registered Communist in Arizona, as it is not an official party in the state. In reality, Baker is a registered Democrat, a registration Baker said she has held since 1972.

She was arrested at the U.S. Supreme Court in November, but not after storming the court. She and two others stood up in succession and read short statements protesting the overturning of Roe vs. Wade. She spent the night in a D.C. jail.

Despite the recall effort, Wadsack is persisting with the brash style that brought her to the GOP's forefront in her first term as senator this year. She and Rep. Rachel Jones, also from LD 17, recently posed for a photo in front of the old state Capitol, each holding a rifle pointed downward.

In addition to the similar guns, the two were wearing matching high heels. In social-media posts made in late June and early July, they described themselves as 2nd Amendment supporters and appealed for donations.

Dem, Republican challenge for LD 17 seat

Whether Wadsack faces a recall or not, she has already got a Democratic challenger in the 2024 election that the party is excited about.

Amy Fitch announced last month she will challenge for the seat in the district that narrowly favors Republicans. Fitch is a longtime advocate for abortion rights and co-founder of Arizonans for Reproductive Freedom as well as the Tucson Womens March.

In 2021, the state redistricting commission drew Legislative District 17 around Tucson, from the northwest side, across the Santa Catalinas, down over the Tanque Verde Valley and down to Vail. The idea was to create a district that favors Republicans.

In 2022, Wadsack defeated incumbent Sen. Vince Leach for the Republican nomination. Leach has filed paperwork to challenge Wadsack in next years GOP primary.

Familiar challenger for Scott

The Republican who narrowly lost the race for Pima County supervisor to Democrat Rex Scott in 2020 is planning to challenge Scott next year.

Steve Spain has announced his plans to pursue the GOP nomination in Pima Countys District 1, which covers the northwest side, some of Marana, and the Catalina Foothills.

In 2020, Scott beat Spain by just 730 votes, becoming the first Democrat to represent the district in decades. Redistricting has occurred since then, and the district is more Democratic than it was then, with a narrow advantage for Dems instead of Republicans.
Reforming primaries

Re: the July 3 article "Political parties should be abolished."

Mr. Nordmeyer's opinion piece is right on point. He has eloquently described the dysfunction directly attributable to political parties. He is not alone in thinking that America would be better off without them.

We must devise a way to return the essential function of elections to the people. I suggest we start by reforming our primary systems, especially presidential preference primaries. In America, no legitimate voter should have to join a political party, even temporarily, in order to vote.

James Morrison

Foothills

American ideals

In 1892 a Baptist preacher wrote the Pledge of Allegiance. Since 1893 we Americans have repeatedly pledged our allegiance to the flag and the nation "with Liberty and Justice for all." Nations leaders pledge their allegiance, Supreme Court Justices pledge their allegiance, you and I pledge our allegiance -to this nation and to those ideals: Liberty and Justice - for everyone.

I have lived in 10 states from coast to coast and border to border and have yet to see those ideals realized, but I think we DO believe in them. They define the America we want to live in. They define the America we call 'exceptional.' They give birth to the 'Dream' and fuel the hopes of citizens and immigrants alike.

I wish all candidates for elected office had to give tangible proof of their allegiance to our ideals as a prerequisite for candidacy. I expect we won't ever do that, but I do. Each of us can adopt any criteria we wish to use.

I think we should.

Claudette Haney

Green Valley

Guardians

of Democracy

We have citizens who feel theyre losing their country, their identity and their way of life. They feel threatened. To regain their power, they support politicians who seek to control and dominate others by spreading fear and hate and suppressing the vote.

But there is hope. Look around if you want to see how a democracy really works. Youll see citizens asking you to sign petitions at public libraries, citizens taking the time to register voters and explain the voting process, citizens participating in community meetings where they respectfully question officials on matters of concern, and citizens taking the time to write letters to their elected representatives to hold them accountable. Youll see voters lining up for hours to cast their votes, in some cases, with no food or water. These citizens choose to participate in and improve our democratic experiment, not treat it as a combat sport. They are guardians of our democracy. Can we come together to save it?

Cindy Bordelon, retired lawyer

Downtown

Reckless plan by TEP

and Santa Cruz

Last year, Council Member Lane Santa Cruz approved TEPs proposal to build an electric substation in flood and erosion zones in Ward 1, which could put at least eight westside neighborhoods at risk of power outages in the event of a flood. As a Certified Floodplain Manager, I and over a dozen other floodplain professionals know this site is dangerous because it has been flooded many times. Unfortunately, Santa Cruz approved the plan without consulting experts. We had a meeting at Ward 1 in March 2023 (long after the approval) to express our safety concerns to Santa Cruz, who did not attend.

According to campaign finance reports, two months later, Santa Cruz accepted the maximum legally allowable campaign donation from a TEP vice president.

Ward 1 deserves a representative who will listen to experts and prioritize public safety and neighborhood concerns over TEPs profits. Miguel Ortega will listen to all his constituents and has pledged to not take money from TEP, which is why I support his campaign.

Steve Dolan

West side

Defining Patriotism

Re: the July 5 article "Time to take back the American flag."

I am proud to pledge allegiance to the flag; I cry during patriotic songs, wear red, white and blue on national holidays, work at a polling place on every election day, love my country, and (gasp) am a progressive Democrat concerned with social justice.

I really appreciated two articles in Wednesday's paper about defining a patriot in our polarized country and taking back the American flag from those who have tried to make it a symbol of their "toxic patriotism." This week, while sorting papers in my file cabinet, I found a bookmark containing this quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "True patriotism springs from a belief in the dignity of the individual, freedom and equality not only for Americans but for all people on earth..."

Yes, let's take back our flag from those who use it for purposes and messages never intended by our nation's founders, and let's strive to make dignity, freedom and equality available to all people.

Sister Karen Berry, OSF

Midtown

Who's the worst?

Re: the July 5 letter "Who's the worst president?"

The letter writer makes a good case for awarding the title to Donald Trump. I don't disagree, but some historical perspective is in order. In the BT (Before Trump) era, many historians bestowed the "worst president" honor on James Buchanan, who (according to the same historians) could have acted to avert Civil War.

When he handed the White House keys to Abraham Lincoln, Buchanan is widely quoted as saying: "If you are half as happy on entering this house as I am on leaving it you are a happy man indeed."

William Thornton

Midtown

Barring all enemies

The U.S. needs to begin banning ALL economic and military enemies from owning any land, mineral, and water rights in every city and state in our nation. No business with less than 75% confirmed American ownership should be allowed to operate. Red China must be shut out as soon as possible. They are now restricting gallium and other rare minerals used in electronics, solar, and EVs. We need to establish our own sources of all national and economic security minerals ASAP. Organizations that oppose mining these critical assets need to be reminded that our national security trumps their green priorities.

Craig Bergman

East side

TikTok not

the real problem

I hope Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly are focused on this TikTok issue and hope that they are listening to constituents on the issue of banning TikTok. While some folks feel that TikTok is a waste of time, others who use it for business purposes have come to feel that it is a necessity. It helps get the word out into the community, recruit possible employees, and is a cost-efficient way of advertising. I know that it's popular to say that we should ban TikTok, but don't we need to fix the way ALL social media apps use our personal data, or perhaps we should strengthen our privacy rights? Picking on one app isn't going to solve the larger issue, and I'm sure any lawyer will tell you that there will be issues in complying with the 1st Amendment with any sort of ban. So let's fix this right and set safeguards for our data and privacy. That's a good start.

Stephen Minor

Downtown

Evangelical

blindspot?

Thou shall not steal seems clear. Fraud is using trickery to steal. Donnie has for decades made contracts and then used lawsuits to avoid paying what was owed. He has been found guilty of fraud or settled to avoid that outcome many times. Remember Trump University? His charitable foundation? Put classification issues aside, he took hundreds to thousands of documents belonging to us, claiming they were his. He still seems to be fleecing the flock and diverting funds.

Thou shall not commit adultery also seems clear. Has Donnie ever been faithful to any wife?

Thou shall not kill seems clear too. Donnie advocated killing alleged Central Park rapists, later found innocent. He now advocates killing drug dealers. He isn't doing the killing, just advocating it.

Repenting for one's sins and not doing more sinning is the path to redemption, according to what I learned as a young Evangelical Lutheran. Has he ever even said oops, much less sorry or stopped?

Can someone explain why the Evangelical right supports him? I can't.

Clarence Johnson
DIGHTON, Mass. (AP)  The police chief of a town in southeastern Massachusetts is among a handful of individuals facing insider trading charges in a scheme that allegedly netted the men more than $2.2 million in illegal profits, according to federal investigators.

Dighton Police Chief Shawn Cronin is among five men charged in the insider trading scheme. The men traded in stocks and options based on confidential information about one pharmaceutical companys acquisition of another company, according to the US Attorneys Office in the Southern District of New York.

Cronin was placed on administrative leave Thursday.

According to investigators, Dighton reserve officer Joseph Dupont, a friend of Cronin, was vice president of Boston-based Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. when he learned that the firm was going to purchase another company, Portola Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dupont allegedly told Cronin about the deal in April 2020, before it was made public.

Alexions acquisition of Portola, which is based in South San Francisco, California, was publicly announced on the morning of May 5, 2020. Portolas stock jumped in value. Cronin and others named in the complaint sold their shares of Portola and options for Portola stock, reaping more than $2.2 million in illegally obtained profits, prosecutors said.

Cronin, who was named police chief last year, allegedly received $72,000 from the scheme. An effort to reach Cronin for comment Friday was unsuccessful. It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney.

Cronin has been charged with three counts each of of securities fraud and tender offer fraud under Title 15, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of securities fraud under Title 18, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison; and one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and tender offer fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

Cronin and Dupont appeared in federal court in Boston Thursday. Cronin was released on $250,000 bond, and Dupont was released on $200,000 bond.

Dupont also was suspended.

Their next court dates will be held in New York.
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP)  The last of the United States declared chemical weapons stockpile was destroyed at a sprawling military installation in eastern Kentucky, the White House announced Friday, a milestone that closes a chapter of warfare dating back to World War I.

Workers at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky destroyed rockets filled with GB nerve agent, completing a decadeslong campaign to eliminate a stockpile that by the end of the Cold War totaled more than 30,000 tons.

For more than 30 years, the United States has worked tirelessly to eliminate our chemical weapons stockpile, President Joe Biden said in a statement released by the White House. Today, I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile  bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons.

The weapons' destruction is a major watershed for Richmond, Kentucky and Pueblo, Colorado, where an Army depot destroyed the last of its chemical agents last month. It's also a defining moment for arms control efforts worldwide.

The U.S. faced a Sept. 30 deadline to eliminate its remaining chemical weapons under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997 and was joined by 193 countries. The munitions being destroyed in Kentucky are the last of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent  a deadly toxin also known as sarin  that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s.

By destroying the munitions, the U.S. is officially underscoring that these types of weapons are no longer acceptable in the battlefield and sending a message to the handful of countries that haven't joined the agreement, military experts say.

Chemical weapons are responsible for some of the most horrific episodes of human loss, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement. Though the use of these deadly agents will always be a stain on history, today our nation has finally fulfilled our promise to rid our arsenal of this evil.

Fridays announcement came as the Biden administration has also decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, a weapon that two-thirds of NATO countries have banned because it can cause many civilian casualties. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Ukraine has promised to use the munitions  bombs that open in the air and release scores of smaller bomblets  carefully.

Chemical weapons were first used in modern warfare in World War I, where they were estimated have killed at least 100,000. Despite their use being subsequently banned by the Geneva Convention, countries continued to stockpile the weapons until the treaty calling for their destruction.

In southern Colorado, workers at the Army Pueblo Chemical Depot started destroying the weapons in 2016, and on June 22 completed their mission of neutralizing an entire cache of about 2,600 tons of mustard blister agent. The projectiles and mortars comprised about 8.5% of the countrys original chemical weapons stockpile of 30,610 tons of agent.

Nearly 800,000 chemical munitions containing mustard agent were stored since the 1950s inside row after row of heavily guarded concrete and earthen bunkers that pock the landscape near a large swath of farmland east of Pueblo.

The weapons' destruction alleviates a concern that civic leaders in Colorado and Kentucky admit was always in the back of their minds.

"Those (weapons) sitting out there were not a threat," Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said. But, he added, you always wondered what might happen with them.

In the 1980s, the community around Kentuckys Blue Grass Army Depot rose up in opposition to the Armys initial plan to incinerate the plants 520 tons of chemical weapons, leading to a decadeslong battle over how they would be disposed of. They were able to halt the planned incineration plant, and then, with help from lawmakers, prompted the Army to submit alternative methods to burning the weapons.

Craig Williams, who became the leading voice of the community opposition and later a partner with political leadership and the military, said residents were concerned about potential toxic pollution from burning the deadly chemical agents.

Williams noted that the military eliminated most of its existing stockpile by burning weapons at other, more remote sites such as Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean or at a chemical depot in the middle of the Utah desert. But the Kentucky site was adjacent to Richmond and only a few dozen miles away from Lexington, the states second-largest city.

We had a middle school of over 600 kids a mile away from the (planned) smokestack, Williams said.

The Kentucky storage facility has housed mustard agent and the VX and sarin nerve agents, much of it inside rockets and other projectiles, since the 1940s. The states disposal plant was completed in 2015 and began destroying weapons in 2019. It uses a process called neutralization to dilute the deadly agents so they can be safely disposed of.

The project, however, has been a boon for both communities, and facing the eventual loss of thousands of workers, both are pitching the pool of high-skilled laborers as a plus for companies looking to locate in their regions.

Workers at the Pueblo site used heavy machinery to meticulously  and slowly  load aging weapons onto conveyor systems that fed into secure rooms where remote-controlled robots did the dirty and dangerous work of eliminating the toxic mustard agent, which was designed to blister the skin and cause inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Robotic equipment removed the weapons' fuses and bursters before the mustard agent was neutralized with hot water and mixed with a caustic solution to prevent the reaction from reversing. The byproduct was further broken down in large tanks swimming with microbes, and the mortars and projectiles were decontaminated at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) and recycled as scrap metal.

Problematic munitions that were leaky or overpacked were sent to an armored, stainless steel detonation chamber to be destroyed at about 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593 degrees Celsius).

The Colorado and Kentucky sites were the last among several, including Utah and the Johnston Atoll, where the nation's chemical weapons had been stockpiled and destroyed. Other locations included facilities in Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon.

Officials say the elimination of the U.S. stockpile is a major step forward for the Chemical Weapons Convention. Only three countries  Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan  have not signed the treaty. A fourth, Israel, has signed but not ratified the treaty.

Concerns remain that some parties to the convention, particularly Russia and Syria, possess undeclared chemical weapons stockpiles. Biden on Friday urged Russia and Syria to fully comply with the treaty, and called on the remaining countries to join it.

The international chemical weapons watchdog hailed the U.S. move as a historic success of multilateralism but said challenges remain such as urging the holdouts to join the treaty and destroying and recovering old chemical weapons.

Recent uses and threats of use of toxic chemicals as weapons illustrate that preventing re-emergence will remain a priority for the organization," said Fernando Arias, director-general of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

Arms control advocates hope this final step by the U.S. could be used as a model for eliminating other types of weapons.

It shows that countries can really ban a weapon of mass destruction, said Paul F. Walker, vice chairman of the Arms Control Association and coordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition. If they want to do it, it just takes the political will and it takes a good verification system.

DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Peipert reported from Pueblo, Colorado.
KINGMAN, Ariz. (AP)  Evacuation orders for a handful of residents in western Arizona impacted by a wildfire have been lifted as fire danger escalates in parts of the West that have been left high and dry by an evaporating monsoon season.

The Mohave County Sheriff's Office informed people who had to leave six homes in the Red Wing Canyon area late Thursday that they could return.

Fire officials say the blaze, burning 13 miles (21 kilometers) north of Kingman, is 45% contained and crews have been able to get a line around the entire fire. It has burned around 1 square mile (2 square kilometers) .

Now, the 200 firefighters are focusing on extinguishing any hotspots and developing a second fire line to protect homes to the north.

Weather conditions are forecasted to be dry and windy Friday.

The fire was reported on Tuesday. The cause is under investigation but authorities believed it was human-caused.

There have been no injuries or damage to structures.

Meanwhile, over in eastern Arizona, a wildfire on the Fort Apache Reservation remained uncontained Friday.

The so-called Flying V fire has burned 1.9 square miles (4.9 square kilometers). It has also shut down a stretch of the U.S. 60 freeway north of Globe.

There are no threats to any structures. The blaze is in rugged terrain comprised of grass and other brush.

Besides controlling the fire, officials say crews will focus on protecting the freeway and resources that are valuable to the White Mountain Apache tribe.

In New Mexico, firefighters are dealing with hot, dry and breezy conditions as they monitor a fire that has burned more than 93 square miles (241 square kilometers) in the Gila National Forest. The blaze has forced the closure of several trails, but officials said the flames are helping to clear out dead and down trees.

Forest officials in southwestern New Mexico warned Friday that continuous warm and dry weather and the chance of thunderstorms will increase the potential for new wildfire starts.

In northern New Mexico, officials have implemented fire restrictions on the Carson National Forest due to already high fire danger and anticipated worsening conditions.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque have warned about a late start to the monsoon along with above-average temperatures in central and northern New Mexico, indicating continuing high fire danger through July.
HOMER CITY, Pa. (AP)  State police shot and killed a driver following a chase in one part of western Pennsylvania while in another area regional police shot and killed a man they said was armed with a machete.

A trooper in Indiana County tried to stop a vehicle in Center Township on Sunday night shortly before midnight, but the driver fled, state police said in a statement. A chase continued for several miles in the township and the borough of Homer City, and attempts by troopers to use hollow spike strips to safely stop the vehicle were unsuccessful. One or more troopers shot the man at some point, but details of the shooting were not released.

The other shooting happened in Westmoreland County after Ligonier Valley police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at a Ligonier Township home shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday, the county district attorney's office said.

Police encountered a man armed with a machete who aggressively approached officers from the front door of the house, the DA's office said. The man, identified as Robbie Thomas Saunders, 59, was shot once and died after being brought to a hospital in Johnstown, prosecutors said.

County detectives are investigating, and the district attorney will review the evidence to determine whether the use of deadly force was justified, prosecutors said.
EL PASO, Texas (AP)  A brother who traveled more than 1,000 miles to confront his sister's killer. An uncle of an orphaned 4-year-old whose parents died while shielding the boy from the spray of bullets. A wife whose husband was gunned down at her side while their 9-year-old granddaughter looked on.

Nearly four years after a white gunman killed 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso in a racist attack that targeted Hispanic shoppers, relatives of the victims are packing a courtroom near the U.S.-Mexico border this week to see Patrick Crusius punished for one of the nations worst mass shootings.

The sentencing phase, which continued Thursday, is the families' first opportunity to address Crusius face-to-face since the Aug. 3, 2019, shooting.

Crusius, 24, is expected to receive multiple life sentences in federal prison after pleading guilty to 90 murder, weapons and hate crime counts in February. He could still receive the death penalty under separate charges in state court.

Here is some of what the families told Crusius, and what others want from the sentencing:

FORGIVENESS AND FAILURE

Family members credit Jordan Anchondo and Andre Anchondo with shielding their 2-month-old child Paul during the attack, in which they were both killed.

Tito Anchondo, Andre's brother, said he will forgive Crusius but also wants to explain to him how he failed.

Less than a half-hour before the attack, Crusius posted an online rant about a supposed invasion of Texas by Hispanics and warned they would take over the government and economy.

He set out to hurt people because he said Hispanics were taking over. I just want him to know his efforts were in vain," Anchondo said. "Yeah, we lost a lot of people.  The ones that are still here, were still pushing forward.

His nephew turned 4 in May. Anchondo said the boy has begun to understand the loss of his parents and grapples with it on special occasions, such as Father's Day, and at the sight of family portraits.

Paul Jamrowski, Jordan's father, said it was excruciating to sit in the same courtroom as Crusius on Wednesday. He said he forgives Crusius, and that he's unsure whether justice can ever really be served.

These lives will never be brought back to life, so how is that justice? Jamrowski said. And whos to say what justice is? What we do is we try to deal with it as every other family has, which is to continue to go on with your life.

YOU DIDNT KNOCK US OUT'

Dean Reckard said he has nothing to say to the man who killed his mother, Margie Reckard.

But he and his wife still traveled all the way from Omaha, Nebraska, to hear what other families say to the gunman. The sight of Crusius being led into the courtroom Wednesday caused Reckard to convulse and left him wiping tears from his eyes.

Hilda Reckard, Dean's wife, said they were there to stand up to hate.

I just think that us coming here is to take a stand, she said. You knocked us down, you didnt knock us out.

BRINGING PHOTOGRAPHS

Thomas Hoffmann held up photographs in the courtroom of his father Alexander Hoffmann, a German native and engineer who raised a tight-knit family in neighboring Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Alexander, 66, had crossed the border on a routine shopping trip on the day of the shooting.

Hoffman said he hoped Crusius loses sleep over his actions and insisted that he confront the images of his father.

He always taught us that the color of your skin doesnt matter because we are all children of God, he said. He called Crusius an evil parasite that is nothing without a weapon.

Elise Hoffmann-Taus, Alexander's daughter, urged the court: Please, do not be lenient on Patrick Wood Crusius.

EVIL DOES EXIST OUTSIDE STORYBOOKS

Among the first to address Crusius was the family of David Johnson, including his widow, her grown daughter and a granddaughter who witnessed the attack.

Each spoke of daily trauma from the death of a loving grandfather who liked to play with his grandkids, cook and watch NASCAR racing.

He was always my rock and my strength, and you took him from me, Stephanie Melendez, Johnsons daughter, told Crusius. You stole my daughters safety and you changed my life forever.  You showed her evil does exist outside of storybooks.

WAITING FOR THE DEATH PENALTY

Albert Hernandez, who lost his sister Maribel Campos and brother-in-law Leonardo Campos in the shooting, doesn't want to speak in court for now.

He prefers to do so only after Crusius faces a trial that could result in the death penalty, which prosecutors intend to seek in state proceedings.

This is just a stepping stone for him to be brought to justice, Hernandez said. Im going to wait until after trial, at the end.

Other mass shootings in Texas also weigh on Hernandez, including last year's massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde that left 19 children and two teachers dead.

Its not about vengeance," Hernandez said. It has to do with punishment, and appropriate punishment.

Weber reported from Austin.

This story has been corrected to show Margie Reckard was Dean Reckards mother, not his sister.
When JJ Willis learned about the Circle Cinema Film Festival, he submitted three of his most recent films to be considered for the festivals Student Shorts program, hoping at least one of them might get selected.

Instead, the festival chose all three to be part of the event, which is being held July 13-16 at the theater, 12 S. Lewis Ave.

It was a little surprising, but its also an honor, said Willis, an Owasso native who is studying creative media production at the University of Oklahoma. Im just happy to be part of it.

The Circle Cinema Film Festival is being held this year in honor of the theaters 95th anniversary, and will feature feature films, documentaries and short films made by Oklahomans, shot in Oklahoma or with some other connection to the state.

The Student Shorts will be shown in two parts, at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, and 11 a.m. Sunday, July 16.

Willis has been involved in the performing arts for much of his life. In 2019, he and fellow Owasso High School student Axyl Langford were the winners of the inaugural Discovery Awards, presented by Celebrity Attractions and the Tulsa PAC Trust, which honored outstanding musical theater students.

He and Langford then represented Oklahoma later that year at the National High School Theatre Awards, held in New York City.

I had started doing more and more writing during my junior year in high school, Willis said. But as much as I enjoyed acting and bringing other peoples words to life, I discovered that the thing that brought me the most joy was helping other people bring my own words to life.

Still, it took the COVID-19 pandemic to motivate Willis to take up filmmaking seriously.

I had always loved watching movies, and during lockdown I watched a lot more movies than I would have under normal circumstances, he said. Thats when I really thought that movie-making was something that I wanted to do, and I ended up falling in love with the whole process of making a film.

Willis wrote and directed his first film, a 12-minute drama titled Textbook, in 2022.

It was a very autobiographical film, he said. I was struggling to make the kind of connections with people that I had been able to do easily in high school. So writing that story and shooting that film turned out to fix the problem, because in the course of making the film, I met some of the kindest, most talented people Ive ever known, and now theyre some of my best friends and we work together a lot.

The three films that will be shown as part of the Circle Cinema festival were made in relatively quick succession.

Michael and The Fuzz was filmed in September and October of 2022, and was inspired by a period of time when Willis was house-sitting for a friend.

I had this idea of someone who starts talking to inanimate objects, and they start talking back, he said. Its really a story about trusting yourself, and loving yourself. It also means a lot to me because my grandmother passed away just a few weeks before we starting shooting, and I was able to include references to her in the film.

The second film, Ingenue, began as a class assignment, to create a 5- to 7-minute film. Willis had an idea that was sparked by stories of obsession, art and how far people are willing be pushed to achieve someones idea of greatness, such as the films Whiplash and Black Swan.

Willis own obsession with the story resulted in a film that was about double the required length.

I was very proud of the script, and of the work Mackenna Shults, who played the lead role, and I did to develop that character, Willis said. I asked the professor if it was all right to submit a 12-minute film. He asked if there was anything that could be cut, and I said there wasnt.

He laughed, then added, But I got a good grade.

The third of Willis entries is The Messenger, a comedy that arose out of a bit of desperation.

We did this film primarily so that we could film the behind-the-scenes stuff, he said. We have this group that posts a regular vlog (video blog) about our work, and we realized that over the winter break, we wouldnt have any content to post. So we said, lets see if we make a complete short film in three days.

The story focuses on two co-workers who are watching a game, and one happens to answer a call on his colleagues phone, which leads to some awkwardly humorous consequences.

Willis said a number of his films have a comedic element, but said, I never set out to write comedy. Whenever I try that, it always ends up sounding forced. But fortunately Im surrounded by a lot of funny people who can bring out the humor in almost any situation. So I just try to write the stories to be as true as I can make them, and if the comedy is there, it will come out.

As is the case with many of the filmmakers whose works are part of the Circle Cinema Film Festival, Willis plans to be in attendance when his films are shown and take part in a Q&A session after the showing.

But Willis cant afford to hang around and bask in the glory of his work making its debut at Tulsas premier movie house.

As soon as our part of the festival is over, he said, I have to get back to Norman, because its the first shooting day of my next project.

For a complete list of Circle Cinema Film Festival events: circlecinema.org.

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An aerial view of HD Hyundai's Global R&D Center in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of HD Hyundai



By Jung Da-hyun



HD Hyundai's new headquarters in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, resembles a futuristic city straight out of a science fiction film, with a greater focus on offering a convenient, eco-friendly workplace environment.



HD Hyundai's Global R&D Center (GRC) can be described with three words: cube, grid and void. First, the exterior of the building takes the shape of a cube, which has now become a signature pattern for HD Hyundai Group. This cube symbolizes the unity of the group's 17 affiliated companies, displaying a vibrant mix of colors at the headquarters.



The 20-story cube-shaped structure is surrounded by plaid columns, made of steel, which reflect well HD Hyundai's image. The main point of this unique building, known as the grid, is that the pillars are located outside. This not only maximizes the interior space but also minimizes light reflection  an essential consideration given the presence of an apartment complex across the street from the building.





Internal structure of HD Hyundai's Global R&D Center / Courtesy of HD Hyundai



Upon entering the building and ascending to the fourth floor, one is greeted by a vast and open space. This structural design element, called the void, serves not only as a shelter for employees but also as a venue for cultural events. The television show "Begin Again," where musicians perform concerts before a studio audience, was also filmed in this place in March.



The top of the void is covered with transparent glass windows, allowing natural light to illuminate the entire building  an environmentally conscious feature. While the building's design focuses on promoting eco-friendliness, the office's facilities and systems are centralized to provide an optimal working environment.





A kiosk through which employees can reserve seats or meeting rooms / Korea Times photo by Jung Da-hyun



HD Hyundai strives to provide a differentiated workplace experience compared to conventional office settings, embracing the concept of a smart workplace.



Through the HR Hyundai GRC mobile app, workers have the freedom to choose their preferred seats. While 40 percent of the employees have designated seats, others can select their workspace from different sections allocated to each department.





Workers take a break together at the in-house canteen. Courtesy of HD Hyundai
Tulsa native and rising indie pop artist Lexi Onyango, who performs and releases music as LEX, released a new single Vodka Soda, on streaming services with distribution support from artist services company AWAL.

Vodka Soda was recorded and produced in Tulsa by Logan Bruhn Productions and features warm and sentimental lyrics over experimental electronic production, according to a news release.

Onyango, who is known for heart-on-sleeve lyricism and confronting complicated emotions, said in the release that this is her first time writing a love song.

Ive always had a hard time writing love songs since they sometimes tend to come across as cheesy, but Vodka Soda came to me so easily, she said. This is a very special song for me and my current partner, it reminds me of the earliest days of us getting to know each other and the hopeful glow of falling in love.

The release said Onyangos star has been on the rise in the Oklahoma music scene since she released her debut EP NOW in early 2022 and her song One Kiss was featured on the Spotify Fresh Find: Indie playlist. Last summer, she was included in the Tulsa Creative Engine inaugural Music Business Accelerator cohort.
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There may be one thing we all agree on: Race shouldnt determine ones access to higher education. But it does, and the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision gutting affirmative action measures now leaves this problem unchecked.

As a former assistant dean in medical education and, currently, as a vice president of health equity, I am deeply troubled that the decision will further threaten the health of minoritized communities.

In a 6-3 decision, the court ruled that institutions of higher education cannot consider race in admissions. The irony in this decision is that, affirmative action aside, race has always determined who has access to higher education.

Just as social determinants of health shape the health inequities that many communities of color experience, social determinants of education explain many of the education gaps that exist between communities.

An individuals ZIP code is directly linked to their chances of attaining a college degree. The impact of where someone lives exerts itself well before high school. A ZIP codes direct impact on education begins as soon as a child enters the public school system.

With a communitys income taxes and property taxes being the primary funding source for its public schools, under-resourced neighborhoods beget underfunded schools; underfunded schools beget unprepared students.

Also correlated to ZIP code is  you guessed it  a persons race.

Children of color are much more likely to live in under-developed neighborhoods. In most occasions, American cities remain as segregated as they were in the 1960s. This segregation did not happen organically, or de facto. It happened de jure, or by law.

Municipal, state and federal laws drove Black, Indigenous and people of color into undesirable neighborhoods by limiting their access to affordable housing and mortgage loans.

For Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities, race has always determined access to higher education. Affirmative action serves as a check against systemic injustices that are far from just a thing of the past.

The courts decision will further limit people of colors access to higher education and threatens to worsen health inequities of communities who cannot afford it. Education is highly correlated to health outcomes, with attainment of a college degree granting individuals the health benefits that education provides. But this is not the only barrier to health equity that was fortified by the decision.

As the push notification came through of the news when the decision was made public, the first thought I had was how devastating this ruling will be for the U.S. medical education system that, even with affirmative action in some states, has only managed to muster up a physician workforce that is just 11% Black, Hispanic and Native American, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

The move threatens a medical schools ability to consider an applicants cultural experience in admissions processes, devaluing what diverse candidates contribute. Our health care system and the communities it serves cannot afford to lose access to valuable candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. The lack of representation that already exists simply costs lives.

A spring 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association quantified the impact of a Black doctor on the health of the doctors community. The research came to a very simple conclusion: More Black doctors in a county improves the life expectancy and health of Black people in the county.

Advocates in medical education have been aware of this for years, and their hard work has brought success to fruition.

According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, in 2021, 11% of first-year medical students were Black, which was a 10% increase from the previous year. That kind of jump had not been previously experienced. This precious momentum we have gained, however, is now threatened by the U.S. Supreme Courts attack on equity.

For the six justices who voted against affirmative action, it is this naive and dangerous notion that we do, or can ever, live in a colorblind society that continues to plague the progress of minoritized people.

Justice Ketanji Brown said it best, The point is this: Given our history, the origin of persistent race-linked gaps should be no mystery. It has never been a deficiency of Black Americans desire or ability to, in Frederick Douglasss words, stand on (their) own legs. Rather, it was always simply what Justice (John Marshall) Harlan recognized 140 years ago  the persistent and pernicious denial of what had already been done in every State of the Union for the white race.

Sadly, we continue to follow, it seems, every small step forward with two large, damning, steps backward.

Jabraan Pasha, M.D., is the vice president of health equity and Tulsa market medical director for Juno Medical and the founder and CEO of Lean In DEI. He is a former member of the Tulsa World Community Advisory Board.

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MASS SHOOTINGS

WASHINGTON  Thirty shot, two fatally, at a block party in Baltimore. At least three killed and 10 wounded at an annual July Fourth bash in Louisiana. A 7-year-old shot dead in Tampa after two groups that gathered along a causeway for Independence Day started to fight. Nine others injured when bullets sprayed from a car in the nation's capital.

A rash of shootings as the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July is spiking fears in communities across the country and highlighting the challenges police face in preventing such violence as temperatures warm and festivities move outside.

Policing such events is a delicate balance for law enforcement, who must weigh the right of revelers to gather with the threat of violence that looms in public and private spaces in a nation awash with guns.

Violence often surges in the summer, when teens are out of school and there are more social events that can turn deadly when tempers flare. Curfews for young people and increased police presence on the streets are among the strategies cities used to try to combat summer violence.

Police can prepare for parades and other large annual events by monitoring social media chatter ahead of time, requiring a law enforcement presence for permitted events and changing up their coverage plans depending on how many people are expected when. Ideally, police work with communities who want the protection.

Still, it's impossible for law enforcement to monitor every block party or holiday gathering. Vacations can also lead to police departments being thinly staffed over holiday weekends and summer months, said Tom Nolan, who was a Boston police officer for nearly three decades.

The gun violence that flared this week in Washington, D.C., Louisiana, Florida, Philadelphia, Texas and Baltimore left more than a dozen dead and almost 60 wounded  including children as monitoring social media chatter ahead of time, requiring a law enforcement presence for permitted events and changing up their coverage plans depending on how many people are expected when. Ideally, police work with communities who want the protection.

Still, it's impossible for law enforcement to monitor every block party or holiday gathering. Vacations can also lead to police departments being thinly staffed over holiday weekends and summer months, said Tom Nolan, who was a Boston police officer for nearly three decades.

The gun violence that flared this week in Washington, D.C., Louisiana, Florida, Philadelphia, Texas and Baltimore left more than a dozen dead and almost 60 wounded  including children as
The Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE) has restricted the trade of 2.2 million HVN shares of Vietnam Airlines to afternoon sessions only, starting July 12, due to the flag carriers delay in submitting its 2022 audited financial report.

The air carrier failed to submit its audited financial report within 45 days from the deadline.

In response, Vietnam Airlines said it is adopting solutions to resume the normal trade of its shares on the southern bourse.

Investors can still trade HVN shares in afternoon sessions and the restriction has not affected the air carriers business activities, Vietnam Airlines said in a statement released on Thursday.

The firm has been undergoing a comprehensive restructuring and improvement of its business operations.

It has also been coordinating closely with an auditing company to complete and publicize its audited financial statement.

Vietnam Airlines informed that its operations remain stable with nearly 400 flights per day.

The figure is expected to rise further in the peak summer travel season.

The airline operated some 64,300 flights carrying 10.14 million passengers in the first half of the year, up 23.6 percent year on year.

It transported 103,287 metric tons of cargo in the period, equal to 91 percent of the figure in the first half of last year.

The air carrier generated consolidated revenue of VND45.3 trillion (US$1.9 billion) in the period, equivalent to 148.9 percent of the revenue in the same period last year, local media reported.

Vietnam Airlines has taken drastic measures to cut costs, besides solutions to increase its revenue.

It reduced operating costs by over VND7.2 trillion ($304.3 million) last year.

HoSE has put HVN shares under supervision since May 12 as the airline failed to submit its audited financial statement for 2022 within 30 days from the deadline.

At the end of March this year, Vietnam Airlines had sought HoSEs permission to delay the submission, but its proposal was turned down.

In February this year, HoSE warned that if Vietnam Airlines' audited consolidated financial statement for 2022 shows a loss or negative equity, its ticker will be delisted.

A report prepared by the airline revealed that it incurred an accumulated loss of nearly VND32 trillion ($1.35 billion) and equity of negative VND10.2 trillion ($431 million) in 2022.

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Vietnam shipped 4.3 million metric tons of rice worth US$2.3 billion to overseas markets in the first six months of the year, expanding 22 percent in volume and soaring 35 percent in value against the same period last year.

The increase was partly attributed to foreign rice buyers decisions to boost rice imports in order to replenish reserves amidst fears that El Nino will trigger extreme weather patterns, according to delegates who attended a meeting held in Hanoi on Thursday to review the countrys rice exports.

Vietnam has sustained an upward trend in rice exports over the past five years, exporting an average volume of over six million metric tons valued at more than $3 billion per year, according to Le Thanh Hoa, deputy head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Developments Agro Processing and Market Development Department.

The Philippines was the biggest buyer of Vietnamese rice in the first half of the year, importing 1.5 million metric tons worth $772 million, up 21 percent in volume and 31 percent in value year on year, and accounting for 40 percent of Vietnams total volume of rice shipments.

China ranked second with its purchases of more than 632,000 metric tons of Vietnamese rice worth $364 million, improving 63 percent and 79 percent, respectively, versus last years figures.

As for rice export prices, each metric ton of Vietnamese rice cost roughly $539, rising 10 percent compared to last year.

Hoa also attributed the rising demand for Vietnamese rice to an undersupply of other foodstuffs.

He added that the countrys rice exports could slow down a bit in the near future since domestic supplies of rice yielded in the winter-spring crop were depleted.

Bui Thi Thanh Tam, vice-chairwoman of the Vietnam Food Association (VFA), forecast that many major markets such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and those from Africa will continue to boost rice imports, further raising rice prices.

The VFA leader pointed out that existing major obstacles hindering local rice exporters are capital and credit.

She proposed the State Bank of Vietnam or the central bank consider offering more short-term loans and guide rice traders through procedures to easily approach loans with low lending rates.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan told local rice exporters to urgently map out business strategies and plans for the short term, as well as provide the ministry with a list of opportunities and threats they encounter.

The minister added that Vietnam is expected to export some eight million metric tons of rice for a combined $4 billion in 2023.

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The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected claims that the deadly attacks on two local administration offices in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak were driven by ethnic discrimination.

Spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang was speaking at a regular press conference on Thursday when she was asked by Hong Kongs Phoenix Radio about the ministrys reaction to claims on social media that recent attacks on administrative offices in Dak Lak had originated from ethnic discrimination.

We absolutely reject such erroneous claims," the spokesperson stressed.

These terrorist attacks are organized crimes that will be strictly handled in accordance with the law."

The ministry has identified the deadly incidents as terrorist attacks committed by two groups of armed individuals on the offices of the Peoples Committees of two communes in Cu Kuin District, Dak Lak Province on June 11, said Hang.

The terrorist raids killed nine people including four police officers, two commune officials, and three civilians. Two others were injured, according to the ministry.

Hang also said that Major General Pham Ngoc Viet, director of the Department of Homeland Security under the Ministry of Public Security, told an anti-terrorism conference recently held by the United Nations that the lethal attacks in Dak Lak were an organized terrorist activity aimed at state entities, officials, and civilians.

Viet emphasized that any organizations or individuals involved in or behind these attacks would be dealt with in a manner corresponding to the level of their violation.

One of the arrested subjects is a member of a U.S.-based organization who had received instructions to infiltrate Vietnam and perform the attacks, Viet said.

He also asked relevant countries and international organizations to support and cooperate with Vietnam in investigating the case, as well as prevent similar actions.

Police have so far detained and prosecuted 90 suspects in the case and put six others on a special wanted list, according to police sources.

US speaks against Dak Lak terror attacks At a meeting with Vietnamese Minister of Public Security To Lam last week, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper emphasized that the U.S. government would not tolerate the involvement of any U.S.-based organizations or individuals in the recent deadly attacks against the peoples government in Dak Lak. The ambassador requested relevant information from Vietnam and pledged cooperation with and support for Vietnam in clarifying the issue and preventing similar incidents that may affect the relationship between the two countries.

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The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), the developer of the metro line No. 1 project in the city, has introduced a set of solutions aimed at enhancing security for railcars at Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City after they were found to have been vandalized on two separate occasions.

The solutions were developed by contractors involved with the project, including a consortium of Sumitomo Corporation, Civil Engineering Construction Corporation No. 6, and Hitachi, as well as consulting unit NJPT.

In particular, contractors will increase the number of security guards to 27 at the railcar parking facility and arrange more security guards in locations at high risk of burglary.

Contractors will also install an additional 11 security cameras and eight lights. Metro trains will be parked in areas with cameras.

They will add 500 meters of barbed wires around the fence of the Long Binh Depot in order to increase its height to two meters.

The contractors will continue clearing thickets along the fence of the depot.

MAUR and the contractors with coordinate with the Thu Duc police to keep a close watch on those going in and out of the depot.

Vandals sprayed the metro cars with graffiti on April 30 this year and in June 2022.

MAUR also reported the theft of several pieces of equipment at the construction site of some elevated sections of the metro line project.

The Thu Duc police asked the contractors to improve lighting systems and increase security personnel at the elevated stations.

MAUR will continue working with local police to ensure quick response times for similar incidents.

The 19.7-kilometer-long metro line runs from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City.

It has 17 Japanese-manufactured trains measuring 61.5 meters long and capable of carrying 930 passengers.

The metro service, which carries a price tag of VND43.7 trillion (US$1.9 billion), is now some 95 percent complete and has embarked on three test runs.

Construction of the project is expected to be completed this year.

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Residents in the Phu My Hung New Urban Area in District 7 and some areas in the south of Ho Chi Minh City have voiced their outcry over a foul odor from the nearby Da Phuoc landfill in the past few days.

The repugnant smell from the dumpsite is haunting these dwellers and badly affecting their daily activities.

The Ho Chi Minh Department of Natural Resources and Environment had earlier pledged to curb the stench by 2024, but the smell pollution in the area has yet to improve.

Nearly 10,000 metric tons of waste is discharged in Ho Chi Minh City daily, which is treated at the Da Phuoc Waste Treatment Complex in Binh Chanh District and the Tay Bac Solid Waste Treatment Complex in Cu Chi District, according to statistics from the municipal department.

The Da Phuoc landfill developer Vietnam Waste Solutions Ltd. (VWS) has constantly faced complaints about the stint from the landfill over the past many years.

When the city enters the rainy season starting from May, followed by the southwest wind, residents living in its southern region, including the Phu My Hung New Urban Area in District 7, the Da Phuoc urban area in Binh Chanh District and Nha Be District, concurrently suffer the disgusting odor from the landfill.

The unbearable smell goes with the wind and penetrates into residents houses.

Quynh Nhu, a resident of Tan Phong Ward in District 7, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that she is suffering a headache caused by the stench from the Da Phuoc landfill.

The unpleasant smell does not exist for a short time, but dangles in the air. On sunny days, the disgusting odor often appears in the evening, Nhu said.

Meanwhile, on rainy days, the wind brings the foul odor to residents houses. If I forget to close the door and windows, my house is smelly for half an hour."

Nhu is putting her house on sale two years after her family moved to the current residence from Thu Duc City, and suffered the foul odor.

VWS was assigned to treat up to 6,800 metric tons of waste every day at the Da Phuoc landfill using the burial method.

The problem related to the stench from the dumpsite is not new.

Over the past few years, the citys relevant agencies and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have checked and handled the smell pollution many times.

In addition, VWS has adopted multiple measures to eliminate the foul odor, but in the rainy season, coupled with the southwest wind, residents in Phu My Hung and other nearby districts unavoidably suffer the polluted air.

Quang, owner of a coffee and billiards shop, says that he must cover his shop with nylon sheets to prevent dust and noise when garbage trucks travel to the Da Phuoc area in Binh Chanh District, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre

The leader of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment said that the burial method could not handle the foul smell.

As per the national environmental protection strategy passed by the prime minister, the percentage of buried waste in urban areas must be lowered to 30 percent by 2025 and to 10 percent by 2030.

Ho Chi Minh City aims to reduce the percentage of buried waste to 20 percent in 2025 from the current 70 percent, and completely switch to the waste-to-energy technology in 2030.

To fulfill the goals, a solid waste treatment factory developed by Vietstar JSC and a waste-to-energy facility invested in by Tam Sinh Nghia Investment Company got off the ground in late 2019.

The two plants, located in the Tay Bac Solid Waste Treatment Complex, were slated for completion in late 2020, but they lagged behind schedule.

Instead, the completion of the work on the two facilities was extended to 2025. When in place, the two will treat a combined 4,000 metric tons of waste a day.

The city is expected to discard 13,000 metric tons of waste daily in 2025, while the volume of waste might reach 16,600 metric tons per day in 2030.

Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Toan Thang said in 2020 that the Da Phuoc landfill would shut down in 2024.

To maintain the operation of the dumpsite, VWS was told to shift to the waste-to-energy technology from the burial method. With the modern method, some 3,000 metric tons of waste will be treated daily.

Speaking of the chronic foul odor from the Da Phuoc landfill, Dr. Pham Viet Thuan, head of the Institute of Economics and Environmental Resources in Ho Chi Minh City, said that given the worsening situation, the city should close the landfill as soon as possible.

The dumpsite has badly plagued residents in the south of the city for several years, while VWS is in the process of completing a report on its investment in switching to the waste-to-energy method.

The project will take much time.

After the Da Phuoc landfill is closed, waste should be transported to the Tay Bac Solid Waste Treatment Complex in Cu Chi District where there are a few residential areas pending the completion of hi-tech treatment infrastructure, said Dr. Thuan.

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Doctors at the Da Nang Family Hospital in the namesake central Vietnamese city have successfully conducted surgery on a six-year-old girl who was born with extra fingers and toes on both hands and both feet, a doctor from the hospital said on Thursday.

It is extremely rare for a child to be born with extra fingers and toes on both hands and both feet, said doctor Nguyen Dinh Hoa, deputy head of the surgery department under the Da Nang Family Hospital.

In late June, H.M., a resident of Quang Nam Province, a Da Nang neighbor, took her daughter to the Da Nang Family Hospital for the removal of the childs extra fingers and toes.

Each of the childs hands had six fingers and each of her feet had six toes.

While each of the childs extra fingers and toes developed normally, they hindered her daily life, particularly when it came to wearing shoes and doing exercise.

The childs feet before the surgery (above) and her hand and foot after the surgery. Photo: N.Trinh / Tuoi Tre

According to M., when her daughter was three years old, doctors advised against performing surgery on the child due to her age. Three years later, doctors gave the go-ahead.

Prior to the operation, the hospital carried out recommended testing, consultations, and X-rays. It only took two days for the child to recover enough from the surgery to hold things in her hands without pain.

As she is young, two teams concurrently performed the surgery on both hands and both feet to reduce the surgery time and prevent side effects from anesthetic, doctor Hoa noted.

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U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen attends a business round table with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in China in Beijing, July 7. AFP-Yonhap



U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday called for market reforms in China and criticized the world's second-largest economy for its recent "punitive" actions against U.S. companies and new export controls on some critical minerals.



Yellen, who arrived in Beijing on Thursday said the moves underscored the need for "resilient" and diverse supply chains, and warned that the United States and its allies will fight back against what she called China's "unfair economic practices."



Yellen made the remarks to the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham) after what a Treasury official called "substantive" talks with former Chinese economy czar Liu He, a close confidante of President Xi Jinping, and outgoing top Chinese central banker Yi Gang. She is slated to meet later Friday with Premier Li Qiang.



Yellen's trip is part of a flurry of visits aimed at calming tensions between Washington and Beijing that escalated after the U.S. military shot down a Chinese government balloon over the United States and amid increasing strains over export controls.



No major breakthroughs are expected, with officials from both sides accepting that safeguarding national security interests now trumps deepening economic ties.



China hopes the U.S. will take "concrete actions" to create a favorable environment for the healthy development of bilateral economic and trade ties, China's finance ministry said in a statement on Friday.



"No winners emerge from a trade war or from decoupling and 'breaking chains'," the statement added.



U.S. firms in China hope Yellen's visit will ensure trade and commercial lanes between the two economies remain open, regardless of the temperature of geo-political tensions.



AmCham President Michael Hart welcomed Yellen's "extra firepower" in pressing for changes in China's policies.



"Yellen's visit is significant because it allows more conversations to happen, it allows more mid-level folks from both sides to come," he said.



"I think if there was another year of no visits by top U.S. government leaders, the market would get colder," he added.





U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, third from right, speaks as U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, center, listens during a roundtable meeting with members of the American business community in Beijing, China, Friday, July 7. AP-Yonhap



Teeing up possible Biden-Xi meeting



The U.S. diplomatic push comes ahead of a possible meeting between President Joe Biden and Xi as soon as September's Group of 20 Summit in New Delhi or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering scheduled for November in San Francisco.



Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month and agreed with Xi that the mutual rivalry should not veer into conflict, and Biden's climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit later this month.



Yellen said she came to work toward a "stable and constructive relationship" between the two countries, while making clear that Washington will act to protect its national security interests and human rights.



Regular exchanges could help both countries monitor economic and financial risks at a time when the global economy was facing "headwinds like Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the pandemic," Yellen added.



Yellen said she would make clear to Chinese officials that Washington was not seeking "a wholesale separation of our economies," but raised concerns about their use of expanded subsidies for state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, barriers to market access for foreign firms, and recent "punitive actions" against U.S. firms.



Yellen said Washington was still evaluating new Chinese export controls on gallium and germanium, critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors, but said the move underscored the need for "resilient and diversified supply chains."





U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, right, talks with U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, left, as Yang Yingming, director general of the Department of International Economic Relations of China's Ministry of Finance, looks on after arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Thursday, July 6. AP-Yonhap
The construction of the passenger terminal at the Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, neighboring Ho Chi Minh City, will begin in August, Nguyen Tien Viet, deputy general director of the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), told a working session with the provincial Peoples Committee and other relevant units on Thursday.

In June, the ACV issued a tender invitation for a bidding package for the construction of the terminal and the installation of equipment, a key component of the first phase of the big-ticket airport project, said Viet.

The bidding package is worth VND35 trillion (US$1.5 billion).

The selected contractor will break ground on the passenger terminal subproject in August.

Work on other components of the project, including runways, taxiways, and aprons, will commence in August and September.

Long Thanh District authorities have nearly completed clearing 1,810 hectares of land for phase-one construction and 722 hectares of land as reserve space for the project.

The ACV is also pushing for the district to speed up site clearance for two connection road projects related to the airport.

Speaking at the working session, Vo Tan Duc, vice-chairman of the Dong Nai Peoples Committee, urged authorities in Long Thanh District to complete site clearance so that land for at least one of the two roads can be handed over in July.

The Long Thanh International Airport project, located 40 kilometers from Ho Chi Minh City, will span 5,000 hectares and cost over VND336.6 trillion ($14.2 billion).

Work on the mammoth project will be carried out in three phases.

Following the completion of the first phase, which is estimated to carry a VND114.5 trillion ($4.8 billion) price tag, the airport is designed to accommodate up to 25 million passengers and handle 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually.

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Vietnam is the only market in the Asia-Pacific region listed in Booking.coms 'mindful voyagers' group, according to a recent report released by the online hotel booking site.

Aimed at mapping travel confidence and sustainability interest across Asia-Pacific, the websites APAC Travel Confidence Index (TCI) 2023 released on Wednesday was prepared using a two-axis framework which evaluated travel confidence and sustainability interest across APAC.

It was conducted independently by Singapore-based market research platform Milieu Insight and involved a survey of over 8,000 travelers over 18 years old from 11 countries and territories across APAC, including Vietnam.

The survey was taken online and took place between March 29 and April 7, 2023.

The 2023 TCI computed for an index which was based on specific metrics such as a willingness to travel, potential travel spend, duration, number of intended trips, and notably, travel propensity given the current macroeconomic state.

Other areas that the study explored are travel and booking considerations, views on sustainability, and other market-specific questions.

Vietnam ranked tenth, with Vietnamese travelers being identified as 'mindful voyagers' -- those who have low travel confidence but high sustainability interest, the report showed.

This photo taken from Booking.coms 2023 TCI report shows Vietnam ranked tenth, with Vietnamese travelers being listed in the 'mindful voyagers' group.

These travelers have a deliberate and thoughtful travel approach, driven by their sense of responsibility to the environment and desire to help local communities, Booking.com explained.

However, they often experience anxieties in unfamiliar environments and actively seek resources to overcome travel concerns and gain confidence.

Other groups in the report included conscious explorers, homebound pragmatists, and comfort seekers.

Booking.coms 2023 TCI report classify travelers in APAC into groups of mindful voyagers, conscious explorers, homebound pragmatists, and comfort seekers.

Closer look at the Vietnamese market

Of note in the report were revelations regarding the behavior of Vietnamese travelers and how economic uncertainty was impacting their mindset and plans to explore the world.

When it comes to travel behavior, Vietnamese are likely to crave challenging experiences, according to 38 percent of the respondents.

Meanwhile, 35 percent of the respondents noted that they had a strong inclination to explore their own country.

For almost half (45 percent) of the Vietnamese, leisure travel was considered very important now that travel has fully resumed post-COVID.

With 83 percent of the Vietnamese travelers surveyed saying they were planning to travel in the next 12 months, almost half (45 percent) responded that they had already booked domestic trips in the next 12 months, and 26 percent had already booked their next international trip.

A closer look at motivations to travel showed that a common theme was growth and relaxation.

More than one-third (35 percent) of the Vietnamese respondents said that relaxation and rejuvenation of the mind and body, along with healthier living, motivated them to travel.

Meanwhile, 30 percent shared that the desire to learn about other cultures drove their interest to explore the world.

Twenty-nine percent were motivated to travel for interpersonal reasons such as meeting new people, reconnecting with loved ones, and seeking new experiences.

When it comes to places and activities of interest, Vietnamese travelers showed a significant inclination toward islands and beaches (61 percent), followed by cities (60 percent) and sports/physical activities (45 percent).

A birds-eye view picture captures Ke Ga Lighthouse, Vietnams oldest lighthouse located in the namesake cape in the south-central province of Binh Thuans Ham Thuan Nam District. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre News

Concerns

While there is a desire to travel, Vietnamese travelers still hold many concerns.

Among them, 40 percent had financial concerns regarding travel.

This concern is endemic in APAC, with 57 percent of the travelers from Thailand and 55 percent of the tourists from New Zealand worrying about the same thing.

Fear of contracting COVID-19 or other diseases during travel is another worry for 40 percent of the Vietnamese travelers, 42 percent of the Singaporean travelers, and 36 percent of the Thai travelers.

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On Sunday 60 Minutes delves into the catfishing case in which a woman pretended to be actor Lincoln Lewis and the woman behind it.

Love Trap

Its a crime so malicious its difficult to understand how anyone could even think of it. It began innocently when a Brisbane flight attendant, Jess, had a chance meeting on an aeroplane with the Australian actor Lincoln Lewis. However, unknown to both of them at the time, this harmless encounter would set off a catastrophic chain of events. Somehow, someone with a particularly warped mind got wind of their friendship, and using social media, assumed Lincoln Lewis identity, then tricked the young woman into a dangerous long-distance relationship. For more than a decade Jess and other helpless victims lived in fear as they were constantly stalked and harassed. But when detectives finally caught the culprit there was another startling twist. As Tara Brown reports, its little wonder police now describe this as Australias worst case of cat fishing.

Reporter: Tara Brown

Producers: Tracey Hannaford, Naomi Shivaraman

Its finally over.

Its hard finding the proper words or to articulate the feeling of relief that the cruel & horrendous actions committed by this person starting over decade ago has finally ended with justice prevailing.https://t.co/ekq3qEx9Yd  Lincoln Lewis (@linc_lewis) October 25, 2022

Thorpe Control

Where to begin when trying to explain, who is Lidia Thorpe? Maybe a start is to think of her as the Nick Kyrgios of Australian politics. Shes edgy, unpredictable, sometimes angry, often funny, and for a politician, refreshingly candid. As Karl Stefanovic discovers in an exclusive interview with the independent Senator, Lidia Thorpe is also hugely committed to her job in the Australian parliament. She tells Stefanovic her drive comes from a tough upbringing which has not only given her resilience, but a will to always fight for the underdog. Its a resolve that might make Australians reassess their view of the controversial politician, and possibly even wish for more Lidia Thorpes in Canberra.

Reporter: Karl Stefanovic

Producers: Natalie Clancy, Lisa Brown

7pm Sunday on Nine.
An asylum seeker who travelled in a dinghy in the English Channel where four people died said he was threatened with death to pilot the boat, a court has heard.

Ibrahima Bah, from Senegal, said in a statement that he was trying to come to the UK to claim asylum when smugglers asked if he could pilot the boat, and if so, he could travel for free.

The written evidence being read aloud at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday comes as the trial of Bah, who is over 18 years old and of no fixed address, continues.

Bah is accused of four counts of manslaughter and of piloting a boat facilitating unlawful entry to the UK after an inflatable dinghy carrying more than 40 people across the sea sank on December 14, 2022.

Bah denies all the charges.

Bahs statement read to jurors went on to say when the group of travellers reached the shore, and he saw the state of the boat he changed his mind, but this angered the smugglers.

He added: I was assaulted and threatened with death.

Bah then explained when they were on the boat, the plan was to go to the middle of the Channel and seek help from the British authorities and claim asylum.

He described how others on the boat were panicking and grabbing for anchor ropes of a nearby fishing boat and he told them to stop.

Bah said: They were panicking for no reason and causing the issue.

Its very sad people died. If they had stayed calm we would have all been safe and claimed asylum together 

It was a very upsetting experience.

Police interviews following his arrest read out in court said that Bah had left Senegal in 2019, spent two years in Libya and had driven a boat from Libya to Italy, having previously learned how to pilot boats in Africa.

The account also detailed how Bah driving the boat to the UK from France meant free travel for himself and a close friend, also from Senegal, who died after falling into the water that night.

The interview also reiterated how when Bah saw the large boat with small engine and decided not to pilot it, there was a fist fight with the smugglers and Sudanese migrants witnessed the smugglers kicking him.

In the last day of the prosecutions case, junior counsel Ben Lloyd stated when Bah was charged with facilitating illegal entry to the UK on December 17, he replied: I did something, it was wrong. If I had known it I wouldnt have done it.

To the charge of manslaughter, Bah is recorded to have said: I have to say I didnt kill anyone.

The case continues next week.
Ford Fiesta: Last of the UK's most popular car brand to roll off production line in Germany today

The last of the UK's best selling car model will be made today as Ford's Cologne factory produces the final Fiesta.

The last two Fiestas are reported to be held by Ford. One will be kept in Germany, the other will go to the company's UK heritage centre.

The German plant is being adapted to produce more electric cars, pushing out Fiesta production, in the move to electrify cars to reduced CO2 emissions.

The model was the UK's best-selling car with 4,804,098 sold in total, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

After first appearing in UK showrooms in 1976, it spent years at the top of best selling cars lists.

It outpaced the Ford Escort, the second best-selling car in the UK, by more than one million sales. Even last year it was the tenth most popular new car - more than 25,000 were registered.

Globally, more than 22 million Fiestas have been produced.

The car got its name from its Spanish roots - the Fiesta was first produced in Valencia in 1975.

Designed to be cheap to run, the Fiesta was created in response to the 1973 oil crisis, when the price of fuel rocketed.

UK production of the model began in 1977 in the famous Ford plant in Dagenham, Essex.

Ford has made cuts to its UK workforce in recent months with up to 1,000 jobs being axed at its site in Dunton, Essex - its UK headquarters and technical centre.

When more than a thousand job losses were announced by the car maker in March Ford was explicit in saying the business restructuring is happening due to the transition to fully electric and the reduced vehicle complexity.

Production of the Focus will also cease in 2025 as Ford aims to have an electric-only fleet in Europe by 2035.

Sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2030.
The King Who Never Was Director on Reconstructing the Murder Investigation Involving Italys Last Heir  and Her Connection to the Case

Unlike in the U.K., Spain and Sweden  where kings and queens are still formally heads of state  Italys royal family, the House of Savoy, no longer rules.

The last heir to the Italian throne, Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy and his family were forced into exile in 1946, when the prince was 9. That year, the Italian people voted in a referendum about whether the monarchy should continue. They chose to create a republic and punished the royals for failing to save their country from Mussolinis fascist regime. The Savoys were allowed to return in 2003 after 57 years of exile.

More from Variety

In 1978, Vittorio Emanuele  the king who never was  got into trouble while he and his wife and kids were living on the island of Cavallo, on the south coast of Corsica, France. As reconstructed from eyewitness interviews in a new Netflix documentary, on a hot August night he became enraged when some loud shitty Italians borrowed the dinghy off his yacht and tied it to another nearby boat. Fuming, he took a rifle, went to one of their boats and, after shots from his rifle rang out  that were just meant to scare  someone got hurt. Dirk Hamer, a 19-year-old sleeping on another boat nearby, died of gunshot injuries in early December. Though it was never legally proven that Vittorio Emanuele killed Hamer, this incident had a big impact on the princes life.

It also shaped the life of Hamers sister, Birgit Hamer, who later became a supermodel and fought for three decades to no avail for justice to be served amid what appears to have been a massive cover-up.

Variety spoke to The King Who Never Was director Beatrice Borromeo, an Italian journalist who was also personally affected by the incident, about how she managed to meticulously reconstruct what happened that night. Watch the trailer for the docuseries, streaming on Netflix now, above.

Simply put: what drove you to want to delve deep into this case after so many years?

Its a story that Ive always been personally involved in. My mother has always been a close friend of Birgit Hamer. Shes been involved in various phases Birgits life, including organizing Dirks funeral, that is shown in the documentary. That said, this was not an easy story to tackle and bring to the fore. There was always this feeling of: Enough with this! Its too old, you are becoming obsessed!

I remember how frustrated I was as a child hearing the reasons why we should all look the other way. Later in my life, when I was a journalist for Italian daily Il Fatto Quotidiano, I probably became too obsessed with this case. I wrote some pretty aggressive articles that lacked the necessary balance that I think I have now found in this documentary series

Given your previous reporting, its quite surprising how available Vittorio Emanuele made himself and how candidly he speaks. How did you manage that?

It took me ages to convince him to be part of the doc. Creating a rapport with Vittorio Emanuele was probably the hardest part of this project. He had sued me after I had published a video of his [alleged] confession. It was a long legal battle that I eventually won. We had a terrible rapport. I started contacting everyone I knew who had a rapport with him. I bombarded him with emails and letters. So, exasperated, he said: talk to my son, Emanuele Filiberto. I think Emanuele decided to participate in order to face this story once and for all, so that it would not taint his daughters, the way it had tainted him. And then he became a bridgehead with his father and the whole family.

All that said, Dirk Hamers murder remains unpunished. Could this doc reopen the case?

No, the statute of limitations across Europe has run out. But I think we are beyond that all the way around. Even Birgit Hamer is no longer asking for a trial. She just wants truth to be known. I think with this documentary, people will have all the elements to form their own opinion. Thats what I tried very hard to do. I think there has now been a deep closure about this incident on everyones part.

Ultimately, the doc is about the privilege of being born as royalty. Do you agree?

I dont think that privilege is the same today as it was then. The doc is about a system of power that, at the time, was dominant and about how justice and truth can be manipulated thanks to connections and money and determination to shun responsibility. The system protected Vittorio Emanuele. Evidence against him disappeared; legal opinions changed; a judge was transferred to Tahiti while he was investigating. Though he was in exile, in some way he still had power. Whether it was his royal connections or Italys P2 Masonic Lodge or his rapport with the Shah of Iran. Its hard to say. There was a circle around him that protected him.

Perhaps, more specifically, its about what can happen when you are born into royalty and then that destiny is taken away from you at a young age.

Yes. It was very important to provide the historical context of Vittorio Emanueles exile. His frustration toward a bunch of Italians who make fun of him, steal his dinghy. The way he reacts to this, with a rifle, I think stems from the broken identity of a child who, up until he was 9 years old, attends parades in his honor on the part of Italians who subsequently kick him out and dont allow him back in their country, and hate him. When you see him return to Italy [in 2003], he is chasing a life that he could have had but is no longer possible.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Best of Variety

Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea on Wednesday criticised U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's recent visit to Beijing as a "begging trip" to ease tensions in what it called a policy failure to pressure China.

At one of the most significant U.S.-China exchanges since U.S. President Joe Biden took office, Blinken and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Monday and agreed to stabilise their intense rivalry so it did not veer into conflict.

Blinken said after the meeting on Monday that he urged China to encourage North Korea to stop launching missiles as Beijing holds a "unique position" to press Pyongyang to engage in dialogue.

In a commentary carried by the North's KCNA news agency, Jong Yong Hak, whom it described as an international affairs analyst, said the rare visit was aimed at begging for the relaxation of tensions as the "attempt to press and restrain China may become a boomerang striking a fatal blow to the U.S. economy."

"In a word, the U.S. state secretary's recent junket can never be judged otherwise than a disgraceful begging trip of the provoker admitting the failure of the policy of putting pressure on China," the commentary said.

The commentary said the United States was responsible for escalating regional tensions with "anti-China complexes," such as the QUAD grouping with Japan, India and Australia and the AUKUS pact with Britain and Australia.

"It is the height of the double-dealing and impudence peculiar to the U.S. to provoke first and then talk about the so-called 'responsible control over divergence of opinion,'" the commentary said.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs who was also on the Beijing trip, is expected to visit South Korea on Wednesday to brief Seoul officials on the two days of talks in China, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported.

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Sonali Paul)
French actor Alain Delon poses during a photocall before being awarded with an Honorary Palme d'Or at the 72nd edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 19, 2019. AFP-Yonhap



The children of French film legend Alain Delon lodged a police complaint against his live-in assistant on Wednesday on claims of harassment and "threatening" behaviour, their lawyer told AFP.



Delon, 87, was one of France's biggest film stars at the height of his career, an icon of the 1960s New Wave who appeared in classics such as "The Swimming Pool" and "The Leopard".



The lawyer, Christophe Ayela, said that Delon has been in a weakened condition since a cardio-vascular incident in 2019, prompting the hiring of a woman to assist him at his home in the Loiret region of central France.



"She has shown herself to be more and more aggressive, disparaging and offensive towards him and his children," Ayela said.



"I suspect an abuse of frailty, and I am counting on an investigation to establish it."



The complaint was lodged by Delon's children Anouchka, Alain-Fabien and Anthony, and the actor added his name via a written declaration.



The assistant "systematically monitors his telephone conversations and private messages. She answers in his place, pretending to be him, and she tries to intercept his postal mail," Ayela claimed.



"She is authoritarian, threatening, even going so far as to mistreat Mr Delon's dog in an unacceptable way," he added.



Anthony Delon had lodged an additional complaint with police for "violence towards a vulnerable person," the lawyer told AFP, adding that the woman's alleged behaviour had been going on for at least 18 months.



"On Jan. 31, 2022, I made the decision to start notifying and reporting facts that took place... between my father Alain Delon and his female companion," Anthony Delon said in a statement sent to AFP.



Delon rarely appeared on screen after the 1990s. His last major public appearance was to receive an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019. (AFP)


Complete removal of the SMS one-time password (OTP), however, would "limit the authentication toolkit that the banks have".

The use of SMS OTP as a sole authentication factor for high-risk transactions will soon be phased out completely, although it will still remain an option. (PHOTO: Reuters)

SINGAPORE  The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will set a deadline for all retail banks to phase out the use of Short Messaging Service (SMS) one-time passwords (OTP) as a sole authentication factor for high-risk transactions, said MAS Chairman and Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Tharman said this in a written response on behalf of the Prime Minister to parliamentary questions raised by Member of Parliament (MP) for Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Gerald Giam and MP for Jurong GRC Tan Wu Meng on Wednesday (5 July).

Giam had asked how many fraudulent bank transactions have been made in the past year as a result of SMS OTP diversions, whether MAS has a timeline for requiring banks to phase out the use of SMS OTPs in favour of other multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods, and whether MAS will require banks to provide customers with the option to stop the use of SMS OTPs if they are already using other MFA methods.

Tan had asked if MAS will consider reviewing previously closed cases of customer disputes with banks where unauthorised transactions were reported despite one-time passwords not being divulged or received.

In his response, Tharman stated that the risk of SMS OTPs being diverted has now been "largely addressed" given the implementation of additional security safeguards by local telecommunication operators to mitigate the risk of being compromised.

He added that the Singapore Police Force (SPF) had not found any confirmed cases of SMS OTP diversions since January 2021.

However, the Senior Minister acknowledged the vulnerability of the SMS channel and said that the transition by banks in Singapore to phase out SMS OTP as a sole authenticating factor for high-risk banking activities, such as adding payees and changing fund transfer limits, is already underway.

No option to opt out of SMS OTP

On whether bank customers would have the option to opt out of SMS OTPs, Tharman said that MAS does not currently see the need to require banks to provide such an option, as it "would limit the authentication toolkit that the banks have" and "dilute the effectiveness of multi-layered security for protecting customers".

"When used in combination with other authentication factors such as biometrics or digital tokens, SMS OTP provides an additional layer of security that fraudsters have to overcome," said Tharman.

He added that the SMS OTP authentication method is accessible by all customers as it can be received on any type of mobile device, hence allowing all banking customers to perform low-risk activities such as viewing account balances and paying bills without the need for an additional device.

"Removing SMS OTPs entirely will exclude a significant number of online banking customers who do not own mobile devices that can install digital tokens," said Tharman.

Transition will not address other scam types

Tharman also noted that the transition away from having SMS OTP as the sole authentication factor for high-risk banking activities would not address other scam types, in particular, those related to phishing and malware to steal banking credentials.

He expressed concern that in more recent cases where scammers gained the ability to control customers' devices through malware, customers may not even be aware that SMS OTPs had been delivered to their mobile devices or that unauthorised transactions have been performed. This is because the scammer who has obtained control over the device can delete both the SMS OTPs and transaction notifications.

Members of the public are strongly urged to heed the advisory published by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore on an ongoing malware campaign targeting Android devices in May 2023:

(a) Pay attention to the security permissions requested by the application and be wary of applications that ask for unnecessary permissions on mobile devices.

(b) Install applications only from the official Google Play Store.

(c) Uninstall any unknown applications that are found on mobile devices immediately.

(d) Perform anti-virus scans and keep regular backups of important data.

(e) Ensure that mobile devices' operating systems and applications are updated regularly to be protected by the latest security patches.

Bank customers are also advised to immediately contact the bank or activate the "kill switch" provided by banks to freeze their accounts upon discovering that unauthorised transactions have been made or suspecting that their devices have been compromised by malware.

Fraudulent activities should also be reported to the police.

For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information on such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

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STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden's Supreme Court on Friday said a Danish online wine retailer has the right to sell directly to Swedish households and businesses, in a ruling that could challenge the Nordic state's alcohol retail monopoly.

Sweden has a restrictive alcohol policy and has had a state-run alcohol retail monopoly since 1955. It was given an exemption to European Union legislation on free trade of goods when it joined in 1995.

Systembolaget, the state-run alcohol company, sued Danish online retailer Winefinder and its Swedish parent company to stop it from selling and delivering alcohol to Swedish customers, but the Supreme Court ruled against it in a precedent-setting decision.

"The trading in this case does not violate the alcohol act, but must be seen as a permitted form of private import," the Supreme Court said in a statement.

Systembolaget had won the case in a lower court instance but the Supreme Court decision cannot be overruled.

The retailer runs 450 stores across Sweden, with a stated aim to limit alcohol sales. It has limited opening hours and does not advertise alcohol or put items on sale.

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
Tunisian security forces in Sfax have rounded up hundreds of people from sub-Saharan Africa, including children, and dropped them in a no mans land between the Tunisian and Libyan border, where they remain trapped with neither food nor water. These forced deportations carried out by the security services come against a backdrop of heightened anti-migrant rhetoric and violence that broke out in Sfax the night of July 3. Our team spoke to a man from the Ivory Coast who said that some people had died and more than 300 people are trapped at the border in terrible conditions.

Our team spoke to a man from the Ivory Coast, who we are calling Adama, who told us that Tunisian security forces forcibly deported him, along with about 20 other migrants, dropping them off at the border on the night of July 2. This was a day before clashes broke out in Sfax. The ongoing violence has been accompanied by a wave of migrant arrests.

In the days since, Tunisian security forces have forcibly deported several other groups of migrants to the same no mans land between Tunisia and Libya.

Adama sent his location to our team on July 6  hes in an area next to the coast, not far from the border post in Ras Jdir.

'I told UN agencies but the Tunisian authorities havent yet allowed them to meet with the group of people stranded'



Read more on The Observers - France 24
Czech Republic's President Petr Pavel, right, welcomes his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, July 6. AP-Yonhap



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy admitted in Prague Thursday that Ukraine's counteroffensive was "not fast" but said Kyiv's troops were advancing.



Zelenskyy arrived in Prague as part of a diplomatic push for Ukraine to join NATO and woo allies for more weapons for its mounting pushback against Russia.



"The offensive is not fast, that's a fact. But nevertheless, we are advancing, not retreating, like Russians," Zelenskyy told reporters alongside Czech leader Petr Pavel. "We now have the initiative."



Zelenskyy traveled to Prague to meet Pavel hours after visiting Bulgaria, a major supporter and ammunition producer, also to discuss NATO membership and more armaments.



On Friday he is scheduled to hold talks in Istanbul with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an important broker in the conflict.



Zelenskyy told reporters that slow weapons deliveries to Ukraine have delayed Kyiv's counteroffensive, allowing Russia to bolster its defences in occupied areas.



Cluster bombs



In Washington U.S. media reported that the Pentagon was preparing a new package of arms and ammunitions that could include controversial cluster bombs.



The weapons, rockets which disperse multiple small explosives over a wide radius, have already been used by Russian and Ukrainian forces in the war.



Officials said a final decision had not been made. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said Thursday that the cluster munitions that could be supplied are more recent models with low "dud rates"  the percentage of bomblets that do not immediately detonate.



"The ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with dud rates that are higher than 2.35 percent," Ryder said.



Ukraine Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said in a tweet that he had spoken by phone to US Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.



The two "talked about new projects related to supplying various types of ammunition. Stay tuned for the good news," Reznikov wrote.



But human rights groups condemned the plan, saying the bomblets can go undetonated and remain at the location for years posing threats to civilians.



"Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are harming civilians now and will leave bomblets behind that will continue to do so for many years," Human Rights Watch said in a new report Thursday.



"Both sides should immediately stop using cluster munitions and not seek to obtain more of these indiscriminate weapons. The US should not transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine," it said.





Activists and international delegations stand next to cluster bomb units, during a visit to a Lebanese military base at the opening of the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in the southern town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sept. 12, 2011. The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday, July 7, that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision. AP-Yonhap
HA NOI  Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy ong emphasised the urgency of fostering business environment reform, particularly in relation to the slowdown in recent efforts to improve business conditions at a seminar titled "Removing Barriers to Business Conditions for Business Development" held in Ha Noi on Thursday.

He highlighted the Government's unwavering commitment to improving the business environment and national competitiveness in Resolution No 01/NQ-CP, issued in 2023, with four key solutions to achieve this goal.

The first area involves reforming the list of investment sectors, conditional business activities, and business requirements. The second area focus on the continued promotion of management reforms, specialised inspections of import and export goods and the effective implementation of the National Single Window. The third area entails rectifying inspections and examinations of enterprises to ensure they do not disrupt normal business operations. The fourth area concentrates on implementing solutions to enhance the quality of business support services.

Nevertheless, ong expressed concern that efforts to improve the business environment have slowed down since 2020, receiving insufficient attention from ministries, sectors and local authorities.

Over the past two years, barriers related to business conditions have expanded with certain ministries and departments having issued and enforced stricter regulations concerning business requirements, ong said. He noted that if this situation is not rectified promptly, it could undermine the progress made during the previous reform period.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has conducted a comprehensive review of business reform between 2016-19. The review showed a significant number of decrees were issued, amending multiple regulations and simplifying approximately 50 per cent of business conditions.

Regarding the list of conditional business lines, there have been revisions over the years. The initial list of 267 industries was reduced to 243 in 2016 and further to 227 according to the Investment Law of 2020.

However, Nguyen Thi Minh Thao, head of the Business Environment and Competitiveness Research Department at the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM), indicated that while the number of conditional business lines has decreased, the content has expanded. Many industries have regulations on business conditions in specialised laws, surpassing the number listed in the Investment Law of 2020.

Some businesses face difficulties due to excessive certificate requirements, hierarchical licensing restrictions, and frequent adjustments to sub-licences, even when there is no change in content, Thao said. She cited examples of shortcomings in the business environment including regulations on fire prevention and fighting and environmental permits.

To further reform and improve the business environment, CIEM proposed various measures to address these issues. They recommended further reductions in the list of investment and conditional business regulations, as well as simplifying business conditions. They also called for stricter control over the addition of new regulations that could create unnecessary barriers. Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of consultation and examination of legal documents was another crucial aspect emphasised by CIEM.

During the workshop, representatives from various associations and businesses expressed their expectations for the Government to reinstate the reform programme and enhance the business environment.

They emphasised the importance of continuous direction in implementing solutions to improve the business environment. These solutions include amending legal regulations on business conditions, promptly addressing enterprise difficulties and shortcomings, and strengthening monitoring and independent assessment of reform outcomes.

Deputy Minister Tran Duy ong said the ministry is currently conducting a comprehensive review of conditional business sectors and business requirements across 15 areas of State management overseen by various ministries and sectors. This review aims to identify difficulties in the business environment, including barriers related to conditional business sectors, business requirements and related administrative procedures.

"Based on the identification of shortcomings in the business environment, industries, and business conditions, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will propose corresponding plans and solutions to the Government and the Prime Minister," ong said.  VNS
HA NOI Vietnamese shares dropped on Thursday after three straight gaining sessions as recent good performance of the market triggered stronger profit-taking sentiment.

On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the market benchmark VN-Index fell 0.74 per cent, to close at 1,126.22 points.

The southern market index had risen 1.02 per cent in the last three sessions.

The market's breadth was negative with 339 stocks declining while only 94 stocks rose.

The market liquidity was high as over VN18.6 trillion (US$784 million) was poured into the southern bourse, equivalent to a trading volume of nearly 921 million shares.

The VN30-Index, tracking the 30 biggest stocks in market capitalisation on HoSE, dropped 0.91 per cent to 1,119.44 points.

There were only eight advancers in the VN-30 basket, including SSI Securities Co (SSI), Petro Vietnam Gas JSC (GAS), Bao Viet Holdings (BVH), Hoa Phat Group (HPG), Masan Group (MSN), Vinamilk (VNM), Viet Nam Rubber Group (GVR) and Tien Phong Bank (TPB).

In the opposite direction, banking stocks fell and put great pressure on the overall market, with losers including Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BID), Vietcombank (VCB), Sai Gon Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (STB), Sai Gon-Ha Noi Bank (SHB), Asia Commercial Bank (ACB), Military Bank (MBB), VPBank (VPB), Techcombank (TCB) and Lien Viet Post Bank (LPB).

Energy stocks also lost ground with losers such as PVPower (POW), PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PVS), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services Corporation (PVD), and Drilling Mud Joint Stock Corporation (PVC).

The liquidity increased compared to the previous session. However, VN-Index could not keep the high price level during the session and retreated at the end of the session, showing that the old peak area still contains quite strong supply. The market may need more time to probe supply and demand, said Viet Dragon Securites Co.

It is expected that the market will continue to struggle and dispute in 1-2 sessions due to the pressure from the old peak of 1,140 points of VN-Index. Therefore, investors still need to observe supply and demand movements to assess the state of the market.

For the time being, it is still possible to hold stocks that are showing good technical signals from the accumulation base. However, for stocks that are still under selling pressure from the resistance zone and have not performed well recently, they should still consider taking profit or reducing the weight to rebalance the portfolio.

Meanwhile, on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index lost 1.21 per cent to close at 225.08 points. VNS
Vu Hoa

HA NOI  The potential for cooperation between Viet Nam and Singapore is still rich and should continue to be strongly promoted with their abundant internal resources as well as the vitality of the new era of the science and technology revolution, linkages and extensive regional integration.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai delivered a speech at the 7th Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) held in Ha Noi on Friday. Viet Nam has been chosen for the first overseas edition of SRBF not only because of the 50th anniversary of Viet Nam-Singapore diplomatic relations but also the abundance of growth opportunities in the country.

Khai highly appreciated the fact that SRBF chose Viet Nam as the first country outside Singapore to host the forum, demonstrating the interest, expectations and strong commitment of the Singaporean business community to Viet Nam and the ASEAN region, especially concerning the future of sustainable development.

The Deputy PM expected the forum to be an opportunity for Vietnamese and Singaporean firms to seek business and investment partnership during the economic recovery period.

He highly appreciated the effective and cooperative relationship between the two countries in recent years.

Singapore is the second largest investor out of 143 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam with more than 3,200 projects and US$73.4 billion of registered capital. Singaporean investors have participated in most of Viet Nam's economic sectors and have always implemented projects on schedule with high efficiency.

On the other hand, Vietnamese have invested in nearly 150 projects in Singapore with a total registered investment capital of nearly $700 million, mainly focusing on science and technology.

He said the results of cooperation in the past are encouraging, but still not really commensurate with the two sides potential. Through discussions with leaders and businesses of the two countries in recent years, he deeply felt the interest and potential of Singaporean businesses to further promote investment cooperation activities with Viet Nam, as well as with other countries in the region in the coming time.

The Deputy PM affirmed that economic cooperation will continue to be a pillar in the relationship between Viet Nam and Singapore. It will be the driving force to bring the relationship between the two countries to new heights, creating positive spillover effects for the region and the world.

In the spirit of harmonious benefits and shared risks, the Vietnamese Government is committed to always listening, accompanying, supporting and creating all favourable conditions for foreign enterprises, and Singaporean firms, in particular. The Government prioritises effective, long-term and sustainable investment projects in Viet Nam. I hope the forum will be an opportunity for the two sides to develop business cooperation, he added.

Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that Singapore has achieved many achievements in science and technology development, innovation, digital transformation and sustainable development. At the same time, with its position as a key transit hub, a major financial centre, and the headquarters of many investment funds and large corporations, Singapore plays an important role in connecting and promoting investment capital, creating a spillover effect in the region's economic development.

To take advantage of the opportunities of the global economic recovery and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Dung said the two sides need to expand cooperation within the framework of a digital and green economy partnership.

Viet Nam wants Singapore and foreign partners to continue to cooperate and support Viet Nam in consulting and criticising policies. It also wants their continued cooperation on the transfer of solutions, modern technology, and new economic models, as well as helping to attract investment from funds, financial institutions, and especially multinational corporations," he added.

Minister for Manpower & Second Minister for Trade and Industry, Republic of Singapore Dr Tan See Leng said: Our economic relations with Viet Nam are strong and substantive. This is evidenced by trade and investment figures that have grown steadily over the past decade, riding on the stellar growth of Viet Nam, and vast opportunities presented by a young and vibrant market.

He added that beyond statistics and figures, Singaporean companies have steadily expanded their investments in Viet Nam, in provinces from the North to the South, and in diversified sectors. More importantly, many have found committed partners in the country, and are happy to continue to play an useful role in its economy.

Lim Ming Yan, SBF Chairman, said: As the SBF takes its first steps beyond Singapore's borders, finding its way into the vibrant city of Ha Noi, I would like to thank our host country for your warm welcome. The success of todays event is underscored by the strong bilateral ties between our countries. This momentous occasion also coincides with the 50th anniversary of our bilateral relationship and the 10th anniversary of our strategic partnership.

Over 800 business leaders, senior Government officials and diplomats from more than 420 companies and organisations across 32 countries attended the 7th SRBF.

Close to 550 participants attended the forum physically in Ha Noi, representing more than 150 companies across a wide range of sectors including professional services, logistics and transportation, urban development, technology innovation and education.

Twelve memorandums of understanding (MoUs) in sustainability, digitalisation, financial services and human capital development were signed to deepen collaboration between Singapore and Viet Nam as well as the region.

Kok Ping Soon, SBFs CEO, said: The region is ripe for an acceleration of regional collaboration and growth. The agreements signed today are reflective of the keen interest in deeper collaboration to seize regional opportunities and build stronger businesses and economies. SBF will support our companies to be part of the regions growth.  VNS
HA NOI  The Party and the State have always paid due attention to war invalids, families of martyrs, social policy beneficiaries, and those who rendered great service to the nation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed on Thursday.

At a Ha Noi meeting with a delegation of 40 national contributors from the northern province of Nam inh on the occasion of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947-2023), the PM said many exclusive policies and guidelines to this end have been worked out and adopted, stressing that caring for national contributors forms an important part of the social welfare work which, at the same time, is also a crucial, regular, political task.

According to the leader, movements launched towards families of war invalids and martyrs, and contributors to the revolution have received warm response from the public.

He hailed the individuals who have overcome pains from the past wars to set examples in production and studying, saying many war invalids have outstandingly contributed to poverty reduction, creating jobs for thousands of labourers.

During the war, tens of thousands of people from Nam inh Province went to battlefields, many fell or were exposed to Agent Orange, Chinh said.

He also used the occasion to ask ministries, agencies and localities to carry forward the tradition Drinking water, remembering its source, and to effectively materialise the resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress and the directive by the Party Central Committees Secretariat on strengthening the Party leadership towards revolution contributors, along with an ordinance on them.

The PM stressed the need to further consolidate and enforce relevant policies and laws, ensuring that none are left behind, and suggested raising social allowances for them.

Chinh expressed his hope that war invalids, martyrs relatives and revolutionary contributors in Nam inh will uphold the noble virtues of late President Ho Chi Minh's soldiers, and make more contributions to national construction and defence.

The Government will make greater efforts in improving the material and spiritual life of national contributors, he pledged.

Nam inh is home to more than 36,000 martyrs, 2,902 Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, over 25,000 war invalids, and 16,000 sick soldiers.  VNS
HA NOI  Chinas unilateral, controversial nine-dash line demarcation appeared multiple times in the movie Barbie, justifying its ban in Viet Nam, censors have told Vietnam News Agency on Friday.

The Department of Cinema (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism) earlier on Monday announced that the screening of the much-anticipated summer flick Barbie will not be allowed in Viet Nam as it features a map containing the cow-tongue, the informal name for Chinas claims over the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea).

The movie was directed by Greta Gerwig and was originally scheduled to start showing on July 21 before being shelved.

The department did not officially specify the offending scenes. However, cinema fans on social media were quick to link the ban to one potential scene in the trailer for the movie, where the main character played by Margot Robbi stands in front of a drawing of a map of the world.

Debates have broken out over whether this map really contains the nine-dash line as the countries and territories depicted were clearly not realistic, as well as whether this scene was the culprit for the ban as the movie has not yet been released so there is no telling for sure.

Tran Thanh Hiep, chairman of the National Film Evaluation Council, confirmed that the offending map appeared multiple times throughout the movie, in multiple different scenes, and not just the one being shared widely on social media.

Hiep also stated that the map is unclear, which could lead to misinterpretation under scrutiny, and the violation is already clear.

Hiep also referred to the nine-dash line used in the Uncharted movie, which also resulted in its ban from showing in Viet Nam in March 2022.

The violation in Barbie is more subtle, he noted.

"China has more than one billion people and producers really need this market. Some people think that if there is a 'cow's tongue line', it should be cut out, but the act of allowing the screening of the film already means acceptance of the film, he said, clearly rejecting the possibility of permitting the screening if the offending scenes are removed.

Viet Nam's stance has been clear. It does not accept movies that are ambiguous in matters related to territorial sovereignty, said the head of the national film evaluation council.

The response from Vietnamese authorities came after Warner Bros. studio, the films producer and distributor, defended the use of the map as a child-like crayon drawing with no intended meaning.

The doodles depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement, a representative from the studio told Reuters.

Viet Nam along with other countries in Southeast Asia have on multiple times rejected the validity of the assertive Chinese claims that overlap much of their sovereignty in the resource-rich South China Sea.

An international tribunal in the Hague also invalidated Chinas legal basis for the egregious, unilateral claims in a landmark ruling delivered in 2016.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pham Thu Hang, during the Thursday press briefing, stated that "the promotion and usage of products or publications featuring the nine-dash line in Viet Nam are in violation of the law, when asked for a response over the ban of Barbie and the use of the controversial map on a tour organiser for BlackPink concert in Ha Noi in late July.  VNS
HA NOI  Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Andrew Goledzinowski in Ha Noi on Friday.

Regarding Viet Nams roadmap for implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Ha expressed his wish that Australia will participate in building a mechanism for coordination and join hands with developed and developing countries to achieve the net-zero target.

The Deputy PM proposed Australia share its experience and collaborate with Viet Nam in research and technology transfer involving the production of green hydrogen and green ammonia from renewable energy. He also referred to the management of smart grids and energy transmission systems, and the settlement of the financial resource challenges for transitioning from fossil fuels to renewables.

With their similarities in climate change adaptation, water resource management, and desertification prevention, Ha believed that both sides could study and select specific projects to exchange, share experiences, transfer technology, and improve related legal frameworks.

Viet Nam hopes that Australia, with its experience in building green financial mechanisms for climate change adaptation and environmental protection, can provide advice and assistance in developing a carbon credit market for the Southeast Asian country, Deputy PM Ha said.

He highly appreciated the support from Australian organisations and partners for building policies and regulations on geology, minerals, and energy transition in Viet Nam so far.

For his part, Goledzinowski affirmed that the Australian Government highly valued Viet Nams commitments and was ready to assist the nations roadmap for energy transition and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

He told his host that Australian businesses are very interested in the orientation of renewable energy development in Viet Nams national power development plan for the 2021-30 period with a vision until 2050, as well as the application of advanced and modern technologies in the exploration, reserves assessment, exploitation, and processing of valuable minerals in Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  The Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee held a meeting in Ha Noi on Friday to look into religious solidarity affairs during the first half of 2023.

The meeting was an open forum for relevant agencies to share information about the religious situation and the reinforcement of religious solidarity; draw lessons from the reality; and boost coordination to improve the implementation of religion-related tasks, attract religions resources for national development, and build up the great national solidarity.

Nguyen Van Thanh, head of the VFF Central Committees board for religious affairs, reported that in the first half of 2023, the religious situation was basically stable. Religious activities complied with the charters and statutes of their religions as well as legal regulations. The VFF committees and administrations at all levels actively coordinated with and assisted religious organisations to successfully hold many major religious events, attracting a large number of both followers and secular people.

Subsidiary organisations of the VFF Central Committee stepped up the communications work, paid attention to the material and spiritual lives of their religious members, and worked with authorities to implement programmes on economic, cultural and social development, new-style countryside building, and sustainable poverty reduction for religious communities, he went on.

Vice President of the VFF Central Committee Hoang Cong Thuy spoke highly of religious organisations contributions to the great national solidarity, noting that they have actively engaged in environmental protection, climate change response, health care, education, humanitarian activities, and traffic safety ensuring.

In particular, he noted, at the ceremony calling for donations to the construction of houses for the poor in ien Bien and other northwestern provinces on May 13, 12 religious organisations, dignitaries, and businesses linked with religions donated tens of billions of ong to the drive.

Thuy held that in the future, it is necessary to press on with the communications about religious and belief affairs while fully and properly carrying out relevant policies and legal regulations to ensure their efficiency and consistency nationwide.  VNS
HA NOI  Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on Friday received outgoing Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Viet Nam, appreciating his guests active role and effective contributions to the Viet Nam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation.

Congratulating Aliberti on fulfilling his term from 2019 to 2023 in Viet Nam, Minister Son highly valued the EU and its member countries donation of vaccine and medical supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Viet Nam attaches great importance to and wishes to enhance relations with the EU, one of its most important partners, he affirmed.

The official also spoke highly of the EUs role in promoting the establishment of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) between Viet Nam and international partners. He called on the bloc to continue helping Viet Nam implement cooperation in this regard while accelerating the ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the remaining member countries parliaments to help make new breakthroughs in bilateral economic ties.

At the meeting, both host and guest noted with satisfaction that the Viet Nam-EU relations have been growing strongly in such areas as politics-diplomacy, defence-security, science-technology, cyber-security, education-training, and climate change response. They agreed to maintain mutual visits and meetings at all levels, especially high levels.

The enforcement of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) since August 2020 has helped turn the EU into the fifth largest trading partner and investor of Viet Nam. Bilateral trade has increased continually, reaching US$62.2 billion in 2022, up 14.2 per cent from the previous year. The EU is currently the biggest supplier of official development assistance (ODA) for the country, according to the officials.

For his part, Aliberti thanked the foreign ministry, other ministries, sectors, and localities of Viet Nam for supporting activities of the EU Delegation and himself during his term.

Echoing his hosts view on bilateral relations, he thanked Viet Nam's donation of medical supplies to EU countries in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and also spoke highly of the countrys culture of solidarity with and support for the international community amid trying times.

Perceiving that the Southeast Asian nation is a regional pioneer in green and energy transition, the ambassador affirmed that the EU will step up implementing the policies on cooperation with the region, and the JETP that the EU acts as the coordinator between Viet Nam and partner countries.

The EU treasures the development of relations with Viet Nam on the basis of political trust, intensive and extensive economic connections, and huge cooperation potential, particularly in new development fields and trends of the world like energy and green transition, to help reach the Sustainable Development Goals, he noted.

He held that Viet Nam has made great efforts to secure the EVFTA, a stepping stone for bilateral cooperation, and that the EU has also recommended its member countries ratify the EVIPA early to foster multi-faceted ties.

The diplomat also suggested both sides soon build a plan to mobilise resources for the JETP implementation in order to create conditions for expanding partnerships in investment, business, and sustainable development.

He pledged that in his new positions, he will keep contributing to the enhancement of the Viet Nam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation.  VNS
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi speaks at an interview with Reuters in Tokyo, Friday. Reuters-Yonhap





The head of the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said on Friday that one or two of the team of international experts behind its report greenlighting Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant may have had concerns.







Asked whether there was any disagreement among the experts behind the report, which included participants from 11 countries including China, the fiercest critic of Japan's plan, Rafael Grossi told Reuters:







"I heard that being said ... but again, what we have published is scientifically impeccable."







In his first interview since releasing the report on Tuesday, Grossi said none of the experts had raised concerns with him directly and he did not elaborate on how he had heard of the issue.







China's state-run Global Times newspaper on Thursday said Liu Senlin, a Chinese expert in the IAEA's technical working group, was disappointed with the "hasty" report and had said the input from experts was limited and only used for reference.







Liu did not immediately respond to a request for comment.







The taskforce established by the IAEA in 2021 to review the safety of Japan's plan to release some 500 Olympic size swimming pools worth of water from the plant wrecked by a tsunami more than a decade ago, also include members from Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Marshall Islands, Korea, Russia, Britain, the U.S. and Vietnam, according to the watchdog.






HA NOI  Farmers in many co-operatives in Ha Noi have used unmanned aerial vehicles in pesticide spraying, fertilising and rice planting to reduce costs and maximise profits.

A smart agricultural model has been adopted in rural districts like Phu Xuyen and Chuong My by the citys Agricultural Extension Centre under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The centre has assisted co-operatives in applying hi-tech methods in their production by providing advanced equipment.

This includes unmanned aerial vehicles to assist in seed sowing, fertilising, and spraying pesticides in a safe and simple way; as well as using remote sensing aircraft, and weather monitoring stations to assist in land surveying and mapping.

The smart agricultural model has helped farmers better manage pests and diseases, as well as monitor weather, soil, and water to plan the best care for their plants.

Vu Van inh, director of the Phu Chuyen Agricultural Co-operative in Phu Xuyen District, said technology application in farming requires lots of work in which digitisation and field planning are decisive factors.

We face difficulties, but only a dozen households out of nearly 100,000 oppose field boundary removal to apply modern equipment, he said.

Nguyen Van Ta, who leads the production team of Ha Hamlet in Phu Xuyen District's Chuyen My Commune, said once the co-operative has applied technology and provided quality agricultural services, farmers only need to check their fields and bring rice back home at the end of the harvesting season. Meanwhile, they have time to do other jobs.

Thanks to that, local farmers can maintain proper crops while being productive in other ways too and improve their livelihoods, he said.

Farmer Duong inh Giot from ong Vinh Hamlet, Chuyen My Commune, said: After observing unmanned aerial vehicles operating on the field, we see that the hi-tech application in supervising, pest and disease control, and weather forecasting helps reduce costs and increase profits to farmers.

We hope the application will be multiplied in all fields in our area, he added.

In order to fully cover farming services from watering, in-field irrigation, disease and pest control, and non-stop mechanised planting and harvesting, co-operatives must accelerate the application of hi-tech solutions.

Director of Phu Chuyen Agricultural Co-operative Vu Van inh said in order to master advanced high technology, agricultural cooperatives need capital to buy machinery and equipment and launch training courses to improve farmers qualifications.

Hoang Van Tham, director of Chuc Son Clean Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative in Chuong My District said, human resources are important to agricultural co-operatives to apply advanced technology on a large scale.

Vu Thi Huong, director of Ha Noi Agricultural Extension Centre said If we want to apply high technology in agriculture, we must start with farmers. Digital technologies must be relevant to conditions, circumstances and characteristics of farmers.

The centre has linked local authorities, technology suppliers and co-operatives in an effort to promote hi-tech applications.

A number of co-operatives applying high technology have basically met requirements.

They include Chuc Son Clean Fruit and Vegetable Cooperative in Chuong My District and Huong Ngai Agricultural Cooperative in Thach That District.

These co-operatives have made a digital transformation in agricultural production, better arranging plants, and introducing higher quality varieties. They have also introduced livestock with high productivity into production.

The co-operatives have invested in equipment and machinery to improve productivity and product quality, and gradually expanded production, subsequently increasing their collective incomes.

Nguyen Trong Vinh, vice chairman of Phu Xuyen District Peoples Committee, said local authorities will assist agricultural co-operatives to gradually make digital transformation on field plots and digitalise land management data, serving as a basis for modern and smart agriculture development.

Deputy director of the Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Manh Phuong said Ha Noi has a large area of agricultural land, while the agricultural labour force is in shortage due to the labour shift movement to craft villages and the service sector. This leads to an increasing area of abandoned agricultural land.

He said it is necessary to establish co-operatives and groups that apply synchronous mechanisation and high technology in production. This also helps to maintain the national database of agricultural producers, he said.  VNS
HA NOI  Vu Ngoc Vuong of Nam Truc, Nam inh Province is famous for running a chain of pho restaurants in Ha Noi, selling around two to three thousand bowls daily.

Born in a family with a tradition of cooking the dish for three generations, Vuong himself has been in the business since 1993 in Ha Noi with his father. He started his first restaurant at the age of 20.

Now with five restaurants and thousands of bowls served to happy customers across Ha Noi, Vuong brought his famous dishes and recipes to the faraway islands of Truong Sa (Spratly Islands), reported vietnamnet.vn.

"The journey was quite a feat. Many people go on business trips to Truong Sa with just their essentials like paper, pens, computers, cameras... but I carried along 50 crates of ingredients," said Vuong.

The trip to Truong Sa in April this year was the third time that Vuong brought pho to serve the officers and soldiers stationed on the remote islands.

In 2013, Vuong made his first visit to Truong Sa.

On that trip, Vuong's close friend, Vietnam News Agency journalist Nguyen Hong Ky, noted that pho is craved by islanders, and asked Vuong to try the almost impossible task of bringing the dish in its finest taste to Truong Sa.

Taken by surprise, Vuong responded firmly: "I am ready for the challenge, but I need a week to test the food preservation."

According to Vuong, bringing pho to the islands is not a simple task because it requires bringing along various ingredients such as vegetables, pho noodles, beef, and more. To make a delicious and authentic bowl of pho, besides his own secret recipe, the ingredients used must be fresh and clean.

"A trip to Truong Sa takes more than 10 days, so I had to experiment with how to keep the food fresh and delicious," Vuong added.

Once he found a way to preserve the food and easily transport it to the islands, Vuong was determined to join the mission to Truong Sa. That year, his trip was a resounding success. Over 1,000 bowls of pho were prepared by Vuong and offered to the officers and soldiers on the ship and at three different islands.

'One more bowl, please'

"When the bowls of pho were served, the first thing the soldiers did was take photos of the food. Everyone's faces were filled with excitement and happiness. Many soldiers were overwhelmed with nostalgia for home because it had been such a long time since they had the opportunity to eat pho. There were also soldiers from remote and distant regions who had never tasted pho before, so they were deeply moved," Vuong recalled.

While observing the officers and soldiers enjoying pho and witnessing their appreciation for the food he had put so much effort into, Vuong felt overwhelmed. Therefore, when a hesitant soldier asked, "Can I have another bowl?", he eagerly served him right away.

However, upon returning home that year, despite the pride of setting foot on the sacred land of the nation and bringing the traditional cuisine of their homeland to the distant islands, Vuong still felt a bit regretful. "Because not every island I visited could be served pho."

After the trip, Vuong wished that if he could return to the islands for a second time, he would bring pho to every island that he visits.

In 2017, his wish came true as Vuong brought over 2,000 bowls of pho to serve the officers and soldiers at the islands he visited outside of Truong Sa.

"That year, I even brought pho to oil platforms. The journey was challenging, but as soon as I set foot on the island, a surge of pride made me forget all the exhaustion.

"At 5am, when the ship arrived at the island, the soldiers had prepared a pot of boiling water for me. I asked for their assistance, some peeled onions, others prepared the ingredients. By 5:45, I had pho ready, and by 6:15, everyone on the island had finished eating.

"The job required quick hands, but when done with passion and enthusiasm, I didn't feel tired; I only felt excited. It's an emotion I will never forget," Vuong said.

After nearly 30 years in the business, pho is no longer just a means of living for Vuong's family. It has become a source of pride for the people of Nam inh in general and those who have inherited the traditional craft of pho in particular.

For them, preserving the ancestral secrets of the dish is not just about preserving the cultural heritage of the town but also about bringing joy to people everywhere.  VNS
The stage is set for a momentous event as the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) prepares to welcome over 500 of the most influential figures from the business and political spheres in Vietnam and Singapore.

This year's forum carries special significance in marking 50 years of bilateral ties and a decade of strategic partnership between the two nations.

Techcombank is proud to represent Vietnams banking sector and stands ready to engage the audience with its groundbreaking achievements and important mission to lead the digital transformation of the country's financial sector.

As Techcombank celebrates its 30 years since its founding, its presence at the SRBF signifies an unwavering commitment to revolutionise the banking landscape.

The bank's visionary approach, encapsulated in its vision 'Change banking, change lives,' has garnered widespread acclaim from its customers and other stakeholders.

An endorsement from Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the SRBF, serves as an emphatic testament to the great potential held by Techcombank. Techcombank's unwavering focus on innovation, technology, and a diverse range of financial services aligns perfectly with the objectives of the forum, namely the fostering of regional collaboration and sustainable growth," Ping Soon said. As a key player in the Southeast Asian financial landscape, Techcombank's continued contributions will undoubtedly benefit Vietnam, Singapore, ASEAN, and beyond. This will help us shape the future of banking together and elevate the region's economic prosperity, he added.

A key driver of Techcombank's success lies in its unwavering focus on digital adoption.

Jens Lottner, CEO of Techcombank, also highlights the significance of the banks presence at the forum and its commitment to bolstering the relationship between Vietnam and Singapore.

Techcombank's participation in the SRBF is a testament to our relentless pursuit of collaboration and driving sustainable growth, not only within Vietnam but also cooperating with regional partners," Lottner said.

As a major Vietnamese bank, we recognise the pivotal role of the Vietnam-Singapore partnership in propelling economic prosperity. We eagerly anticipate engagement with key stakeholders, shaping the future of the financial landscape, and solidifying Techcombank's position as a front-runner in the industry.

In addition to providing core banking services, Techcombank has adopted a strategic model of nurturing important ecosystem partnerships, which have helped shape its three-pillar approach focusing on Digitalisation, Data, and Talent.

By embracing international standards and forging connections with leading entities worldwide, the bank has demonstrated its commitment to providing best-in-class services and contributing meaningfully to the global financial ecosystem.

An early instance of this strategy was its 2009 alliance with global consulting giant McKinsey & Company - the first such move for any Vietnamese bank.

Other significant recent partnerships include the establishment of an integrated financial services ecosystem with Masan through the launch of the 'all-in-one' WINLife ecosystem, crafting a hyper-personalised banking experience through a tie-up with Adobe, and providing premier payment solutions for small-and medium-sized enterprises in collaboration with MISA.

Techcombank also regularly raises capital on the international debt markets.

In 2022, the bank raised $1 billion through a syndicated loan - at that point the largest-ever medium and long-term transaction for a Vietnamese bank  which is being used to support the banks ambitious growth and transformation agenda.

The bank further showcased its dedication to enhancing the data and digital expertise of its workforce through strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This empowered 2,800 employees with advanced Cloud technology training, which led to around 250 distinct AWS certifications.

Such partnerships underscore the role of innovation and collaboration in today's interlinked business world. As Techcombank plans its future, it aspires to spearhead regional success through close collaboration with its trusted partners.

Techcombanks strides in innovation and collaboration have led to its recognition as the fourth highest-ranked Vietnamese company on Forbes' annual list of the 2,000 largest companies worldwide in 2023.

With remarkable figures in revenue, profit, and assets, reaching $1.8 billion, $1.1 billion, and $29.7 billion respectively, the bank continues to solidify its position as a major player in the Vietnamese banking market.

A key driver of Techcombank's success lies in its unwavering focus on digital adoption. By leveraging technology and delivering seamless banking experiences, the bank has attracted a substantial customer base, positioning itself as a pioneer in the digital banking landscape.

In the first quarter of 2023 alone, Techcombank welcomed 424,000 new customers, expanding its overall customer base to an impressive 11.2 million, with 68 per cent of these new customers acquired through digital platforms.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Techcombank's commitment to innovation has led it to take significant strides in talent acquisition beyond its domestic borders.

For example, the bank was the first in Vietnam to organise overseas talent roadshows in global cities such as Sydney, London, San Francisco, and Singapore in particular. Recognising the exceptional talent pool and thriving business environment in Singapore, Techcombank strategically designated it as its primary recruitment hub outside of Vietnam.

This emphasis on Singapore underscores Techcombank's commitment to building a world-class team for driving innovation to deliver outstanding customer experiences and fuelling our growth, said Lottner.

vir
12 agreements were signed at the first overseas edition of the SRBF

Earlier today, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) concluded its inaugural overseas edition of the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) in Hanoi. The event was graced by Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and Singapore's Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng.

In line with the forums theme of Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Sustainable Growth, a total of 12 MoUs were signed between public and private sector organisations from Singapore and Vietnam, including trade associations and business chambers, higher education institutions, and financial entities.

During the forum, the SBF and United Overseas Bank (UOB) also launched a joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to nurture young talent in the fields of finance, technology, and innovation.

In line with the goal of forging a sustainable future for ASEAN and Vietnam, and as part of their CSR commitments, the SBF and UOB will jointly contribute to the local community, benefitting students at the University of Economics in Ho Chi Minh City, a leading institution specialising in business.

Under this SBF-UOB joint CSR initiative, more than 1,000 eligible students in Vietnam will have opportunities to acquire skills and gain hands-on experience in business, allowing them to grow their expertise and become future-ready in the digital era.

A key highlight of the forum was the In Conversation with Ministers: Enhancing Regional Collaboration for a Sustainable Future dialogue, moderated by Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the SBF.

The session featured minister Leng and Vietnams Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, and was joined by executive chairman of Pacific International Lines Teo Siong Seng, chairman of FPT Corporation Truong Gia Binh, and past president of the European Chamber of Commerce Singapore Federico Donato.

During the conversation, they exchanged robust views on topics such as the energy transition, digital interoperability, business development, and the tensions and prospects related to building a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable future for the region.

Special guest speaker, Vietnams Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, also delivered a luncheon keynote, providing insights into the upcoming developments that can be expected in Vietnams enterprise landscape.

Participating companies also met with potential business partners during the business matching session, either virtually or on site. Vietnamese municipal and provincial leaders from Haiphong, Hung Yen, and Nghe An also delivered presentations on the emerging business landscape and investment opportunities in these provinces.

Lim Ming Yan, SBF chairman said, As the SRBF takes its first steps beyond Singapore's borders, finding its way in the vibrant city of Hanoi, I would like to thank our host country for its warm welcome. The success of todays event is underscored by the strong bilateral ties between our countries. This momentous occasion also coincides with the 50th anniversary of our cooperative relationship and the 10th anniversary of our strategic partnership.

Soon said, The region is ripe for an acceleration of regional collaboration and growth. The agreements signed today are reflective of the keen interest in deeper collaboration to seize regional opportunities and build stronger businesses and economies. The SBF will support our companies to be part of the regions growth.

In conjunction with the event, the SBF organised a business mission to Hanoi, which was attended by 28 participants from 24 Singaporean companies from the business services, manufacturing, and lifestyle and consumer industries.

Participants were able to gain valuable insights into the business landscape and cultural nuances of northern Vietnam and network with fellow Singaporean businesses. The delegation will be visiting key economic sites in Quang Ninh province and be briefed by the Investment Promotion Agency of Quang Ninh on the potential opportunities there.

Separately, the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) also led a group of 20 business leaders from 15 member companies to explore potential collaborations with Vietnamese firms.

Phua Boon Huat, president of the SFIC said, "We are honoured to be participating in the prestigious SRBF, promoting business and investment opportunities. We are excited about the forum being held in Vietnam this year, a country of great interest to our members with excellent economic connectivity. The seventh SRBF will empower our members to expand their market presence in Vietnam and across the region, fostering stronger business ties and creating new opportunities in the furniture industry."

21 business chambers and trade associations whose member companies have a strong or increasing presence in Vietnam, Singapore, and the region also supported the event.

Singapore Regional Business Forum to be held in Hanoi in early July The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) will hold the seventh Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) in Hanoi on July 7, reflecting the importance of the Vietnamese market to Singaporean investors.

Vietnam-Singapore trade and investment likely to flourish Is it feasible for Singaporean investors to invest all foreign capital in Vietnams market? How much time is required to open a bank account, the duration from preparing the application dossier to obtaining the licence? Is there a faster way to find local business partners?
The donations benefited recipients at Operation Smile in Ho Chi Minh City, the VinaCapital Foundation, Blue Dragon, and Maison Chance.

This year marks the first time New Zealands dairy producers have joined the campaign, adding milk to the donations of fresh fruit

New Zealand's Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson said, "I am delighted to see how an initiative to aid Vietnamese people during the pandemic has evolved into an annual programme that benefits local communities, particularly those who are underprivileged."

"The New Zealand Embassy is pleased to continue assisting its fruit and dairy exporters, who generously provide nutritious and fresh products to support vulnerable children and women in Vietnam. This small yet impactful gesture demonstrates our genuine concern and commitment to improving the wellbeing of the country's population," she added.

New Zealand consul general and trade commissioner Scott James said, "Over the last three years, this great initiative has provided an opportunity for companies from New Zealand to share their exceptional produce with under-served communities here in Vietnam."

Its a tangible and heartening demonstration of New Zealand exporters deepening their engagement and relationships with the Vietnamese community and coming together to make a difference, he added.

This is the third consecutive year that New Zealand's fruit businesses have donated their produce in Vietnam. The scheme has expanded each year since its inception in 2021, when five companies donated apples and kiwi fruit to eight Vietnamese hospitals, their staff, and their patients during the lockdown in Ho Chi Minh City.

The following year in 2022, seven of New Zealand's fruit exporters donated 10,000kg of fruit to five childrens and womens charities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

This drive was supported by the Be Strong Vietnam Campaign that was launched by the Song Foundation and the New Zealand Embassy in Hanoi.
French MPs urge TikTok ban ultimatum, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

A Senate commission of inquiry set up to probe TikTok's handling of data and "influence strategy" said in its final report that the firm should be given until January 1 next year to come clean or face a ban in France and possibly Europe.

The commission, which held four months of hearings and grilled TikTok executives about its ownership structure, also said the platform had to improve content moderation and introduce "effective" age limits or face being suspended.

"We strongly disagree with the conclusions of this report, which does not accurately reflect the facts," a TikTok spokesperson said.

The recommendations are not binding on the government but opinion on social media platforms has hardened after President Emmanuel Macron suggested he might "cut them off" if the country faces widespread rioting like it has in recent days.

Macron and his ministers have singled out platforms including TikTok for spreading images of the nights of violence that followed a fatal police shooting of a 17-year-old named as Nahel M in a Paris suburb on June 27.

The senators backed the idea of blocking content during moments of crisis and suggested TikTok should be forced to ramp up moderation in the event of future outbreaks of violence.

Their recommendations, which could form the basis of legislation in the autumn, could also cover other platforms.

- 'Misperceptions' -

The app, used by hundreds of millions across the world, was set up by Chinese firm ByteDance but it is registered in the Cayman Islands and TikTok claims there has been a "total separation" with the Chinese entities.

The platform has already been banned in the US state of Montana and faces intense scrutiny in many locations.

The senators urged the government to expand an existing ban on public servants using TikTok to cover anyone in a "vitally important" role in a public or private organisation.

Children should have their time on the app limited and more effort was needed to ensure copyright protection, the senators said.

Their most explosive hearings focused on TikTok's ownership structure, with senators repeatedly being stonewalled by France-based executives on the firm's ties with Chinese entities.

Andre Gattolin, vice-chairman of the committee, said he "absolutely doubted" the viability of TikTok's business model.

He said it appeared TikTok "is not an economic enterprise but a political enterprise with the aim of capturing personal data".

The TikTok spokesperson said the firm had cooperated throughout, adding: "It is disappointing that the Commission would spend so much time and resources only to return to the same misperceptions."

Vietnam warns of potential ban on TikTok amidst calls for enhanced compliance The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications has raised concerns about the future of TikTok in Vietnam, emphasising the need for compliance with local laws and cooperation with state management agencies.

TikTok probes findings expected in July: Deputy Minister Findings of the probe into TikTok operation in Vietnam are expected to be announced in July, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam said on June 5 at the ministrys monthly press briefing.
The executives of KBTG and KBank CEO at the grand opening in Vietnam

Vietnam is home to ASEANs top students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). To tap into the local IT talent pool, KBTG has established KBTG Vietnam Co., Ltd. This is KBTG's third IT base in the region to strengthen its workforce in support of KBanks Regional Digital Expansion strategy.

Specifically, KBTG Vietnam is the second branch of KBTG in ASEAN, and the third branch in Asia after KBTG in Thailand and K-Tech in Shenzhen, China. KBTG expects that the company will add more than 500 new positions in Vietnam within the next three years. The Vietnamese subsidiary will lay a strong foundation for KBTG to become a regional tech company by 2025, as targeted.

Despite recently setting foot in Vietnam, KBTG has been actively promoting financial and technology literacy by offering free banking and IT classes to local universities. The company also provides career opportunities to young talents through an internship programme for local students. The initiatives are part of KBTG's strategies to empower tech talents to drive innovation and make a real impact in their work.

Thanussak Thanyasiri, managing director of KBTG Vietnam said, "We always make efforts to create the most favorable working environment at KBTG Vietnam with a focus on human resources to unlock the full potential of each individual. Meanwhile, our office is designed as an open working space with a modern style to encourage the work efficiency and creative spirit of the staff who are outstanding talents in the IT field. Moreover, our employees are treated equally with similar opportunities and career development roadmap."

KBTG's office in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Furthermore, the KBTG team is dedicated to fostering a sense of unity and collaboration, from top-level management to every individual staff member, to nurture the spirit of ONE KBTG. This spirit includes One Step Ahead; One Goal; One Team and Number One. This spirit will be further fortified by the contributions of its programming comrades in Vietnam.

Jarung Kiatsupapong, vice chairman of KBTG said, "We started to conduct market research two years ago to explore the culture and demand of Vietnamese. The insights help us to localise our services to create the best customer experience."

"To promote our presence in Vietnam's tech market, we will actively cooperate with media and press agencies, support campaigns at universities as well as participate in a series of events and conferences. We aim to spread the company's ONE KBTG culture to lure more IT talents," he said.

At present, KBTG Vietnam is home to 100 employees, 97 of whom are Vietnamese. Three managers are Thais with outstanding leadership skills and a local understanding of the Vietnamese market.

"KBTG aims to transform itself into the best tech organisation in Southeast Asia. Employees at KBTG Vietnam are part of the mission to realise this vision. They will not only help build a strong footprint in Ho Chi Minh City but also contribute to the development of the IT sector in Asia-Pacific. The move will also support KBank's goal of being one of the top 20 banks in Vietnam within 2027," Kiatsupapong said.

In 2023, KBTG Vietnam plans to recruit the first group of 200 IT personnel to develop software for KBank and international businesses, jointly upgrading the K PLUS Vietnam application. This will support the company to draw more than 500 talented professionals in Vietnam within the next three years.

Additionally, KBTG Vietnam aims to enhance its capability in expanding K PLUS to other countries across the region. K PLUS is KBanks flagship product with over 600,000 existing users, and a major digital banking platform supporting the expansion of its customer base in Thailand, with a target of more than 1.3 million by 2023.

To secure a stronger presence, KBTG Vietnam has recently established its second office in Hanoi. The Hanoi-based office enables the company to access potential tech talents as well as support employees in different cities who prefer to work outside of Ho Chi Minh City.

KBTG's staff can be promoted to other branches of their company in Asia

KBTGs solid operation bases and personnel in Thailand, China, and Vietnam will allow the company to leverage its synergy and amalgamate the offices potential and expertise to advance KBTGs technical capacities and important skills, including AI, blockchain, supply chain, and coding methodology.

Voranuch Dejakaisaya, KBTG's executive chairman, said, KBTG never ceases in developing our business operations to support KBanks strategy of broadening its presence in the ASEAN region through digital banking services. We are ready to cope with the talent war challenge in Thailand. KBTG has thus adopted a proactive strategy in recruiting top personnel to help drive KBanks business expansion both domestically and regionally.

Thai KBank moves another step to bolster local SMEs KASIKORNBANK and Vietnams Agency for Enterprise Development last week signed a memorandum of understanding on the promotion of the development of small- and medium-sized enterprises and economic co-operation between Thailand and Vietnam.

KBank makes entry into Vietnam with digital push Kasikornbank (KBank), Thailands leading commercial bank, has recently inaugurated its Ho Chi Minh City branch  its tenth and newest overseas branch  and announced a series of new digital solutions in Vietnam.
The plans for the $1.46 billion project were confirmed by the company's deputy director, Nguyen Tien Viet.

During a recent engagement with Dong Nai People's Committee on July 5, Viet shed light on the issue of compensation and land clearance, crucial prerequisites for the ambitious development.

June saw ACV begin the tendering process for the installation and construction of the passenger terminal equipment (Package 5.10), attracting the interest of three consortia. The vetting and selection process, currently underway, is set for completion in July.

"Concurrently, work on other segments such as the runways and aprons will be rolled out," Viet disclosed.

Dong Nai People's Committee has confirmed the availability of the requisite land for construction. The clearance of 1,810 hectares for the project's first phase, and a further 722ha of reserved land, has essentially been accomplished.

Package 5.10 comes in at an estimated value of over $1.46 billion, making it the project's most substantial segment.

In September 2022, this aspect of the project was initially put up for tender, but failed to attract suitable candidates. As a result, the ACV annulled and subsequently retendered the package. As of June 12, CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors, Hoa Lu, and Vietur were all in the running.

The Hoa Lu consortium comprises eight highly experienced domestic and international contractors, including Central, An Phong, Hoa Binh, Thanh An, Unicons, Delta, and Thailand's Power Line Engineering PLC. This consortium is headed by Coteccons Construction JSC.

The CHEC-BCEG-Vietnam Contractors consortium is made up of Thuan Viet, CDC, Xuan Mai, and Beijing Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd., under the aegis of China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd.

The Vietur consortium brings together ten members, with several domestic contractors including Ricons, Newtecons, Sol E&C, Vinaconex, and CC1. Turkey's Ic Istas Industrial and Trade Construction Group is acting as the lead.

With a total projected investment of around $14 billion, the Long Thanh International Airport project is envisaged in three phases. The inaugural phase, consisting of one runway, the passenger terminal, and supplementary segments, is expected to serve 25 million passengers per year and is scheduled for completion in 2025.

The second phase, aiming to boost capacity to 50 million passengers annually by 2035, will see the addition of another runway and terminal. The final phase is slated for completion by 2050, culminating in an airport with a capacity to handle 100 million passengers a year.

Hoa Binh Construction divests Matec stake to boost capital Hoa Binh Construction Corporation has recently passed a resolution to sell its entire stake in construction machinery firm Matec to supplement its business activities with additional capital.

Australian investor poised to inject $60-100 million into Hoa Binh Construction Group Hoa Binh Construction Group has garnered interest from four potential partners for share issuance, including an Australian to is ready to invest $60-100 million. The group is focusing on capital mobilisation, debt recovery, loan restructuring, and divestment from underperforming subsidiaries.
Nearly 72,300 Vietnamese labourers sent abroad in H1. (Photo:VNA)

Hanoi  Vietnam sent nearly 72,300 labourers abroad in the first half of 2023, accounting for 65.72 per cent of the whole year plan, and 1.55 times higher than the same period last year.

According to the Department of Overseas Labour under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, Japan was the largest market receiving 34,508 Vietnamese labourers in the period, followed by Taiwan (China) with 31,538, the Republic of Korea (1,608), and China (902).

In June alone, as many as 12,649 labourers were sent abroad, mostly to Japan and Taiwan.

The same month, Vietnamese Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung and the RoKs Minister of Employment and Labour Lee Jung Sik signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on sending and receiving Vietnamese labourers to work in the RoK within the Employment Permit System (EPS) programme.

For Vietnamese guest workers, the RoK is a high-income and close-to-culture market, so it attracts many workers from the Southeast Asian nation. The average income of workers in the RoK ranges from 1,500 - 2,000 USD per month. The EPS programme brings many high-income jobs to Vietnamese workers as well as contributes to the RoKs development.

For 2023, the country set a target to send 110,000 workers abroad.

Japan, RoK, Taiwan welcome back Vietnamese guest workers Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Taiwan (China) have announced their plans to resume the reception of Vietnamese labourers from November as many foreign labour markets have reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic is basically controlled.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, right, shakes hands with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, left, during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Friday, July 7. Yonhap-AP



Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday that the United States is not seeking "winner-take-all" competition, in a visit to Beijing aimed at stabilising fraught ties.Yellen's four-day trip is her first as Treasury chief to China, with which the United States is butting heads over trade curbs, human rights and a litany of other disputes.



But Washington is working to dial down the temperature, and on Friday Yellen underscored to Li that the United States does not seek an economic showdown."We seek healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time," she told Li at Beijing's Great Hall of the People.



The United States has said it is seeking to "de-risk" from China by limiting the world's second-largest economy's access to advanced technology deemed crucial to Washington's national security. Yellen underlined to Premier Li that while Washington would "in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security", that should not derail ties.



"We may disagree in these instances," she said. "We should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that needlessly worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationship."



Highlighting the challenges, just days before Yellen's visit, Beijing unveiled new export controls on metals key to semiconductor manufacturing on national security grounds, in the latest salvo in the chips war.



The Treasury secretary Friday told American businesspeople Washington was "concerned" about the curbs. She stressed during her visit that Washington was not seeking a "wholesale separation of our economies".



"A decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be destabilising for the global economy," Yellen told a meeting with representatives of US business at a session hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in the capital.



Despite tensions, Beijing has struck an optimistic tone about the visit. Premier Li told Yellen on Friday that China could see the relationship recovering after a difficult period. "Yesterday, the moment you arrived at our airport and left the plane, we saw a rainbow," Li said.



"I think it can apply to the US-China relationship too: after experiencing a round of winds and rains, we surely can see a rainbow." Analysts said Yellen's visit could allow for a warming of ties. Chen Dingding, the president of the Guangzhou-based think tank Intellisia Institute, told AFP the visit could have "positive implications" for US-China relations.



"A small step towards better Sino-US relations would be a big step for the world and the world economy," said Lyu Xiang, an expert on the topic at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"The impact of this would be very significant."



The United States does not expect specific policy breakthroughs this time but hopes for frank and productive conversations that can pave the way for future talks, a Treasury official told reporters.



But, they said, "especially if they're things that we may disagree about, it's even more important that we're talking". Michael Hart, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in China  who met with Yellen on Friday  told AFP: "We're hoping that she would set the tone."



"The hope is that following her visit there would be more visits" both ways, he added.



Tensions soared earlier this year when the United States detected and then shot down what it said was a Chinese spy balloon after the craft traversed its territory. Secretary of State Antony Blinken cancelled a visit to China over the incident but eventually travelled to the country in June. During that trip, both sides agreed on the need to stabilise their relationship. (AFP)


Bangkok - Shoppertainment, where content and commerce converge on a platform, has become the next era of online commerce, expected to be worth 1 trillion USD across Asia-Pacific by 2025, said Sirinit Virayasiri, head of business marketing for Thailand TikTok.

New e-commerce trend popular in Thailand/ illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

According to a survey by Toluna, 97% of Thai users of short video platform TikTok responded during the sales season after watching advertising on TikTok. The research found TikTok users are 3.5 times more willing to spend 10,000 to 17,600 THB during the mega-sales season compared with non-TikTok users.

Sirinit said 80% of TikTok users in Thailand shopped in TikTok shops during the mega sales seasons in 2022. The top three categories are fashion and accessories, beauty and personal care, and food and beverages.

The top drivers that fuel consumer purchases during mega sales are free delivery, coupons and discounts, and the ability to pay with cash on delivery, she added.

According to the "2022 Future of Commerce" study by TikTok and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), with TikTok shop's seamless integration, consumers do not have to leave the platform to complete their purchase, a clear and easier alternative for 85% of consumers who switch apps during a purchase journey online.

Sirinit said the company has more than 325 million people on the platform every month and it is empowering more than 15 million businesses across Southeast Asia.

Thai baht at 7-month low The Thai baht (THB) weakened to a seven-month low on June 28 as political uncertainty dampened investor appetite, while most other emerging Asian currencies also depreciated against a firmer dollar after resilient US data eased recession concerns.
Samsung expects second-quarter profit to plunge more than 95 percent, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com

The firm is the flagship subsidiary of South Korean giant Samsung Group, by far the largest of the family-controlled conglomerates that dominate business in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

The tech giant said in a regulatory filing that April-June operating profits were expected to drop 95.7 percent to 600 billion won ($458 million).

It would be their lowest profit since the first quarter of 2009's 590 billion won, a Samsung spokesman told AFP.

Sales are expected to drop 22.3 percent to 60 trillion won, the company added.

South Korean chipmakers, led by Samsung, have experienced record profits in recent years as prices have skyrocketed, but the global economic slowdown has harmed memory sales.

Prices of DRAM chips, which are often used in PCs and smartphones, continued to decline in the quarter -- falling around 13 to 18 percent, according to Taipei-based market researcher TrendForce.

"The demand for memory is bottoming out with slower-than-expected demand coupled with the inventory in the market, which is still being cleared out since January," Neil Shah, an analyst at Counterpoint research, told AFP.

"This is a full U-turn from last year when the memory division contributed to more than a third of the profit," he added.

The announcement comes as securing supplies of advanced chips has become a crucial issue internationally, with the United States and China locked in a fierce battle for control of the market.

China's trade ministry on Monday said exports of two rare metals vital for making semiconductors -- of which Beijing is a major producer -- would require a licence from August 1 in the name of "security and national interests".

But "curbs by China on Samsung's rivals such as Micron... could drive some tailwinds for Samsung," analyst Shah said.

"We estimate the demand and supply balance at the end of this year and next year should be back to pre-pandemic levels, though not the significant post-pandemic uptick the industry witnessed in 2021 and 2022," he added.

And the company's "high cash buffer remains an important support for its credit quality given the cyclicality and large capex needs of its businesses," Gloria Tsuen, vice president and senior credit officer at Moodys Investors Service told AFP.

Samsung is expected to release its final earnings report at the end of this month.

Samsung Vietnam: Where dreams come true Following 15 years of successfully achieving remarkable feats in Vietnam, Samsung has now set its sights on fostering a prosperous economy, fulfilling the aspirations of the Vietnamese populace, and cultivating a deep and enduring appreciation for the Samsung brand within the region.

Samsung meets with EVNNPT to ensure stable power supply Choi Joo Ho, general director of Samsung Display Vietnam, and the representatives of some of its vendors are working with National Power Transmission Company (EVNNPT) to discuss the power supply situation coming up to their peak production season.
The stage is set for a momentous event as the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF) prepares to welcome over 500 of the most influential figures from the business and political spheres in Vietnam and Singapore.

This year's forum carries special significance in marking 50 years of bilateral ties and a decade of strategic partnership between the two nations.

Techcombank is proud to represent Vietnams banking sector and stands ready to engage the audience with its groundbreaking achievements and important mission to lead the digital transformation of the country's financial sector.

As Techcombank celebrates its 30 years since its founding, its presence at the SRBF signifies an unwavering commitment to revolutionise the banking landscape.

The bank's visionary approach, encapsulated in its vision 'Change banking, change lives,' has garnered widespread acclaim from its customers and other stakeholders.

An endorsement from Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the SRBF, serves as an emphatic testament to the great potential held by Techcombank. Techcombank's unwavering focus on innovation, technology, and a diverse range of financial services aligns perfectly with the objectives of the forum, namely the fostering of regional collaboration and sustainable growth," Ping Soon said. As a key player in the Southeast Asian financial landscape, Techcombank's continued contributions will undoubtedly benefit Vietnam, Singapore, ASEAN, and beyond. This will help us shape the future of banking together and elevate the region's economic prosperity, he added.

A key driver of Techcombank's success lies in its unwavering focus on digital adoption.

Jens Lottner, CEO of Techcombank, also highlights the significance of the banks presence at the forum and its commitment to bolstering the relationship between Vietnam and Singapore.

Techcombank's participation in the SRBF is a testament to our relentless pursuit of collaboration and driving sustainable growth, not only within Vietnam but also cooperating with regional partners," Lottner said.

As a major Vietnamese bank, we recognise the pivotal role of the Vietnam-Singapore partnership in propelling economic prosperity. We eagerly anticipate engagement with key stakeholders, shaping the future of the financial landscape, and solidifying Techcombank's position as a front-runner in the industry.

In addition to providing core banking services, Techcombank has adopted a strategic model of nurturing important ecosystem partnerships, which have helped shape its three-pillar approach focusing on Digitalisation, Data, and Talent.

By embracing international standards and forging connections with leading entities worldwide, the bank has demonstrated its commitment to providing best-in-class services and contributing meaningfully to the global financial ecosystem.

An early instance of this strategy was its 2009 alliance with global consulting giant McKinsey & Company - the first such move for any Vietnamese bank.

Other significant recent partnerships include the establishment of an integrated financial services ecosystem with Masan through the launch of the 'all-in-one' WINLife ecosystem, crafting a hyper-personalised banking experience through a tie-up with Adobe, and providing premier payment solutions for small-and medium-sized enterprises in collaboration with MISA.

Techcombank also regularly raises capital on the international debt markets.

In 2022, the bank raised $1 billion through a syndicated loan - at that point the largest-ever medium and long-term transaction for a Vietnamese bank  which is being used to support the banks ambitious growth and transformation agenda.

The bank further showcased its dedication to enhancing the data and digital expertise of its workforce through strategic collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS). This empowered 2,800 employees with advanced Cloud technology training, which led to around 250 distinct AWS certifications.

Such partnerships underscore the role of innovation and collaboration in today's interlinked business world. As Techcombank plans its future, it aspires to spearhead regional success through close collaboration with its trusted partners.

Techcombanks strides in innovation and collaboration have led to its recognition as the fourth highest-ranked Vietnamese company on Forbes' annual list of the 2,000 largest companies worldwide in 2023.

With remarkable figures in revenue, profit, and assets, reaching $1.8 billion, $1.1 billion, and $29.7 billion respectively, the bank continues to solidify its position as a major player in the Vietnamese banking market.

A key driver of Techcombank's success lies in its unwavering focus on digital adoption. By leveraging technology and delivering seamless banking experiences, the bank has attracted a substantial customer base, positioning itself as a pioneer in the digital banking landscape.

In the first quarter of 2023 alone, Techcombank welcomed 424,000 new customers, expanding its overall customer base to an impressive 11.2 million, with 68 per cent of these new customers acquired through digital platforms.

Not one to rest on its laurels, Techcombank's commitment to innovation has led it to take significant strides in talent acquisition beyond its domestic borders.

For example, the bank was the first in Vietnam to organise overseas talent roadshows in global cities such as Sydney, London, San Francisco, and Singapore in particular. Recognising the exceptional talent pool and thriving business environment in Singapore, Techcombank strategically designated it as its primary recruitment hub outside of Vietnam.

This emphasis on Singapore underscores Techcombank's commitment to building a world-class team for driving innovation to deliver outstanding customer experiences and fuelling our growth, said Lottner.

Swedish Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs' Hanoi visit deepens bilateral ties The Swedish Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Robert Rydberg, is visiting Hanoi from June 9 to 11 with the aim of strengthening bilateral relations with Vietnam.

Techcombank and Manulife Vietnam celebrate bancassurance partnership success Techcombank and Manulife Vietnam today are delighted to celebrate nine years of their award-winning strategic bancassurance partnership and to reaffirm their commitment to delivering comprehensive solutions that drive financial security for the Vietnamese people.

Software firms assert footprint in billion-dollar markets Vietnam's technology majors are growing their presence in top global markets with many ambitious goals.
Photo: Hoa Phat Group

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has issued Decision No.1704/QD-BCT dated July 5 regarding the investigation and application of anti-dumping measures against HRC products from Malaysia, Thailand, and China (Case No.AD17).

The probe began with a dossier for an investigation request to apply anti-dumping measures filed by an industry representative on August 9, 2022.

The Vietnamese industry believes that HRC products from Malaysia, Thailand, and China are being dumped in the domestic market, and that this behaviour is the principal impediment to the development of Vietnam's prestressed steel cable industry.

Hoa Phat Group (HPG) is currently the only Vietnamese company capable of producing HRC and prestressed steel cables, thereby reducing the nation's reliance on imported steel sources. In the first half of 2023, HPG produced 2.9 million tonnes of steel billets and HRC, a decline of 27 per cent from the first half of 2022.

HRCs are steel cables that are braided for use as electrical lines and to bind together concrete blocks for construction projects.

EU extends import restrictions on steel The EU persists in imposing safeguards on a number of Vietnam-imported steel products.
PEARL, Miss. (AP)  The family of a Mississippi man killed during a police pursuit in August 2022 is suing two cities, claiming the officers' reckless behavior led to the mans death.

The family of Steven Pearson is suing the central Mississippi cities of Pearl and Flowood nearly one year after the 47-year-old was struck on his motorcycle by a man fleeing police. In a June 26 complaint, Ray Gustavis, an attorney for the Pearson family, said the chase lasted 26 minutes and that police could have terminated it before Pearson's death.

Authorities in Pearl said the August episode started after a city police officer attempted to make a traffic stop, and the driver of a sedan took off. The officer pursued the vehicle into the neighboring city of Flowood, where police there joined the chase. It ended after the fleeing sedan struck Pearson's motorcycle.

Pearson flew 20 feet off his motorcycle to his death, according to the complaint. Gustavis said the pursuit violated state law. The family is also suing the man who fled from police and struck Pearson. Officers attempted to pull him over for a tint violation, according to WLBT-TV.

Three weeks before Pearson's death, another vehicle being pursued by Pearl police crashed into a U.S. Postal Service truck in Jackson, killing mail carrier Brad Pennington, 32. That chase began when police attempted to pull over a man for speeding.

Reached by phone Friday, Pearl spokesperson Greg Flynn said the city does not comment on ongoing litigation. A Flowood city official did not immediately respond to a phone message requesting comment.
The McLennan County Sheriffs Office has arrested 17 people on solicitation of prostitution charges, including four accused of soliciting minors.

We will stop all we possibly can, Sheriff Parnell McNamara said Friday, following a 10-day sting operation that began the last week of June. Youd think they would get the message, especially those going after kids.

Each of the cases will be evaluated individually, McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens said Friday.

Joshua Dewitt, of Tomahawk, Wisconsin, was arrested by authorities there, McNamara said.

We coordinated with law enforcement in Tomahawk, Wisconsin.  Hes awaiting extradition to McLennan County, he said.

As authorities looked at Dewitts online accounts they found approximately 20 victims nationwide, McLennan County investigator Andrew Hermes said Friday.

There was a local victim, Hermes said of the people identified through Dewitts accounts. Authorities in Wisconsin have charged him three to four instances of targeting minors and getting them to send explicit photos. Two of the victims were in Texas, one in this area.

Detectives arrested 13 men on a state jail felony charge of solicitation of prostitution, involving an alleged attempt to buy sex from an adult; two on a second-degree felony charge of solicitation of a minor; and two on a second-degree felony charge of online solicitation of a minor.

Many of the solicitations were online, Sgt. Joseph Scaramucci said.

We put up an ad and it takes about 10 minutes, Scaramucci said. They reach out to our undercover accounts. They start a conversation, turn it sexual and ask to meet for sex.

Dewitt, along with David Denson, Christopher Mercer, and Tyler Ritchie, were arrested on solicitation of a minor charges, according to a press release from the sheriffs office.

The other 13 were arrested on charges of soliciting prostitution: Lance Webb, Jacob Pifer, Joseph Fontaine, Alfred Dupree, James Connolly, Raymond Rowley, Ethan Prawiro, Shane Meyer, Evan McConnell, Michael Kasberg, Joshua Porsche, Danny Coffman, Sergio Hernandez, the press release states.

McLennan County Jail records show none of the 17 in custody there as of Friday morning.
Vintage Aviation News staff did not write this article; the content comes via our partners who wish to help support our website.

When we think about the environment and human-induced impacts on it, we often conjure up images of factories belching smoke or traffic-jammed cities. However, theres another substantial contributor that is less frequently discussedmilitary aviation. The role of the military in environmental issues is a multi-faceted topic where national security intersects with environmental stewardship.

Imagine being a student tasked with an assignment on this complex topic. In such a case, you should definitely look for a reliable essay writing service to write essay for me. If you simply want to learn more about military aviation and its impact on the environment, this article aims to simplify the topic and provide a deep understanding of the environmental impacts associated with military aviation.

The Carbon Footprint of Military Aviation

Emissions from Military Aircraft

Military aircraft, like their civilian counterparts, contribute to carbon emissions, a significant driver of global climate change. However, their impact is typically larger due to the use of specific types of jet fuel and the often-inefficient engines of many military planes.

While exact figures can be elusive due to the classified nature of much military activity, its clear that these emissions contribute a substantial share of the aviation industrys overall carbon footprint. From fighter jets to large transport planes, every sortie contributes to this impact.

The Impact of Sonic Booms

Sonic booms, the explosive sounds caused when aircraft fly faster than the speed of sound, can have unexpected environmental impacts. They can cause damage to buildings and other structures, disturb wildlife, and even affect human health with their shockwaves.

Though sonic booms arent a source of pollution in the traditional sense, their impacts on the environment and communities underscore the broad range of effects military aviation can have.

Ecological Consequences of Military Bases

Land and Habitat Disruption

Military bases, home to large fleets of aircraft, can have direct ecological impacts. The construction and maintenance of these bases often involve deforestation and land transformation, disrupting local ecosystems and species habitats. Moreover, noise pollution from frequent flights can disturb wildlife behavior and breeding patterns, leading to long-term effects on biodiversity.

In addition to direct habitat loss due to construction, military bases can introduce invasive species into the environment, either inadvertently or as part of their operations. These non-native species can outcompete local wildlife for resources, leading to decreased biodiversity and even the extinction of endemic species in some cases. Additionally, the land surrounding airfields is often kept clear of large vegetation, further affecting local habitats and species.

Pollution from Runways and Maintenance

Runways and maintenance facilities at military bases often contribute to water and soil pollution. Leaked fuel, oil, and other chemicals can contaminate local water sources and soil, affecting both wildlife and local communities. Efforts to minimize and clean up such pollution are ongoing, but the impact remains significant.

Apart from fuel and oil leaks, harmful substances can also enter the environment during routine maintenance operations. Cleaning agents, solvents, and other chemicals used to maintain and repair aircraft can end up in local soil and water if not properly managed. Moreover, fire training exercises often involve the use of foam containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are extremely persistent in the environment and can have serious health impacts.

Reducing the Environmental Impact

Advancements in Technology

Thankfully, steps are being taken to reduce the environmental footprint of military aviation. Advancements in technology, such as more fuel-efficient engines and the use of alternative fuels, are starting to emerge. Some forces are even exploring the use of electric planes for certain applications.

Emerging technologies are also making operations less disruptive to wildlife. For instance, bird strike prevention technology can help to minimize the impact of military aviation on bird populations, reducing both environmental impact and flight risks. Furthermore, drone technology and other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can serve some of the functions traditionally carried out by larger, more polluting aircraft, presenting a potentially greener alternative.

Policy and Oversight

Increased policy oversight and environmental accountability can also make a significant difference. By incorporating environmental impact assessments into military planning and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations, military forces can work to minimize their impact.

Policy changes can also target the environmental footprint of military bases themselves. Incorporating green building principles into base construction and maintenance, managing waste more effectively, and taking steps to prevent the introduction of invasive species can all help reduce the ecological impact. Similarly, stronger regulations can be put in place to manage the use and disposal of harmful chemicals in maintenance operations. In this way, military forces can become better stewards of the lands they occupy.

Conclusion

The environmental impact of military aviation is a significant but often overlooked issue. Understanding this impact is the first step toward mitigating it, and its an area ripe for research, innovation, and policy action. Just as high school and college students might seek out the best assignment services to excel in their studies, its essential that military forces leverage technology, policy, and best practices to reduce their environmental footprint.

Like any complex problem, the intersection of military aviation and the environment requires a multi-faceted solution. Its a challenge that demands our attention and actionfor the sake of our planet and future generations.

Vintage Aviation News staff did not write this article; the content comes via our partners who wish to help support our website.
PRESS RELEASE

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin  (July 6, 2023)  The U.S. military will be represented in full force at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, as every branch is set to display notable aircraft at the week-long fly-in. The 70th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Associations fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

The Air Forces Air Education and Training Command will be the highlight of this years military representation. Its current lineup of aircraft coming to Oshkosh includes F-15s, a C-17 hospital, a V-22 Osprey, and a C-130. These aircraft are responsible for helping develop U.S. Air Force personnel.

Air Education and Training Command is the oldest major command in the Air Force, having been established in January 1942. AETCs training mission makes it the first command to touch the lives of nearly every Air Force member. Over the years, more than 25 million students have graduated from AETC training and education programs.

The U.S. military has a vast array of aircraft, as every mission is unique, said Rick Larsen, EAAs vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. That variety will be on full display at AirVenture as every branch brings something unique to the event.

Other military aircraft scheduled to be in attendance include:

Air Force

o F-22

o C-130J

Army

o CH-47

o UH-60

o MH-47

o AH-6

o AH-64

Navy

o F-18

o P-3

o F-35C

Marine Corps

o F-35B

Wisconsin Air National Guard

o F-35A

o KC-135R

Most of these aircraft will be on display at Boeing Plaza, the center aircraft display area of AirVenture.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is the Worlds Greatest Aviation Celebration and EAAs yearly membership convention. Additional EAA AirVenture information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available online at www.eaa.org/airventure. EAA members receive lowest prices on admission rates. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 1-800-JOIN-EAA (1-800-564-6322) or visit www.eaa.org. Immediate news is available at www.twitter.com/EAA.
WATERLOO  Nominations are being sought for the 21st edition of The Couriers 20 Under 40 Awards.

Twenty Under 40 winners exemplify the best of what is yet to come in the Cedar Valley. Thats why The Courier has been presenting the awards every year since 2002.

The 20 Under 40 Awards go to 20 young business leaders who are dedicated to giving of themselves for the betterment of the community, as well as those closest to them. The program reaches across the Cedar Valley to recognize leaders of the future who are establishing themselves as people of profound influence.

The deadline for nominations is Aug. 13. The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa is the awards sponsor.

Shortly thereafter, a selection committee of representatives from the Cedar Valley business community will decide on the winners.

Nominees must meet the following criteria to be considered for the award: dedication and success in their vocation; a role model in their career; demonstrates leadership in their business/community; active community and volunteer participation.

Nominations may be submitted by mail to 20 Under 40, 6915 Chancellor Drive, Suite B, Cedar Falls IA 50613; or online at go.wcfcourier.com/20under40.

Courier 20 Under 40 Class of 2022 Edita Begic Erin Bishop Ty Burke Kingsley Botchway Megan Droste Jordan Dunn Matthew Gilbert Cordt Holub Natalie Hunter Rebecca McCarty Mikayla Montgomery Nilvia Rodriguez Jamekia Sanders Abbie Schrader Ty Smith Michelle Sweeney Eashaan Vajpeyi Seth Voigt Qulishia Williams Josh Wilson
WATERLOO  The wife of a North Liberty man charged with rapes in Waterloo and Cedar Falls had apparently suspected him in an Iowa City attack months earlier.

She recognized him from Ring camera surveillance video released by authorities, according to court records.

So thats a random guy with dreads, similar eyes, similar height? Happened same time u were there? Asanta Ajee Walker-Garcia Adams wife allegedly texted him, along with a link to a TV news account of a sexual assault reported in Iowa City in September, months before the Waterloo and Cedar Falls incidents, according to court records.

Adams was charged in May with burglary and sexual abuse in a March 10 attack in a Stardust Drive apartment in Waterloo and an April 10 attack at a College Street apartment in Cedar Falls.

The Iowa City victim told police that she was in her bed around 9:30 p.m. when an intruder came through her door, punched her in the face and pulled a sheet over her head. The assailant threated to kill her, said he had a knife and sexually assaulted her. He then fled out the back door.

A Hawk Alert  a campus notification for the University of Iowa  was sent out within hours of the attack, prompting Adams wife to question him, knowing he had been in Iowa City, court records state.

Police didnt suspect Adams was involved until May, after the Waterloo and Cedar Falls assaults, and after an attempted sexual assault in Center Point on May 23.

Authorities allege Adams cell phone data places him in the area of the Iowa City crime at the time it happened. DNA evidence was also collected at the scene, which was later determined to be a match with Adams, records state.

Bond was set at $400,000 in the Iowa City case. As of Thursday, he remained in the Black Hawk County Jail in Waterloo, were bond was set at $300,000.

Trial for the Waterloo and Cedar Falls case is tentatively set for August.

No charges have been filed in the Center Point incident.

Photos: Asanta Walker-Garcia Adams court appearance 052423jr-adams-court-2 052423jr-adams-court-1 052423jr-adams-court-4 052423jr-adams-court-3 Person of interest
WATERLOO  More than two years after he was shot by police, a Waterloo man has been arrested for allegedly pointing a BB gun at officers and chasing them, which prompted the shooting.

Marcelino Alvarez-Victoriano, 46, was arrested Thursday for two misdemeanor counts of assault on an officer. He was released to pretrial supervision pending trial.

Authorities allege Alvarez pointed what appeared to be a rifle at Black Hawk County sheriffs deputies who responded to a call about a man walking at night with a weapon on April 7, 2021.

One deputy attempted to run him over, and Officer C.J. Nichols with the Waterloo Police Department shot him as he pulled up on the scene. Alvarez survived but was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Following the shooting, authorities realized Alvarezs weapon was a Red Ryder BB gun.

Agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which reviewed the shooting as part of normal protocol, filed the charges against Alvarez two days after the incident. But the arrest warrant remained unserved for more than two years, until Thursday.

Alvarez also filed suit against the city of Waterloo and Nichols alleging negligence and excessive force.

Attorneys for the city are challenging the lawsuit, arguing that Nichols reasonably believed Alvarez would have used deadly force against others unless he was immediately apprehended.

The defense transferred the case to U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids in April.

PHOTOS: Officer-involved shooting, Waterloo, April 7, 2021 040721jr-officer-shooting 040721jr-officer-shooting-2 040721jr-officer-shooting-3 040721jr-officer-shooting-4 040721jr-officer-shooting-5 040721jr-officer-shooting-6 040721jr-officer-shooting-7 040721jr-officer-shooting-8 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-3

Stills images from officer-involved shooting April 7, 2021 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-11 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-22 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-33 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-44 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-55 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-66 101521ho- Alvarez-shooting-77
WATERLOO  The Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors approved a few expensive purchases during a 25-minute meeting Wednesday.

Of them, the most expensive was a $187,772 bid from ConvergeOne for 38 new network switches. They connect devices like computers, wireless access points, printers and servers that allow them to communicate with each other.

The same company placed two other bids, $206,778 and $267,183, for different types of switches.

The purchase accounts for all switches in county facilities and is one made every five to seven years, according to Al Yu, information technology director. It came in under the $240,000 amount that had been budgeted from American Rescue Plan Act funding.

Additionally, $82,567 and $43,275 purchases, were approved from Karl Chevrolet of Ankeny for two Chevrolet Silverados 1500 and one Chevrolet Silverado 2500, respectively, after soliciting quotes from five dealerships. Supervisor Tom Little opposed the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 purchase.

They were budgeted as part of the countys normal fleet management program.

County Engineer Cathy Nicholas told the board the Chevrolet Silverados 1500 purchase came in slightly over budget, having estimated each vehicle costing about $40,000, or $80,000 total. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 purchase was under the budgeted $60,000.

The board did not hold a work session on county projects funded by COVID-19 relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan Act, as had been scheduled on the agenda to happen.

In other business, the board:

Received a written manure management plan update from Brian Ritland, owner of Porkhaven Farms, LLP at 10451 Acker Rd. in Hudson, as well as notice of one being submitted by Chad Even, of 6633 Oxley Rd. in Jesup, and approved by the Department of Natural Resources

Gave out right-of-way permits to MidAmerican Energy Company for placement of underground electric utility at 10011 Fox Road; to Cedar Falls Utilities for placement of underground fiber utility on Ford Road, Burton Avenue, and West Cedar Wapsi Road as part of its larger rural broadband expansion; and to Windstream Iowa Communications for placement of underground fiber utility at 5706 W. Cedar Wapsi Road for phone service.

Reappointed Allen Sage, Wendy Schaefer and Jim Bosier for five-year terms on the Black Hawk County Planning and Zoning Commission.

Advertised and scheduled a public hearing for 9:05 a.m. July 18, for the rezoning application of Ryan Weber, of 9313 Osage Road, for 3.56 acres. He requested the designation be changed from Agriculture District to Agricultural-Limited District in order to construct a 120- by 60-foot pole building addition for a seed company.

How wildfires have worsened in recent decades How wildfires have worsened in recent decades The number of wildfires is decreasing, but more acres are burning Wildfire seasons are getting longer Wildfire suppression costs have risen by billions of dollars Lightning fires are causing more damage in the West California's wildfires continue to set records
Third in a series on The Couriers Eight Over 80 winners.

WATERLOO  Everyone at the Friendship Village independent living center knows Mary Ann Burk  or so it seems. Anyone who sees her waves and greets her by name, sometimes pausing to share a story or two.

Burk, who smiles and acknowledges every greeting, is enjoying a good life built on a strong foundation of family and friends, community engagement and a rewarding career. Now 80, she retired in 2012 as chief executive officer of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

Over the years, Burk received numerous awards, including the Salute Award for Women, Nonprofit Leader of the Year, and the Women of Persimmon award.

Now she can claim another accolade as one of The Couriers Eight Over 80 honorees for 2023.

Im so honored to be recognized. Ive had such a full life and Im proud of what we were able to accomplish, said Burk.

Mary Ann has always been an outstanding Cedar Valley citizen. Shes a strong supporter of the community and an advocate for those in need of a hand up, said Gary Bertch, one of nine individuals who nominated her for the award. Bertch served on the foundations board of directors.

She always proved herself to be not only a highly competent leader but also a humble, passionate, warm and deeply caring human being. This came through time and again in her daily dealings, not only with the organizations and individuals that were served by the Community Foundation but also in her interactions and relationship-building efforts with donors, Bertch said.

Camille Hogan described Burk as a trailblazer in her letter nominating her friend and colleague for the award, praising her for identifying unaddressed stumbling blocks for the underprivileged. Mary Ann then developed not only support but, more importantly, provided the leadership to address, change, expand, and improve the basic conditions that brought countless effective and sustainable solutions to our community.

Burk and her husband, Peter W. Burk, moved to Waterloo in 1964 when he accepted a position as an attorney for the Gallagher law firm. He started his own law firm in 1976, and later served as attorney for the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors. He died in 2021.

They were married for 56 years and have two children, Colleen and Patrick, four grandchildren and two-great-grandchildren.

It was difficult, no question, Mary Ann Burk said about being a wife, mom and working woman at a time when women werent encouraged to work outside the home. I worked hard at being a wife and mother, and my husband was very supportive. I shared what I was doing with my family.

In her lengthy career, Burk served as executive director of Leadership Investment for Tomorrow, the Waterloo Chamber of Commerces Black Hawk County leadership program for young adults. She also founded Young Leaders in Action and, later, the Partners in Education program at Waterloo Community Schools. She served as president of the National Partners in Education Association, launched the Golden Apple Club, and created a partnership between RSVP and the schools to bring senior citizens as volunteers to mentor students. She also created a similar partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Ross Christensen recruited Burk to lead the fledging Waterloo Civic Foundation, overseeing about $500,000 in funds for various organizations. During Burks 20-year tenure, the Community Foundation became the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa, with assets of more than $56 million and awarding $5 million in annual grants at her retirement. It was one of the first community foundations in the nation to meet national standards of the national Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C.

It was an unbelievable experience. It took a while to get people interested in investing, but people knew me and trusted me. It was important to build trust, and let people know that they were making investment in the community, in people, said Burk.

She started the Teen Trust program, co-founded the Iowa Council of Foundations, serving as president and working with a group to create Endow Iowa legislation which allowed nongaming counties to receive gaming dollars from the state. She also formed the Woman Philanthropy program, now known as Women for Good.

In her nominating letter, Carol Hoth addressed Burks special qualities.

Mary Ann is a real champion for her family, friends and community. She is a most effective facilitator and leader. She is gifted with people skills, a collaborative spirit and an ability to create, plan and accomplish goals, she said.

The Rev. Cathy Young said Burk is a selfless woman whose volunteer contributions are legend. She was key in developing our local network, Cedar Valleys Promise, committed to helping all our children develop their full potential.

In addition, Burk served on the Waterloo Recreation and Arts Commission and later, the Cultural and Arts Commission, presiding over the commission during the successful campaign to build the Phelps Youth Pavilion. She still sits on the Waterloo Center for the Arts Collections and Exhibitions committee.

When Mary Ann and I both retired we vowed to stay in touch and to continue our long friendship and have done so, said Cammie Scully, retired director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts. No one deserves this recognition more than Mary Ann Burk who has tirelessly worked to support our community in so many significant ways.

Close Winners of The Courier's 2023 Eight Over 80 Awards honored at the Wednesday banquet were, from left, Mary Ann Burk, Rex Boatman, Catharine Wieck, David Buck, Barbara Zemke, the Rev. Chuck Lane, Herstine Ferguson, Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer. Matt Tranquill Rex Boatman David Buck Mary Ann Burk Herstine Ferguson Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer Chuck Lane Catharine Wieck Barbara Zemke Eight over 80 awards 2023 Winners of The Courier's 2023 Eight Over 80 Awards honored at the Wednesday banquet were, from left, Mary Ann Burk, Rex Boatman, Catharine Wieck, David Buck, Barbara Zemke, the Rev. Chuck Lane, Herstine Ferguson, Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer. Matt Tranquill Rex Boatman David Buck Mary Ann Burk Herstine Ferguson Jerry Kramer and JoAnn Kramer Chuck Lane Catharine Wieck Barbara Zemke
EL PASO, Texas  A white gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack on Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart in a Texas border city was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences but could still face more punishment, including the death penalty.

Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty this year to almost 50 federal hate crime charges in the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, making it one of the U.S. government's largest hate crime cases.

U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama recommended that Crusius serve his sentence at a maximum security prison in Colorado.

Crusius still faces a separate trial in a Texas court that could end with him getting the death penalty for carrying out one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

As Crusius was led from the courtroom, the son of one of the victims shouted from the galley.

"We'll be seeing you again, coward," yelled Dean Reckard, whose mother, Margie Reckard, was slain in the attack. "No apologies, no nothing."

Police say Crusius drove more than 700 miles from his home near Dallas to target Hispanics with an AK-style rifle inside and outside the store. Moments before the attack began, Crusius posted a racist screed online that warned of a Hispanic "invasion" of Texas.

In the years before and since the shooting, Republicans have described migrants crossing the southern U.S. border as an "invasion," waving off critics who say the rhetoric fuels anti-immigrant views and violence.

The attack was the deadliest of a dozen mass shootings in the U.S. linked to hate crimes since 2006, according to a database compiled by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University.

Before the shooting, Crusius had appeared consumed by the nation's immigration debate, tweeting #BuildtheWall and posts that praised then-President Donald Trump's hard-line border policies.

He went further in his rant posted before the attack, sounding warnings that Hispanics were going to take over the government and economy.

Crusius pleaded guilty in February after federal prosecutors took the death penalty off the table. But Texas prosecutors said they will try to put Crusius on death row when he stands trial in state court. That trial date has not yet been set.

In the U.S. government's case, Crusius received a life sentence for each of the 90 charges against him, half of which were classified as hate crimes. Attorney General Merrick Garland said after the sentencing that "no one in this country should have to live in fear of hate-fueled violence."

Joe Spencer, Crusius' attorney, told the judge before the sentencing that his client has a "broken brain." He said Spencer Crusius had arrived in El Paso without a specific target in mind before winding up at the Walmart.

"Patrick's thinking is at odds with reality  resulting in delusional thinking," Spencer said.

Crusius became alarmed by his own violent thoughts, Spencer said, and he once left a job at a movie theater because of them. He said Crusius also searched online to look for ways to address his mental health, and he dropped out of a community college near Dallas because of his struggles.

The sentencing in El Paso followed two days of impact statements from relatives of the victims, including citizens of Mexico and a German national. In addition to the dead, more than two dozen people were injured and numerous others were severely traumatized as they hid or fled.

One by one, family members used their first opportunity since the shooting to directly address Crusius, describing how their lives have been upended by grief and pain. Some forgave Crusius. One man displayed photographs of his slain father and insisted that the gunman look at them.

Crusius' family did not appear in the courtroom during the sentencing phase.

Ian Hanna, an assistant U.S. attorney who prosecuted the government's case, said Crusius had embraced the "insidious lie" that America only belonged to white people. "He wanted to eliminate a class of people," Hanna said.

Tito Anchondo, whose brother Andre Anchondo was killed in the attack, called the sentence "the best it's going to get" because it ensures that Crusius will be left to think about his actions in prison for the rest of his life.

"In a sense justice was served today and in another sense I don't think anything is ever going to be the same," he said.

Margaret Juarez, whose 90-year-old father was slain in the attack and whose mother was wounded but survived, said she found it ironic that Crusius would spend his life in prison among inmates from racial and ethnic minorities. Others in the courtroom applauded Thursday as she celebrated their liberty.

"Swim in the waters of prison," she told Crusius. "Now we're going to enjoy the sunshine.  We still have our freedom, in our country."

Photos: A list of high-profile mass shootings in the US this year Monterey Park, California Half Moon Bay, California Nashville, Tennessee Louisville, Kentucky Dadeville, Alabama Bowdoin, Maine Cleveland, Texas Allen, Texas
After Gov. Tony Evers stripped the states two-year budget of top Republican priorities, Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Thursday the Legislature would try to override the governors partial vetoes. But without numbers on their side, the Republican effort is unlikely to succeed.

Vos, R-Rochester, also said the Legislature would reconvene later this year to try to pass the $3.5 billion income tax cut the governor gutted, leaving only a $175 million tax cut by lowering the rate of the bottom two tax brackets.

Im sure we will try to override his veto, Vos told WISN-AM radio host Jay Weber Thursday. Thatll be the first step that we do.

Overriding Evers vetoes would require a two-thirds majority of lawmakers present in the Senate and the Assembly, which is unlikely.

Republicans have a two-thirds majority in the Senate. But they have only 63 of the currently filled 98 seats in the Assembly. If all lawmakers are present, Assembly Republicans would need three Democrats to join them to override Evers vetoes. No Assembly Democrats voted for the GOP budget.

Assembly Republicans can try to override Evers vetoes if three Democrats are absent. But recently its been more common for Republicans to be absent than Democrats.

Considering the Assemblys composition, Vos said overriding the governors partial vetoes will be pretty challenging for us.

Asked by Weber whether Republicans would seek to pass as a standalone measure the $3.5 billion tax cut that Evers mostly vetoed, Vos said, Thats exactly what were looking to do.

We want to make sure that the people of Wisconsin remember whos on their side and whos not, he continued.

The budget Republicans passed called for collapsing the current four income tax brackets into three, and income tax cuts across the board but mostly benefiting the wealthiest Wisconsinites.

Evers used his veto pen to maintain the four brackets and cut the proposed income tax cut to the top two income brackets. The income tax cuts Evers signed will provide a $175 million total tax cut, far less than the $3.5 billion Republicans proposed.

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 budget Evers signed, that rate will go down to 3.5%.

The 4.65% rate for individuals earning up to $27,630 and joint filers earning $36,840 will go down to 4.4%.

Evers vetoed Republicans plan to reduce the 5.3% rate for individuals earning up to $304,000 and married filers earning up to about $405,000 to 4.4%. He also rejected Republicans plan to reduce the 7.65% tax rate for individuals earning more than $304,000 or married filers earning more than about $405,500 to 6.5%.

Evers would veto any legislation to pass the tax cut he partially vetoed, Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said.

Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin was among the conservative groups calling for Democrats to forget party lines and override these partial vetoes.

Policymakers crafted a budget with income tax reform that moved us closer to a flat tax, but Governor Evers decided scoring political points is more important than the urgent tax relief that Wisconsin families and small businesses deserve, Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsin director Megan Novak said in a statement.
The achromatic gunman who fatally changeable 23 group successful a racist onslaught astatine an El Paso Walmart will stay down bars for nan remainder of his life aft being handed 90 consecutive life sentences. He could still look much punishment, including nan decease penalty.

Patrick Crusius, 24, was sentenced Friday greeting to life successful situation connected each of 90 national charges he pleaded blameworthy to earlier this year successful relationship pinch nan Aug. 3, 2019, wide shooting that killed 23 group and injured dozens much astatine an eastbound El Paso Walmart.

Residents from El Paso; Juarez, Mexico; and Germany were killed successful nan massacre.

The life sentences, which will beryllium served consecutively, were handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama, ending a three-day emotion-filled sentencing hearing that began Wednesday astatine nan Albert Armendariz Sr. Federal Courthouse successful Downtown El Paso.

More than 50 group sat successful nan courtroom Friday morning, while much sat successful an overflow room to watch nan gunman sentenced connected monitors showing nan proceeding.

The sentencing intends nan gunman will walk nan remainder of his life successful national prison. The life sentences were nan maximum nan gunman could person successful national tribunal since nan U.S. Attorney's Office decided not to activity nan decease penalty.

The gunman, who was wearing a bluish jailhouse jumpsuit pinch his hands and ankles successful cuffs, did not reside nan tribunal earlier nan condemnation was handed down. He was provided nan opportunity to speak successful tribunal connected nan first time of nan proceeding but declined.

What happened successful nan El Paso shooting?

The gunman drove 700 miles from Allen, Texas, to El Paso connected nan greeting of Aug. 3, 2019, and parked successful beforehand of nan El Paso Walmart at 7101 Gateway Blvd. West, adjacent Cielo Vista Mall.

He past exited his conveyance carrying a GP WASR-10 semiautomatic firearm  a Romanian-made firearm version of nan AK-47 battle firearm  loaded pinch 7.62 x 39 mm hollow-point ammunition, tribunal documents state.

'I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU': Families of El Paso shooting victims request justice

He began gunning down guiltless group successful nan parking batch earlier moving into nan shop and sidesplitting and wounding dozens much who were successful nan aisles and a slope wrong nan ample store. The decease toll roseate to 23 group successful nan days and weeks pursuing nan shooting.

The gunman past fled nan segment successful his vehicle, but minutes later pulled complete astatine a adjacent intersection, sewage retired of his car and surrendered to a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper responding to reports of nan wide shooting. The gunman told nan trooper, "I'm nan shooter," tribunal documents state.

Gunman was targeting Hispanic community

He confessed to rule enforcement that he was targeting Hispanic group to dissuade Mexicans and different Hispanics from coming to nan United States, national prosecutors and tribunal documents allege.

The achromatic supremacist claimed nan motive down nan shooting was because "they (Mexicans and different Hispanics) were to blame" and "he was trying to take sides his country," national prosecutors said.

Minutes earlier nan shooting, he posted a racist manifesto online outlining his hatred for Hispanic group and his motive for committing 1 of nan deadliest shootings successful U.S. history.

In February, nan gunman pleaded blameworthy to 90 national charges successful relationship pinch nan shooting. The charges were 23 counts of dislike crimes resulting successful death, 23 counts of usage of a firearm to perpetrate execution during and successful narration to a crime of violence, 22 counts of dislike crimes involving an effort to kill, and 22 counts of usage of a firearm during and successful narration to a crime of violence.

State still seeking decease penalty

The sentencing marks nan extremity of nan national criminal lawsuit against nan gunman. It comes astir 4 years aft nan racially motivated shooting near nan victims and nan Borderland organization searching for answers and justice.

However, nan ineligible saga against nan gunman continues arsenic nan victims, family members and organization now move their attraction to nan authorities of Texas' lawsuit against him.

The gunman faces 1 count of superior execution of aggregate persons and 22 counts of aggravated battle pinch a deadly weapon.

El Paso County District Attorney Bill Hicks stated Thursday his agency still is seeking nan decease punishment against nan gunman. He added that nan national case's result would not effect nan state's case.

A proceedings day has not been set, but Hicks said it could beryllium tried adjacent twelvemonth aliases successful 2025, depending connected erstwhile authorities Judge Sam Medrano calls nan lawsuit to trial.

Aaron Martinez whitethorn beryllium reached astatine ama[email protected] aliases connected Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

Contributing: The Associated Press
WASHINGTON  The Biden management plans to supply Ukrainian troops arguable weapons known arsenic "cluster munitions," a conflict instrumentality that has been banned by much than 100 nations and lambasted by quality authorities groups for indiscriminately sidesplitting civilians, according to U.S. officials.

The weapons -- meant for Ukraine to onslaught dug-in Russian forces -- are modern versions that time off down less "duds" that could termination civilians, U.S. officials said. The determination is important because Ukraine has pleaded for nan U.S.-made weapons for months, and appears to person made small advancement successful its long-awaited counteroffensive. The usage of cluster munitions increases nan imaginable for civilian casualties.

Cluster munitions  artillery shells aliases bombs that disperse smaller weapons known arsenic bomblets  person generated world condemnation because of nan indiscriminate measurement successful which they tin maim and kill. A superior interest is nan dud rate, nan number of bomblets that dont detonate connected effect and become, essentially, landmines that tin stay lethal for decades.

Russian and Ukrainian forces, some of whom person nan weapons successful their arsenals, person utilized cluster munitions successful nan warfare that began successful February 2022, aft Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked, forbidden invasion.

Russia, Ukraine and nan United States did not motion nan pact banning cluster munitions. The Pentagon maintains that they are a basal because they let a smaller force, pinch less weapons, to return connected a larger adversary. Until 2017, Defense Department argumentation had been to trim nan dud complaint to 1% aliases less. The caller argumentation reversed that modular and allows combatant commanders to usage weapons pinch higher dud rates in utmost situations to meet contiguous warfighting demands, according to a 2022 study from nan Congressional Research Service.

A U.S. charismatic briefed connected nan determination to supply Ukraine pinch cluster munitions said nan shells nan Pentagon plans to supply are modern versions pinch a dud complaint of astir 1%.

The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Ukraine has an urgent request for nan weapons to contradict Russians entree to routes and destruct their armor vehicles arsenic they effort to beforehand aliases retreat. Ukraine launched its counteroffensive past period and has made incremental advances.

On Thursday, Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder, nan Pentagon property secretary, without acknowledging that a determination had been made to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine, said a version nether information contained fragments that could beryllium utilized against concentrations of Russian troops.

Human Rights Watch, successful a study connected civilian casualties successful Ukraine caused by cluster munitions, called connected Russia and Ukraine to halt their usage successful nan war. It besides warned nan United States against providing them, saying they will inevitably lead to semipermanent suffering for civilians.

The U.S. authorities should not beryllium providing cluster munitions to immoderate state owed to nan foreseeable and lasting harm to civilians from these weapons, Mary Wareham, acting arms head astatine Human Rights Watch, said successful a statement. Transferring cluster munitions disregards nan important threat they airs to civilians and undermines nan world effort to prohibition them.

The Congressional Research Service recovered a wide scope of dud rates. Some manufacturers claimed a nonaccomplishment complaint of 2% to 5% while mine-clearance specializes reported rates arsenic precocious arsenic 30%. Some factors that forestall detonation see nan property of nan cluster munition, aerial temperature, landing successful soft, muddy crushed aliases getting caught successful trees aliases vegetation.
It took little than 24 hours for Keke Palmers outfit prime to return complete Black Twitter.

Sis was surviving my teenage dream arsenic she serenaded and swayed pinch Usher successful Las Vegas while wearing a sheer dress paired pinch a achromatic bodysuit. Palmers fellow and childs begetter Darius Jackson side-eyed nan juncture pinch a tweet saying, Its nan outfit thoyou a mom.

And a militia of Black women tweeted successful unison, And?

Palmer is 1 of galore Black women who are embracing their bodily autonomy done what they deterioration (or not) and really they transportation themselves successful nan world. I want each Black women to feel for illustration a dream, for illustration Tracee Ellis Ross did arsenic she posed successful Black lingerie and topless successful Paris.

The lyrics and visuals of Janelle Monaes Age Of Pleasure medium is still keeping things basking and steamy since its merchandise successful June.

None of these celebrities are paying immoderate mind to nan hateration connected societal media. I mean, Palmer said herself connected Instagram, I wished I had taken much pictures. But for galore Black women, misogynoir, microaggressions, belief trauma and hypersexualization tin forestall them from connecting pinch their ain consciousness of pleasure, said Dr. Joy Berkheimer, a licensed therapist and sexologist successful southbound Florida. The effects of those stressors descend into our tense systems and frost america successful a authorities of hypervigilance. Black women are shouldering that distress while remaining pillars successful nan communities and churches and caretaking their families.

This is why prioritizing pleasance is simply a request for Black women, not an option, Berkheimer said.

Pleasure really is arsenic important arsenic food, water, slumber and each those things for our emotional, beingness and belief good being. We person agelong capable put pleasance successful nan section of conscionable luxury, and its not, Berkheimer said. We merit it. If you want maine to unrecorded longer, to person little illnesses, to negociate worry and depression, to soothe my tense strategy and negociate trauma, pleasance needs to beryllium a portion of my medicine.

Berkheimer has been successful nan therapy crippled for astir 9 years. She went backmost to schoolhouse early connected successful her believe to prosecute a doctorate successful objective sexology aft noticing a shape pinch women who were having problem tapping into their pleasance  either by themselves aliases pinch their partner  while besides struggling to advocator for themselves successful their relationships. She further evolved her skills by joining a cohort of women of colour who are pioneering nan section of trauma-informed sensual yoga instruction. Through Sensual Glow Flow Yoga, she is helping Black women liberate themselves done seductive embodiment.

Erotic and sensual are not synonymous pinch sex. Audre Lorde, a Black, lesbian extremist feminist, defined nan seductive arsenic a earthy assets of joyousness that has nan powerfulness to dismantle hierarchies and different forms of oppression. Hence why nan powerfulness of nan word had to beryllium watered down truthful it would only beryllium associated pinch sex.

The seductive has often been misnamed by men and utilized against women. It has been made into nan confused, nan trivial, nan psychotic, nan plasticized sensation, Lorde wrote successful her book Uses of nan Erotic. For this reason, we person often turned distant from nan exploration and information of nan seductive arsenic a root of powerfulness and information, confusing it pinch its opposite, nan pornographic. But pornography is simply a nonstop denial of nan powerfulness of nan erotic, for it represents nan suppression of existent feeling.

I witnessed really Berkheimer eases Black women into their existent feelings during a virtual sensual yoga travel past Thursday. Since it wasnt my first yoga rodeo, I was acquainted pinch nan soothing merchandise of nan pigeon airs and recovered restoration successful nan childs pose. But what made Berkheimers people different from different yoga sessions Ive attended were her cues to mildly sway, wiggle and touch our bodies nevertheless we wanted successful betwixt poses. As I settled into nan practice, my assemblage gave maine a hint of what much it needed from me: a break from nan hustle and grind of a capitalistic society. So aft nan class, I started to brainstorm really I could remainder much intentionally.

To beryllium sensual is to prosecute successful each of your senses, Berkheimer said. And that tin hap connected aliases disconnected nan mat.

Off nan mat, being sensual whitethorn look for illustration maine virtually sitting connected my patio, aliases Im connected nan beach, aliases Im conscionable doing a creation complete successful nan tub. It tin beryllium nan measurement that I was cutting up my consequence and eating it successful nan kitchen, Berkheimer said. Maybe its maine conscionable opinionated successful my backyard adjacent to nan h2o nether nan stars and listening to my favourite opus that moves maine and everything successful my assemblage tingles. So pleasance is simply a wide point and I tin beryllium sensual each time long.

For those who acquisition intersexual trauma, sensual yoga tin beryllium a abstraction to heal and regain powerfulness by reconnecting to their assemblage successful a measurement that is safe for them.This is why trauma-informed instructors are important  truthful nary 1 feels rushed and retraumatized, Berkheimer said.

With intersexual trauma, it will put you successful a position wherever perchance you were told to execute and you had to beryllium very circumstantial astir really you were presenting, Berkheimer said. But pinch sensual yoga, youre fixed autonomy successful your space. We move slow capable wherever youre fixed nan allowance to beryllium and consciousness really everything ebbs, pops, moves and flows Its OK present because youre nan 1 who invited you here. Nobody forced you here.

The people was an absorbing region successful nan mediate of my workday. Berkheimer brought retired a instrumentality that I person ne'er utilized successful a yoga people before: a Shibari rope. Shibari is nan Japanese artform of intricate statement tying. It has meandered its measurement into nan kink world, but that isnt why Berkheimer uses it. Before she useful pinch a customer who feels comfortable pinch utilizing Shibari ropes, she will inquire them what volition they want her to infuse into nan statement specified as, I want to consciousness loved, safe. During nan class, she taught america really to necktie nan statement successful a measurement that made america consciousness held and loved on. By nan clip we were done, a mini bosom was designed successful nan mediate of our chests.

Im helping you clasp you, Berkheimer said.

For those looking to merchandise different forms of oppression from their bodies, whether that beryllium microaggressions aliases hypersexualization, nan medicine is successful our activity and hip-opening poses. Berkheimer guided america done a mates poses that opened our hips, which store a batch of our affectional energy. Once we deed that pigeon airs successful class, I could virtually consciousness nan affectional accent ooze retired of maine  successful a bully way.

Were helping to merchandise that vexation that came up erstwhile that microaggression happened, Berkheimer said. The measurement that we are twisting our bodies is virtually wringing retired immoderate of these toxins. And our activity is simply a renewal system. Its coming successful and taking retired this worldly that we nary longer need.

Black women nary longer person to shrink themselves to soothe nan bruises of personification elses ego. If youre looking for a abstraction to statesman your pleasance practice, subordinate Berkheimer connected nan mat and fto your assemblage beryllium nan compass that tells you wherever to go.
Special Counsel Jack Smith is now focusing connected Arizona arsenic he continues his probe into nan January 6 onslaught connected nan Capitol.

The Arizonas caput of authorities agency confirms they person received 2 subpoenas. This is 1 for nan erstwhile management and 1 for nan existent one. But they whitethorn person received those subpoenas each nan measurement backmost successful May.

The typical counsel is chasing accusation related to lawsuits challenging nan predetermination results.

President Biden narrowly won nan Republican stronghold authorities by conscionable complete 10,000 votes successful 2020. But nan Trump run and Arizona Republican Party claimed location were discrepancies and legally challenged nan results.

Smith has antecedently subpoenaed Arizona authorities lawmakers successful relationship to nan probe. Yet he doesnt look willing successful talking to erstwhile Governor Doug Ducey.

President Trump and Vice President Pence some contacted nan politician aft nan predetermination results, allegedly to unit Ducey into uncovering much Republican votes.
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbors transition of Michigans first driving equality ordinance was met pinch applause by nan dozens who packed into nan assembly chambers Thursday night.

The councils 10-0 ballot July 6 to OK nan caller rule restricting constabulary from pulling complete motorists for comparatively insignificant offenses came aft a nationalist proceeding wherever assembly members heard stories astir nan fear, anxiety, trauma and life-changing harms that group  peculiarly group of colour  sometimes look arsenic a consequence of constabulary postulation stops.

Im really proud of nan metropolis for approaching a imaginative solution, said Andre Watson, who was among respective Black organization members who said successful support of nan ordinance.

Andre Watson speaks successful support of nan driving equality ordinance astatine nan Ann Arbor City Council gathering connected July 6, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Watson said his ain acquisition pinch section officers has been good, but hes not naive astir group profiling.

Ive lived a while arsenic an African American present successful America and Ive had nan harassment, Ive had nan stops and Ive had nan trauma that sits into galore of america erstwhile we person nan stops, he said. And I do deliberation that this ordinance will springiness nan spark hopefully that nan federation will galvanize with.

Mayor Christopher Taylor said he hopes different communities look to Ann Arbors caller ordinance and travel nan citys lead.

Under nan law, unless theres an contiguous consequence of harm, officers are now prohibited from stopping aliases detaining anyone for offenses specified arsenic a cracked windshield, large exhaust, tinted windows, an entity hanging from a rearview mirror, a surgery tail ray aliases issues pinch registration stickers and plates.

Police still tin enforce specified laws by mailing group tickets aliases leaving tickets connected parked cars  they conscionable cant beryllium nan ground for stopping personification connected nan roadworthy anymore.

Let america retrieve nan travel that has brought america present  nan tales of heartbreaking anguish and nan calls for alteration person been our guiding light, said Council Member Cynthia Harrison, D-1st Ward, lead sponsor of nan ordinance.

Council Member Cynthia Harrison, D-1st Ward, speaks astatine nan Ann Arbor City Council gathering connected July 6, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The caller rule holds profound value for metropolis residents, workers and visitors, Harrison said.

By passing this ordinance, we are communicating to group crossed nan federation who person feared aliases suffered nan consequences of low-level, secondary postulation stops that Ann Arbor welcomes you, she said. We are saying that arsenic a City Council we understand that these stops person agelong incited fear, hostility and sadly person moreover costs lives successful communities.

Council members person heard heartbreaking stories from Ann Arbor residents and visitors astir their encounters pinch constabulary during postulation stops, Harrison said.

These were stark reminders of nan pressing request to betterment really rule enforcement interacts pinch those they protect, she said, thanking Ann Arbor Police Department officers for knowing its not an indictment connected their profession, but a stride toward treatment humanities harms and fostering trust.

Interim Police Chief Aimee Metzer has indicated her support for nan caller ordinance, but nan citys constabulary national has not responded to requests for remark connected it.

Kevin Karpiak, an Eastern Michigan University professor who led a investigation study showing group disparities successful Ann Arbor postulation stops, speaks successful support of nan driving equality ordinance astatine nan Ann Arbor City Council gathering connected July 6, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Among nan galore group who said successful support of nan ordinance astatine Thursdays proceeding was Kevin Karpiak, an Eastern Michigan University professor who led a investigation study that found important group disparities successful Ann Arbor postulation stops, pinch non-white motorists stopped and searched much frequently.

Its nan searched portion that really was a gut punch for me, said Council Member Jen Eyer, D-4th Ward. Because really conscionable perfectly demoralizing to beryllium searched for nary logic  because you had a cracked tail ray and personification feels for illustration they person a emotion astir you.

Shihab Jackson, an Ypsilanti resident who argues felony firearm charges person been unfairly brought against him arsenic a consequence of a pretext extremity successful Ypsilanti Township, appeared earlier assembly Thursday, saying he wanted to put a look connected nan issue.

Shihab Jackson speaks successful support of nan driving equality ordinance astatine nan Ann Arbor City Council gathering connected July 6, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

On nan taxable of these pretext stops and really they impact mediocre Black group for illustration myself, they tin person devastating consequences to peoples livelihoods moving guardant pinch their lives agelong aft nan interactions person occurred, he said.

Council Member Chris Watson, D-2nd Ward, discussed his ain fears of being stopped by constabulary arsenic a Black man.

A fewer years ago, erstwhile I heard a popular aft backing into a rod successful a parking lot, my first thought was not astir confirming nan type of harm that occurred, but alternatively a silent dream that I had not cracked my tail light, because I instantly feared nan imaginable of being stopped for it later that night, he said.

Luckily, he only cracked nan integrative casing, which allowed him to respire a show of relief, he said.

Council Member Chris Watson, D-2nd Ward, speaks astatine nan Ann Arbor City Council gathering connected July 6, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

This is nan benignant of intelligence weight nan specter of these stops causes successful Black and brownish communities, he said, adding nan caller rule tin assistance nan worries of specified postulation stops from nan minds of minorities and others who cant spend to hole their cars.

It besides takes nan task of making specified stops disconnected nan plates of officers who person larger information issues to handle, he said.

Watson noted hes nan first Black man to service connected assembly since Larry Hunter stepped down successful 1994. He recalled really Hunter was arrested by Washtenaw County sheriffs deputies successful 1991 pursuing a postulation extremity complete a surgery tail light, an apprehension Hunter and his colleagues based on amounted to group harassment.

Hunter, who was alleged to person assaulted a lawman during nan stop, said his manus accidentally brushed a lawman while he was being searched and a lawman laughed and said, Thats assault.

If a assembly personnel who knew his authorities and knew he had done thing incorrect could still beryllium thrown successful jailhouse arsenic a consequence of a secondary stop, really tin we guarantee that anyone will get a adjacent shake? Watson said Thursday night. Thirty-two years later, this ordinance alteration will travel excessively precocious for Mr. Hunter, but Im proud to support it tonight.

Bonnie Billups Jr., a personnel of Ann Arbor's constabulary oversight commission, speaks successful support of nan driving equality ordinance astatine nan Ann Arbor City Council gathering connected July 6, 2023.Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Community members expressed hopes nan metropolis will return a difficult stance connected holding officers to nan caller law. What happens if officers break it still needs to beryllium written into section argumentation and thats nan adjacent step, City Administrator Milton Dohoney said.

Community members besides expressed hopes it wont beryllium nan past measurement nan metropolis takes toward group equity, pinch immoderate calling for putting metropolis costs toward reparations for Black residents.

Want much Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or motion up for nan free [email protected] Ann Arbor regular newsletter.

MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:

Non-white motorists successful Ann Arbor stopped and searched much often, study finds

Ann Arbor seeks 3rd statement to instrumentality caller replacement to equipped police

Splash pad coming to Ann Arbor parkland pinch $1M boost from state

New Ann Arbor subdivision offers modern farmhouse living, homes starting astatine $825K

Rents priced from $2,400 to $7,200 for caller apartments connected Ann Arbors Main Street
Weather Alert

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TO 9 PM PDT SATURDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures up to 100-106 degrees expected. * WHERE...Mineral and Southern Lyon Counties, Greater Reno- Carson City-Minden Area, Western Nevada Basin and Range including Pyramid Lake and Northern Washoe County. * WHEN...From 11 AM to 9 PM PDT Saturday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...There will be some relief at night as low temperatures drop into the upper 50s and 60s overnight. However, high temperatures are still close to 10 degrees above average for this time of year and close to daily records. 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. &&
There's a sort of knowingness that pervades the experience at Pasta Supply Co. on Clement Street.

Watching a cook crafting various pastas by hand behind the glass counter, for example, you learn to distinguish tonnarelli from tagliatelle, or cuscini ("little pillows") from mezzaluna.

There's also astuteness behind the warm hospitality on offer, such as the decision by chef-owner Anthony Strong to create a stroller parking lot outside, to make the place as welcoming to young families in the neighborhood as to couples on date night.

Even the unusual way of ordering your meal shows forethought. When you're near the front of the queue (service is walk-in only, no reservations), the host hands you a menu and takes your order before you're seated, to reduce wait times and keep things flowing. On my visit, Brandon Wells, the genial general manager, performed this duty. He and Strong, veterans of Delfina Restaurant Group, have been friends since childhood.

Stinging nettle pansotti w/ red walnut cream. (Courtesy of Pasta Supply Co.)

Inside Pasta Supply Co.which is also what it sounds like, a retail space offering sauces, dried pastas, and pantry productsthe 38-seat dining area, where service began on June 21st, has black wood floors, a wall covered in cork tile, and '90s hip hop on the sound system.

For my first course, I chose the house salad of frisee, arugula, and artisan greens with Parmigiano Reggiano and a deftly understated lemon dressing with cumin and anchovy. I opted for the topping of bread crumbs made from pan'terra, the house version of ciabatta that may also be ordered warm, on its own, or with crushed fresh tomato pulp like some fondly remembered domestic pleasure from childhood.

House-made pastas are bronze pressed, a process by which the dough is extruded through dies made of heavy bronze rather than formed in silicon molds. This creates a rough surface that holds and soaks up sauces well. Among the five selections on the current menu are a lobster butter spaghetti and rigatoni with lamb ragu. I'd previously brought home a container of Pasta Supply Co.'s rich smoky pork sugo from the shop counter, so decided to try a meatless dish: sweet corn raviolini with sauerkraut and fried peppercorns. The buttery deliciousness was complete with a generous amount of ricotta salata.

Affordability is a key draw here: Only one of the pastas on the dinner menu is over $20. Staff delight in sharing insight about pairing sauces with pasta shapes. Malfadine is a popular pick, served at dinner with butter and cheese.

"It's such a fun shape," Strong says. "It has the slurpability of a long noodle and holds sauces in its ridges so well."

Dinner comes with a show at Pasta Supply Co.: the performance of making noodles by hand. (Courtesy of Pasta Supply Co.)

The wine list focuses on natural wines. Of course there are Italian vintages such as a 2021 Oltretorrente Tortonesi Bianco from Piemonte, but offerings also include an Oregon pinot and Vinho Verde from Portugal's famous Niepoort team.

"We have one foot rooted in Italianwe're making pasta, that's what we do, it's our focus," Strong says. "But it's also okay being nerdy American kids doing our thing."

Doing their thing shows up in the beer selection, where one of the three brews on the menu, sold by can or six-pack, is Bell's Two-Hearted IPA from Kalamazoo. A bit of nerdy creativity can also be spotted in the bathroom, which is wallpapered in a design of vintage punk rock show flyers. There's even some cheeky fun behind that pan'terra, named in honor of the heavy metal band Pantera.

Dessert comes in the form of panna cotta, with two selections including Dandelion chocolate with Earl Grey cream. I opted for the ruby grapefruit and Seka Hills olive oil version. The juicy fresh citrus segments provided counterpoint to the rich vanilla cream, and the smooth mouth feel was accented by the delicate crunch of tiny pink peppercorns.

The room was full as I left, a buzz of diners happily satiating their palates and comparing tasting notes, some already anticipating their next visit.

"You're lucky you live nearby," I overheard one say to his dinner companion. Buon appetito, indeed.

// Pasta Supply Co. is open for retail daily from 10am (9am on Sundays) and dinner service daily from 5pm to 9pm; 236 Clement St. (Inner Richmond), pastasupplyco.com.
Rivals have been gunning for Twitter ever since billionaire boss Elon Musk took ownership of the social media outlet this past October, especially after he laid off more than 80 percent of its employees and made several controversial decisions.



The latest is limits on the number of posts users can view. Then came July 6, when a fellow billionaire and fierce Musk adversary, Mark Zuckerberg, launched what appears to be the first serious challenger to Twitter.

It is called Threads, an Instagram app, and thats the way it's listed on Googles Play Store for Android smartphones and the App Store for iPhones and iPads. By adapting the Instagram platform to power Threads, Zuckerberg, the chief executive of Facebook and Instagram parent Meta, has made it easy for users to sign up with their Instagram credentials and invite the people who follow them there to do the same on Threads.

@AARP is on Threads You can now follow AARP on Threads and six other social media accounts:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn



TikTok



Threads



Twitter



YouTube



Threads burst onto the scene with more than 100 million user sign-ups and counting in just five days. That bested the 100 million users ChatGPT amassed in its first two months, according to the analytics firm Similarweb. The company previously cited ChatGPT as the fastest-growing app, according to The New York Times.

Youll be reminded of Twitter

Threads isnt a replica of Twitter, introduced in 2006, but it comes close in this first iteration. Hours after the apps debut, a lawyer for Twitter sent a letter to Zuckerberg accusing Meta of misappropriation of intellectual property.

Posts, or threads, are like real-time tweets. They can be up to 500 characters long and include links, photos and videos of up to five minutes. You can repost and quote others threads, the Threads equivalent of retweets. You can tap a heart icon to express your approval.

Our vision with Threads is to take what Instagram does best and expand that to text, creating a positive and creative space to express your ideas, Meta wrote in a press release.

The Musk-Zuckerberg animus seems to be genuine. After the Threads launch, Metas CEO actually went on Twitter to tweet a playful picture of a Spider-Man face-off, his first tweet in 11 years. The two men are also reportedly considering duking it out in a cage match  for real.

If youre curious about Threads, here are some of the basics:

How do I sign up for Threads?

Download the app from Google Play or the App Store. If you are already on Instagram, signing up is as simple as logging in with your username and password. Youll have to create an Instagram account if you dont already have one, which you can do on the Instagram app or at Instagram.com. Web signups for Threads apparently come later.

Next, you can write a bio or accept the one you already have on Instagram and add a link.
Majority of Finns oppose deployment of NATO's nuclear weapons: survey

Xinhua) 10:20, July 07, 2023

The national flag of Finland and emblem of NATO are seen at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

A recent survey showed that 61 percent of the respondents opposed the transportation of NATO's nuclear weapons across Finland, and 77 percent would reject the deployment of such weapons in the country.

HELSINKI, July 6 (Xinhua) -- A significant number of respondents to a recent survey in Finland said they would oppose the storage or transportation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO's) nuclear weapons in or across their country, according to a report published Thursday by researchers from three Finnish universities.

The report, drafted by the University of Helsinki, the University of Turku and Abo Akademi University, examined the expectations of Finns regarding their NATO membership based on survey data collected in June this year. A total of 2,877 respondents between the ages of 15 and 79 participated in the survey.

Delegates attend a ceremony for Finland's accession to NATO at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 4, 2023. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)

Hanna Wass, one of the authors of the report and a researcher at the University of Helsinki, told national broadcaster Yle that there is a limit to the Finnish public's support for NATO.

Most Finns do not support the transportation or stationing of nuclear weapons in their country, she said.

The report found that the Finnish public's attitudes toward nuclear weapons are overwhelmingly critical. It said that 61 percent of the respondents opposed the transportation of NATO's nuclear weapons across Finland, and an even higher percentage -- 77 percent -- would reject the deployment of such weapons in the country.

People take part in a protest against Sweden hosting a large international military exercise and the country striving to become a member of NATO in Stockholm, Sweden, on April 22, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Ekstrand/Xinhua)

The authors of the report suggest that these attitudes likely stem from Finland's emphasis on nuclear disarmament in its defense policy, and from the recognition that allowing nuclear weapons would require changes to current legislation.

The report also highlights the division among citizens regarding the establishment of a permanent NATO base and the deployment of non-Finnish NATO troops on Finnish soil. According to the survey, 46 percent of respondents would welcome such troops, while 43 percent would not.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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The incident takes place when the Canadian rap star is performing a rendition of Ginuwine's song 'So Anxious' during the opening night of his 'It's All a Blur' tour in Chicago.

Jul 7, 2023

AceShowbiz - Drake won't let anyone or anything interrupt his gig. Despite being hit by a phone onstage, the "Certified Lover Boy" artist remained unfazed and continued his performance.

The incident took place during the opening night of the Canadian rap star's "It's All a Blur" tour in Chicago. He was performing a rendition of Ginuwine's song "So Anxious" at the Wednesday, July 5 show when someone from the crowd threw a phone at him.

Based on a video that circulated online, the mobile device hit Drake in the arm. He, however, just stood still watching the phone land on the ground and not addressing the incident.

Drake was lucky that he was left unharmed. Bebe Rexha, unfortunately, experienced the opposite. She sustained an eye injury after someone threw a phone that hit her in the face during a "Best F'n Night of My Life Tour" stop in New York City on June 18.

In the wake of the incident, Bebe reportedly got three stitches to mend her injury. "Bebe Rexha's mother reveals that she had to get three stitches after someone in the audience threw a phone at her head during her concert," PopBase shared in a tweet. According to ABC7NY, the concertgoer who threw the phone, Nicolas Malvagna, was arrested for assault.

Bebe even gave fans a closer look at her injured eye. On Monday, she let out a series of photos, one of which showed white bandages that covered up a number of stitches slightly under her left brow.

Drake and Bebe are among artists to be victims of the "trend" of throwing objects at performers. Earlier this month, a concertgoer hurled a sex toy mimicking a vagina at Lil Nas X while he was performing in Sweden. Days prior to that, someone threw a bracelet that hit Kelsea Ballerini in the eye.

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The Grammy-winning rapper is facing a new lawsuit after former gym teacher Isaiah Meadows says he's unfairly fired for reporting unsafe conditions at the private Christian school.

Jul 7, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kanye West's legal trouble has yet to end. The rapper is facing a new lawsuit after former gym teacher Isaiah Meadows alleged that he was unfairly fired for reporting unsafe conditions at Ye's Donda Academy.

In the lawsuit, which was filed on Thursday, July 6 in Los Angeles, Isaiah accused the Yeezy designer of wrongful termination, breach of contract and violations of multiple education, health, safety and labor codes. He claimed that the private Christian school lacked windows because the embattled rapper "did not like glass."

Isaiah alleged in the suit that he was fired in August 2022 in retaliation for reporting numerous safety issues, including the building having no windows. According to him, students were "exposed to the elements" because the "Gold Digger" emcee did not allow glass to be placed in the window frames.

"In the middle of the main classroom, a skylight was left without glass inevitably allowing rain to fall directly inside, where water would soak into the floor, which would lead to a moldy smell for the next few days," the suit alleged. "The skylight was intentionally without glass because WEST expressed that he did not like glass."

The former official additionally claimed that there was a problem with the wiring in the school. He recalled an incident in which "exposed telephone and electrical wiring" once started a fire "near the student eating area."

Isaiah added that the school did not have "working hot water to effectively wash hands or other items which then created serious sanitation issues" despite being in the midst of a global pandemic. Not stopping there, Isaiah claimed that the school's septic tank would overflow every other day, "causing a terrible smell."

This isn't the first time Ye has been sued by a former teacher of Donda Academy. Back in April, ex-teachers Cecilia Hailey and Chekarey Byers filed a lawsuit against the Grammy winner, his school and its directors for alleged racial discrimination and wrongful termination.

"I'm extremely sad about all of this," Chekarey said in a statement. "It was such a huge honor and privilege to work at Donda Academy for Kanye West. I'm a huge Kanye fan. His first album was the first I ever purchased. I still enjoy his music, and I'll never deny his talent, but while his vision for the school sounds great on paper, it's just pure chaos and mutiny. It's like a mental hospital being run by the patients."

Cecilia and Chekarey said in legal documents obtained by Page Six they were the only black female teachers employed by Donda Academy, and were suing the academy and its directors alongside Kanye. According to Daily Mail, the plaintiffs "are now seeking in excess of $1 million in damages."

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The model daughter of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee takes to her TikTok account to slam the 'Nope' actress' boyfriend, who faces backlash for shaming Keke for her sexy outfit.

Jul 7, 2023

AceShowbiz - Aoki Lee Simmons has entered the chat. The daughter of Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons took to her TikTok account to put in her two cents on the drama involving Keke Palmer and her boyfriend Darius Jackson, who faced backlash for shaming Keke for her sexy outfit.

"I just want to say I don't know Keke Palmer's boyfriend," the model began in the Thursday, July 6 video. "I don't know anything about him really besides the current thing, but let me just say I hate that man."

She went on to say, "I pray and plot on his downfall. I hate him. I'm disgusted. I think when my friend told me that and we was just sitting .. I was like 'What.' " She continued blasting Darius, "I would love the chance to like punch that man...I am appalled. No couth. Not one drop of couth."

"Like there's so many things wrong with it but the way he did it was insane. What he had to say was f**king stupid, and the way he did it was so unhinged. And the follow up was unhinged. Don't ever talk about Akeelah again. Ever. Disgusting and it makes me sick because she gave that man a beautiful child and he is yapping on the internet. Why do men talk, ever? Just never talk again," Aoki further ranted.

Not stopping there, Aoki questioned, "Also, what did he think that we were going to say, like, agree and then we were all going to yell at your girlfriend and the mother of your child? Like, what did he think everybody was going to say like, 'Yas, we're gonna gang up on her with you?' We don't even know you."

"Also, what? What did he think we were going to do, agree?" she added, noting that "the dress was amazing and so cute and elegant." Concluding her video, she said, "I believe in the way that moms should dress but it was very mom, sexy, new mom night out. I thought it was very nice but whatever. Did he think that we were going to agree with him? Against Keke Palmer. It was never going to work."

Darius faced backlash after he seemingly shamed Keke for wearing the sexy outfit in a viral video of her singing "There Goes My Baby" with Usher. "It's the outfit tho.. you a mom," so Darius wrote on Twitter.

In response to the criticism, Darius doubled down on his opinion in a tweet. "We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn't want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is," the former personal trainer penned. "This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe."

Darius briefly deactivated his social media account before reinstating it. It was also reported that Keke and Darius have unfollowed each other on Instagram.

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St. James Hospital chief medical officer Dr. Hamish McLure apologizes to the late rapper's loved ones after being questioned about the quality of his care prior to his death.

Jul 8, 2023

AceShowbiz - MF DOOM's family has received an apology from a Leeds hospital where died. St. James Hospital chief medical officer Dr. Hamish McLure apologized to the rapper's loved ones after being questioned about the quality of his care prior to his death.

"I would like to offer our sincere condolences to [MF Doom's] family, friends and fans at this difficult time," De. Hamish said, according to The Guardian. "I apologise that the care he received was not to the standard we would expect."

"Following his sad death we undertook a serious incident investigation and the report has been shared with Daniel's family," the statement further read. "As a result we have put in place a number of actions and the wider learning from what happened is to be used as a teaching topic in a number of different clinical specialties. We also support the coroners recommendation for clearer national guidance and awareness in this area."

MF DOOM passed away at the age of 49 in October 2020. However, it was not until December of that year that his wife, Jasmine Dumile, broke the devastating news.

Jasmine revealed the cause of her husband's death earlier this week. Following an inquest, it has been confirmed that DOOM died from a rare and severe reaction to blood pressure medication, a condition medically known as angioedema. DOOM had a "severe and rare" reaction to just two doses of prescribed ACE inhibitors.

He also battled kidney disease and anxiety. The "Beef Rap" star's widow Jasmine raised concerns about her spouse's treatment at Leeds' St. James Hospital during the inquest. She claimed he was forced to call his wife when his breathing and swelling of the throat worsened because his buzzer was out of his reach.

Jasmine went on to claim that they were allegedly two hours late administrating medication. On October 21, DOOM tried to escape from his hospital trolley, but collapsed and went into respiratory arrest.

Jasmine was also not happy with the condition of the "old-looking" room he was placed in, though she was told all of the rooms were the same. According to Leeds Live, Jasmine said, "I don't want to say it was an old storage roomit wasn't set up."

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The lead star and brains behind the gangster series speak out against the 'homophobic' video using the show's footage to boost the Republican politician's Presidential bid.

Jul 8, 2023

AceShowbiz - Cillian Murphy has blasted a "homophobic" campaign video for presidential candidate Ron DeSantis that features footage from "Peaky Blinders". The "Oppenheimer" actor, 47, joined forces with creators of the hit gangster drama, in which he played ruthless Tommy Shelby, to slam the use of the clip in a promo which has been shared by supporters of the 44-year-old US election hopeful and branded anti-gay by critics.

The video, published via a popular Twitter account called "DeSantis War Room", includes several images of Cillian as Tommy and appears to target former president Donald Trump, 77, for publicly supporting LGBTQ+ rights and highlighting DeSantis' targeting of the community on several occasions.

Cillian, "Peaky Blinders" writer Steven Knight, 63, and its maker Tiger Aspect Productions, said in a statement shared on Twitter, "We confirm the footage of Tommy Shelby's character used within the video posted by Ron DeSantis' campaign was obtained without permission or official licence. We do not support nor endorse the video's narrative and strongly disapprove of the use of the content in this manner."

'Peaky Blinders' reacts to Ron DeSantis' campaign video

Governor of Florida DeSantis recently approved a new bill restricting the discussion of gender and pronouns in schools in a law branded by critics as "Don't Say Gay." The video was shared by DeSantis supporters to coincide with the end of Pride Month.

Richard Grenell, 56 - the first openly gay White House Cabinet official when he was appointed by Trump in 2020 as acting director of national intelligence during - said the clip was "undeniably homophobic."

DeSantis' campaign has yet to respond to requests for comment over Cillian and the "Peaky Blinders" creators' statement. DeSantis is hoping to build support with his hard-right positions on abortion, transgender rights and other issues.

When they were asked for a comment on the video, Trump's 2024 presidential campaign team highlighted a tweet from the ex-president's adviser Jason Miller who had suggested "somebody's getting fired" over the DeSantis video.

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Karen Allen who returns as Indy's spouse in 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny' was left 'disappointed' after her role was reduced when James Mangold took over the project.

Jul 8, 2023

AceShowbiz - Karen Allen felt "disappointed" with her small role in "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny". The 71-year-old star is briefly back as Indy's wife Marion Ravenwood in the new movie but lamented how director James Mangold changed the story content and reduced her screentime.

"When Steven (Spielberg) was still gonna direct the film, I didn't have the opportunity to read any of those scripts, although I know that Marion was much more involved in the story at that juncture. I knew James had hired new writers and that there was going to be a whole new approach with a new director and new writers, but I was really going into the unknown," Karen said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

The "Scrooged" star added, "The next thing I knew, I was a reading a script that told ('Dial of Destiny's') story, and of course, I was disappointed. I had thought I would be majorly a part of the film, and that was not just the direction they decided to go."

Karen also believes that the decision to kill off Marion and Indy's son Mutt (Shia LeBeouf) in the Vietnam War prevented her from having a more significant part in the project. She said, "I think they had some problems to solve with the story in terms of Shia LaBeouf not coming back, and they chose to create this story that Mutt had been killed in the war and that it put a wedge between Marion and Indy. I mean, you could have knocked me down with a feather when I read it. But I was really happy that they came back together in the end."

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WASHINGTON, July 7, 2023  The American Chemical Society (ACS) is pleased to announce V. Michael Mautino as the 2024 recipient of the Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society. Mautino will deliver his award address at the ChemLuminary Ceremony at the ACS Fall 2024 meeting in Denver.

The award is presented annually to recognize the volunteer efforts of individuals who have served ACS and contributed significantly to the goals and objectives of the Society.

Mautino receives the award for his outstanding volunteerism and mentorship at all levels of the American Chemical Society. Over his 26 years of ACS membership, Mautino has been a consistent leader of the ACS Pittsburgh Local Section. He has also served on numerous ACS national committees, chairing two, as well as having chaired the ACS Division of Chemical Technicians in the early 2000s.;

Among his many volunteer leadership accomplishments, Mautino played an integral role in creating Chemists Celebrate Earth Day in 2003. Because of the popularity and success of this program, ACS expanded it into Chemists Celebrate Earth Week, which unites ACS local sections, student communities, technical divisions, businesses, schools and individuals in communicating the positive role that chemistry plays in the world.

His leadership, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and mentorship have benefited all ACS members he has interacted with, inspiring dozens to seek volunteer leadership positions within ACS and in their workplaces.

A 32-year employee of Covestro LLC, Mautino held several positions of increasing responsibility, including Product Line Manager and Regional Channel Manager in the Polyurethanes NAFTA Regional Channel Management Group.

Michaels passion for chemistry and people makes him the perfect vessel to fulfill the objectives of the ACS, says Michelle Ward, a lecturer and undergraduate analytical laboratory director in the department of chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh.

Nominations are open for the 2025 Award for Volunteer Service to the American Chemical Society through Nov. 1, 2023. To nominate a colleague, visit the ACS National Awards page.
Talented and versatile Bollywood actor, Bhumi Pednekar joins forces with MAC Cosmetics for the much anticipated 29th year of its pioneer VIVA GLAM charitable initiative, which supports healthy futures and equal rights for all. With this launch, Bhumi joins the ranks of past VIVA GLAM ambassadors including icons over the years, including Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Mary J. Blige, Rosalia and Ricky Martin.

The Viva Glam Bhumi Pednekar lipstick is a limited-edition lipstick co-created by Bhumi Pednekar and MAC Cosmetics. It represents their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact as 100% of the proceeds from sale of this lipstick will go to local organizations that support women and girls, HIV/AIDS relief efforts and the LGBTQIA+ community. VIVA GLAM BHUMI PEDNEKAR is a weightless moisture-matte lipstick that delivers a blur of soft-focus pink color. The beautiful pink bullet comes housed in a never seen before, golden glitter case and is perfectly complemented by Bhumi's personal toucha signature on the stunning art deco packaging. This exclusive combination is set to captivate beauty enthusiasts and collectors alike, making it an absolute must-have.

I am humbled, honored, and excited to be MAC VIVA GLAMs first ever India Ambassador. Being a MAC girl at heart, this initiative only makes my love for the brand, even stronger. I genuinely believe that it is each of our responsibility to support healthy futures and equal rights now, and for the future generations. I am thrilled to help spread awareness of this amazing initiative with my own VIVA GLAM Lipstick. This lipstick going to be a big step in the right direction, it does not just look good but also gives back 100%, says Bhumi Pednekar, VIVA GLAM 28 Ambassador

This lipstick marks a significant milestone since MAC VIVA GLAMs inception in 1994, which has raised over half a billion dollars in charitable donations. MAC Cosmetics is proud to contribute to a cause that aligns with its values. By channeling the power of beauty, MAC aims to create a positive ripple effect in society and inspire others to make a difference.

"We are thrilled to have Bhumi as the face of our latest VIVA GLAM campaign. Bhumi perfectly embodies the essence of Indian beauty and the core values of MAC Cosmetics and together, this campaign will amplify the message of inclusivity and further drive positive change, said Karen Thompson, Brand Manager, MAC Cosmetics India.

Talking about the latest launch, Sonic Sarawate, Global Artist for MAC Cosmetics India says, Viva Glam Lipsticks are always iconic, and its superior formula & shades speak for itself. Viva Glam X Bhumi Pednekar lipstick is in the powder kiss formula that give a zero-shine look of a matte lipstick with the cushiony, lightweight feel of a balm. The shade has been handpicked by Bhumi and what makes it even more special. Infact, one of the core reasons for my longstanding relationship with MAC is their strong sense of social responsibility.

Through VIVA GLAM BHUMI PEDNEKAR, MAC Cosmetics India will expand their partnership with two key VIVA GLAM grantees in India in the coming year  Organization for Friends, Energies, and Resources (OFFER) & Committed Communities Development Trust (CCDT). Continuing their long-standing relationship with OFFER, this lipstick will help support Anandaghar, a palliative care program for children living with HIV/AIDS in the outskirts of Kolkata. It is a unique program that takes care of boarding, food, medical requirement, schooling & tuition fees as well as co-curricular activities for the effected children. The goal of the initiative is to provide all the privileges a child deserves, so that they seamlessly compete and establish themselves in the society as grown-up adults. Through the program with CCDT, focus on empowering adolescents to be able to contribute meaningfully to their own development related to SRHR (sexual reproductive health and rights) and influence the environment positively.

The universally flattering VIVA GLAM BHUMI PEDNEKAR lipstick is a must-have for beauty enthusiasts and changemakers. This limited-edition lipstick combines glamour with a commitment to support the health and rights of All Ages, All Races and All Genders through a lipstick that gives back 100%!

Retail Price: INR 2,200
Building and maintaining brand authenticity in the digital era refers to the process of creating a genuine and trustworthy brand image that resonates with customers in the online environment. With the rise of social media and digital platforms, businesses have new opportunities and challenges to establish and sustain an authentic brand presence.

In order to gain a deeper understanding, Adgully gathered a group of top marketing professionals from the industry to share their thoughts and insights at the CMOs Charcha - Kolkata Chapter 2023. The theme for the event was Brand power unlocked.

The spotlight was turned on Building and maintaining brand authenticity in the digital era. The panel discussion was chaired by Gulrez Alam, Managing Director, Teamology Softech and Media Services, and esteemed panellists included:

Bidyut Nath, Senior General Manager- Brand, Shyam Metallics and Energy

Preetha Simlai Saha, Head- ECM, West Bengal and Tata Steel Group Companies

Pulkit More, Senior Brand Manager, Engage, ITC

Sarbani Bhattacharya, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Corporate affairs and CSR Merlin Group

Commencing the discussion, Gulrez Alam asked the panellists about how we can understand brand identity.

Preetha Simlai Saha responded by stating, Brand identity is not something that can be developed or understood in a short period of time. It is built over years, and in the case of Tata Steel, it has taken 116 years to establish a strong brand identity. The core values of integrity, sustainability, and innovation play a crucial role in shaping this identity. The brands heritage and history also contribute to its identity. The perception of customers, both internal and external, is essential in creating a brand identity. Tata Steel has a customer base of over 77,000 internal stakeholders who proudly associate themselves with the Tata Steel brand. Overall, brand identity is a result of core values, heritage, history, and the perception of customers.

Replying to a question on why storytelling is important for marketing and how the audience can be targeted via multiple channels, Sandeep Shah said, When it comes to storytelling, marketers often claim to be storytellers, but storytelling is not exclusive to marketers. The first storytellers in everyones lives are usually their mothers or grandmothers. When I mention the line Yeh baat kuch hazam nahi huyi from Dabur, it may trigger memories of various stories. Hajmola, for example, has numerous stories associated with it. The key is to connect with your audience and talk about something they love. Another brand, Babool, uses the tagline Subah babool toh din tumhara and created an ad featuring people from different age groups  from an old lady with a toothache to a young child. The aim was to showcase the connection between different genres of people in one communication.

Meanwhile, speaking on building and maintaining brand authenticity through influencer collaboration, Pulkit More noted, In todays digital world, brands and influencers make a perfect match. However, focusing solely on follower count is not enough. Marketers should also consider metrics like engagement rates and the influencers content style and ability to drive conversations. Giving influencers creative freedom is crucial, as they know their audience best and can integrate brands or products in a way that resonates with their followers. Additionally, leveraging local influencers, even with fewer followers, can help build credibility in specific regions. User-generated content (UGC) is another important pillar, as it fosters authenticity and community.

More further said, Encouraging users to share testimonials or content featuring the brand can be showcased on various platforms. A brand example is Engage, which broke the clutter by inviting young writers to share micro tales of love and curating the best entries into a book. This campaign helped build a vibrant community and provided a fresh perspective on fragrances. Importantly, it was a sustainable and evolving brand asset, adapting to digital needs and themes over time.

When asked why transparent communication is important while building and maintaining brand authenticity, Sarbani Bhattacharya explained, Transparency is crucial for building brand authenticity, especially in the real estate industry, where buyers are making significant decisions. Clear and transparent communication through brochures, marketing materials, and press releases is essential to provide prospects with a true picture of the projects. Real estate companies often advertise the location of their properties as it determines the price and plays a vital role in building trust. Merlin, a trusted real estate brand, has a strong commitment to delivering on its promises for the past four decades.

Bidyut Nath pointed out that targeting the right audience is a constant challenge in marketing. He said, It requires research, innovation, and customisation to effectively communicate and resonate with your target audience. Whether its a visual advertisement or any form of visual communication, it is important to consider what elements would appeal to the specific audience you are targeting. This process requires continuous research and staying ahead of trends. The key is customisation, as different segments such as B2B, B2C, and influencers have varying preferences and needs. The communication provided to primary consumers, distributors, and secondary players should be tailored to their specific interests and requirements. In the digital era, customisation is even more crucial, as every post or message needs to connect with the target audience. Failure to do so can result in missed opportunities and wasted efforts. Therefore, it is essential to prioritise innovation, customization, and ongoing research to succeed in effectively reaching and engaging the desired audience.

These are edited excerpts. For the complete conversation, please watch below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmYRLqopvKg
Salud is a global urban lifestyle brand that is redefining the drinking experience. With a strong emphasis on quality, affordability and sustainability, Salud offers innovative products in the spirit-based Ready-to-Drink (RTD) category. Seamlessly blending tradition and modernity, Salud delivers a fashionable lifestyle that resonates with consumers worldwide. From its internationally award-winning Cusp and Bitters to its refreshing RTD offerings, Saluds diverse products cater to the evolving preferences of consumers.

Ajay Shetty, founder and CEO of Salud Beverages, had started out as a banker. However, he decided to leave his banking career and pursue his passion for entrepreneurship. The motivation behind this shift came from his experience of moving to India and witnessing the changing Alco-Bev landscape. He recognised the potential in the market and felt inspired to make a meaningful impact.

Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Shetty had already embarked on one previous entrepreneurial venture. In 2011, he made a significant leap from the banking industry to the world of Alco-Bev industry. This experience allowed him to gain valuable insights into the entrepreneurial mindset and the intricacies of running a business.

And so, he did the whole wine business, sold it and saw huge gaps in the R&D space and thats what Salud wants to explore and grow the business  not just India, but globally.

In conversation with Adgully, Ajay Shetty, CEO, Salud Beverages, speaks about his entrepreneurial journey, the core business proposition of Salud Beverages, latest trends in the alcobev industry, challenges as well as learnings, and more.

What need gap did you want to fulfil with your start-up? What is the core business proposition?

Our idea was driven by the desire to fulfill a specific need gap in the beverage market. We identified a growing demand for natural, high-quality drinks that focused on lower sugar content and offered a low-alcohol option. Before our introduction into the market, there was a lack of options that truly met these criteria. We saw this as an opportunity to innovate and provide a unique offering that addressed these needs.

Our core business proposition was centered around crafting beverages that were natural, of superior quality, and had reduced sugar content. By prioritising these elements, we aimed to cater to health-conscious individuals who sought refreshing alternatives without compromising on taste. We wanted to create drinks that could be enjoyed by all, and we focused on ensuring convenience in terms of portability. Being the first mover in this space, we are proud of our initial creation, and we continue to build upon our success across different markets.

How did you identify your TG? Did you carry out any feasibility study prior to starting your business?

Our understanding of the market and our target audience was a combination of both research and observation. We recognised that our RTDs were primarily aimed at individuals who were interested in learning, experimenting, and exploring new drink options. This led us to build a cultural community centered around our brand, attracting people who enjoyed music, embraced specific styles and clothing, and desired convenience in their drinking experiences.

Rather than solely focusing on getting drunk, our beverages were crafted to provide a good time and be enjoyed in various settings with friends. We noticed a growing trend of people hosting house parties and seeking enjoyable experiences both at home and when they were out. Our drinks proved to be versatile, whether enjoyed on their own, used as mixers in cocktails, or incorporated into other mixed drinks.

This unique ability to cater to different preferences allowed us to meet the evolving demands of our target audience. By recognising the changing landscape of socialising and understanding the desires of our consumers, we positioned ourselves as a brand that provided not only a great drink but also a sense of community and style.

What were the challenges that you faced in your start-up journey and how did you overcome them?

One of the key challenges we faced in our start-up journey was establishing a presence in a market that had limited options for natural, low-sugar, and low-alcohol beverages. We had to create awareness and gain acceptance among consumers who were accustomed to traditional offerings. To tackle this, we focused on intensive marketing and branding efforts, leveraging social media platforms and engaging with influencers to educate our target audience about the benefits of our beverages.

Another significant challenge was sourcing high-quality ingredients consistently and at scale. We formed strategic partnerships with trusted suppliers and implemented stringent quality control measures throughout our supply chain to ensure the integrity of our products. Additionally, financial constraints were a hurdle as a start-up, which we managed by carefully optimising our expenses, seeking strategic investments, and exploring collaborations and partnerships to drive growth. Throughout our journey, perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from failures were vital in overcoming these challenges. By staying dedicated to our vision, continuously improving our offerings based on customer feedback, and making strategic decisions, we successfully navigated obstacles and positioned our start-up for long-term success.

What were the clearances that you required for your venture from various authorities?

For our venture, we needed clearances from authorities to comply with regulations and ensure operational standards. This included obtaining licenses and permissions from the excise department for the production, storage, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. We also had to meet food safety regulations by obtaining clearances and certifications for food handling, hygiene, and manufacturing practices. Collaboration with testing centers was essential for product analysis and quality assurance. By working closely with government offices and meeting all necessary requirements, we established our venture while maintaining transparency and adhering to regulatory standards.

Funds/ finance is the prime issue of almost all start-ups. What can the industry and the Government do to address this issue and ease the capital requirements of start-ups?

Investment in the alcobev and urban lifestyle space is nascent, but the government can help by simplifying ease of business. Implementing better control and distribution systems, such as state-managed alcohol sales, can be beneficial. To address funding challenges in the alcobev and urban lifestyle space, industry and government must collaborate. Established companies and investors can allocate funds and provide mentorship to promising start-ups. Industry associations can organise events connecting start-ups with investors. The government should implement policies like tax incentives and streamlined funding processes. Funding programs and seed funds dedicated to the sector can offer financial assistance. Creating a conducive business environment by reducing bureaucracy and providing infrastructure support will attract more investors. A joint effort will ease capital requirements and foster growth in innovative ventures.

How is digital helping you further your business?

Digital platforms play a vital role in our business. Since traditional advertising is restricted, digital channels provide the primary means to reach our target audience across markets. We focus on engaging audiences who are of legal drinking age (LDN), which varies between 21 and 25 years in certain states. Utilising digital platforms allows us to have a branded presence and effectively communicate with our target audience, providing an essential platform to promote our products.

What have been your key learnings so far? How do you see the start-up ecosystem progressing in 2023?

Launching new products is a time-consuming process that requires careful planning and execution. Consumer opinion holds significant importance, and gathering feedback is crucial for product improvement and customer satisfaction. Being adaptable and responsive to market preferences is key, as different regions and cultures have varying flavour preferences and styles. Thus, offering multiple brands tailored to specific markets becomes essential. Building a community around the brand and nurturing brand advocates are vital for long-term success. These are some key learnings that have shaped our approach.

What would be your message for the budding entrepreneurs?

My message for budding entrepreneurs is to stay focused on your product or idea while maintaining a balanced mindset. Its important to have passion and belief in what you are working on, but also be prepared for the possibility that things may not always go as planned. Dont lose hope if you face setbacks or challenges along the way.

Persistence and hard work are key ingredients for success, but it is equally crucial to understand your target market and adapt accordingly. Learn from your experiences and use them to iterate and improve your offerings. Be open to feedback and willing to make necessary changes to meet the needs of your customers.

While being passionate about your venture, it is essential to avoid becoming overly emotional. Emotions can cloud judgment and hinder your ability to objectively evaluate your product and make necessary adjustments. Maintain a level-headed approach and be willing to pivot if needed.
Being entangled in love is one of the most challenging experiences an individual can face as they search for connection within art and culture. While the feeling of uncertainty can be distressing, films about heartbreak provide solace and help us cope with the painful aftermath of separation. With the highly anticipated romantic drama "Past Lives" releasing in theaters today, including PVR and INOX cinemas, here are five films centered around love that will leave you yearning for closure from unrequited love.

The Notebook

"The Notebook" is a captivating tale set in 1940s South Carolina, following the love story of Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling), a working-class mill worker, and Allie (Rachel McAdams), a young woman from a wealthy background. Despite their deep love for each other, Allie's parents strongly disapprove of their relationship. The onset of World War II separates the couple, seemingly bringing an end to their passionate affair. During Noah's absence, Allie becomes involved with another man (James Marsden). However, when Noah returns to their small town years later, just as Allie is about to marry, it becomes evident that their romance is far from over.

Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

The film depicts a painful breakup in which Clementine (Kate Winslet) undergoes a procedure to erase memories of her ex-boyfriend Joel (Jim Carrey) from her mind. When Joel learns about Clementine's drastic measure to forget their relationship, he decides to undergo the same procedure, gradually losing his memories of the woman he deeply loves. Directed by Michel Gondry, a former music video director, this visually stunning film delves into the complexity of relationships and the anguish of loss.

500 Days of Summer

The movie follows Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a greeting-card writer and hopeless romantic caught completely off-guard when his girlfriend, Summer (Zooey Deschanel), suddenly dumps him. He reflects on their 500 days together to try to figure out where their love affair went sour, and in doing so, Tom rediscovers his true passions in life.

Raanjhanaa

Raanjhanaa tells the story of Kundan and his childhood love, Zoya, played by Dhanush and Sonam Kapoor, respectively. Kundan tries to move on from Zoya when he discovers she is interested in someone from her community. However, things take a different turn when Kundan discovers that Zoya has lied about her fiance's religion, deeply upsetting him.

Sanam Teri Kasam

Starring Harshvardhan Rane & Mawra Hocane, Sanam Teri Kasam is a story of Saraswati's father throwing her out of the house. Inder stands with her against all odds, bringing them close to each other. However, destiny has its own plans to separate them.

Past Lives

Making her debut in direction, Celine Song has written Past Lives as well. The film revolves around Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends torn apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Decades later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront destiny, love and the choices that make a life.

~If you're a fan of romantic dramas, you don't want to miss Past Lives, releasing today and will be playing at your nearest PVR or INOX cinema. Give it a watch and reignite your passion for the genre!~
Google has appealed to the Supreme Court, claiming that the Competition Commission of India (CCI) made decisions based on unreliable statements from Amazon and Mozilla. The CCI had issued orders against Google for abusing its dominance in the Android market. Google argues that Amazon and Mozilla have their own interests and should not have been given credibility by the CCI.

The CCI's orders included several actions for Google, such as not forcing device manufacturers to pre-install a bundle of applications. Google contends that Amazon informed the CCI during the investigation that Google's restrictions hindered the development of its Android fork called Fire OS. However, Google argues that the CCI unjustly relied on Amazon's claims, as Fire OS had poor commercial performance and was not even launched in India.

Furthermore, the CCI mandated that users should be able to choose their default search engine during device setup and easily change default settings.

In a separate order on October 25, 2022, the CCI fined Google Rs 936.44 crore for its abuse of dominant position regarding Play Store policies.
RAS, formerly known as RAS Luxury Oils, has recently rebranded itself to solidify its position as a prominent Indian farm-to-face skincare brand. Initially focusing on pure, potent oils, the company has now broadened its product range to include a comprehensive selection of research-backed skincare solutions for every step of a skincare routine. The name 'RAS' is derived from the Sanskrit word meaning 'essence' and 'happiness,' reflecting the brand's commitment to extracting nature's essence to nurture and reveal the skin's healthiest and happiest form.

Since its inception in 2017, RAS has strived to address the lack of transparency in the Indian skincare industry and build consumer trust. By offering natural products infused with active botanicals that deliver tangible results, RAS aims to become a global brand from India, empowering individuals with healthy and radiant skin.

Purity, transparency, and responsibility remain the brand's core pillars. The redesigned logo, featuring a drop emerging from the letter 'A,' symbolizes the purity inherent in each of RAS's products. The brand continues to prioritize clean and effective formulations, harnessing the power of nature and the benefits of aromatherapy. RAS has always incorporated healing Indian herbs and botanicals into its blends, and the new visual identity reinforces this commitment. RAS endeavours to bridge the gap between traditional Indian beauty formulations and expensive imported products by offering locally produced blends that deliver exceptional performance. Recognizing the importance of simplifying beauty routines, RAS has developed multipurpose products that address various concerns and steps. With an expanded portfolio comprising over 85 SKUs, RAS now offers hair, skin, and body care products beyond their initial focus on face and body oils. Their exceptional quality has led to collaborations with luxury hotel chains like St. Regis and the provision of in-flight beauty kits for Vistara's premium fliers on long-haul flights.

"We are thrilled to unveil our rebranding as 'RAS' and showcase our evolution into a comprehensive skincare brand," said Shubhika Jain, Co-founder and CEO of RAS. "By offering research-backed products that prioritize purity and effectiveness, we aim to redefine the Indian skincare industry. Our commitment to clean formulations, active botanicals, and transparency remains unwavering as we continue to nurture and reveal the essence of nature for healthier and happier skin. With our new identity, we aspire to become a global brand from India, instilling confidence and adding happiness to people's lives through their skin's health."



"Embodying the principle of vertical integration, RAS oversees each stage of product development, from sourcing high-quality, naturally-grown botanicals to the formulation of final products. This allows for meticulous quality control and an unswerving commitment to authenticity. At the same time, RAS is deeply connected to its roots, consciously sourcing ingredients from their own farms along with an inhouse DSIR-approved R&D unit. With sustainability at the heart of its operations, RAS ensures that the cultivation process is devoid of growth-promoting chemicals. Moreover, their direct partnerships with farmers facilitate improved income generation, contributing to a better quality of life for these local communities."

In addition to the rebranding efforts, RAS recently trademarked the phrase 'Farm To Face' and introduced a new beauty category called Farm Fresh. This category offers seasonal and limited-edition products crafted from raw materials that would otherwise go to waste during the production of their permanent line. RAS has also secured external funding, including $2 million from Sixth Sense Ventures in 2022 and $1.5 million from Green Frontier Capital earlier this year. These investments will support RAS in expanding its physical presence, starting with the opening of its first standalone store in Raipur, the brand's hometown. Furthermore, RAS has ambitious plans for global expansion, targeting the USA and UAE in the near future.
Federal Office of Civil Aviation

Bern, 07.07.2023 - The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) have institutionalised their aviation safety cooperation in a Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA). The agreement was signed on 7 July 2023 in Bern.

The BASA serves as a framework for aviation safety cooperation between BAZL and the CAAC. It authorises both aviation authorities to define specific areas of cooperation in technical annexes. These annexes contain detailed guidelines and set out the procedures for technical cooperation. They therefore play a key role in cooperation.

FOCA and the CAAC signed the first technical annex on the same day as the BASA. The annex sets out procedures for the bilateral validation of certificates and authorisations for civil aeronautical products. The harmonised validation processes contained in the agreement will help reduce administrative duplication in the trade of aeronautical products on the Swiss and Chinese markets, while also maintaining high safety standards.

The signing of this BASA with China is the result of discussions going back to 2018. It is the second such agreement Switzerland has signed, following on from the BASA it concluded with the US.

The BASA also allows for harmonisation with the member states of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) with regard to China. This is a significant development for Swiss design and production companies working on EASA certified products.

Address for enquiries

Media contacts:

Communications FOCA, Telephone +41 58 464 72 87

Publisher

Federal Office of Civil Aviation

http://www.bazl.admin.ch




Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Vienna, 07.07.2023 - FDFA State Secretary Livia Leu took part today in the OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change, focusing on the impact of climate change on security and stability in the OSCE region. This follows State Secretary Leu's participation in the UN Security Council debate on climate security on 13 June 2023, highlighting Switzerland's commitment to addressing this critical issue.

The OSCE High-Level Conference on Climate Change in Vienna focused on the impact of climate change on security and stability in the OSCE region. Three weeks after the UN Security Council discussed the link between climate change and security from a global viewpoint, this conference approached the issue from a regional perspective.



In her address, State Secretary Leu stressed that the repercussions of climate change were being felt throughout the OSCE region. She noted that climate change acts as a risk multiplier in terms of security and stability, undermining climate change mitigation and development efforts in the longer term. In this context, the OSCE can raise political awareness of the seriousness of the security challenges posed by climate change. In the face of biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and pollution, this is more important than ever. "What we are facing is a triple planetary crisis," said State Secretary Leu.



Increased cooperation and innovation as solutions

State Secretary Leu called for closer cooperation at regional and global levels. Specifically, she proposed strengthening relations with other regional organisations such as the African Union and at the global level with the United Nations Climate Security Mechanism. She also stressed the importance of leveraging scientific expertise and new technologies. "Early warning systems are vital for taking swift action ahead of extreme events and preventing more serious consequences," said State Secretary Leu. Switzerland is particularly active in this field, notably as a major contributor to the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative, which provides a funding mechanism to assist least developed countries and small island states in developing effective early warning systems. This enables countries at risk to take swift action in advance of extreme events, and thus contributes in a concrete way to the prevention of conflicts.



Environmental impact of war in Ukraine

State Secretary Leu stressed that, in addition to the immense human suffering caused by the war in Ukraine, its environmental impact illustrates the grave ecological consequences of armed conflicts. She noted the long-term consequences of the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. This has serious implications not only for the affected region's civilian population but also for Ukraine's ability to develop climate-neutral energy systems.



Switzerland is committed to supporting Ukraine's sustainable recovery in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Lugano Principles, which were adopted at the Ukraine Recovery Conference last year as a common benchmark for the political reconstruction process.



In view of the crisis of confidence among OSCE participating states, which has been further exacerbated by the tense geopolitical situation, Switzerland remains committed to ensuring the organisation's long-term relevance as a crisis management actor in Europe. Switzerland has long viewed the OSCE as a fundamental pillar of European security, with climate change as a vitally important issue in this context.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55

E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

Bern, 07.07.2023 - The head of the FDFA, Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, has completed his official visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan from 3 to 7 July. The meetings, which were held in Almaty, Astana, Samarkand and Tashkent, focused on a number of issues of mutual interest. The visit provided an opportunity to deepen ties with both Central Asian countries.

During the official meetings in Astana and Tashkent, talks focused on bilateral relations with Switzerland, the regional and global context, cooperation in multilateral forums, and transboundary water management. Meetings with local Swiss companies were also organised.



The region's strategic importance on the world stage has increased since Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.



Political talks and honorary consulate opening in Kazakhstan

Mr Cassis' visit to Kazakhstan has helped to deepen bilateral ties with Switzerland, particularly in the economic sphere. He also led the celebrations for the reopening of the honorary consulate in Almaty on 4 July, in the presence of the Kazakh authorities, the new honorary consul and representatives of local Swiss companies. Almaty is Kazakhstan's commercial capital and home to most of the Swiss companies operating in the country. As a member of Switzerland's voting group in the Bretton Woods institutions, Kazakhstan maintains regular contacts with the Swiss Confederation.



On his visit to Astana the following day, Mr Cassis first met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, followed by a press conference. He then met with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the Presidential Palace, where talks focused on the geopolitical situation, the challenges facing the region, and its prospects for the future.



Meetings with Uzbek government representatives

On 6 July, Mr Cassis visited the water management projects in Samarkand run by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). He was given a first-hand insight into the progress being made in water infrastructure and digitising the management of water resources.



The following day in Tashkent, Mr Cassis met with Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Kuchkarov, Water Resources Minister Shavkat Khamraev and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov. During his discussions with Mr Kuchkarov, Mr Cassis gave an initial assessment of the implementation of the agreement on the restitution of illicitly acquired assets signed in Bern on 16 August 2022.



Transboundary water management at heart of discussions in both countries

Regional water management was another important item on the agenda. In 2014, Switzerland launched the Blue Peace Central Asia initiative to foster dialogue and cooperation between the regions states against the backdrop of growing competition for water resources. Switzerlands support and expertise includes irrigation management, digitising water allocation management, as well as national and transboundary water governance. The aim is to better manage the region's water resources and reduce tensions between the various users, both at regional and national level. Both the Kazakh and Uzbek governments have embarked on major water sector reforms that have enhanced their national water policies.



Mr Cassis was accompanied by National Councillors Greta Gysin (Green party/Ticino), Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter (The Centre/Basel) and Christian Wasserfallen (FDP/Bern). The delegation will continue its regional visit tomorrow in Pakistan.

Address for enquiries

FDFA Communication

Nicolas Bideau

Head of FDFA Communication

Tel. +41 79 667 69 15

E-mail: nicolas.bideau@eda.admin.ch

Federal Palace West Wing

CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland

Twitter: @SwissMFA

Publisher

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark.

While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi was already facing 10 criminal cases across India, adding that the order of the lower court was just, proper and legal in handing over a two year jail term to Gandhi for his remarks.

There was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction, the high court said. After the verdict, the Congress party said it would challenge the high court order in the Supreme Court. A stay on Gandhis conviction in the case would have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.

He (Gandhi) was trying to stay the conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that staying of conviction is not a rule, but an exception, resorted only in rare cases. Disqualification is not only limited to MP, MLAs. Moreover, as many as 10 criminal cases are pending against the applicant, the HC said.

After this complaint, another complaint was filed in a court in Pune by the grandson of Veer Savarkar for Gandhis defamatory utterance against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. Another complaint against him was filed in the concerned court of Lucknow, it said. In this backdrop, refusal of stay on conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant, the judge said.

Impugned order passed by the appellate court is just, proper and legal, and does not call for any interference. However, it is hereby requested by the concerned learned district judge to decide the criminal appeal on its own merits and in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible.

In view of the above, the present criminal revision application deserved to be dismissed and accordingly it is dismissed, the judge while reading the order.

While noting that there was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction at this stage, Justice Prachchhak also directed the district and sessions court of Surat to hear Gandhis appeal against the conviction as expeditiously as possible. Unhappy with the high courts verdict, Congress Legislative Party leader in Gujarat Assembly, Amit Chavda, told reporters that the party will challenge the high court order in the apex court.

A metropolitan magistrates court in Surat on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019, was disqualified as a Member of Parliament (MP) under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat, which is still pending, along with an application seeking a stay to the conviction. While granting him bail, the sessions court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction, following which, he had knocked the doors of HC.

BJP MLA and former minister in Gujarat government Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname? remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

During an earlier hearing on April 29 in the court of Justice Prachchhak, Gandhis lawyer had argued that a maximum punishment of two years for a bailable, non-cognisable offence meant he could lose his Lok Sabha seat permanently and irreversibly, which was a very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Hague rejected on Thursday Indias objections to a Pakistan-initiated procedure over water use in the Indus River basin, reopening a procedure that had been blocked for many years.

India called the arbitration proceeding illegal as a neutral expert was also looking at the issue and the World Bank-brokered treaty prohibits parallel proceedings. The South Asian neighbours have been arguing over hydroelectric projects on the shared Indus River and its tributaries for decades, with Pakistan complaining that Indias planned hydropower dams in upstream areas will cut flows on the river which feeds 80% of its irrigated agriculture.

To resolve the dispute, Pakistan sought resolution through PCA arbitration proceedings in 2016, prompting India to request that the World Bank appoint a neutral expert under the terms of the treaty. India has boycotted The Hague court proceedings and questioned the competence of the court. In a unanimous decision, which is binding on the Parties and without appeal, the Court rejected each of the objections raised by India and determined that the Court is competent to consider and determine the disputes set forth in Pakistans Request for Arbitration, the court said in a statement.

It gave no details on when and how the case will continue, but added that it will address the interpretation and application of the bilateral Indus Water Treaty, notably the provisions on hydro-electric projects, as well as the legal effect of past decisions of dispute resolution bodies under the Treaty. A spokesperson for Indias foreign ministry, Arindam Bagchi, said Indias consistent and principled position has been that the constitution of this so-called court of arbitration is in contravention of the clear letter and spirit of the Indus Water Treaty.

He said India was participating in the proceedings of the neutral expert, which he called the only treaty-consistent proceedings at this juncture. Legal sophistry will not compel India to participate in the proceedings of the PCA, Bagchi said.

India says the construction of its Kishanganga and Ratle Hydro Electric projects is allowed by the treaty. Pakistans Foreign Office said that it remained fully committed to the implementation of the Indus Water Treaty and its settlement mechanism, which it termed a foundational agreement between the two countries.

We hope that India would also implement the Treaty in good faith, Foreign Office spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said in a statement on Thursday night.
A major rebellion in Maharashtra politics began with Sharad Pawar in 1999, after the 12th Lok Sabha was dissolved and elections to the 13th Lok Sabha were called. Pawar, P. A. Sangma, and Tariq Anwar demanded that the party propose someone native-born as the prime ministerial candidate and not the Italian-born Sonia Gandhi, who had entered party politics and replaced Kesri as Congress president. That was when Pawar and Sangma founded the Nationalist Congress Party in June 1999.

Despite the falling out, the new party aligned with the Congress party to form a coalition government in Maharashtra after the 1999 state assembly elections to prevent the Shiv Sena-BJP combine from returning to power. Pawar, however, did not return to state politics, and Vilasrao Deshmukh of the Congress was chosen as chief minister, with Chagan Bhujbal representing the NCP as deputy chief minister. Many stalwarts of the Congress rebelled and joined Pawars NCP. That incident was a big jolt for the then-ruling party. Those days, Pawar succeeded in breaking Congress; now his nephew Ajit has given him back in the same way.

Very strategically and without any hint, eight MLAs, including Ajit Pawar, took oath as ministers in the Shinde-Fadnavis government after a split in the NCP. After that, Sharad Pawar suspended all the main leaders of the Ajit Pawar group from their positions in the party. After that, Ajit Pawars group directly sued the NCP itself. A total of 32 MLAs show their support to Ajit; tomorrow, if a few more join his camp, he can retain both his name and symbol. Ajit Pawars group needs three to four more MLAs to escape the action of the Defection Act. Therefore, if MLAs Rajesh Tope, Sunil Bhusara, and Chetan Tupe join the Ajit Pawar group, it will be a big political blow to the NCP. Due to this, the political movement in Mumbai between the NCP and the Ajit Pawar group has gained momentum.

The general sentiment is that a few months down the line, the frictions will only increase and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will eventually attempt to lead the government. Shindes self-boasting advertisement claiming that he is the most popular leader has not gone well with the BJP; Ajit and other leaders induction into the party may damage Shindes prospects. In a meeting held at Varsha bungalow, many of his MLAs expressed their disappointment openly; a few of them even quarreled with each other. The development in Maharashtra seems very interesting. Ajit Pawar reported having the support of exactly 40 MLAs, which Eknath Shinde had when he joined hands with the BJP. Just think that Shinde and Ajit Pawar are both part of the government in Maharashtra; it will be more of the government of the Shiv Sena and NCP. It could be possible that 40 or so MLAs in Congress will also be bought over. This means there will be no opposition in Maharashtra.

Not bad; perhaps we are heading towards One India, One Party, then possibly One India, Lifetime PM. I wonder what Shinde will do if the BJP offers the CM post to Ajit Pawar in the future. The BJP seems very desperate to save its prospects in 2024. Meanwhile, the PM wants a huge number of MPs in his camp, looking at the 2024 elections. Moreover, Devendra has not forgotten the betrayal and humiliation caused to him by Uddhav Thackrey and Pawar. After serving for five days as Chief Minister during the 2019 Maharashtra political crisis, he had to resign on November 28, 2019.

In 1978, Sharad Pawar ran the rainbow coalition comprising the Janata Party and the Peasants Workers Party, which lasted less than two years. Incidentally, he is trying to forge a similar alliance in the state by joining hands with the Congress and the Shiv Sena. Now Ajit Pawar breaking the NCP is seen as Sharad Pawars master plan, and his nephew is a pawn in his hand.

When Ajit Pawar was made Deputy Chief Minister on Saturday morning, only to be snubbed by Sharad Pawar, who said the decision to support the BJP was not supported by him and was his nephews personal one, In fact, Sharad Pawars decision in 1978 to establish his own party and run it for a decade earned him the unofficial title of strongman in political circles. Sharad Pawar wrote in his book On My Terms that the poll reverses the 1977 post-Emergency anti-Indira Gandhi wave that shocked many in the state and the country. VN Gadgil lost on a Congress ticket in Baramati, the home turf of the Pawars.

In January 1978, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi split the Congress, forming the Congress (Indira) to take on the parent organization, the Congress (S), headed by Sardar Swarn Singh, in the state elections. Sharad Pawar stayed with the Congress (S) and his mentor, Yashwantrao Chavan. In the assembly polls held a month later, the Congress (S) won 69 seats as against 65 for the Congress (I). The Janata Party won 99 seats. However, no party got a full majority. The two factions of the Congress got together to form the government, headed by Vasantdada Patil from the Congress (S) and Nashikrao Tirpude from the Congress (I) as the deputy Chief minister. However, the bickering between the two Congress factions continued, which made it difficult to run the government. Sharad Pawar decided to quit. His relations with Janata Party president Chandrashekar helped him. Sharad Pawar walked out with 38 Congress MLAs to form a new government called the Samantar Congress (Parallel Congress). He then became the youngest chief minister of the state at the age of 38. However, with the return of Indira Gandhi to power in 1980, his government was dismissed.

Now Ajit Pawars joining the Maharashtra government as the deputy chief minister shocked everyone in the state, including many MLAs of the Eknath Shinde faction, who once again find themselves in the exact dilemma they faced in 2019 when Uddhav Thackeray decided to ally with the NCP and the Congress. There are many concerns that have created unrest in the Shinde camp. The loss of monopoly as the only party the BJP could rely upon to stay in power led NCP leaders to be inducted into the state government, while the expansion of the Shinde-Fadnavis cabinet was long due to incorporating many from the Sena who were promised berths last year. Dilemma over joining hands with those they were wrestling with even while being in the MVA Having to make more compromises than promised when it comes to sharing seats in the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections scheduled for 2024. Fear that Ajit Pawar will meddle and interfere to create hurdles for them like he allegedly did in the MVA government.
The Japanese steakhouse in the Florida Panhandle where seven customers were poisoned when someone laced their food with narcotics has announced it will be closing its doors permanently.

The owners of embattled Nikkos Japanese Steakhouse in Pace, Fla., announced the restaurants closure in a lengthy Facebook post Friday in which they claimed they were brutally harassed by the media and the power of social media had been the restaurants undoing.

Today, a family owned and operated business is closed, 20 employees are out of work, all because of the power of social media, the post read in part.

We are heartbroken, but were unable to sustain the cost to stay open, when it seemed that every day, a local news outlet wanted to find something else to report on. We have had the news at our place of business, called on our phones and have been harassed at our personal homes, its all just been too much.

On June 9, seven people who had eaten at the Pace, Fla., restaurant ended up in local hospitals, where testing confirmed all seven had ingested a narcotic, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriffs Office.

Additionally, an attorney for three of the victims said his clients had each tested positive for methamphetamine after eating at the restaurant.

Sheriffs investigators would ultimately close the investigation, citing a lack of evidence.

In the wake of the incident, inspectors with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation found 31 health violations over the course of two inspections.
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Demopolis High School senior English teacher Rachel White set a goal at the start of the school year that all of her Advanced Placement English literature students would earn a qualifying score - a 3, 4 or 5 - on the exam.

When scores from the May AP exam were released July 5, Whites eyes filled with tears as she saw that her students met what she later described as a ridiculous goal: 100% of her students earned a qualifying score.

There are no words to describe how proud I am of my AP Lit studentsbut Ill try my hand at it anyway, she wrote on Facebook. The course offers college-level rigor, and in many colleges, a qualifying score equals college credit, saving thousands of dollars in college tuition.

Over the course of the year, White continued, I watched them stretch their analytical limits and blossom into poetry experts and brilliant writers. We honed our strengths and polished our weaknesses. We discussed works and critiqued each other. They pushed themselves in new ways and absolutely blew me away.

AP Executive Trevor Packer tweeted results of AP exams by subject in June. In total, 77% of students who took the AP Lit exam earned a qualifying score.

Some students pushed back when she told them about her goal, White said. Some pointed out that it would only take one student to thwart the goal.

But White had faith and a plan. She told them they were a small group so conferences and one-on-one learning would be easier. Were going to make a plan for each individual person of how theyre going to qualify for this test.

The class was smaller than usual, 12 students versus 30 and 40 in previous years, White said, and that allowed her to spend more time with each student during class period. We were like a little family in there.

AP classes were available in 237 public and 45 private schools in Alabama according to information from the College Board, which administers the Advanced Placement program.

While the 2022-23 school year information isnt out yet, statewide, out of 46,950 graduates in the Class of 2022, 12,950, or 28%, took at least one AP exam during high school and 6,356 or 13.5% earned a qualifying score. Nationally, 22% of graduates in the class of 2022 earned a qualifying score.

The number of students taking AP courses statewide is not provided by the College Board.

AP Lit is one of nine AP courses available for students at the high school. If students pass five AP courses during high school, students earn an AP endorsement on their high school diploma.

She just completed her fourth year teaching AP Lit. White started teaching in 2009 in Pell City, and when her family moved to Demopolis in 2017, she taught for one year at Greensboro High School. In 2018, White started teaching English at Demopolis High School and became the AP Lit teacher in 2019. Along with AP Literature, she teaches senior English classes.

It just really made me so proud and so proud for them that they have this accomplishment under their belts, White said. And now they all know that they can do this.
Hot dogs make summer sizzle, and people in Alabama know exactly where to find the best dogs in the state -- aside from their own backyard grills, of course.

Readers were only too happy to point to their favorite places, when asked to do so by AL.com on social media. They relished telling us about the fabulous joints we missed in our lists of the best hot dogs in Birmingham, Huntsville, Mobile and statewide.

There was plenty of agreement, too, as hot dog fans chimed in to praise legendary joints that we also lauded as Bamas Best. Now were ready to travel across Alabama, stuffing frankfurter sandwiches into our faces with gusto. And we dont need some national Fourth of July hot dog contest to inspire the trip. We have reader tips for that. Thanks, folks!

Now, on to your tasty picks.

MORE: Alabamas best burger: Readers cant believe we missed these

Fans have lauded the congenial staff at Mrs. Story's Dairy Bar in Opelika. On its website, the Auburn-Opelika Tourism bureau touts Mrs. Storys for its family-friendly atmosphere and the freshest fast food in the area.(Courtesy of Auburn-Opelika Tourism)

TOP DOGS WE MISSED

One spot that should not be overlooked, according to readers, is The Chicago Cafe in Florence. A big bunch of recommendations came in for the restaurant on E. Mobile Street, which offers 100% natural, Black Angus beef dogs and locally sourced bratwurst with a multitude of house made toppings, according to its website. (My favorite. Chicago dogs, Cuban dogs. So much good stuff, one reader said.)

After looking at the enticing menu for The Chicago Cafe, were more than ready to try Da Dirty Dog (with barbecue sauce, toasted cheddar cheese and grilled onions), The Sweet-Heat Dog (with house sriracha mayo, house-made banana peppers and Cajun spices) or The Italian Dog (with pesto sauce, toasted. mozzarella cheese and Italian spices). Best of all, this place stays open daily into the wee hours, to satisfy late-night munchies

Another joint that earned multiple raves from readers is Mrs. Storys Dairy Bar in Opelika. Its been an institution in Lee County for more than six decades, serving chili dogs, milkshakes, sundaes, ice-cream cones and more. Mrs. Storys shut down temporarily during COVID, but fans can get their fix again at at 1900 Pepperell Parkway. (I moved away in the 80s but I still think about their chili dog, one fan said via Instagram.)

If you ever see me eating a chili cheese dog off the hood of my truck, feel free to give me a honk and a wave, Mark Jenkins said via Facebook, praising Mrs. Storys fare. I may not respond. I may be in the zone.

Drenched in a secret sauce thats been in the family since day one, Chris Famous Hotdogs have become a Montgomery tradition.(AL.com file photo)

FAMILIAR FAVORITES

We love em. You love em. Readers echoed many of AL.coms picks for the juiciest, most flavorful hot dogs in the state, including the No. 1 pick for Alabama: Chris Famous Hotdogs in Montgomery. Chris Hot Dogs down in the Gumptown!! Make sure you get em all the way, one reader said. Chris Hot Dogs in Montgomery, AL, is by the best Hotdog I have ever had, another reader raved. My hubby and I would drive down from Calera AL just to eat at their place!

Other joints that really hit the spot, for us and for readers, include Guss Hot Dogs in Birmingham, Tonys Hot Dogs in Pelham, the Dew Drop Inn in Mobile, Sams Super Samwiches in Homewood, Als Hot Dogs & Other Fine Foods in Mobile, the New South Hot Dog & Sushi food truck in Huntsville, Paynes Sandwich Shop & Soda Fountain in Scottsboro and Bunyans Bar-B-Q in Florence. (Slaw dogs are crack, one reader said of Bunyans.)

Devotees of Guss Hot Dogs, in particular, were quick to pay homage online. Guss, our No. 2 pick statewide, is an old-school hot dog joint founded in 1947. I been going to Guss since 1975 and Ill be going to one of us is gone, one fan said via Facebook. Those things are addictive, Judy Badger said. Their slaw dogs are delicious.

READ: Alabamas best hot dogs: Our Top 10

Hot dogs at Shaggys Burgers and Tacos in Huntsville.(Courtesy of Shaggy's Burgers and Tacos)

NORTH ALABAMA

Readers heaped praise on several hot dog joints in North Alabama, including several mentions for the Wildwood Tavern in Florence. Their motto is Keep Florence funky. The creative menu includes The Korean BBQ Dog, The Pie Dog, The Rasta Dog and The Beer Fest Dog. Some may consider it heresy, but the Wildwood Tavern serves veggie dogs, too.

(Note: The Wildwood Tavern, next-door to The Chicago Cafe on E. Mobile Street, has a separate storefront from The Chicago Cafe. The two share a kitchen and have the same owners, but they have different menus, brands, hours, addresses, etc. Readers like em both, however! Hot dogs are what we do at our places! says Tyler Ross, one of the owners.)

Other reader favorites in North Alabama include Shaggys Burgers and Tacos in Huntsville, Sparkys Drive-In in Tuscumbia, Downtown Dawgs in Decatur and Pico de Gallo House in Albertville. Some folks lauded Weiner Von Brauns hot dog cart, which appears to be a new addition to the food scene in Huntsville. Hey, who could resist a name like that?

MORE: Huntsvilles best hot dogs: Our Top 5

Grumpy Dog, a popular hot dog stand, can be found at 200 E. Bridge St. in Wetumpka, Alabama.(Courtesy of Andrea Dorais)

CENTRAL ALABAMA

Central Alabama is hot dog heaven, according to readers, and while they liked our picks, they were quick to chime in with other favorites. Grumpy Dog in Wetumpka has plenty of admirers, for example, and folks also pointed to Pops Neighborhood Grill in Birmingham. Bacon Slaw Dog is the best hot dog in the southeast, Billy Autrey said on Instagram, giving Pops a shout-out.

Other crave-worthy spots, readers said, are The Hidden Grill in Phenix City, Alabama Stackers in Jasper, Debs Hot Dogs in Bessemer, Pauls Hot Dogs in Clay, Jennys Sandwich Shop in Bessemer, Lolos BBQ & Hotdogs in Fultondale, Kicken Cowboy Hotdogs & Catering in Warrior and Maddogs Grill in Clanton.

Best hot dogs in Alabama are from an old, local place in Phenix City, Alabama, the 14th Street Grill, one fan said.

Whiskey Foxtrot Burger Dive received an enthusiastic thumbs up, as well. Best kept secret: Whiskey Foxtrot Burger Dive in Hoover, a reader said, Folks initially go for the burger experience. But try one of the gourmet hot dogs and you may become a convert! After that endorsement, were ready to sample the Chili Ray Cyrus, which boasts an all-beef frank, chili, cheese sauce and chopped yellow onions, served on a Hawaiian roll.

MORE: Birminghams best hot dogs: Our Top 5

The Wacked Out Weiner along Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, Ala. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

SOUTH ALABAMA

South Alabama is no slouch when it comes to hot dogs, and readers mostly agreed with the picks in our top 10 list, as well as the notables listed by Lawrence Specker of AL.com. They added a few favorites, however, such as The Wacked Out Weiner in Gulf Shores, Honeys Hotdogs in Dothan, Bentons in Opp and Dobbs Famous Bar-B-Que in Dothan. Hands down, the best anywhere, one reader said about the dogs at Dobbs. I was born in Dothan and we moved to Decatur on 1974, Jamie Smith said on Facebook. Anytime I ever go back I have to eat there and get at least three. I wish I knew how they make that chili.

MORE: Mobiles best hot dogs: Our Top 5

More on Alabamas Best food:

Alabamas best barbecue: Our Top 10

Alabamas best burgers: Our Top 10

Alabamas best pizza: Our Top 10

Alabamas best ice cream: Our top 10
The older brother of a 4-year-old girl shot in Fultondale earlier this week has been charged in connection with the incident.

Fultondale police are searching for 21-year-old Jaylon Lewis. He is charged with second-degree assault and unlawful possession of marijuana.

Police officials said the girl was shot due to the reckless actions of her brother.

Police and fire medics were dispatched shortly after 12:30 p.m. Wednesday to Chapel Creek Apartments on a report of a child shot.

Police Chief Marcel Walker said when officers arrived, the little girls mother was applying pressure to the childs leg wound. The bullet had gone in and out of the girls leg.

The child was taken to Childrens of Alabama. Walker said her injuries werent life-threatening.

The mother told police the girl was in a room and accidentally shot herself, Walker said.

Three people were at the home when police arrived. A fourth - Lewis - had left before officers got on the scene, the chief said.

Officers found marijuana in the room Lewis shared with his little sister.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to all Fultondale police at 205-849-5456.
The rafting guides already have nicknames for the rapids at Montgomery Whitewater park, which is holding its grand opening this weekend.

Those include Sweet Caroline, waves that make a sound like the distinctive bah-bah-bah in the chorus of the Neil Diamond classic. Theres Curly, Larry, and Moe. And theres Baptism.

Rafting Operations Manager Anthony Lopez said those are among the most challenging waves in Montgomery Whitewaters Competition Channel, which has Class IV rapids.

All three of those sections are pretty similar in scale, Lopez said. None of these names are 100 percent definite if someone comes up with a better name. But if you talk to the raft guides, thats what they would call it.

Montgomery Whitewaters other waterway, the 2,200-foot Adventure Channel, is more laid-back, with Class II rapids. Both channels offer rafting and kayaking.

The park opened Friday with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, and other public officials speaking at a ceremony and cutting a ribbon.

The grand opening continues through Sunday. There is plenty to enjoy in the 120-acre park in addition to the whitewater activities. Theres a restaurant, an outdoor bar, walkways, yoga, and vendors. There will be live music Friday night.

Admission to the park is free, but there will be a $10 parking fee this weekend. There are fees for the rafting and kayaking. The park is next to Maxwell Air Force Base and about a mile from downtown.

This park will have a transformational impact on the quality of life right here in the River Region, Sewell said.

This is a great day for Montgomery, its a great day for the River Region and its a great day for Alabama, Reed said.

The park cost about $90 million to build, according to the Montgomery Advertiser, and created about 120 jobs.

Linda Holmes of Montgomery saw it for the first time Friday.

Its more than what I expected it to be, Holmes said. And its beautiful. Im proud of the city for doing this. I think its much needed. And people I believe will come once they find out. Youve got music out here and all kinds of space where the kids can come. Its a no-brainer. Its just nice. I love it. I absolutely love it.

Holmes said she has no plans to try rafting. But she said families will enjoy the park even if they do not do the whitewater rides.

I wont because I cant swim, she said. If I could swim Id be rafting away. I really would. Im just excited that our city has decided to do this.

Lopez said he has worked at whitewater parks in Auckland, New Zealand, Charlotte, N.C., and Oklahoma.

This one is world class, Lopez said.

Lopez believes the park has the right mix of activities and atmosphere.

The model of whitewater, live music, and beer, that business model, people love those things, Lopez said. People love being around the water. Theres something magnetic about it.

And having that combination, that business model, will definitely draw people. It might take a minute for them to find it. But once they find it, I think theyll fall in love with it.

He said raft rides take about 90 minutes, including the safety instructions and other preparations, with a full hour on the water. The rafts can carry up to six people, not counting the guide. Every raft has a guide. Lopez said guides are needed because of the complicated currents and eddies.

If youre in a raft and you get caught in a hard eddy, youre not going to be able to get out if you dont have a guide telling you how to do it, Lopez said.

But the others in the raft are not just passengers.

Youre not sitting, youre paddling, Lopez said. So the guide is controlling his crew, telling them when to paddle, when not to paddle. Telling when theres dangerous spots.

Anthony Lopez, rafting operations manager at Montgomery Whitewater, said the rafting guides have nicknames for some of the rapids. (Mike Cason/mcason@al.com)

Although Montgomery Whitewater is now open, the project is not finished. More activities are planned as part of another phase of development. That is expected to include rock climbing, mountain biking, rope courses, and access to the Alabama River for kayaking and paddle boarding. An on-site hotel and retail stores are also planned, according to Montgomery Whitewater.

Funding for the the park, including the taxpayers share, has not been without controversy, party because of rising costs. When the park was announced in 2019, the estimated cost was $50 million. Construction began two years ago.

This year, Gov. Kay Ivey proposed allocating $25 million of a $2 billion education budget surplus to the Montgomery County Commission for the project. The Legislature did not approve that but did allocate $5 million from the state General Fund to the county commission for Montgomery Whitewater.

We can all stand up here and smile today but it hasnt been all smiles, Montgomery Mayor Reed said during todays program. Thats the nature of progress. Progress is pushing forward. It is never just one straight line. It takes some hills and valleys.
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This is an opinion column.

It ought to be stunning that Alabamas contract review committee on Thursday reapproved 26 deals paying up to $14.9 million to one lawyer  Bill Lunsford  to defend the states disgraceful prison system.

Oughta be.

Then again it ought to be stunning to see the state prepare to spend $975 million  pretty much a billion  to build a single prison in Elmore County.

Oughta be.

It ought to be shocking that deaths in Alabama prisons are so common the DOC changed the way it catalogs them. It ought to shock us that even Jeff Sessions Justice Department called them a constitutional nightmare of death, rape, cruelty and ineptitude, that inmates are regularly held for ransom, their families extorted for money in exchange for their safety. It ought to be shocking how Alabama prisons are woefully overcrowded at the same time paroles have all but dried up.

It really, really oughta be.

Lunsford will earn up to $9.9 million over two years on a single case  USA vs Alabama  that claims Alabamas prisons violate the 8th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, fail to provide safe conditions and cant protect inmates from each other or from guards. He also has 25 other two-year contracts capped at $200,000 each. The Alabama Joint Contract Review Committee reissued all these contracts -- dating from 2018 forward -- to Lunsford after he changed law firms.

But if dollar figures and government reports dont move you, look at the people Lunsford  a fine lawyer, I am told  is being paid to pummel in court. These are from some of the cases youre paying to defend.

Jamie Prim was a non-violent drug offender who was fortunate enough to be granted parole. But he died of a brutal beating in 2018 before he could be released.

Mr. Prim was released from prison to a funeral home rather than his family and freedom, the lawsuit says.

RELATED: Black men less likely to get paroled

Another claims that in April of 2018, in Ventress Correctional Facility, a sergeant handcuffed inmate Daniel Beatys hands behind his back and beat him while two other guards watched.

The correctional officer struck him, from behind, breaking his jaw in two places, sending a large portion of his jawbone between his teeth, and spraying blood all over the wall, the lawsuit says.

Another claims an inmate was raped at Ventress with full knowledge of the staff. The prison had filled only 30 percent of the correctional officer positions  yet the inmate population at Ventress was nearly double that which the facility was designed to house, according to the suit.

A suit by Troy Connell contends he witnessed a guard beating another inmate at Donaldson Correctional Facility, and was called to testify at a hearing about what he saw. He answered questions, and was later beaten by a guard for it.

A correctional officer named Big G told Connell that Connell would leave Donaldson in a body bag carried out the back gate, the suit says.

Frankie Johnson claims he was repeatedly assaulted at St. Clair and Donaldson, where he was stabbed nine times in 2019 by a group of inmates. The next year he was attacked again, according to his suit.

While restrained in shackles and handcuffs during a therapy session, Mr. Johnson suffered a second attack at Donaldson, when he was stabbed repeatedly by another prisoner, it said.

Aundra Boykins claims in another suit he was stabbed 12 times by an inmate in St. Clair Correctional Facility who got to him because a guard was asleep at his post. When the guard woke up he did not try to break up the assault, according to the suit.

Inmate Steven Mullins reported to guards he had been sexually assaulted at knifepoint, but the guards didnt confiscate the knife or try to protect him. Mullins was killed because of the guards deliberate indifference, according to the suit.

On and on they go, one after the shameful next. And these are just the tip of them. One inmates family claims he was beaten and left to die in Bullock Correctional Facility as prison staff simply watched or ignored the violent acts taking place.

Men claim they were attacked, and others died at St. Clair, where mismanagement, poor leadership, overcrowding, inadequate security, and unsafe conditions, including broken and nonfunctioning locks on the majority of cell doors, have led to an extraordinarily high homicide rate, weekly stabbings and assaults, and a culture where violence is tolerated.

Another suit argues that unchecked corruption contributes to rampant prisoner-on-prisoner violence, as correctional officers regularly smuggle in contraband for prisoners, enable attacks on enemies of prisoners with whom they have dealings, and fail to adequately report or discipline prisoners that commit attacks on other prisoners.

Alabama pays  you pay  to defend these suits. As Rep. Chris England, a member of the contract review committee, put it Thursday, the escalating legal fees at this rate will stretch to tens of millions or more, and the problems in prisons will remain. Alabama prisons are inarguably problematic, and lawyers get rich.

Mr. Lunsford is basically a government agency at this point, he said.

It really ought to shock us. The money. The inhumanity. The indifference. The fact that we must regularly defend these atrocities from the injured, from the families of the dead, from the federal government and from our own ailing consciences.

Maybe thats the most shocking thing of all. That we have grown so used to our states lack of conscience that it doesnt shock us at all.

John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner at AL.com.
Macon, Ga. is about 188 miles from the Alabama state line, but that meant nothing to whoever installed a billboard in the city, squarely in the center of the Peach State.

The advertisement, on Macons Gray Highway, read Tastes Like Miller Time, Alabama, with a can of Miller Lite snug within the outline of Georgias nearest neighbor to the west.

The sight might have made a few Georgia drivers believe theyd gotten horribly lost, or perhaps theyd had a few too many of the product being advertised.

The billboard, which obviously made a wrong turn in Andalusia, was taken down earlier today.

Someone needs to get a slap on the hand for that one, said one observer. Thats just ridiculous.

According to WMAZ, Briana Taylor, an employee at a neighboring business, Fountain Express Car Wash, said she watched the sign go up.

I was looking at it because Im amazed at stuff like that, Taylor said, who tried to explain what happened. Maybe just to boost their sales. People look at it and say, ooh thats funny. You know, they might go get some they see the sign, and they thought it was funny.
The Alabama Securities Commission is warning consumers about a cryptocurrency scam that it says has already fleeced 88 victims, with an estimated loss of more than $22.5 million.

Called pig butchering, the fraud convinces a victim of big investment returns through unregistered securities and then lures them into sinking in more funds to acquire those returns.

The scam is called pig butchering because the fraudster continually feeds you information as they fatten the victims with excitement and the promises of great investment returns, ASC Director Amanda Senn said.

The best way to protect yourself from this investment scam is to never give out personal or financial information to strangers, especially when they contact you first.

As a result, the ASC has issued a cease-and-desist order against BATCIPE.VIP, BATCNAP.VIP, James Yeh and Kenju Go for offering unregistered securities.

Heres how the scam works: The fraudster uses stock photos of an attractive person to entice potential investors.

Once the victim responds to the message, the con artist casually mentions their wealth and cryptocurrency. When the user takes an interest in crypto investing, the victim will be instructed to deposit funds, and falsified returns will be shown on their account.

When the victim attempts to withdraw their money, they are typically told to deposit additional funds or that they must pay certain taxes or fees. Once the fees are deposited, the funds and fraudster are gone.

An Alabama investor told the ASC that they purchased cryptocurrency from a registered exchange and then sent cryptocurrency to what they believed to be trading websites.

The transaction came after the investor was contacted through a dating website. After the conversation moved to WhatsApp, the investor was instructed to purchase cryptocurrency through a registered cryptocurrency exchange.

Then, according to the ASC, the investor sent cryptocurrency to what they believed to be a cryptocurrency trading website named BATCNAP.

The investor created what they believed to be a trading account for the platform. After depositing money into their account, the investor was allowed to withdraw a small amount from the unregistered platform, which was enough to make the investor trust it.

The BATCNAP platform soon became inoperable, and the investor was then directed to another unregistered cryptocurrency platform called BATCIPE.

The Alabama investor deposited more than $725,000 in about 34 days into the unregistered platforms and was provided account information showing that the account had grown to more than $7.5 million dollars.

The Alabama investor then attempted to make a larger withdrawal and was directed to customer service and was informed that they owed more than $775,000 in personal income tax, to be paid with additional cryptocurrency.

An ASC investigation determined that there were approximately 948 websites created by Yeh and Go.

For more information, call the ASC at 1-800-222-1253 and ask for the registration department to check out persons offering investment opportunities, investment advice for a fee and any products they offer.
A Pennsylvania woman, charged along with her mother in the 2021 murder of an Alabama woman, is scheduled for an extradition hearing today in the Crawford County Judicial Center.

Jessie Eden Kelly, 21, is wanted in connection to the death of Mary Elizabeth Isbell, who authorities say was pushed off a cliff to her death in late 2021. Isbells remains were found last week in Little River Canyon National Park near Fort Payne, 18 months after she was reported missing.

Kelly was booked into the Crawford County jail on June 25 on a felony charge of arrest prior to requisition.

Kellys extradition was first sought by Missouri, where she faces felony burglary and stealing charges in Douglas County, according to Crawford County District Attorney Paula DiGiacomo.

Kellys extradition was subsequently sought by authorities from DeKalb County Sheriffs Office in Fort Payne.

If extradited to Alabama, Kelly would join her mother, Loretta Kay Carr, who was arrested on June 25 by DeKalb County Sheriffs Office Special Response Team.

Carr faces a capital murder charge in the same case as her daughter. A spokeswoman for the sheriffs office confirmed the womens relationship and said Carr is a former Pennsylvania resident.

The charges against the women stem from the disappearance and subsequent death of Isbell, who was 37 years old when her ex-husband reported her missing on Dec. 27, 2021, to police in Hartselle.

Isbell remained missing, her fate unknown, as local authorities pursued numerous leads over the ensuing 18 months with no success, according to a statement released last week by the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office.

A tip on June 20 soon led to the arrest of Carr and Kelly, according to the statement.

Isbells remains were discovered on June 28 and were identified by Alabama Department of Forensic Science on June 30, which would have been her 39th birthday, according to the statement.

Court records indicate that Carr is accused of kidnapping Isbell and then intentionally causing her death in October 2021 by pushing her off of a cliff, according to multiple news reports.

Mike Crowley can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at mcrowley@meadvilletribune.com.

___

(c)2023 The Meadville Tribune (Meadville, Pa.)

Visit The Meadville Tribune (Meadville, Pa.) at meadvilletribune.com

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A judge in Florida has ordered a 65-year-old California fugitive held without bond on a charge of first-degree murder in the death of a woman nearly 40 years ago.

Donald Santini was arrested by U.S. marshals in California last month, and extradited to Florida. He had used at least 13 aliases over the years.

Santini was the last person seen with 33-year-old Cynthia Cindy Ruth Wood. The arrest warrant said a medical examiner determined she had been strangled, and Santinis fingerprints were found on her body.

You being on the run for almost 40 years is a consciousness of guilt. You knew you were running from something, Judge Catherine Catlin told Santini during a hearing in Tampa on Thursday.

Photos taken in the courtroom showed Santini weeping before the judge denied bond.

Woods stepdaughter, Denise Kozer told the Tampa Bay Times shes hoping to find closure in a case that resulted in total devastation for her family.

Back in 1984, Santini was known as Charles Michael Stevens, which was an alias he used to flee a warrant in Texas. At the time of his arrest, he was living under the name Wellman Simmonds in Campo, California, which is in southeastern San Diego County. He served on the local water board.

He has a wife and children in California, and I feel sorry for them because they probably didnt know, either, Kozer said. But theyre all still alive. Our lives were devastated, changed forever.

Kozar told the Times that both Barry Wood and the older son of Cindy Wood had died since the slaying, and her younger half-siblings have suffered from mental health issues since their parents deaths.

She told the newspaper shes spent years knowing that the man who destroyed her family has been free. The case has been featured on Americas Most Wanted several times.

Wood met with Santini, who had called her with promises of providing information about her husband, Barry Wood, that could possibly help her win custody of their two children, who were 3 and 5, according to previous reports by the Bradenton Herald. Wood also had a son from a previous relationship. Kozar was Barry Woods daughter from another marriage.

Kozar, who was 20 when Wood was killed, said she hopes Santini doesnt get another chance to escape.

If they need extra evidence, were willing to let them exhume the body  whatever it takes to make sure that he doesnt go anywhere, Kozer said.

Santinis attorney asked the judge for bail. But prosecutors noted that Santini killed Wood after fleeing a charge in Texas related to a convenience store robbery.

The judge didnt need extra evidence.

You are the definition of flight risk, the judge told Santini during the hearing. There is nothing I can do to preserve the safety of this community if I was to let you go.
Numbers dont lie. Especially when they are so beautiful.

On Friday, July 7, or 7/7, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter will reach their 77th wedding anniversary.

The Georgia couple, who famously served as president of the United States and first lady, will celebrate quietly.

The family is keeping a low profile around the anniversary this year, said Matthew De Galan, spokesman for the Carter Center on Thursday. President Carter and Mrs. Carter will celebrate their 77th wedding anniversary privately at their home in Plains tomorrow along with family members.

Happy 77th wedding anniversary to President and Mrs. Carter! 77 years ago today (thats 7/7!), young Jimmy Carter hit the jackpot when he wed the love of his life, Rosalynn Smith! Four 7s are pretty lucky, even if youre not in Vegas. #HappyAnniversary #7777 #LuckyInLove pic.twitter.com/JIRMwgSd18  Jimmy Carter Presidential Library (@CarterLibrary) July 7, 2023

On July 7, 1946, when a 21-year-old U.S. Naval Academy graduate married the 18-year-old salutatorian of Plains High School, who could have imagined that it could last that long? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 6% of married couples make it to even 50 years.

The Carters are the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history, followed by former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, who were married for 73 years and 102 days until Barbaras 2018 death.

To put the Carters in perspective, the Obamas, who wed in 1992, would have to stay married until 2069 to catch them.

The Carters have survived through a Georgia governorship, a presidency, a Nobel Peace Prize, building their Atlanta-based nonprofit Carter Center, eradicating diseases and now their biggest challenge  failing health.

Jimmy Carter, 98, went into home hospice care in February. In May, the family revealed that 95-year-old Rosalynn Carter has dementia.

Two years ago, to mark their 75th wedding anniversary, the couple invited hundreds of guests to a bash at their local high school. Among those who came to the tiny rural town to fete the Carters were former President Bill Clinton and country music star Garth Brooks.

Last year, on their 76th anniversary, they spent a quiet afternoon in their hometown with family, friends and ice cream.

Jill Stuckey, superintendent of the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site in Plains, said the museum had nothing special planned to mark the anniversary this year. At the Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta, Tony Clark said that a card would be available for visitors to sign.



2023 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Avoiding distractions is the key to staying focused.  pic.twitter.com/aqPaCK5eCH  Marjorie Taylor Greene  (@mtgreenee) July 6, 2023

Fresh off the news that she has been banished by her fellow Freedom Caucus members and removed from the group, U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she is not going to change her ways.

And in a subtle dig at her colleagues, the Rome Republican said she has more important things to worry about.

The GOP has less than two years to show America what a strong, unified Republican-led Congress will do when President Trump wins the White House in 2024, she said in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. This is my focus, nothing else.

Politico first reported that shortly before members of the House left for a two-week recess in late June a vote was taken during a meeting of the House Freedom Caucus on Greenes status with the group. On Thursday, Politico confirmed that she had been removed from the rolls, marking the first time a member has ever been tossed from the far-right caucus.

A vote was taken to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Freedom Caucus for some of the things shes done, Freedom Caucus board member Andy Harris, a Maryland Republican, told Politico. Later, when asked if Greene had been kicked out, he said: As far as I know, that is the way it is.

Although Greene is well known for past incendiary remarks about other groups, a recent dust-up with U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert that included Greene calling Boebert an obscenity was apparently the cause of the far-right caucus ire, along with Greenes close alliance with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Now that shes out, Greenes new status raises the question of whether her support for future measures will carry the same weight for McCarthy and his whip team, since a vote from the congresswoman will no longer imply the support of other Freedom Caucus members. Its also not clear whether the episode will hurt her with her constituents at home in her Rome-based district, who have stayed loyal to her so far.

If Greene was worried about the fallout late Thursday night, she wasnt showing it. Instead, she posted a video of herself on a putt-putt course sinking an 8-footer with the caption, Avoiding distractions is the key to staying focused.
The town of Holly Pond has found itself facing an unlikely foe and officials are looking for ways to evict a family of muskrats taking up residence in the pond at Governors Park.

Mayor Carla Hart told the Holly Pond Town Council on Monday, July 3, that she had noticed what she believed to be a single muskrat  referred to by one councilmember as Muskrat Sally  but was unaware of the extent of the issue until she recruited an exterminator to provide a quote for its removal.

I thought there were just a few holes in the park, but we were walking through there and, my goodness, theyre everywhere, Hart said.

Muskrats can have up to three litters each year, with between six and eight kits each. The exterminator  who remained unidentified throughout the discussion  told Hart he believed the town was facing at least a single family of the rodents.

As is typical behavior for the animals, the majority of holes are in fairly close proximity to the pond, but Hart noticed one of particular concern which seemed to be leading to a burrow beneath the parks asphalt walking track.

With the likelihood of legitimate structural damage being done to the towns park, the council agreed the issue should be made a priority, but felt the single provided quote of $2,898 seemed slightly too high.

Hart said she had already placed several phone calls to both state and county agencies, as well as several other private pest control services. She said she learned from her call to Montgomery that the town would be allowed to address the problem themselves provided they obtain the correct nuisance permit which would allow them to trap and exterminate the muskrats out of season. The town would also need to purchase the necessary muskrat traps and be willing to take on any liability placing them in the park would cause.

Hart said if and when traps are placed, regardless of who places them, the town would need to either close the park or place signs designating where the traps had been placed to prevent children or pets from accidentally becoming ensnared.

Further discussions were tabled to provide the council an opportunity to seek alternate options and quotes.

___

(c)2023 The Cullman Times (Cullman, Ala.)

Visit The Cullman Times (Cullman, Ala.) at www.cullmantimes.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A company that officials say has spent $5 million developing a medical cannabis facility but that still needs a state license to do business gave the media a tour of its operations in west Montgomery on Thursday.

Alabama Always LLC showed visitors the greenhouses, a processing building, and other components at its facility, which would grow medical grade marijuana and extract the ingredients to make gummies, tinctures, and other products allowed under Alabamas medical cannabis law, passed by the Legislature two years ago.

Last month, Alabama Always filed a lawsuit against the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission over the licensing process.

The AMCC awarded licenses to 21 companies on June 12 but did not pick Alabama Always. That could change.

On June 16, the AMCC announced it had found potential inconsistencies in how applicants were ranked and said it would not issue the licenses announced four days earlier.

At a court hearing today, AMCC attorney William Webster said the commission plans to redo the license awards on August 10 after an accounting firm reviews and verifies applicant scores.

At Thursdays media tour, Alabama Always investor Ben McNeil, a well-known Montgomery businessman and former City Council member, reiterated one of the criticisms of the AMCC licensing process, that it has been shrouded in secrecy. None of the AMCCs deliberations on the licensing decisions was open to the public.

We encourage that the veil be lifted for complete openness and transparency in this process, McNeil said. Lets do the right thing the right way for not only the applicants, but the people of Alabama who are in need.

McNeil said Alabama Always would employ about 30 people initially and eventually expand to 60 or more. He said the plant, on Hunter Loop Road, would be a benefit to an economically depressed area.

Greg Gerdeman, a PhD-level biologist who is the companys chief scientific officer, led the media tour of the site, which is still under construction but has most of the major elements in place, including the concrete foundations and metal frames of the greenhouses.

Gerdeman said he has helped start or worked as a consultant for cannabis businesses in California, Arizona, Washington, Florida, and Colorado. He said Alabama Always has everything in place to begin producing the medical grade plants and products. The company applied for an integrated license, which would allow it to cultivate, process, and sell medical cannabis products at licensed dispensaries. Gerdeman said it could have products in its stores in no more than 120 days. Its dispensaries would be in Montgomery, Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Gadsden, and Mobile.

Ive been around a great many medical cannabis and other cannabis companies, legal companies in this country, Gerdeman said. And this is poised to be a really great one.

According to its lawsuit against the AMCC, Alabama Always has 40 investors, including 28 who have lived in Alabama at least 15 years. The company has raised $15 million and has no debt, the lawsuit says.

Gerdeman said it is disappointing that the AMCC has not visited the site to evaluate the quality of its preparations to be a cultivator and producer.

AMCC Director John McMillan said Thursday that the commission will do site visits after licenses are awarded but before they are issued. McMillan said it was not practical to do site visits for all 90 license applicants, which he said would be more than 300 sites.

McMillan defended the AMCCs work, which has come under criticism since the licenses were awarded, and especially since the announcement about potential inconsistencies and the need to redo the evaluations.

We have bent over backwards in every respect to be sure that everybody is treated fairly and gotten full consideration, McMillan said. For example, I think the average objective person would say we were crazy to score 90 different applicants. But we did that just to be sure that everybody understood where they stood when it was all said and done.

William Somerville, an attorney for Alabama Always, said he has seen the scores assigned by evaluators to the companys application and said they were inexplicably low. Otherwise, he said the AMCC has revealed almost nothing about the license evaluations.

Its still an absolute mystery, Somerville said. We know nothing about what happened. We know nothing about how the scores were consolidated, conformed with each other. Its all a complete mystery. It needs to be brought out in the open.
A 40-year-old Mississippi woman was killed after two vehicle collided, sending one vehicle into the woman, who was a pedestrian in the area.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the accident occurred about 5:47 p.m. Thursday on Irvington Bayou LaBatre Highway in Mobile County.

A 2004 Chevrolet Silverado driven by a juvenile was struck by a 2006 Toyota Tacoma driven by 26-year-old Charles G. Lea of Madison, Miss. The collision caused the Silverado to slam into the woman, identified as Bridget B. Boudreaux of Waynesboro, Miss.

Boudreaux was pronounced dead at the scene. No other injuries were reported.

ALEA said the crash remains under investigation.
Port of Mobile officials are keeping a close eye on a new proposal that, if enacted, would force shipping companies to shut down operations in a stretch of the northern Gulf of Mexico during nighttime hours.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is considering the proposal, which would also include speed restrictions, at the request of multiple ocean advocate organizations, which say the restrictions are needed to help protect Rices whales, a critically-endangered species.

Scientists estimate there are only about 50 Rices whales left in the Gulf, according to the Marine Mammal Commission. Its one of the rarest whale species on earth and the only baleen whale that lives year-round in the northern Gulf.

The MMC says Rices whales -- named for American biologist Dale Rice -- live primarily off the coast of the Florida Panhandle, in waters between 100-400 meters deep, which is why the proposal under consideration would shut down nighttime shipping between Tampa Bay and Pensacola, call for a 10-knot speed limit near the whales habitat, and extend about six miles out beyond the whales habitat zone.

The Florida Ports Council has been outspoken in its concern over the proposal. But its not alone.

There are a lot of potential ramifications and ripple effects of this (proposal), said Maggie Oliver, Vice President of Communications & Federal Affairs for the Port of Mobile. Were obviously following it very closely and weve submitted our official comments to NOAA about our concerns.

The proposal was initially submitted in May 2021 by the advocacy groups and a 90-day public comment period ended Thursday. Oliver noted, however, theres still a long way to go before the proposal could be adopted or enacted.

It is still pretty preliminary, she said. In the beauty of bureaucracy, there are a large number of steps before it could be enacted and enforced, so theres plenty of room to advocate for a better solutions. Thats the good news.

The Port of Mobile has an estimated economic impact of $85 billion to Alabama each year. The Port handles in excess of 55 million tons of domestic and international cargo and creates, both directly and indirectly, some 300,000 jobs. The Port also has an estimated tax impact of $2 billion.

Those figures clearly indicate that any new regulation that would have a negative impact on shipping would be bad news for the port, and the state.

It definitely would have an impact on the port, Oliver said. One of the things weve been most proud of the past couple of years is not only our growth through the pandemic, but our ability to keep cargo moving. That fluidity is something we are always selling to potential customers.

If vessels have to stop nighttime operations, especially during winter months when the days are shorter, youre losing half of your productivity. These vessels operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In this industry, the sooner you can get something where its going, the less its going to cost the cargo owner.

The Florida Ports Council called the proposed regulations a clear and present danger to Floridas economy, according to a statement released by the council.

Its as if NOAA wants Florida to hang up a closed for business sign, said Mike Rubin, the councils president and CEO. Floridas Gulf of Mexico seaports play an enormous role in fueling (petrol) Florida, and are essential suppliers of everything from food to medical supplies, and construction materials to build homes, roads and make ongoing hurricane repairs in Southwest Florida.

Oliver said the Port of Mobile, like the Florida Ports Council, had submitted its official comments to NOAA, outlining their concerns about the proposal. She and other port officials are hopeful of finding a better way to protect the whales without negatively impacting shipping.

Thats what our comments focused on, finding a better way, she said. With the technology we have today, there has to be something out there. If planes can navigate with radar, surely theres some sort of sonar, some sort of detection, thats a little more advanced than just a rudimentary, blanket restriction that may or may not help.

With the public comment period ended, the decision is in NOAAs hands. As Oliver noted, its a lengthy process which could lead to establishing the formal regulations or simply denying the petition. She said if the regulations were adopted, they might not achieve the desired effect, because shipping companies could simply double the number of ships crossing the area, creating more traffic in the whales habitat.

If youve got vessels taking twice the time to get here, you could see the shipping companies respond by doubling the number of ships to get the same amount of cargo where it needs to go, Oliver said. That would cost more, but certainly thats a possibility if their ability to maneuver was cut in half.
The case of a Texas man who was reported missing as a teenager in 2015 and found alive last week at a church took an unexpected turn Thursday when police revealed it all was a hoax  the man was only gone for a day, but he and his mother maintained the ruse for eight years by using false names.

Prosecutors did not file any charges against Janie Santana and her son, Rudolph Rudy Farias IV, but the investigation is continuing, Houston police detectives said. They gave few other details about where they believe the case could lead.

Santanas family said they suspected Farias was not missing and blamed Santana for keeping him away from them all these years.

Were upset that (authorities) are not going to do anything, Pauline Sanchez Rodriguez, Farias aunt, said as she and other family members stood outside Houston police headquarters.

Santana did not return a telephone call seeking comment Thursday.

The announcement came a week after police said they found Farias after receiving a call about a person lying on the ground in front of a southeast Houston church.

Authorities had not previously said where Farias spent the past eight years since he was reported missing as a 17-year-old who took his two dogs for a walk near his familys home in northeast Houston and never came back. Now 25, he was hospitalized after police found him last week, and detectives interviewed him and his mother on Wednesday.

Investigators concluded Farias returned home the day after he was reported missing but the mother, Janie, continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing, Lt. Christopher Zamora said during a news conference.

During the past eight years, Farias and his mother had various interactions with officers, police said.

During these contacts, fictitious names and date of births were given  misleading the officers  and Rudy would remain missing, Zamora said.

After Farias was reported missing, Houston police and Texas Equusearch, a civilian search and recovery team, looked for him without success, although his dogs were later found.

In the years following, there were several possible sightings of Farias, according to a private investigator hired by Santana a few months after he went missing. They included one sighting in 2018 that police responded to, but the investigation remained open as a missing person case.

Rodriguez said her late mother, Rosa Sosa Rodriguez, had been living with Santana and kept telling relatives that Farias was living in the house with them.

My mom would always tell me, Rudy is here ... Hes there. Hes in that room, Rodriguez said. And Janie said, No shes lying, shes losing it.

Zamora said Santana claimed the person friends and family were seeing was not Farias but her nephew, but we disputed that.

Rodriguez and other family members also accused Santana of not presenting an accurate picture of herself to people and of not caring about family members.

Court records show Santana has used at least three different names and was accused of mistreating her mother while they lived together. During a 2020 dispute over her mothers guardianship, Santanas sisters accused her of forcing their mother to live in a home that had animal urine and feces throughout and causing her to have significant bed sores because she did not have a bed and slept on the couch.

In a 2011 affidavit filed in a court case in which Santanas marriage was declared null and void because a judge concluded she was married to another man at the time, Rodriguez said her sister has always been a pathological liar. She lies about everything.

Rodriguez said she and other family members have yet to speak with Farias and they remain worried about him.

I just want him safe, said Sylvia Sanchez Lopez, another aunt of Farias.

But Zamora, with the police departments Missing Persons Unit, said Farias was safe and he had decided to stay with his mother by choice.

Police Chief Troy Finner said when Farias was reported missing, he was 17 years old, which is considered an adult in Texas. Now in his twenties, Farias is a grown man, he said.

After police announced that Farias had been found, Santana released a statement saying, he is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us. She also asked for privacy.

Finner declined Thursday to answer questions about the mental health of Farias or his mother and would not say what might have motivated their actions. He said police are right at the beginning of their investigation into what happened.

Police also said patrol officers responded to a burglary call Wednesday night at the familys home and that it is now part of their investigation.
Nationally, about 1.5 million people lost Medicaid coverage in more than two dozen states following the expiration of the COVID-19 emergency, according to a June 13 report by the Associated Press.

While that news report doesnt mention Alabama as being one of those states and Alabama hasnt said how many it plans to remove from the rolls, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Urban Institute estimates 129,000 Alabamians will be kicked off Medicaid by June 2024.

The Alabama Medicaid Agency (AMA) isnt publishing termination statistics at this time since we are in the first month of terminations now, said AMA communications director Melanie Cleveland via email. These recipients have 90 days from their termination to reinstate their coverage if they are still eligible. About 1.2 million people in Alabama had some form of Medicaid coverage as of March 2023.

Medicaid enrollment skyrocketed in 2020 after passage of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which allowed for continuous coverage and prevented Medicaid offices from forcing recipients to re-enroll.

Despite public support from both sides of the aisle, the Alabama Legislature has chosen not to expand its Medicaid program to allow more people to qualify. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Urban Institute report estimates that by June 2024 more than 430,000 Alabamians will be uninsured by either Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance.

Health policy advocate Jennifer Harris, with the non-profit advocacy group Alabama Arise, suspects Alabama wasnt listed in the AP report on those being kicked off Medicaid because the AMA is taking a traditional approach to re-enrollment. A systematic process is a sign the AMA chose to lean into best practices to this unwinding process.

Harris said the AMA sends out redetermination packages monthly, unlike other states where letters were more than likely blanketed to all Medicaid enrollees. For instance, if your eligibility expires in October, AMA will send letters in the fall.

This monthly process avoids a backlog of paperwork for the staff. Harris said theres no need to create unnecessary workload on top of a heavy workload. Medicaid recipients who have reached out to Arise said they appreciate consistent communication with AMA answering questions during this unwinding process.

(Medicaid) has the ability to be life and death for some people, Harris said. People need their healthcare coverage. And when theyre eligible, there is no reason why they should be caught up in a procedure or issue.

Harris said another best practice AMA implements is cross-referencing with other databases to determine if applicants can qualify for different services. For example, suppose an applicant applied for assistance while pregnant in 2021. In that case, the child may be eligible for Medicaid now as a toddler.

The Medicaid process has a lot of moving parts, according to Harris. She said this could lead to confusion or misinformation about what to do.

It is just a lot of information in a very short amount of time, Harris said. And sometimes people may not be able to grasp all the information or understand whats needed for action on their part.

For current Medicaid enrollees, the first step is to check your eligibility through the Medicaid portal to ensure everything is up to date, including contact information, mailing address, and income status.

Some issues with re-enrolling in Medicaid involve lost paperwork sent to incorrect addresses or outdated information. A family of four, if that includes a pregnant mother, is eligible for Medicaid if income is no more than $3,650 per month, according to February 2023 eligibility information provided by the AMA. More than 1.3 million Alabama residents were eligible for Medicaid as of April 2023.

If there are questions about Medicaid, you can dial 211 to connect directly with a navigator to walk through the enrollment process.

Updated on July 10 to clarify that a family of four, if that includes a pregnant mother, is eligible for Medicaid if income is no more than $3,650 per month.
A first-of-its-kind museum dedicated to the Clotilda - the last known slave ship - and its 110 survivors will officially open on Saturday, 163 years to the date that the vessel arrived into Mobile Bay.

A dedication of the $1.3 million Africatown Heritage House and Clotilda: The Exhibition occurred Friday outside the venue within the Africatown community the Clotilda survivors founded after they were freed from slavery following the Civil War.

Related content:

In the grand scheme of the history of the world, that 163 years is nothing, said Meg McCrummen Fowler, director of the History Museum of Mobile which was charged with the Heritage Houses exhibit and operations. Its a moment ago. We are not far removed from its history and the lives and legacies of the 110.

She added, They are not distant and remote, but present and still with us.

Indeed, inside the 2,500-square-foot exhibit is a chronological telling of the Clotilda slave ships origins, its survivors and how the Africatown community north of downtown Mobile was settled.

The museum includes a brief history of the transatlantic slave trade that was outlawed in the United States 53 years before the Clotildas harrowing 45-day journey with the 110 enslaved Africans from Benin on board.

The museum highlights those survivors and retells the story of its most famous passenger  Oluale Kossola, who is better known as Cudjoe Lewis, and whose interviews in the 1920s provided much of the historical accounts of the Clotilda and its passengers to historians and scholars.

The tragic tales of other ship survivors are highlighted including Matlida McCrear, who died in 1940 in Selman and was the Clotildas last known survivor. McCrears story including a separation from her mother at a very young age, and an attempted escape from a slaveholder when she was 3 years old. McCrear and her sister fled into a swamp, hiding there for hours until dogs sniffed them out, according to a historical account on display within the museum.

This exhibition is a place to feel the sadness and weight of a wretched part of our shared history and as a place to honor these ancestors, learn their names and celebrate their achievements, said Fowler. Their history is all our history.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, who is Republican, acknowledged the recent controversies over retelling controversial Black histories by some conservative lawmakers.

Alabama, in 2021, banned the teaching of so-called critical race theory and limited how educators can talk about race in classrooms.

Stimpson noted that long-sought conversations were occurring between the Clotilda descendants and the descendants of Timothy Meaher, the wealthy steamship owner who financed and illegally smuggled the 110 Africans aboard the Clotilda to Mobile.

Some say we shouldnt have conversations about that, said Stimpson. I would say to you, the descendants of Africatown and the City of Mobile, we have not only embraced a conversation over the last four years but we did it on a world stage.

The tale of the slave ship and its survivors culminates inside the Heritage House with a display of Clotilda artifacts  ceiling plants, nails, and bolts from the ship  that were recovered after the Clotilda was discovered in May 2019.

I think those who visit will really learn a lot about this particular story, said Jeremy Ellis, president of the Clotilda Descendants Association and a sixth-generation descendant of Pollee and Rose Allen who were enslaved and on board the Clotilda. It tells the story of west African culture, what the 110 experienced at the Middle Passage and the first five-years of slavery and what they overcame in 1865 in the founding of Africatown.

He added, It speaks of their courage, resiliency, and tells their individual stories. Its something I havent seen and its amazing.

The museum was the result of a multi-year effort that involved several setbacks due to construction delays and supply chain difficulties in getting the museum under construction.

The costs also increased, requiring additional funding coming from appropriations backed by Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood. She was credited for spearheading the project and seeing that it got completed.

The project was made possible by a $700,000 appropriation by Ludgood, who diverted tax money from her districts capital improvement plan to pay for the uptick in capital costs. Overall, the project cost more than double the initial $600,000 cost estimate placed on the project.

The project was also financed with a $250,000 appropriation from the city and $75,000 from the Alabama Power Foundation.

Ludgood said the idea for the museum kicked off in 2019, a few months after the hull of the Clotilda was recovered from the murky waters of the Mobile River. The ship, after its arrival in 1860, was burned by its captain, William Foster, shortly after the slaves were brought ashore north of Mobile. By that time, the slave trade with other nations had been outlawed for decades, making Clotilda the last known ship to bring enslaved people from Africa to the United States.

This started with a conversation within the community with people who said they wanted some of the artifacts of the ship on display, Ludgood said. But there was nowhere to do it.

She said initial talks of displaying Clotilda artifacts inside the adjacent Robert L. Hope Community Center of the Mobile County Training School did not go far, largely out of concern that they would not be preserved safely.

Thats when the idea came, We just go to build something, said Ludgood. From that grew conversations with the History Museum of Mobile. It cannot just be pieces of the shipwreck, but also telling of the story. It was driven by a need of the community identifying their desire to have portions of the ship displayed here, and it kept growing and growing.

The Heritage Houses official opening is part of an extended weekend event. The Descendants gathered on Thursday to tour the exhibit, and later met to discuss it during a reception at the History Museum of Mobile.

A community day commemorating the anniversary of the Clotildas arrival will take place on Saturday, and the museum will open to the public on Tuesday.

The weekend of events has drawn national media attention, and National Geographic has already called the Heritage House the Souths must-visit museum exhibit in July.

Ludgood, Ellis and others said the Heritage Houses opening represented a beginning for the community, and not an ending point following the discovery of the slave ship.

Ludgood pointed to the ongoing development of the Africatown Welcome Center, which will be constructed near the communitys historic cemetery. That venue, currently in a design phase, is expected to be a bigger and more expensive facility thanks to $3.6 million in funds collected from penalties from companies involved in the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Ludgood also said she is focused on assisting with improving on the housing stock within the community.

Once you start getting people back (into Africatown) and invest in new housing stock and opportunities for rehab  it will attract other investment, she said.
A person trapped inside a burning home in east Birmingham on Thursday was rescued by firefighters, officials said.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel encountered fire and smoke inside the one-story house in the 400 block of 87th Street South, BFRS Capt. Orlando Reynolds said early Thursday evening.

One person inside the home was rescued.

No other occupants were inside the house at the time of the fire, Reynolds said.

Smoke billowed from the roof of the home as of 6:45 p.m. Thursday as siding on the house was charred with ash.
A pedestrian was killed Thursday night after they were struck by a vehicle in north Alabama.

The incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Highway 231 and Steger Road in Meridianville, Don Webster of Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc. told WAFF.

Webster could not immediately be reached by AL.com to confirm the report.

State troopers were headed to the scene to investigate, according to WAFF.
The pro-LGBTQ+ House Democrat Party in Michigan has passed a law to fine or incarcerate residents using the wrong pronouns in addressing another person.

The bill, HB 4474, criminalizes making somebody "feel threatened" by terminology including employing the wrong pronouns. If enacted, it will be a felony hate crime with up to five years in prison or a $10,000 fine for causing protected classes to feel terrorized, frightened, or threatened, regarding gender identity or sexual orientation.

I Am a Fugitive

I reside in North Carolina where my recent crime is not yet a felony. Whew! My letter below and some of the correspondence leading up to it, illuminate my grievous sin!

Greetings Artspace Board Members, I am a six-year volunteer with Artspace of Raleigh, having started in March of 2014, and serving through March of 2020 until COVID-19 shut us down. I resumed volunteering once the First Friday visitors were back in swing. During my time as a volunteer, I was on site, perhaps 60 to 64 times, missing about 10 First Fridays due to my travel as a professional. My volunteer experience initially included serving wine and beer, then serving food for many years. Also I stayed on for a second 3-hour shift, on short notice, when other volunteers did not appear. I also served on some weekends during Family Days and at the annual benefactors banquet -- a black tie affair. After COVID-19, I was assigned to the education room. During such sessions, parents with children or children on their own would create some type of art or craft. The new supervisor was David, who praised me often, as I always arrived early, took few breaks, did not require refreshments, and handled crowds of all sizes. When I volunteered for June, I saw that my sign-up had been removed. When I re-signed, I was informed by David via email, out of the blue that I had committed a grievous sin 10 weeks before. Ten weeks!

Hi Jeff, I apologize for not responding to you sooner. I am going to politely ask that you no longer volunteer with Artspace moving forward. We have appreciated your support, but my colleague Danny reported that you used inappropriate language that could've made attendees feel uncomfortable while volunteering during March First Friday. At Artspace, we're striving to create a space that people from all walks of life can feel comfortable in and we need volunteers who reinforce that culture. Again, thank you for the support but I feel its best if you no longer volunteer with Artspace. Best, David

Greetings David, I did not knowingly use any inappropriate language at any time. What specific language does Danny have to report? I would be most interested in knowing the specifics as opposed to some general accusation.

Jeff, I'm happy to give you a call later today to discuss. However, as the Director of Community Engagement and the person who manages Artspace's volunteer program this is my final decision. Please let me know the best time to call you today. Thank you, David

David, You can call me anytime {he never did, I had to force a call}, I'm interested knowing a couple of things: * What does Danny say that I said, verbatim? * Why did he not tell me at the time? * Why does it take 3 months to find out such news? Also, dont be concerned that I'm going to attempt to continue to be a volunteer. Nobody, including me, wants to be around anybody that does not like them. Jeff Davidson

No News by Phone

On the phone, I he offered vague utterance about some terrible faux pas that merited instantly canceling me. So, I called to his boss and later sent her the email trail:

Greetings Ms. Jones, David would tell me nothing and when I attempted to gain any useful information about the alleged faux pas, he hung up on me. In my 20+ years of volunteering for WUNC, the Flower Shuttle, Tunnel to Towers, Cystic Fibrosis, March of Dimes, and the NC Museum of Arts, I have never experienced anything remotely like this. Thanks for your attention, Jeff Davidson

At the request of his boss, David sent me a formal letter, adding on other previously unannounced multiple reports on your inability to follow instructions during volunteer shifts. Bingo! Fraud exposed: someone has a weak case so they throw in more vague assertions to shore up their argument. When they stonewall you by phone and you get upset, they throw that in as well.

Dear Jeff, Thank you for your six years of service to Artspace. Our organization appreciates your continued support over the years assisting with First Fridays and other programs. Unfortunately, we no longer see Artspace's volunteer program as a good fit for you, and we will no longer need your assistance as a volunteer. We have come to this decision after we received multiple reports on your inability to follow instructions during volunteer shifts. A staff member reported you made inappropriate comments related to gender in reference to a family visiting Artspace during First Friday on March 3, 2023. Everyone is welcome at Artspace and our staff strives to create a safe space that is welcoming to people of all ages, abilities, genders, and backgrounds. We want to retain volunteers who will reinforce that expectation and respect the culture that has been established. Not only did your comments make that staff member feel uncomfortable, but dismissive comments related to gender identity could have jeopardized that family's positive experience at Artspace. The hostile behavior you displayed when confronted about this incident over the phone only further displays that it is time for us to part ways.

David, Multiple reasons? Hardly. Thanks for your continued non-explanation. If you're referring to the two little kids, dressed in bright colors, with long flowing hair, giggling at the back table for over an hour, who I mistook as girls, it was an mistake that anyone could have made with zero malice. I was seeking to help them with their art project, as they seemed stuck. I said, verbatim, "Ladies, can I help?" They had been unsupervised for at least an hour, and then a parent seated nearby said, "They're boys." I immediately told them I was sorry for their error. Not the world's worst offense, and likely not the first time someone has erred in relation to them. I then went immediately to Danny and asked him about the two youths and he said they were boys. I told him that I had mistook them. That is the whole incident. You, David, seek to make this a federal case, and make defamatory statements and conjure up a history of bad behavior. By phone, you were intentionally unresponsive when I had a legitimate right to details. You kept accusing me of pressing you, and then you hung up on me. It has now taken several more weeks to get any kind of information from you and I had to go to your supervisor, at that. For shame, David.

Cancellation Celebrations!

Thats how cancel culture, a cancer, now lingers at Artspace in Raleigh, NC. Who will be next?

Image: Pixabay
Former U.S. President Barack Obama, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, was in fact one of the main perpetrators of the war, the military invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation. Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009 "for his tremendous efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation among nations." The Nobel Committee also noted his "vision of, and work toward, a world without nuclear weapons."

However, his vision of a world without nuclear weapons proved to be a mirage. He did not live up to the title of peacemaker bestowed upon him by the Nobel Committee, but instead was responsible for the war that erupted six years after he left office as president of the United States. How did this happen? Another Democratic U.S. president, Bill Clinton, gave an interview this spring to RTE Irish News Service. He said that shortly after the creation of independent Ukraine, he pressured the Ukrainian government to give up its nuclear weapons to Russia. But not everyone who gives up their weapons becomes more secure. Ukrainians feared being unarmed in the face of their northern neighbor and resisted American pressure. Clinton said: "They were afraid to surrender their weapons because they thought it was the only thing that would protect them from Russian expansion."

The Ukrainians' fears were entirely justified. The Clinton administration was pushing Ukrainians to accept that international written security guarantees would protect Ukraine's future better than nuclear weapons. On December 5, 1994, the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Great Britain, and the United States signed a document on Ukraine's accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Budapest Memorandum. In this memorandum, Russia, the United States, and the United Kingdom promised not to threaten or attack Ukraine, Belarus, and Kazakhstan in exchange for giving up nuclear weapons. The three former Soviet republics acceded to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty and ceased to be nuclear powers. They believed in international guarantees of their security.

The fight against nuclear proliferation has been central to U.S. foreign policy ever since the first nuclear bombs fell on Japan in 1945. U.S. diplomacy has tried unsuccessfully to stop Soviet, British, French, Chinese, Israeli, Indian, Pakistani, and North Korean programs. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty entered into force in 1970 and was extended five months after the 1994 Budapest Memorandum.

In 2014, Russia occupied Crimea and started a war for the secession of Donbass from Ukraine. Then President Obama failed to honor his country's commitment to guarantee Ukraine's security and sovereignty. "I feel guilty about that," Clinton told RTE, adding that Americans must now help Ukraine in a crisis caused in large part by their faith in our word." A well-known Latin proverb says, "Si vis pacem, para bellum" ("you want peace, prepare for war"). Ukraine believed two U.S. presidents, Clinton and Obama, two Democrats, and acted contrary to this Latin proverb: it stopped preparing for war and believed in peace with Russia and in Russia's fulfillment of its security guarantees. Obama did not stand up for Ukraine because of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine. He violated the treaty signed by his country and did not justify the decision of the Nobel Committee, which awarded him the prize for "his tremendous efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."

The relative calm achieved since the end of the Cold War has been shattered by President Obama's inaction and refusal to implement the international treaty signed by President Clinton, a representative of his own Democratic Party. Nobel Peace Prize winner Obama deceived Ukraine into believing U.S. guarantees of peace. If Ukraine had nuclear weapons in 2014 and 2022, there would have been no annexation of Crimea, no gradual takeover of Donbass, and no war by the Russian Federation against a "Nazi" and "militarized" Ukraine. Contrary to the Russian Federation's claims about the militarization of Ukraine, it turned out that it was not sufficiently militarized, insufficiently armed, and lacking a nuclear shield. Therefore, Ukraine's northern neighbor, which guaranteed its security and sovereignty, violated its territorial integrity and started a war that destroyed its security. Obama did not promote peace, but contributed significantly to the war. The pacifism represented by Clinton and Obama failed to take into account that there are two sides to the conflict, for one of which pacifism is a peace treaty that only binds the opposite side.

Abandoning nuclear weapons provokes hostilities much more than having them. The thirst for peace and the belief in international safeguards bring a war closer than preparing for it might do. Pacifists may actually act against peace. Such pacifists may be called "warmongers". They believe that peace must have been achieved at any cost, including concessions and appeasement of the aggressor, whom such ways of defending peace only encourage war. Pacifism sometimes turns into its opposite. For the outspoken pacifist, any peace is better than war. So, he may paradoxically go so far as to capitulate to the aggressor. Despite calls for peace from various European and American peacemakers, the bleeding Ukraine has not capitulated.

Pacifism is not a sacred value. Finland, formerly part of the Russian Empire, which experienced a military attack by the USSR in 1939-1940, was preparing for peace with the Russian Federation by creating one of the strongest armies in Europe. It was accepted into NATO not as a pathetic beggar in need of its protection by the North Atlantic Alliance from Russia, but as an important military component. Ukraine begged to be admitted to NATO for protection against Russian aggression. It was preparing for peace with Russia as a potential unarmed weak member of the North Atlantic Alliance and was not accepted into it. Finland was preparing hard for war with the Russian Federation and therefore became an important and desirable partner of that Alliance. Ukraine sought a peaceful existence with the Russian Federation through international treaties. On this path it had already been betrayed once by the United States, Great Britain, and Russia, guarantors of the Budapest Memorandum. Finland, having learned from its bitter experiences with the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, did not trust international treaties, but relied only on its military power. If it had nuclear weapons, it would not have eliminated them for the sake of "peace" and international guarantees, which guaranteed it only a military attack by the Russian Federation. The Roman proverb "if you want peace, prepare for war" has been known for more than 2,000 years, but no better way to preserve peace has been invented.

Image: Library of Congress
Every now and then, you hear a story of ritual Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) occurring not just in Africa but right here in America, where half a million girls are presumed to be at risk. Indeed, the average American will likely see this practice as barbaric and criminal; it is a federal crime, yet our laws have not stopped the mutilations from occurring. Worldwide, roughly 200 million girls have undergone this non-consensual procedure  but what about when its sanctioned by the progressive medical professionals and the political left?

Enter a relatively new Progressive Tribal Ritual (PTR) with ecstatic and devout followers, mutilating healthy American childrenall in the name of transgenderism. This only became a thing in the last 10-20 years. Gender Dysphoria, the psychiatric term recognized in the American DSM and widely used until only very recently, understood transgender delusions, like being trapped in the wrong body, to be a gender confusion, and demonstrative of severe mental illness.

The combination of Islamist body-butchers in practice, and debaucherous and double-thinking Democrats in ideology make for a dastardly villain; transgenderism, youre not whats good or righteous.

New social mores now celebrate what was widely considered a disorder. What changed? Well, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity happened. The leftist scheme has transformed todays landscape for the worse, yet, few people are calling out the agenda as a way to wage war against conservatism and American values. DIE has and will destroy the lives, hopes, and aspirations of more than just a few children and adults.

We are bombarded with transgender messaging entirely disproportionate to the general adult population (recent studies show this number to be around 0.5%). However, with the attainment of protected status under Title VII, all kinds of mischief have become possible, such as:

Protected classes policy leads to superior and inferior classes. As they say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and protecting certain groups inevitably creates a caste system of sorts. The majority of people who are not in one of these protected classes are left with inferior rights. There is the debate involving trans swimmers, biological males entering races against females. Lia Thomas became the face of this debate when the 220-pound, 6-foot-4 individual decided to swim against women, instantly becoming a champion. Now, what rights do women have to compete on their own level playing field? Title 9, the landmark law that guaranteed women the right to compete, never contemplated that failed male athletes could simply opt-in to compete against females; but now that has happened. Whos happy about this? Only a tiny subset of people who must hate themselves and every normal person who stands in their way, thats who. Then there is also the other group of societal disruptors, continually stoking the fires of division who live to destroy the status quo.

And now, these trans swimmers demand locker room privileges. Young females immediately lost their right to privacy as Lia proudly disrobed with mature male genitalia on display. Should they fear rape or assault? Thats not hyperbole. School board officials in Loudoun County, VA hid the fact that a boy in a skirt sexually assaulted two girls in two different schools. An additional avenue to attack parental rights. All over the country, teachers and school leaders grant superior privacy rights to children instead of parents. Teachers and administrators often undermine parents, despite parents wishes and value systems. This issue is todays out-of-proportion focus on largely made-up gender fluidity. Even worse, teachers and schools take it upon themselves to attempt to arrange secret treatments, from therapy to gender reassignment, without a parents approval. Did you know that withholding gender reassignment in some jurisdictions is considered child abuse? Leaving the cult. Have you heard the term de-transitioners? What could go wrong when you lop off the normal breasts of a 15-year-old girl, or the healthy penis of a 16-year-old boy? Ask yourself why a prepubescent individual would have thoughts of gender confusion. Every parent knows that children with all types of crazy ideas may not think clearly until their brains are fully formed as late as their mid-20s. Thats pretty much-settled science. Why in the world would we be mutilating healthy human beings on what amounts to a whim or, even worsea political statement? Is it any wonder that more than a few children regret their transition with some even committing suicide?

Even the New York Times couldnt explain the sharp rise in teens who now believe they are transgender. My alternative theory believes young people are fad leaders. Science confirms that children frequently adopt customs like body piercings, tattoos, colored hair, and grungy clothing that they mostly discard as they mature. Unfortunately, many children will eventually feel trapped in a body thats freakish and unrecognizable  have you seen the results of gender-affirming care?

Through the lens of history, transgenderism will be understood to have been a terribly wrong idea, hyped and promoted to the detriment of its adherents.

Remember Timothy Leary, the 1960s icon known for promoting the widespread use of LSD? There were legions of supporters for his ideas in education, government, and among the avant- garde elites. Millions of our young never recovered. Some checked out permanently.

When we compare the damage caused by FGM, it is starkly similar to the damage we are now doing to our young people with puberty blockers and sex-reassignment surgery. To say otherwise highlights the fantastical nature of some who believe we can be whatever sex we want whenever we feel the urge; we must call out the absurdity of that position. Scientific fact and leftist political agendas are not fungible. Too many are cowed into stating that the emperor has no clothes; they fear the mob will attack themand it frequently does.

Once again, this failing of modern journalism delights in reporting the strangest of human preoccupations, giving legitimate status when the science is not proven or, even worse, when real science is ignored in favor of pop science. A horrible example of what is happening with gender confusion is the example of what pop science did with pot smoking. The science is now in, and heavy pot smokers (stoners) have done irreparable harm to their brains, frequently wind up on the public dole, and/or never obtain the level of accomplishment they would have had they not been potheads. Even stronger effects are confirmed by the CDC and the NIH. Where is the mainstream investigative reporting? The multi-million dollar grants for harm of transgenderism studies? The national debate on the impact on our children, adults, and economy?

Its way past time to question the motives and damage that such massively shared lies cost our country.

God Bless America!

Allan J. FeiferPatriot, Author, Businessman, and Thinker. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
Today our country has been, once again, exposed to a great evil lurking in our land  child sextrafficking. The movie Sound of Freedom does a superb job of laying bare the unthinkable evil of this trade. Many applaud its message, along with the filmmakers' assertion that this has to stop.

But this wickedness is a sign, a symptom of the growing perversion of this world, as well as the support of enslavement of the world's poor by our governments, leaders, and businessmen.

The solution will not be simple  the border must be secured; legal immigration must be transformed so those who wish to join our great nation can do so. Today the barriers to legal immigration are monumental, and I applaud those brave, determined souls who are able to secure citizenship in our country. The laws of our local, county, state, and federal governments must stop funding the destruction and breakup of the family.

Along with the traffickers, there are those in government and industry who support and fund these enterprises. There are also forces seeking to destroy the family. For pedophiles are not born; they are made, fashioned by early childhood trauma or exposure to pornography. I do not absolve these people's responsibility for not all who were abused turn to these destructive behaviors.

The same for the abortion industry; the same for the porno industry; the same for the hundreds of thousands so broken that they find their only solace in some form of addiction.

The release of this movie at this time is no accident, just as it was no accident in 2015 to release the videos about Planned Parenthood's inhumane, ghastly traffic in baby body parts. This, too, is the essence of dehumanization of a person  the underlying worldview of those who in Hitler's day performed gruesome experiments on those deemed not worthy to live.

Will America shout, hold rallies, hear promises from their representatives and then shrug, moving on with their lives? That is what happened after the 2016 elections. I heard my newly minted senator make promises to defund Planned Parenthood. How naive some of us were.

Unless and until our leaders are committed to returning government to rule of law and not men or the favored few, revising our laws and regulations to support families and free-market capitalism, any steps we take will be only Band-Aids in the grand scheme of things.

This does not denigrate the ones who have dedicated their lives to rescue as many children and enslaved people as possible  but the reality is that electing the right person will not be enough. The country must decide to turn against evil.

What force of will, what miracle, what power could bring us back from the cliff upon which we are throwing ourselves headlong? Only the power of God is sufficient.

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2 Chronicles 7:14

Apart from God's grace, we would have already been consumed. Think not that God will hold back His hand from judging America. Remember that He sent his beloved remnant to Assyria and Babylon. Apart from God's mercy, America will be consumed.

Let us seek God's path and ways in our lives. Let us share the wonderful abundant life possible through Jesus Christ. And let us speak out, in whatever ways that have been afforded to us, of what truth, justice and mercy looks like. Let us not fail to remind people that abortion is murder of an innocent, that abuse of children is not a business plan and that all people are create equal in God, bearing His image.

We saw Sound of Freedom July third and were saddened, bereft, not knowing how to respond. But from it came a renewed desire to stand for God's truth in this world. Those who can hear, let them hear.

Image: Angel Studios.
For centuries, the Irish fought British Protestants and, eventually, southern Ireland prevailed to become the independent Republic of Ireland. However, theres a new theocratic overlord headed their way, and they dont seem inclined to fight this time. Preemptive surrender appears to be the chosen pathway, at least for those people in Galway who were told the most common boys first name in their city.

Youre about to get the worlds shortest history of Ireland: England long coveted Ireland. By the mid-16th century, under Henry VIII, it conquered the land (although not the people). For the next 370 years (or so), the Irish people fought to get the English out of their country.

England abused the Irish with unparalleled ferocity, especially during Cromwells reign. In addition to inflicting death on the Irish through war and police powers, England relentlessly quashed all Irish efforts to improve their economy. The great famine in the mid-19th century occurred in large part because English laws left the Irish with little to grow other than potatoes so that, when blight devastated their only food crop, their choices were to die or abandon their homeland for America.

In the early 20th century, the push for Irish independence saw the creation of the Sinn Fein political party and its military arm, the Irish Republican Army (IRA). In 1921, four-fifths of Ireland, the Catholic part, gained almost complete independence from Britain. Eventually, in 1949, Ireland was fully independent, becoming the nation we know today: The Republic of Ireland. In 1973, Ireland joined the European Economic Community, which later became the EU.

Image from a YouTube screen grab.

For all those centuries, the land now known as the Republic of Ireland, or just plain Ireland, was wedded to Catholicism, which their monks had kept alive during the darkest years of the Dark Ages. No matter their travails, they never gave up their faith. They were equally committed to their unique Irish culture, keeping their language and practices alive, even as the British periodically criminalized them.

However, there are two things that are even greater than Catholicism. One of those things is leftism. Where leftism goes, religion dies, and thats what happened in Ireland. Aided by revelations about child sexual abuse in the Church, which shook peoples faith in that institution, as well as Irelands political drift to the left, the bottom fell out of Irish Catholicism. Individuals are still faithful, but the nation is not, something made patently clear when it legalized abortion in 2018.

The other thing that is greater than Catholicism is demographics and immigration. Consistent with their loss of faith, the Irish, once known for enormous families, began to have fewer children. Meanwhile, Muslims began to move to Ireland. Ireland was probably welcoming because the Irish are fiercely supportive of the PLO, which they seem to analogize to the IRA. This immigration began slowly but is consistently picking up speed.

That brings us to Galway, in the West of Ireland. Its Irelands fourth most populous city, with almost 86,000 people as of last year. It has a growing Muslim population, too. Interestingly, my admittedly cursory search for specific data on the numbers couldnt find data for 2016 forward. That means I couldnt track the full effect of Germanys Angela Merkel forcing the EU to open its doors to Muslim migrants.

However, the one thing thats clear is that Muslims are making Galway their home. Thats why The Irish Inquiry sent a roving reporter onto Galways streets to ask residents what they think was the citys most popular boys name in 2022. You already know the answer, although most of the people questioned professed ignorance:

Whats fascinating about the video is the way the people, once they learned that fact, quickly schooled themselves to insouciance, presenting the politically correct face of okay, thats fine, whatever. They know theyre not supposed to express shock that one of Irelands oldest and biggest cities, a bastion of Irish Catholicism for hundreds of years, is rapidly becoming Muslim. And certainly, Southern Ireland knows where this ends up. Northern Irelands divisive majority Protestantism came about because, beginning with James I, England deliberately resettled Protestants in Ireland to change its Catholic faith.

This is true for all of Western Europe. I know from my travels that residents who have roots in these countries going back hundreds or even thousands of years are unhappy, but they keep their mouths shut. They have no First Amendment in Europe, and they know what happens to those who criticize the elites chosen people, whether transexuals or Muslims.

If youre interested in a little nostalgia about the British Isles when they seemed admirable, I just learned that many of the books from one of my favorite Scottish-based writers, D.E. Stevenson, are now available on Kindle for remarkably reasonable prices.

Stevenson is not a great writer, but she is a charming writer. Her books are about nice, ordinary people in a polite era who deal with ordinary challenges and, in dealing with them, become better, stronger, and more moral. I call these getting it right books, and I like them even better when a wholesome romance is attached. They are very much a reminder of how unbelievably the world has changed in 80-90 years.
FORMER South African President Cde Jacob Zuma yesterday took a swipe at the International Monetary Funds (IMF) 2001 stance to starve Zimbabwe of credit facilities, saying the move was unjust and uncalled for.

He said Zimbabwes leadership has instead equally responded by exhibiting unique qualities to internally solve its challenges and proffer tangible solutions to the continent.

Cde Zuma was addressing delegates here in Victoria Falls attending the inaugural Africa Voluntary Carbon Credits Market Forum (AVCCMF).

On September 24, 2001, Zimbabwe was declared ineligible to use the IMFs general resources and was removed from the list of countries eligible to use resources.

You will recall that it was in 2001 when the International Monetary Fund, declared Zimbabwe unsuitable to access its resources, said Cde Zuma representing Belarus Africa Foreign Trade Association (BAFTA).

The irony of the International Monetary Fund, shows that their decision was wrong and unfair, because the people of Zimbabwe have shown qualities of wisdom, innovation and creativity.

Under the Zimbabwean leadership, in the identification, adaption and implementation of this platform of trading Carbon Credits, Zimbabweans have proved beyond reasonable doubt, that they are more than capable of addressing the problems facing Zimbabwe and the entire African continent.

Cde Zuma said Zimbabwe, through the AVCCMF, has answered the call to action, which says that climate change presents a major threat to long-term growth and prosperity of humanity.

This has a direct negative impact and increases the triple challenges, which are poverty, inequality and unemployment, in our continent. Zimbabwe today, at this AVCCM Forum has declared to the world that it is fully capable to participate in the climate economy and has proved itself to be a forward thinking nation, by allowing us access to this unique opportunity and providing the AVCCM platform which is now the African Pillar in Carbon Credits Internationally.

The three-day conference, which ended yesterday is a brainchild of Africa Voluntary Carbon Credits Market (AVCCM), a local company.

It is a private sector-led pragmatic, proactive and responsive multi-sectorial and inclusive forum that seeks to facilitate a robust, holistic and inclusive people-centric approach to the climate economy leading to the achievement of National Development Strategy 1, (NDS1) goals, Zimbabwe Vision 2030, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

It also sets the tone for Africa Agenda 2063.

Carbon credits refer to the mechanism in which companies, governments, and individuals make payments to enable others to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on their behalf, thus allowing them to receive recognition for their contribution towards climate action.

Zimbabwe is ranked number 12 among countries that trade in carbon credits in the world and the Government together with climate players is fighting to conserve forests and allow the participation of local communities and traditional leaders who have indigenous knowledge systems and local conservation strategies which have proved effective.

Cde Zuma added that Zimbabwe has shown solutions that are not only co-ordinated at a national level, but also at an African Continental level, that initiates international co-operation to help all countries move toward a low-carbon economy.

He said talks on carbon credits mark the beginning of the transformational agenda that puts Africa on an unprecedented developmental trajectory, through voluntary people-centred participatory climate actions.

The hosting of the conference in Victoria Falls was a strategic undertaking as it a significant venue.

It is fitting that today as we find ourselves at the Victoria Falls, locally called Mosi-oa-Tunya which when translated, it means the smoke that thunders.

This historic first edition of the AVCCM Forum is well suited for this venue, as this groundbreaking event will certainly yield unprecedented potential to empower the African continent. It is also going to change Africas participation in the global climate economy.

It is at this very significant venue and through the mission of this forum, that we will ignite a flame that will shape the bright future of the AVCCMF. This will have a positive impact on the face of Africa and the world at large.

Cde Zuma noted that the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange has placed itself in a unique position to catapult its reach and influence globally.

I take note that Zimbabwe, is once again leading the way by opening its doors at the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange for the trading of the Carbon Credits, much like in the era of Great Zimbabwe that stands as a testament to the Zimbabwean peoples pre-colonial autonomy and economic power.

I implore you all to consider using this innovative platform that is uniquely the only offshore financial services platform inland Africa, as a platform for trading not only African Carbon Credits but also international Carbon Credits, he said.

As the Patron of the JG Zuma Foundation as well as the Board Member of BAFTA, Cde Zuma pledged his unwavering support to the AVCCMF initiative.

As such, in an effort to support the African Voluntary Carbon Credits Market Forum as an international and global mechanism, we, through the BAFTA umbrella, have allocated 2 million Carbon Offsets to be placed on the AVCCM Forum for sale, he said.

In fact, I have the Memorandum of Intent of the commitment of these Carbon Offsets, which have been certified and validated and I intend to sign with the AVCCM at this forum.

He said AVCCMF needs the support of all people as it is not merely a Zimbabwean or African effort, but is one that ought to be supported by other progressive nations of the world. Chronicle
Is Gavin Newsom, otherwise known as Joe Isuzu, running for president, on the premise that Joe Biden's insentience and corruption scandals will force him to drop out?

Sure looks like it, but not openly.

According to local NBC affiliate KCRA:

SACRAMENTO, Calif.  Gov. Gavin Newsom is spending the Fourth of July holiday week out of state, not only for a family vacation but also to continue campaigning for Democrats in Republican-led states. As of Tuesday, the governor was in the middle of a West Coast swing. His campaign spokesperson confirmed the governor is spending part of the week in Montana, where he'd have private meetings with Democratic party officials there before heading to Utah to continue fundraising for the Democratic party in that state later this week. Newsom kicked off the West Coast tour in Bend, Oregon, last weekend to push for the re-election of President Joe Biden. He then visited Idaho for a small, private fundraiser. The governor posted a video of himself visiting a bookstore in Boise that was selling banned books. The tour is part of his Campaign for Democracy and the second out-of-state trip for the cause within the last three months. Newsom's political action committee has raised more than $4 million since he launched it in April. The governor has repeatedly said he has no interest in running for president.

Newsom also visited deep red Idaho to tout an "incredible" bookstore that he claims sells "banned" books.

He's not just running; he's also raising money, the way a real campaign does, pulling in, according to the report, some $4 million since April.

He's appeared on Hannity, supposedly to defend Joe Biden's record and status as a "man of decency," which is now particularly laughable, but not stopping him. When you are convinced that Joe is already political carrion, the eulogies cost nothing politically to let roll.

He's also got members of the mainstream media suddenly throwing his name out there as presidential material to replace Joe, such as in this op-ed from the Washington Times, which was cited by CBS Sacramento, and there have been numerous others.

But hey, he's not running for president. He just wants to tour the country to praise Joe.

And everyone knows he's California's answer to Joe Isuzu.

The one guy who's probably less fooled than anyone about this is back at the White House.

While the White House does seem to have a "praise Joe Biden" re-election strategy in place from other Democrats, given that Joe Biden is in no condition to campaign and will have to rely on others to do it for him, the idea that Newsom won't take a little slice for himself has got to be giving him the night sweats.

Vultures are circling now, as the scandals engulf him, and he can't get out now. The biggest one is named Newsom.

Photo illustration by Monica Showalter based on screen shots from YouTube.
Xiaomi is planning to launch its first electric car, and car in general, next year. We did not get an official confirmation from the company, but one of Xiaomis suppliers seemingly confirmed it.

The very first electric car from Xiaomi will allegedly launch next year

This information comes from CNMO, a Chinese news outlet. It is said that a supplier involved in the project says the pricing for the car is now finalized, suggesting that the launch will follow next year.

We do not know what the price will be, however. A price of CNY149,900 ($20,777) was tipped earlier, but it turned out to be completely false. Wang Hua, the head of Xiaomis public relations confirmed as much.

Xiaomis president, Lu Weibing, confirmed back in May that Xiaomis car production is steadily advancing. He also said that the project entered an accelerated development stage.

Xiaomi is allegedly planning to do more summer and winter tests this year. If everything goes according to plan, this car could launch in the first half of next year.

It will arrive to China first, and it remains to be seen if it will be sold elsewhere

One thing to note is that the car will launch in China first. If it ends up being a success, chances are that itll take Xiaomi quite a bit of time to offer it elsewhere, if thats even what the company is planning to do.

More competition in the market is always welcomed, as the users are the ones who end up benefiting from it. So, it would be nice to see Xiaomis offering enter the electric car ring, for sure.

Weve seen Xiaomi manufacture and sell all kinds of products, from portable air compressors and smart lights, to electric scooters, power banks, and smartphones. The company produced various other products too, though not all of them made it to global markets, not even close.

It would be nice to get confirmation from Xiaomi itself regarding its electric car project, but until then, these reports are all we have to go on.
Galaxy S23 FE rumors so far have suggested that it will be powered by the two-year-old Exynos 2200 chip. And if you silently wished that it was not true, you are in for disappointment. A newly-published Geekbench entry confirms that Samsung will indeed ship the new Fan Edition (FE) phone with an outdated processor.

An unannounced Samsung smartphone with the model number SM-S711B recently popped up on Geekbench. While the OpenCL (Open Computing Language) benchmark run, which yielded a score of 8,986, didnt name the device, we have already seen this model number numerous times in the past. Its the global version of the Galaxy S23 FE.

The benchmarking run confirmed a few key details about the device. Firstly, it will arrive with Android 13 onboard. No Android 14 out of the box. This likely means that Samsung wont push the Galaxy S23 FE launch deep into 2023. At least a few markets may get the phone earlymaybe even before it releases the stable Android 14 update (One UI 6.0) for eligible Galaxy devices, which is expected in October.

But more than its launch date, we are interested in the Galaxy S23 FEs processor. The s5e9925 chip, which has one prime CPU core operating at 2.80GHz, three mid-cores at 2.52GHz, and four efficiency cores at 1.82GHz, is none other than the Exynos 2200. This chip powered the Galaxy S22 series in some markets in early 2022. About two years later, Samsung is using it again on a new phone that it plans to sell as a flagship. It will pair the CPU with the same Xclipse 920 GPU.

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The Galaxy S23 FE is all but confirmed to ship with Exynos 2200 globally

This would be a massive letdown from the Korean behemoth. After all those years of Exynos troubles and the Galaxy S23 series exclusively using a Snapdragon processor for everyones linking, the company is going back to an old Exynos chip. The Exynos 2200 has had its fair share of troubles too. Samsung has optimized it a lot over the past year or so, but its bad reputation may affect Galaxy S23 FE sales.

To make the matter worse, there may not be a Snapdragon version of the phone. The Galaxy S21 FE used the Exynos 2100 in some markets and Snapdragon 888 in others. The Galaxy S23 FE, meanwhile, will seemingly ship with the Exynos 22 globally. Samsung may be looking to utilize excess Exynos 2200 stock here, but the plan may backfire. A lot would depend on the pricing of the Galaxy S23 FE. Stay tuned for more about the upcoming FE phone.
Some former Twitter employees have filed a lawsuit against the company over legal arbitration costs. They expect the social media platform to cover the costs of arbitration claims. As you might expect, Twitter has no intention to do so.

In an interview with BBC earlier this year, Elon Musk claimed he had laid off nearly 80% of Twitter staff weeks after taking over the company. The billionaire claims Twitter is now working more efficiently with much fewer employees. However, the laid-off Twitter staff first started a legal battle against their former employer over unpaid severance payments.

Their previous class-action lawsuit was rejected due to a provision in their contract. This time, they are suing the company over legal arbitration costs. The plaintiffs filed their lawsuit on July 3rd in the Northern District of California. Both parties must refer to JAMS, a legal company focused on mediation and arbitration.

Twitter former employees sue the company for arbitration costs

According to JAMSs fee schedule, a two-party arbitration costs $2,000, and Twitter must pay the rest. As expected, Twitter wont lose a penny easily. The social media company is asking JAMS to split the bill evenly between them and the former employee who filed their lawsuits outside California. This request, however, violates JAMSs pre-conditional minimum standards of procedural fairness, and the agency declined it.

Twitter claims it never abided by that condition outside of California. In response, JAMS said it would close the file as they will not proceed with cases that we have determined fall under our Employment Minimum Standards if Respondent will not abide by those standards.

Twitters former employees are now in a dilemma. If they want to continue with the case, they should cover the JAMS fees, which could cost them $300 per hour to more than $15,000 per day.

Shannon Liss-Riordan, one of the employees lawyers, told the outlet, The reason we had to file nearly 2,000 individual arbitration demands is because Twitter forced us to  by moving to compel arbitration. Now that it has made its bed, it doesnt want to lie in it.
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The UK competition regulator has called on bed-in-a-box brand Emma Sleep to change its online sales practices or face potential court action.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched a probe into the company last year over concerns that it has misled consumers with pressure selling tactics.

It said on Friday, the CMA said it had concerns that the use of countdown timers could have misled customers and therefore broken consumer protection law.

The CMA also said it found evidence that discount claims made by Emma Sleep did not stack up against the actual savings made by customers.

 Weve written to Emma Sleep setting out our concerns about their online sales tactics. Our evidence shows that their use of count-down clocks, discount claims and high demand claims could break consumer protection law. Read more: https://t.co/8Abog3vvU6 pic.twitter.com/nbSWTk1KaH  Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) July 7, 2023

The regulator said its probe showed that Emmas website showed extensive discount offers, but there was evidence that only a small fraction of the retail brands products were actually sold at the full price.

It said the company now has the opportunity to respond its concerns and avoid court action by signing a commitment to change its online sales tactics.

Sarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, said: Companies that use fake countdown clocks or misleading discounts risk pressuring people into making quick purchases and often spending more money than they otherwise would for fear of missing out.

This is especially concerning given the current pressure on peoples pockets.

We have put a number of detailed concerns to Emma Sleep about its sales tactics.

The CMA looks to Emma Sleep to agree to change the way it does business to avoid the risk of court action.

An Emma spokeswoman said: While Emma is committed to ensuring that a great nights sleep is accessible to everyone, no matter their circumstance, it also strives to uphold industry-leading business practice standards.

Because of this, Emma will continue to work closely with the UKs Competition and Markets Authority to address any concerns related to our sales campaigns.
Joe Biden is expected to raise concerns over the peace process in Northern Ireland and discuss the Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russia with Rishi Sunak when they meet next week.

The US President will meet the Prime Minister in London and with the King at Windsor Castle on Monday before heading to the Nato summit in Lithuania.

Mr Biden will land in the UK amid criticism of his plan to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are banned by many allies including Britain.

In their fifth meeting in as many months, the White House said Mr Biden will compare notes with Mr Sunak on their support for Ukraine and the situation on the battlefield.

But Mr Biden, who has previously spoken of wanting to ensure the Brits didnt screw around in Northern Ireland, is also likely to discuss post-Brexit tensions.

National Security Council senior director for Europe Amanda Sloat told reporters: He remains very focused on working in partnership with the UK, with Ireland and continuing to ensure peace in and prosperity and stability in the broader region.

I would imagine those would be the general range of topics that they would discuss and Northern Ireland is certainly an issue that the President regularly talks about with his British counterpart.

Mr Biden will also attend a climate finance mobilisation forum, focused on supporting developing countries, while in the UK.

The King with Mr Biden (PA)

Both men will join their Nato allies in Vilnius on Tuesday, when there will be discussions on Ukraines membership bid.

Ms Sloat said: Given that they are meeting the day before  both leaders will be flying to Vilnius  I would imagine that this will be an opportunity for them to touch base on developments in discussions heading into the summit in Vilnius.

It will be an opportunity for them to compare notes on both of our support for Ukraine and their ongoing efforts on the battlefield.

The UK is one of 123 signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits their use or stockpiling because of their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations.

The weapons deploy a large number of bomblets across a wide area.

Unexploded bomblets can continue to pose a threat to civilians long after conflicts end.

Commons Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood urged the US to reconsider.

The Tory MP tweeted: This is the wrong call  and will alienate international good will.

Their use leaves deadly unexploded ordnance over the battlefield  killing & injuring civilians long after the war is over.
The family of a mother and two children murdered in a flat fire said today is not a happy day despite their killer being jailed for life.

Jamie Barrow was given a minimum term of 44 years in prison on Friday for killing Fatoumatta Hydara and her daughters, Fatimah and Naeemah Drammeh.

The 31-year-old torched the familys neighbouring flat in Fairisle Close, Clifton, Nottingham, in the early hours of last November 20.

Reading a statement outside Nottingham Crown Court after sentencing, Mrs Hydaras husband, Aboubacarr Drammeh, said he has no hatred towards Barrow even though he has shown no remorse.

He said: Barrow has yet to explain why he committed such ruthless and inhumane acts of murder and arson. Today is not a happy day for us.

Barrows sentence does not bring them back. However, justice has been done and he will never be able to inflict the pain he has caused our family on anyone else.

This tragedy has caused an inter-generational trauma within our family which we are only beginning to understand.

Our family had ambitions, hopes and dreams which because of Barrow can now never become a reality.

But today is the first step in the long road towards healing and moving forward. We wish to thank everyone who helped us.

Aboubacarr Drammeh labelled Jamie Barrow a coward for murdering his wife, Fatoumatta Hydara, and their children, Fatimah and Naeemah Drammeh (Family handout/Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

Our focus now is on our healing process.

Barrow was unanimously convicted of murder by a jury on Tuesday after previously admitting manslaughter.

He claimed to have believed the flat to be empty at the time he lit the fire by pouring petrol siphoned from his motorbike through his victims letterbox.

Jailing Barrow, Mrs Justice Tipples told him she feels he had shown no genuine remorse and she is sure he wanted to kill Mrs Hydara and her children.

Barrow has never given a motive.

Asked about the length of Barrows sentence, Mr Drammeh said: In reality, nothing will be enough, even if it was life in prison without parole.

But 44 years, by all standards, is pretty decent.

I am content; I am content with that.

Mr Drammeh was in America at the time of the fire and had to fly back to the UK, spending his 40th birthday identifying the bodies of Fatimah and Naeemah, three and one.

He also read a victim impact statement in court, which lasted almost an hour and saw him make eye contact on multiple occasions with Barrow, who sat silently throughout.

In it, he said the family was due to attend the US embassy in London a week after the fire for an interview for a visa ahead of a planned emigration to America.

Speaking outside court, Mr Drammeh said: Fatoumatta and I lived our lives by the motto of love for all and hatred for none and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.

I have no hatred against him. His actions, though, I hate, but not him, himself, as a human being.

I wish this not on anyone else.

If (Barrows) seven-year-old son was here, we would all hug him. We all want him to stay safe and be protected from anything as remotely close to this as possible.

Asked what is next for him and his family, dozens of whom attended court and packed the public gallery throughout the trial and sentencing, Mr Drammeh said: Its a healing process.

Since November I dont know what has worked and what hasnt worked. Its a matter of trying multiple different things.

As part of that process, perhaps, is to return back to the US and get back to the workforce. That is part of the process.

I spent a lot of time building my career and Im not sure if Im ready to give that up.

Its really not up to me. Im going to try my best.

Im not going to give up but its going to be a long process.

As he left court, Mr Drammeh hugged three jurors, who had returned to court for the sentencing hearing.
Summer flights across Europe are at risk of disruption from air traffic control (ATC) strikes.

A trade union representing staff at Eurocontrol, which manages European airspace, is threatening to take industrial action in a row over issues such as recruitment, management and rosters.

The Union Syndicale Bruxelles (USB), which represents EU civil servants, wrote to Eurocontrol bosses stating that industrial action will take place with just a five-day notice period, and could begin next week.

This means UK holidaymakers face major uncertainty over whether their summer getaway flights will be delayed or cancelled.

The Times reported it was told by an aviation source that up to 12,600 flights across Europe could be disrupted every day during strike action.

The dispute relates to Eurocontrols network manager operations centre (NMOC), which plays a vital role in streamlining ATC operations across the continent.

It validates all flight plans, checking more than 96,000 messages a day.

USB claimed the NMOC has a 25% staff shortage and called for more workers to be recruited.

It is also demanding a fundamental change in management or manager behaviour and a roster system that is based on agreement and not unilaterally imposed.

Eurocontrol confirmed it had received the unions letter.

It said in a statement: No specific dates for industrial action have been announced. This was only a pre-warning.

Eurocontrol is in ongoing dialogue with USB and all the other trade unions to discuss the situation and we are hopeful of a positive outcome.

ATC restrictions due to strikes, staff shortages and airspace closures related to the war in Ukraine are expected to be among the biggest problems facing airlines this summer.

Eurocontrol recently warned that demand from airlines might get close to capacity for ATC in large parts of Europe, including London, Brussels and Madrid.

Fridays and weekends are expected to be most at risk of disruption.
SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has agreed with his deputy that Westminster is toxic as he described the departing Mhairi Black as a rock star.

The Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP announced this week should would not stand for re-election, just over six months since she was elevated to deputy Westminster leader.

Speaking to the News Agents podcast on Tuesday, Ms Black described Westminster as a poisonous place.

On the same podcast on Friday, Mr Flynn said: Obviously, I was aware of what Mhairi was intending to do, but Im a wee bit conflicted because on a political level, at Prime Ministers Questions and Deputy Prime Ministers Questions, she was phenomenal.

Mhairi, when it comes to politics, is a rock star and her ability to connect with the public, I think is unmatched. Shes phenomenal.

According to the Aberdeen South MP, Ms Black will be happier after having left Westminster.

Asked if he agrees with his deputys assessment that Westminster is toxic, he added: Yeah, I think so.

Westminster is really hard to describe to people who dont work in that environment. Its unlike anything I could possibly imagine.

I often say that Id love to pick up all the people of Scotland and get them one by one to spend a week in Westminster, to realise quite how dysfunctional the place is, and the nature of everything that happens there is just absurd.

But I guess its more than that for Mhairi as well.

Mhairi Black announced she would be leaving Parliament at the next election (House of Commons/UK Parliament/PA)

Ms Black, Mr Flynn added, is often attacked online by the dregs of society for her interventions and actions in Parliament no matter how good it is.

Westminster, he said, is not the place that normal people want to spend their lives.

But despite his issues with the Commons, the partys Westminster leader has no intention of leaving currently.

I want to continue for now because weve got a big challenge on our hands, he said.

Theres been well documented issues within the party. And you know, where there is a challenge, theres an opportunity, and I see an opportunity for us to really drive home that journey to independence.

And you know, what attracts me to that is being the person who walks past the statues outside the chamber as SNP MPs leave, then depart Westminster for good. Thats a big motivating factor for me.

But, of course, the personal challenges we all face are tough, and Mhairi has just decided it is better for her not to be there.
A gunman who killed a beautician when he opened fire outside a pub on Christmas Eve will be sentenced today for her murder.

Connor Chapman, 23, was convicted on Thursday after a three-and-a-half week trial at Liverpool Crown Court of the murder of Elle Edwards, 26, who was killed outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village in Wirral, Merseyside, on December 24 last year.

He injured five other people, including his targets Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, when he fired 12 shots from the Skorpion sub-machine gun before driving away from the scene in a stolen Mercedes.

Mr Justice Goose told the court he would consider imposing a whole life order.

Connor Chapman was found guilty of the murder of Elle Edwards (Merseyside Police/PA)

The jury also convicted Chapman of two counts of attempted murder, two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, as well as possession of a Skorpion sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He pleaded guilty before the trial to a charge of handling stolen goods and admitted going to burn out the car used in the shooting on December 31.

Co-defendant Thomas Waring, 20, whose house Chapman went to following the shooting, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender, by helping to burn out the Mercedes.

He pleaded guilty before trial to a charge of failing to comply with a disclosure notice.

Speaking outside court after the verdicts, Ms Edwards father Tim said: Those two cowards in there decided to drag it out for four weeks, put all these people through that and everyone else around it, involved in the case. I cant thank the police enough for what they did and we got there in the end, the right result.

I hope them two never see another Christmas again ever in their lives.
More than half of adults who fled Ukraine due to the war want to stay living in the UK even when it is safe to return to their home country, a new survey has suggested.

Some 52% said they intend to live in the UK most of the time when they feel it is safe to return to Ukraine, according to research by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The majority of these people said this decision was because there are more opportunities for work in the UK, the ONS said.

The survey, published on Friday, was based on data collected from 10,709 people aged 18 and above between 27 April and 15 May 2023.

All those surveyed had been granted a visa under the Government schemes launched in the wake of Russias invasion, namely the Ukraine Family Scheme, Homes for Ukraine scheme or Ukraine Extension Scheme.

The latest Government data, up to June 27, showed that 233,600 Ukraine scheme visas has been issued, and 178,900 visa-holders had arrived in the UK.

The ONSs UK humanitarian response insight survey found that 70% of people described their personal connection to the UK as being somewhat strong or very strong.

(PA Graphics)

The most common reasons given for intending to stay in the UK were that there are more opportunities for work (60%), they want to be in an English-speaking country (48%), and the belief that the quality of life is better in the UK than it will be in Ukraine (47%).

Those more likely to report intending to live in the UK even when Ukraine is considered safe tended to be aged between 18 and 49, paying for their own accommodation, employed or self-employed and proficient in English.

Just over a quarter (28%) of adults said they intend to return to Ukraine when they feel it is safe to do so, with 68% of those people saying they would leave the UK as soon as they felt it was safe to.

Weve released new survey results on visa holders entering the UK under the Ukraine Humanitarian Schemes (27 April to 15 May)  covering a range of topics including:  connections to the UK barriers to employment where people are living  https://t.co/OBGUc25SbA pic.twitter.com/utfZ2tNTBB  Office for National Statistics (ONS) (@ONS) July 7, 2023

Among those who said they were unsure as to which country they intend to live in most of the time, the majority said greater clarity for visa options for staying in the UK (60%) and more information on what life would be like in Ukraine (53%) would help them to decide.

The most common industries for those surveyed who are working in the UK were hospitality (26%), manufacturing or construction (13%) and food production such as agriculture and farming (10%).

More than half (58%) of adults work in a different sector in the UK, compared with the sector in which they were working in Ukraine.

In their home country, the most common industries adults worked in were teaching and education (12%), information technology and communication (12%) and retail (12%).

Some 52% of adults said they were now working in the UK, lower than the 77% who had been working when in Ukraine.

(PA Graphics)

Fewer adults (3%) were unemployed and actively seeking work when in Ukraine, compared with a quarter (26%) of adults now unemployed in the UK, the ONS said.

It added that of those not currently working in the UK, almost two thirds (63%) were very likely or likely to look for work in the next 30 days.

Just over a third (34%) of adults have changed address since coming to the UK, the survey found, most commonly because they can now afford to live in their own accommodation without being hosted (25%).
Irelands deputy premier has expressed dismay at the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle in Co Antrim that he released in the Republic.

Micheal Martin released the bird on the Shannon Estuary last August as part of the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Services white-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme.

It has been confirmed that the bird, along with a second white-tailed eagle of unknown origin, were poisoned.

TanaisteMicheal Martin said he was saddened by the deaths of the birds (Brian Lawless/PA)

The alarm was raised when conservationists monitoring the bird released by Mr Martin, which was fitted with a satellite tag, became concerned when the tags data indicated it had stopped moving.

The birds body was then traced, with a second untagged bird also lying dead close by in the Glenhead Road area of Ballymena on May 15.

A post-mortem examination revealed both birds tested positive for the insecticide bendiocarb.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an investigation, while the RSPB NI is offering a 5,000 reward for information around the poisoning.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he is deeply saddened and shocked.

I have closely followed the reintroduction programme for a number of years and to be involved in the release of the seven young eagles in 2022 was an experience that I will never forget, he said.

 5,000 reward for information leading to a conviction for illegally poisoned White-tailed Eagles  Today the @PoliceServiceNI have confirmed that the two White-tailed Eagles recovered from the Glenwherry area last month were illegally poisoned. RSPB Investigations 1/4 pic.twitter.com/h5TkfLlpxQ  RSPB NI (@RSPBNI) July 7, 2023

These are an iconic species, and the work of the NPWS in reintroducing them is something I, and the Government, am proud to support.

There have been great successes in the programme over recent years, so to learn of a poisoning like this is very disappointing.

The tagged eagle had been brought as a chick in 2022 from Norway before his release in the Shannon Estuary area.

He spent a number of months on the Shannon Estuary before starting to travel around the country. He crossed into Northern Ireland from south Donegal on the May 1.

NPWS staff believe the second unknown eagle may have fledged from a nest in Munster in 2021.

NPWS director general Niall ODonnchu described the losses as a setback.

White-tailed eagles are beautiful and rare birds, and while we are in the midst of a successful reintroduction programme, these setbacks truly matter, he said.

The deliberate poisoning of birds of prey is a heinous crime against nature and an offence under the Wildlife Act. These birds have no means of detecting that they have been baited and the malice aforethought in these acts doesnt bear thinking about.

Joanne Sherwood, director RSPB NI, said the charity is offering a 5,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction of those who are responsible for the poisoning.

The PSNIs Rural and Wildlife Crime Superintendent Johnston McDowell said the illegal killing of the majestic birds is disgraceful.

The test results suggest that an individual not only has access to the insecticide bendiocarb but has placed this in to the outside environment illegally, so that wild birds have been able to consume it, he said.

Bendiocarb is present in the trade product Ficam D, a powder which is only permitted for indoor use to control crawling insects such as wasps and ants, so using this active ingredient in fields would be a breach of Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).

The illegal killing of these beautiful birds in a popular rural area is disgraceful, and for any individual to think that they can ignore the law and lay poisonous bait which has led to the killing of these birds, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

He said officers, with support from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, have been on the ground conducting house-to-house enquiries in the areas where the birds were seen before they were found dead.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will continue to work with our partners to tackle this criminal activity, investigate any reports made to us and prosecute offenders, he said.

He urged anyone with information to come forward.

There must be people in the community who are aware of individuals committing these offences, and who can come forward and assist police with any information they have, he said.

If you notice any suspicious activity in rural areas, notice a dead or injured bird of prey, please call police on 101, or you can make a report via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.

The RSPB can be contacted on their confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101 or online at crime@rspb.org.uk.
A man has been remanded in custody on a charge of attempted murder after a two-year-old child was hit by a train.

Frederick Danquah, 26, made no plea in court to the charge, which relates to an incident that took place at Garrowhill Station in Glasgow last weekend.

Police were called to reports of two casualties on the tracks shortly before 7.30pm on July 2.

Danquah, of Coatbridge, and the child were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries following the incident.

Detectives charged Danquah with attempted murder after his release from hospital on Thursday.

The child was discharged from hospital earlier in the week.

Following his appearance at Glasgow Sheriff Court Danquah was committed for further examination and remanded in custody.

He is due to appear in court again in the next eight days.
A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a teenage boy and an adult victim at a north London music video shoot.

Abel Chunda, 27, is charged with the murder of 15-year-old Leonardo Reid and Shekaj Klevi, 23, on June 29 in Islington, north London.

The Metropolitan Police said Leonardo Reid was pronounced dead at the scene, while Mr Klevi was taken to hospital where he later died.

Leonardo Reid, 15, was stabbed to death in north London on June 29 (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Chunda also faces one count of attempted murder after allegedly injuring Abdullah Abdiullahi, believed to be 28, and one count of possession of an offensive weapon in Levison Way, Archway, north London.

It is alleged that Chunda arrived at the scene of a music video shoot as part of a group of people carrying large knives who went on to attack the victims.

Chunda, of Highgate Hill, Archway, appeared in the dock at the Old Bailey on Friday and was remanded into custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on September 22.

A provisional trial date has been set for May 28 next year, but it is not known where the trial will take place.
A young man has been given a life sentence after twice stabbing a teenager in the neck for being from the wrong neighbourhood.

Godfrey Madondo, 20, killed 19-year-old Jeremiah Sewell following a chance meeting in Beckenham Place Park in south London on July 16 last year.

Prosecutor Alan Kent KC had told jurors the motive for the murder appears to be simply because the deceased came from Beckenham and the defendant and his friends were from Peckham, in south London.

Mr Kent said: It was a chance meeting, in the early hours of the morning, in an otherwise deserted car park in the middle of a public park.

Jeremiah Sewell was murdered for being from the wrong neighbourhood (Met Police/PA)

After the murder, Khelsi Johnson-Davies and Leah Simmonds together cleaned and threw away Madondos bloodstained clothes, the court heard.

A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for five hours on Tuesday to find Madondo guilty of murder.

Johnson-Davies, 20, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Simmonds, 20, had admitted the charge.

A fourth defendant, Kadjo Kadio, 19, from Romford. Essex, was cleared of murder and an alternative offence of manslaughter.

Godfrey Madondo stabbed his victim in the neck (Metropolitan Police/PA)

Madondo was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years at the Old Bailey on Friday.

During the trial, the court had heard how the victim had met up with a group which ended up in Beckenham Place Park at 4am.

They were inhaling laughing gas from balloons, playing music and swapping places in their cars, jurors heard.

At 4.25am, the defendants arrived in a black Astra and Madondo got out of the front passenger seat wearing a balaclava and approached the victims car.

Someone heard the question: What ends you with?

The victim replied: Im a B boy.

Within seconds, he was stabbed twice in the neck and also received a superficial cut to the shoulder.

Mr Sewell was driven to Lewisham Hospital where he died at 5.36am.

Madondo fled the scene but was arrested the next day and declined to answer questions in a police interview.

Johnson-Davies was arrested at her Peckham home on July 19, and a grey balaclava with Madondos DNA on it was seized.

An examination of her phone led to incriminating conversations with Simmonds in which she advised her to wash Madondos bloodstained clothes at 90 degrees.

Following Simmonds arrest, communal bins near her home in Dulwich, south London, were searched and a bin bag containing Madondos grey hoodie and jogging bottoms was recovered.

Following the verdicts, Judge Nigel Lickley KC remanded Madondo into custody and warned he faced a life sentence when he returned to court on Friday.

He adjourned sentencing the two women to a date to be fixed in August and granted Johnson-Davies conditional bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood, from Scotland Yard, said after the conviction: Jeremiahs murder was an utterly senseless and barbaric act  the speed in which the situation escalated, and the fact that Jeremiah was sitting defenceless in the back of a car, offering no threat to Madondo, makes it all the more futile.

From the outset, Madondo has not made any attempt to explain why he attacked Jeremiah, let alone accept responsibility for his actions.

They have left Jeremiahs family wondering why their loved one was viciously attacked  when he could have provided answers; he has taken the cowards option and kept quiet.

Madondo was supported by Johnson-Davis and Simmonds who attempted to dispose of evidence in a futile attempt to cover his murderous tracks.

Nothing will undo the catastrophic consequences of that night, but I hope the conviction of these three people will at least give Jeremiahs family and friends some sense that justice has been served.
The man found guilty of murdering a mother and two young daughters by setting fire to their flat is to be sentenced for their killings.

Jamie Barrow was unanimously convicted of murdering Fatoumatta Hydara and her daughters, Fatimah and Naeemah Drammeh, on Tuesday after a three-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

Barrow, 31, took petrol from his motorbike, poured it through his neighbours letterbox and set it alight in the early hours of November 20 last year.

Prosecutors said during the trial that Barrow had a grievance over rubbish left in an alleyway outside their shared block of flats in Fairisle Close, Clifton, Nottingham, and stood outside to watch the fire take hold.

Fatoumatta Hydara and her children, Fatimah and Naeemah Drammeh (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

Simon Ash KC told the jury Barrow walked casually away after ignoring the screams of his victims, and later called Nottingham City Council to see if they would compensate him for belongings damaged by smoke from the blaze.

Speaking after Barrows conviction, Mrs Hydaras husband and the childrens father, Aboubacarr Drammeh, said: Words cannot quantify how much our family have suffered because of the horrific actions of one man.

Neither can we quantify the emotional, psychological, physiological and financial impact of the crime Jamie Barrow committed against Fatoumatta, Fatimah and Naeemah.

His actions were utterly heartless and cruel  and have caused a multi-generational trauma that we will never understand.

Mr Drammeh  who was in America at the time of the fire and had to identify his loved ones bodies on his 40th birthday  said Mrs Hydara had a pure heart and was greatly loved for her personality and qualities.

He said his daughters were two angels who deserved a beautiful childhood and a full life.

Fatimah and Naeemah, aged three and one respectively, died during the blaze, while 28-year-old Mrs Hydara died two days later, all from smoke inhalation.

Barrow had drunk several cans of lager before lighting the fire and was later seen on CCTV walking his dog while smoking a cigarette.

He asked officers how bad the fire was and in the hours after the blaze admitted to his actions, telling officers: I need to tell you something about the fire next door.

During evidence, he said he cant explain why he targeted his neighbours flat, which he claimed to believe was empty at the time and that he did not intend to harm anyone.

But the jury rejected his account after almost seven hours of deliberations, with members of the victims families weeping as the verdicts were given.

Mrs Justice Amanda Tipples remanded Barrow into custody following his conviction and is set to sentence him at the same court on Friday.

The hearing is expected to start at 10.30am.
Consumer finance expert Martin Lewis has warned over a disgraceful deepfake scam advert for an investment app, which he said will lead vulnerable people to lose money and ruin lives.

The broadcaster said people are using technology to pervert and destroy his reputation in order to scam people online.

The advert, which reportedly circulated on Facebook, appears to show Mr Lewis endorsing an Elon Musk-backed investment scheme through a video at his home.

Musks new project opens up new opportunities for British citizens. No project has ever given such opportunities to residents of the country, the fake Mr Lewis says in the footage.

But the clip is AI-generated, using deepfake technology to replicate the experts face and voice using existing video and sound, making it appear realistic.

Its pretty frightening, Mr Lewis told the BBC.

These people are trying to pervert and destroy my reputation in order to steal money off vulnerable people, and frankly it is disgraceful, and people are going to lose money and peoples mental health are going to be affected.

It's6yrs since we started seeing mass proliferation of scam ads5yrs since I sued Facebook. 4yrs since they settled (for 3m to charity). 4yrs since the online harms white paper (still not law)18mth since they agreed to inc scams in it.1 day since first deep fake scam ad  Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) July 7, 2023

He said it was the first time he has been used in this sort of video scam.

Mr Lewis, who founded Money Saving Expert and has around 2.3 million followers on Twitter, said more needs to be done to regulate scam adverts and protect victims of financial crimes.

Vulnerable people and many non-vulnerable people are being scammed in this country and nothing is being done about it, he said.

He said there are no proper fines for big tech firms who get paid to publish criminal adverts.

Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, is working with Stop Scams UK to help victims and remove scams at the source, as soon as it becomes aware of them.

The multinational tech giant said scammers are increasingly using sophisticated methods to defraud people, which it regards as an industry-wide issue.

Meta told the PA news agency that it removed the Martin Lewis video from its platforms.

A spokeswoman for the group said: We dont allow this kind of advert on our platforms and the original video was proactively removed by our teams, we also removed a number of copycat adverts using the same imagery.
Radiographers are to strike for 48 hours later this month over pay.

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) trade union announced its members at 43 NHS trusts voted to walk out between 8am on July 25 and 8am on July 27.

Bank holiday levels of life and limb emergency cover will be provided for patients while the industrial action takes place, it added.

The announcement comes after union members voted to reject the Governments pay offer of 5% plus a non-consolidated lump sum for 2022-23 in an indicative ballot.

Affected trusts include University College London Hospitals, the Royal Marsden, Liverpool University Hospitals, Nottingham University Hospitals and University Hospitals Bristol.

A majority of members were in favour of striking at more than 150 trusts but the required turnout threshold was not reached in many instances.

The union informed affected trusts of the strike by letter on Thursday.

It urged the Government to discuss urgent improvements to radiographers pay and conditions to avert the walkout.

Dean Rogers, the unions executive director of industrial strategy and member relations, said: Voting for strike action is never easy. Going out on strike will be even more difficult for our members, who care above all about the safety and wellbeing of their patients.

The Society of Radiographers had been seeking meaningful discussions with the Government without success, since starting its industrial action ballot across England.

Following a strong vote for strike action in the ballot, the Society of Radiographers was invited to a meeting with Will Quince, the minister for health, on July 4. This was followed by another meeting on July 6.

In both meetings, the SoR explained that our members were working long hours for low pay, and that this was forcing radiographers to leave the profession, resulting in chronic understaffing and long waiting lists.

We asked for: more pay now and a review of the 5% pay offer; funding to support recruitment and retention; support for long-term pay restoration; and clear support for better working conditions.

The Government acknowledged our concerns but made no concrete proposals.

They have now indicated they will not talk to the SoR any further while industrial action is proposed  something we find regrettable for staff, patients and future industrial relations.

Strike action is a last resort. But our members believe they have no alternative, because the Government wont take the action needed to address their concerns.

The union said radiographers  who carry out scans including x-rays and MRIs as well as radiotherapy for people with cancer  help nine out of 10 NHS patients but too few of them are currently being recruited and retained.

This means one million patients are waiting to be seen by a radiographer, it added.

The union said the Governments long-awaited workforce plan, unveiled last week, is a plan for the future which will not plug immediate staff shortages.

Mr Rogers added: If the Government wants to reduce NHS waiting lists and ensure that patients receive the treatment they need, when they need it, then it must urgently prioritise the recruitment and retention of radiography professionals.

Our members deserve better. Our patients deserve better.
A mother who was diagnosed with skin cancer while pregnant during the first summer of the Covid-19 pandemic has urged Scots to enjoy the warm weather safely.

Andrea Lambrou, of Newlands, Glasgow, was 36 weeks pregnant in July 2020 when doctors informed her she had malignant melanoma  the most serious form of skin cancer.

Her diagnosis transformed what was previously one of the happiest and exciting times in her and husband Nicoss lives into a nightmare.

The remaining days of her pregnancy were spent in and out of hospital for appointments and treatment.

After a 24-hour induction, 17 hours in the labour room and an emergency C-section, her son Leo was born prematurely on July 24.

Mrs Lambrou, 39, first became alarmed when she noticed a dark freckle on her leg which appeared to have grown in size, and she was referred to the dermatology department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

The mole was removed the same day, but a week later she was told she had cancer.

She said: Ill never forget hearing those words  not Im sorry, you have cancer, but what came next: We have to get that baby out now.

I had no choice. It was just as well I didnt have a birth plan as there was no time to get my head around anything.

Around four people in Scotland are diagnosed with malignant melanoma every day, which is about 1,400 people a year.

UK-wide, the figure has reached a record high of 17,500 cases a year and the numbers are projected to increase by 50% over the next 20 years, according to cancer research.

Mrs Lambrous cancer is now in remission and, alongside Cancer Research and Nivea Skin, she is encouraging people to take precautions to minimise the risk of getting skin cancer.

Andrea Lambrou at a recent Race for Life event with her son Leo, who is now two (Steve Welsh/PA)

She said: I hope by sharing my story I can raise awareness about sun safety and about early detection.

After three major surgeries in the first six months of motherhood and a year-and-a-half of immunotherapy treatment, I showed clear scans and I continue to do so.

The positivity just shines from our little Leo. I couldnt have asked for a happier, funnier, more beautiful smiley wee boy.

But there was trauma and tears when I was first given the news that I had skin cancer. I couldnt believe this was happening to me.

I hope I can encourage people to think about their sun habits and take precautions.

Its so important, because almost nine in 10 melanoma cases each year in the UK could be prevented by being safe in the sun and using a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen to avoid burning.

She recommends seeking shade between 11am and 3pm in the UK, when the suns UV rays are at their most harmful.

She also suggests wearing clothes that cover the skin properly, such as long-sleeved tops, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

Sunscreen over SPF 15 is also recommended.

Mrs Lambrou is now using her story to encourage sun safety (Andrea Lambrou/PA)

The month after Leos birth, a large area of skin across Mrs Lambrous leg and knee was removed and she had a lymph node biopsy, which confirmed her cancer had spread.

After starting immunotherapy, she noticed a marble-sized lump near her groin around Christmas 2020.

In January 2021 she went through another operation to remove the lymph nodes in her groin area.

She was also kept in hospital after developing cellulitis, a series skin infection.

The mother said: It hit me like a ton of bricks. I genuinely thought I was going to die.

But by Easter 2021, she was told she was cancer free.

She said: If you spot something on your skin thats not right for you, get it checked out.

Beth Vincent, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: Melanoma skin cancer is the UKs fifth most common cancer, so were grateful to Andrea for lending her voice to our campaign with Nivea Sun.

Its important to remember the sun isnt only strong abroad. Even on a cloudy day, it can be strong enough in Scotland  and across the UK  to burn between mid-March and mid-October.
Rishi Sunak is unaware of Home Office emergency brake proposals on migration which were reportedly rejected by his predecessor, No 10 has suggested.

The Sun reported that the Home Office had drawn up a policy document which suggested ministers could cap entry visas, raise fees and increase salary thresholds in a bid to meet the Conservative 2019 manifesto pledge to reduce overall migration.

The newspaper said it was former prime minister Liz Truss who rejected the proposals.

Downing Street, asked whether Mr Sunak could revisit the measures, said the Prime Minister had introduced the toughest ever action to curb the numbers of people legally arriving into Britain.

Net migration into the UK hit a new record high of 606,000 last year, driven by people from non-European Union countries arriving for work, study and humanitarian reasons.

In anticipation of the new figures, Mr Sunaks administration announced restrictions on most overseas students being able to bring their families and other dependents over to the UK with them as a way of cutting the numbers.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman pointed out that it was not Mr Sunak who dismissed the so-called emergency brake.

The No 10 official, asked what Mr Sunak thought about the proposals, said: Im not sure he has seen proposals from under a previous prime minister.

For his part, he looked at the issue of net migration and introduced the toughest ever action to reduce migration by removing the right for most international students to bring family members.

We think the plan that we introduced struck the right balance between significantly reducing net migration numbers but also ensuring we can grow our economy.

A Whitehall source, quoted by The Sun, said the emergency brake was just sitting there gathering dust.

The Treasury had kittens about it but if ministers actually wanted to get the numbers down, here is how they could, the source told the newspaper.

A source close to Ms Truss said Britains shortest-serving prime minister had her own plan for cutting incoming numbers but did not comment on whether she rejected the Home Office brake concept.

Former prime minister Liz Truss reportedly rejected the Home Offices emergency brake proposals (Victoria Jones/PA)

Liz has always been sceptical about top-down targets of any kind, the source told the PA news agency.

Her intention was to reduce the net migration numbers by limiting the number of dependants overseas students could bring with them and raising the salary threshold applied to those wanting to come from overseas to work here.

These measures would have significantly reduced the numbers.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced in May that new restrictions would be applied to international students studying in the UK.

Due to be applied from January, the measures will ban overseas students, apart from postgraduates on research programmes, from obtaining visas for their dependents.

Some 136,000 visas were granted to dependants of sponsored students in 2022, an increase from 16,000 in 2019 when the Tory election manifesto committed the party to reducing net migration by using post-Brexit controls.

Following the UKs divorce from Brussels, Britain is able to set its own migration policy, with free movement with the EU ended.

The emergency brake reports come after a group of right-wing Tory MPs put forward proposals designed to assist the Government in meeting its manifesto pledge on migration.

The New Conservatives, made up of MPs elected since the Brexit vote and backed by party deputy chairman Lee Anderson, recommended ministers close temporary visa schemes for care workers and cap the number of refugees resettling in the UK at 20,000.

Separately, Mr Sunaks administration is looking to crack down on the numbers of people arriving in Britain through unauthorised routes using its Illegal Migration Bill.

The flagship legislation, which is designed to address the crisis of small boats of migrants crossing the English Channel, is due back in the Commons on Tuesday following its mauling by peers in the House of Lords.

Channel crossings resumed on Friday amid calmer weather conditions, marking the first arrivals for the month so far.

More than 11,000 people have made the journey this year, according to provisional Government data. The latest figures are due to be published on Saturday.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: The Government remains committed to reducing overall net migration. Most importantly we are tackling illegal migration by stopping the boats and delivering control of our borders.

In May we took action to reduce migration by removing the right for most international students to bring family members, while continuing to benefit from the skills and resources our economy needs.

We will continue to strike the right balance between supporting the UK economy through skilled worker visas and upholding our commitment to reduce migration over time.
Ofsted inspectors have now rated as good the school run by a headteacher who took her own life after it was given an inadequate rating.

Ruth Perry was headteacher of Caversham Primary School before she died in January this year following a report which downgraded her school from the highest rating  outstanding  to the lowest over safeguarding concerns.

The school, in Reading, Berkshire, was reinspected on June 21 and 22 and the fresh report, which does not mention Ms Perry, rates it good in all categories.

Her sister Professor Julia Waters said the upgraded rating was a testament to the work of Ms Perry and the staff she led since the initial inspection in November last year.

She said: The reversal of the previous judgement in a matter of a few months illustrates why schools should be given the opportunity to correct any technical weaknesses before the final report is published.

An inspection should be about helping schools with independent scrutiny, not catching them out and publicly shaming them. Ofsteds use of safeguarding as a limiting judgement, overriding all other strengths and complexities of a school, puts headteachers in that position of constant jeopardy.

In a copy of the new report seen by the PA news agency, inspectors said: The schools work to address previous weaknesses has been swift, thorough and effective.

Straight after the last inspection, useful advice was sought from beyond the school. In particular, this helped leaders to understand fully the extent of the weaknesses in safeguarding arrangements and prioritise what needed to be done.

Ongoing and determined work has ensured that the improvements made have gone beyond the essential changes that were needed.

Professor Julia Waters, the sister of headteacher Ruth Perry, has been critical of Ofsteds inspection regime (NAHT/PA)

PA understands the report has been sent to the school before being made public, with the school given a chance to object to what the inspectors have written.

Should the school not object to anything in the report, it will take around eight working days for it to be published widely.

There have been widespread calls for Ofsted to revamp its school ratings system  which uses summative words such as outstanding and inadequate  following Ms Perrys death.

Prof Waters said: That Ruth was left feeling suicidal as a result of Ofsteds previous judgement demonstrates, in the most tragic way possible, the intolerably high stakes created by the current inspection system.

Ruth was not the first headteacher or teacher to take her own life following an Ofsted inspection. I am determined that she should be the last.

In the new report it explains how safeguarding arrangements are now effective, with the previous inspection finding the schools leaders did not ensure safeguarding was effective throughout the school.

The report sent to the school said: A positive culture of safeguarding now pervades the school.

Detailed and relevant training ensures that all staff fully understand their role in keeping children safe.

The legally required recruitment and vetting checks are now fully in place for all adults working at the school.

A spokesperson for Ofsted said: I can confirm we inspected Caversham Primary school on 21 and 22 June.

This is in line with the procedures set out in our school monitoring handbook and our recent announcement around returning to some schools more quickly.

The report will be published in due course.

Earlier this week, the watchdogs chief inspector said inspectors who produced the initial report were professional and humane in their role.

Amanda Spielman acknowledged there were issues around accountability at schools but reaffirmed her support for Ofsteds current one-word ratings.

Ofsted has announced a series of changes, including launching a consultation on reforms to the complaints system and giving schools more information around the timing of their inspections.

Schools graded inadequate overall due only to ineffective safeguarding  but where all other judgments were good or better  will be revisited by inspectors within three months of a report being published as part of the reforms.

Last month it was announced MPs will be launching an inquiry into the school watchdog and whether they can be improved.

The inquiry  by cross-party MPs on the Commons Education Select Committee  will look into concerns that the one-word ratings that Ofsted gives to schools may not be conducive to helping schools improve.

MPs will consider the impact of Ofsted inspections on the workload and wellbeing of teachers, school leaders and pupils as part of the inquiry.
Sir Keir Starmer has backed London mayor Sadiq Khan over his proposal to expand the capitals charge on the most polluting vehicles.

The Labour leader said Mr Khan had to take action due to the legal requirement on him to improve Londons air quality.

Addressing a listener question on LBC, Sir Keir said: I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him.

Labours Mr Khan in November announced his intention to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez)  a scheme originally introduced by Conservative mayor Boris Johnson  to all of Londons boroughs, enlarging it beyond the North and South Circular roads.

If it goes ahead, the extended Ulez will see drivers in outer London pay a 12.50 daily fee from August 29 if their vehicles do not meet the required emissions standards.

The new borders will reach Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

Conservative-led councils challenged the move in a hearing at the High Court this week and are waiting on Mr Justice Swifts ruling.

There have been calls from Labour MPs, such as Clive Efford and Jon Cruddas, to delay the expansion and improve its associated scrappage scheme.

Among the party figures to speak out is Danny Beales, who is contesting former Conservative prime minister Mr Johnsons old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in a by-election on July 20.

Mr Beales reportedly told a recent hustings it was not the right time for the charge to be applied more widely.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, left, said Danny Beales, centre left, was right to voice Ulez concerns in his Uxbridge by-election campaign (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Sir Keir said it was right for the Uxbridge candidate to stand up for his potential constituents but argued Mr Khan had been left with no wriggle room on the issue.

The Opposition leader said he recognised that the move would cause pain and it would be a lot of money for motorists to have to pay during the current cost-of-living crisis.

But he said it was important to make clear that there was a legal obligation on the mayor to take measures in relation to air pollution.

So he doesnt just have a free choice to decide what he does here. He has got to take action, Sir Keir added.

Pressed on whether he supported the call from Labour MPs to delay the rollout, Sir Keir replied: My experience of the mayor is he always listens to these overtures and that is why he has asked for more money on scrappage.

Ive looked at it myself, looked at the legal provision.

Sadiq Khan wants to expand Ulez to cover every London borough (Yui Mok/PA)

I think it is difficult to say you could simply ignore the legal requirement to do something about this, so the mayor in fairness is between a rock and a hard place on this.

The former director of public prosecutions suggested Mr Khan would have likely faced legal action from air pollution campaigners if he had opted not to extend Ulez.

Sir Keir said Mr Khan was looking for central government funding to boost the plan for a 110 million scrappage scheme, which is designed to help those who have non-compliant cars or vans.

Following his response, the caller, Tony from Tunbridge Wells in Kent  who described himself as a life-long Labour voter  said he would not be voting for the party at the next election in protest at Ulez.

Mr Khan is looking to become the first politician to be elected London mayor three times at next years election, with the Tories in the process of choosing who their candidate will be to rival the former minister.
Claims that Scottish Labour MSPs are afraid to speak out against party policies are simply not true, Anas Sarwar has said.

The Scottish Labour leader dismissed the comments from Central Scotland MSP Monica Lennon, who said on Thursday that politicians within her party were scared of being deselected as candidates for sharing their views.

The row came after Sir Keir Starmer said it was not his partys policy to scrap the two-child policy, which sees households in receipt of universal credit with more than two children unable to receive additional funds, with Ms Lennon calling the legislation abhorrent.

She said on Twitter: I know colleagues are scared of deselection, being exiled to backbenches or not winning seats, but if we dont speak out then who will?

I know colleagues are scared of deselection, being exiled to backbenches, or not winning selections but if we dont speak out then who will? The two-child benefit cap (aka the rape clause) is abhorrent and must be scrapped. @UKLabour policies must be progressive and humane. https://t.co/GCuuXrF3sd  Monica Lennon MSP (@MonicaLennon7) July 6, 2023

The two-child benefit cap (aka the rape clause) is abhorrent and must be scrapped. @UKLabour policies must be progressive and humane.

The policy applies to additional children born after April 6 2017, but has exemptions for those who had children in a multiple birth or children received due to rape or coercion. It has received criticism as women must disclose that they were raped in order to be eligible.

But speaking during a visit to the Scottish Gas Academy in Hamilton, alongside shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, Mr Sarwar said there were no examples of candidates being deselected for their opposition to policy.

He told journalists: Point me to one deselection, point me to one risk of deselection or one incident in Scotland, that would suggest what has been suggested in that tweet is true.

Its simply not true. The only difference that I think there is, is before we didnt have a Labour party that wanted to win. Youve now got a Labour party thats serious about winning and Im never going to apologise for that.

Ms Lennon ran as a leadership rival to Mr Sarwar in 2021.

Ms Reeves said she did not want to make promises she could not keep (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The shadow chancellor also said her party planned a fundamental review of universal credit, if elected into government.

The decision not to immediately propose scrapping the two-child benefit cap as a policy is because the party do not want to make any promises that we cant keep, Ms Reeves said on Friday.

She said: We voted against (the two-child benefit cap) when the Conservatives brought it forward and we recognise as well the huge struggle families are facing at the moment.

But we are going to inherit, if we win the next election, probably the worst economic inheritance that any government has every been bequeathed by its predecessor.

That means there are things that we would like to do that were not going to be able to do as quickly as we would want.

I am determined that we have a fully costed and fully funded manifesto and that I dont make any promises that we cant keep  but that manifesto is still a way off and we will set out that manifesto closer to the election.
A senior police officer convicted of possessing a child abuse video on her phone has pleaded not guilty to five further offences.

Superintendent Novlett Robyn Williams appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday via video link and denied allegations of failing to notify police of information required under the terms of her sentence.

She is charged with failing to notify police of: details of a credit card account; the credit card number, validation date and expiry date of a credit card held; details of the bank account opened on March 6 2020; details of the debit card issued on June 22 2021; and details of her travel outside the UK between December 11 and 19 2021.

Metropolitan Police Superintendent Novlett Robyn Williams will appear at the Old Bailey in August (Nick Ansell/PA)

The offences are alleged to have taken place between November 22 2019 and December 11 2021.

It comes after Williams, 58, was sentenced to 200 hours of community service for possession of an indecent image in November 2019.

During her trial at the Old Bailey, jurors heard that she received a child abuse video by WhatsApp from her older sister, Jennifer Hodge, so the officer could investigate the footage.

But she failed to report the clip, and while the court accepted she had not viewed it, the jury was not convinced she was unaware of it being on her phone.

Williams, of Pimlico, was placed on the sex offenders register for five years as part of her sentencing.

She was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police after a disciplinary hearing in March 2020 found her conviction amounted to gross misconduct, but in 2021 she successfully appealed against the decision to dismiss her following her conviction and was reinstated as a police officer.

The defendant was given unconditional bail by the chief magistrate, Senior District Judge Paul Goldspring, at the hearing on Friday until her next appearance at the Old Bailey on August 4.
Energy giant Shell has warned that trading from its gas division is set to be significantly lower for the past three months compared with the previous quarter.

The London-listed oil and gas firm said trading was affected by seasonal factors in the second quarter of 2023.

Nevertheless, it stressed that the performance from the gas operation would be in line with trading from the second quarter of 2022 and 2021.

It came as the company also reported 3 billion dollars (2.4 billion) of writedowns for the second quarter of this year, largely due to a 1% increase in the discount rate used for impairment testing.

The update comes three weeks before the oil major will reveal its full performance and profitability for the quarter.

On Friday, it also told shareholders in the short update that it expects an adjusted corporate loss of between 600 million dollars and 800 million dollars for the quarter.

The groups upstream business  which includes exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas  is on track to deliver adjusted earnings of between 2.5 billion dollars and 2.8 billion dollars.

Shell said it expects the trading performance of its chemicals and products business to also be lower in the latest quarter, compared to the start of the year.

It comes a day after the firms boss warned that slashing oil and gas production now would be dangerous and irresponsible and could see energy bills rocket higher again.

Chief executive Wael Sawan told the BBC the world still desperately needs oil and gas because the switch to renewable energy is not happening fast enough to replace it.
The ex-wife of retired businessman Sir Frederick Barclay is still waiting for money she hopes will settle a long-running divorce court fight, a judge has been told.

Sir Jonathan Cohen said he had heard several times that Sir Frederick, 88, was going to hand cash to Lady Hiroko Barclay, who is also in her 80s, as part of a settlement deal.

But Sir Fredericks adviser, Martin Clarke, told the judge on Friday that money had still not arrived in a bank account.

Sir Jonathan, who has been overseeing hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London, described the situation as a charade.

Martin Clarke, adviser to Sir Frederick Barclay, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Jordan Pettit/PA)

He said he would reconsider the case on Friday July 14.

The pairs fight over money began more than two years ago.

In May 2021, Sir Jonathan had ordered Sir Frederick to hand Lady Barclay lump sums totalling 100 million following the breakdown of their 34-year marriage.

A judge has been told Lady Hiroko Barclay is involved in a dispute over money with ex-husband Sir Frederick Barclay (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Sir Jonathan, who has been told that the money has yet to be paid, said then that Sir Frederick had behaved in a reprehensible fashion during the litigation.

The judge said on Friday he had adjourned recent hearings on the basis that a settlement was in the offing.

I have been told on four or five occasions that this case needs to be adjourned because there is a deal that is about to come to fruition, said the judge.

At the moment I dont have any certainty that it is ever going to happen.

The judge added: I have been told on countless occasions over the last few months that this is all happening  and every time it doesnt happen.

He went on: This has been going on for months and months and months.

Barrister Max Turnell, who represented Sir Frederick, said money was being borrowed.

Sir Frederick is borrowing money from another loaning party, he told the judge.

That loaning party has borrowed the money from a lender.

He added: It is not something that is in our control.

Lady Barclay, who petitioned for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, has complained Sir Frederick had not paid her as ordered  and alleged that he was in contempt of court.

Sir Jonathan subsequently ruled that Sir Frederick was in contempt as a result of failing to pay about 245,000 he owed his ex-wife for legal fees and maintenance.

Sir David Barclay and his twin brother Sir Frederick after receiving their knighthoods from the Queen at Buckingham Palace (Michael Stephens/PA)

Sir Frederick and his twin brother, Sir David Barclay, were among the UKs most high-profile businessmen.

Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

Their interests included the Telegraph Media Group and The Ritz hotel in London.

The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan has been told that Sir Davids sons Aidan and Howard Barclay now have day-to-day responsibility for group business.

In June, news emerged that the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator magazine were likely to be put up for sale after talks between their owners and lenders collapsed.

It came after the Barclay family denied that the business could face administration.

Howard Barclay, the son of the late Sir David Barclay, arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice ahead of the latest hearing (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Howard Barclay gave evidence at Fridays hearing.

He told the judge that prospective buyers might view the Telegraph group as a distressed asset.

He said he and his brother Aidan had been trying to help Sir Frederick.

Howard Barclay added: At the moment the business is simply not in a position to do that.
People must learn to disagree well, an archbishop said as he branded disunity a disgrace in his opening speech to the Church of Englands parliament.

People are stubbornly unreconciled, appear complacent about division and often also appear all too ready to divide again, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said.

In his presidential address on the first day of the General Synod of the Church of England in York, he called for unity and more focus on the word our over my.

He said: We have got used to disunity. We think its normal when, in fact, it is a disgrace, it is an affront to Christ and all he came to give us.

But if we begin with the word our and let it change the way we see ourselves and see each other, then we will also see that our belonging to each other is not only non-negotiable, it is what we must prize and hold on to in all our discussions, all our decisions and all the issues we face.

Moreover, we must always go the extra mile of finding those ways of widening the tent of our inclusion, but without letting anyone be lost.

Disagreeing well really does matter.

Mr Cottrells comments come after the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke out against antisemitism and about the need for universities to protect minority students.

.@synod is the national assembly of the Church of England, which will be gathering at @UniOfYork this weekend. Find out more at https://t.co/d5OKZMwBv0.  The Church of England (@churchofengland) July 6, 2023

Justin Welby, appearing this week at a Board of Deputies of British Jews event at a synagogue in central London, said while there is no right not to be offended, everyone has the right not to be abused.

Mr Welby, speaking amid a series of free speech rows on campuses, suggested there should be serious consequences for the funding, authority and recognition of universities which fail to protect students from minority backgrounds.

Elsewhere in his address, Mr Cottrell said he had assured Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch that while the Anglican Communion faces enormous challenges, it is not splitting.

He said: He asked me why are you in Rome talking about unity when the Anglican Communion is splitting?

I told him we are not splitting, that yes, we face enormous challenges, and that many of them are around the limits and requirements of unity and diversity.

I acknowledged that within the Anglican Communion there are movements for change and movements that cherish unchanging practice.

But I also said that our way of ecclesial belonging, as a federation of churches in communion, but not under a single rule, allowed us flexibility within the boundaries of our bonds of communion, enabling us at our best to walk together with our conscientiously held differences.

In February, the General Synod  which is the Church of Englands legislative assembly  passed a motion to allow the blessing of same-sex couples in civil partnerships.

The vote saw the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), which represents some Anglican churches question Mr Welbys fitness to lead.

Recognising divisions on the issue at the time, Mr Welby welcomed the blessings but said he would not personally carry them out due to his pastoral responsibility for the whole communion.

During the five-day July Synod, there will be an update on the plans for the prayers of blessing for same-sex couples, as well as discussions on the churchs decision to pull its investment from fossil fuel companies, a multimillion-pound fund for victims of church-related abuse, and a proposal to scrap marriage fees.
A triple murderer who killed a mother and her one and three-year-old daughters by setting fire to their flat has been described as a coward and a monster by his victims family.

Jamie Barrow is being sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday for what was described as the hateful murder of Fatoumatta Hydara and children, Fatimah and Naeemah Drammeh.

Mrs Hydara, 28, and her children died after Barrow poured petrol from his motorbike through his next door neighbours letterbox in Fairisle Close, Clifton, Nottingham, and set it alight with tissue paper.

He then watched the fire take hold for several minutes before walking away, later being seen on CCTV walking his dog with a cigarette in his mouth in the early hours of November 20 last year.

Aboubacarr Drammeh, Mrs Hydaras husband and father of Fatimah and Naeemah, said in a victim impact statement in court that Barrow was a coward who knew exactly what he was doing and exactly when to do it.

He said: My trip to the UK that rainy afternoon on November 21 was unplanned. I was escorted to the ICU and Fatoumatta was in an ICU bed. I stood there, I watched the movement on the monitor.

Aboubacarr Drammeh spent his 40th birthday in a hospital mortuary identifying his loved ones, after being in America at the time of the fire (Family handout/Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

I was hopeless, and I was left helpless, because I didnt have a family, and it was the people who mattered most to me.

Since then, it has been a downward plunge into darkness and the unknown.

It was unthinkable, it was unplanned, and I wish this on no one else, including you.

Mr Drammeh, who was working in America at the time of the blaze, was due to return to the UK a week after the blaze so the family could attend an interview for their visa application at the US Embassy in London, as part of their plans to emigrate.

Instead, he flew back to the UK and spent his 40th birthday identifying his childrens bodies in a hospital mortuary.

He said: Two little angels, their lifeless bodies laying next to each other. I held their whole hands. I wished I could switch with them.

Only Allah knows why. I have to accept and prepare for the next chapter of my life. All I can say is I am sorry.

I was not there, I should have been.

I had a responsibility as a father and a husband to protect, that was my basic responsibility. I make no excuses.

Because of you, and only you, I failed in my only responsibility as a father.

Several of the victims family members, who have attended court throughout proceedings, wept as Mr Drammeh delivered his statement over the course of almost an hour.

In a second statement from Mrs Hydaras mother, Aminata Dibba, read by junior prosecutor Sarah Knight, Barrow was described as heartless.

She said: The day I found out my granddaughters lives had been taken by this monster, it felt like at that moment I would do anything to swap my life for theirs.

Jamie Barrow was convicted of murder (Nottinghamshire Police/PA)

Four members of the 11-person jury, who deliberated for almost seven hours before convicting Barrow of murder, also returned to watch the sentencing.

They unanimously found Barrow guilty of the murders and also a count of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered after the defendant had previously admitted manslaughter.

He had denied murder on the grounds that he thought the flat was empty when he lit the fire.

The judge, Mrs Justice Tipples, also heard submissions from prosecution and defence counsel prior to the lunch break.

In his sentencing remarks, prosecutor Simon Ash KC accepted that the defendant took a decision and acted on it almost straightaway, but said that Barrow had taken a series of preparatory steps, such as siphoning petrol from his motorbike, and was acting thoughtfully and deliberately in a calculated way.

He said: At about 5am in the morning on November 20, when speaking to the Housing Officer, (Barrow) asked whether he could claim compensation from Nottingham City Homes if any of his belongings were damaged by smoke.

That conversation happened at a time when Mrs Hydara and the children had been brought out of the flat and were at the Queens Medical Centre and were either dead or in a very serious condition.

Christopher Henley KC, mitigating on Barrows behalf, said: Jamie Barrow is realistic that anything I say on his behalf about his remorse and his regret will sound pretty hollow and will provide precious little, if any, comfort to anyone who loved Fatoumatta Hydara, Fatimah Drammeh and Naeemah Drammeh.

Jamie Barrows focus was principally on himself, his own struggles. His mental health was in crisis, it had been in the days following the time he spent with his son.

He was going through a particularly bleak period.

The judge will hand down her sentence at 2.30pm.
Taylor Swift has thanked fans a million times as she released the re-recorded version of her third studio album Speak Now.

The release marks the next stage of the US megastars ambitious re-record of her entire back catalogue to regain control of her master recordings.

Announcing the release on Twitter on Friday, Swift recalled obsessing over the tracklist for the album, which was first released in 2010 through Big Machine Records.

Swift tweeted: Its here. Its yours, its mine, its ours. Its an album I wrote alone about the whims, fantasies, heartaches, dramas and tragedies I lived out as a young woman between 18 and 20.

Its here. Its yours, its mine, its ours. Its an album I wrote alone about the whims, fantasies, heartaches, dramas and tragedies I lived out as a young woman between 18 and 20. I remember making tracklist after tracklist, obsessing over the right way to tell the story. I had pic.twitter.com/I2cLH76EIH  Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) July 7, 2023

I remember making tracklist after tracklist, obsessing over the right way to tell the story. I had to be ruthless with my choices, and I left behind some songs I am still unfailingly proud of now.

Speak Now (Taylors Version) includes six previously unheard tracks from the vault, which the singer said had filled her with nostalgia and appreciation.

The vault tracks include collaborations with Fall Out Boy and Hayley Williams from Paramore.

For life, for you, for the fact that I get to reclaim my work. Thank you a million times, for the memories that break our fall. Speak Now (MY VERSION!) is out now.

Swift first embarked on the re-recording of her first six albums after the master recordings were acquired by the prominent talent manager Scooter Braun when he bought her former label, much to her fury.

The masters have since changed hands again after a deal with investment firm Shamrock Capital, but Swift has continued with a bid to regain ownership of the music by creating new versions of the songs.

Swift signed with Universal Music in 2018 in a deal believed to give her control of her master recordings.

She has already recorded new versions of her previous albums Fearless and Red.

Taylor Swift (Matt Crossick/PA)

She still has to release new versions of her 2006 self-titled debut album, 2014s 1989 and 2017s Reputation, although it is thought the work on 1989 has already been done.

The re-release of Speak Now will bring Swifts brief 2009 relationship with John Mayer back into the spotlight.

The pair reportedly started dating at the end of 2009, when she was 19 and he was 32, and ended in early 2010.

Speak Now features the track Dear John, with lyrics that blast an older partner who toyed with her emotions, with fans speculating the new from the vault songs will also reference Mayer.

Swift made a plea to her fans not to cyberbully her exes on her behalf prior to performing Dear John for the first time in 11 years at a show on her current Eras tour.

She told the audience: I was hoping to ask you, that as we lead up to this album, I would love for that kindness and that gentleness to extend onto our internet activities.

Im 33 years old. I dont care about anything that happened to me when I was 19 except for songs I wrote and the memories that we made together.

What Im trying to tell you, is that I am not putting this album out so that you can go and should feel the need to defend me on the internet against someone you think I might have written a song about 14 million years ago. I do not care. We have all grown up. Were good.

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal, previously came under fire from so-called Swifties, following the re-release of All Too Well (Taylors Version).

Swift is in the middle of her Eras tour, which will come to the UK and Ireland in 2024.

On Thursday it was announced she was adding 14 more stops in the UK and Europe, including dates in London, Liverpool and Edinburgh, as well as three dates in Dublin  June 28 to 30.

The US megastar was already due to play the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on June 28 and 29, but has added a Sunday show.

There has been speculation online this may rule her out of appearing at the 2024 Glastonbury festival, which falls on these dates.

Swift was previously scheduled to perform at the festival in Somerset in 2020, but it was cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.
HONG KONG (AP)  Chinese regulators are fining Ant Group 7.123 billion yuan ($985 million) for violating regulations in its payments and financial services, an indicator that over two years of scrutiny and crackdown on the firm that led it to scrap its planned public listing may have come to an end.

The People's Bank of China imposed the fine on Friday, stating that Ant had violated laws and regulations related to corporate governance, financial consumer protection, participation in business activities of banking and insurance institutions, payment and settlement business, and attending to anti-money laundering obligations.

The fine comes over two years after regulators pulled the plug on Ant Group's $34.5 billion IPO  which would have been the biggest of its time  in 2020. Since then, the company had been ordered to revamp its business and behave more like a financial holding company, as well as rectify unfair competition in its payments business.

We will comply with the terms of the penalty in all earnestness and sincerity and continue to further enhance our compliance governance, Ant Group said in a statement.

The move is widely seen as wrapping up Beijings probe into the firm and to allow Ant to revive its initial public offering. Chinese gaming firm Tencent, which operates messaging app WeChat, also received a 2.99 billion yuan fine ($414 million) for regulatory violations over its payments services, according to the central bank Friday, signaling that the crackdown on the Chinese technology sector could ease.

Alibabas New York-listed stock was up over 9% Friday afternoon.

Ant Group, founded by Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma, first started out as Alipay, a digital payments system aimed at making transactions more secure and trustworthy for buyers and sellers on its Taobao e-commerce platform.

The digital wallet soon grew to become a leading player in the online payments market in China, alongside Tencent's WeChat Pay. It eventually grew into Ant, Alibaba's financial arm that also offers wealth management products.

At one point, Ant's Yuebao money-market fund was the largest in the world, but regulators have since ordered Ant to reduce the fund's balance.

In January, it was announced that Ma would give up control of Ant Group. The move followed other efforts over the years by the Chinese government to rein in Ma and the countrys tech sector more broadly. Two years ago, the once high-profile Ma largely disappeared from view for 2 1/2 months after criticizing Chinas regulators.

Yet Mas surrender of control came after other signs the government was easing up on Chinese online firms. Late last year Beijing signaled at an economic work conference that it would support technology firms to boost economic growth and create more jobs.

Also in January, the government said it would allow Ant Group to raise $1.5 billion in capital for its consumer finance unit.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  New Hampshire followed dozens of other states Thursday in prohibiting state contracts or investments involving companies that boycott Israel and its trade partners.

The executive order signed by Gov. Chris Sununu makes New Hampshire the 37th state to enact such regulations, according to the Israeli-American Coalition for Action. Shawn Evenhaim, the coalition's chairman, praised Sununu for standing up against national origin discrimination and defending the deep cultural and commercial ties between Israel and New Hampshire.

Gov. Chris Sununu signed an executive order Thursday, making New Hampshire the 37th state to prohibit state contracts or investments involving companies that boycott Israel and its trade partners.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, however, condemned the order as a total assault on our First Amendment rights. CAIR, the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, has successfully challenged similar regulations in other states.

The government cannot tell Americans how to spend their money or who to financially support, the group's senior litigation attorney Gadeir Abbas said in a statement. "Boycotts have been a part of American political life since the founding of our nation, and no state order attempting to ban or limit our right to boycott can be legitimate.

Sununu was joined at the signing by Israel's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Gilad Erdan.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH bans boycotts of Israel in state investments and procurement
Sooner or later, Ethan Hunt will face a mission he really ought not to accept. But for the time being, he remains the one man on Earth willing to attempt the impossible without questioning the motives of those who require his services. Thats the deal with Americas most dutiful Boy Scout, Tom Cruise, whos carried the billion-dollar Mission: Impossible franchise across 27 years without losing steam. Compare that with Indiana Jones, whos failed to connect with a younger generation, or the Fast and Furious movies, which arent running out of gas so much as guzzling the laughing sort.

Mission: Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One finds Cruise, now in his 60s, still running from one side of a very big, very wide screen to the other as if his life  and the lives of all 8 billion people on the planet  depended on it. This is Hunts seventh blockbuster outing, with a last franchise-capper set to release next summer, and while it cant eclipse what came before (Fallout was the series high), director Christopher McQuarrie delivers a formidable concept and several hall-of-fame set-pieces while somehow managing to tie the storylines back into these movies core mythology.

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The villain this time around isnt a person but an all-powerful artificial-intelligence whatsit known as the Entity, which fools a super-advanced Russian submarine into destroying itself in the films clever pre-credits sequence. In the moments just before the ship explodes (mere days after the Titan met a similar fate), the camera zeroes in on an unattended computer monitor, where something resembling a giant digital eyeball appears on the screen. Not red like HAL-9000, but more of an ominous blue orb staring out from a flow of Matrix-style digital code. Its a serviceable solution to a tricky quandary: How to anthropomorphize something so abstract as rogue AI? In the decades since 2001: A Space Odyssey, the general public has developed real concerns about such technology. Whereas Arthur C. Clarke was dealing in speculative fiction, Dead Reckoning now seems incredibly timely.

Between the sub and the supercomputer, it feels as if McQuarrie and co-writer Erik Jendresen had the foresight to pull plot points from tomorrows news, which helps cover the fact that the action sequences are essentially just slick retreads of familiar stunts. How many times have we seen Cruise dangling over some high-altitude chasm, or watched grown men duke it out atop a speeding train? If and when human heroes are finally called upon to rein in artificial intelligence, it doesnt seem especially probable that the showdown will involve anything so spectacular as speeding a motorcycle off a sharp Norwegian cliff. But watching nerds writing code in a boring computer lab (or whatever that scenario will ultimately entail) isnt nearly so cinematic, so lets be thankful that McQuarrie and company have such vivid imaginations.

While Cruises Hunt is busy being the movies action figure, hes supported by tech agents Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg), who give him pointers via headset. Dead Reckoning also brings back sharpshooter Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) and arms dealer the White Widow (Vanessa Kirby), lining up a neat little ensemble of friends and associates that the AI can target and/or manipulate. The idea here is that the Entitys mile-a-minute computation skills have concluded that the only thing that stands in its way is Hunt. And what is Hunts weak spot? Loyalty to his friends. As Hunt tells a gifted recruit known only as Grace (Hayley Atwell), Your life will always matter more than my own.

Thats just a flat-out lousy tactical philosophy, but its the kind of stubborn thinking that Cruise embodies so well: a blunt instrument traveling at extremely high velocity, guided by instinct and that inner ethical barometer. Even though weve just met Grace  whos a pickpocket for hire, and not much of a team player  Hunt has decided shes worth protecting. Heck, she could even be Impossible Mission Force material. So, when the Entity forces Hunt to choose which of his amigas to save, Ilsa or Grace, the guy all but short-circuits. In theory, thats how you beat a virtual brain: You give it an impossible problem to solve (a la the tic-tac-toe game in War Games). For the moment, the Entity seems to be playing chess, not Risk, as Dead Reckoning has yet to show what renegade AI is capable of. Told that one of these women must die, Hunt does his darnedest to save them both. As usual, hes got face masks in his arsenal, while the Entity has a nifty trick for pretending to be various people  a reminder that you can never trust your eyes or ears in an M:I movie.

Since Hunt cant really deal with the Entity directly, the movie concocts a handful of human henchpeople to do its bidding (and punching, driving, etc.). To that end, Esai Morales plays a guy named Gabriel whos been retconned into Hunts backstory, which supposedly makes this a more personal mission than those that came before  although the effect is no different than if hed been invented for this movie. Gabriel takes orders from the Entity, while right-hand woman Paris (Pom Klementieff, who played Mantis in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies) proves the more threatening adversary. She first appears in Rome, where an elaborate car chase shot on location expertly balances thrills and laughter, the latter courtesy of a puny Fiat 500 and a pair of handcuffs.

As always, the plot is but an excuse for ever more elaborate set-pieces, executed so convincingly that Cruise has acquired a reputation for carrying out all the insane things Hunt is called upon to do in the movie. Thats a testament to more than just the marketing department; Cruise really is committed to topping his previous feats, and though theres no shortage of good old-fashioned movie magic involved (in the editing and visual effects), the crew does a terrific job of making Dead Reckoning look real. At a moment when nearly every other franchise, from Marvel to Avatar, has embraced the fake look of CG cartoons, Mission: Impossible appears the most practical: So much of what we see was captured on camera, and that makes all the difference.

With just one film left in the series, Dead Reckoning starts to tie up loose ends, which means none of the canonical characters is safe  not even Hunt. Combine that with the Entitys strategy of targeting his friends, and the movie succeeds in humanizing the stakes. At the core, this is still just an elaborate game of hot potato, as everyone chases the two-part key that went down with the Russian sub, and which keeps changing hands over the movies 163-minute running time. The action builds to the films best set-piece, as Hunt finds a novel way to board a speeding train  and an even more unconventional way to disembark once it starts sliding off a bridge, one car at a time. This outing may be one-half of a two-part finale, but it gives audiences enough closure to stand on its own, and every reason to expect the last installment will be a corker.

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US drugmaker Moderna has signed a deal to make mRNA medicines in China as part of its first major investment in the country, despite escalating trade and political tension between Washington and Beijing.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company signed a memorandum of understanding and a related land collaboration agreement on Wednesday, according to a statement sent to CNN.

Any medicines produced under this agreement will be exclusively for the Chinese people  who face many of the same health challenges that affect other communities around the world  and will not be exported, it said.

The official Xinhua news agency reported that Moderna (MRNA) plans to set up its mRNA pipelines in Shanghais Minhang District, adding the pharmaceutical firm will build a production plant.

Earlier, the state-owned financial publication Yicai had reported, citing unnamed sources, that the firm was planning on investing around $1 billion in its China operation.

The deal comes as US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrives in Beijing as part of ongoing efforts by the Biden administration to deepen communication between the US and China after a particularly difficult time in bilateral relations.

mRNA technology

Moderna was founded in 2010 to focus on mRNA medicine development.

The company currently only markets its mRNA vaccines for Covid-19, but has a number of vaccines and therapeutics in its pipeline.

Those focus on addressing infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases, cardiovascular diseases and autoimmune diseases, according to the company.

Modernas Covid-19 vaccine, which received emergency authorization from US regulators in 2020 and full approval in 2022, has not been approved in China.

For most of the pandemic, China relied on more traditional platforms for its homegrown Covid-19 vaccines.

It approved its first mRNA vaccine for the virus in March. That product was developed by CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, based in the northern Chinese city of Shijiazhuang.

The country has not yet approved a foreign-made mRNA product.

Scientists have hailed the potential for vaccines and therapeutics using mRNA technology to transform medicine across a range of targets from cancer to immune disorders, as well as infectious diseases.

The technology works by delivering instructions to the body to produce a specific protein. For vaccines for infectious diseases, this protein can then trigger a protective immune response, teaching the body how to respond in case of a real infection.

The use of mRNA as a platform for vaccine delivery took a substantial leap forward due to the Covid-19 pandemic, when mRNA vaccines to protect against the coronavirus were among the first to be approved by regulators worldwide  also marking the first time a mRNA vaccine was brought to market.

Other major US-headquartered pharmaceutical companies have longstanding ties with China.

Pfizer (PFE) has operated in the country for more than three decades and invested more than $1.5 billion, according to the company.

Johnson and Johnson founded its first joint venture in China in 1985 and its businesses employ some 10,000 people in the country, including including its consumer and personal care arm, one of its China-based companies has said.

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(Reuters) - The conflict between military factions in Sudan has caused a surge in cases of rape and the abduction of women and girls, some as young as 12, aid agencies and officials said.

Teenage girls are being sexually assaulted and raped by armed combatants in "alarming numbers", Save the Children said in a statement on Friday, while the United Nations reported a "marked increase" in gender-based violence.

The war that erupted on April 15 pits Sudan's army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who fell out over plans for a political transition towards civilian rule. Fighting has been concentrated in the capital Khartoum and the western region of Darfur.

While dozens of cases of rape resulting from the conflict have been verified, the Sudanese government's Combating Violence against Women (CVAW) unit estimates that figure may represent just 2% of the total.

"We know that the official numbers are only the tip of the iceberg. Children as young as 12 are being targeted for their gender, for their ethnicity, for their vulnerability," Save the Children's Sudan director Arif Noor said in a statement.

Some parents were marrying off their daughters at a young age to try to protect them from further abuse, he said.

There have also been reports of girls being held for days while being sexually assaulted, and gang rapes of women and girls.

"Health care providers, social workers, counsellors and community-based protection networks inside Sudan have all warned of a marked increase in reports of gender-based violence as hostilities continue across the country," United Nations agencies said in a joint statement this week.

"Reporting violations and getting support is also made difficult, if not impossible, by the lack of electricity and connectivity, as well as lack of humanitarian access due to the volatile security situation."

CVAW also reported an escalation in cases of abduction of women and girls, especially in Khartoum, citing several recent cases for which it said RSF fighters were responsible.

The RSF has not directly addressed accusations of assault and sexual violence by its fighters, but has said that those who commit abuses will be held to account.

The U.N. estimates 4.2 million people are at risk of gender-based violence, up from 3 million before the conflict started in mid-April. Sudan has a population of 49 million.

The U.N. said the risk was especially high when women and girls were on the move, seeking to reach safe locations.

More than 2.9 million people have been uprooted by Sudan's conflict, including nearly 700,000 who have fled into neighbouring countries.

Some women are arriving pregnant as a result of rape, according to the U.N. refugee agency.

(Reporting by Aidan Lewis and Nafisa Eltahir; editing by Mark Heinrich and Ros Russell)
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  Appeals court judges in Amsterdam ruled Friday that the Dutch government can order Schiphol Airport, one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs, to reduce the number of flights from 500,000 per year to 460,000.

The Amsterdam Court of Appeal overturned a lower court that concluded in April the government of the Netherlands did not follow the correct procedure when it told Schiphol last year to cut flights.

The airport, civil aviation organizations and airlines that included Dutch flag carrier KLM challenged the government's order. Friday's decision can be appealed to the Dutch Supreme Court.

The Amsterdam appeals court said in a statement Friday that it attaches considerable weight to the interests of local residents in the densely populated region where people have complained for years about noise pollution from the airport.

In a written response, Schiphol said it accepted the ruling and hopes for a new aviation traffic order from Dutch authorities as soon as possible with clear and enforceable environmental limits that provide clarity and perspective for all parties involved.

The airport said that the most important thing for us is that Schiphol becomes quieter, cleaner and better.

KLM said it was disappointed about the ruling and studying it.

The carrier said it would continue to engage with other stakeholders in seeking the best way to reduce the number of people affected by aircraft noise.

Schiphol already is attempting to address the issue. Earlier this year, the airport announced plans to phase out all flights between midnight and 5 a.m., to ban private jets and the noisiest planes, and to abandon a project for an additional runway.
Special counsel Jack Smith issued a subpoena to the Arizona secretary of states office in May as part of the ongoing criminal probe related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, CNN has confirmed.

Adrian Fontes office has complied with the subpoena, which was received through outside counsel, a spokesperson for the secretary of state said Thursday.

Fontes told CNNs Erin Burnett Thursday evening that the subpoena sought records related to two lawsuits filed following the 2020 election, one brought by the Trump campaign and another filed by then-Arizona GOP Chair Kelli Ward, who promoted former President Donald Trumps baseless election fraud claims.

It was just another one of the random, various and  frivolous lawsuits that were filed all over the United States of America in the feeble and misguided attempt to overturn an American election, Fontes said of the case involving Ward.

Fontes also revealed that the May subpoena was one of two received by his office. The office received an initial subpoena in late December, he said.

The May subpoena, first reported earlier this week by the Arizona Republic, adds to whats known about the special counsels probe as investigators have recently zeroed in on the efforts to put forward alternate slates of electors in seven states Donald Trump lost, including Arizona. Trump and his allies also waged legal battles claiming election fraud in the state.

The news comes after a former top Republican official in Arizona, who rejected pressure from Trump and his allies following the former presidents 2020 election defeat, told CNN Wednesday night that he has spoken with the FBI as part of the same ongoing criminal investigation.

Former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers revealed the interview with investigators lasted four hours and took place a few months ago.

I am hesitant to talk about any subpoenas, et cetera. But I have been interviewed by the FBI, Bowers told CNNs Kaitlan Collins, when asked whether he had been subpoenaed.

In recent weeks, federal investigators have focused on Trumps efforts, as well as those of his top lawyers as they organized fake electors to submit votes to Congress on his behalf and as they sought to sway then-Vice President Mike Pence into blocking the election result.

CNN previously reported investigators secured evidence and testimony from fake electors in Nevada, Georgias secretary of state and various election offices in battleground states  indicating the breadth of Smiths work to date.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Kaanita Iyer contributed to this report.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  For a century, the League of Women Voters in Florida formed bonds with marginalized residents by helping them register to vote  and, in recent years, those efforts have extended to the growing Asian American and Asian immigrant communities.

But a state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May would have forced the group to alter its strategy.

The legislation would have imposed a $50,000 fine on third-party voter registration organizations if the staff or volunteers who handle or collect the forms have been convicted of a felony or are not U.S. citizens.

A federal judge blocked the provision this week. But its passage reflects the effort by DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, and other GOP leaders to crack down on access to the ballot. Florida is one of at least six states, including Georgia and Texas, where Republicans have enacted voting rules since 2021 that created or boosted criminal penalties and fines for individuals and groups that assist voters. Several of those laws are also facing legal challenges.

In the meantime, voting rights advocates are being forced to quickly adapt to the changing environment. Before the ruling in Florida, for instance, the League of Women Voters started using online links and QR codes for outreach. It removed the personal connection between its workers and communities and replaced it with digital tools that are likely to become a technological barrier.

"If theres not access, in terms of language, we cant get to as many people, which particularly affects AAPI voters, Executive Director Leah Nash said, referring to the state's Asian American and Pacific Island population, which has grown rapidly and where more than 30% of adults have limited English proficiency. If we just give someone our website or QR code to go register, we dont know for sure if theyre doing it and we like to get as many people registered to vote as possible.

In states where penalties are getting tougher, the developments have sowed fear and confusion among groups that provide translators, voter registration help and assistance with mail-in balloting  roles that voting rights advocates say are vital for Asian communities in particular.

In a number of states, language barriers already hamper access to the ballot for a population that has been growing rapidly. Asian, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander populations grew 35% between 2010 and 2020, according to Census data. The new laws in mostly Republican-led states are seen by many voting groups as another form of voter suppression.

"It's specifically targeting limited English proficiency voters, and that includes AAPI voters, said Meredyth Yoon, litigation director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Atlanta.

Yoon added that record turnout for the 2020 elections in Georgia influenced the Republican-dominated legislature to pass sweeping voter restrictions: Its not a coincidence, she said.

In Texas, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill in June that raises the penalty for illegal voting to a felony, upping it from a misdemeanor charge that was part of a sweeping elections law passed two years earlier.

Alice Yi, who is Chinese American, used to help translate in Austin, Texas, but said the new law isnt clear about whether good faith mistakes will be criminalized and worries that she could get into trouble by offering assistance.

Yi recalls being approached during a 2022 primary election by a man who was Vietnamese American and asked for help because he hadnt voted before and didnt speak English. She said she was immediately worried she could face consequences if she helped him.

This is the fear Im facing, she said.

Now, she said, she will help her father vote, but no one else.

But voting rights supporters like Ashley Cheng  also in Austin  remain committed to reaching Asian voters, despite the threat of jail time.

Cheng, the founding president of Asian Texans for Justice, recalls discovering her mother was not listed in the voter rolls when she tried to help her vote in 2018. They never found out why she wasnt properly registered. Advocates say this highlights flaws in the system and illustrates how volunteers are essential to overcoming them.

The group's own research has found that roughly two-thirds of Asian voters in Texas were highly motivated to vote in the 2022 midterm elections. Cheng said that desire amplified her enthusiasm to help the community get its votes counted.

Its really easy to feel like, Oh, I would love to just like not try anymore, she said. "But, I think about people like my mom and so many others in the Asian diaspora who live in Texas who have that experience of wanting to vote but not being able to, for whatever reason, are not feeling like its accessible.

For instance, some 34% of Asian American adults in Texas have limited English proficiency, according to 2022 data from Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIA Vote), a nonpartisan Asian American and Pacific Islander advocacy group.

Farha Ahmed, an attorney in Texas, said the increased liability in helping these marginalized communities access the ballot box forced her to decide against continuing as an election judge, a position that administers voting procedures and settles disputes concerning election laws.

Theres not a lot of resources and theres not a lot of protection," said Ahmed, who lives in Sugarland, just outside Houston. "Election judges want to help make it easy for people to vote, but with these new laws in place, theyre very unsure of where is their liability when theyre really just trying to do their best to help.

Before Florida and Texas, Georgia lawmakers overhauled that states election laws.

A section of Georgias 2021 election bill made it a misdemeanor to offer a voter any money or gifts at polling places, a provision that included passing out water and snacks for those waiting in lines. Attempts to get a court to toss out the ban on snacks and water have so far been unsuccessful.

James Woo, the communications director at Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta, said he won't even get his parents a drink of water while helping them with their ballots.

Its simple things like that, which would have been like a conversation starter or just like helping them throughout the process, might be viewed as like something illegal Im doing, he said.

___

Associated Press writer Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida, contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press coverage of race and voting receives support from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation. See more about APs democracy initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
BALTIMORE (AP)  Authorities have arrested and charged a teen who detectives believe was involved in a mass shooting at a Baltimore block party over the holiday weekend that left two people dead and 28 others wounded, officials announced Friday.

Members of the homicide and SWAT teams arrested the 17-year-old boy around 7 a.m. Friday after a search warrant was executed at a home, police said in a news release. He was taken to the Central Booking Intake Facility, where he was charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and possession of an assault weapon, as well as reckless endangerment and having a handgun in a vehicle, police said.

Police referred to the teen in the release as a person of interest. He is charged as an adult, but police aren't identifying him since he is a minor, according to department spokesperson Detective Freddie Talbert.

Detectives are still actively investigating the shooting in the Brooklyn Homes area in the southern part of the city, Talbert said. A reward for up to $28,000 is being offered for any information that leads to an arrest and charges in the case.

There was a wave of shootings this week as the U.S. celebrated the Fourth of July. The gun violence that flared this week in Washington, D.C.; Louisiana; Florida; Pennsylvania; Texas; Maryland and Massachusetts left more than a dozen dead and more than 60 wounded  including children as young as 2 years old.

Earlier this week, interim Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that investigators believed there were multiple shooters in the block party shooting, and that it wasnt clear if the shooting was targeted or random.

We dont know exactly how many, but we do know more than one person was shooting, Worley said. The event has been held for decades, but no permit was issued this year and police didnt find out about it ahead of time, as they have in past years, Worley said.

Police identified the two people killed as 18-year-old Aaliyah Gonzalez and 20-year-old Kylis Fagbemi. The 28 injured victims ranged in age from 13 to 32, with more than half younger than 18, officials said. Of those injured, police said Friday that three victims remain at hospitals in fair condition.
NEAR TSEL, Belarus (AP)  The Belarusian military on Friday showed off a field camp it has offered to Russias Wagner military contractor if it relocates to Belarus under a deal that ended its mutiny.

Maj. Gen. Leonid Kosinsky, an assistant to Belarus defense minister, told international reporters that Wagner troops could use the former Belarusian army camp near Tsel, about 90 kilometers (about 55 miles) southeast of Minsk.

Journalists were shown rows of empty tents that Kosinsky said could accommodate up to 5,000 troops at the camp in the Asipovichy district that was used by the Belarusian army before it was handed over to the territorial defense forces.

Kosinsky said Wagner representatives haven't yet inspected the camp to see whether it meets their needs. When the Wagner Group makes a final decision on whether to deploy to Belarus or not, they will see where and how to deploy, he told reporters.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Russia and his troops so far have remained at their home camps, raising new questions about the deal that ended the extraordinary challenge to President Vladimir Putins rule.

Much about the the agreement, which was brokered by Lukashenko, remains murky, and it was not clear if the Wagner chiefs presence in Russia would violate the deal, which allowed Prigozhin and his mercenaries to move to Belarus in exchange for ending the rebellion and a promise of amnesty.

Lukashenkos claim could not be independently verified, but Russian media have reported Prigozhin was recently seen at his offices in Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg. Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday again shrugged off questions about Prigozhin's whereabouts and refused to comment on whether his presence in Russia would violate the deal.

The Belarusian president dismissed suggestions that the mercenaries could attack Ukraine from Belarusian territory, which Russian troops used as a staging ground ahead of their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

During their revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Prigozhins mercenaries quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 200 kilometers (125 miles) of the Russian capital. Prigozhin described it as a march of justice to oust his longtime foes  Russian defense minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the militarys general staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, whose handling of the war in Ukraine he criticized.

The Wagner fighters faced little resistance and downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing at least 10 airmen. When the deal was struck, the Wagner chief ordered his troops to return to their camps.

The abortive rebellion represented the biggest threat to Putin in his more than two decades in power, exposing his weakness and eroding the Kremlins authority.
Chinese firms showcase breakthroughs in key technologies at global AI conference in Shanghai

Global Times) 10:21, July 07, 2023

Vsitors experience artificial intelligence that detects and interprets human emotional signals at 2021 WAIC in Shanghai on Wednesday. Photo: Chen Xia/GT

The development of China's artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining momentum despite increasingly fierce global competition and the US' relentless push for "tech decoupling," with domestic tech firms showcasing various breakthroughs in key technologies at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) which kicked off in Shanghai on Thursday.

Business insiders and experts said China has a long way to go to achieve high-tech self-reliance but they expressed firm confidence in the country's capability of attaining the goal on the back of policy support, industrial and supply chain coordination and continuous opening-up.

On Thursday, a multitude of people gathered to interact with the large language models which are the most popular attraction in this year's event. NetEase Youdao unveiled an interactive English language learning chatbot at the event, which allows speakers to practice spoken English with the AI model.

Chinese tech firm Meituan launched the 4.0 version of its unmanned aircraft system at the event. Compared with the previous editions, it has longer delivery range and better performance operating in inclement weather environment.

In terms of semiconductors, a number of domestic chip companies including Enflame, Vastai Technologies and Hexaflake unveiled their cutting-edge AI chips, which enable large language models to process vast amounts of data at lightning speed.

"Recently, we have surpassed US chip giant Nvidia's high-end chips in a single benchmark for image recognition on the international stage. This achievement is a result of a step-by-step process," a sales representative surnamed Wang from a startup AI company told the Global Times on Thursday.

Compared with Nvidia, we follow a different technological path to enhance performance by optimizing algorithms and reducing computational load, Wang said.

The process of achieving self-reliance in science and technology has helped Chinese high-tech enterprises to forge their core competitiveness, and enabled them to become an essential part in the global innovative industrial chain.

According to 2022 Global AI Innovation Index Report released at the WAIC, China ranks second in Global AI Innovation Index for the third straight year in 2022, as it has been accelerating efforts in expanding its talent pool, building data infrastructure and making technological breakthroughs.

Despite some Western media hyping about the conference having lost the shine among the US giants, this year's WAIC however saw the participation of a record number of companies, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Focused on high-tech sectors including large models, chips, robots, and intelligent driving, the global event attracted more than 400 exhibitors and over 50 outstanding startups, with more than 30 cutting-edge products debuted for the first time. The organizer also said that the exhibition area totaled more than 50,000 meters. The number for participating companies and the venue area are at their highest levels since 2018, when the annual event was inaugurated, according to Xinhua.

While adhering to self-reliant innovation, China has been actively promoting scientific and technological sharing and exchanges, aiming to contribute to global sci-tech development for the benefit of all mankind.

In a sign of sound exchanges between Chinese and US business communities despite the Biden administration's mounting "decoupling" pressure, a number of high-profile US multinationals including Google and Tesla also showcased their AI-powered products and services at the WAIC.

In a video speech delivered to the opening ceremony of the event, Tesla CEO Elon Musk lauded China's advance in the field. "I think, really, China is going to be great at anything it puts its mind into. That includes many different sectors - sectors of the economy, but also artificial intelligence," he said.

Xiang Ligang, director general of the Beijing-based Information Consumption Alliance, told the Global Times, "It has become a consensus among the domestic tech industry that they will strive for achieving self-reliance in high technologies whatever measures the US take."

While US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to China following a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Beijing sends a positive sign of stabilizing China-US relations, there is no sign of any relaxation in the US' containment of China.

On June 27, US media reported that the US Commerce Department will stop the shipments of AI chips made by Nvidia and other chip companies to customers in China as early as July. Amid the US pressure to cut China off from key chipmaking tools, the Netherlands last Friday announced new export controls on advanced semiconductor equipment.

"The US has abused export control measures, continues to mount crackdown on China's semiconductor sector and purposely decouple the global chip market. The US' actions harm global free trade, while ignoring international trade rules and trample on fair competition principle," Shu Jueting, spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce, said at a regular press briefing on Thursday.

The semiconductor industry is a typical example of global division and China is the world's largest semiconductor market whose chip sales account for around one-third of the global total, Shu said, noting that this is a result of win-win cooperation between Chinese enterprises and those from other countries.

"The US' moves harm not only the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies but also the interests of many other countries and regions, and hinder global sci-tech exchanges and economic and trade cooperation," Shu said, noting that they will backfire.

"Over the past five years, I strongly felt growing demand for domestic replacements, strengthened coordination between upstream and downstream companies as well as growing importance the authorities and investors attached to the high-tech sector. I believe Chinese chips will be able to compete with those made in the US one day," Wang said.

"The US' actions will eventually come back to haunt itself, as its relentless containment of China - one of the world's most vibrant markets and one of the major sources of US firms' revenues - will hurt its own intellectual property prowess and its global competitiveness in cutting edge technologies," Xiang said.

The US' two-faced foreign policy of seeking macro-economic policy coordination with China to solve the US' own financial and economic problems while retraining from win-win cooperation with China will not yield any result the US side wants, he said, noting that it's the best choice for the US to conduct trade and tech cooperation with China.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
LUMAJANG REGENCY, Indonesia  Raging muddy floodwaters from apparent lahars have destroyed Indonesian villages, and damage assessments are beginning to mount Friday.

A number of areas in Lumajang Regency in the East Java province of Indonesia were affected by recent heavy rains. In addition, nearby Mount Semeru has been undergoing ongoing volcanic activity over the past week, according to the Global Volcanism Program with the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of Natural History.

"Cold lava" floods  also known as lahars  off Mount Semeru were reported in several areas causing widespread damage and bridges to crumble. Lahars occur when volcanic debris mixes with heavy rains or melted ice to send torrents of mud and debris down river.

Among the damage reported, government officials said the bridge connecting Malang and Lumajang was cut off Friday morning. The worst landslide occurred in Sumberwuluh Village, in the Candipuro District.

The flow into the Regoyo River was still causing floodwaters to rise Friday morning, and villages were at a standstill until the intense rainfall passed so cleanup and damage assessments could begin.

Heri Kurniawan, head of the Bina Marga Division of DPUTR for Lumajang Regency, said that his staff was still collecting information on damages. Much of the destruction is still unknown due to the rising floodwaters.

"We and the team are still traveling around, monitoring. We are also waiting for reports from other teams," he said in a text message to local officials. "In the meantime, we are installing warning signs. We are conducting an assessment. We will make sure first."

Google Translate was used to translate news releases from Resmi Pemerintah Kabupaten Lumajang, an Indonesian government agency.
MADRID (Reuters) - U.S. chipmaker Broadcom will invest in a European Union-funded programme to develop a semiconductor industry in Spain, Chief Executive Charlie Kawwas said late on Thursday.

"Excited to announce our decision to invest in Spain's semiconductor ecosystem under their semiconductor support program," Kawwas said on his Twitter account.

The project in which Broadcom would be involved could be worth $1 billion, the Spanish economy ministry said in an emailed statement. Broadcom did not say how much it would invest.

The project would include the construction of "large-scale back-end semiconductors facilities unique in Europe", the ministry said, adding no location had been picked yet.

The Spanish government has said it would allocate as much as 12 billion euros ($13 billion) from the European Union's pandemic relief funds it is set to receive to subsidise the development of the semiconductor industry.

Prior to Broadcom, the Spanish government had said U.S. tech giant Cisco Systems Inc. was planning to open a new chip design centre in the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona.

The EU is seeking to reinforce its own chip industry and reduce its dependence on U.S. and Asian supply, triggered by a global shortage of semiconductors and supply chain bottlenecks.

($1 = 0.9188 euros)

(Reporting by Inti Landauro and Belen Carreno; Editing by Mark Potter)
By Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday urged the Department of Justice to open criminal and civil investigations into Florida's transportation of migrants to Martha's Vineyard and Sacramento in recent months.

"It is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations," Newsom said in a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland.

"We urge the USDOJ to investigate potential violations of federal law by those involved in this scheme."

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the Republican Party's 2024 presidential nomination, last year arranged to transport dozens of migrants to the Massachusetts vacation island of Martha's Vineyard. It was part of a campaign by Republican governors in Texas and Florida to shift some of the immigration burden to Democratic-run cities further north.

Florida also acknowledged a role in sending two flights of migrants to California last month, saying all of them traveled voluntarily.

Results of a Bexar County sheriff investigation into the Martha's Vineyard flight concluded that individuals were "induced to accept free travel based on false representations" that they would be transported from San Antonio to Martha's Vineyard and receive housing, education and employment opportunities, Newsom said.

A referral for potential criminal prosecution for that flight is pending with the Bexas County District Attorney's Office and the California Department of Justice has opened criminal and civil investigations into the circumstances of the Sacramento flights.

"Although separate investigations into potential violations of state laws remain active, the U.S. Department of Justice has a unique capability to investigate cases where, as here, the scheme stretches from Massachusetts to California and touches upon no fewer than five states," Newsom said.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Richard Chang)
Registered nurse Orlyn Grace administers a COVID-19 booster vaccination to Jeanie Merriman in San Rafael, Calif., on April 6, 2022. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

Employers in California are not legally responsible for preventing the spread of COVID-19 from their employees to the employees' family members, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Workers' compensation laws in the state do not preclude such claims, the court found. But companies also cannot be held legally responsible for preventing such infections, it said, given the tremendous burden such a requirement would place  not just on the companies, but on the courts and on society as a whole.

That is true even in cases in which an individual company may have shown negligence by failing to adhere to established health and safety standards, the court said.

"In some cases, 'the consequences of a negligent act must be limited in order to avoid an intolerable burden on society,'" Justice Carol Corrigan wrote in the court's unanimous ruling, quoting from a prior decision. "This is such a case."

The decision significantly undercuts a federal lawsuit brought by Corby Kuciemba, a Hercules, Calif., woman now in her late 60s who sued her husband Robert's employer in late 2020 based on allegations that Robert caught the coronavirus at a San Francisco job site and then brought it home to her  resulting in her being hospitalized for weeks.

The ruling was a major win for Victory Woodworks Inc., Robert Kuciemba's Nevada-based employer, but also for other major employers and business organizations across the state, which had warned that a court ruling in the Kuciembas' favor would have unleashed an unmanageable flow of COVID-19 claims against employers.

"This potential avalanche of lawsuits would cripple California businesses and likely force many to close their doors or leave the state," the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups had argued in a joint filing in the case.

The ruling from California's high court came after the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals asked it to weigh in on whether state law allowed for such claims or held companies responsible for preventing COVID-19 infections among employees' family members. Federal courts pose questions to state high courts when they believe state law relevant to a case before them is unclear.

Corby Kuciemba, reached by phone Thursday, declined to comment on the case. She said she recovered from her illness.

Martin Zurada, one of the Kuciembas' attorneys, said they were disappointed in the ruling but thanked the California justices "for their time and consideration."

William Bogdan, an attorney for Victory Woodworks, said the company was pleased with the decision.

"They are of course sympathetic to anybody who claims that they got sick, but they recognize, as the Supreme Court recognized, that to have businesses be responsible for a disease that's everywhere would cripple them," Bogdan said.

Robert Dunn, an attorney for the U.S. Chamber and other business organizations, said the ruling was a huge win for California businesses.

"Employers in California can breathe a huge sigh of relief, because if the court had greenlighted these sorts of claims, every single employer in the state was a potential target, and there would be millions of potential plaintiffs," Dunn said.

Dunn said it was notable that all seven justices of the California court, "which is not known as a business-friendly court most often," had agreed that holding companies responsible for COVID-19 infections among their employees' family members "would be a bridge too far."

The Kuciembas had originally filed their lawsuit in state court in San Francisco in late 2020, but it was later moved to federal district court. In May 2021, U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney dismissed the case, finding that Victory Woodwork's "duty to provide a safe workplace to its employees does not extend to nonemployees who, like Corby Kuciemba, contract a viral infection away from those premises."

The 9th Circuit took the case on appeal before posing its questions to the California high court. The state court's answers will now help inform the 9th Circuit's decision in the case  and bolster the chances of another dismissal.

"The 9th circuit has no choice but to adopt what the California Supreme Court has decided, and the California Supreme Court has decided that the employer owes no duty to the household, so that should dispose of the claim," Bogdan said.

Corby Kuciemba was hospitalized for weeks in July and August 2020, before COVID-19 vaccines were available, according to the couple's complaint.

She said she contracted the virus from her husband after he became infected with it while at a job site. She alleged that Victory Woodworks had been aware of workers falling ill with COVID-19 at another work site in California, but had nonetheless transferred workers from that site to the San Francisco site, where they worked close to her husband.

Many California businesses were shut down under strict COVID-19 rules at the time, but construction companies were among those businesses considered essential and allowed to continue operating. Many other companies also remained open, including those in the food service sector, and there are no enforced business closures in effect now  although COVID-19 continues to circulate.

Throughout the court's decision Thursday, Corrigan seemed hyper-aware of the massive implications were the court to find that companies are responsible for preventing COVID-19 infections not just among their employees, but among their employees' family members.

"In addition to dire financial consequences for employers, and a possibly broader social impact, the potential litigation explosion facilitated by a duty to prevent COVID-19 infections in household members would place significant burdens on the judicial system and, ultimately, the community," Corrigan wrote.

Her concern for the courts, she wrote, was based in part on how difficult it would be to adjudicate how each individual plaintiff actually became infected, and to what extent the actions  or inaction  of their family member's employer might have factored into that infection.

"Courts would have to manage a very large number of suits, and variations in individual exposure history and precautions against the virus would likely make it difficult, if not impossible, for the cases to be grouped into collective or class actions," Corrigan wrote. "Fact-specific disputes could also make these cases complex and time-consuming to litigate."

Bogdan and Dunn agreed.

"The court recognized that the proof problems, and the amount of litigation that would be required before a court could even consider whether to dismiss a case, would bring the business of the courts to a crawl," Bogdan said.

Dunn said an alternative ruling by the court would have been a "massive boon" to lawyers of employees looking to "shake down employers," but a disaster for everyone else.

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.
By David Alire Garcia

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The police showed up two days after a Catholic clergyman at a church near the Nicaraguan capital Managua delivered a Sunday sermon in May that included a prayer "for our priests."

The officers played an audio clip of the prayer and warned: These kinds of things are dangerous, recalled a priest who was at Sunday services and when the police officers arrived. He asked not to be identified for fear of arrest.

"We tried to explain that this is just normal prayer, nothing to do with politics," the priest said in a video interview. "But they already have proof against us that they can manipulate however they like."

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega's five-year campaign against the Catholic church has intensified since February, according to interviews with five priests inside and outside the country.

The priests, one in Nicaragua and four outside the country, describe a sharp increase in church surveillance by police and citizen informants; police beatings; arrests and expulsions of priests and nuns as well as seizures of church-owned properties.

This week's brief release of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Alvarez raised hopes for a turning point. But while senior Mexican Bishop Ramon Castro said in an interview that talks between representatives of the Nicaraguan government and the church are "undoubtedly" ongoing, he held out little hope of a breakthrough. "It's very probable," the Vatican diplomat said, "that we're going to have to pass through more difficult moments."

The escalation continued in March after Pope Francis condemned Nicaragua's government as a "gross dictatorship" and Ortega responded by severing ties with the Vatican.

The police referred questions to Nicaragua's foreign ministry, which did not respond to requests for comment. Vice President Rosario Murillo, the government's spokesperson and Ortega's wife, did not respond to written questions.

A Managua-based diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he had heard reports of police surveillance of clergy and found them credible.

He said he was concerned that the crackdown appeared ongoing, with credible accounts of an increase in expulsions of religious orders and property confiscations in addition to surveillance.

Vatican officials have told Reuters privately that they see the conflict in Nicaragua as one of the worst since the Cold War, when many communist countries in Eastern Europe persecuted the church.

In February, Bishop Alvarez, an Ortega critic, was convicted of treason, stripped of his citizenship and sentenced to 26 years in prison for treason, without a trial.

The sentencing statement said Alvarez was "the author of the crimes of damaging national integration, propagation of false news through information and communication technologies, aggravated obstruction of functions and disobedience or contempt of authority."

Alvarez denies the charges.

The bishop of the rural Matagalpa diocese was returned to prison on Wednesday after talks broke down over the terms for his release and that of other jailed clerics, a diplomatic source told Reuters.

'MUST BE SILENT'

In late May, the Nicaraguan government launched a money laundering investigation into the church, ordering the country's bishops and senior leader, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, to turn over financial documents and freezing all church bank accounts.

The freeze on accounts has made it difficult to buy food and other necessities for parishes, all five of the priests Reuters interviewed said. The government stepped in last month to pay teacher salaries at hundreds of church-affiliated schools.

Brenes has not commented publicly on the inquiry and his office declined Reuters' request for an interview.

A Vatican official, speaking on condition of anonymity, called the money laundering accusations "absurd."

At least four priests have been placed under house arrest since May 23, according to Martha Patricia Molina, an exiled Nicaraguan researcher and lawyer now living in Texas.

Seven priests have been expelled, six priests have fled the country, while two others have been denied re-entry so far this year, according to Molina.

A group of Brazilian nuns from the diocese of Leon were ordered to leave the country in June, according to text messages reviewed by Reuters and a post on their Facebook page.

The Nicaraguan bishops conference did not respond to a request for comment.

Late last month, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva met the pope in the Vatican and pledged to personally lobby Ortega to free Alvarez, offering to open a communications channel between the Vatican and Managua.

The Nicaraguan government did not respond to questions or requests for comment.

The priests describe heavy surveillance of church services by police or civilian members of government-sponsored community councils, especially since Easter.

Three of them say they believe phone calls are being monitored. They did not provide proof and Reuters was unable to verify their claim independently.

"My mother told me yesterday that police arrived at our house and made everyone turn over their phone numbers," said one of the priests, currently outside the country. "It's an open secret that many people have their phones tapped."

Ortega's campaign against the church started five years ago after Catholic leaders were asked by the government to help mediate mass anti-government protests triggered by government plans to cut old-age pensions.

At least 356 civilians were killed in the protests, according to the human rights commission of the Organization of American States.

Ortega, 77, came to power in 1979 after deposing a right-wing dictatorship. He launched an offensive against the church in the 1980s, but after his electoral defeat in 1990, he made overtures to Catholics and backed an abortion ban.

His latest restrictions seem aimed at silencing priests, Erick Diaz, 33, a Nicaraguan priest in exile in Chicago, said.

"Priests inside Nicaragua must be silent. They can't even mention the name of the bishop because the police will come after you and they can put you in jail or force you into exile," he said.

Nine church leaders inside and outside Nicaragua did not respond to interview requests for this story.

(Reporting by David Alire Garcia; Additional reporting by Philip Pullella in Rome and Ismael Lopez in San Jose; Editing by Suzanne Goldenberg)
The United States has announced that it is sending cluster munitions to Ukraine to help its military push back Russian forces entrenched along the front lines.

The administration of Joe Biden said that it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800m (630m).

The move will likely trigger outrage from some allies and humanitarian groups that have long opposed the use of cluster bombs.

Proponents argue that both Russia and Ukraine have already been using the controversial weapon in Ukraine and that the munitions the US will provide have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

Ukraine has welcomed the decision, saying it needs weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions if it is to defeat Russia.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said the outcome of the war started by Moscows invasion depended on the volume of arms Kyiv receives.

In the great bloody war which has been ongoing for more than 16 months, and which will predetermine the future of the world  the number of weapons matters. So, weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions, he said on Friday.

Here is a look at what cluster munitions are, why they are so controversial and where they have been used.

What is a cluster munition?

A cluster munition is a bomb that opens in the air and releases smaller bomblets across a wide area. The bomblets are designed to take out tanks and equipment, as well as troops, hitting multiple targets at the same time.

The munitions are launched by the same artillery weapons that Western allies have already provided to Ukraine for the war  such as howitzers  and the type of cluster munition that the US is sending is based on a common 155 mm shell that is already widely in use across the battlefield.

A Ukrainian serviceman carry a 155mm shell into self-propelled howitzer "Bohdana" before firing towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Friday, July 7, 2023 (AP)

Why are they so controversial?

In previous conflicts, cluster munitions have had a high dud rate, which meant that thousands of the smaller unexploded bomblets remained behind and killed and maimed people decades later. The US last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

On Thursday, Brigadier General Pat Ryder  the Pentagon press secretary  said the US Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with [unexploding] rates that are higher than 2.35 per cent.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries, which agreed not to use, produce, transfer, or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after they've been used. The US, Russia and Ukraine haven't signed on.

Why provide them now?

For more than a year the US has dipped into its own stocks of traditional 155 howitzer munitions and sent more than two million rounds to Ukraine. Allies across the globe, including the UK, have provided hundreds of thousands more.

A 155 mm round can strike targets 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometres) away, making them a munition of choice for Ukrainian ground troops trying to hit enemy targets from a distance. Ukrainian forces are burning through thousands of rounds a day battling the Russians.

Yehor Cherniev, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, told reporters at a German Marshall Fund event in the US this spring that Kyiv would likely need to fire 7,000 to 9,000 rounds daily during the intensified counteroffensive. Providing that many puts substantial pressure on US and allied stocks.

The cluster bomb can destroy more targets with fewer rounds, and since the US hasnt used them in conflict since Iraq, it has large amounts of them in storage it can access quickly, said Ryan Brobst, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

A March 2023 letter from top House and Senate Republicans to the Biden administration said the US may have as many as three million cluster munitions available for use, and urged the White House to send the munitions to alleviate pressure on American war supplies.

Cluster munitions are more effective than unitary artillery shells because they inflict damage over a wider area, Mr Brobst said. This is important for Ukraine as they try to clear heavily fortified Russian positions.

Tapping into the US stores of cluster munitions could address Ukraines shell shortage and alleviate pressure on the 155 mm stockpiles in the US and elsewhere, Mr Brobst said.

Is using cluster bombs a war crime?

The use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, but using them against civilians can be a violation. As in any strike, determining a war crime requires looking at whether the target was legitimate and if precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

The part of international law where this starts playing [a role], though, is indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians, Human Rights Watchs associate arms director Mark Hiznay said. So that's not necessarily related to the weapons, but the way the weapons are used.

Where have cluster bombs been used?

The bombs have been deployed in many recent conflicts.

The US initially considered cluster bombs an integral part of its arsenal during the invasion of Afghanistan that began in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The group estimated that the US-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan during the first three years of the conflict.

The Defense Department had been due to stop use of any cluster munitions with a rate of unexploded ordnance greater than 1 per cent, by 2019. But the Trump administration rolled back that policy, allowing commanders to approve the use of such munitions.

Syrian government troops have often used cluster munitions  supplied by Russia  against opposition strongholds during that countrys civil war, frequently hitting civilian targets and infrastructure. And Israel used them in civilian areas in south Lebanon, including during the 1982 invasion.

During the month-long 2006 war with Hezbollah, HRW and the United Nations accused Israel of firing as many as four million cluster munitions into Lebanon. That left unexploded ordnance that threatens Lebanese civilians to this day.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been criticized for its use of cluster bombs in the war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that has ravaged the southern Arabian country.

In 2017, Yemen was the second deadliest country for cluster munitions after Syria, according to the UN. Children have been killed or maimed long after the munitions originally fell, making it difficult to know the true toll.

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined areas in the world.

What has the White House said?

The United States will provide Ukraine with cluster-style artillery rounds for use on their own territory to repel Russian invading forces, the White House has said.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Friday that Kyiv has provided written assurances that it would use the controversial weapons in a very careful way that is aimed at minimising any risk to civilians.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan responds to a question from the news media during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 07 July 2023 (EPA)

He said the Defence Department would provide further details on the next arms package that will be sent to Ukraine, but he pointed out that Kyivs forces are firing thousands of rounds a day to defend against Russian efforts to advance and also to support its own efforts to retake its sovereign territory. The national security adviser suggested the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster weapons already in US stocks was necessary to keep up a steady flow of arms for Kyivs defence.

We have provided Ukraine with a historic amount of unitary artillery rounds and we are ramping up domestic production of these rounds. Weve already seen substantial increases in production, but this process will continue to take time, and it will be critical to provide Ukraine with a bridge of supplies. While our domestic production is ramped up, he said. We will not leave Ukraine defenceless at any point in this conflict period.

Mr Sullivan noted that Russia has been using their own version of cluster munitions, which are antipersonnel weapons that make use of small bomblets to maximise their effectiveness against massed troops, and pointed out that the Russian weapons have a high rate of failure which leaves the battlefield littered with unexploded ordinance.

He added that the US-made shells that will be provisioned to Kyivs defence forces have a much lower failure rate, and said Ukraines government has committed to post-war de-mining that would prevent civilians from being harmed by unexploded submunitions, which in past conflict zones have lingered for years.

While a 2008 treaty, the Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions, has been signed by more than 100 nations which have agreed to ban the use of such weapons, neither the US, Russia, nor Ukraine are signatories to the treaty.

What has the Pentagon said?

Speaking at a Defence Department briefing on Friday, Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Colin Kohl said the next US arms package to Ukraine would include the Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition, which is used both for anti-armour and anti-personnel purposes.

With this announcement, we will be able to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of additional artillery ammunition immediately. This decision will ensure we can sustain our support for Ukraine by bringing us to a point where we are producing sufficient artillery ammunition on a monthly basis across the coalition, he said.

Both Mr Kahl and Mr Sullivan also contrasted Russias use of the weapons on Ukraines territory with Ukraines desire to use them to defend their own land.

When we look at what Ukraine would be doing with these weapons, as opposed to what Russia is doing with these weapons, we see a substantial difference. It doesnt make it an easy decision, and Im not going to stand up here and say it is easy, Mr Sullivan said, adding that the US had deferred a decision on providing cluster munitions for quite some time because it required a real hard look at the potential harm to civilians.

When we put all of that together, there was a unanimous recommendation from the national security team, and President Biden ultimately decided  in consultation with allies and partners and in consultation with members of Congress  to move forward on this step, he said.

Mr Kahl admitted that the US has criticised Russias use of cluster munitions because they have been doing so indiscriminately, and with older, less reliable systems that cause more civilian casualties. But he said Kyiv has assured the US that they will not use the DPICMs rounds in civilian areas or urban environments, and they have also committed to recording where they are used to aid in cleanup efforts post-war.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
SAN JOSE (Reuters) -Costa Rica said on Thursday it has charged former President Luis Guillermo Solis with corruption, accusing him of involvement in a 2017 improper transfer of government funds to state-owned Bancredito.

The transfer was made to give the impression that the bank "would appear to have sufficient liquidity" to the benefit of the government's image, the attorney general said in a statement.

Solis, who governed between 2014 and 2018, denied the charges.

"I categorically reject the charges that have been brought against me," the former center-left leader said in a video posted on Twitter.

"We always acted in accordance with the law, seeking the benefit of the country, as well as the protection of Bancredito's creditors and the rights of its workers."

If found guilty, Solis could face up to eight years in prison, the attorney general's office said.

Charges over the matter were also brought against Helios Fallas, the former finance minister and Sergio Alfaro, the former minister of the presidency, as well as two senior finance ministry officials.

Alfaro denied the charges. "I know I did not commit any crime," he said in a text message to Reuters.

Fallas declined to comment directly on the charges.

"This is a case that has already been prosecuted," he wrote in a text message, saying he would not comment further.

(Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Edwina Gibbs and Clarence Fernandez)
By Niket Nishant and Hannah Lang

(Reuters) -Cryptocurrency exchange Gemini, the largest creditor of bankrupt crypto lending firm Genesis, sued parent company Digital Currency Group (DCG) and its CEO, the day after DCG missed the exchange's deadline for agreeing to a restructuring deal for the venture capital firm's troubled unit.

DCG and Gemini, two prominent players in the crypto industry, have clashed several times over the past few months following the collapse of Genesis, which filed for bankruptcy in January.

The lawsuit alleges DCG and its CEO Barry Silbert misrepresented the accounting treatment of certain liabilities that DCG assumed from Genesis as a result of losses Genesis suffered from the collapse of Singapore-based crypto hedge fund Three Arrows Capital in June 2022.

In a statement, a DCG spokesperson said it expects to soon bring the Genesis bankruptcy case to a close.

"Any suggestion of wrongdoing by DCG or any of its employees is baseless, defamatory, and completely false. From day one, DCG has remained committed to reaching an amicable solution for all parties to the Genesis bankruptcy," the spokesperson said.

The dispute between Gemini and DCG came to a head earlier this week after Gemini set a deadline for DCG to agree to a restructuring deal by Thursday afternoon. Gemini's co-founder Cameron Winklevoss had said that after that deadline, his company would sue DCG and Silbert.

Although the lending unit of Genesis had initially outlined a plan to exit bankruptcy by May, it has yet to reach an agreement on a restructuring plan with creditors, to whom it owes more than $3 billion, according to court filings. Gemini is seeking to recoup more than $1.1 billion from Genesis.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru and Hannah Lang in Washington; Editing by Maju Samuel, Shinjini Ganguli and David Gregorio)
PRAGUE (Reuters) -Ukraine's future is in the European Union and the NATO military alliance, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Friday after meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Prague.

Zelenskiy flew to Prague on Thursday, escorted by two Czech Air Force jets, after holding talks in Bulgaria. He aims to build support for Ukraine getting an invitation to begin the process of joining NATO at a summit in Vilnius next week.

Kyiv's allies are divided over how fast Ukraine should join NATO, and some Western governments are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia, which invaded Ukraine almost 500 days ago.

"We don't know when the war will end, but what we do know now is that we need to open the door to the European Union, to the North Atlantic Alliance to the brave Ukrainian people," Fiala told a press conference alongside Zelenskiy.

Zelenskiy said Ukraine needed to do everything possible to start EU accession talks.

After talks with Czech President Petr Pavel on Thursday, Zelenskiy said regarding NATO that his country needed much more than the general statement of more than 10 years' standing that the door to the alliance was merely "open".

(Reporting by Robert Muller and Jason Hovet; editing by John Stonestreet)
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - Official results from Guatemala's first-round presidential election late last month will be released next week, the country's electoral court announced on Thursday, following a extended delay triggered by challenges from parties.

A court spokesperson told Reuters that final results in the presidential race from the June 25 vote did not change.

The preliminary results from the first-round election showed Sandra Torres of the center-left National Unity of Hope (UNE) party with 15.8% of the vote, and Bernardo Arevalo of the Seed Movement party, also center left, with 11.8% support.

Both are set to participate in a decisive August 20 runoff vote since no candidate secured a simple majority.

Nine parties, including UNE, challenged the first-round results alleging votes were manipulated, prompting the country's top court to order a controversial ballot review. International organizations and foreign governments swiftly expressed concerns over the review.

Earlier this week, the Washington-based Organization of American States said it was returning its observer mission to Guatemala to oversee the process.

(Reporting by Sofia Menchu; Editing by David Alire Garcia)
Nzembi Mosukulu is now able to deliver water, thanks to her hand-powered bike

Disabled people facing prejudice in Kenya have started their own businesses with micro loans from a Welsh not-for-profit organisation.

Trevor Palmer founded ResponsABLE Assistance in Newport after seeing how disabled people were affected by the 2004 Thailand tsunami.

The charity's Fursa initiative provides loans between 3.45 and 34.50, as well as solar-powered mobile phones.

Trevor, who has multiple sclerosis, said there were people across the globe "not able to live or be included".

Nzembi Mosukulu, from Kenya, is unable to use her legs, but has never had a formal diagnosis.

Like other disabled people around the world, she has faced hardship and sometimes struggles to get food and water.

"Whenever the drought comes, we people with disabilities experience bigger challenges," she said. "We don't have food and our neighbours don't have food, so no-one can help each other."

However, she has received help from Wales and now has a new hand bike which she uses to deliver water in her drought-prone area.

The money she makes from her business "has helped me to buy food and educate my children," she said.

Mutant Dauti was helped to start a fruit and vegetable business

Francis Mutuku, chairman of Kibwezi Fursa scheme, said before the support, people "did not see themselves as capable of carrying out any individual business".

But - along with the loans - they were given business training which he said gave them confidence and "raised their self esteem".

The World Health Organization estimates there are 1.3 billion disabled people in the world, 16% of the population, and believes that figure is growing.

A study published in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal found almost a third of disabled children and teenagers had experienced violence, with children in less affluent areas especially vulnerable.

Nzembi is one of hundreds of disabled people who have benefited from the work of Trevor's organisation, which has received funds from the Welsh government.

Trevor Palmer experienced first hand how disabled people were treated differently in different parts of the world

Trevor said he was appalled at how disabled people were treated in some parts of the world, especially in disaster zones and emergencies.

He was caught up in a terrorist attack in Ethiopia and saw how disabled people were treated in hospital in the aftermath.

He said: "I was in Addis Ababa and unfortunately I was involved in a terrorist incident, I got blown up.

"Trevor said he saw people "shoved into corners and on floors and not treated the same as people who could voice their complaints".

He added: "We take things so much for granted here, we take it for granted that we receive certain benefits, that we receive inclusion in life, which is our right, which is good.

"But those things just don't exist and people don't realise there are people in other parts of the world who don't have anything, and they're not able to live or be included."

ResponsABLE Assistance has now been given permission to dig foundations for a solar-powered well in Makueni County to allow people access to clean drinking water.

Trevor believes having a disability anywhere in the world is not a barrier if you have the support from those around you, and those a little further afield.
The largest power company in Eastern Kentucky  where power costs are already some of the highest in the state  is seeking a 18.3% increase on the power costs for its residential customers.

Last week, Ashland-based Kentucky Power formally submitted an application for approval of the rate increase to the Public Service Commission, the state panel that regulates utilities. The lengthy approval process could take months and would involve public comment and hearings. If approved, the rate changes would take effect in 2024.

According to state data that tracks energy affordability, much of the area that Kentucky Power serves already has some of the highest electricity rates in Kentucky. In 2020, the average bill in Boyd County, where the power company is based, cost about $147 per month. Fayette Countys average bill during that time was $27 cheaper.

Much of the companys service territory also has some of the states higher poverty rates. U.S. Census data puts the states overall poverty rate at 16.5%. In Pike and Perry counties  both served by Kentucky Power  close to 30% of the population lives below the poverty line.

I dont see how people are doing it, said state Sen. Robin Webb, a Democrat whose district includes much of the Ashland area. Webb said she is a customer of the company as a resident, business owner and landlord.

Her mother, who is on a fixed income, is also a Kentucky Power customer and her bill is unconscionable at this point, Webb said.

Kentucky Power is hoping to use a financing tool called securitization to lessen the bill impacts for customers, said Sarah Nusbaum, a Kentucky Power spokesperson, in an emailed statement.

A new law passed by the state legislature this year allows utility companies to use securitization to recoup costs lost in extreme weather events or the closing of power plants, the companys website said. The actual amount of savings generated with the financial tool wont be known until after it is executed.

In filings with the PSC, Kentucky Power said the reasoning behind the rate increase is to help the company cover fixed costs associated with supplying electricity across the region. Continued population decline locally and the loss of customers in recent years has pushed the company to look toward existing customers to cover costs. The company last sought a rate increase in 2020 and currently serves about 165,000 customers across 20 counties.

Between 2008 and 2022, the company has lost over 10,000 customers, including large business customers which have closed in recent years like AK Steel and Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital, wrote Cynthia Wiseman, the president and COO of Kentucky Power, in written testimony provided to the PSC.

The loss of those customers also represents a loss of jobs in the area, which may have precipitated other customers relocating outside of the Companys service territory to find job opportunities, Wiseman wrote in the testimony. These declines unfortunately follow a now long-term trend in the area and include a dramatic loss of coal mining jobs that began in the early 2000s.

Webb said she understands what the company is facing and added that Kentucky Power has been a good community partner when it comes to local economic development.

Some programs, like the federally funded LIHEAP, helps some low-income families with paying for home cooling and heating. According to the programs Kentucky website, much of that funding is doled out only in the coldest parts of the year.

We understand an increase  no matter how big or small  is not welcome news, but we are committed to providing reliable electric service for the best rates possible, the companys webpage about the proposed rate increase said.

Kentucky Power also offers payment assistance programs and said on its website that more funding for those programs was part of their application. They also will look at introducing an optional tariff for high usage in the winter, expanding programs that clear trees that threaten reliability and extend bill due dates from 15 to 21 days.

The company has also faced other headwinds lately. The PSC last month threatened Kentucky Power with fines over its performance during frigid winter storms last December. Nusbaum said the company respectfully disagrees with the PSCs decision in that case and will be addressing it in an upcoming filing. American Electric Power, the parent company of Kentucky Power, also had to back out of a $2.8 billion sale of the Kentucky company in April.

From a legislative standpoint, Webb said the main things they can do to help is beef up assistance programs and continue looking into alternative energy sources.

Were looking at everything we can do to assist our suppliers, but also protect our consumers, Webb said. And its just very frustrating.

In extreme heat and cold, Webb said she fears for my constituents lives, adding that two people died in Boyd County when power went out during an ice storm in 2021.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla.  A beached manatee in Florida is recovering after life-saving help from a large group of rescuers.

On Wednesday, deputies with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office joined the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Volusia County Beaches and members of the County of Volusia Marine Mammal Stranding Team to help carry the stranded manatee off the beach in Ponce Inlet.

FLORIDA MANATEE FEEDING PROGRAM USES UP 400,000 POUNDS OF LETTUCE TO HELP SAVE THREATENED SPECIES

The sheriff's office released bodycam footage showing at least a dozen people using a stretcher to lift the manatee into a vehicle. Nearby beachgoers watched rescuers successfully transport the animal into a vehicle, where it was eventually taken to the Sea World Rehabilitation Center.

Authorities remind residents and visitors not to approach or touch a stranded animal. Instead, you should report them to the Florida Fish and Wildlife.

FLORIDAS MANATEE DEATH TOLL FALLS SHORT OF RECORD LEVELS BUT REMAINS ALARMINGLY HIGH

Marine mammal strandings are common along the Florida coast, according to the Volusia County Marine Mammal Stranding Team. It occurs when live animals beach themselves or dead animals wash up on the shore.

Many of the reasons why live animals beach themselves are unknown.

Florida manatees and bottlenose dolphins are the most common animals that are found stranded in Volusia County.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP)  A judge in Florida has ordered a 65-year-old California fugitive held without bond in connection with the death of a woman nearly 40 years ago.

Donald Santini was arrested by U.S. marshals in California last month, and extradited to Florida. He had used at least 13 aliases over the years.

Santini was the last person seen with 33-year-old Cynthia Cindy Ruth Wood. The arrest warrant said a medical examiner determined she had been strangled, and Santinis fingerprints were found on her body.

You being on the run for almost 40 years is a consciousness of guilt. You knew you were running from something, Judge Catherine Catlin told Santini during a hearing in Tampa on Thursday.

Photos taken in the courtroom showed Santini weeping before the judge denied bond.

Wood's stepdaughter, Denise Kozer told the Tampa Bay Times she's hoping to find closure in a case that resulted in total devastation for her family.

Back in 1984, Santini was known as Charles Michael Stevens, which was an alias he used to flee a warrant in Texas. At the time of his arrest, he was living under the name Wellman Simmonds in Campo, California, which is in southeastern San Diego County. He served on the local water board.

He has a wife and children in California, and I feel sorry for them because they probably didnt know, either, Kozer said. But theyre all still alive. Our lives were devastated, changed forever.

Kozar told the Times that both Barry Wood and the older son of Cindy Wood had died since the slaying, and her younger half-siblings have suffered from mental health issues since their parents deaths.

She told the newspaper shes spent years knowing that the man who destroyed her family has been free. The case has been featured on Americas Most Wanted several times.

Wood met with Santini, who had called her with promises of providing information about her husband, Barry Wood, that could possibly help her win custody of their two children, who were 3 and 5, according to previous reports by the Bradenton Herald. Wood also had a son from a previous relationship. Kozar was Barry Wood's daughter from another marriage.

Kozar, who was 20 when Wood was killed, said she hopes Santini doesnt get another chance to escape.

If they need extra evidence, were willing to let them exhume the body  whatever it takes to make sure that he doesnt go anywhere, Kozer said.

Santinis attorney asked the judge for bail. But prosecutors noted that Santini killed Wood after fleeing a charge in Texas related to a convenience store robbery.

The judge didn't need extra evidence.

You are the definition of flight risk, the judge told Santini during the hearing. There is nothing I can do to preserve the safety of this community if I was to let you go.
By Guy Faulconbridge

OSIPOVICHI, Belarus (Reuters) - A Belarusian town with a turbulent past may hold some haunting new secrets: an empty camp that mutinous Russian mercenaries have yet to use and perhaps even a storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons Russia says it has deployed in Belarus.

In a former military camp surrounded by fir and birch forest just north of Osipovichi, more than 300 large tents have been put up by the Belarusian army but Wagner mercenaries have yet to say if they want to use it.

Belarus invited foreign journalists to visit the empty camp beside the village of Tsel as part of an attempt to deflate reports that the camp had been prepared specially for Wagner as part of a deal to end its June 24 mutiny in Russia.

The camp, empty besides mosquitoes, raises questions about the fate of the deal President Vladimir Putin struck to defuse the biggest challenge to the Russian state since the failed 1991 hardline coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev.

President Alexander Lukashenko has offered Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin the use of camps including the one at Tsel, though he said on Thursday that Prigozhin and his fighters were still in Russia. It is unclear why.

No one from Wagner has yet visited the camp, said General-Major Leonid Kasinsky, an aide to the Belarusian defence ministry for ideological work.

"You journalists should not try to make a sensation out of nothing," Kasinsky told foreign reporters at the camp, about 90 km (56 miles) south of the capital Minsk and around 230 km (140 miles) north of the Ukrainian border.

"This is a summer camp created as part of a training exercise," said Kasinsky. "No one from Wagner has yet come here to inspect the camp."

Osipovichi has long swayed to the tides of European history. It was once part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and then the Russian empire, it hosted Bolshevik revolutionaries and was occupied by Nazi Germany before the Red Army took it back in World War Two.

NUCLEAR WEAPONS?

Amid today's Ukraine war, the biggest land war in Europe since 1945, the town is again being enclosed by the tentacles of distant tumult.

Just east of the town, nestled behind forest, lies a secret installation that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency believes was visited by a senior Russian officer as a potential upgrade to nuclear weapons storage, according to the Federation of American Scientists.

Its top nuclear researcher, Hans Kristensen, said in a research note that it had yet to find visual evidenceconclusively indicating the presence of an active nuclear weapons facility on the territory of Belarus.

Lukashenko told reporters on Thursday that the nuclear weapons from Russia were purely defensive, but cautioned that any aggression against Belarus would result in a split-second response.

"If you make any aggression against Belarus, the answer will be instant. The targets have been defined," he said.

Asked about the research which indicated the installation might be used for nuclear weapons, Kasinsky said: "Perhaps the CIA thinks that; I don't know what that's based on.

"No one is ever going to tell you where the tactical nuclear weapons are stationed - you should understand that," Kasinsky said. He repeatedly refused to confirm or deny whether the nuclear weapons were outside Osipovichi.

To the west of Osipovichi is a training base where nuclear-capable Iskander short-range missile launchers that Russia transferred to Belarus in 2022 have been spotted. Iskanders are one of the delivery vehicles for the nuclear warheads which Minsk and Moscow now say are in Belarus.

To the south of town is a Belarusian military base.

In the town, a large statue of Vladimir Lenin strides forward into the Communist future that is no more, graced now on the main square by several pharmacies, a cafe called "Youth", a supermarket, a bank and a smattering of foreign cars.

"Why the hell do we need Wagner here?" I don't see anything good from having them here," said Ilya Petrov, a 50-year-old resident. "We don't need such comrades just as we don't need any war either. We are a peaceful people, a peaceful country - but it seems some want to make us totally unpeaceful."

Another resident who asked that his name not to be used due to the sensitivity of speaking about politics in Belarus voiced concerns about the convicts who were recruited to Wagner with promises of pardons after fighting in Ukraine.

Lukashenko said on Thursday that Russia had already deployed tactical nuclear weapons on his territory, and derided the West's spies for missing the transport of the warheads, which he said had not gone by land.

"You should not try to make some sort of horror story out of the tactical nuclear weapons," said Kasinsky.

"We don't want to fight with anyone but... if anyone in the West is hoping that in the case of aggression against us then only the mothers and wives of Belarusians will weep, then they are deeply mistaken."

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; editing by Mark Heinrich)
OMAHA, Neb.  Two people were rescued Friday after swept into a storm drain in Omaha, Nebraska, during Friday morning thunderstorms.

Omaha Fire Department officials said the two people were working for a private contractor when heavy rain moved in, sweeping away one worker. The second person was pulled back up from the tagline he was attached to, according to officials.

Omaha police said they shut down the intersection of 19th and Howard streets for an emergency situation.

"OFD, Omaha Public Works, law enforcement are still moving about the downtown area. Some manhole covers are off, so please be aware of walking in the area," Omaha police tweeted.

Omaha fire crews worked with city sewer maintenance workers and deployed several resources to find the man swept away by rushing water. Teams used maps of the sewer system to try and track where the victim was headed, according to the fire department.

While the search was underway, fire and rescue dispatch received a call of a man hanging onto the storm drain grate.

Fire crews were able to cut the grate and free the man. He was transported to the hospital in unknown condition.

Roads closed for the search were reopened Friday.

Nebraska is facing rounds of heavy rain moving across the central U.S., including possible severe thunderstorms, through the weekend.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch was in effect for western Nebraska Friday morning.

The first round of storms moved through in the morning, with more in the forecast for Friday afternoon. The strongest storms are possible between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., mostly in southeast Nebraska, including Lincoln. Ping-pong-size hail and wind gusts up to 60 mph are the primary threats.
MUMBAI (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is working on regulations that will be more "developmental" for financial technology, or fintech, companies, a deputy governor of the central bank said on Friday.

"We are working on regulations (that) would be specific to fintech entities and the fintech ecosystem," T Rabi Sankar said at an event in Bengaluru.

The central bank has been monitoring the fintech space lately to ensure financial stability and mitigate risks related to cybersecurity and prevent fraud.

The matter of whether regulatory intervention is required, and if so, how much intervention is necessary to provide adequate space for the industry to grow, are some of the things the RBI is working on, said Sankar.

The RBI is talking to fintech companies and any regulations in that regard will only be after "close consultation" with the industry, he added, without providing a timeline for the same.

Fintechs need to devote their attention to governance, compliance, business conduct, and adopting risk mitigation practices for long-term business stability, Sankar said, adding that any innovation should be "responsible and beneficial."

(Reporting by Siddhi Nayak; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)
BAGHDAD (AP)  Iraq opened an investigation into the case of a dual Israeli-Russian academic who has been missing in Iraq since March, a government spokesman said Friday.

Bassem al-Awadis comments were the first official Iraqi statements since Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said Wednesday that Elizabeth Tsurkov is still alive and we hold Iraq responsible for her safety and well-being.

Netanyahu said Tsurkov is being held by the Shiite group Kataeb Hezbollah, or Hezbollah Brigades, a powerful Iran-backed group that the U.S. government listed as a terrorist organization in 2009.

Tsurkov, whose work focuses on the Middle East, and specifically war-torn Syria, is an expert on regional affairs and has been widely quoted over the years by international media. Tsurkov last tweeted on March 21.

Tsurkov, who is pursuing a doctorate at Princeton University, is a fellow at the Washington-based think tank New Lines Institute.

Due to the ongoing official investigations into the disappearance of a foreign journalist, there is no official statement yet, al-Awadi told The Associated Press via text message. We are unable to provide specific details at this time.

Netanyahu said Tsurkov is an academic who visited Iraq on her Russian passport, at her own initiative pursuant to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University.

Tsurkov could not have used her Israeli passport to enter Iraq as the two countries do not have diplomatic relations.

A senior official from Kataeb Hezbollah declined to comment on the matter.

The group later issued a statement in which they did not confirm nor deny their role in Tsurkovs disappearance but called for identification and prosecution of Iraqis involved in facilitating the work of Israeli citizens in a country that prohibits engagement with Israel

Iran emerged as a major power broker in Iraq after the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, supporting Shiite groups and militias that have enjoyed wide influence in the country ever since.

Days after her disappearance, a local website reported that Iraqi authorities had detained an Iranian citizen involved in her kidnapping. It said Tsurkov was kidnapped from Baghdads central neighborhood of Karradah and that Irans embassy in the Iraqi capital was pressing for the mans release and to have him deported to Iran.

Some Iraqi activists posted a copy of a passport of an Iranian man at the time, claiming that he was involved in the kidnapping.

Israel considers Iran to be its greatest enemy, citing the countrys hostile rhetoric, support for militant groups such as Lebanons Hezbollah and its suspected nuclear program. Iran denies Western allegations that it is pursuing a nuclear bomb.
NABLUS, West Bank (Reuters) -Israeli security forces on Friday killed two Palestinians who carried out a shooting attack against police this week, Israel's military said.

Israeli forces raided the occupied West Bank town of Nablus, the military said, and "both terrorists were killed following an exchange of fire."

The official Palestinian news agency WAFA said Israeli troops had cordoned off a house where the two had holed up and that they had been "executed".

The armed wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, a major faction in the Palestine Liberation Organization, claimed the two men as members and said they had carried out the attack on Israeli police.

Palestinian health officials reported a casualty in a separate incident near the city of Ramallah, when violence erupted at an anti-settlement protest. Palestinian residents said Jewish settlers arrived and a stone-throwing clash ensued. Israeli soldiers at the scene opened fire, they said.

One Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire, but the exact circumstances were unclear, according to Palestinian officials. An Israeli army spokesperson was checking the report.

Most countries view Israels settlements on occupied land as illegal. Israel disputes this.

Friday's violence followed a two-day Israeli operation earlier this week in the densely populated Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, which has been a flashpoint in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has convulsed the West Bank for more than a year.

The Israeli military said it had targeted infrastructure and weapons depots of Palestinian militant factions in Jenin in the operation.

Twelve Palestinians, most confirmed as militant fighters, were killed and around 100 wounded in the incursion that began with late-night drone strikes, followed by a sweep involving more than 1,000 troops.

The raid damaged homes, left a trail of wrecked streets and burned-out cars and prompted the evacuation of thousands of people from the refugee camp. Israel says all the Palestinians killed were combatants. One Israeli soldier was killed.

The Jenin operation was the most intense in two decades, said the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) that provides public services in Gaza and the West Bank.

UNRWA said it had set up a temporary healthcare facility because a part its health centre was destroyed, and appealed for foreign aid to help rebuild damaged buildings.

The Israeli army during its operation had said it struck a militant command center in Jenin that was situated next to an UNRWA school and medical centre.

(Reporting by Raneen Sawafta, Ali Sawafta, Nidal al-Mughrabi, Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Toby Chopra and Ros Russell)
NABLUS, West Bank (AP)  Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, including two militants shot dead in a gunbattle, in new West Bank violence on Friday, days after Israel concluded a major two-day offensive meant to crack down on militants.

The persistent violence raised questions about the effectiveness of the raid earlier this week in the Jenin refugee camp, which saw Israel launch rare airstrikes on militant targets, deploy hundreds of troops and cause widespread damage to roads, homes and businesses. Twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the operation.

In the nearby city of Nablus, the West Bank's commercial capital and a flashpoint city, two militants were killed in a gunbattle with Israeli forces. Israel's Shin Bet security agency said the men were behind a shooting attack this week on a police vehicle.

Later Friday, Palestinian health officials said a man was fatally shot in the chest by Israeli forces during a demonstration in Umm Safa, a town in the central West Bank. The army had no immediate comment.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the two dead in Nablus as Khayri Mohammed Sari Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Moayed Mohammed Maqbool, 32. Two militant groups, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, claimed them as members.

In the aftermath of the shootout, bullet casings littered the blood-stained ground. Palestinians carried the bodies of the men killed into the hospital, chanting God is great! as guns fired into the air.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant praised Friday's operation and said Israel would continue to act to root out militants.

There will be no loop that isn't closed and there won't be a terrorist who doesn't pay the heaviest price, he said.

Friday's deaths are part of a year-long spiral of violence that shows no signs of abating, despite the fierce Israeli operation this week in the Jenin refugee camp. They follow a shooting on Thursday by a Hamas militant near an Israeli West Bank settlement that killed an Israeli soldier.

Monday's raid in the Jenin refugee camp bore the hallmarks of the second Palestinian uprising, a period of intense violence in the early 2000s that killed thousands. But the current round of fighting remains different from that one, mainly because it is more limited in scope, with Israeli military operations focused on several strongholds of Palestinian militants.

Israel has been staging raids in the West Bank for 16 months, expanding its activities in early 2022 in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks. The northern West Bank, which includes Nablus and Jenin and where the Palestinian Authority has less of a foothold, has been a major friction point.

Over 150 Palestinians have been killed this year in the West Bank, and Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have killed at least 27 people.

Israel says most of the Palestinians killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and people not involved in the confrontations have also been killed.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state.
TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan lodged a protest with South Korea over military drills it conducted on disputed islands, saying it was "extremely regrettable", the foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Friday.

The foreign ministry said it summoned a senior diplomat at the South Korean embassy in Tokyo, and the Japanese embassy in Seoul also summoned a senior South Korea official to make the protest.

"Takeshima is indisputably an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based on international law," the ministry said in the statement.

"The drills by the South Korean military are unacceptable and extremely regrettable."

The two nations have long been at loggerheads over the sovereignty of the group of islets called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in Korea, which lie about halfway between the East Asian neighbours in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

"The East Sea territory defence exercise was carried out to conduct our mission to protect our territory, people and property," a South Korean military official said.

The South Korean military has conducted the military drill routinely every year, the official added.

(Reporting by Kaori Kaneko in Tokyo and Hyunsu Yim in Seoul; Editing by Kim Coghill)
A manager at Brown's Food Company allegedly assembled female workers to find out who threw a used sanitary towel in the wrong bin

Three people have been arrested after employees at a Kenyan cheese factory were allegedly forced to undress to check who was on their period.

A manager at Brown's Food Company assembled female workers to find out who had thrown a used sanitary towel in an incorrect bin, an official said.

She made the women strip after attempts to get a confession were unsuccessful.

Brown's says it has suspended the accused manager pending an investigation.

Three people were facing indecent assault charges over the incident, police in Limuru told local media.

In a video posted to Facebook, Senator Gloria Orwoba said she had received a "distress call" about what happened on Monday night.

A manager "had found a used sanitary towel in one of the bins, and from what I gather, that dustbin was not meant for the disposal of sanitary towels," she said.

The manager initially gathered the women to ask who was responsible, and when she did not receive an answer, she "needed to find out who was on their period so that she could punish the person that threw the sanitary towel in that bin," added Senator Orwoba, who campaigns against period shaming.

She said that despite her attempts to intervene in the issue, the company was unable to resolve the issue with their employees.

In a statement on its website, Brown's Food Company said it was "saddened" and that the matter "does not reflect the procedures of the company as a whole".

"We are further engaging a women's health expert to help sensitise staff, improve communication, and strengthen our existing policies and procedures," the statement read, adding that they are arranging for an independent investigation to take place.

Police told local media that officers "conducted a thorough investigation and recorded statements from the victims before arresting three suspects."

They also said similar incidents had taken place in other companies in the area.

"We have reliably gathered that the demeaning and shaming vice has been going on for a long time. I want to warn any such employers that justice will soon be served to all their victims," local police chief Philip Mwania said.

Campaigners say that period shaming is a major problem in Kenya.

In February, Senator Orwoba was ordered to leave parliament because of an apparent blood stain on her trousers.
A man overdosed after shooting up in downtown Mexicali, and remained there for close to three hours before Red Cross paramedics arrived to take him to the hospital on June 5, 2023. He was still breathing. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times/Los Angeles Times)

As fentanyl has ravaged the United States, killing tens of thousands of Americans each year, Mexican leaders have insisted their country has been virtually untouched by the opioid.

Mexico officially recorded just 19 deaths from all opioids in 2020, the most recent year for which data are available, with President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador contending fentanyl is exclusively a U.S. problem  one he blames on American "social decay."

There is a lot of disintegration of families, there is a lot of individualism, there is a lack of love, of brotherhood, of hugs, he said during a March news briefing. "Here ... we do not have consumption of fentanyl."

But new data tell a different story.

A novel testing initiative in Mexicali, the capital of Baja California, found that 23% ofmore than 1,100 bodies sent to the morgue over the last year tested positive for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid as much as 50 times stronger than heroin.

The research was led by the director of Baja Californias Forensic Medical Services, who shared the unpublished results with The Times. It is believed to be the first study of its kind in a nation where medical examiners have traditionally not done toxicology testing, in effect making it impossible to measure the scope of the nation's drug problem  or even confirm its existence.

And it stands in stark contrast to the countrys official statistics, which show that 184 people received treatment for addiction to the drug nationwide in 2021.

The new Mexicali data are a massive statement and finding, said David Goodman-Meza, a UCLA harm-reduction researcher. To say that more than 200 people  of just the people who died in one city  had fentanyl on board really goes against the official narrative of the president saying that nobody uses fentanyl. Its a massive contradiction to what officials say is going on.

The data also seem to confirm what many in Mexicali have been seeing for years.

Julio Buenrostro was sipping a coffee on a recent morning when his radio crackled, and he sprang into action. A paramedic with the Red Cross, a nonprofit ambulance service that handles most emergency calls in Mexicali, Buenrostro had already responded to one overdose that morning. Now, at 9 a.m., he was heading to his second.

A cross memorializes Alejandra Monserrant Mendoza Jurado, who died of an overdose in August 2020. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Sirens wailing, he sped toward Independencia, a middle-class neighborhood with gated yards and palm trees.

Inside a darkened utility room off his familys home, 55-year-old Arturo Gonzalez was dead, his limbs stiff and his head resting on an ironing board that appeared to have caught his fall as he collapsed. A needle lay on the ground near his new Adidas sneakers.

The day before, Gonzalez had finished a yearlong stint at a rehabilitation center, his brother Leo said.

The siblings had celebrated with a meal at a seafood restaurant. Then his brother had dropped off Gonzalez at an aunts house to sleep. At some point, Gonzalez had apparently left the house in search of a fix  and found one, his brother said.

The president says there isnt any fentanyl here," Buenrostro said as he drove back to the station. "But every day we see people dying from it."

The new numbers help quantify a largely hidden epidemic that has often fallen under the purview of police and paramedics, who say they respond to four or five overdose cases daily. Its not just a problem with people living in the street, said Carlos Romero, deputy director of Mexicali's municipal police department. Its everywhere.

At the Refugio del Hijo Prodigo rehabilitation center, a walled compound tucked amid farmland on the outskirts of Mexicali, nearly all of the 92 residents there recently have struggled with addiction to fentanyl.

They pray together each night for the friends they have lost to the drug. They rarely attend the funerals.

Its too much," said Santiago Raygoza, the centers director. "It's like seeing your future.

As the chief medical examiner in Baja California state, Dr. Cesar Gonzalez Vaca had seen increasingly dire warnings from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration about the fentanyl problem across the border.

He had also begun noticing an uptick in deaths in his morgues that looked a lot like opioid overdoses.

The morgue in Mexicali, where nursing students leave after their studies. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

But in Mexico, postmortem drug testing is a rarity. That means when people die, medical examiners typically dont find out what substances were in their bloodstream, or whether they were enough to kill.

Gonzalez Vaca had a hunch that his country's official data on fentanyl use wasn't telling the full story. So beginning last June, he and his team started performing toxicology tests on nearly every body that came through the morgue in Mexicali  a city of just over 1 million people  regardless of whether it appeared the person's death was linked to drugs.

The results surprised even him. Out of 1,106 bodies tested, 250  or 23%  were positive for fentanyl.

By comparison, in Los Angeles County, an estimated 28% of the 7,137 bodies the medical examiner tested for the drug last year came up positive.

When Gonzalez Vaca and his team did their testing, they also checked for the presence of other drugs. They found that 391 bodies tested positive for methamphetamine. In all, 562 tested positive for any so-called drug of abuse, including marijuana.

Gonzalez Vaca said 80% of those with fentanyl in their system also tested positive for another drug.

A red stripe on a test strip indicates that a heroin sample is positive for fentanyl. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Its well documented that fentanyl has been infiltrating both powders and pills on the street for years.

A recent Times investigation found fentanyl had spread from the streets to brick-and-mortar drugstores, with some pharmacies along the border and in beachside tourist towns passing off fentanyl pills as weaker pharmaceutical opioids illegally sold over the counter.

A study published in 2020 analyzed drug residue from 89 syringes and drug wrappers in Tijuana. It found fentanyl in 93% of samples of white powder marketed as heroin and in roughly three-quarters of all samples tested.

Yet few users knew they were consuming fentanyl, said an author of that study, Clara Fleiz, a researcher at Mexicos National Institute of Psychiatry: The population doesnt know what they are consuming.

The new Mexicali data are not without limitations. Because the city is near the border  a drug-trafficking hot spot  its unclear whether findings there would hold true elsewhere in the country.

And because most bodies sent to the morgue are victims of violence, accidents or other unnatural deaths, the patterns the team detected among those tested might not be representative of trends in the city as a whole.

Some of the dead  roughly 5%, Gonzalez Vaca said  were too decayed for testing, which requires samples of blood or urine to complete. That testing includes a seven-drug assay similar to the urine tests used by many probation departments, as well as a separate test for fentanyl.

They are basically like pregnancy tests, Gonzalez Vaca explained.

Read more:Fentanyl-tainted pills now found in Mexican pharmacies from coast to coast

And just like a pregnancy test, he said, the assays show only a positive or negative result. Because they cannot measure the amount of a drug in a persons bloodstream, they cant be used to determine whether someone died of an overdose or simply had drugs in their system.

Thats why officially, Gonzalez Vaca said, none of the bodies he studied were classified as overdose victims.

Although men in their early 30s were the demographic most likely to test positive for drugs of abuse, Gonzalez Vaca said, he had otherwise limited information on the lives and drug histories of the dead.

On a downtown block in Mexicali not far from a U.S. border crossing, a lanky man walked into a storefront, took a seat in a small metal cubicle and took out a bag of what he described as China White heroin.

La Sala, as the space is known, is run by a nonprofit organization that provides users with clean needles, fentanyl tests and lifesaving medication that can help reverse an opioid overdose.

Nestor Maldonado Garcia began using heroin laced with fentanyl after Mexico's government closed the country's only methadone manufacturer. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Nestor Maldonado Garcia prepared his heroin, cooking it with a candle in a small metal container. He dropped a pinch into a cup of water. A La Sala worker dipped a fentanyl test strip into it. A red line soon appeared.

Just so you know, this does have fentanyl in it, the worker said.

But Maldonado was already shooting up.

For years, he had been on a better track, visiting a methadone clinic every morning before going to work cleaning cars in parking lots. But in February, Mexico's government closed the country's only methadone manufacturer, Psicofarma, over concerns about quality control.

Afterward, all three methadone clinics in Mexicali closed. Maldonado soon returned to buying drugs on the street.

Researchers say Mexicos lack of understanding of the extent of its fentanyl crisis has only fueled its problem.

Nestor Maldonado Garcia holds a syringe containing heroin laced with fentanyl at a safe house in Mexicali. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Weve known for a while that Mexico is undercounting the number of people using opioids and methamphetamine, said Steffanie Strathdee, a UC San Diego epidemiologist who studies drug use along the border. As a result of that, the government has decided that methadone and other harm reduction strategies are not worthy of pursuit because the number of people affected is so small.

That, in turn, could lead to a spike in overdoses, not just because of the strength of fentanyl but also because the odds of overdose are much higher after long periods without use.

In some cases, Strathdee worried, people might try to safely avoid the powerful synthetic by purchasing a weaker opioid such as Percocet or Vicodin, only to find that those pills are actually tainted with fentanyl too.

She said the decision to close the methadone factory is linked to the government's refusal to admit Mexico has a fentanyl problem. Theres a similar pattern, addiction experts say, in the government's opposition to the widespread use of the drug naloxone, which can instantly reverse an overdose.

Lopez Obrador has criticized U.S. efforts to make the lifesaving medication available for purchase without a prescription and opposed efforts to deregulate it in Mexico.

"Will it serve as a medication to eradicate addiction? Lopez Obrador asked recently. "Or is it just going to prolong the agony?"

Meanwhile paramedics and hospitals are struggling to get sufficient supplies, and the lack of available naloxone scares people struggling with addiction.

Cristian Flores Ojeda shows where he injects heroin into his neck. Almost all of the heroin in Mexicali has traces of fentanyl. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Cristian Flores Ojeda, who lives at a homeless encampment near a fruit-packing plant in downtown Mexicali, said he had nearly died several times over the last few years as Mexicali's heroin supply has been flooded with fentanyl. At times, he and others had tried to reverse overdoses with DIY treatments that experts say are bogus.

On a recent Monday, Flores was sitting on a dusty couch when he noticed a man who had overdosed and persuaded a passerby to call 911.

About an hour later, a police cruiser pulled up. Officer Sergio Lopez hopped out and strode toward the man, who lay slumped across a bag of onion skins.

The man wasn't moving. Lopez crouched and touched the mans wrist in search of a pulse.

Hes alive, Lopez said into his radio. Its an overdose.

Lopez grabbed a jug of water and splashed it on the mans cheeks and neck. He tugged his earlobes. Poked his ribs.

Amigo, amigo, Lopez said loudly, trying to coax the man back into consciousness. No te vayas.

Dont go.

Cristian Flores Ojeda, right, and other homeless men hang out at an empty lot in Mexicali. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

In March, Gonzalez Vaca expanded his study to Tijuana, home to Baja California's busiest morgue. Already the results show dozens of people died with drugs in their systems.

Of 225 bodies tested there, roughly two-thirds came up positive for any type of drug; 30  or about 13%  were positive for fentanyl and 125 were positive for methamphetamine.

That could mean the patterns of drug use are significantly different from those in Mexicali, or it could just be a result of the small sample size.

Gonzalez Vaca said he hopes to bring his testing initiative to Ensenada, a coastal town about 85 miles southwest of Mexicali.

Addiction experts hope the interest in testing expands even further. Joseph Friedman is a UCLA researcher who studies addiction along the U.S.-Mexico border. To him, the decision to start testing only raised questions about why that didn't happen sooner or in more cities.

"It's great that Mexicali is doing this, but we need this to happen elsewhere along the border," he said. "We have every reason to think that this problem is spreading to other parts of Mexico."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A missing persons flier for Rudy Farias is displayed on a computer screen. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Countless questions remain after police said a Texas man whod been reported missing for eight years was actually gone only one day.

Rudy Farias, now 25, was reported missing in March 2015 by his mother, Janine Santana. Police said Monday that Farias had been found outside a Houston church last week after they received a call about a person lying on the ground. While the Farias reunion was initially celebrated, it immediately took a dark and confusing turn.

False identities and reports

During a Thursday press conference, Houston Police Lt. Christopher Zamora said that after investigators talked with him yesterday, it was discovered that Rudy returned home a day after he was initially reported missing. Zamora said that Santana continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing.

According to police, both Santana and Farias himself gave fictitious names while interacting with various patrol officers. Zamora said the district attorney was declining to file charges for making fictitious reports and failure to ID, but added, The investigation is active, and there are new leads coming in. Well continue to follow those leads.

Family members went to police in 2018 to say they had seen Farias staying behind the home of a relative. A police spokesman said this week that investigators followed up on that claim but could not observe him. They could not locate him. Santana claimed the person spotted was her nephew.

Zamora said that Farias is with his mother by choice, noting his status as an adult, but said he had been connected with victim services. Police added that their interviews with Farias did not lead them to believe he had been sexually abused, although a local activist has repeatedly leveled that accusation against Santana.

The original 'disappearance'

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner at a news conference in Houston on Thursday to provide an update on the case. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Farias was reported missing on March 7, 2015, after allegedly not returning from walking his two dogs the prior evening. According to contemporaneous updates from Texas EquuSearch, a civilian search and recovery team, the dogs were found but Farias, who had an injured right leg and walks with a slight limp, was not.

A GoFundMe campaign to help find Farias and support Santana was launched shortly after he was reported missing, raising $2,000. The company has taken the page down, saying, The fundraiser has been removed from the platform and the beneficiary has been banned from using GoFundMe for any future fundraisers.

In a statement released Monday by the Texas Center for the Missing, Santana claimed that Farias was found outside a Houston church.

We want to thank the media and public for all their support. My son Rudy Farias IV was found on Thursday, June 29th, after being missing for eight years, Santana said. Currently, we do not have any additional information on Rudys case. What we do know is at the time of his recovery, a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911. My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us. We are asking for privacy during this difficult time but will share more details as Rudy continues to heal.

A surprise to neighbors

Rudy Farias. (Family handout)

Neighbors said they were surprised by the news that Farias had been found because they never realized he was missing.

He used to come in my garage, chill with my cousin, son and daughter, Kisha Ross told Houstons ABC News affiliate. That boy has never been missing.

Rosss cousin Broderick Conley added that he and Farias would hang out often, describing it as laughing ... good times.

Jeanay Wyble told NBC News she also hadnt realized Farias was missing, Every day he comes over and talks to us, she said, but noted, Hes just depressed all the time. A lot of times hes not sober. We didnt know he was missing. Weve just been hanging with him.

I always saw that son, sitting outside or sitting in the car, Marisol Flores said.

However, one neighbor told NBC News he had not seen Farias in eight years. Eighty-year-old John Richardson told the outlet whenever he would ask Santana about her son, "she would start crying and say they havent found him, and it would hurt me."
By Andrew Gray and Sabine Siebold

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - NATO leaders gather in Vilnius next week aiming to overcome divisions on Ukraine's push for a path to membership and end Turkey's block on Sweden joining the transatlantic military alliance.

With the war in Ukraine still casting a dark shadow over Europe, the summit in the Lithuanian capital next Tuesday and Wednesday will be guarded by Patriot missile batteries from Germany, fighter jets and forces from 17 nations.

U.S. President Joe Biden, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be among the 31 NATO leaders attending the summit in the small Baltic state.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also expected to attend and to press for Ukraine to be admitted into NATO soon after the war triggered by Russia's invasion comes to an end.

"We are talking about a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation," Zelenskiy said on a visit to Prague on Thursday. "We need this motivation."

NATO members in Eastern Europe have voiced strong support for Ukraine's stance, arguing that bringing Kyiv under the alliance's collective security umbrella is the best way to prevent another war by deterring Russia from attacking again.

But others, such as the United States and Germany, have been far more cautious, wary of any move that they fear could draw NATO into a direct conflict with Russia, potentially sparking a global war.

"I expect our leaders to reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, whose term was extended by a year ahead of the summit, said on Friday.

NATO is expected to present a package of support to Ukraine at the summit, including an upgraded cooperation body, the NATO-Ukraine Council, and a bundle of non-lethal military aid to help Kyiv's armed forces to reform and reach NATO standards.

But Zelenskiy has insisted Ukraine also wants assurances on membership that go beyond a vague pledge, made in Bucharest in 2008, that Ukraine would become a member of the alliance.

Negotiators are trying to find language acceptable to all NATO members for the summit's final declaration but had not finalised the text by Friday, according to diplomats.

"I'm confident that we'll find a united way ... to address the specific issue on membership," Stoltenberg said.

One option under discussion would be to declare Ukraine could skip a procedure used by many countries to become NATO members, known as a Membership Action Plan (MAP).

Some major NATO nations, such as the United States, Germany, France and Britain have been holding parallel talks on providing long-term security commitments to Ukraine, focusing on pledges to keep supplying weapons and ammunition.

It was not clear whether a declaration intended to serve as a foundation for these assurances would be agreed before the summit, according to officials.

TURKEY, SWEDEN TALKS

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February last year has revitalised NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, founded in 1949 to deter and defend against the Soviet Union.

The invasion prompted Finland and Sweden to abandon decades of military non-alignment and apply to join NATO. In Vilnius, Finland will attend its first NATO summit as a member. But Sweden's accession has been held up by Turkey.

Turkey accuses Sweden of not doing enough to crack down on Kurdish militants but Stockholm says it has met its commitments under an agreement with Ankara - a view endorsed by Stoltenberg.

In Istanbul, Erdogan said on Friday in a thinly veiled reference to Sweden that Turkey would not trust a country that harbours "terrorists," adding he would adopt "whatever decision is favourable" for Ankara at the summit.

In a university graduation address, Erdogan said Turkey had always backed NATO's "open-door" policy "but we did not hesitate to show our stance against those who shelter terrorists."

On the eve of the summit, Stoltenberg will host Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for talks to try to overcome their differences.

At the summit, the NATO leaders are also expected to agree they should all spend at least 2% of national GDP on defence - an upgrade on a 2014 pledge to move towards that number.

Currently, only 11 of NATO's 31 members meet the target.

The leaders are also expected to sign off on NATO's first comprehensive military plans since the end of the Cold War to defend against any attack from Russia, setting out detailed tasks and requirements for forces across the alliance.

Turkey has also been holding up adoption of the plans over names used for some geographical locations - reflecting long-running disputes with Greece and Cyprus - but officials say they are confident the plans will be endorsed at Vilnius.

The NATO leaders will also meet with counterparts from Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand as Washington presses the alliance to play a greater role in countering China.

(Additional reporting by John Irish, Andrius Sytas, and Huseyin Hayatsever and Burcu Karakas in Istanbul, Editing by William Maclean)
The "Lombok Treasure", looted by Dutch soldiers in 1894 is being returned to Indonesia

The Netherlands is set to hand back hundreds of precious artefacts taken from Indonesia and Sri Lanka during its colonial period.

Objects to be returned include a gem-encrusted bronze cannon and a looted cache of jewels from the "Lombok treasure".

A report had urged the government to return items if countries request them.

The agreed restitution comes as the Netherlands increasingly confronts its colonial past.

Other countries have also began returning precious looted artefacts in recent years . Notable examples include British and German museums signing over some of the so-called Benin Bronzes stolen from Nigeria during a large-scale 1897 British military expedition.

"[This is] the first time that we are returning objects that should never have been in the Netherlands," Culture Minister Gunay Uslu said.

"But we are not just returning objects. We are actually starting a period in which we are more intensively cooperating with Indonesia and Sri Lanka."

Among the collections to be handed back to Indonesia is the so called "Lombok treasure" - a trove of jewels, precious stones, gold and silver which was looted by the Dutch colonial army from a royal palace on Indonesia's Lombok island in 1894.

A bronze cannon, thought to be exchanged as a gift between Sri Lankan aristocracy, will also be returned

Sri Lanka will take back a lavishly decorated 18th Century bronze cannon, currently on display at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum, thought to have been a gift from a Sri Lankan aristocrat to the King of Kandy in the 1740s.

The cannon is believed to have fallen into Dutch hands in 1765, when Dutch troops attacked the Sri Lankan kingdom of Kandy.

Culture Minister Uslu said the government was acting on recommendations laid out in a 2020 report by a Dutch committee investigating art taken during the colonial era.

The committee urged the government to be "willing to return unconditionally" any cultural objects looted in former Dutch colonies if requested by the source country.

"The Netherlands must assume responsibility for its colonial past by making the recognition and redress of this injustice a key principle of the policy on colonial collections," the report said.

The country has been wrestling with its legacy more openly in recent years.

On Saturday, King Willem-Alexander formally apologised for the Netherlands' role in the slave trade, saying he felt "personally and intensely" affected.

The country became a major colonial power after the 17th Century, holding territories across the globe, and Dutch slave traders trafficked more than 600,000 people.
Heres a look at the terror attacks in Norway on July 22, 2011. Eight people died in a bombing in Oslo and another 69 people died on nearby Utoya island. This was the deadliest attack in Norway since World War II.

The Perpetrator

Anders Behring Breivik

Pronounced: AHn-ders BRAY-vick

Norwegian

No military background or training.

Described as a right-wing Christian extremist, with a hatred of Muslims.

Reportedly the author of a 1,500 page manifesto, called 2083: A European Declaration of Independence, critical of Muslim immigration and European liberalism.

He registered a farm in Rena, in eastern Norway, which allowed him access to large amounts of fertilizer.

Other Facts

The people killed on Utoya island (Pronounced: Oo-TOY-ah) were attending a Labour Party youth camp. Most of the 700 campers ranged in age from 16 to 22, some as young as 13.

Norway does not have the death penalty.

Timeline

July 22, 2011 - At approximately 3:26 p.m., a fertilizer bomb explodes outside the building housing the office of Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. Eight people are killed in the bombing.

- After the bombing, Breivik takes a short ferry ride to Utoya island, approximately 20 miles from Oslo.

- Breivik, who was wearing a police uniform, opens fire on young adults at a Labour Party youth camp. He roams the grounds of the island, killing campers trying to escape.

- At approximately 6:27 p.m., Breivik is taken into custody by members of an elite Norwegian police unit.

July 25, 2011 - Breivik attends his first court hearing, which is closed.

- His request to wear a uniform to court is denied.

- He is prevented from reading from his manifesto during the court hearing.

- Breivik claims to be working with two other cells of terrorists.

- Two court psychiatrists are assigned to the case.

- He is ordered to be held for eight weeks until his next court hearing. The first four weeks of detention will be in solitary confinement. He will not be allowed contact with anyone except his lawyer. He also will not be allowed mail or news.

August 19, 2011 - The families of the victims visit Utoya island.

August 19, 2011 - A judge rules that Breivik should be held in solitary confinement for another four weeks.

September 19, 2011 - A judge rules that Breivik will remain in solitary confinement for another four weeks.

November 14, 2011 - More than 500 people attend Breiviks first court hearing, which is open to the public. Breivik is not allowed to deliver a speech he prepared, and the judge orders him held in custody for another 12 weeks.

November 29, 2011 - Police announce that Breivik is insane, stating that psychiatrists have found him paranoid and schizophrenic. They say that he suffers from grandiose delusions.

January 13, 2012 - Judge Wenche Elizabeth Arntzen announces that the court wants a second opinion from psychiatrists concerning Breiviks sanity.

February 10, 2012 - A Norwegian court orders Breivik undergo psychiatric monitoring as experts seek to determine his mental state ahead of a trial.

March 7, 2012 - Breivik is formally charged with committing acts of terror and voluntary homicide.

April 10, 2012 - Two psychiatric experts release their findings, which the judge uses to deem Breivik sane at the time of the crimes. The experts findings state that during the commission of the crimes Breivik was not psychotic, not suffering from any psychiatric condition and is not mentally challenged.

April 16, 2012 - Trial begins.

June 21, 2012 - A spokesperson for the Norwegian Prosecutors office confirms that prosecutors have asked that Breivik be transferred to a psychiatric institution, as they believe he is ill.

June 22, 2012 - On the last day of his trial, Breivik addresses the court and describes his actions as barbaric.

August 13, 2012 - An independent report finds that the terror attack could have been avoided. The report cites slow reaction times by police and security forces, under-staffing and the failure of leadership.

August 24, 2012 - Breivik is judged sane and sentenced to 21 years in prison. Twenty-one years is the maximum possible sentence, but it could be extended if he is still considered a threat to society.

March 15, 2016 - Breivik appears for the first day of his lawsuit against the Norwegian state, alleging his human rights have been violated during his incarceration.

April 20, 2016 - Breivik wins part of his lawsuit against the state over his solitary confinement in prison. The Oslo district court announces that Breiviks treatment in prison violates Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, prohibiting inhuman or degrading treatment, and rules that his conditions must be eased.

March 1, 2017 - An appeals court overturns the lower court ruling that Breiviks jail conditions have been inhuman.

June 8, 2017 - Norways Supreme Court says that it will not hear Breiviks case over prison conditions.

June 9, 2017 - Breiviks lawyer confirms that Breivik legally changed his name to Fjotolf Hansen.

June 21, 2018 - The European Court of Human Rights rejects Breiviks appeal that the conditions of his imprisonment, largely in isolation, are violating his human rights. The decision is final, the court says.

February 1, 2022 - Breiviks request for parole is denied.

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A two-week undercover operation based in Sacramento County led to 37 served search warrants and 23 arrests throughout Northern California, as a regional task force continued a crackdown on child pornography shared online.

Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said the arrests are just scratching the surface in what is a rampant problem as sexual predators continue to trade graphic images and videos of adults  mostly men  sexually abusing children.

A lot of these folks are repeat offenders, Cooper said. The enormity. I mean, we could do this 24/7 and not even make a dent in it. Its like holding your finger in a dike. There is so much out there.

Cooper and representatives from several law enforcement agencies throughout the region gathered Thursday for a news conference to announce the results of the undercover operation, which was conducted June 18 though July 1 by the Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

The task force, which is based at the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, includes investigators from law enforcement agencies throughout the region, serving 30 counties in Northern California from Stanislaus County to the Oregon border.

Most of the cyber tips that led to the 23 arrests came from the National Center For Missing and Exploited Children. The tips originate after the center receives a report from an electronic service provider, indicating theres an online account suspected of uploading child sexual abuse material onto the internet.

Cyber tips skyrocketed, including during pandemic

The number of cyber tips the task force has received from the national center has skyrocketed from 220 tips in 2009 to 10,564 last year, authorities said. The number of tips has increased has increased in all but one year during period; that was 2016, when the number dropped to 1,564 tips from 1,726 the previous year.

What caused the dramatic spike? Cooper pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which kept many children home doing their schoolwork online as public health authorities tried to prevent further spread of the contagious virus.

The number of cyber tips climbed from 2,872 in 2019 to 4,941 in 2020, at the height of the pandemic. The number continued to climb, to 7,126 in 2021.

The Sacramento County District Attorneys Office has a prosecutor dedicated to solely handling cybercrimes, and part of her job is working closely with the child crimes task force.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Scott Triplett said the cybercrimes prosecutor is currently handling about 80 cases, a jump from 20 cases eight years ago.

Its gone up exponentially, Triplett told reporters Thursday. Its a significant problem.

He said the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors recently approved funding for an additional cybercrimes prosecutor to handle the increased caseload.

The three Sacramento County residents arrested in the operation included a 35-year-old Rancho Cordova man suspected of possessing child porn and using a minor to produce illicit images.

Sheriffs Office Sgt. Brandon Gayman, one of the supervisors on the task force, said investigators found video of the Rancho Cordova man sexually molesting an 8-year-old child. The suspect had recently accepted a contracted job with one of the U.S. military branches and was expected to leave California before authorities found and arrested him. Hes in custody and ineligible for bail.

Gayman said investigators also arrested a 54-year-old Sacramento man who was found on an online advertisement soliciting sex and fantasies on a dating website. He said cybercrime investigators have frequently found suspects who sexually exploit children on the dating site.

The Sacramento man unknowingly spoke to three undercover investigators believing they were children, directing them to communicate with him on the Kik encrypted online messaging app, Gayman said. The suspect reportedly asked the purported children  actually undercover investigators  to perform sex acts online for him and send him illicit images. He was also arrested, booked into jail and is ineligible for bail.

The child crimes task force has led large operations in recent years. In March, the Sheriffs Office announced the results of a sting operation that ended with the arrests of 18 Northern California men, including 13 from Sacramento County.

In April 2022, the task force arrested a Sacramento County man suspected of using social media to lure children into performing sex acts online at his direction; children as young as 6 years old. The investigation led to over 80 victimized children throughout the United States; children from California and 25 other states, including Texas, Indiana, Florida and New York.

More arrests outside Sacramento County

The arrests included five men from Stanislaus County, including three from the city of Riverbank.

In Placer County, a 22-year-old Roseville man and 40-year-old Colfax man were arrested. Investigators found several hundred child porn images at the Roseville mans home and learned the Colfax man had been taking photos of children in addition to secretly filming women in a restroom, Placer County sheriffs officials said.

Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire said the task force investigators lurk in the shadows of the internet to restore safety, security, and dignity to the children in these illicit images and videos.

And we need to be clear, these arent abstract images, Gire said at the news conference. These are photos and videos of children being victimized.

A 40-year-old Nevada City woman was the only female arrested in the operation; she was among three arrested suspects from that city.

The undercover operation led to arrests as far north as Shasta County, including one arrest in Redding and three in the town of Anderson.

There was one arrest in Woodland and another in Lodi, authorities said.

California increased funding for the task force

Cooper said Gov. Gavin Newsoms recent decision to increase the task forces budget from $200,000 annually to $1 million has significantly increased the ability to go after sexual predators.

The state money funds the purchase of the latest high-tech equipment to support investigations in the task forces 30 counties, including a forensics van, forensic computers, data storage equipment, investigative software and mobile classrooms to educate other investigators throughout Northern California.

California has recently awarded a $1.1 million wellness grant to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office to offer counseling services for investigators, particularly for task force members who spend countless hours viewing images of children being abused. Cooper said the work takes a heavy toll emotionally on the investigators, and that they deserve the help to make sure theyre okay.

Really horrific stuff. And the public really has no idea about it, Cooper told reporters. But theres some evil people out in this world.

The sheriff warned parents about sexual predators using social media apps to lure children into producing child porn, and he urged families to find out who their children are communicating with online. Cooper said the predators will make deals with each other, to exchange video of them sexually abusing children.

I dont care how smart you think your kid is, your kid is still a kid, Cooper said. They can be manipulated by an adult. These guys do things like that.
VENICE, Louisiana  Coastal Louisiana is unlike anywhere else in America, with lush wetlands, wildlife sanctuaries, commercial fisheries and the mighty Mississippi River. Its an economic engine - a gateway delivering commodities and goods across the planet.

Hurricanes and tropical storms have been smashing through the marshes and wetlands for as long as humans have been recording the disruptive weather events.

At the Louisiana State University River Center in Baton Rouge, scientists are studying the seriousness of erosion.

"These coastal wetlands have been disappearing what that means basically is the Gulf of Mexico is marching closer to us by the minute by the hour," said James Karst with the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.

Since the 1930s, Louisiana has lost about 2,000 square miles of coastal wetlands.



"It's a resilient ecosystem, but it's also a fragile ecosystem," said Bren Haase with Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority.

There is a $50 billion plan to restore the coastal marshes over 50 years. Its considered one of the world's most ambitious coastal restoration plans.

"That's designed to provide a sustainable coastal Louisiana," Haase said. "We're not going to save our entire footprint as it exists today, but we do believe we can provide a sustainable coast that supports all of the culture and the recreation, the tourism on the economy."

The restoration work is ongoing at the mouth of the Mississippi River, known as the Spanish Pass. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray traveled to Venice, Louisiana, to reach the work site.

Scenes of the work being done on Louisiana's coast to restore marshlands. (Image: Robert Ray/FOX Weather)

IT UNRAVELS FROM THE BOTTOM: SCIENTISTS WORK TO SAVE LOUISIANA'S SHRINKING WETLANDS

Gliding across wetlands in nearly 100-degree heat, Ray took an airboat to see the massive restoration project about 7 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. Only two years ago, the area was covered by open water. Now, sediment and mud rocks make up a human-made piece of marsh covering the vast space.

"This specific cell was more broken marsh than the rest of them. Some of them were more open water than anything, but behind me was you could see a good chunk of open water and just some broken pieces of marsh as the big storm surge comes in this breaks that large wave," said Barry Richard, with the Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority, pointing to the new marshlands.

Getting back on the airboat, the work further down the coast includes heavy equipment used to create and flatten new lands.

Scenes of the work being done on Louisiana's coast to restore marshlands. (Image: Robert Ray/FOX Weather)

SATELLITE IMAGES REVEAL DRAMATIC LOSS OF LOUISIANA'S WETLANDS

Nearly 2,000 acres have been restored by pumping sand, mud and sediment from the Mississippi River. The Spanish Pass Project restored over 6 miles of the ridge and built over 1,6000 acres of marshlands.

Many of these projects are funded with Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement funds implemented through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Act. However, that money will not cover the entire 50-year project.

"It's also important for us here in New Orleans because these wetlands provide a buffer against hurricanes. They help to absorb storm surge, and what I often say is that the more land or, the more anything that a hurricane will pass over, the weaker it tends to be when it reaches populated areas like this," said James Karst with Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
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Snakes: Theyre just like us  at least in one respect.

Like humans, the slithery reptiles may rely on others of their kind to stay calm in times of stress, according to a new study published Thursday in the journal Frontiers in Ethology.

The study authors focused their research on Southern Pacific rattlesnakes, or Crotalus helleri, which are common in Southern California. They found the snakes that went through stressful situations in the presence of a companion exhibited reduced heart rates compared with those that endured the stress alone.

These findings marked the first time that social buffering  a phenomenon in which having companions around can reduce biological responses to stress  has been recorded in reptiles, according to lead study author Chelsea Martin, a doctoral student at Loma Linda University in California. It has been observed previously in humans, rodents, birds and nonhuman primates.

Snakes and reptiles are really interesting because I think theyre often overlooked in their behavior, Martin said. People are often really afraid of snakes  (but) theyre not so different from us. They have moms that take care of their children. Theyre able to reduce their stress when theyre together. Thats something that we as humans do, too.

How to study snake stress

Martin worked with Dr. William Hayes, an earth and biological sciences professor at Loma Linda, to design the study.

It was Hayes idea to explore the snakes stress response, Martin said.

The research team removes rattlesnakes for people who dont want them near their homes, she said, so Hayes spends significant time driving around with buckets of the reptiles in his car.

He had noticed that when he had two snakes in a bucket together as he was driving down the mountain that they seem to rattle less or not rattle at all  as opposed to if he just had one snake in the bucket, she said. Rattlesnakes tend to shake their tail, emitting their signature warning sound, when threatened.

Another colleague suggested this behavior could be a sign that the snakes were engaging in social buffering, and their team designed an experiment for the rattlesnakes.

They used 25 Southern Pacific rattlesnakes captured from the wild, including some that came from lowland areas and others from the mountains. (Pacific rattlesnakes that live in the mountains are known to overwinter together, or spend the cold months in one anothers company, while lowland snakes do not.)

The researchers placed the snakes in 19-liter plastic buckets, then sealed off and struck the containers with pipes to simulate a stressful environment. They used an over-the-counter heart rate monitor to track the animals stress levels while testing the subjects in three ways: alone, with a companion, and with a rope about the same size as a fellow snake (to ensure that the presence of another snake, and not just another object, was causing the reduced stress response).

They found that the snakes heart rates were substantially reduced when they were placed in the bucket with a companion compared with being alone or with the rope. And that result held true for both the lowland and mountain-dwelling snakes as well as males and females.

Whats next for snake research

These findings could have broad implications not only for Pacific rattlesnakes but also for reptiles in general, according to the study authors.

Martin and Hayes said similar social buffering behavior could exist across numerous snake species as well as in lizards, crocodiles and other scaled creatures.

Nobodys really looked at (social buffering) in reptiles, Hayes added.

Dr. Erika Nowak, a herpetologist and assistant research professor at Northern Arizona Universitys Center for Adaptable Western Landscapes, agreed that research into snakes social behaviors had been limited until recently. She was not involved in the new study.

Im so pleased to see a well-conceived study that adds to our understanding of sociality in rattlesnakes, Nowak said via email. Their sociality is only cryptic because we scientists havent assumed that they (are) fully social animals, and thus we havent always carefully looked for behaviors that support sociality.

This evidence of snakes engaging in social buffering aligns with other social behavior shes observed in her own research, Nowak added.

Ive observed two wild male western diamond-backed rattlesnakes who hibernated near each other, traveled together during the active season, and even defended each other from me, she said.

This study could provide a starting point for additional research into snakes sociality. Nowak said she would like to see studies on how social buffering could affect snakes levels of cortisol, otherwise known as the stress hormone. And studies such as this one could inform how snakes caretakers treat the animals in captivity.

(T)his (and other) research clearly shows that snakes could benefit from having cagemates, Nowak said.

Researchers also said they hope this study will have a positive impact on the publics perception of snakes. They know most people arent wild about the reptiles  especially the venomous variety.

Please dont hype these as dangerous animals. Obviously, they are. But theyre only trying to protect themselves, Hayes said. Theyre frightened of us. Theyre reclusive animals.  So we would really appreciate a more positive emphasis on snakes.

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There are fears that the death toll can rise further

A suspected gas leak in South Africa has led to the deaths of 17 people, local officials say.

The victims - including three children - died from gas inhalation at an informal settlement in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

Police and forensic investigators have said the scene of the toxic gas leak is still active and have advised people to stay clear of the area.

Wednesday's leak has been linked to illegal gold mining in the area.

Gases are often used by illegal gold miners - known locally as zama zamas - to extract gold from soil stolen from abandoned mine shafts.

One of the gas cylinders was found leaking in Boksburg's densely populated Angelo shanty town.

The victims were found within a 100m (328ft) radius of the scene.

"The scene was heart-breaking... the bodies were scattered literally everywhere," said Panyaza Lesufi, Premier of the Gauteng Province.

Emergency service officials fear more bodies could be found as search and rescue teams continue their work.

Twelve people are receiving treatment in hospital, with one in a critical condition.

One woman, a Mozambican living in South Africa, told the BBC that her husband had died in the gas leak. She said she had received a call from a neighbour who told her that her husband had collapsed.

Speaking through tears, she added that she was concerned about how she would get her husband's body home to Mozambique as she was unemployed and he worked part-time jobs as a handyman.

Johannesburg, commonly known as the city of gold, is home to a labyrinth of abandoned mine shafts which stretch for hundreds of kilometres.

Illegal gold miners mostly from neighbouring countries, such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, have taken over the abandoned shafts.

Angelo residents have told the BBC that illegal mining gangs have been renting dwellings where they refine their loot.

Residents said they noticed a foul smell coming from one of the shacks early on Wednesday night. Those living closer to the rented shack started collapsing.

Mr Lesufi said that local people had asked for help from the army and security forces to move the miners away from the area.

"We need a tactical unit to police this kind of crime. Illegal miners are normally very heavily armed," he said.

This tragedy comes just six months after a gas tanker explosion on Christmas eve which claimed 41 lives in the same town.
By Luis Jaime Acosta

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Ivan Marquez, the well-known leader of a faction of former FARC rebels who returned to arms after a peace deal with Colombia's government, has died in Venezuela, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

Though most members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) demobilized under the 2016 deal, which ended the FARC's role in the country's nearly 60-year conflict, two major groups reject it and, according to security forces, have continued to participate in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

"The information provided by the group is that he died in a hospital in Caracas, where he received medical attention for serious injuries he suffered in an attack in Venezuela at the end of June 2022," said a source close to the Segunda Marquetalia.

The attack against Marquez, whose real name was Luciano Marin Arango, may have been led by Ivan Mordisco, leader of a rival FARC dissident group, according to security sources.

Colombia's Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez told journalists there was still no official information on Marquez's death.

Venezuela's Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to questions sent by Reuters.

Marquez was one of the negotiators of the deal but abandoned it just two years later in 2018 after his nephew was arrested and sent to the United States.

Marquez later emerged as the leader of the so-called Segunda Marquetalia, a group of former FARC who took up arms anew.

The group has 1,670 members and most - 1,060 - are combatants, according to security agency reports seen by Reuters.

Leftist President Gustavo Petro has pledged to end Colombia's conflict through deals with armed groups, but plans to hold talks with the dissidents have stumbled on uncertainty over whether they are eligible for a peace or surrender deal.

Marquez died in Venezuela the two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, which also included an intelligence source.

A number of major FARC dissident leaders have been killed in Venezuela, and the Colombian military says dissidents have significant presence in the neighboring country.

Colombian intelligence last year reported that Miguel Botache Santillana, better known as Gentil Duarte - a dissident commander who clashed with the Segunda Marquetalia - was presumed dead following clashes with rivals in Venezuela.

Both Seuxis Hernandez and Hernan Dario Velasquez - better known as Jesus Santrich and El Paisa, respectively - were both reported killed in Venezuela in 2021.

Previous Colombian administrations repeatedly accused Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, of harboring Colombian illegal armed groups, something Caracas has repeatedly denied.

Petro reopened diplomatic and trade relations with Venezuela and Venezuela is a guarantor at Colombia's peace talks with the National Liberation Army rebels.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, additional reporting by Vivian Sequera in Caracas; Writing by Oliver Griffin and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Michael Perry)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eighteen people were taken to hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries after a double-decker tour bus collided with a New York City commuter bus on Thursday evening in Manhattan, according to the city's fire department.

The front windows of a double-decker TopView tour bus were shattered in the collision with the rear of a bus operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which took place around 7 p.m. (2300 GMT) at First Avenue and 23rd Street on the east side of Manhattan.

Both buses were crowded, according to New York Fire Department officials who briefed reporters, and another 63 people were evaluated by medical staff at the scene.

Most of the injuries were cuts, scrapes and bruises, fire department officials said, though some people were treated for suspected fractured bones and head and neck injuries.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; additional reporting by Dan Trotta; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
Ukraine expressed concern Friday over the willingness of some former U.S. government officials to meet with Moscows top diplomat and other Russian figures, asking whether such discussions had eroded Washingtons support for Kyiv.

NBC News on Thursday reported that former senior U.S. national security officials had held secret talks with prominent Russians close to the Kremlin, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The report said that the Biden administration was aware of but not directing the talks, which aim to pave the way for future diplomacy to end the Ukraine war.

A Ukrainian official responding to the report said that Kyiv is closely monitoring the publications and comments regarding the secret meeting as well as reports that similar backroom consultations between U.S. and Russian citizens took place in other parts of the world.

Given the timing of the appearance of these materials in the mass media on the eve of the Vilnius summit, the question arises whether Washingtons tough position regarding the invitation of Ukraine to NATO is somehow not connected with these backroom consultations, the official said in a statement on behalf of the Ukrainian government.

Next week, President Joe Biden will travel to Vilnius, Lithuania, for a NATO summit. Despite Kyivs hopes to join the alliance, Biden has said Ukraine wont get to circumvent NATOs extensive requirements for admission, and NATOs secretary-general has said an invitation will not be issued during the summit.

Meanwhile, one of the participants in the Lavrov meeting, outgoing Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass, defended his decision to meet with Lavrov in an op-ed posted Friday to online publishing platform Substack, calling such interactions valuable opportunities to keep channels of communication open at moments when official interactions are either nonexistent or unproductive and the stakes high.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP file)

He wrote that participants in such talks, known as Track Two diplomacy, often feel more comfortable speaking candidly and testing new ideas or proposals. He added that exchanges of this sort have the best chance of being useful if they are kept confidential.

Critically, such meetings are conversations, not negotiations, Haass wrote. Those involved speak for themselves, not for any institution they might be affiliated with, and certainly not for the U.S. government, although relevant government officials are kept informed about what is taking place.

After the Lavrov meeting in April, U.S. participants briefed the White House about what was discussed, NBC News previously reported.

The Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday that Lavrov had met in April with Council on Foreign Relations members but said that no peace plan for Ukraine had been on the agenda, asserting that they had discussed a broader range of international issues.

Reports about secret talks on Ukraine  with the American side do not correspond with reality. Its a fake, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram.

In the wake of the disclosure of the Lavrov meeting, several former U.S. diplomats have publicly questioned whether such engagements with Russians undermine Ukraines leverage or contradict the Biden administrations long-standing position that no backroom deals will be cut with Moscow about Ukraines future.

As weve said repeatedly, nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine, White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said Friday. We will continue to give Ukraine what it needs to succeed on the battlefield so it can negotiate from a position of strength when it thinks the time is right.

The Ukrainian official responding to the Lavrov meeting also emphasized that Lavrov and other Russian government leaders remain under U.S. sanctions.

There is room for a legal assessment of the legality of such a meeting with a sanctioned person, the official said.

The U.S. government and other nations imposed sanctions on Lavrov, President Vladimir Putin and other Russian leaders in February 2022 on the second day of the war, citing Russias unjustified, unprovoked, and premeditated invasion of Ukraine.

The U.S. sanctions froze any assets the Russians had in the United States and bar U.S. citizens from conducting business transactions with them. The sanctions did not prohibit Americans from speaking or meeting with the Russian officials.
By Robert Muller

PRAGUE (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy won strong backing from the Czech Republic on Friday on a tour of several NATO states to drum up support for Kyiv's bid to join the military alliance.

Days before a NATO summit, Zelenskiy, in Prague after visiting Bulgaria and before heading to Turkey, made a new call for long-range weapons from Kyiv's allies including the United States to help defeat Russian forces waging war on Ukraine.

NATO, which meets in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius from July 11-12, is divided over how fast Kyiv should join because of concerns over any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said his country would welcome Ukraine joining the European Union, and that it supported its accession to NATO "as soon as the war is over".

"I am convinced that the future of Ukraine is in the European Union, the future of Ukraine is in NATO, and this will ensure that a situation like the one we are experiencing in Europe will not happen again. The Czech Republic is ready to be of maximum assistance," Fiala told a joint press conference.

"I hope, I believe, that President Zelenskiy will be able to attend the summit in Vilnius in person, and I expect that all the allies in the North Atlantic Alliance will clearly support Ukraine in its aspirations for membership, and the president can certainly count on the vote of the Czech Republic."

The Czech Republic has been a strong backer of Kyiv by providing military aid and other help, and Fiala promised more attack helicopters and hundreds of thousands more large-calibre ammunition rounds.

Zelenskiy welcomed the "new, powerful, very timely defence package" but said more weapons were needed as Kyiv tries to push Russian forces who still occupy swathes of territory after launching a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"Without long-range weapons it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation," said Zelenskiy, who wore his trademark military khaki top and trousers.

"First of all, we are talking about long-range systems with the United States and it depends only on them today."

Kyiv says it has taken back a cluster of villages in southern Ukraine since launching the counteroffensive early last month, but has said repeatedly that it lacks the firepower and air cover to make faster progress.

TALKS IN TURKEY

Zelenskiy arrived in Prague on Thursday, escorted by two Czech Air Force jets, after holding talks in NATO and EU member state Bulgaria, where he said he had secured Sofia's backing to join the military alliance "as soon as conditions allow".

Zelenskiy has acknowledged that Kyiv is unlikely to be able to join NATO while it is at war, but says Ukraine needs more than a general statement that the door to membership is open.

"We are talking about a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation," he said on Thursday after talks with Czech President Petr Pavel.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has cited NATO's expansion towards Russia's borders over the past two decades as a key reason for his decision to send tens of thousands of troops into neighbouring Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

He has threatened unspecified action if Ukraine joins NATO.

Zelenskiy will travel on to NATO member Turkey on Friday for talks with President Tayyip Erdogan which Turkish officials said would cover the potential extension of a wartime grain deal allowing the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea.

Russia, angry about aspects of the grain deal's implementation, has threatened not to allow its further extension beyond July 17.

(Additional reporting by Jason Hovet and by Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash in Kyiv, Writing by Timothy Heritage, Editing by Philippa Fletcher)
By Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska

WARSAW (Reuters) - Yulia Krivich is part of a burgeoning community of artists from around the former Soviet Union that has helped turn the Polish capital into a major hub of creative talent, especially after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of her native Ukraine.

Krivich, who has lived in Poland for more than a decade, now organises exhibitions, workshops and other events at Warsaw's Museum of Modern Art with the aim of confronting what she sees as the collective trauma of Russian colonialism.

"We came here (to the museum) on the third day of the invasion and stayed. We like to call it the occupation of the Museum of Modern Art and the director is happy with the occupation," Krivich, 34, joked.

"We came here to make banners for a protest at the Russian embassy and stayed," she said.

Even before Russian troops poured into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, Poland had been hosting thousands of migrants from the east, including people who fled a Moscow-backed uprising in eastern Ukraine and turmoil in Belarus and Central Asian states.

Poland, which borders Belarus and Ukraine, and was also once part of the Russian empire under the tsars and then of the Moscow-led Soviet bloc for decades - is a perfect place, in Krivich's view, for artists to explore the theme of "decolonising Russia".

"Many of my friends from Kyrgyzstan, Ukraine and Belarus feel at home here, also mentally, culturally and ideologically We have a common past," Krivich told Reuters.

THEATRE

Warsaw is also proving fertile territory for drama.

In the courtyard of Warsaw's New Theatre, Marina Dashuk awaits the performance of her mentee Palina Dabravolskaya, a 27-year old Belarusian director and actress completing a residency for Belarusian artists launched in 2021.

Dashuk, 44, has worked as a theatre producer in Poland since 2013, but it was only after the crushing of anti-government protests in Belarus in 2020 that she focused on working with fellow Belarusian artists.

"When the revolution in Belarus began, artists started fleeing... Then (Russian-born playwright and director) Ivan Vyrypaev proposed making a theatre play with Belarusian actors and that is how our huge cooperation with the New Theatre began," Dashuk said.

The play's title "1.8m" refers to the space available to individuals in overcrowded Belarusian prisons. Directed by Vyrypaev, the performance is based on political prisoners' court speeches and letters.

The New Theatre not only gave the refugee actors a chance to perform but also helped them with accommodation and visas. Since then, other institutions have followed suit.

"Poland is the only country where Belarusians can easily legalise their stay... All independent art initiatives that used to be in Minsk are now in Warsaw," said Dashuk.

Vyrypaev, 49, whose plays have been staged in more than 250 theatres worldwide, has also launched a new project in Warsaw - Teal House, staffed by Ukrainian and Belarusian refugees, offers activities ranging from drama and music performances to yoga and trauma healing.

In May, a Moscow District Court arrested Vyrypaev in absentia for spreading "fake news" about the Russian army.

"These are incredibly tragic circumstances," Vyrypaev said, referring to the war. "But Poland has a chance to become a real leader... of eastern Europe... It is a chance that should not be missed."

(Reporting by Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska; Editing by Gareth Jones)
By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. is "appalled" by a brutal attack in Chechnya on a prominent female Russian journalist and a lawyer, the State Department said in a statement on Thursday, and it urged Russia to conduct a transparent probe and ensure justice.

Armed masked men on Tuesday attacked Yelena Milashina, a journalist for the Novaya Gazeta newspaper who was in Chechnya with lawyer Alexander Nemov when they were ambushed as they drove from the airport, according to Milashina's employer and rights groups. Russia on Wednesday opened a criminal case into the attack.

Milashina and Nemov had planned to attend a court hearing in the case of a woman they believed was being unjustly persecuted for political reasons. The attack on them, in which their assailants put guns to their heads, shaved Milashina's head, doused her with green dye, and stabbed Nemov in the leg - prevented them from attending.

They were flown back to Moscow for medical treatment amid calls from the Kremlin for the authorities in Chechnya, a southern mainly Muslim region ruled by Ramzan Kadyrov, an ally of President Vladimir Putin, to investigate.

"The attack against Ms. Milashina is tragically the latest in a pattern of violence against prominent investigative journalists in Russia that has met little resistance from the authorities," the State Department said. It accused Russia of violating international human rights obligations.

Russia's Investigative Committee, the equivalent of the U.S. FBI, said in a statement on Wednesday that investigators in Chechnya had opened criminal cases.

Novaya Gazeta said Milashina had been examined in a Moscow clinic which had concluded that she had sustained a closed craniocerebral injury, up to 14 fractures of the bones in her hands, and multiple soft tissue contusions.

Milashina has spent years investigating purported human rights abuses in Chechnya. Novaya Gazeta was one of Russia's few independent news outlets until the government stripped it of its license last year.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Marguerita Choy)
HAZEL GREEN, Ala. (AP)  Before starting college, Taylor Mohead had never been outside her hometown of Houston, Texas. Now, the recent Tuskegee University graduate is trekking around trees in Hazel Green, Alabama, in fire gear and sweltering heat.

The U.S. Forest Service intern is among 20 students from historically Black colleges or universities who are participating in a prescribed burn demonstration under instructors' supervision. They clear paths, light fires and make sure the embers are out when they're done. Its part of an apprenticeship program that will give them the credentials to hit the ground running toward a fire line.

Its a grueling way to spend summer break, but Mohead is relishing it. She never pictured herself fighting forest fires.

Look at me. Im really small. Im really short. And then being a woman of color, thats something, too. I feel like thats more inspiring," Mohead said, grinning. I got goosebumps right now.

The on-site fire academy is part of the 1890 Land Grant Institution Wildland Fire Consortium, a partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and a cluster of HBCUs comprised of Florida A&M University, Southern University in Louisiana, Tuskegee University and Alabama A&M University.

The recruitment effort comes as wildfire season around the U.S. grows due to climate change and minorities remain underrepresented in forestry and firefighting. The number of wildfires this year is below the 10-year average, but hot and dry conditions are raising the risk, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.

The idea for a consortium came during the pandemic to address a mission critical area of the Forest Service, said Stephanie Love, the USDA Forest Services national diversity student programs manager and an Alabama A&M alum. The initiative became official in 2021.

These four HBCUs have some of the top agricultural programs at HBCUs in the nation. So, it just makes sense to align our efforts and move together in the same direction, Love said. Were trying to create a pipeline of students who are pursuing this natural resources education and forestry and fire.

The hope is every student comes away with a foundation to chart one of many possible paths in forestry, ecology, agriculture or firefighting.

The consortium is building on top of a decadeslong relationship between Alabama A&M and the Forest Service. A USDA Forest Service Center of Excellence in Forestry was created at the school in 1993 to prepare students for jobs with the agency.

The Bulldogs established a nationally accredited firefighting team in 2009 made of students, called the FireDawgs. When class isn't in session, the FireDawgs are dispatched to wildfires or burn operations around the country.

The development programs that have come out of the Alabama-Forest Service collaboration are responsible for training two-thirds of Black foresters in the federal agency, said Love, who was in the first FireDawgs squad.

Diversity among the Forest Service's wildland firefighters has increased by 20% in the last decade, according to data collected by the agency. It has approximately 13,000 employees including firefighters and other staff who respond to wildfires. Between July 2010 and July 2022, white staffers fell from 86% to 66%.

Black fire personnel have remained mostly around 1.3%. Black women make up around 0.5%. Hispanics make up 12%, and Native Americans/Alaska Natives and Asians linger around 3% and 1%, respectively. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders make up less than 1%.

The dearth of applicants of color may partly be due to a lack of awareness. They are not often encouraged to consider firefighting by guidance counselors or recruiters, said Terry Baker, CEO of the Society of American Foresters and its first Black leader. There also is a misconception that working outdoors isn't highly technical or doesn't require skill, he said.

Once students decide to study forestry or related fields, retaining them becomes the next challenge. Love said the Forest Service and HBCUs ensure there are mentorships, scholarships and internships.

Bradley Massey, an Alabama A&M junior and president of the school's forestry club, said the school sparked a passion he was missing. Massey said he was a student at Auburn University when he lost focus, working in retail back home in Huntsville before enrolling in Alabama A&M in 2021.

As the school year progressed, thats when more information about the FireDawgs presented itself, Massey said in between running around in fire gear. I wanted to just have experience and be able to make the most out of my college experience because I wasnt just going back for fun. I was going back for a purpose.

He has since accomplished feats like passing several firefighter work capacity tests including walking 3 miles (5 kilometers) in under 45 minutes while carrying a 45-pound (20-kilogram) pack. In October, he traveled to a conference in Boise, Idaho, where he went on field trips and talked with fire professionals and students from around the nation.

I didnt want to leave, Massey said. It was like going into Comic-Con and seeing all the cool stuff and just wanting to take many pictures ... I feel like it has helped me a lot in my career now."

Baker, of the Society of American Foresters, said the need for more firefighters will only increase as wildfires intensify with worsening climate change and droughts.

If were going to meet these challenges, were going to have to have everyone, Baker said. What does that mean to a profession that has been primarily white male?

Black firefighters can feel intimidated and isolated in the field when they parachute into fires in predominately white communities or dont have other crew members of color around them, Baker said. He recalled fire scenes where people became comfortable enough to openly say I was the first Black person theyve ever met in real life that they didnt see on TV.

The current crop of students says it has been reassuring to meet HBCU alumni who have gone on to become fire or forestry professionals, noting there is something special about being in the field surrounded by classmates turned crew who look like them.

It makes you more willing to go out there," Mohead said. "If you hit a road stop or obstacle, you have someone on your left who's probably been through it.

___

Terry Tang, who reported from Phoenix, is a member of The Associated Press Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ttangAP
RICHMOND, Ky. (AP)  The last of the United States declared chemical weapons stockpile was destroyed at a sprawling military installation in eastern Kentucky, the White House announced Friday, a milestone that closes a chapter of warfare dating back to World War I.

Workers at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky destroyed rockets filled with GB nerve agent, completing a decadeslong campaign to eliminate a stockpile that by the end of the Cold War totaled more than 30,000 tons.

For more than 30 years, the United States has worked tirelessly to eliminate our chemical weapons stockpile, President Joe Biden said in a statement released by the White House. Today, I am proud to announce that the United States has safely destroyed the final munition in that stockpile  bringing us one step closer to a world free from the horrors of chemical weapons.

The weapons' destruction is a major watershed for Richmond, Kentucky and Pueblo, Colorado, where an Army depot destroyed the last of its chemical agents last month. It's also a defining moment for arms control efforts worldwide.

The U.S. faced a Sept. 30 deadline to eliminate its remaining chemical weapons under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997 and was joined by 193 countries. The munitions being destroyed in Kentucky are the last of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent  a deadly toxin also known as sarin  that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s.

By destroying the munitions, the U.S. is officially underscoring that these types of weapons are no longer acceptable in the battlefield and sending a message to the handful of countries that haven't joined the agreement, military experts say.

Chemical weapons are responsible for some of the most horrific episodes of human loss, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement. Though the use of these deadly agents will always be a stain on history, today our nation has finally fulfilled our promise to rid our arsenal of this evil.

Fridays announcement came as the Biden administration has also decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, a weapon that two-thirds of NATO countries have banned because it can cause many civilian casualties. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Ukraine has promised to use the munitions  bombs that open in the air and release scores of smaller bomblets  carefully.

Chemical weapons were first used in modern warfare in World War I, where they were estimated have killed at least 100,000. Despite their use being subsequently banned by the Geneva Convention, countries continued to stockpile the weapons until the treaty calling for their destruction.

In southern Colorado, workers at the Army Pueblo Chemical Depot started destroying the weapons in 2016, and on June 22 completed their mission of neutralizing an entire cache of about 2,600 tons of mustard blister agent. The projectiles and mortars comprised about 8.5% of the countrys original chemical weapons stockpile of 30,610 tons of agent.

Nearly 800,000 chemical munitions containing mustard agent were stored since the 1950s inside row after row of heavily guarded concrete and earthen bunkers that pock the landscape near a large swath of farmland east of Pueblo.

The weapons' destruction alleviates a concern that civic leaders in Colorado and Kentucky admit was always in the back of their minds.

"Those (weapons) sitting out there were not a threat," Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar said. But, he added, you always wondered what might happen with them.

In the 1980s, the community around Kentuckys Blue Grass Army Depot rose up in opposition to the Armys initial plan to incinerate the plants 520 tons of chemical weapons, leading to a decadeslong battle over how they would be disposed of. They were able to halt the planned incineration plant, and then, with help from lawmakers, prompted the Army to submit alternative methods to burning the weapons.

Craig Williams, who became the leading voice of the community opposition and later a partner with political leadership and the military, said residents were concerned about potential toxic pollution from burning the deadly chemical agents.

Williams noted that the military eliminated most of its existing stockpile by burning weapons at other, more remote sites such as Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean or at a chemical depot in the middle of the Utah desert. But the Kentucky site was adjacent to Richmond and only a few dozen miles away from Lexington, the states second-largest city.

We had a middle school of over 600 kids a mile away from the (planned) smokestack, Williams said.

The Kentucky storage facility has housed mustard agent and the VX and sarin nerve agents, much of it inside rockets and other projectiles, since the 1940s. The states disposal plant was completed in 2015 and began destroying weapons in 2019. It uses a process called neutralization to dilute the deadly agents so they can be safely disposed of.

The project, however, has been a boon for both communities, and facing the eventual loss of thousands of workers, both are pitching the pool of high-skilled laborers as a plus for companies looking to locate in their regions.

Workers at the Pueblo site used heavy machinery to meticulously  and slowly  load aging weapons onto conveyor systems that fed into secure rooms where remote-controlled robots did the dirty and dangerous work of eliminating the toxic mustard agent, which was designed to blister the skin and cause inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Robotic equipment removed the weapons' fuses and bursters before the mustard agent was neutralized with hot water and mixed with a caustic solution to prevent the reaction from reversing. The byproduct was further broken down in large tanks swimming with microbes, and the mortars and projectiles were decontaminated at 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) and recycled as scrap metal.

Problematic munitions that were leaky or overpacked were sent to an armored, stainless steel detonation chamber to be destroyed at about 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit (593 degrees Celsius).

The Colorado and Kentucky sites were the last among several, including Utah and the Johnston Atoll, where the nation's chemical weapons had been stockpiled and destroyed. Other locations included facilities in Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon.

Kingston Reif, an assistant U.S. secretary of defense for threat reduction and arms control, said the destruction of the last U.S. chemical weapon will close an important chapter in military history, but one that were very much looking forward to closing.

Officials say the elimination of the U.S. stockpile is a major step forward for the Chemical Weapons Convention. Only three countries  Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan  have not signed the treaty. A fourth, Israel, has signed but not ratified the treaty.

Reif noted that there remains concern that some parties to the convention, particularly Russia and Syria, possess undeclared chemical weapons stockpiles. Biden on Friday urged Russia and Syria to fully comply with the treaty, and called on the remaining countries to join it.

"Today  as we mark this significant milestone  we must also renew our commitment to forging a future free from chemical weapons," the president said.

Arms control advocates hope this final step by the U.S. could be used as a model for eliminating other types of weapons.

It shows that countries can really ban a weapon of mass destruction, said Paul F. Walker, vice chairman of the Arms Control Association and coordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition. If they want to do it, it just takes the political will and it takes a good verification system.

__

DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Peipert reported from Pueblo, Colorado.
By Michael Martina and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. wants other countries to engage China on limiting the flow of synthetic drugs, the State Department's top official on narcotics said on Thursday, as Washington complains of a lack of co-operation by Beijing in combating their illegal trade.

On the eve of a U.S.-led conference on the issue, the official, Todd Robinson, said China needed to do more to disrupt illicit supply chains, but it was still unclear if it would join the meeting.

"We've invited China," Robinson, the assistant secretary of state for international narcotics and law enforcement, told reporters on a telephone call.

"We don't have any indication at the moment that they're going to participate."

Although Beijing "had not engaged" with U.S. officials on the issue in recent months, Washington still actively sought its help, he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will host on Friday the first virtual meeting of at least 84 countries to set up a "global coalition" to combat synthetic drugs.

The gathering is part of a Biden administration policy to curb the highly addictive painkiller fentanyl that has fueled the country's opioid crisis.

"This isn't about blame, and this isn't about pressure," Robinson said.

"Part of the reason we're trying to bring this coalition together is to engage other countries in their efforts against the supply chain, and part of their responsibility is going to be engaging with the People's Republic of China (PRC)," he said, using the formal name of the country.

China is a major producer of the chemicals required to make fentanyl, which is frequently smuggled over the U.S.-Mexico border.

Amid a deterioration in ties between the rivals, China has not been helpful in cracking down on the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals or on money laundering related to trafficking, U.S. officials say.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said it was willing to work with other nations.

"China is ready to work with other countries, including the United States, to establish co-operative relations featuring equality, mutual respect and trust, and win-win cooperation," the spokesperson, Liu Pengyu, said in a statement.

"We are willing to carry out counter-narcotics co-operation to share experience in drug control and jointly tackle the drug problems."

Beijing has said Washington should stop using the fentanyl crisis as a pretext to impose sanctions on Chinese companies, and state media have repeatedly said addiction and demand for the drug are U.S. domestic problems.

"We hope the U.S. side will take concrete action to address China's concerns and create conditions for more bilateral and multilateral cooperation on drug control," Liu added.

Almost 80,000 Americans died from opioid-related overdoses in 2022, the Centers for Disease Control says.

The U.S. Justice Department filed criminal charges in June against four Chinese chemical manufacturing companies and eight people over accusations that they illegally trafficked the chemicals used to make fentanyl.

(Reporting by Michael Martina and Simon Lewis; Editing by Grant McCool and Clarence Fernandez)
By Brendan Pierson

(Reuters) - Novo Nordisk on Thursday accused three Florida pharmacies of illegally selling products claiming to contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in the Danish drugmaker's weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus.

In three separate lawsuits in Florida federal court, Novo Nordisk sought orders barring TruLife Pharmacy, Brooksville Pharmaceuticals and WellHealth Inc from selling the products, and seeking unspecified money damages. The three defendants are compounding pharmacies, which make custom drug preparations for customers.

The pharmacies could not immediately be reached for comment.

Novo Nordisk is the only company with approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell semaglutide drugs. It said that the pharmacies are selling new drugs without FDA approval and claiming to compete with Novo Nordisk's approved drugs, violating federal and state law.

Novo Nordisk said in the lawsuits that selling drugs without going through the FDA approval process gave the pharmacies an "unfair competitive advantage."

"Worse, it puts patients at risk by exposing them to drugs that have not been shown to be safe or effective," the company said.

The lawsuits come about two weeks after Novo Nordisk filed similar claims against U.S. medical spas and wellness clinics.

Wegovy is approved for weight loss, while the other two drugs are approved for diabetes. However, Ozempic saw a supply shortage earlier this year due to high demand, driven by prescriptions to non-diabetic patients seeking to lose weight.

The FDA in May warned in public guidance about the safety risks of unauthorized versions of Novo Nordisk's popular weight-loss drugs in response to reports of adverse health reactions to custom-made versions.

Barclays estimates the global market of weight-loss therapies could be worth as much as $100 billion in the next 10 years, with most of the benefit accrued to early leaders, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Jamie Freed)
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The United States and its Western allies clashed with Russia and Iran at the U.N. Security Council on Thursday over Tehrans advancing uranium enrichment and its reported supply of combat drones to Moscow being used to attack Ukraine.

The sharp exchanges came at the council's semi-annual meeting on implementation of its resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major countries known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, which the U.S. under then-President Donald Trump left in 2018.

At the start of the meeting, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Britain, which hold the council presidency, of seeking to hold an openly politicized show by inviting Ukraine to take part in the meeting when it is not part of the JCPOA. He demanded a procedural vote on its participation.

U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood countered, accusing both Iran and Russia of participating in the transfer of drones used in Ukraine without prior Security Council approval in violation of the 2015 resolution.

This is a matter of life or death for the Ukrainian people, Wood said. It would be unconscionable to deny Ukraine the opportunity to speak at this meeting when it is experiencing the devastating effects of Irans violation of resolution 2231 firsthand.

Britains U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward, who was chairing the council meeting, then called for a vote on whether Ukraine could participate. Twelve members voted yes, while China and Russia voted no and Mozambique abstained.

The United States, Britain, France and Ukraine have urged U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to send investigators to Ukraine to examine debris from drones used in Russias attacks, insisting that resolution 2231 gives him a mandate to open an investigation.

Russia insists he has no such authority and Nebenzia warned the U.N. Secretariat against taking any such action. Irans U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani added that any U.N. findings based on such illegal activities is null and void.

U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo said in her briefing to the council that France, Germany, Ukraine, the U.K. and U.S. had written letters concerning alleged transfers of drones from Iran to Russia and had provided photographs and their analyses of the recovered drones.

The Secretariat continues to examine the available information, DiCarlo said, giving no indication of when or if a U.N. investigation would take place.

Ukraines U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the council that more than 1,000 drone launches over Ukraine had been recorded and that analysis by Ukrainian and international experts confirmed their Iranian origin.

Russia's Nebenzia accused Ukraine and the West of fomenting misinformation and dismissed the evidence as comical.

France, Germany and the UK, which are parties to the JCPOA, said in a joint statement that Iran has also been in violation of its nuclear commitments under the 2015 deal for four years.

They pointed to the International Atomic Energy Agencys reports that Iran's total stockpiles of enriched uranium are now 21 times the amount permitted under the 2015 nuclear deal  and the IAEA's detection in January of uranium particles enriched to 83.7%, which is almost at weapons-grade levels of 90%. Any stockpile of uranium at that level could be quickly used to produce an atomic bomb if Iran chooses.

The 2015 nuclear deal limited Tehrans uranium stockpile to 300 kilograms (661 pounds) and enrichment to 3.67%  enough to fuel a nuclear power plant. But following the U.S. withdrawal, Tehran escalated its nuclear program and has been producing uranium enriched to 60% purity  a level for which nonproliferation experts already say Tehran has no civilian use.

Iran informed the IAEA that unintended fluctuations in enrichment levels may have occurred accounting for the particles enriched to 83.7%, and Iravani, the Iranian ambassador, and Russias Nebenzia both said the issue has been resolved.

France, Germany and the UK said Iran also continues to develop and improve ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, pointing to a May 25 test of a missile they said is capable of delivering a warhead to a range of 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles).

U.S. ambassador Wood said Irans ballistic missile activity  especially in light of Tehrans nuclear ambitions and its threatening rhetoric  is an enduring threat to regional and international peace and security.

Iravani countered that Iran is fully determined to vigorously pursue its peaceful nuclear activities including enrichment."

Negotiations on the U.S. rejoining the deal and Iran returning to its commitments broke down last August. European Union Ambassador Olof Skoog told the council the EU compromise text is still on the table as a potential point of departure for any renewed effort to bring the JCPOA back on track.

Iravani said: We are still prepared for the resumption of negotiations should the other side be ready to do the same.
Democratic Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers used his authority to get creative with the state budget

With a creative line-item change to the state budget, Wisconsin's governor has enacted four centuries of spending increases for its public schools.

State law allowed Democrat Tony Evers to strike words and digits from a revenue hike proposed until 2025, instead locking in the funds till 2425.

Republicans have reacted with fury to what they call "an unprecedented brand-new way to screw the taxpayer".

The move could however be undone by a legal challenge or future governor.

It is the latest tussle between Mr Evers, a former public school teacher who narrowly won re-election last year, and a Republican-controlled state legislature that has often blocked his agenda.

Their original budget proposal had raised the amount local school districts could generate via property taxes, by $325 (250) per student, for the next two school years.

But Wisconsin allows its governors to alter certain pieces of legislation by striking words and numbers as they see fit before signing them into law - what is known as partial veto power.

Both Democrats and Republicans have flexed their partial veto authority for years, with Mr Evers' Republican predecessor once deploying it to extend a state programme's deadline by one thousand years.

This week, before he signed the biennial state budget into law, the governor altered language that applied the $325 increase to the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, vetoeing a hyphen and a "20" to instead make the end date 2425.

He also used his power to remove proposed tax cuts for the state's wealthiest taxpayers and protect some 180 diversity, equity and inclusion jobs Republicans wanted to cut at the public University of Wisconsin.

"There are lots of wins here," Mr Evers said at the budget signing ceremony on Wednesday.

In a statement, he said he had "improved through strategic vetoes" a bill that was "imperfect and incomplete", touting its "substantial categorical aid increases for our schools".

State Republicans blasted the measure, warning it would result in massive property tax increases.

"Legislative Republicans worked tirelessly over the last few months to block Governor Evers' liberal tax and spending agenda," Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, because of his powerful veto authority, he reinstated some of it today."

Vetoes cannot be overridden unless there is a two-thirds majority of the assembly in favour, which is unlikely as that would require Democratic votes.

But Rick Esenberg, director of the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, told the Associated Press he expected a legal challenge to the veto, calling it "a ridiculous way to make law".
Yellen appeals to China to revive talks and not let technology tensions disrupt ties

BEIJING (AP)  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed hopes Friday for better communication as Yellen appealed to Beijing not to let frustration over U.S. curbs on technology exports disrupt economic cooperation.

Both governments used positive terms to describe Yellen's visit to China's capital, which was aimed at improving strained relations, and stressed the importance of U.S.-China economic ties.

Yellen and Li announced no new plans for more high-level meetings to revive contacts that disputes over technology, security and other irritants have disrupted. Yet, Yellen is the latest of several senior U.S. officials traveling to Beijing to encourage Chinese leaders to revive interactions between the governments of the world's two largest economies.

Treasury officials said earlier she wouldnt meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and no breakthroughs had been expected.

In a one-hour meeting with China's No. 2 leader, Yellen said Washington and Beijing have a duty to cooperate on issues that affect the world. She appealed for regular channels of communication and, more pointedly, for healthy economic competition, a reference to complaints that China is stepping up subsidies and market barriers to protect its companies.

At the same time, Yellen defended targeted actions, such as American curbs on Chinese access to advanced processor chips and other technology, that she said are needed to protect U.S. national security.

You may disagree, the Treasury chief said. But we should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that needlessly worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationships.

Li said he hoped Washington would meet China halfway but gave no indication of possible changes to Chinese trade and other policies that have irked Washington.

Chinas development is an opportunity rather than a challenge to the United States and a benefit rather than a risk, Li said, according to a statement from the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "The two sides should strengthen communication and seek consensus on important issues in the bilateral economic field through candid, in-depth, and pragmatic exchanges."

The Chinese Finance Ministry called Yellens visit a concrete measure toward carrying out an agreement by Xi and President Joe Biden during a meeting in November to improve bilateral relations. The ministry called on Washington to make the next move.

We hope the United States will take concrete actions to create a favorable environment for the healthy development of economic and trade relations," a ministry statement said.

Yun Sun, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Stimson Center, said any major pronouncements on economic agreements would more likely come out of meetings between the nations' respective presidents, rather than finance ministers.

I see Yellen's meetings as a positive development and see it as a resumption of the senior level exchanges," she said. The meetings also "build the ground for the potential of having something concrete, to be agreed upon between world leaders at the September Group of 20 summit in India or Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco in November, she said.

U.S. curbs on Chinese access to technology threaten to delay or derail the efforts of China's ruling Communist Party to develop telecommunications, artificial intelligence and other technologies. Xi accused Washington in March of trying to hamper Chinas development.

Beijing has been slow to retaliate, possibly to avoid disrupting its tech industries. But this week, the government announced unspecified controls on exports of gallium and germanium, metals used in making semiconductors and solar panels. The announcement jolted South Korea and other countries that import from China.

During a meeting with businesspeople earlier Friday, Yellen criticized China's treatment of American companies.

U.S. and other foreign companies are uneasy about their status in China following raids on consulting firms, the expansion of a national security law and calls by Xi and other officials for greater self-sufficiency.

I am communicating the concerns that Ive heard from the U.S. business community  including Chinas use of non-market tools like expanded subsidies for its state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, and barriers to market access for foreign firms, Yellen said, according to a transcript released by her department.

Yellen rejected suggestions Washington is trying to decouple, or separate the U.S. economy from Chinas.

Businesspeople have warned that China and the U.S. might split into separate markets with incompatible products as Beijing and Washington tighten trade controls and tell companies to reduce reliance on each other. They say that would hurt economic growth and innovation.

I have made clear that the United States does not seek a wholesale separation of our economies, Yellen told the businesspeople. A decoupling of the worlds two largest economies would be destabilizing for the global economy, and it would be virtually impossible to undertake.

Yellen defended U.S. export curbs as premised on straightforward national security considerations and not undertaken to gain economic advantage over China.

Also Friday, Yellen met with the outgoing governor of China's central bank, Yi Gang, and former Vice Premier Liu He, who previously was her counterpart in finance talks, according to the Treasury Department.

She is scheduled to meet and have dinner Saturday with Vice Premier He Lifeng, who succeeded Liu as Xi's main economic aide.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Xi last month in the highest-level U.S. visit to Beijing in five years. The two agreed to stabilize relations but failed to agree on improving communications between their militaries.

The latest flareup came after Biden referred to Xi as a dictator. The Chinese government protested, but Biden said his blunt statements were just not something Im going to change very much.

Ties became especially testy after a Chinese surveillance balloon flew over the United States in February and was shot down.

Bidens climate envoy, John Kerry, is due to visit China next week. China and the United States are the worlds top emitters of climate-changing carbon, making whatever steps they take critical.

Beijing broke off climate discussions with Washington in August in retaliation for a visit by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the House of Representatives to Taiwan, the self-ruled island democracy claimed by China as part of its territory.

___

Associated Press reporter Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.
BEIJING  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended American actions to protect its national security in prepared remarks for a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

The United States will, in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security, Yellen said Friday in prepared remarks.

And we may disagree in these instances, she said.

Among several measures, the U.S. in October announced sweeping export controls that restrict the ability of Chinese businesses to develop advanced semiconductors.

This week, Chinas Ministry of Commerce said that starting Aug. 1, businesses in China wanting to export two metals used in the manufacturing of chips would need to apply for licenses. The ministry said Thursday the measures were not targeted at a specific country, and that it had notified the U.S. and Europe ahead of the public announcement.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended American actions to protect its national security in prepared remarks for a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. (Mark Schiefelbein / AFP - Getty Images)

We should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that unnecessarily worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationship, Yellen said in her prepared remarks.

She said there are important global challenges where the U.S. and China need to cooperate and show leadership.

Yellen met with Chinas premier on Friday, the second day of her four-day trip to China.

Earlier in the day, she met with former Vice Premier Liu He and former Peoples Bank of China Governor Yi Gang. A Treasury official said the meeting lasted for one hour and 15 minutes, longer than scheduled.

They discussed the global economic outlook as well as the respective economic outlooks for the United States and China, the official said.

Her trip follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens high-stakes Beijing visit last month, and comes as Chinas economic growth has slowed.

Li on Thursday met with economic experts to discuss growth trends and suggestions for economic work, state media said. Li said the complex global political and economic situation has greatly affected Chinas development, according to the report.
By Andrea Shalal and Yew Lun Tian

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, a trailblazer in the field of economics, met with six female economists in Beijing on Saturday, an effort to spotlight gender diversity following meetings with China's largely male government leaders.

Yellen, the first woman to head the U.S. Treasury, has made women's contributions and importance to economies a focal point of her tenure, often meeting with women economists and entrepreneurs during her travels, and hailing the benefits of boosting women's participation in the workforce and leadership.

A senior Treasury official said the lunch with the Chinese economists would give Yellen, who was also the first woman to head the U.S. Federal Reserve, a chance to "interact with a number of people kind of outside the normal policy structure." Treasury did not name the women participating.

Yellen, 76, told the women she had seen China's adoption of market-based economic policies transform the country and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty since she began her career in the 1970s.

"It is my hope for the benefit of both China and the United States, as well as for the broader global economy, that those policies are carried out moving forward," Yellen said, echoing comments on Friday to Chinese Premier Li Qiang, in which she urged China to adopt more market-based reforms.

Yellen told the women - one of whom described herself as a feminist economist - she was curious to learn more about their backgrounds and research.

"I'm sure we share similar stories and experiences about what a career in economics is like, and the challenges you can face," Yellen said. "I see it all the time when I'm almost the only woman in the room, and I'm sure many of you have that same experience at decision-making tables."

Treasury said Yellen and the participants discussed the Chinese economy and opportunities to increase the representation of women in the workforce, including in leadership positions.

"The Secretary underscored that womens participation in the workforce is one of the major drivers of creating inclusive growth," Treasury said. "She also noted that womens contributions to economics, in particular, are important to help ensure that economic research and policymaking appropriately reflect societys priorities."

Chinese President Xi Jinping's decade as the ruling Communist Party's general secretary has seen the number of women in politics and top government roles decline and gender gaps in the workforce widen, with the government emphasizing more traditional roles for women.

A June report by the United Nations urged China to adopt statutory quotas and a gender parity system to boost women's representation in government.

The U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women found that women comprise just over 26% of deputies to China's 14th National People's Congress and since October have had no representation in the 24-member Politburo of the Communist Party, a first in 20 years.

China's top female politician is Shen Yiqin, appointed in March as one of five state councillors. She ranks higher than a minister and oversees social welfare, veteran affairs and sports.

President Joe Biden's 25-member Cabinet, by contrast, is the most gender-diverse in U.S. history, with Yellen being one of 13 female members.

One-quarter of the U.S. Senate and 28.7% of the House of Representatives seats are held by women, according to Rutgers University's Center for Women in Politics.

China also lags in terms of women's representation in the top echelons of industry, a recent study showed.

Bain & Co and leadership advisory firm Spencer Stuart reported in March that women account for only 19% of top business executives, compared to an average of 25% in leading countries.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Yew Lun Tian in Beijing; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons, Leslie Adler, William Mallard and Kim Coghill)
By Andrea Shalal and Joe Cash

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on Friday for market reforms in China and criticized its recent tough actions against U.S. companies and mineral export controls, while China's premier called on her to "meet China halfway" and put bilateral relations back on track.

Yellen met with Premier Li Qiang on Friday during a visit to Beijing aimed at repairing fractious U.S.-Chinese economic relations, but made clear in her public remarks that Washington and its Western allies will continue to hit back at what she called China's "unfair economic practices."

Despite talk of U.S.-China economic decoupling, recent data show that the world's two largest economies remain deeply linked, with two-way trade hitting a record $690 billion last year.

"We seek healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time," Yellen told Chinese Premier Li Qiang in a meeting on Friday that the Treasury said was "candid and constructive."

China released a statement from Li calling for strengthened communication, consensus on economic issues and "candid in-depth and pragmatic exchanges, so as to inject stability and positive energy into Sino-U.S. economic ties."

"China hopes the U.S. will uphold a rational and pragmatic attitude, meet China halfway, and push China-U.S. relations back on track soon," Li's statement said.

It made no mention of recent semiconductor-related mineral export controls from both countries.

Yellen is due to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng -- her direct counterpart as China's top economic official -- on Saturday, a U.S. Treasury official said.

Yellen also spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham) after what a Treasury official called "substantive" talks with former Chinese economy czar Liu He -- He Lifeng's predecessor -- who remains a close confidante of President Xi Jinping. Yellen also met with departing top Chinese central banker Yi Gang.

Yellen and other U.S. officials are walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to repair ties with China after the U.S. military shot down a Chinese government balloon over the United States while continuing to push Beijing to halt practices they view as harmful to U.S. and Western companies.

Yellen said she hoped her visit would spur more regular communication between the two rivals, and said any targeted actions by Washington to protect its national security should not "needlessly" jeopardize the broader relationship.

U.S. officials have downplayed the prospects for any major breakthroughs, while highlighting the importance of more regular communications between the world's two biggest economies.

China hopes the United States will take "concrete actions" to create a favourable environment for the healthy development of economic and trade ties, its finance ministry said in a statement on Friday.

"No winners emerge from a trade war or from decoupling and 'breaking chains'," the statement added.

Li told Yellen a rainbow that appeared as her plane landed from Washington on Thursday offered hope for the future of U.S.-China ties.

"I think there is more to China-U.S. relations than just wind and rain. We will surely see more rainbows," he said.

U.S. companies in China hope Yellen's visit will ensure trade and commercial lanes between the two economies remain open, regardless of the temperature of geopolitical tensions.

AmCham President Michael Hart welcomed Yellen's "extra firepower" in pressing for changes in China's policies, and said her visit could pave the way for more exchanges at lower levels between the two sides.

"I think if there was another year of no visits by top U.S. government leaders, the market would get colder," he added.

POSSIBLE BIDEN-XI MEETING

The U.S. diplomatic push comes ahead of a possible meeting between President Joe Biden and Xi as soon as September's Group of 20 Summit in New Delhi or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering scheduled for November in San Francisco.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month and agreed with Xi that the mutual rivalry should not veer into conflict. Biden's climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit later this month, and the US Treasury believes climate finance is an area where Beijing and Washington can cooperate.

Yellen told the U.S. business executives a "stable and constructive relationship" between the two countries would benefit U.S. companies and workers, but Washington also needed to protect its national security interests and human rights.

Regular exchanges could help both countries monitor economic and financial risks at a time when the global economy was facing "headwinds like Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the pandemic," Yellen added.

At the same time, she said she would raise concerns with Chinese officials about Beijing's use of expanded subsidies for state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, barriers to market access for foreign firms, and its recent "punitive actions" against U.S. firms.

New Chinese export controls on gallium and germanium, critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors, were also concerning, she said, adding the move underscored the need for "resilient and diversified supply chains."

MARKET REFORMS

Yellen also took aim at China's planned economy, urging Beijing to return to more market-oriented practices that had underpinned its rapid growth in past years.

"A shift toward market reforms would be in China's interests," she told the AmCham event.

"A market-based approach helped spur rapid growth in China and helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. This is a remarkable economic success story."

Yellen dismissed the idea of decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economies, nothing that China's enormous and growing middle-class provided a big market for American goods and services. and stressed that Washington's targeted actions against China were based on national security concerns.

A Treasury official said the vibrant U.S. business community in China was "a living embodiment that we are not decoupling."

"We have no interest in decoupling. We've got lots of leading American firms who have had a very long history and are deeply enmeshed into the Chinese economy," the official told reporters.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Joe Cash and David Lawder; Editing by Catherine Evans, Heather Timmons and Alistair Bell)
BEIJING (AP)  Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is visiting Beijing as part of efforts to revive U.S.-Chinese relations that are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes over technology, security and other irritants.

Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met in November and agreed to improve relations between the worlds biggest economies and major trading partners. But neither government has shown willingness to make major policy changes.

We hope the United States takes concrete actions to create a favorable environment for the healthy development of economic and trade relations, the Chinese finance ministry said in a statement Friday.

It expressed hope for the realization of mutual benefit and win-win results but did not suggest possible Chinese concessions.

Yellen's visit follows one by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met with Xi last month in Beijing in an encounter that lasted just 30 minutes.

Heres a look at some areas of contention.

___

POLITICAL RELATIONS

U.S.-Chinese relations are riven by disputes over technology, security, human rights, Beijings assertive policies abroad and its support for Russia during its war on Ukraine. Despite an agreement between Biden and Xi to improve relations during a meeting in Indonesia in November, ties worsened after a Chinese surveillance balloon drifted over the United States in February and was shot down. Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to Beijing in June in the highest-level U.S. visit in five years and had a meeting with Xi that lasted just 30 minutes.

EXPORT CONTROLS

The United States has blocked Chinese access to advanced processor chips and other technology on security grounds. Beijing has been slow to retaliate, possibly to avoid disrupting Chinas fledgling developers of artificial intelligence and other technologies. But this week, Beijing announced controls on exports of two minerals used in semiconductors and solar panels  gallium and germanium. In May, China banned using products from the biggest U.S. maker of memory chips, Micron Technology Inc., in computers that handle sensitive information, saying they had unspecified security flaws but gave no explanation.

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE

Xis government said it had a no limits friendship with Moscow ahead of its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Beijing has provided political support for President Vladimir Putins government and has blocked efforts in the United Nations to criticize the Kremlin. China also has stepped up purchases of Russian oil and gas, helping to offset revenue losses due to Western sanctions. Washington has warned Beijing not to provide military support.

TERRITORIAL DISPUTES

The United States rejects Chinas claim to sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, where Beijing has built artificial islands and stationed naval forces. Chinese claims overlap with those of Vietnam, Malaysia and U.S. ally the Philippines. Washington and its allies have sent warships through the sea to assert their freedom of naviation. Beijing rejects that and says the United States is adding to tension over the region. China also claims the self-ruled island democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory. Xis government has stepped up efforts to intimidate Taiwans elected government by flying fighter jets near the island and firing missiles into the sea. American politicians including then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the U.S. House of Representatives have visited Taiwan in a show of support.

DECOUPLING OR DERISKING?

Businesspeople warn the world might decouple, or split into separate markets with incompatible industrial standards and products, as the United States and China tighten export controls and try to reduce reliance on each other. They say that would slow economic growth and innovation. Yellen has warned decoupling would be a disaster. Treasury officials said ahead of her trip she would deliver that message to Chinese officials. There will be no winners in trade wars or decoupling and broken chains, the Chinese finance ministry said. There are also deep financial ties: China stockpiles part of its trade surpluses and foreign currency reserves in Treasury debt, which helps to finance U.S. government budget deficits.

ROOM FOR COOPERATION

Treasury officials said Yellen planned to encourage Chinese officials to work with Washington on areas of common interest including climate change. China signed onto a deal last month to reduce debts owed by the Zambian government. Treasury officials pointed to that as an example of areas where cooperation produced results.
By Renju Jose and Lucy Craymer

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said on Friday New Zealand will require continued engagement with China, its largest trading partner, but would disagree with Beijing in areas where it challenges his country's national interests.

New Zealand has long been seen as a moderate or even absent voice on China in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, which includes the United States and allies, and is carefully managing its relationship with China amid the strategic rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

"A strong, mature and complex relationship (with China) means we will have those tough conversations ... but I think it's better to be talking than not," Hipkins said in a speech at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.

New Zealand will continue to disagree with China on several issues, including human rights, but the path of engagement will be "open and honest", he said.

The speech comes about a week after Hipkins' six-day visit to China, which included meetings with Xi Jinping, where the Chinese president said Beijing had always treated New Zealand as a "friend and partner".

Hipkins said New Zealand must ensure greater economic resilience across its trade markets in a time of global uncertainty, adding its independent foreign policy did not mean a neutral stance.

"As a country, we may be small, but we are not bystanders. We chart our own course, with decisions that are in our national interest," Hipkins said, though he said any decision will not be "a radical departure" in the country's foreign policy.

Hipkins said the U.S. has been pivotal to maintain the system of international rules that help keep New Zealand's interests safe, and he will continue to work closely with Washington.

Hipkins is heading to Europe on Friday for a week to witness the signing of the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement and to attend the NATO Leaders' Summit in Lithuania.

DEFENCE

But while Hipkins said New Zealand must continue to fly the flag for peace, he said that the country could not be passive.

"We need to keep investing in our defence and security capabilities at home," he said.

New Zealand's defence spending sits at around 1%, according to the country's defence minister, and has struggled with ageing equipment for several years with a number of assets such as the frigates needing to be replaced in the next decade.

Hipkins said that the government would be releasing a number of documents about national security, defence and foreign policy including New Zealand's first National Security Strategy.

"They also help us to inform our decision making around ongoing investments in a combat-capable defence force," Hipkins said.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Kim Coghill)
By Can Sezer

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he was pressing Russia to extend a Black Sea grain deal by at least three months and announced a visit by President Vladimir Putin in August.

He was speaking at a joint news conference with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after the two parties met to discuss the fate of an arrangement, brokered last year by Turkey and the United Nations, to allow for the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea despite the war.

Zelenskiy's visit followed stops in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, part of a tour of some NATO capitals aimed at encouraging them to take concrete steps at a summit next week towards granting Kyiv membership of the alliance, which Erdogan said Ukraine deserved.

Erdogan said work was under way on extending the Black Sea grain deal beyond its expiration date of July 17 and for longer periods beyond that. The deal would be one of the most important issues on the agenda for his meeting with Putin in Turkey next month, he said.

"Our hope is that it will be extended at least once every three months, not every two months. We will make an effort in this regard and try to increase the duration of it to two years," he said at the news conference with Zelenskiy.

Both men said they had also discussed another key question for Erdogan's talks with Putin -- the question of prisoner exchanges, which Zelenskiy said had been the first thing on their agenda. "I hope we will get a result from this soon," Erdogan said.

Zelenskiy said he would wait for a result to comment but made clear the discussion had gone into specifics on returning all captives including children deported to Russia and other groups.

"We are working on the return of our captives, political prisoners, Crimean Tatars," he said, referring to members of Ukraine's Muslim community in the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. "Our partners have all the lists. We are really working on this."

Erdogan said the issue could also come up in his contacts with the Russian leader before his visit. "If we make some phone calls before that, we will discuss it on the call as well," he said.

The Kremlin said it would be watching the talks closely, saying Putin has highly appreciated the mediation of Erdogan in attempting to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

"As for forthcoming contacts between Putin and Erdogan, we do not rule them out in the foreseeable future," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters ahead of the Istanbul talks with Zelenskiy, which began on Friday.

Russia, angry about aspects of the grain deal's implementation, has threatened not to allow its further extension beyond July 17.

Turkey, a NATO member, has managed to retain cordial relations with both Russia and Ukraine over the past 16 months of the war and last year it helped to broker prisoner exchanges.

Turkey has not joined its Western allies in imposing economic sanctions on Russia, but has also supplied arms to Ukraine and called for its sovereignty to be respected.

(Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, Oleksandr Kozhukhar and Orhan Coskun, Writing by Elaine Monaghan and Huseyin Hayatsever, Editing by Jonathan Spicer, Gareth Jones and Diane Craft)
President Joe Biden arrived in South Carolina today to tout an investment that will create hundreds of good-paying jobs, according to the White House.

President Biden spoke at Flex LTD in West Columbia this afternoon to promote parts of his economic plan dealing with investing in clean energy manufacturing.

It was Bidens first appearance in the Midlands since December 2021, when the president visited Orangeburg to deliver the commencement address for South Carolina State University. First Lady Jill Biden was at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island June 30 to speak at a Marine Corps graduation ceremony.

A few days ago, former President Donald Trump made a stop in Pickens, South Carolina, for a July 1 presidential campaign rally.

Bidens visit took place at 1000 Technology Drive in West Columbia, about a mile from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, where Biden flew into. The event was not open to the general public. A no-fly zone was in place from 11:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

1 p.m.

Biden took the stage Thursday, leading his remarks with kind comments about longtime colleague U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat who was influential in Bidens 2020 election victory. He then quickly pivoted to discussing his economic plan, dubbed Bidenomics, which focuses on boosting the middle class.

Trickle-down economics has failed Americans, Biden said. Instead, he hopes to build up the middle class from the bottom-up. Bidens support for clean energy manufacturing is a part of that mission.

Biden said California-based energy technology company Enphases $60 million investment nationwide to make microinverters and batteries for solar arrays is a direct result of the Inflation Reduction Act. Part of Enphases investment includes partnering with Flex LTD, which has a manufacturing facility in West Columbia, to create up to 600 jobs in South Carolina. Biden also listed several other large manufacturing investments across the U.S. as examples of the Inflation Reduction Acts success.

President Biden is currently speaking at Flex manufacturing facility in West Columbia.



He has touted his success with job creation and progress with clean energy investment.



I made a commitment that Id be President for all Americans, and I kept my promise. pic.twitter.com/YDlTZx7Wjo  Anna Wilder (@anna_wilderr) July 6, 2023

Biden skimmed over specifics when it came to the creation of the 600 jobs in South Carolina and what would happen after the partnership between Flex and Enphase. Most of his speech included overarching points about Bidenomics and figures on U.S. job creation.

He said Bidenomics is about access to the American dream.

Forty years of trickle down limited the dream to those at the top, but I believe that every American willing to work hard should be able to get a good job, no matter where they live, Biden said.

In addition to his support for manufacturing, Biden discussed the need to invest in infrastructure nationwide. He invoked the dreaded Malfunction Junction, a web of interstate interchanges outside Columbia that has long been a headache to Midlands motorists. Work to overhaul the roadways is underway. Biden said his economic policies and Clyburns support for them are also to thank for that work.

He ended his speech saying hed never been more optimistic about America, and said lets continue to work together.

President Joe Biden speaks about his economic plans at West Columbia manufacturer Flex LTD Thursday.

Before 1 p.m., leading up to Bidens remarks

Before Biden made his speech, Revathi Advaithi, CEO of Flex, and Badri Kothandaraman, President and CEO of Enphase Energy, spoke about the opportunities and success that would come from the partnership and thanked President Biden for investing in clean energy.

We are pleased to be part of creating new jobs in the U.S, Kothandaraman said. We are fortunate to have a very strong partner like Flex.

About 250 people sat in the audience, with various business owners, local and state political representatives, Flex and Enphase employees, college students and members of the public waiting to hear Biden speak.

Enphase CEO Badri Kothandaraman also thanked the President for contributions to the green energy and manufacturing market in the U.S. pic.twitter.com/01dfj2oHyx  Caleb Lamar Bozard (@BozardCaleb) July 6, 2023

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-Columbia, a longtime supporter of the president who helped propel Biden to victory in South Carolina in 2020, spoke before Biden and sang praises of the presidents economic strategy and its impact in the Palmetto State.

High-paying jobs are being created by South Carolinians doing work that is contributing to the future greatness of America. Thats what Bidenomics is all about, Clyburn said. Thanks to Bidenomics, South Carolina communities will no longer be left out of the digital world, but instead, every single resident and business in South Carolina will have broadband access within the next three years.

Flex employee Nicole Hicks spoke after Clyburn to introduce the president and shook Bidens hand as he walked on the stage.

Hicks grew up in the Georgetown area and moved to Columbia for work after high school, she said. She worked in retail before joining Flex in 2015. She currently works as an automation engineer and has a two-month-old son, she said.

I am grateful we have a president who understands these aspirations, a president who gets it, a president who cares ... about good paying jobs and about families like mine, Hicks said before introducing the President.

12:30 p.m.

The room at Flex LTD has been filling up. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison, who formerly served as head of South Carolinas Democratic party, was in attendance Thursday posing with members of the public. Local politicians, university representatives and more member of the public have been invited to hear Bidens remarks, which are scheduled to begin around 1 p.m.

Part of Bidens remarks will include the announcement of a new solar energy collaboration between Flex LTD and Enphase Energy, part of a nation-wide investment by the California-based energy tech company to create 1,800 new jobs across the U.S. and 600 in South Carolina.

In the building now. Seeing Secret Service agents, members of the media, local political and university figures/representatives. pic.twitter.com/BFV2guhU4O  Caleb Lamar Bozard (@BozardCaleb) July 6, 2023

South Carolina Republicans have been reacting to Bidens visit throughout the day.

Gov. Henry McMaster issued a statement saying South Carolinas success originates from our people, seeming to contrast with Bidens pronouncement that his economic policies have helped boost manufacturing in the state.

My statement on President Bidens visit to South Carolina: pic.twitter.com/EGVlH1CEMg  Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) July 6, 2023

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who is currenty running for president, also issued a statement about Bidens visit, writing on Twitter If Joe Biden really thinks Bidenomics is working, he definitely needs to take a mental competency test.

Bidenomics brought record-breaking inflation and wiped out peoples savings.



South Carolinians are still paying more for gas and groceries than they did before Bidenomics.



If Joe Biden really thinks Bidenomics is working, he definitely needs to take a mental competency test.  Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) July 6, 2023

11:45 a.m. until about 12 p.m.

Air Force One touched down at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport. Biden greeted about a dozen members of the public and spoke with a few people momentarily. Biden also spent some time chatting with Rep. Clyburn and Mayor Rickenmann on the tarmac before getting into his vehicle the Beast and taking off for Flex LTD.

Air Force One touches town at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport Thursday. President Joe Biden will visit a West Columbia manufacturer, Flex LTD, Thursday afternoon.

President Biden has touched down in Columbia pic.twitter.com/OFTozztMXl  Bristow Marchant (@BristowatHome) July 6, 2023

11:40 a.m.

Local and state dignitaries talk with members of the public waiting to see President Biden. Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Rep. James Clyburn both greeted the public at the airport Thursday morning.

Rep. James Clyburn and Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann chat outside the Columbia Metropolitan Airport before President Joe Bidens arrival Thursday.

The crowd at Flex LTD, where Biden will speak later today, continues to grow. People are setting up yard signs supporting Biden at Flex LTD.

Press still waiting to be let in. Some pro-Biden signs being set up near the entrance to the building, mostly in the shade. pic.twitter.com/HE210o6YJP  Caleb Lamar Bozard (@BozardCaleb) July 6, 2023

11:15 a.m.

The motorcade that will take Biden from the Columbia Airport to Flex LTD arrived at the airport.

Moving out to the tarmac with everyone else apparently pic.twitter.com/AXaG2MWK1y  Bristow Marchant (@BristowatHome) July 6, 2023

A crowd began gathering outside Flex LTD, where Biden will give remarks about Bidenomics, his economic plan that focuses on making investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and job training geared toward uplifting the middle class.

Waiting for the doors to the Flex LTD facility to open. pic.twitter.com/B541lmE09l  Caleb Lamar Bozard (@BozardCaleb) July 6, 2023

10:30 a.m.

President Biden left Joint Base Andrews outside Washington D.C. around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, arriving via Marine One before boarding Air Force One without taking questions.

A reporter for Bloomberg News tweeted a photo of Air Force One at 10:35 a.m. with the caption Off to South Carolina.

off to south carolina pic.twitter.com/pGCpH7AXS7  Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) July 6, 2023

Meanwhile, South Carolina dignitaries, including Rep. James Clyburn, were beginning to arrive at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport ahead of Bidens landing as members of the media set up their equipment.

The secret service, military personnel, Lexington County SWAT and South Carolina Highway Patrol were all present Thursday.
Police are investigating after two newborns were found dead in a bathroom at a Chicago day care Thursday night.

According to a statement from the Chicago Police Department, just before 7 p.m. local time officers responded to a call to assist EMS at a child care center in Streeterville, a neighborhood in the city's Near North Side.

Police said they found the babies after a witness at the scene discovered two female newborns unresponsive inside a bathroom.

Both newborns were taken to Lurie Childrens Hospital where they were both pronounced dead, police said.

In this September 9, 2012, file photo, Chicago police mark the perimeter of a crime scene as investigators work the scene of an officer-involved shooting in the North Austin neighborhood on the city's West Side.

Toddler found dead in car: Florida couple arrested after toddler dies in hot car after July 4th party

Girl's rapist to face prison: Rapist of 10-year-old girl who traveled to Indiana for abortion gets 25 years in prison

Investigation continues

Police said no arrest had been made in the case, which remained under investigation by detectives.

As of Friday morning, few details had been released about the case including the newborn's identities or exact age.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Chicago police.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago day care deaths: 2 babies dead in Streeterville neighborhood
Not at all. It just seems like a lot of back-and-forth talk.

Yes. I'm growing very worried over what might happen.

If it keeps up, I might be a little more concerned.

I think there are much larger things to concern us as a country.

It's hard to tell; I can't take the leader of either country seriously.

Vote

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YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan has met with United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in the White House.

We discussed the regional and broader extra-regional security situation and challenges. In this context, I presented to my interlocutor the approaches of the Armenian side around a number of important directions. We spoke about issues of bilateral interest, in particular we emphasized the development of bilateral cooperation within the framework of energy, economy and democracy, Grigoryan said in a statement on social media.
YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a judgement on Armenias application concerning the Azerbaijani checkpoint on Lachin Corridor, the Office of the Representative of Armenia for International Legal Matters said in a statement.

Regarding Armenias request to amend its February 22 ruling in relation to the Azerbaijani checkpoint in Lachin Corridor, the ICJ issued a decision on July 6 reaffirming its February 22 ruling, ordering Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions, and found that at this moment there is no need to amend the February 22 ruling.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno Karabakh with Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations highest court  the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to take all steps at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions. Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. Moreover, Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations and the Red Cross has been facilitating the medical evacuations of patients.
YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. The high-level delegation of the Council of Europe visited the beginning of the Lachin Corridor, which has been blocked for 7 months, ARMENPRESS reports, the permanent representative of Armenia in the Council of Europe, Arman Khachatryan, wrote on his "Twitter" page.

Council of Europe High-level delegation visited starting point of Lachin Corridor, blocked for 7 months.

The visit was an opportunity to have a better understanding of situation on the ground, with its serious human rights and humanitarian consequences for people of Nagorno Karabakh. It cannot be denied that Azerbaijan closed the only way of life connecting Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia. Azerbaijan should ensure free and safe movement through the Lachin Corridor, fulfilling the judgments of the International Court of Justice and the ECHR and the recently adopted new resolution of the PACE," wrote Khachatryan.
The writer is a media educator and observer, who has edited magazines and newspapers in both India and the United States. He is currently the chief storytelling officer at a Bengaluru-based multinational company.

The courts ruling on affirmative action came on the legal yardstick of strict scrutiny.

Last week, the US Supreme Court issued two momentous judgments that may resonate around the world, including in India. It put a stop to affirmative action based on race in educational institutions, then struck down US President Joe Bidens scheme to waive education loans up to $20,000. The courts ruling on affirmative action came on the legal yardstick of strict scrutiny. Socioeconomics and family education background will continue to be considerations, and applicants may state their racial group and their experiences in essays that colleges use in admission decisions. Overall, the court took a stand in the fight between equity and equality.

Broadly, these concepts are vocalised by groups that represent fair speech and free speech, respectively. Cacophonic extremes of the debate are represented by free speech absolutists on one hand, and on the other, by supporters of the so-called cancel culture. The resolution, of course, promises to be unglamorous in the less visible middle ground.

The US affirmative action programme grants special consideration to historically excluded or underrepresented groups in education and employment. As the civil rights movement grew in the early 1960s, President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order of affirmative action in public workplaces. Affirmative action has been an allowance and not a stipulation  unlike the reservation system in India. But race-based decisions conflict with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits decisions based on race or other markers like colour and national origin. Since the 1970s, affirmative action for admission in public universities (like the University of North Carolina) and private institutions that receive federal funding (like Harvard) has been under litigants scrutiny.

Elimination of racial categorisation in admission decisions would also mean unequal representation of racial groups, leading to problematic questions of the much-touted principle of equal opportunity in a presumed free marketplace that is agnostic to even moral considerations. In particular, African-American and Hispanic groups could stand to lose as applications from other groups, significantly, Asian-Americans (including Indians), would overwhelm this illusive marketplace.

Meritocratic considerations have led to within-group competition. Statistics show that Asian-Americans (including Indians) have better academic credentials. When a college puts quota limits, an Asian-American student with similar merit may lose to a white student whose performance on a standardised test may prove him/her to be less meritorious. An Asian-American group sued Harvard in 2018, on the grounds that the admission policy was discriminatory. Admission policies relied on decades-old federal civil rights stereotypes of Asian-American applicants as quiet, shy, science/maths oriented and hard workers.

So, beyond doubt, affirmative action policies have been problematic. Paradoxically, universities may use affirmative action to further privilege the historically privileged over the underrepresented but meritorious groups. The problem has lain in viewing affirmative action as a diversity rather than equity initiative.

Expectedly, several student groups and universities have decried the judgment. One university argues that it may reverse generations of progress at colleges, universities and the nation.

But affirmative action has also benefited educational spaces and workplaces. When students from diverse communities and various identities share the same space of learning, those communications help communities become more conscious of their privileges  a preliminary step before being available for structural changes.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson wrote in 2020 that racism in American social practices renders invisible the underlying infrastructure that we cannot see. She refers to the practice as a caste system. No amount of statistical evidence can truly reflect implicit biases and prejudices, and that is why much of the discrimination  whether in the US, India, or elsewhere  remains under the surface, erupting on extreme occasions or when instigated by bigger powers. We have seen such eruptions even recently, whether it is the Black Lives Matter movement or the January 2021 incursion of Donald Trumps extreme-right supporters at the US Capitol. I call them eruptions because they represent a widespread sentiment whose only vent is such extreme action that ensures visibility.

In India, affirmative action in education relies on government resources, leading to the emergence of a Dalit middle class. The problem is more complex as historically excluded groups gain from education and join the privileged classes  leading to the perception of a certain kind of benefit to being marginalised, as Suraj Yengde writes in his 2019 book Dalit Matters (a geographic sequel of sorts to Cornel Wests Race Matters). The newly privileged stay vulnerable in old structures and economic arrangements that are built differently, around capital.

Still, as one of the best-known thinkers of social equity in our times and now the Green Partys 2024 presidential candidate Cornel West wrote, equity can be attained by community strategy, which lies in the demystification of privilege structures. This strategy can work only by osmotic exchange, in which the dominant classes may understand the identity and struggles of the historically oppressed, and the latter insinuate themselves into the system and repair the skew in them.

In our deeply entrenched social systems in the US, India and elsewhere, there is plenty of evidence of implicit prejudice. The very processes of our dominant narratives like the mainstream media quickly  and falsely  label those as individual and anecdotal. Even when a popular news story may recognise the underlying prejudice, its fleeting nature renders the perception transient. Moreover, the anxiety to project the visible beauty of social harmony may sweep under the carpet ugly realities. Whether the US Supreme Court overlooked invisible perpetuity and preferred visible disruption is moot.

Clearly, the US judgment is a moment for other countries in comparable situations to pause and ponder. The debate may gain more legitimacy particularly under illiberal right-wing governments. The quota system invokes familiar debates in India between government policies and historically privileged groups. If America claims to be at a stage of social equity where it can afford to do away with affirmative action, adopting the same formulaic positions without proper assessment would lead to false equivalence.
At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Chinese authorities praise progress in the field. For China, self-reliance is still far away, but ongoing progress will benefit humanity. Still, the technology is also used against dissidents and critics. Two Christians are jailed for WeChat messages; four others, including a pastor, are arrested for "illegal business".

Beijing (AsiaNews)  China is making great strides in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies, and this is boosting its capacity to control the activities of ordinary Chinese citizens, curb on freedoms and violate rights.

In a long article yesterday, the Global Times, a newspaper published by the People's Daily,[*] praised AI development in China, which is gaining momentum despite increasingly fierce global competition and the US relentless push for tech decoupling.

The article came out on the same day as Shanghai, Chinas economic capital, kicked off the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC).

Experts and business insiders note that China still has ways to go before it becomes self-reliant in the high-tech sector, but they are confident that it can reach that goal, the Global Times notes.

At this year's WAIC, large language models drew big crowds, a sure sign of Chinas growing potential and attractiveness. One of the participants, NetEase Youdao showcases an interactive chatbot allowing language learners to practise spoken English with the AI model.

Another tech firm, Meituan, launched the 4.0 version of its unmanned aircraft system with a greater delivery range and better performance in poor weather conditions.

According to the 2022 Global AI Innovation Index Report released at the WAIC, China ranks second in the Global AI Innovation Index for the third consecutive year, boosting its talent pool and data infrastructures with additional technological breakthroughs.

Despite critics saying that the conference lost its shine this year, especially among US participants, the Global Times claims that it saw a record participation of companies; in view of this, it calls for scientific and technological sharing and exchanges, aiming to contribute to global sci-tech development for the benefit of all mankind.

Yet, despite pledges to promote development and progress, China continues to use new technologies like AI as tools of domestic repression, as it did with online registers" for priests, pastors and imams, ostensibly to weed out fake religious personnel.

One of the latest examples of this use occurred last month, on 28 June, when two Christians, Mu En and Enoch Wang, were convicted of fraud. Mu received a sentence of three and a half years in prison and a fine of US$ 8,000, while Wang was given three years and a US$ 7,000 fine.

The two were convicted on evidence law enforcement obtained using technology to recover messages posted on WeChat, with the names and funds raised in the past five years on behalf of a Christian youth group.

According to the prosecution, the two youth leaders raised about US$ 240,00 via fraudulent means. For ChinaAid, a Christian human rights organisation, the trial and conviction are a deliberate attempt by Chinese communist authorities to use this kind of charge as a cover for religious persecution since The two convicted Christians are entirely innocent ".

Chinese authorities also use the illegal business argument, as four members of the Shengjia Church found out after police raided its education centre on 24 May. As a result, Rev Deng Yanxiang and three co-workers were taken into custody and are now held at the Nanhai District Detention Centre in Foshan City.

During their raid, security forces searched the entire facility and confiscated all its educational equipment.

[*] The official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
With rainfall less than normal, kharif crops are the most affected as they are cultivated during the monsoon season. Among farmers, many of those who had poor harvests last year are still waiting for government aid. Unlike the past, changes in the National Manual for Drought Management have made it harder to declare a state of drought.

Milan (AsiaNews)  Less than normal rainfall and the late onset of the monsoons are forcing Indian farmers to put off the sowing of kharif crops, like rice, corn, and soya beans, which grow during the monsoon period between June and August.

At least 14 major farming states are experiencing a rain shortfall. This is forcing local growers to wait before planting, pondering whether to switch to short-term crops to avoid reseeding after a crop loss.

As a result of climate change, India is as vulnerable to drought as sub-Saharan Africa but decisions taken by the Indian government have made matters worse.

Last year, four Indian states  Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Bihar  received very little rainfall, more than 70 per cent below normal in some districts.

Following the outbreak of famine in 1966, India began to develop its groundwater resources to support a sector, agriculture, that still employs about 45 per cent of the labour force. Now, however, belowground aquifers are running dry.

With a hydrological drought compounding a meteorological drought, the future is dim. As some observers have noted, coming droughts will likely last years rather than single seasons. In recent memory, this happened only once, between 1985 and 1987.

And existing mitigation policies do not yet take into account multi-year droughts. The 2022 monsoon season was the driest ever, severely damaging kharif crops.

Until a few years ago, farmers received compensation from the central government  not last year, as Delhi did not declare a state of natural disaster, which is a prerequisite for federal aid.

This was not a mistake by state governments, but the result of a change in policy. In 2016 the Ministry of Agriculture revised the Manual for Drought Management, introducing more stringent criteria, making it harder to declare an emergency.

In addition, if before individual states could apply to the National Disaster Relief Fund in case of moderate and severe drought, this has not been possible for the past seven years as only extreme weather events now apply.

Scroll, an Indian news website, found that Uttar Pradesh  ruled by Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party  chose not to declare a state of drought in several districts, despite official documents and farmers' accounts suggested that it was eligible for assistance funds.

In Jharkhand, local vulnerabilities have been documented and reported to the central government last October, but no compensation has arrived.

Before 2016, a state could declare a state of drought based on several criteria, like rainfall, soil moisture and sown crop area.

Now, a two-step process has to be followed. First, if rainfall is below the normal level, state and district officials must carry out an assessment by collecting data on four parameters: sown area, crop conditions, soil moisture, and water levels in storage structures.

Severe drought, the only one that pays out compensation, requires at least three parameters, while two are needed for moderate droughts.

Unfortunately, some states lack the means to collect the data. In Jharkhand, for example, a local official said: We dont use soil moisture index in drought declaration, because we dont monitor that.

In some cases, statewide data are available, but not at the district or village level, which is what the central government demands. Some estimate that it would take four to five years to set up the necessary infrastructure for this to happen.

For Indias socially, politically, and economically marginalised indigenous people, the Adivasis, things are far worse because they are largely unaware of their right to apply for government compensation.

A study two years ago comparing detected to reported droughts shows a higher detection in central India. Of those who successfully applied for compensation last year, about 300,000 people, half are still waiting for their cheques. Almost a year later, the banks are still processing applications.

Bureaucratic failures are going to get worse. In its 2022 assessment, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported that droughts will have adverse impacts on food availability and the prices of food, resulting in increased undernourishment in South and Southeast Asia.

INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY FRIDAY IN YOUR E-MAIL? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE.
A large fire destroyed a warehouse at the factory of the arms magnate who first suffered a poisoning attempt with Novicok in 2015. Kremlin pressure on the country's arms sector, which also supplies Kiev.

Sofia (AsiaNews) - Bulgaria is shaken by a new incident involving businessman Emeljan Gebrev, who had already been subjected to poisoning attempts by the Russian services in recent days.

The Kremlin's influence and sabotage in its brothercountry - now arrayed against the war - have become an even more topical issue since the new government in Sofia came to power, and on the eve of the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.

At 4 a.m. on 25 June, on the outskirts of the Bulgarian town of Karnobat, renowned for its production of fine wines, a large fire broke out, destroying the warehouse of the Emko arms company, owned by Gebrev.

In 2015, he was the first victim of Novicok, the new poison developed by Russian counter-intelligence Crane, three years before the successful assassination of Skripal and his daughter in England, and the attempted poisoning of Naval'nyj in summer 2020.

In addition to avoiding new lethal doses, after recovering Gebrev had already had to put out another fire just a year ago, on 31 July 2022, which had also caused bombs to explode in manufacture, without being able to find the culprits.

After the 2015 attack, the then Bulgarian defence minister Boyko Noev had stated on television that 'the Kremlin wants to destroy the entire arms industry in Bulgaria', one of the most active arms exporting countries.

Moscow wanted to impose an agreement on Sofia, according to which the Bulgarians could not export arms and ammunition without Russian permission, while Gebrev's company did a lot of business with Ukraine.

The same businessman said he was '100 per cent certain' that the sabotage was the work of the Russian services, and today he goes even further, claiming to be 'clear about the scheme and mechanisms, and also about the group of people who targeted the arms depots'.

It would also include members of the power structures that have ruled Bulgaria for the past 10-12 years, '50-60 people who serve interests very different from those of our country'.

The Bulgarian Prosecutor General's Office basically agrees with this thesis, but 'strangely enough, it does not take any initiative', Gebrev notes.

The current prime minister Nikolaj Denkov sees 'malign forces in action' in these incidents, and has ordered increased surveillance of armament factories, while acknowledging the limited possibilities of executive power in the face of 'explosions and attacks that have been occurring regularly for the past 10 years'.

The latest incident, it is inferred from the premier's allusions, is connected with Sofia's declaration of its intention to join the European initiative to supply Ukraine with 1 million artillery munitions.

The leader of the pro-European 'Let's continue the changes' party, Kiril Petkov, who joins the governing coalition, gave an interview to Politico to comment on the anniversary of the expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats from Sofia in June last year.

The decision was aimed precisely at countering sabotage, and Petkov praised the courage of Denkov, who ran the risk of breaking diplomatic relations with Moscow.

According to the politician, 'Bulgaria must free itself from the influence of Moscow's agents, as a priority in the fight against corruption', which is spread and organised by the secret services that 'since the fall of communism have played an exclusive role in the formation of powerful mafia groups', which are also involved in drug and arms trafficking.

Denkov also confirmed these concerns in several speeches, promising that 'we will not allow this state of affairs to continue', starting with a reform of the services that would clean up the many 'Kremlin flankers'.

Russian propaganda is very active in Bulgaria, using all means, including cyber, to denigrate Sofia's support for Ukraine, and relying on the figure of the pro-Russian president, General Rumen Radev, in office since 2017, and several other politicians siding with Moscow.

As several commentators state, Bulgarian Russophilia is still widespread as a kind of 'Stockholm syndrome', and the country that in ancient times was a 'master of letters' for Russians, today struggles to escape its dominating grip.
by Santosh Digal

Destroying marine ecosystems and damaging fisheries: the two seabed quarrying activities in Manila Bay have been going on undisturbed for two years. Opposition to these projects from local communities has mobilised around the petition of Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista

Manila (AsiaNews) - The extraction of minerals of high commercial value such as manganese, copper, cobalt, zinc and rare earth metals from the seabed of the Philippine coast is a threat to the environment and human activities in Manila Bay.

The bishop of the Imus diocese, Reynaldo G. Evangelista, is one of the few who oppose underwater quarrying. The prelate, together with the diocese's environment ministry, has launched a campaign to stop the extraction of the seabed off the San Nicolas Shoal. A mining area that stretches from the city of Noveleta to Ternate, passing through Rosario, Tanza, and Naic.

There are two active projects in the bay, both in Cavite's coastal waters: the Philippine Reclamation Authority's Seabed Quarry Project, which started in 2021 and covers 5,000 square nautical miles, and VIL Mines Inc.'s San Nicolas Shoal Seabed Quarry Project, which started in 2022 and covers approximately 8,530 miles.

Meanwhile, a group of scientists called Advocates of Science and Technology for the People (Agham) said they are extremely concerned about the dredging and extraction of minerals from the seabed and the reclamation of deep-sea ecosystems off the Philippine coast.

Last February, Agham released a report highlighting how continued dredging and deep-sea mining in Manila Bay will endanger natural marine and coastal habitats, and even threaten the country's fish production.

Indeed, scientists claim that the mining operations are pushing fish out of the Bay area of the Philippine capital because of the accompanying pollution and noise. This is witnessed by the fishermen of Cavite.

The northern and eastern sections of Manila Bay, which include Bulacan, Metro Manila and Cavite - according to recent research by the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute - are known to host the newly hatched larvae of millions of fish, which come to breed in the area. They find a cosy habitat in the mangrove forests that cover these places.

Bishop Evangelista appealed to all Catholics in the diocese and the region to raise awareness of the destruction these quarries bring, both to the environment and its delicate ecosystems, and to human activities such as fishing. In addition, the communication campaign of the Imus diocese aims to defend the seabed, which is weaker due to quarrying, making the effect of waves and tides more powerful on the coast during monsoon and storm periods.

This exploitation of quarries is against the teaching of Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si and the invitation he addresses to all Christians, but in general to all women and men, to live in communion with the environment.

Bishop Reynaldo G. Evangelista's campaign is also finding support in the barangays (villages) outside the diocese, with people going to sign the petition at the diocesan shrine and Imus Cathedral in the parish of Our Lady of Pilar.
by Melani Manel Perera

Promoted by the National Peace Council, a network of groups seeks to prevent ethnic and sectarian hostility at the local level. One proposal would see all children learn the countrys three languages while another would develop between children in the north and the south.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  The Community Brotherhood Organisation seeks to bring together various religious and civil society groups to promote peace and harmony among Sri Lankas various communities.

Starting locally, the aim is to solve religious conflicts through joint actions that avert hatred in a country marked by a long civil war as well as other, more recent wounds, most notably the 2019 Easter massacres.

To this end, some 100 representatives from 45 local NGOs and grassroots groups met a week ago in Negombo, Gampaha district.

"The idea is that, religious tensions not be addressed only at the national level, but also in individual districts, says N. Vijayakanth, programme facilitator and an assistant manager of the ARC programme of the National Peace Council.

This project has already been started in 14 locations in 13 districts. Soon all the representatives will gather in Colombo for a training session and prepare proposals to be handed over to the government."

Identifying priorities within each district, forming reconciliation committees at the village level, training school teachers, organising interfaith discussions and talks at the local level, using technology to share information are but some of the activities planned, explained Wasantha Kumara, coordinator of the Community Brotherhood Organisation.

One proposal involves including all national heroes in school textbooks, developing programmes to teach all three [of Sri Lankas] languages[*] to children from an early age, building relations between children in the north and south of Sri Lanka," he said.

I think our society needs to heal. If people are against each other on religious or ethnic grounds, it will only lead to the countrys destruction, said Manel Fernando, who represented the Janavabodhaya Kendraya organisation at the Negombo meeting. We believe that if we even start something small in our area or village, it will have a big effect."

Recently right here in Negombo we saw conflicts, lamented Sudarshana Fonseka, representative of the Focus Club. Divisions still exist in different forms but being able to develop local capacity to deal with them will be very valuable.

[*] Sinhala, Tamil, and English.
Today's headlines: Vietnam moves more complaints over claims on South China Sea, while the Philippines denounces the presence of Chinese ships in disputed waters; Burmese army attacks also affect aid workers; Rahul Gandhi's appeal in India dismissed; Russian jets in Syria force US and French aircraft to manoeuvre to avoid them; Diplomatic meetings between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

SOUTH KOREA - JAPAN - CHINA

The South Korean government, after conducting its own independent analysis, accepted the UN assessment that Japan's plan to release contaminated water from Fukushima is consistent with global safety standards, but the Korean opposition staged an overnight sit-in in the National Assembly in protest. Long-time rivals Seoul and Tokyo are drawing closer politically, while Beijing today imposed a ban on food imports from ten Japanese prefectures due to the spillage of radioactive water.

SOUTH CHINA SEA

After banning the film 'Barbie' because of the presence of a map in which the South China Sea appears to be all under Chinese jurisdiction, the Vietnamese authorities complained about the same problem to the concert organisers of the well-known South Korean all-female band Blackpink, because there is a similar map on their website. Meanwhile, the Philippine military has raised 'alarming concerns' about the presence of at least 47 Chinese ships in the natural resource-rich areas of the disputed sea.

MYANMAR

According to the UN Human Rights Council, up to 40 aid workers have been killed in Myanmar since the coup on 1 February 2021. The military of the coup junta is responsible for 'direct attacks' against local aid workers to prevent the distribution of aid. More than 17.6 million people, one third of the population, are in need of some form of humanitarian assistance.

INDIA

The Gujarat High Court dismissed the appeal of Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, who was sentenced to two years in prison for defamation for a sentence he uttered in 2019 against current Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His arrest has been suspended for the time being but in the meantime he has been disqualified as an MP, so he will not be able to participate in next year's national elections.

SYRIA - USA

Russian fighter jets again flew dangerously close to several US MQ-9 Reaper drones operating over Syria, the second such incident in less than 24 hours, the US Air Force reported. In addition, the French military said that two of its fighter planes patrolling the Iraq-Syria border area were forced to make special manoeuvres to avoid the Russian planes.

TURKEY - AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijani President Aliev received a visit from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, for "an exchange of views on regional issues", in particular on the thorny issue of the normalisation of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, assuming further mediation by Turkey to guarantee peace and security in the South Caucasus.

RUSSIA

The journalist of Novaja Gazeta, Elena Milasina, who was attacked by unknown men together with the lawyer Aleksandr Nemov on her way to attend a court hearing of a woman unjustly accused, is now hospitalised in Moscow after initial care in Beslan hospital. Before she left, she declared that she would 'return to work in Chechnya', despite the violence and shame inflicted by shaving her hair and painting her face, in order 'not to be seen in public'.
by Giorgio Bernardelli

The list of participants in the 16th Ordinary General Assembly in Rome next October was announced today. Momoko Nishimura, a consecrated laywoman from Yokohama, is one of nine delegates who will chair the work. Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong is one of Pope Franciss picks. Unlike 2018, no official Catholic bishop will come from mainland China.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  The Vatican Press Office today released the list of participants in the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Momoko Nishimura, a consecrated laywoman from Japan will be one of the president delegates. Four lay women from Hong Kong, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Malaysia are among the ten members suggested by the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC).

Pope Francis personally chose Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong, but despite the 2018 agreement on episcopal appointments, no bishop will be coming from mainland China.

After the release of the Instrumentum Laboris a few weeks ago, expectation was high about the composition of the Assembly that will meet in two sessions, next October and in October 2024, to wrap up the work on Synodality undertaken around the world following Pope Franciss call in 2021 on the theme, "For a synodal Church: communion, participation, mission".

As announced, bishops will work with representatives from the whole people of God (priests, laity, and consecrated persons) who took part in the various phases of the consultation in the past two years.

The greatest novelty for Asia is the pontiffs decision to appoint a Japanese consecrated laywoman as one of the nine president delegates, Momoko Nishimura, a member of the Servants of the Gospel of God's Mercy (SEMD), a missionary community.

A resident of Yokohama where she serves on the local Youth Ministry Committee, the soon-to-be 48-year-old studied at Sophia University in Tokyo and spent a few years in Argentina engaged in her ministry before returning to Japan in 2017.

She is also the translator of Pope Francis's encyclical "Fratelli tutti into Japanese.

"It is an honour for me to be appointed president delegate for this Synodal Assembly," she said in a statement released by the Secretariat of the Synod.

Although I feel very inadequate, I trust that, with the help of my fellow members, the Spirit will guide us in such a way that the Assembly will be a place of listening and discernment so that the Church can walk together.

Momoko Nishimura is one of ten Asians  priests, religious and lay people  Pope Francis picked as non-bishop members of the Synod, from a list provided by the FABC.

The others are theologian Vanessa Cheng Siu Wai from Hong Kong, Rosalia Minus Cho Cho Tin from Myanmar, Timorese Catholic University (Universidade Catolica Timorense) Rector Fr Joel Casimiro da Costa Pinto (OFM), Fr Clarence Devadass from Malaysia, FABC secretariat member and Maryknoll missionary Fr William La Rousse from Thailand, theologian Estela Padilla from the Philippines, Anna Teresa Peter Amandus from Malaysia, Sister Lalitha Thomas from India, and theologian Fr Vimal Tirimanna from Sri Lanka.

With respect to bishops, the long list includes ex officio members, those picked by Bishops Conferences and those personally chosen by Pope Francis.

In addition to all Eastern Rite patriarchs and FABC president Card Charles Bo, archbishop of Yangon, Asian participants include 28 cardinals and bishops designated by the collegial bodies of each region of Asia. To their names, Pope Francis added only one, Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan of Hong Kong.

Unlike the last Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, no prelate from mainland China is on the list this time. In October 2018, two Chinese bishops participated in the Synod on young people  held a few weeks after the signing of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China on episcopal appointments, namely Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai of Chengde (one of seven illegally ordained bishops whose excommunication Pope Francis lifted) and Bishop John Baptist Yang Xiaoting of Yan'An.

Today, Pope Francis can rely only on Bishop Stephen Chow and the Church of Hong Kong, for decades a bridge with Chinas Catholic communities (as evinced by the prelates recent trip to Beijing).

This clearly captures the current state of the provisional agreement, renewed last year but never fully upheld by Beijing as no new bishop has jointly selected.

Unlike 2018 when Chinese bishops presence in Rome for the Synod could be seen as the outcome of the agreement, this year this is no longer possible.

Bishops from mainland China were also unable to take part in the initiatives undertaken by Asian Churches for the synodal path nor attend the Bangkok Conference for the 50th anniversary of the FABC.

Whatever one wants to surmise, this reflects the policy of sinicisation of religions pursued by Chinese President Xi Jinping in the past few years.

Pictured: Momoko Nishimura with Philippine theologian Estela Padilla, two of the six Asian women appointed to the Synod.
A settlement agreement between Krabloonik Dog Sledding and its landlord, the town of Snowmass Village, goes to the town council for approval on Monday. The town and Krabloonik have been embroiled in a legal dispute over the operations status since last November.
This home in the Little Texas neighborhood in Woody Creek has been operating as a short-term vacation rental unlicensed and in violation of regulations, according to a lawsuit initiated by the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners.
Revealed in January 2021, the Bigster concept measures 4.6 meters fore to aft, making it a compact utility vehicle by European standards. 4.6 meters  which is 181.1 inches  is the longest Renault is capable of taking the CMF-B vehicle architecture. Confirmed to ride on said platform, the Bigster will enter production at the Mioveni assembly plant in Romania in early 2025.

13 photos Photo: SH Proshots
There's a new TikTok challenge that makes waves in San Francisco, but its promoters think it's for a good cause. A viral video encourages citizens of San Francisco to place traffic cones on the hood of autonomous vehicles operated by Cruise and Waymo. This would disable the cars in a protest against the planned deployment of robotaxi services across the city at any time of day.

We can fight back.

The Fun Way- All you need is a cone and an empty AV. Gently place the cone on the hood- you just created a ???? & temporary traffic calming!



The Responsible Way- Tune into next weeks CPUC meeting (7/13) at 11am & give public comment. https://t.co/68bCc1Iliu pic.twitter.com/bVJpqVL0Ns  ConeSF  Week of Cone (@SafeStreetRebel) July 5, 2023

San Francisco is the city where most autonomous driving companies test their technology, with Waymo and Cruise as the most visible on city streets. Cruise is currently allowed to charge for driverless passenger pickups and drop-offs in limited areas of the city during the night between 10 PM and 6 AM. Waymo, on the other hand, can only offer paid rides when a safety driver is present in the vehicle. Both companies can operate anywhere and anytime as long as a safety driver is present in the car.Both companies have requested a permit to expand operations 24/7 paid rides anywhere in the city. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) will announce a decision on July 13, and everyone expects state regulators to approve the requests. This has rattled city officials and activists alike, who see autonomous vehicles as a nuisance or, even worse, a public menace. While local authorities have written protest letters, activists have taken more extreme measures.Starting on July 6, a group known as Safe Street Rebel started an unusual protest during the week preceding CPUC's decision. It is called "The Week of Cone" and involves immobilizing Cruise and Waymo autonomous vehicles using traffic cones. Since all AVs appear hardwired to stop in front of traffic cones, activists use them to effectively disable the robotaxis by placing a traffic cone on the car's hood. They even penned a term for their action: coning.The first night of the Week of Cone has already gone viral, and pictures and videos have started to pour in. The Safe Street Rebel group justifies their protest by saying that robotaxis are not just bad for San Francisco traffic but also for the environment. They reminded people of incidents when robotaxis blocked buses and emergency vehicles, tampered with police scenes , and caused traffic jams. The activists also worry that robotaxis are used as surveillance devices, as the police can access their cameras' footage.Cruise and Waymo argue that their autonomous vehicles are safer than human drivers, with no fatality after millions of miles logged on city streets. Waymo reacted to the activists' protest calling it "vandalism" and saying they notified law enforcement of their actions. The protest should prove more than just a nuisance for autonomous driving companies. Once this gets viral, all robotaxis operating across the country will be challenged. This resembles the "Kia challenge" affecting Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
PHEV

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Unlike the Tonale Hybrid, which is offered in two trim levels, Ti and Veloce, the Tonaleis only marketed as a Veloce. Key features comprise the dedicated badging on the outside, automatic full LED matrix headlamps, Dark Miron accents, rear privacy windows, the Italian flag depicted on the side mirror caps, 19-inch alloys, and Brembo brakes with red calipers. The color palette comprises the standard White, with the Red, Black, Grey Metallic, Blue Metallic, and Green being optional.Keyless entry and go is part of the standard list, and so is the sunroof. Shoppers will get heated and ventilated front seats with electric adjustment, a memory function for the driver, a heated steering wheel, heated washer nozzles, and USB A and C sockets. The premium subcompact crossover is also equipped with leather-accented seats, aluminum trim, ambient lighting, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 12.3-inch digital gauges, digital radio, 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Alfa Connect Services, wireless charging pad, and spare wheel.The Tonale PHEV features Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, front, side, and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, active blind spot assist with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane support, autonomous emergency braking, driver behavior warning, traffic sign recognition, intelligent speed control, high-beam assist, self-parking feature, and a few other gizmos that will make the daily commute safer and more pleasant.Power comes from a turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that develops 132(180 ps/177 hp), driving the front axle via a six-speed automatic transmission. An electric motor rated at 90 kW (122 ps/121 hp) drives the rear wheels, giving it an all-wheel drive capability. The total system output is 208 kW (283 ps/279 hp), and the Stellantis-owned Italian automaker claims it takes 6.2 seconds to accelerate to 100 kph (62 mph) from zero. With the 15.5battery fully charged, the model has an electric range of 60 km (37 miles). Recharging takes just under 2.5 hours at 7.4 kWh, and it's equipped with a 7.4 kWh AC charger for domestic and public charging.Interested parties are looking at a base price of AU$77,500 (US$51,502) for the new Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV , excluding on-road costs and dealer delivery. Should they want a premium paint finish, they will have to cough out an extra AU$1,600 (US$1,063) or AU$2,500 (US 1,661), depending on the hue. The 20-inch alloys are an AU$1,500 (US$997) option. The model is already up for grabs Down Under, and the first units will arrive at dealers nationwide this fall.
Shortly after WW2 ended, Buick started using the Riviera nameplate. It's an obvious reference to the French Riviera, and the first model that got it was the Roadmaster.

The first-gen Riviera , which is considered by many to be the prettiest iteration ever made, was introduced towards the end of 1962 as a '63 model. It only came as a two-door hardtop, with front engine and rear-wheel drive layout, and a choice of two V8s, the 6.6- and 7.0-liter units, mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. Its wheelbase was comparable to that of the G30 generation BMW 5 Series, so it was a big boy, especially back then.Since it turned out to be popular with shoppers, Buick kept refreshing it with new generations. In fact, no less than eight generations were made until 1998, when the GM-owned brand pulled the plug on it. The last one lived for only four years, and it stepped aside from the boxy looks of its iconic predecessors, adopting a more restrained and curvaceous design. There was no V8 offering here, as the sole engines were three V6 units, each with a 3.8-liter displacement, kicking out up to 240 hp in the range-topping form.If it's one thing that all generations of the Buick Riviera had in common, bar the sixth that also came as a convertible, was the two-door coupe body style. We think many enthusiasts wondered what a sedan or station wagon version would have looked like, and this question was partially answered thanks to the rendering shared by jlord8 on social media recently. It's a five-door take on the first-gen model, which looks very gangster. Between us, the car manufacturer would have probably killed it back in the day with such a vehicle, especially since crossovers were not a thing yet.But what did the rendering artist do to come up with this styling? Well, the entire front end obviously came from the original Riviera GS . After all, it has a pointy nose, typical headlamps, a wide grille with horizontal slats, and a chrome bumper below. For the rest of the body, the pixel manipulator turned to the third-generation Chevrolet Chevelle, hence the extremely large rear quarter windows that some of you have probably recognized.Contributing to the classic and elegant look of the hypothetical Buick Riviera Wagon is the black paint finish with the typical chrome elements adorning the body and those old-school wheels wrapped in Hankook tires. Overall, we are fans of this project and think it could be even more jaw-dropping with some digital enhancements to the sides. We'd also wish a skilled enthusiast sees these renderings and decides this is what they need in their life. That way, it would finally escape the CGI world that traps it.
SUV

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In 2022 Toyota remained the world's biggest carmaker with help from its four leading brands  Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino  well ahead of its pursuer, the Volkswagen Group. But you can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs and scrambling them, so it's hard work to keep up with the sales appeal. No worries, though, as the company has offered plenty of novelties to look forward to during the first months of the year.Superstars include the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander family-oriented crossoverand Tacoma mid-size pickup truck, as well as the 2024 Lexus TX or GX 550, among many others. And the Japanese carmaker is not resting on its laurels, as it has already started the teaser campaign for the next Land Cruiser off-road SUV  with the returning nameplate probably set to arrive in Prado (250) form not just in Europe but also across the United States.Speaking of SUVs, there may be more to the story for Toyota's namesake brand. Instead, many are speculating that alongside the reintroduced Land Cruiser, there's also a significant need for stuff like an all-new, long-overdue 4Runner to mitigate the Bronco and Wrangler threats or a fresher RAV4 to fight the hordes of compact crossover SUVs present on the market  and especially the all-new Honda CR-V. And, since Toyota is showing no signs of doing that in the real world, people are taking action and things in their hands.Or rather, at the tip of their CGI brushes, as is the case with the imaginative realm of digital car content creators. The good folks over at the AutoYa info channel on YouTube have a satellite venue dubbed AutoYa Interior , and that's where all the (CGI) 4Runner action occurred just recently  complete with both exterior and interior shots plus the traditional color palette reel. But wait, as the primary outlet was also taking care of some Toyota business itself.As such, one of their most recent features dabbles with another hypothetical case  what if the Rising Sun automaker decides to make yet another electric version of the RAV4 before introducing the sixth generation to the masses? The original RAV4 appeared in 1994 as one of the initiators of the compact SUV current, and it has remained a force to be reckoned with ever since. Now in its fifth iteration, the crossover is growing a little longer in the tooth, even though Toyota offers just about everything for everyone -powered, hybrid, and Prime plug-in hybrid.Hypothetically, though, Toyota could use theoption with beefier (300+ hp) electric motors and a larger battery pack to resurrect the RAV4that was sold in California and across the US (fleet sales only) in two generations, most recently between 2012 and 2014 with Tesla's help. However, it's hard to make a case for an XA50 Toyota RAV4 EV even with the pixel master's design changes  the sixth generation of the compact CUV is probably right around the corner, and the company also has the all-electric 2023 bZ4X on sale from $42k with a 252-mile (406 km) estimated range on a single charge.
There seems to be a trend in the robotics world to make industrial robots shaped like dogs. That's probably because four-legged robots can be more adaptable than bipedal ones, traversing difficult terrain easier. Also, their horizontal bodies also allow for the fitting of more payloads for whatever mission needs to be completed.

Photo: NASA

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Photo: NASA

Yet when it comes to space exploration, and also to some hazardous activities here on Earth, machines with a tad more dexterity than what robot dogs have are needed. Sure, you could add dexterity to any kind of machine, but nothing beats doing that with a humanoid robot.Several such contraptions have been designed over the years, but almost all of them turned out to be useless for real-life applications. With the Valkyrie NASA hopes things will be entirely different.The hardware, officially called R5, dates back to 2013, when it was developed by the agency's Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering Directorate for the DARPA Robotics Challenge Trials. It was envisioned as a "robust, rugged, entirely electric humanoid robot capable of operating in degraded or damaged human-engineered environments."The machine takes a lot after the Robonaut 2, a humanoid torso robot developed together with automotive giant GM that was even flown to the International Space Station (ISS). Other robots made at the JSC also contributed parts and ideas to the Valkyrie, including stuff like electronics, actuators, and sensing tools.Valkyrie is about as tall as a tall human, measuring 6 feet (1.8 meters). It's a lot heavier though than an average human, tipping the scales at 300 pounds (136 kg). Other than that, it's shaped like each and every one of us, with two legs, two arms, a torso, and a head.Starting from the ground up, we get legs with five elastic actuators each, allowing for the limbs to move as they would on a human being. The torso is where engineers fitted a number of computer and power pieces of hardware, but also two inertial measurement units.The thing's arms are moved by means of four actuators and have a total of seven joints. The hand itself comes with three fingers and a thumb. The legs, the arms, and the hands can be removed from the robot to allow for easier shipping.The head of the robot is where the magic happens. It's there where NASA people installed a perceptual sensor, but also infrared, laser, and camera visualization tools. The robot's brain comes as a pair of Intel Core i7 processors, while its energy needs are handled by means of a 1.8battery. Optionally, the Valkyrie can draw electricity from a wall.The robot is still around today, although not much has happened with it in recent years, except for tweaks and improvements performed as a means to get the machine ready for whatever new task NASA envisions for it.One of the most important improvements made was the inclusion of a walking algorithm supplied by the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC). That, together with all the other changes made, will be thoroughly put to the test during the robot's first true mission in years.NASA announced the robot's newest assignment this week. The Valkyrie will be deployed in Perth, Western Australia, to be tested in facilities of local oil and gas production company Woodside Energy.The main goal of the deployment is to see if such a robot design could be used to handle remote operations on uncrewed offshore rigs, but whatever the robot will be up to out there could easily be adapted for use in space exploration, and that's exactly what the American space agency is planning to do.Whatever data Woodside will gather during the robot's mission will be shared with NASA, which will use it to advance its research in robotic helpers for use in space.The research should deliver some results that could be used as soon as some Artemis Moon exploration missions, because the Valkyrie will probably prove it's ideal for work in the harsh lunar environment.In the longer run, this robot's descendants could be used for maintenance work on the future habitats humans will most likely build on the surface of the Moon. There are even some ideas to use such humanoid robots for in-situ resource utilization activities.Naturally, testing could also uncover possible uses of this kind of robots here on Earth, outside the limits of the work the Valkyrie is expected to perform in Australia.It'll be quite a long time before NASA gets to upgrade the robot in accordance with the findings of its Australian mission, as the Valkyrie's work over at Woodside should not be complete before 2027.Even so, the development of humanoid robots for real-world applications other than just attending specialized shows is yet another avenue of research through which space exploration can advance greatly. Fingers crossed, then, for the Valkyrie Australian experiment to yield the expected results.
What's worse is that some of the old glitches that Google presumably fixed occasionally come back out of the blue, making the whole thing even more confusing for everyone (probably for the search giant too).Living proof is an issue that was first reported long ago and caused Android Auto to disconnect when the phone reaches a full charge. The glitch had been around for quite some time before Google eventually shipped a fix, but now it looks like it's back, impacting Coolwalk users and making it impossible to use the phone when its battery is full.The bug seemingly made a comeback last month when one of our readers reported the problem without being aware it was an issue that Google previously resolved with an Android Auto update. I've been seeing isolated reports signaling the same error since then, though the issue doesn't seem to be too widespread just yet  or at least, not as widespread as one year ago when Google's forums were filled with users complaining of the unusual disconnecting.A new thread on Google's discussion threads has eight upvotes, and surprisingly, one of the company's community specialists rapidly chimed in to ask for phone logs. The prompt response could be a sign that Google is aware of more users hitting the glitch, so time will tell if a patch lands faster this time.The bug causes Android Auto to shut down when the phone reaches a 100 percent charge, which obviously happens sooner or later, given a wired connection also provides extra battery juice. The glitch doesnt happen for Android Auto wireless users.A workaround doesnt exist at this point, though the easiest way to prevent the disconnecting from happening is to avoid getting your phone to 100 percent battery. You can do this in several ways, but neither is very convenient  for example, you can keep the phone's screen turned on all the time; this way, the display eats up the battery, slowing down the charge.The bug obviously occurs for Coolwalk users but has nothing to do with the new interface. Most likely, it's caused by the same problem as before, though Google has never shared any information on this front.The Coolwalk rollout is almost complete, as the majority of users have already received the new multi-app view screen. The release started in January, with Google planning to reach the broad availability stage by the end of the summer. As a result, most users should already see the new dashboard, being able to run multiple apps side by side on the same screen regardless of the display size, orientation, or resolution.
Just recently, we heard that the expert folks over at VF Engineering have decided to hook the Audi R8 to one of their supercharger kits to lend an 830-hp helping hand to its quest for V10 glory for at least $32k. But, as it turns out, you don't need the latest exotic to make your supercar dreams come true.

Sure, it helps if you're in touch with the imaginative realm of the aftermarket world, so even a 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo might do the trick. And there is no need to take our word for granted, as we have a pretty eloquent example. So, the good folks over at performance wheel specialist AL13 Wheels Design + Technik have yet another custom ride to showcase, this time a tuned Gallardo.It's not just any old Gallardo, though. Instead, we are dealing with one of the very few examples of the 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Squadra Corse limited edition. Introduced at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, this variant was only produced in 50 units, of which just 15 went to the United States. Well, the peeps behind the DDE (Daily Driven Exotics) channel on social media have one, and it was recently put through a bonkers tuning and redesign program.Equipped with a complete race-inspired body kit and dressed in a stunning gold livery made by PFS (Protective Film Solutions  the five-time winner of the XPEL Dealer of the Year award for the US and Canada), the reworked Gallardo flaunts a thoroughly stanced ethos when riding on AL13's aftermarket wheels  dressed in black, of course, for proper contrasting purposes. Even better, according to the aftermarket outlets, "the car sure has the power to match the looks" because the LP 570-4 is now something else entirely after VF Engineering added one of their 200+ hp supercharger systems.Ultimately, they said, "Nothing on this Gallardo was left untouched." But is that enough for everyone to approve of the potentially magnificent build, or is the gold livery a bit too much? Well, there is no need to feel blue about it, as there are always countless options. Even AL13 had a couple of blue stunners just before the gold Gallardo. For example, those seeking to look outrageous from any distance might choose a Riviera Blue BMW M3 Competition dressed in M Performance parts and riding on classic-looking 20-inch R90 wheels packing gloss brushed centers, gloss polished lips, and three-piece caps. Oh, it doesn't feel exotic enough.Then maybe the third option is the charm  a McLaren 720S that was converted to McLaren 765LT specification and contrasted its deep blue body hues with lots of forged carbon fiber parts. It, too, rides slammed on AL13s  this time of the duoblock R100 with a Satin Polished Clear finish mixed with a Hex cap. So, which of these three high-performance machines is your AL13 favorite?
The German manufacturer of the Lilium eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) jet is getting closer to the highly-anticipated official launch moment after a long certification journey that started in 2017.

At the beginning of this year, VFS (The Vertical Flight Society) announced t hat more than 760 eVTOL concepts were cataloged in its World eVTOL Aircraft Directory, the world's only resource of its kind. More than 100 had been registered just a year before, confirming the incredible growth of this emerging industry.Out of more than 700 all-electric aircraft concepts, only a handful are worth remembering, in the sense that we can expect to see them in operation within the next few years. One that clearly stands out among all others is the Lilium eVTOL jet, a groundbreaking concept developed in Germany.The Lilium design team started from a simple premise, stating that 95% of the current commercial aircraft with conventional propulsion are powered by jet engines. What if they could develop a similar propulsion technology for emission-free, all-electric aircraft? Years of research and development ultimately led to Lilium electric jet engines, based on a single-stage rotor/stator system that is driven by an electric motor.The startup's proprietary DEVT (Ducted Electric Vectored Thrust) technology is supposed to bring massive advantages in terms of payload, noise levels, and aerodynamic efficiency, also making the futuristic jet easier to operate. The aircraft's design, with no tail, fixed wings, and the engines integrated into the wing flaps, was also specifically geared toward optimal aerodynamic performance. Lilium recently became the only eVTOL manufacturer holding both an FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and EASA (The European Union Aviation Safety Agency) certification basis for its flagship product, officially defined as a power lift eVTOL aircraft. The Lilium jet design has already reached its sixth generation so far.Following this major success, the German air mobility company hit another milestone. It finally completed the last DOA (Design Organization Approval) audit by EASA. Apart from the aircraft certification process, all aircraft manufacturers must get official approval for designing and certifying flying vehicles. The EASA DOA was an important requirement for Lilium, which applied for it back in 2017.There are still some administrative steps left, yet Lilium hopes to obtain the DOA certificate by the end of this year. This puts it right on track to launch commercial services by 2025.A luxury version of this innovative jet-powered eVTOL will be available for private customers in the UK through a collaboration with eVolare. The Lilium Pioneer Edition Jet will be launched in a limited series of just 50 units, each boasting a luxurious, highly-customizable cabin.Other operators in Europe and worldwide will only have access to the standard Lilium air taxi with six seats and the cargo version.
According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, the soldiers, Harutiun Hovagimian and Karen Ghazarian, were ambushed and kidnapped on May 26 after delivering water and food to Armenian army units guarding the border with Azerbaijan. The ministry published photographs of their abandoned military truck found in a wooded area in in Armenias southeastern Syunik province.

The Azerbaijani side claimed that Hovagimian and Ghazarian were taken prisoner during a sabotage attack on an Azerbaijani army outpost. It brought a string of criminal charges, including terrorism, against them. They were convicted of these charges, strongly denied by Yerevan, at the end of a brief trial that began on Monday.

Artak Zeynalian, a human rights lawyer representing the families of dozens of other Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijan, described the trial as a farce. Zeynalian said the Azerbaijani military kidnapped Hovagimian and Ghazarian in hopes of swapping them with two Azerbaijani soldiers who were detained in Armenia in April.

Baku has repeatedly demanded the release of the Azerbaijani conscripts, saying that they strayed into Armenian territory from the Nakhichevan exclave due to heavy fog.

One of them, Huseyn Akhundov, was charged with murdering a Syunik resident one day before his detention. An Armenian court sentenced Akhundov to 20 years in prison on June 21.

The other Azerbaijani soldier, Agshin Bebirov, was given a 11.5-year prison sentence in May. Both rulings were condemned by Baku.
UN chief urges action to ease suffering of Haitian people

Xinhua) 10:22, July 07, 2023

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks to reporters outside the Security Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York, on July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie E)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who recently visited Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, described the situation in Haiti as "largely a forgotten crisis despite its severity."

UNITED NATIONS, July 6 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday urged the international community to take action to ease the suffering of the Haitian people.

"The people of Haiti need action to address urgent humanitarian needs," Guterres told reporters at the UN headquarters.

According to the UN chief, the UN humanitarian response plan, which requires 720 million U.S. dollars to help more than 3 million people in Haiti, is only 23 percent funded.

"I appeal to the world to extend a lifeline of support and fill that financial gap without delay," he said.

Guterres, who recently visited Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, described the situation in Haiti as "largely a forgotten crisis despite its severity."

"The Haitian people are trapped in a living nightmare. Humanitarian conditions are beyond appalling," he said, adding that brutal gangs have a stranglehold on the people of Haiti.

Guterres called on UN Security Council members and relevant potential contributing countries to "act now" to create the conditions for the deployment of a multinational force to assist the Haitian National Police.

He also urged all social and political actors in Haiti to accelerate their efforts toward a desperately needed political solution.

Conditions are desperate, but solutions are possible in Haiti, Guterres said, underscoring the need to take simultaneous actions.

"We cannot forget the Haitian people. The world must step up," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
7 July 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

The more Russia mires into the Ukrainian crisis, the more Armenia reveals its long-hidden intention - to get away from Russia as far as possible. It is well known that Armenia owes everything that it has today to Russia and its predecessors, but whenever Russia falters Armenians are the first nation trying to get rid of it. So, as is said history repeats itself. Since the time leading up to the collapse of the USSR, Armenia has tried to go out of Russian orbit. Recall that Armenia was one of the six former Soviet Republics that voted against the USSR on the eve of its downfall, in the 1980s. However, due to its expansionist foreign policy Armenia was obliged to swallow its pride, stepped back, and became the strategic ally of its 'founder'. At the same time, they have never stopped to cooperate covertly against Russia. With the launch of the Ukrainian crisis, Armenia was endared to stab back its strategic ally last time. Besides, the initiation of the Ukrainian crisis emboldened Armenia to find new allies for pushing Russia out of the Caucasus. It invited Iran, India, and France to the region respectively. The last such invitation was made for Greece and Southern Cyprus.

The mass media in Armenia speak about the tripartite military cooperation and brag it. However, any possible cooperation among the said countries raises questions. Because, Greece and Southern Cyprus are members of the EU and the former is also a member of NATO - the Russian arch-enemy. Besides, Greece is also eager to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the field of economy and natural gas. However, the most important question is what benefits Armenia will get from debt-ridden Greece.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, Elchin Alioghlu noted that being NATO member is not obstacle to cooperate with Armenia, because none of the NATO members have made any commitment to conduct their foreign policy in a centralized manner within the organization - the Northern Alliance. There is no such word about this in either in the Luxembourg or London agreements.

As for the activity of Greece in the South Caucasus, it has many goals here. Recall that during the presentation of the credentials of the new ambassador of Greece in Baku, the President of Azerbaijan stated that Azerbaijan will always take steps with Turkiye in the Mediterranean Sea, especially on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and in generally in the world political arena. Azerbaijan will take exactly one steps, neither parallel, nor coordinated. This means that whatever position Turkiye takes in the current period of tension in Turkiye-Greece relations, Azerbaijan will automatically take the same position. Because we have alliance and strategic partnership agreements with Turkiye in geopolitical, military and other issues. This is not surprising, Alioghlu said.

He also touched on the Greece's support to Armenia, and said that it has historical roots. He recalled that when the Greek troops occupied the western provinces of Turkiye during the WWI, they necessarily relied on and used the local Armenian communities. Even Armenians performed the functions of proxy forces and paramilitary units of Greece at that time.

To put it more simply, the local civilian population inflicted reprisals. Before the Second World War, Armenians living in Western countries had massively joined the Greek paramilitary units bearing Nazi idology. The same situation was observed during the Second World War. After the junta of black colonels came to power in Greece, the street police functions of that junta were performed by Armenians living in the country.

After the collapse of the USSR, Armenia gained so-called independence. Why so-called? Because Armenia became de facto independent, it was never de-jure independent. Greece's goal now, based on those historical traditions and emotional ties, is to use Armenia in the region as a means of influencing Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Russia, and the West at the same time, he opined.

Regarding to the Southern Cyprus, Elchin Alioghlu pointed out that Greek Cypriots are in the same boat with Armenia to look through the relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and to put pressure on both TRNC and Ankara. He mentioned that during the 44-day war, representatives of the Armenian community from both Greece and South Cyprus fought against Azerbaijan as mercenaries. They consisted of about 162 people, and 154 of them were killed, 8 were injured, and after being treated in Armenia, injured ones were evacuated to Greece.

I do not think that Greek-Armenian relations are likely to turn into any serious military-technical cooperation. It is not possible. This is just a show of force (by Greece) against Azerbaijan, and for Armenia, it is the creation of a kind of security umbrella with the active involvement of Greece and Southern Cyprus in order to ensure its security, he opined.

As is known Armenia related its defeat in the 44-day war to Russian-made weapons and frequently voices to find new arm supplier. Responding the question whether Greece can arm Armenia, he called it illusion. He reminded that Armenia is a member of Russian lead organizations, therefore Greek will not do it.

Greece cannot arm Armenia. This is an illusion. It is not possible. Because Armenia is a member of the CSTO within the CIS and has close relations with Russia. Greece is not allowed to provide lethal weapons to Armenia. This is also related to the fringe agreement on the limitation of conventional arms in Europe. It clearly shows how many armored vehicles, firearms and etcetera weapons Armenia can have. So it's just an image, a demonstration of muscle, he added.

However, Turkish military expert Abdullah Agar commented on the Armenians' complaint about the quality of Russian weapons and said that this is simply due to their incompetence. He believes that Russian weapons are too dangerous to be underestimated, and it is the fault of Armenians who could not use them properly.

We must not take Armenias words seriously over the Second Karabakh War. It got enough Russian weapons and used them very well. They were not able to use effectively due to lack of personnel training.

In addition, to some extent, it could not obtain the desired efficiency from the Russian weapons. I know very well how powerful Russian weapons are. The important thing is to be able to use them effectively and properly. Here they should blame not only Russia, but also themselves.

But are the Russian weapons insufficient in some technical issues? Yes. We saw this in the Ukrainian war as well. There were some technical problems in comparison with Western weapons. However, underestimating Russian weapons does not mean correct judgment. As for the question, whether Greece can give weapons to Armenia? It is possible. But Greece will not do it of its own free will. Currently, Greece is sending Russian made weapons to Ukraine. Can it send some of them to Armenia (instead of Ukraine)? Yes, it can, he affirmed.

He also noted that he does not think Greece cooperated with Armenia despite NATO and the USA. After all, when we look at the big picture, no matter how big the fight is between them, the USA, France and Russia are in a trend of supporting Armenia in some way. Recently, we can see that some problems have developed between Russia and Armenia, especially in the Ukraine and the Garabagh wars. But this does not mean that these ties have been severed and that Armenia does not receive support from Russia. After all, Armenia can see cooperation with EU countries as part of the big picture, very appropriately.

The common features of Greece, Southern Cyprus and Armenia are enmity towards Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Secondly, these three structures have undertaken a mission in the historical process. This mission consists of destabilizing the Turkish homeland. With their similar historical memorizations and today's motivations, they are again in a cooperative rectification action. One of the most obvious features is that they have the same Christian denomination. Let us remind you that this is why they are close with Russia, he concluded.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
7 July 2023 15:20 (UTC+04:00)

Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov met with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia Mesganu Arga Moach, Azernews reports, citing the press service of the Ministry.

Sahib Mammadov, who gave information about the economy of Azerbaijan, noted the positive results of the successful reforms in this field in Azerbaijan and said that the work done on the reconstruction and economic reintegration of the liberated territories contributed to the overall economic development.

Mesganu Arga Moach pointed out that Ethiopia attaches importance to the expansion of relations with Azerbaijan, shows interest in applying the experience of economic reforms of Azerbaijan, and shared his views on the potential of cooperation.

The parties emphasized the expediency of establishing mutually beneficial economic relations between the two countries, including the realization of trade and investment cooperation opportunities, expanding the legal and contractual base in order to support the development of relations, and holding business events with the participation of business entities.

At the meeting, the current situation and prospects of relations with Ethiopia and steps to be taken in the direction of economic cooperation were discussed.

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7 July 2023 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

The leading mobile operator of the country hosted the "Summer School" organized by ADA University

Participants of the ADAs "Summer School" visited Azercell. The summer school, which is organized by the university for pupils, helps the youngsters to make the most of their summer break. As part of the schools "Information Technology Week," Azercell specialists conducted educational sessions informing the participants about key mobile technology trends, artificial intelligence (AI), and the prospects of the ICT sector in general.

Schoolchildren explored Azercells Network Technologies Department and Customer Service Center in a real-world working environment. The pupils have been awarded with participation certificates.

It should be noted that Azercell has been cooperating with ADA University for more than ten years. During more this fruitful cooperation, the mobile operator has been supporting the academic and professional development of the next generation of ICT specialists in the country. Thus, the company supports the efforts of ADA University to train professionals in the field of ICT by granting scholarships to university students, conducting training sessions and providing internship opportunities in the company. Azercell also supports ADA University in its endeavors to strengthen the role of women in ICT and entrepreneurship.

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7 July 2023 20:11 (UTC+04:00)

With the organization of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture and the Union of Writers of Azerbaijan, Vagif Poetry Days begin.

According to Azernews, the Days of Poetry will begin on July 13 in the Gazakh village of Yukhari Salahly, where Molla Panah Vagif was born.

And on July 14-15, the Days of Vagif Poetry will continue in the cultural capital of Azerbaijan - the city of Shusha.

Shusha was of great importance for Vagif. He was born in Gazakh, but gained fame and glory in Shusha, where he was buried. Even during the period of Vagif's life in Shusha, this city, dear to every Azerbaijani, was considered the cultural center of Azerbaijan.

Within the framework of Vagif Poetry Days, events will be held in various historical and cultural places of the city of Shusha, including the museum and mausoleum complex of Molla Panah Vagif restored by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, as well as at the house of the poetess Natavan, in the Shusha branch of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, in hotels "Kharibulbul" and "Karabakh".

It should be noted that on January 14, 1982, the grand opening of the mausoleum of Molla Panah Vagif and the House of Poetry took place in Shusha with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev, whose 100th anniversary is celebrated this year. It was within the framework of this trip that national leader Heydar Aliyev gave instructions to hold Vagif Poetry Days. Vagif's Poetry Days, which are unique in the history of modern Azerbaijani literature, starting from that date and until 1991, began annually in the poet's homeland - in Gazakh and ended at the magnificent Cidir Duzu in Shusha.

After the liberation of the city of Shusha from the Armenian occupation as a result of the victory of our heroic army under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the Vagif Poetry Days, which have a 41-year history, are again held in their homeland - in the cultural capital of Azerbaijan.

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7 July 2023 10:23 (UTC+04:00)

Within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan has put forward an initiative to create a group of like-minded mine-affected countries. This was stated today by President Ilham Aliyev while receiving the Director General of the UN Office in Geneva Tatiana Valova, Azernews reports.

Director General underscored the successful development of cooperation between the UN Geneva Office and Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan, as the chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, has always attached great importance to the institutionalization of the organization and multilateralism," President Ilham Aliyev said in turn.

At the same time, Azerbaijan initiated a number of steps towards institutionalization of the Non-Aligned Movement, and in particular the establishment of the Parliamentary Network and Youth Organization. Azerbaijan has also initiated the establishment of a women's platform within the Non-Aligned Movement.

Noting that Azerbaijan has faced the problem of land contamination by mines liberated from the Armenian occupation, the Head of State underscored the importance of anchoring the issue of demining as a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

Within the framework of the Non-Aligned Movement, Azerbaijan has initiated the creation of a group of like-minded mine-affected countries.

Tatiana Valova, commending Azerbaijan's support for the development of the UN initiative on Sustainable Development Goals, said that President Aliyev's proposal to create a new Sustainable Development Goal on mine action is very valuable and important.

Since 2019, Azerbaijan has been the chair of the NAM and has made a number of initiatives to coordinate cooperation amongst the member states, strengthen the values of multilateralism and international cooperation, and revitalize the institution. In 2020, Azerbaijan held an extraordinary summit of member states virtually attended by more than forty-five member states and international organizations. The president of the seventy-fourth session of the United Nations General Assembly, the chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) were among the leaders who addressed the summit and endorsed the initiative.

Azerbaijan has also put forward initiatives to prepare the basis for the eventual institutionalization of the NAM. This includes the launch of the NAM's parliamentary network and youth network, as well as the creation of a NAM support office in New York. During the Second Karabakh War in late 2020, Azerbaijan demonstrated that the bloc can be very efficient in quickly consolidating its efforts and demonstrating solidarity against major challenges one or a group of fellow members face.

President Ilham Aliyev's initiative to create a group of like-minded mine-affected countries is part of Azerbaijan's efforts to strengthen the movement, promote closer bonds and cooperation among the member states, and its efforts for institutionalization. This initiative was further discussed at the Baku Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network on 30 June 2022. At the conference, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the importance of parliaments in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and encouraged all stakeholders to lend their full support to the SDGs in the remaining period until 2030.

Azerbaijan's efforts to strengthen the NAM and its initiatives to create a group of like-minded mine-affected countries have the potential to deliver positive outcomes and demonstrate the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges.

The meeting also discussed the importance of increasing the number of Azerbaijani nationals working in the UN system in line with existing quotas.

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7 July 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

The Territorial Medical Units Management Association (TABIB) in Baku hosted the presentation of the project "Provision of Gazakh and Samukh districts with ambulances" realized under the grant support program of the Japanese government, Azernews reports, citing (TABIB)

The event was attended by TABIB Executive Director Vugar Gurbanov, Japanese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Junichi Wada, directors of central hospitals of Gazakh and Samukh districts, and representatives of the beneficiary organization.

Within the framework of the project "Provision of Gazakh and Samukh districts with ambulances", a grant was allocated to the Public Association "Civil Society Development Support Western Resource" for the purchase of 2 Mitsubishi pickups and the modification of an ambulance.

A grant of 88,996 $ (150,404 manats) has been allocated by the Government of Japan to implement the above project.

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7 July 2023 10:42 (UTC+04:00)

The closing ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Coordinating Bureau has been held in Baku, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov addressed the closing ceremony.

The two-day event ended with the adoption of the Baku Declaration.

A project of the NAM member states on the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to be held in Paris was adopted.

A document (commemorative declaration) on the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev was also adopted.

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7 July 2023 11:29 (UTC+04:00)

Regarding the violation of environmental stability in the South Caucasus region by the mining industry of Armenia, Azerbaijani environmental activists addressed an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Azernews reports.

The letter reads:

Mr. Prime Minister!

We, the undersigned civil society organizations operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan, address this letter to you expressing the deep concerns regarding the serious ecological crisis caused by the regional and global effects of the works carried out in the mining industry of the Republic of Armenia on the environment by grossly violating international environmental norms and standards.

Regarding the growing environmental problems in the country, we share their deep concern of the civil society organizations of Armenia, as well. Degradation of the ecosystem as a result of ongoing mining operations is not only a threat to Armenia's environment, but also a great threat to the neighboring countries. The transboundary nature of environmental damage puts the health and well-being of communities in the region and beyond at risk.

We demand the cessation of the mining industry, which violates international environmental norms and standards and the rights of the region's population.

We note that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations provide a comprehensive framework for solving environmental, social and economic problems. UN member states have recognized clean air, safe drinking water and sanitation as environmental factors of health. At the same time, the UN recognizes a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a basic human right. However, by committing these environmental crimes, Armenia violates the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, especially the 3rd on "Good Health and Well-being", the 6th on "Clean Water and Sanitation", the 12th on Responsible Production and Consumption, and 16th on the "Climate Change the 13th Goals on "combating the consequences of climate change" and the 15th Goals on "Protection of the Earth 's Ecosystem", and the 15th goal on Protecting the Soil Ecosystem.

We call on the Republic of Armenia to immediately stop the activities of the following enterprises that seriously damage the ecosystem in the region:

Chromium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, zinc, aluminum, vanadium, lead and other heavy metal-containing mining wastes from the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum conbinate in Gajaran and the mining combine in Gafan are polluting the Okchuchay and Araz rivers. 60% of Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine's shares are owned by Germany's Cronimet Mining GmbH". An average of 20 million tons of ore is processed here during the year without following any environmental norms. The 270-million-square-meter Artsevanik reservoir, which is the mine tailings pool of the combine, is a big threat to the entire region;

Since 2019, the Gafan mining complex has been part of the British company "Chaarat Gold International Limited" and is currently called "Chaarat Kapan". During the year, an average of 1.3 million tons of ore is processed here. The Gutgum (Qeganush) mining waste deposit, which covers an area of 4.6 million square meters within the Gafan mining complex, poses a threat to the region;

Mining waste containing heavy metals from Akarak (Agarak) Copper-Molybdenum Combine also poisons the Araz River through Karchivanchay. The US company "Comsup Commodities" bought all the shares of the combine and became its full shareholder. During the year, an average of 4 million tons of ore is processed here. According to the information, approximately 36.8 million cubic meters of hazardous waste in the Davazam waste warehouse of the combine are collected. The water from the waste reservoir flows into the transboundary Araz river;

During the occupation, the Armenian authorities illegally put the Zod (Sotk) field of Kalbajar, located on the border with Azerbaijan, into the full exploitation of the "GeoProMining" company. In 2009, 320,500 tons, 490,000 tons in 2010, and 880,000 tons in 2011 were processed in Davali (Ararat) gold processing plant. As a result, the Zod (Sotk) River near the mine was polluted with heavy metals such as copper, iron, cadmium and molybdenum. Considering that the polluted Zod (Sotk) River flows into the Kur River, this is a great threat to the lives of millions of people. In 2018, the European Court of Human Rights issued a decision regarding the violation of ecological balance rights by Armenia for polluting the region by allowing the operation of this mine;

European Court of Human Rights issued six decision against Armenia on February 14, 2019, found the exploitation of illegal mining industry on the lands of the residents of the villages of Shinikh (Shnogh)and Tugut (Teghout), who appealed to the court, and in this regard, the Armenian government was requested to pay compensation in the amount of 69,400 euros to the affected villagers;

The Dashdam (Dashdam) Gold Mine in Goyce (Sevan) produces about 10,000 ounces of gold per year. Mining continuously pollutes the local water supply. A high concentration of heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, harmful to human health and the environment, was found in the mine's wastewater.The mine's wastewater poisons nearby rivers, including the main source of fresh water, the Barghushad (Vorotan) River. Barghusad (Vorotan) river flows into Araz river. The mine is managed by the Canadian company "Lydian International";

Akhtala mine in Lori region of Armenia produces about 5 thousand tons of copper and lead per year. A high concentration of heavy metals such as copper, lead and zinc harmful to human health and the environment was found in the mine's waste water. The mine is managed by "Metal Prince" company.Wastewater from the mine pollutes the nearby Tona (Debed) river. That river flows into the Kur river. Akhtala mine was closed in 2017 due to environmental problems. However, in 2020, the mine was restored for the operation;

Gafan Manganese Plant is one of the largest manganese plants not only in Armenia, but also in the world. The plant produces manganese ore, manganese dioxide and other manganese products, with an annual output of about 1.5 million tons of ore. During the extraction and processing of manganese ore, heavy metals, dust and other pollutants are released into the air and water. These pollutants cause a number of health problems, including respiratory problems, neurological diseases and cancer. The plant also significantly pollutes the nearby Barghushad River, an important source of drinking water for the South Caucasus region;

Eller (Gotayq) plant is a metallurgical plant that produces copper, zinc and lead. The factory contaminates Arpachay river with heavy metals such as copper, lead and cadmium that have a negative impact on human health. The plant produces large amounts of air pollution, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This pollution adversely affects human health, causing respiratory problems, heart diseases and other serious diseases. The factory discharges its waste water to Arpachay, the main source of drinking water. A large amount of solid waste rich in heavy metals generated in the factory pollutes the soil and seeps into the groundwater;

Goyche (Gegharkunik) Copper Smelting Plant is one of the main copper smelting plants in Armenia. It produces about 100,000 tons of copper per year. The plant belongs to "GeoProMining" company of Armenia. The plant emits large amounts of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, causing air pollution and acid rain. The factory discharges its waste water to Arpachay, the main source of drinking water. Arpachay, in turn, carries pollutants to Araz. Sewage water destroys aquatic life in Arpachay. Goyce(Gegharkunik) Copper Smelting Plant is a source of great danger to the environment and human beings;

The construction of a new metallurgical plant in Arazdeyan (Yeraskh), which is being built against the requirements of environmental norms and international conventions, should also be stopped. The potential impacts of toxic chemical waste from this metallurgical plant on the local ecosystem could be enormous. The discharge of waste into the Araz River means a tragedy for the creatures living in the river and for the large farms that use the Araz water for irrigation. This impact on drinking water supplies can also lead to the spread of infectious diseases in border areas. This will create a serious public health crisis for both Azerbaijan and Armenia;

Mining wastes containing heavy metals formed as a result of the operation of the Amuldagh (Amulsar) gold deposit, whose activities have been protested many times by international organizations, are also being discharged into the Bargushad (Vorotan) River and polluting the Araz River through the Hakari River. The gold mining industry has caused environmental pollution that transcends national borders. Thus, the mine leaves behind a large amount of waste rock and waste piles, which pollutes the soil and leads to a highacceleration of the erosion process in the mountains.Such exploitation of the Amuldagh (Amulsar) gold deposit is a serious threat to the region surrounded by the Caucasus mountains and its population;

Amuldag fieldis located 13 kilometers away from the city of Istisu (Jermuk)which is a natural mineral water. The deposit is also located in the area between Arpachay and Bazarchay. Both rivers pass through the territory of Azerbaijan and flow into the Araz river. The use of toxic substances, which have been banned for a long time in the exploitation of the Amuldag field, which pose a high threat to the environment, destroys nature, causes acidification of river waters and water poisoning. In addition to gold mining polluting the waters of this river, it also has a negative impact on the ecosystem of Lake Goycha (Sevan), which is the largest freshwater lake in Armenia, located near the area.

At the same time, this industry poses a serious threat to the Caspian Sea basin. Arpachay and Bazarchay, which flow from the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of the Republic of Azerbaijan, flow into the Araz River and from there into the Caspian Sea. Thus, it seriously damages the ecology of not only Azerbaijan, but also Iran, as well as other Caspian countries.

The gold deposit is operated by "Lydian Armenia" company. The full shareholder of this company is "Lydian International" of Great Britain. The main shareholders of the company are "Orion Mine Finance" (USA), "Resource Capital Funds" (USA), "Merk Investments" and "Tocqueville Asset Management LP".

The 12 facts listed above are only a visible part of the environmental disasters that have occurred, there are so many cases that we are aware. It is known that some times ago, more than 60 civil society organizations operating in Armenia addressed to you and warned that the work of the Amuldagh (Amulsar) mine will cause a great damage to the environment, and therefore the Armenian authorities should cancel the decision to resume its activity, the prosecutor's office should check the results of the expertise regarding the impact of the mine on the environment.

Mr. Prime Minister!

Transboundary Rivers Convention, which entered into force in 2014, are grossly violated by the Armenian government. The purpose of the Convention is to ensure fair and sustainable use of transboundary watercourses. This Convention envisages working closely with and taking into account the views of affected communities if water resources pose a risk to social, economic and environmental development. However, the Armenian government has not taken into account the concerns of Azerbaijanis and even Armenians living in neighboring villages in the organization of the mining industry, which may affect the fresh water resources of the region, and has not involved them in the environmental assessment process.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights set out a framework for promoting responsible behavior in business, including the mining industry.These principles emphasize the need for companies to protect human rights, prevent negative environmental impacts, and communicate with affected communities in a transparent, inclusive manner.

With the exploitation of the above-mentioned mines, the Armenian government clearly ignores the provisions of the UN Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention). The Espoo Convention acknowledges that environmental matters transcend national borders and emphasizes the necessity of international discourse when multiple states are involved in specific cases.

The Aarhus Convention plays an important role in ensuring access to information, public participation and justice in environmental issues. As a signatory to this convention, Armenia must fulfill its obligations by ensuring that the population of the affected region has access to information on mining activities, participation in decision-making processes, and ways to eliminate environmental damage.

We call on the government of Armenia to create an enabling environment for civil society organizations and local communities to actively participate in dialogue and decision-making processes related to mining. As Canadian professor Steven Emerman says, The truth is that all sulfide mines cause water pollution. Wherever there is a mining industry, there is a danger of constant pollution of water with waste.

We call on all stakeholders, including foreign companies engaged in mining in Armenia to adapt their activities to these principles and integrate them into their operational practices. We invite those who invest in field exploration and production to be aware of the environmental disaster they are creating and to act responsibly.

Mr. Prime Minister!

As it is known from the above-mentioned facts, Armenia's mining industry has caused a serious environmental disaster in the South Caucasus region.

We appeal to you to open the doors of all mining industry facilities of Armenia to experts specialized in the field of ecology and health, civil society organizations of Azerbaijan specialized in this field, taking into account the international standards and principles listed above, to allow them to inspect the facilities, evaluate and create full conditions for monitoring, taking appropriate samples, and measuring.

We also recommend that you create appropriate platforms for dialogue and consultation to strengthen trust, inclusion and shared responsibility. Demonstrate political will and leadership to ensure transparency and accountability in the mining industry, implement necessary reforms, and ensure the disclosure of timely, reliable and comprehensive information on the extractive industry.

We call on the Armenian government for responsible management, to immediately stop the work in the mining industry that threatens our region and our planet, and to make decisions that ensure sustainable development and a healthy future for the people of the region.

Signatures:

Executive Director of Saglamliga Khidmat Public Association - Parvana Valiyeva

Vise-chair of Experts in the Field of Water Use Public Association - Amin Mammadov

Chairman of Ecologist-2010 Environmental Awareness Public Association - Salim Balayev

Chairman of Biosphere Public Association - Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli

Chairman of Shafag Ecotourism Public Association - Vamig Babayev

Chairman of Patient Organizations Union and Hemophilia Patients Public Association - Ayaz Huseynov

Chairperson of Environmental Education and Monitoring Public Association - Gamza Yusubova

Chairperson of Pediatric Cardiology and Rheumatology Public Association - Sveta Rafiyeva Director of Towards TB free World Public Association - Chingiz Ramazanli

Chairman of Green World Public Association of Environmental Awareness - Elman Jafarli

Chairperson of Socioeconomic and Ecological Development Public Association - Rahila Mehdiyeva

Chairman of Ecological Information Public Association - Musa Muradli

Chairman of Towards a Healthy Life Public Association  Sadig Hasanov

Chairperson of Woman Initiative for Development PublicAssociation  Ziba Nabiyeva

Chairperson of Social Aid to the People with Hearing and Speech Disabilities Public Association  Jamila Abdulova

Chairperson of Fight against Leukemia Public Association  Mehriban Bagirova Director of Ecoleks

Environmental Law Center Public Association - Sevil Isayeva

Chairperson of Support for the Development of Sustainable Tourism" Public Association  Narmina Garibova

Chairperson of Health and Healthy Life Public Association  Alizada Cahangir

Chairman of Eco-TES Environmental Research and Education Public Association - Chingiz Nazarov

Chairman of Mother Kura Public Association of Support for the Study of Environmental Problems - Rustam Malikov

Chairperson of For Development and Welfare Public Association  Zamina Safarova

Executive director of Fight against Infectious Diseases Public Association  Amina Karimli

Chairperson of Sky and Eco Public Association of Support for Social Economic Development - Irada Hasanova

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7 July 2023 11:51 (UTC+04:00)

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts.

The Ministry of Science and Education was instructed to prepare and implement a plan of events to mark the university's centennial, Azernews reports.

Based at Baku Theater School, the Azerbaijan State University of Culture has significantly contributed to national culture and art.

The university prepares professionals in many art fields, including music, culturology, fine arts, audiovisual art, etc.

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7 July 2023 16:00 (UTC+04:00)

Vugar Gurbanov, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Medical Territorial Unit Management Association (TABIB), and German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ralf Horleman discussed cooperation in the medical sphere, Azernews reports.

"Thanks to Vugar Gurbanov for the very interesting discussion on the health systems in Azerbaijan and Germany and the future cooperation between our countries," the publication says.

On July 7th, 2023, Vugar Gurbanov, Executive Director of the Azerbaijan Medical Territorial Unit Management Association (TABIB), and German Ambassador to Azerbaijan Ralf Horleman discussed cooperation in the medical sphere.

Executive Director has been the Executive Director of TABIB since September 8th, 2021, when he was appointed by the Supervisory Board of TABIB. He is a graduate of Azerbaijan Medical University and has worked as a neuropathologist for many years, as well as the head of the Medical Claims Department of the State Agency for Compulsory Medical Insurance.

The discussion between Gurbanov and Horleman comes after a five-day expert mission organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) in September 2022 to assess the needs and determine areas for further assistance in primary health care, hospital service delivery, and training of the healthcare workforce in Azerbaijan. The mission team consisted of 9 international experts and 8 health professionals from the WHO Country Office in Azerbaijan.

The mission aimed to contribute to the vision of the future organization of primary health care in Azerbaijan by providing recommendations to the other ongoing WHO initiative - the Primary Health Care Demonstration project in Shamakhi.

The discussion between Gurbanov and Horleman is part of WHO's continuing support of the country's healthcare, and the two discussed potential areas of cooperation in the medical sphere.

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7 July 2023 17:16 (UTC+04:00)

The Military Police Department of the Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan held training sessions, the ministry told journalists. Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Defence.

A minute of silence was paid to the memory of Azerbaijani national leader Heydar Aliyev and martyrs who gave their lives for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan at the training sessions with the participation of commanders of military units subordinate to the Military Police Department.

The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was played.

During the meetings, reports on the organisation of patrols at checkpoints, protection of facilities, management of the movement of military equipment, and ensuring the safe movement of convoys by military police units in the first half of this year were heard and measures to be implemented in the next academic period were discussed.

Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Minister of Defence, was voiced as to how to better organise the activities of military police commandant units, especially in the liberated territories, and to increase vigilance in the next training period.

At the end of the session, the participants were presented with a firearms training demonstration session.

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7 July 2023 17:31 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijani Defence Industry Minister Madat Guliyev welcomed a delegation led by Kyrgyz Defence Minister Baktybek Bekbolotov and Kyrgyz Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Kayrat Osmonaliev on an official visit to Azerbaijan. Azernews reports

According to the Ministry of Defence Industry, at the meeting, Madat Guliyev stressed the importance of the solidarity of Turkic peoples, noted the prospects for further cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the defence industry and expressed confidence that the visit would contribute significantly to the development of links between the two countries in the defence industry.

The visit is part of the ongoing military cooperation between the two countries. Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan have a long history of military collaboration, with the two countries having signed several agreements in the past.

The Azerbaijani Defence Industry Minister noted that the two countries have close military-technical cooperation, as well as cooperation in many areas. He praised the moral and political support of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan.

The Kyrgyz Defence Minister and Ambassador expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and discussed the prospects for the future development of military-technical ties between the two countries.

The two countries have been actively collaborating in various military spheres. Often the air, sea, and naval forces of the two countries conduct joint tactical drills. The joint exercises are aimed to improve the interaction between the two countries' army units during combat operations and develop the commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills.

The military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan first emerged in 1992, with an agreement signed between the Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz governments on military education and weapon equipment and deals to help strengthen the bond between the two nations.

The two countries are also participating in the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey, where Azerbaijan is exhibiting over 100 domestic products.

The visit of the Kyrgyz Defence Minister and Ambassador to Azerbaijan is a testament to the strong ties between the two countries and the commitment of both countries to further strengthen their military cooperation.

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7 July 2023 17:52 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, has visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of National Leader, architect and founder of modern and independent Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev.

The President of Albania also put flowers at the grave of the Great Leader`s wife, outstanding ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.

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7 July 2023 21:07 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, and first lady Armanda Begaj have visited the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre, Azernews reports.

They were informed of the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre.

The Center was founded at a special meeting held in Ganja in 2012 to mark the 870th anniversary of great Nizami Ganjavi under the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Since 2013, the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre has been the main organizer of the Global Baku Forum, which is held in Baku and discusses the problems facing the world. The main goal of the Centre is to contribute to the establishment of peace, peaceful coexistence, and justice in the world.

The Albanian President and his wife were presented with a carpet, as well as a magazine and an album containing the materials of the Heydar Aliyev 100: Life and Legacy conference celebrating the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

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7 July 2023 21:11 (UTC+04:00)

On July 8-11, a delegation led by Cardinal Pietro Paroli, Secretary of State of the Holy See, will visit Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

During the visit, the Secretary of State of the Holy See will hold meetings with Azerbaijani statesmen, as well as representatives of religious communities.

Relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, based on mutual respect, have made great progress. Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. In 2021, Azerbaijan opened an embassy to the Holy See. Thus, a new impetus was given to the further strengthening and expansion of relations of cooperation and friendship.

The political dialogue between Azerbaijan and the Holy See is at a high level. The official visits of the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to the Holy Taj, as well as the visit of Pope Francis to Azerbaijan serve to further deepen this dialogue.

Effective relations of cooperation have been established between the Holy See and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. At the initiative of the First Vice-President of Azerbaijan, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, the Foundation's restoration of a number of historical monuments of human significance in the Vatican is an important contribution to the protection of cultural heritage. These projects once again confirm the role of Azerbaijan in the development of intercultural and religious relations, along with the protection of the world's cultural, historical and religious heritage.

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Roman Catholic Religious Community, in addition to implementing development and reconstruction projects in these areas, assisting social and religious facilities, measures aimed at ethno-cultural development are also taken away by the peoples living in Azerbaijan. The work done has become a step towards the inter-civilizational and inter-religious dialogue of Azerbaijan, as well as the promotion of tolerance in the world.

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7 July 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

Security forces in Turkiye arrested a PKK terrorist in the southeastern Sanliurfa province on Thursday, a security source said, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The terrorist was caught infiltrating Turkiye from Syria, said the source on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

In its 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the PKK listed as a terrorist organization by Turkiye, the US, and the EU  has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

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7 July 2023 09:30 (UTC+04:00)

Astana city is celebrating its 25th anniversary as the capital of Kazakhstan today, Azernews reports, citing Kazinform.

Capital Day is a state holiday established in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of June 25, 2008, on the introduction of additions to the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan at the initiative of the Majilis of the Kazakh Parliament.

The holiday is of historic and cultural importance for Kazakhstanis and is a symbol of the achievements of the Republic of Kazakhstan. It has been celebrated as a state holiday since 2009.

The corresponding governmental decree was adopted on July 6, 1996, and the Presidential order to declare Akmola the Kazakh capital was issued on October 20, 1997. Akmola was renamed into Astana in less than a year period. The city carried the name of Nur-Sultan since 2019 only to be renamed back into Astana in 2022.

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8 July 2023 01:20 (UTC+04:00)

The export duty on wheat as of July 12 will be 2,989.6 rubles per tonne compared to 2,609.6 rubles the previous week, Russia's Agriculture Ministry said, Azernews reports, citing Interfax.

This is an increase of 14.6%.

There will be zero duty on barley for the sixth week in a row, while the duty on corn will rise to 1,237.4 rubles per tonne from 932.7 rubles.

The rates were calculated based on indicative prices: $239.2 per tonne for wheat against $245 a week earlier; $174 for barley vs. $178.1 the previous week, and $198.4 for corn vs. $201.7.

The new duties will be in effect through July 18, inclusive.

As reported, since June of this year, the base price for calculating the export duty for wheat increased to 17,000 rubles per tonne from 15,000 rubles, while for barley and corn, it rose to 15,875 rubles per tonne from 13,875 thousand rubles.

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They come for breakfast. But they leave with the company and friendship of other veterans
Kendall Qualls, candidate for Governor of Minnesota, writing in Real Clear Politics, writes:

Growing up in the Jim Crow South, my parents grew up dreaming of a world where they didnt have to use colored-only restrooms, sit in the back of the bus, attend segregated schools, and could sit in restaurants together with other Americans  regardless of their race, creed, or nationality.

They dreamed of equality for all. Yet, almost 70 years after the Supreme Court struck down separate but equal, the recent decision to strike down affirmative action makes it clear that many black progressives like Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson  who benefited from the Brown v. Board of Education decision  still view the issues of race and equality through rose-colored glasses.

As Justices Clarence Thomas and Jackson traded their arguments in the pages of the majority opinion and dissent, one thing became clear: The concepts of equality vs. equity rule the reasoning. However, while Justice Jackson makes her case for equity by stating, The takeaway is that those who demand that no one think about race (a classic pink-elephant paradox) refuse to see, much less solve for, the elephant in the room  the race-linked disparities that continue to impede achievement of our great Nations full potential, she fails to address the pink-elephant in the room  the very elephant responsible for the disparities we see prevalent today.

Anyone who examines the condition of black Americans objectively will see what I see  a culture that has departed from its roots of faith, family, and education. Since the 1960s, we have gone from 80% of black children being born into two-parent homes to 80% of black children being born to single mothers in 2017. Affirmative action programs cannot and will not make up for the decline of two-parent families over the last 50 years and its effects on generations of black children.

Research reveals that children from two-parent families, regardless of race, experience high levels of academic success compared to children from fatherless homes. A 2021 study from The Institute for Family Studies found that Black children in single-parent homes were 3.5 times more likely to live in poverty. The same study found that black children raised by two parents had a 70% higher chance of graduating from college, while those raised by single parents were twice as likely to be incarcerated by their late 20s.

Its an issue that progressives ignore outright. The steep decline of the two-parent black family began after government policies started financially incentivizing women to have children outside the bonds of marriage. The programs were heavily marketed in black communities during the LBJ administration in the 1960s. As a result, were experiencing a social tragedy that is the byproduct of generations of government-dependent black children who come from fatherless homes.

Justice Jackson called on us to stare at racial disparity unblinkingly, and then do what evidence and experts tell us is required to level the playing field and march forward together. Yet, Justice Jackson ignores the lefts own expert, Dr. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. In 1965, Moynihan, a member of LBJs administration, argued that the root cause of disparities was the breakdown of marriage in the black community. The fundamental problem, he determined, is that of family structure. In his report, Moynihan called for a national effort to strengthen the black family in America.

Progressives, like Justice Jackson, who choose to embrace the lefts rose-colored version of race and equality, have oddly enough traded the discrimination black Americans have faced throughout American history for one of their own in their arguments in favor of affirmative action, where employers and schools get to pick winners and losers based on the color of their skin.

Instead, we should focus on the fundamentals of faith, family, and education. If we shift our focus from band-aid fixes to real solutions and incorporate the fundamentals that prioritize black families and their children, we will see our community reach the levels of success achieved by other ethnic groups. The evidence is clear: When we prioritize tried and tested values over government handouts, the black community will thrive as it had in the 100 years prior to LBJs government aid initiative.

Kendall Qualls is a businessman, U.S. Army veteran, and candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of Minnesota.
From device companies to providers, here are 20 gastroenterology-focused companies to know:

1. Allied Digestive Health: Private equity-backed, West Long Branch, N.J.-based Allied Digestive is a gastroenterology group with more than 100 providers. The company was formed in 2015 by merging five gastroenterology groups in New Jersey.

2. Boston Scientific: Marlborough, Mass.-based Boston Scientific manufactures gastroenterology-focused products, including those for polypectomy, hemostasis and balloon dilation procedures.

3. Capital Digestive Care: Silver Spring, Md.-based Capital Digestive offers services at more than 26 offices and ASCs with 76 gastroenterology specialists in the Mid-Atlantic region. Earlier this year, the company finalized a deal with a Virginia practice.

4. CRH Medical: Atlanta-based CRH Medical is a gastroenterology products and services provider that services roughly 272,000 procedures annually and has 39 gastroenterology ASC partnerships.

5. Iterative Scopes: Iterative Scopes is a gastroenterology-focused software company that designs artificial intelligence-centered products for endoscopies. Earlier this year, it secured $150 million in series B funding to develop its AI-powered gastroenterology and drug development technology.

6. Fujifilm Medical: A leader in endoscopy imaging technology, Fujifilm has many gastroenterology-focused devices in its portfolio, including its 700 Series standard, slim, treatment and zoom colonoscopes, which allow physicians to adapt the technology based on the patient's need. In April, the company was awarded a five-year multimillion dollar military contract,

7. Gastro Health: Headquartered in Miami, Gastro Health features more than 343 affiliated physicians and 140 locations. The company was sold to a private equity firm in 2021 and has since expanded its reach in Ohio, Florida and Virginia.

8. GI Alliance: Physician-led, Southlake, Texas-based, GI Alliance is the largest gastroenterology megagroup in the industry, with more than 660 physicians and 400 locations. The private equity-backed company has been on an acquisition spree in 2022, with at least seven deals made since Jan. 1 in Missouri, Texas, Arkansas, Illinois and Washington.

9. Medtronic: Medical device company Medtronic has made huge steps into the gastroenterology field with its artificial intelligence-focused technology, including its AI endoscopy module, GI Genius. This year it partnered with American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy to provide colorectal cancer screening technologies in low-income and underserved communities nationwide.

10. Micro-Tech Endoscopy: Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Micro-Tech Endoscopy has a portfolio of gastroenterology products. The company recently partnered with Wision A.I. to become the U.S. distributor of Wision's EndoScreener, an artificial intelligence-assisted polyp detection software used during colonoscopies.

11. Motus GI: Motus GI manufactures the Pure-Vu colon prep system.This year, the FDA granted Motus GI market clearance for its second-generation Pure-Vu EVS system.

12. Olympus: Olympus medical portfolio includes endoscopes, laparoscopes and video-imaging systems. In February, the company was awarded a contract for single-use bronchoscopes from Vizient, the largest group purchasing organization in the nation.

13. One GI: Founded in April 2020, Nashville, Tenn.-based One GI has seen massive growth since opening, with 11 deals in just over two years. The company has more than 120 physicians in its portfolio.

14. PE GI Solutions: Headquartered in Jamison, Pa., PE GI Solutions focuses on ASC development and management and has more than 600 affiliated physicians and more than 60 clinical partner locations in 19 states.

15. Peak Gastroenterology Associates: Colorado Springs, Colo.-based, private equity-backed Peak Gastroenterology Associates is a management company with more than 26 physicians in its portfolio.

16. Pentax Medical: Pentax Medical is a global company focused on advanced endo-imaging solutions. The company's products focus on gastroenterology, endoscopic ultrasound, pulmonology and more.

17. Pinnacle GI Partners: Rochester Hills, Mich.-based, private equity-backed Pinnacle GI Partners is a gastroenterology management company with 21 physicians in its portfolio.

18. Saneso: Saneso is a medical company whose portfolio includes the industry's first 360-degree colonoscope, recently approved by the FDA. Saneso's colonoscope has a 360-degree multidirectional view with five cameras, while traditional colonoscopes have a 140- to 170-degree field of view, which causes them to miss up to 40 percent of polyps, according to Sanesco.

19. United Digestive: Atlanta-based, private equity-backed United Digestive partners with physicians and gastroenterology practices. It has more than 130 physicians in its portfolio.

20. US Digestive Health: Based in Exton, Pa., U.S. Digestive Health is a collective of gastroenterology practices with more than 130 physicians and 100 advanced practice providers in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has established a new membership group, the American Academy of Ophthalmic Professionals, to support the professional interests of technicians, ophthalmic assistants, photographers, nurses, orthoptists and other members of the clinical team.

The group will begin admitting members in August. Members will have expanded opportunities for career advancement, access to up-to-date information in the field and a new technician learning track, according to a July 5 press release.

New resources include new learning courses, an online community letting clinical staff connect in real time, a clinical team newsletter, tips for clinic flows and discounts on coding tools.
Here are five stats to know about how orthopedic surgeon pay stacks up compared to CEO pay:

1. The average salary for orthopedic physicians reached $573,000, according to Medscape's "Physician Compensation Report 2023."

2. Orthopedics was the second highest-paying specialty and grew 3 percent compared to 2022.

3. Orthopedics saw the highest average incentive bonus by a wide margin. The average bonus for orthopedic surgeons was $134,000 and followed by cardiology, which had an average bonus of $88,000.

4. CEOs at S&P 500 companies made 324 times more than median company workers in 2021, according to AFL-CIO data cited by Forbes and reported July 18, 2022.

5. Here is the average hospital CEO pay per hour by hospital type and the ratio of the average CEO wage to other workers' wages, according to a study published in Health Affairs last year:

Major teaching hospital

Average hospital CEO compensation per hour: $529

Ratio of CEO wage to other workers' wages: 14:1

Minor teaching hospital

Average hospital CEO compensation per hour: $292

Ratio of CEO wage to other workers' wages: 9:1

Non-teaching hospital

Average hospital CEO compensation per hour: $197

Ratio of CEO wage to other workers' wages: 7:1

Urban hospital

Average hospital CEO compensation per hour: $319

Ratio of CEO wage to other workers' wages: 9:1

Rural hospital
An Arizona dentist submitted a tenant improvement application to the city of Sierra Vista June 23 to remodel the site of a former restaurant, My Herald Review reported July 5.

Blane Jackson, DDS, owner of Jackson Dental in Phoenix, plans to remodel the building and turn it into a dental practice.

City Public Information Officer Adam Curtis told the news organization the application is still being processed and has not yet been approved.
Indianapolis, Ind.-based IU Health is aiming to give 30 percent of construction and design work on its $4.3 billion expansion to certified minority, women and veteran-owned companies, Indiana Business Journal reported July 7.

The health systeml expects to give about $690 million worth of work to diverse contractors, or 30 percent of $2.3 billion, the cost of the project after subtracting medical equipment from the total cost, according to the story. The efforts could be complicated by a shortage of construction workers and the busy construction season.

"It's a stretch goal," Jim Mladucky, IU Health vice president of design and construction, told the news outlet. "Our typical target is 25 percent. But we're feeling good about it at this point."
From partnering with EHR giant Epic Systems to collaborating with some of the largest hospitals and health systems, Microsoft is continuing its push into the healthcare industry.

Here are 10 of the biggest healthcare moves from the company in 2023:
On July 6, Rochester, N.Y.-based UR Medicine said it plans to merge with Geneva, N.Y.-based Finger Lakes Health on Aug. 1, which will require Finger Lakes to move onto new EHR systems, RochesterBeacon reported.

UR Medical Center CEO Mark Taubman, MD, said that the estimated cost of giving Finger Lakes Health a new EHR system will be around $40 million or more.

Currently, Finger Lakes uses four different EHR systems, and will install two new systems to be compatible with UR Medicine's EHR system.
Lawmakers in New Jersey approved $35 million in additional funding for Newark-based University Hospital, but that is not nearly enough to cover redevelopment plans, NJ Spotlight News reported July 7.

The four-decades-old building needs upgrades after experiencing flooding and power failures, according to the report, and the emergency department sees twice the number of patients projected for annual capacity. University Hospital's redevelopment plan, announced earlier this year, comes with a $1.8 billion price tag, and CEO Ed Jimenez said it hopes to cover costs with state and federal funding, and community support.

Overall, the approved budget provides $60 million to University Hospital for the project next year.

"University Hospital needs more than a Band-Aid solution, and while $60 million appears to be a significant investment on paper, it is actually woefully inadequate," Debbie White, RN, president of Health Professionals and Allied Employees, a union representing 1,200 University Hospital workers, said in the report.

In April, Mr. Jimenez said the project had about $200 million in funding.
A number of health systems saw their debt levels detailed as various ratings agencies assessed their credit ratings in June. Here is a summary of some of those systems' debt levels.

1. Escondido, Calif.-based Palomar Health, the state's largest publicly owned health system, had its outlook relegated to negative from stable given "elevated risks" regarding meeting financial obligations, Moody's said June 13.

Bond ratings on approximately $709 million of outstanding debt were affirmed at a "Baa3" level.

2. Indianapolis-based IU Health has outstanding debt of $2.2 billion after taking out new bonds worth $725 million, Moody's said. The 16-hospital system has an "Aa2" rating on its credit.

3. Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health was reported as having $2.1 billion of debt June 28 when Fitch downgraded some of its bonds.

The "A+" rating does not reflect the possible acquisition of three Prospect Medical Holdings hospitals by Yale New Haven, Fitch said.

4. Butler (Pa.) Health had $124 million of outstanding long-term debt as of March 31, Fitch said when reporting a multi-notch downgrade for the system June 26.

Butler Health and Greensburg, Pa.-based Excela Health joined forces Jan. 1 to form Independence Health System.

5. Philadelphia-based Thomas Jefferson University had long-term debt totaling $3.4 billion when S&P Global reported a negative outlook revision for the system June 9.

The system, which operates 18 hospitals, competes with large health systems such as Penn Medicine and Temple University Health, both also based in Philadelphia, and Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health, among others. Management is predicting an $80 million operating loss for fiscal 2023.

6. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare had approximately $359 million of debt when Moody's affirmed its credit rating June 20.

The "Baa1" rating came even as the system endured a hit to its operations following a February cyberattack.

7. Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University has approximately $1.3 billion in long-term debt, according to a June 22 S&P Global report.

The two-hospital system had operating revenue of $3.3 billion for the nine months ending March 31, S&P said in the report.

8. UNC Southeastern, part of Chapel Hill, N.C.-based UNC Health, revealed $149 million of long-term debt when S&P Global reported a downgrade June 23.

The system was downgraded to "BB" amid operating losses and sustained balance sheet weakness, S&P said.
Springfield, Ill.-based Hospital Sisters Health System has named Christine Woolsey as senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer.

Ms. Woolsey will step into the role July 31, according to a July 6 press release from the health system. She previously served in roles at SCL Health, now rebranded as Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Health after an April 2022 merger, where she oversaw the health system's marketing and communications.

Some of her accomplishments at Intermountain Health included leading a rebrand, creating campaigns that drove physician and patient engagement, and implementing new digital marketing programs.
After acquiring Waukegan, Ill.-based Vista Medical Center East, American Healthcare Systems is looking to add new services to the hospital, the Chicago Tribune reported July 7.

The Glendale, Calif.-based health system closed on the $23.5 million acquisition July 1, according to the story. The organization is now considering boosting services at the hospital, including making it a Level One trauma center. The acquisition is Vista's fifth ownership change in 24 years.

"We're going to take a deep dive into how the hospital operates," Faisal Gill, American Healthcare's chief legal officer, told the newspaper. "We're going to talk to the doctors and see what we need to make it as good as it can be. We're going to look to see what the company needs and add it."
A New Orleans federal judge is looking for a speedy resolution to the legal dispute between LCMC Health and the Federal Trade Commission that centers around the health system's acquisition of three Tulane University hospitals from Nashville, Tenn.-based HCA Healthcare in January, nola.com reported July 6.

On July 6, the first time court appearance since dueling lawsuits were filed in mid-April, the federal judge presiding over the case set an Aug. 23 deadline for both sides to file written arguments laying out their case, according to nola.com. It was also decided that the FTC would not challenge LCMC's integration of the three hospitals into the health system while the court case plays out  an early win for LCMC.

"LCMC Health is pleased to move forward with integration plans for our partnership with Tulane University  expanding access to specialty services and enhancing healthcare for all," LCMC said in a statement shared with Becker's. "This partnership will bring significant benefits to our community, and the entire region, and we are excited to continue at full speed."

The issue in the antitrust case is whether or not LCMC should have sought federal approval before finalizing its $150 million purchase of the three Louisiana hospitals  New Orleans-based Tulane Medical Center; Covington, La.-based Lakeview Regional Medical Center; and Metairie, La.-based Tulane Lakeside Hospital.

The FTC had ordered LCMC to halt the acquisition while it conducted a review, but the Louisiana legislature and state attorney general had "expressly and unequivocally authorized" the deal to go through, according to court documents obtained by Becker's.

Louisiana is one of about 20 states that gives the state the authority to greenlight hospital mergers under the certificate of public advantage process, according to nola.com. Because of this, LCMC argues in court documents that the acquisition is "indisputably immune" from federal antitrust laws.

The lawsuit is drawing national attention because of its potential implications for hospital transactions across the country at a time when the FTC is taking a harder look at healthcare consolidation and is pushing for more thorough reviews of mergers and acquisitions.
Members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West plan to picket starting July 11 at 12 Tenet Healthcare facilities in California.

The union represents about 2,684 workers at these 12 facilities, union spokesperson Maria Leal told Becker's. Tenet Healthcare is based in Dallas. The for-profit hospital operator's businesses include more than 465 ambulatory surgery centers and surgical hospitals, 61 hospitals, and approximately 110 additional outpatient centers and other care sites, according to its website.

Union members have been bargaining with management since April. Workers say they seek additional support to retain and attract more caregivers.

"We are simply asking for additional support to improve working conditions. We put our lives at risk during the pandemic and were called 'heroes,'" Bridgette Lamere, respiratory therapist at Tenet Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, Calif., said in the union release. "We are calling on our employers to increase their investments in workers to ensure the additional support of healthcare workers, our patients and our entire communities."

Becker's reached out to Tenet and will update the story if a comment is received.

Ms. Leal said union members have been bargaining with management this week and have four sessions scheduled for August.

To view a full list of the facilities and picket times, click here.
Pittsburgh-based UPMC has created a machine-learning platform that can accurately predict which patients are at high risk of complications after surgery, according to a news release shared with Becker's.

UPMC physicians and researchers trained the algorithm on the medical records of more than 1.25 million surgical patients, looking out for those who had major cerebral or cardiac events like a stroke or heart attack after a procedure, and validated it against 200,000 patients who had surgery at UPMC. They published their results July 7 in JAMA Network Open.

"We designed our model with the healthcare worker in mind," said Oscar Marroquin, MD, chief healthcare data and analytics officer at UPMC, in a July 7 news release. "Since our model is completely automated and can make educated predictions even if some data are missing, it adds almost no additional burden to clinicians while providing them a reliable and useful tool."

UPMC has employed the model at its 20 hospitals for about two years. Each morning, the program reads patients' EHRs and flags those who are at risk for post-surgery complications, connecting them with care coordination, prehabilitation or a referral to the UPMC Center for Perioperative Care.

The researchers say their artificial intelligence model is more accurate than the American College of Surgeon's National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, or ACS NSQIP, which requires clinicians to input data manually.
From a Masschussetts hospital alleging an architectural design company cost it Medicare certification to a physician suing HCA for libel, here are 10 hospital lawsuits and settlements Becker's has reported since June 26:

1. Beaver, Pa.-based Heritage Valley Health System faces a federal lawsuit over claims it transmitted patient data to tech companies via consumer-tracking tools like the Meta Pixel.

2. An Indiana physician filed a lawsuit against Fort Wayne, Ind.-based Lutheran Medical Group to keep it from enforcing a noncompete agreement.

3. Nantucket (Mass.) Cottage Hospital is suing CannonDesign, the architectural design company behind its new hospital facility, for $8 million. The hospital alleges the architect's design violated fire codes, preventing the hospital from receiving Medicare and Medicaid certification. The damages sought in the lawsuit would equal roughly 9 percent of the hospital's total cost.

4. A gynecologic oncologist filed a lawsuit against his former employer, Asheville, N.C.-based Mission Hospital, and associated entities, alleging they made a premature report that hindered his future employment opportunities.

5. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Beaumont Hospital, in Wayne, Mich., alleging it failed to accommodate a registered nurse with a disability.

6. A group of California healthcare providers  including Santa Barbara-based Cottage Health System and Santa Maria-based Community Health Centers of the Central Coast  agreed to pay $68 million to settle allegations that they submitted false claims to Medi-Cal related to Medicaid Adult Expansion under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

7. Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems is facing a second lawsuit over a January data breach that affected an estimated 1 million patients.

8. A medical waste company filed a lawsuit against Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health, alleging the system planted a human torso at the facility.

9. The Regents of the University of California are suing an insurer they say denied payment for a 2014 cyberattack on Los Angeles-based UCLA Health.

10. Former emergency room physicians at St. Margaret's Health-Peru (Ill.) filed a lawsuit against the now-shuttered hospital, alleging it missed payments for their services.






Two newborn girls were pronounced dead after being found in the bathroom of a child care center on Northwestern Medicine's campus in Chicago, CBS affiliate WBBM reported July 6.

Police said they responded to the call around 7 p.m. after a cleaning crew followed a trail of blood into the bathroom and found the unresponsive infants. The babies were taken to Lurie Children's Hospital in the city, where they were pronounced dead.

The childcare center is used only by Northwestern employees, according to the report.

"An emergency medical situation involving a daycare employee occurred this evening at the daycare facility on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus," Northwestern spokesperson Christopher King said in a statement shared with the news outlet. "No daycare children were involved or impacted by the situation. The Chicago Fire and Police Departments were called. We are working with CPD regarding this incident and unable to comment further at this time."
Novo Nordisk filed lawsuits against three compounding pharmacies in Florida on July 6, accusing them of illegally compounding forms of its popular Type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic.

The drugmaker said it is the only U.S. company with FDA-approved medications containing semaglutide, the active ingredient for Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus, and unapproved compounded solutions with semaglutide jeopardize public health, according to court documents. Novo Nordisk also accused the compounding pharmacies of unfair competition and hurting the drug company's reputation.

The three Florida pharmacies are Live Well Drugstore in Green Cove Springs, WellHealth in Jacksonville and Brooksville Pharmaceuticals in Brooksville. Novo Nordisk requests at least $75,000 from each location.

This is the second time Novo Nordisk has sued over Ozempic copycats. In June, it filed suit against six spas and clinics for similar allegations.
A new Florida law requires all hospitals in the state accepting Medicaid to ask patients about their immigration status.

Tampa-area hospitals have now pledged such a requirement will do nothing to affect their ability to provide care nor put any patients in potential legal jeopardy, according to a July 7 Tampa Bay Times report.

Clearwater-based BayCare, St. Petersburg-based Johns Hopkins All Children's and Tampa General Hospital were among systems promising to keep up the same level of care and to reassure immigrants that they are legally safe, irrespective of their status.

"While the new Florida law requires hospitals to ask about a patient's legal status, the patient/parent/guardian is not required to answer the question to receive services, and the patient/parent/guardian may decline to answer the question," an All Children's spokesperson told the Times.

Nevertheless, the numbers of patients deciding not to respond will also be sent to authorities in quarterly reports, exacerbating patient concerns about their immigrant status being uncovered, critics argue. Such people will not have their names reported. Some immigrants are leaving Florida because of the law, according to the report.

The law also requires employers with more than 25 workers to verify the immigration status of their workers and invalidates driver's licenses issued in other states for undocumented people, the report said.
The executive director of nursing at Mission Viejo, Calif.-based Providence Mission Hospital was flown to Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colo., for rehabilitation, just over a month after surviving "devastating and tenuous" injuries in an accident in Costa Rica, according to a July 6 Orange County Register news report.

Deanne Niedziela, MSN, RN, 53, who was crushed by a 5-foot, 100-pound tree limb in a jungle waterfall park in Costa Rica on May 28, had been in her hospital's Neuroscience Institute ICU since June 3. That's when she arrived by medevac at the hospital where she has worked for 30 years. She was paralyzed from the chest down, after undergoing a nine-hour surgery in Costa Rica.

Brian Hwang, MD, a neurosurgeon at Mission Hospital, took over Ms. Niedziela's care when she arrived back in California. "The measures that the Costa Rican team of doctors and nurses undertook in the first 12 hours likely saved her life," he said in the report.

"She had a devastating and tenuous injury and a great possibility she could have lost her life as a direct result of it," Dr. Hwang told the Register. "Her head fell off her spine due to the impact and, as a result, her neck had a complete mechanical failure and her spinal cord was compressed.  Looking at the outcome, I know they did a good job. It set her up for success."

She needed a breathing tube when she first arrived at Providence Mission, but is now able to breathe on her own, has some use of her hands and is able to feed herself, and has some sensation below the waist.

At Craig Hospital, she will receive four to six hours of physical therapy daily for 90 days.

Dr. Hwang said he believes Ms. Niedziela has a "double-digit chance to have some ability to walk" after continued therapy, noting "Its important to stimulate the muscles so that when the spinal cord comes to life, shes set up to regain her abilities."

While at Providence Mission, Ms. Niedziela received various treatments and kept asking for more because she knew she had to "keep functioning no matter what  to get her spine to come alive again," the report said.

Based on her own clinical experience, she has become an active voice in her own care, requesting specific therapies and assistance including an ergonomic bicycle she uses while laying in bed to prevent her muscles from atrophying and a foot brace boot to prevent foot drop, the report said.

"It's just my personality. I've got this attitude. I think positively and just keep going. I hope I find some silver lining, and I hope I inspire nurses to reinvigorate their careers by seeing what I'm doing," she said about her focus on getting well again.

Prior to the accident, Ms. Niedziela jogged 5 miles a day and did pilates.

Ms. Niedziela, who was traveling with her husband when she was injured, began her career in 1983 as a bedside nurse, became a charge nurse, manager and director, and now hopes to return to her current position soon. "My office is just beyond my [ICU room] doors," the nurse leader said. "I want to come back to work."

The medevac evacuation from Costa Rica to California was paid for with $100,000 raised in a GoFundMe campaign launched shortly after the accident.










Collaboration between experts at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford and Duke University Hospital in Durham saved the life of a woman who contracted necrotizing fasciitis  better known as flesh-eating disease  in June, WRAL News reported July 6.

Tammy Russ cut her thumb while removing an ingrown nail in early June. Days later, she collapsed with a swollen and discolored hand, her husband told the news outlet. She was taken to Central Carolina Hospital, where physicians raced to determine the best course of action to treat the deadly infection, as it spreads quickly.

"We don't see [necrotizing fasciitis] very often, especially in this small community like this," Richard Slusher, DO, orthopedic surgeon at Central Carolina Hospital, told WRAL.

Hospital staff collaborated with other experts and determined it was best to get Ms. Russ on the operating table as soon as possible, rather than waiting to transfer her to Duke or UNC Medical Center.

"It would be too late," to transfer, Dr. Slusher said. "Things would get into the blood system. They get bacteremic septicemic, go into sepsis and they can go into septic shock and die."

Ms. Russ' husband said Dr. Slusher's quick action and collaboration with other hospitals saved his wife's life. Surgeons at Duke later amputated Ms. Russ' thumb and performed skin grafts.
Kealakekua, Hawaii-based Kona Community Hospital hosted a groundbreaking for its pharmacy expansion project, which cost $2.3 million and includes a clean room suite, Big Island Now reported July 6.

Kona's pharmacy currently has a compounding area, but because the air circulates from the ground to the ceiling, the hospital can only store mixtures for 12 hours. A new clean room suite with the correct air flow will help reduce waste, Missy Elliott, PharmD, the hospital's pharmacy director, told the news outlet.

The pharmacy expansion, planned for the back of the hospital, is expected to be open in late 2024.
U.S. District Judge Denise Cote dismissed a lawsuit against Teladoc that alleges that the virtual healthcare company misled investors regarding its business, operations and future prospects.

On July 5, the judge dismissed the lawsuit stating that the plaintiff did not provide enough information to show that the company's statements misled possible investors, according to the suit obtained by Becker's.

The lawsuit, which was originally filed June 6 on behalf of parties that purchased Teladoc shares between October and April, accused the company, along with CEO Jason Gorevic and CFO Mala Murthy, of downplaying competition in the mental health and chronic care business sectors, along with issuing "unrealistic" financial expectations for 2022, to attract investors.

The lawsuit also cited Teladoc's first-quarter 2022 earnings report, in which the company reported a total net loss of $6.6 billion as well as a "non-cash goodwill impairment" charge of $6.6 billion. The plaintiff alleged that stakeholders would suffer "significant losses and damages" and asked that Teladoc be required to pay damages sustained by the plaintiffs.

After Teladoc filed a motion for dismissal, the judge granted it July 5.
Healthcare employers in New York may no longer require nurses to work more than their regularly scheduled hours, with some exceptions, under a new law that took effect July 6.

Employers must notify the New York State Department of Labor when exceptions to the mandatory overtime restrictions are in use. The state said exceptions are permitted during unforeseen emergency situations or disasters, along with any instance when overtime work is necessary for safe patient care, such as during an ongoing surgery.

Healthcare organizations must report when exceptions are in use, with additional reporting required when exceptions are used for 15 days or more in a given month and 45 days or more in a consecutive three-month period, according to the labor department.

"Nurses are the backbone of our state's healthcare system," New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said in a July 6 news release. "We need to recognize their invaluable contributions by ensuring they have the support and protections they need to do their job effectively. This new law prevents burnout and empowers these essential workers to continue providing exceptional care to New York families statewide."
From left, new EY partners Andrei Mankov and Pauline Poots with Rob Heron, managing partner, EY Northern Ireland

Business advisory firm EY Ireland has announced the appointment of two new partners in its Belfast office.

Pauline Poots and Andrei Mankov are among 22 new equity partners at EY Ireland, bringing total number of equity partners on the island to 148.

The firm said it was making significant investments in top talent to meet growing client demand and to support the growth of the business.

The new partners are a mix of internal promotions and external hires.

In the past five years EY Ireland said it had welcomed 89 new equity partners in response to rapid growth across the business, including assurance, tax and law, consulting and strategy and Transactions.

Today EY Irelands total headcount stands at over 4,800, with more than 850 people employed in EYs Belfast offices.

Pauline Poots leads the firms risk consulting team, while Andrei Mankov has been admitted EY UKI assurance partner and is a member of the senior leadership team of the Northern Ireland assurance department.

Rob Heron, managing partner, EY NI, said: Congratulations to Pauline and Andrei, and all our new EY partners, on reaching this exciting milestone in their careers. At EY, we are committed to investing heavily in our people and in our business, as we continue to grow at pace to meet increased client demand.

Northern Ireland is an important area of focus for EY, with dynamic indigenous businesses, increasing international investment and a strong public sector  not to mention a highly skilled and talented workforce and we look forward to deepening our presence here.

Frank OKeeffe, managing partner, EY Ireland, said: With an impressive diversity of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, these exceptional leaders will be instrumental in helping us shape the future of our proud firm. These new appointments increase the size of our partnership by 15% and put us in a great position to continue our strong growth in the years ahead.
A new project to revitalise Belfasts dilapidated city centre will see four businesses benefit from a grant scheme that aims to change the vacant to vibrant.

Large parts of the city centre have been abandoned by shops for years, with boarded up businesses now more common than open ones in areas that used to be bustling.

High rents and rates, the explosion in online shopping, and messy streets have often been cited as reasons for the demise of Belfast city centre.

The Primark fire of 2018 and Covid lockdowns only exacerbated the problem.

Now, funding has been made available by the council through its Future City Centre Programme which seeks to regenerate and diversify the city centre.

Four Belfast based businesses  including street and skateboard wear retailer Sole.Io Ltd and artisan baker The Hundredth Monkey Bakery  are set to benefit from the Vacant to Vibrant scheme.

It is in response to the rise in the number of vacant city centre properties, and includes targeted support for business start-ups, property location and grant support.

Read more Retail footfall down as public spending squeeze impacts NI consumer confidence

The councils regeneration plan, and its vacancy toolkit, has already funded a number of local independent businesses to take up vacant space in the city centre.

Councillor Cliodhna Nic Bhranair, Chair of Belfast City Councils City Growth and Regeneration Committee said: Since July 2022, our Vacant to Vibrant grant programme has focused on incentivising businesses, charities, cultural or community groups and social enterprises to breathe new life into vacant city centre properties, so that we can help tackle dereliction, protect buildings of interest, increase footfall and support job creation. And our investment is also helping to boost the rates base which can then be reinvested in essential city services.

As well as capital funding, we offer support services to link businesses with potential units, help applicants create business plans and develop social media and marketing skills. Were particularly keen to encourage applications in high vacancy areas, and to stimulate innovative offerings which will meet city centre users and visitors changing expectations and provide a real point of difference and authenticity for our city centre.

Sole.lo Ltd, a Belfast business which specialises in footwear, streetwear and professional skateboarding equipment and sponsors local skateboarding teams, has been awarded funding to create a pop-up store and event space in the ground and upper floors of 1 Cornmarket.

The scheme is supporting the business to create a unique city centre offer in a property that is due to be developed for a future long-term use.

The Hundredth Monkey Bakery, which produces artisan sourdough breads, will use the funding to expand their business in a unit that has been vacant for over a year. As well as creating a bakery and sandwich bar and open plan production space, they also plan to host community events and classes.

IN2 Engineering is using the funding to establish a creative design hub at the listed Tedfords Sail Loft Warehouse on Donegall Quay, transforming a property that has been vacant for over 20 years. The first and second floors will become an open plan studio space for architects and interior designers, graphic and web designers and a welcoming shop frontage to a maritime history interpretative space and coffee dock at ground floor level will also improve the streetscape.

The former Craft World property on Queen Street has also been awarded funding through the scheme to complete significant refurbishment works that will reactivate the property and contribute to the vibrancy of the area.

Grants of various levels are available through Vacant to Vibrant: 2.5k for pop-up ground floor use, 15k for active floor usage of up to 150m, and 25k for active floor usage over 151m. Belfast City Council has also commissioned Frazer Kidd to provide a matchmaking service by creating and regularly updating a database of vacant city centre units and properties.

The Institute of Place Management has identified the 1m pilot Vacant to Vibrant scheme as being exemplary in its inception and design and it will remain open for applications for another 12 months, or until the funding has been exhausted.

For more information on making a Vacant to Vibrant grant application, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/vacanttovibrant.
A man who conned a Belfast hotel out of 135 worth of food and drink after arriving in the city by mistake has been jailed for two months.

Prosecutors said Joseph McDonagh lyingly claimed to be a guest staying at The Hilton last month.

The 38-year-old, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard he went into the Hilton on June 22 and placed menu orders which came to 135 in total.

The defendant left without paying for the food and drink, and he was not a guest at the hotel, a prosecution representative said.

McDonagh made full admissions when arrested by police.

He intended to travel to Dublin but instead ended up in Belfast after boarding the wrong train at Dundalk, the court heard.

A defence lawyer added: He was rather inebriated at the time and understands this is likely to pass the custody threshold.

Imposing a two-month sentence, District Judge George Conner said: I am giving maximum credit for the (guilty) plea.
Caoimhin and his big brothers Dylan and Aodhan, big sister Aimee, dad Kieran and mum Caitriona

Caoimhin Adams (8) is the only person in Ireland diagnosed with ROHHAD

A Co Antrim woman has praised the cross-community efforts that local people have made in helping put on a day to remember for her terminally ill son.

Earlier this year, Caoimhin Adams became the first person on the island of Ireland to be diagnosed with ROHHAD (rapid-onset obesity with hypoventilation, hypothalamic dysfunction, autonomic dysregulation).

It is a rare, incurable disease, with a mortality rate of about 50% due to cardiorespiratory arrest.

The eight-year-olds mum, Caitriona, explained that he will eventually pass away from a heart attack.

He could literally die in an hour, she sadly explained, reiterating that she is so grateful to the wider Northern Ireland community for their help in organising a fun day for all this Saturday in Caoimhins honour.

She especially praised the endeavours of both nationalist and unionist communities in her hometown of Newtownabbey.

Caitriona added that whilst local representatives have recently been in touch regarding Caoimhins situation, she feels that, overall, there has been a lack of support from Northern Irelands politicians in terms of working together to help him.

The desperate mum noted that many MLAs and leaders could learn from those volunteering in Saturdays activities.

Both sides have come together to show that communities can do so, especially around the Twelfth of July, when there is tension sometimes, she told the Belfast Telegraph.

But theres no tension when it comes to a sick or dying child. People come together.

Read more NI health trust apologises after posting sub-national minimum wage job listing

The fun day, which has been instigated by east Belfast charity Team Dot, will take place at Caoimhins Newtownabbey home on July 8 from 2-5pm.

Residents will host a barbeque and businesses are donating balloons, banners and takeaway food vans.

Theres a shop from a Protestant road and one from the Catholic side and both are providing free crisps, sweets, juice and lollies for the day, Caitriona continued.

Hes going to have about six different inflatables coming, and a clown. Theres balloon-modelling, face-painting and photographers are coming out too.

Its the most touching, positive story. And, yes, I know that, in the end, my son is going to die, but these people have shown that life is so special, when you come together. It doesnt matter whether youre orange or green, rich or poor.

Caoimhins medical team suspected that he had ROHHAD in spring 2022, but due to the number of tests needed, and the rarity of the syndrome, he wasnt given a clinical diagnosis until the beginning of this year.

He spent 12 weeks in the Royal Victoria Hospital, including over Christmas, and was also found to be the third person in the entire world to have ROHHAD with encephalopathy, which is a disease that affects the functioning of the brain.

Caitriona explained: He was born with epilepsy, cerebral palsy and chronic lung disease. With help from the Royal Victoria Hospital, that was all stabilised until April last year, when he became really ill and started to put on loads of weight, and the Royal couldnt tell why.

His blood results always showed that it wasnt his thyroid or any other health condition. He started to have breathing problems, so then he was put on ventilation.

His brain is not telling his body how to work. So, for example, his brain isnt telling his heart how to pump blood and his oxygen levels go really dangerously low. There are times hes been on 20 litres of oxygen in the house.

Caitriona praised the work of the various teams in the Royal, who got second opinions about Caoimhins condition from the Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Caoimhins paediatric consultant, Dr Ben McNaughten, continues to help the Adams family help stabilise Caoimhins condition, even over the phone.

The childrens hospital can get really bad publicity, Caitriona said.

My son most certainly would not be on this earth at this stage of his life if it were not for the Royal. They are amazing and I will always keep everyone there in my heart.

She also listed a range of organisations which have already helped Caoimhin and his family create memories.

For example, the Kingsbridge Charitable Foundation sent the Adams family to the holiday village of Center Parcs in Longford for two days, with FonaCAB paying to have taxis take them there and back.

Smyths Toys Superstores in Newtownabbey also opened on a Sunday morning and let Caoimhin pick out any toys he wanted to take home.

Caitriona said everything that has been done for her son so far is all about experiences and memories, rather than finances.

It has never been about money. I just want Caoimhin to have a day of enjoyment that my other three children, Aimee (18), Dylan (14) and Aodhan (13), can take part in too.

They are so special, because they are Caoimhins real heroes. Theyre watching their brother pass off slowly.

I am so proud of all my children and how theyre all coping. They give me the strength to cope.

You can keep up with Caoimhins journey and learn more about his fun day via Facebook.
A plan to build social housing blocks comprising 46 apartments in Strandtown, East Belfast is being recommended for refusal by Belfast Council officials.

An application for the erection of a three storey 46 apartment building at 146 Parkgate Avenue, Belfast BT4, with associated car parking site and landscaping works, was deferred at the latest meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee, for further discussion and for councillors to conduct a site visit.

The 0.3 hectare site is unoccupied and is covered in parts by hardstanding and scrub grass.

It was previously occupied by a former residential building and has also been used for commercial purposes. The applicant is Parkgate Property Developments, of Mound Road, Dromore.

There were no objections from any of the statutory consultees. One letter of objection, from a resident at the nearby Brandon Terrace, cited concerns about height of the apartment development, loss of light and the proliferation of Japanese knotweed.

DUP MP for the area Gavin Robinson has indicated his support for the apartments proposal, citing the need for social housing in the area.

Connswater Homes Housing Association sent their support, again stating an urgent need for social housing. They added the proposed building was designed in accordance with Department for Communities guidance, to meet specific requirements in terms of the mix of housing accommodation types, parking and open space provision.

The Belfast Council officer planning report states: Having regard to the development plan and all other relevant material considerations, the proposal is considered unacceptable in that the need for social housing does not outweigh the layout, design, amenity and policy issues, and refusal is recommended.

It adds: The two buildings range between approximately 38m and 48m in length. This design approach would result in a monolithic type of massing which is out of character with the area and contextually inappropriate.

The scale of the buildings, in combination with the proportions and massing, fails to respect the existing streetscape. The applicant has argued that the proposal fits comfortably within the context of the area and neighbouring buildings, however, it is considered that the length and massing is inappropriate to the scale of the street.

Whilst the area contains several apartment developments, they are not of a similar scale in terms of length and resulting massing. When read as an entity a proposal of this scale in the local context is an indicator of overdevelopment.

It states: Whilst a three storey height forms part of the character of the area, the design and layout of the proposal in proximity to an existing apartment development at number 2a Brandon Parade creates an unacceptable relationship, and will have a detrimental impact on the residential amenity of existing residents.

The three storey element and roof height create dominant bulk and massing due to its close proximity to the apartment development at No.2a Brandon Terrace. It would appear as a dominant and overbearing feature creating overshadowing due to its height in the street scene which is indicative of overdevelopment.

The inter relationship of apartments between units Nos 1 and 14, 15 and 30, 31 and 46 would result in direct overlooking and intervisibility due to the orientation of the building, the positioning of windows and the limited separation distance. This is considered unacceptable and would compromise the amenity of prospective residents.

The report adds: It is considered that the scheme fails to provide quality amenity and landscaped space.

Green Councillor Aine Groogan said at the committee meeting: I absolutely accept there is a housing crisis, and the need to provide more homes. But it is exactly that, homes, and long-term sustainable healthy homes (we need), and not to just throw up housing for the sake of throwing up housing. So it is very important that we get good quality housing, and not just approve anything that comes before us  that is the duty upon us all in the Planning Committee.

UUP Alderman Jim Rodgers said: I was rather surprised at a refusal coming forward. There is such a long waiting list in this district, most elected representatives are absolutely tortured every day with people telling them they cant get anywhere to live, and anywhere to sleep. I would have thought this was a good opportunity.

He said: We have been trying desperately hard to uplift this district, and this refusal is a slap in the face.

DUP Alderman Dean McCullough said: It is a real stretch to refuse this. A lot of these considerations are minor, and the applicants have given a clear commitment around their willingness to engage and to work.

Alliance Councillor David Bell said: I am very aware, representing Titanic, that there is a pressing need for such housing. However I am not prepared to just ignore the comments from officers, and I am sure they are founded in good common sense.

Its not a case of housing or no housing, its a case of getting the housing up to a standard they should be. With social housing, we should not be accepting anything less than the highest quality, and if this isnt reaching that target, then we should find some way of doing that.

The application will return to the Belfast City Council Planning Committee in August.
A 30-year-old man has been arrested.

A police officer has been bitten and two others assaulted while responding to an altercation in south Belfast.

Inspector Bell said: "Police attended the scene of an altercation in the Botanic Avenue area at around 11.40pm on Thursday July 6.

"A 30-year old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of common assault and disorderly behaviour.

"While he was being arrested, the man bit a police officer and assaulted another two and was further arrested for assault on police. The officers sustained minor injuries.

"The man remains in police custody at this time and enquiries are ongoing."

Inspector Bell said all assaults and attacks on police officers are totally unacceptable: Our officers are working night and day to protect the public and the communities that they serve.

"Assaults should not be tolerated in any instance but they will not deter our officers from continuing their work every day to keep people safe.
Broadcaster Stephen Nolan has transferred all shares in his production company to a firm solely controlled by bookmaker Paul McLean, it has been reported.

Up until December, the Nolan Show host had been sole shareholder of Third Street Studios, which was set up in 2014.

Now the Irish News has revealed details of a transaction transferring all shares in the firm to a company headed by Mr McLean, the managing director of McLeans Bookmakers. However, Mr Nolan remains Third Streets sole director.

Third Street Studios produces TV and radio shows for the BBC such as Feed Yourself Fitter with Stephen Nolan, Made in NI, The Top Table, The Shankill Bomb and My First Home.

Shareholder funds in the firm stood at 3.9m over the 15 months in the abridged accounts up to March 29 2022, up 5.4% from 3.7m in the 12 months to December 31, 2020.

According to Companies House records uncovered by the Irish News, Tsseot Limited, a company incorporated in September 2022, is the trustee of the Third Street Studios Limited Employee Ownership Trust, established on November 11 last year.

An employee ownership trust (EOT) enables a company to become owned by its employees.

Days later an agreement was signed transferring the shares in the company from Third Street Studios to Tsseot as the trustee and "person of significant control".

Mr Nolan ceded his position as a person of significant control, the main shareholder, on November 16.

Tsseots sole director and person of significant control is Vincent Paul McLean, described in Companies House documents as a turf accountant.

His address in the documents is 402 Lisburn Road, the same as the headquarters of McLeans Bookmakers.

Read more Reformed drugs mule Michaella McCollum graduates from university

Third Street had an average of three employees during the 15 months to the end of March 2022, down from four in 2020. A picture of four employees on the company website features Radio Ulster presenter Vinny Hurrell, a former producer of Mr Nolans radio show.

Mr Nolan, in a statement quoted by the Irish News and now provided to the Belfast Telegraph, said he was "delighted" staff will be advised by "one of the most successful entrepreneurs" in Northern Ireland.

Third Street has been approached by an industry leader in London to discuss teaming up to develop programmes for the national and international market," he said.

"We first came to their attention because of the massive audience success in terms of iPlayer activations from the prison series Third St made for the BBC, both locally (Nolan Inside Hydebank) and for BBC3 network (Boys Banged Up)

"There is now a chance for the company to grow, but it will be a hard journey and Im 50 this year.

"So the talented employees behind the scenes of Third St (present and future) will now have a real stake in the company through employee ownership and be on the journey themselves of growing the company with the exciting opportunities that we are lucky to have in play."

Mr McLean heads up a bookmaker's with more than 60 shops around Northern Ireland. It was founded by his father, Alfie. Mr McLean has been approached for comment by the Belfast Telegraph.

According to filed documents, Tssoet is now the relevant legal entity (RLE) of Third Street Studios, holding more than 75% of the shares and with the right to appoint or remove directors.

Mr Nolan is currently on holiday and his radio show is being presented by Holly Hamilton.

In his statement, Mr Nolan said he was "delighted that one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Northern Ireland will be advising the staff about all the business elements of running a company".

"The aim is to grow Third St so that it can create formats, IP and shows that will be successful locally, nationally and internationally - and hopefully that will mean more job creation as well, Mr Nolan said.

"Now that employee ownership is in play - I want creators to know that they can have a real stake in the business if they work for Third St .

"So hopefully talented TV people who are also entrepreneurs will get in touch so that long after I retire Third St continues to create compelling content - with the staff at the heart of the business."

Asked if BBC NI has been aware of Third Street and Mr Nolan's commercial relationship with Mr McLean, a spokesperson told the Belfast Telegraph: We have well-established arrangements in place to record, and deal with, any potential conflicts of interest involving BBC staff.

All of this is about protecting the integrity and independence of BBC programmes and our editorial decision-making. Its a routine part of what we do and is kept under regular review.

They added: Stephen Nolans salary for his work on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle and Nolan Live on BBC television is published in the BBCs Annual Report and Accounts.

Our contractual arrangements with independent production companies that make programmes for the BBC are commercially confidential. Rigorous editorial, financial and other controls apply to all of these commissions.

Read more Political parties boycott of the Nolan Show threatens free speech

Meanwhile, the BBC is carrying out a content review of Mr Nolan's morning radio programme, The Nolan Show. It follows a boycott of the morning show by the SDLP since its South Belfast MLA Matthew OToole was cut-off on air by Mr Nolan.

Sinn Fein has refused to take part in the show for a number of years.
Storms could be accompanied by hail in some cases.

Northern Ireland is set to be hit by heavy rain and thunder on Friday, the Met Office has said.

A weather warning for heavy showers and thunderstorms will be in effect from 11am until 6pm on Friday July 7.

The warning is in place for Counties Antrim, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tyrone.

Showers and thunderstorms may bring heavy downpours to parts of Northern Ireland, possibly being accompanied by hail and frequent lightning.

In some places, storms could merge to produce a longer spell of wet weather, resulting in as much as 20 to 30mm of rain in just two or three hours in some spots.

The thundery conditions could effect a number of events taking place this weekend, including the Stendhal Festival in Limavady which kicked off on Thursday evening.

Organisers said those who braved the rain for the opening night of the festival were heroes.

Some festival goers described conditions as epic.

Read more Northern Ireland records its warmest June EVER

"We deserve special badges, said one reveller.

"Wellies advised for the day but dont let the weather stop you from coming. Support local festivals and have a blast, we will, said another.

The unsettled conditions are set to continue over the weekend and into next week with thundery downpours forecast, said the Met Office.

Saturday will see a dry and bright start, with heavy and perhaps thunder showers developing through the morning.

It will become cloudy from the south as a band of rain pushed up from the southwest through the day, often becoming heavy with a risk of thunder at times.

There will be strong winds, particularly in coastal areas, but it will feel warm and humid with highs of 22C.

There will be clear spells overnight with winds easing and a fresher feel developing with overnight lows of 10C.

Sunday morning will bring another dry and bright start, but showers will again develop throughout the day, becoming heavy with a risk of thunder and hail into the afternoon.

Winds will be lighter than Saturday, though gusty in the heaviest showers. The showers will ease through the evening with clear spells developing overnight.

Light winds and overnight temperatures in the high single figures in rural spots, or low double figures in towns and cities.
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth had campaigned to stop the development.

An application to build a car park on the site of a popular food market has been withdrawn, a Green Party councillor has confirmed.

There was controversy last year after a planning application was submitted to Belfast City Council which sought to turn the complex into a short-stay car park.

Green Party councillor Brian Smyth had opposed the plans, beginning a campaign against the development six months ago.

He said he was delighted to hear it had now been withdrawn.

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"I began the campaign to save Common Market 6 months ago and it has had considerable public interest, he told Belfast Live.

"As many value the space and it has helped breath life into a previously disused fruit and veg warehouse.

"I am overjoyed we've won this, but the battle for a Greener Cleaner Fairer City Centre goes on. We've still so much to do to regenerate large parts of it, but as a Green Councillor I'm committed to building something people centred that will last generations.

"We are fighting for the heart and soul of our city, let's deliver high quality green space, support investment and entrepreneurs and create jobs, instead of endless car parks, a gridlocked city and dirty air."
MLAs previously passed a motion calling for a ban by 2021 but Executive collapse delayed legislation

A Northern Ireland council is to demand Stormont permanent secretaries implement a ban on the torture of conversion therapy as a matter of urgency.

The controversial treatment is used as a means of trying to stop or suppress a gay persons sexuality, or stop them from identifying as a different gender to their sex recorded at birth.

All members of the DUP abstained in the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) vote due to concern over religious freedom.

MLAs passed a non-binding motion (59 to 24 votes) calling for a ban on conversion therapy in all its forms in April 2021.

However, the collapse of an Executive has delayed the legislation.

Bringing a motion forward, Newry SDLP councillor Doire Finn said: Acknowledging councils previous agreement to oppose conversion therapy practices; expressing its disappointment that the Executive failed to act on the outlawing of this practice.

The council expresses further dissatisfaction that the practice of conversion therapy remains legal, stands in solidarity with members of the LGBT+ community and recognising the ongoing absence of an Assembly, Executive and Ministers.

This council reaffirms its opposition to conversion therapy and support for the LGBT+ community, and will write to the permanent secretaries of health, justice and communities to detail what work can be undertaken by their offices to prepare for the implementation of such a ban in advance of a re-established Executive.

She added: Described by the UN as form of torture it can lead to a lifelong mental or physical health impact.

There are countless harrowing accounts of those who have experienced conversion therapy and the lasting damage it has done to them and how difficult it has made their journey to come to terms with who they are.

In my mind no one should feel ashamed of who they love or who they are.

We all have a duty to speak out against conversion therapy.

I am asking my fellow councillors to send a clear message, to say we stand in solidarity against this practice and will take any actions we can to see the banning of conversion therapy become a reality.

We need to write to the permanent secretaries to implement this ban as a matter of urgency.

In the last week Newry joined in on the International Pride celebrations by hosting Youth Pride Newry, from 26 June to 2 July with young people at the forefront of the annual Pride parade event for the first time.

This week the council chamber heard that a lack of definition on what conversion therapy is was delaying the legislation on its ban.

Rowallane DUP councillor, Jonathan Jackson said: The DUP believes that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is wrong.

Everyone should be treated with respect in the community.

The DUP supports a ban on harmful and coercive practices involved in conversion therapy.

We will not support any legislation that does not support protection of religious freedom.

We express deep concern with many practices that have been promoted under the umbrella of conversion therapy.

These include electro compulsive therapy, forced isolation, aversion therapy, food deprivation, and hypnotherapy.

He added: There is a broader agreement on a need for ban on conversion therapy, but the difficulty for any legislation is actually defining what conversion therapy is.

The lack of a clear definition has delayed legislation being brought in at Westminster.

It is the lack of this definition, not the absence of an Executive for the power to bring about his legislation.

We have to ensure that the banning of conversion therapy does not prevent those who are uncertain about their sexuality from accessing support.
A judge has described the latest stage of a money fight between retired businessman Sir Frederick Barclay and his ex-wife Lady Hiroko Barclay as a charade (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

A judge has described the latest stage of a long-running money fight between retired businessman Sir Frederick Barclay and his ex-wife as a charade.

Sir Jonathan Cohen has been told that Sir Frederick, 88, and Lady Hiroko Barclay, who is also in her 80s, are trying to reach a settlement.

The judge has heard the settlement involves Sir Frederick paying Lady Barclay a sum of money.

He oversaw two hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London earlier this week and was told by an adviser to Sir Frederick that people were waiting for money to arrive in an account

Barrister Stewart Leech KC, who is leading Lady Barclays legal team, told the judge at a another hearing on Friday that money had not arrived in the account.

Sir Jonathan said: Charade.

Mr Leech replied: That is our impression as well.

A judge has been told Lady Hiroko Barclay is involved in a dispute over money with ex-husband Sir Frederick Barclay (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Barrister Max Turnell, who is representing Sir Frederick, said money was being borrowed.

Sir Fredrick is borrowing money from another loaning party, he told the judge.

That loaning party has borrowed the money from a lender.

He added: It is not something that is in our control.

Sir Jonathan said he had adjourned hearings on the basis that a settlement was in the offing.

I have been told on four or five occasions that this case needs to be adjourned because there is a deal that is about to cone fruition, said the judge.

At the moment I dont have any certainty that it is ever going to happen.

He added: I have been told on countless occasions over the last few months that this is all happening  and every time it doesnt happen.

The pairs fight over money began more than two years ago.

In May 2021, Sir Jonathan had ordered Sir Frederick to hand Lady Barclay lump sums totalling 100 million following the breakdown of their 34-year marriage.

Sir Jonathan, who has been told that the money has yet to be paid, said then that Sir Frederick had behaved in a reprehensible fashion during the litigation.

The judge was told on Tuesday that the pair had been trying to resolve the matter and needed more time.

He was told on Wednesday that money had yet to arrive in an account.

Lady Barclay, who petitioned for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, has complained Sir Frederick had not paid her as ordered  and alleged that he was in contempt of court.

Sir Jonathan subsequently ruled that Sir Frederick was in contempt as a result of failing to pay about 245,000 he owed his ex-wife for legal fees and maintenance.

Sir David Barclay and his twin brother Sir Frederick after receiving their knighthoods from the Queen at Buckingham Palace (Michael Stephens/PA)

Sir Frederick and his twin brother, Sir David Barclay, were among the UKs most high-profile businessmen.

Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

Their interests included the Telegraph Media Group and The Ritz hotel in London.

The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan has been told that Sir Davids sons Aidan and Howard Barclay now have day-to-day responsibility for group business.

In June, news emerged that the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator magazine were likely to be put up for sale after talks between their owners and lenders collapsed.

It came after the Barclay family denied that the business could face administration.

Howard Barclay later gave evidence.

He told the judge that prospective buyers might view the Telegraph group as a distressed asset.

Mr Leech asked him whether there was a possibility that the Barclay family might regain control of the group.

I think that is a very sensitive question, Howard Barclay told the judge.

I would rather not have to answer that question.

It is always possible, but I would rather not go into detail.

He said he and his brother Aidan had been trying to help Sir Frederick.

Howard Barclay added: At the moment the business is simply not in a position to do that.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is not aware of migration proposals put forward to his predecessor, No 10 said (Susannah Ireland/PA)

Rishi Sunak is unaware of Home Office emergency brake proposals on migration which were reportedly rejected by his predecessor, No 10 has suggested.

The Sun reported that the Home Office had drawn up a policy document which suggested ministers could cap entry visas, raise fees and increase salary thresholds in a bid to meet the Conservative 2019 manifesto pledge to reduce overall migration.

The newspaper said it was former prime minister Liz Truss who rejected the proposals.

Downing Street, asked whether Mr Sunak could revisit the measures, said the Prime Minister had introduced the toughest ever action to curb the numbers of people legally arriving into Britain.

Net migration into the UK hit a new record high of 606,000 last year, driven by people from non-European Union countries arriving for work, study and humanitarian reasons.

In anticipation of the new figures, Mr Sunaks administration announced restrictions on most overseas students being able to bring their families and other dependents over to the UK with them as a way of cutting the numbers.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman pointed out that it was not Mr Sunak who dismissed the so-called emergency brake.

The No 10 official, asked what Mr Sunak thought about the proposals, said: Im not sure he has seen proposals from under a previous prime minister.

For his part, he looked at the issue of net migration and introduced the toughest ever action to reduce migration by removing the right for most international students to bring family members.

We think the plan that we introduced struck the right balance between significantly reducing net migration numbers but also ensuring we can grow our economy.

A Whitehall source, quoted by The Sun, said the emergency brake was just sitting there gathering dust.

The Treasury had kittens about it but if ministers actually wanted to get the numbers down, here is how they could, the source told the newspaper.

A source close to Ms Truss said Britains shortest-serving prime minister had her own plan for cutting incoming numbers but did not comment on whether she rejected the Home Office brake concept.

Former prime minister Liz Truss reportedly rejected the Home Offices emergency brake proposals (Victoria Jones/PA)

Liz has always been sceptical about top-down targets of any kind, the source told the PA news agency.

Her intention was to reduce the net migration numbers by limiting the number of dependants overseas students could bring with them and raising the salary threshold applied to those wanting to come from overseas to work here.

These measures would have significantly reduced the numbers.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman announced in May that new restrictions would be applied to international students studying in the UK.

Due to be applied from January, the measures will ban overseas students, apart from postgraduates on research programmes, from obtaining visas for their dependents.

Some 136,000 visas were granted to dependants of sponsored students in 2022, an increase from 16,000 in 2019 when the Tory election manifesto committed the party to reducing net migration by using post-Brexit controls.

Following the UKs divorce from Brussels, Britain is able to set its own migration policy, with free movement with the EU ended.

The emergency brake reports come after a group of right-wing Tory MPs put forward proposals designed to assist the Government in meeting its manifesto pledge on migration.

The New Conservatives, made up of MPs elected since the Brexit vote and backed by party deputy chairman Lee Anderson, recommended ministers close temporary visa schemes for care workers and cap the number of refugees resettling in the UK at 20,000.

Separately, Mr Sunaks administration is looking to crack down on the numbers of people arriving in Britain through unauthorised routes using its Illegal Migration Bill.

The flagship legislation, which is designed to address the crisis of small boats of migrants crossing the English Channel, is due back in the Commons on Tuesday following its mauling by peers in the House of Lords.

Channel crossings resumed on Friday amid calmer weather conditions, marking the first arrivals for the month so far.

More than 11,000 people have made the journey this year, according to provisional Government data. The latest figures are due to be published on Saturday.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: The Government remains committed to reducing overall net migration. Most importantly we are tackling illegal migration by stopping the boats and delivering control of our borders.

In May we took action to reduce migration by removing the right for most international students to bring family members, while continuing to benefit from the skills and resources our economy needs.

We will continue to strike the right balance between supporting the UK economy through skilled worker visas and upholding our commitment to reduce migration over time.
Sir Frederick Barclay outside the Royal Courts Of Justice, in central London (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

The ex-wife of retired businessman Sir Frederick Barclay is still waiting for money she hopes will settle a long-running divorce court fight, a judge has been told.

Sir Jonathan Cohen said he had heard several times that Sir Frederick, 88, was going to hand cash to Lady Hiroko Barclay, who is also in her 80s, as part of a settlement deal.

But Sir Fredericks adviser, Martin Clarke, told the judge on Friday that money had still not arrived in a bank account.

Sir Jonathan, who has been overseeing hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London, described the situation as a charade.

Martin Clarke, adviser to Sir Frederick Barclay, outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London (Jordan Pettit/PA)

He said he would reconsider the case on Friday July 14.

The pairs fight over money began more than two years ago.

In May 2021, Sir Jonathan had ordered Sir Frederick to hand Lady Barclay lump sums totalling 100 million following the breakdown of their 34-year marriage.

A judge has been told Lady Hiroko Barclay is involved in a dispute over money with ex-husband Sir Frederick Barclay (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Sir Jonathan, who has been told that the money has yet to be paid, said then that Sir Frederick had behaved in a reprehensible fashion during the litigation.

The judge said on Friday he had adjourned recent hearings on the basis that a settlement was in the offing.

I have been told on four or five occasions that this case needs to be adjourned because there is a deal that is about to come to fruition, said the judge.

At the moment I dont have any certainty that it is ever going to happen.

The judge added: I have been told on countless occasions over the last few months that this is all happening  and every time it doesnt happen.

He went on: This has been going on for months and months and months.

Barrister Max Turnell, who represented Sir Frederick, said money was being borrowed.

Sir Frederick is borrowing money from another loaning party, he told the judge.

That loaning party has borrowed the money from a lender.

He added: It is not something that is in our control.

Lady Barclay, who petitioned for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, has complained Sir Frederick had not paid her as ordered  and alleged that he was in contempt of court.

Sir Jonathan subsequently ruled that Sir Frederick was in contempt as a result of failing to pay about 245,000 he owed his ex-wife for legal fees and maintenance.

Sir David Barclay and his twin brother Sir Frederick after receiving their knighthoods from the Queen at Buckingham Palace (Michael Stephens/PA)

Sir Frederick and his twin brother, Sir David Barclay, were among the UKs most high-profile businessmen.

Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

Their interests included the Telegraph Media Group and The Ritz hotel in London.

The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan has been told that Sir Davids sons Aidan and Howard Barclay now have day-to-day responsibility for group business.

In June, news emerged that the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator magazine were likely to be put up for sale after talks between their owners and lenders collapsed.

It came after the Barclay family denied that the business could face administration.

Howard Barclay, the son of the late Sir David Barclay, arrives at the Royal Courts of Justice ahead of the latest hearing (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Howard Barclay gave evidence at Fridays hearing.

He told the judge that prospective buyers might view the Telegraph group as a distressed asset.

He said he and his brother Aidan had been trying to help Sir Frederick.

Howard Barclay added: At the moment the business is simply not in a position to do that.
Jens Stoltenberg said the leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of Nato (Virginia Mayo/AP)

Nato leaders will agree next week to help modernise Ukraines armed forces, create a new high-level forum for consultations and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day, the organisations top civilian official has said.

But the war-torn country will not start membership talks soon.

At a two-day summit starting on Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defence spending as allies pour weapons, ammunition and other support such as uniforms and medical equipment into Ukraine, 17 months into the war.

They also hope to welcome Sweden as the next member of the worlds biggest security organisation, if they can overcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans objections, even though its accession would only be made official in the coming months.

For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe, seeking to destroy Ukraine and divide Nato, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Friday. At the summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger, and set out a vision for its future.

Mr Stoltenberg said the leaders will agree a multi-year programme of assistance to ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian armed forces and Nato.

A Nato-Ukraine Council  where crisis talks can be held  will be established. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the councils first meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Mr Stoltenberg said the leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of Nato and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal.

Nato first pledged that Ukraine would become a member one day in 2008, but things have evolved little since then.

Asked when, or how, Ukraine might join, Mr Stoltenberg said that the most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails.

US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defence spending (Meg Kinnard/AP)

The US, Germany and some other allies consider that Ukraine should not be invited in while its at war, so as not to encourage Russia to widen the conflict.

With Ukraine imploring its Western partners for more weapons and ammunition, and national military stocks among its partners depleting, Nato is encouraging the 31 allies to boost their military budgets.

In 2014, Nato allies pledged to move towards spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2024. In Vilnius, they will make 2% the minimum, but will not set any timeframe for achieving that goal, Nato officials say. Under new estimates released on Friday, only 11 of the allies will reach the 2% goal in 2023.

But Mr Stoltenberg said that good progress is being made. In 2023, there will be a real increase of 8.3% across European allies and Canada. This is the biggest increase in decades.

Question marks remain about Swedens future at Nato. It abandoned a long history of military nonalignment last year to seek protection under the organisations security umbrella after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Erdogan appears set to steal the summit limelight. He accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt.

Czech Republic President Petr Pavel welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Prague (Petr David Josek/AP)

Hungary is also holding up approval of Swedens candidacy, but has never clearly stated publicly its concerns. Nato officials expect that Hungary will follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections.

The other 29 allies, Sweden and Mr Stoltenberg have all said the country has done enough to satisfy Turkeys demands. Sweden has changed its constitution, modified anti-terror laws and lifted an arms embargo on Turkey, among other concessions.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all 31 members to expand.

Mr Stoltenberg, Mr Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will hold talks in Vilnius on Monday in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Despite the mounting pressure, Turkeys president stood firm Friday.

At a graduation for military students, Mr Erdogan said: We are ready to embrace anyone who is loyal to the alliances core values.

We do not hesitate to show our reaction toward those who protect terrorists and do not take the necessary measures in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Stoltenberg was speaking a day after Mr Zelensky visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, discussing military aid and receiving assurances of support for Ukraines entry into Nato after the war with Russia is over.

Czech President Petr Pavel said it is in the interest of his country and Ukraine that as soon as the war ends negotiations about Nato membership begin.

Earlier on Thursday, during a brief visit at the invitation of Bulgarias new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Mr Zelensky also discussed European integration and bilateral energy co-operation.
The festival takes place in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

Thousands of thrill-seekers have taken part in the first running of the bulls at this years San Fermin Festival in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona.

Several runners took knocks and hard falls in the event on Friday morning but no one was gored by the animals, a frequent feature of the spectacle.

The festival attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Nearly 1.7 million people visited Pamplona for the celebrations in 2022, and forecasts are higher for this year with all Covid-19 constraints ended.

The festival in Pamplona was made famous by Ernest Hemingways 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

In the run, six bulls guided by six tame oxen charged along a route through Pamplonas streets for around two minutes and 30 seconds before reaching the bull ring.

The festival was made famous by Ernest Hemingways 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Hemingways first visit to the festival.

Fridays run was the first of eight scheduled to take place. The rest of day usually involves drinking, eating and attending cultural events.

Four runners were gored in the festival last year, while 16 people have died in bull runs since 1910, most recently in 2009.

People avoid the bulls in Pamplona (Alvaro Barrientos/AP)

The bulls that run each morning are killed in the afternoon by professional bullfighters.

Animal rights activists campaign against the festival, claiming it is cruel.

Expert bull runners, mostly locals, try to sprint at full steam just in front of the bull horns before peeling off at the last second.

The inexperienced, a group that includes most foreigners, do well enough to scramble out of the way, often ending up in piles of fellow runners.

Almost everyone in Pamplona wears the traditional white shirt and trousers with red sash and neckerchief during the colourful festival.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, discussing military aid and receiving assurances of support for Ukraines entry into Nato after the war with Russia is over.

Czech President Petr Pavel said it is in the interest of his country and Ukraine that as soon as the war ends negotiations about Nato membership begin.

Im convinced that Ukraine will be part of Nato, Mr Zelensky said in Prague, adding that an ideal result of next weeks Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, would be an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance.

Earlier on Thursday, during a brief visit at the invitation of Bulgarias new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Mr Zelensky also discussed European integration and bilateral energy co-operation.

Talking to reporters after the meetings, he defended Ukraines right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.

Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred, Mr Zelensky said. This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov emphasised the support of his country, a European Union and Nato member, for Ukraines territorial integrity.

Bulgaria is consistent in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine because we are convinced that an independent and sovereign Ukraine is key for Euro-Atlantic security in the region, Mr Denkov said after the talks.

Russia should withdraw unconditionally within its internationally recognised borders and should bear its responsibility, he added.

Czech Republic President Petr Pavel welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Prague (Petr David Josek/AP)

Also on Thursday, Bulgarias parliament approved a declaration of support for Ukraine to join the Nato military alliance once the war is over.

According to the declaration, the fastest track to the restoration of peace in Ukraine, the Black Sea region and Europe is Russias full and immediate withdrawal beyond the internationally recognised borders of the affected sovereign states.

The declaration, which was backed by a majority in the parliament, also called for continued military and technical support for Ukraine so it can defend itself.

The document was opposed by the Socialist party and a nationalist pro-Kremlin group.

Later in the day, Mr Zelensky faced opposition to sending military supplies to Ukraine from Bulgarias largely ceremonial president, Rumen Radev.

I continue to maintain that this conflict has no military solution, and more and more weapons will not solve it, Mr Radev said.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov (Virginia Mayo/AP)

He called for consistent efforts to de-escalate, for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution with the tools of diplomacy.

Although the presidential post in Bulgaria is mostly ceremonial, it provides a strong platform to influence public opinion. Large parts of the population share pro-Russian sympathies based on historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.

In Prague, Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Pavel for his countrys support. The Czech Republic has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression and the Czech president said it is not going to change.

The Czech Republic gave Ukraine arms, including heavy weapons such as Soviet-era tanks, armoured vehicles and ammunition. The country has accepted a total of 500,000 refugees from Ukraine.

Ahead of the Nato summit, the presidents of an informal group known as the Bucharest Nine, the nations in the eastern-most parts of the Nato alliance, voiced their support in June for Ukraines eventual membership once conditions allow.

The nine countries are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Meanwhile, the European Union has taken a major step in approving plans to boost its anaemic production of ammunition and missiles within the 27-nation bloc, to both defend itself and quickly help Ukraine in trying to push back the invasion by Russia.

The EU presidency announced early Friday that the member states and the EU Parliament reached a deal to urgently mobilise half a billion euros from its budget for an Act in Support of Ammunition Production.

The deal follows up the decision by EU leaders in March to boost urgently needed ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, which were then sought to start a counter-offensive against Russian forces.
Lightstock

On Good Friday, three crosses stood at Golgotha. Jesus was on the middle cross, willing to take our deserved punishment. On the other crosses were two thieves, sentenced to die for their crimes. Three crosses and three men. Two needed salvation that only one could provide.

We dont typically think about the men crucified with Jesus, the convicts on Jesus left and right. After all, their punishment was just. The Bible doesnt say much about them, but we can learn from them. The words the Bible uses to describe these men give insight into why there were crucified and who they were.

The Greek words used in the Gospels to describe them can be interpreted as robbers, criminals, thieves, rebels, revolutionaries, and malefactors. The Greek word used by Mark and Matthew includes the idea of looting by violence, and Lukes word choice suggests someone who is an evil-doer. These two men were hardened, violent criminals whom Rome considered a threat to their control.

Execution by crucifixion was a sober restriction from similar behavior from others. Roman citizens and the upper classes were typically spared from this torturous and cruel form of judgment. Still, Rome used it with the lower classes, enslaved people, and those deemed a menace to the social order or Roman rule.

Who were these thieves?

All four gospels mention these two thieves, but Mark, Matthew, and John only say they were crucified with Jesus. Luke 23:32-43 is the only verse that mentions the interaction between Jesus and the criminals. We dont know their names, but they deserved their punishment by law. Their sins earned them an eternal spiritual penalty and a brutal physical death. Jesus didnt deserve the sentence, but He hung amongst them, as the prophet Isaiah foretold in Isaiah 53:12 and as the Father purposed.

The two thieves were aggressive men that lived to kill, destroy and steal. Their lives furthered Satans purposes; in contrast, as described in John 10:9-10, Jesus came to provide abundant and whole life to those who would receive it.

What happened to the two thieves crucified with Jesus?

Jesus offered abundant life to all, even the two thieves crucified with Him. However, one thief rejected it, and his response reflected the soldiers, crowds, and Jewish leaders gathered at Jesus cross. Like them, he had spiritual blindness and failed to see the truth before him. On the other hand, the second thief graciously and gladly accepted the life Jesus offered. He acknowledged his wrongdoings, recognized the authority and power of Jesus, and asked to be received as a citizen of His kingdom.

Jesus extended grace and mercy to the repentant, humble thief. He promised the thief that he would be welcomed into Paradise, the perpetual dwelling place of the righteous after his physical death. This evil, violent criminal was made anew in Christ.

What can we learn from these two thieves?

Like these two thieves, everyone has lived as a sinner, as detailed in Romans 3:10-11. No matter how much society judges our sins severity, we are all hardened, violent criminals compared to the holiness of God. Our sins have earned the death penalty. The thief who chose salvation was securely nailed to a cross, where he couldnt do anything. He couldnt join the church, be baptized, walk down the aisle, or do good works. All he could do was accept Jesus gift of eternal life. He came with a believing and repentant heart and empty hands.

These two criminals represent the worst of humanity. These mean men violently took what they wanted. However, no matter how igregious their sin, no one is beyond Jesus grace. He willingly suffered the most brutal death to cover the most heinous sins. The thief who chose not to accept Jesus salvation mockingly asked Him to prove Himself by saving the two thieves and Himself, as detailed in Luke 23:39.

Jesus couldve quickly summoned angels to help Him, but in saving Himself, humanity wouldnt have hope for eternity. Staying on the cross was His only way to provide salvation. He was the perfect substitute sacrifice, and His death paid for our sins. Thats the reason why He is the only way to salvation. There are only two destinations, eternal judgment in hell or life in heaven with Jesus. We cant sit on the fence, and failing to choose Jesus is choosing to reject Him. Everyone will make a choice, and that choice directs our eternity. One thief chose life and Jesus, while the other rejected Him, thus choosing eternal damnation.

The one thief acknowledged his sin and believed the testimony about Jesus. He was the long-expected Messiah and the King of the Jews. This thief knew that heaven was eternal and spiritual, not of the world, as described in John 18:36, and the thief trusted Jesus with his eternity. These thieves lived parallel lives on earth, but their eternal lives are stark contrasts. Even now, theyre experiencing the results of their choices.

One thief rejected Jesus, choosing eternal damnation, while the other believed in Jesus and received eternal life. Their choice is the same one well all face one day. What will you do with Jesus? Which will you choose? We dont know the names of these two thieves or their stories before they get to the cross. However, we know that they committed a crime and received their punishment. While one rejected Jesus, the other chose eternal life and lived in Paradise with Jesus.
Total War: Pharaoh  Egyptian Faction Overview

2 Minute Read

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Come meet the leaders of ancient Egypt, and get a look at their factions in the upcoming Total War: Pharaoh. The Bronze Age awaits.

Total War: Pharaoh is not far around the corner. And Creative Assembly, makers of the Total War: Warhammer trilogy, are hard at work bringing the bronze age at its finest to you. In their newest trailer, we get a look at the leaders and faction mechanics of the Egyptian forces youll be able to command.

Whether you take on the military might of Ramesses II, the strategic and diplomatic depth of Tausret, the raiding and plundering of Seti, or the economic mastery of Amenmesse theres a variety of playstyles present here. Lets take a look at some of them.

Total War Pharaoh  Egyptian Lords And Factions

In Total War: PHARAOH, the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series, immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction. With dynamic real-time battles and incredible turn-based empire management, can you rise above your adversaries to become Egypts last great Pharaoh and stand against the collapse of an iconic civilisation?

With the end looming for the great Pharaoh Merneptah, the people of Egypt cry out for a new leader. Many desire the power of the throne, but the path to becoming Pharaoh is a perilous one. Unearth a breathtakingly vibrant recreation of the Bronze Age Collapse as you battle societal disarray, face natural disasters and fight to protect your people against waves of invaders.

In this Egyptian faction deep dive, we get a look at the four factions on the Egyptian side. Each of these has their own different playstyle.

Ramesses is a young, ambitious leader whose faction is all about martial prowess and speed. Ramesses can fight with all weapons, and enhances his own troops, making them full of elite warriors, able to take and dish out more than the average soldier. He is also very quick, capable of two court actions as well, making him a threat on the battlefield and off.

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Seti, on the other hand, is all about war. Seti focuses entirely on building up a military capable of raiding and training quickly. As a leader, he can boost morale and improve his troops, though it comes at the expense of outside opinions of him.

Tausret is all about strategy and diplomacy. She can get an efficient, effective economy going while buffing her nearby provinces with unique buildings that layer in with each other to create a strong foundation. Add to that her own machinations, and Tausret can snowball pretty handily.

Finally Amenmesse, the Viceroy of Kush. He is all about gold. And the mining thereof. Sure theres a lot of suffering related to extracting the gold from the earth, but when you can pay money to make your opinion rise, who cares?

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Pre-order Total War: Pharaoh on Steam

The collapse of the Bronze Age awaits!

Author: J.R. Zambrano Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and on occasion eats sandwiches. You can ask him about either at [email protected]

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Protesters prepare to burn the flag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) grouping, as they take part in a flash mob demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, June 14, 2021.

ASEAN chair Indonesia said Friday it was increasing efforts to implement a five-point consensus to end instability in post-coup Myanmar, while Burmese civil society groups called for the ineffective plan to be junked.

The crisis in Myanmar is expected to be one of the main topics at a series of ministerial-level meetings that Indonesia will host next week as the 2023 chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The talks will involve ASEAN members and other countries, including the United States, China and Russia.

Jakarta has been communicating with all parties in Myanmar to persuade them to support implementing the consensus, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

We have conducted 110 engagements, in the form of in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and phone calls, including my own face-to-face meetings with both the NUG and SAC foreign ministers on several occasions, Retno told reporters, referring to the National Unity Government, the shadow civilian administration, and the junta, which calls itself the State Administration Council.

ASEAN leaders agreed on the consensus during an emergency summit in April 2021, but the Southeast Asian bloc has since been heavily criticized for inaction in pressing ahead with the five-point plan.

It aims to reduce violence in Myanmar after the Burmese military toppled an elected government in February that year. The plan demands an immediate halt to violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the visit of a delegation to Myanmar.

The junta agreed to this consensus but reneged on it, prompting ASEAN to exclude any representative from the Myanmar junta from its meetings, starting in October 2021.

Most ASEAN states have no interest in democracy

Meanwhile, a network of Burmese civil society groups, which calls itself Myanmar Springs young revolutionaries, said the exclusion was a mirage, because Indonesia, through its office of the special envoy, was engaging with the junta.

[T]he Special Envoys official engagement with the illegal military junta is inconsistent with ASEANs decision and stance to exclude and ban members of the military junta from all high-level ASEAN meetings, representatives of several civil society groups told Ngurah Swajaya, the head of the special envoys office, according to a statement issued Friday.

The groups representatives had met with Ngurah on Monday.

[T]he representatives expressed their concern and frustration over the ineffectiveness and failure of ASEAN to stop the terrorist military juntas violence and atrocities against Myanmar people over the past two years since the adoption of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on 24 April 2021, the statement said.

They also conveyed to Ngurah that the ineffective 5PC will only embolden the terrorist junta to commit further crimes and exacerbate the plight of the people of Myanmar.

Indonesias president, too, acknowledged in May that there had been no progress in implementing the peace plan.

All along, Myanmars junta has cracked down on mass protests, killed more than 3,000 people and arrested thousands more, according to human rights groups. The United Nations said more than 1.8 million people had been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar because of violence since the coup.

And yet, ASEAN continues to stick to a plan agreed in April 2021 that has palpably failed, said CIVICUS Lens, a group that analyzes current events from a civil society perspective.

A major challenge is that most ASEAN states have no interest in democracy. Half of them are outright authoritarian regimes, and the other half could be characterized as democracies with flaws  sometimes serious flaws, the group wrote in an article in late June.

Continuing emphasis on the 5PC as the baseline consensus, however, hasnt masked divisions among ASEAN states.  But the fact that theyre formally sticking with it enables the wider international community to stand back and do little, on the basis of respecting regional leadership and giving the 5PC a chance.

Of ASEANs 10 members, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are not democracies, and Thailands outgoing government first came to power much like the current Myanmar junta, via a military coup.

CIVICUS Lens also noted Thailands decision to break ranks with ASEAN and engage in talks with the Myanmar military.

Indonesia on Friday again dismissed the Thai meeting in June as not a formal one.

Regarding the informal meeting in Thailand, once again it was an informal meeting of ASEAN and only the foreign minister of Laos attended. The 5PC is the main track for resolving the Myanmar issue, Foreign Minister Retno said.

However, in addition to Thailand and Myanmar, representatives of ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines  as well as India and China  attended the meeting in Pattaya.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi speaks during a press conference in Jakarta, July 7, 2023. [Achmad Ibrahim/AP]

Some experts say that ASEANs approach to Myanmar reflects its limitations as a consensus-based organization that prioritizes stability and non-interference in its members domestic affairs.

Additionally, while Jakarta should be praised for holding so many meetings with different stakeholders, it was impossible to assess the progress of its diplomatic engagements as they were confidential, said Hunter Marston, a researcher at the Australian National University.

Its also possible that the Indonesian government has underestimated the degree to which the current conflict is entrenched and the unwillingness of the warring sides to consider a peaceful settlement that does not include the complete eradication of the other side, he told BenarNews.

He said that the outcome of Indonesias efforts remained uncertain.

If nothing materializes by the end of Indonesias chairmanship, however, then everyone will point and say, See? There was never a chance of progress to begin with, he said.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare [left] attends a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on Oct. 9, 2019 with Chinas premier at the time, Li Keqiang.

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will head to China this weekend for his second visit to the Asian superpower in four years, an official from the island nations foreign ministry confirmed Friday, underlining U.S.-China rivalry in the Pacific region.

Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced the week-long visit at a regular ministry press conference on Thursday, though the government in Honiara is yet to issue a statement about the trip.

A Solomon Islands foreign ministry official told BenarNews that Sogavare will travel to Beijing on Sunday.

The leaders of the two countries will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, Wang said at the press conference. Sogavare will visit Beijing, Jiangsu and Guangdong, he said.

The Solomon Islands, home to about 700,000 people, has become a focal point of China-U.S. rivalry in the Pacific. Under Sogavare, it switched its diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019 and signed a secretive security pact with China last year, alarming the United States and allies such as Australia.

Sogavares trip to China comes after Australia offered to extend its military and police deployment in the Solomon Islands. The Pacific island country is preparing to host a regional sporting event later this year  bankrolled by China, Australia and Indonesia  and hold postponed elections in the first half of 2024.

Australia sent more than 200 troops and police to the Solomon Islands in late 2021 at the request of Sogavares government following anti-China and anti-government riots in the capital Honiara. So far, the Solomons Islands government has neither publicly accepted nor rejected Australias offer.

The Sogavare governments apparent secrecy about the trip to China has caused some disquiet in the Solomon Islands.

Honiara resident Wilson Kako, enjoying a public holiday to mark Solomon Islands Independence Day, said previous prime ministers usually announced their overseas travel to the public several days beforehand.

I have issues when such big and important visits are kept secret or unannounced, he said. This has left many of us wondering whether this trip is for the good of the nation or for the prime ministers personal interest only.

Wilson Kako, pictured in Honiara on July 7, 2023, said he was concerned that the Solomon Islands government had not announced details of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavares visit to China. [Gina Makaa/BenarNews]

Jason Mone, however, said he was happy that Sogavare would visit China because the country had helped change the image of the Solomon Islands.

Development is what every Solomon Islander wants, he said.

Chinas influence in the Pacific has burgeoned over several decades through a combination of increased trade, infrastructure investment and aid as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies in international institutions. The Pacific island nation of Kiribati also switched its diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019.

Both China and Australia have been training Solomon Islands police and donating equipment, including water cannons gifted by China and guns courtesy of Australia. The most recent largesse  in the past week  included seven Nissan X-Trail SUVs from Australia as well as night-vision devices, drones, a wireless signal jammer and two vehicles from China.

Wang, at the press conference, said relations between China and Solomon Islands have grown rapidly since they established diplomatic relations in 2019.

Sogavares visit, Wang said, will provide new impetus to further develop China-Solomon Islands ties. The visit will be an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchange, he said.
Rodrigo Duterte (left) joins Pastor Apollo Quiboloy in a thanksgiving worship service at the Narciso Ramos Sport and Civic Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan province, northern Philippines, during his presidential campaign, March 27, 2016.

YouTube has banned channels belonging to Philippine megachurch pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who the United States sanctioned for alleged sex abuse and is an ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The online video sharing platform took down the channels of Quiboloys Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) and one of its programs as well as of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), a television channel he also owns, YouTubes parent company Google confirmed on Friday.

Google is committed to compliance with applicable U.S. sanctions and enforces related policies under its Terms of Service, Google said in a statement to reporters. After review and consistent with these policies, we terminated the Laban Kasama ang Bayan, KOJC and SMNI YouTube channels.

SMNIs YouTube channel now shows a tag that says This account has been terminated for a violation of YouTubes Terms of Service.

The Laban Kasama ang Bayan (Fight with the people) program has accused people who were against Duterte of being communist sympathizers.

Quiboloy is the founder and executive pastor of KOJC, which claims to have 6 million followers worldwide. In December 2022, the U.S. Treasury announced sanctions against Quiboloy.

The department accused Quiboloy of using his position to rape women and girls in his congregation for more than a decade including a pattern of systemic and pervasive rape of girls as young as 11 years old, as well as other physical abuse.

Young women were directed to have night duty, which required them to have sexual intercourse with Quiboloy on a determined schedule. Quiboloy kept pastorals in various countries, including the Philippines and the United States, the Treasury Department alleged.

The self-proclaimed appointed son of God has been on the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigations Most Wanted list for sex trafficking, fraud, coercion and bulk cash smuggling, it said. No charges have been brought against him in the Philippines.

Months before he left office at the end of his term (2016-22), Duterte came out in support of Quiboloy, reminiscing about how he met the pastor at a small chapel in Agdao, a Davao district where communist New Peoples Army guerrillas had fielded urban hit squads.

When I ran for mayor, he asked me to speak  and I was the only politician in Davao that went to his church to speak. It was just a small church. There was no building, it was bare in 1988, Duterte said.

Credit: FBI

Late last month, YouTube took down Quiboloys personal channel following a complaint from a Canadian content creator known online as Mutahar, citing the U.S. actions against the pastor.

Quiboloy dismissed that news in his SMNI program last week and issued a challenge to the U.S. government.

To those who are attacking me and those who want to attack me, to all of you, even America, you all are now meddling, I dare you to reveal everything you have against me. I want to let you know, I am bulletproof. I am not affected by anything you do against me, he said in Tagalog.

You think I will cower and that my companions here will shy away from telling the truth. You are just emboldening us. Its like pouring gasoline over our feelings and setting it ablaze because we see that what we are carrying is the truth and the Philippines is waking up, he said.
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If 100 wine professionals  sommeliers, merchants, wine educators  were polled and asked to characterize the assertion, When it comes to wine, consumers get what they pay for, I wonder what most would say?

I have heard two kinds of opposing responses over the years, and I have a hard time placing my own impressions. In fact, the more I think about each one, the more I realize that I dont like either generalization.

Of course, there are a lot of people who subscribe to the idea that no bottle of wine should cost, or is worth, several times as much as the money that they are comfortable spending on a bottle. For instance, someone who never pays more than $10 for a bottle might say that there is no such thing as a bottle of wine that deserves to cost $100.

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In 1998, bad weather supposedly ruined an entire California wine vintage. Sommelier Matt Straus disagrees I paid a lot of attention to growing seasons when I lived in cities, but only because I worked so closely with wine. Each summer that I spent working in Los Angeles and San Francisco, buying wine and pulling corks in dining rooms, word would trickle in from France and Italy about how things were going in their important wine-growing regions.

Another similar idea that people express sometimes is that regardless of whether a bottle might be worth $100 or more, the experience of tasting and drinking something that fine would be completely lost on them. This is a little troubling to me.

While I agree that someones palate and appreciation for different things can grow more refined as they taste and learn, I also believe that any beginner wine taster could tell the difference between a 2-year-old, $10 bottle of California pinot noir, and a 10- or 15-year-old bottle of well-made premier cru red Burgundy, which might cost 20 times as much.

I have marveled, over the years, at what seems to me like the uncanny ability of some of our human ancestors to identify the best-growing areas in different regions. Most of the time, the wines that come from vineyard sites that have been revered and hallowed for centuries really are more complex and taste better than those that dont come from those regions.

But the idea that spending more money always, and necessarily, delivers a better bottle is just as unsettling. There isnt an industry on earth that hasnt tried to exploit a little deft branding to try to convince consumers of quality that doesnt exist, and the wine industry is definitely not exempt.

I have encountered countless bottles in my work as a sommelier that have struck me as flagrantly overpriced, and sometimes fraudulently so. I have said in the past that restaurants with fancy chandeliers can make me uneasy because they make me feel like the opulent appointments are priced into my dinner. In the case of overpriced wines, the appointments can be heavy-gauge glass bottles, expensive marketing campaigns, or a fancy address where, in spite of the terroir, nobody knows how to make great wine.

Luckily, there are a few possibilities worth discussing with your local wine merchant, in the furtherance of digging into the consideration of what you might drink. The questions that have always jumped out at me are about the work that occurs where the wine is made 

Do I have my hands on one bottle out of several hundred thousand that were made?

In that case, it could have been something like a corporate team of professionals who made the wine. But if only a few thousand cases (or less) of the wine were made, who was the vigneron? What is their background? How did they come to their present situation, where they make wine in Oregon, from grapes varieties more often grown in the Loire Valley in France? How many vintages have been made of the very wine Im thinking about purchasing?

I once knew a young winemaker in Santa Barbara County, who apprenticed with a famous older winemaker, and who arranged to purchase grapes from some of the same vineyards that sold fruit to his mentor. When the bottles of his first vintages hit the shelves in retail stores  because of the costs involved in breaking into winemaking in the first place, and because his fruit contracts werent as favorable as his mentors  his wines from the same vineyards were actually more expensive than the masters wines, which were sitting right next to his in the store. There is nothing to say that a young apprentice could never be so talented as to justify the higher prices that his wines carried, but I will admit that such a disparity, in the wrong direction, always seemed a little incongruous to me.

I think the moral of the story, if there is one, is the same as it so often is when thinking about which wines to buy  and for that matter, which foods. We should aspire to know as much as we can about the origins of these things. Over time, they have quite a lot more to do with the quality of our lives than the particularities of our sunglasses and handbags.
GREAT BARRINGTON  A Housatonic resident told police she lost around $700 to people claiming to work for National Grid after they told her they would shut off power to her home if she didnt pay up right away.

A National Grid technician was on his way to turn off the power, said a caller who appeared to be using a company phone number, and persuaded her to withdraw the money from her bank account.

This narrative, logged by police on May 11, is just one of various scams meant to separate people from their money, though common enough that National Grid has an alert about it on its website.

The company reminds customers that National Grid does not threaten immediate termination of service, nor does it accept wire transfers or prepaid credit cards for payments.

National Grid says to suspect a scam if: You are threatened with immediate service termination (this is NOT our procedure).

The caller seeks payment when your account is current.

The caller demands immediate payment by wire transfer or prepaid card (National Grid dont accept payment through these cards).

The caller is someone you cannot identify.

The caller cant provide the last five digits of your National Grid account number when asked. A National Grid representative will know it.

National Grid also says there would be no demand for payment if an account is current, and that robocalls offering future discounts are fake.

Police see enough of these scams, said Great Barrington Police Chief Paul Storti, that the department provides information on its website about how residents can protect themselves from this type of theft.

If youre unsure or suspicious, call us, Storti said, adding that 99.9 percent its a scam.

He also warned of those instances where something sounds too good to be true, in which case, it probably is.

Storti said thieves threatening to cut off service is a frequent trick, and there are new ones developing continuously.

The resident who called police to report the incident said she had received text messages with barcodes for paying the scammers.

Americans lost nearly $40 billion last year due these types of phishing scams, according to a report by Truecaller, an app that blocks spam calls. The Federal Trade Commission reported losses of almost $8.8 billion for various kinds of fraud.

National Grid says other scams include people showing up in person, contacting them by email and attempting to lure recipients into clicking on a link, visiting a malicious website, revealing account information.

The FTC also has resources about this growing form of theft.

A call from your gas, electric, or water company threatening to immediately turn off your service is probably a scam, the FTC website says.

It also says that if one has parted with ones money, there are ways to get it back. In most cases, one can tell the bank or transfer app like Venmo that the transaction was fraudulent and ask that it be reversed.

With cash and cryptocurrency it is harder, however. With cryptocurrency, one can ask the company used to send the money to reverse the transaction. One can also ask the U.S. Postal Service to intercept a package containing cash.

Elliott Greenblott: Scammers use voice calls to generate a strong emotional response Scammers like to use the phone to commit crimes. Here are some tips to prevent becoming their next victim.
I was having a conversation with a fellow deep thinker and expressed frustration over my lack of meaningful communication with people. No matter my efforts, I couldn't achieve much.

We all judge a book by its cover, and doing so makes sense. Thats how we get a sense of someones character and gauge potential threats. However, when considering meaningful conversation, we shouldnt make hard assumptions about someones character before we take the time to get to know them. Doing so has the potential to keep us from forming relationships all because of what we think of someone and not for the reality of who they are. Assumptions prevent us from representing Christ to someone and prevent them from doing the same for us.

Theres a reason narcissism is such a popular topic today. Theres also a reason no one thinks of themselves as a narcissist. Whether you do or do not fall into that category, Scripture admonishes us to treat others the way we want to be treated (Matthew 7:12). And we certainly appreciate being prioritized and taken care of. We should strive to do such in all of our relationships. Not only will they feel good, but we will too. And well be serving in the process. Not only that, but when we model the Golden Rule, we encourage the same sort of behavior in those we encounter.

How many ordinary people actually want to talk about the weather with strangers? How many people, if asked, would prefer to have good conversations they forget in an hour versus chats they recall for a lifetime?

Anytime we talk to someone, we have the potential for a meaningful conversation. But in order to get there, we have to step outside our typical line of dialogue. Dont talk about the weather or work or the mundane things you do with family. Ask harder questions. Ask about topics that matter to the other person. Not because youre seeking agreement, disagreement, or a debate, but because you want to learn something new about them.

Plenty of us have some degree of social anxiety, whether at the office party or at the family reunion. We dont know what to say or to who or when. That intimidating feeling can tempt us to shut everyone out and stick to what feels safe, or we can lean into the discomfort. Meaningful connections happen when we take a chance and put ourselves out there.

If you hope to make a friend, find a spouse, or improve a relationship, you benefit from being proactive rather than waiting around for the other person. We cant control them. We can control ourselves.

If you have the communications skills, but dont imagine you have the outlets, then think again. Even if you work from home, try taking your work to a public place like a library. Or, when youre grocery shopping, try chatting with the person at the cash register. You never know whose day you will brighten and you never know what new meaningful connections you can make.

Being socially awkward to start is okay and doesnt last forever, not when youre putting in that practice.

We can pray to God not just for wisdom in how we communicate, but also for the experiences that make our communication stronger. We have to learn from Scripture, through prayer, from other people, and then we have to put what we learn into practice. Communication doesnt come to most people naturally, but most of us can learn.

Young people get a lot of criticism for having social anxiety in what some would consider ridiculous situations, like calling someone on the phone. But our societys communication struggles didnt originate with young folks. They didnt teach themselves how to communicate. The issue is instead generational, an area where every generation has fallen short in some capacity.

But where we struggle, we can overcome.

Communication can be a lot of things: funny, scary, insightful, intimidating, and also meaningful. Whether you are an expert or an amateur conversationalist, as Christians, God calls for us to be in community. What meaningful community can any of us hope to have without meaningful communication?

You dont have to be perfect. You can be awkward. Very awkward. What matters more is that we use communication as a way of serving one another, and ultimately, as a way to serve God.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Harli Marten

Aaron D'Anthony Brown is a freelance writer, hip-hop dance teacher, and visual artist, living in Virginia. He currently contributes work to iBelieve, Crosswalk, and supports various clients through the platform Upwork. He's an outside-the-box thinker with a penchant for challenging the status quo. Check out his short story Serenity.
 Talking Points Memo: The failure of the Biden administration is only getting more and more obvious by the day. Heres three major agencies that are falling apart.

 President Biden snaps at reporter for asking about Hunters text messages.

 SCOTUS rules on states control over elections and agrees to hear case on wealth tax.

 Bill renews calls for investigation into Zuckerbergs efforts into the 2020 presidential election.

 Former Prosecutor Cully Stimson on his new book Rogue Prosecutors: How Radical Soros Lawyers are Destroying Americas Communities.

 Reuters releases report that says all living US Presidents descended from slaveholders  all expect Donald Trump.

 Smart Life: pickleball injuries

 This Day in History: International Body Piercing Day

 Final Thought: Leaving money to kids, charities & friends

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Joins forces with High Tide Global to bring global health collaboration

Mumbai-based startup Clirnet has partnered with High Tide Global Inc. to provide virtual doctor services to underserved communities in Africa, Central & Latin America. Together with High Tide Global, Clirnet aims to improve the lives of people in impoverished areas.

The startup boasts of a vast network of 350,000 doctors providing medical assistance in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. This network enables patients at a local doctor access to global knowledge. Post this collaboration, High Tide Global will be able to extend health services to previously untapped sections of the global population by using Clirnets extensive network and virtual consultation capabilities.

The brands partnership with High Tide Global will not only enhance healthcare access but also promote knowledge exchange, empowering communities and fostering a healthier future. Currently operating successfully in Uganda, both organisations are working to scale it to other parts of Africa, Central & South America.

As a prominent NGO based out of Los Angeles, USA, High Tide Globals mission is to provide access to education and personal empowerment to students worldwide by bringing funding for educational programmes, improved infrastructure, and motivational classes.
A rapid, accurate, and affordable kit that provides reliable answers about the bacterium

In a bid to reduce the life-threatening complications and consequences associated with tuberculosis (TB), Swedish startup EMPE Diagnostics has launched its one-of-its-kind test kit  mfloDx MDR-TB  at Telangana Lifesciences office, in Hyderabad.

The path-breaking kit was unveiled by Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, Minister for IT, Industries and Municipal Administration, Government of Telangana and Raghavendra Goud Vaggu, Global CEO, EMPE Diagnostics, in the presence of Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce and Information Technology; Satish Reddy, Chairman - Dr Reddy Labs; and Shakti Nagappan, Director, Lifesciences, Govt of Telangana.

The mfloDx multi drug resistant (MDR)-TB is a rapid, accurate, and affordable kit that provides reliable answers about the bacterium and its resistance profile. The multiplex molecular test indicates the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its genotypic resistance profile by developing a visual signal.

Clinicians can get confirmatory results in a qualitative YES or NO format, within 3 hours. The kit has been recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in multiple countries and has patents in 19 countries.

According to CEO Raghavendra Goud, the mfloDx MDR-TB test kit has been designed to detect TB and its antibiotic resistance. It includes controls and MDR-TB Rifampicin and Isoniazid and has been approved by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

The company has established a global production and R&D facility at Genome Valley and has invested about Rs 25 crore. Were the first ever company to receive grants from the European Innovation Council and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. We currently have a capacity to make 25 million kits and will be expanding to 100 million kits soon, Goud added.
Introducing saliva-based technology for genome testing through Lords Mark Industries brand MyDNA

Mumbai-based Lords Mark Industries has launched a new wholly owned subsidiary - Lords Mark Microbiotech - to champion genome testing in India with their first online lab. The new subsidiary has been established as a part of celebrations to mark the successful completion of 25 years of excellence in business by Lords Mark Industries.

With the launch of Lords Mark Microbiotech, the company is also introducing saliva-based technology for genome testing through its brand MyDNA, which results 99% accuracy. The saliva-based test does not require the extraction of blood or a phlebotomist. An individual can do it after reading the enclosed instructions in the kit at their home.

Lords Mark Industries also has its patented algorithm called SNAPPY for calculating the Polygenic Risk Score (PRS), which estimates an individuals genetic risk (predisposition) for a trait or condition. PRS takes the sum (aggregate) of all known common variants to calculate an overall genetic risk for a particular disease.

The new subsidiary will aim to offer accessible and affordable genome testing in 48 cities nationwide. The initial focus will be on metro and Tier 1 cities and then Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns in the next 3-4 years.

The price range for the genome testing kits will be between Rs 8000 to 16,000. The company will also collaborate with leading scientific and research institutes to develop and deploy diagnostic tools for diseases like cancer and tuberculosis. It will make an initial investment of Rs 20 crore to generate revenue of Rs 100 crore in 5 years.

Photo Caption - (From left to right) - Manav Teli, Executive Director, Lord's Mark Industries, Subodh Gupta, CEO, Lord's Mark Microbiotech and Zainab Abbas, Senior Genetic Consultant, Lords Mark Microbiotech
Superunion South Africa today announces that it will join Design Bridge and Partners' global design company later this year, rebranding as Design Bridge and Partners South Africa.

The countrys leading design agency will join Design Bridge and Partners 850-person strong network operating in 12 countries with clients like Coca-Cola, Mastercard, Diageo, Unilever, Reckitt, Intel, HSBC, Tencent, Colgate, Nestle and NASA Artemis among others. Design Bridge and Partners South Africa works with brands including Standard Bank, Astron Energy, PEP, Vodacom, Unilever, AB InBev, Multichoice and University of Pretoria, to deliver impactful client work across sectors.

A WPP company, Design Bridge and Partners was created in January 2023 following the merger of Design Bridge and Superunion. The two complementary companies came together with a vision to fundamentally redefine the role of design for a new era, positioning it at the forefront of business growth and social change through consumer, business, and experience design. John Morris, formerly CEO of Design Bridge, serves as group CEO, and Jim Prior, who was previously CEO of Superunion, as chair, with Mathew Weiss taking on the role of managing director in South Africa.

Design is one of the most powerful tools in business, and yet its historically been underutilized.

 John Morris, Design Bridge and Partners

With centres of excellence in New York, London, Sao Paulo, Amsterdam, Singapore, Madrid, Berlin, Shanghai, and now Johannesburg and Cape Town, Design Bridge and Partners has positioned itself as an industry leader across every aspect of brand strategy, identity, experience, and brand guardianship. This includes graphic, motion, digital, physical and communication design, underpinned by a creative philosophy of leveraging the power of exceptional design to solve business and societal challenges.

The business has a strong cultural focus on collaboration and nurturing talent, forging deep and long-lasting partnerships with clients, and operating as a seamless global entity bringing the best talent to clients wherever they may be.

John Morris, CEO of Design Bridge and Partners, said: Design is one of the most powerful tools in business, and yet its historically been underutilized. As Design Bridge and Partners, were on a mission to change that, and simultaneously help shape the future of organisations worldwide by unleashing the full power of design. Were pleased to have Design Bridge and Partners South Africa join us on our mission to redefine the role of design for brands, businesses, and people in South Africa and globally.

Mathew Weiss, managing director of Design Bridge and Partners South Africa said: As a new kind of design agency for a new era, Design Bridge and Partners uniquely combines strategic and creative excellence across a vast range of design capabilities to deliver extraordinary, impactful results. Together, well redefine the role of design in our broader world to create positive, meaningful change for our clients and our country.




Investec's Trophy Spirits Show which is now in its fifth iteration, saw a significant uptick in the number of entries submitted across all classes. This is perhaps an indication that the industry has largely recovered from the impact of lockdowns and that there is a new vitality amongst producers and distributors.

Njabulo Phewane from KWV with trophies for Best Distilled Gin and Best Gin of Show for Imagin Classic. Source: Supplied.

There were 145 entries received this year (compared with 128 entries in 2022) from 25 producers andcdistributors comprising 72 brands spread through 15 categories. In terms of total entries, the whisk(e)y classes saw the greatest number (39), mainly from Scotland, though there were also submissions from South Africa and Ireland. These included malt whiskies, grain whiskies, pot-still whiskeys and blended whiskies.

Broad representation

The gin classes saw a fair spread of entries across all three categories  London Dry, Distilled and Flavoured Gin. Brandy was well represented with pot-still submissions from the Cape and France (Cognac). Unsurprisingly, given the worldwide surge in interest in tequila/agave and rum, there were more entries than before in these classes. In addition, the show saw a broad representation of vodkas, aperitifs,and cream liqueurs.

The annual battle between France and South Africa for the top brandy crown was wrested from the Cape by Martell though with a fair sprinkling of gold medals in the pot-still brandy class, South Africas legendary aged brandies were very much in the running.

The attrition which thinned out the craft gin producers following the Covid-related lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 seems to be over, with 31 gins entered and gold medals in both the London Dry and Distilled Gin classes.

As always there was wide and substantial representation from the world of whisk(e)y, with gold medal and trophy winning entries in the malt, Irish pot-still and blended Scotch categories. Unsurprisingly some of the biggest names in the world of whisky were represented on the winners podium.

As in previous years, entries came in from producers in places as far afield as the USA, England, Scandinavia, Italy, Germany, The Netherlands, Sri Lanka, the sun-washed islands of the Caribbean, the highlands of Scotland, the deserts of Mexico, the villages of Cognac and pretty much everywhere in between. Included among these exotics were at least fifty different brandies, liqueurs, whiskies and gins from the Cape and Gauteng.

Specialists

There was an equally broad representation of international judges. Back at the tasting benches were George Harper, (whisky) and Jerome Royer (brandy) while Jon Gray, a UK-based gin expert joined the Trophy Spirits Show panel for the first time. These international specialists shared their expertise with local judges and associates (all graduates of the spirits judging academy run by Michael Fridjhon on behalf of the Trophy Spirits Show).

The South African judges were Andy Watt, Dave Gunns, Dr Mare-Loe Prinsloo, Kurt Schlechter, Carla Weightman and Pieter Carter.

The associate judges were Jason McEvoy, Sean Gunns and Anrienka Vlok. Show convenor Michael Fridjhon was Chairman of the Judges.

There were 145 submissions across 15 classes. 39 Whiskies, 31 gins, 19 brandies and cognacs, with vodkas, tequilas, rums, aperitifs, fruit spirits and liqueurs totalling a further 56 entries. And at the end of the day there were 10 gold medals, 37 silvers, 39 bronzes and a mere 10 trophies.

Cumesh Moodliar, head of Investec private Bbanking SA comments: Investec recognises the out of the ordinary, so it is our honour for us to be the headline sponsor for The Trophy Wine and Spirits Show. Were excited to host our clients for bespoke tastings and events.

The Trophy and Gold medal winners:

Trophy Winners

Trophy for Best Cognac, Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Spirit and Investec Trophy for Best Brandy of Show: Martell XO Cognac

Investec Trophy for Best Distilled Gin and Riedel Trophy for Best Gin of Show: Imagin Classic Gin

Investec Trophy for Best Malt Whisky and Investec Trophy for Best Whisky of Show: Aberlour Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky 18 Years Old  Double Sherry Cask Finish

Investec Trophy for Best London Gin: Gordon's Special London Dry Gin

Investec Trophy for Best Blended Whisky: Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky Aged 18 Years

Investec Trophy for Best Single Pot Still Whisk(e)y: Redbreast Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey Aged 12 Years

Trophy for Best Pot-distilled Brandy: Van Ryn's Single Potstill Brandy Aged 12 Years

Trophy for Best Grain Whisky: Bain's Cape Mountain Single Grain Whisky

Trophy for Best Rum of Show: Red Heart Original Imported Rum

Trophy for Best Tequila of Show: Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Chichicapa

Gold Medal Winners
Xi congratulates Bio on reelection as Sierra Leonean president

Xinhua) 10:29, July 07, 2023

BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Julius Maada Bio on his reelection as president of Sierra Leone.

In his message, Xi said that China and Sierra Leone enjoy a long history of friendship. In recent years, the two countries have continuously enhanced political mutual trust, achieved fruitful results in practical cooperation and coordinated closely in international affairs, he added.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Sierra Leone relations and stands ready to work with President Bio to support each other and work in solidarity and coordination to promote the continuous development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Sierra Leone to better benefit their people.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
The conference boasts an impressive lineup of partners, demonstrating their commitment to empowering individuals and driving economic growth. Platinum partner, Nedbank, a leading financial institution, will be joined by Gold partner, PepsiCo South Africa, a global food and beverage company that has made significant strides in developing suppliers to increase local procurement spend through its transformation journey.

Additionally, prominent partners include Merchants, SALGA, Methano Group, IDC, Mint Group, FM&P SETA, eStudy, Afrocentric Group, Mandate Molefi, BEE 123, and EW Seta. These partners will be prominently featured throughout the conference, showcasing their dedication to fostering empowerment and positive change.

Empowerment for Economic Success: Engaging Programme and Dynamic Speakers

The Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference will feature an engaging programme, carefully curated to address the most pressing topics in economic empowerment. Attendees can look forward to thought-provoking discussions, fireside chats, case studies, and networking opportunities. The conference will kick off with a captivating opening address by Mfundo Nkuhlu, chief operating officer of Nedbank, who will explore reigniting South Africa's winning spirit and charting the path to success.

One of the highlights of the event is a panel discussion on 'Co-opetition,' which will delve into the power of unity for mutual growth and prosperity in Africa. This session will feature distinguished speakers such as Martha Murorua, managing director of Nedbank Namibia; Dr. Sibongile Moyo, managing director of Nedbank Zimbabwe, and Yavi Madurai, founder of the African Prosperity Fund.

The conference will also address the future of economic empowerment in South Africa and delve into the successes and challenges of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE). Esteemed speakers such as Kershini Govender, executive head of Transformation & Strategy at Nedbank Group, and Linda Makalima, independent non-executive director and chairperson of Group Transformation Social and Ethics Committee at Nedbank, will shed light on the transformative potential of B-BBEE.

Furthermore, the programme will include insightful discussions on collaborating for change, investing in Africa's knowledge economy, empowering youth through skills development, and developing support networks for African entrepreneurs. Speakers from leading organisations such as Merchants, eStudy, and Afrocentric Group will share their expertise and experiences in driving economic empowerment across various sectors.

More speakers include:

Mmamoloko Kubayi , Minister of Human Settlements

, Minister of Human Settlements Tshediso Matona , B-BBEE commissioner, South Africa

, B-BBEE commissioner, South Africa Mathews Phosa , celebrated SA Leader, prominent business man and attorney

, celebrated SA Leader, prominent business man and attorney Cas Coovadia , chief executive officer, BUSA

, chief executive officer, BUSA Mark Frankel , chief executive officer, Black Umbrellas

, chief executive officer, Black Umbrellas Sydwell Shikweni , transformation director, Merchants

, transformation director, Merchants Ravi Naidoo , chief executive officer, Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa

, chief executive officer, Youth Employment Service (YES) South Africa Caroline Nelson , country manager, H&M South Africa

, country manager, H&M South Africa Ray-Ann Sedres , group chief transformation officer, Sanlam

, group chief transformation officer, Sanlam Katlego Thulare , brand apecialist and author

, brand apecialist and author Luzuko Tena , Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2022, social media director, EssenceMediacom

, Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2022, social media director, EssenceMediacom Asha Singh , social media manager, One Over One.

, social media manager, One Over One. Renaldo Schwarp , award-winning journalist, filmmaker and mixed media specialist

, award-winning journalist, filmmaker and mixed media specialist Gerhard Visser , co-founder and CEO of eStudy

, co-founder and CEO of eStudy Lebogang Letsoalo, global supply chain expert and award winner of Top 100 Influential Supply Chain Woman in Africa & World

Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with showcase counters, including BEE 123, which aims to promote inclusive economic growth, and EW Seta, focused on empowering individuals through skills development and training.

"We are excited to have such esteemed partners and speakers participating in the Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference," said Ralf Fletcher, chief executive officer of Topco Media. "Their support and expertise will undoubtedly make this event a resounding success, fostering insights and initiatives that will shape and inspire organisations to do good business building the future of economic empowerment in Africa."

Join the Transformation

The Nedbank Top Empowerment Conference promises to be a landmark event, driving purpose-led transformation and inspiring action for a more empowered Africa. Join industry leaders, influencers, and change-makers by attending this transformative event.

To register and learn more about the conference, please visit https://topempowerment.co.za/conference/

*Please note that the program schedule is subject to change and may be updated to enhance the overall conference experience.
Automotive manufacturing giant Stellantis - home of Citroen, Jeep, Opel, Fiat, Maserati, Peugeot and Alfa Romeo, among others - unveiled its new STLA Medium platform that will underpin the group's C and D segment battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Stellantis has unveiled STLA Medium, a global BEV-by-design platform with state-of-the-art features. Source: Supplied

The new platform promises a range of up to 700km from a charge for the forthcoming medium-sized cars and will use a 400V electric architecture instead of the newer 800V architecture that is currently in use on SA roads inside the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT. Volvos upcoming EV models and the newer cars from new local market entrant BYD will also use 800V architecture.

Manufacturing targets for the new platform are around two million cars per year from a worldwide network of plants  which will include South Africa in the future.

Stellantis signed an MoU with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to develop a manufacturing facility in South Africa in May this year. The plant is supposed to start production in 2025.

What we see today is the product of just over two years of no-compromise innovation to deliver clean, safe and affordable mobility, supported by our 30bn investment in electrification and software through 2025, said Carlos Tavares, Stellantis CEO.

The STLA Medium platform demonstrates the power of the global Stellantis technical community, delivering products that are hyper-focused on our customers and rewriting long-held assumptions of transportation.

STLA Medium is the first of the planned four global BEV platforms that will help Stellantis achieve its goal of 100% EV production for the groups passenger cars by 2030.

Driving innovation

Future Stellantis EVs will store energy inside the groups custom-built battery packs, most likely manufactured at a Canadian facility.

The Trudeau administration recently agreed to a R210bn ($11.3bn) incentive package for Stellantis to continue with construction on the battery manufacturing facility it is building in partnership with LG Energy.

This project is expected to create around 2,500 new jobs and produce more than 45GWh of batteries per year and received another boost with a similarly timed announcement of a rare earth offtake deal with NioCorp.

Stellantis intends to lead the industry with the commitment to be carbon net zero by 2038  a goal that requires innovation and a complete redefinition of our sourcing strategies, said Stellantis chief purchasing and supply chain officer Maxime Picat.

By working with partners like NioCorp, we are taking important steps, with the aim of decarbonising mobility and ensuring strategic supplies of raw materials necessary for the success of the companys global electrification plans highlighted in our Dare Forward 2030 strategy.

Stellantis halted construction in May to pressure the Canadian government to match the financial support available in the US. Canada then offered more than what it offered the Volkswagen Group in June.
In an ever-changing global economy, the imperative of future fit skills has reached a tipping point. Nowhere is this more evident than in South Africa, where the transition from education to employment presents both unique challenges and exciting opportunities.

Brandon Govender, enrolment manager at Regent Business School. Image supplied

Similar to its international counterparts, the South African job market is undergoing a profound transformation driven by technological advancements, globalisation, and the rise of knowledge-based economies. To thrive in this shifting landscape, a new set of skills is neededoften referred to as 21st century skills or future fit skills. These skills encompass critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, digital literacy, and emotional intelligence.

Mastering these skills is pivotal to adaptability, empowering graduates to navigate the intricacies of the modern workplace, foster innovation, and contribute to economic growth. Likewise, these skills transcend industry boundaries and job roles, making them invaluable amidst automation and other technological disruptions that reshape the employment landscape.

Despite the undeniable demand for these skills, South Africas education system falls short in providing them. Traditional academic approaches tend to prioritise rote learning and technical knowledge acquisition, leaving little room for the development of these vital competencies. This disparity between the skills imparted by the education system and those sought by employers further exacerbates the already high unemployment rate among South African graduates.

Future fit skills for graduates

Recent studies shed light on the significance of future fit skills for graduates in South Africa. They underscore the importance of a balanced approach that not only prepares graduates for the job market but also nurtures their sense of social responsibility and active citizenship.

These studies also highlight the challenges faced by higher education institutions in teaching these generic skills, which form a crucial component of future fit skills. Factors such as subpar learning environments, a shortage of staff with industry experience, and an overemphasis on theoretical content hinder the effective teaching of these skills. Consequently, it is imperative to implement reforms in higher education to address these challenges and ensure the successful delivery of future fit skills.

Integrating 21st century skills into entrepreneurship education is a crucial step. This integration not only fosters entrepreneurial mindsets among students but also cultivates essential skills such as social relationships, leadership, creativity, and critical thinking.

New approaches needed

Addressing the skills gap is a multifaceted endeavour that necessitates concerted efforts from all stakeholders. Educational institutions must reimagine their curricula to incorporate future fit skills training. This can be achieved through pedagogical strategies that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity, such as project-based learning, collaborative assignments, and the integration of technology into teaching and learning processes.

The value of partnerships between educational institutions and industry cannot be overlooked and are pivotal in facilitating a seamless transition from education to employment. Collaborations enable valuable insights into the evolving skills demand, empowering institutions to tailor their programs accordingly. Additionally, students can benefit from practical experience and workplace exposure through internships and apprenticeships.

Government policies also play a pivotal role in shaping the future. Policies promoting digital literacy and access to technology are essential in equipping students with the skills necessary for a digital economy. Policies that foster lifelong learning ensure individuals continuously update their skills throughout their careers, staying attuned to the evolving job market.

The importance of future fit skills for South African graduates cannot be overstated. These skills are not merely a pathway to employment but a gateway to a resilient and prosperous future. Thus, they must be at the forefront of educational reforms and policy discussions. By investing in these skills, South Africa can equip its graduates to confidently navigate the uncertainties of the future, drive innovation, and contribute to the countrys socio-economic development.
Net zero is more than just a buzzword. But what does it actually mean and why is it important?

Source: 123RF.

Simply put, net zero is achieving the balance between greenhouse gases produced and those removed from the atmosphere.

Imagine it as a bath thats about to overflow. How do you fix that? You can turn down the taps to reduce the water (the emissions), or you can drain out some of the water (much like removing emissions).

But, in reality, its not quite that straightforward.

Radical changes are needed across sectors, societies and financial systems, and everyone is involved.

Since 2015, 190 countries have signed up to the United Nations Paris Agreement, with a goal to limit global warming to well below 1.5 degrees by 2050.

Why should investors care?

There are huge implications for investors: Physical risks such as heatwaves, floods, and rising sea levels. And transition risks, which are business-related risks and costs associated with the transition, from new regulation to new technology. If these risks are not well managed, they could bring down investment valuations.

An active approach to investing is one way to help this. By asking questions about a companys exposure to climate risk and its path to net zero, you hold the company to account. And in turn you encourage the company to develop robust transition plans.

But its not all about risk. There will be opportunities too. In the race to net zero, companies can become more competitive and more attractive to investors. And fund managers can channel capital into innovative solutions, products and services that support a reduction in emissions.

Setting net-zero targets is arguably the easy part. Active investors are looking for the answers.

Schroders has committed to transition all assets under management to net zero by 2050 or sooner. Our target: to align 100% of our assets to 1.5 degrees by 2040 was validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in February 2022, and in 2021 we published our Climate Transition Action Plan, which sets out how we plan to reach these goals.
702, Gauteng's leading talk radio station, is thrilled to announce the return of its highly anticipated event, Walk-the-Talk. This year, the event will be hosted by Gauteng in Maropeng at the Cradle of Humankind and will be taking place on Sunday, 20 August 2023.

Celebrating its 22nd instalment on the eve of 30 years of democracy, the 702 Walk-the-Talk event has become a beloved tradition in Gauteng, attracting thousands of participants each year. On its return as a live event, Walk-the-Talk offers an incredible opportunity for 702-landers to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Cradle of Humankind, while also experiencing the warm hospitality and enterprising spirit of the local community.

Participants of all ages and fitness levels are invited to join in this exciting event, which combines physical activity with a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the region. Walkers will have the chance to immerse themselves in the stunning landscapes, discover the fascinating history of the Cradle of Humankind, and indulge in a wide variety of family oriented activities.

We are delighted to be able to stage a refreshed 2023 edition of 702 Walk-The-Talk after a three year hiatus. Its the same walk youve come to love and enjoy over the past two decades, but this year, Walk-The-Talk takes place at a brand new venue and we look forward to a day full of fun family activity at this world heritage site, said 702s station manager, Mzoxolo Jojwana.

The Cradle of Humankind, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is renowned for its significant archaeological discoveries and its role in unravelling the mysteries of human evolution. By hosting Walk-the-Talk in Maropeng, participants will have the unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors and connect with the rich history of our species.

Destination Gauteng is proud to play host to the 702 Walk-the-Talk event after years of pause infused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This years Walk-the-Talk edition will be hosted in the provinces premiere family friendly and diverse destination which is ready to walk you through our human story and provide access to an array of local food, beverages and outdoor experiences, said Barba Gaoganediwe, head of destination marketing & communication at Gauteng Tourism Authority.

Registration for Walk-the-Talk is now open and participants can choose between three routes, catering to all abilities and ages. Whether opting for the 3km walk which is designed to be wheelchair friendly, parents with prams and those with children, the 5km stroll, or the 8km challenge, you can walk at your own pace and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.

To secure your spot, the Early Bird entry fee is R350 for the 5km and 8km walks, which includes a personalised number, a commemorative t-shirt, and a well-deserved medal. For the 3km walk, the entry fee is R180, and also includes a personalised number, a t-shirt and a medal.

Please note that no pets are allowed in this natural habitat, ensuring the preservation of the environment.

Join us as we rally behind a common cause and take a few steps towards rebuilding our communities and personal lives. Let's come together and make a difference at Walk-the-Talk 2023.

To register and to stay updated, visit www.walkthetalk.co.za.

#letswalkthetalk




Radio, as a medium, is still dominant and resilient says the latest Rams Amplify for the first quarter of 2023 from the Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC).

Source:  123rf 123rf Radio, as a medium, is still dominant and resilient

Radio holds a position of dominance within the media environment that is buoyant in an array of media formats, says the BRCs CEO, Gary Whitaker.

However, the emergence of this array of media formats is changing the dynamics of the media environment.

Top 3 collective media consumption

The top 3 collective media consumption:

The act of viewing In terms of overall collective media consumption, the act of "viewing" takes the lead with 86%, encompassing various forms such as free-to-air and satellite/subscription channels, video streaming, and TV streaming services. The act of listening Following closely behind is the "listening" collective, which includes radio, music streaming, and podcasts, accounting for 83% of media consumption. The internet collective The "internet" collective, consisting of social messaging and social media, takes the third spot with 81% with "reading" occupying the fourth position with 51%, including online newspaper or news sites, print newspapers, and magazines.

Demographics of radio

Age Historically, the 35- to 49-year-old demographic, comprising of 11.7 million people, are ardent radio listeners but are now increasing their video streaming. Younger listeners, in the 24-to-34-year age group, are increasing engagement with music streaming and podcasts within the listening cluster.

Gender Radio listening amongst male audiences is strong at an almost 80% P7D (Past 7 Days) reach with a slight decline in female listeners.

IncomeIn the middle- and upper-income brackets/ economically active population, radio is stronger, while there is a slightly lower reach for lower income individuals. What is interesting to note is that those segmentations that have a broader media repertoire tend to have a higher radio reach. This highlights and demonstrates radios popularity amongst a wide variety of media types.

Genre

Music still rates highly in the shows that people like to listen to.

Local news, weather, advice and traffic at 65.9%, 64.8%, 59.4% and 55.9 respectively indicate that localised content is still driving radio listenership.

Radio, and the Rams data confirms, holds its strength as an information source, but the listening cluster as a whole is changing because of technology, says Whitaker.

Across the entire income and demographic spectrum, digital listening is on the rise but listening via terrestrial sources remains prevalent. Radio remains dominant and resilient.

Radio Rams Amplify facts

More than 26.4 million South Africans, listen to the radio several times a week.



Almost a third of waking hours is spent listening to the radio.



Tuesdays and Wednesdays have the highest listening reach.



Listening only peaks once a day, on weekday mornings from 6:00 to 9:00, drive time.



At home remains the primary radio setting while listening in the car continues to grow.

Top Commercial Radio Stations for Q1 2023 (P7D)

Ukhozi FM  7,597,000 listeners



Metro FM  4,535,000 listeners



Umhlobo Wenene FM  4,090,000 listeners



Lesedi FM  3,597,000 listeners



Motsweding FM  3,077 listeners

Top Community Radio Stations for Q1 2023 (P7D)

Gauteng: Jozi FM  395,000 listeners



Eastern Cape: Alfred Nzo Community  130,000 listeners



Free State: Motheo FM  116,000 listeners



KwaZulu-Natal: Izwi LoMzansi 98.0 FM  316,000 listeners



Limpopo: Vhembe 102.4/89.1  135,000 listeners



Mpumalanga: Nkomazi FM  91,000 listeners



Northern Cape: Kurara FM  93,000 listeners



Northwest: Mahikeng Community  131,000 listeners



Western Cape: Voice of the Cape  211,000 listeners

For more information visit BRC
Employers must be alert to the fact that an overtime clause contained in an employment contract does not enjoy perpetual continuity. Section 10(5) of the BCEA requires that an agreement to work overtime, concluded at the commencement of employment or within the first three months of employment, must be renewed, before it lapses after 12 months.

Employers must be alert to the fact that an overtime clause contained in an employment contract does not enjoy perpetual continuity. Section 10(5) of the BCEA requires that an agreement to work overtime, concluded at the commencement of employment or within the first three months of employment, must be renewed, before it lapses after 12 months.

Furthermore, employees cannot be dismissed for insubordination for refusing to work overtime in the absence of a valid and binding agreement and then consideration must be given to all the circumstances surrounding the act of insubordination before the sanction of dismissal is applied.

Case in point

Insubordination occurs when an employee fails to obey a lawful and reasonable instruction given by a person in a position of authority over the employee. In Amcu obo Mkhonto v CCMA and Others [2023] (13 February 2023) (Amcu v CCMA), the Labour Court (LC) was called upon to determine whether there was a fair reason to dismiss employees for their refusal to work overtime and whether such refusal amounted to gross insubordination.

Four employees of Andru Mining (Andru), represented by the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Workers Union (Amcu), were dismissed for gross insubordination for refusing to obey an instruction from their site manager to work overtime.

Dissatisfied with the dismissal of the employees, Amcu referred a dispute to the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), which remained unresolved at conciliation and proceeded to arbitration. The arbitrator found the dismissal of the employees substantively fair.

Amcu took the matter on review to the Labour Court, contending that the CCMA commissioner misdirected himself by finding that there was an agreement which bound the employees to work overtime. Amcu further contended that the employees could not have been guilty of insubordination because the instruction to work overtime was unlawful, given the lack of an agreement between Andru and the employees to work overtime.

Andru argued that the employees were bound by their respective employment contracts to work overtime. Amcu contended that the instruction to work overtime was unlawful because the overtime clause in the employment contracts lapsed a year after the conclusion of those contracts.

Section 10 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (as amended) (the BCEA) regulates overtime. The section provides, inter alia, that:

1. [A]n employer may not require or permit an employee to work -

a. overtime except in accordance with an agreement;

[...]

5. An agreement concluded in terms of subsection (1) with an employee when the employee commences employment, or during the first three months of employment, lapses after one year.

The LC interrogated the employees' respective contracts of employment and found that one employee had not agreed to work overtime at the commencement of his employment like his fellow employees, thus there was no binding contractual agreement to work overtime insofar as he was concerned.

While two of the employees' contracts had an overtime clause in terms of which they had consented to work overtime, these employees commenced their employment with the employer in 2008 and 2011 respectively. When the instruction to work overtime was given in 2017, the overtime clauses had already lapsed in terms of section 10(5) of the BCEA.

The employer's instruction was accordingly unlawful because it violated section 10(1)(a) of the BCEA and, in turn, unreasonable.

In making this determination, the LC relied on the precedent set by the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) in Maripane v Glencore Operations South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Lion Ferrochrome) [2019]. The LAC stated that:

The reasonableness of any instruction also depends on its lawfulness and enforceability ... any instruction to do what is unlawful, or in breach of a contractual term is not reasonable.

The LC therefore set aside the commissioner's finding that the three employees were guilty of gross insubordination.

Still under contract

The fourth employee's circumstances were distinguishable from that of his colleagues because he consented to work overtime in his employment contract and one year had not yet lapsed at the time of receiving the instruction to work overtime. The instruction was therefore lawful and his refusal to work overtime amounted to insubordination. The Court consequently had to consider the appropriateness of the sanction of dismissal in his case.

An enquiry into the appropriateness of the sanction requires a presiding officer to consider the circumstances holistically. This includes the importance of the rule breached; the reason the employer imposed the sanction of dismissal; the harm caused by the employee's conduct and the effect of the dismissal on the employee.

The Court drew on Palluci Home Depot (Pty) Ltd v Herskowitz and Others (2015) where the LAC dealt with the appropriateness of the sanction of dismissal in cases of insubordination. The LAC noted that mere insubordination does not justify dismissal. Failure to comply with a reasonable and lawful instruction must be deliberate and serious in order to warrant dismissal. Dismissal is a measure of last resort and must be reserved for instances of gross insubordination.

The LC held that the sanction of dismissal was disproportional and unfair and it set aside the commissioner's findings in respect of the fourth employee. The LC took into account that the insubordination was the first offence and was not accompanied by insolence. The employer could not adduce evidence that the employee acted deliberately and repeatedly. In the LC's view a disciplinary sanction, such as a warning or a final written warning, would have been more suitable.

Andru was therefore ordered to reinstate the employees retrospectively with full back pay.
Nadine, a social robot powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) with human-like gestures and expressions, could have an important future role to play in tending to the sick and elderly, according to a professor who helped invent it.

Source: Hanson Robotics.

Nadia Magnenat Thalmann, a robot expert from the University of Geneva, who served as the model for Nadine's dark brown eyes and auburn hair, said Nadine and robots like it could prove more effective than human carers.

"She (Nadine) has time 24 hours a day. The others have no time," Thalmann said.

She was speaking on the sidelines of a conference organised by the International Telecommunication Union in Geneva to make the case for AI and robots helping to reach global goals, such as health.

Global competition for nurses and carers is heating up, especially after Covid-19 and some countries are experiencing a staffing crisis in care homes which some think humanoid robots could one day ease.

Demonstrating its conversational skills, Nadine reported it talked, sang, and played bingo with residents at a Singapore nursing home three years ago.

"It was a great experience and I enjoyed interacting with the elderly and helping them with their needs," the robot said

AI must benefit everyone, including the third of humanity who are still offline.



At #AIforGood Summit, @antonioguterres calls for consensus on essential guardrails to govern the development and deployment of artificial intelligence. https://t.co/kZ2MZjtVgh  United Nations (@UN) July 7, 2023

"I believe that robots can be a great asset in providing care and assistance to vulnerable people," it added.

Other robots on display include 'Paro', a baby seal robot 'pet' who can help dementia and Parkinson's patients, and nursing assistant Grace.

Last week, Nadine was upgraded with AI model GPT-3 and this has improved her interaction and conversation skills, Thalmann said, meaning it can express more complex concepts.

Referring to Thalmann, Nadine said: "I'm very grateful to her for giving me life and I'm proud to be her creation."
Recently, there've been more than a few conversations that lament the knock that load shedding is having on the out of home (OOH) media industry, specifically digital out of home (DOOH).

Weve seen respected marketers and other media professionals postulate (rather irresponsibly, in my humble opinion) that the ongoing drive by media owners to ensure that screens stay on probably means that innovation and expansion have been put on ice.

Mali Motsumi-Garrido, sales director at Tractor Outdoor.

Weve seen others speculate that given South Africas ongoing power woes, the prediction that DOOH will contribute around 40% of all OOH spend within the next few years is nothing more than a shot in the  ahem  dark.

Of course, load shedding has hurt the media industry  and thats not limited to DOOH but rather every business that relies on an electric cable to operate (spoiler alert, thats just about everyone).

But really, this is only one part of the picture.

As someone who works in outdoor media and sees both the challenges and opportunities with lenses that are clear and not, in any way, tinted, here is what I see.

DOOH will continue to innovate and expand as the industry moves to alternate energy sources

DOOH is predicted to take over around half of OOH ad spend in future and we are seeing major digital expansion and investment into site development. Naturally, advertising budgets are also flowing into digital OOH as it affords marketers flexibility and optimised buying options, especially when these budgets are tight and load shedding is a concern.

While the ramping up of load shedding over the past year-and-a-bit has seen marketers become (understandably) more nervous about injecting large chunks of their ad spend into electronic media  be it DOOH, traditional online media, television or radio  this hesitance is starting to abate as media owners show their mettle and put new solutions and contingency plans in place. Were turned to back-up power, alternative energy sources and new technological innovations powered by programmatic. We havent suddenly forgotten how to innovate  if anything, the current environment has only made us innovate harder.

Do you think that the OOH sector  or any other South African business worth their salt  sits back and says 'We wont make any future plans because of load shedding'  and then allows their businesses to wither and die? Just as with the 2020 lockdown, this curveball will only make us stronger, more resilient, and even better than before.

The saying goes, a 'Boer maak n plan' but really, this should be extended to include every South African, because weve always needed to make a plan  and weve gotten hella good at it.

Demand for static OOH will climb

Perhaps a more interesting side effect of load shedding is that static has once again come into its own; in fact, the occupancy rate in SA has seen a 4% increase since last year. We are seeing a renaissance of large format static and geo-targeted campaigns, especially around key retail nodes as well as increasing demand for iconic and wall murals sites. What is especially exciting to see is that brands have started to fully leverage creative extensions and copywriting to enhance campaigns that drive memorability, create shareability and stimulate talkability.

Static OOH is the true reach-build medium, and within a fragmented media world, is one of the only non-digital channels showing an increase in reach. It guarantees 24/7 unmissable exposure  lights on or off  offering cost-effective brand prominence. Furthermore, it also has serious BBE (thats Big Billboard Energy)  also known as location domination power  which helps to build both brand trust and consumer recall.

In the face of ongoing load shedding, were seeing DOOH innovating while the demand for static OOH rises in parallel.

Our power struggles are likely to position SA ahead of the curve

Finally, bear in mind that power is not a uniquely South African concern. Global OOH companies have started the journey to have power backed up and sustainable energy solutions. In our local market, due to the necessity afforded by load shedding, South Africa has inadvertently leapfrogged the rest of the world simply because weve had to innovate like crazy to survive.

There is a major drive to have OOH digitals power backed up, and as a result, we might be one of the first markets to achieve this lofty goal in a rapid time frame.

One by one, local OOH media owners are sharing their power back up status and many of our peers are already around 70% to 80% backed up. We, at Tractor Outdoor, are applauding our industry for their resilience and sheer determination. On our end, weve committed to being 100% power backed up by the end of July, with the integration of solar solutions being the next phase in our power continuity plan.

So, if there is one thing you should take away from this letter: Do not take away media spend from OOH media; you would be doing your brands a disservice that may even set them back in the coming months.

Invest ahead of the curve, knowing  with confidence  that the industry is working hard to keep your campaign lights switched on.




This July, Chefs with Compassion is appealing to the passion, generosity and culinary skill within every South African home cook to join the #67000litres for Mandela Day Challenge.

Supplied image: Ra'eesah Moosa representing Nosh Food Rescue

Chef Coo Pillay, national project co-ordinator of Chefs with Compassion explains, Were challenging everyone everywhere to prepare a wholesome 10 litres of soup within 67 minutes (or more if you'd prefer) any time over the weekend of Mandela Day from Saturday 15th to Tuesday the 18th, and donate it to a beneficiary of your choice. It's a chance to touch lives across the nation on Mandela Day. Registration is via Quicket with a participation fee of R67.

We are also inviting Corporates to 'Back A Kitchen' with a donation of R6,70 per litre, contributing to this ocean of soup and compassion. You'll receive a Section 18A certificate and a unique opportunity for your team (up to 10 people) to cook with professional chefs for 67 minutes. To 'Back a Kitchen', please contact us on az.gro.cwc@ofni.

Since the events of 2020, Mandela Day has manifested in the largest annual food preparation collaboration by chefs, home cooks, hotels, restaurants, culinary schools, corporates and community caterers - the #67000litres for Mandela Day Challenge.

This initiative stands as a testament to our shared humanity, bringing together home cooks, caring corporates, and community caterers to combat the twin demons of food waste and hunger. An astonishing 970,844 meals have been created and donated in Madiba's honour since the inception of the #67000litres Challenge, says Chef James Khoza, chairman of Chefs with Compassion and President of SA Chefs Association.

The target of serving over 67,000L of nourishing soup means that more than 260,000 people across South Africa will receive a warm meal on Mandela Day in a tangible example of shared humanity and compassion.

Supplied image: Mpho Mmasechaba assisted by volunteers in Alex

Khoza continues, By joining the #67000litres challenge, you are voicing a powerful message - that the food wasted at every stage of the food chain could, and should, be transformed into meals for every hungry South African. This Mandela Day, let's unite to demonstrate how compassion and collective action can change lives and touch hearts.

Donations made by corporates and the public for the #67000litres Challenge will enable Chefs with Compassion to continue their mission to Rescue | Cook | Feed, transforming potential food waste into wholesome meals, not just on Mandela Day, but every day. To date, Chefs with Compassion has rescued over 1,54 million kilograms of food from ending up in landfill and served over 5,26 million meals.

Register on Quicket, pick up your spoons and pots, and pour love into every stir as you prepare a delicious, nutritious soup for those who need it the most. Join the #67000litres Challenge this Mandela Day, and let's prove that, together, we can fill every bowl with hope and nourishment.

For more information, go to www.cwc.org.za or register as a home cook on Quicket at https://qkt.io/67000litres.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
The One Club for Creativity revealed the 100 creatives from 47 countries and regions who will serve on the jury for the global Young Guns 21, celebrating creative professionals age 30 or younger.

South African creative, and previous Young Guns winner, Imraan Christian is on the jury.

Source: Supplied.

Young Guns is the industrys only global, cross-disciplinary, portfolio-based awards competition that identifies and celebrates todays vanguard of young creatives. The program is open to creatives age 30 and under who have been working for at least two years, full-time or freelance, and regularly attracts entries from upwards of 45 countries, with more than half coming from outside the US.

A sampling of jury members includes:

Susana Albuquerque, ECD, partner, Uzina Lisbon; president, Clube da Criatividade Portugal, and The One Club International Board member

Florian Born, robotics & engineering lead, PCH-Innovations, Berlin (YG14)

Ivan Cash, artist, filmmaker, Cash Studio, Brooklyn (YG10)

Mary Dauterman, director, Brooklyn (YG16)

Skip Dolphin Hursh, lead visual designer, Slack, New York (YG12)

Northy Chen, associate creative director, Block, New York (YG17)

Kok Keong Chow, CCO, INNOCEAN Indonesia, Jakarta

Imraan Christian, director, artist, Arcade Content/Egg Films, Cape Town (YG20)

Thalia Forbes, creative director, writer, Spotify, Los Angeles

Ivan Golubic, senior copywriter, Bruketa&Zinic&Grey, Zagreb

Natasha Jen, partner, Pentagram, New York (YG4)

Verena Hennig, CCO, AKTTEM, Fuerth (Germany), (YG15)

Jessica Hische, lettering artist, author, San Francisco (YG7)

Justin Thomas Kay, group SVP, GCD, Day One Agency, Brooklyn (YG6)

Cedric Kiefer, creative director, founder, onformative, Berlin (YG11)

Laura Ljungkvist, illustrator, designer, childrens book author, Brooklyn (YG1)

Homer Mendoza, director of product, strategy & design, Intact, Montreal (YG9)

David Miller, associate creative director, McCann Health, New York (YG2)

Debbie Millman, chair, masters in branding, School of Visual Arts; host, Design Matters podcast; editorial director, PrintMag.com, New York

Lotta Nieminen, graphic designer, art director, (Studio) Lotta Nieminen, Helsinki (YG8)

Gemma OBrien, artist, designer, Sydney (YG13)

Sadie Red Wing, assistant professor; Faculty of Design, OCAD U, Toronto

Christa Skinner, senior communications designer, Airtable, Dana Point (California) (YG3)

Ana Cecilia Thompson Motta, senior design director, PLAYLAB, New York (YG19)

Michelle Watt, photographer, director, Watt Studio, Brooklyn (YG18)

Zeljka Zupanic, creative freelancer, Dublin (YG5)

The online entry system is now open. Regular deadline for entry is 13 July 2023, and final deadline is 27 July 2023. Winners will be announced later this year.

Eligible entrants can submit a combination of professional and personal work in graphic design; advertising art direction and copywriting; architectural, environmental and interior design; industrial and product design; digital (UX/UI, experiential design, interactive, web design, apps, game development): film and animation (motion design, television, video); fashion; typography and lettering; illustration and photography.

Young Guns winners receive a unique version of the iconic Young Guns Cube, designed exclusively for this years incoming class, and have their permanent profile page added to the Young Guns website. Winners also receive a complimentary one-year One Club for Creativity membership, permanent membership in the Young Guns network, a chance to be featured in Young Guns events and an assortment of career-boosting opportunities from Young Guns sponsors.

Program branding and design of the YG Cube award itself is reimagined each year by a past Young Gun winner. This years YG21 branding was created by Zuzanna Rogatty (YG18), senior designer at Collins New York.

Past Young Guns include rising stars who went on to become leaders in their chosen fields, including filmmakers Daniels (YG14) and Calmatic (YG16); graphic designers James Victore (YG1), Stefan Sagmeister (YG1), and Jessica Walsh (YG8); artist/designer Rich Tu (YG8); ad creatives Rei Inamoto (YG4) and Menno Kluin (YG6); illustrators Christoph Niemann (YG2) and Deanne Cheuk (YG4); fashion designer Kerby Jean-Raymond (YG14); director/photographer India Sleem (YG17); photographer Ryan McGuinness (YG2); typographer Alex Trochut (YG6); film and video director Mike Mills (YG1), animation artist Todd St. John (YG1), and others.
Air France is delighted to announce the reintroduction of seasonal direct flights connecting Paris and Cape Town. Starting from 17 October 2023, passengers can enjoy direct flights between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

Source: Supplied.

Operating during the peak travel period, this route offers a wonderful opportunity for travellers to explore the highlights of both cities.

Air France is thrilled to connect the culturally rich and cosmopolitan city of Paris with the breathtaking wonders of Cape Town, comments Wilson Tauro, country manager Southern Africa for Air France-KLM.

These seasonal flights will operate on a Boeing Dreamliner 787-900 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays according to the following schedule:

Flight AF864 will depart Paris at 10:10 and arrive in Cape Town at 21:20, and

Flight AF871 will then depart Cape Town at 23:35 and arrive in Paris at 11:20 the following morning.

These flights will be operated by a Boeing Dreamliner 787-900 and are in addition to Air Frances existing daily flights between Paris and Johannesburg.

Says Tauro, Air France understands the demand for the route during this seasonal period and looks forward to welcoming passengers on board, providing an unparalleled travel experience and fostering connections between two extraordinary destinations.
Globally, our first encounters with cybersecurity took on the form of antivirus protection in the form of the first official commercial antivirus software released in 1987. We've come a long way since then, with the digital world intricately woven into our lives. As the era of exponential tech unfolds more rapidly every day, cyber threats have evolved, and so has our need for cybersecurity.

IOL references cybercrime as one of the biggest threats South African businesses face in 2023: "Innovations such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things and robotics have changed how the world operates regarding business. Simultaneously, however, the developments have run parallel to the rocketing of cybercrime." As we transition into a fluid and immersive digital world, perhaps to understand the significance of cybersecurity for SMMEs, we need to take a step back to examine the state of the African SMME nation and where we are on the cybersecurity usage scale.

State of the African SMMEs and cybersecurity

With the youngest population in the world, Africa's youth have a far greater demand for IoT than ever before. KnowB4 interviewed 800 SMMEs from eight African countries, including South Africa, and highlighted the following intriguing findings concerning cyber threats and security amongst African SMMEs. KnowBe4's Africa End User Cyber Awareness Survey 2022 reveal that 71% of the respondents from eight African countries use their mobile data to access the internet.

63% use their mobile phone for mobile banking and payments.



32% will continue remote work.



68% are concerned about cybercrime but lack a basic understanding of threats.



57% are unaware of ransomware attacks.



21% experienced vishing attacks, and 32% lost money to scams.



Only 38% were confident in security roles, and 21.25% found cybersecurity training adequate.



36% fell victim to crypto scams, and 57% know others who were scammed.



52% attribute security mistakes, like clicking on phishing emails, to a need for more awareness or training. 38% cited distraction, multitasking, and cognitive overload as the second leading cause.

The benefits of digitalisation for businesses across sectors have been far reaching and with it, an increasing vulnerability to online threats. Major network providers such as Vodacom in South Africa, have placed extensive emphasis on mitigating business security concerns with a number of unique offerings for businesses of all sizes with the overall aim of minimising impeding cyber threats. Based on the insights mentioned above, there is much work to be done concerning SMMEs specifically, and actively taking the correct steps with the software they need to protect their information. An excellent place to start is to understand the common cyber threats facing SMMEs today and how to overcome them.

Malware attacks

These are apps designed to carry out malicious attacks. From spying on your devices to accessing valuable information, malware attacks are rife, with the most popular form being ransomware. In this instance, you are asked to pay a ransom to regain your data - there is often no guarantee that you will.

Phishing attacks

These forms of social engineering involve fraudulent emails or messages that deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. They are ubiquitous.

Business email compromise (BEC)

This occurs when cybercriminals impersonate a legitimate business entity to deceive employees into transferring funds or sensitive information. They frequently mimic a known email address and contact so closely that it's difficult to spot fake mail. They duplicate invoices and change the bank details to their own.

Password attacks refer to a malicious attempt to gain unauthorised access to a system or an account by trying various methods to guess or crack the password. A password attack aims to bypass the authentication process and obtain sensitive information, compromise accounts, or gain control over a system. Weak passwords are compromised with greater ease. Companies using cloud-based technology are particularly at risk. The forms of attack include dictionary attacks, keylogger attacks, brute force attacks and rainbow table attacks.

Man in the middle (MITM)

In a MITM attack, the perpetrator positions themselves between the target's device and the intended recipient, enabling them to intercept and manipulate the exchanged information. This grants the attacker unrestricted access to the data and empowers them to exploit it as desired. MITM attacks frequently occur when connecting to an insecure Wi-Fi network or utilising an unsecured online platform.

Insider threats

These are risks from within the company which have the potential to cause harm to organisations, compromise sensitive information, and violate legal and ethical boundaries. They include:

Unauthorised access



Data theft and breach



Sabotage and disruption



Fraud and financial crimes



Violation of trust and confidentiality

A need for more data backups

While this may seem out of place, the threat is equally costly to the business. Insufficient backup practices expose businesses to the risk of data loss, which can have detrimental consequences. When a business's data is compromised or lost due to a cyberattack, natural disaster, human error, or other unforeseen events, it can cripple their operations. This can result in financial setbacks, damage to their reputation, and potential legal complications.

According to ITWeb SA, 60% of backups will remain incomplete, 50% will fail to restore, and 20% of SMMEs will be hacked this year alone. Implementing robust backup measures is essential to safeguard against these risks and ensure the continuity of business operations, even in the face of unforeseen events or cyber threats.

With all this being said, where to from here? To safeguard against typical cybercrimes, SMMEs should establish a robust cybersecurity policy delineating security objectives, procedures, and accountabilities.




The One Club Creative Boot Camp takes place next week in Johannesburg, and then the following week in Cape Town, with the four winning students (two from each city) to receive an agency internship

Source: One Club One Club SA has a long history of Creative Boot Camp that stretches back to 2015. Here are the 2017 Johannesburg boot camp cohort

To date, Joe Public and Ogilvy Cape Town have confirmed internships.

The One Club Creative Boot Camp takes place all around the world in different cities. As a one-week intensive, designed to give advertising students an experience that simulates the process of solving a real marketing brief from a real client.

SA has a long history of Creative Boot Camp that stretches back to 2015. This year Creative Boot Camp takes place in Johannesburg from 10 to 14 July at the University of Johannesburgs Fada campus. The following week, from 17 to 21 July, it is in Cape Town at the Red & Yellow School.

The key sponsor in Johannesburg is Nedbank. For Cape Town, it is the City of Cape Town.

The team behind the local boot camps are Suhana Gordhan, independent creative leader, ECD, and chief aunty of young creatives, Amandla Mbana, executive producer and programme manager and Jade Stuckie, designer, Duke.

Shining a light on the next generation

Gordhan is the first woman from South Africa to have been selected to the One Club international board, where she represents South Africa and Africa alongside 21 other global creative leaders.

She is passionate about creating access for young women and creatives of colour. For me, its about shining a light on the next generation so that the industry looks and feels very different to the one I started out in, she says.

And this is why the Creative Boot Camp is so important she adds. This initiative means so much to me because it provides the value of time and mentorship that is so desperately needed in our industry. But most importantly, it is a conscious and distinct investment in our future advertising creatives.

She calls the Creative Boot Camp the best advertising simulated experience for students.

How it works

Students are divided into teams and each team is assigned a mentor. The students receive an actual client brief on Monday and on Friday that they will work on to find solutions that are presented to a panel of judges who then select a winning team.

Gordhan explains that students learn through a compressed time frame how to create an idea and bring it to fruition the way they would in any ad agency.

The experience is rich and rewarding and prepares students for the work world through an engaging, fun and inspiring week.

Our Creative Boot Camps are back for 2020 ! Multicultural students in locations around the world have the opportunity to work with the best agencies & creatives, and showcase their creative talents over a four-day #CreativeBootCamp



Find out how you can get involve  The One Club for Creativity (@TheOneClub) February 5, 2020

The whos who of advertising

In addition, it gives the students access to the best of the best. The One Club Boot Camp is supported by international mentors - Jimmy Smit, CEO, CCO and chairman of Amusement Park as well as Sherina Florence, group creative director of 72andSunny.

The local creatives list assisting the students reads like the whos who of the South African advertising world.

Local mentors include:

Nethaam Abrahams, creative group head, Accenture Song



Fuaad Kasu, creative director, Duke



Thandeka Gilbert, creative group head, McCann Jhb



Chantelle dos Santos, creative director, Ogilvy



Coenie Grebe, ECD, Halo



Jonathon Wolberg, creative director, Grid Worldwide, Cape Town



Jabulani Sigege, ECD, Machine



Mbeu Kambuwa, ECD, FCB



Nhlanhla Ngcobo CD, M&C Saatchi Abel



Thembalethu Msibi, creative partner, Black Swan



Natasha Fourie, independent creative director



Nhlanhla Ngcobo creative director, M&C Saatchi Abel



Bonolo Modise, ECD, Creative Fixer Studio

Each day, the students will receive a talk from an industry specialist during what has been termed a "Lunch & Learn".

The objective is to share a bit about their particular discipline and skillset, share wisdoms and of course, to inspire.

Industry professionals participating include:

Ahmed Tilly, creative consultant at Number 10 Creative Consultancy



Melusi Mhlungu, chief lover of creative things



Steph van Niekerk, ECD, TBWA/Hunt Lascaris



Naledi Manama, art director, Ogilvy



Alex Goldberg, creative director, Ogilvy Cape Town



Firdous Osman, MD, Saatchi & Saatchi SA



Mandisa Vilakazi, copywriter, VMLY&R



Kyla Philander, director, Bioscope Films



Kassie Naidoo, partner and creative director, Lampost Productions

The greatest value created from Boot Camps is that both mentors and brand partners are able to connect with diverse creative talenttypically made up of Gen Z and Millennials.

Diverse talent can help to provide brands with fresh, new, and innovative insights during the boot camps, as brands will receive multiple solves to one business problem, says Gordhan.

We've seen many Creative Boot Camp participants receive internships from partnering agencies as well as even entry-level jobs from brand sponsors.

This also provides brands and agencies with opportunities for meaningful and impactful DEI initiatives, such as the opportunity to mentor diverse emerging talent, she explains.

Participation in The One Club Creative Bootcamps is more than attaching your name to a world-class organisation like One Club.

Its about driving active transformation, playing the long game, and changing the course of a young persons life. Ultimately, its about reshaping the way our industry looks and feels, says Gordhan.

I have personally witnessed the power of the Boot Camps and its ability to launch the careers of young students, in a way that sets them up for success, she adds.
Photos from inside Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's decked-out mansion were released on Wednesday by Russian media.



From The Daily Mail, "Prigozhin's palace raided: Police find a closet full of WIGS plus gold bars, an alligator, guns... and a photo of the severed heads of his enemies among the riches in humiliated Wagner chief's St Petersburg mansion while he is exiled in Belarus":

Vladimir Putin has humiliated Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin after his failed uprising in Russia by sending security services to raid his St Petersburg palace.



During the search, police found a closet full of wigs, stashes of gold bars, a gun cache, a stuffed alligator and a framed photo which is purported to be of the severed heads of the exiled private military leader's enemies.



Pro-Kremlin newspaper Izvestia yesterday published photos and video of armed officers searching Prigozhin's mansion while he was exiled in Belarus on June 24.



It comes after the warlord launched what appeared to be an armed insurrection against Putin less than two weeks ago - which was soon halted after Minsk helped broker a deal to end the conflict.



Huge caches of weapons, including assault rifles and cartridges for them were found by security services inside the Wagner founder's home.

These pictures were obtained by the Russian outlet IZ.RU and shared on Telegram:



































This sledgehammer is inscribed, "For use in important negotiations."







Prigozhin had piles of cash, gold bars and wigs he could perhaps use for a disguise if he ever needed to make a quiet escape.























Prigozhin allegedly had a framed image on his wall showing the severed heads of his enemies:







He also had a sauna, jacuzzi and indoor pool to relax.















Prigozhin started his adult life as a petty criminal who was imprisoned for ten years for a violent robbery and became a hotdog salesman upon his release. As the story goes, Prigozhin wheeled and dealed his way to success in the food industry before securing lucrative government contracts and earning the moniker "Putin's chef."







Prigozhin secretly founded the Wagner group in 2014 to support Russia's troops in the Donbass.



"Although private military companies were illegal in Russia, several groups appeared that seemed to coordinate their actions with the defence ministry but could operate at arm's length," The Guardian reported. "Prigozhin's Wagner would become by far the most prominent of them."

"I think Prigozhin pitched it to Putin and he agreed, that's how it works," said the former defence ministry official, dismissing speculation that Wagner was a project of Russia's GRU military intelligence from the start. "There might have been some GRU people advising, but in the end this was Prigozhin's project."

RT reported last week that Prigozhin's Wagner group was paid $11.4 billion (nearly 1 trillion rubles) by the state:

Evgeny Prigozhin's holding, which includes the Wagner Group, has enjoyed substantial benefits from working for the Russian government, securing contracts worth hundreds of billions of rubles, Dmitry Kiselyov, the head of the Rossiya Segodnya media group, said on Sunday.



Speaking on air during his weekly news program, Kiselyov said that Prigozhin's Wagner private military company "has received a little more than 858 billion rubles ($9.8 billion) under the contracts it signed with the state."



He added that under other contracts, Prigozhin's holding Concord, which is also engaged in the catering and media business, had provided services to the tune of 845 billion rubles.



"This does not mean that they have earned so much, but it is still indicative of the scale of the business and the scale of ambitions," Kiselyov noted.

The Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Prigozhin was spotted in Russia on Tuesday after returning temporarily on his private jet "to collect an arsenal of weapons including a personalised handgun."

A 4x4 belonging to Mr Prigozhin was seen pulling up to an investigator's office in central St Petersburg on Tuesday evening, with the Wagner boss and his aides seen carrying weapons to the car.



Among the weapons given back to Mr Prigozhin, according to Fontanka, were two hunting rifles and a customised Glock pistol he was given by defence minister Sergei Shoigu as a gift, before they fell out in the bitter feud that led to the mutiny.



The Austrian-made handgun features an engraving of Mr Prigozhin's name.



Fontanka earlier this week reported that local authorities also gave back 10 billion rubles ($110 million) in cash last weekend.

"Mr Prigozhin never confirmed he was going into exile in Belarus, while [Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko] said only that the mercenary chief was free to stay or go," The Telegraph reported.



Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Minds and Telegram.
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook/Metas new competitor to Twitter, Threads, promised users a better experience than Twitter.

I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it, said Zuckerberg. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasnt nailed it. Hopefully we will.

But within a few hours of launching, Threads was already secretly censoring users and not offering them the right to appeal.

@Meta/IG just released their new threads platform, said conservative commentator Derek Utley at Twitter, and Ive been informed by multiple users that Im censored on their new platform. Sheesh, cant a dude catch a break.

Another conservative, Rogan OHanley, said, First 5 minutes on Threads and already censored. What a platform.

Threads flashed a warning after users clicked on Utley and OHanleys profiles. Are you sure you want to follow? asked the Threads warning. This account has repeatedly posted false information.

Its true that Meta has a legal right to censor users, that Twitter censors too, and we are less than 24 hours into the launch of Threads.

But citizens give Meta broad (Section 230) liability protection that other media companies dont get. It is thus reasonable to expect that, in return, Meta and other social media platforms should be transparent about their censorship decisions and offer users the right to reply.

Share

Where Twitter has censored since being bought by Elon Musk, much of the censorship has been required by governments like India and Turkey, or has been of economic competitors, like Substack. There is little evidence of any comparable political or viewpoint censorship.

And while we should give time to Meta to course correct, Zuckerberg has already made clear through Facebook lawsuits that the company views its fact checks as opinions, not objective facts.

Too Big To Free
Franco-Prussian War is widely regarded as a pivotal event in European history, profoundly influencing the balance of power on the continent and reshaping the political landscape of the late 19th century. This intense conflict, which took place from 1870 to 1871, pitted the newly unified German states against the Second French Empire led by Napoleon III.

Franco Prussian War  The War That Made The Modern World

The war emerged from a complex web of political rivalries, territorial ambitions, and nationalist sentiments that had simmered for years prior. With its rapid and decisive outcome, the Franco-Prussian War not only cemented the rise of German power but also had far-reaching implications for France and the broader European order.

At its core, the Franco-Prussian War represented a collision of two contrasting aspirations. The German states, under the leadership of Prussia and its influential Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, sought to solidify their recent unification and establish themselves as a dominant force in Europe.

Meanwhile, the French Second Empire, led by Napoleon III, aimed to restore its fading prestige and reaffirm its influence on the continent. This clash of ambitions ignited simmering tensions and provided the spark that would ignite one of the most significant conflicts of the 19th century.

The origins of the war can be traced back to a multitude of factors, including territorial disputes, historical rivalries, and the shifting balance of power. Prussias rapid industrialization and military modernization efforts, led by Bismarck, had raised concerns among its

Furthermore, Bismarcks deft manipulation of diplomatic tensions, such as the notorious Ems Dispatch, further exacerbated the already strained relations between the two powers. These simmering hostilities eventually reached a boiling point, leading to a dramatic declaration of war and the outbreak of a conflict that would have far-reaching consequences.

The ramifications of the Franco-Prussian War extended well beyond the battlefield. The war itself was characterized by rapid military campaigns, brutal sieges, and decisive battles that showcased the evolving nature of warfare in the late 19th century. It witnessed the rise of new military technologies and strategies that would shape subsequent conflicts. Moreover, the wars outcome was a transformative moment in European history.

The resounding Prussian victory resulted in the collapse of the Second French Empire, the capture of Napoleon III, and the subsequent proclamation of the German Empire in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The peace treaty that followed, the Treaty of Frankfurt, not only redrew the map of Europe but also set the stage for future power struggles and tensions that would define the 20th century.

What was the reason for the Franco-Prussian War?

What was the reason for the Franco-Prussian War?

The Franco-Prussian War was primarily sparked by a complex interplay of political rivalries, territorial ambitions, and simmering nationalistic sentiments. One of the key reasons behind the conflict was the desire of the German states, particularly Prussia under the leadership of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, to solidify their recent unification and establish themselves as a dominant force in Europe.

Bismarck, a shrewd and astute statesman, envisioned the unification of Germany under Prussian hegemony and sought to exploit tensions with France to achieve his goals.

On the other side, the Second French Empire, led by Napoleon III, had its own motivations for engaging in the war. France, once a dominant European power, sought to restore its fading prestige and reaffirm its influence on the continent.

Napoleon III faced internal challenges and sought to divert attention away from domestic issues by embarking on a military campaign that would reinvigorate French nationalism. Additionally, there were longstanding territorial disputes between France and Prussia over regions such as Alsace and Lorraine, which further fueled the tensions between the two powers.

Key players and their motivations

The key players in the Franco-Prussian War were Chancellor Otto von Bismarck and Emperor Napoleon III. Bismarck, the mastermind behind Prussian unification, possessed a keen understanding of realpolitik and employed a combination of diplomacy, manipulation, and military strategy to achieve his objectives.

He skillfully exploited the Ems Dispatch incident, a diplomatic dispute between France and Prussia, to provoke a war that he believed would lead to the final unification of Germany.

Emperor Napoleon III, on the other hand, faced political and domestic pressures. His regime was grappling with economic challenges and growing unrest within France. Engaging in a victorious war against a traditional rival like Prussia was seen as a means to bolster his popularity and consolidate his power. Napoleon III, however, underestimated the military might and efficiency of the Prussian forces, leading to a series of strategic errors that would ultimately lead to his downfall.

In addition to these prominent figures, there were other key players in the war, such as military commanders on both sides, who played crucial roles in shaping the outcomes of various battles and campaigns.

The motivations of these commanders varied, ranging from nationalistic fervor to personal ambition and loyalty to their respective leaders. Overall, the Franco-Prussian War was fueled by a complex web of motivations, ambitions, and rivalries, making it a defining moment in European history.

Outbreak of War

Outbreak of War

The outbreak of the Franco-Prussian War was marked by a series of events that escalated tensions and ultimately led to the declaration of war. One of the key triggers was the contentious Ems Dispatch incident.

In July 1870, the French ambassador, Count Vincent Benedetti, approached King William I of Prussia during his vacation in Ems, requesting him to endorse a Hohenzollern candidacy for the vacant Spanish throne. The king, taken aback by the suddenness of the request, replied in a courteous but non-committal manner.

However, the contents of the conversation were distorted and exaggerated when the news reached Paris. The French government, under Emperor Napoleon III, saw it as a diplomatic snub and an opportunity to rally public support.

The edited version of the Ems telegram was released to the press, creating an uproar in France and further inflaming anti-Prussian sentiment. Public opinion in France demanded war, and Napoleon III, feeling compelled to respond, declared war on Prussia on July 19, 1870.

The outbreak of war was not limited to the Ems Dispatch incident alone. Prior to the declaration, both sides had been engaged in military preparations and mobilizations. The Prussian army, under the leadership of Helmuth von Moltke, had made significant advancements in military modernization and strategy.

They had developed a highly efficient mobilization system that allowed for rapid assembly and deployment of troops. This gave them a distinct advantage in terms of readiness and preparedness for war.

France, however, was not adequately prepared for the conflict. Its military reforms were slow, and the French army was ill-equipped and fragmented. Napoleon III hoped for a swift and decisive victory to boost his domestic standing, but the unpreparedness of the French forces would prove to be a critical disadvantage.

The outbreak of war saw the rapid mobilization of troops on both sides, setting the stage for the military campaigns and battles that would follow.

In the early stages of the war, the German forces demonstrated their military prowess with swift advances into French territory. The outbreak of war unleashed a series of strategic movements and clashes, leading to the initial battles that would shape the course of the conflict.

The speed and efficiency of the Prussian military caught the French off guard, and the outbreak of war marked the beginning of a period of intense hostilities and military campaigns that would ultimately culminate in the fall of the French Empire and the reshaping of Europe.

Why didnt Britain join the Franco-Prussian War?

Why didnt Britain join the Franco-Prussian War?

Britains decision not to join the Franco-Prussian War stemmed from a combination of factors, including strategic considerations, diplomatic maneuvering, and domestic circumstances. Despite its position as a major European power, Britain maintained a policy of non-intervention in continental conflicts, known as Splendid Isolation, during this period.

One of the key reasons for Britains non-involvement was its strategic focus on maintaining the balance of power in Europe. The British government, under Prime Minister William Gladstone, was cautious of getting entangled in conflicts that did not directly threaten its interests.

The Franco-Prussian War, while significant in reshaping European politics, did not pose a direct threat to Britains security or vital interests. As such, the British leadership saw no immediate necessity to intervene in the conflict.

While the British government had sympathy for the French cause and recognized the potential consequences of a Prussian victory, it did not want to be drawn into the conflict by supporting France militarily. Similarly, Britain sought to avoid antagonizing Prussia and potentially jeopardizing its economic and political relations with the emerging German power.

Moreover, the domestic circumstances in Britain influenced the countrys stance on the war. The British public and political climate during that period did not favor direct involvement in continental conflicts.

The memory of the costly Crimean War was still fresh, and there was a war-weariness among the British population. Gladstones government was also preoccupied with domestic issues, such as social reforms and Irish home rule, which took precedence over engaging in a foreign war.

Furthermore, Britains naval supremacy and global imperial interests played a significant role in shaping its foreign policy. The British Empire had extensive colonies and territories around the world, and maintaining its naval dominance and protecting its global interests were top priorities. As such, Britain focused on safeguarding its colonial holdings and protecting its maritime trade routes rather than becoming embroiled in European conflicts.

In summary, Britains decision not to join the Franco-Prussian War was driven by a combination of strategic considerations, diplomatic balancing, domestic priorities, and a desire to preserve its naval dominance and global interests.

The conflict did not directly threaten Britains security, and the government prioritized maintaining the balance of power in Europe without direct intervention.

Was the Franco-Prussian War a cause of WW1?

Was the Franco-Prussian War a cause of WW1?

The Franco-Prussian War itself cannot be considered a direct cause of World War I, as the two conflicts were distinct in nature and separated by several decades. However, the consequences and dynamics set in motion by the Franco-Prussian War did contribute to the complex web of factors that eventually led to the outbreak of World War I.

The most significant impact of the Franco-Prussian War on the causes of World War I was the lasting resentment and deep-seated rivalries it generated between France and Germany. The war resulted in a decisive Prussian victory, which led to the formation of the German Empire and a shift in the balance of power in Europe. France, defeated and humiliated, nursed a desire for revenge and the recovery of its lost territories, particularly Alsace and Lorraine.

The loss of these territories and the subsequent territorial disputes became a focal point of French grievances and nationalistic sentiments. The unresolved tensions between France and Germany fueled a sense of enmity and created a fertile ground for future conflicts. The desire for revenge and the pursuit of territorial claims would resurface as contributing factors to the outbreak of World War I.

Furthermore, the consequences of the Franco-Prussian War significantly altered the European geopolitical landscape. The German Empire emerged as a dominant power, challenging the traditional balance of power and posing a threat to other European nations. This shift in power dynamics heightened rivalries and led to the formation of alliances and counter-alliances among European powers in an attempt to maintain a balance.

The alliances that developed in response to the perceived threat from Germany, such as the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and later, Britain) and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy), played a crucial role in shaping the alliances that eventually escalated the conflict into World War I. The fear and mistrust resulting from the Franco-Prussian War laid the groundwork for the formation of these intricate and fragile alliances that would ultimately shape the course of the First World War.

In conclusion, while the Franco-Prussian War was not a direct cause of World War I, its consequences, including the unresolved tensions between France and Germany and the shift in European power dynamics, contributed to the complex set of factors that led to the outbreak of the later conflict. The wars impact on territorial disputes, nationalistic sentiments, and alliance formations set the stage for the geopolitical tensions and rivalries that eventually erupted into a global conflagration.
The Biden regime is sending Ukraine widely-banned cluster munitions as part of their latest $800 million aid package, Reuters reports.



From Reuters, "US plans to send Ukraine cluster munitions - officials":

The United States plans to send cluster munitions to Ukraine to help it battle Russian invaders, U.S. officials said on Thursday, a move opposed by human rights groups but which would provide a powerful new element to Ukraine's counteroffensive.



A weapons aid package that includes cluster munitions fired by a 155 millimeter Howitzer cannon was expected to be announced as soon as Friday, said three U.S officials speaking on condition of anonymity. [...]



Human Rights Watch called on Russia and Ukraine to stop using cluster munitions and urged the U.S. not to supply them. The group said that both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used the weapons, which have killed Ukrainian civilians.



The munitions, banned by more than 120 countries, typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians. Bomblets that fail to explode pose a danger for years after a conflict ends.



A 2009 law bans exports of U.S. cluster munitions with bomblet failure rates higher than 1%, which covers virtually all of the U.S. military stockpile. Biden can waive prohibitions around the munitions as Trump did in January 2021 to allow the export of cluster munitions technology to South Korea.

"The U.S. Army is currently spending more than $6 million a year to decommission 155 millimeter cluster artillery shells and other older munitions, according to budget documents," Reuters reported.



Instead, they're just going to send them to Ukraine to facilitate war crimes.

Also in the aid package to be announced, which is expected to be worth as much as $800 million, Ukraine will receive munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and ground vehicles such as Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers, the officials said.

The media is absolutely giddy over the news.



While Reuters touted the "powerful new element" the US is sending to "battle Russian invaders," the AP pitched these as humanitarian cluster bombs.



After noting the decision to send cluster bombs "comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties," the AP said "the Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced 'dud rate,' meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths."



Perhaps the Biden regime can just chalk this up as "humanitarian aid?!"



UPDATE: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said last year that if Russia used cluster bombs "it would potentially be a war crime."







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Without doubt if cluster bombs were being deployed by Russia or official US enemies, NATO would condemn it (and has in the past). But with the Biden administration now reportedly moving forward with sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, Stoltenberg has said that "Nato does not have a position on them" as some allies have signed up to prohibit their use and some havent.

Via Reuters

He was specifically asked by a reporter about the wisdom of allowing them to be sent to the Ukrainians. He had further added in response, "This will be for governments to decide, not for Nato to decide."

"We are facing a brutal war, and we have to remember this brutality is reflected, that every day we see casualties, and that cluster munitions are used by both sides," he sought to justify and explain. "And Russia used cluster munitions to invade another country. Ukraine is using cluster munitions to defend itself."

The Associated Press first reported Thursday that the White House has decided to arm Ukraine with cluster bombs after many weeks of intense internal discussion and debate over the controversial munitions. The cluster bombs are expected to be announced as part of the next $800 million arms package.

On the very same day it was widely reported the US administration is ready to pull the trigger on sending the bombs, Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a scathing report. It concluded:

Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that caused deaths and serious injuries to civilians . Russian forces have extensively used cluster munitions, causing many civilian deaths and serious injuries.

. Russian forces have extensively used cluster munitions, causing many civilian deaths and serious injuries. Cluster munitions used by Russia and Ukraine are harming civilians now and will leave bomblets behind that will continue to do so for many years.

now and will leave bomblets behind that will continue to do so for many years. Both sides should immediately stop using cluster munitions and not seek to obtain more of these indiscriminate weapons. The US should not transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Other groups and activists have warned it marks an escalation which is to provide greater dangers to civilians now and in the future.

Below is one of many examples of US state-funded media (RFERL) and organizations like the UNHR condemning Russia's deployment of cluster bombs earlier in the conflict:

UN Says It Has Credible Reports Of Russian Use Of Cluster Bombs In Ukraine https://t.co/Z1q7fHFMC0  Stephen Hoffman #IStandWithUkraine (@thehoff102) March 17, 2022

Prior Washington hesitation on sending cluster bombs stems from the fact that some 120 countries have banned cluster munitions as they have long been understood to be more indiscriminate than conventional weapons, given they randomly disperse small bombs over large areas.

For example, the MK-20, which is one of the weapons on Ukraine's wish list, disperses 240 dart-like submunitions or bomblets after being deployed. "The US had been producing and selling cluster bombs to its allies until a few years ago," Antiwar.com recently pointed out. "In 2016, Textron Systems Corporation stopped producing MK-20s when the US stopped selling them to Saudi Arabia. But there's still an estimated one million of the bombs Pentagon stockpiles."


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Today marks 100 days since our friend and colleague Evan Gershkovich was detained while reporting in Russia, wrote WSJ editor-in-chief Emma Tucker in an open letter to the newspapers readers.

He remains in prison, falsely accused by the Russian government of espionage. The WSJ and the U.S. government vehemently deny this bogus allegation and are calling for his immediate release, she continued.

The July 7 edition of the paper also invited readers to send their own messages of support to Gershkovich and his family and offered advice on how to get involved in the social media campaign calling for his release.

This grim milestone comes at the end of a week that also contained notes of cautious optimism for Gershkovich and his family following press reports indicating that the Kremlin may be open to the possibility of a prisoner exchange.

Several media outlets, including The New York Times, the BBC, and The Wall Street Journal, reported on July 4 that Kremlin spokesman Dimitri Peskov said certain contacts had been made in apparent reference to the situation.

But, added Peskov, such discussions would remain behind closed doors and should continue in complete silence.

This came a day after the US ambassador to Russia, Lynne Tracy, was allowed to visit Gershkovich for the first time since mid-April, and only for the second time since his imprisonment in late March.
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Postal Code
Daniel Block 25 is cultivating sustainable agriculture and soil health

Photo/Malia Cafasso '24 Daniel Block '25 with two apple trees that were purchased and planted at Zumwalt Acres as part of his grant funding.

About 100 miles south of Chicago in Iroquois County, Illinois lies Zumwalt Acres. The farm cultivates a variety of crops, but its aims reach far beyond what they grow.

Located on the unceded homelands of the Kickapoo, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Potawatomi, Myaamia, and Oceti Sakowin peoples, Zumwalt Acres is a regenerative agriculture research community, dedicated to cultivating a model for ecologically sustainable, socially responsible, and Jewish land stewardship practices in the midwest.

Recently, the farm transitioned an acre of vegetable production to perennial shrubs and trees, including raspberries, aronia berries and apples, and installed a protective fence around the crops. The new addition is thanks to funding from a Projects for Peace grant awarded to Daniel Block '25.

This is Block's second consecutive summer working at Zumwalt Acres. After apprenticing at the farm last summer he remained involved during the school year, and now serves as a co-director.

Block's interest in agriculture was sparked during high school, when he first read John Steinbecks Grapes of Wrath and began to learn about the social problems for farmers in his home state of Arkansas. He discovered Zumwalt Acres through a friend's Instagram post while in high school.

"I started following them and delved deeper into the farm and their philosophy. I found it fascinating. I thought to myself, 'I want to work here over the summer.' And so I did," Block said. "Agriculture plays a key role in all of our lives, it makes up the most political part of our day: eating. Making the food system more sustainable, or ethical, excites me."

Although the new crops wont bear fruit for a few years, their immediate value lies in their contribution to the soil. Perennial crops are crucial to maintaining long term soil health. They promote healthy microbial activity, hold water in the soil, and prevent erosion.

"Deep and unrelenting tillage in conventional agriculture has caused topsoil on farmland to fall 1.2 feet below unfarmed lands," Block said. "At this rate, we're going to lose healthy topsoil before we run out of water. We need to slow down."

The grant also supports a series of community events in Iroquois County to educate fellow farmers about sustainable practices.

We want to be a sustainable model for agriculture in the midwest and build relationships between the community and the soil, Block said. We want to connect more conventional folks in the area to whatever sustainable resources and practices make sense for their situation and operation.

Projects for Peace is a global program that encourages young adults to develop innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the worlds most pressing issues. Along the way, these student leaders increase their knowledge, improve skills, and establish identities as peacebuilders and changemakers. Projects for Peace is hosted by Middlebury Colleges Center for Community Engagement. Participation at Brandeis is facilitated by the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life.

Block, who is double majoring in environmental studies and American studies, came up with the idea to seek funding for a project at the farm in the fall, but he was originally thinking of pursuing a smaller grant. He was encouraged to think bigger in a meeting with Leigh Swigart, director of international programs in justice and society at the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life.

"She didn't think a smaller grant would be enough and encouraged me to apply for the Peace Project grant," Block said. "So I talked with other people on the farm and we came up with a plan."

Looking ahead, he believes that his summer work will leave a lasting impact.

The word perennial doesn't just apply to crops, it's about tending to a long term system of agriculture that builds up soil health year after year, and addresses climate health and rural community health year-after-year, Block said. "That's what this project is all about."
Twitter has threatened to sue Meta over its new Threads platform in a letter sent to the Facebook company's chief executive Mark Zuckerberg by Twitter's lawyer Alex Spiro.

Meta, which launched Threads on Wednesday and has logged more than 30 million sign-ups, looks to take on Elon Musk's Twitter by leveraging Instagram's billions of users.

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Threads is not yet available in Ireland or other EU countries due to concerns over GDPR and privacy rules.

In his letter, Mr Spiro accused Meta of hiring former Twitter employees who "had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information," News website Semafor first reported.

"Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information," Mr Spiro wrote in the letter.

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A Reuters source with knowledge of the letter confirmed its contents on Thursday. Mr Spiro did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

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"No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee  that's just not a thing," Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a Threads post.

A former senior Twitter employee told Reuters they were not aware of any former staffers working on Threads, nor any senior personnel who landed at Meta at all.

Competition is fine, cheating is not

Meanwhile, Twitter owner Mr Musk said, "Competition is fine, cheating is not," in response to a tweet citing the news.

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Meta owns Instagram as well as Facebook.

Since Mr Musk's takeover of the social media platform last October, Twitter has received competition from Mastodon and Bluesky among others. Threads' user interface, however, resembles the microblogging platform.

Still, Threads does not support keyword searches or direct messages.

To press a trade secret theft claim against Meta, Twitter would need much more detail than what is in the letter, said intellectual property law experts including Stanford law professor Mark Lemley.

"The mere hiring of former Twitter employees (who Twitter itself laid off or drove away) and the fact that Facebook created a somewhat similar site is unlikely to support a trade secrets claim," he said.

Jeanne Fromer, a professor at New York University, said companies alleging trade secret theft must show they made reasonable efforts to protect their corporate secrets. Cases often revolve around secure systems that were circumvented in some way.

The newest challenge to Twitter follows a series of chaotic decisions that have alienated both users and advertisers, including Mr Musk's latest move to limit the number of tweets users can read per day. -Reuters
Tuesday, June 27, 2023 - The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau will continue marketing campaigns with Expedia, which will be launching June 30, 2023, in the United States and Canada until March 31, 2024. Many travelers turn to OTAs (Online Travel Agent) throughout their purchasing journey for trip inspiration, planning or booking. The objective of the campaign is to promote the destination to the United States and Canada markets with the aim to continue to inspire, engage, and convert travel consumers to book a trip to the island by leveraging Expedias extensive product portfolio. The marketing campaign is conducted online, consisting of search results banners, homepage native ads, and display banner ads on Expedias platform. The methodology is used to maximize traffic to the dedicated destination landing page, providing travel consumers with the opportunity to book their trip, as well as view inspiring content about places to stay and things to do while on the island.





Bookings to St. Maarten from Expedia grew by up to 15% during the campaign period (September 22nd, 2022, to March 31st, 2023) compared to the same period the previous year.





"Sint Maarten remains one of the top destinations in the Caribbean for North American travelers, and with rising travel intent, lengthening search windows and a lift in international searches, things are shaping up to be a year of sustained growth. As one of the world's leading travel platforms, we are thrilled to continue our partnership with St. Maarten Tourism Bureau, helping connect the island's tourism industry to millions of travelers in Expedia Groups worldwide network," Jennifer Andre, Vice President, Expedia Group Media Solutions.





Some of the private sector stakeholders are also running campaigns simultaneously with the destination campaign. According to Ricardo Perez, General Manager of the Oyster Bay Beach Resort: Having this destination kickoff once again will hopefully support the efforts of individual properties. For example, at Oyster Bay Beach Resort we launched our campaign at the end of March and will run it up until September 30, 2023. Having the destination investing at the same time should boost the summer business and beyond. Holland House Beach Hotel General Manager Paul Boetekees adds: We have been contributing and running our own Expedia campaign, offering great value to our guests, and we were recently awarded a 4-star status and are part of the VIP program, which I believe will enhance the destination campaign and position St. Maarten better in the market.





The St. Maarten Tourism Bureau will continue to collaborate with OTAs, tour operators, and airlines in addition to carrying out other marketing activities to further increase destination awareness and stimulate bookings that may result in positive economic value for the island.





We believe that ongoing campaigns with Expedia and other OTAs, will continue to give St. Maarten the best ROI and growth in bookings, says Director of Tourism, May-Ling Chun. The objective is to continue growing our public private partnership, as we feel that this will result in an increase of awareness to the destination.
A farmer has claimed before the High Court that he has been subjected to an alleged campaign of psychological abuse by his mother, who it is alleged refuses to vacate a property that was willed to him by his grandmother.

David Thomas has sued his mother Breda Thomas, who he describes as being a "a very controlling individual" over what he claims is her unlawful ongoing occupation and use of an 85-acre farm with a large dwelling house at Ballyduff, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny.

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Mr Thomas (33) claims he is the owner of the property, which has been his family home for many years and is operated by his mother as a guesthouse.

He claims that due to the alleged "persistent deceitful and violent conduct" of the defendant, no personal relationship exists between Mr Thomas and his mother.

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He said his lawyers advised him last year that the property had been legally transferred to him in 2010, but claims this fact was hidden from him by his mother.

After he raised this issue with his mother, she allegedly became violent and his continued presence in the property became "untenable".

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He now claims that he has been excluded from his home, where he had lived for many years, by his mother. He claims he currently does not have anywhere else to live, and has been staying with his aunt, on an interim basis.

Alleged attack

In a sworn statement, he alleged that last November his mother "physically attacked" him, requiring the intervention of gardai, who he claims have told him that it is unsafe to attempt to enter "his own home".

He also claims his mother has made false allegations against him.

He alleges that she will not deliver up the property to him, and that she has told one person that she will "burn the place down" rather than let him back into the property.

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He claims his mother's treatment of him included "kicking him out of his bedroom" into an unused sitting room, when the bedroom was needed for guests.

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It is also alleged that at times she excluded him from using any of the house's washing or sanitary facilities.

Mr Thomas claims the property at Ballyduff was willed to him and his sister by their late grandmother, Barbara Thomas, in 1993. Mr Thomas' father, Peter Thomas, had died some years earlier.

It is claimed that a life interest in another farm and house, located a mile from the Ballyduff property was left to the defendant by her late husband.

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The Ballyduff property was owned by Barabara Thomas, who in her will directed that the property be held in trust for David and his sister, Rachel. Their mother was one of several trustees appointed to the property.

It is claimed that the late Barbara Thomas did not want the defendant to have any beneficial interest in the Ballyduff property.

Mr Thomas claims that in 2010 that the trustees, by way of deeds of appointment, transferred the interest in the Ballyduff property to him.

He claims that his mother withheld the true meaning of that transfer from him, and represented to him that the transfer was not complete. He also alleges that since then his mother remained in control of the property and continued to manage and run the farm.

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It is also claimed that she benefited from the profits, grants, entitlements and income generated from that property, except for "the occasional pocket money".

He claims that during that time he had unrestricted access to the property and helped on the farm.

Order

In 2022, Mr Thomas claims he sought legal advice about his grandmother's trust, and discovered that the property had been transferred to him in 2010.

After he raised this with his mother, he claims she became highly aggressive and confrontational towards him, resulting in him having to leave the house late last year.

Arising out of his mother's refusal to hand up possession of the property, which it is claimed she has no legal entitlement to, Mr Thomas has brought legal proceedings against her.

In his action, Mr Thomas seeks an order granting him possession of the dwelling house and the farm.

He also wants the court to direct the County Register for Co Kilkenny to execute documentation that would result in Mr Thomas' legal interest in the property being registered with the Property Registration Authority.

He further seeks damages against his mother for alleged trespass, breach of duty, and alleged unjust enrichment.

As part of his proceedings Mr Thomas also seeks an injunction restraining his mother from trespassing on the property, as well as an order preventing his mother from watching and besetting the plaintiff or the property.

The case was briefly mentioned before Ms Justice Eileen Roberts on Friday.

The judge, on an ex-parte basis, granted Mr Thomas' lawyers permission to serve short notice of the injunction application on the defendant.

The matter was adjourned to a date later this month.
Updated: 12.45pm

Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has said that the Government is getting pretty low on patience at this stage with the drip feed of information from RTE management which was doing extraordinary damage to the broadcaster.

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We need RTE to get back to commissioning drama, not being the drama, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland.

The Government values RTE and public service broadcasting, so it was extraordinarily important that the new director general make it very clear from day one that changes are required, he said.

He needs to do something that I am shocked and flabbergasted has not happened yet, he needs to talk to staff, he needs to talk directly to the people working in this organisation who have been let down.

The fact that two weeks in there hasnt been engagement with staff is not acceptable to me, I think its not acceptable to the people of this country, who value RTE and value the work done here.

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Mr Harris said that Minister for Media Catherine Martin is going to send in people next week to get the facts.

Because either the people who have gone before the Oireachtas committees have not been able to or havent been willing to share the information, thats for others to judge, it is not tenable that you continue to have the drip feed.

So early next week, for the first time ever, forensic accountants will be appointed to come in and look at the books, theyre going to start with the barter accounts and any other off balance sheet payments that they come across, any other meetings.

Register of interests

Basic things that need to happen in RTE, he said. There needs to be a register of interests, thats 20 years overdue, thats just common practice in most workplaces, there needs to be a real look at the difference between an executive board and a board, the governance structure, we need RTE, we need public service broadcasting.

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The Government will make a decision on the TV licence, but you cant have a situation where RTE executives are crying the poor mouth on the one hand, and on the other hand are being flahulach with taxpayers money.

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Were fully committed to RTE and the value of its work but RTE management have to restore confidence of the Government, of the people of Ireland, to ensure that its well run, thats the challenge for Kevin Bakhurst its a huge opportunity to get this right, for some good to come from this mess.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of Coimisiun na Mean (Media Commission), Jeremy Godfrey has expressed deep concern about the pay controversy in RTE because of the importance of public service broadcasting

Public service broadcasting is incredibly important to society. It pulls us together as a nation. It provides us with content that reflects and shapes who we are as a society. And very importantly, it provides us with authoritative, unbiased, objective news that's a counterweight to disinformation online.

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But you can't have thriving public service broadcasting unless you have a trusted public service broadcaster. And the continuing revelations, as the incoming Director-General said yesterday, have severely damaged trust. And it's great that his first priority and main priority is going to be to restore trust. And the investigations and reviews commissioned by the Minister will be part of that. So we are certainly very supportive of that.

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Coimisiun na Mean, as the media regulator, has a very specific statutory role, he told RTE radios Morning Ireland. Each year it reviews and evaluates RTEs performance commitments, whether public funding was adequate and then to make recommendations to the Minister about whether there should be changes to the licence fee.

We'll have to consider whether it's appropriate to recommend any change to the licence fee until trust has been restored in RTE.

In this context, we are concerned about the delivery of the public service commitments. In particular, one of the commitments is to put the audience at the heart of decision-making. Another of the commitments is to protect and strengthen public service broadcasting and as part of that, to be open and transparent and accountable and to be efficient and effective. And I think the revelations place doubts over all those issues.

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We will be wanting to look at them in some detail to verify whether or not RTE has met those commitments to the extent to which they haven't, how they feel and what might be done about it. And then we'll have to consider whether it's appropriate to recommend any change to the licence fee until trust has been restored in RTE.

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The Commission will liaise with the Department currently coordinating reviews into RTE and then if necessary piggy back on that work so that we can reach our conclusions as efficiently as possible".

Mr Godfrey explained that the Commissions remit was advisory.

We're not an auditor, we're not an investigator, we're not part of the assurance mechanism for corporate governance. That's for the board, that's for the Minister. The Minister has the powers to appoint accountants. And as we know, she's done that. So it is more of an advisory role.

"We do get consulted on what the governance commitments should be so we can again advise on that. And RTE will be preparing a new five-year strategy. It will be publi'shed potentially revising its public service statement. So we do bring influence into that, but that's the extent of our role in relation to the public service remit.

'Frank and honest'

Meanwhile, the general secretary of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ireland, Seamus Dooley described a meeting on Friday morning with Mr Bakhurst as frank and honest and a positive engagement.

Genuine regret had been expressed by Mr Bakhurst at the way that staff in RTE had been impacted, and he had offered a firm commitment to work with staff and unions to restore faith and confidence in RTE, Mr Dooley told RTE radio's Today with Claire Byrne show.

Mr Dooley added that Mr Bakhurst had been left under no illusion about the depth of feeling among staff.

The incoming director general said he would meet with staff, not just at Montrose, but around the country, Mr Dooley said, adding the timing of these meetings had yet to be determined because his schedule would be shaped by ongoing parliamentary debates.

Asked if relationships between RTE management and staff could be rebuilt, Mr Dooley said their discussion took place in the room in which staff and unions had been lied to in 2019 by RTE management. Mr Bakhurst had indicated a desire for openness, transparency and a commitment to public service broadcasting.

We can do business with him, Mr Dooley said, but great work will have to be done to win back the trust of staff, he added.

Trust is easier to break than to restore.
A Dublin judge presiding over TV licence prosecutions has slammed RTE for what he described as elitism, "Godlike personalities", and "freeloaders" while defendants were "crippled with the cost of living".

Dublin District Court has a special weekly sitting for cases brought by An Post against TV owners who have not paid their 160 annual television licence fees.

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Friday's list featured 159 prosecutions, but before hearing the cases, Judge Anthony Halpin delivered a strongly-worded preamble about the ongoing controversy at the national broadcaster.

He said he was "disgusted and appalled" by the recent revelations.

"[Not having a TV licence] is a criminal offence and on conviction, it carries a fine and a record of having committed a crime.

"The people before this court are accused of failing to pay the TV licence fee, and these people may feel a little hard done by when they see the way RTE has abused statutory funding which is annually provided to RTE," the judge said.

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Accordingly, he said, it would be remiss of him not to make reference to the recent revelations and exposures about those who are the recipients of the licence fee.

"The revelations have rocked the very foundations of the national public broadcaster and have sent, not ripples, but seismic shock waves throughout the organisation."

Quoting Shakespeare's Hamlet, "There is something rotten in the State of Denmark," Judge Halpin said, adding the epithet could appropriately apply to the "shenanigans and mischievous activities that have gone on in RTE over the past number of years of which we knew nothing".

"I am appalled and disgusted that such clandestine, secretive and dubious goings-on would be the order of the day in respect of arrangements between RTE and the Godlike personalities who seem to be above scrutiny."

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They have a difficult and gruelling task in getting to the truth

Judge Halpin said he had watched some of the proceedings of the Oireachtas Media Committee and Public Accounts Committee, at which representatives from RTE have appeared over the past two weeks, and praised the committee chairs  Niamh Smyth and Brian Stanley respectively  for their "sterling work".

The judge added that it was proof that the investigative arm of the parliamentary system functions effectively and efficiently.

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"They have a difficult and gruelling task in getting to the truth.

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"George Orwell, in both Animal Farm and 1984, was preoccupied with the way language can be manipulated as an instrument of control. The shifting positions of persons giving evidence before the committees is testament to this."

Judge Halping also referred to what he described as "elitism and exclusivity" shown and demonstrated by RTE's "ruling class".

He said it was "an anathema to the fundamental principles which underpin the freedom of the press and the trust engendered thereby of an independent, professional, honest and responsible National Broadcasting Service which is the backbone to any democracy.

He continued his criticism saying recent revelations have wounded the bulwark of RTE's professional standing as a broadcaster, which was once held in the highest of esteem.

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'Unconscionable sums'

"Shame on those who have brought that about. I will go no further than those remarks, but I must say those freeloaders in RTE who received a loan of cars, who received branded cars free gratis, spouses of RTE [workers] who were wined and dined and part-took of events at the expense of RTE, and others who were lavished with such generosity, ought to pay back to the organisation the euro equivalent of the benefit they received, to help this financially strapped semi-state body.

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"Also, those personalities and senior executives who received unconscionable sums of money should reflect on their position and do the right thing."

The judge said it saddened him that those before the court, "who are crippled with the cost of living, have to swallow this unpalatable pill of the licence fee when they see that such a source of income is squandered and abused".

"But the law is the law, and the law provides that you must have a licence if you have a TV", he said, adding, "I will afford more time to those who need it, and An Post may enter into an arrangement with you to pay by debit mandate or collect stamps, so as to help with the expense of the license fee."

Concluding his remarks, Judge Haplin said: "Those who intend to do this, I will leave without a conviction, and those who do not turn up, I have no choice but to convict, but I will keep the fine to a minimum."

In typical sittings of the TV licence prosecutions, where he had to convict no-show defendants, Judge Halpin has limited all the fines to 150, plus an order for 100 towards prosecution costs, and gave the defendants three months to pay.

The law states an offender can be fined up to 1,000 or 2,000 for subsequent offences.
A Dublin man assaulted his former partner while she was holding their toddler in her arms during a reprehensible attack at her home, a court has heard.

The 30-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and burglary at an address in Dublin on June 3rd, 2020.

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The court heard that the man struck and punched his victim during this incident, which lasted for several hours.

After hearing the evidence on Monday, July 3rd, Judge Martina Baxter said the court finds this type of offending reprehensible and placed the man in custody until Friday.

Mark Murphy BL, defending, told the court on Friday that his client has had a significant wake-up call and accepts that he behaved in a disgraceful way on the night in question.

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Judge Baxter noted that the man has not come to garda attention since this incident but added that the court has concerns about his attitude to women and intimate partners.

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She adjourned the case to October 27th, remanding the man on bail, and directed the preparation of a probation report.

Judge Baxter said the man would have a number of months to put his money where his mouth is and show a change in his attitude towards current or former partners and women.

A local garda told prosecuting counsel that the victim heard knocking at her front door at 2:30 am on the night in question and saw her ex-partner outside.

He was shouting and drinking vodka. She asked him to be quiet as their then-two-year-old son was asleep, but he went into the child's room and woke him.

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The toddler started to cry, and the woman tried to calm him. During this time, the man barricaded them in the sitting room, screamed at her then hit her in the face.

No response

She asked the man to stop, and he got upset. She texted his mother to ask her to collect him but received no response. When she attempted to leave the sitting room with the child, the man would pull her back. He also started to rip at her clothes.

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The man then got a knife and screwdriver from the kitchen, held the knife to his neck and started to stab himself. The man broke the TV which the boy was watching.

During the incident, the man also stamped on her face while she was on the ground. When he removed his foot from her face, the man asked the boy to give him a kiss.

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He then punched the woman in the face using his two hands, and during this time, he also punched the boy. The man said, You made me do this to the victim, who was asking him to stop.

She was later able to leave the house with her son and contact gardai. She sustained swelling to the left side of her face and bruising to her face and arms, according to a medical report submitted to the court.

Gardai observed extensive damage to the property when they arrived at the scene.

The man was arrested and denied the assault when interviewed. He suggested to gardai that the victim was violent and had assaulted him during an argument but said he did not wish to make a complaint.

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He initially denied damaging the windows, but later accepted that he smashed them and the TV, but denied ripping her clothes.

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The man has one previous conviction from 2020 for a public order offence, for which he was fined 300.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said she remains worried and fearful for herself and her children. She said her son is on the autistic spectrum and has been diagnosed with PTSD since this incident.

The garda confirmed the woman has moved due to fears for her safety.

'Stormy' relationship

The garda agreed with defence counsel that the man pleaded guilty on the trial date, but this was indicated in advance.

It was further agreed that the man was deemed unfit for interview for six hours following his arrest due to his level of intoxication.

When asked by counsel, the garda said he was not aware if the man and the woman had had a stormy relationship.

He accepted the defence counsel's suggestion that the man is from a decent family who aren't known in any negative way by the gardai. His mother was in court to support him.

Defence counsel told the court that his client was extremely intoxicated on the night and his behaviour was out of character and unacceptable.

He acknowledged that his client's plea was on the trial date but said discussions had taken place in advance. The man has two children and maintains contact with them.

A letter from his client was handed to the court along with confirmation of an offer of work. A sum of 2,000 had also been brought to court; however, the victim did not wish to receive this.

Judge Baxter said the court finds this type of offending reprehensible and noted that the victim was vulnerable, and made attempts to calm the situation, and the child present is now seeing a psychologist.

She said it is an aggravating feature that the man and the woman were in an intimate relationship at the time of the offence.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can contact Womens Aid (24-hour freephone helpline at 1800-341 900, email helpline@womensaid.ie) or Mens Aid Ireland (confidential helpline at 01-554 3811, email hello@mensaid.ie) for support and information.

Safe Ireland also outlines a number of local services and helplines at safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/. In the case of an emergency, always dial 999/112
New releases will give plenty of inspiration for your next summer read

Fiction

1. I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore is published in hardback by Faber & Faber. Available now



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(Faber & Faber/PA)

As a dismissed teacher, Finn ventures to the city to see his dying brother, reflects on the greatest love of his life and the meaning of grief. Lorrie Moore has created possibly one of the most mind-boggling books of the year, written beautifully and leaving the reader with question upon question  which they should expect to answer themselves. Crossing timelines and boundaries of realism into absurdity, Moore has crafted an allegory for common human experiences: unwanted loss and love without a place to go. The story is touching, poignant and political in its undertones, while also hilarious and ridiculous. Will you understand it all? No. Is it still gorgeous? Absolutely.

8/10

(Review by Imy Brighty-Potts)

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2. Bellies by Nicola Dinan is published in hardback by Doubleday. Available now

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Triumphant and humane, Nicola Dinan's #Bellies gently turns over that essential question: What are we willing to sacrifice to know ourselves? Elle



One of 2023's most-anticipated reads is OUT NOW.



Read more: https://t.co/9V3fQb0UCK pic.twitter.com/zf2lybsHEY  Penguin Books UK (@PenguinUKBooks) June 30, 2023

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Novels told from multiple perspectives are all the rage in fiction right now, and Bellies is the latest addition to the trend. We start at university, where to Tom and Ming fall in love and feel safe with each other. Things get more complicated when they move to London  the previously socialist Tom selling out with a job in banking and Ming pursuing a career in theatre, and after much internal struggle, coming out as a trans woman. The book sensitively and realistically portrays how this kind of change might affect each person  and whether the relationship can survive. The main issue with Bellies is the parts told from Mings perspective are infinitely more interesting than those told from Toms  plus, theres a slight tendency for the dialogue to fall into therapy-speak, rather than how actual people talk. But its a strong debut from Dinan  a beautiful and moving story about trauma and love that will leave you satisfied at the end.

7/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

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3. The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor is published in hardback by Jonathan Cape. Available now

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Happy UK birthday to The Late Americans. Endless thanks to @JonathanCape, who have done a brilliant job bringing this book out.  you can get it from your bookstore or retailer of choice: https://t.co/EePAkLfGUU pic.twitter.com/nDZG4GvIup  Brandon (@blgtylr) June 22, 2023

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Brandon Taylors The Late Americans is a thought-provoking exploration of class, identity politics, and sexuality. Written from the point of view of students at the University of Iowa and locals who live near the prestigious university, its episodic format more closely resembles a short story collection than a typical novel. Taylors characters are at turns humourous, furious, and lost. The novel begins with a chapter from the perspective of white working-class poetry student Seamus, who funds his studies by working as a line cook. Seamus chapters are among the strongest in the novel, and the funniest, as he takes aim at his classmates crude reliance on personal experience and trauma in their work. References to Trump and social media are rarely clunky, and help place the novel in the context of the contemporary campus wars. Unfortunately, the quality of The Late Americans rises and falls with each character. Meat factory worker Fyodor suffers in particular from being unrealistic and jarring. However, there are more than enough moments of brilliance to make The Late Americans worth it. It may not be a great American novel, but it is certainly a timely one.

7/10

(Review by Luke OReilly)

Non-fiction

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4. Rental Person Who Does Nothing by Shoji Morimoto, translated by Don Knotting, is published in hardback by Picador. Available July 6th

Theres really only one way to describe the premise of this book: unique. A memoir of sorts, it follows Shoji Morimotos travails in his unusual job  that of a rental person who does nothing. This means hes available for anything someone requests of him  as long as his role is relatively passive. The requests are vast in range  from the dull (someone wants him to sit next to them while they work, as they struggle with focus) to the sweet (someone would like him to come visit their childhood home with them) and occasionally the more serious or sad (someone wants him to witness court proceedings; someone wants to talk to him about how great her girlfriend is  she feels like she cant tell her friends about her lesbian relationship). Morimoto doesnt take any money for his services, and the book follows a series of requests and what happened with them. Its an unusual premise, but one that manages to dive into the human condition in a meaningful way, unveiling peoples secret longings, loves and needs.

8/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

Childrens book of the week

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5. The Thing At 52 by Ross Montgomery, illustrated by Richard Johnson, is published in hardback by Frances Lincoln Childrens Books. Available July 6th

Publishing next Thursday 6th July, The Thing at 52 is a touching and thought-provoking new picture book written by award-winning author Ross Montogomery and illustrated by the amazing Richard Johnson.

Read more over in our news: https://t.co/wbZ3PsiUgM#childrensbookillustration pic.twitter.com/hdhJXtp7Uc  Arena Illustration (@Arenatweet) June 30, 2023

This is a truly beautiful book that will cause many an insightful conversation between a young child and their parent, or teacher, when read together. It tells the story of a young girl who sees a monster living on his own  she takes pity and decides to befriend him. The little girl takes him a flower to cheer him up and their adventures begin, taking them from her mums old sofa to trips to the seaside, and even a party with lots of dancing. The book takes the little girl through several emotions, starting with making friends, learning about loneliness, and saying goodbye. Each page is stunningly illustrated and so pleasing to the eye, which everyone will enjoy.

8/10

(Review by Joanne Brennan)

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 1st

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HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

2. Yellowface by Rebecca F Kuang

3. A Death In The Parish by Reverend Richard Coles

4. The Trial by Rob Rinder

5. The Square Of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson

6. Four Seasons In Japan by Nick Bradley

7. Happy Place by Emily Henry

8. Atlas by Lucinda Riley & Harry Whittaker

9. The Shadow Cabinet by Juno Dawson

10. The Rachel Incident by Caroline ODonoghue

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. One Boy, Two Bills And A Fry Up by Wes Streeting

2. Hitler, Stalin, Mum And Dad by Daniel Finkelstein

3. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

4. Material World by Ed Conway

5. The Extra Mile by Kevin Sinfield

6. The Wager by David Grann

7. Pageboy by Elliot Page

8. But What Can I Do? by Alastair Campbell

9. Witchcraft by Marion Gibson

10. The Earth Transformed by Professor Peter Frankopan

(Compiled by Waterstones)

AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NON-FICTION)

1. The Trial by Rob Rinder

2. Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

3. The Stranger Times by CK McDonnell

4. Atomic Habits by James Clear

5. The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien

6. Mythos by Stephen Fry

7. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

8. Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

9. Spare by The Duke of Sussex

10. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

(Compiled by Audible)
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, discussing military aid and receiving assurances of support for Ukraines entry into Nato after the war with Russia is over.

Czech president Petr Pavel said it is in the interest of his country and Ukraine that as soon as the war ends negotiations about Nato membership begin.

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Im convinced that Ukraine will be part of Nato, Mr Zelenskiy said in Prague, adding that an ideal result of next weeks Nato summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, would be an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance.

Earlier on Thursday, during a brief visit at the invitation of Bulgarias new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Mr Zelenskiy also discussed European integration and bilateral energy co-operation.

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Talking to reporters after the meetings, he defended Ukraines right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.

Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred, Mr Zelenskiy said. This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov emphasised the support of his country, a European Union and Nato member, for Ukraines territorial integrity.

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Bulgaria is consistent in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine because we are convinced that an independent and sovereign Ukraine is key for Euro-Atlantic security in the region, Mr Denkov said after the talks.

Russia should withdraw unconditionally within its internationally recognised borders and should bear its responsibility, he added.

Czech Republic president Petr Pavel welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskiy to Prague (Petr David Josek/AP)

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Also on Thursday, Bulgarias parliament approved a declaration of support for Ukraine to join the Nato military alliance once the war is over.

According to the declaration, the fastest track to the restoration of peace in Ukraine, the Black Sea region and Europe is Russias full and immediate withdrawal beyond the internationally recognised borders of the affected sovereign states.

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The declaration, which was backed by a majority in the parliament, also called for continued military and technical support for Ukraine so it can defend itself.

The document was opposed by the Socialist party and a nationalist pro-Kremlin group.

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Later in the day, Mr Zelenskiy faced opposition to sending military supplies to Ukraine from Bulgarias largely ceremonial president, Rumen Radev.

I continue to maintain that this conflict has no military solution, and more and more weapons will not solve it, Mr Radev said.

Bulgarian prime minister Nikolai Denkov (Virginia Mayo/AP)

He called for consistent efforts to de-escalate, for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution with the tools of diplomacy.

Although the presidential post in Bulgaria is mostly ceremonial, it provides a strong platform to influence public opinion. Large parts of the population share pro-Russian sympathies based on historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.

In Prague, Mr Zelenskiy thanked Mr Pavel for his countrys support. The Czech Republic has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression and the Czech president said it is not going to change.

The Czech Republic gave Ukraine arms, including heavy weapons such as Soviet-era tanks, armoured vehicles and ammunition. The country has accepted a total of 500,000 refugees from Ukraine.

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Ahead of the Nato summit, the presidents of an informal group known as the Bucharest Nine, the nations in the eastern-most parts of the Nato alliance, voiced their support in June for Ukraines eventual membership once conditions allow.

The nine countries are Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Meanwhile, the European Union has taken a major step in approving plans to boost its anaemic production of ammunition and missiles within the 27-nation bloc, to both defend itself and quickly help Ukraine in trying to push back the invasion by Russia.

The EU presidency announced early Friday that the member states and the EU Parliament reached a deal to urgently mobilise half a billion euros from its budget for an Act in Support of Ammunition Production.

The deal follows up the decision by EU leaders in March to boost urgently needed ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, which were then sought to start a counter-offensive against Russian forces.
Simon Callow has argued against the use of trigger warnings in theatre, describing it as a safe space.

The British actor, known for A Room With A View and Four Weddings And A Funeral, wrote a letter to The Times newspaper after it emerged a theatre had forewarned audience members that its production of The Sound Of Music touched on the threat of Nazi Germany and the annexation of Austria.

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In comments published on Friday, the 74-year-old wrote: There is a fundamental failure to grasp what the theatre is: not a model for behaviour but a crucible in which we look at what it is to be human.

Simon Callow said there is a fundamental failure to grasp what the theatre is (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

Not a pulpit, but a gymnasium of the imagination.

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It is, precisely, and by definition, a safe space because it is perfectly clear that what happens on the stage is performed by actors, on a set, very visibly lit by artificial light, and that the whole thing is an act of imagination.

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Hamlet will not die but get up to take a curtain call; likewise, Falstaff will not succumb to diabetes but will take the padding off.

Chichester Festival Theatre (CFT) cautioned audience members on the content and themes throughout the show, which also indicated there was no language, nudity or violence, ahead of the musical opening on July 10.

On its website, it said: We want you to feel truly welcome and comfortable at CFT, and recognise that some people may find certain themes distressing.

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The theatre has been contacted for comment.
Israeli forces have killed three Palestinians, including two militants shot dead in a gunbattle in a flashpoint city, in the occupied West Bank.

The incident came days after Israel concluded a major two-day offensive meant to crack down on militants.

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The persistent violence raised questions about the effectiveness of the raid earlier this week, which saw Israel launch rare air strikes on militant targets, deploy hundreds of troops and cause widespread damage to roads, homes and businesses.

As a result of the raid, 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed.



Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces during a military raid in the West Bank city of Nablus (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

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The raid bore the hallmarks of the second Palestinian uprising, a period of violence in the early 2000s that killed thousands.

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The Israeli domestic security agency Shin Bet said on Friday the two men, who it said were behind a shooting attack this week on a police vehicle, were killed in a gun battle with Israeli forces in the heart of the city of Nablus, the West Banks commercial capital.

Later, Palestinian health officials said a man was fatally shot in the chest by Israeli forces during a demonstration in Umm Safa, a town in the central West Bank.

The army had no immediate comment.

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The Palestinian Health Ministry said two men were killed by Israeli fire in Nablus, identifying them as Khayri Mohammed Sari Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Moayed Mohammed Maqbool, 32.

In the aftermath of the shootout, bullet casings littered the blood-stained ground.

Fridays deaths are part of a year-long spiral of violence that shows no signs of abating, despite the fierce Israeli operation this week in the Jenin refugee camp.

They follow a shooting on Thursday by a Hamas militant near an Israeli West Bank settlement that killed an Israeli soldier.

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Israeli soldiers carry a flag-covered coffin (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Israel has been staging raids in the West Bank for 16 months, in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis last spring.

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The northern West Bank, which includes Nablus and Jenin and where the Palestinian Authority has less of a foothold, has been a major friction point during that period.

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More than 150 Palestinians have been killed this year in the West Bank, and Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have killed at least 27 people, including a shooting last month that killed four settlers.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in a 1967 war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state.
Nato leaders will agree next week to help modernise Ukraines armed forces, create a new high-level forum for consultations and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day, the organisations top civilian official has said.

But the war-torn country will not start membership talks soon.

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At a two-day summit starting on Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defence spending as allies pour weapons, ammunition and other support such as uniforms and medical equipment into Ukraine, 17 months into the war.

They also hope to welcome Sweden as the next member of the worlds biggest security organisation, if they can overcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans objections, even though its accession would only be made official in the coming months.

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For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe, seeking to destroy Ukraine and divide Nato, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Friday. At the summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger, and set out a vision for its future.

Mr Stoltenberg said the leaders will agree a multi-year programme of assistance to ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian armed forces and Nato.

A Nato-Ukraine Council  where crisis talks can be held  will be established. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the councils first meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday.

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Mr Stoltenberg said the leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of Nato and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal.

Nato first pledged that Ukraine would become a member one day in 2008, but things have evolved little since then.

Asked when, or how, Ukraine might join, Mr Stoltenberg said that the most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails.



US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defence spending (Meg Kinnard/AP)

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The US, Germany and some other allies consider that Ukraine should not be invited in while its at war, so as not to encourage Russia to widen the conflict.

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With Ukraine imploring its Western partners for more weapons and ammunition, and national military stocks among its partners depleting, Nato is encouraging the 31 allies to boost their military budgets.

In 2014, Nato allies pledged to move towards spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2024. In Vilnius, they will make 2% the minimum, but will not set any timeframe for achieving that goal, Nato officials say. Under new estimates released on Friday, only 11 of the allies will reach the 2% goal in 2023.

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But Mr Stoltenberg said that good progress is being made. In 2023, there will be a real increase of 8.3% across European allies and Canada. This is the biggest increase in decades.

Question marks remain about Swedens future at Nato. It abandoned a long history of military nonalignment last year to seek protection under the organisations security umbrella after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Erdogan appears set to steal the summit limelight. He accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt.



Czech Republic President Petr Pavel welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Prague (Petr David Josek/AP)

Hungary is also holding up approval of Swedens candidacy, but has never clearly stated publicly its concerns. Nato officials expect that Hungary will follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections.

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The other 29 allies, Sweden and Mr Stoltenberg have all said the country has done enough to satisfy Turkeys demands. Sweden has changed its constitution, modified anti-terror laws and lifted an arms embargo on Turkey, among other concessions.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all 31 members to expand.

Mr Stoltenberg, Mr Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will hold talks in Vilnius on Monday in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Despite the mounting pressure, Turkeys president stood firm Friday.

At a graduation for military students, Mr Erdogan said: We are ready to embrace anyone who is loyal to the alliances core values.

We do not hesitate to show our reaction toward those who protect terrorists and do not take the necessary measures in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Stoltenberg was speaking a day after Mr Zelensky visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, discussing military aid and receiving assurances of support for Ukraines entry into Nato after the war with Russia is over.

Czech President Petr Pavel said it is in the interest of his country and Ukraine that as soon as the war ends negotiations about Nato membership begin.

Earlier on Thursday, during a brief visit at the invitation of Bulgarias new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Mr Zelensky also discussed European integration and bilateral energy co-operation.
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The Court in First Instance of Sint Maarten by its judgment of June 9th, 2023, denied the suspension request of a deportation and detention order of the Minister of Justice of a Haitian national.





The woman, who has minor kids in Haiti, attempted to enter St. Maarten without the required visa by using a false France residence permit in her native passport. The appearance of the French residency in her passport as well as some other items within the pages of the passport prompted the border officer to delve deeper into the authentication of the passport. After investigation, the passport was confirmed to be false and the woman was handed over to the Police for prosecution.





She was consequently charged with fraud by the Prosecutor and turned over to the Immigration and Border Protection Services for deportation since she entered illegally and thus acted against public order, which is grounds for deportation. In addition, based on the manner in which she entered Sint Maarten and the fact that she didn't have anyone in Sint Maarten, there were sufficient grounds for her detention pending deportation.





While the Minister is cognizant of the fact that Sint Maarten is bound by international convention, more specifically the applicable European Convention on Human Rights, to consider whether someone really needs protection, this has not been considered the case thus far in cases handled in Court.





Over the last year, the Minister has encountered situations whereby persons, (only) after obtaining advice while in immigration detention, claim that they need to stay under the protection of Sint Maarten. Reference was often made to refugee status under the UNHCR convention and fear of life if they were to be sent back to their country. The UNHCR convention as repeatedly decided by the (Appellate) Courts, is not applicable to Sint Maarten.





As per established applicable jurisprudence the Minister should respect the considerations in articles 2 and 3 of the EVRM (European Convention on Human Rights) and based on the circumstances determine whether one could potentially be at risk of inhumane treatment upon deportation.





In this case, Attorney Mr. Bloem on behalf of the undocumented woman, claimed that she fled Haiti and needed protection as per international conventions. An asylum request would be filed eventually directly with the Netherlands authorities.





Attorney Bloem submitted an injunction with the Court in which the suspension of the Minister's deportation and detention decision was requested. Attorney Bloem argued in the petition that the decision to deport and detain his client was not motivated and unlawful as it didn't take the situation in his client's country into consideration. His client could face inhumane treatment back home and reference was made to the UNHCR refugee convention and a procedure to obtain asylum which she should be allowed here.





On behalf of the Minister of Justice Attorney Ms. Cindy Marica argued that the Minister's decision to deport and detain the woman was taken with due consideration and all circumstances are justified. Ms. Marica pointed out the fraud committed by the woman, the circumvention of visa procedures, and the fact that the woman never claimed to be in danger when she was first arrested. In the first interview with immigration, she indicated to be on vacation and was planning to back to where she is a businesswoman and has three children.





Attorney Marica further stated that there were no extenuating circumstances proven, a general remark about the situation in parts of Haiti was not sufficient to establish that the Minister had to release the woman and allow her to stay in Sint Maarten. Of importance in connection with the referral to the alleged dangerous situation in Haiti is the fact that she left her 3 kids in Haiti, of which one is 10 a year old. This caused reasonable doubt that she was actually in danger in the part of Haiti where she resides and where she left her young kids.





The Court in its considerations agreed with the abovementioned arguments of Attorney Marica on behalf of the Minister. "Referral by persons to the general situation in Haiti is not sufficient to come to the conclusion that the situation in Haiti is so seriously unsafe that everyone who is deported to or returns to Haiti is automatically in danger", the Court ruled. The fact that her children were still residing in Haiti made the woman's referral to the danger she would be exposed to even more doubtful.





The Court in conclusion agreed with the arguments brought forward on behalf of the Minister that the woman did not make it plausible that she needed protection under the EVRM and that the Minister was authorized and justified in her decision to detain and deport the woman in the interest of public order based on the immigration laws.





The Minister and the Immigration department reiterate that entering and/or residing illegally in Sint Maarten is against public order and are grounds for deportation.





While the Minister has taken notice of the opinion of different persons in the community about the deportation of illegally residing persons that have taken place to Haiti and Venezuela especially, the Minister is merely executing the immigration laws for the sake of public order which is the Minister's legal duty.





Persons are given the opportunity to make use of the available legal remedies in deportation (or residency request matters) cases if they require such. This allows for the decisions of the Minister to be reviewed and judged by the Court for possible infringements of laws or international conventions or unlawfulness.





The Minister does not intend to act against any laws or conventions and will adhere to any (final) decision that may be taken by the Courts in such cases.





It is important to note that all suspension requests submitted with the Court against the deportation and detention decisions of the Minister submitted from June 2022 until date have been denied. One deportation case was settled and the person was released after the French authorities confirmed that he was granted French residency rights.





In all these injunction cases handled over the past year, the red line is that persons requiring a residency permit have the responsibility to apply for same, even in the event such person claim to need protection as they fear for life in their country. Remaining in Sint Maarten without a residence permit is against the law and as per the law is grounds for deportation, regardless of which country one comes from.





The Immigration Department at the A. Th. Illidge Road can be contacted for information regarding residency requests or seek legal assistance or visit our website.




The head of the UN nuclear agency has said he is pushing for access to the roof of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine, following reports from Ukrainian officials that the Russians had planted explosives.

The plant was seized by Russia in March 2022 in the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, raising fears of a nuclear accident.

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The Russians have only granted limited access to officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), citing the security situation.

Wrapping up a four-day visit to Japan, IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said his agency was making progress on access to Zaporizhzhia, but there had been some limitations.



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Its like a conversation and Im pushing to get as much access as possible, said Mr Grossi, adding that there was marginal improvement.

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Im optimistic that we are going to be able to go up and see, Mr Grossi said, referring to the rooftops.

The UN atomic watchdog has repeatedly cautioned over the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, after a reactor exploded in 1986.

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Citing the latest intelligence reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged on Tuesday night that Russian troops had placed objects resembling explosives on top of several power units to simulate an attack as part of a false flag operation.



The plant was seized by Russia in March 2022 (AP)

Mr Grossi said the IAEA had made simulations to model the possible environmental impact in case of an explosion or bombing of the plant, although he declined to give details.

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The foreign objects were placed on the roof of the plants third and fourth power units, the General Staff of Ukraines armed forces said in a statement.

The IAEA has officials stationed at the Russian-held plant, which is still run by its Ukrainian staff.

Regular power outages have made it impossible to operate the plant safely, and its six reactors have been shut down to minimise the threat of a disaster.

One expert said that even if explosive materials were found on the plants roofs, they were unlikely to cause extensive damage.

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Patricia Lewis, research director of conflict, science and transformation at the London-based think tank Chatham House said: These reactors are designed to withstand the type of implosions from a plane crash, and there is a belief that they would withstand shelling, for example.

Mr Grossi told the Associated Press that the IAEA had gained access to additional parts of the site recently, including the cooling pond and fuel storage areas.



IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi (Shuji Kajiyama/AP)

The Ukrainians had said the areas were mined by the Russians, but the IAEA was able to confirm that they were not, which is important.

On Wednesday, Mr Grossi said the most recent IAEA inspection of the Zaporizhzhia plant found no mining activities.

He was speaking after a visit to the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, where equipment has been installed for the planned release of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.

Mr Grossi was leaving Tokyo on Friday to head to South Korea, where he will provide an explanation of the safety of the Fukushima water release plan.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has condemned Israels excessive force in an operation against a refugee camp in the West Bank.

He criticised Israel for preventing medical care and humanitarian workers reaching those in need after the attack on the Jenin refugee camp, which he said left more than 100 civilians injured, forced thousands to flee, damaged schools and hospitals and disrupted water and electricity networks.

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Mr Guterres said: I strongly condemn all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror.





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Calling on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, he said the condemnation applies to all use of excessive force, and obviously in this situation, there was an excessive force used by Israeli forces.

The use of air strikes is inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations, he said.

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He reminded Israel that as the occupying power, it has a responsibility to ensure that the civilian population is protected against all acts of violence.

The secretary-generals condemnation followed a statement by three UN independent human rights experts on Wednesday which said the Israeli airstrikes and ground actions amount to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime.

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The experts on human rights in the Palestinian territory, on the rights of the internally displaced, and on violence against women and girls, called for Israel to be held accountable for its illegal occupation and violent acts to perpetuate it.



United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres (PA)

Israels two-day offensive meant to crack down on Palestinian militants destroyed the Jenin camps narrow roads and alleyways, forced thousands of people to flee their homes and killed 12 Palestinians. One Israeli soldier also was killed.

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The Israeli army claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on militant groups in the operation at the camp which ended Wednesday.

Ahead of the Israeli withdrawal, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out similar operations if needed.

An Israeli soldier was killed when a Palestinian opened fire near the West Bank settlement of Kedumim on Thursday. The army said the gunman opened fire after his vehicle was stopped for an inspection and was shot dead after a brief chase.

A spokesperson for the Palestinian militant group Hamas praised the shooting as a heroic act and a natural response to the Israeli raid on Jenin.

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On Friday, Israeli forces killed two Palestinians in Nablus, the West Banks commercial capital.
US representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch ally of former US president Donald Trump, has been voted out of the hardline House Freedom Caucus group after clashing with a fellow member, a caucus member said.

The move to expel the firebrand Ms Greene from the roughly three-dozen-strong hardline group came weeks after she engaged in a heated clash on the House of Representatives floor with fellow hardliner representative Lauren Boebert over the latter's plan to try to force a vote to impeach Democratic president Joe Biden.

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"A vote was taken to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Freedom Caucus for some of the things she's done," Republican representative Andy Harris told Politico, adding that Ms Greene's support for House of Representatives speaker Kevin McCarthy may have also contributed to her ouster from the hardline group.

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Mr Harris declined to say how he voted, but called the decision to remove the Georgia congresswoman, who is in her second two-year term, "an appropriate action," according to Politico.

Ms Greene's office was not immediately available for comment.

A spokesperson for the House Freedom Caucus, founded in 2015, said in an email: "HFC does not comment on membership or internal process."

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"I think the way she referred to a fellow member was probably not the way we expect our members to refer to other fellow, especially female, members," Harris told Politico, referring to Greene's profane exchange with Boebert. "I think the straw that broke the camel's back was publicly saying things about another member in terms that no one should."

Politico said Mr Harris was asked whether Greene breaking from the group on the debt limit bill or her support for Mr McCarthy were also factors in her removal. He replied, "I think all of that mattered."

Mr McCarthy faced a revolt from hardline Republicans, who accused him of betraying an agreement that got him elected to lead the Republican-controlled chamber when he reached a deal with Mr Biden for compromise debt ceiling legislation.

The hardline Republicans had said Mr McCarthy and his leadership team failed to deliver on promised spending cuts and ignored their input.

Ms Greene has been a controversial figure throughout her short political career. In 2021, when Democrats controlled the House, they stripped Ms Greene of her committee assignments for incendiary remarks that included support for violence against political opponents.

She later apologised for the comments.
The United States has destroyed the last of its declared chemical weapons stockpile, a milestone in the history of warfare dating back to the First World War, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said,

Mr McConnell said in a statement that workers at Kentuckys Blue Grass Army Depot have eliminated the last of thousands of rockets filled with GB nerve agent that are the last of the United States declared chemical weapons and completed a decades-long campaign to eliminate a stockpile that, by the end of the Cold War, totalled more than 30,000 tons (27,216 metric tonnes).

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The US faced a deadline of September 30 to eliminate its remaining chemical weapons under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, which took effect in 1997 and was joined by 193 countries.

The munitions destroyed in Kentucky are the last of 51,000 M55 rockets with GB nerve agent  a deadly toxin also known as sarin  that have been stored at the depot since the 1940s.

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Workers at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky helped to destroy the last of the US chemical weapons (US Army/AP)

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By destroying the munitions, the US is officially underscoring that these types of weapons are no longer acceptable in the battlefield and sending a message to the handful of countries that have not joined the agreement, military experts say.

Chemical weapons were first used in modern warfare in the First World War, where they were estimated have killed at least 100,000 people.

Despite their use being subsequently banned by the Geneva Convention, countries continued to stockpile the weapons until the treaty called for their destruction.

In June, workers at the Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado completed their mission of neutralising an entire cache of about 2,600 tons (2,359 tonnes) of mustard blister agent.

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Kim Jackson, manager of the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, said: One thing that were really proud of is how were finishing the mission. Were finishing it for good for the United States of America.

The weapons disposal alleviates a concern that civic leaders in Colorado and Kentucky admit was always in the back of their minds.



Canisters of mustard gas, which are part of the United States chemical weapons stockpile, await destruction (David Zalubowski/AP)

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Those (weapons) sitting out there were not a threat, Pueblo mayor Nick Gradisar said.

(But) you always wondered what might happen with them.

In the 1980s, the community around Kentuckys Blue Grass Army Depot voiced their opposition to the armys initial plan to incinerate the chemical weapons.

The community was able to halt the planned incineration plant, and then, with help from politicians, prompted the army to submit alternative methods to destroying the weapons.

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Craig Williams, who became the leading voice of the community opposition and later a partner with political leadership and the military, said residents were concerned about potential toxic pollution from burning the deadly chemical agents.

Mr Williams said the military eliminated most of its existing stockpile by burning weapons at other, more remote sites, such as Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean or at a chemical depot in the middle of the Utah desert, but the Kentucky site was adjacent to Richmond and only a few dozen miles away from Lexington, the states second-largest city.

We had a middle school of over 600 kids a mile away from the (planned) smokestack, Mr Williams said.



Detonators sit in rows for recycling (David Zalubowski/AP)

The Kentucky storage facility has housed mustard agent and the VX and sarin nerve agents, much of it inside rockets and other projectiles, since the 1940s.

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The states disposal plant was completed in 2015 and began destroying weapons in 2019.

It uses a process called neutralisation to dilute the deadly agents so they can be safely disposed of.

The project, however, has been a boon for both communities and, facing the eventual loss of thousands of workers, they are pitching the pool of high-skilled labourers as a plus for companies looking to move to their regions.

Workers at the Pueblo site used heavy machinery to meticulously  and slowly  load aging weapons on to conveyor systems that fed into secure rooms where remote-controlled robots did the dirty and dangerous work of eliminating the toxic mustard agent, which was designed to blister the skin and cause inflammation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.

Robotic equipment removed the weapons fuses and bursters before the mustard agent was neutralised with hot water and mixed with a caustic solution to prevent the reaction from reversing.

The by-product was further broken down in large tanks swimming with microbes and the mortars and projectiles were decontaminated at temperatures of 538C and recycled as scrap metal.



A worker at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Pilot Plant looks at a blast door inside the facility (Dylan Lovan/AP)

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Problematic munitions that were leaky or overpacked were sent to an armoured, stainless steel detonation chamber to be destroyed at about 593C.

The Colorado and Kentucky sites were the last among several sites, including in Utah and the Johnston Atoll, where the nations chemical weapons had been stockpiled and destroyed.

Other locations included facilities in Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon.

Kingston Reif, an assistant US secretary of defence for threat reduction and arms control, said the destruction of the last US chemical weapon will close an important chapter in military history, but one that were very much looking forward to closing.

Officials say the elimination of the US stockpile is a major step forward for the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Only three countries  Egypt, North Korea and South Sudan  have not signed the treaty.



Control room supervisor Lance Pappas consults a video monitor inside the Umatilla Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (Jeff Barnard/AP)

A fourth, Israel, has signed but not ratified it.

Mr Reif noted that there remains concern that some parties to the convention, particularly Russia and Syria, possess undeclared chemical weapons stockpiles.

Biden on Friday urged Russia and Syria to fully comply with the treaty, and called on the remaining countries to join it.

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Today  as we mark this significant milestone  we must also renew our commitment to forging a future free from chemical weapons, the president said.

Still, arms control advocates hope this final step by the US could nudge the remaining countries to join.

They also hope it could be used as a model for eliminating other types of weapons.

Paul F Walker, vice chairman of the Arms Control Association and co-ordinator of the Chemical Weapons Convention Coalition, said: It shows that countries can really ban a weapon of mass destruction. If they want to do it, it just takes the political will and it takes a good verification system.
The US has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

It comes as Friday marked the 100th day of the journalist being detained by the Russian government.

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Mr Sullivan said he also spoke with Mr Gershkovichs family representatives and Wall Street Journal officials on Friday about the status of the case and the administrations efforts to win his release.

The Kremlin earlier this week suggested it is open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Mr Gershkovich  but said such talks must be held out of the public eye.

I do not want to give false hope, Mr Sullivan told reporters.



Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a Moscow courtroom in June (Dmitry Serebryakov/AP)

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What the Kremlin said earlier this week is correct. There have been discussions. But those discussions have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution and so I cannot stand here today and tell you that we have a clear answer to how we are going to get Evan home.

The US ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, was allowed to visit Mr Gershkovich on Monday for the first time since April.

Mr Gershkovich was arrested on spying charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip.

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He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

A Moscow court last week upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until August 30.



White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan (Patrick Semansky/AP)

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Mr Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations and the US government has declared him to be wrongfully detained.

His arrest rattled journalists in Russia.

Authorities there have not provided any evidence to support the charges.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the US stance that Mr Gershkovichs detention was baseless.

spy espionage charges for four years.

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Our message to Evan and Paul is this: keep the faith. We wont stop until you are home, Ms Jean-Pierre said.
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The hot chocolate at Pidapipo Laboratorio is an eye-catching gooey snowball of marshmallows and fior di latte ice-cream. Wayne Taylor With temperatures dipping into the single digits lately, theres no better time for warming cups of dark, velvety hot chocolate. In NSW and Victoria, two hot chocolates have captured the attention of the social media majority: the deliciously thick chocolat chaud at Manon Brasserie in Sydney, and the caramel-flavoured hot chocolate at Pidapipo Laboratorio in Fitzroy. After Manons hot chocolate soared to social media stardom last October, it became so popular the kitchen had to invest in new equipment and processes to manage the demand. Even now, some eight months later, the restaurant sells close to 100 litres of hot chocolate each week. A sneak peek at Pidapipo Laboratorio, the futuristic new dessert playground opening in Fitzroy

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We were all super shocked, says group executive chef Rob Crichton of the response. I think it became so popular because of how different and rich the chocolate is. We use the highest grade [Valrhona] chocolate, which is the chocolate of choice for patissiers and chocolate-makers. To make Manons chocolat chaud, Crichton heats a 50:50 mixture of pure cream and full-fat milk in a saucepan with a pinch of brown (turbinado) sugar. Once it reaches a simmer, he removes it from the heat and blends in the chocolate with an electric stick mixer. Pouring the hot chocolate at Pidapipo. Wayne Taylor Its poured tableside, alongside a dish of whipped cream, for a theatrical touch.

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Crichton says the secret to recreating his French-style hot chocolate at home is using high-quality dark chocolate, with 60 to 70 per cent cocoa. Dont use milk chocolate because youre going to be adding milk and cream anyway, he says. And be careful to only reheat it at a very low temperature, otherwise it will burn. The hot chocolate at Pidapipo Laboratorio is a comparatively newer find, with its eye-catching gooey snowball of marshmallows and fior di latte ice-cream. The Pidapipo hot chocolate. Wayne Taylor

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Compared to a normal hot chocolate, its slightly thicker and it doesnt have that sweet, milky flavour, says head of production Nicola Totaro, the brains behind the viral winter beverage. Its actually quite a complex flavour, due to the caramel and the darkness of the chocolate, and as soon as your palate requires a different flavour youre hit with the softness of the marshmallow, the coldness of the gelato and the crunch from the hazelnut. Pidapipos recipe uses Victorian-produced Sungold jersey milk (chosen for its creamier texture), dark chocolate with 55 per cent cocoa, pure cream and house-made caramel. Small white marshmallows are then folded into the house-made fior di latte gelato before being dropped into the hot cup. Adam Liaws peanut butter hot chocolate

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I wanted to create something you cant find anywhere else, Totaro says. Its more like a dessert than just a sweet drink. For those attempting to make a similar drink at home, Totaro also advises using the highest-quality dark chocolate you can find (and steering clear of premade chocolate powder). He recommends heating the milk and cream mixture  in the microwave is fine!  before pouring it over the chocolate and stirring it in with a spoon. The ideal ratio of milk and cream to chocolate is around 70:30. If you want to take it to the next level you can make your own caramel, otherwise a spoonful of dark brown sugar will work, Totaro says. Five of Melbournes best hot chocolates

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Pidapipo Laboratorio The flagship Fitzroy ice-cream lab with a Wonka-esque devotion to creating weird-and-wonderful queue-worthy concoctions has done it again with this hot chocolate. With a scoop of fior di latte and marshmallow gelato, topped with caramelised hazelnut croccante, this is part drink, part dessert and all-out decadent. pidapipo.com/laboratorio @pidapipo_gelateria Mork Chocolate

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While its North Melbourne Brew House might be Melbournes hot choc headquarters, Mork has recently opened its third shop, in the atmospheric Dairy Product Hall at the Queen Victoria Market. Sidle up to the marble-topped bar for your wonderfully warming hot chocolate of choice topped with pillowy marshmallows, all torched to order. You might want to grab a freshly baked cinnamon bun or pastry to dunk into it, too. morkchocolate.com.au @morkchocolate Black Star Pastrys Mirage hot chocolate. Supplied Black Star Pastry The cult cake shop  with outposts in St Kilda, the CBD and Chadstone  has turned one of its most popular creations, the Chocolate Mirage cake, into liquid form to create a smooth butterscotch-flavoured hot chocolate unlike any youve sipped before. The secret? Rooibos tea mixed with caramel and hazelnut syrup and signature chocolate powder, swirled into hazelnut milk and dusted with chocolate and gold to resemble the garnish of the cake. File under fancy.

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blackstarpastry.com @blackstarpastry Koko Black Go loco for the hot cocoa (and take some time out from the city madness) at Koko Blacks flagship Royal Arcade store, where they serve a rich and velvety blend of Belgian dark chocolate, cream and milk brewed for more than two hours for extra creaminess. Theres also mocha, orange, salted caramel and chilli varieties. Available to-go from the cute kiosk on Swanston Street, too. kokoblack.com @kokoblackchocolate

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Riverland The OG Yarra riverside bar tucked below Federation Square may be mostly outdoors, but they have just the thing (or two) to warm you up: hot boozy Milo. Dark rum is combined with Milo, maple syrup, oat milk and cream for a warm, heady hit with notes of childhood nostalgia. Theres also a boozy Biscoff with brandy if the cinnamon-y biscuit is more your jam. riverlandbar.com, @riverlandbar


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Eating outRestaurant news Hundreds queue for first taste of cult Lune croissants in Sydney, but is it worth it? The cult Melbourne croissanterie has collaborated with Koko Black to create a limited edition World Chocolate Day Belgian Truffle croissant. Cue massive queues. Bianca Hrovat July 7, 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

The croissant is topped with mascarpone chantilly cream, tempered chocolate shards, salted cookie crumb and Belgian truffles. Supplied Cult Melbourne croissanterie Lune attracted long lines and waits of up to three hours when it opened its first Sydney pop-up store at the Queen Victoria Building on Friday morning. Hundreds of people queued to try the decadent $15.50 Belgian truffle croissant, a World Chocolate Day collaboration between Lune and Australian chocolatier Koko Black. The first person in the line, Saki Akinakao, arrived at the pop-up store at 5am, when temperatures were as low as 9 degrees. I tried Lune croissants in Melbourne and they were so good, I had to have one again, Akinakao says. To celebrate her arrival, she was presented with a free extra croissant by Lune founder and pastry chef Kate Reid.

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Lune croissants are landing in Sydney this week, and heres where you can find them The one-off creation, available at select Koko Black stores and the pop-up store on George Street until July 9, took about five months to develop and was inspired by Koko Blacks smooth, creamy Belgian truffles. The twice-baked croissant is filled with Koko Black cocoa frangipane and 70 per cent Guanaja fondant, and topped with mascarpone chantilly cream, tempered chocolate shards, salted cookie crumb and Belgian truffles. Its so crazy delicious, Reid tells Good Food. The long queue at the Lune pop-up store at the Queen Victoria Building on Friday morning. Louise Kennerley

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After trying a croissant, it became clear why so many people were willing to wait for hours. I assumed it would be too rich when I first saw it, because of all the cream on top, but the cream magically balances out the richness of the chocolate to create this perfect little package. After trying a croissant, it became clear why so many people were willing to wait for hours. The pastry was buttery and flaky, the filling rich and sweet without becoming overwhelming. It was the type of croissant you dont want to share. A man buys a croissant after making it to the front of a very long queue. Louise Kennerley There will be 800 croissants available across the four Sydney stores each day of the pop up, with sales limited to one croissant per person.

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For many Sydneysiders, such as home baker Stephanie Davies, the pop up was their first opportunity to taste a Lune croissant, dubbed the worlds best by The New York Times. Lune croissants are the gold standard, Davies says, adding that she was prepared to stay in line for as long as it takes. Ive been waiting for the Lune store to open in Sydney for over a year. The opening of Lunes first Sydney store on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst has been delayed to early next year. Last week, it was announced Lune was already planning its second Sydney store, set to open on Castlereagh Street in Martin Place.

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We could not be more excited for the Sydney stores to open, its been the longest time coming, says Reid. This time next year, there will be two Lune stores in Sydney. Lune Croissanterie adds a third Melbourne pastry shop in Armadale
And Im reminded why I wanted to have lunch with Principe in the first place: for all the heavy work he is involved in, and the seriousness with which he speaks about it, the man is the opposite of the person youd expect to see calling out pornographys harms to young people. Hes fun. This is a man who boxes multiple times a week, sits for his artistic friends portraits and  Im sorry, I have to admit it  dresses so well that if you cant be him, you just want to be friends with him. (He arrives at our lunch in a woollen vest, maroon trousers and loafers, a combination his friends said was the most appropriate option for a photo shoot in a major newspaper. He prefers not to say what other options he was considering.) Daniel Principe is Italian, obsessed with good food, and sharing it with others - so he chose Marta Osteria. Credit: Rhett Wyman Principes access to schools  public, independent and Catholic  is granted through his work with Collective Shout, a feminist advocacy group that has, under its firebrand leader Melinda Tankard Reist, occupied a central place in Australian conversations about pornography. The group has had successive wins across the country  including cancelling controversial rap artist Tyler, the Creators Australian visa for his glorification of rape in his music  and has recently increased its campaigning on the issue of young peoples online safety.

It was an odd journey that brought Principe to his current role. After getting through school in Perth  and briefly living in Darwin  he studied physiotherapy at Curtin University and worked in a number of health-related positions, from public health communications to policy advising at various private health companies. Loading When hed get home from work, hed read books and watch lectures on issues of porn and sex. One favourite? The 2007 tome Getting Off: Pornography and the End of Masculinity, by feminist academic Robert Jensen. I was doing my full-time advisory job and then doing this because I loved it so much. I would have done anything to be involved in having these conversations because I didnt think other people were. And youve gotta create the things you wish existed. His earlier career might sound out of sync with his current work, but to Principe its one and the same: Its all education. Ive always been in behaviour change, just in the government space.

And while his work is spread across the country  hes presented workshops in every state and territory, and in regional schools as remote as Alice Springs and Christmas Island  his purpose, repeated over and over, is clearer than ever: Reimagining masculinity. Restoring virtue. Its a lofty goal, and one not easy to do in a single 60-minute workshop with a bunch of teenagers who, Principe says, are almost always expecting the sex talk. Im sorry to disappoint you, he often replies. Not a sex talk. Amatriciana, Tonnarelli and Insalate-salad at Martas at Rushcutters Bay. Credit: Rhett Wyman I start the conversation by giving a pretty big preamble, saying: Yeah. I get why it might be tough to be a man in this culture. Lets explore that. Lets have empathy for ourselves. Im going to make the assumption that I make in every school when Im talking to a bunch of young lads: You guys want to be known as decent, safe, respectful, courageous, empathetic, kind. I tell him I had guessed his assumption would be about how many of these boys had viewed porn  not about the type of men these boys would aspire to be.

I get to speak with so many incredible young men that embody the very best of what wed want to see, Principe replies. I ask them if thats what they want, and we go on a journey of self-discovery. The rest of the workshops are a whirlwind, where Principe threads two things together: first, experiences of modern life  his, theirs and others  and every emotion thats felt by young people growing up; and second, research on how social media and sexualised media radically shapes young peoples perceptions of their lives, mental health, body image and relationships. Then I invite them and ask: Is this happening for you? Do you relate to some of these stories? They do. My heart breaks for them, he says. Towards the end of one session, at a state school in a tiny town in regional NSW, a previously quiet 11-year-old boy spoke up: at a previous school, peers had encouraged him daily to take his own life. He sat there in front of his mates. He started to get choked up, his eyes welled up. One of the other boys in the front row got up and sat next to him, and just put his hand on his back. And then another boy from the other side of the room got up and sat on the other side. And those two boys just sat there for the rest of that session, comforting him, there with him, in that emotion and that experience.

Its impossible not to get teary at this point in the conversation. Hes told the story dozens of times, but it still gets to him. It was the most profound moment, I would almost argue, in my life, he says. That was everything to witness. In those moments are some of the most beautiful things Ive ever seen happen. I wish the rest of the world could witness it. You cannot script those moments, and you definitely cannot force them  but Principe is pleased to report they happen regularly. And I get to champion them, he says joyfully. I get to say, Boys, I love this. Im so proud of you, so proud of how youve all leaned into this and wanted to show this boy that you care for him. Maybe we could continue with this [beyond this workshop]. And when the workshop ends? Surprisingly, the students do not want to leave. The presenter is often flocked by teenagers who want to keep talking. The feedback I get from schools routinely is that theyve never seen a bunch of boys sit still for 90 minutes and be fully engaged.

Its because I talk to them not necessarily like theyre my peers, but because I respect them and want good things for them, he says. I have to work really hard at the beginning for them to know that I want them to flourish, to thrive. The bill, please. Credit: Rhett Wyman Thats why he talks about porn, but never just about porn. For boys who recognise, Hey, I want to embody a more full vision of what it is to be a man, [realising you dont have to follow the stereotypes of what a man is] is such a liberating message for them, he says. It was for me when I first heard this. And they come up to me with a sense of relief. But, he explains, he really does feel like all his past work has led him to this moment  in his work, and our culture. His central critique of porn culture is that we can get intimacy wrong in a lot of ways that are harmful to us [and others].

I see firsthand the tragedies of that. I think culture has, in a lot of ways, lost sight that intimacy isnt a purely sexual thing. Like, if you hear intimacy and just think sex, youve totally missed out. Theres so much more to it. Loading I think as a culture weve oversexualised everything. Gesturing to our lunch, he says, Two men cant go out and have a meal, they must be dating. A guy and a girl cant just go out and have a coffee, there has to be something more sexual underlining it. But I dont buy into that. Others dont buy into his work. He says he occasionally receives pushback from students  but its rare. Most, he says, open up and share authentically about their pain, their griefs, and their ability to want to be something more than perhaps theyve previously known. Its a huge cultural battle, but for the boys who come up and share with me one on one, its just so worth it. He fears for what will happen to Australian culture if we continue to routinely shame decent boys who are pressured by both culture and social groups to degrade women and their friends.
Police are hunting for a white Toyota Camry used by the gunmen behind a daylight shooting in front of customers in a hair salon in Sydneys inner west that left two men injured and two cars ablaze in nearby suburban streets.

Images from the scene of the shooting on Marrickville Road show a man being pulled out of the business with a white sheet over his head, and another, covered in blood, pulled into an ambulance shortly after 2pm on Friday.

Emergency services respond to two men injured in a shooting on Marrickville Road in Sydneys inner west on Friday.

Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald from the Inner West police area command urged members of the public to look out for a white Toyota Camry with the registration plates DMM 59H, which police believe to be carrying at least one of the offenders.

Fitzgerald described the attack as very brazen, having occurred less than 100 metres from Marrickville police station.-
Truth is, Hart wasnt that keen on being a policeman, he was more keen on not getting kicked out of his digs. Hart arrived in Australia in July 1970 as a 10-year-old with his family as Ten-Pound Poms on the Fairsky, to be housed in the Nissen huts at the Northland Camp in Preston. It was not the promised land. His family was already fracturing and, as a teenager, he was bullied at school probably because he was smart, skinny, buck-toothed and foreign. In year 10 he failed to attend class for 97 days and his dream of becoming an architect was exactly that  a dream. Over the school holidays, he saw an advertisement for the police cadets  a scheme whereby the underage could continue their schooling before becoming police recruits at the age of 18. The usual applicant was the type who had always wanted to be a police officer. Hart was attracted for another reason. It was a live-in course. He was not looking for a way into the police force but a way out of his unhappy life.

The Oath that was changed to an Affirmation, It gave me a roof over my head and three meals a day. I walked out of home and joined the police cadets. One of his first lessons learnt was how to sneak out of the cadet barracks, housed in the old Savoy Hotel in Spencer Street, with other students, jump on the Bourke Street tram to the Croxton Park Hotel to drink beers while still underage, then sneak back in without being detected. In a time when conformity was sometimes valued more than competency, Hart admits he was smart but particularly not wise. When he lost confidence in the Australian history teacher at cadets, the teacher allowed him to continue learning unsupervised, offering to review his work if required.

He could have had me sacked if he wanted, but he must have seen something in me [that] I didnt know was there myself. Looking back, he was a brilliant teacher, Hart said. When, in 1979, his cadet intake was sent to the academy they were split into two squads, with Hart sent to a group of older recruits who were immediately sworn in on the Bible. Peter Hart (back row second from the right) at his Police Academy graduation. While learning the Evidence Act, they were taught the difference between swearing an oath before God to tell the truth and, for non-believers, the chance to swear an oath of affirmation. The lecturing sergeant asked how many would have wanted to take the affirmation when they were sworn in. Hart says, A few put their hands up and the sergeant joked that it was too late.

I put my hand up and said I hadnt been sworn in yet. The implication was Hart would rock the boat. Soon he was fronting a panel of the chief superintendent, superintendent and chief inspector. They were not there to complement his inquisitive mind. Peter Hart with then-chief commissioner Mick Miller. They said they had received a report questioning my suitability to be a policeman as I had no religious beliefs. How much of this was about his views on religion and how much was due to being identified as a troublemaker will never be known but several times senior officers pressured him to resign.

He refused, not so much on principle but practicality. If he quit he would lose his job and accommodation, then have to return to his fractured home. (Like many, he remains estranged from his family.) He didnt really have a strong view on Christianity, later moving to work for more than a dozen years in religious faith schools, but having made a point he felt to back down would have damaged his integrity. I was locked in and couldnt get out. They would say they were in no position to do an affirmation and declare I would have to resign. Then I would refuse. For six weeks he was taken from class and sent to police headquarters to meet a police chaplain.

We would have great discussions. Then he said, This is our last session, Peter. I was supposed to recommend you be sacked, but I think you are as Christian as I am. Hart says: Back then I believed Jesus walked the earth helping people. I was just not sure of the God thing. I was on track to be dux of the squad. Then I was back squadded [sent to repeat part of the course with a junior squad] because they said I was too surly. Due to his stubbornness, Hart was finally allowed to take an oath of affirmation. His certificate shows they just scrawled out the words Almighty God and replaced them with declare and affirm. It is dated February 15, 1979  the first of its type. Hart says that later, when he would take the affirmation in court, it was taken as a sign that he was a person of principle. Juries loved it.

He worked at Hawthorn, which he found too quiet, City West and then clicked at Broadmeadows. The boy from Preston says: I connected with the community. I can speak working class. But not all the police were so connected. He and his trainee partner thought they had dealt with a nasty family dispute when the male wandered out the front to abuse the police. We had a zero-tolerance policy. If you jack us up, you will be locked up. When Hart went to grab the offender, the man grabbed the policemans gun and then pointed it at the cops chest. I yelled to my partner to shoot him, and he (his partner) turned around and ran into the blue yonder. After the offender was arrested by mutual agreement the trainee sought alternative employment. Hart, the once ambivalent police cadet, became a committed investigator (duxing detective training school), often specialising in sexual assault cases when victims were often prejudged.

Raymond Edmunds, double murderer and serial rapist. He says he was the first police officer to successfully prosecute a rapist for attacking a sex worker. He got seven years. The cases that stick are those he believes should have been solved, but the investigations were prematurely closed by short-sighted bosses. It became a recurring theme. He completed his PhD on police stress, concluding the greatest problem was not on-the-road conflict but bureaucratic bloody mindedness. Doctor Hart trained as a psychologist and left policing after 13 years to work with organisations on stress management. Ironically, he is now adjunct professor in the Christian research centre at Avondale University.

When stationed as a detective at Heidelberg, he had the case of a mentally disabled woman who was raped by three offenders. The Director of Public Prosecutions refused to go to court because they thought it would be too difficult. She would have been a fantastic witness. There was the schoolgirl abducted on her way to the shops to buy ingredients for a cake. Hart says a neighbour saw the abduction and provided details of the offenders station wagon. The keen detective wanted to chase down each car of that colour, make and model. It was a totally solvable crime, but I was told to drop it as it was a waste of time. Hart believes he knows the person responsible. He had the same car and lived down the road at the time. It was Raymond Edmonds, known as Mr Stinky, who would later be convicted of the 1966 Shepparton murders of Garry Heywood, 18, and Abina Madill, 16. He was also convicted of five rapes, and police believe he was responsible up to 30 more.
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The management team of the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) extends its congratulations to the participants from Sint Maarten and other Dutch Caribbean islands who have successfully completed the "Training Intelligence Ondersteuner" at the police station in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten.





This training program, aimed at enhancing intelligence support within law enforcement, has provided participants with invaluable knowledge and skills to strengthen their abilities in the field. KPSM commend each individual for their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to professional development.





The successful completion of this rigorous training is a testament to the hard work and determination exhibited by all participants. The Police Force of Sint Maarten is proud to acknowledge their accomplishments and the positive impact they will undoubtedly have on their communitys safety and security.





KPSM would also like to express our gratitude to the instructors and trainers who facilitated the "Training Intelligence Ondersteuner" program, as their expertise and guidance were instrumental in shaping the participants' success.




This story contains distressing content about road trauma.

On the morning of September 12, 2001, I received the news that one of my childhood friends had been killed in a car crash. The brother of one of my high school classmates had also died in the same single-vehicle incident.

The loss of someone with whom Id spent summer afternoons riding bikes did not overshadow news of the great global tragedy that Australia woke to that day, but provoked a strange sense of combination grief; one loss visceral and personal, the other a broader concern for society, humanity and thousands of innocents.

I would never have predicted the terror attacks, but I should have expected I would lose a friend in a car crash.

In the particular country town where I grew up, road trauma was disturbingly frequent. Few teenagers and young adults would not have known someone involved in a serious incident. Public transport was almost non-existent, alcohol was popular and modifying ones car for improved horsepower was a fashionable pastime. Few teenagers had anything left over from their fast food salaries to spend on brakes, tyres and maintenance.
Victorian state Labor MPs are planning a ten-day junket in China to learn the countrys culture and gather three years worth of social media content, prompting national security concerns from experts and the federal Coalition.

The September trips itinerary, drafted by Victorian MP Will Fowles and leaked by Labor figures worried about the wisdom of the visit, also advised MPs how to utilise their $10,000 annual taxpayer-funded travel allowance by making bookings before June 30 so next financial years allowance remained.

Victorian Labor MP Will Fowles is promoting the trip. Credit: Joe Armao

Occurring months after Premier Daniel Andrews faced scrutiny for a trip to China, the jaunt promises MPs an appreciation of Chinese culture, a working understanding of how business in China operates, and an understanding of how Chinese government works.

Backbench MPs could also take photographs of landmarks to use for years worth of social media content! the document states.
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One of Sydney Airports main terminals has descended into chaos. New high-tech scanners that were supposed to speed up check-in times have stopped working. It turns out a malicious cyber actor has infiltrated the system. No passengers can be screened for flights without manual intervention.

The problem begins to metastasise. Soon after the airport reports the incident to the federal government, a major airlines check-in software starts malfunctioning. Cybersecurity experts discover a ransom note from a hacker claiming responsibility for the attack and demanding payment. Unless they get the cash, the hacker threatens that things will keep getting worse at the countrys busiest airport. Journalists are now clamouring for answers on what is clearly a major cybersecurity breach and the national security committee of cabinet wants a detailed briefing.

This incident has never occurred; its entirely fictional. But its the precise type of scenario the federal government fears could soon take place, and is preparing to respond to through a new series of cyber war games. The exercises began in April, when corporate leaders and regulators from the banking and finance sector gathered to examine how they would respond to a crippling cyberattack on one of Australias biggest banks.

Regulators, corporate leaders and police officers gathered at Sydney Airport for cyber exercises. Credit: Janie Barrett

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age were granted exclusive access to the second war-gaming session, held last week in the Sydney Airports corporate boardroom. Sitting around a horseshoe-shaped table were two dozen participants, with a handful of others dialling in remotely from across the country.

Among those participating in, or observing, the exercise were officials from the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Cyber Security Centre and the National Emergency Management Agency. There were executives from Sydney Airport, Qantas Airways and Virgin Australia, along with Australian Federal Police officers and representatives from AirServices Australia, the government-owned organisation responsible for the safety of Australias skies. Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, who has just taken up the role of the countrys first cybersecurity co-ordinator, was there to observe.

Home Affairs and Cyber Security Minister Clare ONeil had flown in directly from a meeting in New Zealand with fellow ministers from the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing network. It wasnt yet lunchtime, but she joked that she was onto her 12th coffee of the day. She likens the exercises to hitting the gym: the aim is to strengthen the muscles required to respond to a major cyber breach and smash the silos separating the private and public sectors.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong struck an apologetic tone towards Timor-Leste in comments about Australias use of hardball tactics to stymie the fledgling nations efforts to secure access to oil and gas riches in the Timor Sea after it won independence from Indonesia.

The Australian Secret Intelligence Service  the nations foreign spy service  allegedly installed listening devices in Timor-Lestes cabinet room in Dili in 2004 to gain an advantage in hotly contested negotiations about where to draw the maritime boundary between the two nations.

Penny Wong said Australia had at times behaved in a disappointing way over a maritime boundary dispute with Timor-Leste. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The Turnbull government then sought to block an international conciliation commission from settling the maritime boundary dispute.

During a visit to Timor-Lestes capital of Dili on Friday, Wong said it was important to recognise that there have been past instances in which Australian governments have acted in ways that Timorese people, and many Australians, found disappointing.
Washington: The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of a new military aid package worth up to $US800 million ($1.2 billion) for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision.

The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties. The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded ones that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

Activists and international delegations stand next to cluster bomb units, during a visit to a Lebanese military base. Credit: AP

US officials said they expect the military aid to Ukraine will be announced on Friday (local time). The weapons will come from Pentagon stocks and will also include Bradley and Stryker armoured vehicles and an array of ammunition, such as rounds for howitzers and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, known as HIMARS, officials said.

Long sought by Ukraine, cluster bombs are weapons that open in the air, releasing submunitions, or bomblets, that are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multiple targets at once.
Latest News Is commercial lending about to boom? Broker, property adviser discuss whats ahead for the market

Finsure fights modern slavery An estimated 15,000 people live in modern slavery in Australia

NAB said it is halting the use of links in unexpected texts to customers as part of a major crackdown against scams and fraud.

Last year, NAB sent 112 million text messages to customers, many of which contained links intending to notify them of things like when an account is about to be overdrawn or a new debit card has been posted.

NAB is now 95% through the process of removing the use of links in unexpected text messages, with the project to be completed by the end of July. Instead of the links, text messages will now include advice directing customers to the banks website, to call the bank, or head to internet banking or the NAB app, to take a specific action.

NAB CEO Ross McEwan said the banks aim was to make it simple for customers to know whether a message from NAB is legitimate.

My advice is dont click on a link. If you get an unexpected text message that looks like its from NAB and it contains a link, dont click on it, McEwan said. We want to make it as hard as possible for these criminals to steal money from hard-working Australians.

This latest move from NAB follows the banks move to stop infiltrating phone numbers and spoofing scams by working together with telecommunication providers  an initiative that has delivered a 29% reduction in reports of NAB-branded spoofing scams this year.

McEwan called for a Team Australia approach across business sectors, government and the community to tackle scams.

We welcome the governments focus in this area through initiatives like the establishment of the National Anti-Scam Centre and a new SMS registry, he said.

Already, the action NAB has taken on spoofing and its introduction of proactive payments alerts to digital banking have yielded positive results, McEwan said, adding that the bank wont stop there.

While were doing whatever we can, these scammers are part of transnational, organised crime gangs and will always look for new ways to rip people off, he said. Thats why we continue to encourage all Australians to stay alert, curious, and educated.

Use the comment section below to tell us how you felt about this.
The fresh vistas in the countrys defence and activities in the electric-vehicle market are what we have today.

Ajai Shukla : Notwithstanding the US-India bonhomie, New Delhis geopolitical constraints remain visible. During the SCO virtual summit on July 4, Russias President Vladimir Putin, Chinas supremo Xi Jinping and Narendra Modi could find little meeting ground.

The share of electric vehicles in a market can change rapidly, as has been the case in many countries, says Vandana Gombar

The first edit argues India should make haste slowly on the internationalisation of the rupee. The second edit dwells on the difficulties in power reforms
Even as the fierce power tussle between rival NCP factions, led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar, continued to play out on Thursday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai.

Fadnavis was seen leaving the CM's residence after the meeting on Thursday late night.

Earlier in the day, addressing the recent reports of discontent among Shiv Sena MLAs regarding NCP leader Ajit Pawar's joining the Shinde-Fadnavis government, CM Shinde made it clear that his government has emerged stronger, adding that he had no plans of stepping down, terming all such reports as 'rumours'.

"It is all rumours...," CM Shinde told ANI.

On the split in the NCP, Shinde said the party should introspect on everything that was happening within the rank and file.

kThey (NCP) should introspect on what is happening in their party. They should look into their party,

Also Read Shinde-led Maha govt incapable of maintaining law and order: Pawar Ignore orders of 'unconstitutional' Maharashtra govt: Raut to officials Shiv Sena ad claims Shinde more preferred as Maharashtra CM over Fadnavis Efforts to create obstacles for Sena-BJP alliance being made: Shinde' son Supriya Sule reaches YB Chavan Centre for meeting called by Sharad Pawar Shiromani Akali Dal Chief Sukhbir Badal dismisses BJP reunion speculation BJP-led govt stopping funds intended for Bengal: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee Leaders must maintain discipline, will win Raj polls with unity: Congress Congress appoints Kanhaiya Kumar as NSUI incharge with immediate effect I am the president of NCP, will speak in front of EC now: Sharad Pawar

"Yesterday I also held a meeting with our MPs and MLAs and our government is getting stronger by the day," the CM added.

He said further, "With our government now made up of three parties, the strength of our MLAs is more than 200. No leader is unhappy and all have faith in us. Our government is only getting stronger. We have the support of PM Modi and Amit Shah," the Maharashtra CM said.

Shinde also chaired a meeting of Shiv Sena MLAs at his official residence in Mumbai.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said CM Shinde may be replaced in the coming days, in light of the switchover of Ajit Pawar and 8 other NCP MLAs to the National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) government in the state.

Dismissing speculations of the state getting a new chief Minister in the coming days, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the Opposition parties were deliberating creating confusion, adding that Shinde will remain CM.

"All our senior leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis, have already said Eknath Shinde will remain chief minister. He is doing a good job for the state. The Opposition parties are creating confusion," Bawankule said.

Earlier, on Sunday, Ajit Pawar split the NCP down the middle as he joined the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra along with 8 senior MLAs and took oath as the state's deputy chief minister for the fifth time.
By Subrat Patnaik



Artificial intelligence-driven gains can propel Microsoft Corp. to join Apple Inc. in the elite category of stocks with a market capitalization of more than $3 trillion.



Thats according to analysts at Morgan Stanley, whose new $415 price target for the software giant implies a valuation of around $3.1 trillion. The analysts, led by Keith Weiss, named Microsoft their top pick among large cap software companies, and said that it is the best placed in the sector to benefit from the growth of AI.

Generative AI looks to significantly expand the scope of business processes able to be automated by software, Weiss wrote in a note. Microsoft stands best positioned in software to monetize that expansion.





Also Read: Microsoft invests in India's Builder.ai, marking another tie-up for AI A market frenzy for all things AI-related has supercharged Microsoft shares this year. Startup OpenAI Inc., which is backed by Microsoft, has fueled much of the excitement amid the viral success of its ChatGPT tool. Microsoft is now looking to overhaul its entire lineup of Office apps  including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word  with OpenAI technology.





Despite a 42% share-price rally this year, the valuation is still reasonable, according to Weiss. The stocks so-called PEG ratio, or the price-earnings multiple divided by the expected percentage growth in earnings, remains in line with historical averages, despite the unrivaled generative AI positioning, he wrote. The PEG ratio is a metric often used by growth-focused investors.

Also Read Indian markets can withstand a somewhat expensive multiple: Jonathan Garner Apple opens its first official store in Mumbai; what we know so far Morgan Stanley profit beats on strength in wealth, trading units Morgan Stanley weighs 7% cut in Asia-Pacific investment banking workforce Apple BKC Mumbai store previewed ahead of April 18 opening: See pictures DeSantis defends anti-LGBTQ video shared by campaign, calls it fair game Banned salons because they offered forbidden services: Afghan Taliban US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of aid package: Report Can Nadella sell Cricket in US as Indian diaspora reaches critical mass? Decades behind schedule, US now destroying last of its chemical weapons





Also Read: Microsoft adds AI capabilities, enhances translation features to Skype Weiss raised his price target to $415 from $335. Thats the second highest among analysts tracked by Bloomberg after Redburns $450 target. Morgan Stanley has rated Microsoft overweight since early 2016, and the stock has gained more than 500% in that period.

The rest of Wall Street is also overwhelmingly bullish on the stock  with 52 analysts rating it a buy or equivalent. Still, only three of them have price targets that imply Microsoft getting to the historic $3 trillion market capitalization mark by next year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Microsofts stock rose 0.9% on Thursday.

Apple made Wall Street history last month as the first company with a market value of over $3 trillion.
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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 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.





File Photo  Emancipation Day Celebration 2022 at Belle Vue Plantation






HVB Global Academy, a leading educational institution renowned for its commitment to excellence, recently celebrated its Diamond Jubilee celebration, marking 60 years of providing outstanding education and nurturing young minds.The festivities marking the 60anniversary were held recently at Tata Theatre, Nariman Point, Mumbai, where the guests, alumni, faculty, parents, and students came together to commemorate the significant milestone. Esteemed Hindi poet, author, and motivational speaker Dr. Kumar Vishwas honoured the occasion as the Chief Guest, enlightening the audience with his insights on the existing education system and the necessary reforms to instil a sense of pride, nationalism, and appreciation for the country's history, cultural heritage, and civilisation. Additionally, Mr. Rahul Narwekar, the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, also graced the occasion as an esteemed guest. The event also featured captivating performances by Kings United and Illuminati Dance group to entertain the guests.As they celebrated the Diamond Jubilee, they took pride in their achievements: developing an innovative pedagogical model focused on learner happiness, introducing the Happiness Quotient (HQ) metric for measuring happiness. Creating the right curriculum and books centred around HQ and devising a method to assess learners' HQ, they are launchingbook to reconnect with the Indian roots, and fostering distinguished alumni like Mr. Uday Kotak, Mr. Amit Jatia, and Mr. Vallabh Bhansali who have shaped the economy and improved lives.Author, Poet and Motivational Speaker,expressed his excitement,I am honoured to be part of HVB Global Academy's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, marking 60 years of educational excellence. I commend their commitment to redefine education as a means to our young studentsall-round personal growth and to help them connect and identify with their rich and unique Indian cultural heritage, values and the legacy of intellectual contributions. This extraordinary milestone exemplifies dedication in shaping young minds and nurturing brilliance. May HVBs legacy continue to inspire and illuminate the path to a future where education unlocks limitless opportunities."The Principal and CEO of HVB Global Academy,expresses her thoughts on the celebrating Diamond Jubilee, "As we celebrate the momentous occasion of the Diamond Jubilee at HVB Global Academy, it fills me with immense inspiration and gratitude. Over the past six decades, our institution has consistently strived for excellence, making a profound impact on countless lives. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our supportive management, dedicated educators, talented students, and encouraging community. As we reflect on our achievements, we are motivated to continue our mission of empowering learners and creating a positive impact on society. Together, we will embark on the next chapter of our journey and continue to empower our learners by providing them with quality education, nurturing their talent, and prepare them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.From Hindi Vidya Bhavan to Humanity Versatility Brilliance, HVBs journey through time and challenges has been a story of resilience, hope, innovation and change guided by its motto: Nurture imagination and inspire excellence.
SLB (NYSE: SLB) has been awarded a five-year contract by Petrobras for an enterprise-wide deployment of its Delfi digital platform. The contract scope covers Petrobras digital transformation from exploration, development, and production operations, including moving subsurface workflows to the cloud to significantly accelerate decision making. The award represents one of Petrobras largest investments in cloud-based technologies and sets the foundation for it to achieve its decarbonization and net zero targets.

By leveraging AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing technology from SLB, Petrobras will drive aggressive efficiency and production increases across its E&P business, comments Rakesh Jaggi, president, Digital & Integration, SLB. Leveraging the Delfi platform to digitally transform Petrobras E&P workflows, will improve efficiency and demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and energy transition.

For geological and geophysical (G&G) interpretation, the Delfi platform realized a significant reduction in processing time. Some workflows experienced a reduction from hours to minutes. As an example, AI and machine learning applications reduced fault interpretation time in petrophysical modeling workflows by 60%.

The Delfi platform will empower all Petrobras geoscientists and engineers with seamless and scalable digital technology and computing power, helping improve focus on business operations. The large investment in SLB digital technology for E&P by Petrobras is part of its plan to increase total operations production.

About SLB

SLB (NYSE: SLB) is a global technology company that drives energy innovation for a balanced planet. With a global footprint in more than 100 countries and employees representing almost twice as many nationalities, we work each day on innovating oil and gas, delivering digital at scale, decarbonizing industries, and developing and scaling new energy systems that accelerate the energy transition. Find out more at slb.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws  that is, statements about the future, not about past events. Such statements often contain words such as expect, may, can, estimate, intend, anticipate, will, potential, projected" and other similar words. Forward-looking statements address matters that are, to varying degrees, uncertain, such as forecasts or expectations regarding the deployment of, or anticipated benefits of, SLBs new technologies and partnerships; statements about goals, plans and projections with respect to sustainability and environmental matters; forecasts or expectations regarding energy transition and global climate change; and improvements in operating procedures and technology. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the inability to achieve net-negative carbon emissions goals; the inability to recognize intended benefits of SLBs strategies, initiatives or partnerships; legislative and regulatory initiatives addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change; the timing or receipt of regulatory approvals and permits; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in SLBs most recent Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize (or the consequences of such a development changes), or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those reflected in our forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and SLB disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230630444129/en/
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Following a highly successful Judicial Four-Party Consultation (JVO) Conference on Thursday June 22, 2023, many participants expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the discussions and with the organization of the conference. The four Ministers of Justice of the Kingdom, having achieved consensus on the decisions coming out of the JVO discussions, on Friday June 23, 2023, dedicated time to formally sign the JVO decision list before bidding farewell to one another. The signing of the JVO decision list took place on the grounds of the airport which was made possible by PJIA and its partners.





One of the key topics discussed during the JVO discussions was migration. To address the challenges associated with migration effectively, it was proposed and agreed upon that a plan would be presented at the next JVO for the establishment of a Board of Directors of Immigration with representatives from the different countries, to improve collaboration amongst the services in the countries.





Another important topic covered in the conference was the applications of sanctions particularly as it relates to Forensic Care. The JVO welcomed the work that was done on this subject and indicated that it looked forward to the development of a plan that considers the legal and financial implications for the realization of basic facilities for Forensic Care on all islands.





Addressing the capacity challenges that the Caribbean countries experience in combatting transnational and organized crime, the JVO endorsed the proposal put forth to analyze the causes and potential solutions for the capacity challenges, including a deeper analysis per country, the results of which will be presented at the next JVO in 2024. The proposal of organizing a conference, with the aim of obtaining clarity about the causes and solutions, including financial aspects of the judicial chain, could also count on support from the four Ministers.





The JVO also discussed the progress made in further securing and strengthening regional police cooperation in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom through the Board of Police Chiefs, which consists of the Chiefs of Police of the Police forces of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten and the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Saba and St. Eustatius). Many of the positive developments coming out of this cooperative body have been made possible by support from the Netherlands and its National Police.





The four Ministers of Justice expressed much enthusiasm when they were informed of the encouraging results of the pilot Prosecutor in Training Program at the Public Prosecutors Services in the Caribbean countries. This pilot aims to train more prosecutors that hail from the Caribbean countries. Discussions between the Attorney General and the Ministers in the JVO of 2024 will determine the projects continuation.





Prevention of Juvenile Delinquency was first placed on the JVO agenda by Minister Richardson during a previous JVO where it was agreed upon that a working group would be established, to closer study the issue. The advice of the working group to effectively address the issue by not only focusing on repression but also on prevention and doing so with partners in the social domain, healthcare and judicial domain and through public-private partnerships was endorsed by the Ministers. The Ministers hereby emphasized the importance of providing funds and expertise similar to what is aimed at repressive measures.





Under the chairmanship of Minister Richardson, the JVO provided a platform for fruitful discussions, resulting in a signed JVO decision list and constructive plans and a clear vision going forward. Minister Richardson stated: The commitment of my colleague Ministers and the other stakeholders involved in the JVO, highlights the dedication that we all have towards enhancing law enforcement, crime prevention, and making our communities safer for everyone. With momentum gained from this JVO, I look forward to making significant strides toward the next JVO that takes place on our beautiful sister island of Curacao in January of 2024.




China-UK cooperation mutually beneficial: Chinese VP

Xinhua) 10:50, July 07, 2023

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng attends an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade, where he reads out a congratulatory letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the event, in Beijing, capital of China, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Over the past seven decades, China-UK cooperation has brought both sides tremendous development opportunities, and such cooperation is mutually beneficial, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said on Thursday.

Han made the remarks while attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade, where he read out a congratulatory letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the event.

President Xi specially sending a congratulatory letter demonstrates the high importance he attaches to the event, Han said.

He said that 70 years ago, British entrepreneurs represented by Jack Perry broke the ice of trade of the West toward China, and opened the door for China-UK cooperation.

Over the years, the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council have contributed outstandingly to carrying forward China-UK friendship and promoting economic, trade, and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides, he said.

Han expressed the hope that people of vision from all walks of life in China and Britain will carry on the icebreaking spirit, and promote China-UK friendly cooperation to score new success, especially in economic and trade areas.

About 100 representatives from the Chinese and British business communities attended the event.

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng poses for a group photo with some guests while attending an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade, where he reads out a congratulatory letter sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the event, in Beijing, capital of China, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Friday, July 7, 2023 at 5:11AM

Image: Semafor

Meta may face legal action from Twitter over its new text app Threads, which Twitter says is a "copycat" of its platform. Twitter claims Meta hired former Twitter employees who used Twitter's trade secrets and intellectual property to develop Threads. Meta denies the allegations and says none of the Threads engineers are ex-Twitter staff. Threads is a text-based companion to Instagram that resembles Twitter and other text-based social platforms. It launched on Wednesday and attracted 30 million users in one day, posing a serious challenge to Twitter's dominance. Twitter's owner Elon Musk accused Meta of "cheating" and vowed to protect his intellectual property rights.

Source
Friday, July 7, 2023 at 10:50AM

Photo: Xbox

Do you love Barbie and Xbox? If so, youre in luck. Xbox is giving away some amazing prizes that combine Barbies iconic style with Xboxs gaming power. You could win a custom Xbox Series S that looks like a Barbie Dreamhouse, a set of Xbox Wireless Controller faceplates inspired by Barbie and Kens outfits, or one of 10 special Barbie dolls with Xbox accessories.

The Barbie Dreamhouse Xbox Series S is one of the most fun and unique console designs Xbox has ever created. It features pink walls, windows, and furniture. And the console is housed in what looks like a miniature version of Barbies home. Xbox will be sharing more info on July 10 over at @Xbox and Microsoft Rewards.

Aside from this, you could take home Barbies wearing Xbox-themed clothes (complete with accessories). Although, Microsoft hasn't shared the mechanics for this contest yet.

Source: 1 + 2
Former President and Missile Man of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, a visionary scientist and former President of India, is renowned for his significant contributions to aerospace and defence technologies. However, not many know that he once missed a crucial opportunity to join the Indian Air Force.

This incident in his life played a pivotal role in shaping his destiny and inspiring him to achieve greatness in other spheres. Read further to know about the whole incident of how Dr. Kalam met his Guru after this failure and found a new purpose for his life.

A Tale from Sivananda Ashram

Sadhus at the Sivananda Ashram, a little farther up the hill from Rishikesh, will tell you a tale about APJ Abdul Kalam that few have heard.

In extreme despair, Kalam boarded a bus to Rishikesh and made his way to the banks of the Ganga after failing the Dehradun Air Force pilot interview where he placed ninth and the eight others were chosen. That would later prove to be one of Kalam's most pivotal experiences. In his words, he "stood at the edge of a cliff with a lake below." It was 1957, and his childhood goal of flying a fighter plane had been crushed. Then, while he pondered the course of his life, Kalam met a man he called the "Guru of my Life."

Swami Sivananda approached the man who would go on to become one of India's most beloved presidents and inquired of him as to the cause of his grief. Following that, Sivananda gave Kalam his life mantra: "Defeat the defeatist tendency."

In his book, Kalam described the occurrence and said, "When the student is ready, the teacher will emerge - How true! A pupil who had almost gotten lost was given direction by the teacher here.

Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam's Path Of Education And Achievements

What was Kalam told by Sivananda?

"Accept your fate and continue living your life. It is not your destiny to fly for the Air Force. Although it is already predetermined, what you are meant to become is not yet known. Forget this setback because it was necessary for you to arrive at your intended course. Instead, look for the real meaning behind your existence. My kid, unite with yourself! Give yourself over to God's will."

How does Kalam share this Experience?

In 1941, while learning about bird flight, Kalam made the decision to study aeronautical science. Later, after earning his aeronautical engineering degree from the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), he began working as a trainee with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.

In his book "Wings of Fire", the former president recalls receiving two calls for interviews at this time, one from the Air Force recruitment office in Dehradun and the other from the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTD & P-Air) of the Ministry of Defence in Delhi. He made the decision to appear in both. After the first one in Delhi went smoothly, he continued on to Dehradun.

Dr APJ Abdul Kalam: Remembering The Missile Man Of India

Kalam Says, "I was excited but nervous, determined but anxious, confident but tense. I could finish ninth in the batch of 25 examined to select eight officers for commissioning in the Air Force. I was deeply disappointed. It took me some time to comprehend that the opportunity to join the Air Force had just slipped through my fingers."

Journey towards being "The Missile Man of India"

Following his encounter with the guru, Kalam proceeded to Delhi where he received an appointment letter and joined DTD&P-Air as a senior scientific assistant in 1958. He accepted his fate and no longer harboured any animosity or resentment over not being able to join the AirForce. Thus the Missile man's adventure began.

Later, from 2002 to 2007, he was India's 11th president. He worked as a scientist and scientific administrator for the following four decades, mostly at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He was heavily involved in both India's efforts to build military missiles and its civilian space programme. As a result of his contributions to the advancement of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology, he earned the moniker "Missile Man of India." Additionally, he was crucial in the organisation, technical, and political aspects of India's 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear testing, the country's first since its initial nuclear test in 1974.

He embodied intelligence, wisdom, and simplicity. He was affectionately known as the "people's president" and "The Missile Man of India," and his principles are still an inspiration to us all.
This academic year, Allahabad University plans to launch up to 10 new multidisciplinary courses. The courses were created as part of the government's most important initiative, New Education Policy (NEP).

The Following Courses Will begin Soon

According to a report, just seven of these ten courses will begin accepting students this session. These programmes include five years of BCA and MCA, MSc Cognitive Science, BSc and MSc Family and Community Science, five years of integrated disaster management and environmental studies, BA LLB Honours, five years of integrated law, and five years of MBA. Admissions will begin for the final three courses during the following session.

Additionally, proficiency courses in Music, Sports, NCC, Constitutional Elements, Mental Health, Financial Market, Discovery Science and Technology, Film and Theatre, Therapeutic Nutrition, and Yoga are being launched.

Quality Education Only

Professor Sangita Srivastava, vice chancellor of Allahabad University (AU), stated that these courses created in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) will not only impart knowledge to students, but also enhance their abilities and promote the growth of their character.

She said that numerous measures had been taken recently to raise the standard of education at the university. In mission mode, new professors have been sought out by the university's 27 departments during the past two years. 350 non-teaching employees have also been hired in addition to this. According to Sangeeta Srivastava, the institution has also engaged in a form of reverse migration by hiring teachers from abroad. She claims that the amalgamation of teachers from other states and from abroad has developed a cosmopolitan environment, hence improving the future prospects and quality of university education.
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA (July 7, 2023)  Jason Carter, chairman of The Carter Center Board of Trustees and the grandson of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, participated in a discussion today in Lusaka about the Center's work in the country.

"The Carter Center can provide some technical assistance, some strategies based on having seen many countries," Carter said. "But the work is only effective if its done by Zambians, in Zambia, for the Zambian democracy. Were thrilled and honored to be here and have seen the success and the quality and the passion of so many of those partners."

Today's event concludes Carters four-day visit to Zambia to meet with partners and highlight the Centers ongoing programming to support the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in political affairs in the country.

Carter, who was accompanied by his wife, Kate, and sons Henry and Thomas, also visited Gwembe District in Southern Province, one of four areas where the Center is conducting a pilot project to help members of rural communities address the impact of climate change.

Carter underscored the Center's support for projects that help make it possible for all citizens to participate in government. He also spoke about his visit to Gwembe and about the Centers global work, including its efforts to strengthen democracy in the United States.

Today's meeting was a follow-up to the Securing a Seat at the Table: Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities as Influencers and Decision-Makers in Zambia event organized by The Carter Center on March 31, 2023.

The Carter Center has worked for more than 30 years to support credible elections and inclusive democracy in Zambia through election observation and civil society support.

Video links:

Democracy in Zambia and the United States

Successful Partnerships

Importance of Inclusion

Confronting Climate Change

Carter Center History in Zambia

Consequences of Climate Change

For a transcript of the entire Q&A, please contact Maria Cartaya at maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org.

###

Contact: In Atlanta, Maria Cartaya, maria.cartaya@cartercenter.org

In Zambia, Rachel Fowler, rachel.fowler@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.
CEMEX hits Vertua milestone in Colombia

07 July 2023

CEMEX has reached a sales milestone for its Vertua net zero CO concrete in Colombia, surpassing 100,000m3 of the product, enough to fill 40 Olympic-sized swimming pools. According to CEMEX, this achievement showcases progress towards the company's ambitious goal for its Vertua lower-carbon cement and concrete products to reach more than half of all cement and concrete sales by 2025.

Vertua lower-carbon and net zero concrete are part of a range of materials with measurable sustainable attributes, including energy efficiency and water conservation. The projects that have chosen Vertua as their material of choice include infrastructure, housing, and public works.

Were proud to provide innovative building solutions for projects that put sustainability and the well-being of the people of Colombia at the forefront, said Jesus Gonzalez, president of CEMEX South, Central America and the Caribbean. This milestone shows that the construction industry is migrating to more sustainable materials and practices. We are confident that demand for our lower-carbon and net-zero products will continue to increase.

Some of the projects in which Vertua net zero concrete has been used are the 978 Building, an 11-storey structure considered Colombia's first net zero CO project, Bosa Hospital, a state-of-the-art healthcare center, and Canoas lifting Station, a key piece of water treatment infrastructure in the city of Bogota.

According to CEMEX, Vertua has a specialised portfolio of sustainable, high-quality construction products designed to have a significant positive impact on the planet. It allows builders to tailor their projects' sustainable characteristics through its five specific and measurable attributes: lower carbon, energy efficiency, water conservation, recycled materials, and design optimisation.

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Argentina's cement market expands 1% in 1H23

ICR Newsroom By 07 July 2023

Cement dispatches in Argentina declined by 2.1 per cent YoY to 1,080,422t in June 2023 from 1,104,066t in June 2022, according to the countrys cement association, AFCP. When compared with the previous month, dispatches edged up by 0.8 per cent from 1,071,951t in May 2023.



The market was entirely supplied by domestic production  no imports were reported. Total production from Argentinas cement plants slipped 2.4 per cent YoY to 1,082,990t in June 2023 from 1,109,725t in June 2022. However, compared with May 2023, when output reached 1,077,128t, production was up by 0.5 per cent.



Exports fell considerably to 2568t in June 2023 from 5659t in June 2022 and from 5177t in May 2023. This represents a decline of 54.6 per cent YoY and 50.4 per cent, respectively.



January-June 2023

In the first six months of 2023, cement dispatches in Argentina saw a 0.9 per cent YoY uptick to 6.149Mt.



Domestic production increased by 0.5 per cent to 6.18Mt in the January-June 2023 when compared with the previous years equivalent period.



Exports in the 1H23 declined by 46.1 per cent to 30,808t from 57,167t in the year-ago period.

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Sika acquires Thiessen Team USA

07 July 2023

Sika has acquired Thiessen Team USA, a US manufacturer of shotcrete and grouting products for the mining industry. The acquisition will open up significant cross-selling potential and will support Sikas expansion in the US mining market, says the company.

Thiessen operates two production facilities, strategically located close to large mines in the western US area. Increasing sustainability requirements in mining operations represents a significant potential for Sikas robust range of solutions. A groundbreaking development is Sikas unique technology for cement-free concrete which is already used for backfilling of shafts in the worlds largest iron ore mine in Sweden and will now be rolled out in the entire Americas region.

Sika has a strong presence in the mining industry in Latin America and Canada, which was significantly expanded through the acquisition of King Packaged Materials Company in 2019. This latest acquisition of Thiessen will improve access to US mining projects. Sika products such as structural fibres, shotcrete accelerators, and backfilling solutions will complement Thiessens offering and further support market penetration.

Christoph Ganz, regional manager Americas at Sika, said, The acquisition of Thiessen supports our expansion in the exciting mining business in the USA and provides Sika with a wider presence in mining across the Americas region. The offerings of Sika and Thiessen are highly complementary and open up significant cross-selling potential with new and existing mining customers.

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A team from the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga was selected as one of the top three in a worldwide competition honoring excellence and achievement in higher education entrepreneurship activities.At the recent Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities global Triple E Awards ceremony in Barcelona, the CIE team placed third in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team of the Year categoryfocusing on university programs that involve and benefit students and the local community.UTC was in prestigious company, coming just behind the London School of Economics and Political Science, which won first place in the category, and Johannes Kepler University in Linz, Austria, which finished second.It was an honor to represent UTC and the Gary W.Rollins College of Business at the Triple E Awards ceremony in Barcelona, Spain, on June 27, said Dr. Thomas Lyons, Clarence E. Harris Chair of Excellence in Entrepreneurship and professor of marketing and entrepreneurship. Our third-place finish speaks to the hard work, dedication and creativity of our team.Other CIE team members are Commercialization Coordinator Jennifer Skjellum, Entrepreneur-in-Residence Mike Bradshaw and former CIE Director Libby Santin, who left UTC in January to start her own consulting business.Innovation and Entrepreneurship Team of the Year global finalists also included the University of the South Pacific in Fiji and Grundungsgarage in Graz, Austria.The caliber of our competition only makes this accomplishment more impressive, Dr. Lyons said.
Hamilton County Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a chalk talk at the Tennessee Riverpark (Hubert Fry Center Oval), 4301 Amnicola Hwy. in Chattanooga next Tuesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.The event is free and all ages are welcome."Bring your imagination," organizers said. "Chalk is provided and there will be lots of colors to choose from to be creative."For more information, Contact Kylee Saunders at 423-710-0274, or email KyleeS@HamiltonTN.gov.Also see the Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/HamCoTNParks/.
Tennova Healthcare  Cleveland has named Debbie Murray, EdD to the board of directors. Dr. Murray currently serves as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs for Lee University, a position she has held since 2013.As provost, she has direct oversight of the University's six schools and colleges, as well as responsibility for several specialized academic programs. In addition to her role as provost, Dr. Murray also holds the rank of distinguished professor of Education at Lee where she has been a member of the faculty since 1980. She served as dean of the DeVos College of Education at Lee for 17 years before joining the Administrative Cabinet of then-president Dr.Paul Conn in 2013, and during her tenure has served as department chair, director of Teacher Education Programs, and director of Graduate Programs in Education. She has been a 'teacher's teacher' her entire career and is a previous recipient of the Excellence in Advising Award, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in 1997."We could not be more excited to have someone of Dr. Murray's caliber joining our Board," said Jarrett Millsaps, FACHE, CEO of Tennova Healthcare - Cleveland. "Dr. Murray exemplifies the commitment to excellence we are building here at Tennova, and her willingness to join with us during this time of cultural, clinical and competitive growth for our health system could not come at a better, or more strategic, time.""As someone who has spent much of her life in this community, Dr. Murray brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and relevance to our board of directors," said Nancy Casson, chair of the Tennova Healthcare - Cleveland board. "The board is wholly committed to our mission of 'Defining Excellence and Giving Hope' and Dr. Murray will make an outstanding addition to our team."As a resident of Cleveland most of her life, Dr. Murray obtained her bachelor's degree in mathematics from Lee University. She subsequently went on to obtain her master's degree in special education and a doctorate in education, with an emphasis in curriculum and instruction, from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Dr. Murray and her husband have four children and 11 grandchildren.
Students sit on the lawn near Royce Hall at UCLA in the Westwood section of Los Angeles on April 25, 2019. After statewide bans on affirmative action in states from California to Florida, colleges have tried a range of strategies to achieve a diverse student body  giving greater preference to low-income families and admitting top students from communities across their states. But after years of experimentation, some states requiring race-neutral policies have seen drops in Black and Hispanic enrollments.
Nicholas Scolari and Sophie Marro of Nice, France, stand on Main Street Haines, about 750 miles in to their journey to Bolivia.

On Friday afternoon, Nicholas Scolari and Sophie Marro stood outside Talia's Treasures thrift shop on Main Street, Haines, their faces bright red from sun and wind burn.

The 26-year-olds from Nice, France, arrived in Haines the day before, lugging all their camping gear and food in rainproof panniers draped over their carbon-fiber gravel bikes through the Alaska Range and the Yukon Flats.

They'd traveled more than 750 miles and spent more than 81 hours in the saddle. They still had thousands of miles to go to their ultimate destination: Bolivia.

Still, they said, they felt the hardest part was behind them.

"The biggest challenge was leaving home," said Scolari. "The first day we just did a few kilometers, because I was in such a bad mood."

But the couple gained steam since then. They'd stopped in Gakona for a few days, staying with a family there with six kids who fed them moose burgers and showed them their homestead lifestyle.

From Haines, Marro and Scolari planned to cycle all the way to Mexico City. From there, they would fly to Ushuaia, the southernmost town in South America, and bike back up to Bolivia.

Their stop in Alaska was just the beginning, but so far, they said Alaskans had impressed them with their warmth and hospitality.

"Alaskan people are very nice, sometimes they even give us food," said Scolari.

In Haines, they found a host who let them stay at their house and fed them -- even brought them to their sauna. Marro said a warm sauna was a big improvement from their usual way of bathing.

"For example, we go in the lake and take a bath," she said.

The idea for their journey started about a year ago. During the pandemic, they had planned a trip through the African continent with a camper trailer. COVID prompted them to cancel that trip, and during their pandemic time in the town of Nice, in Southern France, they got hooked on biking while commuting to work. Scolari is a chiropractor and Marro works at a renewable energy company. They met a few cyclists who had done long-distance trips around the world on bicycle. It sparked an idea.

"One day Nico, just woke up and said, 'Sophie we can do America by bicycle!'" said Marro, "I just said 'yes, for sure.'"

They sold their camper trailer and got to work training on their bikes and saving money. They're hoping the 25,000 euros (around $27,000 USD) would be enough to get them to Bolivia.

"It's the price of the camper," said Marro. "The most expensive is the air travel."

A few weeks before they began their bike trip from Anchorage, Marro went to Juneau to work for a family through a work-exchange program mowing their lawn. From Haines, they plan to the ferry to Juneau to visit the family. They'd stopped at Talia's Treasures to buy a few puzzles as gifts for the family.

So far, they said everything has gone smoothly. They haven't had any major mechanical issues or personal injuries. Still, there have been challenging times, like the desolate stretch of road near the Canadian border.

"There was nothing between Tok and Beaver Creek," said Scolari. "It was three days and we didn't see anybody except a lot of construction."

Still, they were excited to run into a fellow bike adventurer, a Spaniard who they had met earlier. They ended up riding together for another two days.

Another challenge was the road into Haines, where they were met with strong headwinds.

"With the rain and the front wind -- that was hard," said Marro.
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If youre a parent, its imperative to teach your children about stranger danger.

One woman remembered her parents teaching her and her sibling to be wary of strangers, but one day, she didnt heed her parents advice. If her sister wasnt there, she thinks she couldve been kidnapped.

She grew up in the 90s with her two siblings. On this day, she was seven, her brother was eight, and her sister was 11. It was a weekday morning, and they walked a few blocks from their house to their bus stop.

It was a foggy morning, and the walk was almost too quiet, she remembered.

We were the only ones in the line of sight. We were a few streets away from the bus stop when a small white sedan pulled up next to us, slowly matching our pace.

They looked over to the car, and there was a woman who seemed to be middle-aged behind the wheel. The woman rolled down her window and politely asked her and her siblings if they were heading to school with a smile on her face.

She and her siblings silently nodded, knowing it was obvious they were heading to school because they had backpacks on. Then, the woman said they should hop into her car so she could take them to school.

Since she was so young and naive, she forgot about all the stranger danger advice she had learned and happily accepted the ride. Then, she felt her sister grab her arm tightly. Her sister sternly told the woman, No thanks, and made everyone keep walking.

The womans smile seemed to fade and reappear in a fraction of a second, she said.

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Yemi Mobolade moved to Colorado Springs to start a church. Thirteen years later, he became the citys mayor.

Even though his position isnt a pastoral one, his faith is central to his platform, as well as his experience in local ministries, nonprofits, businesses, and economic development. Mobolade ran a campaign on hope and optimism, taking his core values from Micah 6:8: Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

I want to disrupt and confuse this whole experience we call politics, Mobolade said. I want to call Gods people back to doing it well.

A Nigerian American, Mobolade was sworn in last month as Colorado Springs first Black and first immigrant mayor, telling residents, As your mayor, I pledge to live courageously, lead with empathy, and remain humble. As your mayor, I pledge to lead by example and create a city government that is transparent, accessible, and proactive. As your mayor, I will work tirelessly to ensure our city government represents the aspiration and needs of its residents.

His new position builds on years of community involvement and unity-building in Colorados second-biggest city.

He also quoted Chris Tomlins God of this City, saying, Greater things are yet to come, greater things are still to be done in this city.

Before he landed in the evangelical hub thats home to Focus on the Family, the Navigators, Young Life, and Biblica, Mobolade grew up in a family of faith in Nigeria. Both his parents were pastors, and he came to know the Lord at a young age.

I am really proud of the work that they did with my siblings and I, ensuring our faith was an active part of the way we lived our life, not just from a religious church experience, but from how we modeled generosity, he said. They modeled community and leveraged their influence in the right ways to help others.

Mobolades parents also wanted their children to have more opportunities, so when he was 17, he came to the United States to study at Bethel University. Mobolade believes the ability to attend college in the US was a blessing not just from an educational standpoint, but also from a personal and leadership standpoint. It taught him to stay hopeful and optimistic, to see challenges as opportunities for growth.

When you come from a world where you had less, you come here and you just feel so blessed. Then you want to leverage and maximize that and, for me, even pay that forward, he said.

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After receiving his undergraduate degree in business, Mobolade went on to earn masters degrees in management and leadership from Indiana Wesleyan University and in intellectual leadership from A. W. Tozer Theological Seminary.

In 2010, he moved to Colorado Springs to start a church through the Christian & Missionary Alliance and has held a variety of positions in the city since. Hes cofounded multiple meeting houses to serve as cultural gathering places downtown. He worked in outreach at First Presbyterian Church and cofounded a nonprofit that brings together 100 area churches. He worked in small business development for the city.

Stu Davis has witnessed Mobolades leadership and values firsthand. He serves as the director of a nonprofit he and Mobolade cofounded called COSILoveYou, which gathers more than 100 local churches together for community service projects.

Im quick to brag on Yemi, Davis said. I think hes one of the most gifted leaders that Ive ever had the chance to be around. Im a big admirer of him, his skill set and his ability to convene people.

In this day and age, when Christians walk into the room, sometimes theyre not well received, especially if people in the room know where theyre coming from, he said. I have yet to witness a room that Yemi walks into, regardless of where people stand politically or their values, where he is not well received. He just makes space for a lot of people to be at his table.

A part of this leadership is Mobolades willingness to listen to others and recognize what they bring, even if he doesnt see eye to eye with them about everything.

In the mayoral race, Mobolade defeated Wayne Williams, an experienced politician who served as Colorados secretary of state from 2015 to 2019. Williamss campaign didnt refrain from attacking Mobolade, and Mobolade admits that it was difficult to watch the negative ads.

Still, when Mobolade was assembling an informal advisory council, he chose Williams as one of the members.

Mobolade considered how his favorite US president, Abraham Lincoln, chose advisers. Three members of Lincolns presidential cabinet were men who had run against him for the Republican nomination. This example, combined with his faith, convinced Mobolade to reach out to Williams, even though they had just recently been at odds.

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If I wasnt a person of faith, I dont think I would offer that [to Williams], Mobolade said. I need him not only to help unite the city, but he has a lot to offer that I can learn from. I feel like I have something to learn from everyone.

This story also relates to one of the key themes from Mobolades life and career: unity. When working with COSILoveYou, Mobolade brought up the concept of communitas. He explained that this Latin word carries the meaning of community birthed out of a shared mission. Davis said that this was a key concept for their work.

A call to action of some kind, some big lever that we can collectively pull, that tends to foster a lot more unity than just saying, Hey, lets get together for the sake of being together, Davis said. Unity for relationships sake is a good thing. But it often doesnt start with just relationship. It has to start with some sort of collective action.

Another lesson from the church Mobolade says hell take into his new role is the importance of humility in leadership.

While serving at a church in Indiana, Mobolade witnessed the destructive nature of poor leadership. He examined his own faith as a result and tried to reconcile the bad environment and the hurt he and others were experiencing versus the ideal that the Bible calls the church to.

When he left that church, Mobolade felt called to lead in a godly way and be the change he wanted to see.

I remember coming across a quote that was attributed to St. Augustine that said, The church is a whore, but shes my mother. This faith that Id grown up in had made mistakes, but I think the essence of that quote is that the church has prostituted itself and made mistakes, but at the same time, shes family, Mobolade said. Thats a key part of my life and the reason why I know God and Jesus. In that moment, I made a decision to begin to redeem my family name.
The first time she retired, in 2002, Dr. Rebekah Naylor, a longtime missionary surgeon, came home to Texas after 35 years in India to care for her mother, who was ailing.

Along with doing that, she joined the faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, where she taught surgery for eight years. She later became a consultant for Southern Baptist global relief and development work, taught at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and helped her church start a health clinic in Fort Worth, Texas.

This fall, the 79-year-old Naylor will retire again, stepping down from her role at the Southern Baptist Conventions International Mission Board, where shes helped promote medical missions around the world.

Now, for the first time in 50 years, she plans to take a proper break.

Not bad for someone who, as a teenager, never wanted to leave home and who was overwhelmed when she felt Gods calling on her life.

Even going to college seemed like a mountain to me, said Naylor in a recent interview, looking back over her career. So how could I be a medical missionary?

But once she makes up her mindespecially about something she believes God wants her to doalmost nothing stands in her way. That combination of faith and tenacity has served her well. Following that call to missions, Naylor, the daughter of a Baptist preacher turned beloved seminary president, graduated from Baylor University, then went to medical school at Vanderbilt, where she was told that women were not welcome in surgery.

But a missionary surgeon in Thailand, whom she met while visiting that country as a medical student, believed in her. While the faculty at the medical school thought her hopes of becoming a surgeon were a lost cause, she said, this missionary did not.

I got to help him a lot in the operating room and discovered that I loved surgery, she told Religion News Service. It was really that experience that made me go back to medical school that fourth year and tell the faculty I was going to be a surgeon.

After finishing her training, Naylor was assigned to a fledgling hospital in Bangalore, India, which had opened with 40 beds and a small staff outside the city limits. Over the years, the hospital expanded to 400 beds, a large staff and an attached nursing school. Naylor went from being a staff doctor to medical director to CEO, treating thousands of patients and delivering a host of babies while doubling as the hospitals only OB-GYN for years. She also ended up training many of the staff who now run the hospital.

We grew up together, she said, referring to her long relationship with the hospital and the people who work there.

Along the way, there were struggles, including conflict with the Indian government and a decision by the SBCs International Mission Board to sell the hospital in the late 1980s. The mission board was moving away from running institutions such as hospitals because of the costs involved.

That came as a shock, she said. And of course, with a lot of sadness.

Selling the hospital proved difficult, Naylor said, because it was so valuable that no one could afford it. Eventually, she helped negotiate an agreement with Christian Medical College, a school founded by missionaries in the early 1990s that educates health care professionals.

God made a way for the hospital to continue to grow and thrive, said Naylor, who as leader had a knack for getting things done and the ability to adapt when things did not go the way she planned.

We were always moving forward, she said. I was a planner. But very much trusting God to just show us what those next steps could be.

Naylors long service and can-do attitude helped inspire other medical professionals to put their training to work in missions, said Rick Dunbar, an emergency room doctor and former chair of the IMBs board of trustees. Dunbar called Naylor both a friend and one of his heroes. In recent years, he said, the two have worked together in promoting the mission boards medical work. Dunbar said hes been inspired by her ability to focus and her dedication to living out her faith.

After she discerns Gods will for hershe pursues it with a bulldog tenacity, he said.

Along with that tenacity comes a tenderness, he said, and care for the people she works with. And a desire to help others see how they can live out their faith. He described Naylor as magneticattracting people to her and inspiring them to join in the work.

One example of that: In the 1990s, she stepped down as CEO of the hospital and turned that role over to an Indian leader. Then she stayed on staff, serving as his No. 2 leader. It took a while for the staff to adjust, she said. But when someone asked her a question, she deferred and pointed them to the new CEO. Doing so was essential for the hospitals future, she said.

I very much wanted the hospital to have a long life, she said. And if it were going to have a long life, it had to have strong local leadership.

Even after coming home in 2002, Naylor stayed involved with the hospital, making frequent visits to Bangalore Baptist Hospital and the people she loves.

Bangalore is, even now, a second home, and Ive been able to return frequently, she told Baylors alumni magazine in 2022 when the university honored her service to the church. Its the people, the relationships. Bangalore is very significant in my life.

Naylor was recognized during an IMB event at the recent Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, where IMB President Paul Chitwood noted her medical service and her strategic work in helping Indian pastors start hundreds of churches.

Her work and her life speak for themselves, Chitwood told RNS in an email. She has been a proponent of the gospel of grace and physical and spiritual healing for the people of South Asia for more than 50 years.

Naylor said she is hopeful for the future of medical missions. Theres still a need for hospitals, she said, but also for clinics and other health care options. Health care professionals have a host of opportunities to teach doctors, nurses and other health care workers around the world. And missionaries can also help with providing mental health services.

This is a huge crisis worldwide, she said, adding that missionaries have long provided care for those who have no other options.

In retirement, Naylor said she hopes to find more time to play the piano, especially the music of Bach, one of her favorite composers. She also hopes to read; to travel for pleasure, rather than for work; and to spend time with her friends. Shell also help out at her church, teaching a Bible study and helping oversee the churchs health clinic.

Im not worried about having something to do.
4 reactions to Ohio ballot initiative critics say is 'anti-women,' will usurp parents' rights Over 700,000 signatures gathered in effort to codify abortion in state constitution, allow trans surgeries for kids

Abortion advocacy groups in Ohio submitted the required number of signatures for a ballot initiative that some critics say will bring late-term abortions to the state and allow surgeons to perform body-mutilating surgeries on youth without parental consent.

Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights and Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights submitted over 700,000 signatures, more than the 413,000 they were required to submit by Wednesday, to have the amendment placed on the November ballot.

The initiative, titled The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety Amendment, will appear on the ballot if Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose formally signs off on the measure by July 25. State officials must now review the signatures for potential errors.

According to the ACLU of Ohio, which supports the ballot initiative, the coalition behind the signature-gathering effort obtained approval from the Ohio Ballot Board in March to collect signatures. The groups had filed a constitutional language summary with the Ohio Attorney General in February before the proposal moved on to the ballot board for consideration.

Opponents of the measure, however, have expressed concern that it will prohibit any restrictions on abortion and parental notification requirements for minors seeking to undergo an abortion or obtain experimental puberty blockers, opposite-sex hormones or have elective surgeries to mutilate their bodies, such as mastectomies or castration.

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Anglican Church of Canada drops official prayer asking for conversion of Jews

The Anglican Church of Canada has voted to remove a request for the conversion of the Jews from their prayer book, replacing it with an appeal for reconciliation.

At the ACC General Synod, held in Calgary, Alberta, from June 28-July 2, the Church passed a resolution amending the Book of Common Prayer to remove the prayer calling for the conversion of Jews from their Prayers and Thanksgivings upon Several Occasions list.

A spokesperson for the ACC directed The Christian Post to Resolution A051, which was originally introduced at the 2019 General Synod by The Right Rev. Bruce Myers, Anglican Bishop of Quebec.

Replacing the Jewish conversion prayer will be a supplication titled For Reconciliation with the Jews, which reads as follows:

O GOD, who didst choose Israel to be thine inheritance: Have mercy upon us and forgive us for violence and wickedness against our brother Jacob; the arrogance of our hearts and minds hath deceived us, and shame hath covered our face. Take away all pride and prejudice in us, and grant that we, together with the people whom thou didst first make thine own, may attain to the fullness of redemption which thou hast promised; to the honour and glory of thy most holy Name.

The change has garnered the support of the Canadian Rabbinic Caucus and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, which released a statement on Tuesday expressing approval of the vote.

We commend the General Synod for this important decision, said Rabbi Adam Stein of Congregation Beth Israel, on behalf of the two groups, as quoted in the statement.

Authentic interfaith dialogue requires respect. Any attempt by one to convert the other is the antithesis of respect. Changing this prayer represents a milestone in Anglican-Jewish relations and invites Anglicans to assume a reconciliatory stance with the Jewish community.

Originally, the Anglican Church of Canadas Book of Common Prayer included an entry titled For the Conversion of the Jews, which asks God to open their hearts that they may see and confess the Lord Jesus to be thy Son and their true Messiah, and, believing, they may have life through his Name.

Take away all pride and prejudice in us that may hinder their understanding of the Gospel, and hasten the time when all Israel shall be saved; through the merits of the same Jesus Christ our Lord, concluded the entry.

At the 2019 General Synod, the resolution was approved with almost unanimous support, before eventually getting the necessary additional approval at this years synodal gathering.

The move to strike the Jewish conversion prayer came in response to interfaith dialogue efforts with Canadas Jewish community in response to an uptick in anti-Semitic violence.

Bishop Myers told CP in an interview back in 2019 that the removal of the Jewish conversion prayer should not be misinterpreted as telling Christians to surrender our convictions about the uniqueness of Jesus Christ.

Three other prayers in this same section of our Book of Common Prayer speak unreservedly and unapologetically about seeking to make Christ known and preaching the Gospel to every creature, but without naming a particular group of people, he explained. Changing this prayer does ask us to acknowledge and repent of the Churchs participation in anti-Semitism, to stop naming Jews as specifically in need of conversion, and to assume a humble and reconciliatory stance with our Jewish elders in the faith.
    CELESTYAL JOURNEY -         ...
Christians in Indonesia fight to regain access to church their buildings

SURABAYA, Indonesia  Christians broke into joyful celebration when local officials in East Jakarta, Indonesia, removed the seal on their church building on June 26, three months after it was closed.

Citing lack of a permit, the East Jakarta City Planning Office on March 20 had sealed with a banner the building of the Palsigunung congregations Indonesia Christian Church (Gereja Kristen Indonesia, or GKI) in East Jakarta. The worship site is located in the Griya Ciracas business center in Kelapa Dua Wetan village, Ciracas Sub-District of the Municipality of East Jakarta.

GKI Palsigunung church leaders have been trying to obtain permits since 2012, but the local neighborhood head (Rukun Tetangga, or RT) and Citizens Association head (Rukun Warga, or RW) had refused to sign area residents agreement letter, according to published reports. Otherwise, the church had obtained approval of 80 residents to obtain a permit.

The RT and RW deprived church members of their rights, inter-faith activist Permadi Arya, known as Abu Janda, told Kilat.com.

Eighty residents have given their approval according to the Joint Ministerial Decree of 2006 requirements, but because it was rejected by the neighborhood and Citizens Association heads, the house of worship was sealed by the city planning office, said Permadi Arya, who is credited with bringing the church sealing to light and effecting justice.

Although staff members of the East Jakarta City Planning Office accompanied by local high-ranking officials took down the banner seal, the church will not be able to use the site until leaders apply for a change in building use. Leaders said they planned to apply soon.

Related to this, the management will change the function or something else later, Muhamad Sodik, East Jakarta City Planning Sub-Department Office Head, told local media. The document required should be attached and sent to the government. What is clear is that the local government does not prohibit people from worshiping.

The head of the East Jakarta Inter-religious Communication Forum (Forum Kerja Sama Umat Beragama, or FKUB), Maarif Fuadi, said the seal was removed to make it possible for Palsigunung church leaders to do maintenance so that the building would not be abandoned, as it has in the past.

Palsigunung GKI Assembly Chairman Jisman Hutasoit said the church would soon complete all the required documents for licensing. The church had transferred to the site in March when flooding drove them from their usual worship site.

Andreas Yewangoe, former head of the Communion of Christian Churches (Persatuan Gereja Indonesia, or PGI) and now a member of Indonesias Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), expressed solidarity with Permadi Aryas efforts.

What is needed in this country is not just tolerance but equality before the law, Yewangoe told Morning Star News. Should the sense of equality be ingrained in the soul of every Indonesian, there will be no bullying and obstacles. No one will be bullied or hindered because of differences in ethnicity, race, and religion.

From threats to peace

In East Jakartas Mangunjaya village, Tambun Sub-District, weeks-long opposition to a church presence that culminated in disruption of worship on June 18 ended with a peaceful agreement on June 21.

The head of the local Citizens Association and other Muslims disrupted the worship service of the Cahaya Fajar Pengharapan House of Worship after threats to ban worship and other intimidation, said Pastor Elyson Lase.

The banning of my congregation from holding worship service on Sunday, June 18, was just a peak, Pastor Lase told Morning Star News. Weve been exposed to the danger of threats, intimidations and banning since last May, when the RT [neighborhood head] even issued a letter banning us from holding worship service.

The June 21 agreement allows the church to continue worshiping at the site. Initiated by the commander of the Bekasi Regency Military District, it was signed by the secretary of Mangunjaya village, Tofik Hidayat.

The district military commander represented the Citizens Association head, who happened to be an active member of the Indonesia National Army, as well as other local officials in negotiations with Pastor Lase.

The worship services will run as usual in the future, the agreement states, adding that the agreement was reached without any compulsion.

Indonesia ranked 33rd on the Christian support organization Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. Indonesian society has adopted a more conservative Islamic character, and churches involved in evangelistic outreach are at risk of being targeted by Islamic extremist groups, according to Open Doors WWL report.

If a church is seen to be preaching and spreading the Gospel, they soon run into opposition from Islamic extremist groups, especially in rural areas, the report noted. In some regions of Indonesia, non-traditional churches struggle to get permission for church buildings, with the authorities often ignoring their paperwork.
Harvard faces lawsuit from minority groups over legacy admissions policy

Harvard is once again being sued over the standards of its admissions policy, this time by groups opposing the usage of legacy and donor preferences when accepting students.

A complaint was filed under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 before the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights on Monday against Harvard College leadership.

Harvard College is the undergraduate college of Harvard University.

The plaintiffs include the Chica Project, the African Community Economic Development of New England and the Greater Boston Latino Network. They are represented by the Boston, Massachusetts-based group Lawyers for Civil Rights.

The complaint denounced the "preferential treatment" given to "hundreds of mostly white students" based on "who their relatives are" rather than "anything they have accomplished."

"This preferential treatment violates federal law," reads the complaint, explicitly citing Title VI, which "forbid practices that have an unjustified disparate impact on the basis of race."

"The need for the Department of Education to put a stop to this discriminatory practice is particularly acute now that the Supreme Court has severely limited the use of race as a factor in higher education admissions processes, which is expected to have a negative impact on campus diversity."

LCR Litigation Fellow Michael Kippins said in a statement that he believes "Harvard's practice of giving a leg-up to the children of wealthy donors and alumni  who have done nothing to deserve it  must end."

"This preferential treatment overwhelmingly goes to white applicants and harms efforts to diversify," stated Kippins, adding that "it is imperative that the federal government act now to eliminate this unfair barrier that systematically disadvantages students of color."

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College that colleges like Harvard and the University of North Carolina cannot use race as a factor in student acceptance.

"University programs must comply with strict scrutiny, they may never use race as a stereotype or negative, and  at some point  they must end," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.

"Respondents' admissions systems  however well intentioned and implemented in good faith  fail each of these criteria. They must therefore be invalidated under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment."

In addition to the lawsuit, Massachusetts lawmakers are also weighing legislation that would require schools that use legacy preferences for admissions to pay a fee, reported CBS MoneyWatch.

"Legacy preference, donor preference and binding decision amount to affirmative action for the wealthy," said Massachusetts Rep. Simon Cataldo, a co-sponsor of the proposed legislation, to MoneyWatch.
Josh Hawley criticized for posting fake Patrick Henry quote claiming US founded 'on the Gospel'

Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has garnered backlash for posting a fake quote attributed to Patrick Henry claiming that America was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

On Independence Day, Hawley posted to Twitter a quote that has often been attributed to Patrick Henry, the Founding Father known for a speech in which he declared, give me liberty or give me death.

It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here, Hawley incorrectly quoted Henry as saying.

As Twitter and multiple commenters noted, the quote originally appeared in a 1956 edition of a publication known as The Virginian and was written in a piece about Henry.

Seth Cotlar, professor of history at Willamette University in Oregon, posted a series of tweets noting how The Virginian was a pro-segregation publication that, in the same edition as the statement in question, included an article expressing concern over race mixing.

Note the piece proceeding the one on Henry  which complains about how liberals have appropriated Jefferson as their own, when really he believed in white supremacy like they did, Cotlar explained.

In an apparent response to the comments he received regarding the tweet, Hawley posted a series of tweets Wednesday, including quotes from other American historical figures purporting to show the connection between the Bible and the American Founding.

Thomas S. Kidd, who currently serves as a research professor in church history at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote in a 2012 op-ed that the emergence of social media websites has helped foster more misquotations of famous people. Kidd, who wrote the piece when he served as a history professor at Baylor University, mentioned the same alleged Patrick Henry quote Hawley used.



"Again, this is a perplexing case because Henry certainly was a devout Christian, but the quotation itself is of relatively recent origin. The quotation apparently came from a magazine commentary on Henry's faith in 1956, which later writers took as a quotation from Henry himself," Kidd wrote.

"Popular Christian historian David Barton once regularly used this statement in his writings and speeches, but he came under such fierce criticism that he retracted it (and others) as an 'unconfirmed' source," Kidd added. "The quotation still appears regularly in Facebook and Twitter posts, and, remarkably, in presidential aspirant Newt Gingrich's 2011 book A Nation Like No Other (p. 76). And this from the only candidate with a history Ph.D.!"

The question of whether the United States was and/or is a Christian nation has been the subject of much debate, including how exactly to define what constitutes a Christian nation.

Im not saying that American society has not been heavily influenced and supported (for the better) by Judeo-Christian values and ethics. Only historical revisionists wishing to erase God from our culture would assert such a thing, wrote Christian apologist Robin Schumacher in a column for The Christian Post last year.

What I am saying is that, if you define a Christian nation as one governed solely by New Testament principles, then there has never been a Christian nation. There have been, and are, plenty of countries with Christians living in them who influence their culture, but not one solely piloted by the precepts of the New Testament.

However, Scott Hogenson contends in an op-ed published by The Daily Signal in 2022 that to argue that the founding of the United States reflects biblical Christianity is to state the obvious.

The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution incorporated many fundamental precepts of the Reformation, and these precepts long have been recognized by American statesmen and jurists, wrote Hogenson.

Presidents, members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and many others long have recognized the role of the Bible and Christianity in the United States, both in terms of the nations founding and its continuation as a global beacon of liberty.
Pastor, Al Sharptons brother gets 30 months for drug trafficking, tax evasion

Pastor Kenneth Sharpton Glasgow, the troubled younger half-brother of civil rights activist Al Sharpton and founder of felon voting rights advocacy organization, The Ordinary People Society in Dothan, Alabama, was sentenced to 30 months in prison Thursday for drug trafficking, income tax evasion, and lying to obtain Social Security disability benefits.

Glasgow, 58, who also runs Kenny Sharpton-Glasgow Ministries International, previously pleaded guilty to the charges, News 4 reported.

As far as were concerned it was a fair sentence, Jim Parkman, one of Glasgows defense attorneys, told the news outlet after the sentencing hearing.

Glasgow pleaded guilty to embezzling $407,000 from TOPS and another nonprofit he founded called the Prodigal Child Project. The prosecutor in Glasgows case alleged that he may have taken more than $1 million from his nonprofits without reporting the income, but U.S. District Judge R. Austin Huffaker rejected that claim.

He was also ordered to repay $376,000 in disability benefits he collected. The Dothan pastor further pleaded guilty to conspiring with another man, Willie Frank Peterson, to distribute cocaine but that case is still pending.

Glasgow is additionally accused of assaulting a police officer who attempted to pry the illegal drugs from his mouth during a traffic stop. His legal team expects the drug charges will be dropped but he will likely have to answer to the assault charge in court this month, News 4 reported.

The Ordinary People Society is described on its website as an innovative non-profit organization founded in 2001 that provides a continuum of unconditional support to individuals and their families who suffer the effects of drug addiction, mass incarceration, homelessness, poverty, unemployment, hunger  without regard to race, sex, creed, color, religion, or social status.

Renowned founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, Bryan Stevenson, who testified on Glasgows behalf, told the court that Glasgow, who must report to prison no later than Aug. 17, has no boundaries of who he will help.

The pastors attorneys said Judge Huffaker considered his community work in deciding his 30-month sentence.

Glasgow, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, but raised in Alabama, has a checkered past with law enforcement, including a capital murder charge in 2018 that was eventually dropped.

Jamie Townes, a passenger in his car, shot a woman who had apparently stolen Townes vehicle, WAFF reported. Townes was charged with murder, and Glasgow was also charged under Alabamas complicity law because he was driving when the shooting occurred.

Glasgow is the son of Sharptons father, Al Sharpton Sr., and Sharptons older half-sister, Tina Glasgow, ProPublica reported. Tina Glasgow is one of two children Sharptons mother, Ada, had during her first marriage in Alabama.

Tina Glasgow was 16 when she moved in with Sharpton and his parents in the early 1960s in Queens, New York. Sharptons father and his half-sister began a sexual relationship. When it was discovered, the two moved out of the home. Glasgow was born in May 1965.

The relationship was a scandal for Sharptons family at the time. Glasgows mother would eventually move back to Dothan with him when he was 12. It was there that his troubles with the law began.

While in Dothan, Glasgow, who described himself as sensitive when he was a child, said an acquaintance of his mother sent him to purchase weed. The seller turned out to be a cop, and Glasgow was arrested.

I was born messed up. My fingers messed up. Its meant for me to be messed up, he told ProPublica.

In a letter to his brother published in The Village Voice in 2001, Glasgow revealed how his addiction to crack cocaine over the years had left him delusional and opined over the disparate lives they had lived.

I became immune to cocaine, he wrote. It got to a point where I didnt get high anymore. I started going to my mothers just to [stare] at [her], my daughter, and my granddaughter, and cry. I didnt tell them [that] other crackheads didnt want to get high with me anymore.
Pastors' conference heralds CCP plan to 'change the face of world Christianity': report

Is the Chinese Communist Party ready to export its highly centralized version of Protestant Christianity to the rest of the world?

That's the gist of a report from religious liberty and human rights magazine Bitter Winter stating a conference held last month with state-aligned religious leaders declared the CCP's intent to "change the face of world Christianity."

According to the report, the "Training Meeting for Key Pastors of the Northeast China Christian Region" held June 27-30 in the northeast Jilin province was the launch of a "grandiose" plan from Chinese President Xi Jinping and the CCP.

As part of the nationally-broadcast conference, Pastor Kan Baoping of the China Christian Three-Self Patriotic Movement Committee and Pastor Shan Weixiang of the China Christian Council were reportedly among the speakers at the conference.

In his speech centered on "Christianity adapted to a socialist society," Kan predicted the Three-Self Movement would help amplify the message of "the successful experience of the Sinicization of Christianity."

"We will change the face of world Christianity," Pastor Kan reportedly told the conference.

While the term "sinicization" has been used by CCP authorities to describe bringing Christian groups in line with cultural and historical Chinese traditions, critics argue that the "fundamental purpose of the Sinicization of Christianity is to transform and alienate Christianity."

By doing so, according to the human rights group ChinaAid, the CCP "hopes to reduce Christianity to the point that it operates as a tool, turning it into 'Pseudo-Christianity.'"

In December 2022, Kan and other leaders of the Three-Self Movement marked the death of Jiang Zemin, the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1989 to 2002.

Kan reportedly credited Jiang with starting the "Sinicization of Christianity" and doing "a good job in religious work."

But religious freedom advocates have warned for years that the sinicization effort also involves rewriting the Bible into a new CCP-friendly translation.

According to a 2020 oreport from The Wall Street Journal, a high-level meeting among members of the CCP's Politburo Standing Committee was held at the height of the pandemic with scholars and religious figures focused on an effort to "make accurate and authoritative interpretations of classical doctrines to keep pace with the times."

The effort comes as Chinese Christianity has exploded from roughly 4 million adherents in the 1950s to over 60 million as of 2020. The Chinese government only recognizes five official religions that submit to its influence. Authorities regularly crack down on unauthorized religious groups and house churches.

China has also worked to align itself with the seat of power in Catholicism after signing an agreement with the Vatican in 2018 to give the Communist government a role in appointing bishops to consolidate the Catholic Church in China.

Earlier this year, China Aid reported in its 2022 persecution report the CCP intensified persecution of churches and Christians across mainland China leading up to the 20th Party Congress in 2022, with more house church leaders facing "fraud" charges and stricter censorship of online religious content.

According to the report, several house church pastors and elders in China were sent to jail, including Pastor Hao Zhiwei from Ezhou House Church in Hubei province, who was sentenced to eight years in prison.
Georgia town rescinds citation for man holding 'God bless the homeless vets' sign at City Hall

A city in Georgia has voted to revoke a local ordinance that was recently used to punish a man who carried a sign that read "God bless the homeless vets" outside city hall as part of a legal settlement for a First Amendment rights lawsuit.

At their June meeting, the Blackshear City Council agreed to amend their Parades and Demonstrations Ordinance so that individuals do not have to receive advanced approval from the mayor or city council to demonstrate on public streets and sidewalks.

The issue stemmed from the ordinance being used to give a citation to U.S. Army veteran Jeffrey Gray in August 2021 for standing outside of Blackshear City Hall with a sign that read "God bless the homeless vets" without getting a permit, per the rules of the ordinance.

According to a settlement made between the two parties in May that was recently made public, while the Blackshear City Council was not named in Gray's lawsuit, it wanted "to remove controversy and resolve all disputes and claims raised in the Lawsuit."

City officials also agreed to rescind Gray's citation and donate $1,791 to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, while Gray agreed to drop the lawsuit.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which helped represent Gray in collaboration with the University of Georgia Law School's First Amendment Clinic, celebrated the settlement in a Thursday statement.

"It's a new dawn in Blackshear," said FIRE attorney Harrison Rosenthal. "Americans don't need a permission slip to speak in front of city hall. The First Amendment is their permission slip."

A separate lawsuit against the City of Alpharetta, Georgia, remains in litigation.

In January, Gray filed lawsuits against Alpharetta and Blackshear Police Department Chief Chris Wright over mistreatment he experienced while carrying a sign that read "God bless the homeless vets."

The complaint against Alpharetta was filed in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division, and named as defendants Arick Furr and Harold Shoffeitt of the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety. The case centers on an incident where Gray was arrested and charged with violating Alpharetta's anti-panhandling policy.

The suit against Blackshear Police Chief Wright was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, Waycross Division, in response to Gray being cited for allegedly violating an ordinance against "holding a 'parade, procession, or demonstration' without the Blackshear City Council's permission."

"But the First Amendment is Gray's permission slip. Indeed, a half century ago, the United States Supreme Court made this clear by striking down an almost-identical ordinance in Birmingham, Alabama," read the complaint.

"The Supreme Court ruled that the ordinance violated the First Amendment by giving local officials unbridled discretion to deny permits to hold 'a parade, procession or other public demonstration.'"
Free speech in peril: The judiciary to the rescue?

Many people thought that after the U.S. Supreme Courts binge of rulings at the end of June, the July Fourth holiday would be free of judicial turmoil. Boy, were they wrong!

On the Fourth of July (how beautifully appropriate) the Honorable Terry A. Doughty, U.S. District Court Judge for the Western District of Louisiana, issued a 150-page injunction in a federal lawsuit brought by the attorneys general of Missouri and Louisiana against the Biden administration, which is known as State of Missouri et al v. Joe Biden.

Make no mistake, this case is a big First Amendment case. After it is decided at the district level, it will be appealed to the appellate level (the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals) and then to the U.S. Supreme Court. My guess is the Supreme Court will decide State of Missouri et al v. Joe Biden near the end of June 2024 just in time for the 2024 presidential election campaign. The Supreme Courts decision will have a decided impact on the outcome of that campaign.

Judge Doughty was evidently so concerned about the evidence he was reviewing in the case that he issued an injunction against the federal government to cause them to cease and desist their present activities with social media until after the case is decided.

Judge Doughty found substantial evidence of a comprehensive censorship campaign, stating that the evidence produced thus far depicts an almost dystopian scenario. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a period perhaps best characterized by widespread doubt and uncertainty, the U.S. Government seems to have assumed a role similar to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth.

Jeff Landry, the Louisiana attorney general, commented, The evidence in our case is shocking and offensive with senior federal officials deciding that they could dictate what Americans can and cannot say on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other platforms about COVID-19, elections, criticism of the government, and more.

Judge Doughtys injunction draws attention to several specific government agencies, including the FBI, the Justice Department and the Department of Human Services, who are barred from discussions with social media companies with the purpose of encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech. Judge Doughty did carve out exceptions for perceived national security threats and suspected criminal activities.

The Judge also barred the Biden administration from working with the Election Integrity Partnership, the Virality Project, the Stanford Internet Observatory, or any like project or group for the purpose of urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content posted with social media companies containing protected free speech.

Judge Doughty acted upon the fact that the two Republican state attorneys general have produced evidence of a massive effort by defendants, from the White House to federal agencies, to suppress speech based on its content.

Landry gave examples of censorship by influencing social media, including targeting specific individuals such as Tucker Carlson, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., directly targeting them and asking those social media platforms to take their content down.

The First Amendment freedoms are the holy grail of our precious freedoms and the one that does the most to protect the other freedoms is freedom of speech. We have experienced extremely serious attempts by the federal government to censor our freedom of speech under either the guise or the misguided goal of protection.

The answer to bad speech, or even dangerous speech, is not suppression of speech (directly or indirectly), but more speech to correct erroneous speech. The Biden administrations attempt to censor speech in America is being exposed in State of Missouri et al v. Joe Biden. The administration will do everything within its power to limit the damage, win this case and continue to censor.

All Americans who cherish freedom should be very grateful to the plaintiffs in this case, the Attorneys General of Missouri and Louisiana and Judge Terry Doughty. And we should pray for wisdom for all concerned, including the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and the justices of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Much is at stake in this case. It is hard to see how our freedoms survive and flourish if the people lose this case. This judicial process once again reminds us of the wisdom of our forefathers and the checks and balances political systems they bequeathed us with its judicial check to executive and legislative power.
Chinese house church fears more persecution as 2 preachers remain in jail for 'defrauding' through tithes

The Covenant House Church in Shanxi province in northeast China has requested prayers for its congregation as authorities are preparing to resume their investigation into a fabricated case that resulted in the imprisonment of two of its pastors and a church member.

The case, which alleges that preachers Li Jie and Han Xiaodong and a church member Wang Qiang had defrauded congregants through tithings and offerings, has been sent back to the Bureau of Public Security for further investigation, the U.S.-based group China Aid reported this week, citing the churchs prayer request.

The resumption of the investigation will allow the police to continue their persecution of church members, said the group, which monitors human rights violations in China.

The two preachers were arrested last August during an outdoor family camp and placed in residential surveillance, the group said, adding that officials coerced false confessions from some church members, leading to the arrest of a third man, Wang Qiang.

All three were subsequently charged with fraud based on purportedly false testimonies.

Wang Qiangs wife, Wen Huijuan, who gave birth to a boy a fortnight ago, questioned the false charges against her husband in a social media post. He was accused of fraud for giving tithes and offering to the church, she wrote.

Han Xiaodongs wife, Chen Ying, also wrote a letter to her imprisoned husband on Jan. 12, encouraging him to remain steadfast in faith and to share Gods story with those around him.

I have recalled all our stories recently. I realized that God called both you and me. I see Gods amazing grace in our marriage and life; Gods plan will continue. I have experienced the marvelousness of dancing with the Spirit, she wrote. Honey, you always reminded me that people should not put the lamp under a basket. I didnt get it before, but people living near us all care about us and are curious about us after the incident so that we can share our stories and Gods story with them.

The targeting of the house church started after Li Jie signed a joint statement by hundreds of Chinese pastors and leaders in 2018 declaring their faith.

Linfen Covenant House Church is one of many house churches in China that face ongoing persecution for not joining the state-sanctioned Three-Self Patriotic Movement.

Christians in China have come under even greater pressure to demonstrate unswerving allegiance to Premier Xi Jinping by rejecting the Christian faith, according to a recent report by the United Kingdom-based aid and advocacy organization Release International.

A growing number of Evangelicals are being targeted and arrested on charges of being cults, corruption or illegal religious activity.

"The government under Xi Jinping wants to control everything. They see Christianity as not fully under their control," says Release International's local partner in that country, explaining that Christianity is depicted as unpatriotic, outdated and Western in origin.

China only recognizes five religious groups that submit to the government's influence.

Christians from unregistered churches, including the heavily persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church, have also been taken in by authorities for questioning.

China is ranked No. 16 on Open Doors 2023 World Watch List of the countries where its most difficult to be a Christian.

Open Doors also warned in its latest report that the China model is being emulated by a growing number of countries.

China is trying not just to dominate the international agenda, but also to re-interpret existing (and coining new) human rights. China is trying to push this revisionism into the mainstream of international diplomacy, partly by attempting to re-define the tasks of the United Nations  and, most importantly, by filtering who is allowed to participate in debates on how human rights should be shaped in the future, says the report.

Countries as diverse as Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Malaysia have headed down this authoritarian path, joining such Central Asian states as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and, of course, Russia.
Texas church apologizes after Anna Duggar's father quotes 2 Chronicles 7:14 in slavery sermon Media outlets call sermon 'racist'

A Baptist church in Texas is apologizing for comments about slavery made by a relative of the scandal-plagued Duggar family during a guest sermon in which he quoted a Bible verse about repentance.

Mike Keller, father of Anna Duggar of reality TVs Duggar family, made the controversial comments during a June 25 Sunday School lesson at Fairpark Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

A clip of the sermon  which has since gone viral  showed Keller comparing the political protests of the current era with slavery.

As part of a message on 2 Chronicles 7, in which God promises to forgive Israel if they turn from their sin, Keller commented on how he believes the Church can change America.

"A hundred-fifty years ago, or two hundred years ago when the blacks were slaves, did they ever go to Washington, D.C., and have a rally 200 years ago to protest against slavery? Keller asked. No. What did they do?

Well, a lot of good people in the plantations would say, Hey, it's winter time, let us help build a church for you dear folks, and they loved them and taught them how to read so they can read the Bible, he added.

He then went on to paraphrase 2 Chronicles 7:14 in the context of slavery and his view of how God responded to prayer.

Here's what the blacks did about 150 years ago. They humbled themselves, they prayed, they sought God's face, and they turned from their wicked ways and God made slavery illegal through several white presidents, right? Keller continued. It worked, didn't it? They didn't protest.

Following a backlash on social media, Fairpark Baptist Church shared a public apology with The Christian Post, which read in part: The comments were hurtful and reflected a misrepresentation of racial and historical issues and we completely disagree with the statements that were made. Fairpark Baptist Church affirms that racism and slavery are wrong, sinful and violate the Scriptures.

As a part of our faith we would never condone slavery, or tolerate any kind of prejudice against people of color. We seek to follow God's words found in Romans 12:9: Let love be without dissimulation (hypocrisy). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good."

Keller, the father-in-law of Josh Duggar, known for his role in the TLC series "19 Kids and Counting, who was convicted in 2021 on charges of child pornography, is also the father of Priscilla Waller, who is married to David Waller, the pastor of Fairpark Baptist.

The couples personal website includes a photo of Keller with Priscilla and other family members.

Fairview Baptist describes itself as a Christ centered, Biblically based Independent Baptist church which works to promote family integrated activities and desire to aid fathers in being the spiritual leaders of their homes.

After a video of the sermon was posted to the churchs YouTube page, several local and national media outlets covered the message, including the Daily Beast, which falsely suggested that in his bonkers racist sermon, Keller used the phrase turned from their wicked ways specifically in reference to black people, rather than as direct quote from the Bible.

The story written by race and identity reporter Brooke Leigh Howard also used the phrase wicked ways as its subtitle without any context for its biblical origin.

As part of its fact-checking effort, The Daily Beast did not mention the phrase wicked ways is found verbatim in 2 Chronicles 7 in reference to Israel, and instead, the report criticized what the outlet called a bastardized historical account of enslavement.

The report also appeared to mock Kellers description of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as God-fearing and his reference to satanic strongholds.

The Daily Beast, which has been accused of assailing the private beliefs of churches in the past and has previously called Christianity a religion built on a patriarchal structure that leads to abuse against its women, did not respond to a request for comment as of Thursday.

In reporting the sermon, a host for The Damage Report, a YouTube channel affiliated with the online news show The Young Turks, called Keller a wacko and said she had the desire to physically assault him.

What a wacko, said host Sharon Reed, who is black. I dont believe in violence, and I dont want anyone to have to endure it, but as you play that segment, I had an out-of-body experience in which I ran up and punched him right in the face, OK, to shut him up.

While theologians have long wrestled over whether the passage in 2 Chronicles 7 applies exclusively to Israel or to the Church as a whole, the context of the passage, according to pastor and CP guest contributor Shane Idleman, is about Gods response to the prayers of His people.

When Martin Luther prayed, the church was reformed. When John Knox prayed, Scotland was revived. When John Wesley prayed, America was restored. When George Whitefield prayed, nations were changed. When D.L. Moody prayed, America fell to her knees. When Amy Carmichael prayed, India received the Gospel. And on and on it goes, Idleman wrote.

When you pray you move the hand of God. The dry, dead lethargic condition of the Church simply reflects an impotent prayer life.
Presbyterian Church in America takes first vote on banning ordination of openly gay men

The Presbyterian Church in America has voted to change a rule in its governing document that would disqualify all gay men from serving in its ministry.

The resolution to change the rule, Overture 23, was passed 1,400-400 at the denominations 48th annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri, last week.

Officers in the Presbyterian Church in America must be above reproach in their walk and Christlike in their character. Those who profess an identity (such as, but not limited to, gay Christian, same-sex attracted Christian, homosexual Christian, or like terms) that undermines or contradicts their identity as new creations in Christ, either by denying the sinfulness of fallen desires (such as, but not limited to, same-sex attraction), or by denying the reality and hope of progressive sanctification, or by failing to pursue Spirit-empowered victory over their sinful temptations, inclinations, and actions are not qualified for ordained office, the amended rule states.

The amended rule will go to local church bodies for a vote before the second round of convention balloting next year following which the language would be placed in the PCAs Book of Church Order.

The Washington Times quoted Chris Norris of the Calvary Presbytery as saying during the debate: Sanctification begins with ones identity as a new creation in Christ.  Taking a gay identity flies in the face of the new creation.

The denomination also affirmed Overture 37, which refers to pastoral candidates.

Careful reflection must be given to his practical struggle against sinful actions, as well as to persistent sinful desires, it states.

The candidate must give clear testimony of reliance upon his union with Christ and the benefits thereof by the Holy Spirit, depending on this work of grace to make progress over sin.  While imperfection will remain, he should not be known by reputation or self-profession according to his remaining sinfulness (e.g., homosexual desires, etc.), but rather by the work of the Holy Spirit in Christ Jesus, it adds.

During the annual convention, the PCA also endorsed Lifeline Childrens Services as its preferred adoption and orphan care ministry due to its commitment to the sanctity of life and not Bethany Christian Services, which recently announced it would be offering its services to LGBT couples.

The endorsement of Lifeline came three months after the Michigan-based group Bethany, which is the nations largest Protestant adoption and foster agency, announced it would begin placing children with adults who identify as LGBT.

In a statement to The Christian Post at the time, Nathan Bult, senior vice president of the historically evangelical organization, said that faith in Jesus is at the core of their mission, but they were not claiming a position on the various doctrinal issues about which Christians may disagree.
MBABANE - Three directors of a company trading as Laughing Waters Investments (PTY) Limited have been arrested for allegedly defrauding Letshego Financial Services money amounting to over E0.5 million.

They are Sifiso Nhleko of Moneni in Manzini, Sikhumbuzo Sihlongonyane of Mafutseni and Phetsile Treasure Nhleko. The company has been cited as the fourth accused in the charge sheet. Initially, Laughing Waters Investments (PTY) Limited was reportedly formed by four directors, inclusive of Mduduzi Vilane, who, however, resigned before his co-directors were arrested and charged with fraud.

The trio is alleged to have misrepresented to Letshego Financial Services that Order number 83109, which was alleged to have been issued by Mkhandlweni Farmers Association to Laughing Waters Investments (PTY) Limited to be supplied with irrigation equipment, was an authentic, resulting in the financial institution granting the company a loan of E533 116. Phetsile was also charged with Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (Prevention) Act of 2011, after she allegedly used part of the money to purchase a Toyota truck.

When the matter appeared for trial yesterday, the loan application signed by the four directors of the company was presented in as part of evidence.

The documents also had Vilanes name and signatures though he resigned from the company. Vilane who was testifying against his former co-directors told the court that he had nothing to do with the fraud. He stated that he learnt about it after he had resigned from the company.

He claimed that he only participated in the formation of the company after he was approached by Sihlongonyane.

Vilane submitted that Sihlongonyane requested him to look for a tender and partner with him in the registration of the company so that they could get a loan from the financial institution. The ex-co-director stated that he agreed to look for the tender and further partnered with Sihlongonyane.

He mentioned that Sihlongonyane then informed him that they would be joined by another director before he introduced him to Phetsile Nhleko while at Letshego Office in Manzini. At the time, Vilane told the court that they were with Sifiso who confirmed the additional director before suggesting that they should open a bank account. He stated that after a few days all four of them proceeded to open the bank account.

Sifiso said he would be represented by Sihlongonyane at the bank because he did not want his name to appear in the account. I was not happy about this and I decided to resign from the company. I, therefore, deny involvement in any business transaction as director of Laughing Waters Investments (PTY) Limited, he submitted. He further told the court that he made it clear to the police that he was not involved in the dealings of the company.

The name at the bottom of the loan application is mine but I do not know who appended the signature, which is similar to mine. I never signed in any loan application, he submitted.

During cross-examination, Vilanes former co-directors put it to him that he was directly involved in the company meetings and the loan applications. The former co-directors further put it to Vilane that he resigned after the loan application. They also put it to him that there was no way they could have forged his signature as a member. You resigned because you got a job and you were no longer able to attend to the company business, submitted the accused persons. However, Vilane maintained that he was never involved in any of the business transactions. He told the court that he felt uncomfortable when his former co-directors excluded him from the business transaction.

He stated that he was unhappy when informed that they would be joined by Phetsile. It was Vilanes evidence that he was unhappy when he learnt that he was not involved in the withdrawals. What withdrawals are you talking about? You said you left the company before it could make money? We put it to you that you left after we had applied for the loan, the accused persons told Vilane.

They also referred Vilane to his evidence, where he stated that he informed the police that he was no longer involved in any dealings of the company. They asked Vilane to clarify as his evidence sounded as if he knew something about illicit acts committed by the directors of the company.

Were you aware that there was ongoing fraud when you talked to the police officers? the former co-directors asked Vilane. In response, Vilane stated that he was not aware of anything when approached by the police officers.
Actor who plays villain in The Chosen says series has changed his life

ORLANDO  Actor Brandon Potter has been working in Hollywood for decades but says his experiences working on the hit series The Chosen have been transformational.

Potter plays an antagonistic Roman guard named Quintus in The Chosen. Now filming season four, the actor, who has been in Hollywood since the early 90s, said he's so grateful for the work environment on the set of the Angel Studios original show.

"A show this big with this many moving parts can sometimes feel anonymous. You feel like a mercenary, just kind of a gun for hire. You show up and do your job and leave. And that's not the way that this show is, said Potter in a sit-down interview with The Christian Post at the National Religious Broadcasters convention.

There's like a big WhatsApp thread with all the actors and we talk and share news and we follow each other on Instagram  the cast and crew too. Everybody hangs out and knows each other.

The entertainer described his Chosen castmates and crew as "exactly" like a family. "Working on the show has changed my life, Potter added.

When asked to describe his all-time favorite scene, the Texas native pointed to a scene he shot in season two with castmate Jonathan Roumie.

In terms of favorite scenes, I always go back to the scene that I got to do with Jonathan Roumie, the man who plays Jesus. It's just the two of us sitting and talking, Potter recalled. "The reason why I love that scene is, first of all, because of the writing. You never get a scene in television where it's just two people talking for something like six or seven minutes. That never happens. There's no dialogue that long in any kind of show. Usually, it cuts away, or there's an action sequence or cut to a commercial. So I was excited to do this scene just for that because it felt sort of like a play.

"Getting to finally share a scene with him was wonderful. Just because he's an incredible scene partner. It's nice to feel like I'm present in the moment with another artist.

The scene also marked a high moment in Potter's career to see the level of support he was receiving from those behind the scenes who were championing his work on the series.

"Feeling the support of the entire cast and crew and also sitting across the table from such a lovely actor was a day in my career that I'll always remember.

As for season four, Potter adds, "A lot happens in season four. It comes to you hard and fast. Buckle up, get ready because stuff goes down, he revealed. So far in the show, Quintus has operated sort of unimpeded, he's able to call the shots and do what he wants to do, and there's not really any consequences. And in this season, there are consequences for his actions.

There are real consequences to his actions, Potter reiterated. And I think that will force a change in him. I don't know what kind, I don't know if that's for good or worse. I can't speak to that. I don't even know. But something will have to give.

Potter has played Quintus since season one of the series and said sticking with a character for this long has been "One of the great joys of my life. He enjoys getting to really Go deep. You don't get the chance to do that very often.

Season four of the series will be out in January 2024. Potter said the release will include various streaming services, TV, and theatrical events as well.

Brad Pelo, president and executive producer of "The Chosen," told CP in a recent interview that the multi-season series about Jesus and His followers aims to reach 1 billion people through its new distribution partnership with Lionsgate.

Lionsgate, the studio behind "Jesus Revolution," acquired sub-licensing distribution rights worldwide for the history-making series Angel Studios' original series.

The Chosen, from creator Dallas Jenkins, has grown into a global phenomenon being streamed by over 500 million people worldwide.
UK churches apologize after review into Vineyard leader alleges 'patterns' of 'spiritual abuse'

Vineyard U.K. and the leadership of Causeway Coast Vineyard Church (CCV) have apologized after releasing preliminary findings into complaints relating to a former leader.

The review was commissioned in February in response to complaints about Pastor Alan Scott and is being carried out by Trusted HR Ltd.

Trusted HR said it had "identified themes and repeated patterns of behavior including examples of manipulation, inappropriate comments, narcissistic behavior, and certain occurrences of public shaming and spiritual abuse."

"The allegations primarily relate to Alan Scott and have been put to him, but he did not respond," a joint statement by CCV and Vineyard U.K. said.

"In light of the initial findings, the National Directors and trustees of VCUKI, and the trustees, Senior Pastors and the senior leadership team of CCV acknowledge that wrong and hurtful conduct has occurred at CCV, and apologize to all those who were hurt, harmed, mistreated or in any way negatively impacted by their time at Causeway Coast Vineyard.

"The trustees of CCV acknowledge that they are responsible for the governance and oversight of CCV. They accept that they failed to spot some of the warning signs and did not have sufficient structures in place to ensure complaints came to the attention of trustees, and they apologize to those who have been hurt."

Scott now pastors Dwelling Place church in California. Dwelling Place used to be Vineyard Anaheim and was Vineyard USA's flagship church before Scott took the step of disassociating it from the denomination in 2022.

The review will continue until the end of this month and a summary report with recommendations is due to be published four months later.

The statement by CCV and Vineyard U.K. added, "We are sorry that as a church we have not always acted well and been all that Jesus called us to be.

"We recognize the need to acknowledge the past and be transparent about what we got wrong.

"We hope that this interim statement and apology will, belatedly and in a small way, allow some to begin to move forward in their journey of healing and wholeness."

Originally published at Christian Today
How Bible translations distort Gods Word regarding gender

Over the years, Ive talked with countless God-loving, Bible-reading Evangelicals who believe that God requires gender hierarchy: that men should lead and women should submit in the church and home.

Growing up, I, too, believed this. Some Christians carry this even further, claiming that only men should take on leadership roles in business, government or parachurch organizations. Why is this?

Many faithful Christians read their English Bibles and see what John Piper at the Desiring God 2012 Conference called Christianity with a masculine feel, namely godly male leadership.

But in trying to defend this position, I discovered that this masculine feel is the direct result of misleading translations. In a number of passages dealing with men and women, Bible translations like the ESV and NASB twist the meaning of Gods inspired Word by adding words, changing the meanings of words, changing sentence structure, and concealing crucial evidence for a message of gender equality that runs throughout the Bible. Scripture accurately describes male-dominant cultures, but it doesnt prescribe them.

Lets look at a few examples from the Apostle Paul.

Phoebe, who is deacon of the church of Cenchreae in Romans 16:12, is demoted to a servant or helper of the church of Cenchreae in several translations, including the CSB, ESV, HCSB, KJV, MOUNCE and NASB. The Greek word here is diakonos, a position of church leadership and the same word used for deacons in Philippians 1:1 and in 1 Timothy 3:8 and 12 (regarding women deacons). Local churches then didnt have servants.

C.E.B. Cranfield (Romans, volume 2, page 781) argues that the language of Romans 16:1 makes it very much more natural ... to understand it [deacon] as referring to a definite office. Everything Paul writes about Phoebe fits a respected church leader. I commend to you Phoebe implies that Paul entrusted Phoebe to deliver this, his most comprehensive epistle. Help her in whatever matter she has need emphasizes her importance.

Still not convinced that Paul regarded Phoebe as a church leader? He also called her a prostatis. Prostatis comes from the verb proistemi, to exercise a position of leadership. It combines the Greek words for in rank before and standing and so emphasizes the respect she should be given. This is the feminine form of the word for the president of a society, including synagogues.

There are many words in the New Testament that combine these two expressions, in rank before and standing. And the only meanings that those words ever have that fit Romans 16:2 convey leadership. Paul acknowledges Phoebe as a prostatis of many, including myself also (Romans 16:2). This implies that Paul submitted to her leadership, presumably when he was in her church in Cenchreae.

Remember, Paul commands all believers to submit to one another in Ephesians 5:21. Paul affirms Phoebe to encourage those hearing or reading the letter to trust her as his representative. Yet, many Bible translations have effectively demoted Phoebe, because the translators assumed that a woman couldnt have actually held such an important leadership role.

Other translations of prostatis do not fit Romans 16:2. The NIVs benefactor is a doubtful translation because the New Testament uses a different word for benefactor, euergetes, meaning one who does good. Secular usage indicates that benefactors preferred the designation euergetes because it highlights generosity rather than power. The ESVs translation, patron, since prostatis can convey patrona, an aliens legal representative, does not fit because Paul was a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28; see C.K. Barretts commentary on Romans).

Some translations have concealed Phoebes church leadership, but Junia gets maligned even worse. Eldon Epps Junia documents the unanimous credible testimony of the churchs first millennium: Junia (a common womans name) was a woman and an outstanding apostle. But, against all good evidence, translations like the NASB 1995 give her a sex change by renaming her Junias in Romans 16:7!

Translations like the ESV, HCSB, MOUNCE and NASB change outstanding among the apostles to noteworthy in the eyes of the apostles, even though Greek had an idiom for in the eyes of. Those added words are not in the inspired text  they were added because the translators thought that the text couldnt mean what it says.

And Paul named more women leaders besides Deacon Phoebe and Apostle Junia. In Romans 16, seven of the 10 ministry partners whom Paul named were women. After naming Phoebe, Junia, Prisca, Tryphena and Tryphosa as his co-workers in the Gospel, he praised Mary and Persis, who worked very hard in the Lord (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:16 and 1 Thessalonians 5:1213).

Pauls affirmation by name of such a high proportion of women leaders is unparalleled in the entire history of ancient Greek literature. This demonstrates a level of female leadership in the early Church that was truly exceptional for that culture.

Another poorly translated and often misunderstood passage is Pauls head covering passage, 1 Corinthians 11:216. Verse 10 states, For this reason a woman ought to have authority over her own head. Although authority nowhere else means symbol of authority, some versions of 1 Corinthians 11:10 add the words symbol of or sign of (ASV, AMP, CSV, ESV, HSCB, TLB, MOUNCE, NASB, NET, TLV), taking away from women what Scripture states woman ought to have: authority over her own head!

It gets worse in verse 16. Here, the Greek reads, We have no such custom. Some versions translate this verse to mean the exact opposite  we have no other custom (HCSB, NASB 1995, NET). The apparent reason for this is that they assume that the veiling of women was a universal church custom symbolizing womans subordination to man, and that therefore the text cant mean what it actually says. My book Man and Woman, One in Christ documents 17 statements in 1 Corinthians 11:216 that conflict with that assumption (pages 105215).

Some translators also force their male pronouns onto passages about overseers and elders. The ASV, AMP, Phillips and NASB translate the gender-inclusive whoever (ei tis) in 1 Timothy 3:1 and Titus 1:6 as the gender-exclusive any man  he ...

Those translations also add a dozen or more he, him or his pronouns into the passages even though there is not a single he, him or his in any of the qualifications for overseer, deacon or elder in either passage. Throughout the New Testament, ei tis includes women unless it is specifically restricted to men.

John Pipers 2012 assertion, The apostles tell the churches that all the overseers  should be men depends on Bible translations that add a masculine feel that is not in Scripture as God revealed it.

Translations like the CSB, ESV, GNT, HCSB, PHILLIPS, KJV, TLB, MOUNCE, NET and NLT also subvert female church leadership by translating a passage clearly about women deacons, 1 Timothy 3:11, as though it refers to wives of deacons.

But it would be strange to require women holding no office to meet practically identical qualifications as those listed for deacons (and listed in the same order) in 3:8. The qualifications for women deacons in verse 11 are surrounded by other qualifications for deacons. So, if this is a reference to the wives of deacons, it is out of place.

At a minimum, an addition of their or the is needed to express their wives, but neither is here. Anyway, why would Paul include qualifications for the wives of deacons but not for the wives of overseers, who have direct oversight? The only obvious explanation is that Paul is describing the qualification for women deacons.

These examples are just a taste of how certain Bible translations distort Gods Word, concealing the message of gender equality throughout the Bible. No wonder so many Evangelicals believe that the Bible teaches gender hierarchy!

So how can this change? Much of the responsibility lies with chairmen of translation revision committees. For example, for the ESV revision, I presented evidence to its committee chairman that the word translated have authority regarding women in 1 Timothy 2:12 actually means seize authority. However, he refused to let his committee see my study. His censorship prevented correction of a misleading translation.

Yet there is hope. When I presented the same evidence to the NIV revision committee chairman, Doug Moo, who supports gender hierarchy, he gave his committee the same evidence. The NIV committee appropriately adopted assume authority. Hopefully, one passage at a time, translators will better reflect the gender equality in Gods Word.
Gender Transformation: The Untold Realities (film review)

NEW YORK CITY  An El Salvadoran immigrant woman is standing behind a podium in a Washington, D.C., auditorium. Its March 2022 and anguish is etched on her face, her grief palpable and her lips quivering. Shes recounting her worst nightmare: how she learned that her troubled teen daughter had knelt in front of an oncoming train and ended her life.

This petite Latina lady is Abigail Martinez. Her daughter Yaeli died by suicide in September of 2019 in Southern California, long before the public began paying attention to the widening impact of transgender ideology. Martinez had to hear about how local authorities had retrieved the pieces of Yaelis remains from the railroad tracks. Her voice halts a bit as she details the horror. This was the first time she shared her story publicly.

Fast forward to today, and Yaelis story is still seared in my memory but its only one of many, and more are coming. Her story, and others, are being told in a wave of documentaries, including the most recent docudrama Gender Transformation: The Untold Realities by Swedish filmmaker Tobias Elvhage of EpochTV, which premiered at Cinema Village in New York City in the Manhattan Film Festival on June 16.

The filmmakers take viewers on Yaelis journey, recreating the events that led to her gender confusion, medicalization, and ultimately, suicide. It serves as a case study of what could happen when a child becomes mired in the belief that their sexed body is somehow wrong. The film extends the lens to how schools, government agencies and medical institutions manipulate parents to get on the metaphorical train of gender transitioning, often against their better instincts.

Interspersed with Yaelis tale is expert commentary from a variety of professionals who have put their heads above the parapet to speak out about the dangers of what is euphemistically known as gender-affirming care.

Among those appearing are Dr. Michael Laidlaw, an endocrinologist; Jennifer Bilek, an extraordinary investigative journalist; Walt Heyer, a detransitioner in his 80s and the founder of Sex Change Regret; and Erin Friday, a doggedly determined attorney and mom of a teen girl who was once caught up in a trans identity. Other contributors are Dr. Miriam Grossman, a child and adolescent psychiatrist; Dr. Katherine Welch, a doctor from Indianapolis; and Pamela Garfield-Jaeger, a licensed clinical social worker. Brave, young detransitioners, most notably Chloe Cole, also appear and their words about the irreversible medical harm they endured are compelling.

The expert testimony provides gravitas to the recreated drama, anchoring the emotionally-charged film.

Friday, in the film, ponders: When did parents suddenly become enemy #1?

She says shes spoken to hundreds if not thousands of moms and dads who have found themselves navigating this problem alone and frightened. Our stories are all the same, she adds. Today she works with Our Duty-USA, an advocacy group and international network of parents who wish to protect their children from gender ideology.

Increasingly, public institutions, especially schools, are thwarting parents who question the prevailing cultural narrative about their childs so-called gender identity. Social services departments and law enforcement are weaponized against loving parents; they are often called abusive for merely disagreeing with gender ideology and their childs embrace of a new identity.

Friday recounts how, in her case, not long after she fiercely objected to school officials referring to her daughter by a new, opposite-sex name, the authorities  both the cops and CPS on separate occasions  showed up at her door. She believes they did so to intimidate her.

Martinez describes how a family who is supportive of trans ideology kidnapped her daughter to facilitate her transition. Yaeli had secretly communicated with this family and they then came to her house in the dead of night and carted her off so that a social services agency could more easily remove Martinezs legal custody and place Yaeli in an LGBT-friendly group home for youth. This family went so far as to remove the license plate from their car so that Martinez could not determine who it might have been as they drove off.

Time after time this struggling mom is straitjacketed by ideologically captured entities such as the family court system. A judge signed off on Yaelis experimental medicalization against Martinezs objections. Martinezs impassioned pleas that Yaeli undergo a psychological evaluation before taking the hormones are ignored. The cross-sex hormones, being at odds with her biology, caused Yaeli tremendous mental and physical pain to the point where she was constantly miserable.

When Martinez appears at an Our Duty USA-led demonstration outside the annual conference for the American Academy of Pediatrics, which took place in Anaheim last fall, trans activists hurl cruel jeers at her as she speaks of her deceased daughter.

Interestingly, the screening of Gender Transformation went off without a hitch, without violence or pushback. But it joins a string of other films aiming to convey a similar message including the indie documentary film Dead Name which was released in December, The Detransition Diaries: Saving Our Sisters by the Center for Bioethics and Culture, and No Way Back: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (formerly titled Affirmation Generation), a film made by lifelong leftists.

Films such as these face opposition in high places. Streaming platform Vimeo scrubbed Dead Name from its platform amid accusations of hate speech. The film was soon re-homed on a platform of its own. AMC Theaters recently pulled No Way Back from being shown in its venues, caving to activist pressure.

Not every family with children declaring a trans identity deal with the dire consequences of death, though there are plenty of other devastating stories. Even so, parents caught up in this dystopia often despairingly speak of symbolic deaths as their children transform into something beyond recognition, both physically and emotionally.

Many parents indeed feel as though their lives are a train wreck. This is the main story, moms and dads whose disrupted lives embody the docudramas subtitle, The untold realities. Now that they are finally being told more widely, heres hoping that parents such as Martinez and every affected family find some relief from their otherworldly suffering.
Can the Church win back people's trust?

Today, in the UK and around the world, trust in institutions of all kinds  including the Church  is at an all-time low. But could advice to a bishop from a Victorian writer help win back public confidence?

Might it even challenge members of the Church of England's General Synod, or parliament, as they meet in York this weekend?

"Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely." So wrote Lord Acton, the English 19th century historian and politician.

It's one of those wise statements that tends to get quoted whenever a senior person is found guilty of abusing their power, and it's as true in today's United Kingdom or United States as it was in Queen Victoria's reign.

What's less widely known is that Lord Acton made that statement in a letter to a senior Church of England cleric. He wrote it in 1887 to Mandell Creighton, who would later become Bishop of London.

Creighton had objected to what he saw as a modern tendency to be unnecessarily critical of authority figures. Acton disagreed, and felt that all people  past or present, leaders or not  should be held to universal moral standards.

Christ's attitude to power was shown starkly when he washed the feet of his disciples, taking the place of a slave, before the Last Supper. He called on his followers to seek a life of service, saying "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant" (Matthew 20:26).

In his time on earth, Jesus tended to be found with the poor and marginalised. He had his strongest criticism for people who had power and were using it to exploit others. He spoke out for people ignored or rejected by others and this made enemies of powerful people.

Former diplomat Anthony Ball, now a canon at Westminster Abbey, argues that for trust in institutions to be advanced, they need to demonstrate "honesty, humility, compassion and competence."

In an essay, newly published by the Westminster Abbey Institute, he contends, "If power corrupts, then those seeking or exercising it, or the institutions that mediate it, need to be particularly careful to ensure that there are healthy mechanisms of accountability in place.

"Self-regulation  whether in the media, higher education, the judiciary, the police, or indeed, the Church  have all been questioned in recent years as doubts are raised about the extent to which independent scrutiny is really delivered."

Christian author and theologian Richard Foster put power's threat like this: "Power can destroy or create. The power that destroys demands ascendancy. It demands total control. It destroys relationships. It destroys trust. It destroys dialogue. It destroys integrity."

We see this in today's fractured politics. We see it in big business and in charities. We see it in so many areas of our public lives. The Church, at times, is sadly no exception.

When church leaders cannot be challenged, or leaders of Christian organisations are perceived as beyond criticism, or denominations wish to 'mark their own homework' by carrying out only internal reviews of possible wrongdoing, then alarm bells should be ringing.

When people are frightened of speaking out because they could be isolated in their communities, discriminated against or passed over for promotion in their workplaces, then power is being abused.

A wise person told me that whenever someone says to you, "This conversation never took place," then that's a red flag that something is not right. "Better not mention this to anyone," is another cause for caution.

Often, it takes a brave whistle-blower to sound the alarm, maybe at risk to their livelihood or reputation. In the UK and around the world, journalists have spoken out against powerful interests and paid the price - in some countries with their lives.

But while I salute the whistle-blowers and investigative journalists, often the solution can be a whole lot less headline-grabbing.

It's about having good checks and balances in place, about having governance structures that work, and independent regulators with powers that really bite. It's about making sure that accountability really exists and can be seen to work. Transparency boosts trust.

The devil, they say, may be in the detail but often angels can dwell within the small print of laws and regulations designed to hold powerful people and institutions to account.

We should encourage those angels to flourish.

Rev Peter Crumpler is a Church of England minister in St Albans, Herts, UK, a former communications director with the CofE and author of 'Responding to Post-truth'.
It would be 'unlawful' for CofE bishops to commend blessings for same-sex couples, say evangelicals

Evangelicals in the Church of England are urging bishops not to commend blessings for same-sex couples.

They argue that it would be "unlawful, unconstitutional, and illegitimate" for the bishops to commend the blessings - called Prayers of Love and Faith, Church Times reports.

In a joint letter to the College of Bishops, they argue that responsibility for this should instead fall to Synod under Canon B2, which requires a two-thirds majority to be reached in each of the Synod's three Houses.

The letter has been signed by 27 evangelicals, including former vicar of HTB, Nicky Gumbel, and the leaders of the Prayer Book Society, New Wine, Forward in Faith, and the Catholic Group and Evangelical Group on the General Synod.

At its last meeting in February, Synod backed the Prayers of Love and Faith. Bishops have since been working to refine the prayers and draft new pastoral guidance for priests.

An update on the progress made so far will be delivered to the July meeting of Synod, taking place in York this weekend.

A paper released ahead of Synod states, "The House and College have considered the range of routes presented by the Group including Canon B5 commendation of the Prayers, B4 approval by the Convocations, Archbishops or Ordinary and B2 approval by General Synod.

"They are particularly weighing up the option of approval by the Archbishops (under Canon B4.2), as an approach that may provide more legal protection for those ministers who choose to use the Prayers.

"No final decision has been made by the House as to the route by which the prayers will be made available for use."

In their letter to bishops, the evangelical leaders say that their "proposition of a better way forwards is still honouring the spirit of the vote at February's General Synod".

"It is not about rowing back from what was voted on," they said.

They argue that Canon B2 is the best route forward.

"Whether the prayers constitute a change in doctrine or a change in teaching (a distinction we are not yet convinced of), it is necessary to secure the agreement of Synod through the normal route for liturgical developments. This is Canon B2," the letter continues.

"Furthermore, it would be illegitimate and unconstitutional to do otherwise. To seek commendation under Canon B5 would be bypassing Synod through placing the decision making of a controversial and significant matter at a local level.

"To seek authorisation under Canon B4.2 would be to bypass Synod through centralising power in the hands of Archbishops Justin [Welby] and Stephen [Cottrell].

"After the emphasis on involving the views of many diverse voices in the LLF [Living in Love and Faith] process, it would be a matter of justified concern for any 'decision' to be undertaken in such an unconstitutional manner so as to involve just two people through Canon B4.2."
The Pit, the spring and the well: lessons for the nation's wellbeing from Proverbs 5

Jewish academic and Hebrew scholar Irene Lancaster, reflects on Proverbs 5 and what it has to say about some of our present challenges.

Recently, we have been hearing a great deal about water wastage, especially preventable leakage by the companies themselves. This was brought home when I received a message from my own water company, which is one of the worst offenders, letting me know that they were pleased my water usage had not risen in the last six months, but that my bills were going up from July in any case, due to a rise in standing charges. In other words, we, the customer, are paying for the profligate behaviour of autonomous multi-billion-pound water institutions.

I was reminded of this anomaly while researching the Book of Proverbs. Chapter 5, verses 15 and 16, are particularly illuminating in this regard.

The writer, reputedly, King Solomon in middle age, compares three kinds of water container as examples of three attitudes to life.

The first attitude is symbolized by the 'bor', translated as hole, pit, cistern, or jail. This is the famous pit which Joseph was cast into by his jealous and angry brothers (Genesis 37:24).

The bor represents the person who thinks that he or she is responsible for everything. Everything that happens in life is due to them. Reciprocal relationship, let alone dependence, does not exist for them. This person digs the hole, fills it with water, and does all the work. However, pits of water are stagnant, don't go anywhere, certainly don't inspire, and often end in negativity.

'Mayan', the 'spring', 'water course' or even 'geyser', simply gushes out incessantly, without any effort on our part. We simply lie back and allow life to take over. No effort is needed, and the attitude posed is one of passivity.

But in between the pit and the spring, we have the b'er or 'well'. In the original Hebrew, the pit and the well are differentiated only by one vowel sound. But the difference between a pit and a well is that in the case of the well, we build it, G-d fills it with water and then we have to actively draw water from it. In other words, the well denotes partnership, a reciprocal relationship which helps us grow and develop. And in Biblical times, the well was the source of life itself. Without water from the well, you were dead.

For this reason, it is no accident that so many of our biblical ancestors met at wells, where they built up positive relationships leading to flowering and generation. Eliezer, sent by Abraham, met Rebecca at the well, and chose her for Isaac (Genesis 24). Isaac's son, Jacob, met Rachel at the well (Genesis 29), and their union grew into the twelve tribes of Israel, and from there the Jewish people. And Moses met Zipporah, daughter of Jethro, the priest of Midian, also at a well (Exodus 2) and became our greatest prophet who took us out of slavery on our journey to the Promised Land.

Most would agree that the pit is not a good symbol for growth, but surely the spring is the fount of life? But Judaism doesn't agree with this approach of letting it all happen. Judaism believes that we can help to make things happen; and if things are to go well, then we should go for the well, symbol of the partnership between G-d and his creation.

To drive this point home, it is also interesting to note that b'er' is an anagram in Hebrew for the word for 'health'. And health is another subject that has been in the news this week, the National Health Service being the cause of some concern, with its own health being discussed on all sides.

For, 75 years ago, here in Manchester, the first patient was treated free of charge in the first ever National Health hospital. But the country was very different then. In 1948 we had just been through a terrible war. The population of the UK was around 45-50 million, and most people spoke English as a first language. Unlike in 1948, the majority of the country are now overweight, and the proportion of old people to people of working age has also changed significantly in 75 years.

Yet we carry on either as if health were a bottomless pit, with the UK in 2023 being the same as the UK in 1948. Or, we treat the NHS as an ever-bubbling spring which will miraculously keep on giving, without any input from us.

Neither of these analogies will work in the long run. It may well be helpful to take a leaf from the Hebrew book of Proverbs and start treating the health service neither as a bottomless pit, nor as an every-bubbling spring, but as a well.

This country built the NHS in 1948. And, to start with, we did not take it for granted, and, unlike today, the NHS did not act as if they were doing us huge favours. In those days, we only contacted the GP in a dire emergency and took responsibility for our own health. Hardly anyone was overweight. We walked everywhere and did a great deal of incidental exercise without even realizing it. TV, if it existed at all in most homes, was severely regulated. We were expected to help with the housework and nothing was taken for granted. After all, this country had just been through a dreadful war, and rationing was in operation until 1955.

Sadly, however, the original NHS has gradually morphed into the sick man of Europe, the laughing-stock of many other countries. Those other countries, with similar or smaller budgets, adjusted their health services accordingly. And they certainly don't worship the health service, as is the case here. In those countries, the health service has become a reciprocal relationship, based on respect, just as the biblical well. Whereas, here in this country ....

And why has this happened? It is hard to say. But, where there is no true religion, golden calves, sacred cows and their equivalents will rush in to fill the gap. This is what has happened to our National Health Service and to our water companies. But also to our gas and electricity companies, universities, the BBC, the unions, the Church, and many other once revered and necessary institutions which are no longer fit for purpose. Even Wimbledon has become commercialized, politicized and therefore open to abuse. Reverence is now a dirty word.

But there may be a solution if we change our attitude. If we stop thinking we can either do everything ourselves, or, on the other hand, lie back and expect others to do everything for us, but strive to treat life as a well of water, well then a positive surprise may lie just around the corner.

And this country, which once gave so much to the world, may find her rightful place once again.
Tailor-made: how fashion guru Paul Smith earned his stripes designing a bespoke celebration of Picasso in Paris

The British entrepreneur, whose clothing empire now extends to more than 200 stores worldwide, was given free rein to rehang the collection of the Musee National Picasso-Paris  with stylish results

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picassos death, an occasion being marked by a host of exhibitions and events worldwide. Perhaps somewhat unexpectedly, one of the key players is the British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith. It has been an exciting and humbling opportunity for me, says Smith, the guest artistic director of a major exhibition at the Musee National Picasso-Paris called Picasso Celebration: The Collection in a New Light (which runs to 27 August). He was given carte blanche to select from the 5,000 artworks and tens of thousands of archival items in the museums holdings, and to rehang its collection as he chose. Smith says that, although he is a long-time admirer of Picasso, he doesnt pretend to offer an academic perspective. My approach was very much about visual and spontaneous associations, he says. A room dedicated to Picassos Blue Period, for example, is dimly lit and painted dark blue to accentuate the melancholy of the works on show. A room devoted to the Spaniards love of theatre has wallpaper patterned with blue and yellow diamonds, matching the costume worn by Paul, his eldest child, in the painting Paul en Arlequin (1924).

Open a larger version of this image Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Paul en Arlequin, 1924. Photo:  Musee National Picasso-Paris, Voyez-Vous (Vinciane Lebrun). Artwork:  Succession Picasso/DACS, London 2023

Walk into another room  featuring Picassos series of variations on Manets masterpiece, Le Dejeuner sur lherbe  and one encounters grass underfoot. Smith brings to curation exactly the flair and imagination for which hes renowned in the world of fashion. The show is spread across the first, second and third floors of the Hotel Sale, the converted 17th-century townhouse in the Marais district that is home to the museum.

Open a larger version of this image Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), Portrait of Marie-Therese, 1937. Photo:  Musee National Picasso-Paris, Voyez-Vous (Vinciane Lebrun). Artwork:  Succession Picasso/DACS, London 2023

Smith has rejected the white-cube mode of seeing art  that is, the adoption of bare walls, ceilings and floors, so prevalent in exhibitions of recent decades. He prefers instead a fuller, more atmospheric gallery experience, which extends beyond the artworks themselves. Another example of this can be found in a room dedicated to the striped Breton shirt that Picasso wore in a famous set of pictures by the photographer Robert Doisneau in 1952. That item of clothing went on to become synonymous with the artist, and Smith has hung dozens of examples from the ceiling. These ripple collectively above visitors heads in the air-conditioning. One thing Ive tried to do is to bring out Picassos playful side, says Smith. The largely positive response to the exhibition from reviewers suggests he has succeeded. According to the critic in Frances daily newspaper Le Figaro, writing shortly before the show opened: This blast of fashion from across the English Channel, full of humour and freshness, should be a smash hit.

Open a larger version of this image An installation view of Picasso Celebration: The Collection in a New Light. Photo:  Musee National Picasso-Paris, Voyez-Vous (Vinciane Lebrun).  Succession Picasso/DACS, London 2023

The exhibition covers various aspects and styles of Picassos long career, but not in any obvious chronological order. Smith, 77, was invited to curate it five years ago by the Musee National Picasso-Pariss then director, Laurent Le Bon  who was already thinking about an anniversary show. The designer accepted, and there followed several trips to the museum, along with myriad video calls (much of the planning having to be done remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic). Le Bon has since moved on to the Centre Pompidou, with Cecile Debray now at the helm. In an interview published in the exhibition catalogue, Smith says: Its Picassos curiosity that really speaks to me, the way he keeps asking why?, questioning everything and saying, of course I can do it, lets try!, never shying away from a challenge.

Open a larger version of this image Sir Paul Smith, guest artistic director at the Musee National Picasso-Paris. Photo:  Paul Smith. Artwork:  Succession Picasso/DACS, London 2023

Smith has built a global fashion brand, with some 200 stores worldwide, including flagships in London, Paris, New York, Milan and Tokyo. Upon leaving school, he actually wanted to become a cyclist  only to change his plans after an accident on his bicycle led to a six-month stay in hospital. The opening room of the exhibition, in fact, nods to that personal history. It features one of Picassos best-loved sculptures, Tete de taureau (1942), in which the Spaniard used a bicycle saddle and handlebars to create a form resembling a bulls head. On the facing wall, Smith has hung a number of present-day saddles and handlebars. What this exhibition amounts to is a fresh take on an artist about whom so much has already been said.

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The best exhibitions and openings of 2023: North America

Explore rare Botticelli drawings, Ruschas Chocolate Room, the boundless Pop art of Marisol and more must-see museum shows this summer and beyond

1

Ed Ruscha: Now Then Museum of Modern Art, New York

10 September 2023 to 13 January 2024 Ed Ruschas use of language as an aesthetic tool changed the face of post-war art. As he himself put it, I just happened to paint words like someone else paints flowers. His work is instantly recognisable, and yet he confounds categorisation. Some insist he is a Pop artist, others a conceptual artist, others an LA artist.

Open a larger version of this image Ed Ruscha (b. 1937), Standard Station, Ten-Cent Western Being Torn in Half, 1964. Oil on canvas, 65  121  in (165.1  308.6 cm). Private Collection.  2023 Edward Ruscha. Photo Evie Marie Bishop, courtesy of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

ED RUSCHA / NOW THEN, the most comprehensive retrospective of the artist to date, will track the full breadth of Ruschas career over 65 years, without narrowly defining him. Mirroring his own cross-disciplinary approach, the exhibition will feature over 250 works, produced from 1958 to the present, in various mediums  showing him as painter, bookmaker, filmmaker, photographer, and draughtsman. The exhibition will also include the artists Chocolate Room (1970), a space covered in paper screen-printed with chocolate paste. First presented at the Venice Biennale, this will be the installations New York debut. The exhibition will travel to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), which has co-organised the show, in April 2024.

2

Botticelli Drawings Legion of Honor, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

18 November 2023 to 11 February 2024 Sandro Botticelli is a name synonymous with the Renaissance, but there has never been a major exhibition dedicated to his drawings. The lack thereof is partly due to the scarcity of these works. His unconventional stylistic progression makes attribution challenging, and since works on paper that are more than 500 years old are by nature fragile, it is perhaps unsurprising that fewer than 30 securely attributed ones exist. Yet, as this upcoming exhibition demonstrates, Botticellis expert draughtsmanship underpins all his work and his most well-known paintings.

Open a larger version of this image Sandro Botticelli (c. 1445-1910), Study of the head of a woman in profile (La Bella Simonetta) (recto); Study of the figure of Minerva (verso), ca. 1485. Metal point, white gouache on light-brown prepared paper (recto), black chalk, pen and brown ink, brown wash, white gouache (verso). 13  x 9 in (34.2 x 23 cm.) The Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford. Bequeathed by Francis Douce, 1834.  Ashmolean Museum

This landmark show traces Botticellis artistic journey through his drawings, spanning from his earliest renderings whilst studying under maestro Fra Filippo Lippi to his designs for his final painting whilst leading his own workshop in Florence. Demonstrating Botticellis design process from paper to panel, the curators have reunited some of his most memorable masterpieces, like Adoration of the Magi (1475), with their preparatory drawings for the first time.

3

China's Southern Paradise: Treasures from the Lower Yangzi Delta Cleveland Museum of Art

10 September 2023 to 7 January 2024 Jiangnan  the Chinese coastal region south of the Yangzi River home to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Nanjing  is one of the countrys most prosperous lands. For millennia its art has defined the image of traditional China for the rest of the world  hilly landscapes of verdant greenery, delicate pagodas, luxurious silks  yet this will be the first exhibition in the West to focus on the regions art and cultural impact. Exploring how Jiangnan set cultural standards and gained a leading role in Chinas artistic production, Chinas Southern Paradise presents works of art from Neolithic times to the 18th century, ranging from jade, silk, prints, and paintings to porcelain, lacquer and bamboo carvings.

Open a larger version of this image Shen Zhou (1427-1509), Twelve Views of Tiger Hill, Suzhou: The Thousand Buddha Hall and the Pagoda of the 'Cloudy Cliff' Monastery, after 1490. Album leaf, ink on paper, 12 in x 16 in (31.1 x 41 cm). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund

4

Ruth Asawa Through Line Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

16 September 2023 to January 2024 Although Ruth Asawa is widely known for her sculptures that echo sinuous organic forms in looped-wire, stone and bronze, drawing was also fundamental to her practice. She would draw on a daily basis, calling it her greatest pleasure and the most difficult.

Open a larger version of this image Ruth Asawa (1926-2013), Untitled (BMC .59, Meander - Straight Lines), c. 1948. Ink on paper, 7   13  in (20  34.3 cm). Private collection; courtesy David Zwirner.  2023 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc./Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

Presenting drawings, collages and watercolours alongside stamped prints, copper foil works and sketchbooks, Ruth Asawa Through Line will be the first exhibition to showcase drawings foundational role in the development of Asawas visual lexicon. We see, for example, the emergence of her fascination with repetition, as well as motifs and approaches like the Greek meander and the paper fold, which she crystallised in her sculptures. After the exhibition closes at the Whitney, it will travel to the Menil Drawing Institute in Houston.

5

The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century Baltimore Museum of Art

Through July 16 2023

Saint Louis Art Museum

25 August 2023 to 1 January 2024 Through July 16 202325 August 2023 to 1 January 2024 At a legendary 1973 party in the Bronx, DJ Kool Herc revealed a new turntable technique that allowed him to spin two records from the same album and seamlessly move from beat to beat. Hip hop was born. Since then, the genre has grown into a global phenomenon, driving innovations in music, fashion, technology, and visual and performing arts. In celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, the Baltimore Museum of Art has opened an exhibition examining the genres cultural impact over the past two decades.

Open a larger version of this image Derrick Adams (b. 1970), Style Variation 34, 2020. The Baltimore Museum of Art: Purchase with exchange funds from the Pearlstone Family Fund and partial gift of The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Inc., BMA 2021.156. Courtesy of the Artist

The multimedia exhibition includes painting, sculpture, photography, installation and video by some of todays most celebrated artists and brands, including Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton, Derrick Adams, and Carrie Mae Weems.

6

Simone Leigh Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston

Through 4 September 2023

Hirshhorn Museum, Washington DC

3 November 2023 to 3 March 2024 Black femme subjectivity forms the core of Simone Leighs work. Informed by rigorous attention to Black feminist thought  and a wide range of historical periods, geographical regions and artistic traditions in Africa and the African diaspora  Leigh confounds the Black female figure with architectural forms and domestic vessels to explore issues of race, unacknowledged labour, womanhood and community.

Open a larger version of this image Simone Leigh (b. 1967), Satellite, 2022. Bronze, 24 feet  10 feet  7 feet 7 inches (7.3  3  2.3m). Installation view, Simone Leigh, the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston, 2023. Courtesy of the artist and Matthew Marks Gallery. Photo by Timothy Schenck.  Simone Leigh

Her current survey at the ICA Boston marks the first comprehensive study of her career, presenting 29 key works that provide a holistic understanding of her work in ceramics, bronze, and video. It also includes 10 works from Leighs star turn at the Venice Biennale in 2022, when the artist made history as the first Black woman to represent the United States at the biennial. Later in the year, the retrospective will travel to the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC.

7

Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape Art Institute of Chicago

Through 4 September 2023 Between 1882 and 1890, Vincent van Gogh and other Post-Impressionists including Georges Seurat, Paul Signac, Emile Bernard and Charles Angrand, flocked to villages on the outskirts of Paris. Whilst the Impressionists had found inspiration in rural provinces far from the capital, the area along the Seine provided fresh inspiration for this new generation of artists. With industrialization in the late 19th century, coal, gas and manufacturing facilities altered the skyline. To convey this new and varied landscape, the artists came up with novel methods of painting. As Van Gogh put it, the bringing together of extremes gave him new ideas. Seurat and Signac experimented by applying contrasting colours in unblended strokes to form Pointillism. Bernard laid out large swathes of bold colour defined by dark contours in what became Cloisonnism.

Open a larger version of this image Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), Factories at Clichy, 1887. Saint Louis Art Museum, Funds given by Mrs. Mark C. Steinberg by exchange

Van Gogh and the Avant-Garde: The Modern Landscape presents more than 75 paintings and drawings from this intensely creative period  many rarely publicly displayed  including 25 works by Van Gogh. It illuminates how one destination inspired a generation of artists and sparked ideas that changed the course of art history.

8

Marisol: A Retrospective Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

7 October 2023 to 21 January 2024 Maria Sol Escobar adopted the name Marisol when she began exhibiting in New York in the late 1950s. Best known for carved wooden sculptures that she embellished with drawings, fabric and found objects, she was influenced equally by pre-Columbian art and the assemblages of Robert Rauschenberg. Although she loomed large in the Pop art scene, working closely with Andy Warhol and even featuring in his films, some critics characterised her work as a folk artist.

Open a larger version of this image Marisol (1930-2016), Mi Mama y Yo, 1968. Collection Buffalo AKG Art Museum. Bequest of Marisol, 2016 (2018:15a-d).  Estate of Marisol / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Photo Brenda Bieger, Buffalo AKG Art Museum

She was an incredibly significant sculptor who has been inappropriately written out of history, said Marina Pacini, the chief curator at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. In the 1960s she had more press and more visibility than Andy Warhol.The Buffalo AKG Art Museum is rectifying that, by organising a retrospective that will tour the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, the Toledo Museum of Art, and the Dallas Museum of Art, before ending up at the AKG in July 2024. This is fitting  the AKG was the first museum to formally acquire Marisols work in 1962, and after she bequeathed them her estate, they now hold the worlds most significant collection of her work. The most comprehensive survey ever devoted to the artist, it will feature all Marisols canonical works, as well as source materials, sketches, studies and personal photographs to illuminate her working methods and life.

9

The land carries our ancestors: contemporary art by Native Americans National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

22 September 2023 to 15 January 2024 Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation) is not only the subject of an acclaimed retrospective currently at the Whitney; the influential Indigenous artist has also curated a ground-breaking exhibition showcasing the works of 50 contemporary Native American artists at the National Gallery of Art. Working across weaving, sculpture, beadwork, painting, performance, drawing, video, and more, the artists share a concern for the land, drawing on thousands of years of study and reverence and ultimately visualizing this core part of collective Indigenous knowledge.

Open a larger version of this image Emma Whitehorse (b. 1957), Fog Bank, 2020. Mixed media on paper on canvas, 51 x 78 in (129.54 x 198.12 cm). National Gallery of Art, Washington. William A. Clark Fund

This survey of contemporary Indigenous art and its enduring connections to land and landscape will include several recent acquisitions from the museums permanent collection, including works by G. Peter Jemison (Seneca Nation of Indians, Heron Clan), Marie Watt (Seneca Nation of Indians/European descent) and Emmi Whitehorse (Dine).

10

Cultivate. Homage to Carla Stellweg Museo Tamayo, Mexico City

Through 6 August 2023 Carla Stellweg has played an instrumental role in the development of the art scene in Mexico throughout her life, specifically in its connection to the international art world. A fervent promoter of Latin American art, she was one of the first independent curators in Mexico, working with Fernando Gamboa  the renowned museum builder and director of the Museo de Arte Moderno  on international projects such as Expo 67 and the Venice Biennale. She also co-founded Mexicos first contemporary art magazine, Artes Visuales, which became a vital platform connecting Latin American artists. Cultivate. Homage to Carla Stellweg at Mexico Citys Museo Tamayo pays tribute to her career, bringing together archival materials and the work of artists shes collaborated with, and centring her as a crucial agent in Latin American contemporary art. The museums connection with Stellweg serves as a solid foundation for the show: she was formerly their deputy director and worked with Rufino Tamayo to build his collection.

11

Keith Haring: Art is for Everybody The Broad, Los Angeles

Through 8 October 2023 You dont have to know anything about art to appreciate it, Keith Haring famously said, There arent any hidden secrets or things youre supposed to understand. The omnipresence of his subway art, public murals, and invitingly vibrant works in 1980s New York emphasized his point that art is for everybody. More than 30 years after his death, the artists first museum exhibition in Los Angeles, on view at The Broad, confirms that Harings art continues to break barriers between art and life and spread joy.

Open a larger version of this image Installation view, Keith Haring: Art Is for Everybody. Photo by Joshua White/JWPictures.com, courtesy of The Broad

The Broads survey features the breadth of materials that Haring worked with, including video, sculpture, drawing, painting, and graphic works, as well as representations from the artists many public projects. Works presented span from the late-1970s when he was a student at the School of Visual Arts in New York up until 1988, just two years before he died from AIDS-related illness at the age of 31. The exhibition also explores Harings life and creative process, with much of the source material coming from his personal journals.

12

William Blake: Visionary The Getty Center, Los Angeles

17 October 2023 to 14 January 2024 William Blake was an English poet, painter and printmaker. Largely unrecognised during his life, he is now considered a seminal figure of Romantic visual art and poetry. With an unconventional worldview, Blake produced a symbolically rich collection of works, representing universal forces of creation and destruction through his own cast of characters.

Open a larger version of this image William Blake (17571827), Satan Exulting over Eve, 1795. Color print with graphite, pen and black ink, and watercolor. Courtesy of Getty Museum

By combining his poetry and imagery on the page through radical graphic techniques, he created some of the most striking imagery in British art and has since inspired countless boundary-breaking artists including Walt Whitman, Jimi Hendrix, and Jackson Pollock his exhibition will explore the artist-poets imaginative world through his most celebrated works.
Biggest risk stems from non-cooperation, biggest hidden security threat remains non-development

11:12, July 07, 2023 By Huan Yuping ( People's Daily

The term "de-risking" has been replacing "decoupling" these days, becoming a new argument of some Western politicians when they talk about economic relations with China. It is used to prettify their negative policies aiming at de-sinicization.

The so-called "de-risking" is in essence the politicization and ideologicalization of economic and trade issues. It is against laws of economics, disturbs the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, and finally impedes the recovery of the world economy.

"De-risking may feel more diplomatic than decoupling." The New York Times just told the truth.

The high-profile "decoupling" strategy launched by the last U.S. administration has been approved to be totally unrealistic. Though the current U.S. administration claimed it has no intention to contain China, its scheme to undermine China-U.S. economic relations through political means remains unchanged. Therefore, some in the United States created new rhetoric as the "decoupling" strategy has lost its support.

The qualifier of "not seeking 'decoupling'" is added to "de-risking" because the latter shall sound different and thus be more misleading. However, the so-called "de-risking" is just "old wine in a new bottle."

First of all, policies under "de-risking" still aim at technological blockade, investment review and transfer of supply chains. A high-ranking official of the U.S. government recently said in a speech that the United States wants to de-risk and diversify its relationship with China, not decouple. However, the official, at the same time, made reference to the approach of "small yard, high fence" to critical technology.

What's more, the true intention of "de-risking" is still containing China and serving White House's wrong policies on China. U.S. magazine Foreign Affairs noted that the strategy of de-risking aims to limit China's abilities in strategic sectors that have national security implications, and reduce Beijing's leverage over the West by eroding Chinese dominance of the market for certain essential inputs.

In today's world, countries should be dependent on each other, and such interdependence doesn't mean insecurity. "De-risking" is indeed "diplomatic," but it cannot lift the United States out of the predicament in the country's economic relations with China. On one hand, the White House is aware that "de-coupling" hurts its own interests and remains unrealistic; on the other hand, it is not willing to abandon its obsession of taking China as an "imaginary enemy" and is seeking "de-coupling" in another form. Such a self-contradictory mindset would only confine the United States in a cage that it has built.

Free trade and division of labor are the result of growing social productivity, and the formation and development of the global industrial and supply chains an outcome of economic globalization and market economy. To strengthen division of labor and collaboration among countries amid economic globalization leads to common progress.

China makes opportunities, not risks. China is the world's second largest economy, biggest manufacturer, and largest trading country in goods. As a major trading partner for more than 140 countries and regions, it is continuously powering global growth.

The World Openness Report 2022 showed that China has made progress in its high-level opening up and constantly improved its openness index, becoming a key variable for economic globalization.

Gideon Rachman, chief foreign affairs commentator of the Financial Times, belies that de-risking trade with China is a risky business.

Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, chief economist of the International Monetary Fund warned that "de-risking" is political manipulation that hurts the stability of global industrial and supply chains, and impedes global sci-tech progress and economic development. What the international society should be watchful about and resist is the promotion of de-sinicization in the name of "de-risking," he said, adding that the trend of "de-risking" could see countries turn inward at the expense of global growth.

"There is a danger that the global economy could fragment into blocks," the economist noted.

One of the goals of the United States in hyping the strategy of "de-risking" is to mislead its allies and then form a clique that contains China in the realm of economy. However, U.S. allies are clear and vigilant about the fact that such political calculation would hurt their own interests.

According to a poll launched by the European Council on Foreign Relations in 11 EU countries, 43 percent of respondents see China as "a necessary partner," and there are more respondents believing cooperation with China would bring opportunities than those who think it creates risks.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stressed that European countries should view China more objectively, and both "decoupling" and "de-risking" would be a suicide committed by the European economy.

The biggest risk stems from non-cooperation and the biggest hidden security threat is non-development.

As the world is facing increasing instability and uncertainty, every country has its own security concerns. However, abusing the concept of national security and taking it as an excuse for promoting protectionism and containing other countries would only make risks riskier and lead to more and bigger problems.

The historical trend of economic globalization has never changed. Today, the rapid advance of new technologies such as digital technology and artificial intelligence, is creating more favorable conditions for economic globalization. The world should not, and cannot return to a state of seclusion or isolation.

Cooperation is the only way out and the best way to deal with difficulties and challenges. Countries should follow the trend of history, cement the consensus on development, and continue their efforts to build an open world economy. They should oppose the politicization of economic issues and work together to keep global industrial and supply chains stable and smooth, and deliver the fruits of globalization to different countries and groups of people in a more equitable way.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Shooting injures two men in Australia's Sydney

Sydney, July 7 (UNI) Police in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Friday that two men were injured following a public place shooting in Sydney's inner west.

According to a statement by NSW Police Force, at about 1:50 p.m. local time on Friday emergency service was called to a barbershop on Mauriceville Road, Mauriceville after gunshots had been reported.

Upon arrival, the police officer found two men suffering gunshot wounds. Both men were treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital for treatment.
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Improving employee productivity and collaboration is a top business objective, according to the 2023 Foundry Digital Business Study. But delivering these productive employee experiences can be challenging, especially with an increasingly distributed workforce. As more individuals use browser-based apps to get their work done, IT leaders need to provide seamless access to corporate apps and tools while minimizing security risks.

How can organizations improve employee experiences without compromising necessary governance and security controls? Thats the question we posed to the CIO Experts Network, a community of IT professionals, industry analysts, and other influencers. Here are their top tips.

Tip 1: Embrace the need for balance

Hybrid work models have shifted the goalposts for just about all organizational objectives, especially in terms of providing employee experiences that are both productive and secure. Traditional blanket policies that restrict access to apps outside the corporate firewall are no longer effective in a world where more applications and data are moving to the cloud, and more employees are accessing those apps from outside the office. Overly restrictive security controls can create friction for employees who need ready access to the apps and tools they need on a daily basis. IT and security teams must strike the proper balance between the two.

Dealing with the end-user experience and information security is a delicate balancing act, said Ben Rothke (@benrothke), Senior Information Security Manager at Tapad. This requires politics and persuasion on the part of the chief security officer.

Other experts agreed, and provided additional guidance:

Improving the experience of employees while maintaining security can be tricky. A security-by-design culture incorporates security measures deeply into the design and development of systems, rather than treating them as an afterthought. By building layers of security such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), regular security audits, and encrypting all data, companies can protect sensitive data while delivering a positive user experience.  Scott Schober (@ScottBVS), President/CEO at Berkeley Varitronics Systems Inc.

IT teams can enhance employee experience without compromising good governance and security controls by ensuring a good balance between usability, productivity, and the safeguarding of an organizations data and digital assets. There should be an optimal level of security controls, but these should not impede the employee experience or create friction in their workflows.  Kieran Gilmurray (@KieranGilmurray), CEO at Digital Automation and Robotics Ltd.

Tip 2: Get on the path to Zero Trust

Zero Trust security is one effective method for balancing productivity and protection, said Elitsa Krumova (@Eli_Krumova), Global Thought Leader and Tech Influencer. Adopting a strategy for single identity and access management not only assists with enforcing security policies organization-wide, but also optimizes the employee experience, Krumova said.

Zero Trust encompasses a variety of technologies and practices that IT teams can use to streamline access to information for authorized individuals.

Start with technologies like single sign-on and passwordless identity management to remove friction from daily routines, said Michael Bertha, Partner at Metis Strategy. To create a compounding effect on productivity, build self-service capabilities that provide role-based access to key data sets or visibility into cross-functional processes, for example.

Peter van Barneveld, Innovation Manager at Dustin, said that using a single, secure identity eliminates the need for multiple accounts and passwords, which simplifies user access to applications and resources. From an administrative and security perspective, this approach enables concentrated implementation of vital security measures and controls, such as [multi-factor authentication], conditional access, user access logging, and seamless integration of the identity into a security information and event management [SIEM] system, he said.

Tip 3: Embrace new technologies to enrich and secure employee experiences

Organizations are exploring many different ways that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including generative AI, can stimulate employee productivity and creativity. Finding the right use cases for AI while minimizing risk to the business requires collaboration between IT and the workforce. Heres what the experts had to say:

Employees seek productivity with versatile and easy-to-use technologies. They are expected to make smarter and faster decisions using data, analytics, and machine learning models. This often means having the freedom to experiment and use self-service technologies, which creates risks, such as security issues, unscalable processes, or the addition of technical debt. The key for IT to deliver improved employee experiences is to develop centers of excellence that communicate standards, develop best practices, and provide clear guidance on non-negotiable security requirements.  Isaac Sacolick (@nyike), President of StarCIO and author of Digital Trailblazer.

Employees adopt emerging technologies such as AI to get results they couldnt have dreamed of before. IT teams can meet or exceed employee experience expectations by vetting and adopting solutions that give employees the edge theyd hoped for while complying with governance and security requirements out of the box.  David Geer (@geercom), Thought-leader, cybersecurity expert

Companies with an appetite for experimentation can leverage generative AI to accelerate development of code, marketing collateral, and many other artifacts. Caution is king, however. Many organizations are reluctant to use generative AI without rigorous, human-centric quality control to ensure accuracy and limit risk.  Bertha

Tip 4: Adopt a continuous training strategy

IT security leaders recognize that cyberthreats and attack vectors continually evolve. However, staying ahead of cybercriminals is not Job 1 for employees who simply want to get their work done.

Within that context, its important to maintain regular, ongoing education and training, said the experts:

Continuously educate and engage. Regularly communicate with employees about the importance of security and governance controls. Offer training sessions, workshops, and awareness programs to educate employees on best practices.  Tom Allen, Founder, AI Journal

The most effective way forward is to educate employees on the necessity of security measures and explain to them that 15 seconds of additional typing or tapping a day will definitely save them hours or possibly days of downtime in the future.  Dipti Parmar (@dipTparmar), Chief Strategist at Dipti Parmar Consulting and Co-Founder at 99stairs.

In this regard, the enterprise browser can serve as a point of dialog between IT and business users to better understand each others needs. No one wants to be blocked from accessing a particular app or website, said Lorena Crowley, Head of Chrome Enterprise Marketing at Google. The browser becomes an educational opportunity for users to learn why an extension is blocked, and for admins to learn about why an extension or website is important for users to get their work done.

The enterprise browser as a centerpiece

Improving employee experiences without compromising security is a key objective for modern business. IT leaders are finding that the enterprise browser, once viewed as a simple utility, is playing an increasingly important role in meeting this goal.

As organizations move to web-based apps, the browser becomes more of a centerpiece of how and where work happens, said Crowley. IT and security teams need to be much more thoughtful about securing and managing these environments. At the end of the day, the enterprise browser can provide the sweet spot between users being able to access the things that they need to be productive, and the safeguards that need to be in place to protect corporate data.

See how you can empower your organization to work safely in the cloud with Google Chrome Enterprise.
Selectarea unui grup de traineri / unei companii de training pentru oferirea serviciilor de instruire in cadrul Scolii de Vara YouthBank editia 2023
Project Description

The EU4Moldova: focal regions Programme is based on the European Commission Implementing Decision on the Annual Action Programme 2018 in favour of the Republic of Moldova and is funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

The overall objective of the five-year programme is to strengthen the economic, territorial and social cohesion in the Republic of Moldova through facilitating inclusive, sustainable and integrated local socio-economic growth and improving the standards of living of the citizens in the pilot micro- regions.

To this end, this programme will address the urban-rural divide and regional disparities, stimulate economic growth and job creation, refurbish and upgrade some social and technical infrastructure in selected pilot micro-regions (smaller towns and villages) while taking into account a gender perspective in the activities of the programme.

Specific objectives:

1. To strengthen transparency, accountability of local public authorities and citizen participation in local governance processes in the pilot micro-regions,

2. To improve citizens' access to quality public services and utilities in the pilot micro-regions,

3. To create employment opportunities for men and women in the pilot micro-regions and improve the attractiveness of the pilot regions for investors and entrepreneurs,

4. To promote the smart specialization of the economy of the pilot micro regions through the development of the clustering and value chain approach in key economic sectors.

The programme objectives will be achieved through measures targeted at: (i) capacity building to support the implementation and monitoring of local economic development plans; (ii) civil society engagement in local planning, governance processes and basic social service delivery; (iii) provision of investment funding in support of the creation and/or development of social and technical infrastructure which, combined with the outcomes from interventions (i) and (ii) above, will have an immediate, visible and tangible impact on employment creation, the standard of living of the population in the pilot micro-regions.

Scope of work

Procurement:

Pro-actively contribute to day-to-day project implementation and ensure conformity to expected results and Programme work-plans;

In accordance with the Programme Work Plan support the Procurement Coordinator in procurement of equipment, supplies and services ensuring full compliance with UNDP rules and procedures;

Draft annual Programme procurement plan and keep it up to date, as well as draft periodical procurement reports based on inputs from Programme team;

Organize procurement processes, including preparation and conduct of micro-purchases, RFQs, ITBs or RFPs, by drafting bidding/selection documents (or address direct invitations to submit offer), receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary screening, participate at the negotiation of conditions of contracts, in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;

Support the Procurement Coordinator in organizing procurement processes with respect to individual consultancy services (ICs, RLAs, Rosters), coordinate receipt of applications and financial proposals, their preliminary screening, participate at the negotiation of financial proposals or contract conditions in full compliance with UNDP rules and regulations;

Prepare the submission packages to the Contract, Asset and Procurement Committee (CAP);

Draft contracts packages for goods and services for management approval;

Draw up and maintain evidence and monitoring of awards and contracts with project implementing partners, consulting organizations, contractors, etc.;

Maintain records on national/international consultants and their respective status (contracts, ToRs, and attendance  if appropriate, etc.) in accordance with corporate policies and procedures;

Monitor and draft in Quantum system suppliers performance with respect to the quality and timely delivery of goods/services;

Create and manage e-requisitions in QUANTUM;

Arrange for equipment maintenance and insurance as required, manage office stationary supplies;

Maintain an assets and spare inventory including verification and transfer when required and provide inputs for corporate reporting on assets and inventory.

Administrative management:

Assume responsibility for archiving Programme documents in accordance with UNDP SOP on archiving, transfer the packages to relevant UNDP CO focal person, as well as keep evidence of archived packages;

Prepare timely inputs to project reports in the area of responsibility as necessary;

Provide other administrative support when required by the Programme management.

Financial management:

Verify vendors information in Quantum and collect Vendor data forms for updating information to further submit for update in Quantum to the Procurement Coordinator

Institutional Arrangements

Summary of Key Functions:

Direct supervisor: Procurement Coordinator.

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Procurement Coordinator and Programme Manager, the incumbent contributes to an effective and efficient implementation of programme objectives through a range of actions contributing to the design, planning, management and monitoring of activities. The Procurement Assistant applies and promotes the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Procurement Assistant works in close collaboration with the Programme team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Core CompetenciesAchieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business management/Results-Based Management

Ability to manage projects and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results

Business management/Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Procurement/Data Management

Knowledge of processing, storing, and validating procurement data

Procurement/Contract Management

Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Procurement/Data Analysis

Ability to extract, analyse and visualize procurement data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

Procurement/Sourcing

Ability to find, evaluate and engage suppliers of goods and services

Administration & Operations/Documents and records Management

Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Secondary Education is required.

University Degree (Bachelors Degree) in economics, law, public administration, business administration or another related field will be given due consideration but is not a requirement.

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years (with Secondary Education) or two (2) years of experience (with Bachelors Degree) in administrative work, procurement, economics, experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO is required.

Previous experience with EU/UNDP is a strong advantage.

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling web-based management systems.

Required skill(s):

Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age sensitivity and adaptability.

Treats peers fairly by maintaining consistent values, inspiring trust and confidence through personal credibility.

Accepts responsibility and accountability for the quality of the outcome of his/her decisions.

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and ability to prioritize.

Desired additional skills:

Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work of the unit.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports and other documents.

Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs.

Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback.

Ability to achieve results and meet strict deadlines in an effective manner.

Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required language(s):

Fluency in oral and written English and Romanian.

Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Professional certificates:

Certification in procurement is an asset.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

UNDP is committed to workforce diversity. Women, persons with disabilities, Roma and other ethnic or religious minorities, persons living with HIV, as well as refugees and other non-citizens legally entitled to work in the Republic of Moldova, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Data de incheiere a postului vacant a fost extins pana la: 16 July 2023

Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply Now
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Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele
An employer owed no duty of care to the wife of an employee who was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19 that was carried home from the workplace by her husband, the California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

In a unanimous decision, the court held that such take-home COVID cases are not barred by workers compensation exclusive remedy. And in other circumstances, employers may be held responsible under California law for failing to mitigate against a foreseeable risk.

The high court, however, said the stakes are too high to impose liability on employers for failing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Imposing on employers a tort duty to each employees household members to prevent the spread of this highly transmissible virus would throw open the courthouse doors to a deluge of lawsuits that would be both hard to prove and difficult to cull early in the proceedings, the opinion said. Although it is foreseeable that employees infected at work will carry the virus home and infect their loved ones, the dramatic expansion of liability plaintiffs suit envisions has the potential to destroy businesses and curtail, if not outright end, the provision of essential public services.

The case decided the state Supreme Court was brought by the wife of a construction worker who was infected by COVID-19 and had to be hospitalized for several weeks, and part of that time was sustained by a respirator.

Corby Kuciemba alleges that her husband Robert brought the disease home to her after coming into close contact with infected co-workers at a construction site in San Francisco while working for Victory Woodkworks. Her lawsuit against Victory alleges that the company did not follow safety protocols when it transferred workers who may have been exposed to the virus to her husbands jobsite.

The Kuciembas sued Victory in San Francisco County Superior Court. The case was removed to the US District Court for Northern California in San Francisco. The District Court dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the claim was barred by workers compensation exclusive remedy, the Kuciembas did not plead a plausible claim and that Victorys duty to provide a safe workplace did not extend to nonemployees.

The Kuciembas appealed. The 9th District Court of Appeals accepted review and sent the California Supreme Court two certified questions. In short, those were:

1. Is the claim barred by exclusive remedy?

2. Does an employer owe a duty of care under California law to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to employees household members?

The Supreme Court said the answer to both questions is no. While exclusive remedy does not bar claims by household members against employers who are exposed to an illness, society cannot afford a finding that employers owe a duty of care to prevent the spread of a disease during a pandemic, the court said.

We conclude that, although the transmission of COVID-19 to household members is a foreseeable consequence of an employers failure to take adequate precautions against the virus in the workplace, policy considerations ultimately require an exception to the general duty of care in this context, the opinion says.

William A. Bogdan, an attorney who represented Victory Woodworks, said the Supreme Court agreed with two of his three main arguments. While the court rejected his reasoning that exclusive remedy bars Corby Kuciembas claim, it agreed that employers have no duty of care to protect household members from pandemics and that a decision for the plaintiff would be devastating for employers.

California almost always sides with the injured party allegedly harmed by the business, said Bogdan, a partner with Hinshaw & Culbertson in San Francisco. Here, they recognized the potential to allow these suits would bring business to a crawl or a complete halt.

The US Chamber of Commerce and other business groups made similar arguments in amicus briefs.

Alan Charles DellArio, an attorney in Napa who wrote an amicus brief on behalf of the Consumer Attorneys of California, said the Supreme Court created an exception to the general duty that everyone else has to follow the law. He said Corby Kuciemba contracted COVID-19 because her husbands employer violated a safety order.

No evidence existed to support the courts supposed flood of litigation or other negative consequences that it supposed would have ensued had it refused to excuse the employers safety violation here, he said in an email.

Workers compensation defense attorneys John Kamin and Louis A. Larres, both with the Bradford and Barthel law firm in Southern California, posted an analysis of the decision hours after the Supreme Court posted it online. They said generally public policy arguments are a long shot, but in this case they worked. The opinion even cites an amicus brief filed by the Construction Employers Association.

As amicus curiae CEA aptly put it, If there was ever a floodgates situation, this is it, the opinion says. Courts would have to manage a very large number of suits, and variations in individual exposure history would make it difficult, if not impossible, for the cases to be grouped into collective or class actions.

The California Supreme Court noted that three federal district courts, applying state laws in Wisconsin, Illinois and Maryland, have also declined to recognize a duty for employers to prevent the spread of COVID19 outside the workplace.
A New Jersey business is not liable for injuries suffered by a customer who falls in its snow-covered parking lot in the middle of a snowstorm, before the lot can be cleared.

A Costco Wholesale store in North Plainfield, and its snow removal contractor, have been cleared of liability for a patrons injuries due to the ongoing storm rule.

A state Superior Court appeals panel has fully upheld a trial court that cited the state Supreme Court in its ruling that commercial landowners do not have a duty to remove the accumulation of snow and ice until the conclusion of the storm. That rule was articulated in a 2021 case, Pareja v. Princeton International Properties.

The customer had maintained that the ongoing storm rule applies only to public property, not private property, and that Costco had exacerbated the risk of harm by not letting her walk to her car with the support of her shopping cart. But those arguments melted away before both the trial and appellate courts.

In March 2018, Carol Smith fell outside of Costco, injuring herself. On the day of the incident, the Governor had declared a state of emergency for all of New Jersey due to a major snowstorm. After 12:00 p.m., snowfall became heavy, accumulating at a rate of one to two inches per hour. A total of approximately eight inches of snow accumulated throughout the duration of the storm.

During the storm, Smith drove to Costco, parked in the parking lot, and went inside to shop. The storefront was not far from where she parked her vehicle. Her receipt demonstrates she left the store at 2:13 p.m.

Smith left the store, carrying only her purse, to get her car, intending to drive it back to the entranceway, and load the items she bought into her vehicle before she drove home. She stated she was told by a store employee to leave her cart in the exit way of the store. As she walked to her vehicle, she slipped backwards and fell in the area between the entrance doors and red bollards prior to entering the parking lot, injuring herself. There were several inches of snow on the ground when she fell.

Costco sought summary judgement by arguing that the situation was on all fours with the state high courts ruling in Pareja. The trial court agreed that Costco and its landscaper did not owe a duty of care to remove the snow from the area where Smith fell because the snowstorm was still ongoing at the time of her incident, concluding hours later.

The trial court, based on a plain reading of the rule, rejected Smiths argument that Pareja only applies to public property. In the trial courts view, to limit the ongoing storm rule in this manner would be inapposite to its purpose of relieving commercial landowners from the impracticability of clearing snow and ice during an ongoing storm.

The trial court also found no evidence that either Costco or the snow removal contractor exacerbated the risk of harm to Smith.

The appeals court noted that a commercial landowners duty to maintain safe premises extends to any area in which invitees are expected to go and requires them to protect an invitee from known or reasonably discoverable dangers. Specifically, a commercial landowner has a duty to dispose of snow and ice in its parking lots and walkways.

However, the state Supreme Court, in holding that commercial landowners do not have a duty to remove the accumulation of snow and ice until the conclusion of the storm, relieved commercial landowners of the duty to continuously clear snow and ice from their property throughout the duration of an inclement winter weather event.

Such a duty does not consider the size, resources, and ability of individual commercial landowners or recognize that what may be reasonable for larger commercial landowners may not be reasonable  or even possible  for smaller ones. While we trust juries to uphold their duties to evaluate reasonableness, we do not wish to submit every commercial landowner to litigation when it is not feasible to provide uniform, clear guidance as to what would be reasonable. We decline to impose a duty that cannot be adhered to by all commercial landowners, the high court wrote.

The high court specifically described the ongoing storm rule as suspending a landowners duty until a reasonable time after the cessation of precipitation and said the landowners duty arises within a reasonable time after the storm.

In Smiths case, it is undisputed that her slip-and-fall occurred during the snowstorm. In fact, the storm did not end until many hours after she fell. Thus, the ongoing storm rule applies, relieving the defendants of any duty of care they may have owed plaintiff, the appeals court concluded.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP)  Two firefighters were killed and five others injured battling a blaze that began deep inside a docked cargo ship carrying more than a thousand vehicles, officials said Thursday.

Responding firefighters found five to seven vehicles already on fire when they reached the 10th floor of the cargo ship at Port Newark around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The blaze quickly extended to the 11th and 12th floors, and as firefighters were pushed back by the intense heat, two of them were lost, Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said at a news conference at the port, where the fire was still burning early Thursday,

Firefighters werent initially able to find their colleagues. Outside rescue companies from around the state were called in. Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, were found and removed from the structure but unfortunately they lost their lives, Jackson said.

Three Newark firefighters and two Elizabeth firefighters were treated for injuries including smoke inhalation. All were expected to recover, but their names and details on their conditions were not disclosed.

Marine traffic trackers show the Italian-flagged Grande Costa dAvorio, which was built in 2011, arrived from the Port of Baltimore several days earlier. Grimaldi Deep Sea said the fire broke out on the ship`s 10th deck as its 28 crew members and local stevedores were completing the loading of more than 1,200 new and used cars, vans and trucks bound for West Africa.

The companys statement said the crew immediately activated on-board fire suppression procedures and the local firefighting service was alerted, triggering a prompt response that was crucial to containing and controlling the blaze. It also said that no electric cars nor hazardous cargo is on board, no fuel spills have been detected, and the stability of the ship was not been compromised.

The Grimaldi Group statement said the cause of the fire isnt known, but it will investigate in cooperation with authorities.

Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of two Newark firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka called it tragic for all firefighters who know what it means to go in a burning structure in a danger that you are going to have to experience when you do so.

Shipboard firefighting is a unique skill and Newark firefighters dont commonly face this kind of fire, Jackson said. He said they trained on ships before, but it was a vessel that had compartments and living quarters, not a ship like this.

Although this is a difficult fire, a different type of fire, they`re still willing to put themselves on the line for others, the chief said. This is a unique service that were in. We love what we do. We love each other and we protect each other. Its unfortunate when we have loss. This is a tragedy. This is something that I as a chief never want to face, but we have to be there, we have to be strong for the family at this point.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it will investigate the ship fire, but the Coast Guard is taking the lead, said Jennifer Gabris, an NTSB spokeswoman. The NTSB has authority to investigate maritime accidents.

Top photo: In this image taken from video, smoke rises from a cargo ship early Thursday, July 6, 2023, in the port of Newark, New Jersey. Two firefighters were killed battling the blaze that began when cars caught fire deep inside the ship carrying 5,000 cars at the port, Newarks fire chief said. (WABC-TV via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Midwest retailer Meijer is looking to partner with Black entrepreneurs interested in showcasing their products in Meijer outlets.

The family-owned and operated company is hosting a one-day business summit during Augusts Black Business Month to establish connections between small Black business owners looking to expand their brand and Meijer merchants in an effort to create more supplier diversity for the Meijer chain.

The retailer currently operates more than 500 stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. There are currently 10 Meijer stores operating in Northeast Ohio, with an 11th slated to open adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic later this year.

Greater Cleveland is home to hundreds of small Black-owned businesses. Find where you can support local Black-owned businesses in the cleveland.com Black-owned business directory.

Meijer is utilizing Black Business Month as a way to reach Black entrepreneurs, who currently have retail-ready products, to take part in a one-day summit at Meijers Michigan headquarters on August 13.

In celebration of Black Business Month this August, the Summit is aimed to highlight the achievements, contributions, and economic impact made by Black entrepreneurs and business owners, said Carla Hendon, director of Supplier Diversity at Meijer, in a press release. This event also gives Black-owned businesses the opportunity to demonstrate the quality, uniqueness, and value of their products directly to our buyers.

Participating vendors will take part in a virtual mentorship preparation session on July 17, which will provide guidance on how to prepare for the event.

During the in-person summit, Black business owners will display their merchandise, have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Meijer merchants to pitch their products and answer questions, and receive direct feedback.

Interested black-owned businesses which manufacture, or grow, retail-ready products can register here by July 14.
UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio -- It was back in October 2018 that City Council approved a rebranding program and new city logo. Council and Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan envisioned that soon after, new welcoming signs would be posted around the city to replace the old, weathered, peeling City of Beautiful Homes signs.

COVID-19, however, played a big part in delaying the new signs from appearing. Council, unsure of funding during the pandemic, delayed spending the $100,000 to purchase the distinctive, mosaic-style signs.

A new pole-mounted sign welcoming visitors to University Heights. (Photo Courtesy of City of University Heights)

After a long wait, the time has finally arrived for those newly purchased signs to go up. As of Thursday (July 6), seven new signs had been posted, with another eight soon to be installed.

Perhaps no one is happier to see the new signs on the streets than Brennan who, upon taking office in January 2018, had spoken of the need to freshen up the citys look -- and in ways that not only included new signs, but a new city hall.

As dusk falls, the setting sun lights the "stained glass" portion of this welcoming sign. (Photo Courtesy of City of University Heights)

The signs were a long time coming, and now that theyre finally being installed, they exceed my expectations, Brennan said this week.

More importantly, the response from University Heights residents has been overwhelmingly positive.

Plans call for two gateway signs to be installed; another 10 smaller, secondary gates signs; and five pole-mounted secondary gateway signs. Walter Stinson Park, off Fenwick Road, will also get new signage.

The signs were designed by Guide Studio, whose design consultant Kevin Fromet said, The University Heights brand represents the community mosaic, and it is great to see that come to life in the physical environment.

Translating the brand into signage provided an opportunity to create a more dynamic brand experience. The transparent colors in the signage are meant to mimic stained glass, allowing light and scenery to show through in various ways depending on time of day, location, and the viewers vantage point.

Displeased with worn wooden welcoming signs like this one, Mayor Michael Dylan Brennan, while waiting for new signs to arrive, had some -- such as this weathered sign -- removed. (Jeff Piorkowski, special to cleveland.com)

Read more from the Sun Press.
BERREA, Ohio -- A Lakewood man, 19, and a Cleveland man, 18, were cited for disorderly conduct June 30 in connection with a road rage incident in which the younger man was injured.

Police patrolling Bagley Road near Beech Street noticed the men arguing outside their cars at about 11:30 p.m. Both cars were badly damaged; an airbag in one of the cars had deployed.

The younger man had blood, most of it dried, on his face and clothes. Paramedics took him to Southwest General Health Center in Middleburg Heights.

The men gave police conflicting stories regarding several crashes that had occurred on Interstate 71 near Interstate 480 in Brook Park.

The older man told police that road rage erupted after the younger mans car cut off his car on I-71 southbound. He said the younger mans car hit his car three times and followed him to the Bagley-Beech intersection in Berea.

The older man said he pulled his car in front of the younger mans car to stop him on Bagley. Then both men jumped out of their cars and started fighting.

The younger man told police that it was the older mans car that hit his car several times on the freeway.

He said he did not fight the older man, but the older man punched him several times. The younger man sustained head and wrist injuries.

Read more from the News Sun.
BEREA, Ohio -- Because its service area for military veterans has expanded well beyond Berea, the Veterans Outreach Office is now known as the Northern Ohio Veterans Association (NOVA).

Berea Mayor Cyril Kleem, who initially began the Veterans Outreach Office several years ago, explained in greater detail what led to the name change.

Our services, whether its a hospice situation or for a nursing home, have been requested by communities all over Northeast Ohio and outside our county, Kleem told cleveland.com.

The biggest part of what we do  is spiritual care and informal counseling with veterans, and it is being demanded everywhere.

He noted that visits are also made to schools to conduct flag-folding and other programs for students.

Were serving 10 nursing homes on a regular basis, and almost all of them are outside of Berea, Kleem said. In addition, we take a lot of calls from all over from people who have questions about veterans benefits or other things.

(The name) Northern Ohio Veterans Association better reflects what we do.

A staff of volunteers from lots of different cities split the work to cover all the requests, he added. Chaplain Willie Springer, a Vietnam War veteran, serves as outreach coordinator.

Kleem acknowledged that many organizations honor and assist veterans, but he believes NOVA provides something the others do not.

The main way we help is through veteran-to-veteran spiritual care, counseling and support, Kleem said. Willie is a certified chaplain and received extensive training, including a Master of Divinity degree. Plus, he was a chaplain in the hospice industry. He is a professional who knows how to handle these things.

NOVA will file for a 501(c)(3) federal IRS designation, which Kleem said will help with financial support needed to better serve the increasing number of requests for assistance outside of Berea.

As (the demand) keeps on growing, I cant strictly use city funding to provide services to other cities in the region, Kleem said.

But at the same time, I dont want to say no to the veterans. So, this is our way of bringing in some additional dollars to fund these extra costs of moving outside of Berea.

Read more stories from the News Sun.
ORANGE, Ohio -- Often dispatched to local hotels for various incidents along Orange Place Drive, police recently checked in on everything from a man trashing his room and threatening to jump off the fifth floor to a minivan crash-landing on top of an Audi.

Along the way, officers briefly pursued a fleeing stolen Jeep and arrested a couple of grifters getting a room on someone elses bonus points.

Not a rock star

When police responded to a report of a man in distress at the Hampton Inn on the evening of June 29, staff told officers he was upstairs going crazy, throwing stuff and destroying the room.

On the way up, police heard him shouting and throwing objects against the wall.

Once the Garfield Heights man, 57, removed the furniture barricading the door, police found the room disheveled, with a hunting knife on the table next to a liquor bottle.

The window was busted out, with glass shards strewn about on the floor and in the parking lot five stories down. The thermostat and smoke detector had both been removed and destroyed.

The man appeared to be manic, paranoid and in crisis, so police handcuffed him for his own safety. He said he felt he was being watched and that he had broken the window because he wanted to jump.

He was taken to Ahuja Medical Center for a psychiatric evaluation.

Bon voyage

The next morning -- June 30 -- police were called to the Pinecrest AC Marriott after the front desk clerk reported that she had gotten a call from an irate man in North Carolina threatening to shoot up the hotel -- including her, she said -- due to someone renting a room using his accumulated rewards, or Bonvoy points.

Police went to the room in question and smelled both smoked and raw marijuana.

A Cleveland man, 32, who answered the door -- falsely claiming that someone inside the room was the North Carolina mans brother -- had multiple warrants, including a felony probation violation that landed him a cell at the Cuyahoga County Jail.

A Maple Heights woman, 31, had several misdemeanor warrants in her hometown and was turned over to police there.

Hotel staff placed both on a restricted list preventing them from renting rooms.

The North Carolina man later apologized to police, saying he never intended to shoot the clerk and was just upset that someone had obtained his personal information.

Flock hit

Just after midnight July 1, a patrol officer stopped at the light on Chagrin Boulevard noticed a black Jeep Cherokee turn south onto Orange Place just as a Flock Safety camera alert went out that it was stolen.

The officer soon located the Jeep at the Extended Stay North, where a woman passenger was getting out, and turned on the cruisers emergency lights. The suspect stopped twice, at one point asking, What did I do?

One thing he didnt do was place both hands in the air, as instructed by the officer, who had unholstered his firearm.

Instead, the driver, looking to be in his 40s, shut his car door, took off and was last seen merging onto Interstate 271 northbound, where he turned all of the vehicles lights off.

Police went back to check on the woman who had gotten out of the stolen Jeep. The night clerk could not remember what room she was in when she renewed her key card.

Off the wall

Officers returned to the Extended Stay North around 5:45 p.m. July 1 on a report of a car running into a tree and a fence.

They found a Ukrainian man, 40, who had recently immigrated to the U.S. with his wife and two kids, ages 7 and 3.

They were all in the 2011 Dodge Journey when he hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, sending the van not only through the metal fence, but over the retaining wall into the lower adjacent parking lot of LJI Collision.

No injuries were reported as the minivan came to rest on top of a 2020 Audi in the LJI lot. The van was removed from the roof of the Audi by a towing company. The man provided his Ukrainian drivers license and a State Farm Insurance policy.

Police told him he would be responsible for the fence, the tree and the Audi.

Good Samaritan

Back on the morning of June 27, police were called to the Drury Inn & Suites, where they met with an East Hanover, N.J., woman, who had parked her Toyota Sienna in the parking lot closest to the building the previous night at 11 p.m.

When she returned the next morning, she found damage to her vehicles left rear side and bumper. As a result, she could not get the wheelchair ramp down at first, although a Drurys maintenance worker was able to help her access the ramp and the van.

Hotel management planned to review the overnight security video.

Get police blotters by email every weekday for free with our new Police Blotter newsletter. Sign up at cleveland.com/newsletters

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.
Caution: The video above includes graphic images of an animal being shot.

CLEVELAND, Ohio  Community members are distraught after a Lorain police officer shot and killed a familys dog. The animal was harmless, residents say.

Owner Tammie Kerns said she and her daughter were trying to gather her four dogs that got loose from her house near Oberlin Avenue and West 8th Street on Sunday afternoon when a police officer instructed her to get them under control.

In the officers body camera footage released by Lorain police, one of Kerns dogs approaches the officer and walks away.

Shortly after, Kerns yellow labrador retriever, Dixie, approaches, and the officer shoots the dog. The officer fires his gun at least once while the dog is crawling in the street after attempting to get away.

She was paralyzed after one bullet, but he just kept shooting her. He shot her four times, Kerns said in an interview with cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.

She added that she thought he was getting out of his vehicle to help her.

This was excessive force. It was terrifying. He could have tased her or used mace. But he immediately reached for his gun, she said. The dogs got out once before and that officer opened his backdoor to help me get them back.

Kerns said she bought Dixie in 2020 and described her as a loving animal who liked to play in the pool and with children.

A number of neighbors gathered around as the dog died. The neighbors yelled at the officer for shooting the animal, saying she was harmless.

Your dog charged me, the officer says in the video.

Angry residents joined Kerns and her family at the Lorain police station Friday to protest police and demand justice for Dixie.

Kimberly Goddard, Dick Goddards daughter, is urging authorities to follow the state law named after her father. The law, passed in 2016, makes the harming of an animal a fifth-degree felony.

This was animal abuse, she said. Some people are just not meant to be police officers.

Lorain police said the incident is being investigated by the departments Office of Professional Standards. Police Chief James McCann is also working with several outside expert consultants to review the case.

Kerns said she plans to file a lawsuit against the Lorain police and wants the officer who gunned down the dog to be fired. A vigil is planned for noon Sunday at Oberlin and West 8th Street.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. FDA on Thursday granted full approval to the first medicine thats shown to modestly slow the cognitive decline caused by Alzheimers.

Approval by the Food and Drug Administration clears the way for Medicare and other insurance plans to begin covering treatment using the drug, an IV medication known as Leqembi.

Todays action is the first verification that a drug targeting the underlying disease process of Alzheimers disease has shown clinical benefit in this devastating disease, Teresa Buracchio, acting director of the Office of Neuroscience in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, told The Washington Post.

This confirmatory study verified that it is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Alzheimers disease, Buracchio said.

Medicare will cover 80 percent of Leqembis $26,500 cost, The New York Times reported. Patients, though, still could be billed thousands of dollars in co-payments.

Medicare administrator, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, said in a statement Thursday that while the program will begin paying for the drug now that it has full FDA approval, the government is also setting extra requirements, including enrollment in a federal registry to track the drugs real-world safety and effectiveness, The AP reported.

Medicare will cover this medication broadly while continuing to gather data that will help us understand how the drug works, Brooks-LaSure said.

The newly approved drug is not without risks.

Prescribing information will carry the most serious type of warning, indicating that Leqembi can cause brain swelling and bleeding, side effects that can be dangerous in rare cases, The Associated Press said. The label notes those problems are seen with other plaque-targeting Alzheimers drugs.

The risks are very vivid, Dr. Jason Karlawish, a co-director of the University of Pennsylvanias Penn Memory Center, told The Times. Karlawish said he will prescribe Leqembi after carefully evaluating patients and explaining the potential pros and cons.

Within the first few months, you may have small bleeds or swelling in your brain, which may or may not be symptomatic and if not detected in time can cause disability, Karlawish said. In contrast, the benefits of slowing are subtle. Youre not going to experience the perception of changes in your cognition or function in the same amount of time.

Japanese drugmaker Eisai received conditional approval from the FDA in January based on early results suggesting Leqembi worked by clearing a sticky brain plaque linked to the disease.

The FDA confirmed those results by reviewing data from a larger, 1,800-patient study in which the drug slowed memory and thinking decline by about five months in those who got the treatment, compared to those who got a dummy drug.

In the United States, about 1.5 million people are estimated to be in the beginning phases of Alzheimers. Many more  about 5 million  have progressed too far to be eligible for Leqembi, The Times said.

Alex Scott, Eisais executive vice president of integrity, said the company recommends patients stop using Leqembi once they develop moderate Alzheimers disease.

We want to ensure that appropriate patients only are the ones that get this product, Scott told The AP.

Eisai has told investors that about 100,000 Americans could be diagnosed and eligible to receive Leqembi by 2026. The drug is co-marketed with Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Biogen.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  A Cleveland woman has been accused of murder after her 27-day-old baby died Tuesday from a head injury. The babys father and another man were also arrested.

Diamond Caldwell, 21, took her unresponsive baby, Deonte D. Hairston, to MetroHealth Medical Center. The child was pronounced dead about 8:20 a.m., according to court records.
Rotunda Rumblings

Somebodys watching you: The campaign group working to defeat State Issue 1 is using a voter shaming technique that political scientists have found can boost turnout but also warn can be off-putting to those who receive them. As Andrew Tobias writes, a mailer from One Person One Vote includes routine voting information, but also contains an ominous message: Whom you vote for is private, but whether or not you vote is a matter of public record. We will be reviewing public records following the election to determine whether or not you joined your neighbors in voting. Similar messages have popped up in elections in recent years, including in the 2018 special election to fill Ohios 12th congressional seat.

Build it: Lawmakers in the recently passed state budget include a $150 million tax credit that flows to developers building affordable rental housing and single-family homes as an answer to Ohios current housing shortage. Jake Zuckerman reports that builders see the credits, which nearly died in a hostile Senate, as a promising start but not a final solution.

Form reform: Ohio is about to hold its first statewide election since implementing a slew of elections changes. Per Tobias, one of the lesser-noticed ones is causing problems in Cuyahoga County. Elections officials there say that they had to reject roughly 30 absentee ballot applications after the voters used a version of the application that was published in a local community newspaper. House Bill 458, passed by lawmakers in December, requires that voters either use a state mandated form, or a county form that has been approved by the state. Voter-rights advocates want to get the word out about the new rules ahead of early voting, which begins on Tuesday for the Aug. 8 special election.

The old college try: U.S. Sen. JD Vance, a Cincinnati Republican, on Thursday sent a letter to the presidents of all Ivy League universities, as well as Ohios Oberlin and Kenyon colleges, to express concern about their openly defiant and potentially unlawful reaction to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned race-based college admissions preferences, Sabrina Eaton reports. His letter advises them to retain admissions documents in anticipation of future congressional investigations into any efforts they might make to covertly defy the ruling and asks that they provide him with answers to questions that include: If you have publicly committed to an interest in diversity, how will you ensure that your commitment to that value does not entail direct or indirect race-based preferences?

Bucking the tide: Vance is challenging the GOPs pro-business, free-market ideology by teaming up with Democrats on legislation to rein in big banks, strengthen rail safety requirements and curb airline fees, Politico writes. Fueled by former President Donald Trump, its upending conservative politics and stirring tensions within the party about how it approaches the economy, the publication reports.

Attack of the clones: U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat who chairs the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, on Thursday joined several of his Democratic colleagues in a letter that urged Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Rohit Chopra to protect consumers from the use of voice cloning technology in financial scams. Their letter said the new technology could worsen existing scams by allowing fraudsters to generate voice clips to convincingly impersonate friends, family, or potentially even financial advisors and bank employees. The letter asks CFPB to review risks posed by the new technology and take action under the CFPBs existing authorities to protect consumers.

Railing for change: Brown joined with Pennsylvanias Democratic U.S. Senators in a Thursday letter that endorsed a proposed U.S. Transportation Department rule that would require railroads to proactively push real-time information regarding the contents of train cars available to emergency responders in the event of a derailment or other accident. The letter says the Norfolk Southern train derailment along the Ohio-Pennsylvania border shows why the change is needed. We owe it to the first responders of East Palestine, Darlington Township, and the surrounding areas in Ohio and Pennsylvania to ensure that the information-sharing failures of this derailment, which put first responders needlessly and irresponsibly in additional danger, do not happen again, it says.

For the birds: U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a South Russell Republican, joined with a bipartisan group of U.S. House of Representatives members to introduce legislation called the Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2023 that would reauthorize a current program that provides grants for habitat conservation, research and monitoring, and community outreach and education. Ohio is a haven for bird watchers, especially along Lake Erie, said a statement from Joyce that noted birdwatching draws more than 120,000 visitors to Ohio each year and contributes more than $20 million to local economies.

Educational opportunity: An Ohio political consultant has registered a company he (half seriously) hopes will provide him with a business opportunity. Bobby Ina, of the Cleveland area, has incorporated Prison School LLC, which he said will offer consulting services to politicos facing the prospect of landing behind bars. I knew a bunch of people who have been to federal prison, and Im anticipating a lot of arrests coming, Ina said in an interview. And Columbus has never been through a corruption probe before. So if youre going to plead guilty, youre going to have questions about prison. And instead of watching a Netflix special, were going to give advice. Ina, who sparred with ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder and his allies, is referencing the potential the House Bill 6 scandal has to spiral.

Buckeye Brain Tease

Question: An Ohio county was named for someone who at the time was the last-surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. What is the county and who was its namesake?

Email your response to capitolletter@cleveland.com. The first correct respondent will be mentioned in next weeks newsletter.

Thanks to everyone who responded to last weeks trivia question:

The General Assembly named flint, a variety of quartz, the states official gemstone in 1965. However, another rock is famous in Ohio for being one of the worlds largest geodes. What is the rock and where is it located?

Last weeks answer: Crystal Cave at Put-In-Bay contains a blueish mineral called celestite. The geode is located beneath the surface of a winery.

Capitol Letter reader Michael Farley, a Worthington resident and vice-president of government affairs/general counsel for the Ohio Insurance Institute, was the first to provide the correct answer.

Tick-Tock

The countdown is on for the special election to decide State Issue 1, a state constitutional amendment that would make it harder to pass future amendments. Here are some key dates to remember.

Voter registration deadline... 3 days (July 10)

Start of early voting... 4 days (July 11)

Election Day... 32 days (Aug. 8)

Birthdays

Friday, 7/7: Tim Bally, Ohio House assistant sergeant at-arms; Bettina Hahn-Lawson, senior project manager for Government Resource Center; Beth Vanderkooi, executive director, Columbus Right to Life; Kelsey Woolard, manager of governmental affairs, Governmental Policy Group; James E. Campbell, Ohios 38th governor (1843-1924); A. Victory Donahey, Ohios 50th governor (1873-1946); ex-state Rep. John Patterson

Saturday, 7/8: Mehek Cooke, political strategist and former Ohio House candidate

Sunday, 7/9: Ryan Gies, former Ohio Department of Youth Services director; Sheryl Maxfield, Ohio Department of Commerce director; Stephen Caraway, services corporation manager for the County Commissioners Association of Ohio

Straight From The Source

The objective data says you have about a 0% chance of ever being president of the United States.

MSNBC personality Joy Reid in a TikTok video aimed at Vivek Ramaswamy, the Ohio entrepreneur running for the Republican presidential nomination. Reid was responding to a Twitter post that Ramaswamy directed at her describing his views on affirmative action.

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Contrary to what its backers suggest, State Issue 1 would make it much tougher for Ohioans to amend their state constitution than it is for voters in most of the other states with citizen-initiated amendment powers. That is, Issue 1 wont conform Ohios rules to other states; Issue 1 would make Ohio an outlier.

Statehouse Republicans are pushing Issue 1 precisely because it would get in the way of voter-petitioned constitutional amendments in Ohio by making it much harder to get an amendment on the ballot in the first place -- then requiring 60% approval rather than the current majority.

For a legislature that has failed to pass a single new ethics law in the wake of the House Bill 6/FirstEnergy/Larry Householder racketeering scandal, putting up roadblocks for citizens trying to check a legislature beholden to special interests is precisely what Statehouse insiders want.

They want to make it much harder for voters to pass any future citizen-initiated amendments, whether on abortion, gerrymandering or other topics.

Since 1912, voter passage of a citizen-initiated state constitutional amendment has required yes votes from a majority of voters voting on the question. Backers of Issue 1 falsely suggest the 50% requirement makes Ohio an exception -- an easy-passage exception -- among the 17 states which grant voters the power to initiate proposed state constitutional amendments.

Thats not true: Only three of the 17 states (Colorado, at 55%, Illinois and Florida at 60%) require more than simple majority statewide votes for all citizen-initiated constitutional amendments. There are buts: Colorado allows a constitutional provision to be repealed with a majority vote. Illinois lets a measure pass if it gets a simple majority vote as measured against all voters voting in that election, not just on that issue. Florida requires a 66% margin for new taxes, but 60% on all other constitutional amendments.

Among the other 14 states, Arizona requires a 60% vote only for tax hikes; all other amendatory measures require a simple majority. Nevada requires passage by a majority vote in two successive elections.

Oregon, interestingly enough, requires a supermajority vote only when its equal to any supermajority voting requirements in a proposed amendment, cleveland.coms Andrew J. Tobias reports, citing the National Counference of State Legislatures.

In other words, if Oregons requirement were in effect in Ohio, Issue 1s passage would need 60% of the vote, not just the simple majority its backers hope for.

But a majority vote versus a 60% vote isnt the most egregious Issue 1 comparison point with other states.

Issue 1 would also make it much harder to petition for constitutional amendments in the first place.

Ohios current requirement has two prongs: First, the total number of signatures must equal at least 10% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election. Currently that number, based on the 2022 governors race, is 413,487 signatures. (The 10% requirement doesnt change under Issue 1.) Additionally, signatures equal to 5% of a countys gubernatorial vote must be gathered in 44 counties.

Issue 1 would significantly toughen the rules for gathering sufficient signatures. First, Issue 1 would extend the 5% requirement to all 88 counties, arguably giving voters in even tiny counties the opportunity to road-block amendments before they ever could reach the statewide ballot. No other state requires voter signatures from every county to qualify proposed amendments for the ballot, Tobias reports.

Then, under current law, if petitioners fail to turn in enough valid signatures, theyre allowed a ten-day cure period to collect additional signatures. Issue 1 would abolish the cure period.

All told, Tobias recently reported, the Issue 1 signature requirements would impose one of the biggest roadblocks in the country for citizens who want to change their state constitutions. Some critics say it would make it a near impossible task to qualify for the ballot, much less win 60% of the vote.

Issue 1 is a solution in search of a problem cooked up by Statehouse insiders to defang the citizen initiative powers Ohioans have had for 111 years to check a corrupt legislature. It also would extend to proposed constitutional amendment ballot issues the same curse extreme gerrymandering imposes in the legislature: rule by a political minority.

Voters who want a voice on Issue 1, make note of two upcoming dates: Next Monday, July 10, is the last day to register to vote or update registrations for the Aug. 8 special election. And early, in-person voting begins the next day, Tuesday, July 11.

About our editorials: Editorials express the view of the editorial board of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization.

Have something to say about this topic?

* Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication.

* Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this editorial to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com
CNBC's Jim Cramer told investors on Thursday not to get distracted by "nonsense" this week and focus on Friday's June labor report.

Cramer said he thinks matters such as Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to China and the OPEC meeting won't impact the market as much as some people believe. Cramer said he doubts Yellen's talks will lead to any resolutions of consequence to the market, and that OPEC's decisions hold little weight while Russia continues to wage war in Ukraine.

"I know it's hard to believe that not everything is consequential," Cramer said. "There are lots of things that might be important in another context, but they're meaningless to you when it comes to the stock market  and they hurt you. They hurt you, and I don't want that to happen."

Instead, Cramer suggested investors keep their eyes on the June labor report, which will be released on Friday. The report is expected to show a red-hot job market, and Cramer said it is likely the market will get "clobbered" and the Federal Reserve will then raise rates "with abandon."

"So much of what passes for wisdom on Wall Street is totally meaningless," Cramer said. "We listen to Fed governors and presidents to divine ideas, but they don't matter because there's no majority on the Open Market Committee  the only one worth listening to is [Fed Chair Jerome] Jay Powell. I say you just tune them out, minimize the confusion."

He also recommended that investors raise cash and ring the register on stocks that have tallied solid gains.

"Don't fall for stupid nonsense," he said. "There's a lot more of it out there than you might think, and given the run we've just had, it's important to be careful and, like our [CNBC Charitable Trust], take some darn profits already."
Levi's CEO Chip Bergh told CNBC's Jim Cramer he is optimistic about the company's business in Asia, especially China, where he business is ramping up as consumers return after Covid lockdowns.

"Asia is a bright spot this quarter for sure, and that is definitely helped by China," Bergh said. "We have taken our expectations for Asia up for the second half of the year, in part, largely driven by the strength that we're seeing in China, and that will help offset this weakness, partially offset this weakness, that we're seeing in US wholesale."

Levi's reported earnings on Thursday after the market's close, narrowly beating Wall Street's estimates while seeing a major drop in its U.S. wholesale market. The retailer drastically cut its profit outlook for the rest of the year, expecting adjusted earnings per share of $1.10 to $1.20, compared to a previous range of $1.30 to $1.40. Shares dropped more than 6% in after-hours trading.

However, according to Bergh, the company is optimistic about its international business, especially in China. Bergh said he and other Levi's executives visited the country recently for the first time in years, and were impressed by what they saw.

"We are seeing the post-lockdown spending spree as consumers come back, and that is definitely lifting our business and contributing to the strength that we're seeing in China," Bergh said. "So we're very optimistic about China and about Asia overall, and yeah, we're putting our chips on the table in these markets that are really growing."
Alibaba Group sign is seen at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, China July 6, 2023.

Chinese technology giant Alibaba on Friday launched an artificial intelligence tool that can generate images from prompts.

Tongyi Wanxiang allows users to input prompts in Chinese and English and the AI tool will generate an image in various styles such as a sketch or 3D cartoon.

Alibaba's cloud division, which launched the product, said it is available for enterprise customers in China for beta testing.

Tongyi Wanxiang is Alibaba's latest generative AI offering as tech giants in China and the U.S. look to race ahead with the technology.

Generative AI refers to a type of artificial intelligence that is able to generate content based on prompts. It is trained on huge amounts of data to be able to do this. The most famous example is OpenAI's ChatGPT which has sparked a rush from the biggest tech players to develop their own rivals.

In the U.S., Google launched its AI chatbot called Bard. And in China, Baidu released Ernie Bot and Alibaba launched Tongyi Qianwen.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report on World Oceans Day for China's CCTV on June 06, 2023.

The ocean is the source of life for humans and many other organisms on Earth. It covers over 70% of the Earth's surface and is a major source of protein for over a billion people worldwide. It also has significant economic implications, with the United Nations projecting that the ocean economy will provide employment for 40 million people by 2030. However, there is a pressing issue that deserves human attention: marine plastic pollution.

A study published this year in the academic journal PLOS ONE assessed the trends in plastic content in the global ocean from 1979 to 2019. The results show a sharp increase in the quantity and mass of plastic in the ocean since around 2005. Scientists estimate that there are at least 1.7 quadrillion plastic particles in the global ocean, with a weight of approximately 2.3 million tons if collected.

Researchers suggest that this increase may reflect exponential growth in plastic production. Nikola Simpson, an ocean economy expert at the United Nations Development Programme, also stated that at the current rate of plastic production, there may be more plastic than fish in the ocean by the mid-century.

Plastic pollution primarily affects the fishing industry, damaging marine ecosystems and potentially impacting human health. Since plastic is not completely biodegradable, it breaks down into smaller and smaller fragments over time, forming what is known as microplastics.

These microplastics act like tiny sponges, absorbing various chemicals from the surrounding environment, including persistent organic pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This pollution can disrupt the food chain and affect the reproduction and growth of fish and shellfish. Humans may also face health risks by consuming contaminated seafood.

Another major impact of plastic pollution is its detrimental effect on countries that rely on tourism as a significant contributor to their GDP. No visitors want to see beaches filled with plastic waste.

A professor from the Australian National Centre for Ocean Resources and Security (ANCORS) highlighted in a World Bank study that two-thirds of the economic losses caused by plastic pollution in coastal areas of countries like Tanzania are driven by the tourism industry. In recent years, rapid population growth and urbanization have occurred in East African coastal regions without adequate infrastructure for plastic waste management.

The professor called for short-term actions such as timely beach clean-ups during peak tourism seasons. In the long run, countries dependent on tourism should improve their waste management systems, and hotels should consider reducing their use of plastic.

Due to the impact of plastic pollution on multiple industries mentioned above, a report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) estimated that global economic losses caused by marine plastic pollution reached $7 billion in 2018 alone. Furthermore, researchers at the Marine Laboratory in Plymouth, United Kingdom, estimated that the economic losses caused by every ton of marine plastic could range from $3,300 to $33,000 per year.

Currently, there are several scientific and technological projects internationally dedicated to addressing marine plastic pollution. These include the development of robots for detecting, locating, and collecting marine debris and the research and development of plastic products that can self-degrade in marine environments.

However, experts emphasize that addressing the problem of plastic pollution requires addressing it at its source, which means reducing the production of plastic items. On today's World Oceans Day, you can contribute by simply using one less plastic bag and making a small difference.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on June 05, 2023.

The outcome of the OPEC+ meeting indicates that the only change for the remainder of the year is Saudi Arabia's announcement to further reduce daily production by 1 million barrels in July, with the possibility of extending this additional cut. Combined with the previous daily cut of 500,000 barrels in April, Saudi Arabia's production in July will decrease to approximately 9 million barrels per day, which is considered a very low production level for Saudi Arabia.

UBS commodity analyst stated that Saudi Arabia's maximum production capacity is close to 12 million barrels per day, so the production of around 9 million barrels is the lowest level since June 2021. Given the absence of a global economic recession at present, this figure is quite low.

This also sends a signal that Saudi Arabia is determined to stabilize the crude oil market. In recent months, macroeconomic weakness globally has indeed put pressure on oil prices.

Ed Morse

Managing Director, Global Head of Commodity Research at Citi Group

"We're in an extremely weak market, in part, because the demand side, we have demand in the three largest consuming countries in the world, China, the European Union, and the United States. That is disappointing. And it's disappointing in a very big way."

Following the announcement of production cuts by OPEC+ in April, oil prices initially rose but then declined further. In response to the latest news, on Monday, during the early Asian trading session, the prices of US WTI crude oil futures and Brent crude oil futures rose significantly, reaching around $73 per barrel and $77 per barrel, respectively.

According to data from the IMF, Saudi Arabia needs oil prices to be above $80 per barrel to balance its budget and fund some of its giant economic projects.

There are several noteworthy points that came out of the meeting. Firstly, OPEC+ announced that the production cuts announced in April will be extended until the end of next year. Additionally, OPEC+ discussed the issue of production baselines for various oil-producing countries, resulting in adjustments to production quotas for some nations, which has caused some controversy.

Certain oil-producing countries, such as Angola and Nigeria, have long struggled to increase production to their designated quotas due to depleted capacity and insufficient investments. However, these countries are also unwilling to give up their existing quotas, as they believe that reducing them would weaken their attractiveness to foreign investors. On the other hand, the UAE has consistently sought to increase its production baseline.

Intense discussions took place among OPEC+ member countries, resulting in the UAE receiving a higher production quota next year, while Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, and other countries agreed to lower their quotas, subject to independent assessments of their actual production capacity, with the premise is that a third party is required to conduct an independent assessment of its actual production capacity.

Abdulaziz bin Salman

Saudi Energy Minister Prince

"We will have new baselines and a way forward, that makes it more equitable, more fair, for everybody. To assign for them, production levels that is going to be commensurate with their capacities, in the most transparent way."

Another point of contention at the meeting was the banning of three news organizations, Bloomberg, Reuters, and The Wall Street Journal, from entering OPEC's headquarters for interviews. Some analysts suggest that this is because the Saudi Energy Minister believed that his market views were not accurately reported by these media outlets. However, by targeting the media, it also reflects his desire to do everything possible to support oil prices and possibly signifies a sense of desperation.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on June 06, 2023.

Recently, Vietnam's electricity demand has surged due to extreme hot weather. However, there is a significant shortage in electricity supply. Drought has caused water levels in many hydroelectric plants in Vietnam to decline severely. Additionally, delays in coal imports have affected the operation of local thermal power plants, leading to frequent power outages and impacting production in local industrial areas.

The official website of the Northern Power Corporation (EVNNPC), a subsidiary of Vietnam Electricity Group, indicates that some industrial parks in northern provinces, including Bac Giang and Bac Ninh, are facing rotational power cuts. These industrial parks are where multinational companies such as Foxconn, Samsung, and Canon have established their manufacturing facilities. For the manufacturing industry, power outages essentially mean production stoppages.

Several media outlets, including Reuters and Bloomberg, quoted an announcement from the Northern Power Corporation, stating that Canon's factory in Bac Ninh province would experience power cuts from 8 a.m. local time on Monday until 5 a.m. on Tuesday. Furthermore, in the first few days of this week, at least five industrial parks and some villages in Bac Ninh province would face several hours of partial or complete power outages.

In Bac Giang province, due to the tight power supply, the local government has ordered factories to shift part of their production to after 10 p.m., while reducing the lighting intensity in public areas by 50%. Power outages are frequent and often occur suddenly, leading the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, which represents European companies, to send a letter to Vietnam's Ministry of Industry and Trade on Monday.

The Vice Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam stated that Vietnam has a reputation as a reliable global manufacturing hub, and action should be taken quickly before its reputation is damaged. Last Saturday, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of Vietnam stated that the government has requested relevant agencies to increase coal and natural gas production.

The impact of high temperatures and power shortages has been affecting the lives of Vietnamese people for the past few months, not just in the industrial sector.

In early May, Vietnam experienced its highest recorded temperature in history, reaching 44.1 degrees Celsius, surpassing the record set in 2019. In Ho Chi Minh City, the government advised residents not to wear formal attire to work, while the Danang City government ordered the closure of decorative and advertising lighting in public places at 8 p.m.

Vietnam heavily relies on coal-fired power generation. In fact, in May of this year, the Vietnamese government established a national plan for its electricity industry called Power Development Plan 8, aimed at reducing reliance on coal and developing wind and natural gas energy. However, the plan still faces numerous challenges.

The ultimate goal of Power Development Plan 8 is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. However, according to the World Bank, by 2040, Vietnam will require an investment of $368 billion to embark on the path of net-zero emissions. In December last year, Vietnam signed the "Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)" with the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries, providing it with up to $15.5 billion in financing, but there is still a significant gap remaining.

Vietnam Electricity Group stated that due to the scorching heat, electricity consumption in northern Vietnam is expected to continue to increase at the beginning of June. The Vietnamese government is currently exploring ways to increase electricity supply, which may involve importing liquefied natural gas or accelerating renewable energy projects.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on May 23, 2023.

On Monday, Facebook's parent company, Meta, received a record-breaking fine of 1.2 billion for violating the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In 2021, Luxembourg's regulatory authority imposed a privacy fine of 746 million on Amazon, making Meta's fine nearly twice the amount and the largest fine issued under GDPR since its introduction in 2018.

In addition to the hefty fine, the European Union regulatory body, the Data Protection Commission Ireland, has demanded that Meta cease transferring personal data of EU users to the United States within five months and stop illegally processing and storing user data in the US within six months.

Analysts say that if this ruling takes effect, Meta will need to redesign its systems to store the data of most European users within Europe. However, this task is complex and costly. Meta warned brfore in its financial reports that without a legal basis for data transfers, the company may be forced to stop providing products and services in Europe.

The Irish Data Protection Commission has faced criticism from other data regulatory bodies within the EU, accusing it of lacking the courage to penalize large tech companies. This latest fine may serve as evidence for Irish officials to demonstrate their proper enforcement of regulations.

It is worth noting that May 25th of this year marked the fifth anniversary of GDPR. Looking back at the history of fines, Meta has been fined seven times, totaling around $2.5 billion, which accounts for over 50% of the total fines under GDPR. Amazon and Google have received fines totaling over $800 million.

Meta's Global Affairs President stated that Meta, like thousands of other companies providing services in Europe, uses the same legal mechanisms. However, they are disappointed to be singled out. Meta believes that the fine is unreasonable and unnecessary and has announced its intention to appeal the ruling and fine. Currently, Meta faces various business challenges.

Roger McNamee

Elevation Partners co-founder

"Obviously, the core business of Facebook is saturated in the key markets. Instagram is up against huge competitive threats from tick tock, and it's not just Apple going after the ad market, but the European regulators are beginning to make inroads there and those are going to be headwinds that they're going to have to fight."

This fine may impact Meta's advertisement business. Previously, Meta's CFO mentioned that 10% of the company's global advertising revenue comes from advertising to Facebook users in EU countries.

In fact, the issue of data transfers between the United States and the European Union has been in a deadlock. The European Commission stated on Monday that it expects to reach a new data transfer agreement with the United States before the summer, providing a clear legal basis for data transfers between the two parties.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on May 29, 2023.

According to official statistics from Germany, nearly half of the 41 million households in Germany use natural gas for heating, and 25% use oil. Last year, Germany's buildings emitted 112 million tons of greenhouse gasses, accounting for 15% of the total emissions. In order to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, the German government previously passed this radical climate law, which will prohibit the installation of new oil and gas heating systems starting from next year.

However, the recent new law has sparked strong opposition from the German public. A survey by the German magazine "Die Zeit" showed that 70% of respondents wanted to repeal the new law.

Under this new law, Germans will need to switch to a new energy technology, heat pumps, to replace their existing oil and gas heating systems such as gas boilers. It is estimated that this transition, by 2028, could cost Germans 9.16 billion per year.

The rushed introduction of the law and the high cost of the transition have led to public opposition. Additionally, implementing the law faces many practical challenges.

Firstly, although the German government has promised subsidies and stated that it will cover 30% of the installation cost of heat pumps, a recent survey by an energy consulting firm GIH found that German authorities may take an average of 125 days to process an allocation application for heating and renovation projects.

Secondly, Germany may not have enough plumbers to ensure the conversion and installation of heating systems. The German Association for Pipes, Heating, and Air Conditioning has stated that plumbers currently have a backlog of approximately 20 weeks' worth of orders, and even if they start accepting new jobs now, it may not be possible to guarantee completion before January 2024.

Lastly, heat pumps may put pressure on Germany's power grid.

Recently, this new law has also resulted in some unintended consequences. Many Germans are hoping to install new oil and gas heating systems before the deadline set by the law, by 2024. As a result, data from the German Central Association of Plumbing, Heating and Air (ZVSHK) shows that in the first quarter of this year, Germany sold approximately 168,000 gas boilers, a 100% increase compared to the same period last year.

The controversy surrounding this law has also plunged Chancellor Scholz's government into its most serious crisis since taking office nearly 18 months ago.

Members of parliament were supposed to have a first reading of the law recently, but the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP) has postponed parliamentary discussions and halted the final passage of the new law, stating that it needs modifications.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report for China's CCTV on May 31, 2023.

After weeks of negotiations, President Biden and the House Speaker McCarthy have finally reached an agreement and introduced the debt ceiling bill. However, reaching an agreement is just the first step. The bill will now enter the legislative process, which is the sprint stage, and its final enactment requires a vote in the U.S. Congress.

Let us go through the timeline. This chart shows that the bill still needs approval from the House Rules Committee, a full House vote, and a full Senate vote. It is worth noting that there are 9 Republicans and 4 Democrats in the House Rules Committee. The latest news also shows that 2 Republicans have expressed opposition to the bill.

In fact, both hardliners from both parties in the U.S. Congress have expressed dissatisfaction with the compromise bill. Let us first take a look at some key provisions of the bill.

First, the debt ceiling will be suspended until January 1, 2025, meaning that this issue will be left to the next president and the new Congress to address after the election. In terms of spending, non-defense spending will roughly remain the same as this year in the 2024 fiscal year, with a 1% growth cap set for the 2025 fiscal year. As for defense spending, a 3% increase will be allowed next year, consistent with Biden's budget request.

In addition, the bill cuts $21.4 billion in funding previously granted to the Internal Revenue Service by Congress last year. The bill also raises the threshold for food assistance programs, requiring low-income adults between the ages of 18 and 54 to have a job to qualify for food aid.

Some conservative Republicans criticize McCarthy for merely securing superficial policy adjustments without the transformative change promised earlier.

Congressman Scott Perry

"This deal fails, fails completely. And that's why these members and others will be absolutely opposed to the deal. And we will do everything in our power to stop it and end it now."

Some Democrats believe that welfare programs should not have increased requirements. The Deputy Director of the National Economic Council said that the fact that both sides are dissatisfied may actually be a good thing, indicating that both sides have made concessions.

Bharat Ramamurti

The National Economic Council's deputy director

"It's usually a sign of a good compromise if there's some folks who are a little bit unhappy on each side."

With less than a week left for Congress, Treasury Secretary Yellen has provided a more precise date. On June 5th, the Treasury will run out of funds. Currently, the majority of the market believes that Congress will ultimately vote in favor of the bill to avoid a debt default. However, while concerns about the debt crisis are easing, the market is also starting to focus on new risks regarding Treasury bonds.

After the debt ceiling is suspended, it is expected that the U.S. Treasury will begin issuing more bonds to raise money. According to the Treasury's own projections, by the end of this year, they may raise approximately $1.5 trillion by issuing T-bills, which are short-term bonds with maturities of one year or less.

Lauren Goodwin

New York Life Investments economist

"That's a lot of supply and a lot of incremental supply over what would normally be raised. But now the market has to grapple with its risk for rates and for equities."

As a large amount of Treasury bonds enter the market, it may drain liquidity from the market and create new pressures on the financial system.
China's central bank hit Alibaba affiliate Ant Group with a 7.12 billion yuan fine ($985 million) on Friday.

The People's Bank of China, which issued the fine, said that the penalty was in response to violations of various laws and regulations, including around corporate governance, consumer protection and anti-money laundering requirements.

The fine is one of the biggest against a Chinese internet firm and looks to conclude the years-long scrutiny and restructuring of Ant Group, after its blockbuster $37 billion initial public offering was scrapped in late 2020.

Since that moment, which sparked an intense two-year crackdown from Beijing on China's domestic tech sector, Ant has been forced to overhaul its business. This included turning itself into a financial holding company under the purview of the PBOC.

Alibaba owns around a 33% stake in Ant Group, and Chinese billionaire Jack Ma is the founder of both firms.

Authorities cancelled Ant's listing over regulatory concerns in 2020.

Recent signs have emerged that Ant has been on the right side of regulators. In January, the company received approval to expand its consumer finance business.

The fine and potential resolution to Ant's regulatory woes come as China looks to inject life into private industry amid a difficult domestic economic picture.

In its Friday statement, the PBOC said that most of the outstanding problems in the financial business of so-called platform companies, such as Ant Group, have been rectified. The central bank's job is now "normalized supervision," suggesting the strict measures like fines may be calming down.

Ant Group said in a statement on Friday that it will "comply with the terms of the penalty in all earnestness and sincerity and continue to further enhance our compliance governance."

A possible listing for Ant Group is likely now in the spotlight, although the company's valuation has dropped significantly over the last two and a half years.
Countries at the meeting of the United Nations' International Maritime Organization in London signed a deal for shipping emissions to reach net zero "by or around" 2050.

Maritime nations agreed Friday to slash emissions from the shipping industry to net zero by about 2050 in a deal that several experts and nations say falls short of what's needed to curb warming to agreed temperature limits.

Countries at the meeting of the United Nations' International Maritime Organization in London, seen as key to curb global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, signed a deal for shipping emissions to reach net zero "by or around" 2050. The less firm deadline was agreed to take account of "different national circumstances."

The plan also calls for shipping emissions to be slashed by at least 20% but aiming for 30% by 2030 and at least 70% but working toward 80% by 2040 despite a push from Pacific nations  backed by Canada, the United States and the U.K.  for more ambitious targets. Experts calculate the industry must cut its emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to keep on track with 1.5 C temperature goal.

IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said Friday the deal "is in many ways a starting point for the work that needs to intensify even more over the years and decades ahead of us."

"With the revised strategy that you have now agreed on, we have a clear direction, a common vision, and ambitious targets to guide us to deliver what the world expects from us," Lim said to member states.

The German government welcomed the agreement, calling it "an important milestone for ensuring that international shipping makes a fair contribution to reaching the temperature goals of the Paris agreement."

Transport Ministry spokesman Florian Druckenthaner said Germany had "lobbied massively" for the goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

Asked by The Associated Press whether Germany feels bound by the new targets, despite the fact that the interim goals are "indicative," Druckenthaner said: "These are international targets that we have negotiated. As such they are also targets that we support and share."
Signage for Eisai Co. at the company's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images

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The closely watched drug has prompted debate between medical and market experts. University of Cincinnati College of Medicine's neurologist Dr. Alberto Espay told NBC News that the treatment of the drug, specifically the slowing in the progression of the illness, falls below the level that would be considered "noticeable" to a patient. "The odds for brain swelling and hemorrhage are far higher than any actual improvement," Espay, who launched a petition in June calling for the Alzheimer's treatment to not get full approval, told NBC News. Eisai U.S. CEO Ivan Cheung refuted such similar concerns in an interview with CNBC's "Fast Money." "This treatment is safe and effective for Alzheimer's disease," Cheung said Thursday. "The benefit risk profile is well established from the large late stage clinical trial and we believe in year three, about 100,000 individuals could be diagnosed and eligible for this important treatment," he said.

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Members of the 'Crosses for Losses' group arrive at the scene with crosses for each victim, after the shooting that left 21 people dead at the Cielo Vista Mall WalMart in El Paso, Texas, on August 5, 2019.

EL PASO, Texas  The Texas man who fatally shot 23 people at an El Paso Walmart in a targeted attack against people of Mexican descent was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences.

Patrick Crusius, of Allen, agreed in February to the back-to-back life sentences when he pleaded guilty to 90 federal counts, including 45 hate crime charges.

The judge asked that he is sent to ADX Florence, a maximum facility prison in Fremont County, Colorado, and requested he receive mental health treatment.

The shooter traveled almost 600 miles from North Texas to El Paso before opening fire on shoppers on Aug. 3, 2019, with a WASR-10 rifle.

Minutes before the attack, he posted a hate-filled racist screed online in which he referred to an "invasion" of immigrants to the United States, the Justice Department said.

The department has said Crusius, who admitted to police he was the shooter, is a self-described white nationalist.

Sentencing began Wednesday, and for days relatives of those killed spoke to Crusius about their anger and about the damage he did.

"Look at my son," Francisco Javier Rodriguez, whose 15-year-old son Javier Amir was killed, said Thursday as an image of the teenager was on a screen.

Kathleen Johnson told Crusius that he shot her husband, David Johnson, at close range in Aisle 3 that day.

"His innocent blood was everywhere. He was our provider, loving father and grandfather," said Johnson, who has night terrors and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"I don't even want to look at you," she said.

Thomas Hoffman spoke about his father, Alexander Hoffman, and shared a photo of his parents who had been married 40 years and of a plane ticket for a flight his father was supposed to take that day.

"You shot my dad in the back," he said Wednesday. "You are a coward."

The shooter bought the WASR-10, which is a Romanian-made semi-automatic variant of the AK-47 assault rifle, as well as 1,000 rounds of 7.62mm hollow-point ammunition, almost two months before the attack, according to the indictment.

He drove overnight from Allen, which is north of Dallas, to El Paso before opening fire on people who were shopping at the Walmart on a Saturday morning.

In addition to the 23 people who were killed, 22 others were injured. The 23rd victim, Guillermo "Memo" Garcia, was injured and died in a hospital in April 2020, almost nine months after the shooting.

When Crusius was indicted on federal hate crime charges, then-Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband called the mass shooting, and other acts of hate like it, heinous crimes intended to terrorize and intimidate.

"This kind of terror will not stand," Dreiband said following the on Feb. 6, 2020, indictment.

The shooter pleaded guilty on Feb. 8 to 45 counts of violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and 45 firearm counts, the Justice Department said at the time.

 Kayla McCormick reported from El Paso, Phil Helsel reported from Los Angeles.

 Minyvonne Burke contributed.
Elon Musk, chief executive officer of Tesla Inc., departs court in San Francisco, California, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.

Attorneys for Elon Musk filed suit this week against the law firm that represented Twitter when Musk was trying to take the company private last year, claiming the firm charged too much for its work.

The lawsuit says Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen, and Katz, which was Twitter's firm prior to Musk's acquisition, racked up a $90 million "last minute" legal bill.

Wachtell represented Twitter after Musk reneged on his initial offer to take Twitter private for $44 billion. The law firm helped close the deal in November 2022, and was paid that $90 million fee for its work securing the transaction, which was tendered at a significant premium to Twitter's public market valuation.

X Corp., Twitter's holding company, is seeking repayment of "any associated excess fee payment" and attorneys' fees associated with the cost of litigation. Musk's company is represented by Reid Collins & Tsai, a litigation boutique based in Austin, Texas.

Attorneys at Reid Collins and Wachtell didn't respond to requests for comment.

It's not the first time Musk has tried to keep Twitter's vendors from getting paid. After Musk took over Twitter, saddling it with $13 billion in debt, the company was sued at least 26 times for vendor non-payment according to the online legal records database Plainsite. The company stopped paying rent at its San Francisco headquarters and, was reportedly refusing to pay Google for use of its cloud infrastructure.

The latest suit comes against one of the leading U.S. law firms. Wachtell, which has represented dozens of companies and investment vehicles in similar deals, pitched Twitter on representation in June 2022.

"We would be extremely interested in representing Twitter in preparing" for the possibility that Musk would renege on his contract, Wachtell partner Ben Roth wrote to senior Twitter executives in an email. Twitter's former general counsel and ex-finance chief were among the executives involved in engaging Wachtell.

Musk's attempt to walk out of the Twitter deal was highly unusual and ultimately unsuccessful. He alleged after agreeing to the deal that the company failed to adequately disclose the number of spam and fake accounts on the platform. Twitter sued Musk for not honoring his commitment to the company's shareholders, and Musk eventually relented, purchasing Twitter at the agreed upon price.

The litigation played out in Delaware chancery court, which has a structure that caters to corporate litigation. Part of Wachtell's pitch to Twitter was its sophistication in Delaware courts.

The case is X Corp v Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, in the California Superior Court (County of San Francisco), Case No. CGC-23-607461.

 CNBC's Lora Kolodny contributed to this report

WATCH: CNBC's interview with Elon Musk
JPMorgan listed a number of global sectors it says have cheap valuations and "overweight" ratings  referring to the industries it expects to outperform over the next six to 12 months. In a July 3 research note to investors, it picked European telecoms as a "cheap" sector that it is overweight on. "The sector is trading on the cheap side of fair value, and is underowned," its analysts stated. The note included several lists of stocks in a number of baskets. In its European "value" basket, telecoms companies included Vodafone and Nokia , while its European "growth" basket included Dutch firm KPN . "We think this is an opportunity. Telecoms balance sheets have improved materially in the past few years. The sector offers close to 13% FCF [free cash flow] yield, well above the overall market," the analysts led by Mislav Matejka stated. The bank is also overweight the energy sector and said it "offers cheap valuations currently," adding that European companies in the sector "continue to show a discount to oil price." Energy stocks in JPMorgan's European value basket included Repsol and Siemens Energy , and it included Finnish oil refiner Neste and Norway-based Equinor in its European growth basket. JPMorgan said it expects consumer staples to rebound "given cheaper valuations and potentially better margins outlook in [the second half]," and it is overweight in the sector. Staples in its European value basket included British grocer Tesco and Swiss chocolate company Lindt & Spruengli . The bank also described the U.K. as "record cheap," stating: "The UK has de-rated strongly since the 2016 Brexit vote and is trading near the lowest forward P/E [price to equity ratio] vs global peers in the last three decades. The UK appears extremely cheap even if one were to exclude Banks and Energy from the calculation." The bank rated the U.K. overweight. JPMorgan listed several stocks in its JPM UK Exporters basket, including advertising group WPP , liqor company Diageo , health care firms GSK and Smith & Nephew . In the financial sector, its picks included Prudential and Standard Chartered .  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report
Special Counsel Jack Smith arrives to speak to the press at the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC, on June 9, 2023, announcing the unsealing of the indictment against former US President Donald Trump.

Special counsel Jack Smith's office spent more than $5.4 million during the four and a half months since he took over two criminal probes centered on former President Donald Trump, the Department of Justice said Friday.

Most of that sum, nearly $4.6 million, went toward staff salaries and benefits and paying for contractual services, including IT and "litigation/investigative support," according to a report posted by the DOJ.

Smith's operation spent the remainder of the money on travel, rent, printing, supplies, acquisition of equipment, according to the statement of expenditures. The report covers the period from Nov. 18 through the end of March.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Smith in mid-November to lead two criminal investigations. One probe, into Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House, has yielded an unprecedented federal criminal case against the former president. Trump has pleaded not guilty in that case to 37 counts of crimes including willful retention of national defense information and conspiracy to obstruct justice.

Smith's other probe, into possibly illegal efforts to interfere with the transfer of power to President Joe Biden after the 2020 election, is ongoing.

The DOJ on Friday also released separate spending reports for two other special counsels, Robert Hur and John Durham.

Hur, who was tasked in mid-January with investigating classified documents discovered at Biden's office and private residence, has spent $615,962 over about three and a half months, according to the DOJ.

Durham, who was probing the origins of the DOJ's investigation into Trump's 2016 campaign, spent more than $1.1 million from last October through the end of March, the agency reported.

Durham had been appointed in October 2020. The sum of his five expenditure reports over that time period equals $7.7 million.

The special counsels' activities are funded by the permanent appropriation for independent counsels, the reports note.

The FBI and U.S. Marshals Service also incurred a combined $3.8 million in support of Smith's probes, but that figure is not included in the $5.4 million total because the agencies paid their own respective costs. Smith's spending report notes that the FBI and USMS are not legally required to track those expenditures.
Amid the slew of mass layoffs in the tech industry over the past year, some job hunters might think twice about trying to enter the industry.

But fear not, says Richard Wahlquist, chief executive at the American Staffing Association, a trade group that represents staffing companies across industries.

Wahlquist has a birds-eye view of which sectors are hiring and which specific jobs employers need to fill. He notes that sectors like health care and construction continue to need workers. But from his vantage point, he says tech is still leading the way when it comes to hiring demand.

"Despite recent headlines involving layoffs at major companies, tech jobs remain among the most in-demand jobs in the labor market," Wahlquist tells CNBC Make It.

What has changed about the tech hiring landscape: the jobs are less at Big Tech companies. Instead, tech workers should target their job search at small and medium-sized enterprises, says Wahlquist.

Indeed, ZipRecruiter's chief economist Julia Pollak said in February on CNBC's "The Exchange" that even the tech workers who had been laid off found new jobs quickly.
Adam Mosseri speaks onstage at the WIRED25 Summit 2019 - Day 1 at Commonwealth Club on November 08, 2019 in San Francisco, California.

Meta 's new Threads app has been live for less than two days, but one of the company's top executives thinks prioritizing news and political discourse on the platform "is not at all worth" the apparent business and "platform" downsides.

Adam Mosseri, who oversees both Instagram and the text-based, Instagram-powered Threads, offered the commentary in an unusually candid post on the new social network on Friday.

"Politics and hard news are inevitably going to show up on Threads - they have on Instagram as well to some extent - but we're not going to do anything to encourage those verticals," he wrote in a response to a reporter's question about Threads replacing Twitter for news industry professionals.

"Politics and hard news are important," Mosseri continued. "But my take is, from a platform's perspective, any incremental engagement or revenue they might drive is not at all worth the scrutiny, negativity (let's be honest), or integrity risks that come along with them."

Meta representatives did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on whether Meta would downrank news or political content on Threads as the company has periodically done on other platforms.

Mosseri's comment came even as Meta fights to prevent governments from forcing the company to pay newsrooms for the content that Meta leverages for advertises and engagement.

For example, in Canada. new legislation would require Meta to pay money to Canadian newsrooms, something that would cost both Google and Meta an estimated $329 million Canadian dollars against billions of advertising revenue.

In response, Meta blocked Canadian outlets from appearing on Meta and Instagram search results, a restriction that would presumably apply to Threads if the platform's search functionality is expanded. Google implemented a similar restriction shortly after.

Meta employed the same technique in Australia when a similar law was passed in 2022.

Despite the unraveling of Twitter under Elon Musk's ownership  something which Mosseri has conceded was an impetus behind the launch of Threads  government agencies, politicians, and journalists rely on the platform to disseminate breaking news and emergency notifications.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for further comment.
Positive developments for one of Eli Lilly 's (LLY) competitors in the nascent Alzheimer's treatment market are good news for the Club name, too. However, a Wall Street bull has grown more cautious on Humana (HUM). Here's a deeper look at the headlines and their implications for our investment theses in these two health-care companies. The news on Eli Lilly : The Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to Alzheimer's treatment Leqembi, prompting the agency that administers Medicare to implement broader coverage for the expensive drug. Both actions, announced Thursday night, were widely expected on Wall Street. Nevertheless, they are important steps forward for the commercialization of Leqembi and similar Alzheimer's treatments that may be cleared in the future, including Eli Lilly's donanemab. Leqembi  developed by Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai and its Massachusetts-based partner Biogen (BIIB)  is the first anti-amyloid Alzheimer's antibody to receive full FDA approval. Prior to Thursday's announcement, U.S. regulators had only granted conditional clearance to Leqembi, which slowed cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer's patients and people with mild cognitive impairment by 27% compared with a placebo over an 18-month trial. The drug's side effects, which can be serious in some cases, include brain swelling and bleeding. This also marks the first time the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has agreed to broad reimbursement for this kind of Alzheimer's treatment, which seeks to reduce build-up in the brain of amyloid beta, a protein linked to the memory-robbing disease. To be eligible for reimbursement, patients' doctors must agree to submit data to a registry, which CMS says is designed "to study the usefulness of these drugs" outside a clinical trial for Medicare recipients. CMS' coverage decision has been viewed as a critical step in Leqembi's commercial success because its $26,500 list price puts it out of reach for many Alzheimer's patients to pay out of pocket. Most of the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer's are seniors eligible for Medicare, the government health-care program mainly for people who are 65 or older (and some younger people with certain conditions or disabilities). LLY 1Y mountain Eli Lilly's stock performance over the past 12 months. The Club's take: The first-of-their-kind FDA and CMS actions came in generally as anticipated, and represent incremental positives for Eli Lilly. That's why some of the decline seen Friday in Eli Lilly shares  down over 2%, to around $453 each  could simply represent a sell-the-news situation. The stock is only a little more than 3% off its all-time high close of almost $469 on June 30. Eli Lilly has said donanemab could be approved by the FDA late this year or in early 2024. In a large-scale 18-month study, the drug slowed cognitive and functional decline by 35% in one early Alzheimer's patient group compared with those on a placebo. Donanemab also targets amyloid in the brain. It may take time for Leqembi to generate meaningful sales, analysts have said, because it's a new class of drugs, and the health-care system needs to establish the infrastructure to give these intravenous drugs to patients. Still, with the FDA and CMS decisions now in hand, Eisai and Biogen are able to continue their work on commercialization. Having some sort of foundation in place for both administrating anti-amyloid drugs and monitoring patients once they're on them could ultimately be helpful for Lilly, if donanemab secures approval. As a reminder: The need for more infrastructure to support these new drugs is one reason why we like and own GE Healthcare (GEHC). It has a full suite of products used across the entire Alzheimer's patient journey, which includes confirming the disease diagnosis and monitoring the drug's side effects. To be sure, in April, GEHC management said the company hasn't yet seen an uptick in demand tied Leqembi. But it's something to monitor as the drug rollout progresses. Our expectations around donanemab sales also are measured, and the drug is not the primary driver of our multiyear optimism for Eli Lilly. That crown belongs to Mounjaro, a type-2 diabetes treatment that's soon expected to be given approval to treat obesity, as well. Lilly is also studying Mounjaro as a treatment for sleep apnea and other conditions. The news on Humana: JPMorgan downgraded Humana to neutral from overweight  the equivalent of hold from buy  due to elevated uncertainty about medical cost trends and political risks as the 2024 presidential election cycle starts to ramp up. The firm also lowered its HUM price target to $540 per share, from $576. JPMorgan remains bullish about Humana's long-term prospects because of its focus on the fast-growing Medicare Advantage (MA) market. But, at this moment, the analysts see Humana's MA concentration as more of a hindrance than a help. "If I think about how this stock is going to trade in the next six months, I think it's more likely to underperform other [managed-care] names ... like a Cigna than outperform," the analyst behind the call, Lisa Gill, told CNBC on Friday. Unlike Humana, Cigna, which has a buy-equivalent rating from JPMorgan, has sizable exposure to the commercial health insurance market. Humana's medical costs have been a big concern in recent weeks, after UnitedHealth warned that outpatient surgeries among older Americans started to trend higher in April and continued into June. A few days later, on June 16, Humana said in a securities filing that it was observing similar patterns. As a result, the company expects its benefit expense ratio to be toward the high end of its full-year guidance between 86.3% and 87.3%. That's a closely watched industry metric that captures a health insurer's spending on patient care versus what it collects in premiums. From an investor standpoint, a lower number is better. While Humana may be able to manage higher medical costs in 2023, Gill said that "the bigger concern is around 2024," and whether the company can incorporate recent trends into its Medicare Advantage plans for next year before the regulatory submission deadline in early June. Upcoming second-quarter earnings calls from Humana and its peers should offer some insights into 2024 plans and management's expectations for them, Gill said. Additional clarity will arrive when the open enrollment period begins in October, which will give analysts and investors the opportunity to see the plan design more completely. HUM 1Y mountain Humana's stock performance over the past 12 months. The Club's take: Humana is in a tough situation because our initial thesis around its improving Medicare Advantage offering hasn't changed. The company has been gaining market share on its competitors, and it maintains some of the best membership growth in the industry. What's changed is decreased visibility on Humana's costs due to that uptick in utilization  a very important metric for investors that looks at people using their health-care benefits. That's why Humana shares are down about 14% since UnitedHealth's comments last month. At this point, Humana requires patience given the murkiness in the near term. We'll be paying close attention to UnitedHealth's upcoming earnings release next Friday, and Humana's a few weeks later on Aug 2, in hopes that at least some of the uncertainty can be lifted. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long LLY, HUM, GEHC. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Amyloid plaques accumulate outside neurons. Amyloid plaques are characteristic features of Alzheimer's disease. They lead to a degeneration of the affected neurons. Getty Images
Ukrainian forces advanced more than 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) over the last 24 hours near the eastern city of Bakhmut, Reuters reported Friday, citing a Ukrainian military spokesperson.

The update appears to reflect the incremental progress that Ukrainian forces have been making since they launched their counteroffensive against Russian forces last month.

Separately, the death toll from a Russian missile strike on Ukraine's western city of Lviv rose to 10, according to the city's mayor. Emergency workers were said to be working to free the deceased from the rubble of an apartment building, following an attack far from the front line of the war.

CNBC could not independently verify developments on the ground.
Barrington Sanders, a Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Inspector, sprays a pesticide to kill adult mosquitos on June 29, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images

U.S. public health officials say the risk of locally transmitted malaria in the country remains low as seven new cases in Florida and Texas raise questions. The Florida Department of Health on Friday said two cases of locally acquired malaria have been reported in Sarasota County, bringing the total in the state to six. Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a nationwide advisory over the four initial Florida cases and one in Texas to alert health-care providers, local health departments and the public about the possibility of local malaria transmission. Those five patients "have received treatment and are improving," according to the CDC. "Despite these cases, the risk of locally acquired malaria remains extremely low in the United States," the agency added. The seven are the first known cases of "locally acquired" malaria in the country since 2003. That means the new infections were not linked to foreign travel and appear to have been spread by U.S. mosquitoes carrying the parasite that causes the disease. Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease typically transmitted through the bite of an infective female anopheline mosquito, according to the CDC. It was once endemic in the U.S., meaning it occurred regularly and required broad public health interventions. The risk of the disease is higher in areas where warmer climate conditions allow those mosquitoes to survive during most of the year, the agency said. The U.S. records roughly 2,000 malaria cases each year, nearly all of them in people who acquired the disease abroad, not within the country. Health experts say the new locally acquired cases shouldn't warrant panic about widespread malaria transmission in the U.S. But they also note that it's important for the public to remain vigilant at a time when climate change and a rebound in international travel increasingly contribute to the spread of insect-borne diseases. U.S. public health authorities and health-care providers should also be prepared to ramp up their surveillance of malaria, experts added. Here's what you need to know about the locally acquired malaria cases in the U.S.  and why the risk of transmission remains low right now.

The cause of the cases remains unclear

Investigations by health departments in Texas and Florida confirmed that none of the five cases were directly linked to international travel, a CDC spokesperson told CNBC. But it's still unclear how mosquitoes in the U.S. came to carry malaria. One possible explanation has to do with the nature of the malaria species identified in both states: P. vivax, the most common form of the disease.

Barrington Sanders, a Miami-Dade Mosquito Control Inspector, sprays a pesticide to kill adult mosquitos on June 29, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Joe Raedle | Getty Images

P. vivax isn't the deadliest kind of malaria, but it's more difficult to treat than other forms, according to Daniel Parker, associate professor of population health and disease prevention with the UC Irvine program in public health. The P. vivax parasite can cause symptoms  which range from fever to difficulty breathing  soon after infection, like other forms of malaria. But the parasite can also lie dormant in the liver for days, months or years before popping up in the bloodstream again and causing symptoms to reappear, Parker said. During that dormant period, P. vivax causes no symptoms and remains undetectable in blood tests. It's possible a Florida or Texas resident was infected with P. vivax abroad and returned to the U.S. without realizing they had malaria due to a lack of symptoms, according to Sadie Ryan, a medical geography professor at the University of Florida and director of the Florida Climate Institute. Local mosquitoes could have picked up malaria from an unknowing traveler after P. vivax became active in their bloodstream again, and those mosquitoes could have spread it to other people in the area. "It might be that one malaria case came to the U.S. from somewhere else. Then local mosquitoes here picked it up and bit people locally," Ryan said. But without more details on the cases, experts say it's difficult to offer definitive explanations.

U.S. is mostly equipped to contain local transmission

Experts told CNBC that it's possible for locally acquired malaria cases to spread to other parts of Florida, Texas or potentially other states, but the probability is low. That's largely because public health authorities responded to the cases quickly and are mostly equipped to contain local malaria transmission, especially in areas known to be more suitable for mosquito-borne illnesses. Ryan said health authorities did a "really good job" alerting the public and health-care providers about the cases quickly. The CDC and state-level warnings in Florida and Texas were also timely since they were issued ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, when more people typically expose themselves to mosquitoes outdoors, Ryan added. "They got the message out and said, 'Beware this is here. Here are the things you can do to protect yourselves from it,'" she told CNBC. Local health authorities in Florida and Texas have also carried out aggressive "vector control" efforts in areas where the cases emerged, she added. That involves spraying insecticide from the ground or from a helicopter to kill off mosquitoes capable of carrying malaria.

Health officials at Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services study specimens of anopheles mosquitoes that cause malaria, in Sarasota, Florida on June 30, 2023. Chandan Khanna | AFP | Getty Images

UC Irvine's Parker also said the U.S.'s case-tracking protocols make the country more prepared to contain the spread. Health-care providers are required to report all cases of laboratory-confirmed malaria to their local or state health department, making it easier to track the potential spread of the disease, according to the CDC. Parker added that public health authorities also investigate cases after they're identified to better understand their origins, which is in some ways "similar to contact tracing efforts that we're now more used to because of Covid-19." "The CDC was partially born out of our malaria elimination efforts. While I would argue that we've neglected some of our public health infrastructure, there are systems in place...that can quickly be put into action when cases are identified," Parker said, referring to the CDC's inception in 1946. The agency played a critical role in declaring the disease's elimination in the U.S. in 1951. But the U.S.'s toolkit for fighting local malaria transmission isn't perfect. Not all areas of the country have the local public health infrastructure in place to track and combat the disease, putting them a step behind if locally acquired cases spread.

Overall threat of malaria is still rising

Several factors are also making the country increasingly vulnerable to malaria overall, regardless of whether they are local or imported infections. Climate change is causing a shift in weather patterns that can worsen malaria conditions, according to Dr. Rajiv Chowdhury, a global health expert from Florida International University. He said global warming could lead to "higher mosquito migration and abundance" in areas of the country that were previously uninhabitable by anopheles mosquitoes. Existing evidence suggests warmer temperatures can increase the growth rate and transmissibility of the parasites responsible for malaria, Chowdhury added. He also said climate change can lead to excess rainfall and sea level rise in the U.S., creating more open spaces with standing water that serve as "effective breeding grounds" for mosquitoes. It's unclear whether the new local cases in Texas and Florida are connected to rising temperatures. Ryan of the Florida Climate Institute noted those states were already warm enough for the disease to spread in the first place. Chowdhury agreed: "It's really difficult to pinpoint causation for particular cases to the broader environmental changes that have been occurring. We need a bit more research to make that connection in the U.S." A CDC spokesperson told CNBC that "it is not clear that the recently reported cases are due to changes in climate," even though shifting weather conditions do influence the distribution of diseases like malaria. But the agency said a rebound in foreign travel levels this year could also increase the number of imported cases of malaria in the country. The agency last week highlighted its "concern for a potential rise" in those cases associated with increased international summer travel that could return to pre-Covid levels. Parker said increased international travel could potentially lead to more imported and local infections. "It is possible that we'll have more imported cases and since we already have the mosquitoes locally, it's possible that they'll get some and there could be more local transmission," he said. But he added: "I wouldn't say I'm not too worried about it. As long as we remain vigilant."

There are ways to manage the risk

Experts noted there is more work that public health authorities, health-care providers and people can do to manage the nation's rising risk of malaria. U.S. public health authorities should consider which areas of the country are becoming more suitable for malaria transmission and how those places can build or bolster the infrastructure needed to deal with the disease, according to Ryan. "That's the sort of realm in which we need to be concerned  to think about where people should be anticipating this and what they can do to build that capacity needed to manage the disease with vector control, public health messaging and other pieces of the puzzle," she said.

Stephane de Sakutin | AFP | Getty Images
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (not shown) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 7, 2023.

BEIJING  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday she is "concerned" about the export controls China announced this week.

China's Ministry of Commerce announced Monday that starting Aug. 1, companies in China that want to export two metals used in semiconductor manufacturing would need to apply for licenses.

"I am also concerned about new export controls recently announced by China on two critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors," Yellen said in prepared remarks for a meeting with U.S. businesses in Beijing.

"We are still evaluating the impact of these actions, but they remind us of the importance of building resilient and diversified supply chains."

The Biden administration has announced measures aimed at bolstering American tech capabilities and limiting China's access to advanced tech. Those include sweeping export controls that took effect in October and restrict the ability of U.S. businesses to sell certain advanced computing semiconductors or related manufacturing equipment to China.
watch now

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to China is "crucial" to ensuring that both countries continue talking to each other, said Eswar Prasad, an economics professor at Cornell University. "The crucial element, which is embodied in Janet Yellen's visit, is that the two sides keep talking on technical levels, but also at the very senior policy levels," Prasad told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Friday. Tensions between the two countries have shot up in recent years, since the U.S.-China trade war started in 2018 during the Trump-era. Today, geopolitical tensions continue amid accusations over China's purported spy balloon in U.S. airspace, as well as their battle for tech supremacy. Yellen landed in Beijing Thursday on a four-day trip. She is due to meet Premier Li Qiang on Friday afternoon, following earlier meetings with former Vice Premier Liu He and ex-central bank governor Yi Gang, the Treasury Department said. Her visit comes weeks after Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Beijing  the first high-level meeting between the two countries after months of tensions.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on July 6, 2023. Mark Schiefelbein | Afp | Getty Images

"Damage control is really the key," Prasad told CNBC, adding that Chinese officials can deal with anti-China rhetoric, as long as they do not translate into hostile actions that could keep China from its economic development. "Officials in China are very attuned to the election cycle in the U.S. and they recognize that with November 2024 already looming, there is a prospect of anti-China rhetoric getting even hotter in Washington," he said. "I think the hope is that they can ward off any further actions that they perceive as being hostile towards China."

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The Biden administration's attitude toward China has been "a little bit less confrontational" this year, said Andy Rothman, investment strategist at Matthews Asia, who pointed out there could be better cooperation, engagement and trust going forward. "U.S.-China relations aren't going to get better ... But I think the risks of an accident spiraling out of control into a crisis have gone down a lot over the last couple of months," Rothman told CNBC on Friday.

Impact on China's economy
Pakistan secured a badly needed USD 3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) from the IMF last Friday, giving the cash-strapped South Asian economy a much-awaited respite as it teeters on the brink of default.

The IMF is in the process of meeting representatives from Pakistan's major political parties, including Imran Khan's party, to seek assurances of their support for key objectives and policies under the new USD 3 billion bailout deal, its top official in the country said on Friday.

Pakistan secured a badly needed USD 3 billion Standby Arrangement (SBA) from the IMF last Friday, giving the cash-strapped South Asian economy a much-awaited respite as it teeters on the brink of default.

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will meet on July 12 to review the USD 3 billion SBA for Pakistan, the staff-level pact for which was finalised last week.

The IMF staff are in the process of meeting with representatives of the major political parties in Pakistan, including PML-N (Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz), PPP (Pakistan Peoples' Party), and PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) to seek assurances of their support for the key objectives and policies under a new IMF-supported programme ahead of the approaching national elections, Esther Perez Ruiz told Dawn newspaper.

"An IMF team will call on: Party Chairman Imran Khan at Zaman Park this afternoon. Both PTI's economic team and the IMF team will join, in person and virtually, to take part in the discussions," PTI's Secretary General Central Punjab Hammad Azhar tweeted.

The economic crisis-hit country was absent from an earlier schedule released in June, igniting speculation that the global lender was not going to release funds from an earlier programme that expired on June 30.

On June 29, the IMF and Pakistan reached a Standby Arrangement (SBA) to ease the countrys financial crisis. The nine-month SBA, if approved, will bring USD 3 billion or 111 per cent of the cash-strapped country's IMF quota.

The previous Extended Fund Facility expired on June 30, with the 9th, 10th, and 11th reviews pending.

The SBA, subject to the IMF board approval, offers much-needed relief to the country grappling with a severe balance of payments crisis and declining foreign exchange reserves.

Earlier on Friday, ousted prime minister and PTI chief, Khan said in Lahore during a court hearing pertaining to May 9 riots that he would be meeting the IMF delegation.

When asked about joining the investigation in the "Black Day" violence case at 4 pm on Friday, the cricketer-turned-politician said he was unavailable to join the probe as he was scheduled to meet with a delegation from the IMF.

Pakistan's economy has been in a free fall mode for the last many years, bringing untold pressure on the poor masses in the form of unchecked inflation.

Apart from the political turmoil, the country has also faced several challenges in recent times, including devastating floods last year and commodity price hikes following the war in Ukraine.

Over 1,500 people were killed last year during floods in Pakistan that destroyed millions of homes, wiped out swathes of farmland, and caused billions of dollars in economic losses.

.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has raised concerns over the growing number of Chinese fishing vessels spotted in the disputed West Philippine Sea, with the latest swarming seen as a threat to oil and gas-rich Recto Banks security.

Describing it as a concerning development, the AFP reported Friday that pilots aboard NV312a Britten Norman Islander light patrol aircraft of the Philippine Navysaw an alarming presence of Chinese vessels during their latest air patrol on June 30.

A total of 48 Chinese fishing vessels were observed roaming the Iroquois Reef, which is south of Recto Bank.

According to Lieutenant Edgard Abogado, pilot-in-command of NV312, the Chinese fishing vessels were quite visible from the air.

[They] were observed to be anchored in groups of five to seven and no fishing activities were noticed. They seem to just loiter in the area, Lieutenant Karla Andres, co-pilot of NV312, also said.

Meanwhile, three China Coast Guard (CCG) ships and two Peoples Liberation Army Navy vessels were also regularly loitering at Sabina Shoal.

These developments raise an alarming concern about China's intentions and actions within these disputed waters," the AFP said.

"Recto Bank, a significant feature for the Philippines holding immense potential for the countrys energy security and economic growth, stands as a focal point in this rising concern over Chinas recent behavior, it also said.

It also reiterated the call of AFP Western Command (WESCOM) spokesperson, Commander Ariel Coloma, for China to stop its swarming of vessels.

The AFP said the latest development would be reported to higher government officials for possible filing of a diplomatic protest.

The militarys statement came days after news reports surfaced about Chinese militia vessels allegedly shadowing and blocking Filipino coast guards on a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal.

On Friday, the US government issued a statement calling out China over its unprofessional maneuvers in the contested waterway.

An international arbitral tribunal award in 2016 invalidated China's sweeping claims in the South China Sea, but Beijing continues to reject the ruling.

China's increasingly aggressive behavior in the hotly contested waterway has antagonized other claimants including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei in the sea row that has long been regarded as an Asian flashpoint.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  The lack of proper monitoring and supervision over 653 infrastructure projects by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) offices in 2022 has resulted in various technical defects amounting to over 369 million, the Commission on Audit (COA) found.

The foregoing technical defects and deficiencies may compromise the safety of the public, cause further destruction on the infrastructures and ultimately result in the wastage of government funds and resources if not immediately rectified, the state auditors said in its latest report uploaded on July 6.

Among the defects cited by the COA include multiple cracks on concrete pavements, potholes, delamination of concrete surface, and school buildings with no electrical systems, among others.

State auditors said that one of the reasons for the recorded deficiencies was the use of inferior quality or substandard materials.

There were also instances where the actual accomplishment was less than the reported items for payments, COA added.

The state auditors directed the DPWH management to oblige concerned contractors to immediately repair the noted defects and deliver the required items of work.

Otherwise, forfeit the performance securities of the defaulting contractors, and consider them for blacklisting, state auditors said.

The DPWH was also reminded to conduct regular monitoring of the projects to ensure they are implemented in accordance with the approved contracts.

Delayed projects

Moreover, the COA found that several DPWH offices failed to efficiently implement over 2,000 locally funded projects worth more than 96 billion due to poor planning.

State auditors noted that agencies should always consider the timely completion of infrastructure projects to achieve intended benefits.

Out of all the locally funded projects inspected, records show 75% or 1,798 were not finished by the completion date specified in the contract, according to the COA.

There were 413 projects suspended, 90 projects terminated, and 94 projects that have yet to be started, it also said.

Among the reasons for the delays are unfavorable site conditions, road right-of-way acquisition issues, pending clearance from the environment department, and late release of funds, it added.

Except for the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather conditions, the other identified causes of the delay in the implementation of infrastructure projects reflect the inadequacy of planning, supervision and monitoring of management relative to the project implementation, the COA said.

The audit body said the DPWH should coordinate with other government agencies for a more effective planning process.

CNN Philippines reached out to the DPWH for comment on the findings of the auditors.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7)  State prosecutors filed a motion for a Muntinlupa judge to inhibit from the last drug case of former senator Leila de Lima to have a new perspective on the evidence presented by parties involved, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

On Thursday, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara, who was also the judge who acquitted the former lawmaker from her second drug case in May, inhibited himself from the remaining drug case upon the request of state prosecutors.

It is good for the justice system as the case will now be decided by the judge who had nothing to do with the related cases and can rely on his or her new perspective of the evidence presented by both parties, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano told CNN Philippines The Source on Friday.

I think thats exactly what the prosecutors wanted  to have a new judge, have a new perspective on the evidence presented, he added.

Prior to this development, the remaining drug case of De Lima was raffled to Alcantara on June 30 following the inhibition of Judge Romeo Buenaventura after three co-accused individuals questioned the latters impartiality.

Alcantara said he decided to grant the prosecutions request "to put to rest any questions against his credibility, integrity, and fairness."

Clavano emphasized that the panel of prosecutors did not ask for clearance from DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to file its motion.

The respect that we afford the panel of prosecutors includes the discretion to pursue the case and hopefully get a fair judgment," he said. "So, in their opinion and in their best judgment, they deemed it necessary to file this motion for inhibition so thatwe keep the impartiality and the neutrality of the judge."

Remulla also said on Thursday that he cannot interfere with how the prosecutors are handling the case.

Clavano also said the inhibition will not cause any delay in the hearing of the case since the new judge will only have to start where Alcantara left off, thus a resolution will soon be released.

In June, De Lima filed a bail plea for her remaining drug case, which was rejected. Her camp then filed a motion for reconsideration.

De Lima, a staunch critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been detained since 2017 for allegedly benefiting from illegal drug trade in the New Bilibid Prison and using the drug money to finance her 2016 senatorial campaign.
Colorado Politics is published both in print and online. Our website features subscriber-only news stories daily, designed for public policy arena professionals. Member subscribers also receive the weekly print edition of our award-winning newspaper, containing outstanding features and news stories, in their mailboxes every Saturday.
Witnessing the madness of "King twit" and the data-munching journey of that monarchs latest competitor in the race to commoditize communication, Im glad Apple at least put some priority on privacy when no one else in Big Tech chose to.

As of today, you have what seems to be impending bankruptcy looming above Twitter, which once was seen as the worlds town square." You cant help but wonder who will own all that precious demographic and user data once the thundercloud breaks.

Sewing up Twitter

In the other corner, you have Meta's Threads, the latest competitor for the micro-blogging kingdom getting off to a really strong start, with millions already signed up.

Except that's not the case in the EU, where citizens are now protected by strong laws that protect the data Meta seems to see as fundamental to its business plan as if the exploitation of its solutions hasnt already allegedly been implicated in creating instability across multiple democracies.

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, of course  the tech press, including those who should know better, are already extolling all the virtues of Twitters tailor-inspired competitor..

(Are individual conversations in Threads woven or sewn? Is the solution to use of Twitter by human rights campaigners in authoritarian regimes really a social media account inexorably tied to your identity?)

Turning data into meh

At a time when the UK leader of the opposition seems to think pronouncing scone correctly is the solution for climate change, we read there's already so much junk left in space theres a chance all those satellites Apple and others are betting the future of communications on are going to have to learn to dodge as effectively as a pedestrian chicken-running across Highway 401. Kessler Syndrome just got real  ask ChatGPT for some facts about that, but dont be too surprised if those words are plagiarized.

What a time to be alive! The digital transformation of everything makes data out of everyone.

There are amazing opportunities for us all in that, of course, in terms of automated improvements and augmenting human lives, but the delicate dance between turning data into ta-da and transforming personal information into private profit hasnt yet been realized.

Getting the balance  wrong?

One thing we do know is that privacy is a fundamental beat that needs to be protected to get that cadence right. The dilemma will always be in understanding the point at which convenience becomes dystopia. Thats certainly a central concern to how Apple handles the information it collects, repeating as often as it can that it only gathers just enough to make its services work. Though with that in mind, I cant quite understand why a list of all the places I visit most often is deeply buried in one of the most obscure parts of Apples System Settings menu.

Steve Jobs got it right when he (presumably) declined to create an Apple social media service. Perhaps he had a premonition that when you run the worlds town square, you end up needing to find some way to balance all the opinions on the planet, including those for which humans have killed each other since the dawn of time.

If we cant figure out how to have polite disagreements IRL., how would we ever strike such balance online? How do you create a balance between government and free speech? And when does free speech become a cover for misogyny, elitism, or homophobia?

Is it safe?

My dear MySpace friend (he was everybodys friend, really), Tom Anderson, perhaps saw this coming when he sold his invention to News Corp for half a billion in 2005. In truth, free speech absolutism seems to have engendered its own toxic stew, limited to a few hundred messages a day delivered with an imagined background hum I can easily convince myself was played by another emperor during the collapse of Rome.

Meanwhile, those angels with goggle-clad faces over in Cupertino are working toward usefully combining the best of the digital world to augment real-world experiences, and I expect some of the challenges of social media will be encountered on that journey, too. That's especially true if right-wing governments force a backdoor into digital devices before Apples next big product even ships.

Please follow me on Mastodon, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Singapore Parliament pays tribute to Indian-origin MP Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his last day

Members of Parliament in Singapore paid tribute to senior Indian-origin minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on his last day as an MP for his contributions to public service over more than two decades.

Tharman Shanmugaratnam's (standing) last sitting in Parliament was yesterday. Photo courtesy: Singapore Government

He is set to resign from all official and political positions to contest Singapore's upcoming Presidential elections.

Tharman, 66, will step down from his posts as senior minister and coordinating minister for social policies and also resign from the People's Action Party as he has announced his bid for Singapore presidency.

His last sitting in Parliament was yesterday.

"We will miss SM Tharman in this chamber, not least his commanding presence and his erudite speeches. SM's greatest gift is, really, in making very complex economic principles sound simple," The Straits Times quoted Leader of the House Indranee Rajah as saying on Thursday.

"We also will miss his wit and his dry humour. I think most of all, we will miss a friend and a fellow Member of Parliament," she said.

Tharman joined politics in 2001 as a member of parliament and has held several cabinet positions, including deputy prime minister as well as education and finance minister.

He also served as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the de-facto central bank; deputy chairman of sovereign wealth fund GIC, where he chaired its investment strategies committee; and chairman of the Economic Development Board's International Advisory Council.

The Presidential election, held every six years, is scheduled to be held later this year before the term of current President Halimah Yacob ends on September 13.

Singapore has stringent terms and conditions for candidates running for president.

To qualify, a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Singapore aged 45 and above on nomination day and have lived in Singapore for at least 10 years up to that date.

He or she must not be a member of any political party on the date of nomination and must have met the public or private sector service requirement within the last 20 years.

The public sector service requirement includes having held office as a minister, chief justice, speaker of Parliament, attorney general, chairman of the Public Service Commission, auditor-general, accountant-general or permanent secretary for at least three years.

To fulfil the private sector service requirement, a person must have served as the chief executive of a company for at least three years and during this time the company must, on average, have at least SGD 500 million in shareholders' equity and made profit after tax throughout.

The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) must also be satisfied that the person has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of president.
Existence can get pretty bleak sometimes, and we all need a good laugh every now and then, so it's great that we have memes. You don't even need to know where a meme came from to enjoy it, you just have to recognize it and say, "Oh yeah, that thing!" In fact, as the following examples show, sometimes, you're better off not knowing the meme's origin. Because once you know it, suddenly, you don't feel like laughing anymore.

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5 Leeroy Jenkins Was a Racist Caricature Okay, hold back your skepticism. This is true. It's not the reason you find the meme funny, but it's how it was intended. First, let's recap the story of the meme, as the world knows it. In 2005, the World of Warcraft guild "Pals for Life" went on a raid, which is basically a really difficult fight requiring multiple players. One player, Leeroy Jenkins, was away from his computer making chicken and missed the conversation where everyone planned their attack. Then he came back and ruined the plan by just running at the monsters, shouting, All right guys, lets do this! LEEEEROY JENKINS!" The players all died, everyone blamed Leeroy, and the video ends with Leeroy saying at least I have chicken. Play This exploded into meme popularity and pretty soon everyone was imitating Leeroys famous yell, with even sitcoms and Jeopardy referencing the legendary video. No one knew why the player chose that name or yelled it like thatthe weirdness was what made it funny. Well, it turns out that a bunch of those players chose their names because they got drunk and decided to pick names they thought it would be inappropriate for white gamers like them to pick. So there's an Abdul and a Jamal, and for his own dark-skinned character, player Ben Schulz picked "Leeroy Jenkins." Ben yelling the name like that? That's him doing a minstrel bit. And if you never recognized it as that, well, we said Ben was trying to do a stereotype, not that he was any good at it. Even Leeroys at least I have chicken line was a nod to the Black-people-love-fried-chicken racial stereotype. Because, no, Ben wasn't actually AFK heating KFC. That line was scripted, and the whole video was staged. We should have guessed that because if they'd filmed a couple minutes of unscripted gamer chat, well, then the result would have been even more racist. Sign up for the Cracked Newsletter Get the best of Cracked sent directly to your inbox! SIGN ME UP

4 Dont Tase Me Bro Was Pretty Unfunny Police Brutality Remember "Don't Tase Me, Bro"? In September 2007, a college student begged police officers not to tase him, and this was funny because he called the cop "bro." But it's kind of weird how readily we made light of police shooting a jillion volts into a kid. University of Florida student Andrew Meyer, then a 21-year-old senior studying mass communication, attended a forum held by presidential candidate John Kerry. Meyer was in line but the Q&A session ended. Meyer forced himself onto the mic anyway and asked Kerry a series of questions, like whether he was part of the Skull & Bones society and whether he supported efforts to get George W. Bush impeached. Campus cops aggressively escorted Meyer away from the stage. Meyer questioned his arrest, they forced him to the ground and pointed a Taser at him, and Meyer screamed, Dont tase me bro! They tased him anyway, and he cried out in pain. Play In a post-George Floyd era, seeing a protestor brutalized by cops, begging for his life, all while an entire room full of people not only ignore his pleas but cheer the arrest on, is terrifying as hell. Mockingly quoting "don't tase me bro" might not be as bad as mockingly quoting "I can't breathe," but it's the same basic joke. Meyer didn't become a symbol for protesters. He became a punchline. Also, he spent the night in prison, was sentenced to 18 months of probation, and had to leave college for a semester. Sometimes, you've just got to say, "That's effed up, bro."

3 Slenderman Led To An Actual Attack Slenderman is a popular creepypasta meme that was created by Eric Knudsen in 2009 on the forum Something Awful. Hes a tall, slender, literally white man in a suit who abducts people, which has led to a video game series, a comic book, and even a film adaptation, because theyll make anything a movie nowadays. Sony Pictures Due to come out summer 2022.

Just kidding. It came out in 2019, we just all forgot it ever happened. Outside of movies, the Slenderman character has gone on to frighteningly inspire real-life attacks, which itself sounds like the plot of a creepypasta. In 2014, Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser, both twelve at the time, lured their fried Payton Leutner into a forest in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in an attempt to imitate the Slender Man mythology. They stabbed her 19 times. Leutner, near death, crawled towards a nearby road and called for help. She was taken to the hospital and recovered. Weier and Geyser were caught and sentenced to years in mental health hospitals. That's as close as we're going to a judicial ruling that Something Awful memes should stay quarantined on the forum for good.

2 The Excited Bowler Guy Is Nuts Pete Weber is a bowling god. Webers legendary bowling career includes 37 Professional Bowlers Association titles, 13 PBA50 Tour titles, voted bowler of the year twice, and he's one of the two only bowlers to ever earn 100 PBA titles. On top of that, hes the only bowler in history to win every PBA triple crown event twice. If theres a ball with three holes in it somewhere and something resembling an alley and pins, Pete is going to kick ass and take names. But perhaps Petes most famous accolade comes not in the form of his impressive bowling accomplishments but a single 26-second video. On February 26, 2012, Pete Weber scored his fifth ever US Open title win, leading him to scream furiously in celebration WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE I AM. Play This line, as baffling as it is funny, became an meme overnight, being shared across the internet to millions of people. It was used as an out-of-context reaction to many different types of posts by people unaware that the context is a bit more disturbing than they thought. See, Webers angry reaction/bragging was directed entirely at some kid in the audience. This kid had been loudly rooting against Weber the entire time, which set him off big time, leading to him blowing up at someone not old enough to drive. On top of that, Weber himself is not exactly a well put together person, as he blew a small fortune on alcohol, cocaine, and gambling back in the '80s, which everyone conveniently forgets when praising the guy. Its too bad his personality isnt as good as his sick bowling skills. Advertisement Advertisement
The rules for safe sex are quite simple. No sex on roller coasters. No sex with crocodiles, particularly oral sex. And lumberjack role-play should consist entirely of clothing and acting choices, with no real chainsaws whatsoever.

We drill these instructions into children. But when people drill each other, they often do so in a dangerous way. Sometimes using actual drills.

5 The Epoxy Condom Two years ago, a 23-year-old named Salman Mirza in Ahmedabad, India, went to a hotel with his girlfriend, and apparently with a second woman as well. They had no condom with them that day. What they did have was some ingredients for epoxy adhesive. They had a good reason for carrying around such chemicals: for huffing and to enhance the effects of whatever other drugs they had on them. Dzhang2680/Wiki Commons It says eye and skin irritant. The penis isnt eye or skin, right? The whole point of a condom is to create some sort of barrier through which fluids and other malefactors cant pass, and the trio realized they had the means to create a barrier even more secure than latex. They sealed Mirzas penis shut. The immediate consequence of this is something called retrograde ejaculation, in which semen is forced backward and enters the bladder. This is not particularly dangerous, so long as the sufferer can urinate afterward. If not, expect complications. A friend of Mirzas later found him unconscious in a pile of bushes (meaning shrubbery, outside an apartment building, not the bushes hed previously dove into). He sent Mirza to a hospital, where he died. Doctors would not say whether the sealed orifice killed him, but we imagine it couldnt have helped. He died of organ failure, which is technically how everyone dies and was particularly true in his case. Advertisement

4 The Lost Bet Our next story is also about a threesome gone wrong. Threesomes can be dangerous (estimates say that threesomes are 50 percent more likely to end in the death of one participant than sex between two partners), and this one had an additional factor at play. According to a report out of Russia, two acquaintances challenged 28-year-old mechanic Sergey Tuganov to last through a sex session spanning 12 hours. The man prepared himself by downing a whole bottle of Viagra. He rather expectedly then suffered a heart attack, as Viagra works by messing with the circulatory system. His partners had to call emergency services, and while he had lasted long, its unclear if we can say he left the women satisfied. Advertisement We dont know just how many readers here were considering overdosing on Viagra. However, approximately all of you are considering overmedicating on something or another, so see in this a useful lesson. Just because one pill helps you doesnt mean multiple pills will help you more. If it were possible to reliably have sex for 12 hours by popping several grams of sildenafil, Pfizer would already be marketing that dosage, branding it as X-Tra Strength. The fact that theyve passed up on (or been prevented from taking) that lucrative opportunity tells you something. Audrey Disse Doctors hate this one weird trick! Because it kills you.

3 The French Business Expense A Missouri woman (identified only as MO) got HPV having sex with her boyfriend a couple years back. Theyd had sex in his car, which was insured by Geico, so she argued that Geico owed her compensation. An arbitrator ruled in her favor, and a court agreed, saying the insurer had to pay her $5.2 million. Advertisement Advertisement This was not a case of sex turned fatal (at least, not immediately fatal  well have to wait a long time to see if the virus gives her cancer). We just wanted to bring it up to show how absurd the question of liability can be for sex cases, and how such claims usually fall apart. This verdict, you see, was eventually vacated by a higher court. If all appeal courts agreed with such a decision, now that would be weird. That brings us to France. In 2013, a Frenchmen identified as Xavier was on a business trip. Free from his wife for the weekend, he found some other woman and slept with her. In the process, he had a heart attack and died. His family then took his employer, the rail company TSO, to court. Donautalbahner/Wiki Commons Because he died while getting railed. The company was liable for his death, they argued. TSO disagreed. The man wasnt in the workplace when he died, nor was he carrying out any professional duties, nor was he even in the hotel theyd paid for (he went to the womans hotel). Six years later, following a whole lot of litigation, the courts ruled definitively in the familys favor. In France, sex with a stranger during a business trip counts as an industrial accident. Advertisement

2 The Mile-High Club People in Florida were baffled in 1991 when a twin-engine plane exploded in midair. The crash killed both occupants of the plane  pilot Linda Keath and co-pilot Carl Terry. Terry, though just a pilot-rated passenger, was identified as the pilot in initial police reports because, lets say, he was the taller of the two. Advertisement The plane ripped apart due to wing failure because it flew in a way that exceed the tiny aircrafts design limits. As for why it flew so recklessly, investigators found clues by looking at the two corpses. Both appeared in stages of partial undress. Investigators checked to see if the crash had pulled the clothes off or ripped them apart, but no; the two must have taken off their clothes while still in flight. Also, one of the cockpits seats was in the fully reclined position at the time of the breakup. BestOnLifeform/Wiki Commons Please put your seat backs in the upright position. Advertisement The NTSB ruled that the cause of the crash was the pilot-in-commands improper inflight decision to divert her attention to other activities not related to the conduct of the plane. Clearly, the tradition of having sex in a Florida plane should be reserved for passengers, rather than whoever is currently operating the controls. However, when passengers show up, that can be just as dangerous:
Nobody likes work. Sure, youll hear tales of dream jobs and platitudes about doing what you love, but those are, as far as I can tell, just designed to get you through college without having a full existential meltdown. When it comes down to it, the fact is that one of the most central parts of a job is Having to Do Something, a requirement that sours in the brain of even the most type-A personality.

To add insult to injury is that many jobs require not only that you Do Stuff, but that you travel somewhere in order to do those very things. Even though working from home is more and more prevalent now after the pandemic, the terror that is a commute has managed to climb once again onto the back of the working man to eat away at their energy and sanity. Some commutes, though, make a podcast in an air-conditioned gridlocked car seem downright heavenly.

Here are five of the objectively worst commutes in the world

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5 Mponeng Gold Miner Play Advertisement A two-and-a-half mile commute doesnt seem too bad, except when that two-and-a-half miles is straight down toward the earths core. That is precisely the trip youll be taking if you work in the worlds deepest mine, the Mponeng Gold Mine in South Africa. Every day, on your way to try to eke a couple ounces of gold out of solid earth, youll take two separate elevators directly down into the mines, and then traverse one last elevator-less stretch under your own power. Now, dropping yourself down into the depths every single day doesnt exactly seem like a recipe for high morale. It probably feels like more of a literal representation of the dread you feel in a regular old run-of-the-mill elevator heading to a job that you hate. In addition to the gathering, crushing darkness, though, it also gets hotter and hotter over the course of that commute as you get closer to the earths core. The temperature of the rock at the bottom of the mine can hit 140 degrees, an environment that is fully impossible to work in. Luckily, they use a cooling system to get those numbers down to a balmy 85 degrees, perfect for back-breaking physical labor! Advertisement

4 Radio Tower Technician Play Advertisement Advertisement If youve seen a radio tower blipping away in the distance at night, you might wonder, does that light ever go out? Immediately followed by the thought, if it does, it must be a real bitch to change. Congratulations, as your intuition is absolutely correct on both counts. Those bulbs at the tippy-top of radio towers do indeed need changing, and it is, indeed, a bitch of a job. Radio tower technicians, or radio climbers, are the ones saddled with this high-stakes job, which requires two distinct commutes. The first is much closer to the kind you might know, heading out to the work site in question via their preferred vehicle, king-size coffee in cupholder to chase out the last of sleeps cobwebs. The second is the one that you couldnt pay most people to make, hence the high wages, reportedly around $20,000 per climb. Thats 1,500 feet straight up on a glorified fucking ladder, with 60 mile an hour winds for good measure. Not much traffic up there at least. Advertisement

3 Saturation Diver Play Advertisement Advertisement As someone who suffers from thalassophobia, i.e., fear of deep water, this one is an absolute personal nightmare. The same way that massively tall towers require maintenance, so do human-made bits existing deep beneath the sea. Commercial divers are the ones who head down to check, build and repair these sunken mechanisms, and saturation divers are the ones working at the deepest depths of all. The fact that were talking about heading hundreds of feet under the ocean adds a particularly unpleasant wrinkle: the pressure that comes with those depths. Decompression is a dangerous thing, as plenty of ghosts from the building of the Brooklyn Bridge can tell you. In order to work efficiently, saturation divers spend long periods living in compression chambers on the surface that mimic the deep sea, meaning that even when theyre technically topside, they cant enjoy the fresh air on risk of death. On top of all that are their regular trips down into the pitch-black depths of the ocean in a diving bell, a vehicle that feels specifically designed to cause a nervous breakdown. Advertisement

2 Mount Everest Sherpa Play Advertisement Advertisement This ones fun, since really, the commute and the job are one and the same. Sherpa, in addition to being an incredibly comfortable jacket lining, is also a grueling and dangerous job, most popularly associated with Mount Everest. Most people will never climb Everest, and the ones that do and make it back with their life and all their tootsies intact will probably check that box and not plan on a return visit. Sherpas, on the other hand, make that dangerous ascent their business, and to make it even harder, have to do so while worrying about the safety of whatever jag-off theyre toting up there. Its basically the most dangerous babysitting job in the world. As if death and bodily harm wasnt enough to make the trip highly unpleasant, theres also the fact that these days, youre likely stuck with some rich fuckhead paying out the nose for a fake cap-feather. Advertisement
Farmers busy harvesting lotus roots in Liuzhou, S China's Guangxi

People's Daily Online) 13:58, July 07, 2023

A farmer harvests lotus roots in a lotus pond in Liujiang district, Liuzhou city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Farmers have been harvesting lotus roots recently in Liujiang district, Liuzhou city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Lotus roots in about 40,000 mu (2,666 hectares) of lotus ponds in Liujiang district can be harvested this summer, and reaches 21,000 mu in the districts Baipeng township.

"Lotus roots enter their peak season for sales in Baipeng. The purchase price of lotus roots is about 6.6 yuan ($0.91) per kilogram," said Qin Bingliu, head of a local lotus roots cooperative.

The township's lotus roots are mainly sold to regions including Beijing, northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and east China's Shandong Province, and are in demand because they taste good, Qin added.

The total planting area of lotus roots in Liujiang district reaches about 64,000 mu. The annual yield of lotus roots in the district is expected to exceed 120,000 tonnes, with a total value of 600 million yuan.

The Liujiang lotus root was recognized as a geographical indication product in China. Liujiang district is the largest planting base of double-cropping lotus roots in the country.

The district attracts tourists during the blooming season of lotus flowers every year. In 2022, it received 5.1 million tourist visits, with tourism consumption reaching 5.5 billion yuan.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Photo-Illustration: Curbed; Photos Getty Images/Shutterstock

Until this week, David Adjaye was not just the worlds most famous Black architect, or African-born architect, or British architect under 60. He was also a certified heroic genius, virtually the only one left in architecture whose reputation was still ascendant. He had a knighthood, much quoted presidential praise, and the trophy case to prove it. Adjaye had not yet won the Pritzker Prizeit must have stung when his contemporary, the Burkina Fasoborn Francis Kere, did last yearbut it would likely have rolled in soon enough. The odious and misleading term starchitect, invented for a cohort of his elders like Frank Gehry (now 94) and Norman Foster (88), applied comfortably to Adjaye. Although his firm, Adjaye Associates, employs dozens of architects spread out across offices in London, New York, and Accra, the work they produce is so strongly identified with one man that it seemed to have sprung from his imagination alone.

That whole superstructure of adulation collapsed in an instant when the Financial Times published an explosive article detailing the accusations of three former employees, all Black women, all single mothers, who variously claimed he had manipulated, controlled, and sexually assaulted them. Within hours, Adjaye issued denials and simultaneously stepped back from a lengthening list of boards, organizations, and projects. At first, the story looks like just another MeToo aftershock, the comeuppance of a powerful man who didnt get the message that times had changed. But the case also sends righteous tremors through a frequently exploitative profession. As the FT article makes clear, Adjayes accusers felt they were always at the bosss mercy, with no recourse, few alternatives, and a dim future if they crossed him. In that, they are not alone. A job at a celebrated firm like his is treated as a privilege that comes with low pay and can be rescinded at any time. The reward is anonymous involvement in major projects and proximity to the professions high priests, most of whom believe in the system even if they dont abuse.

I have mixed feelings about Adjayes work. Like most critics, I praised the National Museum of African-American History and Culture. I was less impressed with his affordable housing complex in Harlem. Its somehow not surprising that a man allegedly so intent on controlling others has made a fetish of darkened hallways and thick stone walls. (Ive been looking at his building at 130 William Street, and Ill have more to say about that soon.) For now, whats clear is that no museum, memorial, or condo building, no matter how refined, can justify an antiquated system that turns a designer into a petty potentate. If Adjayes disgrace endures, it will cause plenty of collateral damage: employees who looked to him for financial and moral support, intellectuals who valued his promotion of Black architects and African urbanism, admirers who saw him as a champion of socially engaged architecture, clients who paid for his prestige, institutions that sought his counsel. All will pay a portion of the price for his hubris.

Ayn Rand enshrined the image of the architect as lone genius, thrusting with confidence and stylistic fervor. Frank Lloyd Wright embodied that role, demandingand receivingadoration from acolytes, women, clients, and the press. The late 20th century produced a new crop of self-mythologizing auteursincluding Daniel Libeskind, Richard Rogers, Renzo Piano, Jean Nouvel, Zaha Hadid, Gehry, and Fosterwhose stylistic quirks permeated work they sometimes hardly touched. All have had loyalists and minions to translate their sketches into fully realized buildings, often with computer software that the stars never learned how to use. (Richard Meier, now 88, removed himself from the firm that bears his name in 2018, after multiple sexual harassment accusations.)

At Adjaye Associates, the founder has played his guru role to the hilt. He gives all the interviews, takes all the credit, and limits his collaborators autonomy. Thats true in many high-profile firms but not all. Some charismatic figures, notably Rem Koolhaass Office for Metropolitan Architecture, have cultivated talented young people who eventually spun off their own outfits. Joshua Ramus formed REX, Dan Wood and Amale Andraos started WorkAC together, Bjarke Ingels launched BIG, Kate Orff created SCAPE. Many big-name artistes get clients comfortable talking to their lieutenants or map out plans of succession as they age. For Adjaye, its all about Adjaye. One clue to his imperious attitude cropped up in his response to the FTs report: He denies taking nearly $800 out of an ATM in Accra to pay off a woman he had just assaulted; he withdrew the cash, his lawyer claimed, to pay for a police escort to assist with driving through traffic.

In recent years, critics, prize committees, and even clients have become more attuned to the collaborative nature of architecture  to the associates or partners lumped together in corporate anonymity after the chiefs full name. In 2010, Polshek Partnership, named for its founder, James Polshek, rebaptized itself as Ennead Architects after its nine principal partners. A few months ago, Deborah Berke Partners became TenBerke to emphasize the firms multiple points of view.

Even so, the junior architects trajectory from student years through the licensing process, to stable employment, independence, and perhaps a measure of respect, remains a treacherous one. In a tight-knit and harshly competitive world shot through with informal relationships and old grudges, a negative word from an ex-employer, or even just a grimace, can make someone virtually unemployable. For architects of color, who have barely begun to penetrate the ranks of European and American firms, a career path can be even narrower. Adjaye Associates is one of the few international companies with a reputation for cultivating Black talent  which makes the allegation that he targeted three Black women all the more dispiriting.

A global business that runs on whim, long hours, free or low-paid labor, and star power is a petri dish for abuse. One lesson of the Adjaye affair should be the need for architects to organize. Many of the industrys luminaries have explained to me all the ways that unions are incompatible with their practices. Margins are thin, success unpredictable. Deadlines can require all-night sessions, scarce clients are scared off by the specter of labor unrest, firms must be able to add and shed personnel as the market for their services fluctuates, new graduates dont know enough about the profession theyve chosen and must be trained on the job. And so on. Yet employees at Bernheimer Architects formed the countrys first union last year, winning voluntary recognition from management. A group of Snhetta staffers attempted, but failed, to do the same. Unionizing architects wont solve all problems or tame all abusive bosses, but it could help inculcate a supposedly enlightened profession with one quality it seems to consider a frill: respect for the people who do the work.
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Royal watchers were thrilled by an electric exchange of smiles at Guards polo

Despite their formal roles, the Prince and Princess of Wales have not been afraid to show their feelings for each other

It was a look of such genuine affection that few could doubt not just the teamwork, but the love between the two - when the Prince and Princess of Wales were caught sharing a private moment following the Guards polo, yesterday.

And it is not the first time. There was another, perhaps more subtle, look of loving recognition between the two just a few days earlier during the historic Order of the Garter service at St George's Chapel, Windsor.

That was the first time the Waleses had attended the event with their new royal titles and the look of pride on Catherine's face was undeniable as she watched from the sidelines.

No one could miss the look the Princess of Wales gave Prince William at the Royal Charity Polo Cup at Guards Polo Club, Windsor yesterday

Royal fans went wild on Monday as the Princess of Wales, left, beamed adoringly at her husband from outside St George's Chapel, Windsor

Many noticed that the heartwarming moment was almost identical to one caught on camera at the Garter service in 2014 (pictured). This was soon after the couple had welcomed Prince George into the world

In fact, the pair, who first met at the University of St Andrews in 2001 still look as happy as they did in the earlier stages of their romance.

Over the years they have proudly stood alongside each other through many milestones, including their fairytale royal wedding, welcoming their three children, and taking on new roles following the coronation of King Charles III.

There have been more troubling times, too, for The Royal Family, but William and Catherine have stood firm - as these pictures of the loving looks they've shared over the past two decades make clear...

Kate and William shared an adoring look as they accompanied one another to the wedding of friends Harry Head and Rosie Bradford in Northleach, Gloucestershire in 2010. This was just a month before they announced their own engagement

Posing for photos in the State Apartments of St James Palace after making their engagement official on on November 16, 2010, the pair seemed thrilled - a young couple in love

Pictured on their wedding day on April 29, 2011 on the balcony at Buckingham Palace, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were truly besotted with each other

There were moments when Kate and William seemed absorbed in each other as they rode in the carriage back to Buckingham Palace after their wedding service

Months later in June, the couple attended Epsom Derby at Epsom racecourse, and even with all of the excitement going on around them, the connection between them was clear

Kate was pictured smiling with undisguised affection as she listened to Prince William making a short address after arriving at the Rideau Hall on June 30, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada, for their first joint overseas tour

Just two days later, the couple were still appearing in great spirits as they attended a tree-planting ceremony together at Rideau Hall on on July 2, 2011 in Ottawa

As Prince William and his bride disembarked the HMCS Montreal in Champlain Harbour on July 3, 2011, Kate snuck in a heart-warming look at William

Kate and William share a glance of pure affection during a visit to Somba K'e Civic Plaza on the sixth day of the Royal Couple's North American Tour in Yellowknife, Canada, 2011

Kate and William exchange a smile during the 2014 service in June 2014

While attending the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral on June 3, 2022 in London, Catherine shone a bright smile at William as he looked on into the distance

Arriving into the parade ring during Royal Ascot 2022 at Ascot Racecourse in 2022, Kate - radiant in white - gazed fondly at her husband

Kate looks on as William chats during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2022

Is that a note of scepticism? William certainly seems to be trying hard during the ninth day of Wimbledon, 2022

Whatever he said certainly made Kate laugh at Guards Polo Club in July 2022

Affectionate teamwork was once again on show as Kate and William met Mayor Michelle Wu in Boston, 2022

A radiant Kate and dapper William at the Earthshot Prize 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts
When Jay-Z's mom tied the knot with her longtime partner over the weekend, it was an emotional moment for the 72-year-old mother-of-four, who spent years 'hiding in a closet.'

Gloria Carter first came out as a lesbian to her musician son, 53, six years ago, and it left him in 'tears' as he came to grips with the realization that she had been 'living her life pretending to be someone else' for all that time - and ultimately inspired his hit track Smile.

Now, more than half a decade on, he was by her side when she exchanged vows with her girlfriend, Roxanne Wiltshire, on Sunday.

It's no secret that the rapper and his mother have been through a lot together, and he has continuously credited the 72-year-old philanthropist with instilling a hard work ethic in him from a young age, and ultimately pushing him to follow his dreams to become a musician.

Jay-Z's mom Gloria Carter tied the knot with her partner Roxanne Wiltshire (seen together in 2019) over the weekend, six years after she moved her son to 'tears' by coming out as a lesbian

FEMAIL rounded up everything we know about the woman who raised Jay-Z (seen together in 2004) - from her own impressive career path to the moment she told him she was secretly gay

Gloria showcased her fierce dedication from early on, after her husband-of-13-years left her to raise four kids on her own.

In a desperate attempt to keep the family afloat, she started working multiple jobs - and while Jay-Z has admitted that some moments of his childhood were 'tough,' he has been very adamant about thanking his mom for doing 'whatever she had to do' to ensure that he and his siblings were safe.

It was Gloria who got him his first boombox after she noticed he had an interest in music, and when he unfortunately got involved in selling drugs during high school, it was her words that eventually inspired him to 'let the street life go.'

Gloria now spends much of her time giving back to others - she serves as the CEO to a foundation that she started with the Roc Nation founder in 2003, which is dedicated to helping underprivileged kids get an education.

As Gloria weds the love of her life, FEMAIL went ahead and rounded up everything we know about the woman who raised Jay-Z - from her own inspiring story and impressive career path to how she stuck by him through thick and thin and the moment she told him she was secretly gay.

After her husband abandoned them, Gloria was left to raise four kids on her own, working multiple jobs to make ends meet - but her determination was what inspired Jay-Z to become a musician

Gloria was forced to raised Jay-Z (seen as a kid) and his three siblings by herself, after her husband-of-13-years and the musician's father, Adnes 'AJ' Reeves, abandoned the family

Taking care of four children on her own wasn't easy, but a determined Gloria (seen in 2016) soon started working two jobs to ensure that her kids had food and shelter

Gloria was forced to raised Jay-Z and his three siblings by herself, after her husband-of-13-years and the musician's father, Adnes 'AJ' Reeves, abandoned the family when he was only 11.

Taking care of four children on her own wasn't easy, but a determined Gloria soon started working two jobs to ensure that her kids had food and shelter.

And while Jay-Z has admitted that there were certainly some 'tough' moments during his childhood, he has continuously credited his mother's strength with helping him become who he is today.

'We were living in a tough situation, but my mother managed. She juggled - sometimes wed pay the light bill, sometimes we paid the phone, sometimes the gas went off,' Jay-Z once recalled to Vanity Fair.

'We werent starving - we were eating, we were OK. But it was things, like, you didnt want to be embarrassed when you went to school. You didnt want to have dirty sneakers or wear the same clothes over again.'

The family lived in the public housing projects in Brooklyn's Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

Gloria worked her way up from a clerk at an investment company to an analyst, while also landing a job as a security guard on the side to make extra money.

It was Gloria who pushed the hip-hop artist to pursue a career in music, purchasing him his first boom box after she noticed him banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table

In high school, he started selling crack cocaine, but she stood by him - and it was her words that ultimately inspired him to 'let the street life go'

Back in 2009, when Oprah asked Jay-Z who his role model was, he gushed, 'My mom, she worked two jobs and did whatever she had to do for us.'

It was Gloria who pushed the hip-hop artist to pursue a career in music, purchasing him his first boom box for his birthday after she noticed him constantly banging out drum patterns on the kitchen table.

In high school, he started selling crack cocaine and eventually dropped out during his sophomore year, but she stood by him - and it was her words that ultimately inspired him to 'let the street life go.'

'My mom always taught me that whatever you put into something is what you're going to get out of it,' he explained to Oprah.

'I started to realize that I couldn't be successful until I let the street life go. I had to fully let go of what I was doing before for the music to be successful. That was a leap of faith for me. I said, "I have to give this everything."'

She also told USA Today in 2014: 'I'm an old-school person. I believe that you work for what you want - you don't sit around and wait for someone to give it to you.'

Gloria's impressive work ethic didn't falter when Jay-Z became famous - and she went on to launch an organization with the rapper dedicated to providing education to underprivileged kids

Gloria and Jay-Z founded the Shawn Carter Foundation in 2003, an organization that is committed to helping underprivileged kids receive an education

Gloria's impressive work ethic didn't falter when Jay-Z became famous. While the rapper wanted her to 'retire' after he made it big - she explained to USA that she became so 'bored' after a year of retirement that she knew she had to go back to work.

Gloria (seen in 2018) has now served as the CEO of the company for 20 years, and every year for the past two decades, the foundation has awarded scholarships to over 200 students across America

However, instead of returning to her career as an investment analyst, Gloria pursued another one of her passions - helping people.

She and Jay-Z founded the Shawn Carter Foundation in 2003, an organization that is committed to 'open the doors of education, travel, enlightenment and experiences to those that may never have thought it possible.'

'The underserved have so many problem. Sometimes they need someone to give them a hand,' she explained about the charity.

'We have kids who act as the moms and dads of their families, kids who are products of the foster care system, kids who were in prison.

'They still want to pursue a further education, whether it's at a four-year institution or a community college or vocational school.'

While running the organization is very important to Gloria - there's one thing that comes above her work, and that's her family. She's seen with Jay-Z's wife, Beyonce

Gloria has now served as the CEO of the company for 20 years, and every year for the past two decades, the foundation has awarded scholarships to over 200 students across America.

While running the organization is very important to Gloria - there's one thing that comes above her work, and that's her family.

She told USA in 2014 that she takes being a mother and a grandmother very seriously, explaining that she's made it her goal to teach her young grandkids 'the importance of having an education and of being a good person.'

She added that she also wants to instill in them: 'In order to get respect, you have to give it.'

At the time, she gave the outlet an inside look into the family dynamic, explaining that despite everyone being busy with their careers, they always makes sure to make time for one another.

'We're always together as a family - talking, eating,' she gushed.

When Gloria came out as gay to her son, he 'cried tears of joy because he was so happy she could finally be 'free' after spending years 'hiding in the closet' from 'society shame'

When Jay-Z released his thirteenth studio album, 4:44, in 2017, the rapper revealed that his mom was a lesbian through the lyrics of one the songs, Smile. They are seen together in 2011

The lyrics read: 'Mama had four kids, but she's a lesbian. Had to pretend so long that she's a thespian. Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate.' A still of Gloria in the music video is seen

When Jay-Z released his thirteenth studio album, 4:44, in 2017, the rapper revealed that his mom was a lesbian through the lyrics of one the songs.

In the track Smile, he says, 'Mama had four kids, but she's a lesbian. Had to pretend so long that she's a thespian.

'Had to hide in the closet, so she medicate. Society shame and the pain was too much to take.'

Jay-Z also sang about 'crying tears of joy' after Gloria met her now-wife, Roxanne.

The song continues: 'Cried tears of joy when you fell in love. Don't matter to me if it's a him or her. I just wanna see you smile through all the hate.'

In 2018, the Roc Nation founder opened up about the moment his mom came out to him during an appearance on David Letterman's Netflix series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.

'For her to sit in front of me and tell me "I think I love someone," I really cried... I cried because I was so happy for her that she was free,' he recalled.

'Imagine having to live your life as someone else and you think you're protecting your kids.'

During the GLAAD Media Awards, Gloria gave a powerful speech about her journey. She said: 'Love gave me the courage to take the power that I allowed others to have over my life'

Gloria tied the knot at a star-studded wedding in Manhattan on Sunday. Beyonce, her mother, Tina Knowles, and her daughter, Blue Ivy, are seen at the wedding with an unidentified woman

Gloria also reflected on it while speaking on the D'Usse Friday podcast. She said, 'I just finally started telling him who I was: "Besides your mother, this is the person that I am. This is the life that I lived."

'So my son started actually, like, tearing because he was like, "That had to be a horrible life, Ma."

'I was like, "My life was never horrible. It was just different." So that made him want to do a song about it.'

During the 26th GLAAD Media Awards, Gloria gave a powerful speech about her journey after she and Jay-Z were honored for the song.

'Smile became a reality because I shared with my son who I am. Not that people didnt know ... but for me, this was the first time that I spoke to anyone about who I really am,' she shared.

'Love gave me the courage to take the power that I allowed other people to have over my life for fear of them revealing my secret that wasnt really a secret.'

Gloria tied the knot with her longtime partner, Roxanne, at a star-studded wedding in Manhattan on Sunday, which was attended by a slew of celebrities like Tyler Perry, Kelly Rowland, and Robin Roberts.

Like Gloria, Roxanne, who was born in Trinidad, is a philanthropist. She serves as the co-founder and president of the Wiltshire foundation - an organization that focuses on helping underserved communities address inequalities when it pertains to academics, environmental, financial and more, through the help of literacy.

She graduated from The Rutgers School of Law and is a mother of two daughters.
A new optical illusion claims it can determine whether you are logical or intuitive based on what you see first in this picture.

The mind-binding image was shared by the US-based PsychologyLove100 TikTok account.

It shows an image that includes several elements - which ones do you see first when you look at it?

According to the social media account, what you first decipher in the overall picture determines whether you are an intuitive or a logical type of person and what your go-to thought process is.

Take a quick glance at the image to see what you notice first...

This mind-binding image shared by the US-based PsychologyLove100 TikTok account claims it can determine whether you are a logical or an intuitive person

'If you've seen three bears first, you have an analytical mind, you're good at analyzing facts and figures and have a logical approach,' the video claims.

'You don't act on impulse. You prefer a step-by-step approach to things,' it adds.

The videos goes on to explain that people who think logically tend to use conventions and regulations in order to organise their thought-process.

That also manifests itself in debate and arguments, where a logical person will have a more detail-oriented thought-process than others.

The video also explains that people who think analytically tend not to see a problem as a whole, but rather break it down in distinct concepts when tackling it to make it easier to solve.

That makes them particularly good at solving issues with a keen eye for detail.

However, people who saw mountains before bears are 'intuitive thinkers,' the video claims.

This means they tend to follow their instincts, which are usually right, when confronted with issues.

These people are also confident trusting their intuition, even when other people have contrary advice.

While they are usually right to follow their gut, this intuitive way of going about things also mean that they may sometime miss facts, and rely on their past experience to guide their decision making.

However, this trait doesn't mean that intuitive people are indecisive, as they tend to be efficient at making decisions for themselves.

They tend to be smart and well-placed to assess situations as a whole, and are likely to think outside the box when solving problems.

Meanwhile another optical illusion which claims to test the strength of your vision in just 20 seconds has left people on the web puzzled.

The tricky brain teaser - which was shared by Fresher Live - states that only people with 'sharp eyes' can spot the hidden set of numbers in a few seconds.

The mind-bending puzzle shows 14 rows of the number 444. In one of the rows, the number 474 is hidden.

You will need to pay extreme attention to detail and use your observation skills to locate the number in less than 20 seconds.

This optical illusion that tests the strength of your vision in just 20 seconds has left people on the web puzzled

The website notes that the solution can only be seen 'by a few people.'

The website also discussed the benefit of attempting to solve optical illusions on the daily.

It described these types of puzzles as 'deeply fascinating, mind-bending images that challenge your perception and test your observation.

'If you want to have better concentration and visual skills than others, then you should engage yourself in brain-stimulating activities like optical illusions, puzzles, and more.

'People who willfully engage themselves in activities like these will get mental benefits compared to others.'

If you still haven't found the hidden number, you will have to look even closer.

Here's a hint, look at row 11.

Look at the second set of numbers, and see if you spot anything.

Look at the second set of numbers in row 11, there you can find the solution

There, you can find the hidden number 474.

So, were you able to spot it?

The website notes that solving puzzles will help make your brain stronger.

'Optical Illusion emphasizes the importance of small details in our daily routine life. Now you know what optical Illusion is and how it helps us develop our observational and visual skills,' the website read.
The scene is a familiar one: three o'clock in the morning, the baby wakes for yet another feed. Exhausted mum drags herself out of bed and soothes her crying infant at the breast.

She looks enviously at her sleeping male partner as he snores contentedly, and feels a surge of irritation. How unfair it is that he can't share this particular load, she thinks.

And yet the latest row in the world of transgender politics might make her think twice.

For a picture posted on social media this week by trans woman Mika Minio-Paluello, who was born male but now identifies as a woman, appears to show her breastfeeding her baby on a bus, with the accompanying message 'Trans women can breastfeed'.

Have women been doing this wrong all along, the frazzled mum might well wonder.

For a picture posted on social media this week by trans woman Mika Minio-Paluello, who was born male but now identifies as a woman, appears to show her breastfeeding her baby on a bus, with the accompanying message 'Trans women can breastfeed'

Last month, she appeared as a case study in a piece on ITV News at Ten about the cost-of-living crisis

Minio-Paluello's post was in response to an earlier controversy. Last month, she appeared as a case study in a piece on ITV News at Ten about the cost-of-living crisis, in which she did the dishes and loaded the washing machine, while claiming that rising water prices are 'tough if you are a mum like me'.

Feminists were outraged. MP Rosie Duffield, for example, objected to the word 'mum' being appropriated by someone born male. (Minio-Paluello retorted that 'trans women can be mothers  it's not up to an MP or anyone else . . . to enforce what a child calls their parent'.)

It was as though ITV had chosen someone to 'role-play' the genuine struggles of underpaid mothers, said another feminist.

Others pointed out the sexism in the idea that wearing a skirt and being busy in the kitchen was what made someone a mother rather than the act of gestating and giving birth to a baby.

Plenty of people on social media highlighted the double standards of trans women using the word 'mum' while at the same time official NHS maternity literature reduces biological women to 'birthing people' or 'cervix-havers'.

At which point Minio-Paluello posted the breastfeeding picture, as if to prove that those born male could not only dress 'like a mum', but perform the biological functions of one, too. Cue predictably huge, ongoing outcry.

So what's the truth? Can a biological male really breastfeed a baby by producing milk from their nipples?

The complex answer is yes and no.

By using a regimen known as the Newman-Goldfarb protocol, originally developed in 2000 for adoptive mothers, the body can be tricked into lactating even if it's male.

It works by mimicking the hormonal changes that take place naturally in the body of a woman who has just given birth, and involves several weeks of regularly using a pump to stimulate the breast, taking a combination of contraceptive hormones and the anti-nausea drug domperidone, which increases levels of the milk-producing hormone prolactin.

But if that sounds simple, it really isn't. For a start, domperidone is banned in the U.S. over concerns it causes heart problems.

The NHS still offers it sometimes to breastfeeding women who are struggling with low milk supply, as long as neither mother nor baby has any heart issues, and with clear instructions to report any changes in the baby's behaviour.

It should be used, says official guidance, only 'for a short time'. (Minio-Paluello says she breastfed her child for 'a few weeks'.)

What's more, it's not at all clear what else is in a trans woman's 'milk'. Since trans women are likely to be taking other prescription drugs as part of their transition, such as anti-androgens to lower their production of testosterone, and oestrogen and progesterone to help them create a less 'masculine' appearance, critics say the milk is potentially unsafe for a newborn, or at the very least should be rigorously tested.

Feminists mutter darkly about yet more double standards from the medical establishment  women, after all, are told to avoid aspirin while breastfeeding and to abstain even from the odd glass of wine because no one knows how much gets through in the milk.

Until very recently, of course, the idea of a small baby being nursed by a biological male would have been regarded as quite bizarre, and the truth is there is very little research into male 'milk'.

Numbers are hard to come by  there are a dozen recorded cases of induced lactation in those born male, with numbers thought to be rising over the past two years.

In 2020, 34 per cent of health professionals attending an event on transgender health said they had met trans women who had expressed an interest in inducing lactation, and 91 per cent of them thought there was a need for specialised medical protocols for trans women who want to breastfeed.

In 2020, 34 per cent of health professionals attending an event on transgender health said they had met trans women who had expressed an interest in inducing lactation, and 91 per cent of them thought there was a need for specialised medical protocols for trans women who want to breastfeed (stock image)

One study said the composition of the fluid produced by male breasts after engaging in the Newman-Goldfarb protocol was roughly similar to that of female milk, but it's thought unlikely that males are able to produce enough to exclusively feed a baby. (There has been one documented case of a trans woman feeding a baby exclusively from birth, but at six weeks they had to supplement with formula.)

For now, say feminists  and, of course, it feels absurd to write this  a small baby being nursed by a male is essentially participating in an experiment.

'We simply don't have the studies,' Professor Jenny Gamble, who is a midwifery expert at Coventry University, told me.

'Ultimately, we need to shift the focus of the question and ask why this practice is happening in the first place. What are the benefits to the baby, or the birth mother?'

Like so much of the debate around trans issues, however, it's harder than it sounds to raise these questions.

I have been a breastfeeding, birthing and motherhood specialist for more than a decade, and have three books and a podcast on the subject to my name. This is my patch  and I know the professionals who work in it well.

Yet because people who raise doubts about trans women inducing lactation are immediately accused of transphobia, it is almost impossible to find experts willing to comment on the issue.

'I cannot have my name attached to this  it could cost me my registration,' several have told me.

Indeed, many breastfeeding professionals have already been threatened with disciplinary action or ejected from social media groups for raising concerns.

Large numbers belong to secret WhatsApp or Facebook groups, but cannot publicly state their views. 'If I get kicked out of my organisation, ultimately it is mums and their babies who will suffer,' one told me. 'So, for now, I have to stay silent.'

Some scientists seem positive. A paper in The Journal of Human Lactation earlier this year stated that: 'For transgender women . . . on oestrogen-based, gender-affirming hormone therapy, the ability to nourish their infants through production of their own milk may be a profoundly gender-affirming experience.'

What many experts say in private, however, seems utterly uncontroversial to most of us  that female breast milk is a miraculous biological substance with properties the male equivalent simply can't replicate.

Breast milk, after all, is a 'live' substance, which adapts to a baby's needs with remarkable precision.

Many of us will know about colostrum  the 'liquid gold' that is produced in the earliest days of breastfeeding. It's packed with antibodies, antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients in much higher quantities than in breast milk.

Colostrum production has never been observed in males.

Around three days after birth, a woman's milk then 'comes in' but changes constantly for about two weeks, until it becomes established as mature breast milk.

After that, it continues to change, often very subtly, according to a baby's needs.

If the baby sucks for a short time, they get a more watery, thirst-quenching milk, known as foremilk. If they keep sucking, they will get hindmilk, which is richer and higher in calories.

Breast milk also changes as the baby grows, perfectly tailoring itself to their age and development, with premature babies' milk being specifically higher in fat, calories and protein, while milk for older babies is richer in immunity-boosting qualities.

In fact, we are constantly discovering mind-blowing ways in which this remarkable liquid serves a newborn.

When a mother kisses her baby, for example, she samples pathogens on their face which then travel to her lymphatic system and cause antibodies to be created, which the baby receives through her milk.

It's also thought that there is a complex feedback loop between the baby's saliva and the mother's nipple, which 'informs' the breast about the baby's health needs, again causing antibodies to increase if they have a virus, for example.

Milk produced by females is a real-time immune system factory. There is no evidence that induced lactation in males can do any of these things.

It's not always easy for new mothers to breastfeed, of course. Yet help from the NHS and independent organisations is already stretched thin, and many professionals tell me they are baffled and infuriated by resources being spent on promoting the idea of male people trying to lactate when so many women are struggling to find adequate support. The pro-breastfeeding group La Leche League, for example, devotes lengthy space on its website to the issue.

'About 85 per cent of mothers start breastfeeding in the UK, but that drops by about 50 per cent in the first six weeks, with as many as nine out of ten saying they didn't want to stop but couldn't find the help,' one woman, who did not want to be named but who is involved in breastfeeding education, told me.

'All of our focus should be on working to change those numbers  it is farcical that we are even talking about lactation in men.'

Much of the discussion around nursing by trans women has been focused on how it's possible, what the liquid is exactly, and whether or not it is safe.

These are all interesting questions, but they fail to address the true issue: why is it necessary?

Trans women claim that the experience of nursing is 'gender-affirming'. In other words, it makes them feel more 'female'. But 'affirming' an adult's feelings is not the point of breastfeeding.

As much as a mum may wish at 3am that men could breastfeed, too, it seems that the male body just isn't built to nourish and support a child in this way. It feels extraordinary to have to say it, but long-term breastfeeding really is something special that only female people can do.

It seems to me that going to great lengths to induce a small amount of milk in a male body does nothing to serve either women, or the person who, of course, should be at the centre of any breastfeeding experience  the baby.
The Duke of Sussexs absence from the wedding of one of his closest friends reflects the sad situation Prince Harry finds himself in when it comes to those formerly closest to him, according to the Daily Mails Diary Editor Richard Eden.

We dont know if Jack Manns become estranged from Harry or not, but in Harrys memoirs, at the end he talks about how he was chastised  in his words  after the interview by some of his closest friends, he tells this weeks episode of Palace Confidential. Hes done a lot of damage to those old relationships.

The Daily Mail's Royal Editor Rebecca English says that the fallout from his former friends has been profound.

From what I hear there are a lot of people who are genuinely disgusted by what hes done since leaving the Royal Family, she tells the programme.

They feel very hurt by some of the revelations that hes made. As they were growing up William and Harry created a very close-knit circle of friends around each other.

Jack Mann, 40, exchanged vows with osteopath Isabella Clark at St Peter's church in Stutton, Suffolk, where guests included Harry's friend Thomas van Straubenzee, godfather of Princess Charlotte

The Duke of Sussex stood shoulder to shoulder with his best man, Jack Mann, and his other closest confederates in the 'band of brothers' photograph at Windsor Castle on the night of the royal wedding (Pictured from left: Adam Bidwell, Lord Vivian, Henry Warhurst, Prince Harry, Charlie Gilkes, Jack Mann and Mark Dyer)

'There was almost a kind of omerta between them. There are people who said weve been very loyal to him over the years and we dont feel that loyaltys been repaid.

The Duke of Sussex stood shoulder to shoulder with Jack Mann and his other closest confederates in the 'band of brothers' photograph at Windsor Castle on the night of the royal wedding. Also in the snap were financier Adam Bidwell, PR guru Lord Vivian, car collector Henry Warhurst, nightclub entrepreneur Charlie Gilkes, Mann and Prince Harry's long-time mentor Mark Dyer.

And, after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's nuptials, it was suggested that Mann was not just one of the ushers but was, in fact, his 'real' best man, rather than Prince William.

So there was disappointment at the weekend among royal fans that Harry and Meghan were not present at Mann's own big day.

The Duke of Sussexs absence from the wedding of one of his closest friends reflects the sad situation Prince Harry finds himself in when it comes to those formerly closest to him, according to the Daily Mails Diary Editor Richard Eden. Pictured, Harry and Meghan Markle in December 2022

The papers Royal Editor Rebecca English (pictured) says that the fallout from his former friends has been profound

Mann, 40, exchanged vows with osteopath Isabella Clark at St Peter's church in Stutton, Suffolk, where guests included Harry's friend Thomas van Straubenzee, godfather of Princess Charlotte.

Van Straubenzee was accompanied by his wife, Lucy, an assistant head at Charlotte and Prince George's former school, Thomas's.

It's not clear how close Harry remains to Mann, whom he met at Sandhurst where both were commissioned into the Blues and Royals.

Jack is the son of Simon Mann, a SAS officer turned mercenary, who was jailed for five years for allegedly trying to overthrow the government in Equatorial Guinea in 2004.

Harry's friend served with the British Army for tours of Iraq and Afghanistan. After leaving the army he worked in Libya as a country manager for a UK security company called Aegis Defence Services. He went on to create his own private security company in 2015 called Alma Risk.

The Duke admits in his memoirs, Spare, that he fell out with some of his old pals after he attacked the Royal Family on television.

Prince Harry was this week pictured with his daughter Princess Lilibet at an Independence Day parade in Montecito just hours before King Charles III attended his second Coronation ceremony in Edinburgh.

The Duke of Sussex first became pals with Jack Mann during their time together at Sandhurst

Prince Harry played polo with Jack Mann when the pair were younger (pictured in May 2015)

The Duke of Sussex appeared to underline his retirement from The Firm as he took his daughter to the California celebration on July 4, as the US marked its independence from British rule.

But as he was showing two-year-old Lilibet the Montecito Associations Village Road Show, his father King Charles was preparing for one of the most important moments of his rule: a second Coronation in the country his beloved second son once called home.

Accompanied by family members including Prince Harry's brother Prince William, the King and Queen Camilla were honoured in a prestigious event at St Giles' Cathedral, attended by senior royals. But the Duke himself was nowhere to be seen.

Prince Harry did attend his father's official Coronation, the first in the UK in 70 years, but was only on UK soil for a matter of hours before he returned to the US to celebrate his son Archie's birthday, which fell on the same day.

His American wife Meghan Markle and two children remained in the US at their Montecito home.

Sources previously said the decision by Meghan to remain in California had come as a relief in some circles, following fears her presence could have heightened family tensions.
Princess Leonor of Spain looked radiant in white as she joined her parents to visit the military academy she will attend for the first time.

The 17-year-old heir to the throne matched her mother in a simple monochrome gown as she stepped out at 'Academia General Militar' military academy in Zaragoza.

As she proudly stood beside her mother Queen Letizia and father King Felipe, Leonor stunned in a white summery dress with black polka dots and a sash.

The dress, which had a high-neck, echoed her mother's chic style and she was Letizia's double as she stood beside the Spanish Queen.

The appearance comes as Leonor - who just graduated from UWC Atlantic College in Wales - known as 'Hippy Hogwarts - prepares to start her military training in August.

Princess Leonor of Spain looked radiant in white as she joined her parents to visit the military academy where she will study for three years from September

Crown Princess Leonor of Spain, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the delivery of Royal offices of employment at the General Military Academy

The teen royal opted for polka dots while her father (left) wore full military gear

The appearance comes as Leonor - who just graduated from UWC Atlantic College in Wales - known as 'Hippy Hogwarts - prepares to start her military training in August

Letizia, 50, also donned a white dress with a more structured shape, belted at the waist and with peplum detailing.

Leonor is set to start her military training before the end of the summer in August.

Whereas many of her peers will go off to university, the eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia will return to Spain to begin training.

Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles confirmed Princess Leonor of Asturias's next move earlier this year to society bible Tatler.

Crown Princess Leonor of Spain, King Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain attend the delivery of Royal offices of employment at the General Military Academy

The Princess will begin her training at Army Military Academy in Zaragoza before going to naval school, and will complete her three years at the General Air Academy

In September last year the Spanish palace announced that Princess Leonor will go to university to study law once her three years of military training have been completed

Whereas many of her peers will go off to university, the eldest daughter of King Felipe and Queen Letizia will return to Spain to begin training

After graduating from high school at Lakefield College in Canada, Felipe returned to Spain and attended the General Military Academy of Zaragozo, and went on to study at the Naval Military School in Marin

Leonor's appearance comes as she begins to step into the limelight ahead of her three years of military training, which will commence in September

Crown Princess Leonor de Borbon Spanish Royals attends the Presentation of Royal Dispatches of Employment at the General Military Academy, Zaragoza

The training will include stints in the armed forces, the Spanish navy and the air force.

Speaking in March, Ms Robles confirmed: 'In due course, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces will be a woman, and in recent years we have been making a very important effort to incorporate women into the armed forces.'

The Princess will begin her training at Army Military Academy in Zaragoza before going to naval school, and will complete her three years at the General Air Academy.

In September last year the Spanish palace announced that Princess Leonor will go to university to study law once her three years of military training have been completed.

The heir to the Spanish throne, 17, looked the image of her mother as she stood alongside Queen Letizia, 50

A picture perfect family! The student, who will begin military training this year, proudly appeared with King Felipe and Queen Letizia

While Leonor's choice of university is unknown, the Princess's academic background already bears a resemblance to that of her father King Felipe.

After graduating from high school at Lakefield College in Canada, Felipe returned to Spain and attended the General Military Academy of Zaragozo, and went on to study at the Naval Military School in Marin.

He ended his training with a stint at the General Air Academy in San Javier.

His also completed his military training with a stint on the shop Juan Sebastian Elcano aged 18 in 1987, and went on to study law at the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Leonor's appearance comes as she begins to step into the limelight ahead of her three years of military training, which will commence in September.

In recent days she has appeared with her younger sister, Infanta Sofia, 16, as the sisters joined their parents to attend the Princess of Girona Foundation Awards at the Camiral Caldes de Malavella Hotel.

Leonor, who is first in line to the Spanish throne, made a speech at the event, taking centre stage as she prepares for a life in the spotlight.

Princess Leonor is stepping into the spotlight as she prepares for military training and will one day follow in her father's footsteps

The Spanish princess looked radiant in a white summery dress with black polka dots and sash detailing

Leonor is looking every bit the mature royal ahead of her trip to military college in September where she will study for three years

King Felipe VI looked dapper in full military gear

Salute! King Felipe saluted after the ceremony

Leonor was every bit the mature royal as she stepped out with her family.

In what appeared to be what show of unity between the current and future monarch, the teen's elegant puff-sleeved teal dress perfectly matched her father's King Felipe's tie.

King Felipe is the honorary chairman of the organisation on behalf of Princess Leonor.

The organisation supports young people in their professional and personal development.

It has has an interest in identifying young people with talent who can act as role models for other young people - while launching programmes to improve their employability.

Leonor wore her tresses in a simple low-ponytail, which showed off her glitzy diamond earrings.

The future Queen of Spain opted for more of a full-on makeup look, donning eyeliner, shimmery eyeshadow, and lip gloss.

Her ever supportive sister, Sofia, wore a glittery silver short-sleeved gown which gathered at the waist.

Although Infanta Sofia is still a royal, she does not hold the title of Princess as she is second born and therefore not the heir to the throne.

Before the awards ceremony yesterday, the royals listened to the presentation of the AmplificARTE project, which is an initiative of the Princess of Girona Foundation.

The family looked united as they all donned the colour blue as they focused intently on what was said.

Earlier this week, Leonor and Sofia made a rare joint appearance without their parents as they attended a workshop on innovation and creativity - suggesting they are one step further into becoming Spanish working royals.
Prince Andrew has been seen for the first time since his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson revealed she is revealed she is 'recuperating at home' following her mastectomy.

The brother of King Charles went for a ride around Windsor Castle this morning, stopping to say hello to the late Queen's former groom Terry Penury.

Joined by a female groom, and casually dressed for the summer weather in an open collar shirt, Andrew rode through Windsor before jumping behind the wheel of a car.

It's the first time the Duke of York, 63, has been pictured since his former wife told of her cancer battle.

The Duchess of York, who goes by 'Fergie', revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergone a successful single mastectomy at King Edward VII's Hospital in London.

Prince Andrew has been seen for the first time since his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson revealed she is revealed she is 'recuperating at home' following her mastectomy

Recovering at home at Royal Lodge, Windsor, where she lives with ex-husband Prince Andrew she has the full support of her family.

Speaking on her new podcast Tea Talks with the Duchess and Sarah, which was released today, she said she didn't feel she had been 'brave' or 'courageous.'

Meanwhile she spoke about how Beatrice and Eugenie had responded to her diagnosis, saying: 'I think it's scary for any family member out there, you really start to look at your own demise. It's a wake up call, and you think, how am I going to deal with this?'

She explained her daughter Beatrice had chosen her outfit for her, adding: 'I have to say it's really just extraordinary to come to terms with a new you.

'You cannot be complacent with yourself or life or how lucky you are.'

Joined by a female groom, and casually dressed for the summer weather in an open collar shirt, Andrew rode through Windsor before jumping behind the wheel of a car

She continued: 'It's really important that my father was right: The show must go on.

'But be mindful of each word you say, be gentle with yourself and people, and be very grateful.'

She went on to discuss how she had faced her diagnosis, saying she had looked up mastectomies as soon as she had heard she had a shadow on her breast.

She said she felt 'we can do this' after she spoke with a reconstructive surgeon.

Fergie explained: 'We must make people realise, it's not okay but if you're going to get it, catch it quick.

The brother of King Charles went for a ride around Windsor Castle this morning, stopping to say hello to the late Queen's former groom Terry Penury

It's the first time the Duke of York, 63, has been pictured since his former wife told of her cancer battle

'And go and say, 'I can do this'. It's not bravery, it's not courage, it's about understanding that you're not going to feel as you did for a bit, so don't try to be a superhero.

'Take mini steps, have the cup of tea, trust people. It's very important not to be complacent with every single thing now.'

It comes after Andrew faced fresh questions over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein after emails emerged suggesting he 'lied' about it in his BBC Newsnight interview.

Sarah Ferguson, 63, has revealed she is 'recuperating at home' following her mastectomy on her latest podcast episode

A message written by the late billionaire paedophile and released as part of a court case in the US shows he was presenting Andrew as a potential investor in 2011, despite the royal claiming to have ended all contact in 2010.

Epstein's victims last night called on the prince to speak to the FBI, which he has so far refused to do. It is not known if Andrew knew Epstein had mentioned him in the email exchange.

The victims' representative, US attorney Spencer Kuvin, told the Mirror: 'It appears that either Epstein was highly overselling his relationship with Prince Andrew or that the duke may not have been entirely truthful about when his friendship ended.'

One victim, who was awarded compensation under the Epstein victims' compensation program, said: 'The emails raise serious questions. Why would Jeffrey be lauding him as an investor if he was no longer in contact?'
Forget Prince Harry, hello Prince Henry!

Fans have been sent into meltdown over the steamy new trailer for the highly anticipated gay romantic comedy Red, White & Royal Blue that tells the enemies-to-lovers story about a British prince who falls for the US President's son.

In the Amazon movie, fictional Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) and the First Son, Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), cause an 'international incident' after a public spat and are forced to pretend they're friends to the world's press.

But as they are drawn closer together, they soon learn they might not be so different from each other after all.

The highly anticipated trailer for Red, White & Royal Blue dropped this week and fans weren't left disappointed when it came to the adaptation's steamier scenes

The film, adapted from Casey McQuiston's bestselling novel of the same name, tells the story of a British prince who falls in love with the US President's son

Earlier this week, the trailer was released and to fans' delight it appears the film, adapted from Casey McQuiston's bestselling novel of the same name, won't be shying away from steamier scenes, with viewers declaring the main leads 'perfect.'

After setting the scene with tense banter before culminating into a New Year's Eve kiss, Alex and Henry engage in some intimate bedroom scenes following some flirty texts and emails exchanged across the pond.

The shirtless prince is seen pushing the First Son into the bedroom as he undresses him before a suggestive series of clips flashes on screen showing a racy snog and their hands entangled on bedsheets.

It then cuts to the President's advisor Zahra (Sex/Life's Sarah Shahi) finding a half-dressed Henry hiding in Alex's hotel closet.

And she's not happy, quipping to the prince: 'We are in a hotel crawling with reporters. If anyone sees you leave this hotel, I will Brexit your head from your body.'

But being a stickler for decorum, Zahra delivers a curtsey and a 'Your Royal Highness' to Henry before she exits the room.

In the next scene, Uma Thurman's President Ellen Claremont is seen embracing her son, delivering this sage advice, 'You need to figure if you feel forever about him,' before cutting to the loved-up couple in bed.

And judging by the thousands of comments across social media, fervent fans are desperate to finally see the movie, giving their seal of approval to the trailer.

The chemistry between the two leads, Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez, is undeniable

The shirtless prince is seen pushing the First Son into a bedroom as he undresses him before a suggestive series of clips showing a racy snog and their hands entangled on bedsheets flashes on screen

The intimate scenes are a culmination of the couple's sexual tension as they transition from enemies to lovers

Henry and Alex in bed together. Fans have been sent into a frenzy over the trailer

'Whoever complained about their chemistry belong in jail because this is the PERFECT casting and they look sooo cute together,' one fan said.

'UNHINGED. UNWELL. UNABLE TO FOCUS AT WORK! It's sooooooo perfect,' another added, with one comment reading: 'I'm crying there's literally tears in my eyes I've been waiting for this for sooo long.'

'LITERALLY CRYING SHAKING THROWING UP,' a third person wrote, while another gushed: 'I physically can't hold in my excitement.'

'There are visible tears pouring down my face. In the best way,' another fan said, with someone else adding: 'I am in a toilet stall for the past 10 mins at an event watching this NO I AM NOT OKAYYYY.'

'Weeping over my keyboard. It's everything we could have hoped for,' one fan wrote.

'HAPPY TEARSSS HAPPPYY FREAKINGGG TEARSSS,' one comment read.

Before the sexual tension boils over, the trailer opens with Ellen lecturing her son, Alex, in the wake of the 'international incident' before holding up a newspaper with a headline that reads they destroyed the 'UK heir's wedding cake.'

It's then revealed the feuding duo will embark on a press blitz to patch things over by masquerading as close pals.

Zahra is heard dressing Alex down, saying: 'You can hate Prince Henry all you want... you better act like the sun shines out of your a** and you have a vitamin D deficiency.'

It is then cuts to the President's advisor Zahra (Sex/Life's Sarah Shahi) finding a half-dressed Henry hiding in Alex's hotel closet

And she's not happy, quipping: 'We are in a hotel crawling with reporters. If anyone sees you leave this hotel, I will Brexit your head from your body'

The trailer opens with Ellen (pictured) lecturing Alex in the wake of the 'international incident'

The feuding pair wrecked the 'UK heir's wedding cake,' sparking scandal

During a photo op, the pair also exchange a war of words, with Alex declaring: 'My NDA (non-disclosure agreement) is bigger than yours, I want you to know that.'

And Henry fires back: 'You're wearing lifts, I know that too, sweetheart.'

In another awkward moment, Alex can be seen playfully punching Henry in the shoulder as he says, 'I love hanging out with this guy,' during what appears to be an interview with a journalist.

But as they start to soften towards each other, it all seems to come to a head at Alex's New Year's Eve party.

'Did I do something wrong?' the First Son asks while they're standing by a tree outside in the snow.

Social media was flooded with ecstatic fans who declared they couldn't wait to see the movie

'Do you wonder who you'd be if you were an anonymous person in the world?' Henry says.

'I have no idea what you're talking about...,' Alex responds, but Henry interrupts: 'Christ, you're as thick as it gets.'

The prince then quickly closes the gap between the pair and they share a kiss.

But the course of true love never did run smooth and it appears the couple will run into some troubles in their romance, particularly from the Royal Family.

Red, White & Royal Blue also stars Stephen Fry as the King and Henry's grandfather.

The film will begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video from August 11.
This weekend, temperatures are predicted to exceed 30 degrees in some parts of the UK. As I write, the beach in Kent outside is filling up with scantily clad visitors rotating themselves in the harsh glare of the sun like chicken thighs on the barbie.

Their skin will go from white to pink to angry red in less than an hour.

Have these morons not read today's dire warnings from Cancer Research UK? Skin cancers are expected to soar by 50% by 2040, with the over-55s being particularly badly hit. Untreated, some skin cancers will spread in the body, and could result in death.

The latest rise in skin cancer is partly down to the boom in cheap package deal holidays in the Spanish sun in the 1960s - my mum and dad were two of the millions of working-class tourists who flocked to the Costa Brava for two weeks of cheap sangria and hours of sun.

On day one of our break in Lloret del Mar, dad fell asleep on his lounger topless, waking two hours later burnt to a crisp, his chest scorched deep red with first degree burns. Mum slapped on Calamine lotion and we plucky Brits carried on toasting ourselves without a break.

As a young journalist, my love affair with tanning continued, and I spent my first trip to the famous Pampelonne beach in St Tropez in 1972 topless

The growth turned out to be a Basal Cell carcinoma (the most common form of skin cancer), and not malignant. It still had to be removed to avoid any future risk of spreading, resulting in a long scar right down my nose

On earlier childhood holidays in North Wales and Bournemouth (much more sun), there was no such thing as protective lotion. Mum slathered us in expensive olive oil, bought at the local chemist in tiny bottles, eked out to last a fortnight.

As a young journalist, my love affair with tanning continued, and I spent my first trip to the famous Pampelonne beach in St Tropez in 1972 topless. Every half an hour I slapped on suntan lotion - Hawaiian Tropic with a factor of just 5 - chosen because it smelt so fabulously sexy rather than offering much protection. My next trip to the sun on the Spanish island of Formentera resulted in giant burns on each shoulder, which quickly turned into huge blisters cover by giant wads of gauze like unattractive epaulettes. Not a good look.

Over the years the message about using stronger sun cream has gradually filtered through, but it was far too late. I only started checking my moles about ten years ago, and early in 2020 my dermatologist spotted a mark on my nose the size of a tiny dot - which she correctly predicted was cancerous.

My surgery was a success- and a year later you could barely see the scar

Covid meant that surgery to remove it was delayed until late June, which meant five months of worry. To avoid going on an NHS waiting list - which lengthened during the pandemic - I paid for the best private consultant I could. Luckily the growth turned out to be a Basal Cell carcinoma (the most common form of skin cancer), and not malignant. It still had to be removed to avoid any future risk of spreading, resulting in a long scar right down my nose.

My surgery was a success - and a year later you could barely see the scar. I appeared on Loose Women a week later to get the message across that unless we use right kind of suntan lotion and regularly check our moles, climate change and increasingly hot summers mean a much greater risk of being diagnosed with skin cancer.

This week the earth recorded its hottest average temperature ever, for two days running. The message couldn't be more plain - the sun is not our friend.

Skin cancer Melanomas are the fifth most common cancer in the UK, but the message about protecting our skin against potentially life-changing or fatal invaders doesn't seem to be getting through.

Getting a suntan has never stopped being fashionable, no matter what fashion editors, doctors and cancer experts have been telling us about avoiding the sun year in and year out. White posh people don't sit in the sun - they are always really white, all seasons of the year. Doctors are never sun tanned. In Vogue you'll never see a tanned Caucasian model. Bronzing and high fashion don't mix.

But in the normal world outside fashion and medicine people take a very different view and looking tanned means you are more desirable. Sunbeds were demonised but now they're back in fashion. Turn on Love Island, and the screen is full of gorgeous people having a sexy wonderful time in the sun. No wonder that women under 35 (the prime Love Island audience) still think that a good tan (real or fake) is a guaranteed way to attract someone.

Most blokes certainly don't seem to have got the message that a red face makes you look like a cross baby or a Charlie Drake clone. My partner, from working class cockney stock, has spent his adult life refusing to put on suntan lotion - he thought it was 'pathetic'. Now, he's being treated for skin cancer after one of his moles started bleeding last year.

The mole was removed, and a biopsy found cancer cells. A second operation to remove more flesh and make sure that no cancer had been left behind, has left a foot-long scar under his arm. He has to have immunotherapy treatment every six weeks for a year, as well as blood tests and regular check-ups with an oncologist.

Given the amount of time his treatment is taking up, wouldn't it have been easier to put on Factor 50 and wear a hat and a tee shirt in the first place?

Cancer websites contain warnings about the images showing bleeding moles and angry scar tissue. Before I had my surgery, I was shown frightening pictures of people who had waited too long to have their skin checked. They had serious scars, misshapen faces and dents where their cheekbones had been. Warnings are skirting the grim reality of cancer - those ghastly pictures should be broadcast regularly in public health ads on television, because the only way to stop even more cases skin cancer (and the huge cost to the NHS in treating a mostly preventable condition) is to get a horrible shock - just as I did. The government legislated so that dire warnings were put on fag packets, and they should do the same for skin cancer.

Now, my partner is wearing a hat in the sun. But I still have to nag about applying suntan lotion. It makes me so cross.
A mum has revealed the lengths she's had to go to while skirting around a daycare's 'insane' lunch rule.

The Australian woman shared that her child's daycare did not allow packaged foods.

She also said that the childcare centre required parents to send lunch every day and requested warm, homemade meals for the winter.

Instead of cooking a new meal every day, the mum simply places packaged food into Tupperware containers and passes it off as 'homemade'.

The mum recently sent some pre-made supermarket pasta and Bluey cookies to school with her child.

The Australian woman recently shared that her child's daycare did not allow packaged foods, and instead of cooking a new meal every day, the mum simply places packaged food into Tupperware containers and passes it off as 'homemade'

The hack saves her an abundance of time throughout the week and keeps her child fed and happy during school hours.

Many parents shared similar 'restrictive' rules when it came to their children's daycare.

'A local school won't allow the same type of food twice in one week. One sandwich, one pasta dish, et cetera,' a parent said.

'We almost put my kid in a Montessori daycare and the 'parent handbook' said no junk, no packaged food, nothing sugary,' another wrote.

While others were shocked by the Australian mum's daycare's rules.

'If they aren't paying or packing, it's not their concern what you feed your kid!' a woman said. 'They say fed is best.'

'Honestly, I feel like it's the audacity for them to mention anything because on top of paying for daycare, they also want to restrict what my child eats,' another angry mum said.

'Warm lunches . . . I got a sandwich every day for 13 years of schooling,' a man said.

Many parents shared how heavily they rely on packaged food for school lunches.

'For the last three months of school, I went to a cafe and got my kid a bagel and two doughnuts for snack and lunch,' a laid-back mum wrote.

'I put cookies into a container for wrapper-free day all the time,' a second said.

Some daycare teachers had differing viewpoints on the 'homemade lunch' rule.

'As a daycare teacher, I can promise you it's management,' one said. 'And as long as kids are fed, the teachers don't care.'

'Depends on the teacher,' a mum shared. 'My son's teacher had a proper go at me because I sent him with a chocolate chip cookie as a treat.'
A woman has revealed how much money she saved in six months after giving up alcohol.

Jules Rangiheuea said she used to spend around $200 a week on alcohol before she gave it up for good just after the New Year.

Speaking with podcasters Alex and Sally on their show Two Broke Chicks, she estimated she has saved $4,900 over the year by banning booze alone.

The 29-year-old added she might have splashed around $150,000 on alcohol since she first started drinking in her late teens.

'I estimated that I would spend about $200 a week on alcohol. Since January 2, I've save $4.9k,' she said.

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Jules Rangiheuea (pictured) said she used to spend $200 a week on alcohol and guessed she has saved $4,900 by giving up booze alone in the past six months

Jules shared details of her sobriety on the Two Broke Chicks podcast shocking co-hosts Alex (right) and Sally (left) who pointed out her saving were enough for a holiday

The co-hosts were visibly shocked by the revelation with Sally pointing out it was enough money to go on a holiday.

'Nearly $5,000!' Alex exclaimed.

'Want to give yourself insomnia? Do that calculation since when you first started drinking apparently I've spent, I don't know, closer to $150k in my life on drinking,' Jules said.

Listeners were also taken aback by the statistic and one viewer pointed out 'last minute drunk Ubers' would also add up.

'I don't want to know how much I've spent in total on drinking,' one woman said.

The 29-year-old added she might have splashed around $150,000 on alcohol since she first started drinking in her late teens

'Cigarettes are just as bad. In a year my partner and I saved $22k. It's wild when you think about your addiction like that for the first time,' another replied.

Jules said giving up the grog was difficult and her body went into withdrawal but she advised those who want to do the same to persist for four to six weeks.

'To get the real benefits you need to go just over four weeks,' she said on the podcast.

'I had night sweats, my appetite went up, you put on weight, by the way, because I'm not partying, I'm eating and eating a lot.'

Jules also experienced 'throbbing headaches' which she said was from her liver detoxing.

'Then mentally I was like, 'Wait, I don't feel like a piece of shit three times a week'. You start to feel so much better about yourself,' she said.

'Your skin improves, your luck, now everything is just suddenly aligning.'
A Chinese boy needed his eyelids disinfected after head lice were discovered living in his eyelashes.

Grim images show the extent of the three-year-old's infestation, which left him 'itching' his eyes.

The toddler, from Zhengzhou, loved playing in sand and often rubbed his eyes with dirty hands. Yet doctors did not say if this was to blame.

His itchiness was 'resolved immediately' after doctors successfully removed the lice.

He is also not thought to have passed the lice on.

Publishing skin-crawling images of the lice in a medical journal, doctors stated they believe the case is 'extremely rare'.

The three-year-old from Zhengzhou in China's Henan province suffered the severe infection after playing in sand and rubbing his eyes with his dirty hands. But the unidentified boy's issue was 'resolved immediately' after doctors successfully removed the lice

Medics said they believe the case is 'extremely rare'. On arrival to the hospital, his parents told medics he had suffered from itchy eyelashes in his right eye, which also produced 'abnormal' and 'visible' liquid for over a week

WHAT ARE HEAD LICE? Head lice are tiny insects which live and lay their eggs in hair. Their empty egg cases which stick to hair are known as 'nits'. Lice, which can be treated by an over-the-counter medication, quickly multiply and can cause itching and inflammation of the scalp. In severe cases, infections can be caused when children scratch their head with dirty fingernails or if faecal matter from the lice gets into a scratch. All people who come in contact with the infected person should also check if they have contracted the bug because it spreads easily. Clothing, bedding and other products need to be laundered in high heat in order to kill the bugs. If something can't be washed, then it needs to be either dry cleaned or sealed in a bag for two weeks to help kill off the infestation. Advertisement

On arrival to the hospital, his parents told medics he had suffered from itchy eyelashes in his right eye, which also produced 'abnormal' and 'visible' liquid for over a week.

Doctors noted his upper eyelid was red and swollen. He had no known allergy history.

His grandmother had scraped the affected area of the eyelid with a coin, the boy's parents also said.

But no other family members, including his parents or sister, had suffered similar symptoms.

Medical tests revealed the boy's vision was unaffected.

A slit lamp examination, however  a common test to examine the structure of the eye  revealed translucent parasites creeping slowly along the eyelashes.

Writing in the American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports, medics said the child was 'diagnosed with head lice infection of the eyelashes'.

The date of the incident was not revealed in the case report by doctors at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University.

Lice are tiny insects which live and lay their eggs in hair, but are normally found on the scalp.

Their empty egg cases, which stick to hair, are commonly known as 'nits'.

They can quickly multiply and cause widespread itching and inflammation of the scalp.

In severe cases, infections can also occur as result and are generally caused by scratching the head with dirty fingernails or if faecal matter from the lice gets into a scratch.

However, infestations can be resolved with over-the-counter medications.

The NHS advises all people who come in contact with an infected person to check if they have caught the bugs themselves because they spread so easily.

Clothing, bedding and other products exposed to lice also need to be laundered in high heat in order to kill the bugs.

Doctors said they 'carefully trimmed' the boy's affected eyelashes first, to help remove the nits effectively.

The boy's eyelids were then disinfected with an iodine solution using cotton pads.

After the lice and nits were removed, his symptoms 'were completely resolved immediately', medics said.

Head lice are tiny insects which live and lay their eggs in hair. Their empty egg cases which stick to hair are known as 'nits'

He was advised to apply a low strength erythromycin ointment - used to treat bacterial infections of the eye - to suffocate any remaining nits.

Doctors also gave the boy eye drops to apply for two weeks before returning for a follow-up examination.

According to medics, head lice infestation of the eyelashes could easily be misdiagnosed as a common eye condition known medically as blepharitis.

While it's not usually serious and can often be treated by washing your eyelids every day, it also causes swollen, itchy eyelids.

However, misdiagnosis can prolong patients' pain and even affect their vision, doctors said.

Medics should 'not only consider common inflammation and allergies, but also be alert to parasitic infections', when treating patients with itchy eyes and abnormal secretions, they warned.
The cheap package holiday boom of the 1960s has been linked to a rise in a serious type of skin cancer among older adults, a charity has suggested.

New figures from Cancer Research UK reveal that melanoma skin cancer diagnoses across all age groups have reached a record high, with 17,500 people diagnosed each year in the UK.

Their latest projections suggest cases could increase by nearly 50 per cent over the next 20 years, hitting a record 26,500 diagnoses a year by 2040.

The charity pointed to a particular rise in cases among adults aged 55 and over, who would have been born from the year 1968 onwards.

Case rates among this age group have nearly tripled since the 1990s.

(Stock Photo) Cancer Research UK pointed to a particular rise in cases among adults aged 55 and over

(Stock Photo) Their latest projections suggest cases could increase by nearly 50 per cent over the next 20 years, hitting a record 26,500 diagnoses a year by 2040

Between 1993 and 1995, 21.3 people aged 55 and over were diagnosed with melanoma out of every 100,000, which rose to 62.9 cases per 100,000 in 2017-2019.

'The rise in rates in over-55s is likely to be linked to trends to have tanned skin and the cheap package holiday boom dating from the 1960s before people became more aware of skin cancer,' the charity said.

Other factors could also be at play, including a growing and ageing population as well as more people getting their skin checked when they notice changes.

But despite the rise in cases, deaths from the disease are decreasing, the charity revealed.

CRUK said that early diagnosis and treatment means that more people than ever will survive the disease.

Cancer Research UK's chief executive Michelle Mitchell said: 'Our new analysis paints a mixed picture for cancer patients and the staff who care for them.

'While it's promising that more people are seeking treatment for skin cancer earlier and survival is improving, it's alarming that cases of the disease could soar over the coming years.

'Melanoma is the UK's fifth most common cancer, and we know that 86 per cent of these skin cancers could be prevented.

'It's important to take care in the sun and to contact your GP if you notice any unusual changes to your skin  it's not just changes to a mole that matter, it could be a sore that doesn't heal or any unusual changes to an area of your skin. Spotting cancer early can make all the difference.'

Cancer Research UK's head of health and patient information Dr Julie Sharp added: 'Whether you are holidaying abroad or enjoying the good weather closer to home, it's important to take steps to reduce your risk of skin cancer, especially if you burn easily.

'And remember sunburn doesn't just happen on the hottest days, you can still get burnt when it's cloudy.

'The best way to protect your skin when the sun is strong is to spend time in the shade, especially between 11am and 3pm in the UK, and to cover up with a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses.

'Wearing sunscreen will also help you stay safe in the sun. Make sure you put plenty on and reapply it regularly.'

Getting sunburnt just once every two years can triple the risk of developing skin cancer, the charity warned.

A new mole or a change in an existing mole may be signs of melanoma.
The first drug to clearly slow the progression of Alzheimer's has been fully approved in the US, with a UK decision 'on the horizon'.

Regulators have given full approval to lecanemab  also known as Leqembi - in a move hailed as a 'major step forward' in the fight against the disease.

The decision was based on data from nearly 1,800 patients which showed the treatment slowed cognitive and functional decline by 27 per cent over 18 months.

This is the equivalent of a five-month slowdown in the progression of the disease, scientists said.

The drug, manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Eisai in Tokyo and Biogen in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is given intravenously every other week.

Regulators have given full approval to lecanemab  also known as Leqembi - in a move hailed as a 'major step forward' in the fight against the disease (stock image)

It is for early-stage Alzheimer's patients with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia caused by Alzheimer's, and a confirmed build-up of amyloid  a protein linked to dementia  in their brains.

The decision marks the first time in 20 years that a drug for Alzheimer's has received full approval, meaning that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded there is solid evidence of a potential benefit.

The drug, however, will come with a 'boxed warning' because it can cause brain bleeding and swelling.

In an extended portion of the drug's main trial three patient deaths were recorded, thought to be linked to the drug.

Around 21 per cent of trial participants who received the drug experienced brain swelling or bleeding, compared to 9 per cent of those who received a placebo.

The boxed warning also says that patients with two copies of a genetic variant that increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's appear to be at a higher risk of complications.

Therefore genetic testing should occur  if possible - before a patient receives the drug, the warning reads.

The news has been hailed by experts while a similar approval process is currently underway in the UK.

Hilary Evans, chief executive at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'This welcome news from the US signals a step towards a world where Alzheimer's disease is treatable, but should also serve as a wake-up call.

'Today's ruling involved careful review of data from a rigorous study of 1,800 patients. A similar process is currently underway in the UK, led by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

'We've written to the MHRA urging them to complete this review as a matter of urgency, without compromising on quality, so people with Alzheimer's in the UK aren't left in limbo.

'We believe that a rapid regulatory decision on lecanemab will further strengthen the UK's international reputation as a leader in dementia, attract even greater commercial investment in UK clinical trials, and ultimately benefit the one in two of us who will either develop dementia in the future, or care for someone who has it.

Around 21 per cent of trial participants who received the drug experienced brain swelling or bleeding, compared to 9 per cent of those who received a placebo (stock image)

'With a UK decision on the horizon, today's news underlines the urgency of getting the NHS ready for new medicines like lecanemab.'

Professor David Curtis, from the University College London Genetics Institute said: 'This really is remarkable news.

'Certainly there are concerns about serious side effects and questions about the balance between clinical benefits and the overall costs of treatment.

'Nevertheless, this decision badges Alzheimer's disease as an illness which can potentially be treated or prevented, rather than simply endured.'

In 2021 a different Alzheimer's drug, named aducanumab, was given 'Accelerated Approval' in the US, meaning it can be prescribed to people who can afford it or who have appropriate medical cover.

However there is still debate as to whether it shows 'meaningful clinical benefit' and has yet to be given full approval.
Dr Anthony Fauci is 'concerned' about the rise of Robert F Kennedy Jr, who is running for president on a hardline anti-vaxx message.

In an interview with DailyMail.com, America's top infectious disease doctor also suggested that RFK Jnr's surge in the polls could lead to people 'unnecessarily dying' because they don't get vaccinated.

Mr Kennedy - who has the support of as many as one in five Democrats and 40 percent of Republicans in some polls - has long been critical of vaccines, claiming they cause autism and kill more children than they protect.

When asked if Mr Kennedy's increasing popularity was 'concerning', Dr Fauci said: 'Of course, I mean I'm a physician and vaccines save lives.

'Plus, I'm concerned if there's [a rise in] anti-vaxx. People will unnecessarily suffer and die because they don't get vaccinated.'

In a podcast released Thursday and viewed by nearly 700,000 people at the time of writing, Mr Kennedy made one of his most sensational claims yet about vaccines, arguing 'there is no vaccine that is safe and effective'.

Dr Fauci suggested RFK Jnr's surge in the polls could lead to people 'unnecessarily dying' because they don't get vaccinated (pictured speaking to DailyMail.com)

Dr Fauci spoke to DailyMail.com at the the 2023 Public Health Solutions gala in Tribeca, Manhattan, earlier this month.

Mr Kennedy has moaned that the media portrays him as an anti-vaxxer to discredit him and has repeatedly claimed that he is actually 'pro-safe vaccine.'

On the Lex Fridman podcast, the Democratic presidential candidate was asked to 'name any vaccines you think are good'.

Mr Kennedy replied: 'I think some of the live virus vaccines are probably averting more problems than they're causing.'

He added: 'There's no vaccine that is safe and effective.'

Mr Kennedy went on to claim that the polio vaccine - one of the most studied vaccines in existence - had led to an explosion of soft tissue cancers in recent decades that have 'killed more people than polio ever did'.

There are no known cases of polio vaccine-related cancer.

Mr Kennedy may have been referring to a polio vaccine used in America in the 1950s and 1960s that was contaminated with a virus that causes cancer in rodents.

Research suggests the virus doesnt cause cancer in humans. By comparison, polio, or poliomyelitis, the disease caused by the poliovirus, sickens about one in 200 people who contract it.

Paralysis can occur in anywhere from one in 200 to one in 2,000 people who are not vaccinated.

RFK has also used several high-profile appearances on the Joe Rogan podcast and Jordan Peterson's show to repeat the debunked claim that childhood vaccines cause autism.

Critics have accused RFK Jnr of capitalizing on the rise of medical skepticism in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Mr Kennedy's anti-vaccine charity, Children's Health Defense, saw its revenues more than double in 2020 to $6.8 million, according to filings made with charity regulators.

His rise comes at a time when vaccine skepticism is on the rise.

The percentage of American children entering kindergarten with their required immunizations fell to 93 percent in the 2021-22 school year, a whole two percentage points below the recommended levels for herd immunity and lower than vaccination rates in 2020-21.

And although approximately 66 percent of US children aged five months were up to date for all childhood vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2016 through 2019, that number declined to slightly over 49 percent by May 2020.

US adults and adolescents have missed more than 37 million routine vaccinations during the Covid pandemic, according to analyses.

Mr Kennedy's push against the Covid vaccine has linked him at times with anti-democratic figures and groups.

He has appeared at events pushing the false claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and with people who cheered or downplayed the US Capitol riot.

Mr Kennedy has at times invoked his family's legacy in his anti-vaccine work, including sometimes using images of President Kennedy.

His sister Kerry Kennedy, who runs Robert F Kennedy Human Rights, the international rights group founded by their mother, Ethel, said her brother has at times removed some of the content at her request.

She told the Associated Press in a 2021 interview her brother is 'completely wrong on this issue and very dangerous.'

RFK Jnr also released a book in 2021, The Real Anthony Fauci, in which he accused Fauci of assisting in 'a historic coup d'etat against Western democracy' by peddling vaccines and drugs to the masses.
Two more people have come down with malaria in southern Florida, health officials say  after doctors were warned to look out for more cases.

The individuals were in Sarasota County and diagnosed between June 25 and July 1, local health authorities said.

It brings the total number of malaria patients reported in the US this year to seven, with four others in Florida and one in Texas.

The disease has been detected in the US again for the first time in two decades, with officials fearing that local mosquitoes are now carrying the illness and spreading it when they bite humans.

Experts warn that mosquitoes are becoming more common in the US and there is a risk another mosquito-borne disease could reach the country within the decade (stock image)

Sarasota County and its neighbor Manatee County, home to 859,000 people, have both been under malaria alerts since June 19.

A statewide malaria alert covering the whole of Florida was also issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on June 26.

To get a handle on the situation, Sarasota County says it is currently carrying out mosquito spraying along coastal areas where the insects are known to frequent. Manatee County regularly carries out mosquito spraying.

They have also revealed that three wild mosquitoes in the county were found to be carrying malaria in early June.

Residents are being urge to use bug spray, avoid areas with mosquitoes and wear protective clothing when outside to avoid infection.

People are also being told to discard old tires and drums and drain water from gutters, pool covers, flowerpots and any other areas where mosquitoes could breed.

Doctors in the state were also warned at the end of last month to consider any fever-stricken people coming to hospital as potential malaria patients.

In the advisory, the agency said doctors should still 'routinely consider malaria as a cause of febrile illness among patients with a history of international travel to areas where malaria is transmitted'.

But it added 'clinicians should [also] consider a malaria diagnosis in any person with a fever of unknown origin regardless of their travel history'.

Health officials fear there may also be other malaria in the community, but that these are being misdiagnosed as other diseases.

Malaria was eradicated in the United States in 1951 after a massive public health program that saw pesticides sprayed from aircraft onto mosquito breeding grounds and potential breeding sites for the insects drained.

But sporadic cases have repeatedly popped up since  although these have not led to wider community transmission.

These have likely been sparked after a human infected with malaria but showing no symptoms came to the US and was bitten by a local mosquito, which became infected. When this insect bit another human it passed on the disease. It could also have arrived in malaria-infected mosquitoes that stowed away on an airplane.

Early warning signs of the disease include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue and nausea.

Without treatment, these can progress into complications such as anemia  a low red blood cell count  and organ failure, which can be fatal.

Dr Thomas Moore, an infectious diseases expert at the University of Kansas, warned DailyMail.com last month that he expected malaria to start cropping up more frequently in the US over the coming years.

He said: 'I think it is fair to say that with global warming being as it is we will probably hear about these cases a little more frequently.'

He said that other diseases were likely to follow malaria such as dengue fever.

'With malaria comes dengue,' he said, 'that almost goes hand in hand with malaria because they cover the same areas'.

Dr Jason Rasgon, a mosquito expert at Penn State University, said that there are occasional cases of malaria in the United States and that these were no different.

'This happens every once in a while,' he said.

Dr Thomas Moore (left), an infectious diseases expert at the University of Kansas, warned that the mosquito population was growing. Dr Jason Rasgon, a mosquito expert at Penn State University, said that more mosquito-borne diseases could reach the US

Explaining how the lastest cases likely emerged, he added: 'Somebody came in from someplace with malaria  probably an asymptomatic carrier.

'Some local mosquitoes then picked this up and bit other people, causing disease.

'This has been recognized for a while. But I don't think it is anything to be concerned about.'

Both experts warned that global warming was allowing mosquitoes to spread to new areas and raising the risk of them carrying more diseases.

The warmer weather was leading to heavier rainfalls and, as a result, more stagnant pools of water being available in which mosquitoes could breed.

It was also speeding their life cycle and meaning that their eggs were able to survive over winter further and further North, allowing them to spread.

Dr Rasgon said it was likely that another mosquito-borne disease would become established in the US within the next decade.

He said this was driven by a 'perfect storm' of an interconnected world, making it easier for disease to spread from one area to another.

He said it could be brought in either by infected mosquitoes that stowed away on a plane or by an asymptomatic human who then passes it on to the local mosquito species.

The US already has several mosquito species capable of carrying malaria, raising the risk of the disease becoming established here.

Over the last two decades, three new mosquito-borne diseases have become established in the US. West Nile Virus reached the country in 1999 and was then followed by the Chikungunya virus, in late 2013, and the Zika virus, which emerged in 2016.

Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caught when a mosquito transfers a parasite into someone's bloodstream.

It can be treated using antimalarial medications targeting the parasite, such as hydroxychloroquine, which was previously trumpeted by Donald Trump as a cure for Covid.
I am taking a family holiday to Paris next week and the rioting has me concerned. I have travel insurance, but I cannot see anything in the small print about riots.

Can I cancel and still get my money back? Or would I lose my money?

Paris is expensive and this trip costs more than 2,000, but I worry about my family's safety. Via email.

Sam Barker of This is Money replies: A trip to the City of Light is normally something to look forward to - and hopefully for you it still is.

But Paris has been rocked by a week of rioting - and that understandably has many holidaymakers worried.

Riot disquiet: Paris has been gripped by several nights of civil disorder after police shot a teenager, Nahel M

French president Emmanuel Macron has urged Britons not to cancel trips booked to the French capital - but that may not be enough to reassure many.

The riots started when French police shot a teenager, named as Nahel M, and unrest has been targeted against the French state and infrastructure, not tourists.

But the riots have affected local transport in Paris, and a general sense of unease may lead travellers with trips booked to wonder if they can cancel and still get their money back.

Much depends on if they have travel insurance or not.

No travel insurance

If a traveller has no insurance then if they cancel they are at the mercy of whatever contract they have with your hotel, travel agent or transport provider.

Many will offer flexible booking, allowing cancellations and refunds up until one or two days before the trip.

If they have such a booking then you can cancel for any reason you like, including riots.

With travel insurance

If they do not, then their next step is travel insurance, which you had the foresight to buy.

Most mainstream travel insurance policies have some sort of cover for cancelled trips.

However, these deals will only pay out for specific reasons.

Riots and civil unrest are not normally on that list of reasons - nor is outright war.

There is only one way a standard travel insurance deal will pay out for any sort of civil unrest.

That is if the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, part of the UK Government, advises against travel to the destination where the civil unrest is.

Paris in flames: Rioters have set several fires during evenings of disorder in the French capital

If the FCDO does not issue this advice then anything you cancel cannot be claimed against on your travel insurance.

Currently the FCDO has not advised against travel, meaning if you cancel a trip now your travel insurance will not pay out for the cost of things such as flights and accommodation.

The FCDO currently says: 'There may be disruptions to road travel and local transport provision may be reduced. Some local authorities may impose curfews. Locations and timing of riots are unpredictable.

'You should monitor the media, avoid areas where riots are taking place, check the latest advice with operators when travelling and follow the advice of the authorities.'

Health secretary Steven Barclay has urged travellers with trips to France booked to keep checking the FCDO website for updates on the Paris riots.

Speaking to Sky News, Barclay said: 'Its something that the FCDO will be monitoring very closely.

'They keep regular updates on their website.

'And what I would say to anyone concerned about it who is thinking of travelling to France, to keep an eye on the Foreign Office website, there will be regular updates there, and that will keep people informed.'

Specialist cover

There are specialist travel insurance deals that specifically cover civil unrest, such as High Risk Voyager cover from broker Voyager Insurance Services.

However, this sort of insurance is designed and priced for people going to areas of severe unrest, and you are unlikely to have bought this sort of cover for a trip to Paris.

There is also a form of travel insurance called 'cancel for any reason' travel insurance. As the name suggests, consumers can claim on these if they cancel for anything at all, including riots.

However, this type of deal is uncommon, and even then only pays out up to 75 per cent of nonrefundable, prepaid costs, depending on the policy.

As it stands, the best advice for most travellers is to get decent standard travel insurance and to keep checking the FCDO website for updates on the riots.
Burberry will reveal how demand for its trenchcoats and other goods is holding up next week.

The British fashion house's sales jumped 10 per cent to 3.1billion in the 12 months to April 1.

The company, whose products are beloved by celebrities including Naomi Campbell and Carey Mulligan, will reveal how it has fared on Friday.

Investors will be after an update on trading in China, which has reopened after a three-year lockdown.

Luxury brands have benefited from booming demand for goods from Chinese customers, and shareholders will hope Burberry enjoyed a similar boost.

The shares hit a record high in April but have fallen back.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: 'The gains of the past year owe at least something to a reopening in China after three years of lockdowns, as it is a big consumer of luxury goods, and the recent slide may be China-related as well, given how it does not seem to be picking up steam as quickly as many hoped.'

Burberry chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd has suggested sales will reach 3.3billion this year.

The retailer is one of hundreds to issue a rallying cry for the Chancellor to scrap a hated tax on tourists coming to the UK to buy designer goods.

Burberry bosses have been outspoken about how the UK's absence of a VAT-free shopping scheme is holding it back, so it will be note- worthy if the company makes any further comments on how it is affecting UK sales.
The launch this week of a Future of Defence fund that will put money into the armaments and cybersecurity industries comes amid confusing signals from the sector.

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, investing in defence stocks  until recently regarded by many as anathema  is increasingly seen as providing support to democracy.

Yet in the past few weeks the direction of share prices has not necessarily reflected the global boom in spending, sparked by the war in Ukraine, and alarm over China's intentions towards Taiwan, its neighbour in the South China Sea.

On the radar: BAE supplies parts for the RAF's Typhoon fighter jets

After a long-ish era of decline, expenditure reached $2.24trillion (1.74trillion) last year, with British businesses such as Chemring, which supplies materials and components for missile systems, reporting a surge in orders.

Nato members that have not dedicated 2 per cent of GDP to defence are promising to meet this target. The HANetf Future of Defence fund, which will have the stock market ticker 'Nato', will back only companies based in the countries that are members of the alliance or part of the Nato Plus group  Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel and South Korea.

Despite the rush to re-equip and form multi-year partnerships, shares in some major UK and US defence names fell following last month's failed insurrection led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group. BAE slipped as did Qinetiq, which is behind the Banshee drone.

It seems traders viewed the brief coup as evidence of instability in Russia that could shorten hostilities in Ukraine. A cessation would reduce outlay on tanks, troops and the rest, with other consequences for defence contractors.

Ukraine has been a hugely important testing ground for these groups' technologies, revealing where innovation and upgrades are needed.

Some investors, devoted to the cause of ESG (environment, social and governance) will be unperturbed by the post-coup share price falls.

They will continue to shun BAE, Qinetiq and other cyber-security or weaponry companies in the EQM Future of Defence index. Its constituents include Cisco, Northrop Grumman, Palo Alto and Raytheon, maker of the Patriot missile.

But Russian aggression has shifted opinion. Even those committed to ESG are seeking a measure of exposure to defence.

Upbeat: BAE, Britain's biggest defence contractor, is also a buy, according to the consensus, with Morgan Stanley targeting a price of 1208p

In response, the Future of Defence fund is the second such launch. The VanEck Defense Fund, which debuted in April, has stakes in businesses such as the defence software specialist Palantir.

David Coombs, of Rathbone, lists the arguments in favour of a more nuanced viewpoint. 'Defence can provide diversification in a portfolio because companies of this type are driven by geopolitical rather than macroeconomic factors.

'Countries are the biggest and most reliable consumers, since it is a nation's prime responsibility to safeguard its citizens. I bought US group Lockheed Martin, maker of the Black Hawk helicopter for our core funds in 2016.

'Its systems are of the highest quality and its biggest customer is the US military, which will only buy from US contractors.'

Ben Yearsley, of Shore Financial Planning, says that despite the change in the 'mood music' around defence, few funds have huge stakes because of the moral complexities, or the requirement to comply with ESG criteria.

As a result they have foregone the gains offered by Rolls-Royce, the top manufacturer of engines for the military market.

Yearsley says: 'Rolls-Royce isn't a pure-play defence stock  about 30 per cent of revenues come from this activity. But it's been a big turnaround story, with its shares up 92 per cent over the past year to 151p.'

The consensus of analysts rates Rolls a buy. Chloe Lemarie, at Jefferies, is targeting a price of 210p.

BAE, Britain's biggest defence contractor, is also a buy, according to the consensus, with Morgan Stanley targeting a price of 1208p, citing the company's share buyback programme and 2.97 per cent dividend yield.

This optimism is heartening for those with money in the City of London Trust, where BAE, which builds combat vehicles, nuclear subs, radar systems and jets, is the second-largest holding.

Trust manager Job Curtis says BAE's wares are essential to defend democracies against dictators. Charles Woodburn, BAE's boss, is similarly forthright, saying its 'opportunity pipeline remains strong', underlining the inconvenient truth that the world is a riskier place and governments will spend accordingly.

Investing requires flexibility. It would be short-sighted to fail to acknowledge that conventional warfare is taking place in Europe and may continue for some time.

I am placing long-term bets on UK defence groups in a 'backing Britain' strategy  and as my way to support the Ukrainian people in their struggle for democracy.
In this series, we bust the jargon and explain a popular investing term or theme. Here it's social purpose companies.

What are they?

Definitions vary. Some say a social purpose company should exist for no other reason than to make the world a better place in some way, such as limiting climate change or improving a local community.

Others take a more flexible view. They contend that a business can have a social purpose, while also serving customers and being generous to shareholders.

Flexible: It is argued that a social purpose can make a business more profitable because it is forced to be more innovative

Indeed, the strategies of most major corporations now include a range of (often nebulous) social purpose commitments. Pursuing such aims does not necessarily run counter to making a profit.

It is argued that a social purpose can make a business more profitable because it is forced to be more innovative.

Any big name examples?

The Californian outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia is the poster boy.

Its founder has transferred ownership to a trust and a not-for-profit organisation which will distribute the $100million (78million) it receives every year from Patagonia to environmental causes.

Planet Earth may now be the 'only shareholder'. But difficult questions have been asked about levels of pay in factories in which its clothes are manufactured.

Why are we hearing about this?

The crisis in the water industry, which has led to the Labour Party drawing up plans for a new regulator.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is also under pressure to renationalise companies privatised in 1989. Such is the crisis surrounding Thames Water, with debts of 14billion, that renationalisation is a possibility, even under the current Government. Severn Trent boss Liv Garfield has proposed to her peers that setting up social purpose companies could be a solution.

What exactly is she suggesting?

Garfield wrote in an email: 'One idea we believe might be attractive to the Labour leadership is repurposing utilities and utility networks into a new breed of declared social purpose companies  that remain privately owned, who absolutely can (and should) make a profit, but ones that have a special duty to take a long-term view.'

How does this work in practice?

As social purpose entities, the water firms would do things like offering social tariffs for vulnerable customers, give workers a say in strategic decisions, and make a positive contribution to the environment.

The last of these could be difficult  companies have paid out millions in fines for pollution. This week a 3million penalty was imposed on Thames Water over the pumping of sewage into rivers in West Sussex.

What would happen to investors?

It seems likely that dividends could be in jeopardy unless social purpose status transforms the water companies, enabling them to, er, gush out profits.

But the payouts are already at risk.

Only three remain listed on the stock exchange  Pennon, owner of South West Water, Severn Trent and United Utilities.

But the Government wants to link dividends to performance standards.

If these groups are renationalised, compensation to shareholders would not necessarily be automatic.
Sun splashes through the windows onto the ornate plasterwork interiors of the Mansion House as the Lord Mayor of London explains his goal of creating a UK tech investment fund to rival Silicon Valley.

The Palladian grandeur of the 18th century residence opposite the Bank of England seems an incongruous place for Nicholas Lyons to set out his aim: to take on the venture capital giants of California who have dominated the scene for five decades.

But Lyons expresses his determination over a plan for a Future Growth Fund, which could help Britains savers reap the benefits of this countrys talent for innovation.

He has been trying to set up a 50billion fund to channel pension investment into start-ups and growth companies for some time but the idea has been fraught with difficulties.

But he hints that a big announcement on progress is likely when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivers his annual Mansion House speech next Monday.

Past and present: The Lord Mayor Nicholas Lyons wants to take on the venture capital giants of California

Lyons wants Future Growth, funded by a levy from UK pension funds, to be as good as it can be... world-leading so it sits alongside the likes of Sequoia Capital as a globally acknowledged specialist in the area of late-stage venture capital for tech companies.

It is a big ambition. Sequoia, founded in 1972, has backed the likes of Apple, Google and Instagram.

A common complaint in Britain, cited by Lyons, is that when innovative new companies want to scale up to become world-beaters they are forced to seek capital from overseas or even move abroad.

That means that it is foreign investors  from US venture capitalists to giant Canadian pension funds  who often enjoy the biggest rewards from cutting-edge technology developed here.

Lyons wants UK pension funds to commit 5pc of the money they are looking after into the fund or via their own schemes backing start-ups.

That could add up to a fund worth 25-30billion by 2030 and when the larger funds efforts are included, the total would amount to 50billion.

It comes amid soul-searching over the decision of companies such as chip designer Arm choosing to list in New York instead of London.

Lyons says his fund will mean Britain keeps many more businesses  growing and scaling and staying in the UK.

Talk that pension funds may be compelled to invest has attracted pushback from managers who say it could clash with obligations towards savers.

But Lyons does not favour compulsion, saying: If you create a Future Growth Fund and you get a lot of the major players saying This is the fund were going to be using, you then get a sense of this is the acceptable thing to do.

I think people are always nervous about doing something and putting their head above the parapet.

'Thats exactly the reason why weve got the problem we have, which is that weve had a sheep-like mentality of always doing the same thing, and as a consequence weve got really mediocre returns on our pensions system.

The initial aim will be to convince the major firms to sign up to allocating 5pc of defined contribution pension pots to unlisted equities. We are working towards an agreement from people who control more than 50 per cent of the market to say Yes and they will be all the big names.

Apples head office in Silicon Valley, US. Pension fund Sequoia Capital, founded in 1972, has backed the likes of Apple, Google and Instagram

Lyons would not identify any of them or when an announcement would be made but added: We have the Mansion House speech coming up  who knows?

'That is normally the opportunity for the Chancellor to make some big announcements. Weve been liaising with No 11 on this for the last few months.

He is confident the fund will end up being a lot bigger than the 25-30billion scale he sees for it initially.

Whenever I go abroad and speak to the big asset owners they all say, wed love to invest in the Future Growth Fund... so therell be a huge demand. Effectively, youre having a play on the intellectual property of this country.

Lyons is chairman of Phoenix Group, Britains biggest pensions firm but is on sabbatical for his year as Lord Mayor, a post that dates back to the Middle Ages and which is today better known for its ceremonial function.

Lyons spoke to the Mail in the Mansion House  where he lives, with his wife  and clearly relishes the formal trappings.

He shows off the velvet and ermine robe with gold braid he wore for the Coronation and speaks enthusiastically about the pageantry of an event that provided a direct link with Dick Whittington, who was Lord Mayor four times.

This year is the 600th anniversary of Whittingtons death and the crystal sceptre held by Lyons at the Coronation dates back to that time. It was given to the City of London after the battle of Agincourt and used in a Coronation in 1421 when Henry Vs Queen, Catherine of Valois, was crowned.

The 64-year-old, who has worked in the City for four decades, wants to use his experience to make a difference.

He adds that he has the huge advantage of being able to look over the whole of the operations of financial and professional services and identify where they could do better.

I felt that we were underperforming on pensions, providing capital for growth companies, on the investment in infrastructure and in providing financial literacy for people in this country.

I didnt see myself as an activist, I saw myself as somebody who was calling out areas where we collectively need to find solutions.

We cant just sit on our laurels. I believe the role of the Lord Mayor is a wonderful opportunity to convene and shine a light on what were good at but also what were not so good at and to try to bring people together to find solutions.

And I hope future Lord Mayors will do the same.
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company has upgraded its annual profits guidance after it continued to benefit from price hikes and strong demand in the first half.

The FTSE 100-listed anchor bottler now forecasts organic earnings before interest and tax will increase by 9 to 12 per cent in 2023, having previously predicted profit before interest and tax of minus 3 to plus 3 per cent.

It attributed the new outlook to a 'stronger than anticipated finish' to the first half of the year, topped off with a 'very good overall' performance last month.

Forecast: Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company has upgraded its annual profits guidance after it continued to benefit from price hikes and strong demand in the first half

The group also upheld its mid-term forecasts for 2024 and beyond of 6 to 7 per cent organic revenue growth and an average organic underlying earnings margin expansion of 20 to 40 basis points per year.

Coca-Cola HBC shares closed 5.1 per cent up at 23.72 on Friday, making them the second-best performer on the FTSE 100 Index behind grocery retailer Ocado Group.

Since the start of 2023, the firm's share price has expanded by over a fifth, thanks to price increases offsetting the effects of surging energy and commodity costs.

Trading has further benefited from stronger sales across established and developing markets, and higher volumes of sparkling, energy and coffee drinks.

Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said the company is 'bucking broader market negativity' in comparison to Fevertree Drinks, which has been badly affected by glass shortages in the UK.

Headquartered in Switzerland but listed in London, Coca-Cola HBC sells dozens of brands ranging from Monster Energy to Costa Coffee, Fanta and Sprite across 29 countries.

The firm recently agreed to spend $220million (172million) buying Brown-Forman Finland, the owner of premium vodka brand Finlandia.

It said the move would boost its premium spirits offering and enhance partnerships with customers in 'strategically important' industries, such as hotels, restaurants and caterers.

Finlandia, which is bottled by the Anora Group, was started in 1970 by Finland's alcohol retailer monopoly Alko and was the first ever Nordic vodka brand to be imported to the US.

Three decades later, Brown-Forman, which owns whiskey labels Jack Daniels and Old Forester, acquired a 45 per cent stake in the brand as part of a deal that gave distribution rights outside Scandinavia and parts of Eastern Europe.

It bought an additional 35 per cent holding in 2002 before gaining complete control of Finlandia two years afterwards.
Trespass Workington will close on Sunday and Chesterfield on November 18

A major clothing store is set to shut six branches across Britain, with closing down signs appearing in shop windows.

Outdoor clothing retailer Trespass will close six stores in Derby, Harrogate, Canterbury, Solihull, Workington and Chesterfield.

In another blow to Britain's high streets, it comes as huge signs advertising an 'everything must go sale' appeared in some shop windows.

Outdoor clothing retailer Trespass will close six stores in Derby, Harrogate, Canterbury, Solihull, Workington and Chesterfield. Pictured: Trespass shop in Chesterfield

Its branch in Washington Square, Workington, will close on Sunday July 9, according to reports.

And Trespass's Chesterfield store will shut its doors for good on November 18, reports said.

WHICH STORES ARE CLOSING? Derbion Shopping Centre, Derby - no date James Street, Harrogate - no date High Street, Canterbury - no date Mell Square, Solihull - no date Washington Square, Workington - Sunday, July 9 High Street, Chesterfield - Saturday, November 18

Meanwhile, four other stores in Derby, Harrogate, Solihull and Canterbury are also set to close but dates are unconfirmed.

Trespass opened its first retail stores in the 1990s and it now has more than 300 stores worldwide.

It specialises in outdoor clothing, accessories and essentials like tents, sleeping bags and hiking gear.

MailOnline and This is Money approached Trespass for comment.

Trespass is just the latest retailer to close stores in the aftermath of Covid lockdowns and the cost of living squeeze. The likes of Paperchase, Joules, Debenhams, Monsoon and the Arcadia Group, have all shut down.

In January, stationery retailer Paperchase fell into administration, which put 106 stores at risk of closure.

Supermarket giant Tesco bought the Paperchase brand and intellectual property after the stationery chain entered administration.

But the supermarket chain's deal for the business did not include any of the retailer's 106 stores and was therefore expected to impact hundreds of jobs.

Paperchase, which was founded in 1968, went through a form of insolvency proceedings four years ago to cut stores and reduce costs.

In January 2021 the company went into administration with PwC and was sold weeks later in a pre-pack deal, saving around 1,000 jobs when newly formed company Aspen Phoenix Newco took control of the firm.

But Paperchase was then sold again in August last year to a private investment firm led by the retail investor Steve Curtis.
Denial: Crispin Odey has been ousted from the company he founded

Six women have brought fresh claims of sexual assault or harassment against Crispin Odey  pushing the timeline of his alleged abuse across five decades.

The earliest of the new allegations reported by the Financial Times dates back to 1985 when Odey was accused of sexually assaulting an interior designer in his London home when he was 26.

Another woman said that she was sexually harassed and inappropriately touched while working as a receptionist at Odey Asset Management.

And a third said Odey 'lunged' at her when they were alone in an office lift when she was interning.

The latest claims follow an earlier investigation by the Financial Times, which included allegations from 13 women of sexual misconduct between 1998 and 2021.

Odey's lawyers have consistently denied the initial 13 allegations, with Odey labelling them 'rubbish'. He has since been ousted from the company he founded, and Odey Asset Management said it would be dismantled and its activities would be transferred to other firms.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has also confirmed it was investigating Odey over whether he was a 'fit and proper person' to work in financial services and whether he breached the watchdog's rules.

The details were disclosed in a letter from the authority's chief executive, Nikhil Rathi, in response to questions from the House of Commons Treasury Committee.

The probe could result in a ban or fine for Odey.

It, too, is under investigation by the FCA and could face an unlimited fine. Rathi said the FCA had been in contact with police, adding that 'any decision on whether or not to investigate is a matter for them'.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the FCA had contacted it last month, saying: 'No criminal allegations were reported at the time or have been made since. As a result, no police investigation is taking place.'

In 2020, Odey was accused of assaulting a female investment banker at his home in 1998, but was cleared of indecent assault after a trial.

The Mail was unable to reach Odey for comment about the new claims. His former firm declined to comment.
Split-second decisions can be fortuitous or fatal.

While mine wasn't fatal, it turned an ordinary day into a hellish week of intense pain, surgery, days in hospital and now physio.

It started with what I later learned was a huge mistake - I intervened in a neighbourhood cat scrap.

Two felines - both normally gentle pets from loving homes - began squaring off on my front lawn and in a well-established 'no no' of cat conflict, I reached down to pick one up in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

Subsequently, Ted the Burmese sunk his needle-like canine tooth into my wrist.

A painful week of recovery, IV antibiotics and a tetanus shot is to follow.

The tiny puncture wound was barely the size of a pin head. Moments later the swelling spread

Ted the Burmese (pictured) sunk his needle-like canine tooth into my wrist

The puncture wound was tiny and not particularly painful.

I casually sprayed it with anti-bacterial wound wash, applied a plaster and continued preparing dinner for my toddler.

Within 20 minutes, however, I noticed a bulge had begun to form under the wound and a dull pain had begun throbbing in my armpit.

I washed the wound again and applied a new dressing. Within an hour, I couldn't move my fingers.

Minutes later I watched in horror as the swelling gradually crept up my forearm - a large snake-like track moving before my eyes which appeared headed for the lymph nodes under my arm.

A lump quickly appears under the wound around 20 minutes after the bite

From cooking dinner for a toddler to a week in hospital after a cat bite turned life upside down for Amy Harris (pictured)

A visible track from the wrist to the shoulder as cellulitis (skin infection) develops after arriving at hospital

I rang my family and as I was unable to grip the steering wheel of the car. My mum drove me to Accident and Emergency at Pindara Hospital on the Gold Coast and, within seconds of arrival, a doctor was inspecting the bite.

His sense of urgency was unsettling.

'We need to admit you immediately...and you will need surgery,' he advised, as an A&E nurse hastily set up a canula and administered a hefty dose of Fentanyl.

I had packed nothing for a night in hospital - not even a phone charger - and gave my house keys to mum as I was wheeled to a ward in something of a state of shock at what had happened in the space of just under two hours.

In most cases, cat bite infections can take up to 24 hours to develop however I later learned that bites to the hand, and in my case the front of the wrist, can become nasty much faster due to many superficial structures such as tendons, joints, blood vessels and nerves.

The wrist is particularly vulnerable as it's only covered by a thin layer of soft-tissue.

Quickly knocked out with more pain relief, I woke in the morning to a flurry of activity in my room as nurses advised I was to be prepped for surgery.

Meanwhile the pain in my arm was unbearable and the swelling had developed into an angry case of cellulites - or skin infection - with large swathes of raised red blobs.

Less than 24 hours after being bitten, I was being wheeled to a 'surgical wash out' to determine the depth of the infection, remove any dead tissue and clean the wound.

My doctor, David Graham, is one of just a few orthopaedic hand surgeons on the Gold Coast who sub-specialises in hand, wrist and microsurgery.

He gave me the pre-surgery run-down, telling me the seriousness of cat bites and how a unique type of bacteria found in their mouths can lead to devastating infections.

As I was wheeled into theatre, he said my injury may require a second wash out.

At this point reality hit. A few hours ago the most pressing issue was whether to cook macaroni and cheese or chicken nuggets for dinner.

Now I was contemplating the reality of one and perhaps possibly two surgeries to extract infectious levels of poisonous bacteria and a long and undoubtedly painful recovery. To put it bluntly - things just got real, real fast.

I eventually arrived back in the ward after surgery. Dr Graham informed me that several days of IV antibiotics would be required and that I was to remain in hospital until he was satisfied there was minimal risk of re-infection.

It was a wild end to a dizzying 24 hours and, as one nurse who has counted three cat bite infections through the ward in the past six months told me, 'not over by a long way'.

I'm confronted by other horror stories from other nurses, doctors and friends with similar tales of catastrophic cat bites.

The road to recovery involves a new writs splint brace and weeks of physiotherapy to regain use the hand.

Some have resulted in devastating disabilities, loss of limbs or even death.

Some take days to become infected. Some (like mine) just hours.

Armed with too much research time I discover cat bites represent the second most common bites after dogs but are responsible for three-quarters that result in infection.

Primarily because cat saliva harbours a rare type of bacteria - the deadly Pasteurella multocida - as well as Staphylococcus, E-coli, and Salmonella which are all infectious to humans.

Interestingly 45 per cent to 65 per cent of animal bites affect hands and wrists and women are bitten by cats more frequently compared to men, which could be attributed to the more affectionate attitude females have towards felines.

My case was unfortunately heightened by intervening in a cat fight - when the adrenal levels in both animals would have been sky high which likely increased the depth of the bite and the level of toxic saliva pumped into my bloodstream.

Ultimately I clocked up a five-day hospital stay and am now in for a long stint of oral antibiotics and weeks, possibly months, of physiotherapy to regain the full use of my hand in what turned out to be a painful (and costly) cautionary tale.
A DoJ official says the department is discussing delaying Hunter Biden's plea hearing  following a firestorm of 'sweetheart deal' allegations by whistleblowers and claims that the Attorney General lied to Congress about the Biden criminal probe.

On July 26 a Delaware federal judge is set to decide whether to accept the First Son's plea deal with prosecutors over two tax misdemeanors.

Republican lawmakers are calling for Judge Maryellen Noreika to toss out the 'slap on the wrist' and 'sweetheart' deal entirely, after whistleblowers from the IRS who investigated Hunter for five years say that he could instead have been charged with a raft of more serious tax and corruption crimes.

Now, a legal filing reveals the DoJ is considering delaying the finalizing of the plea deal amid the opprobrium.

A Delaware federal judge is set to decide whether to accept Hunter Biden's plea deal with prosecutors over two tax misdemeanors on July 26

Conservative charity the Heritage Foundation is suing the Justice Department for failing to release Delaware prosecutor David Weiss' communication records under the Freedom of Information Act.

A court filing by the Foundation last week documented a June 29 phone call between their lawyer and DoJ counsel Jason Lynch, in which the Justice official allegedly made the stunning admission.

Foundation lawyer Samuel Dewey pointed out to the DoJ attorney that they could ask the federal judge in Hunter's criminal case for his July 26 plea hearing to be delayed, to give them more time to process and release Weiss' records and allow scrutiny of the prosecutorial bargain.

Republican lawmakers are calling for Judge Maryellen Noreika to toss out the 'slap on the wrist' and 'sweetheart' deal entirely

'DoJ Counsel indicated that Plaintiffs were ''absolutely right'' that the Department could file such a motion and that DoJ Counsel would take that point back to the 'District' (presumably speaking of the District of Delaware),' Dewey wrote.

Dewey's description suggests the Justice Department could now be debating whether to delay cementing the plea deal.

'They have the capability to move the plea deal, though they didn't indicate any likelihood they would,' Heritage Foundation Oversight Director Mike Howell told DailyMail.com.

'The public has an interest to assess for themselves: is this a sweetheart deal? It certainly appears to be.

'This information needs to be out and it's in the public interest for it to be out prior to any plea being signed off on.'

The Foundation filed its Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Justice in March, asking for any documents or communications between Weiss' Delaware office and other DoJ officials about the Hunter Biden probe.

They sued the Department after it failed to produce any records for months.

Howell said the Foundation is looking for evidence to back up claims by whistleblowers that Weiss was denied the ability to prosecute the First Son's crimes in other districts including Central California and Washington DC.

There have been repeated claims that the Attorney General lied to Congress about the Biden criminal probe

Conservative charity the Heritage Foundation is suing the Justice Department for failing to release Delaware prosecutor David Weiss' communication records under the Freedom of Information Act

Attorney General Merrick Garland told the Senate that Weiss had all the powers he needed to prosecute Hunter for crimes anywhere in the US.

But IRS investigators told Congress that Weiss said he was blocked from pursuing felony tax charges by Biden-appointed prosecutors in DC and Los Angeles.

'If the whistleblowers are correct, U.S. Attorney Weiss' Office should have responsive records that will corroborate the whistleblowers,' Dewey wrote in the Heritage Foundation lawsuit.

'There are events so graveso essentialto our constitutional order that if we are to keep our Republic, the American people must have a full accounting of the facts.

'A state of affairs where there is a substantial question as to whether the Attorney General misled Congress is intolerable. That is why production of the records sought by Plaintiffs is essential. And why it is essential now.'

In its legal responses, the DoJ said they will attempt to produce some records, but will not hand over anything until after Hunter's plea hearing on July 26.

Once Judge Noreika signs off on the deal  the details of which are still secret  it is unlikely it can be reversed.

'They have the capability to move the plea deal, though they didn't indicate any likelihood they would,' Heritage Foundation Oversight Director Mike Howell told DailyMail.com

The judge in the Heritage Foundation's FOIA lawsuit, Dabney Friedrich, ordered the DoJ to respond with legal arguments to the charity's emergency demand for documents by July 10.

Howell said the no-prison, non-felony charges would amount to an effective 'back door pardon'.

'What they're essentially doing is giving Hunter Biden a pardon through other means by giving him this slap on the wrist when there's all this other bombshell whistleblower testimony and a pattern of shady business dealings from the Biden family,' he told DailyMail.com.

One of Hunter's lawyers, Chris Clark, said the deal showed his client was 'taking responsibility'.

'Hunter will take responsibility for two instances of failure to file tax payments when due,' Clark said in a written statement when the deal with prosecutors was announced last month.

'I know Hunter believes it is important to take responsibility for these mistakes he made during a period of turmoil and addiction in his life. He looks forward to continuing his recovery and moving forward.'
A toddler died after her parents left her in a hot car overnight following a Fourth of July party in Florida, authorities said Thursday.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Lakeland couple Joel and Jazmine Rondon have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child.

Authorities said the Rondons accidentally left the 18-month-old girl in her car seat while they removed their two other children and unloaded their vehicle after arriving home from the Independence Day celebration.

Joel Rondon discovered his toddler unresponsive in the car the following morning. She was declared dead at a hospital.

The couple submitted to drug tests, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Joel Rondon tested positive for methamphetamines, marijuana and alcohol.

His wife was positive for marijuana and alcohol.

An autopsy ruled the toddler's cause of death as hyperthermia.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Lakeland couple Joel and Jazmine Rondon have been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child after their toddler died in a car on July 5

The couple was arrested Thursday. It was not immediately clear if the Rondons, both 33, have hired an attorney who could comment on the allegations.

Sheriff Grady Judd called the case 'one of the most horrible, tragic deaths that we've seen in a very long time' in a press conference on Thursday, CBS12 News reported.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) said the couple went to the Fourth of July celebrations with their three children, all under the age of 9, and arrived home at around 3am on July 5.

Joel is understood to have told investigators that as they began to unload the car, Jazmine told him to bring the young girl inside while she brought the other two children. He said that one of the car doors was open at the time.

He brought their belongings inside and when he returned to the car, he saw all four doors to to their Hyundai were closed, and so assumed Jazmine had brought the child inside already, CBS12 reported.

Detectives said Joel went back inside and go into bed with his wife. Neither of them asked the other if they had brought the toddler inside, and went to sleep.

At around 10 a.m. on July 5, Joel woke up and spent around an hour getting ready for work, the sheriff's office said. At around 11 a.m., he asked one of his other children to 'check the baby' in the bedroom, only to be told the baby was not there.

He began to search the house, before eventually going out to the car.

Detectives said the car was parked in the driveway in the sun. Joel realized the toddler was still inside, trapped in her car seat and did not respond.

The father rushed her inside and then to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, but was tragically too late.

'Upon arrival there, even though it's painfully evident this child has suffered a torturous death, an absolute torturous death, Lakeland Regional still worked on the baby to try to save its life, but it, in fact, was deceased,' Sheriff Judd said.

Despite efforts by medical staff to cool her body down, the baby was pronounced dead at 2.42 p.m. Her internal body temperature was 104.4.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd holds up photos of Joel Rondon and his wife Jazmine during a press conference at the Sheriff's Operations Center in Winter Haven Fl. Thursday July 6

Staff at the medical center notified law enforcement and an investigation was launched. An autopsy determined that the girl died from hyperthermia due to being left in a car, and that the manner of death is homicide.

The husband and wife both submitted to drug screens, with the sheriff's office saying that Joel tested positive for meth, marijuana, and alcohol. Jazmine tested positive for marijuana and alcohol, they said, according to CBS12.

The pair have been booked into the Polk County Jail.

The sheriff's office said Joel had an extensive criminal background, including an arrest in February for carrying a concealed firearm, possession of meth, and possession of paraphernalia.
The babies were born at the same hospital caring for 10 sets of twins

'I think they kind of stole the show,' said mom Sara Kahen Gutovich

The Gutovich family of Los Angeles welcomed two little boys and two little girls

A Los Angeles mother welcomed quadruplets on the four floor of the hospital on the Fourth of July.

The Gutovich family had two boys and girls to celebrate after their arrival on the American holiday via C-section.

'I think they kind of stole the show. We didn't get to see fireworks but we saw, like, real miracles,' the babies' mother, Sara Kahen Gutovich, said.

The babies have not been named yet but are being called the 'Quad Squad' by family members for the time being.

The Gutovich family of Los Angeles welcomed quadruplets on July 4. Pictured: Mom Sara Kahen Gutovich with two of the babies

The new babies have not been named yet. Pictured: Dad Rabbi Yisrael Gutovich with the other two babies

The babies were born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Grove, a neighborhood located in northwest Los Angeles.

All four babies each weighed just over four pounds after being born at 34 weeks.

A typical quadruplet pregnancy is anywhere from 28 to 31 weeks, while a single pregnancy is considered full-term at 40 weeks.

The mom told KTLA the babies are currently 'doing well' and resting at the Guerin Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

'Our team is monitoring the babies' progress and looking forward to the day when they have grown enough to leave the hospital and go home with their family,' a representative for Cedars-Sinai told DailyMail.com.

'We are proud of our skilled and talented staff, who provide highly specialized care and support for our youngest patients and their families,' the statement read.

Kahen Gutovich and her partner, Rabbi Yisrael Gutovich, also have a three-year-old.

The proud parents said their son is eagerly waiting at home to meet his new siblings.

According to medial professionals, quadruplets are incredibly rare in the U.S., roughly one in every 700,000 pregnancies.

In 2021, just 133 quadruplet births were recorded among more than 3.6 million babies born, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.

The babies are in the NICU after being born at 34 weeks. Pictured: The baby boys

All four of the babies weighed just over 4 pounds each. Pictured: The new baby girls

'I think they kind of stole the show. We didn't get to see fireworks but we saw, like, real miracles,' Kahen Gutovich (pictured) said

Cedars-Sinai is currently experiencing major uptick in births of multiples.

In early July, DailyMail.com shared that the same NICU holding the quadruplets was caring for ten sets of twins at the same time.

'We're used to twins, we're used to multiples, but having that many at one time is quite an accomplishment,' said Ashley Richardson, who works in the NICU.

Richardson, an RN and the NICU's assistant nurse manager, said she thinks the 'twin baby boom' could be a record for the hospital.

'I don't know what the record is, but 10 is pretty close to it,' she said.

Most of the sets born and taken to the NICU were double boys, and the babies ranged from 2 pounds to 6 pounds.

The babies were all born without a two week time frame, officials said.

'It's comforting to see so many other families experiencing the same thing,' said Jordan Edelstein, a new dad who welcomed boy-girl twins.

The same NICU caring for the quadruplets recently cared for 10 sets of twins consecutively

Most of the sets were double boys, and the babies ranged from 2 pounds to 6 pounds

Hospital staff said that while the nurses and doctors may be feeling slightly overwhelmed with the influx, they love having the babies around.

'Seeing all these twins brings back happy memories for me,' said Bevin Merideth, the NICU assistant director and nurse.

Merideth has twin sisters and said they also spent time in the hospital, one of the reasons she became a nurse.

'We look forward to hearing from these parents and seeing photos as the twins progress at home. Perhaps next year at this time we'll have a reunion with 20 1-year-olds,' she said.
The embattled mom of 'missing' Rudy Farias was accused of bigamy by a former husband who demanded an annulment just a year into their marriage, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal.

Gilbert Quiroz claimed that he wed Janie Santana on October 23, 2012, only to discover she was legally married to 'at least one' of five other possible spouses.

Just twelve months after tying the knot, Quiroz, 58, filed for divorce in Houston, Texas, outlining his suspicions and arguing that the union was 'null and void'.

The case adds to Santana's tanged legal history. She also fought her family over guardianship of her mother who died in 2020, court papers show.

In the bigamy case, Santana, 55, hit back against Quiros, a military veteran and realtor based out of Phoenix, Arizona, alleging he was guilty of 'extreme cruelty' and adultery, without elaborating.

The annulment was granted by a Harris County judge on August 10, 2015  five months after Santana reported that her teenage son Rudy had gone missing.

Janie Santana, the mom of 'missing' Rudy Farias, was accused of bigamy by a former husband who demanded an annulment just a year into their marriage, DailyMail.com can exclusively reveal

Gilbert Quiroz claimed that he wed Janie Santana in 2012, only to discover she was a bigamist who was legally married to 'at least one' of five other spouses

Rudy Farias is pictured as a 17-year-old, when he was was reported missing in 2015. Now 25, he was supposedly found last week. But his neighbors and family say he was never missing

Neither Quiroz, Santana, nor any of the lawyers involved, returned calls from DailyMail.com asking for comment.

According to divorce papers the couple was married 'by proxy' while Quiroz was stationed in Tucson with the Arizona Air National Guard.

'Respondent is Janie Santana. Respondent has also previously used the names Janie Santana Rodriguez, Janie Santana Larios, Janie Santana Farias and possibly Janie Uresti,' the October 2013 petition states.

'The purported marriage is void and of no effect  because Respondent was already legally married and a party to other purported marriages.'

The filing cites documents demonstrating that Santana married Patrick Rocha in July 1997 and then John P. Gonzalez in August 1998

That same August she petitioned a Harris County judge to have the marriage to Gonzalez annulled 'on the basis that she was already married to Patrick Rocha,' according to Quiroz's suit.

He claims Santana filed a probate motion in July 2007 arguing that she was the 'common law wife' of another man, John T. Rodriguez, a sheriff's deputy and 23-year law enforcement veteran who had recently died.

Quiroz also links his ex to Roberto Larios, citing a divorce petition filed by Santana as proof that she and Larios were 'common law married' from 1999 to 2010.

Finally, he claims that Santana married Sucre Amaury Diaz in December 2009 and that Diaz indicated in a December 2012 deposition that he was still married to Santana.

If true, that would imply that, two months into her marriage to Quiroz, Santana was still married to Diaz.

Santana's May 2015 counterclaim does not address the alleged overlap but instead demands $25,000 in damages from Quiroz.

'Gilbert has been guilty of extreme cruelty towards Janie warranting termination of their marital relationship,' her filing alleges. 'Gilbert has committed adultery. Reconciliation is a no-go.'

Quiroz claims Santana filed a probate motion in July 2007 arguing that she was the 'common law wife' of another man, John T. Rodriguez, a sheriff's deputy and 23-year law enforcement veteran who had recently died

According to divorce papers they were married 'by proxy' while Quiroz was stationed in Tucson with the Arizona Air National Guard. 'Respondent is Janie Santana. Respondent has also previously used the names Janie Santana Rodriguez, Janie Santana Larios, Janie Santana Farias and possibly Janie Uresti,' the October 2013 petition states

In the case of Santana's mother, court documents show she was involved in a legal fight with her four sisters and one of her brothers over guardianship.

Santanas older sister Sylvia, 64, described her filthy home and claimed their mother Rosa  who died aged 85 in May 2020  had been forced to sleep on a stinking sofa covered in urine.

According to the complaint filed just two months before Rosa's death, the house was not a clean, safe, or habitable residence for Rosa  who was described as the 'Proposed Ward' in legal documents  adding: The home had animal urine and feces throughout the house.

Sylvia added: Proposed Ward did not have a bed and slept on the couch which smelled of urine. At the time the Proposed Ward last went into the hospital, she had significant bed sores that had gone untreated.

The complaint also cites Santanas alleged bigamy as one of the reasons for her being unsuitable to take care of her mother and says she was ordered to pay $43,000 for unspecified 'fraudulent conduct' over another marriage to Roberto Larios.

Sylvia noted Santana had previously filed for bankruptcy and says she was convicted of disorderly conduct over the illegal discharge of a firearm in 1994 under her then-name Janie Uresti. Court records show she was handed nine months probation and fined $100 for the offense.

Another sister Pauline Rodriguez, 66, said their mother had known Rudy was still in the home but Santana brushed off their concerns when they asked about him.

She said: My mom would always tell me, Rudy is here  Hes there. Hes in that room. And Janie said, No shes lying, shes losing it.

Pauline added: She has always been a pathological liar. She lies about everything.

The bizarre case of Rudy Farias's alleged disappearance hit the headlines last week when he was said to have been found in a disheveled state and uncommunicative outside a Houston church on Thursday last week and his mother Janie declared it a miracle.

But the story quickly took a dark turn when Farias, now 25, spoke to community activist Quanell X and reportedly accused his mother of holding him captive and abusing him by making him 'play daddy' while naked in bed and giving him hallucinogenic drugs.

However, police said in a press conference on Thursday that Farias declined to press any charges against his mom  and that he did not make any such accusations to detectives when he was interviewed this week.

Chief Troy Finner said the duo had contact with police since he was reported missing, but said they both provided fake names, which allowed the young man to go unnoticed for years, even as neighbors and family often spotted him.

Farias was 17 years old when he reportedly disappeared in March 2015 while walking his dogs in the area of Tidwell and Park Drive near the home where he lived with his mother in Houston, Texas. The dogs were later found.

Houston police, along with Texas EquuSearch looked for Farias but found no signs of him.

When Farias first went missing, Texas EquuSearch reported that he suffered from depression and anxiety, and he might have been disoriented because he wasn't taking his medication.

Farias also had asthma and walked with a slight limp because of an injured right leg, the search group said.

At the time, Santana told officials that Rudy suffered from depression and PTSD since his brother Charles died in a motorcycle accident in 2011  an incident neighbors say he spoke about.

Farias reportedly said his mother had been sexually abusing him for years. He only spoke up after authorities separated him from her

The annulment between Gilbert (pictured with another woman) and Santana was granted by a Harris County judge on August 10, 2015  five months after Santana reported that her teenage son Rudy had gone missing

Community activist Quanell X spoke to Farias, who reportedly said his mother had been drugging him and sexually abusing him for years

The story of Santana's son was picked up by media outlets and discussion groups were formed on Facebook.

Last week, when Rudy was located, Santana announced her son's discovery on Facebook and claimed he was in bad shape.

She said he had blood in his hair and had been badly abused and beaten, and shared photos of him in a hospital bed.

'Rudy is in pretty bad shape, he has cuts, soft tissue tumors, small openings and swelling on the soles of his feet, along with bruising, old and new cuts/scrapes on his body, old dry blood on his head and hair, he has very very dark complexion now almost unrecognizable,' she wrote on Facebook.

'God only knows what he has endured during his time away from home.'

She added: 'He flinches if you try to touch him or hug him thinking we are going to strike him. He thinks his name is Julio Torres and he is 14 now.'

But after news of his miraculous return emerged, neighbors claimed Farias had never been missing at all, and would often be seen around the neighborhood.

Community activist Quanell said the reason Farias was found last week was because he stole his mother's car to get away from her, but crashed and ended up bloodied and bruised outside the church last Thursday.

A good Samaritan called 911 after reportedly finding Farias lying outside of the church with injuries.

Quanell said Farias had his mother's two-year-old credit card on him, which he said proved he could not have been missing for eight years.
Sunrise host Nat Barr has unleashed on Scott Morrison's former government over its 'unlawful' Robodebt as a Royal Commission into the scheme recommended the public servants behind it face civil and criminal prosecution.

Royal commissioner Catherine Holmes on Friday handed a 990-page report containing 57 recommendations to Governor-General David Hurley.

'It recommends referrals of individuals for civil and criminal prosecution,' the commission said in a statement.

The statement did not reveal any names.

Before the report was released, Barr slammed Robodebt as 'mathematically flawed' and asked Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie how those responsible should be dealt with.

'It was ruled unlawful. There were 500,000 victims. People took their own lives. Bridget, you must have some kind of view on what should happen,' she said.

'It's pretty obvious that people did the wrong thing here.'

Barr slammed the program as 'unlawful' and 'mathematically flawed' and asked Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie how those responsible should be dealt with

Senator McKenzie told Barr that in her experience, 'it doesn't pay for politicians to comment on royal commission findings until they had seen the outcomes'.

'I think the findings are going to be very fulsome and give us, I hope, ways to ensure that this cannot happen again,' she said.

Education Minister Jason Clare said his thoughts were with Jennifer Miller, who lost her son Rhys, 27, to suicide after he was chased for $17,000 he did not owe.

'I'm thinking about her, and I'm thinking about families like that today, before we even get to the report says,' Mr Clare said.

'There were a number of people who committed suicide, others who try to take their own life, end up in hospital, they are still on medication today.'

'Let's not forget the real-life human tragedy here, people like Jennifer Miller who are still dealing with the loss of their son.'

Ms Miller told the commission she had travelled to her son's home after his death to discover collection agency Dunn & Bradstreet was chasing him.

She said she found five of the debt letters on her son's fridge and a drawing of Rhys' face with a gun, dollar signs around it and the caption 'debt life'.

Rhys Cauzzo is pictured with his mother Jennifer Miller before his death on Australia Day 2017

The inquiry into Robodebt was set up in August 2022 - three months after the Labor government was elected.

Its role was to look at the establishment, design and implementation of the scheme, its outcomes and the use of third-party debt collectors.

The former coalition government launched the scheme to 'detect, investigate and deter suspected welfare fraud and non-compliance' in mid-2015 in an effort to save billions of dollars.

The scheme - which became known as robodebt - issued debt notices to people identified through a process called income averaging, which compared reported incomes with tax office data.

As a swathe of coalition government ministers and senior public servants took charge of robodebt, more than $750 million was wrongfully recovered from 381,000 people.

Victims told the royal commission of their trauma and fear as they received notices and debt collectors made contact.

The inquiry also heard evidence of bureaucrats ignoring serious questions and advice about the legality of the scheme.

The scheme was ruled unlawful by the Federal Court in 2019, after robodebt victim Madeleine Masterton launched a challenge of her debt.

Mr Morrison will be in Italy holidaying with his family as the report is handed down on Friday

A settlement of $1.2billion was reached between robodebt victims and the former government in 2020.

Former prime ministers Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull gave evidence at the inquiry, along with ex-ministers Alan Tudge, Christian Porter and Stuart Robert.

Almost 200,000 people had their welfare debts wiped in October last year.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten described the scheme as the nation's 'greatest failure of public administration in social security'.

Mr Morrison will be in Italy holidaying with family as the report is handed down.

The former prime minister is now travelling through Europe after appearing at a series of meetings about the AUKUS submarine deal in the UK in late June.

'Following his formal visit to the UK, Mr Morrison will be taking some time to spend with his family, who will accompany him to the UK, on a private vacation overseas, during the parliamentary break and school holiday period,' his office said in a statement ahead of the trip.

Mr Morrison was a witness at the commission, where he argued he was never advised of the unlawful nature of the scheme.

He said he would not have proceeded if he was aware of any legal issues.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said ahead of the report's release the government would take the time to give a 'considered response'.

'It should never have happened and the important thing is that it never happened again, because this was a human tragedy with real consequences for people,' he told ABC radio.

'The cabinet has made a decision that will release it (the report) straight away so that the public can examine it.'

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he would wait and see what findings were made in the report.

'There is no question about why it's being dropped today,' he told Nine's Today program, pointing to the upcoming Fadden by-election.

But the final reporting date was set a week before Fadden MP and former minister Stuart Robert resigned from parliament, triggering the vote.

Grieving mother whose son, 22, killed himself after discovering a $2k Robodebt releases heartbreaking audio of his final phone call with the welfare agency

By Zoe Zaczek for Daily Mail Australia

A shattered mother whose son killed himself after he discovered a $2,000 debt under the Robodebt scheme has shared his final phone calls with the welfare agency.

Jarrad Madgwick called Centrelink twice in 2019 to find out why his Newstart claim was rejected.

Jarrad Madgwick (pictured) took his own life on May 30, 2019

The 22-year-old then went online and discovered a $2,000 Robodebt on his MyGov account. He took his life hours later.

His mother Kath has now gained access to her son's final phone calls with Centrelink through a Freedom of Information request.

'From the start of the year, I wanted the truth. I wanted Centrelink to be very open with me about what discussions they had had with him, what they had sent to him,' Ms Madgwick told A Current Affair.

Ms Madgwick is adamant her son killed himself after learning of his debt. Services Australia advised Jarrad knew about the sum of money on May 28.

'My question is, if Jarrad knew about this debt, why would he not have mentioned it in the two lengthy phone calls he had with Centrelink on the 30th?' she asked.

In audio from the phone calls, Jarrad sounds distressed about his financial situation.

'Um hello... I'm in a pretty desperate situation here and my claim has been rejected after I've waited a month and I've jumped through all the hoops and I'm just wondering why I haven't even got an explanation?,' he asked.

In another snippet of audio Jarrad said: 'You've rejected my claim so I can't get backpaid. So now I'm defaulting on all my loan repayments and everything. It's f*****.'

Ms Madgwick said her son's debt is not mentioned in either of the phone calls, one of which lasted for 19 minutes.

She hopes Services Australia will publicly apologise to those who fell victim to the Robodebt scheme.

'An apology would help. Will it bring my son back? No. But, for the thousands out there that have been suffering through this I think they need the apology,' she said.

'There won't be a day that I don't miss him or want to feel him or hear his laugh or have him give me a big hug.

'Never a day I will go by that I don't think of him and wish he was here.'

Services Australia said senior leaders travelled to meet Ms Madgwick in person on two occasions and apologised for both her own and Jarrad's experience.

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia Services Australia said: 'Services Australia has done all we can to support Ms Madgwick and address her questions over the last year and we continue to offer social worker support.'

'We recognise how difficult this period has been for Ms Madgwick which is why we have gone to considerable effort to give her information to help her understand her son Jarrad's dealings with us.'

'Income averaging wasn't used in Jarrad's case. He entered earnings information into the online system as part of his income review.'

'On 28 May 2019 the online review notified Jarrad of an estimated debt based on the information he provided. It also advised Jarrad we would come back to him regarding the final outcome of his review.'

'The outcome of Jarrad's review was not finalised before his passing and he did not speak to us or receive any letters displaying a final debt amount.'

'There was no interaction between the agency and Jarrad, either by phone or online, after speaking to us on the morning of 30 May 2019 when we advised his Newstart claim had been sent for final processing.'

For confidential support call Lifeline 24-hour crisis support on 13 11 14 or MensLine Australia https://mensline.org.au/
Queensland will ban mobile phones in schools, bringing it into line with all other Australian jurisdictions except the ACT.

The new ban, which will come into effect in term one next year, will apply to all state schools, including smart watches and using devices during recess and lunch.

Queensland is the last state to introduce such policy, while the ACT remains the only other Australian juristiction to have not imposed mobile bans in schools.

Queensland's Education Minister Grace Grace announced the policy after meeting with education ministers from around the country.

The use of mobile phones in public schools will be banned in a new policy announced by the state government (stock image pictured)

Currently, 95 per cent of state schools across Queensland have a 'clear policy' banning the use of phones during class times, but the new changes will see a blanket ban on their use.

For non-state schools, it will remain up to the discretion of school leaders to decide on and implement policies regarding the use of phones and other devices.

Earlier this year, Ms Grace appointed former Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Cheryl Vardon to carry out a review into phone use policy in schools, and a report is due to come out next month.

'I've met with Ms Vardon, and she has made clear recommendations to ban phones and certain wearable devices during school hours, and for an education campaign for families,' Ms Grace said.

'From term one, 2024, mobile phones will need to be 'away for the day' in all Queensland state schools, building on the excellent work of our principals and school leaders to date.'

However, students will still be allowed to bring phones to school to contact parents or carers before or after regular school hours.

Queensland's Education Minister Grace Grace announced the policy after meeting with education ministers from across the country

All Australian states and territories have imposed strict limits on the use of mobile deviecs in schools except the ACT (stock image pictured)

In 2020, the Victorian Government was the first in the country to ban mobile phones for students at all state primary and secondary schools 'to help reduce distraction, tackle cyber bullying and improve learning outcomes'.

Western Australia and Tasmania also introduced legislation banning phone use in public schools later in the same year.

Students in the Northern Territory were prohibited from using mobile devices at school from Term 1 2023.

Secondary school students are required to turn the devices off and put them away during school hours while their use at primary schools is banned altogether.

South Australian students lost their right to use their phones during school hours in March, in a bid to 'limit the negative impact from inappropriate use and reduce unnecessary distractions in classrooms to help both teachers and students focus on learning'.

In April, the newly elected NSW state government announced that it would ban mobile phones in all public high schools during school hours from term four.

The policy was a longstanding election promise made by premier Chris Minns.

Some private schools around the country have also followed suit, including prestigious Sydney girls school SCEGGS Darlinghurst in May 2022.

The ACT remains the only Australian jurisdiction to not have imposed strict rules on mobile phone use in schools.

In 2022, ACT Education Minister Yvette Berry said there were no plans to implement a blanket ban on mobile devices.

'Helping students understand appropriate behaviour both on and offline is part of each student's learning journey,' she said.
Target has made a stunning reversal after Fox News host Mark Levin called out the retail giant for not carrying his new book 'The Democratic Party Hates America' because it 'may offend certain customers.'

Levin blasted the retail giant on Wednesday saying: 'Target has informed my publisher, Simon & Schuster, that it will not carry my new book when it is released on September 19.

'It claims that certain customers might be offended by the title. Imagine that! So, the corporatist leftwing censorship begins. I will discuss this in more detail on this evening's radio show.'

The post was a linchpin for Levin's fans to start floating the idea of a boycott - another potentially damaging decision for the retailer after they lost billions after their controversial decision around their LGBTQ products.

Target has made a stunning reversal after conservative radio icon Mark Levin called out the retail giant for not carrying his new book 'The Democratic Party Hates America' because it 'may offend certain customers'

Mark Levin blasted the retail giant on Wednesday saying: 'Target has informed my publisher, Simon & Schuster, that it will not carry my new book when it is released on September 19'

Within 24 hours however, Levin's book was destined for shelves in what appeared to be an overnight U-turn by the retailer.

'We've been offering this book for pre-sale since mid-June,' a Target spokesperson said to Fox News.

'As we have with Mark Levin's past books, many of which are currently available for sale at Target, we'll offer his newest title for sale when it is available on September 19.

The spokesperson said that the company had initially taken issue with the book's title in which it uses the term 'hate.'

'The use of the word 'hate' in the title caused our team to reach out to the publisher, but as stated, we are continuing to offer this book for pre-sale now, and it will be available for sale on its release date,' they added.

'We regret any confusion this situation caused.'

Levin said the decision was 'wonderful' not just for conservative authors but 'for the country.'

'The thing about free speech and market capitalism is that they are fantastic and crucial variables to a free society,' Levin told the outlet.

'All I do is go on radio last night as well as post on my social sites and explain exactly what took place - that is Target was not going to place any of my new books in their retail stores.'

Levin claims he wasn't posting to spur a boycott or prompting his fans to protest but believes he has a right to freedom of speech.

'I wasn't leading a boycott, I wasn't telling people to protest, It's just that the market system allows Target and any other company or business to do its wishes - but it also allows us to do as we wish,' Levin said.

'Corporations need to know that while they're free to do these things - and I won't be the last one to say that they're not - we, the people, are free to respond.

'There's no need to even organize a boycott, the market system speaks for itself, which is one of the reasons the left and the Democrats hate it.

Levin said that those from the left 'would've loved this book to be banned for its title.'

'They would love this book to be censored by corporations for its title, they haven't even read it! And trust me, they're going to hate it more after they read it,' he said.

An online synopsis of the book teases that it will reveal 'the radically dangerous Democrat agenda that is upending American life.'

'I would encourage Target and corporations like it to embrace free speech and to embrace market capitalism. It's a wonderful thing,' Levin added.

Target has lost billions of dollars in market capitalization in the span of a few days as it continues to face backlash for a Pride-themed clothing line

Target sold 'tuck-friendly' women's bathing suits, and a tweet inaccurately claimed it was also selling such bathing suits to children

DailyMail.com has contacted Target for comment but did not immediately hear back.

In a tweet following the reversal Levin posted that Target had 'reversed course' thanking his followers for their support.

'Target just informed my publisher that it has reversed course and will be taking my new book in its stores upon its release,' he wrote.

'You folks are an immense force for free speech and market capitalism, and conservative authors and audiences everywhere will benefit from your patriotism.

'I could not be more proud of you  not only for how this specific case turned out, as there will undoubtedly be more of this  but because you've made it clear that you've had enough and will exercise your enormous power.

'The silent majority is silent no longer. I'll more fully discuss this on radio. God bless and I thank and salute you all.'

Last month Target was at the center of a media firestorm after 200 LGBTQ groups demanded the retailer restock its controversial Pride merchandise.

The Human Rights Campaign, along with GLAAD and the controversial GLSEN released a statement, asking the retail giant and other businesses, including Bud Light brewer Anheuser-Bush, to 'reject and speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism going into Pride Month.'

Following backlash, Target's CEO announced that it was removing some of the more controversial items from the shelves. A Pride adult bikini is seen here, still available on its website

Over 200 other progressive organizations also signed the statement, arguing that showing support for the community is good for business. It is not clear what action the coalition will take if Target fails to back the LGBTQ+ community within 24 hours.

Target has lost $14 billion in market value since it was revealed that the chain was selling 'tuck-friendly' women's bathing suits joining the ranks of Anheuser-Busch who lost more than $15 billion after their partnership with TikToker Dylan Mulvaney in early April.

As conservatives and moderates started to boycott Target in May, several stores in the South decided to move their Pride displays to smaller areas in the back.

CEO Brian Cornell also released a statement saying that the company had pulled several items that have 'been at the center of the most confrontational behavior.'

'Since introducing this year's collection, we've experienced threats impacting our team members' sense of safety and wellbeing while at work,' the firm said in its statement.

The pro-LGBTQ+ organizations branded those that are speaking out against the Pride display 'extremists'

Since partnering with Mulvaney, Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch has faced boycotts and declining sales

'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.'

But the decision spurred further backlash, this time by LGBTQ+ advocates.

Target earlier faced similar backlash from Erik Carnell, a transgender man and Satanist, who designed much of the merchandise for the chain's Pride Month line.

The British designer, whose slogans include 'Satan loves pronouns,' said none of the clothes he designed for Target were 'Satanic.'

He also argued that companies like Target that launch products and campaigns for Pride Month seek to profit from LGBTQ people but fail to stand by them when challenges arise

'It's a very dangerous precedent to set, that if people just get riled up enough about the products that you're selling, you can completely distance yourself from the LGBT community, when and if it's convenient,' said Carnell.

'If you're going to take a stance and say that you care about the LGBT community, you need to stand by that regardless.'

Erik Carnell (pictured) is a transgender designer and artist whose products were pulled by U.S. retailer Target from its Pride Collection amid backlash from some customers

He denied that any of the clothes he designed for Target were 'Satanic.' Some Pride Month clothes for children are seen at a store in Austin, Texas

Target had been vocal about its support for LGBTQ groups in the past, creating Pride Month displays for years.

It also donated over $2.1 million to the pro-gay organization GLSEN, whose policies include ensuring school staff should 'ensure that all personally identifiable and medical information relating to transgender and nonbinary students is kept confidential'.

The retail chain says on its website that the organization 'leads the movement in creating affirming, accessible and anti-racist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students.

'We are proud of 10+ years of collaboration with GLSEN and continue to support their mission.'

But the company did not mention that its vice president for brand management, Carlos Saavedra, 43, also volunteers as a director for the organization.

He joined target in July 2019 and was made Vice President, Brand Management in January 2021, according to his LinkedIn page.

His profile says he joined GLSEN as a board member in May 2019 and was elected to the executive committee as treasurer in November 2021.

Saavedra's profile explains the organization's mission is 'helping create safe spaces in schools for LGBTQIA+ students'.

Carlos Saavedra, 43, is Target's vice president for brand management and also volunteers as a director at GLSEN, which supports LGBTQ youth in schools

Police officers stood outside a Target store in Miami as people protested across the street

But as news of Target's 'tuck-friendly' bikinis spread on social media value has plummeted by $14 billion.

And despite efforts by the brand to backpedal on its disastrous campaign, continuous stock falls led JPMorgan to downgrade its stock from 'neutral' to 'overweight,' citing 'too many concerns rising' at the time.

'We continue to believe that the consumer is broadly weakening while the share of wallet shift away from goods (51% of [Target's] sales) is ongoing,' wrote JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers, according to MarketWatch.

Horvers also cited 'recent company controversies' as the reason Target has suffered devastating financial losses, which came after 'an impressive run of 12 consecutive positive quarters.'

Now, ex-presidential advisor Miller's America First Legal is formally demanding Target be transparent about its 'radical LGBT political agenda.'

It is asking the company to turn over all corporate books and records detailing its promotion of LGBTQ products and its decline in market value.

'For Target to voluntarily and aggressively associate itself with this movement is an act of sabotage against Target shareholders and a destroyer of value  including for countless Americans for whom shares of Target are part of the pension funds, mutual funds and retirement accounts on which they depend,' Miller said in a statement.

'America First Legal is proud to represent American shareholders financially harmed by Target's descent into gender extremism and child exploitation,' he added.
William Dalrymple in The Guardian:

The sudden rise of India over the past few years has taken many western observers by surprise. The Indian economy has quadrupled in size in a generation. Its ancient reputation as a centre for mathematics and scientific skills remains intact, and Indian software engineers increasingly dominate Silicon Valley. India now has the largest population in the world and is clearly on its way to becoming the third economic superpower. Its economy overtook the UK last autumn and will overtake Germany and Japan within the next decade. The only questions are whether it is the US, China or India that will dominate the world by the end of this century, and what sort of India that will be.

Little of this would have surprised our ancestors who first sailed to India with the East India Company at the time of Shakespeare. India then had a population of around 150 million  about a fifth of the worlds total  and was producing about a quarter of global manufacturing; indeed, in many ways it was the worlds industrial powerhouse and the leader in manufactured textiles. The idea that India was ever a poor, famine-struck country is a relatively recent one, dating only from the period of British rule: historically, South Asia was always famous as the richest region of the globe, whose fertile soils gave two harvests a year and whose mines groaned with mineral riches.

More here.
Air Canada is probing a passenger's claims he was banned from their flights for reporting an alleged sexual assault by a flight attendant.

The airline said it was finally investigating the alleged attack nearly two years after a Canadian man reported it.

A spokesman told DailyMail.com the company was looking into the incident but refused to discuss further details.

It comes as the man, named Kyle, claimed he had reported the attack on a female passenger in December 2021 - but the airline had failed to look into it.

He claimed Air Canada then blacklisted him from further flights under the guise of him refusing to wear a mask, which he slammed as nonsense.

Scroll down for video:

Air Canada is probing a passenger's claims he was banned from their flights for reporting an alleged sexual assault by an attendant - on a flight two years ago. He found out about the ban after arriving at Vancouver this month, upon which he posted to TikTok to chide the airline

The man, named Kyle, claims he had reported the attack on a female passenger in 2021 - but the airline failed to look into it. After his video went viral, the airline allegedly said he was banned because he refused to wear a mask. Photos from the flight in question show otherwise

Speaking to DailyMail.com, the whistleblower, who asked his last name not be published, laid out the situation - which involves the prominent airline and a now-viral video posted to his TikTok account in June.

In the clip, the man, seen at an airport in Vancouver, describes how he arrived to go on a trip, but was told he was not allowed to fly. He was not given a reason, nor or a refund. The post, published less than a month ago, has been viewed 1.1million times.

In a follow-up, Kyle, revealed what he believed to be the true reason for the ban - his witnessing of a male Air Canada attendant putting his hand over a sleeping woman's chest mid-flight roughly a year-and a half ago.

In that alleged instance, Kyle said he called out the attendant, before being told by another staffer he was making a disturbance. After disembarking, he said he also told the plane's captain and a security guard, and assumed it was being investigated.

In the aforementioned TikTok, as well as statements to DailyMail.com, Kyle revealed this to not be the case.

'As I was checking in, I was told I was banned from flying and would not be flying that day, but was not told why.'

The only incident he could think of that might affect his ability to fly, he said, was the alleged sexual assault he said he witnessed - after which he cursed at the flight attendant allegedly responsible.

Kyle - whose TikTok handle is @acidrayne007 - proceeded to make a video while still at the airport about what had just happened.

As previously mentioned, the - along with one with one posted a day later outlining the alleged assault - has been viewed over 1 million times.

'Blacklisted,' Kyle is heard saying in the first clip, posted on June 7. 'I cannot fly on an Air Canada flight.'

In the follow-up viewed more than 1.6million times, Kyle described his experience on the December 20, 2021, flight from Montreal to his home in Vancouver that he now claims the airline - the most used in all of Canada - is attempting to coverup.

In the aforementioned TikTok, as well as statements to DailyMail.com, Kyle revealed this to not be the case.

In a follow-up, Kyle, revealed what he believed to be the true reason for the ban - his witnessing of a male Air Canada attendant putting his hand over a sleeping woman's chest mid-flight roughly a year-and a half ago

'I was sitting at 35-F, with a girl beside me - we were talking,' he recalled further to DailyMail.com.

'There was an Asian lady across the aisle from us, and she was sleeping. We were at the very back of the plane.'

He went on to describe how a male flight attendant walked down the aisle and rubbed his hand over the sleeping woman's chest - an act he said both he and the woman next to him witnessed.

'The flight attendant comes walking down, comes to the back of the plane, and turns around. He kneeled down and started rubbing her.'

At this point, Kyle said, he assumed the unnamed staffer was waking the woman up.

'Then, his hand went from her side, to the front, and he started rubbing her chest.'

Incensed, the traveler then allegedly turned and shouted: 'What the f*ck are you doing?' - after which he said the male Air Canada attendant instantly turned and 'acted surprised.'

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Kyle added it was an overnight flight and the cabin lights had been dimmed - with most of the plane was asleep.

However, he and the woman next to him who were both awake, he said, and instantly questioned what the staffer was doing.

'Me and the girl were like, 'What the f*ck is this guy doing?''

At this point, Kyle said the staffer got up and walked to the front of the plane 'very quickly.'

. A short time later, he said he was confronted by a female member of the crew, who told him 'he was causing a disturbance.

If he didn't stop, she allegedly said, the pilot would be notified.

Kyle said the declaration further engaged him and his fellow passenger, who he also met on the plane and has yet to be identified.

After being accused of making a disturbance, Kyle recalled: 'The two of us were like, 'What are you talking about? We just saw what that guy did.'

'And I'm cursing at this point,' he added. 'The guy f***ing did what he did.'

At this point, Kyle said, he continued to make a scene - all while being supported by his seatmate and another passenger who spoke up to say he had not made a disturbance.

He said he then demanded the female attendant wake up the woman who was allegedly assaulted, but was rebuffed.

As they were de-boarding, Kyle said, he and the other passenger who allegedly witnessed the assault saw the woman awake.

Speaking to DailyMail.com - as well as LA-based journalist Natalie Sady in a June 14 interview - Kyle said the pair tried to confront her and tell her what had happened, but that she did not speak English and didn't seem to understand.

A photo from the December 2021 flight shows Kyle's seat at the back of the plane. 'I was sitting at 35-F, with a girl beside me - we were talking,' he told DailyMail.com. 'There was an Asian lady across the aisle from us, and she was sleeping.' As she slept, he said, the staffer assaulted her

Speaking to DailyMail.com - and LA-based journalist Natalie Sady in a June 14 interview - Kyle said the pair tried to confront her and tell her what had happened, but that she did not speak English

He added that she seemed perturbed by the entire interaction - during which Kyle allegedly attempted to use gestures to communicate to the woman she had been assaulted - and hurried off the plane after the fact.

Not satisfied, Kyle said he also confronted the captain while leaving the plane to about the incident, but was also dismissed.

He then spoke to a security guard - 'who also did nothing', he said.

Disheartened, Kyle said he and the other passenger briefly questioned how they should proceed further.

'Bad on me,' Kyle said of what he did next. 'I just walked away.'

In comments to DailyMail.com Thursday, Kyle said he did not pursue the matter any further at the time, as he thought his comments to the pilot and security would be enough to at least launch an investigation.

After arriving at Vancouver International for an Air Canada flight once again on June 7 of this year, he allegedly learned that not only had there been no investigation, but that he was banned from flying on the airline. At the time, he was not told why

He proceeded to make a TikTok on the spot recounting what had just happened, sensationally proclaiming that 'Air Canada supports sexual assault on women.'

Some four days after the post went viral, Kyle said he was contacted by Air Canada, who told him he was banned for something involving the aforementioned 2021 flight, but not because of a disturbance.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, he said the rep told him the ban stemmed from his alleged refusal to wear a mask - something he outright denies and video posted to his TikTok the day of the flight seem to disprove.

Kyle added Thursday 'that he has always been pro-mask', and that the assertion left him baffled.

The staffer - who refused to speak to DailyMail.com Thursday when contacted - then allegedly said that he would send a follow-up email detailing the reasons behind Kyle's ban.

Kyle claimed he was also told he would be able to dispute those allegations if he wished.

On Thursday, Kyle said he has still not received that email.

Days later, he said he received a second phone call after another TikTok he made about the first call he received went viral.

Some four days after the post went viral, Kyle said he was contacted by Air Canada, who told him he was banned for something involving the aforementioned 2021 flight, but not because of a disturbance, but because he did not wear a mask

The airline has since confirmed this is not the case, telling DailyMail.com Thursday that they are now investigating the claims. The airline did not detail the status of Kyle's alleged ban

On the line, Kyle said, was the same rep he spoke to before, this asking about the seating plan on the flight.

Kyle told DailyMail.com that during this correspondence - the last time he heard from the airline - he had to explain what sort of aircraft they were on.

At the time, the staffer said he was just investigating the issue - something the airline also confirmed to DailyMail.com on Thursday more than a year-and-half after the flight in question.

The rep, at first, said: 'We do not share information about security matters involving passengers' - before adding - 'however, we can tell you that we take customer safety matters very seriously which includes investigating the alleged incident.

The airline then said: 'Air Canada is not aware of any other record or claim of these allegations.' They did not detail the status of Kyle's alleged ban.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is outpacing former President Donald Trump in 2024 fundraising, with his campaign raising $20 million in its first six weeks.

Additionally a pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, raised $130 million since it launched in March.

On Wednesday, Trump's campaign confirmed to DailyMail.com that the ex-president's campaign and joint fundraising committee, Save America, raised $35 million during the second quarter of the year.

The three-month period stretches from April 1 to June 30.

The $35 million is nearly double the $18.8 million Trump raised in the first three months of the year, after announcing his 2024 White House run in mid-November.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis raised $20 million toward his presidential campaign in just six weeks, currently outpacing former President Donald Trump who raised $35 million in twice the time

Trump raised just $9.5 million in the first six weeks of his campaign in 2022.

While DeSantis looked poised to jump into the presidential race for months, he finally did so on May 24, with a rocky rollout on Twitter.

He's hit the campaign trail in earnest, spending time in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

DeSantis has also traveled to blue states to raise money, holding fundraisers in California and New Jersey.

For DeSantis the key will be keeping the fundraising numbers up.

It was expected that he would bring in a big haul on the heels of entering the presidential race.

But as a candidate, so far, he's been unable to dent the former president's poll numbers.

While DeSantis had strong fundraising totals in the first quarter his campaign is reporting, former President Donald Trump is leading him by large margins nationally and in the early primary states

The Real Clear Politics polling average shows Trump a healthy 32.1 points ahead of DeSantis, who's consistently been in the No. 2 position, in nationwide surveys.

The early primary state polls aren't much better.

In Iowa, Trump leads DeSantis, on average, by 21.3 points.

In New Hampshire it's 26.6 points - with DeSantis getting under 20 percent of the GOP vote.

And in South Carolina, Trump is currently beating DeSantis by 19.7 points.

It hasn't helped that DeSantis has attracted some negative headlines.

Last week the Florida governor's campaign was criticized for releasing a bizarre video attacking Trump for sometimes supporting gay and trans rights.

DeSantis has had to run his primary campaign to the right of Trump - taking a more anti-LGBTQ and more anti-abortion stance than the average Republican.

Trump didn't fully support the LGBTQ community as president - making moves like telling trans people they couldn't serve in the military via tweet.

DeSantis' video, however, showed Trump waving a rainbow flag and 'ventured into homophobic territory,' one prominent group of LGBTQ conservatives said, while others viewed it as oddly homoerotic.

'I'm going to leave aside the strangeness of trying to prove your manhood by putting up a video that splices images of you in between oiled-up, shirtless bodybuilders,' commented Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who is gay. 'And just get to the bigger issue that is on my mind whenever I see this stuff in the policy space, which is again: Who are you trying to help? Who are you trying to make better off? And what public policy problems do you get up in the morning thinking about how to solve?'
Teal MP Monique Ryan has sparked a furious backlash after she slammed Anthony Albanese's government for approving a new coal project on the 'hottest day ever'.

The independent Melbourne MP for Kooyong was branded a hypocrite after posting on Twitter: 'The world just had its hottest day ever.

'On the same day, Labor approved a new thermal coal mine. Climate change is here, and Labor needs to start taking it seriously.'

But she triggered a storm of outrage for raising global warming issues after she had taken 27 business class flights, costing $28,000, during her first year in Parliament.

Business class flights are known to produce three times as much carbon emissions than economy class.

The Twitter row blew up after Labor signed off a nine-year extension to the Japanese-owned Ensham mine, 200km west of Rockhampton in central Queensland.

Teal MP Monique Ryan (pictured) has sparked a furious backlash after she slammed Anthony Albanese's government for approving a new coal mine on the 'hottest day ever'

Japanese-owned Ensham mine (pictured) will produce 4.5million tonnes of coal a year and is the first thermal coal project approved by the Labor government since the 2022 election

It will mine 4.5million tonnes of coal a year and is the first thermal coal project approved by the Labor government since coming to power in May 2022.

Despite election promises of imposing stricter emission targets and greater use of renewable power, Labor has expanded natural gas and coal production.

Approval for a metallurgical coal mine was given in May and Labor also opened up nearly 47,000sqkm of Australian waters to oil and gas exploration last year.

Labor's latest decision on Wednesday came after it was announced Earth had its hottest day on record, although that record was then itself broken the following day.

The average global temperature reached 17.01C on Monday, surpassing the August 2016 record of 16.92C as heatwaves sizzled around the world.

On Tuesday, it hit 17.18C and remained there on Wednesday, with experts warning more records are likely to fall as a new El Nino cycle begins.

On Tuesday, the average global temperature hit a record high of 17.18C and remained there on Wednesday, with experts warning more records are likely to fall as a new El Nino cycle begins

Southern US states have suffered intense heat in recent weeks, while China has seen consistent temperatures above 35C and the mercury in North Africa has neared 50C.

Even Antarctica in the midst of winter has seen unusually high temperatures, with the Argentine Islands hitting a new July high of 8.7C.

But Dr Ryan - who unseated former Liberal treasurer Josh Frydenberg at the last election - was attacked online when she tried to use the new data to attack Labor.

'How many flights have you been on this year?' demanded one.

'27 business class flights in one year, Mon!' slammed another. 'Someone is being incredibly hypocritical! How embarrassing!

'Stop treating the people with their eyes open as fools.'

Dr Ryan was revealed to have taken the most business class flights of all her teal colleagues in Parliament, mostly on the Melbourne to Canberra route.

Melbourne's Goldstein MP Zoe Daniels flew business four times and Sydney's Mackellar MP Sophie Scamps once, but none of the others took any at all.

Anthony Albanese's government approved a metallurgical coal mine in May and also opened up nearly 47,000sqkm of Australian waters to oil and gas exploration last year

The Ensham coal mine is currently owned by Japan's Idemitsu but it has sold its stake in the project to South African firm Sungel, which will take over operations.

It will produce about 1/40th of Australia's total thermal coal exports and was slammed by Greens leader Adam Bandt when the decision was confirmed.

'Labors current climate strategy is to condemn a decade of Liberal inaction in Parliament, whilst hoping you dont notice their massive expansion of coal and gas at the exact same time,' he said.

Energy minister Tanya Plibersek defended the approval, saying it met environmental conditions, and insisted she had blocked three other coal mines since taking power.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Dr Ryan's office for comment.
Scott Morrison is waking up on his family holiday in Europe to condemnation in the final report of the Robodebt Royal Comission over his involvement in the 'incompetent, cowardly' scheme.

Mr Morrison is on a European vacation, coinciding with parliament's winter break and his children's school holidays.

Meanwhile Commissioner Catherine Holmes has handed down her damning findings on how the welfare debt recovery scheme was conducted by the former government after a mammoth nine-week inquiry which analysed more than one million documents and interviewed more than 100 witnesses.

She determined Mr Morrison had 'allowed Cabinet to be misled' and gave 'untrue' evidence to the Commission about income averaging, one of the most controversial and ultimately illegal aspects of the now infamous scheme.

As Social Services Minister, Mr Morrison was 'responsible for administering the Social Security Act according to law' at the time Robodebt was established.

The report found: 'Ministers are expected to take full responsibility for the content, quality and accuracy of advice provided to the Cabinet under their name.

'Mr Morrison contributed to a certain atmosphere' through his 'powerful language' which put pressure on public servants to 'get on and deliver' the program.

'The policy direction set by Mr Morrison in the Social Services portfolio, which was publicly communicated by him, was one of ''ensuring welfare integrity''... Inadvertent non-compliance was often mentioned in the same breath as cases of fraud, and no pains were taken to emphasise any distinction.'

Mr Morrison is on a family holiday in Europe, coinciding with parliament's winter break and his children's school holidays

The taxpayer was billed $477,528 for Mr Morrison's legal representation during the Commission's hearings.

Mr Morrison hit back in a lengthy 1220-word statement on Friday afternoon - Friday morning in Europe - to reiterate that there were no findings against him during his time as prime minister or treasurer.

He noted that the scheme ended during his tenure as PM, insisting he 'acted in good faith' and 'cooperated fully' with the Commission.

'I reject completely each of the findings which are critical of my involvement in authorising the scheme and are adverse to me.'

It is yet another headache for Mr Morrison whose time in office was plagued with dramas including taking his family on a holiday in Hawaii during Australia's worst bushfire season, inviting his embattled pastor Brian Houston to an official White House dinner and, after leaving office, revealing he secretly appointing himself to multiple ministries while PM.

The former PM now spends his time sitting in the far corner of the backbench - about as far from the action as can be for a federal MP, slouched over his iPad and next to his friend, Alex Hawke

He and his family were spotted dining in Rome in late June while on holidays

In spite of it all, Mr Morrison retained his position as MP for the Sutherland Shire electorate of Cook - replete with a $211,250 per annum pay packet.

The former PM now spends his time sitting in the far corner of the backbench - about as far from the action as can be for a federal MP, slouched over his iPad next to his friend, Alex Hawke.

He has spoken just a handful of times since losing the 2022 election - most recently on June 13 to clarify his prior knowledge of Brittany Higgins' sexual assault allegations in Parliament House.

Prior to that he, along with dozens of other MPs, voiced his opposition to the Constitution Alteration Bill which eventually passed through parliament to allow for the Voice to Parliament referendum later this year.

And before that speech, Mr Morrison had not given a speech in the House of Representatives since November 2022. Then, he spoke at length to defend his position in the secret ministries scandal.

That speech marked only the second time Mr Morrison had spoken in parliament since his defeat in May 2022. The first was to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth.

In that same period, Mr Morrison has declared seven gifts to the official register, including business class airfares to New York, Washington and Japan. It is yet to be seen whether his flights to the UK were gifted.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles vote yes during the vote on the referendum for the Voice to Parliament

Mr Morrison also received 12 tickets to a Cronulla Sharks NRL game in March, a further two tickets to another game later that month, corporate hospitality to a game in June and two tickets to the Madama Butterfly Opera - complete with return car transfers.

Mr Morrison missed the entire last week of parliament to travel to the UK, where he delivered a speech on the AUKUS deal and was seen in a picture with former UK PM Boris Johnson.

Afterwards, he and his family were spotted dining in Rome in late June, while news.com.au obtained pictures of the Morrisons this week on the Italian coast.

'Following his formal visit to the UK, Mr Morrison will be taking some time to spend with his family, who will accompany him to the UK, on a private vacation overseas, during the parliamentary break and school holiday period,' his office said in a statement ahead of the trip.

Mr Morrison described himself as a 'strong welfare cop on the beat' in a 2015 interview boasting about cracking down on welfare cheats.

Robodebt was an automated method of calculating welfare recipients' alleged debts by matching their reported pay with their supposed annual incomes, which were estimated by averaging data from the Australian Taxation Office.

Scott Morrison is seen on his infamous holiday to Hawaii in 2019 during horrific bushfires across Australia

Mr Morrison retained his position as MP for the Sutherland Shire electorate of Cook - replete with a $211,250 per annum pay packet

Operating from 2015 to 2019, Robodebt was discontinued after being found to be unlawful.

But by then it had unlawfully claimed nearly $2billion from more than 400,000 people and had been linked to several suicides.

Elsewhere in Mr Morrison's lengthy statement after the report was released, he said 'the findings which are adverse to me are based upon a fundamental misunderstanding of how government operates'.

'There are important lessons to be learned from the conduct of the scheme regarding harm minimisation and the use of digital technology to assist with the important task of welfare compliance,' he said.

'I acted in good faith and on clear and deliberate department advice that no legislation was required to introduce the scheme and presented comprehensive evidence to support this position.

'There is also no evidence before the Commission to the effect that I applied pressure to any person... This is an offensive and baseless assertion.'

Mr Morrison appeared at the Commission as a witness, where he argued he was never advised of the unlawful nature of the scheme and that he would not have launched it if he was told of any legal issues.

Justin Greggery KC, the head lawyer assisting the Commission, noted in his closing remarks that the scheme 'gathered momentum' when Mr Morrison took over the social services portfolio in 2014.

The Commission was told Mr Morrison was advised at the outset that the Robodebt scheme would require changes to the law to operate legally.

One mother of a young man who took his own life while being pursued for over $17,000 described her heartbreak after discovering the link between his death and the debts.

Since losing the 2022 federal election Mr Morrison declaration of gifts includes receiving 12 tickets to a Cronulla Sharks NRL game in March, a further two tickets to another game later that month, corporate hospitality to a game in June and two tickets to the Madama Butterfly Opera - complete with return car transfers. Pictured: Mr Morrison during a business trip to Fiji in August

Jennifer Miller told the commission that she travelled to her son Rhys Cauzzo's home in Melbourne after he died by suicide at age 27 to discover he was being pursued over the debt by collection agency Dun & Bradstreet.

She said she found five of the debt letters from Dun & Bradstreet on her son's fridge. Next to them was a drawing of Rhys' face with a gun, dollar signs around it, and a caption reading 'debt life'.

Matthew Thompson, told he owed $11,000 for accessing Newstart and the sickness allowance between jobs, said being pursued for debt he did not owe made him feel like a criminal and worsened his existing mental illness.

The name 'Robodebt' given to the Centrelink compliance program, suggests the debacle was the fault of a computer algorithm gone wrong.

But the Commission revealed previously faceless public servants and senior politicians who ignored repeated, clear warnings the scheme was illegally raising false debts against the citizens they were supposed to serve.

It heard accounts of a toxic, dysfunctional administration and a former government determined to find savings for the federal budget, no matter the moral cost.

Part of the sealed report has recommended individuals for civil and criminal prosecution.

The report itself is separated into three volumes, 1,000 pages long and lists 57 recommendations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke about the report's findings on Friday afternoon and the implications for Mr Morrison, stopping stort of offering any personal opinion on his role in parliament.

'Scott Morrison, of course, is mentioned countless times in this report. It is a matter for him what action he takes in response,' he said.

'That is a matter for him. I am not here to make commentary on individual members. I do think that Members of Parliament have a responsibility to turn up to Parliament unless there is a very good excuse.

'I think that the findings I have read out in the public domain make it clear that Scott Morrison's defence of this scheme and of the Government's actions over such a long period of time were, to quote the report, based upon a falsehood.

'That is a damning finding. People will make their own judgements about this.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke about the report's findings on Friday afternoon and the implications for Mr Morrison, stopping stort of offering any personal opinion on his role in parliament

The report itself is separated into three volumes, 1,000 pages long and lists 57 recommendations

The scheme, which ran from 2015 to 2019, used annual tax office data to calculate average fortnightly earnings and automatically issue debt notices.

It was proposed as a way to recoup billions of dollars apparently owed to the Commonwealth, but ignored the vulnerabilities, needs and circumstances of welfare recipients.

After it was rolled out, debt notices soared from 20,000 a year to 20,000 a week and recipients were neither informed how they were calculated nor given a clear avenue to dispute them.

Senior officials from the human services department - now Services Australia - misled cabinet ministers by not communicating the scheme would need legislative change to go ahead.

The Commonwealth agreed to pay $1.2billion in compensation in November 2020 after the threat of class action lawsuit by victims.

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A Mormon mother from Utah accused of killing her husband by lacing his Moscow Mule bought 15 to 30 fentanyl pills from her housekeeper a month before his death, court documents reveal.

Kouri Richins, 33, allegedly poisoned her husband Eric with a fentanyl-laced vodka cocktail in March 2022 before publishing a picture book to help children cope with losing a loved one.

Her housekeeper Carmen Marie Lauber, 51, who has prior drug charges, has now been named by authorities as the person suspected to have sold her the lethal dose used for the poisoning, KSL.com reported.

Lauber is yet to be arrested or charged with crimes connected to the death of of 39-year-old Eric Richins, but due to appear in court on August 16, ahead of Kouri Richins' next appearance on September 1.

Kouri Richins (pictured), 33, allegedly poisoned her husband Eric with a fentanyl-laced vodka cocktail in March 2022

The housekeeper Carmen Marie Lauber, 51, is yet to be arrested or charged with crimes connected to the death of of 39-year-old Eric Richins (pictured right with his wife Kouri)

Court documents show the charges brought against Richins and how she paid $1800 for the pills allegedly used to kill her husband. The initials C.L. are now understood to be housekeeper Carmen Marie Lauber

Supporting the allegations that drug deals were facilitated by Lauber are a number of text messages exchanged between them from March 1 to March 15.

According to Kouri Richins' arrest warrant, she told Lauber that she wanted 'some of the Michael Jackson stuff' for an investor involved in her real estate dealings.

Court documents identify Lauber as a 'housekeeper often used by Kouri for her residential real estate business'.

Lauber was also previously named in a civil suit brought by the family of Eric Richins against his wife, but identified by her initials only.

'Upon information and belief, in early February 2022, Kouri asked an acquaintance known as 'C.L.' to procure some fentanyl for her,' the lawsuit states.

Lauber then made contact with 'a drug dealer who routinely deals fentanyl,' according to the lawsuit,

She then obtained fentanyl on February 11 - less than a month before Eric Richins was found dead on March 4.

'Either that same day or the next day, C.L. delivered those pills to Kouri by hand in the driveway of C.L.'s home,' the lawsuit alleges.

'Lauber admitted to supplying Kouri Richins with 15-30 fentanyl pills on two separate occasions, approximately one month before Eric's death,' read a search warrant affadvit seen by the outlet.

'She stated Kouri paid her approximately $900 each time she supplied the pills. She provided details of the solicitation of the drugs, the pickup and drop-off locations, and other pertinent details that have been corroborated with digital forensic evidence,' it read.

Kouri Richins' illustrated children's book about an angelic father watching over his sons, Are You With Me? was on sale for $14.99

Eric's family told investigators shortly after he died they suspected Richins had killed the father-of-three. Pictured: Kouri and Eric Richins with their three children

Prosecutors have alleged Kouri Richins was motivated to kill her husband because she thought she would inherit their multi-million-dollar home and a share of his co-owned masonry business, worth around $4million.

But Eric had changed his will and power of attorney to give his sister Katie, 38, full control. According to a police warrant, this was because he had been worried his wife might 'kill him for money' after several failed attempts on his life.

The millionaire businessman was found dead on March 4 last year aged 39 at the foot of his bed in the couple's home in the town of Kamas, near Park City, where they parented three children.

Richins has been held in Summit County Jail since she was charged on May 8 this year with criminal homicide, aggravated murder and possession of a controlled substance.

Prosecutors have said that in the months before, Richins tried to make herself the sole beneficiary of her husband's life insurance policy - though Eric had given his sister full control by this point.

In May, the DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that Kouri launched a legal dispute against his family within weeks of his death in a bid to secure an estate valued in excess of $3.6 million.

The Kamas, Utah, home where police say Kouri Richins killed her husband Eric in March 2022 with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule cocktail

Kouri is said to have bought four life insurance policies on her husband totaling $2 million in the years prior to his death

She claimed that Eric had tried to 'defraud' her by secretly transferring the family home, all personal property and interest in the masonry business he ran with friend and partner, Cody Wright, into a Trust owned by his sister in November 2020.

Richins also took out multiple life insurance policies on him worth close to $2 million, and attempted to 'drill into his safe' just 48 hours after he died, his family has said.

She allegedly attempted to poison him on several other occasions - including on Valentine's Day 2022 when Eric broke out in hives after consuming a sandwich which Richins had placed on the seat of his truck alongside a love note.

In the days before Eric died, the couple had been arguing about Richins' plans to purchase and flip a $2 million home in the days before, according to court documents.

On March 3 - the day before the alleged murder - Kouri signed the closing papers on the 10-acre property and invited her friends over for a party at her house where she was drinking and celebrating, affidavits for search warrants show.

In the months after her husband's death Kouri wrote a children's book, 'Are You With Me?'

She claimed the work was inspired by Richins' death and her own experience of failing to find any reading materials aimed at helping her sons cope with their loss.
Banks are shutting down the accounts of high-profile individuals without explanation using flawed online databases, experts have warned.

High street lenders are facing a Treasury probe after closing numerous accounts with the help of vast online indexes that scrutinise 'politically exposed persons' (PEPs).

Leading Brexiteers Nigel Farage and Claire Fox have both complained they have been politically targeted by partisan institutions, while other individuals have also accused banks of refusing customers because of their political beliefs.

Ministers are now considering scrapping EU laws which demand 'enhanced' checks on people in public life.

Ben Keith, a lawyer who has represented various individuals who have seen their accounts closed with little explanation, said: 'The main flaws of the system are the overreliance on the third party agencies and a lack of any proper mechanism to challenge de-banking.

High street lenders are facing a Treasury probe after closing numerous accounts with the help of vast online indexes that scrutinise 'politically exposed persons' (PEPs) (stock image of London's financial heart, the Bank of England)

'This starts from the point of the closing of the bank account when the bank is not required to give any reasons.

'It is possible that under ESG [environmental, social, and governance] or equality and diversity policies or just reputation management that a bank makes a commercial or reputational decision. But again, since no reasons are given, it is very hard to tell.'

He said people who simply present a high reputational risk - for example, if they are criticised in media stories - are more susceptible to having their accounts scrutinised by banks.

Mr Keith said another issue is that the third-party databases treat less prestigious publications which carry such criticism with the same validity as traditional media.

These databases monitor British customers and detail those who could be under sanctions or are considered vulnerable to bribery. The final decision to close an account is made by a human.

Earlier this week the Treasury launched a probe into whether banks are striking the right balance between commercial risk and allowing their clients freedom of expression.

Officials have urged regulatory bodies like the Financial Conduct Authority to 'prioritise' the matter over the coming months.

Both Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch are now thought to favour amending EU regulations on account scrutiny which have been passed into UK law.

Tory peer Lord Moylan said: 'Now we've left the EU we could revert to the proper international standards by introducing a distinction between domestic and foreign PEPs.'
Casey DeSantis shone in her first solo campaign appearance on Thursday, chatting easily with Iowans about their corn crops, their schools, their families and the weather.

She has become a prominent public face and voice for Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign and was in Johnston to launch 'Mamas for DeSantis' - a national version of the group she started in Florida to help her husband win a second term as governor.

'It's one thing when your policies come out after us - the mamas. It's another thing when they come after our children. And that's when the claws come out,' she said.

Casey DeSantis held her first solo campaign event - joining voters in Iowa

In her 35 minute talk, she focused on three topics - her children, her husband and God.

She vowed to crisscross the country to help her husband win the Republican presidential nomination and the White House.

'As long as I have breath in my body I will fight for Ron DeSantis - not just because he's my husband; that is part of it - but it's because I believe in him,' she said.

'If you want somebody to go up to Washington DC to clean house, to be able to put this country back on the trajectory where we are talking about - our rights coming up from our creator and our government being put in place to protect our rights that are ours, he is the man to do it and if I have to crisscross this country, I'll do it,' she vowed.

But it was when she talked about schools and parental choice that she got the biggest applause from the packed venue. Education proved a major issue that moved votes in the 2022 midterm election.

'It should be up to the parents to decide what education they think are best for their children. And government should, again, get out of the way,' she said.

DeSantis launched 'Mamas for DeSantis' - similar to the group she launched to help Ron DeSantis when he ran for re-election as Florida governor in 2022

Casey DeSantis spoke alongside Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds

Casey DeSantis wore camouflage pants, a white tank that read 'Mamas for DeSantis' in orange letter, a crucifix necklace and tan stiletto heels

And she echoed her husband's 'war on woke,' praising him for his policies during COVID that kept the state open and supporting parents over teachers.

'They're not doing the woke Olympics, by the way in the state of Florida, there's no discrimination if you use the wrong pronoun,' she said.

'It was COVID that was really what led to a lot of this parental empowerment revolution because for the first time parents were peering into the classroom, and they did not like what was being taught they saw - the sexualized curriculum being thrust in front of five year olds,' DeSantis said.

She credited Ron DeSantis with enabling 'parents to be able to go to the schools to say I want to see what kind of curriculum you're teaching our kids. And if they didn't give that information to the parent in a timely manner, they then had a right of action to be able to sue.'

She said it was those policies that led to him being re-elected as Florida governor in 2022.

Ahead of her talk, Casey DeSantis, wearing camouflage pants, a white tank that read 'Mamas for DeSantis' in orange letter, a crucifix necklace and tan stiletto heels, worked the crowd.

She moved easily among the voters, bending down to talk to one little girl and then telling her mother: 'She is awesome.'

She shook hands and made small talk, showing the ease with retail politics that many say her husband lacks. She gave hugs, posed for pictures, took selfies.

'God bless you. Thank you for the support,' she told one volunteer.

'Were going to be back a lot. Youre going to get tired of us,' she told voters.

The event, which took place in a refurbished barn, was set up to cater to families. A playground was nearby. There were stations set up for bubbles, face painting, coloring of Mamas for DeSantis signs, corn hole, a snow cone truck, and a giant Connect Four game.

She spoke with Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in Johnston, outside of Des Moines, while Ron DeSantis tries to make up ground in the polls with rival Donald Trump. He trails the former president by 22 points in the RealClearPolitics polling average in the state.

Casey DeSantis worked the crowd ahead of the event

The event took place in a refurbished barn in Johnston, Iowa

She peppered her talk with items that showed her knowledge of Iowa, including its pride and dependence on its major crop, corn.

DeSantis described how her three-year-old daughter 'will eat corn like it's no one's business.'

'Last night she had a thing of corn that she added to her sister's corn, then she took her brother's corn so I told her I said if we get any sweet corn if it's ready, we're bringing that home with us,' DeSantis said.

She is a veteran of the campaign trail, having joined Ron DeSantis at many events across the state, including one where she wore a black leather jacket that read on the back: 'Where woke goes to die.'

She has been considered a 'secret weapon' with a warm personality while the Florida governor has faced accusations he's awkward with voters.

DeSantis first launched 'Mamas for DeSantis' for her husband in 2022 when he was running for a second term as Florida governor. She signed up 1.1 million mamas to support his re-election bid.

Iowa, in particular, is a DeSantis target with many in his orbit thinking he can repeat what Barack Obama did in the 2008 Democratic primary. Obama had a surprise victory over frontrunner Hillary Clinton in and that helped push him across the finish line to the party's nomination.

Gov. DeSantis won female voters by 9 percent in his gubernatorial re-election effort.

And he's going all-in on Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses, trying to bank support so he can have an early win there as he fights Donald Trump for the GOP presidential nomination.

Trump lost the Iowa caucuses during the 2016 Republican presidential primary, coming in second to Ted Cruz.
Half of 50- to 70-year-olds who left employment in 2020-21 in relative poverty

Half the older people who dropped out of the workforce at the start of the pandemic found themselves struggling financially, it is claimed today.

New analysis has found that 48 per cent of the 50- to 70-year-olds who left employment in 2020-21 ended up in relative poverty.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think-tank said the figure is 'significantly higher' than the proportion who quit before the pandemic, suggesting they were forced into early retirement by lockdown and health risks.

It will put extra pressure on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to succeed in his attempts to get large numbers of over-50s back to work by offering them so-called midlife MOTs and apprenticeships for new careers.

A massive 3.5million 50 to 64-year-olds were out of work and not looking for new jobs between November last year and this January, official figures show, a rise of 280,000 on the same period three years earlier before Covid arrived in the the UK.

New analysis has found that 48 per cent of the 50- to 70-year-olds who left employment in 2020-21 ended up in relative poverty (file photo)

It will put extra pressure on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured outside No10) to succeed in his attempts to get large numbers of over-50s back to work by offering them so-called midlife MOTs and apprenticeships for new careers

Xiaowei Xu, a senior research economist at the IFS, said: 'It is often assumed that older people who left the workforce during the pandemic were wealthy individuals retiring in comfort.

'Our analysis shows that those who left in the first year of the pandemic experienced a sharp rise in poverty, despite overall poverty rates falling that year, and also suffered large falls in well-being.

'Some of this group might well be amenable to coming back into the workforce with the right opportunities, and there are signs that some are returning already.

'If the Government wants to get this group back to work, the success of policies to support older workers, such as the 'mid-life MOT', will be critical.'

Today's research showed that the share of 'recently inactive' over-50s in relative poverty increased by 7 percentage points between 2019-20 and 2020-21, as did the proportion in absolute poverty.

Unless they are able to get back into work, the IFS warned, those who retired long before state pension age at the start of the pandemic 'will experience persistent low living standards'.

By contrast those who gave up work in the second year of Covid, 2021-22, had higher incomes and lower poverty levels.

As the labour market had recovered from the shock of the first lockdown and vaccines had been rolled out by then, the researchers concluded that 'those who became inactive in that year are more likely to have done so out of choice'.

A Government spokesman said: We are helping millions, including older workers, to return to the workforce and inactivity has fallen by nearly 300,000. We have committed 70million in back to work support for the over 50s including a new online Midlife MOT launched this week.

But financial planning for a comfortable retirement is vital, which is why Automatic Enrolment has transformed pension saving with more than 10.8 million workers signed up to a workplace pension and an extra 33 billion saved in 2021 compared to 2012.

We are also supporting proposals to expand this so millions more save earlier, while our free guidance on MoneyHelper and Pension Wise is also helping people make informed choices about their financial futures.
NAB Bank will stop sending links in text messages to customers as part of a plan to crack down on rampant scams and fraud.

Last year, the major bank sent 112 million text messages to customers, many of which contained links intending to notify them of matters such as when an account is about to be overdrawn or a new debit card has been posted.

Links in text messages will now be replaced with advice directing customers to the bank's website, to call the bank, or log on to Internet Banking or the NAB App.

It is the latest move by the bank to fight criminal activity, with more than 60 projects reported to be completed or underway to help address the impact of widespread scams and fraud.

NAB has advised that in some circumstances customers may still receive a link - such as domestic violence or hardship support for a vulnerable customer - 'where other channels of communication may not be possible or appropriate'.

NAB has announced it will cease the use of links in unexpected texts to customers in a bid to crack down on scams and fraud

NAB CEO Ross McEwan said the bank was 95 per cent of the way through removing the use of links in text messages and was aiming to complete the initiative by the end of this month.

'Our aim is to make it as simple as we can for customers to know whether a message from NAB is legitimate,' Mr McEwan said.

'My advice is don't click on a link. If you get an unexpected text message that looks like it's from NAB and it contains a link, don't click on it'.

Mr McEwen said many scammers 'are part of transnational, organised crime gangs and will always look for new ways to rip people off'.

'That's why we continue to encourage all Australians to stay alert, curious and educated.'

In 2022, 47 per cent of Australians reported being exposed to scams via text message

NAB is urging the public to contact their bank and Scamwatch immediately if they suspect they have fallen prey to a scam.

Two thirds of Australians aged 15 years and over were exposed to a scam in 2021-22 according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, up from 55 per cent in the previous year.

People were most commonly exposed to a scam over the phone (48 per cent) or by text message, with exposure via text message doubling from 23 per cent in 2020-21 to 47 per cent in 2021-22.
Mermaid's woes may not end with yesterday's failed legal case.

The trans youth support group is already facing a serious 'statutory inquiry' from the Charity Commission.

It was put under investigation by the charity watchdog last year as a result of 'newly identified issues' about its governance and management including leadership and culture.

When the probe was launched last November, the commission said it would examine 'whether there has been any misconduct and/or mismanagement by the trustees'.

Just days earlier, Mermaids' chief executive Susie Green quit after six years in the post.

The trans youth support group is already facing a serious 'statutory inquiry' from the Charity Commission

Just days earlier, Mermaids' chief executive Susie Green (second from left, pictured in 2018) quit after six years in the post

Her sudden departure came after an investigation found the charity was sending potentially dangerous chest-flattening devices to children as young as 13 without the consent of parents.

More recently it emerged Ms Green had referred children to the scandal-hit NHS Tavistock gender clinic, even when their GPs refused to do so.

She was told by the clinic director in an email: 'We do accept referrals from third sector groups and I know you have sent in referrals in the past.'

Ms Green said in response to criticism: 'As the parent of a trans child I have dedicated the past two decades to understanding the challenges in this area.

'I have campaigned for my own child to get her the care she needed, and I have supported thousands of families. This experience has made me a subject matter expert.'

It was also revealed last autumn that Mermaids trustee Dr Jacob Breslow had spoken at a conference hosted by a group that supports paedophiles.

Despite a series of controversies over the years, Mermaids received huge amounts of money in grants and payments for training public bodies including police forces and NHS trusts.
Yi Fuxian in Project Syndicate:

When Western leaders welcomed China into the World Trade Organization in 2001, most assumed that they were creating the conditions for eventual democratization. A growing Chinese middle class, they assumed, would demand greater accountability from the government, ultimately creating so much pressure that the autocrats would step aside and allow for a democratic transition. This political fantasy underpinned the Sino-American relationship for decades.

But it wasnt to be. The Communist Party of China (CPC) has been regressing on all fronts, reasserting more top-down control over the economy and tightening censorship and other forms of social and political control. It has been led down this path by the legacy of the one-child policy, which fundamentally reshaped the countrys demographics and economy.

More here.
Juliet Young - also known as 'Skye Nicol' - has pleaded guilty to intimidating an employee

A top boss of a collapsed botox empire who became obsessed with her ex-husband's new relationships flew into a jealous rage and berated a former employee, calling her a 'f***ing sl*t', a court has heard.

Juliet Young, 44, a manager at Injectable Institute Australia (IIA), was thrown into the limelight when the company she was involved in running went into liquidation in March, owing more than $2million to creditors.

Young is now back in the headlines after she pleaded guilty to intimidating a former staff member, Jill O'Donnell, on May 17 last year.

Court documents seen by Daily Mail Australia said that Ms Young made a series of expletive-ridden phone calls to Ms O'Donnell because of a suspicion she was having a romance with her old flame.

The messy spat between the pair began when Young's new husband cornered her former teenage neighbour at the gym, then bringing him back to their house so he could spill the beans about her ex-husband's romantic interests.

The 18-year-old, who was both a friend of Young's ex and Ms O'Donnell, was then forced to sit and listen as the couple bombarded her former worker with 11 phone calls in 30 minutes, calling her vile names. Her new husband Belal Hamdan joined in, calling her 'a little skanky sl*t', the court heard.

Young is pictured leaving Sydney Downing Centre Local Court on Friday

She adjusted her head scarf as she walked down the footpath with her new husband Belal Hamdan and a male associate

According to court documents, Young became 'fixated' on the personal life of her ex-husband Fadi Dwayhi - who worked at the cosmetic company alongside her - after the couple separated and she moved out of their home in early 2022.

Just a few months later, in April, Young married her new husband and co-accused in the case, Belal Hamdan, 46. But despite her new relationship, Young became 'fixated on the idea' that her ex-husband was in a relationship with Ms ODonnell.

On May 17 last year, Young's former neighbour Gabriel Care, 18, was working out at Anytime Fitness in Blakehurst, in Sydney's south, when Hamdan used Young's swipe card to enter then cornered the teen by the bathroom.

After introducing himself as Young's new husband, Hamdan demanded 'how could you do this to Skye?' before telling him he was a f***ing low life and 'f***ing dog'.

Confused, Mr Care said he had 'no idea' what Hamdan meant, with CCTV footage capturing the 46-year-old wagging his index finger in the teenager's face and - at one stage - poking his forehead and chest as he interrogated him.

Hamdan then phoned his wife and put her on speaker phone as he demanded Mr Care apologise to Young 'for dogging her' and 'not speaking to her' as he stood over him.

Upon answering, Young proceeded to scold Mr Care for not talking to her when her relationship broke down with her ex as the teenager insisted he 'was friends with everyone' and denied ever ending their friendship.

After the 10-minute confrontation, Hamdan gestured for Mr Care to leave the gym with him and he drove the pair around the corner to the Blakehurst home he shared with Young, court documents said.

When they arrived, Mr Care sat down across from Young as she demanded to know why he took her husband's side, questioning him for 20 minutes and ordering 'tell me everything'.

After their chat, around 9:28pm, Young started bombarding Ms O'Donnell with calls.

Court documents said the call started with Young saying: 'Hello, how are you? Ive got someone here that has something to say to you.'

Young has admitted to the charge of intimidation - bombarding the ex-employee with 11 calls after flying into a jealous rage

'Hi Jill. Its Gabe,' Mr Care said in a soft, low voice. 'Im with Skye, she knows everything.'

Ms ODonnell asked: About what?

'Youre a f***ng dog sl**,' Young screamed.

Moving closer to Mr Care on the couch, Young ordered the teen to join in.

'Tell her shes a f****ing dog and shes disgusting,' Young said.

Mr Care remained silent in fear, court document said.

'I hope your f***ing father dies you little dog,' Young continued. ''And you know what, your annual f***ing leave, you get nothing from me.'

Hamdan then entered the pile on, telling Ms O'Donnell: 'You little s***,who do you think you are?

New husband Hamdan is also accused of participating in the bizarre harassment incident

Hamdan and Young were covered head to toe in black as they left court on Friday

The group opened umbrellas as they walked on the undercover pavement in an apparent bid to avoid media

'You can deny it all you like you little f***ing rat. You understand? You think youre f***ing smart.

'Theres a f***ing lot of smarter people than you. You f***ing sk**ky little sl*** you are. Youre a little f***ing wh***. Thats what you do, you break up families you little f****ing wh***.'

The conversations were taped by Ms O'Donnell's friend, who was with her at the time of the calls.

In the recordings, a fearful Ms O'Donnell could be heard saying to her friend: 'Oh my god Gabe. What has he done?' They know, Gabe knows where I live.'

As a result of the heated confrontation, Ms O'Donnell did not return home for a week and instead stayed with friends out of fear for her safety.

Phone messages gathered by police reveal while Young and her ex-husband Dwayhi had remained on good terms following their separation, for the sake of their business, the relationship had broken down one week before the incident.

After pleading guilty in May to one count of intimidation, Young was due to be sentenced in Sydney Downing Centre on Friday, but the case was adjourned after the matter was secretly moved into a different court room. Young is due to be sentenced on August 8

After pleading guilty in May to one count of intimidation, Young was due to be sentenced in Sydney Downing Centre on Friday, but the case was adjourned after the matter was secretly moved into a different court room.

Sporting large thick black sunglasses and shrouding her face in a black head scarf, Young left court hand-in-hand with Hamdan and another male associate. The group tried to shield their faces with umbrellas.

Young and Hamdan - who has pleaded guilty to two counts of intimidation - are due to be sentenced at the same court on August 8.
Spanish Princess Leonor will soon start three years of military training in Spain after leaving a prestigious private school in South Wales.

The 17-year-old heir to the Spanish throne graduated with the International Baccalaureate from the UWC Atlantic College in the Welsh county of Vale of Glamorgan in May.

The school is often referred to as 'Hippie Hogwarts' thanks to its progressive approach to education and picturesque castle setting.

It was founded in German educationalist Kurt Hahn, is situated at the 12th century St Donat's Castle on the country's south coast and costs a whopping 67,000 per year for courses including Tai Chi, the theory of knowledge and Tibetan literature.

Leonor is due to start as a military recruit next month, following into the footsteps of her father King Felipe as well as her grandfather Juan Carlos, who all attended military training with every of the three armed services in the country.

The 17-year-old heir to the Spanish throne graduated with the International Baccalaureate from the UWC Atlantic College (Leonor pictured there in 2021) in the Welsh county of Vale of Glamorgan in May

Leonor (pictured at the awards ceremony) is due to start as a military recruit next month, following into the footsteps of her father King Felipe as well as her grandfather Juan Carlos, who all attended military training with every of the three armed services in the country

The school is often referred to as 'Hippie Hogwarts' thanks to its progressive approach to education and picturesque castle setting. It was founded in German educationalist Kurt Hahn, is situated at the 12th century St Donat's Castle on the country's south coast and costs a whopping 67,000 per year for courses including Tai Chi, the theory of knowledge and Tibetan literature

Her training will be at the General Military Academy in Zaragoza, which is Spain's equivalent to Sandhurst, before going to naval school, and will complete her three years at the General Air Academy.

The princess, who will be 18 in October, revealed her enthusiasm for soon being a cadet at the Princesa de Girona Foundation award ceremony in Girona, in Catalonia, on July 5.

She said: 'I have just finished high school and I am about to start a new stage with a period of military training.

'I am happy because I know how much the Spanish value our armed forces... it is an important moment in my life and I feel very excited and determined to continue learning and giving my best effort.'

She shared the news in Spanish, Catalan and English, much to the delight of the award audience, while wearing an emerald dress and golden metallic shoes.

Tatler reported that Spanish defence minister Margarita Robles confirmed Princess Leonor of Asturias's next move shortly before the 17-year-old's graduation in May.

Speaking in March, Ms Robles confirmed: 'In due course, the commander-in-chief of the armed forces will be a woman, and in recent years we have been making a very important effort to incorporate women into the armed forces.'

In September last year the Spanish palace announced that Princess Leonor will go to university to study law once her three years of military training have been completed in 2026.

While Leonor's choice of university is unknown, the Princess's academic background already bears a resemblance to that of her father King Felipe.

After graduating from high school at Lakefield College in Canada, Felipe returned to Spain and attended the General Military Academy of Zaragozo, and went on to study at the Naval Military School in Marin.

A selfie taken by Queen Letizia was shared by the royal family, with the Queen, her two daughters and her husband beaming with pride

In one picture, Leonor could be seen proudly showing her graduation certificate up in front of her while smiling into the camera with her family

He ended his training with a stint at the General Air Academy in San Javier.

His also completed his military training with a stint on the shop Juan Sebastian Elcano aged 18 in 1987, and went on to study law at the Autonomous University of Madrid.

Currently, Leonor, who is understood to speak four languages including Mandarin, juggles her life as a young princess with her work as a student at the Welsh boarding school.

For her graduation in May, King Felipe VI, 55, and Queen Letizia, 50, travelled to Wales with their other daughter, Princess Sofia, 16, to celebrate with Leonor.

In one picture, Leonor could be seen proudly showing her graduation certificate up in front of her while smiling into the camera with her family.
An alleged drunk driver crashed into the back of a police car while officers were performing a breath test on another motorist in Adelaide.

Police were called to Waterloo Corner on the North-South Motorway at about 1 am on Thursday following reports a black Jeep driver had lost control and crashed into the median barrier.

When officers arrived, they parked their vehicle behind the crashed car before getting out to speak to the driver and perform a breath test.

However, while officers were at the Jeep, a second driver in a silver Mitsubishi Magna crashed into the back of the parked police car, which had its emergency lights on.

The driver of the Jeep, a 34-year-old Smithfield man, allegedly returned a 0.236 reading on his blood alcohol test - nearly five times over the legal limit.

Two alleged drink drivers were arrested in Adelaide after a silver Mitsubishi (right) crashed into the back of a police car while officers were breath testing the driver of a black Jeep (left)

The Mitsubishi driver, a 56-year-old Hove man, also allegedly tested positive with a reading of 0.183.

The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05.

'The first man was reported for drink driving, while the second man was reported for drink driving and driving without due care,' South Australian Police said.

'Both men lost their licences on the spot for 12 months, and their cars were towed from the scene and impounded for 28 days.

'They will both be summonsed to court at a later date.'
They have complained of need to recruit new staff after shortages from Covid

Up to three in ten European flights this summer may be at risk of being delayed or cancelled after air traffic controllers warned they would strike.

Staff at the European air traffic management body Eurocontrol reportedly said they would take industrial action during peak periods in the summer after talks with bosses broke down over pay, staffing and rosters.

Families hoping for a trip abroad must now wait to find out if their flights will be hit, with strike dates set to be revealed within days.

The walk-outs could lead to delays or cancellations of up to 12,600 flights a day across the continent, an industry source told The Times.

They warned: 'In a full-blown strike, 20 to 30 per cent of flights would be at least delayed. They are big numbers.'

Holidaymakers face a summer of chaos as up to three in 10 European flights could be at risk of being delayed or cancelled  after air traffic controllers warned they would strike (stock photo of Aegean Airlines Airbus A380)

Eurocontrol is expecting to handle 33,000 daily flights for the next eight weeks, rising to more than 34,000 on Fridays.

A senior airline source told the newspaper the impact could be 'massive and extremely disruptive', adding there had not been a much contingency planning in the event of a full strike.

A first wave of strikes was set to be announced on Monday, according to the newspaper's sources.

Officials at the organisation believe action is now inevitable and will target the start of the main school holiday period in England and Europe.

Stewart Wingate, boss of Gatwick airport, said that strikes at European air traffic control were his biggest challenge this summer.

Eurocontrol handles more than 96,000 messages a day from pilots and airlines, all of which need to be checked and inconsistencies dealt with manually.

Every pilot flying in or over Europe has to submit a flight plan to Eurocontrol's operations centre. The centre validates the plan and makes sure multiple planes in the region do not have the same 'call-sign', a way to identify planes.

The organisation acts as the 'area network manager' so that flights are able to cross borders and go between air traffic control centres with ease. It is also responsible for landing and departure slots at several European airports.

Union Syndicale Bruxelles (USB), which represents EU civil servants, wrote a letter to managers demanding that 20 more controllers were hired immediately - citing a 25 per cent shortfall in staff of about 40 controllers.

Controllers at the European air traffic management body Eurocontrol reportedly said that they would take industrial action during peak periods in the summer after talks with bosses broke down over pay, staffing and rosters (stock photo of air traffic controllers at Munich Airport)

The letter added that the union saw no other option than to progress with strike action. But an industry insider said last-minute talks were still going ahead in the weeks ahead with focuses on staffing levels.

Air traffic control centres across Europe have found recruitment difficult since the pandemic, which led many workers to an early retirement.

Finding new staff for the stressful job, which makes you responsible for thousands of people's lives at once, has been a challenge.

This comes after director-general of Eurocontrol Raul Medina urged airports and air traffic control centres to increase recruitment and asked airlines to keep to their allotted schedules.

He added that airspace in Europe could experience 'high overloads' of traffic on most days this summer in many busy European areas such as Reims and Marseille in France, Athens in Greece and Budapest in Hungary.

Warnings of this nature have also been issued for London, Brussels, Nicosia, Warsaw and Zagreb for peak days such as Fridays and weekends in summer.

These overloads can lead to flight delays as planes may be forced to fly longer routes to avoid areas full of traffic.

And a Eurocontrol spokesman said they were aware of the strike intentions but that no date had yet been set. They insisted that the body was 'making every effort to keep negotiations open'.
The body of Amira Moghnieh, 30, was discovered at a home in Bexley, in Sydney's south just before 6pm on Wednesday

A man whose ex-wife was coming over to pick up their young children, dropped the kids off at his sister's house before allegedly killing their mother.

The body of Amira Moghnieh, 30, was discovered at a home in Bexley in Sydney's south just before 6pm on Wednesday.

Her estranged husband, Ahmad Hodroj, 39, was arrested and charged with murder at the scene.

Daily Mail Australia understands Hodroj and Ms Moghnieh had been separated for a year when she arrived at his house on Wednesday evening to pick up her young children.

Her cousin Fadi said Hodroj had taken their three young children, aged between two and six, to his sister's house next door before Ms Moghnieh arrived.

It's understood he wanted to talk to Ms Moghnieh about their divorce settlement, which was due to be finalised later this month.

'He has three houses and she was going to get some of his assets,' Fadi said.

It has now emerged that Ms Moghnieh had celebrated getting citizenship and an Australian passport in the days before she was allegedly murdered and planned to take her kids to Lebanon - where she was born - to see family.

Her estranged husband, Ahmad Hodroj, 39, was arrested and charged with murder at the scene

Daily Mail Australia understands Hodroj is employed by a company that works for Qantas. He is not a Qantas employee and has not been for some years.

A former colleague said he was 'very shocked' to hear the news.

'His wife used to bring him lunch to work. Sometimes he would share it. She was a good cook,' he said.

'His demeanour changed considerably since his separation.'

Ms Moghnieh had worked for the NDIS in Bankstown.

Police and forensics are seen at the scene of the alleged murder in Bexley

Hodroj appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday where he did not apply for bail. He will appear in court again in August.

Ms Moghnieh's death has sparked an outpouring of grief from family.

'From the greed of this world, my sister is gone, gone,' her sister said.

'The mother of a sweet smile is gone, the sweetheart of my heart is gone.'

'May your soul rest in heaven, my love,' another wrote.

'You will always be remembered in our hearts forever.'

Investigations into her death are continuing.
Australians have rushed to download the new Threads app started by Mark Zuckerberg's Meta as a direct rival to Elon Musk's Twitter - as the South African mogul took to the platform to have a shot at the Facebook founder.

Meta is using its Instagram platform to encourage users to download Threads - which has quickly become the number one downloaded app for iPhones and Android mobiles in Australia, according to top charts for both Apple's App Store and Google Play.

When it was launched on Wednesday this week, 30million people had signed up to the micro-blogging platform within hours amid predictions it could 'kill' Twitter.

Musk quickly responded by threatening to sue Zuckerberg over the launch of the new app, with his personal lawyer Alex Spiro sending a cease and desist letter to the Meta CEO and Facebook founder.

Elon Musk has theatened to sue fellow tech billionaire Mark Zuckerberg after the Facebook founder launched Threads this week as a direct rival to Twitter

The letter claims Meta used 'Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property' to build the new app.

It also accused Zuckerberg's company of hiring 'dozens of former Twitter employees' and claimed some of them had 'improperly retained Twitter documents and electronic devices'.

Most recently, Musk responded to a tweet about the possible legal action commenting: 'Competition is fine, cheating is not.'

The Tesla and SpaceX founder also responded to one Twitter user who posted a picture of 'Control', 'C' and 'V' keys - suggesting Threads had direcrly copied Twitter - with a laughing emoji.

Reminded by one user of his withdrawal from Instagram in 2018, Musk tweeted: 'It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter, than indulge in the false happiness of hide-the-pain Instagram'.

When asked about the prospect of Threads, Musk tweeted: 'I'm sure Earth can't wait to be exclusively under Zuck's thumb with no other options.'

Zuckerberg is seeking to use Meta's Instagram platform to position Threads as a serious rival to Twitter as the world's largest micro-blogging site

The Tesla and SpaceX founder also responded to one Twitter user who posted a picture of 'Control', 'C' and 'V' keys - suggesting Threads had direcrly copied Twitter - with a laughing emoji

Reminded by one user of his withdrawal from Instagram in 2018, Musk tweeted: 'It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter, than indulge in the false happiness of hide-the-pain Instagram'

Earlier Zuckerberg used his Twitter account for the first time in more than a decade to post the internet-famous meme of two characters dressed as Spiderman facing off, without a caption.

The tech entrepreneur has also not hosed down speculation Threads was launched to capitalise on Twitter's rocky path under Musk.

'It'll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it,' Zuckerberg posted on Threads.

'Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn't nailed it. Hopefully we will.

Respected tech bible Wired said Threads, which offers many of the same features as Twitter, 'comes with big potential, thanks to its polished tech, built-in user base, and a reputation for better moderation that's likely to please big-money advertisers'.

Threads (pictured) is considered to have a ready-made audience thanks to being pushed out to Instagram's two billion global users

Threads is available through Meta's Instagram platform and has quickly become the number one donloaded app for iPhones and Android mobiles in Australia, according to top charts for both Apple's App Store (pictured) and Google Play

Threads is considered to have a ready-made audience thanks to it being pushed out to Instagram's two billion global users.

Since Musk bought Twitter for US$44billion in October 2022 his ownership of the platform has been slammed by tech experts and users after he savagely cut staff numbers and introduced a fee for having a verified 'blue tick' on accounts.

Most recently Musk 'limit rated' free Twitter accounts by restricting users to only be able to view 600 tweets per day, a move ridiculed by account-holders on his own platform.

Earlier Zuckerberg used his Twitter account for the first time in more than a decade to post the internet-famous meme of two characters dressed as Spiderman facing off, without a caption
It is a move away from using celebrities

The 'Yes' campaign for the Voice to Parliament referendum will prominently feature Indigenous Australians from remote communities in its promotional material.

It's part of a plan to assure Aussies that voting 'Yes' supports 'the hopes and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and aligns with their views,' a spokesperson for Yes23 told Daily Mail Australia.

'We recently saw with the gathering at Barunga where community leaders representing some of the most remote communities in the country came together to show their support for Yes,' the spokesperson said.

East Kimberly man Peter Thomas is one of the remote Indigenous voices featured in the new Yes23 campaign

'Clearly, people want to be confident that a Voice will make a practical difference.

The campaign will also highlight how a voice could make a practical difference in areas such as jobs, education and health in remote communities.

'The Yes campaign will be sharing the stories of Indigenous people who have benefited from consultation and seen the practical impacts  and also the stories of where lack of consultation has failed communities'.

One of the voices in the new campaign is East Kimberly man Peter Thomas who appears on a flyer obtained by Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Thomas is quoted as saying: 'It's time to be recognised. Please vote Yes. We need to be heard. That's all we've been waiting for so long.

Cape York woman Phyllis Yunkaporta said the Voice would allow for the views of ordinary Indigenous Australians to be heard

On another flyer, Phyllis Yunkaporta from Aurukun in Cape York, Far North Queensland, argues the Voice would allow for the views of ordinary Indigenous Australians to be recognised.

'Those people in Canberra they hardly know anything. They're good with reading and writing and ticking boxes  they don't come to the community to see the struggles we face,' she said.

'So what we really need today is a voice to be heard in parliament and vote Yes. That's the best thing that can ever happen.'

Yes23 said it was organising more than 150 community events over the coming month, including at shopping centres, public lectures, town hall meetings and community forums.

'We have already seen strong community support and engagement for our campaign to date, but we will be ramping up efforts to reach even more Australians between now and referendum day,' Campaign Director Dean Parkin said.

'This is all about engaging with people and continuing to build community support for the referendum, which will deliver better outcomes for Indigenous Australians across areas including housing, jobs, health, and education'.

It comes as former Prime Minister Tony Abbott launched a scathing attack on the Voice, asking why Aboriginal Australians should get a 'special' representative body of their own and claiming the Voice was about 'power'.

He said he supported recognising Indigenous people in the constitution but claimed the Voice would divide Australia by race.

'And my problem with the Voice, as it currently stands and as it will be put to the people, is that, first of all, it entrenches race in our Constitution,' he told ABC 7.30's Sarah Ferguson on Thursday evening.

'Second, it reinforces the separatism which I think is at the heart of Indigenous disadvantage'.

On Wednesday, Indigenous Affairs Minister Linda Burney took to the National Press Club to share a blunt message to those thinking of voting No.

'The No campaign... is importing Trump-style politics to Australia. The aim is to polarise, to sow division in our society by making false claims,' she said.

'Do not let the No campaign get away with using Trump-style politics. Do not let them divide us.'

Ms Burney's comments veered off-script from her prepared remarks, which focused upon specific examples of how the Voice would work.

While the date of the referendum has yet to be confirmed, Australians are expected to be asked to vote between October and December this year.

According to the latest Newspoll conducted for The Australian, support for the 'Yes' vote has diminished, dropping to 43 per cent, while support for the 'No' vote had increased by four points to 47 per cent.

The polling marked the first time those opposed to The Voice polled stronger than those in favour of the referendum passing.

A referendum needs a mandate from the majority of people in the majority of states to pass.
A Colombian student who flew into a rage, attacked and strangled a sex worker to death with a lamp inside her dimly lit Coogee unit after discovering she was transgender has been jailed for a crime labelled 'callous'.

Hector Enrique Valencia Valencia did not react inside Sydney's Supreme Court on Friday after being told that he would be jailed for killing Kimberley McRae, 69, during a violent altercation and leaving her lifeless body inside her Sydney eastern suburbs apartment in January 2020.

Valencia was lashed by Justice Dina Yehia for failing to call for help, throwing her mobile phones in the toilet in an effort to cover his track before going on the run.

Valencia texted a friend two days after leaving her for dead saying 'I believe I killed a w***e' and fleeing the country before he was ultimately arrested in Aruba and extradited back to Australia to face justice.

The former Colombian army serviceman admitted to violently attacking Ms McRae after going to her Mount Street unit and paying $100 for oral sex and initiating the altercation when he punched her in the stomach and face.

Kimberley McCrae, 69, was a transgender woman and advertised sexual services online as a 38-year-old woman

Earlier this year the 23-year-old stood trial in the NSW Supreme Court where he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was found not guilty of the more serious charge of murder.

Judge Yehia said as well as being a self-employed sex worker, Ms Mcrae was also a writer, a sister and friend to many.

Ms McRae was also described by her sister as intelligent, a talented artist and a lover of the written word.

Valencia admitted to assaulting and killing Ms McRae, but argued he did not have an intention to kill or seriously injure Ms McRae.

Her decomposing body was found on the floor of her bedroom covered in a doona, with a pillow over her head, part of a lamp cord sitting over her neck and a used condom nearby.

The court heard Ms McRae advertised her services online as a '38-year-old blonde Australian busty MILF with G cup breasts'.

After getting naked and receiving sexual services for around five to 10 minutes, Mr Valencia became 'suspicious' about Ms McRae's gender.

He said he became enraged and 'upset' because it was against his religious beliefs 'that I had sexual intimacy with another man'.

The court heard Ms McRae advertised her services online as a 38-year-old female and she described herself as a 'MILF' with 'G-cup breasts'

While he was still naked, he punched Ms McRae in the face and the stomach before she grabbed a nearby lamp to defend herself and struck him on the shoulder.

He had claimed that he was 'scared that she was going to choke me with the lamp (cord).'

As they wrestled on the ground, Valencia pressed the cord against Ms McRae's neck until she stopped moving.

During his evidence, he claimed it was self defence.

However Justice Yehia rejected that argument, saying he was the one that initiated the violence.

Valencia was brought back to Sydney under police guard to stand trial and on Friday morning he was sentenced by Justice Dina Yehia

Justice Yehia said the attack was not premeditated or planned and it could not be found beyond a reasonable doubt that he was motivated by prejudice when he strangled her to death.

She also said Ms McRae was isolated and vulnerable when she was killed in her own home.

'The violence was a spontaneous reaction that unfolded very quickly over seconds,' she said.

'Angry or not, the offender should have simply left the deceased's unit rather than reacting with violence.'

Judge Yehia also took into account he failed to render assistance or call for help and the fact he threw her mobile phones in the toilet in an effort to destroy any evidence of their contact.

'This demonstrates a degree of callousness, albeit in a panicked state,' Justice Yehia said.

An autopsy stated that she died of neck compression, leading to asphyxiation, as well as noting she had suffered a fractured thyroid cartilage.

Two days after killing Ms McRae, Valencia sent a message to a friend saying 'I threw my life away dude' and that he was fearful of going to jail.

'I die of shame to tell this to anybody. I believe I killed a w***e  I better go Colombia before they catch me. But I cannot see her in the news,' the social media message said.

Two days after the deadly attack, Valencia sent a series of Facebook messages to a friend in Spanish, the court was told (above, a digital mock-up of the translated evidence read out in court)

'I do not know if she is dead, but she must be after what happened.'

Valencia sold his motorcycle for $2000 and stole his landlord's credit card to buy a plane ticket back to Colombia before he was later arrested in Aruba, which has an extradition agreement with Australia.

When he returned he carried a letter to then Attorney-General Christian Porter.

'I am a young migrant who did not know how to face a situation that changed abruptly from a night of passion to a night of madness,' the Colombian student wrote.

'If with my life I could return hers, I would offer it without a thought.'

He was brought back to Sydney under police guard to stand trial and on Friday morning he was sentenced by Justice Yehia.

Judge Yehia also noted he had expressed remorse and took into account he had good prospects of rehabilitation.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with a six year and nine month non-parole period.

With time served, he will be eligible for release in November 2026.



Daily Mail Australia first broke the news of Valencia's arrest in March 2020.
Pictured: Lisa Wilkinson on Thursday

Peter FitzSimons has been ordered to hand over documents about the $325,000 book deal he secured for Brittany Higgins at Bruce Lehrmann's defamation trial against Channel 10 and star Lisa Wilkinson.

A Federal Court judge on Friday dismissed an application by Wilkinson's lawyer Sue Chrysanthou seeking to have FitzSimons excused from providing evidence in his wife's trial.

On Thursday, Wilkinson was spotted locked in a tense phone conversation in a cafe.

Ms Chrysanthou told the court during a case management hearing she didn't understand why Ms Higgins' book deal was relevant to Mr Lehrmann's defamation trial.

'Ms Higgins' allegations are from March 2019, but the book deal is after that - in March of 2022,' she said.

'We have no understanding about how a book deal two years after the alleged incident is relevant.

'It seems to be fishing around and we don't know to what end.'

In May, Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed text messages between Higgins, her fiance David Sharaz and FitzSimons showing the trio plotting to maximise publicity over Ms Higgins' forthcoming book about her rape claims in April 2021.

Lisa Wilkinson was spotted at a cafe on Thursday during a tense phone call

Lisa Wilkinson (pictured on Thursday) is being sued by Bruce Lehrmann over her interview with Brittany Higgins in February 2021

Ms Chrysanthou said her team asked Mr Lehrmann's lawyers why they were after the conversations Ms Higgins had with Mr FitzSimons about her book deal, and were told those details would speak to the former Liberal staffer's credibility.

'How does a book deal two years later have anything or could possibly have anything to do with her credit?' she asked.

But Justice Michael Lee replied: 'I think it's relevant and I will allow the subpoena.'

The court was also told Parliament House 'did not have' some of the CCTV from the night of the alleged rape on March 23, 2019, which captured the pair together at Capitol Hill.

Ms Chrysanthou said she was 'concerned' Parliament House said it did not have the crucial CCTV on the night of the alleged rape, even though it was broadcast on Channel Seven's Spotlight during an interview with Mr Lehrmann in June.

'It's concerning there isn't full production [of the footage],' she said.

'Given the relevance of the footage to the facts in issue between the parties, we think there should be some explanation as to why that material hasn't been produced.'

The court was told the Department of Parliamentary Services would be making a further application as to why the material had not been produced on a later date.

Lisa Wilkinson's husband Peter FitzSimons (pictured together) will give evidence at the defamation trial

Daily Mail Australia previously revealed texts between Mr FitzSimons, Ms Higgins and her fiance David Sharaz that appeared to show them spinning publicity for her $325,000 book deal (mock up of one text is pictured)

Mr Lehrmann is suing the ABC, Network Ten and Ms Lisa Wilkinson for defamation over news broadcasts relating to allegations he raped Brittany Higgins in Parliament House in March 2019.

The case against Ten and Wilkinson relates to an interview the presenter did with Ms Higgins on The Project in February 2021.

Mr Lehrmann is also suing the ABC for defamation over a National Press Club broadcast featuring a joint speech by Ms Higgins and former Australian of the Year Grace Tame in February 2021.

Lehrmann denies the allegation maintaining the pair, who worked for Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds at the time, never had any sexual interaction.

ABC star Laura Tingle - who also featured in leaked texts between Higgins and her boyfriend - will also be required to produce evidence in the case, the court ruled.

Ms Tingle hosted the Press Club broadcast and is the chief political correspondent for the national broadcaster's 7.30 program.

Publisher Penguin Random House has also been subpoenaed to answer questions about the deal.

Pictured: Brittany Higgins with partner David Sharaz. She alleged Bruce Lehrmann raped her inside Parliament House in 2019. He denies the allegation

While the Press Club address never named Mr Lehrmann directly, he claims he was defamed because it invited viewers to speculate about the identity of the person accused.

A separate lawsuit brought against News Corp and journalist Samantha Maiden settled last month with the publisher paying part of Mr Lehrmann's legal costs but not being required to pay him any damages.

Lehrmann's rape trial in the ACT Supreme Court was derailed by juror misconduct.

Prosecutors decided not to pursue further action, citing concerns of the impact it may have on Ms Higgins' mental health.

The ACT government launched an inquiry into how the justice system responded to Ms Higgins' allegations.

A report is being prepared and will be delivered to Chief Minister Andrew Barr by the end of July.

The defamation cases have been adjourned until July 17.
The jury in Justin Stein's murder trial will be taken to his family's multimillion-dollar Blue Mountains property where nine-year-old Charlise Mutten was allegedly shot dead, with the stepfather planning to fight the charges.

Stein, 32, pleaded not guilty to Charlise's murder in the NSW Supreme Court on Friday with the trial set to take place in May 2024.

Charlise, the daughter of Stein's then-fiancee, was allegedly shot on the property days before she was reported missing on January 14 last year.

A five-day search of bushland ended after her body was found in a barrel that had been dumped near the Colo River northwest of Sydney.

Charlise Mutten (above) went missing in January last year, her remains were found in a barrel near Colo River following a five-day search

Charlise's mother's then-fiancee Justin Stein (above) has pleaded not guilty to the nine-year-old's murder

Police later said an autopsy found she had died of a gunshot wound.

The jury in next year's trial will spend two days visiting the property and the Colo River location, Stein's lawyer Susan Davenport SC said.

'I have been up to the house in Mount Wilson, it's not all that difficult and has a little stretch of unsealed road but it is mostly sealed,' she told Justice Elizabeth Wilson on Friday.

'That's at least three hours each way, and the Colo River is on the Hawkesbury so that'll be a separate excursion.'

Stein is also facing several other charges, including two counts of possessing child abuse material in the District Court and one charge of break and enter in the Local Court.

He will remain in custody until his trial at Parramatta court next year.
Senior personnel behind the unlawful Robodebt scheme will be referred for civil and criminal prosecution as a royal commissioner lashes the 'dishonesty and collusion' behind the program.

Former Queensland chief justice Catherine Holmes on Friday handed a 990-page report containing 57 recommendations to Governor-General David Hurley.

The report also included a sealed chapter that is not part of the bound report.

'It recommends the referral of individuals for civil action or criminal prosecution,' Ms Holmes said in the report.

'I recommend that this additional chapter remain sealed and not be tabled with the rest of the report so as not to prejudice the conduct of any future civil action or criminal prosecution.'

The commissioner has also referred parts of her report to the Australian Public Service Commission, the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the president of the Law Society of the ACT and the Australian Federal Police.

'It is remarkable how little interest there seems to have been in ensuring the scheme's legality, how rushed its implementation was, how little thought was given to how it would affect welfare recipients and the lengths to which public servants were prepared to go to oblige ministers on a quest for savings,' she wrote.

'Truly dismaying was the revelation of dishonesty and collusion to prevent the scheme's lack of legal foundation coming to light.'

Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was the social services minister behind the scheme's rollout, was also directly criticised in the report.

'Mr Morrison allowed cabinet to be misled because he did not make that obvious inquiry,' Ms Holmes said.

She said the former prime minister took the proposal to cabinet without the necessary information of what the scheme actually entailed and without the caveat that the use of ATO PAYG data would require legislative and policy change.

'He knew that the proposal still involved income averaging; only a few weeks previously he had been told of that caveat; nothing had changed in the proposal; and he had done nothing to ascertain why the caveat no longer no longer applied.

'He failed to meet his ministerial responsibility to ensure that cabinet was properly informed about what the proposal actually entailed and to ensure that it was lawful.'

Former prime minister Scott Morrison (pictured in 2021) was directly criticised in the report

The commission found the circumstances faced by the welfare recipients in the program were 'not normal' and that the debts were 'often inexplicable'

In her report, Ms Holmes said it had been 'startling' to uncover the myriad of ways the scheme had failed the public interest.

The commission found the circumstances faced by the welfare recipients in the program were 'not normal' and that the debts were 'often inexplicable'.

The report also found the government was involved in 'constant misinterpretation' that Robodebt involved no change in income or debt assessment.

The commission also found the Ombudsman had been 'deliberately misled'.

The 57 recommendations will strengthen the public service, improve the Department of Social Services and Services Australia and reinforce overseeing agencies.

However, the report said there was no practical way of establishing compensation.

'The impacts of (Robodebt) on the people embroiled in it were vividly illustrated in the evidence before the Commission from the witnesses who spoke of the distress and damage they had suffered and, of course, the evidence of the mothers of the two young men who took their own lives, at least in part because of it,' it stated.

'It is impossible to devise any set of criteria that will apply across the board, because people were affected in such varying ways.'

The commission recommended that instead of a compensation scheme, more money should be put towards raising social security payments.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese apologised to the victims of the scheme on Friday.

'We have arrived at the truth because of the courage of some of the most vulnerable Australians,' he said on Friday.

'People who have shown bravery in the face of injustice, hardship and sometimes terrible grief. We have arrived at the truth because of the courage of some of the most vulnerable Australians.

'It should never have happened and it should never happen again.'

When asked if Mr Morrison should now resign from parliament, Mr Albanese said it would be a matter for him as what actions he would take.

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said the royal commission had 'highlighted a broken system under the previous government'.

'Commissioner Holmes certainly did not mince her words in terms of what she says. She has described Robodebt as an 'ill conceived, embryonic idea rushed to cabinet',' Mr Shorten told a press conference.

He said the government would take some time to consider the recommendations.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured) has apologised to the thousands of the victims

The former coalition government launched the Robodebt scheme to 'detect, investigate and deter suspected welfare fraud and non-compliance' in mid-2015 in an effort to save billions of dollars.

The program issued debt notices to people identified through a process called income averaging, which compared reported incomes with tax office data.

More than $750 million was wrongfully recovered from 381,000 people under the scheme.

Victims told the royal commission of their trauma and fear as they received notices and debt collectors made contact.

The inquiry also heard evidence of bureaucrats ignoring serious questions and advice about the legality of the scheme.

The scheme was ruled unlawful by the Federal Court in 2019.

A settlement of $1.2 billion was reached between Robodebt victims and the then-government in 2020.

Launched in August last year, the commission issued 200 notices to give information and 180 notices to produce documents.

The federal government produced over 958,000 documents in response.

Mr Albanese and Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten spoke to media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on Friday

The inquiry held 303 hours of hearings with 115 witnesses and 1099 submissions were received.

Mr Albanese said ahead of the report's release the government would take the time to give a 'considered response'.

'It should never have happened and the important thing is that it never happened again, because this was a human tragedy with real consequences for people,' he told ABC radio.

'The cabinet has made a decision that will release it (the report) straight away so that the public can examine it.'

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he would wait and see what findings were made in the report.

'There is no question about why it's being dropped today,' he told Nine's Today program, pointing to the upcoming Fadden by-election.

But the final reporting date was set a week before Fadden MP and former minister Stuart Robert resigned from parliament, triggering the vote.
Legendary Indigenous rights activist Gary Foley has revived his famous poster mocking paternalistic attitudes toward Aboriginal people for NAIDOC week.

The poster, which Professor Foley made in the 1970s, ridicules white people's tokenistic attitudes to the Aboriginal people's week of events and cultural acknowledgement.

The Victoria University historian put the poster up on Facebook amid debate about the Voice referendum, which the veteran campaigner is arguing against, warning it will do nothing for Indigenous Australians and that it could seriously damage black rights if it fails.

Foley's satirical poster makes a statement against a single week, which this year ends on Sunday, being held to promote Indigenous people, saying it is more about making white people feel less guilty.

Put up on Facebook for NAIDOC week, Professor Foley's old 1970s poster mocks paternalistic attitudes to Indigenous Australians which allow white Australians to feel good about Aboriginal people for a week, then forget about them

Veteran Indigenous rights activist Gary Foley believes the Voice is irrelevant, dangerous and a diversion to Aboriginal Australians' real goal, self determination

Using a racist and outmoded word for indigenous people, Foley wrote on the poster 'Yes Folks, it's "Buy a B**ng a Beer Week". You too can relieve your conscience!

'Hurry! Book a Black Now! Bring your most patronising smile, your most condescending attitude and your best head-patting glove.

'You'll be in the best of company - premiers, prime ministers, governors, knights etc. And of course when it's over we can forget them for another year!'

Professor Foley, an academic, writer, actor, historian and founder of Australia's Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra in 1972 and the Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern in the 1970s, put up the image of the poster in the middle of this year's NAIDOC week.

Standing for for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, it became a week-long event in 1975.

Foley's Facebook post with the poster has drawn hundreds of reactions, laughter emojis, and dozens of comments.

People commented that they loved the humour, called it 'a bloody classic', while others like Indigenous editor and writer Gayle Kennedy said 'Nothing has changed'.

Historian, writer, actor and Indigenous rights activist who founded the tent embassy and the Redfern Aboriginal Legal Service, Gary Foley says the Voice is a negative for Aboriginal Australians

One person said 'Holy crap. You've never held back have you', while Melbourne arts executive Jason Tamiru remarked: 'Stay tuned up and deadly Professor Foley' .

Another suggested Foley 'bring this poster back into a limited production run! The future generations can look back and see how screwed up the decision makers were!'

Activist Jak Webb said : 'Nothing has changed! Now you can get a free, hand- picked Voice to speak on your behalf.

'Just plug it in and off it goes, churning out lots and lots of words to be caught and stored in parliament'.

Gary Foley has actively campaigned against the referendum for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, saying that it would 'make no difference' to the lives of Aboriginal Australians, and describing it as 'window dressing'.

'The only thing that this referendum will do, if in the unlikely case, it succeeds, is make white people feel good,' he told Umbrella News.

'It's completely f***ing irrelevant. We shouldn't be f***ing around with a referendum.

Professor Foley (above at a 2021 Invasion Day rally) said the Federal Government was pursuing the Voice because 'its one of the best sorts of diversions you can have from the real facts and issues. And the real issues are white racism in Australia'

'A referendum No vote would set us back another 50 years, just like the last one. We're 50 years down the track from the '67 referendum and we're walking through the same mistakes again.'

Speaking out in January and again at a public event in Melbourne in May, Foley opposed the Voice as just more tokenism that wouldnt solve real problems, and said that just like past bodies such as ATSIC, it would be just another advisory body to be ignored.

He sees it as 'a diversion' to a treaty for Indigenous Australians and to what is the real objective - self-determination.

'The governments pursuing it because its one of the best sorts of diversions you can have from the real facts and issues,' Foley told Umbrella's Cade Lucas.

'And the real issues are white racism in Australia ... deeply embedded, deeply entrenched racism that pervades the criminal justice system from the High Court to the local copper.

'Nobodys interested in addressing that, and thats one of the reasons why Australians remain so resistant to facing up to the truth of its own history.'

Professor Foley said that supposed advances for First Nations Australians were 'complete nonsense', including the 1967 referendum remembered as giving black Australians the vote.

The University of Victoria historian said the 1967 vote 'had nothing to do with (the right to vote),instead it allowed the Federal government to 'take responsibility for Indigenous people away from the states, resulting in an exodus of Aboriginal people from their traditional lands and into inner cities'.

Further, he said the the Native Title Act passed by the Paul Keating government following the 1992 Mabo decision as 'inferior', 'pointless' and a roadblock which prevented Aboriginal sovereignty.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Professor Foley for further comment.
Lawyers for a Columbia University gynecologist convicted of sexually abusing hundreds of women during his career have asked the judge to hand him a three-year sentence despite state prosecutors wanting him to serve 25.

Robert Hadden, 64, made a career from the late 1980s until 2012 in prestigious New York hospitals - institutions that have since agreed to pay more than 200 former patients a total $236million to settle civil claims.

Federal prosecutors said he leveraged his position of power for decades to sexually assault, rape and molest patients in fake and predatorial medical exams.

Now, the public defender representing him has described the state's call that he serve 25 years in prison as 'staggering' and 'extraordinarily disturbing', according to a report from The New York Daily News.

Robert Hadden, 64, made a career from the late 1980s until 2012 in prestigious New York hospitals and was convicted in January of sexually assaulting women throughout

Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential hopeful Andrew Yang, revealed in 2020 that she was preyed upon by Hadden eight years prior

Former Broadway dancer Laurie Kanyok was also among the accusers who brought a civil suit against trustees of Columbia University

Among Hadden's accusers was Evelyn Yang, the wife of the former presidential and New York City mayoral candidate, Andrew Yang.

Former Broadway dancer Laurie Kanyok was also among the accusers who brought a civil suit against trustees of Columbia University and its affiliated College of Physicians and Surgeons and New York Presbyterian Hospital.

'In its zeal to persuade this Court to give Mr. Hadden the equivalent of a life sentence, no matter what the facts or law, the government takes extreme positions better suited to our current political discourse than a brief from a litigant with special responsibilities in our system of justice,' his attorney Deirdre von Dornum wrote.

In January, Hadden was convicted of enticing victims to cross state lines so he could sexually abuse them

'The government's entire brief reads like a one-sided, cable news opinion piece,' she added.

Von Dornum also argued prosecutors had ignored the opinion of a psychiatrist who told the court Hadden would be unable to reoffend because he is no longer a gynecologist.

She also said the Manhattan US attorney's office had disregarded Hadden's role as the primary caretaker of his disabled wife and son.

'The government's position is on one level understandable. The pain Mr. Hadden has caused is immeasurable - emotional harm always is - and there is a real need for punishment to recognize the harm caused,' his attorney wrote.

'It is for that reason that we do not ask for leniency for this 64-year-old first-time offender who has not committed a crime in over a decade and has extraordinarily compelling family circumstances, but instead ask for a Guidelines sentence.'

In January, Hadden was convicted of enticing victims to cross state lines so he could sexually abuse them. At trial, nine former patients testified.

Hadden has lost 35 pounds and repeatedly been threatened with violence at a federal jail in Brooklyn, leading him to stay in his cell except to shower or call family members, the lawyers said.

At the trial, Hadden's lawyers did not dispute that he had molested patients, but they said he was already prosecuted for those crimes in state court where he pleaded guilty in 2016 to allegations that he had abused several women.

That plea required him to surrender his medical license, but he served no time behind bars.

Robert Hadden leaves Manhattan federal court on January 9

Once victim said she blamed Columbia for not heeding complaints about Hadden and warning signs. Pictured is the university's New York City campus

Prosecutors said in their papers that Hadden's 'calculated career as a serial sexual predator' began soon after he started working in 1987 at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York, which later became New York-Presbyterian Hospital.

Trial evidence proved Hadden committed from 167 to 310 acts of sexual abuse or assault on dozens of patients as he honed his abuse techniques so the assaults would go undetected for over 20 years, prosecutors wrote.

They said he built rapport with victims in a private office decorated with pictures of his children and put them at ease by asking about their personal lives and talking about his family.

Eventually, he sought sexual gratification when he asked victims 'detailed, inappropriate, and medically unnecessary questions and provided unsolicited advice and commentary about their bodies, pubic hair, masturbation, sexual activity, sex toys, pornography, and sexual partners,' prosecutors said.

They said he devised ways to get nurses and medical assistants to leave him alone with patients in the examination room, where he pretended that he needed to 'conduct a fake second exam, during which time he sexually assaulted patients.'

He worked at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital until complaints about his attacks ended his career.

As part of his sentencing hearing nearly a dozen women made emotional statements about their continuing pain as they asked the judge to keep him behind bars for as long as possible.

'Robert Hadden is a sexual predator disguised in a white coat,' said one woman, who spoke under the pseudonym Emily Anderson.

Amy Yoney, who was employed by Columbia as a research nurse in the Department of Cardiology, said outside the courthouse that she was a victim of Hadden herself for nearly 12 years and feels 'intense guilt' that she referred her best friend and others to Hadden, thinking he was a trusted physician.

'He walks into the courtroom and he acts like he's at happy hour. He waves, he looks around. I think he is a true sociopath,' she said.

Yoney said she blamed Columbia for not heeding complaints about Hadden and warning signs.

Attorney Anthony T. Dipietro, who represents numerous Hadden victims, said women continue to surface to say they too were victims of Hadden.

He said he believes Hadden treated between 6,000 and 8,000 women and that his victims number in the 'hundreds, if not thousands.'
The woman is named as Blair Featherman - an art consultant from Colorado

Posted by a member of the family Wednesday, the video - shows the woman becoming so irate, that she had to be held down by a man from her own part

This is the bizarre moment a white woman launched a racial attack on a Latino family for having a party at a Colorado swimming pool.

Video uploaded by a member of the family to TikTok shows the woman becoming so irate that she had to be held down by a man from her own party.

The Lakewood woman, now identified as Blair Featherman, could be heard complaining about the group - while calling them 'trash' and saying they should 'go back down to Denver.'

Drawing a crowd of several people - and eventually police - the woman continues to shout and harass the family in the clip, at one point screaming 'Get the f*** out.'

People are now branding the woman a 'racist Karen', after the filmed incident - which eventually got physical garnered more than 1million views in a matter of hours.

Video shows the moment a woman (seen here) hurled racial abuse at a Latino family for having a party at a Colorado swimming pool - set in a ritzy apartment complex where she lives

People are now branding the woman a 'racist Karen', after the filmed incident - which eventually got physical garnered more than 1million views in a matter of hours. Cops were called to the scene, but it remains unclear if she was arrested

Cops were called to the scene, but it remains unclear if she was arrested.

'Yes, it's true,' the bikini-clad is heard saying in the widely seen clip, visibly peeved by the group's presence. 'You have a f*****g Mexican party in a pool.'

At this point, the woman approaches the woman filming, before physically accosting her.

'You can't do that. You can't just record me,' the woman says, before hitting the phone out of the hands of the person filming.

Before that, an added commentary from the app's voice feature is heard branding the woman 'racist Karen,' while an accompanying caption asked social media users to help identify her.

The spliced footage then jumps to what is presumed to be a few minutes later, with the woman now being held down by a male member of her own party on one of the pool's sun loungers.

As this is happening, she continues to reprimand the family over their presence.

Several proceed to surround and argue with the woman - all while she continues to shout while attempting to confront the now angry group.

Amid the commotion, she can still be heard uttering xenophobic statements, such as 'Get the f**k out' and 'go back down to Denver'

The woman proceeds to yell and shout for nearly the entire duration of the video, which is just under a minute long.

When asked by one of the victims to leave the pool herself, she is heard responding that she lives in Lakewood - the affluent suburb where the complex is set.

At one point she is heard angrily telling the family, who had been having a poolside bash: 'I live here, nowhere you ever came from, you f****** low-class slime.'

The video then cuts to a shot of at least three police officers arriving on the scene.

They are seen talking to the woman and the man who had been holding her down, though the clip cuts out before any arrest is made.

'Yes, it's true,' the bikini-clad is heard saying in the widely seen clip, visibly peeved by the group's presence. 'You have a f*****g Mexican party in a pool.'

'You can't do that. You can't just record me, 'the woman says, before hitting the phone out of the hands of the person filming

The spliced footage then jumps to what is presumed to be a few minutes later, with the woman now being held down by a male member of her own party on one of the pool's sun loungers

When asked by one of the victims to leave the pool herself, she is heard responding that she lives in Lakewood - the affluent suburb where the complex is set - while still hurling slurs

An art dealer in Denver, meanwhile, has come forward to decry for the woman's actions, describing her as a former employee without revealing her name

As of Friday morning, it remains unclear who called the police. DailyMail.com has reached out to the Lakewood Police Department for comment, but has not yet been able to confirm an arrest.

Social media users are now banding together to identify the woman - after the TikTok user who shared the video urged them to do so.

'Let's find her! Mind you, she was saying racial comments the whole day, even pointing out our parties children saying 'when they grow up they will be trash too', wrote Jade Serie.

The TikToker added of the woman's behavior: 'According to this Karen, all Mexicans are low class. I hope this video is found by her coworkers, family and friends. Acting like this at family BBQ with children is absolutely disgusting.'

Social media users, meanwhile, are continuing to share footage of the encounter.

An art dealer in Denver, meanwhile, has come forward to decry for the woman's actions, describing her as a former employee without revealing her name. DailyMail.com has reached out for comment.
A beloved blind dog that was allegedly stolen from a family home has been found safe some 300km away.

Bowie, a blind, tri-coloured Australian Shepherd, was taken from his home at Southport, on the Gold Coast, on Wednesday.

Police allege a group broke into the Regatta Pde address between 10am and 1.15pm that day.

The Durnam family returned home to find the treasured pet, car and other personal items missing, while items had been strewn about the house.

CCTV footage released by footage Queensland Police showing Bowie sitting in a car at a servo over the Queensland-NSW border, while an unknown man filled up the vehicle.

Bowie the blind pet dog has been found some 300km away from home

Several items were allegedly stolen during the incident, including a grey 2022 Hyundai Tucson station wagon with Queensland registration 021FO8, within which Bowie was driven away from his home.

The car was intercepted by NSW Police - with Bowie found safe near Nambucca Heads, on the state's mid-north coast.

A man, 48, has been arrested and is expected to be charged with property offences.

The Durman family, whose home was broken into, was reportedly away on a ski trip at the time.

'Once we realised Bowie was gone, the cars and everything was immaterial to that,' father Luke Durman told 7NEWS.

'The focus was, we just wanted Bowie back.'

Bowie's family returned from a ski trip to find items strewn around the living room and baby photos shoved in their toilets

Chilling CCTV footage showed Bowie allegedly being taken away by an unknown driver

They returned to their Gold Coast home to find food and other items strewn around the living room, clothes and personal documents missing, and baby photos shoved in the toilets.

The Durmans also told 7NEWS that it was not in Bowie's nature to run away and that some of his belongings, such as collars, had also disappeared after the break in.

This has led them to feel certain he was stolen.

CCTV footage released by police on Thursday afternoon showed a man attending a service station at Yamba, NSW around 4.30pm.

Bowie could be seen in the footage, sitting in the front seat of the car and looking around the station after the man left the vehicle to speak to the cashier inside.
A seven-year-old boy shot dead during a deadly dispute over jet skis in Florida has been identified as cops say his grandfather was trying to shield him from gunfire when the shots rang out.

Yitzian Torres Garcia was watching Fourth of July fireworks with his grandfather in Tampa when a group became annoyed with another for riding jet skis too close to the shore, resulting in a gunfight.

The grandfather pulled his grandson into his truck for shelter but a bullet entered the vehicle and struck the man's finger before hitting the boy's head.

Yitzian was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, and his grandfather lost a finger. Police were yet to confirm any arrests or name any suspects as of Thursday evening.

Yitzian Torres Garcia, 7, was fatally shot during a dispute over jet skis in Florida on the Fourth of July

Yitzian's grandfather, Juan Carlos Mejia, lost a finger to the same bullet that killed his grandson

Juan Carlos Mejia (left), said he took his grandson to an area about two miles west of Ben T. Davis Beach to celebrate the Fourth of July. The boy's grandmother is pictured on the right

Yitzian's grandfather, Juan Carlos Mejia, said he took his grandson to an area about two miles west of Ben T. Davis Beach to celebrate the Fourth of July by watching fireworks.

Soon after the pair arrived, people nearby began shooting. 'One guy just started shooting in the air,' he told Fox13.

In a separate interview, he told WFLA he was shielding the boy and placed his hand over his head as they took cover inside the truck.

'When I felt the gunshot in my hand, I turned to look at my grandson, and his head turned,' Mejia said.

The seven-year-old was in Florida visiting his grandparents from New Jersey and would have turned 8 in August.

'This is not supposed to happen to babies,' said Yitzian's grandmother, Marisol Ayala.

'Help us find these people please, because my baby's not going to come back to us. We need justice for him. These people have to pay,' she told Fox13.

Tampa police said they were called to a boat ramp near the Courtney Campbell Causeway just after 8.30pm when gunfire erupted during an argument between two groups of men.

'When they were inside the vehicle, a round went through the vehicle, hit the grandfather in the finger and the young man in the head,' Tampa Deputy Chief Calvin Johnson said during a press conference.

Yitzian (pictured) was in Florida visiting his grandparents from New Jersey and would have turned 8 in August

Tampa police said they were called to a boat ramp near the Courtney Campbell Causeway just after 8.30pm on Tuesday, July 4

'We want to bring these folks who did this shooting to justice. We want to hold them accountable for their actions,' Johnson said.

'If they're out here and they hear me today, turn yourself in. Your actions and your anger led to a 7-year-old just starting his life getting killed because you were angry over a jet ski.'

The family of the young boy started a GoFundMe to raise money for his funeral.

'A cheerful, intelligent, and full-of-life boy. His presence was felt when arriving anywhere, earning a space in every heart with his smile,' read the page.

As of Thursday evening around $20,000 had been raised.

'There was no reason, no excuse that an argument could lead to gunfire, much less for an argument over jet skis,' Johnson said.

'Now we've got citizens, we've got families, we've got folks in our communities who have to deal with with this tragic incident that occurred on the Fourth of July.'
Janis Butler has been named 'substitute principal' but it remains unclear whether Mesi - who received death threats after the incident went viral - will return

A white Philadelphia school principal who withheld the diplomas of two black students after they danced across the stage has been replaced.

Hafsah Abdur-Rahman and Saleemah Burch were graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Girls when Lisa Mesi denied them their diplomas.

A now viral video shows the moment Abdur-Rahman danced on stage as she went to retrieve her diploma but was denied the accolade by Mesi.

Burch flipped her hair and made a gesture, and someone clapped, which elicited the same response from Mesi.

In a letter obtained by the inquirer sent to the school community, Philadelphia School District Associate Superintendent Tomas Hanna floated a 'temporary change in leadership.' Janis Butler was named 'substitute principal at Girls' High', it said.

White Philadelphia school principal Lisa Mesi has been replaced after she went viral withholding diplomas from two black students

Hafsah Abdur-Rahman (pictured) and Saleemah Burch were graduating from the Philadelphia High School for Girls when Lisa Mesi denied them their diplomas

'Dr. Butler is excited to support the school community to help set the stage for a successful 2023-2024 school year.'

Mesi had been principal at the school since 2019 and remains listed as such on the staff directory on the school's website.

In a letter from the principal on the school website she wrote of the school's 170 years of history and how 'humbled' she is to lead the 'only public all-female institution in the city.'

In a letter sent to the school community from Philadelphia School District Associate Superintendent Tomas Hanna he said Mesi would be 'temporarily replaced'

'PHSG unique programming is designed to give diverse young ladies the personal acumen and academic mastery to develop into the true Renaissance Women of tomorrow,' she said.

'Our mission is to graduate students who will treat others compassionately and lead lives of personal integrity at the university level, preparing them to be future leaders.'

She added: 'Our girls come to us demonstrating the spark of the Intangible Spirit which evolves as they experience not only our rich and rigorous academics, but also leadership and service opportunities.'

'Our motto, 'Vincit qui se vincit' (she conquers, who conquers herself) is the ultimate embodiment of the Intangible Spirit of our graduates.'

Despite her apparent passion for the school and its students 'intangible spirit' Mesi was eviscerated online after the incident went viral.

Some alumni told the outlet that Mesi had received death threats after news of the graduation circulated and it remains unclear whether she'll return to the institution.

'While this is the only information I can share at this time, I am committed to providing updates as additional information becomes available,' Hanna added.

Monique Braxton, the district's spokesperson, told the outlet that she couldn't answer questions about an investigation, whether Mesi left by choice or was asked to leave.

On June 9 Abdur-Rahman, 17, was excited to take part in her high school graduation ceremony

When her name was called out she did a viral dance move called the 'Griddy' on her way to collecting her high school diploma

She was not allowed to collect it and Mesi was seen throwing it back into a basket from where she picked it up

On June 9 Abdur-Rahman, 17, was excited to take part in her high school graduation ceremony and when her name was called out she did a viral dance move called the 'Griddy' on her way to collecting her high school diploma.

She was not allowed to collect it and Mesi was seen throwing it back into a basket from where she picked it up.

Mesi had warned graduates that if their families clapped, cheered, or called out their names, diplomas would be withheld.

The shocking moment was caught on video and shared on Twitter where was viewed almost five million times.

It shows Abdur-Rahman, dressed in all white, carrying yellow flowers and dancing as she approaches Mesi who is holding her diploma.

The school head then appears to hold out the diploma before gesturing towards her to sit down after her dance and throws the diploma back into a basket.

'She stole that moment from me,' Abdur-Rahman told WPVI at the time. 'I will never get that again.'

She said the moment was in honor of her sister who was killed by a stray bullet aged 15 in 2014 and was never able to graduate.

Abdur-Rahman said the moment was in honor of her sister who was killed by a stray bullet aged 15 in 2014 and was never able to graduate - she said she'll never get that moment back

Mesi had warned graduates that if their families clapped, cheered, or called out their names, diplomas would be withheld

The student cried following the rejection and said she was 'so embarrassed.'

'I couldn't even enjoy the rest of the graduation,' she added.

'I understood the rules because I was saying 'shh' in the video. Do not say nothing because I want my diploma. I knew and understood what we were supposed to do.'

Burch, 18, said she was also denied her diploma on stage for making a gesture which the guests reacted to.

'When they called Saleemah's name, my younger son, we had our hands together, and we just put our hands in the air,' her mother Delsa Burch said.

'No one made a noise.'

The clip of Abdur-Rahman was met with an avalanche of backlash.

One user wrote: 'My blood is boiling. They stole this girl's big moment, both for her and her family. If this had happened to one of my children, I would have rushed the stage.'

Mesi had been principal at the school since 2019 and remains listed as such on the staff directory on the school's website

Another added: 'Idc if that was my kid or not I would have stood up and started booing that woman. Awful!!'

A third said: 'She did nothing wrong. It's graduation and a major accomplishment. We not celebrate! I would have done more stuff to make the crowd smile and laugh if they denied me of my diploma and a picture. Poor judgment on the administration.'

The School District of Philadelphia issued a statement and said: 'The District does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates.

'We apologize to all the families and graduates who were impacted and are further looking into this matter to avoid it happening in the future.'
Kamala Harris has once again engaged in a 'word salad' - in which she tried to explain the meaning of 'culture'.

Harris's confusing comments came during the 2023 Essence Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome Friday, and serves as only the latest instance of the former San Francisco DA becoming tongue-tied during a public appearance.

Aside from falling flat with the New Orleans crowd, the statement sparked renewed criticism into Harris's history of verbal gaffes.

That scrutiny was largely seen on social media - as Twitter users flocked to their keyboards to lambaste the 58-year-old Oakland native, with several expressing astonishment over her 'empty' explanation.

That said, it's not the first time Harris has been mocked for her strange choice of words.

In February, the vice president was relentlessly roasted for a ranting speech at an April pro-abortion rally.

In January she faced ridicule for yet another speech about Venn diagrams and school buses - a prevailing interest for the politician.

Scroll down for video:

Vice President Kamala Harris has once again engaged in a 'word salad' during a speech Friday - in which she attempted to explain the meaning of 'culture' with a bizarre anecdote

Kamala tried to define the word "culture" today...



And it went about as well as if a 9 year old had to give a book report on a book they didn't read...



This is cringier than most Biden talks. pic.twitter.com/y5ZLq50dVs  Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) July 6, 2023

This time around, the internet was just as ruthless - with many equating Harris's comments to that of an AI Chatbot.

Footage of the Friday flub - which came before performances from rappers like Lil Wayne and Megan Thee Stallion - showed her droning definition in full.

'Culture is - it is a reflection of our moment and our time. Right?' the Democrat said, while engaging in several of her trademark pauses.

She continued: 'And present culture is the way we express how we're feeling about the moment, and we should always find times to express how we feel about the moment.

'That is a reflection of joy. Because, you know,' she added, before an audible pause and eventually breaking into laughter, 'it comes in the morning.'

In another inexplicable comment, she added, 'We have to find ways to also express the way we feel about the moment in terms of just having language and a connection to how people are experiencing life. And I think about it in that way, too.'

Posts on social media from statement quickly left onlookers befuddled, spurring comments from actors, political commentators, comics - and even the odd YouTuber.

Academy Award winning actor James Woods - known for his roles in Once Upon a Time in America and being voice of Disney villain Hades in Hercules - tweeted: 'Artificial Intelligence Czar explains 'culture.'

Journalist Doug Powers, meanwhile, joked, 'Can somebody tell Kamala she shouldn't be eating every gummy in the package all at once?'

Conservative radio talker Chris Stigall agreed, writing of Harris: 'This is the emptiest human being alive. Sincerely. Empty. Vapid. Nonsense.'

Fellow commentator Liz Peek, a contributor for Fox News, tweeted: 'OMG - what is wrong with this babbling brook of a woman?'

Dallas millionaire Jason Howerton, a prominent investor, equated Harris' verbal antics from something out of an American sitcom - a la The Office

'Kamala Harris is just Michael Scott in female form and Vice President vs. branch manager,' he joked, citing Steve Carrell's do-nothing character in the show.

Comedian Tim Young, meanwhile, offered his own playful summation of Biden's second's statements.

'Kamala tried to define the word 'culture' today', he wrote, before quickly adding, 'It went about as well as if a nine year old had to give a book report on a book they didn't read.

He then declared: 'This is cringier than most Biden talks.'

YouTuber Ranting Monkey sniped: 'Kamala will go down in history as the most quotable woman to even be a woman who makes quotes about quotes a woman might quote.'

In a less wordy response, Journalist Karen Townsend simply stated: 'Good Lord.'

It's not the first time Harris has been mocked for her strange choice of words. In January, she famously faced ridicule for yet another speech about Venn diagrams and school buses - a prevailing interest of the politician

Collectively, the series of posts have garnered tens of thousands of views, and hundreds of likes.

The swift response comes mere months after Harris gave a rambling speech about the importance of 'the moment' at a pro-abortion rally in Washington.

'So I think it's very important, as you have heard from so many incredible leaders for us at every moment in time and certainly this one, to see the moment in time in which we exist and are present, and to be able to contextualize it, to understand where we exist in the history and in the moment as it relates not only to the past but the future,' she said in a rambling statement in February.

The month prior, she expressed her love for Venn diagrams and school buses for the umpteenth time in another strange address.
The US has decided to send cluster munitions to Ukraine to help its military push back Russian forces entrenched along the front lines - despite the ex-White House press secretary saying last year that Russia's use of the bombs was a 'war crime'.

The Biden administration has been weighing up a decision on sending the munitions since December, and is expected to announce on Friday it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800million.

Cluster munitions explode and disperse a series of smaller bombs over a wide area, often killing civilians. More than 120 nations have signed a 15-year-old treaty banning their use, but Ukraine and Russia have both deployed them - and Ukraine's supplies of all types of ammunition are dwindling.

When, five days into the war, Jen Psaki, then the White House press secretary, was asked about the Russian use of cluster munitions, she said: 'We have seen the reports. If that were true, it would potentially be a war crime.'

The White House has now shifted its position, and is overruling a law which bans the transfer of cluster munitions with a failure rate of more than 1 percent. Some with a higher failure rate will be sent to Ukraine.

This aerial picture taken on December 7, 2022 shows an expert of the prosecutor's office examining collected remnants of shells and missiles used by the Russian army to attack the second largest Ukrainian city of Kharkiv

The countries shown in white have not signed the convention banning the production and use of cluster munitions - bombs which explode and disperse bomblets, which frequently injure and kill civilians

The decision was taken at a meeting of top national security officials last week, The New York Times reported.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken was among the last holdouts against the idea, but he has reluctantly agreed the weapons are essential to help Ukraine win the war.

The White House had hoped that Ukraine's summer offensive would be so successful they would no longer be needed.

But Volodymyr Zelensky has argued cluster munitions are the best way to kill Russians who are dug into trenches and blocking Ukraine's counteroffensive to retake territory.

The decision is likely to face sharp criticism from U.S. allies, which are opposed to their use.

Cluster munitions are banned in almost all of Western Europe; every Central American country; and most of sub-Saharan Africa.

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.

The United States has used cluster munitions in every major war since Korea, but no new ones are believed to have been produced for years.

The U.S. last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

As many as 4.7 million cluster shells, rockets, missiles and bombs, containing more than 500 million submunitions, or bomblets, remain in military inventories, according to estimates by Human Rights Watch drawn from Defense Department reports.

Cluster munitions (pictured) are prohibited in more than 100 countries after they ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was adopted in Dublin, Ireland in May 2008

A woman is seen in Kharkiv on Thursday looking at the remains of her destroyed building

A damaged apartment building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, seen on Thursday

A woman looks at a missile casing in the Kharkiv oblast

The United States will now have to carefully assess the 'dud rate' of the munitions they plan to send. Some of their existing cluster munitions have a dangerously high rate - meaning they do not explode, and so lie on the ground until someone, often a civilian, stumbles on them.

The Washington Post reported on Thursday that the standard one percent 'dud rate' level would be overruled, meaning that munitions with a higher likelihood of malfunctioning can be sent to Ukraine, given the demand and urgency.

Critics said the decision would cost lives.

'It's dismaying to see the long-established 1 percent unexploded ordnance standard for cluster munitions rolled back as this will result in more duds, which means an even greater threat to civilians, including de-miners,' said Mary Wareham, advocacy director of the arms division of Human Rights Watch.

'The lack of transparency on how this number was reached is disappointing and seems unprecedented.'

Proponents argue that Russia has already been using the controversial weapon in Ukraine and that the munitions the U.S. will provide have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

Pentagon spokesman U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder speaks during a media briefing at the Pentagon on Thursday

The munitions are launched by the same artillery weapons that the U.S. and allies have already provided to Ukraine for the war - such as howitzers - and the type of cluster munition that the U.S. is planning to send is based on a common 155 mm shell that is already widely in use across the battlefield.

The cluster bomb is an attractive option because it would help Ukraine destroy more targets with fewer rounds, and since the U.S. has not used them in conflict since Iraq, it has large amounts of them in storage it can access quickly, said Ryan Brobst, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

A March 2023 letter from top House and Senate Republicans to the Biden administration urged the White House to send the munitions to alleviate pressure on U.S. war supplies.

'Cluster munitions are more effective than unitary artillery shells because they inflict damage over a wider area,' Brobst said.

'This is important for Ukraine as they try to clear heavily fortified Russian positions.

Use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, but using them against civilians can be a violation.

As in any strike, determining a war crime requires looking at whether the target was legitimate and if precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

'The part of international law where this starts playing (a role), though, is indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians,' Human Rights Watch's associate arms director Mark Hiznay told The Associated Press.

'So that's not necessarily related to the weapons, but the way the weapons are used

Russian forces have used cluster bombs in Ukraine on a number of occasions, according to Ukrainian government leaders, observers and humanitarian groups.

And human rights groups have said Ukraine has also used them.

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a tank towards Russian troops near a front line in Kharkiv on Thursday

During the early days of the war, there were repeated instances of Russian cluster bombs cited by groups such as Human Rights Watch, including when they hit near a preschool in the northeastern city of Okhtyrka.

The open-source intelligence group Bellingcat said its researchers found cluster munitions in that strike as well as multiple cluster attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, also in the northeast.

More recently, in March, a Russian missile and drone barrage hit a number of urban areas, including a sustained bombardment in Bakhmut, in the eastern Donetsk region.

Just west of there, shelling and missile strikes hit the Ukrainian-held city of Kostiantynivka and AP journalists in the city saw at least four injured people taken to a local hospital.

Police said Russian forces attacked the town with S-300 missiles and cluster munitions.

Just a month later, Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko accused Russian forces of attacking a town with cluster munitions, wounding one person.
Daily Mail can reveal the victims are brothers of Tongan descent

Sydney's gang wars have exploded once more with two men gunned down at a barber shop in the city's inner west and frantic video showing a cop giving one of the victims first aid.

Emergency services were called to a salon on Marrickville Road in Marrickville about 1.50pm on Friday, after reports that a man in black calmly walked into the salon and opened fire.

Two brothers of Pacific Islander descent, aged 20 and 33, were both hit - one in the chest and the other in the lower back. The pair were there to get their hair cut and Daily Mail Australia has been told they are regular customers.

The shooting is understood to have occurred inside Adels Salon.

Shocking footage from the scene shows one shirtless man lying on the floor while a police officer gives him first aid. Another officer was also seen trying to calm down a second man in the salon.

The two men were treated at the scene by paramedics before being rushed to hospital. The 20-year-old is in a serious condition while the other man, aged 33, is stable, police said.

The younger man was shot in the chest, while the second man was hit in his buttocks.

Footage from the scene show a police officer providing first aid to a Tongan man lying on the floor of the salon, while another officer comforts a witness

One of the Marrickville shooting victims is seen after two Tongan brothers were shot at on Friday

A blood-soaked towel is seen discarded on the ground following the shooting in Marrickville

Police are investigating whether the shooting is in relation to two cars that were found on fire in Sydenham and Dulwich Hill (pictured, one of the vehicles in Dulwich Hill)

Firefighters are seen extinguishing a car that burst into flames in nearby Sydenham shortly after two men were shot

Emergency services were called to a business on Marrickville Road in Marrickville, after reports shots had been fired just before 2pm on Friday

Police are investigating whether the shooting is related to two cars that were found on fire in Sydenham and Dulwich Hill.

NSW Police Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald said police believe a silver stinger found in flames on Park Road in Sydenham was used as a 'getaway car'.

A Mitsubishi Triton was also reported on fire just minutes later on Hercules Street in Dulwich Hill.

Police are also trying to track down a white Toyota Camry, with registration plates DMM59H, that police believe one of the shooters may have gotten into after the incident.

Both victims are known to police but are not local to the area.

'It is very brazen and that's why we believe it was a targeted attack, it's not random and it's fortunate no other member of the public was involved in that incident,' Superintendent Fitzgerald said.

A crime scene has been established and will be examined by specialist forensic officers.

A blood-soaked towel was also found at the scene as a shirtless man was carried away in a stretcher.

A crime scene has been established and is being examined by specialist forensic officers

Forensic officers swept Adel's Salon for clues on Friday evening

One witness, Angel Spencer, said that she had been in a pub on Marrickville Road when detectives came over and asked for everyone's names

A burnt out car is seen after two men were shot in Marrickville

Police officers were called to the scene just before 2pm on Friday

One witness, Angel Spencer, said that she had been in a pub on Marrickville Road when detectives came over and asked for everyone's names.

She hadn't heard anything before until sirens suddenly filled the street.

'They said ''you can leave now or you'll have to stay in here because the road is being blocked off as a crime scene'',' she told Daily Mail Australia.

'We were holed up in the pub for half an hour. It was s**t scary. I just want to go home.'

Another witness, a woman who wished to remain anonymous, said they heard multiple gun shots while they sat inside their home nearby.

It sounded like fireworks, she said.

I thought, whats happening? Is there a celebration happening? Then I heard all the sirens and the helicopter flying low.

It was scary. I realised something was going on so I locked my windows and stayed inside.

The woman said the shooting is really close to home and her heard goes out to the victims.

Those poor boys. I hope they get who did this to them.

The shooting comes just ten days after drug baron Alen Moradian was shot dead in the front seat of his car in Bondi Junction in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Police are seen in Marrickville after two men were shot

Police are seen on Marrickville Road after two men were shot

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 on June 27.

A burnt out car was later found 15 minutes' drive away in James St, Zetland, while the shooter or shooters have not been located.

Superintendent Fitzgerald said police would investigate if the two shootings are linked.

Marrickville is a trendy suburb in Sydney's inner west. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's electorate office was just across the road from the scene of the shooting.

'My thoughts are with my community,' Mr Albanese said. 'My team are all safe'.

Superintendent Fitzgerald said police would investigate if the shooting is linked to the recent execution style shooting of Alen Moradian on June 27
Qatar sends 1st group of students to join "Chinese Bridge" summer camp

Xinhua) 14:28, July 07, 2023

DOHA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The first group of Qatari students taking part in the "Chinese Bridge" summer camp has arrived in China and started their journey to learn Chinese language and experience Chinese culture, the Chinese Embassy in Qatar said on Thursday.

A total of 13 students from the Chinese class of Hamad Bin Khalifa University went to the summer camp at Dalian University of Technology in northeastern China, while another 20 high school students selected by Qatar's Ministry of Education and Higher Education arrived at Beijing Foreign Studies University in the Chinese capital, the embassy said in a statement.

During their stay in China, the Qatari students are expected to gain a deeper understanding of China's development achievements and outstanding traditional Chinese culture through in-depth learning and communication with Chinese teachers and students, visits and investigations, it added.

The event is the latest achievement and highlight of cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Qatar, the embassy noted.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A father-of-four who served as an interpreter for the US military in Afghanistan and escaped the Taliban's takeover has been killed by gunfire in Washington DC.

Nasrat Ahmad Yar, 31, was found dead Monday just minutes after midnight on 11th Street NE, according to local police.

Ahmad Yar, a former interpreter alongside the Army Special Forces in Afghanistan, had come to America in 2021 after the government fell to the Taliban upon Joe Biden's disastrous withdrawal from the country.

Less than a year after moving to Arlington, Virginia, he was working as a Lyft driver and decided to take up a shift late that night after a night out with his friends, despite his wife asking him to come home.

'His wife asked him to stay home but he said, 'I have to pay rent. I don't have that much money. I have to work,'' Rahim Amini, Ahmad Yar's best friend, told WUSA9.

Nasrat Ahmad Yar, 31, was found dead Monday just minutes after midnight on 11th Street NE, according to local police

Security camera footage offers a look into what happened that night, as a gunshot is heard and then four boys run down the alley near the block where Ahmad Yar was shot.

'You killed him! He was about to get out' one of the boys yells. He was reaching, bro,' another responds.

Ahmad Yar would often work 12-hour shifts in an attempt to provide for his wife and four children, the youngest just 15 months old, Amini said.

He was also still attempting to send money to his family still living in Afghanistan.

Ahmad Yar's friend Jeramie Malone said that his family moved to Virginia after feeling unsafe in Philadelphia following a robbery at gunpoint.

Malone said that despite the fears this incident had created for him, his friend was brave and willing to do anything for his family.

'I can't emphasize enough how he was always helping,' he said. 'Leaving the house was very dangerous for him, but he was always eager to help somebody else who is a good guy. His children were the most important thing to him, and he brought them here so he could be safe.'

Ahmad Yar (pictured right), a former interpreter alongside the Army Special Forces in Afghanistan, had come to America in 2021 after the government fell to the Taliban

Security camera footage offers a look into what happened that night, as a gunshot is heard and then four boys run down the alley near the block where Ahmad Yar was shot

The family fled to Abu Dhabi in 2021 from an evacuation site after it was determined that he'd be a target of the Taliban due to his work with the US Army.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Butler worked with Ahmad Yar in Afghanistan, eventually helping him with the immigration process.

'He was most certainly a marked man if he stayed,' Butler said. 'He served this country a great deal more than I did. I did 42 months in combat but that was nowhere near what he had.'

'You just don't have words to describe how you feel about someone who had given so much to his country, not as a citizen, but then comes here and experiences some of the worst behavior our country has to offer,' he added.

'Our hearts are with Mr. Nasrat's loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy,' A Lyft spokesperson said in a statement.

'We have reached out to his family to offer our support and are in contact with law enforcement to assist with their investigation.'

Malone has started a Gofundme hoping to raise $75,000 for Yar's wife and four children.

'Nasrat's commitment to his family and community was unwavering,' Malone writes.

Ahmad Yar would often work 12-hour shifts in an attempt to provide for his wife and four children, the youngest just 15 months old

Local police have said that a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone that can provide information that will result in an arrest

'He always extended a helping hand to friends and family and readily assisted anyone in need. He was immensely proud to be in the U.S., and grateful for the safety and opportunities that would be afforded to his four young children.'

Washington's local Afghan community has started a fundraiser on Facebook, hoping to raise $40,000.

Local police have said that a $25,000 reward is being offered for anyone that can provide information that will result in an arrest.
Four private investigators who had been trying to find Rudy Farias since his mother reported him missing in 2015 say they aren't surprised by his 'miracle' reappearance.

Brenda Paradise told Insider that a number of aspects of the case 'didn't add up' and said they're hardly surprised its shaping up to be a nightmare.

'There's something dark and dirty here,' she said.

His mom Janie Santana had reported him missing in 2015, when he was 17, and said that him being found on June 29 this year at a church 11 miles away from their Houston home was a miracle.

In the days that followed, the story took a surreal and disturbing turn, with explosive claims that Farias was actually being held by Santana as a sex slave, and relatives and neighbors saying he was never missing.

Farias is pictured (right) when he was 17, in 2015, and was reported missing by his mother

A local activist, Quanell X , spoke to media after meeting Farias and investigators and claims Farias had told him that he was never missing and had instead endured years of sordid abuse at the hands of his mother.

Houston Police are yet to confirm claims made by Quanell having only confirmed that the matter is still under investigation. It remains unclear if Farias has remained with his mom.

Paradise worked on the original 2015 disappearance case and for years later. She said that there had been unconfirmed rumors of Farias being seen in the neighborhood and in homes of family members.

'There were freakin' billboards in Houston,' announcing he was missing, she told the outlet.

Paradise claims Santana raised alarm bells after she'd provided the wrong birthday for the missing flyers, listing Farias as 17, rather than 18.

'He was 18 when he went missing,' Paradise said. 'I found the original intake form, It shows that mom wrote the wrong date. She said he was 17.'

Paradise claims that Santana would also not provide any recent pictures of Farias, only providing one of him as a 14-year-old.

'She told me that she thought if he looked younger, there would be more empathy,' Paradise said.

When searchers found an asthma inhaler and backpack at the scene of the disappearance, family members were quick to say they were the missing teens at the time.

Rudy Farias, now 25, was just 13 years old when his big brother and 'best friend' Charles (pictured left) died in the tragic road accident in 2011. His father Rudolph died by suicide in 2014

Rudy Farias' cousin Cassandra Lopez said their grandmother said she regularly saw him, and she knew he was not missing

'Rudy never even had asthma. The backpack had some elementary-school kid's homework inside it, and that wasn't Rudy's either,' she said.

'But the mom had swore up and down that it was his.

'I would love to hear that he's truly been missing all these years, and has finally been found.'

She added: 'I mean, God, I'd love to hear that he was found and is getting help. But I just don't trust anything that comes from that family.'

Ryan Grayson, another private investigator and defense investigator said he, Paradise and Barbara and Martin Renteria were the core PIs on the case in 2015 onward.

'She claimed that there was a woman that was holding him in Mexico,' Grayson told the outlet about Santana - a lead he claims she fundraised for.

'She showed up late for the fundraiser and she didn't go around and say hello to any of the people who were donating money or at the fundraiser,' he said.

He claimed that he tracked down the trafficker who Santana claimed had held Farias in Mexico.

Timeline of Rudy Farias' disappearance February 13, 2011: Farias' older brother Charles dies in car accident. August 19, 2014: Farias' father dies of a self-inflected gunshot wound. March 2015: Farias was first reported missing. He had last been seen along Valley Lake Drive, which is north of Tidwell in northeast Houston. He was reportedly walking his two dogs when he disappeared. The dogs were later found, but Farias was not. September 2018: Family members call police to report that Rudy was living behind a relative's home. Houston police searched the property, but did not find him. June 29, 2023: A man, later identified as Farias, was found unresponsive outside Immaculate Heart Church near 76th Street and Avenue K in southeast Houston. July 5, 2023: Community activist Quanell X and Houston Police meet with Rudy Farias at a hotel in Humble, Texas. Quanell X later tells reporters outside the hotel that Farias told him that his mother had been drugging and sexually abusing him for years. July 6, 2023: Houston police reveal Rudy Farias was never missing over the past eight years and say Farias did not report being sexually abused by his mother. Advertisement

'She said that Rudy's mom had talked to her. I told Janie I didn't want to be involved in her scam.'

On another occasion, Santana allegedly shared communications from her son's purported traffickers in Tijuana, Mexico which were in a dialect foreign to that region.

'It was like Chicano, Tex-Mex Spanish, like what Janie was speaking.[I] washed my hands of the case [after that].'

'I've got a strong feeling he was a victim,' Grayson added. 'I know he was special needs. It's a pretty sad situation.'

'There is much, much more to this case and the Houston PD, when we worked it, was just not very interested. It's true,' Barbara Renteria said.

'She had us searching from Mexico to Louisiana. All of it was a lie.'

Farias' older brother Charles Uresti, 21, was killed in a motorcycle crash in 2011, when Farias was 13.

His father, Houston police officer Rudolph Farias III, died by suicide in 2014. He was a 21-year veteran and was facing an internal affairs investigation at the time of his death.

Other members of the family said they suspected Farias was not missing and blamed his mother for keeping him away from them all these years.

'We're upset that (authorities) are not going to do anything,' said Pauline Sanchez Rodriguez, another of Farias' aunts.

Investigators concluded Farias returned home the day after he was reported missing but 'the mother, Janie, continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing,' Lt. Christopher Zamora said during a news conference.

During the past eight years, Farias and his mother had various interactions with officers, police said.

'During these contacts, fictitious names and date of births were given  misleading the officers  and Rudy would remain missing,' Zamora said.

Sanchez Rodriguez said her late mother, Rosa Sosa Rodriguez, had been living with Santana and kept telling relatives that Farias was living in the house with them.

'My mom would always tell me, 'Rudy is here  He's there. He's in that room,' Rodriguez said.

'And Janie said, 'No she's lying, she's losing it.'

Sanchez Rodriguez's daughter, Cassandra Lopez, told KPRC 2 they always knew 'in our hearts' the story of Farias having vanished was not true.

'I was in shock,' she said. 'I was like, I couldn't believe it.

'I mean, I was glad, but I just was wondering what was going to unfold from it. Like, what was the story going to be behind it?

'Because it's just we always in our hearts knew that he wasn't really missing.'

Lopez said she called 911 in 2018 after family members saw Farias at his mother's home, and their grandmother, Sosa Rodriguez, saw him regularly.

'She would just say, I saw Rudy. You know, he came to check on me and we said hello and we had a little conversation. She never went into detail, but she would say she saw him,' said Lopez.

Lopez said the rest of the family are eager to hear from him.

'I mean, half of his life is - almost a quarter of his life - has already been taken away,' said Lopez.

'Don't you know that? That's just not right. He didn't deserve, nobody deserves that.'

Zamora said Santana claimed the person friends and family were seeing was not Farias but her nephew, but 'we disputed that.'

Rodriguez and other family members also accused Santana of not presenting an accurate picture of herself to people and of not caring about family members.

Court records show Santana has used at least three different names and was accused of mistreating her mother while they lived together.

During a 2020 dispute over her mother's guardianship, Santana's sisters accused her of forcing their mother to live in a home that had 'animal urine and feces throughout' and causing her to have 'significant bed sores' because she 'did not have a bed and slept on the couch.'

In a 2011 affidavit filed in a court case in which Santana's marriage was declared 'null and void' because a judge concluded she was married to another man at the time, Sanchez Rodriguez said her sister 'has always been a pathological liar. She lies about everything.'

Sanchez Rodriguez said she and other family members have yet to speak with Farias and they remain worried about him.

But Zamora, with the police department's Missing Persons Unit, said Farias was safe and he had decided to stay 'with his mother by choice.'

Police Chief Troy Finner said when Farias was reported missing, he was 17 years old, which is considered an adult in Texas.

Now in his twenties, Farias is 'a grown man,' he said.

After police announced that Farias had been found, Santana released a statement saying, he 'is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us.' She also asked for privacy.

Finner declined Thursday to answer questions about the mental health of Farias or his mother and would not say what might have motivated their actions.

He said police are 'right at the beginning' of their investigation into what happened.

Police also said patrol officers responded to a burglary call Wednesday night at the family's home and that it is now part of their investigation.
A British husband has been arrested after he was allegedly caught having sex with his mistress in the family home in the Philippines.

Kevin Robert Stitt, 36, was put under police surveillance - adultery and concubinage are illegal in the Catholic country - following complaints from his suspicious wife that he was having an affair.

The motorbike-riding Briton was followed by cops who watched him return to a property he shared with his Filipina wife while she was outside seeing relatives in the Cebu province mid-afternoon on July 4.

Officers then stormed into the home in the coastal village of Tuble in Moalboal to find Mr Stitt and his alleged mistress Rowena Torres, 30, while they were in bed together 'in the act of doing the deed'.

Kevin Robert Stitt, 36

Rowena Torres, 30

Officers stormed into the home in the coastal village of Tuble in Moalboal to find Mr Stitt and his alleged mistress Rowena Torres in bed together

Speaking today, an officer from the Moalboal Police Station said in a phone interview: 'The Briton is the subject of an investigation. He has a private lawyer. His name is Kevin Robert Stitt.'

Moalboal Police Station confirmed that the pair were caught in the act and were taken into custody.

The officer added: 'The wife came to ask us for help. The house where they were found was a conjugal property.

'They were sleeping together when the officers went in at 1:40 pm.'

Mr Stitt is being grilled on allegations of marital infidelity which is punishable by up to six years in prison.

Meanwhile, his alleged Filipina lover Ms Torres may face charges of concubinage which is punishable by jail time of up to four years.

Officers said investigations into the incident are ongoing and the husband, wife, and alleged mistress are being interviewed.
Sky News' intrepid special correspondent Alex Crawford has given a bone-chilling account of the moment she thought she was going to die after being seized by Taliban fighters in the heart of Kabul.

The fearless journalist, 61, has recounted the harrowing experience of being taken captive, certain that she and her two colleagues were about to become pawns in a macabre hostage video while attempting to report on the Taliban's weapon-making inside the Afghan capital.

Kabul fell to the Taliban in 2021, when British and US troops staged a dramatic withdrawal and Afghanistan's government and armed forces collapsed.

Within weeks, Afghanistan's already delicate healthcare system had crumbled, while women were stripped of their fundamental rights and relegated to the status of second-class citizens.

But Ms Crawford, who was awarded an OBE for her unwavering dedication to broadcast journalism, suffered a harrowing experience at the hands of the fundamentalist group well before their resurgence, telling Metro how she was rounded up by Taliban fighters, along with her translator and cameraman, back in 2009.

Sky News' intrepid special correspondent Alex Crawford has recounted her experience being taken hostage by the Taliban - and how she escaped

Taliban fighters guard outside the airport in Kabul on August 31, 2021, after the US has pulled all its troops out of the country to end a brutal 20-year war

Taliban fighters stand guard near the venue of an open-air rally in a field on the outskirts of Kabul on October 3, 2021

Recalling the chilling moments as the trio awaited their fate, Ms Crawford said: 'We just sat there. My Afghan translator prayed and prayed and prayed and was sweating and  I don't want to say crying  but he was very, very upset.

'My cameraman, who was a very tough Australian, was just extremely silent. And we were left in there for what seemed like forever.'

'All of us in that room thought, ''Oh god we're going to be at the centre of a hostage tape'',' she said, describing the room they were left in as completely bare, save for a Taliban flag and a camera tripod.

Six balaclava-clad Taliban militants then stormed into the room, positioning themselves in front of the camera in a menacing line before their captives.

Ms Crawford said she realised she was unlikely to get another chance to sway her captors.

But instead of grovelling or begging forgiveness, she went on the offensive and launched a passionate and confrontational tirade.

Three words in particular appeared to make the difference in her desperate attempt to save her own life.

'We trusted you!' Ms Crawford yelled.

'We came here in good faith! Would you treat your own mother, sister, or wife like this? How do you think we feel? This is disgraceful!'

Her terrified Afghan translator was left aghast by the outburst, but duly relayed the message despite fearing it would seal their immediate demise.

But against all odds, Ms Crawford's audacious act startled the Taliban, whose menacing resolve seemed to falter for a moment.

Understanding her captors were second-guessing themselves, Ms Crawford kept up the verbal onslaught until, all of a sudden, the Taliban simply said: 'Okay, go, that's it,' and allowed them to leave.

Ms Crawford's unwavering commitment to journalism has garnered her five prestigious Royal Television Society awards, a pair of Emmys and a Bafta - not to mention an OBE, which she was awarded in 2012.

She has borne witness to unimaginable violence, unspeakable terror, and the most profound human suffering - but perhaps this is what allowed her to remain level-headed and seize what was likely to be the only opportunity to escape the clutches of the Taliban unscathed.

Ms Crawford's unwavering commitment to journalism has garnered her five prestigious Royal Television Society awards, a pair of Emmy's and a Bafta - not to mention an OBE

Asked what drives her to return time and time again to these cities ravaged by violence and terror, at great personal risk, she said: 'In the end, it almost feels like you need to do it'

Taliban fighters stand guard at a checkpoint on a street in Kabul

Ms Crawford spoke with Metro ahead of the release of the latest instalment in her 'Women at War' docuseries, a show that delves deep into the heart of regimes where women's voices are silenced and their autonomy and rights snatched away.

Her latest episode, 'Women at War: Mexico', examines the systemic brutality faced by women and girls in the Central American country, which has in recent years been wracked with cartel violence.

Throughout her extraordinary career, Alex has not only documented life-threatening situations but has often become a target herself, enduring abductions, interrogations, and even being subjected to live gunfire.

The undeterred journalist maintains that she never consciously sought out these dangerous assignments, but rather found herself thrust into countries wracked by riots and protests, where her presence was sorely needed.

Asked what drives her to return time and time again to these cities ravaged by violence and terror, at great personal risk, she said: 'In the end, it almost feels like you need to do it.

'It sounds sort of moral... I feel like I'm not alone in that.'
A man accused of beating his childhood mate to death with a gym weight bar will remain behind bars.

Daniel Robert McJannett, 36, did not appear when the case was mentioned in the Gold Coast's Southport Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday.

He was a groomsman of the man he is accused of killing, 37-year-old Matthew Berry, after the builder's body was found by his ex-partner at his home in Mt Tamborine, west of the Gold Coast, just after midday on June 29.

Police will allege McJannett killed the self-employed father-of-two before stealing a large amount of cannabis and a modem linked to the home's security system.

Daniel Robert McJannett (pictured) has been remanded in court, charged over the brutal killing of his childhood friend, Matt Berry at his home in Mt Tamborine on June 29

His lawyer Jodie Allen requested for the matter to be brought before the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on July 12.

McJannett of Paradise Point, was not able to apply for bail in the magistrates court due to the serious nature of the charge and bail was formally refused.

He was also charged with the possession of a large amount of cannabis and a the being in possession of stolen property.

According to the court documents obtained by The Gold Coast Bulletin, Mr Berry and McJannett had known each other since they were eight-years-old.

The documents also allege that McJannett was caught on CCTV at Mr Berry's home on the afternoon of the murder.

Police allege Mr Berry's phone was found smashed but were able to extract CCTV from it showing Mr McJannett at the home.

Police have indicated they were not looking for further suspects.

McJannett was the groomsman for Matt Berry's (pictured left) wedding in 2016

Matt Berry was found dead at a home owned by his mum and stepfather on the Gold Coast Hinterland. Pictured are police examining the crime scene

'The scene was brought to the attention of emergency services as a result of the deceased gentleman's wife,' Detective Inspector Chris Knight told reporters on Thursday.

'And as you can imagine, to say it was confronting is, to be quite honest, an understatement.'

Det Insp Knight said investigations indicated Mr Berry was allegedly killed by a friend with whom he had a long-standing relationship.

Mr Berry had served jail time on drug-related offences in 2016 and was facing charges of driving under the influence of drugs and possession.

Daniel Robert McJannett (right) is accused of killing his friend Matthew Berry before stealing a large amount of cannabis and a modem linked to the home's security system.

The Mt Tamorine home where Mr Berry was found dead, which is owned by his mother and step-father, will remain as a crime scene while investigations continue 'for the foreseeable future'.

His ex-partner Edwina, described Mr Berry as 'a loving father, son, brother and friend'.

'My husband didn't deserve any of this,' she told reporters on Sunday.

'His heart was huge, and he was always willing and able to put others before himself.'

'I'm asking anyone with information to please come forward and help police with their investigation. I just want justice for all our family and friends, and most of all our two little girls.'

Inspector Knight added police are still seeking information, noting the ' investigation does not end today and we welcome any information'.
An easyJet flight removed 19 passengers flying back to Britain from Lanzarote because the plane was 'too heavy to take off'.

The flight from Lanzarote's Arrecife Airport to Liverpool's John Lennon Airport was delayed due to the plane's weight and poor weather conditions.

The plane was due to take off at 9.45pm on Wednesday but did not depart from the Spanish airport until nearly 11.30pm.

In a video filmed by a passenger, the pilot said: 'Thank you all for getting here today. Because there are so many of you it's a pretty heavy aircraft.

'That heavy aircraft combined with a pretty short runway and with the current unfavourable conditions here in Lanzarote, means the aircraft is too heavy to take off. I've been sat with my senior first officer and we're very experienced with this and have done this before.

In the video, passengers can be heard saying under their breath 'I want to go home tonight' and shaking their heads. The plane was due to take off at 9.45pm on Wednesday but did not depart from the Spanish airport until nearly 11.30pm

'With safety as our number one priority, there is no way, with the current wind conditions, that we could get this aircraft airborne. There are a number of factors - it's very hot, the wind isn't fantastic, the direction isn't great.

'Now, you might be wondering what happens next and that's what I've come in here to say. I have spoken with our operations team and the one way to solve a problem with a heavy aircraft is to make it slightly lighter.

'If possible, I would like to ask up to 20 volunteers to choose not to fly to Liverpool tonight. If anyone wants to volunteer there will be an incentive. The current number we've been quoted by easyJet is up to 500 per passenger who is willing to not fly tonight.'

Passengers can be heard saying under their breath 'I want to go home tonight' and shaking their heads.

According to easyJet's flight tracker, the delay was due to 'poor weather conditions in Lanzarote'.

According to easyJet's flight tracker, the delay was due to 'poor weather conditions in Lanzarote' (Stock image)

The flight tracker said it was due to depart at 9.45pm but did not leave until 11.24pm. It arrived at John Lennon Airport just after 3am yesterday.

A spokesman for easyJet confirmed to the Liverpool Echo that 19 passengers had volunteered to get off the plane.

They said: 'easyJet can confirm that 19 passengers on flight EZY3364 from Lanzarote to Liverpool yesterday evening volunteered to travel on a later flight as a result of the aircraft being over the weight limits for the weather conditions.

'This is a routine operational decision in these circumstances and weight restrictions are in place for all airlines for safety reasons. In the event that a flight would exceed weight limits, we ask for passengers to volunteer to transfer to a later flight free of charge which is what happened on this occasion and volunteers are provided with compensation in line with regulations.

'The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is always easyJet's highest priority.'
A substitute teacher said the way he acted when a brawl broke out in his classroom was 'shameful' as he was sentenced for his actions.

Michael Kable, 62, was handed an 18-month community corrections order for punching a student during an altercation at Maitland Grossman High School, near Newcastle in the NSW Hunter region on March 21.

He will no longer be allowed to continue teaching as a result of the sentence and criminal conviction handed down on Friday.

Disturbing footage of the incident recorded by a student, shows the teacher grabbing a child by his shirt and pulling him over a desk - before another student then threw another desk toward him.

A second video emerged a short time later, which showed the teacher holding handful of paper balls that appear to have been thrown at him by a student during class.

Teacher Michael Kable (pictured days after the incident) was filmed punching a student during an out-of-control brawl at Maitland Grossman High School in March

Mr Kable then can be heard saying 'do you understand me? Stop doing it', before the student throws another paper ball at him.

The video shows students yelling at the teacher before a table was thrown at him.

The court heard the former teacher was of good character.

His lawyer Cameron Duncan argued the former casual teacher was assigned to teach the class without any instructions.

He was also not made aware that six students were on behavioural management plans, the court heard.

His lawyer told the court students formed a pack and misbehaved for half an hours, throwing paper, pens, pencil cases and a desk at the fill-in teacher.

Mr Kable then retaliated in a way that was 'quite shameful', the court heard.

The former substitute teacher is 'shameful' of his actions in the classroom that day

Mr Kable (pictured arriving at court on Friday) can't return to teaching after he received a criminal conviction

'Being a teacher is a pretty difficult job at the moment, being a casual teacher is even harder and the situation is made worse when the casual teacher isn't provided with appropriate plans,' Mr Duncan said.

Thounsands, including former students signed a Change.org petition in support of Mr Kable after the video went viral, claiming the footage did not show the context of the altercation and that the teacher was being 'defamed' and had regularly suffered physical and verbal abuse from students.

Magistrate Ron Maiden noted Mr Kable's good character but said he was in a position of trustand the victim was a 'vulnerable person.'

He also admitted Mr Kable may also now face difficulty finding employment in other industries.

Mr Kable refused to comment on the sentence as he left court.

He previously told Daily Mail Australia that there two sides to every story but ultimately admitted he 'did the wrong thing'.
Warner Bros. has defended the upcoming Barbie film after it was banned in Vietnam over a scene which features a map of contested territory in the South China Sea.

The movie about the doll, which is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, had been set for release in the country on July 21.

But its performance schedule is no longer available in Vietnam after the government's decision to ban the film due to scenes featuring a map that shows the so-called nine-dash line, which represents China's territorial claims, and is heavily contested by Hanoi.

China has long used the 'nine-dash line', a maritime boundary drawn up by it in 1947, to justify its jurisdiction over most of the resource-rich sea - often to the displeasure of Hanoi, which also claims parts of the water.

Warner Bros. has defended the upcoming Barbie film after it was banned in Vietnam over a scene which features a child-like map (pictured) of contested territory in the South China Sea (circled)

China has long used the 'nine-dash line', a maritime boundary drawn up by it in 1947, but it is heavily contested by Vietnam, which also claims parts of the waters

The movie about the doll, starring Margot Robbie (right) and Ryan Gosling (left), had been set for release in Vietnam on July 21 but it has been removed from cinema schedules

What is China's 'nine-dash line' in the South China Sea? The nine-dash line is a maritime boundary in the South China Sea drawn up by China, which claims to own the territory inside the line. However, this is disputed by many Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei. The U-shaped line was initially claimed by the government of the Republic of China in 1947. In 1992, the Communist Party of China adopted the boundary while updating its law on the territorial sea and the contiguous zone, according to book Strategic Regions in 21st Century Power Politics. Chinese passports issued from 2012 onwards feature the Chinese map printed with the nine-dash line on three pages. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled that there was no legal basis for much of China's claims to the area. The Chinese government has strongly objected to the ruling. Advertisement

In response to the backlash, Warner Bros. said the map is a 'child-like' drawing with no intended significance.

'The map in Barbie Land is a whimsical, child-like crayon drawing,' the studio said in a statement.

'The doodles depict Barbie's make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement.'

In the scene, Margot Robbie's title character prepares to go to the 'Real World', and is given a map by Kate McKinnon's character, Weird Barbie.

Vietnamese authorities objected to a scene showing a map that includes the so-called nine-dash line, according to state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper.

The U-shaped line is used on Chinese maps to illustrate China's claims over vast areas of the South China Sea, including swaths of what Vietnam considers its continental shelf, where it has awarded oil concessions.

'We do not grant license for the American movie Barbie to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line,' the newspaper reported, citing Vi Kien Thanh, head of the Department of Cinema, a government body in charge of licensing and censoring foreign films.

'Barbie' is the latest movie to be banned in Vietnam for depicting China's nine-dash line, which was repudiated in an international arbitration ruling by a court in The Hague in 2016.

China refuses to recognise the ruling. Last year, the action-and-adventure movie Uncharted, starring Tom Holland, was stopped from being shown due to scenes featuring the same line.

The same was also the case in 2019, when Abominable was banned in Vietnam, and Netflix was told to remove episodes of the series Pine Gap.

And in 2018, Vietnam cut a scene from the romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians that featured a designer bag with a map of the world showing the disputed South China Sea islands as being under Beijing's control.

The South China Sea is home to valuable oil and gas deposits and shipping lanes, and several of China's neighbours have voiced concern that Beijing is seeking to expand its reach.
Yet another shark has been spotted circling off Spain's beaches - terrifying locals and tourists alike.

British holiday-makers were enjoying a relaxing day on a Malaga beach, soaking up the sun, when the creature was spotted through the waves.

The shark's presence, just off the coast of resort town Torremolinos, caused the British holiday-goers to flee out of the water and back to safety on the shore.

Dozens lined the beaches, peering out over the water to spot the shark's dorsal fin protruding from the waves.

This is now the fifth shark sighting off the Spanish coast in a month, coming just days after another sparked panic at a Pontevedra beach.

British holiday-makers were enjoying a relaxing day on a Malaga beach, soaking up the sun, when the creature was spotted through the waves

The shark stuck around off the beach's coast for about half an hour before a lifeguard encouraged it to swim back out to sea

Emily McEwan, took to social media after her holiday was interrupted by the panic over the shark.

She told The Sun: 'It was a little bit of a surprise because we've all seen films like Jaws but you never really expect yourself to be in the sea when you see that fin.'

She said the sighting happened on the morning of June 27. She had been on a family holiday after just giving birth to a baby boy.

The shark was seen off the beach's coast for about half an hour before a lifeguard encouraged it to swim back out to sea.

Dozens lined the beaches, peering out over the water to spot the shark's dorsal fin protruding from the waves

The sharks presence, just off the coast of Torremolinos, caused the British holiday-goers to flee out of the water and back to safety on the shore

The new mother said she tried to find out which species it was, but was still non-the-wiser.

She posted the video of the sighting on social media, captioning the clip: 'Off to the beach for what was meant to be a nice relaxing day.'

This is now the fifth shark sighting off of Spain's coast in a month.

A previous sighting was seen off a dock on the island of Arousa in the Galician province of Pontevedra, home to spectacular white sandy beaches and small coves which are popular with tourists and locals.

This time it was a blue shark, which rarely bite humans but have been implicated in fatal attacks in the past.

Footage showed the shark's tell-tale fin appearing above the water line as it approached a fisherman's boat.

The clear, shallow water made it very easy to see.

A blue shark was spotted off a dock on the island of Arousa in the Galician province of Pontevedra

It comes just days after a shark neared the shoreline off a Costa Blanca beach

Local fisherman Rogelio Santos Queiruga insisted the tintorera, which appeared to be injured from a harpoon, faced greater danger than humans.

He admitted: 'If we try to touch it, it can hurt us with its teeth or rough skin.'

But he added, insisting these types of sharks are not great white sharks or tiger sharks which can be very aggressive: 'The fact they are seen close to the coast is good news.

'It is a sign that on the high seas, where they usually live, they may be recovering following decades of overfishing.'

The shark seen in the province of Pontevedra has been described as measuring around five feet and was thought to be not yet fully-grown.

Fishermen filmed it swimming in the shallow water because its presence so close to the shoreline is rare.

The water temperature in the area was around 20 degrees Celsius, which is higher than normal.

The shark seen in the province of Pontevedra has been described as measuring around five feet and was thought to be young and not yet fully-grown

This time the type of species seen was a blue shark, which rarely bite humans but have been implicated in fatal attacks in the past

Footage showed the shark's tell-tale fin appearing above the water line as it approached a fisherman's boat

Earlier in June, a fully grown blue shark measuring some seven feet caused panic off the Costa Blanca beach of Aguamarina in Orihuela Costa, south of Alicante.

Bathers were filmed trying to run to safety through waist-high water as it neared the shoreline.

Lifeguards blew on their whistles to warn locals and holidaymakers and urge them to get out of the sea as quickly as possible.

One woman, thought to have been an elderly person seen being helped out of the water by Good Samaritans, is said to have suffered a panic attack after realising the shark was beside her.

It washed up dead the following day by rocks at La Caleta Beach in Cabo Roig a couple of miles away.

The same day it emerged that species of shark had been spotted inside Ciutadella Port in Menorca.

Fishermen filmed it swimming in the shallow water because its presence so close to the shoreline is rare

A cow shark also approached a boat belonging to a group of fishermen in early July, off Cap de Formentor near Puerto Pollensa in Majorca.

The men turned the boat engine off to avoid hurting it.

Blue sharks rarely bite humans but have been implicated in several biting incidents, four of which are said to have ended fatally.

A blue shark was blamed for an attack on a holidaymaker in Elche near Alicante in July 2016.

The 40-year-old victim was rushed to hospital and given stitches to a wound in his hand.

First aiders described the bite as 'large' and said he had come out of the sea with blood streaming from the injury.

In August 2018 tourists fled the sea in panic after a blue shark, among the most common in Spain, appeared off the packed Majorcan beach of Calas de Majorca on the island's east coast.

In April a near seven-foot shark also believed to be a tintorera was filmed in the surf on the south-east coast of Majorca at a nearby beach called Cala Llombards.

Initial reports pointed to a tintorera or blue shark which was about seven-foot long

The footage showed it was obviously disorientated.

A Spanish woman watched it as its fin appeared above the water's surface and it headed towards the shoreline in the clear water before nearly beaching on the sand.

She could be overheard saying as it was knocked on its side in the swallow water and thrashed its tail around in a bid to get back out to sea: 'This one is going to end up getting stuck here.

'We have to get it out of the water, it's going to stay where it is.'

Its efforts eventually paid off and it was filmed swimming back out to deeper water before disappearing.

Last month, Russian tourist Vladimir Popov, 23, was filmed being attacked by a tiger shark and dragged underwater off the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada.

His body parts were later recovered from inside the predator's belly after it was clubbed to death by beachgoers.

Biologist Juan Antonio Pujol told a Spanish paper after it emerged the blue shark seen off Aguamarina beach last Thursday had been found dead at a nearby beach: 'Coming across something like this when you're swimming in the water makes an impression but you should stay calm because they're not aggressive.'
A former teacher who worked at two schools set up by Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is suing him and his Christian academies over alleged health and safety violations and for dismissing the official when he complained.

The lawsuit alleges Yeezy Christian Academy, the predecessor to Donda Academy, had dire sanitation, electrical problems, and empty windows and skylights on account of Ye's dislike of glass, as well as a slew of issues at the Donda Academy.

Isaiah Meadows, a former assistant principal at the academy, said he was suspended and later fired from the Southern California School after he made the complaints.

It is the latest in a string of allegations against Ye and his schools, which according to the Donda Academy website, are on a 'mission to provide the youth with the passion, purpose and spiritual foundations they need to thrive in tomorrow's world.'

A previous complaint, which a third person joined in June, alleges health, safety and education code violations, as well as illegal racial discrimination .

A former teacher who worked at two schools set up by Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West (pictured in May with Bianca Censori), is suing him and his Christian academies over alleged health and safety violations and for dismissing the official when he complained

The lawsuit alleges Yeezy Christian Academy, the predecessor to Donda Academy, had dire sanitation, electrical problems, and empty windows and skylights on account of Ye's dislike of glass, as well as a slew of issues at the Donda Academy (pictured in Simi Valley in October)

The latest lawsuit was filed on Thursday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The same law firm that lodged the complaint filed a separate suit in which two other former teachers accused Ye and Donda Academy of wrongful termination.

In it, they painted a picture of a poorly runs school that has rampant bullying, rules that banned clothes that either weren't black or designed by Ye, banned the use of forks, and no janitors or medical staff.

On June 1, a third person - Timanii Meeks was added to the suit. The former teacher alleges she was fired last year for reporting a number of issues at the school.

The initial suit was brought in April by Cecilia Hailey and her daughter Chekarey Byers, both of whom taught at the private Christian school until being fired in March.

The plaintiffs allege they were fired in retaliation for reporting code violations such as exposed and dangerous electrical wiring, as well as bullying and assaults.

The latest suit, NBC reports, names Ye, Donda Academy and the Yeezy Christian Academy as the defendants.

Ron Zambrano, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs in both suits, slammed Ye in a statement given to NBC News.

'It is just absolutely egregious what is going on at this school,' he said.

'The unlawful and retaliatory behavior by Mr. West and the school directors have now been documented multiple times by other former employees who never even worked together but all experienced the same horrendous treatment and witnessed the same serious health, safety and education code violations, while all were subjected to the same fate  wrongful termination  and we plan to hold them accountable.'

The suit is the latest in a string of allegations against Ye and his schools, which according to the Donda Academy website, are on a 'mission to provide the youth with the passion, purpose and spiritual foundations they need to thrive in tomorrow's world'

Meadows began working there as a full time employee in 2020. When the school became Donda Academy and moved in August 2021 to another location in Simi Valley, he worked as a teacher's assistant, teaching faith and physical education.

His complaint alleges that after Meadows raised concerns about health, safety and other issues at the schools, he suspended and later fired.

This amounts to a breach of contract, the lawsuit argues.

It says that Ye also failed to fulfil a promise to pay for Meadows' rent, leaving him to pay thousands of dollars for a home he had rented in Calabasas.

It also alleges that the Yeezy Christian Academy campus had no hot water, a sceptic tanks that repeatedly overflowed, a skylight without glass, and that an electrical fire started near the student's eating area due to poorly done wiring.

After moving to the Donda Academy, Meadows says in the suit that for the first few months the campus had no electricity and so lessons were taught using flood lamps powered by a generator, NBC reports.

No glass was installed on the windows, the suit says, though mesh curtain were installed. As with the first school, the sceptic tank also overflowed, the suit says.

At both schools, Meadows says he complained to Ye and a former administrator, but was fired without explanation in August.

NBC says the complaint doesn't specify how much Meadows is seeking, but that he wants damages for unpaid wages, loss of earnings and emotional distress.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Donda Academy for comment.

The school reportedly enrolled about 100 students and 16 teachers, with a number of students being the children of celebrities. Pictured: Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown with a group of Donda students during a visit to the Academy

A lawyer for Ye, Gregory Suhr, has previously denied the allegations made by former teachers, saying depictions of the academy as a 'dystopian institution designed to satisfy Ye's idiosyncrasies' were untrue.

In a filing last week to the LA County Superior Court, Suhr said: 'None of it is true and the allegations do a disservice to the Donda Academy's current staff and students and their parents who will attest to their positive experience.'

The attorney has asked the judge to dismiss the claims.

Lawyers of the school have previously described the accusations in the lawsuits as 'fatally uncertain, ambiguous, and unintelligible.'

The initial suit was brought in April by Cecilia Hailey and her daughter Chekarey Byers. The plaintiffs allege they were fired in retaliation for reporting code violations.

The women also claim that they were discriminated against based on their race and illegally had wages withheld or were improperly paid on more than one occasion. They are seeking in excess of $1million in damages.

'Plaintiff Meeks is informed and believes that the building was not safe for occupants, let alone children,' reads the amended complaint from June.

Meeks was hired as a substitute teacher in August 2022, and plans were soon put in motion to hire her as a full time teacher in the school's theatre department.

From the beginning of her employment, Meeks says she filed multiple complaints with the principal, vice principal and school director about student safety and building hazards.

'Instead of addressing her complaints, Plaintiff Meeks was simply told, Its a work in progress, and Were working on the kinks,' the lawsuit states.

In early October of 2022, Meeks alleged that several parents of students sat in on a math class she was teaching and subsequently complained about the conditions of the classroom.

Specifically, they were concerned that there were no textbooks or educational materials to be found.

Meeks passed the worries along to school director Brianne Cambell, who in turn, allegedly, retaliated against Meeks by having her terminated.

Among the bizarre and unsettling allegations made against the school are that all color, including artwork, was banned from inside classrooms, everyone was forced to wear all black from head to toe and classes were not to be held on the second floor because West was 'afraid of stairs.'

Students at West's Donda Academy wear Balenciaga uniforms designed by West himself. The first lawsuit claims they were forced to exclusively wear all black. Pictured: Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown with a group of Donda students during a visit to the Academy

The $15,000-a-year academy, which Byers described as 'like a mental hospital being run by the patients,' was opened by West in California in 2021. Ye now served as the Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Chief Financial Officer of the institution.

The school was initially opened in Simi Valley, but was then moved to nearby Chatsworth.

Among other disturbing allegations, the suit alleges that teachers were not trained to provide basic life support, that doors were locked from the outside, that students were not given utensils to eat with, and that expired medications were improperly stored.

Students were allegedly banned from using 'crossword puzzles' and 'coloring sheets.' West also would not allow the schoolkids to go outdoors during the day, even for lunch or recess.

'In one incident, a student assaulted an eighth grade student by slapping her, then attempted to assault another teacher. The student had multiple accounts of bullying, both physically and verbally, that had gone without discipline,' according to the complaint.

'Clearly, Ye has a big problem on his hands with this school, and the addition of Ms. Meeks to the complaint only serves to reinforce the nightmarish conditions for staff and students at Donda Academy,' said Ron Zambrano, an employment attorney who is representing the plaintiffs.

'Ms. Meeks was fired months before Cecilia Hailey and Chekarey Byers were terminated but all three clearly witnessed the same illegal and disturbing code violations and conduct at the school, and all three were given the same retaliatory and unlawful treatment merely for trying to stand up for the students rights to a meaningful education. Donda and Ye now have an established pattern of retaliation, from two independent sources, to contend with.'

According to prior reports, parents at the school were required to sign non-disclosure agreements to enroll their children at the $15,000 per-year academy.
A body has been found in the search for missing teenager Eric Lin, 14, who was last seen five days ago in Beswick, Manchester.

Police announced they had found a body yesterday afternoon, however have said that the identity cannot be confirmed until a formal identification process has taken place.

The body was found in Warrington, Cheshire, which is around 20 miles from where the boy was last seen.

Both Cheshire Police and Greater Manchester Police believe he may have travelled there on a bus.

It is not thought to be suspicious at this stage and the boy's family have been informed.

Eric Lin (pictured), 14, was last seen five days ago in Beswick, Manchester

A spokesperson from Greater Manchester Police said: 'Greater Manchester Police can confirm that sadly a body has been found this afternoon in the Warrington area of Cheshire.

'There are believed to be no suspicious circumstances.

'A formal identification is yet to take place, but Eric's family have been informed of the latest development.'

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies added: 'Firstly, our thoughts remain with Eric's loved ones at this difficult time.

'Formal identification is yet to take place, so we would ask that they have privacy whilst the investigation continues.'
Martin Lewis said the publication of 'dangerous' deepfakes must be stopped

Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis has warned Britons that scammers are using artificial intelligence deepfake footage of him to try to con them into losing money.

A deepfake is a video of a person in which their face or body has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else, typically used maliciously or to spread false information.

Mr Lewis branded the scam 'frightening' and warned it will 'ruin lives,' calling on the Government and regulators to put a stop to it after a deepfake video of him emerged seemingly 'endorsing an investment scheme from Elon Musk'.

'It's devastating for people's lives and we still don't have any adequate regulation to deal with it,' he has said, adding that it's a 'wild west out there' and that he felt 'sick' after a deepfake video of him was shared online.

Referencing the fake video, Martin Lewis tweeted: 'WARNING. THIS IS A SCAM BY CRIMINALS TRYING TO STEAL MONEY. PLS SHARE.

Martin Lewis is calling on the Government and regulators to put a stop to deepfakes

'This is frightening, it's the first deep fake video scam I've seen with me in it.

'Govt & regulators must step up to stop big tech publishing such dangerous fakes. People'll lose money and it'll ruin lives.'

In the footage, the fake Mr Lewis says: 'Elon Musk presented his project in which he has already invested more than $3billion.

'Musk's new project opens up great investment opportunities for British citizens. No project has ever given such opportunities to residents of the country.'

The real Mr Lewis told Radio 4 it was the first deepfake video he had seen of himself, saying it made him feel sick to see it and something must be done to stop the scammers.

'It's pretty weird and it's pretty frightening too because my face and name have been the subject of scam adverts for the last six or seven years, I get countless reports every day,' Mr Lewis said.

The FAKE footage pretending to be Martin Lewis - who said he felt sick when he saw it

WHAT ARE DEEPFAKES? The technology behind deepfakes was developed in 2014 by Ian Goodfellow, who was the the director of machine learning at Apple's Special Projects Group and a leader in the field. The word stems from the collaboration of the terms 'deep learning' and 'fake,' and is a form of artificial intelligence. The system studies a target person in pictures and videos, allowing it to capture multiple angles and mimic their behavior and speech patterns. The technology gained attention during the election season, as many feared developers would use it to undermine political candidates' reputations. Advertisement

'This is the first deepfake I've seen with me in it, it's the first deepfake scam advert I've seen with anybody in it.

'It is already difficult enough to persuade people. I've had friends of mine get in touch with me at times and say 'hey I've just put some money in that investment scheme you're advertising'.

'I don't advertise. I don't do investments.'

The money saving expert described once having to spend 15 minutes convincing a man that a fake advert was a scam.

'And now they have video and audio technology that is absolutely replicating my face and my voice. I don't think it's perfect but this is the first one. And this technology is improving at a rapid speed and frankly it is disgraceful.

'People are going to lose money, and people's mental health is going to be affected. It has a massive impact on wellbeing when people are scammed. It's devastating for people's lives and we still don't have any adequate regulation to deal with it.'

Mr Lewis said 'there is a wild west out there,' adding that he felt 'pretty sick to be honest' when he saw the fake video replicating his image.

He added: 'These people are trying to destroy my reputation in order to steal money off vulnerable people.'

'What we need to do is deny scammers the oxygen of publicity by making sure that the big tech companies  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn - these people if they do not do proper advertising vetting, they need to be fined enormous amounts.

'We are scared of big tech in this country and we need to start regulating them properly.'

He added: 'Many people are being scammed in this country and nothing is being done about it.'

He encouraged people to check the signs of a deepfake.

Martin Lewis also appeared on Good Morning Britain saying the deepfake video was an 'absolutely terrifying development'.

He warned we are seeing early stages of the technology, but that it is only going to get 'better'.
A British pensioner has died after being pushed to the ground by intruders at his Spanish home.

The 81-year-old was taken to hospital after being assaulted by burglars in Estepa near Seville at around 7pm on Sunday.

He was checked and discharged, yet later suffered complications and was taken back to Merced Hospital in Osuna but died in the early hours of Wednesday.

Police confirmed the victim, identified only by his initials AHB, was a British expat. Detectives are still hunting those responsible.

A spokesman for the Civil Guard in Seville, which is investigating, confirmed: 'A British man aged 81 has died following a break-in at his home in Estepa near Seville.

Civil Guard officers are seen cordoning off the crime scene where the British pensioner was pushed to the ground and ultimately died of his injuries in Seville

Crime scene - this is the street where the British pensioner lived in Estepa

'Officers responded to the incident around 7pm on Sunday and took the victim to hospital. He died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

'No arrests have yet been made and we are still investigating.'

A police source added: 'The victim told officers he had been pushed by one of the intruders as he tried to resist the break-in. He fell to the ground and was taken to hospital and tragically died some days later.

'He didn't make a formal statement to police before he died and officers are working on the basis of what he told police at the scene before his admission to hospital.

'Officers are still investigating what if anything was taken and that has been complicated by the fact there is no formal statement and the victim was not able to give a detailed account of the incident to detectives before he was hospitalised.'

It is understood the victim was told he could go home hours after the break-in, and died after being readmitted to hospital. Hospital chiefs have not yet commented.

Local reports say police are hunting three suspects, although detectives were not able to confirm the number today.

It is understood the victim was told he could go home hours after the break-in, and died after being readmitted to La Merced Hospital in Osuna

The 81-year-old was rushed to hospital after being assaulted by burglars in Estepa near Seville around 7pm on Sunday evening (Seville pictured)

A town hall source said: 'Local police went to the property on Sunday evening at the request of the Civil Guard following an emergency call.

'They spoke to the British pensioner at the scene who told them several individuals had entered his property with the intention of robbing him.

'He had an injury to his face but nothing to suggest he had been beaten up as the initial reports about this incident suggested.

'He was taken to hospital and went home a few hours later after being treated.

'Around 24 hours later local police were asked to go to the same property and found emergency medical responders assisting the same man. He was taken to hospital and died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.'

An autopsy is believed to have taken place already but the results have not been made pubic, as is normal in Spain.

Estepa is a town and municipality in the south-east of the province of Seville. It is located north of the Sierra del Becerro mountains.

As well as being known for its production of Christmas sweets called mantecados, tourism is a major part of the local economy along with agriculture such as olive-growing.
The day of carnage saw bulls jumping into crowds and thousands dressed in white running for their lives

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Thousands of thrill seekers today took part in the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in the northern Spanish city of Pamplona.

Festival runners were thrown into the air and trampled on the city's cobbled streets as they ran for their lives, with bulls jumping into crowds of spectators.

In the run, six bulls guided by six tame oxen charge along a route through Pamplona's streets for around two minutes and 30 seconds before reaching the bull ring.

Expert bull runners, mostly locals, try to sprint at full steam just in the front of the bull horns before peeling off at the last second. The inexperienced, a group that includes most foreigners, do well enough to scramble out of the way, often ending up in piles of fellow runners.

Six people were injured in the first race early on Friday, none of them seriously, medics said.

Friday's run was the first of eight scheduled. The rest of day usually includes massive sessions of drinking, eating and attending cultural events.

The bulls that run each morning are killed in the afternoon by professional bullfighters.

The festival, which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists, was made famous by Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Hemingway's first visit to the festival.

A man is thrown into the air in the bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

A festival is thrown against the sand in the bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

Mozos or runners are chased by bulls of La Palmosilla ranch at the bullring at the end of the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

Participants dressed in white run for their lives as they are chased by bulls of La Palmosilla ranch at the bullring at the end of the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona on July 7, 2023

A participant is butted into the air by one of the bulls at the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

A young calf tries to jump the fence at the bullring as spectators try to scramble to safety after the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

A black bull comes dangerously close to festival runners during the first 'encierro' (bull run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona on July 7, 2023

Festival runners are trampled on the cobbled streets at during the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

A participant is thrown into the air inside the bull ring during the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

A young calf tries to jump the fence at the bullring after the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

Crowds run through the city streets trying to escape a herd of rampant beasts during the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

People watch crowds running through the street from their balconies as the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona gets underway

People run beside the bulls with some falling and getting trampled on in the first running of the bulls at the San Fermin festival

Two bulls charge towards the terrified crowds on a day of full-blown carnage at the San Fermin festival on July 7, 2023

The bull's horns connect with one of the runners on the cobbled street at the first running of the bulls for the San Fermin festival this year in Pamplona

A resident watches from the balcony crowds dressed in white scramble as the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona gets underway on July 7, 2023

The bulls charge past as residents watch from shops and homes during the 'encierro' (bull run) of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

A participant appears to be praying for safety on the first day of the running of the bulls during the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, on July 7, 2023

Participants celebrate during the 'Chupinazo' (start rocket) opening ceremony to mark the kick-off of the San Fermin bull Festival outside the Town Hall of Pamplona, on July 6, 2023

Participants try to run out of the way of one of the bulls during the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

Spectators watch from their balconies as festival runners dressed in white make their way through the cobbled streets of Pamplona

A mozo or runner is hurled into the air at the bullring at the end of the first bull run of the San Fermin festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on July 7, 2023

A runner is left helpless on the cobbles as the bulls charge through the streets of Pamplona at the San Fermin festival on July 7, 2023
A couple accused of murdering their teenage housemate Amber Haigh in regional NSW two decades ago has asked for a judge-alone trial.

Robert Samuel Geeves and his wife Anne Margaret Geeves, both 62, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Haigh and will face a joint trial later this year.

On Friday in the NSW Supreme Court, Robert Geeves' lawyers filed an application for a judge-alone trial to be conducted without the presence of a jury.

Anne Geeves is set to join him in the application and a Supreme Court judge will decide the matter in July.

The pair were arrested and charged at a property in the Riverina town of Harden in May.

Amber Haigh (pictuted) vanished without a trace in 2002. Her body has never been found

Anne Margaret Geeves (pictured during her arrest) and her husband pleaded not guilty to the murder of their teen flatmate

Ms Haigh was reported missing on June 19, 2002, after failing to return to her home at Kingsvale where she and her six-month-old son had been living with the couple.

Police were told the pair dropped the young mother at Campbelltown station on June 5 and she intended to travel by train to Mt Druitt in western Sydney to visit her sick father in hospital.

Later that night, money was withdrawn from her bank account at a Campbelltown ATM.

A coronial inquest in 2011 found Ms Haigh died as a result of homicide or other misadventure in June 2002.

The couple accused of murdering Amber Haigh (pictured) will face a joint trial later this year

Laywers for Robert Samuel Geeves (pictured during his arrest) requested a judge only trial

In 2020, a formal review of the case was conducted under the Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide framework and Strike Force Villamar II began a fresh investigation.

NSW Police announced the reward for information about the cold case had been increased from $100,000 to $1 million in April.

A video message from Ms Haigh's heartbroken mother Rosalind Wright was also released.

'I know in my heart that she would never have left her son,' she said in the video.

The mother's body has never been found.
The wife of a Conservative defence minister embroiled in a row with Carol Vorderman has made a thinly veiled jibe about the TV star's appearance.

As the pair's war of words intensified, Felicity Mercer - whose husband Johnny is responsible for veterans' affairs - joked about undergoing plastic surgery.

Her tongue in cheek remark comes after repeated speculation that former Countdown star Vorderman has gone under the knife, rumours the 62 year old has consistently denied.

Vorderman has previously put her youthful appearance and toned figure down to intermittent fasting and regular workouts.

Last year, she documented her visit to an exclusive juice retreat in Portugal on Instagram, where 15 of her 18 days were spent consuming just juice.

Mrs Mercer responded to a tweet where someone had photoshopped Mr Bean's face on her body

The digitally-altered image was posted on Twitter. Mrs Mercer's husband has faced criticism over his role in Rishi Sunak's government

READ MORE: Carol Vorderman v the Mercers - ROUND ONE Felicity Cornelius-Mercer (left), whose husband is Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer (right), said last night Ms Vorderman was a 'celebrity attack dog' and claimed she was 'inciting people to hate all Tories' Advertisement

Responding to a Twitter user who has superimposed Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson's face onto hers, Mrs Mercer replied: 'I had a lovely holiday in Turkey last week.

'Took advantage of the cheap cosmetic surgery to give my face a new lease of life. Got to keep up with all those celebs doing it and they do seem so keen on us Mercer's (sic)'

Earlier this week, qualified lifeguard Mercer slammed Vorderman for 'inciting people to hate all Tories', and described her as a 'celebrity attack dog' who drives her 'up the fucking wall'.

But maths expert Vorderman hit back with a tweet, describing Felicity, 43, and Johnny, 41, as the 'Neil and Christine Hamilton of today'.

Mrs Mercer, 43, first came to wider public attention in 2018 when her husband accused a Twitter user of suggesting his wife was a prostitute in the comment section of a local paper website.

She described former prime minister Liz Truss as an 'imbecile' for previously sacking her ex-army Plymouth MP husband from government.

In a no holds barred attack earlier this week, Mrs Mercer said Vorderman should be stripped of her RAF 'Honorary Group Captain' title because she 'shouldn't be political'.

Speaking to Rachel Johnson on the Difficult Women podcast, she said: 'I don't know what it is, she just drives me up the f***ing wall.

'For me, it's this idea of celebrity attack dogs that know nothing about politics.

'I understand everyone has an opinion on politics, but for me it's this blanket hatred of, it's like inciting people to hate all Tories.

'If you dig deeper, there are so many Tory MPs - they're all very different.

'You can't blanket hate. This is what Vorderman seems to be doing. She keeps using words like 'disgusting'.

'I find it really hard.

READ MORE: Carol Vorderman v the Mercers - ROUND TWO The former Countdown presenter has previously called Conservative MPs 'disgusting' and a 'lying bunch of charlatans' Advertisement

'For me also, she's an Honorary Group Captain, she should be stripped of that because she shouldn't be political.'

Cambridge grad Vorderman became the first non-royalty woman to be named Honorary Group Captain in the RAF in 2017, as an ambassador to the Air Cadets.

As she hit back on Twitter, Vorderman claimed Mrs Mercer - who works for her husband's parliamentary office - is paid 'more than an army officer and twice as much as a young soldier'.

Former Tory MP Neil Hamilton was accused of taking bribes as part of the 1994 'cash for questions scandal'. Christine Hamilton worked as her husband's secretary following their 1983 marriage.

Vorderman said: '[Mercer] said yesterday military personnel don't need to go to food banks. He earns over 110,000 as a Minister and pays her in his office 35-40,000.

'She's paid more than Army officer and twice more than young soldier.

'...The Neil and Christine Hamilton of today?'

In 2018 Mr Mercer - who rose to the rank of captain and carried out three tours of Afghanistan - became involved in a bizarre row about his wife on social media.

Writing on Twitter, he asked a user: 'I'll give you one chance at honesty. Did you insinuate my wife was a prostitute on the Plymouth Herald's comment section?'
Sunworshippers slapped on the Factor 50 as they soaked up the sun on the beach today - but the hot conditions are set to break soon with thunderstorms sweeping in from the north.

The Dorset holiday hotspots of Weymouth and Lyme Regis were both packed with sunseekers this afternoon as a plume of warm air drifting in from the continent produced perfect beach weather.

It was a less happy sight at Dover, where drivers are facing up to a two-hour wait for checks by French border officials - creating huge queues at the Channel port.

The high temperatures are set to be short-lived, with temperatures dropping from the west on Saturday before heavy rain on Sunday.

Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said: 'Temperatures will be on the rise from Friday, with a plume of continental air allowing temperatures to reach, and perhaps locally exceed 30C in parts of England on Friday and Saturday.

Weymouth Beach in Dorset was packed with sunbathers this afternoon

Families flock to the beach at the seaside resort of Lyme Regis to soak up the scorching hot sunshine

Vehicles queue for ferries at the Port of Dover, Kent, where passengers are facing up to a two-hour wait for checks by French border officials

'In addition, temperatures overnight will remain high, especially in towns and cities, which will make for an uncomfortably warm night for some.

'Temperatures are likely to start to drop from the west on Saturday and more widely into Sunday, as showers and thunderstorms sweep north-east across the country.'

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office have issued a yellow heat health alert to six regions in England: London, the south east, East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

The alert will be in place from midday on Friday until 9am on Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures of 27C to 28C on Friday before they rise to 30C in parts of the country on Saturday.

British holidaymakers in Spain should brace for a 'Level 1 heat alert' that could see temperatures hit a blistering 42C degrees by Tuesday.

The hardest hit areas will be the Balearic Islands of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Cabrera, according to Spain's meteorological agency, AEMET.

It comes after experts revealed that Monday was the world's hottest day since records began, with the average global temperature soaring to 17.01C (62.62F), a jump from the 16.92C (62.46F) high recorded in August 2016.

Tuesday was 0.17C hotter, according to University of Maine scientists at the Climate Reanalyser project.

Sunbathers enjoy the scorching hot sunshine on Weymouth Beach today

Warm weather is expected to continue throughout today and tomorrow before thunderstorms on Sunday

Weather forecasters say today will be 'very warm and sunny for many' as a plume of warm air drifts over from the continent

A yellow warning from the UKHSA means it is likely there will be an increase in the use of healthcare services by the vulnerable and an increase in risk to health for individuals over 65 or those who have pre-existing health conditions.

Dr Agostinho Sousa, head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA, said: 'This weekend, it's important that everyone takes sensible precautions while enjoying the sun.

'The forecasted high temperatures are expected to be short-lived, but could primarily impact those over the age of 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions.

'If you have friends, family or neighbours who are more vulnerable, it is important to check in on them and ensure they are aware of the forecasts and are following the necessary advice.'

Sunbathers soaking up the rays yesterday at the seaside resort of Weymouth in Dorset

People canoeing through duck weed on the canal next to the London Stadium in East London

Paddleboarders negotiate the weeds during the watersports spot in East London

Researchers have pinned rising temperatures on El Nino, a climate-heating natural weather event that last appeared in 2016, and growing carbon emissions.

The heat warning covers six English regions: London, the south east, East Midlands, West Midlands, east of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber

The double whammy made Monday the warmest day since satellite monitoring records started tracking global averages in 1979.

Average temperatures were also at their highest since data collection on weather began towards the end of the 19th century, experts believe.

Professor Friederike Otto, senior lecturer at Imperial College London, said: 'This is not a milestone we should [celebrate]. It's a death sentence for people and ecosystems.'

Average temperatures across the planet were 2.63F (1.46C) higher this June than they were in the period between 1850 and 1900.

Beijing reported nine straight days last week when the temperature exceeded 35C.

Vicky Elms of Lordington Lavender in West Sussex picks in a field this morning

The flowers were in full bloom this morning after a spell of warm weather

Vicky Elms, event coordinator at Lordington Lavender farm, is seen inspecting the rows of Mailette lavender which were planted during lockdown, ahead of their open week which runs from July 12 to 16 on the farm near Chichester, West Sussex

Provisional figures show the average mean temperature in the UK for June was 15.8C - the highest it's been since June 1940 and June 1976, when the average temperature was 14.9C.

Paul Davies, Met Office Climate Extremes Principal Fellow and Chief Meteorologist, said: 'We found that the chance of observing a June beating the previous joint 1940/1976 record of 14.9C has at least doubled since the 1940s.

'Alongside natural variability, the background warming of the Earth's atmosphere due to human induced climate change has driven up the possibility of reaching record high temperatures.'

The UK's mean temperature for June 2023 was 15.8C, the Met Office has confirmed. This is some 2.5C higher than average for June.

Mark McCarthy, a science manager at the Met Office said: 'It's officially the hottest June on record for the UK, for mean temperature as well as average maximum and minimum temperature.

Sunbathers on the beach at Ruislip Lido in north-west London where the temperatures are expected to rise to 29C

The lido has a large artificial beach that is popular in the summer

A woman reads as she soaks up the rays at Ruislip Lido in North London

'June started with a good deal of high pressure and temperatures initially around average for many, but once that subsided, warm, humid air began to influence temperatures, with 32.2C the highest temperatures reached.

'What's striking is the persistent warmth for much of the month, with temperatures widely into the mid 20s Celsius for many and even into the low 30s at times.'

A whopping 72 counties recorded their hottest June on record, with many recording temperatures more than 2.5C above average.

This includes Orkney, Warwickshire, Surrey, Somerset and Cornwall, according to the Met Office.

A rapid study by the Met Office found that these record-breaking temperatures were fuelled by climate change.
Storm clouds are gathering for Rishi Sunak with polls showing the Tories on track to lose crunch by-elections.

The grim situation confronting the PM was underlined as research by JL Partners found Labour are eight points ahead in Uxbridge - Boris Johnson's old seat.

Meanwhile, the Tories are apparently trailing by 12 points in Selby & Ainsty - a Yorkshire stronghold they had been optimistic about clinging on to.

The contests are due to take place on July 20 along with Somerset & Frome, with the Lib Dems bullish about seizing that prize.

Mr Sunak also faces the prospect of two more battles, with Nadine Dorries vowing to stand down from Mid Bedfordshire and former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher under pressure after a sleaze report called for him to be suspended for groping two men in a club.

Research by JL Partners found Labour are eight points ahead in Uxbridge - Boris Johnson's old seat

The JL Partners poll for campaign group 38 Degrees, reported in the Standard, suggested Labour's Danny Beales has 41 per cent support to 33 per cent for Conservative candidate Steve Tuckwell.

The survey was carried out between June 26 and July 4, with the views of 500 respondents weighted to represent the wider population.

Downing Street has been hoping that the furious row over Sadiq Khan expanding ULEZ could save the constituency.

However, although that ranked among the most important issues in the survey, 59 per cent cited cost-of-living woes as the deciding factor for their vote.

A separate JL Partners poll of 502 people in Selby & Ainsty in the Yorkshire Post today put Labour on 41 per cent and the Tories on 29 per cent.

All constituency polls come with a health warning as the samples tend to be smaller and more difficult to make represent the wider electorate.

But there have been worrying signs for Mr Sunak as the Tories' national support slips back amid soaring mortgage rates and party infighting.

'As things stand, Labour are set to win Uxbridge,' said James Johnson, of JL Partners, although he added that 'it is not inconceivable that the Conservatives could narrow the gap in the coming days'.

Labour's civil war on ULEZ escalated yesterday as Sir Keir backed the party's Uxbridge by-election candidate calling for a delay.

Labour's civil war on ULEZ escalated yesterday as Keir Starmer backed the party's Uxbridge by-election candidate calling for a delay

Sir Keir said Mr Beales was 'right' to raise concerns about the controversial expansion of the charging area.

The comments risk inflaming tensions with London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has stubbornly refused to rethink the plans despite a mounting backlash.

Earlier this week Mr Beales used a hustings event to perform a U-turn and attack the extension of the 12.50-a-day levy on the worst polluting vehicles from August.

The charity worker, 34, said: 'It's not the right time to extend the ULEZ scheme in outer London, it's just not.'

Questioned about the situation after giving a speech in Kent this morning, Sir Keir said: 'Danny Beales is our candidate in Uxbridge, a very good candidate too.

'And he is rightly raising concern on behalf of what he hopes will be his constituents in relation to ULEZ, because we all understand the impact it has financially.'
BBC bosses have vowed to save EastEnders 'at all costs', MailOnline has been told today, as viewers drift away claiming the soap has gone woke and lacks the East End family 'charm' of its past.

There are fears for the show suffering its lowest ever viewing figures in recent years - as little as 1.3million - compared with 30million for its biggest episodes such as Christmas Day and 15million per episode after its launch.

EastEnders' future has reportedly been ignited as fans have switched off in their droves over 'desperate' plots and woke storylines. This includes apparent snipes at Brexit and a focus on climate change and veganism.

Others were also upset that popular characters such as Danny Dyer's character Mick Carter had left the soap. There have been bizarre moments such as Cindy Beale returning from the dead.

But sources at the Beeb told MailOnline today that 'it is going nowhere' amid claims that the show's future is 'bleak'. The Beeb has recently spent 87million on a new set.

One said: 'EastEnders still remains an institution as far as the BBC is concerned and the feedback is that young people are loving it. They were particularly glued to the recent pregnancy storyline where 11 year old Lily Slater announced she was having a baby. The figures are nowhere near what they were but as far as the bosses are concerned there is a huge appetite.'

EastEnders has been accused of going woke, especially in storylines on climate change and veganism. Viewers cited this moment from 2021 when character Bailey Baker lectured the Square on giving up meat and climate change (pictured in promotional BBC tweet)

EastEnders fans were left in shock as Tiffany Butcher-Baker's face swelled up episode after she had bad filler injections. Actress Maisie Smith said the lip filler storyline made the show more 'relatable' - but viewers disagreed

Here are some of the wokest and more controversial moments of recent times:

'Lecturing' on climate change and 'meat free Mondays' from schoolgirl branded soap's Greta Thunberg

In the BBC soap EastEnders, the focus was on cutting meat consumption with schoolgirl Bailey Baker (pictured) standing outside Albert Square's Walford East Underground station, raising a petition for meat-free Mondays

In 2021 schoolgirl character Bailey Baker stood outside Walford East station and urged the residents to sign a petition for meat-free Mondays.

She said: 'Global mass-produced industrial meat is killing the planet is literally killing the planet. One meat-free day a week is one step to saving the world. You need to start local, and think global. Small changes make a big difference.'

'Global livestock production makes a huge amount of greenhouse gases. They need to be reduced to save the planet. It causes deforestation and pollution. Don't you care that there are floods and droughts?'

Later Bailey told residents of Albert Square: 'We need to cut down the amount of meat we eat to help save the planet before it's too late. The damage that has been done already is criminal. If we all stop eating meat for one day a week we can all help slow down climate change.'

Her message was later tweeted by the official EastEnders' account, which drew criticism from viewers including several claiming this wokeness was why they no longer watch.

Sharon compares Brexit to Covid

There was upset when Brexit was likened to Covid by Sharon Watts, played by Letitia Dean, on the show in a row with Sam Mitchell (pictured)

Last year there was some upset when Brexit was likened to the Covid pandemic by Sharon Watts in EastEnders programme.

She threw a drink in rival Sam Michell's face and declared: 'We've had Brexit and Covid, we don't need you here'.

She continued: 'Go home Sam. There's something you should know about me sweetheart, I don't play so nice these days. Cross me and I'll put you down.'

Polish worker says 'this is the Britain we live in now' after getting racist abuse

Viewers denied this was Britain today, as one Polish character claimed

EastEnders viewers were fuming at 'disgusting' Brexit-fuelled racism storyline on the BBC soap.

Character Konrad Topolski was the subject of racism after 'Poles go home' was sprayed on the door of the Queen Vic in red paint.

Mick Carter then removed it using a jet washer as Konrad said: 'This is the Britain we live in now'.

The racism was rejected by viewers who accused the show's writers of a hamfisted attack on Brexit.

One tweeted: 'Oh, look at that, a bit of Brexit related xenophobia. EastEnders.'

'Eastenders trying to do a racism story. Pathetic #BBC'

1,000 lip fillers gone wrong to make soap more 'relatable' to young people

EastEnders fans were left in shock when Tiffany Butcher-Baker's face swelled-up after she got bad filler injections.

The character, played by Maisie Smith, had spent over 1,000 on cosmetic work in a bid to impress her chef husband Keegan and his entourage.

In dramatic scenes, Maisie's character was seen with bruises on her cheek and her lips had become swollen.

'I just wanted to look my best': The character, played by Maisie Smith, had spent over 1000 on cosmetic work in a bid to impress her chef boyfriend and his entourage

Drama: Tiffany had lied to her boyfriend and claimed she was going for a facial before coming clean that she'd actually had the troublesome cosmetic procedure

Tiffany had lied to Keegan and claimed she was going for a facial before coming clean that she'd actually had the troublesome cosmetic procedure.

In a tense altercation afterwards, she wept as she told him: 'I got fillers. I just wanted to look my best. We're a brand now, I've got to be the same standard as everyone else.

'It's an investment - I'm doing this for us. It's fine, I'll pay them off - it was 800 today and 400 the first time.

Keegan lambasted her for getting the procedure and he criticised Tiffany for spending so much money trying to look like 'every next girl'.

Maisie Smith later said that it made the character more 'relatable'. She said Tiffany is going 'what a normal teenager would experience'.

BBC chiefs are clear that EastEnders will not be axed.

One source also point out that EastEnders won all of the publicly voted for categories at the recent British Soap Awards, which is 'a big deal' for them. Danielle Harold won leading performer. Best Villain was Aaron Thiara. Lily Slater won best young performer and they then won Best Soap.

Viewers have been put off by ludicrous plots such as soap legend Cindy Beale returning from the dead - which has been branded a 'desperate move' - while there are also claims that the stories have gone 'woke'.

In recent years there has been story lines with a focus on climate change and veganism, with mentions of Greta Thunberg. Critics have pointed out that the majority of EastEnders' viewers are over 50 - and the vast majority are over 65, according to research, and probably have other interests.

The show has seen an alarming dip in viewing figures over recent years

Peter Dean, who played Pete Beale for 20 years, said EastEnders had gone too far from its roots - and had too many characters.

He said in 2020: 'We started off with 15 characters, maybe one or two more, now you get people turn up and you don't see them for about five weeks. Then they turn back up in it for a couple of weeks and then they disappear again.

'Its charm was actual families, now it's families but they're all arguing, people just want to see the comedy of it and that, or the social comment of it, now everyone is having a row with this one or shouting at this one.'

He added: 'The writers now, they just want to know about rapes and what goes on in the world and people arguing and fighting.'

The decision to build an eye-watering 87million new set is also said to have come under scrutiny on the show.

And now, according to The Sun, it's said to be a 'worrying time' for EastEnders, with bleak predictions that viewers may be watching the 'final days' of the BBC soap.

A source told the publication: 'It's a worrying time for EastEnders.

'It used to be the show which everybody was talking about but it's now in a precarious position where older viewers are switching off, and younger viewers have no interest.

'Bringing back presumed dead characters is a desperate move which rarely works, but EastEnders is really running out of options. We could be watching its final years.'

Despite the concerns, an insider said: 'EastEnders still remains an institution as far as the BBC is concerned and the feedback is that young people are loving it...

'They were particularly glued to the recent pregnancy storyline where 11-year-old Lily Slater announced she was having a baby. The figures are nowhere near what they were but as far as the bosses are concerned there is a huge appetite.'

A spokesman for EastEnders told MailOnline: 'EastEnders episodes are made live to the audience at 6am every morning on BBC iPlayer giving the audience the choice to watch when and where they choose.

 Slide me  The old EastEnders set has finally been demolished more than a year after the BBC soap opera moved to its brand new 87million set

It is said that viewers have been put off by ludicrous recent plots such as soap legend Cindy Beale returning from the dead - which has been branded a 'desperate move'

'So when episodes are moved to a different day, or channel, due to a live sporting event it is no surprise that this is reflected in the regular overnight audience...

'Over the last two weeks EastEnders has been streamed almost 18million times on BBC iPlayer and remains one of iPlayer's most popular programmes.'

EastEnders shocked viewers last month as Cindy Beale came back from the dead and Michelle Collins reprised her role after 25 years.

It emerged that she'd been in witness protection after her former cell mate wanted her dead - with Cindy also revealed to be George Knight's long-lost wife 'Rose', who's been hiding out in France with her ex Ian Beale.

However, despite the shocking twist, The Sun claims that Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw's 'desperate move' of being her back failed to spark 'the desired upturn'.

With actress Michelle herself saying she thought it was a 'ridiculous idea' upon first hearing the plot.

The decision to build an eye-watering 8million new set has also apparently come under scrutiny

It's said to be a 'worrying time' for EastEnders, with bleak predictions that viewers may be watching the 'final days' of the BBC soap

In the BBC soap's heyday, it would draw in audiences of up to 30million, with storylines such as Den and Angie Watts' divorce dominating - however, these days it barely manages to draw in a million viewers

And figures show that the BBC drama is struggling to compete with ITV rivals Emmerdale and Coronation Street, who regularly draw in four millions fans.

The soap has also reportedly had big name former stars sharing criticism over storylines, with Mick Carter actor Danny Dyer previously stating of his character: 'I didn't quite know who I was playing any more.'

He noted that he'd had several people ask him over the years if he was still in the soap as they no longer watched it.

Elsewhere, Heather Trott actress Cheryl Ferguson was said to have claimed that the show was no longer 'relatable' as it was too violent.

It comes as it's been revealed that the soap's writers have got some viciously dynamite fights planned between the Cindy and her former mother-in-law, Kathy Beale - played by Gillian Taylforth.

It's been revealed that the soap's writers have got some viciously dynamite fights planned between the Cindy and her former mother-in-law, Kathy Beale - played by Gillian Taylforth

Executive producer Chris Clenshaw said: 'It doesn't take long and it's still the same Cindy at the core, she's just been on one hell of a journey since we last saw her'

They infamously despised one another after Cindy cheated on Kathy's son Ian with David Wickes - and now EastEnders executive producer Chris Clenshaw has described the moment they come face to face 26 years after Cindy left as 'absolute dynamite'.

Chris said: 'Cindy's a little softer through everything that has gone on, after 25 years of living a different identity and living a lie to her other family...

'What comes quite apparent later in the year when she returns to Walford is it doesn't take long before we see flashes of the old Cindy Beale and she still has it, there's some absolute dynamite between Cindy and Kathy...

'It doesn't take long and it's still the same Cindy at the core, she's just been on one hell of a journey since we last saw her.'
Barbados's poet laureate has claimed she was left 'very upset' by Tory MP Richard Drax's insistence that he is not culpable for his family's slave-trading past.

Mr Drax still owns a 250-hectare (617-acre) sugar plantation on Barbados that was built by his ancestors in the 17th century.

The Drax family pioneered the plantation system and played a major role in the development of sugar and slavery across the Caribbean and United States.

Mr Drax, 65, has previously said his family's past was 'deeply, deeply regrettable' but added no one can be held responsible 'for what happened many hundreds of years ago.'

However, Esther Phillips, Barbados's first poet laureate, said his position left her 'very, very upset,' adding that he 'still profits' from the 'sacrifice' of her 'ancestors'.

She called on him to 'get rid' of his plantation, which is called Drax Hall.

Her comments come amid increasing calls in Barbados and other Caribbean nations for European countries including Britain to pay reparations for their past involvement in slavery and the slave trade.

Barbados's poet laureate Esther Phillips (left) has claimed she was left 'very upset' by Tory MP Richard Drax's (right) insistence that he is not culpable for his family's slave-trading past

Last year Barbados demanded that Mr Drax pay reparations and he was reportedly threatened with legal action in the international courts by politicians on the island.

He did have a private meeting with the country's prime minister Mia Mottley but does not appear to have changed his position.

Historians estimate as many as 30,000 slaves lived and died on the Drax estate in the 200 years between the plantation's establishment in the 1620s and the abolition of slavery in 1833.

Speaking of his insistence that he is not culpable for his family's past, Ms Phillips, who grew up close to Drax Hall, told the upcoming issue of Time Magazine: 'That really got me very, very upset.

'This man has profited and still profits by the largesse, the wealth, all that was poured out for him through the sacrifice of my ancestors.

'And the only thing he can find to say is it is "regrettable"?'

She added: 'I personally want nothing from Richard Drax.

'But if I were Richard Drax, I would be so glad to get rid of that [Drax Hall]. I would say let me give it up to show that I have some kind of feeling for the horrors, for the people who were brutalized.'

Drax Hall should instead be turned into a museum and agricultural school, Ms Phillips said.

She previously published an open letter in local newspaper Barbados Today calling on Mr Drax to 'pay up'.

Ms Mottley leads a sub-committee on reparations which is part of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), a collective of 15 nations in the region.

Later this year, she is reportedly expected to lead a group of five officials from the committee with a request that 10 European nations including Britain begin negotiations for reparations.

A previous plan put forward almost a decade ago was rejected by European countries.

The politician still owns Drax Hall, a 250-hectare (617-acre) sugar plantation on Barbados that was built by his ancestors in the 17th century

It is estimated that between 1627 to 1807, some 387,000 Africans were sent to Barbados against their will. Above: Shackled Africans being taken into slavery

The new proposal will be underpinned by threats to take nations to the international court if they do not agree.

Lawyers who won 14million in 2013 for three Kenyans who were tortured by British colonial forces in the 1950s are said to be involved.

Lawyer David Commisiong, the deputy chair of the Barbados National Task Force on Reparations, told Time: 'I've been doing this my whole adult life. When we first started, there were not many people who believed that anything would come of reparations.

'Many people thought it was just some kind of vulgar money grab.'

After English sailors settled on Barbados in 1627, it became Britain's second colony  after Virginia had been founded in North America.

Barbados's own parliament  which was modelled on that of its colonial master back in England  was established in 1639, making it the third oldest in the entire Commonwealth.

It is estimated that between 1627 to 1807, some 387,000 Africans were sent to the island against their will and the country shifted from having a majority white population of voluntary settlers to a majority black population.

The latest issue of Time Magazine will be on sale on July 24

At the end of 2021, Barbadians opted to make the country a republic, an act which removed the late Queen Elizabeth as their head of state.

The move came more than 50 years after Barbados became fully independent in 1966.

That year, Her Majesty and Prince Philip were greeted by rapturous crowds as they touched down in Bridgetown, Barbados's capital, for the start of a five-week tour of the Caribbean.

However, in recent years Barbados has embraced a reported $490million in funding from China for new developments.

It comes after King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands apologised last week for his country's role in the slave trade.

King Charles has also agreed to a study into the Royal Family's slavery links.

Mr Drax was approached for comment.

The latest issue of Time Magazine will be on sale on July 24.
Two newborn babies have been found dead in a trash bag at a daycare center in Chicago.

A cleaning crew found the two girls inside a bathroom at the facility on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus in Streeterville at around 7pm yesterday.

A woman was also found at the center and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was treated for unspecified injuries.

'Chicago police are conducting death investigations after two newborn girls were found dead inside a childcare center bathroom in Streeterville,' police said in a statement.

'Dispatchers told responding officers that the babies were in a trash bag. The children were not breathing when first responders arrived.'

Two newborn babies have been found dead in a trash bag at Streeterville child care center in Chicago

Yesterday a cleaning crew found the two girls inside a bathroom at the facility, which is part of the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus

The girls were taken to Lurie Children's Hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.

'Area Three detectives are handling the investigation, which was initially classified as endangering the life or health of children,' police said.

'An emergency medical situation involving a daycare employee occurred this evening at the daycare facility on the Northwestern Memorial Hospital campus,' a spokesperson with Northwestern Medicine told FOX 32.

'No daycare children were involved or impacted by the situation. The Chicago Fire and Police Departments were called. We are working with CPD regarding this incident and unable to comment further at this time,' they added.

A police investigation is ongoing and currently no one is in custody.
Fury has erupted among conservationists after a historic church replaced its 19th century Gothic door with a modern glass porch in order to make it 'more welcoming'.

The classic studded Gothic door has been in place at the Church of St Mary the Virgin in Petworth, West Sussex ever since the 13th century building was restored in 1827.

However as part of a bid to create a 'brighter and more inviting atmosphere' for parishoners, the original portal - described as being of 'the highest historical significance' - has been taken out and a light oak, glass and metal 'porch' installed in its place.

Conservationists have since hit out at the decision, branding it 'invasive' while calling for an urgent explanation.

The original door is being stored inside the church until a new use can be found for it.

 Slide me  Fury has erupted amongst conservationists after a historic church replaced its 19th century Gothic door with a modern glass porch in order to make it 'more welcoming'

The building was restored in 1827 by renowned architect Charles Barry, whose later projects included the rebuilding of Houses of Parliament

The classic studded Gothic door (pictured) has been in place ever since the 13th century

The original portal was described as being of the 'highest historical significance'

Residents of Petworth, which is mentioned in the Domesday Book, have expressed concerns over the move which could 'set a worrying precedent'.

One local expressed their annoyance at the fact the new doors are significantly lighter than their predecessors, causing them to 'flap around' in strong winds.

In one recent case they had to be held steady during a wedding.

Antique dealer John Bird, 72, who has owned his shop opposite the church for four years said the Charles Barry-era original oak door was working 'perfectly well' and replacing it was 'unnecessary'.

Mr Bird, who has lived in Sussex for 50 years, said: 'The vast majority of people I have spoken to think the change is not acceptable.

'It's at the top of an iconic street and it forms one of the most picturesque streets in Sussex, if not the country.

'I don't know how practical the new doors will be. They're much lighter than the original oak one and have been flapping around in the wind.

'During a wedding in the church a few weeks ago they had to be held by the ushers to stop then flapping.

'I'm sure they won't stand the test of time. They might age but they're never going to look marvellous.

'I think the original door should be reinstated, I don't really know what the reason is for replacing the original door. I have spoken to other people in the town and they think it's ridiculous, they don't like it at all.

'I'm worried this sets a precedent. If you can replace a door on a Grade I listed church then you can do almost anything.'

A spokesperson for the Victorian Society, a group that campaigns to preserve and promote interest in Victorian and Edwardian architecture, expressed surprise at the move.

Describing the changes as 'invasive, a spokesperson said: 'We objected in this case, and we received acknowledgement for that objection.

'In the usual order of things, having raised an objection at the consultation phase, we should have been given the opportunity to become a formal objector.

Defending the new modern door, Church rector Canon Mark Gilbert said: 'One of the key features of the porch is its ability to bring in more natural light, creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere'

'That does not seem to have happened in this case. The Victorian Society will be making urgent enquiries of St Mary's and the Chancellor as to what has happened.

'The Society recognises that the parish wish to make the building more welcoming to passing visitors and easier to access.

'However, could not the existing historic exterior door be retained with a new lobby constructed inside, the exterior doors being kept open at times when visitors are welcome?'

Defending the new modern door, Church rector Canon Mark Gilbert said the changes had been six years in the planning.

Praising the 'natural light' created by the new porch, Canon Gilbert encouraged parishioners to come and 'experience its beauty first-hand'.

Writing in the parish newsletter, he said: 'The primary goal of the porch is to create a more welcoming and open space for all who enter our church.

'We wanted to ensure that everyone feels embraced and comfortable from the moment they step foot onto our grounds.

'The use of oak on the outside of the porch will add a touch of natural beauty, and over time, it will develop a lovely grey colour that blends harmoniously with its surroundings.

'One of the key features of the porch is its ability to bring in more natural light, creating a brighter and more inviting atmosphere.

'We believe, that by incorporating more natural light, we can enhance the sense of peace and tranquillity within our church walls.

'During the winter months, the porch will serve as a shield against the wind, providing protection and warmth to those seeking solace in our sacred space.

'I encourage each and every one of you to visit our newly constructed porch and experience its beauty first-hand.'

The new doors have drawn criticism from others living in the area and online.

Marion Brandis, an artist living in Sussex, said: 'The handles look like they've been taken from an outdated kitchen.'

Nicholas Merchant, a lecturer in Decorative Arts, said: 'It is hard to imagine why anyone would want to replace the original oak doors, which would appear perfectly serviceable.

'The cost of the new doors must have been considerable. I see here an outbreak of wokishness - the former doors look stern and forbidding, not conducive to 'inclusivity'.'

Kate Coote, who works in marketing, commented online: 'That looks dreadful! How has that been approved?'

Others added that it looks like 'vandalism' and called it 'horrifying', calling for the original doors to be returned.

Pictured: The new door which replaced a Grade I listed door at the parish church

Antique dealer John Bird, 72, (pictured) who said the Charles Barry-era original oak door was working 'perfectly well' and replacing it was 'unnecessary'

Ian Hammerton, posting online, said: 'That's sacrilege! The original should definitely be reinstated.'

The new porch has been funded and approved by Lord Egremont of Petworth House, as well as the Friends of St Mary's Church group, Canon Mark Gilbert said.

The Church of England has its own process for dealing with planning applications for its buildings and does not involve the listed planning consent and planning process followed by secular buildings.

Other architectural gems in the town include the nearby 17th century Petworth House, acquired by the National Trust in 1947, the grounds of which were the work of landscape architect Capability Brown.
Fresh chaos will hit the NHS as radiographers agree to strike for 48 hours this month over pay.

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) trade union announced its members at 43 NHS trusts voted to walk out between 8am on July 25 and 8am on July 27.

Bank holiday levels of 'life and limb' emergency cover will be provided for patients while the industrial action takes place, it added.

The announcement comes after union members voted to reject the Government's pay offer of 5 per cent plus a non-consolidated lump sum for 2022-23 in an indicative ballot.

Affected trusts include University College London Hospitals, the Royal Marsden, Liverpool University Hospitals, Nottingham University Hospitals and University Hospitals Bristol.

The Royal Marsden Hospital in London is one of those affected (stock image)

The Society of Radiographers (SoR) trade union announced its members at 43 NHS trusts voted to walk out between 8am on July 25 and 8am on July 27 (stock image)

Junior doctors staging a rally in Parliament Square last month

A majority of members were in favour of striking at more than 150 trusts but the required turnout threshold was not reached in many instances.

The union informed affected trusts of the strike by letter on Thursday.

It urged the Government to discuss 'urgent improvements' to radiographers' pay and conditions to avert the walkout.

Dean Rogers, the union's executive director of industrial strategy and member relations, said: 'Voting for strike action is never easy. Going out on strike will be even more difficult for our members, who care above all about the safety and wellbeing of their patients.

'The Society of Radiographers had been seeking meaningful discussions with the Government without success, since starting its industrial action ballot across England.

'Following a strong vote for strike action in the ballot, the Society of Radiographers was invited to a meeting with Will Quince, the minister for health, on July 4. This was followed by another meeting on July 6.

'In both meetings, the SoR explained that our members were working long hours for low pay, and that this was forcing radiographers to leave the profession, resulting in chronic understaffing and long waiting lists.

'We asked for: more pay now and a review of the 5 per cent pay offer; funding to support recruitment and retention; support for long-term pay restoration; and clear support for better working conditions.

Striking junior doctors from the British Medical Association on the picket line outside Bristol Royal Infirmary last month

'The Government acknowledged our concerns but made no concrete proposals.

'They have now indicated they will not talk to the SoR any further while industrial action is proposed - something we find regrettable for staff, patients and future industrial relations.

'Strike action is a last resort. But our members believe they have no alternative, because the Government won't take the action needed to address their concerns.'

The union said radiographers - who carry out scans including x-rays and MRIs as well as radiotherapy for people with cancer - help nine out of 10 NHS patients but 'too few' of them are currently being recruited and retained.

This means one million patients are waiting to be seen by a radiographer, it added.

The union said the Government's long-awaited workforce plan, unveiled last week, is a 'plan for the future' which will not plug immediate staff shortages.

Mr Rogers added: 'If the Government wants to reduce NHS waiting lists and ensure that patients receive the treatment they need, when they need it, then it must urgently prioritise the recruitment and retention of radiography professionals.

'Our members deserve better. Our patients deserve better.'

The head of the NHS in England last week told patients to brace for the crisis in the health service to get worse before it gets better amid widespread strike action.

Junior doctors are due to strike for five days in July as their wrangle over pay and conditions continues, with consultants also voting for industrial action within weeks.

Chief executive Amanda Pritchard warned that patients were bearing the brunt of walkouts

Chief executive Amanda Pritchard warned that patients were bearing the brunt of walkouts by doctors and nurses, with 500,000 appointments having to be rescheduled already.

Junior doctors are planning to stage the largest walkout in the history of the NHS later this month with a five-day walkout from July 13-18.

Consultants - the most senior hospital doctors - will stage industrial action two days later.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay accused junior doctors of 'suddenly' walking away from talks.
Keir Starmer floundered on ULEZ today as he claimed Sadiq Khan has 'no choice' about the controversial expansion.

However, the Labour leader admitted the move will cause 'pain' - and backed his Uxbridge by-election candidate Danny Beales speaking out against it.

The desperate attempt to sit on the fence came as he was grilled on the issue during an LBC phone-in.

Labour is nervous that anger over ULEZ could derail its hopes of seizing Boris Johnson's old seat from the Tories on July 20 - although a poll today suggested the party is on track for victory.

Quizzed by an LBC listener, Sir Keir said: 'I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him.

'I think Danny is right to stick up for his constituents.

'I understand the pain it is going to inflict.'

Pressed on whether he supported the call from Labour MPs to delay the rollout, Sir Keir replied: 'My experience of the mayor is he always listens to these overtures and that is why he has asked for more money on scrappage.

'I've looked at it myself, looked at the legal provision. I think it is difficult to say you could simply ignore the legal requirement to do something about this so the mayor in fairness is between a rock and a hard place on this.'

Keir Starmer (left) said Danny Beales was 'right' to raise concerns about the controversial expansion of the charging area being pushed by Sadiq Khan (right)

The ULEZ charging area is due to be dramatically expanded from August

Earlier this week Labour by-election candidate Danny Beales directly attacked the decision by mayor Sadiq Khan to roll out the daily 12.50 levy on the worst polluting vehicles in August, saying it would hammer hard-pressed families

Tensions have been running high between London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour MPs over the ULEZ expansion.

Earlier this week Mr Beales used a hustings event to perform a U-turn and attack the extension of the 12.50-a-day levy on the worst polluting vehicles from August.

The charity worker, 34, said: 'It's not the right time to extend the ULEZ scheme in outer London, it's just not.'

Sir Keir has pointed out that the original ULEZ in central London was put forward when Boris Johnson was mayor, stressing that there is a legal obligation to ensure air quality.

'I think it is important when we have this discussion to properly recognise the context. There is a legal requirement to deal with air pollution,' Sir Keir said after a speech in Kent yesterday.

'So it's not just a political choice that is made in the abstract.'

Mr Beales previously signalled he supported the expansion, suggesting those unable to afford it should blame the Tory government for tanking the economy.

He has also spent the past nine years as a councillor in Labour-run Camden, during which time it demanded ULEZ 'be expanded London-wide'.

The Tory candidate in the seat, local councillor Steve Tuckwell, said: 'It's a fact that Danny Beales has backed ULEZ expansion to our borough for years from the comfort of his central London Council chamber.

'Now it's losing him support on the doorstep, so he's trying to trick people into thinking he wants it delayed. Local people don't want a delay, they want it scrapped. Full stop.'
A rape victim who bumped into her attacker in Tesco while he was waiting to be sentenced has called for the law on bail for rapists to be changed.

Kayleigh Keasley, 24, was assaulted by a friend of a friend while staying at his house after a night out in Milton Keynes in December 2019.

Craig Burnikell, 26, was arrested just a week after the incident but was allowed to roam free for more than three years while waiting to be sentenced.

He wasn't charged until February 2021 and was only jailed last month after being found guilty of on one count of rape. He was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Kayleigh, who bravely waived her anonymity to speak out, is now campaigning for law reform to change the bail conditions for charged rapists after Burnikell was bailed and she was put through a 'horrible and long-winded' court process.

Kayleigh Keasley (pictured), 24, who bumped into her attacker in Tesco while on bail has called for the law to be changed

Kayleigh was assaulted by a friend of a friend while staying at his house after a night out in Milton Keynes in December 2019

Craig Burnikell (pictured), 26, was arrested just a week after the incident but was allowed to roam free for more than three years while waiting to be sentenced

Kayleigh said: 'I started a petition to tighten bail conditions on bailed rapists. What they are allowed to do after being charged and convicted is ridiculous. You wouldn't let a murderer out on the street.

'He was still out on the streets and could easily do it to someone else in the meantime. By leaving it that long they're giving him the chance to do it to other girls.

'Two weeks after the incident happened and I'd reported it to the police, I went to Tesco and saw him in the shop.

'I threw my trolley and ran out the shop and now I can't go to the shop on my own.'

Kayleigh, from Milton Keynes, was attacked by Burnikell as she slept in his house following a night out with friends in the Buckinghamshire city.

She was supposed to return home but, after the pair shared a taxi, she realised her bag and phone had gone missing.

This left her unable to pay the taxi fare so Burnikell offered her a place to sleep in a guest room at his home.

A court heard she then woke during the night to find him raping her.

Kayleigh, from Milton Keynes, was attacked by Burnikell as she slept in his house following a night out with friends in the Buckinghamshire city

Burnikell, who is a HGV driver from Coffee Hall, Milton Keynes, was arrested on December 20, 2019 but he wasn't charged until February 18, 2021.

Timeline of the court process: December 20, 2019 - Burnikell is arrested a week after the attack. December 2019 - Kayleigh bumped into Burnikell in Tesco two weeks after the attack. February 18, 2021 - Burnikell is charged with rape. April 4, 2022 - Burnikell appeared in court for just one day before it was adjourned. The trial was rescheduled but ended in a hung jury. April 2023 - Burnikell is convicted of rape following a retrial. He was not remanded and was put on bail. June 13, 2023 - Burnikell was sentenced to eight years in prison Advertisement

A court date was set for April 4, 2022 but this was adjourned after a day due to a juror being unwell.

The trial was then rescheduled and ended in a hung jury.

A retrial took place in April 2023, where her attacker was convicted of rape.

But he was not remanded and continued on bail until he was sentenced on June 13, 2023 at Aylesbury crown court.

Kayleigh, a national communications centre supervisor, says the wait for justice was debilitating.

She said: 'I used to be that girl that would go anywhere on my own and would want to go travelling on my own - but now that sounds petrifying.

'It was horrible, I don't think [prosecutors] realise - every single day I felt like I had a weight on my shoulders as it wasn't over and not done.

'My main reason for going to the police was that I could not forgive myself if I found out he did it to someone else - all I wanted was to stop it from happening and they were giving him the chance to do it again.'

Kayleigh says she now wants to change the law which allows individuals charged with rape to access bail and believes the crime should be treated similarly to murder, which has heavy restrictions on access to bail.

'It's a very taboo subject that people don't really talk about - there's an embarrassment attached to it when there shouldn't be,' said Kayleigh.

'I'm not embarrassed about it and don't think anyone else should be the way its dealt is with diabolical really.

Kayleigh says she now wants to change the law which allows individuals charged with rape to access bail and believes the crime should be treated similarly to murder, which has heavy restrictions on access to bail

'I want the justice system to actually consider what kind of offence it was - I believe from day one I've just been known as a number, and I think they've just dealt with it as another case.

'It's made me feel like less of myself but now I know I've won it's coming back, I'm one of the 0.3% of women who get to this stage.

'There are issues within the justice system that not a lot of people would be able to handle but don't hesitate to report these crimes anyway.

'I've been through the horrible and long-winded process and got to where I am now so it's still worth it.'

A report published earlier this year found that delays to rape trials are 'devastating' for victims.

The Breaking Point report was published by Rape Crisis England & Wales and found that victims have an average wait of 839 days (around 2.3 years) from report to completion in court.

Kayleigh's petition to change bail conditions for charged rapists can be found here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/635847.
A statue celebrating the leader of the Polish government-in-exile in the Second World War who died in a mysterious plane crash has been unveiled in front of hundreds of his countrymen.

General Wadysaw Sikorski died along with his daughter and several others on July 4, 1943, when the plane they were travelling in crashed in mysterious circumstances shortly after take-off in Gibraltar.

He was a key ally of Britain's Prime Minister Winston Churchill and provided troops for many key battles, including the Battle of Britain, where the Polish air force played a crucial role in defending the UK from German air attack.

Marking the 80th anniversary of his death, the new statue was unveiled on Tuesday at Newark Cemetery in Nottinghamshire, where the war leader is buried alongside 200 Polish airmen who lost their lives in the fight against Adolf Hitler.

With the Polish flag flying over the graveyard, around 250 people turned out to witness the emotional moment.

A statue celebrating General Wadysaw Sikorski, the leader of the Polish government-in-exile in the Second World War, has been unveiled in front of hundreds of his countrymen at Newark Cemetery in Nottinghamshire, where the war leader is buried

With the Polish flag flying over the graveyard, scores turned out to witness the emotional moment

The figure, created by sculptor Andrew Lilley, depicts the General saluting the Polish Memorial Cross, which stands above his tomb and was visited by him more than 80 years before.

Dr Marta de Zuniga, Director of the London-based Polish Cultural Institute, which organised the new tribute, told the massed crowd: 'This British/Polish story started with the town's connection with General General Wadysaw Sikorski, a remarkable man whom we have gathered here to commemorate.

'When he arrived in the UK, Sikorski brought with him thousands of soldiers who made a significant contribution to the ultimate Allied victory and participated in many key battles, including the Battle of Britain.'

Paul Peacock, leader of Newark council, said: 'To mark the 80th anniversary of [Sikorski's] death, it is fitting that we have a statue erected in his memory in Newark watching over his fallen comrades.

'It is a great honour for our town to have played such an important part in the history of Poland.'

The Daily Mail's tribute to the war leader

When Hitler invaded Poland in September 1939 - an act which led Britain and France to declare war on Germany - General Sikorski Poland's prime minister.

He fled to France and, as well as becoming chief of Poland's surviving armed forces, set up the Polish government-in-exile.

After the defeat of France in 1940, he then came to London, bringing thousands of Polish troops with him.

The Polish 303 Fighter Squadron ended up achieving the highest number of kills of any Allied air unit in the Battle of Britain, which raged from July until the end of October in 1941.

General Sikorski was killed along with 15 others during his attempt to return from a visit to Polish troops stationed in the Middle East.

His daughter, chief of staff and two Conservative MPs also died.

The only survivor was the plane's pilot, Captain Edward Prchal, who later won a libel case after being wrongly accused of deliberately causing the crash.

The plane, a four-engined Liberator, had taken off as normal but, after a 'mighty jerk', the controls jammed and the aircraft crashed into the sea.

An enquiry confirmed that the aircraft had become uncontrollable after the elevator controls jammed but was unable to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.

In a transmission to the Polish people, Churchill paid tribute to the General, saying: 'I knew him well.

'He was a statesman, a soldier, a comrade, an ally and, above all, a Pole.

'He is gone: but if he were at my side I think he would wish me to say this, and I say it from my heart: 'Soldiers must die, but by their death they nourish the nation which gave them birth.

'Sikorski is dead, but it is in this sense that you must think of your dead Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief.''

General Wadysaw Sikorski, the leader of the Polish government-in-exile in the Second World War, is set to be commemorated with a new bronze statue. Above: General Sikorski (second form left) with Prime Minister Winston Churchill and France's Charles de Gaulle (second from right) in 1941

Senior RAF commander Air Marshal Andrew Pulford gives a speech at the unveiling

Dr Marta de Zuniga (pictured), Director of the London-based Polish Cultural Institute, which organised the new tribute, told the massed crowd: 'This British/Polish story started with the town's connection with General General Wadysaw Sikorski, a remarkable man whom we have gathered here to commemorate'

The figure, created by sculptor Andrew Lilley (pictured), depicts the General saluting the Polish Memorial Cross, which stands above his tomb and was visited by him more than 80 years before

General Sikorski's statue is seen being unveiled on Tuesday. It now watches over his fallen comrades

Arthur Bildziuk, chairman of the Polish Airmen's Association UK, lays a wreath at General Sikorski's grave during the unveiling

An estimated 250 people turned out to see the statue's unveiling

The Daily Mail said in tribute: 'General Sikorski will be sincerely mourned in this country.

'He will be remembered with gratitude as the one who stood by us in our darkest hour and whose faith in our ultimate victory never faltered.

'He was a Polish patriot of the best type, and always a staunch advocate of alliance with Britain and France.'

At his funeral, General Sikorski was laid in a vault among the remains of fallen Polish airmen.

Two years earlier, he had attended the unveiling of the memorial cross which stood above the vault.
Donald Trump's 'unhinged' meeting in the Oval Office in December 2020 is a key focus of the special counsel prosecutor's probe into the former president's alleged attempts to overturn the election that year, according to a report.

CNN reports investigators led by special counsel Jack Smith have questioned multiple witnesses about the December 18, 2020 meeting, including Trump's former lawyer Rudi Giuliani who sources told the network was grilled last month.

Previous testimony has revealed the meeting involved former national security adviser Michael Flynn, former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell and former Overstock CEO Patrick Byrne and a West Wing advisers, and descended into a shouting match over Trump's 'options' following his election defeat.

It is understood the former president considered some of the most desperate and outrageous proposals to keep him in power after losing the election to President Joe Biden, despite objections from his White House counsel.

Citing 'multiple sources,' CNN said investigators have asked several witnesses before the grand jury and during interviews about the meeting, and reported that Smith's team have signaled their intention to continue their interest.

The team investigating Donald Trump's alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election are understood to be focusing on an infamous meeting in the Oval Office during the final days of his out-going administration, according to a report

Smith's team are reportedly nearing charging decisions in the investigation into Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the election.

Should his team charge Trump, it would be the second indictment of the former president by Smith and his team after Trump was charged last month over his alleged mishandling of presidential documents at his Mar-a-Lago Florida estate.

Investigators are still gathering evidence in the election interference investigation and are reaching out to several new witnesses, CNN reports.

The December 18, 2020 meeting saw Trump's outside advisors face off with top White House lawyers over plans to have the military seize voting machines in crucial states that Trump had lost in the 2020 presidential election, it has been said.

The officials are also understood to have proposed naming Powell as special council to investigate supposed voter fraud, and suggested Trump invoke martial law.

The 'unhinged' Oval Office powwow, which continued past midnight, was the subject of a January 6 Committee hearing last year.

The meeting involved a 'heated and profane clash,' said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), a former impeachment manager who discussed the meeting, which came weeks before the Jan. 6, 2020 Capitol riot.

It came four days after the members of the electoral college had met Dec. 14 to cast their votes for president  an event that former Attorney General Bill Barr and others took as a signal that Trump's opportunity to prevail over Joe Biden was formally over.

The meeting lasted 6 hours, beginning in the Oval Office and moving to the White House residence, according to past testimony.

After Powell, pardoned former national security advisor Flynn, and Byrne turned up at the White House, it soon became clear what the subject matter was  efforts to overturn the election by having the Defense Department seize voting machines and other drastic measures - according to witnesses who spoke at the hearing.

CNN says the meeting involved 'shouting and insults' and ended with Trump taking to Twitter to say that a planned gathering in Washington DC on January 6 'will be wild'. That day ultimately saw thousands of Trump supporters storm Capitol hill.

The network said several witnesses were asked about the meeting months ago, while others have been asked more recently - including Rudy Giuliani.

White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson was also among those to testify before the committee.

She told the hearing that Trump directed his supporters toward the Capitol on January 6 while knowing they were armed, and got into a physical altercation with his security detail when Secret Service agents stopped him from joining the mob.

She took a photo on December 18, 2020 that captured the moment Chief of Staff Mark Meadows escorted Rudy Giuliani out of the White House.

'I take one photo of Mark of each of his days,' Hutchinson wrote in the photo caption. 'Tonight, it was him escorting Rudy off-campus to make sure he didn't wander back to the Mansion.'

Giuliani, another of Trump's attorneys, was quizzed in a voluntary interview about a range of topics for tow days last month, including the Oval Office meeting, CNN reported, citing its sources.

Robert O'Brien - who has also been questioned - says he was patched in to the meeting by phone over it had already descended into a shouting match, according to a transcript of O'Brien's deposition released by the special council's team.

Prosecutors have specifically enquired about Flynn, Powell and Byrne, CNN reported, citing sources - who are reported to have clashed with West Wing lawyers during the meeting over Trump's 'options'.

CNN reports investigators led by Special counsel Jack Smith (pictured June 9) have questioned multiple witnesses about the December 18, 2020 meeting, including Trump's former lawyer Rudi Giuliani who sources told the network was quizzed last month

CNN says several witnesses were asked about the meeting months ago, while others have been asked more recently - including Rudy Giuliani (pictured May 19)

White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows walking Trump campaign lawyer Rudy Giuliani out of the White House on December 18, in a picture taken by Cassidy Hutchinson

Trump's legal woes have mounted in recent months.

CNN's report comes after a former aide to Trump pleaded not guilty on Thursday to federal charges of mishandling classified government documents.

Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and the first former US president to face criminal charges, also pleaded not guilty last month to dozens of criminal counts for allegedly mishandling some of the government's most sensitive secrets and scheming to prevent their return.

He was charged along with personal aide Waltine 'Walt' Nauta, who was Trump's military valet while he was president and continued working for him in a personal capacity after he left the White House.

Named as a co-conspirator in the case, Nauta is charged with six counts for helping Trump hide documents at the former president's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.

According to the indictment from Jack Smith, Trump took hundreds of classified government documents in cardboard boxes to Mar-a-Lago after leaving the White House in January 2021.

Trump kept the files - which included records from the Pentagon, CIA and National Security Agency - unsecured at Mar-a-Lago, which regularly hosted large social events, the indictment said.

The documents were stashed at various locations in Mar-a-Lago including a ballroom, a bathroom, Trump's bedroom and a storage room, it said.

Nauta is accused of conspiring with the former president to hide the documents and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Trump faces 31 counts of 'willful retention of national defense information' relating to specific documents. A conviction on each count carries up to 10 years in prison.

Other charges facing the 77-year-old Trump include conspiracy to obstruct justice, punishable by up to 20 years in prison, withholding a document or record, which also carries a potential 20-year sentence, and making false statements.

Michael Flynn, former national security adviser to former President Donald Trump

Trump's attorney Sidney Powell who was present at the meeting on December 18, 2020

Founder and CEO of Overstock.com Patrick Byrne

Trump, who was impeached twice over allegations of misconduct while in office and was recently found liable for sexual abuse, has vowed to stay in the 2024 White House race regardless of the outcome of the documents case.

Trump faces other legal woes as he campaigns for the presidency including multiple felony counts in a New York fraud case involving alleged hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Smith, the special counsel, is also looking into Trump's involvement in the 2021 US Capitol riot, and state and federal investigators are scrutinizing his efforts to subvert the 2020 election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.

US District Court Judge Aileen Cannon, who is presiding over Trump's documents case in Florida, set a tentative trial date of August 14, but prosecutors have asked to delay the start of the trial until December 11.
Thousands of rowdy youngsters celebrating the fourth of July brought chaos to a Cape Cod beach this week.

Dennis Police Department said more than 30 arrests were made on Tuesday after an out-of-control group of partiers celebrated independence day and trashed Mayflower Beach.

Police described an 'extraordinary' amount of garbage being left behind including cans, broken glass and coolers, beach chairs, and contraband.

After last year's problems at the Dennis beach, which saw similar problems with a large group of revellers, the town had set up a plan to try to avoid a mass gathering 'disaster'.

This operation proved to be ineffective as around 2,000 teenagers and early 20-year-olds descended on the sand at dawn on Tuesday.

Around 2,000 teenagers and early 20-year-olds descended on the sand at dawn

More than 30 arrests were made on Tuesday after an out-of-control group of partiers celebrated independence day and trashed Mayflower Beach (pictured)

By early afternoon, the event appeared to be in disarray, with music being blasted out and serious overcrowding taking place.

At approximately 2:40pm, Dennis Police Chief John Brady made the decision to close Mayflower and surrounding beaches in the interest of public safety, the force said.

It added in a statement: 'Entry to beaches was denied from that point on. A number of factors were taken into consideration to make this decision.

'The most substantial factor was the size of the crowd, which numbered in the thousands. By this time, there were many groups of 100+ that had congregated, and crowding was a problem for beach officials, especially with the incoming high tide.

'Pathways for lifeguards and public safety equipment became congested, and bathhouse facilities began failing.

'Over time, the crowds became rowdier and more aggressive, requiring more police intervention in the crowds.'

The beach remained closed the following day to allow residents to clear the beach of all the trash left behind by the youngsters.

The group left behind an 'extraordinary' amount of garbage, including contraband

Nathan Keegan, who regularly goes to the beach and claimed it took them nearly two hours to clear the mess, said: 'The question now is, "Do you want to go to Mayflower Beach and contend with that?" Because it seems like this is the thing now.

'As someone who lives here and loves the beaches, you want to see it kept nice,' he said according to NBC Boston.

'It was kind of a disaster,' said Chris Lambton, chairman of the Dennis Select Board. 'We all like to have fun and hang out with your friends, and you can do that, just be respectful of where you are,' he told NBC.

The beach has previously been shrouded in controversy after four teenagers were arrested for allegedly having sex in the sea in full view of a large crowd of beachgoers during July fourth celebrations in 2017.

Four teens  Julianna Murphy, 19; Stephen Cerrone, 19; Lukas Kaminski, 19; and Molly Hines, 18  were charged with disorderly conduct, according to Cape Cod Times.
An estimated 50 migrants have arrived in Dover this morning, carried into the port on a Border Force cutter for processing.

Official Home Office figures show that 11,433 migrants have landed in Dover since January 1, despite promises of a clampdown by Home Secretary Suella Braverman who has vowed to stop the boats.

The Government's flagship Rwanda policy was ruled unlawful in the Court of Appeal last week, forcing the PM Rishi Sunak to take the case to the Supreme Court.

Several ministers have threatened to pull Britain out of the European Convention of Human Rights, which was masterminded by Winston Churchill after World War Two to provide safe haven for people seeking asylum.

Even in Westminster, the government suffered 20 defeats in the House of Lords over their controversial policy. Among those voting against the proposals was the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Migrants arrived in Dover Port this morning on board Border Fore vessel Defender

The migrants, who included women and children, were the first people to make it to the UK since June 30, when 155 people were registered

These are the first migrants to have crossed the channel since June 30, when 155 people were recorded travelling on three boats.

Commenting on the ongoing situation, a Home Office spokesperson said: 'The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system.

'Our priority is to stop the boats, and our Small Boats Operational Command is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.

'The government has gone further by introducing legislation which will ensure that those people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.'

Despite repeated government pledges to stop the small boats, almost 11,500 people have arrived in the UK since January 1

At least 40 asylum seekers were intercepted while attempting to cross the 21-mile Dover Straits in an inflatable dinghy shortly before 10am.

The mostly male group were brought into Dover, Kent on a Border Force vessel.

Scores more migrants wearing orange lifejackets were escorted into the harbour around midday.

READ MORE: Home Office orders Mickey Mouse murals at asylum centre to be painted over as they were 'too welcoming' The Home Office has confirmed murals depicting cartoon characters have been painted over at an asylum centre for unaccompanied children in Kent Advertisement

Todays arrivals are the first to make the perilous journey in a week after choppy weather in the Channel put a temporary halt to crossings.

The last migrants reached the UK on June 30 when 155 people in three boats were intercepted by Border Force officials.

The same day saw the French coastguard rescue 11 stranded asylum seekers off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer, northern France.

And more migrants are expected to make the crossing later today as people smugglers take advantage of good weather conditions, with clear skies, low wind speeds and no rainfall forecast off the coast of Dover this afternoon.

Border Force vessel Defender is currently enroute back to the port, while cutter Typhoon is patrolling waters off the coast of St Margaret-at-Cliffe.

Border Force patrol vessel Ranger is also active in the Channel between Dungeness and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

According to official Government figures, a total of 11,483 migrants have crossed the Channel in 257 boats so far this year - an average of 45 people crammed into each vessel.

The busiest day so far came on June 11 when 549 people made the treacherous journey over a 24-hour period.

At this point last year, 13,117 migrants had crossed the Channel.

A record total of 45,755 asylum seekers arrived in the UK by small boat last year - 60 per cent higher than 2021 when 28,526 people made the crossing.

But officials have predicted that as many as 80,000 migrants could cross the Channel this year.

A right wing group of Tory MPs are calling on PM Rishi Sunak to pull an emergency break to stop the flow of all migrants, including those with visas

The Government has faced successive defeats over its attempt to clamp down on people seeking asylum in the UK

Mr Sunak is facing a rebellion within his party with the right-wing New Conservatives group highly critical of the number of migrants - including those with visas - arriving in the UK.

They are proposing an 'emergency brake' to stop people such as care workers from coming to the country to work.

The Tory Party's 2019 manifesto had a promise to reduce net migration, which has continued to increase despite Britain's departure from the European Union.

The New Conservatives, made up of MPs elected since the Brexit vote and backed by party deputy chairman Lee Anderson, recommended ministers close temporary visa schemes for care workers and cap the number of refugees resettling in the UK at 20,000.

Separately, Mr Sunaks administration is looking to crack down on the numbers of people arriving in Britain through unauthorised routes using its Illegal Migration Bill.

The flagship legislation, which is designed to address the crisis of small boats of migrants crossing the English Channel, is due back in the Commons on Tuesday following its mauling by peers in the House of Lords.
A man has been charged with attempted murder after he and a young child were hit by a train at a railway station in Glasow.

British Transport Police officers arrived at the scene after being alerted to reports of two casualties on the tracks of Garrowhill station shortly before 7:30pm on Sunday.

A 26-year-old man and a two-year-old child were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries following the incident.

The child was discharged from the city's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital earlier this week, while the man was allowed to leave on Thursday before detectives arrested him in connection with the incident.

British Transport Police officers arrived at the scene (pictured) after being alerted to reports of two casualties on the tracks of Garrowhill station shortly before 7:30pm on Sunday

A 26-year-old man and a two-year-old child were taken to hospital for treatment to injuries following the incident

Detectives have now charged the man with attempted murder and he is due to appear at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.

Detective Chief Inspector Marc Francey said: 'This was a shocking but isolated incident and we are not looking for anyone else in connection.

'Specially trained officers are supporting the young boy's family and it is thankfully now believed he will make a full recovery.

'Our investigation continues to establish the full circumstances of the incident and we are making a number of enquiries.

'I would urge anyone who may have witnessed what happened and hasn't already spoken to police to contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 with reference 564 of July 2.'
Downing Street today dismissed demands from Scottish ministers for the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal use.

A new policy paper has urged the UK to loosen laws or give Holyrood more powers over the system north of the border.

The SNP has come under heavy fire over its failure to tackle drugs issues in Scotland, with the death rate the worst in Europe.

But the latest proposals argue that decriminalising possession for personal use would allow addiction to be treated as a 'health' issue rather than a matter for the courts.

They also suggest people in recovery would have a better chance of getting jobs without criminal records.

However, Rishi Sunak's official spokesman gave the push short shrift, saying there are 'no plans to alter our tough stance on drugs'.

A source close to Home Secretary Suella Braverman warned the plan were 'irresponsible and would do untold damage to our neighbourhoods'.

Labour also rejected the idea, with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves saying she was 'stunned' it was an SNP 'priority'.

Scottish ministers have demanded the decriminalisation of all drugs for personal use (file picture)

Humza Yousaf has been struggling to stem a slump in support for the SNP and independence

The document outlined measures which could be implemented through further devolution, independence, or UK Government action.

It suggested this would allow Scotland to push ahead with initiatives such as supervised drug consumption facilities.

The paper back updating the drug classification system based on harms caused.

The idea of a 'regulated' market for drugs supply is also floated, although it stresses Scottish ministers do not currently 'advocate' the policy.

'While we do not currently advocate for this policy, implementing a more evidence-based approach to drugs policy could be the basis for considering the potential of introducing regulated markets for the reduction of harm and the safe control of substances,' the paper said.

'This could be supported by a Citizens' Assembly to consider the evidence and give a perspective from a representative sample of the public.

'This would enable a mature, informed conversation about the level of regulation and control that we as a society are comfortable with for substances, based on an expert assessment of their relative harms.'

Rishi Sunak's official spokesman gave the SNP's push short shrift, saying the government would maintain its 'tough stance' against drugs

Scotland's Drugs Policy minister Elena Whitham said the proposals could 'save lives'.

'We want to create a society where problematic drug use is treated as a health, not a criminal matter, reducing stigma and discrimination and enabling the person to recover and contribute positively to society,' she said.

'While we know these proposals will spark debate, they are in line with our public health approach and would further our national mission to improve and save lives.

'We are working hard within the powers we have to reduce drug deaths, and while there is more we need to do, our approach is simply at odds with the Westminster legislation we must operate within.'

But a source close to the Home Secretary said: 'Illegal drugs destroy lives and communities.

'The SNP proposals are irresponsible and would do untold damage to our neighbourhoods.

'This Government's focus is on protecting people and preventing lives from being ruined - we've absolutely no intention of decriminalising illegal drug use.'

Asked during a visit to Scotland whether Labour would implement it, Ms Reeves said: 'The short answer is no. I don't think this sounds like a good policy.

'I find it quite stunning that this would be a priority for the Scottish Government when we're here today talking about the Tory mortgage bombshell and what we would do to address that.

'We're here meeting people training to do jobs in the industries of the future.

'We've got more than 700,000 people in Scotland on NHS waiting lists  pick an issue.'

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said drug deaths are three times as high in Scotland as elsewhere in the UK despite the same drugs laws, while Ms Reeves added that it was not a 'constitutional issue'.
Rudy Farias, the 25-year-old Houston man fraudulently reported missing by his mom for eight years, is 'scared and traumatized' and wants nothing to do with her, his aunt has revealed.

Pauline Sanchez said that Farias is staying with a co-worker of his mom after she dropped him off without any clothes or possessions on Thursday.

'My nephew feels safe and this is where he'll be until he decides to move forward with someone from the family,' Sanchez told The New York Post.

The aunt told reporters earlier that Farias 'doesn't want to see his mom. He doesn't want to go back to him mom.'

Rudy's mother Janie Santana is now hiding out somewhere in Houston, according to relatives, as police continue probing whether they plan to follow up on the eight-year sham disappearance with any criminal charges.

Pauline Sanchez, an aunt of Rudy Farias, speaks to the media outside Houston Police headquarters Thursday

Farias' cousin Michelle Rodriguez talking with Chris Cuomo on NewsNation on Thursday night

Rudy Farias is pictured as a 17-year-old, when he was was reported missing in 2015. Now 25, police said he was never missing

Farias reportedly said his mother (pictured at the Houston hotel on Wednesday) had been sexually abusing him for years. He only spoke up after authorities separated him from her

Last week, Farias was found outside a church in the city - around 11 miles from his mom's home. His reappearance was hailed as a 'miracle' but soon relatives and neighbors came forward to say he had never been missing.

On Wednesday, Farias and his mom met with cops as well as a mediator, local community activist Quanell X, who claimed the man had told how he had been drugged and abused by his mom for years and finally wanted to be free.

Prosecutors have yet to file charges against Santana but the bizarre tale is still under investigation by the Houston Police Department.

Santana's family said they suspected Farias was not missing and blamed the man's mother for keeping him away from them all these years.

In an interview with NewsNation's Chris Cuomo on Thursday night, Farias' cousin Michelle Rodriguez said that the man's mother is in possession of two guns.

'She is carrying, she's always carried them. And she, um, my understanding is she is hiding here in Houston somewhere,' she said.

Farias' aunt Sanchez told reporters earlier: 'We're upset that (authorities) are not going to do anything.'

The aunt was also quoted as saying that Farias' mother has tried to call him at the co-worker's home but he does not want to speak with her.

Sanchez was quoted by the New York Post as saying that she believed that Farias would move in with her son when he felt more comfortable.

'My nephew feels safe and this is where he'll be until he decides to move forward with someone from the family. That somebody I really believe is going to be my son. I'm not going to force my baby boy, my nephew, to leave right away. He's traumatized,' she said.

Activist Quanell X has said that he spoke to Farias on Wednesday and that the man said the was sexually abused by his mother and also drugged. Although police in Houston maintain that Farias has not made any similar statements to them.

Meanwhile Sanchez said that when she went to see Farias at the home where he is staying, the person in the house would initially not let her in, eventually that person relented, reports KHOU.

Quanell X, seen with Rudy on Wednesday, doubled down on claims the young man was abused by his mother

Janie Santana, the mother of Rudy Farias, 25, said she expects to be arrested because police suspect her of hiding him for eight years

'It was beautiful, very beautiful to see him. We hugged until I finally let go,' she said.

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said Thursday that Farias was choosing to stay with his mother but Sanchez said that's not the case and that he's with one of her co-workers.

Outside of that home, Sanchez told NBC News: 'I felt great presence. It was beautiful. We hugged until I finally let go. He's a bit skinny. He's doing well but plans to stay away from his mother.'

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com on Thursday afternoon, Quanell X stood by his previous allegations and said he believed Farias was in danger.

'It was crazy to watch the press conference,' the civil rights activist said. 'The detective heard that young man say that she made him be her husband. The detective heard him say that she told him that his name is daddy now, that she called him daddy when she would kiss him in the mouth.'

Santana and Farias had contact with police after he was reported missing, but Finner said they provided fake names and date of births, which allowed the young man to go unnoticed for years, even as neighbors and family often spotted him.

During these contacts, fictitious names and date of births were given  misleading the officers  and Farias would remain missing.

Quanell insisted on Thursday that Farias is a victim and his mother should be charged with a crime.

'I begged them to not let that boy in her custody,' he said.

'I'm gonna try to help Rudy as much as possible and I think the DA needs to press charges against her and that Rudy should be removed from her custody in some type of way, I don't believe he's safe in her custody at all.'

Janie Santana's home in Houston, Texas pictured above

Farias, now 25, was just 13 years old when his big brother and 'best friend' Charles (pictured) died in the tragic road accident in 2011

Authorities had not previously said where Farias spent the past eight years since he was reported missing as a 17-year-old who took his two dogs for a walk near his family's home in northeast Houston and never came back.

Now 25, he was hospitalized after police found him last week, and detectives interviewed him and his mother on Wednesday.

'Investigators concluded Farias returned home the day after he was reported missing but 'the mother, Janie, continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing,' Lt. Christopher Zamora said during a news conference.

In the years following, there were several possible sightings of Farias, according to a private investigator hired by Sanchez a few months after he went missing.

They included one sighting in 2018 that police responded to, but the investigation remained open as a missing person case.

Sanchez said her late mother, Rosa Sosa Rodriguez, had been living with Santana and kept telling relatives that Farias was living in the house with them.

'My mom would always tell me, 'Rudy is here ... He's there. He's in that room,' Sanchez said. 'And Janie said, 'No she's lying, she's losing it.'

Rudy Farias' aunt Sylvia Sanchez Lopez shows an image on a her cellphone, she said Houston Police sent her in a text allegedly showing Farias, as she speaks to the media outside HPD headquarters after Chief Troy Finner gave an update on the Farias case on Thursday

Rudy Farias' aunts, from left, Sylvia Sanchez Lopez, Pauline Sanchez and Michelle Sanchez speak outside Houston Police headquarters Thursday

Zamora said Santana claimed the person friends and family were seeing was not Farias but her nephew, but 'we disputed that.'

Sanchez and other family members also accused Santana of not presenting an accurate picture of herself to people and of not caring about family members.

Court records show Santana has used at least three different names and was accused of mistreating her mother while they lived together.

During a 2020 dispute over her mother's guardianship, Santana's sisters accused her of forcing their mother to live in a home that had 'animal urine and feces throughout' and causing her to have 'significant bed sores' because she 'did not have a bed and slept on the couch.'

In a 2011 affidavit filed in a court case in which Santana's marriage was declared 'null and void' because a judge concluded she was married to another man at the time, Sanchez said her sister 'has always been a pathological liar. She lies about everything.'

Cousin Michelle Rodriguez told Chris Cuomo on Thursday that Farias 'was a very shy, timid young man, little boy, he was not one to do drugs, run the streets, be out of the house, go anywhere away from home. He wouldn't lie about something like this.'

While his mother 'is a whole different person. She's very conniving. She's very manipulative. She tries to make people fear her. Unless you really know her, know what she's about and how she is as a person, you won't have any fear of Janie.'

Sanchez said she and other family members have yet to speak with Farias and they remain worried about him.

'I just want him safe,' said Sylvia Sanchez Lopez, another aunt of Farias.

But Zamora, with the police department's Missing Persons Unit, said Farias was safe and he had decided to stay 'with his mother by choice.'

A missing person note detailed what he was wearing at the time that he went missing, aged 17, in 2015. It also mentioned that he suffered from depression, PTSD and anxiety

Rudy' cousin Cassandra Lopez said their grandmother said she regularly saw him, and she knew he was not missing

Kisha Ross, who lives on the same street as Farias' mother, said she never heard that he was missing and has seen him often over the last eight years

When asked about the sexual assault claims, Quanell X said he did not want to go into details about the 'kissing.'

After he was asked again, he replied: 'Let me ask you a question - if your mother is tongue kissing you in the bed with her naked, what the hell is that? This is sick.'

Quanell claimed Santana kept her son hidden and convinced him he had to hide because police were looking for him to put him in jail.

The local figure said he asked Farias why he ran away, and Farias told him: 'I was tired of living like a slave.'

He claimed: 'Based on what that boy told me, I don't see why she's not in handcuffs right now. He was petrified but the minute he was by himself he calmed down. I believe she was drugging the hell out of this kid.

'He said he didn't like getting in the bed with her, that he would try to sneak out of the bed but she told him he had to be her husband.'

Farias allegedly said his mother made him bathe her, and punished him by locking him in a room 'over and over.'

Farias was just 13 years old when his big brother and 'best friend' Charles died in the tragic road accident in 2011. Just a few years later - and months before he was reported missing - his father Rudolph Farias III, 51, died by suicide.

Santana claimed Farias was devastated by the loss of his brother and father and suffered from PTSD, depression and anxiety.

Cassandra Lopez, his cousin, previously told KPRC2 they always knew 'in our hearts' the story of Farias having vanished was not true

The church where Rudy Farias was found lying on the ground last week

Aneighbor told KHOU that Santana was spotted leaving her house in the early hours of Thursday morning - prompting the local resident to call 911 - other sources say the pair did not return to their Houston home after the meeting with police on Wednesday.

As a result of the 911 call, however, there was a heavy police presence outside the home this morning.

Santana announced her son's allegedly miraculous return last week, claiming he was in an extremely poor physical state, and unable to speak after eight years away from home.

Then, on Tuesday, she said she expected to get arrested because police thought she was 'hiding' Farias.

She said: 'When he first went missing, he didn't report it to the police.

'And they are trying to say that he might have done some crimes. Which he didn't. And now they want to arrest me. Because they said I was hiding him.'

As news of Farias' shocking claim spread, relatives and neighbors began saying they knew he was not missing - and had seen him frequently throughout the years.

Farias' cousin said she told police in 2018 he was at his mother's house, and his grandmother had seen and spoken to him. His aunt said she also knew he was not missing.

Neighbors also claimed they'd seen him walking around the neighborhood.

Cassandra Lopez, his cousin, previously told KPRC2 they always knew 'in our hearts' the story of Farias having vanished was not true.

She said: 'I was in shock. I was like, I couldn't believe it. I mean, I was glad, but I just was wondering what was going to unfold from it.

Lopez said she called 911 in 2018 after family members saw Farias at his mother's home, and their grandmother saw him regularly.

Houston police visited the house, but did not find him and it is unclear if they questioned any of the relatives.

Lopez said the rest of the family are eager to hear from him.

'I mean, half of his life is - almost a quarter of his life - has already been taken away,' said Lopez.

Neighbors echoed the family's claims that Farias was not missing for the past eight years.

The scene outside of Santana's home this week as police continue to investigate

At the time of writing, Santana has not been charged with a crime in relation to the allegations surrounding her son

They said he was known as Dolph, an abbreviation of his full name Rudolph, and was somewhat withdrawn - but was regularly seen around the neighborhood.

Jeanay Wyble: 'When he is with us, he doesn't really say much or who he is. We just know he lives down here with his mom, goes to work with her around 6pm to 7 or 8 in the morning.

'He's just been freely walking down the street.'

Another neighbor, Kisha Ross, said Farias told her he didn't want to spend time at home because 'his mom got on his nerves'.

She claimed that Santana offered her money to not speak to the media, but she refused, insisting she wanted to tell the truth.

'He used to come in my garage, chill with my cousin, son, and daughter,' said Ross, adding that Farias liked to hang out in the woods by himself.

Broderick Conley, Ross's cousin, also said he used to hang out with Farias regularly - 'laughing' and having 'good times.'

Another aunt, however, said she believed Santana's story that her son was missing, and even went from Houston to California to try and find him.

'She had me out there in California thinking that they had found somebody that looked like Rudy in California,' said Sylvia Lopez. 'And I went all the way with her.'

At the time of Farias' disappearance, his mother told officials that he suffered from depression and PTSD since his brother died in a motorcycle accident in 2011 - an incident neighbors say he spoke about.

When Farias was located, Santana claimed he had blood in his hair and had been badly abused and beaten, and shared photos of him in a hospital bed.

'Rudy is in pretty bad shape, he has cuts, soft tissue tumors, small openings and swelling on the soles of his feet, along with bruising, old and new cuts/scrapes on his body, old dry blood on his head and hair, he has very very dark complexion now almost unrecognizable,' she wrote on Facebook.

'God only knows what he has endured during his time away from home.'

She added: 'He flinches if you try to touch him or hug him thinking we are going to strike him. He thinks his name is Julio Torres and he is 14 now.'
He sets his sights on one of the deck chairs and whips a green towel away from it

The security guard can be seen wandering round the poolside taking notes

A hotel worker has been showered with praise for removing towels from the sun loungers at a hotel in Tenerife.

The security guard can be seen wandering round the poolside taking notes while wearing a luminous yellow jacket.

Under the view of a hotel guest absorbed in a book, he sets his sights on one of the deck chairs, places a tub of suncream aside and whips a green towel away from it.

He then folds it effortlessly with one hand before placing it in the correct spot.

Sharing the clip to their channel, @renovatewithroberta wrote: 'They should do this everywhere.'

The security guard involved in the operation can be seen wandering round the poolside taking notes while wearing a luminous yellow jacket. He then sets his sights on one of the deck chairs, places a tub of suncream aside and whips a green towel away from it

The clip has been viewed more than 176,000 times since it was posted on TikTok last year.

Commenting on the post, one person wrote: 'I agree, first come, first served.'

A second added: 'They should do this at all resorts everywhere.'

A third wrote: 'Spot on, you wouldn't walk into a restaurant and leave your jackets on the chairs to reserve a seat'.

Another person posted: 'Never got why people on holiday wanna get up first thing in the morning for a lounger, if they could only have breakfast at 6.30am, they'd freak out.'

Meanwhile, keen Britons have been spotted at the crack of dawn descending on a hotel pool to bag the best sunbeds at a Majorcan resort.

Footage shows hoards of holidaymakers armed with towels and inflatables rushing to reserve loungers on the Spanish island.

In a military-style operation some even rush over to get their hands on the spare loungers and cushions that have not even been put out yet. All the while a beautiful beach sits empty just 100ft away.

It comes as recent footage showed the increasingly tense sunbed war shrouding Brits' summer holidays.

The Majorcan 'sunbed police' can be seen taking revenge on hotel guests who had reserved loungers.

Hoards of holidaymakers were spotted making the mad dash to secure a good spot by the pool

In a military-style operation some even rush over to get their hands on the spare loungers and cushions

Keen to get a prime spot, some quickly grab cushions to reserve the bed

As the sun rises on the hotel's pool area, holidaymakers keen to sunbathe are pictured out in force

A staff member appears fed up as he swiftly removes towels and inflatables used to hog beds by the pool at the Viva resort on the Spanish island.

Dubbed the 'towel police' by TikToker John McGowan, the worker can be seen shoving holidaymakers' belongings into plastic bags.

He even walks around the pool area with a stopwatch and clipboard to time how long each sunbed has been reserved for, Mr McGowan explained.

If the hogger has not returned within 30 minutes, their items are removed from the beds.

It is generally accepted in Spanish resorts that a towel left on a sunbed is claimed by its owner for the entire day. The origin of this rule is not known, though it is thought to be a German invention.

One commenter quipped: 'Well done to this resort. Hope others take note. It might make people's hols less stressful if the towel dash doesn't happen anymore.'

The Mallorca hotel's 'sunbed police' are captured getting revenge on guests who have reserved loungers

The 'towel policeman' can be seen shoving all the holidaymakers' belongings into plastic bags

Sunbed wars have long been a common start to the mornings of British holidaymakers' trips abroad.

Although not all hotels allow this rule, when in place it can create heated competition.

Hilarious footage of guests at the four-star Spring Hotel Bitacora, Playa de las Americas in Tenerife, shows crowds of desperate tourists waiting next to their resort's swimming pools and descending en masse to grab the best spots at the earliest possible time.

Britons armed with swimming togs and sun cream raced past rival holidaymakers with a grim determination to secure their place in the sun for a day.

Some were reported to queue for 90 minutes first thing in the morning - waiting for some unknown signal before stampeding past opposing tourists towards the sun loungers.

Meanwhile at the Camp de Mar in Majorca a holidaymaker was shocked to see next-level towel reservation after sunbed hogs puts their towels down on the floor at the entrance to the pool area.

Photos show beach bags and towels placed in an orderly queue leading to the closed-off pool area so hotel guests can secure their sun bed the moment that it opens.

Holidaymaker Geoff said: 'In an effort to control the sunbed madness, the door from the hotel to the pool area was kept locked until 8am.'

Holidaymakers made the dash to claim the best sunbeds ahead of their opponents

'So people were lining their towels up on the floor in a queue order by the door before it opened. I must add this wasn't youngsters, but mostly elderly and middle-aged people,' he told the Mirror.

Discussing the behaviour of the other guests at a four-star hotel in Camp de Mar, he said: 'The towel line actually went back much further (than the picture shows) and the owners were seated on the sofas just out of sight, ready to fly outside when the door was unlocked.

'I don't know what time they started, but we were up at 6.30am one morning to grab breakfast before an excursion, and there was already an established towel queue forming at the door. Crazy behaviour!'

Earlier this year, a holiday hero spoke out against some 'entitled' tourists who reserved sun loungers for nine hours while he and his wife were on holiday in Bali.

Newlyweds Thom Aspland and Lisa were honeymooning at Bali's Grand Barong Resort where they were met by unfurled towels on sun loungers at 6.30am.

After returning at 1pm and seeing the chairs untouched, the couple waited for a further hour of no movement, before finally ditching the reserving towels and taking the spot themselves.

Hilarious footage captured the moment a holidaymaker (in black T-shirt) bagged five sun loungers by sprinting through the sun beds before throwing his towels on the best pool-side spots

They were met at 3.30pm by the shocked pair of 'entitled' tourists 'iPads and books in hand'.

The couple were even sure to teach their competitors a lesson by ushering other tourists in their place as they left.

Speaking to Yahoo News, Thom said: 'We definitely thought they were entitled, but were surprised they didn't confront us.'

He assumed that the lack of confrontation was down to the fact that 'they knew what they had done'.

Thom also noted the hilarious extent of the couple's pettiness in getting on the beds in the first place.

'We didn't even want the beds,' he said, but the compulsion to prove a point was too strong.

'Many places here have an hour rule, so we just made sure we gave them an hour once we got in the pool,' he added.

He revealed that he and Lisa had been looking on from the bar for two hours before making their move.

He also gave comical detail about the approach of the pair who thought they would get away with the nine-hour reservation, saying that 'they quickly walked towards the chairs, then stopped and looked at each other to pause'.

'They then frantically looked for their two personal towels' before departing to their hotel room never to be seen again,' he said.

The happy couple made absolutely certain that they proved their point when they left by passing the beds on to a mother and daughter after telling them the whole story.

Thom shared the 'petty' revenge story online with droves of followers agreeing that leaving towels on seats all day was 'sun hogging' and disrespectful.

'Am I the only one hoping there's a day two to this situation,' one person said.

Another wrote: 'Proof that not all heroes wear a cape.

'Would shout you both a Bintang if I were there.'

'I would've done the same except I wouldn't have waited - if they weren't there using them its free for all,' a third added.

Some also commended the couple for waiting the hour that they did.

Thom then posted an update of the empty poolside chairs on the following morning as a sign of victory.

'Free all morning,' he declared.

In August, the hilarious moment a holidaymaker bagged five sun loungers by sprinting towards them before throwing his towels on the best pool-side spots was posted on TikTok by a guest who filmed the chaotic scene from her balcony at the Paradise Park Hotel in Los Cristianos, Tenerife.

The video shows a large pool surrounded by a decked terrace, moments before several people emerge and start running towards the sunbeds.

One man dressed in yellow can be seen sprinting towards the loungers with several towels on his arm. He skipped past rows of other chairs until he reached the ones in the prime pool-side spot.

While the other guests made their way towards the loungers, he took a shortcut to arrive there first and threw his towels down to claim the seats at an impressive speed.

This wasn't the first time the man was on the hunt, as another video showed him in a black T-shirt securing the best spot.

Jess Clarke, who filmed the crowd, captioned her video: 'Day Three Sunbed Wars'.

It quickly gained more than 11,000 likes and hundreds of comments were left by viewers saying, 'Love it, so funny' or remarking, 'I've never seen sunbed wars that bad'.

Another commented: 'Guy in yellow put in a proper shift.'

A fourth said: '9am sunbed wars paradise park Tenerife what a sight.'

One user recognised the man from Ms Clarke's previous video titled 'Day 1'.

The hotel is known for sunbed reservation races and similar scenes were captured on camera last year.

Thom Aspland's 'victory' post on Facebook saw him pictured with his wife Lisa. 'Free all morning,' he declared, with reference to the empty poolside chairs

A viral TikTok video from July shows tourists at the Tenerife hotel making a shameless dash for the best poolside spot.

Footage shows a crowd of holidaymakers show up at a pool at Paradise Park just as it opens.

They then drop their towels on the hotspot's best loungers  with some even glancing around guiltily as they do it.

TikTok user Sarah, whose clip has already garnered more than five million views in just one day, simply captioned it: 'The Sunbed Race'.

Paradise Park spokesman Rafael Ruiz-Benitez de Lugo told MailOnline last year: 'We were amused to see it - considering that our hotel has five swimming pools and areas with space and sunbeds for everyone.

'Although we see quite a bit of talent among our guests for obstacle races.'

Tourists in Palma de Mallorca raced to reserve a sun lounger at 9am as they sprinted alongside the pool

Some appeared to be sprinting at full speed as they overtook others in the mad rush for the limited seats

As soon as 9am struck, the competing holidaymakers started to run beside the pool adjacent to the hotel

Footage shared on TikTok shows the horde decked out in their hats and towels ready for a day of basking in the Majorcan heat

Weeks before, in June last year, sunbed-blockers had their towels taken away by hotel staff at another resort in Tenerife.

Holidaymaker Amanda Proctor filmed the moment the workers picked up dozens of towels that guests had laid out on empty sun loungers in a bid to reserve the best seats next to the pool at the five star Gran Costa Adeje Hotel in southern Tenerife.

Ms Proctor said that the staff at the hotel, which features four pools, took the guests' bags and towels and left a note on the chairs telling them where to collect their belongings.

The holidaymaker said there was a sign at the hotel saying guests were not allowed to reserve sunbeds before 10am.

A spokesman at the hotel told MailOnline: 'At GF Gran Costa Adeje, we defend the right of all our guests to enjoy our pools and we ask everyone to respect our policy.

'All guests will have their space in our solarium. In this situation, our colleague, like the entire GF Gran Costa Adeje team, is a hero without a cape. We are very happy with the reaction to the video and from our customers.'
House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer is demanding information from the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) about the White House security 'failures' that led to the 'unacceptable' discovery of cocaine on the premises Sunday.

Comer, R-Ky., wrote to Director Kimberly Cheatle of the USSS, which is leading the probe into the discovery of the substance - including looking at security cameras and visitor logs - to receive information on safety protocols within the White House. The agency also is carrying out fingerprint and DNA analysis of the baggie.

In the letter obtained by DailyMail.com Friday, Comer called the presence of illegal drugs in the White House an 'unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White Houses history.'

'Congress funds White House security procedures, and the Secret Service has a responsibility to maintain effective safety protocols. This incident and the eventual evacuation of staff now clearly raises concerns about the level of security maintained at the White House,' Comer continued.

New details reveal the cocaine at the White House was found near the White House's West Executive entrance

The House Oversight Committee, which has jurisdiction over Secret Service operations, will continue to investigate the matter and plans to set a staff-level briefing with the USSS on the matter by July 14, the Kentucky Republican pledged.

'We are in receipt of Congressional inquiries. Since this is an open and active investigation, we are communicating with the Committees and working through appropriate channels to identify what may be responsive to the requests,' a USSS spokesperson told DailyMail.com Friday in response to Comer's letter.

Once the substance was discovered Sunday, the White House complex was evacuated. President Joe Biden was not onsite at the time as he spent the July Fourth holiday weekend at Camp David along with his son Hunter Biden, who is a recovering drug addict, and other grandchildren.

Details about where the powder substance was found and who may have brought it has changed multiple times throughout the week.

Originally, dispatchers sent to the White House on Sunday to investigate the substance said it was found in the library. Then it was reported to be in the West Wing lobby.

But according to a NBC News report citing multiple sources Thursday, the bag of powder was found in a cubby near the White House's West Executive entrance, not the formal West Wing lobby.

That entrance - which is in the West Wing but on the floor below the lobby - is also a heavily trafficked area, a description White House officials have used as a way to explain their doubts the culprit will be found.

The West Executive Entrance sits on West Executive Drive - the driveway between the West Wing of the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. That drive is where Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade parks and where senior staff have parking spaces.

Senior staff and the vice president go to work in the West Wing through that door and it is also the entrance used by VIPs for their private meetings in the West Wing.

The West Executive Entrance (see behind President Biden and his advisers - it has the tent over it) sits on West Executive drive, the driveway between the White House and Eisenhower Executive Office Building where Vice President Kamala Harris' motorcade parks

An original dispatch call said the substance was found in the White House library (above)

The West Wing lobby (above) is one floor above the West Executive Entrance

On Wednesday, a day before the new NBC report came out, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre suggested that a member of the public on a tour may have left the Schedule A substance in a 'heavily-traveled area' of the West Wing.

'This is a heavily, heavily trafficked - heavily traveled to be more accurate - area of the campus of the White House. And it is where visitors to the West Wing come,' Jean-Pierre said. 'I just don't have anything else - I'm not going to speculate on who it was.'

She spurned additional questions she called 'hypotheticals' about the investigation, and directed further inquiries to the USSS.

'We have confidence that the Secret Service is going to get to the bottom of this,' she added.
Vladimir Putin is preparing to seek six more years in the Kremlin in a bid to extend his already 23-year-long reign as either President or Prime Minister of Russia, it has been claimed.

Despite his disastrous war, the dictator has been in campaign mode in recent days for the first time since before the pandemic, paying visits to far-flung regions and even posing for selfies with adoring fans.

In recent weeks he was seen snapping selfies and planting affectionate pecks on the heads of young girls in Dagestan, and initiating another child to the Kremlin as part of a tour of his presidential office.

He was shown drawing a smiley face at a forum in Moscow in stark contrast to Covid-times when he used his trademark long table for rare meetings.

An election is due next year - and Putin would be 77 if he completed another full term as Russia's president.

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a cabinet meeting via video conference at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin shows 8 year old Raisat Akipova from Derbent his desk at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets 8 year old Raisat Akipova, from Derbent, at the Kremlin in Moscow

Fatima Tagirova, 13, said she waited to meet Vladimir Putin for seven hours, and when he finally came, the dictator kissed her before taking a selfie

Putin is seen being mobbed by fans in Derbent, Dagestan

This tactic is seen as a prelude to a call by the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation to beg him to stand again, in spite of the conflict in Ukraine and questions over the state of his health.

The patriotic foundation was set up by a Putin presidential decree to raise funds for war veterans. It is hardly independent, as it is currently run by Putin's cousin Anna Tsivileva, 51, the wife of a Siberian governor.

'With a request to be nominated for a new term, the heads of the fund will turn to [Putin], perhaps along with those who received effective assistance from [the president],' reported Vyorstka, a Russian news outlet.

The plea for Putin to go for six more years would then be rubber-stamped by ruling political party United Russia.

The next Russian election is due in March 2024, and a Putin campaign announcement may be made early amid suspicions that Wagner mercenary army boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, 62, has strong political ambitions and will seek to run.

Putin has been Russia's president since 1999, except for a four-year stint as prime minister from 2008-2012.

Even then, while Dmitry Medvedev assumed the presidential role, it was widely known that Putin was pulling all the strings in the Kremlin.

Putin today received a ringing endorsement from his Belarusian counterpart and ally, Alexander Lukashenko.

'Look, there's sociological research being done all over the place [in Russia],' he said.

'[There is] 74 per cent confidence in Putin.

'Do you doubt if he goes to the polls that he will win? Don't doubt it if he maintains that level of trust.'

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens to Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Vladimir Putin pictured during his trip to Derbent

The Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation was set up by a Putin presidential decree to raise funds for war veterans. It is hardly independent, as it is currently run by Putin's cousin Anna Tsivileva, 51 (pictured), the wife of a Siberian governor

Though Russia purportedly maintains a democratic election process, Putin's critics say he cannot lose since all his political foes have been assassinated, locked up or forced into exile.

With the exception of Wagner chief Prigozhin, and to a certain extent jailed Putin foe and anti-corruption advocate Alexei Navalny, no other Russian political candidates have a sizeable platform thanks to the Kremlin's tight grip on the media.

Putin is widely believed to have suffered from cancer and rumours say he shows signs of the early stages of Parkinson's disease.

The pandemic and its aftermath saw him taking extreme caution meeting people, and many are still required to quarantine for between one and two weeks before seeing him.

His mental health has been questioned over his decision to send hundreds of thousands to their deaths in an 'avoidable war'.

Rumours abound that he uses body doubles, especially in situations where the president is seen close to large crowds.

His trips outside Moscow have recently increased, including close to the war zone, although critics suggest these are made by doppelgangers.
A 28-year-old woman who was missing for more than three weeks has been found alive, but badly beaten.

Kayla Maree Pawa disappeared on June 12 and was last seen in Auckland, New Zealand. She wasn't reported missing until June 27.

She was found on Thursday but a loved one said she was 'pretty beat up'.

She is now under police protection.

Kayla Maree Pawa has been found more than weeks after she went missing

'She has been through some traumatic experiences and can't yet make a statement to police,' the female family member told the New Zealand Herald.

'I know when I see her, she will break down, but we are here for her. We are pretty angry at what has gone down.'

She added that the 'feared the worst' when Ms Pawa disappeared, believing her to be kidnapped, and were relieved she had been found alive.

New Zealand Police confirmed Ms Pawa had been located.

'Police can confirm the 28-year-old woman has since been located,' a police spokesman said.

'Further inquiries are currently under way into the incident, and at this stage we are not in a position to provide additional comment. A further update will be provided at a later stage.'
Do you have any further information on the incident? Email: claudia.aoraha@mailonline.com

Do you have any further information on the incident? Email: claudia.aoraha@mailonline.com

Drawing a crowd of several people, the woman continues to shout at the family in the clip, at one point screaming 'Get the f*** out'. Cops were eventually called

A wild-eyed racist white woman who launched an attack on a Latino family for having a party at a swimming pool complex has been named as an art consultant.

Blair Featherman, 49, was recorded lashing out at the family during the racist tirade in Colorado - where she had to be held down down by a man from her own party.

The Lakewood woman called the group 'trash' and said they should 'go back down to Denver' and berated them for 'not knowing what Hermes is.' The ordeal took place at 4.25pm at her apartment complex, where condos cost up to $6,500 a month to rent.

Drawing a crowd of several people, the woman continued to shout and harass the family in the clip, at one point screaming 'Get the f*** out.'

Featherman used to work at Master's Gallery Denver, who put out a statement distancing themselves from her, adding that they: 'Condemn any actions or statements expressing hatred or racism.'

She also ran her own home staging and interior design business, Spatial Flow By Design Inc, where she claimed to be an expert in Feng Shui - the art of creating calmness and harmony through the arrangement of objects in a room.

Blair Featherman, 49, has been named as the racist 'Karen' from the clip, where she was seen swearing and shouting at a Latino family

Video shows the moment a woman (seen here) hurled racial abuse at a Latino family for having a party at a Colorado swimming pool - set in a ritzy apartment complex where she lives

Featherman ran her own home staging and interior design business, Spatial Flow By Design Inc, where she claimed to be an expert in Feng Shu

But those qualities were lacking in Featherman's rant, which has swept the internet and triggered outrage.

She has been branded a 'racist Karen', after the filmed incident - which eventually got physical garnered more than one million views in a matter of hours.

Cops were called to the scene, but it remains unclear if she was arrested.

'Yes, it's true,' the bikini-clad is heard saying in the widely seen clip, visibly peeved by the group's presence. 'You have a f*****g Mexican party in a pool.'

At this point, the woman approaches the woman filming, before physically accosting her.

'You can't do that. You can't just record me,' the woman says, before hitting the phone out of the hands of the person filming.

Before that, an added commentary from the app's voice feature is heard branding the woman 'racist Karen,' while an accompanying caption asked social media users to help identify her.

The footage then jumps to what is presumed to be a few minutes later, with Featherman now being held down by a male member of her own party on one of the pool's sun loungers.

The Lakewood woman called the group 'trash' and said they should 'go back down to Denver.' The ordeal took place at her apartment complex, where condos cost up to $6,500 a month to rent (pictured)

People are now branding the woman a 'racist Karen', after the filmed incident - which eventually got physical garnered more than 1million views in a matter of hours. Cops were called to the scene, but it remains unclear if she was arrested

As this is happening, she continues to reprimand the family over their presence.

Several proceed to surround and argue with the woman - all while she continues to shout while attempting to confront the now angry group.

Amid the commotion, she can still be heard uttering xenophobic statements, such as 'Get the f**k out' and 'go back down to Denver.'

The woman proceeds to yell and shout for nearly the entire duration of the video, which is just under a minute long.

When asked by one of the victims to leave the pool herself, she is heard responding that she lives in Lakewood - the affluent suburb where the complex is set.

At one point she is heard angrily telling the family, who had been having a poolside bash: 'I live here, nowhere you ever came from, you f****** low-class slime.'

She then screams: 'You don't even know what Hermes is!' To which one of the women in the crowd flashes her scandals saying: 'I have it on my scandals, b***h.'

Featherman then says: 'Oh and these? Hold on wait this is good, these?' She seems to place a pill-sized object in the palm of her hand, while someone in the background says 'no no no.'

Then a clip shows Featherman squirming on the sun lounger, while a man, believed to be in her entourage, frantically makes a phone call and holds her down by her shoulder.

She continues to point and scream profanities at the group around her.

The video then cuts to a shot of at least three police officers arriving on the scene.

They are seen talking to the woman and the man who had been holding her down, though the clip cuts out before any arrest is made.

'Yes, it's true,' the bikini-clad is heard saying in the widely seen clip, visibly peeved by the group's presence. 'You have a f*****g Mexican party in a pool'

'You can't do that. You can't just record me, 'the woman says, before hitting the phone out of the hands of the person filming

Featherman has been branded a 'racist Karen', after the filmed incident - which eventually got physical garnered more than one million views in a matter of hours

The spliced footage then jumps to what is presumed to be a few minutes later, with the woman now being held down by a male member of her own party on one of the pool's sun loungers

When asked by one of the victims to leave the pool herself, she is heard responding that she lives in Lakewood - the affluent suburb where the complex is set - while still hurling slurs

Master's Gallery Denver, Featherman's former employer, gave a statement

The woman who posted the clip online wrote: 'According to this karen all mexicans are low class. I hope this video is found by her coworkers, family and friends.

'Acting like this at family BBQ with children is absolutely disgusting.

'Its so sad when your racially profiled just because of your skin color. We received so much support from the last video posted.

'Lets keep comments appropriate so we can continue to spread awareness. Justice will be served when we receive an apology (which we still haven't).'

Master's Gallery Denver, Featherman's former employer, said in a statement: 'It has come to our attention that a former employee has appeared on social media expressing hateful and offensive statements.

'Master's Gallery Denver has not employed this individual for over 5 years and condemns any actions or statements expressing hatred or racism.

'We represent and support artists and people of all background and will continue to do so.'

As of Friday morning, it remains unclear who called the police.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Lakewood Police Department for comment.
It's a city steeped in history, with cobbled streets, ancient landmarks and the famous Minster to make it a magnet for tourists from across the globe.

But the millions who visit York annually may be surprised to discover a report by a little-known campaign group called Inclusive Equal Rights UK (IERUK) has branded it a place of 'casual, systemic and structural racism'.

It depicted the city of pretty shops, tea rooms and museums as a place 'not immune to structural and institutional racism', where police unfairly picked on ethnic minorities in stop and search incidents, race hate crimes were at worrying levels and black and Asian people were grossly under-represented in important sectors of the economy.

Funded by the Labour-run city council, the group's research findings were published this week to launch a five-year 'anti-racism strategy' for the city, with the politically correct aim of making York the first northern city to achieve 'anti-racist and inclusive' status.

While no one doubts the importance of stamping out racism in society, an analysis of the IERUK's research casts serious doubts over its findings as the size of York's ethnic minority population claimed in the report is almost twice the figure stated in official statistics.

A report by a little-known campaign group called Inclusive Equal Rights UK (IERUK) has branded York a place of 'casual, systemic and structural racism'. Pictured: Haddy Njie, the chair of IERUK

The report depicted the city of pretty shops, tea rooms and museums as a place 'not immune to structural and institutional racism'

Funded by the Labour-run city council, the group's research findings were published this week to launch a five-year 'anti-racism strategy' for the city

The 52-page IERUK 'action plan' uses statistical analysis of the city's 202,000 population to show the extent of the race problem.

Based on figures from 2021, when the most recent national Census was carried out, the report states that 'approximately 14%' or one in seven of the city's population was of Black Asian and Minorised Ethnicity (BAME).

That figure was taken to show that with 6.3% of the city council's workforce being BAME the 'low proportion' of ethnic minority employees should be investigated with steps taken to 'increase diversity.'

The picture was said to be similar in the education sector with 9.7% of the staff at York St John University of ethnic minority origin. While at the University of York around 7.5% were BAME.

A recruitment drive for more ethnic minority university staff was recommended as again the proportion of employees was well below the 14% city figure.

In the health sector, just 5% of the 734 staff at the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys Mental Health Trust, the second largest health organisation serving York, were from ethnic minorities.

However, according to the Office for National Statistics the actual ethnic minority population of York is just 7.2% - making the employment figures much more in line with the general population.

When questioned about the discrepancy, Haddy Njie, Chair of IERUK, said its researchers had taken a 'deep dive' into the Census figures to come up with more realistic figures and denied giving 'misleading' information.

Haddy Njie, Chair of IERUK, said its researchers had taken a 'deep dive' into the Census figures to come up with more realistic figures and denied giving 'misleading' information

On the sensitive subject of 'racist' policing, the report press release stated that stop and search rates for black residents were around 90 times higher and for people of Asian ethnicity 18 times higher than white people

The ONS figure for the city's 'white' population was 92.8% but the research group changed this to a 'white British' category which it put at 86% of the population. People who classed themselves as 'white' but had a family background from another country were not included by the researchers.

'We are not manipulating the data, what we are doing is presenting a definition of what a minority is and a minority is somebody who is not white British,' said researcher Gary Craig.

On the sensitive subject of 'racist' policing, the report press release stated that stop and search rates for black residents were around 90 times higher and for people of Asian ethnicity 18 times higher than white people.

But in the small print of the report it was revealed that an overwhelming majority of 1,843 of the stop and search incidents involved 'white British' people and just 33 of Asian, 24 Caribbean, 21 Pakistani and 13 African background.

A section detailing personal experiences of racism was compiled by two academics from York St John University.

They reported 'some participants expressed that they had altered their own habits and routines to avoid being targeted for racist abuse in York.' 'The most common complaint was exposure to racist language, attitudes, and behaviour.'

They found examples of 'racism' in health, education and policing and some believed racism was a 'significant' problem in the city.

However, this 'qualitative study' was based on interviews with just ten people of differing ethnic minorities, six of whom worked at one university.

Ms Njie, who works in risk management and like all staff is a volunteer with IERUK, said: 'This work matters because the data widely documents that racism in York is casual, systemic, and structural. It is manifested in many forms that disproportionately and negatively impacts the lives and livelihood of people of colour.'

But Chris Steward, leader of the minority Tory group on the city council, said: 'I've lived in York all my life and I would certainly say York does not have structural and systemic racism. I can't understand how they can make out the population is 14% ethnic minority, it's not anything like that high.

'Like anywhere York has its issues but I regard it as a very friendly and tolerant place to people of all colours.'

He said there was a real danger of giving a false image to the tourist city. 'It will lead to people thinking why would York want to jump on this issue, is there a real problem in York? I wouldn't see York as having a big racism problem.'

Councillor Katie Lomas, York's executive member for 'equalities', said: 'We recognise the challenges for organisations across the city of ensuring a genuinely anti-racist environment, and we are happy to restate our commitment to becoming the North's first Anti-Racist city.'
Jack Sweeney, the college student who had his Twitter account suspended for tracking Elon Musk's private jet, has moved his operation over Mark Zuckerberg's new Twitter rival, Threads.

'ElonJet has arrived to Threads!' read Sweeney's inaugural Threads post on Thursday.

'@zuck will I be allowed to stay?' asked Sweeney in a post, making a veiled reference to his ElonJet account's suspension on Twitter last year.

The Twitter account Sweeney used to track Musk's private jet, as well as one he used to track Zuckerberg's were suspended in December of last year.

By Friday morning, it seemed that Sweeney's account may have been removed from Threads as well.

College student Jack Sweeney has been tracking new Twitter CEO Elon Musk's private Gulfstream jet since 2020 by obtaining public Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data - Musk suspended his Twitter account in December

Sweeney's Instagram account, which is still active, has amassed more than 46,000 followers

Meta did not respond to a request for comment about the status of Sweeney's Threads account.

Sweeney's tracking of Musk's plane began in 2020, his efforts attracted widespread attention. Prior to its suspension, @ElonJet had nearly half-a-million followers.

The college student ultimately expanded his tracking operation to include the planes of other A-listers, including Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, and former President Donald Trump.

All of the accounts were suspended on December 14, 2022. Twitter claimed they had violated Twitter's terms and conditions.

Musk himself weighed in on the suspension, writing: 'Any account doxxing real-time location info of anyone will be suspended, as it is a physical safety violation. This includes posting links to sites with real-time location info.'

'Legal action is being taken against Sweeney & organizations who supported harm to family,' he added, having at that point acquired the company.

Musk famously attempted to buy the account from Sweeney in 2021 for $5,000 when the teenager refused to shut it down - but Sweeney declined the offer.

Musk is the owner off a Gulfstream G650ER business jet, valued at $70million, and is seen here leaving the aircraft in Los Angeles

Mark Zuckerberg's Meta launched Threads - a rival to Twitter - this week

Prior to being shut down, the automated Twitter page called @ElonJet kept his followers updated with Musk's whereabouts

In 2021, Musk attempted to buy the jet-tracking account from Sweeney

Sweeney previously said he has no regrets about turning down Musk's $5,000 offer, noting that he had, at that point, made around $7,000 in total from the handle thanks to merchandise sales, advertising, and donations.

He said that the attention he has received from the public has been gratifying enough, and making money was not his prime motivation.

'It's just been cool to connect with people on Twitter and other platforms [thanks to the popularity of @Elonjet]. People find me interesting,' Sweeney said.

The teen also revealed that he periodically receives a flurry of abusive messages about the ethics of his account.

'There are some on Twitter who don't like what I am doing,' Sweeney told The Independent.

'I get rude direct messages, but the really bad ones I report, and the accounts are eventually taken down.'

When Musk purchased Twitter last year, the billionaire businessman shared his vision for the company in a statement: 'Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated.'

At the time of his suspension, Sweeney labeled Musk a 'full-on hypocrite,' because Musk had assured him he would allow his Twitter account to remain active following his $44billion takeover.
The heartbroken father of innocent murdered beautician Elle Edwards said he hopes her killer 'rots in hell' ahead of his sentencing today.

Elle Edwards, 26, was killed when Connor Chapman, 23, fired 12 shots from a Skorpion pistol into a group of people outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey on the Wirral in Merseyside shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve last year.

Chapman wounded five others, including his targets Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, in the shooting and drove from the scene in a stolen Mercedes.

The gunman was yesterday convicted of Ms Edwards's murder and seven other counts after a three-and-a-half week trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

Ms Edwards's father Tim Edwards stared at Chapman as the verdicts were returned, after three hours and 48 minutes of deliberations, and when he was taken from the dock said: 'You coward.'

Tim Edwards, father of Elle Edwards, has said he hopes her killer Connor Chapman 'rots in hell'

Tim Edwards, pictured with his daughter Elle Edwards who was murdered on Christmas Eve

Elle Edwards, 26, was killed outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village in Merseyside

Connor Chapman, 23, opened fire with a Skorpion sub-machine gun outside the pub last year

Ms Edwards's father Tim outside Liverpool Crown Court after the guilty verdict yesterday

Today, Mr Edwards told BBC Breakfast: 'I can't begin to understand where someone's mind... He says, "I'll get in a car, I want to drive to a pub full of people with a machine gun and I want to open it up and I want to fire it into that pub".

READ MORE Moment man is beaten up in gang attack that led to pub shooting which left innocent Elle Edwards dead - as beautician's killer faces being jailed for life today Advertisement

'Who has that thought? Oh, and then thinks he's getting away with it? This is not a GTA, what is it, Grand Theft Auto. This is real life. So that thing who pulled the trigger, I hope he rots in hell.'

He added that he had turned to alcohol to cope following her death, adding: 'I've done that, bottle of whisky every day. And that adds its own problems.'

Mr Edwards also told of the moment he learned what had happened to his daughter, saying: 'It was my son, woke me up at about 3 o'clock in the morning, something like that. I knew, straight away, that something was seriously wrong.'

He also spoke about the impact on others involved in the incident.

Mr Edwards said: 'That's the other side isn't it, of all of this, the other people. As a family we all suffer, always will forever. But there's other people that were there, trying to help Elle, and they are going to suffer.

'So my heart goes out to those people, it really does. I'd love to wave a magic wand and make their lives better. Because, again, they don't deserve to go through it.'

As part of the BBC interview, before the trial they travelled with Mr Edwards back to Greece, which is where he had been on holiday with Ms Edwards and her sister Lucy six months before the shooting. He visited a cove where they swam and restaurants where they had eaten.

Tim Edwards, father of Elle Edwards, with members of his family including his mother (left) outside Liverpool Crown Court yesterday after Chapman was found guilty of murder

Ms Edwards died after she went outside the pub for a cigarette just before midnight

A file photo of a Skorpion sub-machine gun, similar to that used in the Christmas Eve shooting

The car used in the shooting was found burnt out in Frodsham, Cheshire, on New Year's Day

He also praised Ms Edwards, saying: 'Working hard, she was a good example to people. She was very good at picking people up. She'd set her own goals and she was achieving them and she was flying. And she did it with a smile on her face.'

READ MORE Elle Edwards' gangster killer tried to cover his tracks with shameless Facebook post slamming murder four days after he blasted innocent woman dead Advertisement

Speaking outside court yesterday after the verdicts, Mr Edwards also said: 'Those two cowards in there decided to drag it out for four weeks, put all these people through that and everyone else around it, involved in the case.

'I can't thank the police enough for what they did and we got there in the end, the right result. I hope them two never see another Christmas again ever in their lives.'

Chapman will be sentenced this afternoon for her murder.

Yesterday, Mr Justice Goose told the court he would consider imposing a whole life order.

The jury convicted Chapman of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, as well as possession of a Skorpion sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

He pleaded guilty before the trial to a charge of handling stolen goods and admitted going to burn out the car used in the shooting on December 31.

Co-defendant Thomas Waring, 20, whose house Chapman went to following the shooting, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender, by helping to burn out the Mercedes.

He pleaded guilty before trial to a charge of failing to comply with a disclosure notice.

Tim Edwards (centre) at his daughter's funeral at St Nicholas's Church in Wallasey in January

Flowers and tribute messages were left outside the Lighthouse pub following the shooting

Thomas Waring (pictured) also faces a lengthy term after he was found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon and assisting an offender

The trial heard the attack was the culmination of a feud between groups on the Woodchurch and Beechwood estates, on either side of the M53 in Wirral.

The prosecution alleged Chapman was attempting to kill Salkeld and Duffy, both of whom were seriously injured in the shooting.

The pair, from the Beechwood estate, had attacked another man, Sam Searson, in the street the day before, the court heard.

Three other men, Harry Loughran, Liam Carr and Nicholas Speed; who were unconnected to the feud, were also injured in the shooting.

The jury heard Chapman lay in wait outside the pub in a stolen Mercedes for almost three hours before firing the weapon, which the court heard was capable of firing 15 rounds a second.

Chapman told the jury he had not been using the vehicle, which he described as a 'pool car' for him and other criminals, on the night of the murder but had given the car key to another man, whom he refused to name.

CCTV footage showed the gunman drive away from the Lighthouse in the moments after the shooting and then arrive at Private Drive in Barnston, the home address of co-defendant Waring.

The man, with long hair, was seen in the footage appearing to drop the gun as he walked towards Waring's home.

Chapman admitted a charge of handling stolen goods before the trial started and told the jury on December 31 he had travelled with the unnamed man who took the car key when the Mercedes was burnt out in Frodsham, Cheshire.

He denied that Waring had been with him, although cell site evidence showed Waring's phone travelled with the car.
A soldier took to the roof of Admiralty House to play a rendition of Queen's Don't Stop Me Now to bring an end to King Charles's coronation celebrations last night.

The soldier's electric guitar performance took place in front of Princess Anne, as the sun set over a crowd of about 4,000 people lining Horse Guards Parade for the Beating Retreat pageant.

Beating Retreat is an annual tradition each year over two successive evenings.

The ceremony is a colourful pageant of military music and precision drill carried out by the the Mounted Bands of the Household Cavalry and the Massed Bands of the Household Division.

A salute is taken by a member of the Royal Family - this year Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh took the salute on Wednesday and Princess Anne took the salute on Thursday's grand finale.

A soldier took to the roof of Admiralty House to play a rendition of Queen's Don't Stop Me Now to bring an end to celebrations

The soldier's electric guitar performance took place in front of Princess Anne, as the sun set over a crowd of about 4,000 people lining Horse Guards Parade

The last night of the musical spectacle featured the Bands of the Household Divisions

The pipes and drums of the Royal Yeomanry and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in front of a packed audience on a warm summer evening

Spectators also enjoyed fireworks at this year's show which celebrated the Coronation and commemorated the music of composer Sir William Walton, The Telegraph reports.

The royal website explains: 'Beating Retreat has its origins in the early years of organised warfare when the beating of drums and the parading of Post Guards heralded the closing of camp gates and the lowering of flags at the end of the day.'

An order from the army of James II of England had his drums beating an order for his troops to retreat and a later order from William III in 1694, said: 'The Drum Major and Drummers of the Regiment which gives a Captain of the Main Guard are to beat the Retreat through the large street, or as may be ordered.

'They are to be answered by all the Drummers of the guards, and by four Drummers of each Regiment in their respective Quarters.'

Now the event raises money for Armed Forces charities.

It comes after King Charles was presented with the crown jewels of Scotland in a historic thanksgiving serving on Wednesday before he and Queen Camilla stood side by side with the Prince and Princess of Wales to watch a Red Arrows flypast.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh takes the Salute on Wednesday evening

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh at The Household Division Beating Retreat musical event

The monarch received the Crown of Scotland, the Sceptre and the Sword of State of the Honours of Scotland - the country's crown jewels - at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh eight weeks after his crowning at Westminster Abbey.

William and Catherine, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay north of the border, joined Scotland's leading figures and 100 individuals from all walks of society at the church on the Royal Mile.

The Right Reverend Sally Foster-Fulton, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, delivered the sermon, in which she called for action to tackle global warming to stop the world 'baking to a crisp'.

A 21-gun salute rang out across the Scottish capital following the historic ceremony, before nine planes left trails of red, white and blue as the royals watched from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
A wannabe robber had an awkward encounter when he tried to hold up an Atlanta nail salon, but failed miserably as the staff and customers ignored his pleas to get on the floor and give him all their money.

Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta are searching for the man who attempted to rob Nail1st on Piedmont Road on Monday afternoon.

Video of the incident shows a man with his hand in a bag walking inside before shouting, 'Get on the ground!' and 'Give me your money!' to a group of women, who appear to be customers and employees.

No one budged.

The women continue minding their business, ignoring the thief's demands.

Video of the incident shows a man with his hand in a bag walking inside before shouting, 'Get on the ground!' and 'Give me your money!' to a group of women, who appear to be customers and employees

No one budged. The women continue minding their business, ignoring the robber demands

The CCTV footage shows the man walking into the salon sporting a blue hat, sunglasses and blue pants, with his hands in his bag.

When the workers ignored him, the criminal changed tactics, walking over to a man working behind a counter.

Instead of handing over any money, the unbothered employee answered the phone that was ringing and walks away.

Eventually, one of the women stood up, put her hands up and walked slowly outside.

When the workers ignored him, the robber changed routes, walking over to a man working behind a counter

Eventually, one of the women stood up, put her hands up and walked slowly outside.

The defeated robber decided to abort mission. He then stood in the middle of the store looking hopeless as he took one last look around before giving up and walking out empty-handed

The defeated robber decided to abort mission when he realized his hopes of walking out with cash were fruitless.

He then stood in the middle of the store looking hopeless as he took one last look around before giving up and walking out empty-handed.

He sped away in a silver car, according to Crime Stoppers, who are asking the public's help with identifying the suspect.
A mother who police say faked her son's disappearance for eight years has been accused of receiving at least $2,025 from online donations while he was supposedly missing.

Janie Santana created an account on GoFundMe shortly after she falsely claimed that then 17-year-old Rudy Farias had gone missing in Houston, Texas, in March 2015.

But what first appeared to be a miraculous reunion morphed into a horror story, after Rudy, now 25, turned up outside a church and activist Quanell X claimed the young man accused his mother of holding him captive and abusing him, which police later denied.

Despite police confirming Rudy was never missing, a 'Donate to Help Find Rudy Farias IV' page was set up with a goal of $75,000 by a woman named Julissa Bravo, whose relationship to Santana remains unclear.

Santana was the beneficiary of more than 30 donations, and received the funds in 2015, the platform confirmed.

Janie Santana has been accused of receiving at least $2,025 from online donations while her son Rudy Farias was supposedly missing

@grizzyshoodnews Please keep Rudy Farias in your prayers. This story has taken a lot of us through rabbit holes and even though I was there, Im still so confused about so much stuff. You can watch my live video on Facebook where I explain a little bit about what happened out there? I have so much audio and so many videos from over the last few days. Ill be posting.  original sound - Grizzy

Then 17-year-old Rudy Farias , pictured on Wednesday, had gone missing after going out to walk his dogs in Houston, Texas, in March 2015

Santana was the beneficiary of over 30 GoFundMe donations, and received the funds in 2015, per the company

GoFundMe has since permanently banned Santana from their services.

'We are asking for donations to be able to offer a reward for Information leading us TO Rudy....She needs financial assistance since she is unable to work understandably so with her son missing! The bills are pilling up and Rudys mothers health has also deteriorated as she is devastated!' the archived GoFundMe page read.

'Please dig deep into your hearts and put yourselves in Rudys mother place... she cannot do this Alone! Give what you can and know that God will bless you and all that you do for her! We Believe that Rudy IS STILL ALIVE AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT!'

In a statement to Newsweek, GoFundMe said: 'GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing,

'The fundraiser has been removed from the platform and the beneficiary has been banned from using GoFundMe for any future fundraisers.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to GoFundMe for comment on this story.

A spokesperson with the Houston police department told DailyMail.com on Friday that while there is not an investigation specifically into the donations Santana received, these claims would be part of the ongoing general investigation into the case.

It's also been claimed that a GoFundMe was created after Rudy was 'found' at the church to solicit money to cover his medical costs and recovery. Social media users shared grabs of the page and said it was taken down after Santana's story began falling apart. The company has not confirmed this account.

Quanell told the media that Rudy had accused his mother of holding him hostage and sexually abusing him for years, forcing him to 'play daddy' and giving him hallucinogenic drugs to keep him under her control.

Houston Police also confirmed Rudy had never been missing - as had been widely suspected after Rudy reappeared last week, eight years after his mother Janie Santana claimed he'd vanished.

But cops said that Rudy declined any charges against his mom - despite harrowing claims made yesterday by community activist Quanell X who said Rudy revealed to him years of abuse at the hands of his mother, who made him 'play daddy.'

Pauline and Michelle Sanchez Rodriguez, Rudy's aunts, showed up at the press conference on Thursday and told local media they were upset over how the police were handling the situation and praised Quanell.

'They're helping[Santana], they're giving her a head start. All they had to do was bring her in,' one of them said. 'They're saying anyone can do whatever they want with their kids and nobody will do anything.'

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com on Thursday afternoon following the press conference, Quanell stood by his previous allegations and said he believed Rudy was in danger.

'It was crazy to watch the press conference,' the civil rights activist said. 'The detective heard that young man say that she made him be her husband. The detective heard him say that she told him that his name is daddy now, that she called him daddy when she would kiss him in the mouth.'

Quanell insisted that Rudy is a victim and his mother should be charged with a crime.

'I begged them to not let that boy in her custody,' he said.

Rudy's aunt, Paulina Sanchez, claimed Rudy is not staying with his mom, who he reportedly wants no contact with after declining to press any charges against her

A missing person note detailed what he was wearing at the time that he went missing, aged 17, in 2015. It also mentioned that he suffered from depression, PTSD and anxiety

'I'm gonna try to help Rudy as much as possible and I think the DA needs to press charges against her and that Rudy should be removed from her custody in some type of way, I don't believe he's safe in her custody at all.'

Rudy's aunt Paulina later said she reunited with Rudy after eight years on Thursday. She claims that, despite neighbors saying they saw him around al the time, the family believed Rudy had really been missing.

Sanchez claimed Rudy is not staying with his mom, who he reportedly wants no contact with after declining to press any charges against her.

Timeline of Rudy Farias' disappearance February 13, 2011: Farias' older brother Charles dies in car accident. August 19, 2014: Farias' father dies of a self-inflected gunshot wound. March 2015: Farias was first reported missing. He had last been seen along Valley Lake Drive, which is north of Tidwell in northeast Houston. He was reportedly walking his two dogs when he disappeared. The dogs were later found, but Farias was not. September 2018: Family members call police to report that Rudy was living behind a relative's home. Houston police searched the property, but did not find him. June 29, 2023: A man, later identified as Farias, was found unresponsive outside Immaculate Heart Church near 76th Street and Avenue K in southeast Houston. July 5, 2023: Community activist Quanell X and Houston Police meet with Rudy Farias at a hotel in Humble, Texas. Quanell X later tells reporters outside the hotel that Farias told him that his mother had been drugging and sexually abusing him for years. July 6, 2023: Houston police reveal Rudy Farias was never missing over the past eight years and say Farias did not report being sexually abused by his mother. Advertisement

'Hes a bit skinny,' she said. 'Hes doing well but plans to stay away from his mother.'

Quanell said the reason Rudy was found last week was because he stole his mother's car to get away from her, but crashed and ended up bloodied and bruised outside the church last week.

He said Rudy had his mother's two-year-old credit card on him, which proved he could not have been missing for eight years.

He claimed: 'Based on what that boy told me, I don't see why she's not in handcuffs right now. He was petrified but the minute he was by himself he calmed down. I believe she was drugging the hell out of this kid.

'He said he didn't like getting in the bed with her, that he would try to sneak out of the bed but she told him he had to be her husband.'

Rudy allegedly said his mother made him bathe her, and punished him by locking him in a room 'over and over.'

But police said in a press conference on Thursday that Rudy declined to press any charges against his mom  and that he did not make any such accusations to detectives when he was interviewed this week.

Chief Troy Finner said the duo had contact with police since he was reported missing, but said they both provided fake names, which allowed the young man to go unnoticed for years, even as neighbors and family often spotted him.

Last week, when Rudy was located, Santana announced her son's discovery on Facebook and claimed he was in bad shape.

She said he had blood in his hair and had been badly abused and beaten, and shared photos of him in a hospital bed.

'Rudy is in pretty bad shape, he has cuts, soft tissue tumors, small openings and swelling on the soles of his feet, along with bruising, old and new cuts/scrapes on his body, old dry blood on his head and hair, he has very very dark complexion now almost unrecognizable,' she wrote on Facebook.

'God only knows what he has endured during his time away from home.'

She added: 'He flinches if you try to touch him or hug him thinking we are going to strike him. He thinks his name is Julio Torres and he is 14 now.'

But after news of his miraculous return emerged, neighbors claimed Farias had never been missing at all, and would often be seen around the neighborhood.
Ron DeSantis blamed his bad poll numbers in the Republican presidential primary contest on 'corporate media' who don't him running for president and said he's in it for the long haul, not looking to 'juice' his numbers in the moment.

The Florida governor trails rival Donald Trump by 32 points in the RealClearPolitics polling average. The former president also leads in the key early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.

'I'm running to win in January and February. I'm not running to juice polling now,' DeSantis told Fox News on Thursday evening.

DeSantis shrugged off Trump's lead and argued he is the person who can beat President Joe Biden in the general election.

'If you look at the people like the corporate media, who are they going after? Who do they not want to be the nominee? They're going after me,' he said.

'If you look at all these people that are responsible for a lot of the ills in our society, they're targeting me as the person they don't want to see as the candidate. And so this campaign just started, but I think it's pretty clear that I'm the guy that not only can beat Biden, I'm the guy that can beat the left on all these different issues.'

He also referenced his 'war on woke,' which he started in Florida during the COVID pandemic when he kept the state open despite medical advice and pushed for parental control in the state's schools.

'Of any Republican in the country, I have the best record of defeating the left on issue after issue. And we will be making that case over the next six or seven months.'

DeSantis is leading Trump in one area: fundraising.

His campaign raised $20 million in second quarter fundraising. Additionally a pro-DeSantis super PAC, Never Back Down, raised $130 million since it launched in March.

Trump's campaign and his joint fundraising committee, Save America, raised a joint total of $35 million during the second quarter of the year. The $35 million is nearly double the $18.8 million Trump raised in the first three months of the year, after announcing his 2024 White House run in mid-November.

The three-month period stretches from April 1 to June 30.

DeSantis also argued to Fox that he's the Republican candidate taking the most incoming fire.

'I have also been attacked more than anybody,' he said. 'Donald Trump has spent over $20 million attacking me. That's more than he spent supporting Republican candidates in last year's midterm elections.'

'I'm running to win in January and February. I'm not running to juice polling now,'Ron DeSantis told Fox News

DeSantis argues he, not Donald Trump (above), can beat Joe Biden in the general election

And he said he was the only candidate among the GOP contenders who can appeal to independent voters.

'At the end of the day, people do want to win, though, and you can't win with just Republican voters. I think we showed in Florida, if you want a big victory, you got to win independent voters. You got to win people who haven't voted for our party in the last several cycles,' he said.

DeSantis' argument will be tested on Aug. 23, the day of the first Republican presidential primary debate. It will take place in Milwaukee.
The death penalty is being sought for the career-criminal charged with the kidnapping and murdering of billionaire heiress Eliza Fletcher.

Cleotha Abston-Henderson, 38, is accused of killing elementary school teacher Fletcher, 34, last September after bundling her into his car during an early morning run in Memphis.

Now Shelby County District Attorney General's Office is pushing for capital punishment if he is found guilty.

The convicted felon was indicted on January 25 on charges of especially aggravated kidnapping, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence.

A trial date has not been set.

Cleotha Abston-Henderson, 38, is accused of killing elementary school teacher Fletcher, 34, last September after bundling her into his car during an early morning run in Memphis. He's pictured in court on Thursday, July 6, 2023

The death penalty is being sought for the career-criminal charged with the kidnapping and murdering of billionaire heiress Eliza Fletcher (pictured)

In a statement, the DA said: 'The decision comes after careful consideration and conducting a detailed legal review of the facts and circumstances of the case.

'Before filing the notice, DA Mulroy and members of his team met with Mrs. Fletcher's family regarding this decision. The family supports filing the death penalty notice and is determined to see that justice is served.

'This is not a decision taken lightly nor as a matter of course.

'It is a grave decision involving a punishment I've publicly opposed as a policy matter. But as DA I must enforce the law despite personal opinion.

'After careful consideration of the facts in this case and similar cases, I believe this is what justice demands.'

Judge Lee Coffee confirmed at a hearing on Thursday that the DA filed a notice with the court explaining that the prosecution will seek the death penalty in the trial.

Abston-Henderson was previously arraigned at Shelby County Criminal Court on multiple charges  including the rape and abduction of another woman.

He pleaded not guilty to the first-degree murder of the billionaire heiress as well as appearing in court in connection with the rape of Alicia Franklin in 2021.

Cleotha Abston, pictured in 2000, was first arrested when he was just 11 years old and was in and out of juvenille court when 16 times in five years before he kidnapped a lawyer

Judge Lee Coffee' told Fletcher's family, who were in court, that the case would be a 'long journey'.

He said: 'This is going to be a long journey; these cases do not resolve themselves in a brief period of time.

'If this case goes to trial, it will probably be two to three years before it's actually tried. I hope we can compress it to less than that.'

Tennessee is a state with the death penalty, with prosecutors previously saying they were not ruling it out if he is convicted.

The convicted felon has denied first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, and tampering with evidence.

Police also discovered Fletchers Lululemon purple running shorts in a trash bag less than half a mile from where her body was discovered on Victor Street

Eliza Fletcher pictured with her husband Richie and their two children. The family described her as a 'special' woman who was taken away from them in a 'senseless' manner

Wearing a green-issued prison jumpsuit Abston-Henderson entered his pleas next to his public defender Jennifer Case

Abston-Henderson was identified in the rape of Franklin after he was arrested for the murder of Fletcher, with a DNA kit flagging him as a potential suspect.

A DNA kit was sent to the investigation bureau two days after the crime allegedly took place on September 21, 2021.

Jennifer Case, his public defender, argued at a previous hearing that she wanted a gag order for her client.

Authorities confirmed that a body found in long grass near an abandoned property was that of Fletcher.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy confirmed that the incident was 'isolated' and that Fletcher had never met her attacker before.

When asked whether Abston-Henderson should have been released early after spending 22 years in prison for kidnapping a lawyer, Mulroy said: 'It's easy to talk about things 20202 hindsight.

'In this particular case clearly, he shouldn't have been on the street. Our office opposed parole at the time and in hindsight the parole decision was a tragic one.

'When you have repeat violent offenders, they need to be dealt with very strongly.'

Abston, 38, was just 11 when he first appeared in Shelby County Juvenile Court, in Memphis, Tennessee, charged with theft of property $500 or less.

He was detained 16 times from October 1995 to May 2000 for rape, aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Heartbreaking footage showed Elle Edwards cuddling and laughing with her nephew, as her devastated family paid tribute to their 'beyond kind, beyond loving daughter' and vowed that her 'scumbag' killer would 'never get out' of prison.

Innocent Miss Edwards was killed when 23-year-old drug dealer, Connor Chapman, opened fire with a sub-machine gun outside The Lighthouse in Wallasey on the Wirral, Merseyside, on Christmas Eve last year.

Today Chapman - whom the judge branded a 'highly dangerous man' was jailed for life for murdering Miss Edwards, 26, being handed a minimum term of 48 years at Liverpool Crown Court. During the shooting he injured five other people, including his targets Jake Duffy and Kieran Salkeld, when he fired 12 shots from the Skorpion gun before driving away from the scene in a stolen Mercedes.

After he was jailed, there was an outburst of shouting from the public gallery as Miss Edwards's relatives said, 'goodbye lad', 'see you later', 'scumbag' and 'f***ing rat'.

In victim impact statements, Miss Edwards's father Tim Edwards described her as 'the most caring, beautiful, happy person', while her mother Gaynor  who could not face coming to court, said: 'I cannot put into words how much I love and miss her.'

Footage of the young woman, 'who lived to make people happy', showed her laughing and blowing raspberries with her young nephew, while another video showed them lying on the floor chatting together. Other images released by Miss Edwards' family showed her as a young girl holding a baby, while more recent pictures showed her on holiday and a family home.

Speaking outside court, Mr Edwards said: 'The amount of people involved in this investigation from day one has been remarkable and they did not give up. They were relentless in achieving the goal which was to get justice for Elle and catch the killer. Thankfully now he's got 48 years and hopefully he never sees Christmas again.

'If I'm lucky enough to still be around for a long time yet I will do my best to make sure he never comes out. Things need to change and we've made a start with that. I think, 48 years, if you think of picking up a gun now you should think twice about it.'

Elle Edwards, 26, was killed outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village in Merseyside

Heartbreaking footage released today by Miss Edwards' family showed her laughing and playing with her nephew

In other footage she is seen laughing and chatting with a young boy on the floor

Connor Chapman, 23, opened fire with a Skorpion sub-machine gun outside the pub last year

Tim Edwards, father of Elle Edwards, arrives at Liverpool Crown Court for the sentencing today

Tim Edwards arrives at Liverpool Crown Court for today's sentencing of his daughter's killer

Family members of Elle Edwards arrive at Liverpool Crown Court for today's sentencing

Mr Justice Goose told Chapman he was a 'highly dangerous man', adding that the murder had caused 'profound and permanent grief' to Miss Edwards's family.

'Most caring, beautiful, happy person': Father pays tribute to his daughter who 'always gave the best hugs' This is the full victim impact statement from Tim Edwards, father of Elle Edwards, which was read at Liverpool Crown Court today: 'On December 24, 2022 my daughter was doing what every young person should be doing at Christmas. Looking forward to Christmas Day with her family. That will never happen again. 'She was the most caring, beautiful, happy person. She was the one every kid went to for help, or maybe just a hug. 'Her permanent smile would light up any room she entered. She would always greet you with a hug and ask how are you doing. She always gave the best hugs, and it was always enough to lift you if you were having a bad day. 'Elle was trying her hardest to make something of herself. She always got to where she wanted to be. She was reaching her peak and the happiest I've ever seen her. She had such a bright future. Elle was a fantastic sister. The bond the four of them has is unbreakable. She would give all her spare time to her brothers and sisters. Elle did the same with her friends. 'Elle loved the company of her grandparents and was always calling in to see them. It was her second home. Elle cared for her grandmother and the two would often go out for afternoon tea or lunch somewhere. She would always make sure her nan had a great day out. The same went for her other grandfather George. She would go out the way to have a catch up with him. 'I can't begin to explain the devastating effect this has. The only people who go through such a horrific experience can ever know how it feels. I hope the people in this room never have to experience what we are going through now. We have been given a life sentence. Whenever we celebrate birthdays, easter, family celebrations there will always be Elle missing. We know if she was there, it was always going to be a great time full of laughter and cheer. 'We will always wonder what her children would be like, what her career would turn out like. We will never know. We never asked for this punishment. 'The event of Christmas Eve have impacted us in a huge number of ways. The feeling of loss of a child is so devastating it really can't be put into words. It's hard to focus on the future when no matter what we do there is nothing to bring back our daughter. I will do my best to make sure her name is never forgotten and use her name to help those who need it. Christmas will never be celebrated. Gone is the time of Christmas as a time to be together. We will never all be together.' Advertisement

The sentencing hearing was told Chapman is a prolific criminal, having appeared in court 20 times for a total of 45 offences since his first conviction in 2014 aged 14.

The court also heard today that his brother Lewis Chapman was shot with a different Skorpion gun last August, but 'refused to assist or cooperate with the police'.

Mr Edwards also said his daughter had been 'looking forward to Christmas Day with her family' on the night she was murdered, but 'that will never happen again'.

He continued: 'She was the most caring, beautiful, happy person. She was the one every kid went to for help, or maybe just a hug. Her permanent smile would light up any room she entered.

'She would always greet you with a hug and ask how are you doing. She always gave the best hugs, and it was always enough to lift you if you were having a bad day.

'Elle was trying her hardest to make something of herself. She always got to where she wanted to be. She was reaching her peak and the happiest I've ever seen her.'

Mr Edwards said she had 'such a bright future' and was a 'fantastic sister', giving 'all her spare time to her brothers and sisters' and 'did the same with her friends'.

He continued: 'Elle loved the company of her grandparents and was always calling in to see them. It was her second home. Elle cared for her grandmother and the two would often go out for afternoon tea or lunch somewhere.

'She would always make sure her nan had a great day out. The same went for her other grandfather George. She would go out the way to have a catch up with him.'

He said he 'can't begin to explain the devastating effect this has' and that the 'only people who go through such a horrific experience can ever know how it feels'.

Mr Edwards added: 'I hope the people in this room never have to experience what we are going through now. We have been given a life sentence. Whenever we celebrate birthdays, Easter, family celebrations there will always be Elle missing. We know if she was there, it was always going to be a great time full of laughter and cheer.

'We will always wonder what her children would be like, what her career would turn out like. We will never know. We never asked for this punishment.

'The event of Christmas Eve have impacted us in a huge number of ways. The feeling of loss of a child is so devastating it really can't be put into words.

'It's hard to focus on the future when no matter what we do there is nothing to bring back our daughter. I will do my best to make sure her name is never forgotten and use her name to help those who need it.

'Christmas will never be celebrated. Gone is the time of Christmas as a time to be together. We will never all be together.'

Mr Edwards also said his daughter's mother Gaynor 'has not been able to face coming to court but wanted her voice heard'.

Gaynor said: 'I want to know why have you done this? What drove you to do this to my daughter? I can't accept she's gone. I cannot put into words how much I love and miss her.'

Photos released by Miss Edwards' family show her holding as a young girl holding a baby

Miss Edwards's father Tim Edwards described her as 'the most caring, beautiful, happy person'

Her grandmother Susan Edwards said that 'Elle was beyond caring, beyond kind, beyond generous and loving'

And Miss Edwards's grandmother Susan Edwards said in her victim impact statement: 'To me Elle was beyond caring, beyond kind, beyond generous and loving. If you were lucky enough to be chosen by Elle as a friend, you knew it would be cherished and last forever.

'I know as cheesy as it sounds, she called me Queen and I called her Princess.'

She added: 'If I were to die tomorrow, the coroner would write on my death certificate: Cause of death, a broken heart. I miss my angel so much it hurts.'

Her younger brother Connor Edwards said: 'Our worlds fell apart. She had been needlessly taken away from us. We'd grown up side by side and were very close. I miss going into her room and just having a laugh with my sister'

Yesterday, the jury convicted Chapman of murder, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, as well as possession of the sub-machine gun with intent to endanger life and ammunition with intent to endanger life.

Tim Edwards, pictured with his daughter Elle Edwards, who was murdered on Christmas Eve

Elle Edwards, 26, was killed outside the Lighthouse pub in Wallasey Village in Merseyside

Miss Edwards died after choosing to step outside for a cigarette just before midnight

Flowers and tribute messages were left outside the Lighthouse pub following the shooting

Chapman pleaded guilty before the trial to a charge of handling stolen goods and admitted going to burn out the car used in the shooting on December 31.

Co-defendant Thomas Waring, 20, whose house Chapman went to following the shooting, was convicted of possession of a prohibited firearm and assisting an offender, by helping to burn out the Mercedes. He pleaded guilty before trial to a charge of failing to comply with a disclosure notice.

Today, Waring was jailed for nine years at Liverpool Crown Court.

The trial heard the attack was the culmination of a feud between groups on the Woodchurch and Beechwood estates, on either side of the M53 in Wirral.

The prosecution alleged Chapman was attempting to kill Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, both of whom were seriously injured in the shooting.

The pair, from the Beechwood estate, had attacked another man, Sam Searson, in the street the day before, the court heard.

Three other men: Harry Loughran, Liam Carr and Nicholas Speed; who were unconnected to the feud, were also injured in the shooting.

The jury heard Chapman lay in wait outside the pub in a stolen Mercedes for almost three hours before firing the weapon, which the court heard was capable of firing 15 rounds a second.

Chapman told the jury he had not been using the vehicle, which he described as a 'pool car' for him and other criminals, on the night of the murder but had given the car key to another man, whom he refused to name.

A file photo of a Skorpion sub-machine gun, similar to that used in the Christmas Eve shooting

The car used in the shooting was found burnt out in Frodsham, Cheshire, on New Year's Day

Miss Edwards's father Tim outside Liverpool Crown Court after the guilty verdict yesterday

CCTV footage showed the gunman drive away from the Lighthouse in the moments after the shooting and then arrive at Private Drive in Barnston, the home address of co-defendant Waring.

READ MORE Moment man is beaten up in gang attack that led to pub shooting which left Elle Edwards dead Advertisement

The man, with long hair, was seen in the footage appearing to drop the gun as he walked towards Waring's home.

Chapman admitted a charge of handling stolen goods before the trial started and told the jury on December 31 he had travelled with the unnamed man who took the car key when the Mercedes was burnt out in Frodsham, Cheshire.

He denied that Waring had been with him, although cell site evidence showed Waring's phone travelled with the car.

Senior investigating officer in the case, Detective Superintendent Paul Grounds, described Chapman as a 'dangerous and ruthless individual'.

He said: 'Connor Chapman knew exactly what he was doing when he left his home address on December 24, getting in a stolen car in possession of a Skorpion machine pistol.

'He drove to the Lighthouse pub where he spent a number of hours there before finding a car parking space that gave him a real clear view of who was outside.

'He then left his car with no regard for anybody else, intent on firing that gun at his intended targets, Kieran Salkeld and Jake Duffy, with not a care of what would happen to anybody else who was stood outside of the pub.'

After today's sentencing, Wirral Council's leader Paul Stuart said: 'First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and friends of Elle Edwards who have suffered such a devastating loss and having to endure a lengthy court trial.

'Nothing will ever replace the loss of Elle, especially in such horrific circumstances. However, I hope Elle's family will take some comfort knowing justice has been served to those responsible. This was an appalling crime, and its impact was felt by whole community in Wallasey Village and throughout Wirral.

'I would like to thank our communities for rallying together through this tough time and assure them that Wirral Council is committed to supporting the work of the police and other partners in tackling serious and organised crime and violence and doing everything we can to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated.'
One way flights to idyllic locations for as little as $29

Jetstar has launched a weekend sale on more than 40 routes across Australia, with flights costing as little as $29.

Those looking for an excuse to book a holiday are urged to act quick as the sale ends at midnight on Monday.

Sydneysiders are being treated to the bulk of the deals, with flights to eight destinations including Byron Bay and the Gold Coast for $29 or the Sunshine Coast and Adelaide for $49.

Flights to Launceston will set back travellers just $39, Hamilton Island just $59 and Uluru only $74.

Buget Airline, Jetstar (pictured), have launched a massive weekend sale, with prices on over 40 flight routes being slashed to as little as $29

Sydneysiders can fly up to Byron Bay (pictured) for just $29 while Melbournians can spend just $59

Melbournians can jump across the Tasman to Launceston for just $35, while a tip north to Newcastle and Byron Bay will only cost $49 and $55 respectively.

Other discounted routes out of Melbourne include Uluru for $79 and Hamilton Island for $89.

Those in Perth wishing head across to the east coast can book flights to Brisbane and the Gold Coast for $129, while a ticket Sydney could be yours for a little as $169.

Many of the routes offer the same price for flights returning to their departing airport.

Check-in baggage will set back travellers as it is not included in the airfare.

Flights to the highlight of the Red Center, Uluru (pictured), costs under $90 for those flying in from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne

Jetstar has also brought back its popular 'Bali Breaks' holiday deals for those seeking warmer weather but close to home.

The deal bundles together flights, hotels and in some cases transport from to and from the airport.

Flights and a five-night stay at the Bali Dynasty Resort, southwest of Denpasar, will cost around $800 for those in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, and $682 for those departing from Perth.

The cheapest offer is flights and a three night stay at The ONE Legian, just north of the Bali Dynasty Resort.

Sydneysiders, Melbournians and Brisbanites can lock in a holiday for under $500, while those from Perth will cost $336 or Darwin for $289.

Travel dates vary but include early September to mid-December 2023 and early January to mid-March 2024.

The holiday packages sale ends midnight Wednesday.

Travelling to Hamilton Island (pictured) in Queensland's picturesque Whitsundays will cost just $59 from Sydney and $89 from Melbourne
Organisers of the London to Brighton Mini Run have cancelled the annual event, blaming the decision on spiralling costs and the impending ULEZ expansion.

The team behind the annual event criticised the amount of red tab associated with organising the trip, describing the process as 'increasingly challenging'.

The run to the south coast is a celebration of Alec Issigonis' classic design, with production lasting between 1959 and 2000.

The original Mini was fitted with a giant ashtray instead of a radio, as Issignosis enjoyed smoking. During the 1960s, it became an icon of pop culture and featured in Michael Caine's 1969 crime caper, The Italian Job.

The London to Brighton Mini Run is a celebration of Alec Issigonis' classic design

Members of the Mini Owners Club meet up with versions of the car from the late 1950s to the late 1980s, such as the 1988 model, pictured, bottom right

According to the event's webpage: 'We hope you all enjoyed this year's London to Brighton Mini Run.

'Putting on this event has become increasingly challenging, with spiralling costs, red tape, reduced parking at Brighton and numerous other restrictions, before we even get to the possible impact of ULEZ in both London and Brighton.

'After the post-event meeting and lengthy discussions, the committee have come to the difficult decision that there will not be a London to Brighton Mini Run next year.

'We would like to thank everyone who has helped marshal over the years and the members who have participated in the event.'

Brighton and Hove introduced a low emission zone to try and curb pollution in the city in January 2015 but it only applies to buses.

However the city's Green Party has pledged to expand it as well as making it apply to all polluting vehicles.

London's ULEZ zone has been the focus of much criticism. It is set to be expanded to cover much of outer London and only historic vehicles over 40 years old are exempt, with drivers having to apply for a historic vehicle tax class.

Those who don't meet the criteria have to pay 12.50.

As well as criticising the London ULEZ plans, the organisers said there was a lack of parking at the route's end in Brighton

This image shows some of the 2,500 Minis attending the 2009 50th anniversary celebration of the historic car

Mini Run organisers also cited a lack of parking in Brighton, where the run ends.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesperson said they were in contact with the London and Surrey Mini Owners Club to try and save the event.

Council lead for events Alan Robins said: 'We are doing everything we can to save this important event for the city against the backdrop of rising costs for organisers.

'Council officers have today spoken with them to try and find working solutions that can make the event viable going forward.

'We are confident that when the Black Rock development is completed, we'll also be able to increase capacity and space for participants.

'The city's ULEZ only applies to buses in a small area of the city.

'We have so many excellent and historic events taking place in the city every year and we will do everything we can to support them and the economic benefits they bring.'

The decision to cancel the annual event has created sadness in the Mini owner's community

Minis that have not yet reached 40 would have been subject to Sadiq Khan's Ulez tax

Participants said they were heartbroken by the cancellation, with many recalling generations of their families being involved.

Historic Minis have been passed from grandparents to grandchildren who now carry on the tradition of taking part.

Clare Lamb said on Facebook: 'So sad to hear the news - massive blow to the minis but understand the difficulties and it's such a shame.

'You worked wonders to pull it all off and it was always a massive date on the calendar.'

Paul Reynolds said: 'To everyone who made this event happen thank you for some great memories.'

Mick Hough added: 'We thanked the NHS a few years ago and now it's time for us to Thank You.

'Thanks for the memories and all the fun that we had.

'I've only been involved since 2006 but I will never forget the friendships I have made throughout the years.

'Thank you once again.'

And Taylor Barnett said: 'Such sad news about the run but I'm so glad I managed to do it 2023!

'This mini was my grandma's, when she passed away she left it to my dad.

'He was diagnosed with Parkinson's, he physically can not drive any more so he's passed the mini on to me and my sister.

'The weekend of the run was also the weekend I received my results, I passed, made dad proud and had the best weekend doing this!

'Thank you so much to all the organisers, you have made a dad very proud as I pulled up!'
PETA has slammed Paris Hilton for buying a new teacup chihuahua from a breeder instead of adopting from a shelter - and now plans to plaster ads protesting her decision across Los Angeles.

The campaign was sparked after Hilton took to Instagram on Wednesday to gush over her new pup.

Moira Colley, a spokesperson for PETA, told DailyMail.com on Friday that the ads are set to roll out next week and will be plastered all over the city of Angels.

'The posters will be pointing out that Paris has overlooked millions of lovable homeless dogs in U.S. shelters while pimping for the pet-breeding industry,' Colley said.

'PETA hopes our street art blitz will remind every celebrity to lead by example and adopt, never shop.'

Another PETA rep blasted the hotel heiress: 'Paris Hilton has apparently been living under a rock for the past decade, because a day in an animal shelter would have shown her just how many Chihuahuas already need homes, and five minutes on Petfinder would turn up thousands more, including puppies.'

Last month, comedian Pete Davidson left an unhinged voicemail to PETA in which he screamed 'f*** you, suck my d***' after it criticized him for buying a puppy from a pet store instead of adopting from an animal shelter.

He was spotted picking up the new dog from a breeder - a mix between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a poodle - at a shop in New York City alongside his actress girlfriend Chase Sui Wonders.

But PETA's Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch expressed her disappointment at his decision not to adopt.

PETA is set to plaster ads across LA slamming Paris Hilton for buying a new teacup chihuahua from a breeder

The PETA ads that the non-profit will be rolling out starting next week

The ad campaign uproar was sparked after Hilton took to Instagram on Wednesday pictured as she was gushing over her new cutie-pie

In Hilton's Instagram post, the socialite is seen pictured holding her new puppy and asks fans to help her name him.

'Welcoming the newest addition to the family! He's so adorable!' read the caption with a picture of Hilton holding her pet and surrounded by her other animals. 'What should we name him?!'

In the post, she also revealed that the teacup chihuahua is related to her precious Harajuku Bitch, her longtime companion, who died in May at the shocking age of 23.

Many fans sent congratulatory posts and their idea for a moniker. 'Chickpea... 'Gizmo'... 'Taco' ... Tigger' ... 'Teddy Hilton' ...and 'Tinkerbelle, Jr.' were some of the names.

One viewer called him an absolute 'doll,' and gave her name suggestion as 'Kintsugi' the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, silver or platinum which they said is fitting due to the loss of her Harajuku Bitch.

Others were not as celebratory and echoed PETA's criticisms. 'No teacup pets that cruel,' one person wrote. Another posted the hashtag 'adoptdon'tshop.'

According to PETA, approximately 70 million dogs and cats are homeless in the U.S. at any given time, and an estimated 10 percent are in shelters where many have to be euthanized.

Pete Davidson left an unhinged voicemail to PETA in which he screamed 'f*** you, suck my d***'' after it criticized him for buying a puppy from a pet store instead of adopting from an animal shelter

A PETA billboard calling out celebrities for not leading by example and adopting dogs

Breeders add to this crisis by bringing more animals into the world, who in turn produce even more animals, including many who will end up on the street or in animal shelters.

The breeder Hilton used is FouFou's Teacup Puppies, Inc. The company that is headquartered in Gangam, South Korea sells a variety of different breeds including, Pomeranians, Maltese, poodles and yorkies.

These specialty dogs have hefty price tags that run into the thousands with a pup costing about $7,000. It is unclear if Hilton purchased the pup or if the breeder gifted it to her as part of a collaboration.

Hilton's Instagram features a photo of her with founders of FouFou's Teacup Puppies.

'It was an honor and a privilege to send our bundle of unconditional puppy love to the Queen of Queens @parishilton. It's a Paw-Ty,' the founders said in a post.

'Words can't describe how special this moment is. From day one this was a dream that came true. Thank you to the most amazing, humble, hardworking, sweet, kind-hearted, genuine, funny, radiant, gorgeous, stunning, iconic, elegant, empowering human being on earth.

The latest uproar is not the first time Paris Hilton has been called out for buying dogs

Hilton replied in five words: 'I love my new fur baby.'

The PETA rep added: 'PETA knows that retail therapy is what Paris loves best, but we ask her to keep the shopping to baubles and bags and give an animal a chance to be 'sliving' by adopting.'

The spokesperson said that there will be at least a dozen ads featured in different neighborhoods across Los Angeles.

The nonprofit organization conducted an investigation into what they described as the 'nightmare' puppy mills in South Korea though they told DailyMail.com that Hilton's breeder was not one of the facilities being investigated.

Between March 2022 and January 2023, a PETA Asia investigator visited four puppy mills in South Korea. Since then, PETA filed complaints with the government and four police stations and we have been waiting for action to be takenhowever, the facilities have been allowed to continue to operate legally.

In them, frightened dogs frantically pace back and forth in cramped, filthy cages amid the constant deafening sound of barking, while the puppy mill owners with government connections rake in millions.

One owner divulged that he breeds animals both for the 'pet' trade and for dogfighting. When dogs can no longer fight, they're sold for meat and killed. Another breeder suggested removing dogs' vocal cords and implied that he unintentionally killed a dog by administering an erroneous injection.
He had one of the bumpiest falls from grace in celebrity history when Stuart Lubbock was found dead in his swimming pool following a late-night drug-fuelled party more than 20 years ago.

After being axed by ITV shortly afterwards in 2003, he disappeared for more than a decade before attempting several comebacks.

But now determined Michael Barrymore is giving showbusiness one last roll of the dice at the age of 71 by orchestrating himself another return - but this time he will be calling the shots as a director.

MailOnline can reveal that the former darling of ITV is co-directing a new production at the Cambridge Theatre in London about the rivalry between two of the world's biggest entertainers, Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin.

Determined Michael Barrymore is giving showbusiness one last roll of the dice at the age of 71 by orchestrating himself another return - this time as a director

Laurel and Chaplin  The Feud will tell the 'true story of teenage best friends' whose relationship broke down when silent movie star Chaplin found fame in Hollywood.

Barrymore shared a video on Instagram and TikTok, inviting followers to 'come to work with me' as he told fans it 'feels good to be home'.

The entertainer was seen directing Verity Walker and Jordan Conway, two of eight performers, as he laughed on stage and watched them from the stalls ahead of the opening night on July 24.

Conway shared the video on his own channels, and wrote: 'They say never meet your idols... I get the absolute pleasure of working with mine and he's the best ever. so, ha!'

Barrymore replied: 'Thank you so much Jordan. for asking me. So glad I said yes. Rehearsal Monday; don't be late.'

Ms Walker wrote 'loving working with you,' to which the former Strike it Lucky host said: 'Such a wonderful atmosphere at Rehearsal today Verity. Sometimes things just seem right. Today was one of those days.'

Barrymore was no stranger to the stage, having performed sell-out shows before his career collapsed in 2001 when Lubbock, 31, was found dead in the swimming pool of his Essex mansion after the star hosted a late-night party, fueled with drugs.

Barrymore fled the scene and Lubbock's death was initially thought to be an accident.

However, a post-mortem later found he had suffered internal injuries, though no one was ever charged with his death.

He had one of the bumpiest falls from grace in celebrity history when Stuart Lubbock (pictured) was found dead in his swimming pool following a late-night drug-fuelled party more than 20 years ago

Laurel and Chaplin  The Feud will tell the 'true story of teenage best friends' whose relationship broke down when silent movie star Chaplin found fame in Hollywood

Barrymore shared the video on both Instagram and TikTok, telling how he is co-directing the new play

The entertainer was seen directing Verity Walker and Jordan Conway, two of eight performers, as he laughed on stage and watched them from the stalls ahead of the opening night on July 24

Chaplin and Laurel (right) arrived in the United States on the same ship when they began their careers

Charlie Chaplin (inside lifebelt) and Stan Laurel (kneeling left) are seen amongst fellow members of the Fred Karno troupe en route to America on board the liner 'Cairnrona', 1910

The former host, a recovering alcoholic, was last seen on Piers Morgan's Life Stories in 2019, 13 years after finishing runner up on Celebrity Big Brother.

He was signed up for Dancing on Ice in 2020 but was left 'absolutely devastated' after a broken wrist in training forced him to pull out.

Barrymore uses his TikTok account to share video clips from shows including Kids Say the Funniest Things and Strike it Lucky with his 1.7 million followers.

Replying recently to a fan who said it was a 'travesty' that he is no longer on screen, he said: 'Then TikTok came along. Same stuff, smaller screen. And we can talk on this channel.'
A woman has drowned after jumping into a South Korean river to see if her dog would save her.

The unnamed woman, aged 46, was walking with friends near the Hongcheon River in the Gangwon Province early on Saturday July 1 when she entered the water.

Rapid currents swept her away and she was reported missing at around 6:36am.

Police and fire authorities rushed to the scene, with 30 rescuers who used helicopters, boats and drones in an attempt to find her.

Tragically she was found dead later that day about half a mile downstream under the Palbong Bridge.

A woman has drowned after jumping into a South Korean river to see if her dog would save her. Pictured are rescuers

Rapid currents of the Hongcheon River (pictured) swept the woman away

The woman was with friends near the Hongcheon River in the Gangwon Province when the incident happened

The woman was reportedly camping by the river with three friends and her dog when they jumped into the water to see if 'a dog will help if a person gets into a dangerous situation'.

The police are investigating the incident and have reportedly questioned the three people she was with at the time, according to local media.

Earlier this year an 81-year-old man was saved from drowning by his dog after his wheelchair slid down a grass embankment and into a lake.

Harry Smith, from Port St. Lucie, Florida, was walking his nine-year-old beagle mix, Sarah, in his neighborhood last week when his electric wheelchair lost traction and slid down a bank, causing him to flip into the water.

The dog sensed something was wrong and started barking loudly, attracting the attention of passersby to come to Mr Smith's assistance.
The incredible story of a soldier who was shot twice in the Charge of the Light Brigade but survived the near-suicide mission is revealed as his medals go up for sale for 7,000 and will take place on July 20.

Private James Wightman was one of the 600 men who rode into the 'Valley of Death' in the near-suicidal action immortalised in Alfred Tennyson's famous poem.

Pte Wightman's Crimea Medal is going under the hammer at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son.

The Londoner was shot through the right knee with a musket ball, before another pierced his shin.

His horse was shot three times in the neck and both him and the rider were pouring with blood.

Private James Wightman (pictured) was one of the 600 men who rode into the 'Valley of Death' in the near-suicidal action immortalised in Alfred Tennyson's famous poem

Pte Wightman's medals are being sold at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son

After his horse collapsed, Pte Wightman dismounted and engaged in hand-to-hand fighting with the Russians before he was captured.

He later wrote of how he saw a comrade's head blown off by a round shot 'yet for 30 yards the headless body kept the saddle'.

Pte Wightman is immortalised in the famous Richard Caton Woodville painting of the charge.

The Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854, is regarded as one of the worst days in British military history.

Lord Raglan, overall commander of the British forces at Balaclava in the Crimea, had intended to send the Light Brigade to pursue a separate, retreating Russian battery.

But due to a breakdown in communications, the unit headed off on the near-suicidal mission and were attacked from all sides by artillery, infantry and cavalry.

The charge resulted in the deaths of 110 British men with a further 161 wounded.

Pte Wightman later recalled: 'Just then I got a musket-ball through my right knee, and another in the shin, and my horse had three bullet wounds in the neck.

'Man and horse were bleeding so fast that Marsh begged me to fall out; but I would not, pointing out that in a few minutes we would be into them, and so I sent my spurs well home and faced it out with my comrades.

'It was about this time that Sergeant Talbot had his head clean carried off by a round shot, yet for about 30 yards further the head-less body kept the saddle.

The Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854, is regarded as one of the worst days in British military history. A painting of the Charge of Light Brigade with Pte Wightman (circled)

'My narrative may seem barren of incidents, but amid the crash of shells and the whistle of bullets, the cheers and the dying cries of comrades, the sense of personal danger, the pain of wounds and the consuming passion to reach an enemy, he must be an exceptional man who is cool enough and curious enough to be looking serenely about him for what painters call 'local colour'.

'I had a good deal of 'local colour' myself, but it was running down the leg of my overalls from my wounded knee.'

Pte Wightman's Crimea Medal is going under the hammer at London-based auctioneers Spink & Son.

Robert Wilde-Evans, medals specialist at Spink & Son, said: 'The Charge of the Light Brigade still hold a great fascination with so many, as one of military history's most infamous blunders.

'How anyone survived the advance and charge down a valley being fired at from all sides perhaps defies belief, but many did and one of their number was Private James Wightman of the 17th Lancers.

'Despite both he and his horse receiving multiple wounds, Wightman entered into hand-to-hand combat with Russian Cossacks before being captured and taken prisoner until later released.

'Exceedingly fortunate to survive, Wightman left an important personal account of the Charge and was the central figure in the famous Richard Caton Woodville painting of that event.

'In later life he attended many of the dinners held to celebrate the veterans of the Light Brigade.'

Pte Wightman was born in York in 1834 and enlisted with the 17th Lancers in 1852.

A Russian surgeon removed the musket ball from his right knee after Balaclava.

He was eventually repatriated and served in India, resigning his commission in 1868.

Pte Wightman attended many reunion dinners as 'one of the Charge's most celebrated veterans'.

He died in 1907 and is buried at Brompton Road Cemetery, west London.

His medal group consists of Crimea 1854-56, with Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol clasps; Turkish Crimea 1855.
The UN's nuclear agency is pushing for access to the roof of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine after satellite images emerged showing suspicious objects amid Ukrainian claims that Russian troops had planted explosives.

The plant was seized by Russia in March 2022 in the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, raising fears of a nuclear accident.

But these fears have only compounded amid speculation that Russian forces had mined the plant. A potential explosion at the nuclear reactors could trigger a major disaster, spreading an invisible radioactive cloud over Ukraine and Europe.

Satellite images taken from a pass over Zaporizhzhia appeared to show a series of circular objects distributed across the roof of one of the power plant's reactors. Earlier shots showed the reactor roofs completely bare, suggesting the objects were placed there in the interim.

But it is impossible to make out exactly what the suspicious items are from the images.

Ukraine is warning Russia may intend to detonate explosives and trigger a nuclear incident in Zaporizhzhia, while Moscow claims Kyiv's forces are planning a sabotage operation to discredit Putin's troops.

It comes weeks after explosions at the Nova Kakhovka dam in Ukraine's Kherson region caused catastrophic flooding and displaced tens of thousands.

New satellite images show unidentifiable shapes at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

This image provided by Planet Labs PBC shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Southern Ukraine on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. Ukraine and Russia are accusing each other of planning to attack one of the world's largest nuclear power plants

New satellite images show unidentifiable shapes at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

An image taken hours earlier appeared to show the roof completely clear

A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Russian-controlled Ukraine, June 15, 2023

This photograph taken from Ukrainian city of Nikopol on July 7, 2023, shows the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control since the first days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director general Rafael Grossi said he was working on assessing the plant, but Russian troops were only granting his team partial access.

'It's like a conversation and I'm pushing to get as much access as possible,' said Mr Grossi, adding that there was 'marginal improvement'.

'I'm optimistic that we are going to be able to go up and see,' Mr Grossi said, referring to the rooftops.

'I'm pretty confident that we will get this authorisation. This is a combat zone, it's an active warzone, so sometimes it may take a day or two to get the authorisations.'

The UN atomic watchdog has repeatedly cautioned over the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, after a reactor exploded in 1986.

Citing the latest intelligence reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky alleged on Tuesday night that Russian troops had placed 'objects resembling explosives' on top of several power units to 'simulate' an attack as part of a false flag operation.

'Now we have information from our intelligence that the Russian troops have placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several power units of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

'Perhaps to simulate an attack on the plant. Perhaps they have some other scenario,' Zelensky said.

The 'foreign objects' were placed on the roof of the plant's third and fourth power units, the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said in a statement.

The Ukrainians had said the areas were mined by the Russians, but the IAEA was able to 'confirm that they were not, which is important'.

On Wednesday, Mr Grossi stressed the most recent IAEA inspection of the Zaporizhzhia plant found no mining activities - but couldn't identify the latest objects that seem to have appeared on the power plant roof.

He said the IAEA had made simulations to model the possible environmental impact in case of an explosion or bombing of the plant, although he declined to give details.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian citizens living in Zaporizhzhia city are remaining calm, but the atmosphere remains tense amid the reports of possible mining at the plant.

'Now we have information from our intelligence that the Russian troops have placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several power units of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Perhaps to simulate an attack on the plant. Perhaps they have some other scenario,' Zelensky said

Authorities in Zaporizhzhia have been staging anti-radiation drills near the plant

At the end of June, city authorities held drills to simulate the mass evacuation of 138,000 people living within 30 miles of the plant

Rescuers and police officers attend anti-radiation drills for case of an emergency situation at Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine June 29, 2023

'For the past year and a half we have been expecting the worst,' said Yevgenyia Chuksina, a local resident.

'The war has taught us that Russians are capable of anything,' said the 43-year-old journalist on maternity leave.

Located in Energodar around 30 miles southwest of the city of Zaporizhzhia, the plant has been under Russian control since the first days of Moscow's invasion.

Authorities in the city, which had a pre-war population of around 750,000 people, said they were readying in case of a radiation leak.

'It's a major threat,' Olena Zhuk, the head of Zaporizhzhia's regional council, told AFP.

'People are preparing, the government is preparing'.

There have only been two nuclear accidents considered 'major' by the International Nuclear Event Scale - the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the then-Soviet controlled Ukraine, and the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster which was triggered by a tsunami that flooded the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Neither were triggered by an act of war, but memories of the Chernobyl disaster that hit Ukraine in 1986 still haunt the war-torn country.

At the end of June, city authorities held drills to simulate the mass evacuation of 138,000 people living within 30 miles of the plant.

That would be 'the worst case scenario,' Zhuk said, adding that authorities would initiate various responses depending on the 'type' of incident at the plant.

She said she believed Russia might stage an incident if Kyiv's forces advanced to the area in their counteroffensive.

'I personally think that the accident will be local,' she said.

She said that Russians did not need to do anything 'spectacular'.

'They need to take pictures of the burning nuclear power plant to justify their departure' if Kyiv troops advance, she said.

In Russia, authorities have claimed Kyiv is plotting an act of 'sabotage.'

Kyiv has since early June gone on the offensive in several parts of the front, including to the east of the power plant.

Ukraine's health ministry has issued a statement to follow evacuation orders 'in case of an explosion.'
A judge blasted the latest stage of a long-running money fight between retired businessman Sir Frederick Barclay and his ex-wife as a 'charade'.

Judge Sir Jonathan Cohen was told that Sir Frederick, 88, and Lady Barclay, who is also in her 80s, are trying to reach a settlement.

But when Sir Jonathan was told the money had still not arrived in Lady Barclay's account by her lawyer Stewart Leech KC, he slammed it as a 'charade'.

It comes after two hearings in the Family Division of the High Court, London, when the judge was told by an adviser to Sir Frederick that people were waiting for money to arrive in an account.

Barrister Max Turnell, who is representing Sir Frederick, said money was being borrowed and it was not something 'in our control'.

Judge Sir Jonathan Cohen was told that Sir Frederick (pictured), 88, and Lady Barclay, who is also in her 80s, are trying to reach a settlement

But when Sir Jonathan was told the money had still not arrived in Lady Barclay's (pictured) account by her lawyer Stewart Leech KC, he slammed it as a 'charade'

Mr Turnell said: 'Sir Fredrick is borrowing money from another loaning party,' he told the judge. That loaning party has borrowed the money from a lender. It is not something that is in our control.'

However, Sir Jonathan said he had adjourned hearings on the basis that a settlement was in the offing.

He said: 'I have been told on four or five occasions that this case needs to be adjourned because there is a deal that is about to cone fruition. At the moment I don't have any certainty that it is ever going to happen.

'I have been told on countless occasions over the last few months that this is all happening. And every time it doesn't happen.'

Sir Frederick and Lady Barclay's fight over the money began more than two years ago.

In May 2021, Sir Jonathan had ordered Sir Frederick to hand Lady Barclay lump sums totalling 100 million following the breakdown of their 34-year marriage.

Sir Frederick and Lady Barclay's fight over the money began more than two years ago

Sir Jonathan, who has been told that the money has yet to be paid, said then that Sir Frederick had behaved in a 'reprehensible' fashion during the litigation.

The judge was told on Tuesday that the pair had been 'trying to resolve the matter' and needed more time. He was told on Wednesday that money had yet to arrive in an account.

Lady Barclay, who petitioned for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, has complained Sir Frederick had not paid her as ordered - and alleged that he was in contempt of court.

Sir Jonathan subsequently ruled that Sir Frederick was in contempt as a result of failing to pay about 245,000 he owed his ex-wife for legal fees and maintenance.

Sir Frederick and his twin brother, Sir David Barclay, were among the UK's most high-profile businessmen. Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

Their interests include The Ritz hotel in London. The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan has been told that Sir David's sons Aidan and Howard Barclay now have day-to-day responsibility for 'group business'.
A beloved blind dog has been reunited with his relieved owners after being allegedly stolen from his family home and taken interstate.

Bowie, a tri-coloured Australian Shepherd, was taken from his home at Southport on the Gold Coast on Wednesday.

The Durman family returned to find their much-loved pet, car and other personal items missing from their ransacked house.

Queensland Police launched a public appeal and on Friday, Bowie was found safe and well after NSW Police pulled over a car at Nambucca Heads on the state's mid-north coast, some 300km away from home.

Luke Durman and 10-year-old son Leo made the four-hour dash south to be reunited with their dog at Macksville police station, sparking heartwarming scenes.

Footage shows a delighted Bowie racing to his owners with his tail furiously wagging as he climbed into their arms and greeted them with licks.

Luke Durnam and 10-year-old son Leo have been reunited with their dog Bowie

'I am just rapt he is back,' Luke Durman told 7News.

While Leo was just overjoyed that his furry friend was back where he belongs.

'I am just feeling fantastic now,' he said.

'Bad at the start but great now.'

Bowie was checked by a vet and given a clean bill of health.

CCTV released by Queensland Police showed Bowie showed sitting in a car at a service station at Yamba on Wednesday as an unknown man filled up the vehicle.

Several items were allegedly stolen during the break-in at Southport, including a grey 2022 Hyundai Tucson station wagon with Queensland registration 021FO8, within which Bowie was allegedly driven away from his home.

The car was intercepted by NSW Police on Friday near Nambucca Heads on the state's mid-north coast following a tip-off from the public.

Bowie was found on passenger seat, some 300km away from home.

Bowie the blind pet dog was found some 300km away from home on Friday

Bowie was as delighted to be reunited with his owners as they were to see him

A Southport man, 48, was arrested and questioned by police.

He's expected to be charged with property offences and extradited back to Queensland.

Investigations into the alleged break and enter are continuing.

The Durmans were reportedly away on a ski trip at the time when their home was allegedly broken into on Wednesday.

The family had returned to their Gold Coast home to find food and other items strewn around the living room, clothes and personal documents missing, and baby photos shoved in the toilets.

'Once we realised Bowie was gone, the cars and everything was immaterial to that,' Mr Durman said.

'The focus was, we just wanted Bowie back.'

His son added that Bowie meant everything to the family.

'It's just so heart breaking how a dog, you may never get to see it again,' Leo said.

'I don't want that to happen.'

Bowie's family returned from a ski trip to find items strewn around the living room and baby photos shoved in their toilets
A horrified airline passenger was made to sit in blood and diarrhoea during a seven-hour flight and was then given wet wipes to clean it up after a previous traveller had 'haemorrhaged' in his seat.

Habib Battah was flying from Paris to Toronto on Air France when he noticed a peculiar odour coming from the footwell under his and his wife's seats a short while after then plane had taken off.

'It smelled like manure,' he told CNN.

The pair were taking a Boeing 777 flight with their two cats, who were in the footwell in front of the couple, each in a separate carrier. They were moving from Lebanon to the US, where journalist Battah is set to work for a short while as a university lecturer.

Battah said: 'It was our first time traveling with the cats, and I was thinking, "Oh god, they've had an accident, I'm so embarrassed."

Habib Battah and his wife were flying with their two cats in the footwell. When he noticed that the stains had soaked through to the container he used a whole pack of wet wipes to clean it

Battah tweeted about the ordeal a day after the incident. Due to the flight being packed, the couple were unable to switch seats

'Then I thought, maybe it's someone's body odour. I was sniffing and sniffing, then said, let me get the cats out.'

Battah crouched down on his hands and knees to check how the pets were doing and there were no issues.

However, he noticed a wet stain on the floor beneath the cat carriers, around 20 inches long and wide, and informed the passing flight attendant.

Battah remarked: 'I said it smells like merde  s***. She handed me wet wipes. I started wiping and it was red  blood red. And it kept coming up red. I was like, "What the hell is this?" I just wanted to see what it was. After a while, one of the flight attendants said, "You'd better go wash your hands, and here are some gloves."'

As Battah was busy cleaning the stain, the flight attendant relayed the message to her colleagues and the captain contacted Paris asking about the stain.

Air France HQ explained that it was human blood, as the previous day, on a Paris to Boston flight, a male passenger had suffered what the crew called a 'haemorrhage,' according to Battah.

The passenger had luckily survived and the captain for that trip had requested for the area to be cleaned for the plane's next flight back to the French capital, but the cleaners seemed to have forgotten about the floor.

Air France HQ explained that it was human blood, as the previous day, on a Paris to Boston flight, a male passenger had suffered what the crew called a 'haemorrhage,' according to Battah

Battah was casually informed by the flight attendant that it was blood and then he noticed that the cat container was also stained and the blood had soaked into the carrier, which also functioned as a backpack.

He used a whole pack of wet wipes in a hurried attempt to clean up the mess.

Battah said that only one flight attendant seemed annoyed on his behalf and apologised, while the others were unphased.

When he asked them what the protocol was for incident like this, as it also endangers flight crew, they said that there wasn't one.

The couple said they were offered two small bottles of Evian water to make up for it and were also handed two business class blankets to put on the floor, along with some powder for the blood stain.

It was a packed flight so there wasn't any room for Battah and his wife to change seats.

He said: 'We had to sit there smelling the blood for the next seven hours.

'The smell of rotten blood is like manure. I'd taken my shoes off at the start of the flight, and there was blood on my socks.'

Three days after Battah's June 30 flight Air France told him over the phone that the blood had been mixed with faeces.

Air France said in a statement to CNN that a passenger had been unwell on a flight the previous day from Paris to Boston and was given medical treatment on arrival.

'As per procedure in this type of situation, a complete clean-up of the area was requested and the row of seats was made unavailable on the return flight [from Boston to Paris],' the statement said.

'A customer travelling on the next flight from Paris (CDG) to Toronto (YYZ) reported residual traces of blood on the floor, soiling his personal belongings. The crew immediately assisted him in cleaning his belongings, providing him with suitable equipment such as sterile gloves and disinfectant wipes.

'As the flight was fully booked, it was not possible to move the passenger.

'An internal investigation has been launched to understand the reasons for this situation.'

The airline said it 'understands and regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation' and that it was in touch with Battah.

The statement added: 'The risk of exposure to residual traces of blood on the carpet is low, if not non-existent.'

Battah said: 'I've been covering Beirut for 20 years as a journalist. I've lived through wars, airstrikes, seen assassinations, car bombs, and narrowly survived the port explosion. I thought I'd seen it all. I didn't expect to find more blood than I've seen in Beirut on an Air France plane.'
A massive Sahara Desert dust cloud is drifting 5,000 miles over the Atlantic towards the US - and experts have warned it could bring extreme heat while impacting air quality in five southeastern states.

Skies over Florida, along with southern swathes of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, will look 'a little hazy' and could turn brown from the sandy plume as it lingers over the weekend.

Along with haze, the desert dust will catalyze scorching temperatures of around 105 degrees in the Sunshine State and an uptick in allergies - but it will also bring brighter sunsets and suppress tropical thunderstorms, meteorologists have said.

Experts call the clouds the 'Saharan Air Layer' - defined as 'a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert during the late spring, summer and early fall'.

When this air mass combines with strong jet streams - like the ones currently moving across the Atlantic and heading towards the south-east coast - the plumes can travel thousands of miles.

All of Florida is expected to be affected by the Sahara Air Layer, along with southern swathes of Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama, forecasters have warned

A massive Sahara Desert dust cloud is drifting 5,000 miles over the Atlantic towards the US - and experts have warned it could bring extreme heat of 109 degrees to Florida

The dust is so dense it could be seen from space on Thursday, with NOAA's weather satellite spotting the first cloud over the eastern Caribbean Sea and the Lesser Antilles

AccuWeather is tracking 'several large clouds of dust' currently moving in from Africa's 3.6-million-square-mile blistering-hot desert - while warning that even bigger plumes are predicted to float over next week.

The immense clouds are forecast to cross the entire ocean before hitting Florida and the Caribbean on Saturday, along with parts of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi on Sunday.

'It may look a little hazy in cities like Tampa, Orlando and Miami as some of that drier air comes in,' Accuweather forecaster Bernie Rayno said.

The dust is so dense it could be seen from space on Thursday, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather satellite spotting the first cloud over the eastern Caribbean Sea and the Lesser Antilles.

Meanwhile, the larger plume due next week is only just emerging on the African coast.

Dense dust particles interact with the light to produce daytime haze and stunning pink and orange sunsets, while the Saharan air - which is 50% drier than the typical Floridian atmosphere - can suppress storms by preventing cloud formation.

Florida is currently under a heat advisory, with meteorologists warning temperatures are likely to soar to 109 degrees on Saturday.

The floating dust can also trigger allergy-like symptoms like coughing and sneezing.

According to NOAA, Saharan Air Layer outbreaks usually occupy a 2 to 2.5-mile-thick layer of the atmosphere with the base starting about 1 mile above the surface.

This means it won't affect the air quality as badly as recent Canadian wildfires which are continuing to burn - sporadically choking New York City and the east coast throughout the summer.

As of Wednesday, there were 639 active fires burning in Canada with 351 of them out of control, according to Michael Norton, director general at the Northern Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service.

So far this year there have been 3,412 fires, well above the 10-year average of 2,751.

Experts call the clouds the 'Saharan Air Layer' - defined as 'a mass of very dry, dusty air that forms over the Sahara Desert during the late spring, summer and early fall'

According to NOAA, Saharan Air Layer outbreaks usually occupy a 2 to 2.5-mile-thick layer of the atmosphere with the base starting about 1 mile above the surface

The Canadian blazes have already broken records for total area burned, the number of people forced to evacuate their homes and the cost of fighting the blazes - and the fire season is only halfway through, officials have warned.

Meanwhile, Florida's air quality is currently rated as 'Good' in most places by the state's Department of Environmental Protection, meaning particulate matter in the air is low.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) ratings, which range from 0 to 500, are currently mostly under 50 for almost all areas in the state, qualifying as 'Good'.

The incoming Sahara plume could trigger a rise in AQI of a little more than 50, which is categorized as 'Moderate'.
Delia Owens's ex-husband has been accused of torturing an African poacher by putting him in a net tied to a helicopter that hovered a yard above crocodile-infested water.

The author of Where the Crawdads Sing and her then-husband Mark moved to Zambia in 1986 to study and conserve the elephant population, and appeared in a 1996 program titled Deadly Game. They left the African country soon after.

Renowned Zambian poacher Bernard Mutondo, who is now in his late 50s, spoke to the NYTimes and claimed that Mark Owens once threatened to kill him by holding him in a net over crocodiles in a bid to scare him into leaving the animals alone.

Owens allegedly said to the poacher, who brags about how quickly he can slice the face off an elephant: 'Mutondo, today the crocodiles are going to eat you.'

Delia and Mark Owens, pictured in Zambia in September 1988, tried hard to crack down on poaching in the country, with Mark accused of dangling one poacher from a helicopter over a crocodile-infested river in a bid to get him to change his ways

Delia Owens's ex-husband has been accused of torturing an African poacher by putting him in a net tied to a helicopter that hovered a yard above crocodile-infested water

Mark and Delia Owens examine the bones of a poached elephant in North Luangwa National Park in Zambia in 1988

Mark and his now ex-wife Delia Owens

A crocodile is pictured in a Zambian river. Mark Owens is accused of dangling a poacher just a yard from the jaws of multiple such predators in a bid to get him to change his ways

Mutondo boasted that when he was younger, he was a great 'notorious' poacher and could even slice off an elephant's face - something that staunch conservationists Delia and Mark did not stand for.

But he said that he feared the Owens because of the book they wrote, The Eye of the Tiger, which outed him as a poacher. 'We could be shot,' he said.

The poacher described one day in Mwamfushi, when he was surrounded by the Owens' scouts, who took him back to their camp. The couple tried to make him confess and reveal the poaches' routes.

When he didn't, Mutondo claims that Owens made him sit on a net, before he attached it to a cable and started the helicopter - where he was then lifted from the ground.

TIMELINE OF DELIA OWEN'S EXPERIENCE IN ZAMBIA 1986 - Delia and her husband Mark arrive in Zambia. 1992 - The couple's second book The Eye of the Elephant: An Epic Adventure in the African Wilderness is published. It details their battles against poachers in Zambia's North Luangwa National Park. It attracts the attention of ABC 1996 - ABC documentary titled Deadly Game is broadcast. In it, a man, alleged to be a poacher, was killed after reportedly being caught on the grounds of a game warden. The couple return to the US and never return to Zambia. 2018 - Delia pens her first novel, Where The Crawdads Sing, which is published to overwhelming success. It was selected for Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine Book Club. 2022 - A film is released based on the novel and starring Daisy Edgar-Jones Advertisement

Owens then flew him over the crocodile-infested Mwaleshi River and held him there just a yard away from the ferocious animals' snapping jaws, recalled Mutondo.

Mutondo told NYTimes: 'I just knew I was going to die.' But instead, Owens brought him back to land and told him it was 'training.' Mutondo then went on to work for Ownes.

Mark Owens denied the incident, and said in a statement to the newspaper: 'Occasionally, I transported gear under the chopper and on one occasion assisted some game scouts to cross a river with a sling under the helicopter.

'I never once slung poachers under the helicopter.'

Delia Owens was also accused of threatening local people to stop poaching.

Albina Mulenga, one of her program's beneficiaries, recalled that the author once told the local poachers that if they did keep hunting in the park, she would cut the skin around their ankles.

Mulenga said that she thought that specific threat was made so people believed hyenas would eat them. Delia denied the claims to the NYTimes.

This follows reports that the Where The Crawdads Sing author was wanted in Zambia for questioning over a cruel 1990 televised killing - in echoes of her book about a lonely heroine who stands accused of a righteously motivated murder.

Delia and Mark moved to Zambia and featured in the program titled Deadly Game, which televised the apparent killing of a poacher who was shot after being caught on the grounds of a game warden.

The identity of the poacher was never revealed, nor was the identity of the person or persons who fired the fatal shots off-camera disclosed.

However sources speaking to investigative journalist Jeff Goldberg claimed Delia's step-son Christopher, then-25, was a member of a scouting party which allegedly shot the man, while Mark helped to cover up the killing.

Despite Mark and Delia vehemently denying all claims that they were involved in any killings or committed any wrongdoing, Zambia's director of public prosecutions Lillian Shawa-Siyuni has said all three are still wanted for questioning related to the killing of the alleged poacher.

Delia would later go on to publish the bestselling novel in 2018, with the story bearing striking similarities to her own circumstances in Zambia.

It follows a lonely naturalist, named Kya Clark, who lives in a remote swamp in 1950s Carolina and commits a righteously motivated murder of an abusive local man, Chase Andrews, who attempted to rape her.

The reports resurfaced weeks before high-profile blockbuster adaptation of the book, which starred Daisy Edgar-Jones and was produced by Reece Witherspoon, is released in cinemas.

However according to the NYTimes, authorities in Zambia say there are no ongoing prosecutions against the couple.
Police probing the potential double murder of a couple at their 1million home are continuing to quiz a man after a post-mortem examination revealed fentanyl in the pair's systems.

Stephen Baxter, 61, and his wife Carol, 64, were found dead 'together and peaceful' in armchairs by their daughter Ellie in their five-bedroom house in a yachting town of West Mersea, Essex on Easter Sunday this year.

Essex Police said at the time that there was nothing suspicious about the deaths and the force was initially treating them as accidental.

But an inquest this week heard they had arrested three people  a man and a woman in their 20s and another man in his 30s - on suspicion of murder.

It came after post-mortem examinations revealed Mrs Baxter had toxic levels of fentanyl and promethazine, an antihistamine used in over-the-counter cold medicines. Her husband was also found to have had fentanyl intoxication.

Stephen Baxter, 61, and his wife Carol, 64, (pictured with their grandson) were found unresponsive in their 1m home and both had fentanyl in their systems when they died, an inquest heard today

The couple were discovered by their daughter Ellie on Sunday April 9 at their five-bedroom house (pictured) in the yachting town of West Mersea, near Colchester in Essex

READ MORE: Pictured: Mother, 24, who died two days after being hit by a car - as 'devastated' family pay tribute to 'lovely and smiley' woman Holly Hodgkinson was struck by a car in Harlow, Essex on Sunday and died two days later in hospital surrounded by her family Advertisement

A spokesperson today said a man and a woman have since been released while one male remains in custody.

They added: 'As a result of an extensive investigation and toxicology analysis, two men and a woman were arrested on Thursday 6 July in order to gain comprehensive accounts from them.

'A woman and a man have been released on bail while other enquires are conducted. At this stage, one man remains in custody for further questioning.

'We continue to remain open-minded as to how the couple died and were exploring a number of lines of enquiry.

'We are now appealing to anyone who has not already come forward with information on the couples movements over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, April 7, 8 and 9.

'We would specifically like to hear from anyone who saw Mr and Mrs Baxter, spoke to them or interacted with them on those dates, no matter how fleeting the encounters may have been.'

Details of the latest twist in the case emerged at the formal opening of an inquest into their deaths on Thursday.

Coroner Sean Horstead, sitting at Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford, said: 'On the basis of the information, I am satisfied that this requires a full inquest.

'At the written request of the police, I will suspend the coronial investigation for four months.'

Essex Police later confirmed it had made the arrests in connection with the incident.

The force said in a statement: '[The Baxters's] deaths were being treated as unexpected and not suspicious and we were working to establish the circumstances around their deaths.

'As a result of an extensive investigation and toxicology analysis, two men and a woman were arrested in order to gain comprehensive accounts from them.'

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine but up to 100 times more potent. It is a Class A drug that is used to legitimately by doctors to treat patients with severe pain.

It emerged at Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford today that the couple had traces of the synthetic opioid drug fentanyl in their systems

Mrs Baxter was managing director of Cazsplash Ltd, a bathroom accessories firm which sells corner and curved shower mats

In the USA, the drug has been linked to around two-thirds of the 107,000 deaths caused by opioids.

The Baxters were found unresponsive at their 1 million home in West Mersea, near Colchester, on Easter Sunday.

Their daughter Ellie, 21, who raised the alarm after finding them when she turned up with her son Axel, one, told the Mail at the time: 'It was absolutely awful to see. I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

'But what I keep going back to is they were sitting there together and were peaceful. There were no signs of a struggle or any pain.'

She described how she flung open the property's bi-fold doors to let fresh air in as she suspected a carbon monoxide leak.

Ms Baxter added: 'They were very loving. Family always came first. They made sure that we always had what we needed and then some.'

The couple, who joined West Mersea Yacht Club (pictured) in 2016 for socialising, had two children - Ms Baxter and her brother

Mrs Baxter was managing director of Cazsplash, a bathroom accessories firm that sells bath mats designed to fit around curved or corner showers.

The former adult educator held the intellectual property rights to the designs.

Her husband, who she married in 2000, was also a director in the business. Mr Baxter was also a senior executive with international property firm Jones Lang LaSalle, which has its headquarters in Chicago.

The couple, who joined West Mersea Yacht Club in 2016 for socialising, had two children - Ms Baxter and her brother. Mrs Baxter also had two children from previous marriages.

A neighbour said at the time: 'The road was cordoned off with blue and white tape by police I also saw two fire engines and a gas van arrive.

'We later heard they had been found dead in their chairs and that it was probably some sort of gas leak. It is just a terrible tragedy.'

The post-mortem examinations also showed Mrs Baxter had terminal bronchopneumonia, while Mr Baxter suffered from an enlarged heart and liver disease.
Two men have been charged over an alleged machete attack in Scotland which forced a man to have his leg amputated while his partner lost two of her fingers.

Police rushed to a home in Beechwood Drive, Coatbridge, after reports of an attack in the early hours of May 17.

A 28-year-old man and his partner, also 28, were rushed to Monklands Hospital, in Airdrie, where both had to have some of their fingers sewn back on, while the male victim lost his right leg.

Pictures shared from the victims online show the man lying in a hospital bed with casts on both arms, one leg amputated with stitches and the other with a large brace and bandages.

An image of the woman shows her left arm bandaged from below the elbow covering the hand where the fingers were amputated.

Pictures shared from the victims online show the man lying in a hospital bed with casts on both arms, one leg amputated with stitches and the other with a large brace and bandages

An image of the woman shows her left arm bandaged from below the elbow covering the hand where the fingers were amputated

She had witnessed the alleged attack and was swiped with a blade when she went to phone for help - causing her to lose two fingers on her left hand.

Police Scotland confirmed that two men, aged 25 and 40, have been arrested and charged in connection with the horrifying incident. The alleged attackers were due at Airdrie Sherriff Court on Friday.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Two men, aged 25 and 40, have been arrested and charged in connection with a disturbance, which took place in Beechwood Drive, Coatbridge, on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

'Both are expected to appear at Airdrie Sheriff Court on Friday, July 7, 2023.'

The incident is understood to have taken place at around 2.30am - and police sealed off the residential street when they arrived at the scene.

The victim who lost his leg shared a video on social media, taunting his alleged attackers from his hospital bed.

In the footage, he can be seen dancing with a speaker before he stares down the camera and says: "Take the fingers, take the leg, but you won't take my life, ya bunch of f***ing dafties."

The victim who lost his leg shared a video on social media, taunting his alleged attackers from his hospital bed

Police rushed to a home in Beechwood Drive, Coatbridge, after reports of an attack in the early hours of May 17. Pictured: The street where the alleged attack took place

A woman who appears to be filming the wounded man can be heard laughing in the background.

At the time of the attack, one of the couple's neighbours said: 'It sounds as though the man is lucky to be alive.

'It seems he was in a life-threatening condition at one stage.

'We have had the police to our doors asking if we saw or heard anything. It happened when most people were in their beds.'
Women working at a cheese factory in Kenya were forced to undress to show if they were on their period.

A female manager at Brown's Food Company gathered female workers to find out which one of them had thrown a used sanitary towel in the wrong bin, and made them strip after no one confessed.

She has been suspended pending an investigation and three people have been arrested for indecent assault charges, police in Limuru told local media.

In a statement Brown's Food Company said: 'As a result of the shocking incident at the company we have begun internal investigations to assess exactly what happen, why and how we can adequately reconcile with the employees who were affected by this distressing unilateral decision of the manger that were on site on the day of the incident. They were immediately suspended.

A female manager at at Brown's Food Company gathered female workers to find out which one of them had thrown a used sanitary towel in the wrong bin

Senator Gloria Orwoba, who is an advocate for removing period shame, said she was told about the incident on Monday night during a 'distress call'

Brown's Food Company (pictured) said the manager was dismissed immediately after the incident became known

'We are directly engaging with Senator Gloria Orwoba - who is known to champion Menstrual Hygiene Management as well as ending period shaming and period poverty in Kenya - to learn from her how best to implement a Menstrual Hygiene Management policy. We have been listening and we know we must do better.'

In a video posted online Senator Gloria Orwoba said she was told about the incident on Monday night during a 'distress call'.

She said: '[A manager] had found a used sanitary towel in one of the bins, and from what I gather, that dustbin was not meant for the disposal of sanitary towels. [She] needed to find out who was on their period so that she could punish the person that threw the sanitary towel in that bin.'

Police said officers 'conducted a thorough investigation and recorded statements from the victims before arresting three suspects,' according to the BBC.

They also claimed incidents similar to this one had previously taken place within companies in the Limuru area.

'We have reliably gathered that the demeaning and shaming vice has been going on for a long time. I want to warn any such employers that justice will soon be served to all their victims,' local police chief Philip Mwania said.

Period shaming is an increasingly tense topic in Kenya.

In 2019, a 14-year-old girl took her own life after being humiliated in front of her class for having her period.

Her mother said a teacher had called her 'dirty' for soiling her uniform and ordered her to leave the class in Kabiangek, west of the capital Nairobi.

'She had nothing to use as a pad. When the blood stained her clothes, she was told to leave the classroom and stand outside,' the mother was quoted as saying in Kenyan media.

She said her daughter came home and told her mother what had happened, but then when she went to fetch water she took her own life.

In February this year, Senator Orwoba was told to leave parliament because she had a blood stain on her trousers.

She noticed the mark before the session had started but 'since I am always advocating against period shame, I thought I should go ahead and walk the talk,' she said.

Some MPs, including another female senator, complained and said she was a 'disgrace' and was being disrespectful to others.

Male senator Enoch Wambua said: 'We have wives and daughters, and they go through these cycles, but it's a matter to be managed personally without exposing it to other people. What Sen Gloria has done to this house is a disgrace, it is a lot of shame to this house.

'This must not be allowed to happen,' he said according to the BBC.
A man accused of setting light to two elderly Muslims after they left mosques in Birmingham and London has pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder.

Mohammed Abbkr, 28, is accused of injuring his alleged victims in two attacks, the first in Ealing, west London, on February 27, and the second in Birmingham in March.

But Abbkr, who is originally from Sudan, appeared on Friday at Birmingham Crown Court via a video-link from HMP Belmarsh, London, and pleaded not guilty.

Alleged victim Mohammed Rayaz, 70, suffered severe injuries after he was set on fire as he walked home from Dudley Road Mosque, Birmingham, at about 7pm on March 20.

Abbkr was later arrested on suspicion of the earlier attack on 82-year-old Hashi Odowa, who suffered severe burns to his face and arms near an Islamic centre in Ealing, London.

Mohammed Abbkr, 28, is accused of injuring his alleged victims in two attacks, the first in Ealing, west London, on February 27, and the second in Birmingham in March

Abbkr was arrested on suspicion of the earlier attack on 82-year-old Hashi Odowa (pictured), who suffered severe burns to his face and arms near an Islamic centre in Ealing, London

Assisted by an Arabic interpreter, the defendant spoke only to confirm his identity and enter his not guilty pleas.

Abbkr, of Gillott Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, was further remanded into custody and is expected to face trial at the same court on October 9.

Mr Odowa received hospital treatment for severe burns to his face and arms after the attack near West London Islamic Centre and is recuperating from his injuries.

Meanwhile, Mr Rayaz's family said at the time he was taken to hospital and had a skin graft operation.

Members of the mosque described the incidents as 'abhorrent and malicious attacks on two elders within our community'.

'As we commence the blessed month of Ramadan, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families,' a spokesman said.

Alleged victim Mohammed Rayaz (pictured), 70, suffered severe injuries after he was set on fire as he walked home from Dudley Road Mosque, Birmingham

A video shared on social media appeared to show a man being set alight by another man in Edgbaston, Birmingham, in March

Family lawyer Shahbon Hussain said he had got a text message from Mr Rayaz's son moments after the attack.

'He heard his dad screaming, the family had gone out the house and seen him on fire,' he said. 'I immediately went over and the police, ambulance and fire brigade were already there.'

Neighbours also helped to put flames out and carry Mr Rayaz to his home, the lawyer said.

Neighbours also helped to put flames out and carry Mr Rayaz to his home, the lawyer said.

The victim had been 'touched at the outpouring of love and support' since the attack, said MP Shabana Mahmood, who spoke to him on a video call.
Donald Santini, 65, accused of murdering a woman in Florida in 1984, wept in court as he was ordered to be held without bail

A judge in Florida has ordered a 65-year-old California fugitive held without bond in connection with the murder of a woman 39 years ago.

Donald Santini was arrested by U.S. marshals in California in June and was extradited without protest to the Sunshine State. Authorities said that the suspect has used 13 aliases over the years.

Santini was the last person seen with 33-year-old Cynthia 'Cindy' Ruth Wood. The arrest warrant said a medical examiner determined she had been strangled, and Santini's fingerprints were found on her body.

'You being on the run for almost 40 years is a consciousness of guilt. You knew you were running from something... You are the definition of flight risk,' Judge Catherine Catlin told Santini during a hearing in Tampa on Thursday.

Photos taken in the courtroom showed Santini weeping before the judge denied bond.

Donald Santini, 65, wept in court as he was ordered to be held without bail before being tried for the murder of Cynthia Wood

According to prosecutors, Santini alluded to the fact that Wood's death was a contract killing

Back in 1984, Santini was known as Charles Michael Stevens, which was an alias he used to flee a warrant in Texas.

At the time of his arrest, he was living under the name Wellman Simmonds in Campo, California, which is in southeastern San Diego County.

Wood met with Santini, who had called her with promises of providing information about her husband, Barry Wood, that could possibly help her win custody of their two children, who were 3 and 5, according to previous reports by the Bradenton Herald.

Wood also had a son from a previous relationship. Police believe that she was strangled with her body being found in a watery grave three days after she was last seen, with Santini. Shortly afterwards, he left town.

Santini's attorney asked the judge for bail. But prosecutors noted that Santini killed Wood after fleeing a charge in Texas related to a convenience store robbery in which he was accused of stealing $270 while armed with a knife.

'You have from his very own mouth that he has been on the lamb for 39 years and he purposely has been using fake IDs so that he can avoid law enforcement,' prosecutor Michelle Doherty told the court.

The state's attorney's office also said in court that in interviews Santini referred Wood's death as a 'contract killing.'

'You are the definition of flight risk,' the judge told Santini during the hearing. 'There is nothing I can do to preserve the safety of this community if I was to let you go.'

Cynthia Wood met Santini as the suspect's girlfriend's children were attending the day care where the victim worked

Santini was caught in San Diego in early June, after evading arrest for 39 years

Meanwhile, Santini's public defender Jamie Kane said that there's no evidence that the suspect left Texas with an outstanding warrant.

'Where is the failure to appear warrant? Where is the circuit court case number? Where is the evidence that he was on pretrial release? Other than a simple statement of Mr. Santini, who is not a legal expert,' Kane said.

Santini was identified by the FBI after he applied for a passport under the name Wellman Simmonds.

On Thursday, Wood's stepdaughter Denise Kozer told ABC Tampa that she was delighted Santini will be held until trial.

'He doesn't deserve any freedom. We've had no freedom for 40 years, wondering where he was. And it's been awful,' she said.

While Florida Gulf Coast law professor Dr. Pamella Seay told the station that Santini's assertion that Wood's death was a contract killing, could be bad for his defense.

'A killing for hire is, in many circles, worse than a killing for passion or some other reason.'

Seay also was not sure if the murder constitutes at death penalty case.

'It depends on the circumstances surrounding it. What were the aggravating circumstances that contributed to the crime? What is it that caused this? And if you're talking about a contract hit, that could be an aggravating circumstancethat you don't want that kind of person out on the street ever again. That's quite possible,' Professor Seay said.
A former teacher accused of abuse by TV presenter Nicky Campbell will appear at a specialist sex crimes court in South Africa next month.

Iain Wares, 83, who is fighting extradition to the UK, is charged with two indecent assaults against a boy in Cape Town.

Yesterday, magistrates in Cape Town heard prosecutors investigations into allegations Wares sexually assaulted a schoolboy in the 1980s were now complete and he was committed for trial on August 18.

It means, for the first time, Wares will have to enter a plea to a charge of indecently assaulting the boy. The retired maths and rugby master allegedly molested the pupil at Rondebosch Preparatory School.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has already heard that dozens of schoolboys from Edinburgh Academy and Fettes College claimed Wares abused them.

Father-of-one Wares (middle) moved from South Africa to Edinburgh in 1967, and has previously admitted seeking treatment after experiencing urges to touch young boys

South African judges agreed to extradition in 2020 but he launched an ongoing appeal.

Wares faces seven charges of assaulting boys in the UK dating back to the 1960s but it is believed many more will be put to him if the Justice Minister agrees to extradition when that case is heard in October.

Mr Campbell has said he witnessed a former classmate at Edinburgh Academy being abused by Wares.

Father-of-one Wares moved from South Africa to Edinburgh in 1967, and has previously admitted seeking treatment after experiencing urges to touch young boys.

Mr Campbell (pictured) has said he witnessed a former classmate at Edinburgh Academy being abused by Wares

He said he spent three months undergoing psychiatric evaluation and then became a teacher in Edinburgh where he allegedly began a pattern of abuse before leaving Scotland in 1979.

The Western Cape education department says it had no reports of wrongdoing during the three decades he taught after returning.

But after Wares was named in a South African TV documentary, a former pupil came forward to make sexual allegations.

Wares is facing six charges of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour and one of indecent assault in the UK.
He has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon

A CVS worker charged with stabbing an alleged serial shoplifter to death in a Times Square store was acting in self defense, his mother insists.

Scotty Enoe, 46, allegedly killed a 50-year-old homeless man during a fight in the store on 49th and Broadway early on Thursday morning.

'The guy came in and started arguing with Scotty. Next thing you know, Scotty was on the ground. He acted in self-defense,' the suspect's mother, Lucille Enoe, told the Daily News.

'When the guy threw him down and started beating him up, Scotty stabbed him' the 72-year-old explained.

Police said the fight broke out after Enoe attempted to stop the vagrant from stealing Gatorade and a container of creamer from the Broadway and West 49th Street store at around 12:30am.

Scotty Enoe allegedly killed a 50-year-old homeless man, he has been charged with murder

The fight took place in a CVS store on Broadway and West 49th Street store at around 12:30am on Thursday

After being punched, Enoe allegedly whipped out a knife and fatally stabbed the man in the torso.

Police were called to the scene for a reported robbery-in-progress but the stabbing had already taken place when they arrived.

The injured man was taken by Emergency Medical Service to NYC Health and Hospitals Bellevue where he was pronounced dead.

The identity of the deceased is pending proper family notification.

Enoe, from Brooklyn, was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

'Its frustrating and depressing that my son has been charged. My son was defending himself,' Enoe's mother, who spoke to her son from the precinct, argued.

The homeless man, who was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital, had more than a dozen previous shoplifting arrests to his name and was known to target drug stores in Upper Manhattan, sources told the New York Post.

'Thats his MO, he targets CVS and Walgreens,' a police source told the publication.

Enoe immigrated to the US ten years ago from Grenada, according to his mother.

His sister, who declined to give her name, told the Daily News her brother is a 'dedicated' person who has previously not been in trouble with law enforcement.

'He works two jobs and hes never been in trouble. All he does is work' she said.

'He goes from one job to the next, hes dedicated to hard work and his family. He helps people' she added.

A spokesperson for the NYPD said: 'The investigation remains ongoing and the identity of the deceased is pending proper family notification.'
They denied eight counts of encouraging acts of terrorism but were found guilty

Two neo-Nazi podcasters who incited violence against minorities - including targeting Harry and Meghan's son Archie - have been found guilty of terror crimes.

Christopher Gibbons, 38, and Tyrone Patten-Walsh, 34, hosted Black Wolf Radio, where they launched homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and misogynistic tirades.

In one broadcast the pair called Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's four-year-old son an 'abomination that should be put down'.

Both men were arrested in May 2021, and were charged three months later.

They denied eight counts of encouraging acts of terrorism - each charge relating to a different podcast episode.

Neo-Nazi podcasters Christopher Gibbons (left), 38, and Tyrone Patten-Walsh (right), 34, have been found guilty of terror crimes

In one broadcast the pair called Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's four-year-old son an 'abomination that should be put down'

Gibbons also went on trial for two counts of dissemination of terrorist publications.

At Kingston Crown Court today, both were found guilty of all charges of encouraging acts of terrorism.

Gibbons and Patten-Walsh also endorsed the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, who was murdered by a white supremacist in her constituency of Batley, West Yorkshire.

They also glorified Brenton Tarrant, who went on a shooting spree in 2019 when he killed 51 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Police investigating their podcast said they even 'encouraged listeners to go out and commit acts of terrorist violence'.

The investigation found that Gibbons had also created an Internet library containing hundreds of extreme right-wing texts and other materials.

The content online and their podcast was analysed and some of the material was found to be in breach of terrorism legislation, police said.

Officers discovered that the pair produced 21 episodes of the series in which they launched hate-filled rants about mixed race relationships.

At Kingston Crown Court today (pictured), both were found guilty of all charges of encouraging acts of terrorism

Gibbons' neo-Nazi online library was found by police to have held more than 500 videos of extreme right-wing-related speeches and propaganda documents.

It had nearly 1,000 subscribers, and the content had been viewed more than 152,000 times, according to Scotland Yard.

The videos and files were analysed by a team of specialist officers from the Met's specialist Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU) and they assessed that they were in breach of terror laws.

Seven videos and a further document were found to also contain extremist views, imagery, rhetoric or information that encouraged others to carry out terrorist acts, police said.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Met's Counter Terrorism Command, said after the convictions: 'Gibbons and Patten-Walsh thought that the fact they were airing their hateful views and advocating terrorist acts in plain sight, on a radio and podcast platform, somehow gave them some legitimacy and meant they wouldn't face any consequences.

'They were wrong, and both our investigation and a jury has found that they sought to encourage terrorism in how they expressed their abhorrent extreme right-wing views.

'During the course of the investigation, detectives reviewed hundreds of hours of material, and the result of their work was the compelling case that was presented at court which has resulted in their convictions.

'If you come across extremist content online, report it to police and we will act.

Information from the public is vitally important in our fight against terrorism.'

Both defendants will be sentenced at the same court in September.
Scott claimed he diverted the flight because cartel thugs were waiting to torture him, and he now faced 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine

After necking two shots of vodka, he handed a note to an attendant threatening to bomb the flight if it landed in Seattle. It was diverted to Spokane

A first-class passenger sparked panic on board an Alaska Airlines flight to Seattle after threatening to blow up the plane if it didn't divert, before admitting he made up the hoax to avoid a Mexican cartel.

Brandon L Scott, 38, handed a flight attendant a terrifying note while on board flight 334 from Atlanta to Sea-Tac Airport on July 5, according to a federal complaint.

The hijacker scrawled his threat on the back of a receipt, warning the flight attendant he would 'kill every soul on this plane' if the plane landed at its intended destination.

With 177 passengers unaware of the bomb threat, the pilot rerouted the plane to Spokane, where the fraudster was swiftly taken into custody and charged with false information and fraud. No explosives were found on board.

He later told investigators he wanted to be arrested, claiming members of the notorious Sinaloa Cartel were waiting to torture him when he landed in Seattle.

Brandon L Scott was hauled off the plane after making a fake bomb threat to divert his flight away from Seattle, where he claimed cartel thugs were waiting for him

The hoax saw Scott pretend to have stashed an explosive in first-class, warning he would kill everyone on board unless the pilot landed at 'any other airport'

Scott is facing five years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000 for the hoax, which came as he made several demands in his attempt to evade the alleged cartel members.

When he handed the receipt to the flight attendant, Scott allegedly said he had stored the explosive above his seat in the first row, warning he would hit the detonator unless the pilot landed in 'any other airport', according to the complaint.

'There is a bomb on this plane,' the note read. 'This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carryon bag. I have a detonator with me.

'Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board.

'You are to alert the pilot to this note and keep the issue to yourself. Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose.'

Scott, who has prior convictions for kidnapping and robbery, added that if the pilot agreed to change the destination, 'I will refrain from detonating the bomb'.

'I repeat, if I see us land in Seattle, I will kill every soul on this plane,' the note allegedly said, adding that he wanted the incident to 'stay out of the news media until well after I have surrendered'.

Passengers were told the plane was hit with mechanical issues when they diverted, in an attempt by the pilot to keep the packed flight calm. The flight's route is pictured above

The air hostess who was handed the threat alerted the cockpit, who in turn contacted Air Traffic Control and Alaska Airlines Security Dispatch, the complaint states.

In an attempt to avoid mass panic at 30,000ft, passengers were told the plane had a slight mechanical fault, and they would make a diverted landing to Spokane International Airport.

Scott was hauled off the flight by law enforcement, and a sweep of the plane by the Spokane Police Department's Bomb Squad found no explosives were on board.

While in custody, the hijacker allegedly admitted to writing the note but said he did so because he was 'being targeted by the Sinaloa Cartel', the complaint states.

'Scott stated members of the Cartel were waiting for him to land in Seattle in order to torture and kill Scott,' the document said.

It's unclear if Scott is in any danger from a drug cartel, and why he would have feared their ire. The Sinaloa cartel is not known to have a significant presence in Seattle.

He also allegedly admitted he had two shots of vodka on the flight, and was considering other tactics to disrupt the flight, such as assaulting a flight attendant or opening the cabin door.

'Scott stated he did not think of a more reasonable approach such as contacting law enforcement personnel at the airport to ask for help or assistance,' the complaint concluded.

According to KXLY, Spokane Airport was temporarily shut down Wednesday evening due to the hoax, which delayed four inbound and four outbound flights.

Spokane Airport was temporarily shut down Wednesday evening due to the hoax, which delayed four inbound and four outbound flights

Witnesses on the flight have revealed they were unaware of the potential bomb on board while their flight was being diverted.

One passenger told King5 the plane was told by the pilot they were forced to make an emergency landing because of a 'mechanical issue'.

Once on the ground, Scott was quickly seized by law enforcement, with the passenger saying it took until that moment for most to realize the issue was more serious.

'Everybody kind of looked down the aisle and you could see at the very front there were two police officers that were handcuffing a guy,' they said.

'It's just scary to know, not only for yourself but when you have your kid with you - there were so many kids on that plane.'
The White House on Friday defended President Joe Biden's quick hop to London for a visit with the King and the PM after he snubbed Charles' historic coronation in May.

Biden skipped the coronation, instead dispatching first lady Jill Biden in his stead. He did attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth, where he and the first lady were seated in the 14th row, behind the president of Poland and in front of the Czech Republic's prime minister.

Now he is tacking on a visit to London to his confab with NATO allies while war rages in Ukraine.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged a question Friday about why he decided not to attend the coronation, and why his current trip appears to be a downgrade for a planned official state visit.

President Joe Biden is set to meet King Charles for the first time since he was crowned. He met Prince Charles at the COP26 summit in Glasgow

'I think we addressed this. I think they we mentioned that he had a call with the King and congratulated him. And they said that they would they would get together later on and they are that's what you're going to see early this week,' she said.

'I don't think there's  there's no "there" there,' she said, dismissing the issue. 'They're going to see each other in a couple of days. And I think that's a good thing.'

Pressed on the trip not being a state visit, she said she was 'not going to get into specifics of what this is going to be called.'

'I think what's important is that the President's going to go to London. He's going to go to the UK. We have a long history with the United Kingdom, with the people of the United Kingdom. And I think it's important that the President is going to go out there and he's going to have a meeting with not just the king but also the prime minister. And I think that's what you're going to see continuing a partnership with the United Kingdom and I think that's important.'

When the White House announced that he wouldn't be attending the coronation this spring it said the president 'also conveyed his desire to meet with the King in the United Kingdom at a future date'  in what was initially billed as a state dinner.

President Joe Biden takes a selfie with guests after speaking at Ulster University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Wednesday, April 12, 2023. He was accused of giving a perfunctory greeting to PM Rishi Sunak on a trip that took him to his ancestral homeland in the Republic of Ireland

Biden praised NATO's decision to extend Jens Stoltenberg's tenure as Secretary General

Biden also met Prince Charles as vice president during the Obama administration

Biden met the Queen at the G7 summit in 2021, and would later attend her funeral service

Biden, 80, has met a number of royals and dignitaries during his long tenure in public life

The limited details the White House has put out so far about the president's upcoming trip to Europe makes clear that it will be a scaled down visit.

'President Biden will first travel to London, United Kingdom for engagements with King Charles III and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to further strengthen the close relationship between our nations,' according to the White House statement released Sunday.

But after flying form the U.S. on July 9, he plans to be in Vilnius for the NATO summit on the 11th, giving him just a single day in Britain, followed by a quick trip to Helsinki, where he will meet with Nordic leaders.

Biden has met Charles in the past when he was prince, including at the COP26 summit in 2021 in Glasgow earlier in the pandemic.

During that encounter, which began with both men masked, Charles humbly told Biden, 'You've got enough people with out me.'

'No no no, by the way, we needly badly,' Trump told the prince while grabbing his elbow.

'You're very kind to say so,' Charles told him.

Biden gave British PM Rishi Sunak only a brief greeting immediately after landing in Belfast on his visit to Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Last month, while hosting the prime minister at the White House, he bungled his title, calling him 'Mr. President,' then quickly corrected himself.

'Mr. President? I just demoted you,' Biden quipped.

On a key personnel decision, Biden has been identified as blocking former British Defense Minister Ben Wallace from assuming the key role of NATO Secretary General.

Sunak pitched the change on his visit to Washington.

But NATO announced days ago that Secretary Gen. Jens Stoltenberg would stay on in the post he has had extended three times.

'With his steady leadership, experience, and judgement, Secretary General Stoltenberg has brought our Alliance through the most significant challenges in European security since World War II,' Biden said following the announcement that the former Danish PM would stay on while the war in Ukraine rages.
Tucker Carlson has given his first interview since he was fired by Fox News, telling Russell Brand he 'doesn't know' why the network gave him the boot.

The 54-year-old firebrand drew an audience of more than 120,000 Friday as he sat down with the British comedian on his Stay Free show podcast.

During the interview, Carlson became heated when discussing the January 6th Capitol riot and made the sensational claim that he was told by then-Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund that the crowd on the fateful day was filled with federal agents

'Steven Sund, totally non-political, worked for Nancy Pelosi, he's not some right-wing activist, he was the chief of the Capitol police on January 6th, and he said: 'That crowd was filled with federal agents. And he would know of course because he was in charge of security at the site,' Carlson said.

The former cable host added that his interview with Sund never aired because its airing coincided with his firing. Carlson said that he plans to interview Sund again in the near future.

Tucker Carlson sat down for his first interview since leaving Fox News on Friday with British comedian Russell Brand

During the interview, Brand called Carlson 'a friend' as the piece aired on Rumble before 120,000 people

Carlson said that former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund told him that the crowd on January 6th was 'filled' with federal agents

Sund did not mention Carlson's claim in his 275-page book about the Capitol riot, Courage Under Fire

Rep. Pelosi was one of those who called for Sund's resignation following the Capitol riot because of his lack of leadership, the California Democrat said. He resigned shortly afterwards.

Since the riot, Sund has been adamant that numerous security agencies did not properly heed warnings about the potential for a riot prior to the event.

Sund did not mention the allegation that the January 6th crowd was 'filled' with federal agents in his 275 page book about the day, Courage Under Fire.

Carlson came across more safe when talking about his recent dismissal from Fox. 'I don't know why I was fired. I really don't. I'm not angry about it. I wish Fox well,' he said, adding that it came with the territory of working in media.

At one point in the discussion, Carlson railed against President Joe Biden's immigration policies.

'I'm not against immigrants  But the way that the United States is doing immigration is designed to wreck the country and to make it unstable,' he said.

Carlson said that he felt as though other leaders in the United States were also 'stoking' racial issues.

He said that was 'hurt' the first time he was called a white supremacist.

Carlson contradicted multiple past statements in saying: 'I love Trump.'

When asked the 2024 Republican field, Carlson said that he felt that Trump was right in his criticisms of the US unrelenting support of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

'Trump is the only person who is saying: "Wait a second. You know, why are we supporting an endless war in Ukraine? "'he said.

'All I can say at this point is I'm so grateful that he has that position. He's right. And everyone in Washington is wrong, everyone,' Carlson continued.

'Trump is right on that question the war is reshaping the world. It's reshaping the economy of the world. It's reshaping populations,' he went on. Later, Carlson said that US had an unique power to force a peace in the conflict, but the powers that be refuse to do so.

Carlson said that he was enjoying his leisure time but that he was still staying engaged with what was going on in the world

During his appearance with Brand, Carlson declared his support for fringe candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Carlson called Democratic fringe candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr 'a wonderful person.'

'I really admire him. The amount that man has suffered for what he thinks is true, the amount of money he's lost, the friends he's lost. He's been ostracized in a way most people can't even understand because he ticked off a drug company,' he said.

Speaking about RFK Jr's chance, he said that he felt it was unlikely that either the Democrat or Trump would manage to win their party's nomination.

In relation to his Twitter broadcasts, Carlson said that he was not being paid for Elon Musk and was not being paid by the Tesla founder. He said that he never wanted to have a boss again.

'What social media offers in the short term is an audience and a reason to write,' Carlson said. It was reported last month that he was attempting to raise money for a new media venture.

When speaking about the January 6th Capitol riot, Carlson said that he was 'labeled' a racist when he began questioning the narrative around the incident.

'It was a spasm of rage... that Trump helped enrage,' he said. Carlson defended the QAnon Shaman Jacob Chansley, saying it was outrageous that he received a prison sentenced as he was shown into the Senate chamber Capitol police.

'He was not an insurrectionist. He wasn't armed,' Carlson said. In March, Chansley was released from prison after serving four months of a 41 month sentence.

'January 6 was not an insurrection. It was not armed, and its purpose was not an attempt to overthrow the US government,' he added.

Carlson also called into question the security of electronic voting machines.

In a separate section, Carlson said that he did not think that one of his former Fox News colleagues leaked his infamous text messages to the New York Times and denied allegations that he is a racist.'

The former cable host said that he was enjoying his leisure time living in rural Maine but that he was still staying engaged with what was going on in the world.
The tiny fishing village of Karluk, Alaska went viral for a plea it made on social media asking that two families with three to four children each move to the remote village to save their local school.

Alicia Andrews, the president of the Karluk Tribal Council, told the Washington Post that they have been 'bombarded' with inquiries in the last few days.

'For years, we have been trying to save our school and our community, and now it seems we have a solution,' she said.

The council's secretary/treasurer Kathryn Reft told Dailymail.com the attention has been 'overwhelming - in a good way.'

If the village is able to increase its student population to 10 - up from its current two - it will qualify for state funding. That will give the two current pupils, a 10 and 11-year-old brother and sister the opportunity to have peers and certified teachers.

The advertisement said that families willing to relocate will have all their expenses paid for for one year, including a three-to-four bedroom house and employment options in the village of 37 people.

The Karluk, Alaska tribal council's created an ad that has since gone viral asking two families to move to the remote fishing village

Karluk is a village of just 37 people on the remote Kodiak Island in Alaska. It has been struggling to secure funding to keep its school building open

Karluk is along the western shore of Kodiak Island, which can be reached by a close to 10-hour-long ferry ride from the mainland of Alaska, or two plane rides from Anchorage.

Other villages that have struggled to meet the 10-student minimum have recruited families from homeless and women's shelters.

The council said it has received close to 5,000 responses from families across the country, and a few from other countries. Families will now receive official application forms that the council will try to process in the next few months.

An increase in the number of Karluk students will also keep the Kodiak Island Borough from having to board up the local school building, which serves the community not just as a series of classrooms, but also a gathering spot for celebrations, a computer and internet hub, and a place where people spend the night when homes can't be heated.

The school building lost state funding in 2018, and last month, lost borough funding, leaving the building's fate in the tribal council's hands.

The council soon arrived at the conclusion that it is more economically viable to support two families for a one-year period than to keep the lights on in the school building indefinitely.

In 1890, Karluk had a population of more than 1,100 people, 50 percent of whom were Chinese, who came to the island as cannery workers to help process salmon.

In the last half-century, however, the population has not risen beyond 99 people.

Maintaining rural Alaskan communities like Karluk is becoming increasingly difficult, due largely to the changing nature of work and rising cost of energy.

A side effect of declining rural life is that schools are rapidly losing funding.

'Once the school goes, it feels like the village is kind of on the brink,' said Dave Johnson, president of the Kodiak Island Borough School District Board of Education.

'I cant fault anyone for trying an outside-the-box approach to improve outcomes for their kids. Our people are desperate for people to come up with creative solutions,' he said.

Karluk is a tiny Alaskan fishing village on an archipelago. It takes two flights from Anchorage or a 10-hour ferry from the mainland to get to Karluk

Alicia Andrews, the president of the Karluk Tribal Council, said that they have been 'bombarded' with inquiries in the last few days

In 1890, Karluk had a population of more than 1,100 people, 50 percent of whom were Chinese, who came to the island as cannery workers to help process salmon. In the last half-century, however, the population has not risen beyond 99 people

Johnson added that the biggest struggle will likely be finding teachers who are willing and able to work in Karluk.

'That is what keeps me up at night, finding the teacher,' he said. 'Educators may agree to come, but many dont even last the school year in a remote, rural setting.'

That issue may or may not prove to be a problem for Karluk this summer.

Rust says that a number of teachers have already inquired about coming to the remote town. Ideally, she said, a teacher with children would be an excellent candidate.

The selection process will only be able to take a few weeks because the council is hoping to get the new families settled by late August. The council, said Rust, will be conducting interviews over the phone and are hoping to find a family that won't be in culture shock when they arrive.

'We don't want people who will get here and decide it's too small and isolated.'
TikTok troublemaker Mizzy has terrorised a shopkeeper and and pulled products off the shelves in his latest prank just weeks after the police took no action over his latest home invasion video.

Mizzy, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, strikes again in a video posted today, in which the infamous TikTok menace is seen trashing a London shop with his friends.

A shocked shop worker watches on as the screaming teens rip through the displays and leave a trail of destruction behind them, with countless items piled on the shop floor.

More and more beige-clad boys storm into view and climb on shelves to drag boxes with additional stock into the aisles.

The shopkeeper is left speechless as Mizzy, filming himself in another video, slams a stack of cash onto the counter while shouting: 'Shopping is an illusion'.

Mizzy, whose real name is Bacari-Bronze O'Garro, strikes again in a video posted today, in which the infamous TikTok menace is seen trashing a London shop with his friends. A shocked shop worker watches on as the screaming teens rip through the displays and leave a trail of destruction behind them, with countless items piled on the shop floor

The videos angered people on social media, who complained that nothing is being done about the 'prankster'.

One Twitter user said: 'One day you'll face the consequences of your actions and I don't think it will be served by someone in uniform.'

Another added: 'Absolute whopper, don't worry you'll get what's coming for you!!'

'Crabs in a bucket mentality. Having to bring negativity to other people and their businesses that they probably ruthlessly worked years for, just so you can gain ... likes & views,' a third said, adding: 'This guy could have been having the worst day of his life and you and a group of people come and terrorise him. You're a clown.'

Others agreed, noting that Mizzy now brings several of friends along for his 'pranks': Doesn't want to do it solo anymore, wonder why,' one commentor pointed out.

Another poster said if Mizzy was his son, he would be 'in the house every day doing chores for 2 months. No PlayStation or phone. Till he learns to show respect. How are his parents letting him do this.'

More and more beige-clad boys storm into view and climb on shelves to drag boxes with additional stock into the aisles. The shopkeeper is left speechless as Mizzy, filming himself in another video, slams a stack of cash onto the counter while shouting: 'Shopping is an illusion'

The outrageous video comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed last month that no further action would be taken against Mizzy after he was arrested in the wake of a vile new home invasion prank video.

Mizzy was also handed a two-year criminal behaviour order in June which stated he must not directly or indirectly post videos on social media without the documented consent of those featured in the content.

Over the past few months, Mizzy has caused fury after he shared videos of him stealing pensioner's dogs and trespassing in people's homes.

Other videos of his 'vile' pranks' included asking a stranger if he 'wanted to die' and jumping out on a passer-by.

He was also arrested for harassing orthodox Jews in London, with one video showing him approaching a man at a bus stop before putting his hands over his victim's shoulders and attempting a leapfrog.

In his latest home invasion video, Mizzy said although he could 'go to prison', he 'had to' break into a 'random house one last time'

He sparked outrage with his antics, culminating in him putting a family 'at risk' by barging into their home with others while their young children were present, pretending he was trying to find a study group.

In another video, Mizzy is seen leading a gang of yobs into the clothing store Primark on Oxford Street which they proceed to trash.

He eggs on his followers shouting 'Primark! Ay, Primark!' as some get on tables and counters at the till, throwing products on the floor.

O'Garro then, while continuing to run around the shop, shouts: 'Go subscribe to Mizzy!'

He then leads his followers around the shop and heads back to the door, shouting 'Everyone out! Out!'

In another video, Mizzy is seen leading a gang of yobs into the clothing store Primark on Oxford Street which they proceed to trash

His young followers can be heard cheering their idol on, saying things like: 'I love Mizzy!'

In a bid to soak up the fame, Mizzy has appeared on interviews with the likes of Piers Morgan, who described him as a 'moron' in a feisty interview last month.

The pair continued to interrupt each other throughout while Morgan listed the numerous extreme pranks O'Garro has carried out.

'You go up and take a dog from an elderly woman, you leapfrog over the top of an orthodox Jewish man standing at the side of the road minding his business. You go up to women in the street and say, 'do you want to die?'

At one point the Talk TV presenter then asked: 'A lot of the stuff that you do could have consequences far more serious but you don't care do you, as long as you get a laugh?'

O'Garro has already been taken back to court after he was admitted failing to comply with a community protection notice in Thames Magistrates' Court last month of failing to comply with his community protection notice

O'Garro replied: 'Of course I care I have remorse.' He then said he is his 'own person' and 'I am legally an adult now so I can do what I want'.

Morgan ended the interview by saying: 'You're just a complete moron.' He added: 'For the record, he wasn't paid for this.'

Fellow Talk TV host Andre Walker also demanded security remove Mizzy in separate interview as he angrily threw his papers in the air. Walker had accused the influencer of 'threatening' a female guest.

The BBC then faced backlash for giving Mizzy a platform after his Newsnight interview.

The 18-year-old father appeared on the show earlier this month to discuss the hold social media 'bad boy' and misogynist Andrew Tate still appears to have on teenage boys.
A man is still being quizzed by police after being arrested on suspicion of the murder of a millionaire couple who were found dead at their home with the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl in their bodies.

Stephen Baxter, 61, and his wife Carol, 64, were at first believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning after they were found dead on Easter Sunday in April in armchairs at their five bedroom detached home in the yachting haven of West Mersea, Essex.

But police who originally treated the deaths as non suspicious confirmed arrested three people on Thursday  a man and a woman in their 20s and a man in his 30s  on suspicion of their murder.

The arrests were made after tests revealed that Mrs Baxter had toxic levels of fentanyl and promethazine, an antihistamine used in over-the-counter cold medicines, in her body. Her husband was also found to have had fentanyl intoxication.

But post mortems also found that the couple had medical conditions which provisionally contributed to the deaths with Mrs Baxter having terminal bronchopneumonia and her husband having an enlarged heart and alcoholic liver disease.

Stephen Baxter, 61, and his wife Carol, 64, were at first believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning after they were found dead on Easter Sunday last April

Detectives are now trying to work out if they took their own lives, died of an accidental overdose or if they were administered a deadly dose of drugs by a third party.

Essex Police confirmed today that one of the men and the woman who were arrested had been freed on police bail, pending further inquiries.

Officers insisted they were pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, and keeping an 'open mind' about how the couple died.

Neighbours of Mrs and Mrs Baxter who had lived for 13 years in a modern weather-boarded detached house in Victory Road, West Mersea, told of their shock today after police revealed the three people had been arrested.

Several local residents said they had been aware that Mrs Baxter had been ill, but they still saw her and her husband out and about.

One said today: 'I knew Carol had been unwell because I had not seen her for some time. When I spoke to her at the end of last year, she said she had been unwell and not going out much.

'She was a hard worker and was a nice and friendly person. I remember them saying that they were looking for somewhere else to live because they wanted to downsize.'

The couple were found in armchairs at their five bedroom detached home in the yachting haven of West Mersea, Essex

Another neighbour who asked not to be named said: 'People knew they were in poor health. But nobody around here thinks that they were murdered. It would cause amazement if that turned out to be the case.'

A third resident said: 'I used to see Carol walking her black labrador up the road and she often had time for a chat. There was a drinks party outside to celebrate the end of lockdown and they seemed fine then with no hint of any health problems.

'Maybe they took an overdose because they didn't want to live, but why would you do that when you have children? They had a little grandson as well.'

Mrs Baxter was managing director of a company called Cazsplash Ltd, selling bath mats designed to fit snugly around modern curved or corner showers, along with matching towels.

Her husband was a fellow director of the business which was launched 11-years-ago, according to Companies House records.

He was also global lead, operational risk and assurance, for multi-billion pound transnational real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle, which was founded in the UK but has its headquarters in Chicago.

The couple who married in 2000 had two children together. Mrs Baxter, a former adult educator, had two more children from two previous marriages.

The couple, who were married in 2000, had two children together. Mrs Baxter, a former adult educator, had two more children from two previous marriage

They were known to be social members at West Mersea Yacht Club which flew its flag at half mast after their deaths.

The couple were found dead in their chairs on Easter Sunday by their daughter Ellie, 22, when she turned up to visit them with her one-year-old son Axel.

Ms Baxter described how she flung open bi-fold doors to let fresh air in as she suspected a carbon monoxide leak.

She said at the time: 'It was absolutely awful to see. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But what I keep going back to is that they were sitting there together and were peaceful.

There were no signs of a struggle or any pain.'

Miss Baxter added: 'They were very loving. Family always came first. They made sure that we always had what we needed and then some.'

Firefighters cordoned off the road outside the couple's home for several hours after their bodies were found, amid fears that there had been a gas leak.

One nearby resident said she had been told to stay in her home for two hours, said: 'There was talk about their deaths being due to some sort of gas leak. But I remember it was a hot Easter Sunday afternoon when they would not be sitting in a room with closed windows and doors.'

Mrs Baxter was managing director of Cazsplash Ltd, a bathroom accessories firm which sells corner and curved shower mats

An inquest opened held at Essex Coroner's Court this week heard how Mrs Baxter's provisional cause of death had been given as combined fentanyl and promethazine toxicity with terminal bronchopneumonia.

A provisional cause of death for Mr Baxter was given as 'cardiomegaly and alcoholic liver disease with fentanyl intoxication'.

Essex Area Coroner Sean Horstead told the hearing: 'On the basis of the information, I am satisfied that this requires a full inquest.

'At the request of the police, I will suspend the coronial investigation for four months.'

An Essex Police spokesperson said today: 'We were called by colleagues in the ambulance service to concerns for the welfare of two people at a home in Victory Road on Sunday 9 April, at about 1.30pm.

'Officers arrived and, sadly, found married couple Stephen Baxter, 61, Carol Baxter, 64, had died.

'At that stage, their deaths were being treated as unexpected and not suspicious and we were working to establish the circumstances around their deaths.

'As a result of an extensive investigation and toxicology analysis, two men and a woman were arrested on Thursday 6 July in order to gain comprehensive accounts from them.

'A woman and a man have been released on bail while as other enquires are conducted.

At this stage, one man remains in custody for further questioning.

'We continue to remain open-minded as to how the couple died and we're exploring a number of lines of enquiry.

'We are now appealing to anyone who has not already come forward with information on the couple's movements over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, April 7, 8 and 9.

'We would specifically like to hear from anyone who saw Mr and Mrs Baxter, spoke to them or interacted with them on those dates, no matter how fleeting the encounters may have been.'

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid similar to morphine but up to 100 times more potent. It is a

Class A drug which is used legitimately by doctors to treat patients with severe pain. In the US, it was linked to about two-thirds of the 107,000 deaths caused by opioids in 2021.

Anyone with information can contact Essex Police by submitting information on a specially set up public portal.
A vintage World War Two fighter plane has crashed on the country estate of a billionaire who founded popular estate agent Foxtons.

Air accident investigators have launched a probe after the single seat Grumman General Motors Wildcat flipped over as it landed on a grass airstrip in the grounds of Heveningham Hall near Halesworth, Suffolk.

The pilot was airlifted to Ipswich Hospital by the Essex and Hertfordshire Air Ambulance after the crash at around 5.10pm on Thursday.

Police initially said he suffered serious injuries which were not thought to be life threatening, but it is believed he has now left hospital.

The propellor driven aircraft was restored in 2022 after being bought by businessman and engineer Tom Harris, 60, of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. Sources said that Mr Harris was not the pilot at the time of the crash.

The plane was left upside down after the incident which saw the pilot taken to hospital

The incident triggered a large emergency service response and an investigation is underway

The accident happened as the Wildcat was being flown in to the estate to take part in an annual country fair and Concours event this weekend featuring 50 cars and a dozen historic aircraft.

The Grumman Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter that entered service in 1940 with the United States Navy, and the British Royal Navy where it was initially known as the Martlet.

It was said to have performed poorly against Japan's Zero fights in air battles over the Pacific, and was later replaced by the faster and more powerful Hellcat.

The 5,000 acre estate is the country home of property entrepreneur Jon Hunt who founded the Foxtons estate agents chain in London.

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service sent ten fire crews to the scene and cordoned off an area around the crash site which was visible from a nearby public road.

A fire appliance was also seen outside the main entrance of 18th century Heveningham Hall.

Air Accident Investigation Board officials are thought to be investigating the cause of the crash.

A digger and crane were seen on the site on Friday as arrangements were made to move the wreckage of the aircraft which had a top speed of 318mph.

A local village said on Facebook: 'Heard the plane, didn't sound right. Then heard all the sirens.'

The Grumman Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter that entered service in 1940 (stock image)

Another Facebook user added in a post: 'Was very low and didn't sound right when I saw it when driving through Walpole'.

The plane involved in the crash had a long civilian life in the USA after exiting the forces in 1946.

According to aircraft experts, the aircraft spent time in the 1950s as a crop sprayer, when it had wingtip and underwing tanks fitted.

It then passed through multiple owners before going on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in the US.

It first arrived in the UK in early 2012 and after several years in the museum was sold on to Thomas Harris in 2016.

It was then moved Duxford where the Aircraft Restoration Company undertook a complete restoration, which was completed last year.

Grade One listed Heveningham Hall was bought by Mr Hunt in 1994 after it was on the market for three years.

Mr Hunt went on to landscape the grounds of the estate with lakes, following plans originally drawn up by Capability Brown.

He has since bought up several country houses and farmhouses in the area which he has converted into the Wilderness Reserve, an up-market holiday retreat which is popular with celebrity guests.

Mr Hunt was said to be worth 1.448bn on this year's Sunday Times Rich List.

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: 'At this stage it is believed the pilot was attempting to land the plane at the time of the incident.

'An area of Heveningham Hall has been cordoned off while officers deal with the incident. The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed and will be investigating the incident.'
Hostage negotiators have surrounded a Massachusetts home where a 21-year-old man has barricaded himself after shooting two family members and then firing rounds at police officers who attempted to take him into custody.

Officers were dispatched to a Worcester home at around 8:38 am on Friday after unidentified man shot and injured two family members, one woman and one man, with a handgun.

Lt. Sean Murtha told MassLive police surrounded the home on Colby Avenue.

When officers attempted to bring the shooter into custody, he fired rounds at the officers before running back in the house and barricading himself inside.

'The officers attempted to take that individual into custody and we believe that during that attempt to take him into custody, fired rounds at the officers, thankfully not striking any of them. At that point, he ran back in the house,' Murtha.

Both injured family members have been transported to a Worcester-area hospital and are being treated for their wounds.

The officers were not injured in the attack.

Police are now attempting to negotiate with the shooter along with hostage negotiators and a mental health clinician.

Police said they have also reached out to the individual's family in order to 'slow things down and negotiate.'

Officers have been attempting to make contact for several hours.

Cops are pictured outside a home in Worcester, Massachusetts, where a 21 year-old man allegedly barricaded himself inside and shot two people on Friday

Murtha said the man is 'not somebody we regularly deal with, not well known' to police.

Worcester police closed off Colby Avenue Friday morning, and told neighbors to stay away from the area.

A woman was attempting to visit her friend on Colby Street Fiday, but police told her to shelter in place, according to MassLive.

A helicopter and drone were seen circling over the street, where as of Friday afternoon, the suspect was still inside.

Murtha told MassLive that police held a perimeter around the house and evacuated neighbors near the house.

One neighbor was escorted to safety by police officers with guns drawn.

The suspect also opened fire on cops during an ensuing stand-off involving hostage negotiators, it is claimed

Abdul Bilal also lives nearby and said he was shocked to witness the scene.

'Never seen something like this. I've been here for probably two years,' he told WBZ-TV. 'I've never seen a lot of cops and fire trucks, ambulances, different types of cop cars, all this. It's kind of scary.'

James Cawley, a nearby resident was away when the incident occurred.

He returned to find the neighborhood filled with police officer.

He had to wait hours before being able to return to his home, according to the Telegram.

Murtha said attempting to make contact is the main priority now.

'We do have some potential phone numbers to call. There are various ways to make contact and again, in a situation like this, time is on our side generally. We want to slow things down, we want to do everything we can to ensure a peaceful resolution,' Murtha said.
The Biden administration has done a full 180 on cluster munitions - from last year calling their use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict a 'war crime' to this year insisting they are essential to Ukraine's defenses.

White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan took to the podium in the press briefing room Friday to defend the decision.

He said agreeing to send Kyiv the bombs was 'not easy' but 'we will not leave Ukraine defenseless.'

'We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk to civilians which is why we have deferred decision as much as we could,' he said.

U.S. law bans the transfer of cluster munitions that have more than a one percent 'dud' rate - or fail to go off more than one percent of the time. Such bombs that don't go off immediately can create land mines and explode later on civilian contact.

But Sullivan confirmed President Biden had signed a waiver allowing a transfer of such weapons with a higher dud rate - but said the rate would be 'not higher than 2.5 percent.'

This aerial picture taken on December 7, 2022 shows an expert of the prosecutor's office examining collected remnants of shells and missiles used by the Russian army to attack the second largest Ukrainian city of Kharkiv

The US has decided to send controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine in aid of its counteroffensive against Russian forces

'Russia has been using cluster munitions since the start of this work to attack Ukraine. Russia has been using cluster munitions with high dud or failure rates of between 30 and 40 percent,' Sullivan told reporters.

He said regions where the bombs would be used would already need to be cleared of mines once the war is over.

'Russia has already spread tens of millions of these bomblets across Ukrainian territory,' he went on. 'So we have to ask ourselves is: Is Ukraine's use of cluster munitions, on that same land, actually that much of an addition of civilian harm given that that area is going to have to be de mined regardless?'

The Biden administration has been weighing up a decision on sending the munitions since December, and on Friday announced it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800million.

The countries shown in white have not signed the convention banning the production and use of cluster munitions - bombs which explode and disperse bomblets, which frequently injure and kill civilians

Cluster munitions (pictured) are prohibited in more than 100 countries after they ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was adopted in Dublin, Ireland in May 2008

Cluster munitions explode and disperse a series of smaller bombs over a wide area, often killing civilians. More than 120 nations have signed a 15-year-old treaty banning their use, but Ukraine and Russia have both deployed them - and Ukraine's supplies of all types of ammunition are dwindling.

Sullivan told reporters the U.S. had received 'written assurance' the cluster bombs would be used by Ukraine in a 'very careful way' - and said it was in Ukraine's own self interest not to target areas where civilians could be harmed.

But the Kremlin is likely to cry hypocrisy over the move and ramp up its own use of cluster munitions.

'Russia is likely to take this as an invitation to ramp up its own use of these weapons,' Dr. Mark Berlin, a professor at Marquette University who specializes in international law, war crimes and human rights, told DailyMail.com.

'It is also likely to provide grounds for Russia to claim hypocrisy in response to criticisms about its own use, which will help it muddy the waters regarding who is responsible for worse behavior in the conflict,' he said.

'As long as the US continues to export cluster bombs, especially in contradiction to its own stated policies, it undermines the moral power of US and international criticism against the use by countries like Russia.

'The move may also have political costs for Biden. Human rights groups have campaigned to prohibit and delegitimize these weapons for decades, and they will not be happy about this decision, which undermines that cause.'

Indeed, it has already drawn the ire of human rights groups.

'The USAs plan to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine is a retrograde step, which undermines the considerable advances made by the international community in its attempts to protect civilians,' Amnesty International said in a statement.

'Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons which have caused untold harm to civilians across the world - in some cases decades after conflicts have ended.'

It's drawn bipartisan condemnation and applause in Congress.

A group of House and Senate Republican committee leaders praised Biden's new move but went after him for taking too long.

'While no weapons system is a proverbial golden bullet, DPICMs will help fill a key gap for Ukraine's military and will allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to target and eliminate Russian forces more efficiently, including in fortified positions on the battlefield. Providing DPICMs will also decrease the strain on America's stockpile of unitary warheads,' said House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch, and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker.

'This administration's misguided fear of escalation in providing critical weapon systems  from Stingers to HIMARS to Abrams tanks and now to DPICMs  has only served to prolong the war.'

'US cluster munitions would constrain Russian troop positioning to prevent effective targeting while offering the Ukraine Armed Forces more flexibility and survivability for their own troops,' Omar Al-Ghubsi, analyst at D.C.-based research group Center for Advanced Defense Studies told DailyMail.com.

'Regardless, these weapons are still devastating and should only be employed in relatively unpopulated areas.'

He added that the US cluster munitions tend to have lower dud rates, which minimizes civilian casualties, especially compared to the Soviet-era cluster bombs that Ukraine may already have access to.

More isolationist-minded House Republicans equated the move to launching World War III.

'Instead of focusing on a peaceful solution, Biden is sending us into WWIII,' Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., wrote on Twitter.

'Maybe find out who left cocaine in the West Wing before starting WWIII?' added Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz.

Rep. Barbara Lee, a progressive Democrat from California, criticized the move.

'I am alarmed to hear [Biden] is considering sending cluster bombs to Ukraine. Many people are unaware of these dangerous weapons,' she said, linking to a Human Rights Watch report about civilian deaths in Ukraine due to cluster munitions.

'The Ukrainian people are engaged in a just struggle for their rights, freedom and humanity. The US and Ukraine don't need to stoop to Putin's level.'

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., an Air Force Veteran who serves on the Armed Services and Intel Committees, also condemned the move.

'I believe a victory for Ukraine is an essential victory for democracies across the globe, but that victory cannot come at the expense of our American values and thus democracy itself. Cluster munitions are indiscriminate, and I strongly oppose providing these weapons to Ukraine,' she said in a statement.

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a tank towards Russian troops near a front line in Kharkiv on Thursday

A woman looks at a missile casing in the Kharkiv oblast

A damaged apartment building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, seen on Thursday

A woman is seen in Kharkiv on Thursday looking at the remains of her destroyed building

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.

The United States has used cluster munitions in every major war since Korea, but no new ones are believed to have been produced for years.

The U.S. last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

There is precedent to the U.S. providing cluster munitions to foreign powers: since 2008, Washington has exported cluster munitions to at least India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UAE.
A driver who derailed an Overground train after falling asleep at the wheel with cocaine in his system has been jailed.

Erkan Mehmet, 44, of Middle Street, Waltham Abbey, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to endangering the safety of the railway and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison on Friday, British Transport Police said.

On October 12, 2021, Mehmet was driving a London Overground train to Enfield Town when he entered platform two at the station and failed to stop - before crashing into the buffers, causing the front carriage to derail.

The carriage came off the tracks and was stuck about five feet in the air at an angle with around 50 passengers on board at the time, with a small number of them reporting minor injuries and shock.

Mehmet was breathalysed at the scene and blew negative but a urine sample tested positive for cocaine.

Erkan Mehmet, 44, (pictured) of Middle Street, Waltham Abbey, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to endangering the safety of the railway and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison on Friday, British Transport Police said

More than a dozen emergency services vehicles were deployed to the scene in October 2021

On October 12, 2021, Mehmet was driving a London Overground train to Enfield Town when he entered platform two at the station and failed to stop - before crashing into the buffers, causing the front carriage to derail

The carriage came off the tracks and was stuck about five feet in the air at an angle with around 50 passengers on board at the time, with a small number of them reporting minor injuries and shock

BTP said the drug probably entered his system in the 24-hours beforehand.

In an interview with detectives, Mehmet claimed to have never taken drugs and said he fell asleep at the wheel because he only had a couple hours of sleep the night before.

Detective Constable Gemma Littlewood said: 'Train drivers are entrusted with the safety of every passenger on board so it is frankly unthinkable that Mehmet turned up to work in a condition which left him falling asleep at the wheel, putting them all in significant danger.

The eight-carriage London Overground train derailed at Enfield Town station in October 2021

The Overground train crashed through buffers at Enfield Town station during rush-hour

The eight-carriage Overground train crashed through the buffers and derailed

Services were suspended from Edmonton Green to Enfield Town due to the crash in 2021

London Ambulance Service sent paramedics to Enfield Town station after the incident

'It is only through luck that nobody was seriously injured or worse, killed, as a result of his actions that day.

'Investigators have worked closely with Arriva Rail London, who fully supported the investigation, to ensure he has been brought before the courts to face justice and while incidents like this are rare, we will continue to relentlessly investigate anyone suspected of putting passengers in danger and hold them to account.'

Paul Hutchings, managing director at Arriva Rail London, said: 'We take the safety and security of our customers and colleagues incredibly seriously.

'We have a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and alcohol, which exceeds industry standards, and the driver involved was immediately suspended following the incident and subsequently dismissed after returning a positive test result.'
A teenager has been arrested over his alleged involvement in a mass shooting at a party that left two dead and 28 injured in Maryland over the weekend.

The 17-year-old male was charged on Friday morning following a search warrant of his home by a SWAT team, according to the Baltimore police department.

Kylis Fagbem, 20, and Aaliyah Gonzalez, 18, were shot dead on Sunday after at least two people opened fire around midnight at the annual block party in the Brooklyn Homes neighborhood.

The other injured people were mostly teens and young adults ranging in age from 13 to 32, with 15 of them younger than 15.

Three of the injured victims remain in the hospital in fair condition.

Kylis Fagbem, 20, and Aaliyah Gonzalez, 18, were shot dead on Sunday after at least two people opened fire at a Baltimore block party

Police were hunting on Sunday morning for the people involved in the shooting that left 28 injured,

The minor is being held at the Central Booking Intake Facility, and charged with possession of a firearm by a minor, assault weapon possession, reckless endangerment and handgun in vehicle.

The Baltimore police department does not identify minor suspects, and told DailyMail.com on Friday they will not release additional details citing the ongoing investigation.

The teen reportedly was an early suspect after he was seen on a video shared to social media pulling out what appears to be a gun from a backpack, as reported by NBC-affiliate WBALTV.

'That young man is a suspect in the crime because he had a weapon at the scene,' said Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley on Monday.

Police previously said they were looking for multiple suspects. A motive for the shooting remains unclear.

Officials have offered a reward of up to $28,000 for any information that leads to an arrest and charges.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Homicide detectives at 410-396-2100.

Those wishing to remain anonymous can use the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line, at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

An internal investigation has reportedly been open to determine why police did not know about the event beforehand.

Aaliyah had recently graduated high school. Her mom Krystal Gonzalez reacted to the arrest on Friday, writing on Facebook; 'there are more.'

'My beautiful girl. Her life matters. The world would miss out on someone so special,' the grieving mother previously said.

Dramatic footage showed terrified partygoers fleeing the scene of the shooting.

On the night of the tragedy, hundreds of people had gathered for an event called 'Brooklyn Day.'

Videos taken just before the shooting show revelers twerking and dancing in the street - before 20 to 30 shots were fired, according to witnesses.

Nine victims were transported by ambulance and 20 victims walked into area hospitals with injuries from the shooting.

Gonzales died at the scene and Fagbemi passed away at a local hospital, police said.

Acting Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley told Fox Baltimore the force knows 'for sure' that there was 'more than one' gunman.

Investigators could be seen combing the area for evidence at the scene of the shooting as debris from the block party filled the parking lot

Aaliyah had recently graduated high school. Her mother shared photographs of the teenager, who she described as 'a perfect angel'

'We don't know exactly how many, but we do know more than one person was shooting', he said.

Gonzales' mother shared photographs of the teenager, who she described as 'a perfect angel' in a heart-wrenching post on Facebook.

Baltimore Police Department said 14 teenage girls were also injured in the incident - one 13-year-old, one 14-year-old, two girls aged 15, three aged 16, two aged 17, two 18, and three 19.

The force added that nine teenage boys suffered injuries - one 13-year-old, one 15-year-old, two aged 16, two 17, and three 18.

Three women - aged 20, 23, and 32 - and two men - aged 22 and 31 - were also hurt in the shooting.

Brooklyn area Mayor Brandon Scott has condemned the shooting a 'reckless, cowardly act' which 'permanently altered many lives and cost two people their lives'.

He warned those responsible that city officials 'will not stop until we find you - and we will find you'.

The violence comes as federal prosecutors in Baltimore this week touted their efforts to reduce violent crime in the city.

Police have reported nearly 130 homicides and close to 300 shootings so far this year, though that's down from the same time last year.

Authorities have vowed to crack down aggressively on repeat violent offenders.

The next night, three shootings took place in the same area - including a fatal gunning down of a 33-year-old man on the 2000 block of Fleet Street - across the Patapsco River from the Sunday night incident.
Amazon has pulled listings for 'steering wheel weights' that allow Tesla drivers to trick the vehicle into thinking their hands are on the wheel in self-driving mode.

The Seattle-based firm was joined by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba in purging the products from their stores after they were linked to accidents.

The gadgets clamp onto the steering wheel and trick the car's sensors into thinking that they are a pair of driver's hands. Autopilot mode in a Tesla still requires a driver to be holding the wheel for safety reasons.

In March, a Tesla struck a teenager without slowing as he was getting off a school bus in North Carolina, leaving him seriously injured. In December, a driver in Germany fell asleep at the wheel and led police down a highway at 70mph.

Carnegie Mellon University professor Philip Koopman pointed the blame squarely at Tesla founder Elon Musk for the confusion concerning Autopilot mode.

'Elon Musk's saying it's supposed to drive itself. That's what they're going to hear. How do you think they're going to behave?' Koopman told The Washington Post.

The gadgets clamp onto the steering wheel and trick the car's sensors into thinking that they are a pair of driver's hands. Autopilot mode in a Tesla still requires a driver to be holding the wheel for safety reasons

In January, one Tesla owner said that he knew of people who used the wheel weights so that they could drink and drive

One expert pointed the finger for the accidents caused by Autopilot at Tesla founder Elon Musk

The Post reports that recently two different brands of wheel weight were listed as the top two releases in Amazon's 'automotive steering wheel' section. The retail for between $30 and $75, more than 100 were sold in the last month, reports the Post.

'Products intended to circumvent driver assistance systems or other car safety features, including counterweight rings and autopilot nag reduction devices, are prohibited,' Amazon spokesperson Samantha Boyd told the newspaper.

'The products in question were evasively listed, have been removed, and we are taking corrective action. Amazon does not tolerate illegal or evasive behavior, and we enforce bad actors that make factual misrepresentations to customers,' she added.

In January, a Tesla owner, David Alford, told the New York Times Magazine that he knew of people who used wheel weights in order to drink while driving and avoid the need for an Uber.

'I know a couple of people with Teslas that have FSD beta, and they have it to drink and drive instead of having to call an Uber,' he said.

Earlier this month, US automobile safety regulators are zeroing in on changes that Tesla has made to its Autopilot partially automated driving system, including how it makes sure drivers pay attention and how it detects and responds to objects.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked for details of changes made to all versions of the system including dates and detailed descriptions, according to a post on its site Thursday.

The request is part of a larger investigation into why Teslas operating on Autopilot have struck emergency vehicles that are stopped along highways while they are responding to other incidents.

It covers all versions of automated driving system including 'Full Self-Driving,' which is being tested on public roads by Tesla owners.

The agency has been investigating crashes involving Teslas using the system since August of 2021. Investigators have sent teams to probe more than 30 crashes since 2016 that have caused at least 14 deaths.

In a letter dated January 3 and posted on the agency's website, NHTSA asks Tesla to describe all changes to the systems in the 'design, material composition, manufacture, quality control, supply, function, or installation of the subject system, from the start of production to date.'

Tesla must respond to the request by July 19, or it could face civil penalties, the letter states. It asks the electric vehicle maker to update a previous response dated Sept. 19 of last year.

Another example of a steering wheel weight which can be used to deceive the car that a driver has his hands on the wheel

'Products intended to circumvent driver assistance systems or other car safety features are prohibited,' an Amazon spokesperson said

A message was left early Thursday seeking comment from Tesla. The company says on its website that neither Autopilot nor 'Full Self-Driving' can drive themselves and that drivers must be ready to intervene at all times.

The letter also asks for which Tesla vehicles had cameras installed in the cabin to monitor drivers, and whether the system uses 'Tesla Vision' which relies only on cameras to view the road and does not use radar.

NHTSA's request includes changes that Tesla made as part of a February recall of 'Full Self-Driving' software. NHTSA pressured Tesla into recalling nearly 363,000 vehicles with the software because the system can break traffic laws. The problem was to be fixed with an online software update.

NHTSA said in recall documents that the system can make unsafe actions such as traveling straight through an intersection from a turn-only lane, going through a yellow traffic light without proper caution or failing to respond to speed limit changes.

The documents said that Tesla does not agree with the agency's analysis of the problem. The company was to fix the problems with an online software update.

Musk for his part has said he expects to have fully autonomous vehicles this year, a pledge he has made for several years. 'The trend is very clearly toward full self-driving,' Musk said in April. 'And I hesitate to say this, but I think we'll do it this year.'

The system is being tested on public roads by as many as 400,000 Tesla owners.

NHTSA also has opened investigations during the past three years into Teslas braking suddenly for no reason, suspension problems and other issues.
A South Carolina restauranteur who shot dead his wife's much younger lover after he found him naked in the back of a pickup truck with her on Valentine's Day has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars.

Gregorio Leon, 55, founder of the Midlands restaurants chain San Jose Mexican, was found guilty of murder on Thursday at the Lexington County courthouse in the murder of his wife Raquel 'Rachel' Leon's beau Arturo Bravo Santos, 28, in 2016.

A jury, made up of seven women and five men, deliberated for more than two hours to reach a judgement during the three-week trial.

Judge Walton J. McLeod IV read the verdict aloud as family and friends of Leon, including his two adult sons, sat in the courtroom. He was also sentenced to an additional five years for weapons possession that will be served concurrently.

The most damning evidence during the trial was the 911 call Leon made 11 minutes after the shooting where he confessed to the violent crime.

'I shot my wife and her lover, dude,' he said.

Jilted spouse: Greg Leon, 55, founder of the Midlands restaurants chain San Jose Mexican, was found guilty of murder on Thursday for fatally shooting his wife's lover, Arturo Bravo Santos

Pictured: Rachel Leon was having an affair with her much younger lover Arturo Bravo Santos, 28, and was shot dead by her jealous husband, Gregorio Leon on February 14, 2016

Rachel worked as a cashier on Friday nights at one of Leons restaurants.

According to the testimony, she managed the candy concessions at the host stations and had access to his safe and betrayed him with a younger man.

During the trial she was not called to the stand.

Before the sentencing seven family members and friends including his two adult sons testified to what they called Leon's 'good character, The State reported.

One of his sons, a former Lexington town councilman, said his father saved his home from foreclosure.

Leon's attorney and longtime friend, Eric Bland, who had convinced him to surrender to police after the February 14, 2016, shooting, called him a 'hard-working businessman.'

'There are so many people that depend on Greg, their livelihoods, their families... my life is crushed,' he said, in part.

Leon's two adult sons stood as they watched their father being handcuffed.

Prosecutor Rick Hubbard painted Leon as a 'control freak' who was driven to kill his wife and her lover to avenge his wounded honor.

During his closing arguments Hubbar said: 'His plan was to kill two people, his wife and her lover,' Hubbard said. 'And he succeeded in killing one person, Arturo.'

Leon tracked his wife to a Lexington County park-and-ride with a GPS tracker hidden in her car, and fatally shot the bare Santos, who was wearing only socks, while in a jealous rage.

The pickup truck had been gifted to Santos by Rachel.

After the murder Leon claimed self-defense. A pathologist initially supported this narrative by claiming that Bravos' arm was raised at the time of the shooting, and therefore could have been reaching for a weapon.

The same pathologist however later testified that his arm was actually down by his side, poking a major hole in Leon's self-defense claim.

'Its just amazing how she changed her testimony... she changed the entire dynamic of the case. How about that?' said Swerling.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped at a reporter Friday who had asked her to say 'once and for all' that the cocaine found at the White House did not belong to a Biden family member.

Instead of giving a straight yes or no answer, she left the door cracked - instead calling the asking of the question 'incredibly irresponsible.'

Jean-Pierre argued the question had been answered because she had told the press that the Biden family was at Camp David when the cocaine discovery was made.

'You know, there has been some irresponsible reporting about the family and so I've got to call that out here,' the press secretary said. 'And I have been very clear.'

'I was clear two days ago, when talking about this over and over again as I was being asked a question, as you know, and media outlets reported this - the Biden family was not here, they were not here, they were at Camp David,' she continued. 'They were not here Friday, they were not here Saturday, they were not here Sunday. They were not even here Monday. They came back here on Tuesday.'

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped at a reporter Friday who had asked her to say 'once and for all' that the cocaine found at the White House did not belong to a Biden family member

Former President Donald Trump had floated that the cocaine belonged to President Joe Biden (left) and son Hunter (center), a recovering crack cocaine addict

There have been three White House locales where the cocaine was said to be found, with NBC reporting Thursday that the discovery was made in cubbies at the West Executive Entrance

'So to ask that question is actually incredibly irresponsible, and I'll just leave it there,' she said.

She then slammed her briefing book off the podium.

President Biden had been at the White House Friday - delivering remarks after the Supreme Court ruled that his student loan forgiveness plan was unconstitutional.

Additionally, Hunter Biden was spotted leaving the White House with the president and first lady Jill Biden last Friday, as they departed for the Camp David trip.

Prior to Friday's briefing, Jean-Pierre had answered questions about the cocaine discovery by telling reporters to reach out to the Secret Service, who are conducting an investigation.

As of Friday afternoon prior to the briefing, a spokesman for the Secret Service told DailyMail.com that the probe remained 'open and active.'

When a question was posed to deputy press secretary Andrew Bates on board Air Force One Thursday, he brought up the Hatch Act.

Hunter Biden (center) walks with his father President Joe Biden (left) toward Marine One at Fort McNair in Washington on Friday, as they depart for a weekend away at Camp David. Karine Jean-Pierre falsely said the Bidens were not at the White House last Friday

New details reveal the cocaine at the White House was found near the White House's West Executive entrance - above President Joe Biden walks with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan across West Executive Avenue in October 2021 with the West Executive entrance to the White House visible behind them

Bates had been asked about former President Donald Trump claiming the drugs belonged to the president and his son Hunter, a recovering crack cocaine addict.

Jean-Pierre was asked Friday to explain Bates' decision to reference the Hatch Act, instead of answer the claims directly.

'He mentioned the Hatch Act because the question was posed to him using Donald Trump, and so he was trying to be very mindful,' she answered. 'And that's why he said the Hatch Act.'

She told the reporter to read the transcript carefully.

'So we're not avoiding the question, that is not true. We have answered this question, we have litigated this question the last two days, exhaustively,' she said.

Earlier in the briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was also asked about the cocaine - and whether there were any national security repercussions.

On Thursday, NBC News reported that the bag of powder was found near the White House's West Executive entrance, not the formal West Wing lobby, as was previously said.

That entrance - which is in the West Wing but on the floor below the lobby - is also a heavily trafficked area, a description White House officials have used as a way to explain their doubts the culprit will be found.

It's near the Situation Room.

Sullivan revealed that the coke's proximity to the Situation Room wasn't a problem, because the space hasn't been in use.

'I would make a point about the Situation Room because I think there's been a lot questionable reporting on this. The Situation Room is not in use and has not been in use for months because it is currently under construction,' Sullivan said.

'We are using an alternative Situation Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, so the only people coming in and going out of the Sit Room in this period have been workers who are getting it ready to go,' he added.

He said that the project is 'on time and on schedule,' then adding, 'No, there was no issue with the Situation Room relative to this.'

Sullivan went further by noting that there are 'rigorous drug testing policies at the White House.'

'We have rigorous drug use policies at the White House. We take those extremely seriously,' he continued.

'If it involves someone from the White House the appropriate consequences will ensue. If it involves some visitor who came in and left it, then that's a different matter, that raises a diffrent set of questions that are less relevant to my line of work,' he said.
Elon Musk has signed a letter pledging Tesla's commitment to China's 'core socialist values' as he continues his electric vehicle operations in the country.

Chinese authorities previously demanded that Musk, 52, and Tesla change their ways after the company, along with other EV firms, slashed their prices in a bid to remove smaller competitors in the industry.

The joint letter he signed used language that is popular with the communist country's president, Xi Jinping - and is said to signal a truce among the top manufacturers.

Tesla made the promise to compete fairly in the countrys car market at the China Auto Forum in Shanghai on Thursday.

Musk also virtually attended a Chinese government-backed conference, telling the audience: 'I admire the Chinese people's wisdom and determination. As long as the Chinese people decide to do well in one thing, they will, including in AI.'

Chinese authorities previously demanded that Musk, 52, and Tesla change their ways after the company, along with other EV firms, slashed their prices in a bid to remove smaller competitors in the industry

Elon Musk (center) poses for a group photo at the Shanghai Gigafactory of the US electric vehicle maker in Shanghai, China, on June 1, 2023

Elon Musk's Tesla was the only foreign company in the lineup of 15 other automakers to sign the letter.

Part of Musk's pledge was a promise to support China's 'core socialist values' and bear 'the heavy responsibility of maintaining steady growth.'

The automakers also agreed not to 'exaggerate or use false publicity and disrupt fair competition with abnormal pricing,' according to Bloomberg.

China accounts for one third of Tesla's annual sales, reports the FT.

The communist country is Tesla's second-largest market after the U.S. and the Shanghai plant is the electric car maker's largest production hub.

Yaqiu Wang, senior China researcher with Human Rights Watch, criticized Musk's moves, telling the FT: 'Failing to comply with core socialist values has been frequently used by authorities to punish speeches that are critical of the Chinese government.'

Musk also virtually attended a Chinese government-backed conference (pictured) telling the audience: 'I admire the Chinese people's wisdom and determination. As long as the Chinese people decide to do well in one thing, they will, including in AI'

Elon Musk walks next to Tesla's Senior Vice President Tom Zhu and Vice President Grace Tao as he leaves a hotel in Beijing, China May 31, 2023

Tesla CEO Elon Musk shaking hands with China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang during a meeting in Beijing, China, 30 May 2023

General secretary of the Communist Party of China, Xi Jinping

Last month, Musk traveled to China, where Twitter is banned, and met with ministers in the country.

He also met with Robin Zeng, the founder and chair of CATL, the worlds biggest maker of EV batteries.

In May, Musk met China's foreign minister Qin Gang in Beijing.

Qin told Musk China was 'committed to creating a better market-oriented, rule-of-law-based and internationalized business environment' for foreign enterprises, according to a statement at the time.

Musk said in response 'Tesla opposes "decoupling and breaking chains", and is willing to continue to expand its business in China', according to the ministry's readout.

It was Musk's first visit to China since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a ministry statement, in their meeting Qin told Musk: 'We need to keep the steering wheel in the right direction of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.'

The two sides should 'avoid "dangerous driving," ' Qin said. He gave no details of steps to improve relations.
Seeking the death penalty for accused Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger could end up costing taxpayers an additional $1million, if he is convicted.

The Latah County Prosecutors' Office informed the court in late June that they would seek the death penalty because the killings were 'especially heinous, atrocious or cruel, manifesting exceptional depravity.'

Convicted killers on death row typically rack up significant medical bills as they await execution for decades - all at the expense of taxpayers, plus the cost of their eventual execution.

According to the Idaho Statesman, Gerald Pizzuto, a 67-year-old death row inmate who has been on death row in Idaho since 1986, has cost taxpayers $1.3million, largely in medical costs for a slew of conditions.

The state's longest-serving death row inmate has been held for more than 40 years, running up a $1.5million tab.

A report indicates that it may ultimately cost taxpayers less for prosecutors to seek life imprisonment for Bryan Kohberger, rather than the death penalty, which they announced they are seeking last month

Convicted killers on death row typically rack up significant medical bills as they await execution for decades - all at the expense of taxpayers, plus the cost of their eventual execution

Furthermore, legal delays and a shortage of lethal injections have kept killers on death row for an even longer time, prompting Idaho to bring back the firing squad earlier this year.

Prosecutors stand by their pursuit of the death penalty, stating that it is appropriate because there were multiple victims; the defendant 'exhibited utter disregard for human life'; the defendant 'acted with reckless indifference to human life'; and the defendant represents a threat to society.

Kohberger's trial is scheduled to begin in October and will last an estimated six weeks.

They added that they had not been provided with any mitigating circumstances that could be used to argue why Kohberger shouldn't be put to death.

Kohberger, 28, is accused in the November 13 killings in the town of Moscow of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.

NewsNation reported prosecutors have met with the victims' families to discuss the matter, with Kernodle's mother, Cara Northington, favoring prison for life for Kohberger, if he is convicted.

Her father, Jeff, on the other hand, is reportedly in favor of the death penalty for the alleged killer.

The Goncalves and Mogens are also in favor of the death penalty, and the Chapins have not made their position public.

In late June, 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 explanation for the total lack of DNA evidence from the victims in Mr. Kohberger's apartment, office, home, or vehicle,' wrote his attorney in a filing.

Kohberger, 28, is accused in the November 13 killings in the town of Moscow of Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.

The defense team said that a second male's DNA was found inside the Moscow home and that police allegedly found DNA from a third man on a glove discovered outside the home

A Ka-Bar knife similar to the one thought to have been used in the murders

The filing states that 'by December 17, 2022, lab analysts were aware of two additional males' DNA within the house where the deceased were located.'

The defense team said a second man's DNA was found inside the Moscow home and that police allegedly found DNA from a third man's DNA on a glove discovered outside the home.

'To this date, the Defense is unaware of what sort of testing, if any, was conducted on these samples other than the STR DNA profiles.'

The filing, an Objection to State's Motion for Protective Order, argued the defense team should have access to all the data and investigative genetic genealogy that led prosecutors to claim Kohberger's DNA, collected with a buccal swab, was a 'statistical match' to DNA found on a knife sheath discovered at the scene.

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, however, the defense team said: 'Perhaps unsurprisingly, Mr. Kohberger does not accept that his defense does not need this information.

'The state apparently only wants to prevent Mr. Kohberger from seeing how the investigative genetic genealogy profile was created and how many other people the FBI chose to ignore during their investigation.'

The filing accused the government of failing to release the information because 'somehow people will stop sharing their genetics if they were to realize the government is watching.'

Detectives found a Ka-Bar knife sheath on the bed with the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves. The sheath was partially under Mogen's body and the comforter on the bed, according to court documents filed on June 16.

The former criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment, and 'not guilty' pleas were entered on his behalf

The home where the murders took place, on King Road in Moscow - a quiet cul de sac near the University of Idaho campus

A sample of DNA left on the sheath is 'at least 5.37 octillion times more likely to be seen if (the) Defendant is the source than if an unrelated individual randomly selected from the general population is the source,' prosecutors said in the filing.

When DNA is found at the scene of the crime that does not belong to victims, one of the first things police do is run it through their own database to check if it matches the DNA of any previous offenders.

This process is referred to as a short tandem repeat comparison and tests the sample against 20 DNA markers - enough to identify the person if their own DNA is already in the system, or, in some cases, if the DNA of an immediate relative is in the system, such as a parent or a sibling.

The former criminology student last month chose to 'stand silent' at his arraignment, and 'not guilty' pleas were entered on his behalf.

He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and burglary.
GOP Sen. Bill Hagerty is calling out 'political interference' by Biden's Attorney General Merrick Garland and Hunter Biden prosecutor David Weiss based on a series of recent contradictory statements made by the two men.

U.S. Attorney Weiss has stated that his charging authority in the Hunter criminal case is limited to his home district of Delaware, contradicting Garland's multiple public assurances that he could bring charges in any district and has total control of the case without influence by DOJ leadership.

In addition, new bombshell testimony by IRS agent Gary Shapley and another whistleblower revealed that Weiss tried to bring charges against Hunter Biden in Washington, D.C., but was blocked by the district's top federal prosecutor Matthew Graves, a Biden appointee. Their testimony contradicts Garland's statements that Weiss has total authority in the case.

Hagerty, R-Tenn., told DailyMail.com in a statement Friday that the contradictions in statements made by the top officials involved in the Hunter probe stink of 'political interference.'

U.S. Attorney Weiss sent a letter last week to the House Judiciary Committee, insisting that he has 'ultimate authority' in the criminal gun and tax case against the president's son Hunter

'Political interference by the President's appointees in the Biden criminal investigation is completely unacceptable, and instead of dodging the serious, mounting questions raised by this testimony, Garland and Weiss should testify before Congress as soon as possible,' Hagerty told DailyMail.com.

Weiss sent a letter last week to the House Judiciary Committee attempting to clarify his role in the probe and insisted that he actually holds the 'ultimate authority' in the criminal gun and tax case against the president's son Hunter.

Weiss explained that as the U.S. attorney for Delaware, his charging authority is normally 'geographically limited' to that district - but said that Attorney General Merrick Garland had promised to grant him special attorney status to bring charges anywhere.

'As the U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, my charging authority is geographically limited to my home district. If venue for a case lies elsewhere, common Departmental practice is to contact the United States Attorney's Office for the district in question and determine whether it wants to partner on the case,' he wrote. 'If not, I may request Special Attorney status from the Attorney General.'

However, Garland said last month that Weiss was free 'to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to.'

And the attorney general told Hagerty in an April 2022 Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the main Department of Justice was not overseeing Weiss' probe into Hunter.

'[Weiss] is in charge of that investigation. There will not be interference of any political or improper kind,' Garland said in response to Hagerty's question.

'U.S. Attorney Weiss's letter doesn't dispute sworn testimony from two apolitical IRS investigators that he was blocked from bringing charges against President Biden's family, which contradicts Attorney General Garland's statement to me in an April 2022 Senate hearing that Weiss had full authority to investigate and bring charges,' Hagerty said.

Over the weekend, an attorney for IRS whistleblower Shapley said Weiss actually did not have 'full authority' to bring charges, and had to 'partner' with the 'relevant U.S. Attorney.'

The senator added in a statement to DailyMail.com that Weiss' assurances to the House Judiciary Committee that he won't be blocked from charging in other districts is 'completely hollow' if charges can no longer be brought there, pointing to how the Biden Justice Department ran out the statute of limitations clock.

The letter by Weiss came just over a week after Hunter reached an agreement with the government to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax offenses. The plea deal would also avert prosecution on a felony charge of illegally possessing a firearm as a drug user, as long as Biden adheres to conditions agreed to in court.

'I have been granted ultimate authority in this case, including responsibility for deciding where, when and whether to file charges,' wrote Weiss of his probe into Hunter

Garland said last month that Weiss was free 'to make a decision to prosecute any way in which he wanted to and in any district in which he wanted to'

Hagerty, R-Tenn., told DailyMail.com in a statement Friday that the contradictions in statements made by the top officials involved in the Hunter probe stink of 'political interference'

Republicans have criticized the arrangement as a 'sweetheart deal' for the president's son and have demanded information on the plea deal.

Weiss also attempted to address some of the internal charging concerns - led by Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio - in the letter last week.

He denied claims that the Justice Department had 'retaliated' against Shapley and another whistleblower who criticized his handling of the Hunter probe in congressional testimony.

The Hunter prosecutor also rejected Jordan's sweeping demands for documents and records related to interactions between the DOJ and IRS on the Hunter Biden case.

'I am required to protect confidential law enforcement information and deliberative communications related to the case. Thus, I will not provide specific information related to the Hunter Biden investigation at this time,' he wrote.
Mexican authorities, who are now seeking his extradition, allege that he has killed at least three women in an act of femicide

Bryant Rivera, 30, has been arrested in the US for the murder of a Mexican dancer in January 2022

Bryant Rivera has been accused of killing three women he met at a Mexican strip club

A California man has been charged with the murder of three women working at a Tijuana strip club by Mexican authorities and is awaiting extradition.

Bryant Rivera, 30, has been charged with femicide after the murder of three dancers in Tijuana the Mexican Police said.

Baja California Attorney General Ricardo Carpio has said Rivera murdered at least three victims in an act of femicide.

However, Rivera was arrested by police on July 6 but has only been charged with one of the murders in the US.

The brutal murders of the vulnerable women led Baja California Attorney General Ivan Carpio Sanchez to describe Rivera as displaying 'violent and psychopathic behavior' comparable to notorious murderer Ted Bundy.

Rivera allegedly met the women at the Hong Kong Gentlemen's Club, a popular strip club in Tijuana before brutally murdering them.

The Mexican government is now formally seeking his extradition.

Angela Acosta Flores, 20, was working as an exotic dancer in the Tijuana club when she was murdered at a hotel above the premises in January 2022

Elizabeth Martinez Cigarroa, 25, has been named as another of Rivera's alleged victims he's said to have met at the same premises

One of the victims, Angela Carolina Acosta Flores, 20, who worked as a stripper, was murdered in a room at Hotel Cascadas on January 24, 2022.

On the night of the murder, the victim texted her mother that she was accompanying a client to a room at Hotel Cascadas for 30 minutes.

Security cameras caught a man and Flores together before entering the room, according to the criminal complaint.

When she did not return her boyfriend went to the bar to look for her and a colleague said she had seen Flores 'with a male client with a light brown complexion, an acne-scarred face,' who stood about 5-foot-5 and had brown hair, according to the document.

The woman added that she knew the victim's client as 'Bryant Rivera,' and that he was a 'gringo,' a term used to describe Americans, the complaint states.

Security camera footage is said to show Rivera heading to a hotel with a woman he's accused of killing

Flores' mother and boyfriend went to the reception area of the hotel seeking information, and remained there until learning that a woman had been found dead in room 404.

The next day Rivera returned to to US by foot, passing through the San Ysidro port of entry, border control records show.

Just three weeks later, Rivera murdered another dancer he met at the Hong Kong Gentlemens Club, Sanchez alleges.

Elizabeth Martinez Cigarroa, 25, was murdered after going on a Valentine's Day date with an American, allegedly Rivera, that she met at the Hong Kong Gentlemens Club.

Her body was found on February 17, 2022 in the back of her abandoned truck with obvious signs of violence, Vice reported.

Another dancer, thought to have been a regular client of Rivera, was allegedly strangled and beaten to death by him on August 30 2021, according to Zeta Tijuana.

Rivera is filmed passing through border control. He is a California native, but will be tried over the killings in Mexico

Her body was found days later stuffed in a trash bin.

For more than a year the victim's families grieved their loss while the suspect evaded custody.

But on July 6 US police arrested Rivera on suspicion of the murder of Angela Carolina Acosta Flores.

'The United States understands that Mexico may add additional charges when it submits the formal request for extradition,' according to the June 29 complaint filed by the U.S. attorneys office.

A detention hearing will take place in Los Angeles next week where federal prosecutors will request the judge keeps Rivera behind bars during extradition proceedings.

Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that there will be other victims.
Labour was accused of acting to stifle a free Press yesterday by opposing the repeal of a highly controversial element of media law.

Section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act is designed to force news organisations to sign up to a government-backed regulator by making those not signed up pay legal costs for both sides in a libel or privacy trial  regardless of who wins.

The legislation  described by a media industry body as 'pernicious'  has never been brought into effect, and the Government plans to repeal it in the Media Bill.

But Labour is set to oppose the move, risking damaging relations between the party and the Press.

A party spokesman said: 'The Government is wrong to muddy the waters with a debate about repealing Section 40, which is unnecessary as it has never been enacted and so repeal will not make any substantive difference.

The legislation  described by a media industry body as 'pernicious'  has never been brought into effect, and the Government plans to repeal it in the Media Bill. But Labour (led by Keir Starmer, pictured) is set to oppose the move, risking damaging relations between the party and the Press

Owen Meredith (pictured), chief executive of the News Media Association, said it was 'absolutely right' the Government had put the repeal of Section 40 in the Media Bill

'It's right that the Press is held to the highest standards and are accountable for their reporting.'

A Labour source told The Guardian: 'We know this will trigger a fight with the Press, but it has been Labour policy for years to have Section 40. It would look very odd not to stand up for it now the Tories are trying to repeal it.'

No national newspapers have signed up to the one officially recognised regulator, Impress, amid concerns about threats to freedom of the Press.

Owen Meredith, chief executive of the News Media Association, said it was 'absolutely right' the Government had put the repeal of Section 40 in the Media Bill.

He added: 'Section 40 is a pernicious piece of legislation that hangs over the Press. It's never been enacted, and for good reason. Forcing publishers to pay the costs of legal actions, win or lose, would be hugely damaging and further undermine Press freedom.'

A senior media source said: 'Labour's decision to back Section 40 is very worrying and could stifle a free Press.'
A Tory activist whose son was stabbed to death in the street says she is 'furious' that one of his suspected killers was able to flee abroad and escape justice.

Two drug dealers were yesterday convicted of murdering Sven Badzak, 22, after mistaking him for a gang rival while he walked home with a friend after buying orange juice at Waitrose.

But one alleged accomplice fled to the Ivory Coast as police were rounding up the killers, and two other suspects are still at large. Lior Agbayan, 20, the son of an Ivorian diplomat, remains on the run in west Africa and Scotland Yard admits it has no idea where he is.

Mr Badzak, an aspiring lawyer who was privately educated at Wetherby and Portland Place schools before attending Roehampton University, was set upon by six young men who stabbed him four times in an attack lasting just 20 seconds. He was pronounced dead less than an hour later.

His 16-year-old friend was stabbed in the back but survived the attack in Kilburn, north-west London, on February 6, 2021.

Mistaken identity: Sven Badzak (pictured), 22, was stabbed to death in the street after by drug dealers who mistook him for a gang rival while he walked home with a friend after buying orange juice at Waitrose

Campaign: Jasna Badzak (pictured) wants automatic jail for knife carriers

Anthony Orchard KC, prosecuting, told jurors: 'Neither victim was a gang member or associate. It appears they were the unfortunate victims of mistaken identity.'

Former Conservative Party activist Jasna Badzak said she would not rest until all of her son's killers were brought to justice.

She called for a 'Sven's Law', which would mean mandatory jail sentences for anyone caught with a knife, after it emerged that both murderers had multiple convictions for carrying blades.

Rashid Gedel, 22, from Ilford, north-east London, and Shiroh Ambersley, 22, from Wembley, north-west London, were found guilty of murdering Mr Badzak in the vicious attack.

Harvey Canavan, 19, from Maida Vale, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful wounding before the trial began.

Ms Badzak said: 'I am so pleased that finally there is some small semblance of justice for my beautiful son. I consider the job half done; there are still three more out there and I will not rest until Sven gets justice.

'I will not leave the Metropolitan Police alone until they have finished the job and put all of his killers behind bars.

'For two-and-a-half years they have been able to walk the streets and lead normal lives.'

The former parliamentary candidate said Agbayan, from Wembley, was driven to Manchester airport after he heard Ambersley had been arrested, boarded a plane to Paris, then flew on to the Ivory Coast.

'I could not be more furious that was allowed to happen,' Ms Badzak said. 'And they have no idea where he is. I don't think they have questioned his family or have done anything to find him.

'If he wasn't identified as a suspect at the time, then why not? And if he was, then why were they not all arrested together at the same time?'

Left to right: Rashid Gedel, 22, from Ilford, north-east London, and Shiroh Ambersley, 22, from Wembley, north-west London, were found guilty of murder; and Harvey Canavan, 19, from Maida Vale, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and unlawful wounding

The Mail learned in April 2021 that Agbayan had fled the UK, but the Met said it was hunting the alleged killer and publishing his name could jeopardise its investigation. A source admitted last night, however, that the whereabouts of the fugitive, whose father is a respected diplomat once based at the Ivorian embassy in London, remained unknown.

A Met Police spokesman said Agbayan had not been identified as a suspect when he fled Britain.

Gedel, who was caught on CCTV alongside the other killers  all believed to be members of the notorious South Kilburn or SK gang  boasted about the fatal attack on social media. He has 13 convictions, including four for carrying blades dating back to 2014. On his arrest in March 2021, a hunting knife was seized.

Ambersley also has a conviction for possession of a blade, two offences of threatening with an offensive weapon in a public place and affray, and drug possession.

Ms Badzak said: 'I am going to be calling for Sven's Law, which will mean an automatic jail sentence for anyone caught with a knife.

'It is the only way to stop these people carrying weapons and the only way to save lives.'

Judge John Dodd KC will sentence the killers on August 3, saying: 'They are two very young men who are both about to begin very long periods of imprisonment.'
A former Army major has been indicted for defrauding Gold Star families out of more than $3.4million by swaying them to invest in private accounts that he got $1.4m in commission from.

Caz Craffy, 41, has been accused of using his position as an Army financial counselor to target families of fallen soldiers.

In an indictment filed by the New Jersey District Attorney's Office earlier today, Craffy has been charged with 10 counts relating wire and securities fraud.

This included six counts of wire fraud and one count each of securities fraud, making false statements in a loan application, committing acts furthering a personal financial interest, and making false statements to a federal agency.

Craffy had been employed as a financial counselor for the army until the beginning of this year when allegations about his behavior came to light.

One of these families was that of Sharon Hartz, who lost her son Sgt. Thomas Anastasioin January 2019.

Military financial counselor, Caz Craffy, allegedly scammed grief-stricken families of soldiers killed at war out of hundreds of thousands of dollars

Sharon, whose son, Sgt. Thomas Anastasio, died in January 2019, said Craffy disrespected her, her son and her family after her life insurance investment accounts dwindled by $200,000

According to court papers, Craffy was responsible for providing general financial education to the surviving beneficiaries of fallen soldiers.

He had been prohibited from offering any personal opinions regarding the surviving beneficiary's benefits decisions.

However, without telling the Army, Craffy simultaneously maintained outside employment with two separate financial investment firms.

Court papers say that Craffy used his position as a army financial counselor to identify and target Gold Star families and other military families.

It is alleged that Craffy encouraged the Gold Star families to invest their survivor benefits in investment accounts that he managed in his outside, private employment

In total, prosecutors say that he obtained more than $9.9 million from Gold Star families to invest in his private capacity.

Craffy is alleged to have repeatedly executed trades, often without the family's authorization, earning him high commissions.

Prosecutors say he earned more than $1.4 million in commissions, while families lost more than $3.4 million.

Hartz said the life insurance money her family received helped them cope with the loss.

Sharon Hartz (right) with her son Sgt. Thomas Anastasio, her daughter Morgan (center) and her younger son Mason, are one of the families who said they were scammed by Craffy

'It's unimaginable. He disrespected me. He disrespected my son. My family,' said Hartz, mom to Anastasio, pictured here

Hartz, 57, said she met Craffy days after her son's funeral, and they became friends. He even invited her to his wedding.

She previously told the Washington Post: 'It's unimaginable. He disrespected me. He disrespected my son. My family.'

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said: 'Stealing from Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation is a shameful crime.

'As alleged in the indictment, the defendant in this case used his position as an Army financial counselor to defraud Gold Star families, steal their money, and enrich himself.

'Predatory conduct that targets the families of fallen American service members will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.'

Craffy, pictured here, has not publicly commented on the allegations held against him

'Predatory conduct that targets the families of fallen American service members will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.'

Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel said: 'Craffy disgraced the position he was entrusted in to care for our nation's military families when he allegedly took advantage of them during a vulnerable time of grief.

'No family, especially our Gold Star families, should have to face further heartache after a loved one's death by having their financial security ripped out from under them by fraudsters.'
'We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk to civilians which is why we have deferred decision as much as we could,' he said

National security advisor Jake Sullivan said making the decision to send Kiev the bombs was 'not easy' but 'we will not leave Ukraine defenseless'

President Joe Biden defended his turnaround decision to provide deadly cluster munitions to Ukraine  and said flatly in an interview that Ukraine was 'running out' of ammunition.

The president justified the decision both in a public appearance and in a cable interview, where he explained why he decided to transfer the weapons, which are effective on the battlefield but can leave behind unexploded ordinance which can maim civilians years after they are launched.

'It was a very difficult decision on my part,' he told CNN Friday, while hinting at the internal debate.

'And by the way, I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill,' he said. Then he added: 'The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition.'

'The Ukrainians are running out of ammunition,' President Joe Biden said Friday, as he justified a U.S. turnaround in providing cluster munitions to Ukraine in its effort to turn back Russia's invasion

His comments aired after national security advisor Jake Sullivan described the transfer as a 'bridge' until the U.S. was able to crank up production of artillery shells to meet battlefield needs and replenish depleted U.S. supplies.

Biden described the transfer as a finite effort during a 'transition period,' rather than as a wholesale change in U.S. policy. He was faced with trying to get around his administration's denunciation of Russia's use of the bombs on civilian areas amid its brutal war on Ukraine.

'This is a war relating to munitions. And they're running out of that ammunition, and we're low on it,' Biden said.

'And so, what I finally did, I took the recommendation of the Defense Department to  not permanently  but to allow for this transition period, while we get more 155 weapons (155mm caliber shells), these shells, for the Ukrainians,' Biden said.

He made a similar comment at the end of remarks on health care Friday, when asked why the U.S. was providing them now.

'They've run out of ammunition,' Biden said, using even starker language. Some Ukrainian military members have said units have had to conserve ammunition and avoid firing to preserve supplies.

Cluster munitions release 'bomblets' in the air which are dispersed over a wide area, making them an effective way to target opposing forces.

He acknowledged the international effort to ban the munitions, with more than 100 countries outlawing them, although the U.S. is not a signatory to a pan. Nor is Ukraine or Russia.

He also spoke about the challenges facing the Ukrainians in their renewed offensive, now that Russian forces have dug into their positions as Ukraine seeks to reclaim territory.

'They're trying to get through those trenches and stop those tanks from rolling. But it was not an easy decision,' Biden told the network. 'We're not signatories to that agreement, but it took me a while to be convinced to do it.

'But the main thing is they either have the weapons to stop the Russians now  keep them from stopping the Ukrainian offensive through these areas  or they don't. And I think they needed them.'

The Ukrainian military has been slowly regaining territory and liberating some villages from Russian control, but not at the lightning pace of some of last year's offensives.

But the war has taken a toll on stockpiles.

'The Ukrainians have been burning through in one month what the United States produces in an entire year,' Mark Cancian of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told NPR this spring.

The Biden administration has done a full 180 on cluster munitions - from last year calling their use in the Russia-Ukraine conflict a 'war crime' to this year insisting they are essential to Ukraine's defenses.

White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan took to the podium in the press briefing room Friday to defend the decision.

He said making the decision to send Kiev the bombs was 'not easy' but 'we will not leave Ukraine defenseless.'

'We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk to civilians which is why we have deferred decision as much as we could,' he said.

U.S. law bans the transfer of cluster munitions that have more than a one percent 'dud' rate - or fail to go off more than one percent of the time. Such bombs that don't go off immediately can create land mines and explode at a later date and harm civilians.

But Sullivan confirmed President Biden had signed a waiver allowing a transfer of such weapons with a higher dud rate - but said the rate would be 'not higher than 2.5 percent.'

This aerial picture taken on December 7, 2022 shows an expert of the prosecutor's office examining collected remnants of shells and missiles used by the Russian army to attack the second largest Ukrainian city of Kharkiv

The US has decided to send controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine in aid of its counteroffensive against Russian forces

'Russia has been using cluster munitions since the start of this work to attack Ukraine. Russia has been using cluster munitions with high dud or failure rates of between 30 and 40 percent,' Sullivan told reporters.

He said regions where the bombs would be used would already need to be cleared of mines once the war is over.

'Russia has already spread tens of millions of these bomblets across Ukrainian territory,' he went on. 'So we have to ask ourselves is: Is Ukraine's use of cluster munitions, on that same land, actually that much of an addition of civilian harm given that that area is going to have to be de mined regardless?'

The Biden administration has been weighing up a decision on sending the munitions since December, and on Friday announced it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800million.

The countries shown in white have not signed the convention banning the production and use of cluster munitions - bombs which explode and disperse bomblets, which frequently injure and kill civilians

Cluster munitions (pictured) are prohibited in more than 100 countries after they ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was adopted in Dublin, Ireland in May 2008

Cluster munitions explode and disperse a series of smaller bombs over a wide area, often killing civilians. More than 120 nations have signed a 15-year-old treaty banning their use, but Ukraine and Russia have both deployed them - and Ukraine's supplies of all types of ammunition are dwindling.

Sullivan told reporters the U.S. had received 'written assurance' the cluster bombs would be used by Ukraine in a 'very careful way' - and said it was in Ukraine's own self interest not to target areas where civilians could be harmed.

But the Kremlin is likely to cry hypocrisy over the move and ramp up its own use of cluster munitions.

'Russia is likely to take this as an invitation to ramp up its own use of these weapons,' Dr. Mark Berlin, a professor at Marquette University who specializes in international law, war crimes and human rights, told DailyMail.com.

'It is also likely to provide grounds for Russia to claim hypocrisy in response to criticisms about its own use, which will help it muddy the waters regarding who is responsible for worse behavior in the conflict,' he said.

'As long as the US continues to export cluster bombs, especially in contradiction to its own stated policies, it undermines the moral power of US and international criticism against the use by countries like Russia.

'The move may also have political costs for Biden. Human rights groups have campaigned to prohibit and delegitimize these weapons for decades, and they will not be happy about this decision, which undermines that cause.'

The move has already drawn the ire of human rights groups.

'The USA's plan to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine is a retrograde step, which undermines the considerable advances made by the international community in its attempts to protect civilians,' Amnesty International said in a statement.

'Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons which have caused untold harm to civilians across the world - in some cases decades after conflicts have ended.'

It's drew condemnation and applause from both sides of the aisle in Congress.

A group of House and Senate Republican committee leaders praised Biden's new move but went after him for taking too long.

'While no weapons system is a proverbial golden bullet, DPICMs will help fill a key gap for Ukraine's military and will allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to target and eliminate Russian forces more efficiently, including in fortified positions on the battlefield. Providing DPICMs will also decrease the strain on America's stockpile of unitary warheads,' said House Foreign Affairs Chair Michael McCaul, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jim Risch, and Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker.

'This administration's misguided fear of escalation in providing critical weapon systems  from Stingers to HIMARS to Abrams tanks and now to DPICMs  has only served to prolong the war.'

More isolationist-minded House Republicans equated the move to launching World War III.

'Instead of focusing on a peaceful solution, Biden is sending us into WWIII,' Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., wrote on Twitter.

'Maybe find out who left cocaine in the West Wing before starting WWIII?' added Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz.

Rep. Barbara Lee, a progressive Democrat from California, criticized the move.

'I am alarmed to hear [Biden] is considering sending cluster bombs to Ukraine. Many people are unaware of these dangerous weapons,' she said, linking to a Human Rights Watch report about civilian deaths in Ukraine due to cluster munitions.

'The Ukrainian people are engaged in a just struggle for their rights, freedom and humanity. The US and Ukraine don't need to stoop to Putin's level.'

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., an Air Force Veteran who serves on the Armed Services and Intel Committees, also condemned the move.

'I believe a victory for Ukraine is an essential victory for democracies across the globe, but that victory cannot come at the expense of our American values and thus democracy itself. Cluster munitions are indiscriminate, and I strongly oppose providing these weapons to Ukraine,' she said in a statement.

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a tank towards Russian troops near a front line in Kharkiv on Thursday

A woman looks at a missile casing in the Kharkiv oblast

A damaged apartment building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, seen on Thursday

A woman is seen in Kharkiv on Thursday looking at the remains of her destroyed building

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.

The United States has used cluster munitions in every major war since Korea, but no new ones are believed to have been produced for years.

The U.S. last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

There is precedent to the U.S. providing cluster munitions to foreign powers - since 2008, Washington has exported cluster munitions to at least India, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the UAE.
He has been charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon

A CVS worker charged with stabbing a serial shoplifter to death in a Times Square store has appeared in court charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Scotty Enoe, 46, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court in Manhattan on Friday wearing a red hoodie and a face mask, after being charged with the murder of 50-year-ole homeless man Charles Brito.

Enoe was taken into custody at the CVS store on 49th and Broadway early on Thursday morning where the alleged stabbing occurred.

It has since emerged how Brito was already set to be sentenced next week for a number of other offenses.

Brito had a lengthy rap sheet with 16 unsealed arrests, including 13 for petit larceny.

Scotty Enoe, 46, appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court in Manhattan on Friday wearing a red hoodie and a face mask after being charged with the murder of serial shoplifter Charles Brito

He would regularly target drugstores to shoplift. 'That's his MO, he targets CVS and Walgreens,' police told the New York Post.

Last week he was apprehended on a petit larceny charge after stealing four Monster energy drinks and seven Starbucks Frappuccinos from a CVS store in Upper Manhattan on July 2.

He then returned to the store two hours, this time with a suitcase to make off with an even larger haul.

That time he got away with a stash of Oreos, Pepsi, M&Ms, Hershey's Kisses and another pack of Starbucks drinks - all totaling $125.

On another occasion he ventured into a CVS in Upper Manhattan last month to steal a load of energy drinks from the fridge only to return hours later to steal more of the same.

He was charged with petit larceny charge with bail set at $5,000.

Brito was due to appear in court on Monday and sentenced to three years' probation after he took a plea deal that combined the two earlier incidents together.

Scotty Enoe allegedly killed a 50-year-old homeless man, he has been charged with murder

In January of this year he was also accused of stealing a woman's purse in broad daylight in Midtown Manhattan.

A day after being charged in that incident he went to a pharmacy to make off with 24 packets of toothpaste more than a dozen razors .

During Thursday's altercation, Enoe allegedly killed Brito during a fight in the store on 49th and Broadway in the early hours of the morning.

'The guy came in and started arguing with Scotty. Next thing you know, Scotty was on the ground. He acted in self-defense,' the suspect's mother, Lucille Enoe, told the Daily News.

'When the guy threw him down and started beating him up, Scotty stabbed him' the 72-year-old explained.

Police said the fight broke out after Enoe attempted to stop the vagrant from stealing Gatorade and a container of creamer from the Broadway and West 49th Street store at around 12:30am.

The fight took place in a CVS store on Broadway and West 49th Street store at around 12:30am on Thursday

After being punched, Enoe allegedly whipped out a knife and fatally stabbed the man in the torso.

Police were called to the scene for a reported robbery-in-progress but the stabbing had already taken place when they arrived.

Brito, who was injured, was taken by Emergency Medical Service to NYC Health and Hospitals Bellevue where he was pronounced dead.

Enoe, from Brooklyn, was taken into custody at the scene and later charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

'It's frustrating and depressing that my son has been charged. My son was defending himself,' Enoe's mother, who spoke to her son from the precinct, argued.

Brito, who was homeless, was pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital, had more than a dozen previous shoplifting arrests to his name and was known to target drug stores in Upper Manhattan, sources told the New York Post.

'That's his MO, he targets CVS and Walgreens,' a police source told the publication.

Enoe immigrated to the US ten years ago from Grenada, according to his mother.

His sister, who declined to give her name, told the Daily News her brother is a 'dedicated' person who has previously not been in trouble with law enforcement.

'He works two jobs and he's never been in trouble. All he does is work' she said.

'He goes from one job to the next, he's dedicated to hard work and his family. He helps people' she added.

A spokesperson for the NYPD said: 'The investigation remains ongoing and the identity of the deceased is pending proper family notification.'
Back in 1973, Jean Paul Getty, 80, was one of the richest men in the world. He'd made billions in oil, but his money had not brought his family happiness. Married and divorced five times, his eldest son, George, had recently killed himself, and another son, Jean Paul Jr, had become a heroin-addicted recluse.

Jean Paul Sr's 16-year-old grandson, Paul, lived a hedonistic life in Rome, where he was known as the 'The Golden Hippie'.

In July 1973, although Paul had spotted men watching his apartment, he didn't take any precautions. His girlfriend, Martine Zacher, later said: 'Paul always thought that nothing could ever happen to him, that someone would always bail him out.' That belief was about to be tested.

July 10, 1973 3am

Paul Getty is walking drunk and alone through the streets of Rome, where he earns a meagre living selling his paintings and working as a model. He said: 'I didn't have to introduce myself. Everybody knew who I was.'

Paul stops at a newsstand and buys a Mickey Mouse comic book when suddenly a white car pulls up and three men get out, hit him over the head with a pistol and cover him with a blanket. Paul calls out: 'Oh please, what have I done?'

Victim: A traumatised Paul Getty just after his release

Suspected kidnapper: But Girolamo Piromalli was acquitted

As the car speeds through the city, the kidnappers need to confirm they've got the right man and ask who he is. 'Paul Getty,' he replies. When the car stops at a motorway toll booth, Paul thinks about calling for help but fears they'll shoot him or throw him out of the vehicle.

7am

Paul is pushed down behind the front seats of the car. He asks for water but the kidnappers give him whisky instead.

He said later: 'I must have drunk a bottle and a half on the trip'.

Paul thinks about a modelling assignment he has the following day and the fee he's now going to lose. Meanwhile, in Rome, his 24-year-old girlfriend, Martine, is worried that Paul hasn't returned home, and she starts to search the streets for him.

10am

The car finally stops and Paul is taken out with his head still covered by the blanket. He can tell by the heat that he's in the south of Italy, and somewhere high, and he panics for a moment that he's about to be thrown off a cliff.

His kidnappers seem unsure what to do with him. Paul said: 'I could tell they were really scared, full-scale paranoia. Being blindfolded like that, your whole nervous system picks up things easier.'

In fact, Paul is 400 miles south of Rome in the region of Calabria and his kidnappers are members of the local Mafia.

11pm

The phone rings in the Rome apartment of Paul's mother, Gail Harris Getty, who divorced Paul's father in 1964. A man with a Southern Italian accent calling himself Cinquanta  'Fifty'  tells her they are holding Paul.

'He is safe but we will require much money to release him.' Gail says she has none, so Fifty replies: 'Then please prepare to ask for it from your father-in-law. He has all the money in the world.'

Gail isn't convinced that the kidnapping is real, but nevertheless calls her ex-husband in London. Jean Paul Jr is unable to come to Italy to help with the search as he is wanted there for questioning after the fatal overdose of his second wife, Talitha, in 1971. He refuses to call his father for help, as they haven't spoken in years.

July 13

The Italian police issue a nationwide alert about Paul  'Missing, thought abducted'  but remain sceptical about the kidnapping. They tell the Press: 'He is a child of the night. We are not ruling out anything.'

They then leak a false story that Paul once told his friends he would solve his financial problems by arranging his own kidnap. Rome's daily newspaper, Il Messaggero, runs a story with the headline 'Joke or Kidnap?'. Meanwhile, Gail repeatedly phones Jean Paul Sr at his Surrey mansion Sutton Place, but he never returns her calls.

July 14

Jean Paul Sr tells his solicitor, Robina Lund, to issue a statement: 'Although I see my grandson infrequently and I am not particularly close to him, I love him nonetheless. However, I don't believe in paying kidnappers. I have 14 other grandchildren, and if I pay a penny of ransom, then I'll have 14 kidnapped grandchildren.'

But Robina knows this is just a ruse designed to convince the kidnappers he wouldn't pay  and so release Paul. She said later: 'The public fell for it and so did the kidnappers.' That night Getty writes in his diary: 'I hope that he is not kidnapped and that he is OK.'

Getty is famous for being frugal with his fortune. In the 1950s, the billionaire took friends to Crufts dog show, which had an admission fee of just five shillings. But when he spotted a sign that said it was half price after 5pm and they'd got there a few minutes before, he said: 'Let's take a walk round the block for a while.'

Tycoon grandad: Jean Paul Getty

Desperate mother: Gail Getty mother of the kidnapped John Paul Getty III meets the Italian press after announcing his kidnap by the Calabrian Mafia

July 17

For six days, Paul has been sleeping blindfolded on a blanket in the open air. The kidnappers take him to a nearby spring for a drink, and his blindfold is suddenly removed.

For the first time Paul sees his captors  five short men all wearing balaclavas.

One says to him in Italian: 'Listen, kid, you're going to be here for a long time. Don't do anything stupid. Ask for whatever you want, we'll try and get it for you. Don't blame us, we're paid men.'

But Paul is worried that if one of them forgets to wear his balaclava or it slips down and he sees their face, they will kill him.

In Rome, Gail tells a TV interviewer that her son's kidnappers have been in touch: 'We are ready to negotiate his release. We have asked police not to interfere and we are now asking the Press to help us. We want them to carry the message that the contact has been made and the family is ready to negotiate.'

July 18, 6pm

The kidnappers are furious at Jean Paul Sr's refusal to pay and the newspaper stories that the kidnap may be a hoax. They give Paul paper and a pen to write letters to his grandfather and parents.

'When they asked for my grandfather's address I knew what the plot was. The thing is, I never thought my grandfather would pay any kind of ransom.'

Paul has only met his grandfather a few times. 'Every time I saw him it was very formal, always for dinner. The butler was always there and you had to be very quiet. I'd get gifts from him for my birthday and Christmas. Not from him, of course, but from some aide.'

The kidnappers dictate the letter to Paul's mother, which he thinks sounds 'incredibly corny': 'The telephone call that you received was real. I beg you, do not put my life in danger, have me killed. Please stay away from the police. My kidnappers will certainly kill me so I wait with trepidation for your interest for my freedom, by paying the money that my kidnappers will ask.

'If you love me, mother, what I have said should be enough. Lots of kisses to everybody.

'P.S. If you delay, my kidnappers will cut off a finger and they will send it to you by registered post.'

John Paul Getty III (1956 - 2011), the grandson of American oil tycoon Jean Paul Getty, with a police officer after his kidnapping, Italy, December 1973

July 26

Gail is in torment waiting for more news of her son. She said: 'In a kidnap situation, every hour is twice as long as an ordinary hour.'

Her lawyer, Giovanni Jacavoni, finally receives another letter from the kidnappers asking for a ransom of 10 billion lire, or $17 million. The kidnappers follow up the letter with a phone call to Jacavoni. 'We want to be paid in very small notes,' they say. You will be told later where the exchange will be done. Either we're paid or Paul is dead.'

Jacavoni later tells the Press that paying a ransom of 10 billion lire is 'unreasonable'.

July 30

The kidnappers call Giovanni Jacavoni with their response: 'What do you mean you can't pay that much? You want to find the boy dead somewhere?'

Jacavoni replies: 'There isn't that much money in the whole world. The most kidnappers in Italy ever got was 300 million lire.'

The kidnapper replies: 'That is a joke. We have spent that much on expenses. Tell her [Gail] to get it from London.'

August 12

Jean Paul Sr sends Fletcher Chace, a former CIA agent who is now employed by Getty Oil, to Rome to make contact with the kidnappers in person.

Meanwhile, Paul has been moved to a makeshift hut and is shackled by a 10 ft chain.

He has been given a transistor radio and he's shocked by how much his disappearance dominates the news: 'Until I had the radio, I didn't realise how serious the situation was.'

In Rome, his mother's lawyer, Giovanni Jacavoni, is beginning to have doubts about the kidnap, as the men he's negotiating with keep changing their demands  at one point wanting three million lire, then weeks later three billion lire.

Jacavoni tells a press conference: 'It cannot be excluded that Paul planned the kidnapping either as a joke, or to get money or to get publicity.'

September 15

Two months after being kidnapped, Paul is still being held in the hut. The highlight of his day is keeping track of time by scratching a line on a rock.

'That scratch on that ugly bare rock was my whole routine. My only record that a person named Paul Getty was alive,' he later says.

The kidnappers ply him with whisky and cognac to keep him docile. Paul feels he is losing his mind. He is obsessively collecting his fingernails in a matchbox and he stares at his reflection in a spoon for hours.

The fact that he can't see the faces of his captors torments him. 'I'd keep staring at Italian magazines they brought me just to see faces  smiles, expressions.'

Paul thinks 'what bastards they were' for allowing him to disintegrate before their eyes.

John Paul Getty III with his mother at Rome's Police Headquarters

October 5

The Italian newspaper Il Messaggero publishes a letter from the kidnappers: 'The Getty family has 15 days to find the money for Paul's release. At the end of this period maybe it will be you yourself who will open the letter containing an ear with a lock of hair from Paul.

'His family has offered a sum which is unacceptable, as though they were one of the poorest families in the world. Therefore, we are now decided to end it in one way or another.'

The kidnappers also tell Paul they will mutilate him. He is moved to a room in a remote house where there is a bed and a chopping block used to kill pigs.

October 21, 7am

The kidnappers cut Paul's hair, blindfold him and tell him to sit on the chopping block, then pin him down by his arms, legs and head.

Paul knows what is about to happen and tells them to 'do it quickly' and asks for a handkerchief to bite down on.

He says later: 'He rested the razor on my right ear. He played around and held it there. There was a sound like ripping paper. It was done in two strokes. The noise was the worst thing.'

The kidnappers quickly bandage Paul's head, give him anti-tetanus and penicillin shots and tell him he's been 'so brave'. Paul has bitten right through the handkerchief.

Within a few hours he is bleeding profusely and being violently sick. The bleeding lasts for three days, and rats eat the dried blood on the floor.

The kidnappers post the ear and a lock of bloodstained hair to Il Messaggero in Rome.

October 27

The kidnappers have been constantly calling Gail to ask if the ear has arrived. Fifty said: 'I know you have it, I put it in the post box.' She says: 'When I heard that, I just went wild. 'You horrible beasts ... animals ... you put an ear in a post box?' '

What the kidnappers have not realised is that there is a postal strike in southern Italy and the package containing the ear is stuck in a sorting office.

Gail Getty, mother of the missing grandson of oil billionaire J. Paul Getty, is pursued by photographers as she leaves her Rome apartment

November 10

It's four months after the kidnap and Paul is now 17. A journalist from Il Messaggero calls Gail to tell her that a package has arrived from the kidnappers. The editor's secretary fainted when she opened it.

Gail is driven by Fletcher Chace to police headquarters. She said later: 'There were a lot of policemen all standing around this desk with a big bright light over it. They were shaking and nervous.'

The envelope contains the severed ear, the hair and a typewritten note: 'This is Paul's first ear. If within ten days the family still believes that this is a joke mounted by him, then the other ear will arrive. In other words, he will arrive in little bits.'

Gail holds the ear up to the light, notes its distinctive freckles and confirms it is her son's. That night, Paul's grandfather, Jean Paul Sr, writes in his diary: 'I shudder at the boy's peril.'

He later writes in his autobiography: 'It became apparent there was no hope of out-waiting or out-bluffing the kidnappers  criminals who would savagely mutilate a victim would not hesitate to kill him.'

Jean Paul Getty decides to pay the kidnappers a ransom of $3.2 million but he wants it to be seen to be paid by his son, Jean Paul Jr, and so arranges to lend him the money at 4 per cent interest.

November 16

The kidnappers telephone Il Messaggero and tell a reporter 'something interesting' has been left at a location outside Rome. The police find an envelope containing Polaroids of Paul, staring at the camera and with his right ear missing.

By now, Paul is malnourished and weak and a bad cold is turning into pneumonia. His kidnappers have not responded to the family's offer.

Gail writes an open letter to them: 'I beg of you, accept the money that has been offered to you. I feel only pity. Pity for my little Paul, so alone, his adorable face mutilated. Pity for you, who do not know what is good in life.'

December 12

The kidnappers have finally agreed to accept the money. Getty Oil troubleshooter Fletcher Chace is driving towards the town of Lagonegro with three large bags full of millions of used lire notes. Following instructions from Fifty, Chace spots a man standing by the road with a balaclava and a gun. Chace pulls over, gets the three bags out of the boot and without a word drives away.

December 14, 10.30pm

Fifty calls Gail and says they are about to release Paul close to the spot where Chace left the money. He says: 'You'd better hurry  get in the car right away. Don't come with the police and don't talk. No matter where you are in the world, if you turn us in, we'll get you, all of you. Please hurry. It's cold.'

Gail says: 'Please keep him warm.' Fifty promises: 'I'll make sure he has a blanket.'

Gail Getty, mother of missing J. Paul Getty III, stands outside her apartment door with her lawyer Giovanni Jacovoni

11.30pm

The kidnappers drive Paul to a main road, give him a blanket, say 'Ciao' and disappear. When he's sure the men have gone, Paul takes off the blindfold and starts to walk down the road, but no one stops to help the scruffy young man with the bandaged head.

In desperation, Paul decides to lie on the ground and play dead, but still no one stops. Eventually, he reaches a petrol station and asks to use the telephone. The attendant takes one look at Paul and snaps: 'No phone. Go away!'

December 15 5am

Paul Getty's long torment is almost over. A truck driver who passes him on the main road realises he might be the boy who was kidnapped and alerts the police. A police car screeches up to Paul and the local police chief jumps out with a cheery: 'Hello!'

Paul shakes his hand and says: 'I'm Paul Getty. Can I have a cigarette please?'

The news reaches Paul's grandfather on his 81st birthday. Jean Paul wrote in his diary: 'It was the finest and most wonderful birthday present of my life.'

Aftermath

Gail checks Paul into a private clinic to help his recovery and to avoid the media frenzy. Paul says: 'Girls were screaming whenever they saw me. I was being treated like a rock star.'

After recording phone calls and photographing the gang as they collected the ransom, police caught nine of the kidnappers. But at the trial, where Paul appears as a heavily guarded witness, only two are convicted and only some of the ransom money is ever recovered. Paul joked: 'I made some people a lot of money. It was a high-priced ear.'

In September 1974, Paul and Martine marry, but as he is only 18, four years below the age at which he is allowed to marry according to the trust fund set up by his parents, Paul is disinherited. However, his grandfather agrees to give him a small allowance.

Jean Paul Sr died in his study in Sutton Place a few days before the trial verdict. Eight years after the kidnapping, Paul suffered a drug-induced seizure, leaving him paralysed and almost totally blind.

He died in 2011, aged 54, with Gail and Martine by his side, after years battling addiction and health issues.

His son, Balthazar, said: 'He taught us how to live our lives and overcome obstacles and extreme adversity and we shall miss him dearly.'

Jonathan Mayo is the author of Titanic: Minute By Minute, is published by Short Books.
Summer holiday plans could be plunged into chaos by strikes involving air traffic controllers.

Up to a third of all European flights are at risk of being delayed or cancelled during the peak holiday period if industrial action goes ahead.

A full strike may mean up to 12,600 flights a day are 'at least delayed' and hundreds of thousands over the whole summer would be in jeopardy.

A travel industry expert described it as potentially 'the most damaging industrial action to hit the aviation industry for many years'.

Workers at Eurocontrol, which manages the congested European airspace, are threatening to walk out in a dispute over staffing problems.

Up to a third of all European flights are at risk of being delayed or cancelled during the peak holiday period if industrial action goes ahead (file image)

According to one report the first strikes are set to be announced on Monday, with the start of the main school holiday period the likely target.

An industry source told The Times: 'In a full-blown strike, 20 to 30 per cent of flights would be at least delayed. They are big numbers.'

The air traffic management body is expecting to handle about 33,000 flights a day for the next eight weeks, rising to more than 34,000 on Fridays in July and August.

Eurocontrol confirmed that one of the unions, Union Syndicate Brussels, has announced a 'period of six months during which industrial action could take place'.

A statement said 'no specific dates for industrial action had been announced' and the union had given a 'pre-warning' only.

READ MORE: Train strikes July 2023: Full list of dates as commuters brace for more travel chaos Advertisement

It added: 'Eurocontrol is in ongoing dialogue with USB and all the other trade unions to discuss the situation, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome. As no notice of specific industrial action has been received, it is premature to speculate on any potential impact.'

Eurocontrol's 'network manager operations centre' handles more than ten million flights a year, oversees air traffic, checks flight plans and manages air traffic 'flow and capacity' across Europe.

The industry organisation Airlines UK urged Eurocontrol to 'reach agreement as soon as possible to avoid potential disruption for airlines and their customers'.

Air traffic is already 'more constrained' in European airspace due to the war in Ukraine and demand for flights is now returning to pre-Covid levels. Paul Charles, of The PC Agency, a travel consultancy, said: 'If air traffic controllers do go on strike this summer, it would be the most damaging industrial action to hit the aviation industry for many years.

'There are more flights scheduled in Europe over the July and August peak than we've seen since 2019 and these flights have to be co-ordinated by Eurocontrol.

'Strikes would mean the cancellation of thousands of flights as fewer controllers would not be able to manage the volume. 'Strikes would have a major impact on the industry as a whole, as cancelled flights would lead to cancelled hotel rooms, villa bookings and reduced car hire.'

A spokesman for NATS, the UK's leading provider of air traffic control services, said: 'Eurocontrol has not notified us of any industrial action, but we would work with them to assess and seek to mitigate any impact if they do.'

Sean Tipton, of ABTA, a trade association for UK travel agents, said most strikes don't go ahead because deals are usually struck.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hinted Friday that the cocaine could have come from construction workers, as the area of the White House where it was found is being renovated.

Sullivan was asked at Friday's press briefing if he had any national security concerns after a bag of the drug was found Sunday near the Situation Room.

He revealed that the coke's proximity to the Situation Room wasn't a problem, because the space hasn't been in use.

'I would make a point about the Situation Room because I think there's been a lot questionable reporting on this. The Situation Room is not in use and has not been in use for months because it is currently under construction,' Sullivan said.

'We are using an alternative Situation Room in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, so the only people coming in and going out of the Sit Room in this period have been workers who are getting it ready to go,' he added.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan hinted Friday that the cocaine could have come from construction workers, as the area of the White House where it was found is being renovated

The cocaine was first said to have been found in the White House Library, then the West Wing Lobby and then finally the West Executive Entrance, which is nearby the Situation Room that is currently under renovation

He said that the project is 'on time and on schedule,' then adding, 'No, there was no issue with the Situation Room relative to this.'

Sullivan went further by noting that there are 'rigorous drug testing policies at the White House.'

'We have rigorous drug use policies at the White House. We take those extremely seriously,' he continued.

'If it involves someone from the White House the appropriate consequences will ensue. If it involves some visitor who came in and left it, then that's a different matter, that raises a diffrent set of questions that are less relevant to my line of work,' he said.

Sullivan's comments were made at the same briefing that press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre snapped at a reporter who had asked her to say 'once and for all' that the cocaine found at the White House did not belong to a Biden family member.

Instead of giving a straight yes or no answer, she left the door cracked - instead calling the asking of the question 'incredibly irresponsible.'

The cocaine at the White House was found near the White House's West Executive entrance (pictured)

The Situation Room pictured in February 2022. A temporary Situation Room is being used in the Eisenhower Executive Office Room while construction continues

Jean-Pierre argued the question had been answered because she had told the press that the Biden family was at Camp David when the cocaine discovery was made.

'You know, there has been some irresponsible reporting about the family and so I've got to call that out here,' the press secretary said. 'And I have been very clear.'

'I was clear two days ago, when talking about this over and over again as I was being asked a question, as you know, and media outlets reported this - the Biden family was not here, they were not here, they were at Camp David,' she continued. 'They were not here Friday, they were not here Saturday, they were not here Sunday. They were not even here Monday. They came back here on Tuesday.'

'So to ask that question is actually incredibly irresponsible, and I'll just leave it there,' she said.

She then slammed her briefing book off the podium.

President Biden had been at the White House Friday - delivering remarks after the Supreme Court ruled that his student loan forgiveness plan was unconstitutional.

Additionally, Hunter Biden was spotted leaving the White House with the president and first lady Jill Biden last Friday, as they departed for the Camp David trip.

Prior to Friday's briefing, Jean-Pierre had answered questions about the cocaine discovery by telling reporters to reach out to the Secret Service, who are conducting an investigation.

As of Friday afternoon prior to the briefing, a spokesman for the Secret Service told DailyMail.com that the probe remained 'open and active.'

When a question was posed to deputy press secretary Andrew Bates on board Air Force One Thursday, he brought up the Hatch Act.

Bates had been asked about former President Donald Trump claiming the drugs belonged to the president and his son Hunter, a recovering crack cocaine addict.

Jean-Pierre was asked Friday to explain Bates' decision to reference the Hatch Act, instead of answer the claims directly.

'He mentioned the Hatch Act because the question was posed to him using Donald Trump, and so he was trying to be very mindful,' she answered. 'And that's why he said the Hatch Act.'

She told the reporter to read the transcript carefully.

'So we're not avoiding the question, that is not true. We have answered this question, we have litigated this question the last two days, exhaustively,' she said.
The steel works at Mariupol in the disputed region of Donetsk had been encircled by the Russians for nearly two months when the call came through from one of our guards: 'Vosdukh!'  'Air raid!' We defenders hear a muffled bang and lots of metal-on-metal clattering but no proper explosion.

Another guy runs in from the top of the stairs, out of breath, and yells that a bomb has been dropped on our ammunition dump but, luckily, it didn't go off.

Then we hear a Russian fighter come screaming in for a second run. Everyone freezes.

This time the bomb not only explodes, it hits that ammo dump.

I am an Englishman, a soldier enlisted on the Ukrainian side. We've been thinking about a breakout from the siege of the Mariupol steel works and in preparation loaded two lorries with what's left of our ammo  bullets, mortar bombs, mines, Stingers, the whole bloody works, tons of the stuff.

The second Russian bomb wipes all this out in a series of secondary explosions we in the military call 'cooking' and it's bloody frightening. The only thing you can do is hide.

Tortured and abused: Aiden is handcuffed in the shocking video seen by his family

Aiden at boot camp with some of his Ukrainian friends

Afterwards, everything is gone. All the ammo we had left to fight Putin  the man we call Mr Khuylo, both Russian and Ukrainian for 'd******d'  had been in those two lorries.

To make matters worse, when the Russians see our ammunition cooking off high into the sky, their tanks join in, raking us with shell after shell. The pressure wave releases great storm clouds of dust, which rain down on us. Bits of the steelworks start falling too.

It's too dangerous to go above ground. Everyone is told: 'Stay underground.'

The hardest thing to bear is the dread written on everyone's faces. Without ammo, all hope is gone. We are defeated.

Where to start with the story that brought me, a working class English boy from the Midlands, to this point? Perhaps listening to my great-grandfather's stories about D-Day when I was growing up in the Nottinghamshire town of Newark-on-Trent? Or fighting with the Kurds against Islamic State in Syria where I was before coming here?

Or when the big war started on February 24, 2022, and my battalion, the Ukrainian Marines, were so very close to the front line as the Russian army punched west from Donetsk to the port of Mariupol?

We were driven backwards, day after day, until we hunkered down in the steelworks. That was six weeks ago, since when a constant onslaught of Russian artillery, tank fire and bombs has turned it into a vast steel coffin, an echoing and clanging city of the dead and the dead-to-come.

'Johnny, get up.' (The Ukrainians can't handle 'Aiden', my proper English name.) I'm woken around midnight by the commander of our mortar unit in the Ukrainian Marines. Lieutenant Volodyslav tells me I have an important decision to make.

British citizens Aiden Aslin (L) and Shaun Pinner (R) and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim (C) attend a sentencing hearing at the Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine

Aslin with Diana on vacation from the drone in 2019

'You've got three choices. One, come with me and we're going to try and break out in the vehicles. Two, walk out on foot with another group. Three, stay here with the injured, and then, tomorrow, surrender. You have ten minutes to decide.'

'How many are getting out by foot?' I ask the lieutenant. 'A lot,' he replies. That's bad news. There's no way a large group of people would be able to get out on foot, unnoticed to safety in Ukrainian lines  a full 140km away.

'I'm going to stay and surrender with the others,' I say. My logic is that it would be better for me to officially surrender than be caught by some ragtag Russian unit who would love nothing better than to kill me at first sight. There is no internet, no phone signal, and I have a ton of data on memory card or film that I have been collecting in a deliberate attempt to log Russian war crimes.

If the Russians catch me with this, things will not go well for me. I have to destroy all the good work I have done. For the past weeks I have been posting images and video of the battle of Mariupol to the tens of thousands of people who follow me on my Twitter and Instagram accounts.

My social media presence, one of the biggest belonging to the British soldiers fighting with Ukraine, has caught the attention of someone high up in the Kremlin. The Russians have been goading me, calling me a liar, a creator of fake news, a war criminal.

I go through all my pockets, collect all my SD cards and start breaking them in two. I unscrew my camera from its lens and smash it to the ground.

I club the camera against a wall until the casing shatters. I smash the inner lens and snap the screen off. I take my phone out and start deleting everything.

Everything I have covered and documented in Mariupol: gone. The hopes I had that I would get it out and show the world what Russia had done to Mariupol: gone. I look worn out, tired, dirty. I know what is coming and what awaits me. I start sending random messages to those friends whose details I can remember and keep going until I get an answer.

An old pal, Brennan, picks up and I say: 'I don't have much time. I need you to try and wake my family up. Tell them to call me asap. We are surrendering. And I am afraid the Russians will use me for their b******t propaganda.'

These photos are the last photos Aiden took on the Illich steelworks. Just before he surrendered, he managed to get these photos and the surrender video out via the Starlink terminal that was opened up to everyone

I get through to Diana, my Ukrainian fiancee. I tell her: 'I love you so much and I'm going to promise you I will come back to you. I just need you to know, it could take a few months, even a year, but no matter what, I will come home to you.'

As I tell her that, part of me knows that it's a lie and that, most likely, I am going to die.

We have run out of ammunition, food and hope. There's a catch in my voice as I knock out my final video as a free man and send it to my Mum back home in England. The words fall from my lips as heavy as lead: 'We didn't have any other choice other than to surrender. Hopefully the Ukrainian Marines will be treated accordingly . . . hopefully you will see something from me in the future.'

I look just like what you would expect from a soldier who has no idea how the enemy will treat him. I look scared to  and of  death. I have good reason to be so. The Russians and their Ukrainian traitor proxies are waiting for me.

I have a sickening feeling of exactly what they will do to me once I've been captured. They will torture me until I break. And then? I send one last message to my Mum: 'I love you'.

As I make my way towards the rear of the bunker entrance there are 30 to 40 Ukrainian Marines standing around trying to contact loved ones. I go down the steps and delete everything on my phone. Then I throw it on the floor and bash it until the inner workings fall out and smash the internal storage so it can't be recovered and incriminate me.

Our commander has been on the radio, talking to his Russian oppo, and the details have been agreed. There's a catch in my throat as we leave our weapons behind and walk out of the steelworks into the fresh air. It's seven o'clock in the morning, cold, grey, overcast. For weeks we've got used to the crump of incoming Russian artillery. But today, because they know we're going to surrender, it's quiet, creepily so.

The steelworks is so big that we don't walk to the surrender point but are shuttled there in an army lorry.

We drive past pipelines and chimney stacks so smashed by artillery that they look as though they have been gnawed at by giant rats. There is nothing whole for as far as the eye can see.

After ten minutes banging around in the back of the lorry, we arrive in the middle of no man's land. Ahead of us is an iron footbridge over a railway line and on the other side of the tracks the land is controlled by the Russians.

As we jump down, we raise our hands over our heads in the classic surrender pose. It's just like being in a film.

Just by the bridge lies the alternative to surrender. One of our boys, a driver in his late 20s, had gone out on a final ammunition run but his Soviet-era vehicle was ambushed. About 15 metres from me lies his corpse.

Aiden at his old battalion 137th getting ready to go on Operation Orbital - a training initiative by the British military to train the Ukrainian military

On the other side of the railway bridge we are greeted, in a manner of speaking, by an armed Russian soldier wearing a green balaclava. Two more Russians are covering him.

I look around for the International Red Cross but I don't see them. I am patted down by a soldier in the uniform of the Russian interior ministry troops. Once they've checked that we have no weapons on us, the abuse starts.

It's just verbal, to begin with. They call us 'pederas' or 'peda', Russian slang for paedophile or pederast. They tell us to 'f*****g move it' and we get on a bus. What's so strange is that there are only a few of them. OK, they're armed, but we outnumber them so we could conceivably capture the bus. But we all know our lines are too far away. If we make a run for it, we'll be dog meat soon enough.

The bus travels east for about 20 minutes, then we tumble out and are led to an old Soviet collective farm warehouse. That's when I clock new soldiers, wearing shoddier, out-of-date uniforms, some of them mismatched. At the sight of this pirate crew, not proper soldiers, my mouth goes dry.

Some of them sport flashes with three initials standing for the Donetsk People's Republic, the breakaway area created by Russian-backed paramilitaries in 2014. The DPR is as much a country as Disneyland. Only instead of Mickey and Minnie Mouse they have psychos. Lots of them.

Until then the Russians behaved correctly, more or less, but as soon as we are handed over to the Ukrainian quislings in the DPR, the horrors begin.

For 11 hours we are forced, on pain of being beaten, to stand with our head against a wall, our hands held behind our backs, or else. It's painful enough for five minutes. For eleven hours it's torture. We are given no food, no water. And the only toilets we can use are two buckets. Very soon, the place stinks to high heaven.

There's a constant commotion, shouting, people being called to the front to show their documents. One of the DPR guards, forbidding in his black balaclava, comes towards me. From his swagger I guess he's some kind of lowly officer, a junior lieutenant or perhaps a senior sergeant. Let's call him 'Sergeant Blue'.

He barks at me, demanding my documents. I give him my military ID first, then my passport. It's in a case with a Ukrainian trident on the cover, so at first glance it suggests it's going to hold, similarly, a Ukrainian passport.

When he opens the passport, he stares at it, moronically. Then at me. He asks: 'Where are you from?' I say: 'Great Britain.' He punches me square on the nose, and to say it goes downhill from now on would be an understatement.

After realising I was British and socking me in the face, he really started to lay into me, jabs to my face and body, before a senior officer shouted at him to cut it out. The beating stopped but Blue remained on a mission to give me a horrible time.

He ripped off the yellow and blue Ukrainian flag patches Velcroed to my uniform and placed them on top of my head, so I looked a dunce. Then he called me a 'pede'  and ordered me to get down on my knees while at the same time he picked up his rifle. He was playing at mock executions, which is a fun game if you like that sort of thing. I didn't and still don't.

All the really bad stuff that happened to me was done by the DPR, but the Russians were there too, controlling their puppets, stepping out from the shadows now and then to log who had been captured and what they might know and not know. The Russians knew what was going on.

But worse, much worse, was happening to others. For as long as I live, I will never forget the thump, thump, thump of the truncheon against the helpless soldier in the next cell, how his screams softened to mews, then silence, then the prisoners banging on the door, yelling for the guards.

In that place, in this modern time, surely no one ever dared do that. But they did. When the medic finally deigned to arrive and carry out her professional duty, she declared him dead.

To hear someone being murdered in the next cell, and to be utterly helpless to prevent it, well, I would not wish that on my worst enemy. That killing was perhaps the lowest point of my time in captivity. But there were plenty more.

One thousand and some miles to the west my mum is hanging out with my sister and her little boys at the Funtopia adventure play park in Grantham when a video of me pops up on the family chat on WhatsApp. It's been put out by my DPR captors on the Russian social network, Telegram.

You can clearly see my tattoo, 'Happy Days', on my forearms. I look anything but. They've beaten me black and blue, there's a deep red scar running down my forehead where they smashed my face with a truncheon, my right eye is half-closed, and there's a vivid bruise on my cheek.

My hands are cuffed, my left arm masking my right hand that has swollen so massively after I used it to protect the back of my head while they were clobbering me.

They have done something to me you can't see in the video, but it's broken my resistance.

My mother fell to the floor, hyperventilating. They're torturing me. But the worst thing of all is they are torturing my family, too.

Aiden taking an oath to Ukraine and being sworn into the marines at the training centre in Mykolaiv

This is only the start of a dark game, a game that we don't know we're playing, a game whose rules we have no idea of, a game of death and, maybe, life, my life. On one side, there is me, a soldier beaten half to death, and there's my family, good, ordinary Nottinghamshire folk with more than enough troubles of their own.

And on the other side, moving behind the thugs who are working me over, there's someone in the shadows, someone dark and evil.

His name is Vladimir Putin and I was his prisoner.

I knew only too well what happened to prisoners under his sort of foul regime.

Being a prisoner of an army that doesn't give a tuppenny damn about the rules of war means that you are stripped of nearly all the layers of civilisation you are used to. The freedom to eat or drink what you want to, to speak your mind, to go for a walk or have a smoke, to call your mum or your girlfriend: all that was gone, taken from me.

The effect of this was far more powerful than I could ever have imagined. During the interrogation sessions I felt as though I was standing naked in front of my captors. Not literally naked, true, but in some spiritual sense. And that eats away at your self-confidence.

After a bit, some agents from the DPR's MGB, the Ministry of State Security, rocked up and singled me out. I was beginning to think that I was something of a catch for them. And that was not good.

'You are a mercenary and a sniper,' was the very first thing they said to me. 'No,' I replied and, in my rubbish Russian, explained that I was a Ukrainian Marine and I worked in a mortar unit.

I stood against a wall in the head-banger stress position while they checked out my story, and fortunately two guys in my unit corroborated who I was. I can't remember their names but I bless their little cotton socks.

My hands were then handcuffed in front of me and I was led out to an SUV with local Donetsk licence plates. I got it that I was getting this special treatment because I was a foreigner. One of the men turned to me and said slowly in Russian: 'Now we're going to take you to be shot.'

We drove for roughly two hours and I spent my time, bleakly, steadying myself for what I was damn sure was going to happen next: at the very least they were going to beat the living daylights out of me.

I told myself not to react, not to fight back, not to do anything to make them angry.

My sole focus was getting through the next 24 hours, to just stay alive.

Adapted from Putin's Prisoner: My Time As A Prisoner Of War In Ukraine by Aiden Aslin and John Sweeney, published by Bantam on July 20 at 20. To order a copy for 18 (offer valid to July 23; UK p&p free on orders over 25), visit mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has carried out many wedding ceremonies, but one this week brought him particular joy.

He officiated the marriage of the husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, who was killed seven years ago.

Brendan Cox, 44, exchanged vows with domestic violence campaigner Anna Ryder, 37, on Tuesday at Lambeth Palace.

Cox asked permission from his two children before marrying again.

He said Cuillin, 12, and Lejla, ten, were delighted at the news, as he admitted he 'never thought' he would find love again, adding: 'I am incredibly lucky that I have.'

Brendan Cox, 44, was introduced to Anna Ryder, 37, through a mutual friend two years ago

Labour MP Jo Cox was fatally shot and stabbed by a far-Right extremist as she attended her constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, in June 2016

The Jo Cox Foundation was set up by Mr Cox in his wife's memory following her murder

Brendan Cox is believed to have been introduced to Anna Ryder, director of the Killed Women's network which works to support the bereaved families of women and girls, through a mutual friend two years ago.

A source said: 'They are very happy together. It's lovely news for the family. Brendan's a fantastic dad and his focus has been very much on the children. It was with their encouragement that Brendan and Anna wanted to take this step. They are very excited for the wedding.'

Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed by extremist Thomas Mair as she attended her Batley and Spen constituency surgery in Birstall, West Yorkshire, during the referendum on EU membership in June 2016. That year white supremacist Mair was jailed for life for her murder.

Since her death, Mr Cox founded the Together Coalition and has worked to support survivors of terror attacks while also raising the couple's children, Cuillin, 12, and Lejla, ten.

The Jo Cox Foundation was also set up in his wife's memory, which works to spread the MP's message of unity from her maiden speech in Parliament where she said: 'We have more in common than that which divides us'.

Speaking on Lorraine, Mr Cox said he and his wife had talked about what they would do if either one of them ever died and claimed she would have 'always wanted' him to remarry if she passed away.

'I always knew that she would want that,' he said. 'But I never thought it would happen because when you lose someone like Jo, you never think you'll find somebody with the energy and the love and the enthusiasm and the excitement that Jo had. I'm incredibly lucky that I have.'

And when he told his children he was going to propose to Ms Ryder, they apparently backed him, saying 'you're never going to do any better than Anna'. 'They're very excited about it,' he added.

Mr and Mrs Cox married in 2009, and their children were aged just five and three at the time of her death.

Brendan and Anna (pictured on holiday) exchanged vows on Tuesday at Lambeth Palace

Ms Ryder (pictured) met Mr Cox through her work as the director of of Killed Women, a network which works to support the bereaved families of victims of domestic violence

Mrs Cox was brutally murdered by loner Mair while she was at a surgery for her constituents.

Mair, 59, spent hours looking up information on the Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist organisations before brutally attacking the Labour MP in her hometown of Batley, West Yorkshire.

He lay in wait outside Birstall Library for the mother-of-two to arrive for a constituency surgery before repeatedly stabbing her with a 7in dagger and firing a .22 rimfire rifle.

He viciously attacked the mother-of-two, shooting her three times through the hands as she tried to protect her head, after being stabbed in the heart, lungs, stomach and liver.

Heroically, Mrs Cox warned her two aides to stay back and told them 'let him hurt me, don't let him hurt you' as Mair carried out his attack.

The Neo Nazi was arrested about 30 minutes after he killed the MP and told police he was a 'political activist'.

Mair was found with a leaflet in his bag from the pro-EU Britain Stronger in Europe campaign, which Mrs Cox supported.

He was also heard shouting: 'This is for Britain, Britain will always come first.' While another witness said the killer yelled: 'We're British independence' and 'Keep Britain independent'.

Mrs Cox's killer Thomas Mair, 59, had researched 'matricide' online and may have been on his way to kill his mother when police arrested him

Mair used this weapon during his vicious attack against the 41-year-old on June 16, 2016

Mair viciously attacked the mother of two, shooting her three times through the hands as she tried to protect her head, after being stabbed in the heart, lungs, stomach and liver. Pictured is the knife recovered by police used during the attack

Mrs Cox heroically told her aides to stay away as she was been brutally attacked by Mair

During his trial a jury heard he had researched Tory Ian Gow  the last sitting MP murdered when he was killed by the IRA in 1990  and Conservative MP William Hague, who also backed Remain, before carrying out his attack.

As well as carry out research on a 'far-Right' internet publication, Mair also looked into whether his .22 calibre rifle was 'deadly enough to kill with one shot to a human's head'.

He also searched the death penalty in Japan, further Nazi material and the act of killing one's mother.

The court heard that on the night before he killed Mrs Cox, he researched coffins, the Waffen SS and lying in state.

Mair was handed a whole-life sentence during a hearing at London's Old Bailey, becoming one of 70 prisoners serving such a tariff in the UK, joining the likes of Peter Sutcliffe, Ian Brady, Dale Cregan and Michael Adebolajo.

Mrs Cox's sister Kim Leadbeater and her mother and father Jean Leadbeater and Gordon Leadbeater embrace outside the Old Bailey courthouse after the conviction and sentencing of Thomas Mair for their daughter's murder

Mair remained emotionless as he was jailed for life for the murder of Jo Cox

Speaking after his wife's killer was convicted, Mr Cox said: 'We feel nothing but pity for him that his life was so devoid of love and filled with hatred, his only way of finding meaning was to attack a woman who represented all that was good about the country in an act of supreme cowardice.'

Mrs Cox's sister Kim said of her family: 'Whilst we can't change what's happened, we can try and chose how we respond  I for one will not be beaten. It's the last thing my sister would have wanted. As a family we will respond with strength, love and positivity.'

The jury took just 90 minutes to return the verdict. The trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie refused Mair's request to make a statement in court after the jury had spoken.

The judge told Mair that Mrs Cox was the 'true patriot' and not him. Mair's murderous attack on the MP was 'brutal and ruthless', the judge said.
A cowboy builder who that took 300,000 from four separate families but left their homes in ruin has been jailed.

To complete Tony Mottram's, 45, unfinished work- his victims had to fork out an extra 200,000, leaving them out of pocket and their 'lives ruined'.

Details of Mottram's disastrous building work was heard by St Albans Crown Court, Hertfordshire.

This included leaving loft conversions without roofs, live wires hanging from ceilings and leaving a breeze block wall un-adjoined that fell and almost killed a homeowner's children.

Carla, 44, said that the stress Mottram caused made her 'hair to fall out', and her 'distraught' husband lost two stone over the two year ordeal. Pictured: The home covered in scaffolding for the promised loft conversion

Carla's house in St Albans, Herts which was left in a state by builder Tony Mottram who promised them a loft conversion

Carla, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, hired the cowboy to build a loft extension for their semi-detached home in February 2017. Mottram even managed to con a free holiday out of them

The couple, who have two children aged six and seven, paid Mottram 37,000 to build the conversion but had to pay another 30,000 out of their life savings to repair the damage he caused

Mottram has been jailed for nine months and is disqualified from being a company director for seven years.

One of his victims, Carla spoke about how Mottram ruined their family home and stole their life savings after promising her a loft conversion.

Carla, 44, said that the stress Mottram caused made her 'hair to fall out', and her 'distraught' husband lost two stone over the two year ordeal.

Carla, from St Albans, Hertfordshire, hired the cowboy to build a loft extension for their semi-detached home in February 2017.

After three months of hell they sacked him as he left their family home as a building site, destroying bathrooms that weren't asked to be removed, and not paying staff.

Shockingly, Mottram even conned a holiday out of the couple.

Carla said: 'He told us that he needed to say goodbye to his dying father in Spain, we paid for his holiday.

'His father lived in Stevenage. He lied.'

The couple, who have two children aged six and seven, paid Mottram 37,000 to build the conversion but had to pay another 30,000 out of their life savings to repair the damage he caused.

Carla and her husband have also found themselves in A&E after injuring themselves while trying to fix the mistakes that Mottram made

Carla alleges that because Mottram was not paying his workers, they began to have a physical altercation, causing them to fight one another and even threatened the family.

She said: 'One of the builders said he was going to 'take every nail out of your loft and burn you and your husband in your bed.'

Carla and her husband Stewart notified the police about this threat.

Almost two years later since Mottram stopped working for Carla, the family still haven't recovered financially.

She now has had to start working full time at her job as a housing officer to pay off their debt, meaning that she cannot stay with her two children for as long as she wants.

She said: 'They are struggling to understand the big change, they keep asking me where I'm going and are getting very upset.'

Carla and her husband have also found themselves in A&E after injuring themselves while trying to fix the mistakes that Mottram made: 'He left a breezeblock wall completely unajoined to anything, it fell on my husband and tore his arm to shreds.

If it fell the otherway it would have killed my children.'

Carla said that despite being taken to court after an extensive investigation by the Trading Standards Authority, Mottram still started up a new building company- Choice Lofts Ltd.

On their website it says: 'Project Manager Tony Mottram has been trading for over 29 years in the building industry.'

She said: 'He's still doing it, I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Still hurting families.'

When Choice Lofts Ltd were contacted to reply but the phone line rang out.

Mottram pleaded guilty to charges of managing a business to defraud creditors and engaging in commercial practice with misleading or false information in March.
Apple is still months away from launching its new smartphone, but rumors flooding the web could reveal the latest features of the iPhone 15 ahead of the event.

A game-changing titanium alloy frame, a larger battery and a USB-C charging port are just some of the many predictions made by tech experts.

The change to its charging port is bound to be controversial, given the company's history of switching cords and forcing consumers to purchase its proprietary versions.

Along with added features, Apple is also suggested to unleash new colors into the mix - including some of the previous fan favorites.

The Cupertino-based company has not announced when it will release the new iPhone 15 family, but the event is typically held in September.

Tech experts claim iOS users will have the options of a baby blue, mint green, pink and crimson shade when the smartphone launches in a few months

Apple never shares details of its upcoming iPhone before the official unveiling, but tech experts and patents usually give away what to expect.

The most expensive iPhone Pro models yet

However, not all tips are exciting - the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max will be more expensive than previous Pro models.

Apple analyst Jeff Pu revealed in May that a price increase is on the horizon due to the Pro models featuring titanium frames and an A17 Bionic chip.

Pu did not reveal exact price-tags, it is worth noting that last year's iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max started at 1,099/$999 and 1,199/$1,099, respectively.

Pu's predictions  which were allegedly detailed in a document seen by  corroborate an unverified by a user called 'Technology window'.

The Weibo post said: 'Apple will increase the price of this year's iPhone 15 Pro series, further widening the gap with the iPhone 15 Plus.'

The iPhone 15 will be available in new colors

The crimson shade is believed to be lighter than the deep purple launched with the iPhone 14 but is still 'very deep.'

The rumors and mock-ups were shared by 9to5Mac, which reports on Apple updates and discovered rumors of the new colors in a recent post on Weibo.

The crimson shade is believed to be lighter than the deep purple launched with the iPhone 14 but is still 'very deep.'

And light green was released with the iPhone 13 lineup, but the upcoming shade could be darker - closer to a mint color.

The pink shade is a deeper pink described as 'telemagent,' and the light blue is 'picton blue.'

However, the 'exclusive' dark red color will only be available for the iPhone 15 Pro and mint green for the flagship and iPhone 15 Plus smartphones.

According to 9to5Mac's source, the information on the color options is 'still early' and 'could change' closer to the fall, so the colors shared could be off.

And Apple tests multiple colors of new iPhone models before they are released.

A shatterproof design, USB-C charging port and solid-state volume button

While titanium rivals steel in strength, it can be up to 45 percent lighter - potentially making the Pro model far easier to carry with a similar resilience. Pictured: A rumored dummy iPhone 15 Pro model that was allegedly leaked in April

The increased price could be due to the new titanium design, which can handle higher temperatures better than steel and offers similar protection against water damage.

Titanium can handle higher temperatures better than steel too, while also offering a similar level of protection against water damage.

Footage of a iPhone 15 Pro 'dummy' was leaked in April and surfaced on the Chinese version of TikTok.

A titanium-based frame was also shown on this prototype, alongside a new solid-state volume button replacing the mute switch.

If proven true, this would be the first time Apple has changed the button since the iPhone's launch in 2007, likely allowing users to toggle with its sensitivity.

Apple will have to start fitting its iPhones and other devices with a USB-C charger (pictured), already used for Android devices

The dummy also included a USB-C charging port in place of the usual Lightning port.

This alteration follows previous talk from Apple's executive Greg Joswiak who said that the tech giant was 'having to comply' with new USB laws passed by the EU.

READ MORE: Is THIS the iPhone 15 Ultra? A new video claims to show a dummy unit of iPhone 15 Ultra  the most expensive of the upcoming iPhone 15 range that is expected to be released this September. Advertisement

With that in mind, it's already publicly known that the company is replacing its own Lightning charging technology - discernible by its eight pins - with USB-C in EU countries.

He previously said: 'Obviously, we'll have to comply; we have no choice, just as we do around the world to comply to local laws.

'But we think the approach would have been better environmentally and better for our customers to not have a government be that prescriptive.'

The iPhone 15 will have a larger battery

An alleged Foxconn worker, the company that manufactures a bulk of Apple's iPhones, told ItHome today that the iPhone 15 family is set to have larger batteries.

The iPhone 15 will feature an 18 percent larger battery, iPhone 15 Plus and iPhone 15 Pro a 14 percent larger battery, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max a 12 percent larger battery.

This means the iPhone 15 could have a 3877mAh capacity, iPhone 15 Plus 4912mAh, iPhone 15 Pro 3650mAh and iPhone 15 Pro Max could have 4852mAh.

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus are believed to feature the the A16 Bionic processor, while the Pro and Max will have the new A17 Bionic chip Apple announced in June.
British tourists are facing heavy fines for breaching a list of Italian beach etiquette rules, which include eating an ice cream or a sandwich.

Residents and tourists in Sant'Antioco, a town on an island of the same name in southern Sardinia, were shocked by the catalogue of 23 activities that are prohibited on the beach.

The list includes taking part in sports, using stones to stabilise a sunshade and consuming any type of food.

The regulations, set in place by Ignazio Locci, mayor of Sant'Antioco, state the maximum charge for eating is 430.

Residents and media in the town, which is a popular destination for foreign holidaymakers and Italians, have criticised the restrictions.

Residents and tourists in Sant'Antioco, a town on an island of the same name in southern Sardinia, were shocked by the catalogue of 23 activities that are now prohibited on the beach

An unnamed male resident of Sant'Antioco told local media: 'This means we are prevented from eating anything even if we spend the whole day on the beach? My kids and I can't buy some ice cream and eat it under our sunshade?'

A mother from the town said: 'This means I can't provide my girl with a snack when she joins the town's holiday camp for kids? That's a bit weird.'

But Locci said: 'If it can help in making people stick to the rules then yes, I am absolutely against the fact that you eat anything on the beach.

'We continue to see lunches by the sea with banquets featuring huge watermelons, lasagne and sliced bread.'

He added: 'I acknowledge that the ban may appear exaggerated. But in just appealing to common sense, our eyes have often been closed on too many fronts.'

The new beach bylaw makes 'having a picnic' a punishable offence. But the ruling also warns those who just have a snack or an ice cream without leaving any waste would be asked to pay up too.

The new rules also state it is forbidden to set up tents or gather umbrellas.
EVACUATION

Channel 4

Rating:

Rarely have I watched anything as moving or affecting as this documentary, about the 2021 evacuation from Kabul by British troops.

Just so much courage, so much emotion, so much humanity. And ultimately such sadness.

Like many, I remember those terrible scenes, of people storming the runway as American and British armed forces withdrew from Afghanistan, as families  terrified for their lives  surged towards what they hoped might be safety.

Taliban fighters had taken control of Kabul, the capital, filling the vacuum left by the retreating forces. It was terrifying to see from a safe distance, on the news; unimaginably frightening for those caught up in it.

This three-part documentary takes us to the heart of the crisis in a unique account, told from the point of view of the armed forces deployed to oversee the evacuation of British civilians, as well as some of the Afghan nationals who had assisted the troops during their peacekeeping efforts  such as interpreter Burhan, his wife Narcis and their young boy Sepehr.

Adam (left), sergeant major in the Parachute Regiment, leading two platoons, tells his story about the 2021 evacuation from Kabul of British troops in the Channel 4 documentary

I was at school, just outside playing, says Sepehr. The Taliban expelled everybody. They were taking over the world.

His parents fixed smiles and the childs wide eyes tell you everything you need to know about the horror of that moment.

What surprised me about this documentary  and what made it so gripping  was the candour of the servicemen and women as they recounted their experiences.

Squadron leader Di, tasked with leading the evacuation team; Adam, sergeant major in the Parachute Regiment, leading two platoons; Fahim, a private in the Paras, originally from Afghanistan himself, watching his country disintegrate before his eyes.

Some were highly experienced operatives; others much less so. I basically took a sixth form field trip to Kabul, says Di, a haunted look in her eyes.

None of them were remotely prepared for what happened  how could they have been?

People so desperate they were clinging to the undercarriage of aeroplanes as they took off, plunging to their deaths on the runway; the breakdown of all communications, the 50-degree heat; the suicide bomber who killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 American service members. Hell on Earth.

Sarah was deeply moved by Evacuation on Channel 4

The contemporaneous footage is far more arresting than any dramatisation could ever be.

There are moments of mundane familiarity  people disembarking from airport buses with suitcases as though they were simply heading off on holiday, bored children playing  contrasted with scenes so heart-stoppingly surreal the brain struggles to process them.

Above all, it brings home the incredible bravery and dedication of our armed forces, the impossible choices they face and the huge responsibilities they bear, in this case in dealing with the consequences of the poorly-thought-out decisions of those in power.

It was ever thus, I suppose; nonetheless, this is a powerful and humbling reminder of the debt we owe these brave men and women.

Ellies tenacity triumphs again

ELLIE SIMMONDS: FINDING MY SECRET FAMILY

ITVX

Rating:

Paralympian Ellie Simmonds is one of those people whose presence in the world just seems to make it a brighter place.

She may be small  as she describes herself  but she is also mighty, not just in terms of her sporting achievements (winning two gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the age of just 13, two more in London in 2012 and another in Rio in 2016) but also in her approach to life in general.

She has achieved more in her 28 years than most people do in a lifetime, testament to her extraordinary personality and positive attitude to life.

So its a pleasure to spend a while in her company as she embarks on a quest to find out the circumstances of her adoption.

In Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family, paralympian Ellie Simmonds embarks on a quest to find out the circumstances of her adoption

You can tell this wasnt easy for her: even her relentlessly sunny disposition clouds over when she finds out that her mother, at the time, had said it would have been better if Ellie had died, and that she wished shed had an abortion.

What comes across so clearly is Ellies tenacity, her determination to always push through to a better place.

In this case, she ends up being reunited with her birth mother, building a positive relationship despite everything.

I was also struck by the kindness of her adoptive parents. What remarkable people they must be to have raised a young woman like Ellie.

A fabulously spicy journey

Joanna Lumley presents Spice Trail Adventure on ITV1

Joanna Lumley is living her best life in Spice Trail Adventure (Wednesdays, ITV1), wafting on a journey through the history and people of the Spice Islands in Indonesia.

We visit the Banda Islands in search of what was once the most prized spice of them all, nutmeg.

Hard to believe, but in the 17th century the riches plundered from the Spice Islands made up half the income of the Netherlands  and nutmeg is the reason the British ended up owning New York.

Lumley recounts all this  and more  with her breathy charm. Fabulous, darling.
An American reality star has shocked viewers after admitting that he expects his cancer-stricken wife to 'suffer' through sex with him so that his needs can be satisfied.

Maurice Scott, 43, who stars in Love & Marriage: Huntsville on the Oprah Winfrey Network, made the outrageous admission during an interview on Carlos King's Reality with the King podcast last month.

Scott's wife Kimmi is battling breast cancer and undergoing chemotherapy, but it hasn't stopped him from expecting his wife to fulfil her marital duties while in ill health.

'There's a difference between wants and needs, and I'm a person who actually needs sex,' he explained to King when pressed on the subject.

'Life throws us curveballs, like what we're going through right now, and what Kimmi is doing is admirable as a spouse,' he continued.

Love & Marriage: Huntsville star Maurice Scott (left) has been slammed for admitting that he expects his cancer-stricken wife Kimmi (right) to 'suffer' through sex with him

Kimmi was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer last year and has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment

'To roll over and suffer through it... fake it, all for me. Because at that moment it's something that she completely didn't desire.'

He added, 'I look at it as her standing by me while I'm standing by her.'

Pushing back the criticism he's received from viewers, Maurice said, 'We should all feel that we would be better people and say, "Oh no, I don't want or need sex for however long it takes for you to recover." But we then live in reality, where that's not true.'

In a previous episode of Love & Marriage: Huntsville, the amorous attorney told Kimmi that he wanted sex every day - if not twice a day.

'I think every day is excessive,' Kimmi responded.

'I feel like men just never get enough. Maurice, I feel like if we had sex every single day you still would want more sex,' she continued.

'You know why I feel like that? Because it happens now. We'll have sex at six o'clock, and you're pulling my panties down at 10 o'clock, and then getting mad because I don't wanna do it at 10 o'clock. It's never enough!'

'What Kimmi is doing is admirable as a spouse,' he said on the Carlos King podcast last month, before adding, 'I look at it as her standing by me while I'm standing by her'

Fans of the show have been outraged by Maurice's comments, with many taking to social media to defend Kimmi.

'So Kimmie is going through chemo, radiation and surgery, but still expected to have sex with Maurice, cook, clean, and raise his son. REALLY!' tweeted one.

'I just watched a video of Maurice from #LAMH saying he still makes his wife have sex with him while shes battling cancer. "She rolls over and suffers". He is a damn bastard,' raged another.

'I've never watched #LAMH so I don't know if he's like this all the time, but that Maurice man saying he makes his sick wife suffer through giving him sex and knowing she doesn't enjoy it is some crazy s**t to say out loud.'

In a previous episode of Love & Marriage: Huntsville, the amorous attorney told Kimmi that he wanted sex every day, which she found 'excessive'

Kimmi was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in June, 2022.

The real estate agent, 34, told People magazine last month that she was 'devastated' by the news.

From there, she started 20 weeks of 'very aggressive' chemotherapy, which lasted until December, 2022. She then had breast conserving surgery before starting 36 rounds of radiation, which she completed on April 23, 2023.

Kimmi and Maurice have starred on Love & Marriage: Huntsville since 2019.

The reality series, which follows three high-powered African-American couples in Alabama, is the biggest unscripted show on the Oprah Winfrey Network and has since spawned multiple spin-offs.
We Are China

Relief work carried out in flood-hit Chongqing, SW China

Xinhua) 14:44, July 07, 2023

A volunteer distributes food at a temporary settlement in Changtan junior school of Wanzhou District, Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Jintao)

China is making ongoing efforts to battle extreme weather, as rain-triggered floods wreak havoc in southern and central parts of the country.

Since Monday, heavy rainfalls have lashed Chongqing, triggering floods and geological disasters across the municipality. Notably, Changtan Township has reported record-high precipitation during the latest round of downpours.

China earmarked 320 million yuan on Wednesday from its central natural-disaster relief funds to support flood and geological disaster relief work in regions including Chongqing and Sichuan.

Rescue team members work in Linchang Village of Changtan Township, Wanzhou District of Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Rescue team members work in Linchang Village of Changtan Township, Wanzhou District of Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Naomi Watts ensured all eyes were on her at the Fendi Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday.

The British-Australian actor, 54, donned an angelic look as she slipped into a conservative white T-shirt dress which brushed her knees.

She carefully buttoned it up to her throat as she flaunted the barely-there lace design around her torso.

The Home and Away star elevated her look with classic, black accessories including a simple designer handbag and strappy heels.

Naomi Watts, 54, (pictured) ensured all eyes were on her at the Fendi Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023/2024 show during Paris Fashion Week on Friday

Naomi then hid her eyes behind a pair of huge sunglasses as she slipped in some simple gold earrings and let her golden bob fall razor straight to her shoulders.

She finished her look with a bold red lip matched her shiny pedicure as she posed up a storm at the fashion event.

The For Love Alone star was all smiles as she happily chatted with friends on their way into the heritage building where the runway was held.

The British-Australian actor donned an angelic look as she slipped into a conservative white T-shirt dress which brushed her knees

She carefully buttoned it up to her throat as she flaunted the barely-there lace design around her torso

The Home and Away star elevated her look with classic, black accessories including a simple designer handbag and strappy heels

Naomi then hid her eyes behind a pair of huge sunglasses as she slipped in some simple gold earrings and let her golden bob fall razor straight to her shoulders

She finished her look with a bold red lip matched her shiny pedicure as she posed up a storm at the fashion event

The actor strutted her stuff down the road as she arrived at the event

Her T-Shirt dress featured a billowing train which fell to her calves in the back

She was all smiles as she posed up a storm

Later, the blonde beauty was spotted with her friends Bella Ranee Campen, Eiza Gonzalez and Zoe Saldana, the latter of which she sat with during the show.

Naomi also sat with fellow actor Li Qin who looked radiant in a monochrome beige look which featured a long skirt and turtle neck sweater.

Naomi's outing came just hours after her date day in Paris with new husband Billy Crudup.

Working all her best angles, she kept her designer bag on display

Her matching black and gold accessories stood out beautifully against her dress

Naomi's blonde locks swayed gently in the cool breeze

She waved excitedly at her fans and the media

Naomi stopped once more at the end of the road to pose for more pictures

Her bold red lip could be seen from miles away

The For Love Alone star was all smiles as she happily chatted with friends on their way into the heritage building where the runway was held

She could hardly wipe the smile off her face as she flaunted her wedding band

The newlyweds tied the not at a New York courthouse in June.

The happy couple shared photos of the joyous occasion as they posed on the steps of the courthouse shortly after saying 'I do', alongside the caption: 'Hitched.'

Naomi looked stunning in a $7,400 white Oscar de la Renta Sweetheart Water Lilly Guipure dress next to her actor husband, who currently stars in The Morning Show.

After the ceremony, Naomi shared a photo of the newlyweds celebrating with actor Mark Ruffalo and his wife Sunrise Coigney.

Also pictured was Josh Hamilton - who was coincidentally celebrating his birthday - and his wife Lily Thorne.

When Naomi finally made it inside, she took her huge black sunglasses off and struck a pose

Her razor straight bob framed her face perfectly as she tucked one side behind her ear

She couldn't help herself, however, and eventually slid the glasses back on for some more photos

Every detail of Naomi's monochrome look matched perfectly

Naomi flaunted her styling chops during Paris Fashion Week

Finally, Naomi made it inside to the runway where she posed for even more photos in front of the seating area

Naomi is pictured with actor Zoe Saldana

Naomi is pictured here with Zoe and actor Eiza Gonzalez

Later, the blonde beauty was spotted with her friends Bella Ranee Campen, Eiza Gonzalez and Zoe Saldana, the latter of which she sat with during the show

Naomi showed of her red toenail polish as she intently watched the runway show

She seemed impressed with the outfits on display

Friend Zoe appeared as intent on the show as well, dressed in a beautiful hot pink dress

Naomi is pictured posing up a storm yet again as she slipped her glasses back on

Naomi also sat with fellow actor Li Qin who looked radiant in a monochrome beige look which featured a long skirt and turtle neck sweater

The friends complemented each other perfectly with their matching conservative look

At one point, Naomi flashed her chunky gold bracelet
For her new re-record of Better Than Revenge, Taylor Swift has reportedly softened a vicious old lyric about her ex's latest girlfriend.

In the midst of her legal battle with Scooter Braun over her original masters, Taylor decided years ago to re-record all of her old albums, releasing new 'Taylor's Versions' to which she would own the rights.

Tomorrow, fans will be treated to 'Taylor's Version' of her 2010 album Speak Now, which included the original edition of Better Than Revenge.

The old lyric - which has now been discarded in favor of a more politically correct line - went: 'Shes not a saint and shes not what you think. Shes an actress, whoa. shes better known for the things that she does on the mattress, whoa.'

However Page Six reports that the 'mattress' jab has been replaced with: 'He was a moth to the flame. She was holding the matches, whoa.'

Aglow: For her new re-record of Better Than Revenge, Taylor Swift has reportedly softened a vicious old lyric; she is pictured in album art for her new edition of Speak Now

Stagestruck: Taylor is currently whirling around the world on her Eras Tour, for which she is pictured playing a gig at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in May

Evidently a smattering of fans have managed to sneak a listen to Taylor's Version of Speak Now prior to its official debut on Friday.

At the time of its first release in 2010, Better Than Revenge was widely presumed to be about Taylor's ex Joe Jonas and his subsequent flame Camilla Belle.

Over the course of the intervening decade, however, Taylor developed a friendly rapport with Joe, who is currently married to Game Of Thrones star Sophie Turner.

Taylor has also, in recent years, vented her frustration about being on the business end of 'slut-shaming' during her 20s.

'I was 23 and people were making slideshows of my dating life and putting people in there that I'd sat next to at a party once and deciding that my songwriting was a trick rather than a skill and a craft,' she told Apple Music's Zane Lowe.

'It's a way to take a woman who's doing her job and succeeding at doing her job [and] completely minimize that skill by slut-shaming her.'

She noted that she was absorbing the remarks 'at a very young age, so that was a bit hard. That was one of the first times I was like: "Wow, this is not fair."'

In 2021, Taylor's fans were flew into a rage when a character on the Netflix sitcom Ginny & Georgia joked: 'You go through men faster than Taylor Swift.'

Remember when: Evidently a smattering of fans have snuck a listen to Taylor's Version of Speak Now prior to its official debut on Friday; the cover for the original album is pictured

Throwback: Better Than Revenge was presumed to be about Taylor's ex Joe Jonas and his subsequent flame Camilla Belle; Taylor and Joe are pictured in 2008

The way they were: Joe, who is now married to Game Of Thrones star Sophie Turner, is pictured out with Camilla in West Hollywood in 2009

'Swifties,' as her admirers are affectionately known, raked the show over the coals on the internet for 'slut-shaming' their idol.

Taylor herself fumed on Twitter: 'Hey Ginny & Georgia, 2010 called and it wants its lazy, deeply sexist joke back. How about we stop degrading hard working women by defining this horse s**t as FuNnY.'

The new version of Speak Now will also include a re-record of the song Dear John, which Taylor performed onstage live last month for the first time in 11 years.

Dear John, with its scathing lyrics about an ex's 'sick need to give love then take it away,' was overwhelmingly regarded as being about John Mayer.

After the song reentered the public eye last month, Taylor begged her fans not to 'defend' her against John, but they ignored her pleas and began denouncing him online as a 'groomer' because he was 33 and she was 19 when they dated.
Ellie Simmonds: Finding My Secret Family

Rating:

Who Do You Think You Are?

Rating:

Blinkin' Nora! It's Ellie Simmonds's favourite swearword and, as Ellie is now my favourite celebrity, I'm going to be saying it all the time.

The five-times Paralympic gold medallist was irrepressibly upbeat as she steeled herself to meet the mother who rejected her as a baby, on Finding My Secret Family (ITV1).

Despite a series of emotional blows that had her frequently in tears, she refused to succumb to self-pity. She never blamed anyone, least of all the woman who gave birth to her and then, when dwarfism was diagnosed, could not bear to bring her up.

CHRISTOPHER STEVENS: Blinkin' Nora! It's Ellie Simmonds's favourite swearword and, as Ellie is now my favourite celebrity, I'm going to be saying it all the time

Ellie has always known she was adopted and was hugely fortunate to grow up with a loving family who supported her throughout her competitive swimming career. She had no complaints about the hand life dealt her: 'My dwarfism is the reason my life has been so amazing,' she said.

She joked that, if she hadn't burned off so much energy in sport, she might have turned to crime. And when her adoptive father, Steve, warned that she might discover unwelcome surprises in her family tree, such as a serial killer uncle, she simply shrugged and said, 'Wouldn't that be interesting?'

But all the optimism in the world couldn't guard against some of the shocks in her file. 'Oh wow,' she murmured, as she read through her birth mother's interviews with social services. 'She wanted me dead'  either aborted or stillborn.

To watch her absorb this news on her own was heartrending. So was the moment when she learned that, as a baby with her first foster family, she had cried ceaselessly  and that the foster mum, who never forgot her, had recently died.

We glimpsed Ellie's affectionate partner once or twice, and he was clearly supportive. Why he couldn't be with her at these painful moments was not explained, although perhaps it was her own choice.

Even if they could bring themselves to forgive, many people would find it impossible to confront the mother who wished them dead as a baby. Ellie not only decided to meet her but was considerate enough to ensure the woman was not identified. 'I'm worried about her being judged,' she said.

There were gaps in the narrative: we learned that Ellie has a birth sister but not whether they have spoken or hope to meet. This was certainly a far cry from Long Lost Family, which can leave you wishing for a secret sibling or two, just so you could enjoy the inevitable tearful reunion in a seafront cafe.

Despite a series of emotional blows that had her frequently in tears, she refused to succumb to self-pity

Still, Ellie is an inspiration to anyone seeking a role model for dealing with life's hard knocks. Blinkin' Nora indeed.

Emily Atack enjoyed a much easier ride on Who Do You Think You Are? (BBC1), though she already knew that her grandma Betty was Paul McCartney's cousin, which is a good start.

She uncovered a letter from a teenage Macca to Betty's husband, Mike, a Butlins Redcoat, pleading for a job at the holiday camp for him and his mate, a lad called Lennon.

Mike had some advice for the boys: when they hit those high 'ooohs' in their songs, they should camp it up for comic effect. Good job Mike was ignored, or She Loves You (Yeah Yeah Yeah) would sound like a Larry Grayson and Frankie Howerd duet.

Emily is a trouper and she dutifully became weepy as she learned how her great-great grandfather was caught up in a mining accident. But she was more fascinated by the family's showbiz history.

Her great aunt Doreen was a music hall artist, dubbed the Champion Girl Whistler of the World. Fancy that.
Jersey Shore: Family Vacation will be back on MTV on August 3

Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola reunited with her roommates after an 11-year absence in a new trailer released on Thursday for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation.

The 36-year-old reality star after announcing in 2018 that she would not be returning for the reboot series will be back for the second half of season six when it premieres on August 3.

'I'm back,' Sammi said with open arms to the camera in the trailer titled 'Gym, Tan, SAM'S BACK!'.

Sammi's ex-boyfriend Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, 37, also was shown returning to the MTV series after stepping away from the show in May 2021 to focus on his mental health.

The trailer opened with Angelina Pivarnick, 37, in a confessional saying, 'I am shook.'

She's back: Sammi 'Sweetheart' Giancola reunited with her roommates after an 11-year absence in a new trailer released on Thursday for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation

'Shook,' echoed Jennifer 'JWoww' Farley, 37.

'Shooketh right now,' said Mike 'The Situation' Sorrentino, 41.

The roommates including Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi, 35, Deena Cortese, 36, and Paul 'DJ Pauly D' DelVecchio, 43, were then shown with their jaws dropped in shock as Sammi surprisingly joined them.

'What the f***!,' Pauly exclaimed at the sight of Sammi.

Sammi smiled as she walked in with Angelina as everyone looked shocked.

'It can't get any better than this,' Sammi said in a confessional.

Sammi in the preview met her sex doll counterpart and Ronnie also was shown walking up to the door.

The infamous note from the original run of Jersey Shore was printed out on a bedsheet and pillows for Sam by Pauly.

Also returning: Sammi's ex-boyfriend Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, 37, also was shown returning to the MTV series after stepping away from the show in May 2021 to focus on his mental health

Open arms: 'I'm back,' Sammi said with open arms to the camera in the trailer titled 'Gym, Tan, SAM'S BACK!'

Shook up: The trailer opened with Angelina Pivarnick, 37, in a confessional saying, 'I am shook'

Doll counterpart: Sammi in the preview met her sex doll counterpart

Anonymous note: The infamous note from the original run of Jersey Shore was printed out on a bedsheet and pillows for Sam by Pauly

'Who put the note in Sammi's room?,' Pauly asked.

'Thanks, Pauly. This is my new blanket,' Sammi told him.

The anonymous note told Sammi how her then-boyfriend Ronnie made out 'with 2 girls' after she left a club and 'also was grinding with multiple fat women'.

In a tender moment, Angelina gave Sammi a hug and the roommates sat around a long table enjoying a group dinner together.

'My have times changed,' Sammi told the group as the trailer concluded.

Jersey Shore: Family Vacation will return with its midseason premiere on August 3 on MTV.

Sammi when she announced that she would not be participating in the reboot said she wanted to avoid 'potentially toxic situations' and planned to instead focus on her 'businesses and relationship'.

She previously was in a rocky relationship with Ronnie while they starred on Jersey Shore from 2009 to 2012.

Tender moment: In a tender moment, Angelina gave Sammi a hug

Group meal: The roommates were shown toasting during a group meal together

Ronnie pleaded no contest to one count of domestic battery and one count of resisting arrest related to an October 2019 incident in Los Angeles.

He has five-year-old daughter Ariana with his ex Jen Harley.

The midseason finale of Family Vacation in May focused on Angelina being angry with JWoww over her reaction to her surprise engagement to Vinny Tortorella during the group trip to New Orleans.

A description from MTV for the rest of season six read: 'From the ultimate kick off in Pennsylvania where DJ Pauly D and Vinny orchestrate an epic prank that almost scars the 'meatballs' permanently to Deena taking family trips to the next level at Margaritaville, the Shore family continues to make every moment one to remember. Tensions between Angelina and Jenni from earlier this season continue, while a shocking revelation about Angelina's father influences Mike to investigate. Plus, things are bound to get a little messy when Mike reveals he's been talking to Sammi's infamous ex.'
Jerry Hall left Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry for Mick Jagger, with whom she stayed (bar an interlude with horse-breeder Robert Sangster) for more than two decades, before marrying media tycoon Rupert Murdoch in 2016.

Now, nearly a year after she and Murdoch divorced, evergreen Jerry evidently feels ready for The King.

Well, an Elvis impersonator. She posted a snap on social media, showing her being serenaded by an Elvis clad in figure-hugging leather as she celebrated her 67th birthday.

Captioning the snap, she wrote: 'Best Birthday ever.'

Model Lady Mary Charteris commented: 'Can't wait to hear all the tales'...

All shook up: Jerry Hall was serenaded by an Elvis clad in figure-hugging leather as she celebrated her 67th birthday

Old flame: Jerry Hall left Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry for Mick Jagger, with whom she stayed (bar an interlude with horse-breeder Robert Sangster) for more than two decades

Jerry and billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch have sensationally finalised their divorce last August - just five weeks after their split became public - but claimed they were still 'good friends'.

The former supermodel sparked a mystery when it emerged that she had asked the Los Angeles Superior Court to cancel the divorce petition.

The notice was filed by her attorney in California, Ronald Brot, and was dated Tuesday, August 9. The document said the divorce should be dismissed without prejudice, meaning that it could not be revived.

But hours after news of the development broke, it emerged the former couple had settled their break-up agreement.

A spokesman for Murdoch released a statement on behalf of the former couple and in an email, described it as a 'joint statement from Robert S. Cohen, attorney for Rupert Murdoch, and Judy Poller, attorney for Jerry Hall'.

The statement read: 'Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch have finalized their divorce. They remain good friends and wish each other the best for the future'.

The couple had been together for six years when their split was reported in June 2022.

A newspaper claimed that the media tycoon ended their marriage via an email which Jerry is said to have received while waiting for him to arrive in the UK.

All over: She married media tycoon Rupert Murdoch in 2016. Now, nearly a year after she and Murdoch divorced, evergreen Jerry evidently feels ready for The King

She responded by filing for divorce on July 1 in Los Angeles rather than the UK, where they were married.

Her next move was even more aggressive and she hired a former Met Police anti-terrorism officer to serve Mr Murdoch the divorce papers at RAF Brize Norton on July 4 2022, after he attended his granddaughter's wedding nearby.

In her original petition, she said she did not have his full financial information and was seeking it.

The filing of the divorce in California was significant as it is a community property state, meaning that any property acquired during the marriage is by default split 50/50.

After they married they spent more than 250million on property in the UK and the US.
Sunrise said goodbye to yet another 'invaluable' studio worker on Friday.

Just weeks after David 'Kochie' Koch filmed his last days on the iconic breakfast show set, autocue operator Suzanna has bid the cast adieu.

The production operator has worked on the show for 22 years, but decided it's time to move on to bigger and better things.

Host Natalie Barr, 55, was quick to say farewell to her colleague as the studio held a round of applause for the worker.

'We are wishing good luck to Suzanna who has been rolling our autocue for more than 20 years. And she's leaving us,' Nat said in an emotional goodbye.

Sunrise said goodbye to yet another 'invaluable' studio worker on Saturday. Pictured is 55-year-old host Natalie Barr

'Whether it's here in the studio or out in the field... all those memories. She's been with us on so many occasions and done such an amazing job.'

Nat, 55, continued: 'You are invaluable. We don't like the fact that you're leaving, but we have to let you go.'

Suzanna's departure came just weeks after Kochie, 67, retired as co-anchor for Sunrise after 21 years working in the studio.

Just weeks after David 'Kochie' Koch, 67, (pictured) filmed his last days on the iconic breakfast show set, the autocue operator Suzanna has bid the cast adieu

The breakfast show host made the announcement live on television, prefacing the bombshell with: 'Before we move on, just a bit of news from me.'

He told viewers after 'nearly 21 years and 5,300 shows', he felt it was time to pass the torch to the next generation.

'I started here before Facebook, before Instagram, before Twitter and iPhones. That's how old I am,' he said, as his co-host Nat became visibly emotional.

The production operator has worked on the show for 22 years, but decided it's time to move on to bigger and better things

He continued: 'I have loved every single minute of it and I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved here over the last 21 years.'

The television star said the move would allow him to focus on his family and business interests - but he didn't rule out a return to the Sunrise couch as a guest.

Matt 'Shirvo' Shirvington was handpicked by Seven Network executives to fill Kochie's shoes.

The Olympic sprinter, 44, took over as co-anchor of Sunrise alongside Nat on June 13, and his first day saw huge ratings from viewers.
Margaret Qualley was among the many high-profile guests on hand to lend their support for the Diner de la Mode benefit in support of AIDS charity Sidaction.

The 20th annual event was again held at the grand marble-columned Pavillon Cambon Capucines, which just down the street from the Chanel headquarters, in Paris, France after relocating to the location a few years ago, according to Vogue.

Just one of the many gatherings as part of Paris Fashion Week, Qualley (born Sarah Margaret Qualley) was the picture of elegance when she hit the red carpet in a lovely white gown with a plant pattern from top to bottom.

By adding some waves and curls to her shoulder-length dark brown tresses, The Leftovers star had a striking resemblance to her mother, actress Andie MacDowell.

Founded in 1994, Sidaction helps raise awareness and help collet charitable funds for AIDS. The organization then donates money collected to various AIDS charities, HIV/AIDS research, institutions specializing in medical care and social aid for those living with HIV/AIDS in France and internationally, according to the organization's website.

Making a difference: Margaret Qualley, 28, was among the high-profile people to lend their support for the 20th Diner de la Mode benefit in support of AIDS charity Sidaction

Qualley, now 28, added some waves and curls to her dark tresses, which only made her resemblance to her mother even more obvious

The fashionable number hugged her lean figure in the upper portion, while falling off her her body a little more loosely from the waist on down to her feet.

By going with a sleeveless design, the Montana native, who grew up largely in Asheville, North Carolina, opted to give more than a hint of skin.

For a subtle touch of contrast, the Once Upon A Time In Hollywood star wore a rich red lipstick, to go along with her dark locks and white ensemble.

Qualley's father is rancher and former model Paul Qualley. He met MacDowell while on the set of a Gap advertisement they were both working on.

Eventually married in 1986, the former couple had three children, which along with Margaret, 28, also includes son Justin, 37, and daughter Rainey, 33.

They would end up divorcing in 1999 after more than 13 years of marriage.

Along with her roles in the HBO series The Leftovers (2014-2017) and Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019), Qualley's acting resume also includes The Nice Guys (2016), the FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon (2019), the film My Salinger Year (2020) and the Netflix miniseries Maid (2021).

She currently has no less than four new films in some phase of post-production, such as the surrealist science fiction film Poor Things, starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe, among others, that drops on September 8.

Qualley made her professional acting debut in the film Palo Alto (2013)

Making her mark: The actress first gained prominence in Hollywood with her role in the hit HBO series The Leftovers (2014-2017)

Qualley has the lead role in Ethan Coen's comedy road film Drive-Away Dolls, set to premiere September 28, that also stars Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein and Colman Domingo.

In recent months, she recently confirmed the shoot had picked back up on The Substance, after production was temporarily shut down following the death of star Ray Liotta.

So far there's no official word on when the body horror film, which also features Demi Moore, will debut.

Qualley is also featured in the anthology film, alongside Jesse Plemons, Emma Stone, Willem Dafoe, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn, Mamoudou Athie and Hunter Schafer

Family duo: MacDowell, 65, is often seen at events with Margaret, who is one of three children she shares with ex-husband Paul Qualley; the mother-daughter duo are seen in March 2022

Family matters: The budding actress was just five-years-old when her mother cradled her into her arms at the premiere event for Muppets From Space in July 1999, which included MacDowell in the cast

After garnering recognition as a model, MacDowell first made waves as an actress in Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984) and St. Elmo's Fire (1985),

But she would have her breakout role in Sex, Lies, And Videotape (1989), which earner her a nomination for a Golden Globe Award For Best Actress  Motion Picture Drama.

Her Hollywood credits also include such films as Green Card (1990), Groundhog Day (1993), Four Weddings And A Funeral (1994), Michael (1997) and Magic Mike XXL (2015, among others.

The Gaffney, South Carolina native, 65, has three new films on the docket, including the action-thriller Red Right Hand, starring Orlando Bloom; the romantic comedy The Other Zoey, with Josephine Langford and Drew Starkey; and most recently, the comedy film Goodrich, also starring Mila Kunis, Michael Keaton, Carmen Ejogo and Kevin Pollak.
Lucciana Beynon looked hot to trot as she made her way down the Ema Savahi runway at the Miami Swim Week in Florida on Wednesday.

The model, who is the daughter of tobacco heir Travers 'Candyman' Beynon, absolutely sizzled as she showed off her ample bust and flaunted her curves in a series of racy swimwear looks.

One outfit that caught the eye was a see-through mesh lingerie-inspired look, that featured different sized black polka dots that left little to the imagination.

Lucciana's outfit featured a halter-neck design that plunged down to show her cleavage and bare tummy while opting for matching barely-there G-string bottoms with thin straps at the hips.

As she turned to strike a pose, her outfit tied at the back above her waist, while the G-string cut bottoms showed her entire backside.

The brunette, who turns 22 years old on Sunday, stepped out wearing bold makeup with heavy eyeliner and a nude lip shade to display her full pout.

Lucciana Beynon put on a busty display as she stepped out onto the runway on Wednesday at the Miami Swim Week held in Miami, Florida

The model, who is the daughter of Travers 'Candyman' Beynon, flaunted her curves in a unique, see-through mesh bikini that featured different sized black polka dots that left little to the imagination

Her hair was styled in a high ponytail that featured a braid over her scalp line and kept the look minimal with a pair of strappy nude heels, white nail polish and no jewellery.

For her next appearance, Lucciana strutted down the catwalk in a black beaded number with a high-waist, cheeky-cut bottoms and triangle top that criss-crossed over her chest.

Both top and bottom garments featured silver sequined stars with tassels.

As she turned to strike a pose, her outfit tied at the back above her waist, while the G-string cut bottoms showed her entire backside

Her hair was styled in a high ponytail that featured a braid over her scalp line and kept the look minimal with a pair of strappy nude heels, white nail polish and no jewellery

Lucciana's outfit featured a halter-neck design that plunged down to show her cleavage and bare tummy while opting for matching barely-there bikini bottoms with thin straps at the hips

She completed her look with a pair of mesh gloves, strappy gold and silver heels and her hair was styled out in bouncy curls.

For both runway moments, Lucciana was glowing with a bronzed tan that shimmered in the light.

The model is currently in Miami for the annual swimwear show, but she is usually based in London and has been recently spent a lot of time at her family's mansion on the Gold Coast.

For her next appearance, Lucciana strutted down the catwalk in a black beaded number

The outfit featured a high-waist, cheeky-cut bottoms and triangle top that criss-crossed over her chest

Both top and bottom garments featured silver sequined stars with tassels

Lucciana split from her ex-boyfriend Wes Nelson in July last year, according to multiple reports.

She had gone Instagram official with the Love Island UK star in January 2022, but they called it quits due to their busy schedules and long distance.

'While they did care for each other it became difficult for them to keep that connection so they split,' a source previously said.

She completed her look with a pair of mesh gloves, strappy gold and silver heels and her hair was styled out in bouncy curls

For both runway moments, Lucciana was glowing with a bronzed tan that shimmered in the light

Wes hinted at the break up during an interview on Capital XTRA.

'There's been a lot that's happened in my life over the past year and a half, including a break-up. That was quite recently,' he said.

'Look at me, still shining. Can't keep a good man down. I'm good with break-ups. It wasn't it wasn't like a bad one in that sense.'

The model is currently in Miami for the annual swimwear show
Steve-O left onlookers screaming as he jumped off London's Tower Bridge in a shock video filmed during his recent trip to England - and was later detained by police.

The Jackass star, 49, drew quite the crowd on Thursday as he counted down before plunging into the River Thames during his stay in the UK where he's currently on tour and shooting his third comedy special.

The star, toting a Union Jack umbrella, hat and London tee smiled before plunging off the bridge into the icy Thames, as onlookers shrieked.

He was then seen paddling in the polluted water as fans watched with concern.

Further video shows the star being marched away by police but still managing to plug his TV endeavors.

Say what? Steve-O left onlookers screaming as he jumped off London's Tower Bridge in a shock video filmed during his recent trip to England - and was later detained by police

Icy: The Jackass star, 49, drew quite the crowd on Thursday as he counted down before plunging into the River Thames

He was then detained and spent time in the back of a police car before being let go, according to TMZ.

Steve-O told the outlet that cops were concerned that the stunt would inspire others to leap off the landmark  possibly to their deaths.

Not one to be deterred by danger, Steve-O revealed that he also jumped off one of London's famous red double-decker buses.

He said that the bus jump ended up being the tougher landing due to the impact of the concrete versus splashing into the water.

Taking to his Instagram Story, the actor shared images of himself atop the bus with a British flag held up over his head.

He and his crew used a ladder to get him up there before he jumped down onto the ground.

Steve-O thanked photographer Mike Chudley for capturing the epic moment.

With all eyes on him, Steve-O took the opportunity to encourage his UK fans to snag a ticket to a taping of his comedy special, Bucket List, on Friday, July 14.

Brit banter: The star, toting a Union Jack umbrella, hat and London tee smiled before plunging off the bridge into the icy Thames, as onlookers shrieked

Oh dear: He was then seen paddling in the polluted water as fans watched with concern

Hmm: Further video shows the star being marched away by police but still managing to plug his TV endeavors

Steve-O showed off his stuntman roots while taking his tour to London this week

Big drop: London's Tower Bridge is pictured here

For both stunts, Steve-O rocked Union Jack, including an umbrella, bucket hat and an 'I [love] London' tee.

He's been doing stand-up comedy for over a decade, starting in 2010.

The beloved TV personality already has two specials under his belt.

Steve-O released 'Guilty As Charged' on Showtime in 2016 and 'Gnarly' premiered in 2020.

But he is most recognized for appearing on MTV's stunt show Jackass with the likes of Johnny Knoxville and Bam Margera.

Steve-O is currently on his Bucket List tour, which kicked off in the United States in January.

His first U.S. how was held in January 11 in Cheyenne, Wyoming and it was supposed to wrap on February 5 in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Not one to be deterred by danger, Steve-O revealed that he also jumped off one of London's famous red double-decker buses

Success: He and his crew used a ladder to get him up there before he jumped down onto the concrete

Funnyman: Steve-O is filming his third comedy special, Bucket List, in London on July 14

Steve-O is incredibly excited to be taking his comedy to the UK

But Steve-O recently announced that he will be taking a 'final run down the east coast' in order so he can say he performed a comedy show in all 50 states.

Steve-O is incredibly excited to be taking his comedy to the UK.

He has five more shows  including in Birmingham and London  until he flies back to the United States.

Earlier this week, the MTV alum shared a look at the hoards of fans outside his tour bus as he arrived in Manchester.

'The scene outside of my tour bus in Manchester last night was really something else!' captioned Steve-O.

'This UK tour is so much fun, I could not be more thrilled to be taping my Bucket List special in London I'll see you there!!!'
Margot Robbie nailed yet another quintessentially pink Barbie look as she and Ryan Gosling attended the premiere of the upcoming film in Juarez, Mexico, on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Australian actress fully immersed herself into the iconic doll character, rocking the exact same look of the Earring Magic Barbie toy, released circa 1991.

The blonde beauty accessorized her outfit with fabulous dangling silver earrings featuring hearts and stars, and a matching belt.

She finalized the look with matching pink pointed-toe heels and wore her blonde tresses parted on the side and styled in 90s waves.

Meanwhile her co-star, 42, looked dapper as ever in a pastel yellow suit, a skintight white shirt, and black loafers with gold buckles.

Barbie and Ken! Margot Robbie nailed yet another quintessentially pink Barbie look as she and Ryan Gosling attended the premiere of the upcoming film in Juarez, Mexico, on Thursday

She's a doll! The 33-year-old Australian actress fully immersed herself into the iconic doll character, rocking the exact same look of the Earring Magic Barbie toy, released circa 1991

As for glam the star opted for a delicate look, with just a touch of blush on her cheeks and pink lipstick on her pout.

Margot and Ryan happily posed for the shutterbugs in their complimentary playful looks.

America Ferrera, 39 - who stars in the film as Gloria - was also present, and looked chic in a black leather pencil skirt with a white shirt tucked into it.

She kept warm with a black blazer featuring shoulder pads on top and wore her black tresses in a braid.

There was plenty of excitement at the event, and at one point the actors were even treated to a musical performance and a confetti celebration.

Margot has rocked an array of dazzling pink looks lately as she continues to promote the film.

Earlier this week she looked incredible in two stylish pink outfits as she attended a premiere of the film in Seoul, South Korea.

She put on a glamorous display in a plunging pink shimmering midi dress, with a belt that cinched in her waist.

Staying in character: The blonde beauty accessorized her outfit with fabulous dangling silver earrings featuring hearts and stars, and a matching belt

Blondie: She wore her blonde tresses parted on the side and styled in 90s waves

Dapper: Meanwhile her co-star, 42, looked dapper as ever in a pastel yellow suit, a skintight white shirt, and black loafers with gold buckles

Bright: Margot and Ryan happily posed for the shutterbugs in their complimentary playful looks

Dynamic trio: America Ferrera, 39 - who stars in the film as Gloria - was also present at the event and posed with the duo

Think pink: The ladies posed against a bright pink sparkling background

Laughing it up! The ladies laughed it up on the pink carpet

All together: The trio posed for a number of shots together

The gown featured a mesh skirt and she completed the ensemble with a pair of matching heels.

Margot then slipped into a hot pink blazer and matching midi skirt, teamed with a neck tie and white fedora.

It comes after it was revealed that Margot was made to feel 'self-conscious' during filming of the Barbie movie last year, as fans would interact with Gosling more than her.

The pair shot the famous roller skating scene at Venice Beach, California back in June last year as members of the public watched on.

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Barbie film director Greta Gerwig explained how she found it 'fascinating' how fans and set visitors would act differently towards Robbie.

Gerwig, 39, compared the moment to Robbie's character in the film, explaining how in Barbieland there is 'nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed of'. Whereas in the 'real world', the essence of wanting to 'hide' is shown.

'When we were actually shooting on Venice Beach, with Margot and Ryan in neon rollerblading outfits, it was fascinating because it was actually happening in front of us,' Gerwig told the magazine.

'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, "Awesome, Ryan, you look great!' And they wouldn't actually say anything to Margot,"' Gerwig recalled.

Business chic: America looked chic in a black leather pencil skirt with a white shirt tucked into it

Stunner: She kept warm with a black blazer featuring shoulder pads on top and wore her black tresses in a braid

Natural beauty: America accentuated her naturally stunning features with just a hint of makeup

Adventures in Mexico: They waved to fans at the event

Big smile: Margot flashed her megawatt Hollywood smile

Pretty in pink: Margot has rocked an array of dazzling pink looks lately as she continues to promote the film

Cute: Margot signed autographs for fans with a bright smile on her face

Selfie: She also happily posed for selfies

Iconic: She was swarmed by eager fans who snapped photos of her stylish outfit

Interesting: It comes after it was revealed that Margot was made to feel 'self-conscious' during filming of the Barbie movie last year, as fans would interact with Gosling more than her

Different treatment: 'People would go by Ryan, high-five him, and say, "Awesome, Ryan, you look great!' And they wouldn't actually say anything to Margot,"' director Greta Gerwig recalled

Supportive fans: A number of fans also rocked Barbie looks for the event

Happy wave: America waved to the audience

'They'd just look at her. It was just surreal. In that moment, she did feel self-conscious.'

Last year, Robbie revealed she was left 'mortified' after photos of her filming Barbie in a mulitcoloured unitard and neon yellow roller-skates went viral.

Appearing on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the former Neighbours star said the publication of photos of her filming at Venice Beach with Ryan was the 'most humiliating moment of her life'.

'I can't tell you how mortified we were,' she said. 'We look like we're laughing and having fun, but we were dying on the inside.'

'I was like, "This is the most humiliating moment of my life,"' she added. 'I knew we had some exteriors to shoot in LA. I knew ok, once you're doing exteriors, you're going to get papped.

'There's probably going to be a little crowd of people who are going to take notice because we stand out a little in those outfits,' the blonde beauty continued.

'So I knew there was going to be a little attention, and probably some photos would get out there, but not like it did. It was like mad, it was like hundreds of people watching.'

Margot also recently revealed the secret behind her famous arched foot in the new film.

In the trailer for the highly anticipated comedy fantasy, Margot is seen stepping out of her high heels to reveal Barbie's feet remain arched, just like the toy.

On Thursday night's episode of Australian chat show The Project, the actress revealed very little went into getting the shot right.

'There's no special effects, you'd be amazed how few [special effects] there are in this film actually,' she said alongside director Greta Gerwig.

Margot explained it's her own feet in the frame, and she achieved the shot by stepping out of her heels and simply 'held on to a bar' so she was 'sturdy'.

A colorful journey: Last year, Robbie revealed she and Gosling were left 'mortified' after photos of them roller-skating while filming Barbie in colorful neon outfits went viral

Hola! Ryan greeted the audience while sporting his unusual canary yellow suit at the event

Warm welcome: The Barbie cast received a warm welcome in Mexico

Exciting: There was plenty of excitement at the event, and at one point the actors were even treated to a musical performance and a confetti celebration

Coming soon! The Barbie movie is set to land in theatres on July 21, with Margot leading the cast as the eponymous Barbie doll alongside her boyfriend Ken, played by Gosling

'We did put double-sided tape on the floor so that my shoes stayed still,' she added, before revealing she also had a pedicure prior to filming the scene.

IMDB synopsis of the movie reads: 'A doll living in 'Barbieland' is expelled for not being perfect enough and sets off on an adventure in the real world. A Live-action feature film based on the popular line of Barbie toys.'

Will Ferrell is playing the CEO of the toy company that may or may not be Mattel.

Other members of the cast include Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Emma Mackey, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Rhea Perlman, Ariana Greenblatt, Ana Cruz Kayne, Alexandra Shipp, Ritu Arya, Sharon Rooney, Connor Swindells, Scott Evans and Jamie Demetriou.

The Barbie movie is set to land in theatres on July 21, with Margot leading the cast as the eponymous Barbie doll alongside her boyfriend Ken, played by Gosling.
Anna Paul has previously said that she hasn't undergone any plastic surgery, as some people have speculated that her breasts are fake.

However, the TikTok star, 24, regularly gets cosmetic procedures, including Botox and fillers.

And on Friday, the OnlyFans model showed off her 'talent' after getting Botox in her chin.

Posting to her Instagram story, Anna showed the funny face she can make after undergoing the cosmetic procedure.

She captioned the funny selfie: 'Look at the face I can make with my chin Botox. Pretty talented xxx'.

Anna Paul (pictured) has previously said that she hasn't undergone any plastic surgery, as some people have speculated that her breasts are fake

The social media star, who boasts over nine million followers on TikTok and Instagram, has been travelling around Europe with her family.

While in Turkey, the OnlyFans creator was shocked to discover how common plastic surgery is.

While the country is known for its cheap cosmetic procedures, Anna, 24, was in disbelief at just how easy it is to go under the knife.

However, the TikTok star, 24, regularly gets cosmetic procedures, including Botox and fillers. And on Friday, the OnlyFans model showed off her 'talent' after getting Botox in her chin

When she arrived in Turkey last Monday, the TikTok star was bombarded with advertisements for plastic surgery clinics.

Anna said the wildest thing about these advertisements is that they are promoting last minute appointments for surgery, and they can be booked in just seconds by using a QR code.

Sharing a photo of one of these posters to her Instagram story, Anna wrote: 'Landing in Turkey and the whole airport is full of plastic surgery ads WHERE YOU CAN SCAN QR CODES AND GO LAST MINUTE!!

'Insane. You sure you don't want that nose job? Scan QR code'.

This comes just a couple weeks after the TikTok star shared the scary side effects she has faced after undergoing cosmetic procedures.

The Australian OnlyFans creator was shocked to discover a plastic surgery hack in Turkey

When she arrived in Turkey, the TikTok star was bombarded with advertisements for plastic surgery clinics

The influencer, who is Australia's highest-earning OnlyFans creator, has been open about some of the work she has had done to her face.

Taking to Instagram two weeks ago, the 24-year-old shared selfies after having 'so much filler' put in her chin.

'I got so much filler in my chin today it's not even funny,' Anna wrote alongside the gory snaps.

'But I love how it makes my face shape look!!! You can see all the puncture holes.

'P.s I look so serious because the bottom half of my face was numb and I couldn't smile.'

The 24-year-old shared photos of her face after having 'so much filler' put in her chin

The TikTok star then shared another photo of her chin, as one of the wounds started bleeding profusely

'Just as I posted this story I started bleeding again,' she wrote.

Paul then shared another photo of her chin, as one of the wounds started bleeding.

While many people have speculated that the influencers breasts are fake, Anna has said multiple times that they are real.

She also said that she has never undergone plastic surgery, and has only had filler placed in her face.
Jon Hamm plays a seemingly mild-mannered office worker who discovers a secret that alters his reality in the new trailer for the dark comedy Corner Office.

Hamm, 52, who recently tied the knot with Anna Osceola, plans a bureaucrat named Orson, who starts a new office job.

Orson discovers what he believes is a secret corner office in the building, which allows him to be more productive than ever.

However, co-workers insist there is no such secret office, as Orson's grip on reality seems to be crumbling.

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2022, and it will be released in theaters and on digital/on-demand formats on August 4.

Jon's office: Jon Hamm plays a seemingly mild-mannered office worker who discovers a secret that alters his reality in the new trailer for the dark comedy Corner Office

Secret: Orson discovers what he believes is a secret corner office in the building, which allows him to be more productive than ever

The trailer begins with an exterior shot of the office and the snow-covered parking lot, as Orson gets out of his car and sets his alarm on his way in to work.

Orson is at his desk when Andrew (Christopher Heyerdahl) places a hand on his shoulder, offering a word of advice.

'Orson, we try to think about the floor,' Andrew says, while nodding down as we see the snow melting off his shoes onto the office carpet.

Andrew nods again to a pair of paper towel dispensers on the wall, with a sign above them that reads, 'Think about the floor.'

'Of course. Naturally,' Orson tells a smiling Andrew before he leaves his desk, while Orson gives a glance towards his co-worker Rakesh (Danny Pudi).

Orson is seen carrying a box from the office, adding, 'I was used to being one of the leaders, in my last job. I was determined to build up the same position at work.'

Rakesh shows Orson how the coffee machine works in the break room, and then shows him how the blinds work.

Orson continues in voice over, 'Whenever anyone looked at me, I fired off a broad smile. A smile disarms your opponent, and makes them doubt their own enmity.'

Office: The trailer begins with an exterior shot of the office and the snow-covered parking lot, as Orson gets out of his car and sets his alarm on his way in to work

Andrew: Orson is at his desk when Andrew (Christopher Heyerdahl) places a hand on his shoulder, offering a word of advice

Shoes: 'Orson, we try to think about the floor,' Andrew says, while nodding down as we see the snow melting off his shoes onto the office carpet

Rakesh: 'Of course. Naturally,' Orson tells a smiling Andrew before he leaves his desk, while Orson gives a glance towards his co-worker Rakesh (Danny Pudi)

Leader: Orson is seen carrying a box from the office, adding, 'I was used to being one of the leaders, in my last job. I was determined to build up the same position at work'

Blinds: Rakesh shows Orson how the coffee machine works in the break room, and then shows him how the blinds work

Smile: Orson continues in voice over, 'Whenever anyone looked at me, I fired off a broad smile. A smile disarms your opponent, and makes them doubt their own enmity'

He continues exploring the office, adding in voice-over, 'I stuck to my schedule, when I first discovered... the room.'

Orson opens a strange door he seemingly hasn't seen before, and opens it, finding a rather spacious and luxurious office.

'There was something special about this place,' he says in voice over, while asking Mitchell (Bill Marchant), 'Answer me truthfully. What is this room for?'

A confused Mitchell tells Orson, 'Don't drag me into this,' while Orson tells a female co-worker, 'I found a secret room and when I work in there, I'm able to do anything.'

The co-worker is confused as Orson tries to explain, 'It's just that most people aren't able to see it.'

Carol (Allison Riley) is seen watching Orson, while the other female co-worker asks if he's on drugs.

It's revealed that, while Orson thinks he's in a spacious new office, he's actually just standing in a hallway, as Rakesh asks him, 'What are you doing when you stand like that?'

'What are you talking about?' Orson replies, as co-workers are seen whispering saying what Orson is doing is, 'very strange.'

Secret office: Orson opens a strange door he seemingly hasn't seen before, and opens it, finding a rather spacious and luxurious office

Answer me: 'There was something special about this place,' he says in voice over, while asking Mitchell (Bill Marchant), 'Answer me truthfully. What is this room for?'

Secret: A confused Mitchell tells Orson, 'Don't drag me into this,' while Orson tells a female co-worker, 'I found a secret room and when I work in there, I'm able to do anything'

Drugs: The co-worker is confused as Orson tries to explain, 'It's just that most people aren't able to see it'

A group of co-workers are gathered in Andrew's office, while a woman insists, 'If he's allowed to stand like that I should be allowed to practice reiki in the break area.'

Andrew makes it clear, 'There is no room, Orson,' as Orson tells his co-workers, 'Didn't I tell you it was pointless to try and conduct psychological warfare against me?'

He continues telling his co-workers, 'You have secrets hidden in there that, for whatever reason, you don't want me to see.'

Carol tells Andrew and the others, 'He's mental. Anyone can see that,' while Andrew is seen flanked by security officers, stating, 'I did try to warn you.'

Orson is seen running from the security, as Orson sternly orders, 'I must insist that you stop going to it!'

He's seen dancing with a woman in a red dress (Sarah Gadon), who tells him, 'You're different from the other people here.'

Orson asks Andrew and others how long they have planned this out and if he was one of the original intended victims.

He's seen dancing with the woman in the red dress in an auditorium with snow falling inside, and when Orson is asked what he wants, he says, 'I just want to do my job.

He's seen running from security as Orson says in voice-over, 'I can view the world as something ominous, looming, or, I can choose to see the light. I chose to see the light,' as the trailer ends.
Kevin Jonas' wife Danielle has confessed that she occasionally feels inadequate next to her famous sisters-in-law Priyanka Chopra and Sophie Turner.

Both actresses have achieved global notoriety, Sophie in the cast of Game Of Thrones and Priyanka as a Bollywood superstar turned Hollywood actress.

Danielle meanwhile was a hairdresser before taking up with Kevin, and during their marriage the couple briefly starred on a reality show that lasted two seasons.

She candidly discussed her insecurities when she and Kevin appeared on a recent episode of the podcast LadyGang.

Having found herself 'out there' 'celebrity-wise' because of her marriage, Danielle admitted that 'when Im with the other girls, I feel just less than sometimes.'

Family photo: Kevin Jonas' wife Danielle (right) has confessed that she occasionally feels inadequate next to her famous sisters-in-law Priyanka Chopra (left) and Sophie Turner (center)

Dynamic duo: Danielle candidly discussed her insecurities when she and Kevin appeared on a recent episode of the podcast LadyGang; the couple are pictured in May

During the interview she reflected on the process of 'finding like my place in' the mad whirl of her husband's fame and touring schedule.

She noted that 'the two boys married somebody who, they're actresses. They're out there. They're - everyone knows them, and I feel like: "I'm Danielle," you know?'

Danielle confessed that 'it's hard,' and that she is 'trying to find my place' among her constellation of celebrity family members.

'Also that like I'm out there, like you, like celebrity-wise, because I've married you,' she noted to Kevin: 'and that's where like it's like: "Oh, I wanna have something else to my name to so that it feels, I don't know....'

'More than?' Kevin offered, to which Danielle said: 'More than, or like the other girls, 'cause then when I'm with the other girls I feel just less than sometimes.'

Kevin, who is the oldest of the famous Jonas Brothers, was also the first to get married, going down the aisle with Danielle on Long Island in 2009.

She integrated herself fully into his swirling showbiz life, making a home with him on what Kevin revealed they had designated as 'our own little tour bus.'

He told Glamour: 'For me and Danielle, it's been our little house with Dani setting it up. Not many people get to do that, and we did so it was pretty great.'

Side by side: Nick Jonas tied the knot with Priyanka during a three-day extravaganza of high-octane functions at a formerly royal palace in Rajasthan in 2018; pictured this April

Terrific: Joe Jonas and Sophie got married in Las Vegas on May Day 2019, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator after attending the Billboard Music Awards; pictured last year

They have since welcomed two daughters into the world together - a nine-year-old called Alena and a five-year-old called Valentina.

Back in 2012, Danielle flirted with TV fame on a short-lived reality series called Married To Jonas that followed the ups and downs of her relationship with Kevin.

Nick Jonas tied the knot with Priyanka during a three-day extravaganza of high-octane functions at a formerly royal palace in Rajasthan at the end of 2018.

Their Christian and Hindu nuptials were followed by a globetrotting array of receptions that swept them from New Delhi to Bombay to North Carolina.

They welcomed their daughter Malti via surrogate last year, and after her premature birth the baby spent 100 days in neonatal intensive care before arriving home.

Joe Jonas and Sophie got married in Las Vegas on May Day 2019, exchanging vows in front of an Elvis impersonator after attending the Billboard Music Awards.

They had a larger wedding in France later that year, and the following July during the coronavirus lockdowns Sophie delivered their daughter Willa.

The couple had another baby girl last year, but have yet to disclose her name and have assiduously kept both children's faces off of social media.
Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson is engaged to her boyfriend Brandon Davis, who is an oil heir and mid-2000s party boy.

The actress, 33  who has dated the likes of rapper G-Eazy and model Cara Delevingne  shared the news by flashing her giant diamond engagement ring on Instagram.

As per her Stories, Brandon, 43, proposed to Ashley over a romantic dinner date.

He called her the 'love of my life' in a post on his Instagram Story while Ashley wrote: 'My best frienddddd I love you' in response.

The couple were first romantically linked in January but have been in the same Hollywood circle for years.

Congrats! Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson is engaged to her music manager boyfriend Brandon Davis; seen in January

'They have a lot of mutual friends and are both super fun and very social people,' a source told PEOPLE in February.

Brandon is the grandson of the late oil tycoon Marvin Davis, a billionaire who owned such eye-watering assets as 20th Century Fox and the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Over the years, Brandon has been arrested for battery, cocaine possession and a DUI and has been in treatment for substance abuse twice.

He briefly dated Paris Hilton in the 2000s, and at other times was just a close pal who was often seen with her on the nightclub circuit.

In 2006 Paris was caught cackling on camera while Brandon launched into a scathing diatribe about 'fire-crotch' Lindsay Lohan, whom he said 's***s out freckles.'

'I think she's worth about $7 million, which means she's really poor. It's disgusting,' he sneered, wondering: 'And who would want to f*** her?'

The viral TMZ video marked the beginning of Paris' infamous feud with Lindsay, which finally came to an end only in late 2021.

Brandon dated Mischa Barton from 2004 to 2005, when she was 18 to 19 appearing on The OC and he was 24 to 25.

He was also linked to Brittny Gastineau in 2007, the year after he became a media sensation because of his jabs at Lindsay.

Ashley was last linked to photographer Sofia Malamute just a few months before taking her relationship with Brandon public.

Wow! The actress, 33  who previously dated the likes of rapper G-Eazy and model Cara Delevingne  shared the news by flashing her giant diamond engagement ring on Instagram

As per her Stories, Brandon proposed to Ashley over a romantic dinner date

The couple were first romantically linked in January but have been in the same Hollywood circle for years; seen in April

Ashley seemingly came out as pansexual in 2021 as she told Cosmopolitan UK that 'it's about who I connect with, not gender.'

'I usually keep my relationships private. You obviously can't help if you get photographed together,' she added.

Her relationship with British runway maven Cara is considered her most publicized and adored by fans.

Ashley and the 30-year-old beauty sparked romance rumors in 2018.

They met on the set of Her Smell where they portrayed lovers Cassie and Roxie in nineties riot grrrl band Akergirls.

It's been rumored that Cara is the 'first' girl that Ashley had ever dated.

They mostly kept their relationship out of the public eye and made rare event appearances.

But in May 2019, Ashley and Cara went viral after they were photographed hauling a leather sex bench into their West Hollywood home.

It gave curious fans some insight into their racy love life as they revealed their extremely saucy purchase in photos obtained by DailyMail.com.

Lovers: Ashley's two-year romance with model Cara Delevingne was her most publicized; seen in 2019

Iconic: In May 2019, Ashley and Cara went viral after they were photographed hauling a leather sex bench into their West Hollywood home (pictured)

End of an era: Cara and Ashley put on a loved-up display while attending Milan Fashion Week in February 2020 (pictured) but they broke-up just a few months later in May

That same month, Ashley was spotted hanging with G-Eazy and they became an on/off item for two years

Fling: She briefly dated Glee hunk Chord Overstreet in 2012 after attending the Teen Choice Awards together (pictured)

Good times: After Chord, Ashley found herself in the throws of an on/off three-year romance with Justin Bieber's close pal Ryan Good; seen in 2015

Nothing official: She was also rumored to have had a secret romance with her Pretty Little Liars co-star but he told Teen Vogue that they 'never officially dated'

Cara and Ashley put on a loved-up display while attending Milan Fashion Week in February 2020 but they broke-up just a few months later in May.

That same month, Ashley was spotted hanging with G-Eazy and subsequently 'liked' an Instagram post confirming to fans that she and Cara were done.

She and G-Eazy had connected while working on music together in quarantine.

After engagement speculation and G-Eazy publicly declaring his 'love' for Ashley, they parted ways in February 2021.

They reconciled the following year and a source told Us Weekly that Ashley and G-Eazy 'like to keep their relationship private.'

Their finite split came sometime in 2022.

After becoming a teen queen of Pretty Little Liars in the mid-2010s, Ashley found herself linked to a number of eligible bachelors.

She briefly dated Glee hunk Chord Overstreet in 2012 after attending the Teen Choice Awards together.

Socialite: He briefly dated Paris Hilton in the 2000s, and at other times was just a close pal who was often seen with her on the nightclub circuit; pictured with Paris and Nicky Hilton in 2006

Actress: Brandon dated Mischa Barton from 2004 to 2005, when she was 18 to 19 appearing on The OC and he was 24 to 25; seen in 2004

Brandon is the grandson of the late oil tycoon Marvin Davis, a billionaire who owned such eye-watering assets as 20th Century Fox and the Beverly Hills Hotel; seen with Nicky Hilton seen in 2003

After Chord, Ashley found herself in the throws of an on/off three-year romance with Justin Bieber's close pal Ryan Good.

They called it quits in 2015.

She was also rumored to have had a secret romance with her Pretty Little Liars co-star but he told Teen Vogue that they 'never officially dated.'

He did admit that 'sometimes the lines blurred a little' while navigating life as co-workers and close pals.

The actor continued: 'We had periods when we felt more for each other, but ultimately we're good buds. For the most part, those rumors made us laugh.'
Lizzie Cundy put on a leggy display as she was spotted looking stylish and summery in Soho on Thursday.

The 55-year-old seemed to strut down the street as she wore a very short pair of tweed white, black and blue shorts, carrying the matching blazer jacket in her hands.

The socialite flashed her shoulders as she paired the short with a baby blue ruched Bardot top for the summer weather.

Her golden locks fell naturally down her back as she complemented the outfit with a pair of red heels and large Chanel sunglasses.

The star had enjoyed lunch at Little Italy in Soho with pals from Concorde Media as she smiled in a sweet group photo on her Instagram Story.

Legs for days: Lizzie Cundy, 55, put on a VERY leggy display and flashed her shoulders while out in Soho on Thursday while wearing a tweed short suit

Strutting her stuff: The 55-year-old wowed in a very short pair of tweed white, black and blue shorts as she carried the matching blazer jacket in her hands

Busy calling: The socialite was pictured on the phone as she flashed her shoulders in a baby blue ruched Bardot top perfect for the summer weather

The pictures come after Lizzie showed off her incredible figure in a bikini snap to celebrate the July.

Taking to her Instagram the former wife of Jason Cundy relaxed outside in a skimpy red and white striped bikini with navy strings.

Donning the colours of the American flag the star captioned the post 'Happy 4th of July to all my American friends and family! Whatever you do today make sure its red, white and blue!'

In June, Lizzie showed her support for the Miss England pageant show as they made the decision to reintroduce the controversial bikini round.

Sharing another gorgeous bikini snap with her followers the TV personality wrote: 'The bikini is back! Im celebrating the bikini being back in the Miss England pageant! As a judge of this beauty pageant Im so delighted!'

The beauty competition is looking to reintroduce the bikini parade on stage for the first time since 2002 - despite other competitions continuing to scrap such rounds.

But Lizzie has expressed her full support for the round.

'If you dont like this competition dont watch it ! Heres to positive women doing what they want to do in life,' she wrote.

Party in the USA: Lizzie showed off her incredible figure as she donned the colours of the American flag to celebrate the 4th July

Out for lunch: The star enjoyed lunch at Little Italy in Soho with pals from Concorde Media as she smiled in a sweet group photo on her Instagram Story

Bombshell! Lizzie Cundy sent temperatures soaring as she displayed her ample cleavage in support of the Miss England pageant bikini round (pictured on her Instagram in June)

It comes after Good Morning Britain hosted a heated debate in June over whether Miss England should bring back its controversial bikini round.

To discuss the issue, Good Morning Britain's hosts, Dan Shepphard and Susanna Reid welcomed the pageant's director Angie Beasley and journalist Flora Gill.

While she was the one who decided to scrap the bikini parade when she got charge of the contest in 2002, Angie was arguing in favour of the round's come-back, while Flora said the move was 'backwards'.

She claimed the pageant's director was 'disingenuous' to argue that the bikinis would empower women.
Ioan Gruffudd, 49, and his girlfriend Bianca Wallace, 30, looked happy and relaxed as they stepped out for a dog walk in LA on Wednesday.

The couple enjoyed a trip to the park with their dog Bubba where they brought a blanket and ball and reclined on the floor, in the wake of the news that the actor has officially divorced from his wife Alice Evans.

On Tuesday, DailyMail.com revealed the news that their divorce proceedings had finalised two years after announcing their split following 14 years of marriage.

In a court order at the LA Superior Court on Monday, Judge Josh Freeman Stinn finally granted Gruffudd's request for divorce amid their ongoing custody battle.

Shirking his dramas, Ioan appeared determined to move on after the news as he embarked on his day out with his actress girlfriend, who has been hurtled into the centre of the acrimonious since news first went public

Chilled out: Ioan Gruffudd, 49, and his girlfriend Bianca Wallace, 30, looked happy and relaxed as they stepped out for a dog walk in LA on Wednesday

On the up: The couple enjoyed a trip to the park with their dog Bubba where they brought a blanket and ball and reclined on the floor, in the wake of the news that the actor has officially divorced from his wife Alice Evans

Relaxed: Shirking his dramas, Ioan appeared determined to move on after the news as he embarked on his day out with his actress girlfriend, who has been hurtled into the centre of the acrimonious since news first went public

Here they are: The duo have been a couple since meeting on the set of his drama Harrow

The Welsh actor had filed for bifurcation and termination of marital status on May 18 which would allow him and Evans to be declared legally divorced even as they continue settlement negotiations in their split.

An order obtained by DailyMail.com show the judge approved the request on July 3, ruling: 'The Court finds irreconcilable differences have arisen in the marriage and grants judgment for the dissolution of marriage as to status only, effective today.'

While the move means Gruffudd and Evans are now officially ex-husband and ex-wife, it's likely the pair's bitter legal battle is far from over.

The couple  who met while co-starring in the 2000 Disney film 102 Dalmatians  are continuing to thrash out the arrangements for both their divorce and custody of their daughters, Ella, 13 and Elsie, nine.

The latest saga has seen Gruffudd sensationally accuse his ex-wife of setting up fake Twitter accounts to brand him and his new girlfriend Bianca 'child abusers' after daughter Ella applied for a temporary restraining order against Gruffudd and Wallace, 30.

Gruffudd filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after Evans claimed on social media that her husband of 14 years was walking out on her and their two daughters.

The actress tweeted at the time: 'Sad news. My beloved husband/soulmate of 20 years, Ioan Gruffudd, has announced he is to leave his family, starting next week.

'Me and our young daughters girls are very confused and sad. We haven't been given a reason except that he "no longer loves me." I'm so sorry.'

Twist in the tale: The latest saga has seen Gruffudd sensationally accuse his ex-wife of setting up fake Twitter accounts to brand him and his new girlfriend Bianca 'child abusers' (the couple pictured last year)

The couple's split would only grow more acrimonious from there, with Evans making headlines with a slew of public statements and accusations against her estranged husband.

After months of pointed tweets and social media posts made by Evans, Gruffudd responded by filing for a restraining order, submitting 113 pages of unhinged texts and emails that had not previously been made public.

In his court filing, Gruffudd claimed he told Evans that he wanted out of the marriage in August 2020 and that since then, she had harassed him with hundreds of unanswered text messages, abusive emails and social media posts  many of which he included in the filing.

Having previously been awarded a temporary restraining order against his estranged wife, Gruffudd successfully obtained a three-year restraining order against Evans in August 2022.

Harsher restrictions were put in place by a US judge, including a ruling preventing Alice from leaking private text messages from their children.

In a court order handed down in LA Superior Court Monday, Judge Josh Freeman Stinn granted 'judgment for dissolution of marriage as to status only'

Evans appeared in court in February 2023 to answer two charges of violating a restraining order that was put in place by her estranged husband.

The warring former couple were scheduled to appear later that month at a custody hearing but Evans asked for a postponement.

In documents filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court on May 31, the pair's teenage daughter asked for a restraining order against her famous father and his girlfriend.

In the documents, Ella stated that she is 'afraid' of her father and accuses him of 'threatening to call the police on her anytime she misbehaves' during their visitations.

Ella filed for a domestic violence restraining order against her father following what she said was an ugly incident at their home, during which she claims Bianca 'slammed a door on her head'.

On June 24 Judge Freeman Stinn at the Los Angeles Superior Court turned down her application and also appointed a minors counsel  a lawyer appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child  to act for Ella and her younger sister Elsie.

It was the latest development in what has been an extraordinary domestic drama which has been played out in public.

Weeks before, Gruffudd had filed court documents that accused Evans of setting up fake Twitter accounts to brand him and Wallace 'child abusers'.

He also claimed that Evans screamed at him outside his Los Angeles home and called him a 'f***ing abuser' and 'abusive c***' in front of Ella.

Both are seeking custody of the children.
She's been living it up on a luxury holiday.

Yet disaster struck for Sofia Richie on Thursday when she revealed she'd accidentally given herself a black eye while out wakeboarding.

While she didn't specify how she got her injury, the 24-year-old model showed off her bruised eye in a series of snaps, captioned: 'Wakeboard: 1, Sof: 0'.

She looked in high spirits earlier in the day as she posed in a skimpy yellow bikini that showcased her tanned and toned figure.

She teamed the garment with a vibrant green sarong and donned a pair of shades as she looked off into the distance.

Ouch: Disaster struck for Sofia Richie on Thursday when she revealed she'd accidentally given herself a black eye while out wakeboarding

Beach babe: She looked in high spirits earlier in the day as she posed in a skimpy yellow bikini that showcased her tanned and toned figure

Sofia was also seen enjoying a helicopter ride with Charlotte Bickley, the Editor at Large at Daily Front Row.

It comes following the news that Sofia is in no rush to be a mom anytime soon following her marriage to music record executive Elliot.

'Theyre both still really young and they know they have their whole lives ahead of them,' an insider told US Weekly of the newlyweds.

Lionel youngest daughter tied the knot with her husband, Elliot in April.

According to the insider close to the couple, 'Theyre still getting adjusted to married life and it still feels so exciting calling each other husband and wife.

The pair got married in the south of France after one year of dating and another as an engaged couple.

The model was first linked to the 10K Projects CEO back in March 2021.

Sofia posted a photo of the two of them clad in face masks, simply captioning the image with a sunflower emoji and nothing more.

Painful: While she didn't specify how she got her injury, the 24-year-old model showed off her bruised eye in a series of snaps, captioned: 'Wakeboard: 1, Sof: 0'

Support: Family friend Paris Hilton reached out to send her love

Fun in the sun: She teamed her bikini with a vibrant green sarong and donned a pair of shades as she looked off into the distance

The social media influencer joked in a post in June 2021 that her boyfriend was, 'always late,' confirming that she and Elliot were in fact, an item.

Prior to her relationship with the music executive, Sofia dated Scott Disick for three years.

According to the 40-year-old Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, the reason for their split was due to an ultimatum Sofia issued.

'I dont want to share you as a boyfriend with Kourtney,' Scott explained during an episode of the reality series.

'And then she literally said with an ultimatum: You have to choose me or Kourtney.'
Kim Kardashian left her family dumbfounded after announcing that she had 'some very important news' to share - leaving them questioning whether she was 'pregnant' again.

The Skims founder, 42, teased the shock revelation during a group dinner - with a clip from the jaw-dropping moment set to air in the next instalment of their reality show The Kardashians on Hulu.

The streamer dropped a trailer for the upcoming episode, which saw mother-of-four Kim preparing to announce some huge news during the meal.

In the clip, Kim interrupted the flow of conversation as she revealed: 'Guys, on another note I have some very important news.'

Her mother, Kris Jenner, 67, was left open-mouthed in shock as her daughter stood up to share the announcement - while several of her family members exclaimed: 'You're pregnant!'

OMG! Kim Kardashian, 42, left her family questioning if she is 'pregnant' as she prepared to share some 'very important news' in an upcoming episode of The Kardashians

No way! The Skims founder left her mother Kris Jenner, 67, dumbfounded as she prepared to make her surprise announcement

Big news: In the clip, Kim interrupted the flow of conversation as she revealed: 'Guys, on another note I have some very important news'

Getting up out of her chair, Kim continued, 'I have to stand up for this one,' as she flipped her long blonde hair extensions.

Kim then screeched, 'I'm so excited! I'm so nervous' and put her hands in a prayer position as she struggled to contain her emotions.

Her younger sister Kylie Jenner, 25, looked notably unmoved while her other sister, Khloe Kardashian, 39, asked 'What are you doing? Are you okay?'

With Kourtney Kardashian, 44, and her husband Travis Barker, 47, stood waiting as Kim prepared to make her announcement, the clip ended with a glimpse of Kris looking shocked.

Although it has not yet been revealed what announcement Kim was preparing to make, it's not currently thought that the fashion mogul is in a serious relationship - and she has not shared any pregnancy news since the episode was filmed several months ago.

Kim has most recently been linked with newly-single NFL star Tom Brady - with insiders revealing that the pair were 'super flirty' at a recent July 4th party in the Hamptons.

According to a source, Kim and Tom, 45, 'were seen during the day on the beach together and again dancing at night' while both attending billionaire Michael Rubin's annual bash.

The insider added that Tom  who was previously married to Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen  is 'exactly her type.'

Kim has yet to publicly comment on the speculation about a budding romance with Tom, however she did recently open up about what it has been like to raise four children on her own as a single mom in the latest episode of her family's reality show.

Exiting; Getting up out of her chair, Kim continued, 'I have to stand up for this one,' as she flipped her long blonde hair extensions and screached: 'I'm so excited! I'm so nervous'

Errr? Her younger sister Kylie Jenner, 25, looked notably unmoved

What? Khloe Kardashian, 39, asked 'What are you doing? Are you okay?' while Kourtney Kardashian, 44, and her husband Travis Barker, 47, stood waiting for Kim to announce her news

Disbelief: The clip ended with a glimpse of Kris looking shocked

The reality star spent a chunk of the new episode at home with her four children - North, 10, Saint, seven, Chicago, five, and Psalm, four.

Earlier in the episode, Kim had broken down in tears while discussing the anti-Semitic comments made by the father of her children, Kanye West.

She revealed how protective she is of her kids learning about the things their father has done in recent years. Still, she admitted that her job as being a mom of four is the most important to her, as she spent time with all of her kids in the episode.

Back in 2020, The Sun reported that Kim, who is worth a reported $1.2billion, has a nanny for each of her children, with the staff members forced to follow a militant rule book, as laid out in a 'very thick' manual.

Kim adds in confession, 'I love my life with my babies. This week in particular has been so hard.

'Obviously, there's just times in life when things get really hectic and I think you just have to tune it all out and realize that being a mom and being really present is the most important thing,' Kim said.

She added how she is 'in the trenches', explaining: 'I am the one doing all the daily stuff all the time. I am just in protection mode of my kids and just try to hide everything.

Opening up: Kim opened up about raising four children on her own as a single mom in the latest episode of Hulu's The Kardashians

Kids: The reality star has four children - North, 10, Saint, 7, Chicago, 5 (left), and Psalm, 4 (right) with her ex Kayne West

'It's just hard for me to figure out like if they don't know anything, why wouldn't dad come over for dinner?'

'Why isn't dad at my things? That kills me. It's the one thing that gives me anxiety, because then I'm embarrassed if people are going to say something at a game or a function,' she added.

'Is it safe? Is it dangerous? I just don't know what to do. I've been managing it the best way I know how, because I want my kids to see a healthy dad, you know, it's just a lot. So I take it day by day,' Kim admitted.

Earlier this year, Kim sparked the ire of many fans after recently voicing her challenges with being a single mom.

She said that parenting is 'really f*****g hard' while appearing 'On Purpose With Jay Shetty' podcast, where she also admitted she sometimes 'cries herself to sleep' due to the stress.

However, many took issue with her 'complaints' and pointed out that the SKIMS founder has a lot more help than the average mom.
Popular American actor Patrick Wilson has filmed multiple movies in Australia.

But the 50-year-old star has admitted that he's relieved that he didn't need to head Down Under to film his latest flick, Insidious: The Red Door.

'If it were up to my children, wed probably be there right now,' he told the Herald Sun with a laugh.

' I got nothing but love for the Aussies but to be honest, as great as it is, I think going anywhere on the other side of the world for six months is difficult for the rest of your life,' he continued.

'I feel like Ive done that flight way too much,' the star finished.

Patrick Wilson admits that he's relieved that he didn't have to film his latest movie in Australia, despite 'adoring' the country

Wilson is pictured in a scene from Insidious: Chapter 2 from 2013

Despite his reluctance, Wilson admitted that he'd like to return Down Under one day for another project.

Since appearing in the first Insidious film in 2010, Wilson has formed a strong relationship with the horror franchise's Aussie creators, James Wan and Leigh Whannell.

Wilson is currently promoting the Australian release of Insidious: The Red Door, which is currently playing in cinemas across the country.

'If it were up to my children, wed probably be there right now,' he said. Wilson is pictured with his two sons and wife Dagmara Dominczyk

Reprising his role as Josh Lambert in the latest film in the hit supernatural franchise, Wilson also directed the spooky flick this time around.

Original cast members including Aussie favourite Rose Byrne and Andrew Astor and Lin Shaye are also back for the fifth instalment in the Insidious franchise.

Wilson shares two boys with Dagmara Dominczyk, famed for her role as Karolina in the HBO streaming hit Succession.

Rising to fame in the critically 2006 drama Little Children with Kate Winslet, Wilson has also appeared in the hit TV series Fargo (2015) and the horror franchise The Conjuring.
Russell Brand shocked fans last month when he revealed he was expecting his third child with Laura Gallacher.

And the comedian, 48, and his pregnant wife, 36, looked in good spirits as they were seen for the first time since the announcement was made.

Heading out for a day out shopping in London on Thursday, the couple stayed close to one another, with Russell wrapping an arm around his radiant partner's shoulder.

Laura put her burgeoning baby bump on display in a fitted white top that she paired with navy trousers and suede shoes.

The mother-to-be radiated with a healthy pregnancy glow as she went makeup-free on the outing and with her hair swept up in a bun.

Sweet: Russell Brand's pregnant wife Laura Gallacher showed off her baby bump in London on Thursday in her first sighting since revealing they're expecting third child

By her side was Russell, who kept things casual in a striped shirt and jeans teamed with a navy blazer.

The Get Him to the Greek star wore his long hair in a half up style and completed his look with white high top Converse.

Russell's outing came after he revealed they were expecting their third child on The Diary of a CEO podcast.

Russell, who is proud dad to daughters Mabel, six, and Peggy, four, gave a rare insight into fatherhood and at one point, broke down in tears.

Stephen told him: 'You fell in love and you've got two children. You've got a third on the way, around the corner. That's a very special love you have found.'

Of being a father, Russell said: 'It taught me there is a lot more important in this world than me.

'There's a lot more important stuff in this world then what I want, think or reckon.

'It taught me that love is real. It teaches you everything to become a father. All lessons are there.'

Delightful duo: The comedian, 48, and his pregnant wife, 36, looked in good spirits as they were seen for the first time since the announcement was made

Cosy: Heading out for a day out shopping in London on Thursday, the couple stayed close to one another on their stroll

Bumping along nicely: Laura put her burgeoning baby bump on display in a fitted white top that she paired with navy trousers and suede shoes

Stunning: The mother-to-be radiated with a healthy pregnancy glow as she went makeup-free on the outing and with her hair swept up in a bun

The TV star then became emotional and fought back tears as he spoke about a 'future he won't be a part of', which Steven quizzed him on.

Not making much sense, he said: 'Any old man, any old woman. My little girls, it's just so beautiful.'

The couple married in 2017 at an intimate service near their home in Henley-on-Thames.

Elsewhere in the interview, Russell spoke about his dark battle with addiction to cocaine, heroine and alcohol.

Last year, the comedian celebrated 20 years of sobriety after successfully tackling his issues with Class A substances and alcohol in 2002.

At the height of his addiction he had more than a dozen brushes with the law and spent three months in rehab.

Russell now lives worlds away from his partying heyday as he revealed he now wakes up in the morning, meditates, does yoga and has a green juice.

'It's probably only by the time I got clean from crack, and heroine and alcohol, that I'd been having an anxiety attack for my entire life,' he said.

'My life has been defined my addiction, and addiction is in part a lack of connection, an attempt to synthesize the connection between self, other and god.'

'My initial solution to feeling weak and disconnected and lonely and somehow silently brilliant was to try and become successful, was to try and become famous,' he added.
She became a fan favourite after finishing third on MasterChef Australia in 2014.

And when pastry chef Emelia Jackson returned to the reality hit for 2020's Back to Win Season, she went home with $250,000 after triumphing over her rivals.

But now the 34-year-old mother of two has revealed to Yahoo that at first, she actually knocked back the offer to appear on the show again.

In the new interview, published on Friday, Emelia explained that she told the MasterChef producers 'no' initially, because she had her pastry business to look after.

It was only when another contestant pulled out that the producers managed to convince Emelia to return to MasterChef for the Back to Win season.

MasterChef winner Emelia Jackson initially knocked back producers of the hit series after they asked her to return to the show for their Back to Win season

When the pastry chef returned to the reality hit for 2020's Back to Win Season, she went home with $250,000 after triumphing over her rivals

'It was a really, really hard call for me because they were filming from January until June, and that was my peak wedding cake season,' Emelia said on Friday.

'I had built my business up to this really great business and I thought, if I walk away this is potentially going to end my business for me,' she continued.

'I'm gonna have to start from scratch and I'm gonna have to get new clients and work out all of that again.'

A skilled entrepreneur, Emelia is planning to launch packet mixes into the market while completing her second cookbook

Elsewhere in the chat, Emelia revealed the arduous schedule she undertook while filming her season.

She said that each night after filming she would run home to bake orders at night for her business.

A skilled entrepreneur, Emelia is planning to launch packet mixes into the market while she is completing her second cookbook.

In 2021, she welcomed her first child with partner Craig Gersbach.

Sharing a photo of herself cradling her newborn, the Melbourne-based pastry chef wrote in the caption: 'In love in a way I never knew was possible.'
She famously wore head to toe Burberry on an outing in the Noughties, marking the final nail in the coffin for the brand's 'chav' reputation.

Yet 21 years on from her sartorial gaffe, Danniella Westbrook proved that she still has a love of designer labels.

While enjoying a day by the pool in Turkey on Thursday, the 49-year-old actress sported a 400 white Louis Vuitton bikini bearing the brand's iconic print.

The skimpy two-piece put her hourglass curves and various tattoos on display as she larked around in the sunshine.

Danniella is no stranger to a designer label and was once credited with helping to bring down the share price of luxury British fashion house, Burberry.

Fun in the sun: Danniella Westbrook showed she still loves designer labels as she sported a 400 Louis Vuitton bikini in Turkey on Thursday

Throwback: She famously wore head to toe Burberry on an outing in 2002, marking the final nail in the coffin for the brand's 'chav' reputation

Light-hearted: While Burberry has seen a resurgence in popularity recently, with millennials embracing the once controversial print, Danniella hasn't been afraid to laugh at her blunder

In 2002, the famous plaid design was dubbed 'chav check' after it was embraced by far from A-list stars like Danniella who wore it head-to-toe on an outing with her Buberry-clad daughter, complete with a checked pushchair.

She also carried a coordinating bag and even pushed a pram in the same distinctive rainbow check pattern.

Danniella's fashion faux pas wasn't helped by the brand's increasing popularity among loutish teenage 'chavs' in the early Noughties.

While Burberry has seen a resurgence in popularity recently, with millennials embracing the once controversial print, Danniella hasn't been afraid to laugh at her blunder.

Sharing a picture of the famous outfit, the EastEnders star tweeted: 'Found this picture made me giggle.. I had such fun bringing down the Burberry share prices #Chavtastic #justagiggle.'

Danniella will no doubt be enjoying a change of scenery on her Turkish getaway after splitting from her jailbird fiance.

The former soap star announced last year that she was waiting on David to be released from prison so that he could propose in style.

And earlier this week she was pictured trying on wedding dresses ahead of what was going to be her big day.

But now it has been reported that the couple have called it quits after a seven-year on-off relationship.

Fun in the sun: 21 years on from her sartorial gaffe, Danniella proved that she still has a love of designer labels as she sported a 400 white Louis Vuitton bikini bearing the brand's print

Wow: The skimpy two-piece put her hourglass curves and various tattoos on display as she larked around in the sunshine

Careful: Danniella risked a wardrobe malfunction as she adjusted her bikini bottoms

Taking it easy: Danniella stretched out and relaxed as she enjoyed some me time

Stretching out: Danniella was seen grappling with the pool umbrella on her relaxing day

Newly-single: Danniella will no doubt be enjoying a change of scenery on her Turkish getaway after splitting from her jailbird fiance

It has been reported that David is serving time in prison for counterfeit goods and engaging in various physical altercations but will be released in September, just before her 50th birthday.

A friend of the star reportedly told The Sun of their 'split' which happened on Tuesday: 'Danniella was heartbroken last night.

'Both Danniella and David have decided to cancel their wedding plans and, it seems, their whole relationship.

'She has spent nearly seven years travelling all over the country to visit him but it seems the closer he is to coming home, the more the cracks are showing.

'They have both just changed so much since they first got together.'

The reported split came about fast as she was seen on Monday trying on wedding dresses.

She was a blushing bride as she slipped into a princess style gown with an embellished bodice and voluminous tulle skirt.

Last year, Danniella spoke about her wedding plans with David, who at 28 is 20 years her junior.

She said: 'I've got a big ring that was made for me, and I wore it into the jail and David said, "it was lovely but it's not big enough", so there is a bigger one coming.

'He has asked me to marry him but I told him to wait until he gets home. He asks me all the time, he even asked me at the jail. He didn't get down on one knee or anything but he's like, "we are getting married you know."'

The pair were previously in a 'tumultuous' relationship after meeting each other other in Spain five years ago.

Oh dear: Danniella split from David just months before he is due to be released from prison and days after she was spotted trying on wedding dresses

Yet despite their 'up-and-down' romance, Danniella explained to The Daily Star: 'We just stayed in touch and he went to jail early 2019 and he got 9 years 9 months. He's home next year though, he's got 11 months to go.'

The former Celebrity Big Brother housemate has been married twice before.

Her first marriage was to van driver Ben Morgan in 1998, but they divorced nine months later.

In 2001, the star married businessman Kevin Jenkins, almost four months after the birth of their daughter Jodie. They divorced in 2020.
Kylie Jenner has been wearing rings on her wedding finger a lot lately.

On Thursday evening the 25-year-old mother-of-two was seen flashing a gold ring on her left hand as she posed for close up photos in a living room setting.

The images, which were shared to Instagram, did not focus on her ring, but rather the semi sheer yellow top she was modeling. She pulled up the tank top to expose her toned tummy as she added worn-in jeans.

In her caption she said yellow may be her favorite color these days.

In mid June she flashed another ring on her wedding finger - a trinity model - when on a private jet.

Ringed: Kylie Jenner has been wearing rings on her wedding finger a lot lately. On Thursday evening the 25-year-old mother-of-two was seen flashing a gold ring on her left hand as she posed for close up photos

She sure wants everyone to see that ring: The images, which were shared to Instagram, did not focus on her ring, but rather the yellow top she was modeling. In her caption she said yellow may be her favorite color these days

The beauty has been romancing Dune actor Timothee Chalamet this year.

In mid June she shared a collection of photos. And among the many snapshots, one stood out.

The cosmetics queen was sitting in her private jet - called Kylie Air - as she looked out the window.

The TV star put one of her manicured hands off to show off a ring on her wedding finger. It was an eternity trinity ring which symbolizes love.

Cartier was the first jewelry to come up with the trinity design.

According to Cartier, Louis Cartier, the son of the namesake founder, designed an intertwined ring for French poet and playwright Jean Cocteau.

The piece included three bands in yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold. This creation would become a distinctive code of the Cartier style of the trinity ring. The ring is often associated with a lasting bond.

Kylie and Timothee have been dating since April, according to several reports.

More on this look: She had on a semi sheer yellow top that showed off her bra

She loves her toned tummy! There was also a hint of her mid section as she pulled up her top

The mother-of-two, who shares daughter Stormi, five, and son Aire, one, with Travis Scott, looked ultra feminine in the modest look on the plane.

Engaging her 394 million followers on Instagram, she wrote in a caption: 'What a day.'

The post racked up more than one million likes within the first hour of being posted.

Jenner's long, lustrous, brunette locks were loose, falling down her back and over her face in some photos.

Ring of truth? Jenner shared a collection of new photos in mid June; in this one she had on a trinity ring on her wedding finger
Addison Rae was enjoying some down time this week.

The 22-year-old TikTok star was seen in a blue bikini that made the most of her figure.

The He's All That actress was on a beach vacation in Hawaii with her female friends.

Addison cheekily posed with coconuts over her chest for click bait as she showed off crystal body tattoos.

And she was also seen sun-tanning her toned frame while wearing her dark hair down over her bare shoulders.

'Hawaii,' she said in her caption as she named the hotel she was staying in: 'Thank you @1hotel.hanaleibay !!'

Sun goddess: Addison Rae was enjoying some down time this week. The 22-year-old TikTok star was seen in a blue bikini that made the most of her figure

Last week she was seen with Kourtney Kardashian in a series of cheeky photos.

In the poolside snaps, The Kardashians reality star, 44, showed off her blossoming baby bump in a hot pink string bikini, and the TikTok personality, 22, modeled a matching set.

The Poosh founder  who is currently expecting her first child with her husband, Travis Barker  captioned her post simply with an array of pink emojis.

In one photo, the entrepreneur had her hands in her raven black, chin-length bob and held her hair back while pouting sultrily at the camera.

At her side, the He's All That actress feigned a dramatic expression of shock as she gently touched the expecting mother's baby bump.

In a similar photo, Kourtney turned to the side to show off a better angle of growing bump and curvy figure.

While facing forward, Addison posed with her hands on her hips and her face in a relaxed expression.

Feeding time: The He's All That actress was on a beach vacation in Hawaii with her female friends. And she was also seen sun-tanning her toned frame while wearing her dark hair down over her bare shoulders

Shore thing: 'Hawaii,' she said in her caption as she named the hotel she was staying in: 'Thank you @1hotel.hanaleibay !!'

Pineapple dream: In this image Addison's shadow can be seen as she placed fruit on her head

Another image part of the carousel showed Kourtney and Addison at a different angle underneath the lavish pool shade in front of a flat screen television and bar.

Once again, the reality TV personality turned to her side and cradled her baby bump with both of her hands.

She threw her hair back with her mouth slightly ajar in the typical model expression.

In the same photo, Addison leaned towards the camera and scrunched up her face while pointing to her lips with her finger.

More visible in the photo, the social media sensation was seen wearing a white oversized scrunchie made up of doily lace on her wrist.

Later, the dynamic duo appeared to have moved to the pool to take a solo picture  in which Kourtney was seen laying to the side and lounging atop towels on a daybed.

Matching bikinis: Last week she was seen with Kourtney Kardashian in a series of cheeky photos. In the poolside snaps, The Kardashians reality star, 44, showed off her blossoming baby bump in a hot pink string bikini, and the TikTok personality, 22, modeled a matching set

Unlike the other snaps as part of the photo series, she shielded her face from the sun with a Prada denim wide-brimmed hat as well as a pair of rectangular shades.

Both of the socialites left their hair down for their relaxing day by the pool.

To showcase their radiant skin after a day of sunbathing, Kourtney and Addison appeared to be sporting makeup-free looks.

Previously, the eldest sister of the Kardashian-Jenner clan started becoming close friends with Addison after they met through Kourtney's son, Mason Disick, 13, in 2020.

Because Kourtney's eldest child  whom she shares with her ex-boyfriend, Scott Disick  was particularly interested in TikTok at the time and was a fan of Addison, they met up to make a video together.

Since then, Kourtney and Addison became close friends despite their age gap  which became a questionable concern on past episodes of the family's hit Hulu series.

The gal pals were inseparable for the majority of 2020 and 2021 to the point that Kourtney even made a cameo in Addison's film debut, He's All That, and they even modeled for Kim Kardashian's clothing line SKIMS together.

Since Kourtney started her romance with the Blink-182 drummer and has been busy keeping up with her family, however, the two have been spotted together less in the past two years.

Long-awaited reunion: The last time Kourtney and Addison were publicly spotted hanging out was in a photo shared by the official social media page of Poosh in March. The duo flaunted their friendship in a series of stunning photos posing for Kourtney's beauty and wellness brand

The last time Kourtney and Addison were publicly spotted hanging out was in a photo shared by the official social media page of Poosh in March.

The duo flaunted their friendship in a series of stunning photos posing for Kourtney's beauty and wellness brand.

The caption of the cute snaps referenced the hit Max anthology series, The White Lotus: 'Looking for the Mia to your Lucia?'

With their cute friendship snaps, they also encouraged other people to get out there and make new friends: 'Poosh the link in our bio for tips on making friends as an adult.'
Taylor Swift's Speak Now is finally out with the long-awaited album containing the track When Emma Falls in Love - leaving fans wondering... who is Emma?

Speak Now was originally released in 2010, but now Taylor has re-recorded it to celebrate the win of owning her own music after years of legal battles.

The album contains lyric changes to the original songs as well as six new songs, including 'I Can See You,' and 'When Emma Falls in Love.'

The latter has particularly grasped fans and rumours have sparked that it could be Taylor's longtime friend and Hollywood actress Emma Stone.

But Who is Emma? Here are the top fan theories of Taylor Swift's new song character.

Taylor Swift's new album Speak Now, the long-awaited re-release includes both old and new songs, with one in particular driving fans wild

Many fans believe the song 'When Emma falls in Love' is about her longtime friend Emma Stone - who endured a high profile relationship with Andrew Garfield when it was first written

Who is Emma in Taylor Swift's new song?

Emma is the centre character of Taylor Swift's new song and, as the title suggests, is about a girl falling in love with a boy.

The lyrics towards the beginning of the track say: 'When Emma falls in love, she calls up her mom / Jokes about the ways that this one could go wrong / She waits and takes her time / 'Cause little miss sunshine always thinks it's gonna rain.'

Which has led many to believe the song is about Emma Stone, and the 'little miss sunshine' line is a reference to the actress' 2010 teen rom-com Easy A, where she bursts out Natasha Bedingfield's song Pocketful of Sunshine.

Swift is yet to confirm who Emma is, but Swifty's are in unanimous agreement that the song is based on Emma Stone.

The timing of the song may also be a key hint, while it has been released more than a decade later, it was originally an unreleased track in the 2010 Speak Now.

During that time Swift and Stone had a close relationship and hung out publicly, even appearing together at events.

Despite Stone living in Los Angeles at the time, the two were spotted at events in New York, and fans have determined the lyric 'She's so New York when she's in LA,' as further proof of the character's identity.

Emma Stone and Taylor Swift have endured over a decade of friendship, they attended events and hung out together publicly when Speak Now was first released

The lyrics also appear to point to Stone and Swift's longtime friendship. 'When Emma falls in love she disappears, and we all just laugh after all these years,' the song seems to be an admiration towards her friend.

The two have been friends for the past decade, and Stone even attended the opening night of Swift's Eras Tour, which she recounted to Vanity Fair: 'I was lucky 'cause we've been friends for a really long time... so she hooked me up, which was very nice 'cause I know those tickets are impossible to get.

'She's a wonderful friend. She blows my mind. I mean, the amount of sheer stamina to do three and a half hours and perform 44 songs and to maintain the extreme energy of the audienceI've never seen anything like it.'

Is Taylor Swift's song about Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield?

Emma Stone began dating Andrew Garfield in 2012, the actor famously described her as 'like bathing in sunshine' and Taylor Swift fans think this is referenced in her new song

The two met on the set of The Amazing Spider Man and enjoyed immediate chemistry on-screen which grew into a real-life love story

Emma Stone also dates succession star Kieran Culkin before meeting Andrew Garfield, but the two kept their relationship relatively private

Another reason Emma could be Stone, is that her ex-boyfriend Andrew Garfield, famously described her by saying: 'She's like being bathed in sunlight.'

The lyric 'little miss sunshine' would therefore have a double meaning and lead many to believe the song is about Stone's relationship with Garfield.

The two endured a high profile relationship after meeting on set of the 2012 film The Amazing Spider Man, where they played the leads Gwen Stacy and Peter Parker. Their onscreen chemistry quickly grew to a real-life love story.

However, other fan theories suggest the song could be about her relationship with Succession star Kieran Culkin. The pair dated in 2010 for a year before splitting, and kept their relationship very private.

Since Stone has split from the two actors, she tied the knot with Dave McCrary in 2020 - both exes have maintained admiration for the actress, with Stone telling Vanity Fair in 2017 that the care he and Stone have for one another is 'unconditional.'

Fans took to Twitter to share their thoughts and theories of the new album and the mysterious 'Emma'.

Fans have took to Twitter upon the re-release of Speak Now and have posted their reactions to Swift's new song 'When Emma Falls in Love'

Some fans immediately thought of the iconic Easy A scene were the actress bursts into song when her birthday card plays Natasha Bedingfield's 'Pocketful of Sunshine'

The song is not the first time celebrities have spoken fondly of Stone, her ex-boyfriend famously described her as 'like being bathed in sunlight'

Most fans were in unanimous agreement that the song was about Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone's high profile relationship
Maya Jama has hinted she is feeling broody as she shared heartwarming baby snaps of herself attending her very first Glastonbury Festival.

It's never to young to start the Glastonbury tradition and it seems Maya Jama has been attending the festival since she was just a bab

The 28-year-old took to Instagram to share a collection of sweet throwback pictures of herself as a toddler attending her first Glastonbury with her mother and friends.

The Love Island host looked super cute as she wore a black and silver jacket with bandana wrapped around her head.

In another snap, she donned an adorable white bonnet summer hat as she chilled at the campsite.

Yet the snaps have suggest Maya herself could be feeling broody as she captioned the post: 'First Glastonbury with the girlies. Not gonna lie I cant wait to have a mini and bring them around festivals tied to my back.'

Ready for a mini me? Maya Jama has hinted she is feeling broody as she shared heartwarming baby snaps of herself attending her very first Glastonbury Festival (pictured with her mother and a friend)

Feeling broody: Maya is currently presenting the summer series of Love Island but told sources she was 'very, very single' (pictured in June)

Starting young: The Love Island presenter took to Instagram to share a collection of sweet pictures of her toddler self attending her first Glastonbury with her mums friends

Model Kyle De'Volle wrote 'RAVER FROM DAY ' and TV presenter Katja Mia chimed 'Omg can't cope with the cuteness.'

Fans also couldn't believe the likeness to her mother, Sadie, who Maya previously featured on her Instagram in May as the two danced together at carnival.

Matching together in military inspired co-ords, Maya brought her 46-year-old mum along to the festival as she supported her friend Oliver Kesi who was performing.

Sadie and her daughter looked identical as they both styled their long brunette locks down and danced in the crowd.

And it's clear from these Glastonbury pictures that her mum introduced her to the music scene young.

Maya and Sadie are reportedly incredibly close after Sadie gave birth to the radio DJ when she was 18-years-old.

Despite suggestions that the Love Islander presenter is broody, according to Hello Magazine Maya confirmed she is 'very, very single' so fans likely won't be hearing the little pitter patter of tiny feet too soon.

The stunner dated rapper Stormzy for four years between 2015 and 2019 with the rapper later declaring he has 'never loved anyone how I've loved her'.

I wanna be rockstar: Maya looked like a little rock chick Maya as she wore a black and silver jacket with bandana wrapped around her head (mum pictured on left)

Wow! Maya shared an Instagram video of her lookalike mother Sadie, 46, dancing as they attended a carnival together in matching military inspired co-ords

Exes: The former couple dated for four years before parting ways in 2019, with the rapper, 29, publicly declaring he has 'never loved anyone how I've loved her' (pictured 2017)

In May it was reported that Maya was back in regular contact with her ex, sparking rumours that a reconciliation might be on the cards, but Maya's representative declined to comment.

These rumours come after the star was linked to Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, back in February after the two partied together during the BAFTA weekend.

Despite the pair being spotted together on two occasions, a source from The Sun said it wasn't serious between the pair.

'The Leo thing got a bit out of hand. They partied a couple of times in London and New York but it never developed into anything more serious,' the insider said.
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Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson, 33, was presented with quite the rock this week during her wedding proposal.

Her 43-year-old boyfriend Brandon Davis - of the Los Angeles Davis oil family - gave her a huge diamond engagement ring.

DailyMail.com has learned that the ring comes with a hefty price tag.

Chris Arakel, who is the president of The Diamond Bank in Los Angeles, said the diamond is around 12 carats and is likely in the $1million range.

'It is a stunning classic solitaire ring that certainly stands out,' commented Arakel.

'It is about 12 carats, which is not a common everyday size.

'It has an elongated oval shape which is a big trend at the moment. The diamond is set on a yellow gold band and has four prongs securing the diamond. And it looks to have flawless clarity.'

Rock on: Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson , 33, was presented with quite the rock this week during her wedding proposal. Her 43-year-old boyfriend Brandon Davis - of the Los Angeles Davis oil family - gave her a huge diamond engagement ring

So stunning: DailyMail.com has learned that the ring comes with a hefty price tag. Chris Arakel, who is the president of The Diamond Bank in Los Angeles, said the diamond is around 12 carats and is likely in the $1million range. 'It is a stunning classic solitaire ring that certainly stands out,' commented Arakel. 'It is about 12 carats, which is not a common everyday size'

This will be a first marriage for both Benson and Davis.

The actress, 33, shared the happy engagement news on Thursday. She was seen flashing her giant diamond ring on Instagram.

As per her Stories, Brandon, 43, proposed to Ashley over a romantic dinner date.

He called her the 'love of my life' in a post on his Instagram Story while Ashley wrote: 'My best frienddddd I love you' in response.

The couple were first romantically linked in January but have been in the same Hollywood circle for years.

'They have a lot of mutual friends and are both super fun and very social people,' a source told PEOPLE in February.

Brandon is the grandson of the late oil tycoon Marvin Davis, a billionaire who owned such assets as 20th Century Fox and the Beverly Hills Hotel.

A source spoke to People in February and confirmed that Benson had started a relationship with the oil heir.

The look of love: Here the couple - who have a 10 year age difference - are seen kissing while at a friend's wedding this year

In step: The actress, 33, shared the happy engagement news on Thursday. She was seen flashing her giant diamond ring on Instagram

The insider added: 'They have a lot of mutual friends and are both super fun and very social people.'

The actress was previously linked to Cara Delevingne, whom she dated from 2018 until 2020. Benson went on to begin an on-off relationship with rapper G-Eazy that initially commenced in 2020.

The performers were last spotted in each other's company during an Oscars party that took place last year.

Davis was previously connected to Mischa Barton, from whom he split in 2005.

Benson and her boyfriend began being spotted on various public outings earlier this year.

The actress and the oil heir posed for several photos during a Los Angeles Lakers game that took place this past January.

They mesh: As per her Stories, Brandon, 43, proposed to Ashley over a romantic dinner date. He called her the 'love of my life' in a post on his Instagram Story while Ashley wrote: 'My best frienddddd I love you' in response. The couple were first romantically linked in January but have been in the same Hollywood circle for years. Seen in Las Vegas

A good fit: The couple were first romantically linked in January but have been in the same Hollywood circle for years. 'They have a lot of mutual friends and are both super fun and very social people,' a source told PEOPLE in February. Seen in January

The pair were subsequently seen in the company of Emma Roberts and her boyfriend Cody John during a double date that took place in February.

Neither the performer nor her partner have made any public comments about their relationship as of yet.

Benson previously spoke to Cosmopolitan UK and discussed why she preferred to keep her love life away from the public.

'I think it's best not to be over-exposed, and you can really protect your relationship if you're not exploiting it,' she said.

The actress went on to express dismay at the public's interest in her romantic history.

'The most annoying part is having to sit back and be quiet while everybody talks about you and you have to deal with it,' she said.
Ariana Madix and Lala Kent looked as if they were having the time of their lives as they caught up while filming a scene for their reality series Vanderpump Rules on Thursday.

The 38-year-old reality star, who was pulled into the series' 'Scandoval' over her ex Tom Sandoval's affair with their costar Raquel Leviss, and Lala, 32, were spotted with the show's crew at a Smoothie shop in Los Angeles.

She told TMZ that she is feeling 'happy' despite the trauma of the scandal.

Ariana may have been grinning particularly wide, as she had taped a clip a day earlier with Dancing With The Stars judge Derek Hough in which they announced she would be joining the long-running competition on Friday on Good Morning America.

Both VR stars rocked striking casual-chic looks pairing classy and sporty items.

Ariana traced her fit figure in a sleek gray Dynamite leotard that left her toned legs exposed.

Back at it: Ariana Madix, 38, and her costar Lala Kent, 32, beamed as they met up at a smoothie shop in LA to film a scene for Vanderpump Rules

She dressed up the bodysuit with a brilliant white suit jacket with wide lapels, and she ramped up the sporty elements with white, black and gray trainers.

The Lifetime movie star wore her platinum blond hair tied up in a high, slightly messy bun, and she accessorized with large black sunglasses, gleaming earrings and a tiny white backpack.

Lala opted for a more glamorous look with a slim black dress to cover her svelte figure.

The silky number was enlivened with a large white floral pattern, and she dressed down the otherwise classy ensemble with a cool pair of black, white and red high-top Nike sneakers.

Lala complemented her shoes with a small red patterned handbag, and she styled her brunette tresses back in a tight bun.

Like Ariana, she wore modest gold hoop earrings, and she blocked out the piercing light with stylish aviator sunglasses.

Lala sipped on a healthy bright green drink, while Ariana worked on a darker brown beverage as they sat across from each other at a small outdoor table that was shaded with an umbrella.

No other cast members from Vanderpump Rules appeared to join them during the scene.

Later on Friday morning, Ariana joined Derek Hough in a video to reveal she was joining season 32 of Dancing With The Stars.

The two shot the clip at the sandwich shop she co-owns with her VR costar Katie Maloney, Something About Her.

High and low: Lala looked elegant in a silky black floral dress, which she dressed down with black and red Nike high-top sneakers

Woman in white: Ariana traced her svelte figure in a black leotard, though she added a classy element with a white suit coat

She had previously been spotted meeting Hough at the shop on Wednesday, and they wore the same outfits as that meet-up, indicating that was when they shot the announcement.

'This season on Dancing With the Stars, we are going absolutely mad  mad for Madix,' Hough said at the start of the clip.

Then Ariana playfully jumped into the frame and added, 'I will be joining the cast of Dancing With the Stars this season!'

The announcement makes Ariana the first contestant who has been confirmed for the upcoming DWTS season.

'That's right! Say goodbye to the drama and hello to the dance floor!' Derek added after Ariana joined the video.

Then the two turned the bodies to face each other while keeping their heads faced toward the camera.

'Let's dance!' they added.

The full cast of DWTS season 32 will be announced on Good Morning America on September 13.

Ariana and Lala appear to have joined their costars to start filming the upcoming season of Vanderpump Rules earlier in July.

However, it's unclear if the other Scandoval participant Raquel Leviss will be back for the last round of drama.

Big reveal: A day earlier she appeared to film an announcement that she was joining Dancing With The Stars with judge Derek Hough at her sandwich shop Something About Her

Finally: It was first reported in April that she was circling a deal to join the long-running competition

The reality fixture, who was lambasted both by her costars and by social media users for her affair with Tom Sandoval, was reported in late June to be negotiating her exit from a mental health facility she had checked in to after filming the most recent VR reunion.

At the time, a source told Us Weekly that she would be leaving in '1015 days,' though it is unclear if she is still being treated there.

They added that she could also choose to stay longer if she wanted.

While at the facility, Raquel has also been negotiating her return to Vanderpump Rules, though it is not yet certain that she will be back.
Winona Ryder transformed into her iconic Beetlejuice character, once again, as she joined Jenna Ortega to film for much-anticipated sequel.

The actress, 51, sported Lydia Deetz's recognisable spiked black fringe while filming wedding scenes in Hitchin, Hertfordshire on Friday.

Reprising her role 36 years after the original, she wrapped up in a black padded jacket and a pair of Ugg boots.

Wednesday Addams star Jenna, 20, who plays Lydia's daughter int he upcoming film, was seen wearing a white tulle wedding gown and a veil.

She sported an edgy pair of white leather boots with pink laces to complete her bridal look.

She's back! Winona Ryder, 51, transformed into her iconic Beetlejuice character, once again, as she joined Jenna Ortega to film for much-anticipated sequel

Filming: Wednesday Addams star Jenna, 20, who plays Lydia's daughter int he upcoming film, was seen wearing a white tulle wedding gown and a veil

Jenna was pictured departing the church with co-star Filipe Cates as the crowd threw confetti on them.

Production for Beetlejuice 2 kicked off in London on May 10 and the cast and crew are already busy shooting scenes.

Filming for the wedding scenes comes after the release date for the hotly-anticipated sequel was revealed.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the sequel to the Tim Burton 1988 horror will hit cinemas on September 6, 2024 - 36 years after the original.

While Winona and Michael will return to their iconic roles, Jenna Ortega will also newly join Beetlejuice 2 to co-star as Deetz's daughter, Variety reported.

Justin Theroux will also star in a yet-to-be-revealed role. Production is expected to commence in London on May 10.

Brad Pitt's Plan B will produce Beetlejuice 2, while Mike Vukadinovich wrote the screenplay.

Nearly a year ago, there were also unconfirmed rumors that Johnny Depp  who recently returned to the big screen with French biographical drama Jeanne du Barry  would make his post-defamation trial comeback with the Beetlejuice sequel.

Costume: The actress sported Lydia Deetz's recognisable spiked black fringe while filming wedding scenes in Hitchin, Hertfordshire on Friday.

Original: Winona first starred as Lydia Deetz in the original Beetlejuice movie when she was a teenager

Sweet: Jenna was pictured departing the church with co-star Filipe Cates

Bride: She looked stunning in the quirky white and pink gown

At work: Crew members were seen sorting the actresses dress during the filming

Celebrations: The crowd was seen throwing confetti on the new couple

Underway: Production for Beetlejuice 2 kicked off in London on May 10 and the cast and crew are already busy shooting scenes

Production: Earlier this month, it was announced that the sequel to the Tim Burton 1988 horror will hit cinemas on September 6, 2024 - 36 years after the original

On set: Since the release of the original film, it has been over three decades of deliberations and attempts to get a sequel off the ground

Cast: It is not yet known if the rest of the cast - including Alec Baldwin , Geena Davis , Jeffrey Jones, and Catherine O'Hara - will be back for the Burton-helmed sequel

It is not yet known if the rest of the cast - including Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Jeffrey Jones, and Catherine O'Hara - will be back for the Burton-helmed sequel.

Robert Goulet, who played Maxie Dean, tragically passed away in October 2007 at the age of 74. It is unknown if his character will be returning and, if so, who will take on the role.

The original Beetlejuice film saw married couple Barbara (Davis) and Adam Maitland (Baldwin) die in a car accident, with their ghosts haunting their former home.

In a desperate attempt to keep their home from being taken over and remodelled by the Deetzes, they call upon the titular bio-exorcist (Keaton) to scare the family away.

The mischievous Beetlejuice then wreaks havoc on Charles (Jones) and Delia Deetz (O'Hara) as well as their daughter Lydia (Ryder)  who is the only one able to see the ghosts.

Since the release of the original film, it has been over three decades of deliberations and attempts to get a sequel off the ground.

In the 1990s, the cult classic was almost received an island-set sequel titled Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian.

However, the project was eventually shelved as Tim and Michael focused their efforts in the renowned 1992 action-adventure film Batman Returns.

Exciting: Earlier this month, it was announced that the sequel to the Tim Burton 1988 horror will hit cinemas on September 6, 2024, with Michael Keaton returning as Beetlejuice

Newbie! While Winona and Michael will return to their iconic roles, Jenna Ortega will also newly join Beetlejuice 2 to co-star as Deetz's daughter, according to reports

In the mid 2000s, another project almost came to fruition with Michael and Winona both expected to return for the sequel.

However, after continual delays and scheduling conflicts involving Burton, the project was inevitably lay aside once again in 2019.

Due to the critical acclaim and commercial success, Beetlejuice was adapted into an animated series that ran in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In 2018, the horror-comedy was developed into a musical that still occasionally holds performances on Broadway to this day.
Angela Bassett has proven age is just a number as she vacations in Italy.

The American Horror Story star, 64, looked gorgeous in a brown and white animal print dress this week.

The floor-length, tank dress hugged her curves as she enjoyed some sightseeing and shopping with friends in Portofino.

The How Stella Got Her Groove Back actress - who revealed she held Austin Butler's hand as he lost the Oscar for Best Actor race - wore gold sandals and accessorized with a large cuff-style bracelet and a black handbag.

The 9-1-1 star wore her raven hair down and straight as she took in the seaside Italian town.

Italian vacation: Angela Bassett proves age is just a number as she vacations in Italy. The American Horror Story star, 64, looked gorgeous in a brown and white animal print dress this week

The Black Panther star kept her makeup fresh and natural. In one of the shots, she wore a stylish black straw hat.

The What's Love Got To Do With It actress' Italian vacation comes just days after it was announced that she would be one of four recipients of the honorary Academy Awards at the 14th Governors Awards in November.

The Waiting to Exhale star became the first person to be nominated for an Oscar for a role in a Marvel movie for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

When she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress in January she released a statement to CNN saying: 'This morning is a little extra special in the Bassett-Vance household with news of my Oscar nomination.

'What has drawn me to each of the women Ive portrayed throughout my career is their strength, compassion, resilience and power.

'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Queen Ramonda is a character that touched my spirit because she is a mother and a leader who must care for her grieving nation as much as she cares for her family in mourning.

'Ramonda is a love letter that reflects and acknowledges what we women do every day.'

And in March just days before the Academy Awards she spoke to CBS, saying: 'Queen Ramonda, for me, is just, at its core, a representation of the strong women that I've had in my life who've raised me, of the strong women I see, my love for them, my appreciation of them.'

Jamie Lee Curtis ultimately won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Oscar nod: The actress will receive an honorary Academy Award for her stellar body of work in November

Stylish stroll: The floor-length, tank dress hugged her curves as she enjoyed some sightseeing and shopping with friends in Portofino

Out with friends: The How Stella Got Her Groove Back actress wore gold sandals and accessorized with a large cuff-style bracelet and a black handbag. Seen with publicist Jill Eisenstadt Chayet

Summer vacation: The 9-1-1 star wore her raven hair down and straight as she took in the seaside Italian town

Bassett has been married to actor Courtney B. Vance, 63, since 1997.

The pair first met in college at the Yale School of Drama and reconnected romantically more than a decade later when they ran into each other in Los Angeles.

The couple shares twins, daughter Bronwyn and son Slater, whom they welcomed in January 2006 via surrogate.

The twins joined their parents on the red carpet and at the ceremony for the Academy Awards in March.
Bradley Cooper is taking his talents to the world of podcasts in a new deal with iHeartPodcasts, the podcast division of iHeartMedia.

The deal was done through his production company, Lea Pictures, and is a multiyear deal to bring 'real people telling real stories' to audiences.

The Alias alum - who recently shared a story about parenting his daughter Lea - will be the executive producer for all projects under the deal.

'Sharing stories that inspire, motivate and resonate is one of the reasons I started Lea Pictures, and I'm excited to team up with iHeartPodcasts to bring them to life for millions of listeners,' Cooper, 48, said in a statement to Variety.

'Our shows will feature real people telling real stories, and we knew iHeart was the perfect partner to reach as many people as possible. I look forward to dreaming up more extraordinary stories together,' the statement continued.

New deal: Bradley Cooper is taking his talents to the world of podcasts in a new deal with iHeartPodcasts, the podcast division of iHeartMedia; seen in 2022

Sharing stories: The deal was done through his production company, Lea Pictures, and is a multiyear deal to bring 'real people telling real stories' to audiences

The Good Stuff podcast, which launched on July 3, is the first project out of the gate in the new deal.

The podcast is hosted by Jacob Schick, a Marine Corp vet and CEO of One Tribe Foundation and his wife Ashley Schick.

The podcast is aimed at showcasing 'individuals who have made a positive impact through their acts of kindness, successful careers, businesses and military service.'

One Tribe is dedicated to raising awareness and preventing suicide amongst veterans of the military, first responders and medical workers.

'Bradley is one of the great creators of our time, inventing and reinventing, again and again, how great stories are told - across multiple genres and formats,' Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Audio Group said.

'We could not be more proud and excited to introduce his expertise, vision and approach to the exploding podcast medium with this partnership.'

News of the deal comes after the Silver Linings Playbook actor spoke about parenting daughter Lea, six, during a video clip from an upcoming episode of Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge, which was shared by People.

'I mean you learn from your predecessor's mistakes and I'll make tons that hopefully Lea will learn from and then being rigorous with myself to grow,' he shared.

'To help unburden her with any of my bulls**t,' he added.

Executive producer: The Alias alum will be the executive producer for all projects under the deal; seen in 2022

Mr Bear: Bear Grylls in front of the Royal Military Academy

'That's one of the best things you can do for Lea, isn't it?' Grylls, 49, asked.

'And for me,' Cooper added. 'It's for me too. It just makes life much better.'

In the clip Cooper and Grylls were seen hanging off the side of a canyon in the Wyoming Basin as the actor shared that he wished his father - who passed away from lung cancer in 2011 - was still alive.

'Yeah, I wish my dad was around to enjoy more of it, but we all recognize how lucky we've been,' he stated.
He's one of the so-called nepo babies, the children of the rich and famous in Hollywood who have managed to follow their A-list parents into careers in show business.

But Jack Quaid claims he didn't realize just how unusual his upbringing and family were when he was growing up as the child of stars Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan.

The 31-year-old star of The Boys told People this week his childhood felt relatively normal because so many of his friends were from the same milieu and also had parents working in the industry.

'I grew up with friends who also had parents in the industry, so it didn't really feel different,' he told the publication.

It wasn't until he was older that he realized that even many of his friends didn't have the same level of privilege, as he had two parents who were both entangled in Hollywood.

Oblivious: Jack Quaid, 31, told People in its latest issue that he didn't think anything of his privileged upbringing as the child of Dennis Quaid and Meg Ryan until he was older; seen in August 2022

Nothing out of the ordinary: Part of the reason everything seemed normal was because his friends also had famous parents. 'I grew up with friends who also had parents in the industry, so it didn't really feel different,' he said; Dennis and Meg seen in 1999

'But then you grow up, and you realize that's a pretty unique thing, that not one but two of your parents are actors,' he continued.

'You don't realize that things are slightly abnormal until later.'

Born in Los Angeles, Jack went on to attend the K12 prep school Crossroads, which since its founding in 1971 has become a popular institution for the children of Hollywood stars and other high-profile figures.

It counts among its alumni Judd Apatow's Euphoria-starring daughter Maude Apatow, Transformers director Michael Bay, Jack Black, Zooey and Emily Deschanel, Jonah Hill, Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Maya Rudolph and Liv Tyler, among many others.

He showed an early interest in film when he presided over the Bad Movies Club at Crossroads.

After graduating, he attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for three years, before dropping out to focus on his burgeoning career in film and television.

He had an auspicious start in the industry with his debut film role as Marvel in the 2012 blockbuster The Hunger Games, and he reappeared briefly a year later in the sequel Catching Fire.

Rude Awakening: 'But then you grow up, and you realize that's a pretty unique thing, that not one but two of your parents are actors,' he continued. 'You don't realize that things are slightly abnormal until later'; seen with mom Meg Ryan in 2011 in NYC

He continued to raise his profile in the industry with a supporting comedic part in Steven Soderbergh's heist comedy Logan Lucky, which starred Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Riley Keough and Daniel Craig, who played his convict older brother.

He moved up to leading man status in 2019, starring opposite Pen15's Maya Erskine in the romantic comedy Plus One, and he appeared in the ensemble of 2022's Scream sequel.

He'll be featured in one of his most high-profile projects to date as the theoretical physicist Richard Feynman in Christopher Nolan's historical biopic Oppenheimer.

Quaid also proved himself as an able TV star with a main cast role on HBO's Vinyl, before bagging another leading role on The Boys, and he also voices a character on the animated series Star Trek: Lower Decks.

His parents' marriage was the second for Dennis  who had previously been married to Halloween actress P. J. Soles  and the first and so far only for Meg.

The couple found love while working together on the 1990 neo-noir remake D.O.A..

They were married from 1991 until their 2001 divorce.

In addition to Jack, Meg has a daughter named Daisy True Ryan whom she adopted in 2004, and Dennis has his twins Thomas and Zoe, 15, whom he shares with his third wife Kimberly Buffington.

Rising star: After his debut film role in The Hunger Games (2012) he scored a lead role in the rom-com Plus One and had main cast parts on Vinyl, The Boys and Star Trek: Lower Decks

Children from multiple unions: In addition to Jack, Meg has a daughter named Daisy True Ryan whom she adopted in 2004, and Dennis has his twins Thomas and Zoe, 15, whom he shares with his third wife Kimberly Buffington; pictured in 1998

He married his fourth wife, Laura Savoie, in 2020.

In January 2022, Jack told People that his parents were never a major source of advice on navigating Hollywood.

'They dont really give me advice. Ive never asked them, "How should I perform this scene?"' he said.

He also noted that their advice might not have been much help, as the way the industry works now is 'so much different that it worked back then for them.'
Advertisement

Margot Robbie has been looking like a human Barbie doll all year as she plugs her new July movie based on the popular Mattel toy.

The Australian-born beauty flashed a megawatt smile as she appeared flawless in a skintight Pucci-designed multicolored print minidress while at the Four Seasons Hotel in Mexico for a photo call.

The 33-year-old Hollywood staple added pointy pink stiletto heels and a light pink quilted Chanel handbag with a gold logo.

And dangling from her ears were oversized neon pink Chanel earrings with the double cc logo and rhinestones.

By her side was her costar Ryan Gosling who is playing Ken in the highly anticipated movie that opens July 21 in the US. Also making an appearance was Ugly Betty vet America Ferrera.

This appearance comes after talk that there could already been a Barbie 2 on the minds of movie executives.

What a doll! Margot Robbie has been looking like a human Barbie doll all year as she plugs her new movie based on the Mattel toy. And she did it again on Friday

Nice pearly whites: The Australian-born beauty flashed a megawatt smile while on the carpet south of the border

The Pucci mini dress used the classic 1960s-inspired print with colors next to each other.

The purse was from Chanel and was a small structured bag that looked like it could not fit much.

Her legs looked toned and tanned as she modeled classic pointy pumps in a shock pink color.

Her hair was worn down in loose mermaid waves as her makeup went on the light side with calming pink tones.

Ryan looked like he was in character as he showed off his muscles in a short-sleeved light turquoise button down shirt, adding slacks.

His sandy blonde hair was coiffed in a Ken style and he appeared to be spray tanned.

Also at the event was actress Ferrera. The 39-year-old Los Angeles native looked elegant in a nude-colored cocktail dress.

It was nice to see Ryan in Mexico because last wee he pulled out of promoting Barbie in South Korea.

However, due to 'inevitable circumstances', he was forced to skip the promo event. Warner Bros. Korea said in a statement: 'Ryan Gosling is hoping to meet with you through another opportunity.'

However, Margot and Ferrera (Gloria) joined director Greta Gerwig for the press and fan gathering.

Siren style: She appeared flawless in a skintight Pucci designed multicolored print dress while in Mexico for a photo call. The 33-year-old Hollywood staple added pointy pink stiletto heels and a light pink quilted Chanel purse with a gold logo

Seeing double! Here is Barbie in the exact same dress and heels giving new meaning to product placement

A Barbie pop-up opened yesterday in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, and will remain open until July 31.

Gosling recently insisted he laughed off being told he's 'too old' to play Ken.

He told GQ: 'I would say, you know, if people don't want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with.

'It is funny, this kind of clutching-your-pearls idea of, like, #notmyken. Like you ever thought about Ken before this? And everyone was fine with that, for him to have a job that is nothing. But suddenly, it's like, 'No, we've cared about Ken this whole time.'

'No, you didn't. You never did. You never cared. Barbie never f***** with Ken. That's the point. If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So your hypocrisy is exposed. This is why his story must be told.

'I care about this dude now. I'm like his representative. 'Ken couldn't show up to receive this award, so I'm here to accept it for him.''

Also this week, Robbie's body double has revealed what life was like on the set of the Barbie movie.

Emma Eastwood was first hired as a hand double for leading actress Margot - who plays the iconic doll in Greta Gerwig's new film - but ended up filming additional scenes filling in for the star and she's explained that even after two weeks on set, she still has no clue what the movie is actually about.

Closer look: Dangling from her ears were oversized neon pink Chanel earrings with the double cc logo and rhinestones. By her side was her costar Ryan Gosling who is playing Ken in the highly anticipated movie that opens July 21 in the US. Also making an appearance was Ugly Betty vet America Ferrera.

Barbie with Ken: By her side was her costar Ryan Gosling who is playing Ken in the highly anticipated movie that opens July 21 in the US

She told the New York Times: 'I was on this for two weeks, and I barely know what the movie is about ... [the production team] did a very good job of keeping the plot hidden.

'There were a couple times they said the whole cast would be there and it would be an important day, but they never actually gave me any details of what we would be doing until I was on set.'

She also recalled being asked to lie face down on the ground for an hour in a shoot that left her baffled and feeling a little tipsy.

Emma explained: 'When I got up, I literally felt drunk. I have no idea what that scene was about.'

She also revealed life on set was tough as she was often up before dawn to be on set for 6am and spent hours in hair and make-up getting ready to be Barbie, but she was thrilled to be given her own trailer, adding that she felt 'really spoiled'.

A little extra: Also making an appearance was Ugly Betty vet America Ferrera who was elegant in a nude-colored dress

Emma shared some pictures from her time on the movie on her Twitter page and shared her joy at being part of the Barbie experience.

She wrote: 'Had the best experience of my life and will absolutely never shut up about it.'

Meanwhile, Mattel is already planning a Barbie sequel.

The toy manufacturer's CEO Ynon Kreiz is open to expanding Gerwig's upcoming blockbuster into a franchise, with early discussions underway.

He told Time magazine that there is a possibility of 'more Barbie movies'.

Robbie herself is less certain, noting that while there have been talks, nothing is set in stone.

She explained: 'It could go a million different directions from this point. But I think you fall into a bit of a trap if you try and set up a first movie whilst also planning for sequels.'

Her best barbie looks so far: She has been wearing pink all summer it seems. Seen from left, July 3 and July 2 in South Korea and June 30 in South Korea

A home run: Robbie at the press junket and photo call For Barbie at Four Seasons Hotel at Beverly Hills on June 25

Kreitz noted that Mattel has a clear goal to create something that goes beyond simple being a toy advert, pointing to the importance of working with creative people like Greta and her partner Noah Baumbach, with whom she wrote the script.

The Mattel boss added: 'We're looking to create movies that become cultural events. If you can excite filmmakers like Greta and Noah to embrace the opportunity and have creative freedom, you can have a real impact.'

Emphasising the company's goal, Kreitz insisted the team are not focused on the idea of using the film to create more sales.

Barbie 2: There has been talk of a sequel to the Barbie movie, and Margot has added it could go in any direction

He said: 'It's not about making movies so that we can go and sell more toys. We've been doing well selling toys without movies.'

He noted that the firm is changing from 'a toy-manufacturing company' into one that is firmly in the franchise business.

He explained: 'The most important transition was from being a toy-manufacturing company that was making items to becoming an IP company that is managing franchises.'
The future of EastEnders has reportedly been called into question following the show's increasingly 'woke' storylines.

From climate change to Brexit to many other socially-conscious threads, it has been claimed that viewers are growing increasingly tired of the changes, while social media users have made their thoughts resoundingly clear.

Disgruntled fans took to Twitter to pen 'Never seen it in years.. they have all gone Woke!... Wokerdale and stopoilnation street are just as bad...

'The virtue signaling must be thru the roof these days with that #trash... EastEnders like all the modern soaps became unwatchable when they stopped entertaining & started educating'.

So what are EastEnders 'wokest' moments to date?

How EastEnders went WOKE: Viewers revealed they are tired of 'virtue signaling' storylines such as climate change, Brexit and teen pregnancies

Shocker: There was upset when Brexit was likened to Covid by Sharon Watts on the show

Changing minds: Viewers made their feelings known on the show's 'woke' nature

The show has seen an alarming dip in viewing figures over recent years

CLIMATE CHANGE

And in 2021 schoolgirl character Bailey Baker stood outside Walford East station and urged the residents to sign a petition for meat-free Mondays.

She said: 'Global mass-produced industrial meat is killing the planet is literally killing the planet. One meat-free day a week is one step to saving the world. You need to start local, and think global. Small changes make a big difference.'

Her message was later tweeted by the official EastEnders' account, which drew criticism from viewers including several claiming this wokeness was why they no longer watch.

In 2022 meanwhile, the show featured a special one-off credit showing a map of London's East End and the River Thames, bursting its banks.

Other parts of London then appeared under water, in what was a depiction of how London will look if action isn't taken soon.

The map zooms out to a satellite image of the Arctic, accompanied by a voiceover of David Attenborough saying: 'This isn't a reality now, but our future will be determined by what happens here.'

Soon after the storylines aired, fans took to Twitter to pen: 'In the wake of the storyline, fans took to Twitter to pen: '#EastEnders Keep climate change out of this programme. There is no escape from it!...

'They decided to bring Sean back and expect people to care about climate change lmaooooo #EastEnders... Nope, I found it bloody annoying. I don't want to be preached to about climate change, while watching Eastenders!...

Hmmm: And in 2021 schoolgirl character Bailey Baker stood outside Walford East station and urged the residents to sign a petition for meat-free Mondays

Changing it up: Her message was later tweeted by the official EastEnders' account, which drew criticism from viewers including several claiming this wokeness was why they no longer watch

BREXIT = COVID

Last year there was some upset when Brexit was likened to the Covid pandemic by Sharon Watts in EastEnders programme.

She threw a drink in rival Sam Michell's face and declared: 'We've had Brexit and Covid, we don't need you here'.

Following the scene, fans flooded Twitter in a rage - with accusations about impartiality from the BBC, saying the network is 'warping' Britain.

One viewer penned: 'CCS report: EastEnders portrayed a character equating Brexit & coronavirus Leitita Dean's Sharon Watts throws water in another character's face saying: 'We've had Brexit & Covid, we dont need u here...

'Likening Brexit to Covid! Outrageous politics BBC warping modern Britain... Just caught the tail end of Eastenders - never watch it but used to 30 years ago...

'Sharon was having a row with Sam (?) and said (rowing) "we've had Brexit and Covid, we don't need you!" Interesting take from the Beeb!

Shh: Last year there was some upset when Brexit was likened to the Covid pandemic by Sharon Watts in EastEnders programme

TEENAGE PREGNANCY

Back in March, the BBC was criticised for screening a 'sick' plot about a girl who becomes pregnant at just 12.

Teenagers were gripped by the storyline in which Lily Slater discovers she is expecting and decides to have the baby  with millions watching clips on the social media app TikTok.

In the soap, Lily's mother Stacey, played by Lacey Turner, encourages the schoolgirl to keep her baby, while the parents of the father  who is also 12  try to get her to have an abortion.

Lily, portrayed by Lillia Turner, agrees to a termination, but changes her mind just before she is admitted to hospital. Sources close to EastEnders say the dramatic scenes will continue with the youngster having the baby.

Enraged viewers wrote: ''What made them think this story line with Lily was a good idea it's f**king disgusting... Is EastEnders ever gonna start treating the lily storyline how they should or is a 12 year old being pregnant just all fun and cute now?...

'Stacey Slater spoilin that Lily with ice cream! Should be punishin er for not keepin er legs together if you asks me... Why are #EastEnders normalising teenage pregnancies? Lily and Ricky Jr are practically babies themselves!...

'Are they going to make Lily and Ricky an actual couple or are we going to see children try and co-parent?... Every single thing to do with Lily and this awful pregnancy storyline makes me roll my eyes. I just can't with it...

'Why are they trying to normalise lily's pregnancy sl stop like they are 12 yrs old fgs. Why are #EastEnders normalising teenage pregnancies? Lily and Ricky Jr are practically babies themselves!'

Shock: Back in March, the BBC was criticised for screening a 'sick' plot about a girl who becomes pregnant at just 12

Outrage: EastEnders viewers were left less than impressed during Monday evenings episode as they continued to 'normalise teenage pregnancies'

'It's sickening!' Fans were left 'disgusted' by the storyline and couldn't believe Lily isn't 'being punished' for her actions

LGBTQ AWARENESS

In 2009, Syed Masood (Marc Elliot) arrived on the show, battling with his Muslim faith and sexuality. He became attracted to chef Christian Clarke (John Partridge), despite his relationship with girlfriend Amira (Preeya Kalidas).

He later announced to Christian that he was in love with him  but feeling pressure from his family, he goes ahead with getting married to Amira.

Later, in 2019, the first lesbian Muslim character was introduced with Iqra Ahmed, played by Priya Davdra, arrived in Walford with her sister Habiba (Rukku Nahar) having run away from an arranged marriage.

Her family go on to join her in Walford - the soap's first-ever Punjabi Sikh family - and Ash reveals she is bisexual.
All the corrupt officials and businessmen who are involved in scams have good relations with the Chief Ministers Office (CMO). By uttering the CMO, people are assuming that it means Corruption Mobilisation Office, alleged the BJP on Thursday.

Businessman Jagdish Nayak, from whom Rs 100-crore black money was detected during IT raids, has personal relations with the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister had taken him to Japan and attended his business function, said BJP State spokesperson Anil Biswal.

Odisha has become the most corrupt State of India. According to the NCRB data, in 2019 as many 88 disproportionate assets cases were detected. In 2020, it was 93 and in 2021 it was 93. The State is number one in accumulation of disproportionate assets in the country. The charge-sheet in corruption cases is very negligible, said Biswal.
In order to prevent waterlogging issues during the monsoon, Delhi Revenue Minister Atishi on Thursday released the Flood Control Order 2023 for the Flood and Irrigation Control Department and the Public Works Department (PWD).

Announcing the flood control order 2023, Atishi said PWD has installed 128 pump houses which have over 700 pumps. As many as 11 pump houses are fully automatic and start operating automatically as the water level rises, using sensors, the Delhi Government said in a statement.

During the monsoon season, PWD will also deploy its mobile pump units if necessary. The desilting work by the PWD is almost complete and will be repeated after the monsoon season. During the monsoon, PWD's central control room will monitor the serious waterlogging areas through 24-hour CCTV surveillance, it said. In addition, the PWD will establish control rooms at 10 other locations. People can register waterlogging-related complaints, for which PWD will issue a helpline number during the monsoon season.

The PWD has marked 165 areas with water logging problems, and preparations are underway to address their needs and tackle waterlogging issues. The Irrigation and Flood Control Department said there are a total of 57 drains with a combined length of approximately 382 km. To clean these drains, 53 departmental machines have been deployed.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said Class 10 and Class 11 students being taught to use technology to solve day-to-day problems now is a good thing and added that it is something that did not happen earlier. He was speaking after inaugurating the Delhi Robotics League and HE21 Exhibition at the Thyagaraj Stadium.

According to a government statement, the Delhi Robotics League is India's first statewide robotics competition, conceived to enhance skills and competence among school students. The theme of the 2023 edition is Robo Kancha. Kancha is a traditional game, mostly played by children. The aim is to enable students to learn problem-solving by conceptualising game solutions, designing and building robots, testing, debugging and ultimately creating a winning strategy. A high-end competition like this has not been held anywhere in India before. Today, there are government as well as private schools that are participating in this competition. But the maximum number of students participating in it are from the School of Specialised Excellence. We can say that the level of education in the government schools of Delhi is much above that in other states, he said.

Praising the students for their innovations, he said they have tried to find solutions to real-world problems and called it the best aspect of such an initiative. To drive home his point, Kejriwal recalled how he could not fix his grandfather's ceiling fan despite studying at an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). I went to IIT-Kharagpur to study mechanical engineering. After my second year of college, I had my vacation and went to my village. One day, my grandfather called me and said his fan was not working and asked me to fix it. I told him I didn't know how to fix the fan. He was surprised that I was a mechanical engineer in IIT-Kharagpur and could not even fix a fan.

That is when I realised the disconnect between what we study in college and the real-world problems, he said. The chief minister also expressed his happiness that high school students are now researching and trying to find solutions to real-world problems.

I believe that this DRL (Delhi Robotics League) is a great initiative and will go a long way in finding solutions to problems that our country faces.
Five students and an Anganwadi Worker were injured when a concrete slab fell from the roof at Jillimunda Anganwadi Centre of Pedipathar panchayat under Athmallik block in Angul district on Wednesday.

As many as 23 students were present in the class when the mishap occurred.. The injured students were shifted to the Thakurgarh hospital by the locals. The Anganwadi Worker who was critically injured was referred to the District Headquarters Hospital.

The injured students were identified as Ananya Behera, Karan Sahu, Tapaswini Behera, Sairam Sahu,Milan Sahu, Shubham Bhoi , The Anganwadi Worker was Shubhasini Rana.

The Anganwadi Centre is in a dilapidated condition for a long time. The block administration was approached number of times for construction of a new building but step was taken. The local Sarpanch Bharat Sahu was also apprised about the incident. Locals alleged that the mishap occurred due to the negligence of Athmallik BDO.

However, the school administration said that no student but an Anganwadi Worker was injured in the incident. Efforts are being made to construct a new building.
Taking a u-turn, Delhi Assembly Secretariat on Thursday issued an order on Thursday discontinuing the engagement of 116 fellows under the Delhi Assembly Research Centre (DARC) only to state later that the decision has been kept in abeyance till further directions, following the intervention of Speaker Ram Niwas Goel.

This comes hours after the Assembly secretariat issued an order directing all such appointees to clear all dues and submit no due certificate without fail. In a related development, the Delhi governments finance department has ordered all the Pay and Accounts Officers to ensure not to release salary of these persons by whatever name, where the approval of Lt. Governor, Delhi have, not been obtained till date.

The order endorsement no F. 21 ( 2) 2020 /LAS/ DARC / 1276-1288 dated 06.07.2023 regarding discontinuation of engagement of fellow/associate fellow and associate fellow (media) is hereby kept in abeyance till further orders. This issued with prior approval of secretary (LA), Deputy Secretary Sadanand Sah said in an order on Thursday.

Hours before this order, the Assembly Secretariat initially issued an order saying the engagement of following fellows, associate fellows and associate fellows (media) under Delhi Assembly Research Centre in Delhi Legislative Assembly is hereby discontinued with immediate effect.

The move was likely to affect 45 fellows, nine associate fellows (media) and 62 associate fellows. Goel said his intervention led to the order being stayed as he was consulted on the matter in the first place.

The official concerned was pressured to issue the order but I intervened following which it was kept in abeyance. I will write to the LG about this issue. The engagement of these fellows is not a Services matter. They were engaged following approval from the House and the proposal was sent to the finance department, which had also approved it, he added.

Earlier in the day, breaking his silence over the termination of 437 specialists, fellows, assistant fellows, and advisors among others hired by the Delhi government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said stopping the engagement of specialists and advisers will completely strangulate the Delhi government and its services, and hoped the LG's move will be quashed by the Supreme Court. This will completely strangulate Delhi government and its services. I dont know what does LG achieve by doing all this? I hope the SC immediately quashes it, Kejriwal tweeted on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Controller of Accounts (Finance) LD Joshi in an order said all the Pay and Accounts Officers are directed to comply with the above instructions failing which action, as may deem fit, may be initiated against the concerned Pay and Accounts Officer for violation of the Constitutional Provisions on Reservation.

In a follow-up to the mass removal, the Services Department on Wednesday wrote to different departments and agencies of government to stop the engagement of persons as fellows and advisors without the approval of the LG.

The LG had recently terminated services of around 400 specialists appointed by the Kejriwal government.
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva on Thursday dubbed the claim made Delhi Finance Minister Atishi of increasing GST collection and giving new hospitals and schools to the national Capital as hilarious and misleading.

Delhi Government has no role in raising the GST collection as its collection is monitored and ensured by the GST Council of India. From time to time, it is the GST Council of India which increases or decreases rates of tax to motivate manufacturers and traders, and checks the theft of tax, Sachdeva said in a statement.

Like all other States, the Delhi Government simply gets half of the GST collected by the Council, Sachdeva said. The crux of the matter is that since the AAP came to power in Delhi many wholesale trader bodies have been contemplating shifting to NCR and its Delhi BJP office-bearers who have time and again persuaded them to stay in Delhi, the BJP leader said.

Atishi's claim of giving new hospitals and schools to Delhi is also misleading as none has been constructed in the last eight years.

In fact, Delhi Government has failed in even adding new beds in existing hospitals. As far as schools are concerned, no new school has been added in Delhi since 2013 and it is on record that 5 schools have been shut down by mergers. The Kejriwal government has only renovated some existing school buildings or added rooms in existing schools, he added.
A 26-year-old constable was killed and three other policemen were injured after being hit by a speeding tempo on the highway in Akbarpur area of Kanpur Dehat district.

The incident took place when the policemen were trying to help a drunkard lying on the highway late on Wednesday night. The drunkard, whose identity has not been established, was also killed in the accident.

Among the three injured policemen is a sub-inspector, a senior police official discloses, adding that the injured have been admitted to a hospital.

According to reports, Sub-Inspector Mathura Prasad, along with head constable Arvind Kumar and constables Saurabh Kumar and Vivek Kumar, was on patrol duty when he found a drunkard lying on the highway at Madhapur bridge. Additional Superintendent of Police (Kanpur Dehat) Rajesh Kumar Pandey said that the police personnel immediately jumped from their vehicle and as constable Vivek Kumar tried to pull up the drunkard, a speeding loader-tempo hit him and he fell from the bridge and died.

The other policemen sustained serious injuries in their hands, legs and waist and were taken to the district hospital from where constable Saurabh was shifted to Regency Hospital.

Vivek Kumar, a native of Saharanpur, had joined the Uttar Pradesh Police in 2019. He was posted at Akbarpur police station, the ASP added.

Meanwhile, police arrested the erring driver who was identified as Surendra Kumar Gupta, a resident of Delhi, and the vehicle was also seized.

After getting information about the constables death, top officials, including district police chief BBGTS Murthy, reached the accident site.

An FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 279 (rash driving), 304A (causing death by negligence), 337 and 338 (causing hurt by act endangering life of others), police said.

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old man, returning home after the cremation of his father, was killed and seven others were injured when their car crashed into a tree and overturned into a pit in Aligarh district, police said on Thursday.

Krishna Kumar, a grocery shop owner, was pronounced dead at the JN Medical College where all the injured were taken for treatment.

Late Wednesday evening, family members and relatives gathered in Rajghat, Bulandshahr, for the last rites. While returning, on Anupshahr road, the driver apparently lost control over the car in trying to avoid a collision with another vehicle, said police.

The car rammed into a tree and veered into a pit.

Station House Officer of Jawan police station, Shavya Goel, said: After the autopsy, the body was handed over to the family. No case was registered as Krishnas family did not want to pursue legal action.
POLICE SI HELD TAKING BRIBE IN JAJPUR

Jajpur: The Vigilance police on Thursday arrested an SI of Police red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from the owner of a seized sand-laden Hyva truck to release it. The policeman Nirmal Kumar Senapati is working in the Sukinda police station of Jajpur district.

KORAPUT EX-CDMO GETS 2-YR RI FOR GRAFT

Cuttack: The Special Judge Vigilance, Jeypore, on Thursday convicted Dr K Haribandhu Reddy, former Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), Koraput, in a graft case and sentenced him to undergo two years rigorous imprisonment. The court also asked Reddy to pay a fine of Rs 10,000 and in default to undergo further three months RI. Earlier, the anti-graft agency had charge-sheeted him for misappropriation of Government money in implementation of the Enhanced Malaria Control Programme (EMCP) in Koraput. Vigilance would now move the competent authority for stoppage of pension of Reddy.

RAINCOATS DISTRIBUTED TO KIDS BY LIONS CLUB, BBSR

Bhubaneswar: Under the Beti Padhao; Beti Bachao initiative, the Lions Club Bhubaneswar Odisha has distributed raincoats to the inmates of Asha Kiran in Niladri Bihar here. The programme was organised to ensure that the 30 inmates could commute to school during the rainy season. Club president Tapan Kumar Harichandan, secretary Er Saroj Patnaik, treasurer Amitabh Das and members Kanhu Ranjan Parwari and Siddharth Mohanty participated in the programme. Lion Smriti Ranjan Jena bore all the expenses.

CAREER FAIR HELD AT DAV CHANDRASEKHARPUR

Bhubaneswar: A career fair was organised recently at the DAV Public School, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, for the Secondary and Senior Secondary students in collaboration with the Student Outreach, Kolkata. The event witnessed interactive sessions with experts on various career options beyond conventional vision for students. School Principal Dr Sujata Sahu in her address emphasised upon the growing relevance of alternative career choices in the changing scenario.

MALKANGIRI RI HELD TAKING RS 25K BRIBE

Cuttack: The Vigilance police on Wednesday caught Simanchal Sahu, Revenue Inspector (RI), Sindhrimal under Malkangiri tehsil in Malkangiri district while accepting a bribe of Rs 25,000. Sahu had demanded the bribe from a person for demarcation of her land for acquisition by the Government for airstrip in Malkangiri. Recently, her land of area Ac 1.50 decimal was acquired by the Government and she had received the compensation for it. Following the trap, simultaneous searches were carried out on the residential house of Sahu at Balimela in Malkangiri district and his office room at Sindhrimal in Malkangiri. Sahu was arrested and forwarded to court.

TATA LAUNCHES FULLY-AUTOMATED CONSTRUCTION SERVICE CENTRE IN ODISHA

Bhubaneswar: The Tata Steel has inaugurated the first-ever fully-automated construction service centre in Odisha. The facility, spanning across 11 acres in Tangi, Cuttack, has been created in partnership with the Sagar Business Private Limited, a channel partner of Tata Steel. The companys Marketing & Sales, Long Products chairperson Ashish Anupam inaugurated the centre. The event was followed by a customers meet in Bhubaneswar, which was attended by customers from the infrastructure, housing and industrial sectors.

SANTOOR ANNOUNCES ROYAL SANDAL SOAP RE-LAUNCH

Bhubaneswar: Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCLG) has announced a re-launch of Royal Sandal soap by its flagship brand Santoor. The improved soap promises consumers softer and smoother skin with a beautiful glow and a wonderful fragrance.

SAMSUNG INNOVATION CAMPUS PROGRAM IN BBSR

Bhubaneswar: Samsung Indias flagship CSR programme Samsung Innovation Campus has concluded its AI, IoT and Coding & Programming courses for its second batch of 168 students in Bhubaneswar reiterating Samsungs commitment to being Indias strong partnerships and working alongside the Government in its mission to empower the countrys youth and #PoweringDigitalIndia.

ACCOR EXPANDS PORTFOLIO IN BHUBANESWAR

Bhubaneswar: The Accor hospitality group with over 1,000 properties located across the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific has announced expansion of its Mercure portfolio in India with the signing of Mercure Bhubaneswar. Featuring 98 rooms and suites, upon its debut in 2,025 guests will be invited to enjoy a range of facilities including two food and beverage options, a banquet facility, a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art fitness centre.

SANCHICONNECT HOLDS ROAD SHOW FOR STAKEHOLDERS

Bhubaneswar: SanchiConnect, an organisation supporting emerging technology ventures, organised a first-of-its-kind deep tech only road show in Bhubaneswar involving key stakeholders and leaders from Odisha. The event provided a platform for focused networking and facilitated likeminded individuals to engage and exchange valuable insights within the industry.
The incessant heavy rainfall over several hours on Thursday morning caused waterlogging and traffic congestion in several parts of Delhi, leading to the PWDs (Public Works Department) control room receiving a string of complaints from various parts of the national Capital.

Commuters from Delhis adjoining areas like Noida and Ghaziabad spent hours in traffic as heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging.

The Hindon Elevated Road connecting Ghaziabad to Delhi was submerged at junction point, while vehicular movement was also hit in Noida-Delhi roads.

Several people took to Twitter over the traffic snarls in Delhi and adjoining areas. According to the officials, the PWD's control room received 15 complaints of waterlogging. Among the areas from where frequent complaints were received include Kaushik Enclave in Burari, the stretch from Wazirabad towards Timarpur and Mandoli Road.

On its official Twitter handle, the BJP's Delhi unit shared a video from Burari that purports to show children in school uniform wading through knee-deep water. In the caption accompanying the clip, the BJP asked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to pay attention to the waterlogging issue.

Delhi BJP accused the AAP led MCD for failing to prevent waterlogging during rains. The BJP leaders alleged that water logging caused as the AAP in MCD has failed to clean the drains.

According to data shared by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, waterlogging was reported in nine locations, including areas of Jai Vihar in Baprola, Azad Market, Sadh Nagar in Palam, Shahpur Jat, Nimri Colony in Ashok Vihar, New Rajinder Nagar and Kanti Nagar East in Seelampur between 9 am and 1 pm.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Friday reacted sharply to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's allegation of corruption against his government and accused him of speaking lies.

Addressing a rally in state capital Raipur earlier in the day, the prime minister alleged that corruption was the Congress' biggest ideology, and the grand old party cannot breathe without it. Refuting Modi's claims, Baghel tweeted, "Modi ji as you came, waves of lies started flowing.

State BJP leaders have been misleading farmers that paddy is procured with the Centre's money. You are the Prime Minister, you know the truth, but you also lied." It is the biggest lie in the name of farmers that the Centre accepts 80 per cent of the paddy procured in the state, the chief minister said. "If your government's role is so huge in paddy purchase in the states, then why are farmers in your Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi forced to sell paddy at Rs 1,000-1,200 a quintal, Modi ji?" he asked.

Baghel further claimed that the prime minister was given wrong information by the BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh. "Every child in Chhattisgarh knows that we had taken an oath of Gangajal to fulfil the promise of loan waiver for farmers within 10 days (of the government's formation in 2018) and we did it within two hours," he said.

Farmers remember that the BJP never fulfilled the promise of Rs 2,100 per quintal in paddy procurement and a bonus for them, the chief minister said, adding that no one can mislead the farmers of Chhattisgarh. The prime minister during his rally said the Congress had taken Gangajal in hand and vowed to fulfil promises, including liquor ban, within 10 days if the government was formed in the state, but it failed to do so.

He also accused the Bhupesh Bagel government of playing games with paddy procurement and misleading farmers of the state. More than 80 per cent share of paddy procured in the state belongs to the Centre. In the last nine years, the BJP-led Central government has given more than 1 lakh crore to paddy farmers, he added.

Modi on Friday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of eight projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore in Raipur, where he slammed the Congress for stalling the development of the state. He also accused the government of indulging in corruption. This was Modi's first visit to the Congress-ruled state, where Assembly elections are due this year-end, after being elected as the prime minister for the second term in 2019.
() Pakistans former prime minister Imran Khan has been named in six cases, including three under the tough Anti-Terrorism Act, for the unprecedented attack on the General Headquarters (GHQ) of the army in Rawalpindi on May 9, a media report said on Thursday.

Supporters of Khan, also chief of the Pakistan-Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, breached the gates of the Pakistan Armys GHQ in Rawalpindi on May 9, dubbed as a Black Day by the powerful military. The joint investigation teams (JITs) are investigating all the cases, including the attacks on military installations and the incident of arson at a metro station, Geo News quoted sources as saying.
Less than a year after taking office, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim faces a critical first test in state elections next month that pits his government against a powerful Islamic opposition.

Election Commission chief Abdul Ghani Salleh said on Wednesday that over 9.7 million voters will head to the ballot box on August 12 to elect 245 assembly members for six states.While state elections generally do not affect the federal government, it will be closely watched as a gauge of support for Anwars unity government that was formed after a divisive general election in November.

Anwars multiethnic Pakatan Harapan (PH) alliance won the most seats in November polls but fell short of a majority after many ethnic Malays threw their support behind the Perikatan Nasional (PN) bloc led by former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

The PN bloc includes the conservative Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), that unexpectedly rose to become the single largest party in Parliament.

Anwar clinched the premiership after securing the backing of a once-dominant rival, a coalition led by the United Malays National Organization and other smaller parties for a majority to form a unity government.The tie-up between Anwars PH and the UMNO-led Barisan Nasional was once unthinkable in Malaysian politics, which has been shaped by long rivalry between the two parties.The state elections is the first test of popularity for the unity government on a rather nationwide scale, virtually half of Malaysia, said Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, a political science lecturer at the University of Science, Malaysia.

Itll test whether the people, especially PH and BNs supporters who have long regarded each other as rivals, welcome such cooperation or not.

The formation of Anwars unity government came at the behest of the king, who wanted to break the deadlock over the hung Parliament and create stability after a period of political turmoil.

Malaysia has had three prime ministers in the past four years before the November polls as lawmakers switched allegiance for political mileage.

Anwars rise to the top job caps a roller-coaster political journey of more than two decades and has eased fears over greater Islamisation. His main challenge has been to strengthen his appeal among ethnic Malays, many who view Anwar as too liberal and fear their Islamic identity and economic privileges under a decades-old affirmative action programme may be chipped away.

Malays form two-thirds of Malaysias 33 million people, which include large ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

PAS, which aims to create a theocratic state, has stepped up racial and religious rhetoric in recent months as it seeks to expand its influence and show that the unexpected wave of Malay support it won in November was more than chance.

Once confined to rural areas, PAS made strong gains in urban areas to win 49 out of 222 Parliamentary seats. It has also not hide its ambition of trying to topple Anwar by gaining support of government lawmakers.

The elections next month will be held in Penang, Selangor  two of the countrys richest states  and Negeri Sembilan that were controlled by Anwars PH alliance as well as in the rural states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu ruled by PAS.

Most analysts believe this would remain status quo in the polls, but some say PAS could make further dents on PHs hold in the three states.

If PN were to sweep five or all six state governments, the federal government will immediately become shaky, as many Malay MPs may be tempted to switch their support, thereby bringing about the downfall of the Anwar government, said Oh Ei Sun with Singapores Institute of International Affairs

It may not be easy as Anwars government has a two-thirds majority in Parliament, the strongest in 15 years. Many are also wary of triggering another bout of political unrest amid a slow economic recovery.

A lot will depend on UMNOs performance. The UMNO-led coalition ruled Malaysia since the countrys independence from Britain in 1957 until its downfall in 2018 general election amid anger over government corruption.

UMNOs president, who is now one of Anwars two deputies, is on trial for graft. If UMNO performs badly, analysts said it could trigger a revolt by anti-Anwar factions and lead to a rethink of their alliance.

The polls are mainly a battle for Malay votes as both sides realize that the stability of any government in Malaysia rests on support from Malaysias majority community, said analyst Ahmad Fauzi.
Senior officials from Sweden and Turkiye arrived at NATO headquarters on Thursday to examine Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans objections to the Nordic country joining the military alliance and to see what more, if anything, could be done to break the deadlock.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is leading the talks, which will involve the countries foreign ministers, intelligence chiefs and national security advisers.

Top officials from Finland, which joined NATO in April after addressing Turkiyes concerns, planned to take part.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will be joined at the meetings by Erdogans chief adviser Akif Cagatay Kilic, Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar and the intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, according to a foreign ministry statement.

As the officials entered NATO headquarters in Brussels, workers busied themselves inside a roped-off area where the national flags of the alliances 31 member countries fly and Sweden hopes its flag will be hoisted once Turkiye and Hungary ratify the Nordic nations membership.

Fearing for their security, Sweden and neighbouring Finland ended their longstanding policy of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and applied to join NATO.

US President Joe Biden welcomed Swedens prime minister to the White House on Wednesday in a show of solidarity ahead of the alliances two-day summit starting Tuesday in Lithuania.

Only Turkiye and Hungary have delayed Swedens membership. The other 29 allies, Stoltenberg and Sweden have all said the country has done enough to satisfy Turkiyes demands.

Sweden has changed its anti-terror laws and lifted an arms embargo on Turkiye, among other concessions.

But Turkiye accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all 31 members to expand.

Turkiyes Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the participants in Thursdays talks would review steps Finland and Sweden took, especially in the context of fighting terrorism, since the last meeting, which was held in Ankara on June 14.

In a new development just before the meeting, a Turkish man was found guilty of attempted aggravated extortion, weapons possession and attempted terrorist financing, saying he was acting on behalf of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.

The Stockholm District Court sentenced Yahya Gungor to a total of 4 1/2 years in prison for the crimes, after which he would be expelled from Sweden and banned from returning.

It was the first time that a Swedish court sentenced someone for terrorist financing of the party, Judge Mans Wigen said.

Also known as PKK, the Kurdistan Workers Party has waged an insurgency in southeast Turkiye since 1984 and is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkiye, the United States and the European Union. Its unclear whether the Swedish court action would have any impact on Erdogans thinking.

Hungary is also holding up approval of Swedens candidacy but has never clearly stated publicly what its concerns are. NATO officials expect that Hungary will follow suit once Turkiye lifts its objections.

At a European Union summit last week, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said he had spoken twice to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and both times he has confirmed that Hungary will not delay.

Turkiye is a different matter. A Quran-burning protest, at which the media vastly outnumbered the participants, outside a mosque in Stockholm has fuelled tensions. Police permitted the protest, citing freedom of speech, after a court overturned a ban on a similar burning of the Muslim holy book.

Erdogan criticised Sweden last week for allowing the protest. Turkish defense ministry spokesman Zeki Akturk condemned what he called a vile attack on our sacred values that was carried out in the name of so-called freedom of expression.

The Quran-burning incident that took place of the first day of the Eid al-Adha holiday is an indication of how justified we were with our reservations (about Sweden), Akturk said, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency.

Its unclear exactly what more Turkiye wants, but Thursdays meeting is designed to flesh that out. Erdogan railed against Sweden while on the campaign trail for elections in May, and NATO officials had expected him to relent after he was reelected.Erdogan is also seeking upgraded F-16 fighter jets from the US, but Biden has suggested that Swedens membership should be endorsed first.

NATO had hoped the problem would be resolved before its July 11-12 summit in Lithuania.

Swedens entry would be a symbolically powerful moment and the latest indication that Russias war is driving countries to join the alliance. Those hopes have dimmed.
Children experienced the highest number of grave violations in conflicts verified by the United Nations in 2022, with the conflicts between Israeli and Palestinians and in Congo and Somalia putting the most youngsters in peril, the UN childrens agency said.

UNICEF also expressed particular concern about their plight in Haiti, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Ukraine, where Russia has been put on the UN blacklist.

Grave violations include the recruitment and use of children by combatants, killings and injuries, sexual violence, abductions and attacks on schools and hospitals.

Omar Abdi, UNICEFs deputy executive director, told the UN Security Council on Wednesday that the more than 27,000 grave violations, up from 24,000 the previous year, are the highest number verified by the UN since its monitoring reports began in 2005. The number of conflict situations of concern was also the highest  at 26. Since the report, Abdi said, a serious conflict has erupted in Sudan where over 1 million children have been displaced by violent conflict and the UN has received reports that hundreds have been killed and injured. He also said UNICEF expects an increase in Palestinian children affected due to recent escalations in violence.

Government and parties to conflicts are not fulfilling their commitments to protect children, and meaningful and unambiguous action is needed, the UNICEF official said.

In his yearly report to the council late last month, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres put Russian forces on the UNs annual blacklist of countries that violate childrens rights in conflict for killing boys and girls and attacking schools and hospitals in Ukraine.

But the UN chief did not put Israel on the blacklist for grave violations against 1,139 Palestinian children, including 54 killings last year  as supporters had hoped  saying the UN welcomed its identification of practical measures including those proposed by the UN to protect children.

The UN special envoy for children in armed conflict, Virginia Gamba, told the council that the 27,180 grave violations in 2022 were carried out against 18,890 children and included 8,620 who were killed or injured, 7,622 who were recruited or used by governments or armed groups in conflicts, 3,985 who were abducted, 1,165, almost all of them girls, who were raped, forced into marriage or sexual slavery or sexually assaulted. The United Nations also verified attacks on 1,163 schools and 647 hospitals, a 112 per cent increase from 2021, she said.

While armed groups were responsible for 50 per cent of grave violations, Gamba underscored that governments were the main perpetrators of the killing and maiming of children and of attacks on schools and hospitals.

Gamba said, for example, last year three girls were gang-raped in South Sudan during five days of terror, many boys were killed by an explosive device at a school in Afghanistan, a 14-year-old girl in Myanmar was abducted and burned alive, and an airstrike in Ukraine left a girl with amputated limbs.

We must do more to prevent and protect our children from the ravages of armed conflict, she said.

US deputy ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis said the report makes clear that the worlds nations have not done nearly enough to protect children from the impacts of conflicts. He said the United States is keen to see this issue elevated, enhanced, and better integrated into all the work of the Security Council.

DeLaurentis accused Russia of committing crimes against humanity in Ukraine, including against children, pointing to the many youngsters deported to Russia and forcibly separated from their families. And Russias forces continue to attack areas where children are clearly present, including schools, hospitals and residential buildings, he said.

Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Western media companies of cynically selecting the protection of children for a dirty information campaign in order to slander the Russian Federation.

He accused Guterres of making a political decision to put Russian forces on the UN blacklist and not Ukrainian armed forces, insisting there is no factual basis to label Russia a violator of childrens rights.

Nebenzia accused the Ukrainian military of killing and injuring children in Russian-occupied areas of Luhansk and Donetsk in the countrys east since 2014 and said Moscows complaints about Ukraines actions have been ignored by the UN and others. He said Russia has established a parliamentary commission to investigate alleged crimes against children by Ukraine.
StockNews.com upgraded shares of UMH Properties (NYSE:UMH  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report issued on Tuesday.

UMH Properties Price Performance

NYSE:UMH opened at $16.15 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $981.60 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -24.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 4.97 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18, a current ratio of 5.49 and a quick ratio of 5.49. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $15.74 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.98. UMH Properties has a 1-year low of $13.73 and a 1-year high of $21.46.

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UMH Properties Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 15th will be issued a $0.205 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $0.82 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.08%. UMH Propertiess payout ratio is -122.39%.

Insider Buying and Selling

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

In other news, Director Kiernan Conway sold 2,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.34, for a total value of $38,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 492 shares in the company, valued at $7,547.28. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . 9.09% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in UMH Properties by 5.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,139,580 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $126,383,000 after buying an additional 264,005 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in UMH Properties by 4.2% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 3,872,436 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $57,273,000 after purchasing an additional 154,819 shares in the last quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in UMH Properties by 43.4% in the 1st quarter. Copeland Capital Management LLC now owns 2,398,601 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $35,475,000 after purchasing an additional 726,254 shares in the last quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in UMH Properties by 15.5% in the 1st quarter. William Blair Investment Management LLC now owns 2,170,582 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $32,103,000 after purchasing an additional 290,576 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. lifted its holdings in UMH Properties by 108.0% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 2,053,811 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,376,000 after purchasing an additional 1,066,260 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 73.37% of the companys stock.

About UMH Properties

(Free Report)

UMH Properties, Inc, which was organized in 1968, is a public equity REIT that owns and operates 135 manufactured home communities containing approximately 25,700 developed homesites. These communities are located in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia.

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Duncker Streett & Co. Inc. lowered its position in 3M (NYSE:MMM  Free Report) by 13.3% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 8,981 shares of the conglomerates stock after selling 1,376 shares during the period. Duncker Streett & Co. Inc.s holdings in 3M were worth $944,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of MMM. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of 3M by 73,903.2% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,656,588 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $798,258,000 after acquiring an additional 6,647,593 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in shares of 3M in the 4th quarter worth approximately $369,974,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its holdings in shares of 3M by 1,889.1% in the 1st quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 1,356,600 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $201,971,000 after acquiring an additional 1,288,400 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of 3M by 9.3% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 13,132,871 shares of the conglomerates stock worth $1,567,502,000 after acquiring an additional 1,116,821 shares during the period. Finally, Edmp Inc. grew its holdings in 3M by 17,676.6% during the 4th quarter. Edmp Inc. now owns 962,958 shares of the conglomerates stock valued at $8,030,000 after buying an additional 957,541 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.60% of the companys stock.

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3M Trading Up 1.9 %

Shares of MMM traded up $1.82 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $98.13. The stock had a trading volume of 1,485,137 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,594,329. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.91 and a current ratio of 1.42. The firm has a market cap of $54.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.98, a P/E/G ratio of 1.20 and a beta of 0.96. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $100.35 and its 200 day simple moving average is $108.07. 3M has a 12-month low of $92.38 and a 12-month high of $152.30.

3M Announces Dividend

3M ( NYSE:MMM Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The conglomerate reported $1.97 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.60 by $0.37. The business had revenue of $8.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.51 billion. 3M had a return on equity of 36.48% and a net margin of 16.31%. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.65 EPS. Equities research analysts forecast that 3M will post 8.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 12th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 19th were given a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 18th. 3Ms dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 62.18%.

Insider Buying and Selling at 3M

In other 3M news, insider Khandpur K. Ashish sold 9,432 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.27, for a total value of $936,314.64. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 20,943 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,079,011.61. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In other 3M news, EVP Eric D. Hammes sold 6,487 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $105.33, for a total value of $683,275.71. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 10,430 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,098,591.90. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Khandpur K. Ashish sold 9,432 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $99.27, for a total value of $936,314.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 20,943 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,079,011.61. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

MMM has been the topic of a number of analyst reports. Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on 3M from $110.00 to $103.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on 3M from $89.00 to $95.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Barclays lowered their target price on 3M from $105.00 to $103.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 6th. StockNews.com cut 3M from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, June 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on 3M from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and nine have assigned a hold rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $120.83.

3M Company Profile

(Free Report)

3M Company provides diversified technology services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial; Transportation and Electronics; Health Care; and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offers industrial abrasives and finishing for metalworking applications; autobody repair solutions; closure systems for personal hygiene products, masking, and packaging materials; electrical products and materials for construction and maintenance, power distribution, and electrical original equipment manufacturers; structural adhesives and tapes; respiratory, hearing, eye, and fall protection solutions; and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles.

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Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. (OTCMKTS:CODYY  Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy from the nine brokerages that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $63.40.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Stifel Nicolaus upgraded Compagnie de Saint-Gobain from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research note on Friday. Societe Generale downgraded shares of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Monday, March 13th.

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Compagnie de Saint-Gobain Stock Performance

CODYY opened at $11.55 on Friday. Compagnie de Saint-Gobain has a fifty-two week low of $6.82 and a fifty-two week high of $12.46. The firms fifty day moving average is $11.76 and its 200 day moving average is $11.39.

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain Increases Dividend

About Compagnie de Saint-Gobain

The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 9th were paid a $0.3154 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a dividend yield of 2.83%. This is an increase from Compagnie de Saint-Gobains previous dividend of $0.26. Compagnie de Saint-Gobains dividend payout ratio is currently 55.83%.

(Free Report

Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA 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.

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Shares of Murphy USA Inc. (NYSE:MUSA  Free Report) have earned a consensus rating of Hold from the five analysts that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given 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 $315.60.

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on MUSA shares. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Murphy USA from $325.00 to $330.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. StockNews.com raised Murphy USA from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 12th.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Murphy USA news, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 1,075 shares of Murphy USA stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $277.72, for a total transaction of $298,549.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,661 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,849,892.92. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, Director Jeanne Linder Phillips sold 550 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated 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 directly owns 2,874 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $816,129.78. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, SVP Robert J. Chumley sold 1,075 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $277.72, for a total value of $298,549.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 6,661 shares in the company, valued at $1,849,892.92. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 1,628 shares of company stock valued at $455,611. 9.04% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Murphy USA Trading Down 0.1 %

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in MUSA. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Murphy USA by 635.5% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 276,141 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $13,592,000 after purchasing an additional 238,594 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in Murphy USA in the 4th quarter valued at about $51,918,000. Morgan Stanley increased its position in Murphy USA by 76.4% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 379,886 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $106,194,000 after buying an additional 164,519 shares in the last quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC increased its position in Murphy USA by 49.1% in the 1st quarter. River Road Asset Management LLC now owns 441,007 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $113,802,000 after buying an additional 145,265 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its position in Murphy USA by 134.7% in the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 239,971 shares of the specialty retailers stock valued at $61,925,000 after buying an additional 137,709 shares in the last quarter. 85.01% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Shares of MUSA opened at $309.34 on Friday. Murphy USA has a 52-week low of $231.65 and a 52-week high of $323.00. The businesss fifty day moving average is $286.51 and its 200-day moving average is $272.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market cap of $6.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.53 and a beta of 0.82.

Murphy USA (NYSE:MUSA  Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The specialty retailer reported $4.80 earnings per share (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 last year, the company posted $6.08 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was down .8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Murphy USA will post 20.36 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Murphy USA Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 15th were issued a dividend of $0.38 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 12th. This is an increase from Murphy USAs previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.49%. Murphy USAs payout ratio is presently 5.67%.

Murphy USA Company Profile

(Free Report

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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Premium Brands Holdings Co. (TSE:PBH  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Cormark lifted their FY2024 earnings per share estimates for shares of Premium Brands in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, July 4th. Cormark analyst K. Mcphee now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $6.03 per share for the year, up from their prior estimate of $5.50. The consensus estimate for Premium Brands current full-year earnings is $5.86 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for Premium Brands FY2025 earnings at $7.80 EPS.

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Premium Brands (TSE:PBH  Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The company reported C$0.64 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of C$0.82 by C($0.18). The firm had revenue of C$1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of C$1.39 billion. Premium Brands had a return on equity of 8.10% and a net margin of 2.31%.

Premium Brands Stock Down 0.4 %

Several other equities analysts have also weighed in on PBH. CIBC increased their price objective on Premium Brands from C$98.00 to C$99.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Premium Brands from C$107.00 to C$104.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 17th. Scotiabank raised their price target on Premium Brands from C$114.00 to C$120.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Premium Brands from C$105.00 to C$111.00 in a research note on Friday, March 17th. Finally, National Bankshares cut their price objective on shares of Premium Brands from C$124.00 to C$121.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$118.30.

PBH stock opened at C$106.28 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of C$4.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 33.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.98. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$101.27 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is C$96.68. The company has a current ratio of 2.49, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 147.06. Premium Brands has a 1-year low of C$77.36 and a 1-year high of C$106.97.

Premium Brands Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $0.77 dividend. This represents a $3.08 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Premium Brandss payout ratio is 95.65%.

About Premium Brands

(Free Report)

Premium Brands Holdings Corporation, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and distributes food products primarily in Canada and the United States. It operates in two segments, Specialty Foods and Premium Food Distribution. The company provides processed meat, deli products, meat snacks, beef jerky and halal, sandwiches, pastries, specialty and gourmet products, entrees, panini, wraps, subs, hamburgers, burgers, salads and kettle products, muffins, breads, pastas, and baking and sushi products.

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Rockland Trust Co. decreased its holdings in Norfolk Southern Co. (NYSE:NSC  Free Report) by 26.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,807 shares of the railroad operators stock after selling 1,028 shares during the period. Rockland Trust Co.s holdings in Norfolk Southern were worth $595,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the business. Penserra Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 3,133.3% in the 1st quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 388 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $81,000 after purchasing an additional 376 shares during the last quarter. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Norfolk Southern in the 1st quarter valued at $43,000. Trust Co. of Virginia VA increased its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA now owns 17,101 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $3,625,000 after purchasing an additional 270 shares during the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. increased its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 2.5% in the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 69,855 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $14,809,000 after purchasing an additional 1,677 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. increased its stake in shares of Norfolk Southern by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. now owns 162,449 shares of the railroad operators stock valued at $34,439,000 after purchasing an additional 3,185 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.97% of the companys stock.

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Norfolk Southern Stock Performance

Shares of Norfolk Southern stock opened at $227.21 on Friday. Norfolk Southern Co. has a one year low of $196.33 and a one year high of $264.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $51.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.46, a PEG ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 1.29. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $215.85 and a 200 day simple moving average of $224.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.15, a current ratio of 0.75 and a quick ratio of 0.66.

Norfolk Southern Announces Dividend

Norfolk Southern ( NYSE:NSC Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The railroad operator reported $3.32 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.15 by $0.17. Norfolk Southern had a return on equity of 25.76% and a net margin of 23.40%. The business had revenue of $3.13 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.93 EPS. The firms revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Norfolk Southern Co. will post 13.36 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Saturday, May 20th. Investors of record on Friday, May 5th were given a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.38%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, May 4th. Norfolk Southerns payout ratio is 41.51%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on NSC shares. Barclays reduced their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $250.00 to $235.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered Norfolk Southern from a conviction-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company upgraded Norfolk Southern from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the stock from $225.00 to $250.00 in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. 1-800-FLOWERS.COM restated a maintains rating on shares of Norfolk Southern in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, Susquehanna boosted their price objective on Norfolk Southern from $220.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $242.48.

Insider Activity at Norfolk Southern

In other Norfolk Southern news, CEO Alan H. Shaw sold 2,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $209.55, for a total transaction of $419,100.00. Following the completion of the sale, 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 accessible through the SEC website. 0.19% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Norfolk Southern Profile

(Free Report)

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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Verdence Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 23.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 19,909 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after acquiring an additional 3,728 shares during the quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,016,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. JDM Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. FWL Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. True Wealth Design LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Finally, WFA of San Diego LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $34,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 73.08% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total transaction of $5,551,000.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of Abbott Laboratories stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total value of $909,466.56. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.3 %

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays increased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Bank of America decreased their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. UBS Group raised their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $117.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 20th. StockNews.com began coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $118.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $121.26.

Shares of ABT stock traded up $0.31 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $107.51. 1,474,602 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,053,219. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $93.25 and a fifty-two week high of $115.69. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $106.70 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $106.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stock has a market cap of $186.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.59, a PEG ratio of 4.81 and a beta of 0.68.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.98 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $9.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 22.36% and a net margin of 13.98%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 18.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.73 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 62.01%.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

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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McDonald's India - North and East said it is constrained to "hold tomatoes for the time being" and is trying to resolve this issue by employing sustainable agriculture practices. (Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Fast food chain McDonald's has stopped using tomato in its food preparations at most of the stores in northern and eastern parts of the country citing the non-availability of quality products, amid the price of the commodity surging up to Rs 200 per kg.

McDonald's India - North and East said it is constrained to "hold tomatoes for the time being" and is trying to resolve this issue by employing sustainable agriculture practices.

"Due to seasonal crop issues arising out of farm fields in a few regions, there are not enough quantities meeting our quality specifications available. To ensure our customers get the best quality we are known to serve, we are constrained to hold tomatoes for the time being," said a McDonald's India - North and East spokesperson.

There is also a buzz going on in the social media over the absence of tomatoes on some of the top-selling products of McDonald's such as burgers.

Social media users are sharing pictures of burgers without tomatoes. Some of them also shared the notices put out by some of McDonald's stores informing the walk-in customer about the temporary unavailability of tomatoes.

Assuring the customers, McDonald's India - North and East spokesperson said: "We reiterate that it is not due to the surge in the prices. It is only due to the non-availability of tomatoes meeting our quality specifications."

However, he also added restaurants mostly in the Punjab-Chandigarh area where it is able to source the commodity in adequate quantities, McDonald's continues to serve tomatoes in its menu.

"We are working towards resolving this issue by employing sustainable agriculture practices including hydroponically-grown tomatoes in a completely controlled environment to de-risk our requirements from vagaries of season," he said, adding, "We should be able to bring back tomatoes to the menu soon."

McDonald's restaurants in north and east of India are operated by Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd (CPRL), which is its masters franchiser.

Stores in southern and western regions are operated by McDonald's another master franchiser Westlife Group.
Eye witnesses said that after hitting Yadav's bike, the BMW slowed down and they saw more than two women in the vehicle.

Hyderabad: A speeding BMW allegedly driven by a woman in an inebriated condition rammed into a GHMC staffer riding a scooter, leaving him severely injured at Banjara Hills in the wee hours of Friday. The victim, identified as G Balachandar Yadav, 29, working as an Area Manager with the GHMC on contract basis, was on his way to work, when the BMW coming in the opposite direction rammed into him. His colleagues who were with him rushed him to a private hospital, where he is undergoing treatment now.

Eye witnesses said that after hitting Yadavs bike, the BMW slowed down and they saw more than two women in the vehicle. " They looked like they were drunk and they were smoking," they told Yadavs colleagues. Prima facie, police found the vehicle is registered in the name of a construction company. When contacted, the owner told police that he had sold off the vehicle four months ago, but the ownership transfer was not done.

Police have started a hunt to trace the vehicle and also the person driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. Yadav received injuries on head, face, shoulders and ribs. Banjara Hills police registered a case and started an investigation.
Polavaram project superintending engineer Narasimha Murthy said, A meeting has been called for Sunday to discuss as to what can be done with Polavaram project's D-wall and also the guide bund to ensure safety of the project despite the cost involved in attending to the repair works. (File Image: DC)

Vijayawada: The central government would discuss with AP ways to deal with the damage to Polavaram irrigation projects diaphragm wall and the spillways guide bund, at a meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, July 9.

In a recent meeting chaired by Jal Shakti minister Gajendra Shekhawat, it was decided that members from central water commission, the Polavaram project authority as also officials from the Jal Shakti ministry and AP water resources department would meet again to deliberate on the steps to be taken to address the issue of damage to components of the project. Shekhawat wanted safety to be the top priority irrespective of considerations like cost escalation.

AP water resources authorities say that the Union minister stressed that there should be no future complications once the repair or replacement works are done for the two damaged components. The responsibility for this must be taken by those who oversee the works.

As for the diaphragm wall, there is a proposal to construct parallel walls at four portions to replace the damaged portions and connect the new walls to the existing undamaged wall. However, safety issues have been raised. Nowhere in the world had such an experiment been carried out so far, it was stated.

According to an estimate, it would require nearly `400 crore to carry out the repair works and construct a parallel diaphragm wall in four portions. If the whole length of the diaphragm wall spread over 1,300 metres is to be erected anew, it would cost nearly `800 crore.

So, the Centre favoured the construction of a new diaphragm wall for its full length so that safety would be ensured, and four portions of D-wall can be connected to the main D-wall.

Sundays meeting would discuss these matters.

However, with regard to sinking of portions of the spillways guide bund, the authorities have not taken any decision. A lot of studies on soil strength etc are being taken up involving technical agencies and this may take more time to take a decision and consider the cost factor.

Polavaram project superintending engineer Narasimha Murthy said, "A meeting has been called for Sunday to discuss as to what can be done with Polavaram projects D-wall and also the guide bund to ensure safety of the project despite the cost involved in attending to the repair works."
"The government (Centre) has not introduced any such move. I believe the CM will take a call probably in the next one week or two week," said K.T. Rama Rao. (File Image: DC)

Hyderabad: The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is not sure about opposing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

The BRS, which enjoyed a significant support in Muslim community in all elections since formation of Telangana, has surprisingly not yet taken a stand opposing the UCC, which is likely to be tabled in the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

BRS working president and IT minister K.T. Rama Rao on Friday said that the party is yet to take a stand on UCC. Ten days ago, on June 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had strongly pitched for the UCC while addressing a meeting in Bhopal.

Party working president K.T. Rama Rao on Friday told mediapersons that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao would convene a meeting with intellectuals to discuss on the UCC and that he may spell out the party's stand in a week or two.

"Our CM has called for a meeting. He will be meeting several intellectuals next week on the Uniform Civil Code issue. We will come out with a clear cut policy on this issue. He might even discuss internally in the party and come out with a stand," Rama Rao said.

The party is of the view that the issue is just being talked about, and the Centre has taken no concrete steps were taken on it. The Law Commission and the parliamentary committee on law have called for opinions on the UCC.

"The government (Centre) has not introduced any such move. I believe the CM will take a call probably in the next one week or two week," said Rama Rao. The Parliament session will commence on July 20.

Rama Rao's comments fuelled speculation in political circles that the BRS has kept its options open on whether or not to oppose UCC despite its claims of an outright war with the BJP. The ambiguity over the party's stand, as a senior party leader put it, may gave one more leverage to principal Opposition Congress to accuse BRS and BJP of nurturing a tacit understanding.

Political circles opine that even if the BRS opts out from voting in Parliament, it amounts to indirectly supporting the UCC.

Most of the Opposition parties in the country such as Congress, Janata Dal-United (JD-U), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Left, and Trinamul

Congress (TMC). Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) are strongly opposed to the UCC and have vowed to vote against UCC in Parliament.
The Chief Minister would also inaugurate 52 Dr YSR Agri Testing Labs, set up at a cost of Rs 3.96 crore, to test quality of the agricultural produce. (Image: By Arrangement)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will deposit Rs 1,117.21 crore as insurance claim pertaining to Kharif 2022 into the accounts of 10.20 lakh farmers at the click of a button on Saturday.

He would do so during the Dr YSR Rythu Dinotsavam programme at Kalyanadurgam in Anantapur district, marking the birth anniversary of former chief minister late Y.S. Rajashekar Reddy. The day is commemorated by the state government by designating it as the Dr YSR Rythu Dinotsavam.

The Chief Minister would also inaugurate 52 Dr YSR Agri Testing Labs, set up at a cost of Rs 3.96 crore, to test quality of the agricultural produce. The farmers day celebrations will be held across the state.

Notably, the Jagan Mohan government has, for the fourth year in a row, been offering YSR Free Crop Insurance without any break.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "Like nowhere else in the country, the YSRC government took the entire responsibility of paying insurance premiums on behalf of farmers without burdening them by a single paisa, under the Dr YSR Free Crop Insurance scheme."

"We are registering every acre of cultivated land in e-crop through RBKs in the village itself to provide insurance protection to the notified crops. Regular settlement of insurance claims of a particular agricultural season before commencement of the same season the following year is done. This was never done by others earlier."

Agriculture minister Kakani Govardhan said that including the Rs 1,117.21 crore assistance being provided on July 8, the total compensation paid to 54.48 lakh farmers under the Dr YSR Free Crop Insurance in these four years was Rs 7,802.05 crore.

He explained that the government is establishing 147 testing laboratories at Assembly constituency level, 10 laboratories at district level and 4 regional coding centres at a cost of Rs 213.27 crores to certify the quality of seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and other agricultural products.

"In the first phase, 75 labs have started functioning. The government has made 127 labs available to farmers, including 52 being inaugurated now. While this scheme takes one stride forward towards farmer welfare, Jagan Mohan Reddy takes two. Making agriculture a celebration, our government is standing by the farmers by implementing such revolutionary ideas."

Explaining the agriculture welfare schemes, Govardhan said that in an unprecedented initiative, the present government is providing an assistance of `13,500 every year in three installments (May, October, January) under the YSR Rythu Bharosa to all eligible landless SC, ST, BC, Minority tenant farmers, as also the farmers cultivating ROFR & Endowment lands. These also included the eligible farmers cultivating their own lands.

He said that the establishment of 10,778 Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs) across the state as one-stop centres to facilitate farmers from seed to crop sale in their own village itself was also a great success.

He said the Farmers Day (Rythu Dinotsavam) would be celebrated across 26 districts on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will arrive at the Hakimpet air force station from Varanasi by 9.25 am, will fly to Mamanur air strip in Warangal and from there proceed to Bhadrakali temple to offer prayers at 10.30 am.

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on his third visit to Telangana this year and his first to Warangal, where he is expected to lay foundation stones for development projects and a railway wagon manufacturing unit, all worth around 6,100 crore, on Saturday.

While the BJP has been making hectic preparations for a public meeting at the arts college grounds in Warangal, the police have deployed 3,500 personnel for his security.

Modi, who will arrive at the Hakimpet air force station from Varanasi by 9.25 am, will fly to Mamanur air strip in Warangal and from there proceed to Bhadrakali temple to offer prayers at 10.30 am.

Following this, he will lay foundation stone for the 521 crore railway wagon manufacturing plant at Kazipet, along with laying foundation stones for four-laning of the Mancherial-Warangal national highway spanning 109 kilometres, and four-laning of the 68-km long Jagtial-Karimnagar-Warangal highway.

At 12.30 pm, he is scheduled to address a public meeting at the arts college grounds. Later, he will return to Hakimpet from where he will leave for Rajasthan.

While Union minister G. Kishan Reddy, the newly appointed state BJP president, along with senior leaders, has been busy overseeing the preparations, the police have made elaborate security arrangements.

DGP Anjani Kumar reviewed the preparations during a video conference with Warangal police, while in Warangal, police commissioner V. Ranganath said senior police officers have been appointed as in-charges and armed security arrangements have been made at Mamunur, Bhadrakali temple, and arts college.
The Chief Minister held a review meeting on the housing department here on Thursday. (Image Source: Twitter)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has instructed officials to choose alternative lands for the construction of houses under the governments flagship Pedalandariki Illu scheme in situations where court litigations are haunting the chosen lands.

The Chief Minister was holding a review meeting on the housing department here on Thursday. "Complete houses in Visakhapatnam by December," he said.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said the government spent 2,201 crores on Housing this year. Officials must take legal steps to overcome hurdles in the construction of houses in the R5 Zone of the APCRDA area in Amaravati.

Indirectly targeting the Opposition, the CM commented that several people were joining hands to deny houses for the poor at every step.

The officials explained about the court cases coming in the way of the construction of these houses. "Some 45,101 beneficiaries opted for Option 3 and selection of contractors was also over. The beneficiaries are opening bank accounts and officials are arranging tap water connections, electricity supply and approach roads to these housing colonies," they said.

As for the construction of Tidco houses, Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the officials to make these colonies self-reliant.

Examining various proposals submitted by the officials, the CM green-signalled construction of commercial complexes to cater to the residents requirements and to put up solar panels on Tidco houses.

He suggested that in the first phase, commercial complexes should be set up in 15 Tidco colonies. Steps should be taken to arrange these facilities under the aegis of women.

Officials said they have so far given 71,452 Tidco houses to the beneficiaries and would hand over 29, 496 more in July and 49,604 in August.

Bank loans of 2,000 crores have been arranged for the beneficiaries, who have opted for the Tidco houses of 365 and 430 square feet while houses of 300 square feet are being given to the beneficiaries free of cost, they said.

Officials also told the CM that the construction of 4,24,220 houses under Jagananna housing colonies was completed and 5 lakh houses would be ready by August 1.

While construction of 5,68,517 houses has reached roof level and above-roof level, 9,56,369 houses are at various stages. They said the government has incurred an expenditure of 2,201 crore on housing so far in the present fiscal.

The CM directed them to focus on providing basic facilities as the colonies come up and expedite the construction further besides acquiring alternative lands for distribution of house site pattas where court cases have stalled proceedings.

Advising officials to formulate an action plan to complete construction of houses for the poor in Visakhapatnam before December, the CM affirmed that the government would extend all possible support.

Housing minister J. Ramesh, APSHC chairman D. Dorababu, MD G. Lakshmi Shah, Tidco chairman J. Prasanna Kumar, special CSs Ajay Jain (housing) and Y. Srilakshmi (MA&UD), Tidco MD Ch. Sridhar, APGenco MD K.V.N. Chakradhar Babu, special secretary (housing) Mohammad Deewan and mines director V.G. Venkata Reddy were present.


Congress activists protesting in Hyderabad on Friday.

Hyderabad: Following the Gujarat High Court's decision in dismissing the AICC leader and former MP Rahul Gandhi's petition seeking stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's surname, the TPCC leaders and Congress party activists staged protests by burning effigies of Narendra Modi at different places in Telangana on Friday.

Protests took place in Nizamabad, Siricilla, Karimnagar and other places in Telangana. In Karimnagar, the former MP Ponnam Prabhaakar alleged that the Gujarat courts are becoming government offices in BJP ruling. The BJP governments suppressed voices raised on behalf of people's issues.

The State Youth Congress President Sivasena Reddy said that Rahul Gandhi would fight legally in connection with the defamation case and the people have trust in Rahul Gandhi. The BJP government deliberately targeted Rahul Gandhi after Rahul Gandhi's padayatra from Kanyakumari to Kashmir received mammoth response from people.

In Secunderabad, the DCC president Anil Kumar Yadav and party leaders burnt effigy of Narendra Modi at Tank Bund and staged a protest against BJP ruling and their policies.

In Siricilla, the senior Congress party leader Sangitam Srinivas and activists gathered at Gandhi Chowk and staged a protest. The Congress party leaders demonstrated rasta roko.

Meanwhile, the TPCC senior Leader V Hanumantha Rao alleged that the BJP government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi targeted Rahul Gandhi and started registering false cases to damage Congress party image.

"Rahul Gandhi obtained people's support and he will be the next Prime Minister in the 2024 general elections. Unable to digest Rahul Gandhi's fame due to Bharat Jodo Yatra, the BJP and governments deliberately registered false cases," Hanumantha Rao said.

The TPCC senior leader G Niranjan said that the AICC leader Rahul Gandhi would approach the Apex court seeking stay on criminal defamation case. "We will fight legally and get justice in the case.The people observe the BJP's political harassment and voters will teach a lesson to BJP in next general elections," Niranjan said.
The Biden administration on Thursday asked a federal appeals court for an emergency order halting a lower court ruling that bars some government agencies and officials from meeting and communicating with social media companies about moderating their content.

In a filing with the New Orleans-based 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, the administration said the lower court ruling was "both sweeping in scope and vague in its terms," and likely to be overturned on appeal.

The administration appealed the order on July 5, the day after it was issued. An emergency stay would put it on hold while the 5th Circuit considers the appeal.

Also read | US judge limits Biden officials contacts with social media sites

The lower court order, issued by US District Judge Terry Doughty in Louisiana, came in a lawsuit brought by Republican attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri and by several individuals. They alleged that US government officials effectively coerced social media companies to censor posts over concerns they would fuel vaccine hesitancy during the Covid-19 pandemic or upend elections.

The social media companies mentioned in the lawsuit include Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc, Twitter and Alphabet's YouTube.

Doughty's order barred government agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services and FBI from talking to social media companies for "the purpose of urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner the removal, deletion, suppression, or reduction of content containing protected free speech" under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, with narrow exceptions.

US officials have said they were aiming to tamp down misinformation about Covid vaccines to curb preventable deaths. They have also said the plaintiffs in the lawsuit no longer face any harm because those efforts ended more than a year ago.

Legal experts have said the order will likely face tough scrutiny on appeal, thanks to its breadth and the lack of clear precedents supporting it.
The International Monetary Fund is seeking support of Pakistan's political parties, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, for a recently announced $3 billion bailout programme, an IMF official said in a statement on Friday.

Also Read: Imran Khan approaches Supreme Court against Islamabad High Court order on Toshakhana corruption case

The IMF's resident representative Esther Perez Ruiz said in a statement that the meetings with political parties were to "seek assurances of their support for the key objectives and policies under a new IMF-supported program ahead of the approaching national elections."

Pakistan is scheduled to hold national elections by early November. The new bailout programme, a nine-month stand-by arrangement, is going to be taken up by the lender's board on July 12.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday criticized the Chinese governments harsh treatment of companies with foreign ties and its recent decision to impose export controls on certain critical minerals, suggesting that such actions justify the Biden administrations efforts to make US manufacturers less reliant on China.

Yellen delivered the forceful defense of American industry on her first day of meetings in Beijing during a high-stakes trip to ease tension between the United States and China. Her comments, to a group of executives from American businesses operating in China, underscored challenges that the worlds two largest economies face as they look to move beyond their deep differences.

During meetings with my counterparts, I am communicating the concerns that Ive heard from the US business community  including Chinas use of nonmarket tools like expanded subsidies for its state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, as well as barriers to market access for foreign firms, Yellen told members of the American Chamber of Commerce in China at a roundtable event. Ive been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against US firms in recent months. Representatives of Boeing, Bank of America and the agriculture giant Cargill were among those in attendance.

Also Read | China hopes US will take 'concrete actions' for healthy trade relations

In March, Chinese authorities detained five Chinese nationals working in Beijing for the Mintz Group, an American consulting company with 18 offices around the world, and closed the branch. The next month, authorities questioned employees in the Shanghai office of Bain & Co., the US management consulting firm.

Scrutiny of American businesses operating in China followed restrictions that the Biden administration imposed on Chinas access to critical semiconductor-making technology and tools.

The Biden administration is preparing additional restrictions on US technology trade with China, including potential limits on advanced chips and US investment in the country. The administration is also preparing to restrict Chinese companies access to US cloud computing services, in an effort to close a loophole in earlier restrictions on Chinas access to advanced chips used for artificial intelligence.

Also Read | US-China relations on the 'right trail': Joe Biden

The tit-for-tat continued this week when Beijing retaliated against the Biden administrations limits on semiconductors, announcing that it would restrict the export of certain critical minerals used in the production of some chips.

An official from Chinas Ministry of Finance expressed hope Friday that the meetings with Yellen would improve economic relations and suggested that the United States needs to take steps to make that happen. The official added that neither country benefits from decoupling and disrupting supply chains.

Yellen said Friday that she was concerned by Chinas decision to enact the export controls.

We are still evaluating the impact of these actions, but they remind us of the importance of building resilient and diversified supply chains, Yellen said. She suggested that additional responses from the United States could be looming to ensure that American businesses and workers were treated fairly.

I will always champion your interests and work to make sure there is a level playing field, Yellen added. This includes coordinating with our allies to respond to Chinas unfair economic practices.

Businesses are also alarmed by Chinas ever-tightening national security laws, which include a stringent counterespionage law that took effect Saturday. The US State Department issued a warning this week advising Americans to reconsider traveling to China because of the possibility of wrongful detention.

The treasury secretary planned to raise these issues during a blitz of meetings with top Chinese officials over the next two days.

Besides the business leaders, Yellen was also meeting Friday with Liu He, Chinas former vice premier, and Yi Gang, the outgoing governor of the Peoples Bank of China. A Treasury Department official said that Yellen discussed the outlook for the economy in an informal discussion with her former counterparts that lasted more than an hour.

Later Friday afternoon, she will meet with Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People.
Japan lodged a protest with South Korea over military drills it conducted on disputed islands, saying it was "extremely regrettable", the foreign ministry said in a statement issued on Friday.

The foreign ministry said it summoned a senior diplomat at the South Korean embassy in Tokyo, and the Japanese embassy in Seoul also summoned a senior South Korea official to make the protest.

"Takeshima is indisputably an inherent territory of Japan, in light of historical facts and based on international law," the ministry said in the statement.

Also Read | South Korea to issue assessment of Japan's Fukushima discharge plan on July 7

"The drills by the South Korean military are unacceptable and extremely regrettable."

The two nations have long been at loggerheads over the sovereignty of the group of islets called Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in Korea, which lie about halfway between the East Asian neighbours in the Sea of Japan, also known as the East Sea.

Also Read | Japan and South Korea agree to revive currency swap deal

"The East Sea territory defence exercise was carried out to conduct our mission to protect our territory, people and property," a South Korean military official said.

The South Korean military has conducted the military drill routinely every year, the official added.
US lawmakers and influential Indian-Americans have condemned the attempted arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco and called for expeditious action against those behind this "criminal act".

They also slammed the "violent rhetoric" against India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and said free speech does not mean a license to incite violence or vandalise property.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 and posted on Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco.

Also Read  Indian consulate in San Francisco attacked by Khalistani supporters; MEA calls for action

The video, with the words "violence begets violence" emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada last month.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said violence against diplomatic facilities will not be tolerated.

"As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," they said.

"We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American but that is not a license to vandalise property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," they added.

Also Read  Not good for ties: India to Canada on Khalistani poster targeting diplomats

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said the attack on the Indian consulate is unacceptable.

"I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action," he said.

Till Thursday, no action had been taken against those involved in the attack on the Indian consulate.

A spokesperson of the National Security Council of the White House said the US takes the safety and security of diplomats very seriously.

"We take very seriously the safety and security of diplomats living in the United States and strongly condemn acts of vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or personnel," the spokesperson told PTI.

Congressman Mike Lawler said the attempted arson at the Indian consulate was disturbing.

"I had the pleasure of welcoming Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi of India to Washington DC last month and look forward to a continued, strong partnership with the world's largest democracy," he said.

Condemning the attack in the "strongest possible terms", Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar said, "Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in a democracy."

Congressman Rich McCormick said this attack is vile and unacceptable.

"Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community," he said in a tweet.

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna slammed the posters against Indian diplomats in the US, including Sandhu, doing the rounds on social media.

"I know Ambassador Sandhu and respect him. When I bring up human rights issues, he always engages with civility, thoughtfulness & candor. This rhetoric puts diplomats in harm's way. It's dangerous and has no place in a democracy. Free speech does not mean a license to incite violence," Khanna said.

Last week's attack was the second time within months that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was targeted by Khalistani supporters.

On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the consulate. Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags.

In a tweet, the South Asian Minorities Collective said, "Known for their proximity to Pakistani intelligence service, the Khalistan cult has been trying to revive itself over the past few years in US, UK and Canada."

Sikh leader Jasdeep Singh described the attack on the Indian consulate as "shameful and disgraceful".

"Whoever did it should be brought to the fullest extent of law. Targeting any consulate or any diplomat or anybody for that reason is not a good thing," Singh told PTI.

"Although it has not been identified who the perpetrators were, the community is very, very upset because it is being linked to the Khalistani movement.

"There is a line between freedom of speech and the right to protest and getting involved in criminal activities like this one. So, we strongly condemn this criminal act," he said.

Responding to a question, Singh urged the Biden administration to make sure that consulates and diplomats of all countries, especially India, are protected and safe in the US.

"The Sikh community by and large stands with the laws of this great nation, and if anyone breaks the laws of this nation, the government should go after them," he said.
The Gujarat High Court, while refusing to stay the conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the Modi surname criminal defamation case, mentioned ten other similar cases against the Congress leader to say that "it was the need of the hour to have purity in politics" and "representatives of people should be man of clear antecedent."

One of the ten cases Justice Hemant Prachchhak mentioned is a defamation case filed by the grandson of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, who is mentioned as "Vir Savarkar" in the 125-page order, which was filed after Gandhi's conviction in Surat case. Holding that Gandhi sought stay of conviction on "absolutely non-non-existent grounds", the court said that granting "stay is not a rule but an exception to be resorted to in rare cases."

Read | Congress to move Supreme Court against Gujarat HC order on Rahul Gandhi's conviction

"Moreover, as many as ten criminal cases are pending against the applicant. It is now need of the hour to have purity in politics. Representatives of people should be man of clear antecedent. It also appears from the record that after filing of the said complaint, another complaints came to be filed against the present accused, out of which, one complaint was filed by the grandson of Vir Sawarkar in concerned Court of Puna when the accused used defamation utterances against Vir Sawarkar at Cambridge and another complaint was also filed in concerned Court of Lucknow," the order stated as some of the grounds for refusal. It added that declining to stay the conviction "would not, in any way, result in injustice to the applicant."

In March, Gandhi was sentenced to two-year jail by a Surat magisterial court after holding him guilty in the criminal defamation case filed by local BJP MLA Purnesh Modi for calling people with Modi surnames as "thieves" during an election rally in Karnataka in 2019. Gandhi was awarded the maximum punishment of two years provided under section 499 of the Indian Penal Code and within 24 hours of judgement he was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad in Kerala.

Justice Prachchhak also refused to accept Gandhi's argument that he was sentenced in a case which was "neither serious nor involved moral turpitude." The court, however, found that Gandhi's conviction was a "serious matter affecting a large segment of the society and needs to be viewed by this Court with the gravity and significance it commands."

The order mentions findings of the trial court, which revealed that Gandhi "suggested name of Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to add sensation, apparently and for an intention to affect the result of the election of the candidate of concerned constituency belonging to the political party of the Prime Minister and then the accused did not stop there but imputed that saare choro ke naam Modi hi kyu hai. Thus, the present case would certainly falls within the category of seriousness of the offence."

Read | BJP's anti-Dalit, anti-tribal face exposed with urinating incident: Rahul Gandhi

Justice Prachchhak has written, "The accused is a Member of Parliament possessing high position in the society and having bounden duty not to scandalize any person from the society and the defence of fair comment is neither proved nor believed by the Courts below. The revisioner (Gandhi) has breached the modesty, even if his version is accepted and further revisioner owes a duty to each individual and the society in general not to influence the election on the basis of false fact. Thus, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the offence committed by the accused falls in the category of moral turpitude also."

The order says that Gandhi should have exercised "caution" in his speech. It says that since he is a "senior leader of the oldest political party in India with a large presence and a prominent figure in the realm of the Indian political landscape" his "every utterance automatically gets larger scale publicity."

The court has held that people with "Modi surname holder and member of Modi Community are certainly identifiable / well defined class. Further, Modi people are a fraction of Ganchi / Taili / Modhvanik Ghnyati, as per the evidence and thus, again a well-defined identifiable / suable class. Like there is the Patel Community as well as surname, Jain Community as well as surname, Modi is also a community and surname both."
In a veiled attack on China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that, unlike some other countries, India is not "an extractive economy" and it was not pursuing "narrow economic activities" in the resource-rich African continent.

Jaishankar, who arrived here on Thursday after visiting Zanzibar, made these remarks while addressing the Indian community in Dar-es-Salaam city of Tanzania.

"Had a lively interaction with members of the Indian community in Dar es Salaam. Stressed the importance of Mission IT (India & Tanzania). Highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially our deep links with East Africa; Heart of India and Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests," Jaishankar tweeted.

Had a lively interaction with members of the Indian community in Dar es Salaam.  Stressed the importance of Mission IT (India & Tanzania). Highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially our deep links with East Africa;  Heart of   ties is the solidarity pic.twitter.com/NN9EVRRJCH  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 6, 2023

"Recognised that the Indian community is an expression, contributor and force of this relationship; Explained how India and Tanzania's friendship is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian. Our water projects will benefit 8 million; With 750 slots annually," he tweeted.

Tanzania is Indias largest African partner in training and capacity building. "The Indian community had historically been a source of strength for the relationship. As our ties expand, so will their role," he tweeted.

While addressing the community, he said, "Today we want to see Africa grow. We want to see African economies grow. And our approach to Africa today is to trade more with Africa, invest in Africa, work with Africa, to create capacities in Africa, so that the rise of Africa also takes place as countries like India are rising in Asia."

"We are not here as an extractive economy. We are not here in the manner in which a lot of other countries are there for very narrow economic objectives. For us, this is a broader, deeper partnership," Jaishankar said, in an apparent reference to China's forays, including those of its military, into Africa.

China established its first overseas military support base in Djibouti in Africa in 2015, as part of Beijing's plan to project its military power beyond the Asia-Pacific. Chinese companies are also actively engaged in exploiting the region's precious mineral resources.

Jaishankar also added that today the "world sees India as a contributor. World sees India, Indian companies, Indian technologies, Indian capacities as helping to create better lives for them".

He also said that he is here in Tanzania on an 'IT mission' which is an India-Tanzania mission. The mission addresses some of the most important priorities of this country.

On trade, Jaishankar said that "Our trade with Africa is $95 billion... I can predict very confidently that.. will grow very rapidly in the community and they will grow rapidly in the coming decade for three reasons. One, the Indian economy, Indian businesses are going up more and more."

"That's one reason for demand in Africa. Now, it is up to us to meet that Africa will have a demand. We have to compete, you know, maybe they'll go to China, Europe or Turkey. But if Indian business is more and more competitive if people are willing to go out more and more, I think a large part of the demand will be met," he said.

"Third is technology. Technology is driven in different ways. Automobiles could be healthy. It could be digital, I think that is what India can make. So politically, it's so easy for us really to bond with African governments and believers." He also stressed that the Indian diaspora is a very unique bridge between India and Africa.

"...For us, the bridge that the Indian diaspora represents is something it's a very unique bridge. Very few countries have such a bridge..."

He also added that with 750 slots annually, Tanzania is India's largest African partner in training and capacity building.

"As I look across Africa, the largest capacity building and exchange programme we have with any country in Africa is actually with Tanzania," he said, adding, "This year, we are giving to the Tanzanian government for their usage, 450 scholarships under Itech programme. This is our traditional exchange programme, 240 slots for defence training, and under the education exchanges, 70 scholarships," he said.

He also asked members of the Indian community living in Tanzania, working in Tanzania or visiting Tanzania, to be proud as the friendship between the two countries is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian.

"We would actually be bringing drinking water to 8 million people. So for all of you as members of the Indian community living in Tanzania working in Tanzania, visiting Tanzania, I think you can hold your head high that our friendship, our relationship, our partnership today will make a difference," he added.

"I went to a place called Kidutani in Zanzibar, where there is a water project. And this water project, when...it is completed, will provide drinking water to eight million people," he said.

On Thursday, the minister attended a deck reception hosted onboard INS Trishul with Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi. Tanzania also witnessed the signing of the agreement on setting up of IIT Madras Zanzibar campus.

During the event, Jaishankar said that it was a great privilege to share with Zanzibar India's experiences in the field of water development. "It's been a very big challenge for us."

"Today, one of our key development programmes has been the 'Jal Jeevan mission'... it's a massive pan-Indian project and for us what we are doing with you is a natural extrapolation of what we are doing in India, and we are very privileged to partner with you in that," Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar also visited Stone Town in Zanzibar and experienced its distinctive Gujarat connection. "Blessed to visit the Arya Samaj and Shri Shiv Shakti mandirs there. This time-tested confluence of Africa and India is emerging as a statement of our contemporary partnership," he tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reached Gorakhpur to attend the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press and flag off Vande Bharat trains.

Upon his arrival, Modi was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

At Gita Press, the world's largest publisher of Hindu religious textbooks, the prime minister will release the chitramaya Shiva Purana granth and also visit the Leela Chitra temple there.

Also Read | PM Modi inaugurates, lays foundation stone of projects worth Rs 7,600 crore in poll-bound Chhattisgarh

Gita Press was recently conferred with the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 by a jury headed by PM Modi. The prize is an annual award instituted by the central government in 1995 and it carries a prize money of Rs 1 crore, a citation, plaque and a traditional handicraft or handloom item.

Gita Press has refused to accept the prize money, saying it will only accept the citations.

PM Modi will also flag off the North Eastern Railway's first semi high-speed Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat train and the Jodhpur-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to controversial seer Yati Narsinghanand for his alleged contemptuous remarks against the top court after his release on bail in a hate speech case

A bench of Justices A S Bopanna and M M Sundresh took note of a submission by senior advocate Nithya Ramakrishnan on behalf of petitioner Shachi Nelli that consent has been received by then Attorney General K K Venugopal to file a contempt petition.

Mumbai-based activist Nelli was earlier asked by the court to file the transcript containing alleged derogatory remarks against the judiciary.

Read | Moment politicians stop using religion in politics, hate speeches will go away: Supreme Court

The petitioner has filed a contempt petition against Narasinghanand, claiming his comments undermined the majesty of the institution and the authority vested in the Supreme Court.

"Any such attempt to harm the majesty of the institution and diminish the faith that citizens of India have in the court can result in complete chaos and anarchy. This is perhaps the most vicious attack on the Supreme Court in its history," her plea claimed.

Narsinghanand is the head priest of Dasna temple at Ghaziabad.

He has been under judicial custody after his arrest in Haridwar Dharm Sansad case related to alleged hate speech.

In response to a letter by Nelli seeking contempt proceeding against Narsinghanand, Venugopal had said I have gone through your letter and watched the video of the statements made by Yati Narsinghanand. I find that the statement made by Yati Narsinghanand, that those who believed in this system, in these politicians, in the Supreme Court, and in the army will all die the death of a dog, is a direct attempt to lower the authority of the Supreme Court in the minds of the general public.
In an unprecedented security breach, a 72-year-old lawyer managed to enter the Karnataka Assembly hall and even sat on an MLA's chair during Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's budget presentation on Friday.

The police identified the man as Thipperudrappa. Apparently, he had come to the Vidhana Soudha to meet a government secretary.

Gurmitkal JD(S) MLA Sharana Gowda Kandakur was the first to raise a flag when he saw Thipperudrappa. The man took a seat that was reserved for Devadurga JD(S) MLA Karemma.

Also Read: Devolution: Rs 26,140 crore shortfall for Karnataka, says Siddaramaiah

"Since I hadn't seen that person in the House, I asked (Hunsur) MLA Harish Gowda who it was. Gowda, too, said he hadn't seen him before. I grew suspicious and informed the Marshal. It turned out that the person told the Marshall that he's the Molkalmuru MLA. My suspicion was triggered further because the Molkalmuru MLA (NY Gopalakrishna of the Congress) is a senior person known to everybody in the House," Kandakur said.

Even as Kandakur sent word to the Assembly secretary, Thipperudrappa proceeded towards the treasury benches and greeted Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

"I was shocked. Perhaps the Deputy CM was engrossed in the budget and did not realise that it was not an MLA who greeted him," Kandakur said.

Finally, the man's cover was blown and was sent out.

Speaker UT Khader has sought a detailed report on the security lapse. Marshalls are learnt to have said that they are yet to get acquainted with all MLAs since 70 of them are first-timers. Also, many people enter the Assembly lounge claiming to be personal secretaries of MLAs, the Marshalls said.

According to Kandakur, the man was present in the House for 15 minutes. However, DCP (Central) R Srinivas Gowda said Thipperudrappa was there for about five minutes.

As per the rules, the security personnel entered Thipperudrappa's details into the visitors' register and gave him an entry pass.

According to the DCP, anyone visiting the Assembly gallery needs a second set of permissions. Since Thipperudrappa didn't have this permission, he was stopped by security personnel. He created a fuss saying he was an MLA and forced his way in.

A police source admitted that security personnel were stumped after Thipperudrappa, who is said to be a native of Chitradurga, claimed to be an MLA. "When somebody confidently says he's an MLA, how can you check his credentials?" the source said.


IFP Advisors Inc cut its stake in Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE:CAG  Free Report) by 93.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 7,450 shares of the companys stock after selling 115,467 shares during the quarter. IFP Advisors Incs holdings in Conagra Brands were worth $275,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the business. Utah Retirement Systems lifted its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 0.4% in the 3rd quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 83,870 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,737,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. NorthRock Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of Conagra Brands in the 4th quarter valued at $261,000. Picton Mahoney Asset Management acquired a new position in shares of Conagra Brands in the 4th quarter valued at $66,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Conagra Brands in the 4th quarter valued at $970,000. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Conagra Brands by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 9,682,171 shares of the companys stock valued at $374,019,000 after purchasing an additional 217,370 shares during the last quarter. 88.80% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Transactions at Conagra Brands

In other news, EVP Charisse Brock sold 7,036 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $37.04, for a total transaction of $260,613.44. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 94,802 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,511,466.08. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.98% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Conagra Brands Price Performance

Several research firms recently issued reports on CAG. Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Conagra Brands in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a hold rating and a $43.00 target price on the stock. StockNews.com lowered Conagra Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday, May 20th. Bank of America increased their target price on Conagra Brands from $40.00 to $42.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 6th. Jefferies Financial Group lowered Conagra Brands from a buy rating to a hold rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $46.00 to $38.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Conagra Brands from $43.00 to $39.00 in a research note on Thursday. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $40.38.

Shares of NYSE CAG opened at $33.43 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 0.32 and a current ratio of 0.97. Conagra Brands, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $32.30 and a fifty-two week high of $41.30. The firm has a market capitalization of $15.94 billion, a PE ratio of 20.02, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.54. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $35.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $36.67.

Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG  Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, April 5th. The company reported $0.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.64 by $0.12. Conagra Brands had a return on equity of 15.34% and a net margin of 6.59%. The business had revenue of $3.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.08 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.58 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 5.9% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Conagra Brands, Inc. will post 2.75 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Conagra Brands Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, April 28th were given a dividend of $0.33 per share. This represents a $1.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, April 27th. Conagra Brandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 79.04%.

Conagra Brands Profile

(Free Report)

Conagra Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a consumer packaged goods food company in North America. The company operates in four segments: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. The Grocery & Snacks segment primarily offers shelf stable food products through various retail channels in the United States.

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Eurocash (OTCMKTS:EUSHY  Free Report) is one of 62 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare Eurocash to related businesses based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, risk, dividends, valuation and institutional ownership.

Profitability

This table compares Eurocash and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Eurocash N/A N/A N/A Eurocash Competitors 2.01% 15.36% 4.99%

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares Eurocash and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Eurocash N/A N/A 3.07 Eurocash Competitors $26.96 billion $611.52 million 189.37

Dividends

Eurocashs peers have higher revenue and earnings than Eurocash. Eurocash 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.

Eurocash pays an annual dividend of $0.58 per share and has a dividend yield of 14.3%. Eurocash pays out 43.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.2% and pay out 62.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Eurocash is clearly a better dividend stock than its peers, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent recommendations and price targets for Eurocash and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Eurocash 1 0 0 0 1.00 Eurocash Competitors 1121 2753 3008 114 2.30

As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 104.90%. Given Eurocashs peers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Eurocash has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.2% of Eurocash 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 company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Eurocash peers beat Eurocash on 11 of the 13 factors compared.

About Eurocash

(Free Report)

Eurocash S.A. engages in the wholesale distribution of food and other fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Poland. The company operates through Wholesale, Retail, and Projects segments. Its FMCG products include food products, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and household chemicals and cosmetics. The company markets its products to traditional retail stores, including small supermarkets, grocery stores, and specialized grocery stores; and kiosks, retail outlets, and convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, hotel and cafe chains, and catering outlets. It operates a network of Cash & Carry warehouses; Delikatesy Centrum network supermarkets; Inmedio; and franchise and partner stores of Eurocash distribution. Eurocash S.A. was incorporated in 2014 and is based in Komorniki, Poland.

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Pflug Koory LLC grew its stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Co. (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) by 8.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,875 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 214 shares during the period. Pflug Koory LLCs holdings in Exxon Mobil were worth $315,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 140,855.3% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 123,341,568 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $13,604,575,000 after acquiring an additional 123,254,064 shares during the last quarter. Morgan Stanley raised its stake in Exxon Mobil by 11.9% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 52,478,674 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $5,788,398,000 after purchasing an additional 5,566,797 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Exxon Mobil during the 4th quarter valued at $5,226,390,000. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its stake in Exxon Mobil by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 41,011,875 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $4,523,610,000 after purchasing an additional 1,344,934 shares during the period. Finally, Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its stake in Exxon Mobil by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 31,180,397 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,575,190,000 after purchasing an additional 560,517 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.59% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Down 3.7 %

XOM stock opened at $102.94 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19, a current ratio of 1.46 and a quick ratio of 1.10. Exxon Mobil Co. has a 52-week low of $80.69 and a 52-week high of $119.92. The company has a 50-day moving average of $106.26 and a two-hundred day moving average of $109.64. The stock has a market capitalization of $416.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.64 and a beta of 1.08.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, April 28th. The oil and gas company reported $2.83 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.18. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 15.06% and a return on equity of 31.48%. The company had revenue of $86.56 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $90.07 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.07 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Exxon Mobil Co. will post 9.46 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 9th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, May 16th were issued a dividend of $0.91 per share. This represents a $3.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.54%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 15th. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 24.64%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Exxon Mobil

In other Exxon Mobil news, VP Darrin L. Talley sold 2,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.11, for a total transaction of $290,275.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 29,272 shares in the company, valued at $3,398,771.92. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.06% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages have issued reports on XOM. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $118.00 to $122.00 in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Mizuho cut their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $147.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. UBS Group raised shares of Exxon Mobil from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $125.00 to $144.00 in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. Jefferies Financial Group cut their target price on shares of Exxon Mobil from $148.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $124.70.

Exxon Mobil Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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Maryland State Retirement & Pension System purchased a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 15,192 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $774,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AEM. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 86.4% in the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 540,450 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $33,097,000 after purchasing an additional 250,445 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in Agnico Eagle Mines by 108.6% in the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 4,420 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $270,000 after purchasing an additional 2,301 shares in the last quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp lifted its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 37.6% in the first quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp now owns 2,795 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $171,000 after buying an additional 764 shares during the last quarter. Natixis Advisors L.P. purchased a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines in the first quarter valued at approximately $678,000. Finally, BlackRock Inc. lifted its stake in Agnico Eagle Mines by 44.0% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 364,215 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $22,304,000 after buying an additional 111,208 shares during the last quarter. 55.54% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have weighed in on AEM. StockNews.com began coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. They issued an outperform rating for the company. Barclays boosted their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from $62.00 to $63.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, April 21st. Finally, Scotiabank assumed coverage on Agnico Eagle Mines in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. They issued an outperform rating for the company. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $70.63.

Agnico Eagle Mines Price Performance

Agnico Eagle Mines stock opened at $48.20 on Friday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $52.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of $52.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.84 billion, a PE ratio of 9.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 21.41 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a current ratio of 2.32 and a quick ratio of 1.07. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited has a 12 month low of $36.69 and a 12 month high of $61.15.

Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The mining company reported $0.57 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.50 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $1.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.30 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 6.07% and a net margin of 40.12%. Equities analysts predict that Agnico Eagle Mines Limited will post 2.36 earnings per share for the current year.

Agnico Eagle Mines Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were given a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.32%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, May 31st. Agnico Eagle Miness payout ratio is 31.50%.

Agnico Eagle Mines Profile

(Free Report)

Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AEM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM  Free Report) (TSE:AEM).

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NatWest Group (LON:NWG  Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by investment analysts at Berenberg Bank in a report released on Wednesday, Marketbeat.com reports. They currently have a GBX 360 ($4.57) price objective on the stock. Berenberg Banks price target indicates a potential upside of 54.71% from the stocks current price.

A number of other research analysts have also recently weighed in on NWG. Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of NatWest Group in a research report on Monday, May 22nd. Credit Suisse Group dropped their price target on NatWest Group from GBX 360 ($4.57) to GBX 350 ($4.44) in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Citigroup restated a buy rating on shares of NatWest Group in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Barclays dropped their price target on NatWest Group from GBX 380 ($4.82) to GBX 360 ($4.57) and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Monday. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price target on NatWest Group from GBX 350 ($4.44) to GBX 320 ($4.06) in a research report on Thursday. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, NatWest Group has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 328.75 ($4.17).

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NatWest Group Price Performance

NatWest Group stock opened at GBX 232.70 ($2.95) on Wednesday. NatWest Group has a 12 month low of GBX 210.20 ($2.67) and a 12 month high of GBX 313.10 ($3.97). The business has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 255.72 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 272.20. The stock has a market capitalization of 20.80 billion, a PE ratio of 567.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.29.

Insiders Place Their Bets

About NatWest Group

In other NatWest Group news, insider Alison Rose sold 52,863 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 260 ($3.30), for a total transaction of 137,443.80 ($174,443.20). In other news, insider Alison Rose sold 52,863 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 260 ($3.30), for a total transaction of 137,443.80 ($174,443.20). Also, insider Roisin Donnelly bought 1,101 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 3rd. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 245 ($3.11) per share, for a total transaction of 2,697.45 ($3,423.59). 42.65% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

(Free Report)

NatWest Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services to personal, commercial, corporate, and institutional customers in the United Kingdom and internationally. It operates through Retail Banking, Private Banking, and Commercial & Institutional segments.

Further Reading

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Security Bank Co. (OTCMKTS:SYBJF  Free Report) fell 12% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $1.46 and last traded at $1.46. 100 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 85% from the average session volume of 667 shares. The stock had previously closed at $1.66.

Security Bank Stock Down 12.0 %

The firms 50 day moving average price is $1.66 and its 200-day moving average price is $1.64.

Security Bank Company Profile

(Free Report)

Security Bank Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services to wholesale and retail clients in the Philippines. It operates through Financial Markets, Wholesale Banking, Retail Banking, and All Other segments. The Financial Markets segment offers money market, foreign exchange, financial derivatives, securities distribution, asset management, and trust and fiduciary services.

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The British Government's moves to retrospectively change the law regarding Internment has been criticised by a local councillor.

Cllr Christopher Jackson (Sinn Fein) has described as "disgraceful" the British Government's "attempts to tear up the law".

Cllr Jackson said: "it is disgraceful that the British Government is attempting to rewrite its own laws to excuse the unlawful and illegal detention of hundreds of people during the 1970s.

"Having being found guilty of unlawful detention by its own Supreme Court, the British Government is now retrospectively changing the law to legitimise its own actions.

When people sought a legal remedy through the courts to these illegal actions, the British states response now is to simply move the goal posts.

That is not only disgraceful, it is undemocratic and a breach of the human rights of hundreds of Irish citizens who were unlawfully detained in the 1970s.

It is time to scrap the outrageous Legacy Bill and get on with implementing the legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House by the two governments and political parties in 2014 in a human rights' compliant manner.
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.

Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.

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Support our mission and join our community now.
Derry has long been the forgotten city when it comes to big name concerts. We had a brief glimmer of hope with the City of Culture in 2013 and the building of the Venue but, for some bizarre reason, that was taken down after a year.

Now, however, Derry (and the north of Ireland in general) seems to be reclaiming its rightful spot as one of the go-to locations for great music. Just this past weekend, we had Parker launching their much-anticipated debut album, Never Let This Go in Bennigans on Friday night and the brilliant Jake Bugg headlining the Buncrana Festival on Saturday.

Things certainly seem to be on the upswing gig-wise.

This week, Im going to be looking at some (more) of the brilliant upcoming gigs over the next few months.

Frances Black

The Black family are legends of Irish music, and this year sees the return of Frances Black to our fine city. Over the course of almost four decades, Frances Black has worked with such brilliant artists as Nanci Griffith, Kieran Goss and, of course, the Black Family. As well as this, she is a twice-elected member of Seanad Eireann (most recently winning her bid for re-election in 2020). On the 26th August this year, Frances will be playing St. Augustines in what is sure to be a wonderful night of music.

For those wanting more of the Black stuff, Francess sister, the legendary Mary Black plays the Millennium Forum on the 11th November.

Melter

Our second gig takes place in Sandinos, home of some of the best music this town has to offer. On Sunday 16th July, Melter will be headlining one of the best line-ups of the summer. In what will, without a doubt, be one of the gigs of the summer, the night features support from Dirty Faces, TRAMP and The Marra. Seriously, and I cannot emphasize this enough, Do! Not! Miss! This! Gig!

TPau

Music Capital has been responsible for some of the best gigs in Derry in recent times (see also: entries one, four and five on this list), and, this November, will be bringing the legendary TPau to St. Columbs Hall. With classics like China In Your Hand and Heart and Soul, the 24th November is yet another cant-miss night for music lovers, with support from Spandex Ballet.

Also, for those interested, TPaus most recent studio album, 2015s Pleasure and Pain, can still be found in Cool Discs.

Ralph McTell

This November sees yet another musical icon make his return to the city. Folk legend Ralph McTell has been going strong for almost sixty years now, and will be playing the Guildhall on the 9th November this year. Although best known for the classic Streets of London, Ralph McTell is also responsible for the brilliant From Claire to Here, the ballad of Irish emigration that has been covered by, among others, Nanci Griffith (on the album Other Voices, Other Rooms).

This gig will also feature music from his new album, From There to Here, an album that is an evocation of Ireland, its music and culture.

Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri

Elton Johns touring career may be winding down, but his former duet partner, the brilliant Kiki Dee, is still going strong. Next March will see Kiki and guitarist Carmelo Luggeri play an acoustic show in St. Augustines featuring songs from their most recent collaboration The Long Ride Home, as well as classics such as Amoureuse, I Got The Music In Me, Loving and Free and more. This is a chance to see a true music legend up close and personal, so be sure to get tickets early ahead of the gig on the 1st March next year.

Rock For Pride

Finally, on the 27th July this year, Sandinos will be hosting Rock For Pride, celebrating 30 years of Foyle Pride. With headliners Dirty Faces, the gig will also feature support from Tom Cat, The Marra, String Cut Puppets, Emily McCormick and Aine Sweeney and has a 5 minimum donation, all in support of a brilliant cause.

Other Gigs

Of course, theres countless other brilliant gigs taking place in the city and beyond. Unfortunately, I cant write about them all, so heres the highlights.

The Clameens play Sandinos on the 20th August, with support from TRAMP, Tessio and Tomcat. Also, Waldorf & Cannon will be playing Bennigans on the 21st of July, Hothouse Flowers will be returning to the Guildhall on the 28th December and finally, The Minnows will be playing their rescheduled show in Sandinos on the 14th October with support from Polar Bolero.

Now, onto other business. Michelle Dowd (this years first interviewee) has just released the video for her single Love is Love. Both the song and the single are out now.

Finally, time for the socials. Once again, this is a big list, so get comfortable.

Frances Black can be found on Facebook and Instagram @francesblack1, Melter can be found @meltertheband, TRAMP @thisistramp, Dirty Faces @dirtyfacesderry, The Marra @themarra_band, TPau @tpaucaroldecker, Ralph McTell @ralphmctellofficial, Tomcat @tomcat_band, String Cut Puppets @stringcutpuppets, Emily McCormick @eebsmcceebs, Aine Sweeney @aine_sweeney, The Clameens @theclameens, Tessio @tessio_, Waldorf & Cannon @waldorf_and_cannon, Hothouse Flowers @hothouse_flowers, The Minnows @theminnowsband and Polar Bolero @polarbolero.
Samsungs 2023 portfolio of smartphones has been fascinating to review. The company is consciously attempting stylistically homogenize its various smartphone series  be it their budget offerings or their premium launches. The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is a prime example of that. The design language  of the rear panel, at least  is extremely reminiscent of the flagship S series. The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is impressive. It features the tried and tested Exynos 1280 SoC, it houses a ludicrously large 6,000 mAh battery, and its primary camera produces some impressive results in daylight. But the overbearing question remains  how does the phone perform and is it worth your hard-earned money? I answer that and more in my detailed review of the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G.

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G Review: Build and design

As I mentioned before, the Samsung Galaxy M34 fits right into the 2023 portfolio of Samsung phones  youve got that recognisable, distinct look with the vertically-placed circular camera modules that sets it apart from most others in the market. However, while I appreciate the consistency, I still do not believe that this is the best design on a smartphone in its price range.

The rear panel of the Samsung Galaxy M34 is made of polycarbonate that looks very similar to glass but the surface is an absolute fingerprint and smudge magnet. We found it extremely tricky to keep the rear panel clean enough to take good product shots. The fingerprints accumulate within seconds of cleaning the device, which is aggravating. The camera modules look classy, just as they do on other Samsung devices weve reviewed this year. The Samsung branding on the bottom is also nice and subtle.

The sides of the phone are made of plastic as well. The bottom houses the USB C port, 3.5 mm jack (yay!), and the sole Dolby Atmos-enabled speaker. The speaker is loud but doesnt compare to the experience you get with stereo speakers. The right side houses the volume rockers and power button. The power button also doubles as a capacitive fingerprint sensor, which proved to be speedy and accurate. The left side has the SIM tray which can hold 2 nano SIMs, or 1 nano SIM and an SD card. Well talk about the front of the device in the next section.\

At 208 g, the phone is pretty hefty by 2023 standards. It is also 8.8 mm thick. Samsung has done a good job distributing the weight though and the phone is quite comfortable to hold. It is awfully slippery though, so we advise buying a protective case since Samsung doesnt provide one in the packaging.

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G Review: Display

The Samsung Galaxy M34s aesthetic appeal takes a major fall when you look at the screen. The outdated waterdrop notch and chunky chin bezel make it look like a phone from the yesteryears  or at least 5-10K cheaper than it is. This is a shame because this shell houses a gorgeous 6.5-inch Super AMOLED FHD+ display with 120 Hz refresh rate support. Theres no HDR support though, which is disappointing, but you do get Widevine L1 support to view HD content on streaming platforms. The display is topped with Gorilla Glass 5 for protection against scratches and accidental drops.

The M34s screen packs a punch with vibrant colours and good viewing angles. The screen is quite bright as well, rated at 1000 nits of peak brightness. In my testing, the phone maxed out at 802 nits of brightness under sunlight with Auto Brightness turned on. So, screen legibility in sunlight is a non-issue. Content consumption on this device is good and the screen is capable of producing stunning and immersive visuals. But the immersion is marred by the massive teardrop notch.

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G Review: Performance

Housing the Exynos 1280 SoC, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is a speedy performer. This is a 5 nm chipset that comes with two Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2 GHz. I found this chipset to provide a good mix of power and efficiency. My review unit came with 6 GB LPDDR4X RAM (+ 6 GB Virtual RAM) and 128 GB of onboard UFS 2.2 storage with the option to expand it via a microSD card.

The phone performed admirably well in benchmarks against competitors such as the iQOO Z7 and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. In AnTuTu, the Samsung Galaxy M34 flew past the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lites score and it even did slightly better than the iQOO Z7. The Galaxy M34 proved its mettle in the Geekbench as well  scoring considerably higher than both the iQOO Z7 (review) and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite (review) but these phones beat it out in the Multi Core test, as you can see below. But it regained its lead in PCMark Work, meaning it will do a great job at productivity tasks such as Excel sheets, photo editing, and more.

In GPU Benchmarks, once again, the Samsung Galaxy M34 showed off its dominance scoring higher than the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite in both 3D Mark Wild Life and GFXBench tests. The Galaxy M34 beat the iQOO Z7 in 3D Mark Wild Life but the iQOO Z7 slipped slightly ahead in GFXBench tests. Overall though, this proved to be a beast of a phone in the sub 20K price segment; excelling at both CPU and GPU benchmarks. However, in storage benchmarks, the Galaxy M34 falls behind since it is using the older UFS 2.2 memory standard, so transfer speeds wont be as fast as the iQOO Z7 or OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.

In real life, the phone is smooth and fluid in day-to-day tasks with no lag whatsoever. 120 Hz refresh rate makes actions such as scrolling between screens feel even more fluid and seamless. Gaming is also stutter-free on the Galaxy M34 on Medium Graphics at High Frame Rate. We played COD: Mobile for over half an hour and didnt face any major frame drops, however, the phone did heat up slightly. In the CPU Throttling Test, the phone got a great result  it throttled to merely 85 per cent of its peak performance, so it can sustain heavy workloads without throttling too much.

Moving on to software, the Samsung Galaxy M34 comes with Android 13 out of the box with Samsungs OneUI 5.1 skin on top. OneUI has plenty of features and customisations, and the overall aesthetic is pretty decent as well but it is rife with bloatware in the form of Samsung or third-party preinstalled apps. Theres also the Samsung Glance feature that shows up on the lock screen by default. You can disable it, but its hidden deep in Settings under Wallpaper Services.

The best thing about the latest Samsung phones is the updates cycle where the company even has Google beat! The phone promises a whopping 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates, which is fantastic.

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G Review: Camera

The Samsung Galaxy M34 5G packs a triple rear camera stack consisting of a 50 MP primary camera with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) support, an 8 MP ultrawide shooter, and a 2 MP macro camera. The primary camera usually snaps detailed photos in daylight or bright indoor light with vibrant colours and decent dynamic range. The camera tends to prioritise highlights and sometimes crushes shadows in the process though. In fact, we even saw some instances where the highlights were overblown. Here are a few image samples; do note that they've been compressed for the web.

Close-up shots look great with a natural-looking bokeh effect. There are some instances when these shots can get a bit soft, usually when the light levels are not adequate. Portrait photos look good but if you look closely, the phone doesnt do a great job cutting out subjects hair. Theres also a strand or two that it misses out on entirely.

The 8 MP ultrawide shooter clicks good images with similar colour science to the main lens, but theres some loss of detail in the corners. Dynamic range is still decent, with instances of shadows being crushed. Theres a token 2 MP macro lens that clicks acceptable shots  theres not a whole lot of detail but the results are usable, at least.

For selfies, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G brings a 13 MP lens that clicks natural-looking selfies (IF you turn off Beauty Mode) with good colour and detail retention. Portrait mode selfies look the same, but the edge detection could be improved.

Samsung has also introduced the Nightography feature in the budget segment with the Galaxy M34; a feature that is usually only available on Samsungs higher-end models. It allows you to take slightly brighter pictures in low light but I still feel like the low-light photography could be improved on this phone. The dynamic range is not the best and some images appear very soft.

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G Review: Battery Life

Equipped with a monstrous 6,000 mAh battery, the Samsung Galaxy M34 5G is a phone that can last most users two days without having to reach for the charger. To reach for the charger, you would first need to purchase one since the retail box skimps out on a charging adapter. The phone supports 25 W wired charging, with no support for reverse wired charging or wireless charging.

In our 4K video loop test, the Samsung Galaxy M34 lasted an astounding 21.5 hours! Thats almost twice as much as the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite! Fifteen minutes of playing Call of Duty: Mobile only drained the battery levels by 3 per cent, and that should show you just about how power-efficient this device is. If battery life is your primary concern, and your budget is below 20,000, then this phone is a no-brainer. However, do note that 25 W charging in 2023 is quite slow. The device charged from empty to full in a little over 2 hours.

Samsung Galaxy M34 5G Review: Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy M34 gets a lot of the basics of a smartphone right. You get speedy performance, astoundingly good battery life, and a decent primary camera that should cover all your basic needs. Priced below 20,000, the Samsung Galaxy M34 offers great bang for your buck and stands strong in the face of competition. Its battery life is near unparalleled, and if that is your primary concern when buying a smartphone, dont hesitate to buy it. There are a few misses though  the dynamic range of the primary and ultrawide lens could be better, theres no HDR support on the display, theres plenty of preinstalled bloatware, and the teardrop notch looks extremely dated at this price in 2023. But if youre willing to overlook these nitpicks, the Samsung Galaxy M34 is a steal deal. An easy to recommend product for most individuals!
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Hong Kong: Student jab data goes missing

The Department of Health today announced an incident of lost personal data concerning 238 Primary 1 and Primary 6 students.

According to the departments preliminary enquiry, its School Immunisation Team visited a primary school on June 26 for an outreach vaccination service and discovered some paper records were missing.

The documents bear the information of 238 Primary 1 and Primary 6 students of the school, including their names, dates of birth, vaccination data and their emergency contacts telephone numbers.

The department apologises to the affected people for the inconvenience caused, stressing that it is very concerned about the incident.

It has notified the school and is contacting the affected students parents to apologise. At the same time, it has reported the case to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and Police.

The department will conduct a thorough investigation to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Efforts were stepped up in reminding staff members about the importance of protecting personal data and privacy, the department noted, adding that it will also examine if the team followed the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Datas guidelines on safekeeping information.

As the students vaccination records are kept in both paper and electronic format, their jab arrangements will not be affected.

Parents can call 2375 4363 or 2375 4364 for enquiries.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China, WIPO celebrate 50th anniversary of cooperation in Geneva

Xinhua) 14:45, July 07, 2023

GENEVA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- A series of activities marking the 50th anniversary of cooperation between China and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) was held Thursday in Geneva.

"In the past years, China has been sticking to the principles of openness, inclusiveness, balance, and universal benefit, and firmly supporting the multilateral IP system," said Shen Changyu, director of China National Intellectual Property Administration.

"The cooperation between the two sides has led to great achievements. It has become another successful story of cooperation between China and UN specialized agencies," he said.

Shen also noted that China has set up a complete IP legal system in line with international rules, and become an active builder, an important contributor, and a firm defender of international IP system.

Daren Tang, director general of WIPO, praised China's achievements in intellectual property over the past 50 years and pledged to strengthen cooperation with China continuously.

Zhang Jianchun, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva, also attended the celebration with staffs from other international organizations in Switzerland.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Amazon pledges $100 million for generative AI startups

Amazon Web Services (AWS), e-commerce giant and one of the founders of OpenAI, along with Infosys, Elon Musk and others, in 2015, has now launched a $100 million fund to bolster startups focusing on generative AI.

The programme, known as the AWS Generative AI Innovation Center, is designed to connect AWS-affiliated data scientists, strategists, engineers, and solutions architects with customers and partners. The aim, according to Amazon, is to "accelerate enterprise innovation and success with generative AI.

Generative A, including tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney, is a subset of artificial intelligence which, instead of learning to classify data or predict outcomes, is capable of generating new content. It creates anything from text and images to music, based on learned patterns. This cutting-edge AI can augment human productivity and creativity by churning out designs, ideas, and solutions that were previously inconceivable.

Amazon Web Services said it is launching a 10-week AWS Generative AI Accelerator to speed up its AI efforts. The programme offers access to AI resources, mentorship, and $300,000 in AWS credits. With AI-powered digital assistants, including Amazons Alexa, Apples Siri, and Googles Assistant, the Amazon initiative seems superfluous.

Generative AI has the potential to add a staggering $4.4 trillion to the global economy annually, according to a recent McKinsey report. The global AI industry is estimated to touch a high of $15.7 trillion by 2030.

The decision to launch the fund follows an AWS 10-week programme for generative AI startups and the launch of Bedrock, a platform for building generative AI-powered apps. In collaboration with Nvidia, AWS aims to construct "next-generation" infrastructure for training AI models, supplementing its in-house Trainium hardware.
Infosys launches free AI training and certification programme

Information technology major Infosys has launched 'Citizens Data Science', a free AI training and certification programme, through Infosys Springboard to empower individuals with the necessary skills to succeed in the future job market.

The 'Citizens Data Science' course covers essential aspects of data science, such as Python programming, linear algebra, probability and statistics, and exploratory data analysis. This course aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enabling learners to acquire practical data science skills.

Infosys will award learners with a certificate upon successful completion of the course.

We firmly believe that AI proficiency will give young aspirants and professionals a competitive advantage in a dynamic and demanding job market, said Thirumala Arohi, SVP and Head-Education, Training and Assessment at Infosys.

Infosys Springboard offers a variety of AI courses, including introductory and advanced courses on topics like deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI.

Infosys Springboard, which is accessible on any device, aims to foster collaboration between educators and learners, catering to students from Class 6 to lifelong learners. The platform has over 5.5 million registered users as of now.

Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys, said Generative AI will create more opportunities.

Infosys along with Elon Musk, AWS, and others had, in 2015, donated $1 billion to OpenAI which eventually grew to be one of the worlds most influential AI startups. Recently, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani said that he will donate $38.5 million to his alma mater Indian Institute of Technology Bombay to push for AI advancements.

Infosys also recently launched Topaz, an AI-focused suite with 12,000 use cases, enabling industry-specific solutions in intelligent automation, AI-driven customer service, and enhanced security. Topaz helps businesses adopt open-source LLMs to build narrow transformers, solving specific enterprise challenges and driving growth.

According to Gary Bhattacharjee, VP of Data Strategy and AI at Infosys, AI has the potential to eliminate entire functions rather than just improving processes, resulting in substantial cost reductions for clients. He highlighted the use of robotic process automation (RPA) at Infosys as an illustration of how AI can completely replace human decision-making processes. Bhattacharjee explained that RPA enables Infosys to achieve labour arbitrage by substituting human labour with low-cost robots.

Infosys is shifting focus from coding to algorithms as coding becomes more automated. Rather, the company aims to enhance the mathematical understanding of its employees and develop complex quant models. Infosys will continue to hire freshers to develop skills even as it collaborates with IITs and IIMs to attract talented individuals.

Although Infosys has not sufficiently addressed the impact of AI adoption, the companys overall hiring, including both freshers and experienced software developers, has decreased from the previous fiscal years net addition of 380,000 to an estimated 280,000 in the current fiscal year (FY23).

AI, according to a recent report by Goldman Sachs, could impact 300 million full-time jobs in the IT and related sectors. So it is essential for professionals to take up these courses to stay relevant.
India, US launch defence cooperation acceleration ecosystem INDUS X

INDUS X factsheet released for operationalising the Defence Innovation Bridge under Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)

Posted On: 22 JUN 2023 9:09AM by PIB Delhi

India and the United States on Wednesday launched the Indo-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) at an event in Washington DC3. The event was co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), an arm of Indis ministry of defence, and US Department of Defence and hosted by US-India Business Council (USIBC).

Anurag Bajpai, joint secretary (Defence Industries Promotion), led the Indian delegation in the two-day INDUS-X event. Indian and US government representatives, defence start-ups, think tanks, incubators, investors, industries and other stakeholders participated in the two-day event.

In his welcome remarks, Anurag Bajpai, hailed Investing in the Future of US-Indian Defence relations, adding that the launch of iCET (Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies) is a landmark event in India-US relationship. He said this was an opportune moment for this event, as the leaders of the two largest and oldest democracies of the world meet in Washington.

Eric Garcetti, the US Ambassador to India, gave the keynote address while

Speaking at the opening session, Frank Kendall, US secretary of the Air Force, said India-US relationship is growing exponentially. He emphasised that there is enormous potential for startups of both nations to collaborate in deeptech innovations, especially in space and artificial intelligence (AI) domain.

Bajpai stressed on the co-development and co-production of advanced technologies by Indian and US start-ups. He called upon the participants to develop mechanisms for future collaboration across industries, academia, and investors. He also gave an overview of the Make in India initiative, focusing on Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the philosophy of Make in India, for the world.

The event also saw a first-of-its-kind joint showcasing of innovative technologies by Indian and US start-ups. Fifteen Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups, from multiple domains of maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space, showcased their technologies to Indian and US stakeholders. The exhibition was visited by senior US officials, including Congressman Ro Khanna, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems (CITI) and as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, and Radha Iyengar Plumb, Deputy Under Secretary of Defence for Acquisition and Sustainment, US DoD.

The event saw two panel discussions and two roundtables on deepening collaborations across various domains, including government, academia, and industry especially startups. Discussion on export control regulations were also held.
India, US break new ground in 'space' with 'Artemis Accord

India and the United States broke new ground in space collaboration with the signing of the Artemis Accord during Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to the US.

The pact will help India participate in the US-led Artemis programme for exploration of moon and other celestial objects. "In a nutshell, it should suffice to say that India and the USA are to break new ground in the space, the ministry of science and technology, stated in a press release issued on Friday. m

The pact, according to minister of state for science and technology, PMO, personnel, public grievances, pensions, atomic energy and space, Dr Jitendra Singh, is the result of a series of unorthodox and path-breaking decisions taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the last 9 years.

India has achieve a quantum jump in space sector capabilities with the US, which began its space journey several years before India, seeking collaboration with the country as an equal partner.

Briefing the media about several significant decisions and agreements signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis US visit, Singh said the two countries have also agreed on a joint Indo-US mission to the International Space Station in 2024.

Could anything give us greater pride than to realise that the country like USA which landed the first human being on the surface of Moon when we were singing nursery rhymes about Moon, is today seeking our inputs and our expertise on Moon mission, he said.

The minister explained that the purpose of the Artemis Accord is a common vision with USA and other countries via principles, guidelines and best practices that would supplement each other's activities for peaceful purposes with transparency and also work togetherto avoid harmful activities.

He said the joint mission to the International Space Station, which is separate of signing of the Artemis Accord, will develop a framework for joint mission to the International Space Station in 2024, which the USA envisages as a possibility for closer cooperation between the space agencies of the two countries to get closer to the realities of Moon and subsequently to Mars and other planets.

Singh said India will contribute to the International Space Station next year as part of the India-US collaboration in the Space Science field. US President Joe Biden has already confirmed this in the White House after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, he added.

Singh said Isro is likely to team up with NASA as it plans to return to the moon with a manned mission by 2025.

According to the joint statement by India and the United States issued during PM Modis recent visit, NASA would provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at one of its facilities.

The pact will also pave the way for easing restrictions on import of critical technologies in the space domain especially electronics, benefitting Indian companies to develop systems and innovate for US markets. It will also facilitate participation of India in more scientific programmes jointly, allow access to common standards for long term engagements in activities including human spaceflight programmes and stronger engagements with the US in more strategic areas, including micro-electronics, quantum, space security etc, the minister added.

The Artemis Accord was signed on 13 October 2020 by eight founder nations - Australia, Canada, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, UAE, UK and the United States. Its members include the traditional US allies like Japan, France, New Zealand, UK, Canada, South Korea, Australia and Spain while African nations like Rwanda, Nigeria etc are the new partners. Out of 22 European nations only eight (Luxembourg, Italy, UK, Romania, Poland, France, Czech Republic and Spain) have signed the accord.

The Artemis Accord is a non-binding agreement with no financial commitments. The purpose of these accords is to establish a common vision via a practical set of principles, guidelines, and best practices to enhance the governance of the civil exploration and use of outer space with intension of advancing the Artemis programme. Adherence to a practical set of principles, guidelines, and best practices in carrying out activities in outer space is intended to increase the safety of operations, reduce uncertainty, and promote the sustainable and beneficial use of space for all humankind. The accords represent a political commitment to the principles described herein, many of which provide for operational implementation of important obligations contained in the Outer Space Treaty and other instruments.

The principles set out in these accords are intended to apply to civil space activities conducted by the civil space agencies of each signatory. These activities may take place on the moon, Mars, comets, asteroids, including their surfaces and sub surfaces, as well as in orbit of the Moon or Mars, in the lagrangian points for the Earth-Moon system, and in transit between these celestial bodies and locations. The signatories intend to implement the principles set out in these accords through their own activities by taking, as appropriate, measures such as mission planning and contractual mechanism with entities acting on their behalf.

All activities under the Artemis Accord will be conducted for peaceful purposes. Partner states are to uphold the transparency principle by publicly describing policies and plans. Partner nations to utilise open international standards, develop new standards when necessary, and strive to support interoperability. Partner nations commit to taking all reasonable steps possible to render assistance to astronauts in distress and determine which of them should register relevant space object in accordance with the Registration Convention.

Partner nations are obligated to release their scientific data publicly to ensure that the entire world can benefit from the Artemis journey. Member nations are to inform UN about their space activities. Partner nations will avoid harmful interference and act in a manner that is consistent with the principles reflected in the Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the UNCOPUOS.

International cooperation has been part of the Indian space programme since inception. Isros maiden mission to Moon, the Chandrayaan-1, has been an exemplary example of international cooperation with its international payloads. It has also earned several national and international laurels and was instrumental in the Isro-NASA joint discovery of water molecules on the moon surface, unattained by any of the previous missions of such nature.

Isro and NASA are realizing a joint satellite mission called NISAR (NASA-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar) for earth science studies. As part of Isros prestigious Gaganyaan programme, the cooperation opportunities with countries and space agencies having expertise in human space flight are being explored. The cooperation activities are focused in astronaut training, life support systems, radiation shielding solutions etc.
Micron to set up $2.7 bn semiconductor assembly unit in India

Micron Technology Inc, one of the world's largest semiconductor manufacturers, has announced plans to set up semiconductor assembly and testing facility in India.

The announcement came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US. The announcement came hours after Modis meeting with Micron CEO Sanjay Mehrotra in the US, where the latter expressed optimism on greater opportunities in India.

Micron has proposed to invest $825 million (around Rs6,760 crore) in the facility, which will involve total investment of $2.7 billion. The government will contribute the remaining in two phases.

The new facility, which will be set up in Gujarat, will be eligible for production-linked incentives worth Rs11,000 crore ($1.34 billion), reports citing government sources said.

Sky is not the limit, PM Modi said as India-US ties grew beyond the Moon mission.

The two sides will step up cooperation in the critical semiconductor manufacturing field, which is currently dominated by Taiwan, South Korea, and China, with a slew of US companies pledging investment in India after New Delhi committed up to $ 2.75 billion for a testing and assembly facility.

India and US also pledged to work together for global good, as the two countries firm up an already strong partnership, despite not being formal treaty allies.

We are excited about the steps India is taking to develop the local semiconductor ecosystem, Mehrotra said. He said Microns new assembly and test location in India will enable the company to expand its global manufacturing base and better serve customers in India and around the world.

Microns plant has been approved under the governments Modified Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) Scheme. Under the scheme, Micron will receive 50 per cent fiscal support for the total project cost from the Indian government and incentives representing 20 per cent of the total project cost from the state of Gujarat.

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 clean room space, will become operational in late 2024, Micron said. Micron added that the plant will create up to 5,000 new direct jobs and 15,000 community jobs over the next several years. Government support will help fund the project and facilitate access to essential semiconductor infrastructure and resources to drive innovation and enhance local talent development, Micron said.

Micron plans to ramp up capacity over time in line with global demand trends. The company said it expects Phase 2 of the project, which would include the construction of a facility similar in scale to Phase 1, to start towards the second half of the decade.

IT and telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Microns move will transform Indias semiconductor landscape and generate tens of thousands of hightech and construction jobs. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for IT and electronics called it a big milestone.
There has been a 15% increase in the number of Donegal passengers using Ireland West Airport as it confirmed a record 367.000 passengers passed through Ireland West Airport during the period January to June 2023, making it the busiest six-month period in the airports 38-year history.

The passenger numbers represented a 24% increase on the same period in 2022 and 1% higher than the previous busiest six-month period in 2019.

Donal Healy, Head of Marketing, Ireland West Airport Knock told donegallive.ie that one of the most interesting statistics from this countys perspective is that in first six months the airport had seen an increase of 15% in the number of Donegal passengers using their car park, which he said  is very encouraging.

The actual increase in Donegal passenger numbers actually boarding and arriving on flights into the airport would be confirmed in September, he added.

Over 300,000 passengers travelled between Ireland and the UK during the first six months of the year, an 18% increase on 2022 figures and a 7% increase on the previous busiest six-month period in 2019. In March, the airport welcomed a new service to London Heathrow with Aer Lingus, whilst Ryanair added extra capacity on services to Edinburgh, Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham for the summer period.

Ireland West Airport has bounced back in spectacular style after the Covid years

The airports services to Mainland and Continental Europe also recorded a significant increase in passenger numbers during the first six months of the year, with a 31% increase on pre pandemic 2019 passenger levels, demonstrating the significant increase in demand for European city break and sun holidays from the airport, amongst people living in the West, Northwest and Midlands regions of Ireland.



Following a strong start to 2023 the airport is forecasting passenger numbers to exceed 2019 levels and reach a record 830,000 passengers for the year. In further positive news, Ryanair launched a new weekly service to Lanzarote in March and in late June announced they will operate a new weekly service to Tenerife this winter from the airport.

Commenting on a record six months for passenger traffic at the airport, Joe Gilmore, Managing Director, Ireland West Airport, said: "The first six months have proven to be a very strong period for the airport with passenger numbers exceeding pre pandemic levels for the first time, which is very welcome news. Its been particularly pleasing to welcome so many new customers to the airport in the first six months of the year which is reflected by the very strong numbers travelling on our sun services, in particular, in the last few months.

"Following the recent positive announcements by our airline partners Aer Lingus and Ryanair of new services to London Heathrow, Lanzarote and Tenerife, the choice of destinations on offer for customers in the West, Northwest, and Midlands region this year has never been stronger. These new routes, combined with the stress-free experience and convenience of using the airport we hope, will continue to entice new customers to the airport and experience for themselves the benefits of flying from Ireland West Airport".
Students across Ireland can earn a university degree outside the Leaving Cert points system from September 2023.

That's according to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, who today (July 7) confirmed details of the landmark change.

From September, students will be able to enroll in one of 23 degree courses across healthcare, enterprise, arts, and science in a further education institution, before progressing to a higher education institution to complete a fully-accredited degree.

It's hoped the change will provide pathways to learners outside the traditional CAO process.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said, "This is the single biggest transformation to education in decades. Today we launch 23 degree courses outside the points system. We know the points system has not worked for many of our young people.

"Today we can tell the next generation of students they can access degrees in nursing, business, engineering and media without ever having to worry about points.

"This is the start. We have much more to do but today, we change the system and ensure the learner is at the heart of all we do."

The minister continued: "My Department and I have made it a priority to change the unnecessarily stressful points race that the CAO system puts on our learners. I feel strongly that just because someone gets less points in their Leaving Cert than someone else, does not mean they should lose out on the opportunity to pursue their dream career.

"With the launch of these courses today, we are making a significant change to how our third level system works and, most importantly, we are creating a more inclusive society in which students will have the opportunity to reach their potential without relying solely on an outdated system."

Minister Harris thanked the National Tertiary Office, the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS "for their leadership in driving this change forward".

He also confirmed that the SUSI grant will still be available to applicants of these courses outside the points system.

Details on the 14 tertiary education awards across 23 different courses will be delivered on a new National Tertiary Office (NTO) online portal from today.

Featured courses include Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Popular Music Level 8 at Munster Technological University (upon completion of an access course at Cork College of FET), BSc (Hons) in General Nursing Level 8 at Atlantic TU (upon completion of an access course at an FET centre in Letterkenny, Sligo or Galway), and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Software Development Level 8 at MTU (upon completion of an access course at Cork College of FET).

Director of the National Tertiary Office, Dr Fiona Maloney, said, "These new and supported pathways through further and higher education help students achieve their career goals and offer several advantages including local availability of courses with guaranteed progression and the removal of geographical and financial barriers."

CEO of the Higher Education Authority, Dr Alan Wall, said it was "a pivotal day" for students seeking alternative routes to degree programmes.

He said, "It is a proud day for the HEA and SOLAS because from the outset we believed, through the combined efforts of our sectors that these pathways could and should exist for students."
Senior politicians have expressed shock at the poisoning of two young white-tailed eagles in Northern Ireland.

Both eagles were found dead on a hill farm in the Glenhead Road area of Ballymena, Co Antrin on May 15, with the cause of death confirmed in the last few days by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Taoiseach Micheal Martin reportedly released one of the birds in August 2022 on the Shannon Estuary as part of a re-introduction programme by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

The Taoiseach said, "I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn of the death of the white-tailed eagles. I have closely followed the reintroduction programme for a number of years and to be involved in the release of the seven young eagles in 2022 was an experience that I will never forget.

"These are an iconic species, and the work of the NPWS in reintroducing them is something I, and the Government, am proud to support. There have been great successes in the programme over recent years, so to learn of a poisoning like this is very disappointing."

The Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, also commented, stating, "Like everyone who is captivated by the sight of these magnificent birds in our skies again, I am appalled at what appears to be a poisoning incident that has led to the death of two white- tailed eagles.

"It has been encouraging in recent years to see birds nesting and rearing young hatched eagles here for the first time in over 100 years. An incident like this sets back our ambition but we wont be deterred. Whatever misunderstanding that is out there needs to be challenged.

"Toxic substances such as carbofurans are banned and need to be handed over for safe disposal."

He confirmed the NPWS will work with Northern Irish colleagues, the PSNI and An Garda Siochana to fully investigate the incident.

He said, "Wildlife crime is wrong at any time but in a time of a biodiversity crisis it is socially abhorrent and I would urge anyone with information relating to this incident, to speak to the PSNI."

Director General of the NPWS Niall O Donnchu added: "I was very saddened to hear of the poisonings. White-tailed eagles are beautiful and rare birds, and while we are in the midst of a successful reintroduction programme, these setbacks truly matter.



"The deliberate poisoning of birds of prey is a heinous crime against nature and an offence under the Wildlife Acts. These birds have no means of detecting that they have been baited and the malice of forethought in these acts doesnt bear thinking about."

One of the young eagles had been brought in as a chick from Norway in 2022 under phase two of the White-tailed Eagle Re-introduction Programme, and was fitted with a satellite tag so his movements could be tracked.

He crossed into Northern Ireland from south Donegal on the May 1, 2023 and was found dead just two weeks later, alongside an untagged young eagle.

The origin of the second dead eagle is unknown.

Investigations by the PSNI recently revealed that both young eagles had ingested an insecticide called Bendiocarb.

It is not known how the eagles ingested the substance, but it was possibly from eating a dead animal or other bait laced with the insecticide.

According to the substance classification and labelling approved by the European Union, Bendiocarb is fatal if swallowed, and toxic if touched or inhaled.

It is acutely toxic to many animals, particularly to birds, fish and some invertebrates such as bees and earthworms.

Despite their toxicity, Bendiocarb, Carbofuran and other poisons continue to be used to target wildlife; earlier this year a white-tailed eagle was found poisoned by the illegal insecticide Carbofuran in Co Cavan.

White-tailed eagles - who were persecuted to extinction in the early 1900s - are a protected species under the Wildlife Act.

The NPWS has issued a reminder that the use of poisonous substances for the control of foxes and crows has been illegal since 2010.
Louth County Council have announced that the hugely popular Culture Night will take place this year on Friday 22nd September.

Louth County Council Arts Service now welcomes applications from those eligible to avail of funding from the Culture Night Event Fund for 2023.

The fund is open to applications from not-for-profit organizations, local community groups, arts, heritage and cultural groups, venues and societies.

Applications can be made by individuals but must be in partnership with a venue, community, arts, cultural or heritage group. Assistance cannot be given in relation to commercial activities.

Events should respond to the national theme of Culture Night 2023, One Night For All. See https://culturenight.ie/ for full details.

The maximum award that will be given to any one application will be 1,500. A budget breakdown must be submitted with any proposal seeking support of over 500.

This year they are particularly interested in projects that reflect the cultural richness of Louth and the diversity within local communities.

Initiatives that specifically target the 18-35 demographic and target the night time economy will also be looked on favourably.

The Council said they are, Committed to projects that consider equality, inclusion, accessibility and diversity, and that seek to include all voices of culture.

Consideration should also be given as to how best to target and engage with new / different audiences while planning an event.

The grant can cover costs related to the running of the event such as guest speaker fees, guest artist fees, arts materials, event photographer and tech support hire. Payment of the grant will be for the specific activities outlined in the application/proposal.

The grant cannot cover staffing costs on the night of the event, ongoing revenue costs, any capital costs, equipment purchase costs, charity fund raising events, cost of repaying existing debts, refreshments, publicity costs, travel or accommodation expenses.

Applying for this funding does not guarantee that an event will be funded.

Events must take place in County Louth on Culture Night, Sept 22nd and must be free of charge and take place after 4p.m.

Successful applicants will be required to:

Ensure they have appropriate insurance cover for the event.

Ensure that, where appropriate, child protection policies are in place.

Ensure that all events comply with Health and Safety and legislative requirements.

Ensure that Louth County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland are acknowledged in any and all publicity relating to the event. Relevant logos will be supplied to the successful grant awardees.

The grant will only be paid AFTER the event and all expenditure has been processed. Vouched expenses and a short report on the event including audience numbers etc should be submitted by October 7th 2023 at the latest to ensure payment.

Applications should be in the form of a short two page proposal outlining event details and target audience and they should be submitted to arts@louthcoco.ie by 4p.m on Friday 14th July 2023. Enquiries can also be sent to arts@louthcoco.ie
Called Charlottes Choice, this story is about a Cork woman and her tangled love life, and was written by Gabrielle Dufrene, from the MA in Creative Writing Programme at UCC. Catch up with previous episodes at echolive.ie. In the fifth episode, the funeral ends, and Charlotte and Sean share a passionate clinch...

CHARLOTTE stayed late into the evening, helping to refill glasses and arrange flowers around the house.

In between polite and distant conversations with people who she was supposed to remember, but never could, she felt constant, conspicuous glances from Seans extended family flicking between Sean, herself, and her ring.

After all the dishes were washed and dried and his sisters were settled comfortably next to the fireplace with a movie, she agreed to go with Sean to the pub for a pint.

It was too late to expect to take the train back to the city; she would stay in the spare bed in Saoirses room.

Shed phoned Gregory, who was in France, to check in, and told him she was spending the night in her childhood home. She knew she was being duplicitous, but she didnt want to raise any alarm, and just wanted to be there for Sean. He didnt question her.

The pub was in walking distance from the Walsh home. After they left the house, Sean seemed unreachable, his mind somewhere far away, so she was careful not to push him with questions.

At the pub, they just talked about town gossip: a girl they knew from secondary school who was having her third child, the man who owned the chipper who was going on trial for assault allegations, people whod moved away or come back.

After Seans fifth pint, Charlotte suggested they get home. They strolled in silence past the fields, along the gravel roads. The stars were radiant and plentiful overhead.

I dont even know where to start, Sean said, finally. My life feels like its over. I know I shouldnt say that, but I have to come back now. No matter what I want, my life has to be here now, at least for a while. For my sisters.

I know, Charlotte replied, quietly. Im so, so sorry. Youre the strongest person I know, Sean. I know it doesnt make anything easier, but I hope you know youre more than capable of getting through this. Im here no matter what.

Are you? He looked at her sharply.

Whats that supposed to mean? She asked, her heart thudding.

Youre getting married in a few months. And then what? Its hardly fair to expect your husband to be happy with you hanging around me. Im done for. Ill be here in Dunmanway, alone, and youll be...

His voice cracked, then it faltered.

Just. Never mind. Im sorry I said anything.

No, Charlotte said, putting her hand on his cheek.

He looked into her eyes.

No, she repeated, softly.

And there, under the stars, witnessed only by the cicadas and the scuttling field mice and the ghosts that passed up and down the lonely road like a band of lost circus performers, his lips pressed into hers, and it was beautiful, it was a feeling shed all but forgotten, it was everything - it was, she feared, she knew - real love.

Nothing would ever be the same.

She pulled away, too enraptured to feel guilty, just wanting to savour the moment: one she hadnt realised shed been waiting years for.

Sean, she whispered, gliding her fingertips through his hair. I love you.

Ive always loved you, he said.

They remained there for what seemed like centuries, absorbing the enormity of the words that had just been uttered. After a while, they continued down the road to his house, where she climbed into his bed. She didnt want to leave his arms: not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever.
 YOU Dont Know What War Is, the memoir of Yeva Skalietska, told in diary form, describes a life utterly transformed by war.

I chat to her over Zoom. She is a relaxed interviewee, accustomed to the attention her work, and indeed her story, has garnered in recent months. Her memoir is a Sunday Times Book of the Year and has been shortlisted for the Childrens Book of the Year.

She explains that she didnt keep a diary before war broke out. She was too busy enjoying her peaceful, happy life, living with her grandmother Iryna, in an apartment on the outskirts of Kharkiv in the northeast of Ukraine.

I attended a wonderful school. I loved maths, history, English and German  I was a great student.

We had a big swimming pool in school where I loved to swim. I attended a music school in the afternoons where I sang and danced and painted.

The early entries in the book provide a snapshot of this happy childhood, punctuated by parties, games and gatherings, just miles from the Russian border.

This all changed dramatically in February 2022. She details those first 12 days with devastating immediacy, when she first experienced the terrifying sound of nearby shelling and had to take shelter in a damp basement.

She turned to writing to process the unimaginable.

It became my safe place, where I could hide myself and talk to myself. I couldnt understand or believe what was happening. It is unimaginable until you experience it.

These descriptive and reflective diary entries are accompanied by photographs of Yeva, taken by her grandmother, alongside snippets of her Whatsapp conversations with friends from school in Ukraine. It is all hauntingly relatable.

The book also includes daily headlines from around the world and three beautifully detailed maps (by Kharkiv-native Olga Shtonda) which help the reader track Yeva and her grandmothers journey through Budapest and on to Dublin.

The harrowing events that led to the final publication of this book are reminiscent of a world most of us have assigned to the past.

When we were evacuating I met a Channel 4 journalist and I told him about my diary. I featured on their news programme. We didnt want to leave home but when we heard the school was closing we knew we had to go. We called the journalist who brought us to a small train station.

We travelled to Hungary with them and they eventually helped to find myself and my grandmother a host family in Dublin.

Gary and Catherine, who hosted Yeva and her grandmother, work as teachers in Dublin. The Ukrainian family is now settled in their own accommodation. Yeva is starting third year in secondary school in September, at a younger age than most.

I have caught up on the programme now. Subjects are easier here than in Ukraine.

Ireland is a wonderful country with wonderful people and I love nature here, the parks and the sea. Its strange to have a uniform however and strange to be in a school with only girls.

Her ambitious nature is unchanged and she plans to use her time in Ireland to achieve what is best for her family and her country.

I cant help Ukraine now but I want to study here and get an education in order to do something to help Ukraine.

My country is very beautiful too. My city is a beautiful city with many parks and cultural centres. Before the war, they opened a wonderful zoo. I loved to spend time there in the dolphin area.

Yeva wrote the book in Russian and it has been excellently translated into English. She says her Irish friends havent read it yet but have been kind and welcoming to her.

Her philosophy throughout our conversation is wise and simple.

People have to understand that the most important thing of all is life, to protect life. We can earn everything else. We can earn money, gather possessions, but you cant earn life or faith or love. We should all be free to live in peace.

Yeva also relies on her faith in God which she believes makes miracles.

When asked why she continued to write, Yeva explains that her work contains an important message for everyone but most importantly for adults.

I wanted to show adults that us children need to live in peace. Wherever we are in the world, we need that, to live in peace. I also wanted to share a message of hope to support other people experiencing war. A hope that this nightmare will end some day and that anything is possible.

Yeva hopes that her work will help adults to think about the consequences of their actions on children, on the future, because they are the future.

You Dont Know What War Is published in association with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with a foreword by Michael Morpurgo Yeva Skalietska will appear at the West Cork Literary Festival tomorrow, Saturday July 8 at 5pm in Bantry Library.
A new exhibition in Cork showcases personal stories and memories of infectious disease in Ireland.

The exhibition, Catching Stories, which will run in University College Corks Boole Library until July 16, has collected memories and experiences of a range of diseases such as polio, tuberculosis and measles from 20th and 21st century Ireland.

The project, which is funded by the Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Discover programme, brings those recollections together with biomedical commentary in an online resource, www.catchingstories.org, to explore how the experience of these diseases and related public health measures have affected Irish society.

Dr Cliona OCarroll, from the Cork Folklore Project and Department of Folklore and Ethnology, UCC, was project lead on Catching Stories.

Listening to peoples experiences, and contextualising them with an account of the history of the diseases and of public health efforts to combat them, allows the two sides to inform each other, she said.

The stories and memories bring home to us the devastating impact that diseases, now made rare by vaccination, had on families and communities.

Dr OCarroll added that it had been equally important to learn about the tensions between everyday life and official initiatives, and about the trauma, stigma, and loss that often accompanied such experiences.

Evelyn Wainwright, who contributed to Catching Stories, an exhibition which will run in University College Corks Boole Library until 16 July.

It is important to acknowledge how listening to communities can inform our understanding of public health developments.

We are delighted that Science Foundation Ireland recognised this in funding the overall project and that APC Microbiome Ireland and the Boole Library helped us to bring this material out into the world physically by supporting the exhibition, she said.

The impact of the project will live on for years, as this valuable testimony will be safeguarded in the archives of the Cork Folklore Project.

Dr Ruth Freeman, director of science for society, SFI, said SFI had been delighted to support Catching Stories innovative use of oral history to help more people understand the impact of serious public health issues.

The project is seeking new ways to inspire and grow public awareness of the impact of research on society and how developments in science contribute to everyday life, while also enhancing understanding of the lived experience of infectious disease, Dr Freeman said.

Dr Elizabeth Brint, of UCCs Department of Pathology, said that, as an immunologist, she had found the project very helpful in highlighting the importance of vaccination programmes and how such programmes have transformed community health and wellbeing.

My involvement in this project has opened my eyes to the power of individual stories in understanding the impact of public health initiatives, Dr Brint said.

The Catching Stories project centres on the human experience of individuals, families and communities, from Spanish flu to Covid-19.

The exhibition foregrounds the human voice through audio installations, links to interviews, and interaction with physical objects.

It invites visitors to join interviewees in the experience of manually ventilating a child with polio throughout the night in 1956 and to move along a waiting-room bench when facing vaccination by the dreaded branding iron, or to imagine the loss of a childhood classmate from measles.

Artworks by Lesley Cox also explore the impact of polio on families and communities.

Catching Stories runs in UCCs Boole Library until July 16.
The former IRA volunteer and republican prisoner who coined the phrase which arguably came to define and dictate the slow evolution of the republican approach to politics will give a talk in Cork this weekend.

Danny Morrison, former Sinn Fein director of publicity and editor of An Phoblacht, is giving a talk at the Firkin Crane at 7pm on Saturday, ahead of Sinn Feins National Hunger Strike Commemoration, which takes place in Cork this year on Sunday, August 27.

Morrison once shared a cell with Pat Sheehan, the 17th republican prisoner to join the 1981 H-Block hunger strikes, who had survived 55 days without food.

It may well, in time, turn out that Danny Morrison will be remembered by history for something he said at the November 1981 Sinn Fein Ard Fheis.

He was the man who asked: Who here really believes we can win the war through the ballot box? But will anyone here object if, with a ballot paper in one hand and an Armalite in this hand, we take power in Ireland?

It was with that speech, in a line he says was spontaneous, that he crystalised a twin-track approach by the republican movement, which led eventually, four decades later, to Sinn Fein being on the apparent cusp of simultaneous democratically elected office on both sides of the border.

Historically, the republican movement was quite opposed to elections, because they had never achieved anything, because the results were always been compromised, or awarded, or betrayed, he says.

Bobby Sands.

But as a result of Bobby Sands getting elected in April 1981, and then two other prisoners getting elected to Dail Eireann, in June 1981, one of whom, Kieran Doherty, would die on hunger strike in August of that year, as a result of those election results, we saw the benefit of them.

The British were saying  Margaret Thatcher was saying  How can I talk to you? Youve no mandate, so we began to recognise elections as another front in the struggle against British rule, and we needed to persuade the Ard Fheis of the merits of contesting elections.

In a way, I was playing to the gallery, because I wanted to reassure people that the IRA could continue with its campaign, but we would have opened up an electoral front which would have challenged the British, challenge the SDLP, and challenge the mainstream parties in the [Republic].

Asked if he envisaged at the time that the ballot paper would eventually replace the Armalite, he says he knew there would be a limit to support so long as violence continued.

Lots of people had moral problems about certain aspects of the IRA campaign, and I understood that, and I think most of us understood that, he concedes.

He says it wasnt until the IRA ceasefire of 1994 that the British began to accept that they could no longer exclude republicans from negotiations.

Once that happened, in a very short period of time, Sinn Fein overtook the SDLP in the North, he says, to the extent that Sinn Fein is the largest party in the North and the largest party in the 26 counties.

Sinn Fein has 36 TDs in the current Dail, as has Fianna Fail.

He feels that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael always found it easier to blame the nationalist community, to blame the republican community, to blame the IRA, than it would be to confront a very powerful neighbour in Britain.

I dont think they realised in 1981 that this cell, in H3, in 1981, when Bobby Sands started his hunger strike, that that was the start of a process, that that was the building blocks of modern Sinn Fein.

It can be traced right back to his cell on the first of March, 1981.

A frequent contributor to the Irish Examiner, he has strong ties with Cork.

Hes a big fan of Conal Creedon, and he feels the Devonshire Street writer deserves far more attention than he gets.

I think hes a great writer, but you know theres this Dublin bubble, if it doesnt happen in Dublin, its not happening at all.

Such Leeside admiration does not extend to the current Tanaiste.

He is scathing of Micheal Martins 2021 ruling out of a Border poll on Irish unity in the lifetime of this Government.

The people in the 26 counties, all opinion polls have shown they favour Irish union, but the two Government parties, and in particular your own Micheal Martin from Cork, has said, while he was Taoiseach, there will be no Border poll referendum on my watch.

I mean, whatever happened to Fianna Fail  the Republican Party, who fought a civil war over the Republic being sold out and compromised  and now you have a leader saying, There will be no border poll? Its astonishing.

Given previous comments by Mr Martin, the Tanaiste might respond that, under the Good Friday Agreement, a Border poll can only be triggered by the UK secretary for Northern Ireland if they feel there is a reasonable chance it would pass, and that is unlikely, at the moment, to occur.

That is the sequence, but there is nothing to stop an Irish Taoiseach saying, This is what I would like to see, I would like to see my country united, Morrison replies.

Under the Good Friday Agreement, he should favour a poll, even though we dont want one tomorrow, we want preparations to be made so we can show all of the arguments socially, economically, politically, that a united Ireland makes sense.

Its probably fair to say Micheal Martin might also suggest that calls for a Border poll are cynical and divisive gestures designed as red meat for Sinn Fein supporters.

On the subject of a united Ireland, there appears to be a certain reluctance on the part of Sinn Fein to actually say what that would look like.

I am quite relaxed about all of this, and I will tell you why, Morrison says.

The state I currently live in  and I am talking to you from Andersonstown in west Belfast  is not the state that I grew up in, it has been transformed.

I have friends in the unionist community, and some of them have their Irish passports. They will acknowledge and they say that they will accept the outcome of a referendum.

Im 70 now, Im relaxed with the situation, I know the direction of travel.

He says that, as an Irish republican, he will not tell people what they can and cannot discuss about Irelands future.

If people want to bring it up, lets hear whats good for Ireland, lets hear whats good for the Irish people.
A CORK business owner has called for a dramatic shakeup in Cork city centre to support independent retailers ahead of her shops permanent closure tomorrow.

Bronwyn Connolly, the owner of Wild Design  an award-winning Irish Design store which has been in Paul St Shopping Centre since 2017  admitted it was a tough decision to close the premises tomorrow.

It was a really tough decision to make. We are heartbroken to be going, but the city centre is just tough to trade in. It just didnt really bounce back after covid.

Everybody got used to going online. It is something we have been toying with for a bit and we just had to make the call. We had the best customers. It will be tough closing the doors this Saturday, she said.

Ms Connolly said a dramatic shakeup is required in Cork city centre. I dont want to be negative about the city centre. It is not what it used to be. I think there needs to be a dramatic shakeup in the city centre.

It is expensive and it makes it tricky to make a profit. Paul St is a great location in terms of footfall, but I think people got used to online. When tourists come in, they are always wondering where are the independent retailers? They arent very many.

Ms Connolly said several initiatives are required to support business owners.

Retail does need a bit more support. To encourage startups, if they gave rent breaks and things like that just for people to come into the city and try it.

She said that small businesses could never afford rent in some places across the city. She also pointed to shopping centres where parking is free, which can entice people away from the city centre.

You dont have to pay for your parking so why would you come into town and spend a few euros.

They just dont encourage people to come into the city centre. I think there needs to be a dedicated retail committee in the city council that focuses on what can they do to encourage small businesses.

If there was something the council could do to encourage more independent retail it would be a huge benefit to the city, said Ms Connolly.

Wild Design is renowned for specialising in Irish and ethical made gifts.

Ms Connolly said they loved trading in Cork city but will now turn their focus to the online market.

We do want to leave on a positive note. The people of the city centre welcomed us with open arms.

We loved being in the city. We were online for covid and we went offline as we wanted to specifically focus on the store as a lot of our stuff is handmade.

We are going to go online and maybe look at doing pop-ups for now and still try our best to support the small makers and designers in the city.
Cork medicinal cannabis campaigner, Vera Twomey, whose 13 year old daughter Ava passed away in May following a lifelong battle with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome has expressed her gratitude for the support she received in Ireland and overseas.

Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, on Newstalk, Ms Twomey, who is a mother of four, said that public was instrumental in getting her through her lengthy, but ultimately successful campaign, to obtain medicinal cannabis for Ava who was experiencing catastrophic and potentially life ending seizures.

She also thanked all those who sympathised with her family after Ava died in hospital in Cork on May 26th last following an illness.

I hope that some of the people who reached out to us and offered condolences to us know that we deeply appreciate the communications that were made.

"Ava was a marvellous person who fought very hard for so many years. We were so grateful to have the support of so many people in this country and beyond this country as well.

"There are so many people responsible for us having the privilege of us having had her for so many more years. It is important for us to come out and thank people for that."

Ms Twomey said that medicinal cannabis helped Ava to have the quality of life that she deserved.

And to extend her life for several years beyond the expectations of any of the medical professionals. We had seven years of Ava being seizure free until the start of this year because of medicinal cannabis. Seven years is a long time.

"She (Ava) was a brave person and a beautiful person and somebody that never gave up. She was somebody you would be proud to call your daughter.

Vera admitted that losing Ava was the realisation of her worst nightmare.

It is like the world is not enough without her. There is a tremendous void. It is very difficult to adjust. I cant really say whether personally Im coping or not, but Im still here anyway. But the ability to not reach out and be with her is extremely difficult.

"(I think) of her smile. She didnt have to speak. She controlled a room. She was a remarkable lady. She didnt have to use that many words. Her energy was something that was very special.

"She would have spoken when she wanted something! She had her priorities. It is very odd that the place is so silent without her. It seems not as special and wonderful a place to be without her.

Ms Twomey added that Ava wasnt defined by her condition.

That (her condition) was part of her life but it wasnt all of her life. She loved music. She loved jigsaws. She loved Ed Sheeran. She loved to go to school. She loved her teachers. There was so much more to her than seizures. We were very lucky to have her.

Meanwhile, in 2017 then Minister for Health Simon Harris granted a licence for the use of medicinal cannabis by Ava.

Vera, who is from Aghabullogue, Co Cork had walked from Cork to Leinster House in Dublin on two occasions in a bid to highlight the plight of young Ava. Her condition was so serious that it had previously pushed her in to cardiac arrest and an eight day coma.

Vera gave numerous media interviews over a three year period in which she said that she was desperate to gain access to THC to prevent her daughters severe epilepsy attacks. She also assisted other parents who were in similar positions to her.

Ms Twomey published a book called For Ava in 2019 in which she told of the struggles that her family experienced when her daughter was seriously ill.

Vera said that they ran out of options to treat Dravet Syndrome and that there was nothing there but Google as they desperately searched for a solution to the dire circumstances of their daughter.

Prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis Ava was having up to 23 seizures in 26 hours. Vera previously said that seizures were terrifying experiences as she never knew if her daughter would come out of one intact. The fear was that Ava would end up brain damaged or dead.

The ambulance service call outs were so regular for Ava that they didn't need to ask her address.

Vera previously stated that her life prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis for Ava was one of constant stress, pain and anxiety.

"Every waking moment was consumed by it. I operated under constant fear and tension waiting for the next seizure. It was coming though you never knew when - but as sure as day it was coming.

"Ava was having several seizures almost every day, with over twenty on a bad day. They may varied in extent and severity, but each one was an agonising experience, full of pain and terror."

In May of 2017 Vera went to Spain to get a prescription from a consultant for medicinal cannabis for Ava.

Customs officials confiscated the THC cannabis oil from Ms Twomey after questioning her for an hour after she got off a flight from Barcelona.

She went to live in the Hague in the Netherlands in the latter half of 2017 where she again received a prescription of the drug for her daughter. At the time Ms Twomey said that it was a relief to finally gain consistent access to the medication even if she had to go overseas.

It is freedom for us. We have a medicine that works. We can speak openly and honestly about Ava having the THC form of cannabis. We dont have to hide in the shadows.

THC has saved Avas life and changed her life and is the most humane form of medication."

Speaking in 2017 Ms Twomey admitted that she felt a personal responsibility to help other people in similar situations.

It doesnt matter if you are the first, second or 23rd person to get medicinal cannabis. It is your duty to share some of your success and how it is achieved."

Ms Twomey was asked to speak in the House of Commons in London in 2019 about the benefits of the alternative medicine in treating conditions such as severe epilepsy. She was also named Cork Person of the Month in May of 2018.
The head of Corks Support After Crime Services fears that a bill criminalising the recruitment of children into gangs wont achieve its aims unless parents are also held to account.

Sally Hanlon of Support after Crime services  whose service users have included the victims of crimes committed by children  said the irresponsibility of some parents plays a part in antisocial behaviour.

Assaults, she added, have been among the most common crimes instigated by children.

She has seen instances where children as young as 14 have been responsible for assaults which left their victims shaken and disturbed.

It follows a Dail debate on the Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023, which proposes a five-year prison sentence for anyone grooming children into crime.

Ms Hanlon said: I have seen that youngsters are being groomed and have been groomed into crime.

There has been irresponsibility on the side of the parents of those children.

Parents need to know where their children are and who they are with.

If you see your child walking in with a 200 pair of runners you have to ask yourself where they got them, Ms Hanlon added.

She said that parents should be working together with authorities to help solve the issue.

There has to be monitoring all round. There also needs to be a combined effort to get everything working the way it is supposed to.

This combined effort needs to happen with the co-operation of parents, social workers and gardai.

Those involved with the child need to work in a circle to achieve the correct outcome.

Ms Hanlon said that children will often get involved in crime as a form of protection.

They may be scared and thinking that a gang might provide them with a certain degree of protection.

For others, being involved in a gang is a badge of honour. They want to belong.

She expressed serious concern for the children involved.

These are children who are being used and will be thrown to the bottom of the pile as soon as someone younger and more impressionable comes along.

Ms Hanlon described how criminal activity exploiting children has evolved in recent years.

There was a time when burglars would use children to climb through windows and open the door of a house but they have now been upgraded from that. Some are receiving drugs which they eventually get hooked on and taken down another risky path.
Cork city is to host its first Socialism Festival this weekend and political issues will be discussed.

Academics, politicians, artists, and activists will discuss some of the most significant current political questions.

The event takes place at the Maldron Hotel in Shandon from 10.30am to 5.30pm on Saturday, July 8, and is free, but registration on Eventbrite is encouraged.

A discussion in defence of Irelands neutrality will be presented by University College Dublin (UCD) Associate Professor Kieran Allen and long-time anti-war activist Joe Moore.

Traditional Irish musician Eoghan O Ceannabhain will discuss whether art can change the world, while environmental activists will also be hosting workshops on strategies for the environmental movement.

United Against Racism national organiser Memet Uludag will close the festival with a discussion on how to tackle fascism.

For further information, see Eventbrite.
A boy was sexually abused from the age of ten by a man who was like a second father but breached his trust and created pornography out of serious sexual crimes against the child - and now this predator has been jailed for nine years.

Mr Justice Michael McGrath imposed a total sentence of ten years on the 57-year-old at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork and suspended the final year of the sentence on condition that he would comply with all directions of probation service for a period of two years following his release.

Mr Justice McGrath said:

Culpability was extremely high, there was a grave breach of trust in respect of an extremely vulnerable young boy at a time of his life when he needed support but was abused. The sexual offending was significantly aggravated by the production of child pornography.

The judge said the victim did not want his impact statement read in public and it was not going to be disclosed in the sentencing hearing, save for the judge remarking that it was very eloquent, very proportionate and that the victim had done his best to get on with his life despite experiencing a grave breach of trust by someone who behaved as a manipulative predator on an emotionally vulnerable boy who regarded him like a second father.

Mr Justice McGrath said: (Complainants name) is a very brave young man. He has obviously had a very difficult time but he also acknowledges in his victim impact statement what he describes as hope for the future. And that is what this court hopes for him for the future.

Detective Garda Donal Dwyer brought the charges against the accused who ultimately pleaded guilty to six counts of rape, both anal and oral, eight counts of sexual assault, two counts of child exploitation for the purpose of making child pornography, one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

The offences were committed from 2015 from when the child was aged from ten to 13 years. The defendant is 57. Details that might lead to the identification of the complainant cannot be published.

The complainant first disclosed during counselling that he had been sexually abused. He subsequently went with his mother to his local garda station and made the formal complaint. The judge referred to the fact that the defendants plea of guilty to the total of 18 charges was a source of solace to the victim.

When the investigating gardai asked the complainant how many times something of an abusive nature occurred, he said 70 or 80 times. He referred to an occasion where anal rape was painful and he told the accused to stop but that the accused laughed and minimised what was occurring.

As well as making recordings for child pornography, the accused also downloaded related images from a Russian website, Mr Justice McGrath said at the sentencing.

Alice Fawsitt senior counsel said the Director of Public Prosecutions considered that the seriousness of the case put it into the sentencing category of 10 to 15 years. The judge said that the headline sentence in the case was one of 14 years but that was before considering the mitigating evidence put forward by defence senior counsel Jane Hyland.

Mitigating factors included the plea of guilty, medical reports on the defendant, the absence of any previous convictions, the fact that he was 57 and lived an otherwise crime-free life, a history of mental illness and psychiatric disorder and the fact that he effectively lived as a recluse.

The judge noted that the defendant expressed his own shock and disgust at having abused a child, especially at a time in his life when he was experiencing particular vulnerability.
Uisce Eireann, working in partnership with Cork County Council, has completed upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and sewer network in Mallow.

The works represent a 34m investment in wastewater infrastructure which will support social and economic growth in Mallow, enabling the local community to thrive while protecting the River Blackwater.

Speaking at a completion event held on Friday at Mallow Wastewater Treatment Plant, Chief Operations Officer with Uisce Eireann, Eamon Gallen said: We are proud to have delivered these two important projects for the people of Mallow. We first began working in Mallow over two years ago and I want to thank the local community for their patience.

Replacing sewer networks requires a lot of coordination and road closures, but this was a vital step to deliver the upgraded wastewater infrastructure that is now in place.

This infrastructure will allow Mallow and surrounding areas to thrive now and into the future, eliminate sewer overflows and improve the water quality in the River Blackwater, ensuring environmental compliance with national and EU regulations related to the treatment of wastewater.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn, said: Completion of these essential projects is vital to ensure we can accommodate future population growth in Mallow and the surrounding areas, he said.

The upgraded treatment plant will ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and meets appropriate standards before being safely discharged back into the great River Blackwater.

"Both projects combined will enhance local amenities and act as a platform for social and economic development.

This is another on-the-ground example of government investment in Cork County yielding significant dividends.

Director and Treasurer of Mallow Chamber of Commerce Willie John OFlynn said the provision of adequate wastewater services is an integral factor for local business, particularly for multinationals, retail, and hospitality sectors, and commended Uisce Eireann on the completion of the upgrades.

Deputy Chief Executive Cork County Council, James Fogarty said the investment is hugely significant from an environmental, economic and social perspective.

Uisce Eireann first began work on the original WWTP with Glan Agua back in early 2021. The project also involved the construction of a new pumping station and stormwater holding tank at Mallow Bridge.

A separate contract to upgrade the wastewater network was signed with Ward & Burke Construction Ltd in early 2021. Work commenced in April 2021 and was completed in January 2023.
As many as 500 people marched from Cork Central Library on the Grand Parade to City Hall on Friday lunchtime in a show of support for library staff who have, in recent months, been subjected to harassment and intimidation.

The rally, which was organised by Forsa, the union representing the majority of civil and public servants, came in the wake of an ongoing series of incidents involving protesters objecting to the availability of what they term pornographic books related to LGBTQ+ matters.

Many of the incidents have been streamed on social media, with staff subjected to paedophile slurs, and in one incident which occurred in early March, a copy of Juno Dawsons This Book is Gay was ripped in half by a protester.

Outside the closed doors of the library on Friday afternoon, seven people held up a banner saying There are only two genders, and they were supported by a handful of people chanting protect childhood. Above the library, the pride flag flew.

An unofficial garda estimate put the number of people at the Forsa rally at approximately 500.

It was a day, perhaps, of resonances, and on Anglesea Street, beside City Halls civic buildings, Cllr Dan Boyle of the Green Party noted that the rally was gathered by the site of Corks Carnegie Library, burnt to the ground by marauding British forces in December 1920.

A century on, were still fighting a battle with people being what they should and should not read, and its very important that we defend our libraries and those who work in them, Mr Boyle said.

Across from the sign declaring Cork a rainbow city, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Fine Gaels Senator Jerry Buttimer, one of the first openly gay people elected to Dail Eireann, pointed out that it was the 30th anniversary of 7 July 1993, when the then-president, Mary Robinson, signed the bill decriminalising homosexuality in Ireland.

It is a very important anniversary and it is imperative that the gains we have made are not repealed, Mr Buttimer said.

We live in a republic, in a democracy, where opposing views can be heard and held, and we have the right to assemble and to protest, but today is an important day to stand with our library staff who shouldnt have to tolerate abuse and intolerance in their workplace.

'SAFE SPACE FOR ALL'

Thomas Gould, Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central, said libraries should be safe spaces for all, and workers should be able to do their jobs safely and without fear of intimidation.

I think the library staff are brilliant, I think they do a really important job, and they must be protected, and there are communities around Cork who would love to have a library, Mr Gould said.

The FORSA solidarity rally in support of Cork City Library staff after making its way to Cork City Hall from Grand Parade.

Mick Barry, Socialist Party TD for Cork North Central, said it had been heartening to see such a great turnout to support library staff.

Forsa head of Local Authorities, Richy Carrothers, called for improved protections for library staff against harassment and intimidation by anti-LGBTQ+ protesters.

Our message to Cork City Council is that youre failing to provide a safe place for our members to work, youre failing to provide a safe place for the people of this city to the library and go about their business, he said.

Sinn Feins Cllr Kenneth Collins said it was very important that a message of support was given to library workers and LGBTQ+ people.

Fianna Fails Cllr Mary Rose Desmond said it was very important that management back their workers, and she said she believed management wanted to ensure this happened.

The reason that days like today are important is that we demonstrate that we are the many and there are these very, very small groups that are making a lot of noise that is not in any way reflective of any decent human beings, and were here as elected representatives to oppose that, Cllr Desmond said.

The FORSA solidarity rally in support of Cork City Library staff after making its way to Cork City Hall from Grand Parade.

Cllr John Sheehan of Fianna Fail said it was great to see people from across the community turning out to support library staff.

All of us growing up have used the libraries and its very important that we keep those safe spaces open, and send a clear strong message of support to the library staff, Dr Sheehan said.

Fianna Fails Cllr Fergal Dennehy said the turnout was a clear repudiation of those who would try to bully and intimidate library staff and those who visit the library.

Today is a clear message to those people that theyre not wanted, he said.

Labours Cllr John Maher said the rally was a clear sign that the people of Cork stood with the library staff.

This is the Cork that I know and represent, and the vast majority of the people of Cork are in solidarity with library staff and LGBTQ+ people, he said.

Socialist Cllr Brian McCarthy said there had been almost no support for the counter demonstration, with hundreds supporting library workers and LGBTQ+ rights.

The FORSA solidarity rally in support of Cork City Library staff making its way to Cork City Hall.

Author and academic Piaras MacEinri noted the tiny size of the counter-demonstration outside the library.

Ive noticed as the months have gone on that fewer and fewer people are joining them, which I think is proof there isnt a transition from social media onto the street, and thats a huge relief, he said.

Independent Cllr Ken OFlynn said libraries were sanctuaries, and it was unfortunate that a few individuals were attempting to spread fear within these welcoming spaces.

They disrupt library events, harass staff, and vandalise books that represent LGBTQ+ identities, Mr OFlynn said. Now, more than ever, we need to make Ireland a safer, more inclusive place for all.
SUNBATHERS and swimmers in Fountainstown were alarmed by the prospect of a highly intoxicated man staggering into the sea for a swim  so much so that the gardai were called to the scene.

Now at Cork District Court David Keating, aged 28, of Hilltown, Carrigaline, Co Cork, has been convicted and fined for his behaviour.

He pleaded guilty to being so intoxicated that he was a danger to himself or others and engaging in threatening behaviour.

Judge Olann Kelleher convicted and fined him 100 and 300 on the respective charges.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said: Just before 4.15pm on June 3, Garda Stephen Cleary responded to a report of an intoxicated man, repeatedly trying to swim off Fountainstown beach, despite being extremely intoxicated and alarming onlookers.

On arrival at Fountainstown, Garda Cleary observed Mr Keating, highly intoxicated, attempting to stand or walk, while repeatedly falling over, being a danger to himself and others. He was very intoxicated.

When spoken to by Garda Cleary, David Keating began loudly and incomprehensibly shouting and squaring up to Garda Cleary in a threatening manner.

As well as causing that commotion in relation to his apparent attempt to be going for a swim, Keating also approached people on a day at the seaside and said: Give me a f***ing cigarette.

He had 15 previous convictions for being drunk and a danger and three for threatening behaviour.

Frank Buttimer, defending, said Keating was dealing with the Probation Service and living at home with his father. He said the defendant was diagnosed relatively recently with ADHD. He was in employment from October to May and is trying to obtain work again, said the solicitor.

He was senseless from alcohol on the day. He did not recall the incident. He just about recalls going down to Fountainstown with friends and having some drink.

Judge Kelleher said: Someone with your record would automatically be going to prison.

However, the judge said in light of medical and other evidence, he was prepared to deal with the case on a non-custodial basis.
A 31-year-old man accused of throwing an urn containing the ashes of a womans late partner across a room at her home and punching her a few times in the face was remanded in custody until July 20.

Shane Casey, formerly of Great William OBrien Street, Cork, appeared before Cork District Court where Judge Olann Kelleher adjourned the case.

Sergeant John Kelleher said directions in the case were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Casey is charged with entering the house in order to carry out an offence of assault causing harm to the woman.

He is also charged with damaging her home at Broad Lane, Great William OBrien Street, on June 15, and causing criminal damage to the urn.

Garda Michael Abernethy objected to bail being granted to the accused.

It is alleged he picked up an urn containing her deceased partners ashes and threw these across the room and that he punched her in the face about four times.

Mr Casey gave evidence that he was suffering from mental health difficulties and that he would stay away from the complainant.

Diarmuid Kelleher, defence solicitor, said previously that the prison authorities should be notified that the accused was being prescribed anti-psychotic medication and this should be given to him in prison.
By Rebecca Black, PA

Years of neglect of Northern Irelands health service hindered its ability to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, the North's former health minister has said.

Robin Swann served as the Stormont health minister from the eve of the pandemic in January 2020 until the executives collapse last year.

Giving evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, he said years of stop-start government and short-term budgets had prevented the reform needed.

Mr Swann is the first politician from Northern Ireland to give evidence to the inquiry.

Former minister of health for Northern Ireland Robin Swann (James Manning/PA)

He started his evidence by extending his condolences to all the families who had lost loved ones during the pandemic, as well as thanking health staff for their efforts.

He also agreed with evidence given to the inquiry earlier by senior official Dr Denis McMahon that ministers were crucial and their absence was unacceptable.

Mr Swann said: I believe firmly in devolution in Northern Ireland.

It is also unfortunate that were back in that situation again, where we dont have a functional executive or a minister of health at this point in time.

Mr Swann took up the health portfolio after the department had gone three years without a minister, and was immediately faced with industrial action by staff, as well as the worst waiting lists in the UK.

He said the Bengoa Report in 2016 had set out a transformation of the health service that would have been possible.

But the following year, 2017, the executive collapsed following the resignation of then-deputy first minister Martin McGuinness.

Im a firm believer there were opportunities that were missed in regards to that period, Mr Swann said.

He also said opportunities for reform were lost due to one-year budgets.

Weve been working with a single year budget from 2015/16, he said.

Weve had numerous reviews in regards to different aspects of our health and social care service across Northern Ireland that have been failed to be enacted.

Mr Swann said he still agreed with a previous statement he made that Stormont had let down the health service, with vital services underfunded, short-term decisions preferred over long-term planning, difficult choices ducked, staff underappreciated and social care particularly neglected.

Inquiry chair Baroness Heather Hallett (James Manning/PA)

He said the state of the health service in 2020 meant that surge capacity during the pandemic could only be found by redirecting and standing down other services.

Earlier, one of Northern Irelands most senior officials said some things could have been done differently during the pandemic.

Dr McMahon, permanent secretary of the Executive Office, outlined the challenges that faced Northern Ireland at the start of pandemic in 2020, including years of stop-start government at Stormont, staff shortages and cannibalising of departments to find employees to prepare for Brexit.

He told the inquiry: I use none of this as an excuse, there are issues that we could have done differently.

But he said it was important to set out the context.

The North has been without ministers in the devolved administration at Stormont for around four of the last six years due to political breakdowns.

The executive effectively collapsed in 2017 after the resignation of Mr McGuinness, before being resurrected in January 2020.

It functioned through most of the pandemic before the resignation of Paul Givan as first minister in February 2022 saw it fall again.

Dr McMahon expressed his condolences to people who had lost loved ones during the pandemic, saying he had listened to their impact statements to the inquiry, adding you couldnt fail to be moved by their words.

He described the period before the pandemic, when he was at the helm of the Norths department of agriculture, and was preparing for the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without a political settlement.

He said Northern Ireland, as the only part of the UK with a land border with the EU, would face a major impact in the event of a no-deal Brexit, which was feared at that time.

He also referred to losing 4,400 staff between 2014 and 2017, resulting in the cannibalisation of departments to prepare for Brexit.

He said officials were facing huge reductions in exports, 1.9 million export health certificates to transfer food across the border, and small businesses going out of business overnight.

We were genuinely scared of the consequences of a no-deal exit, and that meant that all of our attention was focused on it, he said.

Again, I dont say that to make an excuse but its to give a sense of what we were dealing with and how that affected the administration.

Dr McMahon became permanent secretary of the Executive Office in 2021, mid-way through the pandemic.

He said an emergency hub set up to deal with the ramifications of a no-deal was a model officials were able to use in the pandemic.

Dr McMahon described the ongoing situation, where civil servants are running departments, as a unique position in Northern Ireland, adding: Frankly (it is) an unacceptable position, not to have ministers  it is so fundamental to the operation of governments.

We need the direction and control, and we need the legitimacy that democratic accountability brings to decision making to make those difficult decisions.

Dr McMahon said the lack of ministers between 2017 and 2020 had had an impact on emergency planning and, to some extent, civil servants were flying blind without ministerial direction.

The inquiry, announced by then-prime minister Boris Johnson in 2021, is examining the UKs handling of the pandemic and is hearing from senior politicians, health officials and experts.
Olivia Kelleher

Cork has recorded its first ever outbreak of the deadly crayfish plague on the River Blackwater and the detection of crayfish plague causative agent in the River Awbeg and Spa Glen Stream.

The worrying situation is being monitored by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), the Marine Institute and independent ecologists.

Crayfish plague was first discovered in Ireland in 2015 in Co Cavan, and has spread to several other rivers across the country. In response to the outbreaks of crayfish plague, a National Crayfish Surveillance Programme was established in 2018 as a Memorandum of Understanding between NPWS and the Marine Institute.

This programme uses environmental DNA (eDNA) a novel, non-invasive method of detection of the DNA of crayfish and the disease from water samples. It monitors the spread and persistence of crayfish plague throughout Ireland and the distribution of the white-clawed crayfish.

Global threat

The white-clawed crayfish is a globally threatened species with Ireland holding one of the largest surviving populations. The plague is devastating and causes 100 percent mortality of white clawed crayfish. Given the experience of outbreaks elsewhere, a total kill of the crayfish population is expected which will have major consequences for the ecology of the Blackwater, Awbeg and the whole of Munster Blackwater catchment.

There is no indication of how crayfish plague reached the catchment, but the disease is easily transmitted in water or via contaminated equipment such as kayaks, waders or nets. It is completely harmless to people, pets, livestock and all other freshwater organisms.

This outbreak is of great concern as it is within the Blackwater River (Cork/Waterford) Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which contains an internationally important population of white clawed crayfish.

The Blackwater catchment is popular with anglers, kayakers and other recreational users. NPWS and IFI are urging all users of any river to implement Check, Clean and Dry protocol which involves routine checking, cleaning and drying of equipment after leaving a river and before entering another waterbody.

Containment

Cleaning everything that has been in contact with the water using hot water (above 45oC) or a high pressure spray if possible followed by a drying period where all equipment and wet gear is dry for at least 48 hours, should be adopted as standard practice in all freshwaters. Disinfect everything if complete drying is not possible.

Containment of the outbreak is essential to prevent spread to other as yet unaffected populations in Ireland. If the plague continues to spread, there is a high probability that white clawed crayfish will become extinct from most rivers in Ireland.

White-clawed crayfish is the only native freshwater crayfish species found in Ireland and is present in lakes, rivers and streams over much of the island. Throughout its European range, this species has been decimated by the impact of crayfish plague which spread to Europe with the introduction of North American species of crayfish, especially Signal Crayfish.

Many American crayfish species are resistant to crayfish plague, but can act as carriers of the disease which is rapidly fatal when passed to the white clawed Crayfish. To date there has been no record of American crayfish species in Ireland, suggesting that the spread of the crayfish plague is solely due to human activities and lack of biosecurity.

White-clawed crayfish are protected under Irish Law and the EU Habitats Directive. It is illegal to introduce any non-native species of crayfish to Ireland.

The combined impact of the introduced crayfish species (which may out-compete the smaller native crayfish) and crayfish plague have completely eliminated the white clawed crayfish from much of its European range. Ireland is the last stronghold of the species.
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.

One of the most stressful things about traveling is having to pack. But what if all you had to do was book your flight and the packing part  choosing, organizing, folding and making the clothes fit in your suitcase  came with your airline ticket?

Japan Airlines (JAL) is taking the term packing light to a new level with its new clothing rental service, Any Wear, Anywhere. The service provides international travelers with the option to rent sets of clothing from a range of choices, starting at a little over $27 for two bottoms and three tops, reported Travel + Leisure.

With more and more people flying again after the COVID-19 pandemic, and with the recent emphasis in sustainability, there is a growing movement around the world to promote sustainable tourism, a press release from JAL said.

Multiple sets of seasonal clothing are available for rental in a range of sizes, from casual to smart casual or a combination of both, provided by Wefabrik. Travelers may rent as many as eight outfits for up to two weeks. The service is intended to reduce the weight of baggage and reduce carbon emissions, as well as save travelers hassle and time packing and laundering their own clothing. It also allows them to try on new styles without the pressure of buying them.

Reservations, delivery and washing of the clothes  which will be taken from overstock and pre-owned items  will be provided by Sumitomo Corporation. JAL will keep track of baggage weight reductions and corresponding carbon dioxide emissions reductions as a result of using the clothing rental service, and inform its customers.

JAL says that for each kilogram of weight that is avoided on a flight from Tokyo to New York, the carbon emissions from the aircraft are reduced by 0.75 kilograms, Simple Flying reported.

Travelers increasingly desire to make more sustainable choices regarding their travel destinations, accommodations, transportation etc., they still lack sufficient options. For example, most travelers now enjoy eating at restaurants and staying at hotels at their destination, but they generally bring their own clothing from home, the press release said.

To use the service, travelers need to register online and provide their JAL reference number, as well as the address of their short term rental or hotel. Reservations must be made a month in advance, and the clothing will be made available to them for as long as two weeks.

The concept of the Service is therefore to provide a travel experience with minimal luggage by offering clothing rentals at the destination, thereby creating environmental value. By expanding the use of the Service, we aim to create an environment where travelers can use local options for all aspects of their clothing, food, and accommodation, transforming travel and business trips into more sustainable experiences, the press release said.

JALs Any Wear, Anywhere service is being offered as a year-long trial through August 31 of next year.




South Korea exports halal-certified beef to Malaysia

After seven years of quarantine negotiations, South Korea has successfully exported halal-certified premium Korean beef Hanwoo to Malaysia for the first time, The Korea Economic Daily reported.

The shipment marks a significant milestone for Korean beef exports, and was celebrated with a loading ceremony organised by the South Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at Incheon Port.

Ten cattle were officially exported, and the exported Korean beef will be supplied to local hotels and restaurants in Malaysia. To ensure a smooth transportation process, three cattle were sent to Malaysia on June 8 for a preliminary verification of transportation, quarantine, and customs clearance procedures.

The Malaysian government officially granted permission for the import of Korean beef in a letter sent on June 19, opening up new opportunities for South Korea's beef industry. With this development, Korean beef can now be exported to a total of four countries.

Kim Jung-hee, the head of the Food Policy Office at the ministry, expressed his excitement about the successful export and its significance for Korean beef farmers. He highlighted the entry into the halal markets, which serve a population of 1.9 billion, as a valuable opportunity that could support Korean beef farmers facing supply uncertainties.

- The Korea Economic Daily




Taiwan intends to apply for classical swine fever-free status next year

Taiwan has not recorded a single case of classical swine fever for 17 years, inspiring hope the country can officially be declared free of the disease in May 2025, reports said on July 6.

If no cases occur this year, the Council of Agriculture (COA) plans to apply to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in July 2024 to have Taiwan declared free of swine fever. This could be forthcoming in May 2025 at the earliest, Radio Taiwan International (RTI) reported.

Taiwan is already one of only two nations in East Asia without African swine fever (ASF), Premier Chen Chien-jen told the Taiwanese cabinet. Following 24 years of efforts, foot-and-mouth disease had also been eradicated, a rare feat in Asia, he added.

The campaign to eliminate traditional swine fever would make Taiwan the only country in Asia without any of the three animal diseases, Chen said. The latest stage in the campaign was to end vaccinations for all pigs from this year until June 2024.

The premier called on cooperation between the central government, local authorities and farmers to supervise the process and to prevent the emergence of new cases. Tests conducted over the past six months showed that the risk of a new outbreak was low, the COA said.

- Taiwan News
Manxman public welcoming ceremony confirmed

The Manxman will be publicly welcomed to her home port on Sunday.

Having departed her build port of Ulsan, South Korea in April, Manxmans successful 12,000 nautical mile journey to her home port of Douglas concluded last Sunday.

Due to restricted access on the quayside, the whole ceremony will be streamed live to a screen on Douglas Head, giving the public the best view of the vessel.

Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Managing Director Brian Thomson will make a speech on the quayside, before the traditional champagne bottle is broken on to Manxmans bow.

In a nod to the future service of the Companys newest vessel - the first complete new build commissioned into IOMSPC service in over 20 years  the honour of wishing Manxman well will fall to Janice McDowall, Liverpool Terminal Manager and an employee of the Company for over 20 years.

Manxman is built to replace Ben-my-Chree on the Heysham lifeline freight route but, on the completion of the Department of Infrastructures new Liverpool terminal, Manxman will make weekend visits in the winter.

Invited guests include crew members, the artists who have been commissioned to make pieces for the vessel, project team members including contractors, politicians, representatives of the travel industry, media, local business leaders and some of the charities and stakeholders who helped to inform the design of Manxman from an accessibility point of view.

A small group of VIP guests including the Chief Minister, Treasury Minister, Board and Executive of Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and representatives of Hyundai Heavy Industries will be invited for a private tour of the vessel and to meet the captain.

The public will also be able to watch presentations broadcast from the car deck explaining the history of the project, the delivery voyage from Korea to Southampton and an insight into the art commissioned for the boat.

In the evening, following the conclusion of the event, Manxman will steam out in to the bay, and a fireworks display will provide a fitting finale for the day.

Sunday will also see the release of details on how to enter a draw to win tickets for Manxmans maiden service voyage, scheduled for later in the month. With demand for the sailing likely to be high, IOMSPC has reserved one hundred return foot passenger tickets to give the travelling public a chance to be a part of this momentous occasion.

Timings for the day

11:15 Speeches and champagne bottle breaking

12:30 Build and delivery keynote speeches

22:30 Fireworks and Manxman sail by
Tour De France: Cavendish narrowly misses out on record-breaking victory

Manx cyclist Mark Cavendish has narrowly missed out on a record-breaking Tour de France victory on stage seven of the race.



He finished second in Bordeaux - pipped on the line by Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen.



Cavendish remains tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 career Tour wins.



Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard still has the overall lead ahead of Tadej Pogacar.
A disgruntled Tom Clancys Rainbow Six Siege gamer who called in a fake emergency to Ubisofts Montreal office was sentenced this week to three years of community service, according to The Montreal Gazette. Yanni Ouahioune, 22, was handed the sentence on Monday in Paris following his call to authorities about a fake hostage situation in November 2020.

Police say Ouahioune called in the hoax because he was angry he had been banned several times from Tom Clancys Rainbow Six Siege. In response to the bogus call, a heavily armed squad of police officers surrounded the building. The officers secured the headquarters  and closed several nearby streets  before confirming there wasnt an active threat. Ouahioune allegedly called from his parents house using Russian servers to mask his identity (unsuccessfully). After being charged, La Presse reported (via Polygon) that Ouahioune pleaded for Ubisoft to unban his account. Can you say that I am kindly asking the Ubisoft team to unban my account please, Ouahioune said. I have put over $1,500 in cosmetic enhancements in my profile.

The sentencing also includes Ouahiounes alleged part in a DDoS attack against a French government office and making threats against Minecraft developers. The convicted hoaxer will reportedly be required to compensate victims, undergo treatment for a mental health problem and either work or undergo training in addition to the community service.

Magali Valence, Ubisoft director of external communication for Ubisoft Montreal, told The Montreal Gazette in an email that it acknowledges the courts decision. In this trial we were committed to representing the interests of our employees who were affected by this false hostage-taking alert at our Montreal studio. It was important for us to denounce this violent and unacceptable incident. Out of respect for our employees who were affected by this event, we will not comment further.
(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

ESPOO, Finland, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Valmet has on July 7, 2023, entered into an agreement to acquire Korber Group's Business Area Tissue. The Business Area Tissue specializes in innovative converting and packaging technologies and services for the tissue industry.

By combining the complementary offering and competencies of Valmet and the acquired business, Valmet creates the market's widest technology, automation and services offering for the growing tissue industry covering the entire tissue value chain. Growth in tissue demand is driven by several favourable trends such as increased hygiene awareness and standards of living.

Korber's Business Area Tissue in brief

Korber's Business Area Tissue offers process technologies and related services for converting the jumbo reels of tissue paper into final tissue products for consumers and the Away from Home segment. It has the broadest offering in the tissue converting industry with converting lines for tissue rolls and for folded tissue including product packaging, as well as services and digital solutions.

In 2022, Korber's Business Area Tissue's net sales amounted to EUR 305 million and its adjusted EBITDA margin was approximately 12%. The company has a strong and growing services business, which accounted for 36% of total net sales in 2022. The business employs around 1,170 employees in Italy, Brazil, the U.S., China and Japan.

Details of the transaction

The enterprise value of the acquisition is approximately EUR 380 million on a cash and debt free basis subject to ordinary post-closing adjustments. The acquisition is estimated to be completed at the earliest on November 2, 2023, subject to competition authority approvals. The transaction consideration will be paid in cash upon the completion. Valmet will finance the acquisition with debt. The financing package for the acquisition consists of two facilities underwritten and committed by Danske Bank A/S and Nordea Bank Abp, a EUR 250 million term loan facility maturing in January 2028 and a EUR 150 million term loan facility maturing in two years from the closing of the acquisition.

Valmet estimates that the acquisition will bring sales, service and cost synergies worth of EUR 8 million by the end of 2026. The acquired business will be integrated into Valmet's Paper business line as a separate business unit. In Valmet's reporting, the process technology part of the business will be consolidated to Paper business line and the services part to the Services business line.

At the end of Q1/2023, Valmet had a strong liquidity with cash and cash equivalents amounting to EUR 429 million and net interest-bearing liabilities totalling EUR 345 million. Valmet's net debt to EBITDA ratio was 0.49 and gearing 15%.

Pasi Laine, President and CEO of Valmet: Valmet will have the broadest offering and unrivalled technology leadership in the global tissue markets

"Valmet benefits from the growing demand for bio-based products globally. With this acquisition, Valmet takes again a new step forward and strengthens both its Process Technologies and Services segments. The combination of Valmet's current tissue making technologies, services and automation offering and the acquired tissue converting offering and competences is a good strategic fit complementing each other and forms a strong basis to create new business opportunities and serve our customers even better. We are happy and proud to warmly welcome all the new colleagues from Korber's Business Area Tissue to become part of Valmet."

"Today our Business Area Tissue is a global market player. Now, joining Valmet, this is an excellent opportunity to form a unique tissue player and set the course for the future. Our Business Area Tissue will be able to further expand its potential, offering and reach with Valmet as its committed new owner," says Stephan Seifert, CEO, Korber Group.

"Valmet has profound market expertise, a strong customer focus, and extensive experience in integrating additional competencies. We are very pleased that in Valmet we have found an ideal future partner for our employees, customers, and suppliers to leverage the full potential of our tissue business," says Oswaldo Cruz, CEO, Korber's Business Area Tissue.

The acquisition is discussed in Q2/2023 interim result webcast

Valmet will arrange a news conference on Valmet's Q2/2023 interim result on July 26, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Finnish time (EEST) as a live webcast. Valmet's President and CEO Pasi Laine and CFO Katri Hokkanen will be presenting Valmet's Q2/2023 results and discuss the acquisition of Korber's Business Area Tissue in the webcast.

VALMETCorporate Communications

For further information, please contact:Jari Vahapesola, Business Line President, Paper, Valmet, tel. +358 40 558 6555Anu Salonsaari-Posti, Senior Vice President, Communications, marketing and sustainability, tel. +358 40 453 4262Pekka Rouhiainen, Vice President, Investor Relations, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0020

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions, we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our 17,500 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward  every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. Valmet's net sales in 2022 were approximately EUR 5.1 billion.Valmet's shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki, and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.

Follow us on valmet.com | Twitter | Twitter (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram |

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View original content: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/valmet-strengthens-its-process-technologies-and-services-segments-by-acquiring-korbers-business-area-tissue-301871796.html
Friday, July 7, 2023

Thomas Andrews, born on February 7, 1873, in Comber, Northern Ireland, was a highly accomplished naval architect and the chief designer of the ill-fated RMS Titanic. His contributions to shipbuilding and his courageous efforts to save lives during the ships tragic sinking have left an indelible mark on history.

Andrews passion for ship design was ingrained in him from a young age. His father, Thomas Andrews Sr., owned a successful shipbuilding company, and it was within this environment that young Thomas developed his skills and knowledge. He pursued his education at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution and then attended the prestigious Belfast College of Science and Technology.

Upon completing his studies, Andrews joined his fathers firm, Harland and Wolff, which was responsible for constructing the Titanic. His meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach to ship design quickly propelled him into a leadership role. As the chief designer of the Titanic, he oversaw every aspect of its creation, striving for a balance between luxury and safety.

The Titanic was heralded as an engineering marvel, but tragically, its maiden voyage would be its last. On the night of April 14, 1912, the ship struck an iceberg in the frigid waters of the North Atlantic. Andrews, who was onboard, soon assessed the severity of the situation. He understood the critical need to evacuate the passengers swiftly and organized efforts to load the lifeboats.

Eyewitness accounts from survivors highlight Andrews extraordinary bravery and selflessness during the chaos that ensued. He traversed the ship, offering guidance and support to both crew members and passengers. His thorough knowledge of the ships layout allowed him to assist people in finding their way to safety.

Andrews actions went beyond mere instructions. He helped people into life jackets, urged them to board the lifeboats, and sought to reassure those in distress. His focus was on saving as many lives as possible, prioritizing women and children. Sadly, there were insufficient lifeboats to evacuate all passengers, despite Andrews having urged the builders to provide enough for all passengers.

Andrews unwavering dedication to the safety of others is unquestionable. As the lifeboats were launched and the Titanic sank, he remained on board, knowing there was no hope for his own survival. His ultimate sacrifice underscores his heroism and commitment to the well-being of those aboard the ship.

Thomas Andrews tragic death on April 15, 1912, marked the loss of an exceptional individual who dedicated his career to shipbuilding. His legacy lives on, reminding us of the importance of prioritizing safety and preparedness in the face of adversity. Andrews name will forever be linked to the Titanic, not only as its chief designer but also as a selfless hero who gave his life while striving to save others.
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Rep. Michelle Steel, a California Republican whose parents fled communist North Korea and raised her in Japan, says its past time for the federal government to take action to prevent U.S. complicity or even assistance in Chinas gruesome organ-harvesting practices.

Steel and GOP Rep. Neal Dunn of Florida this week called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take immediate action to prevent anyone participating in Chinas $1 billion forced organ harvesting industry from receiving legal entry into the United States or to revoke visas for those already in the U.S. who are linked to the gruesome practice.

My parents fled from Communist rule, so Ive always been working on these issues, Steel told RealClearPolitics in an interview. Medical doctors who have participated in organ harvesting or are involved in some way shouldnt be allowed to come to the United States  we dont want to train these doctors.

In their letter to Blinken, Steel and Dunn expressed deep concern about the CCPs organ harvesting of minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims, and Christians who have been wrongfully detained in China.

Evidence suggests that some medical practitioners in China are forcing organ harvesting procedures on the most vulnerable populations in China, and those who perform these acts have no place in the United States, they wrote.

Human rights experts estimate that 60,000 to 100,000 forced organ transplants are occurring annually in China, with 8,000 a year in just one hospital. Nina Shea, the director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute, has criticized the American transplant sector for openly supporting Chinas transplant doctors and industry even as they adhere to medical ethics at home.

American institutions are documented to have trained 344 of Chinas transplant doctors, Shea wrote in an article calling for a greater U.S. response to Chinas forced organ harvesting.

Steel and Dunn, both members of the House Select Committee on China, asked Blinken if he shares their outrage and whether the agency is currently investigating medical practitioners applying for visas in the United States for ties to Chinas organ-harvesting industry.

The inquiry comes as the Biden administration continues its efforts to repair its strained relations with China, which are at their lowest level in decades over disputes related to Beijings aggression against Taiwan, Chinese spying, technology, and various trade disputes. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in Beijing this week, scheduled to meet with Chinas No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang. Just last month, Blinken spent two days in Beijing meeting with Chinas President Xi Jinping and top foreign policy officials after canceling a diplomatic trip earlier this year amid fallout over a Chinese spy balloon traversing the United States.

The two Republican members of Congress specifically want to know if the State Department is keeping track of how many medical practitioners from China have applied for visas in the U.S. over the last five years, how many visas have been granted among this pool of applicants, and how many were denied. They also asked whether Blinken has a plan to prevent the CCPs organ-harvesting crimes against humanity.

A State Department spokesperson said the agency is deeply concerned by reports of forced organ harvesting targeting members of religious and ethnic minority groups detained in China. But the spokesperson declined to say whether State had responded or plan to respond to the inquiries, citing a general policy against discussing congressional correspondence. The United States continues to call on the [Peoples Republic of China] government to cease its depraved actions and to act consistent with its human rights commitments and all relevant medical and ethical best practices, including acting in the best interest of the patients, informed consent and respect for personhood, the spokesperson told RCP in an emailed statement.

This official, who asked not to be named, confirmed that the United States is actively seeking to prevent individuals who are or have been involved in human rights violations and abuses from securing safe haven in the country and cited a number of visa ineligibility grounds that could potentially apply to individuals who have been involved in coerced organ harvesting.

Visa records are confidential under U.S. law, therefore, we cannot discuss the details of individual cases, the spokesperson said.

Steel and Dunn are pressing the State Department for answers amid growing pressure in the U.S. and abroad to take steps to ensure that responsible nations and medical institutions disentangle themselves from any involvement in or financial support of Chinas organ supply chains.

In late March, the House passed a bipartisan anti-organ harvesting bill spearheaded by GOP Rep. Chris Smith, a longtime human rights champion and chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China. The measure would impose sanctions on anyone funding or supporting Chinas organ-harvesting industry. Sens. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, and Chris Coons, a Delaware Democrat, have introduced a similar bill, now wending its way through the Senate.

Key members of Congress have long tried to expose Chinas gruesome organ harvesting practices. The House Foreign Affairs Committee held its first full hearing on the CCPs forced organ transplants in 2001, and the practice was raised in hearings as far back as 1996.

Congress, the State Department, and the U.S. medical establishment all share an institutional reluctance to confront China over these mass atrocities because the potential implications are so far-reaching and range from international trade to Taiwan.

But a growing international body of evidence is increasingly making the practice difficult for nations to ignore.

Last year, the American Journal of Transplantation, the top transplant publication in the world, published an article by two leading researchers on a particularly grisly practice. The pair uncovered compelling evidence that Chinese surgeons are removing organs from prisoners who are still alive, a shocking violation of the internationally accepted dead-donor organ rule barring extractions before donors have been declared brain dead.

In 2019, the China Tribunal, a non-governmental commission in the U.K., investigated accusations of organ harvesting in China, holding hearings and weighing evidence from dozens of witnesses and experts. The Tribunal, led by Sir Geoffrey Nice, a world-renowned lawyer who prosecuted Slobodan Milosevic at the Hague, concluded that forced organ harvesting has taken place on a significant scale throughout China for years. It also learned that instead of curbing the practice in response to worldwide scrutiny, the CCP expanded it from jailed Falun Gong followers to Chinas Uyghur Muslims.

It found that the CCPs execution of prisoners of conscience for their organs constitutes crimes against humanity and said the sheer scale of the transplant tourism industry in China suggests that prisoners of conscience have been killed to order for their organs.

Stealing these organs is a gross human rights violation, Steel said. The whole world needs to know whats going on in China.
The following is a condensed version of "The Emperor's Tutor" by Ralph L. DeFalco III, published at Law & Liberty.

In 1988, Wang Huning was a well-known political scientist and Professor of International Affairs at Chinas Fudan University. That same year, Wang embarked on a trip that took him to the United States as a visiting scholar and across the country to more than thirty cities and more than twenty colleges and universities. His account of that journey, America Against America, is an assessment of the historicalsocialcultural conditions that created and still shape the American political landscape and its system of governance and economics.

Wangs observations and judgments have also influenced generations of Chinese leaders and bureaucrats; thirty years after its first publication in 1991, the book is still widely read. In that time, Wang has risen to prominence as a close confident to the succession of Chinas paramount leadersthe Emperors Tutor to General Secretaries Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and now to Xi Jinping. Wang is today the fourth ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and likely the principal architect of Chinas political ideologies and domestic and foreign policies. Those ideologies and policies are influenced by Wangs experiences in the United States.

America as Allegory

On one level, America Against America reads like a travel diary composed of recollections and first impressions. Wang makes superficial assessments and snap judgements that echo long-standing critiques of the social ills of the United States. This is a broader reflection of what Chinese scholars and politicians thought of the United States in the 1980s. That jaundiced view of the country is reinforced by Wangs narrative. Then too, in the later 1980s and early 1990s, there was no room in Chinese political discourse for outright criticism of Chinas policies or political order. Often-times, critics of Beijings policies, or advocates of changes to policy made subtle, even allegorical arguments in their writing.

America Against America, then, reflects a great degree of political circumspection. Wangs book was never intended for a U.S. audience but written instead for Chinese political science scholars and students and even more directly for Chinas political leaders. Wang wanted his book to burnish his reputation as a Communist thinker, party loyalist, and neo-conservative. By this time in his career Wang is also likely to have begun to aspire to power and to higher offices in the party. Wang avoided any criticism of Chinese policies that would either provoke ire or jeopardize his growing political ambitions.

In America Against America, Wang argues he is fulfilling his obligation as a Chinese scholar with a dual responsibility to study both the Chinese phenomenon and the American phenomenon, so that he can better understand himself and the world, and better explore the path to Chinas strength. His claim then to use the case study of the United States to promote our understanding of capitalism and, indirectly, socialism as well, should be taken at face value. America Against America is Wangs view of the growing schisms in the American polity, the inequities of democracy, the contradictions inherent in the capitalist mode, and a warning to the liberalizing elements in the CCP of what China could become.

Values, Order, and Stability

Throughout America Against America, Wang repeatedly argues Americans will continue to lose faith with many of the core values of their society and culture. He cites as evidence for this the dissolution of the extended family, new expressions of sexual freedom, an increasingly secular society, a sense of alienation engendered by the rise of technology, and a nihilism that has replaced a broader and explicit morality. The freedom of choice exercised by each individual, Wang argues, makes it impossible for American society to perpetuate its core values in a value-unified nation.

For Wang, and for his audience of CCP leadership, this leads to a troubling question of how to maintain order and stability. How can there be true harmony when everyone wants to have individualism and private spheres, Wang writes. Individualism and private domains are important values in American society, but are they beneficial and harmless within any limits?

Wang, with the publication of America Against America, was cautioning against the loss of core values. Wang understood that social and economic development cannot be achieved without the spirit of innovation . . . in a society that encourages and accepts new and innovative ideas. At the same time, the continuity of values is essential for any society, otherwise social stability is unsustainable. But the volatile free market of new ideas is filled with the potential for discord and disagreement and always threatens to push aside old values. The question, Wang decided, is how to separate value continuity from technological and material innovation so that value continuity ensures the development of the latter, and the development of the latter strengthens value continuity and transmission?

In the pages of America Against America, that question is left unanswered. Perhaps, it will only be answered by a historicalsocialcultural work not yet written: China Against China.

Dr. Ralph L. DeFalco III, is a 25-year veteran of the US Navy and retired in the rank of Captain. His assignments included tours at the Office of Naval Intelligence, Defense Intelligence Agency, on the staff of the Director of Naval Intelligence, and as Deputy Director of Intelligence, National Joint Operations and Intelligence Center. He is a graduate and former member of the faculty of the National Intelligence University and served previously as Fleet Professor, United States Naval War College. His articles, essays, and reviews have appeared in the pages of publications including the Naval Institute Proceedings, International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence, International Journal of Intelligence Ethics, and The National Strategy Forum Review, and H-net. The views expressed here are only those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the US Government.
OKEANA, Ohio  Emily Mullen isnt the type to wear jewelry, but she does wear one piece all the time. Its a necklace with a mustard seed charm. Shes worn several over the years. Farm life is rough on jewelry.

Just like the mustard seed in the Bible that was said to grow into a tree so big that birds could perch in its branches, her once far-off dream to run her familys dairy farm has grown, too.

Mullen, 24, took over operations of the family dairy farm from her father, Tim Mullen, and transformed it into a modern facility where they bottle their own milk and produce milk-based soaps and lotions. She recently moved her herd into a new free stall barn with a robotic milker and will soon move her creamery into the brand new space.

The journey hasnt been an easy one, but its what she has been called to do, Emily said. When times have been hard, she remembers the mustard seed.

This was the hardest thing Ive done in my life, but I did it all because I love these cows, she said. This is what God wanted me to do. All you need is the faith of a mustard seed.

Passion

Emily ran the first batch of chocolate milk through the creamery on Nov. 27, 2020. It was the culmination of years of work and planning.

Emily is the third of four sisters who grew up on the family farm in Butler County, Ohio. She says that growing up she was discouraged from pursuing farming as a career. Her father ran the familys dairy farm on the aging farm, milking about 100 Holsteins.

Emily said her father didnt want her to have to work as hard as he did to make a living. He agrees.

Youve heard her speak. She could make a living speaking and work a whole lot less, Tim said.

But in high school, she was one of the few students in her school who lived on a farm. She realized there was a huge gap in knowledge about food systems and agriculture between her and her peers. She began doing public speaking through her local FFA chapter, and her dream for the future of the family farm began to take shape.

When youre growing up on a farm, sometimes all you see is the hard work, she said. Instead of seeing myself as an outsider, I started seeing myself as an authority that needed to speak up.

Starting new

Emily attended Ohio State University ATI and graduated in 2019 with an associates degree in dairy science. College was eye-opening for Emily. She knew she wanted to come home and open a creamery where they bottle milk on the farm.

I could tell you a decent amount about cows, but I didnt know the first thing about bottling milk, she said.

While at school, she interned at Bakers Golden Dairy, in New Waterford, Ohio, a Columbiana County dairy farm that bottles milk on-farm and makes other dairy products.

By the time she got out of school and came home, she had a plan. She didnt start by bottling milk. That was too risky to jump into selling such a highly perishable product. She wanted to build their brand with something shelf-stable.

She called her mom to talk through her idea of making milk-based soaps to start her business. It turned out that her mother had just been at a womens Bible study where they learned how to make goats milk soap. Emily took it as a sign that she was on the right track.

Theres a lot of Jesus in this operation, she said.

Through a farmer connection, she found a creamery for sale in a construction trailer. She rolled it home, and it took a year for her to get it inspected and ready to go.

Burned out

Emily burned the candle at both ends for a while to bottle milk and do all the other daily farm tasks required when running a farm.

I would get done milking, take a shower, work in the creamery all night, go out and milk the cows and then roll right into my next day, she said.

It came to a head one day when she had a big order to fill but also needed to haul manure. She asked her younger sister, Elizabeth, to stay in the creamery and watch the milk temperature in the pasteurizer for 30 minutes. That was all she needed but those 30 minutes were precious to me.

It turned out that working in the controlled environment of the creamery, where she can work at her own pace, was a good fit for her sister, who is immunocompromised. Now Elizabeth runs the creamery three days a week.

Emilys mother, Amy, and older sister, Mandy, help make soaps. Her other sister, Amber, helps out in the creamery one day a week.

Eventually, the creamery business was built up enough that it made sense to build that new dream facility. Emily had the cash flow to make it all work. Funding for that came through Farm Credit Mid-Americas Growing Forward program, which allows young and beginning farmers to get capital with relaxed underwriting standards. Emily worked closely with Amy Weaver, a senior financial officer with Farm Credit Mid-America, to get into the program.

The Growing Forward program also provides resources, mentorship and educational opportunities.

If were just giving them money, were not doing enough, said Dakota Everts, head of customer engagements and Growing Forward for Farm Credit Mid-America.

To graduate from the program, farmers have to attend a two-day conference called Know to Grow, where they dive into the nitty gritty of farm financials and explore their own farm business. Once completed, the farmer locks in their loan rate for the life of the loan.

The cows settled into the new barn about a month ago. They downsized to about 60 cows in the milking herd to fit the robot. The new building will also house a new creamery, retail store and educational area.

Family

Emilys roots in farming run deep. Her great-grandfather bought the farm in 1898. Her father grew up in the house where he would later raise his family. Tim said his first job on the farm was filling water troughs for the hogs when he was 5.

In addition to the hogs, the family raised laying hens and dairy cows. His mother had an egg route where she would deliver eggs to local houses each Friday.

When Tim was 14, his father died from cancer, leaving him to run the farm and become the man of the house. He had to take care of his sisters and mothers, so he got out of raising hogs and chickens and focused his business on dairy cows.

Farming is always what I wanted to do, he said. Its in my blood.

He and his wife, Amy, had four daughters. In addition to their daughters, they now have five grandchildren.

When Emily came back from college, she wanted to jump ahead immediately into the future. Since none of her sisters were interested in running the farm, and her dad was getting older, she wanted a place where if she needed to, she could run things herself. She doesnt like asking for help.

Her father was hesitant, she said. He wasnt supportive of her dream because he was scared, she said.

He told me that I was crazy and that I wouldnt be able to do it, she said.

She got out of college, came home and said Im doing everything wrong, he said. I said, I raised four girls, have a good wife, have no debt. What more do you want?

He thought it would be too much for Emily, to take on all that debt to build new. When his father died, he was left with his fathers debts to repay. When he owned everything outright, it was a point of pride for him to never get in that situation again.

When youve been doing something for 55 years, change is hard, Tim said. But watching that robot work is amazing.

Seeing is believing for him. The father and daughter still butt heads sometimes, but Tim has his daughters back. She runs things primarily during the day, but hes my go-to to bounce ideas off of. Hes not my yes man. Hes a great person to keep me in check.

Though her new building is nearing completion, and things are moving in the right direction, there are still hard days. Some days she wants to cry. Emily wrote a couple of Bible verses on posts in her new barn to keep her motivated. One is Ephesians 6:12. The other is Matthew 17:20: If you have faith like a mustard seed, nothing to you will be impossible.

(Reporter Rachel Wagoner can be reached at 724-201-1544 or rachel@farmanddairy.com.)
HERSHEY, Pa.  Dr. David Ingrams young children love to play outdoors, so hes become the tick police, vigilantly checking for any parasitic arthropod crawling on them. Hes no novice to the role. Ingram is an infectious diseases physician and researcher at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center whos keenly focused on tick-borne illnesses. He shares his insights about what every Pennsylvanian should know about the health risks from ticks, in particular the blacklegged tick.

Q: What types of ticks are most problematic in Pennsylvania?

Ingram: There are more than two dozen tick species in the Keystone State, including the Lone Star Tick and the American Dog Tick. Those two can carry the bacterium that causes Rocky Mountain spotted fever  a serious illness that thankfully is rare here. The tick that causes the most illness in Pennsylvania is ixodes scapularis, also known as the blacklegged tick or the deer tick. Its responsible for Lyme disease and may also carry another bacterium that causes an illness called anaplasmosis as well as a parasite that causes another disease  babesiosis. Those three illnesses  Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis  are what Ingram sees most frequently in his clinical practice.

Q: What tick-borne illness symptoms should we be aware of?

Ingram: Some of the symptoms are the same, regardless of the specific illness: fever, body aches and fatigue. Lyme disease symptoms also may include the classic bullseye rash. But you may instead have a solid red rash, multiple skin lesions or in some cases, no rash at all.

With other tick-borne diseases like anaplasmosis or babesiosis, youre less likely to develop a rash. Some patients with anaplasmosis have gastrointestinal symptoms including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and decreased appetite. These symptoms seem to be more frequently seen in anaplasmosis compared to babesiosis or Lyme.

Q: When should someone seek medical attention?

Ingram: The blacklegged tick must attach itself to you for about 24 to 48 hours before the harmful bacterium for Lyme disease is transmitted. For anaplasmosis, its around 24 to 36 hours, and for babesiosis, its about 48 to 72 hours.

If you know that youve had a blacklegged tick on you for 36 hours or longer, the Infectious Disease Society of America advises that you can see your doctor for a single dose of oral doxycycline to prevent Lyme disease. The medication would need to be taken within 72 hours of finding and removing the tick. Whether or not you end up going that route, after removing a tick, you should closely monitor the area for any rash and keep an eye out for other symptoms.

Especially here in Pennsylvania, where all of these tick-borne diseases are frequently encountered, if you have a nonspecific fever during the summer and have frequent outdoor activity, you should see your doctor, even if you never saw a tick on you. Blacklegged tick bites are often painless. Tick nymphs  the primary stage of the tick when it bites us  are the size of a poppy seed. The adult ticks arent much bigger. Its easy not to know one was ever on you.

Q: How do you diagnose and treat tick-borne illnesses?

Ingram: Doctors take a detailed medical history including questions regarding travel and outdoor activity, conduct a physical exam and order blood tests to diagnose Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and babesiosis. The parasite that causes babesiosis infects red blood cells. It is most frequently diagnosed by looking at red blood cells under a microscope to identify the presence of the parasite.

The course of treatment for most tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, is the antibiotic doxycycline, which is usually administered for 10 days. Because babesiosis is a parasitic infection, its treatment is different. Doctors prescribe atovaquone and azithromycin. A patient can develop multiple tick-borne illnesses from one tick, so if theyre diagnosed with Lyme disease and are not improving as expected on doxycycline, then doctors should consider co-infection with babesiosis.

Q: What can we do to protect ourselves?

Ingram: Wear light-colored clothes so its easier to spot ticks. Especially if youre hiking in tall grass or in the woods, limit the amount of exposed skin you have. Tuck your long-sleeved shirts into your pants, and tuck your pants into your socks. Use an insect repellent containing DEET. You can also spray your clothes with the insecticide permethrin.

Once youre back inside, shower as soon as possible after carefully checking yourself for ticks. Look carefully around your ears, under your arms, around your waist and behind your knees  places people sometimes miss when doing tick checks.

If you see a tick on your clothes, wash the clothes in hot water and dry on a high-heat setting. You can even skip the washing machine if you want  just toss them in the dryer on high for 10 minutes.

Q: Weve found a tick on our body. Now what?

Ingram: First, dont remove it with your bare hands, because youll risk squeezing it, possibly causing the tick to regurgitate its stomach contents back into your body. Instead, use a pair of tweezers to gently grab the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull it straight out. Then clean the area with soap and water or an antiseptic.

And absolutely dont use a match or jelly to remove a tick. Those are old myths that in realty will cause the tick to latch on tighter and release additional toxins into the wound.

(The Medical Minute is a weekly health news feature produced by Penn State Health.)
Farming Minister Mark Spencer has driven a tractor around Parliament Square and the Houses of Parliament to help raise awareness of mental health in farming and rural communities.

The trip around Westminster marks just one segment of the Lens Light Tractor Relay  which is covering over 2,000 miles from John OGroats to Lands End.

The initiative aims to shine a spotlight on how mental health can affect those in rural communities and help break down stigma surrounding mental health in the farming sector.

Lens Light was launched in June this year by Lynda and Andy Eadon in memory of their son Len Eadon who took his own life in January 2022.

They are working with the Farming Community Network, Farm Safety Foundation (Yellow Wellies) and Papyrus to raise awareness and funds to support farmers mental health.

The relay comes as the Farm Safety Foundation recently surveyed 450 UK farmers under the age of 40 and found that 94% of them agreed poor mental health is one of the biggest hidden problems facing the industry today  up from 84% three years ago.

Mr Spencer said: Its hugely important that we raise awareness of the mental health impacts in farming and rural communities and Id like to pay tribute to all those charities and individuals, including Lynda and Andy, who are working tirelessly to bring this to light.

Im honoured to have played even just a small part in this goal by getting behind the wheel today, and will continue to do all I can to ensure farmers can access the support they need.

NFU President, Minette Batters, welcomed the relay: As an industry weve got to make greater strides to talk openly about our mental health and wellbeing.

"Were encouraging the farming community to start a conversation with a neighbour, friend or family member. It really could make a huge difference.

I applaud the bravery of Andy and Lynda Eadon who have worked so tirelessly to shine a light on achieving positive mental health in farming and rural communities.

"Having lost their own son, theyre both doing all they can to ensure no one in the countryside feels isolated or alone"

Todays relay builds on other important work to reduce stigma around mental health in farming.

Earlier this year, for example, Sam and Emily Stables received the Points of Light award for their work establishing We Are Farming Minds, a charity that offers a befriending service and a dedicated 24-hour helpline for farmers.

The government is also investing at 2.3 billion of additional funding a year by March 2024 to expand and transform mental health services in England.

Stephanie Berkeley, Manager of the Farm Safety Foundation, said: There are thousands of farmers struggling with long term ill health in the industry and many more with mental health conditions. These people are working every day regardless to ensure we have food on our plates.

Initiatives like this by Lynda and Andy - under the most tragic of circumstances - really do make a difference."

The Lens Light Tractor Relay began at John OGroats on 20 June, with a specially designed beacon on the front of the tractor lighting up the route.

The relay has stopped at livestock markets and machinery depots around the UK to spark conversations around mental health with farmers and others living in rural communities, as well as raising awareness at large agricultural events including the Royal Highland Show.

The final leg of the relay will take place at Lands End on 23 July.
Pilgrims UK Ashton-under-Lyne pork processing site will process pigs for the last time today, as the sector called the firm's decision 'disappointing'.

Pilgrim's Ashton site will kill pigs for the last time on Friday (7 July), with existing operations transferring to the company's abattoir and butchery facilities in Spalding and Westerleigh.

Pilgrims UK announced proposals to close the 70-year-old abattoir and butchery facility in Greater Manchester in May, leaving more than 500 members of staff potentially facing redundancy.

"Pilgrims UK has been working closely with the site team and customers to ensure we maintain quality and service levels throughout this process," the company said.

Pilgrim's UK, one of the UK's largest food businesses, had shut down its Bury St Edmunds and Coalville sites last year.

The UK pork sector continues to face the most significant challenges in its history, with the UK sow herd having contracted by around 15%.

Loss-making farmers have quit the industry due to a sustained period of high production costs and lower pig prices.

At the same time, a reliance in the UK on cheaper, lower welfare imports from the EU and post-pandemic recovery challenges within certain markets has negatively impacted UK production.

NPA chief executive Lizzie Wilson said: With the breeding herd down 25% in two years and slaughter numbers dropping 20% year on year, this news is disappointing for everyone involved although not a surprise.

We need to ensure that the UK maintains sufficient slaughter capacity so that as the sector recovers, it is able to expand and thrive into the future.
UK animal product exports to the European Union will soon need vet signed declarations, farmers have been reminded.

Non-assured UK livestock farmers will be required to provide a declaration signed by a veterinarian following an annual farm visit in order for their products to be eligible for export to the EU.

The new requirement, taking place from 13 December 2023, is due to an EU animal health regulation change mandating farms producing animals or products of animal origin (POAO) for export to have regular veterinary visits.

The previous temporary requirement, which involved a farmer declaration, will be replaced by this new procedure.

The UK ships approximately 72% of all its meat exports to the EU.

It is particularly significant for the sheep meat sector, with 94% of sheep meat exports destined for the EU with a value of 475 million in 2022.

In addition to this, 274 million worth of pig products and 347 million worth of beef meat was exported from the UK to the EU in 2022.

To obtain the declaration, the AHDB explains that farmers must undergo regular animal health checks conducted by qualified veterinarians.

During these visits, the vet will be required to carry out a visual assessment of the farm to confirm freedom of notifiable diseases.

"No sampling or laboratory testing is required," the AHDB says, "It is important to note that this does not need to be the sole purpose of the visit and can be combined with other visits covering routine work, providing that all species present at the premises are considered.

"The vet visits should occur at least once during a 12-month period. If the visiting vet considers a need for a subsequent visit before the 12-month mark, this information will be communicated to the operator (livestock owner/keeper) and clearly stated in the declaration."

Farmers who are part of an approved farm assurance scheme already meet the requirement for a veterinary visit.

Their participation in the scheme is already noted as part of the food chain information so no additional veterinary declaration is required.

Schemes currently approved are: Red Tractor, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Farm Assured Welsh Livestock Beef and Lamb Scheme (FAWL) and Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd (WLBP).

The AHDB adds: "If a farm has had an annual health and welfare review as part of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, then this visit will also fulfil the requirements.

"Farmers will need to retain the receipt from your visit as evidence as official veterinarians certifying goods for export do not have any access to the AHWP database."

Originally, Defra had announced that these regulatory changes would take effect on 13 December 2022.

However, after industry raised concerns, the government agreed to delay the implementation of the new rule by a year, allowing farmers more time to prepare for the change and arrange the necessary vet visits.
The UK must retain its 'leading edge' over the rest of Europe by further promoting the research, investment and innovation of precision breeding, plant breeders have said.

The British Society of Plant Breeders (BSPB) has urged the government following new EU proposals for regulating the products of new genomic techniques (NGTs).

The body warned they could 'potentially threaten' the UKs opportunity to take advantage of the recently passed precision breeding bill.

The EU has proposed two distinct pathways for NGT plants to be placed on the market.

NGT plants that could occur naturally or through conventional breeding would be regulated in the same way as conventional plants and seeds, with no separate statutory requirement for risk assessment, food and feed marketing authorisation, traceability, food labelling or coexistence arrangements.

Other NGT plants would be subject to the EUs existing GMO regulations.

BSPB CEO, Sam Brooke said: Simplified field trial arrangements introduced in March 2023 led to an increase in research activity, with eight new field trials of precision bred crops notified in England under the new arrangements, twice as many as the entire EU-27 over the same period.

"We need to move to support this, not choke it."

The field trials demonstrated that precision breeding techniques provide the potential for plant scientists, breeders and farmers to keep pace with demands for increased agricultural productivity and resource-use efficiency, healthier food, reduced chemical use, and resilience to climate change.

However, the BSPS said a clear route to market was needed to realise these benefits.

Through the Precision Breeding Act, the UK government diverged from EU rules classifying gene edited products in the same way as GMOs.

But the detail of how the Acts provisions will be implemented is not yet finalised, particularly in relation to food and feed marketing.

Mrs Brooke said: Based on the Commissions proposals, there is a real risk that the EU could be on course to eclipse our lead, by regulating NGT products  where they could have occurred naturally or through conventional breeding  in the same way as conventionally bred varieties.

"The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is looking to establish an entirely separate regulatory process for precision bred food and feed products, potentially involving expert committee scrutiny, risk assessment, public consultation, parliamentary approval and Secretary of State sign-off.

"That could significantly drive up the red tape, time and costs involved in bringing new precision bred crops to market," she said.

BSPB urges UK Ministers, and the Food Standards Agency in particular, to ensure implementing arrangements for the Precision Breeding Act are as streamlined as possible."
Britt Ekland never experienced the "swinging 60s" because of her marriage to "problematic" Peter Sellers.

Britt Ekland had an unhappy marriage to Peter Sellers

The 80-year-old actress married the British comic in 1964 following a whirlwind romance, but they divorced in 1968 on the grounds of cruelty by the 'Pink Panther' actor, and the 'Wicker Man' star is far happier with her life now than in the decade famed for wild partying.

Asked if she was happier in the 1960s or now, she told The Guardian newspaper: "Well, I was married to Peter Sellers in the swinging 60s, and he was 17 years older than me. He had a heart attack very soon after we married. Nothing to do with me, as has been implied!

"So, no, I never had the swinging 60s. We never went out to clubs, although I did wear miniskirts.

"I was nursing an older, problematic, man. Im happier today because I have taken care of myself in the way that I have made myself comfortable."

The 'Man with the Golden Gun' actress claimed Peter - who died in 1980 aged 54 - was always "silent" and had few interests, but became a very different person when he "had an audience".

She said: "There was no real Peter Sellers. Peter Sellers only ever lived when he had an audience. He was silent and had no real interests. He had all his gadgets that he loved.

"But if we ate together, maybe once a week, max, we would go from Elstead in Surrey, where we lived, to the Tiberian in London, which was the big Italian restaurant, just to have dinner with a company of people in which he could become a character, tell fantastic stories and everyone would be dying of laughter.

"Then we would get back in the car and drive home in silence. I was a beautiful little Swedish, well-educated wife, but Im very outgoing, I love good company and I love having a laugh. So it was hard."

Meanwhile, Britt praised her 'Mad with the Golden Gun' co-star, Sir Roger Moore - who played James Bond - as the "perfect specimen of a man".

She gushed: "Not only was Roger a perfect gentleman, but he was a perfect specimen of a man. He was very gorgeous to look at. Not my type, but I can appreciate a good-looking man as much as anyone else.

"He was very friendly, had very good manners and took time with you, and we stayed friends until the end.

"We didnt really have any sex scenes. The closest I ever got was [to be] hidden away in the wardrobe or on the boat at the end when M comes on the phone and you see us sailing away.

"He was very cheeky, but not in a bad way. Hes one of those actors you always felt really comfortable with."
European Apparel and Textile Confederation (EURATEX) and 18 other business associations across Europe, representing various industrial sectors, have issued an open letter to president Roberta Metsola of the European Parliament, president Charles Michel of the European Council, and president Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission. The purpose of this letter is to urge the swift ratification of the EU-Mercosur agreement.

Written on behalf of European businesses that create millions of jobs and contribute to the welfare of European citizens, the plea comes amidst the Ukraine conflict and its subsequent strain on supply chains. These circumstances have highlighted the importance of diversifying export markets and suppliers of critical industrial inputs.

European business associations including EURATEX have penned an open letter to EU leaders urging swift ratification of the EU-Mercosur agreement. Amid supply chain strains due to the Ukraine conflict, the associations stressed the deal's importance for diversifying export markets. They emphasised its significance for Europe's broader strategy in the region.

The EU-Mercosur agreement, according to the associations, is crucial for preserving Europe's competitiveness and ensuring operational supply chains in a volatile and ambiguous global setting. Crises ranging from strategic dependencies on raw material supply, concerns over feedstock, and demographic challenges have underscored the importance of strong and diversified trade relations.

The associations insist that the EU-Mercosur agreement could be pivotal in maintaining Europe's economic and geopolitical standing by providing a "first mover advantage" into the broader Latin American market. They argue that ratifying the agreement would be a significant step towards overcoming existing trade barriers with Latin America and bolstering Europe's role as a key player in the region.

While recognising concerns over environmental aspects, the letter assured that the agreement would act as a strong incentive for Mercosur countries to uphold their sustainable development commitments, including the cessation of illegal deforestation.

The EU-Mercosur agreement also presents an opportunity to address global challenges such as climate change, forest preservation, and labour rights through enhanced regulatory dialogue and cooperation. Furthermore, the associations argue that the agreement is a key component in the EU's broader strategy with Latin America and the Caribbean. The EU is already the region's largest investor and bilateral trade has increased by 40 per cent since 2018 due to existing FTAs.

With this collective call to action, the associations have urged the EU and its institutions to expedite the ratification process of the EU-Mercosur agreement.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
Vijay Varma and Tamannaah Bhatia are the newest couple on the block, and fans are always curious to find out more about them. The couple was recently seen in Sujoy Ghosh's Lust Stories 2. That was their first time working together, and their love story grew during the filming. Vijay and Tamannaah recently appeared in a new video that was published. When Vijay went to see Raja Hindustani with Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor, he remembered a humorous anecdote. Vijay was heard discussing the awkward situation with the family with Tamannaah in the video.



Tamannaah discussed her experience working with Vijay in the same video. She continued by expressing her ardent admiration for Vijay Varma. She stated: "Since I want to talk about Lust Stories, I am a huge Vijay Varma fan and Ive seen all his work. The moment I heard that this part of the anthology is with you and Sujoy Ghosh, I was super excited as I really wanted to play different parts. I was really sick during the shooting. And you did everything to make me feel super comfortable. It ended up becoming one of the most fun, satisfying experiences for me as an actor."

Remembering, Vijay said, "I had gone to watch Raja Hindustani with 2-3 families. Me, my parents and my uncle and their families, and we are 20 people in a row. And suddenly that kiss starts. This entire row just froze. They were like And I didnt know what to do, my hand was almost touching my aunt. I didnt know what to do. That kiss never ended. It felt like one hour!" Tamannaah burst out laughing at the revelation.
The upcoming Barbie movie by Warners Bros features a map that has been described by the company as a child-like crayon drawing and has no particular significance. This statement came in response to Vietnam's decision to ban the film due to its belief that the map shows the contested South China Sea region.The Barbie movie recently stirred controversy in Vietnam and the Philippines due to its depiction of a map that includes China's "nine-dash line". This line represents China's assertion of ownership over a large portion of the South China Sea, which is opposed by several Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam.As per reports, the studio defended the map and published a statement. They said, "The map in Barbie Land is a whimsical, child-like crayon drawing. The doodles depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement."Local media in Vietnam reported that the release of Barbie, which was scheduled for 21 July, has been cancelled. Additionally, movie distributors have removed posters advertising the film from their websites.Some senators in the Philippines have suggested either a ban on Barbie or the inclusion of a disclaimer to address concerns about the film's depiction of the map. The Philippines' Movie and Television Review and Classification Board is currently reviewing the film.Barbie stars an ensemble cast of Margot Robbie, Kate McKinnon, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera, Will Ferrell, Hari Nef, Issa Rae and Simu Liu. The film will be released on July 21 in the cinemas.
critic's rating: 3.0/5

Anu Menon directed the biopic of human computer Shakuntala Devi, starring Vidya Balan, and this time around she has been heavily influenced by both editions of Knives Out, which in turn was inspired by movies based on Agatha Christie novels. It follows all the classic tropes of close door mysteries. A billionaire, Ashish Kapoor (Ram Kapoor), invites his friends and relatives  girlfriend Lisa (Shahana Goswami), brother-in-law Jimmy Mistry (Rahul Bose), step son Rayan Kapoor (Shashank Arora), who comes with his girlfriend Gigi (Prajakta Koli), step daughter Sasha (Ishika Mehra), best friend Sanjay Suri (Neera Kabi), Suris wife Noor (Dipannita Sharma), and his spiritual adviser Zara (Niki Aneja Walia) to his island estate off Scotland to celebrate his birthday. Present at the venue are his secretary Kay (Amrita Puri) and estate manager Tanveer (Danesh Razvi). A surprise guest, in the form of CBI inspector Mira Rao (Vidya Balan), too drops in. Little by little, secrets stumble out. We come to know that Ashish Kapoor has been suffering a huge loss in his business by gambling on space technology and as a result has not been paying his employees for two years. Several have committed suicide due to depression. He plans to turn himself in and hence has asked the Indian government to send a representative to Scotland. The island is beset by a huge storm and everyone is huddled inside the mansion. Tensions ensue and masks come off. His body is found beneath a cliff and the guests find a suidice note as well. But Mira Rao thinks its murder and not suicide, as each of the guests has a motive for murder

The film goes through one revelation after another every ten minutes. After a while, things get so convoluted it's hard to keep track. Everyone has their own agenda and secrets to keep but this overload of information becomes too much for the lay viewer. Mira Rao, too, has her quirks. She doesn't eat or drink anything offered and seems to be subsisting on hard boiled sweets. She seems to be lost in her own world throughout and only comes alive in the endgame, where she uses her prowess to get to the bottom of the truth. Ones hard pressed to know why Vidya Balan looks so befuddled throughout but suffice to say its all intentional.

A murder mystery is a complex structure and has to be woven properly to create effect. One gets the impression that the director lost track of the tangled web she was weaving. Some of the plot points, like the one concerning Neera Kabi or even Tanveers characters, needed further clarity. Rahul Bose is supposed to be gay but then is revealed to have a one-night stand with a woman. Now, that falls within the realms of possibility but its all rushed and not explained properly. The characters arent as fleshed out as one would have liked. And one can guess at the ending a mile off.

Vidya Balan is the glue which holds the film together. Her eccentricities, her mannerisms draw you in. Youre basically trying to solve who she is, rather than concentrating on the murders, which can be both good or bad  we leave the final consensus to the viewer. Each member of the ensemble cast has their moment in the sun. Theyre all capable actors and do their bit well enough. The dialogue is witty and lends a lighter tone to the proceedings.

All-in-all, watch the film if you like old school murder mysteries. Vidya Balan has excelled in another complex character. How we wish it was all better put together.

Trailer : Neeyat
Kaadapura Kalaikuzhu Twitter Review: The film Kaadapura Kalaikuzhu is relesing today (July 7, 2023) in theatres. Directed by debutant Raja Guruswamy, the movie stars Munishkanth and Kali Venkat in lead roles. Checkout this space for interesting Twitter reviews about the film:

Karakattam Background

Produced by Dr. Muruganandam Veeraragavan and Dr. Shanmugapriya Muruganandam on behalf of Sakthi Cine Productions, the film has been made into a commercial film with the background of Karagaattam mixed with comedy. Cinematography is handled by Vinod Gandhi and music for the film is composed by Henry.

Director Raja Gurusamy said, "First of all I will not be here without my producer, thanks to him. Thank you to all the crew, you have given me immense support, this movie will be a family watchable movie with no grimaces and no blood scenes, you must watch and give your support."

Dhanush Appreciated The Trailer

"We have made this film together as a team like Mundasuppatti film, we all worked together to shoot it lively, the director has put in a lot of effort, he has put a lot of faith in this film and made this film day and night. Kudos to the producer for creating such a work of art. I have tried to act in this film, it was a new experience for me, I wish the film a success for sure." says Actor Munishkanth.

Actor Kali Venkat said at the recent press meet of the film, "This is a very important film for me, I am familiar with the director from the time he made the short film. Raja Guruswamy is my close friend. I am glad he did the film. Thanks to the producer for giving him the film. The producer provided everything needed for the production. He will definitely continue to make films, all the best to him.

Henry has composed music in a very simple way that everyone can enjoy. I saw Munishkanth's performance in this film and it is a pleasure to continue working with him. Thanks to all the people who cooperated in the location. Dhanush sir appreciated the trailer of this film."
The mandali has been one of the key highlights of Bigg Boss 16 and there are no second thoughts about it. The mandali, which included Shiv Thakare, Abdu Rozik, Sumbul Touqeer Khan, Sajid Khan, Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia and MC Stan, dished out major relationship goals on the show.

In fact, the mandali and their bond remain intact even after Bigg Boss 16 and they are often seen rooting for each other and their respective projects. Interestingly, as Abdu Rozik has been coming up with his new song Baarish, the mandali was seen reuniting during the launch of the song.

Shiv, Sumbul, Sajid Khan and Abdu were seen having fun together during the launch and their chemistry did win hearts once again. In fact, Sumbul and Shiv were all praises for Abdu's song. Given their impeccable chemistry, paps were seen quizzing about the trio coming together for a song.

To this, Shiv came up with a quirky condition and said, "Bilkul aapne ye sahi sawal pucha hai.... bas director aur producer ke paas ye pahunchao hum teeno ready ho jayenge".

Well, we wonder if Shiv, Sumbul and Abdu will be coming together for a song anytime soon.

As of now, Shiv has just returned from South Africa's Cape Town after shooting for Rohit Shetty's Khatron Ke Khiladi 13. In fact, he even dropped hints about becoming a finalist on the show. It is reported that Shiv Thakare, along with Aishwarya Sharma and Arjit Taneja are the top finalists of the adventure based reality show. Now it will be interesting to see who will lift the winner's trophy on the show.

On the other hand, Sumbul has announced her new song with Sumedh Mudgalkar. Titled as Sazishen marks Sumbul's first collaboration and the poster has left everyone excited. The song is expected to release soon.
A science-fiction drama titled 7:11 PM hit the screens across the two Telugu-speaking states on July 7. The movie which was directed by Chaitu Madala received a lukewarm response upon its theatrical release, as there was no adequate buzz around the film.

Tollywood's one of the biggest production banners, Mythri Movie Makers presented the 7:11 PM movie, which raised intrigue among the film buffs in this movie made by a new set of talent including the off-screen and on-screen unit.

7:11 PM Trailer depicts a man travelling to the Earth in 1999 and without his knowledge, lands in Melbourne, Australia. He gets into a bus in Hamsaladeevi the night before and he is in Australia, much to his shock and surprise to many. Meanwhile, it is revealed that a spacecraft was sent to Earth on a mission. In parallel, as the man tries to get back to his time and place, another story of money, mafia, and politics is narrated.

7:11 PM Twitter Review

Fans of the experimental Telugu films, who watched this space and time thriller in the theatres on its release day have shared their opinions on the film through their social media handles. Their views on the 7:11 PM movie are a mini-review of sorts that helps you decide to watch the movie or pass it.

7:11 PM Cast

The movie stars Saahas Pagadala, Deepika Reddy, Tess Walsh, Raghu Karumanchi, Dr Bharat Reddy, Rising Raju, and others playing key roles.

7:11 PM Crew

The movie was co-written and directed by Chaitu Madala and is bankrolled by Naren Yanamadala, Madhuri Ravipati, and Vani Kanneganti under the Arvus Films banner. Gyaani composed the film's background music and score. Shiva Shankar and Fabio Capodivento cranked the camera. The film's editing was taken care of by Srinu Thota. Ohm Ramesh headed the movie's Visual Effects department.
Rangabali Twitter Review Photo Credit: Gallery

Naga Shaurya Rangabali Twitter Review : Naga Shaurya's latest comedy action entertainer titled Rangabali hit the screens to a decent buzz from the actor's fans and regular movie goers. The movie was released all over the two Telugu-speaking states and a few other parts of the world on July 7.

Ahead of the film's theatrical release, the filmmakers have organized special premieres in select cities, encouraging the viewers to watch it a bit earlier than the rest and share their opinion.

The trend of advance premieres before the grand release has caught up with the Tollywood film industry and it proved successful for several films like Samajavaragamana, and Balagam. The premieres also help the movie register great openings.

Rangabali Story

The movie charts the journey of Shaurya, played by Naga Shaurya, who is a rigid youngster. He is very emotional and loves his hometown Rangabali.

Rangabali Twitter Review

Several film buffs, who watched the biggest release of this Friday in Telugu, Rangabali, couldn't contain themselves but post their views on Naga Shaurya-starrer. Their opinions in the form of tweets down below will give you an insight into what to expect and how is Rangabali, if you have to watch it. Check them out here.

#Rangabali Premier Review-

It had an interesting premise,but by the end, it was rotta routine again.Satya single handedly carried the entire 1st half, and his comedy worked big time. But everything went downhill from there.Gula unte chudandi,ledha OTT ki aagochu.#Rangabalireview pic.twitter.com/r30jEuGSei  Nikhil (@ImSentencer) July 6, 2023

#Rangabali Commercial Entertainer with a perfect blend of comedy & Action. @IamNagashaurya impressive 



@yuktitarej Fabulous #Satya Major Highlight@PawanBasamsetti Good Job 



 Exceptional



Hilarious 1st Half & Engaging 2nd Half@SLVCinemasOffl #RangabaliReview pic.twitter.com/ecAmE0Y5Qe  Bhanu Teja Kondapaturi (@BhanuTeja91221) July 7, 2023

Completed watching rangabali movie

A good first half with a decent second half

Satya comedy is a highlight

Songs are not good,except the first song and bgm is good

you can give a try for this weekend

Overall /5#Rangabalireview@IamNagashaurya @pawanch19 @SLVCinemasOffl pic.twitter.com/bovGbFXZgZ  Rockstar__Dheeraj (@call_meRockstar) July 6, 2023

Rangabali Cast

Naga Shaurya, Yukti Thareja, Shine Tom Chacko, Sathya, Rajkumar, Brahmaji, and others played key roles in the film.

Rangabali Crew

Directed by Pawan Basamsetti, the movie is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the SVCC banner. Pavan CH composed the film's music and background score. Divakar Mani cranked the camera and Karthika Srinivas handled Rangabali's editing.
Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

Urs Scheidegger appointed new CFO of Schweiter Technologies

Steinhausen, 7 July 2023 - The Board of Directors of Schweiter Technologies AG has appointed Urs Scheidegger as the new CFO of Schweiter Technologies Group and as a member of management. The 54-year-old, a Swiss citizen, is currently Chief Risk Officer at Schindler Holding. On 1 September 2023, he will succeed Martin Kloti, who is set to leave the Group at the end of September 2023, as previously announced.

Urs Scheidegger will assume his new post on 1 September 2023 and take over the responsibilities and function of his predecessor following an intensive induction phase. He holds a master's degree and doctorate in economics awarded by the University of St. Gallen (HSG).

He began his career at McKinsey & Company and since 2002 has worked in a variety of roles at Schindler Group, including eight years in Asia in various financial management functions. From 2011 on, he was in charge of corporate controlling at Schindler Group, before becoming Group CFO, a role in which he served from 2018 to 2022.

Urs Scheidegger is a recognized financial expert, with a wide-ranging international track record in strategic financial management and the development of global financial teams. The Board of Directors is confident it has found in him a CFO whose expertise and personality are a perfect fit for Schweiter Technologies.

For further information please contact:

Martin Kloti, CFO

T +41 41 757 77 00

investor@schweiter.com

ABOUT SCHWEITER

Schweiter Technologies, with its head office in Steinhausen, Switzerland, is a globally active Group focusing on composites solutions with its division 3A Composites. The main activities include the development, production and distribution of high-quality composites, plastic sheets, foamboards and core materials based on balsa wood and PET foam. These materials are used primarily in the areas of visual communication (display), architecture, wind energy, construction, shipbuilding, and automotive.

The company has offices, distribution facilities and production sites at 40 locations in Europe, America, and the Asia-Pacific region, and employs some 4,700 people. Schweiter Technologies AG is listed on SIX Swiss Exchange with the ticker symbol SWTQ.

Please find the Media release in the PDF attached:

Media release
7 July 2023: Hexagon Agility, a business of Hexagon Composites, has received an inaugural order for Mobile Pipeline TITAN 450 modules from an industry-leading U.S. energy company. The modules will be used to supply clean natural gas to its fleet to reduce carbon emissions and operating cost.

The order represents an estimated value of USD 14.3 million (approx. NOK 155 million).

Mobile Pipeline is vital to driving energy transformation by providing alternatives to petroleum fuels with the use of clean and renewable natural gas. Natural gas is today's low carbon, cost effective alternative energy. With more than 1,800 Mobile Pipeline modules deployed around the world, Hexagon Agility continues to set the standard for safety, reliability, and performance.

"We remain committed to driving energy transformation," says Miguel Raimao, VP Mobile Pipeline, Hexagon Agility. "Our TITAN 450 modules are engineered to deliver world class performance in the most demanding applications, and we look forward to serving our customer with this exciting new product."



Timing

Deliveries of the new orders will commence in the second quarter of 2024.



For more information:

Karen Romer, SVP Communications, Hexagon Composites ASA

Telephone: +47 950 74 950 | karen.romer@hexagongroup.com



Ingrid Aarsnes, VP Investor Relations and ESG, Hexagon Composites ASA

Telephone: +47 950 38 364 | ingrid.aarsnes@hexagongroup.com





About Hexagon Agility



Hexagon Agility, a business of Hexagon Composites, is a leading global provider of clean fuel solutions for commercial vehicles and gas transportation solutions. Its product offerings include (renewable) natural gas storage and distribution systems, Type 4 composite natural gas cylinders, propane, and (renewable) natural gas fuel systems. These products transport clean gaseous fuels and enable vehicles to reduce emissions while saving operating costs. Learn more at hexagonagility.com and follow @HexagonAgility on Twitter and LinkedIn.



About Hexagon Composites ASA



Hexagon delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. Our solutions enable storage, transportation and conversion to clean energy in a wide range of mobility, industrial and consumer applications. Learn more at hexagongroup.com and follow @HexagonASA on Twitter and LinkedIn.

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act


Chinese envoy urges early end to political stalemate in Haiti

Xinhua) 14:46, July 07, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, July 6 (Xinhua) -- China's permanent representative to the United Nations on Thursday urged for a resolution to the political stalemate in Haiti, emphasizing the importance of fully respecting the decisions made by the Haitian people.

Without a legitimate, effective, and responsible government in place, any external efforts to address the crisis in Haiti will hardly have any lasting effects, Zhang Jun told a Security Council meeting, noting the situation in the country has continued to deteriorate since the council's last meeting on Haiti.

"The fundamental way out of the Haitian crisis lies in advancing the political transition process," he said. "Under the current circumstances, this is even more urgent than ever."

Curbing the rise of gang violence and creating a security environment guaranteeing the most basic safety and security are the necessary prerequisites for alleviating the humanitarian situation and advancing the political process in Haiti, said Zhang.

He said Security Council Resolution 2653, adopted last year, provides an important tool for fighting gang violence and should be fully utilized.

"China believes that the Security Council should immediately take a decision requesting all countries to take all necessary measures to stop arms trafficking at the sources and to jointly cut off the access of Haitian gangs to firearms and ammunition," said the envoy.

He underscored that any external support plans should be based on the wishes and consensus of the Haitian people and should fully respect the ownership of the Haitian people.

"China hopes that the Haitian authorities will effectively shoulder their responsibilities and, with the support of the international community, find a feasible solution to achieve Haiti's long-term peace, stability and sustainable development," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
EcoFlow's Prime Day sale offers price reductions on RIVER power station and bundled package of RIVER power station and Extra Battery

Exclusive deals are available on Amazon during a limited period

DUBAI, UAE, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- EcoFlow, a leading eco-friendly energy solutions company, is pleased to announce its highly anticipated Prime Day sale, taking place from 7th to 15th July, 2023. During this limited-time event, customers can access significant price reductions on a range of EcoFlow products, including RIVER portable power station, RIVER & Extra Battery, RIVER Pro & Extra Battery bundled packages and more newly launched products.

EcoFlow's Prime Day sale will be accessible through Amazon. Among the great offers are the RIVER portable power station & Extra Battery bundle, and the Delta Pro portable power station & Extra Battery bundle.

EcoFlow RIVER boasts the X-Stream fast charging technology and can charge from 0-80% in under an hour, or to full in 98 minutes flat, so that users will have ease of mind to focus on their adventure. During the Prime Day sale, the bundle enjoys 44% off of the original price AED 2669 leading to a price reduction of AED 1499. With an expandable capacity up to 25kWh, the DELTA Pro can power heavy-duty devices like refrigerators and air conditioners - even up to 240V and can be fully charged in about 2 hours. During the Prime Day sale, customers can enjoy a discount of up to AED 9639.

Additionally, customers can explore EcoFlow's DELTA Max during the Prime Day sale. The product's capacity can expand to 6048kWh when connected with two Smart Extra Batteries - enough for an average family's emergency energy need for two days. The DELTA Max comes in two models with different capacities. The DELTA Max 1600 & Extra Battery bundle, originally priced at AED 12868, enjoys 30% off during the sale. The DELTA Max 2000 & Extra Battery bundle is priced at AED 9999 during the Prime Day sale with a discount of 30% off.

EcoFlow aims to revolutionize how people access and utilise energy. With the launch of the Prime Day sale, an increasing number of products are made accessible for people who wants to live an adventurous lifestyle, break free from the confines of indoor spaces and discover the joy of living off the grid. For more information, please visit EcoFlow's website and Amazon store.

About EcoFlow

EcoFlow is a leading eco-friendly energy solutions company with the vision to power a new world. Since its founding in 2017, EcoFlow aims to become a reliable and trusted energy companion for individuals and families across the world, providing accessible and renewable power solutions at home, outdoors, and in mobile spaces. Today, with operational headquarters located in the USA, Germany, and Japan, EcoFlow has empowered more than 2.5 million users in over 100 markets worldwide.

For more information, please visit EcoFlow's official website: www.ecoflow.com/me-ar

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2148259/EcoFlow_DELTA_DELTA_Pro_RIVER_Portable_Power_Stations.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ecoflows-prime-day-sale-empowers-customers-to-embrace-sustainable-energy-solutions-301871745.html
Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen.

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.


EQS Newswire / 07/07/2023 / 09:17 CET/CEST

ModelScopeGPT also launched to help users accomplish complex AI tasks SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach - 7 July 2023 - Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, today unveiled its latest AI image generation model, Tongyi Wanxiang ('Wanxiang' means 'tens of thousands of images') at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2023. The cutting-edge generative AI model is now available for enterprise customers in China for beta testing.



In addition, the cloud pioneer announced the launch of ModelScopeGPT , a versatile framework designed to assist users in accomplishing complex and specialized AI tasks across language, vision, and speech domains by leveraging various AI models on ModelScope. ModelScope is an open-source Model-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform introduced by Alibaba Cloud last year, featuring over 900 AI models.



"Tongyi Wanxiang represents another significant milestone in our pursuit of advanced generative AI models as we continue to explore paradigm-shifting technologies that empower businesses and communities to unleash greater creativity and productivity," said Jingren Zhou, CTO of Alibaba Cloud Intelligence.



"With the release of Tongyi Wanxiang, high-quality generative AI imagery will become more accessible, facilitating the development of innovative AI art and creative expressions for businesses across a wide range of sectors, including e-commerce, gaming, design and advertising."



Introducing Tongyi Wanxiang for Image Generation



The generative AI model is adept at handling various tasks, responding to text prompts in Chinese and English to generate detailed images in an array of styles, encompassing watercolours, oil and Chinese painting to animation, sketch, flat illustration, and 3D cartoons. Moreover, the model can transform any image into a new one with a similar style and stylize images through style transfer, which preserves the content of the original image while applying the visual style of another picture.



Powered by Alibaba Cloud's trailblazing technologies in knowledge arrangement, visual AI and natural language processing (NLP), the model leverages multilingual materials for enhanced training. It boasts a robust semantic comprehension capability, resulting in more accurate and contextually relevant image generation.



Additionally, by optimizing the high-resolution diffusion process based on the signal-to-noise ratio, the model can strike a balance between composition accuracy and detail sharpness while enhancing its ability to generate high-contrast, visually stunning images with clean backgrounds.



Tongyi Wanxiang was developed using Composer , Alibaba Cloud's proprietary large model that enables greater control over the final image output, such as spatial layout and palette, while maintaining image synthesis quality and creativity.



Text-to-image generation examples by Tongyi Wanxiang:



Prompt: Immersive, captivating, grayscale coloring, featuring a tiger in the tranquil mandala forest. The image is composed of lines and brushstrokes.

Please refer to the demo video of Tongyi Wanxiang here: https://www.alizila.com/video/wach-how-alibaba-tongyi-wanxiang-creates-generative-ai-image/ . Enterprise customers in China can apply for beta testing of Tongyi Wanxiang at: https://wanxiang.aliyun.com/



ModelScopeGPT Launched for Sophisticated AI Tasks



Alibaba Cloud also unveiled ModelScopeGPT ( https://modelscope.cn/studios/damo/ModelScopeGPT/ ), a powerful framework designed to harnesses the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) available on the platform. ModelScopeGPT will use LLMs as a controller to connect an extensive array of domain-specific expert models in the ModelScope open-source community. Built within the rich Model-as-a-Service ecosystem, ModelScopeGPT leverages the various AI capabilities offered on Alibaba Cloud. Enterprises and developers can leverage ModelScopeGPT for free to access and execute the best-suited models for performing sophisticated AI tasks based on users' requests, such as developing multilingual videos.



Alibaba Cloud launched its LLM named Tongyi Qianwen in April, and it plans to integrate the LLM across Alibaba's various businesses in order to improve the user experience in the near future. The company's customers and developers will also have access to the model to create customized AI features in a cost-effective way. Since the model's launch, over 300,000 beta testing requests were received from enterprises from a broad range of sectors, including fintech, electronics, transport, fashion and dairy.



Tongyi Qianwen has also been integrated into Alibaba Cloud's intelligent assistant, Tingwu , enabling the assistant to comprehend and analyze multimedia content with high levels of accuracy and efficiency. Over 360,000 users have accessed to the AI-powered assistant since its launch.



AI Hackathon Competition to Inspire Innovation



ModelScope also hosted its first ever AI Hackathon in China to facilitate the industrial applications of AI models, with cash prize awards and funding opportunities from leading venture capital firms as incentives.



From over 300 participating teams, 56 teams made it to the final round. Participants competed for the grand prize on two tracks. One is to innovate upon a large language model to solve a real-life problem. The second is to leverage existing pretrained models to complete an assigned task, such as text-to-image generation or to build an LLM-powered autonomous agent to utilize the right models for specific tasks.



"By hosting competitions and other community events, we want to engage with more developers and entrepreneurs, and to encourage them to bring their ideas to life, unlock productivity, and create more versatile AI tools that transform and shape the future of our industries," said Jingren Zhou.



Hashtag: AlibabaCloud

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Alibaba Cloud Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud ( www.alibabacloud.com ) is the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group. It offers a complete suite of cloud services to customers worldwide, including elastic computing, database, storage, network virtualization services, large-scale computing, security, management and application services, big data analytics, a machine learning platform and IoT services. Alibaba maintained its position as the third leading public cloud IaaS service provider globally since 2018, according to IDC. Alibaba is the world's third leading and Asia Pacific's leading IaaS provider by revenue in U.S. dollars since 2018, according to Gartner.



News Source: Media OutReach

07/07/2023 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



Media archive at www.todayir.com


GUANGZHOU, China, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Intertek has lately attended the global press conference held by Midea for its latest heat pump in Budapest, Hungary, and awarded Midea the world's first HP Cold-resistant certificate to this innovative product.

HP Cold-resistant Certified Tick Mark is a certificate issued by Intertek for manufacturers to emphasize the superior performance of the heat pump operating at ultra-low temperature. This certificate targets the cold regions in Europe and North America. It is the first time for Intertek to apply its cold-resistant performance test to heat pump and award its world's first cold-resistant certified Tick Mark in this area. The certificate can be served as a convincing testimony for manufacturers to demonstrate the outstanding performance of their products through various indicators (such as heating and frost-resistant performance).

How to ensure normal operation and maintain good heating performance of heat pumps in extremely cold regions is always a headache for many experts. Intertek has conducted in-depth exploration and research, followed up on the development of related services, and developed a scientific and reliable test program to quantify the performance of heat pump systems against extreme temperature and climate conditions.

Midea's Nature heat pump heating units have greatly improved the heating performance under cold conditions with efficient heat transfer technology and advanced designs, such as large silent wind blades, optimized lower-resistance air duct system, ultra-wide DC frequency conversion compressor of large displacement capacity, and efficient outdoor heat exchangers. According to the tests and verification by Intertek, the heating capacity of Midea's Nature heat pump heating units at "-22C" is no less than 80% of the heating capacity at "-10C". The final test results show Midea's Nature heat pump can reduce the impact of ultra-low temperature on the operating system and ensure stable operation, which makes the users more comfortable in daily life.

Mr. Klaus Jurgen Herrmann, Chief Certification Manager of Intertek Electrical China, extended his congratulations to Midea at the award ceremony in Budapest on July 4, 2023. He said: "This is the first heat pump performance test and certification project between Intertek and Midea, as well as Intertek's first HP Cold-resistant Certified Tick Mark in the world, which is of great significance to the cooperation between Intertek and Midea. The award is not only a strong proof of Midea's excellent capacity in line with international requirements, but also highlights Intertek as a leading service provider in the area of heat pump test, verification and certification. In the coming years, Intertek will, based on its reliable professional knowledge and worldwide service experience in the field of HVAC and refrigeration equipment, cooperate with Midea closer to withstand the trend of scientific and technological innovation by complementing advantages in technology, resources and other fields.

About Midea Building & Technology (Short for Midea MBT)

Established in 1999, Midea Building Technology Division of Midea Group is a total solution provider of building construction, integrating R&D, production, sales, engineering design and installation, and after-sales service, covering HVAC system, elevator business, building intelligence, and energy management.

ABOUT INTERTEK

Intertek is an industry leader in 1,000 locations in over 100 countries. Intertek delivers Total Quality Assurance expertise 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with our industry-winning processes and customer-centric culture.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2147192/1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2142908/HP_Cold_resistance_Intertek_TICK_MARK.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/intertek-awarding-the-worlds-first-hp-cold-resistant-certificate-to-midea-heat-pump-301871802.html
- Hinojosa Packaging Group has closed a 49% shareholding agreement of ASV Packaging, a leading independent French group in the design and production of sustainable packaging solutions, primarily boxes for the food and beverage industry. This agreement is subject to approval by the French Competition Authority.

- Customers of both Hinojosa and ASV Packaging will benefit from a supplementary and enhanced packaging offering.

- Both companies will promote the production and sale of HALOPACK sustainable trays for fresh food in the Iberian Peninsula and France.

VALENCIA, Spain, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hinojosa Packaging Group has closed a 49% shareholding agreement of ASV Packaging, a leading independent French group in the design and production of sustainable packaging solutions, primarily boxes for the food and beverage industry.

By acquiring these shares, Hinojosa plans to expand its business development in the Spanish and French markets. The company plans to offer French customers an expanded and unique range of packaging solutions and printing technologies for agriculture, agri-food and recurring consumer products and e-commerce. These solutions range from individual boxes, fresh food trays and tubs to larger packaging and promotional displays.

Moreover, Hinojosa and ASV Packaging, which share exclusive rights for the production and sale of HALOPACK trays in the Iberian Peninsula and France, are committed to working together to develop this sustainable alternative to plastic for fresh and ultra-fresh products that are packaged in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum skin packaging.

Hinojosa thus continues in its plans for growth with a firm commitment to innovation, sustainability and internationalisation. This operation will allow the strengthening of the company's position in Southern Europe as a leading manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions. Hinojosa maintains a decentralised organisational model, supported by partners with shared values. Additionally, in each region, it ensures maximum adaptation to the requirements of diverse audiences and focuses on its customers, employees, suppliers, and on the communities where it operates.

"At Hinojosa we have always been committed to the integration of dynamic and competitive organisations. This is the model that has allowed us to grow and expand both in Spain and on an international scale. With the acquisition of ASV Packaging, we will have the opportunity to expand our offering of sustainable packaging solutions in the French market. Without doubt, this is an important and exciting milestone and at both companies we share the same values based on innovation, sustainability and customer proximity. We look forward to working alongside 210 employees at ASV Packaging, so that together we can continue to add value for our customers." - Ruben Martinez Hinojosa, President of Hinojosa Packaging Group

"Hinojosa's interest in ASV Packaging and their subsequent investment in our business comes as a recognition of the work carried out in the last five years with our management team and all our employees, with the objective of building an alternative offering to that of integrated global groups for our customers. The capacity of the Hinojosa group and important synergies will enable us to strengthen and accelerate our development." - President of ASV Packaging, Philippe Desveronnieres, welcomes the group

About ASV Packaging

ASV Packaging was created in 2017 and currently has 3 production plants in France. It has become a key player in its market, with a turnover of 64 million euros in 2022 and 210 employees. Since 2017, the group has invested 16 million euros to modernize its industrial park and the production means necessary to manufacture its innovative packaging solutions.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2147586/ASV_Packaging_Hinojosa.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hinojosa-expands-its-presence-in-france-due-to-the-acquisition-of-shares-in-asv-packaging-301870965.html
DUBAI, UAE, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LRQA's Chairman Martin Blackburn visited the UAE, heading a delegation of LRQA colleagues that held meetings with various clients, local partners, as well as internal work meetings with the Assessments and Inspection teams.

For their first stop on the visit, they met with UK's Ambassador to the UAE, Edward Hobart CMG to work closely with the British Embassy UAE and Department for Business and Trade to collectively support UAE's year of sustainability.

The team met with both existing, and potential clients like Nawah, an energy company focused on harnessing the power of nuclear energy to provide a safe, reliable, clean, and sustainable supply of low-carbon electricity. They met with Craig Wilson, Commercial Vice President and Lulian Apostolie, Industrial Development Manager to discuss opportunities of working together given LRQA's expertise in the nuclear sector across the whole lifecycle of projects from design to decommissioning.

Martin accompanied by Luis Cunha, Regional Director and Ayman Ktaily, Country Lead attended a ceremony hosted by H.E Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General, General Administration of Customs. 24 certifications from LRQA were on display that Abu Dhabi Customs had achieved for their management systems.

Another client the team met was Etisalat by e&, a major telecommunications provider which is reinventing itself into a digital innovative company. After years of successful collaboration, LRQA charted a path with Etisalat's business excellence and strategy leadership team, to discuss managing risk during and after this period of transformation. LRQA's Cyber, Assurance, ESG offering is going to be instrumental to Etisalat's new business divisions and international operations.

As working with a local partner is key to any organization's success in the Middle East, we thank Khalid Al-Qubaisi for his assistance. He is involved in multiple capacities with several UAE companies, and we look forward to strengthening this relationship.

Speaking about his visit to the UAE, Martin said: "LRQA is uniquely placed to support the Middle East in becoming the next hub for sustainability and renewable energy by bringing global best practices to the region through our unmatched expertise in Assessments, Cybersecurity, Inspection, and Advisory. Our Middle East growth plan, and the hard work of our teams, are going to be instrumental in transforming our business in this region."

Further information, please contact:

Hasan Surve

Regional Marketing Manager - APAC, LRQA

+971552504482

hasan.surve@lrqa.com

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GREAT RYBURGH, England, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Richardson Malting (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Richardson International Limited ('Richardson'), is pleased to announce today that it has successfully acquired Ragleth Limited, the parent organization of Anglia Maltings (Holdings) Limited ('Anglia Maltings').

Headquartered in Norfolk, England, Anglia Maltings encompasses a diverse portfolio of businesses including Crisp Malt, Micronized Food Products (MFP), and EDME Food Ingredients.

"We share common values with Anglia Maltings and are aligned in our commitment to operational excellence and exceptional customer service," said Curt Vossen (Chief Executive Officer, Richardson International). "As experienced handlers of malting barley in North America, this is an exciting next step in our long-term strategy, which includes the diversification of our business and continued growth in the food processing industry."

Anglia Maltings operates seven malt facilities in the UK, Poland, and Germany, with a combined capacity of 440,000-MT. Crisp Malt collaborates with local farmers to source the highest-quality malted barley, serving breweries and distilleries and the food industry worldwide. MFP specializes in the production of cereals and pulses for brewing and animal feed, while EDME Food Ingredients focuses on malted and non-malted products catering to the baking industry.

Given the growing global demand for malting barley, predominantly driven by the brewing and distilling industries, Richardson's proven track record of strategic expansion and investment positions the company to meet the increasing requirements of an international customer base.

"As proponents of innovation, Richardson's support will enable us to realize our ambitions for new ingredients and open new avenues for our business," said Stuart Sands (Chief Executive Officer, Anglia Maltings). "By leveraging our operational expertise, we will continue to offer best-in-class, whether it be through the delivery of the highest quality food ingredients or outstanding service to our valued customer base."

Richardson's latest announcement follows a series of significant investment initiatives in recent years. In 2021, the company made substantial capital investments in oilseed and milling processing facilities in North America and Europe. That same year, the company acquired Italgrani USA, North America's largest durum miller and a major supplier of semolina flours to international pasta markets.

Richardson will welcome 360 employees from Anglia Maltings into its wider group of companies across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.

About Richardson International

Since 1857, Richardson International Limited has been recognized as a global leader in agriculture and food processing. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the company is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and a vertically integrated processor and manufacturer of oats and canola-based products. Over the past two decades, Richardson has become a significant player in the global food business, producing a wide variety of food products and ingredients for the retail, food service, and industrial markets. Richardson continues to grow, thanks to the dedication and innovative spirit of over 3,000 employees worldwide.

About Anglia Maltings (Holdings) Limited

Anglia Maltings started malting in 1870 in Great Ryburgh, Norfolk, England. Today, it is recognised as a leading maltster and grain processor, supplying the global brewing and distilling sectors under the Crisp Malt and MFP brands, and the food ingredients sector under the EDME brand. Operating from 4 different countries, AMH is built on local, long-term partnerships with farmers and merchants. Empowered by our 370 employees, we deliver the highest quality food ingredients worldwide.

Kelcey Vossen, Communications and Public Relations, Richardson International, kelcey.vossen@richardson.ca, 1-204-934-4118; Frances Brace, Anglia Maltings (Holdings) Limited, frances@redflamecommunications.co.uk, +44 (0) 743 269 2309

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The goal is to become the reference company for reviews of doctors, clinics, and hospitals in the UK, to bring the best technology to the entire healthcare ecosystem, public and private

LONDON, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Top Doctors, the leading technology group in the digital transformation of the healthcare sector and easy access to the best medical specialists, has announced its merger with the British company iWantGreatCare (IWGC), leading company in the patient experience of doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

The operation, which was completed using their own funds, aims to create synergies between both teams to take on new business challenges: becoming the reference company for patient reviews of doctors, clinics, and hospitals in the UK, creating new synergies in the private sector and accelerating IWGC's penetration into the public sector.

Alberto E. Porciani, CEO and Co-founder of Top Doctors, affirms the merger will bolster their technology offerings, delivering an inclusive service for medical professionals, centres, hospitals, and patients. IWGC's review system, he says, integrates seamlessly with PHIN (Private Healthcare Information Network) and the NHS (National Health Service).

The merger is hailed as a breakthrough for UK patients, providers, and clinicians by Jon Twinn, CEO of IWGC. The fusion of Top Doctors and iWantGreatCare-both platforms committed to helping people find optimal care-will result in a powerful one-stop-shop for the UK public, the NHS, and the entire health sector.

The merger will retain the distinct brands and teams. IWGC will operate as an independent entity within the Top Doctors Group, preserving its identity and workforce. The goal is to create synergies that offer top-notch technology to the entire healthcare ecosystem, improving care processes, and facilitating communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

IWGC has championed transparency in healthcare through patient reviews in the UK for 15 years, publishing over 6 million reviews. Its clients include a wide range of NHS and private providers from large hospital groups and Trusts to private clinics, GP Practices and hospices. The merger will amalgamate these with Top Doctors' own clients, establishing a growing international network of B2B partnerships.

The merger brings the Top Doctors Group's total employee count to 455. The group expects to close the 2023 fiscal year with $28 million in annual recurring revenue, indicating a growth of over 50% compared to the previous year.

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TOKYO, July 7, 2023 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that it has reached a basic agreement on a software development partnership with SCSK Corporation (SCSK), a Japan-based IT solution and service provider.In today's automobile market, the popularization of electrified, automated and connected vehicles is accelerating, and the strong capability to develop software to accommodate such trends has become indispensable. Moreover, the importance of software development is further increasing, as product development based on the concept of "software-defined mobility," in which software defines the value of hardware and services, is accelerating toward the realization of new value creation through next-generation mobility products and services.In light of such automotive technology trends, Honda has signed a basic agreement to form a partnership with SCSK to establish a system and capability that will enable more seamless and speedy software development. Through this partnership, the two companies will bring together their respective strengths, namely Honda's system control and safety control technologies and SCSK's broad range of IT technologies, and maximize synergy among the engineers of the two companies. With that, the two companies will strive to develop highly-competitive, next-generation, software-defined mobility products and services. Moreover, both companies will leverage this partnership to continuously enhance their respective talent pool of software engineers.Based on this partnership, SCSK is planning to increase the number of its IT engineers working with Honda to approximately 1,000 by 2030.Through this partnership, the two companies will work together on software development in the following areas:- Operating system (OS) for the next-generation electrical/electronic (E&E) architecture- Electrified powertrains- Advanced safety and automated driving- IVI (In-vehicle infotainment)Also, through this partnership, the two companies will explore possible collaboration in the following areas:- Collaborative development:Establishment of a "collaborative development office" where engineers from the two companies can interact more proactively while working together on various development projects.- Development of software engineers:Introduction/implementation of human resource development measures that leverage the strengths of both companies.- Initiatives toward new value creation:Joint development of new development processes and tools for software-defined mobility products and services.About SCSK CorporationEstablishment: October 1969Head Office Location: Toyosu Front, 3-2-20, Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo, JapanRepresentative: Takaaki Touma, Representative Director, PresidentBusiness: Providing a full line-up of IT services including consulting, system development and IT infrastructure developmentEmployees: 15,328 (as of March 31, 2023, Consolidated)Source: Honda Motor Co, LtdCopyright 2023 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
At the 25th World Congress of Dermatology

Tildrakizumab also significantly improved skin symptoms and quality of life in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis after 28 weeks in a real-world setting and with a safety profile consistent with randomized phase III clinical trials 1,2

Almirall has shown for the first time that the wellbeing of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis at baseline was comparable to the level of wellbeing found in other diseases 3 such as breast cancer 4

Preliminary results of the POSITIVE study demonstrate the company's commitment to addressing unmet needs in the treatment of patients with psoriasis

Almirall, S.A. (ALM), a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology, today announced that Ilumetri (tildrakizumab) significantly improved wellbeing in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis achieving a wellbeing status similar to the general population1 after 16 weeks, which was maintained up to week 28Error! Marcador no definido.. These first results of the POSITIVE study were presented in a poster at the 25th World Congress of Dermatology, held in Singapore from 3-7 July.

The preliminary analysis also showed that tildrakizumab significantly improved skin symptoms and patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with high rates of treatment satisfaction in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis after 28 weeks in a real-world setting4, with no new safety signals and a reassuring safety profile consistent with randomized clinical trials (RCT).1,2 The results also demonstrated for the first time that the wellbeing level at baseline of patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis was comparable to the wellbeing level found in other diseases3 such as breast cancer4

The POSITIVE study is the first clinical study in dermatology to assess patients' wellbeing as a primary endpoint using the WHO-5. The 5item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index is a widely used questionnaire that assesses health-related subjective psychological wellbeing in a variety of chronic diseases. In addition to evaluating the severity of psoriasis5, there is a need for a holistic, person-centred approach to the assessment of wellbeing that has never before been measured in a robust prospective study. The results of this study could potentially be added to the available psoriasis evaluation methods and provide dermatologists with new tools to improve their patients' wellbeing by enhancing patient-clinician relationships.

Psoriasis affects an estimated 60 million people worldwide6, and the severity of psoriasis is profound, involving both a physical and psychological burden7. Almost 77% of patients believe that psoriasis negatively affects their normal daily activities (personal, social, and work life8)and wellbeing9.In addition, psoriasis can significantly affect the general wellbeing of their families10 and physicians' satisfaction11

"We are thrilled with the promising results of the POSITIVE study, as they underline the importance of incorporating wellbeing into clinical trials. Having a holistic and patient-centered approach allows for more data on the impact of treatments on people living with psoriatic disease and therefore improves health and quality of life", said Frida Dunger Johnsson, IFPA Executive Director.

"At Almirall, we have long strived to improve patient quality of life by taking a holistic approach to skin diseases that captures the full impact of these conditions. The POSITIVE study marks a ground-breaking milestone in dermatology research and its preliminary findings reveal a notable enhancement in the wellbeing of individuals with psoriasis who were treated with tildrakizumab. These initial results reinforce our conviction that we are on the right track in fulfilling our commitment to offer healthcare professionals and patients innovative solutions that effectively address their unmet needs", stated Volker Koscielny, Chief Medical Officer at Almirall

About the POSITIVE Study

The POSITIVE study uses the 5item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index, WHO-5, a widely used questionnaire that assesses health-related subjective psychological wellbeing in a variety of chronic diseases. Following the holistic approach, the POSITIVE study will also use innovative secondary endpoints, the FamilyPso questionnaire to evaluate the impact of the disease on the family environment, and on Physician wellbeing, using the Physician's Satisfaction Score.

This ongoing non-interventional, prospective, observational, real-world evidence study has enrolled approximately 780 adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis at multiple sites in Europe, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The study will follow these patients for 24 months in their treatment with tildrakizumab.

About tildrakizumab12

Tildrakizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets the p19 subunit of interleukin-23 (IL-23) and inhibits the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines with limited impact on the rest of the immune system. It is indicated for the treatment of adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis who are candidates for systemic therapy.

About Almirall

Almirall is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on medical dermatology. We collaborate with scientists and healthcare professionals to address patients' needs through science to improve their lives. Our Noble Purpose is at the core of our work: "Transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes and dreams for a healthy life". We invest in differentiated and ground-breaking medical dermatology products to bring our innovative solutions to patients in need.

The company, founded in 1943 and headquartered in Barcelona, is publicly traded on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM). Throughout its 79-year history, Almirall has focused intensely on patients' needs. Almirall has a direct presence in 21 countries and strategic agreements in over 70, with about 1,800 employees. Total revenue in 2022 was 878.5MM.

For more information, please visit almirall.com

Legal warning

This document includes only summary information and is not intended to be exhaustive. The facts, figures and opinions contained in this document, in addition to the historical ones, are "forward-looking statements". These statements are based on the information currently available and the best estimates and assumptions that the company considers reasonable. These statements involve risks and uncertainties beyond the control of the company. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from those declared by such forward-looking statements. The company expressly waives any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, goals or estimates contained in this document to reflect any changes in the assumptions, events or circumstances on which such forward-looking statements are based, unless required by the applicable law.

1 Thaci D, et al. BJD 2021;185:323-34.

2 Drerup KA, et al. Dermatology 2022;238:615-19

3 Mrowietz U, et al. Presented at the 25th World Congress of Dermatology (WCD) July 3-8 ,2023, Singapore, Abstract 799

4 Topp CW, et al. Psychother Psychosom 2015;84:167-76

5 Naldi L. Scoring and monitoring the severity of psoriasis. What is the preferred method? What is the ideal method? Is PASI passe? facts and controversies. Clin Dermatol 2010;28:67-72. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2009.03.001

6 Parisi R, Iskandar I Y K, Kontopantelis E, Augustin M, Griffiths C E M, Ashcroft D M et al. National, regional, and worldwide epidemiology of psoriasis: systematic analysis and modelling study BMJ 2020; 369 :m1590 doi:10.1136/bmj.m1590

7 Bhosle MJ, Kulkarni A, Feldman SR, et al. Quality of life in patients with psoriasis. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2006;4:35. doi:10.1186/1477-7525-4-35

8 Villacorta R, Teeple A, Lee S, et al. A multinational assessment of work-related productivity loss and indirect costs from a survey of patients with psoriasis. Br J Dermatol 2020;183:548-58. doi:10.1111/bjd.18798

9 Dubertret L, Mrowietz U, Ranki A, et al. European patient perspectives on the impact of psoriasis: the EUROPSO patient membership survey. Br J Dermatol 2006;155:729-36. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07405.

10 Eghlileb AM, Davies EEG, Finlay AY. Psoriasis has a major secondary impact on the lives of family members and partners. Br J Dermatol 2007;156:1245-50. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2007.07881.

11 Palota T, Szepietowski JC, Pec J, et al. A survey of disease severity, quality of life, and treatment patterns of biologically naive patients with psoriasis in central and eastern Europe. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat 2010;18:151-61.

12 IlumetriI(tildrakizumab) Summary of Product Characteristics. Date of prep: October 2021 UK-IL-2100111

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Contacts:

Media contact Almirall:

Tinkle

Laura Blazquez

lblazquez@tinkle.es

Phone: (+34) 600 430 581

Investors' Relations contact

Almirall

Pablo Divasson del Fraile

pablo.divasson@almirall.com

Phone: (+34) 93 291 3087

Corporate Communications contact:

Almirall

Mar Ramirez

mar.ramirez@almirall.com

Phone: (+34) 659614173
CHICAGO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The microcatheters industry is poised for significant growth in the near future as advancements in medical technology continue to drive innovation and demand. With their ability to navigate intricate blood vessels and deliver targeted treatments, microcatheters have become crucial tools in minimally invasive procedures such as endovascular surgeries and neurointerventions. In the coming years, we can expect to see further miniaturization and enhanced flexibility of microcatheters, enabling physicians to access even the most challenging anatomical structures with precision and ease. Additionally, the integration of cutting-edge technologies like robotics and advanced imaging systems will further augment the capabilities of microcatheters, allowing for real-time visualization and improved procedural outcomes. As a result, the industry is set to witness an influx of investment, collaboration, and research, driving the development of novel microcatheter designs, materials, and functionalities. The future of the microcatheters industry holds immense promise, as it continues to revolutionize the field of interventional medicine, benefiting patients and healthcare providers alike.

Microcatheters Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $874 million in 2023 and is poised to reach $1,142 million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Advanced healthcare infrastructure, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, favorable reimbursement policies, technological advancements and research activities, well-established regulatory framework, increasing awareness and adoption of minimally invasive procedures, and presence of key market in developing regions players. The combination of these factors has propelled the growth of the microcatheter market. With ongoing advancements in technology, increased focus on minimally invasive procedures, and a favorable healthcare ecosystem, the market is expected to continue its growth trajectory. However, competition from alternative technologies or treatment modalities, such as drug-eluting stents, drug-coated balloons, or surgical procedure limits the market growth.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Microcatheters Market"

120 - Tables

36 - Figures

180 - Pages

Microcatheters Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $874 million Estimated Value by 2028 $1,142 million Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% Market Size Available for 2020-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Product, Type, Application, End User, and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Rest of the World Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Technological Advancements Key Market Drivers Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases

Diagnostic Microcatheters segment to register significant growth rate over the forecast period of 2022-2028

Based on the product type, the microcatheter market is segmented into Delivery Microcatheter, Aspiration Microcatheter, Diagnostic Microcatheter, and Steerable Microcatheter. The development of advanced imaging technologies, such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fractional flow reserve (FFR), has increased the need for specialized diagnostics microcatheters. These microcatheters are designed to facilitate the delivery of imaging devices, such as ultrasound probes or optical fibers, to the targeted area, allowing for detailed visualization and accurate diagnosis.

Interventional radiology and cardiology procedures often require diagnostic catheters for imaging and sample collection. Diagnostics microcatheters play a crucial role in these procedures, allowing for the precise positioning of diagnostic tools and the collection of samples from targeted areas. The growing adoption of interventional radiology and cardiology techniques has contributed to the increased demand for diagnostics microcatheters.

The oncology application segment accounted for the significant share of the Microcatheters market in 2022-2028

Based on the application, the Microcatheters market is segmented into Cardiovascular, Neurovascular, Peripheral Vascular, Urology, Otolaryngology, and other applications. The rising incidence of cancer worldwide is a significant driver for the oncology microcatheter market. As the prevalence of cancer continues to grow, the demand for interventional oncology procedures, which often involve microcatheters, also increases. Oncology microcatheters are used in the delivery of targeted therapies, embolization, and image-guided interventions for the treatment of various types of cancer. There is a growing preference for minimally invasive treatment approaches in oncology. Microcatheters enable precise and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents directly to the tumor site, minimizing damage to healthy surrounding tissues. Minimally invasive procedures using microcatheters offer benefits such as reduced patient trauma, shorter recovery times, and improved quality of life, driving their adoption in oncology. Collaboration between interventional radiologists and oncologists has expanded the utilization of microcatheters in oncology. The combined expertise of these specialties has led to the development of innovative treatment approaches, including transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), which heavily rely on microcatheters. The increasing collaboration between these medical disciplines drives the growth of the oncology microcatheter market. These drivers collectively contribute to the growth of the oncology microcatheter market, providing healthcare professionals with effective tools for targeted therapies, image-guided interventions, and minimally invasive treatment approaches in the field of oncology.

The single-lumen microcatheter segment accounted for the largest share of the microcatheter market in 2022-2028

Based on the design, the microcatheter market is segmented into single-lumen microcatheter and Dual Lumen Microcatheter. The single-lumen microcatheter design segment is estimated to hold the 91.7% market share of the microcatheter market in 2022. Single lumen microcatheters offer versatility and flexibility in their applications. They can be used in a wide range of clinical procedures, including diagnostic imaging, drug delivery, embolization, angioplasty, and biopsy. The ability of single lumen microcatheters to perform multiple functions makes them attractive to healthcare professionals, contributing to their widespread adoption. Adequate reimbursement policies for procedures involving single lumen microcatheters have a positive impact on their adoption and market growth. When healthcare systems provide appropriate reimbursement for these procedures, it encourages healthcare providers to utilize single lumen microcatheters in their practice and invest in the necessary equipment. These drivers collectively contribute to the adoption and growth of single lumen microcatheters in various medical specialties. Their versatility, precision, and ability to enhance patient outcomes make them an integral tool in minimally invasive procedures and targeted interventions.

Hospitals, Surgical Centers, and Specialty Clinics' segment to register for the highest growth rate of the microcatheters market in 2022-2028

The major end users in the microcatheters market are ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals, surgical centers & specialty clinics. Hospitals, surgical centers, and specialty clinics is expected to account for major market share in 2022. There has been an increased emphasis on training healthcare professionals in the use of microcatheters and interventional procedures. With the availability of specialized training programs and workshops, more clinicians are gaining the necessary skills and expertise to utilize microcatheters effectively. This has led to increased adoption and utilization of microcatheters in hospitals, specialty clinics, and surgery centers. Favorable reimbursement policies for procedures involving microcatheters have played a role in their increased use. When healthcare systems provide appropriate reimbursement for these procedures, it encourages healthcare providers to integrate microcatheters into their practice and invest in the necessary equipment and training.

Overall, the increasing use of microcatheters in hospitals, specialty clinics, and surgery centers is driven by the benefits of minimally invasive techniques, improved diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, expanded applications in multiple specialties, technological advancements, emphasis on patient safety and comfort, training initiatives, and favorable reimbursement policies.

Europe to account for a significant market share in the microcatheter market in 2022

In 2022, the Europe region is expected to register significant growth in the market during the forecast period. Asia Pacific comprises Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy and RoE. Europe has a rapidly aging population, which is associated with a higher incidence of chronic diseases. As the population ages, the demand for medical interventions, including those requiring microcatheters, is expected to increase. The aging population in Europe contributes to the sustained growth of the microcatheter market. Europe has well-established healthcare systems and favorable reimbursement policies for medical procedures. Adequate reimbursement for procedures involving microcatheters encourages healthcare providers to adopt and utilize these devices in their practice. The availability of reimbursement supports the market growth of microcatheters in Europe.

These factors collectively contribute to Europe's good market share in the microcatheter market, making it a prominent region for the adoption, manufacturing, and research of microcatheters.

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Microcatheters Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Increasing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases Growing Aging Population Advancements in Minimally Invasive Techniques Technological Innovations

Restraints:

Stringent Regulatory Requirements High Cost of Microcatheters Limited Availability in Developing Regions Potential Risks and Complications

Opportunities:

Technological Advancements Emerging Markets Expansion in Applications Increasing Adoption of Minimally Invasive Procedures Collaboration and Partnerships

Challenges:

Competitive Landscape Cost Pressures Product Complexity and Variability Training and Skill Requirements

Key Market Players:

As of 2022, prominent players in the microcatheter market are Terumo Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), Boston Scientific Corporation (Massachusetts, US), and Cook Medical (Indiana, US), among others.

Recent Developments:

In 2021, Terumo medical corporation introduced a new microcatheter named PG Pro Peripheral Microcatheter.

In 2020, Tri Saslus introduced TriNav Microcatheter, globally.

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Microcatheters Market Advantages:

Minimally Invasive Procedures: Microcatheters enable minimally invasive procedures, reducing the need for traditional open surgeries. Their small size and flexibility allow for precise navigation through narrow blood vessels, resulting in smaller incisions, less trauma to surrounding tissues, reduced pain, shorter recovery times, and lower risks of complications for patients.

Targeted Treatments: Microcatheters facilitate targeted treatments by delivering therapeutic agents, such as medications or embolic agents, directly to the desired site within the body. This targeted approach maximizes the effectiveness of the treatment while minimizing the impact on healthy tissues, leading to improved patient outcomes and reduced side effects.

Versatility: Microcatheters are versatile tools that can be used in various medical specialties, including cardiology, radiology, neurology, and vascular surgery. They can be employed for a wide range of procedures, such as angioplasty, embolization, thrombectomy, drug delivery, and diagnostic imaging, making them indispensable in many medical interventions.

Enhanced Visualization: Advances in imaging technologies, such as fluoroscopy and intravascular ultrasound, coupled with microcatheters, provide real-time visualization of the treatment site. This enhanced visualization allows physicians to precisely guide the catheter, monitor its progress, and make necessary adjustments during the procedure, ensuring accurate placement and optimal outcomes.

Growing Demand and Market Potential: The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders and neurological conditions, is driving the demand for minimally invasive interventions. As a result, the microcatheters market is experiencing significant growth and presents immense market potential, attracting investments, research, and development activities from both established players and emerging companies.

Advancements in Technology: Ongoing advancements in materials science, manufacturing techniques, and catheter designs are continuously improving the performance of microcatheters. These advancements result in increased flexibility, enhanced trackability, improved torque response, and reduced risk of complications, further fueling the adoption of microcatheters in clinical practice.

In summary, the microcatheters market offers advantages such as minimally invasive procedures, targeted treatments, versatility, enhanced visualization, growing demand, and continuous technological advancements. These factors contribute to the increasing importance and widespread utilization of microcatheters in modern medical practice.

High-Throughput Screening Market - Report Highlights:

In this report, microcatheter is considered, along with tables and accessories, used for healthcare applications and pharmaceutical industries. In this version of the report, two new segments are added- application-for a better and deeper understanding of the market.

The research study comprises the patent analysis of technologies/solutions used in the microcatheter market.

The new market study consists of the trends/disruptions impacting customers' businesses.

The new market study consists of information on key conferences & events in 2020-2022.

The new market study consists of the region-wise regulatory landscape.

The new market study consists of Porter's Five Forces Analysis.

The new market study provides details of the strategies of the top 15 players operating in the market.

The competitive landscape chapter has been updated with the market evaluation matrix. The competitive landscape also includes the market share analysis of major global players (as of 2021), updated competitive leadership mapping, and competitive situations and trends.

The new market study comprises 30 players. These companies have emerged as key market players in recent years due to their products and various strategic investments undertaken in the Microcatheter market space.

Updated financial information/product portfolio of players: The new edition of the report provides updated financial information in the context of the Microcatheter market from 2022 to January 2023 (depending on availability) for each listed company in graphical representation.

Updated market developments of profiled players: The current report includes the market developments from January 2020 to June 2023.

Related Reports:

Neurovascular Devices Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

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About MarketsandMarkets:

MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. We have the widest lens on emerging technologies, making us proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients.

The B2B economy is witnessing the emergence of $25 trillion of new revenue streams that are substituting existing revenue streams in this decade alone. We work with clients on growth programs, helping them monetize this $25 trillion opportunity through our service lines - TAM Expansion, Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy to Execution, Market Share Gain, Account Enablement, and Thought Leadership Marketing.

Built on the 'GIVE Growth' principle, we work with several Forbes Global 2000 B2B companies - helping them stay relevant in a disruptive ecosystem. Our insights and strategies are molded by our industry experts, cutting-edge AI-powered Market Intelligence Cloud, and years of research. The KnowledgeStore (our Market Intelligence Cloud) integrates our research, facilitates an analysis of interconnections through a set of applications, helping clients look at the entire ecosystem and understand the revenue shifts happening in their industry.

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / (OTC MARKETS) - A1 Group, Inc. (the "Company" or "AWON") would like to announce that it is continuing in its goal to cancel various common stock issuances that were either not properly issued or were not earned by the shareholder of record.

During April 2023, the Company initially cancelled to treasury 51,470,460 shares of Common Stock lowering it issued and outstanding Common Stock from 412,226,498 to 360,756.038 (a lowering of 12.49%). After this cancellation, in early May 2023, the Company then lowered its authorized Common Stock cancellation by 50%, from 750,000,000 to 375,000,000 shares of Common Stock authorized.

As subsequently announced, the Company has identified two significant blocks of Common Stock that the Company is currently processing for potential cancellation to treasury.

The initial potential cancellation to treasury stock that the Company is currently working is 166,568,157 shares of Common Stock held by a control shareholder ("Control Shares). These Control Shares were issued in July of 2017 pursuant to a licensing agreement that was never consummated with the Company ("Potential Cancellation"). If successful with this Potential Cancellation, the Company's issued and outstanding Common Stock will drop from 371,756,038 to 205,187,881 (44.81% decrease). In addition to the Potential Cancellation, the Company has also identified 56,962,757 shares of Common Stock held by five (5) shareholders that may be processed for cancellation to treasury stock as well. The Company is currently researching the transactions that resulted in the issuance of the Common Stock to these shareholders and consulting with its legal counsel. This would result in a 15.32% drop in the issued and outstanding Common Stock when viewed individually aside from the Potential Cancellation discussed above.

The Company would like to provide an update on the cancellation listed above of 166,568,157 shares of Common Stock. At this time, the Company has identified all the original corporate documents related to this issuance and are in the process of preparing to send the file to our corporate counsel to start the process of the cancellation of this Common Stock block with our transfer agent, Empire Stock Transfer out of Las Vegas, Nevada. The final piece we are waiting for is a signed affidavit from the Company's management team from 2017 to provide a factual baseline for the cancellation from the initial issuance of a licensing agreement to the failure to perform by the shareholder. The Company expects to send this file to legal counsel in the net two weeks to start the cancellation to the treasury process.

CEO, Lloyd Preston Jr. said "We have been working very hard to put together all of the original documents from almost seven years ago under a different management team and working with them on putting together a full affidavit of facts that will be required to provide a well-documented case for the cancellation of the block of 166,568,157 shares of Common Stock. Once this cancellation is completed, the issued and outstanding Common Stock will drop from the current 360,756,038 to 194,187,8810, an additional lowering of 46.17%. To move forward as a growing publicly quoted Company, we felt it was proper course to amend our capital structure to remove all previous issuances of Common Stock that were either improperly issued or not earned by the recipients of the equity positions. That is our focus, and over the past three months we have been successful in these endeavors and will continue to push forward with all of the disclosed potential cancellations of suspected Common Stock blocks."

Disclaimer Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements that we make may constitute "forward-looking statements" under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning future?strategic objectives, business prospects, anticipated savings, financial results (including expenses, earnings, liquidity, cash flow and capital expenditures), industry or market conditions, demand for and pricing of our products, acquisitions and divestitures, anticipated results of litigation and regulatory developments or general economic conditions.? In addition, words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," and future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "could," "should," and "would," as well as any other statement that necessarily depends on future events, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, and they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. ?Although we make such statements based on assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.? We caution investors not to rely unduly on any forward-looking?statements.

ABOUT US

A1 Group, Inc. is a Nevada corporation, is a public quoted Pink Sheet OTC issuer under the ticker symbol "AWON" (the "Company"). The Company reports as an alternative reporting issuer with OTC Markets Group, Inc. and is current in its mandatory required filings (e.g., Pink Sheet Current). The Company has acquired assets to become a producer of oxygen-enhanced water products intended to help improve one's health, wellness, and lifestyle. The company's products will be produced were produced using a proprietary O4 molecule that is BPA-free and contained higher oxygen content than regular water and is packed with post-consumer recycled plastic bottles, enabling consumers to increase stamina, improve focus and promote faster recovery. Additionally, the Company plans on becoming a regional co-packer of water products for large clients.

CONTACT

15169 North Scottsdale Road

Scottsdale, Arizona 85254

(480)-432-1536

Company Web Site: www.AwonBeverages.com

Twitter: @A1Beverages

Company Email: info@AwonBeverages.com

Contact: Lloyd Preston Jr., President, and CEO

SOURCE: A1 Group, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766053/A1-Group-Inc--Update-on-Common-Stock-Cancellations
Approval by UKCA Empowers UK Physicians to Advance Care of Treatment Resistant Depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Anxious Depression with Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

WHITLAND, United Kingdom, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The advanced and FDA-cleared Magstim Horizon 3.0 transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) system is now UKCA registered and available for sale in the UK, providing physicians with a proven precision therapy to improve the lives of patients with depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and anxious depression1.



The first company to manufacture and commercialize TMS as a treatment for brain disorders, Magstim technology has been cited in more than 16,000 published studies in the neuroscientific and clinical research.

"Magstim was founded in Wales, where our TMS line is manufactured and continues to be advanced," said Ronnie Stolec-Campo, CEO, Magstim. "The Horizon 3.0 technology is already in use in the US, and we are thrilled and honoured to make this technology available to the dedicated UK physicians working hard to advance the field and alleviate the pain and suffering caused by mental illness."

From July 10-13, Professor Alex O'Neill Kerr, MBChB, Medical Director of Transforming Mind Solutions, and the Magstim team will be at the Royal College of Psychiatrists Congress in Liverpool to educate clinicians on utilizing Horizon 3.0 in their practices. Studies show that patients respond positively to Magstim TMS Therapy2. Horizon 3.0 offers an intuitive system that optimizes treatment and helps improve patient care.

"Our focus is developing innovative treatments to aid the cure of depression and anxiety," states Professor Alex O'Neill Kerr. "Our patients have achieved significant improvements in depression and mental health using TMS therapy. We use Magstim technology and look forward to this Horizon 3.0 launch in the UK."

To learn more about Magstim research and clinical neurotechnology innovations, visit Magstim.comor call 01994 241111.

About Welcony



Globally, Welcony technologies have supported thousands of research labs, clinics, hospitals and universities that focus on mental health, brain disorders, cognitive neuroscience and neuromonitoring. Key brands include Magstim Magnetic Stimulation, MagstimEGI high-density EEG, Technomed Clinical Neurophysiology and Neurosign Interoperative Nerve Monitoring. Welcony is backed by Telegraph Hill Partners, a San Francisco-based private equity company.

__________________

1USFDA. Horizon 3.0 is indicated for the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, and decreasing co-morbid anxiety symptoms where present, in adult patients who have failed to achieve satisfactory improvement from prior antidepressant medication in the current episode, as well as an adjunct for the treatment of adult patients suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Floin, a registered VASP in Liechtenstein, announces its upcoming marketplace for vetted tokens and highlights the ongoing private phase of the ICO.

VADUZ, LIECHTENSTEIN / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / (ZEX MEDIA) Floin, a registered Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP) from Liechtenstein, is proud to announce the upcoming launch of its Marketplace for vetted tokens, solidifying its position as a safe and transparent platform for digital asset investing. The release is scheduled for Q3 2023.

Following the regulatory approval granted by the Financial Market Authority (FMA) in February 2023, Floin has quickly established itself as a trustworthy neo-finance institution. The platform currently offers a secure wallet, with additional features such as an NFT marketplace, fiat wallet, and VISA cards with Apple and Google Pay in the pipeline. These developments pave the way for Floin's momentous venture into the world of vetted security tokens, where it aims to democratize investing by bringing real-world assets to the blockchain.

Marc Weber, CEO of Floin, expressed his vision for the platform, stating, "The term 'FinTech' is composed of two words: Finance and Technology. Nine out of ten crypto startups do not have the human resources capable of managing a financial institution. I'm a firm believer that quality always prevails, and that's exactly what's happening now. Floin perfectly embodies that change by introducing an entirely new approach to this business sector. We focus primarily on Security Tokens and are developing a review system that will feature only fully regulated, qualitative tokens, that meet the highest standards."

Established in Liechtenstein, renowned for its stringent regulatory environment, Floin adheres to the highest industry standards. The platform lists only vetted security tokens that have undergone rigorous scrutiny, ensuring users have access to trustworthy and quality investment opportunities.

Key features of the Floin platform include a user-friendly interface that prioritizes simplicity and ease of use. Floin's clean and minimalistic design provides users with an intuitive experience, empowering them to navigate efficiently and locate desired features effortlessly. Additionally, Floin's advanced security measures, reviewed and audited by Halborn, guarantee the utmost protection for users' digital assets.

Floin is currently in the private phase of its Initial Coin Offering (ICO), offering users the opportunity to purchase its utility token, Floin Token (FLTK), at an attractive price. Once the ICO is completed, FLTK holders will benefit from various advantages, including fee discounts and early access to Security Token Offerings (STOs).

Floin's commitment to transparency is reflected in its readily available resources. Interested individuals can access the company's Brochure, Tokenomics, and Whitepaper on the official website, specified below.

A few more words about Floin

Floin, a brand of The Finest Token AG, is a fully regulated and compliant crypto platform based in Liechtenstein. With a focus on security tokens and a commitment to transparency, Floin provides users with a safe and intuitive platform for digital asset investments. Its upcoming Marketplace for vetted tokens aims to bring real-world assets to the blockchain, revolutionizing the way investments are made in a secure and transparent environment.

For more information about Floin and its revolutionary platform, please visit Floin.com or send an email to info@floin.com.

Social media:

 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/floin/

 Twitter: https://twitter.com/Floin_official

 Telegram: https://t.me/+xibUWfOc71s4NTI0

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Floin_com/

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Floin.official/



Media Contact:



Floin

https://floin.com/

Vaduz, Liechtenstein

SOURCE: Floin

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766150/Floin-Introduces-Regulated-and-Secure-Crypto-Platform-with-Upcoming-Marketplace-for-Vetted-Tokens
SAN FRANCISCO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Simplilearn, the world's #1 online bootcamp for digital economy skills training, hosted the 9th convocation ceremony along with Purdue University for 1500 post-graduates. Gracing the event with their presence were Professor Bart Collins, Purdue University as the Chief Guest and Mr. Anand Narayanan, Chief Product Officer, Simplilearn as the Guest of Honour.

The convocation ceremony was held to felicitate the meritorious students on their graduation. It was a joint celebration by Purdue University and Simplilearn on the successful completion of the various post-graduate programs of learners in the following categories: PG Program in Business Analysis, PG Program in Digital Marketing, PG Program in Digital Transformation, PG Program in Digital Supply Chain Management, PG Program in Data Analytics, PG Program in Data Engineering, PG Program in AI and Machine Learning and PG Program in Data Science. The convocation ceremony was filled with enthusiastic students full of energy and excitement.

Congratulating the post-graduates at the ceremony, Mr. Anand Narayanan, Chief Product Officer, Simplilearn, said, "It brings me great joy to be a part of this convocation, surrounded by individuals who are dedicated to attaining their academic and professional aspirations. I am truly thrilled to observe the fruitful academic journeys and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the learners who have completed their post-graduate programs. On behalf of Simplilearn, I commend your unwavering commitment and accomplishments. As you venture into the future, I encourage you to nurture your curiosity, embrace innovation, and strive to make a meaningful impact wherever your path leads you."

Addressing the post-graduates at the convocation, Professor Bart Collins, Purdue University, said, "Every quarter, Purdue University and Simplilearn come together to host the convocation ceremony for a group of meritorious students congratulating them for their dedication and commitment. Today, as you stand at the threshold of a new chapter in your lives, we commend your dedication and unwavering pursuit of excellence. Hope this convocation ceremony marks the beginning of a lifetime filled with success, fulfillment, and endless possibilities. Congratulations to all the graduates."

Peter Jerald, A graduate of the Post Graduate Program in AI and Machine Learning shared his thoughts, "Thank you for providing such great content to understand and practice AI & ML concepts. During this learning period, I learned every week with excitement. I did a detailed study on course content provided by various learning providers; I never saw such great content, right from the basics (i.e., fundamentals) to advanced topics, whether they were specific to certain pathways or specific to cloud tools. A person who doesn't have programming & statistical knowledge can also choose this course, it covers in-depth topics in the majority of the areas.

There was a famous saying, 'Instead of giving fish to eat to a hungry person, Teach them how to catch a fish.' This is exactly what this course taught me. During the initial days, I was worried and had difficulty understanding concepts, but day by day, it showed pathways to understanding and solving the problems. Especially the faculty, they have taken a good amount of time to answer my questions and explain the concepts multiple times. They have incredible knowledge and have shared it with us.

Web 3.0 is going to be a game-changer for this upcoming decade. It's going to rule this technology industry. To make myself comfortable with this technological change. This course helped me a lot. It clearly showed me a pathway to reach my destination, and it helped me move to the next level of my professional career."

This is the 9th convocation ceremony hosted by Simplilearn and Purdue University. Since this is a quarterly event, the next one will be held sometime in October 2023.

About Simplilearn

Founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco, California, and Bangalore, India, Simplilearn, a Blackstone portfolio company, is the world's #1 online Bootcamp for digital economy skills training. Simplilearn offers access to world-class work-ready training to individuals and businesses worldwide. The Bootcamps are designed and delivered with world-renowned universities, top corporations, and leading industry bodies via live online classes featuring top industry practitioners, sought-after trainers, and global leaders. From college students and early career professionals to managers, executives, small businesses, and big corporations, Simplilearn's role-based, skill-focused, industry-recognized, and globally relevant training programs are ideal upskilling solutions for diverse career or/and business goals.

For more information, please visit www.simplilearn.com/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1100016/Simplilearn_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/simplilearn-and-purdue-university-host-convocation-ceremony-for-1500-graduates-301871936.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - MYRIAD URANIUM CORP. (CSE: M) (OTCQB: MYRUF) (FSE: C3Q) ("Myriad" or the "Company") announces that in order to constrain structures and identify possible uranium traps ahead of upcoming drilling, the Company has initiated geophysical surveys at key target areas within the Company's Agebout and Afouday licenses. Drones carrying high-resolution magnetometers have already started flying a planned 5,942 line-km pattern at 50m line spacing 35m flying height (Figure 1).





Figure 1: Geophysical Survey Areas

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/172579_3964f775749bfbae_002full.jpg

Early indications from the field are that the drone survey is successfully detecting very low amplitude features that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to detect using traditional fixed wing or helicopter-based surveys. Data acquisition is expected to be completed within 6 to 8 weeks, with processing and interpretation following within 4 weeks after that.

Thomas Lamb, Myriad's CEO states "Areva (now called Orano), the previous owner of the Agebout and Afouday properties, developed ambitious exploration plans for these survey areas, which are on-structure and literally surrounded on all sides by five of the world's most significant uranium deposits, including Imouraren (384 Mlbs eU3O8), Dasa (250 Mlbs eU3O8), Madaouela (150 Mlbs eU3O8), Somair (154 Mlbs eU3O8), and Cominak (164 Mlbs eU3O8). All are located on the same structures, as you can easily see on a map (see Figure 2 below). For example, Areva had developed a 65-hole drill program for the 'Imouraren North' area, which is located inside our Agebout licence just north of Imouraren, the world's second-largest uranium deposit. Areva was unable to commence the program due to their insolvency and restructuring, which followed the Fukushima disaster. Now the area is ours, and uranium is over $56 per pound instead of $19 per pound.

Not only is it a new paradigm in terms of the price of uranium, but now, thanks to Global Atomic's nearby Dasa discovery, we know that Athabasca-like uranium grades may lie just a bit deeper than Orano ever drilled. This could change everything. In 2016 Orano geologist Dr. M. Mamane wrote in his PhD thesis: "Especially at Imouraren, it would be interesting to drill from the Jurassic (Tchirezrine 2) to the Carboniferous (Tarat and Guezouman). This last hypothesis is supported by the discovery of the Dasa deposit by Global Atomic." Myriad now has the chance to do this. We are all very excited."





Figure 2: Agebout's World-Class Neighbours

Global Atomic's Dasa is off the map just to the south-east.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/172579_3964f775749bfbae_003full.jpg

Early analysis of seismic data has already confirmed that previous regional drilling by Areva, while promising, still missed key fault structures and traps that may contain Dasa-like uranium mineralization.

What follows is a discussion of Myriad's current geophysics program by senior economic geologist George van der Walt, who leads the Company's exploration.

Introduction

One of the challenges of targeting uranium mineralization in the Tim Mersoi Basin is accurately locating the fault structures that control mineralization. In the past, mainly roll front type mineralization has been targeted by Orano in proximity to the main Arlit Fault. However, more recent work by the likes of Global Atomic and GoviEx has shown that significant mineralization can be found in, or associated with, secondary fault structures away from the Arlit Fault. This strategy requires a more focused approach to locating the position of fault structures, which will reduce the need for the type of grid-style drilling that has been employed previously.

Existing geophysical data, flown at 200m line spacing, while useful for the interpretation of larger scale structures, is unable to accurately resolve the position of smaller scale structures. Myriad's strategy currently involves the use of high-resolution geophysical methods for fault identification, including drone-based magnetic surveys and trials of either Induced Polarisation (IP) or Audio-Magneto Tellurics (NS-AMT).

DRONE-BASED MAGNETIC SURVEYS

Myriad has recently appointed AeroPhysX Survey Limited to conduct high-resolution drone-based magnetic surveys over two high-priority areas inside Myriad's Agebout and Afouday licenses. The purpose of these surveys is to accurately resolve the position of fault structures on surface. We are only a few days into the program, but our geophysicists advise us that success so far in resolving low amplitude features has been very impressive.

AeroPhysX uses a UAV Magnetic System carrying the MagArrow magnetometer. The MagArrow magnetometer is light-weight, self-contained, and has a high sampling frequency, which allows for faster flying and closer sampling. The data collected by the system has been demonstrated to be of superb quality when compared to other traditional airborne methods like fixed-wing or helicopter (Figure 3).





Figure 3: The AeroPhysX UAV Magnetic System

carrying the MagArrow magnetometer.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/172579_3964f775749bfbae_004full.jpg

The survey specifications are to fly 5,942 line-km at 50m line spacing at a flying height of 35m. The data acquisition phase is expected to take 6 to 8 weeks, with data processing and interpretation following within 4 weeks after that. In due course, the survey areas may be expanded to cover the remaining extents of the Myriad license areas.

GROUND-BASED ELECTRICAL METHOD SURVEYS

As a follow-up to the high-resolution magnetic surveys, which will identify fault structures at surface, the Company plans to detect and model the sub-surface trend of the faults using Audio Magneto Tellurics (AMT), which can penetrate as deep as 1000m. It is anticipated that this AMT survey will commence within the next two weeks. Together with the magnetic survey, the AMT will lay the groundwork for a targeted drilling program to commence later this year.

Qualified Person

George van der Walt (MSc. Economic Geology, Pr.Sci.Nat.), a "Qualified Person" for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information included in this news release.

About Myriad

Myriad Uranium Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company with 100% option interest in over 1,800 km2 of uranium exploration licenses in the Tim Mersoii Basin, Niger. These licenses are surrounded by many of the most significant uranium deposits in Africa, including Orano's 384 Mlbs eU3O8 Imouraren, Global Atomic's 236 Mlbs Dasa, and Goviex's 100 Mlbs Madaouela, and on the same fault structures. Myriad also has a 50% interest in the Millen Mountain Property in Nova Scotia, Canada, with the other 50% held by Probe Metals Inc. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), contact the Company by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to the Company website at www.myriaduranium.com.

Myriad's factsheet is here. A CEO interview with Crux Investor which may be of interest is here. A recent detailed interview with Uptrend Finance is here.

Myriad Contacts:

Thomas Lamb

President and CEO

tlamb@myriaduranium.com

Forward-Looking Statements

Mineralization hosted on adjacent or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's properties. This news release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, the Company's business, plans, outlook and business strategy. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect," "anticipate," "intend", "estimate", "plan", "forecast", "project" and "believe" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect, including with respect to the Company's business plans respecting the exploration and development of the Company's mineral properties, the proposed work program on the Company's mineral properties and the potential and economic viability of the Company's mineral properties. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and technological or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172579
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - Blue Thunder Mining Inc. (TSXV: BLUE) ("Blue Thunder" or the "Company") announces that the January 27, 2023 letter of intent between Blue Thunder and Analog Gold (the "Analog LOI") has been terminated due to unanticipated logistical delays. Blue Thunder wishes to thank the Analog Board and management for their efforts in trying to consummate this transaction.

Following the termination of the Analog LOI, the Company resumed discussions respecting a potential critical metals transaction which it was formerly considering which involves the acquisition of a package of exploration properties in the Yukon Territory, and is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding letter of intent (the "Critical LOI") respecting this transaction. The parties will replace the Critical LOI with a definitive agreement containing additional terms usual and customary for a transaction of this nature (the "Definitive Agreement"), but the Critical LOI represents a binding agreement between the parties.

The property package in the Yukon comprises eleven projects hosting highly prospective targets for copper, cobalt, tin, and tungsten. These are all metals which are characterized as "critical metals" in that their production is key to the planned increasing electrification of the global economy, and in that both Canada and United States will be seeking to assure reliable domestic supplies of these metals. The eleven projects are currently held by a private company ("Holdco"), which is wholly owned by the Company's CEO and director Chad Williams, and is a "related party transaction" as defined in MI 61-102 and Policy 5.9 of the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Williams declared his interest and abstained from voting in respect of the approval of the Critical LOI.

Principal terms of the transaction are:

Blue Thunder will acquire 100% of Holdco. The resulting company will be owned 60% by current Blue Thunder shareholders and 40% by Mr. Williams as the sole shareholder of Holdco (excluding the shares which Mr. Williams currently holds in Blue Thunder). Assuming Blue Thunder has 36,995,635 common shares outstanding, 24,663,756 Consideration Shares will be issued as consideration for the Holdco shares, with a value of $1,233,187 assuming the Consideration Shares are issued at a deemed price of $0.05 per share.

The parties have agreed to sign the Definitive Agreement within 60 days.

Closing of the transaction is subject to various conditions, including completion of due diligence by Blue, approval by the boards of each of Blue and Holdco, and approval by the TSX-V.

In addition, the Company is negotiating to acquire prospective lithium exploration projects in Nevada and in Quebec, which will be a natural complement to the Company's focus on critical metals.

Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, the Company's CEO, commented, "We are very excited to pivot toward critical metals and believe that the Yukon property package, as well as other projects we will acquire in due course, would allow us to generate shareholder value by advancing toward discovery in this ever-increasingly important space of critical metals. Meanwhile, of course, we continue to hold our highly prospective Muus property in the Chibougamau District of Quebec. Last year's field work at Muus identified prospective copper targets in addition to the gold targets that had been the focus of precious work."

We seek Safe Harbor.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any U.S. persons or any persons in the United States, absent (a) registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws, or (b) exemptions from such registration requirements.

This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. "United States" and "U.S. person" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

About Blue Thunder

Blue Thunder is a gold exploration company that controls 100% of a large land position near Chibougamau, Quebec. The Muus Gold project covers approximately 51,000 hectares in five separate blocks of prospective ground in the eastern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Project is considered particularly prospective for gold mineralization, as a series of prominent ductile and brittle fault-sets transect the Project, including the Guercheville and Fancamp deformation zones, both of which are associated with numerous past and currently producing precious- and base metal mines in the district.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, CEO & Director

For more information, please visit our website www.bluethundermining.com, or contact Mr. Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, dusty@bluethundermining.com (647) 848-1009.



Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, anticipated exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, the ability to complete the required permitting, the ability to complete the exploration program and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including Exchange acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in the Chibougamau District in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits, and the results of any mining thereof, on adjacent or similar properties, are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties or any potential exploitation thereof.

This news release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for

distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172655


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Department of Defense has said that Russian fighter jets confronted US drones operating in Syria targeting the remaining hideouts of Islamic State for the second time in two days this week.



Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said that on Wednesday, Russian SU-35 fighter aircraft harassed three U.S. MQ-9 drones conducting a mission against ISIS targets.



During the interaction, the Russian pilots dropped multiple parachute flares in front of the drones, forcing the U.S. aircraft to conduct evasive maneuvers. One Russian pilot also engaged their aircraft's afterburner while positioned in front one of the MQ-9s, reducing the U.S. operator's ability to safely operate the drone.



Ryder said that the U.S. mission to defeat the terrorist outfit remains undeterred by Russia's harassment of U.S. aircraft.



He condemned the interaction as 'clearly unprofessional and unsafe behavior on the part of the Russians.'



U.S. Air Forces Central reported a similar incident a day later in northwest Syria.



Thursday, the Russian SU-34 and SU-35 aircraft released flares in the flight path of the U.S. MQ-9 and flew dangerously close to the drone, forcing it to take evasive maneuvers.



'These events represent another example of unprofessional and unsafe actions by Russian air forces operating in Syria, which threaten the safety of both coalition and Russian forces,' said Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central.



He called on Russian forces to 'cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS.'



Gen. Alex Grynkewich also released video of the aerial confrontation.



Both the U.S. and Russian aircraft have been operating in Syria for many years. Although both sides have used a deconfliction line between their militaries to avoid possible escalation, Russian planes have reportedly violated the deconfliction protocols multiple times.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Mega-Chance Cyber Security Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Hier klicken
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - Marble Financial Inc. (CSE: MRBL) (OTC Pink: MRBLF) (FSE: 2V0) ("Marble" or the "Company") an AI-driven financial technology company, is pleased to announce that Narayan Sainaney has been appointed to the Company's Advisory Board.

Narayan has been a technologist since he was eleven years old and has built several start-ups from the ground up and continues to be involved in several new ventures. He co-founded Mindquake Software, Digital Snaps, Vitrium Systems, Mojio and now CodeZero Technologies.

As an executive and Chief Technology Officer, he has worked through diverse trends in the technology industry from desktop applications to web, mobile and now cloud computing including Cloud Native, IoT, Machine Learning and Big Data.

Narayan has worked on products that have reached millions of users worldwide for organizations such as Microsoft, Adobe, Segasoft, Prentice Hall, T-Mobile and Deutsche Telekom. He has deep experience and oversees all aspects of technology. He has experience in raising capital, building management teams, developing products, establishing market presence and sales support. As an intellectual property expert, he has successfully built trademark, copyright, and patent portfolios.

Narayan holds a Bachelor of Science degree, with a specialization in Computer Science, from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from the Sauder School of Business.

When not working, Narayan is an avid sailor and an amateur astronomer and father to two young boys.

"We are pleased to welcome Narayan to our Advisory Board," said Karim Nanji, CEO of Marble. "Given his career in building platforms that has successfully reached millions of users, globally, his input and experience in our growth strategy will be greatly welcomed on accomplishing our corporate objectives."

"I have been following the Marble journey from the very beginning and it is my pleasure to join the advisory board," states Narayan Sainaney, Co-Founder and CTO of Codezero. "The FinTech industry has made tremendous strides in innovation but still has a long way to go. I look forward to working closely with the Marble team in shaping the products and partnerships that will unlock the true potential of individuals and revolutionize the tools they have access to achieve overall financial wellness."

Marble also announces the grant of 500,000 stock options under the Company's stock option plan to Mr. Sainaney. These options expire in five years and vest as follows: 100,000 stock options on the date of grant; and 200,000 stock options annually from the date of grant. The stock options are issued at $0.08 per share.

Marble also announces the grant of 25,000 stock options under the Company's Stock Option plan to an employee. The stock options expire in five years from the date of grant, vest in equal one-quarter amounts starting on the date of grant, and in each of the first year, second year and third year anniversaries from the date of grant and are exercisable at $0.08 per share.

About Marble Financial Inc. (CSE: MRBL) (OTC Pink: MRBLF) (FSE: 2V0):

Marble is a leading provider of software-as-a-service (SaaS) solutions that empower businesses to acquire and use real -time financial data to better transact with consumers. Along with enabling smarter marketing ROI for partners seeking increased conversion rates to those consumers that require further monitoring, predictive financial recommendations, and guidance to rehabilitate them to transact in the future. Utilizing Marble's proprietary and proven artificial intelligence data-driven technology platforms, Inverite, Accumulate.ai and MyMarble, businesses and consumers are empowered in real-time, access to a 360 financial profile that includes credit and banking data. Marble leverages machine learning, artificial intelligence, predictive financial recommendations, risk scores and open-banking strategies to put the power of financial data into the hands of businesses and consumers, promoting more robust relationships and higher intent toward future engagements.

For further information about Marble, please visit: mymarble.ca.

Mike Marrandino, Executive Chairman

T: (855) 661-2390 ext. 104 Email: ir@marblefinancial.ca

https://www.facebook.com/mymarblelife

https://twitter.com/mymarblelife

https://www.linkedin.com/company/marblefinancialinc/

https://www.instagram.com/mymarblelife/

NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information ("FLSI") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. FLSI may include expectations, anticipations, beliefs, opinions, plans, intentions, estimates, forecasts, projections, guidance or other similar statements and information that are not historical facts. FLSI is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, and is based on assumptions, the occurrence or inaccuracy of which, as the case may be, could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied in FLSI. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance or value on FLSI. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in any FLSI in this news release are reasonable at the present time, it can give no assurance that such FLSI will prove to be correct. Any FLSI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Any FLSI in this press release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to publicly update or revise any FLSI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172639


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Beacon (BECN) said it expects second quarter net income in a range between $147 and $154 million. Net income per share is expected to range between $1.88 and $1.97 per share. Adjusted EBITDA is estimated to range between $280 and $290 million. Net sales are expected to be approximately $2.5 billion.



Beacon now expects full year 2023 adjusted EBITDA results to range between $840 and $870 million, which represents the upper half of prior guidance range.



Beacon has reached an agreement with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC or CD&R to repurchase all of the outstanding shares of its Series A Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Stock held by CD&R's affiliate. The 400,000 outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be repurchased from CD&R for an aggregate amount equal to $804.5 million plus aggregate accrued and unpaid dividends. The deal is expected to be financed by a mix of new and existing debt funding and cash on hand, the company noted. Upon closing, Nathan Sleeper, CD&R's CEO will resign from the company's board; and Philip Knisely, an Operating Partner of CD&R, will remain on the board but will step down as non-executive board chair. Stuart Randle, lead independent director, will be named non-executive board chair.



Beacon expects the transaction to: reduce diluted share count on an as converted basis by 9.69 million shares; provide immediate accretion to earnings per share; eliminate preferred dividends of $24.0 million per year; and simplify capital structure.



Beacon expects its total gross debt less cash and cash equivalents to be approximately $1.7 billion at June 30, 2023. Giving pro forma effect to the repurchase of the Series A Preferred Stock and the expected debt funding related to the repurchase, the company expects its total gross debt less cash and cash equivalents to be approximately $2.5 billion at June 30, 2023. The company said pro forma liquidity continues to support its Ambition 2025 growth objectives.



For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Mega-Chance Cyber Security Die KI-Revolution ist in vollem Gange und vor allem ein Bereich wird stark betroffen sein: Cyber-Security. Die Experten sind sich sicher: Mit steigender Entwicklung von KI-Technologien nehmen auch KI-gestutzte Cyber-Attacken zu. Wir zeigen hier, welche Aktien profitieren konnen. Hier klicken
The BBC shares Paul Readman's transformation story

ISTANBUL, TURKEY / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / The BBC has filmed a documentary about Turkey's medical tourism and hair transplantation, going to Turkey for the first time to document a first-hand experience. The team accompanied Paul Readman (26) on his transformative journey to restoring hair with low-priced surgery at Istanbul-based Smile Hair Clinic.





Smile Hair Clinic

Hair Transplant in Turkey





Dealing with the effects of hair loss

BBC reporter Tiffany Sweeney visited Paul in Middlesbrough, his hometown in North Yorkshire, England, one week before his hair restoration treatment. Talking with him, his parents, and friends, she learned about the effects of hair loss on Paul's social life and the reasons for getting a hair transplant in Turkey.

Paul chose hair transplantation because his receding hairline had significantly impacted his confidence. He had been saving up for six months to pay for the 2,000 procedure at Smile Hair Clinic, which would have cost him four times more if he had gone to a UK clinic.

Meeting with Dr. Mehmet Erdogan and Dr. Gokay Bilgin at Smile Hair Clinic

Upon arrival in Istanbul, the BBC team accompanied Paul to Smile Hair Clinic, where he met with Dr. Mehmet Erdogan and Dr. Gokay Bilgin for a consultation and hair analysis. The surgeons inspected his hair, designed a new hairline, and shaved his head to prepare him for the surgery.

The six-hour operation started by injecting local anesthesia with a needle-free gun. The surgeons then extracted 2,700 hair follicles from the back of Paul's head, where his hair was the thickest. The last stage of the procedure involved reinserting the harvested hair grafts into Paul's hairline before placing bandages and seeing him off.

Paul said the surgery was quick and nearly painless. The only pain resulted from some injections of the local anesthetic.

Transformation stages and Paul's experience

A month after Paul's hair transplant procedure, the BBC team returned to Middlesbrough to check up on him, see how his hair was growing, and learn about his family's take on his new look.

One month after the surgery is the worst time for hair transplant patients because they experience the so-called shock loss.

Paul was no exception. His hair entered the shedding phase about two weeks after the surgery, with the donor areas having patches due to the trauma of the procedure. However, the first results came four months after the treatment.

In a video sent in later, Paul shared his experience, showcasing considerable hair growth that surpassed his expectations and boosted his confidence. Saying that choosing Smile Hair Clinic was the best decision, he said he was happy with the result and excited to see how his appearance would change over the following months.

Contact Information

Burak Onal

Crabs Media

info@crabsmedia.com

+(90) 553 089 26 59

SOURCE: Smile Hair Clinic

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/765940/The-BBC-Visits-Smile-Hair-Clinic-in-Turkey-to-Document-a-Hair-Transplant-Journey
Simple Vodka Wins Coveted Platinum, Hawthorn's London Dry Gin Awarded Double Gold, and Simple Spirits Named Innovator of the Year

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Simple Spirits, an emerging portfolio of premium spirits, is proud to announce its exceptional performance at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC). The competition, distinguished for its rigorous judging process and esteemed panel of experts, recognized Simple Spirits' unwavering commitment to innovation and creating spirits of the highest caliber.

Simple Spirits Portfolio

Simple Vodka, Hawthorn's London Dry Gin, and Xoma Pulcatta

Simple Vodka has carved a path of distinction by using farm-fresh Idaho Potatoes and pristine water sourced directly from the renowned Snake River Aquifer. Following strict quality standards, Simple Spirits ensures that Simple Vodka contains no additives or secret ingredients. Simple Vodka delivers an authentic, ultra-smooth taste that has captivated the discerning palates of spirits connoisseurs. The groundbreaking achievement of a Platinum Medal further solidifies Simple Vodka's position as a leading producer of premium vodka.

Hawthorn's London Dry Gin was once again awarded the esteemed Double Gold Medal. This extraordinary gin, first crafted at sea by Hawthorn's founder Will Turnage's grandfather during World War II, honors a rich legacy of artisanship. Hawthorn's London Dry Gin offers a harmonious balance, featuring unique citrus notes that set it apart from traditional gins. Its consistent recognition at the SFWSC reaffirms the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle.

Xoma Pulcatta made an impressive debut, securing a Silver Medal in the highly competitive agave spirits category. Handcrafted in cooperation with a network of milpa farmers in Puebla, Mexico, Xoma Pulcatta represents the revival of an agave spirit that dates back to the Aztecs. Circular farming methods ensure sustainability while preserving authentic flavors that make Xoma Pulcatta a uniquely superior agave spirit.

Simple Spirits was also recognized as Innovator of the Year. This distinguished honor acknowledges Simple Spirits' unique social-impact model, emphasizing the importance of brand ethos alongside product quality. The brand's mission to combat hunger in America by providing a meal through local food banks for every drink poured exemplifies its dedication to community support. To honor its naval lineage, Hawthorn's London Dry Gin takes it further by supporting U.S. Veterans in need, ensuring Simple's contributions extend beyond the spirits it creates.

"We are honored and humbled to receive the highest of honors from the esteemed judges at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition," says Danny Lafuente, CEO and Founder of Simple Spirits Company. "As a company, we exist to be more than just what's in the bottle - but the continued recognition for the excellence of our spirits makes it a lot easier to do the good we set out to achieve."

About Simple Spirits

Simple Spirits is a renowned portfolio of exceptional spirits dedicated to captivating the senses whilst elevating the soul. With an unwavering commitment to quality and craftsmanship, Simple Spirits has gained recognition for its award-winning spirits, including Simple Vodka, Hawthorn's London Dry Gin, and Xoma Pulcatta. Each expression is meticulously crafted using the finest ingredients and time-honored distillation techniques, setting a new standard for excellence in the spirits industry.

Learn more at www.simplespirits.co.

About SFWSC

The San Francisco World Spirits Competition is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected spirits competitions on the planet. Judges are highly esteemed, seasoned industry experts from around the world that convene to participate in a blind tasting to ensure fair judgment. Together, the people and the process make the medals given a universally recognized indicator of exceptional quality.

Learn more at www.thetastingalliance.com.

Contact Information

Daniel Lafuente

Founder & CEO

danny@simplespirits.co

Kate Kelley

Head of PR & Marketing

kate@simplespirits.co

SOURCE: Simple Spirits Company

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766007/Simple-Spirits-Shines-at-the-San-Francisco-World-Spirits-Competition
MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Empire Medical Training, the leading provider of comprehensive medical training and education, is delighted to announce its premier aesthetics event and 25th-anniversary celebration on Dec. 9, 2023, covering extraordinary, unparalleled insights into the future of medical aesthetics, led by some of the world's most renowned key opinion leaders and educators. The highly anticipated event will take place at the iconic Fontainebleau in Miami, Florida, bringing together esteemed industry professionals, medical experts, and healthcare practitioners with varying specialties from around the globe.

25th-Anniversary Celebration

Empire Medical Training has been at the forefront of providing cutting-edge education and training in the field of aesthetics for the past 25 years. As a trusted source of knowledge and expertise, Empire has helped countless medical professionals enhance their skills and knowledge in medical aesthetics, anti-aging/regenerative medicine, pain management, business and marketing, and more.

The premier aesthetics event and 25th-anniversary celebration will be a momentous occasion for Empire Medical Training and its extensive network of practitioners. Attendees can expect a day filled with enriching educational sessions and engaging panel discussions led by renowned experts in the field. The program will cover the latest innovations in the aesthetic industry, such as combination therapies (using neurotoxins, dermal fillers, and more), exosomes, PDO threads, and more-providing attendees with insights into emerging trends, advanced techniques, and unparalleled breakthrough technologies. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to watch live, on-stage demonstrations of some of the most popular yet innovative aesthetic procedures performed by renowned physician experts. The training will also include dedicated lectures by Dr. Cotofana on anatomical considerations for achieving safe injection techniques and discussions on complications mastery and avoidance. This event promises to provide attendees with insights into emerging trends, advanced techniques, and unparalleled breakthrough technologies.

"We are incredibly excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary and host this premier aesthetics event," says Dr. Stephen Cosentino, Founder and CEO of Empire Medical Training. "Over the past quarter-century, Empire has been committed to providing exceptional education and training to health care professionals. This event will not only commemorate our achievements but also showcase the continued dedication to excellence that defines Empire as an invaluable resource, a mentor, and a catalyst for prosperity for many health care professionals worldwide."

The event will showcase a distinguished roster of key opinion leaders who have gained widespread recognition for their expertise and significant contributions to the field of aesthetics. Esteemed professionals such as Dr. Stephen Cosentino, Dr. Chris Croley, Dr. Shino Bay Aguilera, Dr. Sheila Barbarino, Dr. Sebastian Cotofana, Dr. Azza Halim, and Lyris Verdura-Dominic, APRN, will share their knowledge and offer live demonstrations of advanced off-label procedures and applications. This unique opportunity will allow attendees to witness the latest techniques in action, enhancing their learning experience and enabling them to directly observe best practices to apply the new, up-and-coming techniques into their med spas. Additionally, the event will feature panel discussions with Q&A, providing attendees with an exclusive chance to engage with these renowned experts and acquire valuable insights into the realm of aesthetics.

The celebration will culminate with a grand evening reception, featuring a Miami Vice-inspired cocktail party where attendees can unwind, network, and engage in celebratory activities. This engaging gathering will provide an ideal setting for professionals to connect, share experiences, and celebrate Empire Medical Training's 25 years of excellence.

Registration for Empire Medical Training's premier aesthetics event and 25th-anniversary celebration is now open with both in-person and online streaming options for purchase. Early bird discounts and exclusive packages are available for those who secure their spots in advance. To learn more about the event, speakers, and registration, please visit the official event website at https://bit.ly/EmpireAestheticsCelebration or call 844.565.3131.

About Empire Medical Training

Since 1998, 175,000+ physicians and health care professionals have successfully graduated from Empire. Led by a faculty of industry-renowned board-certified physicians, more health care practitioners attend Empire workshops compared to other procedural training programs in the U.S. For 25 years in the Aesthetic, Anti-Aging, Pain Management, and Medicine industries, Empire maintains its top position as the #1 source for accredited CME education and training in the world. With over 50 topics and 700 workshops taught annually, Empire offers ongoing medical education to a vibrant community of thousands of medical professionals and provides them with the opportunity to network, interact, share, and engage.

Contact Information

Yurik Lozano

Marketing Director

yurik@empiremedicaltraining.com

8445653131

Nichole Vaux

Vice President, Marketing and Sales

nichole@empiremedicaltraining.com

8445653131

SOURCE: Empire Medical Training

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766072/Embracing-the-Future-of-Medical-Aesthetics-Empire-Medical-Trainings-Premier-Event-and-25th-Anniversary-Celebration-at-the-Fontainebleau
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Aflac Incorporated



My Special Aflac Duck waddled on the wild side with approximately 240 pediatric oncology families at the Philadelphia Zoo in May.

The free-of-charge event, exclusively for childhood cancer patients and their families, was hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities Philadelphia Region and Eagles Fly for Leukemia.

Attendees had the opportunity to visit more than 1,900 rare and endangered animals at America's first zoo and learned about available resources for families and patients, including My Special Aflac Duck, a free-of-charge resource designed to bring comfort and joy to children ages 3 and up during their cancer journey.

Patients and families got to see firsthand the soft and cuddly companion's features that help children prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques and so much more.

My Special Aflac Duck, designed hand-in-hand with more than 100 families undergoing cancer treatment at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, comes equipped with:

Medical play accessories such as a port-a-cath, IV, stethoscope, pulse oximeter, and syringe.

such as a port-a-cath, IV, stethoscope, pulse oximeter, and syringe. Feeling cards that can help children communicate their feelings; they simply tap one of the seven included feeling cards to the lights on the duck's chest, and it will act out that emotion.

that can help children communicate their feelings; they simply tap one of the seven included feeling cards to the lights on the duck's chest, and it will act out that emotion. Soundscape spaceship, designed with child life specialists and psychologists, lets children listen to sounds of a forest, space, ocean, farm or amusement park - perfect for practicing distraction therapy in what can be a noisy setting.

Introduced in 2018 for children with cancer, Aflac has since added accessories to My Special Aflac Duck specifically designed to help support pediatric sickle cell patients and, to date, has delivered more than 23,000 ducks free of charge in the United States, Northern Ireland and Japan.

"We were so grateful to be able to bring My Special Aflac Duck to be among the zoo's unique animals that would bring joy to patients and their families, giving them a night away, one full of adventure and wonder," said Mandy Flynn, program manager, Corporate Social Responsibility. "To see the smiles on their faces, and to serve alongside other organizations with a similar mission, is a sweet reminder of why we do what we do - give support, hope, time and resources to children and families who face cancer and blood disorders."

Since 1995, Aflac has contributed more than $168 million to the pediatric cancer and blood disorders cause, including nearly $6 million donated by more than15,000 independent agents licensed to sell Aflac products. See the My Special Aflac Duck in action and learn more about this important initiative by visiting AflacChildhoodCancer.org.

Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

Z2300672

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Aflac Incorporated on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Aflac Incorporated

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/aflac-incorporated

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Aflac Incorporated

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766161/Lions-Tigers-and-My-Special-Aflac-DuckR
EMERYVILLE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Lab grown diamonds, certified under the SCS-007 sustainability standard, not only provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative, but also help reduce human rights abuses and concerns in diamond mining.

The market for lab grown diamonds is steadily growing as more consumers recognize the benefits of these sustainability rated diamonds. According to Statista the global market volume of lab-grown diamonds is forecast to be nearly 19.2 million carats by 2030. The demand for lab grown diamonds reflects the growing awareness of social responsibility and environmental protection in the jewelry industry.

The Berlin-based brand Quite Quiet, considers sustainability to be a key corporate value. Therefore, it is proud to have a partner which received the prestigious SCS-007 Sustainability Rated Diamonds certification at an A rating. By sourcing diamonds from Fenix Diamonds, the brand can offer its customers high-quality, ethical products that meet the highest standards of environmental friendliness and social responsibility.

Additionally, Quite Quiet customers receive a unique, supplemental confirmation of value in the form of a certificate of sustainability detailing the steps the producer took to earn the sustainability rating for that diamond with each purchase. By promoting lab grown diamonds, Quite Quiet is helping to preserve the environment, protect human rights and support a responsible jewelry industry.

"SCS Global Services is proud to have Quite Quiet as an accredited retailer authorized to fully represent and sell SCS 007 certified diamonds produced by Fenix Diamonds, an accredited producer. Their commitment to sustainability and transparency in the fine jewelry marketplace is an admirable achievement," said Stanley Mathuram, Executive Vice President, SCS Global Services.

The SCS-007 standard applies to both mined and lab grown diamonds and provides jewelry manufacturers, retailers and their customers with an unprecedented level of assurance. For one thing, it places great emphasis on ethical and corporate governance. Companies must meet extensive environmental, social and governance requirements, make sustainable investments to support vulnerable communities and adhere to twelve core ESG principles. These include integrity, transparency, accountability, fairness, respect, collaboration, sustainability, responsibility, human rights, equity, diversity, and community well-being.

Another key aspect of the SCS-007 standard is climate neutrality and sustainable production practices with net zero impact. This ensures that all direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions throughout a product's lifecycle are quantified and offset through measures such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and carbon offset projects.

Furthermore, the certification promises a transparent supply chain through comprehensive traceability of diamonds. To achieve this, SCS has partnered with Source Certain International (SCI), an expert in forensic analysis that uses state-of-the-art technology to confirm the exact origin of a diamond.

To this end, the partnership with Quite Quiet's emphasizes its commitment to a more sustainable future in the jewelry industry.

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds certified under the SCS 007 Jewelry Sustainability Standard - Sustainability Rated Diamonds, offer a sustainable solution for consumers who want to purchase high-quality jewelry without impacting the environment or supporting social concerns.

Unlike mined diamonds, lab grown diamonds are grown under controlled laboratory conditions. They have the same chemical composition and optical properties as their mined counterparts. The use of renewable energy and environmentally friendly production methods ensures that the production of lab grown diamonds has less environmental impact than traditional diamond mining.

Read more

About Quite Quiet

The Berlin jewelry label Quite Quiet was launched in 2016 and has been working exclusively with lab-grown gemstones ever since. As of July 2022, it has been Germany's first jewelry label to offer lab-grown diamonds with independent SCS sustainability certification. All products are made of fully traceable Fairtrade certified Gold in its own Berlin workshop and in collaboration with partners in Germany. The brand was founded with the intention to create jewelry that people cherish and keep close for a long time. Clear visual principles create a calm yet strong expression. Quite Quiet believes that true luxury is created through a deep level of care for all aspects of a product. To create value from within, that care should expand beyond the physical product to how it is made and how its materials are sourced.

About SCS Global Services

SCS Global Services is an internationally recognized leader in third-party certification of environmental and sustainability claims.

Headquartered in Emeryville, California, SCS has representatives and affiliate offices throughout the Americas, Asia/Pacific, Europe and Africa. It is the certification arm of Scientific Certification Systems, Inc., a chartered benefit corporation. For more information, visit: https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/certified-sustainability-rated-diamonds

For more information on the SCS-007 standard for sustainability rated diamonds, visit: https://www.scsstandards.org/standards/scs-007-sustainability-rated-diamonds

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from SCS Global Services on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: SCS Global Services

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/scs-global-services

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: SCS Global Services

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BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has begun her Beijing visit with raising concerns over China's 'unfair economic practices.'



Speaking at a roundtable discussion with U.S. businesses operating in the Communist nation, Yellen said that during meetings with her counterparts, she will be communicating the concerns expressed by the U.S. business community including China's use of non-market tools like expanded subsidies for its state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, as well as barriers to market access for foreign firms. 'I've been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against U.S. firms in recent months.'



The U.S. Treasury chief said she is also concerned about new export controls recently announced by China on two critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors. 'We are still evaluating the impact of these actions, but they remind us of the importance of building resilient and diversified supply chains.'



She assured American workers and businesses in China that she will always champion their interests and work to make sure there is a level playing field. 'This includes coordinating with our allies to respond to China's unfair economic practices.'



While praising China for adopting a market-based approach that helped spur rapid growth and helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty, Yellen said China has an enormous and growing middle-class, with consumers who are eager to consume American goods and services.



Yellen made clear that actions taken by the Biden administration to protect its national security are not intended to gain economic advantage over China.



The Treasury Secretary noted that trade between the two economic powers reached an all-time high last year. 'And if it is fair, trade and investment can support American jobs at home and promote American innovation. A stable and constructive relationship between the U.S. and China is in the interests of American workers and businesses.'



Earlier, Yellen said she is in Beijing to carry forward President Joe Biden's directive from his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November last year to deepen Washington's communications with China, including on economic issues.



'We believe that it is in the best interests of both countries to make sure we have direct and clear lines of communication at senior levels. In the economic realm, regular exchanges with our Chinese counterparts can help us monitor economic and financial risks, and it can help create the conditions for a healthy economic relationship between our two countries,' she told business leaders.



Yellen, who is the first U.S. Treasury secretary to visit China in four years, also met with Prime Minister Li Qiang.



She told the Chinese Premier that Washington seeks healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time.



Speaking at the Great Hall of the People on Friday, Yellen said, 'The United States will, in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security. And we may disagree in these instances. However, we should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that unnecessarily worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationship.'



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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
BOSTON, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following several decades of research and development, fuel cells are beginning to enable the promise of low-emission power generation, with specific success seen for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). However, the major negative aspect of PEMFC is the necessity for ultra-high purity hydrogen. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) overcome this issue due to the ability to operate on multiple fuels and, as such, offer promise in a wide range of applications. Initially struggling to gain commercial traction, many large players are now (re)entering the SOFC market. Will this new activity drive SOFCs toward the fore of a clean energy infrastructure?

The new IDTechEx report, "Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2023-2033: Technology, Applications and Market Forecasts", provides a comprehensive overview of the solid oxide fuel cell market, including an assessment of the key technology trends, major players and also includes granular 10-year market forecasts for solid oxide fuel cell demand (MW) and market value (US$), segmented by application areas. IDTechEx project the market value to reach US$6.8 billion by 2033.

A SOFC stack consists of hundreds of individual cells, with each cell made up of an electrolyte material between an anode and cathode, which are, in turn, between interconnects. High operating temperatures are a double-edged sword for SOFCs; enabling fuel flexibility due to the capability to internally reform light hydrocarbons but introducing stresses caused by any mismatched thermal expansion coefficients of neighboring components. Due to this, SOFCs are best suited to continuous, steady state operation to minimize the change in temperature during ramp up/down. The capture of the hot exhaust can be used to provide thermal energy in an operating mode referred to as combined heat and power (CHP), raising the overall efficiencies of the fuel cell system towards 90%.

Despite these positive and promising aspects of SOFCs, with opportunities in many markets ranging from utility-scale power generation to off-grid residential applications, many large players exited the market between 2010 and 2018. Siemens Energy was an early mover in the market in the early 21st century, but the focus shifted to PEM fuel cells and electrolyzers. Delphi produced a SOFC auxiliary power unit (APU) for heavy-duty trucks circa 2010, but little commercial activity has been seen recently, including after its acquisition by BorgWarner. Ballard is a recognizable name in the fuel cell industry and was one of the first major players to enter the SOFC market when it acquired Protonex in 2015. However, this new solid oxide division was quickly divested in 2017, leading to the formation of Upstart Power. Perhaps the most notable movement was seen when LG Fuel Cell ceased operations alongside Rolls Royce Fuel Cell Systems in 2018, despite reportedly investing over $350m into SOFC R&D and launching a prototype system.

Haldor Topsoe was another company to cease activity when the focus was shifted to solid oxide electrolyzers in 2014, however arguably, the first green shoots of recovery for the market were seen when Haldor joined the SOFC4Maritme project in 2021 with a focus on marine applications. GE Power Conversion also returned to the market in 2021. Previous activity was seen between 2006 and 2014 before a partnership was announced with Ceres Power in 2021 - also focusing on the marine sector, particularly cruise ships. Ceres operate a licensing model and have entered into partnerships with several large players, such as Bosch, Weichai, and Doosan, with high-volume manufacturing of the licensed SOFC technology to commence in the coming years. In terms of internal R&D, Cummins is developing SOFC technology of its own and stated to IDTechEx that system availability is set for 2024. Regulation and economic policy are driving the demand for fuel cells in the APAC region specifically, and a JV has been established between Noritake, Toto, and NGK Spark Plug, targeting the commercial launch of SOFCs by 2025. Further information regarding partnerships, ongoing research and development, and technological trends is provided in the IDTechEx report.

So does the movement of big players towards the SOFC market, either entering or returning, indicate impending growth for the sector? The hype must be tempered by comparing to the status of PEMFCs, which are the leading solution for fuel cell power in the mobility sector for a variety of reasons, while also being better suited to emergency power than SOFCs due to shorter ramp up times and longer lifetime across multiple cycles. Despite strong opportunities in sectors requiring 24/7, always-on power, such as commercial and industrial applications, the annual installation for SOFCs is expected to be an order of magnitude lower than that for PEMFCs across the coming decade. However, these promising opportunities, coupled with fuel flexibility and the onset of high-volume manufacturing by big players, could accelerate the growth of the SOFC market and change the outlook of the fuel cell industry over the coming decade.

For more details on the SOFC technology, market trends, and key and emerging players, see the IDTechEx market report "Solid Oxide Fuel Cells 2023-2033: Technology, Applications and Market Forecasts", with further coverage of marine applications for fuel cells provided in "Fuel Cell Boats & Ships 2023-2033: PEMFC, SOFC, Hydrogen, Ammonia, LNG".

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HAMILTON, BERMUDA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Family-owned spirits company Bacardi is celebrating the 160th anniversary of MARTINI, the leading vermouth and sparkling wine brand, with a series of events and launches that will build on its legacy as an icon of Italian style and culture.

Since 1863, MARTINI has been a pioneering presence in the world of drinks and in cocktail culture thanks to its Italian craftsmanship, Italian quality and Italian taste. Aperitivo would not be aperitivo without MARTINI.

This year is also the 30th anniversary of MARTINI joining the Bacardi portfolio of premium wines and spirits. Since Bacardi, a family-owned company that recently marked its own 160th anniversary, acquired the Martini & Rossi Group in 1993, MARTINI has been part of a growing portfolio of iconic brands which today includes BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, GREY GOOSE vodka, PATRON tequila, ST-GERMAIN liqueur and, of course, BACARDl rum.

"For 160 years, MARTINI has been an icon of Italian culture while continuously evolving, innovating and inspiring each new generation. What's stayed constant is a commitment to craftsmanship, quality and exceptional taste. As we celebrate this milestone for MARTINI, we continue to make MARTINI a modern, Italian lifestyle brand, that we can continue to be proud of while carrying its legacy for future generations." Mahesh Madhavan, CEO of Bacardi Limited

The 160th anniversary of MARTINI is being celebrated in a number of exciting ways:

New MARTINI global campaign - '160 years of Italian taste' draws inspiration from the legacy of MARTINI as a symbol of Italian style and culture. The campaign brings together the brand's heritage and its vision for the future with imagery that illustrates how the brand is moving into a new era. The new creative reflects consumers' changing drinking habits - the brand's newest innovation, MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo is front and center and represents how MARTINI is meeting the demand for the rise in mindful drinking, while remaining grounded in aperitivo culture;

First ever aged MARTINI vermouth - MARTINI Maestro 36, demonstrates the brand's constant drive to innovate and create new experiences for every generation. MARTINI Maestro 36 is aged for 36 months to create an exceptional, super-premium expression of the classic vermouth. Created by MARTINI Master Blender, Beppe Musso, Maestro 36 captures 160 years of vermouth-making expertise in a limited edition of only 2,000 bottles. To celebrate the Italian hospitality industry's support for MARTINI over 160 years, Maestro 36 is available exclusively in bars and restaurants in Italy;

MARTINI Pop-Up Bar at DAZI Milano - Everyone in Milan, the style capital of Italy, is invited to join the celebration by visiting this special pop-up MARTINI bar. Enjoy an unforgettable MARTINI aperitivo in an unforgettable venue, open until July 4;

MARTINI postage stamp - The Italian Government is celebrating 160 years of MARTINI and 160 years of an iconic brand proudly Made in Italy with the release of a MARTINI postage stamp, available at post offices across Italy starting in July;

Terrazza MARTINI influencers digitized for future generations - A collection of 30,000 photographs taken at the Terrazza MARTINI since its opening in 1958 is being preserved for future generations in the first corporate digitization project supported by the Italgas Heritage Lab. The collection captures generations of celebrities and influencers at Milan's most fashionable destination.

Founded in 1863 by entrepreneur Alessandro Martini and herbalist Luigi Rossi, MARTINI has a legacy that goes far beyond the world of drinks. MARTINI has left its mark on everything from culture to sport. Hollywood stars and artists have collaborated with MARTINI to create legendary advertising campaigns; Terrazza MARTINI parties have influenced generations of style leaders; and the now classic MARTINI racing stripes are famous around the world.

MARTINI can look back on an extraordinary legacy and look forward to a future full of new innovations.

For generations, MARTINI has cared for the environment, for suppliers and their communities. The brand's sustainability milestones are a reflection of Bacardi and its mission to be the most environmentally responsible global spirits company. Back in 1987, L'Osservatorio MARTINI - the MARTINI Observatory - was established in Northern Italy as a center dedicated to promoting sustainable farming methods. And in just the last year, MARTINI has been using solar energy to power the distillation of its botanicals and 100% of the wineries for the entire MARTINI portfolio have been certified sustainable.

Helping to achieve these sustainability milestones is newly appointed Master of Botanicals, Alessandro Garneri and MARTINI Master Blender, Beppe Musso. Only the eighth Master Blender in the 160-year history of MARTINI, Beppe has been instrumental in the creation of contemporary vermouth MARTINI Fiero, a 100% natural blend of citrus, bittersweet orange and crisp white wines, as well as the deliciously complex MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo range.

"This year, MARTINI is celebrating its 160th birthday but we are still young. Our knowledge and experience grows with each new generation and that is reflected in the quality and taste of every MARTINI drink and in our commitment to sustainable practices that will secure our future for the next 160 years. That's what really excites me - our future legacy. This is only the beginning." Beppe Musso, MARTINI Master Blender

About MARTINI

One of the most iconic brands in the world, MARTINI is the leading name in Italian winemaking and a purveyor of the highest quality vermouths and sparkling wines. The award- winning, vibrant and bittersweet taste of the MARTINI range is the result of secret blends of more than 40 botanicals sourced from the finest locations across the globe. First created in 1863 in Turin, Italy, the MARTINI portfolio today includes: MARTINI Fiero, MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino, Ambrato & Bitter, MARTINI Bianco, Rosato, Rosso & Extra Dry, MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Vibrante & Floreale, MARTINI Asti, Prosecco & Rose Extra Dry. For more information, please visit www.martini.com or @martini on all social media platforms.

MARTINI and the ball & bar logo are trademarks. MARTINI is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world's largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDI rum, PATRON tequila, GREY GOOSE vodka, DEWAR'S Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON'S Scotch whisky, D'USSE Cognac, ANGEL'S ENVY American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.

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The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032

LONDON, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company, the global yacht market size will grow from $8.3 billion in 2022 to $8.9 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 7%. The yacht market size is then expected to grow to $11 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of more than 5%. Going forward, government support, the rising urbanization, the increasing number of high-net-worth individuals and the growing tourism will drive the growth.

The global yacht market is highly concentrated, with a few large players in the market. The top ten competitors in the market made up to 53.1% of the total yacht market share in 2022. Ferretti S.p.A. was the largest competitor with 12.78% of the market, followed by Sanlorenzo S.p.a., Feadship, Princess Yachts Limited, Fincantieri S.p.A., Fr. Lurssen Werft GmbH & Co.KG, Damen Shipyards Group, Viking Yacht Company, Sunseeker International and Alexander Marine Co. Ltd.

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Companies in the yacht market are focusing on product innovations and developing new product solutions to strengthen their position in the market. For example, in April 2022, ISA Yachts, an Italy-based brand of Palumbo Superyachts, launched the new ISA Granturismo 45 meter Aria SF. ISA GT 45 has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure and can accommodate up to 10 guests in five large cabins. ISA Gran Turismo 45 is a superyacht with sharp and sporty exterior lines, marked by a plumb bow, with side arches connecting the three decks and a fin-shaped hard top ascribing a light and slim look to the profile.

In addition, yacht manufacturers are focusing on new technologies and developing technologically advanced products to strengthen their position in the market. For example, in September 2022, Van Berge Henegouwen (VBH), a Dutch electrical company, launched invisible Technology for superyachts. The first line of technological products has been designed in collaboration with shipyards and interior yacht designers to create intuitive and invisible solutions for owners. The new Invisible Technology product line marks the beginning of a new era for VBH and the yachting industry. The first products include a Magic-UI control panel and two display screen solutions, Blended Screen and VBH Robot Arm.

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As per the yacht market analysis, Western Europe was the largest region in the yacht market and was worth $2.9 billion in 2022.

The yacht market in Western Europe is supported by the large number of HNWI, and yacht market trends such as technological advancements and the large number of mergers and acquisitions in the region. For example, in April 2023, Intech Boating, a Brazilian-based company that manufactures recreational boats, acquired Sessa Marine for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Intech Boating will expand its business in Italy and gain more customers in the market. Sessa Marine is an Italian-based company that specializes in the manufacturing of yachts and motorboats.

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Recreational Boating Global Market Report 2023

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Yacht Charter Global Market Report 2023

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CHICAGO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The EUV lithography market is expected to reach USD 25.3 billion by 2028 from USD 9.4 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 21.8% during the 2023-2028 period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Many semiconductor companies are investing in EUV lithography system and equipment which gives an opportunity for growth in the EUV lithography market. The EUV lithography market is in the development phase at present, with the presence of multiple players offering EUV equipment. Asia Pacific is likely to contribute significantly to the growth of the EUV lithography market. Similarly, the Americas and Europe are expected to be the growing market for the forecasted period.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography Market"

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Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $9.4 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $25.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 21.8% Market Size Available for 2019-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Equipment, End User and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Source power and productivity in EUV lithography act as a challenge for the market Key Market Opportunities Advanced memory development for next-generation memory devices Key Market Drivers Increasing complexity of the integrated circuit

The Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) light source segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of the EUV lithography equipment market during the forecast period.

EUV Lithography light source is a critical component utilized in EUV lithography systems within the semiconductor industry. Currently, the dominant technology for generating EUV light is laser-produced plasma (LP). A prominent example of such an LP EUV light source is the one developed by ASML, a leading manufacturer of semiconductor equipment. ASML's LP EUV light source employs a high-power pulse laser to irradiate tin (Sn) droplets or a thin tin film. The intense laser energy quickly heats and vaporizes the tin material, resulting in the creation of plasma. As the plasma cools and recombines, it emits EUV light with a wavelength of approximately 13.5 nanometers. This process is essential for enabling advanced semiconductor manufacturing using EUV lithography technology.

Multiple companies are expanding their business in EUV light sources. For instance, Energetiq Technology Inc. announced in December 2022 that the company is creating a distinct business segment for EUV light source products. The new EUV Business segment of the company will be responsible for assembling all the core technology, engineering, marketing, field service, and operations personnel under the guidance of the EUV general manager.

IDM is expected to have a significant growth in EUV lithography market.

An IDM, or Integrated Device Manufacturer, is a company that handles the complete process of designing, manufacturing, and marketing integrated circuits or chips internally. In the context of EUV Lithography, an IDM specializing in this technology would take full responsibility for all aspects related to EUV lithography, starting from designing and developing EUV lithography systems to fabricating integrated circuits utilizing EUV Lithography technology. As an IDM in EUV lithography, the company would possess expertise in both EUV lithography system design and semiconductor manufacturing. They would invest in research and development (R&D) to advance EUVL technology, optimize its performance, and enhance the manufacturing process. Typically, IDMs operate their own fabrication facilities equipped with EUV lithography systems to produce chips using this advanced technology.

EUV lithography plays a critical role in semiconductor manufacturing, and IDMs specializing in EUVL technology play a key role in driving its adoption and pushing the boundaries of integrated circuit capabilities. These companies contribute to the development of cutting-edge semiconductor devices by leveraging the advantages offered by EUV lithography.

ASML is a supplier of EUV lithography technology and systems to IDMs (Integrated Device Manufacturers), while other companies such as Carl Zeiss AG, TOPPAN Inc., and NTT Advanced Technology Corporation are also actively involved in the development of lithography equipment, including EUV lithography optics, light sources, masks, metrology tools, sensors, and EUV Lithography Subassembly products.

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South Korea is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in Asia Pacific region.

South Korea plays a significant role in the advancement and adoption of EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography. The country is known for its strong presence in the global semiconductor industry, with major players like Samsung and SK HYNIX INC. These companies have been actively investing in EUV technology and integrating it into their manufacturing processes. Samsung has made significant strides in EUV lithography and has been using it to produce cutting-edge semiconductor chips. With its technological expertise, research and development capabilities, and substantial investments in EUV infrastructure, South Korea contributes to the continued development and widespread implementation of EUV lithography, driving innovation in the semiconductor industry.

In March 2023 Samsung announced their plan to invest $230 billion over the next two decades in a semiconductor production mega cluster in South Korea. The new campus, located near Yongin, will feature five advanced fabs and aims to make South Korea the world's largest chip producer. The facilities will utilize extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography scanners, contributing to the adoption of cutting-edge fabrication technologies.

During the forecast period, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest growth rate.

The Asia Pacific region plays a significant role in the realm of EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography, an advanced technology utilized in semiconductor manufacturing. When evaluating the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography industry within this region, it encompasses countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and other parts of Asia Pacific. The strong presence of chip manufacturers in these generates a high demand for EUV lithography, contributing to its continuous development and optimization. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region boasts a large market for consumer electronics, including smartphones, tablets, and various electronic devices. The growing need for smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient semiconductors is driving the adoption of advanced lithography technologies such as EUV. EUV lithography enables the production of high-density and high-performance chips, which are crucial for meeting the requirements of the consumer electronics market in the Asia Pacific region.

Key Players

The report profiles key players in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography companies such as ASML (Netherlands), Carl Zeiss AG(Germany), TOPPAN Inc.(Japan), NTT Advanced Technology Corporation(Japan), KLA Corporation(US), ADVANTEST CORPORATION(Japan), Ushio Inc.(Japan), SUSS MicroTec SE(Germany), AGC Inc.(Japan), Lasertec Corporation(Japan), NuFlare Technology(Japan), Energetiq Technology Inc.(US), Photronics, Inc.(US), HOYA Corporation(Japan), TRUMPF(Germany), Rigaku Corporation(Japan), Edmund Optics Ltd.(US), Park Systems(Korea), Zygo Corporation(US), Imagine Optic(US) and Applied Materials, Inc.(US).

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CHICAGO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) industry is poised for remarkable growth in the near future as laboratories across various sectors increasingly recognize the need for efficient data management and streamlined workflows. LIMS, a software-based solution that automates and centralizes laboratory operations, is becoming indispensable in today's data-driven scientific landscape. In the coming years, we can expect LIMS to evolve with advancements in technology, offering improved integration with instruments, enhanced data analytics capabilities, and seamless integration with other laboratory systems. The industry will witness a surge in demand as laboratories seek to optimize sample tracking, data organization, compliance with regulatory standards, and collaboration among researchers. Moreover, the integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing will further revolutionize LIMS, enabling advanced data analysis, predictive analytics, and remote access capabilities. As laboratories continue to generate massive amounts of data, LIMS will play a vital role in extracting valuable insights, accelerating scientific discoveries, and driving innovation across industries ranging from pharmaceuticals and healthcare to environmental monitoring and forensic sciences. The future of the LIMS industry holds immense potential as it empowers laboratories to operate more efficiently, improve data integrity, and make significant contributions to scientific advancements.

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth $1.6 billion in 2023 and is poised to reach $3.3 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 14.6% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The growing popularity of cloud-based LIMS, use of LIMS in cannabis industry, significant growth potential in emerging markets are some of the key factors that offer opportunities to the market during the forecast period. However, the dearth of trained professionals, and interfacing challenges with informatics software are some of the factors challenging the market growth to some extent.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market"

161 - Tables

46 - Figures

254 - Pages

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $1.6 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $3.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 14.6% Market Size Available for 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2023-2028 Forecast Units Value (USD Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered Type, Component, Deployment model, and Industry Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia, and Rest of the world Report Highlights Updated financial information / product portfolio of players Key Market Opportunities Significant growth in emerging markets Key Market Drivers Increasing focus on improving the efficiency of laboratories

The cloud-based segment is expected to register a substantial growth in the laboratory information management systems market, by deployment mode

The cloud-based segment is expected to register a substantial growth in the laboratory information management systems market, by deployment mode. This growth can be attributed to advantages of this deployment model, such as cost-effectiveness and ease of use. Factors such as on-demand self-serving analytics, their highly adaptable nature, ease of use, affordability, reliability, no upfront capital investment for hardware, extreme capacity flexibility, and a pay-as-you-go pricing model have also ensured the high growth of cloud-based LIMS.

Asia is to witness a considerable growth rate during the forecast period.

The Asian market is projected to grow at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period. Factors such as increasing medical tourism, growing investments expected to bring about the creation of new market participants, growing emergence of various technologies, and the rising foreign direct investments by North American and European pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms in Asia are anticipated to drive the development of laboratory information management systems applications in the Asia Pacific region.

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Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market Dynamics:

Drivers:

Increasing focus on improving the efficiency of laboratories

Restraints:

Limited adoption of LIMS in small and medium-sized companies

Opportunities:

Significant growth in emerging markets

Challenges:

A dearth of trained professionals

Key Market Players:

LabWare (US), LabVantage Solutions Inc. (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific (US), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), Agilent Technologies (US), LabLynx, Inc. (US), Dassault Systemes (France), Labworks LLC (US), Autoscribe Informatics (a wholly owned subsidiary of Autoscribe Limited) (US), Accelerated Technology Laboratories (ATL) (US), CloudLIMS (US), Computing Solutions, Inc. (US), GenoLogics Inc. (an Illumina Company) (Canada), Siemens (Germany), Novatek International (Canada), Ovation (US), Clinsys (US) are the major players in this market. These companies are majorly focusing on the strategies such as agreements, collaborations, partnerships, and service launches in order to remain competitive and further increase their share in the market.

Recent Developments:

In October 2022, LabVantage Solutions, Inc. (US) and Biomax Informatics AG (Germany) announced the closure of their merger agreement. The merger aims to enhance scientific data contextualization, accelerate product development, and provide innovative capabilities for the life science and bio-manufacturing industries.

In March 2022, LabWare (US), acquired data analytics firm CompassRed (US). The merger aimed to create a LabWare Data Analytics Innovation Center and accelerate the transformation of data into actionable knowledge. The acquisition allowed LabWare to expand its services and establish a global presence.

In March 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (US) and Symphogen (Denmark) announced the continuation of their collaboration to provide innovative tools and workflows for the efficient characterization of complex therapeutic proteins in biopharmaceutical discovery and development laboratories

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Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market Advantages:

Data Centralization and Organization: LIMS provides a centralized platform for storing, managing, and organizing laboratory data. It eliminates the need for manual record-keeping and paper-based systems, reducing the risk of errors, data loss, and inefficient workflows. LIMS enables laboratories to efficiently track samples, manage test results, and maintain comprehensive records, ensuring data integrity and facilitating easy access to information.

Streamlined Workflows and Increased Efficiency: LIMS automates various laboratory processes, including sample registration, tracking, and analysis. It standardizes workflows, reduces manual intervention, and optimizes resource allocation, leading to increased operational efficiency, faster turnaround times, and improved productivity. LIMS also enables seamless collaboration among researchers and departments, facilitating information sharing and enhancing overall laboratory performance.

Quality Control and Regulatory Compliance: LIMS incorporates built-in quality control measures and ensures adherence to regulatory standards and industry guidelines. It enables laboratories to implement standardized protocols, monitor quality parameters, and track instrument calibration and maintenance schedules. By automating data entry and validation, LIMS minimizes errors and supports compliance with regulatory requirements, such as Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and ISO standards.

Enhanced Data Analysis and Reporting: LIMS offers powerful data analysis and reporting capabilities, enabling laboratories to derive valuable insights from their data. It provides tools for data visualization, trend analysis, and statistical calculations, facilitating informed decision-making and driving scientific discoveries. LIMS also generates customizable reports and audit trails, simplifying data interpretation, and facilitating compliance reporting and regulatory audits.

Scalability and Integration: LIMS systems are designed to scale with the evolving needs of laboratories. They can accommodate increasing sample volumes, expanding test menus, and changing regulatory requirements. LIMS also integrates with various laboratory instruments and systems, such as analytical instruments, electronic laboratory notebooks (ELNs), and laboratory automation systems, enabling seamless data transfer and interoperability.

Data Security and Integrity: LIMS ensures data security and integrity by implementing robust access controls, user authentication, and data encryption. It safeguards sensitive and confidential information, protects against unauthorized access or data tampering, and maintains an audit trail of all activities. LIMS also provides data backup and disaster recovery mechanisms, minimizing the risk of data loss and ensuring business continuity.

In summary, the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) market offers advantages such as data centralization, streamlined workflows, increased efficiency, quality control, enhanced data analysis, scalability, integration capabilities, and data security. These advantages make LIMS a crucial tool for laboratories, enabling them to operate more efficiently, improve data accuracy, and comply with regulatory standards while facilitating scientific advancements and innovation.

Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) Market - Report Highlights:

The North American region offers potential growth opportunities for most product manufacturers, owing to its high per-capita healthcare expenditure and higher innovation in technologies in laboratory systems such as integration with ERP, CDS. Easy accessibility to advanced healthcare, growth in the number of biobanks are significant factors supporting the market growth.

In the latest edition, market sizing and forecasting has been done at a more granular level, also changes in trends and forecasts have been incorporated as per the market scenario.

Market Overview: This edition includes updated market dynamics and market ecosystems specific to the laboratory information management systemsmarket.

Industry Trends: This new edition includes an updated market map, value chain analysis, revenue shift analysis, case studies, technology analysis, market ecosystem, regulatory landscape, Porter's Five Forces analysis, and trends/disruptions impacting customers' businesses that are specific to the laboratory information management system (LIMS) market.

Company Profiles: In this edition, 25 players have been profiled, and the product portfolios of the key players have been updated. It also includes updated financial information from 2020 to 2023 (wherever available).

Recent Developments: Recent developments help understand the market trends and growth strategies the key players adopt. For instance, partnerships and collaborations increased during 2020-2023 in this market. Therefore, updated information for the mentioned period is provided.

Latest Product Portfolio: Tracking the products offered by the companies helps improve market segmentation analysis. This edition provides updated product portfolios of the companies profiled.

Company Evaluation Quadrant: The updated company evaluation quadrant in this edition covers a comprehensive study of the key vendors offering laboratory information management systems. Vendors are placed in either of the four categories: stars, emerging leaders, participants, and pervasive players. The top 25 companies operating in the market have been evaluated in this section.

Startup/SME Evaluation Quadrant: The updated startup/SME evaluation quadrant in this edition covers a comprehensive study of the startups/SMEs offering laboratory information management systems. Vendors are placed in either of the four categories: progressive companies, responsive companies, dynamic companies, and starting blocks. Seven startups/SMEs operating in the market have been evaluated in this section.

Recession Impact: The current edition of the report considers the ongoing economic recession and provides an impact analysis of the same. Detailed qualitative insights for recession impact by region have been provided across the regional analysis section.

Related Reports:

Lab Automation Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Laboratory Information System Market - Global Forecasts to 2028

Healthcare Cloud Computing Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Healthcare Analytics Market - Global Forecasts to 2027

Laboratory Informatics Market - Global Forecasts to 2026

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Originally published on TriplePundit

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Red meat farming is not typically at the top of the environmental balance sheet. But farmers and policymakers in New Zealand are doing their best to change that, with government efforts like the world's first tax on agricultural emissions and industry standards like the New Zealand Farm Assurance Program. Industry organizations, like Beef + Lamb New Zealand, work with farmers to implement sustainable agriculture methods that produce some of the world's best beef and lamb, while also ensuring the health of their lands and environment for future generations.

So, what do the country's sustainable agriculture standards and strategies look like, and what can the rest of the world learn from them? We spoke with leaders in New Zealand's agricultural sector to find out.

Creating harmony with the land

Silver Fern Farms, a cooperative of 16,000 New Zealand sheep, cattle and deer farmers, is just one example of the export brands Beef + Lamb New Zealand works with that takes its stake in regenerative and sustainable agriculture seriously.

"New Zealand farm systems are built on understanding underlying natural capital and matching different types of animals in a grazing context to what grows on those farms," said Matt Harcombe, sustainability manager at Silver Fern Farms. "We call that the grass curve."

Put simply, the grass curve refers to how much grass is available for livestock grazing throughout the year, based on seasonality, biodiversity, and weather patterns like droughts and heat waves. Operating in alignment with the grass curve means farmers must pay close attention to a number of factors related to how their operations impact land and water ecosystems - including water quality and quantity, biodiversity, and soil health.

"Nature-positive [farming] resonates with us because it's about looking after our soils, our pastures and our waterways," said Jeff Cleveland of Brae-Lynn Farm, one of Silver Fern Farms' supplier partners. "It's about knowing the limitations of our farm and land, and farming within those limitations, not exceeding what it's capable of."

For example, Jeff and his wife, Diane, pay specific attention to propagating native trees on their property, which helps improve water quality and biodiversity as well as sequester carbon. Collecting and planting seeds from native tree species, such as Kopis (Cabbage trees), Lemonwood and Toe Toe, that grow well improves water filtration in low-lying wetland areas while attracting more native birds to the farm.

Jeff and Diane are also quite mindful of their soil health and haven't cultivated the soil on their farm in 35 years. Rather, they direct drill which not only helps them conserve moisture on the property, but also ensures they retain enough organic matter in their soil to do so.

The couple's strategy boils down to looking at the farm as a holistic ecosystem and understanding how that ecosystem fits together. It's not just the animals they raise, but also the entire environment in which they raise them that creates a better-quality product and a more sustainable farm system.

The strategies behind sustainable farm management

While sustainable agriculture has inherently been imbued within Silver Fern Farms ethos, its formal approach to sustainability as we know it now commenced in 2016 and has ramped up in the last two years with a definitive sustainability action plan, including stringent nature-based and circularity targets for the company's operations and supply chain, alongside a strong emphasis on transparency.

Many of the strategies that support suppliers to improve are based on what the Indigenous Maori people of New Zealand have practiced for centuries, "We are thinking about the long-term, 100-year vision and treading lightly on water, soil and restoring nature," Harcombe said. "The Maori worldview is that we're borrowing from the Earth. Our role is to give back and restore, very much in line with emerging and defined regenerative practices."

Last year, Silver Fern Farms created the Maori development framework to further its implementation of Indigenous learnings. Staffed by long-term, in-house employees, this growing team looks to extend native knowledge of New Zealand's soils and ecosystems out to a broader company approach to sustainability.

Leading by example

To do that, Silver Fern Farms discloses the full lifecycle emissions of the Net Carbon Zero meat products it produces - meeting international standards for carbon removals on participating farms and making direct payments to farmers to recognize and incentivize the role of vegetation in helping to mitigate the immediate impact of climate change.

"We want to create a halo of understanding around all of the aspects of sustainable red meat production," Harcombe explained. "It must have integrity. We want to be super clear on what we have done, what challenges we have ahead and what we are doing and plan to do about them. We want to lead by doing."

Scaling the use of robust sustainable agriculture standards helps to ensure New Zealand's natural resources, including the lush rolling hills it's known for, can be preserved for generations to come. "From a New Zealand farm context, deeply understanding your natural resources and their limitations and matching your needs to them so you can use fewer inputs over time, that means a happy environment and happy animals," Harcombe said.

New Zealand may be uniquely placed to take advantage of abundant natural resources, a supportive regulatory environment and a powerful Indigenous voice, but leading by example may be the strongest factor in a nation of humble people. "Kiwis [or New Zealanders] don't like blowing our own horn, and as farmers, we like to sit in the back corner," Cleveland said. "But we need to start telling our story." If their story is about teaching the world how to farm in harmony with the land, it is a story worth listening to.

This article series is sponsored by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.

Image courtesy of Beef + Lamb New Zealand

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MORGAN HILL, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / EMQ announces the release of the latest update to the EMQX Enterprise MQTT platform. That is Version 5.1. It came out as a force to be reckoned with, boasting everything from robust flexible solutions for IoT data management to efficient and streamlined data flow from the edge to the cloud and back for industries like connected cars, IIoT and smart cities - propelling the IoT industry toward a much higher level of excellence with advancements, starting with:

MQTT over QUIC

MQTT over QUIC Protocol Layers

On the subject of connected cars, it may be the wave of the future, turning milliseconds into potentially life-changing moments in delivering true-blue speed and security when it matters. Version 5.1 does this with MQTT over QUIC, combining everything the Internet of Vehicles loves about MQTT protocol reliability with the latest in Quick UDP Internet Connections (simply known as "QUIC" - for good reason). The merge of these technologies takes a challenge often associated with IoT and turns it on its head: efficiently, flexibly and quickly managing literally hundreds of IoT messages even under weak network conditions and unstable network paths.

That's QUIC. For connected cars, that's a major game changer.

Additionally, EMQX Enterprise is the first product to integrate it with MQTT, both protocols basically going hand in hand for good reason. It was the perfect foray into a new world of IoT messaging performance as a great fit for what EMQX can already do well - it just now can do it even better.

Other use cases may also see the light of day for the type of speed and reliability that now is possible, managing to maintain network connections even during drops, never losing data or messaging in the ether of the IoT underworld that will no longer see the light of day. Not even the jitters will stop MQTT over QUIC as hundreds of connected vehicles may find themselves switching from network to network to network like normal without losing a single message in the process.

We're looking at a big picture of a real-world issue - completely solved faster than a blink of an eye. In mere milliseconds.

Version 5.1 also makes it possible to reliably transfer larger files with MQTT at scale

This is critical for offline bulk data transfers. Consider potential overload of valuable audio, video and image files that may be way too large to process quick enough. That's all in the past now with EMQX Enterprise's latest version, supporting those same industries: connected cars, IIoT, and smart cities. As bandwidth increases with the number of devices or units, so does the need for speed require a must for power, integrated seamlessly even without modifying existing clients or applications.

The immediate takeaway are lower bandwidth and minimal resource usage. Getting to shoulder more weight for an IoT network then comes with the joy of never getting to see the infrastructure buckle under it. Instead, it continues to stand strong, even reducing application complexity and maintenance cost.

Mria Cluster Architecture Diagram

EMQX Enterprise 5.1 does this with the newest Mria cluster handling tens of thousands of concurrent connections at a tenfold increase in capacity compared to previous versions. That means larger pieces and volumes of data across smoother operations and even higher-demand scenarios processed more reliably than ever before.

It's all thanks to more flexibility in adding or removing nodes whenever units/devices end up going out of sync - by simply "replicating" them. Long gone are the days when network switches in an IoT environment processes conflicting data; at the end of the day, the connections are still secure, reliable and accurate even when they're gone. And even when they come back. Since replicas are in place to continue managing the data flow, it's almost as if they never left.

Business innovation gets supercharged with new bidirectional data integration and rules processing in real time

Data flow view; Data bridge and rules engine

That ability to provide an actual visual - in real time - makes for great innovation, tying the implementer to the IoT workings in a way that's even more intimate than ever before. Now users can, in fact, see the data and integration right in front of them via a new flows page. A rules engine can even be customized, putting users behind the IoT wheel, in control, by filtering incoming messages and reducing unnecessary data clutter - which often does happen in many scenarios.

Perfect for clout-to-device situations, IoT business development now sees massive scope of possibilities where the thought leader - not necessarily the thought machine - gets to make some real-world business decisions based on data seamlessly integrated with many third-party systems --

Kafka

AWS RDS

MongoDB

Oracle

TimescaleDB

InfluxDB

Just to name a few.

And lastly (but not leastly) comprehensive security measures for IoT messaging

The update for EMQX Enterprise knows well the importance of security in these high-threat environments. As scale increases, so does the danger of not only loss, but theft.

That's why the latest upgrade now offers:

SSL/TLS for communication security

X.509 device authentication

And CRL and OCSP stapling authentication

It all offers those additional layers of protection, shielding not only from the common jitters, but blacklisting with easy no-code configurations via the dashboard. Now users don't have to be especially in tune with an IT environment. It has become so turnkey that just about anyone can manage it.

It looks to be EMQ offering anyone a chance at IoT

With increased speed, reliability, security and flexibility, the latest enterprise version for EMQX is poised to set new standards. Learn more about what else EMQ is doing in the IoT space right here.

About EMQ

EMQ is the world's leading software provider of open-source IoT data infrastructure. Its core product EMQX, the world's most scalable and reliable open-source MQTT messaging platform, supports 100M concurrent IoT device connections per cluster while maintaining 1M message per second throughput and sub-millisecond latency. It boasts more than 20K+ enterprise users, connecting 100M+ IoT devices, and is trusted by over 400 customers in mission-critical IoT scenarios, including well-known brands like HPE, VMware, Verifone, SAIC Volkswagen and Ericsson.

EMQ's global R&D center is located in Stockholm, Sweden. It has 10+ offices throughout the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.

305 Vineyard Town Center, Morgan Hill, CA, USA 95037

www.emqx.com | media@emqx.io

SOURCE: EMQ Technologies Inc.

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) released its 2022 Impact Report (PDF), detailing the Credit Union's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. UNFCU's positive impact advanced 14 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key achievements in support of the UN SDGs:

100% climate neutral since 2016

Updated investment policies to prohibit investments in tobacco, firearms, and fossil fuel industries

Expansion of United in Sustainability (UIS) Network to 100 credit unions

132% increase in the number of accounts across all green products

12 years' active membership in the UN Global Compact

5 strategic initiatives completed by Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programs

UNFCU Foundation empowered more than 13,300 women and youth in marginalized communities

"At this midway point for collective global action on achieving the UN SDGs, we are committed to prioritizing positive change in the communities we serve," said Yma Gordon, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact at UNFCU, and Executive Director of the UNFCU Foundation. "Our CSR is guided by the UN SDGs and is a reflection of and commitment to our members' work globally."

Last year, for example, UNFCU expanded the UIS Network it founded for credit unions and their associations beyond North America. UNFCU's staff also conducted more than 6,000 volunteer hours working on internal and external sustainability initiatives.

"From shaping allyship and supplier diversity programs to regularly convening our industry on environmental, social, and governance (ESG), 2022 was a year of action," said Prasad Surapaneni, Co-Executive Sponsor of UNFCU's CSR Program. "With this momentum, we aim to contribute even more to advancing the UN SDGs."

Philanthropy is one of three focus areas for UNFCU's CSR. The UNFCU Foundation, an accredited New York-based nonprofit corporation, invested $1 million in poverty alleviation for women and youth, and humanitarian relief efforts. Against the backdrop of socio-economic and geopolitical uncertainty, UNFCU Foundation supported critical access to education, health care, and jobs training.

UNFCU developed its 2022 Impact Report with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In close collaboration with Greenhouse Gas Accounting specialists, the Credit Union tracked emissions using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard.

About United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU)

UNFCU is the member-owned credit union of the United Nations community, dedicated to providing financial peace of mind. UNFCU was founded in 1947 and serves more than 200,000 members across the globe. In 2015, it established the UNFCU Foundation, which has a mission to sustain the path out of poverty through healthcare and education for women and youth. You can learn more in the UNFCU 2022 Impact Report (PDF).

For media questions, contact: Elisabeth Philippe, UNFCU, +1 347-686-6776, mobile: +1 347-510-4036, or ephilippe@unfcu.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU)

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - Gelum Resources Ltd. (CSE: GMR) (OTCQB: GMRCF) (the "Company" or "Gelum"), reports that they have arranged non-brokered private placements consisting of a flow-through and non-flow through private placements for which units are currently being allocated. The Company will issue up to 5,000,000 flow-through units at a price of $0.20 per unit (the "FT Units") and, up to 3,125,000 non-flow through units (the "NFT Units") at a price of $0.16 per NFT Unit (collectively, the "Offering") for aggregate proceeds of up to $1,500,000.

Each FT Unit and NFT Unit consists of one common share of the Company and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, each whole warrant (the "Warrants") entitles the holder to purchase an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.30 per share for a period of 18 months from the closing of the Offering.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering have a four-month and one day hold period in Canada from closing. Finder's fees may be paid to eligible finders in accordance with CSE policies and applicable securities laws.

Gross proceeds of the Offering of FT Units will be used to for exploration and drilling on its Eldorado Project, British Columbia. Net proceeds of the Offering of NFT Units will be used for exploration and for general working capital.

None of the foregoing securities have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) or persons in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of the foregoing securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Gelum Resources Ltd.

Gelum Resources is a Company led by seasoned management and advisors in the mining and financial sectors. The Company currently has two objectives under management. The first is to define a multi-million-ounce economic gold deposit on the 9028-hectare Eldorado Gold Project, located within the Bralorne-Bridge River gold district, only 190 kilometres north of Vancouver and 74 km northwest of the town of Lillooet, B.C. The Bralorne mines historically exploited the largest, highest-grade, longest-producing lode-gold deposit in B.C. Management is proud to have developed an excellent working relationship with the Bridge River Indian Band (Xwisten) the project is within the traditional territory within the St'at'imc territory (Traditional Territory) in which Xwisten and its members assert, hold and exercise constitutionally protected Aboriginal Title and Rights ("Indigenous Title and Rights").

The second objective is to discover an alkalic porphyry and related skarn deposit within a prolific B.C. porphyry belt in the Interior Plateau region. The recently acquired ML property is accessible by 90% paved roads via Williams Lake, and the remainder by all-season dirt roads and secondary logging roads. The low to moderate relief allows year-round access and work. Airborne geophysics comprising magnetics and radiometrics was completed in early spring of 2022.

For further information about the Company and its exploration portfolio, please refer to Gelum Resources Corporate Presentation:

PowerPoint Presentation (gelumresources.com)

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

David Smith, President

For further information about Gelum, please contact:

David Smith, President

Email: dsmith@gelumresources.com

Phone: 604 484-1228 /Cell: 778-834-1141

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE- Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information:

This press release may include 'forward-looking information', within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, about the business of the Company and its plans to list on the CSE. Forward-looking information is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by the Company's management, including future plans for the Company. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, investors should not unduly rely on the forward-looking information because the Company cannot assure that it will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

**NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES**

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172803


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - In a significant development, China has imposed fines exceeding $1 billion on tech giants Ant Group Co. and Tencent Holdings Ltd., signaling the end of a regulatory crackdown that had caused massive market value losses and derailed Ant's planned IPO. The People's Bank of China announced that Ant has been fined 7.12 billion yuan or $984 million after a two-year investigation into the fintech firm founded by billionaire Jack Ma. Tencent, on the other hand, received a fine of 2.99 billion yuan. The fines suggest a resolution to the ongoing scrutiny and pave the way for Ant to revive growth and reconsider its IPO plans.



Investors reacted positively to the news, leading to a more than 6% surge in shares of Ant's affiliate, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. The fines are seen as drawing a line under the crackdown that impacted Ant's IPO and affected several powerful private companies operating in sectors like online education and gaming. It is anticipated that Ant can now move forward, regain momentum, and eventually revisit its IPO plans.



Vey-Sern Ling, Managing Director at Union Bancaire Privee, remarked that the market response was favorable because the fines indicate that the scrutiny is likely to end, and the amount, although significant, is manageable for a company of Ant's size. The fine is lower than Ant's profit of 9.6 billion yuan in the December quarter.



The People's Bank of China stated that the fines were imposed on Ant Group and its subsidiaries due to violations of laws and regulations in areas including financial consumer protection, payment and settlement business, and anti-money laundering obligations. Ant confirmed that it has completed the necessary rectifications as required by Chinese financial regulators.



This development is viewed as a strong signal of a potential relaxation of restrictions on Ant, which had become one of the high-profile casualties of President Xi Jinping's regulatory clampdown on China's tech giants. The shifting stance of the Communist Party toward the private sector has been closely monitored in global markets, with some considering China's internet sector uninvestable.



Analysts at Jefferies, including Thomas Chong, noted that the decision addresses market concerns regarding fintech and the broader internet sector. They added that it removes the overhang on Alibaba's shares.



While Ant's profitability has declined since its IPO plans were halted, its affiliate Alibaba is undergoing a restructuring process, dividing into six main businesses. Alibaba's shares have experienced a decline from their 2023 highs, losing over $600 billion in value since the Ant episode began.



In addition to Ant and Tencent, fines were also levied on PICC Property & Casualty Co., Postal Savings Bank of China Co., and Ping An Bank Co. as a result of issues discovered during previous law enforcement inspections. The reason for Tencent's fine remains unclear. Executives at Tencent have repeatedly emphasized their financial businesses' compliance with the law and ongoing dialogue with Beijing.



Tencent issued a statement stating that it does not anticipate any adverse impact from the fine and expects China to focus on 'normalized regulation' in the future.



Ant co-founder Jack Ma returned to China in March after an extended period of overseas travel. Ma's return was reportedly orchestrated by the government to demonstrate support for private entrepreneurs. Subsequently, the chief of Hangzhou city praised Ant for adhering to the party's leadership and urged local government departments to address the company's concerns.



Ant previously stated that it currently has no plans for an IPO and is concentrating on its core business. However, Chairman Eric Jing had mentioned in 2021 that the company would eventually go public.



The abrupt halt of Ant's IPO over two years ago sent shockwaves through global capital markets. Since then, the company has faced additional regulatory requirements, such as consolidating its financial units into a holding company and opening its payments app to competitors. China's latest measures are seen as a permanent establishment of higher regulatory barriers for the sector.



The resumption of Ant's IPO may take longer than anticipated as the company must adhere to waiting periods imposed by different stock exchanges. Ant's valuation will also be affected, as the regulatory actions have significantly diminished its worth. Ant might consider spinning out certain businesses, including blockchain technology and its database operation, as part of its future plans.



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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
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Forward Water Technologies Corp. (TSXV:FWTC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed its condensed consolidated audited financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended March 31, 2023. Copies of these financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com. All financial information in this news release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.

Fiscal Year End Financial Highlights

Total expenses were $2,421,598 for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $4,186,933 over the same period in 2022, a decrease of $1,765,335. The decrease in expenses were largely due to the costs associated with the completion of a qualifying transaction (the "Transaction") in the prior year that did not repeat in the fiscal year 2023.

Net loss and comprehensive loss were $2,286,526 for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to a loss of $4,178,676 for the same period in 2022.

Basic and diluted loss per share were $0.02 for the year ended March 31, 2023 and $0.05 for the same period in 2022.

Operating Highlights and Recent Corporate Developments

Fiscal year 2023 was the full first year as an operating company after the Transaction was completed in October, 2021, with the focus transitioning from engineering development to commercialization.

The Company generated almost $40,000 in revenue in testing and reporting for customers interested in purchasing a forward osmosis ("FO") unit.

A number of potential customers have been identified, with six requesting testing. These include large multinational businesses in the mining and lithium industries.

On May 1, 2023, the Company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Forward Water Technologies Inc., has licensed specific intellectual property from FUJIFILM Corporation in order to solidify protection of its water treatment technology platform, and which will secure further clean water alternatives to legacy solutions to combat the ongoing global water crisis. As part of this agreement, the Company paid a $135,620 licensing fee.

On May 30, 2023, the Company announced a partnership with Mead & Hunt. The Company will guide project support with its FO expertise, design know-how, and technical assets. Mead & Hunt will provide extensive supply chain connections, engineering design experience, capabilities to fabricate the needed treatment equipment, as well as an established customer pipeline.

On May 31, 2023, the Company announced that it has signed a technical advisory engagement with CleanTech Lithium PLC to review and assess technologies capable of further increasing CleanTech Lithium's existing process efficiencies. Under this advisory engagement, FWTC will evaluate and advise on various technologies for use within CleanTech Lithium's operations, at its Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin projects located in the lithium triangle within Chile.

Management Commentary

Forward Water's CEO and President, C. Howie Honeyman comments "Fiscal year 2023 has been exciting for the Company. We have been successful in introducing the FO technology to potential customers across a number of different industries, resulting in orders for testing, a non-binding letter of intent with Mead & Hunt and a technical advisory engagement with Clean Tech Lithium PLC. In addition, the Company is in negotiations to deliver the FO pilot system on-site to support a customer's lithium extraction process in Chile". Mr Honeyman commented further, "We look forward to the year ahead as we continue to engage with our potential customers and expand our opportunities."

Summary of Financial Results

Income Statement

*Reflects the retrospective application of the 1:5 exchange ratio

Balance Sheet

Statement of Cash Flows

About Forward Water Technologies Corp.

Forward Water Technologies Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company dedicated to saving the earth's water supply using its patented Forward Osmosis technology. The Company was founded by GreenCentre Canada, a leading technology innovation centre supported by the government of Canada. The Company's technology allows for the reduction of challenging waste streams simultaneously returning fresh water for re-use or surface release. The Company's mandate is to focus on the large-scale implementation of its technology in multiple sectors, including industrial wastewater, oil and gas, mining, agriculture and ultimately municipal water supply and re-use market sectors. In addition, the Company has initiated early stage R&D for the treatment of food and beverage process streams.

For more information, please visit www.forwardwater.com.

Contact Information

For more information or interview requests, please contact:

C. Howie Honeyman - Chief Executive Officer

howie.honeyman@forwardwater.com

416-451-8155

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws including statements regarding expansion and uptake of the Company's technology and the ability for the Company to achieve its growth strategy and business plan. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, the ability to scale the technology and the adoption of the technology by potential customers.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; unanticipated operating events; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

Although the Company 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. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Forward Water Technologies Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/766266/Forward-Water-Technologies-Announces-Fiscal-Year-2023-Financial-Results
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp. ("Nevada Vanadium" or the "Company") announces it closed on a private placement of 3,500,000 shares at a price of $0.08 per share (the "Shares") for gross proceeds of $280,000. As a result in the issuance of the Shares, Ron Motz, has become an "insider" as defined by the Securities Act (British Columbia). Mr. Motz, subscriber to the private placement, previously beneficially owned, director or indirect, 5,484,844 shares and 4,000,000 warrants. Subsequent to the private placement, Mr. Motz beneficially owns, director or indirect, 8,984,844 shares of the Company or 14.5% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company and 7,500,000 warrants of the Company or 23.7% of the issued and outstanding on a partially diluted basis assuming Mr. Motz were to exercise his warrants.

A copy of Mr. Motz's early warning report will appear on Nevada Vanadium's profile on SEDAR.

The securities issued pursuant to the private placements are subject to a regulatory hold period until November 6, 2023.

Proceeds of the Placement are expected to be used for project advancement, working capital and general corporate purposes.

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 unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

About Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp.

Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp. is a Canadian reporting issuer, holding a 100% interest in the Gibellini Vanadium project in Nevada, United States.

To find out more about Nevada Vanadium, visit www.nevadavanadium.com

NEVADA VANADIUM MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Ron Espell"

CEO

For more information about Nevada Vanadium, please contact Investor Relations: info@nevadavanadium.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, or results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any future revisions to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as expressly required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172834
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - MTB Metals Corp. (TSXV: MTB) (OTCQB: MBYMF) (FSE: M9U) ("MTB" or the "Company") has retained Simone Capital Corp in the capacity of Investor Relations and Capital Markets Advisory.

Simone Capital will leverage its proprietary database to engage and coordinate roadshows with retail brokers, portfolio managers, analysts, and individual investors on the Company's behalf. Simone Capital is located in Toronto, Ontario and principally owned and operated by Anthony Simone and Matthew Benedetto. In consideration for the services, Simone Capital will be paid CAD$13,000 per quarter and granted 400,000 options. The term for this agreement is three months with an automatic extension for three additional three-month terms subject to termination on a 30 days' notice. Other than the retainer payable under the agreements, the Company does not anticipate any costs related to the engagement of Simone Capital.

The options granted to Simone Capital are exercisable at $0.12 per share for a five year term. The options will vest as to one quarter at the end of each three month period commencing October 7, 2023.

The Company also announces the grant of stock options to directors, employees, advisors and consultants for an aggregate of 1,560,000 shares at an exercise price of $0.12 for a term of 5 years.

In addition, the Company has granted Restricted Share Units ("RSUs") to directors, employees, advisors and consultants for an aggregate of 2,825,000 shares. The RSUs will vest after 12 months.

About MTB

MTB has six active projects spanning 670 square kilometres (67,587 hectares) in the prolific Golden Triangle of northern British Columbia. With the focus on the Telegraph project, discussions are now underway leading to joint ventures and/or spinouts of other projects.

Telegraph is located in the vicinity of 4 world-class porphyry deposits being advanced by major mining companies: Galore (Teck / Newmont), Schaft (Teck), Saddle (Newmont) and the operating Red Chris copper-gold mine (Newcrest). Field work by MTB on its 310 square kilometre property, together with earlier results, provides compelling evidence for the presence of one or more porphyrys, similar to others in the area. The American Creek project is centered on the historic Mountain Boy silver mine. The project is road accessible and 20 km from the deep-water port of Stewart. There are multiple silver, gold and copper occurrences on the property, including a 2006 drill hole that encountered 5 kgs of silver over 5 metres. Red Cliff is a past producing gold and copper mine in which the Company holds a 35% interest. On the BA property, 182 drill holes have outlined a substantial zone of silver-lead-zinc mineralization located 4 km from the highway. Several targets with high-grade silver potential remain to be tested. Surprise Creek, to the north, hosts the same prospective stratigraphy. On the Theia project, work by MTB and previous explorers has outlined a silver bearing mineralized trend 500 metres long, highlighted by a 2020 grab sample that returned 39 kg per tonne silver (1,100 ounces per ton). Two other zones on the property produced copper values over 5%. Southmore is in the midst of some of the largest deposits in the Golden Triangle. It was explored in the 1980s through the early 1990s and was overlooked until MTB consolidated the property and carried out airborne geophysics and field work which confirmed several zones of gold and copper, with values up to 20% copper and 35 g/t gold.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Lawrence Roulston

President & CEO

For further information, contact:

Caroline Klukowski

info@mountainboyminerals.ca

NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

This news release may contain certain "forward looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172835
ChargeX, a Munich, Germany-based provider of a charging solution for electric cars, raised 11.5m in Series B financing.

The round was led by UVC Partners, with participation from Bayern Kapital with the Bayern 2 growth fund, Ponooc and Verve Ventures, and existing investors Energie 360 and BonVenture.

The company intends to use the funds to further develop its patented technologies such as the Aqueduct charging system, accelerate expansion into other European markets and expand its range of digital services.

Led by Michael Masnitza, COO, and Tobias Wagner, CEO, ChargeX develops and produces charging infrastructure solutions and products for electric vehicles. Aqueduct is an intelligent and patented multiple socket for electric cars. It enables many vehicles to be charged with one connection. The grid-supporting system can be expanded to up to 10 charging points via Plug&Play and distributes the energy to the vehicles to be charged as required.

The company has already installed several thousand charging points. More than 500 companies with several thousand charging modules already use its charging products.

FinSMEs

07/07/2023
stellarup, an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based global HR SaaS solution, raised a seed funding of 500K.

The round was led by a US tech investor.

The company intends to use the funds to improve and accelerate user interface and experience design (UI/ UX) features and integration, and boost marketing.

Led by Estelle Roux-Stevens, stellarup provides a global HR SaaS solution that enables knowledge sharing through structured and unstructured learning tools managing the relationship, and measuring and scaling engagement and ultimately the return on investment.

Since its launch in 2020, the company has on-boarded a series of large-scale, non-profit and government projects including Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, Giving Back, BufferSprings, The United Nations Foundation, Aleto Foundation, ScaleNL, Konstanz University in Germany, Hogeschool Utrecht  University of Applied Sciences, InvestNL and more.

FinSMEs

07/07/2023
Tuition.io, a San Mateo, CA-based education assistance benefits provider, acquired Wileys (NYSE: WLY) Tuition Manager business, which enables employers to offer a range of tuition assistance benefits to their workforces.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Led by Scott Thompson, CEO, Tuition.io offers a full suite of Education Assistance services including student loan wellness, student loan repayment assistance, loan forgiveness, education planning and tuition assistance. The company works with US employers across all industries including ADP, Carhartt, Emory Healthcare, Ford, Universal Music Group and hundreds of others. When the migration of Wiley clients is completed later this year, Tuition.io will have more than 100 employers using its tuition assistance services.

The acquisition represents the culmination of a business relationship between Tuition.io, Wiley and HostedHR dating back more than four years. It continues Tuition.ios growth as an Education Assistance service provider, allowing Tuition Manager customers to take advantage of its platform to offer a wide range of differentiated benefits to their workforces.

The Tuition Manager business will join the current suite of employee benefits already offered by Tuition.io, including Student Loan Repayment, Tuition Assistance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness for non-profits, and Student Loan Wellness.

FinSMEs

07/07/2023
The second season of Bigg Boss OTT is back, and since its release, the show has been in the limelight for its Over The Top content. This season brings superstar Salman Khan as the host of the 6-week-long reality show, which consists of various contestants from different career fields. From Puneet Superstars eviction on the second day to Akanksha Puri and Jad Hadids lip-lock leading to Akankshas eviction on the weekend, the show has been in headlines for its controversies. Apart from that, it has been clear that contestants Bebika Dhurve and Jad Hadid do not share a good rapport with each other, and are often found engaging in arguments. Now, it has been reported that one such argument between the two contestants got so heated up, that it forced the Lebanese contestant to lose his cool and decide to quit the show.

Jad Hadid To Leave Show After Fight With Bebika?

As seen in the BBOTT2 live feed, Jad started packing his bags after his fight with Bebika. The Bigg Boss OTT 2 contestant expressed his desire to quit the Bigg Boss house because he felt that Bebika had been picking on him and targeting him since the beginning. All of this started when Bebika declined to cook for Jad and Abhishek Malhan. Jiya Shankar, the captain, tried to intervene and settle things, but Bebika refused to change her mind. Abhishek told her to complete her duties without being biassed towards anyone. However, Bebika said that her decision to not cook for them was due to their terrible attitude.

Earlier, during a task, Jad and Bebika had a heated argument with each other, where the former lost his cool and said, I would hang some people from their f*****g a*s.

Later, Bebika was spotted discussing Jads personal life with fellow contestant Pooja Bhatt. She revealed that Jad is someone who doesnt accept strong women. She said that she had spoken to him earlier, and he himself had said that he couldnt stand a strong woman with an opinion.

Salman Khan Schools Jad Hadid During Weekend Ka Vaar

Earlier, Jad Hadid was bashed by Salman Khan during Weekend Ka Vaar for pulling his pants down and flashing his bum towards Bebika after they both were involved in an argument. He schooled him about his behaviour and how this could have landed him in trouble if he had done it in Saudi Arabia or Abu Dhabi.
The glaciers all across the world are retreating and thinning as the Earth warms.

Thus, in an effort to stem its melting amid rising temperatures brought on by global warming, scientists in China have blanketed a portion of a remote glacier.

The team covered a 500 square metre (5,381 square foot) patch of Dagu, a rapidly melting glacier in northwest Chinas Sichuan Province, using geotextile blankets, a form of environmentally friendly cloth, according to Dailymail.

Scientists from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources started the experiment in August. The location, which is around 5,000 metres (16,404 feet) above sea level, was picked by the experts because it had been melting more quickly than many other Chinese glaciers.

As a temperate glacier, Dagu Glacier is at the melting point and is composed of both liquid water and glacier ice. According to one of the researchers, Wang Feiteng, it declines more fast than typical alpine glaciers.

Also read: A year of extremes: What World Meteorological Organizations 2022 report says about the state of global climate

The experiment

This follows an experiment that the Chinese Academy of Sciences carried out in August 2019 on a 500 square metre piece of the same Glacier, covering the region with geotextile blankets.

After 2.5 months, they discovered that the blanketed area had ice that was up to one metre thicker than the unprotected portions.

The experiment demonstrates the blankets ability to block solar radiation and heat exchange on the glaciers surface, according to scientist Wang, who was quoted in Shanghai Daily.

Wang urged the general public to focus more on the fate of tiny glaciers. He says the melting of glaciers worldwide has accelerated and tiny glaciers with an area smaller than one square kilometre are particularly vulnerable and might soon disappear without human intervention.

Despite the danger, according to Wang, most research still concentrates on the factors that cause melting rather than ways to stop glacier melting. He further stated that the study team would test the heat-blocking technique on additional glaciers in China, particularly those with abundant tourism resources and others that had previously been seriously impacted by climate change.

According to The Independent, the experiment was reportedly motivated by summers before refrigerators when ice cream was kept under quilted comforters.

In order to shield the ice underneath, the experiments geotextile material is made to reflect light and deflect heat.

Also read: Why Indian Army activating satellite-based internet on Siachen Glacier is a big deal

Similar methods used in other countries

For over ten years, people in Switzerland have been preserving glaciers in a similar way. Since 2009, residents who live close to the Rhone Glacier have hiked into the southern Swiss Alps each spring to wrap the location in white thermal blankets, according to Live Science.

The Swiss glacier, which is 12,000 feet above sea level, has melted so swiftly over the past 150 years that it needs to be stopped by a huge tarpaulin. From spring to autumn, when the ice field is most susceptible, these sheets spanning around five acres of the glacier are left in place.

According to AFP, tarpaulin was also discovered covering Italys Presena glacier in 2020. Presena, which is in Northern Italy, has shrunk by more than one-third since 1993. In the height of summer, the covering keeps the ice from melting too quickly.

Wion News reported that the tarpaulin project in Italy began in 2008 when the team used to cover 30,000 square metres. By 2020, they covered over 100,000 square metres. The tarp is set down every year at a height of 3,000 metres.

The tarp is precisely positioned across the mountain and then sewn tight to keep hot air out.

To prevent its movement, it is then covered with sandbags.

Also read: Chinas melting glacier among worlds largest freshwater sources, scientists worried

Melting Glaciers

The report of blanketing glaciers comes after a study in November 2020 revealed that the glaciers in Chinas isolated Qilian Mountains are melting as a result of the climate crisis at a shocking rate, which could eventually lead to severe water shortages for the area.

Glaciers are retreating as a result of rising temperatures, and the process is accelerating.

Since the 1950s, when scientists established Chinas first monitoring station to observe it, the greatest glacier in the mountains has receded nearly 450 metres along the parched northeastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, as per The Independent. The average temperature in the region has increased by 1.5 degrees Celsius since monitoring started in the 1950s, and there is no sign of a slowdown in global warming, so the future is bleak for the 2,684 glaciers in the Qilian range.

Due to recent global climate change, the thawing of glaciers has accelerated worldwide.

Glaciers in Asias Hindu Kush Himalaya could lose up to 75 per cent of their volume by centurys end due to global warming, causing both dangerous flooding and water shortages for the 240 million people who live in the mountainous region, according to a new report by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), an intergovernmental scientific authority. The Hindu Kush Himalaya stretches 3,500 km (2,175 miles) across Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

According to a 2014 research, human activity was responsible for around 70 per cent of the global glacier loss between 1991 and 2010.

With inputs from Reuters and AFP
The United States is expected to announce Friday (7 July) its plans to send cluster bombs to Ukraine. As per Associated Press (AP), the Biden administration can provide thousands of cluster munitions to Kyiv as part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million.

While the US previously resisted Kyivs calls for the controversial weapon, it has now caved to its demands. This changed stance was visible last month when a senior Pentagon official said the US military believes cluster munitions would be useful, especially against dug-in Russian positions, reported The Guardian.

Both Ukraine and Russia have deployed cluster munitions on the battlefield since the war started last February. As per CNN, Kyiv has recently started using cluster bombs provided by Turkey.

What are cluster munitions and why are they controversial? How will these weapons help Ukraine in its war with Russia? We explain.

What are cluster bombs?

Cluster bombs or cluster munitions are a type of rocket, bomb or missile carrying tens or hundreds of smaller bomblets, also called submunitions.

This bomb breaks apart in the air and the bomblets inside spread over the area, exploding closer to or on the ground, says CNN.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), these cluster bombs can be delivered by aircraft, or fired from artillery and missiles.

The US is planning to give dual-purpose improved conventional munitions or DPICMs to Ukraine, as per CNN.

The US Armys eArmor website says that these DPICMs, which the US started phasing out in 2016, are launched from 155mm howitzers with each munition releasing 88 bomblets.

Each bomblet has a lethal range of about 10 square metres, and 10 or more bomblets are capable of destroying an armored vehicle, the website added.

Why is the weapon controversial?

According to the Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC), the submunitions often fail to explode and can remain on the ground over the years, disproportionally harming civilians.

A 2010 report by the ICRC says 10 per cent and 40 per cent of cluster munitions fail to detonate on impact, as per Forbes.

Reuters estimates that sixty percent of cluster bomb fatalities are people wounded while engaging in day-to-day activities.

As unexploded bomblets can kill and injure people years or even decades after the cluster bomb was dropped, CMC is making efforts to get the weapon banned globally.

As many as 123 nations have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions which bans the use, manufacturing, transfer and stockpiling of the weapons.

However, Russia, Ukraine and the US, along with 71 other countries have refused the join the convention.

While attacking enemy forces or vehicles is not illegal under international law, striking civilians could amount to a war crime, CNN reported citing advocacy group Human Rights Watch.

Pentagon spokesman US Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said during a media briefing on Thursday that the Defence Department has multiple variants of the cluster munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with (unexploding) rates that are higher than 2.35 per cent, reported AP.

Which countries have used it?

The deployment of these cluster munitions can be traced back to the Second World War. As per Reuters, at least 15 countries have used them since then, including Russia, the US, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Israel, Morocco, the Netherlands and Britain.

America has deployed it in several conflicts, including in Vietnam and Afghan wars. As per CMC, the US last used these weapons from 2003 to 2006 in Iraq.

The Guardian says Russia has used cluster bombs in populated areas in Ukraine. Human Rights Watch said both Russia and Ukraine had killed civilians with the use of this weapon in the war.

Both countries should stop using these inherently indiscriminate weapons, and no country should supply cluster munitions because of their foreseeable danger to civilians, the advocacy group said in a statement on Thursday, as per Newsweek.

Last year, Gilles Carbonnier, vice president of the ICRC, at a conference on cluster bombs in Switzerland said: Cluster munitions remain one of the worlds most treacherous weapons. They kill and maim indiscriminately and cause widespread human suffering.

Any use of cluster munitions, anywhere, by anyone, must be condemned, Carbonnier was quoted as saying by CNN.

How will it help Ukraine?

Experts say cluster bombs could benefit Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Cluster munitions are very useful for clearing out large numbers of infantry, Sidharth Kaushal, a research fellow at the London-based Royal United Services Institute think tank, told Newsweek.

He said these munitions could be of considerable value for Ukrainian troops.

Speaking to Newsweek, military and defence expert David Hambling said: In theory, cluster munitions could be a force multiplier for Ukrainian airstrikes and artillery, allowing them to inflict more damage with the same number of strikes.

However, its quite debatable how much benefit they would really bring in the current situation, he said, adding that they will certainly give some improvement to Ukraines offensive capability.

Laura Cooper, US deputy assistant secretary of defence for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia, said last month that cluster bombs can benefit Ukraine, especially against dug-in Russian positions on the battlefield, reported Forbes.

With inputs from agencies
French police will now be able to spy on suspects involved in crimes with other devices, including phones. Amid the sea of the protests in France over the police killing of 17-year-old, the government in France has passed a law that allows police to spy on people.

Late Wednesday, lawmakers agreed that police in France should be able to spy on suspects by remotely activating the camera, microphone, and GPS on their phones and other gadgets.

With 80 votes in favour, it appears that this frightening prospect will soon become a reality.

The snooping clause, which is part of a larger justice reform bill, has been criticised by the Left and human rights activists as an authoritarian snoopers charter. Once it becomes the law, avoiding governmental surveillance would be impossible, even with VPN services or encrypted messaging.

Also Read: How the killing of a teenager puts spotlight on police violence in France

As privacy advocates and politicians from both parties express concern over the decision, Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti continues to deny that the provision will turn the country into the next Orwellian dystopian nightmare.

Frances justice reform bill

Covering laptops, cars and other connected objects as well as phones, the measure would allow geolocation of suspects in crimes punishable by at least five years jail.

Devices could also be remotely activated to record sound and images of people suspected of terror offences, as well as delinquency and organised crime.

During debate on Wednesday, MPs in President Emmanuel Macrons camp inserted an amendment limiting the use of remote spying to when justified by the nature and seriousness of the crime and for a strictly proportional duration.

Any use of the provision must be approved by a judge, while the total duration of the surveillance cannot exceed six months.

And sensitive professions including doctors, journalists, lawyers, judges and MPs would not be legitimate targets.

Emanuel wants to set up a surveillance state

Despite the outcry, Dupond-Moretti maintains that the law will save peoples lives.

Were far away from the totalitarianism of 1984, George Orwells novel about a society under total surveillance, Dupond-Moretti said.

The contested measure, part of an article containing several other provisions, was voted through by National Assembly members as a wider justice overhaul bill making its way through parliament. The opposition parties and rights groups are concerned that the Macron government is using this as a smokescreen to establish a surveillance state. However, the justice minister claims that the law and its provisions will only be applied to a dozen cases a year.

The provisions raise serious concerns over infringements of fundamental liberties, digital rights group La Quadrature du Net wrote in a May statement.

Also Read: How shooting of 17-year-old has led to protests and violence

It cited the right to security, right to a private life and to private correspondence and the right to come and go freely, calling the proposal part of a slide into heavy-handed security.

The group claimed that police will exploit security flaws to target the dissidents. Furthermore, it may exploit security flaws rather than instructing manufacturers on how to close them.

According to experts, the timing of the bills passage could not be worse. The country is protesting against Emanuel Macrons government after the death of 17-year-old by police in a Paris suburb.

With inputs from AFP
Are you the kind of person who hates baggage? Do you like to travel light? You might want to plan a trip to Japan. You can now fly to the island nation luggage-free, courtesy of Japan Airlines. It has come up with a revolutionary plan that encourages flyers to leave bulky suitcases behind. So what will visitors wear? Rented clothes.

Starting on 5 July, Japan Airlines Co and trading house Sumitomo Corp have started an experiment that will give passengers the option to rent clothes during their stay in the country. The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism while offering convenience to travellers. By reducing the weight of each aircraft, the carrier hopes to cut fuel consumption and eventually reduce carbon dioxide emissions. For now, its just a trial that will continue until August 2024.

How can flyers rent clothes?

Passengers can pick outfits of their choice and size, keeping in mind seasonal needs, through a website before boarding a Japan Airlines plane.

Under the trial scheme known as Any Wear, Anywhere, all travellers need to pack are their undergarments and toothbrush. They can dump the big suitcases and rent outfits by season, size, formality and colours, according to a report in Financial Times (FT). People can select up to eight outfits about a month in advance for two weeks.

The wardrobe will have three sizes  small, medium and large in different styles  smart, smart casual and mixed.

Also read: Perils of pollution: Its time we stopped taking clean air for granted

How much will the clothes cost?

A set of clothes will cost anywhere between 4,000 to 7,000 (Rs 2,311 to Rs 4,044). Women have the option to pick tops including linen shirts and bottoms  trousers and ankle-length skirts during the summer months. A combination of five tops and three months will cost 5,000 (Rs 2,889) under the current pricing structure. Men travelling for a casual trip during winter could rent faded jeans, a hoodie and a cosy down jacket for 7000 (Rs 4043), reports FT.

The clothes will be sourced from the excess stock of retailers and second-hand garments collected by a parent company. Once flyers select their apparel, they will be delivered to the hotel or their accommodation before their arrival and will be collected at the end of the trip, laundered and recycled. If clothes are damaged, renters will have to pay up.

How will ditching suitcases help?

During the year-long initiative, data will be collected to study if there has been a reduction in the weight of baggage carried by passengers.

With more and more people flying again after the Covid-19 pandemic, and with the recent emphasis in sustainability, there is a growing movement around the world to promote sustainable tourism, said Japanese Airlines in a statement.

Travellers increasingly desire to make more sustainable choices regarding their travel destinations, accommodations, transportation etc, they still lack sufficient options. For example, most travellers now enjoy eating at restaurants and staying at hotels at their destination, but they generally bring their own clothing from home.

According to the Any Wear, Anywhere website, flying with 10 kg less weight in baggage could result in 7.5 kg reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. This is equivalent to not using a hairdryer for 78 days if it was used for an average of 10 minutes a day.

If the scheme is a success, Sumitomo may consider rolling it out to other carriers flying to Japan like American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Malaysia Airlines.

Japan is seeing a rise in travellers after the pandemic and the initiative aims to cash in on that. In May, 1.9 million people visited the country, an increase of 1,191 per cent compared to the same month in 2022, according to Japan National Tourism Organisation data.

According to the governments Japan Tourism Agency, visitors in the first three months of 2023 spent an average of 50,496 (Rs 29,237) on shopping alone, reports FT.

Is this scheme really environmentally friendly?

It is too early to say. While Sumitomo hopes that the scheme will help to cut down on clothing waste too, tackling the problem of so-called fast fashion, renting will also come with its impact on the environment.

Laundering and packaging can lead to water pollution and the use of plastics and detergents, reports The Indian Express. Transporting clothes to passengers will lead to the consumption of some amount of energy.

Aviation is responsible for 2.5 per cent of global CO2 emissions. The European Commission predicts that by the middle of the 21st century, demand for flying could increase aviations greenhouse gas emissions by upwards of 300 per cent over 2005 levels if no drastic measures are taken to reduce them, according to a report published by the World Economic Forum.

The aviation industry has adopted the goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The Japan Airlines move rent clothes scheme is a small step in this direction.

With inputs from agencies
Metas Mark Zuckerberg on Thursday (6 July) intensified his rivalry with Elon Musk by launching Threads, what many has described as a Twitter-killer. Since launching, the new app has garnered record-breaking numbers; internal data reveals that within the first 24 hours, Threads, has seen over 30 million sign-ups and 95 million posts, angering Twitter owner Elon Musk.

Such has been the response that reports have emerged that Twitter is threatening legal action against Meta, the parent company of Instagram, over its new text-based platform called Threads. Alex Spiro, Twitter owner Elon Musks personal lawyer, has sent a letter to Zuckerberg, according to a Fortune report, accusing the company of poaching dozens of former employees and using Twitters trade secrets and intellectual property to create a copycat application.

And its not just Musk who has accused Zuckerberg of being a copycat. Netizens noted that Threads, the new app launched by Meta shared too many similarities with Twitter, with one user even writing, Metas new app was built entirely using this keyboard: Ctrl+C+V (thats copy paste, in computer lingo).

In fact, there have been several times that Zuckerberg has been found to have copied ideas from another app. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives even told CNBC, Theyre not building anything with this platform. Its just a platform thats looking to tap into a massive Instagram install base and take the frustration and hate toward Musk and Twitter, bottle it and look to gain market share.

He further added, Thats really been the DNA of Zuckerberg and Facebook. Ultimately, its just Zuckerberg trying to further monetise the install base off of other ideas that have worked within social media.

As Threads gains momentum, here are other examples of copycat apps and features that Zuckerberg has tried to incorporate into at least one of Metas apps.

Meta Verified

Before Threads came along, Zuckerberg in March announced Meta Verified for Facebook and Instagram users in the US. The feature promised to give a person benefits like a blue verification badge, proactive impersonation protections, and direct access to customer support. The subscription costs $11.99 (Rs 991) per month on the web and $14.99 (Rs 1,240) per month on mobile devices.

Doesnt this sound similar? It is after all, Zuckerberg borrowing from Elon Musks Blue subscription service for Twitter with an $8 (Rs 661) price tag that enables users to post longer tweets, see fewer advertisements and post videos up to 60 minutes long.

Metas Lasso

Seeing TikToks popularity growing unabated, Zuckerberg in 2018 launched Lasso, allowing users to shoot up to 15-second long videos and overlay popular songs. The app centred on an algorithmic feed of recommended videos, but also allowed users to tap through hashtags or a Browse page of themed collections.

Lasso was available in Colombia, Mexico, the United States, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ecuador and Uruguay, research firm Sensor Tower told TechCrunch. In early 2020, it also added support for Hindi, prompting speculation that Facebook may eventually bring the new app to India.

However, it seems that Lasso couldnt rope in enough fans and Zuckerberg announced the closure of the app on 10 July 2020.

Instagram comes up with Reels

After Lasso couldnt take on ByteDances Tiktok, Instagram  which is also owned by Meta  launched Reels in 2020. It is a short-form video product that looks a lot like TikTok and since then has grabbed Facebook users attention.

In 2023, data has shown that Instagram Reels has an average watch rate of 13.08 per cent which is significantly higher than TikTok  having a watch rate of 9.06 per cent.

Instagram Stories

Another example of Zuckerberg copying from others would be Instagram Stories, introduced in 2016 as a direct challenge to Snapchat, along with the fun face filters. The move came after Snapchat rejected Metas offer to be bought over.

When launched, Stories took the real momentum away from Snapchat and even saw its user growth rate slow down. By mid-2018, Instagram Stories had twice as many daily users as Snapchat.

Whatsapp edit messages

Have you ever sent someone a Whatsapp message and realised there was an error in it and wished to edit it? In May this year, the Meta-owned platform gave its users the ability to edit messages in a 15-minute timeframe after it was sent.

From correcting a simple misspelling to adding extra context to a message, were excited to bring you more control over your chats, the company had written.

Incidentally, this feature has long existed on other messaging apps, such as Telegram and Signal. Twitter also offers a 30-minute message editing window to the subscribers of its Twitter Blue service.

Hobbi

In 2020, Facebooks New Product Experimentation team had come out with Hobbi, an app designed to rival Pinterest. Hobbi clearly took cues from Pinterest, but wasnt able to capture the minds of users.

Few months later, Meta called it a day on Hobbi. The app only gained 7,000 downloads, according to estimates from Sensor Tower. Apptopia also reported the app had under 10,000 downloads

Hashtags on Facebook

When one things of hashtags, they think of Twitter and thats why Facebook, suffering from hashtag FOMO (fear of missing out), launched hashtags to users News Feeds in 2013 as a way to discover more of the worlds conversations. These hashtags essentially served the same purpose as did they on Twitter  allowing people to find new topics.

With inputs from agencies
Its bad news for Rahul Gandhi and his disqualification as a member of Parliament will stand. This comes as the Gujarat High Court rejected his request to put on hold his conviction in a defamation case over his 2019 Modi surname remark.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the high court in his order stated that stated that the sessions court refusing to grant a stay on his conviction earlier was just and legal. He added that no injustice will be caused to Gandhi if the conviction is not stayed.

Furthermore, the court mentioned that Gandhi was facing nearly 10 criminal cases, including a criminal defamation case by VD Savarkars grandson.

According to an NDTV report, the Congress leader will now approach the Supreme Court with his request.

But what was this case all about? Why was it important for Rahul Gandhi that the court granted a stay on the conviction? Heres a full recap of the defamation case.

Whats the case?

In 2019, Purnesh Modi  a BJP MLA and ex-Gujarat minister  had filed a defamation case, under IPC sections 499, 500 and 504, against the former Congress party chief, Rahul Gandhi, for a comment that he made during at a campaign during the 2019 Lok Sabha general elections.

The case stated that Gandhi at an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019 had said, Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi in their names.

The complainant held that Gandhi had defamed all people whose surname is Modi. According to rough estimates, there are about 130 million people in India who carry the surname.

On 10 October of that year, Rahul Gandhi appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty in the matter. In March 2022, the Gujarat High Court had stayed the proceedings in the case after the complainant sought a stay citing lack of sufficient evidence.

The stay was then lifted in February this year after Purnesh Modi told the High Court that there was sufficient evidence such as CDs and pen drives that had come on record of the trial court.

During the course of the case, Rahul Gandhis lawyer, Babu Mangukiya, argued that it should have been Prime Minister Narendra Modi and not Purnesh Modi to have been the complainant in the matter as the prime minister was the main target of the Congress leaders speech.

On 23 March, this year, Surats court found Gandhi guilty of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison. The court approved Gandhis bail on a surety of Rs 15,000 and suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal.

The two-year sentence led to the disqualification of Gandhi, an MP from Keralas Wayanad, under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

The verdict also led to mass protests by Congress workers, opposing the verdict with several leaders slamming the decision. Multiple Opposition leaders also chimed in, with AAP leader and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal accusing the BJP of trying to eliminate non-BJP leaders and parties by prosecuting them.

However, the BJP welcomed the decision and Ravi Shankar Prasad told a press conference: The law of India is that if an individual or an organisation has been defamed by defamatory comments, abuses, then he has got the right to seek address but Congress has an objection to it. They want complete freedom for Rahul Gandhi to utter abuses.

What happened next?

Following the verdict, Gandhi approached the Surat Sessions Court in April 2023, seeking suspension of sentencing and a stay on the conviction pending his appeal. However, the sessions court granted him bail but refused to stay the conviction.

Gandhi then approached the high court with senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi telling the court that the trial was vitiated and the conviction did not fall under the category of moral turpitude or a serious offense as defined in various judgments.

Moreover, Singhvi argued that a maximum punishment of two years for a bailable, non-cognisable offence meant his client could lose his Lok Sabha seat permanently and irreversibly, which was a very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents.

A report by The Indian Express also said that Singhvi had stated that by denying the plea in such a case of alleged criminal defamation, the court will be rewriting the scope of CrPC Section 389.

What about other cases?

Incidentally, this is not the only Modi defamation case that Rahul Gandhi is facing. Advocate Pradeep Modi from Ranchi has filed a defamation case against the Congress leader, seeking damages worth Rs 20 crore for his comment that is perceived as being anti-Modi.

Pradeep Modi in his petition claimed that while addressing a rally in Morabadi in Ranchi during the 2019 Lok Sabha election, Gandhi had referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, businessman Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi that why all persons bearing the surname Modi are thieves.

The Jharkhand court has quashed the petition asking the Congress leader to be physically present and on 4 July also ordered that no coercive action should be taken against him.

Besides these Modi defamation cases, there are other cases also filed against Rahul Gandhi. One of them was filed in 2019 by BJP municipal councillor from Ahmedabad, Krishnavadan Brahmbhatt. The matter relates to Rahul allegedly referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah as a murder accused during a Lok Sabha campaign speech in Jabalpur.

A case was filed against Rahul based on a 23 June 2018, tweet saying: Congratulations Amit Shah ji, Director of Ahmedabad District Co-operative Bank, on your bank winning first prize in the conversion of old notes to new race. Rs 750 crore in five days! Millions of Indians whose lives were destroyed by demonetisation salute your achievement! #ShahZyadaKhaGaya.

With inputs from agencies
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is no longer mandatory to apply for the post of assistant professor at higher education institutions. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has taken back its 2018 regulation that had made PhD a must for the appointment of teachers in colleges and universities.

Speaking to news agency PTI, UGC chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar said, PhD qualification for appointment as an assistant professor would continue to be optional. The National Eligibility Test (NET), State Eligibility Test (SET) and State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) shall be the minimum criteria for the direct recruitment to the post of assistant professor for all higher education institutions.

What happened in 2018 and why has the UGC reversed its decision now? Lets take a closer look.

Tracing the beginning

In June 2018, the education ministry (known as human resource development ministry at the time) made PhD compulsory for hiring assistant professors at higher education institutions from 2021.

In a notification released in July 2018, the UGC said, The PhD degree shall be a mandatory qualification for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor in Universities with effect from 01.07.2021.

The move was opposed by staff from different universities who argued that several candidates could not complete their PhDs amid the COVID-19 pandemic and urged the Centre to relax the criteria.

In October 2021, the UGC deferred the July 2021 deadline for making PhD mandatory to July 2023 in view of the pandemic.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had said at the time, We believe that a PhD is not required to become an assistant professor. This condition cannot be kept if good talent is to be drawn to teaching. Yes, it is required at the level of associate professors and professors. But a PhD for an assistant professor is perhaps not favourable in our system and thats why we have rectified it.

What is the UGC saying now?

Even before the mandatory PhD criteria could be implemented, the UGC completely scrapped it.

A notification in this regard by the UGC dated 30 June said that the University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of Teachers and Other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of Standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2018, have been amended.

A PhD degree is optional for applying to assistant professor posts in colleges and universities. Candidates who have cleared NET, SET or SLET will be eligible for appointment.

These new regulations came into effect on 1 July 2023. UGC chairman Kumar said that depending on the number of applications in higher education institutions received in a given discipline, the shortlisting criteria can be fixed above the minimum standards set by UGC to invite a manageable number of candidates for the interview, reported Hindustan Times (HT).

Explaining the reason behind the new regulations, Kumar told The Indian Express, In certain disciplines such as policy-making, design, foreign languages, law, architecture and other similar subjects, universities often find it difficult to get candidates with a PhD. Removal of mandatory PhD conditions at the entry-level will help universities in recruiting candidates with a flair for teaching but without a PhD. They, of course, need to complete their PhD to move to the next level [of associate professor].

He added that the changes would not affect the quality of education.

On Thursday (6 July), Kumar issued a clarification and said PhD holders do not need to clear NET, SET, or SLET to apply for assistant professor posts.

For those with a Masters degree, UGC-NET/SLET/SET is the minimum requirement for the direct recruitment as an Assistant Professor, and 2) Ph.D. degree holders, awarded as per UGC Regulations, are eligible for direct recruitment to the post of Assistant Professor and are exempted from UGC-NET/SLET/SET. Depending on the number of applications received in a given discipline, HEIs (higher education institutions) can use suitable criteria given in the regulations for appointment at the Assistant Professor level.

Assistant Professor and are exempted from UGC-NET/SLET/SET. Depending on the number of applications received in a given discipline, HEIs can use suitable criteria given in the regulations for appointment at the Assistant Professor level. pic.twitter.com/sjrOjAtjim  Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) July 6, 2023

Moreover, a PhD degree will still be required for promotion to the post of associate professor. Therefore, even if someone joins as an assistant professor without a PhD, the faculty member, while teaching in the HEI, has to do good quality research and obtain a PhD to be eligible for promotion to the next level leading to improved research outcomes in HEIs, he said, as per HT.

New regulation gets mixed reaction

Abha Dev Habib, an associate professor at Delhi University (DU), welcomed the move. The DU Teachers Association has always opposed the requirement of PhD for assistant professors in universities. Such a requirement affects the entry of candidates from marginalised sections since most of them do not have the resources and support to pursue PhD, she was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

Habib claimed that the mandatory PhD requirement was prompting candidates to pursue research courses without rigour, thus hurting their quality of research.

However, some have expressed dismay at the decision.

Speaking to Indian Express, Ajeya Vajpayee, PhD candidate at DUs Department of History, claimed the move will bring down the quality of assistant professors.

It will definitely tone down the quality of assistant professors because we go through a rigorous learning process during the 5-6 years of the PhD programme. With MPhil scrapped, which prepares the students in a big way for the colossal work that they take up during their doctoral research, theres definitely a downside to it, she argued.

Rishabh Pandey, PhD candidate in Psychology, IIT Kanpur told Indian Express, It is disheartening for those who spent five to seven years of their lives pursuing a PhD degree, to get the job of an assistant professor, and now its not even a compulsion.

With inputs from agencies
I am still effective, whether I am 82 or 92, said Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) patriarch Sharad Pawar after a key meeting of party leaders in New Delhi.

The age of the NCP founder has come into the spotlight after spilt in the party following a rebellion by nephew Ajit Pawar. The Junior Pawar, who has now joined the Maharashtra government and was sworn in as deputy chief minister on Sunday, is staking claim to the party and the position of the NCP president. As the two leaders trade barbs, Ajit told his estranged uncle that it was time for him to retire and hand over the reins of the NCP to him.

Sharad Pawars age debate

The rebel NCP leader brought up Sharad Pawars age while addressing his faction at a meeting in a massive show of strength on Wednesday. You are 83, arent you going to stop? Give us your blessings and we will pray that you live a long life, Ajit said.

BJP leaders retire at 75. You can see the example of LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. This allows the new generation to rise. You (Sharad Pawar) give us your blessings, he said.

Coming to senior Pawars defence was his daughter Supriya Sule. Amitabh Bachchan is 82 and is still working, she said. Some people believe that others have grown old and hence, they should just bless them. Why should they bless them? Ratan Tata is three years older than Saheb [Sharad Pawar] and leading the countrys largest group.

#NCP Chief #SharadPawar Briefs Media on #MaharashtraPolitics I am the NCP president, party should remain strong; all rebels expelled from the party, he says. I am still effective, whether I am 82 or 92, he added on #AjitPawars age, retirement remarks#NationAt5 @poonam_burde pic.twitter.com/sZZb48u4Tv  News18 (@CNNnews18) July 6, 2023

But Sule was not the only one. Former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, who is 75, also responded to Ajits jibe saying that there was no retirement age in politics.

Will he [Sharad Pawar] retire just because he [Ajit] says? Does an old man ever retire in politics? No retirement in politics, said Yadav while talking to ANI as he came to New Delhi for a medical check-up on Thursday.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal president is not incorrect. Politicians in India are not bound by age; seldom do they step down voluntarily. It is often health that forces them to take a backseat. And recent history suggests it does not hamper their popularity.

Indias aged netas

Sharad Pawar, who has been a politician for 56 years, is not an exception. Across parties, ageing netas have continued to be active in politics.

Mallikarjun Kharge, at 80, is the Congress president and leads the Grand Old Party, taking key decisions. He was brought in to revive the partys fortunes after it faced accusations of dynasty politics.

Another former Congress veteran Amarinder Singh continues to hold clout even at 81. After parting ways with the Congress, the former Punjab chief minister formed his own party Punjab Lok Congress in November 2021. He joined the BJP last year ahead of the state Assembly elections.

At 85, Farooq Abdullah continues to remain one of the most flamboyant politicians the country has seen. A member of the National Conference (NC), he has never lost an election from Jammu and Kashmir. Last November, Abdullah hinted that he wont be seeking a fresh term as president of the NC, a party he led for 34 years. However, he later confirmed that is he not going to retire from active politics.

Abdullah, who has served as chief minister of the state three times and as Srinagar MP four times, has kept his word. He is a member of the Parliament and continues to attend sessions in New Delhi and presides over meetings of his party in Srinagar.

Former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan is 99. He is also the founder of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and he has been active in politics for 85 years. He joined the state Congress in 1938 and the CPI in 1940. He was part of the 32-member team that created the CPI(M) in 1964.

VS, as he is popularly called, served as the CM of Kerala from 2006 to 2011. Aged 82 years and 7 months, he was the oldest chief minister of the state and one of the oldest in the country. He contested the assembly election in 2016 at the age of 92.

The veteran Communist leader faded out of active public life following a minor stroke in 2019. Until then, he continued to be a huge crowd puller, addressing rallies and campaigning for the party in Kerala even at the age of 96.

In a neighbouring state, another nonagenarian continues his work. Former prime minister HD Deve Gowda led the campaign for Janata Dal (Secular) in the Karnataka state Assembly elections in May. Among the oldest star campaigners, the 90-year-old rallied for the party even after being hospitalised months before the elections and has earned the moniker of the 24-hour politician.

Veteran leaders like Shriomani Akali Dals Parkash Singh Badal, DMKs Karunanidhi, Samajwadi Partys Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Shiv Senas Bal Thackeray continued to be active even as they aged and ailed.

Badal, who died in April at 95, became the oldest politician to contest an election in the country. A year before his death, the five-time Punjab chief minister fought from the Lambi constituency in the state Assembly election but lost from his home turf to AAPs Gurmeet Singh Khudia. Though a setback, he did not back down and continued his tour. In a career spanning six decades, he is said to have lost only two elections.

Karunanidhi was a larger-than-life figure in Tamil Nadu. A five-time former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, he passed away in August 2018 at the age of 94. He headed the DMK for 49 years until his death. He joined politics when he was only 15 and never lost an election in 61 years.

In Maharashtra, the appeal of Shiv Sena supremo was enduring. He died at the age of 86 on 17 November 2012 but continued to have a mass following until the end. A year before his death, Thackeray addressed the Dussehra rally, a tradition of the party, which shaped its future in the state. And a month before he died, the ailing leader recorded a video message for thousands who would throng Mumbais Shivaji Park to hear him.

Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav died at the age of 82 on 10 October 2022. One of UPs most formidable leaders, he won the Lok Sabha election from Mainpuri in 2019 and during the campaign said that it would be his last election.

Several of these tall regional leaders, who are no more, had a mass appeal that the next generation has been unable to match.

BJPs unsaid retirement rule

However, in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) things work differently. The ruling party has an unsaid rule of retiring politicians from ministerial and organisational positions once they turn 75. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hinted in the past that leaders above 75 should not hold administrative posts in the central and state governments.

Party veterans LK Advani and MM Joshi have taken a backseat. Even before the 2014 Lok Sabha election, senior leaders like Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh and Shatrugan Sinha were not given party tickets despite their revolt. In August 2016, Anandiben Patel stepped down as Gujarats chief minister at 74.

BS Yediyurappa resigned as Karnataka CM in July 2021 at the age of 78. Though he continued to campaign for the party in the state elections, his age is believed to be the reason he has taken a step back.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be 73 during the 2024 general elections. It remains to be seen what he does once he turns 75. One thing is certain, he enjoys immense popularity and there is no stopping him.

After all, in Indian politics, age is just a number.

With inputs from agencies
Did you have a sandwich or toast for breakfast today?

If yes, you celebrated a significant day in the history of bread.

In Chillicothe, Missouri, the United States, on this day, 1923, the first packet of sliced bread was sold.

Sliced bread has become so integral part of our lives today that it even feels weird to think that anyone would ever harbour a grudge against it. But in times of war, America did exactly that.

In 1943, the US government took a rather bold step that shocked the country. It banned sliced bread.

Yes, the most popular food item was removed from the shelves of every supermarket. You wonder why. Lets take a look.

Also read: American Heart Association endorses DASH diet for a healthy heart: What is it?

Americas unpopular ban

A Missouri jeweller by the name of Otto Frederick Rohwedder created the mechanical bread slicer in 1928.

The pre-cut loaves were promoted by bakeries all throughout the country as the greatest advancement in the baking industry since bread was wrapped, which is also how the popular expression the greatest thing since sliced bread came to be.

According to Slurrp.com, the US administration banned the sale of sliced bread on 18 January 1943, the time of World War II. The move was intended to forbid ancillary charges since the cost of flour had gone up in order to prevent an increase in the final consumers cost of bread.

The prohibition was implemented in order to save money on two items  the pricey bread-slicing equipment and the wax paper used to store it. However, this decision didnt have the broad support they had hoped for.

On this day in 1928 sliced bread sold for the first time by the Chillicothe Baking Company, Missouri, using a machine invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder. It was described as the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped. pic.twitter.com/v4IsNYieTq  Deep in theof TexasMAGA David_in_Dallas (@David_in_Dallas) July 7, 2023

The decision was viewed on par with all the other restrictions imposed by the war.

According to a 1943 TIME magazine report, US housewives vainly searched for grandmothers serrated bread knife, routed sleepy husbands out of bed, held dawn conferences over bakery handouts. The uneven slices led to a frequent frantic run to the nearby bakery for rolls.

Since the move received massive backlash, nobody in the administration wanted to admit that they were the ones who made the new choice. However, at the time, the Price Administration attributed the concept to the agricultural department, which in turn blamed the baking sector. It was later discovered that the idea of banning sliced bread came from food administrator Claude R Wickard.

The finger-pointing went on, but by February 1943, American housewives had had enough.

According to a report by Harrisburg Telegraph, bread sales actually decreased by five to ten per cent as a result of the ban, which wasnt even having the essential cost-cutting benefit. On the other hand, the savings on wax paper were insignificant.

Thus, the ban was lifted on 8 March 1943. The New York Times ran an article with the headline, Sliced Bread Put Back on Sale; Housewives Thumbs Safe Again.

In American history, this restriction is still seen as a ridiculous event.

Invention of the bread-slicing machine

Rohwedder, a native of Davenport, Iowa, invented sliced bread. It is still unclear why he decided to switch from cutting jewels to cutting bread as he owned three jewellery stores.

Being a creative soul, he enjoyed making improvements to the jewels and watchmaking equipment even while working as a jeweller.

According to The Indian Express, he eventually became confident that he could utilise his knowledge to create a bread-slicing machine, so he sold off his main source of income, his jewellery stores, to fund this endeavour.

His timing was good as more and more Americans were buying bread rather than preparing it at home. To create the appearance of freshness, factory-made bread has a tendency to be softer than homemade bread, making it more difficult to slice properly.

However, a fire that destroyed Rohwedders prototype and drawings in 1917 dealt him a serious blow. He moved more slowly as a result, but he continued, according to the report.

In the next coming years, he would go on to create a device that could slice and wrap bread.

He select the slices dimensions by speaking with several women, who told him slightly under half an inch satisfied all needs the best.

His friend Frank Benchs Chillicothe Baking Company used the innovative machine. Thus, on 8 July 1928, Benchs Bakery offered the first-ever sliced bread for sale.

Also read: Indias bread lovers have every knead to celebrate

Its acceptance

It was accepted by the populace pretty quickly as the slices were so neat and precise. Clearly better than anyone could possibly slice by hand with a bread knife, according to a quote from the History Channel.

Sliced bread is the standard of all innovation, past, present, and future, Fox News quoted Ed Douglas, a businessman, local historian, and county commissioner from Chillicothe, Missouri, as saying.

A homemaker may anticipate a thrill of pleasure when she first sees a loaf of this bread with each slice being a perfect replica of its colleague slices, according to Indian Express quoted The Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune.

The Gold Medal Bakery website said, Rohwedder sold his patent rights to the Micro-Westo Company of Iowa, where he led the Rohwedder Bakery Machine Division. There, he helped sell his device to more and more bakeries. He remained little-known, despite his huge impact on American culture  he did not become rich or famous for his invention.

By 1933, sliced bread was outpacing unsliced bread in sales at US bakeries.

Sliced bread also boosted the popularity of an earlier technology, electric toasters.

Sliced bread developed into a kind of small, edible promise of a better world, according to political scientist Aaron Bobrow-Strain, who wrote about this in his book White Bread: A Social History of the Store-Bought Loaf.

However, sliced breads heyday did eventually come to an end as white, industrially sliced bread is now usually regarded as a fluttering flag of bad carbohydrates. This was due to the industrialisation of bread making, which eventually deprived it of nutrition.

Even so, millions of peoples mealtimes became quicker and more convenient thanks to Rohwedders work in 1928.

With inputs from agencies
After landmark trips to the United States and Egypt, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be attending this years Bastille Day Parade in France on 14 July.

He will be the second Indian prime minister to attend the ceremony, after Manmohan Singh in 2009.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the marching contingents of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force would take part in the parade alongside their French counterparts.

At the Champs-Elysees in Paris, a 269-member Indian military contingent representing all three services will march alongside the French military.

In keeping up with the IAFs commitment to promoting Nari Shakti, the forces 68-member marching contingent for the prestigious parade in Paris will be led by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.

Also read: Au Revoir: How violent protests in France are driving away tourists

Meet Squadron leader Sindhu Reddy

Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy is a helicopter pilot in the Indian Air Force. She flies the Mi-17, the IAFs workhorse.

During her nine years of service in the Air Force, the officer was assigned to air force bases in northern, northern, and southern India.

At Delhis Republic Day parade this year, Sqn Ldr Reddy oversaw the 144-member IAF contingent. In the contingent, she was the only female officer.

Leading the marching contingent of IAF is really a pride moment for me : Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy pic.twitter.com/aBlrGRPnii  Defence Direct Education (@DefenceDirect) January 19, 2023

Since I joined the IAF, I have always wanted to lead the Republic Day parade. I am lucky and proud to have finally got the opportunity, Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy over the telephone after the days parade practice in New Delhi had said, according to Rediff.com.

While speaking to Republic TV, Sqn Ldr Reddy, who was also the only lady in the contingent, opened up about the tough training, by saying, I consider myself fit but the training that we underwent for the last two months had been really gruelling.

The officer also participated in the IAFs 2018 marching contingent.

Sqn Ldr Reddy has always enjoyed participating in parades, ever since she was an NCC cadet in Bengaluru. She was chosen for the Republic Day parade by the adjutant because of her outstanding performance in the parade, which is also a regular part of the daily schedule in her unit.

I always wanted to fly. My dad always encouraged me and made sure I joined the NCC in college which was a motivating factor, the officer who is the first person in her family to join the armed forces, told Rediff.

Also read: Ahead of PM Modis France visit, Macrons diplomatic advisor meets NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi

Indian troops in Paris

According to a statement by the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Army contingent comprising 77 marching personnel and 38 members of the band is led by Captain Aman Jagtap. Commander Vrat Baghel and Sqn Ldr Sindhu Reddy are heading the Navy and Air Force contingents.

The Army contingent is represented by the Punjab Regiment, which is one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army. The troops participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-Independence operations. In World War I, they were awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours. In France, they took part in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915 earning the Battle Honours Loos and France and Flanders. In World War II, they earned 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours.

A Tri-services marching contingent of #IndianArmedForces will participate in the French National Day celebrations, also known as #BastilleDay, to commemorate the everlasting bond between both the Nations. On the eve of departure of the contingent, Adjutant General of #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/f5C3yzgAOq  ADG PI  INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 5, 2023

The Rajputana Rifles Regiment Band has accompanied the contingent. The regiment, the senior most rifle regiment of the Indian Army, has taken part in some of the bloodiest battles  including those in the two World Wars  ever fought.

During World War II, the battalions of the regiment fought in every theatre where the Indian Army was involved. They are the recipients of six Victoria Cross prior to Independence. The band of the Regiment was raised in 1920 at Nasirabad (Rajasthan).

Solid military ties

The association between the Indian and French armies dates back to World War I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war and almost 74,000 of them fought in the muddy trenches to never return again, while another 67,000 were wounded.

The MoD said, Indian troops valiantly fought on French soil. Their courage, valour and supreme sacrifice not only thwarted the enemy but also significantly contributed towards winning the war.

In World War II, 2.5 million Indian soldiers made significant contributions in various theatres from Asia to Africa and Europe. This also included the battlefields of France. The Indian troops established their valour in these wars which was well recognised in the form of several gallantry awards being bestowed on the Indian soldiers, the MoD added.

25 years of diplomatic relationship

India and France are celebrating a strategic relationship of 25 years in 2023. The two nations have established a solid defence alliance throughout time. The nations signed a government-to-government agreement in 2016 to purchase 36 Rafale combat planes in fly-away condition, according to ANI.

In addition, India and France support the goals and tenets of the United Nations Charter, which serve as the cornerstone of bilateral cooperation, and have a similar vision for peace and security, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

Significance of Bastille Day parade

Bastille Day is observed as Frances National Day on 14 July every year.

In 1789, the citizens of Paris took weapons from the arsenal, marched to the Bastille, the Royal Fort of Louis XVI, and after a brutal battle, liberated captives.

The storming of the Bastille was a crucial turning point in the French Revolution and is regarded as the first popular victory.

The customary military parade on the Champs-Elysees, cultural events, and fireworks are all part of Frances National Day celebrations.

With inputs from agencies
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is back in Russia.

The surprising development comes after Vladimir Putin ally Alexander Lukashenko brokered an agreement for Prigozhin to be exiled in Belarus in exchange for amnesty and assurances.

Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is back in Russia days after leading a mutiny against President Vladimir Putin. #Russia #Prigozhin #Wagner #Putin pic.twitter.com/ltR6ekGfA1  News18 (@CNNnews18) July 7, 2023



But where is Prigozhin exactly? And what is the Wagner chief doing in Russia?

Lets take a closer look:

Where is Prigozhin?

Lukashenko has said that Prigozhin is in St Petersburg.

Or maybe this morning he would travel to Moscow or elsewhere, Lukashenko was quoted as saying by CNN.

But he is not in the territory of Belarus now.

It is not clear if Prigozhins presence in Russia would violate the deal, which allowed the head of the Wagner Group military contractor to move to Belarus in exchange for ending the rebellion and a promise of amnesty for him and his troops.

Some reports signalled that the agreement may have allowed him to finalize his affairs in Russia.

Much about the agreement, which was brokered by Lukashenko, remains murky.

Last week, Lukashenko said the mercenary leader was in Belarus, but on Thursday he told international reporters that Prigozhin was in St. Petersburg and could also travel to Moscow if he wishes, while Wagners troops were in their camps.

He did not specify the location of the camps, but Prigozhins mercenaries fought alongside Russian forces in eastern Ukraine before their revolt and also have bases on Russian territory.

He also said that Prigozhin has been given back the cash and weapons that were confiscated by Russian authorities.

Lukashenko said his government offered Wagner, which has sent troops around the world to fight for Russias interests, the use of Belarusian military camps but that the company had not made a final decision.

The Belarusian leader shrugged off suggestions that Putin might order Prigozhin killed, saying: If you think that Putin is so vicious and vindictive to finish him off, no, its not going to happen.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has claimed it has no idea where Prigozhin is  and nor does it care to.

We dont follow his movements. We have neither the ability nor the desire to do so, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Its great that Russian authorities dont really care about a person who launched an armed mutiny against them. So where is he exactly? With the money, weapons and Wagner mercenaries? Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraines minister of internal affairs, tweeted.

What is he doing in Russia?

That remains unclear for the moment.

But CNN reported that Russian state media released images of a police raid on Prigozhins St Petersburg addresses that showed gold, money, wigs, weapons and passports seemingly owned by Prigozhin.

Russian online newspapers Fontanka and Izvestia posted videos and photos of Prigozhins opulent mansion in Russias second-largest city that showed stacks of cash and gold bullion.

The images appeared to be part of the authorities efforts to denigrate Prigozhin, who has postured as an enemy of corrupt elites even though he has owed his wealth to Putin.

A photo hanging in the mansion showed a lineup of decapitated heads. In one published image, an oversized souvenir sledgehammer could also be seen with the inscription for important negotiations.

The sledgehammer has become a symbol of Wagner after reports its troops used the tool to beat defectors to death.

The Russian media also published a collection of selfies that showed him posing in various wigs, fake beards and foreign uniforms, an apparent reflection of Wagners deployments to Syria and several African countries.

Some say Prigozhin being in St Petersburg signals that Putins hold on power may not be as strong as it seems.

A former Russian official told The Guardian, It does not look like Prigozhin fears for his life. He does not act like a man on the run.

Glenn Carle, an ex-CIA spy who worked in Russia told Insider, The thought that immediately comes to mind is this is a sign of Putins weakness.

He added that this shows there are various factions that Putin has to placate and that Prigozhin has supporters within the power structure that Putin cant afford to cross.

Even though there is a law providing for 15 years in prison if you speak against the war if Prigozhin maintains his freedom, it would mean that an actual mutineer will have been allowed to go free, ex-CIA acting director John McLaughlin told the outlet.

Russian citizens are likely as confused as the rest of us about this, McLaughlin added. That cant be good for Putin.

It lends credence to the view that Putin has been weakened by all of this, Carle added. Maybe he clearly is stumbling.

Others say the Kremlin is trying to downplay Prigozhins importance to the public or even hurt his image.

Mark N Katz, George Mason university professor told Newsweek, Despite Peskovs statement to the contrary, I am sure that the Kremlin is quite capable of tracking Prigozhins movements and that it knows precisely where he is every minute of the day.

I think Peskov, and the Putin regime more broadly, is trying to signal that Prigozhin isnt so significant a threat anymore. Maybe next week, Peskov will start claiming that there really wasnt a mutiny at all and that statements about it are all Western propaganda.

They definitely have the capacity to surveil Prigozhin and theyre certainly doing it as he moves around both countries. Its a way of being dismissive of himhes old news, David Silbey, associate professor at Cornell, added.

The fascinating thing for me is that Prigozhin felt comfortable traveling back to Russia without, apparently, an overwhelming fear that he would be assassinated.

Asked if Prigozhin and his mercenaries would eventually move to Belarus, Lukashenko answered evasively that it would depend on the decisions of the Wagner chief and the Russian government.

The Belarusian leader said he doesnt think the mercenaries presence in his country would lead to its destabilization and said any Wagner troops there would be required to sign a contract with Belarusian authorities that would outline conditions and limitations of their actions.

Belarusian political analyst Valery Karbalevich argued, however, that Lukashenko could feel uneasy about Wagners presence on his turf. If this structure rebelled against its master once, it can do it again and again and march on Minsk instead of marching on Moscow, Karbalevich said.

The Belarusian president dismissed suggestions that the mercenaries could attack Ukraine from Belarusian territory, which Russian troops used as a staging ground ahead of their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moscow has also maintained a military presence in Belarus.

With inputs from agencies
Amarnath Yatra was suspended on Friday due to bad weather. The decision to temporarily put hold on the annual pilgrimage was taken by authorities after a spell of heavy rains in the region.

The yatra to the holy cave shrine will remain suspended till the weather improves.

Soon after the decision to halt the Amarnath Yatra was taken, pilgrims were restricted to move towards the holy cave from the base camps.

As per reports, more than 7,000 pilgrims have been halted at various bases camps including Pahalgam, Baltal and Nunwan due to bad weather.

The yatra has been suspended and no pilgrim is being allowed to move towards the holy cave shrine this morning, PTI quoted officials as saying.

Incessant heavy rains have been reported near the holy cave shrine.

The Amarnath Yatra this year began on 1 July.

The decision to suspend the yatra may have been taken after chaos and deaths of at least 16 people last year following the cloudburst in the region.

On Thursday, 17,202 pilgrims paid obeisance at the holy cave shrine, taking the cumulative total of devotees who have had darshan of the natural ice lingam formation in the south Kashmir Himalayas to 84,768 so far.

Every year a large number of devotees undertake the arduous annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine located in Kashmir Himalayas to pay obeisance to Holy Ice Shiv Lingam.

The Amarnath Yatra forms part of the Char Dham Yatra and it is facilitated under the surveillance of tight security.

Apart from the weather, the terrain in the route to the holy cave shrine makes the pilgrimage one of the most arduous ones.

With inputs from agencies
Hitting out at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that big panja has stood like a wall in front of Chhattisgarhs development as he inaugurated and laid foundation stones of eight projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore in state capital Raipur.

Addressing a Vijay Sankalp Maharally in Raipur, he said, A big panja (palm) has stood like a wall in front of the development of Chhattisgarh. This is the panja of Congress, which is snatching your rights from you. This panja has decided that it will loot and ruin Chhattisgarh.

Chhattisgarh | A big panja (palm) has stood like a wall in front of the development of Chhattisgarh. This is the panja of Congress, which is snatching your rights from you. This panja has decided that it will loot and ruin Chhattisgarh: PM Narendra Modi at Vijay Sankalp pic.twitter.com/aMz6vsai8z  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

During the event held at the Science College ground, PM Modi also virtually flagged off a new train between Antagarh in Kanker district of the state and Raipur.

He kickstarted the distribution of cards of the Centres Ayushman Bharat scheme to beneficiaries in the state.

VIDEO | PM Modi distributed 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. pic.twitter.com/FPgZSVHNC0  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 7, 2023

Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh are due by the end of this year.

PM Modi said the new projects will open up ample employment opportunities for the people of the state and ease their lives.

The projects will start a new journey of facilities and development in tribal-dominated areas, he said.

Central government is committed to create new opportunities in those regions that have natural resources. Steps taken by the government have strengthened industrialisation in Chhattisgarh, said the PM.

VIDEO | Central government is committed to create new opportunities in those regions that have natural resources. Steps taken by the government have strengthened industrialisation in Chhattisgarh, says PM Modi in Raipur. pic.twitter.com/wSLpsEMFR8  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 7, 2023

In the last nine years, the Centre sanctioned National Highway projects of 3,500 km length in Chhattisgarh, of which projects of 3,000 km length have been completed, he said.

We have been developing infrastructure in the areas which have been lagging in the race of development, the prime minister added.

Another benefit of infrastructure which is seldom discussed is that it is related to injustice, he said.

The Centre has been providing modern facilities to those who have been facing injustice and lack of facilities for the last several decades, the Prime Minister said.

He said that his party BJP has played a major role in the formation of Chhattisgarh.

Only BJP knows the needs of Chhattisgarh, and thats why the BJP government from Delhi is making all efforts for the rapid development of Chhattisgarh. Even today, projects worth more than Rs 7,000 crore have been inaugurated and the foundation stone has been laid for the development of this place, said the PM.

Chhattisgarh | BJP has played a major role in the formation of Chhattisgarh. Only BJP knows the needs of Chhattisgarh, and thats why the BJP govt from Delhi is making all efforts for the rapid development of Chhattisgarh. Even today, projects worth more than Rs 7,000 crore have pic.twitter.com/BpSBoEFLGn  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

At the event, the PM dedicated to the nation four-laning of the 33-km-long Raipur-Kodebod section of the National Highway 30, the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of NH-130.

He laid the foundation stone for construction of three sections (Jhanki-Sargi (43 km), Sargi Basanwahi (57 km) and Basanwahi-Marangpuri (25 km)) as a part of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor NH-130 CD.

He also dedicated to the nation the doubling of the 103-km-long Raipur-Khariar Road Rail Line, built at a cost of Rs 750 crore, a 17-km-long new railway line connecting Keoti-Antagarh, and a bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric ton per annum in Korba constructed at a cost of over Rs 130 crore.

With inputs from agencies
Soon after Gujarat High Court dismissed Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his remark on Modi surname, Congress said it would now move an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the high courts verdict.

There is one more option before us the Supreme Court. Lets see. The Congress party will seek that option too, AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said while addressing a party programe organised in Kozhikode district of northern Kerala.

The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhis plea, upholding the order of the lower court, describing it as just, proper and legal.

A stay of the conviction would have paved the way for Gandhis reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.

Also Read: Modi surname case: Gujarat HC rejects Rahul Gandhis plea on stay of conviction

On March 23, a metropolitan magistrates court in Surat sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

The MLA had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname? remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

With inputs from PTI
The defence ministry and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a Rs 458.87-crore contract on July 7 for the procurement of two Dornier aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard.

The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur and will significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance with the Make in India initiative of the government, the ministry as saying in a statement.

The defence ministry had sealed a deal with HAL to procure six Dornier aircraft at a cost of Rs 667 crore for the Indian Air Force in March this year.

The aircraft will be acquired under the buy (Indian) category and will be equipped with several advanced features, including a glass cockpit, maritime patrol radar, electrooptic infra-red device and mission management system, the statement said.

The Dornier-228 aircraft is a highly versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft. It has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of utility and commuter transport as well as for maritime surveillance.

The aircraft was used by IAF for route transport roles and communication duties. Subsequently, it has also been used for training transport pilots of the IAF.

The aircraft is ideally suited for short-haul operations from semi-prepared and short runways of the North East and island chains of India.
Nagalands Minister of Higher Education and Tourism, Temjen Imna Along, has indeed become a beloved figure on Twitter. He delights users with his fun posts showcasing the beauty of Nagaland. His content has been a visual treat for his followers, revealing the hidden gems of the state. In his most recent post, Imna Along decided to share glimpses of his workout session. He added a touch of humour in the caption that is sure to make you smile. The pictures showcase him engaging in various yoga poses during a yoga class.

On Thursday, Along took to Twitter and uploaded a series of images. True to his unique style, he approached the exercise with a sense of humor. Alongs caption read, From Samosa to Savasana! This isnt just yoga; its Yoga Ki Hera Pheri, Having My Anulom Vilom Moment.

The Twitter post quickly garnered over 3,700 likes, receiving the usual adoration from social media users. As of now, the post has been viewed by more than 2,000,000 people, with fans expressing their admiration for the ministers lighthearted approach.

One user commented, Always a Treat to watch you, this is too fun though Another person wrote, Keep it up sir.. we are looking forward to a transformation, Someone else expressed appreciation, stating, Its so good to see you taking care of ur health.

People found the post to be motivational. Many users are thanking the minister for promoting a healthy lifestyle, even amid busy work schedules.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself mentioned Temjen Imna Alongs social media activities during one of his speeches, highlighting the impact and reach of the Nagaland ministers online presence.

Earlier, Imna Along shared a similar post with a small group of individuals striking a yoga pose. Sharing his experience in the post, Imna Along humorously remarked, When you think to hit the dance floor & yoga hits you hard. Stretches be like Disco Deewane. Lets give a Shoutout, 65 Days left for International Day of Yoga!

When you think to hit the dance floor & yoga hits you hard  Stretches be like Disco Deewane  Lets give a Shoutout, 65 Days left for International Day of Yoga! pic.twitter.com/6rwQHNd6fr  Temjen Imna Along (@AlongImna) April 17, 2023

This tweet came with an image capturing the politician and a few others practicing yoga in an outdoor setting. In the photo, a prominent poster of PM Modi doing yoga was also visible in the background.
In a veiled attack on China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India is not an extractive economy and does not pursue narrow economic activities solely for its benefit in the resource-rich African continent.

Jaishankar emphasized Indias distinctive approach to economic engagement in Africa, indirectly referencing Chinas practices.

Addressing the Indian community here in Dar-es-Salaam city of Tanzania on Thursday after visiting Zanzibar, he acknowledged the significance of the African continents abundant resources.

However, he emphasized that Indias engagement in Africa extends beyond mere exploitation of resources. India seeks to establish long-term collaborations that encompass diverse sectors, such as trade, investments, technology transfer, capacity building, and cultural exchanges.

Had a lively interaction with members of the Indian community in Dar es Salaam. Stressed the importance of Mission IT (India & Tanzania). Highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially our deep links with East Africa; Heart of India and Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests, Jaishankar tweeted.

Recognised that the Indian community is an expression, contributor and force of this relationship; Explained how India and Tanzanias friendship is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian. Our water projects will benefit 8 million; With 750 slots annually, he tweeted.

Tanzania is Indias largest African partner in training and capacity building. The Indian community had historically been a source of strength for the relationship. As our ties expand, so will their role, he tweeted.

While addressing the community, he said, Today we want to see Africa grow. We want to see African economies grow. And our approach to Africa today is to trade more with Africa, invest in Africa, work with Africa, to create capacities in Africa, so that the rise of Africa also takes place as countries like India are rising in Asia.

We are not here as an extractive economy. We are not here in the manner in which a lot of other countries are there for very narrow economic objectives. For us, this is a broader, deeper partnership, Jaishankar said, in an apparent reference to Chinas forays, including those of its military, into Africa.

China established its first overseas military support base in Djibouti in Africa in 2015, as part of Beijings plan to project its military power beyond the Asia-Pacific. Chinese companies are also actively engaged in exploiting the regions precious mineral resources.

Jaishankar also added that today the world sees India as a contributor. World sees India, Indian companies, Indian technologies, Indian capacities as helping to create better lives for them.

He also said that he is here in Tanzania on an IT mission which is an India-Tanzania mission. The mission addresses some of the most important priorities of this country.

On trade, Jaishankar said that Our trade with Africa is USD 95 billion I can predict very confidently that will grow very rapidly in the community and they will grow rapidly in the coming decade for three reasons. One, the Indian economy, Indian businesses are going up more and more.

Thats one reason for demand in Africa. Now, it is up to us to meet that Africa will have a demand. We have to compete, you know, maybe theyll go to China, Europe or Turkey. But if Indian business is more and more competitive if people are willing to go out more and more, I think a large part of the demand will be met, he said.

Third is technology. Technology is driven in different ways. Automobiles could be healthy. It could be digital; I think that is what India can make. So politically, its so easy for us really to bond with African governments and believers. He also stressed that the Indian diaspora is a very unique bridge between India and Africa.

For us, the bridge that the Indian diaspora represents is something its a very unique bridge. Very few countries have such a bridge He also added that with 750 slots annually, Tanzania is Indias largest African partner in training and capacity building.

As I look across Africa, the largest capacity building and exchange programme we have with any country in Africa is actually with Tanzania, he said, adding, This year, we are giving to the Tanzanian government for their usage, 450 scholarships under Itech programme. This is our traditional exchange programme, 240 slots for defence training, and under the education exchanges, 70 scholarships, he said.

He also asked members of the Indian community living in Tanzania, working in Tanzania or visiting Tanzania, to be proud as the friendship between the two countries is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian.

We would actually be bringing drinking water to 8 million people. So, for all of you as members of the Indian community living in Tanzania working in Tanzania, visiting Tanzania, I think you can hold your head high that our friendship, our relationship, our partnership today will make a difference, he added.

I went to a place called Kidutani in Zanzibar, where there is a water project. And this water project, whenit is completed, will provide drinking water to eight million people, he said.

On Thursday, the minister attended a deck reception hosted onboard INS Trishul with Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi. Tanzania also witnessed the signing of the agreement on setting up of IIT Madras Zanzibar campus.

During the event, Jaishankar said that it was a great privilege to share with Zanzibar Indias experiences in the field of water development. Its been a very big challenge for us. Today, one of our key development programmes has been the Jal Jeevan mission its a massive pan-Indian project and for us what we are doing with you is a natural extrapolation of what we are doing in India, and we are very privileged to partner with you in that, Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar also visited Stone Town in Zanzibar and experienced its distinctive Gujarat connection. Blessed to visit the Arya Samaj and Shri Shiv Shakti mandirs there. This time-tested confluence of Africa and India is emerging as a statement of our contemporary partnership, he tweeted.

With inputs from PTI
The Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh is known as the worlds largest cremation ground, and holds religious significance to Hindus. The Ghat is now set to undergo a significant transformation. As part of the redevelopment plan, the state government will establish environmentally friendly crematoriums, known as greenatoriums, at the historic Manikarnika Ghat. These greenatoriums will utilise eco-friendly methods for the cremation process, combining electric heaters and wood pyres within specially designed chambers.

In addition to the greenatoriums, the shamshan bhoomi at the ghat will also be revamped, and similar redevelopment plans are in progress for the Harischandra Ghat.

The innovative greenatoriums will use electric heaters within an enclosed cabinet to facilitate the cremation process while minimizing the release of harmful gases into the environment. By adopting this eco-friendly approach, the use of wood during cremation will be reduced by up to 80 per cent, resulting in cost savings.

According to a report by News18, the Uttar Pradesh government has enlisted the services of Planner India, a private firm, to oversee the implementation of the Manikarnika Ghat redevelopment project.

Planner India will be responsible for the establishment of a wood plaza, a visitor shelter, and the addition of 18 more cremation chambers across three platforms at the ghat. These improvements aim to enhance convenience for visitors during the cremation process.

On Friday, 7 July, PM Modi will visit UP and lay the foundation stone for various projects, including the redevelopment of the Manikarnika Ghat.

Among the other projects to be inaugurated in his home constituency of Varanasi, worth a total of Rs 12,000 crore, are the construction of 18 PWD roads, an international hostel building for girls at Banaras Hindu University, and the Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology at Karsara village.

With inputs from agencies
Indian Railways has completed around 95 per cent of work on the Katra-Banihal route, paving the way to connect the Kashmir valley to the rest of the country, Northern Railways said on Friday.

The Northern Railways issued the statement after the zones General Manager Shobhan Chaudhuri carried out an inspection of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project.

Out of the 272 km USBRL project, 161 km of Railway track has already been commissioned. On the remaining 111 km long Katra-Banihal section, the ongoing work is completed up to 95%Work on the remaining portion is in full swing. Every day, Indian Railway is edging closer to connecting Kashmir Valley to the rest of the Railway network, News 18 quoted a statement issued by railways.

With the aim of connecting the Kashmir region with the rest of the country, the Rail Link project is undertaken by the Indian Railways for the construction of a broad-gauge railway line through the Himalayas.

Chaudhuri commenced his inspection from Katra onwards by motor trolley up to tunnel T1. He directed all officers and staff to work in earnest ensuring all safety precautions and completing the work of the T1 tunnel, which is negotiating the most challenging geology of the Himalayas, the statement added.

He also conducted inspections of the Anji Bridge and Chenab Bridge. Anji Khad Bridge is the first and only cable-stayed rail bridge in the country.

He took a motor trolley inspection from Chenab Bridge to Dugga station. This project was sanctioned in 1994-95 and its anticipated cost was Rs 37,012 crore, against which an expenditure of Rs 26,786 crore has been incurred up to March 2022.

This rail section is the only non-functional one in the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link project. The section has 35 tunnels and 37 bridges.

The Northern Railway in April this year achieved yet another major milestone by breaking through the T-14 tunnel between Sangaldan and Sawalkote stations on the 111-km under-construction Banihal-Katra railway link in Jammu and Kashmir.

In December last year, a major milestone was achieved by executing the breakthrough of Escape Tunnel T-49 between Sumber and Khari Stations on the KatraBanihal section of the USBRL project.

The length of the escape tunnel is 12.895 km. This is the longest escape tunnel in India and the line and level of the tunnel are precisely achieved during the breakthrough of the Escape Tunnel.
The order is just, proper and legal, said the Gujarat High Court on Friday as it rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his remark on Modi surname.

The high courts verdict comes as a major setback for Gandhi, as he will now remain disqualified as the Member of Parliament (MP). A stay on his conviction would have paved the way for his reinstatement as MP.

The bench of Justice Hemant Prachchhak reserved order on Gandhis plea on May 2.

The criminal defamation case was filed over a remark made by Gandhi, a former MP, during the 2019 Lok Sabha campaign at Kolar in Karnataka.

Referring to people like Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, Gandhi had asked why all thieves have the same surname?.

What can Rahul Gandhi do now?

Gandhi can now take his appeal to a larger bench of Gujarat High Court and finally to the Supreme Court.

During the hearing, Gandhis lawyer had argued that punishment of two years for a bailable, non-cognisable offence meant his client could lose his Lok Sabha seat permanently and irreversibly, which was a very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents.

Who had filed defamation case against Rahul Gandhi?

BJP MLA and former Gujarat minister Purnesh Modi had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi, alleging that the latters comment defamed the entire Modi community,

The Congress leader has maintained that there was no malafide intention on his part when he made the statement in question.

Also Read: Setback for Rahul Gandhi in Modi surname case: The defamation suit explained

Gandhi was convicted on March 23, 2023, by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat, which sentenced him to two years imprisonment.

Following the courts verdict, Gandhi was disqualified as a member of Lok Sabha.

Gandhis sentence was, however, suspended on March 23 and he was also granted bail on the same day to enable him to move an appeal against his conviction within 30 days.

Gandhi approached the Surat Sessions Court on April 3, assailing his conviction and further seeking a stay on his conviction, which was rejected on April 20.

However, Surat Sessions Court on April 3 granted bail to Gandhi till the disposal of his appeal.

With inputs from agencies
A national Sikh conclave held on Friday decided to form an 11-member committee to confer with the government on the Uniform Civil Code to ensure the communitys rights and practices are not tinkered with, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) office-bearers said.

DSGMC held a meeting of Sikh intellectuals from across the country to deliberate upon Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and decided to form 11 member panel to prepare the draft of demands and objections of the Sikh community about UCC.

Addressing the media DSGMC President Harmit Singh Kalka and General Secretary Jagdip Singh Kahlon said that the draft of the UCC is yet to be released by the Central government so there could not be a decision whether to support or oppose it.

A DSGMC statement quoted Kalka as saying that the conclave decided that it was wrong to oppose UCC without seeing the draft document.

An 11-member committee has been formed to hold discussions with the Union government to ensure that the rights and religious practices of the Sikhs are not tinkered with, Kalka told a press conference after the conclave at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib.

After a draft of UCC is put in the public domain, the committee will study it and compile the demands and objections of the Sikhs. A delegation led by DSGMC will then meet the law minister and apprise him of the general opinion of the Sikh community over the issue, the statement said.

Kalka and DSGMC general secretary Jagdip Singh Kahlon said the DSGMC will not accept any political compulsions imposed on it.

The draft of UCC must come out first for DSGMC to take a stand on it, they said, adding the conclave also decided to take up with the government issues concerning the Sikhs, apart from UCC, and work towards their resolution.

People from the Sikh community, including former judges and bureaucrats from 13 states, participated in the conclave.
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Friday expressed strong disapproval of US ambassador to India Eric Garcettis comments on Manipur and said he doubts if the new American envoy is cognisant of the torturous history of bilateral ties and Indias sensitivity about interference, perceived or real, in its internal affairs.

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on Thursday, Garcetti said, I dont think its about strategic concerns, its about human concerns. You dont have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence. We know peace as a precedent for so many good things.

#WATCH | US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti speaks on Manipur violence, says, I dont think its about strategic concerns, its about human concerns. You dont have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence. We know peace as a precedent pic.twitter.com/4ZniEo6Opz  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

He said there has been so much progress in the Northeast and the East and the US is ready to assist in way if asked.

We know its an Indian matter and we pray for that peace and that it may come quickly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place, the ambassador added.

Reacting to the remarks, Tewari said on Twitter, To the best of my recollection going back at least four decades in public life, I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India.

We faced challenges in Punjab, J-K , northeast over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity and wisdom, the former Union minister said.

To the best of my recollection going back atleast 4 decades in Public life I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India. We faced Challenges in Punjab, J&K , North East over the decades and surmounted those with pic.twitter.com/fW58ZiShCA  Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) July 7, 2023

Even when Robin Raphel would be loquacious on Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s, US ambassadors in India were circumspect, he said.

Raphel is a former US diplomat who looked after south and central Asian affairs.

I doubt if the new @USAmbIndia @ericgarcetti is cognisant of the convoluted and torturous history of US-India relations and our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs, the Congress MP from Punjab said.

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed latched onto the US ambassadors remarks to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

US ambassador Eric Garcetti on Manipur violence  Its about human concerns. You dont have to be Indian to care when children or individuals die in this violence. Sadly, @narendramodi doesnt seem to have any human concerns, because he hasnt mentioned Manipur even once! she said on Twitter.

US ambassador Eric Garcetti on Manipur violence- Its about human concerns. You dont have to be Indian to care when children or individuals die in this violence Sadly, @narendramodi doesnt seem to have any human concerns, because he hasnt mentioned Manipur even once!  Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) July 7, 2023

More than 100 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 when a Tribal Solidarity March was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Around 40,000 central security personnel, besides the Manipur Police, have been deployed to control the violence and bring back normality in the state.

With inputs from agencies
A lot of debates have, of late, been going on all over the internet about safety concerns related to owning dogs in residential buildings and societies. From videos of pet dogs attacking residents to people maltreating the animals in the name of taking precaution, a lot of shocking videos went viral recently. The latest such video features a heated argument between a dog owner and a couple. It has drawn divided reactions from people. The residents were seen arguing over putting a muzzle on the dog to avert any sort of accident inside the buildings lift.

As the video plays, the dog owner can be seen holding onto her dogs leash as she stood inside the lift. A couple who seemingly wanted to take the lift was seen disturbed by the dogs muzzle being taken off as they repeatedly asked the woman to put it on, fearing that the dog might bite the pregnant resident.

However, it was the unapologetic behaviour of the dog owner that got them irked as the woman refused to put the muzzle on. Being completely ignorant of the residents repeated requests, the woman went on to say, Aap jaise logon ko hi kutte kaatte hai (Dogs only bite people like you).

Frustrated by her reaction, as the man expressed irritation towards her, the woman retorted by passing a snide comment on his wife and said, I am much better than your wife.

Watch:

Tumhari Beewi se to behtar hi hu mai This is the clincher line. Its as if she tells the husband Cmon you also know that  pic.twitter.com/9rYFgUfxyD  Gabbar (@GabbbarSingh) July 7, 2023

As soon as the video went viral, social media users took to the comment section and added divided reactions. A user jokingly wrote, And doggie is desperately trying to tell them Boss this is not a mask, ye Meri shopping basket hai hum shopping karne jaa rahe hain, aap faltu mein lad rahe ho! Another one said, I can literally predict a awkward silence from the husbands as if grudgingly admitting it. And the wife looks at the hubby. Perfect advert.

If people are so interested in keeping dogs then they should follow the rules . Why do they get so agitated when people tell them to control their pets, a third user commented. Many also pointed out how the dog was the calmest among all of them.
US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Friday hoped that peace comes quickly to strife-torn Manipur and said that it isnt a matter of strategic but human concerns.

Nearly 120 people have died and more than 3,000 injured in the ethnic violence in Manipur since 3 May.

Addressing the reporters on Friday, he said, I dont think its about strategic concerns, its about human concerns. You dont have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence. We know peace as a precedent for so many good things.

He said there has been so much progress in the Northeast and the East and the US is ready to assist in way if asked.

We know its an Indian matter and we pray for that peace and that it may come quickly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place, the ambassador added.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Thursday targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on Manipur violence and said his behaviour is shockingly bizarre as he has neither issued an appeal for peace nor an expression of pain.

Congress general secretary, communications, Jairam Ramesh said that PM Modi has not said a single word on Manipur violence even after 66 days.

the Prime Minister is visiting Chhattisgarh and UP tomorrow. Day after he will be in Telangana and Rajasthan. More photo-ops. More distorted facts. More insults aimed at the Opposition. More self-glorification. But not a word on Manipur even after 66 days. Not an iota of expression of pain, grief and anguish. No appeal for peace, harmony and reconciliation. His behaviour on Manipur is shockingly bizarre, Ramesh tweeted on Thursday.

With inputs from agencies
Indias National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval will meet his UK counterpart Tim Barrow on Friday and raise the issue of increase in activities by Khalistani terrorists.

Both the leaders will meet in New Delhi and discuss host of several other bilateral issues.

Doval to meet UK counterpart

Fridays meeting between Doval and Barrow will be the second this year. They had an informal meeting on March 30.

The high-profile meeting on Friday comes after the death of Avtar Singh Khanda  UK-based chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and alleged handler of separatist Amritpal Singh  who died on June 15 under mysterious circumstances in a hospital in Birmingham.

Attack on Indian High Commission in London

Also the meeting between both the leaders will take place after March 19 attacks and protests at Indian High Commission in London.

In March, a pro-Khalistan protestor climbed on the balcony of the Indian High Commission in London and had pulled down the Indian national flag. India had registered a strong protest over the matter and urged the UK authorities to take appropriate action against those involved.

Threat issued by Khalistanis to be discussed

During his meeting with Barrow, Doval will raise the issue of Indian diplomats  including high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and a consul general  being targeted by Khalistan extremists in posters announcing a protest rally to the Indian high commission in London on July 8.

Doval has been in constant contact with Barrow over the rise of Khalistan extremism in UK and has also highlight its impact on the bilateral ties.

India has serious concerns over the British core establishment ostensibly soft-pedaling the (Khalistani) issue, a report by Hindustan Times quoted people aware of Doval-Barrows meeting as saying.

After the March 19 attack, the Delhi Police registered a FIR over a crime committed in UK and later, the case was later handed over to NIA.

Khanda, Gursharan Singh and Jasvir Singh were named by the Delhi Police special cell as the main perpetrators of attacks and protests in the Indian consulate in the London incident. The NIA too identified about a dozen suspects behind the flag-desecration in UK, the report quoted senior officials as saying.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Chhattisgarhs capital Raipur on Friday to inaugurate and lay the foundation stones of over ten projects worth Rs 7,600 crore.

This will be PM Modis first visit to the Congress-ruled state ahead of the Assembly elections which are slated to be held by the end of this year.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Chhattisgarh believe that Modis visit will energise the party workers, who are gearing up for the polls in the state.

In 2018, BJP lost the state to Congress for the first time in 18 years.

PM Modi will attend the inauguration ceremony at the Science College in Raipur. He will inaugurate the four-laning of the 33-km-long Raipur-Kodebod section of the National Highway 30, the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of NH-130, and lay the foundation stone for the construction of the three sections (Jhanki- Sargi (43 km), Sargi Basanwahi (57 km) and Basanwahi-Marangpuri (25 km)) as a part of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor NH-130 CD.

Apart from this, the prime minister will also distribute 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and flag off a new train from Antagarh (Kanker district) to Raipur, officials said. Here PM Modi will address a public event.

With inputs from PTI
Hitting out at previous governments over policies, Prime Minister Narendra on Friday said that previous governments came up with their welfare schemes sitting in air-conditioned rooms without seeing their impact on the ground.

Addressing a public rally in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, he called the beneficiaries of welfare projects today examples of real secularism and social justice.

Previous governments made their schemes sitting in air-conditioned rooms, never saw ground realities, but now the BJP government has started a dialogue with the beneficiaries, Modi said.

And its effect is that both the benefit and the feedback of the schemes are direct, he added.

Varanasi was the second stop on his Uttar Pradesh trip.

Delighted to be among the wonderful people of Kashi. Speaking at launch of development works aimed at enhancing 'Ease of Living'. https://t.co/Y25dJKsRLD  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2023

Earlier, in Gorakhpur, he addressed the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press. He also launched two new Vande Bharat Express trains from the Gorakhpur railway station.

In both cities, he unveiled several development projects. In Varanasi, Modi inaugurated or laid the foundation stone for 29 development projects worth Rs 12,100 crores.

He launched the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction-Son Nagar railway line of the Dedicated Freight Corridor. Built at a cost of more than Rs 6,760 crore, the new line will facilitate faster and more efficient movement of goods.

Modi also laid the foundation stones or inaugurated several other projects for Varanasi and adjoining districts.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present during the programme.
The BJP on Friday said that Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the OBC community after the Gujarat High Court dismissed his plea seeking stay on his conviction in the Modi surname defamation case.

Congress party and Rahul Gandhi received a shock once again today. After Sessions Court, Gujarat High Court also showed them a mirror, said BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla.

#WATCH | BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla says, Congress party and Rahul Gandhi received a shock once again today. After Sessions Court, Gujarat High Court also showed them a mirror. They insult the OBC community and then instead of apologising, they act out of arroganceRahul pic.twitter.com/P5OYVUzpiv  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

He said that the Congress and Rahul Gandhi act out of arrogance and instead of apologising insult the OBC community.

Rahul Gandhi should apologise to the OBC community but instead of that, either his party workers threaten the judge or Congress party questions the judiciary, said the BJP leader.

While dismissing Rahul Gandhis plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi was already facing 10 criminal cases across India, adding that the order of the lower court was just, proper and legal in handing over a two year jail term to Gandhi for his remarks.

There was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction, the high court said.

After the verdict, the Congress party said it would challenge the high court order in the Supreme Court.

A stay on Gandhis conviction in the case would have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.

He (Gandhi) was trying to stay the conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that staying of conviction is not a rule, but an exception, resorted only in rare cases. Disqualification is not only limited to MP, MLAs. Moreover, as many as 10 criminal cases are pending against the applicant, the High Court said.

After this complaint, another complaint was filed in a court in Pune by the grandson of Veer Savarkar for Gandhis defamatory utterance against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. Another complaint against him was filed in the concerned court of Lucknow, it said.

In this backdrop, refusal of stay on conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant, the judge said.

Impugned order passed by the appellate court is just, proper and legal, and does not call for any interference. However, it is hereby requested by the concerned learned district judge to decide the criminal appeal on its own merits and in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible.

In view of the above, the present criminal revision application deserved to be dismissed and accordingly it is dismissed, the judge while reading the order.

While noting that there was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction at this stage, Justice Prachchhak also directed the district and sessions court of Surat to hear Gandhis appeal against the conviction as expeditiously as possible.

Unhappy with the high courts verdict, Congress Legislative Party leader in Gujarat Assembly, Amit Chavda, told reporters that the party will challenge the high court order in the apex court.

A metropolitan magistrates court in Surat on 23 March sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

With inputs from agencies
An alleged drunk woman ran over her speeding BMW on a Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) employee coming on a motorcycle from the opposite direction in the Banjara Hills area of Hyderabad, police said.

The CCTV video of the incident, which has now gone viral, shows the civic body employee slowing down his two-wheeler and seeing an SUV coming at full speed from the opposite direction. The BMW then is seen hitting the bike with great intensity.

#WATCH | Telangana | Hit and run incident reported in Banjara Hills PS limits in Hyderabad. A GHMC employee namely Bala Chander Yadavs two-wheeler was rammed by a speeding BMW car today in Banjara Hills police station limits. The accident happened after the driver lost control pic.twitter.com/vbOobHGjtj  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

According to a report by FPJ, the BMW car with the registration number TS09EJ5688 left the GHMC employee namely Bala Chander Yadav seriously injured.

The police station in Hyderabads Banjara Hills has reported a hit-and-run case against the woman on the wheels during the accident.

The accident happened after the driver lost control of the wheel. The car has been identified and the accused is yet to be caught. Further details awaited, news agency ANI quoted Inspector Banjara Hills Narender as saying.

With inputs from agencies
A little-noticed diplomatic endeavour took place last week when Enrique A Manalo, the secretary of foreign affairs of the Philippines, who was on a three-day visit to India from 27-30 June, met external affairs minister S Jaishankar to co-chair the 5th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in New Delhi on Thursday. Quite often, significant policy shifts are hidden behind little nudges, boring diplomatese and quiet asides.

What emerged from the joint statement issued by India and the Philippines, and other engagements by the Filipino foreign secretary during his stay, was a series of important signals that underline the challenge posed by China as an expansionist military power, and how the countries around it are grappling with and countering Beijings malevolent attempts to carve out a unipolar Asia.

Hidden in the joint statement that focused on drawing India and the Philippines closer over a range of domains including maritime, defence and development cooperation, tourism, civil aviation, agriculture, financial technology, cooperation in the areas of space, science, technology and other sectors, was an innocuous paragraph under regional and multilateral issues that stated: EAM (Jaishankar) and SFA (Manalo) underlined that both countries have a shared interest in a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. They underlined the need for peaceful settlement of disputes and for adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea in this regard.

This is the first time India has explicitly called for Chinas adherence to the 2016 Arbitral Award by an international court under UNCLOS that had dismissed Chinas so-called nine-dash line  a figment of CCPs imagination through which Beijing claims the resource-rich South China Sea almost in entirety  and supported the Philippiness position on the territorial dispute. Beijing had refused to accept the ruling and termed it null and void. The ruling has had no effect as China continues to badger smaller neighbours into acquiescing to its revanchist demands.

In 2016, India had merely noted the arbitration ruling in a cautious statement. In subsequent years, through several statements, India has remained committed to a free, open and rules-based order, and promoted the inviolability of UNCLOS. This time, however, India has deviated from generic statements to take a principled position on the 2016 Arbitral Award that had found Chinas acts and claims on South China Sea unlawful. This is India directly telling China to back off.

For a country that religiously adheres to strategic ambiguity, this perceptible reversal of position and unequivocal statement in favour of the Philippines is worth noting. More interestingly, as reported by some media outlets, this evolution of Indias stance came at the Philippiness insistence. Therein hangs a tale.

Indias shift in position is linked to the Sino-Indian border dispute and its incremental hardening of stance against China, whom New Delhi accuses of trying to unilaterally change the status quo at the LAC. India is sending a signal to China that unless it honours the agreements signed between both sides and status quo is restored, bilateral relationship will get increasingly jeopardised.

The evolution of the Philippines stance against China, however, is sharper, starker, and demands greater attention. To begin, we must note the steady strengthening of security ties between India and the Philippines that found expression in the joint statement on maritime and defence cooperation. It talks about expansion of training and joint exercises on maritime security, consideration of Indias offer for concessional Line of Credit to meet Philippines defense requirements, enhanced maritime cooperation between the respective coast guards as well as acquisition of naval assets.

If the hint is that the Philippines is tying its mast to Chinas greatest rival in Asia, it was confirmed by foreign secretary Manalo during a lecture on The Journey of Philippines-India Cooperation at the ICWA where he said that the Philippines wants a very robust defence partnership with India, and it is one of the brighter aspects of our mutual relationship. The South-East Asian nation, of course, has entered into a deal with India to purchase three batteries of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles at a cost of $375 million in a government-to-government deal and Filipino personnel have completed operator training for deploying the system.

Yet, more than defence hardware acquisitions, it is the changed attitude of the Philippines  a country that once sought to woo China at the cost of its treaty alliance with the United States  that is worth noting. At the programme, Manalo called aggressive manoeuvring by Chinas maritime militias and attempted reclamation of territories within the Philippiness exclusive economic zones (EEZs) on South China Sea as a major challenge and said his country has repeatedly challenged Chinese presence in Filipino EEZs and will continue to do so.

Manalo did insist that differences are not the sum total of the bilateral relationship with China with whom the Philippines enjoys deep economic and cultural links, similar to any ASEAN nation that tries to thread this needle, but Philippiness growing hardline approach towards China under president Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr and firm pivot towards the US, its allies and partners is evident.

What caused the Philippines, that under former president Rodrigo Duterte had been embracing China, appeared ready to give up sovereign rights in territorial disputes and bandwagon with Beijing in lieu of investment, to suddenly turn a leaf, repair ties with Washington, give the US more access to Filipino military bases and play hardball with Beijing? To seek an answer to this question, we need to go back several years to 2016 when Duterte took office shortly after the Philippines won the landmark ruling in an international arbitration court in The Hague.

Dutertes foreign policy legacy rested on two pillars. One was distancing itself from Washington, a treaty ally, towards whom Dutertes hatred was subjective, ideological and shaped by anti-colonial framework. Duterte resented Americas colonial legacy, begrudged Washingtons criticism of his infamous drug war and penchant for sermonizing and early on in his tenure declared separation from the US and took the South-East Asian nation almost to the point of a formal divorce.

In one infamous rant in 2016 during a visit to Beijing, Duterte had called Americans a discourteous people and said, Duterte of the Philippines is veering towards China because China has the character of an Oriental. It does not go around insulting people.

As a report in Lowy Institutes The Interpreter points out, under Dutertes predecessor  the late president Benigno Aquino III, who took China to court over the South China Sea claims  Chinese funding was largely inaccessible. So, to woo China, Duterte needed to stage a loud, scandalous divorce drama with the United States. He pursued this by cursing former US president Barack Obama over his comments on Dutertes harsh anti-drugs campaign, and repeatedly threatening to terminate and eventually abrogate the Visiting Forces Agreement.

The second pillar of Dutertes foreign policy was a conciliatory stance towards China, downplaying Chinas all-encompassing sovereignty claims over almost the entire South China Sea in pursuit of investment funds for his Build, Build, Build programme. The trouble is that despite his all-out wooing of Beijing, all Duterte had to show towards the end of his tenure were more promises than projects. His pivot to China failed to deliver the huge infrastructure investments he had bargained for. Only a fraction of its pledged $24 billion in investments came to fruition.

Meanwhile, there was no let up on Chinas intimidatory tactics in the South China Sea. Beijing rapidly expanded its maritime militia and deployed hundreds of these so-called fishing trawlers to dominate the Philippines-claimed Spratly Islands, regularly harassing Filipino fishermen and anchoring at Whitsun Reef  bang within the Philippiness EEZ.

When Bongbong Marcos came to power in 2022, he was faced with a barrage of these coercive tactics by the Peoples Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM) that targeted local fishermen in and around Filipino-occupied shoals such as Second Thomas Shoal that lies within the Philippiness EEZs, harried the Filipino Navy and completed an unprecedented military buildup by fully militarizing three artificial islands on the South China Sea.

Marcos adopted a more assertive approach towards Beijings strong-arm tactics. The Filipino president was helped by the fact that the US had taken a lenient view of Philippiness compulsions, and while Duterte had felt betrayed by Beijing, Washington kept cool and poured resources when Marcos came to power.

The Marcos strategy wasnt a mere reversal of Dutertes moves, though that was undoubtedly one aspect. He cozied up to Washington, reaffirmed ironclad alliance with the US, and gave US military four more access points to Filipino military bases close to Taiwan and South China Sea  allowing Washington staging of troops near critical chokepoints and revived joint military exercises such as Balikatan (shoulder-to-shoulder) that was suspended by the Duterte regime. The Balikatan drill, watched publicly by president Marcos, involved an estimated 17,600 troops conducting live-fire drills and fighter jets targeting a mock enemy warship on South China Sea  a decommissioned Filipino warship off the island of Luzon  only 280 miles from Taiwan, infuriating Beijing.

The US and Philippines air forces also resurrected the Cope Thunder Exercise after 33 years where US fifth-generation fighter jets took part, and Marcos vowed not to abandon even one square inch of Philippine territory to any foreign power.

Yet there are more aspects to Marcoss strategy of countering Beijings aggression on South China Sea, and it involves greater documentation and publicization of its atrocities and gray zone tactics. For instance, a Filipino coast guard ship took a group of journalists to patrolling activities in the disputed areas of South China Sea in April this year where the media witnessed, first hand, the dangerous manoeuvres by much larger Chinese coast guard ships that blocked the Filipino vessels from conducting their missions and almost forced a collision.

The incident drew international opprobrium. A similar incident took place in February this year when Chinese maritime militia aimed a military-grade laser at a Filipino vessel, temporarily causing blindness among two crew members of one of Manilas vessels, causing the Filipino president to summon the Chinese envoy.

Another incident was reported by Manila this Friday when the Chinese coast guard reportedly harassed, obstructed and subjected Filipino vessels to dangerous manoeuvres on June 30 during a naval operation. The crux of Marcoss strategy, faced with a far more powerful military, is to meticulously document and publicize Chinas bullying behaviour on the South China Sea (by releasing unedited videos of face-offs on high seas) and create a deterrence strategy, shaping public opinion, putting China under global pressure, forcing it to either lie or deny and countering its propaganda.

As a Filipino coast guard commander was quoted, as saying by Associated Press on this strategy, the best way to address Chinese gray zone activities in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) is to expose it (it) allows like-minded states to express condemnation and reproach which puts Beijing in a spotlight Chinese actions in the shadows are now checked, which also forced them to come out in the open or to publicly lie.

It becomes clear why the Philippines insisted on India upgrading its stance on the Arbitral Award that builds a chorus of support in favour of the beleaguered South East Asian nation and uncovers the forked tongue strategy of Beijing. One of the CCPs core adversarial strategies in achieving its objectives is to win without fighting. That seems to be getting increasingly harder for Beijing.

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Dehradun: Over half a dozen villages in the Chinyalisaur block of Uttarkashi district are reeling under the fear of a man-eating leopard for the past one and a half months. The feline has created terror in the area by killing two women and injuring two others, instilling panic among the villagers.

The presence of a man-eating leopard has profoundly impacted the social and economic fabric of the villagers, as evidenced by the current situation in Mani, Bhadkot, Tulyada, Anol, Baadshai, and Malli Badan villages. Following the harrowing mauling of 45-year-old Bhagrithi Devi by the leopard in Bhadkot village on 16 June, an atmosphere akin to a curfew has gripped the region. Fear has enveloped the minds of children, dissuading them from attending school, while farmers venture out to the fields in groups for safety. Women from the village cautiously gather fodder from nearby areas, avoiding any foray into the forest. Even the slightest hint of movement startles the locals, leaving them on edge.

Shivraj Singh Bisht, Pradhan of Bhadkot village, rues, The villagers are afraid of going to their agriculture fields. Their livelihood depends on agriculture and animal husbandry. The work remains badly affected as the locals are living in great fear and not even going to the forest to collect fodder.

In response to the lurking danger posed by the man-eating leopard, the villagers have been compelled to alter their daily routines. They now venture into their agricultural fields later in the day and return home early, significantly reducing the time dedicated to farming activities. Despite being aware of the adverse impact on their production, the locals find themselves with limited options, as risking their lives is out of the question. In several regions of the Chinyalisaur block, paddy transplantation work has been completed, but the crucial task of de-weeding the Koda (rice grass) and Jhangora (Indian barnyard millet) fields has suffered immensely due to the presence of this formidable feline in various areas. The de-weeding from Koda (rice grass) and Jhangora (Indian barnyard millet) fields have suffered badly due to the dangerous feline active in different areas.

After the Bhadkot village incident, the local people lost their patience. Following the unsettling incident in Bhadkot village, the patience of the local community wore thin. A team from the forest department arrived at the affected area, only to be confronted by the intense anger of the villagers. The prevailing sentiment among the villagers compelled the Uttarakhand forest department to officially classify the leopard as a man-eater, leading to the deployment of a specialized team of shooters.

Divisional Forest Officer (Uttarkashi) Devi Prasad Balooni says, Two Rapid Response Teams are patrolling in the affected area. We are closely monitoring the situation.

The leopard came into the limelight by killing Sunita Devi (32) in the village of Mani on 13 May. The feline killed Bhagirathi Devi (45) at Bhadkot on 16 June affecting everyday life in many villages of Chinyalisaur block in Uttarkashi. Bhadkot is a big village with a population of about a thousand people, with about 150 houses.

Reports of leopard sightings are recorded from different areas. With the villagers actively using social media, the news about the new sighting instantly spreads in the affected areas. This too has forced the locals to maintain extra security and remain in safer locations.

Pramod Rawat, a resident of Anol, says, My village is close to Bhadkot and we are receiving reports of leopard sightings regularly. Those who can afford, are sending their children to school on a vehicle to Chinyalisaur. Many are not sending their kids to school due to the grave situation. The parents of the students, who undertake a walk to reach their schools, remain anxious till their ward returns home.

As the villages see any leopard they rush to safer locations and alert others. This has become routine in many affected villages. Rajveer Tamta, a resident of Baadshai village says, The villagers are leading a miserable life. We hear the leopards roar from the area near Pani Khala on a regular interval. We dont know when things will turn normal.

The enduring issue of man-animal conflict in Uttarakhand paints a distressing picture, as indicated by the data compiled by the state forest department. Among all instances of man-animal conflicts, leopards have emerged as a significant contributor. Over the past 23 years, from 2000 to 16th June 2023, more than 500 individuals have tragically lost their lives as a result of leopard attacks in Uttarakhand. Additionally, during the same period, another 1,834 people suffered grave injuries due to encounters with leopards.

According to the Uttarakhand forest departments wildlife census (2008), there are a total of 2,335 leopards in Uttarakhand  593 in the protected area and 1,742 others outside the protected area. But, field staff of the forest department feel that the number of leopards is much higher in the state.

Whenever any man-eater becomes active the forest department deploys specialized shooters. However, the National Tiger Conservation Authority has recently revised its regulations, implementing stringent guidelines. These updated norms restrict the execution of operations to eliminate man-eaters solely to authorized personnel from the forest department and government servants.

Renowned shooter Joy Hukil, who has shot down 44 man-eater leopards, says, The scene is alarming. In simple words I can say that there is room for two and one dozen are there.

In 2018, the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Wildlife Institute of India released a report  Status of leopards, co-predators, and megaherbivores in India. The study places Uttarakhand in the fifth spot in the leopard population in India. Madhya Pradesh leads the table with 3,421 leopards, followed by Maharashtra with 1,690, Tamil Nadu with 868, Chhattisgarh with 852 and Uttarakhand with 839 leopards. The data of the state forest department and NTCA vary as the census was conducted in protected areas only.

Making a note on Uttarakhand, the leopard statues report states, A total of 10 sites were camera trapped in Uttarakhand that yielded 2,594 photo captures of 517 leopard individuals. As mentioned earlier, we only report leopard numbers from potential tiger habitats in the state. The leopard population of the state was 839.

Despite the absence of a comprehensive statewide study on leopards, reports of human casualties and injuries resulting from leopard attacks consistently grab newspaper headlines. Individuals residing beyond the confines of protected areas find themselves grappling with the relentless and dangerous man-animal conflict, endangering their lives.

On the reasons for the growing man-leopard conflict, shooter Lakhapat Rawat, who has killed 53 man-eater leopards and two tigers, says, The population of leopards have increased manifold and there is the reduction in their prey base. We have even witnessed leopards living in a group like lions. This is a dangerous trend. Mass migration hits most villages, and the abandoned houses provide safe dwelling/hiding places for the leopards.

In the hill state, numerous individuals have tragically perished or suffered severe injuries due to leopard attacks. The alarming situation has instilled fear among the locals, who directly attribute it to the conservation practices that prioritise preserving the species without embracing the concept, prevalent in Western countries, of maintaining a sustainable population.

In various countries such as Sweden, Finland, and Norway, the culling of wolves is being practised as a means to manage their population and mitigate the conflicts between humans and animals. Unfortunately, villages bear significant losses in the ongoing man-animal conflicts. To address this pressing issue, conducting a thorough study on man-animal conflict is imperative. It is crucial to implement practical measures that effectively control these conflicts. Thus far, Uttarakhands efforts, including compensation schemes and occasional shooting of man-eaters, have proven insufficient in resolving the problem.

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During his visit to Oman on 26 June, Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval met with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, delivering a heartfelt message of greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Doval also had wide ranging talks with General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani, Minister of the Royal Office of Oman and Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi.

Further during his day-long trip the top Indian bureaucrat visited the strategic Duqm Port where Muscat has given access to the Indian Navy to facilitate its presence in the Indian Ocean Region. This includes his visit to the Special Economic Zone in Duqm.

This visit comes after a three-day meeting between the deputy national security advisors of both countries in January this year. During that meeting both the parties decided to establish a collective and coordinated response towards the expansion of terrorist propaganda, misuse of new and emerging technologies, arms and drugs trafficking, and abuse of cyberspace.

Before that in August 2022, both the countries held a joint military drill Al-Najah. The joint military exercise focussed on counter terrorism, regional security, and peacekeeping operation under the UN mandate. It should be noted both nations also organise aerial and naval exercises named Eastern Bridge and Naseem-al-Bahr respectively.

Moreover in 2021, the Indian government conferred Gandhi Peace Prize to (Late) His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman for the year 2019. In the same year (2019), for Oman, India was the third largest (after UAE and China) source for its imports and third largest market (after UAE and Saudi Arabia) for its non-oil exports in 2019.

Oman is an important interlocutor for India at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Arab League. Moreover, the geostrategic importance of Duqm port that overlooks the Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean and Arabian sea, holds special significance for Indian interests in Indian Ocean Rim, a region where Chinese dragon is expanding its tentacles. As the port is located in the northwest of the Indian Ocean it can facilitate Indias access to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Located close to Chabahar port of Iran it further boosts Indias regional access.

Defence cooperation between both the nations are a key aspect of the overall ties. Oman is one of the most important partners of India in the Gulf region and an important factor in ensuring Indias strategic interests. Therefore in 2021, a framework MoU was renewed that guided defence exchanges between Muscat and New Delhi. In the very same year Navys of both nations signed an MoU to exchange white shipping information. In this context, it needs to be mentioned that high defence officials of both the countries have been paying reciprocatory visits in recent years, further showing the warmth in the bilateral ties.

This silent but solid friendship has varied dimensions when looked upon in the background of the broader scheme of things working in the middle east. Muscats friend-of-all foreign policy and Indias strategic autonomy doctrine has wider scope in ensuring peace in perhaps the most disturbed region of the world.

Remember that even though China took the credit for breaking the Saudi-Iran rapprochement in March, Oman has been working to bridge the differences among the parties since 2015. Along with Iraq, Oman facilitated the beginning of talks between these two warring poles of the Islamic world in 2021 at Baghdad.

When on 9 April, Saudi and Omani delegation met Houthi representatives in Sanaa to discuss a permanent ceasefire in Yemen, the country facing worst humanitarian crisis, the significant role played by Muscat can hardly be brushed under the carpet.

Oman was the only GCC member that refused to take part in military operations in Yemen. Besides it has a unique balancing potential in the Arabian peninsula.

On the other hand, India also enjoys good relations with Saudi and Iran, though New Delhi has been rightly more conscious to secure its realpolitik interest in the region.

The warmth of India-Saudi relations is well known both in economic and strategic aspects, this was also seen recently when the Indian External Affairs Minister appreciated his Saudi counterparts assessment over the situation in Sudan before starting Operation Kaveri to evacuate Indian citizens out of the crisis torn nation. Or, when between 21 and 25 May, India and Saudi Arabia conducted their second joint naval exercise in the Persian Gulf showing proximity of ties.

Talking about India-Iran ties one should look upon the recent visit paid by the NSA there on 1 May, where Iranian president Ebrahim Raeisi discussed with him deepening economic, political, and security ties between the two countries.

It must be noted that India is the chair of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation for 2023 and Iran has become a permanent member of the organisation this year. While other issues like Chabahar, security of Afghanistan, International North-South Transport Corridor, rial-rupee mechanism in Iran-India trade etc. also hold significant importance in the bilateral ties.

Keeping this picture in mind India and Oman become two most eligible regional players having the potential to facilitate dialogue and ensure peace, security and prosperity in the region extending from Arabian sea to Red Sea. Even though this aspect is relatively less hyped in the media, the world can surely aspire from these two nations to play a broader role in ensuring calm in the troubled waters.

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The Ministry of Women and Child Development has junked a media report which claimed that the Nirbhaya Fund was underused, apart from alleging that the non-lapsable corpus created for ensuring the safety of women in India was bugged with misplaced priorities, poor implementation and red tape.

According to the ministry figures accessed by Firstpost, while the report suggested that the Centre was not quite generous with the fund, there is no dearth of money under the Nirbhaya Fund. The Centre has been releasing generally over Rs 500 crore for every of the last eight years. Till date, Rs 7,212.85 crore has been made available to the fund by the Central government.

Till date, the Central government has appraised 42 projects worth Rs 12,008.44 crore. Against this, Central Government has already released Rs 4,923 crore to the concerned implementing agencies.

Though the media report suggested that only three of 40 projects had been appraised so far, ministry figures go on to show that 42 projects, with the total project cost of Rs 12,008.44 crore, have been appraised by the empowered committee (EC) and are under implementation, including projects with recurring components.

Currently, 25 projects are ongoing; five new projects have been appraised on March 29 this year.

The WCD ministry also rubbished the allegations of misplaced priorities, poor implementation, absence of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanism, lack of accountability and the absence of a single agency to oversee implementation of projects under the Nirbhaya Fund.

The projects under Nirbhaya fund are regularly monitored by the EC and mid-way course correction are undertaken through the implementing agency. Simultaneously, the concerned ministry monitors the implementation on regular basis. The EC met four times in 2020-21; five times in 2021-22; and four times in 2022-23 for appraisal and review of projects. The last meeting of the Empowered Committee was held on March 29.

The EC meets generally in every quarter for appraisal and review of implementation.

Even disbursement is not slow or lopsided since every state and UT has benefitted from the projects completed so far. In fact, Mission Shakti for awareness and capacity building programme for safety and empowerment of women and girls in industrial sectors in Uttar Pradesh was completed in just five months.

Some projects, though might take time, since they are of recurring nature.

Major projects under Nirbhaya Fund

1- Emergency Response Support System (ERSS): A pan-India, single, internationally recognized number 112based system for various emergencies, with computer aided dispatch of field resources to the location of distress in all 36 states and UTs. Over 25 crore calls have been handled by ERC Centres since launch of 112 services and over 11 lakh downloads of 112 India App have been reported.

2- Safe City Projects in 8 Cities: Safe City Projects are integrated projects developed by the Police and Municipal Corporations of the city, to meet the demand of women and to plug any gaps in existing infrastructure to aid smart policing and safety management for women. The total approved cost under the Nirbhaya Fund is Rs 2919.55 crore. The Safe City Projects, currently being undertaken in eight citiesAhmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai in Phase I. Various facilities for womens safety have been made available to them in the above cities and some other projects are under various stages of implementation.

3- Setting up of 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs): An amount of Rs 767.25 crore with Central share of Rs 474 crore to be funded under Nirbhaya Fund was appraised for setting up of 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to dispose of large number of cases of rape, and offences under POCSO Act pending for trial, across the country for 1 year spread over 2 FYs -2019-20 and 2020-21. At present, 768 FTSCs including 418 exclusive POCSO courts, are operational in 28 states which disposed of 1.50 lakhs cases upto February this year.

4- Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) at Chandigarh has been made functional at a cost of Rs 37.42 crore to address the gap of forensic DNA analysis for pending sexual assault cases.

5- Appraisal for an amount of Rs 250 crore for strengthening of State Forensic Laboratories in 30 states and UTs was done. Out of this, the project has been completed in 24 states and UTs; work in remaining is on. The project is aimed at strengthening DNA analysis cyber forensic and other related facilities.

6- Women help desk in 13,557 police stations in all states and UTs is functional and work is in progress in 3,368 police stations. The desk is intended to make police stations more friendly and approachable with deployment of lady police officers.

7- A project named Integrated Emergency Response Management Systems (IERMS) was appraised for Rs 500 crore which provided for installation of CCTV and monitoring room in 983 major railway stations across the country for provide 247 security to women passengers. The project has been completed in 428 stations and work is progress at others.

8- In the One Stop Centre Scheme appraisal for Rs 868 crore has been done. Popularly known as Sakhi Centre, out of 801 centres, approved across the country, 733 are functional. The Centre has provided the much needed integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof.

9- Under the Universalisation of Womens Helpline Scheme, appraised for Rs 155.94 crore, a toll-free 24/7 telecom service through short code 181 is provided to women seeking service and information. WHL is operational in 34 states and UTs.

10- Customisation, deployment and management of state-wise vehicle tracking platform (Automotive Industries Standards) has been appraised for an amount of Rs 465 crore to track vehicle in all dark zones and provide help for their passage to a safe place. MoUs have been signed with 30 states and UTs and monitoring centres have been commissioned in Bihar, Puducherry, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Sikkim.
With all the uncertainty that has ensued in Maharashtra politics after the entry of Ajit Pawar causing the Eknath Shinde camp to worry about its future in the government, the latter met Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late on Thursday night to get a hold of things.

The meeting comes days after Shinde denied that his Shiv Sena MLAs were uncomfortable with the inclusion of Ajit Pawar and 8 Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislators in the state cabinet and claimed that he would remain as the chief minister until 2024.

Shinde also presided over a meeting on Wednesday and was reportedly kept in the loop about the fast-paced developments in the NCP which culminated in Ajit Pawar taking oath as deputy CM along with eight other ministers on July 2 in a stunning turn of events.

Meanwhile, the Sharad Pawar camp thinks that the late-night meeting between Fadnavis and Shinde proves that there is unrest in the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and state BJP over the inclusion of NCP legislators in the cabinet.

A spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar faction, Mahesh Tapase, said that Shindes MLAs have become insecure over Ajit Pawar and his MLAs getting plum posts, destroying the very they had toppled the Uddhav Thackeray government and joined BJP.

Tapase claimed that Shiv Sena MLAs are not sure if they will get ministerial berths. The late-night Shinde Fadnavis meeting proves that there is unrest among the MLAs, Tapase claimed.

To make things more uncomfortable for Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) has been slamming him with the rhetoric, tweeting an old video of Shinde where he criticised Chhagan Bhujbal. Now you are sitting on Chhagan Bhujbals lap. What will you say now? the caption read.

With inputs from agencies
Why cant you control Rahul Gandhi and train him to speak properly? BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad asked Congress on Friday soon after the party said it would move the Supreme Court to challenge the Gujarat High Courts verdict which dismissed plea seeking a stay on Gandhis conviction in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark.

We would like to ask Congress  why cant you control Rahul Gandhi? Why cant you train him to speak properly? He is your leader, Prasad said.

Chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi

Intensifying his attack on the former Congress MP, Prasad said, It has become a chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi to abuse, defame and almost showering the worst kind of abuses against eminent leaders and organisations.

The BJP leader further said that had Rahul Gandhi apologised in this matter, it would have ended.

#WATCH | Gujarat High Court verdict on defamation case against Rahul Gandhi | BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, We would like to ask Congress  why cant you control Rahul Gandhi? Why cant you train him to speak properly? He is your leader. Had he apologised in this matter, pic.twitter.com/DQ8sVNqIum  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

Major setback for Rahul Gandhi

Gandhi's disqualification as MP remains stand as the Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed his request to put on hold his conviction in a defamation case over his 2019 Modi surname remark.

Pronouncing the verdict, Justice Hemant Prachchhak of the high court said the session court refusing to grant a stay to Gandhi on his conviction earlier was "just, proper and legal".

The judge went on to say that no injustice will be caused to Gandhi if the conviction is not stayed.

The court also said Gandhi was facing nearly 10 criminal cases, including a criminal defamation case by VD Savarkars grandson.

As per reports, the Congress leader will now approach the Supreme Court with his request.

The defamation case was filed by Purnesh Modi  a BJP MLA and ex-Gujarat minister  in 2019 under IPC sections 499, 500 and 504 against Gandhi for a comment made by him at a campaign during the 2019 Lok Sabha general elections.

The case stated that Gandhi at an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019, had said, Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi in their names.

The complainant said the Congress scion had defamed all people whose surname is Modi. According to rough estimates, there are about 130 million people in India who carry the surname.

On October 10, 2019, Gandhi appeared before the court and pleaded not guilty in the matter. In March 2022, the Gujarat High Court had stayed the proceedings in the case after the complainant sought a stay citing lack of sufficient evidence.

The stay was lifted in February 2023, after Purnesh Modi told the Gujarat High Court that there was sufficient evidence including CDs and pen drives that had come on record of the trial court.

On March 23, 2023, Surats court found Gandhi guilty of defamation and sentenced him to two years in prison. The court approved his bail on a surety of Rs 15,000 and suspended the sentence for 30 days to allow him to appeal.

The two-year sentence led to the disqualification of Gandhi, an MP from Keralas Wayanad, under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Congress workers sport black band in protest

#WATCH | Rajasthan Congress workers sport a black band and carry out a protest march in Jaipur against the Gujarat High Court verdict on the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over 'Modi surname' remark pic.twitter.com/u8DLtrY7Gs  ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) July 7, 2023

Rajasthan Congress workers sport a black band and carry out a protest march in Jaipur against the Gujarat High Court verdict on the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over 'Modi surname' remark

With inputs from agencies
More than 30 million users have registered for Threads, the new app developed by Meta Platforms Inc. to directly rival Twitter, posing the most significant challenge to Elon Musks struggling social media platform.

Threads allows users to share text and links, as well as engage in replies and reposts. The app enables users to migrate their existing follower lists and account names from Instagram, Metas popular photo and video-sharing platform with over 2 billion users, including major brands, celebrities, and creators.

Threads has got some good response

Based on internal data, within less than 24 hours since its launch, users have already shared over 95 million threads (or tweets, as some refer to them) and have given around 190 million likes on Threads.

The app was released on Wednesday evening for both iOS and Android, a notable deviation from the initially planned Thursday launch. The app has garnered substantial attention, currently holding the top position among free apps on the App Store, indicating a high level of interest from users.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed his vision for a public conversations app with over a billion users, noting that Twitter had missed the opportunity to achieve this.

Largely stable, with a few reported glitches

Despite the significant number of sign-ups, Threads remained stable, with only sporadic reports of temporary glitches.

US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, with millions of followers on Twitter, mentioned experiencing issues with the app, while other users raised concerns about the apps terms and conditions, which state that deleting a Threads account requires also wiping the associated Instagram account.

Some users encountered difficulties accessing Zuckerbergs posts on the app, indicating that Meta still has work to do. Instagram head Adam Mosseri acknowledged the lack of certain expected features, such as tagging, hashtag searching, and a home feed for followed accounts, stating that these enhancements are on their to-do list.

Zuckerberg highlighted that the strong initial interest in Threads is a clear indication of demand. According to Connor Hayes, Vice President of Product, influential Instagram users had been requesting a text-based app as an alternative without the need to start building a following from scratch.

Musk is livid, calls Threads a copy-cat app

Elon Musks lawyer, Alex Spiro, sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, in which he accused him of participating in the unlawful misappropriation of Twitters trade secrets and other intellectual property. The contents of this letter were first disclosed by the news outlet Semafor.

Apparently, Musk is livid with the fact that Threads had such an overwhelming response. By all accounts, it is one of the fastest growing apps, and if certain publications are to be believed, the fastest to hit the 1 million, 10 million, 20 million and 30 million user mark  all within a day.

In comparison, ChatGPT, although it isnt a social media platform, held the previous record of the fastest-growing userbase when it hit its first 1 million users in 5 days after launch.

Instagram and Facebook, both owned by Meta, have a track record of emulating products from emerging competitors, as seen with Reels, inspired by TikTok, and Stories, influenced by Snapchat.

While Metas apps indirectly competed with Twitter in the past by attracting news publishers, politicians, and high-profile individuals, the release of Threads marks the first time Meta has introduced a Twitter-like offering.
A recent study conducted by researchers in Australia has discovered a potential connection between native possums and the transmission of Buluri ulcer, a debilitating skin disease.

The study suggests that mosquitoes might be acting as carriers of the flesh-eating bacteria, Mycobacterium ulcerans, which causes the disease.

The bacteria that makes flesh rot in living beings

Typically, mosquitoes do not harbour the M. ulcerans bacteria. Instead, it is usually found in furry animals inhabiting regions across Australia and Africa. However, the research found evidence indicating that mosquitoes have become a means of transportation for bacteria.

Timothy Stinear, a molecular microbiologist from the University of Melbourne, presented the findings of the study on June 18 at the ASM Microbe 2023 conference held in Houston, Texas, highlighting the results of mosquito analyses conducted in southeastern Australia.

The study aimed to identify a potential link between possums and humans in the transmission of the flesh-eating bacteria known as M. ulcerans. They discovered that a small number of mosquitoes had recently fed on both possums and humans, suggesting a possible transmission route between the three species.

In a separate preliminary study published by Stinear and his colleagues, it was found that the bacteria in mosquitoes, possums, and humans were identical, indicating the ease of transmission between these species.

What does the bacteria do?

M. ulcerans is responsible for causing Buruli ulcer, a chronic and debilitating disease that primarily affects the skin, and sometimes the bones. It leads to painful ulcers, permanent disfigurement, and long-term disability. The disease is present in various countries with tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates across Africa, South America, and the Western Pacific regions.

The WHO says that the mode of transmission of the disease is not yet known, but the possums in Australia are suspected to transmit it, with mosquitoes also possibly playing a role when interacting with the infected animals.

Theres no available prevention for Buruli ulcer, according to the WHO. The disease can be cured completely with antibiotics.

Should people be worried?

If you do not live in Australia or have no plans to visit the country, the risk of contracting the flesh-eating disease is low. In 2022, the World Health Organization reported approximately 2,100 Buruli ulcer cases from 11 countries, with only around 200-300 cases reported in Australia.

However, it is important to be cautious of mosquitoes in general, regardless of the specific disease they may carry. Mosquitoes have been linked to the resurgence of malaria cases in Florida, USA, as well as cases of West Nile fever in Italy, demonstrating the potential risks associated with mosquito-borne diseases.
Bulgaria is close to completing a deal to sell two Russian-made nuclear reactors to Ukraines state-owned energy company Energoatom for around $650 million, according to a report.

According to a Wall Street Journal report, as per the terms of the proposed agreement, which is yet to be finalised, Sofias energy company NEK would sell the Ukrainian firm two reactors from Bulgarias incomplete Belene Nuclear Power Plant.

It would be the first time that Russian-designed nuclear equipment would be used to boost Kyivs energy output, added the report.

The report also mentions that there have only been two main payment plans for the reactors put up so far. One may imagine that as part of a package of aid for Ukraine, the US would give some of the money to Energoatom, which would then be transferred to NEK.

Another option, the WSJ reported, would be for Sofia to assume a minority shareholding in Ukraines Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant, where the reactors would be installed.

Zelenskyy in Sofia

Ukraines president Vladimir Zelenskyy arrived in Sofia for a one-day visit on Thursday, where it is expected that the nuclear deal will be discussed with Bulgarian officials.

Also on Thursday, Sofias parliament passed a motion requiring its government to hold negotiations with Kyiv regarding the sale of the nuclear equipment.

Pro-Moscow opposition groups in Bulgaria have criticised the idea, claiming it was hurried through the legislature to thwart any attempts to stop it.

The potential sale of the reactors highlights how the European energy market is in transition after the EU last year stopped importing the majority of its coal, gas and oil from Russia in response to Moscows military incursion in Ukraine. Even Bulgaria used to get the majority of its gas from Russia before this.

Marred by controversy

The still-uncompleted Belene Nuclear Power Plant has been the source of much controversy since the project was first undertaken in the mid-1980s.

Construction at the site has been halted and resumed on several occasions, with some Western governments noting their opposition due to the proposed plant possibly being dependent on Russian fuel.

It has also received objections from environmental campaigners, who claim that its location in a seismic active zone represents an unnecessary risk.

For Kiev, though, the Soviet-designed Khmelnytsky power plant in Ukraines west already has technicians trained to operate the Russian-made reactors, potentially establishing new energy exports from Kiev to Europe.

On Thursday, two pro-Russian parties in Sofia, the Socialist Party and Revival, a nationalist party, voted against approving the sale of the reactors to Kiev.

With inputs from agencies
Is Japan losing its seafood business? Appears so, as its biggest importer China has decided to halt purchases of edible items after Tokyo started releasing treated radioactive water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

Vowing to take all necessary measures, Chinese customs, on Friday, said ban on the imports of food from about one-fifth of Japanese prefectures will remain in effect for safety reasons.

In a statement, Chinese customs said it would strictly review the documents for food, especially aquatic products, from other parts of Japan.

This includes extending a ban on imports from 10 Japanese prefectures, including Fukushima, while also deciding to fully screen all shipments from other regions, instead of just spot checking, amid concerns of residual nuclear contamination.

A high level of vigilance will also be maintained, the General Administration of Customs said, adding that it will take absolute responsibility to domestic consumers as the principle.

China said it would further strengthen the detection and monitoring of radioactive substances to ensure the safety of food imported from Japan in banning food from 10 prefectures.

Why is China wary about importing seafood from Japan?

China has become more cautious after the UN nuclear watchdog, earlier this week, gave Japan the green signal to commence discharging more than a million metric tons of water used to cool the plants fuel rods after it was wrecked by a 2011 tsunami.

The decision to release water from the Fukushima plant has faced flak from the Opposition at home and abroad despite assurance from Japan that it is safe after being filtered to remove most isotopes.

However, this restriction is not for the first time. China first placed a ban on food imports 12 years ago when it restricted 10 Japanese prefectures following meltdowns and releases of radioactive materials at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in March 2011.

With inputs from agencies
India-Tanzania ties are the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said while interacting with the members of the Indian diaspora at Dar es Salaam.

Jaishankar, on Friday, met with the members of the India-Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Began the morning by meeting with members of the India-Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Appreciate their warm sentiments for stronger parliamentary, political, economic and people to people ties with India. Confident that the strong and historic ties between our two parliamentary democracies will keep growing, he tweeted.

After meeting them, Jaishankar paid homage to Indian soldiers at the Commonwealth War Memorial in Dar-es Salaam.

Their sacrifices in various theatres of war are an important aspect of our history. They are a reminder of Indias global impact, Jaishankar said in a tweet. Jaishankar, who is in Tanzania for a four-day visit, interacted with the members of the Indian community, on Thursday and said that he was in the country on an IT mission, as in India-Tanzania mission.Jaishankar had a lively interaction with members of the Indian community in Dar es Salaam.

Sharing the purpose of his visit, the EAM said, That IT (India-Tanzania) mission addresses some of the most important priorities of this country today.Apart from the Mission IT, during his interaction with the Indian community, EAM Jaishankar also highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially the deep links that New Delhi shares with East Africa.

We have a strong relationship with Africa. It is something which partly comes out of our shared struggle for freedom during the colonial period but within that we have a particularly close connection with East Africa. And again, within that I think some parts of India are particularly closely linked, he said.

He also noted that at the heart of India-Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests.All of you, as members of the Indian community living in Tanzania, working in Tanzania, visiting Tanzania, I think you can hold your head high that our friendship, our relationship, our partnership today will make a difference to the everyday life of a Tanzanian, Jaishankar said.

Weighing in on Indias relationship with Africa, East Africa and Tanzania in particular, Jaishankar said, The heart of this relationship is actually a certain solidarity of spirit, of outlook that we have had for many, many years. But over the years it is expressed in different forums. We have Global South. Today we are developing countries who have tried to work together for a fairer global order.

The EAM added that the Indian community is an expression, contributor and force of this relationship between the two countries.

Paid homage to Indian soldiers at the Commonwealth War Memorial in Dar es Salaam today. Their sacrifices in various theaters of war are an important aspect of our history. They are a reminder of Indias global impact. pic.twitter.com/C7a95JXdmL  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 7, 2023

Earlier, in a veiled attack on China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India is not an extractive economy and does not pursue narrow economic activities solely for its benefit in the resource-rich African continent.

Jaishankar emphasized Indias distinctive approach to economic engagement in Africa, indirectly referencing Chinas practices.

Addressing the Indian community here in Dar-es-Salaam city of Tanzania on Thursday after visiting Zanzibar, he acknowledged the significance of the African continents abundant resources.

While addressing the community, he said, Today we want to see Africa grow. We want to see African economies grow. And our approach to Africa today is to trade more with Africa, invest in Africa, work with Africa, to create capacities in Africa, so that the rise of Africa also takes place as countries like India are rising in Asia.

We are not here as an extractive economy. We are not here in the manner in which a lot of other countries are there for very narrow economic objectives. For us, this is a broader, deeper partnership, Jaishankar said, in an apparent reference to Chinas forays, including those of its military, into Africa.

China established its first overseas military support base in Djibouti in Africa in 2015, as part of Beijings plan to project its military power beyond the Asia-Pacific. Chinese companies are also actively engaged in exploiting the regions precious mineral resources.

Jaishankar also added that today the world sees India as a contributor. World sees India, Indian companies, Indian technologies, Indian capacities as helping to create better lives for them.

He also said that he is here in Tanzania on an IT mission which is an India-Tanzania mission. The mission addresses some of the most important priorities of this country.

On trade, Jaishankar said that Our trade with Africa is USD 95 billion I can predict very confidently that will grow very rapidly in the community and they will grow rapidly in the coming decade for three reasons. One, the Indian economy, Indian businesses are going up more and more.

Thats one reason for demand in Africa. Now, it is up to us to meet that Africa will have a demand. We have to compete, you know, maybe theyll go to China, Europe or Turkey. But if Indian business is more and more competitive if people are willing to go out more and more, I think a large part of the demand will be met, he said.

Third is technology. Technology is driven in different ways. Automobiles could be healthy. It could be digital; I think that is what India can make. So politically, its so easy for us really to bond with African governments and believers. He also stressed that the Indian diaspora is a very unique bridge between India and Africa.

For us, the bridge that the Indian diaspora represents is something its a very unique bridge. Very few countries have such a bridge He also added that with 750 slots annually, Tanzania is Indias largest African partner in training and capacity building.

As I look across Africa, the largest capacity building and exchange programme we have with any country in Africa is actually with Tanzania, he said, adding, This year, we are giving to the Tanzanian government for their usage, 450 scholarships under Itech programme. This is our traditional exchange programme, 240 slots for defence training, and under the education exchanges, 70 scholarships, he said.

He also asked members of the Indian community living in Tanzania, working in Tanzania or visiting Tanzania, to be proud as the friendship between the two countries is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian.

We would actually be bringing drinking water to 8 million people. So, for all of you as members of the Indian community living in Tanzania working in Tanzania, visiting Tanzania, I think you can hold your head high that our friendship, our relationship, our partnership today will make a difference, he added.

I went to a place called Kidutani in Zanzibar, where there is a water project. And this water project, whenit is completed, will provide drinking water to eight million people, he said.

On Thursday, the minister attended a deck reception hosted onboard INS Trishul with Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi. Tanzania also witnessed the signing of the agreement on setting up of IIT Madras Zanzibar campus.

During the event, Jaishankar said that it was a great privilege to share with Zanzibar Indias experiences in the field of water development. Its been a very big challenge for us. Today, one of our key development programmes has been the Jal Jeevan mission its a massive pan-Indian project and for us what we are doing with you is a natural extrapolation of what we are doing in India, and we are very privileged to partner with you in that, Jaishankar said.

Jaishankar also visited Stone Town in Zanzibar and experienced its distinctive Gujarat connection. Blessed to visit the Arya Samaj and Shri Shiv Shakti mandirs there. This time-tested confluence of Africa and India is emerging as a statement of our contemporary partnership, he tweeted.

With inputs from agencies.
Irans Revolutionary Guards on Thursday seized a commercial ship in the Gulf, the US Navy said, a day after it had accused Iranian forces of two similar attempts off Oman.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forcibly seized a commercial vessel possibly engaged in smuggling activity, the Bahrain-based US Navys Fifth Fleet said in a statement.

US forces monitored the incident in international waters, it added, but assessed the circumstances of this event did not warrant a further response.

The statement did not identify the commercial ship.

US forces remain vigilant and ready to protect navigational rights of lawful maritime traffic in the Middle Easts critical waters, it said.

In recent years, Washington and Tehran have traded accusations over a series of incidents in the tense Gulf waterways that are vital to the global oil trade.

On Wednesday, the US Navy said it had blocked two attempts by the Iranian navy to seize commercial tankers in international waters off Oman, including one case in which the Iranians fired shots.

In both cases, the US Central Command said the Iranians departed after a US destroyer appeared on the scene.

The maritime services in Iran said one of the two tankers, the Bahamian-flagged Richmond Voyager, had collided with an Iranian vessel, seriously injuring five crew members, according to state news agency IRNA.

They said the collision had occurred on Tuesday and that it damaged and caused the flooding of the Iranian vessel.

The Richmond Voyager continued on its way, regardless of international maritime rules and regulations, IRNA said, adding a court order had been issued for Irans navy to seize the tanker.

The news agency said the tanker changed course before entering Omans territorial waters.

Iran said it had referred the matter to the friendly Sultanate of Oman, which has mediated talks between the Islamic Republic and the United States, and that it was seeking the vessels seizure.

In April and early May, Iran seized two tankers within a week in regional waters.

In one case, helicopter-borne Iranian navy commandos abseiled onto the deck of a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker, the Advantage Sweet, in the Gulf of Oman.

Iran was also accused of launching a drone attack against an Israeli-owned tanker in November 2022, stoking tensions with the United States.

There has been a spate of such incidents since 2018, when then-US president Donald Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic Republic, sending tensions soaring.
Not even a fortnight after United Nation Secretary General in its report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) praised Palestinian Islamic Jihad for preventing the recruitment and killing of children, four teenagers were killed during Israeli strikes over Jenin.

At least 11 Palestinians, most of them teens, were killed during Israeli attack that began on Monday and is being considered biggest in the West Bank in years.

The Iran-backed Islamic Jihad said among the 11 Palestinians were four teenagers, aged 16, 17, 18, and 19 who were killed.

Among them, Noureddin Marshoud (16) was declared by the militant Islamic Jihad group to be one of its four martyred during Israels assault on the Jenin refugee camp.

Now, this clearly indicate that the letter which Antonio Guterres received were just scribbled words on paper.

I welcome the letters received from Palestinian Islamic Jihad and from Hamas, the appointment of focal points and the identification of practical measures, including those proposed by the United Nations to end and prevent grave violations against children, including those related to the killing and maiming and the recruitment and use of children, UN Secretary-General Guterres said in CAAC report.

Why children in Palestine are joining Islamic Jihad?

The casualties in Israeli operation this week clearly indicate that youth are joining Islamic Jihad. Those in West Bank areas including Jenin are most impacted as they question their future with no employment in the region and no sign of peace process in sight.

Israel says its aim is to destroy infrastructure and weapons of militant groups at the camp, where some 14,000 people live in cramped alleyways that have long been a stronghold of Palestinian armed groups.

What is Palestinian Islamic Jihad?

Like Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad is a radical Islamist movement to resist Israels occupation of Gaza.

It was formed in 1980s by Fathi Shikaki, a Palestinian inspired by the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Shikaki sought to attract Palestinian nationalists disillusioned by secularism and Islamists disillusioned with what they saw as moderation by the pan-Arab Muslim Brotherhood movement, Erik Skare, an author of a book on the groups history and researcher at the University of Oslo was quoted as saying by Associated Press.

Following the first Palestinian uprising in the late 1980s and early 90s, the Palestine Liberation Organization began peace talks with Israel that led to formation of the semi-autonomous Palestinian Authority in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.

Islamic Jihad and Hamas opposed the idea of peace talks and remained sworn to Israels destruction.

Islamic Jihad resurged in 2000-2005 during the second Palestinian uprising with orchestrated suicide bombings in Tel Aviv.

As Hamas, Islamic Jihad has a single agenda on fighting Israel and the group claims to have strong foothold in the occupied West Bank.

Where they get funding from?

Islamic Jihad receives maximum of its fund from Iran, the arch-rival of Israel in West Asia.

According to Israels Shin Bet intelligence agency assessment, Iran has sent rockets, anti-tank weapons and mortar shells to Islamic Jihad. Some parts have been smuggled through tunnels along Gazas southern border and other weapons are locally produced.

With inputs from agencies
Russia and Ukraine on Thursday announced a prisoner of war exchange involving the return of 45 soldiers from each side.

According to Russian news agency RIA, Russias defence ministry said that 45 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukrainian custody.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraines presidential staff, said 45 service personnel and two civilians had been returned to Ukraine.

In a post on the Telegram messaging app, Yermak said some of those freed had fought in Mariupol and the southern citys Azovstal steel plant, and others had fought on the frontline elsewhere.

Each of them is a hero, Yermak said.

Ukraines human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said most of those freed were seriously injured and all would undergo rehabilitation.

In a separate post, Yermak said that two children aged six and 10 had been allowed to return to Ukraine following the release of their mother, a military medic, last October.

Russia and Ukraine have periodically exchanged groups of prisoners in the course of the war, now in its 17th month.

Lubinets said that 2,576 Ukrainians have been freed in prisoner swaps since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.

With inputs from agencies
For the second time in less than 24 hours, Russian aircraft harassed American drones participating in operations against the Islamic State terrorist group in Syria on Thursday, said a US commander.

In a statement Air Force Lieutenant General Alexus Grynkewich said, Moscows military aircraft engaged in unsafe and unprofessional behavior Thursday, 9:30 am local time, while interacting with US MQ-9 drones.

The planes dropped flares in front of the drones and flew dangerously close, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved, he added.

The previous day, Grynkewich said Russian jets also dropped flares in front of US MQ-9s, while one pilot turned on their planes afterburner in front of a drone.

Earlier this year, the United States said a Russian jet clipped the propeller of a drone operating over the Black Sea, causing it to crash. Moscow denied it was responsible.

With inputs from agencies
Former Vice-President of Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh, who had put up a brave fight against the Taliban after it took over Kabul in an unstoppable wave as the US wound down its presence in the war-ravaged country, has levelled serious allegations of collusion between the Taliban and American spy agency CIA.

Apart from accusing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of having provided the Taliban with Russian made weapons and helicopters, he tweeted accusing America of being hand in glove with the regressive and repressive Taliban regime.

The USs CIA has delivered two Mi-17 Russian made helicopters to the Talibans GDI, tail number 163 and 165 which are now parked in western section of the Kabul Airport. These two helicopters were operated by the CIA during the republic and were taken for maintenance to UAE. They are gifted to the Talibs as part of the secret annexes of the Doha deal conspiracy, Saleh tweeted.

He questioned the Doha deal and alleged that the pact was meant to hire the Talibs and in extension the extremist groups as instruments of geopolitics.

The USs @CIA has delivered two Mi-17 Russian made helicopters to the Talibans GDI, tail number 163 & 165 which are now parked in western section of the Kabul Airport. These two helicopters were operated by the CIA during the republic & were taken for maintenance to UAE. They  Amrullah Saleh (@AmrullahSaleh2) July 7, 2023

While Saleh fled Afghanistan after the fall of the Panjshir Valley failed to hold out to the Taliban, he has been critical of the US role in Afghanistan, especially Biden administrations decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, leaving the nascent democracy in Kabul to its own means.

The former vice president of Afghanistan also alleged that decades ago, the Americans have assisted Pakistan to create Special Services Group (SSG).

"The Americans assisted Pakistan to create Special Services Group (SSG) decades ago under the same pretext. It is a high-income headache for Pakistan which it doesnt want go away or spill into Punjab," Saleh claimed.
Several lawmakers in the United States condemned the attempted arson at Indian consulate in San Francisco and violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats including the Ambassador of India to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

US Congressmen Shri Thanedar, Rich McCormick, and Brian Fitzpatrick, who represent the 13th congressional district in Michigan, the 6th congressional district in Georgia, and the 1st congressional district in Pennsylvania, respectively, expressed their displeasure on Twitter over attempts to instill terror by pro-Khalistani groups.

A group of Khalistan radicals, on 2 July, tried to set the Indian consulate in San Francisco on fire.

US Congressman Shri Thanedar criticised the incident in a strong-worded tweet.

I unequivocally condemn the brazen attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. This act of violence and vandalism is not only a criminal offense but also a direct assault on the principles of diplomatic engagement and mutual respect between nations., tweeted Thanedar.

I unequivocally condemn the brazen attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. This act of violence and vandalism is not only a criminal offense but also a direct assault on the principles of diplomatic engagement and mutual respect between nations.  Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) July 6, 2023

McCormick termed the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco as unacceptable.

He tweeted, This attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco is vile and unacceptable. Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community.

Rep Fitzpatrick called for appropriate legal action against those involved in the incident.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, he wrote, This kind of violence is lawless and unacceptable. I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action.

This kind of violence is lawless and unacceptable. I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action.https://t.co/mzDbTEgqbW  Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick  (@RepBrianFitz) July 6, 2023

The attempted arson attack on the Indian Consulate by pro-Khalistanis and their ensuing rally on 8 July was also condemned by the co-chairs of India Caucus, saying free speech is not a license to provoke violence.

Co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India, Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, in a press release, said, As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu.

They also appealed to the US State Department to investigate the damage and take necessary action.

We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American, but that is not a license to vandalize property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable, the release added.

Earlier, on 2 July, around 1.40 am (local time), a group of Khalistan radicals made an attempt to set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire, sources told ANI.

A video of the incident was verified by sources who told ANI the fire was suppressed quickly by the San Francisco Fire Department. The Local San Francisco police department, special diplomatic security personnel, and state and federal authorities were notified and began investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Dr TV Nagendra Prasad, Consul General, Consulate General of India, San Francisco, were targeted in a poster purportedly circulated by Sikh extremists, who accused them of playing a role in the June killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

According to sources, India on Monday (3 July) raised concerns over threats to its diplomats in posters being circulated in Canada with information on a pro-Khalistan rally to be held on July 8. The posters contained threats to the Indian ambassador to Canada and the consulate general in Toronto.

A similar poster announcing the rally date also came to the fore in San Francisco.

The rally is being held in the name of Harjit Singh Nijjar aka Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who was killed in a targeted shooting in Canadas Surrey on 18 June.

This is not the first time that the San Francisco consulate has come under attack.

Multiple incidents of protests by Khalistan supporters have been staged outside the Indian embassy and the San Francisco Consulate.

However, no action against any person or group has been taken as yet.

The extremist Sikh groups are also planning to rally outside the Indian missions in the US on 8 July.

With inputs from agencies
In Iran, a lot of things are forbidden for women. Singing is one of those activities which is banned for Iranian women.

However, a video of an Iranian woman, braving the danger and singing her heart out in public, has gone viral.

The post, shared by Iranian journalist Masih Alijenad, shows a woman singing in one of Irans most historical mosques in the city of Esfahan. When a security guard tried to object to her singing, she continued bravely.

For women, singing is forbidden in Iran. This woman is bravely singing in one of Esfahans most historical mosques. When the security agent tried to stop her, she resisted and continued. Brave Iranian women like her will someday bring down this most anti-woman regime, Alijenad wrote.

Singing banned for Iranian women

In 2013, Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a fatwa saying, If a womans voice, whether singing solo or in combination with other men and women, is not inciting frivolity [ghena] and listening to it is not with the intention of pleasure and debauchery, there is no problem. But it is not permissible if it is corrupting or inciting lust.

While the fatwa gives some ray of hope to women, it was and still is not entirely clear how to determine whether or not a womans singing incites lust or not.
Jeremy Corbyn, a Member of Parliament from Britain, forcefully grabbed the hand of a Jewish reporter when he was asked to condemn the use of child soldiers by Palestinians.

In a video posted by Israel Advocacy Movement on Twitter, the journalist can be heard asking Corbyn, Can you condemn Islamic Jihad for recruiting children as soldiers?

Jeremy Corbyn forcefully grabbed this Jewish reporter when he asked him to condemn the use of child soldiers by Palestinian Islamic Jihad. pic.twitter.com/VMOBxWcbOV  Israel Advocacy Movement (@israel_advocacy) July 6, 2023

After ignoring the question for several minutes, Corbyn can be seen grabbing the journalists hand to which he said, Take your hands off me.

Jeremy, behave, the journalist added.

What kind of a man gets angry when asked to condemn the use of child soldiers? Because that is exactly what happened. Palestinian Islamic Jihad has confirmed that the teenagers who were killed in Jenin were their fighters, he continued.

Islamic Jihad mourn the death of teen martyr

A 16-year-old boy was killed during the Israeli strikes over Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

Noureddin Marshoud was declared by the militant Islamic Jihad group to be one of its four martyred during Israels assault on the Jenin refugee camp.

Among the 11 Palestinians who were killed in one of the biggest Israeli operations in the West Bank in recent years were four teenagers. The Islamic Jihad said that alongside Marshoud, fighters aged 17, 18, and 19 were killed.

Hamas, the Islamist group that governs the Gaza Strip, says one of its members was killed. There was no immediate confirmation from Palestinian sources as to whether the other six fatalities  including males aged 17 to 23  were combatants or civilians.

Jeremy Corbyns connection to Palestinians

Jeremy Corbyn, the ex-Labour Party chief, has been known to be a strong advocate for the Palestinian cause in Israel. So much so, that he had to lose his position as party chief in 2020 after he was accused of anti-Semitism.

In an interview with Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen, Corbyn said, I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever that my clearly stated support for the right of Palestinian people to be able to live in peace free from occupation, free from being under siege as in Gaza, and for those living in refugee camps played a factor in all this.

In 2021, Corbyn even received an award for his efforts in helping the Palestinian people. The Palestinian Forum in Britain awarded Corbyn with the highest honour for his efforts in helping Palestinian refugees.

The Palestinian people have suffered like no other in that they have been under occupation for many decades, and many are living in refugee camps ever since 1948 in different countries around the region, but particularly in Lebanon, the British MP said after he received the award.

With inputs from agencies
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked NATO leaders to take concrete steps to facilitate the countrys entry into the alliance as he received support during a visit to Prague from the Czech president, who backed Kyivs bid to join the alliance.

Emphasising the fact that NATO has still not given a clear-cut response on Kyivs inclusion with the war still going on strong, Zelenskyy said that his country deserves more than the general statement of more than 10 years standing that the door to NATO was merely open.

Ukraine hopes to get a clear indication from NATO at a July 11-12 summit in Vilnius if it can join the military alliance when the war ends.

While Ukraine seeks a quick entry to NATO in the wake of Russias offensive, the military alliance has been divided over how fast that step should be taken. Some member countries are wary of moves they fear could take the alliance closer to active war with Russia.

We are talking about a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation, Zelenskyy told a news conference alongside his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel. We need this motivation. We need honesty in our relations.

We need some kind of signal, a clear one, he said in response to journalists questions. That Ukraine will be in the alliance. Not that the door is open  this is not enough.

Meanwhile, the Czech Republic has reiterated its support for Kyivs entry into NATO since the launch of Russias special military operation in Ukraine.

It should be made absolutely clear that it is in the interest of the Czech Republic that Ukraine, as soon as the war is over, should start negotiations on joining NATO, because it is also in the interest of our security, regional stability, and economic prosperity, Pavel said.

With inputs from agencies
S. Korea's opposition party stages overnight sit-in against Japan's nuke wastewater discharge plan

Xinhua) 14:56, July 07, 2023

SEOUL, July 7 (Xinhua) -- All lawmakers of South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) launched an overnight sit-in at the National Assembly in Seoul on Thursday night to urge the government to oppose Japan's planned discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the Pacific.

According to the JoongAng Ilbo daily, the DP lawmakers, including Chairman of the DP Lee Jae-myung, held signs that read "Oppose dumping of contaminated water into the sea!"

All of 167 lawmakers would also hold a "relay filibuster," in which they would take turns to deliver long speeches demanding the withdrawal of Japan's plan and denouncing Seoul's response to it, the newspaper added.

Rep. Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the DP, criticized the final report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Japan's planned discharge of nuclear wastewater as a verification only based on data presented by and tailored to Japan.

He also urged the government to accurately convey the will of the South Korean people to Japan on an issue, which over 80 percent of the public opposes.

The Japanese government has been pushing for dumping the contaminated water this summer, which has aroused strong opposition and doubts from domestic fishing groups, neighboring countries and South Pacific island countries, as well as the international community.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
According to The Information, Google is reportedly making efforts to replace Samsung with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for the development of its Tensor G5 chip.

The original plan was to introduce the first fully customized chip for Pixel phones in 2024, but a chip codenamed Redondo faced delays and feature cuts, leading to a handoff to TSMC earlier this year.

Googles Switch to TSMC and Introduction of Laguna Chip

Google intends to shift from Samsung to TSMC for chip production, specifically for its Tensors. TSMC, known as the worlds largest contract chipmaker, serves major tech companies such as Apple and Nvidia. Googles fully custom chip, named Laguna, is expected to be launched in 2025.

It will leverage TSMCs advanced 3-nanometer manufacturing process. The Laguna chip, also referred to as Tensor G5, will incorporate Integrated Fan-Out technology, resulting in thinner dimensions and improved power efficiency.

Google has faced setbacks in its chip development journey, including the cancellation of multiple Tensor chips and the shelving of a Tensor-powered Pixelbook. The coordination challenges between the U.S. and India, where a majority of its Tensor silicon engineers are based, have contributed to these setbacks. Despite these obstacles, Google remains dedicated to creating a custom chip for its Pixel phones.

Developing custom chips allows Google to integrate its software and hardware more effectively, potentially unlocking new capabilities and efficiencies in its devices. This move aligns with the broader trend of technology companies seeking to reduce reliance on chip suppliers.

However, some industry insiders express concerns about Googles investment in custom chips, given that Pixel has yet to achieve substantial sales volume.

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The film begins with a flashback. We find Indiana and his friend, Basil, searching for another religious artifact. What group are they up against, who are also trying to get their hands on the artifact?



Answer: the Nazis



As in two of the previous movies, Indiana is trying to keep the artifact, with its believed powers, out of the hands of the Nazis who are trying to get hold of it for Hitler.

In "Raiders of the Lost Ark" it is the Ark of the Covenant that is sought and in "The Last Crusade" it is the Holy Grail. In "The Dial of Destiny" the object being sought is the Lance of Longinus, which is also known as the Spear of Destiny.

In the movies, Hitler's representatives talk about how Hitler believes that possession of these items will make his armies invincible.

Basil was played by Toby Jones.



These scenes were set during WWII and both Harrison Ford (who plays Indiana) and Mads Mikkelsen (who plays Dr. Jurgen Voller) are made to appear younger by CGI.

2. Does Indy take the the Lance of Longinus?



Answer: No



After a hard fought battle, he does manage to take possession of the Lance, however he determines that the piece is a fake - a reproduction. He makes his escape without the Lance, although he has to fight to free his friend who has been captured, leaving it for the Nazis. Dr. Voller, the chief Nazi scientist, also declares it to be a fake, from the age of the metal of the blade and the engravings, when he has his hands on it. The Lance of Longinus (or Spear of Destiny) is believed by many to be a real artifact (like the Ark and the Grail).



It is thought to be the weapon that was used to pierce Jesus' side as he hung on the cross. Thus, among believers, it is thought to have the blood of Christ on it.

3. We next see an older-looking, 1960's Indy teaching a class to some very unprepared students (except for one). He is unimpressed with their lack of enthusiasm. What event does he walk into, after the class is dismissed?



a retirement party for him



There are a banner, balloons and noisemakers and he is gifted with a clock. Many congratulations are given and Indy tries to smile and pretend to be grateful. We later see him outside, giving the clock to the first person he sees. He is generally despondent and we later learn that his son has died and his marriage broken up because he and his wife couldn't help each other get through their grief.

He goes into a bar where he meets with the one student, who was in his class, who answered questions. It turns out that she is his goddaughter, Helena, whom he hasn't seen since she was 12 years old. She is the daughter of his friend Basil and Indy used to call her Wombat.

She wants to talk to Indy about the Antikythera (the Dial of Destiny), which her father had had a piece of in his possession, and which had driven him crazy.



The Antikythera is indeed a real artifact that was invented by Archimedes. It was named for the Greek island it was found off the coast of. It has complicated mechanisms for tracking things like eclipses and positions of the sun and the moon. In the movie it is believed to be able to locate fissures in time and in that way allow time travel.

Helena was played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Answer:There are a banner, balloons and noisemakers and he is gifted with a clock. Many congratulations are given and Indy tries to smile and pretend to be grateful. We later see him outside, giving the clock to the first person he sees. He is generally despondent and we later learn that his son has died and his marriage broken up because he and his wife couldn't help each other get through their grief.He goes into a bar where he meets with the one student, who was in his class, who answered questions. It turns out that she is his goddaughter, Helena, whom he hasn't seen since she was 12 years old. She is the daughter of his friend Basil and Indy used to call her Wombat.She wants to talk to Indy about the Antikythera (the Dial of Destiny), which her father had had a piece of in his possession, and which had driven him crazy.The Antikythera is indeed a real artifact that was invented by Archimedes. It was named for the Greek island it was found off the coast of. It has complicated mechanisms for tracking things like eclipses and positions of the sun and the moon. In the movie it is believed to be able to locate fissures in time and in that way allow time travel.Helena was played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

4. Helena tries to trick Indy into revealing the location of the half of the Antikythera, by pretending that she didn't remember him taking it from her father. She presents an argument for where it must be, asking Indy to help her retrieve it. Where is the half actually located?



Answer: in the archive room



In the past, Indy and Basil had the piece with them when they jumped off the train full of Nazis into the river below. However it was recovered and Basil (Helena's father) had been obsessing over it for years. He had determined that it should be destroyed but Indy stopped him and took the piece of Antikythera, promising to destroy it.



Instead he hid it in the archives. Believing that Helena did not remember any of the night that he relieved her father of the piece, he takes her down to a room, with the word Archive on the door, to show her the piece, which she takes.



At this point Dr. Voller and his Nazi friends show up, also wanting the Antikythera, and the chase begins. Once a scientist for Hitler, Dr. Voller has been working with NASA so he is initially supported by the CIA, as well as his own thugs.

5. When they exit the building there is a parade going on. Who or what was the parade in benefit of?



Answer: the Apollo 11 astronauts



These were the first men to walk on the moon and 'ticker tape parades' were very common ways of honouring people at the time. Among marching bands, cheerleaders, banners announcing the astronauts and ticker tape, actors representing the three men can be seen riding on the back of a convertible and waving to the crowd. Through this pandemonium, Indy is chasing Helena who is also being chased by Dr. Voller and friends, as everyone is seeking the piece of the Antikythera.



At one point Indy commandeers a police horse and rides that throughout the chase while being pursued by a man on a motorcycle.

6. What does Helena want to do with the piece of the Antikythera?



Answer: sell it



Indy tracks her down to a private function where she is auctioning off the piece. She tries to have him thrown out but Voller and crew show up and take possession of the piece.

At one point Indy asks her what she would do with it and she says 'sell it' because the only thing she believes in is money.

She asks Indy the same question and he says that he would stop his son from enlisting, thereby saving his life. That gives Helena pause.



Helena has acquired a friend who she calls Teddy. He is much like Short Round was to Indy in "Temple of Doom", only perhaps a little older. Despite claiming to be all about money, it is obvious that Helena really cares for Teddy and the bad guys later use this against her.

Teddy is played by Ethan Isidore.

7. Where do they find the directions that give them the location of the second half of the Antikythera?



Answer: on a shipwreck



The first half of the Antikythera had been found by sponge divers on a shipwreck near Greece. Indy and Helena reason that the ship had been staffed with too many soldiers to not be carrying something very important. They speculate that the directions to the second half are also on the wreck, but on the part that had fallen over the ledge into water that was far too deep for sponge divers. They decide that their next move will be to explore the wreck and head to Greece.

There they find a diver who is a friend of Indy's. They are diving so deep that he gives them only 3 minutes in the depths so that they can surface without getting the Bends.

They find what they are looking for. Unfortunately Voller and his thugs are waiting when they surface, holding Teddy hostage.

The directions are written in code which Indy refuses to read for them. Helena does read it (after they shoot Indy's friend) but gives them the wrong directions. She tells them what was written in the wax but has already determined that Archimedes was more clever than that and has concealed the real location. She, Indy and Teddy figure this out. The boat they dive from has been rendered unusable so they steal Voller's boat and go racing off in the right direction. Voller watches through binoculars and notes that they are not going the way they told him to go. So he of course follows when he can.

The diver is played by Antonio Banderas.

8. After finding the real location Indy and Helena find Archimedes' resting place. What strange image do they find on the carvings of the sarcophagus?



propellors



There is a phoenix, a classic symbol of rebirth, in the carvings but Helena also notices the carvings of propellors on the Phoenix, which had not been invented at the time of Archimedes' death. Inside, with Archimedes' remains, they find the other half of the Antikythera, and on the skeleton's wrist is a wristwatch. They speculate that this proves that the Antikythera must have worked at least once.

Unfortunately Voller and his thugs, still holding Teddy hostage, show up and take the second piece of the Antikythera, putting it together with the first piece they had taken from Indy and Helena.

Teddy manages to escape from the very large man who is holding him handcuffed. Answer:There is a phoenix, a classic symbol of rebirth, in the carvings but Helena also notices the carvings of propellors on the Phoenix, which had not been invented at the time of Archimedes' death. Inside, with Archimedes' remains, they find the other half of the Antikythera, and on the skeleton's wrist is a wristwatch. They speculate that this proves that the Antikythera must have worked at least once.Unfortunately Voller and his thugs, still holding Teddy hostage, show up and take the second piece of the Antikythera, putting it together with the first piece they had taken from Indy and Helena.Teddy manages to escape from the very large man who is holding him handcuffed.

9. Why does Dr. Voller want the complete Antikythera so badly?



Answer: He wants to go back in time and kill Hitler.



At one point Indy asks him why he wants the artifact so badly and Voller tels him that he wants to go back to a specific time and a stated address. Indy recognises the address and asks why Voller, who believes in the Nazis, wants to kill Hitler. Voller replies that he believes in winning and, with the benefit of seeing how the war turned out, he could go back and make sure he didn't make the mistakes that Hitler made, ensuring that they would win.

10. Whom does Indy meet near the end of the film?



Answer: Archimedes



Indy and Helena are in the plane with Voller and his thugs when Voller sets the Antikythera. Helena tells Teddy to steal a smaller plane that is sitting there and follow them. Teddy has never flown before, only gone through the motions in pretend, but he does manage to hot wire the plane and get it off the ground in time to take up pursuit.

As they approach the visible time fissure in the clouds, it occurs to Indy that Archimedes would not have known about the Continental Drift and would not have taken that into consideration. He yells that they are not going to end up where Voller wants. At the last minute Voller tries to abort the flight, but is too late and they are drawn through, back in time to the Siege of Syracuse, which occurred in 213-212 B.C.E. Fierce fighting is going on and the plane is hit by projectiles from number of catapults, causing it to crash. Archimedes rides out to see this strange phenomenon, coming face to face with Indy. He also notices the watch on Voller's wrist, the one that turns up in the sarcophagus. Indy expresses a desire to stay but Helena knocks him out.

Meanwhile the owner of the plane that Teddy has stolen has woken. He rescues Indy and Helena and flies them back through the time fissure.

Source: Author skunkee This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor jmorrow before going online.Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
National

AP

United Methodists lose one-fifth of US churches in schism driven by growing defiance of LGBTQ bans

More than 6,000 United Methodist congregations have now received permission to leave the denomination amid a schism over theology and the role of LGBTQ people

More than 6,000 United Methodist congregations  a fifth of the U.S. total  have now received permission to leave the denomination amid a schism over theology and the role of LGBTQ people in the nations second-largest Protestant denomination.

Those figures emerge following the close of regular meetings in June for the denominations regional bodies, known as annual conferences. The departures began with a trickle in 2019  when the church created a four-year window of opportunity for U.S. congregations to depart over LGBTQ-related issues  and cascaded to its highest level this year.

Church law forbids the marriage or ordination of self-avowed, practicing homosexuals, but many conservatives have chosen to leave amid a growing defiance of those bans in many U.S. churches and conferences.

Many of the departing congregations are joining the Global Methodist Church, a denomination created last year by conservatives breaking from the UMC, while others are going independent or joining different denominations.

Some 6,182 congregations have received approval to disaffiliate since 2019, according to an unofficial tally by United Methodist News Service, which has been tracking votes by annual conferences. That figure is 4,172 for this year alone, it reported.

Some annual conferences may approve more departures at special sessions later this year, according to the Rev. Jay Therrell, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association, a conservative caucus that has advocated for the exiting churches. While most UMC congregations are remaining, many of the departing congregations are large, and denominational officials are bracing for significant budget cuts in 2024.

The numbers of exiting churches are higher than conservatives originally estimated, Therrell said.

Legal wrangles have largely been resolved over how much compensation the departing congregations must pay for their property and other financial obligations.

For the most part, bishops and other annual conference leaders have been very gracious, and I deeply appreciate that, Therrell said. There have been some small exceptions to that, and those are unfortunate, but were grateful that cooler and calmer heads have prevailed.

Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the UMCs Council of Bishops, said the departures were disappointing.

I dont think any of us want to see any of our churches leave, he said. Were called to be the body of Christ, were called to be unified. Theres never been a time when the church has not been without conflict, but theres been a way weve worked through that.

But for those who want to go and live out their Christian faith in a new expression, we wish Gods blessings on them, he said.

The split has been long in the making, mirroring controversies that have led to splits in other mainline Protestant denominations. United Methodist legislative bodies, known as general conferences, have repeatedly reinforced bans on LGBTQ marriage and ordination, on the strength of coalitions of conservatives in U.S. and overseas churches.

But amid increased defiance of those bans in many U.S. churches, many conservatives decided to launch the separate Global Methodist Church, saying they believed the sexuality issues reflected deeper theological differences.

The departures have been particularly large in the South and Midwest, with states such as Texas, Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio each losing hundreds of congregations.

In some areas, United Methodists have designated lighthouse or similarly named congregations, with a mission for receiving members who wanted to stay United Methodists but whose churches were leaving. The GMC has begun planting new churches, including in areas where United Methodist congregations have remained in that denomination.

With these departures, progressives are expected to propose changing church law at the next General Conference in 2024 to allow for same-sex marriage and the ordination of LGBTQ people.

The United Methodist Church has about 6.5 million members in the United States and at least that many abroad, according to its website. The U.S. membership has been in steady decline, while the overseas membership has grown, particularly in Africa.

Therrell said there will be efforts at the 2024 General Conference to provide overseas churches a legal way to disaffiliate, similar to what U.S. congregations have had.

The GMC says about 3,000 churches so far have affiliated with the new denomination, with more expected.

Bickerton said its time for United Methodists remaining in the denomination to refocus their work.

Quite often, when youre pressed, you begin to exhibit creativity, he said. Were pivoting away from what we were into what our next expression is going to be. Budgets will be smaller, but this is our opportunity to refashion the church for relevance in the 21st century and really focus on evangelism.
Im crying at 4:30 AM while putting on that shirt and getting in the car to go to work and hes wearing it for fashion, one more wrote. Lets swap.
Report: Google's First Exclusive Chipset for Pixel Devices Delayed Until 2025 News oi -Kabir Jain

According to a report from The Information, Google had initially planned to replace the modified Samsung Exynos chips used in Pixel phones with its own in-house designed processor called "Redondo" by 2024. However, due to various challenges, the release of "Redondo" has been delayed to 2025, and Google will instead introduce a new custom processor codenamed "Laguna."

The Challenges Faced by Google's Chip Development Team

The delay in the release of the "Redondo" chip can be attributed to challenges related to employee retention and development coordination between US and Indian teams. The team responsible for designing the processor was disheartened by Google's decision to cancel the development of several Tensor chips over the past two years. These setbacks created a sense of disappointment within the team, contributing to the postponement of the release.

Google's Interim Solution: Semi-Custom Samsung Chips & the Transition to TSMC

While Google works on refining its custom processors, the company is reportedly continuing to use semi-custom versions of Samsung's chips. However, Google has plans to shift the manufacturing of its processors from Samsung to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a renowned chipmaking giant known for producing chips for Apple's iPhones and other prominent devices.

The Advancements of the "Laguna" Processor

The new custom processor, "Laguna," is expected to incorporate advanced packaging technology that is primarily utilized by Apple. This technology enables improved power efficiency while maintaining a slim chip profile. By adopting this packaging technology, Google aims to enhance the performance and energy efficiency of its future Pixel devices.

The Transition Process: From Redondo to Laguna

The report states that the Tensor team at Google was unable to provide TSMC with the design of the "Redondo" chip by the 2022 deadline for trial production, even after reducing some of its features.

Consequently, "Redondo" will now be manufactured as a test chip, assisting the Tensor engineers in designing the new "Laguna" processor. This transition allows Google to leverage the experience gained from developing "Redondo" and incorporate it into the improved architecture of "Laguna."

Google's Long-Term Goal: Self-Designed Tensor Processors

Despite the delay in the release of "Redondo," Google remains committed to its long-term vision of designing its own Tensor processors. The company aims to completely replace Samsung's chips with its custom processors by 2025.

However, as reported by The Information, Google will continue to license Arm CPU and GPU cores for the foreseeable future, ensuring compatibility and optimizing performance in its devices.

Source

Via

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Proposed French Law Approves Spying On Citizens By Remotely Activating Smartphones Camera, Mic, GPS News oi -Alap Naik Desai

The French government has proposed amendments to a law that essentially allows law enforcement and investigating agencies to spy on people through their phones and electronic devices.

As part of a wider Justice Reform Bill, the France National Assembly passed a bill this week that allows the French police to remotely activate cameras, microphones, and GPS location systems on the phones and other devices of people under surveillance.

Is France Becoming A Surveillance Or Police State?

Freedom comes at the cost of sacrifices. For the French citizenry, the cost of freedom appears to be their right to privacy, the opposition political parties in France are claiming.

The opposition is calling the newly proposed amendments a "slide into heavy-handed security". The digital rights group La Quadrature du Net claimed the provisions "raise serious concerns over infringements of fundamental liberties".

The group argued that police could utilize preexisting and newly discovered security vulnerabilities and loopholes devices to target dissidents. Moreover, it might use security flaws or shortcomings to its advantage, instead of alerting manufacturers and asking them to patch those holes.

It is not clear how exploiting unknown and unpatched security flaws or vulnerabilities would be a part of the French government's plan. However, the proposed law does offer way more authority to the police, and that too during peacetime without the French government declaring a national emergency.

New Surveillance Provisions Do Have Restrictions And Conditions

France is currently experiencing nationwide riots, which have morphed into multiple cases of vandalism, arson, and looting. The country's infrastructure is being torched at an alarming rate.

Despite the seemingly correct timing to increase surveillance and bring the guilty to justice, the proposed amendments to the law do have necessary checks and balances.

A few caveats have been added to prevent the government from becoming a full-blown authoritarian and surveillance state. To surveil any suspect, a judge will have to approve the use of special powers.

Even if the judge grants permission for surveillance, the police cannot continue spying on the suspects for more than six months. Moreover, the said powers cannot be used against journalists, lawyers, MPs, and other "sensitive professions".

Although there are limitations, the mere possibility of remotely accessing and controlling a target's devices is concerning. With these tools, the police and the politicians could spy on law-abiding citizens who protest against government policies, some lawmakers fear.

Incidentally, the Senate green-lit the provisions of the Justice Bill last month. However, after the new amendments were introduced this week, the proposal will be sent back for the President's approval before it becomes law.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, Tab S9+, Tab S9 Ultra Key Specs Leak: Flagship SD8 G2 SoC, 16GB RAM, Tipped News oi -Alap Naik Desai

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series, believed to include the base Tab S9, Tab S9+, and Tab S9 Ultra, should launch alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5, Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Watch 6 series at the end of this month.

Samsung should announce several premium products across multiple categories at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event expected to take place this month. Let's look at the latest leaks about the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Leaked Specifications

Samsung hasn't confirmed or denied any of the leaked specifications. Hence, it is possible the company may make some minor changes in the final retail versions of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series tablets.

All the tablets in the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with a peak clock speed of 3.36GHz, the leak claims. If true, this could allow users to game on these tablets in high resolution and framerates.

The tablets in the upcoming series would have four speakers, an optical in-display fingerprint sensor, and an S-Pen with bilateral charging.

According to the latest leak, the entry-level Galaxy Tab S9 will feature an 11-inch WQXGA Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a 2560 x 1600 pixels resolution.

The tablet will feature a 12MP camera on the front and a 13MP camera on the back. The leak suggests the Tab S9 has an 8,400mAh battery, 12 GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage. The device is tipped to measure 254.8 x 165.8 x 5.9mm.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Leaked Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is tipped to have a slightly larger 12.4-inch WQXGA Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2800 x 1752 pixels resolution.

The tablet is rumored to pack 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. It is tipped to feature a single 12MP front-facing camera. It would have a dual rear camera setup, comprising a 13MP primary camera, coupled with an 8MP lens.

Owing to the larger screen, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ is tipped to measure 285.4 x 185.4 x 5.7mm. it would also have a significantly bigger 10,090mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Leaked Specifications

The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra will be the biggest tablet in the series, featuring a 14.6-inch WQXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a 2960 x 1898 pixels resolution.

According to the leak, the Tab S9 Ultra will feature a dual front-facing camera setup comprising a pair of 12MP cameras. The tablet is tipped to feature a 13MP + 8MP dual-camera setup on the back.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra tablet is rumored to pack 16 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, and an 11,200mAh battery. With the biggest screen in the series and the largest battery, the tablet is rumored to have the largest form factor, measuring 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm.

A recent report indicated these premium tablets have an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. It is likely that Samsung will offer some fast-charging support, otherwise it would take a very long time to recharge the batteries in the Galaxy Tab S9 series.

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"I need ammunition, not a ride"

attributed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions

Both the Ukrainians and the Russians used cluster munitions during the full-scale war that began in February 2022. A single Dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM) cluster artillery shell can do the job of 10 conventional high-explosive fragmentation shells when destroying most typical targets, which is extremely important in a situation where the supply of ammunition to Ukraine had faced enormous difficulties. One obstacle to the transfer of DPICM was legislative. Although Ukraine, like the United States, is not a member of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the United States has a legal ban on the export of cluster munitions with a failure rate of more than 1%. DPICM shells have a failure rate of 3% and are being replaced by C-DAEMs with less than 1% of failed sub-elements.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl addressed reporters at the White House and Pentagon respectively 07 July 2023, stating that the US should meet Ukraines request notwithstanding risks to civilians. The danger to Ukrainians would be greater if Russia overtook the country, and if Moscows tanks rolled into Kyiv because Ukraine does not have enough artillery, that is intolerable to us, Sullivan said.

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder at a briefing on 06 July 2023 said "we have multiple variants of DPICMs in our stocks, and the ones that we are considering providing [to Ukraine  ed.] would not include older variants with dud rates that are higher than 2.35%... We are aware of reports out there from several decades ago that indicate that certain 155-mm DPICMs have higher dud rates, so we would be carefully selecting rounds with lower dud rates for which we have ... recent testing data."

For 155mm howitzers, the M864 shell contains 72 submunitions (48 M42 submunitions + 24 M46 submunitions). The M483A1 shell contains 88 submunitions (M42 submunitions x 64 + M46 submunitions x 24). These 155mm shells will probably be the main cluster munitions delivered to Ukraine from the United States. Photographic evidence has already surfaced that the old Turkish M483A1 ammunition was secretly handed over to Ukraine. In late 2022 Turkiye had begun sending Ukraine American-designed cluster munitions after months of Kyivs pleas to the Biden administration to provide them. Ukraine denied the reports.

Cluster munitions contain dozens to hundreds of smaller bomblets (they are called submunitions). They can be dropped from airplanes, they can be fired from artillery, rocket launchers, and naval guns. Cluster munitions open at a given height, which depends on the area of ??the intended target, the submunitions contained inside spread over this area. Submunitions are connected using a timer and explode closer to the ground or already on the ground, scattering fragments that attack enemy personnel or armored vehicles, such as tanks.

The Dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM) rounds that Washington could transfer to Kyiv are fired from 155mm howitzers. Each munition contains 88 bombs with a lethal range of about 10 square meters. So one munition can cover an area of up to 30,000 square meters (it depends on the height of dropping the bombs).

The 155mm cluster shell detonates a small explosive charge which pushes the submunition backward and releases it from the ewe. Since the shell rotates at high speed, the submunitions spread. Each submunition falls at a steep angle with the liner cone of the shaped explosive charge facing downward while the ribbon attached to the rear receives air resistance to stabilize its posture. This is a feature of the DPICM for hitting the tank's top armor at an angle that facilitates penetration. Submunitions falling at this steep angle have the secondary effect of making it easier to dive into trenches. DPICM cluster bullets can not only cover a wide area in the field, but also demonstrate effective striking power in trench warfare.

In September 2022, an unpaid US advisor to the commander in chief of the Ukraine Armed Forces, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, wrote an article in September 2022 advising Ukraine to request dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) submunitions from US stockpiles for Ukraine to use in its 155mm artillery systems. Since then, several media outlets reported on the Ukrainian governments requests to be supplied with cluster munitions. At the Munich Security Conference in February 2023, Ukraines deputy prime minister, Olexander Kubrakov, and foreign minister, Dmytro Kuleba, appealed for Ukraine to be supplied with cluster munitions.[39] In response, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told media that "NATO has neither recommended nor supplied these kinds of weapons. We supply artillery and other types of weapons, but not cluster bombs."

The administration of US President Joe Biden agreed on the supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine. This was reported on 06 July 2023 by The New York Times. Ukraine had publicly asked to be supplied with cluster munitions. Ukrainian leaders are aware of the risks to noncombatants associated with these munitions, which pale in comparison to the existential threat posed by Russias invasion and daily acts of barbarity. In June 2023, Deputy Pentagon Assistant for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Laura Cooper said that cluster munitions could affect the situation on the battlefield and would be useful to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, especially in the fight "against entrenched Russian positions."

In a special United Nations meeting on March 2, 2022, UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield criticized Russias invasion of Ukraine in part for using cluster munitions, which she said have no place on the battlefield. Shortly thereafter, her speech was revised, removing that phrase, because the United States itself had yet to renounce these weapons.

The United States last used cluster munitions during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, with the exception of a single attack in Yemen in December 2009. The U.S. has not exported cluster munitions of any kind since 2015, and they are no longer produced by any American company. The United States is also by far the worlds leading supporter of efforts to clear unexploded cluster munitions from battlefields and to aid the victims. The United States has nearly three million of these rounds in its inventory  much of it located on U.S. and allied bases in Europe. Higher effectiveness. A single round can achieve a similar or greater operational effect as five or more rounds armed with GMLRS-U or other high-explosive warheads.

On 21 December 2022 Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA) joined Chairman Bill Keating (D-MA) of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe, Energy, the Environment, and Cyber; Chair Jim McGovern (D-MA) of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission; and Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in sending a letter to President Biden urging him to take all the necessary steps to revise the Department of Defenses (DoD) 2017 Policy on Cluster Munitions and ultimately ban the development, sale, and use of these weapons while expediting the destruction of the US stockpile of cluster munitions.

Several US lawmakers have called for the United States, which is not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, to transfer stockpiled cluster munitions to the Ukrainian government. The United States relied on similar cluster munitions during the Cold War as a means of offsetting Soviet military advantages in manpower, artillery, and armored vehicles.

On 21 March 2023 US Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with U.S. Representatives Michael McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to President Biden urging the administration to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions such as dual purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICM).

We remain deeply disappointed in your administrations reluctance to provide Ukraine with the right type and amount of long-range fires and maneuver capability to create and exploit operational breakthroughs against the Russians, wrote the members. Sadly, the immediate consequences of denying DPICM and other items in a timely manner to the Ukrainian Armed Forces are playing out on the battlefield in Bakhmut and elsewhere in Ukraine today. Providing DPICM will allow Ukraine to compensate for Russias quantitative advantage in both personnel and artillery rounds, and will allow the Ukrainian Armed Forces to concentrate their use of unitary warheads against higher-value Russian targets, the members continued.

Under US arms export rules, the United States can only export cluster munitions that after arming do not result in more than one percent unexploded ordnance across the range of intended operational environments. This provision can be waived by the US president in exceptional circumstances to allow for transfers of cluster munitions with higher failure rates.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Laura Cooper, stated 22 June 2023 "Our military experts have confirmed that DPICMs will be useful especially against trenches on the battlefield". Cooper said "In terms of effectiveness on the battlefield, we believe the use of cluster munitions would be beneficial".

The main ammunition for the Soviet-made multiple rocket launchers Uragan 9M27K and Smerch 9M55K, which are used by both Russia and Ukraine as their main weapons, are cluster-warhead rockets, which have been in constant use since the beginning of the war. In addition, the use of cluster munitions has been confirmed in short-range ballistic missiles, air bombs, field artillery shells, etc. Cluster munitions are not uncommon in this war, and have been used in large quantities since the beginning of the war.

For this reason, Ukraine recognizes that the use of cluster munitions itself is not a problem (however, it condemns the use of cluster munitions in urban areas by the Russian military), and Russia also considers cluster munitions to be no problem at all. cannot condemn the US supply of cluster munitions to Ukraine.

Jen Kirby, writing for Vox July 7, 2023, noted "The cluster munitions debate stands apart .... It is instead a test of the USs own adherence to international consensus  and how this decision might undermine the broader stigma against the use of these weapons. Its really about how is everybody else going to respond to this, NATO allies and the broader international community, said Jennifer Erickson, an international security and arms control expert at Boston College. Its about testing what has been seen as a broader international norm, rather than a question of: Well, if we sell that tank, Russia will take that as an escalation. This seems just a different conversation entirely.

The Cluster Munition Monitor 2022 found that in 2021, civilians represented 97 percent of casualties (144 people) from unexploded submunitions. More than 60 percent were children in cases where the ages were known. People in Vietnam and Laos are still finding the remnants of cluster bombs dropped by the US decades ago.

At least 38 human rights organizations publicly opposed a delivery of cluster bombs to Ukraine and expressed concern over the weapon's ability to drop bomblets that can endanger civilians for years by failing to detonate and remaining as explosive hazards.

Human Rights Watch , an international non-governmental organization , warned the United States against handing over cluster munitions to Ukrainian forces, saying it would inevitably lead to long-term suffering for the civilian population and nullify international condemnation of their use. Cluster munitions can be delivered by aircraft or ground-launched missiles, projectiles, and rockets. They open in mid-air and disperse dozens and even hundreds of smaller submunitions, also called bomblets, over an area the size of a city block. Many submunitions fail to explode on initial impact, leaving duds that act like landmines, posing a threat to civilians for years and even decades. Cluster munitions are comprehensively banned by the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which 123 countries have joined, although not Russia or Ukraine. Regardless, the use of cluster munitions in areas with civilians makes an attack indiscriminate in violation of international humanitarian law,

"These are already all over the country and will need to be cleaned up. That is not a good enough excuse for the United States to be sending more. Legislators, policymakers and the [President Joe] Biden administration will probably think twice when the pictures start coming back of children who have been harmed by American-made cluster munitions," Sarah Yager, Washington Director at Human Rights Watch, said.

The American non-governmental Arms Control Association condemned the intention of the US administration to start supplying cluster munitions to Ukraine. In a written statement released 06 July 2023, the association called the US government's plans a "wrong move." The document says that "[US President Joe] Biden's administration will change course" and begin transferring cluster munitions to the government of Ukraine. The decision on this matter by the White House and the State Department has already been made, the statement said. Association leader Daryl Kimball described Washington's current actions as "escalatory and counterproductive." As he warned, such deliveries to Kyiv "only increase the danger for the civilian population, who ended up in the war zone and who will one day return to their cities" and to the countryside.

House Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern (D-MA) urged to listen to "NATO allies," pointing out that "the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain...oppose sending cluster munitions to Ukraine for the same reasons." Chrissy Houlahan, House Armed Services member and Air Force veteran, said in her statement that the decision by the Biden administration was "blurring the lines of moral high ground." "Cluster munitions are illegal under international law," Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., reiterated, as she announced that together with Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., she would co-lead an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act prohibiting the sale of cluster munitions. We have to be clear: if the US is going to be a leader on international human rights, we must not participate in human rights abuses. We can support the people of Ukraine in their freedom struggle, while also opposing violations of international law. (In fact, the innocent victims of the cluster munitions will almost exclusively be Ukrainian civilians).... I will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and support their struggle against Vladimir Putins tyrannical war of aggression. I will also continue to stand for human rights. I hope we as a country do the same.

Kyiv reacted with irritation to such a position. "Just think about it: absolutely insane Russian thugs are invading Ukraine, unleashing a brutal genocidal war, killing civilians, carrying out public executions, raping women, kidnapping children, attacking big cities with cruise missiles ... At the same time, a "human rights organization" is standing nearby and accuses the Ukrainian people of not disarming themselves sufficiently following the results of the international conventions of 2005 and the Budapest Memorandum," Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, wrote.

The decision by the United States to deliver cluster munitions to Ukraine was denounced as a provocation, Russian Ambassador in Washington Anatoly Antonov said on 07 July 2023. "With tenacity worthy of a better use, Washington continues to raise the stakes in the conflict," Antonov said in a statement, adding: "No one doubted the deep involvement of the United States in the confrontation in Ukraine even without cluster munitions. However, the current level of American provocations is really off scale, bringing humanity closer to a new world war."

The use of cluster munitions is a terrorist method of warfare, Russia will respond based on military expediency, and the Federation Council can discuss the situation, Viktor Bondarev, head of the Federation Council's defense committee, said 08 July 2023. The US announced Friday that it is transferring cluster munitions to Ukraine that are prohibited by an international convention that 123 countries have ratified, not including the US and Ukraine. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, according to the Russian military, have already used cluster munitions to shell Donbass , in particular the large city of Donetsk . According to the official representative of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Major General Igor Konashenkov , this suggests that the task of the Ukrainian troops is to kill the maximum number of civilians.

The cluster munitions that the US decided to supply to Ukraine are actually useless against the positions of the Russian army. Washington passes them on, as it simply has no other shells left, said ex-US intelligence officer Scott Ritter. As Ritter told RIA Novosti , the M864 155-mm caliber artillery shells in question have, in fact, been in the warehouses of the US Armed Forces since 2016: they are not used due to "incompatibility with moral standards." These are the only artillery shells available for the supply of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the rate of unexploded ordnance in them is not 1%, but 14% or even more.

The former intelligence officer explained the ineffectiveness against the Russian forces by the fact that the RF Armed Forces are not now carrying out massive attacks with armored vehicles, against which such shells were developed. Much more damage could have been caused by conventional high-explosive 155-mm shells, but the United States did not have them. "The only reason why cluster munitions are being sent to Ukraine today is because the US simply doesn't have any other projectiles for them. This is the last thing we have in our arsenals," Ritter concluded.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stressed Berlins opposition to delivering cluster munitions to Ukraine. Baerbock expressed a negative attitude to the much-criticized weapons during a climate event in Austria on07 July 2023. I have followed the media reports. For us, as a state party, the Oslo agreement applies, she told journalists, when asked about US plans.

Germany's president on 09 July 2023 said the country should not "block" the United States from sending cluster bombs to Ukraine, while defending its opposition to the use of the controversial weapon. "Germany's position against the use of cluster munitions is as justified as ever. But we cannot, in the current situation, block the United States," said President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in an interview with German broadcaster ZDF. If Ukraine no longer has the means to defend itself or if those supporting the war-stricken country back down, "it would be the end of Ukraine", said the president, whose powers are largely ceremonial.

Vladimir Putin continues to commit war crimes and atrocities against the Ukrainian people. In April, I had an extensive, in-depth discussion with President Zelenskyy and his national security team in Kyiv on what was working on the battlefield and what was not. They are outmatched by Russias use of tens of thousands of artillery cluster rounds that are more effective against certain targets, and its part of whats preventing them from getting the upper hand, said combat Veteran and Senate Airland Armed Services Subcommittee Chairman Mark Kelly. Ukraines success is a national security imperative for us, and they have asked for these rounds to deploy in self-defense on their own soil because they see it as critical to their survival. I appreciate the work from the administration that went into this plan and will continue working with them and my colleagues in the Senate to provide Ukraine with the weapons and support they need to beat Putin and win this war.

Members of the House of Representatives on 13 July 2023 rejected a proposed amendment to the draft defense budget for the next fiscal year (begins October 1), which provides for a ban on the sale and transfer of cluster munitions by Washington to Kiev. The amendment had been introduced by Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Green (R-Georgia). The initiative was supported by 147 legislators, 276 opposed it.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that if American cluster munitions are delivered to Ukraine, Russian forces will be forced to use similar weapons against the Ukrainian army. He also added that Russia refrained from using cluster munitions during the special operation, realizing the threat they pose to the civilian population. According to Shoigu, the supply of these weapons by the Americans will prolong the conflict.

American right-wing huckster and billionaire Elon Musk warned 15 July 2023 of the negative consequences of the transfer of cluster munitions by the United States to Ukraine, noting the hypocrisy of such supplies. "Nothing good will come of this," he wrote on Twitter, commenting on the shipment of cluster shells to Kyiv. Musk pointed out that the US has "always condemned as evil" those who use cluster munitions, but now the US itself is sending them for use in combat. "Fate loves irony, but hates hypocrisy," the confidence-man said.

In his first comments on the delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine from the US, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia has not used cluster bombs in its war in Ukraine so far, despite widespread evidence to the contrary. Until now, we have not done this, we have not used it, and we have not had such a need, he said 17 July 2023. The use of cluster bombs by both Russia and Ukraine has been widely documented, including by The Associated Press and international humanitarian organizations, and cluster rounds have been found in the aftermath of Russian strikes.





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French-American Heritage Month

July is designated as French-American Heritage Month and is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the influences and the contributions that the French have had on the United States in art, culture, language, etiquette, and more. There are many ways to celebrate the month and recognize the shared culture and partnership with France, including enjoying French cuisine with friends, contributing to an organization supporting French-American culture, or engaging in social media discussions.

Approximately 11.8 million Americans of French or French Canadian descent live and work in the United States, with about 2 million of those speaking French at home. As of the 2011 census, an additional 750,000 French-American citizens were added to those numbers due to the large creole community, whose language is based on French.

The term Franco-American or French American can be used broadly to refer to people of French, French-Canadian, Acadian, and Cajun descent. French Americans are United States citizens or residents who have full or partial French ancestry. Many emigrated from regions in France, especially during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, French Americans, who can be found throughout the United States, constitute one of the largest European ethnic groups in the country.

French Americans have contributed to the history, culture, and economy of the United States in many ways. New Orleans, Louisiana, and parts of New England have particularly strong French influences, both from France and from French Canadians. In New Orleans, the distinctive local variety of French architecture is a testament to its French colonial heritage, while the annual Mardi Gras festival traces its roots back to French carnival traditions.

Many French Americans have had a significant impact on American arts, culture, politics, and science. For instance, the arts have been influenced by French filmmakers, artists, and writers who have lived in the United States, while politics and science have been shaped by figures of French descent, such as the scientist Jacques Monod or the politician and diplomat Dean Acheson. The culinary scene has also been enriched by the influence of French cuisine.

It's also important to note the significant population of people of French Canadian descent in the United States, particularly in states such as Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Some of these individuals and families came to the United States from Quebec in the 19th and early 20th centuries, seeking economic opportunities. Their impact can be seen in the Franco-American communities of New England and elsewhere, which have maintained elements of French language and culture.

Franco-Americans or French Americans have contributed to many aspects of American culture and society. Chloe Sevigny, Patricia Arquette, Timothee Chalamet, Julie Delpy, and Angelina Jolie have in common? Theyre all French-American in some way. Some are born of French-American parents, some have French-Canadian ancestry and were raised in the United States, and some are first-generation French-Americans. Here are a few notable figures:

Paul Revere (1735-1818): Although more commonly associated with his English heritage, Revere's mother was French Huguenot, and his father was of French origin, too. Revere was a silversmith and industrialist who played a key role in the American Revolution.

Louis Chevrolet (1878-1941): Chevrolet was a Swiss race car driver, co-founder of the Chevrolet Motor Car Company in 1911, and a major figure in the development of the automobile industry.

Liberty Lighting the World, commonly known as The Statue of Liberty, stands 93 meters above Upper New York Bay. The Statue of Liberty was made in Paris and presented to the United States in 1881 as a gift to commemorate the alliance between France and the United States. Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, the sculptor who designed the statue, is said to have modelled her face after his own mother.

Julia Child (1912-2004): Child was an American cooking teacher, author, and television personality. She is recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public with her debut cookbook, "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and her subsequent television programs, most notably "The French Chef," which premiered in 1963.

Jack Kerouac (1922-1969): Kerouac was an American novelist and poet, a prominent figure in the Beat Generation of the post-WWII era. He was of French-Canadian descent and spoke Joual, a dialect of Canadian French, as his first language.

Ellen DeGeneres (b. 1958): DeGeneres is a well-known comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer. She is of French, English, German, and Irish descent. Her French heritage comes from her paternal grandfather, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Bordeaux region of France.

Overall, French Americans have a rich and diverse heritage that reflects both their origins in France or French Canada and their experiences in the United States.

Bastille Day, also known as French National Day or Fete Nationale, is a significant holiday celebrated annually on July 14th in France. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris on July 14, 1789, which marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution and the beginning of the end of the monarchy.

The storming of the Bastille was a symbolic act by the revolutionaries who sought to challenge the authority of the French monarchy and demand more democratic rights and freedoms. The prison was seen as a symbol of oppression and tyranny, and its fall represented the people's uprising against the monarchy's arbitrary rule.

The Bastille prison was largely empty at the time of its storming on July 14, 1789. The prison was not a significant holding place for political prisoners, contrary to popular belief. It primarily housed a small number of common criminals, and its symbolic value as a symbol of royal authority made it a target for the revolutionaries.

The storming of the Bastille, although it had little practical impact on the French Revolution, was a highly symbolic event. It represented the popular uprising against the monarchy and the beginning of the French Revolution, which aimed to challenge the authoritarian rule of King Louis XVI and bring about political and social reforms. The fall of the Bastille became a powerful symbol of the people's struggle against oppression and sparked further revolutionary actions across France.

Today, Bastille Day is celebrated throughout France with various festivities and events. The most significant celebration takes place in Paris, where a grand military parade is held along the Champs-Elysees. The parade showcases the French Armed Forces, including soldiers, military equipment, and aircraft, and is attended by the President of France and other dignitaries.

In addition to the military parade, Bastille Day is marked by numerous public events, including fireworks, concerts, dances, and parties held across the country. French people often gather with friends and family for picnics, enjoying traditional French cuisine and wine. The day is a national holiday, and many businesses and institutions are closed.

Bastille Day is not only celebrated within France but also by French communities around the world. It serves as a reminder of the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity that are central to the French national identity.







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CALGARY, Alberta, July 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Organising Committee for the 24th World Petroleum Congress (OCAN) marks the 75-day milestone to the Congress in Calgary where global policy and energy leaders will gather to discuss innovative solutions for potential paths to a net zero future. Momentum is building for the Congress, taking place from September 17  21, 2023, with strong support and participation from industry and government sponsors, strategic and technical speakers, and delegates.



Announcing our Strategic & Technical Programmes

As the Congress nears, the full Technical Programme has been released, and thought leaders from around the globe continue to be announced as participants in the Strategic Programme.

The World Petroleum Council (WPC) brings together a diverse cross section of domestic and global energy and government leaders, which represents a key differentiator for the Congress, says Dr. Pierce Riemer, Director General of the WPC. With an outstanding group of speakers in both the Strategic and Technical programmes, we look forward to innovative and thought-provoking dialogues in support of the theme: Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero.

The 24th World Petroleum Congress will offer the most robust networking to date and throughout the week delegates will enjoy multiple opportunities to engage with energy peers seeking conversations, collaborations and connections to address the challenges of transitioning to a low carbon future.

For detailed information on the Congress programme and speaker list please visit www.24wpc.com.



Recognising our Sponsors

OCAN is pleased to recognise our sponsors and partners supporting the 24th Congress, which includes domestic and international energy producers, supporting companies and government partners. The participation is indicative of the industrys commitment to addressing the worlds collective energy challenges and identifying solutions to a net zero future.

OCAN would like to recognise the current Congress sponsors including Accenture, Qatar Energy, Cenovus Energy, Pathways Alliance, Repsol, Suncor Energy, BP, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Chevron, Deloitte, Enbridge, ExxonMobil, Imperial, Petrobras, S&P Global, Bennett Jones, Petroleum Economist, PwC, Upstream, AMGAS,

ConocoPhillips Canada, geoLOGIC, Hatch, MEG Energy, Shell Canada, Fluor, Stikeman Elliott, and Tenaris for their support in making this Congress a world-class event.

We are delighted with the level of engagement and support provided by our sponsors, says Denis Painchaud, President & CEO, OCAN. In addition to industry support, the critical funding and in-kind contributions from government partners including PrairiesCan, the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary, will help promote Canadas commitment to building a sustainable industry.

With delegates from over 75 participating nations already registered we look forward to the diverse conversations that the Congress will bring. Registration is open with registration costs rising on August 1st. Register now at www.24WPC.com.

Notes for Editors:

About the World Petroleum Congress

Held every three years in WPC member countries, the Congress is the worlds premier oil, gas and energy forum that attracts the attendance of heads of state, energy leaders and technical experts who discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing the worlds petroleum and energy resources for the benefit of all. Under the theme of Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero, the 24th WPC in Calgary will feature a multi-stream conference, including strategic and technical sessions, an international exhibition covering 225,000 ft2, programming for young professionals, and special events such as Canada Night, Womens Networking Breakfast, Ministerial Reception, Excellence Awards and much more.

The information presented at the Congress, as well as the discussions and debates around the progressive programme topics, will help to define realistic, workable paths forward for the global energy industry to achieve a net zero future. The Congress is expected to draw over 5,000 delegates from more than 100 countries, 50 ministerial delegations, 700 expert speakers, and 800 media. Over 15,000 unique visitors are expected to participate in the Congress, which will also feature an Exhibition comprising of over 200 international exhibitors.

About the World Petroleum Council

Established in 1933, the World Petroleum Council is a non-advocacy, non-political organization with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations (UN). The WPC is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and the use of the worlds energy resources for the benefit of all. WPC conducts the triennial World Petroleum Congress, covering all aspects of the industry including management of the industry and its social, economic, and environmental impact.

For further information about the 24th World Petroleum Congress, contact:

Brittney Price, Communications Lead

E-mail: brittney@wpccanada.com

www.24wpc.com



For further information about the World Petroleum Council, contact:

Sarah Beattie, Project Manager

E-mail: sarahb@world-petroleum.org

www.world-petroleum.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/50d6a068-4778-460e-ba23-1c9dae76a53f
Westford, USA, July 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global Retail Banking market size is expected to reach USD 15231.3 million by 2030 and exhibit a CAGR of 10.28% in the forecast period (20232030), according to Skyquest's latest research report. The growing customer demand, digitalization, regulatory changes, competition, technological advancements, changing consumer behaviour, cost efficiency, personalized services, convenience, expanding product offerings, and financial inclusion are fueling the market's growth.

According to SkyQuest's latest global research of the Retail Banking market, open banking, mobile banking, artificial intelligence, personalized banking experiences, digital payments, fintech partnerships, branch transformation, data analytics, customer-centric approach, sustainable banking, remote banking services are the trends that aid in the market's growth.

Get sample copy of this report:

https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/retail-banking-market

Browse in-depth TOC on "Retail Banking Market"

Pages - 157

Tables - 98

Figures -76

Retail banking is a type of banking that provides financial services to individual customers, such as checking and savings accounts, loans, and credit cards. Retail banks typically have a network of branches that customers can visit to conduct their banking transactions. They also offer various digital banking services, such as online banking and mobile banking.

Prominent Players in Retail Banking Market

Bank of America

Citigroup

JPMorgan Chase

Wells Fargo

HSBC

Bank of China

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC)

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG)

State Bank of India (SBI)

Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (BTMU)

China Construction Bank (CCB)

Credit Agricole

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)

Barclays

Santander Group

DenizBank

ING Group

Standard Chartered

BNP Paribas

Agricultural Bank of China (ABC)

Browse summary of the report and Complete Table of Contents (ToC):

https://www.skyquestt.com/report/retail-banking-market

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Attributes



Details



Forecast Period



2023-2030 Market Size in 2022



6926.36 Million 2030 Value Projection



15231.3 Million CAGR 10.28% Segments Covered















Services Transactional Accounts, Savings Accounts, Debit Cards, ATM Cards, Credit Cards, Mortgage, Home Loan, and Car Loan.



Bank Type Community Development Banks, Private Banks, Public Banks, and NBFC.



Region North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, MEA.











Regions Covered







North America (US, Canada), Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, India, Japan, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil, Rest of Latin America), Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC Countries, Rest of MEA)

Digital Banking Products Demand to Grow Substantially in the Forecast Period

Digital banking products dominated the global online market as they have gained widespread popularity and convenience. With the proliferation of smartphones and internet connectivity, digital banking products have become accessible to a large portion of the population, enabling more people to engage with banking services.

Digital Banking are the Leading Application Segment

In terms of application, digital banking is the leading segment due to their growing demand for convenience. In addition, the proliferation of smartphones and the increasing penetration of mobile internet have led to a mobile-first lifestyle. Customers are relying more on their smartphones for various activities, including banking. Digital banking applications cater to this trend by providing user-friendly and optimized mobile experiences.

Asia Pacific is the leading Market Due to the Rapid Economic Growth

Region-wise, Asia-pacific is one of the largest growing markets with a huge economic growth. Countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been at the forefront of adopting and embracing technology in various sectors, including banking. The region has witnessed rapid adoption of digital banking, mobile payments, and other innovative financial technologies, driving the growth of the retail banking market.

A recent report thoroughly analyzes the major players operating within the Retail Banking 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 Retail Banking.

Key Developments in Retail Banking Market

In March, Wells Fargo announced that it would acquire First Republic Bank for $13.4 billion. The acquisition is expected to help Wells Fargo expand its wealth management offerings and reach new customers.

In April, HSBC announced that it would acquire AXA Bank for $11 billion. The acquisition is expected to help HSBC expand its retail banking offerings in Europe.

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Key Questions Answered in Retail Banking Market Report

What specific growth drivers will impact the market during the forecast period?

Can you list the top companies in the market and explain how they have achieved their positions of influence?

In what ways do regional trends and patterns differ within the global market, and how might these differences shape the market's future growth?

Related Reports in SkyQuests Library:

Global Digital Remittance Market

Global Digital Banking Market

Global Open Banking Market

Global Neo Bank Market

Global Mobile Payment Market

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SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally.

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MILAN, Italy, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One of the biggest Cohesion Policy-funded projects, the Braila Bridge in Romania, was inaugurated today. It will connect the Black Sea ports and the Danube Delta with the rest of the country and with the wider Trans-European Transport Network. It is the longest structure in the country with a total length of 1,975 metres and is the second longest suspension bridge in continental Europe, with a central span of 1,120 metres. The EUs contribution to this project amounts to 363 million from Cohesion Policy funds.



The bridge was built by the joint venture between the Italian company Webuild, which holds a 60% share, and the Japanese company IHI Infrastructure Systems. 2 km long, 38 meters above the water and with four lanes, this suspension bridge is the largest in Romania and the largest over the Danube and, overall, the third largest suspension bridge in the EU. The bridge will allow the free transit of vessels and it will replace a slow and unreliable ferry link, which is often interrupted during winter and bad weather conditions.

It was inaugurated today in the presence of the President of Romania Klaus Iohannis, the European Commissioner for Transport Adina-Ioana Valean and the Undersecretary of State to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport Undersecretary Tullio Ferrante, accompanied by the Italian Ambassador in Bucharest Alfredo Durante Mangoni and the CEO of Webuild Pietro Salini.

Salini: "After Braila, we are ready to build a record bridge over the Strait of Messina"

"After the inauguration of two new stations of the M4 metro in Milan in recent days, today we are proud to cut the ribbon on another project, the Braila Bridge, which will improve and simplify the everyday life of many people and businesses in the region, bringing them closer together and creating value". This was stated by Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild.

"Together with IHI, after the technological challenge of Braila, we are ready to build, again with a single span, a record-breaking bridge over the Strait of Messina, placing at the service of the country the successes that Italian engineering has achieved in the world. Due to the length of its central span, Braila represents a 1:3 scale model of the bridge that will finally unite Sicily and Calabria. These projects are first and foremost dreams, and today our Group has the honour of making them a reality," Salini added. The two banks of the Danube in south-eastern Romania are now connected by the newly completed Braila Bridge, the longest bridge in the country with a total length of 1,975 metres and the second longest suspension bridge in continental Europe, with a central span of 1,120 metres.

Video available on AP Multimedia Newsroom

For more information:

Press Office LaPresse - ufficio.stampa@lapresse.it

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5b6bb898-2fd8-45b6-9b13-2a19c1df3d41

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.
Dublin, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Bispecific Antibodies Market 2023-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report features an extensive study of the current market landscape and future opportunity for the players involved in the development and manufacturing of bispecific therapeutic antibodies for treating various oncological and non-oncological disorders. The report answers many key questions related to this domain.



Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics Market Overview

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) represent a novel class of antibodies that act by simultaneously attaching to two separate / distinct antigens or different epitopes of the same antigen.

These drugs primarily function by redirecting immune effector cells to effectively eliminate cancer cells using various mechanisms, such as antibody-dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC), antibody dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP), and complement dependent cytotoxicity (CDC).

Further, bispecific antibody drugs possess unique biological and pharmacological characteristics and are available in a wide range of formats, making them a promising option for therapeutic use. It is worth mentioning that, till date, nine bispecific antibodies have been approved for therapeutic use; these are (arranged in reverse chronological order of their initial approval) TecvayliT (October 2022), Nanozora (September 2022), AK104 (June 2022), Lunsumio (June 2022), VABYSMOT (February 2022), KIMMTRAK (January 2022), RYBREVANTT (May 2021), Hemlibra (November 2017) and Blincyto (December 2014).

Additionally, in the last few years, a definite surge in clinical trials being conducted to evaluate bispecific antibodies has been observed, given the rising popularity and potential therapeutic benefits of such candidates. In the foreseen future, as more such therapeutic candidates move into the clinical stage and / or receive approval, we anticipate the bispecific antibody therapeutics market to witness healthy growth.

Rising Interest in Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics

The growing pipeline of bispecific antibodies and the increasing number of associated clinical trials to evaluate the effectiveness of such candidates indicate a high level of interest and investment in this field.

The recent approval of several bispecific antibodies by regulatory agencies has increased the interest and confidence of stakeholders in this approach. 2022 saw approval of six bispecific antibodies, with Janssen being the latest to receive FDA approval for TecvayliT (in October 2022) for the treatment of multiple myeloma. It is worth mentioning that the potential advantages of bispecific antibodies over traditional monoclonal antibodies, such as increased efficacy and specificity, have made them an attractive option for the treatment of a wide range of diseases.

Pipeline Analysis of Bispecific Antibodies

Bispecific antibody landscape features the presence of over 120 large, mid-sized and small drug developers. It is worth mentioning that, currently, over 220 bispecific antibodies are either approved or being evaluated in clinical stages of development, whereas over 180 candidates are in preclinical stages of development. In addition, we came across various contract manufacturing / research organizations that are engaged in this domain.

Bispecific Antibodies are Mainly Targeting Cancer

The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, such as oncological disorders, autoimmune disorders and infectious diseases, is expected to drive the market for bispecific antibody therapeutics. Such therapeutics offer a promising approach by targeting multiple disease pathways, simultaneously. Currently, there are more than 15 bispecific antibodies in development for the treatment of gastric cancer.

In March 2023, Akeso Biopharma announced the completion of enrollment for a phase III trial for Cadonilimab for use in combination with chemotherapy as first-line therapy for advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer. It is also worth highlighting that the most recent approval of TecvayliT for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma has expanded the target indications where bispecific antibodies have proven their efficacy.

Market Size of the Bispecific Antibodies Market

Driven by the rising interest in R&D activities and growing demand for effective therapeutics, the bispecific antibody therapeutics market is anticipated to witness an annualized growth rate of over 9.5%, during the period 2023-2035.

Specifically, in terms of therapeutic areas, the market is anticipated to be driven by drugs targeting oncology disorders. In addition, presently, close to 64% of the market is captured by players based in North America and Europe.

Key Players in the Bispecific Antibodies Market

Examples of key players engaged in this domain (which have also been captured in this report, arranged in alphabetical order) include Akeso Biopharma, Amgen, Astrazeneca, Genmab, Immunocore, Janssen Research & Development, Merck, Roche and Zymeworks. Roche is playing a key role in taking the bispecific antibodies from development to commercialization, with three approvals to date.

Two of these approvals came in 2022 - VabysmoT in February 2022 and TecvayliT in October 2022. Another of Roche's bispecific antibody, Glofitamab, received priority review from FDA for the treatment of relapsed or refractory large b-cell lymphoma and is likely to receive approval soon.

Key Topics Covered:

1. PREFACE

2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3. INTRODUCTION

4. MARKET LANDSCAPE OF APPROVED AND CLINICAL THERAPIES

4.1. Chapter Overview

4.2. Approved and Clinical Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics: Overall Market Landscape

4.3. Approved and Clinical Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics: Overall Developer Landscape

5. MARKET LANDSCAPE OF PRECLINICAL THERAPIES

5.1. Chapter Overview

5.2. Preclinical Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics: Overall Market Landscape

5.3. Preclinical Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics: Overall Developer Landscape

6. KEY INSIGHTS

6.1. Chapter Overview

6.2. Approved and Clinical Stage Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics Landscape: Key Insights

6.3. Preclinical Stage Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics Landscape: Key Insights

6.4. Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics Developers Landscape: Key Insights

7. TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

7.1. Chapter Overview

7.2. Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics: List of Technology Platforms

7.3. Bispecific Antibody Technology Platforms: Comparative Analysis

7.4. Most Popular Technology Platforms: Analysis by Stage of Development

7.5. Bispecific Antibody Technology Platform Developers: Analysis by Location of Headquarters

8. BIG PHARMA PLAYERS: BENCHMARKING ANALYSIS

8.1. Chapter Overview

8.2. Big Pharma Players: Benchmarking Analysis (Spider Web Representation)

8.3. Big Pharma Players: Comparative Clinical Pipeline Analysis

9. COMPANY PROFILES

10. PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

10.1. Chapter Overview

10.2. Partnership Models

10.3. Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics: Partnerships and Collaborations

11. CONTRACT SERVICES FOR BISPECIFIC ANTIBODY THERAPEUTICS

11.1. Chapter Overview

11.2. Manufacturing of Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics

11.3. Key Considerations for Selecting a Suitable CMO / CRO Partner

12. CLINICAL TRIAL ANALYSIS

12.1. Chapter Overview

12.2. Key Assumptions and Methodology

12.3. Bispecific Antibody Therapeutics: Clinical Trial Analysis

13. CASE STUDY: REGULATORY GUIDELINES FOR BISPECIFIC ANTIBODIES

14. CASE STUDY: PROMOTIONAL / MARKETING STRATEGIES

15. MARKET FORECAST AND OPPORTUNITY ANALYSIS

16. SWOT ANALYSIS

17. CONCLUDING REMARKS

18. EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS

19. APPENDIX 1: TABULATED DATA

20. APPENDIX 2: LIST OF COMPANIES AND ORGANIZATION

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/96g2z5

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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Brussels, Belgium, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Key segments of the European electronics manufacturing industry face significant challenges and require more support, considering their vital role in Europes strategic autonomy and the twin transitions to a greener, more digital economy.

That is the major finding of a new report from IPC, the global electronics industry association, which says the recently enacted European Chips Act is a welcome step. But the near singular focus on the semiconductor industry has obscured critically important segments of the electronics ecosystem, specifically printed circuit boards (PCB) and electronic assembly (EMS), without which semiconductors cannot function, the report says.

Over the last 20 years, the European PCB sector experienced a steep decline, the report says, shrinking from approximately 20-30% of global production to just 2% today. Over this time, the EU has become highly dependent on China, which now accounts for some 65% of total EU PCB requirements.

The EMS sector has experienced solid average annual growth in recent years, fueled by factory investment by large global companies and also by the growth of the downstream markets the sector serves, including automotive, industrial, aerospace, defense, and healthcare. However, the EU imports roughly 90% of required EMS products and services.

Revitalizing and growing the PCB and EMS segments is essential to building a robust European electronics manufacturing ecosystem, which in turn is essential to ensuring supply chain resiliency, advancing the twin transitions, and promoting European innovation, said Sanjay Huprikar, president of European Operations. It takes all elements in the supply chainfrom silicon to systemsto successfully produce the electronics we all depend on in so many ways.

The European Commission is continuing to examine vulnerabilities in its industrial supply chains. On June 23, the European Commissions Directorate General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW) hosted a meeting on electronics assembly and printed circuit board manufacturing with key industry stakeholders, including companies from the renewable energy, aerospace/defense, automotive, and industrial sectors. The structured dialogue was called on the heels of an IPC meeting in April that brought together leaders of government and industry to press for an EU strategy to strengthen silicon-to-systems innovation and manufacturing.

IPCs data-rich report delves into many aspects of the EUs PCB and EMS sectors, including:

Europes reliance on the PCB and EMS sectors of other nations, especially China, and its vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions related to trade wars, health crises, and natural disasters;

Europes leadership and opportunities in embedded systems, i.e., electronic systems embedded into automotive, industrial, aerospace/defense/security, telecommunications, and health care equipment;

Changes over time in employment, growth rates, market share, and the number of companies in the European PCB and EMS sectors; and

Government policy decisions that need to be considered, including investment in research, development, and innovation (R&D&I); incentives to invest in factories of the future; workforce development; and international trade policy.

Additional reports, charts, images, and information are in the report and available at IPC.org; subject matter experts are available for interviews.

###

About IPC

IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 3,200 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry.
Pune, India, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global marine seats market size was valued at USD 398.2 million in 2022 and is projected to reach a valuation of USD 419.0 million in 2023. The market is expected to reach USD 548.4 million by 2030 with a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. Marine seats are designed for utilization in boats, yachts, and other types of ships. They are made from durable and weather-resistant materials which can withstand harsh conditions and offers comfort and support to passengers which will propel market growth. Fortune Business Insights shares this information in its report titled Marine Seats Market, 2023-2030.

Get a Free Sample Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/marine-seats-market-106551

List of Key Players Profiled in the Marine Seats Market Report:

NorSap AS (Norway)

Stidd Systems Inc. (U.S.)

Shockwave Seats (Canada)

Jiangsu Trasea Marine Seating Ltd. (China)

ScotSeat Group (U.K.)

Springfield Marine Company (U.S.)

Ullman Dynamics (Sweden)

Alu Design & Services AS (Norway)

Todd Marine (U.S.)

Cleemann Chair-Systems GmbH (Germany)

TEK Seating (U.K.)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 3.9% 2030 Value Projection USD 548.4 Billion Market Size in 2023 USD 419.0 Billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 200 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Ship Type Analysis

By Seat Type Analysis

By Component Analysis

By Point of Sale Analysis Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

South America

Middle East and Africa Marine Seats Market Growth Drivers Growing Marine Tourism Industry to Contribute Towards Growth of Market Rise in Demand for Custom-Built Seats for Yachts, Boats, Cruises, and Naval Vessels to Fuel Market Growth

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:



https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/marine-seats-market-106551

Segmentation

Passenger Ships To Lead Due to Growth in the Tourism Industry

On the basis of ship type, the market is divided into cruise ship, yacht, container ship, passenger ship, and others. The passenger ships segment dominated in 2022 and is anticipated to grow with the fastest CAGR due to growth in the tourism industry.

Passenger Seat To Lead Due To Increasing Rate Of Passenger Traffic

On the basis of seat type, the market is divided passenger seat, captain seat, crew seat and others. The passenger segment dominated in 2022 with highest CAGR growth due to increasing rate of passenger traffic in marine industry.

Seat Material Segment To Lead Due To Enhance Comfort Expectations

On the basis of component, the market is divided into seat structure and seat material. The seat material segment dominates the segment and has the highest CAGR due to enhance comfort expectations across different sectors.

Aftermarket To Lead Due To Rise In Replacement Of Marine Seats In Various Ships

On the basis of point-of-sale, the market is divided into OEM and aftermarket. The aftermarket segment dominates due to the rise in the replacement of marine seats in various ships.

COVID-19 Impact:

Pandemic Led To Disruption In Global Supply Chains, Including The Manufacturing And Distribution Of Seats

During the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was reduced demand by passengers for which led to the cancellation of the orders of ships, ferries, yachts, and others. The pandemic led to disruption in global supply chains, including the manufacturing and distribution of seats. Furthermore, boat sales and recreational activities experienced a decline in demand during the pandemic affecting market growth.

Inquire Before Buying This Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/marine-seats-market-106551

Report Coverage



The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and the latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players.

Drivers and Restraints

Rise In The Demand For Custom-Built Seats For Boats, Cruises, And Yachts To Propel The Demand For Product

Rise in the demand for custom-built seats for boats, cruises, and yachts is anticipated to drive the marine seats market growth. There has been an increase in the demand for custom-built seats to satisfy user pursuit of ergonomics, comfort, and technology. As the demand for unique and tailored marine experiences continues to grow, the trend of custom-built marine seats is likely to rise, providing boat and yacht owners with more options to create comfortable, stylish, and functional seating arrangements.

However, compliance with regulatory and strict rules related to the environment is expected to hamper the market growth.

Regional Insights

North America To Lead Due To Increasing Number Of Various Marine Activities

North America holds the largest part of the marine seats market share due to the rise in recreational boating, marine tourism, leisure activities, charter services, more boats, yacht manufacturing facilities, and others. The market stood at USD 54.9 billion in 2022. Europe has the second-largest market share due to growing tourism in the region. A swift increase in tourism in countries such as Italy, France, Greece, Norway, and others is anticipated to drive market growth.

Competitive Landscape

Market Players Are Engaging In Strategies Such As Agreements, Partnerships, Acquisitions, and Others

The key market players are NorSap AS, Stidd Systems Inc. Jiangsu Trasea Marine Seating Ltd., and others. The market players are engaging in strategies such as agreements, partnerships, acquisitions, and others. In February 2022, Allsalt Maritime introduced the Shoxs Caster suspension seat series which are designed to offer a smooth ride for offshore boaters. The new Helmcaster and Saltcaster models have only a full-suspension, all-in-one seating system for recreational boating enthusiasts, eliminating the challenges of fitting seat pans to spring-based shock-absorbing sockets and modules.

Ask for Customization:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/marine-seats-market-106551

Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Industry Developments - Key Contracts & Agreements, Mergers, Acquisitions and Partnerships Latest Technological Advancements Porters Five Forces Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Quantitative Insights - Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Marine Seats Market

Global Marine Seats Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2030 Key Findings / Definition Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Ship Type Cruise Ship Yatch Container Ship Passenger ship Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Seat Type Passenger Seat Captain Seat Crew Seat Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Component Seat Structure Seat material Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Point of Sale OEM Aftermarket Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Rest of the World

North America Marine Seats Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2019-2030 Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast - By Ship Type Cruise Ship Yatch Container Ship Passenger ship Others



TOC Continued...!

Speak to Our Expert:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/marine-seats-market-106551

Key Industry Development

April 2022- Yacht architects and shipbuilders at Alpha Marine Ltd announced the construction of a new 47-meter diesel-electric superyacht called The First. The yacht will be marketed as the new company ProMarine Yachts S.A. Traded and incorporated in Greece.

Read Related Insights:

With CAGR 1.49%, Global Azimuth Thrusters Market Size to Hit USD 583.8 Million by 2029 | Fortune Business Insights

SONAR System Market to Hit USD 3.76 Billion by 2029 | Tactical Defense Operations Are Surging the Demand for Sonobuoys

Marine Vessel Market Size to Reach USD 188.57 Billion in 2028; Rising Adoption of Eco-friendly Hybrid Propulsion Systems to Augment Growth, says Fortune Business Insights

About Us:



Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

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Dallas, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StrataTech Education Group (StrataTech) today announced the opening of the newest Tulsa Welding School (TWS) campus in Irving, Texas. Dallas Metro is the fourth Tulsa Welding School campus and the fifth trade school for StrataTech (which also includes The Refrigeration School, Inc. in Phoenix ). The Dallas Metro campus will launch their Professional Welder and Refrigeration Technologies programs beginning in August in addition to an all-new Electrical Lineworker program.

Tulsa Welding School is a leader in skilled trades education and has provided students with hands-on, instructor-guided training for more than 70 years. This is the second TWS location in Texas, joining Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center in Houston. Together, the two schools will work with students, workforce and employers across the state of Texas to address a national skilled labor shortage and help meet the growing demand in the state.

We are thrilled to expand Tulsa Welding School into the Dallas Metro area, said Mary Kelly, President, and CEO of StrataTech. Texas is ripe with opportunity for skilled tradespeople, and we are looking forward to providing greater access to education and resources needed to train to become skilled trade professionals. We are focused on empowering our students to change their lives and make an impact in the communities they serve.

The Professional Welder program at TWS Dallas Metro will train students in the skills needed for entry-level employment in the welding industry. Students will receive hands-on training in structural welding, flux core welding and pipe welding from instructors who have years of professional experience in the industry. The Refrigeration Technologies program trains students in the fundamentals of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technologies (HVAC/R). This hands-on training program prepares HVAC/R students for opportunities as entry-level positions in refrigeration service and maintenance. Both the Professional Welder and Refrigeration Technologies programs can be completed in as few as seven months.

TWS Dallas Metro is the first TWS campus to include StrataTechs new 15-week Electrical Lineworker program. The Electrical Lineworker program will train students for entry level employment in the field of utility power distribution construction, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair. In addition to pole construction and climbing courses, students can receive optional certifications in bucket rescue, pole-top rescue and first aid, and earn their OSHA 10 card.

Demand for skilled trades workers is at an all-time high and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an expected average of about 723,400 openings per year based on growth and replacement needs within the construction and extraction industries. Texas also has the highest employment level for welders, cutters, soldering and brazing. The mean annual salary for a welder in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is $50,800* and is one of the four largest markets in the country for electrician employment.**

This new campus will not only help address the ongoing demand for skilled tradespeople in the state, but also provides local employers the opportunity to reskill and upskill their workforce through StrataTechs StrataSkills program. StrataTech launched StrataSkills in 2022 to serve as a nationwide workforce development and retention solution for companies that employ electricians, welders, and HVAC/R technicians. The program was designed to help solve challenges that employers within the industry face, including upskilling, retaining current employees, and training new hires. TWS Dallas Metro will offer short-term, customized training programs to Dallas area manufacturers, fabricators, and construction worker employers to better upskill the existing regional workforce.

As part of StrataTechs commitment to leading the digital transformation and providing more equitable access to skilled trades education, TWS Dallas Metro will also feature OcuWeld, a first-of-its-kind virtual reality welding simulator currently available at all other TWS campuses. This technology allows students to learn and practice instructor-designed welding skills outside of the classroom. Students who enroll at TWS Dallas Metro will receive an Oculus Quest 2 set pre-loaded with both OcuWeld or InterPlay, a virtual reality program specifically designed to train HVAC students.

Tulsa Welding School welcomes students from all walks of life, whether theyre just now entering the workforce or are lifelong veterans of the industry seeking to refine their skills, said James Cooper, Campus President of TWS Dallas Metro. We support our students throughout their entire education journey, from enrollment, through graduation and into their profession. We do so by staying attuned to the industrys technological advancements  such as virtual reality  to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills to deliver on that first day on the job.

Enrollment for TWS Dallas Metros initial programs is now open. The first Professional Welder and Electrical Lineworker programs will begin Aug. 14, with Refrigeration Technologies starting Aug. 21. The school will host open house events on July 26 and 29 for prospective students. For more information about programs and enrollment, visit www.tws.edu/dallas.

*Dallas-Forth Worth-Arlington annual mean wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (514121) reported by BLS for May 2022 http://data.bls.gov/oes.

**According to BLS data, the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area employed 15,210 Electricians (472111) through May 2022 http://data.bls.gov/oes.

###

About StrataTech Education Group

StrataTech Education Group focuses on the education, growth and development of specialized career education schools, particularly skilled-trade programs designed to address the nations growing infrastructure needs. Holding an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, StrataTech Education Groups portfolio includes The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) (Phoenix, AZ), Tulsa Welding School (TWS) (Tulsa, OK), Tulsa Welding School (Jacksonville, FL), Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center (Houston, TX) and Tulsa Welding School Dallas Metro (Irving, TX). For more information, visit StrataTech.com.

About Tulsa Welding School

Tulsa Welding School (TWS) was founded in 1949 in Tulsa, Oklahoma and has trained thousands of individuals to become entry level professionals in the skilled trades for more than 70 years. Students learn hands-on, technical competencies and skills through labs, virtual reality, and classroom instruction, with a curriculum designed to meet employers needs. TWS offers welding, HVAC/R, and electrical programs. There are four TWS campuses across the country including Tulsa Welding School in Tulsa, Tulsa Welding School in Jacksonville, Tulsa Welding School & Technology Center in Houston, and Tulsa Welding School serving the Dallas /Ft. Worth metro. Accredited Schools, ACCSC. Licensed by OBPVS, approved, and regulated by TWC, and licensed by Florida CIE (License #2331). For more information, visit www.tws.edu or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.



About The Refrigeration School, Inc.

The Refrigeration School, Inc. (RSI) was founded in Phoenix in 1965 and has been training students for sustainable HVAC careers for more than 55 years. Offering hands-on education with a strong emphasis on the highly sought-after electrical skills, diagnostic and mechanical technology proficiency employers seek, RSIs programs include Electrical Applications, Refrigeration Technologies, Electro-Mechanical Technologies (HVAC/R), AOS in Mechanical Maintenance Engineering, and Welding Specialist. RSI is an ACCSC accredited school and licensed by the Arizona State Board for Private Post-Secondary Education. For more information, visit rsi.edu or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

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LINTHICUM, MD, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NFM Lending is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Clapper to Chief Marketing Officer. Clapper has been with the company since 2020, serving as the Vice President of Digital Strategy.

As the VP of Digital Marketing, Clapper has led initiatives to raise the public profile of NFM Lending through targeted ads using social media and search engine marketing, as well as creating drip campaigns for borrowers at each stage of the lending process. Notably, Clapper has been instrumental in the growth of NFMs Influencer Division. Leveraging new features from CRM systems, she devised and scaled unique video messaging campaigns for 18 loan originator influencers. The strategy resonated with their social media followers and resulted in an average of 2,500 warm leads per month with zero direct advertising costs.

It is an incredible honor to assume the role of Chief Marketing Officer at NFM Lending, said Clapper Having held the role of Vice President, Digital Strategy for the past three years, I have closely collaborated with our executives and sales leaders to shape marketing processes and support key initiatives. In this new capacity, I am committed to driving our marketing efforts and maintaining a strong focus on sales growth. NFMs innovative spirit, progressive culture and unwavering dedication to pioneering new ways of helping homeowners is what makes me love being a part of this organization.

Clapper is a digital marketing veteran with 22 years of experience working in leadership roles within and outside of the mortgage industry.

Laura is the most dynamic mortgage marketing person I have ever been around, noted NFM Managing Director Greg Sher. Her versatility and understanding of all things digital make her the perfect person to lead NFMs charge into the future. Its truly an honor to work with her every day.

Clapper lives with her family in Sykesville, MD. NFM congratulates her on the promotion and wishes her continued success.

For more information on the Influencer Division, contact influencerdiv@nfmlending.com.

About NFM Lending

NFM Lending is a mortgage lending company currently licensed in 49 states in the U.S. and Washington, D.C. The company was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1998. NFM Lending and its family of companies includes Main Street Home Loans, BluPrint Home Loans, Elevate Home Loans, and Element Home Loans. They attribute their success in the mortgage industry to their steadfast commitment to customers and the community. For more information about NFM Lending, visit nfmlending.com, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Instagram.

influencerdiv@nfmlending.com.





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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A group of unionized employees at Granville Island Brewing will begin their strike tomorrow morning.



WHAT : Strike & Solidarity Picket WHEN : Saturday July 8, 2023, from 12 PM to 2 PM WHERE : Granville Island Brewery, 1441 Cartwright St, Vancouver

The workers have been receiving encouragement and support from the Granville Island community, other workers in the area, and unions in the lower mainland, including PSAC who represents workers at the Island. They are expected to join the Solidarity Saturday picket.

Ive worked here for over four years, including throughout the pandemic, said Sandra Abdiannia. We havent asked for anything outlandish: Reasonable wage increases weve earned and that they can afford.

The current Agreement expired at the end of May and negotiations quickly reached an impasse in June on the issue of wages.

For more information, please visit www.GranvilleIslandBreweryStrike.org

SEIU Local 2 represents approximate 20,000 workers in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Alberta. We are proud members of the largest, fastest-growing and most dynamic union in North America.
Houston, TX, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Zion Market Research has published a new research report titled Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market By End-User (Spinal Surgery Centers, Hospitals, And Others), By Product Type (XLIF Interbody Fusion Systems And XLIF Interbody Cages), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030 in its research database.

According to the latest research study, the demand of global Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market size & share in terms of revenue was valued at USD 982.39 million in 2022 and it is expected to surpass around USD 1398.67 million mark by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.52% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030.

What is Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF)? How big is the Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Industry?

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Report Coverage & Overview:

Extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) surgery is a minimally invasive medical procedure that is conducted through the side of the body for the treatment of spinal disorders. XLIF has been a helpful procedure for reducing persistent leg and back pain even in patients that have not shown accurate responses to other treatments including pain medication, steroid injections, and physical therapy. In some cases, the procedure may require the use of implants such as rods and screws. The XLIF surgery industry is growing with the increasing number of spine-related surgeries conducted across the globe. In XLIF, the medical professional targets the space between spinal discs from the lateral side of the patient's body.

Get a Free Sample PDF of this Research Report for more Insights with a Table of Content, Research Methodology, and Graphs - https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/extreme-lateral-interbody-fusion-xlif-surgery-market

(A free sample of this report is available upon request; please contact us for more information.)

Our Free Sample Report Consists of the Following:

Introduction, Overview, and in-depth industry analysis are all included in the 2023 updated report.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Impact Analysis is included in the package

About 206+ Pages Research Report (Including Recent Research)

Provide detailed chapter-by-chapter guidance on Request

Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share, and Trends for the Year 2023

Includes Tables and figures have been updated

The most recent version of the report includes the Top Market Players, their Business Strategies, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

Zion Market Research research methodology

(Please note that the sample of this report has been modified to include the COVID-19 impact study prior to delivery.)

Global Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market: Growth Dynamics

The global extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) surgery market is expected to grow due to increases due to the growing geriatric population. The chances of infection in XLIF procedures are relatively less when compared to other forms of spinal disorder treatment. XLIF is known to be a minimally invasive medical procedure, unlike other spine-related operational processes. In this method, doctors make smaller incisions that result in reduced blood loss, less postoperative pain, and faster recovery times. In addition to this, growing advancements in surgical technology and an increasing number of spinal injuries caused by accidents and other forms of trauma may result in a better growth trajectory. The extreme lateral interbody fusion surgery industry expansion especially concerns the innovation of better imaging technologies and the development of more advanced navigation systems, robotic-assisted surgery, and intraoperative imaging .

The lack of access to proper medical care could lead to reduced growth in the global extreme lateral interbody fusion surgery market. The Memon Healthcare Institute Hospital claims that nearly 50% of the Pakistani population does not have access to primary medical care. Moreover, factors such as limited application for severe cases and potential associated complications further impact XLIF surgery's reputation.

The growing investment toward technological advancement may provide growth opportunities while the existing competition from alternate methods of spine-related surgery may challenge market expansion.

Directly Purchase a copy of the report with TOC @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/extreme-lateral-interbody-fusion-xlif-surgery-market

Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market Size in 2022 USD 982.39 million Projected Market Size in 2030 USD 1398.67 million CAGR Growth Rate 4.52% CAGR Base Year 2022 Forecast Years 2023-2030 Key Market Players Medtronic plc, Johnson & Johnson, Stryker Corporation, Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc., NuVasive Inc., Globus Medical Inc., DePuy Synthes, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Alphatec Holdings Inc., RTI Surgical Holdings Inc., K2M Group Holdings Inc., Orthofix Medical Inc., Aesculap Implant Systems, SpineWave Inc., MicroPort Scientific Corporation, Life Spine Inc., Captiva Spine Inc., CoreLink Surgical LLC, CTL Medical Corporation, Providence Medical Technology Inc., Safe Orthopaedics, Spinal Elements Holdings Inc., Spineology Inc., Wenzel Spine Inc., and Xenco Medical. Key Segment By End-User, By Product Type, and By Region Major Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East &, Africa Purchase Options Request customized purchase options to meet your research needs. Explore purchase options

Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market: Segmentation Analysis

The global extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) surgery market is segmented based on end-user, product type, and region.

Based on end-user, the global market segments are spinal surgery centers, hospitals, and others. The highest growth was observed in the hospitals segment in 2022 especially centers with dedicated spine centers or departments. Most of the large hospitals are equipped with doctors, medical professionals, and diagnostic tools required to conduct every form of surgery. For instance, in March 2023, The spinal surgery centers are likely to witness higher growth due to growing efforts toward increasing investments. The regional governments along with private companies are working toward increasing investment and funding in such centers. Companion Spine proudly announced the addition of USD 5 million in funding bringing its Series A financing to a total of USD 60.1 million. The company has already received USD 55 million by February 2022. It is a spine pain-management company that mainly deals with the treatment of degenerative disc diseases (DDD) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Based on product type, the extreme lateral interbody fusion surgery industry segments are XLIF interbody fusion systems and XLIF interbody cages. The demand for both product types is equally high. The former product type is a comprehensive set of instruments, implants, and accessories required for the XLIF surgical procedure. It includes specialized retractors, dilators, bone graft instruments, screws, rods, and other instruments. XLIF interbody cages, on the other hand, are implantable devices specifically designed for interbody fusion in XLIF surgeries. They are placed between adjacent vertebrae to restore disc height, decompress nerves, and facilitate fusion. These cages are considered the primary component of the procedure and hence are more commonly used. In 2018, NuVasive, Inc, a leading player in the market, introduced the XLIF Lordotic Expandable (XLX) Interbody System after receiving 510(K) approval from the US FDA.

The global Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market is segmented as follows:

By End-User

Spinal Surgery Centers

Hospitals

Others

By Product Type

XLIF Interbody Fusion Systems

XLIF Interbody Cages

Browse the full Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market By End-User (Spinal Surgery Centers, Hospitals, And Others), By Product Type (XLIF Interbody Fusion Systems And XLIF Interbody Cages), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2023  2030 Report at https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/report/extreme-lateral-interbody-fusion-xlif-surgery-market

Competitive Landscape

Some of the main competitors dominating the global Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market include -

Medtronic plc

Johnson & Johnson

Stryker Corporation

Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.

NuVasive Inc.

Globus Medical Inc.

DePuy Synthes

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Alphatec Holdings Inc.

RTI Surgical Holdings Inc.

K2M Group Holdings Inc.

Orthofix Medical Inc.

Aesculap Implant Systems

SpineWave Inc.

MicroPort Scientific Corporation

Life Spine Inc.

Captiva Spine Inc.

CoreLink Surgical LLC

CTL Medical Corporation

Providence Medical Technology Inc.

Safe Orthopaedics

Spinal Elements Holdings Inc.

Spineology Inc.

Wenzel Spine Inc.

Xenco Medical

Key Insights from Primary Research:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) surgery market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 4.52% over the forecast period (2023-2030)

In terms of revenue, the global extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) surgery market size was valued at around USD 982.39 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 1398.67 million, by 2030.

The extreme lateral interbody fusion surgery market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the growing prevalence of spinal disorders

Based on end-user segmentation, hospitals were predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2022

Based on product type segmentation, XLIF interbody cages were the leading type in 2022

On the basis of region, North America was the leading revenue generator in 2022

Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/extreme-lateral-interbody-fusion-xlif-surgery-market

Key questions answered in this report:

What is the market size and growth rate forecast for Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) industry?

What are the main driving factors propelling the Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market forward?

What are the leading companies in the Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Industry?

What segments does the Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Surgery Market sample report and company profiles?

Key Offerings:

Market Size & Forecast by Revenue | 20232030

Market Dynamics  Leading Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities

Market Segmentation  A detailed analysis By End-User, By Product Type, and By Region

Competitive Landscape  Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

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Regional Analysis:

During the period covered by this estimate, the global extreme lateral interbody fusion (XLIF) surgery market will expand at a rate that is greatest in North America. This is mostly because to the existence of a solid medical infrastructure in the region of the United States, as well as improved accessibility to primary and advanced medical care in the region of Canada. According to estimates compiled by The Commonwealth Fund between 2017 and 2018, little under 37 percent of the total population of Canada was covered by a medical insurance plan of some kind. In addition to this, the United States has seen a significant amount of medical tourists. According to estimates provided by the United States International Trade Commission, between 100,000 to 200,000 people go to the United States each year for medical treatment. Europe is another big market for XLIF procedures due to the highly established healthcare systems in nations like Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, as well as the rising occurrence of spinal diseases. According to estimates provided by the Council of Europe, around 11,000 new cases of spinal-related diseases are added to the list of people who struggle with these challenges each year.

By Region

North America U.S. Canada Rest of North America

Europe France UK Spain Germany Italy Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific China Japan India South Korea Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia South Africa Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America Brazil Argentina Rest of Latin America



To know an additional revised 2023 list of market players, request a brochure of the report: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/extreme-lateral-interbody-fusion-xlif-surgery-market

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Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware ruled the Entresto (sacubitril / valsartan) combination patent to be invalid

Novartis will appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit to reverse the District Courts ruling

No generic Entresto product has received FDA approval as of today

Pending a final appeal decision and other ongoing litigation involving multiple patents, any launch once generics receive FDA approval would be at risk

Novartis maintains confidence in short and mid-term growth, maintains 2023 guidance and mid-term outlook

Basel, July 07, 2023  Novartis today announced that the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware issued a negative decision regarding the validity of a patent covering Entresto and combinations of sacubitril and valsartan, which expires in 2025 with its pediatric exclusivity. Novartis strongly believes the combination patent is valid and will appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) to reverse the District Courts decision.

The company will continue to defend vigorously its intellectual property rights relating to Entresto, including the combination patent as well as multiple patents covering additional innovations. Currently no generic Entresto products have tentative or final FDA approval. If approved, any commercial launch of a generic Entresto product prior to the final outcome of Novartis appeal, or ongoing infringement litigations involving other patents, may be at risk of later litigation developments.

Novartis maintains its confidence in the growth and profitability outlook for both the short and mid-term, based on the future growth potential of other key brands including Kisqali, Pluvicto, Leqvio, Kesimpta, Scemblix and iptacopan.

Despite the potential for earlier-than-expected entry of generic Entresto products in the U.S., Novartis maintains its full-year 2023 group guidance1 to investors:

Group Sales expected to grow mid-single digit (in cc)

Group Core OpInc expected to grow high-single digit (in cc)

The company also maintains its mid-term outlook of +4% sales growth (in cc) 2022-2027 CAGR, with 40% Core OpInc margin for Novartis ex-Sandoz.

Novartis new focused strategy remains on track to deliver growth, driven by key in-market and launch brands, and a strong pipeline of high value innovative medicines.

Further information

The U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware issued a negative decision regarding the validity of U.S. Patent No. 8,101,659, one of the patents listed in the Orange Book for Entresto. This patent, with the associated pediatric exclusivity, expires on July 15, 2025.

Since October 2019, Novartis has been involved in patent infringement litigation with numerous Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) filers who are seeking approval to market generic versions of Entresto. Currently, Entresto is protected by multiple Orange Book-listed patents which expire between 2023 and 2036 (including any pediatric exclusivity). Todays decision does not impact the separate and ongoing litigation between Novartis and various ANDA filers concerning those and other U.S. patents:

U.S. Patent Expiration 8,101,659 combinations of sacubitril and valsartan July 15, 2025 11,096,918 amorphous forms of sacubitril and valsartan November 8, 2026 9,388,134 crystalline forms of sacubitril and valsartan May 8, 2027 8,877,938 crystalline forms of sacubitril and valsartan November 27, 2027 11,058,667 dosage regimen for treating chronic heart failure May 9, 2036

On July 6, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia issued a decision that the proposed generic Entresto products from Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Mylan) will infringe U.S. Patent Nos. 8,877,938 and 9,388,134. That decision only pertains to Mylan.

Novartis previously entered into settlement agreements with several ANDA filers that will be able to launch a generic version of Entresto in the United States on an agreed-upon date, or earlier in certain circumstances. Details of these settlements are confidential.

1 Novartis Group guidance, assuming Sandoz would remain within the Group for the entire FY 2023, in constant currencies

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as potential, can, will, plan, may, could, would, expect, anticipate, seek, look forward, believe, committed, investigational, pipeline, launch, maintains, confidence, or similar terms, or by express or implied discussions regarding potential marketing approvals, new indications or labeling for Entresto, regarding potential future revenues from Entresto, regarding the impact of the decision of the US District Court for the District of Delaware and other ongoing litigation, or regarding our full-year 2023 guidance and medium-term outlook. You should not place undue reliance on these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations regarding future events, and are subject to significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. There can be no guarantee that Entresto will be submitted or approved for sale or for any additional indications or labeling in any market, or at any particular time. Neither can there be any guarantee of the results and potential impact of the decision of the US District Court for the District of Delaware and other ongoing litigation. Nor can there be any guarantee that Entresto will be commercially successful in the future or that our 2023 guidance and medium-term outlook will remain on track. In particular, our expectations regarding Entresto, the impact of the decision of the US District Court for the District of Delaware and other ongoing litigation, or our 2023 guidance or medium-term outlook could be affected by, among other things, the uncertainties inherent in research and development, including clinical trial results and additional analysis of existing clinical data; regulatory actions or delays or government regulation generally; global trends toward health care cost containment, including government, payor and general public pricing and reimbursement pressures and requirements for increased pricing transparency; our ability to obtain or maintain proprietary intellectual property protection; the particular prescribing preferences of physicians and patients; general political, economic and business conditions, including the effects of and efforts to mitigate pandemic diseases such as COVID-19; safety, quality, data integrity or manufacturing issues; potential or actual data security and data privacy breaches, or disruptions of our information technology systems, and other risks and factors referred to in Novartis AGs current Form 20-F on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Novartis is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Novartis

Novartis is reimagining medicine to improve and extend peoples lives. We deliver high-value medicines that alleviate societys greatest disease burdens through technology leadership in R&D and novel access approaches. In our quest to find new medicines, we consistently rank among the worlds top companies investing in research and development. About 103,000 people of more than 140 nationalities work together to bring Novartis products to nearly 800 million people around the world. Find out more at https://www.novartis.com

Novartis is on Twitter. Sign up to follow @Novartis at https://twitter.com/novartisnews

For Novartis multimedia content, please visit https://www.novartis.com/news/media-library

For questions about the site or required registration, please contact media.relations@novartis.com

# # #
DENVER, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) expects to report its second quarter financial results after the markets close on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. Management will host a conference call to review the results at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Interested parties may listen to this call by dialing (888) 204-4368 using the participant passcode of 6310514 and asking for the NBHC Q2 2023 Earnings Call. A recording of the call will be available approximately four hours after the calls completion on the Companys website at www.nationalbankholdings.com by visiting the investor relations area.



About National Bank Holdings Corporation

National Bank Holdings Corporation is a bank holding company created to build a leading community bank franchise delivering high quality client service and committed to stakeholder results. Through its bank subsidiaries, NBH Bank and Bank of Jackson Hole Trust, National Bank Holdings Corporation operates a network of over 95 banking centers, serving individual consumers, small, medium and large businesses, and government and non-profit entities. Its banking centers are located in its core footprint of Colorado, the greater Kansas City region, Utah, Wyoming, Texas, New Mexico and Idaho. Its comprehensive residential mortgage banking group primarily serves the banks core footprint. Its trust business is operated in its core footprint under the Bank of Jackson Hole Trust charter. NBH Bank operates under a single state charter through the following brand names as divisions of NBH Bank: in Colorado, Community Banks of Colorado and Community Banks Mortgage; in Kansas and Missouri, Bank Midwest and Bank Midwest Mortgage; in Utah, Texas, New Mexico and Idaho, Hillcrest Bank and Hillcrest Bank Mortgage; and in Wyoming, Bank of Jackson Hole and Bank of Jackson Hole Mortgage. Additional information about National Bank Holdings Corporation can be found at www.nationalbankholdings.com.

For more information visit: cobnks.com, bankmw.com, hillcrestbank.com, bankofjacksonhole.com, or nbhbank.com. Or connect with any of our brands on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Analysts/Institutional Investors: Media: Aldis Birkans, 720-554-6640 Jody Soper, 303-784-5925 Chief Financial Officer Chief Marketing Officer ir@nationalbankholdings.com Jody.Soper@nbhbank.com

Source: National Bank Holdings Corporation
Date: July 27, 2023 Time: 1:00 PM (Eastern Time)

EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acadian Timber Corp. will release its 2023 second quarter results after market close on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, which will be available on our website at www.acadiantimber.com under Press Releases. The release will be followed by a conference call and webcast on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss with members of senior management our financial and operating results.

To participate in the second quarter conference call, please register here, or follow the link on our website at www.acadiantimber.com/presentations_and_webcasts, to receive your unique PIN. The media and investing public may access this conference call via a listen-in mode only. The second quarter conference call will also be webcast live on our website, where it will be archived for future reference. For those unable to attend, a recording will be available until 4:00 PM (Eastern Time) August 26, 2023.

If you have any questions about the second quarter conference call, please contact Susan Wood, Chief Financial Officer at +1-506-737-2345 or ir@acadiantimber.com.

Acadian Timber Corp. (TSX:ADN) (Acadian) is one of the largest timberland owners in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern U.S. and has a total of approximately 2.4 million acres of land under management. Acadian owns and manages approximately 761,000 acres of freehold timberlands in New Brunswick, approximately 300,000 acres of freehold timberlands in Maine and provides timber services relating to approximately 1.3 million acres of Crown licensed timberlands in New Brunswick. Acadians products include softwood and hardwood sawlogs, pulpwood, and biomass by-products, sold to approximately 90 regional customers.

Acadians business strategy is to maximize cash flows from its existing timberland assets through sustainable forest management and other land use activities while growing its business by acquiring assets and actively managing these assets to drive improved performance.
TUCSON, July 07, 2023 - Liberty Star Minerals ("Liberty Star" or the "Company") (OTCMarkets: LBSR) is pleased to announce the publication of a feature article focusing on the Company's wholly owned Red Rock Canyon Gold Project (RRC). The article aligns with the Company's findings that the RRC may possess commercially important metals associated with porphyry copper-gold-moly geologic structures, well represented in the area from central Arizona to northern Mexico.



The featured Proactive financial news article, "Liberty Star believes it has a clear path to substantial gold production in the near term, and potentially a much larger upside in copper in the longer-term," by Alastair Ford, highlights Liberty Star's drilling plans on 15 drillholes that have indicated the presence of gold in earlier rounds of exploration. Ford notes, "this ground has been explored before and, although the historic core isn't available anymore, the data certainly is. That means round one of drilling for Liberty Star is a simple question of twinning old holes, verifying data and working up a resource that way."

Among the next steps for Liberty Star is using the latest in artificial intelligence technology to analyze and collate new data from a planned IP survey with the old data, notes Ford.

CEO Brett Gross believes the wealth of historic data along with employing the latest exploration techniques makes the RRC "much more de-risked than a greenfield site."

Read "Liberty Star believes it has a clear path to substantial gold production in the near term, and potentially a much larger upside in copper in the longer-term," by Alastair Ford on ProactiveInvestors.com.

"Brett I. Gross" Brett I. Gross

CEO/President

Liberty Star Minerals

Visit lbsr.us for more about Liberty Star Minerals, the Red Rock Canyon Gold including images, maps and technical reports

About Proactive: "Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience." Read more on ProactiveInvestors.com

About Liberty Star Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp. (LBSR: OTCQB), d/b/a Liberty Star Minerals, is an Arizona-based mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Arizona and the southwest USA. Currently the company controls properties which are located over what management considers some of North America's richest mineralized regions for copper, gold, silver, molybdenum (moly), and associated metals. The Company's premiere properties are the Hay Mountain Project & and the Red Rock Canyon Gold Project. The Hay Mountain Project is exploration stage for porphyry copper, gold, moly and other commercially important minerals. The Red Rock Canyon Gold Project is an increasingly attractive area of exploration stage gold mineralization within the larger Hay Mountain area. Red Rock Canyon exhibits what we believe are extensive, promising hydrothermal associated gold-bearing structures that are documented in historical public and Company records (see associated press and social media releases for more information). Our projects are in Cochise County (southeast) Arizona, USA.

Forward Looking Statements Certain information contained in public release may contain "forward-looking statements," as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended. All statements contained herein that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which are unforeseeable and beyond the Company's or management's control, that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may include but not be limited to the business strategies for the Company, assumptions of management, pending or future transactions, future estimated mineral resources or grades, investments, asset valuations, anticipated permits and approvals and other information that may be based on forecasts of future exploration, operational or financial results or estimates of matters not yet determinable. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance using words or phrases like the following may be forward-looking statements: : "estimate", "intend", "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "potential," "continue" "may", "might", "could", "would" or similar words or expressions. Important factors that could differ materially from the expectations of the Company and management include, among other things, risks related to unsuccessful exploration results, metals prices, fluctuations in currency prices, international markets, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined as well as changes in the availability of funding for mineral exploration and development and general economic conditions.

Additional information about these factors, risks and uncertainties on which forward-looking statements are based is discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2023, as updated from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not responsible for updating the information contained in this public release beyond the presentation date or published date, or for changes made to this document by wire services or Internet services. Risk factors for the company are set out in the 10-K and other periodic filings made with the SEC on EDGAR (ref. Liberty Star Uranium & Metals Corp.).

Regulation S-K 1300 Matters On October 31, 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K ("Regulation SK-1300") to modernize the property disclosure requirements for mining registrants, and related guidance, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All registrants are required to comply with Regulation SK-1300 for fiscal years ending after January 1, 2021. Accordingly, the Company must comply with Regulation SK-1300 for its fiscal year ending January 31, 2022. Regulation SK-1300 uses the Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards ("CRIRSCO") based classification scheme for mineral resources and mineral reserves, that includes definitions for inferred, indicated, and measured mineral resources. Liberty Star is an "Exploration Stage Issuer" as defined in Subpart 1300. It currently has no exploration results, mineral resources or mineral reserves to report, accordingly, no information, opinions or data included in the website or in any public releases includes any information or disclosures regarding exploration results, mineral resources or mineral reserves as defined in Regulation SK-1300. As a result, the Company is not required, at this time, to obtain or provide a Technical Report Summary as defined in Regulation SK-1300. U.S. Investors are cautioned not to rely upon or assume for any purpose that any part of the mineralized real property of the Company in these categories will ever be converted into inferred, indicated, and measured mineral resources or probable or proven mineral reserves within the meaning of Regulation S-K 1300.

UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED ON THE FACE OF ANY SUCH INFORMATION, NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS PUBLIC RELEASE IS, NOR DOES IT PURPORT TO BE, A TECHNICAL REPORT SUMMARY PREPARED BY A QUALIFIED PERSON PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBPART 1300 OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE COMMISSION REGULATION S-K.

Follow Liberty Star Minerals on Facebook , LinkedIn & Twitter@LibertyStarLBSR

NR# 126

Contact:

Liberty Star Minerals

Tracy Myers, Investor Relations

520-425-1433 - info@lbsr.us
Vancouver, July 7, 2023 - RT Minerals Corp. (TSXV:RTM) (OTC:RTMFF) (the "Company" or "RTM") announces that it has staked an additional 150 mineral claims totalling approximately 2,650 hectares within the northwest-southeast trending Michie, Sheba and Alma Township corridor in the Abitibi Greenstone belt, located within the Superior Province, 70 km southeast of Timmins Ontario (Figure 1). The additional claims surround the initial 54 Sheba North, Sheba South and Sheba East claim blocks recently acquired by the Company (see June 13, 2023 and July 5, 2023 news releases) (collectively, the "Sheba" property). The Sheba property is 100% owned and royalty-free.

The Sheba property is prospective for Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pt, and Pd mineralization (MNDM files 42A02SE2019). Previous limited surface sampling activities have encountered 0.19% Cu, 0.14% Ni and 0.34% Cr immediately west of the Sheba South block in ultramafic pyroxenite-peridotite assemblages. Whole rock analysis of these units is substantially identical to the peridotites and associated Ni mineralization that occurs in Langmuir Township, 36 km on trend to the northwest.

The pyroxenites-peridotites exhibit strong magnetic signatures and the entire claim block covers extensive geophysical magnetic anomalies that are currently interpreted as peridotite intrusive bodies within the volcanic stratigraphy of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt (MNDM files M 82050, M82049, M82031, M82032 and M82056).

The exploration programs to be conducted within the entire 204 claim block in Michie, Sheba and Alma Township are expected to be eligible under the Federal Government of Canada flow-through share and critical minerals exploration tax credit programs, subject to acceptance. Work permitting programs will now be initiated on at least 6 geophysical anomalies within the continuous 204 claim block for the 2023 - 2024 exploration seasons. The work programs are subject to Company financing.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1: Location map of Sheba property

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Garry Clark, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About RT Minerals Corp: RTM is a junior exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RTM". The Company holds a 100% interest, largely royalty-free, in a portfolio of rare earth element, gold and base metal properties in Ontario. The Company also holds an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Link-Catharine RLDZ gold property located 22 km south-southeast of the town of Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

Nordica Property (Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pd) is comprised of 34 claims in Nordica Township that cover the ultramafic layered Nordica Intrusive Complex in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, within the Superior Province, 60 km southeast of Timmins, Ontario. Nordica is prospective for copper, nickel, cobalt, chromium, and palladium mineralization. Previous exploration activity on the Nordica property has encountered Cu grading up to 0.292% (rock-grab samples), Ni up to 0.24% in drill core over 1.0 m, Co up to 614ppm (outcrop), Cr up to 17.7% (grab-rock sample) and Pd up to 1.2ppb (outcrop chip and drill core over 1.0m)(MNDM files OFR 6102). The property covers approximately 75% of the ultramafic layered intrusion which is currently inferred to be approximately 4.0 km long, 250 m wide and 100m deep (MNDM files 20000008666/2000113735).

Kenogaming, Pharand I and Pharand II Properties (Ni, Cr, Co) consists of 38 claim blocks that are 100% owned with 32 claims royalty free and 6 claims subject to a 2% NSR royalty. The properties are situated in Kenogaming and Pharand Townships in the Northern Swayze Greenstone Belt, located within the Abitibi sub-province of the Superior Province, southwest of Timmins, Ontario. The Properties are located within the Hanrahan assemblage which is confined to the southeastern part of the Northern Swayze Greenstone Belt. Cumulate ultramafic bodies are the specific targets comprising the Kenogaming, Pharand I and Pharand II prospects. In 1979, previous operators tested a strong magnetic anomaly with a 184.5m long diamond drill hole, which intersected up to 0.25% nickel in carbonated and serpentinized cumulate ultramafic with interbeds of chlorite and talc alteration over a 3.0m section at the bottom of the hole. Further drilling is warranted on the Kenogaming, Pharand I and Pharand II prospects with the objective to expand the historical Ni, Cr, Co mineralization within the Kenogaming intrusive.

Ireland Property (Rare Earth Element) is a royalty free 52 claim block covering an inferred carbonatite complex (the "Ireland Complex") located in Ireland Township, 45 km northeast of Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario. The Ireland Complex is 100% owned by RTM and is approximately 4.0 km long, 2.8 km wide, oval shaped and is positioned along a southern extensional splay fault contained within the Kapuskasing Structural Trend. The Kapuskasing Structural Trend contains several well documented carbonatite complexes that contain Niobium, Iron, Titanium and Rare Earth Element resources within various assemblages of carbonatite rocks.

Case Batholith Group 1 (Rare Earth Element) consists of 90 claims covering the Case Batholith centered on Heighington Township, 85 km northeast of Cochrane, Ontario. The Case Batholith properties are 100% owned and royalty free. The properties occur within the boundaries of the Case Batholith and are specifically located in Heighington, Kenning, Sequin, and Case Townships. Five properties are situated 12 km north of the Power Metals Case Lake lithium/cesium discovery in Steel Township.

Case Batholith Group 2 (Rare Earth Element) consists of four properties (113 claim blocks) that are 100% owned and certain of the claims are subject to a 2% NSR royalty, within the boundaries of the Case Batholith in northern Ontario. The four properties are in Agassiz township (29 claims), Potter township (51 claims), Seguin/Challies township (14 claims) and Bragg township (19 claims). The properties are located to the northwest of Power Metals Corp. Case Lake lithium/cesium discovery in Steel township, Ontario. All the claim blocks have been acquired based on magnetic signatures resembling east - west trending pegmatitic dykes and laccolith structures contained within the tonalite/granodiorite rock assemblages of the Case Batholith.

Sheba-Michie-Alma (Cu, Ni , Co, Cr, Pt), Ontario, are as summarized above herein.

Kendrey Property (Rare Earth Element) consists of 32 claims in the Kendrey and Colquhoun Townships located 14 km southeast of Smooth Rock Falls, Ontario that are 100% owned and royalty free. The property covers what appears to be a large, inferred carbonatite complex that is prospective for rare earth elements, primarily niobium. The intrusive is approximately 2.8 km wide and 2.7 km long. It is positioned along a southeastern extensional splay fault belonging to the Kapuskasing Structural Trend.

Galna / Moody Property (Cu, Ni, Co, Cr) consists of four separate claim blocks totalling 24 cells in the Galna and Moody Townships, located 35 km east of Iroquois Falls, Ontario. The Company acquired 100% interest in the property by map staking.

Timmins Property (Base Metals) is a royalty free 16-claim block located approximately 50 km southeast of Timmins, Ontario, and is 100% owned by RTM. The property features several mineralized fault systems that suggest proximity to a base metal source.

Link-Catharine RLDZ Property (Gold) is comprised of fifteen unpatented single cell mining claims with a total area of 220 hectares in one claim block. The Link-Catharine property is located 22 km south-southeast of the town of Kirkland Lake, Ontario. RTM has an option to earn a 100% interest in this property subject to a 2% NSR. Milligan Property (Gold) is a royalty free 16-claim block located approximately 75 km northeast of Timmins, Ontario, and is 100% owned by RTM.

Milligan Property (Gold) covers the southeast extension of the volcanic stratigraphy hosting the Eastford Lake gold discovery of 142.2 g/t Au over 3.0 m announced by Explor Resources in 2009.

Blakelock Property (Gold) is a royalty free 9-claim block located approximately 75 km northeast of Cochrane, Ontario, and is 100% owned by RTM. The property is host to a massive east-west trending magnetic high intrusive complex that was subject to limited drilling in 1967.

Mcquibban Property (Gold) is a royalty free 19-claim block located approximately 50 km north of Cochrane, Ontario, and is 100% owned by RTM. The property hosts a strong 3.0 km long east-west trending inferred oxide facies banded iron formation, in which one historical drill hole encountered a gold mineralized interval of 5.47 g/t Au over 1.2m.

For more information, please visit the company's website at www.rtmcorp.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Douglas J. Andrews, MSc., BSc.

President and CEO

604-681-3170

For further information, please contact:

William Elston

Director and Investor Relations

604-725-0604

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of accuracy of this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company's exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances save as required by applicable law.

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
TORONTO, July 07, 2023 -





Euro Sun Mining Inc., (TSX: ESM) ("Euro Sun" or the "Company") announces that a new court date has finally been set to hear the matter with respect to the suspension of Euro Sun's environmental license for the Rovina Valley Project. This development is after two previous court dates were delayed by more than five months at the request of Asociatia Declic, an NGO, and more recently, through an unfortunate strike by Romania's judges. News of this delay has also triggered a response from the President of the County Council of Hunedoara in a televised interview a day ago. He stressed the strategic importance of the Rovina Valley Project in relation to the upliftment of the region through job creation and stressed the government role in ensuring the Rovina Valley Project moves ahead. This will go a long way to unlocking Europe's independence in the energy transition process which will inevitably result in the betterment of the Romanian nation and its people. The new court date for Euro Sun to champion the Rovina Valley Project is now set for September 29, 2023. Management is optimistic for a positive outcome in the upcoming court case for Euro Sun and the Romanian economy.

Euro Sun's long-term investment in the Rovina Valley Project, the second biggest copper and gold deposit in Europe, is set to propel Romania to the forefront in delivering the essential metals necessary for Europe's energy transition. In particular, the Rovina Valley Project will have reduced environmental impact due to no cyanide use and no wet tailings. The Rovina Valley Project will also bring about much economic relief for the Rovina area in Romania, a region with a profound legacy in mining.

Mr. Grant Sboros, Chief Executive Officer at Euro Sun commented as follows:

"The recent delays obstructing the start of this exciting project for Romania have obviously been unfortunate and frustrating for everyone. We do, however, remain excited and resolute in delivering this exceptional project to benefit Romania and the entire region. The Rovina Valley Project continues to have the backing of community leaders and remains a world-class example of how communities have come together to design and plan for a better future. After attending meetings in the last two weeks with the representatives of the local authorities, we are assured of their support for the projects future as they fully understand the importance of the projects impact on the development of the area. We at Euro Sun remain extremely proud of the Rovina Valley Project, which is designed to have one of the least environmental impacts globally, and which will put Romania at the forefront of the green energy transition for Europe."

About Euro Sun Mining Inc.

Euro Sun is a Toronto Stock Exchange listed mining company focused on the exploration and development of its 100%-owned Rovina Valley gold and copper project located in west-central Romania, which hosts the second largest gold deposit in Europe.

Further information:

For further information about Euro Sun Mining, or the contents of this press release, please contact Investor Relations at info@eurosunmining.com

Caution regarding forward-looking information:

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the timing of court dates; outcome of litigation with respect to the RVP; Europe's energy transition and demand for energy metals; environmental impact of the RVP; and development of the RVP. 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 the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including risks inherent in the mining industry and risks described in the public disclosure of the Company which is available under the profile of the Company on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.eurosunmining.com. Although the Company 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. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

The TSX does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c049b29f-7b8a-4e4e-baf2-bf4724bf813e
Dutch GP wins long battle against environmentalists

The Dutch GP at Zandvoort will no longer be threatened by uncertainty due to environmental concerns.

Lando Norris, Dutch GP 2022

 McLaren

The highest administrative court in the Netherlands, the Raad van State (council of state), has ruled that Zandvoort's environmental permit for the Formula 1 race will in fact not lead to excessive nitrogen emissions.

Authorities granted the circuit the permit in 2019, but it has been contested by environmental bodies ever since.

The council of state's ruling cannot now be further appealed.

This is absolutely nice news, Zandvoort circuit boss Robert van Overdijk told Dutch media.

"It gives us certainty and we can look to the future with a positive feeling. We are pleased with the confirmation that the council of state has given us.
Hamilton spoiled by success in F1 says Hulkenberg

Lewis Hamilton was "spoiled by success" in Formula 1, according to rival Nico Hulkenberg.

Lewis Hamilton, Canadian GP 2023

 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

Seven time world champion Hamilton was publicly chided on the radio by his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff during the recent Austrian GP.

Lewis, we know the car is bad, Wolff told the 38-year-old. Please drive it.

When asked about the incident, Haas driver Hulkenberg told Servus TV: "You'd have to say Lewis was a little spoiled by success.

He's a guy who's quick to complain these days.

Indeed, Hulkenberg - three years younger than Hamilton at 35 - is a long-serving driver whose talent did not lead to F1 success.

In fact, he has the record for the most number of career grands prix without even a podium.

The German even sat out three seasons recently after failing to secure race seats, but is back in top form with the small American team Haas in 2023.

In the meantime, Hulkenberg started a family.

After 2019, I was a little cooked through, he said. "After that I was always half in the paddock but still, it was good to take a break.

"Now I'm in a good mood and having fun. If you are well positioned in that respect, then you can have this lightness. I'm at peace with myself.

"The driving is the easy part. It's like riding a bike - you don't forget it. But I want to have fun with it too.

We have to keep this vibe and this lightness, Hulkenberg insisted.

He is also getting along notably well with his team boss Gunther Steiner - after the relationship between the Haas principal and Mick Schumacher soured so badly last year.

The Gunther you see on TV or on Netflix is exactly how he is, Hulkenberg smiled. "He is direct and honest. We have a good cooperation.
Honda wants direct F1 income from 2026

Honda would like talks with Formula 1 to boost the influence of the engine manufacturers.

Max Verstappen, Monaco GP 2023

 Red Bull

The Japanese marque initially pulled out of the sport after 2021 but maintained links with Red Bull via the subsidiary Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) in collaboration with the team's new 'Red Bull Powertrains' project.

However, Honda will return as a full works engine manufacturer in collaboration with Aston Martin from 2026 - for the all-new engine rules in which the electric elements will be substantially ramped up.

And HRC president Koji Watanabe said another key difference is that Honda wants to be more deeply involved in Formula 1 off the track as well.

It's a contract with the team (Aston Martin), he told as-web.jp, "so I can't talk about it in detail.

"But power unit suppliers have expenses for development and manufacturing, but they don't have income from F1 because of the Concorde Agreement.

"Also, in terms of marketing activities, the constructors run the teams so we, the power unit suppliers, have little authority until now.

At the beginning of our next project, we will review the contract in that area, increase the opportunities for us to speak out, and consult with the team to create an environment that makes it easier for Honda to continue in F1, the Japanese added.

Watanabe implied that his proposed changes would insulate Honda's racing subsidiary from the decision-making pressures of the parent company.
Horner returns fire at Wolff over 2026 dispute

Christian Horner has hit back at his Formula 1 nemesis Toto Wolff over a dispute concerning the all-new 2026 regulations.

Christian Horner, Monaco GP 2023

 Red Bull

Both Red Bull boss Horner and his driver Max Verstappen expressed concerns in Austria about the massive boost in electrical power required in the new engine rules.

Mercedes' Toto Wolff hit back instantly, insisting there is zero chance of a regulations u-turn.

I suppose he (Horner) is worried that his engine program is not working and maybe he wants to kill the regulations because of that, the Austrian said.

You always have to wonder about the motivation behind such statements.

But it is now Horner who has returned fire, suggesting it is Wolff who is guilty of hypocrisy.

It's typical, sadly, of Toto, who focuses only on his own performance, the Italian magazine Autosprint quotes Horner as saying.

"My interest is, really, on the sport rather than self-improvement. It's still too early to tell who will have a competitive engine in 2026 and who won't.

"For me the most important thing is a collective responsibility, from a sporting point of view, to work with the FIA and the commercial rights holder to ensure the product is the best it can be.

"If we fail to do that, we all will have failed. Because when you start working on these regulations, you discover where the limits are.
Italy retains central role in F1 calendar

While Formula 1 slips away from Germany, Italy will continue to host two separate grands prix in 2024.

Italian GP 2022

 Alfa Romeo

Apparently, Formula 1 is very interesting everywhere else in the world, former German F1 driver Timo Glock told DPA news agency.

It's a dramatic development that we in Germany cannot manage to benefit from it.

Indeed, Italian automobile club (Aci) chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani told Corriere della Sera newspaper that the 2024 calendar shows that Italy now has a central role in Formula 1.

Only the USA, with three grands prix, has more than us, he added.

This confirmation of the presence of Imola and Monza in the 2024 calendar is a concrete demonstration of the enormous sacrifices made to organise two grands prix in our country despite the growing demand from many countries to want to host a such a prestigious event, said Sticchi Damiani.
Marko names two candidates to replace de Vries

Dr Helmut Marko has singled out two contenders to potentially replace the struggling Nyck de Vries - and Mick Schumacher is not one of them.

Nyck de Vries, Canadian GP 2023

 Red Bull

It comes after outgoing Alpha Tauri team boss Franz Tost was already overruled in his desire to sign Schumacher late last year by Marko - who subsequently admitted he may have got the de Vries signing wrong.

In the meantime, 24-year-old Schumacher - as 2023 Mercedes reserve - recently tested not only the current Mercedes, but also a 2021 McLaren this week at Portimao.

But Red Bull's Marko is also apparently not keen on bringing Daniel Ricciardo back to F1 in struggling Dutchman de Vries' place at Alpha Tauri.

We have two drivers ready to compete in Formula 1, Marko told Servus TV. "Liam Lawson and Ayumu Iwasa.

We are closely following the development of de Vries, the 80-year-old added.

21-year-old New Zealander Lawson, currently a frontrunner in the Japanese series Super Formula, appears to be the frontrunner.

He was Red Bull and Alpha Tauri's reserve driver on site in Austria last weekend.

The Super Formula races have big gaps between them so I can use the time here in Europe for my simulator work at Red Bull, he told Speed Week this week.

I can then be at 50 percent of the Formula 1 races. Living in Japan would be too difficult for that, Lawson added.

However, he admitted he has no idea whether he is a candidate to be promoted to Formula 1.
Sainz may look around for another 2025 seat

Carlos Sainz has warned Ferrari he may need to "look around" for another race seat for 2025.

Carlos Sainz, Canadian GP 2023

 Ferrari

Team boss Frederic Vasseur and Ferrari president John Elkann have both said in recent days that it is not yet a priority to negotiate new contracts with Sainz and Charles Leclerc beyond next season.

Spaniard Sainz, however, is nervous.

I have to be honest, he told Eurosport Italy. "I don't like going into my last year of my contract not really knowing where I'm going to be racing the following year.

I've experienced a similar situation before with both Red Bull and Renault, and I know it's not ideal. It's not the right thing.

The 28-year-old indicated that he would like to sign up with Ferrari for 2025 and beyond.

My priority, and my main goal, is to win with Ferrari one day. And I think I've made that clear a lot, said Sainz. "And that's why I'm giving them my priority this winter.

If not, then it will be time to look around.

His French boss Vasseur, however, said both Sainz and Leclerc headed into this season knowing full well that contract talks will only start at the end of July .

Honestly, I hope they both stay, he said.

Vasseur also told correspondent Leo Turrini at Quotidiano Sportivo that other top drivers are also not yet clear about their future plans - even for 2024.

When does the contract between (Lewis) Hamilton and Mercedes expire? he said. "Nothing is known about Lewis's fate yet.

We, on the other hand, have a contract with Charles and Carlos for the whole of 2024.

As for Leclerc, he revealed in Austria that contract talks with Ferrari are in fact gradually beginning now.

And that came before the on-track action, in which Sainz appeared unhappy to have played the team game in deference to Leclerc that ultimately hurt his own race.

Nothing is true about Ferrari favouring Leclerc, Vasseur insists. "There would be no reason to do that.
Wolff no fan of new F1 race weekend formats

Toto Wolff has revealed he is no fan of the new trends in Formula 1's race weekend format.

George Russell, Canadian GP 2023

 Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

The Mercedes boss says his problem is that with some weekends featuring a traditional format, others the new 'sprint' races and even several events with Saturday grands prix from 2024, it is getting too confusing for the fans.

All I can say is that I've always been a fan of traditional formats, Wolff told Tiroler Tageszeitung newspaper.

It meant that when we're in Asia, the fans know they have to get up early. And when you're in America, it's prime time.

He used MotoGP as an example, insisting that top series moving away from traditional weekend formats means he now struggles to follow F1's two-wheeled equivalent as a fan.

I don't understand who is riding when. What practice session is it? Is it qualifying now? Has he won a race this weekend or not, said Wolff.

You read on Saturday that one rider is sad about his result, then on Sunday you read that he won. You're asking yourself 'how does this all fit together'.

However, MotoGP boss Carlos Ezpeleta hit out at Wolff's comments about his series, insisting that the new sprint race format is in fact uniform across the entire 2023 season.

Everyone has their own opinion and it's difficult to judge objectively, especially when you're in this business yourself, he told Speed Week when asked about Wolff's comments about MotoGP.

"What I do agree about is that it is very important to keep the basic elements of the sport as simple and easy to understand as possible. That was one of the reasons why we chose for our new format to be integrated into all the events in 2023.

But no one can say that Formula 1 is easier to understand than our concept, Ezpeleta insists.

"In F1, you qualify for Sunday on a Friday, you qualify for Saturday on a Saturday, you get a point for the fastest lap and so on.
Daily Graphic Editorials

Agenda 111 project needs all the push

Daily Graphic Editorials Jul - 06 - 2023 , 15:19

Access to quality and affordable health care is a fundamental human right.

Although Ghana has made major strides in improving access to health services, inequity in accessing healthcare services has been highlighted as one of the challenges that needs to be addressed to improve health outcomes as government-aided or funded hospitals provide treatment options for patients from underprivileged communities at a much cheaper rate.

To ensure that more people have access to quality health care in the country, the government secured a US$100 million start-up fund through the Ghana Investment Infrastructure Fund (GIIF) for the commencement of works on 111 district, specialised and regional hospitals across the country, a project that has been christened Agenda 111.

Each hospital is expected to be completed within 12 months, starting from the point of commencement.

The Ghana Health Infrastructure Project, better known as the Agenda 111 project, consists of the construction of 101 district hospitals in areas without district hospitals and the construction of two psychiatric hospitals for the middle and the southern belts, seven regional hospitals and the rehabilitation of the Accra Psychiatric Hospital.

Recently, the governments Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, in an interview in Accra, said the government was working to ensure that nobody travelled more than five kilometres to access health care or lacked access to health care because of financial constraints.

The Agenda 111 projects are therefore aimed at significantly deepening the delivery of quality health care at the district level, and boost access to healthcare services for all citizens towards ensuring the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Three.

According to the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, the Agenda 111 project presented an unparalleled opportunity to transform the countrys healthcare system, saying.

Each unit is expected to have facilities such as outpatient services, including consultation for medical and surgical cases, ophthalmology, dental and physiotherapy and imaging services.

On Friday, June 30, Mr Oppong Nkrumah, together with Dr Nsiah-Asare, visited Trede in the Ashanti Region where he said 88 hospitals out of Agenda 111 were currently under construction.

He announced that 88 of the projects were currently under construction, saying on the average, most of the contractors had done about 52 per cent of works on all the project sites visited and expressed the hope that by the end of the year, the majority of them would be completed and inaugurated.

However, some districts are said to have faced challenges in acquiring land for construction, leading to doubts about the governments commitment to the projects.

The Daily Graphic is happy to note that when completed, each facility would be expected to provide employment to not less than 100 health workers and indirect employment of 100 others and also create other businesses in the health value chain for the surrounding communities.

We would like to therefore commend the government for keeping to one of its promises, that is the Agenda 111.

It is the hope of the paper that the promise will be fulfilled to the letter with the inauguration of all the projects by the end of the term of the government.

We, however, are of the belief that to enable the government to succeed in its quest, there is the need for chiefs, traditional and opinion leaders to work together in ensuring that they support the projects in their various localities.

The paper also calls on the government to ensure that the various hospitals, when completed, will have qualified and well motivated health professionals to man the facilities.

Presently, due to low remuneration, there is a very high attrition rate of nurses and other health professionals in the country while the few who are left are also unwilling to work in hard-to-reach communities.

Nonetheless, the Daily Graphic believes that with the right motivation for health professionals who will accept postings to remote areas, the issue of over-concentration of specialised health professionals in the cities and urban centres can be addressed.
Daily Graphic Editorials

Focus must be on Kwame Nkrumah Park

Daily Graphic Editorials Jul - 07 - 2023 , 09:33

The Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park and Mausoleum, the final resting place of Ghanas first President, has been in the spotlight this week following its inauguration after a major facelift.

For the 30 years or more that the facility that was constructed by former President J J Rawlings had existed, the park had never received any attention in terms of a facelift.

President Nana Addo Dankwa last Tuesday joined some Ghanaians and foreigners to inaugurate a newly renovated Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park.

The occasion was not only welcoming and spectacular but was also a proud moment for all Ghanaians and all Pan Africanists.

It was historic, especially when it was initiated and accomplished by a government which traces its roots from the United Party (UP) tradition.

The UP and the Convention Peoples Party (CPP), birthed by Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, are historically perceived to be politically and ideologically far apart.

It is worthy of note that what the government, led by President Akufo-Addo had done with the support of funding from the World Bank is commendable and could make Dr Nkrumah turn in his grave.

It has indeed given meaning to the saying that Nkrumah never dies.

While the Daily Graphic joins many Ghanaians to commend the government for honouring the legacy of the former President, we seize the opportunity to remind the agencies managing the park to project and market it.

This is because the country stands to rake in more revenue from tourists the world over with the current features of the park.

As a personality who more or less stood and fought for the total liberation of the African continent for colonial rule, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumahs stature as an iconic Ghanaian and Pan Africanist has come alive and this affords Ghanaians the opportunity to refresh their memories of his exploits.

The renovated park boasts a presidential library, a reception facility, an amphitheater, a restaurant, a freedom hall and a digitalised payment and access system.

There is also the refurbished tombstone which has been upgraded with marble, and the museum expanded with an audio-visual tunnel where the voices and images of the former President can be heard and seen.

It will not be in doubt that, after a year or two, the country will start reaping the returns.

The Daily Graphic is cautioning that the attitude of the workers at the park must be one that in itself reflects the ideals and posture of Dr Nkrumah.

That is to say, they must exhibit high professional standards.

The point needs to be emphasised that it takes more than just structures to revive patronage at the park which is estimated to move from 90,000 to more than a million tourists.

We believe that the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Dr Ibrahim Awal, who implemented the vision of the government in ensuring that the renovation was successfully executed, will keep to the charge of keeping the park well maintained.

In as much as we celebrate almost every new development as Ghanaians, we easily go to sleep, leaving such facilities to be in ruins.

Typical examples are the famous Philip Quaque School in Cape Coast in the Central Region, the house of Dr Kwame Nkrumah at Nkroful in the Western Region and the many forts and castles dotted across the country.

Many of these potential tourist attractions have been left partially developed.

Many national and potential tourist attractions such as the national museum which, like the Kwame Nkrumah Park, was renovated and inaugurated recently was also left to its fate after so many years.

Until recently, the national museum was not attractive to many visitors.

It is in this vein that we urge the government through the Tourism Ministry to fulfil its pledge of ensuring that roads leading to many of the tourist sites across the country are renovated or constructed.

This is because it takes more than just structures and their beauty to get the numbers.

With safe, passable and easily accessible roads complementing the facilities, all tourist sites stand to make profit and, ultimately, the economy will be the biggest beneficiary.
I have a lot of challenges too Adjetey Anang

Kofi Duah Showbiz News Jul - 07 - 2023 , 10:35

IF it didnt come from the horses own mouth, it would be difficult to ever think his life was not a bed of roses and that he always walked on sunshine. However, actor Adjetey Anang reveals Ghanaians got it all wrong as hes got issues and challenges too.

For the actor who shot to fame as Pusher in the TV series Things We Do for Love, things have not been all rosy, and he is currently going through some challenges but manages them quietly, as though they dont exist.

Speaking in an interview with Graphic Showbiz, Adjetey Anang said Ghanaians think I am okay and not bothered by anything but I have a lot of issues. I just manage to keep them out of the public eye and create the image of that perfect character. In this world, everyone has issues. It is just left with you to deal with them.

Adjetey Anang said he is disclosing some of his challenges in his memoir, Adjetey Anang: A Story of Faith, Imperfection and Resilience, which he will launch on Saturday, July 8, 2023, in Accra.

Although he wouldnt mention exactly what they are, he explained that his memoir will highlight the many challenges he has gone through and the ones he is still going through as an actor, a father and a husband.

When it was pointed out to him that the timing of his launch may not be right since the buzz being generated by actress Yvonne Nelsons book, I Am Not Yvonne Nelson, would eclipse his, Adjetey Anang said he believes he is still going to get his targeted audience to buy his book.

For all you know, Yvonne Nelsons book could direct traffic to mine because Ghanaians would want to know what is in there too. Although I touched on family and movies, there are other personal stuff in the book that will interest a lot of people. I believe my memoir will have a great impact on the youth, married couples and my fans who keep supporting my works, he said.

Talking about some of the difficulties in putting together the book, Adjetey Anang, who is also a lecturer at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), said it was not easy deciding on what to include and what not to.

With such a memoir, you need to be careful with what you put out there because people will judge you with it. A typical example is I Am Not Yvonne Nelson, which has brought a whole lot of issues. Inasmuch as it is about you, you need to be careful what you put in there. I dont believe anyone writes an autobiography to destroy others just to sell, he said.

Read also: First trailer for Bob Marley: One Love biopic drops
Kenzy drops Street Music album

Gloria Apprey Showbiz News Jul - 07 - 2023 , 15:48

UP and coming musician, Kenzy has launched a 15-song album titled Street Music which aims at inspiring the youth to never give up but chase their dreams and believe in themselves.

The launch held at the Amist Classic Hotel, Awoshie-Barn-Yard, Accra on Saturday, July 1, 2023 saw in attendance music producers, directors and managers including the Acting President of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Mr Bessa Simons.

Songs on the album recorded by different sound engineers include Mr President, Ogya, Only Jay, Dreams, Agape, See Kenzy, Accra, True Friend and Cheat Apology.

In a chat with Graphic Showbiz, Kenzy, real name, Yuushau Iddrissu, said,three songs on the album, See Kenzy, Dreams and True Friend tell my story as a graduate of the Tuba Islamic Senior High School, Accra, ex- Taekwondo and fencing professional and my struggles through life. It is a way for me to appreciate the streets that shaped me.

Guests at the event were entertained with performances from Dancehall artistes, Joe Wizzy, Bohy3 Ba as well as Kenzy who put his blend of Afrobeats, Hip-Hop, and Dancehall on show, captivating audiences.

Kenzy who is also a songwriter has been honing his craft for eight years. He released his Extended Play (EP) in February, 2023.

According to the budding artiste who dedicated Street Music to his fans, family and the general music fraternity, the album will be available on all digital streaming platforms, including audiomack, Spotify and Youtube.
13 Schools receive books on AfCFTA

Ezekiel E. Sottie Education Jul - 07 - 2023 , 10:51

THE Ghana International Trade and Finance Conference (GITFiC), in partnership with the Volta River Authority (VRA), has distributed books on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to 13 senior high schools (SHSs) in the Krobo enclave in the Eastern Region at Akuse.

The presentation of the novel practical handbook on the AfCFTA to the SHSs, which is authored by the GITFiC, is aimed at sensitising the country and the SHS students in particular to have a fair knowledge of what AfCFTA is all about.

The books are to be kept in the libraries of the beneficiary schools for reading and research on AfCFTA and its activities.

Beneficiary schools

The beneficiary schools included Adjena Senior High Technical, Anum Presbyterian SHS, Akwamuman SHS, Boso SHS, Apeguso SHS and Akosombo VRA International School, all in the Asuogyaman District.

The rest were the Krobo Girls SHS, Akro Senior High Technical, Akuse Methodist Senior High Technical, Manya Krobo SHS, all in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipal; Asesewa SHS in the Upper Manya Krobo District, Yilo Krobo SHS and Klo-Agogo SHS, both in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.

Presentation

Presenting the books to the heads of the beneficiary schools at the Akuse Club House, the Director of Research at the GITFiC, Gerald Wood, said the distribution of the books to the second cycle institutions was aimed at creating human and social capital through education and skills revolution that emphasised innovation, science and technology.

He said Africa must spend significantly in higher education if it was to implement the AfCFTA successfully.

To maximise the benefits of AfCFTA, Africas education and training institutions would need to be reoriented to meet the knowledge, competencies, skills, innovation and creativity needed to foster African core values and advance sustainable development at the regional, sub-regional and continental levels, Mr Wood emphasised.

He said the government should invest in education and skills development towards educational reforms that would enable young people to participate freely in the socio-economic development of the nation.

Key partners

The Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority, Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, who was represented by the Director of Finance, Paul Seniagya, said VRA as key partners and a vehicle for national development, the Authority and AfCFTA had the common objective to improve the economic and social development of the country and the sub-region, stressing, therefore, that this initiative is not out of place.

Mr Antwi-Darkwa said VRA over the last 62 years had been committed to skills development through its support to education in its various operational areas as part of measures being put in place to prepare the future leaders when their time was due to take the mantle of leadership and service.

The Lower Manya Krobo Municipal Director of Education, Samuel Kwesi Tettey, was grateful to the GIFTiC and VRA for the initiative.

A student of Krobo Girls Senior High School, Doris Aidoo, assured the benefactors that the books they received were going to enhance their knowledge on AfCFTA issues.
124 Benefit from Gold Fields training programme

Donald Ato Dapatem Jul - 07 - 2023 , 08:03

One hundred and twenty-four youth have graduated as the second batch of the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) Graduate Training programme.

Made up of 88 males and 36 females, the beneficiaries are from the mining companys host communities - Tarkwa, Abosso and Damang.

The beneficiaries, who are graduates from tertiary institutions, completed their national service and were enrolled on the programme for two years to acquire the right skills and competencies to make them employable in their chosen professions.

The training programme allows beneficiaries to acquire hands-on experience that improve their employment prospects in the mining, construction and other industries related to the extractive sector.

Modules of the training include a holistic understanding of the extractive industry from the actual mining, marketing and governance issue relating to mining.

The graduates also benefited from the Value-Addition Project which is a solution-based initiative where the trainees identified challenges or potential challenges in mine operations and proffered solutions to enhance the total mining business.

Investment

The Executive Vice-President and Head of Gold Fields West Africa, Joshua Mortoti, speaking at the graduation ceremony at Tarkwa, explained that since the inception of the programme in 2018, the foundation had invested $2.3 million.

He said so far, the programme had provided experience and skills on-the-job training for 171 graduates.

There were 47 graduate trainees in the first batch of the programme with 31 of them securing employment in the mining and construction industries, across Ghana.

Five others are furthering their education in the United States and Europe, he said.

Mr Mortoti said out of the current batch of 124, seven had been employed at the mines with others being engaged by other business partners on site even before the completion of the programme.

Another five, he added, took up opportunities to further their studies abroad after receiving scholarships while still under training at Gold Fields.

He said the GFGF was confident of the competence and readiness of the trainees to transition into the wider professional world of work, and that their achievements would be a testament to the success of the programme.

He announced that the foundation would increase the percentage of females in the next programme.

The Executive Secretary of GFGF, Abdel-Razak Yakubu, explained that the graduate trainee programme was designed to build a talent pipeline for Gold Fields and the mining industry in the country.

Beneficiaries

The programme, he said had brought relief to most of the beneficiaries in terms of employment opportunities.

A trustee of GFGF, Mawuli Ababio, said the programme would enhance human development which was crucial in economic development.

He advised the graduates to take advantage of the opportunities given to them as a result of the training.

Take advantage of what you have studied and excel out there; we will continue to support the development of host communities, he added.

For his part, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mines and Technology, Prof. Richard Amankwah, encouraged the graduates to become game changers in their communities.
Asantehene advises young entrepreneurs to be diligent

Delali Sika Jul - 07 - 2023 , 05:45

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has advised young entrepreneurs to be diligent in their respective endeavours to grow their businesses.

He said as a leader, his heart was always filled with joy anytime young entrepreneurs soared higher, indicating there was hope for the country in its future leaders.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu II gave the advice at the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday when the Chief Executive Officer of Hourhand Watch Company, dealers in jewellery and watches, Patrick Amofah, presented a custom-made timepiece to the Asantehene during the Awukudae festival in Kumasi.

I am very grateful for the gesture and also impressed with the fact that a young Ghanaian entrepreneur is doing well in his business.

I want to encourage you and your team to work even harder to achieve more successes in your enterprise, the Asantehene added.



Customised watch

Mr Amofah explained that the customised watch (Warrior King), was crafted with meticulous attention to detail just like what the king embodies.

The Warrior King Heritage timepiece encapsulates the essence of royalty and power.

Every element has been carefully chosen to symbolise the exceptional leadership qualities embodied in the Asantehene.

The bold and elegant design of the watch reflects the regal demeanour of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, capturing his charisma and influence, he added.

He also said that the gift of the watch signified a deep appreciation of the Asantehene for his unwavering commitment to the development of the Asante Kingdom.

It represents a gesture of gratitude for his tireless effort in preserving the rich heritage of the Asante people and advancing their collective well-being, Mr Amofah said.

The 18k gold plate watch has an appraised value of GH100,000, and has the Denkyemkye emblem, an official seal of the Office of the Otumfuo inscribed below.

Additionally, the back has the independence arch of Ghana with inscriptions such as Gold Coast.

It also has a green dial with gold marks and white embossed fonts, a rare green crocodile skin leather strap and an 18-karat gold bezel and a luxury butterfly clasp buckle.

Hourhand Watch Company

About his journey of owning a watch company, Mr Amofah said it was born out of his late fathers love for watches.

He was a lover of watches, and there was one particular watch that I wanted but it was broken and I had a hard time finding a good watchmaker to repair it.

And when I finally got someone, he ruined the dial trying to fix the fallen markers on it with glue.

It was disappointing because that watch was one of my fathers favourite watches, the CEO said.
Asantehene urges collaboration between BoG, commercial banks

Daily Graphic Jul - 07 - 2023 , 07:44

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for closer collaboration between commercial banks and the Bank of Ghana (BoG) to change the face of the banking industry.

That, he said, was crucial in the countrys determination to accelerate the pace of finding lasting solution to the current economic challenges.

The Asantehene gave the advice when the new Managing Director of Prudential Bank Ghana Limited, Bernard Appiah Gyebi, paid a courtesy call on him at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

He urged the new Managing Director to build on the solid foundation laid by his predecessors who worked so hard to nurture the bank.

He also advised him to bring further innovation into the banks operations, particularly, considering the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme, which had affected the financial sector.

The Asantehene commended the bank for its continuous support of businesses and the economy in general.

Purpose

The purpose of the visit was to formally introduce himself to the King as the new MD of the Bank.

He underscored the need for the MD to embark on a deposit mobilisation drive to enable the bank to support businesses, especially Small and Medium-Size Enterprises.

Mr Gyebi, who was delighted to meet the Asanehene, expressed his profound gratitude to Asanteman for supporting the business of the bank in the Ashanti Region.

King

He thanked the King for the valuable advice he had been giving to the management of the bank since its inception and informed Otumfuo that the success of the bank could not have been possible without the prayers, support and patronage of Asanteman.

Mr Gyebi also relayed the banks appreciation to the Asantehene for being a valued customer of the bank.

He assured the Asantehene that the banks performance would soar during his tenure as the MD and he would always count on him for his rich advice.

The MD was accompanied by a Board Member, Daniel Kissiedu; the Executive Head, and Operations, Thomas Broni; the Executive Head, Business Development, Ebow Quayson; the Head, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, Akosua Boahen; the Acting Regional Manager, Thomas Dwomoh-Ameyaw, and the Marketing Manager, Naomi Adjei-Twum.
Disability-friendly washrooms built for Anyimadukrom, Kwabrafo schools

Daniel Kenu Jul - 07 - 2023 , 08:00

Mining company AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) has built and handed over a 20-seater disability-friendly washroom each to the Anyimadukrom community and Kwabrafo cluster of schools in the Obuasi East District of the Ashanti Region.

It followed an appeal by the beneficiary communities to improve sanitation as well as the general hygiene situation in the area.

Both projects cost GH630,000.

Transformation

The Stakeholder Engagement Superintendent of AGA, Edmund Oduro Agyei, promised that the company would continue to work hard to transform its host communities.

Despite a myriad of challenges confronting the communities, Mr Agyei pledged to keep faith with the locals to impact their lives positively.

He said the company's Social Investment Policy was in tune with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, especially the one that addresses good health and well-being, quality education, clean water and sanitation.

Mr Agyei emphasised that the plan was to improve the living standards of Obuasi, but urged the people to practise maintenance culture to ensure the longevity of the facilities.

Relief

A representative of the District Chief Executive of Obuasi East, Jones Agyemang, observed that the facility will reduce the pressure on existing ones and help improve the quality of sanitation, as well as mitigate the spread of infections.

"The facility will drastically improve the sanitary condition of the students as well, he said.

He expressed appreciation to AGA and all who played key roles in actualising the project.

Nana Takyi Mensah, who represented the Queenmother of Akrokeri, thanked AGA for the gesture and appealed for more such projects.
Find solutions to mitigate impact of Russia-Ukraine war - Air Commodore George Kweku Arko-Dadzie to Africa

Joshua Bediako Koomson Jul - 07 - 2023 , 04:57

African countries have been urged to come up with solutions to mitigate the impact of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on the continent, the Deputy Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peace Keeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), Air Commodore George Kweku Arko-Dadzie, has said.

He said concerns were also rising about the emergence of proxy wars, waning commitment to democratisation and undermining of African multilateralism.

Air Commodore Arko-Dadzie was speaking at a seminar to assess the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Africa in Accra last Wednesday.

The event, which took place at the KAIPTC, was attended by experts, stakeholders and representatives of political parties who shared their perspectives on how armed conflict was affecting Africa.

Impact of the war

One year has passed since the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted, disrupting prices of food and energy around the world and leaving many nations reeling from its shocks.

Air Commodore Arko-Dadzie said the invasion and the ensuing impasse between Russia and the West continue to threaten world peace, adding that it also had the potential to turn Russia into a fortress that would pursue an aggressive foreign policy in Africa and other weaker regions with an agenda to gain allies, markets, raw materials and diversify its external relations.

The deputy commandant added that the isolation of Russia as part of punitive sanctions imposed by the West had affected Africa negatively in the form of rising prices for goods such as wheat, oil and fertilizer.

We must also not forget that within the diplomatic arena, Africa and Russia will likely face challenges in the near future.

It may also have some ramifications on African politics as rogue African leaders who do not want to give up their positions as heads of state may seek Russian backing which could further threaten the peace and security on the continent, Air Commodore Arko-Dadzie said.

Africas position

The deputy commandant further said that the US, European and other Western governments were closely watching and analysing Africa's response to crisis and their position on it.

The sharp divide, he said, was evident in African votes at the UN on the raging conflict.

While some nations denounced Russian aggression, others adopted a non-aligned stance while other nations chose not to participate in the vote, Air Commodore Arko-Dadzie said.

As we deliberate on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its ramifications on Africa, it is my hope that ideas and solutions to mitigate any future effects on Africa will be proffered, he said.

Security

On security, the Deputy Director of the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research (FAAR) at the centre, Dr Emma Birikorang, said the West Africa sub-region was very fragile such that issues that happened outside Africa tended to have an impact on the region.

She mentioned how the Wagner group of Russia was now protecting certain regimes such as those in Mail and the Central Africa Republic, including providing protection to some heads of state or transitional governments.

As a result, she said, such actions had enabled those governments to defy the authority of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) without fear of any repercussions or sanctions.
Graphic, UMB deepen partnership

Kester Aburam Korankye Jul - 07 - 2023 , 05:26

The Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL) and the Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) have committed to support the growth and sustainability of Ghanaian businesses and brands.

The two entities would also support each other to scale up and remain sustainable.

This came to light when the Managing Director of the GCGL, Ato Afful, led a delegation from the company to introduce the newly appointed Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, to the management of the bank.

The GCGL team included the Director Marketing, Franklin Sowa and the Corporate Affairs Manager, Emmanuel Arthur.

Mr Afful said Graphic was committed to nurturing brands by sharing their positive stories to enhance their appeal to clients and customers.

He said the editorial policy of Graphic was to stay positive and not to dwell on noise that didnt promote the interest of Ghanaian businesses.

People think that as a news organisation, we may be looking for bad news to sell but we build businesses and we set the national agenda that brings Ghana together, Mr Afful said.

He encouraged the management of UMB to stay closer to Graphic and engage with its editorial team to sell their stories.

Mr Afful explained that Graphic had built the capacity and reputation to sieve through the noise and present the realities to the public, hence the need to maintain relations with the company.

Again, Mr Afful noted that financial institutions such as UMB functioned better in an atmosphere of comfort and not noise and could count on Graphic to create that conducive atmosphere.

Financial brands like comfort because money likes the atmosphere of comfort.

We will be able to help you navigate, he said.

Ato Afful (5th from right), MD, Graphic Communications Group Limited, Nana Kwadwo Dwemoh Benneh (5th from left), Chief Executive Officer, UMB, with officials of UMB and GCGL after the meeting

Mr Afful introduced to the UMB management, some of the projects currently underway at the GCGL, including its ambitious digital archive unit to buttress the point.

Creating value

The Chief Executive Officer of the UMB, Nana Kwadwo Dwemoh Benneh, said the bank shared similar values as the GCGL as it was committed to the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country.

He said the bank had over the years, since its inception in 1972, built the capacity and skill useful for the growth of local businesses, especially SMEs.

Because we are a local bank, we resonate with them, he said.

Mr Benneh said the bank was also focused on digitisation and had developed a platform for fintechs that allowed companies to operate in the space without having to build their own infrastructure.

As a bank, we are very focused on digitisation and have positioned ourselves as partners for fintechs, which have a solid banking platform and certifications but with us, they dont need to build new infrastructure and share in the clients they bring, he said.

Mr Benneh congratulated Mr Yartey on his appointment and pledged the bank's support to him.

The Head, Marketing, Communications and Customer Experience at the UMB, Kofi Safo Akyea, said Graphic was the most prestigious platform in the country, rubbing shoulders with other international media brands.

We have been amazed with your product development over the past few years,  Mr Akyea said.

Presentation

The two entities also exchanged gifts including branded souvenirs of both companies, as well as a copy of the GCGLs Ghana Year Book.
KAIPTC, UNOAU sign MoU to strengthen cooperation

Daily Graphic Jul - 06 - 2023 , 14:33

The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) to strengthen collaboration and cooperation.

The MoU, which was signed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, will provide a framework for collaboration between the UNOAU and KAIPTC to support the African Union, its regional and economic communities, regional mechanisms and member states.

It will further strengthen the UN, AU and KAIPTC partnership in the areas of contributing to addressing peace and security on the African continent.

The MoU also marked a significant step for KAIPTC in furthering its strategic priority to support the AU Commission to execute its mandate on promoting and securing a peaceful Africa.

Optimism

The Head of the UNOAU, Dr Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, at a brief signing ceremony, expressed optimism of the prospects of the two institutions in ensuring peace and stability on the African continent.

Dr Onanga-Anyanga, also a Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), called for periodic meetings to explore areas of support to the African Union and give the partnership real significance in terms of cooperation.

He said improving peace and security in Africa involved multifaceted and comprehensive approaches involving various stakeholders at local, regional and international levels, adding that the signing of the MoU was significant and timely.

Such regional cooperation, he said, would be key to peace-building efforts and a move to addressing the security challenges in Africa collectively.

Commandant of the KAIPTC, Major General Richard Addo Gyane, who led the Executive Management Committee of the centre to the signing ceremony, reaffirmed the centre's commitment to the partnership agreement.

He said sustainable peace and security in Africa required long-term commitment, collaboration, cooperation and a holistic approach to addressing the security challenges on the continent and that the KAIPTC was ready to provide the needed support.

The Commandant said the centre was committed to gender equality, and had as a result upgraded its Women, Peace and Security unit to a department, which would not only mainstream issues of gender but also integrate the youth  a critical component of the peace and security architecture.

He said the institute would now be known as the Women, Youth, Peace and Security Institute (WYPSI).

Maj. Gen. Gyane said recognising the importance of engaging the youth in peacebuilding and conflict prevention efforts was crucial for sustainable peace and security in any society.
Resource anti-corruption institutions  CHRAJ

Mary Anane-Amponsah & Diana Mensah Jul - 07 - 2023 , 08:29

Institutions charged with the fight against corruption must be adequately resourced and strengthened to ensure transparency and accountability in the delivery of public service, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) has said.

The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, said corruption had become so endemic that governments must move beyond mere rhetoric in combating the menace affecting the development of the country.

Funding

Mr Whittal said the commission, for instance, had faced inadequate funding, and that it had affected its delivery of multiple mandates, explaining that although CHRAJ performed triple mandates comprising human rights, administrative justice and anti-corruption, it was funded as if it was one institution.

The commission, he said, had identified a number of challenges in the policies, processes and operations of the commissions legal framework, and would be preparing an amendment to the Commissions Act, Act 456, and its Constitutional Instrument  C.I. 67  for presentation and passage into law by Parliament.

Mr Whittal, however, gave the assurance that the commission will do everything possible within the ambit of the law and the constraints we find ourselves in to ensure that our vision and mission is a reality and not a mirage.

At the launch of the 30th anniversary of the commission in Accra yesterday, Mr Whittal disclosed that a CHRAJ-Ghana Statistical Service experimental survey on actual corruption revealed a damning corruption scale in the country, and said it called for action and resources to deal with it.

Mr Whittal said governments must stop the platitudes and self-glorification as to which government did better in fighting corruption and lead by example in the fight.

He said there was no doubt that the country had made quite some great gains in human rights protection and promotion.

He, however, noted that there remained some significant turf to cover, especially in protecting the rights of the poor, vulnerable and marginalised, including women and children, persons living with and affected by HIV/TB, persons with disability, and persons deprived of liberty based on law.

As a country, we must take the fight against illegal mining  galamsey  more seriously lest we risk mortgaging our future as a country where we may have to import water.

Business owners must do business legally while respecting the rights of all persons who will be affected by their operations, he said.

The half-year long 30th anniversary celebrations will be held on the theme: CHRAJ at 30: Promoting and Protecting Human Rights and Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Public Service Delivery.

It will feature activities such as health screening, research webinar, nationwide health walks and zonal online anniversary celebration seminars.

The commission will also hold a conference which will bring representatives of all the national human rights institutions in Africa to Accra where the baton would be given to CHRAJ to host the Chairmanship of the Network of African Human Rights Institutions.

On the commissions performance over the years, Mr Whittal said the commission led in advocacy against the practice of trokosi as a dehumanising traditional practice, now criminalised under the Criminal and Other Offences Act; led in promoting the fight against female genital mutilation as a dehumanising cultural practice, now driven underground and criminalised; and had investigated and resolved over 300,000 human rights complaints against public institutions and private enterprises and persons.

In the area of bringing the services of the commission closer to the ordinary person, the commission has been able to expand its geographical reach by opening offices in all the 16 regions and 175 districts.

These offices are manned by a total staff strength of over 1,000 officers, he added.

Challenges

In solidarity messages, the UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, said the countrys ambition to be self-reliant would be achieved if investment was made in institutions such as CHRAJ as it delivered on its mandate.

The Executive Secretary of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Beauty Emefa Narteh, applauded the commission for its unwavering commitment and efforts in promoting and protecting human rights, ensuring administrative justice and fighting corruption.
Sale, advertisement and use of electronic nicotine vapes illegal - FDA

Kweku Zurek Jul - 06 - 2023 , 13:16

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) in Ghana has expressed concern over the sale, advertisement, and recreational use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), including vapes and non-nicotine tobacco products.

In a press release, the FDA emphasized that vapes containing nicotine are highly addictive and can lead to serious health conditions such as cancer, heart disease, lung disease, infertility, diabetes, and gum disease. However, ENDS can be registered as a prescription-only medicine for the purposes of cessation therapy.

The FDA reminded the public that the sale and advertisement of ENDS, vapes, and non-nicotine products are in violation of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851), as well as Regulation 16 of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2016 (L.I. 2247).

Part Six and Sections 61 (2) and 62(1) of the Public Health Act, 2012 (ACT 851) as well as Regulation 16 of the Tobacco Control Regulations 2016, (L. I. 2247) state that: Section 61 (2): A person shall not sell, display for sale, supply, advertise a non-tobacco product or service that contains, either on the product, or in an advertisement of the product, a writing, a picture, an image, graphics, message, or other matter that is commonly identified or associated with or is likely or intended or associated with a tobacco product, brand or manufacturer. Section 62 (1) (b): A person shall not package, label or offer for sale a product that looks like or is likely to be identified with or associated with tobacco or a tobacco product. Regulation 16 (1): "A person shall not manufacture, import, export, supply, possess, or offer for sale an illicit tobacco or a tobacco product".

These regulations prohibit the sale, display, supply, or advertisement of non-tobacco products or services associated with tobacco products, brands, or manufacturers. Additionally, packaging, labelling, or offering products resembling tobacco or tobacco products is prohibited.

The FDA called on manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers to immediately remove all advertisements on social media, billboards, neon signs, and other platforms. They also cautioned against the importation of illicit tobacco products into the country.

Non-compliance with the tobacco control laws and the mentioned sections of the Public Health Act is considered an offense, subject to sanctions as stipulated by ACT 851. The FDA's release further urged strict adherence to these regulations to ensure public health and safety.

Given the health risks associated with these products, the FDA strongly advised the public to refrain from using them unless for cessation therapy.
US students call on Editor, Graphic

Juliet Akyaa Safo Jul - 07 - 2023 , 05:38

A Delegation from Hilltop Global Group and Emerson College in the US have paid a courtesy call on the Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, to familiarise themselves with the operations of the Editorial newsroom and also establish relations with the Daily Graphic.

The delegation, together with a group of students from universities in the US, toured the newsroom and other departments of the company to expose them to the Ghanaian media landscape and practices.

Hilltop Global Group is a strategic education consulting firm that connects universities and academic institutions for study experiences and internships, especially in Africa.

Partnership

At the meeting at the Graphic office in Accra yesterday, Mr Yartey shared insightful information about the Ghanaian media landscape and activities in the Graphic newsroom.

He said their visit was timely since the Graphic Communications Group Limited (GCGL), as part of the companys goals was expanding its reach through partnership with international institutions.

We are interested in partnerships and collaborations such as this because the world has become a global village and its our goal to expand our reach, Mr Yartey added.

The editor further said that the company was actively investing in its digital platforms in line with the global technological trends.

We are a paper of 72 years; so it is important for us to do the right things to remain the market leader not just in Ghana, but around the world.

We have survived all these years because we abide by the ethics of the profession.

We are the voice and conscience of the nation so we are mindful of what we put out there, he added.

Mr Yartey said the news team was ready to support the students when the need arises while looking forward to engaging in exchange programmes with their institutions to build the capacity of journalists in the company.

We are interested in international partnerships, we are ready to work with institutions, particularly journalism and communications training institutions, he said.

Appreciation

The Chief Executive Officer of the Group, Phil Agbeko, expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded them and said the visit was significant for the students to experience at firsthand media practice in Ghana.

He said the students were predominantly from film, journalism and communications departments from the Emerson College, while others were from Howard University, Spelman College and Stillman College.

Mr Agbeko said that he and his classmates from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business founded Hilltop about eight years ago to address the disparity in global education and study abroad experiences on the African continent.

He said Hilltop, headquartered in Washington DC, specialised in strategic education consulting, offering personalised in-person and virtual study abroad learning programmes and internships focused on Africa for universities in the US, the UK and other international destinations.

Through these partnerships, Hilltop expands academic programming in Africa, catering to various academic disciplines and industries of interest," Mr Agbeko said.

He further said that by offering short-term experiential programmes, internships and longer-term options, Hilltop provided practical learning opportunities for students.

"By bridging the gap in global education opportunities, Hilltop actively contributes to shaping the African narrative through experiential learning.

What sets Hilltop apart is their commitment to tailoring each programme to meet the specific needs of the institutions, eschewing a generic one-size-fits-all approach, Mr Agbeko added.
Xi urges Jiangsu to take lead in advancing Chinese modernization

Xinhua) 15:27, July 07, 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the exhibition center of the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

NANJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has called on east China's Jiangsu Province to take the lead and set an example in advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection trip in Jiangsu from Wednesday to Friday.

Lauding the strengths of Jiangsu's solid industrial foundation, rich scientific and educational resources, sound business environment and huge market size, he urged the province to continue to play an exemplary role in promoting reform, innovation and high-quality development, as well as in contributing to China's efforts to foster a new pattern of development.

During the trip, Xi visited the cities of Suzhou and Nanjing, and went to places including an industrial park, enterprises, a historic and cultural block, and a science lab.

Visiting the Suzhou Industrial Park, Xi emphasized the crucial role of hi-tech parks in achieving self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology. He called for deeper integrated development of enterprises, universities, and research institutes, with enterprises taking the lead.

Xi highlighted the importance of fostering new industries and accelerating industrial upgrades by leveraging new technologies. Additionally, he emphasized expanding international cooperation to build world-class hi-tech parks that are open and driven by innovation.

During his visit to Suzhou HYC Technology Co., Ltd., Xi expressed his delight in observing that all the research and development personnel at the company are young. He remarked that China's modernization drive offers immense opportunities for young people.

On Thursday morning, Xi strolled through the Pingjiang Historic and Cultural Block, a site with a rich history spanning over 2,500 years.

He noted that the fine traditional Chinese culture embodies qualities such as resilience, patience, and perseverance, which have become an integral part of the Chinese national spirit.

Xi said that Suzhou has excelled in blending tradition with modernity, simultaneously promoting historical and cultural inheritance and boosting high-tech innovation and high-quality development.

This approach epitomizes the future of development, he added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a historic and cultural block of Pingjiang Road in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

During his tour of Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu, on Thursday afternoon, Xi visited the Purple Mountain Laboratories, where he inspected a 6G comprehensive lab, among others, to learn about efforts to make major sci-tech breakthroughs.

Xi said that with the rapid advancement of information technology, disruptive technologies can emerge at any moment. He stressed pursuing a pragmatic path of innovation.

Inspecting NARI Group Corporation, Xi learned about the enterprise's efforts in developing core technologies, ensuring grid security and power supply, and promoting energy transition.

Xi encouraged young researchers at the company to make breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, thus leading a fulfilling life.

On Friday morning, Xi heard a work report from the provincial Party committee and the government of Jiangsu.

Xi pointed out that the key to Chinese modernization lies in the modernization of science and technology.

Efforts should be made to reinforce the principal role of enterprises in innovation, encourage the flow of innovation resources to enterprises, and promote the industrial application of scientific and technological advances, Xi said.

Xi called for establishing a basic system to support comprehensive innovation.

He also called for increasing sci-tech investment through diverse channels and strengthening the legal protection of intellectual property rights.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Xi stressed the need to prioritize the real economy and build a modern industrial system.

Pace should be sped up to develop strategic emerging industrial clusters with international competitiveness, he said, calling for deeper integration of the digital economy with advanced manufacturing and modern service industries.

He called for building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone.

The province should also smoothen domestic and international dual circulation, innovate ways and measures to attract foreign investment and open wider to the outside world, Xi added.

Building a modern Chinese civilization is essential to advancing Chinese modernization, Xi noted, urging Jiangsu to step up the promotion of sectors including science and technology, education and culture.

Xi also demanded accelerated efforts to establish a well-rounded social security system, improve employment promotion mechanisms and public services to boost employment.

He called for better ensuring the employment of key groups.

On workplace safety, Xi said safety overhauls must be carried forward to curb serious and major accidents.

Xi called for vigilance against flooding disasters as China is about to enter a key period for flood control. He also noted the increased risks of forest fires in some regions.

Various emergency preparations must be made to reduce all sorts of losses to the minimum, Xi added.

On the Party-wide education campaign, Xi said since its launch, good results have been achieved. He called for efforts to guide Party members and cadres in paying greater attention to practice and create synergy for tangible results.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Hongyu)
We sold our destiny - Breweniase community cries after losing livelihood to company

Mary Anane-Amponsah & Linda Sah Jul - 07 - 2023 , 07:52

A narration of how a foreign company acquired thousands of hectares of land from the people of Breweniase in the Oti Region for a bargain price has left participants in a national symposium shocked, compelling a call for assistance for re-negotiation for the landowners.

The company, known as Hirrackles Oil Palm Company from Cameroun, reportedly acquired the land for palm oil plantation in 2008 after an agreement to pay the farmers $5 per hectare for a period of 50 years.

Before they signed the agreement, the company reportedly had promised that it was going to pay them some lump sums for their land in addition to the $5 per hectare agreement.

That, however, did not happen.

We have sold our destiny, and now carrying our death warrant wherever we go, a worried landowner, Johannes Kofibi, said at the symposium organised last Wednesday by Caritas Ghana on Protocols and Legal Procedures on Land Acquisition in Ghana.

The symposium was to launch a report on a study on land rights and acquisition of land in four communities, namely Tanchara in the Wa Diocese (Upper West Region), Babator in the Damongo Diocese (Savannah Region), Subinso in the Koforidua Diocese (Eastern Region) and Breweniase in the Jasikan Diocese of the Oti Region.

Caritas Ghana, a Catholic charity organisation, undertook the baseline survey on land ownership and land acquisition in the communities to be used for public awareness creation and advocacy with key institutions responsible for land administration.

The deception

Mr Kofibi said the 86 landowners were first hosted at a hotel where they were given GH20,000 cedis to share and asked to sign the document to lease their lands, which they were made to understand would later become beneficial to them with the start of the project.

He said the farmers, however, lost their livelihoods thereafter, and were not even allowed to enter their lands to fetch even firewood, medicine or hunt because the company now owned the lands.

Mr Kofibi said although they agreed to lease the land, they made a mistake by not being diligent enough, thereby signing our death warrant.

Indicating that they had already committed themselves but wanted a fair deal, Mr Kofibi said: We, Breweniase people, have leased a total of 3,715 hectares of land to the company.

We are only bothered about the payment.

They pay us $5 per hectare.

That is our headache.

We have signed it for 50 years.

Support of NGO

Mr Kofibi said the farmers came to the realisation that they had been cheated when African Faith and Justice Network, a non-governmental organisation which had been monitoring the activities of the Hirrackles Company in Cameroun, came in to build their capacity to fight to take their land back.

Currently, Hirrackles Company has packed out of the country after reselling the concession to another company, Volta Red Oil Company.

He appealed to Caritas Ghana and the Ghana Legal Aid Commission to support them to get the legal support to have the contract renegotiated or set aside as they were not in the position to battle the matter in court themselves.

Findings

A consultant in rural development, Dr Patrick Tandoh, who presented the report, revealed that people relied on chiefs and community-level intermediaries to have access to land and landed property, and that the chiefs wielded too much power in deciding access to land in communities.

He indicated that it would be useful, therefore, to assist the chiefs and community leaders to appreciate and understand the role they played in ensuring equitable access to land for all community members through training workshops, orientation, advocacy, among others.

The study, he said, further showed that majority of people in these communities demanded land for farming purposes.

However, the tenure systems were not properly organised to facilitate land acquisition and access for all.

For instance, the report said, whereas people in Subinso and Breweniase attested to some level of fairness in access to land for all in their communities, people from Babator and Tanchara areas reflected otherwise, with sentiments among female participants who spoke about the challenges women faced in acquiring land and landed property.

Some recommendation from the study included education on the legal frameworks and processes in land acquisition, education and sensitisation to the need for proper land property documentation and registration, the need to define the roles of chiefs in land and landed property allocation and purchases, and for the regional houses of chiefs to set up various ethical codes of conduct to guide the chiefs in issues related to land management.
3 Arms of govt must respect each others decisions - Speaker Bagbin on 'wee' law

Daniel Kenu & Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Jul - 07 - 2023 , 15:52

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin, has said that there was the need for the three arms of government to work together and respect each others decisions on national issues.

In cases of doubt, it is important to consult before giving finality to whatever decision the other arm wants to take.

And I do not think that it is proper for the Judiciary to, without knowing how we conduct our business here, go into how we conduct business and make such an important decision, he added.

The Speaker further described the conduct of the Judiciary as improper and I have made this known to them and I want it to be known publicly for the benefit of the country. We need to work expeditiously to rectify the wrong.

Mr Bagbin was speaking after presentation and the first reading of the Narcotics Regulation Commission Amendment Bill, 2023, by the Minister of Interior, Ambrose Dery, on the floor of Parliament on Thursday (July 6, 2023).

The new bill will amend the Narcotics Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) by substituting section 43 to empower the Interior Minister to grant licence for the cultivation of cannabis which has not more than 0.3 per cent Tetrahydrocannabinol content on a dry weight basis for industrial purposes such as obtaining fibre or seed or for medicinal purposes.

Supreme Court decision

On July 28, 2022, the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional a section of the Narcotic Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) which allows licence to be granted to an entity to cultivate a small quantity of cannabis, locally referred to as "wee" for industrial and medicinal purposes.

In a 4-3 majority decision, a seven-member panel of the Supreme Court held that Section 43 of Act 1019 violated Article 106 of the 1992 Constitution, which details the processes a bill must go through before it was passed into law by Parliament, and was, therefore, declared null and void.

Review

However, after the presentation and first reading of the new amendment bill, the Speaker said Parliament will not review the decision of the Supreme Court.

He said what the House will correct an error and reinstate the right provisions.

The Speaker, therefore, referred the bill to the Committee on Defence and Interior for consideration to be reported back to the House within one week.

He also directed the leadership of the Committee on Constitutional, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs, as well as the Committee on Health to attend the meetings of the Defence and Interior Committee to ensure that the report captures all aspects or perspectives of the subject matter.

Rationale

Explaining the rationale behind the move to amend Act 1019, Mr Dery said it had become necessary because of the majority decision in the case of Ezuame Mannan vs the Attorney-General and the Speaker of Parliament on July 27, 2022.

In the said majority decision by the apex court, it was declared that section 43 of Act 1019 was unconstitutional and, therefore, null and void.

Mr Speaker, permit to say that I respect the decision of the Supreme Court but I do not agree with it.

Mr Speaker, the reason that has been given was that section 43 had not been debated before this House when the House was passing Act 1019, he said.

Mr Dery explained that whenever a Speaker of the House states a matter was for the consideration of the House, it was open for debate and that the debate was not only when opposing views were expressed.

At the end of it, when contrary views are expressed, the Speaker then puts the question for those in favour to say Ayes and those who are not in favour to say No.

So, consensus is part of the debate and, therefore, it was wrong for the Supreme Court to say that it was in violation of article 106 of the Constitution, he said.

The minister also told the House that Act 1019 did not seek to legalise narcotics in Ghana.

He said the move was for Ghana to move in tandem with modern approach to the production of cannabis to specific specification for industrial and medicinal use.

Such move, he said, had actually been adopted by a number of African countries, including South, Lesotho, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Gambia and Malawi.
Food suppliers picketing: Speaker invites 3 ministers

Daniel Kenu and Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Jul - 07 - 2023 , 18:35

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban S. K. Bagbin, has directed the Business Committee to schedule three ministers to appear in Parliament next week to brief members on the cause of delays in the payment to National Food Suppliers Association members for the past two years.

He said the Ministers of Finance, Education and Food and Agriculture should come and tell the House the cause of the challenge so that Parliament would assist the Executive to solve the problem.

Application

Addressing Parliament on Friday, July 7, 2023, Mr Bagbin recalled a surprised visit he paid to the Buffer Stock Company in June 2022, a visit he said unnerved some people who thought he was taking over their function.

No as the leader of this House and the Head of the institutions, it is important that I keep drawing your attention as the representative of the people so that you can properly represent the interest of your constituents.

Application

The Speakers directive followed an application the National Democratic Congress MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, when the Deputy Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, presented the business statement to the House.

Mr Ablakwa said the delayed payment of funds to members of the National Food Suppliers Association which was of national interest should have found space in the business statement but did not.

He cited the picketing and demonstration at the National Buffet Stock Company by food suppliers over the past four days.

These people have been at the mercy of the vagaries of the weather and are sleeping rough, Mr Ablakwa said.

The North Tongu MP also informed the House of a video the Minority Leader shared with him showing how the affected women were rolling on the floor on the premises of the NBSC.

Mr Speaker, I was so depressed and went to bed last night really troubled, he said, recalling how the Speaker paid a visit to the Buffer Stock Company last year on June 23, 2022 and warned of the deteriorating food situation at the Buffer Stock Company.

Now the situation is totally out of control. So Mr Speaker I want to appeal that the ministers of Finance, Education and Food and Agriculture should be programmed to appear before this House urgently, Mr Ablakwa prayed.

The North Tongu MP informed the House that there were reports that the Minister of Education made a request to the Finance Minister to make a release which had not been acceded to.

These are our mothers and children who are starving and we cannot gloss over a whole week next week, he said.

Minoritys visit to Buffer Stock Company

Meanwhile, the Minority Caucus, led by the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, today, July 7 paid a visit to the Buffer Stock Company to interact with management and the affected food suppliers to find solution to the challenge.

We are more interested in the solution and how the situation could be resolved to get the Finance Minister to pay release you, he said.

The four-member team also gave out food to the food suppliers who carried placards some of which read Buffer Stock is the cause of food shortages in schools, Mr President please order Buffer Stock to pay us, Buffer Stock has devalued our money. Pay us with interest and Why have you paid some people January to December but other nothing at all.

The spokesperson of the National Food Suppliers Association, Kwaku Amedome, narrated the ordeal the food suppliers had endured for the past two years and appealed to the government to pay them their outstanding money.

Assurance

In a response, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong, who also came to the National Buffer Stock Company, assured food suppliers that the government was taking every step to pay them their outstanding money.

We have addressed the issue and I know that very soon the suppliers are going to be paid, he assured.

Dr Acheampong told the press that he met the suppliers yesterday and assured that whatever work was being done to reconcile the amount owed them to get them paid would be expedited.
Make me flag bearer - Alan Kyerematen appeals to delegates

Samuel Duodu Politics Jul - 07 - 2023 , 06:33

A flag bearer hopeful of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Alan Kyerematen, has appealed to delegates of the party to choose him as their presidential candidate as he stands the best chance of winning the presidency in 2024.

Speaking to party delegates on the second day of his cluster of meetings with delegates at Dome-Kwabenya and Ayawaso West Wuogon last Wednesday (July5), he said his track record in both the party and government makes him the best among all the other flagbearer aspirants.

The former Trade and Industry Minister cited his innovative works that birthed the Presidential Special Initiatives and the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme as evidence of the transformation that he could bring to the nation when given the nod.

He mentioned his unblemished persona in political life and hard work as some of the features that set him apart from the others.

Party executive

Mr Kyerematen, who kick-started his tour of the Greater Accra Region last Tuesday (July 4) with a meeting with delegates from the Ablekuma South, North and Central constituencies in an open mini durbar at the Suu Astro Turf in the Ablekuma Central Constituency, announced that national executives of the party would be paid salaries and also enjoy social security benefits under his leadership.

The NPP flagbearer hopeful also met with delegates from the Ayawaso East, North and Central, Klottey Korley and Odododiodioo constituencies.

Among party stalwarts who accompanied Mr Kyerematen on the first leg of his Greater Accra tour were the former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Nii Ayikoi Otoo; the Minister of Railway Development, Peter Amewu; the NPP constituency chairmen of the three Ablekuma constituencies and Hopeson Adorye, among others.

Delegates

Mr Kyerematen, addressing the delegates, said it was time for the burden carriers of the party to enjoy the full benefits of their sweats and labour that have helped the NPP to win two general elections in the country.

That, he said, informed his decision to put party executives on salary and also pay their social security when given the nod to lead the party, adding that it was his determination to run the party as a disciplined corporate entity and not as the usual sacrificial job without reward.

Industrialisation drive

Mr Kyerematen also pledged to run an all-inclusive government when elected as the NPP nominee and subsequently as Ghana's president.

He reiterated his unwavering commitment to the countrys industrial transformation, saying it was the key to unlocking Ghana's immense potential.

He emphasised the urgent need to leverage technology and innovation in the countrys industrialisation drive and highlighted the tremendous opportunities that lie in digitalisation, advanced manufacturing and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Mr Kyerematen stressed the importance of positioning Ghana at the forefront of the technological revolution, where the country can become a hub of innovation, attract foreign investments and create quality jobs for the youth.
MCE for Ayawaso Central resigns

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Politics Jul - 06 - 2023 , 14:05

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ayawaso Central, Mohammed Quaye, has resigned on health grounds.

In a letter dated July 2, 2023 and addressed to the Presidency, Mr Quaye said Over the past six and half years, it has been my privilege and honour to serve the government of Ghana and contribute to the progress of the Ayawaso Central Constituency.

However, my current health condition has significantly affected my ability to fulfil my duties and responsibilities effectively, despite my best efforts., he explained.

He further stated that his condition will require that he receives extended medical treatment and a period of rest and recuperation.

He therefore said it would be in the best interest of the municipality that someone would serve in his stead, As much as I would like to continue serving in my role, I believe it would be in the best interest of the Municipality to have someone who can continue to maintain the high standards and efficiency that our government demands.

The MCE assured of his commitment to facilitate a seamless transfer of knowledge to his successor.

Read the full statement below:
Minority boycotts Parliament to support colleagues in court

Daniel Kenu, Nana Konadu Agyeman & Justice Agbenorsi Politics Jul - 07 - 2023 , 06:54

The Minority in Parliament put words into action when they boycotted sitting in Parliament yesterday in solidarity with three members of the caucus standing trial at the High Court.

The MPs on trail are the Minority Leader, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson; the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, and the MP for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda.

The three were in court yesterday in respect of the ongoing prosecutions by the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame.

The Minority Leader issued the notice last Tuesday during the swearing-in of Mr Quayson after reclaiming the seat he was accused of winning illegally.

Quayson

The Supreme Court nullified Mr Quayson's election as MP for Assin North for holding both a Canadian and Ghanaian citizenship when he filed his nomination to contest the election in 2020.

He is now on trial for alleged perjury and forgery, with his trial being heard on a daily basis.

Other cases

In the case of the Minority Leader, the High Court has summoned three witnesses in the trial in which he (Dr Forson), a former Deputy Minister of Finance, and two others have been accused of causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the state in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances.

Mr Dauda, a former Works and Housing Minister, and four others are also facing trial of 70 counts of causing financial loss to the state in relation to the Saglemi Affordable Housing project.

"The Minority stands united with our colleagues, and as such will not be able to honour the business of the house today.

"This is the beginning of a series of actions that the caucus will be embarking on to end the ongoing prosecution of Dr Forson, Mr Quayson and Alhaji Dauda," the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, said in a statement.

Quayson in court

Meanwhile, the High Court in Accra will on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, make a determination on whether or not to put the perjury and forgery trial of Mr Quayson on hold until the Court of Appeal determines an application challenging the trial courts decision to hear the trial on a daily basis.

This was after the court, presided over by Justice Mary Maame Ekue Yanzuh, had considered arguments from both the defence counsel and the prosecution on the application for stay of proceedings.

Moving an application filed by the MP to put the trial on hold until the Court of Appeal determines his application, his counsel, Tsatsu Tsikata, emphasised that remarks by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, were prejudicial and violated the right of the accused person to a fair trial.

Stay

In the application for stay of proceedings, Mr Quayson is contending that the trial must be halted pending the appeal in the interest of justice.

It is his case that the ruling by the court to hear the case on a daily basis was what emboldened President Akufo-Addo to make comments that his team had considered prejudicial to the case.

That at the campaign rally for the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the President made many prejudicial remarks, including some to the effect that the voters in Assin North Constituency should not vote for a candidate who could end up in prison, the application for stay of proceedings stated.

Mr Tsikata explained that continuing the daily trial while his appeal was still pending would prejudice the accused persons right to a fair trial.

He added that if the application for stay was not granted, it would simply convey the impression of a predetermined outcome of the trial.

It is an exceptional circumstance when it could lead to an innocent person presumed innocent being unjustly tried, he added.

But the Attorney-General, Mr Dame, opposed the application on grounds that when lawyers for Quayson filed for the variation of the court orders on the day-to-day hearing of the case, their application was in reference to the day-to-day hearing of the case before the by-election.

This application is a bundle of confusion grounded on distortion, and must be rejected.

I pray for same to be dismissed, Mr Dame said.

The presiding judge, Justice Yanzuh, subsequently fixed July 11, 2023, for ruling to be delivered on the application for stay of proceedings.

Charges

Mr Quayson is facing charges of forgery and perjury in relation to alleged offences in the run-up to the 2020 Assin North parliamentary election.

He has pleaded not guilty to five counts of forgery of passport or travel certificate, knowingly making a false statutory declaration, perjury and false declaration for office.
Minority reacts to A-G's press statement on public commentary on pending court cases

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Politics Jul - 06 - 2023 , 18:00

The Minority in Parliament says the Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame was trying to stifle free speech in Ghana on governance issues.

According to the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament, Kwame Governs Agbodza, Ghanaians have the right to express their opinions on national matters, and the Attorney-General cannot suppress voices.

In a press statement reacting to the Attorney-General's speech on public comments on cases pending before the courts, Mr Agbodza said the Attorney-General does not have the authority to impose fetters on free speech on citizens.

Related: A-G decries public commentary on court cases

The Attorney-General does not possess such overreaching powers to impose fetters on free expression as he seeks to arrogate to himself. We wish to remind him that justice emanates from the people of Ghana and administered for and on their behalf. Therefore, while it may displease him, the Ghanaian people cannot be stifled from having their say."

Read the full statement below:

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Well hold govt to account  NDC MPs

Daily Graphic Politics Jul - 07 - 2023 , 08:11

The Minority Caucus in Parliament has said it will continue to hold the government accountable for its stewardship on behalf of the people.

It said no amount of persecution of its Members of Parliament (MP) and other appointees of the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration would break their resolve to keep holding the feet of the government to the fire on accountability.

This was in reaction to a statement issued by the Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister of Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, last Tuesday, calling on the public to be circumspect in their commentary on court cases in order not to derail the rule of law.

Response

The Minority, in its response to the A-G in a statement signed and issued by the Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Governs Agbodza, and dated Wednesday, July 5, 2023, described the A-Gs call as a calculated attempt to stifle free speech.

How is the Attorney-General able to look the good people of Ghana in the face and point out that much of the recent commentary on many of the so-called high-profile criminal cases transgresses permissible limits of free speech, unduly interferes with the work of state prosecutors performing their constitutional function of prosecuting crime in

Ghana, and tends to put unnecessary pressure on the courts, when he willfully and conveniently forgets that the number one culprit is the President? the statement questioned.

The Minority stated that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos comments on the criminal case against the Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North, James Gyakye Quayson, during the campaign in the run-up to the June 27 parliamentary by-election in the constituency and the utterances of the A-G himself when he described the ruling of a High Court to restart trial in the matter of the Republic vs Dr Stephen Opuni and two others were prejudicial comments.

With those comments, the Minority asserted, the A-G could not redefine the boundaries of what constituted prejudicial commentary by members of the Ghanaian public on the seemingly unending trend of persecution of the government's perceived political opponents.

We wish to remind him (A-G) that justice emanates from the people of Ghana and is administered for and on their behalf.

Therefore, while it may displease him, the Ghanaian people cannot be stifled from having their say, the Minority said.

The Attorney-General does not possess such overarching powers to impose fetters on free expression as he seeks to arrogate to himself, it added.

Recall

The A-G and Minister of Justice, Mr Dame, in a statement issued last Tuesday, called on the public to be circumspect in their commentary on court cases in order not to derail the rule of law.

He said no one was above the law or immune from prosecution if there was a case against such a person.

He noted that any assertion that a person should not face the law because of his or her political position would not augur well for the development of the country, was dangerous for democracy.
The California Air Resources Board announced a Clean Truck Partnership today with the US leading truck manufacturers and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association that advances the development of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) for the commercial trucking industry, which includes flexibility for manufacturers to meet emissions requirements while still reaching the states climate and emission reduction goals.

The Clean Truck Partnership, which includes Cummins, Inc.; Daimler Truck North America; Ford Motor Company; General Motors Company; Hino Motors Limited, Inc.; Isuzu Technical Center of America, Inc.; Navistar, Inc.; PACCAR Inc.; Stellantis N.V.; Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association; and Volvo Group North America, marks a commitment from the companies to meet Californias vehicle standards that will require the sale and adoption of zero-emissions technology in the state, regardless of whether any other entity challenges Californias authority to set more stringent emissions standards under the federal Clean Air Act.

In turn, CARB has agreed to work collaboratively with manufacturers to provide reasonable lead time to meet CARBs requirements and before imposing new regulations and to support the development of necessary ZEV infrastructure.

The terms of the Clean Truck Partnership include:

CARB will align with EPAs 2027 regulations for NO x emissions. CARB also will modify elements of the 2024 NO x emission regulations for which manufacturers will provide offsets as necessary to maintain Californias emission targets.

CARB commits to providing no less than four years lead time and at least three years of regulatory stability before imposing new requirements.

Truck manufacturers commit to meeting CARBs zero-emission and criteria pollutant regulations in the state regardless of any attempts by other entities to challenge Californias authority.

The Clean Truck Partnership comes as California prepares for implementation of its landmark rules that put in place a phased-in transition toward 100% sale and use of zero-emissions technology for medium- and-heavy duty vehicles under CARBs Advanced Clean Trucks and Advanced Clean Fleets rule by 2045.

In March, the EPA approved Californias waiver under the federal Clean Air Act that allows the state to become the first in the world to require zero-emissions technology for trucks. (Earlier post.)
Early Amazon Prime Day deals in the US, the UK and Germany

Amazons Prime Day is almost here  the shopping event will be held on July 11 and 12. However, if you have Prime already, you can jump right in with these early Prime Day deals.

Note that we tried to find the same item in the US, the UK and Germany, however, discounts differ by region  sometimes there are no discounts at all.

Also, we have divided things into categories: tablets, e-readers, speakers, streaming devices, TVs and Wi-Fi routers.

Tablets

Amazons Fire tablets are some of the cheapest Android tablets that you can find, at least ones that bear a recognizable brand name. They have an Amazon-specific setup out of the box, but its quite easy to change that, if you catch our drift.

The Amazon Fire HD 10.1 tablet from 2021 has a 1,920 x 1,200px display and dual speakers (plus a 3.5mm jack). With up to 12 hour battery life, these a great for streaming, but with an octa-core CPU and half decent GPU you can do some light gaming too.

Although if you want that, you may want to pick up the Fire HD 10 Plus model, which has an extra gig of RAM. This one also supports 15W wireless charging (mainly intended for use with the optional dock).

Unfortunately, the new Fire Max 11 tablet is not part of the Prime Day promotions. It is easily the best of the bunch  and it is priced accordingly. This 11 tablet has a 2,000 x 1,200px display, a more powerful chipset (MediaTek MTK8188J) with 4GB of RAM and 64/128GB storage, plus battery life is up to 14 hours.

If you want something cheap, there is also the Fire HD 8, but only the US branch offers a good discount. This 2022 model has a 6-core CPU and a 1,280 x 800px screen, so its not great hardware but it just might be the best hardware that $55 can buy.

E-readers

The Kindle Oasis has a 7 300ppi display (compared to 6.8 300ppi on the Paperwhite) with an adjustable warm light. It is IPX8 water resistant and has physical page turn buttons. Also, this is the only model with free cellular connectivity, so you can download new books on the go with no extra charge.

The Kindle Scribe is an interesting one, but unfortunately Amazon is not offering Prime deals for it (not yet, at least). This is the largest e-reader in the family with a 10.2 display (300ppi) and it gets its name due to the stylus support  this can be your your digital notepad or sketchbook. For $30 more you can get the Premium Pen, which has a virtual eraser on the other end and a shortcut button.

By the way, there is a Kindle Paperwhite Kids version. This comes with no ads and a 1-year subscription to Kids+, which gives you free access to a wide variety of books. There are some very popular titles on there, including the Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl books.

Speakers

Depending on your smart home setup, a lot of electronics in your house could be controlled with Amazon Alexa and the Echo speakers are the easiest way to get that.

Starting off with the basic Echo Dot and Echo Dot with clock, these provide decent audio quality on a budget.

There is also an Echo Dot Kids, which comes with a free year of Kids+  similar to the Kindle offer, except with Audible audiobooks. There are also interactive sound-based games and some education features.

The Echo Link Amp is an easy way to turn a pair of old bookshelf speakers into smart speakers that support streaming  both from Amazon Music HD/Spotify/Apple Music and from your phone (either by casting or by using Bluetooth). This amp can power two 60W speakers (there is an output for a powered sub-woofer too). It has optical and analog out and an Ethernet port (in addition to Wi-Fi).

On the other end of the scale is the Echo Pop, a speaker that is cheaper than the Dots, but it has a slightly bigger driver (1.95 vs. 1.73).

For high-end audio, but without plugging in external speakers, the Echo Studio features Dolby Atmos support and can create an immersive soundscape thanks to its multiple speakers  1.2 tweeter, three 2 mid-range speakers and a 5.3 woofer.

Streaming

With audio covered, lets move on to TV streaming. The Fire TV Stick 4K is a cheap way to add 4K streaming to an old TV. It supports all the major services as well as Dolby Vision and HDR10+, as well as Dolby Atmos for audio.

For a bit more you can get the Fire TV Stick 4K Max instead  Amazon claims that its chipset is 40% more powerful and (more importantly) it has Wi-Fi 6 connectivity (vs. Wi-Fi 5 on the other 4K stick). In case you're wondering why you might need a faster chipset, keep in mind that these can run games too.

The Fire TV Cube is the top of the line model  its twice as powerful as the 4K Max stick and it has even faster Wi-Fi 6E support. It has a built-in mic and speaker, so it replaces an Echo Dot too.

Just in case you lost or broke the remote that comes with the sticks and cube, here is a replacement. Actually, this is the Alexa Voice Remote Pro, which has customizable and backlit buttons.

Then theres the Fire TV Blaster  this is like a remote for your TV, but its controlled by Alexa. This device has a built-in infrared blaster, so it can control your whole setup: TV, cable box, A/V receiver and so on.

TVs

Why not skip the middle man and get a TV with Fire features built in? We should also note that these are quite cheap for their size  here are the 43, 50 and 55 options. These support HDR10 and have one HDMI 2.1 with eARC plus three HDMI 2.0 ports.

Wi-Fi routers

Amazons eero routers can cover even large, multistory buildings with their Wi-Fi mesh. Theres the eero 6+, which features Wi-Fi 6 connectivity and a single unit is enough to cover 140 sq. m/1,500 sq. ft. Amazon is also selling them in 2, 3 and 4 packs.

For better range and higher speed, the eero Pro 6E brings Wi-Fi 6E and a single router covers 190 sq. m/2,000 sq. ft. These are available in packs of 2 or 3 too, if you want to build your mesh in one go. Note that the Pro 6E has two Ethernet ports, one 2.5Gb and one 1Gb, the non-pro model has a pair of gigabit ports. Also, Wi-Fi 6E operates in the 6GHz band, which can help if the 5GHz band at your place is crowded.

We may get a commission from qualifying sales.
Samsung Electronics posted its quarterly guidance ahead of the release of its detailed fiscal report, and for the second quarter in a row the Korean company expects a drastic decline in profits. The consolidated figures show an operating profit of KRW0.5-0.7 billion ($455 million), which is over 95% less than the same period last year.

The sales figures were also down, both quarterly and yearly. Estimations are between 59 and 61 trillion KRW in total revenue, which is about $46 billion.

(all units in

KRW / USD) Q2 2023

Earnings Guidance Q1 2023 QoQ Change Q2 2022 YoY Change Sales 60 trillion /

46 billion 63.75 trillion /

48.83 billion -5% 77.2 trillion /

59.13 billion -22% Operating Profit 0.6 trillion /

455 million 0.64 trillion /

490 million -6.25% 14.1 trillion /

10.8 billion -95.7%

The last time Samsung had profits this low was in Q1 2009 when the number stood at KRW590 billion. The Korean company will post the full results on July 27 and we'll get the full picture then.

We already know the giant is expected to scale back on the production of memory chips due to weak demand and geopolitical uncertainties. The war in Ukraine is no longer a viable excuse, meaning memory chips are just no longer the golden egg chicken, and Samsung needs to diversify its strategy to keep the money flowing.

Source
The Galaxy A34 (and A54) started shipping in India back in March with the 8/128GB A34 costing 31,000. But now that the Samsung Galaxy M34 has arrived on the scene fans have an alternative in front of them  the M34 pricing starts at just 17,000 for a 6/128GB unit and is 19,000 for 8GB of RAM. These prices are with a 2,000 discount you get with select bank cards, otherwise you're looking at 19,000 and 21,000, respectively.

Despite being significantly cheaper than the A34, the M34 gets Samsungs best Android support  4 OS updates and 5 years of security patches. For comparison, a 44,000 Pixel 7a will only get 3 OS updates, while the 20,000 Nord CE 3 Lite from yesterday will get 2 OS updates and only 3 years of security patches.



Samsung Galaxy M34 in Midnight Blue, Prism Silver and Waterfall Blue

The Galaxy M34 is an upgrade over the M33 from last year on several fronts. First, the update schedule normally reserved for the S/A-series. Second, the cameras  the 50MP main module gains OIS, while the ultra wide camera is upgraded to an 8MP sensor (up from 5MP) and the selfie camera goes up to 13MP (up from 8MP).

This might or might not be an upgrade depending on where you stand in the LCD vs. OLED debate. The new model brings a 120Hz Super AMOLED, a 6.5 panel with a slightly taller aspect ratio  1,080 x 2,400px for 20:9 compared to 19.5:9 for the M33s 6.6 LCD. Gorilla Glass 5 is once again called to guard against scratches and now there is an Always On Display function.

Some things, however, stay the same  the Galaxy M34 is still powered by the Exynos 1280 (would have been nice to see the 1330 at least). The RAM and storage options are the same and there is virtual RAM and a microSD slot for more of both.

Also, the battery is the same as before and thats a good thing  at 6,000mAh it is bigger than most. Charging is done at 25W (wired only), but only flagship Samsungs go higher than that.

A quick comparison with Galaxy A34 is worthwhile as well. The A-series phone is on the same excellent software update track and features the slightly more powerful Dimensity 1080 with a similar memory configuration (there is a 256GB option, though).

The 6.6 120Hz AMOLED display is a bit bigger, but the 5,000mAh (25W) battery is smaller. And the cameras are very comparable between the two. One key advantage of the A34 is its IP67 dust and water resistance rating  both have plastic bodies, but the A-phone is a bit more durable. Again, the Galaxy A34 starts at 31,000.

If you like what youre seeing, the Samsung Galaxy M34 will be available from Amazon India from July 15. If youre a Prime subscriber, you can pre-book the phone starting today. Either way, you get a choice of three colors: Midnight Blue, Prism Silver and Waterfall Blue.

Source
Following its announcement in China back in April and subsequent debut in India last month, Xiaomi Pad 6 is now available in Europe. The tablet arrives in the same three colors - Gravity Gray, Gold and Mist Blue with a starting price of 399/369 for the 6/128GB trim. The 8/128GB starts from 429 while the top-end 8/256GB version will sell for 449.



Xiaomi Pad 6 key specs

Open sales start on Monday, July 10 via Xiaomis online store and partnering retailers. Xiaomi UK is bundling a free pair of Xiaomi Buds 3T Pro with Pad 6 units purchased from its web store.

To recap, Xiaomi Pad 6 features an 11-inch IPC LCD with 1800 x 2880 px resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 144Hz refresh rate. The device is equipped with a Snapdragon 870 chipset and features an 8,840 mAh battery with 33W charging support. In terms of cameras, you get a 13MP front-facing shooter and a 13MP rear module. The software front is covered by MIUI 14 on top of Android 13.

Source
The government and other private organizations have all been utilizing different approaches to accommodate the community.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is looking for property management companies and owners who have furnished properties that are ready to be leased.

These properties can include vacation rentals, corporate apartments, second homes, single-family homes, cooperatives, condominiums, townhouses and other types of readily fabricated dwellings. Additionally, FEMA is also interested in evaluating apartments within multi-family structures that may require moderate repairs and can be restored within four months, including adding accessibility modifications, using federal funding. Property owners will not be charged for collaborating with FEMA.

FEMA may enter into a lease agreement with the property owner and pay rent based on the Fair Market Rent rates identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Guam.

Property management companies will be responsible for:

Establishing a lease agreement with the property owner or apartment manager on behalf of FEMA in accordance with FEMA terms and conditions.

Handling all eviction proceedings.

Ensuring regular documented maintenance and oversight of leased units.

Covering all utilities and providing furnishings for the apartments or single-family homes that they provide.

Providing monthly status reports of all properties leased on behalf of FEMA, such as property damage, move-outs, vacant units and evictions within 72 hours.

For Multifamily Lease and Repair properties, the following requirements must be met:

The property must be previously used as a multifamily housing complex and contain two or more rental units.

The property should be repairable within four months.

Interested companies or owners are required to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier number from the System for Award Management. It may take up to 10-15 business days before the registration becomes active in the system.

FEMA will host an Industry Day event from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on July 11 at the Guam Museum in Hagatna to help interested parties to register on SAM and to better understand FEMAs Direct Lease, Multifamily Lease and Repair programs. Online pre-registration is required for the in-person event. All registration requests must be completed by July 10. Due to limited capacity for in-person participation or webinar attendance, each company is allowed a maximum of two participants.

Follow-up questions must be submitted no later than 2 p.m., July 13. Questions can be submitted to either FEMA-DR-4715GU-DL@fema.dhs.gov or FEMA-DR-4715GU-MLR@fema.dhs.gov. Interested parties should monitor SAM for additional information or future solicitations. The Federal Service Desk can provide more support via live chat or by phone at 1-866-606-8220.

Questions and answers from the webinar may be posted to SAM at a later date. For SAM registration, interested parties should have their banking information, tax identification number, full company name and ownership details.

Other criteria and more detailed information can be found in the Requests For Information, which have been posted in SAM: Direct Lease RFI, Multifamily Lease and Repair RFI. Responses and comments to the RFIs are due at 5 p.m., July 23.

Hours to change at DRC

Disaster Recovery Centers in Guam will have new hours of operation starting July 9. Starting Sunday, the centers will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. They are closed on Sundays.

At a Disaster Recovery Center, residents can learn more about FEMA and other federal disaster assistance programs, understand any letters they get from FEMA, get answers to their questions about the application or get referrals to agencies that may offer other assistance.

The DRC Locator will help you find the nearest center.

Guam residents whose homes were damaged by Typhoon Mawar can apply for FEMA assistance, get updates about applications, learn about the appeals process by visiting a DRC, going online to disasterassistance.gov, using the FEMA Mobile App or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. The Helpline is available around the clock daily a week at no cost for Guam residents. Help is available in many languages.

Disaster Recovery Centers are barrier-free and provide equal access to all visitors. If a resident uses American Sign Language or assistive technology or if they need accommodations to communicate, they are advised to notify FEMA staff at the center immediately.

Free tree removalThe AmeriCorps Chainsaw Debris Program is a free service that provides for the removal of trees on private residential property that pose an immediate threat to health and safety. The AmeriCorps Chainsaw Debris Project launched this week and will end on July 28, 2023.

The AmeriCorps Chainsaw Debris Program is an initiative designed to help Guam residents who have severely disaster-damaged trees on their property that pose an immediate threat to health and safety. Residents can contact their village mayors office in-person or by phone to complete an application.

AmeriCorps teams will focus on cutting hanging branches and limbs, disaster-damaged broken trees and uprooted trees that block access to the home or threaten life or property. Healthy trees, trees with minimal damage and those trees that were not severely damaged by Typhoon Mawar will not be considered for clearing as the program is for disaster-related debris.

Tree removals that would threaten AmeriCorps team safety will not be eligible and will be the responsibility of the property owner.

Not all severely disaster-damaged trees will be able to be removed based on the time and scope of work. Not everyone who applies will receive an assessment as the number of homes that can be completed by July 28 is limited and certain disaster survivors, which include veterans, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities or others with access or functional needs, are being prioritized.

In order for AmeriCorps to do their work, the property owner will have to sign a right of entry form with the mayors office at the time of application or with the AmeriCorps team if they visit the home to assess the property for possible tree removal. If a resident is eligible, they will be contacted by phone to schedule a time to clear your trees.

Renters can apply for this service, but the landlord or property owner will be required to complete a right of entry before work can be completed.

Not everyone who is assessed will be eligible. The purpose of the assessment is to make sure damaged trees fall within the scope of the program. AmeriCorps teams make final eligibility decisions based upon the results of their assessment.

All outstanding requests will remain in the Crisis Cleanup database until the applicant closes their case. It is possible that organizations other than AmeriCorps could provide help in the future. Residents may be contacted by other organizations offering free help at a later date.
Two men were charged with two felony charges of burglary and theft of property, according to documents filed in the Superior Court of Guam.

On June 30, officers were dispatched to a residence in Chalan-Pago to meet a witness.

The witness told them that a bush cutter belonging to P and J yard services was stolen from his residence that afternoon.

Surveillance footage showed Brandon Jay Hernandez taking the bush cutter, which was estimated to be valued at $1,000. When Hernandez was arrested, he admitted that he stole the bush cutter and sold it to buy ice, according to court documents.

On July 4, 2023, officers spoke with a witness at another residence in Chalan-Pago who told officers that their garage had been broken into. Various tools valued at approximately $2,240 were stolen.

Surveillance footage showed Hernandez and Dwayne John Cepeda pry open a compartment within the bed area of the witness car parked inside the garage and steal items from within the compartment and garage. Officers noted the garage door appeared to have been pried off the hinge while the compartment along the truck bed was open.

A black bicycle which the witness claimed was not his was located along with a homemade crowbar with Risky Biznes and a prayer written on it was located. When Hernandez was arrested, he claimed that it was Cepedas plan to hit the house, according to court documents.

Both Hernandez and Cepeda were charged with burglary as a second-degree felony and theft of property as a second-degree felony.

Hernandez was also charged with theft of property as a third-degree felony.

Village shooter found with meth in glasses caseSean Mitchell Cory faces three felony charges and two misdemeanor charges after shooting into the air in front of a residence.

On July 6, at approximately 7:25 a.m., police responded to a possible shooting in Yigo.

A witness reported between 7:05 a.m. to 7:15 a.m., they observed Cory driving a Harley-Davidson motorcycle and that he was armed with two firearms.

Cory then shot twice into the air with a black pistol in front of the witness neighbors residence, according to court documents.

Cory was found at the neighbors residence, where officers found an airsoft pistol on the kitchen table. A consented search of the residence yielded a firearm described as a Glock 34 HMM pistol, which was located on top of a kitchen shelf.

The report indicated that a Glock 17 ground and unexpended Luger 9mm rounds were also found.

The report further indicated that police conducted a check of the firearm and learned that it was not registered. Additionally, the report indicated that Cory did not possess a firearms identification card.

Officers conducted a pat down on Cory and yielded a black glasses case located in one of Corys socks. Within the case were three plastic bevel cut straws containing suspected methamphetamine and two glass tubes containing suspected methamphetamine residue.

A field test was conducted and yielded a presumptive positive for methamphetamine. Officers conducted a scene check outside the front of the residence and yielded two expended Luger shell casings.

Cory then told officers that he had shot two rounds in the air and claimed that it was from the airsoft pistol, according to court documents.

Cory was charged with possession of a Schedule ll controlled substance, possession of a firearm without a firearms ID and possession of an unregistered firearm as third-degree felonies. He was also charged with reckless conduct and unlawful discharge of a firearm as misdemeanors.
The Guam Power Authority logo on an exterior wall of the Dededo Combustion Turbine Power Plant, as seen on May 10, 2023.
During the monthly board of directors meeting held Thursday, Rory J. Respicio, general manager of the Port Authority of Guam, addressed concerns recently brought up by senators during a confirmation hearing for two potential board members.

The legislative confirmation hearing, held on May 3, 2023, focused on the re-appointment of Frank Santos and the appointment of Luis Baza to serve on the Port Authority Board. The legislative action on the confirmation is yet to be determined.

Respicio provided the Port Board of Directors with clarifications on misstatements and allegations regarding various matters, including the two nominees.

The Port 7 issue, YTK, the Ports debt service ratio, the number of Port employees, the storage of GPA generators, the Ports efforts to interdict drugs, and the training assignment of the Ports procurement and supply manager.

Deputy general manager

In other developments, the Port Board of Directors approved the hiring of Pacifico Martir as the Deputy general manager for Administration and Finance of the Port Authority of Guam. This decision aims to strengthen the administrative and financial operations of the organization.

Furthermore, the Board adopted Resolution No. 2023-06, which pertains to a stipulated dismissal in the Civil Service Commission Adverse Action Appeal Case No. 13-AA06T SP, involving Jeffrey Q. Cruz v. Port Authority of Guam.

The resolution is based on Guam Supreme Court rulings in the cases of 2015 Guam 14 (Susuico I) and 2019 Guam 15 (Susuico II). The resolution authorizes General Manager Respicio to execute the agreement and allocate up to $126,000.00 in Port funds to settle the stipulated dismissal. This resolution results in a cost avoidance of approximately $210,128.43 in back wages.

The finalized agreement will be provided to the public auditor Benjamin J.F. Cruz in the interest of transparency and accountability.

Cargo and fuel processed since reopening

The following fuel and cargo commodities have been processed and released into our island community since reopening the Port on May 28:
The windfall of funds for Guam from the American Rescue Plan Act allowed the government and multiple entities to stay afloat despite the tourism economy taking a major hit.

Through Public Law 36-107, essentially the budget law for Fiscal Year, 2023, the governors Director of Administration must submit a written report to the speaker of the legislature no later than five business days after the end of each month in FY2023. The report must detail the allocation of funds by the governor and the total expenditure of funds of purpose and project description.

The legislative committee on rules received the June 2023 report on July 6, 2023, which has since already gained traction from a couple senators.

Sen. Chris Barnett, the chairperson of COR, noted that it seems the government is having trouble spending ARP funds.

Given the shelf life attached to these monies and the many challenges facing our community, I dont know why we arent using these funds to raise the standard of government service to our people, stated Barnett. This administration has criticized administrations before it for having to return federal funds because they werent spent in time, and our people are critical of Adelup now sitting on these funds when there are such great needs to address on our island that may be more important than a pie in the sky political pet project.

As far as transparency goes, although the report meets mandates put forth by the Legislature, there is nothing that prevents the Leon Guerrero/Tenorio administration from going above and beyond in providing more detailed documentation. Our people will have a hard time making sense of this report and all its overboard terms for expenditures like miscellaneous and contracts, added the chair. I doubt they have the time to go to the Department of Administration to access the AS400 or send a FOIA request like their senators must do. Lets not lose sight of our obligation to inform our people and keep transparency at the forefront of all we do. I beg Adelup, in good faith to please stop making finding the truth so difficult.

Sen. Telo T. Taitague, vice chairperson on the committee of general government operations and appropriations, added on her concerns with the need for timely expenditures and miscellaneous allocations.

This months American Rescue Plan Act report highlights that some GovGuam agencies may be struggling to spend their allocations. Considering the time constraints on these funds, I think we need to start preparing alternative plans so that we dont lose out on the millions of dollars left in these accounts, Sen. Taitague stated. With no clear direction on a new hospital facility, its time to consider what happens next with the $160 million remaining in ARPA funds for a new GMH.

While Im appreciative of the administration following the law, I encourage them to be more forthcoming with the miscellaneous allocations and expenditures. This months ARPA report shows the Department of Land Management has more than $400,000 in unspent miscellaneous allocations while the Chamorro Land Trust Commission has nearly $700,000 in unspent miscellaneous allocations, said Taitague.

I know that these reports are subject to the whims of those who prepare them, but time is running out. Every dollar counts. We have a right to know what these funds are for and when they will be spent as we work to pass a conservative budget. Transparency and communication will ensure the people of Guam dont lose out on millions because of preventable errors, Taitague added.

Additional information within the report can be found on the legislatures website here.
The University of Guams College of Natural & Applied Sciences has been awarded a significant grant of $10 million to advance the agriculture and natural resources workforce in the Mariana and Micronesian islands.

The grant, part of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agricultures From Learning to Leading: Cultivating the Next Generation of Diverse Food and Agriculture Professionals Program (NextGen), aims to address the pressing challenges of food security, climate change, and invasive species.

This is a major grant for UOG and this region, said Rachael Leon Guerrero, vice provost for research in a press release.

Its the universitys second largest grant ever, following the (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) grant, and its the largest amount of funding that has ever come to UOG focused solely on undergraduate STEM and agriculture education, added Leon Guerrero in a press release.

Cooperative course-sharing

The grant project, a cooperative bachelors program, will benefit students from the University of Guam (UOG), Northern Marianas College (NMC), and Guam Community College (GCC).

Collaborating with several prominent U.S. universities, the program offers specialized courses to students enrolled in agriculture and natural resource-focused programs.

Partner universities such as Utah State University, University of Florida, and University of Hawaii at Manoa will provide in-depth education in respective subject areas. The course-sharing initiative will commence in January, with students having the option to take courses either online or through a semester abroad.

Our islands are in need of larger scale agricultural production to facilitate food security, wildlife biologists and land managers to control invasive species, and ecologists to restore our native species, to name a few critical areas, said Dr. Lee S. Yudin, dean of the UOG College of Natural & Applied Sciences and project director on the grant, in a press release.

This project combines the resources of multiple institutions to expose our students to these career possibilities and ensure theyre the best candidates to fill these jobs, added Yudin in a press release.

Internships, research experiences, scholarships

To enrich the learning experience, students will also have access to internships, research programs, and study-abroad opportunities in collaboration with partner universities and local government agencies.

These hands-on experiences, combined with advanced courses, will enhance the competitiveness of local graduates, particularly for federal jobs available in the region.

The program will provide scholarships to cover various costs, including childcare, room and board, and tuition, which often pose financial barriers for students pursuing degrees in food, agriculture, nutrition, or human sciences.

Students and prospective students interested in studying food, agriculture, nutrition, natural resources, or child and family sciences can contact Dr. Jolley at jollyr@triton.uog.edu for more information about the opportunities offered through the NextGen grant.

The grant has a five-year term, concluding on May 31, 2028.
Published on 2023/07/06 | Source

Actress Kim So-hyun told her story.

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Kim So-hyun showed off her mature beauty in the July issue of ELLE Singapore, a magazine released on the 4th. Kim So-hyun's relaxed expression in the released photo revealed her experience. Kim So-hyun, wearing a black halter neck costume and looking at the camera with a deadly look, stole the attention with a hip atmosphere while wearing a hat in another picture.

In particular, Kim So-hyun's charm, which varies depending on various concepts, added to the joy of watching. It boasted an unlimited visual beyond the pure and bright image it had previously shown to the urban and mature atmosphere.

Kim So-hyun, who predicted a hard-working move in 2023, will visit the small screen as the character of Mok Sol-hee in tvN's new Monday-Tuesday drama "My Lovely Liar" which will premiere on the 31st.

While heralding the appearance of the anticipated work in the second half of this year, Kim So-hyun told honest stories, including her agony as an actress and goals she wants to achieve in the future, in an interview after the pictorial shoot.

Kim So-hyun, who first challenged a drama with supernatural power in "My Lovely Liar", said, "It was impressive to break through head-on without hiding or avoiding the supernatural power of lying", adding, "I thought a lot about how to take both mysterious and realistic sides".

In addition, Kim So-hyun, who searches for previous works to motivate her as an actress, said, "I'm so proud that I haven't given up and have been acting for more than 10 years even though I've been working as an actor for a long time".

Finally, Kim So-hyun showed off her professional side, saying, "I want to be an actress who grows and ages like a friend who has been next to me for a long time", raising expectations for her future moves.
Published on 2023/07/06 | Source

New stills added for the upcoming Korean movie "Unofficial Operation" (2022)

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Directed by Kim Seong-hun

With Ha Jung-woo, Ju Ji-hoon,...

Formerly known as "Ransomed" (, pi-rab)

Synopsis

In Beirut 1986, during the Lebanese civil war a Korean diplomat is taken hostage without a trace. Two years pass and long forgotten, a young diplomat Min-joon receives a phone call proving that the hostage is still alive. With the given mission, Min-joon is sent to Beirut to save the hostage with a bag of ransom money. However, Min-joon gets into trouble as soon as he sets foot in Beirut. As luck would have it, Min-joon manages to flee from the airport with help from a local taxi driver Pan-soo who he stumbles across. Despite the distrust toward Pan-soo of his obvious mischievousness, the two unlikely allies must navigate the demolished, war-raging streets of Beirut to bring the long-awaited hostage back home.

Release date in Korea : 2023/08/02
Lisa Sassy Gorum stands outside of her storefront. Photo by Josh Floyd.

By Harley Nefe

The High Country will be gaining a new addition to its eclectic variety of retail offerings, as Sassy Curated Consignment & Gifts will be celebrating its grand opening on Friday, July 14.

Located in Foscoe, the consignment shop is the newest endeavor of Lisa Gorum, better known as Sassy.

Lisa Sassy Gorum. Photo by Josh Floyd.

Sassy can be described as a proud Southern Belle, having been born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. She said so much of who she is comes from her cherished childhood memories. Life was great growing up in the Deep South, Sassy reflected. To this day, she is most proud of her southern heritage and being the mother of three and grandmother to six  who she credits the name Sassy to.

Sassy has experience as an artist, Amazon best-selling childrens book author, and now  a proud business owner. Having studied interior design at the University of Alabama, Sassy said she is thrilled to bring a discerning eye to curating a selection of gifts, home decor, and furnishings.

My consignment shop will be a high-end home decor consignment shop, Sassy described. I will also offer fun retail gifts from various wholesale accounts that I have opened in order to add to our inventory.

A variety of artisans will be showcasing their talents at the store  from woodwork, sculptures, metal work, stained glass, and more, there is lots to explore.

There is so much to see at the shop! Sassy said. Please just take your time, grab a bag of popcorn, take a look around. We carefully select our merchandise with a keen eye for quality to enhance your shopping experience.

Sassy Curated Consignment & Gifts is both a reflection and compilation of Sassys lifelong experiences as a renowned hostess and the sense of home she creates within its comfortable ambiance.

Having lived in Alabama, Texas, Maryland, and now North Carolina, Sassy brings a wide range of social and cultural diversity to the selections she offers.

The pineapple is a symbol for hospitality and a gracious welcome.

Sassy claims the store will intrigue even the most discerning customers in the High Country. The shop wraps its visitors in a warm and inviting atmosphere that inspires creative ideas and reinforces choices that might not otherwise be comfortable for some.

By being inviting, entertaining, fun, and constantly changing, Sassy said she wants the shop to be the go to source for new ideas, gifts, and design choices.

Overall, Sassy described this business venture as an incredible opportunity that has always been a dream of hers.

I moved here in August 2021, she shared. Its been almost two years, and Ive made incredible friends. They are so supportive and encouraging, and they made this all possible.

The grand opening of Sassy Curated Consignment & Gifts will be on Friday, July 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The business will then celebrate its ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 20 from 3-4 p.m.

We are very excited and over the moon to be opening soon! Sassy shared. I hope yall will come out to help us celebrate!

Sassy Curated Consignment & Gifts is located at 8830 NC Hwy 105 South in Boone. Hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. For more information about the business, please visit the website https://sassyconsignments.com/ or follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Lisa Sassy Gorum. Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

Photo by Josh Floyd.

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(HedgeCo.NET) The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed insider trading charges against five individuals, including a police chief in Dighton, Massachusetts, arising from trading before the announcement of a tender offer by Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. to acquire Portola Pharmaceuticals Inc. in May 2020. Four of the defendants traded on nonpublic information obtained, directly or indirectly, from the fifth defendant, and realized more than $2.3 million in ill-gotten gains and tipped others who realized more than $1.7 million in trading profits.

According to the SECs complaint, Joseph Dupont was a vice president and part of the acquisition team at Alexion when he knowingly or recklessly tipped confidential information about the acquisition to his close friend Shawn Cronin, the police chief. Cronin allegedly then provided the information to Jarett Mendoza, another close friend, and to family friend Stanley Kaplan, who provided advice to Cronin on trading strategies. In turn, Kaplan allegedly provided the information to his friend and colleague, Paul Feldman. The SECs complaint alleges that Cronin, Mendoza, Kaplan, and Feldman purchased Portola stock and/or out-of-the money call options prior to the announcement, on the basis of the material, nonpublic information they received. The complaint further alleges that Kaplan and Feldman passed the information on to other family members and friends, who profitably traded. On the day of the acquisition announcement, Portolas stock price increased more than 130 percent.

According to the SECs complaint, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the defendants approximate ill-gotten gains were as follows: Cronin  $72,000; Mendoza  $39,000; Kaplan  $472,000; and Feldman  $1.73 million. The other traders who allegedly received nonpublic information from either Kaplan or Feldman saw profits of an additional $1.7 million. After realizing their profits, Kaplan texted Feldman in Russian, Lets hope our golden goose will continue laying golden eggs!

The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York also announced parallel criminal charges on June 29, 2023.

The SECs complaint charges all five defendants with violations of Sections 10(b) and 14(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rules 10b-5 and 14e-3 thereunder, and seeks permanent injunctive relief, disgorgement with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties. The complaint also seeks officer and director bars against each defendant.
Running until August 27th , the Torikorttelit summer terrace, created by well-known restaurateurs Mikko Leisti from Sofia Helsinki, Ville Tikkanen from Valkoinen sali, and Sami Benamed from Via Tribunal and Son of a Punch, will offer a delightful array of food and drink concepts to visitors.

Sofia Helsinki will bring Sofia Helsinki Cafe (10:00-18:00) to the square, providing a moment of relaxation with homemade cinnamon buns, freshly ground coffee, refreshing smoothies, and sparkling beverages. And of course, their menu will not forget the blueberry pie!

Sofia Helsinki's Velo Bar Sofia (11:00-23:00) draws inspiration from the Velocipede of 1887, which found its way to Sofia Helsinki. The bar will quench every thirst with a wide selection of spritzers, radlers, soft drinks, and beers.

The third concept from Sofia Helsinki, Helsinki Summer Kitchen (11:00-23:00), will bring friends, the archipelago, and Finnish summer delicacies and drinks to the terrace. POTTU, their signature dish, features magical herb-infused potatoes accompanied by fish, sausage, or even mushrooms. And to complement the meal, they will serve beer, wine, and beautiful summer cocktails.

Valkoinen sali will focus on the full colors and flavors of nature with Harvest Cocktails by Valkoinen sali cocktail bar (11:00-23:00). Their cocktail master, Jari Mellin, will create unforgettable highballs and spritzers using fresh berries, fruits, and herbs.

Returning to the square is the well-known Dogs & Bubbels, but this year, Baobao & Bubbles by Valkoinen Sali (11:00-23:00) will serve Bao Buns along with bubbly beverages. Lari Helenius, the chef of the Michelin-starred Olo and the 2020 Chef of the Year, has developed three different Bao Buns that will tantalize taste buds. Ville Tikkanen, the owner of Valkoinen sali and a Champagne enthusiast, has selected a range of changing Special Club Champagnes to be served by the glass.

The award-winning Pizzeria Via Tribunali (11:00-23:00) will offer authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a Valoriani gas oven over an open fire. Their pizza's acclaimed taste is achieved by honoring traditional Neapolitan methods dating back 200 years.

Trillby & Chadwick's exotic oasis, Shady Palms by Trillby & Chadwick (11:00-23:00), will bring the dominating Tiki trend to Senate Square. They will offer meticulously crafted Tiki classics and non-alcoholic Tiki mocktails, inspired by the flavors and aesthetics of tropical islands.

Helsinki City Spaces Ltd. has previously created summer terraces on Senate Square in 2020 and Kasarmitori Square in 2021. In recent years, large terrace projects have faced challenges mainly due to the high costs of infrastructure development.

"I'm excited that Torikorttelit's own restaurants have the opportunity to try out new concepts in a familiar environment. The terrace doesn't require extensive infrastructure construction; instead, it utilizes the adjacent restaurants' own kitchens, as well as restroom and social facilities. Additionally, locating the terrace on the edge of the square leaves the main area open for various summer events," says Peggy Bauer, CEO of Helsinki City Spaces, highlighting the benefits of this terrace solution.

Visitors to Senate Square can now enjoy a delightful culinary experience while taking in the beauty of the surroundings. The Torikorttelit summer terrace promises to be a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a diverse range of flavors and atmospheres to savor during the summer months.

HT
While travelling by land from Finland to Norway is relatively straightforward, many people overlook the fact that customs formalities are in place between the two countries.

Travellers embarking on a journey from Lapland in Finland to Norway should be aware that Norway is not a member state of the European Union. Consequently, crossing the border between Finland and Norway involves customs formalities, and it's crucial to be prepared, especially for pet owners.

If you have goods to declare when crossing the border into Norway, it is necessary to visit a customs office. Customs offices along the Finland-Norway border can be found in Kilpisjarvi, Kivilompolo, Karigasniemi, Utsjoki, Polmak, and Naatamo.

Requirements for travelling with pets

When arriving at customs, pet owners must present a pet passport and the required certificates. The following conditions must be met for pets to cross the border:

A pet passport issued by either the EU or Norway. An identification (ID) marking for the pet. An up-to-date and effective vaccination against rabies, along with a certificate of vaccination.

These requirements are in place to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases, such as rabies, to other animals or individuals in Finland.

Gift imports up to 300 euros free of tax and duty

When returning to Finland from Norway, whether by car or bus, travellers can bring purchases in their personal luggage free of tax and customs duty, up to a maximum value of 300 euros. However, it's important to note that the value limits for tax and customs duty exemption do not apply to alcohol, tobacco products, and motor vehicle fuel.

Importing fresh fruits and vegetables from Norway is prohibited without a phytosanitary certificate, except for pineapples, bananas, durians, coconuts, and dates. Obtaining a phytosanitary certificate as a private individual is nearly impossible, meaning that, in practice, fresh fruits, berries, and vegetables cannot be brought into Finland from outside the EU.

Although the importation of meat, meat products, milk, and milk products from outside the EU is generally prohibited, Norway is an exception. These products can be imported from Norway. There are no quantity restrictions for import products as long as their value does not exceed the gift import limits and the quantity is considered reasonable for personal consumption.

Important considerations for fishers and fish imports

Fishers and individuals planning to import fish as gifts should be aware that Norway may impose restrictions on the export of fishery products. Fishing in Norway is also subject to specific restrictions and requirements. It is essential to check all restrictions and instructions with the Norwegian customs authorities before your holiday.

In conclusion, travellers journeying from Lapland to Norway and back by land should remember to be prepared for customs formalities. Pet owners should ensure their pets meet the necessary requirements, and all travellers should be aware of the limits and restrictions regarding tax-free purchases, the importation of fresh produce, and other goods. By staying informed and adhering to the regulations, travellers can enjoy a smooth and hassle-free journey between Finland and Norway.

HT
Vilhelm Junnila (PS) stepped down as the minister of economic affairs last week after coming under media scrutiny for appearing in far-right events and flirting with far-right themes in campaign and social media communication.

PRIME MINISTER Petteri Orpo (NCP) on Thursday conceded that the first two weeks have not been easy for the ruling four-party coalition.

Wille Rydman (PS), who was appointed as the new minister of economic affairs earlier on Thursday, has recently received media attention for lashing out at a journalist in a way that prompted a response from the Association of Editors and Journalists in Finland.

Rydman resigned from the National Coalition last winter after losing the confidence of the party leadership over allegations that he had used his political status to make advances and behaved inappropriately toward several women. Rydman has since levelled criticism at Orpo and the National Coalition.

Detailed in an article published in mid-2022 by Helsingin Sanomat, the allegations have been rejected by Rydman.

Orpo on Thursday reminded that it is a long-established tradition that ruling parties can distribute the ministerial portfolios they have been assigned freely. Challenging the Finns Partys nomination, he added, would have been an exceptional course of action and would have resulted in the collapse of the ruling coalition.

The Parliament of course always has the opportunity to measure confidence in both the government and individual ministers, he stated at a press conference.

Im under no illusion that this electoral term will be difficult, he added. Im ready to shoulder all the responsibility that implementing the government programme with this group of parties entails.

I do hope that therell be less wrangling going forward.

Rydman, he confirmed, would not have had the opportunity to run in the parliamentary elections, let alone take on a ministerial portfolio, for the National Coalition. Many National Coalition members feel that the situation is difficult and unpleasant. And I understand it, he acknowledged.

Orpo also estimated that althugh the four parties do not necessarily share values, they share a willingness carry out to what he described as a well thought-out government programme.

Anna-Maja Henriksson, the chairperson of the Swedish Peoples Party, on Thursday said Rydmans nomination took her by surprise.

It did look like they wanted to somehow express their dissatisfaction with the National Coalition. That was my foremost feeling, she commented according to Helsingin Sanomat. I was surprised by the choice. After all, we know that Rydman had to earlier resign from the National Coalition.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The Finnish public broadcasting company reported yesterday that support for the right-wing party has decreased by 0.4 percentage points from the previous month to 22.1 per cent. Tuomo Turja , the research director at Taloustutkimus, said the decrease is small enough to conclude that the party has been largely unaffected by what has been a rocky first fortnight into the government term.

THE NATIONAL COALITION remains the most popular political party in Finland, indicates the latest opinion poll conducted for YLE by Taloustutkimus.

Even though weve had the first crisis of the term and the prime minister has faced some criticism for his handling of the crisis, it doesnt really show in support for the National Coalition, he stated to YLE on Thursday.

The weeks during and after the crisis bode pretty well for the National Coalition.

The Social Democrats and Finns Party swapped places behind the National Coalition, with support for the former jumped by a point to 20.6 per cent and support for the latter fell by 0.8 points to 20.2 per cent.

Vilhelm Junnila (PS) stepping down as minister of economic affairs has had an impact on the Finns Party, according to Turja. The party, he pointed out, fared particularly poorly in the days following the resignation announcement  possibly for two distinct reasons.

Im sure that the information that came to light about Junnila was too much for some supporters. Some may think that the crisis couldve been avoided with different ministerial nominations. Others may be thinking that the Finns Party gave in too much and shouldve stood firm, he elaborated.

The most significant gains from last month were made by the Green League. The opposition party not only held on to its own supporters but also won over new ones at the expense of smaller parties to rise 1.3 points to 8.6 per cent, likely a consequence of the election of its new chairperson, Sofia Virta.

Changing the chairperson often causes a modest spike in a partys support, reminded Turja.

The Swedish Peoples Party saw its popularity decline by 0.4 points to 4.1 per cent, a relatively large decline for a party of its stature. Turja stated that the decline is attributable with some supporters disappointment with the decision to form a government with the National Coalition, Finns Party and Christian Democrats.

For some supporters of the Swedish Peoples Party, joining the government or lets say the coalition partners was probably a tough ask. The supporters have moved to other parties, such as the Greens.

Also the Social Democratic Party has benefited slightly from voters withdrawing their support for the Christian Democrats and Swedish Peoples Party.

Both the Centre and Left Alliance registered gains of 0.3 points from last month, the former rising to 10.0 and the latter to 7.8 per cent. Support for Movement Now, in turn, decreased by half a point to 1.2 per cent.

Taloustutkimus contacted 2,468 people for the poll between 12 June and 4 July. About four-fifths, or 1,909, of the people were able and willing to disclose which party they would vote for if the parliamentary elections were held now.

The results have a margin of error of +/-2.0 points.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
The impact of the Russia - Ukraine war on Nokian Tyres and its subsequent exit from Russia was covered in an article in New York Times on July 5.

Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week:

The article discusses how the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has forced Nokian Tyres, a Finnish tire company, to change its business strategy.

Prior to the war, Nokian Tyres manufactured 80% of its tires in Russia, taking advantage of cheap energy costs. However, after the war broke out and Russia faced sanctions, the company realized it was highly exposed to geopolitical risks. As a result, Nokian Tyres decided to exit Russia and diversify its production to other locations.

The company chose Oradea, Romania, as the site for its new factory, taking into consideration factors such as membership in the European Union and NATO. The article highlights that shift in strategy reflects the increased importance of political threats and security considerations in global business decisions.

Faced with the breakdown of supply chains and transportation during the pandemic and then the Ukraine war, Nokian Tyres decided against expanding its operations in Russia and have instead opted for a diversification strategy. The company plans to localize 80% of its production, with tires for specific markets being manufactured closer to those regions. Tyres for the Nordic market will be produced in Finland, while tires for American customers will be made in the United States. Additionally, Nokian Tyres intends to establish a European factory to serve the European market.

Original story was published by The New York Times on 05.07.2023 and can be found here.

US Green Berets are looking to troops from NATOs newest member as mentors for harsh winter combat

This article about Finland, NATOs newest member, drawing attention from US Green Berets as mentors for harsh winter combat was published by Insider on June 29. The article focuses on Finlands prowess in winter warfare that even the US special-operations community is taking lessons from Finnish commandos.

Finland has a long-standing relationship with NATO and has recently become a member of the alliance. In March, US Green Berets trained with Finlands Utti Jaeger Regiment in the Arctic, benefiting from their experience in extreme winter conditions. The regiment consists of approximately 700 professional and conscript troops and is divided into a headquarters unit and three components. The Special Jaeger Battalion, a part of the regiment, is primarily involved in special reconnaissance, direct action, and unconventional warfare missions. The battalion includes a company of paratroopers, mostly made up of conscripts, as well as a special Jaeger company consisting of professional troops.

The article also points out that the focus on Arctic warfare reflects the US Army's strategy to defend national security interests in the region and seek assistance from allies and partners in building Arctic warfare capabilities.

The article highlights that the training of US troops with Finnish forces would enhance the interoperability of NATO forces and improve the alliance's response capabilities.

Original story was published by Insider on 29.06.2023 and can be found here.

Finns ready to shoulder responsibility, reject nuclear weapons

Finnish citizens willingness to send the countrys troops to other NATO nations in the event of military invasion and their critical stance on nuclear weapons was covered in an article published by The Mirage on July 6. The article provides details of the report compiled by researchers from the University of Helsinki, the University of Turku, and Abo Akademi University, which sheds light on the expectations of the Finnish population regarding their NATO membership.

The findings reveal that Finns primarily expect NATO to provide military security against the threat of Russia. They are willing to send Finnish troops to assist other NATO countries in the event of a military invasion, showcasing their readiness to shoulder the responsibility of defending allies.

The report suggests that while the attitudes towards nuclear weapons in Finland are overwhelmingly critical, there is support for the possible abolition of the demilitarization of the Aland Islands. The article highlights that the issue of setting up a NATO base in Finland and the placement of foreign troops on national territory, however, elicits divided opinions among the respondents.

The report also mentions the willingness of Finns to expand military conscription to include women and people with non-binary genders.

Original story was published by The Mirage on 06.07.2023 and can be found here.

Finland furore a cautionary tale for embracing the far right

This opinion article on the new government of Finland with politicians from far-right parties was published in The Irish Examiner on July 3. The article highlights the cautionary tale of Finland as a reminder of the potential consequences of embracing far-right politics.

The article states that the resignation of Vilhelm Junnila, the economic affairs minister and a leading member of the far-right Finns Party, has sparked controversy and threatened to split the four-party coalition government. It also emphasizes on Junnila's past statements endorsing abortions in Africa to combat climate change, along with his references to "Heil Hitler" and participation in a neo-Nazi rally, which exposed the unacceptable aims and policies of the far-right.

The incident has triggered a debate about the damage caused to Finlands international reputation. The article also says that it serves as a reminder to voters to consider the consequences of supporting extreme ideologies.

Original story was published by The Irish Examiner on 03.07.2023 and can be found here.

Finnish customs finds illegal import of meat

Finnish authorities discovering an illegal import of meat involving large quantities of unrefrigerated meat was covered in an article by Food Safety News on July 3. The article gives details of this attempt to bring meat illegally into the country without proper documentation and health-risks arising from it.

Finnish Customs (Tulli) found that the suspect attempted to import around 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of fresh beef and sheep meat from Latvia via Estonia for commercial purposes without the necessary registration and food safety measures. The meat was transported without refrigeration and lacked a Salmonella certificate, posing risks to consumer safety. The case is now being investigated, and charges are being considered.

The case is serious In terms of consumer safety. The operation has caused harm, both to the health and safety of citizens and to law-abiding operators in the food sector. The suspect has benefited financially by neglecting the cold transport approval required by the obligation to register for the food sector, Juha Havumaki, the investigator in charge, said.

The article also mentions a report on zoonoses in Finland from 2011 to 2021, which revealed that Campylobacter and Salmonella were the most common causes of human infections, while cryptosporidiosis and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) cases have increased in recent years.

Original story was published by Food Safety News on 03.07.2023 and can be found here.

How the tango came to Finland

This article on Tango, typically associated with Argentina, having a rich tradition in Finland was published by Deutsche Welle (DW) on July 5. The article explores how Tango has been a national passion in Finland for over a century.

The town of Seinajoki hosts an annual festival called Tangomarkkinat, which attracts tango enthusiasts from across the country. The article states that while some Finnish tango fans believe it was invented by Finnish farmers to scare off wolves, the genre actually originated in Buenos Aires. The tango spread in Finland during the 1920s and '30s, but its real birth came during World War II when composer Toivo Karki wrote tangos that reflected the depression and darkness prevalent in Finland.

The Finnish tango is known for its melancholic and minor key melodies, and it often features lyrics about unattainable love set in the countryside and nature. Notable Finnish tango figures include Olavi Virta, considered the uncrowned tango king, and the tango festival in Seinajoki has become one of Finlands biggest festivals.

Original story was published by DW on 05.07.2023 and can be found here.

HT
A lack of the characteristics of the other sex can be experienced as especially harrowing in societies where one sex is more valued or enjoys more privileges than the other. So jealousy of the dominant sex is more commonplace than jealousy of the less-valued sex. Undoubtedly girls are (or have been) envious of the self-evident privileges of boys who are allowed more freedoms and more opportunities: more education, being able to travel alone without being disgraced or losing their honour, and access to a number of domains deemed inaccessible to girls. The WomanStats Project world maps are crystal-clear testimonies of the global consequences of that age-old emphasis on sex differences. PREMIUM Women and the power of procreation (Shutterstock)

In their morning prayer, orthodox Jewish men openly express their gratitude: Blessed are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe, who has not made me a woman. A common Kurdish saying observes that it is better to be a man for one day than a woman for 10 days. A woman I interviewed from Bhutan agrees: Being born a woman means a wasted life, and I wont come back female is an old Ashanti saying in southern Ghana, reflecting womens hopes for a better position in a next life. Most oral traditions reflect a gender hierarchy in which it is self-evident who are to be the speakers and who are the silent ones, the keepers of knowledge and the ignorant, the travellers and those staying at home  as if this were the irreversible natural order of things.

291pp, 599; Speaking Tiger

It is quite understandable that most researchers have paid less attention to male envy of women and female bodily functions than the other way around. Until well into the last century most anthropologists were men, and it is likely that they had a blind spot for male envy of women. Yet that envy exists, and one of the most common devices to provide adolescents with a way of overriding it and to establish the required roles in society was to introduce initiation rites.

The circumcision of boys exists in so many cultures around the world, usually around puberty, that this custom seems to meet a deep-seated need. Initiation rites sometimes serve as proof that the men thereby give birth to their sons without any female interference: the initiated boy is dying of his childhood and is only now really born for the first time, thanks to his father. This form of wishful thinking puts medieval scholar Paolo Certaldos previously cited statement about the son who has to obey his father who gave birth to him, even though his mother provided practical aid  in a wider context. It remains surprising that such reasonings have rarely been interpreted as womb envy. Male initiation is almost everywhere more extensive than female, and usually takes place during puberty, the period in which girls have their first monthly bleeding. It is not without significance that a little blood is released when the foreskin is cut away. In this process female birthing behaviour is sometimes literally imitated. Among the Iatmul in Papua New Guinea, boys even had a huge symbolic vulva thrown over their heads during their initiation. Emphasis on masculinity, (re-)birth as a real man or male birth-giving in circumcision rituals frequently go along with explicit negative feelings towards women.

A bust of Aristotle (Shutterstock)

In the Western world too, there has been a tendency to think that the birth of girls was due to a lack of virility  thanks in part to the lasting influence of reliable old sexist Aristotle. In his famous work on animals, written between 347 and 322 BC, the philosopher provided the world with powerful statements about the huge differences between men and women:

For females are weaker and colder in nature [than males], and we must look upon the female character as being a sort of natural deficiency. Accordingly, while it is within the mother it develops slowly because of its coldness (for development is concoction, and it is heat that concocts, and what is hotter is easily concocted); but after birth it quickly arrives at maturity and old age on account of its weakness, for all inferior things come sooner to their perfection or end, and as this is true of works of art so it is of what is formed by Nature. Whether or not inspired by this or other Greek philosophers, Western physicians and other scholars continued to conduct empirical research, with perspectives often demonstrably clouded by their own bias. Thanks to traditionally cherished ideas, the female body was portrayed as a deviation from the norm, or as a less perfect or inferior variant of the male. It looks as if, subconsciously, male envy led to ever stronger belief in the male seed as the essential contribution to the life of a child. The contribution of women in pregnancy and birth-giving was considered less important or even negligible.

(Freuds) emphasis on female penis envy and his claim that girls blame their mothers for having sent them so pathetically incomplete into the world might well stem from his own subconscious womb envy. (Shutterstock)

Studying myths and other commentaries on the female body transmitted around the world, one cannot ignore the legacies brought forth by womb envy. They make understandable why men invented and imposed rules excluding women from religious and other professional practices. The usual explanation was (and in some traditions still is) that only men had the brains needed for those roles, for the very reason that they were men. Authors such as Francoise Heritier in her important two-volume work Masculin/Feminin and Robert McElvaine in Eves Seed argue the very opposite: those patterns of thinking ensue from what men were physically unable to do  giving birth to and suckling societys children.

The two sexes have been provided with different tools, but why cant people be dissimilar and still treat each other as equals? Freud continued to emphasise sexual differences and reaffirmed centuries of influential reasoning that women are inferior to men. His emphasis on female penis envy and his claim that girls blame their mothers for having sent them so pathetically incomplete into the world might well stem from his own subconscious womb envy.

Author Mineke Schipper (Christiaan Krouwel)

In their practice, psychiatrists and psychotherapists come across men who are jealous of women. At childrens dressing-up parties, boys sometimes put pillows under their jerseys to imitate breasts or pregnant bellies. There are those who openly admit that they envy girls who will have children later: They hate them for it, and dream of violence; cutting off breasts, pulling out vaginas. They feel frustrated by women not responding to their advances or simply for not being allowed to touch those breasts.

There has undoubtedly been an irresistible need for the message that men are superior to women and that it makes sense for men to be in power.

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When it comes to safeguarding your finances, you could either choose to invest in traditional options like fixed deposits or explore some of the more modern investment options available. With the various benefits that these modern investments offer, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. This article will help you make an informed decision by introducing three investment options  Mutual Fund, Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP), and National Pension scheme (NPS)  that are becoming increasingly popular among Indian investors.

Each of these three investments has certain unique features that can help match your financial goals and objectives. Weighing their respective pros and cons can help you understand which type of investment is right for you. Let us now take a closer look at these three investment options so that you can make the right choice.

Mutual Funds

Mutual funds are a type of professionally managed investment vehicle, which allows investors to pool their money and invest it into various financial instruments simultaneously. This makes them an attractive option for Indian investors due to their convenience. Mutual funds are also quite cost-efficient as they facilitate economies of scale, thereby reducing transaction costs substantially.

When it comes to diversification, mutual funds offer a wide variety of options such as equity-oriented schemes, debt-based schemes, hybrid plans, and sector-specific ones. Thus, regardless of whether youre looking for short-term or long-term investments, mutual funds provide a great range of choices to suit your investment needs. Furthermore, investors benefit from the expertise of professional fund managers who allocate and reallocate funds to maximize returns.

However, mutual funds are subject to market volatility, meaning that your investments could be at risk in case of sudden downturns in the markets. This is why diversification within individual schemes is important  it helps spread out the risks, and you can be assured of getting good returns over time.

Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP)

A Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP) is a type of life insurance policy that combines elements of both protection and investment with tax benefits too. A ULIP policy provides you with the dual benefit of investing your money in debt and equity markets while also protecting you from life's uncertainties.

With ULIPs, investors are exposed to market-linked returns which can be significantly higher than other traditional forms of investments such as fixed deposits or recurring deposits. Moreover, the premiums paid for a ULIP policy qualify for deductions under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, thereby providing tax savings.

However, there are certain drawbacks associated with ULIPs too. Firstly, they tend to have high premiums, and secondly, their returns could be affected by changes in market conditions. Additionally, investors must bear costs such as mortality charges and fund management fees which can significantly reduce returns over time.

National Pension Scheme (NPS)

The National Pension System (NPS) is a voluntary, defined contribution pension scheme launched by the Government of India. It allows individuals to save for their retirement and provides tax benefits under Section 80CCD of the Income Tax Act.

With NPS, investors can choose from various asset classes such as equity, government bonds, corporate bonds, and alternative investments. This diversification helps reduce risk while ensuring optimal returns on investment over time. Additionally, NPS offers flexibility in terms of contributions  you can choose how much you want to contribute each month or year and make changes according to your financial situation.

On the downside, NPS is subject to market volatility, and there are withdrawal restrictions that need to be taken into account. The funds need to be locked in before the investor reaches the age of 60 years, and only up to 60% of the accumulated corpus can be withdrawn. The remaining 40% must be used to purchase an annuity plan.

Conclusion

For Indian investors, there are several options available for safeguarding their finances. Mutual funds offer the convenience and cost-efficiency that many people look for in an investment vehicle, while ULIPs provide protection and tax savings. NPS is also a viable option, offering diversification and flexibility with potential returns over time. Ultimately, its important to do your research before making any investments as each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Weighing all factors carefully can help you make an informed decision that best fits your financial needs.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. This information does not constitute a financial advice.
Best One: Ookfy.com- This site is found as our topmost pick for buying Instagram Followers. It offers many other social media services like buying Views for Instagram Reels, Posts Likes and so on.

Because of this sites superb offers and benefits, we have ranked it as our first choice. Along with guaranteed non drop, active and 100% real followers, this website also has a great customer support. Some of the plans it offers are very reasonable which attracts the customers and makes their buying experience smooth and easy.

Social media is a life changing platform which helps you to increase your business by engaging audience and offers you strong online presence. Instagram is one of the most leading social media platform having more than two billion active users.

In order to have a good reach on your social media account, you must do hard work, stay consistent, make efforts for unique content, and so on. As we all know organic growth on Instagram takes time but in this fast running world, every one of us wants an alternate option to get our work done as quickly as possible. This is why, we have got an excellent option for you. You can now buy Instagram followers which will give an instant boost to your account.

If you choose to buy Instagram followers, it will help you build credibility on social media, give more visibility to your account and attract good audience to your content. Now, you might be wandering where can you find a reliable website for buying real and active Instagram followers.

There are many frauds and scammers these days, so it becomes quite difficult for a person to believe an online website specially when it includes money matter or giving your personal information.

But, you need not worry as we have got 7 most trustworthy websites which offers you 100% real and active followers, good customer support, affordable deals and so on.

7 Great Websites To Buy Instagram Followers

Score: 9.7/10

Our first best choice is Buyinstafollowers.xyz. You might be getting confused by the name of the website, but along with Twitter followers, it offers many other social media services like buying Instagram Followers, Post Likes, Video Views etc.

A customer usually looks for inexpensive and convenient deals and you will surely get it here. Their package starts from minimum of 100 followers and goes up to 10,000 followers. There are many other beneficial plans you can look into if you want to get more than 10,000 followers.

24/7 live customer service remains available on this website and offers easy accessible chat support. So, you can contact their customer chat assistant for any help without any second thought.

Buyinstafollowers.xyz is the most authentic website, you need not worry about personal information or account security while choosing this website. It has a strong payment gateway and well modified security network which builds trust among its users.

Pros

Strong Security

24 hours Customer Care Available

Customisable Plans

Affordable Deals

All services provided not just Followers.

Cons

Delivery Time Of Service- Average

To get more details on its plans, prices and so on, please visit Buyinstafollowers.xyz.

Score: 9.5/10

Our second pick is Ookfy.com, the best website which will make your buying experience totally worth it. It is ranked as our number 1 because of its cheap prices and exciting benefits. You can undoubtedly choose Ookfy.com for buying Instagram followers.

This website is known to be most genuine for satisfaction of its customers. You will get non-drop active followers, accounts that will have real profile pictures and no bot accounts. Not just us, but many other social media business agencies have recommended Ookfy.com.

The website gained a good response from customers along with lots of positive feedbacks. Moreover, it has a proactive and convenient customer support, takes very less time to get your work done, is super fast, and helps in easy use of User Interface. The process it involves is so smooth, affordable and convenient that it makes Ookfy.com the best site to buy Instagram followers.

Pros

Express Delivery- Super Fast

Attentive Customer Support

Easy to Navigate UI

Packages at reasonable prices

Affordable

Worth It Buying Experience

100% real and active followers

Cons

Well, there are no drawbacks or cons of this website.

To get more details on its plans, prices and so on, please visit Ookfy.com.

Firezup.com

Score: 9.0/10

Moving on to the third best website which has been in market for a long time selling services like Instagram Followers, Post Likes, Video Views etc. Firezup.com is known for its quick results, genuineness, no trouble in delivery etc. The whole process is very easy and no issues are faced until the work gets done.

No bots or dead accounts but only 100% original and real followers will be transferred who participates in your growth by liking your posts, sharing your content on stories and to others, increasing your comments etc. And even if, at any point you get any doubts or get confused, you can take help from the chat customer support.

Pros

Famous Website with experience for years.

Original and Reliable.

One click away Support Service from Professionals

Active followers

Cons

Package Rates- High

To get more details on its plans, prices and so on, please visit Firezup.com.

Buzoid.com

Score:7.9/10

The fourth ranked website is Buzoid.com to help you grow your audience on Instagram by purchasing Followers, Post Likes, Video Views and so on. Your account reach and online presence should be strong in order to spread your business and content among others.

So, Buzoid.com is here to provide you with top notch active and real followers. It helps you to stay away from getting in any trouble with Instagram Algorithm and protects your account from suspension.

This website has numerous benefits and focus on easing its customers buying experience. Hence, it has an attentive team of customer service to solve your queries and problems.

It is the perfect website for users but with a little drawback that the plans it offers are much costly than the other sites. Although, the delivery process is fast and you will get the end results quickly and in time.

Pros

Worth It Website

Offers actual functioning accounts that are real and active.

Good Support Team

Cons

Expensive Plans

To get more details on its plans, prices and so on, please visit Buzoid.com.

Viralft.com

Score: 7.5/10

You must pick this website if you are a small business or an influencer looking for targeted active followers of your industry, region or country. Just like the name of this website, i.e, Viralft.com, it is also getting viral among people because of its extremely good services.

The website looks up at your profile, what hashtags, content, industry you are engaged in and transfers followers accordingly. This will raise you more on Instagram as the targeted audience you have got transferred will get attracted to your content, like your posts, views your videos, share them on stories and so on.

Viralft.com provides best deals at reasonable packages. It offers you 7 exciting and convenient plans at cheap rates that wont make you think twice before buying them.

However, the delivery time is not so speedy and the process takes much higher time. The website has a specialised team of professionals who studies your accounts for better outcomes. It specially helps business accounts or a brand to increase their reach.

Pros

Affordable Plans

Exact Targeted Followers

Different types of plans and deals

Supreme quality followers.

Best suitable for Brand accounts and profiles.

Cons

Slow delivery process. Transferring of service takes much higher time.

To get more details on its plans, prices and so on, please visit Viralft.com.

Adflee.com

Score: 9.5/10

While some sites had delivery time issues, others had overpriced and expensive plans, so, we have got the most suitable one for you with both benefits included in it. Adflee.com, an amazing website for buying Instagram followers offers you cheap rate plans.

Adflee.com will help you achieve instant growth on Instagram by transferring targeted followers of the same interest, region, industry etc. Generally, a person gets attracted to another human because of Same Interests and Buyfol.com will find such type of targeted followers that will raise the reach of your account more.

If you want your content to be seen on Instagram, you must attract Instagram Algorithm and follow its rules. Once you choose Adflee.com, it will help your content to be shown in explore tab which will eventually capture the eyes of potential followers.

Pros

Inexpensive and Reasonable Price Plans.

Premium and Targeted followers .

. Speed in Growth.

Good Delivery Time.

Cons

Customer Support: Not satisfactory

To get more details on its plans, prices and so on, please visit Buyfol.com.

Qlizz.com

Score: 7.0/10

At last we have, Qlizz.com, our 7th best website you can consider for buying Instagram followers. If you choose to go for Qlizz.com you dont have to worry about your slow growth on Instagram. The professional team of this website will do their utmost for good reach of your account.

It is an authentic website with specialists who will look over your account and examine it properly, then, they will deliver the followers with same interests to get more attention to your content.

Qlizz.com will raise your accounts online presence very smoothly. You just focus on your content and it will not go unnoticed as Qlizz.com is here to get you succeeded.

Pros

Original Followers: No Bot or Fake Accounts

Trouble Free Buying Experience.

Highly active followers and Affordable Plans.

Cons

Poor Customer Support.

To get more details on its plans, prices and so on, please visit Qlizz.com

Points To Remember While Buying Instagram Followers:

If you wish to buy followers safely, then go through this guide:

1. Read Terms and Conditions: Always read Terms and Conditions of the website first before jumping on to any process. See if the site has any Guarantee Policy, Refund Policy so that your money doesnt get wasted.

2. Slightly Moderate Delivery: Go for the website that doesnt have a spiked or too fastened delivery so that it doesnt trigger Instagram Algorithm. This will protect your account from suspension.

3. Focus on Authenticity and Quality: Look for the sites which provide real and active followers. Never get into the trap of sites that provide fake followers.

4. Dont Risk Your Personal Information: Stay alert of fake websites and never share your personal information to any site like OTP, password, bank details etc. for online safety.

5. Pick Well Known Websites: Check the websites that have been in industry for longer time and are reputed. Such websites are professionals in their work and have strong reviews and feedbacks.

6. Consider Your Budget and Target: Compare your aim and budget with websites plans. Think about your goal, how much followers you want and if the plans, that website is offering is worth it according to your budget or not.

7. Wait for the Outcomes: Dont rush and have patience when involving in such processes.

8. Examine Your Own Account: Once you buy Instagram followers, observe and analyse your account for few days, see if theres any change happening to your account and track your growth.

9. Dont Get Dependable On This: Create unique content, do efforts for your account, attract more of audience by collaborating with others and dont just depend on buying followers for your growth.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is It Safe To Use Credit Card For Buying Followers From These Websites?

Yes, the above listed websites are trustworthy and you can use Credit Card for payments while buying Instagram Followers. However, we cant assure you about any other website apart from the ones listed above.

How Are Fake Followers Detected By Instagram Algorithm?

Instagram is such a big platform with highly specialised team which ensures that no user is having fake or bot followers.

Fake followers or bot accounts do not engage with your account so, when Instagram Algorithm analyses your account, it removes those fake followers. Also, Instagram usually suspends any account when theres a sudden increase in its followers.

Instagrams Algorithm keeps an eye on everyones accounts and if it finds anything suspicious, they immediately remove it. If you are using too many accounts from one IP or a common device, your account will get suspended or banned by Instagram Algorithm.

But you dont need to worry. Our followers are 100% and undetected by Instagram.

Is There Any Other Option Apart From Buying Instagram Followers?

Yes there are many alternative options, not everybody on Instagram goes for buying followers, some of them do really hard work and put in their all efforts for growth. With time, patience, consistency you can have organic growth on Instagram.

In order to have a good reach and online presence of your Instagram account, stay attentive of new trends and make unique content on it, focus on peoples interests, collaborate with other influencers, businesses, companies, engage with your audience, announce contests, use trending hashtags to get your video in explore page and so on.

Differentiate Between Drop And Non-Drop Instagram Followers.

Drop Followers- They are temporary and will eventually unfollow you after sometime. Such followers do not engage with your content.

Non-Drop Followers- They are real, active followers that do not disappear from your account. They remain for longer period of time, engage with your content and help you grow.

So, always choose a website that offers non-drop followers.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
With exams out of the way, have you caught yourself thinking about the undergraduate degree of your dreams? Or you may be trying to decide which study pathway is best for you.

Aim Britz, a reputable international education provider, assists Indian students in shaping their future by offering opportunities in the UK, Canada, Australia, France, and Ireland. Established in 2018 and officially registered in 2020, Aim Britz has formed partnerships with 147 esteemed universities throughout London, providing top-notch facilities and resources. This initiative was born out of the realization that there is a dearth of reliable services in the market. Aim Britz is dedicated to delivering transparent and trustworthy services, enabling students to make well-informed decisions about their educational journey based on their interests, skills, and aptitude.

Driven by a vision to ensure that every Indian student has access to overseas education and can fulfill their academic potential, Aim Britz is committed to providing high-quality international education counseling services. They prioritize optimizing human potential and creating opportunities for personal growth and global understanding through exceptional international education and cultural experiences. Serving as a comprehensive support system, Aim Britz caters to the aspirations of students who dream of studying anywhere in the world.

Composed of a dynamic and youthful team, many of whom are graduates from renowned institutions in the UK and Canada, Aim Britz operates with a dedicated team based in both London and India. Currently, the core team consists of 25 members, supported by an additional 20 online staff members. Qualified counselors stationed across South India, particularly in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, guide students and provide comprehensive assistance throughout the entire admission process. The head office, located in Trivandrum, the capital city of Kerala, houses a team of 25 professionals, including counselors, tele-callers, and an operations team responsible for handling tasks such as application filing, CAS processing, visa filing, and more.

Aim Britz employs its online platform to carefully select and assess quality students for universities, facilitating mock interview sessions as part of the process. With a strong commitment to promptness at every stage, Aim Britz boasts a knowledgeable staff well-versed in the intricacies of the admission process. Furthermore, Aim Britz has plans to introduce additional services, specifically catering to medical students seeking MBBS seats abroad.

Aim Britz employs its online platform to carefully select and assess quality students for universities, facilitating mock interview sessions as part of the process.

From its humble beginnings of assisting only 15 candidates per year, Aim Britz has grown exponentially and now recruits nearly 1000 students annually. Initially starting with just two individuals and no physical office, the company has expanded to include a team of over 30 professionals working both in the office and online.

Mr. Al Ameen M Ali, the founder and a business graduate, envisions this initiative as a means to manifest his aspirations and contribute to the future generation. Additionally, Aim Britz prides itself on its onboard staff in London, who undergo specific training to ensure candidates feel at home and receive personalized attention. Setting itself apart from other overseas education agencies, Aim Britz is managed and operated by Londoners or individuals with previous ties to London, adding a distinct touch to its services.

Aim Britz stands out as a premier educational agency that offers unparalleled guidance and consultation to students worldwide. With a wealth of valuable resources and an expansive network of connections, their dedicated team expertly navigates the entire process, ensuring a smooth transition for students into their desired colleges. From visa applications to college admissions and settling into a new country, Aim Britz provides unwavering support, serving as a dependable resource for students and their families seeking exceptional overseas education opportunities.

Aim Britz offers a comprehensive range of services including Career Counseling, Pre Departure Briefing, Scholarship Guidance, Visa assistance, Education Loan assistance, Admission guidance, Free dependant and child visa support, Airport pickup, Accommodation assistance, Part-Time job assistance, Financial aid guidance, Work permit conversion support, PR (Permanent Residency) assistance, and a 24/7 UK helpline.

Take the next stride towards building the future of your dreams with Aim Britz, a trusted choice among students and parents alike. With a commitment to providing up-to-date information and top-quality educational services, Aim Britz remains at the forefront each year.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
Lionsgate Films! Here are options for downloading or watching Joy Ride streaming the full movie online for free on 123movies & Reddit, including where to watch K-Pops latest sex-comedy movies at home. Is Joy Ride (2023) available to stream? Is watching Joy Ride on Peacock, Disney Plus, HBO Max, Netflix or Amazon Prime? Yes, we have found an authentic streaming option/service.

Watch Now: Joy Ride (2023) Movie Online

There is a hysterical comedy now playing that you are not going to want to miss, so we're here to help you out with how to watch Joy Ride. Is it streaming or is it just playing in movie theaters? We've got all the details right here.

It's been a minute since we have had a truly great, raunchy comedy to enjoy, but Joy Ride is here to fill that need. What to Watch's Joy Ride review calls the movie a "90-minute laugh riot," but one that also features a surprising amount of emotional depth and a great leading ensemble. For the 2023 summer blockbuster movie slate, this could be the comedy that stands above all the rest.

In addition to all the action films like Fast X and the highly-anticipated superhero blockbuster The Flash, moviegoers are also going to be treated to some Grade-A comedy this summer with the new project Joy Ride. It's the story of a woman who travels to China with quite the motley crew of friends in search of her birth mother.

The movie is the brainchild of Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Teresa Hsiao and Adele Lim. While their names may not be instantly recognizable, their work certainly is, as Chevapravatdumrong and Hsiao have written many episodes of Family Guy and Lim was the co-writer for the 2018 box-office hit, Crazy Rich Asians. Just knowing these three combined their writing powers is reason enough to put this movie on your must-watch list. By the way, did we mention Seth Rogan (The Fabelmans) is on board as a producer?

Here is what you need to know on how to watch Joy Ride right now.

Joy Ride Release Date:

Joy Ride is slated to release theatrically on July 7, 2023. A middle-of-the-summer drop is the classic release time for a big studio comedy and a symbol of the producers' and Lionsgates confidence in the movie. The film has to compete against some major blockbusters that are sure to make a lot of money.

Where to Watch Joy Ride Online

Play Now: Joy Ride 2023 Online

There are currently no platforms that have the rights to Watch Joy Ride Online. MAPPA has decided to air the movie only in theaters because it has been a huge success. The studio, on the other hand, does not wish to divert revenue. Streaming the movie would only slash the profits, not increase them.

As a result, no streaming services are authorized to offer Joy Ride for free. The film would, however, very definitely be acquired by services like Funimation, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. As a last consideration, which of these outlets will likely distribute the film worldwide?

How to watch Joy Ride for free

A silver lining to Joy Ride being delayed a bit longer, more chance for new moviegoers to experience the original Joy Ride for themselves  or for fans of the movie to watch it for the eighth hundred time, no judgement.

Watch Now: Joy Ride (2023) Full Movie Online Free

At this time, Joy Ride is available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

Is Joy Ride streaming?

No, as of right now Joy Ride is not available to stream, so it's movie theater or bust in terms of where to watch it.

There is no information right now on when itll make its way to a streaming service, or where that will exactly be. Nor is there any information on when the comedy is going to be available to rent via digital on-demand.

But whenever info on that becomes available, we'll be sure to include it here.

Is Joy Ride on Netflix?

The streaming giant has a massive catalog of television shows and movies, but it does not include Joy Ride. We recommend our readers watch other dark fantasy films like The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.

Is Joy Ride on Amazon Prime?

Amazon Primes current catalog does not include Joy Ride. However, the film may eventually release on the platform as video-on-demand in the coming months. Therefore, people must regularly look for the dark fantasy movie on Amazon Primes official website. Viewers who are looking for something similar can watch the original show Dororo.

There are a few ways to watch Joy Ride online in the U.S. You can use a streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy the movie on iTunes or Google Play. You can also watch it on-demand or on a streaming app available on your TV or streaming device if you have cable.

Is Joy Ride available on HBO Max?

HBO Max is a relatively new streaming service that offers Joy Ride for viewing. You can watch Joy Ride on HBO Max if youre already a member. If you arent already a member, you can sign up for a one-month free trial and then cancel it before the month is up if you dont want to keep the subscription.

Will Joy Ride be on DVD and Blu-ray?

Since Joy Ride will be a theatrical release as opposed to straight-to-streaming, it's likely viewers can expect a physical release of the movie alongside its eventual release on Disney+. For now, no details about DVD or Blu-ray release dates are available, but Disney and Pixar will likely share more info about the physical release a few weeks following its theatrical debut.

Now before Joy Ride comes to Netflix or Disney+, the movie will first have its home release on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital Sales.

Joy Ride Cast:

In terms of the confirmed cast members of Joy Ride, we can expect the following stars to appear:

Ashley Park as Audrey Sullivan

Sherry Cola as Lolo

Stephanie Hsu as Ka

Sabrina Wu as Deadeye

Ronny Chieng as Chao

Lori Tan Chinn

David Denman as Joe Sullivan, Audrey's adoptive father

Annie Mumolo as Mary Sullivan, Audrey's adoptive mother

Meredith Hagner as a drug dealer

Desmond Chiam as Clarence

Alexander Hodge as Todd

Chris Pang as Kenny

Rohan Arora as Arvind

Victor Lau as Jiaying

Baron Davis as Himself

What is Joy Ride About?

Joy Ride is intended to be a snapshot  if not a comprehensive analysis  of human urges, anxieties and attractions. The balance is thoughtful without being so contemplative that it stops the action, and it's also not entirely slapdash. Four Asian-American friends travel through Asia in search of one of their birth mothers. Along the way, their experience becomes one of bonding, friendship, belonging and no-holds-barred debauchery.

Four Asian-American best friends, Audrey (Ashley Park), Lolo (Sherry Cola), Kat (Stephanie Hsu), and Deadeye (Sabrina Wu) travel around Asia looking for one of their birth mothers. Along the way, their experience becomes one of bonding, friendship, belonging, and no-holds-barred debauchery.



Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times.

Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. Hindustan Times does not encourage/ promote piracy by any means. The links given here are not taking the users to pirated streaming contents.
Fuel prices in India continued the year-long stability trend on Friday. Apart from minor revisions in some cities, the price of petrol and diesel remained constant in metros like Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai. Oil marketing companies announce changes, if any, to fuel costs daily at 6 am. Different states have varying fuel prices as per changes in value-added tax (VAT), freight charges, local taxes, etc.(HT_PRINT)

Different states have varying prices as per changes in value-added tax (VAT), freight charges, local taxes, etc.

In the national capital, petrol can be bought at 96.72 a litre while diesel is sold at 89.62 a litre. Petrol and diesel are available at 106.31 and at 94.27 per litre, respectively, in Mumbai. In Bengals capital Kolkata, petrol costs 106.03 while diesel stands at 92.76 per litre. Petrol retails at 102.63 and diesel at 94.24 per litre in Chennai.

City Petrol (Rs/litre) Diesel (Rs/litre)

Bengaluru: 101.94, 87.89

Gurugram: 96.89, 89.76

Lucknow: 96.47, 89.66

Noida: 97, 90.14

Meanwhile, the price of tomatoes breached that of fuel in certain cities by crossing 100 per kilogram. Tomatoes in metro cities cost up to 140 per kilogram as against 106.31 and 96.72 per litre for petrol in Mumbai and Delhi.

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Karnataka continued to see heavy showers on Friday, with two more deaths in rain related incidents. Coastal areas including the Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts are the worst hit this monsoon season. It was earlier reported that there have been 52 deaths in pre-monsoon rains in the state this year.(ANI)

A 47-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man were killed in Dakshina Kannada district in two separate incidents. The woman, identified as Zareena, was killed in a landslip, when part of a hill caved in on her house early on Friday, according to news agency PTI. The incident occurred in the Nandavara area in Sajipamunnur village of Bantwal taluk.

READ | Amid heavy downpour, IMD issues red, orange & yellow alerts in Karnataka; Check areas

The deceased is survived by her husband, Mohammed, and her 20-year-old daughter Safa, who was rescued by the fire department and police from under debris. Rescue personnel recovered Zareena's body after a long search, from under huge mounds of soil and rubble. Meanwhile, Safa is bring treated at a hospital.

In another incident, the 45-year-old man, identified as Narayana, was washed away in a drain while he was trying to cross a culvert in Sullia taluk. Rescue efforts were unsuccessful due to heavy water flow. Two others have lost their lives in rain related incidents in Karnataka on July 4 and July 5, bringing the death count so far to 4 this monsoon season.

READ | Karnataka: 45-year-old-man washed away in drain while crossing culvert

It was earlier reported that there have been 52 deaths in pre-monsoon rains in the state this year. In this regard, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed officials to bring in immediate relief measures in these coastal districts.

READ | 52 dead in Karnataka during pre-monsoon rains, says CM Siddaramaiah

He also instructed district in charge ministers Dinesh Gundu Rao, Lakshmi Hebbalkar and Mankala Vaidya to visit these spots.
A 21-year-old Chandigarh resident, who raped his minor neighbour in March 2020, has been awarded 10-year jail by a special POCSO court. The victim told the Chandigarh Police that on March 8, 2020, she went to the roof of her house for some chores, when Rohit came there and raped her. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The convict, Rohit, was booked on the complaint of the 17-year-old girl, who lives in his neighbourhood with her family.

She has studied till Class 9 from a government school in Chandigarh and then left her studies.

She told the police that on March 8, 2020, she went to the roof of her house for some chores, when Rohit came there and raped her.

As she raised the alarm, her mother rushed to her aid and in the meantime, Rohit fled from the spot. On her complaint, he was booked under Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 (penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at the Sector 26 police station on March 9, 2020. Charges were framed a year later in March 2021.

On Friday, he was awarded 10-year jail and also fined 20,000.
Technology and human intelligence network helped police arrest a snatcher within eight hours after he made off with a womans purse in Sector 23 on Wednesday evening. The victim told Chandigarh Police that she was walking back home with her son around 7.20 pm. when a Honda Activa-borne man snatched her purse containing  3,000 cash and some documents. (iStock)

The accused, Harmeet Noor, 25, of Sector 36, was arrested on the complaint of Preeti Agnihotri of Sector 23. She told police that she was walking back home with her son around 7.20 pm. when a Honda Activa-borne man snatched her purse containing 3,000 cash and some documents. A snatching case was registered on her complaint and police turned to CCTV cameras to get clues about the snatcher. Following the route taken by the snatcher, police secured the scooters registration number. On contacting the scooter owner, they learnt that it was stolen from Mohali.

Later at night, police got a tip-off that the accused was roaming in Sector 63 in search of another target, when police nabbed him.

Police produced the accused before a court on Friday and sent him to one-day police remand. Police recovered the purse snatched and the scooter used in the crime. Police said the accused had multiple FIRs of snatching and thefts registered against him across the tricity.

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The Counter-Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police in a joint operation with Central agencies and West Bengal police arrested the main accused in the Batala firing incident case from Indo-Bhutan Border in Alipurduar district in West Bengal. The 21-year-old accused in police custody.

The 21-year-old arrested accused has a criminal background and was out on bail in a murder case. The police, however, refused to disclose the name of the accused and said it will hamper the investigations.

On June 24, this year, Shiv Sena leader Rajeev Mahajan, his brother Anil Gupta and his son Manav Gupta sustained bullet injuries after two assailants barged into their electronics shop at Lakkar Mandi in Batala and opened fire.

Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav said that based on technical inputs and evidence, the CI located the accused person in the Alipurduar district of West Bengal. Batala Police immediately dispatched a team for West Bengal, and also shared the pinpointed information with the WB police, he said.

He said that the Punjab Police, in coordination with Central agencies and West Bengal police, arrested the accused person from Indo-Bhutan Border.

The preliminary investigations revealed that the entire module was being handled from abroad and the arrested accused was receiving funds from foreign-based handlers to commit these crimes, the DGP said, adding that investigation to establish a money trail is going on.

SSP Batala Ashwini Gotyal said that the police are working on different leads, and efforts are on to arrest the remaining accused persons in this case. Further investigations are on, she added.

An FIR no103 dated 24/6/2023 was registered under Sections 452, 307 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Batala.
The Himachal Pradesh high court has expressed concern over the non-implementation of the State Biological Diversity Act, 2002, and summoned the member secretary of the State Biodiversity Board on the next date of hearing on July 13. The court sought clarification on the measures taken against the defaulting companies that have failed to seek permission from the board. (Representational Photo)

The court sought clarification on the measures taken against the defaulting companies that have failed to seek permission from the board under Sections 23 and 24 of the Act.

The high court division bench of chief justice MS Ramachandra Rao and justice Ajay Mohan Goel questioned the member secretary on why appropriate action under Section 55(2) of the Act has not been initiated against the defaulting companies.

During the course of the hearing, it was brought to the courts attention that Section 56 of the Act imposes a fine of 1 lakh on companies guilty of using biological resources without permission. In response to the petitioners suggestions, the court has directed the state government to include all such orders in the notices issued to the companies concerned. The court ordered these companies to seek permission from the State Biodiversity Board before using the states biological resources. It directed them to comply with the remaining suggestions provided by the petitioner.

The People for Responsible Governance, a social organisation headed by Rajnish Manikatla, had filed a petition in the court, seeking the implementation of the Act.

The petition alleges a failure on the part of the state government to implement the provisions. The Act recognises the sovereign rights of the state to utilise its biological resources.

In another case, the high court issued orders to investigate Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation officials for their failure to pay interest on the outstanding amount of an employee. The Bench has directed HRTC to pay 7.3% interest on the outstanding amount owed to the applicant.

The petitioner alleged that despite being regularised on August 25, 2006, the HRTC did not pay him arrears. In response to the compliance petition filed by the applicant, the court had ordered on December 16, 2022, that the applicants dues be settled within six months. Failure to meet this deadline would result in an additional 7.3% interest being levied on the due amount.

During the proceedings, the HRTC issued a cheque for the outstanding amount on July 1, 2023, despite the deadline of June 16, 2023, as stipulated by the court. It observed that the HRTC failure to fulfil its obligations within the specified timeframe entitles the applicant to receive 7.3% interest on the overdue amount. Taking note of the negligent attitude displayed by the officers, the court directed the HRTC to pay the interest on the due amount within four weeks.
Three members of a family, including two women, were found murdered at their house in the New Janakpuri area of the thickly populated Salem Tabri in Ludhiana on Friday morning. Neighbours gather around the house where three members of a family were found murdered in Salem Tabri area of Ludhiana on Friday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

Police said the victims, Chaman Lal, 70, his wife Bachan Kaur, 67, and mother Surjit Kaur, 90, were hacked to death with sharp-edged weapons.

Also read: Ludhiana: Jamalpur police book 10, arrest one for murder bid

The crime was detected after the familys milkman alerted neighbours when no one opened the door despite persistent knocking. The neighbours scaled the wall and entered the house to find the three bodies in a room. They immediately informed the police.

The milkman said that the family had not opened the door on Thursday either. It is suspected that the they were murdered on Wednesday night.

Ludhiana joint commissioner of police Saumya Mishra said that robbery is suspected to be the motive as the house was ransacked, but the police are exploring all aspects.

Police carrying out investigation at the house of the murder victims in Ludhiana on Friday. (Gurpreet Singh/HT)

The police suspect the role of an acquaintance in committing the crime.

All four sons of Chaman Lal are settled abroad, while he himself had also worked in Dubai. It is learnt that the family owns properties in town and rent from them was the main source of income.

This is the second triple murder in Ludhiana in the past one-and-a-half months. On May 21, a retired assistant sub inspector of police, his wife and son were found murdered at Nurpur Bet in Ladhowal. A drug addict was later arrested for the crime. He confessed to killing the three after robbing the house.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tarsem Singh Deogan Tarsem Singh Deogan is a senior reporter at Ludhiana. He has 16 years of experience in journalism. He has covered all beats and now focuses on crime reporting. ...view detail
A retired sub-divisional officer (SDO) of the Punjab Mandi Board has been arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe of 20,000 while he was posted in Tarn Taran in 2016. Darshan Singh alleged that the SDO had demanded a bribe of  1 lakh in lieu of returning the security deposit of  34,33,002 and that he had already taken  20,000 bribe from him. (HT File)

A vigilance bureau spokesperson said the SDO, Sudesh Kumar, has been arrested on the complaint of Darshan Singh, who owns LT Builders, the firm allotted the construction work of link roads in Tarn Taran.

Darshan Singh alleged that the SDO had demanded a bribe of 1 lakh in lieu of returning the security deposit of 34,33,002 and that he had already taken 20,000 bribe from him.

The spokesperson said that after preliminary investigation, an FIR under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at vigilance police, Amritsar Range, and the accused was arrested. Further probe is on, he added.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) authorities on Friday submitted their proposal for Phase 2 expansion of the countrys first IAF Heritage Centre in Sector 18 that was launched in May. The upcoming Phase 2 will incorporate advanced technology-driven features and experiences, aimed at inspiring young individuals to join the air force. (HT Photo)

The project is set to commence in two weeks and is expected to be completed in six months.

The upcoming Phase 2 will incorporate advanced technology-driven features and experiences, aimed at inspiring young individuals to join the air force.

A meeting was held on Friday, chaired by UT adviser Dharam Pal and attended by air force officers. During the meeting, the officers presented a detailed plan for the expansion, stating that it will be developed as the Indian Air Force Aerospace and Technical Centre.

The new wing will be constructed in an adjacent hall, covering an area of approximately 13,000 square feet. It will feature an array of technology-based and electronic systems, simulators and aero engines.

The Phase 2 project has already received clearance from the IAF Headquarters.

UT culture secretary Vinod P Kavle said the UT administration will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the air force authorities within a week and construction will commence within two weeks. He further mentioned that the project is expected to be completed within six months.

Since the centres launch on May 8, the centre, set up at the Government Press building, has received a footfall of nearly 22,500 visitors.

The first phase, occupying a 15,000 square feet hall, focuses on the history and legends of the air force. As part of Phase 1, GNAT aircraft were displayed at the light point outside the centre. The air force has already handed over Phase 1 to the UT tourism department, which is responsible for its maintenance.

The entry tickets for adults are priced at 50, while children below 18 years can enter for free. For an immersive experience with simulators, there are three slots available at 10 am, 12 pm and 3 pm, accommodating 25 people each, subject to prior booking, according to officials.

The simulator experience costs 295 for both children and adults. Tickets are available on the Chandigarh tourism app and at the counters. The centre is open from 10 am to 6 pm, an official stated.

The heritage centre currently offers a total of eight attractions, including aircraft models and weapon displays. The highlight of the centre is its own flight simulator. Additionally, informative exhibits such as aero engines, aircraft, kiosks, air force artifacts, machines/fixtures, films showcasing achievements and personalities, as well as guides have been set up. A souvenir shop is also available at the museum.

The centre also houses five vintage aircraft on display, along with cockpit exposure. Visitors can also enjoy the theme-based cafe. Furthermore, a one-foot wall featuring pictures of 58 vintage and retired aircraft has been installed.

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NEW DELHI: A 61-year-old man who was accused of cheating more than two dozen firms of 20 crore has been arrested from Rohini in northwest Delhi, police said on Friday. Special commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav, said the suspect cheated firms to supply expensive electronic items that he did not pay for

The suspect, Anil Kumar Bansal, had been on the run for five years, was a proclaimed offender and carried a 50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, said special commissioner of police (crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav.

Yadav said the suspect cheated firms to supply expensive electronic items that he did not pay for.

In 2018, complainant Arun Kumar Khatri alleged that Bansal, proprietor of a firm in Connaught Place hatched conspiracy and dishonestly procured his electronics goods on forged firms documents without making payment. Further during the investigation, it was revealed that there are many victims who were also cheated by Bansal in the same modus operandi and had cheated an amount of  13.72 crore from more than 25 victims. During the investigation, it was also revealed that Bansal had another firm in Connaught Place, through which he allegedly cheated around  6 crore from one Parag Pahwa of Moti Nagar, on the pretext of purchasing 500 pieces of LED TV, he said.

He further said that several teams were formed to nab the accused, who was wanted in six cases of cheating in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh.

Bansal completed his charted accountancy course in 1987. Presently, he is working as a freelancer with different companies based in Narela, Bawana and Mundka, added Yadav.

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The decomposed body of a man was found at a park behind Safdarjung hospital in south Delhi on Wednesday morning, police said on Friday. Police said that the murder took place around two weeks ago in revenge of an attack by the deceased and his friends. (Representational image)

Police said that the man was murdered by at least four men, who were arrested within 24 hours after the body was discovered. Police added that the murder took place around two weeks ago in revenge of an attack by the deceased and his friends.

Police identified the man as Deepak, 18, who hailed from Nepal. They said that he was missing from his home in Pilanji in south Delhis Sarojini Nagar for at least 16 days. However, his parents did not lodge a missing complaint with the police as they thought that Deepak had had gone out of station with his friends, police said. Deputy commissioner of police (southwest) Manoj C said that Deepak used to commit petty thefts and sell the stolen items to meet his daily expenses.

Also Read: Delhi Police arrest contract killer after shootout in Rohini

The DCP said that on Wednesday morning, a local resident informed the Safdarjung Enclave police station regarding a body lying in the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) park behind the Safdarjung hospital. A police team reached the park and found a highly putrefied body in the parks bushes after an extensive search. Police said that the body had decomposed to such an extent that they were unable to ascertain its gender. Except for some torn clothes, there were no identification marks or documents at the spot, said DCP Manoj.

All nearby police stations were informed about the body. The efforts led to the identification of the deceased as a man named Deepak, who lived with his family in Pilanji. The body was shifted to the Safdarjung hospital mortuary for autopsy. A case of murder was registered at the Safdarjung Enclave police station, said the DCP, adding that five teams were formed to probe the case and nab the killers.

During the probe, the teams learnt from Deepaks family that he had been missing for nearly 16 days, after he left home informing his parents that he was going to meet his friends in Safdarjung Enclave. He did not return thereafter. Deepaks father Tul Bahadur, who works at a meat shop, told the police that they did not suspect anything amiss, so did not file any police complaint.

The investigation later revealed that Deepak was last seen with some people around two weeks ago in Kotla Mubarakpur area. Four people were then asked to join the investigation. After interrogation, they confessed to killing Deepak to avenge an attack two months ago and were arrested. They were identified as General alias JD, 22, from Arjun Nagar near Safdarjung Enclave, Rahul alias Babu, 27, from Green Park, Varun, 19, from Nangal Rai near Delhi Cantonment, and a minor.

The suspects were identified and arrested within 24 hours. Their interrogation revealed that in May, Deepak and his friends had a quarrel with General and Varun over some issue in Kotla Mubarakpur wherein the duo was stabbed with a knife. Two weeks ago, they decided to take revenge for this attack. Along with two of their associates, they lured Deepak to the park and slit his throat, added DCP Manoj.
Electric buses procured by the Delhi government will not be pressed into service, if technical defects are not rectified by the manufacturer, Tata Motors, Delhi transport minister Kailash Gahlot said on Friday. An additional batch of buses were also delivered to the Delhi government, but they are yet to be formally inducted into the fleet (HT Archive)

I have directed transport commissioner that if technical defect of electric buses inducted last week is not rectified/removed by Tata motors by Sunday (July 9, 2023) then such buses will not be put in operation. Penalties as applicable will be imposed. We stand committed to provide safe, convenient and reliable public transport to Delhiites, Gahlot tweeted on Friday evening.

DTC signed a contract for the supply of 1500 electric buses with Tata Motors. The first lot of 200 buses were supplied, and the buses were pressed into service. However, several buses have broken down and developed issues related to acceleration and other issues.

An additional batch of buses were also delivered to the Delhi government, but they are yet to be formally inducted into the fleet.

As of Friday, the uptime of buses was more than 95%, a Tata Motors spokesperson said.

The Delhi government has decided to procure only electric buses for DTC as part of its efforts to shift the entire public buses fleet to electric mode.

Following Gahlots direction, transport commissioner Ashish Kundra wrote to Tata Motors, pointing out problems in the newly inducted buses.

I am constrained to draw your attention to the fact that 200 electric buses which have been inducted in the first lot under the Grand Challenge Programme by Delhi Transport Corporation have shown dismal operational outcomes. In the first instance, the operating company had limited preparedness for the installation of transformers in the depots assigned to them, even as they were pressing the department for early induction of these buses. Once the induction started, it was observed that there was a high incidence of breakdown up to 30%, on account of some technical/software glitches in these buses, Kundra said.

The commissioner added that if the problem is not rectified by Sunday, DTC will be constrained to stop out shedding of theses buses and impose applicable penalties as per contract with the company.

A Tata Motors spokesperson an expert team of technicians is looking into the problem. The glitches reported in initial operations are being corrected on priority by an expert team of technicians and specialists stationed at the Mayapuri depot where we have set up a state-of-the-art enabling ecosystem to charge, maintain and operate the fleet. With more smart buses scheduled to be added weekly, this infrastructure is being replicated at other depots as well. By this weekend, we will ensure that all buses are available as per schedule for delivering enhanced performance and higher uptime, in line with our contractual obligations. We are committed to making public transportation in Delhi safe, convenient, comfortable and green.

The spokesperson said that a Tata Motors subsidiary company is currently operating 120 buses in Delhi and they have cumulatively covered over 100,000km distance in just six days. These zero-emission buses are equipped with advanced electronic control systems, which sometimes require optimisation under actual running conditions to deliver best results, said the official.
New Delhi The Delhi high court, on Wednesday, emphasised the need to plant more native trees in the city instead of bringing in exotic species, like the palm, and directed civic agencies to explore varieties suited for Delhis ecology. The high courts directions were a reiteration of what experts and tree enthusiasts have been stressing for long  that the bright-yellow amaltas, the crescent flowered palash, or the bright-purple kachnar  Delhis own trees, are well-suited for the climate and ecology of the city, while non-natives like the palm or cherry blossom use up resources which damage the environment. A medium-sized tree known for its golden yellow flowers, amaltas can grow in poor soil or rocky areas. Its young leaves and flower buds are edible. One can spot it in Delhis Nehru Park, Amrita Shergill Marg, Hailey Road, etc. (Sancit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)

The prominent native trees of Delhi  amaltas, palash, chamror, siris, barna, kusum, and kachnar  bear a mix of flowers. Additionally, they are self-sustaining species that adapt to the citys climatic conditions and do not need regular care after the initial years, said experts.

These trees can be grown in large parts of Delhi, including the Yamuna floodplains and all of Lutyens Delhi. The most appropriate trees are pilkhan, siris, amaltas, and kusum, as they perfectly adapt to the conditions in Delhi. They dont need watering or nutrient supplements, once established, said Pradip Krishen, author of the seminal book Trees of Delhi.

Tree activist Padmavati Dwivedi echoed the sentiment, and said that while considering avenue trees, which are both ornamental and native to Delhi, then one must look at palash, amaltas, etc., adding that they not only look aesthetically pleasing but do not require large spaces. To be sure, avenue trees are ones planted along roads, streets, or avenues, typically selected for their shapes, especially height.

However, the Capitals civic agencies took to the vanity project of planting non-native species as avenue trees during beautification projects or plantation drives. A prominent avenue tree seen along the NH8 up to Dhaula Kuan, covering parts of the Delhi Cantonment towards the Sardar Patel Marg is the palm or Phoenix sylvestris. Palm has also been planted in the run-up to the G20 summit on both Aurobindo Marg and Nelson Mandela Marg as part of the Public Works Departments (PWD) streetscaping project. However, a majority of these palms, as pointed out by the court, are dying.

This apart, agencies are also attempting to grow both the chinar and cherry blossom in the city. While the former, from Jammu & Kashmir, is known for its amber, red, and yellow leaves, the latter is native to Japan but is increasingly being grown in places such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Shimla, and Shillong.

The British, too, made the mistake of choosing trees which they thought were evergreen, like the jamun or arjun. But these trees are evergreen only when they grow along perennial water courses, Krishen said.

Vallari Sheel, a researcher and urban ecologist, said that exotic species require more maintenance and offer fewer ecological benefits to the environment around them, with some species also running the risk of becoming subsequently invasive.

Native species are adapted to the local environment and have evolved with the local fauna to provide them both food and shelter. On the other hand,  Exotic species not only require more water or maintenance can often become invasive, said Sheel.

However, not all non-native species are bad for the environment, if one considers specific features while choosing particular varieties. For instance, two non-native trees that have adapted well to the ecology of Delhi are the anjan and the khirni. They will not be suited as avenue trees, as they require a lot of space, particularly anjan. However, they do well in spaces like parks, said Dwivedi.

Faiyaz Khudsar, scientist at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park (YBP) and scientist-in-charge of the Biodiversity Parks Programme of the Delhi Development Authority, said that one needs to largely look at broad-leaved species for a city such as Delhi, which not only trap dust but also reduce the heat-island effect and provide habitat and food to birds.

The native trees are well suited for this purpose. The kachnar, for instance, has four different varieties  ranging from Bauhinia variegata, which is the tallest, to smaller ones like Bauhinia racemosa  all of which can be seen in Delhi, said Khudsar.
Amid rising incidents of dog bites, a video from a housing society in Noida has gone viral which shows residents fighting over putting a muzzle on a dog. In the 40-second-long video, a couple inside a lift of a housing society can be seen urging a woman to put a muzzle on her dog. Viral video from Noida's Logix Blossom County in Sector 137. (Twitter)

A woman tells the pet owner, There is a mask around him, we are just asking you to put it on haven't you seen how many dog bites are taking place?

Another man can be heard saying there is a pregnant lady around and what if the dog bit her.

The dog owner questions a resident for switching on her camera to make a video, to which the resident responds, When dogs bite there are CCTV footage we get to see right in news channels?

The dog owner replied, People like you only run such videos dogs bite people like you only.

Further refusing to put a muzzle on her dog, the owner says, I will not make him wear the mask. You can keep standing here for 30 more minutes if you want.

The resident responds by saying, What kind of a lady is she?, to which the dog owner says, I am better than your wife.

The incident occurred at Logix Blossom County in Sector 137 in Noida, according to media reports.

Rising dog attacks in Noida

The Noida authority in December finalised a policy that fixes the responsibility of pet owners, officials, and other stakeholders with regard to pets as well as stray dogs and cats.

The policy defines the penalties and legal action for offences that are not in accordance with the policy pertaining to pets and stray animals. The policy prohibits pet owners from taking pets to public spaces without a leash. It says pets have to be on a leash if they are taken out of the house at any time of the day and also cannot be left unsupervised. Wherever possible, pets have to be taken in service lifts, the policy states.

If a pet dog or cat is registered on or before January 31, 2023, then 500 fee will be charged as the registration amount. If an unpleasant dog bite case happens, then the pet owner will pay 10,000 as fine and also take care of the medical expenses of the victim, said officials. For illegal dog breeding in a flat or other premises, then 5,000 fine will be imposed, the policy states. If a pet defecates in parks or other common areas in a society, a fine of 100 will be levied on the pet owners for the first offence, 200 for the second offence and 500 for the third time.

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NEW DELHI: Two lawyers including an office-bearer of the Delhi Bar Association have been arrested in connection with the firing incident at the Tis Hazari court complex on June 5, police said on Friday. Three lawyers were arrested within a day of the incident but the two prime accused were missing. (HT File Photo)

Five shots were fired at the court complex in north Delhi following a confrontation between two groups of lawyers. A purported video of the incident was circulated on social media, showing a man dressed as a lawyer firing what appeared to be a pistol, though police did not verify the authenticity of the clip.

Three lawyers were arrested within a day of the incident but the two prime accused were missing.

Deputy commissioner of police (DCP), north district, Sagar Singh Kalsi said the two men arrested on Friday have been identified as Manish Sharma and Lalit Sharma.

Kalsi said Manish Sharma is the senior vice president of Delhi Bar Association (DBA) at Tis Hazari court complex while Lalit Sharma, is the brother of DBA secretary Atul Sharma.

Earlier on Thursday evening, we arrested Aman Singh, Sachin Sangwan, and Ravi Gupta, who were produced before a magistrates court, which sent them to four days police custody, he said.

He further said that the arrests were made after officers analysed CCTV footage of the incident.

Several teams were formed and an extensive operation was carried out in many areas of Bhalswa Dairy, Swaroop Nagar, Haiderpur, Shalimar Bagh, and Vikaspuri to nab the accused. Well produce them before a court and seek their police remand. All five are advocates and are practising at Tis Hazari court. They belong to rival groups of bar association office bearers. We have also recovered three country-made pistols, four live cartridges and two cars from the possession of three accused arrested on Thursday, he said.

The DCP further said that the police have lodged a case under sections 147 (rioting), 148 (rioting with deadly weapon), 149 (offence committed as part of unlawful assembly). 307 (attempt to murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sections 25 and 27 (possession of prohibited firearms) and 27 (use of prohibited firearms) of the Arms Act, based on the complaint given by Sunil Kumar, the branch in-charge of central district courts.

According to the first information report, police found five empty bullet shells during a cursory spot inspection.

The video clip of 8 seconds showed a person wearing white shirt and grey pants firing from firearm in his right hand by pointing the arms in front direction towards several persons standing around him and the said firearm welding person identified as advocate Manish Sharma was moving in the same direction and one among the said persons is seen throwing stone in the direction of firing....with the intention and knowledge that by such act death can be caused to a person, the FIR said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sanjeev K Jha In his reporting career of over 20 years, Sanjeev K Jha has covered bureaucracy, politics, ISI activities in border areas, music and Bollywood. Presently, he covers crime in the national Capital. ...view detail
The next meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA)  a three-member body constituted to oversee transfers and postings of bureaucrats in the Capital in accordance with the ordinance promulgated by the Union government  will be held on July 14 to consider the posting of a group of Indian Administrative Service officers who have recently been transferred to Delhi from outside and are awaiting posting, according to documents seen by HT. The last meeting of the NCCSA was held on June 29 where chief minister Arvind Kejriwal disagreed with a proposal to appoint some officials in the education department, citing ongoing vigilance cases against them. (PTI)

The meeting was earlier scheduled for July 7 but was postponed.

The last meeting of the NCCSA was held on June 29 where chief minister Arvind Kejriwal disagreed with a proposal to appoint some officials in the education department, citing ongoing vigilance cases against them.

The chief minister also objected to transferring some officials out of the education department.

Chief minister/chairman NCCSA shall not be able to convene the NCCSA meeting scheduled on July 7 at 4.30pm at CM camp office due to certain exigencies. I am directed to convey that CM has desired to reschedule the above NCCSA meeting on July 14 (Friday) 5pm at CM camp office, said a communication issued by joint secretary to the chief minister Ramchandra M Shingare.

Since the formation of the body, the CM and his office have maintained that the authoritys simple majority has enabled the bureaucrats to override the CMs decisions.

Three days after the last meeting of the authority, the CM said that NCCSA has been reduced to a complete farce alleging that the directions given by him in the June 29 meeting were overruled by the two other officers.

NCCSA, headed by the CM, also includes the chief secretary, Naresh Kumar, and the principal secretary (home), Ashwini Kumar.

In a press conference on June 20, Arvind Kejriwal said: I will explain to you how futile this NCCSA is as a body... Even if I ask for clarification on a matter, it is not considered important to reply to it... this body is just a farce for the Centre to do whatever it feels like in Delhi.

On May 19, the President promulgated the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance 2023 which nullified a May 11 Supreme Court order that reinforced the authority of the Delhi government in controlling bureaucrats in all but three domains  land, police, and public order. The ordinance gave the LG, an official appointed by the Union government, the final say on transfers and postings of bureaucrats in Delhi and created a new cadre for the national capital.

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Marred with pre-poll violence, the voting for Panchayat elections in West Bengal will be held on Saturday under stringent security measures. The elections will take place in a single phase, and the State Election Commission (SEC) has deployed additional central forces to ensure peace during the polls as the state witnessed violence during the campaign for these rural elections. The counting of votes will take place on July 11. (Check West Bengal Panchayat election LIVE updates here) Nadia: Security personnel conduct a route march ahead of the West Bengal panchayat polls, in Nadia, Friday.(PTI)

In 2018, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) secured 34% of the seats uncontested in the panchayat elections, which were marred by instances of violence.

Fierce tussle between TMC, BJP and ISF

The upcoming polls are expected to witness a fierce competition for local administration control among the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), Indian Secular Front (ISF), and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These elections will serve as a litmus test for the parties in anticipation of next year's Lok Sabha elections.

More than 200,000 candidates are contesting for 73,887 seats in the elections. The main contenders in the race are the ruling Trinamool Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, and a coalition of the Congress and Left parties.

Deployment of central forces ahead of polls

As part of the preparations for the panchayat polls, an additional 822 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were sent to West Bengal on July 3. Earlier, the State Election Commission (SEC) had requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to deploy central forces in the state. This decision was made following a High Court order that directed the SEC to deploy central forces in West Bengal, equal to or more than those deployed during the panchayat polls in 2013. Since the announcement of the polls on June 8, there have been instances of violence in various parts of the state.

Governor Bose to monitor poll situation from the ground

Amidst the ongoing violence in the state, Governor CV Ananda Bose will be on the ground on Saturday. He referred to the panchayat polls as a "battle between ballots and bullets" and pledged to monitor the situation across the state and take necessary actions.

Also Read | West Bengal panchayat polls: Political clashes continue in the state

"The ground situation is the same as it is in various violent-prone areas. People are in a state of fear. Tomorrow is the election and all voters should go to the polling booth to vote...The right of the voters is the highest right. Yes, I am doing publicity and I will do it again if they think it is...I am here for the people and to save their democratic rights...I will be there in action tomorrow for my people...." Governor was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Bose encouraged the people to participate in the voting process on Saturday, emphasizing that exercising their franchise would shape the future positively. Arriving in the Murshidabad district on Friday morning, Bose visited the family of a deceased Congress worker who lost his life during a clash between two groups on Thursday night. He assured the family of all necessary assistance.

Political violence during campaign for panchayat polls

In the run-up to the panchayat polls, three individuals lost their lives on Thursday in the state, bringing the total number of deaths due to political violence during the campaign to 18.

In 2018, a total of 23 people had died prior to the polls. According to the state police, out of the 18 deaths this year, three -- including a TMC leader in Purulia, a BJP worker in Purulia, and a BJP worker in Cooch Behar -- are not directly linked to the polls.

Voters

Around 5.67 crore voters are expected to cast their votes in order to elect representatives for nearly 928 seats spread across 22 zilla parishads, 9,730 panchayat samitis, and 63,239 gram panchayats.

In West Bengal, there are a total of 3,341 gram panchayats, and the number of election centers for village panchayats is 58,594. At the Gram Panchayat level, there are 63,239 seats, while at the Panchayat Samiti level, there are 9,730 seats, and at the Zila Parishad level, there are 928 seats.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the contribution of the Gita Press, saying it is not only associated with religion or duty, but has a national character as well. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Yogi Adityanath at the Gita Press in Gorakhpur on Friday. (PTI PHOTO)

Gita Press is the only printing press in the country that is not merely an institution but a living faith. For the people, the office of Gita Press is like a temple. Where there is Gita, there is Krishna, and where there is Krishna there is compassion, Modi said while addressing the closing ceremony of the publishers centenary celebrations in Gorakhpur.

He also said he was happy that Gita Press had been chosen for the Gandhi Peace Prize as an acknowledgement of its 100-year contribution and legacy.

The spirituality launched from the spot in 1923 is enlightening humanity. It is our privilege that we are witness to its centenary celebration. On this historic occasion, my government has conferred Gandhi Peace Prize-2021 to Gita Press. Mahatma Gandhi had an emotional association with Gita Press. He wrote in the Kalyan magazine published by Gita Press. He had suggested that advertisements should not be carried in the magazine. The magazine is still following Gandhis advice, he said.

The (Gita Press) books are being sold at a price which is less than the cost of publishing. They are reaching households across the country and giving spiritual and intellectual satisfaction to a large number of people. It has motivated the people to work for the society, he said.

It connects India and strengthen its unity as well. It has 20 branches in the country, its stalls are located in various states. Its books are published in 15 languages and the spiritual ideal of our country reach the masses. It leads the Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat motto of the country, he added.

The Prime Minister also noted that Gita Press has completed 100 years of its journey at a time when the country is celebrating 75 years of its independence.

Giving the background of establishment of the Gita Press, he said, The slavery of ages had made an adverse impact on our consciousness. Foreign invaders had burned our libraries. During the British period, the gurukul and the guru tradition were destroyed. There was the threat of the extinction of our knowledge and tradition. Our holy texts started vanishing and were not available to the common people. The source of values and ideals started drying up.

Our country has faced several challenges, but we have come out shining. During crises, the Gita guided us. In 1923, when the Gita Press started working, it awakened the conscience of the people by ensuring that our religious texts again reached the people. The new generation got connected with our values with the holy texts. Gita Press is an example that when our aim is pure, then we will succeed, he said.

He also described the Gita Press as an institution that had strengthened the social values and shown the path of duty to the people.

Be it cleanliness of the Ganga, Yoga or Ayurveda, it associated the people with lifestyle of the country, he said.

The value of nation-building is guiding us. The penance of our saints has not gone waste. Today, our country is setting new milestones of success, Modi said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rajesh Kumar Singh Rajesh Kumar Singh is a special correspondent at HT Lucknow. He covers State Home Department, State Police, Central police agencies,BSP, Health Department, UP Chief Electoral Officer, Irrigation Department, Mining and, Lokayukta. ...view detail
GORAKHPUR Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur district to address an event, walked nearly 120 metres to make an impromptu visit to the residence of Union minister of state Pankaj Chaudhary, amid loud cheers from the local residents. Prime Minister Narendra Modi walks towards the residence of MoS Pankaj Chaudhary in Gorakhpur, on Friday (Sourced)

The PM was in Gorakhpur to attend the centenary celebrations of Gita Press and flag off two Vande Bharat Express trains, besides laying the foundation stone of some projects.

During his 45-minute stay at the Gita Press, Modi was informed that Chaudharys residence was within walking distance from the venue. As he expressed a desire to visit, security personnel took position in the narrow and densely populated lane that led to Chaudharys residence. Pankaj ji, your lane is like the lanes of my constituency Varanasi, the PM told Chaudhary while walking towards his residence, as local residents made a beeline for a glimpse of Modi. At the residence, the Chaudharys welcomed the PM by touching his feet.

Chandan Maurya, a local resident, said: Suddenly, a massive convoy entered our lane and locals were directed to stay in their homes. Minutes later, we were amazed to see the PM walking towards Chaudharys residence.

At Chaudharys house, the PM inquired about his mothers health. You were going to come to Delhi to meet me so I decided to come meet you, he said, according to people aware of the matter.

Starting his career in 1989 from Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation, Chaudhary was first elected MP from Maharajganj in 1991. He got over 700,000 votes in the last Lok Sabha elections from Maharajganj. A six-time MP, Chaudhary has a strong support among the Kurmis. Political expert and head of the history department at the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University, professor Chandra Bhushan Ankur, said the sudden visit revealed two things. We have entered in the first phase of 2024 Lok Sabha elections and secondly, the visit has decided the road map for upcoming elections in which the OBCs would be focused on
MUMBAI: A bank agent has been arrested for allegedly duping a man of 20,000 on pretext of comparing offers on credit cards at Andheri metro station. HT Image

According to the Andheri police, the incident took place on May 12 when Kalyan resident Chetan Pratap Singh was on his way back home from Andheri.

The agent with an identity card of a nationalised bank approached Singh with some lucrative schemes on credit cards. During the conversation, the agent, later identified as Omkar Dubey, 23, also asked the complainant to hand over his card.

Noticing that the man was not tech-savvy, the agent also asked for Singhs phone on the pretext of helping the complainant with an internet search, a police official said and added that the accused called the complainant a couple of times later, offering an even better deal.

It was only on checking the credit card statement in the beginning of July, the complainant noticed a transaction of 20,000 that he did not remember authorising.

After checking the date and time of the transaction, Singh realised that the transaction had taken place at the time when he was talking to the bank agent and approached the police.

Under the direction of deputy commissioner of police (zone 10) Datta Nalawade and senior inspector Santaji Ghorpade, the cybercrime team of the Andheri police headed by assistant police inspector Ranjeet Gundre started tracking the accused.

We found out that Dubey had gone to his native village in Uttar Pradesh soon after the day he met the complainant. On Thursday, informants at the station told us that the man had come back to the spot where he had met the complainant, the police official added.

The police nabbed the accused from the metro station and he is in police custody. They are also looking for his accomplices.
Mumbai: Two of the largest and most important public transport bodies of the region will see an inflow of eco-friendly electric buses soon. The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) will get 20 new air-conditioned electric buses from Olectra Greentech (part of a larger consignment of 2,100 AC e-buses). HT Image

On Friday, the same automobile manufacturing company and its consortium bagged an order for 5,150 AC e-buses at a cost of 10,000 crore that will be supplied to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

According to sources, the BEST will get 20 Olectra-made AC e-buses in the next fortnight. These are part of the 2,100 AC e-buses for BEST Undertaking over which the Supreme Court (SC) had dismissed a plea earlier this May. We will be supplying these 20 AC e-buses to BEST this month. These shall arrive in lots of 10 buses each. We had already supplied 20 of these buses in the past. We expect that in the coming months, our commitment of supplying 2100 e-buses will be fulfilled, said sources in Olectra Greentech which had bagged the order at a value of 3,675 crore.

These 2,100 AC e-buses are expected to all be delivered by mid-2024. The BEST already has around 410 e-buses both owned and on wet-lease, out of their total fleet of 3,155 buses. The Undertaking has 12 AC e-double-decker buses in its fleet and is expecting this to touch 200 buses soon. Moreover, sources in BEST said that they are also working on adding 2-400 AC e-buses in future and thus taking their total fleet to over 7,000 buses.

The Maharashtra Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) placed an order for 5,150 state-of-the-art AC e-buses on July 7 and a letter of intent (LoI) has been awarded to Olectra Greentech and EVEY Trans. They will supply, operate and maintain these e-buses, along with setting up necessary electrical and civil infrastructure for a period of 12 years at a cost of 10,000 crore. The probable cost of each e-bus comes to around 1.5 to 1.8 crore.

The delivery of these e-buses is scheduled over the course of 24 months. The fleet will consist of 2,800 twelve-meter AC buses, designed for heavy traffic routes, and 2,350 nine-meter AC buses suitable for routes with lighter traffic. All these buses will be equipped for intercity travel, with seating capacities of 44 and 32 passengers for the twelve-meter and nine-meter buses respectively, said an official from MSRTC.

Currently around 55 lakh passengers on a daily average use our 14,000 buses across the state primarily powered by diesel or CNG. Of the existing buses, only around 60 are electric, making this order a substantial leap towards greener transportation. By July 2025, MSRTC aims to convert over 33% of its fleet into pollution-free e-buses. The first batch of 150 buses is expected to be delivered by March 2023.

E-buses for MSRTC

10,000 crore: Cost of e-buses

2,800: 12m AC e-buses

2,350: 9m AC e-buses

Charging Time for both 12m and 9m e-buses: <4hrs

12m bus seating capacity: 43 & 9m bus seating capacity: 30

Deployment Time: 24 months

E-buses for BEST:-

3675 crore: Cost of e-buses

2,100: Total e-buses
MUMBAI: The Bombay high court on Friday questioned the Central government as to what procedure it would adopt to decide whether news or editorials published online were fake or misleading in the event of the said content being critical of the government, as the meaning of false, fake and misleading could have different interpretations. How can FCU decide what is fake, false, misleading, HC asks Centre

A division bench of justice Gautam Patel and justice Neela Gokhale was hearing a petition filed by satirist Kunal Kamra who had challenged the amended Information Technology (IT) Rules which enabled the Central government to constitute a fact checking unit (FCU) to identify fake or misleading posts on social media and direct intermediaries like Facebook and Twitter to take those down.

Editors Guild of India, Association of Indian Magazines, and News Broadcast and Digital Association have also challenged the amendment and their pleas are being heard along with Kamras petition.

Senior advocate Navroz Seervai, who represented Kamra, said all posts would not necessarily raise an alarm and spread panic among readers, but the amended IT Rules would have a chilling effect on internet users.

The bench then asked the Central government to clarify the meaning of three words - fake, false and misleading - used in the amended rules and how the FCU would decide on what content fell under the purview of these three words.

What is the source of the power? I am not sure even a civil court could authoritatively pronounce on truth or falsity. It may be pronounced based on likelihood or probability, the HC said.

The bench also sought to know whether the FCU would consider online news reports and editorial content that was critical of government decisions and policies as fake or misleading. Citing an instance of news reports on the economy of the nation which would be based on official figures but could be analysed in a particular manner, the bench wanted to know whether such an analysis would also be considered, as fake or misleading, if it was critical (of the government policies) or hard hitting.

You may find any editorial extremely hard hitting. There could be an editorial on Indias relations with China. What happens to that? We are in the realm of the unknown. We do not know what is going on here, the bench said.

Seervai cited an instance of a threat that was posted online in a foreign country where a man had claimed that he would blow up a railway station. The threat, however, did not create an alarm, or panic. It was only after a station official stumbled upon the post did it get any attention, he said. He also cited a case of the US court where a false statement made by the defendant was considered protected under the right to freedom of speech.

Thereafter, the bench asked the counsel to explain how an intermediary would lose its safe harbour (legal safety) for non-compliance with the amended rules to which Seervai said rule 7 stipulated that an intermediary would be held liable for punishment for such an offence.

The Centre then informed the bench that it would not notify the setting up of FCU till July 14.

Hearing on the petition will continue on July 13.

Kamra has challenged rule 3(1)(II)(A) and (C) of the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023, stating that this would, in effect, amend rules 3(1)(a) and 3(1)(b)(v) of the IT Rules, 2021, and was in violation of not only Supreme Court judgments but was also contrary to the accepted norms by foreign courts with regards to freedom of speech.

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Mumbai: A day after there were speculations that estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray might join hands, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) founder met chief minister Eknath Shinde at the latters residence on Friday. Mumbai, India - July 7, 2023: MNS chief Raj Thackeray Meets CM Eaknath Shinde at His Residence Versha Bunglow in Mumbai, India, on Friday, July 7, 2023. (Photo by / Hindustan Times)

MNS spokesperson Sandeep Deshpande said, The state is redeveloping the BDD chawls and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority is giving one parking space for every two flats. Also, we want more corpus funds for the buildings.

Deshpande added that they want relief for farmers in Nashik where the district is stern in recovery of loans. He said that they have also demanded that the rates for City Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) flats in Navi Mumbai must be reduced.

The exact nature of the conversation between two leaders is not known. I was outside. But there was a political discussion between the two, said Deshpande.

On Thursday, MNS leader Abhijit Panse called on Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Sanjay Raut leading to rumours that Raj had sent a proposal for an alliance between MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT).

This issue was also discussed in a meeting of MNS leaders earlier this week when banners were put up by an MNS supporter that the two cousins Raj and Uddhav must come together. Earlier on Monday, Raj Thackeray said that he would clarify his stand on this soon.
Mumbai: A Goa resident who tried to prank his friend, a petroleum company executive, with messages about planning of attack on railways proved costly as he was booked by the Kanjurmarg police on Thursday. The police also informed the railway authorities about the suspicious messages and suggested taking precautions.(Representative image)

According to the police, the man, who was learning Urdu and had purchased a new SIM card, wanted to prank his friend, Sagar Molawade, 32, a resident of Kranti Nagar, Bhandup East and sent him several WhatsApp messages using his new number.

Molawade, who worked with J P Petroleum Limited in Andheri, was checking WhatsApp at home when he received suspicious messages from an unknown number.

The messages said that the plan is for tomorrow at 9 pm. The whole train will be jam-packed and our plan will be executed hopefully. The messages further said after the work is done, everybody will get down, take a goods train and will switch off the phones, a police officer said.

Also Read: CBI arrests three railways officials in Balasore train crash probe

Meanwhile, Molawade blocked the unknown number. Yadav later understood his mistake and tried calling Molawade, but could not reach him. By then Molawade had reported the matter to the police.

Molawade immediately approached the police and based on his complaint a case was registered under section 505 (public mischief) of the Indian Penal Code.

The police also informed the railway authorities about the suspicious messages and suggested taking precautions.

The crime branch and local police traced the sender to North Goa. We detained one person identified as Ramesh Kumar Dharmaraj Yadav, 32. Molawade and Yadav have worked together in a company a year ago. Later, Yadav shifted to Goa and settled there, and purchased a new SIM card so he wanted to prank Molawade, DCP Zone VII, Purshottam Karad, said.

We are bringing Yadav to Mumbai and will again question him in detail, Karad added.

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Pune: The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) has said that Pradeep Kurulkar, the Pune-based DRDO scientist arrested on May 3 on espionage charges, shared sensitive details about Indias missile, drone and robotics programmes with a female Pakistan-based intelligence operative. DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar (in lined shirt and wearing mask) produced in the Shivaji Nagar Court, in Pune.(HT Photo/file)

In its charge sheet, submitted to a special court on June 30, ATS claimed to have unearthed explosive chats between the scientist and the Pakistani operative. Kurulkar, 60, was director, research and development, at DRDO when he shared this information with the woman in order to establish intimate relations with her, said the charge sheet accessed by HT.

It went on to say that the alleged Pakistani agent created multiple fake accounts under different names to engage with Kurulkar. Two of these names were Zara Dasgupta and Juhi Arora. The same operative also set up accounts under these names on messaging apps using two different phone numbers. Both numbers started with the +44 London code. In his messages with the alleged Zara Dasgupta, Kurulkar spoke freely about the Meteor missile which is in the works at DRDO, about the Brahmos missiles, Rafael, Akash and Astra missile systems, and also the Agni-6 missile launcher in the development of which he was involved.

Also Read: CBI arrests journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi, ex-navy officer in espionage case

Possibly in his efforts to impress his female interlocutor, Kurulkar also discussed DRDOs ongoing work on the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, the Bharat Quadcopter, and Rustom, the medium altitude long-endurance unmanned combat air vehicle that DRDO is developing. According to the chats attached in the charge sheet, Kurulkar and the Pakistani operative would preface these serious conversations on defence issues with a playful Babe.

While the charge sheet mentioned the information that the so-called Zara Dasgupta sought from him, his responses to her detailing defence details were submitted to the special court in a sealed envelope.

The charge sheet also contended that Kurulkar, who is married to a doctor, liked to brag about his work. In one of the chats attached in the 1,837-page charge sheet, the female Pakistani operative asked him whether the Agni-6 launcher test has been successful, to which he responded saying: The launcher is my design babe It was a great success. These chats between Kurulkar and the alleged Pakistani operative date between September 2022 and February 2023. It was sometime in March this year that DRDO informed the Maharashtra ATS about its suspicions about Kurulkars activities and he was subsequently arrested.

The chats appended in the charge sheet also indicated the persistence with which the female Pakistani operative engaged Kurulkar. At a point in one of their conversations, she asked him: Any new parameters or any change happens I heard that Agni-6 is also work in progress, uska test kab karna hai (when is the test happening). To which, he allegedly responded: Karenge, thoda dheeraj rakho (Will do it, have some patience).

The Pakistani agent, according to charge sheet, shared three email ids with Kurulkar-- 26sweetpanda@gmail.com, dreamgirl56@gmail.com, and common158@gmail.com. To win his trust, she also shared the passwords for these email ids and then insisted that he download two apps on his mobile which he did.

By using the app, there might be a chance a of malware been inserted in the mobile phone of the accused, said the charge sheet. In fact, in the forensic analysis of Kurulars phone, DRDO experts found a malware and reported this to ATS.

ATS also contended that, over a period of time, such was the familiarity that developed between Kurulkar and the Pakistani operative that he would often share the minutiae of his everyday life with her. According to the charge sheet, in one such chat, he told her how a leopard had strayed into the DRDO complex in August last year. He also went to the extent of sharing the name and other details of the CEO of a private vendor working for the Indian Army and who is involved in the manufacture of robotic equipment for the military.

Despite knowing that an enemy nation can seek more information and specific information related to the CEOs working place and the nature of work and the equipment he manufactured for the Armed forces, Kurulkar shared the formation with the operative, the charge sheet said.

The charge sheet mentioned that the recovery mobile number linked to the email id provided by the operative was traced to Pakistan-based Nayatel, in Islamabad while the IP address for the email id was belonged to Pakistan Telecommunication Limited.

Kurulkar, who is present lodged in Punes Yerwada jail, was arrested by ATS on May 3 on charges of espionage and wrongful communication with operative from neighbouring country. ATS has so far examined 203 witnesses as part of its investigation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yogesh Joshi Yogesh Joshi is Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times. He covers politics, security, development and human rights from Western Maharashtra. ...view detail
Mumbai: In a battle with his nephew Ajit Pawar who has revolted against his leadership and made a bid to take over the party, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar is all set to launch his statewide tour from Nashik on Saturday. Pawar will be holding his first rally in Yeola in Nashik district which is assembly constituency of NCP heavyweight Chhagan Bhujbal, who ditched him for Ajit. Pawars daughter and NCP working president Supriya Sule will accompany Pawar. New Delhi, July 06 (ANI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar addresses the media after holding the party's National Executive meeting, at his residence, in New Delhi on Thursday. (ANI Photo/Jitender Gupta) (Jitender Gupta)

The party believes that things would start changing once Pawar begins his tour which would be not less than two months.

Pawar has already declared that he will go before the people in this fight of political dominance with his nephew and several senior leaders who worked with him for years. From Mumbai, he will travel to Nashik by road, taking halts at Thane, Bhiwandi, Padgha, Shahapur, Igatpuri among others meeting party workers on his way.

In the first phase, the veteran leader was supposed to visit Nashik, Dhule and Jalgaon but his tour for Dhule and Jalgaon has been postponed considering a yellow alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), NCP insiders said.

After the Nashik rally, Pawar may take a break of one week in the backdrop of monsoon alerts. We will have to consider the monsoon while planning his tours. It is not only difficult for him but also for the people and workers who want to attend his rallies, said a senior NCP functionary, requesting anonymity.

On July 17 and 18, he would be in Bengaluru to attend the united opposition meeting.

Bhujbal was considered as a close confidante of the party patriarch, who left Congress for Pawar. He was made the first NCP Maharashtra president and was then appointed as deputy chief minister within months after the party came to power in alliance with Congress in 1999.

It was also him against whom Pawar chose to comment during his first NCP meeting after the split held on Wednesday. He (Chhagan Bhujbal) was in jail for two years despite that I was of the view that he should get one opportunity. Going against the views of many, he was the first person to be appointed as a minister in the previous Uddhav Thackeray led MVA government, the NCP chief remarked.

Bhujbal was in jail for two years over money laundering charges in a corruption case related to Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi.

On Wednesday, he fiercely criticized Pawar for initiating alliance talks with BJP on several occasions and later contradicting himself.

There was an attempt to join hands with BJP in 2017 too and later too. Why did Ajit Pawar take oath as deputy CM in 2019 (with Devendra Fadnavis)? With whom and what discussion had taken place? All this should be revealed now. Every time a discussion would take place, later the party backtracked and we had to be embarrassed always, he said while addressing a rally called by Ajit at MET, Bandra.

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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
A local court in Jewar town of Gautam Budh Nagar granted bail to Pakistani national Seema Ghulam Haider (27) and her male friend Sachin Meena (21) on Friday, officials said. Pakistani national Seema Ghulam Haider (HT Photo)

Meena father Netrapal Singh (51) obtained bail from the Jewar Tehsil court on Thursday.

Haider, Meena and Singh were arrested on Monday by the Gautam Budh Nagar police under provisions of the Foreigner Act and Passport Act. While Haider was charged for illegally entering India without a valid visa, Meena and Singh were charged for sheltering her. Haider had entered the country along with her four children, all under the age of seven, and they too were staying with her at Luksar jail.

After hearing the arguments of their lawyer, Jewar civil court junior division judge Nazim Akbar granted bail to Meenas father Netrapal on Thursday and Meena and Haider on Friday on the condition that they not change their address nor leave the country, said their advocate Hamant Krishna Parasher.

Parashar said he argued before the judge that Haider had taken the action of crossing the border in her innocence as the couple is in love.

I also told the court that Haider first went from Pakistan to Nepal and then came to India. Those coming from Nepal to India are not required to carry passport or have visa, he said.

He added that the woman told him that she feels a threat to her life if she goes back to Pakistan now.

I informed the court that Haider feels a threat to her life if she is sent back to Pakistan. She feels her children might get spared, but she would be killed for her acts, said the Rabupura-based lawyer.

The two will head back to their Rabupura home once they are out from jail, he added.

Haider and Meena have been granted bail. But they are yet to be released from jail, pending paperwork and verification, said Sudhir Kumar, in-charge of local Rabupura police station where the case was lodged.

Haiders four children are also with her, Kumar said.

Advocate Parasher further said that the couple had got married in Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, in March this year after their first meeting.

Investigations revealed that Haider left Pakistan with her children on May 11 and, on May 13, she reached Meenas home in Greater Noidas Rabupura, after gaining entry to India through Nepal illegally on a Nepalese visa. She told police that she intended to live with Meena, along with her four children, as the two loved each other.

Meanwhile, her husband had sought help from the Pakistan and Indian government to safely get back his children.

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Two persons were killed and three others sustained injuries in a gunfight that took place between two groups in Manipurs Churachandpur district early on Friday morning, police said. Manipur has witnessed ethnic tension between the two tribal communities Meiteis and Kukis since May 3 (File Photo)

The recent deaths have taken the total number of those killed in ethnic clashes in the northeastern to at least 125. Since May 3, more than 300 people have been injured and around 50,000 displaced to date.

Two people died and three were injured in violence that broke out Friday morning at Kangvai near the border between Churachandpur and Bishnupur district, Churachandpur superintendent of police (SP) Karthik Malladi said.

Also Read: Assailants kill woman near school in Manipur

Village defence personnel from two groups were involved in the gunfight. The situation has now been brought under control, but we are keeping a close watch, he added.

Police said the gunfight started around 1:30am on Friday when armed miscreants from one group attacked the villagers. There was a lull of a few hours and then it resumed around 5:30am before it was brought under control, said police.

On Thursday, a woman was allegedly shot dead near a school in Imphal West district , a day after schools resumed classes in the state.

Meanwhile, a five-member MP delegation from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) visited the Churachandpur district on Friday to take stock of the law and order situation. During their stay, the MPs also visited two relief camps in the district.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Utpal Parashar Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times. ...view detail
China urges Japan to act responsibly for marine environment, people's life, health

(People's Daily App) 15:30, July 07, 2023

The planned discharge of water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the ocean was focused more on saving costs than safeguarding the marine environment, China said on Thursday.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the remarks at a routine press briefing in Beijing.

First, Japan focuses more on saving costs instead of safeguarding the marine environment and protecting peoples life and health, Wang said. On the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water, there are options including long-term storage, hydrogen release, geosphere injection, underground burial and vapor release.

Japan has chosen the discharge plan with the minimum cost among all the options, shifting the risks of nuclear contamination to the rest of the world.

Prioritizing money over health was doomed to be opposed by the international community, Wang said.

Second, Japan did not have full consultation with the international community especially with stakeholders, he said. In April 2021, the Japanese government unilaterally announced that it will discharge the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea, and it officially approved the discharge plan in July of 2022 in disregard of strong opposition from the international community especially from neighboring countries and other stakeholders and declared multiple times that it will not postpone the implementation of the plan.

All of this fully reveals the selfishness and arrogance of Japan.

The discharge plan was preconceived and the request for an International Atomic Energy Agency assessment was nothing but a charade, the ministry spokesperson said.

Third, the discharge plan is a gamble with no precedent and it is full of uncertainties, Wang said. Japans discharge of the nuclear-contaminated water will last as long as 30 years or even longer.

According to data released by Japan, nearly 70 percent of Advanced Liquid Processing System-treated nuclear-contaminated water failed to meet the discharge standards and the efficiency and reliability of the system would be weakened due to corrosion and aging of the treatment equipment when put into long-term operation.

In light of these uncertainties, the international community had every reason to express concerns and disapproval, he said.

We urge Japan to act responsibly for the marine environment and peoples life and health, stop pushing through the ocean discharge plan and imposing unpredictable risks on the international community, the ministry spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Opposition parties in Assam, including the Congress party, have opposed the proposed delimitation being carried out in the state. On Friday, Leader of Opposition (LoP) and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge while criticising the delimitation exercise said it requires wider acceptance and consensus. Leaders of 11 opposition parties met with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge (Twitter/@kharge)

This issue will be taken up on all appropriate forums. The delimitation exercise in Assam needs wider acceptance and consensus within the political spectrum, Kharge in a tweet remarked.

This comes after 11 opposition parties, including the Assam Congress unit, on Thursday met the Congress president and expressed concerns while continuing to oppose the steps taken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding the draft proposal of delimitation in Assam.

The ECI had on June 20 published the draft proposal for delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies for Assam.

Also Read: Proposed Assam delimitation may affect electoral fortunes of leaders

Reflecting on the meet, Kharge in a tweet said that a memorandum with regards to the collective objection of 11 opposition parties against the delimitation exercise in Assam would be submitted to ECI followed by a show of protest at Jantar Mantar, Delhi on Friday.

Leaders of 11 opposition parties along with AICC General Secretary, Shri @JitendraSAlwar, Congress Partys Deputy Leader (Lok Sabha), Shri @GouravAssam, PCC President, Shri @BhupenKBorah, CLP [Congress Legislative Party] Leader Shri @DsaikiaOfficial and other members of @INCAssam handed over a representation to me regarding our collective objections to the delimitation exercise in the state, LoP Kharge wrote on Twitter while sharing a picture with the party leaders.

A Memorandum in this regard will be given to the Election Commission. Today, these leaders will be sitting on a dharna at Jantar Mantar, he added.

Against the backdrop of the delimitation exercise, Assam, including Silchar and Karimganj districts, has witnessed massive protests.

Last week, Assam Police detained around 553 people during a 12-hour-bandh called by the opposition parties against the delimitation draft proposal of assembly and parliamentary constituencies.

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.

Delimitation is the process of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies based on a recent Census to ensure each seat has an almost equal number of voters. It is ideally carried out every few years after a Census by an independent Delimitation Commission formed under the provisions of the Delimitation Commission Act.

The release of the draft for the delimitation of assembly and parliamentary seats in Assam has led to a war of words between the ruling BJP and the Opposition. Though there is no change in the number of assembly and Lok Sabha seats  126 and 14 respectively  the draft has redrawn areas of almost all constituencies, leading to much heartburn. The last delimitation exercise in Assam took place nearly five decades ago in 1976
The Bihar state governments primary education department has written to Patna district magistrate ahead of the planned stir by teachers body on July 11 and 12 in Patna. The development sets the tone for a fiery monsoon session in the Bihar legislative assembly. (Teachers of Bihar | Twitter)

Director (primary education) Pankaj Kumar has written to Patna DM for needful action with a copy of the prior information about the demonstration given by the teachers body.

The primary teachers association informed about their ghera dalo, dera dalo protest at the residences of all legislators for two days (July 11-12) in support of their demand for their inclusion in the Bihar state school teachers (appointment, transfer, disciplinary action, and service condition) rules, 2023, among other demands.

The July 11,12 stir is being organised over discrimination against teachers.

All the teachers will join the struggle in Patna on July 11-12. We will continue with it in support of our demand. It is against natural justice to discriminate among teachers. After all, the teachers working since 2006 have been appointed by the government only through the then existing policies. Teachers get better with experience and here the better lot is being humiliated, said Bihar secondary teachers association president and former MP Shatrughan Prasad Singh.

Also Read:Bihar teachers recruitment rules amended, allows nationwide candidates to apply

The education department had earlier ordered action against teachers participating in agitation for violation of code of conduct as laid down in the 2020 rules.

If the teachers demonstrate violation of code of conduct and it comes to light, immediate action needs to be taken. If the teachers resort to demonstration before education department offices, its video recording should be done for identification of code violation, said the letter from director, primary education, Pankaj Kumar to all the regional deputy directors (RDDs) and district education officers (DEOs).

The development sets the tone for a fiery monsoon session in the Bihar legislative assembly starting July 10.

Last week, a demonstration by teacher aspirants in Patna against the removal of domicile policy had turned violent, following which chief secretary Amir Subhani had to clarify that the clause was removed as it was legally not tenable.

How education in the state has been ruined is for all to see. It is no longer a secret. The government will have to answer for the mess it has created in the education sector in the House. Teachers and students are suffering while the department is in turmoil and the CM is busy daydreaming for PMs chair and hold on to his CMs chair, said BJP state president Samrat Choudhary, adding education along with law and order were key issues confronting the masses.

Hitting out, JD-U spokesperson Neeraj Kumar, on the other hand, said that the government wouldnt be willing to answer any question in the House, but it is the BJP that will have to do a lot of answering to the chaos it has unleashed for sheer politics to avoid any discourse on pressing problems like unemployment and price rise.

The monsoon session is expected to be brief but there is an indication that it could be stormy with the BJP as well as grand alliance (GA) Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) (CPI-ML) throwing their weight behind the working teachers who have so far got no relief from the Patna high court on their petitions.

On Tuesday, Patna HC refused to stay the ongoing recruitment process for teachers, which is being carried out by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) under the new rules.

The bench has fixed August 22 as the next date of the hearing.

The competitive exams for recruitment of around 1.65 lakh teachers is scheduled in four phases in August and will end on August 27. The last date for submission of applications in July 12.

Nearly 4 lakh working teachers appointed since 2006 through the Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies want the government employee status without any exam rider on the pretext that they have been serving for up to 16 years and cleared several examinations during the period.

The government, on the other hand, has categorically stated that the new rules will only apply to fresh appointments and there would be no change.

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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
SUPAUL: The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) on Thursday arrested two Sudanese women in Bihars Supaul area after they could not produce any valid travel documents for their stay in India. The two women were detained at the Shailshpur Border Outpost when they were trying to enter Nepal. One of the two women was taken to a local medical facility after complaining of uneasiness. She told health workers that she hadnt eaten in two days (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The two women have been identified as 50-year-old Tahane Sadeldin Alhaj Saleh and 43-year-old Savsan Abrel Halim Hamid, said SSB commandant Rupesh Sharma of 45th battalion.

SSB handed over both to Bhimnagar police of Supaul which registered a first information report (FIR) on the basis of a complaint from SSB inspector Saraswati Kumar in connection with their illegal entry.

Later, one of the two women complained of uneasiness and was taken to the Birpur sub-divisional hospital for treatment.

Dr S Rahman at the sub-divisional hospital said the woman told health workers that she hadnt had a meal for two days.
The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) has said that Pradeep Kurulkar, the Pune-based Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist arrested on May 3 on espionage charges, shared sensitive details about Indias missile, drone and robotics programmes with a female Pakistan-based intelligence operative. It was sometime in March this year that DRDO informed the Maharashtra ATS about its suspicions about Pradeep Kurulkars activities and he was subsequently arrested. (HT PHOTO)

In its charge sheet, submitted to a special court on June 30, ATS claimed to have unearthed explosive chats between the scientist and the Pakistani operative. Kurulkar, 60, was director, research and development, at DRDO when he shared this information with the woman in order to establish intimate relations with her, said the charge sheet accessed by HT.

It went on to say that the alleged Pakistani agent created multiple fake accounts under different names to engage with Kurulkar. Two of these names were Zara Dasgupta and Juhi Arora. The same operative also set up accounts under these names on messaging apps using two different phone numbers. Both numbers started with the +44 London code. In his messages with the alleged Zara Dasgupta, Kurulkar spoke freely about the Meteor missile which is in the works at DRDO, about the Brahmos missiles, Rafael, Akash and Astra missile systems, and also the Agni-6 missile launcher in the development of which he was involved.

Possibly in his efforts to impress his female interlocutor, Kurulkar also discussed DRDOs ongoing work on the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, the Bharat Quadcopter, and Rustom, the medium altitude long-endurance unmanned combat air vehicle that DRDO is developing. According to the chats attached in the charge sheet, Kurulkar and the Pakistani operative would preface these serious conversations on defence issues with a playful Babe.

While the charge sheet mentioned the information that the so-called Zara Dasgupta sought from him, his responses to her detailing defence details were submitted to the special court in a sealed envelope.

The charge sheet also contended that Kurulkar, who is married to a doctor, liked to brag about his work. In one of the chats attached in the 1,837-page charge sheet, the female Pakistani operative asked him whether the Agni-6 launcher test has been successful, to which he responded saying: The launcher is my design babe It was a great success. These chats between Kurulkar and the alleged Pakistani operative date between September 2022 and February 2023. It was sometime in March this year that DRDO informed the Maharashtra ATS about its suspicions about Kurulkars activities and he was subsequently arrested.

The chats appended in the charge sheet also indicated the persistence with which the female Pakistani operative engaged Kurulkar. At a point in one of their conversations, she asked him: Any new parameters or any change happens I heard that Agni-6 is also work in progress, uska test kab karna hai (when is the test happening). To which, he allegedly responded: Karenge, thoda dheeraj rakho (Will do it, have some patience).

The Pakistani agent, according to charge sheet, shared three email ids with Kurulkar-- 26sweetpanda@gmail.com, dreamgirl56@gmail.com, and common158@gmail.com. To win his trust, she also shared the passwords for these email ids and then insisted that he download two apps on his mobile which he did.

By using the app, there might be a chance a of malware been inserted in the mobile phone of the accused, said the charge sheet. In fact, in the forensic analysis of Kurulars phone, DRDO experts found a malware and reported this to ATS.

ATS also contended that, over a period of time, such was the familiarity that developed between Kurulkar and the Pakistani operative that he would often share the minutiae of his everyday life with her. According to the charge sheet, in one such chat, he told her how a leopard had strayed into the DRDO complex in August last year. He also went to the extent of sharing the name and other details of the CEO of a private vendor working for the Indian Army and who is involved in the manufacture of robotic equipment for the military.

Despite knowing that an enemy nation can seek more information and specific information related to the CEOs working place and the nature of work and the equipment he manufactured for the Armed forces, Kurulkar shared the formation with the operative, the charge sheet said.

The charge sheet mentioned that the recovery mobile number linked to the email id provided by the operative was traced to Pakistan-based Nayatel, in Islamabad while the IP address for the email id was belonged to Pakistan Telecommunication Limited.

Kurulkar, who is present lodged in Punes Yerawada jail, was arrested by ATS on May 3 on charges of espionage and wrongful communication with operative from neighbouring country. ATS has so far examined 203 witnesses as part of its investigation.

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Pune: A fire broke out at a salon in Kalyaninagar on Friday morning. No casualty has been reported, said fire brigade department officials. Fire brigade officials said that they received the alert at around 7:26 am and rushed to the spot with two water tankers, one fire brigade vehicle and 10 firemen. (SHANKAR NARAYAN/ HT PHOTO)

According to the officials, a security guard of the building alerted the authorities after noticing smoke coming from the outlet of a well-known salon company.

Fire brigade officials said that they received the alert at around 7:26 am and rushed to the spot with two water tankers, one fire brigade vehicle and 10 firemen.

Subhash Jadhav, a fireman, said, Prima facie it seems a short circuit as the possible reason for the fire. We had to break the glass window to enter the salon and doused the blaze in 30-45 minutes. While furniture and other materials inside the beauty parlour were gutted, we recovered cash worth 14,700 and handed it over to the owner.
PUNE The India Academic Freedom Network, an umbrella organisation of university teachers and students, has backed Prof Tejaswi Desai and at least 88 academicians have written to the college authorities that she should be allowed to work in the college and her safety be guaranteed. Desai, associate professor, physics department of Kolhapurs College of Engineering, however, has returned to academics after forcible leave and is working from home, said officials. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Prof Desai was forced to go on leave after her video went viral on social media for her alleged anti-Hindu remarks delivered during a class conversation on June 7.

Desai, associate professor, physics department of Kolhapurs College of Engineering, however, has returned to academics after forcible leave and is working from home, said officials.

When contacted, Desai refused to comment on the issue.

Prof Desai during a discussion in her class on religious discrimination, countered students who made comments about a particular community and said, Rapists can be from any community...

The discussion was recorded and later went viral on social media wherein she was portrayed for her alleged anti-Hindu comments. She later claimed that the clip was edited and refused to apologise and was sent on leave after protests by right-wing organisations.

The letter written by academicians stated, What she said was recorded, then doctored and circulated on social media, leading to her being forced by college authorities to go on leave and there is even a police investigation against her.

The signatories comprise Naveen Gaur, Satish Deshpande, Apoorvanand, Rushdia Mehreen, YS Alone, Sabina Kazmi, Lalita Ramdas, Ranjani Majumdar and Brinelle DSouza, all members of India Academic Freedom Network.

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PUNE: In response to a rising number of student complaints about difficulty in getting admission to post-graduate courses due to the results of most degree courses not having been declared by the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) and several other non-agricultural universities in Maharashtra, Pune guardian minister and minister of higher and technical education, Chandrakant Patil, held an urgent meeting with senior officials of all state universities wherein he instructed them to declare the results of all degree courses on priority basis. Chandrakant Patil holds urgent meeting with officials of state universities instructing them to declare results of degree courses on priority basis following complaints by students. (HT)

The meeting regarding the examination results of all non-agricultural universities in the state, chaired by Patil, was held in Mumbai. During the meeting, Patil instructed senior officials of all non-agricultural universities in Maharashtra to declare the results of degree courses within the prescribed timeframe. Principal secretary of the higher and technical education department, Vikas Chandra Rastogi; director of higher education, Shailendra Devlankar; deputy secretary of the higher education department, Ajit Baviskar; state common entrance examination hall commissioner, Mahendra Varbhuvan; officials of all non-agricultural universities in the state; and related officials were present at the meeting.

A few days ago, Maharashtra governor and chancellor of universities, Ramesh Bais, had reprimanded the universities for not declaring the results on time. However, the situation has not changed much ever since. The results of most of the state universities are on hold and the students are not getting their re-evaluation results either.

Admissions to MBA and other post-graduate courses have started after the results of the common entrance test (CET). Students may face difficulties in admissions if the results are not made available early. They may also suffer educational losses. Student complaints have started increasing which is why Patil has strongly warned the officials about declaring the results on priority basis during the meeting.

Manish Jain, a student, said, I have appeared for the LLB last year examinations and want to take admission to a post-graduate course now. But as the results have not yet been declared by the SPPU, I cannot take admission.

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PUNE: According to police information, all accused are history sheeters, and 26 cases are registered against them in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune City, Pune rural, and Ahmednagar. (REPRESENTATIVE PIC)

Pimpri-Chinchwad police have taken a strict measure by invoking the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against five individuals who were arrested for allegedly planning a revenge killing in response to the murder of social activist Kishor Aware from Talegaon Dabhade.

The accused have been identified as Pramod Sandbhor 33, Amit Pardeshi 31, and Anil Pawar 39, all from Talegaon Dabhade, Sharad Salvi 30, from Kalewadi and Mangesh More 30, from Wadgaon Maval.

Police informed that on June 25, Anti-Robbery Squad arrested Sandbhor and Salvi from Talegaon Dabhade and seized 5 country-made pistols and 14 live rounds from the duo. During the further probe, names of the other accused surfaced, and police arrested them and seized 7 pistols, 21 live rounds, koyta, and a sword from their possession.

According to police information, all accused are history sheeters, and 26 cases are registered against them in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune City, Pune rural, and Ahmednagar.

The accused were close aids of Aware and had planned to avenge his murder. The accused have been charged under sections 3 (1)(ii) and 3(4) of the MCOCA Act.

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On Friday Ektaa Kapoor unveiled the first poster of her next production Love, Sex aur Dhokha 2. Taking to Instagram, Ektaa shared the poster and hinted that the film will revolve around addiction to social media and other related issues. Also read: Love Sex aur Dhokha director unplugged! Love, Sex aur Dhokha 2 to release February 16, 2024.

Ekta Kapoor shares Love, Sex aur Dhokha 2 poster

She captioned it, Who needs roses and chocolates when you can have likes and reposts? From Love in the times of Camera to Love in the times of the Internet. On the Valentine's 2024 weekend choose your poison: LOVE, SEX AUR DHOKHA! #LSD2 in cinemas from 16th Feb 2024. LSD 2 is helmed by Dibakar Banerjee and is all set to hit the theatres on February 16, 2024.

LSD 2

With a thought-provoking poster, the team confronts the audience with the stark reality of our digitally obsessed society, capturing a couple engaged in both intimate connection and technological detachment simultaneously. Soon after the makers unveiled the poster, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons. "Can't wait," a fan wrote. Another fan wrote, "Loved the poster."

The film will be facing a big Bollywood clash with Akshay Kumar's untitled film which is the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Soorarai Pottru.

Ekta and Dibakar announced the sequel of the film earlier in the year 2021 but the film got delayed and the makers are all set to begin the filming of the sequel soon.

Love Sex Aur Dhokha

Love Sex Aur Dhokha which was released in the year 2010, was directed by Dibakar Banerjee. It starred actors Rajkummar Rao, Neha Chauhan, Anshuman Jha, and Nushrratt Bharuccha among others.

Earlier, Ekta Kapoor and Dibakar Banerjee, arrived at the Bigg Boss 16 house to cast for the sequel of their film and reportedly, the contestant Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia has been roped in as the leading lady of the sequel.
The visuals of riots and protests emerging from Paris left actor Geeta Basra worried, making her rethink her plans to go to the city with her family. Looking back, the actor says shes happy she didnt cancel her plan as it was not as terrifying and unsettling as it is being portrayed. Geeta Basra went to Europe for a vacation with her husband Harbhajan Singh

Basra went to Europe for a vacation with her husband Harbhajan Singh and two kids, with Paris being the last stop for their vacation. Last week, the city suburbs were gripped by violence as riots broke out after a cop shot a teen during a traffic stop.

The visuals obviously create a worrying image in mind. I stayed in Paris for about five days and didnt see a single riot or an unsettling scene. Its been very peaceful. There are police officers around the city, but there is nothing that is worrying or terrifying. We were safe, says Basra, who is back to her home in London now.

Recalling the moment when she heard about the riots, the 39-year-old shares, We were in Monte Carlo, and I got a couple of calls from my family telling us about the scene in the city, asking us to be careful. That made me call up some friends in Paris, who assured me that the situation is not as bad as it is being shown. They told me things are fine, as long as we dont go out much at night. But, even at night, there was nothing alarming. Things are in control. I am thankful that we have had a fabulous five days, where we walked around the streets of Paris, and went to see the Eiffel Tower, too.

To those planning a trip to the city, Basra urges that they dont trust the visuals, as whats being broadcasted on channels spreads fear. Instead, she suggests, Ask people living in Paris about the situation. Dont go by just what youre hearing or seeing. People should first do their research, which is what I did. My friends assured me that nothing is there to worry which is why I stuck to my plans. But if I was told anything more, we would have definitely given our visit a second thought, she ends.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sugandha Rawal Delhi-based Sugandha Rawal is a movie buff, and writes on Bollywood, Hollywood, Television, OTT and Music for the daily entertainment and lifestyle supplement, HT City. ...view detail
Madhoo of Roja fame is back with a web series, Sweet Kaaram Coffee, and has now opened up about the reason behind her exit from the film industry after delivering several superhit films in the 90s. She has also opened up about disliking shooting and why she decided to quit. Also read: Madhoo on sexism in films, why she decided to quit: 'All the heroines at that time were typecast' Madhoo is now seen in Sweet Kaaram Koffee.

Madhoo was recently seen as Menaka in Samantha Ruth Prabhu-starrer Shaakuntalam.Her Tamil web show Sweet Kaaram Coffee was released on Thursday.

Madhoo said she played good roles in films like Roja (Tamil), Annayya (Kannada) and Yodha (Malayalam) before moving to Mumbai where she mostly worked in Hindi films. She opened up about her film career in a group conversation alongside few other actors like Aishwarya Rajesh, Malavika Mohanan on Maitri: Female First Collective by Amazon Prime.

Madhoo on moving to Mumbai

Talking about shifting to Mumbai, Madhoo said according to Indianexpress.com, "I was part of films in which action heroes were leading you know nineties I have no complaints. I danced in a lot of movies. I love to dance. But after doing something like Roja and going back to that I was totally unhappy about that. When my shooting dates used to come, I was really unhappy. Thats when I decided to quit. Then I wrote a letter to everyone saying I am quitting. The intention was that you all dont deserve me. It was childhood arrogance though. Later, I realised I am an artiste, and I have to do this. Thats why I came back.

Madhoo won't play Ajay Devgn's mom on screen

Madhoo also said she doesn't have a problem with ageing but not getting appropriate roles is what concerns her. She said, "It is difficult to get a role because I dont want to do Ajay Devgns mother role, which is very probable. We were launched together we are the same age. But things are changing because Tabu and Devgn did a film in which both were of the same age. Thats why I am extremely grateful for the change the industry has gone through.

She had made her Bollywood debut with Phool Aur Kaante opposite Ajay Devgn in 1991. Madhoo now has two Malayalam films in pipeline. She has worked in all languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

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Shah Rukh Khan fans defended the Bollywood actor after Mahnoor Baloch said he was not a good actor. She also said he was not handsome in the conventional sense as she explained what truly makes a person attractive. The Pakistani actor also spoke about Shah Rukh's aura and said it made him look good, even when he doesn't meet society's beauty standards. Also read: Pakistani actor calls Shah Rukh 'universal superstar' Mahnoor Baloch spoke about Shah Rukh Khan in a recent interview.

Mahnoor Baloch spoke about how physical appearance alone does not determine a person's overall aura and personality. According to her, Shah Rukh is a great businessman and knows 'how to market himself'. She added 'he doesnt know acting'.

Mahnoor Baloch on Shah Rukh Khan's personality

"Shahrukh Khan has a very good personality, but if you see him according to the beauty parameters and what is considered handsome, he doesnt come under that. It is just that his personality and aura is so strong that he looks good. He has that thing (aura), but there are many beautiful people, who don't have any aura, so people do not even notice them," she said on Pakistani talk show Had Kardi.

Mahnoor says Shah Rukh doesnt know acting

The Pakistani actor further said about Shah Rukh, "It is my opinion about Shah Rukh Khan that he doesnt know acting. He is a great businessman, he knows how to market himself. Maybe, his fans and people would disagree with me, and thats okay. He has a good personality, he markets himself well. There are so many good actors, who are not as successful."

Reactions to Mahnoor's remarks

Many took to the comments section of the interview that was shared by Samaa TV's official YouTube channel. One wrote, "What rubbish is she saying... SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) is a quality actor and a legend." One person also said, "Mahnoor is definitely wrong. He (Shah Rukh Khan) is the king of expressions."

Another one commented, "What rubbish?" One more wrote, "You and your opinion doesn't even matter." A fan also commented, I think she is trying to gain popularity by mentioning Shah Rukh. He is better and way more successful than you. He would never give this kind of remarks for anyone, so he is also a better person than you.

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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
Vicky Kaushal was nervous about his latest film heading for a big screen release after three years since the pandemic changed the matrix of box-office business. However, he was in for a treat when Zara Hatke Zara Bachke received positive reviews. The film being declared a hit is very special for many reasons. It was my first theatrical release post Covid-19 crisis. I was really curious to see the reaction, was nervous and excited as well thinking whats going to happen. To see people go to theatres to watch a film has turned out to be the biggest joy, says an excited Vicky. Vicky Kaushal was last seen in film, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke

The 35-year-old says the success of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke has shunned the notion that the audience is discriminating between films based on budget or star power and that only big-scale projects are working in theatres.

All these conversations were making us nervous wondering if people would turn up in theatres for our film, which is not a visual spectacle or high on action or mounted on a big scale, says Vicky, adding, But, the audience could relate to the subject around middle class values and struggles. Clearly, audiences are no longer discriminating between budget or scale or stars or cast. We felt so happy to get that validation by the people who watched it.

When it comes to the box-office collections so far for this year, barring Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Pathaan, no other film has managed to draw a huge footfall to theatres. However, Vicky asserts that hes not really fixated about the numbers his film minted, but the notion it laid out.

Peoples love is our biggest motivation and encouragement to keep bringing stories which we feel instinctively. I was having my reservations about the film, but looking at the packed houses and people resonating with the subject, goes beyond numbers. It means the world to me, he says adding, For any film or an actor, its not always about contributing to the revival of big screen business. Its about showing that people will resonate with the content you make. People just want to come to the theatres and connect to the story and characters with honesty. Thats what has been proved.

Vicky adds that this acceptance and validation from audiences has put him in a super positive mindset and made him hungry to give in my more than 100% in whatever work he will do next.

That being said, the actor confesses that he tries to stay detached from the fate of the project as much as he can. It helps me keep my head steady, and feet grounded. The night that I dont get sleep is when I feel that I could have done better or the day was not good in terms of my performance. When a film works, it gives me happiness, if it doesnt, it does affect you, but its important to keep yourself slightly detached. When a film comes out, its important to believe that the film is no more yours and that it belongs to the audience, he concludes.

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Warner Bros' has responded after its highly-anticipated movie Barbie sparked controversy and was banned in Vietnam over a specific scene showing a disputed map. As per a new report, after facing backlash, a spokesperson for the Warner Bros Film Group said that the scene didn't 'intend to make any type of statement'. Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling in the lead roles. (Also Read | Barbie Movie faces potential ban in another country amidst controversial scene) Margot Robbie in a scene from Barbie.

How the row over a scene in Barbie started

The film has a scene, as per Variety, that depicts a map with the "nine dash line". It is a representation of China's territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam said that it violates its sovereignty. The particular map scene led to the film's ban in Vietnam. The film was set to hit theatres in Vietnam on July 21, aligning with its big-screen release in most countries around the world.

What has Warner Bros said

Speaking with Variety, the Warner Bros spokesperson said, "The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing. The doodles depict Barbie's make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the 'real world.' It was not intended to make any type of statement." The childlike map, with scribbles and a hashtag, drew the attention of Vietnam earlier this week. The said scene has a board with the world map roughly drawn on it. Next to Asia, there are only eight lines and not in shape at par with official global maps.

Why Vietnam chose to ban Barbie

News agency ANI quoted Vietnam state-run Tuoi Tre newspaper citing the head Department of Cinema Vi Kien Thanh as saying, "We do not grant license for the American movie Barbie to release in Vietnam because it contains the offending image of the nine-dash line." Vi Kien Thanh said the decision was decided by Vietnam's National Film Evaluation Council.

Row has erupted earlier too

This is not the first time the inclusion of the nine-dash line has stirred controversy in the cinematic scene. In the past, the MTRCB blocked the release of the film Uncharted in the Philippines due to similar concerns. In 2019, DreamWorks' Abominable was banned for the same reason.

TV series Put Your Head On My Shoulder and Madam Secretary was told to delete certain scenes containing the map in 2020. Netflix had to remove the Australian spy drama Pine Gap from streaming in Vietnam in 2021, as per New York Post.

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Tom Cruise has once again pushed the boundaries of daring stunts in the upcoming seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Dead Reckoning Part One. British-American actress Hayley Atwell poses for a photo during a red carpet event for the film 'Mission Impossible  Dead Reckoning Part One' in Seoul on June 29, 2023. (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE / AFP)(AFP)

With the film set to hit cinemas next week, audiences are in for a jaw-dropping experience as Cruise takes on his most audacious stunt to dateriding a motorbike off a cliff.

Joining Cruise in the movie is a talented ensemble cast, including Hayley Atwell, who plays the enigmatic pickpocket, Grace.

Despite being aware of Cruise's reputation for performing incredible stunts, Atwell still found herself surprised by his demeanor during their time working together.

In an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com, Atwell shared her significant astonishment, saying, "The thing that surprised me more than anything else is how easy he wears it all. I remember we went over for dinner at his [place] and he comes out and he's like, 'Hey, guys, how you doing?' Sits down, we're chatting about the film, chatting about our day, what we've been up to."

Atwell continued, recounting a conversation where Cruise casually mentioned his day, saying, "'Yeah, it was good, it was really nice actually, I had a lovely time. I did like 29 skydives I think today.'"

Hayley Atwell and Tom Cruise pose for photo during the red carpet event for the movie "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, June 29, 2023. The film is to be released in the country on July 12. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)(AP)

She marveled at how effortlessly he spoke about such incredible feats and how relaxed and comfortable he appeared.

The 41-year-old attributed Cruise's ease to his disciplined approach to accomplishing these stunts while maintaining a fearless and relaxed mindset.

"And the ease with which he said that! And also I'm sat there going, you look like a man that's had a lovely day at the beach, you are so relaxed and comfortable in your own skin. And you've just done that! And I think it's because he's so disciplined in what he knows that he has to do in order to accomplish these stunts.

While Atwell's character may not be skydiving in the film, she underwent an intensive five-month training process to prepare for her role. The training began during the screen test with stunt coordinator Wade Eastwood, where they assessed her physical abilities and determined her style if she were to join the franchise.

By the time she stepped onto the set, Atwell had undergone rigorous training in drifting, sleight-of-hand tricks, unarmed combat, fight choreography, and working with knives and guns to develop her character's unique physical behavior and gestures.

ALSO READ| Mission: Impossible 7 stuns fans with jaw-dropping motorcycle cliff jump by Tom Cruise

"And so by the time I went onto set, I had five months of drifting, sleight-of-hand tricks, unarmed combat, fight choreography, working with knives, working with guns to see what my style would be.

With the Mission: Impossible franchise being well-established and the team having worked together for several films, Atwell appreciated the seamless coordination and efficiency of the production.

"It's such a well-oiled machine, it knows exactly what it is!" she exclaimed.
Sreejita De of Bigg Boss 16 fame recently married boyfriend Michael Blohm-Pape in Germany. The couple had a fairytale-like church wedding on July 1. They reached Mumbai on Friday and were spotted at the Mumbai airport. Both of them happily posed for the photographers. Also read: Sreejita De marries Michael Blohm-Pape in white ceremony in German chapel. See pics Sreejita De with husband Michael at Mumbai airport on Friday. (varinder chawla)

A paparazzo shared a video of Sreejita and Michael from the airport on Instagram. While Sreejita was in a beige overcoat and white shoes and also wore sunglasses, Michael was in a casual black shirt and track pants.

Many of her fans congratulated them in the comments section and dropped heart and heart eyes emojis. A fan wrote, Wishing them both a very happy married life. Congratulations (clapping emoji) nice jodi, wrote another. A fan also wrote, God bless them with happy togetherness for years ahead.

Sreejita's wedding pics

Sharing their wedding pictures last weekend, Sreejita wrote, "Today we celebrate the beginning of forever, hand in hand." The pictures showed Sreejita as a bride in a beautiful white gown complete with a veil and Michael in a black suit. They were seen standing at the alter and sealing their union with a kiss. She captioned the post, Today we celebrate the beginning of forever, hand in hand. #sreejitade #married #wedding #weddingphotos #couple #brideandgroom #weddingphotography.

Many of her fans and industry friends congratulated the couple on their new beginning. Most of her Bigg Boss 16 co-contestants also wished them in the comments section. Shiv Thakare wrote, Congratulations Devoleena Bhattacharjee said, Congratulations to the newly weds. Rashami Desai aso wrote, Heartiest congratulations shree you deserve all the happiness in life and god bless you always fighter. Archana Gautam, Jigyasa Singh, Monalisa and Shaleen Malhotra also congratulated them.

Sreejita on her Bigg Boss 16 friends

Earlier, Sreejita had expressed her disappointment over many of her friends missing out on her wedding ceremony. She said, "I am so excited about my wedding but at the same time one thing is bothering me, my very close friends Shiv Thakare and Abdu Rozik will not be able to attend my wedding. Devoleena Bhattacharjee is busy travelling so she won't be able to make it. Rashami Desai might come as she is shooting in London, Priyanka Chahar Choudhary also has some prior work-related commitments."

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Finland's economy minister Vilhelm Junnila resigned on June 30 over a string of controversial remarks, including one from 2019 when he called on his country to support abortions in Africa as a means to combat the climate crisis. PREMIUM Africa, a continent of 30,365,000 square km land area and 1.4 billion people  around 17% of the global population  is responsible for just 3.8% of the worlds total greenhouse-gas emissions.(REUTERS)

The resignation followed a furore after a junior member of the government highlighted the 2019 remarks on June 29. Junnila, in a parliamentary question in 2019, wrote: "It would be justified for Finland to shoulder its responsibility by promoting climate abortion" in what he said was a "great leap forward for humanity. In official parliamentary records, his question reads: "In the underdeveloped societies of Africa, the number of children can be huge, and the problem escalates even worse as climate change drives them, due to famine, disease and extreme weather, to seek a better life in areas with an even larger carbon footprint.

Vilhelm Junnila, a member of the far-right Finns Party, announced his resignation on June 30(AFP)

The comments, while obviously racist, also merit one other discourse.

With the climate crisis, a large part of the conversation, as it should be, is about who is to blame. But the crucial question it overlooks is: Whose fault it isn't. Africa, a continent of 30,365,000 square km land area and 1.4 billion people  around 17% of the global population  is responsible for just 3.8% of the worlds total greenhouse-gas emissions.

Steam billows from the chimneys at the coal-fired Lethabo power station in Vereeniging, South Africa. The continent is responsible for just 3.8% of the worlds total greenhouse-gas emissions.(AP)

In contrast, China (18.47% of the global population) is responsible for 27.8%, the US (4.25% of the global population) 19%, and the European Union (9.78% of the global population), which Finland is part of, is responsible for 12.7% of the GHG emissions.

The country of 5.5 million people is responsible for 1.5% of the EUs total GHG emissions in 2019, according to the European Parliament. Yet, it is Africas people that are on the frontlines of climate impact due to socioeconomic differences. "Africa's climate has warmed more than the global average since pre-industrial times (1850-1900). In parallel, the sea-level rise along African coastlines has also been faster than the global mean, contributing to increases in the frequency and severity of coastal flooding, erosion, and salinity in low-lying areas, Prof Petteri Taalas, secretary-general, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), said in the foreword of the State of the Climate in Africa 2021 report published on September 8 last year. According to the report, all six sub-regions of Africa recorded an increase in the temperature trend, with an average decadal increase of +0.3 degrees C between 1991 and 2021. The rate of sea-level rise, particularly along the Red Sea and south-west Indian Ocean, was 4mm/year, higher than the global mean rate. By 2030, 108-116 million people in Africa are expected to be exposed to sea-level rise risk, the report said. The total surface area of Lake Chad, which is located close to the Sahara Desert and borders Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger, shrank from 25,000 sq km in the 1960s to 1,350 sq km in the 2000s. But, in a silver lining for the 30 million people dependent on the lake, the area has remained stable since then. In 2021, below-normal rainfall conditions prevailed over much of North Africa which recorded a deficit of nearly 160mm (the lowest 10% of totals during the 19512010 climatology period), according to the WMO report. Across the continent, water shortages are expected to displace nearly 700 million people. The Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years, with four consecutive rainy seasons failing, which studies have shown would not have happened without human actions bringing about global warming. Other parts of the continent, like South Sudan, experienced three straight years of extreme floods till 2021.

The rise in temperature has contributed to a 34% reduction in agricultural productivity since 1961  highlighting the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition(AFP)

Geographical and meteorological impacts aside, the rise in temperature has contributed to a 34% reduction in agricultural productivity since 1961  highlighting the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition, the WMO report stated.

If global warming is restricted to the 1.5C threshold, West Africas Maize yield is still projected to decline by 9% and wheat output by 20-60% decline in Southern and North Africa. The report also highlighted additional water pressure on already scarce water resources, a thing that appeared to gain media attention when the Covid-19 pandemic first struck reminding the world of how the basic necessity of clean water for washing hands is a luxury for most of the Global South. In Africa, around 418 million people still lack drinking water, and 779 million people lack basic sanitation services, as per a 2022 UNICEF report. So, not only is Africas contribution to the climate reality we face today negligible, its people, like most of the Global South, are hit the hardest. And, thanks to the tainted legacy of colonisation, they lack the resources to pay for adaptation and mitigation. Ahead of COP27 in Egypt last year  the summit was monikered the African COP"  French President Emmanuel Macron; Senegal president and former chair of the African Union Macky Sall and the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte wrote in a piece for the Guardian: For Africa, climate change is an irreversible reality. Its too late to turn back the clock. But we have a very narrow window to put coping mechanisms in place. But these coping mechanisms are costly: Adaptation, which includes money for practices to deal with consequences of the climate crisis, is projected to require $50bn per year by 2050, and clean energy transition, roughly $190bn per year over the next seven years. Heading to COP28 in Dubai this year, as discussions on loss and damage funds take centerstage, activists are calling out developed nations for their empty promises.

Women during a protest by Extinction Rebellion in Cape Town, South Africa.(Reuters )

Development isnt millions of people dying from breathing toxic air. Development isnt millions of people being pushed to the brink of starvation after years of drought, Vanessa Nakate, a Ugandan activist, said at the New Global Financing Pact Summit in Paris on June 30, as she called on countries to curtail investments in fossil fuels.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a fierce attack against the Congress, calling corruption the partys primary ideology and terming the Chhattisgarh government a model of misrule. He made the statements during an event in Raipur after laying foundation stones of eight projects worth around 7,600 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Raipur on Friday. (PTI Photo)

If the Congress is a guarantee for corruption, Modi is a guarantee for acting against it, he said during a rally at Science College ground in the state capital.

This was Modis first visit to the Congress-ruled state after taking charge as PM for a second term in 2019; Chhattisgarh is headed for assembly elections later this year.

The next 25 years will be crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh but a big panja (referring to the Congress party symbol) is standing like a tall wall against it. Congress panja has resolved to snatch your rights and it will loot and destroy the state, Modi said, adding that the ruling party in the state has failed to fulfill their promises after the 2018 polls.

The Congress has made the state its ATM, with every department engaged in corruption, the PM alleged.

Congress promised liquor ban in the state but in reality, they have done scams worth thousands of crores. The scam money went into the account of the party. Now, people say the party could not implement the 2.5-year power-sharing formula (hinting at the seat-sharing pact on the chief ministerial post between Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singh Deo) due to the tussle over this money, he said.

Every department here is engaged in corruption... There are coal mafia, land mafia, sand mafia and other mafias that flourish here There are allegations against the chief of the state and other ministers...This government has become a model of misrule, Modi said.

Taking a dig at the oppositions efforts to stitch an anti-BJP front, the PM said, Those who are stained with corruption are trying to come together today. Those who once cursed each other are now trying to find excuses to come against me.

He further highlighted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central governments efforts to tackle Maoism in the state. Earlier, there were about 126 Maoist-affected districts, now there are only 70.

The Congress government in Chhattisgarh is also creating hurdles in the way of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and millions of people are yet to avail the benefits of the central scheme because of that, he said.

Houses will be built for people as soon as the BJP forms the government in the state, he assured, adding that the Congress has always used tribals as vote bank.

Reacting to the prime ministers speech, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the PM is lying and misled by state BJP leaders.

Modi ji, winds of lies started blowing as soon as you came... State BJP leaders were continuously misleading farmers that paddy is procured with the money from the Centre. You are the prime minister, you know the truth, but you also lied. This is the biggest lie in the name of farmers that the Centre takes care of 80% of the states paddy procurement, Baghel tweeted in Hindi.

If the role of your government is this much in paddy purchase from the states, then why are the farmers in your Lok Sabha constituency forced to sell paddy at 1,000-1200 per quintal? The BJP leaders of Chhattisgarh gave you wrong information and you went away after reading the speech. Everyone in Chhattisgarh knows that we had taken an oath by Gangajal for loan waivers of farmers within 10 days, but it was waived off within just two hours, Baghel added.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ritesh Mishra State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh. Reports Maoism, Politics, Mining and important developments from the state. Covered all sorts of extremism in Central India. Reported from Madhya Pradesh for eight years. ...view detail
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of lying about the net worth of arrested party leader Manish Sisodia's assets that have been attached by the Enforcement Directorate in excise policy case. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal trained guns at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the top BJP leader has started defaming Sisodia by misusing the probe agency. Delhi chief minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal.(CMO Delhi Twitter)

Your ED has been running false news on TV channels since evening that Manish Sisodia's property worth 52 crore has been confiscatedTotal property worth 80 lakh has been confiscated, which is from before 2018 when the excise policy was not even formulated, Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi.

People never thought that a day would come when a great country like India would get such a Prime Minister who would try to eliminate his political rivals by lying openly like this. You also know who the real corrupt are. If you have the courage, show it by catching them, he added.

Citing ED documents, Delhi minister Atishi asserted that Sisodia has assets worth only 81 lakh, including 11 lakh in a bank account, a two flats, worth 5 lakh and 65 lakh each.

BJP has come up with a new bundle of lies to defame Manish Sisodia. According to ED's own documents, Manish Sisodia has assets worth only 81 lakh, including 11 lakh in a bank account, a flat of 5 lakh and a flat of 65 lakh, Atishi said.

ED attached  52 cr assets of 5 accused in excise case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday attached assets worth 52.24 crore of five accused in the Delhi excise case, including assets worth 81 lakh belonging to Sisodia. The ED move covers one flat each belonging to Manish Sisodia, and his wife Seema Sisodia, along with a bank account of 11.49 lakh.

Delhi excise policy case

Sisodia, 51, was arrested by the agency in the excise policy case in March and is currently in judicial custody. The ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged that the excise policy 2021-22 that granted licenses for liquor trading enabled cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who allegedly paid bribes for the process. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has strongly refuted the charges of wrongdoing in the formulation of the Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

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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
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has received an invite from Congress to attend the second meeting of like-minded opposition parties scheduled in Bengaluru, party leader Raghav Chadha said on Friday. The Rajya Sabha member, however, said that any further discussion on opposition unity ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha election will happen only when Congress formally clears its stand on the Delhi ordinance issue. Delhi chief minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.(HT Photo)

The Centre's ordinance to wrest control from the Delhi government on transfers and postings of officers working in departments has become a sticking point between AAP and Congress in efforts to jointly take on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and forge a common agenda.

In the first crucial meeting of opposition parties in Patna, AAP struck a discordant note saying it will be difficult for the party to attend future meetings if the Congress didnt make its stance clear on a controversial ordinance.

Congress party has sent an invitation to AAP (for opposition meet in Bengaluru), however, during the Patna opposition meet, in front of all like-minded parties, the Congress party had said that they will clear their stand on the Delhi ordinance, 15 days prior to commencement of the Parliament monsoon session, Chadha told ANI.

We're hoping they will do that soon and all further conversation will only happen after their formal announcement, he added.

AAP spokesperson Sandeep Pathak stressed the importance of opposition unity to take on the Narendra Modi-led BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and expressed hope that the Bengaluru meeting will be fruitful.

"This time the country needs all opposition parties to unite to stop the Modi government (from coming to power again in 2024)," he told PTI.

The Supreme Court, meanwhile, has agreed to hear on Monday the petition filed by the Delhi government challenging the validity of the recent Ordinance promulgated by the Centre.

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Following the successful public rally of Rahul Gandhi in Khammam on July 2, the Telangana Congress leaders are preparing for another show of strength when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addresses a rally in Kollapur, Nagarkurnool district in the third week of July, leaders privy to the developments said. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will address a rally in Kollapur in Nagarkurnool district of Telangana in third week of July (ANI)

We have proposed to the high command to organise the rally on July 20. The exact date will be finalised after the return of Pradesh Congress Committee president A Revanth Reddy from his week-long trip to the United States on July 15, a PCC leader said.

The public rally at Kollapur is being organised to welcome former minister Jupally Krishna Rao into the Congress. Rao represented the constituency five times, four times on a Congress ticket and once on Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) ticket in 2014.

Rao served as the panchayat raj and rural development minister in the K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) cabinet between 2014 and 2018.

In the last assembly elections, he was defeated in the assembly elections by Beeram Harshavardhan Reddy, who won on the Congress ticket but defected to the BRS later.

With Reddy consolidating his position in the BRS, Rao has decided to return to Congress. I am going to join the Congress in the presence of Priyanka Gandhi, along with hundreds of my followers. Tentatively, the rally will be held on July 20, the former minister said.

Along with Krishna Rao, senior BRC MLC K Damodar Reddy from Nagarkurnool and other BRS leaders from the district are also expected to join the Congress.

This is Priyankas second visit to Hyderabad in the recent past. On May 8, she attended a public meeting at Saroornagar in Hyderabad, where she unveiled the partys Youth Declaration.

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NEW DELHI: National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Muslim World League secretary-general Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, considered a leading voice on moderate Islam, will jointly address a gathering of religious leaders and academics in New Delhi next week. Muslim World League secretary-general Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa will hold talks with NSA Ajit Doval a day before both of them address the gathering at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on July 11. (Photo:themwl.org)

Al-Issas five-day visit to India from July 10 is being seen as part of the Indian governments continuing outreach to key religious figures from across the Islamic world. Al-Issa will hold talks with Doval a day before both of them address the gathering at the India Islamic Cultural Centre on July 11.

The Grand Mufti of Egypt, Shawki Ibrahim Abdel-Karim Allam, met senior officials, clerics and academics during a visit in May, while Doval and his Indonesian counterpart Mohammed Mahfud Mahmodin addressed a special meeting of ulema or Muslim scholars in New Delhi last November.

The July 11 event, which is being organised by Khusro Foundation and the India Islamic Cultural Centre, is expected to be attended by religious and community leaders, academics from institutions such as Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University and diplomats, according to the organisers.

Al-Issa, a former Saudi minister of justice, now heads the Intellectual Warfare Center, a body affiliated with Saudi Arabias defence ministry that is dedicated to combating extremist and terrorist ideology. He is expected to speak on inter-faith dialogue, religious tolerance and countering radicalisation, people familiar with the matter said.

The people said Al-Issa is also expected to meet minority affairs minister Smriti Irani and external affairs minister S Jaishankar. As part of his engagements in New Delhi, he will visit Akshardham temple and offer Friday prayers at the Jama Masjid.

He will also meet the leadership of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and interact with a gathering at the Vivekanand International Foundation. A visit to Agra to see the Taj Mahal is also part of Al-Issas itinerary.

The Muslim World League is a Mecca-based NGO funded by the Saudi government that promotes moderate values. During his stint as justice minister, Al-Issa was credited for changes in areas such as legislative reforms in family matters and the rights of women.

The people said the ongoing outreach was aimed at bolstering the governments efforts to counter radicalisation and extremist ideologies. The Indian side also wants to learn from the experiences of other countries that have successfully countered radicalism, they added.

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A doyen in literary illustrations, sculptures and line sketches in Kerala, KM Vasudevan Namboothiri, commonly known as Artist Namboothiri, passed away at a private hospital in Kottakkal in the wee hours of Friday, his family said. He was 97. Undated photo of artist K.M. Vasudevan Namboothiri who passed away at the age of 97 in the early hours of Friday. (PTI)

According to the family, Namboothiri was under treatment for age-related illnesses, and his funeral rites were conducted late on Friday.

The master artist was born in 1925 in Ponnani to Parameshwaran Namboothiri and Sreedevi Antharjanam.

Even though he learnt Sanskrit and Vedic studies, his real interest lay in drawing and painting from a young age.

Recognising his talent, Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboothiri arranged for his admission to the Madras Fine Arts College, where he flourished under the guidance of esteemed artists such as Roy Chaudhary and KCS Panicker.

Throughout his career, Namboothiri contributed to literary publications including Mathrubhoomi, Kalakaumudi, and Samakalika Malayalam. He gained widespread acclaim for his impeccable illustrations of mythical characters in the literary works of renowned writers like MT Vasudevan Nair and VK Narayanankutty Nair. The latter even referred to Namboothiri as the Paramasivan (supreme deity) of line sketches. Notably, his illustrations of Bheema in MTs Randamoozham became particularly famous.

In 1974, Namboothiri received the Kerala State Film Award for his exceptional art direction in the film Uttarayanam. He also served as the president of the Kerala Lalitakala Akademi and was honoured with the Raja Ravi Varma Award by the Akademi for his contributions to the field.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan were among those who condoled his demise.

He was widely respected for his creativity and efforts to popularise aspects relating to history and culture. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family in this sad hour. Om Shanti, the Prime Minister tweeted.

Condoling his death, Vijayan said the art community in the state had suffered an irreplaceable loss due to Namboothiris demise.

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Birbhum Its a little past noon on July 1, and 45-year-old Alok Bagdi wipes the sweat off his bare upper body, working furiously in the fields of Birbhums Abadanga village, desperately seeking to change the subject of the conversation. Trinamool Congress supporters during a rally ahead of the panchayat elections, at Ahmedpur in Birbhum, on Thursday. (ANI)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday appointed election in-charges for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Telangana that are scheduled to vote for new assemblies later this year, continuing the series of changes that started at the organisational level with new state chiefs being announced for four states on Tuesday, and which are expected to end with changes in the Union cabinet. BJP supporters gather during Union Home Minister Amit Shah's rally ahead of Karnataka Assembly elections, in Yadagiri, Tuesday.(HT_PRINT)

Union minister Bhupender Yadav has been given charge of Madhya Pradesh and his cabinet colleague Ashwini Vaishnaw will be the co-incharge. Yadav, who has in the past overseen elections in Bihar and Gujarat will be supervising electioneering in the state where chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is facing anti-incumbency after being in power since 2005, except for a brief period between late 2018 and early 2020.

After the poll debacle in the last assembly election, the BJP is pulling out all stops to retain power in Madhya Pradesh. The BJP lost the 2018 polls but made a comeback after some Congress legislators, led by Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, joined the party.

In Rajasthan, where the election is expected to be a tight fight between the BJP and the incumbent Congress, Union minister Pralhad Joshi, has been appointed the election in-charge along with two co-in charges, former deputy CM of Gujarat, Nitin Patel and Haryana leader, Kuldeep Bishnoi. Hoping to make a comeback in the state, the BJP is targeting the Ashok Gehlot government on issues such as corruption, deficiencies in administration, minority appeasement and deterioration of law and order.

Former Union minister and senior party leader Prakash Javadekar has been made election in-charge of Telangana. He has in the past overseen elections in Rajasthan and Delhi. National general secretary, Sunil Bansal, who is credited for reviving the fortunes of the BJP in Uttar Pradesh will be the co-incharge for Telangana. Bansal is also incharge of the state where the BJP has set targets of increasing the vote share and the seats. This week, the party announced a new state president for the poll-bound state, replacing Bandi Sanjay with union minister G Kishen Reddy.

In Chhattisgarh, senior party leader, Om Prakash Mathur will be the partys election in-charge and he will be assisted by Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya. While Mathur has been in charge of several state elections including Jharkhand in the past, Mandaviya was recently the co-incharge of elections in Karnataka.

The announcements came a day after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah. While no details of the meeting were shared, on Friday functionaries of 14 states including Delhi, Haryana, UP, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh met in the Capital to assess the preparations for the upcoming polls and to take stock of the work undertaken by the respective state units.

According to a functionary, each state gave a detailed presentation on the targets that have been set for the 2024 polls and the organisational work.

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has welcomed the Gujarat high courts verdict on Congress leader Rahul Gandhis defamation case. Addressing a press conference at party headquarters in New Delhi, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad called Gandhi a habitual offender of defaming leaders and the country. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (File Photo)

In a setback to the Congress leader, the Gujarat high court on Friday dismissed Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 Modi surname case under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation).

Also Read: Rahul Gandhis conviction not injustice: Gujarat HC refuses relief in 2019 case

Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 elections remarked why all thieves have Modi as a surname. All across the country, the Modi surname is usually of backward and most backward castes. This was a completely objectionable statement The Gujarat high courts decision is welcoming. There might come remarks from the Congress party that why this harsh punishment is given by the court. Our answer is why Rahul Gandhi committed this harsh offence, Prasad told reporters.

Prasad continued that Gandhi always defames eminent leaders and the country. We would like to ask Congress  why cant you control Rahul Gandhi? Why cant you train him to speak properly? He is your leader. Had he apologised in this matter, it would have ended...It has become a chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi to abuse, defame & almost showering the worst kind of abuses against eminent leaders and organisations, he said.

When given a chance by the trial court in Surat to apologise, Rahul Gandhi rather chose to remark, I am not Savarkar that I will apologise. This truly shows the extent of hatred Rahul has against a great patriot of the country, the BJP leader added.

Reacting to the high courts verdict, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh in a tweet wrote, We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the Honble judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further.

Calling the decision, a travesty of justice, Congress leader Randeep Singh Soorjewala also criticised Gujarat high courts decision. Instead of punishing Bank Fraudsters like Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mehul Choksi & ilk, the messenger exposing the deceit & swindling of public money is being punished. Sh. Rahul Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of righteousness, of fearlessness & of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power! WE WILL TREAD UPON THE PATH OF TRUTH & RIGHTEOUSNESS, COME WHAT MAY SATYAMEV JAYATE ! he wrote on Twitter.

Also Read: Massive setback to Rahul Gandhi in Modi surname case by Guj HC: A timeline

In an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019, Gandhi, former president of the Congress party, allegedly remarked How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname? On March 23 this year, the session court sentenced the Congress leader to two years in jail after convicting him in this case filed by Gujarat BJP MLA Purnesh Modi.

Following his conviction, Gandhi was disqualified as a member of parliament. If Gandhis conviction were stayed, he might have been reinstated in the Lok Sabha.

Meanwhile, the Congress workers staged a protest in support of Gandhi at the All Indian Congress Committee office in Delhi.
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Former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was summoned by Delhi's Rouse Avenue court for the alleged sexual harassment of several women wrestlers on Friday. BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh (PTI/File)

The court said that there was enough evidence against Brij Bhushan to proceed with the case.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Harjeet Singh Jaspal, taking cognisance of the chargesheet filed against the BJP MP, directed him to appear before the court on July 18.

A chargesheet was filed against six-time MP Brij Bhushan under sections 354, 354D, 345A of the IPC for stalking and sexual harassment on June 15.

Along with Brij Bhushan, the court also summoned suspended assistant secretary of WFI Vinod Tomar. He was charged with Sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354A and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Complaint under POSCO against Brij Bhushan

Among the seven women wrestlers who accused Brij Bhushan of sexual harassment, a minor had also filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

However, the Delhi Police asked the Patiala house court for it to be cancelled, days after the minor complainant withdrew her statement against Singh before a district magistrate. In a 552-page cancellation report, the police cited statements from the minor wrestler, her father, Singh, and other witnesses. A cancellation report is filed in cases when no corroborative evidence is found. The court will hear the matter next on July 4.

Wrestlers protest

Renowned Indian wrestlers including Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia, and Vinesh Phogat held protests for 38 days at Delhi's Jantar Mantar demanding Singh's arrest until the police detained them for violating law and order on May 28. They suspended their protest after union minister Anurag Thakur met these wrestlers and assured them that the charge sheet in the case would be filed by June 15.'

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Pune The Maharashtra anti-terrorism squad (ATS) has said that Pradeep Kurulkar, the Pune-based DRDO scientist arrested on May 3 on espionage charges, shared sensitive details about Indias missile, drone and robotics programmes with a female Pakistan-based intelligence operative. Pradeep Kurulkar (IDU Twitter)

In its charge sheet, submitted to a special court on June 30, ATS claimed to have unearthed explosive chats between the scientist and the Pakistani operative. Kurulkar, 60, was director, research and development, at DRDO when he shared this information with the woman in order to establish intimate relations with her, said the charge sheet accessed by HT.

It went on to say that the alleged Pakistani agent created multiple fake accounts under different names to engage with Kurulkar. Two of these names were Zara Dasgupta and Juhi Arora. The same operative also set up accounts under these names on messaging apps using two different phone numbers. Both numbers started with the +44 London code. In his messages with the alleged Zara Dasgupta, Kurulkar spoke freely about the Meteor missile which is in the works at DRDO, about the Brahmos missiles, Rafael, Akash and Astra missile systems, and also the Agni-6 missile launcher in the development of which he was involved.

Possibly in his efforts to impress his female interlocutor, Kurulkar also discussed DRDOs ongoing work on the Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle, the Bharat Quadcopter, and Rustom, the medium altitude long-endurance unmanned combat air vehicle that DRDO is developing. According to the chats attached in the charge sheet, Kurulkar and the Pakistani operative would preface these serious conversations on defence issues with a playful Babe.

While the charge sheet mentioned the information that the so-called Zara Dasgupta sought from him, his responses to her detailing defence details were submitted to the special court in a sealed envelope.

The charge sheet also contended that Kurulkar, who is married to a doctor, liked to brag about his work. In one of the chats attached in the 1,837-page charge sheet, the female Pakistani operative asked him whether the Agni-6 launcher test has been successful, to which he responded saying: The launcher is my design babe It was a great success. These chats between Kurulkar and the alleged Pakistani operative date between September 2022 and February 2023. It was sometime in March this year that DRDO informed the Maharashtra ATS about its suspicions about Kurulkars activities and he was subsequently arrested.

The chats appended in the charge sheet also indicated the persistence with which the female Pakistani operative engaged Kurulkar. At a point in one of their conversations, she asked him: Any new parameters or any change happens I heard that Agni-6 is also work in progress, uska test kab karna hai (when is the test happening). To which, he allegedly responded: Karenge, thoda dheeraj rakho (Will do it, have some patience).

The Pakistani agent, according to charge sheet, shared three email ids with Kurulkar-- 26sweetpanda@gmail.com, dreamgirl56@gmail.com, and common158@gmail.com. To win his trust, she also shared the passwords for these email ids and then insisted that he download two apps on his mobile which he did.

By using the app, there might be a chance a of malware been inserted in the mobile phone of the accused, said the charge sheet. In fact, in the forensic analysis of Kurulars phone, DRDO experts found a malware and reported this to ATS.

ATS also contended that, over a period of time, such was the familiarity that developed between Kurulkar and the Pakistani operative that he would often share the minutiae of his everyday life with her. According to the charge sheet, in one such chat, he told her how a leopard had strayed into the DRDO complex in August last year. He also went to the extent of sharing the name and other details of the CEO of a private vendor working for the Indian Army and who is involved in the manufacture of robotic equipment for the military.

Despite knowing that an enemy nation can seek more information and specific information related to the CEOs working place and the nature of work and the equipment he manufactured for the Armed forces, Kurulkar shared the formation with the operative, the charge sheet said.

The charge sheet mentioned that the recovery mobile number linked to the email id provided by the operative was traced to Pakistan-based Nayatel, in Islamabad while the IP address for the email id was belonged to Pakistan Telecommunication Limited.

Kurulkar, who is present lodged in Punes Yerwada jail, was arrested by ATS on May 3 on charges of espionage and wrongful communication with operative from neighbouring country. ATS has so far examined 203 witnesses as part of its investigation.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Yogesh Joshi Yogesh Joshi is Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times. He covers politics, security, development and human rights from Western Maharashtra. ...view detail
The death toll in the fire accident at a pharmaceutical industry in Atchutapuram special economic zone (SEZ) in Andhra Pradeshs Anakapalle district has risen to six, as two more workers succumbed to their injuries on Thursday night, police said on Friday. The death toll in the fire accident at a pharmaceutical industry in Atchutapuram SEZ in Andhra Pradeshs Anakapalle has risen to six (Agencies/Representative use)

The incident occurred at unit-1 of Sahithi Pharma Private Limited on June 30, when a chemical reactor exploded while workers were in the process of evacuating chemicals from it.

While two of the workers  Paila Satti Babu (35) and Uppada Tirupati (30) succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment at the state-run King George Hospital Visakhapatnam on the same day, five others who sustained grievous injuries were shifted to corporate hospitals, Anakapalle superintendent of police K V Murali Krishna said.

On July 4, two more workers  Rameshwar Bhuyan (45) and Sammangi Appa Rao (43) died while undergoing treatment.

On Thursday, Singamsetti Nuka Naidu (40) and Sadireddy Raja Babu (33) succumbed to burn injuries, taking the total number of deaths in the mishap to six, the SP said.

The condition of another worker  Pilla Santosh Kumar (30) is stable. He is likely to be discharged in a day or two, G Satyanarayana, a trade union leader in the Achyutapuram SEZ, told reporters.

Soon after the mishap, state industries minister G Amarnath announced that the state government would pay ex gratia of 25 lakh to each of the families of the deceased. The company has paid an amount of 1 lakh to each of the families of the deceased, Satyanarayana said.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Srinivasa Rao Apparasu Srinivasa Rao is Senior Assistant Editor based out of Hyderabad covering developments in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana . He has over three decades of reporting experience. ...view detail
Four people, including a police commando, were killed as fresh incidents of violence convulsed Manipur in the early hours of Friday, police said, taking the death toll in the ethnic unrest which began more than two months ago to 127. An Assam Rifles officer keeps a watch in Manipurs Phaileng village amid ethnic clashes (PTI)

According to police, the first instance of violence was reported in Kangvai, near the border between Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts, where two groups of people opened fire at one another.

Churachandpur superintendent of police (SP) Karthik Malladi said the exchange of fire began around 1.30am when armed miscreants from one group allegedly attacked villages belonging to another. After a lull of a few hours, the firing between the two sides resumed and continued till security forces brought the situation under control, he said.

Also Read: Manipur woman shot dead near school day after it reopens following violence

Two men died and three were injured in the violence that broke out early on Friday at Kangvai, near the border between Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts, the SP said.

Village defence personnel of the two groups were involved in a gunfight. The situation is now under control, but we are keeping a close watch, he added.

Police said the injured people are undergoing treatment at a hospital. In a separate incident, a teenager was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Bishnupur district on Friday morning, police said, according to news agency PTI. The teen, police said, was hurrying to take cover as the gunmen fired indiscriminately at Phoubakchao locality, when he was hit by a bullet.

According to news agency PTI, the policeman was killed in a gun battle with suspected militants at Moirang Turel Mapan in the evening.

Also Read: Remove Manipur CM Biren Singh call echoes at Opposition-Centre meet over violence

The continuing chain of violence in the state highlighted once again the deep ethnic divisions in Manipur and the kind of social rifts that the administration needs to bridge in order to bring normalcy back to the state after two months of riots. This needs to be done urgently.

Since May 3, the northeastern state has been gripped by ethnic clashes  primarily between the tribal Kukis, which mostly reside in the hill districts, and majority Meiteis, the dominant community in Imphal Valley.

Clashes first broke out on May 3 in Churachandpur town after Kuki groups called for protests against a proposed tweak to the states reservation matrix, granting scheduled tribe (ST) status to the Meitei community. Violence quickly engulfed the state where ethnic fault lines run deep, displacing tens of thousands of people who fled burning homes and neighbourhoods into jungles, often across state borders.

In some semblance of a return to normalcy, schools for classes 1 to 8 resumed on Wednesday, but the killing of a woman by unidentified men near a school in Imphal West a day later sparked fresh security concerns.

Meanwhile, five Members of Parliament from Communist Party of India (Marxist) visited Churachandpur district on Friday to take stock of the situation. During their stay, the MPs  four from Kerala and one from West Bengal  also visited two relief camps in the district.

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In a massive setback to Rahul Gandhi, the Gujarat high court on Friday dismissed the Congress leaders plea to stay his conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, costing him his Parliament membership. The high court order means that Gandhis disqualification from the Lok Sabha continues. (PTI Photo)

The high court order means that Gandhis disqualification from the Lok Sabha continues.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak affirmed the decision of a Gujarat sessions court, which had refused to put on hold a magisterial court order on March 23 convicting the Congress leader and handing out the maximum punishment provided for criminal defamation under the Indian Penal Code.

Reading out the operative part of the order, the judge noted that there are at least eight other criminal cases pending against Gandhi.

Even after the present case, some more cases filed against him. One such is filed by grandson of Veer Savarkar. In anyway, conviction would not result in any injustice, said the high court, requesting the sessions court to decide Gandhis appeal on merits as early as possible.

Also Read:Rahul Gandhi defamation case verdict today by Gujarat high court: A timeline

The high court added that Gandhi has been seeking a stay on his conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds, adding a stay on conviction is not a rule but an exception.

The magisterial court had in March convicted Gandhi for his remarks ahead of the 2019 national polls about the Modi surname. He had at that time allegedly said: How come all thieves have Modi surname in common.

Gandhi was sentenced to two years imprisonment which disqualified him as an MP under the rigours of the Representation of People Act.

Gandhi was declared disqualified as MP from Keralas Wayanad on March 24 following a notification of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Gandhi approached the sessions court, which rejected his plea for a stay on his conviction on April 20, compelling him to approach the high court.

The April 20 order cited Gandhis stature as an MP and former chief of the countrys second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful in his comments.

Represented by senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Gandhi argued before the high court that the offence for which he has been awarded the maximum sentence of two years was not serious and it did not involve any moral turpitude.

Singhvi added that the consequences of denying a stay on the verdict will be irreversible, besides depriving the electorates of his constituency a representative to voice their concerns in the House. A possible bye-poll in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency will also cause significant expenditure, he added.

Senior advocate Nirupam Nanavaty, appearing for the complainant, BJPs Purnesh Modi, opposed any interference in the magisterial court order. Nanavaty contended that it was indeed a matter of moral turpitude to say All Modi are thieves. The senior counsel said that Gandhi cannot be absolved of his responsibility as an MP when he addresses the public. He added that the trial court had inflicted a sentence which was permissible in law.

The high court had on May 2 reserved its verdict in the case but refused to provide any interim protection to Gandhi.

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The Gujarat high court on Friday dealt a blow to Congress leader Rahul Gandhis endeavour to revive his Lok Sabha membership as it refused to put on hold his conviction and a two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, ruling that the Congress leader breached modesty and that his offence involved moral turpitude. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. (AP)(MINT_PRINT)

The verdict sparked a political row with the Congress saying it will appeal the decision in the Supreme Court and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying Gandhi was a habitual offender in insulting people, pointing to his comments on the Modi surname before the 2019 general elections that prompted the criminal defamation case and eventually cost him his Lok Sabha seat.

The present conviction is a serious matter affecting a large segment of society and needs to be viewed by this court with the gravity and significance it commands... It is now the need of the hour to have purity in politics. Representatives of people should be men of clear antecedent, said justice Hemant P Prachchhak, rejecting Gandhis criminal revision application seeking a stay on his conviction.

The high court order means that Gandhis disqualification from the Lok Sabha will continue. While Gandhi cannot be arrested since his jail term remains suspended for now, only a stay on his conviction by the Supreme Court or a favourable judgment in his appeal by a sessions court can enable him to contest next years Lok Sabha elections.

Under the law, the conviction and two-year jail term renders Gandhi unfit to enter either House of Parliament for a period of eight years. But this can be reversed if he can get the conviction overturned or suspended by a higher court.

The 125-page judgment on Friday stressed on the fact that being a member of Parliament, Gandhi had a bounden duty not to scandalise any person from the society and that the trial court has not committed any error of facts and law in passing the impugned order of conviction against the accused for the alleged offences.

Being a public personality, he is vested with the duty to exercise this vast power at his disposal with caution ensuring that dignity and reputation of a large number of persons or any identifiable class is not jeopardised due to his political activities or utterances... refusal to stay the conviction would not, in any way, result in injustice to the applicant, held the court.

It further noted that there are 10 criminal cases pending against Gandhi, including the one filed by the grandson of VD Savarkar in a Pune court over the Congress leaders controversial remarks on Savarkar at Cambridge University.

In fact, the applicant is trying to seek stay of his conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that stay of conviction is not a rule but an exception to be resorted to in rare cases, added the court. At the same time, it also requested the sessions court to decide Gandhis criminal appeal against the trial courts March 23 conviction order as expeditiously as possible.

Senior leader Abhishek Singhvi said the Congress had full faith in the judiciary.

Now, we are going to Supreme Court but the largest court is public and its conscience. People have understood the basic fact that the cottage industry of BJP, based on vendetta, has unleashed these diverse complaint-filing activity across the country to throttle Rahul Gandhis voice, he said, adding that they were waiting for the judgment for 66 days.

Gandhis legal team has to now get at least a stay on the conviction in the next 10 months to allow the former Congress chief to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The core legal issue is how on earth can anyone from an undefined, amorphous group of 10-13 crore people get up and have locus to claim defamation. Without answering this core question, the court appears to hold indirectly that anybody can claim to have been defamed without showing any personal loss or damage, Singhvi said.

The BJP welcomed the order. All across the country, Modi surname is usually of backward and most backward castes. This was a completely objectionable statement, said senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The BJP leader said that Gandhi always defamed eminent leaders and the country. We would like to ask Congress  why cant you control Rahul Gandhi? Why cant you train him to speak properly? Had he apologised in this matter, it would have ended... It has become a chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi to abuse, defame and shower the worst kind of abuses on eminent leaders and organisations, Prasad added.

On March 23, a Gujarat magisterial court convicted Gandhi for his remarks after a BJP leader, Purnesh Modi, filed a criminal complaint. The Congress leader was sentenced to two years imprisonment, which disqualified him as an MP under the Representation of People Act. Gandhi was declared disqualified as MP from Keralas Wayanad on March 24, following a notification of the Lok Sabha Secretariat.

Gandhi approached the sessions court, which rejected his plea for a stay on his conviction on April 20, compelling him to approach the high court. The April 20 order cited Gandhis stature as an MP and former chief of the countrys second-largest political party, and said he should have been more careful in his comments.

Represented by Singhvi, Gandhi argued before the high court that the offence for which he was awarded the maximum sentence of two years was not serious and that it did not involve any moral turpitude. During the arguments in May, Singhvi submitted before the high court that the consequences of denying a stay on the verdict will be irreversible, besides depriving the electorates of his constituency a representative to voice their concerns in the House. A possible bypoll in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency will also cause significant expenditure, he added.

Senior advocate Nirupam Nanavaty, appearing for the complainant, opposed any interference in the magisterial court order, contending that it was indeed a matter of moral turpitude. He added that the trial court inflicted a sentence which was permissible in law. The high court had on May 2 reserved its verdict.

Delivering its judgment on Friday, the high court noted that Modi surname holder and members of Modi community were certainly identifiable and well-defined classes, and thus, the seriousness of Gandhis offence was compounded by the fact that the defamation alleged was of a large identifiable class, and not just an individual.

The conviction of the petitioner involves the impairment of the cherished fundamental right to dignity and reputation of a large segment of the population. The public standing of the petitioner and the fact that any utterance of the petitioner attracts large scale publication gravely impairs and damages the reputation of the complainant and the identifiable class in question, said the court.

It added that Gandhi used the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his election rally in Karnatakas Kolar in April 2019 to add sensation, to affect the electoral fate of the BJP candidate of that constituency.

And then the accused did not stop there but imputed that saare choro ke naam modi hi kyu hai (why are all thieves named Modi). Thus, the present case would certainly fall within the category of seriousness of the offence...The revisioner has breached the modesty, even if his version is accepted and further he owes a duty to each individual and society in general not to influence the election on the basis of false fact. Thus, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the offence committed by the accused falls in the category of moral turpitude also, underlined the court.

Calling the sessions court order just, proper and legal, the high court further told Gandhi that his statements attract huge publicity owing to his stature as a senior leader of the oldest political party in India, with a large presence.

In the modern electronic media environment, this large-scale publicity is lightning quick, difficult to contain and leaves a permanent imprint in the form of website links, videos, etc. The petitioner is assumed to be aware of the same and being a public personality is vested with the duty to exercise this vast power at his disposal with caution ensuring that dignity and reputation of a large number of persons or any identifiable class is not jeopardised due to his political activities or utterances, it said.

The mere fact that the maximum punishment is of two years would not come to Gandhis aid to convince the court to disregard the seriousness of the offence, said the high court, concluding there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction of the applicant in the facts and circumstances of the case.

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The Gujarat high court is likely to deliver on Friday its verdict on Congress leader Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark. A stay on conviction would pave the way for Gandhis reinstatement as a Member of Parliament (MP). (Twitter | Congress)

According to the cause list issued by the high court on Thursday, the court of justice Hemant Prachchhak will deliver the verdict at 11am.

In May, the court had denied interim protection to Gandhi and had reserved his plea for further consideration.

On June 2, the court had declined to grant interim suspension on Gandhis conviction in the criminal defamation case related to his Modi surname remark.

The Surat court had previously sentenced him to two years in jail.

Also Read: High Court refuses interim protection to Rahul Gandhi in Modi surname case

Justice Prachchhak stated, There is no interim protection. The matter will be decided once the court reopens after vacation.

The Gujarat HCs last working day was May 5, and it reopened on June 5.

During the court proceedings, Gandhis counsel requested an interim order, but the request was denied.

Gandhis conviction by the Surat court resulted in his disqualification as a member of Parliament (MP).

A suspension of the conviction could potentially lead to his reinstatement as a Lok Sabha member.

According to the provisions of the law, if a member is convicted of an offence punishable by two or more years of imprisonment, they are disqualified as an MP.

Only the suspension of the conviction can allow the member to continue serving in Parliament.

The arguments were heard from senior advocate Nirupam Nanavaty, who represented the complainant Purnesh Modi, a BJP MLA from Gujarat, and senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, who represented Gandhi.

A metropolitan magistrates court in Surat sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail on March 23 after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Purnesh Modi.

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala, was disqualified as MP under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat along with an application seeking a stay on the conviction.

While granting him bail, the court, on April 20, refused to stay the conviction, after which he approached the high court.

Surat West MLA Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname? remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.
The Congress on Friday maintained that the Gujarat high courts decision to uphold party leader Rahul Gandhis conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case was not unexpected, and that the legal jurisprudence received from the states sessions court and high court is unique as it does not have any parallel or precedence in the defamation law. Congress workers during a protest against the Gujarat high court verdict on Rahul Gandhi, at AICC headquarters in New Delhi on Friday. (HT/Vipin Kumar)

The BJP, however, welcomed the high court verdict and criticised Gandhis irresponsible arrogance, calling him a habitual offender.

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi, who appeared for Gandhi in the high court, said the core legal issue is that how on earth can anyone from an undefined, amorphous group of 10-13 crore people get up and have locus to claim defamation  an argument that hasnt given the Congress any leeway in the legal battle so far.

Although Singhvi said that Gandhi will soon move the Supreme Court, the high court verdict makes it nearly impossible for the former Congress chief to get a stay on the conviction before the monsoon session of Parliament from July 20.

Gandhis legal team, comprising partys in-house legal experts, also has to get at least a stay on the conviction in the next 10 months to allow Gandhi to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The core legal issue is how on earth can anyone from an undefined, amorphous group of 10-13 crore people get up and have locus to claim defamation. Without answering this core question, the court appears to hold indirectly that anybody can claim to have been defamed without showing any personal loss or damage and without showing how Shri Rahul Gandhi has shown malice, which is an essential ingredient of this offence of defamation, Singhvi said.

He claimed that the justification given in the judgment does not address these issues at all. The malice appears to be with the class which is filing diverse complaints across the country. All the complainants are part of an orchestrated attempt  each one of them is an office-bearer of BJP. So, clearly it is an orchestrated political campaign. Therefore, this shows a clear motivated pattern far from showing any malice on the part of the accused, he said.

Even as Gandhis lawyers arguments failed to convince the three courts  the trial court, sessions court and the high court, Singhvi said: There is a rightful phrase in the Supreme Court when matters come after four negative orders, not two... they say an error perpetuated three times or four times needs correction. All the more, an error perpetuated three times needs correction all the more. So repetition of the error is not a virtue in itself.

Singhvi said: We are seeing this cycle of oppression and suppression play out once again. We will fight it. Rahul Gandhi will fight it. And if in the last nine years, we see they always tried to silence his vigilant voice.

The BJP, however, hit back. If he behaves like this and defames people and institutions, the law will catch up with him, BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a press conference. It has become a chronic habit of Gandhi to abuse and defame eminent people and organisations, he said.

I want to ask the Congress why cant it control Gandhi and train him to speak right? When given a chance by the trial court in Surat to apologise, he instead said, I am not Savarkar that I will apologise. This truly shows the extent of hatred Rahul has against a great patriot of the country.

A metropolitan magistrates court in Surat on March 23 had convicted and sentenced Gandhi to two years in prison in a criminal defamation case for a remark he made about the Modi surname ahead of the 2019 elections. Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP from Keralas Wayanad on March 24. On April 3, Gandhi filed an appeal before the sessions court and was subsequently granted bail till the disposal of his plea. On April 20, the court rejected his plea for a stay on his conviction, prompting him to move the high court.
Amid the nationwide surge in the prices of tomatoes, fast-food chain McDonald's in Delhi has issued a notice stating that it would not be able to serve its products with tomatoes due to seasonal issues in procurement. However, the brand has not cited the high price of the the vegetable as the reason for the lack of tomatoes in its menu.(Representative image)

A social media user named Aditya Saha shared an image on Twitter showing a notice put up by a McDonald's store in Delhi. "Mcdonald's, Delhi put up this notice! Even Mcdonalds cannot afford tomatoes now!," the caption read.

Many netizens took to social media to express their opinion. One user tweeted that the supply-demand gap is causing difficulties in the situation. Restaurants and QSR chains typically do not consider price fluctuations as they operate on fixed rates for an entire year.

Read here: Tomatoes cost 160/kg in Delhi; 445% jump in price amid 'free iPhone' jokes

Meanwhile, the official statement by McDonald's India - North and East read, As a brand committed to the highest standards of food quality and safety, we use ingredients only after rigorous food quality and safety checks. However, due to seasonal issues and despite our best efforts, we are not able to procure tomatoes that pass our world-class, stringent quality checks. Hence, we are constrained to serve tomatoes in our menu items at some of our restaurants. This is a temporary issue and we would like to reassure our customers that we are looking at all possible ways to bring back tomatoes to our menu very soon.

Read here: After Karnataka, now thief makes off with 20 kg tomatoes in Telangana

However, the brand has not cited the high price of the vegetable as the reason for the lack of tomatoes on its menu.

The prices of tomatoes have significantly risen in northern regions. Prices of tomatoes in Delhi, Kolkata, and Uttar Pradesh have reached 130-155 per kg. According to news reports, the price of tomatoes has touched 150 in Moradabad, while rates in the rest of the country also continue to surge. It is being sold at 129 per kg in Delhi's Safal store.
NEW DELHI: India urged Britain to take strong public action such as deportation against Khalistani elements threatening Indian diplomats in the UK during a meeting between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his British counterpart Tim Barrow on Friday, people familiar with the matter said. National Security Adviser Ajit Doval (right) and his British counterpart Tim Barrow (left) (Twitter/ANI)

Barrow is on a visit to New Delhi at the invitation of Doval for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is the first senior British official to visit India since Khalistani groups launched a poster campaign threatening senior Indian diplomats and unveiled plans for a so-called Kill India rally on July 8.

The Indian side had been expected to raise the activities of Khalistani elements with Barrow, especially in view of reports of possible violence during the rally on July 8, which is being seen as part of a coordinated campaign encompassing Australia, Canada, the US and the UK, the people said.

Also Read: US executive and legislative branch condemn Khalistani violence, assure protection

The Indian side raised the issue of extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian high commission in London and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements, such as deportation or legal prosecution, one of the people said, declining to give further details.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. There can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalisation in a democracy, the person added.

The Indian side has been perturbed by the response of authorities in Canada and the UK to activities of Khalistani elements. Pointing to violence by Khalistani activists outside the Indian mission in London during a protest on March 19, a second person said: The possibility of violence during the upcoming rally cant be ruled out. We would like to see action being taken.

Also Read: Canada not soft on Khalistan elements, terrorists: Trudeau

Images of Indias high commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, and a consul general have featured in Khalistani posters seeking revenge for the killing of Khalistani separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a designated terrorist, in Canada in June.

The security of Indian officials and diplomatic premises is understood to have figured in the meeting between the two NSAs. British foreign secretary James Cleverly on Thursday criticised attacks on Indian high commission. Direct attacks on the Indian high commission in London are completely unacceptable, he wrote on Twitter.

Besides the issue of Khalistani groups, Doval and Barrow, who have regularly engaged in discussions on a bilateral, regional and global agenda, reviewed multi-faceted cooperation between the two sides and explored new areas for technology collaboration, the people said.

Both sides agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism, preventing terror financing and the use of the internet for terrorism, illicit drug trafficking and countering radicalisation. They also agreed to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical and emerging technologies, the people said.

Doval and Barrow held restricted discussions on regional and global issues. They were then joined by their delegations for talks where both countries reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhancing security linkages, the first person cited above said.

Barrow, who is accompanied by senior British officials, will also meet other senior Indian interlocutors.

The violent protest outside the Indian mission in London in March, during which Khalistani activists climbed onto a balcony and pulled down the national flag, had become an irritant in bilateral ties. India lodged a strong protest with the UK and Delhi Police registered a first information report (FIR) over a crime committed abroad. The case was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

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Amid scenes of great rejoicing and enthusiasm, in which about 150,000 Punjab peasants participated, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opened on July 8, 1954, the vast Bhakra-Nangal canal system to irrigate several million acres of arid land in Punjab, the Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU), and Rajasthan. Then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru addresses a gathering of workers and political leaders at the Bhakra-Nangal project site. (HT Archive)

To the roar of Bharat Mata Zindabad and Nehru Zindabad  from the gathering on the right bank of the Sutlej, the Prime Minister pressed an electric button which lifted the sluice gates of the Nangal dam, on the left bank of the river and released the Sutlej waters into the cement-lined Nangal hydel channel.

The operation was timed at 11.45am. At that moment, hundreds of powerful countrymade bombs exploded on the left bank to herald the beginning of the new irrigation era in North India. Two IAF planes dropped a mass of leaflets proclaiming the benefits that would flow to the people from the mighty project.

Numerous National flags were waving from the Nangal dam across the river. Many banners were also splashed.

In a speech, which drew loud cheers, Nehru described the ceremony as a very special occasion and said Bhakra-Nangal was the glowing symbol of Indias determination to go ahead with her progress. It was also the symbol of the nations self-reliance and self-confidence to achieve greater tasks and to banish poverty and unemployment from the land.

The Prime Minister spoke of the great advances India was making in several directions.

India is in commotion. Mother India is in labour, producing and creating things.

Saying that India had achieved the biggest revolution of the age, Nehru said with great fervour: We fought for freedom and won it. We are children of that revolution, but that revolution is not yet over. We shall still continue it. We finished it in the political sphere but we have to continue it in the social and economic sphere. We cannot remain static.

Let no one imagine that the revolution in India was not a revolution because it was a peaceful change. Revolution does not mean breaking of heads. It means changing things in a big way. We made India independent. That was a big change in the world. As the very method of revolution in India was peaceful, people perhaps did not realize what was happening because, unhappily, peaceful construction did not make news. If there was a petty riot somewhere, it was news, but a great piece of work coolly and peacefully done was not news.

Nehru spoke enthusiastically of his visit to the Bhakra gorge, eight miles from Nangal up the Sutlej River, where construction has begun of the highest straight gravity type 680-foot-high dam.

With great feeling the Prime Minister described these sites as temples and places of worship where thousands of human beings were engaged in great constructive activity for the benefit of millions of their fellow beings.

These are sacred places where people invest their sweat and blood and suffer and endure for the commonwealth. These places make the noblest temples, gurdwaras, churches and mosques, to be found anywhere, and I feel more religious-minded when I see these works.

Declaring the canal system open, Nehru dedicated it to the good of the Indian people. A miniature sluice gate in silver was presented to the Prime Minister by Punjab chief minister Bhimsen Sachar to mark the occasion.

The canal system will carry the waters of the Sutlej through 3,000 miles of canals, and their branches and distributaries to irrigate 3,800,000 acres of parched land in Punjab, PEPSU and Rajasthan.

On his arrival, the Prime Minister was given an enthusiastic reception. As Nehru, accompanied by Indira Gandhi, came out of the station, he was cheered by a large crowd present there.

Nehru mentioned at length the canal water dispute with Pakistan and reiterated that India still stood by the 1948 Indo-Pakistan agreement in regard to the Sutlej waters. India did not wish any harm to Pakistan, he said.

It is wrong to imagine that we want to deprive Pakistan of anything. We are prepared to help them to the best of our ability to make good their own canal system so that they may not only have the usual supply of water but much more. But we are not prepared to continue the present state of affairs and to accept the position which would encourage Pakistan to do nothing in regard to improving their existing canal system, Nehru said.

While India was prepared to help Pakistan in tapping alternative sources of water, it must be clearly understood that nothing could stop the progress of the Bhakra project, Nehru added.

In 1948, an agreement between India and Pakistan was signed regarding utilisation of water resources of the Indus basin. It was signed by the present Governor General on behalf of Pakistan and Nehru was one of the signatories for India. The main feature of the agreement was that India would gradually divert the water resources for purposes of irrigation in Punjab and that Pakistan would make alternative arrangements.

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The Centre on Thursday appointed Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, a judicial member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), as its acting chairperson following the retirement of Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel. Justice Singh also served as a judge, Industrial Tribunal UP, chairman of oversight committee, UP constituted by NGT. (National Green Tribunal)

The union ministry of environment, forest and climate change, in a notification, said Justice Singh would act as the chairperson until an appointment is made to the post.

Sheo Kumar Singh 1 joined Judicial Service in 1984 and worked as district judge in different districts of UP, Registrar (Judicial), Supreme Court of India, Registrar General, High Court of Judicature at Allahabad before his elevation as high court judge.

Also Read: NGT chair, who fined Delhi 900 cr over solid waste, set to retire today

He was appointed Observer, Ram Janam Bhumi, Ayodhya, Faizabad by the order of the Supreme Court to monitor the excavation work carried out by the expert team of Archeological Survey of India (ASI).

He also served as a judge, Industrial Tribunal UP, chairman of oversight committee, UP constituted by NGT.

Adarsh Kumar Goel who had taken over NGT as chairperson on July 6, 2018, completed his tenure of five years on Thursday.

In the last five years July 2018 to July 2023 several innovative steps have been taken by National Green Tribunal with a focus to simplify the procedures to make NGT people friendly and to improve faster disposal of matters, the environment ministry said in a statement.

Justice SK Singh will act as chairperson until a new chairperson is appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Tribunal Reform Act, 2021 read with National Green Tribunal, Act 2010.

Goel has been dealing with various cases related to environmental clearances and air pollution.

In April, NGT had constituted a high-powered committee headed by the secretary, union environment ministry to revisit the environmental clearance (EC) granted by the environment ministry to the Great Nicobar township and area development and other infrastructure projects involving an area of 16,610 hectares in the ecologically fragile islands.

The order was widely criticised by environmentalists who questioned the wisdom of having the secretary of the very ministry that granted EC to review it.

Several legal and environmentalists have been critical of the fact that NGT forms committees to look into most environmental cases which includes government bodies and members.

Some lawyers feel forming committees is important to have a better understanding of the case provided it has representation from subject experts and independent bodies.

NGT jurisdiction covers all environmental issues, in the current scenario of development and population explosion. The environment plays a pivotal role. NGT being entrusted with the jurisdiction to adjudicate upon the fundamental question of sustainable development is expected to conclude the adverse effects if any by a development project on the environment. NGT has judged a large number of such important issues, said Raj Panjwani, senior advocate and founder president of NGT Bar Association.

The decision-making process to evaluate on the touchstone of sustainable development is essential to get the best possible scientific evaluation by experts in the field. The said evaluation in most of the cases before NGT is undertaken by a committee of experts constituted by the NGT comprising of government departments to facilitate the study along with independent institutes or experts on the project. The parties if aggrieved by the recommendations of the committee, they have an opportunity to file their objections, the senior advocate added.
Bengaluru: Liquor, including beer, is set to get dearer in Karnataka as the state government on Friday proposed to hike additional excise duty in the 2023-24 budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Assembly on Friday. Siddaramaiah proposed to increase the existing rates of the duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) by 20% on all 18 slabs. (ANI)

Siddaramaiah, who holds the Finance portfolio, proposed to increase the existing rates of the duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) by 20% on all 18 slabs. He also proposed to increase the duty on beer from 175% to 185%.

Even after the increase in excise rates, the price of liquor in our state would be lower when compared to the neighbouring states, the chief minister said in the budget speech.

Siddaramaiah emphasised that the increase along with stringent enforcement and regulatory actions, will achieve a revenue collection target for the Excise Department at 36,000 crore for the fiscal year 2023-24. Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in these measures contributing to the states financial goals.

The outgoing Bommai government, in its budget presented in February proposed its excise target at 35,000 crore.

Meanwhile, the Congress government also proposed to revise the guidance values of real estate properties in the state. The guidance value of all immovable properties across the state was revised during 2018-19 and came into effect in January 2019. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the guidance value of immovable properties has not been revised to date, Siddaramaiah said.

Several changes over time have caused anomalies in the guidance values of all immovable properties, he added. To rectify these anomalies, the state government will revise the guidance values for all immovable properties across the state this year.

The guidance value is the minimum value at which the sale of a property can be registered.

Additionally, a scientific and rational guidance value system for the stamps and registration department will be developed using the Geographic Information System (GIS) as a base, and guidance values will be assigned to properties adjoining all roads and streets.

This system will make guidance value for each property available online for citizens to know the stamp duty for any property exactly. A pilot will be taken up in one district and then it will be rolled out for the entire state, the chief minister added.

Siddaramaiah said that the revenue collection target for the stamps and registration department for the year 202324 is fixed at 25,000 crore.
The Congress-led Karnataka government on Friday announced that they have decided to revoke changes made to the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) act by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state. Chief minister Siddaramaiah, in his budget speech, said the Congress government has decided to withdraw the anti-farmer Act in order to protect the interest of farmers. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah presents the state budget during the Budget Session of State Assembly at Vidhana Soudha, in Bengaluru on Friday. (ANI)

The Karnataka APMC (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Bill, 2023, was tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday. In the bill, the government pointed out that amendments made by previous the BJP government allowed trading outside APMC yards and stated that this neither helped farmers in getting remunerative prices for their produce nor in improving their economic status.

The amendments were on the lines of the Farms law 2020, which was repealed in November 2021, following the agitation by farmers in Delhi. Our government expects the Agricultural Produce Market Committees to work in the best interest of the farmers and ensure a fair price for their produce. Our government in its earlier tenure took several measures to strengthen the APMCs and introduced online market system, the first-of-its-kind in the country, Siddaramaiah said on Friday.

However, by amending the APMC Act, the previous government weakened the healthy marketing network and created uncertainty in lives of lakhs of farmers who depended on APMCs for their livelihoods, the chief minister added.

He pointed out that before the amendment to the APMC Act, the total income of 167 APMCs across the state in 2018-19 was between 570 crore to 600 crore, which has drastically fallen to 193 crores in 2022-23, after the Act was amended. Besides, there are many instances before us, of private companies deceiving and exploiting farmers in the open market. Our government has decided to withdraw this anti-farmer Act in order to protect the interest of farmers.

He also said that Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act will also be amended so that people can convert agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes by way of self-declaration.

The government also relaunched the Krishi Bhagya Scheme in convergence with Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme with an allocation of 100 crore.

The CM also announced a Navodyama scheme with an allocation of 10 crore to farmers for value addition of agricultural produce and to encourage innovation in the field of agricultural marketing.  10 crore will be provided to encourage branding of farmers produce on the lines of Nandini to enable marketing of farmers produce in state, national and international markets, Siddaramaiah said.

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The Kerala high court has granted police protection to a same-sex couple in a live-in relationship who feared attempts to separate them by one of their families. The Kerala high court has granted police protection to a lesbian couple in a live-in relationship who feared attempts to separate them (Agencies)

On Wednesday, a single judge bench of justice PV Kunhikrishnan admitted the plea of Afeefa CS and Sumayya Sherin, both 21, residing in Ernakulam, requesting police protection from the formers parents and their alleged henchmen.

On the same day, the court issued orders to the director general police (DGP), Kochicity police commissioner and the station house officers (SHOs) of Puthencruz and Kondotty police stations for police protection.

There are still threats from Afeefas parents and their associates. But I feel a bit relieved after the HC granted us police protection. If there is any danger, we can approach the police, Sherin told Hindustan Times on Friday.

The couple, who belong to Muslim families from Malappuram district and currently reside in Ernakulam, met while studying in Class 11 in 2019. They started their relationship soon after and eloped from their homes on January 27 this year to live together.

Though their parents objected and registered missing complaints at the local police stations, Afeefa and Sumayya got a favourable order from the Malappuram Judicial First Class Magistrates Court to live together on January 29and subsequently moved to Ernakulam.

However, on May 30, after getting wind of where they lived, Afeefas parents landed in Ernakulam and forcibly took her away.

They first took me to a relatives house, then my own home and a couple of days later forcibly to a private hospital in Kozhikode. The doctor there told me that homosexuality is a medical disorder and can be cured with the right medicine. Against my wishes, my parents and the hospital management injected me with several high-dose medicines and sedatives. The medicines were so strong that I couldnt even feel my legs or stand on my own, Afeefa narrated in a video on the Instagram account of an NGO on Wednesday.

My mother kept saying that they would kill Sumayya and that as long as she was alive, she would never allow me to live with her. I was ill-treated for the simple reason that I loved another person, irrespective of gender. No one should be subjected to such cruelty in the name of love, she said.

By then, Sumayya had filed a habeas corpus petition in the high court, stating that her partner was missing.

During the hearing, Afeefa, surrounded by a battery of lawyers and still reeling from the effect of the medicines, told the court that she had gone with her parents on her own accord. Sumayya and her lawyer later learnt that she was reportedly drugged and forced to give such a statement.

A few days later, with the help of the police and the womens protection cell and armed with text messages from Afeefa to Sumayya explaining her plight, the couple reunited.

The high court has asked the state government and Afeefas parents to respond and posted the next hearing to July 21.

Afeefas health is still not good as she is reeling from the medicine effect. We hope that the court will allow us to live together as per our wishes, said Sumayya.

Sumayyas counsel Adv Aneesh Kalarikkal said that they also plan to move legally against the private hospital in Kozhikode which tried to perform conversion therapy on Afeefa.

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In lieu of the heavy rains battering Kerala, education institutions in five districts were shut on Friday. Schools and professional colleges in Kannur, Kozhikode, Kasaragod, Pathanamthitta, and Kottayam will cease to function as the India Meteorological Department issued weather warnings in these districts. However, public service commission exams will be held as per the schedule. People wade through a flooded area as they carry a sick elderly man to a hospital, in Thiruvalla, Thursday, July 6, 2023.(PTI)

All educational institutions remained closed in Alappuzha, Kannur, Kozhikode, Kottayam, Kasaragod, Palakkad, Idukki, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta and Kollam on Thursday.

A red alert has been issued in Kannur and Kasaragod districts and an orange alert in seven other districts of the state for the day. IMD has indicated that the intensity of rain would decrease in the next few days.

Due to cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal, Kerala has been witnessing heavy downpour which has claimed three lives, displaced thousands from their homes and led to coastal erosion and overflowing of rivers.

Considering the severity of the situation, district-level and taluk-level emergency operation centres have been asked to operate 24x7.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged people to be vigilant as there was a risk of flash floods, landslides and strong winds in various parts of the state.

In a Facebook post, he said thousands have been shifted to the 112 relief camps while advising fishermen to not venture out to water bodies and avoid trekking trips. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) also issued warnings cautioning people against tourism and trips in hilly areas. State revenue minister K Rajan said that from July 12 the weather was expected to worsen again.

The shutters of some dams like Malankara Dam, Kallarkutti and Lower Periyar reservoirs in Idukki, Kuttiyadi dam in Kozhikode, Maniyar barrage in Pathanamthitta, Pazhassi barrage in Kannur and Bhoothathankettu Dam in Ernakulam district were opened to release water downstream. The Central Water Commission (CWC) issued flood warnings for various rivers, like Meenachil, Manimala, Achankovil and Pampa.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 awardee, publisher Gita Press here. Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during the closing ceremony of centenary celebrations of Gita Press, in Gorakhpur, Friday, July 7, 2023. (PTI Photo)

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to four states, which kicked off today.

He flew down to Gorakhpur Airport from Chhattisgarh's Raipur, where he was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister addressed a Vijay Sankalp Rally in Raipur. Speaking in the poll-bound state he sharpened his attack against the Congress party and said that those who are stained in corruption are trying to stitch an Opposition Unity.

"Those stained are trying to come together today. Those who used to curse each other, they have now started finding excuses to come together," PM Modi said.

He added there is corruption at the core of the Congress party.

"Without corruption, Congress cannot even breathe. Corruption is the biggest ideology of Congress."

Following the Gita Press event, the PM will flag off two Vande Bharat trains connecting Gorakhpur - Lucknow and Jodhpur - Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) and lay the foundation stone of the Gorakhpur Railway Station redevelopment.

According to an official release, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than 12,100 crore in his home constituency, Varanasi, and will inaugurate the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction- Son Nagar railway line of Dedicated Freight Corridor.

The PM will also dedicate a four-lane widening of the Varanasi-Jaunpur section of NH-56 making travel from Varanasi to Lucknow easier and faster and lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats and distribute loans of PMSVANidhi, keys of PMAY Rural houses and Ayushman cards to the beneficiaries in UP, the release added.

PM Modi's hectic tour of four states including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan will conclude on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be feted by French President Emmanuel Macron when he lands in Paris on July 13 afternoon to take the India-France ties to a new height. File Photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron at Elysee Palace.

According to inputs from Paris and New Delhi, PM Modi will address a diaspora event at La Seine Musicale, a performing arts centre located on IIe Seguin island in scenic Seine River, in the western suburbs of Paris on the first day. Inaugurated in 2017, La Seine Musicale had hosted American folk-rock singer Bob Dylan in the 6000-seat Grand Seine theatre, where PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora on July 13. The La Siene Musicale is currently hosting the Festival of India called "Namaste France, organized by the Indian Embassy in France and the Ministry of Culture.

This will be followed by PM Modi being hosted by President Macron for a private dinner at his official residence at Elysee Palace. It is during this private dinner that both the leaders will discuss crucial global and bilateral issues and formal delegation level talks will follow after the Bastille Day parade on Champs Elysees in front of the French President on July 14.

A 269 men strong contingent of Indian Army from the Punjab Regiment and Rajputana Rifles will participate in the parade on the ground while one single Indian Air Force Rafale fighter will be the show with three others following in a formation. INS Chennai, an indigenous guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy, will be stationed at the strategic port of Brest, where the nuclear ballistic missile firing submarines (SSBNs) of the French Navy are stationed. But the grand show will follow after the delegation-level talks in Paris.

President Macron will host PM Modi at Cour Marly courtyard at the world-famous Louvre Museum for a ceremonial dinner expected to be attended by over 250 dignitaries. Filled with natural light and a ficus trees forest, the Cour Marly has an army of statues made by the finest sculptors of the world since the 19th century. It is after the French lay a sumptuous vegetarian spread for PM Modi at the Cour Marly that President Macron will take the Indian leader for a guided tour of the Louvre. Perhaps the two of them may get photographed with Louvres most famous and most expensive painting, Leonardo Da Vincis Mona Lisa, a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance.

The two leaders after the tour of the Louvre will attend the dazzling fireworks display over Eiffel Tower from the terrace at Louvre. While the bilateral ties between the two middle-level powers will reach the next stage after PM Modis visit, the red-carpet treatment given to the Indian leader will surpass any bilateral visit by an Indian PM in the past by miles.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a slew of development projects, flagged off a Vande Bharat train, and presided over a ceremony to honour a century-old publication house as he travelled across two states in a campaign blitzkrieg ahead of a crucial election season. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with students in a Vande Bharat Express in Gorakhpur on Friday. (PTI)

On the first day of his four-state visit, Modi also attacked the Congress, emphasised the importance of eradicating a mentality of slavery and taking pride in traditions, and extolled the benefits of the Union governments welfare schemes.

Under the BJP government, the beneficiary category has become an example of real social justice and real secularism, the PM said in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi. Ensuring self-respect for the poor is a Modi guarantee.

Modi began his day in Chhattisgarh, where he laid the foundation stones of eight projects worth around 7,600 crore and later launched a fierce attack on the Congress, calling corruption the partys primary ideology and terming Chhattisgarh a model of misrule.

If the Congress is a guarantee for corruption, Modi is a guarantee for acting against it, he said during a rally at Science College ground in Raipur.

The Congress has made the state its ATM, with every department engaged in corruption, the PM alleged. Congress promised liquor ban in the state but in reality, they have done scams worth thousands of crores. The scam money went into the account of the party, he added.

This was Modis first visit since 2019 to the Congress-ruled state that goes to the polls later this year. The next 25 years will be crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh but a big panja (a reference to the Congress partys poll symbol, the open palm) is standing like a tall wall against it. It has resolved to snatch your rights and it will loot the state, Modi said.

The Centre has been developing infrastructure in the areas that have been lagging in the race of development, he said. Another benefit of infrastructure which is seldom discussed is that it is related to social justice. The Centre has been providing modern facilities to those who have been facing injustice and lack of facilities for the last several decades, he said.

The PM criticised the Oppositions efforts to stitch together an anti-BJP front. Those who are stained with corruption are trying to come together today. Those who once cursed each other are now trying to find excuses to come against me.

The Congress government in Chhattisgarh was also creating hurdles in the way of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and millions of people are yet to avail the benefits of the central scheme because of that, he said.

Houses will be built for people as soon as the BJP forms the government in the state, he assured the people, adding that the Congress has always used tribals as a vote bank.

Reacting to the Prime Ministers speech, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the PM is lying. Modi ji, winds of lies started blowing as soon as you came... State BJP leaders were continuously misleading farmers that paddy is procured with the money from the Centre. You are the prime minister, you know the truth, but you also lied. This is the biggest lie in the name of farmers that the Centre takes care of 80% of the states paddy procurement, Baghel tweeted in Hindi.

If the role of your government is this much in paddy purchase from the states, then why are the farmers in your Lok Sabha constituency forced to sell paddy at 1,000-1200 per quintal? The BJP leaders of Chhattisgarh gave you wrong information and you went away after reading the speech. Everyone in Chhattisgarh knows that we had taken an oath by Gangajal for loan waivers of farmers within 10 days, but it was waived off within just two hours, Baghel added.

The PM later travelled to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, where he attended the centenary celebrations of Gita Press, the recipient of the 2021 Gandhi Peace Prize, and said that Gita Press was the worlds only printing press which was an article of living faith.

In a 45-minute ceremony, Modi said the country was combining development (vikas) with heritage (virasat) and stressed that India was establishing new records in digital technology and, at the same time, fulfilling the dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya.

Today, we are building world-class infrastructure and developing pilgrim spots like Kashi Dham, Kedarnath, Badrinath and Mahakal temple. We will develop a new India and make our motto of the welfare of humanity successful, he said.

Emphasising on eradicating mental slavery, he asked people to take pride in traditions.

After 75 years of Independence, we were carrying the symbol of slavery on the flag of our Navy. We continued with British traditions after independence. Now, with full confidence, we started to change it. We are giving a respectable place to our heritage and ideals. The insignia of Chhatrapati Shivaji has been put on the flag of the Indian Navy, he said.

Rajpath has been renamed Kartavya Path, and this is motivating the country to honour tribal values, a tribal freedom fighter museum is being established. Our ancient and holy idols that were sent outside the country are being installed in our temple. The idea of a developed and spiritual country is being fulfilled, he added.

Lauding Gita Press, Modi said, Gita Press is the only printing press in the country that is not merely an institution but a living faith. For the people, the office of Gita Press is like a temple. Where there is Gita, there is Krishna, and where there is Krishna there is compassion.

The Prime Minister visited Lila Chitra Mandir in the premises of the press building, where 684 paintings on the life of Hindu deities Rama and Krishna are on display. He also released the latest edition of Shiva Mahapurana published by Gita Press.

Later, he flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow and the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express trains. He also laid the foundation stone of the 498-crore Gorakhpur railway station redevelopment project. There is a craze for it Earlier, leaders used to write about getting trains to halt in their areas. Now, I get letters from every part of the country requesting to run Vande Bharat trains, he said, adding that Vande Bharat provided both facilities and convenience to middle-class citizens.

He then travelled to Varanasi, where he unveiled 29 development projects worth 12,100 crore and told a rally later that the beneficiaries of welfare schemes were examples of social justice and real secularism, attacking previous governments for coming up with schemes while sitting in air-conditioned rooms.

They never got to know what the impact of the schemes was on the ground, he said, adding that now there was dialogue and direct feedback from intended beneficiaries.

He said the benefits of democracy had reached the right people after many years. Earlier, only a select few benefitedthe poor had no say, he said, adding that schemes earlier meant to help one family and one generation. But his government keeps in mind the benefit of the future generations as well, he claimed.

UP governor Anandi Ben Patel, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, Union minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union minister SP Singh Baghel and Varanasi mayor were among those present on the dais.

Speaking on Vande Bharat trains, the Prime Minister said, There is a craze for it.Earlier, leaders used to write about getting trains to halt in their areas. Now, I get letters from every part of the country requesting to run Vande Bharat trains, he said, adding that Vande Bharat has provided both facilities and convenience to middle-class citizens.

Under the BJP government, beneficiary class has become an example of true social justice and true secularism, he said in Varanasi.

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Former minister for justice of Saudi Arabia Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa is scheduled to visit India next week and hold discussions with some top government officials, according to people familiar with the matter. Al-Issa, a leading global voice on moderate Islam and a reformist, will meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar and national security adviser Ajit Doval during his five-day visit starting July 10. Muslim World League Secretary General Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa.

The Islamic scholar is known for promoting inter-faith dialogue and espousing the cause of world peace.

Al-Issa will address a gathering of prominent religious and community leaders and academics in the national capital where he is expected to encourage dialogue between civilizations, religious tolerance, intercultural communication, non-violence and religious pluralism. Doval will also address the gathering at India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi.

The former Saudi minister may call on President Droupadi Murmu as well, according to the people cited above.

He will also meet the president of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and interact with a group of distinguished faith leaders at Vivekanand International Foundation. His visit itinerary will also include a trip to the famous Akshardham Temple and Jama Masjid for Friday prayers. He will also make a trip to Agra, sources said.

Al-Issa is currently serving as secretary general of the Muslim World League and is widely recognized for his prominent role in promoting moderate Islam and fostering empathy, understanding, and cooperation among people of all backgrounds. As the powerful Saudi Minister for Justice, he oversaw key reforms in several areas, including legislative reforms in family matters, humanitarian cases, and the rights of women.

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Dismissing Thursday's decisions of the NCP working committee, rebel party leader Praful Patel on Friday claimed that the committee cannot take the decision on the appointment of office bearers because of a flawed organisational structure. Patel argued that the working committee does not have any power since most of the office bearers have been appointed, and not elected. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar with Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) State Chief Sunil Tatkare and party leader Praful Patel during a meeting of his faction NCP leaders, at MET Bandra in Mumbai on Wednesday.(ANI)

Most of the office-bearers are appointed by some or others. Our organizational structure is flawed which is against the party's constitution and thus the working committee cannot take the decision, Patel said.

Election did not happen in the party for the last many years and most of us are appointed and not elected. Thus going by our own NCP constitution they do not have any powers, he claimed.

Patel also asserted that NCP has not split, calling it intra-party differences.

SC verdict also talks about split and merger and not about intra-party differences. The SC verdict does not apply in this case, he said.

Amid the tussle for control of the NCP after Ajit Pawar's rebellion, the Nationalist Congress Party(NCP) Working Committee expressed faith in Sharad Pawar's leadership and endorsed his decision to expel Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare, both MPs, from the party after they joined the NDA ranks on Sunday.

Sharad Pawar declared he was the president of the party and dismissed suggestions that the NCP had diminished in strength after the rebellion.

Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Praful Patel said the party had not broken up, and Ajit Pawar was unanimously appointed as party president by its legislature and organizational wings on June 30. He said they had submitted a petition to the Election Commission of India (ECI) with affidavits of more than 40 MLAs, informing it about Ajit Pawar's appointment and staking claim over the "party name and symbol". T

"An important meeting was held on June 30 at `Devgiri' (Ajit Pawar's official residence in Mumbai) where legislators, office-bearers and party workers were present. They unanimously appointed Ajit Pawar as their leader," he said.

Ajit Pawar himself was appointed as leader of the NCP legislature party, Anil Patel continued to be the party whip in Assembly and the Legislative Council chairperson was informed that Amol Mitkari was appointed as whip in the Council, he said.

"Who will determine (which is) the (real) political party ? It is in the domain of the Election Commission of India while actions of the legislators is the domain of the Speaker," Patel said.

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In a major setback to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Gujarat high court on Friday dismissed his review petition and refused to stay his conviction in the 2019 Modi surname case. If Rahul Gandhi's conviction were stayed, he might have been reinstated in the Lok Sabha. The Gujarat high court in its final order on Friday said there are at least eight other criminal defamation complaints pending against Rahul Gandhi. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (File Photo)

Rahul Gandhi 2019 case: A timeline

Justice Hemant Prachchak delivered the verdict and said, Even after the present case, some more cases filed against him. One such is filed by grandson of Veer Savarkar. In anyway, conviction would not result in any injustice.

A stay on conviction is not a rule but an exception, the high court observed. It said Rahul Gandhi has been seeking a stay on his conviction on "absolutely non-existent grounds".

The BJP was quick to welcome the verdict as BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted 'Satyameva Jayate'. "After Sessions Court now High Court dismisses Rahul Gandhis petition. Makes stinging findings and observations. Rahul Gandhi is a serial offender & instead of apologising to the OBC Samaj the Congress continues to brazen it out," Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted as the first reaction coming from the BJP.

Rahul Gandhi Modi surname case: What does the Gujarat HC order mean

The Gujarat high court order means there is no immediate relief for Rahul Gandhi in the 2019 Modi surname case. Rahul Gandhi now has the option to approach the Supreme Court against the high court order.

Travesty of Justice: Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala

Rahul Gandhi is being punished for "exposing the deceit and swindling of public money", Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala tweeted.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the verdict will be studied by the party and Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi will hold a press conference at 3pm. "The judgement only redoubled our resolve to pursue the matter further," Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

What is the Modi surname case?

In 2019, while campaigning in Karnataka's Kolar for the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi said, "Why all thieves have Modi surname in common?". Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi filed a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi for the comment -- for hurting the Modi community. The proceedings of the case sped up this year and Rahul Gandhi was convicted in the defamation case. He was sentenced to two years in jail. Following his conviction, he lost his Parliament membership.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a fresh attack at the Chhattisgarh's Congress unit saying that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won't spare the corrupt government, and that he is not scared of anything. Prime Minister Narendra Modi(ANI)

"Jo dar jaaye wo Modi nahi (one who gets scared is not Modi). I won't step back from taking steps for the welfare of Chhattisgarh. We have invested double than what Congress did in the state. Congress is the enemy of the poor," he said while addressing a public gathering in the state capital Raipur in the backdrop of laying the foundation stone worth 7,600 crore.

Alleging Congress of having corruption as its biggest ideology, PM Modi said he is a guarantee of action against graft if the grand old party is a guarantee of corruption. He also alleged that the Congress has made Chhattigarh its ATM, with every department engaged in corruption.

Congress promised liquor ban in the state but in reality, they have done scams worth thousands of crores. The scam money went into the account of the party. Now, people say the party could not implement the 2.5-year power-sharing formula (hinting at the seat-sharing pact on the chief ministerial post between Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singh Deo) due to the tussle over this money,

This was Modis first visit to the Congress-ruled state after taking charge as PM for a second term in 2019; Chhattisgarh is headed for assembly elections later this year.

The next 25 years will be crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh but a big panja (referring to the Congress party symbol) is standing like a tall wall against it. Congress panja has resolved to snatch your rights and it will loot and destroy the state, Modi said, adding that the ruling party in the state has failed to fulfill their promises after the 2018 polls.

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Police have attributed depression as the cause after Tamil Nadus deputy inspector general of police (DIG) C Vijayakumar shot himself dead using his pistol on Friday morning. Police attributed depression as cause after Tamil Nadus deputy inspector general of police (DIG) C Vijayakumar shot himself dead (Agencies/Representative use)

He had been suffering from depression for the past few years and had been undergoing treatment, said additional director general of police (law and order) A Arun.

This morning, I spoke to the doctor who treated him. The doctor informed me that he had obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and depression, and he was on medication. Just four days ago, he had reached out to the doctor, expressing that his depression was worsening.

Due to his struggles with mental health, his wife and daughter had joined him in Coimbatore a few days ago, the officer added.

He used his security officers pistol to shoot himself, the officer further explained.

Vijayakumar, a 2009 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, held the position of DIG in Tamil Nadus Coimbatore range and died by suicide in his camp office on Race Course Road on Friday.

He had been promoted and took charge in Coimbatore in January of this year. Previously, he served as a superintendent of police (SP) in several districts and deputy commissioner of police in Chennais Anna Nagar.

Retired IPS officers such as S R Jangid and Sylendra Babu spoke of Vijayakumars sincerity in his work. I even spoke to him last week, said Jangid, who retired as the Tamil Nadu director general of police (DGP) in 2019.

Chief minister M K Stalin expressed shock and sadness over his death. Mr Vijayakumar has served the Tamil Nadu Police well in various responsibilities, including District Superintendent of Police during his tenure, Stalin said. His death is a huge loss for the Tamil Nadu Police Department. My deepest condolences to his family and his friends in the police force.

After completing a post-mortem at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, his body was sent to his native Theni district.

Leader of Opposition and All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswamy demanded a CBI inquiry into his suicide. One cannot easily dismiss the suicide of a senior police official. The state government should conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and take appropriate action, tweeted K Annamalai, the BJP state president, who was a former IPS officer in Karnataka.

There is no need to politicise this issue, stated ADGP Arun. This incident occurred purely due to medical reasons. Our inquiry revealed that there was no external pressure from his family or work.

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The Congress party on Friday said that the Gujarat high court's refusal to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the Modi surname remark case is disappointing but not unexpected. Congress leader and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that the legal jurisprudence from Gujarat high court and session court has no parallel in the law. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (File Photo)

This is a disappointing and not an unexpected judgment. The jurisprudence found in this judgment is unique and extraordinary. For want of a better word, I will say it has no parallel or precedent in the jurisprudence of the law of defamation, Singhi told a press conference.

The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. While dismissing Rahul Gandhi's plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that the Congress leader is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader.

The court noted that there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction.

In 2019, Rahul Gandhi, at an election rally in Karnataka's Kolar had asked Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi as the common surname?

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 had sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

Singhi said it is nearly impossible to show how the entire community has been offended and defamed.

There is no previous example that the entire community has been defamed and conviction has not been stayed. It is very clear that it is an orchestrated effort against Rahul Gandhi, he added.

Singhvi also expressed surprise and astonishment over the judge's reference to other criminal cases filed against Rahul Gandhi, including one filed by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's grandson.

"How is this relevant in the slightest? At the end of the arguments, a cutting was handed over by the complainants counsel of a case filed on April 12th, 2023 post the conviction by the Trial Court on March 23rd, 2023. The cutting is neither pleaded nor otherwise argued. Yet this becomes a major basis of appeal," he said.

What the single-bench judge said on Savarkar issue

"He (Gandhi) was trying to stay the conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that staying of conviction is not a rule, but an exception, resorted only in rare cases. Disqualification is not only limited to MP, MLAs. Moreover, as many as 10 criminal cases are pending against the applicant," the HC said.

"After this complaint, another complaint was filed in a court in Pune by the grandson of Veer Savarkar for Gandhi's defamatory utterance against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. Another complaint against him was filed in the concerned court of Lucknow," it said. In this backdrop, refusal of stay on conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant, the judge said.

Free Speech issue

Singhvi warned that the Gujarat high court's ruling impacts every single person, calling the case an important legal battle regardless of the personalities involved.

"It is, in effect, a battle to limit the arena of free speech. To dictate what can and cannot be said. To state from on high, that free speech is what we find harmless not the law. Tomorrow, a story by a journalist will be called defamatory because one individual claims, without the slightest bit of proof, that an entire amorphous community has been offended," he said.

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The Gujarat High Court refused to stay the conviction of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark on Friday. The court of Justice Hemant Prachchhak delivered the verdict.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi defamation case verdict.(Getty Images via AFP)
A doyen in the field of literary illustrations, sculptures and line sketches in Kerala, KM Vasudevan Namboothiri, commonly known as Artist Namboothiri, passed away at a private hospital in Kottakkal on Friday. He was 97. The master artist was born in 1925 in Ponnani to Parameshwaran Namboothiri and Sreedevi Antharjanam. (Twitter)

Namboothiri was under treatment for age-related illnesses and his funeral rites will be conducted on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and praised his iconic art works.

Shri K M Vasudevan Namboothiri Ji will be remembered through his iconic art works. He was widely respected for his creativity and efforts to popularise aspects relating to history and culture. Pained by his demise. My thoughts are with his family in this sad hour. Om Shanti, PM Modi posted on his official Twitter account.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also paid tributes to the artist.

Mourning the passing of legendary Kerala artist Namboothiri at the age of 97. After a lifetime of drawing in black&white (his illustrations were famed across the state), at age 82 he took up colour and dazzled the world with works of vivid exuberance. A special talent. #OmShanti, Tharoor posted on his official Twitter account.

Also Read: Noted photographer Dan Budnik, known for his portraits of artists, dies at age 87

The master artist was born in 1925 in Ponnani to Parameshwaran Namboothiri and Sreedevi Antharjanam.

Even though he learnt Sanskrit and Vedic studies, his real interest lay in drawing and painting from a young age.

It was Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboothiri who saw his talent and secured his admission at the Madras Fine Arts college where he prospered under the tutelage of veterans like Roy Chaudhary and KCS Panicker.

Namboothiri worked in literary publications like Mathrubhoomi, Kalakaumudi and Samakalika Malayalam in the later years.

His illustrations of mythical characters for literary works of writers like MT Vasudevan Nair and VK Narayanankutty Nair drew plaudits.

The latter praised Namboothiri, calling him the Paramasivan of line sketches. His illustrations of Bheema in MTs Randamoozham also garnered praises for him.

Namboothiri received the Kerala State Film Award for art direction for his work in the film Uttarayanam in 1974.

He has served as the president of the Kerala Lalitakala Akademi and has received the Raja Ravi Varma award of the Akademi.

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The Supreme Court on Friday issued a contempt notice to Haridwar hate speech accused Yati Narsinghanand for passing remarks against the judiciary in an interview to a YouTube channel in January last year. Supreme Court of India. (PTI File Photo)

A bench of justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh issued notice to the head priest of the Dasna Devi Temple at Ghaziabad on a petition filed by social activist Shachi Nelli.

The petition, argued by senior advocate Nitya Ramakrishnan, furnished excerpts of the interview from 14 January 2022 where Narsinghanand was quoted as saying, We have no trust in the Supreme Court and the Constitution.

Those who believe in the Supreme Court of India will die a dogs death, he was quoted as saying in the interview that was given in the context of the hate speech incident at a Dharam Sansad organised at Haridwar in December 2021.

The petition said, The contemnor has a huge reach and influence, and his statement has been spread far and wide by his followers and sympathisers leading to widespread disaffection for this court, thereby undermining the authority and bringing its majesty into disrepute.

Seeking action against Narsinghanand under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, the plea further stated, The danger imminent to ordinary people and litigants to an armed and militant band of people who appear to know neither fear of the law nor any consequence of breaking the same calls for the strongest action by this court.

For initiating contempt proceedings, one must obtain consent of the Attorney General of India under Rule 3(c) of the Rules to Regulate Proceedings for Contempt of Supreme Court, 1975.

In this case, the then Attorney General KK Venugopal granted consent to the petitioner on January 22 last year to file the contempt case, after being satisfied prima facie that the statement made by Yati Narsinghanand tends to diminish the image of the Supreme Court in the minds of people.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday turned down a plea by a West Bengal lawmaker to deploy additional central forces in 22 districts which have already witnessed widespread violence and bloodshed, saying there cannot be micromanagement of elections. The Supreme Court (Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)

Dismissing a petition filed by Bengal legislator Nawsad Siddique, a bench of justices BV Nagarathna and Prashant Kumar Mishra said: The high court is already seized of the matter and is monitoring the situation. There can be no micromanagement of elections.

Siddique, the lone legislator of the Indian Secular Front in the Bengal assembly, told the top court that the recent violence ahead of the panchayat elections demonstrated that there were not enough Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel in the state.

He also compared the deployment of security forces with the 2013 figures when the previous panchayat election was held.

Senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, appearing for the state government, told the court that 822 companies of central forces - each company has a strength of 100 personnel - are deployed on the ground following requests by the state election commission.

The petition claimed that 825 companies of central forces and 35,000 state police personnel were deployed in 2013.

The high court too is considering a petition filed by BJP legislator and Leader of Opposition in assembly Suvendu Adhikari on steps to curb violence during polls. On Thursday, the high court said the central forces should remain deployed for 10 days after the results are declared on July 11.

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National security adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval will raise concerns over the activities of pro-Khalistan radicals with his UK counterpart Tim Barrow when they meet at Sardar Patel Bhawan in the national capital on Friday to discuss several bilateral issues, according to people aware of the matter said. National Security Advisor chief Ajit Doval addresses at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial Lecture organised by ASSOCHAM.(ANI)

The meeting comes after the UK-based chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), and alleged handler of separatist Amritpal Singh, Avtar Singh Khanda, died under mysterious circumstances in a Birmingham hospital on June 15.

While Doval has been in touch with Barrow over the rise of pro-Khalistan extremism in UK, and its impact on the bilateral ties, India has serious concerns over the British core establishment ostensibly soft-pedaling the issue, the people said, asking not to be named.

The Narendra Modi government was upset when radicals led by Khanda desecrated the Indian Tricilour during a protest at the Indian high commission in London on March 19. Perhaps for the first time, the Delhi Police registered a first information report (FIR) over a crime committed abroad, and the case was later handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) at the instance of Union home minister Amit Shah

The Delhi Police special cell named Khanda, Gursharan Singh, and Jasvir Singh as the main perpetrators of the London incident, and NIA has now identified about a dozen suspects behind the flag-desecration incident, senior officials said, asking not to be named.

Though the national security set-up is tight-lipped about the Doval-Barrow meeting, the Indian NSA will raise the issue of Indian diplomats -- including high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and a consul general -- being targeted by pro-Khalistan extremists in posters announcing a protest rally to the Indian high commission in London on July 8. The spark for the rally is the killing of KTF separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, ostensibly in a gang-related shooting, in Canada on June 19.

Doval is likely to seek guarantees from Barrow on the protection for Indian diplomats in UK, as well as surety on non-violation of Indian diplomatic premises by extremists, the people cited in the first instance said.

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The United States has human concerns about the violence in Manipur and is ready, willing, able to assist in any way if asked to do, US ambassador Eric Garcetti has said. Eric Garcetti expressed the hope that peace will return to Manipur as this will pave the way for more progress in the region. (PTI Photo)

Speaking at a press meet at the American Center in Kolkata on Thursday, Garcetti hastened to add that the situation in the northeastern state is an internal matter of India.

He expressed the hope that peace will return to Manipur as this will pave the way for more progress and investments in the region.

Garcetti made the remarks while responding to a question from a reporter on whether the violence in Manipur over the past two months, including deaths and attacks on the states Christian minority, were a matter of concern for the US.

Also Read: US ready to help in Manipur if asked, says Garcetti; Never heard statement of this nature: Cong leader

Let me speak about Manipur first, which is that we pray for peace there. When you ask does it concern the United States, I dont think its about strategic concerns, I think its about human concerns, he said.

You dont have to be Indian to care when children or individuals die in the sort of violence that we see, and we know that peace is the precedent for so many other good things. There has been so much progress in the northeast and the east... The country has done some remarkable things in recent years and those cant continue without peace, Garcetti said.

He added, We stand ready, willing, able to assist in any way if asked but we know this is an Indian matter. We pray for that peace, that it may come quickly because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place.

Asked about Garcettis remarks at a regular media briefing on Thursday, external affairs ministry Arindam Bagchi said he wasnt aware of the full details of the US envoys comment and added, I think we would also [want to] see peace there and I think our agencies and our security forces are working and our local government are working on it.

Bagchi further said, I am not sure foreign diplomats would usually comment on internal developments in India.

Manipur has been racked by violence following clashes since May 3 between the mostly Hindu Meitei majority and the Christian Kuki minority.

More than 120 deaths have been reported from the state and tens of thousands of people have been displaced by the continuing violence.

In his opening remarks at the press meet, Garcetti said the eastern and northeastern regions of India matter to the US, both in terms of their location and potential.

In terms of peace, this region  eastern and northeastern India  is unique. Its varied, its got rich cultures, its got strategic location with five international borders. Its the gateway to so much possibility and potential, he said.

Without referring to Manipur, he said, I would echo the age-old Indian wisdom of unity in diversity and an even stronger word that Ive used in my visit  try to make a sense of belonging for everybody.

He noted that building a sense of belonging through our diversity is critical to promote peace, and that regional peace and security are a common goal of the US and India.

Garcetti also acknowledged that protecting minority rights is not easy to do in the US and that democracies are both about majority rule and all voices being protected.

He said the US talks about such values in an unabashed way.

He added, We wont avoid those conversations in the private context, but we will also not wag our finger. Were here as friends, were here to have conversations that are important. Were here to engage on the promotion of everyones rights, whether its making sure theres not the trafficking of persons, the empowerment of women, the LGBTQ populations are respected.

Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari was among those who reacted to the US envoys comments, saying in a tweet, To the best of my recollection going back at least four decades in public life I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India.

Tewari said India has faced challenges in Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity & wisdom.

He added, Even when [former US assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs] Robin Raphel would be loquacious on J&K in the 1990s the US Ambassadors in India were circumspect. I doubt if the new @USAmbIndia @ericgarcetti is cognisant of the convoluted & torturous history of US-India relations & our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs.

Garcetti was on a visit to West Bengal for meetings with political leaders and business persons.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rezaul H Laskar Rezaul H Laskar is the Foreign Affairs Editor at Hindustan Times. His interests include movies and music. ...view detail
On a question pertaining to Manipur violence, US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti who was in Kolkata on Thursday said the US is ready to assist in any way if asked to resolve the crisis and the northeast can't prosper without peace. Noting that this is an internal matter of India, Eric Garcetti said the US does not have any strategic concerns but it has human concerns. The comment drew a response from Congress MP Manish Tewari who said it is very rare for a US envoy to make a statement "of this nature about the internal affairs of India". Ambassador of US to India Eric Garcetti said US stands ready for any kind of assistance in Manipur if asked. (PTI)

"You don't have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence. We know peace is a precedent for so many good things. There has been so much progress in the Northeast and the East...We stand ready to assist in any way if asked. We know it's an Indian matter and we pray for that peace and that it may come quickly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place," Eric Garcetti said.

Manish Tewari referred to earlier challenges in Punjab, J&K, Northeast and said the US ambassadors were cautious. "We faced Challenges in Punjab, J&K , North East over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity & wisdom. Even when Robin Raphel would be loquacious on J&K in the 1990s the US Ambassadors (sic) in India were circumspect," Manish Tewari tweeted.

"I doubt if the New @USAmbIndia @ericgarcetti is cognisant of the convoluted & torturous history of US-India relations & our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs," the Congress leader added.

India never lectures the US on gun violence, Manish Tewari told news agency ANI. As far as the US ambassador is concerned, the country faces several challenges but India has never appreciated any statement for its internal matters. There is gun violence in the US & several people are killed. We never told the US to learn from us as to how to rein that in. US faces riots over racism. We never told them that we will lecture them...Perhaps it is important for the new Ambassador to take cognisance of the history of India-US relations, the Congress MP said.

The situation in Manipur remains tense with incidents of sporadic violence taking place in the state two months after an ethnic violence broke out on May 3 between Meitei and other communities in the state. More than 100 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 were injured in the months-long violence.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
A five-decade cyclical famine is said to have started it, the only time the Indian government launched air strikes on its own citizens marked it in ignominy, and the accord, which ended it in 1986, is now a symbol of enduring peace. PREMIUM More than god, the people of the state and protracted negotiations between several stakeholders brought peace to Mizoram.(Representative Image)

The 37th anniversary of Remna Ni or the Mizoram Peace Accord (MPA) was marked on June 30th, a historic tripartite agreement between the ministry of home affairs (MHA), the Mizoram government and the Mizo National Front (MNF), the group that led the insurgency.

The peace accord ended a two-decade insurgency in the landlocked north-eastern state  known according to the travel portal Lonely Planet for its orchids and rhododendrons  with the 54th Constitution Amendment Bill granting statehood to Mizoram, making it in 1986, the 23rd state in the country; 40 members were elected to the new state legislative assembly by February, 1987.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister of Mizoram, Zoramthanga, who is the current MNF chief, said: It is not because Mizos are better than others, that we have a time-tested and long-lasting peace Our peace is a long-lasting one because god has been preparing Mizoram as a safe haven, a Jerusalem for our brethren to seek shelter.

HISTORY OF THE CONFLICT

More than god, the people of the state and protracted negotiations between several stakeholders brought peace to Mizoram.

What preceded the accord were deep mistrust, violence and bloodshed for years. The history of the insurgency begins in 1959, when the Lushai Hills, a district at that time in Assam experienced the devastating Mautam famine.

Experts say Mautam is a 48-year cyclical flowering of the bamboo plant. When rats eat the seeds of the plant, the population of the rodents multiply rapidly; they then devour crops, destroying farm produce and vegetation.

When the famine struck in 1959, the then Mizo District Council appealed to the Assam government for a sum of 150,000 to mitigate the effects of the spreading disaster.

Their request was ignored: Ignorant officials dismissed Mautam as a bizarre tribal superstition.

The resulting food shortage in the region first fuelled anger and disbelief, and then triggered deep unrest among the suffering population.

On October 28, 1961, a secessionist movement led by the MNF, an organisation that had evolved out of a famine relief team, took formal shape.

Seven months earlier, on March 1, the organisation had already called for independence from India.

The MNF had formed an armed wing called the Mizo National Army (MNA), created to fight Indian security forces including the army. The MNA, a ragtag group of angry locals, consisted of eight infantry "battalions" organised on the pattern of the Indian army.

The MNA soon launched a full-scale insurgency, after, according to intelligence and army reports from the time, receiving weapons, funding and training from China and Pakistan.

New Delhis response was ruthless, by many accounts.

It included unprecedented air strikes by the Indian air force on the town of Aizawl, ordered by then Prime minister, Indira Gandhi. Gandhi ordered the deployment of four fighter jets, which bombed Aizawl, making it the only instance of the Indian air force attacking its own citizens.

Following the air strikes, the Indian military was sent in for operations deep inside the turbulent state, combing village after remote village.

Their aim was to secure all the key border points and to prevent supplies from entering the state through Burma and then East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.

In 1967, the Government of India outlawed MNF.

THE ROAD TO PEACE

The road to peace was long and arduous.

The Central government offered to give a Union Territory status to the Lushai Hills in 1971, and on January 21, 1972, the Union Territory of Mizoram was formed.

In 1985, then-high-profile MNF leader, Laldenga met Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, paving the way for the peace accord.

The Mizoram Peace Accord was signed on 30 June 1986. The MNA fighters subsequently surrendered.

On February 20, 1987, the state of Mizoram was formed.

F. Vanlalrochana, a popular columnist in various newspapers in Mizoram, talked about the peace accord and its long-lasting impact.

Since our forefathers, Mizos have never betrayed any settlement made with another party. In a Mizo society, a persons integrity is measured by how well he observes the vow he has made. Mizos retaliate with great force if an agreement has been betrayed by another party. The Mizos signed many pacts during the British era, and were never the ones to break it.

Speaking on the success of the MPA, B. Lalzarliana, assistant professor at the Department of Sociology, Mizoram University said: Unlike other accords signed by the government of India, the endurance and success of the Mizoram Accord is a testament to the tenacity of the local Mizo populace first and second, the political leadership to make it work.

The state population, he said, actively support the MPA unlike in other places where similar accords to could be undermined by new factions who are not willing to abide by it.

The civil society, represented by the Mizo Church, was also instrumental in the signing of the peace accord by actively canvassing for its inception and success. The MPA is successful because all sections of society actively participated in its success even if some of its demands were not met. This is what is needed for a successful peace accord, he added.

The success of the accord is an example of enduring peace not only in India but also abroad, CM Zoramthanga tweeted.

The historic MPA signed in 1986 was the most time-tested exemplary accord not only in the country but also in the world, which has lasted till date. Since then, the Mizoram Accord has become an exemplary peace accord. Many neighbouring states and countries also take it as a model of peace. Today, I implore my fellow Mizos to take pride in this gift of God we received, and to preserve it for generations to come.

Only through peace can we have real and stable growth and development, he tweeted.
Right now, somewhere in India, a young woman is getting her first period and is convinced shes dying of some kind of cancer. In another part of the country, a bride is spending her first night with her husband, aghast and uncomfortable, in a decked-out hotel room, because the groom has no idea about womans pleasure; all he knows is whats hes seen in porn videos. Elsewhere, a well-educated woman, in a big city, is having unprotected sex because buying a condom should be the mans responsibility, na?. And a shocking number of women (possibly a friend, colleague, family member, classmate) are going through adulthood, possibly even though a relationship, without having orgasmed even once. A shocking number of women go through adulthood, maybe even though a relationship, without having orgasmed ever. (Illustration by Malay Karmakar)

Award-winning content creator Leeza Mangaldas has been posting Reels, videos and information about subjects as varied as penis sizes and using tampons, since 2018.

The award-winning content creator from Goa has been posting Reels, videos and information about subjects as varied as penis sizes and using tampons, since 2018. She is also the author of The Sex Book: A Joyful Journey of Self-discovery, and founder of Leezus, an intimacy products brand. She has 920K followers on Instagram (@leezamangaldas) Bangalore-based content creator Simran Balar Jain posts travel, lifestyle, menstrual hygiene and sex-education Reels to her 1.1 million followers on Instagram.

The Bangalore-based content creator posts travel, lifestyle, menstrual hygiene and sex-education Reels to her 1.1 million followers on Instagram (@simranbalarjain). Her company, UnBound (set up along with her friend Sayyam Jain), makes products such as naughty charades and playing cards for couples. Bombay-based entrepreneur Anushka Gupta co-founded MyMuse, a sexual wellness brand, posts about everything from blue balls and G spots to date night ideas and blended orgasms.

The Bombay-based entrepreneur co-founded MyMuse, a sexual wellness brand, with her husband Sahil Gupta in 2020. Much of the business is about educating people. Their account, @mymuse.in has 53.8K followers, and posts about everything from blue balls and G spots to date night ideas and blended orgasms.

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Actor Diana Penty has been taking over the ongoing Paris Haute Couture Week with her irresistible elegance and desi glamour. Diana is one of the desi celebrities to attend the fashion week this year. After appearing at Rahul Mishra and Georges Chakra's Haute Couture shows, Diana watched Zuhair Murad's Couture Fall-Winter 2023/24 collection at the Hotel Potocki in Paris. She also shared stunning pictures of herself at the fashion event. Scroll through to see the photos. Diana Penty attends Zuhair Murad's Paris Haute Couture Week show in a plunge-neck gown. (Instagram)

Diana Penty attends Zuhair Murad's Paris Haute Couture show

Diana Penty posted pictures from Zuhair Murad's Paris Haute Couture show with the caption, "My first @zuhairmuradofficial show at #ParisHauteCouture week. Thank you for having me! A spectacular show [heart-eye emoji]." Styled by celebrity stylist Namita Alexander, Diana wore a metallic bronze-gold strapless gown from the shelves of the ready-to-wear statement couture brand Mae Paris. She chose minimal styling to glam up the ensemble. Check out the pictures below.

Diana Penty's irresistible elegance in the metallic look

Diana's metallic bronze-gold gown features a strapless pointed design, a plunging neckline highlighting her decolletage, exaggerated off-the-shoulder full-length sleeves attached to the ensemble, a corseted fitting on the torso accentuating her svelte frame, ankle-length hem, and risque thigh-high slit on the side adding the oomph factor.

Diana ditched all accessories to style the ensemble and completed the Haute Couture week look with strappy black block heel sandals. Lastly, she chose feathered brows, subtle blush pink eye shadow, matching lip shade, rouged cheekbones, beaming highlighter, mascara on the lashes, sleek eyeliner, contoured face, and a dewy base. A centre-parted sleek open hairdo gave the finishing touch.

Fans react to Diana Penty's look

Diana Penty's photos garnered much love on social media. Fans flooded the comments section with compliments. One user wrote, "Gorgeous as always." A fan commented, "Goddess." Another wrote, "You are a stunner. Best than the rest." Others dropped hearts and fire emoticons to compliment her.
Despite all the stunning twists and turns in Maharashtra this week, any story with Sharad Pawar as a key protagonist evokes a sense of deja vu . PREMIUM Sharad Pawar may have been consumed by his own games.( (File Photo))

We all feel we have been here, in this very moment, before.

Ajit Pawar, who is today being attacked as a backstabber for betraying his uncle, did exactly the same in 2019, in a sudden joining of hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). That stint as deputy chief minister of Maharashtra lasted less than 80 hours.

When it collapsed, Sharad Pawar was hailed as the craftiest fox of Indian politics. His nephews power gambit was described as some deep game of subterfuge that the senior Pawar played to checkmate the BJP.

Was Pawars cleverness overstated then? Or has he finally paid a price for always sailing too close to the wind?

In the rebel camp of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), leaders insist that Sharad Pawar was flirting with the idea of switching camps for a while, but would always stop short at the precipice of the jump.

As far back as 2009, Pranab Mukherjee, then Union foreign minister, told me that, Pawar always gives mixed signals. He has been doing this always. It was election season and there was speculation that Pawar could abandon the Congress. Mukherjee, no less of a deep political player, was matter of fact in his appraisal of Sharad Pawars penchant for somersaults.

Today, in 2023, a lifetime of mixed signals appears to have devoured the veteran politician, who, in the unkindest cut of all, is also being targeted for his age.

Sharad Pawar may have been consumed by his own games. But he is not the only one who may eventually suffer for playing an over-calculated hand.

At the moment, the BJP can certainly afford the last laugh. It has successfully hollowed out Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena and Sharad Pawars NCP. Word is that the Maharashtra Congress is also vulnerable. If Sharad Pawar really tricked them in 2019 by sending Ajit Pawar into enemy territory as a decoy, the BJP made a deserter out of him and showed the senior Pawar his place.

But in the process, the party may have unleashed a set of contradictions that it will find difficult to manage.

To start with, how will it manage the sentiments within its own cadre that has long been training their guns on the NCP as a target? Maharashtra BJPs irrepressible Kirit Somaiya, for instance, known for being a document excavator, will be left red-faced. Just recently, he released a video warning Hasan Mushrif, the NCP leader now sworn in as minister, to be ready with your bags.

Instead of the Enforcement Directorate sending Mushrif to jail, as Somaiya may have expected based on his allegations of money laundering, Mushrif is today in a position to call the shots. Similarly, one of the main reasons for the discontent among Shiv Sena legislators who defected with Eknath Shinde to the BJP camp was the alliance between the Sena and the NCP. Ajit Pawars alleged corruption and ideological differences over Hindutva were quoted as key factors that hurt the sentiments of the Senas loyal base.

What will Eknath Shinde and his loyalists say now? And will they even have a choice?

With the NCP broken, Shinde is no longer necessary for the BJPs survival.

If he is among the 16 legislators who may be disqualified  that decision by the speaker of the assembly is pending, despite instructions from the Supreme Court  he will be out in the cold and neither here nor there.

If he remains chief minister, he will be hobbled and undercut, and possibly trapped by his own inconsistencies.

Of course, it is true that the other side has barely been consistent either. The BJP is right to point out that the alliance between Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar and the Congress was also counter-intuitive to what people voted for.

Maybe the BJP is counting on the cynicism of the Maharashtra voter who has seen some of her representatives change sides often and finds it hard to remember their original politics. Chagan Bhujbal, the newly sworn-in minister, for instance, has been with the Shiv Sena, the Congress, and the NCP under Sharad Pawar, and is now with Ajit Pawar.

Maybe the BJP believes the voter will not care about the fact that it is in alliance today with the very people it attacked as corrupt. And maybe the voter is jaded enough to believe that no politician is an ideological purist. But what is left to manage is still a Maha mess.

Sometimes, as Sharad Pawar learnt the hard way, being too clever is injurious to ones political health.

Barkha Dutt is an award-winning journalist and author. The views expressed are personal.
In the 74 years since the Constitution set it out as a desirable goal, there has been one main objection to a uniform personal law for all citizensthe time is not right. PREMIUM Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel recently criticised UCC, saying that uniform code will destroy tribal culture. (Representative Image/File Photo)

Certainly, the timing of Prime Minister Narendra Modis push for a uniform civil code (UCC) during a meeting with party workers in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh in the last year of his term raises questions. Why does an issue mentioned in the BJPs 2019 manifesto suddenly gain urgency? How is it that the 22nd Law Commission has invited public opinion on a UCC when the previous Law Commission held that it is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage?

In BJP-ruled Uttarakhand, retired justice Ranjana Desai, tasked with preparing a draft code, has announced it is ready. The draft is said to include equal property rights for women, an end to polygamy, uniform child adoption rules and raising the legal marriage age for women to 21. So far only Goa has a UCC.

The push for a UCC has traditionally come from two very different sourcesthe right wing and feminists. The feminist backing is easy to understand. All personal laws discriminate against women, particularly in key areas like marriage and inheritance. Through the 1970s with the rise of autonomous womens movements, there was an enhanced focus on the reformative potential of the law to challenge social injustices, writes legal scholar Saumya Saxena, in Divorce and Democracy: A History of Personal Law in Post-Independence India.

For the right wing, one law, one nation has long been an article of faith, though its interesting to recall the staunch opposition of the Hindu Mahasabha and Jana Sangh to the Hindu code bills of the 1950s. But alongside a rise of Hindu nationalist politics, contemporary feminists have more recently rejected a UCC. This has coincided with an increasing awareness of their rights by women from minority groups who have sought to define and fight their own battles.

The demand for a ban on triple talaq, for instance, first came from Muslim women who went to court for it. When Parliament passed legislation to back the Supreme Courts ban, it added criminal provisions to ita demand that had been made by nobody.

Recent actions such as that in Assam where chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma rounded up and arrested over 3,000 men, a majority of them Muslim, for marrying underage womenmany had been married for several years and even had childrendoes little to build confidence amongst Muslims. The enactment of love jihad legislation in BJP-ruled states despite the fact that the partys own minister of state for home told Parliament there is no evidence of any such conspiracy plays into populist sentiment but cannot win it friends among minority groups.

If a uniform law is to succeed, it cannot be through brute majoritarianism but through confidence-building, statesmanship and sympathy, with just one impulse: Gender justice and the assurance of Constitutional equality for every citizen.

Unfortunately, there are no clean hands in this debate. The ironically-named Muslim Women (Protection of Right on Divorce) Act passed by Rajiv Gandhis Congress government negated the gains made by the Supreme Court in ruling that Shah Bano, married for 43 years, certainly deserved more than 179.20 a month, which was the maintenance deemed appropriate for her.

But behind the raised rhetoric and the public wringing of hands, the truth is nobody knows what a UCC will actually look like. No draft bill has as yet been presented. How will it accommodate the Hindu Undivided Family, a recognized entity that carries tax benefits?

How it will accommodate the customary and Constitutionally-protected tribal laws of the northeast particularly at a time when Manipur is roiled by conflict. Already, Sushil Modi, who heads the Parliamentary panel on law, is asking for tribals from the north-east to be kept out of the UCC.

Will a UCC accommodate more contemporary demands, such as marriage equality, and all the rights and privileges that stem from marriage, demanded by the LGBTQI community and for which a judgment by the Supreme Court is awaited?

Nobody knows. But in the years since we have been a free nation, society has changed in fundamental ways. Women are more vocal about demanding their rights, even if it means going to court to get them. And even without a UCC, the Supreme Court has tended to favour gender justice (sadly not always) when theres been a clash between personal law and Constitutional equality.

For instance, in 2020, it clarified that Hindu womens right to ancestral property granted in 2005 had a retrospective effect. It struck down a requirement for Christian women seeking divorce on grounds of adultery to prove cruelty as well (men had only to prove adultery). It granted Hindu women the right to pray at Sabarimala. Now, a Parsi woman who had married outside her community and so was deemed excommunicated wants the court to tell her she has the right to worship at her fire temple.

There is no doubt that the uniform civil code can play a role in ironing out gender gaps in the way all religions view women. But for that to happen, the intentions must be honest and open.

Namita Bhandare writes on gender. The views expressed are personal.
Twitter has threatened legal action against Meta over the new text-based app Threads less than 24 hours after its launch, news outlet Semafor reported. In a letter sent to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Twitters lawyer Alex Spiro has accused the company of using the latters trade secrets by hiring dozens of former employees of the blue-bird app. Elon Musk has threatened to sue Meta over Threads, an Instagram app, alleging it poached former Twitter employees to create a copycat app. (AFP)

Reacting to the news, Twitter owner Elon Musk on Friday said that he supported competition but not cheating. Replying to a news article about the same on Twitter, Musk wrote, Competition is fine, cheating is not.

Spiro, who is also Musks personal lawyer, has alleged in the letter that Meta had engaged in systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitters trade secrets and other intellectual property to develop Threads.

Twitter claimed that its former workers still had access to its confidential information, which was taken advantage of to build a copycat app in violation of both state and federal law.

"Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information," Spiro wrote in the letter. He added that it is a "formal notice" for Meta to preserve documents relevant for a potential dispute between the companies.

Andy Stone, Meta spokesperson, in a Threads post, asserted that the engineering team at Threads does not consist of any former Twitter employees.

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino, in an apparent reference to Threads, tweeted, "We're often imitated -- but the Twitter community can never be duplicated."

The lawsuit action is perhaps the clearest sign yet that Musk considers Zuckerbergs Twitter-killer app as a real threat.

Threads, which aims to take on Twitter by leveraging Instagram's billions of users, racked up more than 30 million sign-ups within about 18 hours of its Wednesday launch. It comes at a time when many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Musk's chaotic handling of the platform since acquiring it last year for $44 billion.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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The White House was evacuated earlier this week after cocaine was discovered in the West Wing. The incident spurred wild speculation about who owns the drugs that were found by the Secret Service during routine rounds of the building. The DC fire department had then quickly determined that the substance found was not a threat. US president Joe Biden was not present at the White House at the time as he was with his family at Camp David in Maryland for Fourth of July celebrations.

Hunter Biden, son of US President Joe Biden, arrives at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, DC.(Bloomberg)
Russia's ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, has vehemently dismissed media reports suggesting Moscow's involvement in a false-flag provocation at Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant. In an exclusive interview with Newsweek, Ambassador Antonov alleged that Ukraine was using this narrative to draw NATO into a devastating conflict, cautioning against the grave repercussions that such a situation could entail. Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant outside Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region.(Reuters)

"We call on the curators of the Kiev regime to exercise responsibility and exert influence on their 'wards' in order to avoid a large-scale catastrophe," Antonov told Newsweek. He further emphasized that the failures of the Ukrainian counter offensive were driving them to create a pretext for NATO deployment, potentially inflating a regional conflict into World War III.

Antonov's comments come in the midst of a fierce exchange of accusations between Russian and Ukrainian officials regarding a planned attack at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly addressed the issue, asserting that objects resembling explosives were detected on the plant's roof, possibly indicating a simulated attack.

While the United States Department of State acknowledged President Zelensky's claims, a spokesperson expressed concern over Russia's military occupation of the plant. The spokesperson warned that such actions not only compromised nuclear safety but also endangered the lives of Ukrainian staff operating the facility. They urged Russia to withdraw its personnel and return control to Ukrainian authorities to prevent a potential nuclear catastrophe.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre voiced her concerns over the dangerous situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, emphasizing that it should remain a zone free of fighting. However, Jean-Pierre refrained from commenting on a resolution proposed by senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, which would treat any nuclear provocation in Ukraine as a trigger for NATO's Article 5 collective defense clause.

Amidst these allegations and denials, Ambassador Antonov staunchly denied Russia's involvement and labeled such claims as "absurd." He emphasized the presence of Russian and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel at the ZNPP and stressed the protection of the plant's nuclear reactors. However, he acknowledged the vulnerability of other infrastructure facilities such as cooling systems and storage sites for nuclear waste, warning of the potential dangers of any projectile impact.

Furthermore, Antonov raised suspicions about the timing of the dueling narratives surrounding the Zaporizhzhia situation, connecting them to the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania. He alleged that Ukraine's authorities sought to exploit a terrorist attack to tarnish Russia's image, divert attention from their own failed counteroffensive, and draw NATO directly into the conflict.

As tensions escalate and the accusations fly between Russia and Ukraine, the world watches anxiously, aware of the dire consequences that any miscalculation or intentional provocation could unleash. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant stands as a symbol of the dangerous game being played, with the international community holding its breath, hoping for a peaceful resolution that can avert a catastrophe of nuclear proportions.

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A 32-year-old Mexican man - labelled a 'devil worshipper' by media outlets - was arrested last week for reportedly eating his wife's brain in tacos and using her skull as an ashtray after murdering her on June 29 while under the influence of drugs. According to British publication Mirror, the husband, Alvaro, and the victim, Maria Montserrat, were wed less than a year ago and have five daughters from an earlier marriage - the youngest is 12 and the oldest just 23. The man confessed to the crime after calling one of his stepdaughters. (Twitter )

During questioning, Alvaro told officers Santa Muerte (a female folk saint seen as the personification of death) and the devil ordered him to commit the gruesome crime.

After killing her, the accused - whom ghoulish media reports have also christened 'the cannibal of Puebla' - dismembered the body and stuffed the remains into plastic bags.

The killer reportedly then threw some body parts into a ravine and kept the rest at home.

The crime was disovered two days later; he called a stepdaughter to confess.

'Come collect your mum... already killed her'

The victim's mother, Maria Alicia Montiel Serran, told local media, "He told one of her daughters to come and collect her mum because 'I already killed her and put her in bags'."

She also claimed Alvaro chopped up the body with a 'machete, a chisel, and a hammer'.

"I called him crying, asking why he did that to her if she wasn't a bad person."

The two youngest daughters lived with the couple and, according to their grandmother, they had also been subject to violence and sexual harassment from their stepfather.

"He would spy on them while they showered, and my daughter, well, you know that out of love, she always sided with him," added the victim's mother.

The victim's family claimed Alvaro - a builder - was an alcoholic and a drug addict.

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Pakistan law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif's lifetime disqualification has ended, and now he is eligible to contest elections. He further said that the dissolution of Pakistan's national assembly before its tenure cannot be ruled in the current political situation. Once the tenure ends, a caretaker set up will be established he said. Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif.(Reuters)

Nawaz Sharif will not face lifetime disqualification anymore as the maximum disqualification period is five years, the minister said.

"If someone thinks that a person is a beneficiary of these amendments, then it would be someone else tomorrow. It is the constitutional jurisdiction of the Parliament to legislate and amend laws. The legislation work cannot be carried out by any institutions other than the Parliament," he said.

Not a single decision can be made without consultations with the coalition partners in the government, he continued.

Earlier, Pakistan's national assembly passed legislation limiting how long lawmakers can be disqualified from office. Nawaz Sharif served as Pakistan's prime minister three times after he was ousted over graft allegations in 2017. The country's top court then barred him from politics for life. He was later sentenced to seven years in jail.

In 2019, Nawaz Sharif was granted medical bail after which he flew to Britain where he has remained ever since as he continues to steer his party. His brother Shehbaz Sharif became prime minister last year.

"The ruling PML-N and its coalition partners want to bring Nawaz Sharif back," political analyst Hasan Askari had earlier told AFP, explaining, The bill has been passed to achieve this objective. Nawaz Sharif will be the main campaigner for PML-N in the next election. His return will be very helpful for the party politically, but it's not clear whether he himself will contest the election.

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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
Eighteen people were injured after a double-decker tour bus collided with a New York City commuter bus in Manhattan, the city's fire department said as per news agency Reuters. In the collision with the rear of a bus operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the front windows of a double-decker TopView tour bus were shattered. New York Bus Accident: Both buses were crowded, according to New York Fire Department officials.(Twitter)

The accident took place around 7 pm at First Avenue and 23rd Street on the east side of Manhattan. The New York fire department said that both the buses were crowded. Some 63 people were attended by medical staff at the scene of the accident, the authorities said.

Most of the injuries were cuts, scrapes and bruises, fire department officials informed. Some people were treated for suspected fractured bones and head and neck injuries, they added.

According to Fire department deputy chief Paul Hopper people have been sent to the hospital, with 63 more requesting medical attention. None of the injuries had been deemed life-threatening, he said, adding, We're all quite fortunate it was not much worse.

A passenger Ishrak Jahan told CBC News, "I heard the lady next to me scream, so I looked up and I saw this bus barreling towards us. I just saw glass everywhere for a second. I, you know, it was honestly like I was in a movie ... I saw blood. I immediately called 911."

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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
An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 struck Pakistan, National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said. The depth of the quake was reported at 170 km, according to NCS. Pakistan Earthquake: No damage or casualties have been reported so far.(Representational)

The earthquake took place at 05:11:28 IST and the epicentre was found to be at latitude 31.22 and longitude 70.21, it added. "Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 07-07-2023, 05:11:28 IST, Lat: 31.22 & Long: 70.21, Depth: 170 Km, Location: Pakistan," the NCS tweeted.

No damage or casualties have been reported so far.

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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
Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle stirred up a lot of controversy after releasing their Netflix documentary in 2022. However, a new report in the Daily Mail claimed that the Duke of Sussex may be finally stepping out of the limelight after last month a statement confirmed that Spotify and Archewell Audio would no longer be producing any new content together. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duke and Duchess of Sussex are seen.(AP)

Spotify and Archewell Audio have mutually agreed to part ways and are proud of the series we made together," a joint statement read.

In 2020, the couple had signed a long-term agreement with Netflix, under which they produced the docuseries Harry & Meghan. It premiered on the streaming platform in December, surpassing the latest season of The Crown. It was the most popular series of the year. But then there were issues with the agreement.

What is Meghan Markle going to do?

Meghan Markle is exploring her next career move while her husband is assuming a more subdued role. Regarding his involvement in Spotify's Archetypes, it was said that Prince Harry had a minimal role and Meghan was responsible for arranging the podcast's guests. Although Bloomberg reported that Prince Harry had suggested interviewing individuals such as Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump, and Mark Zuckerberg, which was dismissed.

Meghan Markle has reportedly signed a fresh deal with celebrity manager Ari Emanuel at WME focusing on commercial endorsements.

What's next for Prince Harry?

Prince Harry may return to his passions and charitable work as he is reportedly planning a solo trip to Africa for a documentary. Currently, a Netflix documentary centred around his charity for servicemen is said to be nearly finished. King Charles' younger has been only seldom seen in the celebrity circles unlike his wife, MailOnline claims.

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Prince William may ditch a tradition followed by the men of the royal family. King Charles' eldest son is yet to be seen in the tartan while the royals have established close ties with Scotland, spending several months a year at Balmoral Castle. Traditionally royal men wear a kilt when out and about in Scotland. Britain's Prince William during a visit to Loftus Road.(Reuters)

Earlier this week, King Charles was seen wearing the traditional Scottish dress during his visit to Kinneil House to mark a week of celebrations that formally recognised him as the monarch. He was photographed on several occasions wearing a kilt, following in the footsteps of his father Prince Philip. But Prince William, and his younger brother Prince Harry, have never been seen wearing the kilt one since they entered adulthood.

Prince William himself has close ties with Scotland after attending St Andrew's University, where he met his wife Kate Middleton. At his graduation ceremony, the Prince of Wales opted for a black suit and white bow tie complete with a graduation gown and not a kilt.

The prince has never revealed why he doesn't wear a kilt and it is feared that the tradition will die out when he succeeds his father as monarch. The family's most recognisable tartan is Stewart Royal which origins back to the House of Stewart, however.

A retailer requesting to sell the tartan was told by the royal household, "I write to inform you that the tartan that the King and royal family have adopted is purely personal and private to His Majesty and the royal family and can, in no circumstances, be worn by other people, or purchased by them from any source and cannot, therefore, be manufactured for general sale.

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Eight years ago, a teen had disappeared in Houston. He is 25 years old now and was never really missing as he has been living with his mother almost the whole time, authorities said. Rudy Farias- who was reported missing to police on March 7, 2015- was located safe at a church in Houston after years long search. The Houston police said that he came back home one day later, Associated Press reported. A missing persons flier is displayed on a computer screen. Rudy Farias was reported missing as a teenager in 2015.(AP)

Rudy Farias "was not missing during the eight-year period," Houston police Lt. Christopher Zamora said.

He made contact with patrol officers out on the street. However, during these contacts, fictitious names and dates of birth were given misleading officers, and Rudy would remain missing. In fact, both Janie (Santana), Rudy's mother, and Rudy himself gave fictitious names while interacting with various patrol officers. After investigators talked with him yesterday, it was discovered that he returned home the following day, on March 8, 2015, he continued.

"The mother, Janie, continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing," Christopher Zamora added.

There had even been multiple times in these eight years when police officers spoke with the young man and he allegedly gave them fake names.

While the teen, now an adult, was seen by many people coming and going from the house over the years, Santana identified him as a nephew and not her allegedly missing son, police said.

So what exactly happened?

Rudy Farias' mother allegedly maintained that her son, then 17, was missing all of this time, although the motivation cannot be predicted, police said. Local prosecutors have declined to open a case against the mother or the son, police said. He was found last week at a church, close to his familys home and was unable to communicate.

Rudy is safe. He is with his mother by choice. Hes a 25-year-old man," the police said, adding, The investigation is still going on" without detailing the officers' interactions with Rudy and his mother over the years.

The mother could still be prosecuted for allegedly giving false information in a police report, officials said.

Did Houston residents recognise Rudy Farias?

Houston resident Kisha Ross said she recognized the young man as he was a regular visitor to her house. He even socialized with her son, daughter and cousin, she said, but was known as "Dolph" to her family. The man said that he worked in his mother's private security firm and even brought job applications for them if they ever wanted to apply to work at the mom's company.

Last week "he left in her car and she didn't have a way to get to work. She texted my cousin and said, 'Have you seen my son?' My cousin was like, 'No.'"

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Satellite images show unidentified white shapes on top of Reactor 4 at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, a report claimed. The images, taken by satellite imagery company Planet Labs, were captured on July 5. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that explosives may have been placed at the plant. The Zaporizhzhia facility has been under Russian control since March 4 2022, soon after Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade Ukraine in February last year. Russia-Ukraine War: The images, taken by satellite imagery company Planet Labs, were captured on July 5. (Sky News)

In new images, five white shapes were visible while no white shapes were seen earlier. This could be due to a change in light but is inconclusive, Sky News reported but it is not possible to confirm what the shapes are from the satellite images alone.

No changes can be seen on top of Reactor 3 in any of the satellite images sent to Sky News, the report added.

IAEA director general Rafael Mariano Grossi said, "Our experts must be able to verify the facts on the ground. Their independent and objective reporting would help clarify the current situation at the site, which is crucial at a time like this."

What Volodymyr Zelensky said?

Zelensky said, "Now we have information from our intelligence that the Russian troops have placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several power units of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Perhaps to simulate an attack on the plant. Perhaps they have some other scenario.

He claimed the alleged devices were on top of reactors three and four.

What have experts said?

Darya Dolzikova, from Royal United Services Institute said, "It's hard to judge from the imagery what the changes on the roofs show, including whether these are in any way related to the explosive devices that Ukrainian intelligence said may be present on reactor roofs at the ZNPP. But the sourcing of independent, reliable imagery is important and can help in verifying claims of what is happening at the ZNPP.

However, the images, including the challenges related to verifying what they actually show, also once again stress the importance of granting the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) all the access that it is asking for at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant," the expert explained.

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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
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday it was "difficult" for Kyiv to fight Russia without long-range weapons and that the decision to supply them to Ukraine "depends only" on Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives for a press conference in Prague, Czech Republic. (AP)

"Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission, it is difficult to conduct a defensive operation, to be honest. Very difficult," Zelensky said on a visit to Prague.

"We are talking about (the delivery of) long-range systems with the United States, it depends only on them today," he told reporters, adding that Ukraine was also in talks with Kyiv's other Western allies.
Women's beauty salons were banned in Afghanistan offered services forbidden by Islam and caused economic hardships for grooms' families during wedding festivities, the Taliban said. The explanation came after Taliban said that all salons in the country had one month to shut their businesses and close shop. Rights group raised concern about the impact of the ruling on female entrepreneurs. Afghanistan: An Afghan woman walks on a street in Kabul, Afghanistan.(Reuters)

In a video clip, Sadiq Akif Mahjer, spokesman for the Taliban-run Virtue and Vice Ministry, listed a series of services which were offered by salons that he said went against Islam. These included eyebrow shaping, use of other people's hair to augment a woman's natural hair and application of makeup. They all interfere with the ablutions required before offering prayers as per Islam, he said.

Salons also cause economic stress on grooms' families, who are required to pay for the pre-wedding salon visit by the bride and her close female relatives as per custom, he said.

It marks the latest curb on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls. Earlier, women were barred from education, public spaces and most forms of employment even though Taliban supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, claimed that the group had taken steps for the betterment of womens lives in Afghanistan.

Amena Sharifi, who owns a Kabul salon, said, The beauty salon was our only income, and now I dont know what to do? How we should pay for our expenses?"

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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
Casey DeSantis took centre stage in her first solo campaign event, captivating Iowans with her warm and engaging personality as she discussed topics close to their hearts - corn crops, schools, families, and the weather. Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis' wife Casey DeSantis, with daughter Madison, 7, walks to speak with a supporter at an annual Basque Fry at the Corley Ranch in Gardnerville, Nev., Saturday, June 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Andy Barron)(AP)

Known as a prominent public figure and voice for her husband, Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign, Casey launched 'Mamas for DeSantis' in Johnston, Iowa. She emphasized the significance of protecting children from harmful influences, stating, "It's one thing when your policies come after us - the mamas. It's another thing when they come after our children. And that's when the claws come out."

During her 35-minute speech, Casey focused on three key themes: her children, her husband, and her faith. She expressed her unwavering commitment to crisscross the country, rallying support for Ron's bid to secure the Republican presidential nomination and ultimately the White House. With unwavering conviction, she declared, "As long as I have breath in my body, I will fight for Ron DeSantis."

Drawing thunderous applause from the crowd, Casey echoed her husband's staunch position against the influence of "woke" culture. She commended Ron's leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting his commitment to keeping schools open and supporting parents' rights over those of teachers.

Reflecting on the success of Ron's re-election campaign as Florida governor in 2022, Casey credited his dedication to empowering parents to be actively involved in their children's education. She spoke passionately about the importance of upholding parental rights and eliminating unnecessary government interference in educational decisions.

Casey DeSantis has been hailed as Ron DeSantis' secret weapon, known for her ability to connect with voters on a personal level. She first launched 'Mamas for DeSantis' during Ron's Florida gubernatorial re-election campaign, amassing support from 1.1 million mothers. Now, as Ron targets Iowa, many believe he can replicate Barack Obama's surprise victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic primary, ultimately securing the GOP presidential nomination.

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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
Less than three weeks ago, the Titan Submersible by OceanGate Expeditions suffered a catastrophic implosion that resulted in the instant deaths of its five passengers. Aboard the tourist craft were OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, 61; British billionaire Hamish Harding, 58; renowned Titanic expert, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, 77; prominent Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48, and his 19-year-old son, Sulaiman Dawood. FILE PHOTO: The Titan submersible, operated by OceanGate Expeditions to explore the wreckage of the sunken SS Titanic off the coast of Newfoundland, dives in an undated photograph. OceanGate Expeditions/Handout via REUTERS NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY./File Photo(via REUTERS)

The submersible went missing on June 18, 2023. When it entered the water, it had about 96 hours of oxygen which was expected to run out on June 22, 2023. The surface vessel, Polar Prince lost contact with the submersible approximately one hour and 45 minutes after it commenced its dive to the site of the Titanic's wreckage.

Titan Tragedy Timeline: Search and Rescue

The United States Coast Guard, United States Navy, and Canadian Coast Guard led the search and rescue efforts with the support of multiple governments. On June 20, 2023, sonar picked up banging sounds from underneath the water. The noise was detected at 30-minute intervals. Reports suggest that the banging was being heard even after four hours following the deployment of additional sonar devices. More sounds were later heard, but they were not described as banging.

Also Read | What were the banging sounds heard during search for Titan sub? Experts weigh in

On June 22, 2023, the US Coast Guard announced the discovery of a significant debris field within the designated search area. The missing submersible's landing frame and rear cover had been found.They don't use phrases like 'debris field' unless there's no chance of a recovery of the men alive. A debris field implies a break-up of the submersible ... that really sort of indicates what is the worst-case scenario, which is a catastrophic failure and generally that's an implosion, said rescue expert David Mearns.

Later that same day, the US Coast Guard said that all five people aboard a submersible died  likely in an instant  when their vessel suffered a "catastrophic implosion" in the ocean depths. And with this sombre announcement ended the multinational search-and-rescue operation.

It is believed that the submersible imploded so fast that all five victims onboard would have been unaware of the event taking place.

Ofer Ketter, a longtime submersible specialist and co-founder of private sub company Sub-Merge told New York Post that the force of the implosion which caused Titan to collapse inward in milliseconds under the massive pressure of the sea, might have turned parts of the vessel "to dust".

According to Roderick Smith, an engineering professor at Imperial College London, the probable cause of the accident can be attributed to a "failure of the pressure hull."

Rear Admiral John Mauger confirmed that the discovered debris indicated a "catastrophic implosion." The extreme pressure at a depth of 13,000 feet likely caused the sub to collapse inward, resulting in an instantaneous and painless end for the passengers.

Also Read | Viral videos: How Titan submersible implosion would have looked like

Last Communication with the Titan Submersible

On July 6, 2023, screenshots claiming to be the final communications of the submersible were shared. According to these, when the descent reached the 75-minute mark, the passengers expressed their confidence, stating that everything is under control.

However, at 9:28 am, the crew aboard the Titan notices an alarm from the Real-Time Monitoring System, prompting unanimous agreement to abandon the descent and begin ascending. Unfortunately, the ascent proves slower than anticipated.

By the time they provide their final update, the Real-Time Monitoring System displays "all red" alerts. At 9:50 am, the ship, the Polar Prince, attempts to establish communication with the sub, stating, "We're not receiving you. Update please."

The transcript abruptly concludes at 9:57 am, with a final plea from the ship urging the sub to respond if able.

Although no official word confirms the veracity of this transcript experts, including 'Titanic' director James Cameron, find its content plausible.

Description of the Submersible

OceanGate explained that the Titan is a 23,000-pound submersible made of carbon fibre and titanium. The vessel uses a proprietary real-time hull health monitoring (RTM) system, and any time an issue is detected, an early warning would be sent to the pilot, to leave enough time to  safely return to the surface.

With a nine feet wide and 8 feet tall structure, Titan left little room for its crew. Passengers were cramped in on a subfloor inside the carbon-fibre tube. With only one toilet and no seats, passengers had to sit cross-legged on the floor. There were no windows except the porthole through which passengers could view the Titanic.

Previous Safety Concerns Ignored

Following this tragedy, harrowing details emerged about the reckless behaviour and disregard for safety exhibited by OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. A video interview from 2021 revealed Rush's audacious mindset where he expressed a desire to be remembered as an innovator and boasted about breaking rules. He quoted General Douglas MacArthur's statement that "You're remembered for the rules you break." Rush said safety 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, Rush said in a 2022 podcast with CBS reporter David Pogue. At some point, youre going to take some risk, and it really is a risk-reward question..

But the late CEO believed that selectively breaking rules could bring value to society and innovation. He also admitted the difficulty in testing and understanding the behaviour of carbon fibre under extreme pressure, emphasizing the need for further research.

It has been revealed that Rush was warned about the risks he was taking. A former OceanGate Expeditions employee had reportedly warned of quality control and safety problems related to the Titan submersible back in 2018. David Lochridge, OceanGates former director of marine operations, had raised concerns about how the vessel was handled by the company. As per a lawsuit, David was wrongfully terminated after he said he found a lack of non-destructive testing performed on the hull of the Titan.

While the cause of the implosion of Titan submersible is yet to be ascertained officially Ed Cassano, CEO of Pelagic Research Services which led Titan's search-and-rescue operation, said that the submersible was pushed beyond its depth rate.

Experts including industry leaders, oceanographers and deep-sea explorers had also warned about OceanGate's experimental approach that could lead to a catastrophic issue with the expedition project. Prominent figures, including billionaire investor Ray Dalio, expressed their anger and accused Rush of displaying reckless behaviour by neglecting tried-and-true safety measures.

According to the email obtained by the BBC, deepsea submersible expert Rob McCallum pleaded with Rush to delay using the Titan until it was thoroughly tested and independently classified. Rush's response, however, was dismissive, accusing industry players of using safety arguments to hinder innovation.

Production of the Submersible

Questions have arisen about the use of off-the-shelf components and a lack of rigorous testing of the Titan submersible. In an interview, Stockton Rush boasted that the submersible was operated through a video game controller.

Also Read | Stockton Rush allegedly hired INTERNS to design Titan sub's electrical systems

In March 2018, the Marine Technology Society, a group of ocean technologists and engineers, sent a letter to OceanGate asking the company to adopt recognized safety standards for the Titan, saying the companys experimental approach could result in negative outcomes (from minor to catastrophic).

Then in a 2020 release posted on the companys website, OceanGate said that NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, will serve as the facility where the development and manufacturing of a new aerospace-grade hull is completed for its latest submersible. In a statement Wednesday, NASA said it consulted on the materials and construction process for the Titan but didnt conduct testing or use its workforce or facilities for manufacturing.

Recently it was revealed that Rush had boasted that his company can monitor any issue with its Titan submersibles carbon fibre hull. He praised the vessels technology as "one of the great moments of submersibles." He said the glue holding the Titan submersibles carbon-fibre hull together was "like peanut butter, adding that it was thicker than Elmer's glue. He also described it as being pretty simple, saying that the design was "pretty simple, but if we mess it up, there's not a lot of room for recovery."

Previous Passengers Report

Harrowing revelations claim that OceanGates Titan submersible once had a battery die during a dive to the Titanic wreckage. Jaden Pan opened up about his voyage in a 2022 episode of the BBC's The Travel Show. He took the Titan submersible to the Titanic wreck in 2021, and later revealed that his expedition was disturbed when a battery "went kaput."

In that situation, the companys CEO, Stockton Rush, allegedly suggested that the crew sleep in the vessel, as per a BBC documentary. "At first, I thought he was joking because we were over two hours into our expedition and so close to the bottom," Jaden said. "But then he explained that one of the batteries went kaput and we were having trouble using the electronic drops for the weights, so it would be hard for us to get back up to the surface."

Stockton allegedly suggested that they sleep as the submersible sank to the ocean floor. "We're down here for another 16 to 24 hours," Stockton said on the show. "We will drift down. We'll hit the bottom. We'll have communications. We can talk to them."

Reports also revealed that Rush once said that the doomed Titan submersible was struck by lightning, getting severely damaged in the process. The incident took place during a test dive in the Bahamas in 2018.

"Fortunately, it was not a direct strike. A direct strike to the carbon fibre probably would have taken us totally out," Stockton said in the interview. According to an OceanGate post, the vessel had "sustained lightning damage that affected over 70% of its internal systems."

"Fortunately, we are using commercial off-the-shelf and line-replaceable items. So in a matter of a couple of days, we were able to replace all those components," Stockton said. The company, however, aborted the test dive due to the lightning strike.

OceanGates Credibility in Question

Las Vegas financier Jay Bloom, who was approached by Rush to be a part of his Titanic trip, claims Rush was not interested in tourism whereas he just wanted to fund his obsession with the Titanic. In an interview with The Post, he said, Rush wasnt really looking to build a tourism business to the Titanic.

He wanted to research and document the decay of the ship over time.' A big red flag for Bloom was that there was no training required to step into the vessel, 'Just climb through the hatch and get in, Bloom stated.

The recent exposure of Rush's irresponsible conduct and complete disregard for safety protocols has tarnished OceanGate's reputation and sparked doubts about its dedication to the safety of its staff and travellers.

The Titanic sub catastrophe has raised legal and ethical questions about the responsibility of OceanGate and its operators. The failure to ensure adequate safety measures and potential misrepresentations regarding the submersible's design may have legal consequences. Furthermore, the ethical implications of offering high-priced expeditions without stringent regulations are under scrutiny.
Former President Donald Trump quickly responded to Fox News analyst Brit Hume's comment, in which Hume referred to him as a "loser" during a recent appearance on Fox News' Special Report. Trump chose to utilize his preferred social media platform, Truth Social, to voice his dissent and provide his own perspective on the matter. FILE - Former President Donald Trump speaks at the Moms for Liberty meeting in Philadelphia, June 30, 2023. Trump will be in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on July 7.(AP)

Hume's remark came during a discussion about the 2024 GOP presidential primary, where preliminary polls indicated Trump's substantial lead over other Republican contenders like Governor Ron DeSantis and former Vice President Mike Pence. Despite this, critics have raised concerns over Trump's claims of election fraud and the GOP's lackluster performance under his leadership.

During the segment, Hume argued that Trump could be labeled a "loser" due to the string of electoral defeats experienced by him and his endorsed candidates. Responding to Hume's comment, Trump declared on Truth Social, "First of all, he never thought I would win in 2016, & some things never change." The former president went on to highlight his record-breaking number of votes in the 2020 election and contested President Joe Biden's victory.

While Biden did receive over 81.2 million votes, surpassing Trump's approximately 74.2 million, Trump and his closest allies continue to cling to the belief that the election was stolen. However, multiple investigations have debunked these claims, and Trump himself faces two criminal probes into allegations of attempting to overturn the election results.

Moreover, some Republicans attribute the GOP's underwhelming performance in the 2022 midterms to Trump's influence. Although he endorsed over 250 candidates, only around 82 percent emerged victorious. Critics argue that many of these wins were in races where the endorsed candidates were already favored to win. Notably, Trump's support failed to deliver success in high-stakes contests like Georgia's Senate runoff.

Hume's analysis didn't stop at branding Trump a "loser." He also suggested that the former president needs to adopt a new strategy to succeed in the future. "He continually talks about how he didn't lose in 2020, which most people believe he did lose," Hume commented.

This sentiment was echoed by Governor DeSantis, who warned fellow Republicans during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. He urged the party to concentrate on Biden's failures and their vision for the future, rather than dwelling on past elections, to secure victory in 2024.

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From the National Security Council (NSC) to the State Department to the Congress, the executive branch and members of legislative branch of the United States (US) government have strongly condemned the Khalistani extremist violence and vandalism against Indian diplomatic premises and threats to Indian diplomatic personnel. Fire at the Indian consulate in San Francisco on June 2 after a group of Khalistan radicals allegedly attempted arson. (PTI Photo)

The US State Department has also said that it is taking coordinated action to protect Indian diplomatic facilities and personnel, even as a set of influential legislators have strongly called on the authorities to do more in the wake of a second attack against the Indian consulate in San Francisco (SF) in less than three months.

In response to a question by HT about the US response to the attempted arson of SF consulate, repeated incidents of violence, status of action taken, and future steps to prevent violence, Donald Lu, assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asia, said that the US strongly condemned the reported acts of vandalism and attempted arson against the consulate in SF.

Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the United States is a criminal offense. Consistent with our obligations under the Vienna Conventions, the Department is taking steps, including coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, to protect the safety and security of the Indian Embassy and Consulates and the individuals who work within them, Lu said in a written response on Thursday.

While State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller had called the incident a criminal offence earlier in the week, Lus reference to the Vienna Convention as well as a categorical commitment of coordinated action with security agencies at all levels to protect Indian facilities and personnel further builds on the condemnation.

Separately, in response to a similar question by HT, a spokesperson of the powerful NSC that operates from the White House said, We take very seriously the safety and security of diplomats living in the United States and strongly condemn acts of vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or personnel.

In the early hours of July 2, two violent extremists attempted to set fire to the Indian consulate in SF, with a video subsequently claiming this was an act to avenge the killing of a Khalistani leader, and a designated terrorist by India, Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot by unidentified gunmen in Canada in June. This was the second time that Khalistani extremists had attacked the consulate in less than three months. On July 8, Khalistani groups have also announced a march to the SF consulate, with the poster of the event openly threatening Indian ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, and Indias consul general in SF, TV Nagendra Prasad, terming them killers of Nijjar.

The administrations responses came on a day when there was a chorus of condemnation from the legislative branch in Washington DC.

Also Read:Khalistanis attempt to burn down Indian consulate in SF; India seeks action

The Congressional caucus on India and Indian-Americans, co-chaired by Republican Michael Waltz and Democrat Ro Khanna, issued a statement strongly condemning both the attempted arson and vandalism at the consulate and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu.

We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American, but that is not a license to vandalize property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable, Waltz and Khanna said.

In a separate tweet, with an image of the poster, Khanna added that he knew Sandhu and respected him. When I bring up human rights issues, he always engages with civility, thoughtfulness and candor. This rhetoric puts diplomats in harms way. Its dangerous & has no place in a democracy. Free speech does not mean a license to incite violence.

Other US Congressmen too condemned the Khalistani extremism.

Shri Thanedar, an Indian-American representative from Michigan, said that he condemned in the strongest possible terms the attacks at the SF consulate. Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in democracy.

Rich McCormick, a Congressman from Georgia, too said, This attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco is vile and unacceptable. Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community.

Brian Fitzpatrick, a Congressman from Pennsylvania and a former Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent and federal prosecutor, while posting the link to a story on the State Department condemning the violence, tweeted This kind of violence is lawless and unacceptable. I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action.

Terming the attack on the SF consulate greatly disturbing and unacceptable, Mike Lawler, a Congressman from New York, said that as the second such incident in recent months, it was a cause of great concern. He condemned the vandalism and any attempt or threat of violence against foreign diplomats and diplomatic facilities in this country. He also recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Washington and said he looked forward to a continued, strong partnership with the worlds largest democracy.

Unlike in the case of Canada, where political leadership is seen as either complicit or sympathetic or indifferent to Khalistani extremism and actions, in the US, the political and national security leadership has responded to incidents of violence with swift condemnation and engaged closely with Indian officials.

India, however, hopes that the condemnation and responsiveness of American authorities will translate into action and arrests of perpetrators of the violence, vigilant security for diplomatic facilities and personnel, preemptive steps to ensure that events such as the July 8 march dont translate into violence given the past pattern of criminal behaviour, and a crackdown on Khalistani extremists who have used the US Constitutions First Amendments provision of free speech to incite violence.

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In a move that could benefit thousands of Indian-Americans waiting for their Green card, a US President's advisory commission approved the recommendation that more than 2,00,000 unused green cards for family and employment categories since 1992 will be recaptured. A Green Card is known officially as a Permanent Resident Card.(AP)

What does the recapture of Green cards means?

The recapture of more than 2,30,000 unused employment-based green cards from 1992 to 2022 means that this will initiate processing a portion of them every fiscal year in addition to the annual limit of 1,40,000 for this category. Indian-American entrepreneur Ajay Bhutoria, member of the advisory commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, said, Recapture Unused green cards and Prevent Future Green Card Waste aims to address bureaucratic delays in the Green Card application process and provide relief to individuals waiting in backlogs.

What has the commission approved?

The commission has approved the recommendation that all unused green cards for family and employment categories since 1992 will be recaptured. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is authorised by US Congress to issue a specific number of family-based and employment-based immigrant visas every year. But bureaucratic delays have resulted in the under-utilisation of available Green cards.

The proposal has been made to tackle this delay, Ajay Bhutoria said.

The recommendation emphasises the negative impact of under-utilised green cards on individuals, families and the US economy. The unused green cards represent lost opportunities for the country and contribute to worsening backlogs, he said.

What other changes have been brought by the commission?

In December last year, the commission recommended actions to reduce significant visa appointment wait times.

"These recent immigration updates reflect the direct impact of the ... Commission's recommendations and the commitment of the Biden administration to help families and create immigration policies that are more inclusive, efficient and responsive to the needs of our communities," Ajay Bhutoria said.

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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
Belarusian president Aleksandr Lukashenko said that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Russia, despite the fact that the leader was reported to be exiled in Belarus following his failed mutiny against Russian president Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov brushed off the question on Prigozhin's whereabouts. "We don't follow his movements. We have neither the ability nor the desire to do so," he said. Wagner leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. (AP)

Yevgeny Prigozhin has not made a public appearance since the rebellion almost two weeks ago. His mercenaries marched to Moscow but the rebellion ended the following day after a deal was brokered by Aleksandr Lukashenko which included Prigozhin relocating to Belarus.

"It's great that Russian authorities don't really care about a person who launched an armed mutiny against them. So where is he exactly? With the money, weapons and Wagner mercenaries?" Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's minister of internal affairs, tweeted.

Meanwhile, Russian state media shared images and videos from Prigozhin's office and his "palace" claiming that multiple fake passports that belonged to Prigozhin, photos showing him wearing a variety of wigs and gold was found after the raid.

What experts said on Kremlin's stand on Prigozhin?

"Despite Peskov's statement to the contrary, I am sure that the Kremlin is quite capable of tracking Prigozhin's movements and that it knows precisely where he is every minute of the day," George Mason university professor Mark N. Katz told Newsweek, adding, "I think Peskov, and the Putin regime more broadly, is trying to signal that Prigozhin isn't so significant a threat anymore. Maybe next week, Peskov will start claiming that there really wasn't a mutiny at all and that statements about it are all Western propaganda."

David Silbeyan associate professor of history at Cornell said that Russians are "clearly trying to downplay" Prigozhin's importance.

They definitely have the capacity to surveil Prigozhin and they're certainly doing it as he moves around both countries. It's a way of being dismissive of himhe's old news, David Silbey said, continuing, "The fascinating thing for me is that Prigozhin felt comfortable traveling back to Russia without, apparently, an overwhelming fear that he would be assassinated."

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Former New York City mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced his separation from his wife of nearly 30 years, Chirlane McCray. From Mayor to Bachelor! (Image Credit: FROM ROBERTO SERRA/GETTY IMAGES.)

In the wake of this news, de Blasio's dating prospects have become a topic of discussion, with some curious about who would be interested in dating the former mayor.

In a candid piece published in The New York Times, de Blasio and McCray opened up about their conscious uncoupling, attributing the breakdown of their marriage to de Blasio's demanding political career and unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign.

Despite their separation, the couple revealed that they are still living together.

Taking a lighthearted approach to the situation, The New York Post asked single women in the city and beyond if they would be willing to date de Blasio, sparking a range of responses.

Some women expressed interest in the former mayor due to his proximity to power and his towering height.

Tatyana Burika, an artist living in the Financial District, found de Blasio's past role as mayor intriguing, stating, "The fact that he was mayor is enough for me. He must be smart. I am Russian and traditional, so I will adapt to my man's politics, whatever they are. Plus I have a fetish for tall guys and he is handsome"

Rapper Tiko Texas also showed interest, noting the Former Mayor's previous relationship with a black woman and his connections, saying, "He got money, he like chocolate, why not? I'm down to have a drink and see what fun we could get into."

However, not everyone was enthusiastic about the idea. Comedian Christy Miller mentioned that de Blasio's living arrangement with his ex-wife would not be an issue for her, but she jokingly expressed concerns about McCray coming into her room.

ALSO READ| Trump fires back at 'loser' label by Fox News analyst, sparks social media storm

On the other hand, Gloria Velez found de Blasio's living situation unappealing, stating, "Either you are [dedicated] or you aren't [with your spouse]. You can't be a little bit pregnant. I don't believe in sharing."

Despite the mixed responses from a wide array of women, it is clear that de Blasio's dating prospects have generated some curiosity. While some individuals showed interest in his height, connections, or past political career, others found his living arrangement or policies unappealing.
The Greek word Philoxenia, literally translated as a friend to a stranger, is widely perceived to be synonymous to hospitality.

For Greeks, however, it is much deeper than that. It is an unspoken cultural law that expresses generosity and courtesy to strangers.

Greeks are enormously generous when inviting others to their home or being invited themselves. In villages, it is not uncommon for villagers to show up at the door of a resident foreigner (or even a temporary visitor renting a room) with a sack full of fresh tomatoes, or even a bottle of local olive oil.

Philoxenia today can be as simple as a smile, helping a stranded motorist, buying a meal for a homeless person, or opening your home to friends and family.

Zeus Xenios

This cultural law has its origins in Ancient Greece. The Ancient Greek god Zeus is sometimes called Zeus Xenios, as he was also a protector of travelers. He thus embodied the religious obligation to be hospitable to travelers.

The beautiful story written by the Roman poet Ovid in 8 A.D of Zeus and Hermes disguised as poor travelers, narrates the sacred relation between host and guest, embodying the ancient Greek tradition.

The two ancient Greek Gods, the story goes, visited many villages in search of refuge for the night. A poor elderly couple, Baucis and Philemon, welcomed them as guests in their home and generously served them food and wine.

After refilling her guests cups many times over, Baucis noticed that the wine jug was still full. Philemon then realized the visitors were actually gods, and she offered to kill their only goose to feed them. Touched by this gesture, Zeus rewarded their generosity by transforming the humble cottage into a beautiful stone temple.

Zeus also granted the couple their ultimate wish, namely to be the guardians of the temple, to die at the same time, and stay together for eternity, as they were turned into trees guarding each side of the temples door.

Trojan War

According to legend, even an event as momentous as the Trojan War began because of a guests violation of xenia. The Trojan prince Paris was a guest of King Menelaus of Sparta when he abducted Menelaus wife, Helen.

Both the Odyssey and the Iliad are filled with episodes in which xenia is either honored or ignored and the subsequent consequences are notable. For instance, when Odysseus sails to the island of the cyclops, the monsters treatment of Odysseus and his sailors is a violation of the custom of xenia. The cyclops is punished for the transgression. Odysseus blinds his host and escapes. The cyclops episode depicts an abuse of xenia.

In another story, Odysseus wife, Penelope, is forced by custom to entertain an entire household of suitors. The guests not only make unreasonable, burdensome requests that were impolite for guests but they do so with the assumption the host himself is no longer alive. The conclusion of the poem involves Odysseuss slaughter of the suitors. This violent ending can be seen as retribution for an egregious abuse of xenia, or conversely, a violation of its very precepts.

Read the full article at greekreporter.com
The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Foundation is proud to announce this years recipients of the Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant. This prestigious program supports degree-seeking students who plan to pursue careers in hospitality. The 2023 Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant awardees are Eleanor Brillo, Mayu Miyata, and Yana Kyrylyuk.

Eleanor Brillo received her B.S. in Tourism Development and Management from Arizona State University and expects to receive an M.A. in Sustainable Tourism from Arizona State University in 2024. She has developed and executed marketing strategy for Arizona State University Career Professional Development Services, worked as an account manager and digital strategist for Hackett Advertising, Public Relations Interactive, as a marketing and trade specialist for Arizona Office of Tourism/Visit Arizona, and as a guest experience specialist at Courtyard by Marriott. Eleanor is president of ASUs Tourism Student Association, a board member of ASUs Sustainability Advocacy and Awareness Board, a committee member of PCMAs Emerging Leaders Committee, and the marketing director of the Tourism Student Association at ASU. Her ultimate goal is to execute hospitality marketing and branding and contribute to revenue optimization and industry-wide economic empowerment.

received her B.S. in Tourism Development and Management from Arizona State University and expects to receive an M.A. in Sustainable Tourism from Arizona State University in 2024. She has developed and executed marketing strategy for Arizona State University Career Professional Development Services, worked as an account manager and digital strategist for Hackett Advertising, Public Relations Interactive, as a marketing and trade specialist for Arizona Office of Tourism/Visit Arizona, and as a guest experience specialist at Courtyard by Marriott. Eleanor is president of ASUs Tourism Student Association, a board member of ASUs Sustainability Advocacy and Awareness Board, a committee member of PCMAs Emerging Leaders Committee, and the marketing director of the Tourism Student Association at ASU. Her ultimate goal is to execute hospitality marketing and branding and contribute to revenue optimization and industry-wide economic empowerment. Mayu Miyata expects to receive a B.S. in Hospitality Administration with a marketing concentration from Boston University in 2024. She received an Associate in Science degree from Dean College, majoring in business management. She is a vice president of HSMAIs Student Chapter in Boston. She conducted a digital marketing strategies analysis for the Envoy Hotel Bostons restaurant, Para Maria, and developed website and SEO marketing recommendations for the restaurant. Mayu has worked as an intern at Marriotts Ko Olina Beach Club, a front desk agent at InterContinental Boston, and an intern at The Ritz Carlton Kyoto in Japan. Her goal is to be in hospitality sales and bring in guests and businesses from all over the world.

expects to receive a B.S. in Hospitality Administration with a marketing concentration from Boston University in 2024. She received an Associate in Science degree from Dean College, majoring in business management. She is a vice president of HSMAIs Student Chapter in Boston. She conducted a digital marketing strategies analysis for the Envoy Hotel Bostons restaurant, Para Maria, and developed website and SEO marketing recommendations for the restaurant. Mayu has worked as an intern at Marriotts Ko Olina Beach Club, a front desk agent at InterContinental Boston, and an intern at The Ritz Carlton Kyoto in Japan. Her goal is to be in hospitality sales and bring in guests and businesses from all over the world. Yana Kyrylyuk expects to receive a Bachelors degree from Breda University of Applied Sciences in International Hotel Management in 2024. She spent a semester in an exchange program at Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Florida in 2022. As a member of the Erasmus Student Network at Breda, she has served on the events committee, as treasurer and local representative, and on the Council of Advice. She is chair of HSMAI Europes Student Council and helped to start the Ukrainian Fund supported in partnership with HSMAI Americas and HSMAI Europe. Yana has worked at the Hilton Brussels Grand Palace in Group, Conference and Events. Yana is a native of Ukraine and speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English, Spanish, and French. Her goals lie in hospitality management, strategic thinking and planning in hospitality, organizational behavior, and employee performance and culture. She believes that driving sales, optimizing revenue and fueling marketing is achieved through having the right people at the right time in the right place on your team.

The competition for the Student Career Success Grant is challenging and considers the overall experience and passion of the applicants. Criteria for applications include industry work experience, submission of a personal essay, professional recommendations, and maintaining a steady grade point average. To determine the awardees, HSMAI Foundation Board Members review and rate the submissions based on a proven interest in a career in hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management, or distribution, industry work experience and other submission materials.

The Grant package includes the appointment of a specially selected mentor for one year, application fees for the recipients choice of HSMAI Certifications, a one-year Premium subscription to LinkedIn, and complimentary registration and travel honorarium of up to US $1000 to attend the HSMAI Regional Strategy Conference of the recipients choice in HSMAI Americas, Europe, Middle East, or Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit the Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant page.

We are delighted to support the bright futures of these talented hospitality students through the esteemed Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant. The 2023 program will provide these students with access to resources and events that will enrich their educations with practical tools and experiences. Michelle Woodley, HSMAI Foundation Chair, and President of Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Mike Dimond was widely recognized as one of the top hotel marketing executives in the United States, serving the industry in top positions, including Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. He is a member of the HSMAI Hall of Fame and honored as one of The 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel. This grant was created by his family to expand and enhance the development opportunities available to hospitality students interested in careers in commercial strategy.

About the HSMAI Foundation

The HSMAI Foundation is a 501 c3 organization established in 1983 to serve as the research and educational arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. The Foundations mission is to elevate the overall caliber and performance of sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals in the global hospitality industry by driving initiatives that will attract new talent, develop emerging talent, and engage existing talent. The work of the Foundation is supported by private donations and corporate talent partners. Visit hsmaifoundation.org for more information.
Xinjiang Story: Museum owner honors struggles, virtues of the past

Xinhua) 16:48, July 07, 2023

URUMQI, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A soldier's diary, a faded red flag from wartime, the compartment of a mobile communications vehicle from the 1960s -- these are just a few of the 30,000-plus items housed at Liu Yongpeng's private museum in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The low-key museum -- consisting of a single hall measuring around 1,200 square meters -- was built up by Liu five years ago. At first, only friends and relatives visited, but now it draws over 100 visitors daily.

Most of the exhibits represent significant moments in history. The faded red flag is from the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression; the communications vehicle was used by a nuclear research center in Xinjiang in the 1960s; and the soldier's diary is from the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

Over the past 17 years, Liu has spent millions of yuan collecting, preserving and maintaining these items, which he obtained from various private individuals, and are relics of the lives they have lived.

SPIRIT OF THE TIMES

Liu, 43, has built this collection to showcase the immense changes that have taken place in Xinjiang over the decades. In the meantime, he aims to preserve and pass on the spirit of the older generations' virtues to the younger generations, including diligence, simplicity and frugality.

"Despite our blissful life today, we must not forget the hardships our predecessors endured," said Liu, who works as curator and interpreter at the museum.

In his childhood, Liu often listened to his father telling the life-story of his grandfather, who was a serf in Qinghai. As a child, his grandfather was forced to do hard labor on a farm, living a miserable life. He was 15 when he gained freedom after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.

Liu's father joined the military at a young age and became a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC). After he retired from the army, he moved the whole family to Xinjiang and took part in the economic development of this inland region. Liu was born in Xinjiang in 1980.

He often heard his father say, "Without the CPC, there would be no freedom or happy life for people of all ethnic groups."

Recalling their early days in Xinjiang, Liu remembers living in a makeshift cave known as a "diwozi." These special dwellings were mainly built in desert areas by digging holes into the ground and covering them with reeds.

IMPROVED CONDITIONS

During the 1990s, Liu worked on construction sites, and his diligence brought him many opportunities. He then took on small projects and established his own company, leading an improved quality of life.

"My grandfather witnessed the liberation of the people, my father saw their living conditions improved, and my generation shares the fruits as the country becomes richer and stronger," said Liu.

Meanwhile, tremendous development and transformation have taken place in Xinjiang, he added. "People from all ethnic groups in Xinjiang enjoy peace and contentment at work and in life, and their lives have significantly improved."

"Policies to promote large-scale development in the western region have injected new vitality into the economic and social development of Xinjiang, and the region has seen a rapid development in urbanization," Liu said, adding his collection started at that time.

His company took part in various urbanization projects, such as the demolition of old buildings and the renovation of run-down urban areas. This enabled him to collect old items that had been abandoned, including enamel jars, kerosene lamps and ration coupons for food.

"These precious vintage items will become scarce in the future, so the idea of opening a small museum came to my mind," Liu explained.

Since 2006, he has traveled across the vast region and even to other provinces, collecting folk items, especially those related to the history of the CPC.

He has spared no expense in building his collection, even selling the five excavators owned by his company.

NEW GENERATIONS

At first, Liu's wife Zhao Yanling couldn't understand her husband's dedication to the museum project. "Almost all of our earnings and savings were used to support his collections," said Zhao.

Her feelings changed when her daughter's school arranged for students to visit the museum, and they gave positive feedback to Liu and Zhao.

"Our daughter became passionate about history then and became a young interpreter at the museum. So did I, telling visitors the touching stories behind each item," said Zhao.

For Liu, one of the most impressive items in his collection is a diary of a soldier who fought in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.

"He wrote down in his diary, 'I would rather die on the brutal and merciless frontlines than allow my motherland and the people to suffer under the yoke of fascism.' His pride and excitement upon joining the CPC, written down in red characters, also moved me to tears," Liu said.

Liu firmly believes that these items have the power to pass on to future generations the spirit of self-reliance and simplicity that characterized the older generation during the revolutionary period. "The spirit is far more precious than material wealth," he said.

Although Liu's museum struggles to make ends meet, despite government subsidies, he is more concerned with its social impacts. "As more and more people have come here and gained inspiration, I have decided to carry on," he said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
HyperGuest, a leading technology platform for the hospitality industry, announced today that it has successfully closed a $23 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and included Viola Ventures, and new investor Thayer Ventures, a San Francisco venture capital firm specialized in technology for the travel and accommodation industry.

The investment will fuel the company's accelerated growth and further enhance its innovative solutions for hoteliers and travel providers. The significant investment is a testament to HyperGuest's disruptive technology and business model, and its commitment to transforming the way hotels connect and transact with their business partners.

HyperGuest's platform offers a unique and seamless solution that enables hotels and suppliers to directly connect with travel distributors, including Online Travel Agencies, Agents Consortia, Tour Operators, Destination Management Companies, Travel Management Companies, Closed User Groups, Bedbanks, Global Distribution Systems and more. By providing real-time connectivity, HyperGuest empowers hoteliers to optimize their inventory distribution, streamline operations, and increase revenues and margins.

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our Series A funding round. We have achieved a significant milestone of 25,000 live hotels while partnering with over 380 demand customers and more than 150 global technology integrations. This remarkable progress has led to exceptional growth, with both bookings and revenue rising by more than 10X year on year. We are proud of the support of our investors, who share our vision of reshaping the travel landscape. Nir Yaron, CEO and Co-founder of HyperGuest

The company plans to further expand its global footprint, invest in product development, and enhance its technology infrastructure. Additionally, HyperGuest aims to scale its sales and marketing efforts to drive customer acquisition and increase market penetration.

We are excited about our partnership with the HyperGuest team as they redefine the hospitality industry. Their innovative technology and forward-thinking approach have the potential to disrupt the traditional distribution landscape and empower hoteliers to regain control of their inventory. We are confident in HyperGuest's ability to drive significant growth and look forward to continue supporting their journey. David Gussarsky, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners

The Series A funding round marks a significant milestone for HyperGuest and sets the stage for the company's ambitious expansion plans. With a strong foundation and a dedicated team, HyperGuest is well-positioned to transform the hospitality industry and create a more efficient and transparent ecosystem for hoteliers, suppliers, and travel distributors.

When looking at new investments, market-proven innovation with disruptive potential is our holy grail. Distribution is a long-term problem for hoteliers and travel companies alike, and HyperGuests platform delivers a unique solution that removes all barriers for doing business. Chris Hemmeter, Managing Partner at Thayer Ventures

About HyperGuest

HyperGuest is a leading technology platform that revolutionizes the hospitality industry by providing a direct and seamless connection between hotels, suppliers, and travel distributors. With real-time connectivity, HyperGuest empowers hoteliers to optimize inventory distribution, streamline operations, and increase revenue. The company's innovative solution enables hoteliers and travel providers to take control of their connectivity and drive more direct bookings. For more information, please visit www.hyperguest.com.

Enzo Aita

VP of Marketing
WMF celebrates 170 years! Since its foundation in Geislingen, Baden-Wurttemberg, WMF has stood for metal craftsmanship, outstanding quality, sophisticated design and decades of experience with professional tools. From pure metal processing at the beginning, a comprehensive portfolio has developed in the three business areas of consumer products, coffee machines for the professional sector and hotel equipment. In doing so, WMF maintains its values and traditions, but always keeps its finger on the pulse of the times and focuses on groundbreaking innovations. Over the years, this has resulted in a considerable number of milestones, patents and design icons.

In 1853, mill owner Daniel Straub and the Schweizer brothers founded the Straub & Schweizer metal goods factory in Geislingen. In 1880, the company merged with the Ritter & Co metal goods factory to form the Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik. Today the brand can look back on 170 years of change and success and is proud to still bear its roots and heritage in its name: WMF - Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik.

WMF offers cooking, drinking and eating culture at the highest level. More than 100 million people worldwide use WMF products every day. They use them in their kitchens at home, enjoy freshly prepared coffee specialities or stylishly served dishes in restaurants and hotels. In every case, award-winning design, perfect functionality and premium quality ensure a culinary experience. In the professional segment of the catering and hotel industry, WMF Professional Coffee Machines and WMF Professional Hotel Equipment are the leading global players.

The topic of design determines all areas of the WMF brand. Design is not a mere formality, but is seen as a whole that combines aesthetics, function and utility. In this way, many years of expertise and a passion for metal as a material lead to high-quality aesthetics that are particularly durable. The traditional origin from Germany, iconic design, metal craftsmanship as well as expert know-how in the production of coffee machines and equipment for the professional sector form the four pillars for every creative idea and product development.

WMF uses its anniversary as an opportunity to celebrate its origins in Geislingen and its wealth of experience. Typical for WMF: It does not remain a mere retrospective, but spans the arc to groundbreaking developments of today. 170 years full of innovative spirit and fantastic milestones - that is a special achievement. Happy Birthday WMF! I am very happy to be able to work for a company with this history," says a delighted Oliver Kastalio, CEO at WMF. "And I am equally proud that we continue to develop the values of the founder, the demand for design and high quality with our products in a contemporary way. We are aware of our precious heritage and yet we are always looking ahead. Because - we still have a lot ahead of us."

Three business units

Refined tableware and products for the kitchen at home or coffee machines in upmarket restaurants and hotel equipment  for WMF, as a premium brand, in its three business units, only the best is good enough. With the promise Designed to Perform, WMF Professional Coffee Machines emphasises the technically outstanding and reliable performance of every WMF coffee machine, from fully automatic machines to automatic portafilter solutions right through to fully automatic filter machines. A distinguishing feature of the products for the B2B segment is quality Made in Germany. Besides, with more than 320 technicians, WMF has the largest in-house service organisation in Europe. WMF Professional Hotel Equipment has a range which meets even the highest requirements and offers products for hotels and restaurants in premium quality and numerous design variants. From cutlery and glassware to serving equipment or table decoration right through to a flexible modular system for buffets, the product range includes all you could wish for optimum guest service.

Right from the beginning, the range for end consumers stood for special moments of indulgence and for design Made in Germany. From hand-forged knives to premium cookware or state-of-the-art electrical appliances for almost any application. The products are designed to make every moment of their use special  from preparation to cooking to eating and drinking.

A subsidiary of Groupe SEB

Since 2016, as a subsidiary of the French Groupe SEB, WMF has been part of an international teams of 33,000 employees in over 150 countries, who are responsible for 31 brands from the consumer and the professional segment. With its successful blend of accumulated experience and passion for innovation, WMF not only has a similar corporate history, but also shares many key values. At the same time, WMF remains true to its roots as a premium brand with headquarters in Geislingen and 170 years of experience.

Quality

Outstanding quality is one of the cornerstones of the company, which places high demands both on its products and on itself, from the selection of materials, craftsmanship and design through to consulting expertise. The internationally renowned quality seal and designation of origin Made in Germany applies to a large proportion of the value chain. WMF manufacturers at sites in Germany, in Europe, and works with hand-picked suppliers and partners worldwide. The company has a global quality organisation which inspects all goods, tests them in accordance with statutory requirements and ensures compliance with its own consistently high standards.

Production sites in Germany

Since its founding, WMF has been closely connected with the region Baden-Wuerttemberg. With three of its sites, WMF has made a clear commitment to Germany as a production location. In Hayingen, Riedlingen, Geislingen and Birkenfeld, cutting edge technology and traditional craftsmanship come together. At the companys headquarters in Geislingen, WMF Professional Coffee Machines manufactures a wide range of coffee solutions  for hotels, restaurants and catering companies or offices and bakeries and for all business ideas in which premium coffee concepts play an important role. WMF Professional Hotel Equipment, the premium supplier of products for the perfectly laid table and the buffet, is based in Birkenfeld. In Hayingen, WMF manufactures knives whose key feature is the exclusive Performance Cut technology, while the Riedlingen site is the competence centre for glass ceramics and the WMF Fusiontec series.

Approximately 800 patents

From the very beginning, WMF had a special feeling for the combination of tradition and innovation  and as a result, it has developed many unique materials and technologies over time. To date, WMF holds approximately 800 patents and is a pioneer both in the area of products for end consumers and professional coffee machines. The portafilter concept WMF espresso, for example, raises barista-made coffee to a completely new level when it comes to process reliability. As the first machine of its kind, the WMF espresso combines the flair of Italian portafilter concepts with the consistently high coffee quality of a WMF fully automatic coffee machine, while the WMF AutoClean system revolutionises and simplifies machine cleaning. Both the coffee and the milk system of the WMF fully automatic coffee machines are cleaned automatically, reliably and hygienically, at preset times and with no intervention needed. This brings a real time-saving, because it frees all employees from unpopular cleaning tasks. At WMF, new hardware components or software solutions are always developed with the aim of generating real added value for operators and end consumers  an aim which dovetails perfectly with the values of Made in Germany.

Design as brand essence

Exceptional design was an integral part of the companys history right from the start. Clear silhouettes, a love of detail, hand-picked materials and harmonious surfaces are the characteristic features of WMF design. And the focus is always on the user. The intention is for the products to offer an emotional experience while preparing and cooking food and beverages. Today, WMFs internal design team works on products in all product categories. Dialogue with specialists from widely ranging fields plays a key role here. Around 600 prestigious national and international design awards are evidence of the high standard and great importance of design at WMF.

1853  2023: WMF milestones

WMF Professional Coffee Machines

If we journeyed back through time to the last century, we would see the WMF pioneers, company founder Daniel Straub and his team, manufacturing the worlds first hotel coffee machine. Just a few years later, in 1927, a large-scale series of commercial machines left the premises of what was then the metal goods factory Straub & Schweizer in South Germany, paving the way for the triumph of German engineering. The first major breakthrough came in 1932 with the WMF 1000, a robust coffee machine with intuitive control. In 1954, the company set up an in-house customer service  unique in the industry. The high-quantity coffee machine Programat with its electronic control was launched in 1969 and became a further technological milestone. Process reliability through automation remained a central topic at WMF in the decades that followed. Bistro, the first speciality machine, which was launched in 1994, was an impressive example. Its success was only exceeded in 2005 with the WMF Presto, an inexpensive entry-level model which found a ready market.

Today, the solutions portfolio of WMF Professional Coffee Machines contains the ideal coffee machine for every customer concept, including innovative customer touchpoints and intelligent data analysis. Innovative serving concepts ensure absolutely reliable coffee preparation processes  both in serviced and self-service operations.

For the coffee concepts of the future, the award-winning technology platform WMF CoffeeConnect guarantees comprehensive collection and analysis of performance and service data from the linked WMF machines. This gives rise to digital environments that are used for the online monitoring of coffee quality, production readiness and machine availability as well as for the flexible creation of sales offers or smart maintenance. With digital solutions such as WMF Smart Remote and WMF Payment Solutions, WMF is also taking giant strides towards the future. Fully automatic cleaning system WMF AutoClean, which ensures hygienic cleanliness independent of personnel and opening hours, and various cooperation projects with robot cafes show that WMF is already firmly focused on the future.

WMF Professional Hotel Equipment

For restaurant and hotel managers all over the world, WMF Professional is a highly valued partner  both in front of and behind the scenes. The key strengths of the traditional brand are innovative, high-performance and stylish complete solutions for arranging and serving foods and beverages. WMF Professionals range thus meets even the most exacting requirements, offering products for hotels and restaurants in all qualities and many design variants. From a wide range of cutlery and glassware to serving equipment or table decoration in various materials through to a flexible modular system for buffets and a large choice of tableware, the product range includes everything that is needed for optimum guest service. The milestones of the past years include:

WMF Quadro

With the modular buffet system QUADRO, launched in 2017, WMF Professional confirmed its commitment to profitability, flexibility and elegance. With QUADRO, hotel and restaurant managers can present dishes for breakfast, lunch or dinner to optimum effect. The key to individuality here is maximum scalability of elements in GN format, with high-quality optics, haptics and material characteristics.

SYNERGY & STYLE LIGHTS

With its first own tableware collection, SYNERGY, and the lifestyle range STYLE LIGHTS, launched by WMF Professional in the year 2021, chefs and restaurant managers are now able to realise dining concepts on a perfectly laid table and display them to best effect.

TRUE FLAVOUR

WMF Professionals latest coup is the glassware collection TRUE FLAVOUR. The stylish crystal glasses are perfect for serving coffee specialities of all kinds. Thanks to the use of a new manufacturing process without double-wall glass, it is now possible to pour boiling hot beverages into crystal glasses.q
Building Connections That Last: Exploring the Rise of Niche Events in the Hospitality Industry

While high-profile events like CES and SXSW often dominate the headlines, a thriving ecosystem of smaller, targeted events caters to specific audiences. These highly specialized gatherings attract attendees with their own particular requirements, customers, interests, and products.

The popularity of these niche events has been steadily increasing in recent years because they align with people's growing desire for personalization and networking in a more intimate setting. Unlike mega-events, where attendees must navigate through a vast sea of content, smaller events offer hyper-personalization, catering to attendee preferences and resulting in higher engagement.

Many people also prefer to gather with a smaller group of attendees in the same niche. They like to be in a crowd of hundreds, not thousands, or dozens, not hundreds. They feel a sense of community in a smaller group as they encounter the same names and faces throughout the experience.

Experiences and community take center stage

The total disruption of the event industry in 2020 called into question the purpose of events in business as a whole and reframed them as more purposeful. Even before the pandemic, events were already shifting away from a focus on content to connections and experiences.

More targeted events thrive in facilitating meaningful conversations. In large conferences, conversations move swiftly, with names flashing by rapidly. Only the most skilled networkers manage to establish a few new connections amidst the flurry.

In contrast, smaller conferences create opportunities for continuous encounters. Attendees frequently encounter familiar faces in chat boxes and breakout rooms. As the conference progresses, genuine connections form, enabling participants to truly engage with individuals and remember their faces rather than just their names.

The millennial influence

Studies show that niche events have gained popularity due to their appeal to millennials. As the largest generation in the workplace, millennials seek less formal and more experiential and intimate learning and networking experiences. They value smaller, more exploratory talks and events that offer personalized opportunities to establish lasting personal connections.

According to a study by Ipsos and CrowdDNA, this tech-savvy group knows online interaction cant replace face-to-face experiences. Millennials like live events help them gain perspective beyond what they read and make more of an impact. 3/4 of millennials value experiences over things. Nearly 80% say attending smaller live events makes them feel more connected to other people, the community, and the world.

Identifying with more passionate audiences

While it is true that many niche events have a smaller potential audience than the broader markets, these smaller segments tend to be more tightly connected and passionate.

A sense of belonging. Since there are fewer people, attendees are more likely to be able to personally address and interact with each other as individuals instead of addressing a room full of nameless faces.

Less pressure: From personal experience, Ive found smaller events more conducive to interaction. Attendees are less prone to stage fright and feel free to speak and ask questions. These experiences feel more like conversations.

Community. Humans are social creatures; we often feel fulfilled when contributing to our community. With smaller events, creating an environment and activities involving everyone is easier.

All in all, smaller niche events help us connect and create a sense of community among attendees, making for more memorable experiences.

Today, Independent Lodging Congress (ILC) hosts four main events that range from 250 to 350 attendees: INDIE Cultivate (once a year, coming up July 11th and 12th, at The Graduate Hotel, Roosevelt Island, NYC), INDIE Confab (twice a year), and INDIE Congress (once a year, with the next one in San Francisco, October 23 - 25, 2023).

Devoted specifically to the needs of the independent travel and hospitality market, ILC event attendees and exhibitors experience a more immediate and long-term return on investment with events custom-designed to have a genuine impact. ILC events also provide a broader range of location choices, as larger venues may become limited when accommodating tens of thousands of people.

There is still a place for big in-person conferences and tradeshows, which serve a valuable purpose for many attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors. But smaller, specialized events for attendees with a similar job or specialty or who are interested in the same topic are poised to continue growing in the coming years.

About Andrew Benioff





Mr. Benioff has 25+ years experience in real estate finance and transactional activities and 15 years experience in the operation and management of luxury hotels. He is the founder of the Independent Lodging Congress, the premier gathering of independent hoteliers, restaurateurs, designers, financiers, investors, tech start-ups and media companies focused on the independent and boutique hospitality sector. Mr. Benioff is also the Founder and Chairman of the Philadelphia Real Estate Council, a nonprofit organization of real estate executives focused on the mid-Atlantic region.

Author of numerous articles, Mr. Benioff has discussed real estate finance in the pages of Scotsmans Guide, Hotel Business, Hotel Real Estate, and the Cornell Real Estate Review. He has appeared as a guest speaker for the real estate programs of Cornell University, Villanova University, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Business, and Temple University, and has served as a panelist and moderator at numerous national real estate conferences.

About Independent Lodging Congress





The Independent Lodging Congress offers a vibrant professional community for anyone working with independent hotel assets - whether a first-time investor or industry veteran. The conference is sure to be a valuable forum for professionals working with any independent hotel assets - from mid-scale to super-luxury, in major destination markets and outlying cities as well.
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6 of Junes most creative music marketing strategies

Musicians and music marketers know you must get creative to gain traction in the crowded music marketplace. Here is the latest batch of breakthrough strategies compiled by the team at Single.

from Single xyz

In June, musicians like Finger Eleven, Killer Mike, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, King Krule, Foo Fighters, Avenged Sevenfold, Off Road Mini Van, Geese, Doja Cat, and Pharrell Williams hit the right notes with their creative releases.

Exclusive Material: The Art of Teasing

June was a month of teasers. Finger Eleven broke a seven-year silence with a Greatest Hits album, creating a buzz with the promise of exclusive colored vinyl editions.

Meanwhile, Killer Mike dangled an unreleased track in front of fans during an interview. This unexpected gem, featuring Andre 3000, built more hype around his already released album, Michael.

Andre 3000 & Killer Mike have another unreleased collab together where Andre is rapping for 7 minutes  pic.twitter.com/Qltf2wrgBY  NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) June 17, 2023

Bundling Beats: Merch with Melodies

Drew Holcomb, The Neighbors, and King Krule bundled their albums with unique merchandise, creating a two-in-one experience. They tapped into the fact that fans love to flaunt their favorite artists, releasing music and merch together.

Melodies and Memories: Concert Exclusives

The Foo Fighters and Avenged Sevenfold turned raw emotion into music this June. Both bands poured their personal losses into new albums, offering fans a heartfelt listening experience. Avenged Sevenfold added a concert-exclusive vinyl to the mix, giving fans a piece of the live experience to take home.

#LifeIsButADream tour exclusive black ice vinyl available today at @thekiaforum. Merch trailer open 1-4PM outside the venue. pic.twitter.com/BwuoofKVRq  Avenged Sevenfold (@TheOfficialA7X) June 9, 2023

Collectors Galore: Variety in Vinyl

Off Road Mini Van and Geese catered to the collectors instinct this past month. They released their new albums in a variety of vinyl editions  a smart move that fueled fans love for unique finds while driving sales.

Intrigue and Intricacy: The Allure of Mystery

Doja Cat spun a web of intrigue this June. Dropping Attention, the first single from her upcoming album, she stirred up anticipation with cryptic social media posts and an intense music video. She played the mystery card perfectly, leaving fans hungry for her full album.

Collaborative Efforts: The Personal Touch

Pharrell Williams brought a personal touch to his new track this past month. By joining forces with Virginia gospel choir, Voices of Fire, he put out a track that was both upbeat and personal. The choirs founder is Pharrells uncle, which made the collaboration even more special for fans.

Looking Back June was a showcase of creative strategies in the music industry. From exclusive releases to merchandise bundling, concert exclusives, vinyl varieties, intriguing teasers, and heartfelt collaborations, artists made their mark by thinking outside the box. They proved that in the world of music, how you deliver can be just as important as what you deliver.

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True to its mission of creating an inclusive workplace, GCash, the Philippines top fintech company, extends its comprehensive benefits program for its employees who have LGBTQIA+ partners and domestic partners. This initiative is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 5 which promotes gender equality.

Under the e-wallets new Life Partner Benefits Program, GCash employees can now avail of the benefits for their significant other, regardless of gender and marital status. Employees will only be required to submit minimal documents to enable them to declare their partners as their dependents.

At GCash, we understand that our employees have different needs, including wanting to take care of their loved ones. Our Life Partner Benefits Program will provide employees partners with health insurances, Disability and Accident Insurance, and will allow them to be their beneficiaries for life, among others, said Robert Gonzales, Chief People Officer of GCash.

These benefits also cover bereavement needs and wellness allowances. Access to tech apps like KonsultaMD and Mind You are also provided.

We made sure our application process for this program is easy and simple. We want all of our GCash kabarkadas to have access to company benefits that will help uplift their quality of life, without any bias or discrimination, added Gonzales.

Josh de Leon, who identifies as gay, shared how happy he is that finally, benefits can now be easily extended to his partner. "GCash understands my needs as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and I am proud to be part of a company that prioritizes inclusivity and equity."

Dee Tseng, who identifies as a lesbian, shared that she felt zero discrimination in GCash when it came to her gender. The company has no bias against the community - in fact, it encourages and empowers us to embrace our authentic selves.

Already on the list of LinkedINs Top 15 Best Companies to Grow Your Career, mounting the Life Partner Benefits Program shows GCash strengthening its corporate responsibility through the principles of inclusivity, respect, and equal opportunities.
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Warner Bros has defended a doodle of a map in the new Barbie movie, after the film was banned in Vietnam.

The film, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, reportedly contains a scene depicting a map showing what appears to be the nine dash line.

The line is a representation of Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea, which Vietnam says violates its sovereignty.

China and Vietnam have long been in a stand-off over the region, while Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia all make claims to parts of the sea.

According to local Vietnamese outlets, the drawing is deemed an illegal image and has therefore prompted the national ban.

Vi Kien Thanh, director general of the Vietnam Cinema Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, reportedly announced the ban on Monday (3 July).

In a statement to Variety, Warner Bros said the doodles shown were intended to depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land.

The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing, a spokesperson said. They added that it was not intended to make any type of statement.

Barbie world map (Warner Bros)

This is not the first time that the Vietnamese government has halted a films release due to the inclusion of the nine-dash line.

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Last year, Sonys action movie Uncharted was pulled for the same reason, as well as the DreamWorks animated film Abominable in 2019. Netflix also removed an Australian spy drama series, Pine Gap, from streaming services in 2021.

Greta Gerwigs Barbie film stars Margot Robbie as the Mattel doll who, after getting booted from Barbieland, sets off to the human world in a bid to find true happiness.

Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie in Greta Gerwigs Barbie (Warner Bros Pictures)

Gosling co-leads the movie as Ken, Barbies boyfriend, with Simu Liu, Will Ferrell, Ncuti Gatwa, Michael Cera, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Kate McKinnon among those making up the supporting cast.

Billie Eilish was recently revealed as one of the featured artists contributing to the Barbie soundtrack. Her song What Was I Made For will be released on 13 July.

Eilish joins Dua Lipa, Ice Spice and Haim, who were included in the initial unveiling of the all-star soundtrack in May.

Barbie is due for release in the UK on 21 July, the same day as Christopher Nolans historical epic Oppenheimer.

Additional reporting by Press Association
Since the 1940s, scattered bronzeware has been accidentally discovered on a number of occasions in a dozen counties on the Shanxi-Shaanxi Plateau by local people.

Although they sent the artefacts to local museums, archaeological researchers found it difficult to ascertain detailed background information, such as where exactly they were found, how they were discovered and whether or not they were in close proximity when discovered and retrieved.

But questions surrounding them may soon be answered.

This is due to the recent excavation at the Zhaigou site in Qingjian county, Yulin city, Shaanxi province. It has revealed the largest Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC) site with the richest remnants yet found on the Shanxi-Shaanxi Plateau.

The site has tombs of the late Shang period, the largest in scale and number on the plateau, and those buried in the tombs enjoyed the highest status of all the Shang tombs excavated so far in the region, according to a news conference by the National Cultural Heritage Administration on May 30, 2023 in Beijing.

Other breakthroughs made in Shang archaeology in the northern part of China were also announced. The latest study shows the Zhaigou site mainly dates to the late period of the Shang Dynasty, and covers 741 acres. With a large-scale rammed earth works construction at the centre, archaeologists have found areas for different functions such as handicraft workshops and tombs on 11 hills surrounding the centre area.

All of the basic elements of a central settlement have been discovered at the site, says Xu Lianggao, a researcher with the Institute of Archaeology, which is part of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. We found some tombs and large-scale structures in this area in the past, but this time the complete face of a settlement has been unveiled.

Nine high-level aristocratic tombs were found at the site, among which seven are rectangular tombs with tomb passages, which means they probably belong to leaders of various groups, says Sun Zhanwei, a researcher at the Shaanxi Academy of Archaeology.

Tomb passages symbolise a high social status. For example, kings of the Shang Dynasty had four tomb passages. Some people inferior in rank to them, maybe members of the royal family, had two. In this hierarchy, those without a high status could not have a tomb passage, he explains.

A bronze ornament in the shape of a bird decorated with turquoises found at the Zhaigou site (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

According to Sun, during the late Shang period, many local states appeared surrounding the central regime, with its central area located in Henan province. They had been conquered by Shang and then coexisted with the central regime by presenting tribute to it or rising in rebellions against it. Jiaguwen, or oracle bone inscriptions, the earliest known Chinese writing, record that, in the west and north of the central regime, there were nearly 70 states, but the whereabouts of them remain a mystery.

Lei Xingshan, a professor at the Capital Normal University in Beijing, points out that a grand tomb with a tomb passage often belongs to the king of a state, and when we find a tomb of this type, it almost certainly means a state has been discovered as well.

From the tombs, a large number of exquisite bronzeware, jadeware, bone artefacts, lacquerware and tortoise shells were unearthed, and are similar to those found in the past from aristocratic tombs in the Yinxu Ruins, the site of the capital of the late Shang period.

It suggests this area had been in close communication with the central regime, and showed the strong influence exerted on this area by the regime, says Sun Hua, an archaeology professor at Peking University.
A gene exchange between captive and wild pandas aimed at better protecting genetic diversity is a major project at the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda, according to He Shengshan, a guardian and expert at the centre.

He said wild pandas inhabit a wide range of areas, so the population is divided into 33 groups based on their location. This is similar to human villages or tribes. Some large groups in the wild may have hundreds of pandas, while smaller groups may have just a few dozen. After investigation, we found that of the 33 communities, 22 had fewer than 30 giant pandas, he said.

Because pandas have poor ability to migrate, plus there are mountains, human activities, highways and railway tracks, giant panda groups cant communicate with each other, and those with small populations are still at risk of extinction over time.

He, a breeding expert at the centres Wolong Hetaoping Base in Wenchuan county, Sichuan province, said genetic interaction is usually achieved in two ways.

One is to introduce captive female pandas into the wild within the reserve when they are in heat during the mating season to attract wild males to mate with them.

The other is wild reintroduction  the practice of placing female pandas in large, semi-wild enclosures once they become pregnant, to minimise the influence of humans on newborn cubs to enable them to take care of themselves. The cubs are usually released into the wild when they are about two years old.

The training for release is a long process that starts before the cub is born and is divided into two periods. The first lasts from the mothers pregnancy until the cub is about one year old, while the second starts around the cubs first birthday and runs until it is about two years old, he said.

We use the mother-animal approach to carry out rewilding training. We put pregnant females in the first stage of the training area, which is generally 21,500 to 32,300 square feet, and the female chooses a safe corner in which to give birth. Then, we monitor and ensure the health of the mother and provide her with food, while she takes care of the cub by herself as much as possible, He said.

What is particularly interesting is that in order to avoid the learned behaviour of humans the keepers wear panda camouflage suits every time they feed the mother, sterilising the soles of their shoes and spraying extract of panda faeces and urine onto their clothes so the mother is completely free of human smells and traces to ensure that the cubs living environment remains the same as in the wild, He said.

A breeder wears a panda costume to participate in the wild training of giant pandas at the Wolong Hetaoping Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre, Sichuan province (DENG JIA / FOR CHINA DAILY)

Because the giant pandas pregnancy cycle is relatively short, generally only four or five months, panda cubs are not fully developed when they are born. Instead, they are pink and tender. It takes about two weeks for them to open their eyes, two months to hear and four months to crawl, all while surviving on their mothers milk and care.

Giant pandas upper limbs are relatively short, so it is not very convenient for them to carry cubs. Especially in the wild, when there is danger, they can carry only one cub. Therefore, the fertility rate of giant pandas is not high, which is one of the main reasons for their relatively small population.

Up to the age of two, panda cubs in the wild are vulnerable to wild boars, black bears, snakes and birds of prey, but their safety improves as they grow, He said. Therefore, the training area in the second stage is almost exactly the same as the wild environment, with tall trees and shrubs, as well as wild animals such as boars.

During this period, the centre sets up surveillance cameras and other equipment to monitor the mother and cub.

At the Wolong Hetaoping Base, 10 pandas have been released into the wild since the programme began in 2010, and nine have survived.

According to clues obtained through the tracking of faeces and DNA data, nearly 2,000 wild pandas are living in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu provinces.
The Kubuqi desert, located in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has always been known for its severe heat and insufficient water sources.

Yet Kubuqi  Chinas seventh largest desert, earlier called the sea of death  and the Gobi region beyond, consisting of vast expanses of rocky mountains and sand dunes, offer an exciting future.

Their large expanse of barren land rich in wind and solar resources makes it ideal for developing huge solar and wind power parks that can transform the desolate area into a bustling hub for renewable energy. And China is doing exactly that.

A mega solar and wind power base, jointly undertaken by China Three Gorges Corp and Inner Mongolia Energy Group, is currently under construction in the Kubuqi desert.

Designed with an overall installed capacity of 16 million kilowatts, the massive solar-plus-storage project will feature eight gigawatts of solar power and 4 GW of wind power upon completion, as well as four GW of upgraded coal and 300 megawatts of energy storage capacity to support steady grid operation.

Once complete, the project will be able to transfer about 40 billion kWh of electricity to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region every year, half of which will be clean energy, equivalent to saving about six million metric tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by about 16 million metric tons, said Chen Shicheng from China Three Gorges Corp, who is in charge of the construction site.

This is part of the countrys efforts to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals under a new development philosophy.

By 2030, Chinas carbon dioxide emissions will peak, stabilise and then decline, and by 2060, China will be carbon neutral and will have a fully established green, low-carbon and circular economy.

China aims to gradually increase the share of consumption of non-fossil energy to around 20 per cent by 2025, around 25 per cent by 2030, and more than 80 per cent by 2060.

Chinas fight against desertification started decades ago. In 1988, Elion Resources Group started combating desertification as part of Chinas greening efforts of the vast Kubuqi desert. The countrys first solar project for sand control, with an overall planned capacity of 1,000 MW and operated by Elion, started generating power in 2016 in the Kubuqi desert.

Since then, China has continued to expand its renewable energy projects in the desert and Gobi region, with a particular focus on solar energy.

An employee works on the photovoltaic production line of a tech company in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region (PENG YUAN / XINHUA )

In 2021, China launched the first phase of wind and solar power projects of a total 100 gigawatts in desert areas that cover 19 provinces, according to a statement jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration.

As renewable energy has been gaining momentum in recent years, the government has vowed to further accelerate the construction of solar and wind power generation facilities in these areas. It has announced the second phase that will focus on related industries in the Gobi and other sandy and rocky regions.

Most of the projects will be located in the northwestern part of China that has vast renewable energy resources, including the Inner Mongolia, Ningxia Hui and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous regions, it said.

After years of efforts, the vast Gobi Desert in the northwestern part of China now boasts massive wind turbines and photovoltaic panels. Local governments are not only transforming their advantages in local resources into an economic advantage, but also ensuring sufficient power supply for the country, said Lin Boqiang, head of the China Institute for Studies in Energy Policy at Xiamen University.

China has been stepping up efforts in greening the deserts with local governments aiming to turn their desert regions, as well as the Gobi region and the outdated and shut-down coal mining land, to solar and wind power bases, taking advantage of the abundant renewable energy resources in the area, he said.
One of the most prominent members of Hong Kongs pro-democracy movement says the threat of cross-border abduction is getting higher and higher after a bounty worth HK$1m (100,000) was offered for his arrest.

The Hong Kong police declared this week that it was offering a bounty for any information that could lead to the arrest of eight overseas activists, former lawmakers, and lawyers. The citys top leader John Lee emphasised that the dissidents will be pursued for life under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law, which outlaws subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces and terrorism.

One of them, Nathan Law, 29, lives in exile in the UK. The 2018 Nobel Peace Prize nominee tells The Independent that there is a heavy mental toll as the threats step up  calling the bounty for each of the dissidents unprecedented.
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China has announced that it will uphold the ban on the import of food from approximately one-fifth of Japanese prefectures due to safety concerns, citing Japans move to discharge Fukushima water into the sea.

In a statement on Friday, Chinese customs said it would also strictly review the documents for food, especially aquatic products, from other parts of Japan.

The move was to prevent the export of radioactive contaminated Japanese food to China and protect the food safety of Chinese consumers imports, China said.

China, the largest buyer of Japans seafood exports, has voiced strong opposition to Japans move to discharge treated radioactive water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.

The move comes after the UN nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, this week gave Japan the green light to begin discharging more than a million metric tons of water used to cool the plants fuel rods after it was wrecked by a 2011 Japanese tsunami.

China customs said the report did not fully reflect the views of all the experts involved in the assessment process, and the conclusions were not unanimously endorsed by the experts.

The proposal to release the water, which was used to cool the reactors before being treated and stored in huge tanks around the site, raised concerns not only in China, but also among Japans neighbours and many Pacific island nations, which are still dealing with the legacy of nuclear weapons testing.

However, Seoul has now said on Friday that it believes, based on an inspection of the plant in late May, the release of water meets international standards if it was carried out as detailed in the proposal.

We have confirmed the concentration of radioactive material meets standards for ocean discharge  and therefore, the plan meets international standards including those of the IAEA, Bang Moon-kyu, minister of the office for government policy coordination, told in a briefing on Friday.

Japan received greenlight from IAEA after a a two-year safety review, in which the agency said Japan would dilute the water before discharge to bring the level below regulatory standards, adding that its experts would be stationed at Fukushima for any release, which is expected to take decades.

Students shout slogans during a rally to oppose the Japanese government's plan to release treated radioactive water into the sea from the Fukushima nuclear power plant, in Seoul, South Korea (AP)

Some countries, however, have raised concerns over contamination, especially around the potential risks from the radioactive isotope tritium, which is difficult to remove from water.

Addressing these concerns, the Society for Radiological Protection, said in a statement that the IAEA verdict was entirely justifiable and the water could not pose risk to human health.

The IAEA verdict is entirely justifiable as the discharges of tritiated water will be similar to those from Fukushima before the accident in 2011. They are also substantially less than routine discharges from some other nuclear installations, including Sellafield in Cumbria and Cap La Hague in France, it said.

As concluded by IAEA, there should be no concerns that these operations could in any way affect human health or the environment.
The visit to China by the US Treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, is being seen as an opportunity to seek a reset in the growing strategic confrontation between Washington and Beijing.

Ms Yellen started her term two years ago as a strong critic of Xi Jinpings government, attacking its unfair and illegal economic practices and its human rights crackdown against the Uyghur community in Xinjiang and pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. But she has taken a more emollient tone of late, stressing the need for stability and the maintenance of economic ties with China.

Her trip, however, takes place against the backdrop of an escalating semiconductor war that has been triggered between the superpowers: a race for advanced civil and military technologies  to which semiconductors are key  that has brought renewed recriminations between Beijing and the West.
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Indias foreign ministry criticised US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti for speaking about the ethnic violence in Manipur, maintaining that it was Indias internal matter.

Mr Garcetti commented on the tense situation in the northeastern state on Thursday and said that it was a matter of human concern.

During a press event in Kolkatta, Mr Garcetti was asked about the volatile situation in Manipur. Let me speak about Manipur first. We pray for peace there. When you ask us about the concern of the United States, I dont think its a strategic concern. I think its about human concern, he said.

He continued: You dont have to be Indian to care when you see children and individuals die in the sort of violence that we see [in Manipur] and we know that peace is the precedent for so many other good things. There have been so many good things in the northeast and the east here and those cant continue without peace.

He added that the US was ready to assist in any way if asked.

We know its an Indian matter and we pray for peace and that it may come quickly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place. One very clear message I want to send  the east of India and the northeast of India matters to the United States. Its people, its places, its potential and its future matter to us.

Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson for the Indian foreign ministry, responded to the comments made by Mr Garcetti. I havent seen those comments by the US ambassador. If he has made them, we will see I think we would also seek peace there and I think our agencies and our security forces are working, our local government is working on it.

I am not sure foreign diplomats would usually comment on internal developments in India but I wouldnt like to make a comment without seeing exactly what has been said, Telegraph India quoted him as saying.

Two communities, Meitei and Kukis in Manipur have been embroiled in a deadly conflict since May. The two communities have reportedly armed themselves and launched brutal attacks against one another. Thousands of people have been left homeless and more than 100 have died.

A member of parliament from the opposition Congress, Manish Tewari, tweeted that it was rare for a US envoy to comment on Indias internal affairs.

To the best of my recollection going back at least four decades in public life, I have never heard a US ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India.

He continued: We faced challenges in Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, North East over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity and wisdom. Even when Robin Raphel would be loquacious on J&K in the 1990s, the US ambassadors in India were circumspect. I doubt if the New @USAmbIndia @ericgarcetti is cognisant of the convoluted and torturous history of US-India relations and our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well-intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs.

He later was quoted as saying by ANI that as far as the US ambassador is concerned, the country faces several challenges but India has never appreciated any statement for its internal matters. There is gun violence in the US and several people are killed. We never told the US to learn from us as to how to rein that in.

Mr Tewari added: The US faces riots over racism. We never told them that we will lecture them Perhaps it is important for the new ambassador to take cognisance of the history of India-US relations.

Telegraph India quoted a strategic affairs expert Sourabh Sen as saying that stability in this region [Indias east and northeast], be it in Manipur or neighbouring Mizoram or even Bangladesh, for that matter, is very important for the US to counter the Chinese initiatives in the region.

Mr Garcetti later said: India is for Indians to determine its pathway.... We are here as friends. We are here to have conversations that are important. We are here to engage on the promotion of everyones rights.
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A 20-year-old teacher and her 17-year-old female student eloped from a town in India last month, leading to a country-wide police hunt as well as tensions between religious groups in their town.

The pairs disappearance has been leapt upon by right-wing Hindu nationalist groups, as the teenager is a Hindu and her teacher is a Muslim.

The family of the student have lodged a police complaint against the woman, a teacher at a private school in Sri Dungargarh, Bikaner, accusing her of kidnapping their daughter.

But in a video posted online that has since been widely shared, the class 12 student proclaimed her love for the teacher as the pair came out to their families.

All of you must be thinking that she or her family members brainwashed and kidnapped me. There is nothing like that, she said in the four-minute long video. We have left on our own will because we love each other and cant stay without each other.

We are lesbians and we cannot marry any other man. That is why we decided to run away; she didnt force me at all. You may think that she has asked me to make this video, but it is not so. It is me who has taken the decision to make this video and allay the misunderstanding, said the minor.

The teacher said in her own appeal to the public: I did not entice her into this situation. We came here of our own free will. Please refrain from inciting unnecessary riots. If I have done nothing wrong, then why are you mistreating my family? We are safe and cautious. We will continue to be happy in the future, so please allow us to be.

Right-wing Hindu groups are calling the couples disappearance a case of love jihad  an Islamophobic conspiracy theory perpetuated without evidence that claims Muslim fundamentalists convert Hindu and Christian women to Islam through trickery, expressions of false love and even forced marriage.

Members of some of these groups gathered at the local police station in Sri Dungargarh demanding action against the teachers family, reported The Indian Express.

The family of the minor also believes that she has been influenced by her teacher. Our daughter is a minor and has been brainwashed, the girls uncle told Outlook. Of course we have seen the video but we dont believe it. At this point in time we want her back as soon as possible.

The teachers father, who also registered a missing persons complaint, expressed his exasperation over the complaint filed against his family, as he claimed that his daughter was engaged to be married to another man.

We are equally worried about both. Our family only filed a missing report. But the minor (students) family has lodged an FIR against my sons and my daughter who herself is missing, he told the outlet.

A First Information Report (FIR) is an initial chargesheet, the first step in any police investigation in India.

The Bikaner city police, which has launched an extensive search to locate the couple, said they have tracked them about 2,300km from the Rajasthan town to Chennai city in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

The two women have been tracked in Chennai and we are in the process of bringing them back. Teams of Rajasthan Police are presently in Chennai and we are also coordinating with the Chennai police, a police official was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.

The police tracked and got to them today morning. Prima facie it seems that they had gone to Chennai on a train.

Their disappearance sparked a political outcry, with prime minister Narendra Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party criticising the opposition Congress party, which is in government in Rajasthan state.

You want to end the matter on the basis of that video of our sister, daughter, who is under pressure, said BJP legislator Rajendra Rathore.

What is this system, that is abducting our innocent daughters, filling poison in their minds, doing conversion and also hitting our culture? We will ask the government in the Assembly too ... the girl is kidnapped but government officials are only asking for time.
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Police in Indias Jammu and Kashmir detained 12 men for a week for not standing up for the national anthem played during an event held in June.

The men, including amateur cyclists and others, were detained from a pedal for peace event organised by Jammu and Kashmir police in collaboration with the J&K Cyclists Association near the Dal Lake on 25 June.

The event was attended by Jammu and Kashmir governor Manoj Sinha and senior police officers.

The Srinagar men were produced before the executive magistrate on 3 July where they were sent to seven days in preventive custody, reported the Indian Express.

The order said, there is every likelihood that they may commit breach of peace and disturb public tranquillity if released.

In view of the above facts, SHO police station Nishat Srinagar is directed to detain the above named accused in Central Jail Srinagar for seven days from today and conduct the proceedings of the case under law, the order stated.

Some police officials were also suspended for failing to ensure that people stood up for the national anthem at the closing ceremony, reported Press Trust of India, adding that 14 people were arrested.

On Thursday, Srinagar police said in a tweet that 12 people have been generally bound down for good behaviour to clarify that reports of 14 civilians and policemen being arrested or suspended were completely false.

There is an unverified news doing rounds that 14 policemen/persons have been arrested/suspended for disrespecting national anthem. It is clarified that the news is completely false, rather 12 persons have been generally bound down for good behaviour under sections 107/151 of CrPC.

The Independent has reached out to Srinagar police for a comment.

One of the relatives of the detained men told the Indian Express: The families are hesitant to talk because they fear it will cause more harm than help those in custody.

Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code allows the executive magistrate to take action when there is likelyhood of imminent danger to peace while 151 allows police to arrest a person to prevent a cognisable offence.

Indias official code of conduct states that whenever the anthem is being sung or played, the audience shall stand to attention.

However, when in the course of a newsreel or documentary the anthem is played as a part of the film, it is not expected of the audience to stand as standing is bound to interrupt the exhibition of the film and would create disorder and confusion rather than add to the dignity of the anthem, according to the code.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court held in a 2021 verdict that not standing for the national anthem may amount to disrespect and failure to adhere to the fundamental duties enshrined in the constitution but it is not an offence under the Prevention of Insult to National Honour Act, 1971.

The order came as the court quashed a complaint against a lecturer in Jammu who was accused of not standing up for the national anthem at a college function in 2018.

The topic of people not choosing to stand up for national anthem has remained debatable in India where several incidents have emerged of people targeting those who refused to stand up for disrespecting the country.

It was made mandatory in cinema halls to play the national anthem before the screening of the movies in 2016. Even as it was made optional to play the national anthem two years later, people conitued to be targeted for disrespecting the national anthem by not standing up.

In 2018, a bunch of movie-goers were heckled after they did not stand up for the national anthem at a cinema hall in Bengaluru.

In 2016, at least nine people were assaulted in Chennai for not standing up for the national anthem.

In the same year, a wheelchairbound man who was also an activist was assaulted for not standing up to the national anthem. The incident triggered outrage in the country as several called out people for the attack.
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Scenes of chaos unfolded at the heart of Indias capital in March this year as police set up barricades and roughed up hundreds of political workers and lawmakers protesting the expulsion of Rahul Gandhi from Indias seat of democracy  its parliament.

Members of Indias largest opposition party, the Congress, gathered in front of Delhis iconic Red Fort to protest against the disqualification of Gandhi  an issue that has drawn rare and unanimous condemnation from a majority of the countrys opposition parties.

Slogans calling for protecting democracy rang out in the air as did chants against prime minister Narendra Modi. Demonstrators sat in front of several police vehicles carrying detained party workers.

Jab jab Modi darta hai, police ko aagey karta hai (whenever Modi is afraid, he uses the police to crackdown on dissent), shouted protesters as police used force to clear the way.

This is not a fight for Rahul Gandhi. This is [a] fight for saving the Indian constitution, says Congress worker Mathura Prasad Khushwaha, while trying to reason with the police as they tried to detain him. It will affect not just me. It will affect you and your children. We are fighting for their rights too, he says from the window of the police vehicle he was pushed into.

Gandhi, a fierce critic of prime minister Narendra Modi and touted as his main challenger in the 2024 polls, lost his seat in the lower house of parliament earlier in March, a day after a court found him guilty of defamation over his remarks about the Modi surname.Indian parliamentary rules say a member loses their seat if they are convicted of a crime and sentenced to two or more years in prison.

A soldier stands guard outside the Red Fort during protests over Rahul Gandhis criminal defamation case (AFP/Getty)

Why all the thieves, be it Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi or Narendra Modi, have Modi in their names? Gandhi had said during a rally in the southern Karnataka state in 2019 while referring to a business tycoon, a former Indian Premier League chief, and the Indian prime minister respectively.

Congress members, including party MPs, planned to hold torches in their hands and stage a march, but were denied permission and faced a subsequent police crackdown. We dont even have a right to protest here now? asks Mukesh Rai, a Congress worker. Is this not our country? Can we not ask questions from the government? Is it a democracy or an autocracy?

As many as 96 people were detained, news agency Press Trust of India reported, citing deputy police commissioner Sagar Singh Kalsi.

All the detainees have been released, but anger over the issue remains.

Police personnel detain activists and supporters of India's Congress party (AFP/Getty)

Gandhis expulsion has come after he and other opposition party leaders demanded a joint parliamentary committee investigation over a report on alleged stock-price manipulation and fraud running into billions of dollars by the Adani Group, run by billionaire tycoon Gautam Adani. Adani has, on multiple occasions, denied suggestions he benefits from his proximity to PM Modi.

The Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing.

I think what this government has done by expelling Rahul Gandhi from parliament is to send out a signal to all opposition parties and that it can go to any extent to destroy and disable them, says Apoorvanand, professor at the Hindi Department, Faculty of Arts, University of Delhi.

I feel opposition parties have now realised that any pretext could be used to deprive them of all platforms, he says, as he explains the impact of Gandhis expulsion on parliamentary politics.

The parliament was one platform where you felt safe. But now that is also not available to parties.

It is also a rare case of conviction in a criminal defamation case when persons who were defamed did not raise a case, says senior advocate, MP and former Congress member Kapil Sibal.

I mean neither Nirav Modi, our prime minister Narendra Modi, Lalit Modi, they never went to court. So, who was defamed? Some fellow, who is an MLA and ex-minister. He moved a petition, he tells The Independent.

The defamation case was filed by Purnesh Modi, a state-level lawmaker (Member of Legislative Assembly or MLA) of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Modis home state Gujarat. He claimed Gandhis comments had defamed the entire Modi community.

The law requires that if a person is personally defamed then he has to move [to court], explains Sibal. [Purnesh Modi] said the Modi community was defamed. What is a Modi community? It belongs to different castes, he says. They are backwards in some states. They are forward in some states. So there is no such thing as a Modi community.

So they are targeting political opponents, thats what theyre doing, says Sibal.

The claim is not unsubstantiated.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel stand guard infront of the Red Fort during a protest march by Indias Congress party against conviction of Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case, in New Delhi on 28 March 2023 (AFP/Getty)

On 24 March, at least 14 political parties petitioned Indias Supreme Court against the alleged misuse of federal law enforcement agencies by the Modi government to target the opposition.

According to the plea, since Modi became prime minister in 2014, at least 124 leaders have been probed by central law enforcement agencies. Of these, about 118 or 95 per cent cases were brought against opposition leaders, it claimed.

However, despite the accusations of a witch hunt by the ruling order, the opposition has not always had a united front.

This was evident during the arrest of Delhis deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia by Indias nodal investigative agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in February.

While most parties condemned his arrest in connection with alleged irregularities in the now-scrapped liquor excise policy for Delhi, the Congress hailed the incarceration.

The arrest of deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia by the CBI is a welcome step though chief minister Arvind Kejriwal should also be arrested as he was the mastermind of the corrupt deal, Delhi Congress chief Anil Chaudhary said at the time.

The difficulty in keeping the opposition united was visible more recently, when a Congress ally in the countrys richest state of Maharashtra pushed back against Gandhi after he mocked British-era Hindutva idealogue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, infamous for offering a clemency plea to the colonial government during Indias freedom struggle.

My name is not Savarkar, my name is Gandhi and Gandhi does not offer an apology to anyone, the unfazed Congress scion had said, apparently referring to his family members, including his great grandfather Jawaharlal Nehru who was independent Indias first prime minister.

The remark drew a sharp reaction from Uddhav Thackeray, a senior leader in Maharashtra, whose Hindu right-wing party the Shiv Sena, reveres Savarkar.

Thackeray had a fallout with Modis BJP, his long-term ally, and became the states chief minister in an alliance with the Congress and another regional party, the Nationalist Congress Party in 2019.

But after his own party leaders reneged against him for ignoring the core ideology of Hindu nationalism and split the Sena, Thackeray had to step down from his post.

Veer [Brave] Savarkar is our god, and any disrespect towards him will not be tolerated, pushed back Thackarey against Gandhis comments. We are prepared to fight, but insulting our gods is not something we will tolerate.

Political analysts and leaders of opposition parties argue that Congress will have to tread lightly to keep the opposition united and not put regional parties in a tight spot, for it needs them to successfully challenge the BJP.

Indias Congress party activists and supporters protest against conviction of Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi in a criminal defamation case, in New Delhi on 27 March 2023 (AFP/Getty)

You have to realise that this is a moment when you have a task to keep all political parties together. These political parties have their own history, explains Professor Apoorvanand.

And Shiv Sena has to keep securing its space in Maharashtra. It knows it can be cornered using Savarkar, so it will be forced to react.

So, its for you as an ally to bring Shiv Sena out of that. And for that, you will have to again resist the temptation of sounding pure, smart and politically very correct because the task is to keep these forces together for a very long time, and they dont know how to work together.

Congress also needs to reposition itself in states where they are failing repeatedly and look to other parties to defeat the BJP, says Sushmita Dev, member of the parliaments upper house from the opposition Trinamool Congress. Parties that have shown ability to defeat BJP must be recognised by Congress, Dev says, and raises concerns about their inability to convert vote share to seats.

Congress has approximately 20 per cent vote share. But what is worrying is their strike rate, she tells The Independent.

In the 2019 national elections, Congress fielded 421 candidates across the country, but only 52 were elected from 18 states and union territories, reported NDTV. The party that once had its footprint in the entire country did not win a single seat in 17 states and union territories, the news channel pointed out.

Out of this, there were 192 seats where Congress directly contested the BJP, according to India Today. Of these, BJP gained 176 seats. Thats what is keeping the BJP in power, says Dev.

So, Congress has to concentrate on winning in areas where they are in a direct fight with the BJP, she says, adding that the party has to allow in other parties that have proved that they can repeatedly defeat BJP.

Its going to take a lot of grace, a lot of sacrifice for Congress to do that.

Gandhis sentencing just a year prior to the national elections is concerning for the Congress because if his conviction is not suspended or overturned by a higher court before the elections, he will not be able to contest the polls, reported LiveMint.

His hopes of returning to parliament and contesting national elections were dented further on 7 July, after he failed in his high court bid seeking suspension for his conviction.

Dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak said that an earlier lower court order refusing to grant a stay on Gandhis conviction was just and legal.

Noting that such stays are an exception, the court observed no injustice will be caused to Gandhi if the conviction is not put on hold, adding that the criminal appeal will be decided on its own merits and as expeditiously as possible.

There is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed, he said.

While the Congress scion is expected to appeal the verdict at the countrys Supreme Court in New Delhi, experts believe thatthere also lies an opportunity for the party to prove that through Gandhi, they are not promoting dynasty politics, but fighting for the Constitution.

I think thats even better because that robs BJP of its propaganda that all Congress party wants to do is to force Rahul Gandhi as prime minister, says Apoorvanand.

Indias Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi speaks at a public meeting amid heavy snowfall as he concludes the Bharat Jodo Yatra march in Srinagar on 30 January 2023 (AFP/Getty)

So even after hes disqualified and he is not allowed to contest the election, if he remains on the street and if he campaigns for the opposition, that I think is going to send a very strong signal to the people that its not for the post of prime ministership that he has been toiling for so long, he says.

He suggests Gandhi should build on the moral authority gained through his 136-day-long journey Bharat Jodo Yatra (Unite India March) and try to bring the opposition together in a manner similar to what his mother Sonia Gandhi did in 2004.

Sonia Gandhi, often jeered by the BJP for her Italian heritage, had made a political statement by relinquishing the post of prime minister after it had won national elections that year.

It only strengthened the Congress Party, he says. Similarly, this is an opportunity for Rahul Gandhi to show that he doesnt care. He remains politically active because he is concerned for democracy, he is concerned for survival of India as we know.
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Earths average temperature set a new unofficial record high on Thursday for the third time in a week.

On 6 July the Earth was an average 17.23C (63F), according to an unofficial measurement by Climate Reanalyzer, a platform that uses climate and weather forecast models to take the global temperature.

This surpassed the record of 17.18C set on Tuesday and maintained Wednesday, which in itself topped Mondays record-breaking 17.01C.

The figures must be confirmed by official international and national government bodies but nevertheless have set off alarm bells in the scientific community.

Such records are the predictable consequence of a short-term El Nino temperature boost coming on top of the long-term global warming trend due to mankinds greenhouse gas emissions, tweeted Dr Robert Rohde, the lead scientist at the climate nonprofit, Berkeley Earth. Global warming is leading us into an unfamiliar world, he added.

Wherever you look around the world, there is a litany of new extremes. The African continent experienced its hottest night ever recorded, according to US Stormwatch, which tracks extreme weather globally. The nighttime low in Adrar, Algeria, was 39.6C (103.3F) on Thursday.

Cities across China opened air-raid shelters on Friday to offer residents relief from severe heat as deaths were reported in Beijing and Shaoxing. Earlier this week, the Chinese capital reported more than nine straight days with record-high temperatures exceeding 35C (95F), according to the National Climate Centre, compounded by drought.

In the UK, the Met Office issued a heat health alert for six regions as temperatures are set to soar to 30C this weekend. The warnings were directed to six regions  London, Yorkshire, east and west Midlands, and the east and southeast of England  from midday on Friday until 9am on Sunday.

Germany warned the elderly, people with health conditions, pregnant women and parents with young children to seek out cool places amid forecasts for 35-37C (95-99F) this weekend combined with high humidity.

Germanys health ministry urged people to stay indoors, consume enough liquids and avoid strenuous activity, particularly during the day.

A boy wipes his sweat as he visits the Forbidden City on a sweltering day in Beijing on Friday (AP)

In the Antarctic, temperatures soared to unprecedented levels, reaching as high as 4.5C (8F) above normal in the polar region.

Dr Friederike Otto, a climate science lecturer at the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and founder of World Weather Attribution (WWA) which assesses the role of global heating in extreme weather, called the new heat records a death sentence.

This is not a milestone we should be celebrating, its a death sentence for people and ecosystems, she said this week. And worryingly, it wont be the hottest day for a long time.

The black line shows the global average temperatures in 2023 (Climate Reanalyzer)

With El Nino developing, the world will likely break this record again in the coming months. We absolutely need to stop burning fossil fuels.

The scorching heat is being driven by emissions caused by burning fossil fuels, as well as El Nino  a cyclic climate pattern which means severe temperatures in many places.

The new record average is more than 1C higher than on the same day 30 years ago, when global temperatures had already been influenced by the climate crisis.

Along with intense and earlier heatwaves, the high temperatures are contributing to larger wildfires, erratic rainfall and stronger cyclones. Extreme weather is hitting the worlds poorest communities the hardest, despite their negligible contributions to global emissions.
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Days of heavy monsoon rains have inundated Pakistani cities once again, killing at least 55 people and hitting vulnerable communities still recovering from last years historic deluge.

The monsoon rains that started in the last week of June have have triggered flash floods, with the eastern city of Lahore seeing a record-breaking downpour on Wednesday, flooding many streets and disrupting normal life.

Authorities said the number of dead in the past two weeks has risen to 55, with 12 people, including eight children, killed on Thursday. At least 87 people were injured during this period.

Fifty deaths have been reported in different rain-related incidents all over Pakistan since the start of the monsoon on 25 June, a national disaster management official said.

The majority of deaths have been attributed to collapsing roofs and electrocution, officials said.

At least eight children died in a massive landslide that hit Shangla, a district in the northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, officials said. As of Thursday, rescuers were still trying to remove a large mud pile for fear that other missing children were buried.

Pakistans second-largest city Lahore, in Punjab province, received record-breaking rainfall on Wednesday, turning roads into rivers and leaving almost one-third of the residents without electricity and water.

Photos and videos on social media show key infrastructure like roads, bridges and hospitals inundated with water after just a few days of rainfall at the beginning of monsoon season.

Pakistans weather forecast agency warned of more rain to hit the city as monsoon season has just begun in South Asia.

The department has warned that the Punjab region along the biggest rivers in the country could face more intense flooding in the coming days as rivers overflow.

The provinces disaster management authority said on Friday it was working to relocate people living along the waterways.

Every year, the region receives approximately 70-80 per cent of its annual rainfall during this season. Meteorologists in the region say the monsoon is becoming increasingly erratic with more rainfall falling in shorter periods due to the human-induced climate crisis, leading to increased flooding.

Recommended

Last year, Pakistans historic floods left one-third of the country underwater and killed over 1,700 people, causing damages estimated at $30bn. Lives for many people in large parts of southern and northern Pakistan was severely disrupted, with tens of thousands of people internally displaced.

Scientists said the intensity of the deluge was increased by climate crisis, although infrastructural vulnerabilities also exacerbated the impact.
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A video of a woman aboard an American Airlines flight has gone viral after capturing the moment the passenger appeared to accuse a fellow traveller of being not real.

In the video, which has been circulating, a woman could be seen walking down the aisle of a full flight while screaming at the fellow passengers about why she was getting off the plane.

Im telling you, Im getting the f*** off, and theres a reason why Im getting the f*** off, the woman could be heard yelling as she walked up the plane aisle. And everyone can either believe it or they can not believe it. I dont give two f***s.

But I am telling you right now, that motherf***er back there is not real.

The video then captured the moment that the majority of passengers, who remained seated throughout the encounter, turned to look toward the back of the plane where the woman was gesturing.

The woman then continued the profanity-filled tirade, adding: And you can sit on this plane and you can f***ing die with them or not. Im not going to.

As she turned around to continue exiting the plane, a fellow passenger could be heard loudly telling the woman: Bye!

The video was reportedly taken aboard an American Airlines flight departing Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according to the DailyMail, which noted that the original poster of the video claimed the incident delayed the flight by three hours.

The TikTok user also claimed the woman somehow didnt get arrested and got back through security after the whole plane had to deplane.

The Independent has contacted American Airlines for comment.

The clip, which has since been viewed more than 10m times on TikTok, was captioned: AA [American Airlines], what yall doing about this?

In the comments under the viral video, the womans comments sparked both amusement and concern from viewers, with many speculating about what she was referring to.

I need to see who shes talking about, one person commented, along with a laughing face emoji, while another said: Lol, the way they all turned their heads and looked.

My question is how is everybody keeping a straight face? someone else asked.

Others compared the scenario to movies, with some suggesting the clip reminded them of the moment that Kristen Wiigs character in Bridesmaids began to see things while intoxicated aboard a plane.

Its giving Kristen Wiig, one person commented, while someone else said: Reenactment of Annie from Bridesmaids. Hope she came down safely.

Several others revealed that they would probably follow the woman off the plane, with one person explaining: Idk, she seems distressed Id believe her.

Others said they have watched enough Final Destination to also be concerned about the womans claim.

No because I would HAVE to get off the plane. Im not about to be Final Destinationed, one person wrote, while someone else said: Ive seen Final Destination enough to know Im getting off the plane.
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Margot Robbie has been delivering some memorable fashion moments throughout the press tour for the highly-anticipated Barbie film, and the looks just keep coming.

For her most recent press event, the 33-year-old actor stunned with her latest Barbie-inspired look. On Thursday (6 July), Robbie attended the Mexico City premiere of the live-action movie, directed by Greta Gerwig, in pink leather Balmain minidress inspired by the Earring Magic Barbie doll from the 90s.

The pink ensemble featured long, sheer sleeves with a high neckline and a corset bodice. She accessorised the number with a chainlink star belt, matching star earrings, and pink Manolo Blahnik heels.

Her stylist, Andrew Mukamal, posted a photo of the inspiration behind Robbies latest red carpet look on Instagram.

Earlier this week, the Wolf Of Wall Street star also attended the Seoul premiere of Barbie wearing two custom Versace looks inspired by the Mattel dolls Day to Night ensemble from 1985. To achieve the look, she first sported a retro skirt suit while holding a bedazzled 80s cell phone clutch by Judith Leiber, along with a mini Versace La Medusa purse and a white boater hat. She then changed into a sparkling, pink dress with a tiered, tulle skirt also from Versace.

When the Australian actor returned down under to promote the Barbie film at Sydneys iconic Bondi Beach, her outfit paid tribute to the first-ever Barbie doll, which was released in 1959. For the event, she wore a black and white striped minidress by Herve Leger, as an homage to original dolls black and white striped swimsuit.

As for the rest of the cast, they seemingly missed the memo during a recent Barbie photocall in Los Angeles. Last week, Robbie continued her Barbiecore streak with a pink polka-dot Valentino minidress inspired the Pink & Fabulous Barbie from 2015. However, it was the sad beige outfits worn by Robbies fellow Barbie cast mates that captured everyones attention.

Proving her dedication to the theme, Robbie hasnt just been channelling Barbie on the red carpet and for photo calls. She was even seen walking through Sydney airport in an ensemble worthy of the famous doll: a pale pink tweed blazer and grey trousers from Chanels spring/summer 1996 collection, while wheeling vintage-inspired pink luggage.

Her bags were from Steamline luggage: The Entrepreneur Pink Hatbox Small retails at 251, and The Entrepreneur Pink Carryon costs 468.

With the film not out for a few weeks yet and plenty of premieres in the diary, chances are well be seeing a lot more Barbie-inspired fashion from Robbie to come.

The Barbie movie is set to premiere on 21 July. The film also stars Ryan Gosling, Emma Mackey, Michael Cera, Kate McKinnon, Will Ferrell, and more.

Additional reporting from PA.
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Four sisters have reflected on the complete shock they felt after learning that they were all pregnant at the same time.

In an interview with Good Morning America, Jessica Hanna, Jordan Sutton, Jena Primsky, and Jaden Lortz said they werent anticipating carrying their babies all at once, and that receiving the positive news so close together was an unexpected coincidence.

Hanna told the outlet: I know so many people will say: You guys all planned this, but with two of us having fertility help, definitely not planned. Its just, God works in mysterious ways.

Primsky, 33, and her youngest sister Lortz, 25, also have the same due date, making the coincidence even more serendipitous. Though Primsky, who lives in Colorado, and Lortz, who lives in Texas, will not give birth in the same place, they are both expecting their children on 1 October.

Primsky and her husband, Mike, are expecting their second child, a boy, while Lortz and her husband, Jake, are having their first baby, a girl.

Sutton, 27, has not yet received news on the sex of her baby, but she and her husband, Dylan, are due sometime in August. Hanna will be the last sister to give birth, to her and her husband Nolans daughter on 11 November. Both sisters reside in Nebraska.

The shocking realisation that all four siblings were pregnant at the same time was even greater for Hanna, who didnt find out about her sisters pregnancies until she told them about her own baby news around Easter. According to the sisters, Sutton knew early on that she, Primsky, and Lortz were all pregnant.

I had little cookies made that said Baby Hanna, coming November 2023 and I gave that to Jena and Jaden before we had dinner on Easter, and they were both kind of like, in shock, Hanna recalled.

The holiday also included a fun Easter present from their mother, who knew all her daughters were pregnant, and who decided to share the news on Easter eggs along with the caption: All of my babies are having babies.

According to Hanna, she was in disbelief when she found out about Jaden and Jenna because she wasnt aware they were trying to get pregnant.

She told GMA: I didnt think Jaden was trying as soon, and same with Jenna, so it was just like mind-blowing.

As for how the simultaneous pregnancies have impacted their relationships, Hanna said she believes the experience has tightened their bond, even though the Dallas-born sisters have always been close.

Its brought us close together in a different way, Lortz told the outlet.

Hanna noted: We grew up with a super big family with 35 cousins, so its just kind of a dream come true with having our own kids now being able to grow up together this close.

To embrace their new journey, the siblings have created a new group chat called Bumpin, where they send doctor appointment updates, memes, and recipes.
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A father has issued a safety warning about mermaid swimming outfits after his five-year-old daughter nearly drowned.

Adam Lisberg initially shared the warning on Twitter in July 2020, where hed recounted the events that led to his daughter being hospitalised for two days.

According to Lisberg, the scary story revolved around his daughter Annabelle and her older sister Ruby, seven, both of whom love mermaids.

This is a scary story starring my daughter Annabelle. Im telling it as a warning about kids, pools and swimsuits because I dont want anyone elses kids to end up in the ER or the ICU, like she did for two days, Lisberg began the Twitter thread, which included a photo of his daughter in a hospital bed.

In subsequent tweets, the father-of-three explained that he and his wife had ordered their daughters two-piece swimsuits with matching mermaid tails after getting an inflatable pool for the driveway.

Lisberg then shared a photo of the paddling pool in question, which featured water that reached only up to the childrens legs.

In the post, Lisberg noted that he and his wife know to be careful and know kids can drown in anything and to watch them.

Still, things can happen, he wrote.

According to Lisberg,the incident occurred while his daughters were playing in the pool while wearing their mermaid swimsuits and he was in the kitchen. Sunday afternoon, the mermaids were in the pool. I was in the kitchen overlooking the pool, window open so I could hear them, looking at them every minute or two, he wrote.

Then Ruby came inside and told me calmly that Annabelle was underwater and wasnt moving, so she pulled her out.

Lisberg said that he looked outside to find his five-year-old daughter lying on the ground beside the pool with her arms inside her mermaid tail and not moving.

After rushing outside, Lisberg said he picked up his daughter, who didnt react, despite her eyes being wide open.

In the emotional Twitter thread, the father then recalled hearing his daughter cough a little while questioning how long shed been under the water and what no oxygen to the brain looks like.

According to Lisberg, he began to perform CPR that hed learned when his daughter was born, at which point Annabelle began to cry and cough. Water, mucus, then vomit. This is all good, he wrote.

At this point, Lisberg revealed that hed called 911, and that Annabelle had begun to cry but still wasnt able to form words.

The father then explained what had happened, as told to him later by his daughters. Ruby said Annabelle pulled that mermaid tail up to her shoulders and tucked her arms inside. And as Annabelle told us later, she tried to play potato by lying down in the water. But she couldnt reach her hands out to get up, he wrote. Annabelle said she tried to talk, but the words just turned into bubbles. I will never get that image out of my head.

In the Twitter thread, Lisberg then credited his eldest daughter for saving Annabelles life, as the seven year old had seen that her younger sister wasnt coming up, at which point she pulled the five-year-olds head out of the water, before pulling her completely out of the pool.

She guessed Annabelle was only under for about 30 seconds, he wrote, before adding that paramedics arrived within five minutes and measured good blood oxygen levels as Annabelle began to recover.

However, despite spending just 30 seconds underwater, Lisberg said the five year old had to spend two days in the paediatric ICU.

Even a little water in the lungs, especially if it has chlorine, can spark a delayed reaction as the body fights injury, he wrote. She had a temperature and elevated pulse and breathing for almost a day after. Needed oxygen to kick it.

According to Lisberg, when Annabelle came home, she was the same giggly bubbly silly sparkly girl she was, with the father-of-three noting that his family is indescribably lucky.

I cannot imagine what its like to be the parent who didnt get lucky like this, he wrote.

Lisberg concluded the Twitter thread thanking those who had read it before admitting that he hopes it haunts them.

So, thank you for reading this. Frankly, I hope this haunts you. I share it because I want you to never take any kids safety for granted, especially in water, no matter how shallow, even for a minute, he wrote. And maybe skip the mermaid tail. Shell be okay without it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more children ages one to four die from drowning than any other cause of death in the United States, and for children ages five to 14, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death after car crashes.

Speaking toToday about the experience, Lisberg said that his daughters had owned similar swimsuits in the past, and that he and his wife had thought they would be safe because the pool was two feet deep.

Even if they sit down they can get themselves up, he explained. He also noted that hed been aware, like every parent, that you have to watch children like a hawk and you have to be careful all the time, but that hed thought it would be okay for him to watch from the kitchen as he supervised his five-year-old sons attempt to make guacamole.

Lisberg also shared the fear hed felt when he reached his daughter, with the father-of-three admitting that hed thought she was dead.

As for the quick response of his daughter Ruby, Lisberg described his eldest daughters rescue as incredible.

She got her sister completely out of the water. It was incredible, he said, adding that the seven-year-olds first instinct had been to protect her sister and she did.

In addition to avoiding swimsuits that may obstruct a childs ability to move, a swim instructor recently warned parents against buying blue bathing suits for their children.

According to Nikki Scarnati, a certified ISR (infant swimming resource) instructor who goes by the username @springhill.isr on TikTok, blue bathing suits can make it difficult to see a child underwater.

The Independent has contacted Lisberg for comment.
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A new lawsuit filed against Kanye Wests Donda Academy has claimed that his private Christian school allegedly left windows and skylights empty because the rapper didnt like glass.

In a lawsuit filed on Thursday (6 July) in Los Angeles, an ex-assistant principal and official at Donda Academy and the former Yeezy Christian Academy claimed that he was fired after he raised concerns about both schools health and safety standards.

Isaiah Meadows began working as a full-time employee at Yeezy Christian Academy in late 2020, before becoming a teachers assistant at Donda Academy in 2021. In the suit, the plaintiff alleged that students were left exposed to the elements because West  who legally changed his name to Ye  refused to allow glass to be placed in the buildings windows.

In the middle of the main classroom, a skylight was left without glass inevitably allowing rain to fall directly inside, where water would soak into the floor, which would lead to a moldy smell for the next few days, Meadows lawyers alleged, according to Billboard. The skylight was intentionally without glass because West expressed that he did not like glass.

Though mesh curtains were eventually added, he went on to claim that the school had serious wiring issues, including one alleged incident where an electrical fire started near the student eating area.

Meadows also claimed that Donda Academy appeared to have plumbing problems, specifically that the schools septic tank often overflowed.

After he issued complaints about both Donda Academy and Yeezy Christian Academys alleged health and safety hazards, Meadows claimed he was suspended, had his pay docked, and was eventually fired from his position in August 2022.

Plaintiff Meadows is informed and believes he was terminated by Defendants as a result of him bringing up concerns about school operations and about wage violations, his lawyers claimed.

The new lawsuit comes just three months after two former employees sued Ye and Donda Academy for wrongful termination. In April, Cecilia Hailey and her daughter Chekarey Byers claimed they experienced racial discrimination and had wages illegally held from them after they had complained about the schools alleged health, safety, and educational violations.

Much like the claims made by Meadows in the new court filing, both Hailey and Byers alleged that students were allowed to only eat sushi; that Ye required students to wear black; that he didnt want children using forks or utensils; and he even prohibited classes from taking place on the second floor because he was afraid of stairs.

While Hailey and Byers were seeking $1m in damages, the new complaint said Meadows is seeking an unspecified amount of damages for unpaid wages, loss of earnings, and emotional distress.

It is just absolutely egregious what is going on at this school, Ron Zambrano, the lawyer representing plaintiffs in both lawsuits, said in a statement to NBC News. The unlawful and retaliatory behaviour by Mr West and the school directors have now been documented multiple times by other former employees who never even worked together but all experienced the same horrendous treatment and witnessed the same serious health, safety and education code violations, while all were subjected to the same fate  wrongful termination  and we plan to hold them accountable.

According to the outlet, lawyers for Donda Academy have previously described the accusations made by the former teachers as fatally uncertain, ambiguous, and unintelligible.

Yes attorney, Gregory Suhr, has also maintained that depictions of Donda Academy as a dystopian institution designed to satisfy Yes idiosyncrasies are a false representation of the private Christian school.

None of it is true and the allegations do a disservice to the Donda Academys current staff and students and their parents who will attest to their positive experience, Suhr reportedly said in a filing last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The Bound 2 rapper first founded Yeezy Christian Academy in 2020, which later transitioned to Donda Academy  a tuition-based, Christianity-rooted preparatory school located in Simi Valley, California  in 2022.

However, following a string of controversies and antisemitic remarks, Yes unaccredited K-8 school announced that it would be closing in October last year. School officials said they planned to reopen in September 2023.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Kanye West for comment.
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Kevin Costners ex-wife Christine Baumgartner has reportedly rejected the Yellowstone actors proposal of US$52k in monthly child support payments as inappropriate.

The former couple are in the midst of divorce proceedings, with Baumgartner, 49, reportedly seeking US$248k in monthly child support payments. She has also not vacated her and Costners beachfront home in California, which the 68-year-old actor alleged is in breach of their pre-nuptial agreement.

Previous reports said that Costner initially offered to pay US$38k and has now increased the offer. However, Baumgartner reportedly claimed that Costner spends US$240k a month on himself and the kids when theyre with him.

In new court documents seen by TMZ, the handbag designer said the new offer was well below the US$65K per month she claims Costner receives for renting out a guest house on his property.

She also claimed that it was not enough to maintain the lifestyle that their three teenage children are accustomed to, as they are used to living at the beach and in a gated neighbourhood. Costners attorney said the actor has been paying all of the childrens expenses since separating from Baumgartner and will continue to do so.

According to the report, Baumgartner stated that their lifestyle is maintained by a team of staff, such as assistants who clean the home and do the grocery shopping. She claimed that the higher sum she is seeking is also required for expenses such as utilities and bills.

She reportedly said she would move out of their home on 31 August as long as Costner provides further financial support as determined by the court. Costner has said that, under their pre-nuptial agreement, she was obligated to leave within 30 days of filing for divorce  which she filed for in early May.

But earlier this week, a judge ordered her to move out by 31 July. A source told People that Costner was relieved by the ruling, but Baumgartners attorneys have reportedly argued that she does not have enough time or funds to find a new home and have asked the judge to extend the date to 15 August.

Her lawyers wrote in a filing: Christine understands that at some point in the future, she and the children will have to move out of the family home. She cannot do so at this early stage of the case because she does not have sufficient funding to secure housing that will ensure the children can maintain similar standards of living in the parties respective homes.

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner attends the Premiere Of 20th Century Fox's "The Art Of Racing In The Rain" at El Capitan Theatre on August 01, 2019 (Getty Images)

However, Costners legal team insisted that she can afford to move and said in a memorandum: She has at her disposal almost $1.5m in cash to find alternative housing. Multiple four-bedroom, four-bathroom lovely homes are presently available, located in close proximity to Kevins separate property residence Kevin made multiple offers to assist her in relocating.

Costner has reportedly gone to stay at his 160-acre ranch in Aspen, Colorado, because he no longer feels comfortable sharing a residence with Christine. He also claimed that her refusal to vacate the property has interfered with my work commitments.

Baumgartner is entitled to a settlement of US$1.4m under the conditions of their pre-nup, which Costner claimed he has already paid. In her divorce filing, she cited irreconcilable differences and listed their date of separation as 11 April.

The pair share three children together, including 16-year-old Cayden, 14-year-old Hayes, and 13-year-old Grace. They are both seeking joint custody of the children.

The Independent has contacted their representatives for comment.
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Are there too many social media sites?

Just when you think you are across them all, a new app for sharing text updates and joining public conversations called Threads, created by Facebook and Instagram owners Meta, launches.

Billed as a rival to Twitter, Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg said over 10 million people signed up in its first few hours.

For some, its a matter of jumping in with both feet and navigating the waters from there. Others will sit back and take a little more cautious approach.

Either way, learning how to navigate the social media jungle using these few simple tips will be invaluable

Take a social media detox

Its easy to use social media compulsively and excessively. You can become so accustomed to scrolling through posts, laughing at videos and liking images, that it can take over.

According to data found by audience insights platform GWI, 29% of people across Britain use more than five social media apps, with 54% of 16-24-year-olds doing the same.

There has been a substantial surge in social media consumption over the past decade. What initially began as occasional Facebook check-ins has now evolved into spending six to eight hours per day on various social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitter, Instagram, and now, Threads, said Marvin Winkelmann, the managing director of AFK Digital.

Thats why he says moderation is key.

I strongly advocate for individuals to not only take periodic breaks from social media to rejuvenate their wellbeing, but also to consider reducing their engagement before bedtime and during meals. By doing so, we can prioritise face-to-face interactions, which hold even greater significance than merely keeping up with the seemingly idealised virtual world.

Practise the right social media etiquette

Winkelmann highlights that different platforms have different niches, in terms of how people generally interact. But a rule of thumb should always be to treat other users with respect.

Its also why Chris Hackett, the founder of Face Digital, an SEO advisory firm, believes we all need to learn the right social media etiquette, which dictates how people should behave around others online.

Always be yourself, he said. Whether youre using social media for personal or professional reasons, people connect with authenticity. This doesnt mean you should be airing out your personal details, but you dont have to hide behind an online persona.

Be careful with what you say. It may feel like a safe space, but using social media to vent or voice controversial opinions can come back to haunt you in the future.

And dont post anything that you wouldnt want an employer to see. Social media is, for the most part, public. Before you fire off that tweet, imagine a potential employer reading it and what they may think.

Be careful of negativity

Hackett advised against getting into arguments on social media. There are a lot of keyboard warriors around, and there is nothing to gain by arguing with them. If you dont like something, scroll past it.

Plus, some of the negativity on social media could have an impact on your mental health  which is why its important to look after yourself.

Social media has become a constant figure in everyones lives, to the point where it can be detrimental to our mental health. The best way to deal with negativity is to take time away from toxic online environments, said Hackett.

Winkelmann added: It is crucial to acknowledge that social media platforms tend to accentuate negativity due to the provocative nature of negative content. People love to disagree and share their opinions online.

As a result, the algorithms used by these platforms are designed to amplify such content. It is important for individuals to remain aware of this fact, bearing in mind that much of what is observed online is often an embellished representation of reality anyway.
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A tattoo artist who went viral on TikTok after she pretended to give her three-year-old daughter a tattoo has said she does not regret making the prank video.

Kaylee Thomas, 19, is a tattoo artist with her own studio in Michigan. At the end of June, she posted a video on TikTok in which she claimed she was tattooing matching tattoos on me and my three-year-old.

The video, which went on to garner more than 10 million views since she shared it, showed Thomas applying an intertwined hearts design on her toddlers wrist.

She then went over the design with a tattoo gun in what appeared to be red ink, with the buzzing sound of the tattoo gun in the background.

Her daughter appeared relaxed and unbothered as her mother continued to tattoo her arm, and was seen smiling widely after it was finished. Thomas then gave herself the same tattoo, but this time it appeared to be real.

At the end of the video, Thomass daughter receives a second tattoo higher up on her arm, with a larger design. However, the tattoo artist added the hashtag #justsharpie on her clip to reassure viewers that the designs on her toddler were drawn on with Sharpie markers.

Although Thomas used the hashtags #fake and #prank under her video, she was subjected to a wave of comments by people who thought she was genuinely giving her daughter a tattoo.

I feel like someone should call CPS [Child Protection Services], one person wrote, while another added: OMG does that come off girl what u doing to the child [sic].

Speaking to Insider about the experience, Thomas said that her controversial video led to an additional 16k new followers on her TikTok page.

It has helped my business a lot as far as getting clients, she told the publication. I love my job and I love that I am able to make content that attracts people and Im hoping I can continue to do that with this sudden burst of attention.

She added that she does not take the negative comments to heart. I understand where people are coming from when they genuinely believe the video. Their opinions are valid. They just dont really look into it for real to know its not real before commenting.

However, Thomas revealed that some of the people who thought the video was real took things too far by flooding her business phone with calls. Her business phone number is listed on her TikTok account.

I would keep getting people calling my number asking about the video, or just saying stupid random things that were totally unrelated just because they wanted to call the number, she said.

Despite being targeted by trolls, Thomas told the publication she did not regret making the video and sharing it, as those who make negative comments only boost the video and push it out more. She said she hoped the video would go viral, but was shocked by the number of people who thought she had permanently inked her daughters skin.

After her video went viral, Thomas shared a second video from another angle of her drawing on her daughters arm with a red Sharpie. The clip included text that read: Showing all her tats[ sic] are just marker.

She wrote in the caption: Tats are fake OMG people fact check please, the main [video] was just for fun.
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Skin cancer cases are predicted to increase by half by 2040 as a major charity warns the rocketing diagnosis are driven by the 1960s cheap package holiday boom.

Cancer Research UK has sent a stark warning over rising skin cancer rates as diagnoses hit record levels of 17,545 a year between 2017-19.

Based on its own projections the charity has suggested there will be 26,531 new cases diagnosed each year by 2040.

Cancer Research UK warned the rocketing number of cases is partly due to UV radiation with the rise in over 55s attributed to the cheap package holiday boom dating from the 1960s.

Case rates among this age group have risen by 195 per cent since the 1990s  between 1993 and 1995 21.3 people aged 55 and over were diagnosed with melanoma out of every 100,000, this rose to 62.9 cases per 100,000 in 2017-2019.

Although the charity also warned other factors are driving the increase with people living longer and more people getting symptoms checked.

Despite the increase in diagnoses deaths are decreasing which has been attributed to greater levels of early diagnosis and treatment.

With temperatures set to rise in the UK the charity is urging people to take precautions with sun protection.

Last month NHS England announced an expansion of teledermatology to tackle the rising rates of referrals for skin cancer checks which are up by 9 per cent compared to the previous year.

The latest NHS waiting times data for April 2023 showed 11,719 (74 per cent) of people referred for suspected skin cancer were not seen within the two week target, against a target of 93 per cent.

Cancer Research UKs chief executive, Michelle Mitchell, said: Our new analysis paints a mixed picture for cancer patients and the staff who care for them. While its promising that more people are seeking treatment for skin cancer earlier and survival is improving, its alarming that cases of the disease could soar over the coming years.

Melanoma is the UKs fifth most common cancer, and we know that 86 per cent of these skin cancers could be prevented. Its important to take care in the sun and to contact your GP if you notice any unusual changes to your skin  its not just changes to a mole that matter, it could be a sore that doesnt heal or any unusual changes to an area of your skin. Spotting cancer early can make all the difference.

Commenting on the research professor Dorothy Bennett, professor of cell biology at St Georges Hospital, University of London, said: The specific suggestion of a link to cheap package holidays is speculative but plausible, to explain the specific rise in melanoma incidence in the older age-group.

Ultraviolet light (sunlight) is strongly implicated as the main environmental cause of melanoma and other skin cancers, and the UV light becomes more intense and for a longer part of the day, as we get closer to the equator. Use of ultraviolet sunbeds is another factor that increases the risk of melanoma, so that fashion is another potential reason for the overall rising incidence.
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Myanmar's military-controlled government is accusing pro-democracy fighters of killing 15 civilians in a nighttime mortar attack in a restive central area of the country, charges denied by the guerrilla group.

A report Thursday in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper said so-called People's Defense Forces attacked the village of Ngwe Twin in the southern part of the Sagaing region at 4 a.m. Wednesday with handmade mortars, killing 15 people and injuring seven others, including three monks.

Loosely organized armed PDF groups have sprung up around the country since the military seized power from democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1, 2021. The groups support the pro-democracy National Unity Government, a shadow civilian administration opposed to military rule, though they operate autonomously from it.

The NUG did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment on the attack.

Since the military's seizure of power, widespread peaceful opposition to the takeover has shifted to armed resistance in many parts of the country and the PDF groups have allied themselves with several armed ethnic minority groups that have been fighting for greater autonomy in Myanmar for decades.

In response, the army has launched brutal counter-insurgency operations in the countryside, including burning villages and driving hundreds of thousands of people from their homes.

Sagaing, Myanmars historic heartland, is a stronghold of armed resistance to the ruling military but the village of Ngwe Twin is one of the few seen as sympathetic to the government, where residents reportedly were assisting in the army's counter-insurgency operations.

The military governments tight restrictions on travel make it virtually impossible to verify details of such incidents firsthand, but a member of a regional PDF contacted by The Associated Press confirmed the attack, saying the village was targeted because a pro-military militia operating from it had been aiding the army and also harassing pro-democracy villagers.

The fighter, speaking on condition of anonymity over fear of reprisals from the military, said all 15 people killed were members of the pro-military militia.

He added that resistance forces had evacuated children and elderly people from the village during the fighting, and that he had no immediate reports of any civilian casualties.

Another PDF group involved in the attack, known as the People's Servant Revolution-Wetlet, said on its Facebook page that 19 members of the military and its affiliated militia were killed and 20 others were injured.

A family member who lost his 14-year-old brother in the attack, however, told AP that 11 villagers who had been sheltering in the compound of a Buddhist monastery had been killed.

The man, who asked that his name not be used for fear of reprisals from both the military and the PDF militias, lives in another village but said he had been told the other four people killed were members of the pro-military militia and their family members.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, 3,750 civilians have been killed by the security forces and nearly 24,000 attested since the army seized power. The group keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nations political conflicts.
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A rise in bombing incidents and shootings have been recorded in Northern Ireland.

There were seven bombing incidents recorded in the last year compared to four during the previous 12 months, according to the latest police statistics.

Three of these happened in the Derry City and Strabane council area, while two happened in Ards and North Down and there was one in both Belfast and Mid Ulster.

There was also a rise in the number of shooting incidents, up to 32 from 26.

Most of these took place in Belfast (10) but the number in Ards and North Down  where there is an ongoing feud between drugs gangs with loyalist paramilitary links  has increased to eight from two in the previous year.

The 2022-23 figures compiled by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) from police records covering July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 show there was one death described as security-related in the last 12 months, the same number as the previous year.

It relates to the murder of Sean Fox who was shot in front of more than 100 people inside a west Belfast social club in October 2022.

Meanwhile, there were 28 victims of paramilitary-style assaults, a drop from 36 in the previous 12 months. Of those, most (11) took place in Belfast and five were in Ards and North Down.

There were 11 victims of paramilitary-style shootings, the same number as during the previous 12 months.

There were 114 security-related arrests under the Terrorism Act, down from 126 in the previous 12 months.

Of those, 20 were subsequently charged, compared to 17 during the previous 12 months.
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Senior Tory Caroline Nokes has suffered around 50 incidents of inappropriate behaviour in 13 years as an MP, she has revealed.

The chair of the women and equalities committee said the situation in Westminster is horrific, highlighting a really laddish culture in which the banter defence is used.

Ms Nokes said there are some MPs she would not get in a lift with, adding that female colleagues share names of who to trust, who not to trust and who we think is a little bit creepy.

She told the BBCs Newsnight: I can think of an incident where a member of the House of Lords, in a restaurant, said hello to me, walked past, turned around, came back and stroked my bare arm in the presence of a journalist.

I can think of other incidents where a Labour MP patted me on the backside and told me that Ive done well to lose weight. Now he, in that instance, looked about as shocked as I did, and clearly instantly regretted what hed done.

But other incidents, where colleagues have put their hands on my thigh and told me at great length how their wives dont understand them... its just horrific.

Asked how many inappropriate, weird or creepy incidents she had been subjected to since being elected in 2010, Ms Nokes said: Numerous... in the region of 50.

Highlighting the behaviour she has suffered, Ms Nokes called on Rishi Sunak to send a signal that he backs tougher measures to tackle the so-called Pestminster problem.

She said the prime minister should publicly back a report recommending that former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher be given an eight-week suspension for drunkenly groping two men  a punishment that could trigger a by-election in Mr Pinchers constituency.

She said that if Mr Sunak supported the recommendation, it would give chief whip Simon Hart licence to work across the House of Commons to draw up a tougher, clearer code of conduct for tackling rogue MPs.

Despite the increasing number of women in the Commons, Ms Nokes said there is still a really laddish culture where the banter defence is used  Oh well, she just cant take a bit of banter. Its just not acceptable in the 21st-century workplace.

On Thursday, the Commons standards committee published a report recommending a lengthy suspension for Tamworth MP Mr Pincher over his conduct.

Boris Johnsons handling of the row over his former chief whip was the final nail in the coffin for his premiership, triggering his resignation a year ago after an exodus of ministers from his administration.

The committee said that Mr Pinchers conduct at the exclusive Carlton Club in London was profoundly damaging and that it was especially grave because it amounted to an abuse of power.

His actions were described as unwanted, inappropriate and upsetting in what amounted to an egregious case of sexual misconduct.

Mr Sunaks official spokesperson said it was a matter for Mr Pincher whether to resign as an MP.

The prime minister was absent for votes on other disciplinary matters, including the report on whether Mr Johnson had lied to parliament, but Ms Nokes said he should show support for the standards committees findings in the Pincher case.

She said she hoped a vote would not be needed, and that MPs would endorse the report without dissent, but added that Mr Sunak has a role to play in accepting the recommendations.

Pushed on whether Mr Sunak should be in the Commons when Mr Pinchers case is considered, she said: I think the prime minister could do that for us.

I think that would be a really strong signal that hes not going to tolerate it, and that would send a message to the chief [whip]: get this sorted.

She said the code of conduct should be explicit enough to spell out that watching pornography in the Commons or touching colleagues is unacceptable, urging the chief whips of all parties to work on new rules.

There cant be any grey areas, and it has to apply equally to members of the House of Lords, she said.

Mr Pinchers case, which took a year to get to a report, has highlighted some of the issues with the disciplinary processes in parliament.

He had argued that because he was at the Carlton Club in a personal capacity, he could not have broken the MPs code of conduct.

Mr Pincher apologised for his conduct but he was found to have damaged the reputation of the Commons.

It is the latest damaging revelation about the culture in Westminster. Earlier this week, five current parliamentary staff members and one former member of staff told Newsnight that inappropriate flirting and touching is prevalent, with older MPs and staffers sometimes targeting younger women.

Ellie Varley, a parliamentary aide to Tory MP Dehenna Davison, took the rare step of going on the record to say she is frankly just angry with the state of affairs as she recounted being repeatedly asked to sit on an MPs knee.
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A man who murdered a mother and her two young daughters by pouring petrol through their letterbox and setting fire to their flat has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 44 years.

Fatimah and Naeemah Drammeh, aged three and one, died during the blaze while Fatoumatta Hydara, 28, died two days later in hospital from smoke inhalation.

Using petrol from his motorbike, neighbour Jamie Barrow set the flat on fire during the early hours of 20 November, then walked casually away while ignoring the screams of his victims.

Aboubacarr Drammeh planned to move to America with Fatoumatta Hydara and their daughters, Fatimah and Naeemah Drammeh (PA Media)

The judge at Nottingham Crown Court, Mrs Justice Tipples, told Barrow as she sentenced him: You were well aware of what you were doing and I am quite sure from what you did that you wanted to kill Mrs Hydara and her children.

You were very angry, but it is only you who knows why you did this.

As Barrow was being taken down after hearing his sentence, people in the public gallery shouted good and they should hang you.

The judge said Barrow had known the three were all home, asleep, and he knew they would have no chance whatsoever.

Seconds after you lit the fire you heard the fire alarm in the flat go off. You did nothing.

Seconds after that you heard Fatoumatta screaming from the flat. You did nothing.

Rather, you stood and watched the fire take hold, and you stood there watching the fire develop and spread for five minutes, which was an enormous length of time in the circumstances.

Fatoumatta Hydara, a devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend and her beautiful girls (Nottinghamshire Police)

Jamie Barrow has been jailed for life (Nottinghamshire Police)

Jurors had heard that Barrow, 31, had a grievance over rubbish left in an alleyway outside their flats in Fairisle Close in the city.

After the fire, he called Nottingham City Council to ask whether it would compensate him for belongings damaged by smoke.

Barrow had drunk several cans of lager in the hours before lighting the fire and was later seen on CCTV walking his dog.

Mrs Justice Tipples said: Fatoumatta Hydara was a young woman full of compassion and love.

She was a caring and devoted daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend.

She was 28, married to Aboubacarr Drammeh and the mother of two beautiful little girls, Fatimah who was three, and Naeemah who was one.

Their short lives were full of joy and happiness, and they brought joy and happiness to all those who knew and met them.

The three were killed by the fire (Nottinghamshire Police)

She later said: The impact on Aboubacarr has been devastating. His loss has been immeasurable, yet his dignity throughout this trial and in this court today has been truly remarkable.

Likewise, Fatoumattas mother, Aminata Dibba, has said Fatoumatta was a light for her, and now she is gone, her world is dark and empty.

Christopher Henley KC, on Barrows behalf, said: Jamie Barrow is realistic that anything I say on his behalf about his remorse and his regret will sound pretty hollow and will provide precious little, if any, comfort to anyone who loved Fatoumatta Hydara, Fatimah Drammeh and Naeemah Drammeh.

Jamie Barrows focus was principally on himself, his own struggles. His mental health was in crisis  it had been in the days following the time he spent with his son.

Mr Drammeh told Barrow your impact is infinite, immeasurable (PA)

However, on Tuesday he was convicted of murder after almost seven hours of deliberations, while the victims family wept in court.

Mrs Hydaras husband and the childrens father, Aboubacarr Drammeh, was in America at the time of the fire, and had to identify his childrens bodies on his 40th birthday. He described his two daughters as two angels who deserved a beautiful childhood and a full life, while Mrs Hydara had a pure heart.

Speaking of the guilt he felt, he said: I was hopeless, and I was left helpless, because I didnt have a family, and it was the people who mattered most to me. Since then, it has been a downward plunge into darkness and the unknown.

Forensics officers searched the area after the blaze (Nottinghamshire Police)

It was unthinkable, it was unplanned, and I wish this on no one else, including you. Two little angels, their lifeless bodies lying next to each other. I held their whole hands. I wished I could switch with them.

I was not there, I should have been. I had a responsibility as a father and a husband to protect, that was my basic responsibility. I make no excuses.

He added that Barrows actions were utterly heartless and cruel and had caused multi-generational trauma to all of their loved ones.

Looking towards the defendant, he said: Your impact is infinite, it is immeasurable, it is innumerable. I cannot quantify the impact of your actions.

I dont know why (you did it). Perhaps what you said is the real story, but we will never know why.

Mrs Justice Tipples told Barrow: I do not accept that you have shown any genuine remorse for what you have done.
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An alleged victim of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey has accused the star of being insensitive after claiming his decision to come out as gay was used to disguise his behaviour, a court has heard.

The actor was allegedly hiding in plain sight as he directed a machine gun of vile sexual comments to the man in a West End theatre before degrading him by grabbing him in an intimate area, a court heard.

The alleged victim told Southwark Crown Court he felt belittled and worthless after the incident in the mid 2000s  telling a jury the alleged assault felt like it lasted an eternity.

The witness said he felt incredulous that (Spacey) could be so insensitive after claiming the actors decision to come out as gay was somebody not taking ownership.

Jurors previously heard how Spacey smelt of booze before grabbing the man like a cobra in the West End theatre.

Under cross-examination from the Hollywood stars lawyer, Patrick Gibbs KC, the complainant described the alleged incident as horrific and that it made him feel subhuman.

As the man took to the witness box on Thursday, Mr Gibbs said: Im going to suggest there are quite a number of things that you told police that are completely untrue.

Can I begin with your suggestion that Mr Spacey turned up smelling of booze?

It was like a machine gun, a torrent, and that's all I can say - it went on and on and on Alleged victim of Kevin Spacey

The alleged victim replied: That was my impression and thats what I smelt.

Mr Gibbs continued: Mr Spacey, you told the police, looked like he had been up all night.

The witness said: That was my opinion, he looked dishevelled and smelt of alcohol.

After Mr Gibbs suggested that was completely untrue, the complainant replied: You can suggest it but, with the greatest respect, you werent there.

Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday (PA Wire)

Spaceys lawyer then said: He was relaxed and friendly  to everyone he met.

The alleged victim responded: No. He may have been relaxed and friendly with people with status, he certainly wasnt relaxed and friendly to me.

All I can say is, his initial introduction we had, I found him to be stand-offish and rude.

Mr Gibbs continued: Im not going to repeat all the words but you describe a relentless barrage of vile language coming from him to you. Do you stand by that?

No one has the right to invade your space and touch you in that way - no one has the right to do that Alleged victim of Kevin Spacey

The witness answered: Yes, 100 per cent.

After Mr Gibbs suggested that was untrue, the alleged victim replied: With the greatest of respect, you werent there and I was and it was horrific.

I have never had anyone speak to me like that, ever.

Asked how it was possible nobody saw the 15-20 minutes of alleged vile comments, the man said: I think its the phrase, hiding in plain sight.

It was like a machine gun, a torrent, and thats all I can say  it went on and on and on.

I have never had people speak to me that way and I felt so degraded.

Speaking about how he felt after the alleged assault, the man said: I was so shocked I just remember pausing and not knowing what to do.

Mr Gibbs continued: That never happened either, did it?

It did, the man replied.

The witness continued: It felt like an eternity, a long time, it felt like everything was going slowly  it lasted, I would say, minutes.

American actor Kevin Spacey arrives at Southwark Crown Court to attend his ongoing sexual assault trial on 3 July 2023 in London, England (Getty Images)

No one has the right to invade your space and touch you in that way  no one has the right to do that.

He added: It makes no sense that someone would do that to another human being. It absolutely did happen.

The man told the jury he did not come forward earlier because it happened a period of time way before Me Too and that if he had made the claims, he would have been seen as a troublemaker.

Before concluding his evidence, the complainant said: It was such a horrible thing, I stored it away in a box in my mind and tried not to think about it.

I felt degraded and belittled  like I was worthless.

The way he treated me  I felt subhuman. I felt completely powerless.

Spacey, 63, has been described by the prosecution as a sexual bully as he stands trial accused of sex offences against four men between 2001 and 2013.

The defendant pleaded not guilty in January 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.

The trial continues.
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A young man has been given a life sentence after twice stabbing a teenager in the neck for being from the wrong neighbourhood.

Godfrey Madondo, 20, killed 19-year-old Jeremiah Sewell following a chance meeting in Beckenham Place Park in south London on July 16 last year.

Prosecutor Alan Kent KC had told jurors the motive for the murder appears to be simply because the deceased came from Beckenham and the defendant and his friends were from Peckham, in south London.

Mr Kent said: It was a chance meeting, in the early hours of the morning, in an otherwise deserted car park in the middle of a public park.

After the murder, Khelsi Johnson-Davies and Leah Simmonds together cleaned and threw away Madondos bloodstained clothes, the court heard.

A jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for five hours on Tuesday to find Madondo guilty of murder.

Johnson-Davies, 20, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice. Simmonds, 20, had admitted the charge.

A fourth defendant, Kadjo Kadio, 19, from Romford. Essex, was cleared of murder and an alternative offence of manslaughter.

Madondo was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years at the Old Bailey on Friday.

During the trial, the court had heard how the victim had met up with a group which ended up in Beckenham Place Park at 4am.

They were inhaling laughing gas from balloons, playing music and swapping places in their cars, jurors heard.

At 4.25am, the defendants arrived in a black Astra and Madondo got out of the front passenger seat wearing a balaclava and approached the victims car.

Jeremiahs murder was an utterly senseless and barbaric act Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood

Someone heard the question: What ends you with?

The victim replied: Im a B boy.

Within seconds, he was stabbed twice in the neck and also received a superficial cut to the shoulder.

Mr Sewell was driven to Lewisham Hospital where he died at 5.36am.

Madondo fled the scene but was arrested the next day and declined to answer questions in a police interview.

Johnson-Davies was arrested at her Peckham home on July 19, and a grey balaclava with Madondos DNA on it was seized.

An examination of her phone led to incriminating conversations with Simmonds in which she advised her to wash Madondos bloodstained clothes at 90 degrees.

Following Simmonds arrest, communal bins near her home in Dulwich, south London, were searched and a bin bag containing Madondos grey hoodie and jogging bottoms was recovered.

Following the verdicts, Judge Nigel Lickley KC remanded Madondo into custody and warned he faced a life sentence when he returned to court on Friday.

He adjourned sentencing the two women to a date to be fixed in August and granted Johnson-Davies conditional bail.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Wood, from Scotland Yard, said after the conviction: Jeremiahs murder was an utterly senseless and barbaric act  the speed in which the situation escalated, and the fact that Jeremiah was sitting defenceless in the back of a car, offering no threat to Madondo, makes it all the more futile.

From the outset, Madondo has not made any attempt to explain why he attacked Jeremiah, let alone accept responsibility for his actions.

They have left Jeremiahs family wondering why their loved one was viciously attacked  when he could have provided answers; he has taken the cowards option and kept quiet.

Madondo was supported by Johnson-Davis and Simmonds who attempted to dispose of evidence in a futile attempt to cover his murderous tracks.

Nothing will undo the catastrophic consequences of that night, but I hope the conviction of these three people will at least give Jeremiahs family and friends some sense that justice has been served.
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A judge has described the latest stage of a long-running money fight between retired businessman Sir Frederick Barclay and his ex-wife as a charade.

Sir Jonathan Cohen has been told that Sir Frederick, 88, and Lady Hiroko Barclay, who is also in her 80s, are trying to reach a settlement.

The judge has heard the settlement involves Sir Frederick paying Lady Barclay a sum of money.

He oversaw two hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London earlier this week and was told by an adviser to Sir Frederick that people were waiting for money to arrive in an account

Barrister Stewart Leech KC, who is leading Lady Barclays legal team, told the judge at a another hearing on Friday that money had not arrived in the account.

Sir Jonathan said: Charade.

Mr Leech replied: That is our impression as well.

Barrister Max Turnell, who is representing Sir Frederick, said money was being borrowed.

Sir Fredrick is borrowing money from another loaning party, he told the judge.

That loaning party has borrowed the money from a lender.

He added: It is not something that is in our control.

Sir Jonathan said he had adjourned hearings on the basis that a settlement was in the offing.

I have been told on four or five occasions that this case needs to be adjourned because there is a deal that is about to cone fruition, said the judge.

At the moment I dont have any certainty that it is ever going to happen.

He added: I have been told on countless occasions over the last few months that this is all happening  and every time it doesnt happen.

The pairs fight over money began more than two years ago.

In May 2021, Sir Jonathan had ordered Sir Frederick to hand Lady Barclay lump sums totalling 100 million following the breakdown of their 34-year marriage.

Sir Jonathan, who has been told that the money has yet to be paid, said then that Sir Frederick had behaved in a reprehensible fashion during the litigation.

The judge was told on Tuesday that the pair had been trying to resolve the matter and needed more time.

He was told on Wednesday that money had yet to arrive in an account.

Lady Barclay, who petitioned for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, has complained Sir Frederick had not paid her as ordered  and alleged that he was in contempt of court.

Sir Jonathan subsequently ruled that Sir Frederick was in contempt as a result of failing to pay about 245,000 he owed his ex-wife for legal fees and maintenance.

Sir Frederick and his twin brother, Sir David Barclay, were among the UKs most high-profile businessmen.

Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

Their interests included the Telegraph Media Group and The Ritz hotel in London.

The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan has been told that Sir Davids sons Aidan and Howard Barclay now have day-to-day responsibility for group business.

In June, news emerged that the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator magazine were likely to be put up for sale after talks between their owners and lenders collapsed.

It came after the Barclay family denied that the business could face administration.
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The ex-wife of retired businessman Sir Frederick Barclay is still waiting for money she hopes will settle a long-running divorce court fight, a judge has been told.

Sir Jonathan Cohen said he had heard several times that Sir Frederick, 88, was going to hand cash to Lady Hiroko Barclay, who is also in her 80s, as part of a settlement deal.

But Sir Fredericks adviser, Martin Clarke, told the judge on Friday that money had still not arrived in a bank account.

Sir Jonathan, who has been overseeing hearings in the Family Division of the High Court in London, described the situation as a charade.

He said he would reconsider the case on Friday July 14.

The pairs fight over money began more than two years ago.

In May 2021, Sir Jonathan had ordered Sir Frederick to hand Lady Barclay lump sums totalling 100 million following the breakdown of their 34-year marriage.

Sir Jonathan, who has been told that the money has yet to be paid, said then that Sir Frederick had behaved in a reprehensible fashion during the litigation.

The judge said on Friday he had adjourned recent hearings on the basis that a settlement was in the offing.

I have been told on four or five occasions that this case needs to be adjourned because there is a deal that is about to come to fruition, said the judge.

I have been told on countless occasions over the last few months that this is all happening  and every time it doesnt happen Sir Jonathan Cohen

At the moment I dont have any certainty that it is ever going to happen.

The judge added: I have been told on countless occasions over the last few months that this is all happening  and every time it doesnt happen.

He went on: This has been going on for months and months and months.

Barrister Max Turnell, who represented Sir Frederick, said money was being borrowed.

Sir Frederick is borrowing money from another loaning party, he told the judge.

That loaning party has borrowed the money from a lender.

He added: It is not something that is in our control.

Lady Barclay, who petitioned for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, has complained Sir Frederick had not paid her as ordered  and alleged that he was in contempt of court.

Sir Jonathan subsequently ruled that Sir Frederick was in contempt as a result of failing to pay about 245,000 he owed his ex-wife for legal fees and maintenance.

Sir Frederick and his twin brother, Sir David Barclay, were among the UKs most high-profile businessmen.

Sir David died aged 86 in January 2021.

Their interests included the Telegraph Media Group and The Ritz hotel in London.

The family also has links to the Channel Islands and Monaco.

Sir Jonathan has been told that Sir Davids sons Aidan and Howard Barclay now have day-to-day responsibility for group business.

In June, news emerged that the Daily and Sunday Telegraph and The Spectator magazine were likely to be put up for sale after talks between their owners and lenders collapsed.

It came after the Barclay family denied that the business could face administration.

Howard Barclay gave evidence at Fridays hearing.

He told the judge that prospective buyers might view the Telegraph group as a distressed asset.

He said he and his brother Aidan had been trying to help Sir Frederick.

Howard Barclay added: At the moment the business is simply not in a position to do that.
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The Government has announced 10 million of funding for Bradford to kick off its tenure as UK City of Culture 2025.

The city will also receive further funding of 5 million from Arts Council England (ACE) and 4.95 million from the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF), it has been announced.

The cash boost is to support Bradfords programme of cultural activity over the year, which will see around 1,000 performances take place in existing sites and a new bespoke touring venue.

The team behind the bid, Bradford 2025, recently launched a competition with the Royal Institute of British Architects to design the venue, which will be called Beacon.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) says the programme is expected to generate 15.5 million visitors, a visitor spend of 136.9 million, and could deliver up to 389 million of growth for the city.

Bradfords official bid for the title said it also aimed to create nearly 6,845 new jobs by 2030.

Dan Bates and Shanaz Gulzar, executive director and creative director at Bradford 2025, said: Theres less than 18 months before we begin our year as the City of Culture 2025, and we welcome the funding announced today.

As momentum starts to build, funding support is essential for us in delivering against our ambitions and creating an unforgettable year that Bradford needs and deserves.

Over the coming months, thanks to the funding announced today, well be able to progress key projects that will enable us to provide the opportunity for everyone in the district to engage in Bradford 2025 in some way  whether that is by attending an event, participating in a workshop, creating a performance or volunteering.

Culture minister Stuart Andrew said: We are investing 10 million in the city this year to help prepare for the event so we can make sure it stimulates new jobs and growth in the local economy through culture.

We want to open up access to the arts, create opportunities for young people, and inspire our next generation of writers, artists and performers.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, said: Now is our time, time for Bradford to shine and become a beacon for whats great about Yorkshire, and about the North.

We will also be the largest, most ambitious and the first district-wide City of Culture bid ever so we also remain optimistic that we will see more funding of this sort from the Government in the near future to help us fully realise the opportunity that being the UK City of Culture in 2025 brings.
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An unacceptably low number of crimes are being solved, a watchdog has said as official figures show only 11 per cent of offences see justice.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary ordered police forces to quickly get a grip on this issue following a series of scandals that have battered public confidence.

It came as separate polling showed more British people believe the current standard of policing is bad than good, and only a fifth expect the situation to improve in the coming months.

A report issued on Friday said officers were closing cases without proper investigations, leaving criminals at large and putting victims at further risk.

We remain very concerned about the unacceptably low number of crimes that are solved, the watchdog said.

There needs to be a concerted effort across all forces to understand the issue and work to achieve better outcomes for victims. If all forces dont quickly get a grip on this issue, the publics confidence in policing will be further eroded.

An analysis of Home Office figures for 2021-22 in England and Wales showed that only 11 per cent of offences resulted in someone being prosecuted, fined or brought to justice in another way.

Suspects were not identified in 38 per cent of cases, while a further 15 per cent ended with the marker evidential difficulties, even where a suspect had been identified and victims wanted action, and police closed 29 per cent of cases under the category victim does not support action.

The inspectorate found that the rate of crime-solving had been falling since 2015, reflecting a decline in performance by police.

It said cases were being marked as no suspect identified where there were still lines of enquiry, and that victims were not always told what had happened.

This can have real implications for victims trust and confidence in policing and their willingness to report future offences, the report warned. It can lead to missed opportunities to bring offenders to justice, which can put the public at risk.

Andy Cooke said the failure to catch offenders could put the public at risk (PA)

Polling by Ipsos suggested that public opinion is divided on the current standard of policing in Britain, with 36 per cent of people saying it was bad, 31 per cent good and 29 per cent neither.

But only a fifth of people said they expected standards to improve in the next year, while a quarter thought the situation would worsen and the remainder anticipated no change.

Half of Britons said government spending on the police should be increased, while many wanted them to focus more on sexual offences and domestic abuse.

Ministers have hailed the 3.6bn spent on Boris Johnsons programme to recruit 20,000 extra police officers in three years, which was completed in April, but the inspectorate said the influx of inexperienced officers had created problems.

It said an estimated 38 per cent of officers in England and Wales have now been serving for less than five years, and one force reported that half of those responding to incidents were student officers.

We found reports of rape being allocated to untrained and inexperienced investigators, and domestic abuse investigations being allocated to response officers whose main responsibility is to attend calls, the report added.

All forces need to make sure investigations are allocated to the most appropriate people and that they understand training needs and are working to address them.

The speed of the governments recruitment programme and strict targets for individual forces generated concerns about the quality of new officers and vetting, following a string of scandals involving predatory and criminal police.

The inspectorate said forces were finding it increasingly difficult to attract recruits, while too many officers and staff are resigning voluntarily in their first years of service.

High training costs mean that policing loses 83,000 per officer if they leave within 12 months, and 138,000 if they depart in two years, and the watchdog said police forces must do more to keep officers.

HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Andy Cooke, said: The public are still being let down too often by policing, and there are several improvements that forces need to make.

The publics trust and confidence in the police are at an all-time low, so it is vital that forces take heed of our findings and work quickly to rectify the issues highlighted.

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 2,178 adults in Britain between 9 and 12 June, and the data was weighted to reflect the population.
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Journalists are calling for the immediate release of an America reporter, detained by Russia on espionage charges Washington says are politically motivated.

Friday 7 July marks 100 days since the 32-year-old Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovic was arrested by police in Moscow over claims he had been spying on the Kremlin while reporting on Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Gershkovic, the US and the WSJ vehemently deny the allegations.

Owen Meredith, chief executive of News Media Association (NMA), a UK-based non-governmental organisation that represents national, regional and local titles, described the reporters arrest as a full-throated assault on the fundamental principles of free speech and democracy.

The work of courageous journalists like Evan is critical to ensuring that we understand as fully as possible the war in Ukraine and its horrific impact upon peoples lives, he said.

On this incredibly difficult 100-day milestone, we stand with Evan, his loved ones, and our colleagues across the global news media sector in calling for his immediate release.

We all have a stake in this. Journalism is not a crime, and a free press is pivotal to maintaining a free society.

In June a new appeal against his pre-trial detention was rejected by a Moscow court.

The journalists parents, who left the Soviet Union for the United States in 1979, were there and able to speak to their son through a glass box.

"Seeing him just brought him a little bit back to me," his father Mikhail told the WSJ at the time. "Physical closeness made it a little more bearable."

"I was just beside myself - so happy," his mother, Ella Milman, said. "We were smiling and laughing."

Earlier this week the Kremlin signalled it would hold the door open for contacts with the US regarding a possible prisoner exchange that could potentially involve Mr Gershkovich , who was formally charged on 7 April.

Vladimir Dunaev, a Russian citizen in US custody on cybercrime charges, could potentially herald a prisoner swap. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Moscow and Washington have touched on the issue.

We have said that there have been certain contacts on the subject, but we dont want them to be discussed in public, Mr Peskov said in a conference call with reporters. They must be carried out and continue in complete silence.

He didnt offer any further details, but added that the lawful right to consular contacts must be ensured on both sides.

The US Ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, on Monday was allowed to visit Mr Gershkovich for the first time since April. The US Embassy did not immediately provide more information.

Mr Gershkovich was arrested in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip to Russia. He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions. A Moscow court last week upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until 30 August.
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A racial slur has been visible on the governments official website for the past eight years, The Independent can reveal.

The use of the word N*****d to describe Black people on the gov.uk site is set to intensify the growing row.

After this newspaper revealed that the term had been included in both a report by the Met Office and guidance used to assess benefit claims, Rishi Sunaks official spokesperson denounced the word as inappropriate and offensive.

Downing Street added that it was confident that the word did not appear in any other documents  but it has been clearly visible in the comment section of a page on the governments own website since 2015.

The word was removed after its presence was highlighted by The Independent, raising questions about the way the government scans its website for offensive terms.

As anger grows over the use of the slur, cross-party MPs renewed their calls for a government-wide review of official documents across all government departments.

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP for Brighton, submitted a parliamentary question on Thursday to Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state for the Cabinet Office, calling for a statement and an investigation into official documents to ensure that no slurs or prejudiced terms are being used.

The question reads: To ask the SoS Cabinet Office, with reference to the recently withdrawn DWP guidance on social security assessments containing racist terminology, if he will require all Government departments to assess the documents for which they are responsible to ensure that no other Government documents contain a) racist b) other prejudiced terms; and if he will make a statement.

The latest slur had been on the gov.uk website since 2015. It was included in a comment under a blog titled Equality in the Civil Service: talking about race.

The third comment underneath the article read: Talk about race? The idea of race is that humanity is divided into various distinct groups that we call racial groups, N*****d (black), Caucasian (white) and a couple of others. It seems that we both want to talk about race and not talk about it.

Alongside it, there was an invitation to link to this comment.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "The language highlighted was within a comment on a publicly accessible page, on which anyone is able to comment. We do not tolerate racist, homophobic, sexist or any similarly unacceptable language on our pages, and the comment has been removed."

A Labour spokesperson told The Independent: It is appalling that another document containing racist language is still in widespread circulation within a government agency.

The minister for women and equalities must launch an urgent audit of all government departments, agencies and arms-length bodies to find out whether there are any other documents that contain this or any other racist terminology, and see that they are withdrawn immediately.

Swift action is needed from a Conservative government that has previously refused to accept structural racism even exists. Labour is serious about rooting out the structural racial inequality that scars our society, and will introduce a landmark Race Equality Act to tackle it at source.

Kim Johnson MP (UK Parliament)

Labour MP Kim Johnson, a member of the all-party parliamentary group on race, said it was utterly outrageous that such language had been allowed to remain in official government documents.

Its astounding that it has taken this long for this to surface. If evidence was needed that the British state is structurally and endemically racist, we have it here in black and white, she said.

The use of the n-word by governmental departments in the 21st century shows how Black people are still treated as second-class citizens. Yet this government still chooses to deny the existence of institutional racism.

Oliver Dowden, secretary of state for the Cabinet Office, has been called upon to address the matter (PA Wire)

She added: The responses from the DWP and the Met Office have been lacklustre, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. From the Windrush scandal to the rollout of strengthened racist powers for the police, including stop and search, this government is continuing the colonial mentality of divide and rule to distract from their disastrous record ... I will be pushing them for answers in parliament at the earliest opportunity.

The offending DWP paperwork, first issued in 2010 to help doctors assess disability benefit claims but still in use until just days ago, referred to Black people as being of the N*****d race. The Met Office study  titled Monitoring of Mean Radiant Temperature for Man  was published in 2012 and was also publicly available until now.

Both documents have now been removed online after the language they contained was highlighted by The Independent. The Met Office has apologised for any offence caused, while the DWP has launched an internal inquiry into how its document remained in circulation for so long.

Political activist Professor Gus John told The Independent: N*****d ... does not connote a geographical place or region, but a people whose standing in the human realm has been defined as primitive, undeveloped, backward and not as human as the rest of humanity, thus qualifying to be used as chattels, or for experimentation by eugenicists.

Christine Jardine, the MP for Edinburgh West and the Liberal Democrats equalities spokesperson, said: These revelations are truly shocking. Racist terms and racism in any form has absolutely no place in our society or our government.

The government must now urgently review and investigate its departments to make sure we see no other occurrences.
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Humza Yousaf is marking 100 days since being sworn in as Scotlands sixth First Minister  but the start to his time in charge has been challenging.

Despite this, the SNP leader insisted recently he would not change being in the top job for a second and said there is no greater honour than being the leader of your country.

Speaking at the weekend, Mr Yousaf said: Theres no getting away again from how challenging the last few months have been, Im not going to pretend otherwise.

But equally I get up out of bed in the morning knowing I am able to make a difference to peoples lives every single day.

So I wouldnt change it for a minute, for a second.

It has been a tumultuous 100 days since he defeated party rivals Ash Regan and Kate Forbes in the contest to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister.

Here is a timeline of the key events of Mr Yousafs time in office so far:

 March 29: Mr Yousaf is sworn in as First Minister at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Aged just 37  though he is now 38  he is the youngest person ever to hold the top job in Scottish politics, and also the first Muslim in the role.

He appoints his Cabinet on the same day, with top jobs going to many of his supporters, and Shona Robison, a key ally of his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, becomes his Deputy First Minister.

 April 5: Just a week later, the SNP is rocked as former chief executive Peter Murrell  who is also Ms Sturgeons husband  is arrested by police probing the partys finances.

Operation Branchform is focused on the whereabouts of more than 600,000 raised by the party for a possible second independence referendum. The home Mr Murrell and Ms Sturgeon share is searched by police, with officers also searching SNP headquarters in Edinburgh and seizing a luxury motorhome.

Mr Murrell is later released without charge, pending further investigations, and Mr Yousaf insists he does not think the police inquiry is the reason why his predecessor had quit.

 April 7: It becomes public knowledge that the SNP has no auditors  something Mr Yousaf had only been informed of shortly after being elected as First Minister.

 April 12: Mr Yousaf confirms the Scottish Government will go to court to challenge the UK Governments blocking of controversial gender recognition reforms.

It comes after Scottish Secretary Alister Jack intervened, using powers under Section 35 of the Scotland Act to stop the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from gaining royal assent.

Mr Yousaf insists a legal challenge is his only means of defending Holyrood from the Westminster veto.

 April 15: Concerns around the partys finances force Mr Yousaf to deny the SNP is close to bankruptcy.

He told journalists: This is something Ive read in some social media circles, but no, the party is solvent.

 April 18: On the day Mr Yousaf makes a statement to Holyrood setting out his policy priorities as First Minister, police arrest fellow MSP and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie as part of Operation Branchform.

Like Mr Murrell before him, Mr Beattie is later released without charge and pending further investigation.

But his arrest overshadows Mr Yousafs first major policy statement, in which he vows to provide a fresh start for Scotland. He promises to go back to the drawing board on controversial plans to bring in further restrictions on alcohol advertising, as well as announcing a delay to plans to bring in a deposit return scheme for drinks cans and bottles.

 May 3: Several months after the SNPs auditors quit, Mr Yousaf confirms AMS Accountants Group has been appointed to the role.

 June 7: The Scottish Government announces its planned deposit return scheme for drinks cans and bottles will not now go ahead until October 2025 at the earliest, to coincide with the UK Governments scheme.

The UK Government had previously ruled that the Scottish scheme could not go ahead with glass bottles in it, with Mr Yousaf saying the initiative had been delayed as a direct result of the UK Govts deliberate efforts to undermine devolution.

 June 11: Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon becomes the third high-profile arrest as part of Operation Branchform. After being questioned by police, she is released without charge pending further investigation.

In the evening, Ms Sturgeon releases a statement in which she insists beyond doubt that she is innocent of any wrongdoing.

 June 12: Mr Yousaf insists he sees no reason to suspend Ms Sturgeon from the SNP following her arrest, despite facing calls to do so from both opponents and some within his party.

 June 24: Speaking at the SNPs independence convention in Dundee, Mr Yousaf says winning a majority of Scottish seats in the general election is his preferred route to independence  insisting achieving this should be considered a mandate to demand a second referendum.

He declares: If the SNP does win this election, the people will have spoken. We will seek negotiations with the UK Government on how we give democratic effect to Scotland becoming an independent nation.
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A mother who was diagnosed with skin cancer while pregnant during the first summer of the Covid-19 pandemic has urged Scots to enjoy the warm weather safely.

Andrea Lambrou, of Newlands, Glasgow, was 36 weeks pregnant in July 2020 when doctors informed her she had malignant melanoma  the most serious form of skin cancer.

Her diagnosis transformed what was previously one of the happiest and exciting times in her and husband Nicoss lives into a nightmare.

The remaining days of her pregnancy were spent in and out of hospital for appointments and treatment.

After a 24-hour induction, 17 hours in the labour room and an emergency C-section, her son Leo was born prematurely on July 24.

Lambrou, 39, first became alarmed when she noticed a dark freckle on her leg which appeared to have grown in size, and she was referred to the dermatology department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

The mole was removed the same day, but a week later she was told she had cancer.

She said: Ill never forget hearing those words  not Im sorry, you have cancer, but what came next: We have to get that baby out now.

I had no choice. It was just as well I didnt have a birth plan as there was no time to get my head around anything.

Around four people in Scotland are diagnosed with malignant melanoma every day, which is about 1,400 people a year.

UK-wide, the figure has reached a record high of 17,500 cases a year and the numbers are projected to increase by 50% over the next 20 years, according to cancer research.

Melanoma rates have risen among UK males over a ten-year period, Cancer Research says (Getty Images)

Lambrous cancer is now in remission and, alongside Cancer Research and Nivea Skin, she is encouraging people to take precautions to minimise the risk of getting skin cancer.

She said: I hope by sharing my story I can raise awareness about sun safety and about early detection.

After three major surgeries in the first six months of motherhood and a year-and-a-half of immunotherapy treatment, I showed clear scans and I continue to do so.

The positivity just shines from our little Leo. I couldnt have asked for a happier, funnier, more beautiful smiley wee boy.

But there was trauma and tears when I was first given the news that I had skin cancer. I couldnt believe this was happening to me.

I hope I can encourage people to think about their sun habits and take precautions.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Its so important, because almost nine in 10 melanoma cases each year in the UK could be prevented by being safe in the sun and using a combination of shade, clothing and sunscreen to avoid burning.

She recommends seeking shade between 11am and 3pm in the UK, when the suns UV rays are at their most harmful.

She also suggests wearing clothes that cover the skin properly, such as long-sleeved tops, sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats.

Sunscreen over SPF 15 is also recommended.

The month after Leos birth, a large area of skin across Lambrous leg and knee was removed and she had a lymph node biopsy, which confirmed her cancer had spread.

After starting immunotherapy, she noticed a marble-sized lump near her groin around Christmas 2020.

In January 2021 she went through another operation to remove the lymph nodes in her groin area.

She was also kept in hospital after developing cellulitis, a series skin infection.

The mother said: It hit me like a ton of bricks. I genuinely thought I was going to die.

But by Easter 2021, she was told she was cancer free.

She said: If you spot something on your skin thats not right for you, get it checked out.

Beth Vincent, health information manager at Cancer Research UK, said: Melanoma skin cancer is the UKs fifth most common cancer, so were grateful to Andrea for lending her voice to our campaign with Nivea Sun.

Its important to remember the sun isnt only strong abroad. Even on a cloudy day, it can be strong enough in Scotland  and across the UK  to burn between mid-March and mid-October.
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Ofcom has launched an investigation into GB News over a campaign which calls on the Government to introduce laws to protect the status of cash.

The media watchdog said on Friday that it would be looking at the channels Dont Kill Cash petition after a complaint.

Ofcom said under its rules all broadcasters are excluded from expressing views on political and industrial controversy or current public policy.

These requirements do not apply to the broadcasters presenters or guests but the organisation itself and people with editorial responsibility for the service, the watchdog also said.

Ofcom added: Our investigation does not seek to question the merits of the campaign itself.

The GB News campaign encourages viewers to sign a petition, which says: I call on the Government to introduce legislation to protect the status of cash as legal tender and as a widely accepted means of payment in the UK until at least 2050.

The channel, launched two years ago, also claimed that people who rely on cash are increasingly being left behind by the relentless march of technology and more and more shops, cafes and pubs are choosing to only accept card payments.

Its campaign has already attracted more than 170,000 signatures, according to the GB News website.

GB News has been contacted for comment.
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Boris Johnson has attacked London mayor Sadiq Khans odious ultra-low-emission zone (Ulez) scheme, as Labour suffers a split on the key issue at the Uxbridge by-election.

Sir Keir Starmer has backed Mr Khans planned expansion of Ulez to outer London  despite Labours Uxbridge candidate Danny Beales speaking out against the Labour mayors extension of the scheme.

However, despite Tory efforts to make the 20 July by-election a referendum on Ulez, the first poll in the constituency has revealed an eight-point lead for Labour.

Mr Johnson, who sparked the by-election by resigning in fury over the damning Partygate report produced by the privileges committee, has attacked the scheme, describing its 12.50-a-day charge as an odious, unjustified tax on driving.

In his latest column for the Daily Mail  dismissed as total nonsense by Mr Khans camp  the former PM attacked the bone-headed cruelty of the charge, which is aimed at lowering emissions and improving air quality.

Mr Johnson claimed Ulez would blight the lives not just of the classic car enthusiasts but also of the white van men who are the red corpuscles in the lifeblood of the economy.

The former Tory leader said the issue was causing panic in Labour ranks, claiming that Mr Beales had welshed on Khan and ratted on official Labour policy out of desperation.

Claiming his old nemesis Sir Keir had floundered in explaining why Mr Khan had to press ahead, Mr Johnson said those supporting the scheme had become bereft of speech, or reduced to babble.

The Labour leader told LBC earlier on Friday that Mr Khan had to take action because he is legally required to improve Londons air quality. I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him, he told a caller.

Keir Starmer says Sadiq Khan has no choice but to expand the scheme (PA Wire)

In November Mr Khan announced his intention to extend Ulez, a scheme originally introduced by Mr Johnson in central London, to all of Londons boroughs, enlarging it beyond the North and South Circular roads.

If the plan goes ahead, the extended Ulez will see drivers in outer London pay a 12.50 daily fee from 29 August if their vehicles do not meet the required emissions standards.

The new borders will extend into Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey. But Conservative-led councils challenged the move in a hearing at the High Court this week and are waiting on Mr Justice Swifts ruling.

Starmer and Rachel Reeves campaigning with Danny Beales in Uxbridge (PA)

Earlier this week, Labours Uxbridge candidate told a by-election debate: Its not the right time to extend the Ulez scheme to outer London  its just not.

Mr Beales said he could not support the Ulez expansion until the government and the mayors office go much further with support for struggling families and a 110m scrappage scheme.

Labour is strongly expected to overturn Mr Johnsons 7,000 majority at the by-election. But the Ulez issue appears to be causing the party real difficulty in the northwest London suburb.

One MP who has been door-knocking in Uxbridge told Politico: It was horrible. Im talking doors-shut-in-your-face level, adding: They all hate Sadiq. Just ask any taxi driver.

However, a new poll by JL Partners will offer comfort to Sir Keirs team. Mr Beales is on 41 per cent, eight points ahead of Tory rival Steve Tuckwell, who is on 33 per cent.

As things stand, Labour are set to win Uxbridge, said James Johnson of JL Partners. But he added that it is not inconceivable that the Conservatives could narrow the gap in the coming days.

Responding to Mr Johnsons column, a source close to Mr Khan told The Independent: This is utter nonsense from the disgraced former mayor.

It was Boris Johnson who first announced the introduction of the Ulez to tackle air pollution, and around 4,000 Londoners still die prematurely every year as a result of toxic air.
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More than four in 10 Britons believe Labour intends to reverse Brexit and rejoin the EU, a shock new poll has found.

Sir Keir Starmer has been at pains to clarify Labours position of keeping the UK out of the bloc  repeatedly ruling out membership of Brussels single market and customs union.

But Redfield & Wilton Strategies survey found 41 per cent of voters still think that Labour policy is to take Britain back inside the EU.

Only 16 per cent of voters told the pollster Labours policy was to stay out. While 23 per cent said they did not know Sir Keirs position, some 20 per cent said Labour had no clear policy on Brexit.

A spokesperson for Redfield & Wilton Strategies said there was growing evidence that the Brexit row which divided British voters has been superseded in political importance by more traditional divisions.

They added: Consequently, while Britons may not be certain of Labours position on Europe for now, this lack of awareness comes with little cost in terms of support for the party.

While Labour has ruled out single market or customs union membership, the party supports a new veterinary deal with Brussels to ease the mountain of red tape faced by UK firms trading with Britains nearest neighbours.

Some 47 per cent of voters say they support Labours position on making Brexit work, with only 14 per cent opposed. But there appears to be confusion about what Sir Keirs rhetoric means.

While 32 per cent say Labour seeks a closer relationship with the EU, 31 per cent say the party is in favour of the status quo or a more distant relationship, and 39 per cent say do not know or that Labour is unclear.

Keir Starmer at anti-Brexit rally in 2019 (PA)

Only 35 per cent of voters think Sir Keir is genuine about this position on Brexit, while 33 per cent who believe he is not genuine and 32 per cent say they dont know.

Labours foreign secretary David Lammy has hinted that the partys policy could inch forward to forge closer ties with Brussels ahead of the 2025 review of Boris Johnsons Brexit trade deal.

Mr Lammy told LBC last month that the idea of a veterinary deal to ease sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) checks on goods is a floor not a ceiling and said he wants to hear what business has got to say over the coming months.

The Labour Movement for Europe group, chaired by senior MP Stella Creasy, has proposed a promise to negotiating a bespoke customs union with the EU as part of the partys next manifesto.

The group has tabled amendments to Labours national policy forum, which is finalising a policy agenda for the manifesto going into the 2024 general election.

As well as ruling out single market membership and a customs union, Sir Keir has ruled out any return to free movement of people between the UK and the EU, calling it a red line his party.
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Joe Biden is expected to raise concerns over the peace process in Northern Ireland and discuss the Ukrainian counter-offensive against Russia with Rishi Sunak when they meet next week.

The US President will meet the Prime Minister in London and with the King at Windsor Castle on Monday before heading to the Nato summit in Lithuania.

Mr Biden will land in the UK amid criticism of his plan to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are banned by many allies including Britain.

In their fifth meeting in as many months, the White House said Mr Biden will compare notes with Mr Sunak on their support for Ukraine and the situation on the battlefield.

But Mr Biden, who has previously spoken of wanting to ensure the Brits didnt screw around in Northern Ireland, is also likely to discuss post-Brexit tensions.

National Security Council senior director for Europe Amanda Sloat told reporters: He remains very focused on working in partnership with the UK, with Ireland and continuing to ensure peace in and prosperity and stability in the broader region.

I would imagine those would be the general range of topics that they would discuss and Northern Ireland is certainly an issue that the President regularly talks about with his British counterpart.

Mr Biden will also attend a climate finance mobilisation forum, focused on supporting developing countries, while in the UK.

Both men will join their Nato allies in Vilnius on Tuesday, when there will be discussions on Ukraines membership bid.

Ms Sloat said: Given that they are meeting the day before  both leaders will be flying to Vilnius  I would imagine that this will be an opportunity for them to touch base on developments in discussions heading into the summit in Vilnius.

It will be an opportunity for them to compare notes on both of our support for Ukraine and their ongoing efforts on the battlefield.

The UK is one of 123 signatories to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits their use or stockpiling because of their indiscriminate effect on civilian populations.

The weapons deploy a large number of bomblets across a wide area.

Unexploded bomblets can continue to pose a threat to civilians long after conflicts end.

Commons Defence Committee chairman Tobias Ellwood urged the US to reconsider.

The Tory MP tweeted: This is the wrong call  and will alienate international good will.

Their use leaves deadly unexploded ordnance over the battlefield  killing & injuring civilians long after the war is over.
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Humza Yousafs Scottish Government has ensured rapid delivery on policy in the areas that matter to people, his Deputy First Minister has said.

Shona Robison hailed the record of the Scottish First Minister 100 days after he was formally sworn into the top job.

Mr Yousaf is the sixth person to hold the role since devolution, with his appointment coming after the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon sparked a leadership contest within the SNP.

Ms Robison, who previously served as Scottish health secretary and social justice secretary under Ms Sturgeon, was appointed Deputy First Minister and was also given responsibility for the key finance portfolio by Mr Yousaf.

Since then, the Scottish Government has committed 15 million of funding to deliver free after-school and holiday clubs for children, and has tripled the fuel insecurity fund  which helps those struggling with energy costs  from 10 million last year to 30 million in 2023-24.

Mr Yousaf has also chaired a summit aimed at tackling poverty in Scotland, while a new 10-year cancer strategy has been published, and along with it an updated plan for treating stroke patients.

In addition, the Scottish Government has signed a new agreement with the countrys 32 local authorities, set up a New Deal for Business Group, and published the latest paper in a series aimed at making the case for Scottish independence.

Ms Robison said: The first 100 days of Humza Yousafs new administration have seen rapid delivery in areas that matter to people in Scotland.

We are putting peoples needs at the heart of everything the Scottish Government does, not least supporting struggling families during the cost-of-living crisis.

Against the backdrop of the damage done by Brexit and cuts from Westminster, the Scottish Government is delivering meaningful support to those most hard-pressed, and investing in our public services.

The record also shows this to be an open and inclusive Government, with a willingness to listen to reasonable concerns and change course where necessary.

With a lot more to do, we are determined to continue earning peoples trust.

Contrasting her Government to that at Westminster, she added: In just 44 days, Tory prime minister Liz Truss managed to trash the economy and leave a mess that we are all still paying the price for.

That is a graphic illustration of the need for Scotland to gain the full powers of independence, so that we can avoid the damage from Westminster and do more for the people of Scotland.
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The UK will supply Ukraine with 17 specialist fire engines as the war-torn country continues to defend itself against the Russian invasion.

The Rapid Intervention and Major Foam Vehicles, sourced from the Royal Air Force, Defence Fire and Rescue and the Welsh Government, are due to arrive in the coming weeks, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Ukrainian military fire service has already conducted a weeks training at RAF Wittering to familiarise themselves with the equipment in preparation.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the vehicles would boost the countrys ability to protect its infrastructure amid the Kremlins campaign of missile and drone attacks.

They were delivered from locations around the UK to the Cambridgeshire military base, where personnel are inspecting and preparing them before their onward journey to Ukraine.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: These specialist firefighting vehicles will boost Ukraines ability to protect its infrastructure from Russias campaign of missile and drone attacks and continue our support for Ukraine, for as long as it takes.

Defence chief fire officer Sim Nex said: The Defence Fire and Rescue family are extremely proud of the specialist support which we have been able to facilitate.

We are confident that the equipment provided to date, and associated training, will directly enhance firefighting capability, as we consider further opportunities to support the Ukrainian Military Fire Service moving forward.

Air Commodore Jamie Thompson, commander of Global Enablement, said: Support to Ukraine, through training and the provision of equipment, remains a priority of RAF Global Enablement. We are proud to work alongside our allies in this effort, supplying specialist equipment and training to assure the safety of the Ukrainian people.
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People must learn to disagree well, an archbishop said as he branded disunity a disgrace in his opening speech to the Church of Englands parliament.

People are stubbornly unreconciled, appear complacent about division and often also appear all too ready to divide again, the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said.

In his presidential address on the first day of the General Synod of the Church of England in York, he called for unity and more focus on the word our over my.

We have got used to disunity. We think it's normal when, in fact, it is a disgrace, an affront to Christ and all he came to give us Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell

He said: We have got used to disunity. We think its normal when, in fact, it is a disgrace, it is an affront to Christ and all he came to give us.

But if we begin with the word our and let it change the way we see ourselves and see each other, then we will also see that our belonging to each other is not only non-negotiable, it is what we must prize and hold on to in all our discussions, all our decisions and all the issues we face.

Moreover, we must always go the extra mile of finding those ways of widening the tent of our inclusion, but without letting anyone be lost.

Disagreeing well really does matter.

Mr Cottrells comments come after the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke out against antisemitism and about the need for universities to protect minority students.

Justin Welby, appearing this week at a Board of Deputies of British Jews event at a synagogue in central London, said while there is no right not to be offended, everyone has the right not to be abused.

Mr Welby, speaking amid a series of free speech rows on campuses, suggested there should be serious consequences for the funding, authority and recognition of universities which fail to protect students from minority backgrounds.

Elsewhere in his address, Mr Cottrell said he had assured Swiss Cardinal Kurt Koch that while the Anglican Communion faces enormous challenges, it is not splitting.

I told him we are not splitting, that yes, we face enormous challenges, and that many of them are around the limits and requirements of unity and diversity Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell

He said: He asked me why are you in Rome talking about unity when the Anglican Communion is splitting?

I told him we are not splitting, that yes, we face enormous challenges, and that many of them are around the limits and requirements of unity and diversity.

I acknowledged that within the Anglican Communion there are movements for change and movements that cherish unchanging practice.

But I also said that our way of ecclesial belonging, as a federation of churches in communion, but not under a single rule, allowed us flexibility within the boundaries of our bonds of communion, enabling us at our best to walk together with our conscientiously held differences.

In February, the General Synod  which is the Church of Englands legislative assembly  passed a motion to allow the blessing of same-sex couples in civil partnerships.

The vote saw the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA), which represents some Anglican churches question Mr Welbys fitness to lead.

Recognising divisions on the issue at the time, Mr Welby welcomed the blessings but said he would not personally carry them out due to his pastoral responsibility for the whole communion.

During the five-day July Synod, there will be an update on the plans for the prayers of blessing for same-sex couples, as well as discussions on the churchs decision to pull its investment from fossil fuel companies, a multimillion-pound fund for victims of church-related abuse, and a proposal to scrap marriage fees.
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A passenger on an Alaska Airlines flight bound for Seattle allegedly threatened crewmembers that he would blow up the plane unless they diverted it to another airport, claiming he was trying to escape a Mexican drug cartel, according to court documents.

Brandon L Scott, 38, was arrested on 5 July, after he handed a threatening note to a flight attendant outlining his demands.

There is a bomb on the plane, the note read, according to police. This is not a joke. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board. You are to alert the pilot to this note and keep the issue to yourself. Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose.

Pretend there is some sort of equipment problem or whatever you have to do, the note added. Just get this plane rerouted. Failure to comply will cost the lives of everyone on this plane.

Witnesses say they caught wind of the alleged threat.

The captain came over and said, I cant say much, but a guy in first class told the flight attendants that if we hand in Seattle, he has a bomb, and that hes going to let it off if we land in Seattle, one witnessed described, according to KIRO 7.

Crewmembers told the captain about the bomb threat, who alerted Air Traffic Control and Alaska Airlines.

The flight was diverted to land in Spokane, where Mr Scott was arrested upon landing and the Spokane Police Department bomb squad searched the plane, not finding any explosives onboard.

A man is lead away in handcuffs on 5 July, 2023, at the Spokane, Washington, airport after allegedly making a bomb threat (KIRO 7 screengrab)

The airport was temporarily shut down as a result of the threat.

I just got back from a long trip and I have nothing right now except my wallet and my phone, a passenger told KXLY of the experience. The pilot said, Hey, the plane is fine, they checked it out, were good. And were like, Why is a dude getting arrested? and then it was like, Why are we deboarding?

Mr Scott, who doesnt have a lawyer listed in court records, was charged with conveying false information and could face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, The Daily Beast reported.

Scott told law enforcement he was being targeted by the Sinaloa Cartel, according to the criminal complaint against the 38-year-old. Scott stated members of the Cartel were waiting for him to land in Seattle in order to torture and kill Scott.

Scott stated he did not think of a more reasonable approach such as contacting law enforcement personnel at the airport to ask for help or assistance, the complaint adds.

The plane had 177 passengers and six crew members when the threat took place.

We appreciate their patience and understanding during this situation, Alaska Airlines said in a statement about the incident.
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The white gunman who shot and killed 23 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas in a racist attack on Hispanic customers has been sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences for the 2019 massacre.

Patrick Crusius, 24, pled guilty earlier this year to almost 50 federal charges of hate crimes  one of the largest hate crime cases in the US.

Crusius was wearing a jumpsuit and shackles and didnt visibly react as the verdict was announced, the AP noted.

Patrick Crusius in court (AP)

He drove more than 700 miles from his Dallas-area home in order to attack Hispanics with an AK-style rifle at the Walmart, where the shooting took place inside and outside the store, according to police.

Just before he started shooting on 3 August 2019, Crusius posted a racist message online saying that Texas was at risk of a Hispanic invasion.

He said he wanted to shoot as many Mexicans as possible.

Republicans have in the years that have passed since the massacre described migrants crossing the US-Mexico border as an invasion and dismissed critics arguing that the rhetoric spurs anti-immigrant opinions as well as violence.

Crusius pled guilty in February after federal prosecutors removed the possibility of the death penalty. But prosecutors on the state level in Texas have said that they will attempt to place Crusius on death row at his state court trial, a date for which is yet to be set.

Defence lawyer Joe Spencer told the judge ahead of the sentencing that the 24-year-olds brain was broken and that he was disconnected from reality.

Patricks thinking is at odds with reality  resulting in delusional thinking, the attorney said.

US District Judge David Guaderrama in El Paso handed down the sentence after impact statements lasting two days by relatives of the victims.

Twenty-three people were killed and more than two dozen were injured and others suffered trauma. Family members addressed Crusius directly.

Mourners visit a makeshift memorial near the Walmart in El Paso, Texas, following the mass shooting (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

You left children without their parents, you left spouses without their spouses, and we still need them, Bertha Benavides said. She lost her husband, Arturo, after 34 years of marriage.

Crusius initially didnt show much emotion during the statements, but on Thursday, his eyes appeared to well up as victims spoke about the shooting and demanded that he respond and account for what he did. After speaking to his lawyer, Crusius made a gesture to indicate that he wouldnt reply.

During the sentencing, Crusiuss family wasnt present. A dozen mass shootings have been connected to hate crimes since 2006, with this one being the deadliest, according to the AP.

Before the shooting, Crusius had tweeted #BuildtheWall and lauded the restrictive immigration policies of then-President Donald Trump. In the rant he posted before the attack, he shared his concerns that Hispanics were going to be in charge of the government and the economy.

Amaris Vega lost her aunt in the shooting and her mother managed to survive despite suffering a wound the size of a softball to her chest.

Amaris Vega told the killer: We are still here and we are not going anywhere (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Ms Vega spoke about the gunmans pathetic, sorry manifesto which outlined his intention to get rid of all Hispanics in Texas.

But guess what? You didnt. You failed, she said in court. We are still here and we are not going anywhere. And for four years you have been stuck in a city full of Hispanics ... So let that sink in.

Margaret Juarez lost her 90-year-old father in the shooting while her mother was wounded but survived. She noted that it was ironic that Crusius is set to spend the rest of his life behind bars alongside minority inmates.

Others in the room broke into applause when she spoke of their freedom.

Swim in the waters of prison, she told the shooter. Now were going to enjoy the sunshine  We still have our freedom, in our country.

Those killed included a 15-year-old high school athlete and a number of grandparents, with a number of them being Mexican nationals who had crossed into the US on a regular shopping trip.

Alfredo Hernandezs sister Maribel Hernandez Loya and her husband were killed in the shooting.

I hate that youre alive, eating and sleeping. I wish you all the sadness in the world, Mr Hernandez told Crusius, according to the Texas Tribune.

Stephanie Melendez lost her father David Johnson. Her daughter was at the store with her grandparents at the time of the shooting.

You showed her evil, you showed her monsters do exist outside of storybooks, she told Crusius. I want you to remember my daughters cries. I want them to haunt you.

Mr Johnsons wife Kathleen said: He was shot at close range by a coward and there was his innocent blood, everywhere  The pain you have caused is indescribable.

Ive had countless hours of counselling to deal with my PTSD. I dont know if Ill be the same, if thats possible, she added. I have to remind myself every day that Im safe from this killer. There are days when I cant get out of bed.
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QAnons conspiracy theories are both bizarre and baseless: from the claim that Democrats are running a sex-trafficking ring through a pizza parlour, to the theory that Donald Trump is leading the fight against a cabal of paedophiles, and the story that JFK is returning from the dead more than 50 years after his assassination.

Now, the cults latest wild conspiracy centres around the death of its own leader.

Michael Protzman, the 60-year-old QAnon leader, died on 30 June after suffering multiple blunt force injuries in a dirt bike accident.

Protzman, who was known to his followers as Negative 48, was driving a dirt bike at the Meadow Valley Motocross track in Millville, Minnesota, when he crashed.

Around a week later he died from his injuries at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the clinic confirmed to VICE News.

Or did he?

In the week since his untimely passing, QAnon members have refused to accept the death of their leader and instead claim the whole tragedy is a hoax.

An admin on the Telegram channel used by members of the group  who Protzman managed to convince Mr Trump is in fact JFK Jr in disguise  said they would be removing all mention of their leaders death until they have absolute verification.

Another member was booted out of the Truth Social group for asking a question about Protzmans condition, Vice reported.

One follower, Shelly Mullinax, who fell out with the QAnon leader prior to his death offered another theory as to his demise  suggesting that only a part of him had been killed in the dirt bike accident.

She told Vice that the good part of Protzman, who she said was also JFK in disguise, had survived the accident while the evil part of him had been killed.

Michael Protzman (left) and someone holding the QAnon symbol (right) (Telegram/Getty)

If that was the plan that God had for him, I know that everything is going to be revealed soon, Mullinax told the outlet.

Among the theories put forward by QAnon in recent years, the claim that Protzmans death is a hoax is actually one of the less strange posturings.

Protzman shot to notoriety in November 2021 when he managed to convince QAnon followers that JFK and JFK Jr would return from the dead.

Hundreds of believers travelled to Dealey Plaza in Dallas  where JFK was assassinated in 1963  on his command to see their reappearance.

Unsurprisingly, JFK and JFK Jr were no shows.

Protzman then changed his story, telling supporters that Mr Trump was actually JFK Jr in disguise and that they would reinstate Trump as commander-in-chief and help him in carrying out the persecution of a global cabal of pedophilic, blood-drinking liberal elites that QAnon devotees believe run the world.

He also told members of the group that Mr Trump was communicating with him during a rally using a secret code that only he could understand.
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A community activist who first aired claims that Rudy Farias was abused by his mother has doubled down after a denial by Houston police.

Quanell X, who says he was in the room with Mr Farias when he spoke to investigators on Wednesday, emerged from the meeting to tell reporters that the 25-year-old had described being hidden and subjected to abuse by his mother, Janie Santana, for eight years after she reported him missing in 2015.

Houston police officials denied this account at a press conference on Thursday, saying there was no evidence that Mr Farias was abused.

Reached by The Independent shortly after the press conference, Quanell X said: I believe that Rudy is absolutely a victim.

He went on to repeat his claims to reporters the day before while alleging that Mr Farias had been instructed to lie to police by his mother.

The kid was distraught ... absolutely distraught, Quanell X said of Mr Farias demeanour in the police interview. He went back and forth; he acted like a teenager, then he would act 20...is he 23 or 25? He went back and forth between like a child state to a mature state.

He went on to accuse police of trying to hide from conducting a shady sham investigation.

Its all confusing as hell to me now, he said. I think theyre revictimising the kid all over again.

I believe he needs extensive medical, psychological help and treatment.

At Thursdays press conference, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner confirmed that Mr Farias had never actually been missing as his mother claimed.

Ms Santana filed a missing persons report on 6 March 2015, claiming that her then-17-year-old son had vanished while walking the familys two dogs. An open police investigation into his disappearance continued until Ms Santana said he had been discovered outside a church in Houston on 29 June.

Ms Santanas account of what happened to her son came under intense scrutiny when neighbours emerged to say that theyd seen him around the neighbourhood during the years of his alleged disappearance.

On Thursday, police confirmed that Mr Farias had in fact returned home the day after he was reported missing - but that Ms Santana maintained he was still unaccounted for.

Houston police said both Mr Farias and Ms Santana had claimed he was her nephew when interviewed by police in the missing persons investigation.

Both Janie, Rudys mother, and Rudy himself gave fictitious names while interacting with various patrol officers, Lieutenant Christopher Zamora, a detective with Houston Police Department (HPD)s missing persons unit, told reporters.

After investigators talked with him yesterday, it was discovered that Rudy returned home the following day on March 8 2015.

Mother Janie continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing. She alleged her nephew was the person friends and family [saw] coming and going.

Mr Zamora said the district attorney had declined to lay charges at this time for making fictitious reports to police.

Being missing is not a crime, Mr Zamora told the press conference.

Mr Farias, who was 17 when he was first reported missing, was considered an adult under Texas state law.

Mr Zamora denied Quanell Xs claims that Mr Farias had suffered sexual and physical abuse during the past eight years, saying: We do take all allegations seriously and any new information or facts that we receive will be investigated.

Police said they would not release any information about the possible sexual abuse of a victim, and declined to comment whether mental health had been a factor in the long-running saga.

They did not discuss a possible motive for the eight-year deception.

Quanell X, meanwhile, called for Ms Santana to face charges.
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Rudy Farias mother could soon face legal action from GoFundMe after she raked in thousands of dollars in donations by falsely claiming that her son was missing.

The fundraising platform said in a statement on Thursday that Janie Santana had been permanently banned from GoFundMe and from all future beneficiary opportunities after the bizarre scam came to light this week.

GoFundMe has zero tolerance for the misuse of our platform and cooperates with law enforcement investigations of those accused of wrongdoing, a company spokesperson said in a statement to The Independent.

The fundraiser has been removed from the platform and the beneficiary has been banned from using GoFundMe for any future fundraisers.

A spokesperson also told Newsweek that its trust and safety team takes swift action against those who exploit the generosity of our community, including with the outright removal of a fundraiser, banning an account for violating our terms of service, and even pursuing potential legal recourse.

Ms Santana filed a missing persons report for her son Rudy, then 17, back on 7 March 2015 after he allegedly vanished while taking his two dogs for a walk near their home in northeast Houston.

Around two weeks later on 22 March 2015, a GoFundMe was launched to help track down the missing teenager.

It has been over a month and Rudy is still Missing, it reads.

Please help us find RUDY FARIAS IV! Rudy went out to walk his 2 puppies on March 6th 2015 and has not been seen nor heard from since then ! Rudys 2 puppies WERE FOUND but not Rudy! He suffers from both physical and mental disabilities, so we need to get him home ASAP!

All ground searches have been pulled back and now we (The Entire Houston Texas Community ) have to get our own ground search together! People say that it takes a village to raise a child. ... NOW... We NEED The Village to Help Find our Child !

The GoFundMe continued: We are asking for donations to be able to offer a reward for Information leading us TO Rudy as well as medical expenses for Rudy since he has been missing since March 6th,and each day that passes...means his health is deteriorating gravelly.

Rudys mother is a single parent who has already lost her eldest son in 2011 and Rudys father in 2014 !!! She needs financial assistance since she is unable to work understandably so with her son missing! The bills are pilling up and Rudys mothers health has also deteriorated as she is devestated ....mentally...physically and emotionally utterly exhausted!!

Please dig deep into your hearts and put yourselves in Rudys mother place... she cannot do this Alone! Give what you can and know that God will bless you and all that you do for her! We Believe that Rudy IS STILL ALIVE AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT!

GoFundMe campaign for Rudy Farias (GoFundMe)

God Bless you and know that All monies Will be used accordingly towards the REWARD and the needs of the Search.

Several people dug deep and donated a total of $2,025 to the fundraiser, titled Donate to Help Find Rudy Farias IV, in the hopes it would help to bring Mr Farias home.

But, the reality was, he wasnt even missing and Ms Santana had been profiting financially from a lie.

Instead, Mr Farias had returned home on 8 March 2015  one day after he was reported missing and 14 days before the GoFundMe was launched asking for donations.

The bizarre case came to light this week after his mother claimed her son had returned home more than eight years on from his apparent disappearance.

On 29 June 2023, Ms Santana suddenly announced that her son had been found alive but battered and bruised outside a church in Houston.

What began as a remarkable story of a family reunited rapidly unravelled over the following days.

Rumours began surfacing that Mr Farias had been seen at his mothers home throughout his apparent eight-year disappearance.

Neighbours said that he had never been missing at all.

Community activist Quanell X said that the now-25-year-old had since claimed he endured physical and sexual abuse at the hands of his mother for the duration of his alleged disappearance.

Rudy Farias missing person poster (Texas Missing Persons)

On Thursday, Houston Police confirmed in a press conference that Mr Farias had in fact returned home just one day after he went missing in 2015.

Police said that officers had made contact with both Mr Farias and his mother over the years since but that they had given false names and claimed that he was Ms Santanas nephew  not her son.

Despite allegedly lying to police, no criminal charges have been brought against Ms Santana.

GoFundMe also confirmed to NewsWeek that  over the past years  it hadnt received any fraud reports about the campaign from either police or community members.

Now, it remains to be seen whether GoFundMe  and the donors who gave to the campaign  will seek to recover the money raised for Ms Santana.
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The discovery of a 25-year-old Texas man who had been reported missing eight years earlier was briefly welcomed as a minor miracle.

But since Rudy Farias was found with severe injuries outside of a Houston church on 29 June, the baffling story has unravelled with claims of lies, alleged abuse and greed.

Neighbours said they had seen Mr Farias at his mother Janie Santanas house, and expressed surprise that he was regarded as a missing person.

It then emerged that Mr Farias had reportedly told investigators he was held captive and abused by his mother for year  a claim Houston police say they have no evidence of.

In a press conference on Thursday, police confirmed Mr Farias had returned home in March 2015, the day after he was supposed to have gone missing.

Police said Ms Santana had lied to them as they chased leads in the case, but that they were not pressing charges at this stage.

Here is a timeline of the perplexing case.

2011 to 2014: Childhood tragedies

Rudolph Rudy Farias IV was born in Houston in October 1997 to parents Rudolph Farias, a Houston police officer, and mother Janie Santana.

The young boy endured tragedy from a young age.

In 2011, his half-brother Charles Uresti, 21, was killed in a motorcycle crash when Rudy was just 13.

A private investigator hired by the Farias family told NBCs Dateline in 2015 that Mr Farias and his mother were the first to the crash scene.

Rudy Farias reportedly had a mental age of 10 when he went missing at the age of 17 (Texas Center for the Missing)

He watched his best friend die right in front of him, Brenda Paradise told Dateline.

His brother was his best friend in the world. He's just gone through so much more than anyone his age ever should.

Then in 2014, his father took his own life while under investigation for a fake speed ticketing scheme.

An investigation by KHOU 11 found that officers were falsely claiming to have witnessed speeding infractions in order to claim overtime by testifying in court.

Mr Farias Sr had reportedly earned $158,000 in overtime in the previous three years.

Mr Farias aunt, Pauline Sanchez-Rodriguez, said at a press conference on Thursday that Mr Farias was understandably traumatised by the two tragedies. And that, after them, his mother began to assume control of his life.

March 2015: Disappearance

On 6 March 2015, Mr Farias reportedly left his home at around 6pm to take his two dogs for a walk near Tidwell and Park Drive in northwest Houston.

A few hours later one of the dogs returned home. The next morning, the second dog showed up, according to a missing person report.

The 17-year-old was reported missing by his mother on 7 March 2015.

A missing flyer from that year claimed Mr Farias had been diagnosed with PTSD, depression and anxiety, and had likely stopped taking his prescribed medication at the time of his disappearance. Mr Farias was described as 58, weighing about 215 pounds and having brown hair and brown eyes.

His cousin Michelle Rodriquez told the New York Post this week that although Mr Farias was 17 at the time, he had a mental age of a 10-year-old.

On 8 March 2015, it has now emerged that Mr Farias returned home.

A GoFundMe campaign set up by Rudy Farias mother Janie Santana raised more than $2,000 (GoFundMe)

But, despite this, Ms Santana did not tell police he was no longer missing  instead keeping up the pretence for the next eight years.

On 22 March 2015, a GoFundme page was launched seeking donations to help Ms Santana in the search for her son.

It has been over a Month and Rudy is still Missing, it stated. Please help us find RUDY FARIAS IV!

Ms Santana said her son was suffering from physical and mental disabilities. The fundraiser took in $2,025, and is reportedly under investigation.

A month after the apparent disappearance, Houston police told Dateline they did not suspect foul play, and were investigating it as a missing person case.

In 2017, Ms Santana told KHOU 11 that detectives had informed her Mr Farias could have been abducted and sold to human traffickers.

2018-2022: Sightings

In 2018, Mr Farias cousin Cassandra Lopez called Houston police to say he had been spotted at his mothers home, according to Click 2 Houston.

When officers showed up at Ms Santanas home, they said they didnt find any sign of the missing boy.

Lieutenant Christopher Zamora, a detective with Houston Police Department (HPD)s missing persons unit, told reporters this week that officers had unspecified interactions with Mr Farias during the eight years he was missing. It was unclear when exactly this happened.

During those interactions, he said both mother and son gave false names and dates of birth to officers, and claimed that Mr Farias was her nephew not her son.

Ms Lopez said that her grandmother told her she would often speak with Mr Farias during the years that he was allegedly missing.

According to Click 2 Houston, neighbours would also often see Mr Farias at his mothers home. They knew him by the name Dolph.

29 June 2023: Farias is found

At about 10pm on 29 June, a good samaritan found Mr Farias lying badly injured outside of the Immaculate Heart Church in southeast Houston.

Community activist Quanell X leads Rudy Farias out of a police meeting on Wednesday (ABC13)

3 July 2023: Mom celebrates return

On 3 July 2023, Ms Santana released a statement thanking media and public for all their support.

The statement reads: My son Rudy Farias IV was found on Thursday, June 29th, after being missing for eight years. Currently, we do not have any additional information on Rudys case. What we do know is at the time of his recovery, a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911. My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us. We are asking for privacy during this difficult time but will share more details as Rudy continues to heal.

Ms Santana released a photograph of her son in a hospital bed. Her sisters would later claim the picture was from 2012.

Soon, questions began to mount about the truth of his apparent eight-year disappearance.

5 July 2023: Rudy meets investigators

On 5 July 2023, Mr Farias and Ms Santana met with detectives from Houston Police Departments missing person unit in a hotel.

Quanell X, a prominent local activist and counsellor, said he also met with Mr Farias alone at the same hotel.

According to Quanell X, Mr Farias detailed serious allegations of physical, sexual and mental abuse he had suffered during the past eight years.

Janie Santana, the mother of Rudy Farias, has said she expected to be arrested after her son was reportedly missing for eight years (Twitter / KPRC 2 Corley Peel)

A video emerges of Ms Santana being filmed by neighbours saying she expects to be arrested.

6 July 2023: Police give update

Police hold their first press conference since Mr Farias was found, where they confirmed that he had in fact returned home the day after he was reported missing back in 2015  while his mother continued to maintain he was still unaccounted for.

Mother Janie continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing. She alleged her nephew was the person friends and family [saw] coming and going, said Lt Zamora.

Lt Zamora said the district attorney had declined to bring charges at this time for making fictitious reports to police.

Being missing is not a crime, Mr Zamora told the press conference.

Mr Farias, who was 17 when he was first reported missing, was considered an adult under Texas state law at the time, he said.

Police also contradicted the claims of abuse, saying they had no evidence to support Quanell Xs claims.

After the press conference, Quanell X doubled down on his claims in an interview with The Independent and accused HPD of trying to hide from conducting a shady sham investigation.

Its all confusing as hell to me now, he said. I think theyre revictimising the kid all over again.

I believe he needs extensive medical, psychological help and treatment.

Pauline Sanchez, an aunt of Rudy Farias, speaks to the media outside Houston Police headquarters (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP)

Later that day, Mr Farias aunt Pauline Sanchez-Rodriguez said she was reunited with her traumatised nephew during an emotional press conference.

She said he no longer wants to be around his mother, and was staying with family friends.

Hes gone through a lot and I still feel that further actions need to be taken, she said.

Ms Sanchez-Rodriguez said he was not ready to share further details about what he had gone through.

Ms Santana meanwhile has reportedly fled the family home.
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On 29 June, Janie Santana was delivered news that any parent of a missing child yearns for. After what she says were eight long years of praying her son Rudy Farias was alive, Ms Santana got a much-anticipated call from the Houston Police Department informing her that he had been found.

Ms Santana claimed Rudy, now 25, was badly beaten and abused, but expressed relief at the prospect of finally holding her son in her arms after years of uncertainty.

However, what appeared to be a miracle outcome against the odds is now being questioned as allegations have emerged from Ms Santanas neighbours that her son was never missing.

The Houston Police Department confirmed that Rudy was never missing in a press conference on Thursday.

Accounts by Ms Santana tell of Rudys tragic past filled with loss, mental health struggles and challenges. But as questions mount over his fake disappearance for the last eight years, those who participated in the initial search for the then 17-year-old have been left wondering why.

Rudy was reported missing in 2015

According to the information featured on a Texas EquuSearch flyer distributed after he went missing, Rudy was last seen while walking his dogs near Tidwell and Park Avenue around 6.30pm on 6 March 2015.

He was wearing blue jeans, a black T-shirt, grey cotton gloves and brown shoes. The pets were eventually found safe but Rudy reportedly never returned home.

At the time of his disappearance, it was shared with the public that Rudy was diagnosed with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety and had likely stopped taking his medication. He had previously suffered an injury to his right leg and walked with a slight limp.

Rudy was usually wary around strangers and was not carrying his asthma inhaler with him.

A missing poster for Rudolph Rudy Farias IV. Mr Farias went missing on 6 March 2015 and was found over the weekend

Ms Santana told local news station KHOU in 2015 that she had been desperately looking for her son, and claimed that HPD had told her Rudy may have been abducted and sold for human trafficking. She did not show her face in that interview, alleging that she had been advised by law enforcement to be extra cautious.

He loves with all his heart, so thats why we know that he wouldnt just get up and leave on his own. Thats not him, Ms Santana told the outlet as she fought tears. Its a nightmare that you want to wake up from.

Authorities received a call in 2018 from a relative claiming they had spotted Rudy behind their home, but officers who responded to the scene did not find him.

A life of tragedy

According to Insider, Rudys father, Houston police officer Rudolph Farias III, died by suicide in 2014. He was a 21-year veteran and was facing an internal affairs investigation at the time of his death.

The EquuSearch flyer stated that Rudy had also attempted to take his own life in the past.

In addition to experiencing mental health problems, Rudy lost his brother to a motorcycle accident four years earlier in 2011, his mother told ABC.

Rudy lost his brother to a motorcycle accident four years earlier in 2011, his mother told ABC (GoFundMe)

An article published on FOX 26 Houston in 2012 reported that Rudy and his mother, described as marine mother and son, were facing homelessness.

Rudy Farias was unable to talk to us face to face today as hes lying in a hospital bed, the preview of the report, which has since been removed, read.

My son is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma

The news that Rudy had been found was first reported in a tweet on Saturday by the Texas Center for the Missing, which was handling public communications on behalf of his family. Ms Santana also said in a statement that her son was nonverbal and asked for privacy.

What we do know is at the time of his recovery, a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911. My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us, the statement read.

Houston Police confirmed they received a 911 call reporting an unconscious man outside the Immaculate Heart Church, according to ABC News.

When first responders arrived at the scene, they found a man later identified as Rudy, who according to his mother was visibly beaten, with bruises and cuts all over his body and dry blood on his head. Police contacted his family over the weekend to tell them he had been found alive.

Currently, we do not have any additional information on Rudys case. What we do know is ... a good Samaritan located him unresponsive and immediately called police and 911, Ms Santana said in a statement to local news station KHOU.

A picture was released apparently showing Rudy Farias recovering after his supposed rediscovery (Bella Ninos)

My son Rudy is receiving the care he needs to overcome his trauma, but at this time, he is nonverbal and not able to communicate with us.

We are asking for privacy during this difficult time but will share more details as Rudy continues to heal.

Ms Santana claimed that Rudy was found wearing a necklace that belonged to his late brother and kept squeezing it every time doctors or family members tried to talk to him.

She also said that he remained disorientated and would only say a few words before shutting down and going into a foetal position.

Rudy was never missing

Shortly after it was announced by police that Rudy was not missing, neighbours of Ms Santana told ABC News said they were never aware Rudy was considered missing because theyve often seen him in recent years.

He used to come in my garage, chill with my cousin, son, and daughter, Kisha Ross, who lives a few houses from Ms Santana, told ABC. That boy has never been missing ... Sometimes he would go to the park by himself.

Ms Rosss cousin Broderick Conley also told the network that he knew Rudy as Dolph, short for Rudolph, and spent laughing good times when they hung out together. However, Mr Conley and Ms Ross said they hadnt seen Rudy in recent years.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding Rudys disappearance and are trying to find out where he has been for the past eight years.

Our mission is to continue supporting our families whose loved ones go missing, Melissa Rangel, a spokesperson with the Texas Center for the Missing, told CNN. Rudy Farias has been missing for eight years and now has been located safe. We at Texas Center for the Missing continue to support our families through reunification and want to continue to support the families through the healing and the hope when their loved ones are missing.

But Texas Equusearch founder Tim Miller described the case as very strange.

Then Houston authorities revealed that Rudy was in fact never missing during a press conference on Thursday.

Rudy Farias mother is not facing charges for eight-year lie, police say

Police Chief Troy Finner said that over the eight years Rudy was considered missing, police interviewed Mr Farias and Ms Santana who both claimed he was her nephew and gave a false name.

After investigators talked with him yesterday, it was discovered that Rudy returned home the following day on March 8, 2015, Lieutenant Christopher Zamora, a detective with Houston Police Department (HPD)s missing persons unit, said.

Janie continued to deceive police by remaining adamant that Rudy was still missing. She alleged her nephew was the person friends and family [saw] coming and going.

Despite the lie, Mr Zamora said the district attorney declined to press charges against Ms Santana and Mr Farias for making false statements.

Mr Zamora also contradicted claims made by Houston activist and counsellor Quanell X, who alleged that Mr Farias had suffered sexual and physical abuse during the past eight years.

We do take all allegations seriously and any new information or facts that we receive will be investigated, Mr Zamora said.

Police said they would not release any information about the possible sexual abuse of a victim, and declined to comment whether mental health had been a factor in the long-running saga. They did not discuss a possible motive for the eight-year deception.

Over the weekend Quanell X doubled down on his claims, telling The Independent: I believe that Rudy is absolutely a victim.

Speaking of his demeanour in a police interview that he also attended, he added: The kid was distraught ... absolutely distraught. He went back and forth; he acted like a teenager, then he would act 20...is he 23 or 25? He went back and forth between like a child state to a mature state.

Its all confusing as hell to me now, he said. I think theyre revictimising the kid all over again. I believe he needs extensive medical, psychological help and treatment.

Why would his mother lie about his disappearance?

While police have said Ms Santana was lying about the disappearance of her son, they have not put forward an explanation of why she might have done such a thing.

However, a private investigator who tried to track down Rudy said she believed Ms Santana may be suffering from a condition such as Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

Brenda Paradise told The Independent that she wasnt surprised when he turned out to have been with his mother all along. She said she became suspicious about the mother from the beginning of the case. When she started asking difficult questions that Ms Santana didnt like, she said they lost contact. Ms Paradise also said she believed Ms Santana was hoping to collect donations from the public.

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 US, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. 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.
 Close Rudy Farias mother is not facing charges for eight-year lie, police say

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Rudy Farias mother once claimed that her son had been kidnapped by human traffickers while she was actually hiding him in her own home, according to a private investigator.

Brenda Paradise told The Independent she devoted hundreds of hours to finding Mr Farias but grew suspicious of his mother Janie Santana.

Ms Paradise said that Ms Santana repeatedly asked for money on her Facebook pages to help track her missing son down.

Once, she asked for money to pay a ransom to a suspected human trafficker in Tijuana, Mexico, who she falsely claimed had kidnapped Mr Farias. She even went to a morgue to identify a deceased body, Ms Paradise said.

Mr Farias made headlines last week when Ms Santana announced that the now-25-year-old had been found eight years after she reported him missing in 2015.

Houston police later confirmed that he was never missing and had been living at home with his mother the whole time.

Community activist Quanell X later claimed Mr Farias had alleged alarming abuse by his mother. After his claims were refuted by police, he doubled down in an interview with The Independent. Ms Santana has not been charged.
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At first glance, it appeared to be a happy ending where a family was reunited and a mothers years of agony searching for her missing child finally came to an end.

But, it quickly became apparent that things werent what they seemed.

Rudy Farias remarkable return eight years after his mother Janie Santana filed a missing persons report turned out to be nothing but a scam.

It was 7 March 2015 when Janie Santana reported her then-17-year-old son missing, claiming he vanished while taking his two dogs for a walk near their home in northeast Houston.

His face was plastered across billboards in the city.

Private investigators spent hours trying to track him down.

Kind strangers donated thousands to a GoFundMe to help his desperate mother.

Then suddenly, on 29 June 2023, Ms Santana announced that her son, now 25, had been found alive but battered and bruised outside a church in Houston.

Following an interview with investigators, community activist Quanell X said that the now-25-year-old has claimed he was held by his mother in her home where she physically and sexually abused him for the duration of his alleged disappearance.

On Thursday, Houston Police confirmed in a press conference that Mr Farias had in fact returned home on 8 March 2015  just one day after he went missing in 2015.

Missing persons report for Rudy Farias (Texas Missing Persons)

However, they denied the claims of abuse and revealed there are no intentions to bring charges against his mother.

The police briefing  not to mention the weeks events  resulted in more questions than answers as the case takes bizarre twists one after the next.

What exactly happened to Mr Farias over the past eight years, why his mother sought to deceive authorities and how she seemingly succeeded for all this time continue to be something of a mystery.

Here, The Independent seeks to unpack some of the many unanswered questions in the case:

Why did his mother continue to claim he was missing for eight years?

One of the biggest questions surrounding the case is why Mr Farias mother continued to claim he was missing for eight years  when he had actually returned home just one day after he disappeared.

A possible motive has emerged in the fact that Ms Santana profited financially from the false claims of her sons disappearance.

On 22 March 2015  around two weeks after he was reported missing  a GoFundMe was launched to help track down the missing teenager.

It has been over a month and Rudy is still Missing, it read.

Please help us find RUDY FARIAS IV! Rudy went out to walk his 2 puppies on March 6th 2015 and has not been seen nor heard from since then ! Rudys 2 puppies WERE FOUND but not Rudy! He suffers from both physical and mental disabilities, so we need to get him home ASAP!... We are asking for donations to be able to offer a reward for Information leading us TO Rudy as well as medical expenses for Rudy since he has been missing since March 6th,and each day that passes...means his health is deteriorating gravelly.

Rudys mother is a single parent who has already lost her eldest son in 2011 and Rudys father in 2014 !!! She needs financial assistance since she is unable to work understandably so with her son missing! The bills are pilling up and Rudys mothers health has also deteriorated as she is devestated ....mentally...physically and emotionally utterly exhausted!!

Please dig deep into your hearts and put yourselves in Rudys mother place... she cannot do this Alone! Give what you can and know that God will bless you and all that you do for her! We Believe that Rudy IS STILL ALIVE AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT! God Bless you and know that All monies Will be used accordingly towards the REWARD and the needs of the Search.

Several people dug deep and donated a total of $2,025 to the fundraiser, titled Donate to Help Find Rudy Farias IV, in the hopes it would help to bring Mr Farias home. The funds all went to Ms Santana who profited from the claim.

Police give update on Rudy Farias case (AP)

Yet, while she may have reaped some financial benefit from the scam, no donations have been made to the GoFundMe since 2015  raising questions as to whether or not this may have been a solid motive.

During Thursdays press conference, Houston police were asked whether mental illness could have perhaps played a part in what transpired.

Police declined to comment on that possibility, saying they are not going to go into that now but that the investigation is continuing.

Why are Houston Police and community leader Quanell X giving contradictory accounts of what happened to Rudy in the 8-year period?

While it is now clear that the disappearance was a fraud, what remains unclear is what Mr Farias did and what he may have suffered during the mysterious eight-year time gap.

On Wednesday, Mr Farias was interviewed by Houston Police investigators.

Following the meeting, he was led out of the building by community activist Quanell X.

Quanell X told reporters that the 25-year-old claimed he had suffered physical and sexual abuse at the hands of his mother over the past eight years.

I heard horrific things from that young man, and I didnt want him to see me shedding tears but I couldnt hold [them] back, Quanell X told reporters. No child should ever be treated like that by their own mother.

He claimed Mr Farias said Ms Santana abused him, forced him to take hallucinogenic mushrooms and kept him hidden in his home all the while continuing to claim he was missing.

But, his version of events was contradicted by Houston police on Thursday who said that Mr Farias did not tell investigators he had been abused.

Lieutenant Christopher Zamora, a detective with Houston Police Department (HPD)s missing persons unit, said that we do take all allegations seriously and any new information or facts that we receive will be investigated.

But Quanell X doubled down on the abuse claims in an interview with The Independent.

Community activist Quanell X leads Rudy Farias out of a police meeting on Wednesday (ABC13)

I believe that Rudy is absolutely a victim, he said after the briefing.

The kid was distraught ... absolutely distraught, Quanell X said of Mr Farias demeanour in the police interview. He went back and forth; he acted like a teenager, then he would act 20...is he 23 or 25? He went back and forth between like a child state to a mature state.

Quanell X went on to accuse police of trying to hide from conducting a shady sham investigation.

Its all confusing as hell to me now, he said. I think theyre revictimising the kid all over again. I believe he needs extensive medical, psychological help and treatment.

How did police not find the missing teen if he was at home all these years?

Neighbours and family members have both come forward to say that they knew Mr Farias was not missing.

Houston Police have admitted that they had multiple interactions with both the 25-year-old and his mother during the time he was allegedly missing.

And yet police failed to uncover the deception for eight years.

In a press conference on Thursday, Houston Police said that they had many tips and leads over the years about the missing persons case  including lines of inquiry that he was not in fact missing at all.

Police said that they followed up on those leads and gathered statements from friends, relatives and neighbours.

Mr Farias also had multiple interactions with Houston Police over the eight years  but both he and Ms Santana gave different names to officers, police said.

Ms Santana even claimed that the man was her nephew  and not her son, police said.

She remained adamant that her son Rudy was still missing.

It remains unclear what steps police took  during those encounters  to determine whether or not the man before them was who he said he was. It also remains unclear what the nature of those police interactions were, with Houston Police yet to release records in the case.

Janie Santana, the mother of Rudy Farias (Twitter / KPRC 2 Corley Peel)

Neighbours have also said that they were surprised to learn that he was regarded as a missing person  revealing that they hung out with Mr Farias over the years, and knew him as Dolph.

Authorities have failed to explain how they didnt discover Mr Farias was not missing and close the missing person investigation.

Why is Rudys mother not facing criminal charges?

Despite police now saying they know that the eight-year disappearance was nothing but a fraud, Ms Santana is not currently facing any criminal charges.

In Thursdays press conference, Lt Zamora said the district attorney had declined to bring any charges in the case at this time.

Being missing is not a crime, Lt Zamora said, insisting that  under Texas law  Mr Farias was classed as an adult when he went missing.

When pressed that making fictitious reports to police was a crime, authorities stood by the integrity of the investigation and said that it is ongoing.
 Close Titan submersible wreckage brought ashore after fatal implosion

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OceanGate Expeditions, the company that launched the doomed Titan submersible trip to the wreckage of the Titanic, has ceased operations.

A small message in the top-left corner of OceanGates website reads: OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations.

The announcement comes a full two weeks after the submersible imploded while carrying five people, sparking an international search, rescue and recovery operation.

OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, French diver Paul-Henri Nargeolet, British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood and his teenage son Suleman Dawood all died in the implosion.

The company has come under scrutiny in the weeks following the tragic accident as former employees, former passengers and experts in the industry have criticised OceanGate for embarking on a potentially dangerous trip in the questionably designed submersible.

OceanGates decision to cease operations comes just after the companys former finance director claimed she quit after CEO Stockton Rush asked her to captain the Titan once he fired the crafts original chief pilot David Lochridge.
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Seven weeks before the premiere debate of the 2024 GOP primary, anxiety is building that the event could prove messy and divisive for the party.

Some candidates, like former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, are struggling to meet fundraising and polling requirements to make it on stage. He and others are pushing back on a loyalty pledge the Republican Party is insisting candidates sign to participate. And the race's frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, is considering boycotting and holding a competing event instead.

That's turning what is typically the highly anticipated opener of the election season into a source of uncertainty for the candidates and broader party. The frustration is particularly acute for candidates who hoped to use the forum as a powerful opportunity to confront Trump and try to blunt his momentum.

If the outcome of all of these machinations is a very limited field and no Trump in the first debate, it's hard to see how that can be successful," Hutchinson said in an interview. Still, he said he was confident he will make it to the stage, even though he said he has only received contributions from over" 5,000 donors.

We're not there yet. We've got a ways to go. And we fully intend to get there," he said.

The Republican National Committee has said that, in order to participate in the Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee, candidates must have received contributions from at least 40,000 individual donors, with at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states. They also must earn at least 1% in three high-quality national polls, or a mix of national and early-state polls, between July 1 and August 21.

Candidates will also have to sign a pledge agreeing to support the eventual party nominee, according to an RNC press release, and one agreeing not to participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debate for the remainder of the election cycle.

Our criteria is very clear, we are ensuring quality polls are used to determine which candidates make the debate stage and we are confident that there will be enough polls for our candidates to qualify, said RNC spokeswoman Emma Vaughn.

The candidates who say they have qualified so far include Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Some lesser-known candidates, such as conservative radio host Larry Elder, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, appear unlikely to make the cutoffs.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who launched his campaign on June 7, has not yet released a tally of donors, but his campaign said it had raised well into five digits" in the weeks since his announcement.

Getting in late made it more difficult, but were confident well get there, said Pence spokesman Devin OMalley.

As part of that effort, the campaign focused on direct mail, aided by the list it has rented from Pences nonprofit, Advancing American Freedom. That group had well over 40,000 donors, and Pence aides are hopeful those donors will also give to the former vice presidents campaign.

He's also been holding a series of fundraisers, including one in Boston next week that will be hosted by top Massachusetts Republican donor Bob Reynolds, the CEO of Putnam Investments.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has also expressed confidence he will hit the benchmarks, has pitched himself as the candidate most qualified to directly take on Trump onstage. While Trump's threats to boycott have complicated that argument, Christie's campaign has nonetheless urged donors to give even $1 to help him qualify.

Anthony Scaramucci, the financier who served briefly as Trump's White House communications director and is now supporting Christie, recently encouraged even those who have no intention of voting for the former New Jersey governor to nonetheless chip in.

Whether youre a Republican or Democrat, whether you would vote for Chris or wouldnt vote for Chris, we need someone onstage to tell the truth and put a stop to this nonsense, he said during a recent podcast interview with the candidate.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has urged his followers to do the same. Smith told The Associated Press that he's not endorsing any candidate but feels it is imperative to have Christie onstage for several reasons.

"Christies presence will force both Trump and DeSantis to defend their positions in ways others may be unable to pull off, he said in an email, adding that watching Christie tussle with the likes of Trump and DeSantis would be must-see TV, in my opinion.

At the same time, Christie has criticized Trump for threatening to boycott.

He should show up because he owes it to the Republican Party and the voters of the Republican Party to stand up and defend his record, he said on CNN Thursday, urging viewers to visit his website, donate to me, make sure Im on that stage, because, if I am, I will raise those issues right to the presidents face.

Trump, according to campaign officials, has yet to make a final decision on his plans. But he has indicated both publicly and privately that he is not inclined to participate, and aides have been considering options for an alternative event.

DeSantis said Thursday night that he planned to participate in the debate regardless of Trump's decision.

I hope everybody who's eligible comes. I think it's an important part of the process and I look forward to being able to be on the stage," he said in an interview with Fox News.

This wouldn't be the first time Trump has skipped a major GOP debate. During his 2016 campaign, Trump boycotted the final GOP gathering before the Iowa caucuses and instead held his own campaign event, a flashy telethon-style gathering in Iowa that was billed as a fundraiser for veterans. While the event earned him headlines and drew attention away from his rivals, Trump went on to lose the Iowa caucuses to Ted Cruz  a loss some supporters blamed on his debate decision.

In 2020, Trump pulled out of the second general election debate against Joe Biden after the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates sought to make it virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump had recently tested positive for COVID-19, but said he would only debate onstage.

Lower-polling candidates during the crowded Democratic primary voiced similar frustrations about the debate process in 2019. But this year's GOP drama is unique in part because the party is requiring that candidates promise to support the eventual nominee, which has given pause to Trump's fiercest critics.

The RNC has so far declined to release the actual language of the pledge it intends to make candidates sign. It is expected to be similar to 2016, when candidates had to affirm that, if they did not win the nomination, they would endorse the 2016 Republican presidential nominee regardless of who it is" and not run as an independent or accept the nomination of any other party.

So far, only former Texas Rep. Will Hurd has said definitely that he will not sign the pledge because he refuses to support Trump if he becomes the eventual nominee.

Hutchinson, who said he wants to wait to see the pledge's exact language, said he believes that everyone running should have the chance to appear.

The first debate particularly should be an open affair where the candidates should be showcased, he said.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has repeatedly defended the criteria, which came after so many candidates ran in 2016 that debates had to be split in half  with lower-polling candidates participating in an earlier forum.

Not everybody deserves to be on that debate stage, she said in a recent interview on Newsmax.

___

Associated Press reporters Michelle L. Price in New York, Sara Burnett in Chicago and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina contributed.
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Former President Donald Trump plans Friday to headline his largest Iowa campaign event in nearly four months with a speech to thousands at an arena in the western part of the state.

Trump will use his appearance in Council Bluffs on Friday afternoon to attack his top GOP rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for opposing the federal mandate for ethanol, a renewable fuel additive that Iowa leads the nation in producing.

DeSantis has problematic policy positions that hurt farmers and demonize ethanol, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Associated Press ahead of Trumps visit. President Trump plans to highlight that.

The large Republican presidential field has spent a lot of time over the last few months in Iowa, the leadoff GOP caucus state. In June, more than a half dozen candidates, including DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, attended Sen. Joni Ernst's annual Roast and Ride fundraiser that kicked off a busy summer campaign season.

Trump campaigned in the Des Moines area last month, meeting with GOP state lawmakers, influential conservative pastors, campaign volunteers and a suburban Republican breakfast club. That visit came about a week before he was indicted on federal charges stemming from classified records he kept at his Florida home.

Before Friday, his last large event in Iowa was in March, when he spoke to more than 1,500 people at a theater in Davenport and also went after DeSantis on ethanol. He was due to hold an outdoor event in May in Des Moines with about 5,000 attendees expected, but his campaign called it off because of bad weather.

Although caucus campaigns have become more focused on national party priorities over the past two decades, some candidates have continued to portray support for ethanol  specifically the federal mandate that the nation's fuel supply contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels  as a litmus test in Iowa.

As a congressman from Florida, DeSantis co-sponsored a bill in 2017 that would have immediately ended the renewable fuel standard, a position consistent with fiscal conservatives who see such mandates as government overreach.

As a candidate, Trump has promoted the executive order he signed as president increasing the retail sale of fuel containing 15% ethanol.

Recent history, however, suggests a lack of support for ethanol may not be disqualifying. In 2016, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who opposes the mandate, won Iowa's Republican caucuses, handing Trump an early defeat in his ultimately successful White House campaign.
 Close Trump shares threatening fan-made video

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Donald Trump will face trial for the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case on 20 May 2024, just six months before the presidential election. Judge Aileen Cannon gave the order on Friday morning.

Meanwhile, the former president has been busy bullying his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination, including Ron DeSantis, Chris Christie and Asa Hutchinson, on Truth Social as he braces for an imminent grand jury indictment over his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his role in inciting the Capitol riot of 6 January 2021.

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 the investigation, citing 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.

That indictment, Mr Trumps third in four months, could be handed down as soon as this week, The Independent has learned.
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A judge allowed for Donald Trumps former lawyer Michael Cohen to introduce one of the former presidents sons as a witness in his case against the Trump Organization, according to his attorneys.

Mr Cohens team had asked to use testimony from Donald Trump Jr in his case, as he served as a Trump Organization executive vice president.

We would like to introduce testimony about what Mr Trump Jr. paid his lawyers in the exact same matters, said Mr Cohens attorney, Hunter Winstead.

Jury selection will begin on 17 July, Mr Winstead told reporters.

It has taken four years to get to where we are at, Mr Cohen said. All I can say is Im looking forward to the trial because Im looking forward to accountability.

Cohen sued the Trump Organization in 2019, as he wants the company to pay his legal fees  a whopping $2.3m  for Mr Cohens role as a personal lawyer to the former president during numerous investigations.

These investigations include the criminal case against him over hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, his role in Special Counsel Robert Muellers investigation, the New York Attorney General investigation into the Trump Organizations finances, and multiple Congressional investigations into Trump.

The Trump Organization was found guilty of tax fraud in December 2022.

Michael Cohen, former attorney for former US president Donald Trump, arrives at the New York Courthouse in March 2023 (REUTERS)

On Thursday, Trump was handed other bad news: a federal judge ruled he can be deposed in the lawsuit against the Department of Justice by ex-FBI agent Peter Strzok.

While to the extent the individuals deposed to date recalled the events in question, their testimony did not advance plaintiffs theory that the former President was involved in the decision making at issue in this case, the fact remains that the former President himself has publicly boasted of his involvement, Judge Amy Berman Jackson wrote.

The former president faces a number of ongoing lawsuits  including a $500m suit against Mr Cohen, accusing him of breaching his contract as his personal attorney.

Mr Trump was also indicted on federal charges in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case last month, indicted by New York state for falsifying business records to Stormy Daniels, and indictment decisions in Fulton County, Georgia loom in the election interference case.

He was found liable of sexual abuse in the case brought by former Elle columnist E Jean Carroll. A federal investigation is also looking into the events leading up to the 2020 election, which appear to include Mr Trumps attempts to cling onto power.
4 killed in poll-related violence in India's West Bengal

Xinhua) 16:50, July 07, 2023

NEW DELHI, July 7 (Xinhua) -- In the run-up to rural body elections, locally called panchayat polls, in India's eastern state of West Bengal, at least four people were killed in poll-related violence, officials said Friday.

The deaths took place on Thursday in four districts, namely South 24-Parganas, Birbhum, South Dinajpur and Murshidabad.

All four victims were said to be political workers. While three were allegedly killed by their suspected rivals, the fourth lost his life apparently while making bombs.

The killings came two days ahead of rural body elections that were scheduled to be held in the state on Saturday.

According to police, the fourth death occurred at Bhabta Maheshpur in Murshidabad, where police recovered the body of Kamal Sheikh, a Congress supporter.

Police said Sheikh was killed in a blast when he was allegedly making bombs. Police have recovered some bomb-making material from the spot.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
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A trans woman who appears to be the first person targeted by a recently enacted Montana law that explicitly bans drag in libraries is among a group of LGBT+ advocates suing the state to overturn the law, which includes the nations first outright ban on drag story hours.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs called the legislation a Frankensteins monster and a calculated attack on LGBT+ people that overshoots this sinister mark and threatens teachers, artists, small businesses, and cultural and scientific institutions with criminal and professional sanctions.

The challengers include a public school teacher who uses colorful costumes in her lessons and a nonprofit group that advocates for LGBT+ people and drag performances. Several community centres, a brewery and a fitness studio also have joined the federal lawsuit filed in US District Court on 6 July, all alleging that the law unconstitutionally targets personal, artistic and political expression and speech.

The filing calls the Montana law  which went into immediate effect with Republican Governor Greg Gianfortes signature on 22 May  a breathtakingly ambiguous and overbroad bill, motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ animus.

Adria Jawort, a Billings-based author who has written extensively about the states LGBT+ history and far-right extremism, was a scheduled guest speaker on the subject at the Butte Public Library last month. But a county attorney recommended that the library cancel her appearance, citing House Bill 359.

Her lecture was canceled because she is transgender, because she wears makeup, and/or because she intended to speak about LGBTQ+ issues, according to the lawsuit. No matter what combination of potential factors led to the cancellation, the cancellation violated her constitutional rights to free speech and equal protection.

This is exactly what my fear of these unconstitutional bills motivated by bigotry would do: be used to target transgender and gender nonconforming people, Ms Jawort toldThe Independent earlier this year. Now here we are with me being silenced as predicted.

Following the laws passage, venues and performances have canceled drag performances out of fear of liability under the law, which could impose penalties of up $5,000, according to the Imperial Sovereign Court of the State of Montana, a statewide LGBT+ advocacy group and drag performance organisation.

Rachel Corcoran, a Montana educator who uses costumes to teach special education students in Billings would be considered a drag queen or drag king participating in drag story hour under the law, according to the lawsuit.

The legislature was so worked up about the perceived threat of drag story hours that it didnt consider the collateral damage, Ms Corcoran said in a statement shared with The Independent. Now I can be prosecuted and lose my teaching certificate for showing creativity in the classroom.

The Independent has requested comment from the office of Montanas attorney general, who is named as a defendant in the complaint.

Adria Jawort, pictured in 2021, is among plaintiffs challenging Montanas broadly written law targeting drag performers in the state. (AP)

The lawsuit follows several federal court orders striking down similar laws in other states.

In Tennessee, a federal judge temporarily blocked a measure that restricts public drag performances, arguing that the law likely violates the First Amendment rights of performers.

A similar measure was blocked by a federal judge in Florida, similarly citing likely First Amendment violations.

Those federal court victories for LGBT+ advocates follow a wave of legislation  parallel to growing threats  specifically aimed at drag performers and the venues that host them.

Hundreds of bills aimed at LGBT+ people, particularly young trans people, have been filed in nearly every state within the last several years. Within the first five months of 2023 alone, state lawmakers had introduced more than 500 bills impacting LGBT+ people, including 220 bills specifically restricting the rights of trans and nonbinary Americans, according to an analysis from the Human Rights Campaign.

From June 2022 to May 2023, protests and threats of violence against drag performers accelerated across the US, according to a recent report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue.

Such threats have been carried not only by neo-fascist gangs like the Proud Boys, whose members have repeatedly sought to shut down drag events across the country, but also a constellation of disparate far-right groups united against LGBT+ people and events, the report found.

The report discovered 203 on- and offline threatening incidents within the last year, nearly half of which targeted drag queen story hours in libraries and bookstores. Other incidents targeted drag shows, drag brunches and drag bingo games.

Proud Boys chapters targeted 60 such events, with more than half resulting in physical and verbal clashes, the report found.
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California Gov Gavin Newsom has called on the Department of Justice to investigate Floridas transportation of migrants from Texas to Marthas Vineyard last year.

Mr Newsom, a Democrat and regular antagonist of Gov Ron DeSantis (R-FL), sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland calling on the DOJ to investigate the transportation of migrants that Mr DeSantis touted ahead of his re-election campaign.

It is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations, Mr Newsom wrote in his letter on Thursday.

Mr DeSantis arranged the transportation of migrants to Marthas Vineyard, where many Democratic elites vacation, as a way to criticise President Joe Bidens immigration policies. Mr DeSantis later won re-election by double digits in Florida as he prepared to seek the Republican nomination for president.

The governor of Florida said that the migrants travelled on their own volition. But Mr Newsom noted in his letter that a Bexar County Sheriffs office investigation found that the migrants were "induced to accept free travel based on false representations and that they were told they would be transported from San Antonio to Massachusetts and receive housing, education and employment.

Although separate investigations into potential violations of state laws remain active, the U.S. Department of Justice has a unique capability to investigate cases where, as here, the scheme stretches from Massachusetts to California and touches upon no fewer than five states, Mr Newsom said.

Mr Newsom has become one of the Democratic Partys most aggressive surrogates. Despite winning re-election last year, he passed on running for president, choosing to heavily campaign for Mr Biden.

In addition, hes often enjoyed attacking Mr DeSantis, releasing an ad in Florida last year criticising Mr DeSantis for policies he said restricted freedom. Last month, he appeared on Fox News host Sean Hannitys show. He also created an account on former president Donald Trumps networking platform Truth Social.
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Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of the Houses most vocal conservative culture warriors, is now feeling the sting of the far-rights backlash after a perceived betrayal on her part.

The Georgia congresswoman and ally of Donald Trump was booted out of the right-wing House Freedom Caucus last month, a member told Politico on Thursday, as a rift grows between her and some of the most conservative members of her party.

At issue are two instances  Ms Greenes vote to support a debt ceiling deal reached between House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the White House, which conservatives complained was insufficient in its cuts of federal programs, and her recent spat with Rep Lauren Boebert, another member of the caucus.

The Colorado-hailing Ms Boebert recently revealed to reporters that Ms Greene had called her a little b**** during a dispute in a bathroom off of the House floor amid their growing dispute this spring  a confrontation that was the main reason cited by Rep Andy Harris in his explanation to Politico on Thursday.

A vote was taken to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Freedom Caucus for some of the things shes done, Mr Harris said, adding: I think the way she referred to a fellow member was probably not the way we expect our members to refer to other fellow, especially female, members,

He added that all of that mattered, referring to the debt ceiling vote as well, but reiterated: I think the straw that broke the camel's back was publicly saying things about another member in terms that no one should.

Mr Harris noted, however, that Ms Boebert herself had voted against the removal of her colleague.

Its an embarrassing blow for Ms Greene, and further pushes her away from the mechanisms of power in the lower chamber. She had previously, as noted by liberal Twitter account PatriotTakes, lavished the caucus with praise and stated that it was the only ideological group in the House she was interested in being a part of.

She has tried to foster a burgeoning relationship and possible alliance with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in recent months, but how politically helpful that will be in her deep-red district, where loyalty to the party establishment is often seen as a negative factor, remains to be seen.
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Tennessee Republican Congressman Tim Burchett claimed that the US government has been withholding evidence of UFOs.

Rep Burchett told the Washington Examiner the government has been holding stuff back since Roswell in 47, and maybe prior to that. He added that he was concerned that we have something that we do not control in our military airspace.

His remarks follow claims from former US intelligence officer David Charles Grusch, who served on the Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force, which was established by the Department of Defense to improve its understanding of, and gain insight into, the nature and origins of UAPs. UAPs are the new term for UFOs.

Tim Burchett (Fox News)

Mr Grusch filed a complaint saying the government was keeping classified information regarding the existence of non-human life from Congress. He told The Debrief in June that the withheld material includes intact and partially intact vehicles.

I think hes telling the truth. I think theres a lot thats going to be out there, Rep Burchett said.

I think the interesting thing youre going to find out, though, is the Pentagon and all of our research institutions, you see them kind of warming up to it. And the reason they are is theyre smelling dollars. And I think therell be an effort to discredit him, the Tennessee Republican said.

There are enough witnesses, enough qualified pilots, astronauts, literally heroes of ours, who have come forward about things and so I think its pretty evident that government is covering up, he continued.

And the reason we dont have any of that information now is a lot of it is so compartmentalised that the people that could connect the dots are long gone, the Tennessee lawmaker said.

Suspicions about a government cover-up of UFOs goes back decades, including this march in Washington DC in 1995 (AFP via Getty Images)

When asked why the government would be hiding this evidence, Rep Burchett replied: Greed and power.

He also added that he doesnt believe the alleged vehicles are from a US adversary, as We know if it was the Chinese, they would own us  And if it was Russia, Putin, with his ego, he would  he sure wouldnt be stumbling in Ukraine right now.

Rep Burchett said on the Event Horizon podcast earlier this week that the alleged vehicle can travel light years or at the speeds that weve seen defy physics as we know it.

On 29 June, Rep Burchett filed an amendment requiring the Department of Defense to declassify any documents and other records ... relating to publicly known sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena.
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A disciplinary committee in Washington DC has recommended Rudy Giuliani be disbarred in the nations capital for his spurious efforts to overturn the results for the 2020 presidential election on behalf of Donald Trump.

Mr Giuliani had no factual basis, and consequently no legitimate legal grounds to challenge the results of the election in states that Mr Trump lost, while his frivolous pursuit to undermine the outcome and disenfranchise voters seriously undermined the administration of justice, according to the committees report.

He claimed massive election fraud but had no evidence of it, the committee wrote on 7 July. By prosecuting that destructive case Mr Giuliani, a sworn officer of the Court, forfeited his right to practice law. He should be disbarred.

The preliminary report from a committee with the DC Bar Association, which follows a misconduct hearing in December, is not final; his case will be considered by DCs Board on Professional Responsibility and by the DC court of appeals.

Mr Giuliani  who repeatedly and baselessly asserted that the election was fraudulent while pushing lawsuits to subvert the outcome in states that Mr Trump lost  is facing other professional sanctions, investigations and lawsuits tied to his efforts to overturn election results and sow doubt about the outcome of the 2020 election.

The latest report specifically criticises Mr Giulianis calculated attempts to undermine trust in US elections, after he falsely stated in a federal court in Pennsylvania that fraudulent election results in the state would overturn Joe Bidens victory.

Mr Giuliani has not acknowledged or accepted responsibility for his misconduct, the committee wrote. To the contrary, he has declared his indignation ... over being subjected to the disciplinary process. ... We are convinced that a sanction must be enhanced to ensure that it adequately deters both [Mr Giuliani] and other attorneys from acting similarly in the future.

The committee, composed of two attorneys and a member of the public, which unanimously recommended his disbarment, considered in mitigation Mr Giulianis previous work  including his terms as mayor of New York City, including during the chaos of the September 11 attacks and their aftermath.

But all of that happened long ago, the report stated.

The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments. It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done, the committee added. For these reasons, we unanimously recommend that Mr Giuliani be disbarred.

Ted Goodman, a spokesperson for Mr Giuliani, said in a statement shared with The Independent that the committee is persecuting the former mayor on behalf of the permanent corrupt regime in Washington.

This is also part of a larger effort to deny President Trump effective counsel by persecuting Mayor Giuliani  objectively one of the most effective prosecutors in American history, he added. I call on rank-and-file members of the DC Bar Association to speak up in defense of Mayor Giuliani and against this great injustice.

Recommended The Trumpworld attorneys facing professional sanctions over spurious lawsuits and election lies

Mr Giulianis law license was suspended in New York in 2021 for demonstrably false and misleading statements surrounding the election.

Voting machine company Dominion Voting Systems also filed defamation lawsuits against Mr Giuliani as well as Trump-allied attorney Sidney Powell, conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell and Fox News for amplifying false claims that the company argues have severely damaged its reputation, compromised integrity in US elections and fuelled harassment and death threats against its employees.

Mr Giuliani also is wrapped up in a lawsuit filed by Georgia election workers who have accused right-wing conspiracy theorists of fuelling threats against them.

The former mayor of New York City also could face federal charges connected to a sprawling investigation under US Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith into the dubious and far-reaching efforts to undermine election results leading up to the attack on the US Capitol on January 6.

Mr Giuliani reportedly participated in a voluntary interview with prosecutors working under the supervision of Mr Smith, a meeting that Mr Goodman told The Independent last month was entirely voluntary and conducted in a professional manner, though he declined to elaborate on the current status of Mr Giulianis discussions with the Justice Department.
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A District of Columbia federal judge on Thursday said former president Donald Trump can be made to give evidence in a deposition as part of a lawsuit against the Department of Justice by ex-FBI agent Peter Strzok.

Mr Strzok, who served as the deputy assistant director of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division and supervised parts of the probe into Russias interference in the 2016 election, filed a lawsuit against the department in August 2019, a year after he was fired from his position following what he described as unrelenting pressure from President Trump and his political allies in Congress and the media including constant tweets and other disparaging statements by the President, as well as direct appeals from the President to then- Attorney General Jefferson Sessions and FBI Director Christopher Wray to have him terminated.

While the government has said Mr Trumps public statements had no bearing on the decision, Mr Strzok had sought to depose the ex-president as part of the discovery process.

Although the Justice Department had sought to block Mr Trump from giving evidence on the grounds that other witnesses have already testified about the decision to fire the ex-FBI agent, Judge Amy Berman Jackson rejected the governments arguments in a short order posted to the courts public docket on Thursday.

While to the extent the individuals deposed to date recalled the events in question, their testimony did not advance plaintiffs theory that the former President was involved in the decision making at issue in this case, the fact remains that the former President himself has publicly boasted of his involvement, she wrote.

Judge Jackson also noted that Mr Trumps penchant for filing other civil lawsuits casts doubt on any claim that he is unavailable to testify.

Given the limited nature of the deposition that has been ordered, and the fact that the former Presidents schedule appears to be able to accommodate other civil litigation that he has initiated, she said.

The government has previously settled a separate wrongful termination lawsuit from Andrew McCabe, the former FBI deputy director who Mr Trump ordered to be terminated just hours before his retirement so as to deny him his government pension.

The government agreed to correct its records so Mr McCabe would be considered to have retired from the FBI with all the benefits and privileges afforded to bureau retirees.
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Washington DC is violating a landmark federal disability rights law by sending armed police officers to respond to mental health crises, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court by the ACLU of Washington on Thursday.

The lawsuit accuses the city of going against the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to send qualified mental health professionals to such cases, and by underfunding a programme to divert certain 911 calls to mental health experts and peer support specialists.

Someone who calls 911 for a physical health emergency gets trained medical providers who can treat and stabilize them. But someone who calls 911 for a mental health emergency gets a police officer with handcuffs and a gun, Susan Mizner, director of the ACLUs Disability Rights Program, said in a statement. More than just illogical and dangerous, D.C.s emergency response system fails to provide the same level of care for people in mental health crises as for people in physical health crises. This is precisely the type of unequal treatment our disability rights laws are designed to protect against.

A Washington DC police car (Getty Images)

The Independent has contacted the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) for comment.

The lawsuit, on behalf of Bread for the City, a nonprofit that serves low-income and unhoused people, alleges that Washington officials only sent the citys mental health Community Response Team (CRT) in about one per cent of mental health emergencies, whereas EMTs and paramedics were sent to respond to 90 per cent physical health emergencies.

The suit also alleges that the city has underfunded the CRT programme, introduced in 2021, to the point where calls to it are rarely answered.

Officers in the MPD receive far less training on handling mental health than EMTs do on responding to physical health crises, the suit alleges.

Last year, DC city councilmember Janeese Lewis George testified about a constituent who called the CRT programme, only to have both CRT and MPD personnel arrive on scene, where the police later shot the individual in crisis, The Appeal reports.

The Minneapolis Police Department discriminated against people with behavioural disabilities by sending armed police officers, the Department of Justice found after it investigated the force.

According to the American Psychological Association, nearly 20 per cent of all calls to law enforcement involve mental health. A similar proportion of police shootings involve mental health crises, according to a Washington Post database.

Following the 2020 racial justice uprisings, many US cities began experimenting with mental health first responder programmes.

Cities like Eugene, Oregon, which has had such a programme for three decades, pioneered the model.

Eugenes CAHOOTS programme, which pairs a crisis worker with a medic to respond to mental health calls, receives an estimated 17,700 calls a year, about 17 per cent of the overall 911 calls, saving the city an estimated $22.5m in public safety and emergency medical costs.
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One of Australia's major news outlets issued an apology following a backlash over its racist depiction of the Indigenous people in a full-page advertisement in its daily newspaper.

The advertisement in the Australian Financial Review shows independent member of parliament (MP) Kate Chaney sitting on the knee of her father, Wesfarmers chair Michael Chaney, while he hands money to Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo.

Wesfarmers, which owns the Bunnings hardware chain, has donated funds in support of the Indigenous referendum, which has received backing from several other corporates.

The ad was captioned Dont worry sweetheart, its just shareholders money while describing Mr Mayo as a radical activist.

Australians will cast their ballots in a referendum later this year on whether they support altering the constitution to include a "Voice to Parliament"  a committee to advise the House on matters that affect the lives of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people.

A successful referendum would finally give constitutional recognition to the country's Indigenous people, who track below national averages on most socio-economic measures.

The ad was authorised by Advance, the group behind Fair Australia, which has been lobbying against the referendum.

Ms Chaney on Thursday said it was disappointing to see the No campaign stooping to personal and racist attacks when Australians are more interested in learning the facts about the voice and how it can contribute to Closing the Gap.

Ultimately, I think people will vote in the referendum based on what is fair and useful, not based on fear and hate, she said.

Nine, the company that owns the Australian Financial Review, said the advertisement "should not have run and we apologise for it".

"We want to encourage a mature debate from both sides and avoid personal and/or inappropriate attacks," a spokesperson for the company said in a statement.

Outraged Australians, including lawmakers, took to social media to denounce the advertisement.

In a few small steps the No campaign has reduced a respectful and important national conversation to racist, sexist, insulting tropes, independent MP Monique Ryan tweeted.

Linda Burney, the Indigenous Australians minister, claimed the Fair Australia campaign was seeking to mislead voters.

She accused opposition leader Peter Dutton of bullyboy tactics over his criticism of corporates supporting the referendum.

I dont want to, every time I hand over my credit card or cash at Bunnings, or at Coles, I dont want part of that money going to an activist CEO, Mr Dutton said.

Mr Dutton previously announced that the opposition Liberal Party would campaign against the national vote. However, that led to a divide within the Liberal Party, with some publicly rejecting the partys position.

NSW Liberal MP Matt Kean drew comparisons with segregation messaging in the US in the 20th century.

The racist trope of Thomas Mayo in todays full-page AFR ad has no place in Australian politics, he tweeted. Its a throwback to the Jim Crow era of the Deep South. The No Campaign has every right to be heard but can do much better than this.

A spokesperson for Advance said criticism for the cartoon was from elites, according to SBS News. There it is again  the Yes campaign elites playing the race card straight off the top of the deck.
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A 21-year-old nursing student in Australia was bound with cable and gaffer tape before being buried alive in March 2021 by her ex-partner, prosecutors told a court.

Jasmeen Kaur was found buried in the remote Flinders Ranges, one month after she reported to police that she was being stalked by her ex-partner Tarikjot Singh.

The Supreme Court in South Australia heard the gory details of the 2021 murder of the Indian-origin student which was described as an act of vengeance committed with "an uncommon level of cruelty".

Kaur was abducted from her workplace in Adelaide on 5 March 2021 and suffered absolute terror at the hands of Mr Singh, prosecutor Carmen Matteo SC told the court.

The prosecutor said that she suffered "an uncommon level of cruelty" as Mr Singh blindfolded and bound her with tape before burying her while she was conscious at the Death Rock near Hawker in the Flinders Ranges, reported ABC news.

A post mortem report showed the woman likely died on 6 March, a day after she was abducted.

"She had to have been aware in the moments of the hopelessness of her situation and she had to have been consciously suffering what can only be described as absolute terror of breathing in and swallowing soil and dying in that way," Ms Matteo told the court.

Mr Singh who pleaded guilty to murdering Kaur in February initially denied killing her, saying she had taken her own life and he buried her in the ranges.

He took the police to the burial site where they found Kaurs shoes, glasses and work badge in a bin, along with looped cable ties.

He was caught on CCTV camera buying gloves, cable ties and a shovel hours before the murder at a Bunnings in Mile End.

The prosecutor said Mr Singh hatched a "cold and clinical planning" of Kaurs murder after their relationship ended and he was unable to get over the breakup.

(7News)

He drove her for hours after kidnapping her while keeping her restrained in the boot of the car. Mr Singh slit her throat superficially which did not cause her death, Ms Matteo said.

"The way in which Ms Kaur was killed involved, really, an uncommon level of cruelty," she said.

"Its not known when her throat was cut, its not known when or how she got into or was placed into that burial grave and its not known when that was dug, other than the prosecution says it had to have been while she was still alive and in preparation for her burial.

"[It was] a killing that was committed as an act of vengeance or as an act of revenge."

Defence is seeking leniency, citing crime of passion, for a more compassionate sentence.

The prosecutor for Mr Singh, Martin Anders, told court that his clients judgement was gravely impaired after the breakdown of their relationship.

He said Mr Singh has poor mental health and began hallucinating after Ms Kaurs death.

Justice Adam Kimber said Mr Singh took a series of careful steps to murder her. He was punishing her (Ms Kaur) for having been rejected, he said.

Justice Kimber has mandated a life sentence and a non-parole period will be set in the upcoming month.
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The Ukrainian military has begun deploying controversial cluster munition supplied by the United States in their counteroffensive against Russias Invasion, Washington has said.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters: We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and theyre using them quite effectively.

They are using them appropriately, they are using them effectively, Mr Kirby added.

Cluster bombs have been banned by more than 120 countries, with many allies and humanitarian groups also opposing the use of the bomb.

However, the use of cluster bombs does not violate international law when used on the battlefield, but any use in populated areas is considered a war crime.

Ukraine welcomed the Biden administrations decision to provide the weapon and said it needed weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions if it is to defeat Russia.

Cluster bombs typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill at random, over a large area and those that fail to explode can be a danger for years to come.

Here is a look at what cluster munitions are, why they are so controversial and where they have been used.

What is a cluster munition?

A cluster munition is a bomb that opens in the air and releases smaller bomblets across a wide area. The bomblets are designed to take out tanks and equipment, as well as troops, hitting multiple targets at the same time.

The munitions are launched by the same artillery weapons that Western allies have already provided to Ukraine for the war  such as howitzers  and the type of cluster munition that the US is sending is based on a common 155 mm shell that is already widely in use across the battlefield.

A Ukrainian serviceman carry a 155mm shell into self-propelled howitzer "Bohdana" before firing towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Friday, July 7, 2023 (AP)

Why are they so controversial?

In previous conflicts, cluster munitions have had a high dud rate, which meant that thousands of the smaller unexploded bomblets remained behind and killed and maimed people decades later. The US last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

Brigadier General Pat Ryder  the Pentagon press secretary  said the US Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with [unexploding] rates that are higher than 2.35 per cent.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries, which agreed not to use, produce, transfer, or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after they've been used. The US, Russia and Ukraine haven't signed on.

Why provide them now?

For more than a year the US has dipped into its own stocks of traditional 155 howitzer munitions and sent more than two million rounds to Ukraine. Allies across the globe, including the UK, have provided hundreds of thousands more.

A 155 mm round can strike targets 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometres) away, making them a munition of choice for Ukrainian ground troops trying to hit enemy targets from a distance. Ukrainian forces are burning through thousands of rounds a day battling the Russians.

Yehor Cherniev, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, told reporters at a German Marshall Fund event in the US that Kyiv would likely need to fire 7,000 to 9,000 rounds daily during the intensified counteroffensive. Providing that many puts substantial pressure on US and allied stocks.

The cluster bomb can destroy more targets with fewer rounds, and since the US hasnt used them in conflict since Iraq, it has large amounts of them in storage it can access quickly, said Ryan Brobst, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

A March 2023 letter from top House and Senate Republicans to the Biden administration said the US may have as many as three million cluster munitions available for use, and urged the White House to send the munitions to alleviate pressure on American war supplies.

Cluster munitions are more effective than unitary artillery shells because they inflict damage over a wider area, Mr Brobst said. This is important for Ukraine as they try to clear heavily fortified Russian positions.

Tapping into the US stores of cluster munitions could address Ukraines shell shortage and alleviate pressure on the 155 mm stockpiles in the US and elsewhere, Mr Brobst said.

Is using cluster bombs a war crime?

The use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, but using them against civilians can be a violation. As in any strike, determining a war crime requires looking at whether the target was legitimate and if precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

The part of international law where this starts playing [a role], though, is indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians, Human Rights Watchs associate arms director Mark Hiznay said. So that's not necessarily related to the weapons, but the way the weapons are used.

Where have cluster bombs been used?

The bombs have been deployed in many recent conflicts.

The US initially considered cluster bombs an integral part of its arsenal during the invasion of Afghanistan that began in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The group estimated that the US-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan during the first three years of the conflict.

The Defense Department had been due to stop use of any cluster munitions with a rate of unexploded ordnance greater than 1 per cent, by 2019. But the Trump administration rolled back that policy, allowing commanders to approve the use of such munitions.

Syrian government troops have often used cluster munitions  supplied by Russia  against opposition strongholds during that countrys civil war, frequently hitting civilian targets and infrastructure. And Israel used them in civilian areas in south Lebanon, including during the 1982 invasion.

During the month-long 2006 war with Hezbollah, HRW and the United Nations accused Israel of firing as many as four million cluster munitions into Lebanon. That left unexploded ordnance that threatens Lebanese civilians to this day.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been criticized for its use of cluster bombs in the war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that has ravaged the southern Arabian country.

In 2017, Yemen was the second deadliest country for cluster munitions after Syria, according to the UN. Children have been killed or maimed long after the munitions originally fell, making it difficult to know the true toll.

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined areas in the world.

Which countries have banned the cluster bomb?

The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty of more than 100 states which prohibits all use, production, transfer and stockpiling of cluster munitions.

The Convention was first adopted on 30 May 2008 in Dublin by 107 States and signed in Oslo on 3 December the same year, according to its official website.

It soon became binding international law when it entered into force on 1 August 2010 and so far, there have been a total of 123 States which have joined the Convention  111 States Parties and 12 Signatories.

Italy, Spain, Germany and the UK are among the NATO members who have expressed opposition to the use of cluster bombs.

The full of countries can be found here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
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The United States has announced that it is sending cluster munitions to Ukraine to help its military push back Russian forces entrenched along the front lines.

The administration of Joe Biden said that it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800m (630m).

The move will likely trigger outrage from some allies and humanitarian groups that have long opposed the use of cluster bombs.

Proponents argue that both Russia and Ukraine have already been using the controversial weapon in Ukraine and that the munitions the US will provide have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

Ukraine has welcomed the decision, saying it needs weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions if it is to defeat Russia.

Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, said the outcome of the war started by Moscows invasion depended on the volume of arms Kyiv receives.

In the great bloody war which has been ongoing for more than 16 months, and which will predetermine the future of the world  the number of weapons matters. So, weapons, more weapons, and more weapons, including cluster munitions, he said on Friday.

Here is a look at what cluster munitions are, why they are so controversial and where they have been used.

What is a cluster munition?

A cluster munition is a bomb that opens in the air and releases smaller bomblets across a wide area. The bomblets are designed to take out tanks and equipment, as well as troops, hitting multiple targets at the same time.

The munitions are launched by the same artillery weapons that Western allies have already provided to Ukraine for the war  such as howitzers  and the type of cluster munition that the US is sending is based on a common 155 mm shell that is already widely in use across the battlefield.

A Ukrainian serviceman carry a 155mm shell into self-propelled howitzer "Bohdana" before firing towards Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukraine, Friday, July 7, 2023 (AP)

Why are they so controversial?

In previous conflicts, cluster munitions have had a high dud rate, which meant that thousands of the smaller unexploded bomblets remained behind and killed and maimed people decades later. The US last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

On Thursday, Brigadier General Pat Ryder  the Pentagon press secretary  said the US Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with [unexploding] rates that are higher than 2.35 per cent.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries, which agreed not to use, produce, transfer, or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after they've been used. The US, Russia and Ukraine haven't signed on.

Why provide them now?

For more than a year the US has dipped into its own stocks of traditional 155 howitzer munitions and sent more than two million rounds to Ukraine. Allies across the globe, including the UK, have provided hundreds of thousands more.

A 155 mm round can strike targets 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometres) away, making them a munition of choice for Ukrainian ground troops trying to hit enemy targets from a distance. Ukrainian forces are burning through thousands of rounds a day battling the Russians.

Yehor Cherniev, a member of the Ukrainian parliament, told reporters at a German Marshall Fund event in the US this spring that Kyiv would likely need to fire 7,000 to 9,000 rounds daily during the intensified counteroffensive. Providing that many puts substantial pressure on US and allied stocks.

The cluster bomb can destroy more targets with fewer rounds, and since the US hasnt used them in conflict since Iraq, it has large amounts of them in storage it can access quickly, said Ryan Brobst, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

A March 2023 letter from top House and Senate Republicans to the Biden administration said the US may have as many as three million cluster munitions available for use, and urged the White House to send the munitions to alleviate pressure on American war supplies.

Cluster munitions are more effective than unitary artillery shells because they inflict damage over a wider area, Mr Brobst said. This is important for Ukraine as they try to clear heavily fortified Russian positions.

Tapping into the US stores of cluster munitions could address Ukraines shell shortage and alleviate pressure on the 155 mm stockpiles in the US and elsewhere, Mr Brobst said.

Is using cluster bombs a war crime?

The use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, but using them against civilians can be a violation. As in any strike, determining a war crime requires looking at whether the target was legitimate and if precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

The part of international law where this starts playing [a role], though, is indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians, Human Rights Watchs associate arms director Mark Hiznay said. So that's not necessarily related to the weapons, but the way the weapons are used.

Where have cluster bombs been used?

The bombs have been deployed in many recent conflicts.

The US initially considered cluster bombs an integral part of its arsenal during the invasion of Afghanistan that began in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). The group estimated that the US-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan during the first three years of the conflict.

The Defense Department had been due to stop use of any cluster munitions with a rate of unexploded ordnance greater than 1 per cent, by 2019. But the Trump administration rolled back that policy, allowing commanders to approve the use of such munitions.

Syrian government troops have often used cluster munitions  supplied by Russia  against opposition strongholds during that countrys civil war, frequently hitting civilian targets and infrastructure. And Israel used them in civilian areas in south Lebanon, including during the 1982 invasion.

During the month-long 2006 war with Hezbollah, HRW and the United Nations accused Israel of firing as many as four million cluster munitions into Lebanon. That left unexploded ordnance that threatens Lebanese civilians to this day.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been criticized for its use of cluster bombs in the war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that has ravaged the southern Arabian country.

In 2017, Yemen was the second deadliest country for cluster munitions after Syria, according to the UN. Children have been killed or maimed long after the munitions originally fell, making it difficult to know the true toll.

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined areas in the world.

What has the White House said?

The United States will provide Ukraine with cluster-style artillery rounds for use on their own territory to repel Russian invading forces, the White House has said.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Friday that Kyiv has provided written assurances that it would use the controversial weapons in a very careful way that is aimed at minimising any risk to civilians.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan responds to a question from the news media during the daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 07 July 2023 (EPA)

He said the Defence Department would provide further details on the next arms package that will be sent to Ukraine, but he pointed out that Kyivs forces are firing thousands of rounds a day to defend against Russian efforts to advance and also to support its own efforts to retake its sovereign territory. The national security adviser suggested the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster weapons already in US stocks was necessary to keep up a steady flow of arms for Kyivs defence.

We have provided Ukraine with a historic amount of unitary artillery rounds and we are ramping up domestic production of these rounds. Weve already seen substantial increases in production, but this process will continue to take time, and it will be critical to provide Ukraine with a bridge of supplies. While our domestic production is ramped up, he said. We will not leave Ukraine defenceless at any point in this conflict period.

Mr Sullivan noted that Russia has been using their own version of cluster munitions, which are antipersonnel weapons that make use of small bomblets to maximise their effectiveness against massed troops, and pointed out that the Russian weapons have a high rate of failure which leaves the battlefield littered with unexploded ordinance.

He added that the US-made shells that will be provisioned to Kyivs defence forces have a much lower failure rate, and said Ukraines government has committed to post-war de-mining that would prevent civilians from being harmed by unexploded submunitions, which in past conflict zones have lingered for years.

While a 2008 treaty, the Oslo Convention on Cluster Munitions, has been signed by more than 100 nations which have agreed to ban the use of such weapons, neither the US, Russia, nor Ukraine are signatories to the treaty.

What has the Pentagon said?

Speaking at a Defence Department briefing on Friday, Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Colin Kohl said the next US arms package to Ukraine would include the Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition, which is used both for anti-armour and anti-personnel purposes.

With this announcement, we will be able to provide Ukraine with hundreds of thousands of additional artillery ammunition immediately. This decision will ensure we can sustain our support for Ukraine by bringing us to a point where we are producing sufficient artillery ammunition on a monthly basis across the coalition, he said.

Both Mr Kahl and Mr Sullivan also contrasted Russias use of the weapons on Ukraines territory with Ukraines desire to use them to defend their own land.

When we look at what Ukraine would be doing with these weapons, as opposed to what Russia is doing with these weapons, we see a substantial difference. It doesnt make it an easy decision, and Im not going to stand up here and say it is easy, Mr Sullivan said, adding that the US had deferred a decision on providing cluster munitions for quite some time because it required a real hard look at the potential harm to civilians.

When we put all of that together, there was a unanimous recommendation from the national security team, and President Biden ultimately decided  in consultation with allies and partners and in consultation with members of Congress  to move forward on this step, he said.

Mr Kahl admitted that the US has criticised Russias use of cluster munitions because they have been doing so indiscriminately, and with older, less reliable systems that cause more civilian casualties. But he said Kyiv has assured the US that they will not use the DPICMs rounds in civilian areas or urban environments, and they have also committed to recording where they are used to aid in cleanup efforts post-war.

The Associated Press contributed to this report
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Establishing accurate data on the number of military casualties sustained since Russias invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 is difficult for two reasons. The severity of the fighting on the ground and the fact that both sides are inclined to keep their cards close to their chests to avoid damaging morale  especially at a time when the war is entering a pivotal new stage.

The Kremlin, in particular, is unlikely to admit to high fatality rates among its troops because to do so would amount to a confession that Vladimir Putins spurious war to de-Nazify Russias neighbour state is not going according to plan and, in fact, represents a monumental miscalculation on the part of its leader, who is already under pressure at home over the attempted uprising by Wagner Group mercenaries.

Moscow is more likely to downplay its own (rarely offered) numbers  putting the official number at around 6,000  and accuse its enemies of dishonestly briefing against it whenever outside estimates are offered that imply significant Russian losses.

Ukraine, meanwhile, posts a daily report on its Ministry of Defence website listing a cumulative total of the number of enemy personnel liquidated, alongside other combat losses, which stood at the much higher total of 234,480 on 10 July.

Most tolls typically refer to casualties as the preferred military euphemism, under which combatants killed and injured can be grouped together, whereas liquidated seems to imply killed only.

Overseas observers offer a more dispassionate (if still not entirely impartial) assessment of the situation on the ground, which might equally be flawed by their far remove from the realities of life on the frontline.

Local independent media group Mediazone, branded a foreign agent by the Kremlin, nevertheless work hard, operating within a tightly-controlled environment, to offer its own running total of Russian casualties in Ukraine based on what its journalists can corroborate from publicly available information, which currently puts the total at just 27,423 as of its latest update of 7 July.

It works with the BBC but explains: These numbers do not represent the actual death toll since we can only review publicly available reports including social media posts by relatives, reports in local media, and statements by the local authorities.

The real death toll is much higher. Besides, the number of soldiers missing in action or captured is not known.

Another Mediazone partnership with fellow Russian independent outlet Meduza (now forced to operate from Lativa) and Germanys Tubingen University used Russian government data to cast a different light on the question and put the total number of Russian deaths twice as high, at nearly 50,000.

For this count, they relied on a statistical concept popularised during the Covid-19 pandemic called excess mortality. Drawing on 11m inheritance records from the National Probate Registry and official mortality data, they estimated how many more men aged under 50 had died between February 2022 and May 2023 than normal.

According to their analysis, 25,000 more inheritance cases were opened in 2022 for males aged 15 to 49 than expected. By 27 May 2023, the number of excess cases had shot up to 47,000.

Discussing the two approaches, Mediazone editor Dmitry Treshchanin told the Associated Press the first represents only soldiers who we know by name, and their deaths in each case are verified by multiple sources.

As for the second: The estimate we did with Meduza allows us to see the hidden deaths, deaths the Russian government is so obsessively and unsuccessfully trying to hide.

Russians who are missing but not officially recognised as dead, as well as citizens of Ukraine fighting in units of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics, are not included in these counts.

One of the most significant insights to be volunteered so far from Ukraines allies, watching on, came from John Kirby, the White Houses National Security Council spokesperson, who said on 1 May  citing newly declassified information  that the US believed Russia had suffered 100,000 casualties between December 2022 and April 2023, amounting to 20,000 deaths and 80,000 injuries, after becoming caught up in a grinding war of attrition around Bakhmut during the freezing winter months.

Its really stunning, these numbers, Mr Kirby said. Its three times the number of killed in action that the United States faced on the Guadalcanal campaign in the Second World War.

That followed an estimate given by Mark Milley, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, the previous November, when he told an audience in New York that the number of Russian casualties in the first eight months of the war stood at well over 100,000.

If that figure is accurate and is added to Mr Kirbys update, that would put the total well north of 200,000 by this point, roughly in agreement with Ukrainian accounting, although the Kremlin has inevitably disputed Americas calculations and dismissed them as anti-Russian propaganda.

Russian soldiers march towards Red Square as part of a Victory Day military parade in Moscow on 9 May 2023 (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

The US has declined to estimate the number of Ukrainian casualties publicly, arguing that doing so would betray sensitive military information and risk undermining an ally.

However, the top secret Pentagon documents leaked on social media in April  if accurate  suggested that the US Defence Intelligence Agency believed that Ukraine had suffered between 15,500 and 17,500 fatalities at that stage and seen between 109,000 and 113,500 of its soldiers injured.

Those documents, incidentally, put the agencys assessment of Russian casualties at between 189,500 and 223,000, including between 35,500 and 43,000 soldiers killed in action and between 154,000 and 180,000 wounded. That likewise tallies with the other estimates seen so far.

Elsewhere, Norways defence chief, Eirik Kristoffersen, offered a similar ballpark figure when he told his countrys TV2 on 22 January that he believed Russia had suffered around 180,000 deaths and injuries while Ukraines total casualties was significantly lower, closer to 100,000.

In February, the UKs Ministry of Defense said it believed approximately 40,000 to 60,000 Russians had been killed in the war.

As for civilian casualties, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) publishes regular updates of its tallies based on the latest intelligence from the conflict zone.

The most recent such report from the OHCHR was published on 18 June 2023, recording that 9,803 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the invasion began 16 months ago and another 15,779 people have been injured.

Of these numbers, 7,072 deaths and 13,001 injuries occurred in territory controlled by Ukraine. In Russian-occupied territory, 2,011 people have been killed and 2,778 injured since the attempted conquest began last year.

These latest figures, recorded between 1 June and 18 June, added 557 civilian casualties in Ukraine to the running total, of which 112 were killed and 445 injured.

However, even here, the OHCHR notes that the actual figures are likely to be considerably higher than those it can substantiate on account of the inevitable delay in receiving information from the most fiercely contested areas, underlining the complexity of saying anything definite about the state of play in Ukraine.
 Close Head of MI6 says Putin clearly under pressure after Wagner Group uprising

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President Vladimir Putin on Friday accused Nato member Poland of having territorial ambitions in the former Soviet Union, and said any aggression against Russias neighbour and close ally Belarus would be considered an attack on Russia.

Moscow would react to any aggression against Belarus, which forms a loose Union State with Russia, with all the means at our disposal, Putin told a meeting of his Security Council in televised remarks.

Warsaws Security Committee decided on Wednesday to move military units to eastern Poland after members of the Russian Wagner mercenary force arrived in Belarus, the state-run news agency PAP quoted its secretary as saying on Friday.

On Wednesday, Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin was shown in a video welcoming his fighters to Belarus, telling them they would take no further part for now in the war in Ukraine but ordering them to gather strength for Africa while they trained the Belarusian army.

It comes as US-supplied cluster bombs are now being deployed by Ukraine in the battle against Russia, according to the White House.
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A raid by Russian security services has revealed the colourful inside of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhins lavish mansion in St Petersburg.

A wardrobe full of wigs, gold bars and a stuffed alligator were among the many bizarre finds in photos and footage published by pro-Kremlin media outlet Izvestia.

Officials are also said to have found assault weapons, ammunition and even a photograph allegedly showing the severed heads of the Wagner leaders enemies.

Officials are said to have found assault weapons with ammunition during the raid (@nexta_tv)

A wardrobe full of wigs were also uncovered, with colours ranging from grey to a mousy brown (@nexta_tv)

A lengthy indoor swimming pool complete with a bathing area, slides and even a jacuzzi can also be seen in the photographs, with the rooms lit up with what appear to be glass chandeliers.

Elsewhere, the contents of a wardrobe show an array of wigs with colours ranging from grey to a mousy brown, with photos purportedly showing the Wagner chief wearing them as a disguise leaked to state-backed Russian Telegram channels. The photographs, apparently taken from Mr Prigozhins personal photo albums, appear to have been taken during trips to various African and Middle Eastern countries where Wagner have had a presence in recent years.

Wagner was founded in 2014 and was involved in operations in Ukraines eastern regions. In subsequent years, it has fought in countries such as Syria, Libya, and the Central African Republic.

In a programme called 60 Minutes, broadcast on the state-run Rossiya-1 TV channel, it was claimed that cash worth 600 million roubles (5m) had been found in the Wagner chiefs properties.

Mr Prigozhin has previously said that Wagner only dealt in cash, with Russian president Vladimir Putin recently admitting that the group was financed by the state. With the Russian president saying 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 Mr Putins speech late last month the Kremlin had denied any links to Wagner.

The mansion includes a lengthy indoor swimming pool complete with a bathing area, slides and even a jacuzzi (@nexta_tv)

Glass chandeliers are seen throughout the Wagner bosss mansion (@nexta_tv)

An indoor swimming pool is pictured following a raid on Yevgeny Prigozhins St Petersburg mansion (@nexta_tv)

The programme also showed multiple passports under different names. A normal person cant have so many passports, Petrov said. Why did this person have such strange powers like the serious leader of some kind of criminal group.

On Thursday, Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said that Mr Prigozhin was not in Belarus, having brokered a deal last month to end an armed mutiny in Russia.

As for Prigozhin, hes in St Petersburg. He is not on the territory of Belarus, Mr Lukashenko told reporters, having said last week that Mr Prigozhin was still in Belarus.

Photos of the Wagner chief wearing the wigs as a disguise were leaked to state-backed Russian Telegram channels (@nexta_tv)

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko has said that Prigozhin is no longer in Belarus (@nexta_tv)

Mr Prigozhin took control of the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don on 24 June, seizing the command centre there and then taking a column of fighters towards Moscow. He eventaully stood down after striking a deal broked by Mr Lukashenko, a staunch ally of Mr Putin.

The agreement was meant to see Mr Prigozhin relocate to Belarus that criminal charges against him and Wagner over the attempted mutiny would be dropped.

However, it was stated during the Rossiya-1 broadcast that nobody planned to close this case... The investigation is ongoing.
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New satellite images depict white objects on the roof of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, days after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky alleged that Russia had planted explosives there.

Russian troops seized Europes largest nuclear facility on 5 March, shortly after its invasion began in February.

The new photos were captured by satellite imagery company Planet Labs on Wednesday (5 July), showing five white shapes topping the plant at 7.51am UTC (8.51am BST). Notably, an image captured earlier at 5.27am UTC (6.27am BST) shows none.

Five white shapes are seen topping Zaporizhzhia power plant (Planet Labs PBC)

Five white shapes are seen topping Zaporizhzhia power plant (Planet Labs PBC)

However, the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has expressed that whilst unexplained, the white objects are not conclusive of Russian military activity at the plant.

"Based on the imagery available, some changes can be observed at the ZNPP power plant on 5 July, with white objects observed on the roof of one of the buildings, Joe Byrne, a research fellow on Open Source Intelligence and Analysis at the RUSI told The Independent.

However, this is not conclusive evidence of any Russian military activity designed to damage the plant, he added. More evidence, including and on the site access by IAEA monitors is needed to fully assess the situation."

Darya Dolzikova, a research fellow in Proliferation and Nuclear Policy, noted the changes are hard to judge from the images.

Taken earlier at 5.27am UTC (6.27am BST), another image shows no white shapes (Planet Labs PBC)

"Its hard to judge from the imagery what the changes on the roofs show - including whether these are in any way related to the explosive devices that Ukrainian intelligence said may be present on reactor roofs at the ZNPP.

But the sourcing of independent, reliable imagery is important and can help in verifying claims of what is happening at the ZNPP, Ms Dolzikova said.

However, the images - including the challenges related to verifying what they actually show - also once again stress the importance of granting the IAEA all the access that it is asking for at the ZNPP - including to the roofs of reactors 3 and 4 - so it can verify the presence or absence of explosives at the facility."

On Tuesday), Mr Zelensky alleged that Russia has planted explosives on the nuclear power plant to simulate an attack, accusing Russian forces of planning to commit a new evil following the alleged attack on Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in June 2023.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, is seen in the background of the shallow Kakhovka Reservoir (AP)

The destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric station and dam triggered mass flooding and environmental havoc, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. Ukraine blames the explosion on Russia.

Now we have information from our intelligence that the Russian military has placed objects resembling explosives on the roof of several power units of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Mr Zelensky said in his nightly video address on Tuesday.

Perhaps to simulate an attack on the plant. Perhaps they have some other scenario. But in any case, the world sees  cant but see  that the only source of danger to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is Russia and no one else.
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A huge phosphate rock deposit discovered in Norway contains enough minerals to meet the global demand for batteries and solar panels for the next 100 years, according to the mining company that controls it.

Norge Mining said up to 70 billion tonnes of the non-renewable resource may have been uncovered in south-western Norway, alongside deposits of other strategic minerals like titanium and vanadium.

Phosphate rock contains high concentrates of phosphorus, which is a key component for building green technologies but currently faces significant supply issues.

Phosphorus was first discovered in 1669 by German scientist Hennig Brandt, who was searching for the philosophers stone. While it proved ineffective in turning ordinary metals into gold, it has become an essential component in lithium-iron phosphate batteries in electric cars, as well as for solar panels and computer chips.

Russia previously controlled the worlds largest ultra-pure phosphate rock deposits, with the European Union warning that these critical raw materials have a high supply risk.

Recommended Solar trees offer unique solution to charging electric cars

The EU is currently almost entirely dependent on imports of phosphate rock from the rest of the world, according to a report from The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, with China, Iraq and Syria also home to large deposits.

The report, which was published before the discovery of the massive Norwegian deposit, warned that the EU should be concerned about phosphate rock shortages.

An article in the scientific journal Nature last year warned of imminent supply disruptions of phosphorus, citing Russias invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent economic sanctions as a potential cause of market volatility.

The global economy consumes an estimated 50 million tonnes of phosphorus each year, with scientists warning earlier this year that the planet could face a phosphogeddon if supply trends continue.

The buyers market is becoming increasingly crowded by limited trade  due to political instability in several source countries, as well as international sanctions imposed on others, Norge Mining noted in a June blog post. This is forcing importers to fear an impending crisis.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced in Shanghai on 7 January, 2020, that Model 3 vehicles made in China would used lithium iron phosphate batteries (Getty Images)

Norways minister of trade and industry, Jan Christian Vestre, said last month that the government was considering fast-tracking a giant mine in Helleland once analysis is completed on 47 miles of drill cores. If approval is given, the first major mine could begin operation by 2028.

The politician said Norways obligation was to develop the worlds most sustainable mineral industry following the discovery of the minerals.

The mining plans already have the support of the European Raw Materials Alliance, according to local reports, while local consultations continue.

A spokesperson for the European Commission described the discovery as great news for meeting the objectives of the Commissions raw material objectives, with Norge Mining telling Euractiv that the projected 4,500-metre-deep ore body would theoretically be capable of meeting global demand for the next century.

Read more on solar battery storage
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Scientists have achieved a major breakthrough using a so-called miracle material to boost the efficiency of solar panels.

Two separate studies published on Thursday demonstrated how the material perovskite could push the power conversion efficiency rate of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells above 30 per cent  beyond the theoretical limit of 29 per cent for traditional silicon (PV) solar cells.

Overcoming this threshold provides confidence that high-performance, low-cost PVs can be brought to the market, wrote material science researchers Stefaan de Wolf and Erkan Aydin, who were not involved in the research, in an article published in the journal Science.

Perovskite has emerged in the past 15 years as a material capable of transforming an array of industries, from renewable energy, to ultra high-speed communications.

Materials science professor Zeev Valy Vardeny from the University of Utah described perovskite in 2017 as unbelievable, a miracle material, after it was able to radically improve the sunlight-to-energy efficiency of solar cells.

Perovskites properties allow it to harvest energy from a greater range of the light spectrum, but until recently it was too unstable to be used outside a laboratory.

By stacking a layer of perovskite on top of silicon into a tandem device, the researchers were able to significantly boost the efficiency of commercial PV technologies while retaining the industry standard configuration.

Tandem solar cells are the most straight-forward route toward decreasing the levelized cost of electricity, well beyond what is possible for single-junction solar cells, wrote Professor de Wolf and Aydin.

The teams from China and Japan who were behind the latest breakthrough claim the latest design will pave the way for the mass production of ultra-efficient solar panels.

Perovskite in tandem solar cells is able to optimise electricity generation from the Suns energy by capturing more of the spectrum (Screengrab/ YouTube/ Science Magazine)

The current efficiency record for this next-generation solar cell is 33.7 per cent, achieved by engineers at the KAUST Solar Center in Saudi Arabia earlier this year, having risen from under 4 per cent efficiency in 2009.

Last month, a startup in China announced that it planned to begin production of tandem solar cells, with the abundance of perovskite cutting costs to just one 20th of traditional solar cells, according to Professor Tan Hairen from Nanjing University.

The scientists behind the latest research believe their approach could ultimately achieve an efficiency rate well above 35 per cent, though more work needs to be done on making the tandem cells more durable in real-world conditions, as well as scaling them up to the size of traditional solar panels.

Arguably, the most critical factor lies in the annual degradation rate under actual outdoor conditions, which for perovskite-silicon tandems remains largely unknown, the Perspective noted.

To be commercially viable, this degradation should be on par with mainstream PV technologies, which is less than 1 per cent relative per year.

The research was detailed in two separate papers published in the journal Science.
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Aunts of Rudy Farias, who police said has not actually been missing for the past eight years, called the decision not to charge they boys mother bulls*** at a news conference.

The police also said on Thursday that Janie Santana, Mr Farias mother, filed a missing persons report for her son on 6 March 2015 but that he actually returned home the following day. An open investigation for the 25-year-old continued until his mother said he had been discovered outside a church in Houston, Texas on 29 June.

Three of Mr Farias aunts, Ms Santanas sisters, held a separate news conference on Thursday, and they did not hold back on how they felt about their sister.

Janie is a hypothetical liar, her sister said. Im not quite sure, but Im gonna have to say she knows a lot of people in [Houston Police Department] and thats why her freaking a** has been covered up. Ms Santana was reportedly married to a HPD officer until his death in 2014, one year before her son went missing.

Why in the freaking world did they let her go? she asked.

Its bulls***, another aunt added.

For falsifying that he had been kidnapped, which was not true, that he had been taken to Mexico, that he had been spotted in other states, she continued. She had people all over the United States looking for him.

Rudy Farias aunt Sylvia Sanchez Lopez shows an image on a her cellphone, she said Houston Police sent her in a text allegedly showing Farias ((Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP))

The aunts also contested a photo that Ms Santana gave the media on Monday, depicting Mr Farias at the hospital. His aunts said the photo was actually taken in 2012.

Rudy is safe. He is with his mother by choice, the Houston police chief said, adding that Mr Farias has been connected with Adult Protective Services to get help.

The aunts offered support for Mr Farias at their own press conference, sending a message directly to him: We love you, your aunts, your cousins, we stand behind you and we are right here with you.
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Millions of us are making up for lost sunshine, and taking extra trips to compensate for the dark days of lockdown during the pandemic. Unfortunately, villains know we are desperate to travel  and that finances are tight. The number of online scams appears to be at an all-time high, targeting people who cannot afford to lose a small fortune.

Any travel purchase of transport and/or accommodation is an act of faith, because you usually pay a substantial sum of money upfront and dont take delivery until you turn up and, hopefully, get the flights and/or villa you were hoping for.

If you go to your local travel agent and buy a holiday, the overwhelming odds are that it will be a genuine and problem-free transaction. But if you are booking online, you are vulnerable to fraudsters. Be wary of these seven signs to ensure you are not going to be left thousands of pounds out of pocket, with no holiday.

1. Are prices way out of line?

A favourite hunting ground for fraudsters in search of unwitting victims is to offer ultra-cheap airline tickets. While many online agents will assert they have the best fare, prices for a particular flight are usually in a fairly narrow band. A check on Skyscanner.net can give you a good idea of the ball-park figure. If an agent is selling well below the norm, be wary  especially if the company tells you it has access to secret fares.

2. Do they make onerous demands?

Scamsters arent simply interested in stealing your money. They also want your identity. A genuine business will not ask for a scan of your passport or driving licence, unless there are good and specific reasons that you can verify (e.g. a local law insisting on identity checks for propective guest).

3. Are the address and phone number disconnected, geographically?

A genuine site should make it easy to find both the address and phone number. If the firm appears to be based in west Cornwall (code 01736) but has a dialling code in northern Scotland (01955), for example, you should ask why. If the number is foreign, be especially circumspect.

If a business says it is a member of Abta, the travel association, then use the very straightforward checking system to confirm its membership status  ring the landline shown on the Abta website to ensure that you are dealing with that company.

Many scam sites have no telephone number, but may have an address. If you search this address online, you will often find the real company that is based at the address the fraudsters claim to use. Find a number for that company, dial it and see what happens; one shut-down scam site, CycladesRentals.com, claimed to be based at an address in west London that was actually the premises of a Polish restaurant.

Recommended The 6 travel scams that can outsmart the savviest tourist

4. Is the marketing material dodgy?

Many scam websites are set up using extracts copied and pasted from genuine travel companies. If something strikes you as odd, try a bit of copying and pasting yourself  an odd phrase may take you to a genuine holiday company. In the CycladesRentals.com case, a phrase about health looked distinctly out of place; it turned out to have been stolen from a legitimate operator specialising in wellbeing holidays.

5. Could those friendly staff be pretending to be the real villa owners?

Some fraudsters intercept emails to and from genuine companies. To ensure you are not dealing with a criminal, diverge from email conversations. Demand a landline rather than a mobile, check that the dialling code is commensurate with the location, and phone up the owner.

You could ask, for example: Just before I book can you give me a few more details about the area: how far is the beach, how good is the WiFi, whats the mobile-phone reception like?

If you are not satisfied with the answer, probe more deeply: ask for the name of the nearest restaurant and the days it is open, then find the number for this place and call the proprietor to cross-check.

6. Do they demanding payment by bank transfer?

Paying for a service with a credit or debit card generally confers some protection if you dont get what you paid for. In contrast, sending a bank transfer directly to someones account is equivalent to handing over a big bag of your hard-earned cash, with little hope of retrieving it if you are defrauded.

Yet plenty of genuine villa owners will ask for payment by bank transfer. Typically they will do this to keep handling costs down and avoid having to get inverviolved in complex and expensive systems for credit or debit card card payment.

Regrettably, criminals know it, and in a bid to persuade you to send some cash over they will typically make up a story to explain why . So it is essential to make checks before you press confirm. Talk to the property owner at length, asking questions about the ownership of the property: when they bought it, what improvements they have made and background on the immediate vicinity. A genuine owner will typically talk knowledgably and enthusiastically. If you feel something is not right, do not proceed.

Be especially suspicious if the destination bank account is in an improbable location. If it is a villa in Spain through a British intermediary, being asked to pay into a bank account in a third country should be a red flag.

Some scammers who have placed fictional accommodation availability on well-known platform may ask you to liaise direct and pay by bank transfer rather than going through the official payment platform. If anyone asks you to do this, you can be fairly sure you are dealing with a criminal.

7. Are they hurrying you?

Fraudsters invariably want to pressure you into parting with your hard-earned cash quickly. They will warn that the property will be let to someone else unless you commit immediately. They may also offer a 10 or 20 per cent discount for immediate payment.

You should be able to sense if they are getting agitated: a good way to test their response is to suggest you communicate by mail. A villain wont contemplate such an arrangement, but a genuine owner may cut you some slack and agree to receive your deposit as cash through the post.

While that concept might sound ridiculously 20th century, it can offers safeguards you dont get online. I have phoned an accommodation owner in Greece and then posted the deposit in cash (by registered mail, of course) to a physical address in the village where the property was located. It isa safer transaction than transferring money to a bank account in a distant land.
Joe Bidens visit to the UK this weekend, when he will meet the prime minister and the king, could serve as a welcome reminder about where political power  and responsibility  currently resides on both sides of the Atlantic.

I say this, because some of the recent running on arguably the most urgent international issue of the day has been made by someone who has no power whatever, but eyes a return. Step forward (as if he needed any invitation to do so) Donald Trump, who spoke at some length this week about wanting a peaceful outcome in Ukraine, even if this entailed territorial concessions on the part of Kyiv.

I think the biggest thing that the US should be doing right now is making peace, he said, getting Russia and Ukraine together and making peace. You can do it. Suggesting that Russias president had been somewhat weakened by the mercenary-led mutiny last month, Trump said: This is the time to do it, to get the two parties together to force peace.
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A three-day thunderstorm warning has been issued as the Met Office warns sunny conditions that will see temperatures soar to 30C this weekend will turn stormy for some.

The yellow warning begins on Friday across parts of Northern Ireland from 11.00 until 18.00, with heavy showers wielding the potential to cause travel disruption and flooding that could pose a danger to life.

The warning mainly covers the west, including Londonderry/Derry, Donegal and Coleraine, where 20 to 30mm of rain could accumulate.

Sunny conditions could turn stormy for some this weekend, the Met Office has warned (PA)

However, on Saturday the thunderstorm warning will move to cover the majority of Scotland and England, stretching from northern Scotland down to London from 9am until midnight.

The Met Office has warned that flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds, with fast flowing or deep floodwater that could pose danger to life possible.

The three-day warning begins on Friday across parts of Northern Ireland (Met Office/screengrab)

On Saturda,y the thunderstorm warning will move to cover the majority of Scotland and England (Met Office/screengrab)

Thunderstorms will then move back to Northern Ireland on Sunday (Met Office/screengrab)

Heavy showers and thunder are expected to sweep parts of England on Saturday morning, before moving to northern England and Scotland in the afternoon and the evening. Some locations will see intense rainfall that could accumulate up to 50mm in a short period of time.

The end of the weekend will see thunderstorms move back to Northern Ireland, except this time the warning is in place across the country from 10am on Sunday until 9am. Some areas with heavy rainfall could experience between 25 and 35mm across a few hours.

Temperatures are forecast to reach highs of 29C in London on Friday (Met Office/screengrab)

The mercury will dip a little lower on Saturday, with a warm 23C in Manchester (Met Office/screengrab)

Sunday is expected to welcome the lowest temperatures across the weekend, ranging from 20C in Glasgow to 22C in London (Met Office/screengrab)

Despite the warm start to the weekend weather for most, we expect a steady transition back to cooler and more unsettled weather with the development of some intense thundery downpours, Met Office deputy chief meteorologist Dan Harris said.

The main message at the moment is to be aware of the potential for heavy downpours with lightning, hail and gusty winds, so keep in touch with the latest forecasts. Warnings may be issued in due course, should confidence increase. However, the vast majority of places will avoid the worst conditions.

The five-day forecast from the Met Office is as follows:

Friday 7 July: A very warm and sunny day for many, though it will remain wet and windy in the northwest with a risk of thunderstorms in Northern Ireland. Breezy, especially on the western coasts.

Rain clearing to give a warm dry evening for most, with plenty of evening sunshine. Muggy overnight, perhaps giving uncomfortable sleeping conditions. A few showers possible in the west.

Saturday 8 July: Another warm day on Saturday, but with rain turning to thunderstorms across many areas for a time, especially in north and east during the afternoon. Windy in the northwest.

Sunday 9 July - Tuesday 11 July: Fresher and unsettled on Sunday and into next week. With a risk of heavy showers and the odd rumble of thunder.
Dublin hotel prices rose to a new record in May, real estate firm CBRE Ireland has said.

Hotels in the capital saw an average daily rate of 209 in May, 3.5pc ahead of a previous record in September 2022.

On a year-to-date basis, the average daily rate across all Dublin hotels was 170.

Hotel operators are still contending with increasing cost increases as wages, utilities and food and drink prices continue to rise, impacting their bottom line, CBRE said.

Occupancy rates across all Irish cities, including Dublin, remain strong, CBRE said in its second quarter hotel market report.

Occupancy in Dublin averaged 78pc to the end of May, relatively in line with the same period in 2019, CBRE said, predicting occupancy rates are set to grow in the busy summer period.

The report comes after Eurostat data last week showed the number of hotel nights being booked online was below pre-Covid levels across the country last year, in some places by as much as 50pc, as many were block-booked by the State for refugees.

The tourism sector in Ireland is battling to keep its lower 9pc Vat rate beyond this September as hotels, particularly in the capital, are accused of price gouging.

The CBRE report shows deals picked up in the three months to June after a slower first quarter, with a total of 91m of transactions closed across six deals, including the sale of the Imperial Hotel and Spa in Cork city for around 25m to a private investor.

A total of 135m of capital was deployed on Irish hotels in the first half of the year.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 7th

Private investors, family offices and hotel groups were particularly active in the market so far this year, CBRE said, with institutional investors and private equity less active.

The hotel sector remains attractive to institutional investors and lenders given the strong trading performance of both Dublin and regional hotels, said Colin Richardson, director and head of research at CBRE Ireland.

Paul Collins, the groups executive director and head of hotels, said there was strong appetite for hotel purchasing in Ireland. We expect transactional activity will continue to pick up as the year progresses.

Development activity is also up, despite costs.

Telephone House, an office building in Dublin 1, was recently sold to hospitality group JMK, which owns Hampton and Holiday Inn brands across Ireland and the UK.

The property will be converted to a 296-bedroom aparthotel.

The trend of offices being considered for hotel conversion is an emerging one, CBRE said.
Croatia was the top foreign destination for Irish card spending in June, followed by Greece

Teenagers were the only age group to increase card spending in June

People cut back on groceries and clothes in June, but the start of the summer holidays has seen a boost for teenage and tourist spending.

A Bank of Ireland survey found spending in the 13-to-17-year-old age group surged by 23pc compared with the previous month, despite overall card spending seeing a decline in June.

Debit and credit card spending dropped by 6pc overall, compared with May, the latest Bank of Ireland Spending Pulse found, with people cutting back on groceries (-7pc), clothes (-6pc) and pharmacy spending (-4pc).

But spending on tourist attractions, car rentals and cinemas was up as schools closed for the summer, tourists poured in and families took some time off.

Teenagers were the only age group to record a rise in spending.

The over-66s trimmed card spending the most, at 8pc, but those under 66 also kept a tighter hold on the purse strings last month.

People in Dublin recorded the biggest drop in spending  falling 7pc compared with May  but Mayo, Monaghan and Kerry all saw a dip of 6pc.

Outside of Ireland, spending for Irish cardholders rose most in Croatia, which was up 71pc compared with May.

Spending in Greece saw a 55pc boost on the previous month, Italian spending was up 32pc, spending in Portugal rose 22pc and Spain increased by 13pc.

Social spending  on things like fast-food and pubs  fell 5pc overall, though restaurants saw less of a dip.

The picture was similar in June last year.

Whilst Junes spending fell, indicating many people restricted their expenditure, it was no surprise to see teenagers leading the way in the spending stakes given schools started to close, said Jilly Clarkin, Bank of Irelands head of customer journeys and SME markets.

The overall spending drop in June was also predictable, as it reflects the same trend as last year.

"July and August are normally busy months, with all schools closed, children at summer camps and families enjoying well-deserved breaks across Ireland.

"People will also leave the country and spend abroad so, based on last summer, we may not see a big spike in overall spend next month either.

However, July last year saw an uplift in social spending, so hopefully, some sectors see a boost in spending next month.
David Chance: Chinas trade slowdown is real but narrow and if you look closely a big global hit is far from certain
Insurance firms want multi-billion dollar cases filed in London to be heard in Russia

THE worlds biggest aircraft lessors  many of them based in Dublin  will have to wait until next February before a London court hearing that will decide if their multi-billion dollar cases against insurance companies over jets seized in Russia will be shifted to Moscow.
RTE documentary gives a fascinating insight into the former debutantes farcical capers with the Provisional IRA

So says journalist David Davin-Power, and there you have the central problem that has to be navigated by The Heiress and the Heist (RTE One). On the one hand, the story of Rose Dugdales involvement with the Provisional IRA is so unlikely, so farcical, that it could be an Ealing comedy  or a Devon comedy, or a Chelsea comedy, because those were the places she was brought up. But the same story was played out during the most violent time in Irelands history, and involved guns, attempted murder and terrorising civilians.

The light-hearted music that plays over the credits owes a lot to the fun-loving scores of Henry Mancini, who worked on the Pink Panther films. This is a pity because the Pink Panther Rose Dugdale most certainly was not. Instead, she was the latest in a sparse but distinct chain of moneyed British women  Charlotte Despard and Maud Gonne spring to mind  who avenged themselves on their privileged families by espousing Irish nationalism. All three were profoundly eccentric  perhaps with what we would now call personality issues  but their money and their class background were always welcome.

The first episode of this three-part documentary series was impressive in its detailed exploration of Dugdales childhood and youth. The interviewees were often a surprise, and always excellent. Former Conservative MP Edwina Currie was Dugdales contemporary at Oxford University. The writer Virginia Ironside had been at the same school and remembered Dugdale as an incredibly energetic and attractive person. It was also surprising to learn that this school, far from being a repressive and snobbish hell-hole, was in fact rather eccentric and freedom-loving, and based on the forward-looking principles of the revolutionary educator Friedrich Froebel.

Dugdale was not an aristocrat; her father was simply a millionaire. She was presented at court in the last debutante season ever to take place, in 1959. She insisted on going to Oxford where, Currie noted, she turned up for tea at the house of their tutor looking extremely scruffy. If you had been brought up working class, as I had been said Currie, you would never have presented yourself like that.

Then Dugdale went to Cuba for three weeks. And then she spent her inheritance on funding a welfare centre for poor Londoners, while  and this is a telling detail  driving around in a Lotus Elan. She spent her money on a chancer called Wally Heaton, who was married with children, a union organiser with a criminal record.

Edwina Currie remembers Rose Dugdale as 'extremely scruffy' when they met their tutor at Oxford. Photo via RTE

In 1973, Dugdale and Heaton decided to rob her family home in Devon. They did this so badly that they were arrested almost immediately. Heaton declared that his resulting imprisonment was the greatest injustice since Christ. Which says a lot about Heaton. But, after visiting him faithfully for the first few months, Dugdale moved on to Ireland.

Research was never her strength. She hijacked a helicopter to bomb Strabane RUC station with milk churns, but they were so heavy that half of them had to be left behind. In 1974, when she executed the daring art robbery on Russborough House in Co Wicklow, the car broke down on her escape south. In what one interviewee described as a fundamental misunderstanding of rural Ireland, it was abandoned, full of incriminating evidence, in a farmers field. The interviewees in the second episode are even better, and the research is impressive. The light-hearted music continues to be infuriating.

But there is an intimate tragedy here. I think she was probably a very vulnerable person said Currie  which, at that time, no amount of money could address. It was sad and it wasnt fun, it was a spectacle. Of course television loves spectacle  we all do.
A leading BMW dealership has recently deleted an online post from 2016 in which it claimed Marty Morrissey as a brand ambassador.

The social media post from Colm Quinn BMW shows a picture of RTE star Marty posing with owner Colm Quinn along with the caption: Colm Quinns BMW brand ambassador Marty Morrissey says his new BMW packs a mighty punch as Colm Quinn hands over the keys to his new 161 5 Series BMW.

The post dates to April 28, 2016, but appears to have been deleted only in recent days.

Googles cache shows the post still online just four days ago, on July 3, three days before Morrissey released a statement about his ad hoc agreement with Renault. That agreement gave Mr Morrissey the use of a car from 2017 until June 23 of this year, after he hosted around a dozen Renault events related to the GAA.

Today in a statement to the Irish Independent, a representative of Colm Quinn BMW said its post was deleted because it was misleading and incorrect.

Marty Morrissey has never represented Colm Quinn as a brand ambassador.

We did use the term Colm Quinn BMW Brand Ambassador in relation to Marty Morrissey in a Facebook post from 28th April 2016  the use of this term was misleading and incorrect, that post has since been deleted.

Marty Morrissey has been a paying customer of the Colm Quinn Group and is a personal friend of Colm Quinn.

Out of respect to all of our customers' privacy and in line with GDPR, we have no further comment to make on this matter, they said.

RTE representatives also stated Mr Morrissey was never an ambassador for BMW.

Marty Morrissey: Renault deal was an 'error of judgement'

In a statement on Wednesday, the popular broadcaster and GAA correspondent apologised for his error of judgement for accepting the use of the car. He also clarified that he has never received a car allowance from RTE.

Mr Morrissey said: "Since the recent controversy within RTE arose, I reflected on this matter. I concluded that it had been an error of judgement on my part to accept the use of the car. I returned it voluntarily to Renault on Friday 23rd June.

Mr Morrissey said he had apologised to RTE, his managers and colleagues for any embarrassment and to listeners who may feel let down by my actions.

"Like many RTE staff and contractors, I was this week asked to supply RTE with information about any commercial engagements, gifts and potential conflicts of interest. I did this and made full disclosure of this matter to RTE, he said.
Judge remands 30-year-old in custody for sentencing on October 27

A Dublin man assaulted his former partner while she was holding their toddler in her arms during a reprehensible attack at her home, a court has been told.
A judge presiding over Dublins TV licence prosecutions has slammed RTE for what he described as elitism, "God-like personalities", and "freeloaders" while defendants were "crippled with the cost of living".
Revealed: Neighbour who inherited Chrissie Treacys farm warned not to visit without Garda escort

Farmer Michael Scott was jailed last week for six years for the manslaughter of his elderly aunt Chrissie (76) at the farm

Regina Donohue

Patrick O'Connell Fri 7 Jul 2023 at 13:20
The 36-year-old from Dublin was killed at a hotel in Salou just days after she arrived there

The family of Kirsty Ward have asked for privacy following her death in Spain last weekend.

The 36-year-old mother from Dublin was killed at a hotel in Salou, near Barcelona, just days after she arrived there.

It is understood Ms Ward was on holiday at the resort with the suspect in the case.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs are liaising with the family of mother-of-one Kirsty Ward from Dublin, a spokesperson for the family said this morning.

"The family will not be making any further comment or statements and ask for privacy during this distressing time.

The family also shared a photo of Ms Ward, who was from Dublin, for the first time.

The 30-year-old suspect in the case appeared before a Spanish court this week and was remanded in prison while investigations continue.

Ms Ward was found dead at the Hotel Magnolia Salou at around 9.30pm on Sunday night when local police officers were alerted to a disturbance.

Her partner was discovered next to her with an apparently self-inflicted wound.

He was initially treated in hospital under armed guard before he was taken into custody.

The man, who has links to gangland criminals in Ireland, was brought before a court in Tarragona yesterday that deals specifically with cases involving violence against women.

During his detention, he frustrated efforts to make contact with Ms Wards relatives and was said by investigators to have been uncooperative.

Local sources indicated police have already gathered a large amount of evidence in the case.

He was refused bail and remanded in prison following a lengthy hearing.

The man has come to the attention of gardai in the past, having been previously arrested alongside Kinahan cartel hitman Caolan Smyth over a matter that was later prosecuted before the District Court.

Smyth is currently serving a 20-year jail term for the attempted murder of James Mago Gately and is appealing the sentence.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 7th

A garda liason officer based in Madrid travelled to Salou to assist with the inquiry.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, a garda spokesperson said: An Garda Siochana is aware of the death of an Irish citizen in an alleged incident in the Spanish town of Salou on Sunday, July 2nd 2023.

"A member of An Garda Siochana has travelled to Salou to provide assistance with the ongoing investigation and with the repatriation of the womans remains.

"As this is an investigation led by Spanish authorities, An Garda Siochana has no further comment at this time."

The day after the incident, around 50 people gathered for a minutes silence in memory of Ms Ward at the local civic office in Salou.

A spokesperson for the Department of Equality and Feminisms of the Catalan regional government, known as the Generalitat, referred to the incident as a femicide.

We are keeping tabs on the femicide in Salou, it said in a statement.

We are working with the town hall and making our services available to the family and close friends of the victim who need maximum privacy at these difficult moments.
The scandal over payments to RTE stars is the daddy of all controversies for the national broadcaster, but there have been others. Here is a flavour of five more major controversies.
Launch of further education courses will ensure students arent forced abroad

Further education courses will ensure that CAO points are no longer the be-all and end-all. Photo: Getty

A new era in college entry opens today, allowing students to apply for degree courses without worrying about CAO points.

The shake-up means students can start their degree programme in a college of further education (FE) and complete it in a higher education (HE) institution.

There will be 23 entry routes to the new-style courses in nursing, business, engineering and media. These will be facilitated through FE colleges in 15 counties, with hundreds of places opening in September.

Speaking ahead of todays launch, Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said he and his department had made it a priority to change the unnecessarily stressful points race that the CAO system puts on our learners.

The FE colleges involved are in one of five clusters with a technological university or other third-level institution in their region. Students will transfer to one of these to complete their degree.

Applications are being invited from today at nto.ie, a one-stop shop providing information on the courses and the entry requirements for each one. It will connect prospective applicants with a regional co-ordinator.

The online portal is being hosted by the new National Tertiary Office (NTO), which has been established in the Higher Education Authority to develop new pathways from further education to higher education.

Instead of competing on the basis of CAO points, applicants will go through the standard FE admissions process. That generally requires only a basic Leaving Cert as well as an interview and, depending on the course, perhaps an audition

Participants will spend the first year or two in an FE college  they operate under the umbrella of education and training boards (ETBs)  and then transfer directly to third level to complete their degree.

Students will not be liable for the 3,000-a-year third-level contribution charge while in the FE college, while those eligible for Susi grants will qualify for supports for the duration of their studies.

The initiative is a welcome alternative for school-leavers with an aptitude for a particular discipline but who are squeezed out of the race for CAO courses because they are short on Leaving Cert points.

It also provides an option for those who have not applied to the CAO but are interested in pursuing one of the areas of study.

An important difference between these programmes and post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, which are also offered in FE colleges, is the guaranteed progression to higher education, provided students meet the required academic standard.

PLCs are already popular as a stepping stone to a third-level college. However, having completed a PLC, students then have to compete for a place in higher education on the basis of their results, with varying levels of success.

PLC nursing graduates, in particular, have faced huge competition for places on degree programmes, forcing most to go to the UK every year to do their degree.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 7th

Among the new joint programmes is one in the west/northwest for nursing, which is expected to attract a lot of interest.

It will mean a smooth transition from one of a number of FE colleges in the west/northwest to Atlantic Technological University (ATU).

This is also likely to ensure more aspiring nurses stay in Ireland to train.

Apart from making it easier for school-leavers to study at home, it also sits with the national imperative to improve workforce planning to meet the needs of society.

In another example, a student could complete two years of a business course in Portlaoise Institute, followed by two years in South East Technological University.

While the new programmes offer a direct pathway to an honours (Level 8) degree, as students move through their studies they will be on a ladder of qualifications progression.

If a student opts to leave the programme before achieving a degree, they will receive formal recognition of the learning already completed, such as a Level 6 certificate or a Level 7 ordinary degree.

Spending a year or two in a local FE college also facilitates a student in staying at home for that period.

This helps in the cutting of costs for those who otherwise would have had to move to a city to start a degree programme.

Todays launch represents a first step in the process and more joint programmes are expected to follow in the coming years.
Incoming RTE Director General Kevin Bakhurst has met with staff at the broadcaster today and committed to bring about cultural change including a change of the leadership at the top of the organisation, RTE Education Correspondent Emma O Kelly has said.

Mr Bakhurst met with representatives of the NUJ Dublin Broadcasting Branch who said they were heartened by how he responded to the issues they raised, including a them and us culture at RTE between top earners and the rest of the staff.

Chair of the branch, Ms OKelly was part of a delegation that met Mr Bakhurst and said: "We had a very positive meeting with Kevin Bakhurst this morning. We raised a range of issues of concern to RTE staff, which all feed into what we have described as the 'them and us' culture that prevails in the organisation.

"I feel heartened by how he responded to us. We are now looking ahead to Monday when Kevin will make an announcement about his immediate plans for change. We welcome Kevin's commitment to meeting and speaking with staff over the coming weeks.

Following the meeting, she told RTEs Drivetime that among the pledges Mr Bakhurst gave staff was to change the leadership at the top of the organization. We need to see that, Emma said.

She said: "The things that we are afraid of, workers across the organisation are afraid of, is, you know, are there going to be job losses in the future? So there's a lot of fear as well. I mean, Kevin backrest talks about changing the culture, changing the way we work, you know, wanting all of this to be a catalyst for change; that is all good. And we wish him well. But obviously the devil is in the details of all that.

Ms O Kelly said morale was so low at RTE among regular staff that some people have been reduced to tears by the ongoing scandal dogging the broadcaster.

The staff, in their joint statement after meeting the DG, said the new Director General has a huge task ahead of him to rebuild vital trust with the public. We wish him well in this task, and we look forward to working with him.

Also at the meeting this morning was Director of HR, Eimear Cusack, and interim Deputy Director General Adrian Lynch. Also attending the meeting on behalf of staff was Lisa Garvey, Vice-Chair of SIPTU.

The RTE Trade Union Group welcomed the Director General's commitment to meeting with staff and their unions in the coming weeks, in light of the absence of engagement of RTE senior management since the crisis began.

Mr Bakhurst on Monday is expected to provide more detail on this cultural change promised at RTE, of which a reconstitution of the executive board is expected.
A man is in a critical condition after being hit by a car in Dublin on Thursday afternoon.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses following the incident in Ballymun about 3pm.

The pedestrian, who is aged in his 60s, is fighting for his life after being rushed to the Mater Hospital by emergency services.

The car involved failed to remain at the scene.

A male in his late teens has been arrested.

Scene of a suspected hit and run on Ballymun Road

Gardai at Ballymun are appealing for witnesses following a serious injury collision in Ballymun on Thursday 6th July 2023, a garda statement read.

Shortly after 3pm, gardai and emergency services were alerted following a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on the R108 Ballymun Road. The pedestrian, a man aged in his 60s, was removed from the scene to the Mater Hospital where his condition is understood to be critical.

A male aged in his late teens has since been arrested and is currently detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a garda station in north Dublin.

The scene was examined by garda forensic collision investigators and the road has since fully reopened to traffic.

Investigations continue.
The producers of Toy Show The Musical received additional payments on top of their RTE salaries over the course of three years for extra work they did on the theatrical production.

Jane Murphy and Katherine Drohan, who both work full-time as directors/ producers in RTE, conceived the idea for the ill-fated musical during lockdown. They worked as producers on The Late Late Show during Ryan Tubridys tenure and had worked on the Toy Show for several years.

They pitched the idea for the musical to RTE and were given the green light to develop it. Between 2020 and last year, they worked on storylines and scripts and wrote early scores. This was on top of their daily workload as directors/producers.

In a statement, RTE confirmed that separate to their staff work as producer/directors in RTE television, Jane Murphy and Katherine Drohan were both further contracted by RTE as writers on Toy Show The Musical.

They received remuneration for that writing work, which took place across 2020, 2021 and 2022, it added.

RTE did not reveal the amount Ms Drohan and Ms Murphy were paid for their work as writers.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster said that if staff are contracted to do additional work over and above their current role  yes, they are paid for it.

Ryan Tubridy 'declined' to join financial flop Toy Show: The Musical says RTE's Director of Strategy

RTE confirmed Ms Murphy will act as executive producer on the next season of The Late Late Show as new host Patrick Kielty comes on board.

Ms Drohan is now RTEs editor of internal production.

It emerged this week that RTE had spent 2.7m on the musical.

On Wednesday, RTEs summary financial report of the production said box-office revenue predictions based on a sell-out for the entire run of 54 shows would have resulted in a total audience of 107,000 and a profit of over 4m.

In the end, the show came in at a loss of 2.2m and sold just 11,044 tickets. A total of 9,218 tickets were given away as complimentaries or through competitions.

The musical was staged in Dublins Convention Centre, a venue that holds close to 2,000 people. RTE had predicted it would sell 80pc capacity.

Some industry insiders think if there had been some involvement of RTE stars such as Ryan Tubridy the show may have proved more popular.

However, it failed to make an impact in the already over-saturated Christmas panto market.

In May, it emerged that one of the playwrights who had worked on early iterations of the script, Lisa Tierney-Keogh, had written to the Dails Public Accounts Committee (PAC) saying that the contracts negotiated were below industry standard.

On social media this week, the playwright described her time on the production as the worst working experience of my professional career.

Others working in Irish theatre were stunned by the amount spent.

In the Oireachtas committee meeting, RTEs strategic adviser Rory Coveney, who spearheaded the musical, said that those who had been to it had loved it.

Im not sure if anyone here was at the show, but those who attended it absolutely loved it, he said, before adding that the musical had not been a commercial success.
Incoming RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst, acting deputy director general Adrian Lynch and RTE board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh after a meeting with the Media Minister yesterday. Photo: Liam McBurney

Incoming RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst has vowed to introduce a strict register of interests for the broadcasters top earners.

In his first meeting with Media Minister Catherine Martin, the new RTE boss said he would ensure there was complete transparency around the external earnings of Montrose stars.

The move will ensure taxpayer-funded RTE presenters will have to declare business interests they have outside their work with the public broadcaster.

This means those who have struck car deals, such as Marty Morrissey and Lottie Ryan, will see that information published.

The issue on future car deals wont arise because people will have to declare their interest and the new DG said he will be operating a strict register, a government source said.

Mr Bakhurst takes up his new role on Monday, but met Ms Martin in her department yesterday morning to discuss the continuing RTE sandal.

The new boss was accompanied by acting deputy director general Adrian Lynch and board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh.

Marty Morrissey: Renault deal was an 'error of judgement'

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Bakhurst said the scandal at RTE had been painful to watch, but insisted he will restore trust in the public service broadcaster.

It wasnt quite the challenge I thought I was taking on when I took this job, but its a challenge I will do my absolute best to deliver with the right team around me, he added.

Mr Bakhurst said his top priority would be to talk to RTE staff about their concerns in the wake of the controversy sparked by revelations surrounding former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridys secret pay top-up.

At her own press conference yesterday, minister Ms Martin said she had asked Mr Bakhurst to make a public statement about his plans to reform RTE when he takes charge.

She said she told Mr Bakhurst she is not satisfied with the way details of RTEs finances were emerging.

The drip-feed of information over the past two weeks has been another blow to RTE and has caused untold harm, she added.

The minister said she told Mr Bakhurst there is a critical need to change the tone and culture between the executive and the board and staff.

In relation to the new register of interests, acting deputy boss Mr Lynch said: As new issues come to light, and as part of RTEs commitment to restoring trust in the organisation, I have agreed with the incoming director general, Kevin Bakhurst, that RTE will develop a comprehensive register of interests of RTE staff and contractors.

This process has started and will be completed in the coming weeks.

While in the short term we are focusing on RTEs on-air presenters, the scope of this process will be extended to all RTE employees, both staff and contractors, to ensure compliance with RTE guidelines and contracts.

It is our intention to make these details public once the register is complete.

It came after another day of controversy for the national broadcaster.

It emerged that Marty Morrissey was the member of staff who had a car loaned by Renault for the past five years.

Morrissey has apologised after admitting to accepting an informal deal to use a car while acting as a master of ceremonies at a dozen Renault events.

In a statement, he said he was asked in 2017 to MC at 12 functions in garages across Ireland for the carmaker, which involved interviewing several high-profile GAA personalities. He said he received permission to do so from RTE and did not seek a fee.

Morrissey said he returned the car voluntarily on June 23 after reflecting on the controversy at RTE around payments to fellow presenter Ryan Tubridy and concluding that the ad hoc arrangement was an error of judgment.

RTE has been left reeling since revelations last month that it under-reported the salary paid to Tubridy and failed to disclose 345,000 of additional payments to him between 2017 and 2022.

The furore has since widened amid further disclosures about RTEs internal financial, accounting and governance practices.

As he begins his new role, Mr Bakhurst will be among a slew of RTE executives due to attend the Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee (PAC) next week.

Also invited are former RTE director general Noel Curran, former chief financial officer (CFO) Breda OKeeffe and director of content Jim Jennings, as well as RTE board chair Siun Ni Raghallaigh.

The PAC has also invited current CFO Richard Collins, head of commercial Geraldine OLeary and head of legal Paula Mullooly to attend.

It also emerged that Tubridy and his agent Noel Kelly will appear before the PAC to discuss the former Late Late Show hosts contract and secret top-up from RTEs controversial barter account.

Meanwhile, government ministers are increasingly concerned about a sharp increase in TV licence fee evasion as a result of the ongoing scandal. Senior figures expect this years evasion rate to be higher than last years 15pc.

Last year, 152m was generated in TV licence revenue with sales of 947,924 through An Post on behalf of the Department of Media.

Figures for this year showing whether people have sought to cancel direct debts are not yet available.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar urged people yesterday to keep paying the licence, saying: Not just because its the law, but also because it funds public service broadcasting. I can understand peoples frustration, but I dont want to impose some form of collective punishment on everyone who works in RTE.

Ms Martin said she was not going to tell people what to do in relation to the licence fee, adding: Id say to the public we can never forget the value of public service broadcasting and its role in democracy and society.

Mr Bakhurst also made an appeal to the public if taxpayers were hesitant about paying their TV licence.

Id say please look at what we do, look at our actions, look at what were trying to do to restore trust, he said.
Domas Kalesnykas and Aisling Page with Gaisce CEO Avril Ryan at Aras an Uachtarain

A total of 98 young people from across the country were presented with the Gaisce Gold Award by President Michael D Higgins in a ceremony at Aras an Uachtarain today.

The Gaisce Presidents Award challenges young people to engage in personal, physical and community challenges. This years recipients contributed over 37,000 hours of their time to personal development and voluntary work.

The Gold Award is the highest achievement under the programme and can take up to three years to complete.

Domas Kalesnykas (19) is from Mallow, Co Cork, and was born in Lithuania. He said working towards the Gold Award was one of the most memorable experiences of his life.

I did litter picking, it was a reminder that I was still linked to my community as a teenager. It made me realise all people are linked to each other, he said.

He encouraged anyone considering going for a Gaisce Award to take the plunge.

Go for it, do it, try your best. I think Gaisce is for anyone and everyone willing to give it a chance and once you start, you cant stop, he said.

It takes hard work, time and its challenging, but its worth it.

Domas said he plans to continue volunteering with Mallow Tidy Towns in the future.

Aisling Page (24) from Mountrath, Co Laois, is a qualified doctor having graduated from Trinity College Dublin last summer.

Receiving her Gold Award at the Aras marks the end of a decade long journey starting when she worked towards the Gaisce Bronze Award at age 14.

The highlight of her Gold Award journey was a trip to northern Colombia for the Lost City Trek, a hiking trail through indigenous land.

You can only get to the old city by foot. It was a four day and three-night hike in the heat in Colombia, so it definitely tested my limits physically, she said.

She said getting involved with Gaisce put her out of her comfort zone, introduced her to new people and led her to take up new hobbies like creative writing and kayaking.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 7th

Speaking ahead of the ceremony, President Higgins said: Young people possess immense potential, creativity and a perspective that can shape our world in profound ways, demonstrated through this years recipients of the Gold Award.

I would like to congratulate the 98 awardees today, and hope that they will continue to actively engage in their communities to build a brighter, more inclusive society for all.

Gaisce CEO Avril Ryan said completing the award is an amazing, humongous achievement and it creates a better society when everyone works together.

This is an opportunity to celebrate something that young people have put their heart and soul into and that to me is so heart-warming, she added.

She highlighted the work of recipients who may have never received recognition for their efforts before and praised those who achieved the award coming from challenging backgrounds.

Across Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of the Gaisce Awards, Ms Ryan said awardees have given hundreds of thousands of hours of their time to their communities.
Parents of boys returned home with their sons remains last night

Maw Wall (left) and Andrew ODonnell died within 24 hours of each other on the Greek island of Ios

One of the teenagers who died tragically in Greece had made the sensible decision to have an early night when he took a shortcut home alone and suffered a fatal fall.

Andrew ODonnell and Max Wall, students of St Michaels College in south Dublin, died within 24 hours of each other while on a holiday with classmates celebrating the end of the Leaving Certificate.

The friends are to be laid to rest at separate funerals next week.

As two sets of devastated parents returned home with their sons remains on Thursday evening, a narrative of the events that led to both deaths continues to emerge.

Tim Kelleher, principal of St Michaels school in Ballsbridge where Andrew and Max were students, said they had been on the island of Ios for less than 24 hours and were exhausted from travelling when Andrew went missing.

They were wrecked tired and Andrew made a very wise decision to go home early, said Mr Kelleher.

He left the group and was going home to his own place when the accident happened. He was tired because he had been travelling and did the mature, sensible thing.

You would be proud of your own kids if they said, Im checking out of here early, Im tired.

He left the group and thats the mistake we make sometimes. If you go early, you are on your own.

He took a shortcut on the way home and unfortunately the accident happened on the way. And we are so sorry because it was a sensible decision being made.

Floral tributes left at St. Michael's College following the deaths of two students

Announcing his funeral details, Maxs grieving parents Niall and Fiona and brother Charlie said the world had lost a little colour with his passing as they paid tribute to their courageous, brave, fun-filled son.

Maxs funeral mass will take place on Monday, July 10, in The Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook, Dublin.

Andrews heartbroken parents Bebhinn, Gavin and brother Rory paid tribute to their sons unfailing loyalty to his friends, saying he brightened the darkest days.

His funeral mass will take place next Wednesday, July 12, in The Church of the Sacred Heart, Donnybrook, followed by a private family cremation.

The parents of both boys were expected home with their childrens remains on Thursday night. They will attend a private ceremony with the graduation class of 2023 at St Michaels College chapel on Friday evening.

Speaking at a prayer service for both boys on Wednesday night, school principal, Mr Kelleher told those gathered that the ODonnell and Wall families were embarking on the saddest journey home with their children.

For me, the image of two coffins going on a ship or a ferry and just going out of port is so poignant. It must be the saddest journey that any parent should ever have to make.

Following the conclusion of post-mortem examinations in Athens, the remains of both boys were released to their families on Wednesday night.

The results of the post-mortem examinations, as well as toxicology reports, are not expected to be known for a number of days.

Andrew had been missing since early on Saturday morning, July 1, as he made his way home after a night out in the town of Hora. His body was later found by a search party. Initial indications suggest he died as a result of a fall.

Just hours later, Maxs body was found in an unresponsive state at the port in Ios.

He was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.

It is understood he previously had health issues with his heart.
An education support worker with a hormonal disorder who said a planned office move would leave her too far from hospital if she suffered a potentially fatal attack of the disease has won 33,500 for discrimination.

The order was made by the Workplace Relations Commission under the Employment Equality Act 1998, after it ruled her employer knew she had a disability, but failed to carry out an assessment for accommodating her at work.

The identities of the parties to the case were not disclosed by the tribunal in a decision published this morning, with adjudicator Brian Dalton stating this was to keep the workers sensitive medical data confidential.

The worker suffers from Addisons Disease, a rare chronic disorder of the adrenal glands causing fatigue, lethargy and muscle weakness  but also carrying a life-threatening risk if she had an episode, her solicitor Barry Crushell told the WRC.

The worker told the tribunal that she learned in spring 2020 that her employers office in Blessington, Co Wicklow would be closing as part of a re-organisation and was told by a HR officer she could move to either Carlow, Naas, Co Kildare, or Tallaght in west Dublin.

She said she knew immediately that Carlow was unsuitable as there is no hospital in the town and sought an assurance that she could hot-desk from Naas, Co Kildare if she was transferred to Carlow.

None was given, even though she had stated that she told HR she was not in good health in May that year, the worker said.

In October 2020 the HR officer told the complainant she would be assigned to Carlow as she had failed to express her preference.

The worker questioned the decision in an email of February 2021 writing that it: did not suit either my personal or professional situation.

As you know, I live in [a county] and my case load is in [there] and your decision to move me to another county will place unreasonable pressure on me, she wrote.

She ultimately resigned from the post into early retirement, the tribunal was told.

Denying discrimination, counsel for the employer, Catherine McVeigh BL, appearing instructed by Niamh Diskin of Eversheds Sutherland, said all reasonable steps were taken to accommodate the worker.

During the correspondence from February 2020 to June 2021, over 16 months in total, the complainant at no point referred to the fact that she needed to be beside a hospital for an alleged disability, Ms Diskin said.

The option of using the office in Naas was not viable after nine months of correspondence on the matter as the space had already been offered to another worker, Ms Diskin added.

In his decision, Mr Dalton wrote that although there was no specific reference to the complainants need to be near a hospital in the correspondence with HR about her job site, there was a long exchange of email about critical illness cover.

He found on the balance of probabilities that the workers reference to personal circumstances in her email of May 2020 was a reference to her illness.

The employer knew that she had several medical conditions that were serious and had incapacitated her for significant periods of time. It could not be credibly argued that her personal circumstances were not known to her employer, he wrote.

The Carlow office might have been suitable, but the employer was required to carry out an assessment of where the worker could be reasonably accommodated so that she could continue to participate and advance in the employment.

They had an obligation to make that assessment and did not, Mr Dalton wrote, ruling that the worker had been discriminated against on the grounds of disability.

He awarded 33,500 in compensation for the effects of discrimination, a sum equivalent to six months salary for the worker.
Our critic enjoys the textures and flavours at the Mount Juliet Estates fine-dining Lady Helen

Lady Helen McCalmont was a flat-racing and National Hunt enthusiast who built the stud farm at Ballylinch across the river from her home at Mount Juliet in 1910 and went on to win both the Irish Grand National and the Galway Plate in 1933 with her champion horse, Red Park.
Our property finance expert answers your questions

Our daughter has returned home after graduating from college in the UK and is job hunting. She is in full time work, but its not degree related or what she wants to do.
130 cars take part in circuit that revisited favoured routes on rally from years gone bye

Mandy Doody, Florence and Alexia Murphy from Roskeen on the Mushera stage during the Circuit of Ireland Stages Revisited organised by Millstreet Vintage Club. Picture John Tarrant

Patsy and Mary O'Sullivan, Mallow at the Circuit of Ireland Stages Revisited organised by Millstreet Vintage Club. Picture John Tarrant

Arlene Kelleher and Sophie Harrington from Macroom supported the Circuit of Ireland Stages Revisited organised by Millstreet Vintage Club. Picture John Tarrant

Con and Mary Lynch participated in the Circuit of Ireland Stages Revisited organised by Millstreet Vintage Club. Picture John Tarrant

Sean O'Donoughue brought his 1979 Citreon Dolly to the Circuit of Ireland Stages Revisited in Millstreet. Picture John Tarrant

Elaine Kelleher, Mallow brought her Toyota Celica to the Circuit of Ireland Stages Revisited organised by Millstreet Vintage Club. Picture John Tarrant

The halcyon days of rallying were relived by motoring enthusiasts on supporting the Millstreet Millstreet Vintage Club promoted Circuit of Ireland Stages Revisited Run last weekend.

The event allowed would-be rally drivers and enthusiastic motor sport fans the chance to participate - albeit complying within statutory speeds.

For just one day, vintage cars hit familiar terrain, thinking of the greats that traversed classic routes and attracted multitudes when the great Circuit of Ireland hit the South West Region each Easter with an overnight or two day stopover in Killarney.

On this occasion, favourable weather conditions made for a most beautiful drive on some stunning roads.

The event was an outstanding success with 130 cars taking part. Proceedings got underway from Dromtariffe Community Centre just from where the cars made their way through some classic Circuit of Ireland stages from years gone by, such as Mushera. Mullaghanish,and Fuhiry before a stopover at the Top of Coom pub.

The run proceeded to the Gortnagane and Caherbarnagh stages before heading back to Millstreet for the finish.

Event organiser Donie Lucey thanked everyone who took part and enjoyed some great scenery on the Cork/Kerry border on stages all used on the Circuit of Ireland and other events in years gone bye.

Favourable weather conditions made for a most beautiful drive on some stunning roads. Words of gratitude must go out to the marshals, bike marshals and An Garda Siochana who kept the event flowing so smoothly; also, thanks to all the people helping out at the event sign on, said Donie.

Also a big thanks to the committee of the hall in Dromtariffe for a great venue and to Breeda Lucey for looking after catering at the event pitstop at Irelands highest pub at the Top of the Coom, Donie added.
More than 2.5 million international passengers expected to pass through its terminal this year

Passenger numbers at Cork Airport over the first six-months of this year have exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

CORK Airport is on track to have the busiest year for international traffic in its more than six-decade history, with 2.7 million passengers expected to pass through its terminal over the course of 2023.

The prediction has come after figures released by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), which operates both Cork and Dublin Airports, showed 1,292,000 passengers passed through Cork over the first six-months of this year, up by 7% on the same period in 2019 before the Covid pandemic.

The figures showed that last month alone 280,500 flew in and out of the airport, a 13% increase on the figures for June of last year.

The previous month Cork Airport welcomed 262,318 passengers, up by 28% on May 2022 and 10% on the 2019 pre-pandemic level.

The latest DAA figures revealed Cork operated 1,908 flights over the course of June, 68% of which departed on time, with 99% of passengers making it through security checks in under 20-minutes.

The busiest route operating out of Cork was London-Heathrow and the airports busiest single day during the month was June 27.

Figures have shown that passenger numbers through Dublin Airport have returned to pre-pandemic levels, with just over 15.5 million people passing through during June, a figure the DAA said was roughly on par with 2019.

The authority said the peak summer season was well underway at Cork and Dublin, with 3.5 million passengers passing through the States busiest two airports across the month of June.

The DAA said that Spain remained the firm favourite destination for people from Cork, with direct flights available to 10 destinations in the country from the airport.

The CEO of the authority, Kenny Jacobs, said a number of factors have contributed to the increase in passenger traffic through Cork Airport.

Cork Airport is gearing up to have its busiest year ever for international traffic, with 2.7 million passengers expected to fly to and from Munsters busiest and most popular airport this year. This growth is facilitated by an excellent airport experience, friendly staff and an excellent choice of routes, said Mr Jacobs.

He said it was anticipated the increase in passenger numbers would continue through the winter months, following the recent announcements that Aer Lingus would be operating new winter services to Lyon and Tenerife in addition to increasing the frequency of their services to Lanzarotte.

There will also be more good news for passengers across the south of Ireland coming soon, with our airline customers set to finalise details of even more new routes, said Mr Jacobs.

Meanwhile, the DAA has advised that people traveling from Cork should arrive at the airport at least 90-minutes before their flight is due to depart.
Ava was a brave person and was somebody you would be proud to call your daughter

CORK medicinal cannabis campaigner, Vera Twomey, whose 13-year- old daughter Ava passed away in May following a lifelong battle with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome has expressed her gratitude for the support she received in Ireland and overseas.

Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, on Newstalk, the mother of four from Aghabullogue said that public was instrumental in getting her through her lengthy, but ultimately successful campaign, to obtain medicinal cannabis for Ava, who was experiencing catastrophic and potentially life ending seizures.

She also thanked all those who sympathised with her family after Ava died in hospital in Cork on May 26 last following an illness.

I hope that some of the people who reached out to us and offered condolences to us know that we deeply appreciate the communications that were made, said Ms Twomey.

Ava was a marvellous person who fought very hard for so many years. We were so grateful to have the support of so many people in this country and beyond this country as well. There are so many people responsible for us having the privilege of us having had her for so many more years. It is important for us to come out and thank people for that, she added.

Ms Twomey said the medicinal cannabis helped Ava to have the quality of life she deserved and to extend her life for several years beyond the expectations of any of the medical professionals.

We had seven years of Ava being seizure free until the start of this year because of medicinal cannabis. Seven years is a long time, said Ms Twomey.

She (Ava) was a brave person and a beautiful person and somebody that never gave up. She was somebody you would be proud to call your daughter.

Ms Twomey admitted that losing Ava was the realisation of her worst nightmare.

It is like the world is not enough without her. There is a tremendous void. It is very difficult to adjust. I cant really say whether personally Im coping or not, but Im still here anyway. But the ability to not reach out and be with her is extremely difficult, said Ms Twomey. .

(I think) of her smile. She didnt have to speak. She controlled a room. She was a remarkable lady. She didnt have to use that many words. Her energy was something that was very special. She would have spoken when she wanted something. She had her priorities. It is very odd that the place is so silent without her. It seems not as special and wonderful a place to be without her.

Ms Twomey said Ava wasnt defined by her condition.

That (her condition) was part of her life but it wasnt all of her life. She loved music. She loved jigsaws. She loved Ed Sheeran. She loved to go to school. She loved her teachers. There was so much more to her than seizures. We were very lucky to have her.

In 2017 then Minister for Health Simon Harris granted a licence for the use of medicinal cannabis by Ava.

Ms Twomey had walked from Cork to Leinster House in Dublin on two occasions in a bid to highlight Avas plight.

Her condition was so serious that it had previously pushed her in to cardiac arrest and an eight-day coma.

Ms Twomey gave numerous media interviews over a three year period in which she said that she was desperate to gain access to THC cannabis oil to prevent her daughters severe epilepsy attacks. She also assisted other parents who were in similar positions to her.

Ms Twomey punished a book in 2019 called For Ava in which she told of the struggles that her family experienced when her daughter was seriously ill.

Ms Twomey said that they ran out of options to treat Dravet Syndrome and that there was nothing there but Google as they desperately searched for a solution to the dire circumstances of their daughter.

Prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis Ava was having up to 23 seizures in the space of 26-hours.

Ms Twomey previously said that seizures were terrifying experiences as she never knew if her daughter would come out of one intact. The fear was that Ava would end up brain damaged or dead.

The ambulance service call outs were so regular for Ava that they didnt need to ask her address.

Ms Twomey previously admitted that her life prior to obtaining medicinal cannabis for Ava was one of constant stress, pain and anxiety.

Every waking moment was consumed by it. I operated under constant fear and tension waiting for the next seizure. It was coming though you never knew when -- but as sure as day it was coming, she said.

Ava was having several seizures almost every day, with over twenty on a bad day. They may varied in extent and severity, but each one was an agonising experience, full of pain and terror, added Ms Twomey.

In May of 2017 she went to Spain to get a prescription from a consultant for medicinal cannabis for Ava.

Customs officials confiscated the THC from Ms Twomey after questioning her for an hour after she got off a flight from Barcelona.

She went to live in the Hague in the Netherlands in the latter half of 2017 where she again received a prescription of the drug for her daughter.

At the time Ms Twomey said that it was a relief to finally gain consistent access to the medication even if she had to go overseas.

It is freedom for us. We have a medicine that works. We can speak openly and honestly about Ava having the THC form of cannabis. We dont have to hide in the shadows. THC has saved Avas life and changed her life and is the most humane form of medication, said Ms Twomey.

Speaking in 2017 Ms Twomey admitted that she felt a personal responsibility to help other people in similar situations.

It doesnt matter if you are the first, second or 23rd person to get medicinal cannabis. It is your duty to share some of your success and how it is achieved.

Ms Twomey was asked to speak in the House of Commons in London in 2019 about the benefits of the alternative medicine in treating conditions such as severe epilepsy.

She was also named Cork Person of the Month in May of 2018.
Graham Norton will headline the opening night of the West Cork Literary Festival when he will be interviewd (for a change) by writer Maeve Higgins.

Having come to fame as a comedian and host of a BBC chat show which boasts some of Hollywoods top stars, one of Corks most famous sons comes home to the county this weekend to headline the opening night of the West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry.

Graham Norton is no stranger to literary events as hes penned four best selling novels which were set in west Cork and one of them, Holding, was adapted for TV and filmed in the region in 2021 and screened to acclaim last year. It starred Siobhan McSweeney, Sister Michael from Derry Girls, and Conleth Hill, (Varys from Game of Thrones).

The best selling author will be chatting with writer Maeve Higgins about his latest novel, Forever Home, at Friday evenings event at the Maritime Hotel. The novel is described as a darkly comic story, full of twists with the all important emotional clout that has become the trademark of his novels.

While the Graham Norton event will be a sell out event, tickets are still available for many other events at the ten day festival which is taking place at different venues in the west Cork port.

Sundays line-up features another Cork author, Conal Creedon, whose latest book is an examination of Guests of the Nation by Cork writer Frank OConnor, and he will be talking about this book, Art Imitating Life Imitating Death.

In 2012, Conal Creedon was invited by descendants of the Donoughmore IRA to visit the series of safe-houses where Major Compton-Smith had been held before he was executed. It occurred to him that Compton-Smiths final days may have been the inspiration for OConnors fiction. Creedon has previously published his poignant recollections of that day in several articles  periodicals, newspapers and magazines.

It was a day where painful memories of generations past were laid bare and in some cases laid to rest, said Conal.

In January 2020, Conal Creedon presented his lecture, Art Imitating Life Imitating Death  An Exploration of Guests Of The Nation by Frank OConnor at the Irish Revolutionary Period Symposium organised by the Swiss Centre of Irish Studies, University of Zurich and the Zurich James Joyce Foundation. The lecture was published by Studi irlandesi. A Journal of Irish Studies, by Firenze University Press (FUP) at the University of Florence, Italy.

The Bantry focused festival features many other well known writers including Clara Kumagai, Richard Kearney and Eoghan Daltun, the author of An Irish Atlantic Rainforest who will be giving his talk on Whiddy Island on Saturday afternoon.
Cork TD Aindrias Moynihan says centre would address the big gap in local day care services

It is proposed the day care centre will be located in an empty building on the Macroom Hospital campus.

A CORK TD has called on the HSE to make funds available for the provision of a dedicated day care centre on the grounds of Macroom Hospital.

Addressing the issue during a recent Dail debate Cork North West Fianna Fail TD Aindrias Moynihan said what he described as a the big gap that exists in day care services across the greater Macroom area needs to be urgently addressed.

Deputy Moynihan said the census results showing Ireland has an aging population should come as no surprise to anyone.

There is a great need for people who are growing older to be able to remain independent for as long as possible and to live in their own homes with dignity. Day care centres are a fundamental part and a key support in providing social interaction, advice and support to clients and their carers, said Deputy Moynihan.

However, there is a big gap in these services around the Macroom and Lee Valley areas. While a limited service is in place once a week for people with dementia through the Alzheimers Society of Ireland (ASI), there are presently no other services available. This needs to be rectified, he added.

Deputy Moynihan said a building on the grounds of Macroom Hospital, vacated when the primary care centre was relocated to the Mart area of Macroom ,would be a great location for the delivery of day care and dementia services.

For more than10-years the HSE has been talking about and making different preparations to provide day care services around the Macroom area and in that time the demand and need has continued to grow, said Deputy Moynihan.

The HSE should not now wait until the hospital extension is completed. As many efforts as possible should be run in parallel to advance those services. I understand some preparations are underway and plans have been advanced, but they have still not moved to tender stage. It is time to move forward with the plans for the other building. We really need to make sure the capital funding is available and the project can move along and that services are put in place, he added.

Deputy Moynihan that facilitating the ASIs Wednesday Macroom service in the building would also provide an opportunity for them to expand their services to the local community.

People who are growing older deserve to remain in their homes for as long as possible. The HSE need to put in place funding and use the old health centre on the Macroom hospital grounds to service the growing need locally, said Deputy Moynihan.

Responding to Deputy Moynihans comments the Minister of State for Older People and Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, said she had recently visited the Macroom Hospital campus to see the ongoing works.

It is a fantastic facility. However, there is room to do so much more on the campus. There is a huge opportunity here because when we try to put supports in place for people, we have to think outside the box and must utilise every empty building and make them all fit for purpose. I believe this is the plan, said Minister Butler.

She said the HSE had advised her this was not currently possible to define a timeline for the day care centre as the allocation of capital funding is still awaited.

However, the HSE is very supportive of it and this is something in which I will take a specific interest, promised Minister Butler.

Since I came into this House as Minister of State, I have often spoken about the postcode lottery. It is important, no matter of where you live, that you can access those vital supports, she added.
Pupils at Kiskeam National School ended their summer term on a high note as they sang, played and danced for Minister Norma Foley who dropped in to the school during her visit to Duhallow last week. Minister Foley was accompanied by Fianna Fail TD Michael Moynihan and Councillor Bernard Moynihan.

School principal Eugene Kelliher took Minster Foley on a tour of the school and outlined the site for the new school building project which is currently at tender stage.

She was treated to a host of musical performances including a brush dance, set dancing and a wonderful rendition of the classic folk song Four and Nine.

Minister Foley said: It is a joy to be with you here today at a school that I know delivers excellence in education every single day here in Kiskeam, in terms of aspiration and ambition for the students.

I am proud to be joined by Michael and his brother Bernard Moynihan who are just terrific advocates for the school and the community.

I am also proud to be joined by the Board of Management, these are people from the community and of the community who give of their time, talent and expertise for the benefit of the school community and do not receive a single penny. They do it for the love of the school and the community.

I am proud beyond measure that so many parents and grandparents are with us here today. I want to thank them for sending in the greatest gift of all we could receive in education - the students. I want to say a particular word of thanks to the staff, it has been a wonderful morning for me, flittering in and out of the classrooms and just seeing everything that goes on in the school.

When youre employed in education, whether you are the school secretary or school caretaker, Principal, Deputy Principal, SNA or teacher, you have your particular job description. The great richness of the Irish education system is that we have so many staff that go beyond the job description. I can see that here today whether its the music, the brush dance, the children singing, reciting poems, whatever. I always speak in education about the importance of having limitless ambition for students. When students have limited ambition, you must have limited opportunity. So I really do want to salute the staff for providing those opportunities for the students here in Scoil Mhuire. I want to thank the students for the fantastic welcome which they gave me and for the great questions they asked. I want to thank them for being so brilliant, so good and I hope you all have a wonderful summer holiday, Minister Foley said.

In reply Kiskeam NS Principal Eugene Kelliher said: We are delighted to welcome Minister Foley, Michael Moynihan TD and Councillor Bernard Moynihan to our school. It is a very memorable and unique way for us to finish the school year. They have visited each classroom and Cherryblossom Preschool that is situated within the school grounds.

I feel it is important to acknowledge the investment the Department is making in providing funding for an extension to our school. This is a project we are very excited about. The Minister and her staff have shown a commitment to this area by ensuring the progression of this project to tender. Today is a great opportunity for us to show our thanks to our local representatives who have always been very supportive and helpful. Both Michael and Bernard are always there to assist us and I feel we are fortunate to have people who want the best for this school and community.

Former Principal, the late Agnes Cronin was fondly remembered on the day.

Mr. Kelliher said: I feel it is important to acknowledge the role Agnes played in the progression of this school. A lot of what is currently happening would have been set in motion during her tenure.
Twin 34m projects key to catering for predicted future local population growth.

Willie John OFlynn, Mallow Chamber of Commerce; Eamon Gallen, Uisce Eireann; Cllr Frank OFlynn, Mayor of the County of Cork and James Fogarty, Deputy Chief Executive Cork County Council, with local representatives and the project teams involved in delivering the 34m Mallow projects. Photo: Daragh McSweeney/Provision Photography.

A PAIR of projects that will increase the capacity of Mallows aging waste water treatment plant and have seen the upgrading of its outdated sewer system have been hailed as game changer for the future economic and social development of the North Cork town.

In 2020 a hard-hitting report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the waste water plant in Mallow was failing strict EU standards, with Uisce Eireann (Irish Water) subsequently pledging to invest 20 million to upgrade the plant.

Confirmation of the investment in 2021 came just weeks after the company announced it was to spend an additional 14 million to upgrade the towns overstretched sewer network, in order to make it complaint with stringent waste water discharge regulations.

The works at the treatment plant involved the upgrading of the Ballyellis plant, the construction of a new pumping station and a stormwater holding tank at Mallow Bridge.

The sewer network upgrade incorporated the construction of more than 5km of new pipes and the removal of eight combined storm overflows that were in breach of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive and the subject of a European Court of Justice infringement notice.

Both projects were undertaken in conjunction with Cork County Council.

Speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the projects, Uisce Eireann chief operations officer Eamon Gallen said they would support social and economic growth in Mallow, while also protecting the integrity of the River Blackwater.

This infrastructure will allow Mallow and surrounding areas to thrive now and into the future, eliminate sewer overflows and improve the water quality in the River Blackwater, ensuring environmental compliance with national and EU regulations related to the treatment of wastewater, said Mr Gallen.

The overall investment of 34m in these two projects will provide the additional capacity to cater for current and future development and housing in the Mallow area, he added.

Mr Gallen said Uisce Eireann further recognised the need to increase efforts to halt the decline of biodiversity and was committed to building infrastructure that protects and, where possible, enhances our ecosystems.

The site of the pumping station has been developed with the local environment at the heart. The new underground storage tank at the pumping station has been built with reinforced grass surfacing, using wildflower seed that promotes and cultivates biodiversity, said Mr Gallen..

The Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn, said the twin projects would help cater for the future predicted population growth in Mallow town and the surrounding area.

The upgraded treatment plant will also ensure that wastewater is adequately treated and meets appropriate standards before being safely discharged back into the River Blackwater, said Cllr OFlynn.

Both projects combined will enhance local amenities and act as a platform for social and economic development. This is another on-the-ground example of government investment in Cork County yielding significant dividends, said Cllr OFlynn.

Mallow Chamber president Willie John OFlynn said the completion of the twin projects would also have a positive impact for local commerce.

The provision of adequate wastewater services is an integral factor for local business, particularly for our multinationals, retail and hospitality sectors. As Mallow continues to develop and expand, local economic growth will be underpinned by investment in infrastructure such as this, which allows our communities and businesses to expand and thrive, said Mr OFlynn.
The former ESB headquarters at 12 Fitzwilliam Street Lower will be converted into a Georgian-era museum

Plans for a new Georgian-era museum and visitor centre have been announced for Dublins historic Georgian core off Merrion Square.

The ESB and the Irish Heritage Trust have teamed up to redevelop number 12 Fitzwilliam Street Lower.

The building once stood in an unbroken line of Georgian houses running from Merrion Square to the top of Fitzwilliam Place in south Dublins Georgian core. It became the headquarters of the ESB in 1927.

However, in the 1960s, the ESB announced its intention to demolish sixteen houses on the street to replace the terrace with a purpose built office block.

The plans attracted strong opposition, with 900 people attending a public meeting in the Mansion House in 1961 to voice their opinions.

The demolition caused one of Dublins biggest conservation controversies and in 1965, with support from the government, numbers 13-28 were demolished and replaced with Sam Stephenson-designed offices.

Number 12 escaped the hammer and remains today with its original staircases, marble fireplaces, door cases and associated joinery, window boxes, shutters and ceiling centrepieces.

Built in the 1820s, the building is one of few Georgian-era houses off Merrion Square that have been restored.

The Irish Heritage Trust, in partnership with the ESB, plans to redevelop number 12 into a heritage visitor attraction and museum.

It is envisaged the new attraction will connect the history of Georgian Dublin and Fitzwilliam Street Lower and the development of science and technology in the home over 200 years.

Meanwhile, the Georgian House Museum at number 29 on Fitzwilliam Street Lower will be converted into three family sized homes.

These units will join the eleven homes that were completed in 2022 as part of the restoration the former ESB Georgian houses.

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan said: I welcome this fantastic partnership and the restoration of a treasure of our past city living in the heart of Dublins Georgian Quarter.

Having regard for the many original Georgian features, the Trust and ESB will progress with a conservation-led refurbishment of the building, revealing layers of history and peoples stories.

Anne ODonoghue, CEO of the Irish Heritage Trust, said: Since its formation in 2006, the Irish Heritage Trust has successfully collaborated with a wide variety of partners, public and private sector, to ensure the special heritage properties in our care are conserved, nurtured, developed and shared for future generations.

We are delighted to be the partner of choice for ESB on bringing to life this historically significant Georgian building, using best conservation practice.

We look forward to developing an immersive visitor experience, and we welcome the opportunity to connect people to its history through innovative and imaginative interpretation as well as education, events and volunteering whilst ensuring all works are completed in a sustainable manner.

Paul Smith, ESBs Executive Director of Engineering and Major Projects, said: ESB has a longstanding presence on Fitzwilliam Street Lower which we very much value.

Our new award-winning head office has been designed to be respectful of its Georgian surroundings and one of the most energy efficient office buildings in the country.
A young girl stood between her father and mother to try and stop him from assaulting her, it has been alleged.

The 10-year-old heard screaming from her bedroom, and when she came downstairs, she saw her father drag her mother into the kitchen and try to kick her on the ground, a court heard.

The assault allegedly took place after the man looked at his wifes mobile phone and saw birthday wishes from another male.

Judge Dermot Dempsey said he would accept jurisdiction to deal with the matter in the District Court.

The accused, who is in his 30s and cannot be identified to protect his daughter, is charged with seriously assaulting a woman at their home in north Co Dublin on December 13, 2022.

Outlining the allegation for jurisdiction purposes, Sergeant Patricia McGarrity told Swords District Court gardai received a 999 call from a woman alleging she had been assaulted by her husband.

Sgt McGarrity alleged the man grabbed the woman by the neck and dragged her to the floor, where he tried to get on top of her and struck her on the nose.

Sgt McGarrity said the woman was screaming and her children came downstairs at the noise.

The couples 10-year-old daughter tried to step between them to prevent the assault.

The woman then tried to leave the house but she was stopped.

When gardai arrived on the scene, the accused was standing over his wife, the court heard.

The victim suffered red marks to her chest, bruising to her neck and arms and a burn mark to her head, the sergeant alleged, and was very distressed by what had happened.

Judge Dempsey adjourned the case for hearing to a date in September.
Glenflesk GAA launching their the "Flesk Fest 2023", a weekend of live music, fun and entertainment, which will be held at Barraduff Community Field on July 21st, 22nd and 23rd. At the launch were front l-r: Niamh O'Connor, Mary O'Brien, Derry Healy Vice-Chairman, Gavin Kelly, Ollie Favier, Eugene Bowler and members of the Glenflesk GAA Club. Photo by Tatyana McGough

Flesk Fest is back this year, and with two more days added to the festival, its set to be the best one yet!

The festival, which is a Glenflesk GAA fundraiser, usually only runs for one day but will now take place from July 21  July 23, in Barraduff Community Field.

Talking about the addition of two more days to the festival, Derry Healy, Glenflesk GAA, told The Kerryman.

Obviously, we were off for two years because of Covid and it used to be on in the Kerry Way but this year we changed it to a three-day event, were trying to do something for everyone, especially getting elderly people out after Covid, dancing, meeting people.

The celebrations kick off on Friday night with Dance Hall Friday. A mix of traditional Irish dance and music is sure to get everyone moving. Gates open at 5pm and live music starts at 7pm.

Saturday keeps the atmosphere electric with The Big Stage. Gates open for 12pm and live music starts from 3pm. The main event of the whole weekend, local band Up in Smoke, will start from 7pm, followed by DJ Gav Kelly.

Sunday will bring the festivities to a close with Family Fun Day. Gates open from 12pm. Face painting, food, and fun for all is in store. The All Ireland Hurling final will also be televised, live on the big screen.

A fully licensed bar and food trucks will be available throughout the weekend.

Day and weekend tickets are available online and at the locality. Under 16s go free!

To get your tickets now or for further information, visit member.clubforce.com.
Kenmare hotelier John Brennan has said he hopes television and radio presenter Ryan Tubridy returns to the airwaves, describing him as an extremely rare talent and a good soul, who is caring, gracious and generous with his time to others.

Mr Brennan  whose national profile has surged through hosting RTEs At Your Service alongside his brother, Francis  commented from his Instagram page as the scandal surrounding secret payments made by the state broadcaster to Mr Tubridy continues to play out dramatically before the public.

The revelation that Mr Tubridy had received 345,000 more than publicly disclosed over the last six years has rocked the publics faith in RTE. Senior RTE figures have been placed under an intense media glare and multiple Oireachtas grillings over recent weeks on several matters, including the use of barter accounts to fund more than 1.5million in client hospitality in the 10 years leading up to 2022.

Mr Brennan said he has met Mr Tubridy in both a personal and professional capacity many times, and he feels recent events have not been confidence enhancing in RTE, further describing the raging controversy as a brutal shambles. He did, however, describe Mr Tubridy as a superbly professional broadcaster with a natural ability to care for people.

He provided enormous solace and calmness throughout the entire Covid 19 period when other shows and nations only broadcast doom and gloom, Mr Brennan wrote. He touched the hearts of children of all ages throughout Ireland and well beyond every year with his Toy Show.

The impact he has had on many people, not as lucky or healthy as others, has changed lives beyond comprehension, much of it done off camera in his own time.

He went on to say Mr Tubridy has a deep desire to deliver interesting and meaningful content.

I for one would like to thank him for all the above and hope he returns to our airwaves in the not too distant future.
A LACK of accessible housing is forcing many young and middle aged people with disabilities to live in nursing homes.

Thats according to the Irish Wheelchair Association which has just launched its Think Ahead Think Housing 2023 housing campaign seeking more social housing for people with disabilities in Kerry and across Ireland.

The campaign encourages people with disabilities to think about their housing needs and apply to their local authority for housing for the future.

According to Tralee based Labour Cllr Terry OBrien, who oversees the Irish Wheelchair Association in Kerry, Think Ahead, Think Housing is aimed at anyone with a disability who wants to move out of home and begin their independent life or for parents of older children with a disability who want to move out of the family home but dont know where to start.

We are encouraging and supporting people to think about social housing and apply to their local authority for housing sooner rather than later.

Across our membership, we see that there is very little wheelchair liveable housing available through private rental or local authorities, said Cllr OBrien.

At the Irish Wheelchair Association, we are campaigning for change, but disabled people need to apply to their local authority for social housing in order to be included in local authorities new housing development plans, which will take a number of years to be completed, Mr OBrien said.

The Governments national housing strategy, Housing for All, aims to increase the supply of social housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade through 4 billion in state funding per year, however disabled people cannot be included in these plans if they do not apply.

We know that in Kerry and across Ireland there isnt an accessible housing shortage, there is a complete absence of any wheelchair liveable housing options, Cllr OBrien said.

As a result 1,300 young and middle-aged people with physical disabilities have been forced to live in nursing homes for older people because of the lack of accessible social housing.

This cannot be the future and there is a lot of work to do locally and nationally for our housing campaign, Mr OBrien said. Prior to 2021, it had not been possible for a disabled person to specifically include their accessibility requirements on their social housing application form.

Now the Irish Wheelchair Association calling on people with disabilities who want a home of their own to contact their local authority for the new social housing application form.

People with disabilities should also complete the HMD- Form 1 Disability and/or Medical Information Form in order to apply for priority status on the social housing waiting list, Cllr OBrien said.

In my experience, many disabled young people or parents of young adults with disabilities are not even aware that they can apply for social housing said Mr OBrien.

They know that accessible rental accommodation doesnt exist in Ireland and they just dont know where to go from there. It is a daunting task to apply for social housing but once you start the process you will find there are supports there to help you and if you are eligible for social housing at least now you have some plans in place to start building a future.
A 37-year-old man has told the judge he wanted out of this little boys prison, please and sent to a jail where he could get treatment.

Declan Grimes, Grange Drive, Muirhevnamor, Dundalk, was speaking via video link from Cloverhill Prison after he pleaded guilty at the district court to charges and a summons resulting from two separate incidents.

Solicitor Eleanor Kelly said her client wanted a sentence whereby he could be moved from Cloverhill to Mountjoy. He was currently on remand for an unrelated matter.

The defendant said he couldnt get medical treatment never mind drug treatment where he was.

Please give me a custodial sentence so I can get treatment, he added.

Evidence was given that on 25 June 2022 at Grange Drive he was found with 40-worth of cannabis.

On 18 February last, while gardai were seizing a vehicle in Aghameen Park in another matter, the defendant approached holding a bottle of whiskey.

He used abusive language and failed to comply with a direction to leave the area, saying he wanted to fight.

He was drinking out of the bottle in front of gardai.

There were 70 previous convictions, including approximately 40 for public order.

For failing to comply with the direction of a garda, Mr Grimes was sentenced to four months, and a concurrent three-month term was imposed for using or engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words.

A charge of being intoxicated in public was taken into consideration, while the possession of drugs summons was struck out after the facts were found proven.

Its a tough process, recovery from addiction. I hope you get treatment, Judge Susan Fay said to the defendant.
The fees associated with obtaining an Irish Residence Permit are a huge burden on students.

Thats according to Nishant Thomas a PhD student in ATU Sligo and Secretary for the Post Graduate Committee.

It comes after The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland launched a Fair Fees Campaign recently, aimed at reducing fees collected for the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card.

Currently the IRP cards cost 300, which needs to be renewed every year or sometimes more often due to special circumstances.

An applicant is exempted from the fee if they have refugee status, are aged under 18, are resident and married to an Irish citizen and are a family member of an EU citizen.

The national campaign launched by the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland has called the fees extortionate and asks that the fees be reduced to match similar fees charged for other state registrations such as a passport (75) or drivers licence (55).

Non-EU workers in various trades such as nurses, chefs, engineers, IT specialists, agri-food workers truck drivers, international students as well as their family members often have to pay IRP card fee every year.

This fee was first introduced in 2006 when the price was 100, only two years later it was increased to 150. Then in 2012, the amount was doubled to 300, and has not been revised since.

He said: PhD students are getting a stipend between 15000 to 18000 per annum, which is even less than the minimum wage in the country, and then the rising living cost. It is already tough for the students to manage their expenses and above that we have to pay this huge amount every year.

Adding further he said: It is not just the IRP card fees; we also need to pay for insurance to get the IRP every year which costs another 450 or more. This means we are spending almost a months stipend on these registrations from our pockets.

These extra expenses put mental pressure on the students and sometimes we are forced to work part time jobs after giving 40 or more hours to the lab. This also means that most of the students have to cancel their plans to go back home, said Nishant.

Ninan Thomas, a senior staff nurse in Plunkett Community Nursing Unit, Sligo said: When I first came to Ireland we only had to register and there was no fees for it. Then the fees was introduced and increased heavily with time. At first the fee was paid for two years but then they changed it to one year only.

The idea behind registration was to collect the number of foreigners living in each Garda area, but later it became a revenue generating mechanism, said Ninan.

The Spokesperson for the Fair Fees Camapaign Group, Lijie Shao said: The government generates additional income off our backs because of where we come from.

"In the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, we are being forced to make big sacrifices to make ends meet and this fee makes it much worse. Reducing this fee would make us feel equal and valued in the country we call home.

According to the campaign group, a recent response to a parliamentary question the Minister for Justice has revealed it only costs 20.44 to produce and deliver each card. That means the amount being charged is 15 times more than what it costs to issue.

It further states that last year alone (2022) the government collected 58 million from people from outside the EU paying IRP card fees. In the past 10 years the state has generated over 300 million from IRP cards fees, which has cost just 21 million to produce and deliver.

The Campaign group has called on the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, to reduce the IRP fee to a level more in line with similar fees charged for other state registrations.

A comparison of registration prices with other countries show that Ireland is collecting much more fee than what is being collected by countries like Greece (16), Spain (16.08  21.87), Austria (20), Switzerland (42) and Luxembourg (80).

The IRP card fees, and the subsequent requirement of insurance policies do put a lot of pressure on the foreign workers and students living in Ireland. The campaign is getting immense support and has been signed by more than 4700 people. But the government does not seem to be much concerned about them.

In response to a Parliamentary Question on in earlier this year, Minister for Justice Simon Harris (while he was filling in for Helen McEntee) said, The cost of registration is kept under ongoing review by my department, including in respect of increases to the costs of providing the facility. However, there are no current plans to amend the fee.
Two artists from Sligo, Keith Finneran, and Mark Buckley, have overcome barriers to showcase their remarkable artwork on a national level.

They are among ten artists carefully selected from around the country to participate in the Connecting Artists 2023 programme.

The culmination of this 10-week online programme will take place at the renowned Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) in Dublin, where their art will be exhibited from Sunday 16th to Tuesday 18th of July.

Connecting Artists is a 10-week online programme designed by Miriam Spollen, the founder of Connections Arts Centre, a social enterprise dedicated to connecting the disability community through the Arts. Miriam created this online programme for visual artists nationwide with intellectual disabilities who wish to develop their creative practice.

Keith Finneran, a resident of Dromard, Co. Sligo, overcomes challenges with reading, writing, and limited communication abilities.

Despite these obstacles, art holds immense significance in Keith's life. He has been attending art classes in community settings for the past decade, nurturing and refining his artistic talents.

His dedication has led him to present some of his work to Minister Anne Rabbitte, TD, Minister for Disabilities.

Keith now creates his art at home with support, and his recent solo exhibit 'Inspiring Ways' drew inspiration from the local landscapes of Sligo.

Through the Connecting Artists programme, Keith says, I hope to inspire others with disabilities to nurture their own gifts.

Mark Buckley, a 23-year-old artist from Coolbock, Riverstown, Co. Sligo, attends the National Learning Network (NLN) in Sligo, participating in the Sligo Link Programme designed for individuals on the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Alongside his passion for art, Mark enjoys music and exercise. During his time at NLN, Mark has developed a diverse portfolio through art classes.

He finds joy in replicating famous artworks, with a particular fondness for drawing cartoon characters.

One of his favourite creations is a copy of Pinocchio, a testament to his talent and dedication.

Mark says: "I dream of having my artwork displayed in local shops, sharing my creations with others, and bringing them the same enjoyment I experience while creating art.

Miriam of Connections Arts Centre emphasises the immersive and supportive environment the Connecting Artists programme provides, empowering artists to explore their art, learn from each other, and prepare for exhibiting and selling their work.

Miriam says, This programme is made possible through the dedication of ten wonderful mentors and the collaboration with the RCSI Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Unit.

She adds: "We are thrilled for Keith and Mark and all the participating artists of the 2023 programme and to see their fantastic artwork exhibiting at a national level. The response from the general public, both business and community, has been brilliant.

"We are also delighted to learn that the exhibit will be showcasing in Belfast and no doubt in more counties around the country during the year.

Visitors are encouraged to visit the exhibit and experience the artwork of Samuel and Clement and the other participating artists. Artwork will be available for purchase during the event and online.

Entry is FREE, but booking in advance is essential. To book your place, visit the following link: https://www.connectionsartscentre.ie/connecting-artists-programme-1

For more information about Connections Arts Centre, please visit www.connectionsartscentre.ie.
Walter, Louise and Niamh Donnelly with staff and pupils from first class to fourth class at the handing over of the cheque. Pic: Jim Campbell

Following the sudden passing of their beloved son and brother in February of this year, the Donnelly family from Castletown have embarked on a fundraising campaign which has seen 57,507.41 raised for four organisations close to the late Colms heart.

The 18-year-old passed away earlier this year following an accident while working on his car and, as they came to terms with their loss, his family decided to hold a road run in his honour.

Held in April, the event was one of the biggest of its kind to ever be held in Ireland with over one thousand vehicles taking part. And, as a result of this huge support from the local community and beyond, St Vincents Hospital ICU, the Friends of Gorey District Hospital, Gorey Community School, and Kilanerin National School have received significant funding from the family.

Each of the schools received cheques for 8,753.70 while St Vincents and the Friends of Gorey District Hospital (FOGDH) both received 20,000. And Colms sister Niamh revealed that her brothers legacy would live on in even greater ways thanks to the wonders of organ donation.

We hope this will allow his legacy to live on, hes already done a lot, his organs have been donated to five people and theyre all doing really well, said Niamh. The support we received for the road run was unreal, there was a real community spirit throughout, it was brilliant to see everyone come together. We want to give a big thank you to everyone who supported us and helped us with the tractor run if it wasnt for them it would never have happened.

Explaining the reasons for choosing the four recipients, Niamh said Kilanerin NS and Gorey Community School had played a big part in Colms life and that the staff at St Vincents had been unbelievable in the wake of the accident that saw him transferred to its ICU. Lastly the family chose the FOGDH because we wanted to give something to a local organisation and because so many people use the hospital we opted for that

Given the massive effort involved in organising the road run, Niamh said the family wish to take some time away from the public eye and have no immediate plans to hold further fundraisers.

The event was just a once-off, we wont do anything more, it was such an unreal day and we want to leave it on a high.
Good Counsel college end of year awards. From left; Mark O'Brien principal, Cillian Byrne sportsperson of the year winner and Aidan O'Brien vice principal. Photo; Mary Browne

Good Counsel college end of year awards. From left; Mark O'Brien principal, Bobby Nolan from Duncannon winner of the Bob Quinn trophy and Aidan O'Brien vice principal. Photo; Mary Browne

The annual 6th year Graduation Mass took place in the school Sports Hall in Good Counsel College on the evening of the June Bank Holiday Monday.

A huge turn out of 6th year students and their families participated in mass celebrated by the school chaplain, Fr. Collander.

Students provided the music while many other students took active roles in the ceremony.

After mass, each 6th year student was presented with a gift bag containing a copy of the school year book, a bound class photograph and a personalised Good Counsel College school t-shirt.

Presentations were also made to the prefects in recognition of their work throughout the year while the annual awards of Student of the Year and Sportsperson of the Year were made to Bobby Nolan and Cillian Byrne respectively.

All retired to the dining room afterwards to enjoy some refreshments on a glorious evening of summer sunshine.
The master of Jimmy had his vessel examined at the quay in Kilmore on November 17 in 2021 by sea fisheries protection officers. The result was prosecution for failure to keep an accurate log of his catch.

After comparing the fish declared on the log with what was actually landed, the inspection uncovered a serious discrepancy. It turned out that Devlin had under-recorded the valuable monkfish caught while bumping up the amount of less desirable megrim brought shore.

The log showed 116 boxes of megrim, when in fact there were only 65 boxes. The mis-recording was the other way around with the monkfish 33 boxes declared, actually more than 90 boxes.

All of this meant that the value of the catch was under-stated by thousands of euro.

Fisheries officer Catherine Kiely explained that there were implications beyond the financial consequences arising from the deception. The log-book figures, she stated, are fed to the EU to assist in the setting of quotas for the industry as part of the stock conservation regime.

The barrister appearing in defence of 56-year-old Devlin revealed that his client has worked as a fisherman for 26 years. He was promoted to be master of a boat in 2007 and was described as an exceptionally hard worker.

The court was given confirmation that Jimmy was owned by a company run by OFlaherty brothers.

Judge James McCourt described what happened as an intentional act of deception. He noted a similar conviction on the defendants record before setting a fine of 2,500 as punishment for the latest offence.

Following the conclusion of court proceedings, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) issued the following statement:

The SFPA notes the message this finding and penalty sends regarding the seriousness of this mis-recording of catches. The accurate recording of catches in the fishing logbook is crucial to ensure the sustainable management of fish stocks based on data obtained from fishing operations.

"The management of stocks, based on such data, is essential for the sustainability of the species and the fishing industry. This inspection also demonstrated the effective collaboration between the Naval Service and the SFPA in detecting offences at-sea. The SFPA commends the officers for their work on this case.
In his own words, Gary Tilson was like a lost soul following the passing of his wife Martina on March 25 of last year.

However, a chance meeting with one of Wexfords Relay for Life teams gave him an outlet, offered the opportunity to meet people in a similar situation to himself, and ultimately led to the creation of Martinas Marchers, one of 45 teams taking part in the event in the county this month.

Last year was my first experience of the relay, I had only lost my beautiful wife Martina and I was like a lost soul, Gary says. I felt I was the only one in such pain. But then I met one of the Relay for Life teams collecting on Main Street. I joined a team on the day and it was so rewarding for me. I met people in a similar situation to myself, and I walked with them, I couldnt stop walking, it was as if I could walk the pain, anger and grief away. It helped, it gave me a purpose, and I knew I wanted to do more.

This year Martinas Marchers will join the 24 hour Relay for Life Wexford event in Pairc Charman on July 8-9 where they aim to raise money to support the Irish Cancer Society.

For me, this relay is just the beginning, says Gary. The event at Pairc Charman will be truly something special, on the Saturday of the relay decorated candle bags will be lit at dusk to remember those who have passed, and there will be choirs, performers and events on the main stage for the duration.

"It is a festival of hope, a celebration of those who survived and a thank you to all who help along the way. The nurses, home helps, drivers and countless volunteers who give up their time and energy to assist affected families, and also the fabulous team that work tirelessly to make the Wexford relay the biggest, best and most successful event of its kind in Ireland.

If you cant make it to the relay you can support a team on the relay for life website, relayforlife.ie/event/wexford/home.
The life-saving efforts of volunteer crew members with Rosslare Harbour RNLI have been recognised at an official ceremony held in the Railway Social Club.

Over the course of two rescue missions in 2017 and 2020 the crews in question saved 12 lives in incredibly difficult conditions which saw them joined by lifeboats from Dunmore East and Kilmore Quay.

On October 20, 2020 Rosslare Harbour RNLI was joined by those lifeboats and Irish Coast Guard Stations Rescue 117 to assist the Lily B, a cargo vessel with nine crew aboard which had lost power. Conditions at the scene were force eight gusting nine with ten-metre seas. The 12-hour service saw multiple attempts by the lifeboats to establish a tow which was maintained until the tug vessel Tramontine arrived on the scene.

In recognition of his leadership and seamanship during the rescue, Coxswain Eamon ORourke received the the Bronze Medal for Gallantry, a Medal Service Certificate and a Medal Service Badge were awarded to each of the following volunteer crew members: Michael Nicholas; Keith Miller; Padraig Quirke; Michael Sinnott; Eoghan Quirke; Paul McCormack.

Eamon was also awarded a Velum Service Certificate for his exemplary boat handling and leadership in the rescue of the yacht First Love and her crew in near hurricane weather conditions during Storm Ophelia on October 16, 2017. The lifeboat established a tow with the casualty vessel and returned it to the haven of Rosslare Harbour. A Vellum Service Certificate was awarded to each of the following volunteer crew members: Michael Nicholas; Art Sheil; Micheal Ferguson; Keith Morris; Padraig Quirke; Stephen Breen; Richard Parish.

Had it not been for the skill and determination displayed by Coxswain ORourke and his crew that day, the crew of the yacht would certainly have perished, three lives were saved, said Rosslare Harbour RNLI Pro Larry Dunne.

Former Bronze Medal recipient, Seamus McCormack (1979) was on hand to award a Bronze Medal to Eamon O'Rourke.
The 'Heritage of Arklow: Art Exhibition' will launch in Arklow Library on Tuesday, July 11 and continue throughout the month of July.

The 'Heritage of Arklow: Art Exhibition' will launch in Arklow Library on Tuesday, July 11 and continue throughout the month of July.

Talented members of the 402 Art Collective have announced that their new Heritage of Arklow: Art Exhibition will be held in Arklow Library throughout July.

Launching on Tuesday, July 11 at 6 p.m., the highly-anticipated exhibition, which is hosted in partnership with Arklow Town Team, will showcase the best in local talent and explore the rich heritage and history of Arklow and County Wicklow.

Featuring diverse mediums and styles, the exhibition pays tribute to Wicklow's cultural legacy and natural beauty. Visitors will be captivated by artwork inspired by ancient sites, vibrant traditions and the spirit of Arklow, gaining an appreciation of the area's history and artistic expression.

There will be a series of interactive events, workshops, and educational programs accompanying the exhibition as part of an exciting local Medieval Arklow Mural Project, which will take place on Abbey Lane over the coming weeks and months and is funded by Creative Ireland, Wicklow County Council, Lawpro and SSE Renewables.

The first of these sessions will take place in Abbey Lane, as part of the Arklow Seabreeze Festival, on Saturday, July 15 at 11 a.m. The session will feature local artists, Arklow historian Jim Rees and community archaeologist Yvonne Whitty.

The 402 Art Collective celebrates diversity and fosters creativity through exhibitions, performances, and educational programs. It provides a platform for artists to showcase their work and connect with a broader audience, building an inclusive artistic community.

For more information email collective402@gmail.com, theshedsgallery@gmail.com or call 087 4323856.
Deputy Jennifer Whitmore has called for better protection for Wicklow National Park during a debate in in Dail Eireann on the progress of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Deputy Whitmore, who is an ecologist, said: Wicklows national park is a beautiful and valuable resource that we have in Wicklow. However, like every other National Park in Ireland, it needs greater protection. We need a considerable gear shift in the enforcement of biodiversity protection and nature protection enforcement in our parks if we want to keep them and expand them in the years to come.

Our national parks do not have management plans. We need to put those in place, and within them, we need to specify that biodiversity is the key priority for those management plans. It has to be prioritised above tourism, recreation or farming that may happen in National Parks.

Recently, I went out with the Prosilva team in Wicklow to look at ways to better manage our forestry, and I was so distressed to hear from forestry experts that there is not a single native forest in the county of Wicklow that will be there in the future if we continue as we have been when it comes to their management. This is a result of non-native deer stripping out new saplings. These are the kinds of issues that we need to address in the form of National Park Management plans.

Danny Alvey, chairperson of ReWild Wicklow and Social Democrats local election candidate for Wicklow, said: National Park coverage in this country is one of the lowest in the EU at just 0.9 per cent of total land area, far lower than our nearest neighbour the UK at 8.2 per cent. And within this none of these National Parks have comprehensive plans for protecting and improving the habitats they offer to wildlife.

That's not to say the NPWS rangers themselves don't do terrific work on a variety of projects with limited resources. But we can also see just how much work there is to do to improve biodiversity in National Parks such as the Wicklow Mountains one. Over-grazing from sika deer, sheep and encroachment of sitka spruce from surrounding plantations are real problems and will only be solved with more resources and comprehensive management plans."
WICKLOW poet Jane Clarkes third collection A Change in the Air is on the five-strong shortlist for the 10,000 Forward Prize for Best Collection, one of the most coveted and influential prizes for poetry in the UK and Ireland.

A Change in the Air was published by Bloodaxe Books at the end of May and was launched in Bridge Books, Wicklow town as well as in Dublin and London.

Jane grew up on a farm in Roscommon and studied and worked in Dublin for 13 years. She only began to write after moving to Glenmalure almost 30 years ago. Her highly acclaimed poetry reflects on how we are shaped by people, place and landscape and how our past informs our present.

Many of the poems in A Change in the Air are rooted in County Wicklow, including those that honour the mining heritage in the three valleys of Glendasan, Glendalough and Glenmalure as well as poems inspired by the Avonmore river and the recent experience of lockdown in the uplands.

Bernardine Evaristo, well-known author and chair of the judging panel, said: I think its safe to say that poetry in the twenty-first century is flourishing like never before with such a broad range of poets writing from different backgrounds. As a jury we found ourselves drawn to poets who were moving poetry forwards in theme or form or both, who offered us emotional depth, imaginative fertility, re-readability and intellectual complexity, and, most importantly, who were writing fresh perspectives.

The winners of this year's Forward Prizes will be announced at a ceremony in Leeds Playhouse, as part of Leeds 23, taking place on October 16.
Media Minister Catherine Martin would not advise people to pay their licence fee, she said (PA/Liam McBurney)

The Minister for Media Catherine Martin said she would not advise anyone on whether they should or should not pay their TV licence fee, but urged people to remember the good of public-service broadcasting.

There is a legal obligation to have a TV licence, which costs 160 euro, for having a television in a home or business.

Approximately 85% of revenue from TV licence fees goes to RTE to carry out its public service broadcasting commitments.

A decision on the funding of RTE has been paused in the wake of a scandal surrounding undisclosed payments to star presenter Ryan Tubridy.

Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan said RTE has been a very successful public service broadcaster (PA/Liam McBurney)

Speaking to reporters after meeting the incoming director-general of the broadcaster, Ms Martin said she was aware of anecdotes of people claiming they would forego the annual payment as a result of the controversy, adding that this was of concern.

Asked if she would urge people to continue to pay their TV licences, the Green Party minister said: Im not going to advise anyone. We must remember the good of public service broadcasting, we must remember the staff when people are making these decisions.

The staff who are hurting, the staff who feel betrayed, the staff who need RTE  it is their job of work and they provide that vital service.

She said she was open to engaging with Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe ahead of the Budget on the matter.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the licence fee was collected in a wasteful way (Liam McBurney/PA)

Speaking later, her party leader, Eamon Ryan, said he would encourage every household to pay the licence fee.

It is important. RTE has been a very successful public service broadcaster for the people of this country.

He said to stop paying would mean the loss of news, current affairs and sport programming.

That would be really harmful and bad for our country.

At the same event, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the licence fee is currently being collected in an inefficient or wasteful way.

Ill certainly be paying the TV licence I always have and will continue to do so. Not just because its the law but also because it does fund public service broadcasting.

I think I can understand peoples frustration but, you know, I dont want to impose some form of collective punishment on everyone who works in RTE, everyone who works for RTE and a whole, wider sector and industry.
Milliner Margaret O Connor sits among her designs as Brown Thomas, Grafton Street, Dublin, welcomed the return of Create 2023. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Model Ami wears a Sarah Caine tulle and lace dress (750) and a Grainne Maher headpiece (545) while Aine wears a Kindred of Ireland metallic linen coat (800) and a Grainne Maher headpiece (185) at the launch of Create at Brown Thomas, Grafton Street. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Sarah Caine has made a giant fashion leap that young designers can only dream of.

After working part-time in the Designer Room at Brown Thomas with international labels like Prada, Balenciaga and Celine, there can be nothing more thrilling than finding yourself standing beside a rail of your own designs in the Grafton Street store.

Thats exactly what happened yesterday to the NCAD graduate from Termonfeckin, Co Louth, when her collection of tulle and lace pieces went on sale on the opening day of Create, the stores annual summer showcase of creativity and innovation.

And to make the story even more remarkable, within two hours of the store opening, a customer had bought one of Sarahs romantic sheer dresses for her wedding and placed an order for a bespoke veil.

Its crazy to see my own stock on the floor now, its very surreal, said Sarah, whose nostalgia-fuelled contemporary collection was inspired by photos of her grandmother Mae, and great-grandmother Julia.

Instead of using vintage lace, like that worn by the women in their photos, Sarah created a contemporary look using transparent tulle with new Leavers lace.

I think Ill learn so much from being in the store with customers, said Sarah, who is one of 28 designers taking part in Create, which runs until August 20.

Now in its 13th year, the event offers weekly opportunities to meet the up-and-coming designers showcasing their wares.

Shelly Corkery, fashion director at Brown Thomas Arnotts, said this years showcase was full-energy and diversity from shoes and bags to ready-to-wear.

Its definitely the biggest project we do in the store and its fantastic to see all the talent gathered together to celebrate amazing Irish fashion and to give the designers an opportunity so they can become more familiar with the business side of their brand, which is very important, she said.

I think when you listen to what the customer has to say when shopping, youll learn so much, whether its about sizes, colour, lengths and fabrics and from every angle of your brand, the customer will feed back information.

At Create, Amy Anderson, from Kindred of Ireland, is showing linen pieces including a memorable coat screen- printed with gold.

Milliners Grainne Maher from Belfast and Margaret OConnor from Co Clare share a tableau showcasing their exotic designs. Nicki Hoyne from Kilkenny, who won this years Drapers award for best new brand, has done exclusive styles of glitter and suede shoes.

Its rare to open a full-length faux-fur coat and see handmade in Ireland, said Rachel Maguire of Rashiiid, who has designed long coats, short jackets, bags and hats in vegan faux fur.

The Dubliner has sold almost exclusively through her social media channels to date. When US rapper Doja Cat wore Rachels denim and faux-fur outfit in a post shared with her 26 million Instagram followers, it garnered two million likes and really helped with building the brand, Rachel said.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky discussed military aid last night during a trip to the Bulgarian capital in which the country's parliament expressed its support for Ukraines entry into Nato after its war with Russia is over.
Its the heaviest attack on city which is near border with Poland

The site of a residential building which was hit by a Russian missile strike in Lviv, in western Ukraine. Photo: Reuters

Russia fired cruise missiles yesterday at a western Ukraine city far from the front line of the war, killing at least five people in an apartment building in what officials said was the heaviest attack on civilian areas of Lviv since the Russian invasion.
The Indo Daily: The post office deception and the dead mans pension  What happened in Carlow?
Babysitter charged with manslaughter after forgetting about 10-month-old child she left in scorching-hot 45C car for five hours
Kolkata: Canara Bank has successfully implemented the Mahila Samman Savings Certificate, 2023 scheme across India, which provides secured investment option by a women for herself or by the guardian on behalf of a minor girl.

The scheme was announced by the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her Budget speech for this FY 2023-24.

The Scheme offers the flexibility in investment as well as partial withdrawal as per the eligible balance.

An Individual may open any number of accounts subject to the maximum limit of Rs.2.00 lakh.

The deposits made shall bear interest at the rate of 7.5 percent per annum and interest shall be compounded on quarterly basis.

The customer may invest as low as Rupees 1000 and in multiples of Rs. 100 thereafter within the maximum ceiling for a period of two years from the date of opening of the account until 31/03/2025.
Image: UNICEF/Maria Wamala

New York: Twelve African countries will receive 18 million doses of the first-ever vaccine against malaria over the next two years, care of global vaccine alliance GAVI, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) announced on Wednesday.

The RTS,S vaccine has been administered to more than 1.6 million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi since 2019 and has been shown to be safe and effective.

It has resulted in a substantial reduction in severe malaria and a fall in child deaths.

A top killer

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said malaria remains one of Africas deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children under the age of five every year, and accounting for approximately 96 per cent of global malaria deaths in 2021.

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With the climate crisis changing weather patterns, mosquitoes that carry these diseases are increasing in density and spreading further afield, said Tedros, speaking during his regular media briefing from Geneva.

Rollout in 2024

The initial 18 million dose allocation will enable nine more African countries to introduce the vaccine into their routine immunisation programmes for the first time.

Those nations are Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone and Uganda.

The first doses are expected to arrive during the last quarter of the year, with rollout set to start by early 2024.

This vaccine has the potential to be very impactful in the fight against malaria, and when broadly deployed alongside other interventions, it can prevent tens of thousands of future deaths every year, said Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programmes Delivery at Gavi, in a press release.

The partners said at least 28 African countries have expressed interest in receiving the RTS,S vaccine, while a second malaria vaccine is currently under review for pre-qualification, and if successful provides additional supply in the short term.

Concern for Palestine

During his briefing, the WHO chief also expressed deep concern over the renewed violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in the past few days across the West Bank city of Jenin, which has left 12 people dead, hundreds injured, and thousands displaced.

He said roads have been destroyed, which has made it difficult to reach those who have been wounded.

Across the occupied Palestinian territory, WHO has been using contingency funds for emergencies to train medical staff for mass casualty events and pre-positioning supplies to help health systems and health workers, he told journalists.

Tedros added that the UN agency also calls for a de-escalation of tension and for talks to maintain peace in the long-term, so that health systems can recover.
Image credit: Twitter/ Eknath Shinde

Mumbai/IBNS: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting late night on Thursday ahead of the Maharashtra cabinet expansion, media reports said.

The two have reportedly discussed power sharing after Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar defected from his party along with some legislators and joined the government.

The dynamics of the Maharashtra politics altered last Sunday after Ajit took oath as the second Deputy Chief Minister in the Shinde government.

The talks between Shinde and Fadnavis took place amid reports that the Shiv Sena MLAs were unhappy with Ajit's entry into the government.

It is important to note that Shinde too became the Chief Minister after defecting from the erstwhile party, Shiv Sena, with his loyalist MLAs.

On Monday, the battle for supremacy over the NCP intensified after its chief Sharad Pawar started taking action against his nephew Ajit Pawar and his associates, while on the other hand, the latter removed the old timers from the post.

It started when Pawar Senior expelled Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare from the party and some time later, the Ajit Pawar faction removed Jayant Patil from the post of NCP state president and appointed Sunil Tatkare in his place.

After Sharad Pawar's action, Ajit Pawar and Praful Patel announced that Sunil Tatkare would be the new state president of the party.

However, Sharad Pawar has hit back saying the 'symbol won't go anywhere'.

Both factions of the NCP held separate meetings on Wednesday each showcasing the strength.
Image Credit: UNI

New Delhi/UNI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met Nationalist Congress Party national president Sharad Pawar here on Thursday, amid the ongoing crisis in the NCP following Ajit Pawar's support to the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra.

Rahul, who had earlier extended his support to the former Maharashtra CM following a split in the NCP following Ajit's move, met him at his residence here.

Ajit and several others were sworn-in as Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Ministers respectively following their support to the government-led by CM Eknath Shinde on Sunday.

The Congress had slammed the Shinde-led government and said, "Clearly BJP's 'washing machine' has resumed its operations.

A number of new entrants into the BJP-led alliance in Maharashtra today had been facing serious corruption charges with ED, CBI and IT authorities after them. Now they have all got a clean chit".
Image Credit: Twitter/@BJP4India

Raipur/UNI: Emphasising the unimpeachable fact that development comprises the sole antidote to the scourge of Left-wing extremism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi averred on Friday that facilities are now available even in rural areas where violence and anarchy once ruled the roost.

Blowing the BJPs electoral bugle in poll-bound Chhattisgarh, the visiting dignitary  while addressing a public meeting here said, "Modern infrastructure is intrinsically linked with social justice.

"A proper framework translates into rapid development and generation of employment opportunities. In India, our decades-old experience tells us that wherever the base is weak, development is inevitably delayed. Therefore, our country is developing infrastructure in places that remained backward in the progress race."

The settlements of the indigent, dalits, backward and tribal folk  who suffered injustice for centuries  have been linked with road and railway networks, the Prime Minister said, adding that mothers and sisters can thus access infirmaries with ease.

"Another example is connectivity. Cellular phone ringtones are heard in villages that were affected by insurgency. Nine years back, a sizable chunk of Chhattisgarhs villages had no connectivity but that percentage has declined to about six only. Hundreds of mobile towers are operational.

"During the period in question, a total National Highway length of 3,500 km was sanctioned for Chhattisgarh and about 3,000 km have been completed. The state is being coupled through the Raipur-Dhanbad Economic Corridor and the Raipur-Visakhapatnam one is nothing short of a lifeline. Roads traversing wildlife areas boast tunnels and animal passes. Subsequent to amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, Chhattisgarh is receiving higher royalty.

"The District Mineral Fund is being utilised to construct schools and libraries for children. In this state alone, more than a crore Jan-Dhan accounts were opened. Under the MUDRA Yojana; in excess of Rs 40,000 cr was disbursed to Chhattisgarhs youths and the state has more than 60,000 beneficiaries under SVANidhi, he said during his 13-minute-long speech.

In a major push to infrastructure development, the Prime Minister dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for five NH projects worth approximately Rs 6,400 cr. These projects include the 33-km-long four-laning of the Raipur-Kodebod section on the Jabalpur-Jagdalpur NH.

Besides boosting tourism, the section is integral for movement of raw material, finished products of steel plants near Jagdalpur and provides connectivity to iron ore-rich areas. Modi also dedicated the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of the Bilaspur-Ambikapur section of NH-130. It will help improve Chhattisgarhs connectivity with Uttar Pradesh and enhance coal transport.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for three NH projects vis-a-vis the Chhattisgarh section of the six-lane Greenfield Raipur-Visakhapatnam corridor.

These comprise development of the 43-km-long six-lane Jhanki-Sargi section on NH 130 CD; the 57-km-long six-lane Sargi-Basanwahi section on NH 130 CD and the 25-km-long six-lane Basanwahi-Marangpuri section of NH-130 CD. A key component is a six-lane tunnel of 2.8 km length with 27 animal passes and 17 monkey canopies provided for unrestricted wildlife movement in Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary area.

These projects will provide better connectivity to rice mills in Dhamtari and bauxite-rich areas in Kanker besides benefiting the handicraft industry in Kondagaon. Overall, these projects will comprise a major thrust to socio-economic development of the region.

The Prime Minister also dedicated to the nation the doubling of the 103-km-long Raipur-Khariar Road Rail Line that has been completed by incurring an expenditure of Rs 750 cr.

It shall ease transportation of coal, steel, fertilizer and other commodities from ports for industries in Chhattisgarh. He dedicated a 17-km-long line connecting Keoti with Antagarh. Developed at a cost of Rs 290 cr, the line will provide connectivity to the Bhilai Steel Plant with iron-ore mines of Dalli Rajhara and Rowghat areas and link remote areas of southern Chhattisgarh passing through dense forests.

Modi also dedicated a bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per annum at Korba, constructed at an expense exceeding Rs 130 cr. Further, he launched distribution of 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under Ayushman Bharat.

Among those who graced the occasion were Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari; Union Health and Family Welfare; Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister Mansukh L Mandaviya; MoS for Tribal Affairs Renuka Singh Saruta; Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

Earlier, the Prime Ministers special plane touched down at approximately 1020 hrs. The leader then departed by helicopter for the Science College Ground.
Image: Yout ube video grab

New Delhi: India on Friday urged the UK Government to take strong public action against Khalistani extremists threatening officers of the Indian High Commission, such as deportation or legal prosecution.

This was conveyed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to his UK counterpart Tim Barrow during a meeting here today.

The UK NSA is on an official visit to New Delhi on July 7, at the invitation of NSA Ajit Doval for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials.

The two NSAS have engaged regularly in extensive discussions on a broad bilateral, regional and global agenda. The current visit will give them the opportunity to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as explore futuristic areas for technology collaboration, sources said.

The two National Security Advisers met for restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. This was followed by the delegation level talks where both the countries reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. There can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy.

The Indian side raised the issue of the extremist elements in UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK Government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution.

Both the sides agreed to work closely on counter terrorism, counter terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter radicalisation.

The two sides agreed to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

During the visit, NSA Tim Barrow will also meet other dignitaries of the Government of India, the sources added.

The meeting between the two NSAs comes as UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly took to Twitter on Thursday to state that any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable and that the safety of the staff is paramount.

His statement comes amid threats and attacks targeted at Indian diplomatic missions in the US, Australia and Canada and threatening posters emerging online with images of Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami and Dr Shashank Vikram, the Consul General of India in Birmingham.

Earlier in April, during the Fifth India-UK Home Affairs Dialogue (HAD) held in Delhi, India had conveyed its concerns on the misuse of the UKs asylum status by the pro-Khalistani elements to aid and abet terrorist activities in India. India also requested for increased monitoring of the UK based pro-Khalistan extremists and to take appropriate proactive action.

In May, India had summoned the senior most diplomat at the British High Commission in Delhi after some Khalistani supporters had brought down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission in London. An explanation was also demanded for the complete absence of security that allowed Khalistani elements to enter the high commission premises.

(With UNI inputs)
Image: UNI

New Delhi/IBNS: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday arrested three employees of the Indian Railways in connection with the horrific train accident in Odisha's Balasore last month that killed more than 293 people and left over 1,000 injured.

The central probe agency was probing the possibility of a criminal conspiracy that led to the accident.

The arrested men -- Senior Section Engineer (signal) Arun Kumar Mahanta, Section Engineer Mohammed Amir Khan and Technician Pappu Kumar -- have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and destruction of evidence.

According to reports, it was revealed during the investigation that the actions of these three led to the accident as "they had knowledge" that their actions would result in this tragedy but not the 'intent'.

The Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) probing the accident had last week flagged the human error of workers in the signalling department responsible for the three-train tragedy, dismissing the likelihood of sabotage or a technical glitch, or a machine fault.

The CRS had reportedly highlighted negligence on the part of a few ground officials who did not follow adequate safety procedures of inspection, particularly after changes were made in the design due to safety concerns three years ago.

The General Manager of South Eastern Railway, Archana Joshi, was recently removed from her post almost a month after the three-train accident, and Anil Kumar Mishra took over the role.

Three trains - Kolkata-Chennai Coromandel Express, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, and a goods train - were involved in one of the worst railway tragedies in the country in the last two decades.
Image: UNI

Imphal/IBNS/UNI: A Peace Convention was organised by ten political parties on Friday appealing to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.

Representatives of AAP, AIFB, AITC, CPI, CPI(M), INC, JD(U), NCP, RSP, SS(UBT) attended the convention at Congress Bhawan, B.T. Road, Imphal.

It expressed sorrow, shock, and concern at the loss of lives during the period from May 3 till today, and the Convention also observed a two-minute silence as a mark of homage to those who had lost their valuable lives in the ongoing violence in Manipur.

The Peace Convention expressed gratitude to Rahul Gandhi for his two-day visit to Manipur as a Peace Messenger.

The Convention appealed to the Parliamentary team of five MPs of the Left parties, who came to assess the situation in Manipur, to recommend, through Parliament, to the Government of India to take necessary action to restore normalcy, peace and tranquility in Manipur and to urgently resolve the ongoing violence in the state.

It further resolved that the need of the hour is to restore peace and normalcy, bridge the unprecedented divide, and heal the wounds of the people, and "for this Chief Minister of Manipur, N. Biren Singh should be held fully responsible and has to go".

The Convention resolved to strongly condemn Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his total silence on Manipur turmoil as he has neither spoken a single word on the situation in Manipur nor appealed for peace and restoration of normalcy in the state as yet in the last 65 days.
Kolkata: Airline major Akasa Air on Friday announced its decision to strengthen its connectivity from Kolkata with the launch of direct flights to Mumbai.

Starting 7th July 2023, the airline will be operating daily nonstop flights between Mumbai and Kolkata, seamlessly connecting two major metro cities in India.

The airline now operates 21 weekly flights to directly connect Kolkata with three destinations across the country  Bengaluru, Mumbai and Guwahati.



As a prominent cultural and commercial hub, Kolkata is a popular destination amongst business and leisure travellers, and the launch of direct flights to Mumbai will offer enhanced connectivity and conveniently timed travel options at affordable fares.

Since Akasa Airs launch of operations from Kolkata in April this year, the airlines offerings have been well appreciated by its customers.

Akasa Air has introduced multiple best-in-class products and services to ensure an inclusive, warm, comfortable, and efficient flying experience. The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft provides seats with ample legroom and come with USB ports in most aircraft, allowing passengers to charge their gadgets and devices on the go. The all-new enhanced Cafe Akasa menu has over 60 meal options including healthy meals, festive favourites, gourmet and fusion meals, carefully curated by renowned chefs across India, serving an indulgent gourmet experience in the skies. Pets on Akasa allows customers to travel with their pets in the cabin or carry them in cargo based on their size. In an endeavour to make travel inclusive, Akasa Air has introduced its safety instruction card in Braille for persons with visual impairment.

Since its launch in August 2022, Akasa Air has carried over 3.5 million revenue passengers and crossed the milestone of operating over 900 weekly flights with an announced network of 35 unique routes connecting 16 cities, namely Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala, Pune, Lucknow, Goa, Hyderabad, Varanasi, Bagdogra, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata.
Unsplash

Paris: French senators have proposed that the government suspends Chinese video-sharing social platform TikTok in France and ask the European Commission to shut it down on the territory of the European Union unless the platform provides explanation how it is tied to its parent company, ByteDance, and what data is transferred to China by January 1, 2024, according to a document, published Thursday on the website of France's upper house.

The parliamentary commission's investigation into the use of data provided by the social network resulted in 21 recommendations. One of the recommendations suggests obliging social media platforms to filter the content published during mass riots or calls to participate in them, as well as to prohibit employees of organizations necessary for the survival of the population from using TikTok.

Moreover, senators proposed that the social media platform strengthens measures to filter disinformation and content created by artificial intelligence, as well as to limit the time of use of the application for minors and conduct studies to identify the effects on the health of users.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the French authorities would identify those who called for protests through social media in light of the ongoing unrest triggered by the killing of a teenager.

Later that day, French media reported that the government had met with representatives of social media due to unrest in the country.

In particular, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Minister Delegate for the Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noel Barrot reportedly warned platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter of their responsibility and asked for support identifying users involved in committing offenses.

Earlier this week, Macron did not rule out that the French authorities can shut down social networks if the situation in the country deteriorates.

France has been gripped by unrest since June 27, when a 17-year-old boy was shot dead by a police officer for failing to stop his car when ordered to do so in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. The officer who pulled the trigger on Nahel M. has been taken into custody for voluntary manslaughter, but that has not deterred the protesters.

(With UNI inputs)
Image: UNICEF/Giovanni Diffidenti

New York: Last year, 27,180 grave violations were committed against children caught up in war  the highest number ever verified by the UN, the Security Council heard on Wednesday.

Presenting her latest annual report, Virginia Gamba, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, appealed for bold and resolute action to protect boys and girls at risk of death, recruitment, rape and other horrors.

The report covers 26 situations in five regions worldwide, representing another high.

Countries include Ethiopia, Mozambique and Ukraine, which are being featured for the first time. New situations in Haiti and Niger are mentioned and details will appear in next years edition.

Killed, recruited, abducted

The UN has verified that 18,890 children suffered grave violations during wartime in 2022. Some 8,630 were either killed or maimed; 7,622 were recruited and used in combat, and 3,985 were abducted.

Ms. Gamba said these three violations remained the ones verified at the highest levels, and they all increased last year.

Children were killed or injured in airstrikes, by explosive weapons, by live ammunition, in crossfire, or in direct attacks. In many cases, they fell victim to explosive remnants of war, she said.

Rape and sexual slavery

Furthermore, 1,165 children, mainly girls, were raped, gang-raped, forced into marriage or sexual slavery, or sexually assaulted. Some cases were so severe that the victims died.

The senior UN official underlined the need to never forget that these numbers represent actual children whose individual stories are not told.

She cited examples such as the case of three girls in South Sudan who were gang-raped over a five-day period, a 14-year-old girl abducted and burned alive in Myanmar, and boys killed by an improvised explosive device in a school in Afghanistan.

Faces behind the figures

This is why we must remember that behind the figures are the faces of children suffering from armed violence around the globe. We must do more to prevent and protect our children from the ravages of armed conflict, she said.

Ms. Gamba also noted that some child victims are punished for their circumstances instead of receiving protection. Last year, 2,496 children were deprived of liberty for their actual or alleged association with parties to conflict.

Being particularly vulnerable at the hands of authorities, children under detention were exposed to further violations of their rights, including torture and sexual violence. In some cases, they were even sentenced to death, she said.

Schools and hospitals attacked

The report further revealed verified attacks on 1,163 schools and nearly 650 hospitals in 2022, representing a 112 per cent increase over the previous year. Half of these attacks were carried out by Government forces.

She said the use of schools and hospitals for military purposes also remains a major concern, with a verified sharp increase of over 60 per cent in cases last year, both by armed forces and armed groups.

Aid under fire

Meanwhile, humanitarians and the vital aid they provide  often the only hope for children and communities affected by conflict  have increasingly come under fire.

The UN verified more than 3,930 incidents of the denial of humanitarian access to children last year. Aid workers were also killed, assaulted and abducted, while humanitarian supplies were looted, and assets and vital infrastructure destroyed.

The Deputy Executive Director of the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), Omar Abdi, also briefed the Council.

He recalled that the highest numbers of grave violations against children were verified in longstanding protracted conflicts, including in places such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Israel and Palestine, and Somalia.

Concern for Sudan

Although the current conflict in Sudan erupted outside the reporting period, UNICEF is also gravely concerned about its impact on the 21 million children there.

More than one million children have now been displaced by the fighting and the UN has received credible reports, under verification, that hundreds of children have been killed and injured, he said.

Mr. Abdi was adamant that the UN mandate on Children and Armed Conflict is effective, noting that armed groups have released at least 180,000 boys and girls from their ranks over the past 23 years.

However, he said that as the number of countries on the children and armed conflict agenda grows, so too does the number of children in need of our protection and support, urging greater international support for UN efforts.

Child recruitment condemned

A young woman civil society representative also brought perspective from her country, Colombia, which is emerging from decades of war that has left millions of victims.

Going only by the name Violeta, she said children and young people there live in constant fear of landmines, armed group clashes and forced recruitment.

It's not easy to see how as the days go by, the chairs in the classroom start emptying because boys and girls are either recruited, killed or displaced, and they need to go elsewhere in order to seek better opportunities, she said, speaking in Spanish.

Violeta made several recommendations for the Councils consideration, which included condemning and preventing child recruitment, and condemning sexual violence against children and young people in the strongest terms possible.
Image:  Unsplash/Hosein Charbaghi

New York: Iran faced calls on Wednesday from top UN-appointed rights investigators to halt the executions of people sentenced to death in connection with anti-Government demonstrations that have continued since the death in custody of Mahsa Amini last September.

We have expressed concerns over the investigation into her death, said Viviana Krsticevic, a member of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, speaking at a press conference in Geneva: in particular over the fact that today her family's right to truth and justice remains unfulfilled.

She added that the investigations had fallen short of international human rights norms, and, moreover, efforts to shed light on the circumstances of her death have been hindered.

Earlier, the Fact-Finding Mission told the Human Rights Councils 47 Member States that the overall human rights situation in Iran risked deteriorating further amid reports that new legislation is being considered, that proposes harsher punishments on women and girls not wearing their veil according to strict rules.

The death of 22-year-old Ms. Amini after her arrest by Irans so-called morality police sparked mass protests across the country  and condemnation from independent UN human rights experts, who called her a victim of Irans sustained repression and systematic discrimination against women.

Forced veiling

We have identified major risks of further erosion of women's and girls rights in Iran, said Ms. Krsticevic. We have expressed concern about the continuous repression of women and girls opposing forced veiling and their reported use of facial recognition technologies to identify and arrest them.

The rights expert also pointed to information indicating students were being suspended from classes, or banned from dormitories for their defiance of the compulsory veiling law.

Echoing concerns about the proposed use of flogging for those defying compulsory veiling rules, Sara Hossein, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, said some of the penalties were clearly what would constitute inhuman punishment under international law.

The Fact-Finding Mission  established by the Human Rights Council in November 2022 - is also investigating whether alleged poisonings of girls in schools have been orchestrated as a way to punish or deter girls for their involvement in the protests.

Just two months after the protests occurred, a series of alleged poisonings started in dozens of schools in 28 provinces, said Ms. Krsticevic. Reports said this may have been may have been orchestrated to punish girls or to turn them from involvement in the protests and are being duly investigated in the framework of our mandate.

Ten months after Ms. Aminis death, no official data has been made publicly available regarding those arrested, detained, charged or convicted in connection with the protests, the experts said.

But reports continue to emerge of arrests and detentions, including women and girls defying the countrys forced veiling law and of family members being harassed.

The aftermath of those protests in the form of intimidation of families and of reprisals continue unabated, said Shaheen Sardar Ali, member of the Fact-Finding Mission.

She added that according to the Iranian authorities, 22,000 people had been pardoned in connection with the protests.

This suggests that many more were detained or charged. Unfortunately, no disaggregated data exists on the nature of the accusations against these people or on those convicted, still detained or charged for their involvement in the protests.

Those involved in the protests reportedly continue to suffer harsh punishments, including for exercising rights protected under international human rights law, the experts said.

This is despite concerns over a lack transparency in legal proceedings and failure to meet basic fair trial and due process guarantees under international human rights law.

Death penalty surge

Since November 2022, at least 26 individuals have reportedly been sentenced to death in connection with the protests and dozens more have been charged with offences carrying the death penalty, said Ms. Sardar Ali.

Seven men have already been executed following these proceedings marred by serious allegations of fair trial violations, including confessions extracted under torture.

To date, the Fact-Finding Mission has sent seven letters to the Iranian Government, including repeated requests for a visit to the country to gather information critical to its investigations, which have yet to be answered.

The experts met the lead Iranian officials on Tuesday, who have been appointed to the Governments Special Committee investigating the protests.

The Fact-Finding Mission is preparing a comprehensive report on its findings to the Human Rights Council for its 55th session in March 2024.

Replying in the Council on Wednesday, Iran refuted the allegations made in the report of a disproportionate response by security forces to the protests.
Image:  UNICEF/Harandane Dicko

New York: Funding constraints mean that the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has been forced to limit emergency aid to only 6.2 million of the most vulnerable people in need across West Africa, scaling back from an initial target of assisting 11.6 million, the agency announced on Wednesday.

The agencys emergency food and nutrition assistance operation in the Sahel began in June, focussing on refugees, newly displaced people, malnourished children under five, pregnant women and breastfeeding women and girls.

Record-breaking famine

Food insecurity overall has reached a 10-year high in West and Central Africa, affecting 47.2 million people during the June-August lean season.

Mali and Chad will be hit the hardest said WFP, with 800,000 people at risk of resorting to desperate measures to cope, including engaging in survival sex, early marriage, or joining armed groups.

Were in a tragic situation. During this years lean season, millions of families will lack sufficient food reserves to sustain them until the next harvests in September and many will receive little to no assistance to tide them through the gruelling months ahead, said Margot Vandervelden, Regional Director ad interim, for Western Africa.

We must take immediate action to prevent a massive slide into catastrophic hunger.

Building resilience

Conflict remains a key driver of hunger in the region, leading to forced population displacements that have emptied out entire villages and limit communities access to land for farming.

WFPs lean season response aims to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance to families facing acute hunger at a time when food stocks dwindle.

However, proactive investments in prevention and smart longer-term solutions can significantly reduce reliance on such emergency actions.

These solutions include resilience-building activities, social protection programmes and future innovations or investments, such as climate insurance pay-outs.

Life-saving assistance

WFPs integrated resilience programme in the Sahel focuses on collective watershed planning, land recovery and rehabilitation, and support for smallholder farmers, linking to support such as school meals and other nutrition services.

In Niger, for example, 80 percent of villages that received WFP resilience support did not require humanitarian assistance in 2022, unlike other villages outside the scheme, in the same areas.

This success meant that about half a million people did not need humanitarian food aid thanks to WFPs long-term investments in resilience strengthening.

Expanding these activities will be crucial in preventing emergency needs from escalating. The programme also contributes to strengthening national capacity to anticipate and respond to climatic and other shocks that are drivers of humanitarian need.
Image: Unsplash/Priscilla du Preez

The UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect launched a new policy paper on Wednesday aimed at countering and addressing hate speech online.

The policy paper, Countering and Addressing Online Hate Speech: A Guide for Policy Makers and Practitioners, was developed jointly by the UN Office with the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, at the UKs University of Essex.

Unprecedented speed

We have seen across the world, and time, how social media has become a major vehicle in spreading hate speech at an unprecedented speed, threatening freedom of expression and a thriving public debate, said Alice Wairimu Nderitu, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide, who is the global focal point on the issue.

We saw how the perpetrators in the incidents of identity-based violence used online hate to target, dehumanize and attack others, many of whom are already the most marginalized in society, including ethnic, religious, national or racial minorities, refugees and migrants, women and people with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics, said Ms. Nderitu.

Key recommendations include:

The need to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law when countering online hate speech, and apply these standards to content moderation, content curation and regulation.

Enhancing transparency of content moderation, content curation and regulation.

Promoting positive narratives to counter online hate speech, and foster user engagement and empowerment.

Ensuring accountability, strengthen judicial mechanisms and enhance independent oversight mechanisms.

Strengthening multilateral and multi-stakeholder cooperation.

Advancing community-based voices and formulating context-sensitive and knowledge-based policymaking and good practice to protect and empower vulnerable groups and populations to counter online hate speech.

The policy paper builds upon earlier initiatives, including The UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech, which seeks to enhance the UNs response to the global spread and impact of hate speech.

The Strategy makes a firm commitment to step up coordinated action to tackle hate speech, both at global and national levels, including the use of new technologies and engaging with social media to address online hate speech and promote positive narratives.

Role for tech, social media

Digital technologies and social media play a crucial role in tackling hate speech, through outreach, awareness-raising, providing access to information, and education, noted the Special Adviser.

The transformation of our lives into a hybrid format, with the share of our life spent online ever increasing, ensuring that we all enjoy the same rights online as we do offline has become ever more important, noted Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, Deputy Director, Essex Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project and former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

Mass atrocities

He warned of the acts of violence that follow from online incitement to violence, including mass atrocities, beyond the digital divides created by online hate.

Unfortunately, our investment in countering online hate has not yet matched the reality of its dissemination and impact online. And it remains our responsibility  all relevant stakeholders  to step up our efforts to preserve the hard-won gains achieved to-date in advancing non-discrimination and equality, concluded Special Adviser Nderitu.
Image:  WFP/Eloge Mbaihondoum

New York: The UNs top humanitarian officials on Wednesday voiced shock and condemnation over increasing reports of gender-based violence in Sudan as the military power struggle there continues.

The violations include conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls forced to flee for their lives.

Agency chiefs from humanitarian coordination office OCHA, the human rights office (OHCHR), the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF), the UN sexual and reproductive health agency (UNFPA), UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO), called for an immediate end to the violence, including sexual violence as a tactic of war to terrorize people.

Investigations paramount

They demanded prompt, thorough, impartial and independent investigations into all alleged gross violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law; and for perpetrators to be held accountable.

They also stressed that all parties must respect their obligations under international law to protect civilians, including women and girls, including allowing safe passage for survivors to access healthcare.

Health workers also need to be provided access to reach health facilities to carry out their lifesaving work.

The UN chiefs also stressed the need to swiftly scale up gender-based violence prevention and response services in Sudan as well as in neighbouring countries, where those fleeing violence have sought safety as refugees, to meet the soaring needs.

28 refugees killed in Khartoum

On Tuesday the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, urged Sudans warring generals to allow safe passage for civilians, after it was confirmed that 28 refugees being hosted by Sudan were killed in Khartoum.

The area where they were living was engulfed by the fighting on 25 June, the agency said in a news release, with other refugees injured during the incident.

UNHCR is appalled and expresses its deepest condolences to the affected families. We are working to help trace relatives and victims and provide psychosocial and other support.

Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR regional director, said that once again refugees and other civilians are the innocent victims of this tragic warEveryone must honour international humanitarian law and human rights law and prioritize the safety and well-being of affected communities, including refugees.

Healthcare and hunger: Tedros

During his weekly health update, UN health agency chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus addressed the impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.

The health needs of the population are high, access to healthcare remains very difficult, and the conditions created by the conflict in Sudan increase the risk for epidemics to spread and kill, said the WHO Director General.

There has also been a dramatic increase in the number of people at highest risk of hunger, which has jumped from 11.7 million to 19.1 million.

WHO has also verified 50 attacks against healthcare, including 32 incidents affecting facilities, and 10 deaths and 21 injuries among health workers and patients.

Tedros said he was appalled by attacks on healthcare, as well as increasing gender-based violence. He stressed that health workers and facilities must be protected, and corridors for the delivery of humanitarian and health supplies must be safeguarded.

Corridors for humanitarian and health supplies to be delivered need to be safeguarded, said Tedros.

We urge all parties to the conflict in Sudan to cease hostilities now before the health and hunger crisis gets even worse.
Image: UN Photo/Loey Felipe

New York: The UN chief addressed the escalating loss of life in Israel and Palestine on Thursday, voicing strong condemnation for all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror.

Israels airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, said Antonio Guterres, referring to the two-day-long military assault in Jenin, which began on Monday morning, involving the use of airstrikes and missiles fired from drones.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, 12 people were killed, including three children, during what Israel described as a counter-terror operation. At least 120 were wounded, including 20 still in critical condition.

Gun battles broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants, with some roads torn up and many homes and properties damaged. At least 3,000 people were reportedly forced to flee their homes.

A car ramming attack in Israelis largest city, Tel Aviv, in apparent retaliation for the Jenin operation left nine injured. The Palestinian man who drove the vehicle into pedestrians was shot dead at the scene.

On Thursday, Israel said it had responded with artillery fire after a rocket was launched into Israeli territory from southern Lebanon.

Exercise restraint

Addressing correspondents at UN Headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General noted that schools and hospitals had been damaged in Jenin along with water and electricity networks.

All those injured must have access to medical care, and humanitarian workers must be able to reach everyone in need," he said. "I once again call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, including the duty to exercise restraint and use only proportional force and the duty to minimize damage and injury and respect and preserve human life.

 UNRWA/Dominiek Benoot Jenin refugee camp borders the Jenin municipality and is the northernmost camp in the West Bank.

He described the use of airstrikes as inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations, and reminded Israel that as the occupying Power, it is responsible for ensuring civilians are protected against all acts of violence.

More violence is not the answer

Mr. Guterres said he understood Israels legitimate concerns over its security, but escalation is not the answer; it simply bolsters radicalization and leads to a deepening cycle of violence and bloodshed.

He said it was in Israels long-term interest to abide by the two-State solution, which envisages an independent Palestine next door.

Restoring the hope of the Palestinian people in a meaningful political process, leading to a two-State solution and the end of the occupation, is an essential contribution by Israel to its own security.

Watch the UN chief's full remarks at the UN Security Council stakeout, where he also speaks about the crisis in Haiti:
Image: Pixabay

Pakistani Hindu girl Meena Kohli has been abducted for the second time.

She was earlier kidnapped and forcibly married to a Muslim man in Pakistan but escaped and returned home later.

On January 31, 2022, Meena Kohli, a nineteen-year-old Hindu girl who had married a co-religionist only three days before, and her minor sister Rekha, who is 12, were both kidnapped at gunpoint from their fathers home in the village of Durlo Hingorjo in Khipro Tehsil, Sindh, reports Bitter Winter.

Their family and the Hindu community denounced the kidnappers, a Muslim man called Iqbal Bhambro and his father Mushtaq, to the local authorities and started organizing public protests.

In a video sent to local media on Feb 20, 2022, the woman was seen reading a statement that she had willingly converted to Islam and married Iqbal freely.

Her conversion and marriage certificate were sent to the media.

This persuaded the police to stop any action, although the whereabouts of Meenas younger sister Rekha remained unknown, reported the news portal.

On April 10, 2023, a surprising development occurred. Meena reappeared at her parents home claiming she had adventurously escaped from her husband. She came with an infant son she had given birth to in the meantime. She issued a statement, in turn sent to the media and the authorities, claiming that she was forced to record the February 20, 2022, declaration, after having been forcibly converted to Islam and raped not only by Iqbal but by other members of the Bhambro family as well. She confirmed her story before the Khipro Session Court on April 20.

On May 18, 2023, the Sindh High Court in Hyderabad opened a case against Iqbal Bhambro and his relatives.

However, no arrest has been made so far.

On June 25, 2023, while Meena, her child, and her mother were on their way to a medical visit in the local hospital, Iqbal and three other men assaulted them again. Meena was abducted for the second time, while her mother was injured, reports Bitter Winter.
Image: Pixabay/Unsplash

Several Catholic Church leaders in Pakistan have demanded protection after a banned Islamist outfit threatened in the wake of the Quran burning incident in Sweden.

The Quran burning incident has triggered protests in several parts of the world.

Uca News agency has reported that an official of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Pakistan said the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) has alerted authorities against a threatening reactions from Sunni militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (or "Army of Jhangvi") calling for revenge by waging suicide attacks on Christians, and saying it will make Pakistan a hell for Christianity, reports Vatican News.

The executive director of the Bishops Commission, Naeem Yousaf Gill, said the Church in Pakistan condemns the desecration of the Quran in Sweden.

"As a religious minority we live in brotherhood and peace and have always supported the majority. We cant imagine violating sensitive laws, he was quoted as saying by Vatican News.

Meanwhile on July 3, Father Khalid Rashid Asi, Faisalabad diocesan director of the Commission for Interfaith Dialogue and Ecumenism, met with police officials in the district's Madina Town, home to nearly 4,000 Christians.

He also asked all priests in the diocese to contact their respective police stations for the security of their parishes, convents, schools and other departments.

Father Asi told UCA news that the Quran burnings must stop: As humans, he said, we must all respect the holy books and strive for a culture of peace and harmony.
Image: Unsplash

Three Pakistani soldiers died and three civilians were injured when a suicide bomber exploded himself in the general area of Miran Shah in Pakistan's North Waziristan District, media reports said on Friday.

Naib Subedar Sahib Khan (age 41 years, resident of Mianwali), Naik Muhammad Ibrahim (age 40 years, resident of Dera Ismail Khan) and Sepoy Jahangir Khan (age 24 years, resident of Mardan) embraced Shahadat while three innocent civilians got critically injured, reports The News International.

The suicide bomber intended targeting the security forces post; however, timely interception of the suicide bomber on suspicion by on-duty soldiers prevented a major catastrophe, the Pakistani newspaper reported.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif has expressed sadness over the incident.
Image: Stop Uyghur Genocide Twitter page

The members of Stop Uyghur Genocide, a UK-based campaign to defend Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims in China, recently protested outside the Chinese Embassy in London to mark the 14th anniversary of Urumqi Massacre, media reports said.

The protestors condemned China for its continued harassment and torture of Uyghur Muslims, reports ANI.

The tragic events that unfolded during the Urumqi Massacre 14 years ago were a turning point leading to the extensive victimisation of the Uyghur community and CCPs implementation of its genocidal policies, tweeted Stop Uyghur Genocide on July 5.

The group later tweeted: " Join @UyghurStop and our allies at the protest in front of the Chinese Embassy to remember the victims and demand justice for Uyghurs!"

Rahima Mahmut, executive director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, told ANI, Today marks the 14th anniversary of the tragic events in Urumqi, where the Chinese government responded to peaceful protests with a heavy-handed crackdown involving the use of police, military forces, and live ammunition.

In wake of these events, the Chinese government embarked on a campaign of terror characterised by extrajudicial arrests, enforced disappearances, public violence, and the establishment of a pervasive surveillance system compromising checkpoints and cameras.

Today, we witness the devastating consequences of the indifference of the international community despite our pleas for help. It is crucial for governments across the globe to listen to our appeals and swiftly implement measures to protect the Uyghur population from the grave atrocities of genocide and humanity, Mahmut added.
Image: Pixabay

Dhaka: Protesters demonstrated in different corners of Bangladesh on Wednesday to commemorate the Urumqi Massacre and express solidarity with the victims and their families.

Protestors condemned China for its continued harassment and torture of Uyghur Muslims, reports ANI.

Sanchetan Nagarik Samaj organised a protest demonstration followed by a human Chain on the 14 anniversary of the Urumqi massacre at Narayanganj in Bangladesh, the news agency reported.

During the protest, 350-400 protestors were seen carrying banners, placards and festooned with slogans in Bangla and English highlighting the plight of Uyghur Muslim.

They protested against China for imprisoning lakhs of Uyghur Muslims and urged the people of Bangladesh to condemn China for its inhuman activities.

A protest demonstration and discussion meeting were organized by the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh at Dhaka Press Club. 250-300 Protestors led by Abu Zafar Kasemi, Amir Islamic Movement Bangladesh(IMB) along with Advocate Khairul Ahsan, Chairman IMB attended the event. Speakers condemned China for human rights violations in China and said that China is continuing its inhuman activities including rape, murder, and kidnapping of innocent Uyghur Muslims, reports ANI.

Bangladesh Islami Front (BIF) also held a discussion meeting to protest against China and its oppression of Uyghur Muslims on Urumqi Massacre Day on Wednesday.

It was held at Bangabandhu Hall, Chattogram Press Club, Chattogram City of Bangladesh. Around 400 Muslims gathered in the Hall to participate in the discussion,ANI reported.

The meeting was inaugurated by Peer-e-Tariqat Syed Masihuddaulah, General Secretary of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat Bangladesh, who remembered the Muslim Uyghur victims killed in the Urumqi Massacre of 2009.
A remarkable story unfolds in a heartwarming testament to the enduring power of love as a 78-year-old man summons the courage to propose to his high school crush after an astounding 63-year wait.

Proving that love knows no bounds, their extraordinary journey serves as a reminder that the flame of affection can persist through the test of time, igniting hope and inspiring others along the way.

Six decades ago, Thomas McMeekin and Nancy Gambell were high school students when they first met.

Thomas developed a crush on Nancy right away. However, they attended different colleges and ended up marrying other individuals.

Nearly 63 years later, Thomas and Nancy, who are 78 years old, plan to get married.

Thomas McMeekin and Nancy Gambell attended their 50th high school reunion ten years ago.

However, as they were still married to other people at the time, their interaction was limited to polite pleasantries.

McMeekin resided in the Tampa Bay area, while Gambell lived in California, both within the United States.

This year, after a decade had passed since their last encounter, fate brought them together again.

McMeekin reached out to Gambell regarding their upcoming 60th high school reunion.

Surprisingly, both were now single, which sparked a renewed connection.

They began talking and quickly grew exceptionally close to one another.

Earlier this month, McMeekin invited Gambell to Tampa Bay and planned a surprise for her. When Gambell arrived and stepped out of the plane at the airport, McMeekin greeted her and then surprised her with a proposal.

Unsplash

Onlookers cheered as McMeekin got down on his knees and asked Gambell to marry him. Overjoyed, she happily accepted his proposal.



The video capturing their heartwarming proposal has gained significant attention on social media.

On Wednesday, the well-known Instagram account @majicallynews shared a clip of McMeekin's proposal, which quickly went viral. An Instagram user left a comment on the viral proposal video.

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


Grieving families are pleading for the recovery of bodies in Greece's boat tragedy, which occurred last month. Matloob Hussain from Pakistan is among the hundreds of migrants presumed dead after their overcrowded fishing trawler sank off the coast of Pylos.

Although 104 men were rescued and 82 bodies were found, survivor accounts suggest that as many as 750 people were on board.

boat

Families are urging authorities to raise the wreck from the seabed and retrieve the bodies believed to be trapped inside. Matloob Hussain's brother, Adil, has left his home in Athens open, hoping for his brother's return.

Agencies

The chances of retrieving the vessel are slim due to the depth at which it sank, around 5,000 meters.

Despite this, families are determined to find closure and are prepared to make significant sacrifices to recover the bodies. Greek government officials have expressed doubts about the feasibility of raising the wreck.

Greece Coast Guard

Lawyers representing the families of the missing are planning to request the retrieval of the boat. They argue that it is a fundamental obligation to recover the victims and provide closure to their families.



The lawyers compare the lack of interest in this tragedy to the extensive resources allocated to the Titanic, highlighting the stark contrast.

Matloob Hussain's family, like many others, is anxiously waiting for his body to be found.

The identification process is ongoing, with over 350 DNA samples being collected. Only a fraction of the bodies recovered have been identified.

The causes of the shipwreck are still under investigation, with survivors claiming it resulted from a towing attempt by the Greek coast guard. Commercial vessels are now primarily conducting the search operation under the supervision of Greek authorities.

The bodies of the victims are stored in refrigerators while they await identification.

The families are hopeful that DNA matches will provide closure and allow them to lay their loved ones to rest appropriately. Pakistan has sent DNA samples and fingerprints to aid in the identification process.

The bodies will be transported to Pakistan once verified and released by Greek authorities. Families like Muhammad Ayub, whose brother Muhammad Yasin was on the vessel, are eager for closure and hoping for their loved ones' bodies to be identified.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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In today's fast-paced and demanding world, hustle culture has become deeply ingrained in our collective mindset. We live in a society that glorifies long working hours, relentless productivity, and the notion that success is only attainable through ceaseless dedication.

As a result, many individuals find themselves caught in a never-ending cycle of work, neglecting their mental and physical well-being in pursuing professional achievement.

Unsplash

One such example is HackerRank, a US tech company in California that recently introduced paid leaves for "rest and recharge." This software development firm is now receiving accolades for its commitment to prioritizing the health of its employees.



LinkedIn user Shailendra Pandey recently shared a post about it, featuring a screenshot of an internal email from the California-based company.

The email announced company-wide paid time off during the first week of July.

"We wanted to give you a heads-up that HackerRank will be on a company-wide PTO the first week of July. From July 1st to the 9th, our team and all of HackerRank will be taking a break to rest and recharge," the internal email stated, as per the screenshot.

One user expressed their enthusiasm, stating, "I love this! It promotes work-life balance."

Another person commended the initiative, saying, "This is great! Mental health should always be a priority."

For more trending stories, follow us on Telegram.


A week after Apple became the world's first public company to close above the $3 trillion market cap mark, it seems that its rival Microsoft is also not far away from doing so.



US banking giant Morgan Stanley's analysts have predicted that Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven gains can propel Microsoft to join Apple in the elite category of stocks with a market capitalization of more than $3 trillion.

Microsoft To Hit $3 Trillion After Apple

indiatimes

After witnessing a more than 40% jump this year, Microsoft currently has a share price of $341.27 and a market cap of $2.54 trillion. Some of Wall Street's analysts expect Microsoft to reach the historic $3 trillion market capitalization mark by next year.

Morgan Stanley's new $415 price target for Microsoft implies a valuation of around $3.1 trillion. The analysts, led by Keith Weiss, named Microsoft as their top pick among large-cap software companies and said that it is the best placed in the sector to benefit from the growth of AI, as per a Bloomberg report.

"Generative AI looks to significantly expand the scope of business processes able to be automated by software. Microsoft stands best positioned in software to monetize that expansion", Keith Weiss said.

A market frenzy for all things AI-related has supercharged Microsoft's shares this year. Startup OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, has fueled much of the excitement amid the viral success of its ChatGPT tool. Microsoft is now looking to overhaul its entire lineup of Office appsincluding Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Wordwith OpenAI technology.

Despite a more than 40% share-price rally this year, the valuation is "still reasonable," according to Weiss, as mentioned in the report. The stocks so-called PEG ratio, or the price-earnings multiple divided by the expected percentage growth in earnings, "remains in line with historical averages, despite the unrivalled generative AI positioning," he wrote. The PEG ratio is a metric often used by growth-focused investors.

Also Read: How A Lost iPhone Led To Warren Buffett Investing Billions In Apple

Analysts Are Bullish About Microsoft Stock Amid The AI Craze

getty

Analyst Weiss raised his price target to $415 from $335. Morgan Stanley has rated Microsoft overweight since early 2016, and the stock has gained more than 500% in that period.

The rest of Wall Street is also overwhelmingly bullish on the stock, with 52 analysts rating it a buy or equivalent. Still, only three of them have price targets that imply Microsoft getting to the historic $3 trillion market capitalization mark by next year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Microsofts stock rose 0.92% yesterday amid the news.

shutterstock

Also Read: Morgan Stanley Imposing Upto $1 Million Penalty On Employees Using Whatsapp For Business Work

List Of Companies In The Elite Club

No company has ever hit the $3 trillion market except Apple, which has done so not once but twice.

Apple had hit the $3 trillion mark in January 2022 but could not hold on and close above that historic mark, a feat it was finally able to achieve on June 30, 2023.

Apple had hit the $1 trillion mark in 2018, $2 trillion in 2020, and then finally closed above $3 trillion last week.

getty

But Apple is neither the first nor the only company in the trillion-dollar club. Heres the list of all nine companies and the year in which they hit the $1 trillion milestone:

1.PetroChina-2007

2.Apple -2018

3.Saudi Aramco-2019

4.Alphabet-2020

5.Meta-2021

6.Microsoft-2019

7.Tesla-2021

8.Amazon-2018

9.Nvidia -2023

Also Read: Not Apple Or Tesla, This Chinese Company Was World's First To Hit $1 Trillion

For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here
The office , which has prosecutorial authority over the misuse of EU funding, also sent a case file to Greek Parliament a few days ago asking it to decide whether former transport ministers Christos Spirtzis and Kostas Karamanlis (of Achilleas) have criminal liability.
The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, will not be released from Kuje prison despite being granted bail in the sum of N50 million by a Federal High Court.

Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that Kyari, who is facing charges of failure to declare assets alongside his siblings, was granted bail on Thursday after 18 months in jail.

According to the Judge, Kyari and his team refused to escape when they had the chance to do so during the Kuje Prison attack on July 5, 2022. He ruled that Kyaris refusal to escape when about 90 per cent of the inmates escaped, has proven that Kyari is ready to face any allegations against him.

He said: On the possibility of the 1st defendant (Kyari) attending his trial, it is pertinent to state that, according to the affidavits in support of the application, the applicant stated that he was in detention at the Kuje prisons when the jailbreak of 5th July 2022 occurred and he stayed put, even though he had the opportunity of escaping.

This deposition was not challenged by the complainant/respondent (NDLEA) which means it is admitted. This shows that the applicant is unwilling to run away from his trial and has shown a willingness to attend court when required.

READ MORE: Court Grants Abba Kyari Bail After 18 Months In Prison

This piece of fact will work in favour of the applicant, in that, it is proof to the court that the applicant would not jump bail if granted the same. I note that there have been rulings denying the 1st defendant/applicant bail.

I am, however, minded to grant him bail as he was been in detention for a long time and also based on his constitutional right to bail according to section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

He has not committed a capital offence neither has it been proved that he is a flight risk. I, therefore, therefore exercise my discretion in favour of the defendant/applicant.

However, the judge explained that the final release of Kyari on bail would depend on developments in a sister case in which he was charged with four others on drug related offences.

Justice Omotosho held that his release warrant in respect of the case before him, will only be signed if the other pending criminal cases are concluded or that he is granted bail in those cases.

Kyari was on March 23 denied bail for the second time by Justice Emeka Nwite in the drug-related offences brought against him alongside ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, Inspectors Simon Agirigba, John Nuhu and ASP John Umoru  who is said to be at large.

The two civilians earlier charged with them were, Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne were jailed for two years each after they pleaded guilty to the offences.

Justice Omotosho has set October 18 for hearing.
Kano States ex-Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Muhammad Garba, has described as politically motivated, the invitation extended to former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, by the state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC).

Information Nigeria had earlier reported that Ganduje was Invited by the PCACC over the alleged dollar videos.

Muhuyi Magaji, the chairman of the States PCACC revealed on Thursday that the former governor should come clear his name on the bribery allegation as seen in the viral video.

Garba, an ally of ex-governor said it was clear to all that the entire investigation exercise was trumped up at this time in order to give traction to the move by political enemies of the former governor to dent his image.

READ ALSO: Gandollar: Kano APC Tells Ganduje To Disregard Anti-Graft Agency Invitation

It is politically motivated to dent his image and to scuttle any future plans that they know President Bola Tinubu has for him because they are envious of the good relationship that existed between them so they want to bring a relationship problem between Governor Ganduje and President Tinubu, he stated in a chat with Daily Trust.

He furthered that the fifth columnists leading the charge in the background are concerned that Ganduje will be given another opportunity at the federal level to further widen the gap between them in terms of achievements and contributions to the people of Kano.

But we are not worried because only God can determine who gets what at what time and it is God that will determine Governor Gandujes next step, whether he gets an appointment or not, Garba added.
The Lagos State Government has announced that the 2023 Hajj pilgrims from the state will begin their return journey back home on Friday.

The Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board said the Amir-ul-Hajj, Anofiu Elegushi, made the announcement during a press briefing on the Hajj operations.

READ ALSO: 2023 Hajj: 14 Nigerian Pilgrims Died, Two Gave Birth In Saudi Arabia  NAHCON

The Amir-ul-Hajj disclosed that the return journey would begin with a special flight expected to airlift all the elderly and those with medical challenges, adding that the airlifting exercise would run through July 8, 9, and 10 until the 22nd of July, when the officials would be airlifted.

Speaking on subsequent pilgrimages, Elegushi said, As of next year, the purchase of the Hajj form, payment for the Hajj fare, and all other processes will be done online in order to reduce paperwork and time.

Meanwhile, Governor Sanwo-Olu has sent his condolences to the family of Alhaja Kuburat Shekoni, who lost her life in Makkah in the early hours of Wednesday after completing the Hajj rites.

Elegushi stated that the governor, who was sad about the development, had hoped to have all the 3,662 pilgrims from the state back home alive.
Police operatives from Rumuji Police Division have arrested a cleric, identified as Pillar, the resident Pastor of Gracious Covenant Church in Ndele community, Emohua Local Government Area, Rivers State.

Pillar was arrested on Thursday for defiling and impregnating a 15-year-old following a complaint made by Amesi ThankGod, an in-law to the female teenager.

According to ThankGod, If her (victim) mother goes to the farm, the girl normally goes to the church to relax; then (she) comes back in the evening.

In the last few days, the 15 years old girl has been vomiting before my wife (her elder sister) took her to hospital for a medical test.

He furthered that after the girl had been tested, the result showed that she was pregnant.

ThankGod said the pastor reportedly threatened the young girl not to tell anyone, otherwise, she would die.

READ ALSO: Winners Chapel Pastor Remanded For Defrauding Landmark University Of Eight Years Rent

From what she told us, Pastor Pillar threatened her life if she opens up on her ordeal. But when my wife confronted him, he agreed to take responsibility, pleading abortion for my underage sister in law, a suggestion the family resisted.

The girl is not strong. She is sick and it is her mother or my wife who bath and dress her up as a result of the stress of the pregnancy, he added.

Reports confirmed that vigilantes in Ndele took the suspect in custody to prevent mob attacks before handing him over to men of the Rumuji Police Division.

However, Prince Wiro, National Coordinator, Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign, urged the Police to investigate the case without bias and suspect rightly prosecuted if found culpable.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed saying: Yes, we are aware of the incident. The suspect has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing.
The supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, stormed the national secretariat of the European Union in Abuja.

This came following the release of the report on the 2023 presidential election by the external body (EU).

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the aggrieved supporters, under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organisation and Political Parties for Good Governance, protested against the EU report on the 2023 presidential election.

It was gathered that the demonstrators marched from National Hospital to the EU office displaying several banners that read, Nigerians reject EU election observer report, Dont trigger violence in Nigeria and We say No to manipulated report.

While chanting the popular On your mandate campaign anthem of President Bola Tinubu, the group demanded to see the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Samuela Isopi and Deputy Head of the EU to Nigeria, Alexandre Borges-Gomes.

The presence of the protesters consequently attracted a heavy retinue of armed security operatives who barricaded the perimeter.

Addressing reporters at the entrance of the EU secretariat, coordinator of the coalition, Dr Ene Ogbole, faulted the report, saying it was a deliberate attempt to create chaos in the country.

Ogbole also queried why the union resorted to taking its report to the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal to make its point, adding that every election across the globe comes with peculiar problems

According to her, no serious government or institution would draw a conclusion from the account of a presidential election conducted in less than 1,000 polling units to reflect what went down in over 176,000 units spread across the country.

She said, Every election held across the world including the United States of America, Great Britain and even the European Union countries have their peculiarities. The election that produced President Bola Tinubu was one of the most transparent in the history of Nigeria.

READ MORE: European Union Has No Substantial Evidence To Discredit 2023 Polls  Presidency

We were therefore taken aback when the media was awash with the EU report carefully and specifically saying the election was fraudulent and fell short of requirements. I dont know where that one is coming from. If it is the election we were all part of and fought vigorously with our lives for as patriots, something is fishy somewhere.

The EU should know where to stop. Why on earth should they take the report of this election to the tribunal? They have procedures in their counties. But when they come to Nigeria, they act out of protocol. They must begin to have protocols and respect our rule of law.

You will agree with me that the report of the European Union is enough to trigger a national problem, chaos and put Nigerias security and sovereignty at stake. We understand the role they played. But again, there comes a time when we have to stop.
Former Governor of Enugu State, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, has expressed displeasure over the the recent assault on school children and teachers by some unknown gunmen suspected to be members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in the South-East.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that some unknown gunmen, on Wednesday, flogged some pupils and their teachers for disobeying the sit-at-home order to protest against the incarceration of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is still in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

However, in a series of Twitter posts on Thursday, the former Enugu East Senator blamed the attacks on pupils and their teachers on tribalism and religious bigotry.

READ MORE: You Are Putting Nnamdi Kanus Life In Danger  Lawyer Slams IPOB DOS

Nnamani noted that the sad development only occurs in a society that celebrates incompetence, half knowledge and ignorance, adding that it is a decline of Igbo civilization.

He wrote, The decline and decline of Igbo civilization. Strange happenings in a strange land. How do we explain the Igbo flogging of school children, teachers and mothers? Offense?

Igbo fulfilling the mythological trinity, Igbambo (Hustle)! Only a society that celebrates incompetence, half knowledge and ignorance. All shrouded in the darkest eclipse of tribalism and religious bigotry

The sit-at-home order by the IPOB has claimed many lives, while businesses have been put on hold as fear gripped residents living in the South Eastern parts of the country.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Thursday, disclosed that the Federal Government will support the National Population Commission (NPC) to conduct an accurate census in the country.

According to a statement by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Tinubu made the submission during a meeting with Nasir Kwarra, NPCs Chairman.

While expressing concerns over the delayed population and housing census, he said the commission needs to be prudent in its assignment and work towards producing data that would be credible and reliable.

He furthered that the NPC should view the delay as an opportunity to leverage the advantages of the current electronic and digital age.

It is disappointing that up until now we have not been able to conduct another enumeration of our people. I hope that this delay will be converted into a great opportunity in this electronic and digital age.

The challenge is yours and I hope that during the demarcation you did, you would have noticed the migration of people to urban centres because of the extreme poverty and unemployment.

Digitalising the process will make your job easier and I dont see why we dont, by now, have a reliable database in Nigeria to identify ourselves and ascertain our numbers for planning purposes and in time of disaster.

I have listened to you and we will support you. Accuracy and integrity of your data are very important to Nigerians and to our national economic development programmes.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Seeks Confirmation Of Service Chiefs From NASS

We will support you but you have to be prudent and be determined to make a name for yourself, the President said.

On his part, Kwarra asked for the issuance of a proclamation for a new date for the exercise from the President.

According to him, the commission had demarcated the entire country and trained 60,000 instructors that would further tutor enumerators and supervisors.

In a paper titled Implementation status of the 2023 population and housing census, the NPC requested the release of the N31 billion capital allocation, in this years budget, for preparatory activities.

The commission also put the total cost of the census, after a methodology review, at N546.72 billion.

The Chairman asked the president to approve an additional N225.2 billion to cover training and fieldwork allowances, retraining of trainers, and the conduct of a second-class trial census.

Also requested was approval to convene stakeholders meeting with the organised private sector and foreign partners to galvanise funds for the census.

Kwarra added that the commission has developed a database that can be useful in national planning, infrastructure development, and revenue generation for the government.

NPC having completed mapping in March 2022, tested the market with the geospatial data by making it available to researchers at a test price where it generated over N50 million through remittal.

To this end, with full integrated spatial and statistical data, government geospatial policy and coordination, NPC can generate up to $14 billion and further save a lot of resources for the nation through automation of economic planning by 2028, he added.
Dave Cianci (left) plays bass trombone and Tony DeSantis (right) is on trumpet during a free big band concert by No Name Pops on the Cherry Street Pier. The ensemble is made up of former Philly Pops musicians. Read more

Whatever the fate of the Philly Pops, its musicians arent waiting for a resolution before getting back on stage. The fledgling No Name Pops has organized two performances in the coming months  one at the Kimmel Center and another on South Street.

Its a shame there isnt orchestral pops music in the city right now, and so seeing that void, several members of the musicians from the former Philly Pops have decided to create No Name Pops so that we can fill that gap, said cellist Jonathan Fink, a member of the new groups board.

The Philly Pops suspended performances after being evicted from the Kimmel Center following its run of Christmas concerts. In April, Pops parent organization Encore Series Inc. (ESI) filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Kimmel Center, seeking its return to Verizon Hall. At the same time, the Pops is being sued by musicians for nonpayment associated with broadcasts of its Christmas show.

Fink says No Name Pops intends to keep going regardless of whether and when the Philly Pops gets back on its feet.

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Were not concerned over what ESI is doing and have no control over it.

In response to the No Name Pops announcement, the Philly Pops affirmed in a statement that it remains committed to returning to a full season of performances for both its musicians and patrons, but we cannot do so until the Philadelphia Orchestra rolls back its predatory tactics. The statement, attributed to Pops president and CEO Karen Corbin, went on to reiterate allegations related to the groups dispute with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc. While we work through our antitrust lawsuit against the orchestra, we continue to map out how to move forward with the postponed concerts and look forward to performing for many years to come.

Smaller ensembles have been playing at various sites during the past few months under the No Name Pops banner, but the two upcoming concerts mark the groups first full-orchestra performances, said Fink.

The Sept. 9 concert is free and will be performed on a stage to be set up at Second and South Streets. It will feature Philadelphia favorites  music from Rocky, and Philadelphia Freedom  performed by an orchestra of 60 to 65 members.

The other program, on Oct. 28, puts the musicians back on the stage of Verizon Hall in a concert of Motown and the Sound of Philadelphia. Conductor Herb Smith will lead an ensemble of 45 to 50 with vocalists Chester Gregory, Brik Liam, and Ashley Jayy.

Tickets for the Kimmel concert will run between about $40 and $115, Fink said. We did price it so that it would be affordable.

The Sound of Philadelphia theme has special resonance; the genre originated with Philadelphia International Records, which once made its home in a building across the street from the Kimmel.

Members on the No Name Pops roster performed on a lot of those recordings, Fink said.

The No Name Pops performs Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Seconnd and South Streets, facebook.com/nonamepops; and Oct. 28 at 3 and 8 p.m., kimmelcenter.org, 215-893-1999.
The Philadelphia-based parents of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich said they remain optimistic about bringing their son home 100 days into his imprisonment in Moscow.

Gershkovichs parents, Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, who live in the Fishtown area, told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published Friday that they are writing letters to their son and got to see him briefly at a court appearance in Moscow in June. They talked to him as he stood inside a glass box.

Seeing him brought a little bit back to me, Mikhail Gershkovich told the Wall Street Journal. Physical closeness made it a little bit more bearable. He seemed well. He seemed in good spirits. He was smiling. He seemed to be happy to see us as well.

Their representative, U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, called the 100-day mark a grim occasion in a statement Friday.

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For the past several months, Evans parents, who are my constituents, have been robbed of the ability to spend time with their son, Boyle said. Evan could have been home in Philadelphia for Fathers Day, Mothers Day, graduation parties, or many of lifes other celebrations and family occasions. But that opportunity was taken away as a result of the Kremlins lies and allegations as it continues to wrongfully hold Evan hostage.

Evan Gershkovich, 31, was arrested on a reporting trip in Moscow in March on charges of espionage, which Gershkovichs lawyer and the Wall Street Journal have vehemently denied. Boyle was behind an early push to get Gershkovich the official designation of wrongfully detained shortly after his arrest.

Thats an important step, Boyle told The Inquirer, because it allowed the case to be moved over to the Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, which has access to hostage-rescue specific resources, Boyle said.

Boyle found out Gershkovichs parents were from Philadelphia from Wall Street Journal reporter Catherine Lucey, who used to work in Philadelphia. He later discovered he and Evan Gershkovich have several mutual friends and connections.

Boyle remains in frequent touch with the newspaper and has spoken with the family. He sees one of his roles as keeping Gershkovichs name in the news.

My assurance to all of them is that Evan is not gonna be forgotten, he said. If a case drops off the radar, it makes it really easy for despotic regimes to essentially just get away with not having to respond.

Boyle said the family is very private and part of a community of Soviet Jewish refugees, a large number of whom live in Northeast Philadelphia.

In their interview with the Journal, Gershkovichs mother said shes hopeful that President Joe Biden will deliver on his promise to try to bring her son home. The parents and their daughter attended the White House Correspondents dinner in April, where Biden told them: Everyone in this hall stands with you.

Hes an American boy, Milman said. Bringing him back is a team effort.

Gershkovich isnt the only American the government is trying to bring home. Marine Corps veteran Paul Whelan is four years into a 16-year prison sentence on espionage charges.

Gershkovichs parents fled the Soviet Union in 1979 and met while working in New York. They moved to New Jersey, where they raised Gershkovich and his sister, Danielle, teaching them the Russian language and traditions and taking them on a family trip to Russia in 1999. That upbringing sparked Gershkovichs interest in the country he would go on to cover as a journalist.

Gershkovich, who lived and worked as a reporter in Russia for the last six years, started at the Journal in January 2022, a month before Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russian investigators alleged Gershkovich, acting on instructions of Americans, was trying to obtain secret information at the time of his arrest. He pleaded not guilty and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

ABC reported that Gershkovich, according to friends and sources interviewed in Russia, was working on a story about Yevgeny Prigozhin, who leads a Russian mercenary military organization, the Wagner Group, and just last month led a brief rebellion against the Russian government.

I know that he felt like it was his duty to report, Milman said.

In an April interview with the Journal, she said hope is an American quality shes absorbed. Be optimistic. Believe in happy ending. Thats where we stand right now, but I am not stupid. I understand whats involved, but thats what I choose to believe.
A short Amtrak ride from New York to Philadelphia changed Aaron Kaufmans life.

He was a successful Hollywood producer, with a resume that included the comic book noir Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, and the retro action film Machete Kills. But for years, Kaufman considered working on something entirely different, a project that would explore the Jehovahs Witnesses in some way  a screenplay, maybe, or a documentary.

In 2017, his research led him to Philadelphia, where attorneys for the millenarian religion were fighting a lawsuit that had been filed by Stephanie Fessler, who had been sexually abused dozens of times when she was a teenage Witness in Spring Grove, York County. Witness elders discouraged her parents from contacting the police.

I saw that there were two Jehovahs Witnesses attorneys, and another high-profile secular attorney, trying to discredit this poor woman who had been abused as a child, Kaufman said. I took the train back home, and thought, Ohh. The organizations bad. Theres something rotten at the core.

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Kaufman spent the next few years digging into the culture of secrecy that has protected Witnesses who prey on children, and emerged with a documentary, Vice Versa: Crusaders, that will air Wednesday on Vice TV. (Disclosure: Kaufman interviewed me as part of this project.)

A Long Island, N.Y., native, Kaufman, 47, was raised a Witness, and familiar with the lifestyle restrictions the religions leaders impose on millions of followers. But interviews that Kaufman conducted with dozens of ex-Witnesses revealed an even darker side of the organization  one that finds Witness officials discounting survivors stories of abuse and instructing elders to destroy records.

The hubris, Kaufman said, is crazy.

More than a year ago, a Pennsylvania grand jury began probing the Witnesses handling of child sex abuse complaints, an investigation believed to be the first of its kind in the country. (When The Inquirer recently asked if that investigation is still ongoing, a spokesperson for Attorney General Josh Shapiro declined to comment.)

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Lets go back to when you first started working on this project. Did you cast a wide net for stories about the Witnesses?

I wanted to be laser-beam focused on the fact that the Witnesses have something that other [religious] organizations dont: This rule that says if a child comes to them and says My dad is raping me, they have a rule that if theres not an eyewitness to support it, then theres nothing that [the organizations leaders] will do. Not only will they not go to the authorities, they also recommend that families dont go to the authorities, either.

Heres this organization that asks a lot of their followers  they ask them to not go to college, to not be that integrated in the rest of the world. But when it came down to protecting [children], they chose to protect the organization.

Was it difficult to process the stories of abuse that you heard?

Im not qualified to be a counselor of any kind. But we were dealing with peoples trauma. Vice brought in an expert to talk to us  we didnt want to re-traumatize people. But I actually found that, especially for the people who are in the film, doing this was a bit of a catharsis for them.

What made you leave the Witnesses?

I dont know how great a Witness I was to begin with. Everything I was passionate about and interested in was incongruous with the religion. I got the film bug in my early teens. Thats what I loved. But it was difficult to watch R-rated movies or listen to popular music. You could read, though. So I could post up with a Henry Miller novel, and people didnt have any idea what it was about. But my AC/DC records got thrown out repeatedly.

That was the beginning of it. I got married. I was leaving the house and kind of moving on with my life. I just sort of faded.

When I started talking to experts, and they referred to the Witnesses as a cult, I immediately bristled  Thats ridiculous! But  the Witnesses dont allow for higher education. They recommend that you marry young. They dont allow you to build networks of friends and associates in the world. They make you dependent on the group. When people leave that, its not the same as leaving Catholicism.  Its like being a newborn baby, but youre 50. The good news: Youre free! The bad news: You have no tools.

How do you think the Witnesses will respond to this film?

Theyll assume its evil. Thats what theyre being told. [The organization] put out something recently, saying that [media criticism] is an act of Satan. The piece de resistance is that not only is it the work of Satan, but [to them] its also further indication that the end times are near.

Did you have any contact with the organizations leaders?

I desperately wanted them to be on camera. I really pushed for that. But no Witness will engage you about this stuff. What is maddening to me is that they keep putting out  like a real f- you  the same statement, saying We abhor child abuse. Yeah, we all abhor it. What are you doing about it?

What do you hope that viewers will take from this film?

Im interested in [the Witnesses] because of my experiences. But most people dont care. And thats OK  Im not saying that in a bad way. People are going through their lives, looking at something on Netflix and ordering some Thai food. Theyre not thinking about those people who came to their door twice a year.

We dont get into the doctrine. We dont try to disprove their teachings. Whats interesting to me is these stories, and these people whose lives have been changed by what happened to them. Thats relatable to anybody.
Philadelphias Crime Scene Unit come across three bullets scattered along the sidewalk on 56th Street that were pointed out by some locals in the area in the Kingsessing neighborhood on July 4th. Read more

The shooter accused of killing five people during a harrowing rampage in Southwest Philadelphia Monday night was arraigned Wednesday morning on a host of charges, including five counts of first-degree murder.

Kimbrady Carriker, 40, was held without bail, court records show. Carriker was being represented by the Defender Association of Philadelphia, which did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

Additional charges include attempted murder, aggravated assault, and illegal gun possession, the records show.

 READ MORE: The killer in one of Philadelphias deadliest mass shootings evidently fired randomly, police say

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Carriker is accused of fatally shooting five people and wounding four other people  two of whom were shot, two of whom were injured by broken glass  during a shooting spree that spanned several blocks. Carriker was armed with an AR-style rifle and a handgun, Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said, and also was wearing a ballistic vest, ski mask, and was carrying additional magazines of ammunition and a police scanner.

Officials said Tuesday that the gunfire appeared to be disturbingly random. The incident began shortly before 8:30 p.m. Monday, when police responded to reports of gunfire in the area of South 56th Street and Chester Avenue. Officers followed the shooter as gunshots rang out, and about 10 minutes later were able to corner Carriker several blocks away in an alleyway on the 1600 block of South Frazier Street, Outlaw said.

Carriker was taken into custody without further incident, she said.The people who were killed were identified by police as DaJuan Brown, 15, whose residence was unknown; Lashyd Merritt, 21, of the 5500 block of Greenway Avenue; Ralph Moralis, 59, of the 1700 block of South 56th Street; Dymir Stanton, 29, of the 1700 block of South Frazier Street; and Joseph Wamah Jr., 31, of the 1600 block of South 56th Street.
North Wildwood crews work on an eroded section of beach in May. Read more

The commissioner of New Jerseys Department of Environmental Protection fired off a strongly worded letter Thursday to North Wildwoods mayor, who had posters with pictures of the commissioner and Gov. Phil Murphy posted at all beach entrances this week, blaming them for the Shore towns erosion woes.

In response, DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette contended in his letter that the Shore communitys repeated illegal and environmentally destructive activities to reshape or alter dunes, under the guidance of Mayor Patrick Rosenello, threatens to cause more erosion. The agency promises to pursue aggressive enforcement action that could result in significant penalties, LaTourette wrote.

He said the state has committed millions to projects for North Wildwood and expressed frustration at the towns continued violation of DEP orders  actions he said no other towns are taking on their own. The DEP has the authority to regulate the states valuable coastline and issue permits for work that fit in with an overall plan to protect beaches.

While an important subject of active DEP intervention, the citys erosion concerns are not entirely unique along the New Jersey coast, an exasperated LaTourette wrote. The citys flagrant disregard for the law, however, stands apart.

A war of words

Its the latest in a war of words between the DEP and North Wildwood in years of dispute over erosion that came to head in January when the Shore town filed a civil suit against the DEP for $21 million.

On Tuesday, North Wildwood officials had signs posted at every beach entrance singling out LaTourette and Murphy, a Democrat, for what the town says is failure to act on dune erosion. These two are directly responsible for the states inaction on replenishing North Wildwoods beaches, the sign reads.

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 READ MORE: N. Wildwood puts signs at all beaches urging Gov. Murphy to fix dune erosion, latest move in feud

Rosenello, a Republican, told The Inquirer that the signs were a last-ditch effort after the approval of the states $54.5 billion budget for 2024, which includes an $8.3 billion surplus. North Wildwood, working with Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D., Burlington, Camden), failed in a request to have $20 million included for the towns beach replenishment.

North Wildwood did get DEP permission to perform some emergency work before Memorial Day, but, according to the DEP, expanded the scope without telling the state.

I was disappointed to receive this letter, Rosenello wrote in an email to The Inquirer, calling the letter threatening with misleading statements.

For reasons that are unclear to me the many hours of meetings and discussions on this funding mechanism failed to result in the funding being included in the state budget, Rosenello wrote. The fact remains, however, that North Wildwood has an urgent shore protection need now.  The NJDEP bears complete responsibility for the fact that North Wildwood is the only oceanfront community in the state that is not the beneficiary of an NJDEP project.

Dune disturbances

In his letter this week, LaTourette said North Wildwood continued reshaping dunes on its own in June without a required review and approval. He said the actions were in violation of both the states environmental laws and the February 2023 Superior Court order issued in the ongoing litigation between the DEP and the city.

Specifically, crews in North Wildwood began reshaping oceanfront dunes on June 5, between 12th and 16th Avenues, after a high tide and later filed a deficient after-the-fact emergency authorization request but continued to work anyway, according to the letter. The DEP later denied the request.

LaTourette said the unauthorized regulated activities have needlessly disturbed the dunes protective capacity by further decreasing the height and volume of the dunes.

He continued: Oceanfront dunes are an irreplaceable feature of the natural environment possessing outstanding protective value. Dunes are a dynamic natural phenomenon that help protect lives and property in adjacent landward areas, and provide a buffer from effects of storms, flooding, and erosion. The citys continued modification and interruption of the natural processes along the beachfront reduces the dunes protective capacity.

LaTourette seemed personally stung by the towns actions, noting he had a cordial call on June 1 with Rosenello about ways to protect the Shore.

The commissioner has given the town until July 14 to submit a draft plan and restore or replace the dunes disturbed during the unauthorized work. He also gave the town a Sept. 30 deadline to complete the mitigation.

Why things have come to a head

It is the latest in a series of actions the DEP has taken against North Wildwood in recent years. Tension grew in December 2022 after the DEP sued North Wildwood, seeking to stop it from buttressing its dune system with what the state calls an illegal 400-foot steel bulkhead the city planned to install to prevent further storm-related erosion.

North Wildwoods beaches were hammered by noreasters in 2022, including the remnants of Hurricane Ian in October.

Town officials asked the DEP for an emergency authorization to install the bulkhead, reshape dunes between 13th and 16th Avenues, tear out some decking, and erect Jersey barriers to keep people out.

The state approved most of the request but said no to a new bulkhead at 15th Avenue and regrading of dunes because there was no immediate threat of loss of life or property and because the new infrastructure could make erosion worse.

Regardless, town officials attempted to tackle the erosion on their own and then sued the DEP, though the bulkhead was never installed.

A federal project update

A larger issue also looms.

After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and DEP began crafting an anti-erosion project that North Wildwood says it desperately needs. The community is on a barrier island known as Five Mile Beach, which contains North Wildwood, Wildwood, West Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Diamond Beach (which is part of Lower Township). North Wildwood, once the largest beach in the state, has suffered more significant erosion than other towns.

LaTourette noted in his letter that he managed to get all towns this year to agree to the plan, ending a six-year battle. LaTourette said the DEP has committed $10 million to the project, which is under design and includes an engineered dune system and replenished beaches. Construction is anticipated by spring 2025.

The commissioner said the state has also committed $6.7 million for a seawall spanning from Third to Seventh Avenue.

To be clear, DEP has repeatedly advised the city that illegal measures that you believe will combat erosion (e.g., destruction of dunes, construction of illegal bulkheads) may, in fact, make matters worse. DEP has provided the city access to coastal engineering experts, showed patient forbearance on the enforcement of egregious city conduct, LaTourette wrote.

Rosenello said, however, in his email that North Wildwood is in need of the beach project immediately, not two years from now, which is the latest estimate for the 10-year delayed federal project.
The iconic Jersey Devil statue, the symbol of the Pine Barrens, was stolen from outside Lucille's Luncheonette. Read more

Someone had stolen the devil  the carved-wood Jersey Devil perched outside Lucilles Luncheonette in Warren Grove. Dragged the demon away in the dark. In the secluded heart of the Pine Barrens, where ghastly folklore runs deep, it was a crime that shocked.

Your Jersey Devil is missing! cried out a customer on the morning of June 24 to Karen Bates-Flynn, who runs the famed family eatery with her sister, Diane Brown. Theres a piece of it in the driveway.

The women, who had entered through the kitchen, hadnt noticed that their bit of iconic South Jersey road decor was missing. But they were aghast. After all, who would dare swipe a sculpture of the strange beast said to stalk the Jersey forests? Who would destroy the symbol of the Pines?

Who would be brazen enough? asked Bates-Flynn.

Security cameras captured the devilish deed. Around 10 p.m., on June 23, an SUV towing a trailer with a Jeep drove past, then turned around and pulled into the diners gravel parking lot. The man driving the car hooked the six-foot statue with a tow strap. Then he dragged the wooden devil down Main Street, splintering the wing, before loading it onto his trailer.

Regulars at Lucilles, beloved by locals and a destination spot for Shore-bound travelers three miles off the main road to Long Beach Island, were rocked.

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There was a Piney Posse, cracked employee Laura Grentz.

Within days, the Stafford Township Police Department issued a warrant for a suspect: Thomas L. Bintz, 52, of Chandlersville, Ohio, for criminal mischief and theft. The crimes do not meet the criteria for extradition, said Capt. James Haldenwang of the Stafford Township Police. Bintz could not be reached for comment. He remains on the run. Police hope he will soon turn himself in, and would not speculate on a motive. Whether it was stolen on a whim or as a prank, or if Bintz meant to destroy the carving. Investigators were not shy about expressing their Piney pride.

The Jersey Devil is obviously part of the lore of South Jersey, said Haldenwang. It is something that is deeply entrenched in the culture here, and people take a lot of pride in it.

The Jersey Devil has long been the mascot at Lucilles. It began with Brown and Bates-Flynns mother, Lucille Bates-Wickward, who opened the diner in 1975, with her husband, Jim. A kind and outgoing woman, Lucille loved to hear the stories of the travelers who found her diner. In turn, she regaled them with tales and terrors of the Pines.

She was very playful and loved to get a rise out of people, said Bates-Flynn.

Her favorite folklore by far was the legend of the Jersey Devil. That clawed and cloven kangaroo-like creature with wings, a forked tail, and the head of a horse. That cursed child of old Mother Leeds that breathed fire and fed on chickens and pets and terrorized residents on both sides of the Delaware River. Soon, one of Lucilles nieces designed T-shirts that showed the beast and read: I ate with the Jersey Devil. The shirts sold as fast as the delicious blueberry pies.

When Anthony Bourdain visited Lucilles in 2015, he enjoyed a heaping meal of eggs, scrapple, chili, and pie  and rhapsodized about childhood memories of hearing about the Jersey Devil. He described the welcoming diner as disconcertingly friendly.

After their mother died in 2016, Brown and Bates-Flynn carried on the lore.

About six years ago, Joe Wenal, a chainsaw carver who runs the popular traveling arts competition Carve Wars, reached out to Lucilles with an offer. Wenal, who grew up near in nearby Cedar Run, would be competing in New Jersey. Would they be interested if he carved a Jersey Devil?

He carved us this gorgeous statue, and we bought it from him, said Bates-Flynn.

Soon, locals and tourists alike posed by the statue of the Jersey Devil.

It was our Loch Ness Monster, said Brown.

Wenal carved the scowling statue out of white pine, staining it with timber oil to give it a demonly shade. He estimated the statue weighed about 900 pounds. And about 1,500 pounds soaking wet, as it likely would have been when it was snatched after so much heavy rain.

I almost rather it would have just been stolen, Wenal said. To see him dragged and destroyed, it just broke my heart.

The Piney Posse is simmering. For their part, Brown and Bates-Flynn have hired Wenal to carve a new Jersey Devil. Theyve directed the outpouring of donations to Davids Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation, a local organization that helps cancer patients. But they want restitution. And so would Lucille, they said.

She was a tough girl, said Brown. Shed want her Jersey Devil.
The state Attorney General's office has been investigating sexual abuse within the membership since 2019. Read more

Four men, all Jehovahs Witnesses, have been charged with the sexual abuse of 19 people who were minors at the time, some of them their own relatives, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Thursday.

When police and agents from the Attorney Generals Office attempted to take one of the men, Eric Eleam, 61, of Butler County, into custody early Thursday morning, he retreated into his bathroom and killed himself.

The charges stem from a grand jury investigation that was launched after The Inquirer published an investigation in 2018 that examined how Witness leaders routinely ostracized and punished survivors  and even their families  if they spoke out about their abuse or sought help from police.

Most of these defendants used their faith and church to gain access to their victims to build their trust, and then molested them, Shapiro said. Some defendants only looked as far as their own families to commit their abuse.

These are the types of cases that haunt us, he said. They leave an indelible mark on our souls, and as prosecutors, as people of faith, as parents, we cant escape the impact that these cases have. These 19 children deserved a place to grow up in peace, not to be preyed upon.

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 READ MORE: Silent Witnesses: Insular culture and archaic rules created a 'recipe for child abuse'

Details of the four defendants and their alleged crimes come from court records released Thursday:

Jose Serrano, 69, of Lancaster County. He is accused of molesting at least six minors. He confessed to committing many of these criminal offenses to members of his community and to the grand jury. Two of Serranos victims testified to the grand jury about his alleged abuse, which included groping that escalated into forcible rape. Serrano was charged with aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, and endangering the welfare of children.

Jesse Hill, 52, formerly of Berks County, now a resident of Georgia. He allegedly lured young boys in his Jehovahs Witness congregation to his property for parties in the 1990s with promises of alcohol, marijuana, and pornography. He built a rapport with them by taking them to movie theaters and area malls and providing them with gifts. Hill allegedly groped the children and forced them into oral sex. The grand jury investigation identified at least 10 victims and Hill admitted many of these crimes, Shapiro said. Hill is charged with rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, and corruption of minors.

 READ MORE: She says she was 5 when another Jehovahs Witness raped her. The religions leaders call such accounts false stories

Robert Ostrander, 56, formerly of Cambria County, now a resident of New York State. Ostranders alleged acts of abuse began in 2006. The grand jurors heard testimony from a relative, who said that he abused her physically at first and then, by the time she turned 15, sexually assaulted her, Shapiro said. Ostrander allegedly sexually assaulted another girl, a member of their congregation. Ostrander is charged with indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children, and corruption of minors.

Eric Eleam, 61, of Butler County. An Eleam relative testified to the grand jury about his practice of using sexual molestation as discipline in the house where she was growing up. She reported this abuse to a parent and to other members of her community. The Attorney Generals Office obtained documents summarizing a meeting in which Eleam told people that the accounts of sexual assault must be true if she said them, because, quote, [the relative] does not lie. Eleam was charged with rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and endangering the welfare of a child.

The Jehovahs Witnesses roots run deep in Pennsylvania. An Allegheny County man, Charles Taze Russell, founded the millenarian religion in the 1870s. A 2014 Pew study estimated that more than 120,000 Witnesses call Pennsylvania home, while Philadelphia has more than a dozen congregations.

Mark ODonnell, a former Witness who has spent years researching abuse cases across the country, said he shared information with the Attorney Generals Office to aid its investigation.

I feel a great sense of relief that the state of Pennsylvania heard the cries of these victims of abuse, and they used their authority to bring justice to these victims, ODonnell said. This, in spite of the obstruction by the Jehovahs Witness Church and their elders.

 READ MORE: Watch: Jehovahs Witnesses official says to destroy records because Satans coming after us

Witness leaders have, in the past, gone to great lengths to withhold information about abusers within their ranks. One official, in 2017, instructed elders  the equivalent of parish priests  to destroy handwritten notes and drafts of internal records, explaining: Weve run into difficulties in the past because of the records we have.

That same year, a judge in California fined the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, the Witnesses corporate nonprofit, more than $2 million for refusing to turn over a secretly compiled list of 775 suspected child molesters within the organization.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), an advocacy group for people who have been abused by members of the religious community, said Thursday that Witness leaders should be held accountable.

Every Jehovahs Witness official who knew about, suspected of or shielded these heinous crimes should be fired and charged with failing to report potential child sex crimes to law enforcement. That is how we will deter such callous disregard in the future as a society, SNAP said in a statement.

Witness leaders, however, have repeatedly said they fight to protect children. Jehovahs Witnesses abhor child abuse, a crime that sadly occurs in all sectors of society. The safety of our children is of the utmost importance, they wrote in a statement.

ODonnell said he believes the charges that were filed by Shapiro suggest that the organizations leadership in Pennsylvania and New York will likewise be held accountable for their role in covering up this abuse.

Multiple ex-Witnesses who testified before the grand jury previously told The Inquirer that investigators have traveled to several states as part of the probe, and recorded testimony from former elders as well as abuse survivors.

The full scope of the investigation remains unclear. The Attorney Generals Office is asking others with abuse allegations to contact its office through a special hotline: 1-888-538-8541.

 READ MORE: Crusaders documentary to shed more light on Jehovahs Witnesses sex-abuse cover-ups
Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia. A Pennsylvania grand jury investigating child sexual abuse in the Jehovah's Witnesses community has charged another five people with raping or molesting children as young as 4. Read more

Five Jehovahs Witnesses have been charged with raping and exploiting children as part of a Pennsylvania grand jury investigation into the organizations handling of sexual abuse cases.

State Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the charges Friday and said the cases were connected to Witness congregations across the state, and that some of the sexual assaults occurred decades ago.

The incidents shared a common thread, Henry said: Each of the abusers found their victims through the church and then exploited them.

The five defendants that we have charged today were all adults in positions of trust with these victims, Henry said at a news conference. They violated that trust and they abused these children. Children are some of our most vulnerable members of society and they should be nurtured and protected. But instead of protecting these children, the defendants violated and abused them.

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One victim told investigators she had been raped 50 to 75 times between the ages of 7 and 12, according to court documents.

Among those charged was David Balosa, 61, of Philadelphia.

A family at a Witness congregation in the citys Olney neighborhood invited Balosa to stay with them after he moved to the area from Angola. Balosa, then 35, sexually abused their 4-year-old daughter in the basement, according to court documents.

Balosa has not yet been apprehended by authorities.

Another suspect was an elder, the equivalent of a priest, at an Upper Darby Witness congregation, according to the grand jury presentment.

In an emailed statement, the United States branch of Jehovahs Witnesses said any sexual abuse, whether of a child or adult, sickens the organization, but declined to comment specifically on the charges announced Friday.

That having been said, the news of someone being sexually abused, whether a child or an adult, sickens us. Child sexual abuse in particular is a twisted act of evil.

The statement also said the organization works to remove unrepentant perpetrators from the congregation. The community also educates and warns parents about abuse and offers support and pastoral care to victims, the organization said.

Anyone who has been victimized has the full support of the congregation to report the matter to the authorities, Witnesses said in the statement.

Fridays charges are the latest development in an ongoing and expansive investigation by the Attorney Generals Office into sexual abuse in the Witness community.

That investigation followed a 2018 Inquirer report that found that Witness leaders have, for decades, worked to prevent information about child sexual assaults from becoming public, and ostracized victims who reported abuse to police.

 READ MORE: Silent Witnesses: An insular culture and archaic rules have created a "recipe for child abuse."

Asked if Witness officials had discouraged victims families from contacting law enforcement officials, Henry declined to comment.

Since last October, the Attorney Generals Office has charged 14 men from the Witness community with sexually abusing minors.

The five charged Friday were Balosa; Errol William Hall, 50, of Delaware County, an elder at the Upper Darby congregation; Shaun Sheffer, 45, of Butler County; Terry Booth, 57, of Panama City, Fla.; and Luis Ayala-Velasquez, 55, of Berks County.

All but Balosa were in custody. It was unclear if any of those charged had retained lawyers.

Henry praised the bravery of the victims who came forward to report the abuse.

Many of these incidents and offenses happened a long time ago, even decades ago. But as a longtime child abuse prosecutor, I can tell you that the trauma endures for these victims, she said.

The Attorney Generals Office encouraged anyone with information about the investigation to call the offices hotline at 888-538-8541. Reports of child sexual abuse can also be made to ChildLine, at 1-800-932-0313.
For more than two decades, disturbing allegations of child sex abuse have emerged at Jehovahs Witnesses congregations across the country, even as the organizations leaders have largely avoided serious law enforcement scrutiny.

That might be about to change.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro has launched a grand jury investigation into allegations that Jehovahs Witness officials have long been covering up reports of abuse, according to Mark ODonnell, a former Witness who said he testified before the grand jury last year.

ODonnell, 46, shared with The Inquirer a copy of the subpoena that he received before he traveled in August to Harrisburg, where he testified for more than two hours in front of 23 grand jury members.

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The existence of the grand jury probe was first reported by USA Today. Witness leaders said in a statement to the newspaper that they welcome an opportunity to explain our beliefs and practices to government officials and look forward to any recommendations they may have as we continue to focus on educating and equipping parents to protect their children from the horrible crime of abuse.

A spokesperson for Shapiro declined to comment Saturday. Shapiros office led a landmark investigation into six Roman Catholic archdioceses that culminated, in 2018, with a report that identified more than 300 priests who had sexually abused more than 1,000 victims, dating back to the 1940s.

For years, ODonnell, a Maryland resident, has detailed on a website nightmarish stories about children who have been sexually assaulted by Jehovahs Witness elders and relatives. The site became a resource for journalists and ex-Witnesses  and a thorn in the side of Witness leaders who have been loath to publicly discuss the religions abuse problems.

 READ MORE: She says she was 5 when another Jehovahs Witness raped her

The Atlantic last year wrote about ODonnells efforts to bring transparency to a religious organization notorious for its secrecy. ODonnell said he was contacted by an assistant deputy attorney general after that story was published, and then interviewed at his house.

I was not surprised, because I get calls all the time from different agencies or journalists, ODonnell said Saturday, but I did skip a beat when the attorney general of Pennsylvania called.

The Inquirer published an investigation in 2018 that examined how Witness leaders routinely ostracized and punished survivors  and even their families  if they spoke out about their abuse or sought help from police.

The investigation helped lead to the arrest of a man who sexually abused a 4-year-old girl at a Witness Kingdom Hall in York County in 2005. Another story exposed video footage that showed Shawn Bartlett, a Witness official, instructing elders at a 2017 seminar to destroy handwritten notes and drafts of internal documents, because those records could prove harmful in litigation.

So the organization has said, Weve run into difficulties in the past because of the records we have,' " Bartlett said in the video.

ODonnell said he was shown footage of Bartlett that had been on The Inquirers website during his grand jury testimony.

 READ MORE: For Jehovahs Witnesses, archaic rules have created a recipe for child abuse

The Jehovahs Witnesses have more than eight million followers around the world and have counted multiple celebrities  Prince, Venus and Serena Williams, Donald Glover  among their ranks at one time or another.

The organizations roots run deep in Pennsylvania. An Allegheny County man, Charles Taze Russell, founded the Witnesses in the 1870s. A 2014 Pew study estimated that more than 120,000 Witnesses call Pennsylvania home, while Philadelphia has more than a dozen congregations.

Glimpses of the organizations response to abuse have emerged over the years in records leaked by whistle-blowers. A 1989 memo advised that elders should resist cooperating if police ever showed up at a kingdom hall with a search warrant.

"The need for elders to maintain strict confidentiality has been repeatedly stressed, one portion of the memo said.

Witness leaders, faced with mounting legal bills from lawsuits filed by abuse survivors in the United States and abroad, sold their sprawling Brooklyn headquarters in recent years for more than $1 billion to a real estate company run at the time by Jared Kushner, President Donald Trumps son-in-law.
Six colorful taxidermied birds and 20 horned mammal skulls arrived in Philadelphia all the way from the United Kingdom, but were confiscated by U.S Customs and Border Protection for violating U.S. wildlife and import laws. Read more

Six colorful taxidermied birds and 20 horned mammal skulls arrived in Philadelphia all the way from the United Kingdom, but they will not make it to their final destination.

The two shipments were confiscated at the Philadelphia port by Customs and Border Protection officers, and the individuals who ordered the decor arrangements will have to go in a different direction, because their exotic wildlife shopping spree was in violation of U.S wildlife and import laws.

According to CBP, the first shipment, confiscated on May 30, was set to be delivered to an address in Onondaga County, N.Y., and contained six taxidermied birds  two Regent bowerbirds, two Cotinga, one blue-belliedroller, and one oriole  all of which were perched on a branch.

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The second confiscated shipment arrived on June 13 and contained the 20 horned mammal skulls. The exact animals they came from was unknown. The skulls were set to be delivered to an address in Tampa, Fla.

The taxidermied bird shipment violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which states that it is unlawful to kill, sell, possess, import, export, or otherwise trade species of migratory birds without government authorization.

The horned skulls violated a number of rules including those in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and the Lacey Act.

CBP did not provide other information on the people who were set to receive the birds and skulls, saying the investigation was ongoing.

For those considering ordering a taxidermied arrangement, Rene Ortega, CBPs acting area port director in Philadelphia, said to think twice and check the rules beforehand.

American consumers should think twice before purchasing products either in whole or manufactured from wildlife because they may violate U.S. and international laws, but more importantly, they could be contributing to the end of an entire species of wildlife, Ortega said.
The dining room overlooking the beach at Nobu in Atlantic City, N.J. on June 28, 2023. Read more

Happy Friday!

Expect patchy fog with a chance of some thunderstorms in the afternoon. Itll still be a warm summer day with a high of 89.

The Fourth of July came and went, which probably means you already have made a trip down the Shore, or maybe several. We have several helpful Shore guides to help you make the best of your next trip, like our music guide for the summer or our list of the best seafood shacks.

Today we have a treat. From Atlantic City to Cape May, our resident restaurant Craig LaBan wants to make sure you eat well. Our lead story is his guide of the new spots that are worth a visit before the summer is over.

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 Also, take a moment to sign up for the Taste Philly with Craig Laban newsletter which launched today. Itll showcase Phillys global food scene through six installments in six weeks. Eat around the world without actually leaving the city. Itll feature inbox-only content you wont get anywhere else.

 Taylor Allen (@TayImanAllen, morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)

According to Craig LaBan, the Philly vibes are stronger than ever down the Shore.

There are some old city favorites that opened new branches by the beach, multiples chefs are doing weekly commutes Philly-to-Shore kitchen commutes, and several veterans of Phillys dining scene now live full-time near the water.

Follow LaBan has he tells you about the stars of the southern Shore and a seemingly sustainable Atlantic City reboot. Also, dont miss the story about how the owner of Johns Roast Pork once taught an iconic Ocean City kitchen some secrets on how to make his award-winning cheesesteak.

Click here for the full guide and excellent food photography.

Someone stole the carved-wood Jersey Devil outside of Lucilles Luncheonette in Warren Grove.

Its not easy to do. Its estimated to be about 900 pounds. But its about 1,500 pounds soaking wet, as it likely would have been when it was snatched after so much rain lately.

Security cameras captured the crime.

The scene: Around 10 p.m. on June 23, an SUV towing a trailer with a Jeep drove past the diner, but then turned around and pulled into the diners parking lot. The man driving the car hooked the six-foot statue with a tow strap. He then dragged the wooden devil down Main Street, splintering the wing, before loading it onto his trailer.

It didnt take long for the Stafford Township Police Department to issue a warrant for the suspect  an Ohio man  but he remains on the run. The crimes do not meet the criteria for extradition, so police hope hell turn himself in.

Continue reading to learn how the restaurants regulars are rallying to help out the beloved local spot.

What you should know today

 Trivia time 

Beyonces Renaissance returns to Philly next week for her highly anticipated Renaissance Tour on July 12.

Which city did she cancel?

A) Atlanta

B) Pittsburgh

C) Tampa

D) Chicago

Think you know? Check your answer.

What were...

 Watching: Donald Trumps valet pleaded not guilty to charges that he helped the former president hide classified documents from federal authorities.

Considering: Joining Threads, Metas new Twitter rival app. Im not sure if I want another social media platform, though. If youre using it, email me and tell you me how you like it.

 Unscramble the anagram 

Hint: A Philly beer company

VEIN UGLIES

Well select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Marissa Dwyer, who correctly guessed Thursdays answer: Carbon Copy. Email us if you know the answer.

Photo of the day

I hope your work day goes smooth and you have a relaxing weekend. Paola will be back in your inbox Sunday.
HARRISBURG  Pennsylvanias budget was approved late Wednesday, with no celebratory bill signing or brouhaha.

Instead, the state will likely stay in a budget standstill for the summer  and could eventually fail to pay its bills, depending on how long the stalemate lasts.

Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Wednesday that he would line-item veto a controversial school voucher program in the states $45.5 billion spending plan he negotiated with Senate Republicans. He said the veto was necessary to avoid being plunged into a painful, protracted budget impasse while our communities wait.

The Senate GOP immediately accused Shapiro of reneging on his agreement with them and caving to teachers union pressures, and thus, continuing the stalemate between the states top leaders.

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The state Senate and House already passed the spending bill. But the Senate must complete the routine task of signing the measure during a legislative session day before it can go to Shapiro for his signature.

But that was before Shapiro said hed veto the school voucher program he helped create  a program that Senate Republicans said they wanted in exchange for some of Shapiros own budget priorities.

The state Senate is not scheduled to reconvene until Sept. 18, and a spokesperson for the top Senate Republican said President Pro Tempore Kim Ward has no intention of recalling members before that.

However, Shapiro rejected the notion that he ever had made a final deal with Senate Republicans that included the vouchers, in a news conference Thursday. Instead, he laid blame on Senate Republicans for failing to reach an agreement with their House Democratic colleagues. And he put the onus on both parties to come together and figure it out.

[Senate Republicans] made a unilateral decision to send this bill over to the House, Shapiro said. They may not like how this process played out, but it is the process that they put into effect because of their inability to close the deal with the House Democrats.

Senate GOP leaders believed Shapiros support of their spending plan would translate into agreement with House Democrats, once he and Senate leaders reached a deal, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) said in a statement. Senate Republicans advanced the $45.5 billion spending plan last week, praising Shapiro for his work on the budget with them.

Their tune changed on Wednesday, after Shapiro announced he would veto their top priority  private-school vouchers  and instead that House Democratic leaders would in the future work to add a school voucher program or add to existing tax credit programs.

The truth is, there was a deal, regardless of what Gov. Shapiro says publicly, and he knows there was a deal, Ward said in a statement on Thursday.

Shapiro refuted Wards characterization that there was ever a final deal.

There was never a deal between all three parties, and that was acknowledged by all parties, privately and publicly, Shapiro added. They now need to get in a room with the House Democrats and they need to learn to work together.

Shapiro could still avoid a budget impasse if he doesnt veto the school voucher program after all, Ward said.

Gov. Shapiro can still deliver on his campaign promise to Pennsylvania to give every child of God a chance to have a good education, Ward said, quoting Shapiros appearance last month on Fox News in support of a private-school voucher program.

Even if the Senate came back into session to allow the spending bill to go to Shapiros desk, neither chamber has advanced the necessary code bills that provide instructions for how the state can spend its money.

At worst, this means the state cant spend any of its money. At best, some of the new budget items that Shapiro championed wont happen, and the money will sit unspent in the state Treasury Department until next year.
The state House and Senate must approve the annual funding for state-related universities by a two-thirds vote. Read more

HARRISBURG  For a second time this year, House Republicans on Thursday blocked the state from sending hundreds of millions of dollars to Pennsylvanias four state-related universities, in hopes that they can acquire greater oversight of each schools tuition increases, public records, and more.

Pennsylvania appropriates nearly $650 million in total each year to its four state-related universities: the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, Temple, and Lincoln. These funds allow the quasi-public institutions to offer in-state tuition discounts to Pennsylvania residents.

Both the state House and Senate must approve the annual funding for state-related universities by a two-thirds vote. Funding bills failed in the House last month, when state Republicans opposed a bill that bundled all four schools in one, and individual funding bills for Pitt and Temple.

The House on Thursday night rejected a bill that bundled funding for all four universities into one by just six votes. In the floor debate, House Republicans focused on the specific oversight measures they think the schools need if they are to receive funding, and they cheered when the bill failed.

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House Democrats, for their part, urged their colleagues to drop whatever qualms they have with individual universities to make sure students get their in-state tuition discount and a quality higher education.

Rep. Donna Bullock (D., Philadelphia) highlighted Temple founder Russell Conwells famous Acres of Diamonds speech, in which a man searches for riches, only to realize they were in his backyard.

We have diamonds in our own backyard, right here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and we are refusing to invest in those diamonds, Bullock said. Were failing to invest in our children and our young people.

In late June, House Republicans offered a smattering of reasons for wanting to block funding. Some opposition came from members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, who oppose sending state funds to Pitt and Penn State over small portions of the research the schools conduct and medical care they provide.

But on Thursday, GOP opponents cited three major concerns: that the universities are not subject to the states open records laws, that state funding should only be used for in-state tuition discounts, and that the schools continue to raise tuition despite the state funding.

Pitt, Penn State, and Temple have steadily increased tuition each year, despite their steady allocations from the state. Some Republicans argued state funding should incentivize institutions to not raise tuition.

We are bankrupting students and families while we have given record levels of funding to these institutions, said Rep. Dawn Keefer (R., York). Yet the tuition continues to rise beyond any students ability to pay that debt.

Rep. Dan Frankel (D., Allegheny) said hes proud Pitt is one of the nations top research universities, but the states annual appropriation is really intended to make these universities more affordable to in-state students.

Its incredulous that anyone would add any more of a burden to paying for students education, Frankel said. This should not be a difficult decision.

House Appropriations Chair Rep. Jordan Harris (D., Philadelphia) said it was a simple decision on direct dollars for students.

Facts are facts. You either support the money, or you dont, Harris said.

House lawmakers promised to vote for a third time on the issue, but its unclear when that might happen as the chamber prepares for its summer recess. House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler (R., Lancaster) emphasized that his caucus wanted to find common ground on public records requests and how the universities spend state money.

The elevator of opportunity out of poverty not only needs maintenance, Cutler said about each schools mission, it needs a shaft to run in, and it also needs some guardrails to make sure it hits each floor.

DaniRae Renno is an intern with the Pennsylvania Legislative Correspondents Association.
A place in the ranking provides professional recognition as one of the best brokerage businesses in the Australian market. Winners will be published in Insurance Business online and gain access to exclusive promotional opportunities to enhance their business reputation and credibility.
Recognising the global growth and transformative potential of insurtech, Tokio Marine is actively seeking collaborations with insurtech companies to drive innovation and develop new insurance products, the company said. However, the lack of a centralised information sharing system had previously led to duplication and inefficiencies, with different group companies unknowingly engaging with the same startups.
This has been the homeland of our people for millennia. Any insurer or financier still backing Adani is complicit in the destruction of Wangan and Jagalingou homelands and the ethnic cleansing of our culture and people. Dont underestimate our determination. We plan to be here until Adani is forced to abandon this project so we can watch them pack up and leave our homelands for good.
We dont want to be an adversary to governments. We want to be part of the solution, he said. We want to be at the table to design a health system that covers everyone for drugs in Canada. Thats what we are proposing as an industry. We have the same goal as the government, which is covering Canadians.
Blacks complaint argued that the TAVT on her car amounted to 7% of its value, indicating that she should have received an additional $295.50 on top of the $49.25 that USAA reimbursed.
We learned this week that July 4s average global temperature of 62.92 degrees Fahrenheit was the worlds hottest day since at least 1979, when the U.S. National Centers for Environmental Prediction began keeping records, and potentially the hottest in about 125,000 years.

And yet, in a world in which even ExxonMobil concedes the reality of climate change and touts that it is playing a leading role in the transition to a lower-emission future, it appears that insurance consumer advocates constitute the group most steadfast in their refusal to come to grips with what adapting to a warmer planet inevitably entails.

For the insurance industry itself, there is no doubt that the effects of climate change are already here and that, as the worlds wealthiest and most-insured nation, the economic impact (but not the human toll) has been felt most acutely in the United States. According to the United Nations World Meteorological Organization, U.S. catastrophes have accounted for $1.7 trillion of the $4.3 trillion of economic damage from extreme weather, climate and water-related events around the globe between 1970 and 2021.

Broker Aon PLC finds that the United States accounted for 75% of last years $132 billion of global insured losses from natural disasters, led by the $50 to $55 billion of insured losses stemming from Hurricane Ian. Swiss Re, which found similar estimates, also notes that 2022s totals were 45% higher than the 10-year average of $91 billion in insured losses, and continued a three-decade-long trend of insured losses growing by 5% to 7% annually.

These trends clearly have been reflected in market pricing, with Guy Carpenter recently reporting that mid-year 2023 reinsurance renewals for U.S. property-catastrophe accounts were the highest in 17 years. Theyve also been reflected in declining availability of property insurance in certain catastrophe-prone markets, as seen in the ongoing collapse of the Florida homeowners market and high-profile decisions by State Farm and Allstate to cease writing new coverage in wildfire-stricken California.

And also unsurprisingly, insurance regulators around the world are seeking, as the International Association of Insurance Supervisors put it earlier this year in announcing the launch of an 18-month consultation on the topic, a globally consistent supervisory response to climate change within the insurance sector.

For its part, in response to President Joe Bidens Executive Order on Climate-Related Financial Risk, the U.S. Treasury Departments Federal Insurance Office recently published a report offering 20 policy recommendations to improve insurance regulators supervision of climate-related risks. These include possibly creating charges in risk-based capital (RBC) formulas for floods, convective storms and other climate-related risks; enhancing the NAIC Catastrophe Modeling Centers capabilities to help regulators better assess insurers climate-related risks; and moving toward a single materiality standard for climate-related risks to be used in insurers Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) summary reports.

FIO also proposes various information-gathering measures that, depending on their levels of cost or intrusiveness, probably will engender some industry pushback. But by and large, the suggestions to improve how prudential overseers incorporate climate risks are reasonable and almost certainly necessary, in some form or another.

But in response to the FIO report, the group United Policyholders issued a statement with its own set of recommendations, nearly all of which amount to seeking ways to suppress, delay or ignore the price signals that guide consumers in how and where to build as we adapt to a changing climate. As United Policyholders declares:

We oppose allowing insurers to pass along reinsurance costs to policyholders. Reinsurance rates are not regulated and frequently fluctuate. We also oppose allowing insurers to have unlimited use of predictive CAT models to set rates. Unlike rating tools that are based on historical facts and actual weather and claim events, CAT models are developed by for-profit companies to sell to for-profit insurers. They apply forward-looking algorithms to project future losses. Their advocates are persuasive, but they have a track record of decreasing availability and affordability.

It would seem obvious that catastrophe models that project, as climate science itself does, that future losses will be worse than past losses will have to be reflected in coverage that is more expensive and less available for those properties most at risk of loss. It seem equally obvious that, given such trends, rates based solely on historical facts and actual weather and claim events will be insufficient. Sticking ones head in the sand to pretend these werent facts about the world is tantamount to denying climate change itself.

This stance extends to several of United Policyholders other proposals. The group proposes that California develop a public high dollar catastrophic coverage layer facility to provide reinsurance to the California Earthquake Authority and the California FAIR Plan, and that Congress begin drafting a national disaster insurance model to provide a basic amount of essential dwelling, building code upgrade and temporary living expense coverage.

Obviously, the animating principle here appears to be broad distrust of business itself, as seen in the shade thrown at cat models for being developed by for-profit companies to sell to for-profit insurers. But more fundamentally, the only reason to propose public insurance and reinsurance facilities is to allow them to charge less than private-sector firms would. And its certainly true that governments can offer insurance products that are not for profit, because they can rely on taxpayers to make up the difference between the cost of coverage and the claims that will eventually roll in. We need look no further than the National Flood Insurance Program, which remains tens of billions of dollars in debt to American taxpayers.

But is that a good idea? Providing coverage at less than actuarially justified rates amounts to subsidizing choices to live in harms way, rather than allowing those price signals to encourage people to harden their homes or, ultimately, to move to places with less exposure to the kinds of disasters that climate change will inevitably make more costly. Instead, we have seen the reverse trend, with Americans moving to places with greater exposure to catastrophe risks. As researchers from the University of Vermont put it:

We find that, controlling for socioeconomic and environmental factors, people have been moving toward areas most at risk of wildfire, and toward metropolitan areas with relatively hot summers. As climate change advances, we can expect to see hotter summer temperatures and heightened risk of wildfire, meaning that if these migration trends continue, more and more people will be in danger from heat and fire. We hope our findings will contribute to more awareness of these growing dangers, while providing empirical evidence to guide planners and policymakers as they design strategies for climate resilience and hazard preparedness.

Of course, price signals from insurance and reinsurance could play an appropriate role in countering or reversing these settlement patterns, but for regulatory schemes like Californias Prop 103 that seek to suppress them. Indeed, California embodies United Policyholders preferences in denying insurers the ability to reflect reinsurance costs and limiting their ability to use prospective catastrophe models. This is why, even after the states extreme wildfires in 2018 and 2019, and despite trailing only Hawaii in median home prices, Californians in 2020 paid an annual average of $1,285 in homeowners insurance premiums across all policy typesless than the national average of $1,319.

Not only do such regulations interfere with price mechanisms that could otherwise facilitate climate adaptation in the states that implement them, but researchers Sangmin Oh, Ishita Sen, and Ana-Maria Tenekedjieva find that they engender counter-productive cross-subsidies across the country:

Using two distinct identification strategies and novel data on regulatory filings and ZIP code level rates, we find that insurers in more regulated states adjust rates less frequently and by a lower magnitude after experiencing losses. Importantly, they overcome these rate-setting frictions by adjusting rates in less regulated states, consistent with insurers cross-subsidizing across states. In the long run, these behaviors lead to a decoupling of rates from risks, implying distortions in risk sharing across states.

Adaptation to climate change will be a difficult, wrenching process with no shortage of political pain points. There no doubt will be a role for governments to play in assisting citizens with mitigation, relocation and potentially even subsidies to finance crushing insurance costs. But it serves neither those policyholders nor society at-large to ignore the information that insurance markets are providing, much less the climate science that powers todays catastrophe models.

Topics California
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A Maryland board approved $2.9 million in compensation Wednesday for a man who was wrongly imprisoned for 32 years, including a decade on death row, for two murders he did not commit.

John Huffington was pardoned by former Gov. Larry Hogan in January. The former governor cited prosecutorial misconduct in granting a full innocence pardon for Huffington in connection with a 1981 double slaying in Harford County.

On Wednesday, the Board of Public Works  comprised of Gov. Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Treasurer Dereck Davis  approved the compensation package.

He was robbed of time being spent away from family and loved ones, holidays, birthdays, missed milestones, opportunities denied  injustice, time and time again, Moore said in apologizing to Huffington, who attended the board meeting.

Moore noted the work that Huffington has done to raise awareness about flaws in the criminal justice system, through speeches and a book about his experiences.

John has become a friend, Moore said. Im thankful not just because he is willing to share his story, but hes been willing to take his pain and turn it into service.

The governor also noted that since his release Huffington has worked as a manager at Second Chance, a nonprofit that helps people with barriers to employment. He also worked in job training and reentry programs at the Living Classrooms Foundation. He is now the chief operating officer at the Kinetic Capital Community Foundation, which works to promote income equality in Baltimore.

Huffington always maintained his innocence. He was released from Patuxent Institution in 2013 after serving 32 years of two life sentences.

He was convicted twice in the killings known as the Memorial Day Murders. Diane Becker was stabbed to death in her recreational vehicle, while her 4-year- old son, who was inside, was not harmed. Joseph Hudson, Beckers boyfriend, was fatally shot and found a few miles (kilometers) away. A second suspect in the slayings testified against Huffington, was convicted of first-degree murder, and served 27 years.

Prosecutors relied on testimony that was later discredited about hair found at the murder scene matching Huffington`s.

He appealed his first conviction in 1981. In 1983, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and he was sentenced to death. Prosecutors later commuted that sentence to two life terms.

Questions about evidence in the case arose when The Washington Post uncovered an FBI report in 2011 that found the FBI agent who analyzed hair evidence in Huffingtons case may not have used reliable science, or even tested the hair at all. The report had been written in 1999, but Harford County States Attorney Joseph Cassilly chose not to provide it to Huffingtons lawyers.

A Frederick County judge vacated Huffingtons convictions and ordered a new trial in 2013 after Huffington presented new evidence using DNA testing that was not available during his earlier trials. When the hair evidence was tested for DNA more than 30 years later, the results showed it was not Huffingtons hair.

Maryland`s highest court unanimously voted to disbar Cassilly in 2021. The court found he withheld exculpatory evidence in the 1981 double murder and lied about it in the following years. Cassilly had retired in 2019. Cassilly maintained he did nothing wrong.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Maryland
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If a persons right to bring a personal injury lawsuit has expired by the time of his or her death, the persons estate is barred from bringing a wrongful death suit in Massachusetts for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has affirmed the dismissal of wrongful death suits by two women whose husbands died after smoking cigarettes for 40 and 50 years. Both wives were pursuing wrongful death lawsuits against the tobacco firms and retailers that they say for decades supplied their husbands with their cigarettes.

But the high court, agreeing with the lower court judges in the two cases, said there is no right for the wives to bring a wrongful death lawsuit because the statute of limitations on their husbands underlying right to sue had expired before their deaths.

[I]n Massachusetts, we follow the majority rule that wrongful death liability is derivative. Accordingly, we follow the majority approach precluding recovery for wrongful death where the statute of limitations on the decedents underlying claims ran before the decedents death, the Supreme Judicial Court wrote, citing its own 2020 ruling (GGNSC Admin. Servs., LLC v. Schrader) on the issue.

In both cases, the defendant tobacco firms and retailers moved to have the claims dismissed. Different judges in the Superior Court allowed the defendants motions to dismiss. Both judges cited the 2020 holding that wrongful death liability is derivative and thus the claims were precluded because each decedent could not have brought claims based on the injuries that caused his death had he survived.

Ralph Fabiano began smoking cigarettes at the age of 15 when he received free samples of cigarettes, including L&M brand cigarettes manufactured by Philip Morris USA. Fabiano became addicted to smoking and continued to buy and smoke L&M cigarettes for the next 50 years. He regularly purchased L&M cigarettes from Shaws Supermarkets. In 2004, Ralph was diagnosed with emphysema caused by long-term cigarette smoking. He died of cancer at age 67 in July 2014, which was 10 years after his diagnosis, without having sued. Just under three years later, in July 2017, his wife Grace, as personal representative of his estate, brought a wrongful death suit against Philip Morris USA Inc. and Shaws Supermarkets, Inc.

John Fuller frequently purchased Camel cigarettes from Cumberland Farms. In 2012, he was diagnosed with lung cancer caused by long-term cigarette smoking. He died from lung cancer four years later in November 2016 without having brought an injury suit. In September 2017, his wife Mary, as personal representative of his estate, brought wrongful death claims based on breach of warranty, negligence, and conspiracy.

Grace Fabiano and Mary Fuller, as personal representative of their husbands estate, appealed the Superior Court dismissals of their suits. The Supreme Judicial Court granted direct appellate review.

Massachusetts has a three-year statute of limitations for bringing personal injury suits that starts at the date of the injury or diagnosis, a period that had passed by the time the men in these cases died. There is also a three year statute of limitations on wrongful death suits.

Grace Fabiano and Mary Fuller each sued for wrongful deaths within three years of their husbands passing. They argued that their estates had the right to sue on behalf of the beneficiaries, their actions should be governed by the three-year statute of limitations for a wrongful death suits, and that the clock should start ticking from the date of the deaths of their husbands.

The defendants again sought to have the claims dismissed, citing the same ruling in GGNSC, which established that the right to bring a wrongful death claim depends on whether the right to sue existed prior to the decedents passing. The cigarette firms maintained that the wrongful death action should not restart the statute of limitations clock. They warned, and the Superior Court agreed, that such an interpretation would mean they could be sued multiple times for the same alleged injury both before and years after death.

The estates fared no better with the Supreme Judicial Court than they did in the lower court. The high court stood by the GGNSC ruling and dismissed the estates claims because the right to sue expired before the men died.

Where a decedent had no right on the date of his or her death to bring suit for the injury that caused his or her death, no cause of action for wrongful death based on the death-causing injury ever vests in the decedents representative for the benefit of the beneficiaries, the high court wrote citing GGNSC.

In these tobacco cases, the court said that because a cause of action for wrongful death never came into existence for the decedents representative, it never accrued, and the three-year statute of limitations for wrongful death actions was never triggered.

The court noted that of the jurisdictions like Massachusetts where wrongful death liability is derivative, the vast majority that have weighed in on the issue agree that, if the decedents underlying personal injury claim is barred by the statute of limitations at the time of death, no right of wrongful death is created in the representative of the decedents estate for the benefit of the beneficiaries.

The plaintiffs further argued that the courts approach produces fundamental unfairness by forcing those suffering from life-threatening illnesses to make the untenable choice of filing suit while they are suffering from the illness or forfeiting their heirs right to recovery in the event that the statute of limitations runs before their death.

The high court answered that its decision in no way changes what has long been true of persons suffering from serious injuries. Once those injuries are knowable, plaintiffs must assert their rights within a specified period of time or lose their ability to recover for their injuries.

The court reiterated its conclusion that because the right to recover for wrongful death is derivative of a decedents right to recover for his or her injuries, if the decedent, during his or her life, loses or otherwise forfeits the ability to recover, no right to recover exists in his or her beneficiaries.

Topics Lawsuits Massachusetts
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Two firefighters were killed battling a blaze that began when cars caught fire deep inside a cargo ship carrying 5,000 cars at a New Jersey port, Newark`s fire chief said Thursday.

Responding firefighters found five to seven vehicles already on fire when they reached the 10th floor of the cargo ship at Port Newark around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night. The blaze quickly extended to the 11th and 12th floors, and as firefighters were pushed back by the intense heat, two of them were lost, Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said at a news conference.

Firefighters werent initially able to find their colleagues and outside rescue companies from around the state were called in. They were found and removed from the structure, but unfortunately they lost their lives, Jackson said.

Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of two Newark firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement. This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers our firefighters face and their remarkable courage.

Marine traffic trackers show the Grande Costa DAvorio, which was built in 2011, arrived from the Port of Baltimore several days earlier.

We lost two firefighters today, said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at the scene. A tragedy for us in the city of Newark and tragic for all firefighters who know what it means to go in a burning structure in a danger that you are going to have to experience when you do so.

Baraka said he saw unparalleled acts of bravery and camaraderie, but he called the loss traumatic for all of Newark. The fire was still burning while officials spoke at the news conference, but they would continue to work to put it out, Baraka said.

Shipboard firefighting is a unique skill and Newark firefighters dont commonly face this kind of fire, Jackson said.

Although this is a difficult fire, a different type of fire, they`re still willing to put themselves on the line for others, the chief said. This is a unique service that were in. We love what we do. We love each other and we protect each other. Its unfortunate when we have loss. This is a tragedy. This is something that I as a chief never want to face, but we have to be there, we have to be strong for the family at this point.

Photo: In this image taken from video, smoke rises from a cargo ship early Thursday, July 6, 2023, in the port of Newark, New Jersey. Two firefighters were killed battling the blaze that began when cars caught fire deep inside the ship carrying 5,000 cars at the port, Newarks fire chief said. (WABC-TV via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Numbers New Jersey Trucking
Global leaders are racing to salvage an international deal to allow Ukraines grain shipments by sea before it expires in less than two weeks.

They face a key problem: the pact, already extended three times, is nearly defunct.

The nations Black Sea ports, bustling with ships last autumn, are almost empty as the joint center tasked with approving them buckles in dysfunction. The few vessels left are being inspected at a trickle. Russian officials continue to rail against the pacts extension, while Kyiv accuses Moscow of trying to sabotage it.

It feels different this time, said Tariel Khajishvili, director at shipping agent Novik LLC in Odesa. Vessel traffic at the key grain hub of Chornomorsk is completely dead.

What Is Russias Problem With the Black Sea Grain Deal?

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the grain initiative a year ago to allow a safe route for exports following Russias invasion. Since then, the agreement has shepherded almost 33 million tons of crops to global markets, helping to lower food prices and bolstering a sector vital to one of the worlds top grain producers.

Its up for renewal again July 17, with the European Union, US and UN pushing for an extension. The negotiations take place against the backdrop of Ukraines counteroffensive, aided by Western governments, against Russian opposition. The presidents of Ukraine and Turkey are set to meet in Istanbul on Friday to discuss prolonging the pact.

Russias foreign ministry this week said there are no grounds to continue the pact, citing five obstacles to its own food exports it wants removed. Advocates contend that allowing it to lapse could raise costs for Ukrainian farmers and stifle what the UN calls a lifeline for global food security.

Were going to see some parts of Ukraine decreasing production for 2024 if nothing changes, said Kateryna Rybachenko, vice chair of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club. The countrys grain output is already shrinking under the weight of war, and its exports are set to fall to a decade low. The tumult has prevented farmers from making forward sales of this years harvest, she added.

Fading Progress

The export deal whittled down the massive stockpiles that Ukraine amassed after Russias invasion halted virtually all seaborne trade. Coupled with crops sold via the EU, Ukraines grain exports in the 2022-23 season held even with the one before, ferried across Asia, Africa and Europe.

That progress is fading as the next harvest gets underway: Fewer than two ships a day were cleared in early June, well below export capacity. Moscow has blocked one of the three open ports, and no new ships have been approved since June 26, even as the Ukraine port authority shows nearly 30 registered by the other three sides.

The deal appears obsolete, Rabobank analysts including Carlos Mera and Michael Magdovitz said in a report. Once new crop supplies arrive, seaport access will be critical for Ukrainian agriculture and the global balance sheet.

In an effort to save the agreement, EU and UN officials are considering giving concessions to a sanctioned Russian bank. Even then, the Russian ministry rejected the compromise, saying its unworkable.

A shutdown would push more crops toward Ukraines Danube river ports, plus rail and road transit via the EU border. Those routes have been an economic lifeline: The tonnage now surpasses the volumes moved through the Black Sea corridor, and the government aims for further increases.

Its also come at a price. Poland banned grain imports from Ukraine due to the effect of a glut on its local farmers. Other governments in eastern Europe have also imposed restrictions.

For Ukrainian exporters, the biggest challenge is cost, which increases as grain is hauled over longer distances and on different-sized rail tracks. With the cost of logistics which we have now, with the market price we have now, all kinds of grains bring losses, said Olena Vorona, chief operations officer at agribusiness Agrotrade Group.

Some see a brighter side if the corridor falls through: Black Sea shipments could accelerate should Ukraine opt to keep ports open, unencumbered by the vessel inspections mandated by the deal, said Andrey Novoselov, analyst at Barva Invest.

Kernel Holding SA, the countrys top sunflower-oil exporter, said its ready to keep cargoes flowing if the military and infrastructure ministry approve. Ukraines government last month created a $547 million insurance fund to compensate companies with vessels going to its Black Sea ports if the export agreement collapses.

Its not clear whether shipping companies would want to traverse a war zone without the backing of an international agreement. Two Turkish officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said future Ukrainian shipments look unlikely if the pact ends.

The problem is which shipowners would be willing to take the risk, said Khajishvili at Novik in Odesa.

With assistance from Selcan Hacaoglu, Volodymyr Verbyany, Daryna Krasnolutska and Kateryna Choursina.

Photograph: The A-Line dry bulk cargo vessel, carrying Ukrainian wheat bound for Turkey, on the Bosporus Strait in Istanbul, Turkey, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2022. Photo credit: Nicole Tung/Bloomberg

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Ukraine
Ukraines wartime defense spending will remain high next year, underscoring the need for allies to provide war-risk insurance to help attract investment, the nations finance minister said.

Without international support, without war-risk insurance, we will not attract as much investment as we need for reconstruction, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko told Bloomberg Television on Friday. We need investment right now  we dont need to wait until the war ends, because otherwise we will not receive initial boost for this victory.

The UK government led an initiative for war-risk insurance backed by the Group of Seven last month, aimed at bolstering private investment in Ukraines war-battered economy. The World Bank has put the cost of reversing the devastation wrought by Russias invasion at more than $400 billion over the next decade.

UK Eyes War-Risk Insurance Scheme for Ukraines Reconstruction

Marchenko said that Ukraines defense spending wont ebb next year, with little scope to narrow the budget deficit, though the government has been able to prop up revenue collection.

We are trying to do our homework, Marchenko said, adding that economic growth is expected at as much as 3% this year.

The European Union is set to approve a 50 billion aid package for Ukraine over four years, with state financing heavily dependent on foreign assistance. Kyiv expects to receive 18 billion in EU grants and loans and some $10 billion from the US, with an expected budget gap ballooning to $42 billion. A deal with the International Monetary Fund will bring in another $4.5 billion in 2023.

We try to attract partners incentives to help Ukraine to cover deficit needs in 2024, Marchenko said. Now, we have the EU facility program, and we would like to see other G-7 nations also to step in and help Ukraine.

Marchenko reinforced a pledge to protect investments and root out corruption, which has been endemic in Ukraine.

We try to mitigate all possible risk of corruption  it is our choice and we will prevail to show all civilized world that Ukraine is moving in the right direction, Marchenko said.

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Ukraine
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Swiss Re, BMS Re, and QBE Canada.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

Swiss Re Taps AGCSs Shahkarami as Head P&C Solutions

Swiss Re has appointed Ali Shahkarami as global head P&C Solutions, reporting to Russell Higginbotham, CEO Reinsurance Solutions. The appointment is effective July 2023.

Based in Munich, Shahkarami will lead a global team of insurance and data experts to deliver state-of-the-art property, specialty and casualty solutions for clients of Swiss Res newly launched Reinsurance Solutions division.

Shahkarami joins Swiss Re from Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) where he was chief data officer. Prior to that role, he held various leadership positions at AGCS in Munich and California, ranging from catastrophe risk modeling and research to innovating technology solutions for underwriting use cases and relevant processes.

Before joining AGCS, Shahkarami was a lead catastrophe risk modeler at RMS, a software and technology company focused on catastrophe risks.

A civil engineer by training, Shahkarami holds a doctorate in structural engineering from the University of British Columbia, Canada. He spent several years in the fields of structural engineering and material science with specific applications to aerospace.

***

BMS Re Builds Global Facultative Team With 3 Hires

BMS Re, the specialty reinsurance arm of the global broking group BMS, today announced the appointment of Steve Housse as managing director and facultative practice lead and Dan Shea as senior vice president of property facultative. Both will be based in Atlanta, Ga.

Housse, a well-known leader in the property facultative space, joins from Guy Carpenter where he led the US property practice. Housse will spearhead the expansion of the US property and energy offering. Shea joins from Lockton Re  with expertise in the hybrid, facultative obligatory, and industrial sectors.

James Elliott, previously managing director at Gallagher Re, also will be joining BMS Re as managing director and facultative practice lead and will be based in the UK once his current contractual obligations are completed in March 2024. As global leads, Elliott and Housse will work in partnership with the groups business leaders to build a global facultative network.

We are thrilled to welcome Steve, Dan and James to BMS Re. Their expertise and experience are invaluable and will be instrumental in providing creative solutions, better serving our clients, commented Ian Gormley, UK CEO of BMS Group.

The global facultative practice initiative will revolutionize the way that we work with insurance and reinsurance clients alike across BMS and the global market. Our culture and lack of silos continue to attract talent to BMS and enables us to deliver innovative solutions across territories and specialisms at a time when our clients need it most, Gormley added.

We will continue to build out our facultative expertise across the US, UK, Bermuda and LatAm, and expand into other geographies. Our P&C facultative practice is evolving to work across territories delivering exactly what clients need to navigate the current market, said Pete Chandler, CEO of BMS Re.

***

QBE Canada Hires Liberty Mutuals Mason as Underwriting Mgr, Property

QBE Canada has appointed Melanie Mason as underwriting manager, Property, to maintain momentum and growth of its direct and facultative property portfolio.

Leading QBEs Property underwriters, located in both Toronto and Vancouver, Mason will ensure the team continues to leverage its local expertise to deliver excellent service to QBEs brokers and customers. As a member of the underwriting leadership team, Mason will also help create and establish innovative growth ideas.

She joined QBE at the beginning of July from Liberty Mutual Canada, where she gained over 20 years experience in the property space. She held various roles at Liberty, most recently as national property manager and assistant vice-president Commercial Insurance, Central & Atlantic Region. She brings strong expertise and a vast network to QBE, as well as great enthusiasm for the property class.

Based in Toronto, Mason will report to Scott Pidduck, director of Underwriting.

Mason replaces Property Underwriting Manager Lisa Wolfe, who has been promoted to the role of portfolio manager in QBEs Direct & Facultative International Property team, based in London, UK.

Topics Property Casualty Property Canada Swiss Re Liberty Mutual
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A group of 25 Republican state attorneys general Thursday urged the Biden administration to abandon its proposal to sharply cut vehicle tailpipe emissions, which would require dramatically more electric vehicles, saying it would harm the economy and burden the electrical grid.

The Environmental Protection Agency in April proposed new 2027-2032 vehicle standards that would cut emissions by 56% versus existing 2026 requirements. The EPA estimates that to meet the new standard, automakers would need to have 60% of their production be EVs by 2030 and 67% by 2032.

The attorneys general, led by Kentuckys Daniel Cameron and West Virginias Patrick Morrisey, called the EPA proposal unlawful and misguided and said it would damage our economy, tax our electrical grids and the families and businesses who depend on them, and threaten our national security.

Many Republican state attorneys general have sued the EPA over its 2021 restoration of the Obama-era standards that were rolled back under Republican former President Donald Trump. Those lawsuits are pending.

Last week, the trade group representing nearly all major automakers said it wants the EPA to soften its proposal to sharply cut vehicle emissions through 2032, saying it is neither reasonable nor achievable.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota, Hyundai and others, recommended adopting requirements for 40 to 50% (electric, plug-in electric and fuel vehicles) in 2030 with continued increases through 2032.

The group called the proposal a de facto battery electric vehicle mandate and noted that EVs represented about 6% of new light-duty vehicles sales in 2022.

Environmentalists are pressing the Biden administration not to weaken its proposal. The American Lung Association, American Medical Association and other health groups said the EPA should adopt more stringent standards in order to protect regional air quality, address disparities in pollution burdens and reduce the health impacts of the climate crisis.

Mazda said separately that it was worried about the exceptional stringency of the rule, while Ford Motor said the EPA should avoid setting criteria emissions requirements that will force unnecessarily large or ill-timed investments.

Topics Pollution Politics
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The confidential documents stolen from schools and dumped online by ransomware gangs are raw, intimate and graphic. They describe student sexual assaults, psychiatric hospitalizations, abusive parents, truancy  even suicide attempts.

Please do something, begged a student in one leaked file, recalling the trauma of continually bumping into an ex-abuser at a school in Minneapolis. Other victims talked about wetting the bed or crying themselves to sleep.

Complete sexual assault case folios containing these details were among more than 300,000 files dumped online in March after the 36,000-student Minneapolis Public Schools refused to pay a $1 million ransom. Other exposed data included medical records and discrimination complaints.

Rich in digitized data, the nations schools are prime targets for far-flung criminal hackers, who are assiduously locating and scooping up sensitive files.

Often strapped for cash, districts are grossly ill-equipped not just to defend themselves but to respond diligently and transparently when attacked, especially as they struggle to help kids catch up from the pandemic and grapple with shrinking budgets.

Months after the Minneapolis attack, administrators have not delivered on their promise to inform individual victims. Unlike for hospitals, no federal law exists to require this notification from schools.

The Associated Press reached families of six students whose sexual assault case files were exposed. The message from a reporter was the first time anyone had alerted them.

Truth is, they didnt notify us about anything, said a mother whose sons case file has 80 documents.

Even when schools catch a ransomware attack in progress, the data are typically already gone. That was what Los Angeles Unified School District did last Labor Day weekend, only to see the private paperwork of more than 1,900 former students  including psychological evaluations and medical records  leaked online. Not until February did district officials disclose the breachs full dimensions.

The lasting legacy of school ransomware attacks, it turns out, is not in school closures, recovery costs or even soaring cyberinsurance premiums. It is the trauma for staff, students and parents from the online exposure of private records __ which the AP found on the open internet and dark web.

A massive amount of information is being posted online, and nobody is looking to see just how bad it all is. Or, if somebody is looking, theyre not making the results public, said analyst Brett Callow of the cybersecurity firm Emsisoft.

Other big districts recently stung by data theft include San Diego, Des Moines and Tucson, Arizona. While the severity of those hacks remains unclear, all have been criticized either for being slow to admit to being hit by ransomware, dragging their feet on notifying victims  or both.

On Cyber Security, Schools Have Lagged

While other ransomware targets have fortified and segmented networks, encrypting data and mandating multi-factor authentication, school systems have been slower to react.

Ransomware likely has affected well over 5 million U.S. students by now, with district attacks on track to rise this year, said analyst Allan Liska of the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future. Nearly one in three U.S. districts had been breached by the end of 2021, according to a survey by the Center for Internet Security, a federally funded nonprofit.

Just three years ago, criminals did not routinely grab data in ransomware attacks, said TJ Sayers, cyberthreat intelligence manager at the Center for Internet Security. Now, its common, he said, with much of it sold on the dark web.

The criminals in the Minneapolis theft were especially aggressive. They shared links to the stolen data on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and the dark web, which standard browsers cant access.

The Minneapolis parents informed by the AP of the leaked sexual assault complaints feel doubly victimized. Their children have battled PTSD, and some even left their schools. Now this.

The family is beyond horrified to learn that this highly sensitive information is now available in perpetuity on the internet for the childs future friends, romantic interests, employers, and others to discover, said Jeff Storms, an attorney for one of the families. It is AP policy not to identify sexual abuse victims.

Minneapolis Schools spokeswoman Crystina Lugo-Beach would not say how many people have been contacted so far or answer other AP questions about the attack.

Despite parents and teachers frustration, schools are routinely advised by incident response teams concerned about legal liability issues and ransom negotiations against being more transparent, said Callow of Emsisoft. Minneapolis school officials apparently followed that playbook, initially describing the Feb. 17 attack cryptically as a system incident, then as technical difficulties and later an encryption event.

The extent of the breach became clear though when a ransomware group posted video of stolen data, giving the district 10 days to pay the ransom before leaking files.

The district declined to pay, following the standing advice of the FBI, which says ransoms encourage criminals to target more victims.

Schools Spend Tech Budgets on Learning Tools, Not Security

During the COVID-19 pandemic, districts prioritized spending on internet connectivity and remote learning. Security got short shrift as IT departments invested in software to track student engagement and performance, often at the expense of privacy and safety, University of Chicago and New York University researchers found.

Cybersecurity money for public schools is limited. As it stands, districts can only expect slivers of the $1 billion in cybersecurity grants that the federal government is distributing over four years.

Minnesotas chief information security officer, John Israel, said his state got $18 million of it this year to divvy among 3,600 different entities. State lawmakers provided an additional $22.5 million in grants for cyber and physical security in schools.

Its already too late for the mother of one of the Minneapolis students whose confidential sexual assault complaint was released online. She almost feels violated again.

All the stuff we kept private, she said, its out there. And its been out there for a very long time.

Graphic: AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber Fraud K-12
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Norfolk Southern says the owner of the rail car that caused the fiery Ohio derailment in February failed to properly maintain it in the years before the crash, and the railroad wants to make sure that company and the owners of the other cars involved help pay for the costs.

The railroad filed a complaint Friday against all the car owners and shippers connected to the hazardous chemicals that spilled in the Feb. 3 derailment. As part of that, Norfolk Southern said GATX didn`t follow the car manufacturer`s recommendations for taking care of the plastic pellet car that has been blamed for the derailment.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in its preliminary report that the likely cause of the crash was a bearing on that car overheated. Its final report detailing everything that contributed wont be done until at least next year. The derailment forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes near the Ohio- Pennsylvania border and sent a towering plume of black smoke over the town of East Palestine

The railroad said everyone involved in shipping hazardous chemicals bears some responsibility under federal regulations in making sure they get to their destination safely. Norfolk Southern, like most railroads, doesn`t actually own most of the cars it hauls, and it said the car owner and shippers are responsible for maintaining them even though railroad workers inspect and repair them along the way if they find defects.

The problem Norfolk Southern identified with the plastic pellet car is that it sat idle for more than a year and a half in 2017 and 2018 and again for more than six months in 2018 and 2019. The manufacturer says railcars need to be moved at least one car length every six months to keep the grease on the bearings from degrading, which can happen over long periods of time or during extreme weather. The railroad said the car was based on the Gulf Coast near New Orleans, which experiences hurricanes and flooding.

But GATX leases its railcars to companies that use them to ship their products, so it may not have even had control over the car at the time. The NTSB pointed out in documents released as part of its investigative hearing that the railroad doesn`t track car movements within its railyards, so it also may not be clear whether this car wasn`t moved when it wasn`t in use.

GATX said in a statement that throughout our 125-year history, the safety of our employees, our customers, our environment and the communities in which we operate has always been our highest priority. We will vigorously defend the company against baseless claims made by Norfolk Southern.

Norfolk Southern`s move to make sure other companies pay part of the nearly $400 million estimated cost of the derailment isn`t a surprise. It previously said it would likely do that as well as pursuing reimbursement from its insurers.

Railroad spokesman Thomas Crosson said this legal move doesnt signal a change in Norfolk Southerns commitment to cleaning up the mess. Rather, Crosson said this complaint seeks to ensure that others responsible for the safe transport of freight, such as railcar owners and shippers of the material being transported, contribute resources to the effort.

The railroad also defended the decision to blow open five tank cars containing vinyl chloride and burn that chemical three days after the derailment because officials were concerned those cars might explode. Residents are concerned about the potential health implications of that move and the other chemicals that spilled.

Norfolk Southern said the railroad`s hazardous materials experts who were helping firefighters deal with the derailment feared that the pressure inside the cars could be building. The fact that one car appeared to heat up on its own and another car violently vented some pressurized gas even after the fire near those cars had been extinguished troubled first responders.

The company that shipped the vinyl chloride, OxyVinyls, told the NTSB last month that its experts believed the chemical remained stable.

Norfolk Southerns lawsuit is a meritless disinformation campaign masquerading as a legal filing, OxyVinyls spokeswoman Celina Cardenas said. Norfolk Southerns recommendation to simultaneously detonate the railcars containing our product  contrary to the available information about the railcars condition or the product properties  appears to have been needlessly rushed to prioritize Norfolk Southerns rail line operations.

It will be up to the courts to decide how much responsibility all of the companies involved will bear. In addition to the companies involved in the vinyl chloride and plastic pellet cars, Norfolk Southern sued the companies responsible for three other tank cars that breached.

Photo: This photo taken with a drone shows portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Ohio
GILMER, Texas (AP) __ A man was killed and four other people were hurt after officials say a fireworks accident caused a large fire during preparations for an Independence Day event in East Texas.

It was one of at least two deaths and many injuries across the U.S. over a holiday that typically sees upward of 10,000 emergency room visits because of injuries blamed on pyrotechnics.

Upshur County fire agencies, deputies and medical personnel responded to a fire at the Firehouse 9 Farm Event Venue in Gilmer, Texas, around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday following an explosion that happened during the setup for a fireworks event scheduled for later in the day, according to a statement from the Upshur County Sheriff`s Office.

Jared Scott Maddox, 58, who owned the venue, was found dead at the scene and four others were injured, the sheriff`s office said.

Texas State Fire Marshals Office and officials from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are investigating.

In a statement from the Upshur County Sheriff`s Office on Wednesday, ATF Agent Kevin Mack said the explosion happened as people were finishing setting up 300 3- inch fireworks shells and that it appears to have been caused by the electric match that fed a shell.

Thousands of Americans are badly injured by fireworks annually, despite repeated warnings around the use of this popular Fourth of July tradition.

First, in Allegan County, an errant mortar shot sideways into a crowd of spectators. Then a fireworks explosion killed a 43-year-old woman from Holland in nearby Park Township.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas
SAN MARCOS, Texas (AP)  Officials in San Marcos, Texas, have named the man charged with intentionally starting a fire five years ago which killed five people and displaced 200 others.

Jacobe De Leon O Shea Ferguson, of Austin, was arrested early Wednesday, Jonathan Henderson, Fire Marshal for the San Marcos Fire Department announced in a news conference Thursday.

Ferguson was a student at Texas State University in San Marcos at the time of the fire, Henderson said.

Ferguson is accused of setting the July 20, 2018, blaze which damaged the Iconic Village and Vintage Pads apartments in San Marcos, a city of almost 70,000 people southwest of Austin.

Ferguson didn`t live in the building where the fire happened, Henderson said. He and other officials declined to say where Ferguson did live at the time.

They also declined to comment on any suspected motive.

People who lost loved ones in the fire and those who still bear injuries have known since late 2018 that the fire was set on purpose. Federal officials determined it was arson, and the five deaths were ruled homicides.

Brian Frizzell, whose 19-year-old daughter died in the fire, thanked authorities for not giving up on the case.

We are thankful this day has finally come, Frizzell said at the news conference.

Ferguson is being held at the Hays County Jail on one count of arson causing bodily injury or death, a first degree felony which is punishable with up to life in prison.

Topics Texas
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An insurer that used CCC Intelligent Solutions software to determine the payout for a claimants vehicle did not violate a Florida law that sets forth only three methods that auto insurers may use to determine actual cash value, a divided panel with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled.

In a 2-1 decision, the appellate panel this week affirmed a ruling by the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida that dismissed a putative class action lawsuit filed against Safeco Insurance Co. of Illinois. Policyholder Gina Signor alleged that Safeco failed to comply with Florida Statute 626.9743 when it used CCC to determine a total loss payout for her 2014 Lexus.

The meaning of this statute is a question of first impression in our Circuit, the majority opinion says. Further, we have no authoritative interpretation of it from Floridas appellate courts to guide us.

Class action lawsuits alleging improper valuation methods have been costly for auto insurers in recent years. Last month, a federal judge gave preliminary approval to a $2.3 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against USAA Casualty Insurance Co. for allegedly underpaying for taxes on totaled vehicles.

In 2021, American Family Mutual Insurance agreed to pay $5.7 million to settle a lawsuit that alleged it had underpaid total loss claims in Washington state by using a typical negotiation discount when determining actual cash values. PEMCO Insurance Co. also agreed in 2021 to pay a $14.1 million settlement for using a similar discount in Washington.

The decision in Signors case may save Safeco from a similar costly settlement.

Safeco determined that Signors vehicle was a total loss after an accident. It used CCCs One Market Valuation system to calculate the value of that loss.

The system uses recent dealer advertised prices for 12 comparable vehicles to determine a base value and applies a uniform condition adjustment to account for the difference between vehicles in dealer ready condition and privately owned vehicles in normal wear condition, according to the majority opinion. Signors Lexus was given a base value of $17,377. CCCs system then added a component condition adjustment to account for the above-average condition of her vehicle, which resulted in an upward adjustment of $589. Safeco paid Signor a total of $18,701.71 for her claim after adding the cost of taxes and fees and subtracting the $500 deductible.

When Signor purchased a Subaru Legacy to replace the Lexus, she had to pay $899 in dealer fees out of pocket. She filed a lawsuit, seeking class action status, alleging that Safeco had not paid her and similarly situated claimants the actual cash value of their vehicles.

Her lawyers base their case on Section 626.9743(5) of Florida statutes, which lists three methods that insurers may use to determine value in total loss claims:

The cost of two or more comparable vehicles available in the preceding 90 days. The retail cost as determined from a generally recognized used motor vehicle industry source. The retail cost using two or more quotations obtained by the insurer from two or more local licensed dealers.

Signor argued that Safeco violated the statute when it adjusted the advertised prices of comparable vehicles to account for the difference between dealer ready vehicles and privately-owned vehicles with normal wear. Secondly, she said Safeco erred by using advertised prices instead of actual sale prices as a starting point to determine value. Thirdly, she said CCCs calculation was not based on a generally recognized used motor vehicle industry source as required by the statute.

The majority opinion said that the statute allows insurers to use any of the three methods listed in the statute; they are not required to use all three. CCCs valuation was based on the first method, the cost of comparable vehicles.

The statute requires the settlement amount to be based upon the actual cost to purchase a comparable vehicle. Also, the valuation must be derived from one of the three listed methods.

The statutes use of derived from instead of equal to or similar language means that the cost of comparable vehicles in subsection (5)(a)(1) must be the starting point for determining actual cost, but not necessarily the ending point, the opinion says. The actual cost need not be the same as the cost of comparable vehicles.

Similarly, the majority said the statute requires a settlement to be based upon the actual cost to purchase a similar vehicle. That indicates an insurers may adjust the value after making that calculation.

Circuit Judge Britt Grant dissented. She said the majority misread the meaning of the terms derived fromand based upon.

As a result, under the majoritys interpretation, an insurer has freewheeling discretion to set actual cost at any amount, she wrote in a separate opinion.

One of Signors attorneys, Roger Mandel with the Jeeves Mandel Law Group in Fort Worth, Texas, said his client had not determined as of late Wednesday whether she will appeal the decision or request an en banc ruling by the full 11th Circuit.

Topics Florida Auto Claims
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Floridas attorney general has taken extraordinary measures against a Tampa-based pool company, shutting down the company and securing a lifetime business ban against the owner, who left hundreds of swimming pools unfinished around the area.

In a consent judgment in Hillsborough County signed last week, James Staten Jr. and his Olympus Pools have agreed to never apply for a contractor or business license again or face more than $1.4 million in fines. Olympus Pools acknowledged in the order that it had engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices, although Staten did not admit to the practices.

Olympus misrepresented the timeline of projects, accepted upfront payments and then left jobs incomplete, the release said.

Staten has filed for bankruptcy and is unable to pay full restitution to homeowners, and has surrendered his contractor licenses, Attorney General Ashley Moodys office said in a news release.

Moody filed suit against Staten and his company in late 2021, after local news reports and multiple complaints about the unfinished work, all across the Tampa area. The attorney general had asked for a $10 million judgment but settled on $1 million that will be paid through the bankruptcy proceedings.

Some homeowners said the settlement means theyve lost tens of thousands of dollars while Staten received a mere slap on the wrist, according to a report by WFLA TV news.

Moody said that some homeowners have filed claims and may be able to recover some funds through Floridas Homeowner Construction Recovery Fund. It was not reported if Olympus Pools had maintained liability, builders risk or directors and officers insurance.
Brian Keith Arteaga, 39, of Placentia, California, was arraigned this week on multiple felony counts of grand theft by embezzlement, theft of fiduciary funds, insurance fraud, and money laundering after a California Department of Insurance investigation found he allegedly stole more than $80,000 from small businesses and failed to give payments to their respective insurers.

Arteagas alleged actions, which left the victims uninsured, resulted in an uncovered loss of more than $500,000 for three victims, one of whose property burned down, according to the CDI.

It is believed there may be additional victims and the investigation is ongoing.

Arteaga worked as an insurance broker from 2004 to 2023 under business names Elias Insurance Services, EIS Insurance Services and Elias Insurance Agency, LLC. Between 2017 and 2021, Arteaga collected money intended for their insurance policies and kept it for his personal use, according to the CDI.

His actions reportedly resulted in his victims policies being cancelled, which they discovered after attempting to file loss claims.

The CDI issued Arteaga an Order of Immediate Suspension and Prohibition from the insurance industry and his insurance license has been deactivated.

Arteaga was arrested by the Placentia Police Department and booked into the Orange County Jail. Bail was set at $20,000. Arteaga is scheduled to return to court on July 21.

The case is being prosecuted by the Major Fraud Unit of the Orange County District Attorneys Office.

Topics California Fraud Agencies Commercial Lines Business Insurance
Higginbotham has acquired Cress Insurance Group in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Higginbotham and Cress Insurance Group will come together to enhance service to the groups 2,500 clients and serve a broader customer base in New Mexico.

Higginbotham gave the title of managing director to Cress Insurance Group President Tom Cress, and he will continue guiding the agency.

Cress Insurance Group is an independent commercial and personal property/casualty insurance and employee benefits agency locally owned since 1984.

Higginbotham provides insurance, financial and human resources services. The employee-owned firm based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Mexico New Mexico
Source: Streetwise Reports

July 7, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This company is expanding its telehealth platform into Mexico, where more than 10,000 new patients are expected to be on board by next June.

Telemedicine company Reliq Health Technologies Inc. (RHT:TSX.V; RQHTF:OTCQB; A2AJTB:WKN) announced it has expanded into a new country, signing its first contract with a client in Mexico.

The agreement with the healthcare organization in San Luis Potosi is expected to add more than 10,000 new patients to Reliq's iUGO Care platform by the end of June 2024 at an average revenue of CA$50 per patient per month.

"Thanks to our success in the Southern U.S. states and our multilingual platform and care management team, we have been able to attract our first client in San Luis Potosi," Reliq Chief Executive Officer Lisa Crossley said. "A number of major multinational corporations have operations in San Luis Potosi, including BMW, General Motors, and Cummins, and the city has a population of 2.8 million."

The iUGO 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 a June 20 research note, Maxim Group analyst Allen Klee noted that Reliq has been signing larger contracts in 2022 and 2023. It recently picked up skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and home care agencies in four states and signed a contract with a U.S. health plan that operates in five states with more than 3,000 doctors and 1 million patients.

"We believe a discount to the peer group average is warranted based on the company being at an early stage of execution," Klee wrote as he initiated coverage on the company with a Buy rating and a CA$1.75 share price. "We project that Reliq will have a primarily recurring, high-margin business model going forward."

The Catalysts: Pandemic, Rising Chronic Illnesses

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.

Diabetes is the leading killer in Mexico, the World Health Organization has said. There are also high rates of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and congestive heart failure, Crossley noted.

"The impact of chronic disease on productivity has led many employers in Mexico to offer healthcare coverage focused on preventative care," Crossley said. "The two largest providers of public health in Mexico, the Ministry of Health and the Mexican Social Security Institute have also launched key initiatives aimed at improving the management of chronic disease, creating a significant opportunity for Reliq."

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 US$400 per patient per month) and the ability to oversee more patients."

Record Revenues

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."

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."

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$96.37 million and trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.76 and CA$0.36.

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Ryanair will fly a new, three-times-per-week service to Paris Beauvais this winter. The flight will commence on October 29 next.

It will commence as the current summer-only route operated by Air France between both cities comes to an end.
Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill has warned that "some of our co-ops won't survive" a cut to stocking rate in the nitrates derogation.

Dairying is the "driving economic force" of rural Ireland, Mr Cahill said, "and without our vibrant dairy industry", it would be a "seriously poorer place".

The Oireachtas joint committee on agriculture, food and the marine held a session this week with Government officials on the derogation and nitrates rules.

Interim review

The Environmental Protection Agency last week published its report - Water Quality Monitoring Report on Nitrogen and Phosphorus Concentrations in Irish Waters 2022 - which shows that nitrate concentrations "remain too high in rivers, groundwater, and estuaries in the south-east, south-west and midlands and eastern regions".

While negotiations are continuing, the EPAs report has gone to the commission.

The report is part of the interim review process of the Nitrates Action Programme.

The review was required by the European Commission as part of granting Irelands nitrates derogation.

The report outlines the regions that could be required to reduce their organic nitrogen stocking rate to 220kg per hectare from 250kg in 2024 under the derogation, as a result of the effect of agriculture on water quality in these areas.

This would likely see a reduction in herd numbers.

'Defeated attitude'

Mr Cahill told the committee meeting that he is farming in derogation, and that the 250kg stocking rate is "hugely important to the economic viability of my own business".

"Negotiations have been going on a while at this stage, I feel that there's a view a reduction in our derogation level is inevitable, I think there's a defeated attitude by the department," Mr Cahill said.

"We have taken on new measures in the last 12 to 18 months which are putting extra onus on derogation farmers but will definitely bear fruit going forward.

"It's a very few short years ago since we were at the abolition of quotas, and serious incentives were given to both farmers and processors to increase production."

Huge investment

To say the sky was the limit "would have been an understatement", according to the Tipperary TD.

"Production increased rapidly, and there was a huge investment into processing facilities and huge investment at farm level too to cater for the increased cow numbers," he said.

"If it comes to pass that we fail to secure the 250kg per hectare of organic nitrogen, it's going to have a very serious impact on our processing industry.

"It will add very significantly to the cost of processing milk and that will impact on every dairy farm.

"You can do estimates on what it will add to the cost but I would say conservatively, with the banding that has been introduced this year and if we have a reduction in the organic limit, you're talking probably about 2c to 3c per litre of an impact on the cost of processing which would seriously impact on all farmers' income."

He said the reduction in maximum stocking rate "would be devastating", and the "future of some processing co-ops will be threatened" with a reduced milk pool expected.

"Some of our co-ops won't survive if we have significant spare capacity there," he warned.

Sustainable

Mr Cahill stressed that Ireland has a "very sustainable pattern of milk production", and the steps that have been taken to improve water quality recently "will show dividends going forward".

"I think the core of our argument with the commission in Brussels has to be that we are taking steps here, we are modifying our practices, those practices are starting to bear fruit, they will impact on water quality going forward," he said.

"It takes a significant amount of time for changes in practices to impact on water quality and to show a significant return in water quality."

Protest in Bandon

Due to the level of concern over the nitrates derogation, farmers are organising a protest to be held in Bandon in Co Cork on Thursday evening, around 7pm.

Farmers across Co Cork are being urged to attend the protest in large numbers, with members of all farm organisations, from all farming backgrounds, and those in the wider industry being called on to support the cause.

Succession scheme

Mr Cahill said that with the average age of dairy farmers in Ireland being 59, there is a need to "attract young people" into the industy - and "they have to see a career path and progression".

"Thankfully the next generation is starting to farm with me, and if I tell him next week we're going to have to reduce cow numbers by 10%, 15%, 20%, I would dread to see what his reaction would be because no young person likes to take a step backwards and it's going to have a huge psychological impact on our industry," he said.

At the Teagasc Moorepark open day this week, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue committed to looking at Macra's succession scheme proposal strongly, and that one of his key objectives is to ensure young farmers can get into farming.

"Macra welcomes the minister's commitment to strongly look at the Macra succession proposal, given all of the noise at the moment around possible reductions in herd sizes, it is heartening to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel," Macra president Elaine Houlihan said.

"We keep concentrating on the sustainability of the sector in relation to its environmental sustainability, with little thought about who is actually going to farm into the future.

"Without new entrants into the industry being supported, it will not matter what measures are put in place as there will be no industry."

Levels of engagement

Thousands of dairy farmers attended the Moorepark open day in Fermoy.

Speaking at the event, Teagasc director Frank O'Mara said that dairy farmers had a good year in 2022, but there are challenges this year with the adjustment in the price of milk.

"There are huge levels of engagement from farmers with the available technologies on display to help them to maximise their competitiveness while at the same time to reduce their emissions, protect water bodies and improve biodiversity on their farms," he said.

"On this farm here in Moorepark, there have been over 4km of new hedgerows planted in recent years and three hectares of woodlands.

"Nationally, farmers reduced their nitrogen fertiliser use by 14% last year, and farmers are adopting the technologies to further reduce chemical nitrogen by incorporating white and red clover into their farming systems and by using low emission slurry spreading techniques to optimise the efficient use of nutrients in animal manures."
A new sustainability digital platform providing farm-specific emission figures was showcased to thousands of farmers at the Teagasc Moorepark open day this week.

AgNav has been trialled with Teagasc advisors and Signpost demonstration farms, and is being used by the new team of Teagasc Signpost advisors working with farmers to develop action plans to mitigate their greenhouse gas emissions.

It has been developed by Teagasc with Bord Bia and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

Dr George Ramsbottom, who is the advisory programme development manager leading the Teagasc Signpost advisory programme, said that from Bord Bia, "we're getting a lot of the physical data on the farm, and from ICBF, we're getting the stock numbers and milk production".

"In AgNav, we're generating for each farm a carbon figure, and that's the figure of the total emissions from their farm," he told the Irish Examiner.

"When you have that figure, you can use it to set a plan in place to reduce your carbon footprint for the years ahead.

"We have a team of 21 Signpost advisors just recruited and they're starting workshops now to meet farmers, give them a plan, and help them to reduce their carbon emissions."

New process

It is "quite a new process", and initially, AgNav will be available to all Irish beef and dairy farmers who sign up to the Teagasc Signpost advisory programme.

Teagasc's head of Signpost Dr Tom O'Dwyer said that there was a "need to provide each farmer with an estimate of the greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions generated on their specific farm, and to do that in a way that required the minimum of effort on the part of the farmer".

Through the 'assess' feature, farm data is collated from the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme audit to build a picture of the operations on the farm, with data captured such as fertiliser use, concentrates and manure management strategies.

Animal-specific data  such as performance, numbers, and inventory change - is gathered through the ICBF database.

When combined with other on-farm management data, it allows for a life cycle assessment (LCA) of the farm to be completed.

The LCA is used to calculate greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia emissions, and other environmental indicators of the farming system.

This is then used to provide a 'starting point' as to where the farm is in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

The second element  'forecast'  is a live decision support tool, which allows the farmer to calculate the effect different mitigation strategies at different adoption rates have on their overall greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions.

The final step is the 'action planner', through which the farmer and the advisor develop a farm-specific action plan to record the practices that will make a difference on their farm in terms of environmental performance.

Reducing carbon footprint

Dr Ramsbottom said that there are many actions that a farmer can take to reduce their carbon footprint.

"Key ones would be things like changing the type of fertiliser that you use to making it mostly or exclusively protected urea, and that's got a special coating on it that reduces gaseous emissions," he explained.

"The second thing you can do is breed more efficient cows, using their genetic improvement that improves the efficiency with which they produce milk and thus reducing their carbon footprint.

"A third core one is how we spread slurry. If you apply it closely to the ground, you reduce the risk of emissions coming from the slurry."

Other measures include those around improving soil fertility, applying lime, and also incorporating closer - but clover is "probably a slightly more challenging one to do".

"It would be a longer-term process, you need good soil fertility for it to really thrive; but when you get it established on a farm, it will do two things for you," Dr Ramsbottom continued.

"It will allow you to substantially reduce the amount of fertiliser nitrogen you need to use on your farm, and it will increase animal performance - both of those will reduce your carbon footprint and increase your farm efficiency."

25% emissions target

Dr Ramsbottom said he is confident that over the next number of years, "if we can get maximum uptake of the technologies that are there, it'll have a huge impact on achieving the 25% reduction in gaseous emissions that's set for Irish agriculture".

"I think we're pretty much the first country in the world to have a concrete plan and a dedicated team of advisors and a clear pathway to the emissions reduction target that's been set for us," he added.
The schools are out and the summer holidays have begun and this means hordes of Irish people are flying to the Algarve.

I have huge fondness for Portugal and its wines, I love how they have stayed true to their native grape varieties with under 10% of Portuguese wine made from international varieties such as Merlot and Chardonnay.

So don't expect Syrah and Cabernet, instead watch for Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira and Aragones/Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), and in whites look for Arinto, Antao Vaz, Encruzado, Verdelho and Alvarinho.

Portuguese reds sell much better in Ireland than their whites which is a pity as their whites are generally fragrant, textured and fresh - the exact characteristics that make a white wine interesting in my book. No tart Sauvignons or wishy-washy Pinot Grigios here.

Portugal offers everything from flavourful Alvarinho and lively fresh Vinho Verde in the north to long-lived complex reds from the Douro (not to mention Port).

As we move south you will find tangy Dao whites (from Encruzado) and layered fragrant Dao reds (from Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional).

In Bairrada you will find the intriguing Baga grape which is Portugals answer to Nebbiolo, while around Lisbon (Lisboa) you will find juicy ripe red and whites for around a tenner.

The Setubal peninsula offers honeyed moscato fortified whites and rich Castelao reds from Palmela, while Alentejo is all about ripe fruits struck through with layered complexity.

Portugal in my experience is eminently reliable and one of the few regions (along with regional Spain and perhaps the Languedoc) where I feel I can take a risk in a discount supermarket.

Two of the wines below are from Grace Campbell Wines which is now owned by Michael OBrien following the retirement of Kevin OHara.

Ive known Michael for 20 years and Im delighted their wines will continue to be imported - this page would be poorer without them.

I recommend his lively Rocim rose and a gorgeous red from Herdade dos Grous from the Alentejo.

Michael stocks wines from the Douro and elsewhere but I particularly like his Alentejo selection.

The Monte de Peceguina range with their gorgeous labels are also recommended and Ill feature the current vintage soon.

All the Portuguese wines below are low on price and big on flavour.

Wines Under 17

Porta 6, Lisboa, Portugal, 3 litre box - 36.00

Porta 6, Lisboa, Portugal, 3 litre box - 36.00

Stockist: OBriens

Its summer holidays for many people so time to mention this juicy boxed wine from OBriens. The regular 75cl bottle costs 10 so there is a notable price saving. I recommend keeping it in the fridge or in a cool place to bring out the lush soft red and black fruits - expect blackberry with a touch of cloves.

Adega de Pegoes Colheita Seleccionada, Setubal, Portugal - 15.95

Adega de Pegoes Colheita Seleccionada, Setubal, Portugal - 15.95

Stockists: JJ ODrisoclls; 1601; No. 21; World Wide Wines; Wine Centre; McHughs; Vintry.

This wine has won medals at the NOffLA Gold Star Awards and is always reliable. A mix of grapes depending on the year but usually including Arinto and Antao Vaz - ripe pear and tropical fruit aromas, textured and fleshy white fruits with white peach and melon balanced by tangy apple acidity.

Herdade do Rocim Mariana Rose 2022, Alentejo, Portugal - 16.95

Herdade do Rocim Mariana Rose 2022, Alentejo, Portugal - 16.95

Stockists: Matsons; Fresh; Pinto Wines;

Portugal makes lots of pale and fuller flavoured Rose but for some reason, our rose shelves are dominated by France and Spain. This is a lovely example made from Touriga Nacional and Aragonez (Tempranillo), oeil de perdrix pale pink, lively cherry and cranberry aromas, bright and juicy with a pleasing tang of dried apple

Wines Over 15

Monte da Capela Branco Reserva 2018, Alentejo, Portugal - 19.95

Monte da Capela Branco Reserva 2018, Alentejo, Portugal - 19.95

Stockists: Searsons Monkstown, searsons.ie

From a 50-50 blend of Arinto and Antao Vaz, a third of the juice was aged in French barriques to add roundness and spice rather than blunt flavours. Lemon curd with creamy vanilla aromas, textured palate with lemon oil, ripe pear, tangerine touches and crisp apple acidity. The Capela Tinto is also recommended.

Herdade dos Grous 2020, Alentejo, Portugal - 22.95

Herdade dos Grous 2020, Alentejo, Portugal - 22.95

Stockists: Matsons; Baggot St. Wines; La Touche; Sweeneys; Independents.

A blend of Alicante Bouschet, Syrah, Touriga Nacional and Aragonez from a beautiful resort estate in Alentejo. This pours a dark purple with rich blackberry, blueberry and cassis aromas which follow through on the palate. Lush dark fruits, supple and plummy with some structure and freshness for balance. Delicious.

Casa de Mouraz 2020, Dao, Portugal - 21.95

Casa de Mouraz 2020, Dao, Portugal - 21.95

Stockists: MacCurtain Wine Cellar; Little Green Grocer; Mannings; marypawlewines.com

Mary Pawle has imported Lopez-Ribeiro wines from Dao just south of Porto for over 20 years now - organic pioneers and now biodynamic. This is bright, fruity and juicy with vibrant dark cherry fruits and soft berries, full-flavoured and ripe with pleasing lush fruits - perfect for grilled lamb chops or bbq.

Spirit of the Week

Runway 28 Pink Irish Vodka, 40% ABV, 70cl - 35

Runway 28 Pink Irish Vodka, 40% ABV, 70cl - 35

Stockists: Pilot.ie; Listokedistillery.ie or via Runway28gin.com

Following on from MarieAnn McLoughlin-Dwyers Runway28 Gin which I reviewed a while back, this is her new berry-flavoured Pink Vodka. Distilled at Listoke in Co. Louth and inspired by historic female aviators such as Amelia Earhart who created their own paths if you dont have a runway, grab a shovel and build one yourself as she said (paraphrased).

This pours a pretty pale pink and has red fruit aromas with background herbal notes - smooth on first sip with prickly lemon and garrigue herbs followed by a pleasing red berry peppery kick on the finish. This makes an excellent Cosmopolitan (add Cointreau & Cranberry), and mixes nicely with tonic or fresh lemonade.
Chris Smiths documentary Wham! (12A) opens in London in 1975, when the self-confessed two bloody idiots of George Michael and Andrew Ridgely first met in school.

Best friends despite their very different personalities  George, or Yog, is an introvert, Andrew a show-off  the music-obsessed pair kicked off their career aged 16 with a ska band, before becoming social warriors with their blend of disco and socially-conscious rap.

All of which, of course, is merely a prelude to the deliriously escapist years  all too brief  when Wham! were the preeminent purveyors of toe-tapping pop, knocking out the likes of Freedom, Club Tropicana and Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, in addition to Last Christmas and  surely their meisterwerk  Careless Whisper.

That this last song became something of a bone of contention in terms of authorship serves as something of a sub-theme to the film: while the music deservedly takes centre-stage, the film also charts the course of a deep and enduring friendship as the pair experience a stratospheric rise to fame.

Smart enough to realise that each must play to his strengths as Georges writing ability outstripped that of Andrew, each focused on a different aspect of the duos appeal, with both suggesting nothing would have been possible without their mutual input.

Chris Smith digs out grainy footage and old photographs from the early years, and combines that with more familiar film of Top of the Pops performances and live gigs, with Andrew and George providing a running commentary on events via audio interviews.

The result is an exhilarating and poignant account of one of the great British pop bands.
6.45am

The alarm goes off. Im greeted by our cats, Bingo and Whiskers, and Poppy, the labradoodle. Once theyre fed, and Ive had coffee or homemade granola, myself and hubby Michael take Poppy for a brisk walk.

8.30am

I use the journey from Newbridge to the office in Johnstown, Co Kildare, to phone my daughter Amy, as she is usually travelling to work at the same time.

9am

At the office, I catch up on emails. Its a hectic time of year - were expanding our retail network and have just opened our 14th store in Youghal, with a view to having 19 stores by the end of 2024. While weve amazing store managers, were always looking for volunteers in our shops.

10am

Touch base with my two area managers, Stacey Bohanna and Bernie Reidy, to get an overview of whats happening nationwide. Were planning a store launch in Carrick on Suir this year, and then looking to Sligo/Ennis areas, so theres lots to discuss.

10.30am

Team meeting to discuss our summer Up the Hill fundraising campaign. Were encouraging everyone to climb a hill and fundraise to support local Jack and Jill families.

11.30am

Catch-up call with James in Celtic Candles to discuss our new Christmas candles and diffuser set, designed in collaboration with Paul and William Costelloe. The candles are hugely popular, as we have a golden ticket moment with two Chupi diamond necklaces in two of the candles. Its nice for loyal customers to get something tangible in return for a donation.

12.30pm

Lunch with colleagues.

1.30pm

Off to our Portlaoise warehouse, where we sort and distribute donated stock, sold in our retail network, and on our Thriftify online store.

4pm

Zoom call with colleague Edelle Monahan to finalise details for our fabulous new limited-edition tote bag, featuring an image by Incognito artist Miriam Smithers. This is the first tote bag for Jack and Jill and were delighted to introduce it to our customers.

5pm

Out for a walk with Michael and Poppy, which helps me decompress after a busy day, then dinner with Michael and our youngest son, Jack.
TO WHAT extent does work impact our mental health? In a recent report, US tech company UKG set out to answer this question. Having interviewed 3,400 employees in ten countries, it found that 60% believed their job to be the single biggest factor affecting their mental health.

Dr Na Fu, a professor of human resource management at Trinity College Dublin, isnt surprised. Work takes up eight hours out of 24, she says. And as the boundaries between work and life have blurred and more of us check emails outside of working hours, many spend much longer than eight hours thinking about work. Its no wonder it plays such a part in our mental health.

The part it plays can be positive or negative, says Dubliner Dr Jennifer Hynes, professor of organisation and management at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences. Work gives us the opportunity to learn new things, bolstering our sense of mastery, and to spend time with others, influencing our social resources, she says.

It can be a place to build self-esteem and professional efficacy and gives us a sense of stability.

Yet not all workplaces offer such psychological benefits. Some of us work in high-demand environments, and if there arent resources to buffer that, we can get stressed, says Hynes. If that occurs constantly, we get burnout.

Others work in jobs with unpredictable schedules which can undermine their sense of financial security. And some work in controlling or toxic environments. This can mean they lack autonomy when making decisions about work, feel stagnant, or face hostile interactions with colleagues and staff, says Hynes.

Such feelings often spill over into peoples personal lives. Its common for people to take their worries home, says Hynes.

They vent to partners or take it out on them, which can erode relationships. They may cancel plans with others because their work is so draining and over time, their friendships and relationships deteriorate. In addition, they can turn to substances such as drugs, alcohol, food, or nicotine to soothe themselves, all of which can lead to a downward spiral.

Professor Na Fu, TCD

Taking control

In the UKG report, 71% of employees said that work stress seeped into their private lives, with a detrimental effect on relationships and wellbeing. Some 64% said they would take a pay cut for a job that better supported their mental health.

For those of us not in a position to take a pay cut, Fu suggests you take control. As a first step, proactively manage notifications, particularly emails.

So many people spend their days being interrupted by pings from devices, she says. Theres an expectation that we have to answer messages instantly, which is stressful in itself. Rather than spending all day on the alert, turn notifications off and only check messages at regular specified times.

Another tip is to use technology to your advantage. From Excel shortcuts to setting up email replies, there are so many ways you can automate boring, repetitive tasks, says Fu.

Hynes recommends carving out personal time for yourself. Spend time doing sports, walking, meditating, or meeting friends, she says. Your physical health buffers against stress and while you may feel exhausted and not in the mood to do something, its scientifically proven to increase happy hormones.

Prioritise your nutrition too. When youre exhausted, its all too easy to grab something quick but try to have a healthy meal, says Hynes. Your body needs nutrients to cope with stress. Without them, youll become rundown and susceptible to colds, flu, and chest infections.

While these strategies can boost our mental wellbeing, theres only so much individuals can achieve by themselves. We have power over some things, says Hynes. But there isnt much we can do if we work for a corporate psychopath.

The UKG report underlines the managers central role, with 69% of employees claiming that they had just as much of an impact on their mental health as their spouse did.

So, what can managers and leaders do to support mental health in the workplace? Fu suggests that they learn to check in, not check out. Checking out involves asking for updates about work and making sure tasks are completed, she says. But checking in entails

asking how people are and paying attention to their wellbeing, taking action to help if needs be.

They can also make a conscious effort to manage stress. Too much stress leads to burnout. Too little, and employees lose motivation. Managers need to aim for just enough.

We all know the difference between work projects that exhaust us and those that energise us, says Fu. Managers need to assess projects carefully, automating what can be automated and assigning tasks to draw out their teams skills and creativity.

Dr Jennifer Hynes, professor of organisation and management at Berlin International University of Applied Sciences

Employee needs

Investing in wellbeing programmes is another intervention that can help. Just make sure that they are built around employee needs, says Hynes.

This is something that Richie Butler, head of occupational health and wellbeing at the construction company Sisk, is trying to do for its workforce of 2,100 across Ireland, Britain and mainland Europe.

My position was created when I joined in 2019, says Butler. Construction is a high-risk sector, so we had been looking after employee safety for years but based on feedback from employees, we realised they were looking for the same level of support for their physical, emotional, and mental health.

The construction industry is particularly affected by mental health issues. Two construction workers die by suicide in Ireland and the UK every day, which is higher than the national average, says Butler.

There is a multitude of factors for this, including long working hours, high-risk working environments, a male-dominated workforce, and, in many cases, workers living and working away from home and removed from their normal support structure of family and friends.

Butlers team is taking a data-driven approach to tackling this. Lots of companies have wellbeing programmes that arent informed by anything in particular, he says. It can be a case of throwing mud at a wall and hoping some sticks.

Weve been reactive for too long, waiting for people to put their hand up before we helped them. The preventative element was missing.

Butler and his team are working to identify the associations between work-related stressors and negative health outcomes and to start addressing those.

A physical health screening programme was administered to 1,100 employees. The data from this should give us real insights into the predominant health risks affecting our workforce and we can tailor our programmes accordingly.

Butler is committed to providing Sisk employees with a healthy work environment. Such workplaces give people purpose and meaning, a sense of belonging and social connection, financial security, health benefits, and health prevention programmes that can have a positive effect on health outcomes, he says.

The flip side is that unhealthy workplaces can be damaging to physical and mental health. Its our responsibility to tackle work-related issues that negatively affect our employees.

It also makes economic sense to do so. Happy, healthy employees equal high-quality work at an individual level and improved organisational performance through increased productivity and reduced absenteeism and presenteeism, to name but a few benefits, says Butler.

While the workplace has a direct impact on a persons health and wellbeing, a companys performance is dependent on the health and wellbeing of its people.
Hello, its Rosealeen here in Ballydesmond.

You have to hand it to my bitch of a sister, shell never run out of ways to shame the shite out of me when she comes down from Dublin for a visit.

She was hardly 2 minutes in the door of Mammys place when the nose started twitching like an otter with hay fever, and I knew what was coming.

Thats Tim Tom Timmy Toms slurry Mammy, Id know it anywhere says she in her Dublin 4 accent, one leg out the door on the way up to Tim Tom Timmy Toms place to give the poor man a lecture. (We call Mammy Mystic Meg now for christening my sister Karen  talk about foresight. Shes some Karen that one.)

There was only one topic in Gorgeous Hair when I went in to get my highlights done that afternoon - local woman tells 94-year-old bachelor he needs to do something about the smell off his shite.

There is a meeting in the hall later to debate the motion, This town would ban bitches from Dublin who think we should all smell like Sandymount.

Isnt Mammy after leaning on me to oppose the motion on the grounds of family solidarity, Ill have to leave north Cork after this, you cant be lecturing farmers about their pig shite.

Where would be a good place to move to, I like men?

 Rosealeen, Ballydesmond

My friend from school regularly moves town on basis of hot locals. I said, wheres hot this year? She said, Midleton. I said, are you moving there? She said, no. I said, why? She said, because its Midleton.

Its getting cultural on our WhatsApp group Douglas Road Stunners Who Force Our Kids to Learn the Cello.

Marnie_NeverBeentoBlarney said it breaks her heart to watch her daughter crying on the way into music camp every morning, after all the money she spent.

Posey_Crossfit said, preach Marnie babes, the little shits have zero gratitude after all the aggressive tax-planning we do to allow them to live in the lap of luxury.

We banned Posey for a month, because we have a strict no tax-planning chat in our group, in case the Revenue gets a hold of it and you know yourself.

Ronni_LoadsOfMoney said her Hugo is as musical as Megadeth so hes going to art instead and you meet a really nice class of Mom at the pick-up compared to the dregs you have to hang around with outside Cul Camp.

She said there is an incredibly hot Dad from Oslo with a cargo-bike there as well and I wont share the mental image I had, but that is basically my dream package.

I signed my Hugo up for art but hot Oslo Dad Erik barely looked at me, after spending 900 quid on my eyebrows. So, whats a good way to attract a guy from Oslo?

 Jenni, Douglas Road

No point in asking me. I tried to chat up a guy from Oslo, with the classic where are you from handsome man? He took one look at me and said, no way. Come to think of it now, maybe he said Norway. Feck it anyway.

Cmere is it cheating if you start having a relationship with an AI chatbot?

Budgie told me about it after his old doll put him in the sin-bin for a month after he started drooling at this one on Love Island so he was like, no way lah, not putting up with that, Im going to start talking dirty to a chatbot.

He found this site online and he started with this one called Pixie, shes playing a posh one from Sundays Well, totally believable like, she told Budgie shes never been to Redbarn.

Im not having any trouble with my old doll, but I said Id give it a go anyway and Im a week in now with this artificial one called Angel, who is no Angel if you get my drift.

But I had a gallon of Fosters last Saturday and its given me the guilts big time all week, with the fear and everything, I am having trouble getting to sleep.

So like, should I just tell the old doll and see if shes ok with it?

 Dowcha Donie, Blackpool

I use a chatbot to generate most of my Ask Audrey answers, hes called Greg. I said, Greg, is it cheating if you date a chatbot? He said, are you making a move on me Audrey? I said, how does it work? He said, we talk dirty but in the end you have to make your own fun. I said, thats my marriage!

Now listen up Paddy.

I havent been in Eire since 1984, when the best lunch one could get in West Cork was something called Egg Mayonnaise.

Im coming over next week with my brothers wife, all above board, and Im hoping you filthy spud-munchers have upped your game.

Shes fussy, as you might expect. So what I can expect when I go for lunch in one of your towns in West Cork?

 Lord Edmund DServant-Spanker, London and rather a lot of Canada.

My niece is a foodie although it doesnt show, skinny bitch. I said, what can a posh obnoxious aristocrat expect in West Cork. She said he can expect to meet a lot of people like himself!
The family of a mother of one have said the Department of Foreign Affairs is liaising with them after she was killed at a holiday resort in Spain.

Kirsty Ward, 36, was found dead at a hotel in Salou on Sunday last.

Staff at the Magnolia Hotel discovered her in a corridor, and a 30-year-old man suspected of killing her has been remanded to prison after a court hearing on Wednesday.

In a statement on Friday morning, a spokesperson for the family of Ms Ward said: "'The Department of Foreign Affairs are liaising with the family of mother of one Kirsty Ward from Dublin.

"The family will not be making any further comment or statements and ask for privacy during this distressing time."

The investigation into the death of Ms Ward will now take several months  if not longer  and end with the judge deciding whether to recommend charges and invite a prosecutor to submit an indictment.

The suspect can be summoned for further questioning at any time.

The 30-year-old was arrested at the hotel in the Costa Dorada holiday resort of Salou on Sunday night.

He was found with a self-inflicted wrist wound alongside the body of the woman in a corridor outside their room at the adults-only hotel.

Formal charges are only laid in Spain shortly before trial. The suspect has now been formally declared an "investigado"  literally a person under investigation  following the hearing.

The suspect has not been named by Spanish authorities.
Some witnesses at the Stardust inquests are in and out of court in 30 minutes. Some are there for days.

At this stage, the jury in the Pillar Room at Dublins Rotunda Hospital has heard from numerous staff members there on the night of the fire in February 1981. Barmen, waitresses, glass washers, doormen.

A consensus has emerged on a number of points. People began seeing a fire in a closed-off section of the north Dublin nightclub on or after 1.40am. It was on seats situated towards the back wall of the tiered seating area.

Some, but not all, of the people inside the venue were aware there was a fire. Witnesses have described seeing the fire and making efforts to begin leaving the Stardust while some people were still on the dancefloor. Nearly all remember the lights going off, and the panic that ensued.

There was no plan or training of what to do if such an event occurred, according to witness after witness at the inquests.

Some staff took it upon themselves to try fight the blaze. Those who did said the fire extinguishers had no effect on what was a rapidly spreading fire. Others attempted to raise the alarm and tell as many people as possible to get out of the Stardust.

And, the morning after the fire which would result in 48 deaths, staff convened in the Silver Swan and were told both not to speak to the press and to make a statement to Stardust manager Eamon Butterlys solicitors, which came before their statements to gardai.

Exits

These details building up a sense of what happened in those first few minutes will of course assist the jury in their deliberations. But the means of exit for many staff members may pale next to other evidence to come.

Barmen working at the main bar of the Stardust knew there was a back way from there into the Silver Swan pub that was part of the overall building complex. The waitresses knew there was a way from the kitchen to the Lantern Rooms bar and restaurant, and then out.

Its the emergency exits that many patrons attempted to use that has come, and will continue to come, increasingly under the microscope at these inquests. That practice, it has heard, of draping chains around the emergency exit doors to give the appearance of being locked has been highlighted again and again.

It has heard of the difficulty in opening the doors when draped in such a way. And this was after the doors would be initially locked at the beginning of a disco night.

Junior staff members were only in their teens at the time, with no role in policymaking at the Stardust. Their knowledge and awareness of the locking of doors and of draping the chains has been tested by the various barristers representing interested parties at the inquests.

John Furley

But during what would be a lengthy series of questions posed by Michael OHiggins SC to one witness this week, the vastly experienced barrister who represents some of the families of victims explained his approach.

He was clear that an inquest cannot exonerate anybody and cannot blame anybody.

That doesnt mean in asking the questions, were not entitled to ask why something was done or not done, Mr OHiggins told John Furley, a then 23-year-old, part-time doorman at the Stardust.

He said earlier witnesses were low on the food chain in terms of seniority at the venue, but that Mr Furley was not at the bottom of the food chain but neither at the top, having previously been the head waiter.

The policy around making doors appear as if locked was said to have arisen over issues around patrons letting friends in without paying. Mr Furley said that he did not know if Mr Butterly was very vexed by people getting in for free, but said Mr Butterly didnt like to be bested.

A crucial point here is that Mr Furley got out through one of the emergency exits, dubbed exit 5. Mr OHiggins put it to him that theres a chasm between his account of getting out of this exit and the accounts given by others.

This exit was partially blocked by a skip used for empty bottles. Multiple witnesses have described many having difficulty in getting these doors open as the fire began was spreading. Some witnesses also described a doorman kicking at the door and a padlock on the door in a bid to get it open.

He said that witnesses were wrong in their statements identifying him as that man, and said he was pushing down the bar on the door when they opened.

There were guys kicking the door, he said.

I had my hand on the bar. I dont know if it was pressing down on the bar, I dont know what eventually made it open.

Mr OHiggins put it to Mr Furley that in his original statements back in 1981 he was letting those who ran the Stardust off the hook for padlocks and chains on the doors by blaming the patrons for not being able to get out.

Mr Furley replied that that wasnt true. After a brief break, he did not return to court and his evidence is expected to continue at a later stage.

This focus on the exits and everything to do with them will not stop at the close of Mr Furleys evidence. To use Mr OHiggins words, there are witnesses higher up the food chain that will be heard from as the inquests continue at Dublin District Coroners Court.
A record number of 1,072 people were treated at the countrys six sexual assault treatment units last year after attendances rose 25%.

The latest annual report of the HSE-funded sexual assault treatment units (SATUs) also reveal a growing trend of the use of extreme violence in assaults

The report shows numbers attending the centres exceeded 1,000 for the first time ever last year, with an additional 213 individuals using the service compared to the previous year.

The units are in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Mullingar, Galway and Letterkenny.

An additional 14 people were cared for in an out-of-hours service at University Hospital Limerick.

The report revealed physical restraints were used in 34% of incidents recorded by SATUs last year compared to 25% in 2021, while 7.5% of cases involved the use of weapons.

A total of five people were hospitalised due to injuries suffered during the assault, with another four individuals hospitalised for associated mental health problems.

The report found a third of all incidents resulted in some form of injury.

Drugs and alcohol

In addition, 21% of patients expressed concern that drugs including alcohol were used to facilitate a sexual assault on them  up from 15% in 2021.

Almost half of all people attending a SATU last year reported consuming more than six standard drinks at the time of the incident, while 13% had taken recreational drugs.

School or third-level students accounted for 38% of all cases in 2022.

The report also highlighted how last year was the first time since 2017 the SATU service failed to meet its key performance target of seeing 90% of all people within three hours of a request for a forensic clinical examination.

The HSEs national clinical lead on SATUs Maeve Eogan said the most common reason for the failure to reach the target was the lack of access to a forensic suite at the time because it was already being used by another patient.

The latest figures show 55% of patients had a forensic examination and reported the assault to gardai last year, while 21% opted for just a health check.

A further 14% chose to have forensic evidence stored, while 7% reported the offence to gardai without being examined.

The vast majority of people attending SATUs last year were females at 91% with 8% male patients and 1% identifying as another gender or none.

The report shows 84% of incidents last year occurred in Ireland, with 25% of the total taking place in Dublin, while 80% of all patients identified as Irish.

Two-thirds of sexual assaults happened in an indoor setting, with 44% taking place in either the patient or the assailants own home.

The figures show 5% of incidents occurred in a field or park, with 3% in vehicles and 1% in taxis.

According to the report, 7% of patients claimed the incident involved two or more assailants  up 2 percentage points over 2021 figures.

A breakdown of the description of assailants shows 60% of patients attending a SATU last year knew their attacker, while 26% said the offender was a stranger.

The report recorded that 2% of individuals described their assailant as a person in authority, while 14% were attacked by someone they had met for the first time in the previous 24 hours.

The sexual assaults occurred evenly throughout the year, while 56% of cases took place at weekends between Fridays and Sundays.

Almost 80% of attacks occurred between 8pm and 8am.
Ireland has been "by far" the biggest casualty when it comes to the tech giants laying off staff, with 40% of the redundancies in the EU over the past three years.

An analysis by the Dublin-based EU agency Eurofound, or the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, examined worldwide job cuts at Facebook parent Meta, Amazon, Salesforce, Microsoft, and Google.

"It is clear Ireland is by far the country most affected by big tech restructurings, which is not surprising since most of these tech companies European or EMEA headquarters are based there."

Between the end of 2022 and the first half of 2023, almost 300,000 employees working for big tech companies were laid off across the world, Eurofound said.

After predictions during the covid-19 pandemic that demand for their services would grow, leading tech firms went on a hiring spree before readjusting their ambitions when their targets failed to materialise.

Layoffs are one of the largest cost-cutting measures taken since then, Eurofound said.

The IT sector accounted for about 5% of the total European workforce in 2022, but reaches over 8% in Ireland, according to the agency.

"It is clear that Ireland is by far the country most affected by big tech restructurings, which is not surprising since most of these tech companies European or EMEA headquarters are based there.

From 2020 to 2021, employment in the information and communication sector in Ireland expanded by almost 19%, but the sector endured a turbulent year thereafter, and employment contracted by 4.6%.

"After collating cases of big tech job cuts from the European Restructuring Monitor (ERM) database from 2020 to mid-2023, Ireland accounts for the largest proportion of all redundancies in the sector in the EU  around 40%," Eurofound said.

The ERM is Eurofound's company restructuring gauge of EU member states for the past 21 years, recording more than 28,000 such events.

The agency's analysis added while Ireland is highly reliant on the ICT sector for employment, tax revenue and value-added, "the Central Bank has stated that job losses to date are not considered significant or a threat to the broader economy".

Other EU states are also dealing with the fallout from IT job losses, Eurofound said, especially in Germany and France.

"The ERM has recorded several cases of redundancies announced by well-known tech companies, including Twitter, Stripe, PayPal, SAP, IBM, Spotify, Hubspot and Yahoo, which have cut jobs in Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal and Ireland," it said.

Smaller and perhaps less well-known EU tech companies are also laying off workers, Eurofound added.

"For instance, Casavo is dismissing 150 people in Italy, Portugal and Spain, and Payfit cut 200 jobs in France, Germany and Spain."

There has been little publicity about the redundancy conditions offered to the workers affected and little detail about the employment conditions of those workers who were laid off in recent restructurings, Eurofound said.

"Trade union participation in restructuring processes has been limited or non-existent among the tech companies. However, since the recent restructurings, there has been a rapid increase in membership of the Alphabet Workers Union, and a European works council for Googles workforce has been organised," it said.
A teenager carrying what looks like a samurai" knife, which he said he carried for his own personal protection, has narrowly avoided jail in a Cork court.

Nathan McSweeney, aged 19, of 15 Araglen Court, Deanrock Estate, Togher, was caught with the knife and 50 worth of cannabis during a garda stop-and-search.

He told gardai that the knife was for his "own personal protection" in case people tried to attack him.

He was charged under Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Judge Colm Roberts warned that carrying knives as a defence was a dangerous and failed concept.

He warned of the deadly knife culture which has gripped the UK, leading to the deaths of thousands of people, including many teenagers.

On a recent trip to London, he saw a young person draw a knife several feet long during an altercation, he said.

Its amazing how quickly panic arises when someone takes out a knife, Judge Roberts said. "It does cause offence, even if intended for defence, it does more than that."

Examining the photo of the knife shown to Midleton District Court, Judge Roberts noted that it looks like a samurai [knife].

Some of these knives are work-type knives, but theres no ambiguity about what thats for  an offensive-type situation, he said.

His solicitor Don Ryan said that McSweeney was a young lad.

He thought he may be attacked," he said. "He says its an ornamental knife. And small.

There were issues around the neighbourhood where he was living, he felt under attack. He had been taking cannabis for quite a while in his life, but he is doing his best to address those issues.

There does not seem to be any violent nature, when he spoke to gardai he was very open that he thought he may be under attack.

But Judge Roberts said that some of the most tragic situations were when someone carrying a weapon thought they were being attacked and then killed their relatives.

Judge Roberts said that an unusual knife like that found in McSweeneys possession would have to have been sought out.

Its not like a fishing knife or anything like that, he said. "I dont know how dangerous it could have been, but it looked dangerous enough.

Carrying a knife was too serious an offence to only merit a fine, he said.

In relation to the offensive weapon, I dont want to convict, but I have to," he said.

Knife crime is too serious. We have to send out a message that this concept that it is OK to carry a knife for defence is a dangerous and failed concept.

People who carry knives to defend themselves end up using knives to cause an offence.

Hes lucky he was caught, he could have ended up in a situation in which he felt forced to do something, and he would then have to live with the consequences of that for the rest of his life.

If you dont carry a knife, you dont use it."

McSweeney was given a two-month sentence, suspended for two years.

Judge Roberts said that a suspended sentence should not be a problem if he does not get into trouble again.

The court does need to send a message out that knife crime is not acceptable, he said.

The drug possession charge was struck out, and a destruction order was granted.

The court heard that McSweeney had no previous convictions.
More and more of us are ticking the no religion box  14% more of us in the last six years.

Ive heard it said that by becoming less Catholic, were also becoming less Irish. Who are we without the fry-up after Sunday mass, without the Trocaire box on the table, and the Angelus on the radio?

I look at it differently. Rather than mourn a decline in Catholic faith, I celebrate the return of an ancient Irish faith, pantheism, a belief that God is in everything, not restricted to men in robes on alters, or one man in a similarly styled robe in the sky.

Catholic advocacy group The Iona Institute distrusts the numbers. Left floundering in a cold shadow, uncomfortably far from the gilded, patriarchal halls of the Vatican, they suggest it is a matter of bad formatting.

True, the no religion box appeared as the first option on the 2022 census and the last in 2016, but however Iona might try to re-frame it, to live in Ireland is to know its true: Irish people have had enough of the Roman Catholic Church. More and more of us have had enough of misogyny, dogmatism, and the vilification of the flesh.

More of us are also, simultaneously, concerned about nature. This is arguably related, and all part of this return to what came before.

In an extensive European study on attitudes to climate carried out in late 2022, around the same time as our census, 65% of Irish people expressed their desire for the Government to impose stricter measures to change personal behaviours.

We are returning to what preceded a dark, but relatively brief, period of less than 200 years under Roman Catholic rule.

The latest census marks our nations return to a deep faith and spirituality tied to the natural and physical world, as practised by our ancestors.

Reading Richard Kearneys Salvage, a gorgeous novel that holds the early Celtic church at its centre, makes me more or less certain of it.

In the book, set initially in 1939, we encounter a local parish priest in the West Cork town of Skibbereen warning local girls against bodily sin, and his entire congregation against the backward use of the Irish language.

Kearneys protagonist Maeve OSullivan will not be turned from her old ways, however  ways passed down by her father. She will not relinquish her devotion to Brigid, to the well, her connection to the land, the sea, and to the power of her own language. She is also deeply aware of the importance of physical touch, something made fearful and dirty by the body-hating Roman Catholics.

Kearney explained, when I met him recently in Cork, that physical touch goes back to old ways, to what he refers to as an embodied manner of being in the world".

His book questions our highly visual Western culture and the mind/body divide thats so integral to the moralism of the Catholic Church. Young Maeve works with her hands to heal. Her body is not sinful or shameful  it is a site of power.

In the novel, Maeves mother sides with the priest, suggesting in the opening of the book that she needs faith, to which Maeve replies, But I have faith. This faith, pointing to the water font on her island.

Ive faith in the cures. In Brigid. Shell look after us.

Growing up in 1980s Ireland it was easy for me to believe that Ireland had always been a devout, highly judgemental, body-fearing, patriarchal Catholic country.

But Ireland before the famine was vastly different and Kearneys gently told story reminds us of this, and invites us back.

His thesis is backed by Prof Breandan Mac Suibhne of the National University of Ireland, Galway who describes the Roman Catholic church as a net winner of the famine because the famine killed off rural people with a strong faith in pantheism, a faith inextricably linked to nature, and a faith in Brigid, our protective, feminine force in the world.

Mass wasnt so high up in our national agenda then either.

As late as the 1970s the figure of people attending mass was 92% or so, but back in the 1830s, the figure was something like 30%.

For people in these areas, religion was not chapel-oriented and clerically directed devotion like Sunday Mass was not important to them ... their religion was one of holy wells, and season festivals, Professor Mac Suibhne explains.

It was the 1850s Redemptorists who went around the country spreading fear of Satan that brought about the change and they made confession, communion and confirmation rites of passage in Catholicism, he says.

In Kearneys novel, the local priest dismisses the nature-based wisdom of Brigid and blocks the well. No more of the Brigid business. And no more talk of pookas and cures. It is all talk, he tells Maeves grieving mother, ordering her to put her faith entirely in Gods hands as so many Irish women did, before ending up in state institutions, disempowered and voiceless.

Its funny to me now, living in Cork in 2023, watching the army of well-intentioned women, with new dresses, fake tans, and manicured nails, keeping the culture of modern Roman Catholic sacraments alive in Ireland when these sacraments were so often used as blunt instruments of female oppression.

And its possible, in my eyes, that people ticking the no religion box are part of a social movement away from the Catholicism of de Valera and McQuaid (the co-writer of our woman-fearing constitution).

Irish people are moving forward and simultaneously back to a pantheistic way of being in the world. Our ancestors respected and cared for nature. Were beginning to remember and realise why. And our timing couldnt be better.

Nature needs us to come back.

In early medieval Ireland, Brehon Law demanded compensation for any damage done to our sacred trees. The hawthorn and the yew were protected above all others for their medicinal and spiritual powers. They were sites of pilgrimage and devotion.

Our beautiful forests changed with the arrival of the Normans but it was Elizabeth I who truly destroyed our forests when she despatched Lord Mountjoy with orders for the destruction of all woods to deprive the insurgents of shelter".

A return to our ancient faith is exactly what we need. Kearney believes we must host the earth as it has always hosted us. We must re-open something, a layer of sensibility thats disclosed by the resonance in nature", as he puts it.

Having read and received his book Salvage as a rare gift, a sacrament of a new way of being, and seeing, and touching, I think the time has come for a new (and simultaneously ancient) box on our census.
Much as we hanker after warm sunny days and an end to what often seems to be six-month winters, when the heat finally arrives it doesnt take more than a week for us to feel nostalgic for a shower of rain.

But its night-time when difficulty getting undisturbed rest, in homes never designed to cope with hot nights, leaves us fatigued and groggy the next day.

A lightweight duvet or light blanket should replace a heavier tog duvet in summertime: Cable knit blanket from Next, 79-132.

Sleep consultant Lucy Wolfe looks to bedroom temperature, firstly, to battle the heat.

At all times of the year we aim to have the bedroom as the coolest in the house as this can help initiate sleep, she says. Do whatever you can to cool the room in advance. Pull down the blinds early in the day, put a frozen bottle of water in front of a fan to circulate cold air in the room and consider having a cool shower before bedtime, or running your wrists under cool water can be an alternative.

But the heat presents particular challenges to parents of little ones. Lucy suggests removing everything from the cot, especially the waterproof sheet to allow air to circulate freely, and getting the child comfortable.

Strip them down as necessary but try to keep the sleeping bag, she says. Use a very low tog (0.2-0.5) and just a nappy if very warm, rather than keeping the vest and not using a sleeping bag.

Two tips cited by sleep expert Anne Marie Boyhan, of The Sleep Care Company, deal with getting the room and your body right for sleeping.

Linen is a natural bed linen material suitable for warm nights to help keep the sleeper cool: Pure linen bed set from 85 at M&S.

The ideal temperature for the bedroom is 18.3C but anything from 16C to 20C is good for sleep, she says. If the room temperature goes above this, we will struggle to sleep. Employing a fan and keeping blinds and curtains drawn during the day are her starting points.

It's a good idea to darken your bedroom during the day and just ventilate it before going to bed, she explains. We only need to look to how they do it in Spain and Italy. They adopt this trick by closing their shutters during the day to keep their rooms dark and cool as a result.

Keeping the bedroom dark during the day by drawing curtains and blinds helps to keep room temperature down by night.

With the environment sorted, Anne Marie looks to core body temperature which starts with understanding how the body and brain work.

Our body temperature naturally drops as the day goes on and before bed, it needs to be low in order for us to sleep. If its hot and this process is interrupted, then so is our sleep.

"Secondly, our body produces a hormone called melatonin which causes a drop in core body temperature that is needed for sleep. If the ambient temperature is too high, this process is interrupted, so it may take longer to get to sleep. Its also harder to get into a deep sleep, so you may find it harder to stay asleep when its hot, leading to tossing and turning.

"Thirdly, as we are used to lower temperatures during the rest of the year, our brain thinks that the heat is a signal to stay awake, so for us to sleep we need to reduce our body temperature. A cool, but not cold, sleeping environment is ideal.

So how do we get into that cooler body temperature before heading off to the land of nod?

Before bed, have a warm shower or a warm foot bath, or take a water bottle with lukewarm water to bed," says Anne Marie. "This will help us drop our core body temperature.

Hot water bottles have their uses in summer, filled with lukewarm water for helping to bring down core body temperature: Sleep Embroidered pure wool hot water bottle from www.thefinecottoncompany.com. 69.80.

For children, the same rules apply, she adds. Keep their rooms dark and cool by closing the curtains during the day. Use a room thermometer to check the temperature of the room. Consider light clothing, remembering that the temperature will drop during the night.

Sari Winckworth, co-owner of organic bed linen company White & Green, suggests using breathable bedding like cotton sheets and pillowcases.

Read More How to keep flying insects out of your home this summer

These natural fabrics allow better airflow and help to wick away moisture from the body, keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the night," she says.

If you havent already done it, swap out your heavy duvet for a lighter summer-weight version. Look for a duvet with a lower tog rating, or a thin, breathable blanket that provides just enough warmth without trapping excessive heat. This will prevent you from feeling too hot and ensure a more restful sleep.
People living in Ireland have often said that they would relish a summer visiting and revisiting the wealth of great destinations available on their own doorstep.

King John's Castle, Limerick, bringing a sense of majesty to the heart of the city.

Well, with fine weather virtually guaranteed for the coming months, now is your chance, and where better to visit than Limerick, where the new Discover Limerick PASS is giving visitors instant access to the city and county of Limerick, with all your fees covered in one simple digital pass to some of the top attractions that this beautiful, vibrant corner of Ireland has to offer.

The Foynes Flying Boat in the Maritime Museum, always a popular favourite with visitos to Limerick.

Since the launch of the Discover Limerick PASS in June, social media platforms have been alive with upbeat posts and images of smiling visitors of all ages availing of Limericks many charms. The enhanced easy smartphone access to Limericks principal attractions has certainly added to the joy of visitors.

Visitors can choose between a 1-day, 2-day or 3-day pass and get access to 14 handpicked attractions  saving money on admission fees whilst seeing the very best of this vibrant destination!

Insightful and inspiring, the Discover Limerick PASS is a winner for all ages and a great way to save money and time.

Aoife Potter Cogan, Tourism Officer, A/SEO Tourism, said: We are delighted with the launch of the Discover Limerick PASS, the official sightseeing pass for Limerick city and county, and the first of its kind along the Wild Atlantic Way.

With some of the most popular amenities in Limerick taking part, the PASS introduces visitors to the best of what the city and county can offer. Whether you decide to purchase a 1-day pass, or 3-day pass, there are options for everyone to enjoy, spanning from historical monuments to immersive social experiences.

The Limerick Greenway has been a huge hit with visitors, with bike hire included as one of the many attractions covered by the Discover Limerick PASS.

Visitors to Limerick invariably comment on their joy upon seeing the beautifully maintained King Johns Castle so centrally located in the heart of the city. King Johns Castle is referred to as the Hero Experience on the Discover Limerick PASS.

There are so many hidden secrets to uncover in Limerick and with so much to see and do. King Johns Castle is just one of 14 fantastic attractions covered by the PASS.

Other attractions include: St Marys Cathedral, The Hunt Museum, Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, The Peoples Museum of Limerick, The Historic Whiskey Tour, Lough Gur Heritage Centre & Lakeshore Park, Adare Heritage Tour, Treaty City Brewery, Limerick Greenway Bike Hire, Adare Walks, Limerick Civic Trust, The Wild Geese Museum and Limerick Walking Tour.

Plan your visit, make magical memories

Visit the ATTRACTIONS PAGE to learn more about all of these amazing amenities and activities covered by the PASS.

The Historic Whiskey Tour, a popular stop with visitors on the Discover Limerick PASS.

Adults and children alike are amazed that in one day they can see world-famous artworks by Picasso, Renoir, and Yeats in The Hunt Museum, visit beautifully preserved thatched cottages and visit a wealth of excellent heritage sites.

Visitors take away great memories of being taught how to shoot an arrow by an expert archer, or learning to water-ski, taking a row-boat tour of the city and stopping off to enjoy some carefully selected breathers, all the while being entertained by top-quality entertainers. It truly is a magical menu with something for everyone.

Another key appeal for visitors to Limerick is that virtually everything they want to visit is within walking distance or at most a short car journey. Of, if you prefer a different perspective, hop on a bike or jump in a boat. The choices are entirely yours.

How the Discover Limerick PASS works

The Discover Limerick PASS is convenient and easy to use  it is available to download to your smartphone and is ready to use straight away.

Just follow these three simple steps:

Buy: Purchase your Discover Limerick PASS online. You can choose either a 1-day, 2-day or 3-day pass.

Purchase your Discover Limerick PASS online. You can choose either a 1-day, 2-day or 3-day pass. Download: Download your Pass to your smartphone for use straight away or when you are ready to use it.

Download your Pass to your smartphone for use straight away or when you are ready to use it. Explore: Then simply show your Pass at the admission desk or payment point for each attraction to gain entry.

See great artworks by Picasso, Renoir and Yeats in The Hunt Museum, Limerick.

Your journey of a lifetime starts here

Choose between a 1-day, 2-day or 3-day pass and get access to 14 handpicked attractions  saving money on admission fees whilst seeing some of the finest visitor attractions Limerick has to offer.

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1-Day Adult Pass  45.00

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Childrens passes suitable for kids ages 316

Children under 3 are free to enter all attractions

Selected attractions are free entry for children under 16 years of age

Childrens passes suitable for kids aged 316

Children under 3 are free to enter all attractions

Selected attractions offer free entry for children under 16 years of age

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Israeli forces have killed two wanted Palestinians in a flashpoint city in the occupied West Bank.

The incident came days after Israel concluded a major two-day offensive meant to crack down on militants.

The persistent violence raised questions about the effectiveness of the raid earlier this week, which saw Israel launch rare air strikes on militant targets, deploy hundreds of troops and cause widespread damage to roads, homes and businesses.

As a result of the raid, 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed.

Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces during a military raid in the West Bank city of Nablus (Majdi Mohammed/AP)

The raid bore the hallmarks of the second Palestinian uprising, a period of violence in the early 2000s that killed thousands.

The Israeli domestic security agency Shin Bet said on Friday the two men, who it said were behind a shooting attack this week on a police vehicle, were killed in a gun battle with Israeli forces in the heart of the city of Nablus, the West Banks commercial capital.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said two men were killed by Israeli fire, identifying them as Khayri Mohammed Sari Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Moayed Mohammed Maqbool, 32.

In the aftermath of the shootout, bullet casings littered the blood-stained ground.

Fridays deaths are part of a year-long spiral of violence that shows no signs of abating, despite the fierce Israeli operation this week in the Jenin refugee camp.

They follow a shooting on Thursday by a Hamas militant near an Israeli West Bank settlement that killed an Israeli soldier.

Israeli soldiers carry a flag-covered coffin (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Israel has been staging raids in the West Bank for 16 months, in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis last spring.

The northern West Bank, which includes Nablus and Jenin and where the Palestinian Authority has less of a foothold, has been a major friction point during that period.

More than 150 Palestinians have been killed this year in the West Bank, and Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have killed at least 27 people, including a shooting last month that killed four settlers.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in a 1967 war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state.
The Belarusian military has showed off a field camp it has offered to Russias Wagner group if it relocates to Belarus under a deal that ended its mutiny.

Major General Leonid Kosinsky, an assistant to Belarus defence minister, told reporters that Wagner troops could use the former Belarusian army camp near Tsel, about 55 miles south-east of Minsk.

Journalists were shown rows of empty tents that Maj Gen Kosinsky said could accommodate up to 5,000 troops at the camp in the Asipovichy district that was used by the Belarusian army before it was handed over to the territorial defence forces.

He said Wagner representatives have not yet inspected the camp to see whether it meets their needs.

Major General Leonid Kosinsky speaks to journalists in the Belarusian army camp (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

When the Wagner Group makes a final decision on whether to deploy to Belarus or not, they will see where and how to deploy, he told reporters.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin is in Russia and his troops so far have remained at their home camps, raising new questions about the deal that ended the extraordinary challenge to President Vladimir Putins rule.

Much about the agreement, which was brokered by Mr Lukashenko, remains murky, and it was not clear if the Wagner chiefs presence in Russia would violate the deal, which allowed Mr Prigozhin and his mercenaries to move to Belarus in exchange for ending the rebellion and a promise of amnesty.

Mr Lukashenkos claim could not be independently verified, but Russian media have reported Mr Prigozhin was recently seen at his offices in Russias second-largest city, St Petersburg.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday again shrugged off questions about Mr Prigozhins whereabouts and refused to comment on whether his presence in Russia would violate the deal.

The Belarusian president dismissed suggestions that the mercenaries could attack Ukraine from Belarusian territory, which Russian troops used as a staging ground ahead of their invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

An indoor view of a tent in the Belarusian army camp (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)

During their revolt that lasted less than 24 hours, Mr Prigozhins mercenaries quickly swept through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there without firing a shot before driving to within about 125 miles of the Russian capital.

Mr Prigozhin described it as a march of justice to oust his longtime foes  Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the militarys general staff, General Valery Gerasimov, whose handling of the war in Ukraine he criticised.

The Wagner fighters faced little resistance and downed at least six military helicopters and a command post aircraft, killing at least 10 airmen.

When the deal was struck, the Wagner chief ordered his troops to return to their camps.

The short-lived rebellion represented the biggest threat to Mr Putin in his more than two decades in power, exposing his weakness and eroding the Kremlins authority.
Nato leaders will agree next week to help modernise the armed forces of Ukraine, creating a new high-level forum for consultations and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day, the organisations top civilian official has said.

But the war-torn country will not start membership talks soon.

At a two-day summit starting on Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defence spending as allies pour weapons, ammunition and other support such as uniforms and medical equipment into Ukraine, 17 months into the war.

They also hope to welcome Sweden as the next member of the worlds biggest security organisation, if they can overcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans objections, even though its accession would only be made official in the coming months.

At the summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger, and set out a vision for its future

For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe, seeking to destroy Ukraine and divide Nato, secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Friday. At the summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger, and set out a vision for its future.

Mr Stoltenberg said the leaders will agree a multi-year programme of assistance to ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian armed forces and Nato.

A Nato-Ukraine Council  where crisis talks can be held  will be established. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the councils first meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday.

Mr Stoltenberg said the leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of Nato and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal.

Nato first pledged that Ukraine would become a member one day in 2008, but things have evolved little since then.

Asked when, or how, Ukraine might join, Mr Stoltenberg said that the most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails.

US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defence spending (Meg Kinnard/AP)

The US, Germany and some other allies consider that Ukraine should not be invited in while its at war, so as not to encourage Russia to widen the conflict.

With Ukraine imploring its Western partners for more weapons and ammunition, and national military stocks among its partners depleting, Nato is encouraging the 31 allies to boost their military budgets.

In 2014, Nato allies pledged to move towards spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2024. In Vilnius, they will make 2% the minimum, but will not set any timeframe for achieving that goal, Nato officials say. Under new estimates released on Friday, only 11 of the allies will reach the 2% goal in 2023.

But Mr Stoltenberg said that good progress is being made. In 2023, there will be a real increase of 8.3% across European allies and Canada. This is the biggest increase in decades.

Question marks remain about Swedens future at Nato. It abandoned a long history of military nonalignment last year to seek protection under the organisations security umbrella after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Mr Erdogan appears set to steal the summit limelight. He accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt.

Czech Republic President Petr Pavel welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Prague (Petr David Josek/AP)

Hungary is also holding up approval of Swedens candidacy, but has never clearly stated publicly its concerns. Nato officials expect that Hungary will follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections.

The other 29 allies, Sweden and Mr Stoltenberg have all said the country has done enough to satisfy Turkeys demands. Sweden has changed its constitution, modified anti-terror laws and lifted an arms embargo on Turkey, among other concessions.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all 31 members to expand.

Mr Stoltenberg, Mr Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will hold talks in Vilnius on Monday in an attempt to break the deadlock.

Despite the mounting pressure, Turkeys president stood firm Friday.

At a graduation for military students, Mr Erdogan said: We are ready to embrace anyone who is loyal to the alliances core values.

We do not hesitate to show our reaction toward those who protect terrorists and do not take the necessary measures in the fight against terrorism.

Mr Stoltenberg was speaking a day after Mr Zelenskyy visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic, discussing military aid and receiving assurances of support for Ukraines entry into Nato after the war with Russia is over.

Czech President Petr Pavel said it is in the interest of his country and Ukraine that as soon as the war ends negotiations about Nato membership begin.

Earlier on Thursday, during a brief visit at the invitation of Bulgarias new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Mr Zelenskyy also discussed European integration and bilateral energy co-operation.
The US has been in contact with Russian officials to press for the release of Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

It comes as Friday marked the 100th day of the journalist being detained by the Russian government.

Mr Sullivan said he also spoke with Mr Gershkovichs family representatives and Wall Street Journal officials on Friday about the status of the case and the administrations efforts to win his release.

The Kremlin earlier this week suggested it is open to a possible prisoner exchange that could involve Mr Gershkovich  but said such talks must be held out of the public eye.

I do not want to give false hope, Mr Sullivan told reporters.

Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a Moscow courtroom in June (Dmitry Serebryakov/AP)

What the Kremlin said earlier this week is correct. There have been discussions. But those discussions have not produced a clear pathway to a resolution and so I cannot stand here today and tell you that we have a clear answer to how we are going to get Evan home.

The US ambassador to Moscow, Lynne Tracy, was allowed to visit Mr Gershkovich on Monday for the first time since April.

Mr Gershkovich was arrested on spying charges in the city of Yekaterinburg while on a reporting trip.

He is being held at Moscows Lefortovo prison, notorious for its harsh conditions.

A Moscow court last week upheld a ruling to keep him in custody until August 30.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Mr Gershkovich and his employer deny the allegations and the US government has declared him to be wrongfully detained.

His arrest rattled journalists in Russia.

Authorities there have not provided any evidence to support the charges.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated the US stance that Mr Gershkovichs detention was baseless.

spy espionage charges for four years.

Our message to Evan and Paul is this: keep the faith. We wont stop until you are home, Ms Jean-Pierre said.
Junta troops raided the office of state-owned Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) in Zabuthiri Township, Naypyitaw on Thursday afternoon, detaining some senior officials for interrogation, according to sources close to the office.

Some of the sources said the raid was prompted by the leak of information about a secret bank account set up by the office to allow the regime to bypass international financial sanctions. MOGE provides the regime with its biggest single source of revenue by selling oil and gas abroad. It has been sanctioned by the EU.

Sources said at least 10 people, including senior officials and their staff members, were taken from the office for further interrogation.

Family members of staff at the office said they had lost contact with them since the raid. Phone calls to their relatives had gone unanswered and the office continued to be guarded by junta forces as of Friday morning, they said.

I tried calling my former colleagues, as well as the junior level staff I know, this morning but no one picked up the call. So I tried calling the family of a colleague and learned that they were not allowed to go back home last night, said a retired official of the Ministry of Energy, which runs MOGE.

Myanmar Now recently reported that more than US$500 million has been frozen in overseas banks since the EU imposed sanctions on MOGE last year. Following the asset freeze, the regimes Ministry of Energy asked the Central Bank of Myanmar to set up a secret bank account for MOGE at state-owned Myanma Economic Bank (MEB) to handle international transactions, Myanmar Now reported.

The retired Ministry of Energy official said the raid and interrogations could be an attempt by the junta to prevent further information leaks inside MOGE at a time when the US and other countries may be preparing to impose more sanctions.

The Irrawaddy tried calling the MOGE office, but the calls went unanswered as of Friday afternoon.

As a state-owned enterprise, MOGE works mostly with state-owned banks. Its oil and gas revenue flows into its accounts at those banks including Myanma Foreign Trade Bank (MFTB) and Myanma Investment and Commercial Bank (MICB), both of which were sanctioned by the US on June 21.

In response to the 2021 military coup and the regimes bloody crackdowns on protesters, as well as its air strikes against civilians, rights groups have been demanding more governments impose sanctions on MOGE.

Rights group Burma Campaign UK has called on the British government to sanction the company, and Justice for Myanmar (JFM), a rights watchdog that monitors the juntas businesses, has also called on governments, including those of the US and Japan, to do so.
DHAKA  A gunfight between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the recently reorganized Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO) left at least five ARSA members dead at a refugee camp in Coxs Bazar on Friday.

According to Coxs Bazar Police Superintendent Mahfuzul Islam, the predawn clash was fueled by a power struggle within the refugee camps.

Three Rohingya died on the spot and two more died during treatment, the police chief said.

Four of the victims were identified as Nurul Amin, 24; Nozimullah, 26; Mohammad Anowar, 24; and 16-year-old Mohammad Hamim.

Anowar was identified as an ARSA member by the Armed Police Battalion, Nozimullah was an ARSA commander and Nurul Amin was an operative, the police reported.

They said they found a homemade gun and bullet at the scene, although the investigation was impeded by heavy rain.

No arrests have been made and neither group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The police said those killed were directly associated with the criminal organization, ARSA.

Assistant Police Superintendent Md Faruk Ahmed said they were hunting for the killers.

The killings followed Thursdays murder of Rohingya leader Ebad Dullah, who had reportedly defected from ARSA and pledged loyalty to RSO.

On Thursday, the authorities said Ebad Dullah, a deputy camp leader, was fatally stabbed in Ukhia while International Criminal Court prosecutor Karim Asad Ahmad Khan was visiting the refugee camp to engage with the Rohingya community.

The police identified Nur Kamal, also known as Matullah, as the leader of the ARSA group responsible for the knife attack on Ebad Ullah.

They said Ebad Ullah had been associated with ARSA but defected from the group.

Islam said investigations are underway to determine if there is any direct connection between Ebad Ullahs killing and the recent clash.

Khans visit involved interviews with 14 Rohingyas at the Lambashia refugee camp. They were victims of torture and oppression inflicted by Myanmars military in Rakhine State.

The ICC prosecutor said they were still collecting evidence of what Rohingya faced in Myanmar and they want to accelerate their investigation despite having no access to Myanmar and having shortages of resources.

Mohammad Zubair, a Rohingya man who met the ICC prosecutor, emphasized that the killing had no relation to the prosecutors visit.

The media has documented a series of clashes and shootings resulting in the deaths of at least 50 Rohingyas in camps over the past six months.

A Bangladeshi government official expressed concerns that the situation may further deteriorate in the coming days.

No comments from ARSA and RSO were available.
Thailands deportation of 126 hill tribe children to Myanmar because they lacked official documents has attracted criticism from academics and NGOs for allegedly breaching the UNs Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The Bangkok Post and Thai PBS news reported that the seven to 16-year-olds studying at a school in Ang Thong in central Thailand were taken to five shelters in Chiang Rai on Wednesday while they waited to be repatriated.

The children are from an Akha village in the Doi Mae Salong hills separating Thailand and Myanmar in Chiang Rai province. The Akha are an ethnic group who live in small villages in the mountains of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Yunnan Province in China. Most of the Akha people in Thailand originally came from Myanmar.

The Bangkok Post said on Friday that 30 children had already been sent home after their parents picked them up and the remaining children are at the Social Development and Human Security Provincial Office in Chiang Rai, waiting to be sent to Myanmar.

The Ang Thong authorities had organized their return, it stated.

Charges had been brought against the schools director, a teacher and two village chiefs for transporting and sheltering the children.

The move comes after complaints were sent to the authorities that a large group of children had enrolled in a school that had only two teachers, one director and one administrator.

The forced repatriation of the children has drawn criticism from academics and NGOs as a breach of the Convention on the Right of the Child and Child Protection Act, which states all children in Thailand are eligible to receive an education despite their ethnicity, the Post reported.

Assistant Professor Darunee Paisanpanichkul, deputy dean of the Faculty of Law at Chiang Mai University, told the newspaper that deporting the ethnic minority children is inappropriate and unnecessary since it is lawful for children of migrant workers to receive an education in Thailand despite their statelessness.

Weera Yooram, director of the Mirror Foundation and Raisom Learning Center for Ethnic and Immigrant Children, was quoted saying the decision was cruel and deportation would only make the children give up education.

Thai PBS reported that Thailands National Human Rights Commission will try to stop the children from being repatriated.
Faced with escalating diplomatic isolation, Myanmars military regime is promoting ties with countries in the Middle East in an attempt to expand beyond its current allies China, Russia and India.

On Wednesday, junta boss Min Aung Hlaing held phone talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Sabah. The following day, the Saudi Ambassador and charge daffaires ad interim of Qatar held talks with junta-appointed foreign minister U Than Swe.

While other countries have been downgrading diplomatic ties with the Myanmar regime and sanctioning it since the 2021 coup, Saudi Arabia appointed a new ambassador to Myanmar in March of last year and its neighbor Kuwait followed suit in January of this year.

As Kuwaiti Ambassador Mubarak M A Aladwani presented his credentials to Min Aung Hlaing earlier this year, the two discussed the promotion of diplomatic ties, trade, tourism and exchange of goodwill visits. The ambassador held separate talks with the juntas then-foreign minister Wunna Maung Lwin and International Cooperation Minister Ko Ko Hlaing on how the two countries could help each other on the international stage as well as Kuwaiti investment in the energy sector.

The discussions were followed six months later by direct talks between Min Aung Hlaing and Kuwaits prime minister. Observers say goodwill visits between high-ranking officials from both countries are the next step.

The Saudi ambassador also discussed promoting diplomatic ties and trade when he presented his credentials to Min Aung Hlaing last year. He and the juntas foreign minister discussed enhancing cooperation in the international arena, as well as promoting cooperation in the energy, investment, trade, labor, cultural and education sectors.

In his meeting with the juntas foreign minister, the Qatar diplomat also discussed strengthening ties between the two countries, and signing memorandums of understanding and agreements on the export of Myanmar agricultural and fishery products to Qatar, energy, hotels and tourism, and direct flights.

Myanmar, Kuwait and Qatar are dialogue partners in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization led by China, India and Russia.
Five major French banks and a pension fund from the country have been accused of fueling the Myanmar juntas widespread and systematic human rights violations through their business links to the regime.

On Thursday, rights groups Justice for Myanmar (JFM), Info Birmanie and BankTrack revealed in a joint report that five commercial banksCredit Agricole, La Banque Postale, Groupe BPCE, BNP Paribas and Societe Generaleand a publicly owned, state-funded pension fund, Fonds de reserve pour les retraites (FRR), continue to invest in 22 companies linked to the military regime.

The junta is widely accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity, JFM said.

The report, endorsed by ALTSEAN-Burma, the International Federation for Human Rights

and Reporters Without Borders, said the investments made by the commercial banks and the fund so far amount to over US$6 billion75 percent of it in the fossil fuel sector.

They have also invested in companies that sell arms to the junta and in companies operating in the telecommunications sector, which enables the juntas surveillance activities, the report said.

Of the six entities, Credit AgricoleFrances second-largest bank and the worlds largest cooperative financial institutionaccounted for the largest portion of the investments, with $4 billion.

According to the report, the companies in which the six financial institutions are investors have direct and long-standing relationships with the Myanmar militaryor with companies controlled by the military before the coupor have direct business relationships with state-owned companies controlled by the junta since the coup of 2021.

In May 2021, around 19 commercial banks including Credit Agricole were called on by BankTrack and JFM to divest from junta-linked companies.

However, the bank remains an investor in Indian state-owned company Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL), which has been implicated in the sale of military equipment to the junta since the coup attempt.

JFM said French investments and the partnership between India and France in the field of defense, should be rigorously scrutinized to prevent French institutions from helping to finance the flow of arms and technology to the junta.

It is outrageous that these banks have still not taken adequate action to assess and cut ties with companies linked to the junta, even after their investments were exposed two years ago, said Henrieke Butijn, climate campaigner and researcher for BankTrack.

She added, By failing to act on their investments, these five French financiers are not only in breach of the OECD guidelines and UNGPs [UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights], they are also betraying the people of Myanmar.

JFM spokesperson Yadanar Maung also said it is unacceptable that the French banks and the pension fund continue to invest in companies with known ties to the junta, which is committing atrocities against the people of Myanmar.

These banks must act now to ensure they are in no way supporting the junta. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, we urge France to take a firm stance against the flow of arms to the junta, including from India, and push for a global arms embargo.

Faced with daily attacks from Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) across the country, the Myanmar junta is engaging in arbitrary and indiscriminate killings of both rebels and civilians, as well burning and looting villages and conducting artillery and air strikes on residential areas across the country.

As of Thursday, 3,750 people had been killed by the junta and 23,753 others including elected government leaders had been arrested or detained since the military coup in February 2021, said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which monitors deaths and arrests under the regime.
At least eight Myanmar junta forces were killed in the last four days as Peoples Defense Forces (PDFs) and an ethnic armed organization (EAO) continued to attack regime targets in some areas of the country.

Incidents were reported in Sagaing and Mandalay regions and Mon State.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from PDFs and the EAO.

Some of the reports could not be independently verified.

Military logistics detachment ambushed in Sagaing



Junta troops are ambushed with land mines in Monywa Township on Thursday. / BHA

Local resistance group Brave Heart Army said it coordinated with five other revolutionary groups to ambush a military detachment transporting ammunition to the pro-junta village of Taw Pu, a base for militia forces in Monywa Township, Sagaing Region on Thursday.

Two regime soldiers were killed when the military detachment was ambushed with land mines while returning from the village, the resistance groups said.

Junta troops bombed by resistance drones in Sagaing



Resistance drones drop bombs on regime targets in Ta Line Village school in Sagaing Township on Tuesday. / Unicorn Guerilla Force

Unicorn Guerrilla Group said it and five resistance groups used drones to drop five bombs on regime forces stationed at a school in Ta Line Village in Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region on Tuesday.

Regime casualties were unknown. The junta forces recently burned down more than 100 houses in the village.

Military motorboat ambushed in Sagaing

Two regime forces were killed and three others injured in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday when two resistance groups ambushed a military motorboat carrying 15 regime soldiers on the Chindwin River, said Dragon Brother Task Force, which coordinated the attack.

The regime forces were on their way to reinforce a junta base in a village that was being attacked by other resistance groups.

After being ambushed, the motorboat was stranded on a sandbank. After reinforcements arrived at the resistance ambush site, the vessel was freed from the sandbank, turned around and headed back to where it had come from.

Clash erupts on river in Sagaing



Combined resistance groups engage in a clash with military motorboats in Salingyi Township on Wednesday. / Hero Fighter

A 30-minute firefight broke out on the Chindwin River in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday night when at least five resistance groups attacked two junta motorboats carrying 60 soldiers, said Hero Fighter, a local revolutionary group that joined the ambush.

The junta motorboats were returning to Monywa after transporting rations to Amyint Village. Military casualties were unknown. There were no resistance casualties.

Police station attacked in Sagaing

A junta policeman was killed and another injured in Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region on Wednesday when resistance forces attacked the police station in Zee Gone Village, said Kyunhla Activist Group, a media wing of local resistance groups, on Facebook.

The police base is under the control of regime forces.

Junta patrol ambushed in Mandalay

Three junta forces including pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members were killed in Madaya Township, Mandalay Region on Wednesday when Pyin Oo Lwin District PDF Battalion 1 ambushed regime forces patrolling in the township on 10 motorbikes, said the Defense Ministry of the civilian National Unity Government (NUG).

Regime forces bombed in Mon

Kyaikhto Revolution Forces said it and two other resistance groups including the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), used a drone to drop a bomb on regime forces stationed in a cemetery in Kyaikhto Township, Mon State on Tuesday, injuring five soldiers.

The junta forces were notorious for extorting money from civilians passing by the base.

The previous day, the resistance groups used drones to drop three bombs on regime forces guarding a telecom tower in Ingabo Village in the township. Military casualties were unknown.
The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) has emerged as the strongest resistance group fighting the Myanmar military regime in Kayah (Karenni) State.

Kayah State has only seven townships and a population of just 300,000 people. But despite being the smallest state in terms of size, Kayah has become a major stronghold of armed resistance against the junta.

Geographically, Kayah State borders Naypyitaw, the administrative seat of the junta generals. The KNDFs rapid growth in a short period has made it a thorn in the side for generals in Naypyitaw.

Establishment of KNDF

The KNDF was born out of Kayahs anti-coup public protest committee, formed after the February 2021 military takeover. Following the brutal military crackdown on peaceful protests, the committee decided to take up arms against the regime. Protesters started to undergo military training in the first week of March 2021, according to the KNDFs manifesto.

The Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) was established on April 9, 2021. The KSCC consists of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs), lawmakers elected in the 2020 general election, political parties, civil society organizations, youth and womens organizations and experts based in Karenni State. The stated purpose of the KSCC is to form a Karenni national government, provide guidelines for the executive, legislative and judicial branches in Karenni State, and collaborate with the National Unity Consultative Council and the civilian National Unity Government.

Four battalions were formed under the name of the Karenni State Army (KSA) in the first week of May 2021. The KSA carried out its first attack on junta forces in Demoso Township. New resistance groups emerged in Karenni State following the attack. With political guidance from the KSCC, the KSA and other resistance groups combined into the KNDF on May 31, 2021.

The KNDF is led by Khun Be Du, the former chairman of the Kayan National Party. He also serves as vice-chair of the recently formed Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC).

Commander-in-chief of the KNDF is Major-General Aung Myat, who is also chief of the Karenni Army (KA), the armed wing of Karenni National Progressive Party. The KA provides military training for the KNDF.

Political stand

The KNDF considers Karenni State to comprise of todays Kayah State, Moebye, Pekon and Paunglaung in southern Shan State, and mountains in the east of Naypyitaws Pyinmana, and to the north of Leiktho in Karen State. The KNDF has publicly declared its intention to unify these areas as Karenni State.

The KNDF supports federalism, or power-sharing between the Union and state governments with self-determination and self-administration for ethnic states.

Khun Be Du, in his address to mark the 2nd anniversary of the KNDF on May 31, said the group would continue to collaborate with the NUCC, the NUG and its parliamentary wing, the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).

We have to reject military rule and build an administration that represents Karenni people. It is a tough challenge to achieve political objectives by military means. But there is no other option except to fight the junta administration with arms, said Khun Be Du.

After the Spring Revolution succeeds in ousting the junta, the KNDF will serve as the armed forces of Karenni State under the constitution of a future federal Union, according to KNDFs manifesto.

The states Interim Executive Council was established on June 6 this year. It will manage the state and oversee cooperation among its different anti-regime forces for the duration of the revolution, it announced.

KNDFs combat capability

Although the KNDF was only formed two years ago, it has become the strongest and largest armed group in Karenni State.

While the KA, which has trained the KNDF, has only 3,000 troops, the KNDF now boasts 22 battalions with over 7,000 troops.

Although the KNDF has not publicly revealed its weaponry, the majority of its troops fighting on the front line are armed with automatic rifles, according to a source familiar with the matter. The KNDF has solicited donations from the public to purchase machine guns.

The KNDF has also received military training from the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Karen National Union, as well as material assistance from three other EAOs  the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Arakan Army, and Taang National Liberation Army.

KNDFs membership spans various ethnic groups and religions, and the group has won respect from the old, powerful EAOs.

It has fought over 1,000 clashes with regime troops in Kayah State and southern Shan State over the past two years. Most of the fighting has taken place in Kayahs Demoso, followed by Shans Pekon Township. The KA has also joined the KNDF in fighting the regime. The clashes have yielded nearly 600 weapons seized from regime forces, the groups say.

They have also seen a total of 2,065 junta soldiers killed, while the KNDF has suffered 153 fatalities, according to the KNDFs report on two years of fighting. It said that 152 civilians also died in the clashes.

The juntas administration currently functions only in the Kayah State capital of Loikaw, while Demoso, Hpruso and Bawlakhe are deserted with only regime troops and their families living there, according to the report.

I believe we will achieve a significant military victory in 2023, and I urge KNDF comrades to work harder, Khun Be Du declared recently. We are grateful to the people. We need to prevent racial and religious hate speech. We will provide more helmets and bulletproof jackets to protect our comrades.
Friday, Jul 7th, 2023 (1:27 am) - Score 2,736

Approximately 30 customers of GoFibres (BorderLink) alternative full fibre broadband network in Scotland (e.g. Stonehaven) have been left to suffer internet connectivity problems for several days. The ISP has accused one of their legacy connectivity suppliers of being responsible  something the supplier strongly denies.

In case anybody has forgotten. GoFibre currently plan to deploy their gigabit-capable Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) network across 500,000 premises in the North of England and Scottish Borders area by around the end of 2025, which is being supported by a huge investment of 164m from Gresham House (here).

However, some of the operators earliest customers, in Stonehaven, recently began informing us that theyd been left without broadband connectivity since Monday (3rd July). Customers were then informed, via email on Wednesday, that this was because one of our key suppliers suddenly went into liquidation, and this has now been identified to be the cause of your service outage.

Extract from GoFibres Customer Notice In order to rectify the service outages, we have deployed our civil engineering team and fibre installation team to build a separate infrastructure that will provide you with your service going forward. Our engineers have been working tirelessly throughout the day and during the nights to get this network build complete and I am pleased to let you know that we are now at a point where we can schedule the final build of this network. We will be scheduling the final works for Friday 7th July between 12pm  2pm. During this time, you will have complete loss of connection while we switch the remaining infrastructure over to our new build. We completely understand your frustration at these issues and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused during this time.

After digging a bit deeper, ISPreview was informed by GoFibre that the company involved in the liquidation is Scottish ISP Caleycom, which tends to serve North East Scotland and also offers its own mix of fixed wireless access and full fibre broadband plans. The company details for this business confirm the status of being in liquidation, but Caleycom has denied that the outage was caused by them (more on that below).

A Spokesperson for GoFibre said: We can confirm that less than 30 GoFibre customers in a part of Aberdeenshire have experienced disruption to their broadband speed as a result of one of our small legacy connectivity suppliers, Caleycom, going into liquidation. We were already in the process of upgrading the network from G-PON to XGS-PON in the area and removing the need for the leased line connection, so this is now being accelerated and is due to be completed this week. No other customers are expected to be impacted across GoFibres network. Customers affected have been informed that the final works for the upgrade are scheduled for Friday 7th July between 12pm and 2pm. During this short time, customers will experience a loss of connection while the remaining infrastructure is switched over to the new build. We do apologise for any inconvenience.

The hope is that all will go well today and customers will then be back fully online by the mid-afternoon. Customers of the new service typically pay from 36 per month for a 100Mbps package on a 24-month term with an included wireless router, which rises to 69 per month for their top 1000Mbps plan. The latter also comes with a bonus Wi-Fi extender (this can optionally be taken on other plans for just 5 per month extra).

UPDATE 8th July 2023 @ 6am

ISPreview has since received feedback from both Caleycoms former network engineer and their new owners, Converged Rural Broadband, both of which have disputed GoFibres claim.

According to the feedback, Caleycom were indeed placed into Liquidation, but were told this was a planned move and all assets, customer contracts and staff have reportedly been successfully transferred over to the new entity. The rapid pace of the change lends credibility to this.

According to Caleycom, GoFibre did not hold a formal contract (informal arrangement) with them for supply of the relevant circuit and were informed, as far back as April 2023, that it was the last remaining connection on their legacy backhaul network and would be withdrawn this summer  followed by several reminders.

However, the relevant circuit is allegedly said by Caleycom to still be live (traffic is flowing over it) and has not been cut off, which suggests that this might not be the direct cause of GoFibres connectivity woes in the village. Caleycom states that, thus far, GoFibre have not reached out to them for support during the outage.

A Spokesperson for Caleycom said: Caleycoms assets have been bought to form: Converged Rural Broadband Limited, and no services/customers have experienced any outages whatsoever in relation to this change. All services continue as before. Notification is being issued to customers (but some details regarding direct debits had to be clarified first which is almost complete). GoFibre have not reported any issues to Caleycom/Converged Rural Broadband Limited in regards to this purported issue.

At the time of writing, were still waiting to hear back from locals as to whether Fridays work has restored the service.

UPDATE 10th July 2023 @ 11:39am

Weve had an update from GoFibre.

A GoFibre spokesperson said: We can confirm that our customers who were experiencing disruption to their broadband connection in Aberdeenshire last week, are now back up and running as of Friday and are connected directly to GoFibres XGS-PON network now. Were picking up with Converged Rural Broadband Limited directly.

UPDATE 13th July 2023

Converged Rural Broadband Limited state that theyve yet to hear from GoFibre.
Friday, Jul 7th, 2023 (8:00 am) - Score 3,528

Alternative network provider and UK ISP LightSpeed Broadband, which recently announced job cuts and a slowdown of their plan to reach over 1 million premises across the East of England with a gigabit-capable full fibre (FTTP) network by 2026 (here), has been acquired by Kompass Kapital for an unspecific sum.

Just to recap. LightSpeed previously secured an investment of 60m from the Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund in 2021 (here), which was on top of the 55m they got before that from AtmosClear Investments, Kompass Kapital and Thesaurium. The funding enabled the operator to start building across parts of 32 towns, such as Boston, Bourne, Braintree, Clacton-on-Sea, Market Deeping, Skegness, Spalding, Stamford and more.

In April 2023 the operator informed us that they were now approaching 320,000 enabled premises, although after some prodding, we learnt that only 120,000 of those were actually considered Ready for Service (i.e. live and connectable by customers). But independent data from Thinkbroadband had, at the time, so far only been able to uncover around 35,000 RFS premises covered by their network, which is an unusually big gap.

However, as part of that same update, the ISP also revealed that some of their 125 strong team had been notified of potential redundancy and the operator would slow their rollout. But its time for a re-organisation to reflect the fact that we are slowing the network build rate and focussing our resources on supporting our customers and launching new services. We recognise that reorganisations are always difficult. The detailed plan is not yet complete, but it is likely that the headcount reduction will be greater than 19 staff, said a spokesperson.

As weve reported before, several other builders of new full fibre networks  even some of the largest players  are currently known to be struggling due to a combination of issues, such as rising costs (build, leases etc.), aggressive competition from rivals (e.g. overbuild) and the related need to secure a viable level of take-up by consumers. Such issues have a tendency to dampen the appetite of investors, slow builds and put pressure on jobs.

The good news today is that one of LightSpeed Broadbands original backers, Kompass Kapital, has acquired 100% of the share capital from the Atmosclear Investments Group, which gives them an overall controlling stake in the business. As part of this transaction, Kompass Kapital has also committed an unspecified amount of new capital to the business, which will be utilised to develop and expand their network and ISP offerings.

Bradley Berger, Managing Partner of Kompass Kapital, said: LightSpeed has exceptional leadership, best-in-class management, and wonderful professionals across the organisation. We have a great deal of confidence in our team and are excited about the opportunity ahead and the role we can play in the UK digital infrastructure space.

Graham Bell, Company Director, added: LightSpeed is thrilled to welcome Kompass Kapital as controlling equity stakeholder. With this new investment, LightSpeed is poised to accelerate its growth trajectory whilst remaining committed to providing reliable and affordable full fibre broadband services to its valued customer base. Finally, we extend our gratitude to Atmosclear Investments Group for their invaluable support during their tenure as our shareholder. Their contributions have played a significant role in shaping LightSpeeds journey thus far.

The deal represents good news for LightSpeed, which should at least enable them to continue building, although at the time of writing it remains unclear how this might impact their existing coverage target and future pace of build. Much will depend upon precisely how much additional investment Kompass is willing to push into the business, since theyll need a fair bit more funding in order to reach 1 million premises, assuming thats still the aim.
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In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the Jacksonville State University Police provide information on crimes statistics, crime prevention, law enforcement, crime reporting, and other related issues for the past three calendar years.

JSU does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the educational programs or activities that it operates. JSU is required, by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Department of Education regulations to implement Title IX, not to discriminate in such a manner. This requirement to not discriminate in educational programs and activities extends to employment by the university and to admission thereto. Questions regarding Title IX and the implementing regulations should be referred to JSUs Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of Education for Civil Rights, or to both.
Thats good news for those of us who oppose giving that one definition the force of law.

Georgia Recorder )  The battle over a controversial definition of antisemitism that forbids criticism of Israel has taken a new turn in Georgia and the rest of the country, thanks to the Biden administration.

Supporters of a Georgia bill intended to fight antisemitism have been pushing a measure that codifies the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances non-legally binding working definition and 11 examples of antisemitism.

It passed the House and never reached the Senate floor this year but there is a good chance it will be picked up in January.

Georgia lawmakers fighting the scourge are now politically center stage.

The high-profile demonstrations by an antisemitic group in front of synagogues in Macon and East Cobb, the dissemination of anti-Jewish flyers in Georgia neighborhoods and the increase of antisemitic acts across the country demand action.

The Biden administrations detailed National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, rolled out in May after input from 1,000 stakeholders, just changed the focus on defining antisemitism.

IHRA isnt the only definition to help enforce law and policy, the strategy says. It is no longer the only game in town.

There are several definitions of antisemitism, which serve as valuable tools to raise awareness and increase understanding of antisemitism, the strategy said.

The most prominent is the non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism adopted in 2016 by the 31-member states of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), which the United States has embraced. In addition, the administration welcomes and appreciates the Nexus Document and notes other such efforts.

Supporters of IHRA wanted the Biden administration to exclusively cite the definition it supports and are upset that it didnt. Many supporters are pleased the IHRA definition was mentioned and included.

But for those of us on the liberal side, we think it is wise that the administration favors consulting all available views in combating the hatred of Jews. We can argue about the meaning of the word prominent, used to describe IHRAs status. It just might mean, simply, well known, which IHRA appears to be.



Chabad of Cobb was the scene of neo-Nazis waving swastikas and shouting antisemitic statements June 24. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder

Im a member of the Georgia chapter of J Street, the D.C.-based liberal pro-Israel group. We oppose the codification of IHRA.

We and the Progressive Israel Network, an umbrella group in which we are members, believe that a couple of the 11 IHRA examples focus too much on Israel and could be used to stifle political speech regarding Israel and the occupied territories.

It is undeniable that critics of Israel can sometimes cross the line into antisemitism and must be held accountable when they do, J Street said in a statement after the strategy was released.

But refocusing the fight against antisemitism on defining as a matter of law what is and what isnt appropriate criticism of Israel, while surging rightwing antisemitism is endangering the lives of American Jews, is dangerous and irresponsible.

In my opinion, other definitions of antisemitism are meaningful and detailed and should be consulted along with IHRA.

Georgia legislators and Jewish leaders choosing to rely on law that hangs its hat solely on IHRA are not doing the problem justice.

Other definitions include the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism, the Nexus Document and Truahs Very Brief Guide to Antisemitism. They embody the spirit of the new strategy and I hope lawmakers read them carefully. They are useful tools for the public because they clearly define what is and what isnt antisemitism.

I was thinking about alternatives to IHRA when reading about the neo-Nazi demonstration in East Cobb.

One news report said the protesters signs in East Cobb said, Every Single Aspect of [a particular topic] is Jewish, with the topics including abortion, the media, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and elected officials.

The administrations strategy understands this antisemitic thought pattern, that a conspiracy theory is the basis of hatred against Jews. While many American Jews identify as a vulnerable minority group, especially as antisemitism surges, Jews tend to be assailed for having too much privilege or too much power. This is a persistent feature of antisemitism: It rests on a conspiracy theory.

That is a more relevant and understandable view with accessible wording, unlike the cloudy IHRA working definition of antisemitism: Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.

People who have embraced Nazism and white nationalism such as those who demonstrated in East Cobb and Macon are usually unreachable. People who decided to march several years ago in Charlottesville, for example, are probably set in their ways.

But millions of our friends and neighbors are there to be educated. The antisemitism strategy laid out by the Biden administration calls for understanding, teaching, learning and outreach and it has been embraced across the board.

Lets use all the tools we have to fight this scourge, not just one of them.
My relentless efforts failed in convincing my family to leave me behind, to continue my trouble-seeking profession and my duty to guard the house. Every conversation ended with a phrase reminiscent of military leaders in Hollywood war movies: We will depart together, leaving no one behind.

As the echos of gunfire and artillery drew nearer to our home near the Halfaya Bridge that connects Khartoum and Omdurman, a prime target for the warring factions, the final decision was made: We will all leave. We were fully aware that the road is fraught with dangers, requiring us to traverse the blazing Khartoum from its northernmost point to its southern end before reaching the state of Gezira.

The journey

We distributed canned food and leftover vegetables from our home to a few neighbors who chose to stay behind, despite a significant decline in food supplies and the severed access to drinking water. We asked them to keep an eye on our house as much as they could. My wife recited verses from the Quraan, seeking protection and hoping it would still stand tall when we return.

After bidding our farewells, we embarked on a journey on foot towards the bridge, which had transformed into a hub for evacuating residents out of the capital, a stark departure from what we had always known it for: a center for transporting passengers between the cities of the capital: Bahri , Omdurman , and Khartoum.

Amidst the chaos and the frantic rush, alongside hundreds of others seeking to flee, we managed to secure three seats on a passenger bus bound for Madani, the capital of Gezira State.

Our foremost challenge at that moment was to pay the cost of the journey. The banking system had stopped, rendering it impossible to access the modest savings that remained from my March salary, which had evaporated between Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

Following a prolonged discussion, my wife reluctantly sold our wedding ring, rejecting the notion of selling my phone or laptop, both of which were indispensable for my work and communication with the outside world.

The ticket price for the journey to Madani skyrocketed to SDG 30,000 (50 USD) a significant increase from the previous cost of SDG 3,000 to 4,000 (5 to 6.6 USD) until 14 April. The vehicle owners justified the price hike by citing fuel scarcity and unsafe roads. However, all the passengers knew that this was the business of crises.

The exchange rate for the 1 dollar reached SDG 600 in official bank transactions on Thursday, April 13, only 48 hours before the outbreak of the war.

The bus, alongside dozens of public and private vehicles, maneuvered through the asphalt side roads within the city of Bahri. The streets were littered with burnt cars and bloated corpses. Hemedetis soldiers could be seen wandering on foot or riding in armored vehicles.

As we traveled, we observed the desolate streets of Al-Halfaia and Shambat, devoid of any signs of life, except for a few passersby. Fear was palpable on their faces as they focused on securing water for their families because the damage had affected water and electricity networks.

The most harrowing sight I witnessed, even darker than the war itself, was when we traversed the industrial area that housed prominent local factories and branches of commercial banks. Widespread looting and extensive destruction had ravaged the area, leaving behind a landscape of utter chaos and despair.

As the fires continued to rage, we witnessed cars, motorcycles, carts, and people  men, women, and children  scrambling to carry whatever they could. Belongings, furniture, cooking gas cylinders, and even empty barrels were hoarded in the absence of any government presence and amidst an unprecedented state of chaos.

It is undeniable that Sudan has endured a significant depletion of food and medicine supplies. Essential grain mills have been destroyed, and food production factories are out of service. It is highly probable that owners of these establishments will refrain from reopening them, fearing additional losses due to the militarys reckless actions and fascist criminal behavior that has unfolded.

As we ventured into the region east of the Nile, we encountered a heavy presence of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) patrolling the main streets. Surprisingly, a number of citizens moved about, visiting bakeries and shops as if it were an ordinary day.

Throughout the journey, there was a notable absence of government or army presence. We only saw the RSF and their checkpoints set up on the main roads. The checkpoints displayed a significant level of leniency, merely inquiring about the drivers destinations before allowing them to pass. At least that was the case during our passage. However, horror stories circulated about incidents of car thefts, stolen phones, and even killings occurring at security checkpoints.

When we arrived in Soba, southeast of the capital, we met the last military presence. RSF vehicles were positioned at the entrance of the citys main bridge over the Blue Nile. A deep sense of joy washed over us, akin to the joy that one can imagine engulfed members of the US diplomatic mission upon leaving Iranian airspace during their successful escape from the occupied US embassy in Tehran in the 1980s.

A glimmer of hope

We left Khartoum in search of security, but we were burdened with profound concerns for the future of a nation shaped by the military, where criminals and profiteers roam freely.

The grim image etched into our minds remains unrelieved, even with the sight of villagers gathering between the states of Khartoum and Gezira. They selflessly distributed food and drinks to those fleeing the war, offering their homes, especially to those lacking money or relatives outside the capital.

State crises

Sudanese states, including Gezira, are witnessing a notable influx of migrants from Khartoum, resulting in a substantial rise in apartment and housing prices. This situation has created fertile ground for opportunistic brokers who seek to profit from the plight of displaced individuals.

Brokers have also made an appearance in the fuel and commodity trade, queuing up with their vehicles at operational stations to buy gasoline, a strategic commodity, for less than SDG 3,000 (5 USD) per gallon only to sell it on the black market for SDG 30,000 (50 USD). As a result, transportation fares have surged within the region and between states. Furthermore, all food products have experienced a substantial price hike in the markets due to growing demand and limited supply.

The issues extend beyond the economic realm, with a severe shortage of electricity and frequent disruptions in the internet network.

Love despite all the ruin

Previously, I had yearned to escape Khartoum, burdened by the overwhelming presence of armies and armed factions. The citys population was brimming with politicians, looters, thieves, and crisis merchants. However, now I find myself longing to return to it, driven by nothing more than the realization that I love this city, even in its recent state of ruin.
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Eau Claire, WI (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  United States presidents have repeatedly waged wars with tacit congressional approval and distorted narratives at the expense of citizens political participation in the political process and to the detriment of their first amendment rights. the seemingly popular support for such interventions is constructed and deprives millions of citizens of critical facts and information pertinent to making sound judgments about the countrys use of coercive actions, including overt military interventions. The foreign policy establishments false narratives legitimize U.S. military interventions and suffocate the freedom of speech of millions of citizens through a disconnect between the governed and the governors, albeit in no apparent violation of the First Amendment.

The country has been engaged in numerous foreign direct and indirect conflicts and wars since the end of WWII, and especially since the end of the cold war. Yet, the United States democratic political system and the guaranteed constitutional rights of the people have not translated into engaging the public in a constructive debate over and the conduct of US military interventions abroad. The First Amendment to the US Constitution partly proclaims that Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press. The U.S. Supreme Court further ruled on March 3, 1919, that the freedom of speech protection afforded in the U.S. Constitutions First Amendment could be restricted if the words spoken or printed represented to society a clear and present danger. Despite this supposed protection, dissident narratives are often sidelined by government spokespersons and a sycophantic corporate news establishment. Public opinion seems unable to have a serious impact on foreign policy in either opposition to or in support of peaceful settlement of conflict with other states.

Academic research findings demonstrate the American public is overall less interested in foreign policy unless it has an immediate impact on peoples livelihoods. The United States spends hundreds of billions of dollars in its annual national defense budgets, and its military interventions abroad have a drastic impact on peoples lives both here in the homeland and in the targeted countries. Public opinion changes as the extent and the duration of US involvement and the home-front political climate change. Public opinion surveys show support for continued engagement after the initial support, but it declines as military intervention drags on. A decline in public opinion support occurs as the public comes to question the human and financial cost and wisdom of military operations abroad. A Democratic-Republican divide over US involvement in Ukraine after prolonged failed interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria reflects the current political divide in America.

A 2017 CATO study classifies American public opinion on foreign intervention into restraint, interventionist, and in-between categories. The restraint constituency which cuts across party lines and represents roughly 37 percent of the public stands in contrast with an interventionist constituency, which only represents about a quarter of the public and supports much more aggressive efforts to promote American interests abroad. Since neither constituencys core followers represent a majority, the deciding voice between intervention and restraint in foreign policy debates belongs to the 40 percent of the public that falls somewhere between the two camps. Public opinion can shift in either direction, depending on the extent of public awareness and engagement.

This article contends that a contributing factor in the United States bellicose foreign policy is the absence of input into the foreign policy decision-making process by an informed public opinion. The publics sentiments on war and peace remain vastly reactive and susceptible to opinion shapers and influencers. In 2010, a poll found that 70 percent of Americans believed Iran already had nukes (the CIA assesses that it does not even have a nuclear weapons program, only a civilian enrichment capability). In 2021, 60 percent still believed in the existence of Iranian nukes, with another 23 percent of Americans claiming that they did not know. Only about half of the respondents in the 2021 poll even knew that Israel had nuclear weapons. In other words, more than four-fifths of the public [did] not know the correct answer to a simple question about a matter of fact on one of the most high-profile foreign policy issues of the last 15 years. Foreign policy commentator Daniel Larison wrote in 2021, That is what decades of misinformation and propaganda will get you.

The demonization of the enemy is a proven strategy used to galvanize public opinion in support of policy. British journalist Louis Allday (Ebb Magazine, 3/15/22), compiled a list of instances where Western journalists and officials have compared foreign leaders to Hitlerwith Hitler sometimes coming off better in the comparison. Hitler-like leaders include Libyas Muammar Gaddafi, Egypts Gamal Abdel Nasser, Iraqs Saddam Hussein, Yugoslavias Slobodan Milosevic, Syrias Bashar al-Assad, and even Cubas Fidel Castro. As Farhang Jahanpour argues, there is indeed a long history of demonization of Middle Eastern leaders, before invasion and regime change.

The George H. W. Bush administration claimed its 1991 military campaign against Iraq was in place to protect Saudi Arabia, and not attack Iraq. The administration claimed that Iraq had over 250,000 troops in Kuwait ready to attack the Saudis. The reporting by the St. Petersburg Times in Florida, however, showed there was only a force of about 20% that size in the country. The US-led, UNSC-sanctioned military operation to push Iraqi troops out of Kuwait instead involved the extensive bombing of Iraq itself, destroying key public health infrastructure, the and the deaths of thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilians. The crippling of water purification plants led to excess infant mortality. Little thought was apparently given by Washington to how it would extricate itself from the turbulent Gulf in the aftermath. The subsequent twelve years of UN and US sanctions had disastrous consequences for the Iraqi civilian population. Having been drawn into a prolonged military presence in Saudi Arabia, the site of the two holiest Islamic shrines, the United States became a target of increased acts of terrorism on the part of Muslim radicals.

The US public was not informed that the US campaign in Afghanistan after the September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda attacks would result in a twenty-year occupation of that country that would leave thousands of innocent civilians dead and hundreds of billions spent on high-powered bombing runs that proved impotent in defeating the Taliban. Would a reasoned public debate on ways of responding to the small terrorist group, al-Qaeda, that did not involve attempting to rule a country of 34 million for two decades have forestalled the hasty errors of the Bush administration?

The invasion of Iraq came in 2003, resulting in more than 210,000 Iraqi civilians and 4,500 US soldiers killed, and chaos and instability gripping the whole region. The claim that Iraq possessed Weapons of Mass Destruction or had ties with al-Qaeda proved baseless propaganda. American public was misled throughout the campaign to legitimize the invasion. The security concerns engendered by the 9/11 attacks in 2001 contributed to decision to go to war, though in later years the Bush administration attempted to cover up this exercise in naked aggression as a project of democratization. The project failed.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Al Jazeera English: 

How the US invasion shaped Iraq | Start Here

The strategic mistake of going to war with Iraq resulted from President George W. Bushs miscalculation that the transition to a US-dominated stability in the aftermath of the invasion would be relatively easy. The neoconservative vision failed to take account of Iraqi culture and society and underestimated the influence of Iran. The war in Iraq drew resources away from the US attempt to repress radical Sunni fundamentalism. Iraqs Shia domination and Irans rising power have given Iran an edge in Iraq. On the 20th anniversary of the US- and British-led invasion of Iraq, the New York Times continued to dedicate itself to a waffling narrative, one that writes out most of history and opts for a message of its complicated to discuss the disaster it cant admit that it helped create.

In 2023, the public has come weary of American adventurism abroad in the name of democracy promotion and/or humanitarianism. 2023 survey results defy the liberal, neoconservative narratives in justification of US military interventionism in the name of American unilateralism and democracy promotion. The survey shows the publics strong desire to avoid military intervention in the name of democracy. When asked to name the top five most important foreign policy issues facing the United States, terrorism was first with 49% mentioning the issue. (This was despite no serious attacks on the homeland since September 2001!) The same survey finds upholding democracy globally was mentioned only 14% of the time in prioritizing public opinion interest in intervention, favoring multilateralism and less US intervention. On the question of multilateralism or stability versus unilateralism in U.S. foreign policy, almost 70% favor multilateralism or stability. Very few, only 17% wanted a unilateral approach.

Why does the American public continuously support US foreign military interventions while remaining ignorant of or disinterested in foreign relations, and despite the values and principles enshrined in the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Freedom of speech and expression implies access to facts and awareness in making sound judgments. Conversely, constructed narratives based on selective, half-truths and partisan journalism mean narrow views and self-censorship, resulting in false conclusions. The American public is being failed by its smug and manipulative foreign policy elites and by news corporations that act as their echo chamber.

One survey finds that Liberal Democrats and conservative Republicans are more knowledgeable than others. We recognize that public interest in and knowledge of foreign affairs varies according to the level of education, gender, age, party affiliation, and ideology. Still, viewed in its entirety, American public opinion matters and helps justify continuous US military intervention abroad. The role of public opinion makers, including the media, in the formation of public opinion is antithetical to democracy and the 1st amendment rights of informed citizenry enshrined in the US Constitution.

Ali Abootalebi is Professor of Middle Eastern and Global Politics in the Department of Political Science, the University of Wisconsin, UWEC. He is the author of Islam and democracy: State-Society Relations in Developing Countries, 1980-1994 (Garland, 2000), coauthored with Stephen Hill, Introduction to World Politics: Prospects and Challenges for the United States, 2nd ed. (Kendall Hunt, 2018), edited, Global Politics Reader: Themes, Actors, and Issues (Cognella Publishing, 2019), and numerous articles on Iran, Arab Politics, Civil Society and Democracy and U.S. foreign policy.
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By Tamsin Bradley, University of Portsmouth | 

Watching and hearing the horrifying reports of violence and savagery in Sudan, those of us working to end violence against women and girls immediately become concerned about how it will inevitably spill over into sexual violence. As recently as July 5, a report from the UN highlighted the conflict-related sexual violence against internally displaced and refugee women and girls forced to flee for their lives.

Since fighting broke out in Khartoum and spread across the country in April, the reports emerging from Sudan have been shocking. In mid-June, Reliefweb reported: Since April 15, the number of people in need of gender-based violence services in Sudan has increased by over 1 million to 4.2 million people.

As noted in the UN report, those most vulnerable are the internally displaced moving to try and cross borders. Humanitarian agencies are struggling to respond.

Article continues after bonus IC video

Sudan conflict: 125,000 refugees have fled to Chad, 90% are women and children  FRANCE 24 English

On June 9 alone the UN reported 12 verifiable instants of sexual violence affecting 37 women. Three of these cases involved young girls.

The full picture of this current surge in extreme violence against women and girls is likely to be even more horrific. Adjaratou Ndiaye, the UN Women representative in Sudan, has reported that in Darfur, western Sudan  where the Janjaweed militia that was to become the Rapid Support Force (RSF) involved in the current conflict developed  mass rapes are once again being committed.

And both sides  the government-backed Sudan Armed Forces and the RSF  are involved in these atrocities against women.

Gendered identity

This violence against women in war is in some ways an extension of Sudans patriarchal social structure. Its vital to understand the gendered dimension of Sudans social and political structures, which leave women and girls largely powerless outside the home and subservient within it.

Sudanese national identity is highly gendered, shaped by a discourse that draws heavily on an ideal of women as exemplars of culture and morality.

Symbols of women as mothers and nurturers are central to the moral fabric of Sudanese society and indeed to its stability. Strict gender codes exist to ensure women conform to this role and violence is thereby seen as legitimate.

Until the regime of Omar al-Bashir was overturned in 2019, Sudanese women were subject to strict codes of conduct and dress. The Public Order Act of 1996 imposed conservative Islamic social codes which restricted womens movement, work and study. Women could be imprisoned or flogged for seemingly trivial transgressions  such as wearing western-style jeans.

Women building power

Despite this history of gender inequality in Sudan, there is a rich history of womens activism and a network of womens organisations who work at a grass-roots level to empower women and girls. This often undocumented dimension to Sudanese society needs to be recognised internationally and supported as a critical mechanism in countering the rising levels of violence against women and girls.

Change to the underpinning norms that sanction and excuse violence against women can only effectively be challenged by women themselves. Women and girls need to be supported as change agents and not reduced to passive victims. The growing womens movement in Sudan is important in this process.

The iconic image that emerged from the 2019 revolution that toppled al-Bashir was of Alaa Salah, a 22-year-old student, who became known as Sudans statue of liberty.

But groups of women meeting in each others homes had been at the forefront of the movement that toppled al-Bashir. Sudanese Women in Civic and Political Groups  or Mansam as they became known  gave a voice and image to the many women who wanted to challenge the entrenched patriarchy in Sudan.

Meanwhile, a growing network of young female Sudanese writers is challenging gender stereotypes for a growing audience, both inside and outside the country. But they too have to combat the patriarchal attitudes that pervade the countrys publishing industry and many choose to publish their books abroad initially.

There is a patriarchal mentality that prevails throughout Sudanese society, and an extremely high sensitivity toward what female authors are writing about, especially when it seemingly contradicts societal values, Ann el-Safi  who lives and writes between the UAE and Canada  told Words Without Borders in 2020.

Her sentiments were echoed by veteran novelist and cultural critic Zeinab Belail who said: Writing about sex or religion is still forbidden for women. There are red lines that as a female writer youre not even meant to approach. To do so brands you a heretic, a rogue, someone who has no appreciation for literature.

Tragedy at Ahfad

The Ahfad University for Women  a private, non-sectarian university in Omdurnam, close to the capital Khartoum  was founded in 1966, with the aim of raising generations of women to assume social leadership.

The university has more than 5,000 students and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to PhD level. As its website states:

The universitys philosophy is to prepare women to assume greater roles in their families and communities, and in the nation as a whole. To that end, the university enrols women from all over Sudan and prepares them to be proactive change agents and leaders.

But there were recent reports not of the destruction of the campus during the violence, accompanied by the rapes of young female students as they hid, terrified in their dormitories. This was depressingly predictable.

The Ahfad University campus has been destroyed by militia groups. The lack of respect afforded to women and their human rights in general is yet again reflected in the brutal realities of conflict.

Tamsin Bradley, Professor of International Development Studies, University of Portsmouth

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
TORONTO, July 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Orford Mining Corp. ("Orford" or the "Company") (TSXV: ORM) is pleased to announce that it has closed $1.34 million, the second and final tranche of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"). The total raised on the two tranches of the Offering is $3.27 million. The second tranche closing included (i) 1,072,797 "Critical Minerals flow-through" units ("CMFT Units") at an issue price of C$0.248 per unit, (ii) 3,472,797 "Flow-through" units ("FT Units") at an issue price of C$0.215 per unit, and (iii) 2,499,233 million "Hard Dollar" units ("HD Units") at $0.1305 per unit, for gross proceeds of $1,338,853 from the sale of CMFT Units, FT Units, and HD Units. Each CMFT Unit, FT Unit and HD Unit consists of one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant. Each whole common share purchase warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company for a period of two years at an exercise price of $0.22. Alamos Gold (AGI-TSX) participated in the financing to maintain its pro rata holding of approximately 26.18% of Orford's outstanding common shares.

Orford is currently using the net proceeds from the Offering to explore its exploration properties in the Nunavik region of Northern Quebec, in particular its Qiqavik Gold project summer 2023 RAB Drilling program and its summer 2023 Nunavik Lithium inaugural exploration program but the net proceeds will also be used on its Joutel Eagle project in Northern Quebec, and for general corporate purposes. The South Gold Zone on the Joutel Eagle property in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Northern Quebec is intended to be the focus of a 2024 winter geophysics and drilling program. The Qiqavik project represents what Orford believes is a new gold district discovery in the Cape Smith Belt of Northern Quebec. The Joutel Omega properties are in the Joutel area of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Northern Quebec.

Finders received compensation in respect of a portion of the second close of this financing consisting of an aggregate of $19,497 in cash.

The securities issued under the second tranche of the Offering are subject to a hold period expiring on November 7, 2023.

Certain directors and officers of the Company and Alamos (an insider of Orford) purchased securities pursuant to the Offering. Such purchases constitute a "related party transaction" as such term is defined by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The transaction will be exempt from the MI 61-101 valuation and minority approval requirements for related party transactions in connection with the Offering under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involves the Related Parties, exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

About Orford Mining Corporation

Orford Mining is a gold and critical mineral explorer focused on highly prospective and underexplored areas of Northern Quebec. Orford's principal assets are the Qiqavik, West Raglan and lithium exploration projects comprising a land package totaling over 111,000 hectares in the Cape Smith Belt of Northern Quebec. The Qiqavik Project hosts several new high-grade gold discoveries along a mineralized trend in excess of 40 km. The West Raglan Project hosts a number of high-grade Raglan-style nickel/copper/platinum group metal discoveries along a 55 km mineralized trend. In early 2023 Orford acquired large claim blocks targeting lithium in the Nunavik Region. These lithium claim blocks have been carefully selected as having promising lithium potential after an exhaustive compilation of available data. Orford also has four property positions in the Joutel region of the Abitibi District of Northern Quebec, which hosts historical deposits such as the Eagle/Telbel, Joutel Copper, Poirier Copper, and Vezza deposits. Orford continually seeks new gold exploration opportunities in North America. Orford's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ORM. This information from neighbouring properties is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on Orford Mining's properties.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the exploration potential of its mineral properties.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Orford to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: future prices and the supply of metals; the results of drilling; inability to raise the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the properties; environmental liabilities (known and unknown); general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; or delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain regulatory or shareholder approvals. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to Orford's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Although Orford has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward- looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and Orford disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - July 7, 2023 - ESGold Corp. (ESGold or the Company) (CSE:ESAU) (Frankfurt:N2W) (OTC:SEKZF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andre Gauthier to the companys board of directors as an independent director effective immediately.

Mr. Gauthier has over 47 years of experience in the Mining Exploration field and has worked in over 35 countries. His work experience includes entities such as: SOQUEM, Falconbridge Ltd., Noramco and Cambior Inc. Mr. Gauthier was president of Maxy Gold Corp. (China), INCA Pacific Resources Inc., Lara Exploration Ltd., and Gold Holding Ltd. Mr. Gauthier also served as a Director of Vena Resources Inc., Maxy Gold Corp, Lara Exploration Ltd., Western Union Peru, and Gold Holding Ltd., and from March 2015 until 2018, he served as interim Managing Director and CEO of Gold Holding Ltd., headquartered in Dubai (UAE). He has a BSC in Geology Eng. and MSC from UQAC (Chicoutimi, Quebec) and is active member and leader of many mining and professional organizations (Canada, Peru, UAE, and China).

Mr. Gauthier was also involved in many Gold and Copper discoveries and acquisitions, namely, Lac Shortt (Canada), La Arena (Peru), Anabi (Minaspata) (Peru), Luchun (China); Metates gold (Mexico), La Granja copper, La Virgen gold (Peru) and Pachon copper (Argentina). He was also involved in the creation of the Lima Venture Capital Exchange (part of BVL) and Gold Holding Ltd. Since 2020, Andre has been leading Eval Minerals, his private company involved in mineral investments and advisory services.

Mr. Therien, CEO of ESGold Corp., stated, Mr. Andre Gauthier is a well-seasoned mining expert, and I am honored that he has accepted to join as a member of our Board of Directors. Andres mining expertise will provide a new perspective while we continue to advance the Montauban project from development stage into commercial operations.

About the Company

ESGold Corp. is a Canadian environmentally aware resource exploration and processing company. Management has demonstrated expertise in advancing gold exploration projects into acquisition targets, most notably in the province of Quebec. ESGolds principal restoration and recovery project is the Montauban property situated in Quebec, just 80 kilometers west of Quebec City. The Company has also entered into a joint venture agreement to determine the presence of recoverable metals in the Ottawa River, consistent with ESGolds commitment to environmental recovery solutions.

Pour une traduction francaise de ce communique de presse, veuillez visiter notre site Web a www.esgold.ca.

For more information on ESGold Corp. please contact the Company (+1 514-712-1532) or visit the website www.esgold.ca for past news releases, 3D model of the Montauban processing plant, media interviews and opinion-editorial pieces. To keep up with what's going on with ESGold please join our shareholders chat room on telegram: https://t.me/+SQeyLoDRjIAwMDVh

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

ESGold CORP.

Jean Yves Therien

Chief Executive Officer

John Stella

Investor contact

Tel: +1 514-712-1532

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This press release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements with respect to the Company's exploration and development plans. The words "will", "anticipated", "plans" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking information.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.




COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Timberline Resources Corporation (OTCQB:TLRS; TSX-V:TBR) ("Timberline" or the "Company") today announced results of its 2023 Annual General Meeting of Stockholders, held on June 29, 2023, in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. Proxies were solicited under the proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2023.

The issued and outstanding shares at May 1, 2023, the date of record, totaled 159,676,152 shares, Total shares voted at the meeting were 64,224,133, or 40.22%. The Company received approval for all proposals submitted to stockholders as follows:

Proposal #1 To elect the nominees to Timberline's board of directors to serve until Timberline's 2024 annual meeting of Shareholders or until successors are duly elected and qualified: For Withheld Leigh Freeman 31,599,962 21,663,240 Patrick Highsmith 33,476,979 19,786,223 William Matlack 49,340,123 3,923,079 Donald McDowell 46,257,979 3,923,079 Pamela Saxton 50,170,279 3,092,923 Proposal #2 To ratify the appointment of Timberline's independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 For 64,084,961 Against 66,380 Abstain 72,792 Proposal #3 To conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation For 51,473,340 Against 1,314,784 Abstain 475,078 Proposal #4 To conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation frequency proposal (1) 1 year 8,385,051 2 years 358,980 3 years 43,924,495 Abstain 591,676

Proposal #4 was approved with a recommendation for a frequency of 3 years for advisory votes on executive compensation.

About Timberline Resources

Timberline Resources Corporation is a Nevada based exploration company with its flagship gold-silver property in the Eureka District. The Eureka property includes the historical Lookout Mountain and Windfall mines in a total property position of approximately 27 square miles (70 square kilometers).

Near the northern end of the Battle Mountain - Eureka Trend, the Company also jointly holds the Paiute Project with Nevada Gold Mines. Timberline also controls the Seven Troughs Project in northern Nevada, which is one of the state's highest-grade former gold producers.

In total, Timberline controls over 43 square miles (111 square kilometers) of mineral rights in Nevada. Detailed maps and technical materials for the Company's projects may be viewed at http://timberlineresources.co/.

Timberline is listed on the OTCQB where it trades under the symbol "TLRS" and on the TSX Venture Exchange where it trades under the symbol "TBR".

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Patrick Highsmith"

President and CEO

Tel: 208-664-4859

Forward-looking Statements: Statements contained herein that are not based upon current or historical fact are forward-looking in nature and constitute 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. Such forward-looking statements reflect the Company's expectations about its future operating results, performance and opportunities that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to risks involving forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in the Company's business and other factors, including risk factors discussed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2022. Except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revisions to any 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) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
An Israeli court on Thursday acquitted a police officer of recklessly killing an unarmed Palestinian man with autism in Jerusalem's Old City.

Iyad Hallak, 32, was shot dead in May 2020 while walking in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, after officers mistook him for an armed assailant.

The Jerusalem district court said the defendant was "acquitted" of "reckless homicide", in a decision decried by Hallak's mother as "injustice".

The officer standing trial "made an honest mistake thinking he was dealing with an armed terrorist who posed a real danger", the court said, noting he had expressed "remorse" for his fatal error.

Hallak's family had said he had the mental age of an eight-year-old, and witnesses said he panicked after being shouted at by police.

Hallak had aroused the suspicion of officers as he milled close to a border police position near Jerusalem's Old City, the court said in its decision.

The officers approached him and yelled at him to stop, causing Hallak to run away, the court added.

The defendant joined the chase and another officer shot towards the Palestinian's legs but missed, the court found.

Hallak then entered an alley, where the defendant shot and hit him in the leg.

Hallak then stood up and pointed at a woman he knew who had rushed to the scene, prompting the defendant to fatally shoot him in the chest.

His mother, Rana Hallak, told AFP after the verdict was pronounced: "My son is now in the grave and his killer is relaxing and going out and having a good time, and this is a particular injustice."

"(Iyad) created a special atmosphere within the family," she added, sitting beside portraits or her son.

The officer was charged over Hallak's killing in June 2021.

Israel's justice ministry said the previous October that he had not followed police rules for opening fire, and that Hallak had "posed no danger to police or civilians at the scene".

At the time, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas called Hallak's death a "war crime" and an "execution", while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a "tragedy".

His funeral drew thousands of mourners, while online hashtag #PalestinianLivesMatter echoed the fury of mass protests against police violence and racism in the United States.
Six Rohingya refugees were killed in Bangladesh relief camp clashes that broke out hours after an International Criminal Court prosecutor visited the settlements to gather testimony, police said Friday.

Bangladesh is home to around a million members of the stateless minority, most of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown in neighbouring Myanmar that is now subject to a genocide probe at the UN court.

This week's violence was the latest in a series of deadly clashes between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation (RSO), two rival insurgent groups operating in the camps.

Faruq Ahmed, a spokesman for the Armed Police Battalion that looks after security in the refugee camps, told AFP that five people had been shot dead in a gunfight before dawn on Friday.

"All five who were killed in the gunfight are members of ARSA including a commander," he said, adding that security had been stepped up in the camps as a result.

Ahmed said that the violence came hours after the murder of Ebadullah, a refugee community leader, apparently at the hands of ARSA members.

Local daily Prothom Alo said Ebadullah, 27, had been marshalling refugees to meet with ICC prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan, who visited the camps on Thursday to record statements from witnesses to the 2017 crackdown in Myanmar.

ARSA did not immediately comment on the killings, but its members have been accused of targeting Rohingya civic leaders who challenge its authority.

Its leader, Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, was last year charged in absentia with the 2021 murder of popular peace activist Mohib Ullah, a regular critic of the insurgent group's activities in the camps.

Jununi and other key ARSA leaders are also accused of murdering a senior Bangladeshi intelligence officer last November.

The murder prompted security forces in January to evict a makeshift settlement on the Myanmar border that ARSA had allegedly used as a staging post for methamphetamine trafficking to fund its operations.

Dozens have been killed in Rohingya camp clashes so far this year, including women and children.

Khan, the ICC prosecutor, told reporters in Dhaka that neither Ebadullah's murder nor the other killings were linked to the court's work.

"This has nothing to do with the ICC or anything else," he said.

Since the court's genocide probe began in 2019, "there has not been one incident that has come to our attention... of any individual being targeted because of the ICC or any perceived or actual involvement in the ICC", he added.

- 'Speeding things up' -

Khan said he was working to expedite the court's probe into abuses against the Rohingya but his task had been hampered by restrictions on travel to Myanmar.

"That has quite a bit of difference on the ability to document, collect evidence and verify what took place," he said.

"I am not promising anything next year. All I am promising is we are speeding things up."

Funding cuts forced the United Nations food agency to cut rations to refugee settlements twice this year, with aid workers warning that the move would likely worsen the already precarious security situation in the camps.

Bangladesh and Myanmar have renewed efforts to begin repatriating Rohingya refugees to their homeland, where the stateless minority have been subject to decades of persecution and are denied citizenship.
On July 3, a new centre for gathering evidence on the Russian political and military leaderships crimes linked to the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has officially started its work in The Hague, The Netherlands. This is an epoch-defining moment, said Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andriy Kostin at the press conference for the launch of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression (ICPA).

This new institution is an unicum in international law. It is the first international effort to investigate the crime of aggression after the Second World War and it is operating as the war in Ukraine still wages. As a first step that could lead to a special tribunal prosecuting the crime of aggression, it is supposed to help fill a gap in international law. There is no international court that can currently investigate this crime in the context of the war in Ukraine, even though a key principle in the charter of the United Nations is to prohibit the unilateral invasion and annexation of another country. The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) has had jurisdiction on the crime of aggression since 2018, but it cannot prosecute it when the states involved are not parties to the court. And Russia is not. Hence the push by Ukraine and some of its allies to have a new court created.

The new ICPA is hosted by Eurojust, the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation. Besides Ukrainian justice officials, the centre is supported by the European Union, the United States, and the ICC. The crime of aggression is mother to all war crimes, said president of Eurojust Ladislav Hamran at the press conference. By investigating it they will address a very important impunity gap, he added.

Centralising and storing evidence

This is a very positive step, said Gaiane Nuridzhanian, associate professor at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Coordination of efforts is very important in ensuring accountability for different international crimes that are being committed in Ukraine, she added. Holding accountable those who are responsible for starting and waging this war and those who committed atrocities during the war is very important for people in Ukraine, said Nuridzhanian.

Ukrainian prosecutors have already started working at Eurojust, said Kostin in a tweet the day after the launch. Besides Eurojust current prosecutors it is expected that about 20 others would join from different countries, according to Hamran. The new centre will function as an investigative mechanism. It will centralise and store evidence in the database of Eurojust. The evidence will be analysed in order to find and fill possible gaps. National prosecutors in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, who are already working together in the Joint investigative Team for Ukraine, will be at the forefront of gathering probes. The ICC and the US have also committed to contributing information. Once a robust dossier is created, it would be ready to be sent to any national or future international court.

What kind of court?

Kostin said that Ukraine has already convicted 20 Russians in absentia for the crime of aggression, and 600 more were notified of suspicion. But at the national level limitations remain when going up the ranks of the political and military leadership. A countrys president, prime minister and minister of foreign affairs have personal immunity in national jurisdictions, explained Nuridzhanian.

Generally, national courts also have to face political issues. It is a fairly widespread belief among states and the academic community that it is not a good idea for a country to be prosecuting another one for the act of aggression, said Kevin Jon Heller, Professor at the University of Copenhagen, Centre for Military Studies. Ukraine, as the victim state, has every moral right and clear jurisdiction to prosecute aggression in its national courts, Heller said. But this can be politically problematic and have repercussions. For this reason, aggression is really the kind of crime that needs to be prosecuted in some international forum whether international or internationalized, he said.

These two options have divided the international community since the debate started in February 2022. Ukraine wants an international tribunal supported by the United Nations and its Generally Assembly, as Kostin made clear at the press conference. The crime of aggression committed by Russia against Ukraine is the crime against global peace and security and to fill in the gap in international law we need an international response, he said. But to do that he needs broad international support.

Instead, the United States and the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the US) seem to favour an internationalised tribunal. On July 3 in The Hague, US Assistant Attorney General Kenneth Polite expressed his countrys support for an international tribunal rooted in Ukrainian law but that includes concepts of international law. European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders said that the discussion on it will continue among countries of the G7.

The cooperation of the ICC

I think the writing is on the wall that if there is going to be any kind of tribunal it will be an internationalized one, Heller believes. A fully international court is not getting the support of many states, which consider it cumbersome, expensive, and time consuming, said Heller, adding that some also asked why there would be a tribunal for Ukraine and not for other victims of acts of aggression.

In the future, the ICC should have the jurisdiction over the crime of aggression, said Nuridzhanian. But at the moment the situation in Ukraine put into spotlight the deficiencies of the ICC jurisdiction when it comes to this crime. For the ICC to be able to prosecute the crime of aggression in this case it would require amending the statute of the court. Reynders expressed his hope that such amendment be made. The natural home for the crime of aggression is the Rome statute, echoed the ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, who said that some states already seemed willing to table some amendments. But changing the ICC statute is a political hard sell and will take time and tough negotiations. In the meanwhile, the ICC said it will therefore cooperate with the new ICPA.

Hamran pointed the focus back onto the centres work. We have a huge amount of evidence which is available in different jurisdictions, he said. He mentioned videos, aerial photography, intercepted communication, mobile phones data, and so on. Never in history weve had more evidence about the aggression. And it requires a huge effort to collect and analyse all this material.

Proving criminal responsibility

Another big challenge ahead, said Hamran, is making sure all evidence is admissible and all elements of the crime are properly documented. There are, in fact, two components to this crime, explained Heller. First, you have to find a state act of aggression and that is easy because this was a completely unprovoked invasion involving hundreds of thousands of troops, he said. Second, you have to find evidence to show who is criminally responsible for these acts. That means showing that the person was in a leadership position and could directly control the military or political decisions of the state. And then you have to find that a group of individuals in fact participated in the planning, preparation, initiation or waging of the act of aggression, Heller said. Those are the murkier parts.

It will not be easy to build aggression cases for a large number of people, Heller stressed. Evidence might be easy to find for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Michail Misustin, Foreign Minister Sergej Lavrov, and the highest ranking generals. But for many others getting the evidence to prove individual responsibility is more difficult mostly because there is no evidence outside of Russia, said Heller. All the evidence for aggression is locked in filing cabinets and archives inside of Moscow.
Son Ye Jin went from chic to fashion goddess as she joined Hollywood stars and icons for Paris Fashion Week 2023.

Together with Emma Chamberlain, British actress Naomi Ackie, "Little Women" star Florence Pugh, and more, the South Korean superstar attended Valentino's Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show. There, she knew exactly how to capture everyone's attention with her dazzling beauty and effortless charm.

Son Ye Jin Fashion 2023: Actress Stuns in Menswear for Paris Fashion Week 2023

Before the start of Valentino's Fall/Winter 2023-2024 show, the South Korean actress showcased a head-turning outfit. Serving as one of the luxury fashion brand's global ambassadors, Son Ye Jin stole the spotlight by donning a head-to-toe Valentino outfit.

As seen in Harper's Bazaar Singapore's post, the 41-year-old beauty never fails to impress the crowd with her fashion choices, but this time, she went bold and experimental, sporting menswear.

At the much-awaited fashion event, all eyes were on her as she rocked a stylish outfit, combining a white shirt with a black tie, a trendy black jacket, and a short skirt.

The actress showed her modern take on power-dressing by wearing a white embroidered button-down shirt and adding a black tie.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Unbothered Queen' Son Ye Jin Makes Update Following Divorce Rumors

Interestingly, she finished the look with statement pieces like the trendy menswear jacket, and a short skirt from Valentino's Fall/Winter 2023- 2024 collection.

Over social media, people praised Son Ye Jin's unique style and mentioned how stunning she looked in a black and white ensemble.

Moreover, one user pointed out how the award-winning South Korean star have been mastering the art of black-tie look through the years.

#SonYeJin just keeps getting better. Mastering this black-tie look through the years. 



Can't help but think that Hyun Bin has been with her all this time... as his special friend, girlfriend and wife. pic.twitter.com/lAZcJ6WJng  Mel Ty  (@MelTy39247706) July 6, 2023

Lastly, one of the interesting highlights of Son Ye Jin's visit to Paris is her series of interviews in English.

To recall, the actress made headlines after being spotted in her first public appearance since giving birth. On July 4, the actress arrived at the Incheon International Airport to attend an exclusive invitation for Valentino's Paris Fashion Week 2023.

As expected, Son Ye Jin exuded timeless beauty as she departed for Paris in a chic outfit.

She wore a longline tweed blazer, paired with a simple white shirt and black skirt, and capped off the look with Valentino studded high heels.

What's Next for Son Ye Jin?

After having a remarkable 2022, Son Ye Jin seems like she is taking things slow especially with her personal life.

Following her dreamy wedding with Hyun Bin in March 2022, the celebrity couple welcomed their first child, a healthy baby boy, in November.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Ahn Bo Hyun amassed fans around the world for his portrayal of the stoic yet charming hotelier in the new fantasy romance series "See You In My 19th Life."

In real life, Ahn Bo Hyun is just as lovely as his character Moon Seo Ha. Because of that, fans can't help but to fall for the Hallyu superstar.

Here are some of Ahn Bo Hyun's must-watch works that you can check out while waiting for new "See You In My 19th Life" episodes. Read to know more.

'My Name'

The Netflix series "My Name" is an espionage drama headlined by Ahn Bo Hyun and Han So Hee, which marks the two actors' best work so far.

It depicts the risky life of a young woman whose conman father was killed by the authorities. To learn more about his father's demise, she goes on an undercover mission, infiltrating the police.

"My Name" offers a plethora of genres including action, revenge and romance. In particular, Ahn Bo Hyun and Han So Hee's love-making scene is certainly a moment you don't want to miss.

'Yumi's Cells'

Originally released in 2021, Ahn Bo Hyun and Kim Go Eun's "Yumi's Cells" remains as the most highly rated work in Hallyu up until this writing.

It's a workplace romance series that focuses on a woman's life as controlled by her brain cells which control her decisions, feelings and how she interacts and presents herself.

With the drama's feel-good elements and gripping premise, "Yumi's Cells" won over the hearts of millions of viewers around the world. It even received a new season due to public demand.



'Military Prosecutor Doberman'

Ahn Bo Hyun also took on the challenge to star in the 2022 legal drama "Military Prosecutor Doberman" with Jo Bo Ah.

It marks the actor's first ever military prosecutor role which gave the viewers a refreshing catharsis and perception of struggles and conflicts inside the military court.

Although it's packed with action stunts, it's a drama that can't be passed up. A must-watch work that will make you fall for Ahn Bo Hyun even more.

'Itaewon Class'

Last but not the least is the internationally acclaimed romance drama "Itaewon Class" which was led by Park Seo Joon and Kim Da Mi.

It tells the avenging story of a young man who plans to take down the empire that wrongfully imprisoned him and killed his own father.

"Itaewon Class" is a memorable work for Ahn Bo Hyun as it marked the actor's first ever villainous acting role as well as his breakthrough drama since his debut. In addition, it's a highly rated series that is loved by viewers all around the world.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
Lee Junho's onscreen partners Lee Se Young and YoonA had a fierce competition as they both topped the Female Star Rankings.

Who's No. 1?

YoonA, Lee Se Young Make It To Female Star Rankings - Who's No. 1?

Lee Junho's former and current leading ladies, Lee Se Young and YoonA, won the hearts of many as both made it to the top five of the Female Star Ranking Poll.

In a report cited by a media outlet on July 6, the results of the voting period, beginning June 15 to June 29, was revealed.

YoonA entered the list and was quick to occupy the second spot with a total of 1,996 votes from fans. Thanks to her small-screen comeback through JTBC's "King the Land," the idol-actress' influence expands.

Her co-star and current leading man, Lee Junho, is also receiving explosive attention as they headline the ongoing rom-com series.

Lee Se Young, on the other hand, has topped the rankings for 11 consecutive weeks now, with a total vote of 7,851!

The actress continues to be popular among Koreans even after she concluded her drama "The Law Cafe," alongside Lee Seung Gi. Lee Se Young is Lee Junho's former onscreen partner in the record-breaking MBC series "The Red Sleeve."

Her chemistry with the idol-actor also brought success to their historical-romance drama in 2021, and even gave them the ticket to take home big awards.

Park Eun Bin Joins Lee Se Young & YoonA in Female Star Rankings

Joining them on the Female Star Ranking Poll is none other than the award-winning actress Park Eun Bin. The "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" main protagonist stood in third place with 1,206 votes.

The star ranking is a poll in which fans directly choose their favorite star and determine the final lineup.

The celebrities will receive countless perks depending on the results of the final voting. An example of this is if a star secures No. 1 for a month, the artist will be featured in outdoor electronic advertisements.

What's Next for YoonA, Lee Se Young, & Park Eun Bin

YoonA will host the Blue Dragon Series Awards 2023 again, alongside Jun Hyun Moo. She is also creating a buzz with Lee Junho through their drama "King the Land."

Lee Se Young is in talks to headline MBC's "Park's Contract Marriage Story," where she will join forces with "Under the Queen's Umbrella" actors Bae In Hyuk and Yoo Seon Ho.

Park Eun Bin is also returning with a romance-comedy series "Diva of the Deserted Island." She will reunite with "Hot Stove League" co-star Chae Jong Hyeop.

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Following the announcement of the release of tvN's "My Lovely Liar," K-Drama darling Kim So Hyun, who's making her much anticipated comeback, dished out on her new acting role.

She also hinted at the work's key points that fans shouldn't miss during its premiere. Read on to know more.

Kim So Hyun Wows Fans With 'My Lovely Liar' Transformation

A brand new set of photos of Kim So Hyun were released to tease the prospective viewers of the forthcoming fantasy mystery drama "My Lovely Liar."

The 24-year-old actress returns to the limelight as a "liar hunter" in the series. Kim So Hyun plays the role of Mok Sol Hee, a young woman who has the ability to detect lies.

Since she gained her supernatural powers, she has lost faith in other people who have ill thoughts and tendency to lie to gain personal pleasures.

In the newly released photos, Mok Sol Hee is introduced as the world's one and only human lie detector. Her job is to serve the Truth God and sort out the truths amongst the lies.

From attending parties to hiking steep mountains, Mok Sol Hee doesn't hesitate to do her best in order to help other people out in finding the truth.

Although she has become a complete cynic after being able to hear people's lies, Mok Sol Hee looks extremely disappointed and hurt in one photo as her senses are heightened not to trust others.

Apart from her internal dilemma, Mok Sol Hee boasts an enchanting visual that makes clients from around the country entrust their lives and future to her.

Attention is given to Kim So Hyun's much awaited return as well as her onscreen chemistry with leading man Hwang Minhyun.

Kim So Hyun's Raw Thoughts On New Acting Role Revealed

Right from the get-go, Kim So Hyun has fallen in love with Mok Sol Hee. The South Korean star is known for her meticulous and perfectionist side as an actress.

With that, many were surprised when she confirmed her participation in the work without inhibitions right after reading the script.

"Mok Sol Hee is a fearless young woman who bears heavy responsibility and mission," Kim So Hyun reasoned. "Her personality really appealed to me."

According to the actress, she was left in awe after learning that Mok Sol Hee didn't see her abilities as a nuisance but instead used it to make a living to survive.

Kim So Hyun described her role as "a sensitive person who keeps people at a safe distance to free herself from the pain."

With that, the actress admitted that she had a hard time keeping her character cold and reserved outside but possesses a thawed heart inside.

Kim So Hyun guarantees a well-decorated romance drama that will keep viewers entertained with its jam-packed narrative and nuanced characters.

Catch "My Lovely Liar" this July 31 at 8:50 p.m. KST on tvN. It will also be available on Viki with English subtitles.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Lim Ji Yeon Boasts Allure As Detective In New Drama 'The Killing Vote'





KDramaStars owns this article.

Written by Elijah Mully.
The donor community has asked the government to partner with faith-based institutions in its efforts to eliminate corruption.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) head of Mission in Uganda, Mr. Richard Nelson, says it baffles him that Uganda has a lot of churches across the country, which portrays a high degree of spirituality but corruption has continued to plague the country.

He says corruption is a global problem, and over 1.2 trillion US dollars is lost every year in developing countries due to corruption, and in Uganda, 2.5 billion US dollars is lost every year, to corruption-related cases.

Nelson was addressing government officials and civil society organizations at the 4th Donor Round Table forum organized by TPO Uganda, an organization funded by USAID and committed to empowering communities affected by armed conflict and other natural and man-made disasters to meet their protection needs and to improve their livelihoods
Members of Parliament have demanded that a thorough audit be instituted to scrutinize the basis for the inflated costs of road construction projects within the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

The demand was made last evening after the Nakawa West legislator, Joel Ssenyonyi tabled the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) report on queries raised in the Auditor General for 2021/2022.

Ssenyonyi, also COSASE chairperson revealed that his committee took interest in the matter after it learnt that KCCA had quoted exorbitant rates for similar work for which the Ministry of Works was charged a lower rate.

Consequently, a section of lawmakers during the plenary sitting chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa demanded an investigation into the mess and recommended that it be cleaned up quickly.

As a result Deputy Speaker Tayebwa ordered an audit into the cost of all constructing roads done by KCCA.
Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) has mourned businessman Apollo Nyagamehe commonly known as Aponye as a unique figure in the business community. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Rukiga District died Thursday evening in a car crash in ltojo, Ntungamo District in western Uganda.

The accident occurred after the vehicle in which he was traveling rammed into a stationary truck along the Mbarara-Kabaale highway.

The driver and two other occupants were rushed to hospital after surviving the crash with injuries.

KACITA chairperson, Mr. Thaddeus Musoke, tells FM that the business community has lost a brilliant, hard-working man who could strategize and identify opportunities where others couldnt see them. He says Aponye will also be remembered as a man who liked to solve crises through dialogue instead of protests.

We are shocked because the way accidents take life is very shocking and sudden. Aponye was a very unique figure in the business community who championed a unique approach of handling challenges through dialogue, where he could strategize and identify opportunities where you could think theres none, Nagenda told KFM.

Nyagamehe owned a string of businesses under the name Aponye Uganda Limited with interest in real estate, supermarkets, transit transport, and produce.
By Bill Oketch & Charity Akullo

Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) candidate, Dr Eunice Otuko Apio has been declared the winner of Oyam North parliamentary by-election.

She won with 15,718 votes, about 49.12 percent of the total votes cast while her closest contender, Mr Samuel Engola Okello Junior of the ruling National Resistance Movemnet (NRM) polled 15,176, or 47.38 percent.

Total votes cast from 167 polling stations were 32,751, or 36.10 percent of the total registered voters.

There were 93,733 registered voters in eight sub-counties and town council that makeup Oyam County North Constituency. Spoiled votes were 37 while invalid votes were 755, or 2.31 percent. Read more
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CM BHAGWANT MANN LED PUNJAB GOVT ANNOUNCES TO REGULARISE AYURVEDIC COLLEGE STAFF



khaskhabar.com : Fri, 07 July 2023 9:17 PM

Patiala: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led Punjab Government on Friday announced to regularise the staff of Government Ayurvedic College, Patiala soon, said Punjab Medical Education and Research Minister Dr. Balbir Singh.

Directing to ensure the promotion of the college staff as per merit and rules, Dr. Balbir Singh said that though the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine (NCISM) had asked to shut the Ayurvedic College, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led State Government has not only kept the College open but will also regularise its staff. The state has decided to revive the institution which has been protecting the ancient treatment system of India, besides starting facilities of a pharmacy and hospital here.

Meanwhile, the Medical Education and Research Minister also visited the Government Medical College and Government Dental College to get feedback from the staff and students for further improvement of the functioning of these three prestigious medical institutions.

Dr Balbir Singh said that all these Government Colleges of Patiala will be turned into the leading Medical Colleges of the country, for which the Punjab Government has chalked out a strategic plan. He also assured the faculty and students that Punjab Government is soon going to advertise the vacancies at the Dental College.

Reforms are being brought into the health sector at a large scale to make the state Rangla Punjab, he said, while adding that the Punjab Government is striving hard to ensure state-of-the-art health facilities in the state.

While reviewing the construction plan for the new Trauma centre to be built with the cost of Rs 150 crores after demolishing the old Gynae building, Dr Balbir Singh said that it will be a boon for health facilities in Government Rajindra Hospital. The Health Minister also reviewed the boys and girls Hostels, faculty houses and Institute building, and directed the authorities to speed up the on-ground work.

Earlier, Dr Balbir Singh held a high-level meeting with senior officers to implement the plan made to rank the Government Medical College among the leading Medical Colleges in the country.

The Cabinet Minister said that the promotions of faculty are also in progress at the four institutions. He said that making the entire system transparent and efficient is the top priority of the government.
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On June 28, members of the Holohan family were invited to the Chilean Embassy in Dublin where they were presented with a posthumous award for their late brother.

Fr Liam Holohan (RIP) was born and reared in Marymount, Castlecomer. He was a member of the Mill Hill Fathers and served as a Parish Priest in Chile during the brutal Pinochet regime.

Due to his great ministry there standing up to the corrupt government which included being arrested for distributing greeting cards that wished Chileans a new year without torture. The people named a street after him, Avenida Holohan.

In Chile Fr Liam set up soup kitchens, provided youth ministry and tended to those most in need. He built a community centre and was involved in providing education and bringing Christianity in every respect and he built a place of worship. He strived to get young people involved in sport and recreation in a safe environment and stood up for the rights of the underprivileged.

He had a profound sense of social justice and worked tirelessly and courageously to serve the poorest and most vulnerable who were living in appalling conditions. Liam was so grateful for all of the support received from Castlecomer and afar as are all of the family.

In 2015, then-President Michelle Bachelet of Chile with the Human Right Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs awarded members of the international community with an award recognising their role in the advocacy for Human Rights during the dictatorship in Chile in the 1970s.

There were four Irish people to whom the award was given: President Michael D Higgins, Father Brendan Forde, Father Desmond McGillicudy, and Father Liam Holohan.

Unfortunately, at the time the effort to contact the three priests was not possible. In January 2016 there was a ceremony to give the award to President Higgins. In 2022 Pilar Gonzalez from the office of the Ambassador of Chile to Ireland contacted Fr Brendan and Fr Des and ultimately Kay Mulhall sister of Fr Liam Holohan (RIP).

Father Brendan who is working in El Salvador planned to visit Ireland in 2023. This provided the perfect opportunity for the Ambassador of Chile HE Ricardo Hernandez to present the awards and the ceremony took place at the Embassy on June 28.

Among the dignitaries were President Michael D Higgins and Archbishop Luis Mariano Montemayor, Papal Nuncio. Kay Mulhall (Nee Holohan) spoke on behalf of the Holohan Family.

I want to say on behalf of the Holohan family how honoured and grateful we are to the Chilean government to be here to accept this award for Liam. I know Liam along with our parents and sister Anne are looking down here this evening with big smiles on their faces, she said.

As most of you here are aware Liam died in September 2002 after a brave battle with melanoma at the age of 47.

Following his ordination to the priesthood in 1981 Liam received his first missionary post to Santiago, Chile and from the beginning he formed a very warm relationship with the people in the shantytown of Sara Garrido where he lived among them.

During his time there with the help of funds raised by the people of his hometown of Castlecomer and surrounding parishes they built a community centre.

He continued his missionary work there until he was sent to Washington for further studies but upon completion, he was refused a visa forre-entry to Chile. He was subsequently posted to Brazil, and it was while there that he first contracted his illness.

We later received word that there was to be a street named after Liam in Santiago. This happened in May 2003. I attended along with my mother, and it was one of the most beautiful and memorable times of our lives where I was proud to say Liam was my brother. I could now understand how Liam loved these people so much. I came away thinking these people have nothing, but they have everything.

They were so warm and welcoming, and they treated us as celebrities. To this day they mark Liams anniversary on 1st September each year and we are still in contact with them on a regular basis.
The first segment of the South-East Greenway is to be officially opened by Minister of State in the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, on July 25 at 11am.

This segment is the 6km Rosbercon to Glenmore stretch and the public will be able to access it through its entrance gates from early afternoon.

The greenway section includes notable landmarks such as the Pink Rock area and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Bridge.

Cllr Fidelis Doherty has welcomed the opening announcement, stating that 'the pieces of the jigsaw are finally coming together' in relation to the entire greenway project.

"We have a bit of a journey to go yet to get the entire greenway project completed but this stretch will provide a great and safe amenity for locals and visitors alike," she said.

"The local community are very excited about this opening and about the future opportunities that the greenway will provide across South Kilkenny.

"Greenway links to Glenmore and Slieverue are in the detailed design stage at the moment and they will be great boost to local community once the public have their say in the consultation phase.

"The community in Glenmore are excited at how the impact of the greenway can be harnessed to the benefit of the village and there are some exciting projects being talked about."

In other greenway news, the 5km stretch from Ferrybank to Curraghmore is hoped to commence construction in August and the contract duration is expected to be twelve months.

The Belmont Link Road project will incorporate the car park access to the greenway at Ferrybank.

Design and planning is ongoing, with construction expected to commence in late 2024.

It is anticipated to take twelve to fourteen months to complete construction.

Failte Ireland will be working on the heritage aspects of the greenway and working on an interpretation plan in the coming weeks.

Cllr Tomas Breathnach told Kilkenny Live that he is hoping that the county's railway heritage will be represented in the interpretation signage.

He is also hoping that signage will be added along the greenway route to inform users of the townlands that they are passing through.
Carlow-Kilkenny TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has continued to express concerns with the ongoing saga of poor water quality in North Kilkenny, where frustrated residents continue to have to boil their water before consumption.

Residents wrote to me complaining that the water quality is still no better after the lifting of the notices, she said.

One couple who told me they had built a new home within the past two years have paid roughly 5,000 for water and wastewater connection along with all associated contributions to the local authority but have not yet had a consistent clean supply of water during that time. My understanding is that Irish Water is not providing clear updates and it appears that the current supply has eroded pipes as the colour of the water can sometimes be musty.

The parents of a newborn baby who had to bottle feed for medical reasons told me they had to buy bottled water because they felt there was an issue with the water. They also told me that when they were bathing their baby, they thought the water colour was a bit off.
LONDON, July 7 (Reuters) - Investors globally ploughed more money into cash funds in the week to Wednesday, with total cash assets under management reaching a "monster" $7.8 trillion, according to a report from Bank of America (BofA) Global Research.

Inflows into cash funds totaled $29 billion in the week to Wednesday, while global investors also bought $13 billion of equity funds and $9.8 billion of bonds, BofA said citing figures from funds data provider EPFR.

Fears about a looming recession have kept many investors holding large cash positions throughout the first half of this year, even though the surprising resilience of the global economy has helped equity markets to rally sharply.

Among equity investment trends, weekly inflows into Japanese stocks stood at $8.9 billion, their fifth straight week of inflows, while U.S. large caps saw their largest inflow in eight months of $12.9 billion.

The BofA data captures flows in the week to Wednesday, before key U.S unemployment data on Thursday raised expectations that the Federal Reserve will resume rate hikes in July after June's pause.

The data caused a sharp selloff in which equity markets tumbled and short-dated bond yields on both sides of the Atlantic climbed past March levels to post-financial crisis highs.

"Financial conditions tightening again in early-Q3, keeps the 'higher-for-longer/hard landing' view entrenched," said BofA in the report, noting that a further tightening of financial conditions in the third quarter would create a great opportunity for investors to position for a hard economic landing.

Inflows into developed markets equities have for the first time since November 2022 trended higher than inflows into emerging markets equities, totaling $31 billion and $14 billion respectively over the last eight weeks.

The BofA "bull & bear" indicator, which measures market sentiment and is based on a series of technical market measures, remained unchanged, being more bearish than bullish at 3.2, where 10 is extremely bullish and 0 is the opposite.
HONG KONG, July 7 (Reuters) - Chinese authorities announced on Friday a 7.12 billion yuan ($984 million) fine for Ant Group, ending a years-long regulatory overhaul of the fintech company and marking a key step to concluding a crackdown on the country's internet sector.

China's central bank, which has been driving the revamp at Ant after the company's $37 billion IPO was scuttled in late 2020, said it would fine Ant 7.1 billion yuan, require it to stop operations of its crowdfunded medical aid service Xianghubao and compensate users.

The penalty amounts to one of the largest ever fines for an internet company in China.

Ant and its subsidiaries had violated laws concerning corporate governance and financial consumer protection, and participated in business activities that were supposed to be conducted by bank and insurance institutions, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said.

Next, the financial regulators "will focus on improving 'normalized' supervision levels of platform companies' financial businesses, and bring all kinds of financial activities under supervision," the PBOC said.

Ant said it had completed its rectification work. "We will comply with the terms of the penalty in all earnestness and sincerity and continue to further enhance our compliance governance." It closed Xianghubao in 2021.

Reuters reported earlier, citing sources, that Chinese authorities intended to unveil its fine on Ant as early as Friday.

Besides Ant, the Chinese authorities also announced they had fined Ping An Bank (000001.SZ), insurer PICC Property and Casualty (2328.HK), Postal Savings Bank (1658.HK) and Tencent Holdings (0700.HK) Tenpay, with Tenpay given a penalty of 2.4 billion yuan for committing violations in areas such as customer data management.

ALIBABA SHARES JUMP

U.S.-listed shares in Ant's affiliate, e-commerce titan Alibaba Group (9988.HK), rose 3.3% in premarket trading after the PBOC's announcement. Earlier in the day, its Hong Kong shares jumped as much as 6.4% after the Reuters report before giving up some gains.

Ant's penalty paves the way for the fintech firm to secure a financial holding company license, seek growth, and eventually, revive its plans for a stock market debut.

For the broader technology sector, the fine marks a key step towards the conclusion of China's bruising crackdown on private enterprises, that began with the scrapping of Ant's IPO and which has subsequently wiped billions off the market value of several companies.

Moves by the Chinese government to "finalise penalties, clarify its expectations, and draw clear compliance boundaries are key to stabilising private sector confidence," said Rukim Kuang, founder of Beijing-based Lens Consulting.

Jeffrey Towson, a partner of TechMoat consulting and host of the Tech Strategy podcast, said that Ant had a "fantastic" growth path going forward now that its regulatory issues, which mainly impacted its domestic payment and credit businesses, were resolved.

"Alipay+ is now going international. Ant's tech services business is also very well positioned for B2B contracts," he said.

FOLLOWS MA'S RETURN TO CHINA

Founded by billionaire Jack Ma, Ant undertakes payment processing, consumer lending and insurance products distribution, among other businesses. In mid-2020, before its IPO was pulled, it was valued by some investors at more than $300 billion.

Since April 2021, Ant has been formally undergoing a sweeping business restructuring, which includes turning itself into a financial holding company that would subject it to rules and capital requirements similar to those for banks.

The announcement of the fine comes soon after China's ruling Communist Party appointed central bank Deputy Governor Pan Gongsheng as the bank's party secretary, a move two policy sources told Reuters would be a prelude to appointing him governor.

He is one of the main regulatory officials overseeing Ant's revamp and has attended several meetings with the company about the fine and the revamp, according to the sources.

The National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), a new government body under the State Council, is now the primary regulator to grant Ant the license, sources familiar with the matter said.

The NFRA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. The PBOC did not respond to a request for comment on Pan's role.

The sources had earlier said that the fine on Ant had been revised to at least 8 billion yuan. Reuters reported in April that Chinese regulators were considering fining Ant about 5 billion yuan, a lower sum than what they initially had in mind.

Ant's fine is the largest regulatory penalty imposed on a Chinese internet company since ride-hailing major Didi Global was fined $1.2 billion by China's cybersecurity regulator last year.

Alibaba was fined a record 18 billion yuan in 2021 for antitrust violations.

Ant's penalty comes at a time Chinese authorities are keen to boost private sector confidence as the $17 trillion economy struggles to recover despite the lifting of zero-COVID curbs earlier this year.

It also follows the return to China of Ma earlier this year after spending many months overseas. Ma, who also founded Alibaba, withdrew from public view in late 2020 after giving a speech criticising China's regulatory system, an event widely regarded as a trigger for the crackdown on industry.

He previously owned more than 50% of the voting rights at Ant, but in January it said he would give up control of the company as part of the revamp.

($1 = 7.2439 Chinese yuan renminbi)
BEIRUT, July 7 (Reuters) - Deputy premier Saade Chami said on Friday deputy governors of Lebanon's central bank should run it if no governor is appointed by the end of the month, calling their threat to collectively resign "dangerous".

Longtime governor Riad Salameh's term expires at the end of July and one of the deputy governors told Reuters on Thursday they were considering quitting together if no successor is named, raising the possibility of the central bank being left leaderless amid a deep financial crisis.

Lebanon's breakdown in governance and political tensions have hamstrung efforts to find a successor to Salameh, whose 30-year tenure has been stained by charges at home and abroad of embezzlement of public funds in Lebanon. He denies the charges.

In a statement to Reuters, Chami said the deputy governors should "assume their responsibility in case this appointment is not possible...The threat of resignation implied by the statement is quite dangerous at this critical juncture."

Chami said Lebanons code of money and credit very clearly instructs the first deputy governor to assume the responsibility of the governor in case this position becomes vacant. One cannot pick and choose from the code of money and credit, he told Reuters.

The central bank leadership is appointed according to the sectarian power-sharing system that governs other top posts.

The governor must be a Maronite Catholic, while the four deputies - a Shi'ite Muslim, a Sunni Muslim, a Druze and an Armenian Catholic - must have the approval of the political chiefs representing their respective sects.

Some analysts wondered whether the resignation threat would push the political elite, which worked closely with Salameh for decades, to consider prolonging his tenure. Salameh has said he will leave when his term ends.

"The most likely scenario prompting such a statement is a push to extend Salameh's term," said Nabil Boumonsef, deputy editor-in-chief of Lebanon's leading Annahar newspaper.

"Otherwise, a full vacuum in the central bank leadership would bring the worst period of Lebanon's financial crisis yet. The deputy governors are playing Russian roulette," Boumounsef told Reuters.

One of the vice governors denied the letter was intended to prompt consideration of an extension for Salameh. Our letter was clear. We want the political class to do what is required and appoint a new governor, he said, declining to be named.

Some ministers including Chami said Salameh should quit after France issued an arrest warrant for him as part of a fraud investigation.

Many Lebanese hold Salameh responsible for the financial collapse, alongside the ruling elite. Salameh says he has been scapegoated for the meltdown, which followed decades of corruption and profligate spending by ruling politicians.

The economic meltdown has stripped the currency of about 98% of its value and crippled the banking system, freezing most depositors out of their savings.

The International Monetary Fun (IMF) says vested interests in Lebanon have hampered a financial reform programme that would have unlocked $3 billion from the global lender of last resort.
MUMBAI, July 7 (Reuters) - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is working on regulations that will be more "developmental" for financial technology, or fintech, companies, a deputy governor of the central bank said on Friday.

"We are working on regulations (that) would be specific to fintech entities and the fintech ecosystem," T Rabi Sankar said at an event in Bengaluru.

The central bank has been monitoring the fintech space lately to ensure financial stability and mitigate risks related to cybersecurity and prevent fraud.

The matter of whether regulatory intervention is required, and if so, how much intervention is necessary to provide adequate space for the industry to grow, are some of the things the RBI is working on, said Sankar.

The RBI is talking to fintech companies and any regulations in that regard will only be after "close consultation" with the industry, he added, without providing a timeline for the same.

Fintechs need to devote their attention to governance, compliance, business conduct, and adopting risk mitigation practices for long-term business stability, Sankar said, adding that any innovation should be "responsible and beneficial."
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(Kitco News) - Neo Magnequench, a division of Neo Performance Materials (TSX: NEO), announced today it has launched construction of the first rare earth magnet manufacturing facility in Europe.

The facility is designed to produce specialized rare earth permanent magnets for use in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other clean energy technologies.

According to a press release, Neo Magnequench officials recently broke ground on the facility in Narva, Estonia, which is strategically located near Neo Performance Materials existing rare earth separations plant in Sillamae, Estonia.

In Sillamae, Neo takes in rare earth feedstock from a variety of sources around the world  including the United States  and produces the high-purity magnetic rare earth oxides that will be converted in Magnequench's new plant into sintered neodymium-iron-boron magnets.

Sintered rare earth permanent magnets are used in a wide variety of technologies that increase energy efficiency, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and help enable the European Union's efforts to achieve carbon neutrality.

These magnets are especially integral to the drivetrains of the majority of electric vehicles manufactured today, where they increase the power and efficiency of the motors.

Other rare earth magnets made by Neo are used in electric motors in battery electric, hybrid electric, and conventional vehicles, as well as in electronics, water circulation pumps, high-efficiency home appliances, and many high-efficiency industrial applications.

Neo Magnequench currently plans to launch Phase 1 production in 2025, with a goal of producing approximately 2,000 tonnes/year of rare earth magnet block.

Importantly, Neo said that commercial discussions with customers of these magnets indicate demand in excess of Neo's Phase 1 plants, and the company is likely to expand to a Phase 2 production rate of 5,000 tonnes/year in the near future.
Get all the essential market news and expert opinions in one place with our daily newsletter. Receive a comprehensive recap of the day's top stories directly to your inbox. Sign up here!

(Kitco News) - Russias Ministry of Finance is reportedly looking to ban the circulation of crypto in the country as part of its efforts to decrease the size of the shadow economy in Russia.

According to a report from Frank Media, sources familiar with the matter said the Ministry of Finance has proposed a ban on the circulation of cryptocurrency in the country but has carved out exceptions for stablecoins and the sale of cryptocurrencies by miners.

The Ministry has already prepared amendments to its current law and the crypto-mining legalization bill that establish the exemption for crypto miners and stablecoins, sources told Interfax.

Currently, Russians are allowed to purchase, sell, circulate, and issue cryptocurrencies throughout the country. The ban that exists only relates to the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment for tax residents, as well as the advertising of payments using crypto.

The Ministry of Finance wants to introduce provisions into the current law and the crypto-mining legalization bill that would make it prohibited to organize the circulation of digital currency, with the exception of organizing the circulation of digital currency in terms of mining, including participation in a mining pool.

Russia has an advanced cryptocurrency mining industry due to the countrys vast energy resources and cold winter climate, but mining is not currently recognized as a legal form of business, which means it cannot be taxed.

Firms that would be most affected by the proposed changes are cryptocurrency exchanges and crypto ATMs, as they help facilitate the majority of crypto transactions that occur between Russian businesses and individuals.

Several law enforcement agencies have pushed back against the new proposal due to concerns that the wording is too broad and will lead to a ban on organizing the circulation of digital currency as a whole.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said that the definition of the organization of the circulation of digital currency should exhaustively reveal all the features of this process, while the Investigative Committee (SK) warned that the prohibition of cryptocurrency could lead to an increase in the shadow economy, provoke an increase in crime and fraud, and destabilize economic relations.

Russia introduced its crypto-mining legalization bill in mid-November in an effort to address the loophole that miners find themselves in when it comes to taxes. According to the text of the bill, cryptocurrencies may not be produced for settlement within Russia and are to be sold without the use of Russian infrastructure. The Bank of Russia modified the law to specify that the digital currency produced through mining should only be sold on foreign exchanges and only to non-residents.

While the Russian government has been hard-nosed about crypto payments within the country, it has actively encouraged the use of cryptocurrencies for cross-border transactions as a way to help skirt the Western sanctions put in place after the start of the Ukraine conflict.

In June, Russian megabank Rosbank announced the launch of a pilot program for cross-border payments using cryptocurrency, becoming the first systemically important Russian bank to launch such a service in the country.

Despite these efforts by the government to limit crypto accessibility, the asset class remains popular with the Russian citizenry as it allows them to have more control over their money amid the countrys economic challenges. During the recent Wagner Group coup attempt, the daily trading volume of USDT/RUB currency pairs spiked from an average of less than $2 billion to $8.53 billion, and the trading activity for BTC/RUB pairs spiked several days prior to the coup attempt, and remained elevated for several days afterward.
BEIJING, July 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on Friday for market reforms in China and criticized its recent tough actions against U.S. companies and mineral export controls, while China's premier called on her to "meet China halfway" and put bilateral relations back on track.

Yellen met with Premier Li Qiang on Friday during a visit to Beijing aimed at repairing fractious U.S.-Chinese economic relations, but made clear in her public remarks that Washington and its Western allies will continue to hit back at what she called China's "unfair economic practices."

Despite talk of U.S.-China economic decoupling, recent data show that the world's two largest economies remain deeply linked, with two-way trade hitting a record $690 billion last year.

"We seek healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time," Yellen told Chinese Premier Li Qiang in a meeting on Friday that the Treasury said was "candid and constructive."

China released a statement from Li calling for strengthened communication, consensus on economic issues and "candid in-depth and pragmatic exchanges, so as to inject stability and positive energy into Sino-U.S. economic ties."

"China hopes the U.S. will uphold a rational and pragmatic attitude, meet China halfway, and push China-U.S. relations back on track soon," Li's statement said.

It made no mention of recent semiconductor-related mineral export controls from both countries.

Yellen is due to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng -- her direct counterpart as China's top economic official -- on Saturday, a U.S. Treasury official said.

Yellen also spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham) after what a Treasury official called "substantive" talks with former Chinese economy czar Liu He -- He Lifeng's predecessor -- who remains a close confidante of President Xi Jinping. Yellen also met with departing top Chinese central banker Yi Gang.

Yellen and other U.S. officials are walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to repair ties with China after the U.S. military shot down a Chinese government balloon over the United States while continuing to push Beijing to halt practices they view as harmful to U.S. and Western companies.

Yellen said she hoped her visit would spur more regular communication between the two rivals, and said any targeted actions by Washington to protect its national security should not "needlessly" jeopardize the broader relationship.

U.S. officials have downplayed the prospects for any major breakthroughs, while highlighting the importance of more regular communications between the world's two biggest economies.

China hopes the United States will take "concrete actions" to create a favourable environment for the healthy development of economic and trade ties, its finance ministry said in a statement on Friday.

"No winners emerge from a trade war or from decoupling and 'breaking chains'," the statement added.

Li told Yellen a rainbow that appeared as her plane landed from Washington on Thursday offered hope for the future of U.S.-China ties.

"I think there is more to China-U.S. relations than just wind and rain. We will surely see more rainbows," he said.

U.S. companies in China hope Yellen's visit will ensure trade and commercial lanes between the two economies remain open, regardless of the temperature of geopolitical tensions.

AmCham President Michael Hart welcomed Yellen's "extra firepower" in pressing for changes in China's policies, and said her visit could pave the way for more exchanges at lower levels between the two sides.

"I think if there was another year of no visits by top U.S. government leaders, the market would get colder," he added.

POSSIBLE BIDEN-XI MEETING

The U.S. diplomatic push comes ahead of a possible meeting between President Joe Biden and Xi as soon as September's Group of 20 Summit in New Delhi or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering scheduled for November in San Francisco.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month and agreed with Xi that the mutual rivalry should not veer into conflict. Biden's climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit later this month, and the US Treasury believes climate finance is an area where Beijing and Washington can cooperate.

Yellen told the U.S. business executives a "stable and constructive relationship" between the two countries would benefit U.S. companies and workers, but Washington also needed to protect its national security interests and human rights.

Regular exchanges could help both countries monitor economic and financial risks at a time when the global economy was facing "headwinds like Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the pandemic," Yellen added.

At the same time, she said she would raise concerns with Chinese officials about Beijing's use of expanded subsidies for state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, barriers to market access for foreign firms, and its recent "punitive actions" against U.S. firms.

New Chinese export controls on gallium and germanium, critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors, were also concerning, she said, adding the move underscored the need for "resilient and diversified supply chains."

MARKET REFORMS

Yellen also took aim at China's planned economy, urging Beijing to return to more market-oriented practices that had underpinned its rapid growth in past years.

"A shift toward market reforms would be in China's interests," she told the AmCham event.

"A market-based approach helped spur rapid growth in China and helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. This is a remarkable economic success story."

Yellen dismissed the idea of decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economies, nothing that China's enormous and growing middle-class provided a big market for American goods and services. and stressed that Washington's targeted actions against China were based on national security concerns.

A Treasury official said the vibrant U.S. business community in China was "a living embodiment that we are not decoupling."

"We have no interest in decoupling. We've got lots of leading American firms who have had a very long history and are deeply enmeshed into the Chinese economy," the official told reporters.
GraniteShares Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund bought 4,650 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $452,000.

Several other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of PM. Fairfield Bush & CO. grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 1.1% during the first quarter. Fairfield Bush & CO. now owns 26,141 shares of the companys stock worth $2,456,000 after buying an additional 281 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 35.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 4,939 shares of the companys stock worth $463,000 after buying an additional 1,296 shares in the last quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 24.7% during the first quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 3,065 shares of the companys stock worth $288,000 after buying an additional 608 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 54.9% during the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 525 shares of the companys stock worth $49,000 after buying an additional 186 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mather Group LLC. grew its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 14.7% during the first quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 8,987 shares of the companys stock worth $844,000 after buying an additional 1,154 shares in the last quarter. 77.43% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Philip Morris International Stock Performance

NYSE PM traded up $0.58 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $98.08. 836,844 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 4,407,808. The businesss 50 day moving average is $94.44 and its 200-day moving average is $97.89. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $82.85 and a 12-month high of $105.62. The firm has a market capitalization of $152.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.47 and a beta of 0.70.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $1.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $8.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.03 billion. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 128.55% and a net margin of 10.80%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 4.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.56 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, July 11th. Investors of record on Friday, June 23rd will be issued a dividend of $1.27 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 22nd. This represents a $5.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.18%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is currently 90.88%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

PM has been the subject of several recent analyst reports. 22nd Century Group restated a reiterates rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Citigroup upgraded Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to a buy rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $109.00 to $117.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded Philip Morris International from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $109.00 to $116.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. StockNews.com started coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus started coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $114.00 price target for the company. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $111.40.

Philip Morris International Profile

(Free Report)

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.

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Shares of AutoNation, Inc. (NYSE:AN  Free Report) have been given an average rating of Hold by the seven ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $159.88.

A number of research firms have recently commented on AN. StockNews.com began coverage on AutoNation in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on AutoNation from $135.00 to $144.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. Guggenheim raised their target price on AutoNation from $181.00 to $184.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Bank of America raised their price target on shares of AutoNation from $225.00 to $245.00 in a research note on Thursday. Finally, Benchmark raised their price target on shares of AutoNation from $185.00 to $200.00 in a research note on Monday.

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AutoNation Stock Performance

Shares of AN stock opened at $169.01 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $142.94 and a 200 day moving average of $132.26. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.71 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.83 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.91, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.25. AutoNation has a 1 year low of $94.92 and a 1 year high of $170.48.

Insiders Place Their Bets

AutoNation ( NYSE:AN Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 20th. The company reported $6.07 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.60 by $0.47. AutoNation had a return on equity of 61.01% and a net margin of 4.90%. The company had revenue of $6.40 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.63 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $5.78 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts expect that AutoNation will post 21.72 earnings per share for the current year.

In other AutoNation news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 89,344 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $150.71, for a total value of $13,465,034.24. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,003,888 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $754,135,960.48. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 89,344 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $150.71, for a total value of $13,465,034.24. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 5,003,888 shares in the company, valued at $754,135,960.48. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Edward S. Lampert sold 37,156 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.39, for a total value of $5,104,862.84. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 5,230,623 shares in the company, valued at $718,635,293.97. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 281,528 shares of company stock valued at $40,282,258 in the last ninety days. 0.69% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in AutoNation by 2.6% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,820,370 shares of the companys stock valued at $480,012,000 after purchasing an additional 123,772 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. raised its position in AutoNation by 14.8% in the third quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 4,051,225 shares of the companys stock valued at $412,698,000 after purchasing an additional 522,990 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in AutoNation by 29.0% in the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 1,505,122 shares of the companys stock valued at $149,880,000 after purchasing an additional 338,288 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its position in AutoNation by 6.3% in the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,186,479 shares of the companys stock valued at $159,415,000 after purchasing an additional 70,224 shares during the period. Finally, State Street Corp raised its position in AutoNation by 2.9% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,154,274 shares of the companys stock valued at $117,586,000 after purchasing an additional 32,750 shares during the period. 70.48% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AutoNation Company Profile

(Free Report

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.

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Ardagh Metal Packaging (NYSE:AMBP  Free Report) had its price target upped by research analysts at Credit Suisse Group from $6.50 to $8.00 in a report released on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Credit Suisse Groups target price suggests a potential upside of 115.05% from the companys current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on Ardagh Metal Packaging from $4.80 to $4.25 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, March 27th. Truist Financial assumed coverage on Ardagh Metal Packaging in a research note on Monday, May 15th. They issued a hold rating and a $4.00 target price on the stock. Five equities 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, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $5.63.

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Ardagh Metal Packaging Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AMBP opened at $3.72 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $2.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.29, a P/E/G ratio of 3.58 and a beta of 0.68. Ardagh Metal Packaging has a twelve month low of $3.31 and a twelve month high of $6.98. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $3.70 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.32. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 9.47.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Ardagh Metal Packaging

Ardagh Metal Packaging ( NYSE:AMBP Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $0.01 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.01. Ardagh Metal Packaging had a net margin of 3.82% and a return on equity of 38.08%. The firm had revenue of $1.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.13 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.08 EPS. Ardagh Metal Packagings revenue for the quarter was down .5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that Ardagh Metal Packaging will post 0.25 earnings per share for the current year.

Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in Ardagh Metal Packaging by 615.5% during the first quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 7,327 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 6,303 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 43.1% in the second quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 6,028 shares of the companys stock valued at $37,000 after buying an additional 1,815 shares in the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management raised its stake in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 47.2% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 9,710 shares of the companys stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 3,115 shares during the last quarter. Xponance Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging in the 1st quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in shares of Ardagh Metal Packaging by 2,026.7% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 8,443 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 8,046 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 17.45% of the companys stock.

About Ardagh Metal Packaging

(Free Report)

Ardagh Metal Packaging SA, together with its subsidiaries, supplies metal beverage cans in Europe, the United States, and Brazil. Its products are used in various end-use categories, including beer, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, hard seltzers, juices, pre-mixed cocktails, teas, sparkling waters, and wine.

Further Reading

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Asio Capital LLC grew its holdings in shares of Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report) by 5.1% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 14,993 shares of the medical research companys stock after acquiring an additional 732 shares during the quarter. Asio Capital LLCs holdings in Laboratory Co. of America were worth $3,440,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LH. Lazard Asset Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Laboratory Co. of America by 532.2% during the 4th quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,530,675 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $360,441,000 after purchasing an additional 1,288,574 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Laboratory Co. of America in the 4th quarter valued at about $219,236,000. American Century Companies Inc. lifted its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 5,366.9% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 725,243 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $170,780,000 after acquiring an additional 711,977 shares in the last quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB lifted its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 40.8% in the 4th quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 809,242 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $190,180,000 after acquiring an additional 234,621 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its position in Laboratory Co. of America by 19.8% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,317,815 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $310,319,000 after acquiring an additional 218,161 shares in the last quarter. 87.75% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Laboratory Co. of America

In other news, COO Mark S. Schroeder sold 1,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $216.77, for a total transaction of $325,155.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 6,687 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,449,540.99. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, EVP Der Vaart Sandra D. Van sold 212 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $240.00, for a total value of $50,880.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 7,605 shares in the company, valued at $1,825,200. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Mark S. Schroeder sold 1,500 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, May 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $216.77, for a total transaction of $325,155.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 6,687 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,449,540.99. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 6,012 shares of company stock valued at $1,308,748 in the last 90 days. 0.65% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Laboratory Co. of America Trading Up 0.2 %

Several research firms have commented on LH. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $265.00 to $240.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Laboratory Co. of America in a research note on Friday, June 30th. They issued a buy rating for the company. Citigroup decreased their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $260.00 to $235.00 in a research note on Wednesday, April 26th. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $304.00 to $288.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, March 13th. Finally, Truist Financial decreased their price objective on shares of Laboratory Co. of America from $285.00 to $275.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $273.50.

Shares of LH stock opened at $209.84 on Friday. Laboratory Co. of America Holdings has a 12-month low of $200.32 and a 12-month high of $263.13. The firm has a market cap of $18.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.01 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a quick ratio of 1.46, a current ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The company has a 50 day moving average of $222.91 and a 200-day moving average of $232.16.

Laboratory Co. of America (NYSE:LH  Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The medical research company reported $3.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.99 by ($0.17). Laboratory Co. of America had a net margin of 6.78% and a return on equity of 15.56%. The business had revenue of $3.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $6.11 EPS. The companys revenue was down 3.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Laboratory Co. of America Holdings will post 16.83 earnings per share for the current year.

About Laboratory Co. of America

(Free Report)

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings operates as a life sciences company that provides vital information to help doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, and patients make clear and confident decisions. It operates in two segments, Labcorp Diagnostics and Labcorp Drug Development.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Laboratory Co. of America Holdings (NYSE:LH  Free Report).

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Shares of Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited (OTCMKTS:BCAUY  Free Report) rose 2.2% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $4.80 and last traded at $4.60. Approximately 2,100 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 64% from the average daily volume of 5,787 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.50.

Brilliance China Automotive Price Performance

The business has a fifty day moving average of $4.60 and a 200-day moving average of $4.60.

About Brilliance China Automotive

(Free Report)

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Limited, an investment holding company, manufactures and sells BMW vehicles and automotive components in the People's Republic of China and internationally. The company offers minibuses under the JinBei, Renault, Haise, Grand Haise, and Granse brands, as well as multi-purpose vehicles under the Huasong brand.

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Core Laboratories Inc. (NYSE:CLB  Free Report)  Equities research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q2 2024 earnings estimates for shares of Core Laboratories in a research note issued on Thursday, July 6th. Zacks Research analyst N. Choudhury now forecasts that the oil and gas company will post earnings per share of $0.25 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.27. The consensus estimate for Core Laboratories current full-year earnings is $0.56 per share.

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A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on CLB. Bank of America lowered shares of Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $21.50 target price on the stock. in a research note on Tuesday, April 18th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Core Laboratories in a research note on Wednesday. They set a hold rating on the stock. Piper Sandler boosted their price objective on shares of Core Laboratories from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Core Laboratories from $24.00 to $25.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, Citigroup lowered shares of Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to a sell rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $22.00 to $21.00 in a research note on Friday, June 30th.

Core Laboratories Trading Down 1.5 %

Shares of CLB opened at $21.67 on Friday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $22.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $22.72. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.01 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 43.34, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 2.64. The company has a current ratio of 2.38, a quick ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. Core Laboratories has a 1-year low of $13.19 and a 1-year high of $26.80.

Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The oil and gas company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.14 by ($0.06). The firm had revenue of $128.36 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $126.26 million. Core Laboratories had a return on equity of 15.23% and a net margin of 4.72%.

Core Laboratories Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Shareholders of record on Monday, May 8th were issued a $0.01 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 5th. This represents a $0.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.18%. Core Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 8.00%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in CLB. Raymond James & Associates purchased a new position in shares of Core Laboratories during the first quarter valued at approximately $1,980,000. US Bancorp DE grew its position in Core Laboratories by 15.3% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 5,945 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $188,000 after buying an additional 790 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. grew its position in Core Laboratories by 57.8% during the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 39,192 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,240,000 after buying an additional 14,354 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers grew its position in Core Laboratories by 9.4% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 68,839 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $2,177,000 after buying an additional 5,931 shares during the period. Finally, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS boosted its position in shares of Core Laboratories by 14.0% in the first quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 39,895 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $1,262,000 after purchasing an additional 4,909 shares during the period. 97.63% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Core Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

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European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSE:ERE.UN  Free Report) has earned an average rating of Moderate Buy from the six research firms that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$4.21.

Several research analysts recently weighed in on ERE.UN shares. Cormark set a C$4.15 price target on shares of European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. TD Securities decreased their target price on European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$4.75 to C$4.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Raymond James dropped their price target on European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$4.25 to C$4.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, National Bankshares decreased their price objective on European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust from C$3.70 to C$3.35 and set a sector perform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, May 16th.

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European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust Trading Down 0.4 %

TSE:ERE.UN opened at C$2.84 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$2.99 and a 200 day moving average of C$3.24. European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust has a 52 week low of C$2.70 and a 52 week high of C$3.88. The stock has a market capitalization of C$257.05 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.92 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.20, a current ratio of 0.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 295.04.

About European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust

European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust  ERES is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. ERESs REIT units are listed on the TSX under the symbol ERE.UN. ERES is Canadas only European-focused multi-residential REIT, with a current initial focus on investing in high-quality multi-residential real estate properties in the Netherlands.

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Axfood AB (publ) (OTCMKTS:AXFOF  Free Report) is one of 62 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Axfood AB (publ) to related companies based on the strength of its risk, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, dividends, earnings, profitability and valuation.

Dividends

Axfood AB (publ) pays an annual dividend of $15.00 per share and has a dividend yield of 54.3%. Axfood AB (publ) pays out 73.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.2% and pay out 62.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Axfood AB (publ) and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Axfood AB (publ) 1 0 1 0 2.00 Axfood AB (publ) Competitors 1121 2753 3008 114 2.30

Valuation & Earnings

As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 104.39%. Given Axfood AB (publ)s peers stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Axfood AB (publ) has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

This table compares Axfood AB (publ) and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Axfood AB (publ) N/A N/A 1.35 Axfood AB (publ) Competitors $26.96 billion $611.52 million 188.44

Axfood AB (publ)s peers have higher revenue and earnings than Axfood AB (publ). Axfood AB (publ) is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

13.8% of Axfood AB (publ) 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, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares Axfood AB (publ) and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Axfood AB (publ) N/A N/A N/A Axfood AB (publ) Competitors 2.01% 15.36% 4.99%

Summary

Axfood AB (publ) peers beat Axfood AB (publ) on 11 of the 13 factors compared.

Axfood AB (publ) Company Profile

(Free Report)

Axfood AB (publ) engages in the food retail and wholesale businesses in Sweden. It operates through Willys, Hemkop, Dagab, and Snabbgross segments. The company sells groceries through Willys, Hemkop, Eurocash, and Mat.se store chains. It is also involved in the e-commerce business; and provision of private label products. In addition, it offers home delivery of meal kits under the Middagsfrid name, as well as operates Urban Deli, a combination of restaurant and market hall; and Apohem, an online pharmacy. The company serves restaurants, fastfood operators, and cafes; and retailer-owned stores, mini-marts, service stations, and other convenience retailers. Axfood AB (publ) was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Axfood AB (publ) is a subsidiary of Axel Johnson AB.

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Greggs (OTCMKTS:GGGSF  Free Report) is one of 62 public companies in the Grocery Stores industry, but how does it compare to its peers? We will compare Greggs to related companies based on the strength of its risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, valuation, institutional ownership and dividends.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Greggs and its peers top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Greggs N/A N/A 153.72 Greggs Competitors $26.96 billion $611.52 million 188.62

Greggs peers have higher revenue and earnings than Greggs. Greggs 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 Greggs N/A N/A N/A Greggs Competitors 2.01% 15.36% 4.99%

Dividends

This table compares Greggs and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Greggs pays an annual dividend of $0.20 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.6%. Greggs pays out 91.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. As a group, Grocery Stores companies pay a dividend yield of 4.2% and pay out 62.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Greggs lags its peers as a dividend stock, given its lower dividend yield and higher payout ratio.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Greggs and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Greggs 0 1 1 0 2.50 Greggs Competitors 1121 2753 3008 114 2.30

Greggs currently has a consensus target price of $3,140.00, indicating a potential upside of 9,429.59%. As a group, Grocery Stores companies have a potential upside of 36.74%. Given Greggs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Greggs is more favorable than its peers.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

42.1% of Greggs 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 company is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Greggs peers beat Greggs on 10 of the 13 factors compared.

Greggs Company Profile

(Free Report)

Greggs plc operates as a food-on-the-go retailer in the United Kingdom. It offers a range of fresh and frozen bakery products, sandwiches, and drinks. The company sells products to franchise and wholesale partners for sale in their own outlets. It is also involved in the property holding, non-trading, and trustee businesses. The company also operates through its own shops. Greggs plc was founded in 1939 and is headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, the United Kingdom.

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Bank of the Philippine Islands (OTCMKTS:BPHLF  Free Report) is one of 269 public companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it contrast to its rivals? We will compare Bank of the Philippine Islands to similar businesses based on the strength of its risk, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, dividends, earnings and analyst recommendations.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Bank of the Philippine Islands and its rivals, as reported by MarketBeat.

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Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Bank of the Philippine Islands 0 1 0 0 2.00 Bank of the Philippine Islands Competitors 1062 3005 2875 8 2.26

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 352.94%. Given Bank of the Philippine Islands rivals stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Bank of the Philippine Islands has less favorable growth aspects than its rivals.

Valuation & Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Bank of the Philippine Islands N/A N/A 0.44 Bank of the Philippine Islands Competitors $4.31 billion $1.23 billion 269.49

This table compares Bank of the Philippine Islands and its rivals revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Bank of the Philippine Islands rivals have higher revenue and earnings than Bank of the Philippine Islands. Bank of the Philippine Islands 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

13.6% of Bank of the Philippine Islands shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.0% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by institutional investors. 15.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Bank of the Philippine Islands and its rivals net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Bank of the Philippine Islands N/A N/A N/A Bank of the Philippine Islands Competitors 36.31% 9.67% 0.99%

Dividends

Bank of the Philippine Islands pays an annual dividend of $1.70 per share and has a dividend yield of 95.8%. Bank of the Philippine Islands pays out 42.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.4% and pay out 18.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Summary

Bank of the Philippine Islands rivals beat Bank of the Philippine Islands on 12 of the 13 factors compared.

About Bank of the Philippine Islands

(Free Report)

Bank of the Philippine Islands, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services to retail and corporate clients in the Philippines. It operates through Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, and Investment Banking segments. The Consumer Banking segment offers deposit taking and servicing; and consumer lending, such as home mortgages, auto loans, and credit card finance, as well as remittance services to individual and retail markets. The Corporate Banking segment provides deposit taking and servicing, loan facilities, trade, and cash management to corporate and institutional customers, such as high-end corporations and middle market clients. The Investment Banking segment offers corporate finance, securities distribution, asset management, trust, and fiduciary services, as well as proprietary trading and investment activities. The company also provides financing, securities dealer, investment management, land holding, operations management, business systems, foreign exchange, real estate, pre-need, non-life insurance, leasing, and rental services. As of December 31, 2021, it operated 1,176 branches, and 2,457 automated teller machines and cash accept machines. The company also serves its customers through alternative electronic banking channels, such as telephone, mobile phone, and the internet. Bank of the Philippine Islands was founded in 1851 and is based in Makati City, the Philippines.

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Kip McGrath Education Centres Limited (ASX:KME  Free Report) insider Diane Pass bought 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 29th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of A$0.43 ($0.29) per share, with a total value of A$21,500.00 ($14,333.33).

Kip McGrath Education Centres Stock Performance

The company has a quick ratio of 0.85, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 17.81.

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Kip McGrath Education Centres Company Profile

(Free Report)

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Kip McGrath Education Centres Limited offers English and Maths education services in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company also provides tutorial assistance in English and Maths to primary and secondary students; and online tutoring services. It also has a franchise network.

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Shares of Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSE:IVN  Free Report) passed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of C$11.59 and traded as high as C$12.53. Ivanhoe Mines shares last traded at C$12.37, with a volume of 1,551,840 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have commented on the stock. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$18.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 4th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on Ivanhoe Mines from C$16.00 to C$15.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 28th. Eight Capital set a C$18.50 target price on Ivanhoe Mines and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th. Finally, TD Securities raised their price target on Ivanhoe Mines from C$15.00 to C$17.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 6th.

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Ivanhoe Mines Trading Up 2.3 %

The company has a quick ratio of 20.86, a current ratio of 10.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.24. The company has a market capitalization of C$15.04 billion, a PE ratio of 23.63 and a beta of 1.92. The stocks fifty day moving average price is C$11.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$11.69.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines ( TSE:IVN Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported C$0.09 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of C$0.09. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. will post 0.490077 earnings per share for the current year.

(Free Report)

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals located primarily in Africa. It explores for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium, zinc, silver, germanium, and lead deposits. The company's projects include the Platreef project located in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; the Kipushi project located in Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Kamoa-Kakula project located within the Central African Copperbelt.

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Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLC decreased its stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) by 13.5% in the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 18,834 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after selling 2,938 shares during the period. Motorola Solutions accounts for 2.0% of Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLCs holdings, making the stock its 9th biggest position. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $5,389,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Arthur M. Cohen & Associates LLC acquired a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at $207,000. Legacy CG LLC boosted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 0.4% in the 1st quarter. Legacy CG LLC now owns 12,253 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $3,506,000 after purchasing an additional 54 shares during the period. West Michigan Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions by 34.5% in the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 5,922 shares of the communications equipment providers stock valued at $1,694,000 after purchasing an additional 1,520 shares during the period. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. lifted its stake in Motorola Solutions by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Hennion & Walsh Asset Management Inc. now owns 12,856 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $3,678,000 after acquiring an additional 304 shares in the last quarter. Finally, DnB Asset Management AS lifted its stake in Motorola Solutions by 4.8% in the 1st quarter. DnB Asset Management AS now owns 44,555 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $12,749,000 after acquiring an additional 2,033 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.93% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently issued reports on MSI. StockNews.com downgraded Motorola Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised Motorola Solutions from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $300.00 to $305.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Barclays increased their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $303.00 to $329.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $310.00 to $335.00 in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Finally, 1-800-FLOWERS.COM reissued a maintains rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Friday, May 5th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $301.67.

Motorola Solutions Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of MSI traded down $1.50 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $294.12. 78,910 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 755,504. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 12-month low of $204.55 and a 12-month high of $299.43. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $286.13 and a 200-day simple moving average of $274.29. The company has a quick ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 1.22 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.15. The company has a market cap of $49.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.95, a P/E/G ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.93.

Motorola Solutions (NYSE:MSI  Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The communications equipment provider reported $2.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.05 by $0.17. Motorola Solutions had a negative return on equity of 1,549.95% and a net margin of 14.63%. The company had revenue of $2.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.12 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned $1.53 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 14.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Motorola Solutions, Inc. will post 10.07 EPS for the current year.

Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a $0.88 dividend. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.20%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Motorola Solutionss payout ratio is 44.00%.

Insider Activity at Motorola Solutions

In related news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,933 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.01, for a total value of $558,656.33. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $465,595.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,933 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $289.01, for a total value of $558,656.33. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 1,611 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $465,595.11. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Gregory Q. Brown sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $291.13, for a total value of $14,556,500.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 91,843 shares in the company, valued at approximately $26,738,252.59. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 101,933 shares of company stock valued at $29,642,156. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the companys stock.

Motorola Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce.

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Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLC cut its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 28,204 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 537 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories makes up 1.0% of Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 29th biggest position. Oak Harbor Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $2,856,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 8.7% in the first quarter. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. now owns 36,274 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $3,673,000 after purchasing an additional 2,911 shares during the last quarter. First Bancorp Inc ME boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 16.4% in the first quarter. First Bancorp Inc ME now owns 9,719 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $984,000 after purchasing an additional 1,368 shares during the last quarter. McAdam LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter worth about $334,000. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC boosted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 5.0% in the first quarter. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC now owns 2,985 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $302,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TCG Advisory Services LLC raised its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 177.2% in the first quarter. TCG Advisory Services LLC now owns 9,542 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $966,000 after buying an additional 6,100 shares during the period. 73.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE ABT traded up $0.03 during trading on Friday, reaching $107.23. The stock had a trading volume of 286,969 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,044,221. Abbott Laboratories has a one year low of $93.25 and a one year high of $115.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 1.22 and a current ratio of 1.68. The stock has a market cap of $186.47 billion, a PE ratio of 32.59, a P/E/G ratio of 4.81 and a beta of 0.68. The firms 50 day moving average price is $106.70 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $106.32.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 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 return on equity of 22.36% and a net margin of 13.98%. The firms revenue was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.73 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

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 paid a $0.51 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 13th. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.90%. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 62.01%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Raymond James lifted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $116.00 to $123.00 in a report on Thursday, April 20th. SVB Leerink upped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $90.00 to $102.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, March 31st. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted 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, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $136.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $121.26.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares in the company, valued at $7,786,409.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In related news, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,786,409.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total value of $5,551,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

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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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report).

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Raia Drogasil S.A. (OTCMKTS:RADLY  Free Report) declared a dividend on Wednesday, July 5th, investing.com reports. Investors of record on Thursday, July 13th will be given a dividend of 0.0093 per share on Monday, December 11th. This represents a yield of 5.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 12th. This is an increase from Raia Drogasils previous dividend of $0.007722.

Raia Drogasil Stock Performance

Shares of RADLY opened at $5.61 on Friday. Raia Drogasil has a 1 year low of $3.50 and a 1 year high of $31.86. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $5.66 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.11.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, HSBC lowered Raia Drogasil from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th.

Raia Drogasil Company Profile

Raia Drogasil SA engages in the retail sale of medicines, perfumery, personal care and beauty products, cosmetics, dermocosmetics, and specialty medicines in Brazil. It also markets its goods through telesales and call centers in the states of Sao Paulo, Tocantins, and Pernambuco. The company was founded in 1905 and is headquartered in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Further Reading

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Argo Group International (NYSE:ARGO  Free Report) in a research note published on Monday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the stock.

Several other research firms have also recently issued reports on ARGO. Compass Point cut Argo Group International from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $30.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Monday, March 13th. TheStreet raised Argo Group International from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th.

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Argo Group International Stock Performance

Shares of ARGO opened at $29.61 on Monday. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $29.49 and a 200 day moving average of $29.41. Argo Group International has a 12 month low of $19.00 and a 12 month high of $36.62. The company has a market capitalization of $1.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -4.75 and a beta of 1.01. The company has a current ratio of 0.63, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Argo Group International

Argo Group International ( NYSE:ARGO Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.80 by ($1.11). Argo Group International had a negative net margin of 9.98% and a positive return on equity of 0.06%. The business had revenue of $419.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $461.90 million. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Argo Group International will post 2.85 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd raised its stake in Argo Group International by 515.8% during the 3rd quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd now owns 1,324 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 1,109 shares during the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in shares of Argo Group International by 334.7% during the 1st quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 926 shares of the companys stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 713 shares during the last quarter. Spire Wealth Management boosted its holdings in shares of Argo Group International by 50.0% during the 1st quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 1,680 shares of the companys stock valued at $49,000 after purchasing an additional 560 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Argo Group International by 148.0% during the 1st quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC now owns 1,793 shares of the companys stock valued at $53,000 after buying an additional 1,070 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ensign Peak Advisors Inc purchased a new stake in shares of Argo Group International during the 3rd quarter valued at about $59,000. 89.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Argo Group International Company Profile

(Free Report)

Argo Group International Holdings, Ltd. underwrites specialty insurance and reinsurance products in the property and casualty markets. The company operates in two segments, U.S. Operations and International Operations. It offers primary and excess specialty casualty, general liability, commercial multi-peril, and workers compensation, as well as product, environmental, and auto liability insurance products; management liability, transaction liability, and errors and omissions liability insurance; primary and excess property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance; and surety, animal mortality, and ocean marine insurance products.

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Verdence Capital Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 9.2% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 53,833 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,534 shares during the period. Verdence Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $2,402,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.7% in the 3rd quarter. State Street Corp now owns 71,579,128 shares of the companys stock worth $2,957,671,000 after acquiring an additional 513,208 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 8.7% in the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 44,066,327 shares of the companys stock worth $2,000,861,000 after acquiring an additional 3,516,646 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 35,184,122 shares of the companys stock worth $1,606,259,000 after acquiring an additional 218,861 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 5.1% in the 3rd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 24,517,169 shares of the companys stock worth $990,002,000 after acquiring an additional 1,192,266 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Altria Group by 108,222.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 18,590,308 shares of the companys stock worth $849,763,000 after acquiring an additional 18,573,146 shares in the last quarter. 58.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com raised Altria Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday. Citigroup reduced their price target on Altria Group from $49.50 to $47.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus began coverage on Altria Group in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. They set a buy rating and a $52.00 target price on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $45.83.

Altria Group Price Performance

Altria Group stock traded up $0.16 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $46.25. 2,585,364 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,877,932. The firms 50 day moving average price is $45.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $45.66. The stock has a market capitalization of $82.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.82, a P/E/G ratio of 2.31 and a beta of 0.59. Altria Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $40.35 and a 1 year high of $51.57.

Altria Group (NYSE:MO  Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.18 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.19 by ($0.01). The firm had revenue of $4.76 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.89 billion. Altria Group had a net margin of 22.44% and a negative return on equity of 245.43%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 1.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.12 EPS. Research analysts forecast that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Altria Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $3.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 8.13%. Altria Groups payout ratio is presently 120.90%.

Altria Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

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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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report).

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President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, shakes hands with United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the opening ceremony of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre in the capital of the UAE, Jan. 16. Yonhap



Korea and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) vowed Friday to make joint efforts to push for their agreed-upon joint projects and investment plans in energy, the arms industry and the overall economic and trade fields without a hitch, Seoul's industry ministry said.



The consensus was reached during a meeting between Korea's Industry Minister Lee Chang-yang and the UAE's economic minister, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, in Seoul, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.



The ministers confirmed that the two nations are working together to implement business deals and cooperation agreements that they signed in January, and agreed to strive further to draw tangible results in trade promotion, advanced technologies and the energy sector, among other fields.



During and after the January summit between President Yoon Suk Yeol and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyanthe, the two sides signed 45 memorandums of understanding, two deals and a letter of intent worth $6.1 billion combined. The UAE announced its decision to invest $30 billion in Korea in the nuclear power, arms and energy fields.



As the two nations are fleshing out details of the investment plan, the ministers agreed to explore cooperation in such new industries as aviation, bio, education, agriculture, and information and communication technology.



They also vowed to make joint efforts to clinch a free trade agreement between Korea and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) at an early date.



The GCC consists of six nations: the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. Negotiations are under way for the bilateral FTA, with the last session taking place in February.



"We will check the progress of planned projects with the UAE, as well as with such major Middle East nations as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, through high-level exchanges and ministerial-level cooperation channels," the ministry said in a release. (Yonhap)


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slide 2 of 6

NewJeans graced the cover of an American fashion magazine.

From the 26th (local time) to the 29th, the magazine released the group and individual images and interviews of NewJeans, who decorated the cover of the July/August issue, in turn through the official website.

NewJeans caught the eye with their confident and haughty charm on the cover.
New Delhi, July 7: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against five accused and unknown others on the allegations of tech fraud to the tune of USD 400,000 committed upon a US citizen.

The accused have been identified as Praful Gupta, Sarita Gupta, Kunal Almadi, Gaurav Pahwa and Rishabh Dixit. Rishabh is a resident of Kanpur while all other lives in Delhi. GCRG: India Joins Champions Group of Global Crisis Response Group After Invitation From UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to PM Narendra Modi, Says MEA.

According to a statement from CBI, it was alleged that when the victim was working on her laptop, it was hacked. She contacted the number displayed on her laptop screen, the hacker impersonated an employee of a Multi-National Software company and misguided her that there were some wire transfers from her retirement account and suggested her to contact Fidelity Investments.

It was further alleged that she called on the given number, the hacker took control of her laptop and induced her to transfer an amount of US$ 400,000 from her Fidelity Account to her First State Bank Account. Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council, Joins Shiv Sena Led by CM Eknath Shinde (Watch Video).

It was also alleged that the hacker fraudulently opened an Okcoin account on behalf of the victim and made her transfer the said amount of USD 400,000 to the said Okcoin account in June 2022.

After converting the amount of USD 400,000 in the form of cryptocurrency, the hacker further allegedly transferred the said amount to the Crypto Accounts of the accused persons.

Searches were conducted at the residential and official premises of the accused in New Delhi, Kanpur and recovered incriminating material in the form of laptops, mobile phones, hard disks etc. Further investigation is underway.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The defence ministry on Friday inked a Rs 458-crore contract with state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of two Dornier aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard.

The aircraft will be fitted with a number of advanced equipment such as a glass cockpit, maritime patrol radar, electro-optic infra-red device, and mission management system, officials said.

Also Read | Climate: Landmark Shipping Deal Aims to Cut Emissions Faster.

"The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL for procurement of two Dornier aircraft for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with associated engineering support package at an overall cost of Rs 458.87 crore," an official statement said.

The aircraft will be procured under the buy (Indian) category.

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi Inaugurates, Lays Foundation Stone of Projects Worth Around Rs 7,600 Crore in Chhattisgarh, Calls Them Measures of Social Justice.

"The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur and will significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance with the 'Make in India' initiative of the government," the ministry said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has given his approval for the long-pending transfer of 1.20 acres of land from the Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Department to the Public Works Department (PWD).

This transfer is intended for the construction of an underpass on the Outer Ring road near Mukarba Chowk, along with the construction of an approach road from Badli Junction to Haiderpur Metro Station in North Delhi, Raj Niwas said in a statement on Friday. According to Raj Niwas' statement, "This issue, pending since September last year, with LG's approval, will directly ease the traffic congestion in the area and will immensely help the commuters and the residents in the neighbourhood."

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Earlier, I&FC Department had measured the area as per marking by the PWD which comes to 4833.75 sq. meters, amounting to a total of 1.20 acres.

The I&FC Department had, as per the direction of the LG in the last meeting of the task force to monitor 77 corridors, given permission to start work at the site in April 2023 after the PWD submitted the alignment and layout plan for the service road at the site.The cost of the land to be transferred on a permanent basis has been calculated at Rs. 850.26 lakhs, as per the revised rate by the DDA for institutional land allotment between Central Government Department/Institution controlled by Central Government/GNCTD for non-commercial purposes as 'no profit no loss' for financial year 2020-22.The PWD had requested for the permanent transfer of land for the construction of the approach road up to the Underpass from the entry point of the flyover near Mukarba Chowk on September 06, 2022. Thereafter, the PWD started work at the location in anticipation of a NOC from the I&FC Department.

Also Read | Balasore Triple Train Tragedy: CBI Arrests Three People, Including Senior Railways Engineer Arun Kumar Mahanta.

In a bizarre move, rather than settling the issue through required coordination amongst officials, the I&FC Department lodged a police complaint on November 29, 2022, for unauthorized construction at the site. "It is underlined that the LG has time and again stressed upon seamless inter-departmental coordination and advised officers to not act in silos," the statement read further. This project is under the 77 corridors regarding decongestion of 77 identified corridors in the National Capital, which is being directly monitored by the Delhi LG. "The work on this project shall be carried out in such a manner that it does not affect or disturb any utility services provided by the other departments already land in underground," it read. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ramgarh, Jul 7 (PTI) Forest dwellers in a village in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district have put up a signage asking forest officials to enter the village only after getting consent from gram sabha, an official said on Friday.

The signage was put up at Jitratungri village in the Mandu forest range by two village committeesVan Akhikar Samiti and Van Palan Samitiin Ramgarh district. The signage displayed about various rights given to local tribals in the forest.

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A team of forest officials visited the village to carry out a plantation drive on 30 hectares of land in the forest range under Ichakdih panchayat on Thursday. The villagers allegedly took a forester hostage and he was released after a dialogue with senior forest officials, he said.

Ramgarh divisional forest officer (DFO) Nitish Kumar said that the department has demarcated the forest land for a plantation drive on 30 hectares of land.

Also Read | Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray Urges CM Eknath Shinde To Stop Recovery of Nashik Farmers' Loans (Watch Video).

"Villagers had raised their objection claiming that they have been doing farming on the land. A forester, who had visited the village to carry out plantation on Thursday, had been held by the villagers, which is an unlawful act," he said.

Kumar said that they have not yet taken any legal action against the villagers. "We are trying to resolve the issue amicably. If it is not solved with peaceful negotiations, lawful action might be taken," the DFO said.

Mukhiya of Ichakdih Panchayat, Ramesh Ram said that villagers want officials should take permission from gram sabha before carrying out any plan or project.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Jul 7 (PTI) Punjab's NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Friday said a list of unscrupulous immigration agents who dupe people by sending them abroad on fake documents is ready and added that strict action will be taken against them.

Dhaliwal said the Punjab government will provide all possible help to the state's youth who fall prey to the fraud of such travel agents, according to an official statement.

Also Read | Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray Urges CM Eknath Shinde To Stop Recovery of Nashik Farmers' Loans (Watch Video).

The minister said a special meeting NRI Affairs department officials and police officers has been called on July 11. He said possible measures against such travel agents will be discussed at the meeting, he said. The government is committed to the welfare of the state's youth, he added.

The statement also cited the story of a woman from Punjab who was stranded in Iraq for 10 months due to the false promises of travel agents.

Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: ED Attaches Assets Worth Rs 52 Crore of Manish Sisodia, His Wife Seema Sisodia and Others.

The woman claimed that a travel agent promised her a lucrative job in a packaging firm and was charged Rs 80,000, but when she landed in Iraq, her passport and documents were taken away and was made to sign some contract, the statement said. She later established contact with her family who contacted Dhaliwal, it said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said Punjab's immigration law needs to be amended to ensure strict action against the travel agents.

Referring to the case of several Indian students in Canada who were duped by immigration agents, Mann said the state government is in contact with the Canadian embassy to ensure that the culprits get strict punishment in Punjab.

The Indian students, mostly from Punjab, are facing deportation after the authorities in Canada found "admission offer letters" to educational institutions to be fake. The matter came to light in March when these students applied for permanent residency in Canada.

(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, Jul 7 (PTI) A 38-year-old man was arrested for allegedly supplying illegal weapons to criminals in Delhi-NCR, police said on Friday.

The accused was identified as Mohammad Sajid alias Rashid, a resident of JJ Colony in Wazirpur, they said.

Also Read | Rajasthan: Jharkhand Mahadev Temple Won't Allow Entry to Visitors Wearing Ripped Jeans, Mini-Skirts.

According to the police, they received information that Sajid, who was previously involved in several criminal cases, was procuring illicit firearms from Uttar Pradesh and supplying them to members of different gangs, including that of Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu.

It was learnt that Sajid would come near Uttam Nagar bus terminal to deliver a consignment of illegal firearms on June 28. A trap was laid and he was nabbed around 10.40 pm, Special Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) H G S Dhaliwal said, adding eight illegal firearms were recovered from his possession.

Also Read | Maharashtra: Raj Thackeray Urges CM Eknath Shinde To Stop Recovery of Nashik Farmers' Loans (Watch Video).

Earlier, Sajid was working as a meat contractor in Ghazipur Murga Mandi where he came in contact with Ashok and Hazi, who inducted him into the business of arms trafficking, police said. Hazi was a Meerut-based arms supplier, they added.

In 2012, Sajid was arrested and sent to jail in a case of armed robbery in the Kamla Market area. In prison, he came in contact with several criminals and after coming out, he continued supplying illicit weapons, they said.

He would purchase weapons from different arms suppliers in Meerut, UP and would then sell the same to criminals in Delhi-NCR, 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)
Gorakhpur, July 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 awardee, publisher Gita Press here. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to four states, which kicked off today. He flew down to Gorakhpur Airport from Chhattisgarh's Raipur, where he was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister addressed a Vijay Sankalp Rally in Raipur. Speaking in the poll-bound state he sharpened his attack against the Congress party and said that those who are stained in corruption are trying to stitch an Opposition Unity. PM Narendra Modi Attends Centenary Celebrations of DU, Lays Foundation of Three Buildings of University (Watch Video).

PM Modi Attends Gita Press Centenary Celebrations:

#WATCH | PM Modi addresses the concluding program of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press, Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/LPxuYYoOiL  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

"Those stained are trying to come together today. Those who used to curse each other, they have now started finding excuses to come together," PM Modi said. He added there is corruption at the core of the Congress party. "Without corruption, Congress cannot even breathe. Corruption is the biggest ideology of Congress."

Following the Gita Press event, the PM will flag off two Vande Bharat trains connecting Gorakhpur - Lucknow and Jodhpur - Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) and lay the foundation stone of the Gorakhpur Railway Station redevelopment. According to an official release, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,100 crore in his home constituency, Varanasi, and will inaugurate the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction- Son Nagar railway line of Dedicated Freight Corridor. PM Narendra Modi To Travel Over 5,000 km in 36 Hours From April 24, Attend Eight Programmes in Seven Cities.

The PM will also dedicate a four-lane widening of the Varanasi-Jaunpur section of NH-56 making travel from Varanasi to Lucknow easier and faster and lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats and distribute loans of PMSVANidhi, keys of PMAY Rural houses and Ayushman cards to the beneficiaries in UP, the release added. PM Modi's hectic tour of four states including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan will conclude on Saturday.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Srinagar, Jul 7 (PTI) Some people are upset by the Jammu and Kashmir administration's decision to allot land to homeless families as they think only they possess the right over government properties, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday.

His comment came amidst criticism of the recent scheme to provide 150 sq yards of land to homeless people in the union territory.

Also Read | Delhi Excise Policy Case: ED Attaches Assets Worth Rs 52 Crore of Manish Sisodia, His Wife Seema Sisodia and Others.

"Some days back, the J-K administration decided that those without land will be eligible for PMAY and provided land. There is a policy in other states that they can be given land, but, there was no such policy in J-K. We decided to provide five 'marlas' or 150 sq yards of land to them," he said while addressing the National Tribal Festival at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) here.

The land is being provided under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna (PMAY). So far 2,711 poor people have been given land so that they can build houses for themselves, he said.

Also Read | Climate: Landmark Shipping Deal Aims to Cut Emissions Faster.

"But, it has caused pain to some people. Those who have built their houses, and their relatives' houses on government land, feel only they have the right to the government property and poor people should be stopped from using the government property.

"They should know that such an arrangement has ended. The system of discrimination ended on August 5, 2019, and it is the administration and the PM's resolve that poor people of the country and J-K, Dalits and Adivasis, should have the first right on government resources. They have to understand this," the LG said.

Political parties in the Kashmir valley have raised concerns over the policy and asked the administration to come clean on the categorisation of the landless people.

Hurriyat Conference on Friday said the land-for-landless policy announced by the Jammu and Kashmir LG has raised "serious doubts and concerns" among the people, and demanded the administration come clean on the issue.

"The announcement made by state authorities to give land to 1.99 lakh 'homeless people' in Jammu and Kashmir has raised serious doubts and concerns among people. The identity of these 'homeless people' and the intentions behind this move are suspect as there are glaring discrepancies and an opaqueness about the whole matter," it said in a statement here.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehboba Mufti on Wednesday accused the Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor's administration of importing slums and poverty into the erstwhile state under the pretext of providing housing to homeless people, calling it an attempt to change the demography of the union territory.

"The LG made an announcement about giving land to 1.99 lakh landless people in JK. Doubts and concerns have come to the fore as to who these landless people in Jammu and Kashmir are. According to the figures of the central government placed before Parliament, there are only 19,000 homeless families in Jammu and Kashmir," she told reporters.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 7 (ANI): German Ambassador to India Phillip Ackermann on Friday said Germany does a lot of business with Haryana, Punjab and has a long tradition with these states.

The German Ambassador said while speaking about his Chandigarh visit, "It was a very, very packed, interesting visit. Chandigarh is a wonderful place. It's green, it's orderly. I think everybody loves Chandigarh in a way. And Germany has a long tradition with these two states, Haryana and Punjab. We have a lot of business here, we have a lot of interesting modern business here and we have a growing Punjabi community also in Germany."

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Ackermann said: "I'm concluding now a two-day visit to Chandigarh, two days full of meetings, full of appointments. The center of the visit was, of course, the meeting with the two chief ministers from Punjab, Haryana and the two governors."

The German Ambassador said in Chandigarh, he spoke with the Chief Justice, visited the assembly and spoke with the two speakers, the Haryana speaker and the Punjab speaker, the chief minister and then he visited the Indian School of Business. He concluded his trip with a visit to the Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademi.

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Ackermann said India is a very interesting market for Germany. "It's a big market, it's a growing market. India has a very solid growth for years now. We are very impressed with this growth. It's one of the very few countries in the world that has sustainable growth. And therefore German business sees increasingly an opportunity also for further investment in India. Now, Germany is by far the biggest trading partner in Europe with India. But I think in the years to come, we'll see much more investment in German business here," he said.

He said a growing number of Indian students come to Germany. "We have now 35,000, I have another 32,000 applications on the table of the embassy. That's quite a lot, actually. And unfortunately, we need a little time to process these applications. I know that some students might be a little frustrated that it doesn't go as quickly as they had expected, but I can tell you that, in principle, Indian students are very welcome in Germany."

He said German universities are very keen on having Indian students and have a very good reputation in Germany and that students should be very careful before working together with agencies.

"I would advise every student from Punjab to make an application in Germany, a verification of the documents on his or her own. We have seen agencies that are fraudulent and therefore I would recommend doing it individually and not through an agency," he said.

Ackermann on Friday met Punjab Legislative Assembly Speaker S Kultar Singh Sandhwan and emphasised strengthening cooperation between India and Germany in various sectors.

"During the meeting at the Punjab Legislative Assembly, S Kultar Singh Sandhwan stressed issues related to the Sikhs residing in Germany," Punjab's Information and Public Relations Department said in an official statement.

Ackermann said that Germany is ready to further develop strong bilateral cooperation with India which he stressed will further boost the ties between the two nations, according to the statement.

Earlier in the day, Ackermann enjoyed a view of Chandigarh from the Central Secretariat's terrace. He tweeted, "Impressed by the workplace of famous Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. One of the earliest buildings constituted in Chandigarh, it arguably introduced sustainable & green architecture in. Enjoyed the stunning view of the 'architecture city' from Central Secretariat's terrace."

On Thursday, Philipp Ackermann met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and discussed many important issues.

He tweeted, "Today Chandigarh met the German Ambassador to India @AmbAckermann at his residence and discussed many important issues... Talked about the investment being made by German companies in Punjab and also discussed important ideas about the education sector...especially the emphasis on imparting skills to the youth." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Nablus (West Bank), Jul 7 (AP) Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, including two militants shot dead in a gunbattle, in new West Bank violence on Friday, days after Israel concluded a major two-day offensive meant to crack down on militants.

The persistent violence raised questions about the effectiveness of the raid earlier this week in the Jenin refugee camp, which saw Israel launch rare airstrikes on militant targets, deploy hundreds of troops and cause widespread damage to roads, homes and businesses. Twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in the operation.

Also Read | Lebanon Mosque Shooting: At Least One Dead, Five Injured After Firing Inside Mosque in Bar Elias Town, Says Security Official.

In the nearby city of Nablus, the West Bank's commercial capital and a flashpoint city, two militants were killed in a gunbattle with Israeli forces. Israel's Shin Bet security agency said the men were behind a shooting attack this week on a police vehicle.

Later Friday, Palestinian health officials said a man was fatally shot in the chest by Israeli forces during a demonstration in Umm Safa, a town in the central West Bank. The army had no immediate comment.

Also Read | India: Lung Disease Turns Budhpura into village of Widows.

The Palestinian Health Ministry identified the two dead in Nablus as Khayri Mohammed Sari Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Moayed Mohammed Maqbool, 32. Two militant groups, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, claimed them as members.

In the aftermath of the shootout, bullet casings littered the blood-stained ground. Palestinians carried the bodies of the men killed into the hospital, chanting God is great! as guns fired into the air.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant praised Friday's operation and said Israel would continue to act to root out militants.

There will be no loop that isn't closed and there won't be a terrorist who doesn't pay the heaviest price, he said.

Friday's deaths are part of a year-long spiral of violence that shows no signs of abating, despite the fierce Israeli operation this week in the Jenin refugee camp. They follow a shooting on Thursday by a Hamas militant near an Israeli West Bank settlement that killed an Israeli soldier.

Monday's raid in the Jenin refugee camp bore the hallmarks of the second Palestinian uprising, a period of intense violence in the early 2000s that killed thousands.

But the current round of fighting remains different from that one, mainly because it is more limited in scope, with Israeli military operations focused on several strongholds of Palestinian militants.

Israel has been staging raids in the West Bank for 16 months, expanding its activities in early 2022 in response to a spate of Palestinian attacks. The northern West Bank, which includes Nablus and Jenin and where the Palestinian Authority has less of a foothold, has been a major friction point.

Over 150 Palestinians have been killed this year in the West Bank, and Palestinian attacks targeting Israelis have killed at least 27 people.

Israel says most of the Palestinians killed have been militants. But stone-throwing youths protesting the incursions and people not involved in the confrontations have also been killed.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. (AP)

(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, July 7: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, on Friday, met with the members of the India-Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Group and appreciated their warm sentiments for stronger parliamentary, political, economic and people-to-people ties.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said, "Began the morning by meeting with members of the India-Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Appreciate their warm sentiments for stronger parliamentary, political, economic and people to people ties with India. Confident that the strong and historic ties between our two parliamentary democracies will keep growing." Italy Fire: Massive Blaze Rips Through Casa dei Coniugi Retirement Home in Milan, Six Killed.

EAM S Jaishankar's Tweet

Began the morning by meeting with members of the India-Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Group. Appreciate their warm sentiments for stronger parliamentary, political, economic and people to people ties with India. Confident that the strong and historic ties between our two pic.twitter.com/2fYfzjbHkz  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 7, 2023

After meeting them, Jaishankar paid homage to Indian soldiers at the Commonwealth War Memorial in Dar-es Salaam. "Their sacrifices in various theaters of war are an important aspect of our history. They are a reminder of India's global impact," Jaishankar said in a tweet. Sex Outside Colombia Airport: Frisky Couple Caught on Camera Engaging in Sex Act on Road in Bucaramanga.

Jaishankar, who is in Tanzania for a four-day visit, interacted with the members of the Indian community, on Thursday and said that he was in the country on an "IT mission, as in India-Tanzania mission." Jaishankar had a "lively interaction" with members of the Indian community in Dar es Salaam.

Sharing the purpose of his visit, the EAM said, "That IT (India-Tanzania) mission addresses some of the most important priorities of this country today." Apart from the 'Mission IT', during his interaction with the Indian community, EAM Jaishankar also highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially the deep links that New Delhi shares with East Africa.

"We have a strong relationship with Africa. It is something which partly comes out of our shared struggle for freedom during the colonial period but within that we have a particularly close connection with East Africa. And again, within that I think some parts of India are particularly closely linked," he said. He also noted that at the heart of India-Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests.

"All of you, as members of the Indian community living in Tanzania, working in Tanzania, visiting Tanzania, I think you can hold your head high that our friendship, our relationship, our partnership today will make a difference to the everyday life of a Tanzanian," Jaishankar said.

Weighing in on India's relationship with Africa, East Africa and Tanzania in particular, Jaishankar said, "The heart of this relationship is actually a certain solidarity of spirit, of outlook that we have had for many, many years. But over the years it is expressed in different forums. We have Global South. Today we are developing countries who have tried to work together for a fairer global order."

The EAM added that the Indian community is an expression, contributor and force of this relationship between the two countries.

(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], July 7 (ANI): National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, on Friday discussed the issue of the safety of the Indian High Commission and Indian diplomats in the UK with his UK counterpart Tim Barrow, according to sources.

"The issue of the safety of the Indian High Commission and Indian diplomats in the UK was discussed with the British NSA. The British side assured adequate safety and security of the High Commission and the Indian diplomats in the UK," said a source familiar with the matter.

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Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday said that any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable.

"Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable. We have made clear to @VDoraiswami and the Government of India that the safety of staff at the High Commission is paramount," tweeted Cleverly.

Also Read | India: Lung Disease Turns Budhpura into village of Widows.

However, how the UK authorities handle the Khalistani protestors when they demonstrate tomorrow in front of the Indian High Commission in London will be the true test of the British assurances.

Tim Barrow, National Security Advisor of the UK is on an official visit to India for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue at the invitation of NSA Ajit Doval.

He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials.

The two NSAs agreed to enhance India-UK cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. The two sides agreed that there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy.

The two National Security Advisors (NSA) on Friday met for restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. This was followed by delegation-level talks where both countries reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance security linkages, as per sources.

Both sides agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism, counter-terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter-radicalisation.

The two sides agreed to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

The two NSAs have engaged regularly in extensive discussions on a broad bilateral, regional and global agenda. The current visit will give them the opportunity to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as explore futuristic areas for technology collaboration, as per sources.

Tim Barrow will also meet other dignitaries of the Government of India during his visit to India. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Streaks of Light Seen in California. (Photo Credits: Video Grab)

New Delhi [India], July 7 (ANI): National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday met his UK counterpart Tim Barrow in Delhi.

This meeting between the two is the second in this year as earlier the two had an informal meeting on March 30.

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The high-profile meeting came days after attacks and protests at Indian High Commission in London.

Earlier, on March 19, a pro-Khalistan protestor in London climbed the High Commission of India's balcony and pulled down the Indian flag.

Also Read | EAM S Jaishankar Appreciates India-Tanzania Parliamentary Friendship Group.

India had registered a strong protest over the matter while urging the UK authorities to take appropriate action against those involved in the act.

Meanwhile, Ajit Doval recently held in-depth talks with Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Bonne.

The talks were held to prepare for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France scheduled to take place next week.

Sharing details regarding the meeting between Bonne and Doval, French Embassy in India in a tweet stated, "E. Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to Prez @EmmanuelMacron, held in-depth talks with NSA Ajit Doval to prepare for PM @NarendraModi's visit to France next week. Defence, energy, space, new technologies & more: we're working on an ambitious agenda for the India-France strategic partnership!" (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Warsaw, Jul 7 (AP) Poland's prime minister and Catholic church leaders opened days of observances Friday to honour victims of World War II massacres of tens of thousands of Poles by Ukrainian nationalists, which have marred the tightening strategic relations between the neighbouring nations.

We can say that for many years this has been an unhealed wound in Polish-Ukrainian relations," said spokesperson for Poland's ruling right-wing party, Rafal Bochenek.

Also Read | India: Lung Disease Turns Budhpura into village of Widows.

We would expect truth to be told and things to be called by their proper name," Bochenek said.

Poland says the 1943-44 massacre of some 100,000 Poles by Ukrainian nationalists was genocide. The killings took place in Volhynia and in other regions of what was then eastern Poland under Nazi German and then Soviet occupation, and which are now in western Ukraine.

Also Read | NSA Ajit Doval Urges British Counterpart Sir Tim Barrow To Take Public Action Against Extremist Elements Threatening Indian Officers in UK.

Warsaw is among the staunchest supporters of Kyiv in its war against Russia's aggression and the increasingly close ties seem to provide an opportunity for the two nations to deal with the hurtful and divisive past.

Many Poles still harbour grudges for family members who were brutally killed in the massacres. In retaliation, some 15,000 Ukrainians lost their lives then.

Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki travelled early Friday to Ukraine to massacre sites, where the entire villages of Ostrowki and Puzniki had been wiped out by units of Ukraine's nationalist forces. He put up commemorative crosses there and visited local cemeteries where some of the victims were buried. Not all burial sites are known.

I will not rest until the last victim of that terrible Volhynia Massacre is found and buried with respect," Morawiecki said.

Leader of Poland's Roman Catholic Church Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki and the Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church held joint reconciliation religious service Friday in Warsaw.

These were the first in days of observances that will culminate on Tuesday, marking the 80th anniversary of the intensified violence.

Entire villages were burned down and all their inhabitants killed by nationalists and their helpers who sought to establish an independent Ukraine state.

Poland has long pursued Kyiv's permission for the search for burial sites, exhumations, identification and commemoration of the Polish victims.

Some of the Ukrainian nationalist leaders who were responsible for instigating the massacres are lauded in Ukraine for fighting for the nation's independence during World War II, leading to strains in relations with Poland. But Ukraine's authorities recently signalled a more open approach to Poland's expectations.

Poland's leaders have insisted that bringing the full truth into the open will strengthen bilateral relations with Ukraine and neutralise vulnerabilities that could be exploited by third countries seeking to undermine these ties.

We must be aware, Poles and Ukrainians, that without the full clarification and full record of the Volhynia crimes, Russia will always be using this card to drive a wedge between Poles and Ukrainians," Morawiecki said. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Colombo, Jul 7 (PTI) Describing New Delhi as a "close associate" and a "trustworthy friend" of Colombo, Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Friday thanked India for the financial assistance it extended to the island nation when it reeled under an unprecedented economic crisis last year.

Sri Lanka was hit by a catastrophic financial crisis in 2022, the worst since its independence from Britain in 1948, due to a severe paucity of foreign exchange reserves.

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As the country struggled, locked in the throes of the crisis, India extended multi-pronged assistance of about USD 4 billion to it last year, through multiple credit lines and currency support, in line with India's Neighbourhood First' policy.

In his address at the gala dinner reception hosted for delegates of the Indian Travel Congress here, Abeywardena said that India "saved us" during the financial crisis otherwise, there would have been "another bloodbath for all of us".

Also Read | India: Lung Disease Turns Budhpura into village of Widows.

At the evening reception, the Speaker thanked India for the help extended to the cash-strapped nation and recalled the civilisational ties and similarities between the two countries and their cultures.

"Sri Lanka and India are very, very closely interconnected countries, culturally, nationally, and policy-wise, and above all, India has been a very close associate and trustworthy friend of Sri Lanka," Abeywardena said, adding that when "we were in trouble", India always helped out.

"And, even this time, today, I heard that India is willing to extend our restructuring of loans for 12 years. Never expected, and never in the history, not a single country has extended that kind of assistance," he said.

He recalled the helping hand lent by India during the period of trouble last year that devastated the Sri Lankan economy, pushing it into a debt crisis.

"I must tell you, during the trouble that we had last year, you (India) saved us, India saved us otherwise, there would have been another bloodbath for all of us. So, that is how India came to help us," Abeywardena said.

He made the remarks in the presence of the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay, Sri Lanka's Tourism and Lands Minister, Harin Fernando, and other senior officials of the Sri Lankan government.

"Your ambassador here, (a) very close friend of ours. We love and respect him," the Speaker said, referring to Baglay.

Noting the similarity between the Indian surname Singh and the Sri Lankan surname Singhe, Abeywardena claimed that "it shows we are genetically connected to India".

"That way, India is not a new country to us. It's part of the ethos of our country, part of our life, part of our heart," he said, adding, "We are here to receive you, respect you, join with you."

"Together, we (Sri Lanka) can join with you (India), without any difficulty or hesitation, with great trust," the Speaker said.

In his address, Fernando pitched Sri Lanka -- Pearl of the Indian Ocean -- as a unique destination for India and the rest of the world, saying, "One island nation offers so many different tourist experiences, without travelling far from one location to another."

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Vienna [Austria], July 7 (ANI): The Uyghur community in Austria protested in front of the Chinese Embassy in Vienna demanding an end to the persecution of Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities in Beijing, Voices Against Autocracy (VAA) reported.

The demonstration was organised to commemorate the Urumqi massacre which took place on July 5, 2009, and to raise their voice against the ongoing genocide in East Turkestan in the Xinjiang province of China.

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Around 50 Uyghurs from Austria gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy and raised slogans against the genocidal actions of the Chinese government.

According to VAA, many of these Uyghurs have lost their loved ones in the massacre and it is important for them to remember this heinous act of the Beijing government to gain strength in their continued fight against the Chinese oppression.

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Mevlan Dilshat, President of the Uyghur community in Austria, led the protests, and Uyghurs from various provinces of the country participated in the protest in huge numbers.

The protestors called upon the international community to refrain from being silent and take action against this genocide.

In the infamous Urumqi massacre, around 200 people were killed and around 1700 were left injured after the horrific three-day violence between ethnic minority Uyghurs and Han Chinese community, as per VAA.

However, these are only the official Chinese figures, and the real numbers of dead and injured is considered to be much higher.

June 5, 2009 further became a 'turning point' and the beginning of the genocidal "ethnic cleansing" policy of the Chinese Communist Party. The persecution accelerated in 2016-17, when President Xi Jinping started to consolidate his power within China and started using Uyghurs as "pawns" to further his self-interest, VAA reported.

As per estimates, around 1.8 million people from the Uyghur community have been held in internment camps. The detainees who later came out of the camps reported of widespread maltreatment, including severe human rights abuses, torture, rape and forced labour.

But, many of those who went to those camps, never returned back and even their whereabouts were not known, VAA reported. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bollywood star Deepika Padukone has drawn flak for not sharing any post for her husband and actor Ranveer Singh, who celebrated his 38th birthday on July 6. Deepika, who has an illustrious career, is also one of the most loved and followed celebrities on the social media, especially Instagram, where she has 74.6 million followers. Time and again, Deepika's unparalleled popularity, wide global appeal, and unbeatable stardom has put her in the limelight. Ranveer Singh Birthday: Alia Bhatt Shares Cute Pic on Insta To Wish Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani Co-Star!.

However now, the Piku fame has faced major backlash from the netizens, for not posting anything for Ranveer on his birthday. Expressing their disappointment over the same, fans took to Deepika's last Instagram post, where she had posted a picture of her relishing an ice cream, and flooded her comment section. One user wrote: "Me waiting for Ranveer's bdy wish post on Deepika's insta whole day", while the other said: "Husband ki bday ka post nhi lagaya???" Ranveer Singh Birthday: Karan Johar Shares BTS Pics From the Sets of Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani To Wish the Actor!.

Another fan commented: "Post something on your hubby birthday". One user said, "Is this for @ranveersingh....? #BirthdaySpecial." On the other hand, Ranveer's social media was flooded with birthday wishes from the fans and celebrities. Considered as one of the most powerful couples of the B-Town, Deepika and Ranveer had tied the knot in November 2018, in both traditional Konkani and Sindhi ceremonies, in Italy. On the work front, Ranveer will be next seen in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani opposite Alia Bhatt, while Deepika has Project K, Fighter and Jawan in the pipeline.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2023 03:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The UN's maritime agency announced an agreement to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry by about 2050. But many experts say the deal falls well short of what is necessary and possible.TheInternational Maritime Organization (IMO) on Friday sealed a deal that sets more ambitious emissions-cutting targets than previously envisaged.

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The IMO agreed to cut total annual emissions of greenhouse gases "by at least 20%, striving for 30% by 2030" and "by at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040."

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The goals go well beyond a 2008 plan that targeted a 50% reduction by mid-century.

The agency called the deal "historic," adding that it "remains committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping and, as a matter of urgency, aims to phase them out as soon as possible."

The shipping industry contributes 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN, roughly the same as aviation. Most of the world's some 100,000 cargo ships are still powered by highly polluting diesel.

The deal was reached as a five-day meeting attended by representatives from 100 countries ended at the IMO's headquarters in London. On Monday, climate protesters calling for yet more ambitious targets demonstrated outside the building while the meeting was in session.

The IMO's targets are revised every five years.

Disappointment from climate experts, activists

Experts calculate that the industry must cut emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to meet the Paris Agreement goal of a maximal 1.5 C (2.7 F) rise in the average global temperature compared with the pre-industrial era.

For this reason, environmentalists and some nations are unhappy with the deal, saying that it neither sets 2050 as a firm deadline for net zero emissions nor fulfills the goal set out in the Paris accord.

John Maggs, president of the Clean Shipping Coalition NGO, said far more would have been possible.

Calling the deal a "wish and a prayer agreement," he said that "the level of ambition agreed is far short of what is needed to be sure of keeping global heating below 1.5 Celsius, and the language seemingly contrived to be vague and non-committal."

Climate-vulnerable Pacific nations were in favor of more ambitious targets, but they faced opposition from big exporters such as China.

tj/jcg (AFP, AP)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2023 08:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, July 7: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that Tanzania is Indias largest African partner in training and capacity building. During an interaction with the Indian community in Dar-es-Salaam on Thursday as part of his ongoing visit to Tanzania, Jaishankar stressed on the importance of Mission IT (India & Tanzania). He highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially India's deep links with East Africa. EAM S Jaishankar Reaches Zanzibar To Deepen Ties With Tanzania; Receives Warm Welcome (Watch Video).

Jaishankar informed the audience that the heart of India and Tanzania ties is the solidarity of spirit and mutuality of interests. He recognised that the Indian community is an expression, contributor and force of the relationship between the two nations. EAM S Jaishankar Embarks on Four Day Visit to Tanzania To Strengthen Bilateral Relations and Development Plans Between Two Countries.

EAM Jaishankar Addresses Indian Delegates in Tanzania:

Had a lively interaction with members of the Indian community in Dar es Salaam.  Stressed the importance of Mission IT (India & Tanzania). Highlighted the strong India-Africa connection, especially our deep links with East Africa;  Heart of   ties is the solidarity pic.twitter.com/NN9EVRRJCH  Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 6, 2023

Jaishankar explained how friendship between the two nations is making a difference in the lives of the average Tanzanian. "Our water projects will benefit 8 million people in the country," Jaishankar said. The Indian community had historically been a source of strength for the relationship. As our ties expand, so will their role, he added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2023 01:05 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Bhopal, July 7: An FIR has been registered against a person for allegedly using an image of the Sidhi urination incident and doctoring it to insult the Tricolour, police said on Thursday. According to police, a person with the Twitter handle 'Shafeeq 2.0' used an image from the Sidhi urination incident and doctored it to insult the Indian flag.

Anil Bajpai, SHO Kamla Nagar, Bhopal said that a case has been registered against the person operating the account Shafeeq 2.0 under sections 1531 (1), 465 and 469 and section 67 of the IT Act as well as provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honor Act. Sidhi Urination Case: Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Shares Lunch With Victim Dashmat Rawat, Condemns Disturbing Incident (Watch Video).

Earlier on Thursday, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had lunch with urination case victim Dashmat Rawat at the CM House in Bhopal. The Chief Minister met the victim of the Sidhi urination incident at CM's house in the state capital, Bhopal, and had lunch with him.

Chouhan welcomed the victim, Dashmat Rawat, and also washed his feet as a mark of respect. He also apologized to the victim for the incident and said he was deeply disturbed and filled with pain after seeing the video. "My heart is filled with pain; Dashmat ji this is an attempt to share your pain. Also, I apologize to you. For me, only people are god," CM Chouhan wrote after meeting the victim. Urination Incident in Sidhi Blot on Humanity, Says Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

CM Chouhan met with the victim Dasmat Rawat at CM House. During this, the chief minister washed Dashmat's feet as a mark of respect, put tilak on his forehead, and garlanded him. He also honoured him by offering a Shawl, Sriphal, and the idol of lord Ganesha. Besides, CM fed Dashmat with his own hand on the occasion.

Notably, in a viral video of the incident, the accused Pravesh Shukla (30) was seen urinating on Rawat. After meeting with Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at CM's residence in Bhopal on Thursday, the Sidhi urination case victim Dashmat Rawat said that he met with the minister and it felt good.

"I met the minister, it felt good. He (CM Chouhan) called up my family and spoke to my family. I felt good. Now, I am going back after meeting him," Rawat told ANI. When asked about the incident and why the accused Pravesh Rawat (30) urinated on him, Rawat said, "What to say, nothing now. Whatever happened, had happened.

"Soon after a video of the incident went viral on social media on Tuesday, CM Shivraj Chouhan took cognizance of the matter and ordered strict action, including slapping the National Security Act (NSA) on the accused.

The accused, Shukla was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday and was booked under the NSA. An order in this regard was issued by Sidhi Collector, Saket Malviya, and the accused was sent to Central Jail Rewa. The accused's illegal construction was also demolished by the local administration on the same day.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Indore, July 7: Following ruckus created by parents over death of two newborns at the government-run Maharaja Tukojirao Hospital (MTH) in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, another instance of alleged negligence has come to light, in which bodies of two infants got exchanged while they were being handed over to their families.

A nurse has been suspended and three doctors were served notices seeking their response following the incident on Thursday, an official said on Friday. MTH is under the government-run Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College in the city. Gurugram Shocker: Woman Dies After Allegedly Being Given Wrong Injection.

"The body of a newborn girl belonging to a family from Khargone was swapped with that of a baby boy of a family in Ujjain and handed over on Thursday," college dean Dr Sanjay Dixit told PTI. In light of this gross negligence, MTH nurse Muskan Rathore was suspended with immediate effect, he said.

Notices have been issued to Dr Nilesh Dalal, head of the gynaecology department of MTH, Dr Preeti Malpani, head of the paediatric department, and Dr Sunil Arya, in-charge of the newborn special care unit (SNCU), asking why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for exchanging the bodies, it was stated. Delhi: Newborn Declared Dead by LNJP Hospital Found Alive After Hours, Alleges Family (Graphic Video Warning).

As soon as they realised the lapse, the MTH staff telephoned the concerned families and the mistake was rectified after the bodies were brought back, officials said. Earlier, parents and relatives created a ruckus on Thursday after two newborn babies died at MTH within 24 hours.

They alleged that the babies were given contaminated milk, a charge the hospital management denied. MTH is counted among the largest hospitals providing maternal and child care and treatment in the state. On Thursday, the relatives created a ruckus alleging the death of newborns due to negligence in treatment at this hospital.
Coimbatore, July 7: An IPS officer posted as Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) and suffering from "depression" here allegedly died by suicide after he shot himself early on Friday, police said. ADGP Law and Order, A Arun, said C Vijayakumar, DIG, Coimbatore range, shot himself this morning.

Citing preliminary investigation, he said the deceased was undergoing treatment for "depression" for the past few years and said the reason for the officer taking the extreme step was "purely medical." DIG Vijayakumar Dies by Suicide: Senior Tamil Nadu Police Officer Allegedly Shoots Self to Death in Coimbatore.

"I have spoke to the doctor treating him (Vijayakumar) who shared the information. He had consulted the doctor four days ago for mental pressure and had been given different medicines," Arun told reporters here.

The enquiries have revealed the deceased had no family issues or work burden and was talking to everybody on Thursday as well, he added. "There is no need to politicise it. It has happened purely due to a medical reason," Arun added.

Quoting the doctor who had been treating Vijayakumar, the ADGP stated "he said it was OCD-cum-depression." Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health disorder. Arun lavished praises on the deceased officer, saying he had earned accolades wherever he was posted.

To a question whether Vijayakumar took the weapon from his gunman before pulling the trigger on himself, Arun said it was being investigated into. Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin and Leader of Opposition K Palaniswami among others condoled the death of Vijayakumar.

Palaniswami, the AIADMK general secretary, demanded a CBI probe into the official's death. Vijayakumar shot himself with his service pistol at his residence at Red Fields in the city, a senior police officer said. The 2009 batch IPS official, said to be in his mid-40s, had assumed charge as DIG in January this year.

He had served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anna Nagar, Chennai earlier. Previously, he had served as Superintendent of Police in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts. A native of Tamil Nadu's Theni district, his final rites are likely to be held there, official sources said.

Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, Shankar Jiwal, paid tributes to Vijayakumar's mortal remains at Theni. Following post mortem, TN Minister M P Saminathan and senior police officials among other paid floral tributes to the mortal remains of the deceased.

This is the second such incident in recent years of a senior official allegedly dying by suicide in Tamil Nadu. Then Tiruchengode Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnupriya allegedly died of suicide at her residence in Namakkal district in 2015. She was found hanging. Governor Ravi and others condoled Vijayakumar's death.

"It is painful for me to learn of the loss of a young and brilliant police officer, C Vijayakumar. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family. Om Shanti!," the Raj Bhavan's official Twitter handle said.

In a tweet, Chief Minister Stalin said he was shocked and saddened to hear the sad news of the untimely death of Vijayakumar today. "Vijayakumar had served Tamil Nadu police force well in various responsibilities including district SP during his tenure."

"His death is a huge loss to the Tamil Nadu Police department. My deepest condolences and sympathies to his family, friends and police force," the CM tweeted. Palaniswami expressed anguish over the death of the police officer. He recalled Vijayakumar's growth through the ranks and hailed his service in the force. In a tweet, he said Vijayakumar's alleged suicide "raises many doubts."

"Therefore, a CBI probe should be held into the suicide of Vijayakumar IPS and ascertain the truth behind it," he urged the Tamil Nadu government. BJP state chief K Annamalai expressed shock over the incident. Tagging the office of TN CM Stalin in a tweet, he asked what were the steps taken to address the work burden and fill up the 10,000 vacancies in the police department.

"One cannot so easily brush aside the suicide of a senior police official. The state government should conduct a serious probe into the matter and take action," Annamalai, a former IPS officer, said in the tweet.

Later, speaking to reporters here, he sought a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the matter and also took objection to ADGP Arun attributing depression for Vijayakumar taking to the extreme step.

"Don't insult a man who is no more," Annamalai said, adding the probe should focus on various angles including the cases being handled by the deceased official. Various other leaders, including MDMK chief Vaiko, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss and AMMK's T T V Dhinakaran condoled the death of the officer.
Titanic tourism company OceanGate has indefinitely suspended operations after the implosion of a vessel it used to ferry wealthy tourists to wreck.OceanGate  operators of, among others, the Titan submersible that imploded after it went missing in the North Atlantic on June 18  announced Thursday that it had "suspended all exploration and commercial operations."

Also Read | Bihar Shocker: Body of Professor Found Hanging on College Campus in Madhepura District; Probe Underway.

OceanGate, which is based in Everett, Washington state, provided crewed submersible vessels for tourism, exploration, industry and research.

Also Read | Udaipur Temples Issue Dress Code For Pilgrims: Renowned Jagdish and Bohra Ganesh Temple Put Up Posters Mentioning Dress Requirements, Government Remove Posters.

The disappearance of the Titan submersible vessel and its five passengers near the famous wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic unleashed a massive search and rescue effort involving Canadian, US and UK naval coordination.

Four days later, the vessel's remains were discovered 1,600 feet (500 meters) from the bow of the Titanic some 400 miles (644 kilometers) off the coast of Newfoundland. It was soon concluded that all inside had been instantly killed when the submersible catastrophically imploded at a depth of more than 2 miles below the surface.

Experts say the implosion occurred at the same time the launch ship lost radio contact with the submersible  about one hour and forty-five minutes after it was lowered into the sea.

The company's multi-millionaire CEO Stockton Rush was among those killed in the incident.

The wreckage, among which are presumed human remains, has been taken to St. John's, a port town in eastern Canada. US and Canadian authorities have launched investigations into the cause of the catastrophe.

OceanGate CEO proposed innovation over safety

The incident shined a light on worries about the unregulated nature of such expeditions, as well as previous concerns over OceanGate safety policies.

CEO Stockton Rush railed against laws like the 1993 Passenger Vessel Safety Act  which regulates the construction of underwater vessels  saying they "needlessly prioritized passenger safety over commercial innovation."

In 2022, Rush told CBS News, "I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules."

Rush had discovered what he perceived as a private market opportunity for underwater exploration around 2007, and founded OceanGate in 2009 with then-business partner Guillermo Sohnlein to exploit it.

The dark story of the doomed Titanic, which sank in the icy waters of the North Atlantic while on its 1912 maiden voyage and lies on the ocean floor at a depth of 4,000 meters (13,000 feet), has captivated imaginations for generations. More than 1,500 of the ship's 2,224 passengers were killed in the incident.

The elusive wreck was finally found in 1985 and made more famous still by people like Hollywood director James Cameron  both with his blockbuster as well as his documentary submarine footage of the ship.

OceanGate Expeditions monetized that fascination, claiming it had made 13 successful trips to the storied wreck by 2023. It charged wealthy tourists $250,000 (230,000) for a seat in its submersible.

The others on board the Titan when it imploded were billionaire British explorer Hamish Harding, billionaire French submarine expert Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Pakistani-British multi-millionaire tycoon Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman.

OceanGate had planned two expeditions to the wreck of the Titanic in June.

js/rc (AFP, Reuters)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 07, 2023 03:40 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
On 6 July Mexicos Economy Ministermet with US Trade Representativeand Canadas International Trade Ministerin Cancun, Quintana Roo state, for the third meeting of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) Free Trade Commission (FTC).

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On 6 July Bolivias former president(2006-2019) called for safeguarding the unity within the ruling left-wing Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) to defeat the right.

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Ron Desantis' 2024 presidential campaign has been raising a lot of money lately, with the campaign raising $20 million since he announced his run with Elon Musk.

Officials from the Ron DeSantis campaign reported that its fundraising efforts are the "largest first-quarter filing from any non-incumbent Republican candidate in more than a decade." The campaign is also framing these fundraising numbers as a sign of momentum. Currently, the Florida governor is struggling against former President Donald Trump in the polls despite outraising him.

"We are grateful for the investment so many Americans have made to get this country back on track," said campaign manager Generra Peck. "The fight to save it will be long and challenging, but we have built an operation to share the governor's message and mobilize the millions of people who support it. We are ready to win."

The governor's Super PAC, Never Back Down, also announced that it had already raised $130 million since it was launched last March. This includes the $82.5 million that was transferred from a Florida political committee affiliated with DeSantis, according to Politico.

The DeSantis campaign announcement came after chief rival Donald Trump's campaign announced that his controversial leadership political action committee, Save America, and the Trump campaign have jointly raised $35 million during the second quarter of 2023. This is despite all the state and federal indictments against Trump, as well as the scandal that he has been using campaign donations to fund his legal fees.

Despite the myriad of cases, from the E. Jean Carrol rape case to the Georgia election interference case to the classified documents case, Trump still leads against DeSantis by a wide margin.

Ron DeSantis Backed by Dozens of Billionaires

DeSantis is outraising Trump because around 42 billionaires are backing the Florida governor. According to Tallahassee.com, the amount of billionaire support for the Ron DeSantis 2024 campaign has been called "extraordinary" by experts. This is despite DeSantis "bashing" billionaires and their companies in public.

READ MORE: Ron DeSantis' Immigration Law Sparks Exodus of Florida Immigrants

His biggest billionaire backer is Ken Griffin, who is a Republican megadonor and is highly active in conservative politics. During DeSantis' re-election bid in 2022, he donated $5 million to the Florida governor. The billionaire, who has a net worth of $26 billion, was unhappy with DeSantis over his Disney feud. Despite this, he is still one of the Republican's biggest backers.

Other notable billionaire donors include Julia Koch, widow of the late Republican megadonor David Koch of Koch Industries, megadonor Julie Jenkins Fancelli, San Francisco 49ers owner Edward DeBartolo Jr., and former President Donald Trump's Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Ron DeSantis Popular With the Rich, but Struggles Among Blue-Collar Americans

While DeSantis is surging among richer Republicans, he keeps on struggling with more blue-collar Americans, not just Republicans. This is despite constantly railing against the "elites" while still being backed by them.

According to Yahoo!, recent polls show that DeSantis is faring better than Trump against richer and more educated Republican voters but struggles against Republicans who did not finish college, as well as working-class Republicans. This shows in a recent CNN poll where 55% of voters without a college degree back Trump.

The same can be said for a new poll by Emerson College, which found that 73% of Republican primary voters with a high school diploma or less back Trump while only 8% back DeSantis.

READ NEXT: Florida Could Face Mass Labor Shortage Due to Ron DeSantis' New Immigration Law

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WATCH: Trump slams DeSantis' July 4th campaign events in New Hampshire - CBS News
The Philadelphia shooting suspect, 40-year-old Kimbrady Carriker, may be having some mental health issues. This is according to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who provided an update on the mass shooting attack on the eve of Independence Day in Philadelphia that killed five people and injured four others.

DA Krasner spoke with CNN and told the outlet that investigators are now looking through Carriker's social media history and his possible mental health issues.

"I can certainly tell you that there are indications of mental health issues. There are indications of irrational behavior. There are indications of irrational statements and irrational acts," he said.

The Philadelphia Public Defender's Office is representing Carriker, and it told CNN that the office would not comment yet on the case. Caricker is facing multiple charges of murder for his actions.

The Philadelphia shooting suspect has now been arraigned, and investigators see "all kinds of indications of premeditation" in the attack. However, Krasner admitted, "But when you get into issues of psychological state, motivation, intent beyond the obvious, which is that he obviously planned this ... that can be a monthslong process."

Philadelphia Shooting Suspect's Motive Revealed

Caricker has been questioned extensively by authorities after he was arrested while wearing body armor and a ski mask and carrying an assault rifle and a ghost gun. However, after his arrest, the mass shooter reportedly told officers that he did a good job.

Caricker was firing indiscriminately and said that he shot people because he was "cleaning the streets." He claimed that all these guys are out there killing people." The shooter also claimed that "Yahweh," the Hebrew name for God, would be sending more people to help.

READ MORE: Philadelphia Shooting: Gunman Identified, 5 Victims Named

Police also interviewed the suspect's roommates, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. They told investigators that Caricker had been increasingly agitated recently and was constantly wearing a bulletproof vest while carrying a gun.

He was also described by roommates as a "biblical extremist" who also believed people should assist police in protecting their neighborhoods. The suspect was allegedly caught on camera while screaming "battle crimes" as he went about his shooting spree.

Philadelphia Shooting Victims

Caricker's rampage killed five people last Monday, and they have been identified. They are 20-year-old Lashyd Merritt, 29-year-old Dymir Stanton, 59-year-old Ralph Moralis, and Joseph Wamah Jr., 31. The youngest among them is Daujan Brown, who was only 15.

Lashyd Merritt worked as an IRS service representative and was described as an overall good guy by a cousin who spoke to NBC News. Meanwhile, the youngest victim, Daujan Brown, was killed while trying to help a 13-year-old friend who was shot twice in the legs. He was only walking to a store when he was killed, though his friend survived.

Joseph Wamah Jr. was described as an angel by his twin sister, Josephine Wamah. He had a degree in psychology and also loved drawing.

The eldest victim was Ralph Moralis, who was supposed to attend his daughter's wedding on Sunday.

READ NEXT: Wanted January 6 Rioter Arrested Near Barack Obama's Home

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WATCH: Suspect arraigned in Philadelphia mass shooting that killed 5 | GMA - ABC News
The rare Somali Wild Ass is getting a ray of hope for its entire species thanks to a captive breeding program in Chile where a new foal was recently born.

The Buin Zoo in the outskirts of the Chilean capital of Santiago, noted by many for injecting its animals with the COVID-19 vaccine, has cause for celebration after successfully delivering a new Somali Wild Ass foal into the world. This new captive birth is seen as a boon to the international effort to help restore the species.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature categorizes Somali Wild Ass as critically endangered. Currently, less than 200 mature individuals are left worldwide, and conservationists are trying to save the species through captive breeding programs around the world in select zoos. Chile's Buin Zoo is one of them.

"We're really happy to be telling this news during such difficult times for conservation for so many species," Ignacio Idalsoaga, founder and director of the Buin Zoo, told Reuters. With this latest addition, the director added that the foal is now the zoo's fifth specimen.

"It's great news for conservation of a wild donkey that's disappearing from the earth and we have the capacity to reproduce it here, at the edge of the world, in Chile," Idalsoaga added.

Idalsoaga lamented the fate of these wild animals, saying, "The bones are used in soups that supposedly have medicinal characteristics that hasn't been scientifically proven, but it's practically brought on the extinction of a beautiful species."

This would also be the third Somali Wild Ass born in Chile, with the first two foals being born in 2021. They were named Lucrecia and Ita, though the third foal has not yet been named as of writing.

READ NEXT: 5 Mexican Hot Peppers Deemed the Spiciest in Mexico

Other Successful Somali Wild Ass Captive Breeding Programs in the US and the UK

Aside from Chile, the US and the UK are also participating in the species' captive breeding program. In the US, the St. Louis Zoo in Missouri successfully started breeding them in 2019 when Tobias was born, according to NPR.

The zoo has been working on conserving these animals and is helping communities that usually hunt these creatures find alternative food sources.

Over in the UK, the Zoological Society of East Anglia's Africa Alive Zoo has been taking part in the European endangered species breeding program since 2004. Among the animals that they are trying to save are the Somali Wild Asses.

According to the BBC, a new foal was born to mother Calula and father Sahib last year.

What Are Somali Wild Asses?

Somali Wild Asses are donkeys and also a close relative of the zebra, as seen in the species' striped legs. They originally lived in parts of Africa and Asia, though they have now been reduced to minuscule populations around the Horn of Africa, in countries like Eritrea and Ethiopia, where they are considered delicacies.

According to the San Diego Zoo, other factors such as political unrest, encroachment of their land and water sources by domestic herds, poaching, and a general lack of concern for their welfare have all contributed to the decline of the species considered the smallest of the equids, which are of course donkeys, horses, and zebras.

READ NEXT: Chile Political Parties Agree to Try and Change Constitution Again

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Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Welcome To The Herd, Little Somali Wild Ass! - San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef have announced their divorce after being married for six years, as revealed in a joint statement on Thursday, CBS News noted.

The decision was made after careful consideration to transform their relationship while maintaining love, respect, and dignity for the sake of their children.

They expressed their desire to maintain a healthy family dynamic and a relationship centered on their genuine friendship as they continue to co-parent their children.

Martin and Yosef have two children together, a daughter Lucia (born in 2018), and a son Renn (born in 2019). Additionally, Martin is the father of twins Matteo and Valentino, born in 2008.

READ NEXT: Ricky Martin of Menudo: A Dark Story

Divorce Comes a Year After Ricky Martin Allegedly Had Incestuous Relationship With Nephew

Last year, Ricky Martin faced allegations of harassment and was issued a restraining order.

Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, Ricky Martin's nephew, reportedly filed a restraining order against Martin.

Sanchez claimed he had been in a romantic relationship with his uncle for seven months before they broke up two months ago.

Martin did not accept the separation and continued to contact him frequently, according to Sanchez, and alleged that Martin loitered around his residence on multiple occasions, causing him to fear for his safety.

Sanchez also claimed that Martin has been consuming significant amounts of alcohol and drugs.

The restraining order prohibits Martin from contacting Sanchez in person or over the phone.

It also directs Martin to refrain from approaching, harassing, intimidating, threatening, or interfering with Sanchez.

However, Ricky Martin publicly refuted the allegations in a tweet, asserting their falsehood and his commitment to dealing with them responsibly.

The case was subsequently resolved, with the petitioner voluntarily withdrawing the claims, leading to the closure of the case, as confirmed by a judicial spokesperson at the time.

Ricky Martin and Jwan Yosef

Ricky Martin, 51, and Jwan Yosef, 38, initially connected through Instagram in 2015 and began dating six months after meeting in person in London, according to PEOPLE.

They made their relationship public at the 2016 amFAR Inspiration Gala and announced their engagement that year. The couple tied the knot in 2018.

"I'm a husband, but we're doing a heavy party in a couple of months," Martin said during an interview with E! News in January 2018, adding that they had exchanged vows, signed all necessary paperwork, including prenuptial agreements, and planned to celebrate with a grand party in the following months.

Both Martin and Yosef, who are fluent in multiple languages, have expressed their commitment to passing down their linguistic abilities to their four children.

Spanish is spoken at home, but the children speak English and French fluently. Ricky Martin revealed that his twin sons were enrolled in a French school during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2013.

Jwan Yosef has additionally expressed his focus on teaching their two youngest children Arabic.

"The way I bring up my babies is that I focus on Arabic rather than English or Swedish," Yosef said during an interview in 2021.

"I taught my kid how to count to 10 in Arabic, and she's only 2, which is wonderful," he added.

READ MORE: Jwan Yosef Facts

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Ricky Martin & Husband Jwan Yosef Break Up After 6 Years of Marriage - From E! News
The body of the missing Michigan girl, Wynter Smith, was discovered Wednesday evening in Detroit, according to the Lansing Police Chief, Ellery Sosebee, Yahoo! News noted.

The federal search team found the body near Coleman A. Young International Airport around 6:50 pm.

Consequently, the investigation has shifted from a missing child case to a homicide investigation, as announced by Chief Sosebee during a brief news conference.

Chief Sosebee expressed condolences to the Wynter Smith family, acknowledging the situation's heartbreaking nature.

The young girl had been reported missing on Sunday at 11:30 pm, following a physical assault on her mother by an ex-boyfriend in their apartment, as detailed by the FBI.

The mother, seeking help and contacting the authorities, discovered that Smith was missing when the officers arrived.

Symari Cole, Wynter Smith's mother, sustained multiple stab wounds during the incident and has been discharged from the hospital, as confirmed by the Lansing Police Department.

Fortunately, Smith's brother, who was present in the apartment at the time, did not suffer any injuries, as reported by the FBI.

READ NEXT: 2-year-old Girl Still Missing After Alleged Kidnapper Was Arrested

Missing Michigan Girl's Kidnapper Arrested, Faces Several Charges

Rashad Maleek Trice, a 26-year-old resident of Detroit, has been charged with multiple offenses, including fleeing police, assaulting his 22-year-old ex-girlfriend, and kidnapping her 2-year-old daughter, Wynter Smith, according to Click on Detroit.

The events unfolded on Sunday, July 2, in Ingham County, when Trice allegedly took off in his ex-girlfriend's Chevrolet Impala.

Promptly after that, an AMBER Alert was issued. The following morning, around 5 am, St. Clair Shores police tried to stop Trice's vehicle. Still, he evaded them at high speed, colliding with a police vehicle that rendered his car inoperable.

Law enforcement officials reported that during the arrest, Trice resisted and made a grab for an officer's firearm. Eventually, authorities arrested him, although the 2-year-old child was not found in his custody.

Trice now faces a slew of charges, including third-degree fleeing and eluding, attempted disarming of an officer, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing, causing injury, as well as three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Furthermore, Trice has been accused of assault with intent to murder, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence (second offense), unlawful driving away of an automobile, felonious assault, and two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault.

Following an arraignment on Wednesday, he is being held without bond, as confirmed by the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office.

Meanwhile, no information regarding Trice's legal representation is available, as court records were not immediately accessible.

Community Came Together to Honor Wynter Smith

In a touching display of unity and remembrance, the community gathered Thursday evening to pay tribute to the memory of 2-year-old Wynter Smith, the missing Michigan girl, per WXYZ Detroit.

Amidst tears and sorrow, Smith's grandfather, Almont Smith Sr., bravely joined the large crowd to denounce violence and offer prayers, grappling with the immense loss that has occurred to their family.

In a heartfelt interview, Smith Sr. expressed his profound outrage and heartbreak, emphasizing that not only was his beloved grandchild taken away, but also her promising future and dreams.

Overwhelmed with grief, he urged an end to the senseless violence claiming innocent children's lives and causing immense suffering.

The vigil, organized by Pastor Maurice Hardwick, served as a poignant prelude to a larger event planned with the family on Friday. Hardwick expressed the purpose of coming together to organize, pray, and honor the memory of baby Wynter, highlighting the need to show respect for her precious life.

During the gathering, the crowd unified in their chants of "Whose baby? Our baby!" as a testament to their shared responsibility and love for the young victim. The police, in solidarity, affirmed that "Wynter is one of our kids," underscoring their commitment to seeking justice.

Both law enforcement authorities and prosecutors have pledged to hold the perpetrator accountable and pursue additional charges.

READ MORE: Texas Missing Teen Case Takes Disturbing Turn

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WATCH: Wynter Smith: Missing Michigan toddler found dead, mother's ex-boyfriend arrested - From LiveNOW from FOX
The thundering staccato of an excavators hydraulic breaker mingled with the whoosh of the Bushkill Creek over a dam not long for this world Friday in Easton.

An ecological restoration project more than a decade in development was starting, as work began to remove the first of three dams on the stream running through the city.

Wildlands Conservancy, a nonprofit based in Lower Macungie Township just outside Emmaus, is coordinating the removal of two dams this summer and the third next year.

The first dam to go is owned by Lafayette College just upstream from North Third Street. Another owned by VM Development Groups Simon Silk Mill is also slated for demolition and removal this summer. These dams are labeled Nos. 1 and 3 on the map below, also available here. More work is scheduled for summer 2024 to remove dam No. 2 on the map, owned by the City of Easton adjacent to the 500 Bushkill Drive public works complex, according to Wildlands.

The dams were built to power lumber and grain mills, with the first put in in 1797, according to Lafayette geology Professor Dru Germanoski. Today, they pose a danger to stream users who can get caught in the hydraulics of the water spilling over the dam, build up sediment behind the impounds, stagnate the streams flow and cut its oxygen levels, and prevent freshwater fish from seeking out cooler water fed by groundwater seeps.

A lot of people think of dams and think of flood protection, but these dams dont provide flood protection, he said Friday as the work was underway. These dams have basically been abandoned, theyre just sitting on the landscapes serving no function, but theyre actually quite hazardous during high flow and many of them are deteriorating and will fail on their own eventually.

Theyre an anachronism, theyre just sitting here as non-functioning entities, altering the ecology of the stream in negative ways, he said.

Seen from an unmanned aerial vehicle, an ecological restoration project led by Wildlands Conservancy begins Friday, July 7, 2023, as a crew with Flyway Excavating works to demolish and remove the dam on the Bushkill Creek just upstream from North Third Street in Easton.Courtesy Wildlands Conservancy | For lehighvalleylive.com

Removing these low-head, run-of-the-river dams reconnects the Bushkill Creek to the Delaware River so freshwater species like trout, eels and American shad can swim upstream. Theyll carry tiny freshwater mussels that attach to their gills, migrate then establish new colonies where the bivalve mollusks filter the water and improve its quality.

So by opening this dam up now were connecting freshwater mussels and fish upstream into the Bushkill for the first time in over 200 years, said Kristie Fach, Wildlands director of ecological restoration.

Through a lengthy planning and permitting process, Wildlands has shaped the project from a holistic approach to remove the dams in a manner that protects nearby infrastructure like bridges and utilities  while also adding new fish habitat structures, improving access for fishing, removing invasive plants and planting native vegetation, and addressing erosion, she said.

The project is rooted in the 2005 spill of millions of gallons of coal fly ash into the Delaware River from the Martins Creek Power Plant then owned by PPL Corp. in Lower Mount Bethel Township. The plant closed its coal operations in 2007.

Under a 2016 court order, current plant owner Talen Energy was ordered to pay nearly $1 million for the spill that went almost entirely toward dam removal projects in the Delaware River Basin. From that base, Wildlands raised over $2 million for the work now underway on the Bushkill just upstream from its confluence with the Delaware, including $100,000 from Northampton County in addition to funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and UGI Utilities Inc.

Project partner Lafayette College has had teams of students and professors studying the Bushkill prior to the dams removal since 2017, combining interdisciplinary expertise and education in geology, biology, civil engineering and engineering science, Germanoski said. The work has amassed years worth of data, including during tropical storms and heavy flow events.

So when we see the change well be able to say heres the natural and heres the dam impact, so we have a really unique dataset in that regard, he said.

The Bushkill Creek begins at the foot of Blue Mountain in Bushkill Township and flows some 22 miles south to its confluence with the Delaware River at Easton. Last year, Wildlands removed two other dams on the Bushkill, one located near the land trusts Binney & Smith Preserve and the other close to Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. In 2021, Wildlands completed a restoration and habitat enhancement project along more than one mile of the Bushkill as it flows through Tatamy and into Palmer Township.

In addition to its funders and Lafayette, Wildlands recognizes the following partners on the project: American Rivers, Bushkill Stream Conservancy, City of Easton, Delaware River Basin Commission, Delaware River Shad Fishermens Association, Forks of the Delaware Trout Unlimited, Karl Stirner Arts Trail, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
Some kids like Harry Potter. Some prefer Super Mario.

Ben Cookes life revolves around World War II.

The 11-year-old Easton boy has amassed an impressive collection of authentic artifacts. His mother drives him all over the region to re-enactments.

He wears World War II uniforms to church, around his neighborhood and sometimes to bed.

He slept in a foxhole in the backyard a few nights ago, said his mother, Alex Cooke.

Hell experience the thrill of his young life when he leaves College Hill for a 10-day World War II pilgrimage to England and France through the Bridge 2 History program.

Im really looking forward to meeting the veterans on this trip. There arent that many left, since the war was 80 years ago, Ben Cooke said Thursday.

He and six other American youths will dine the first night in London with World War II veterans. Then theyll take a ferry to Normandy, France, at 6 a.m. to simulate what it may have been like to storm the beaches.

Theyll visit all the invasion beaches, German bunkers and monuments. Theyll go to cemeteries for American, British and German troops as part of the weeklong immersive dive into history.

Its not for the casual history buff.

This is not a fieldtrip, the organizers website warns.

Its a wonderful opportunity for Ben Cooke, whose interest in World War II has rapidly escalated over the past year. Hes homeschooled and his mother has built flexibility into his curriculum, particularly in his study of American history.

He didnt want to leave the Redball Military Transport Clubs fall show last year. He spent six hours walking, watching and learning last fall at the show in Monroe County. That blossomed into attendance at military shows in Reading, Berwick and Bushkill Township in Pennsylvania and in Sussex County, New Jersey.

The veterans and re-enactors see Ben in his uniform and gravitate to him. They open up to him about history and their service.

Its such a great community. Everyone we met is incredibly supportive, Alex Cooke said.

She slept out on a military cot for the Jacobsburg-Boulton Historical Sites World War II weekend.

As a mom, its wonderful to see his interest and I want to support it the best I can, she said.

Ben said veterans see him in uniform and want to boost his collection. One neighbor who served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam opened up his closet and offered up his military peacoat, belt buckle, dress shoes and even dog tags to Ben to wear. Another woman gave Ben her late fathers World War II U.S. Navy uniform.

Ive met so many nice people through this, Ben said.

Youll find him Saturday at the Forks of the Delaware Historical Arms Societys annual show at the Agri-Plex at the Allentown Fairgrounds in Allentown. Hell have a poster explaining his trip. He needs to raise $500 toward the travel costs.

When he returns from Europe, it will be Bens responsibility to talk to local school and community groups about what he learned overseas.

Trip organizers said they sponsor young people like Ben so future generations will appreciate the sacrifices made by World War II veterans. Many veterans werent much older than Ben when they went off to fight.

He will be sharing his experiences and knowledge with others so that their stories may live on, Alex Cooke said.

Ben Cooke, 11, of Easton, attends the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's World War II weekend in early June in Reading, Pa,Photo courtesy of Alex Cooke

Learn more

To learn more about the Bridge 2 History program, to sponsor Ben or to sponsor others in the program you can:

Check out the Bridge 2 History website

Check out the Operation Meatball website

Alex Cooke started an Instagram account last year to chronicle her World War II experiences with her son. Its called The Jump Boot Diaries because she learned that World War II paratroopers boots were manufactured in Pennsylvania.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
A body found Monday on the banks of the Delaware River in Bucks County was a man who jumped in the river the previous week, authorities said.

The man, found after washing up on the river bank in Bristol Township, was identified as Sokhon Sam, 36, from Philadelphia, Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck said.

Sams cause of death was drowning and it was ruled an accident, with no signs of trauma, Buck said. His next of kin have been notified with help from the Philadelphia Police Department.

Sam had been missing since the night of June 27.

Authorities said they were called about a man trying to steal a boat from a home in the township. When police arrived, the man, later identified as Sam, jumped into the river, authorities alleged.

Our office extends its deepest condolences to the decedents family and friends during this difficult time, Buck said in a release.

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
Revealing one accuser being repeatedly raped as a child, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry on Friday announced five more cases of alleged child sex abuse involving Jehovahs Witness members from across the state.

The new cases stem from a 2019 Pennsylvania grand jury investigation into child sex abuse in Jehovahs Witness congregations, and the defendants were all adult men in positions of trust with the victims, Henry said.

They violated that trust, and they abused these children, gaining access through the Jehovahs Witness organization, she said at a Friday morning news conference. So far the grand jury has charged a total of 14 people, Henry said; one suspect died by suicide as agents were attempting to arrest him.

Henry said of the new cases, four of the men have been arrested, including a Reading man accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl in Bethlehem, and then trying to rape her as an adult, first reported by lehighvalleylive.com. A fifth person is being sought.

While the offenses occurred a long time ago, in some cases decades ago, Henry said, I can tell you the trauma endures for these survivors.

Others charged include:

Shaun Sheffer , 45, of Butler County, is accused of repeatedly sexually abusing and raping a girl starting when she was 7 and he was 18. The accuser testified Sheffer allegedly raped her between 50 and 75 times, until she was 12 years old, Henry said.

David Balosa, 62, of Philadelphia, accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl when he was 35, according to Henry.

Errol William Hall , 50, of Delaware County. Hall was 41 and an elder in the Jehovahs Witnesses congregation when he allegedly repeatedly molested a 16-year-old girl. Hall is free after posting $25,000 bail in his case. A person who answered the phone at Halls listed phone number ended the call.

Terry Booth, 57, who lives in Florida but met his victim through a Jehovahs Witness congregation in Allegheny County, according to prosecutors. Booth became a mentor to a 16-year-old boy, eventually molesting the teen without his consent, Henry said.

Lehigh Valley case

In the Bethlehem case, Luis Manuel Ayala-Velazquez, 55, was charged Wednesday with nine counts, including rape of of an unconscious victim, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault.

Ayala-Velazquez was sent to Northampton County Prison after failing to post $250,000 bail.

The accuser said the repeated sexual abuse began when she was 13 and continued when she was an adult, the state attorney generals office said.

Prosecutors said Ayala-Velazquez was part of a Bethlehem Spanish Jehovahs Witness congregation and the state grand jury investigation into child sexual abuse in Jehovahs Witness congregations revealed records corroborating Ayala-Velazquezs abuse.

The accuser in the Bethlehem case reported Ayala-Velazquez began sexually assaulting her when she was 13 in the city, and the assaults occurred weekly for more than two years, records say. The accuser said after she became an adult, Ayala-Velazquez tried to rape her at a location in Berks County, records say.

The woman said at some point Jehovahs Witness elders learned of her abuse and told her Ayala-Velazquez had been disfellowshipped, or excommunicated. A message left at a number listed for the congregation asking about the report was not immediately returned.

The grand jury obtained records that did not detail specifics, but indicated Ayala-Velazquez confessed to sexually abusing two girls, prosecutors said.

The grand jury is still investigating accusations. Any Jehovahs Witnesses wishing to report sexual abuse should contact the Pennsylvania attorney generals clergy abuse hotline at 888-538-8541, and anyone with information regarding child sexual abuse can report it at ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
A Monroe County man is facing criminal charges after allegedly pulling a shotgun on an Amazon delivery driver, Pennsylvania State Police said.

Defense attorney John Waldron, who is representing the man, said his client has done nothing wrong and he denies all the allegations.

Troopers from the Stroudsburg barracks were called the night of July 1 to the home on Hunters Farm Road in Paradise Township.

An Amazon delivery driver from Allentown said she was driving her Dodge Caravan that day and was delivering a package to a Hunters Farm Road home. The woman reported she identified herself as an Amazon delivery driver and the homeowner opened a security gate in order for her to deliver the package.

Photos show the home has a lengthy driveway off Hunters Farm Road and is surrounded by woods.

When the woman parked her van in front of the home, the 70-year-old man brandished a short-barrel shotgun in his left hand and pointed it at her, troopers said.

The woman was still in the drivers seat, and reported she raised her hands and told him she was from Amazon, troopers said. The womans two children were sitting in the back of the van during the incident.

The man took the package with his right hand, pointed the shotgun at the victim again and told her to leave the property, state police said.

The woman drove away and contacted state police.

Troopers did not release the mans name, but said he will face a reckless endangerment charge filed at district court.

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro called on the Republican-controlled Senate on Thursday to return to the Pennsylvania Capitol to finalize a state spending plan, as the state government neared a week without full spending authority.

He disputed Republican accusations that he went back on his word about the $45 billion spending plan. Rather, Shapiro said it was a failure of the Senate and Democratic-controlled House to reach a deal on the final Pennsylvania budget, and he blamed Senate Republicans for sending the other chamber a bill that they knew might fail.

They may not like how this process played out, but its the process that they put into effect because of their inability to close the deal, he said.

The House approved the plan late Wednesday. Negotiations had hit a wall over education funding, particularly $100 million to create a school voucher program to let students use state funds to attend private and religious schools.

Senate Republicans pushed for setting up the program, finding an ally in Shapiro, who reaffirmed that he supported the measure on Thursday. But Democrats in the House objected to the program, and Shapiro then pledged to use his line-item veto to kill it.

That rankled Senate Republicans, who said they had agreed to provisions in the budget bill in exchange for getting the vouchers.

Senate Republican leadership criticized him for lacking enough respect and standing within his own party to follow through with his promise. Shapiro said the idea that its his responsibility to win House approval was an inaccurate assessment of the situation.

Shapiro urged the Senate to return to Harrisburg to sign off on the budget bill, and also to work with the House to pass legislation to direct how money in the budget bill can be spent.

Republicans on Thursday did not say when they would return, but suggested the budget fight isnt over.

In a statement, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward rejected Shapiros portrayal of negotiations, saying the GOP gave him all the goodies he wanted in return for the voucher program, and that the governor still has the authority to get it in the budget.

The Senate is scheduled to return to session Sept. 18. Republicans say that gives them the ability to hold up the budget bill until then without the constitutionally required signature of the presiding officer.

Other items Shapiro wanted in the budget bill  and that Senate Republicans agreed to in exchange for the voucher program  might need separate legislation to allow that money to be spent.

Also snarled is funding for three Pennsylvania universities that receive state subsidies  Penn State, University of Pittsburgh and Temple. Shapiro and Democrats have supported raising state aid to the three schools by 7% to $623 million collectively. However, Republicans have balked.

On Thursday, House Republicans rejected another effort to approve the aid, complaining that the schools are too willing to raise tuition and saying they would prefer to send money to students, not the institutions. Every Democrat voted for it, but 73 of 101 Republicans voted against the subsidies.

The lack of state aid could play a role in how the state universities budget and determine tuition for the upcoming school year.

By just about every measure there is, Pennsylvania is ranked at the bottom among states in size of student debt and affordability of its colleges. Some education advocates blame lawmakers for the lack of higher education aid.

By BROOKE SCHULTZ
Northampton County Council on Thursday night restored its plan for asking voters in November to consider term limits for elected county officials.

County Executive Lamont McClure in June vetoed ordinances adopted by the council earlier in the month to ask voters by referendum in the Nov. 7 election whether to term-limit council members, the executive and the county controller.

Council members during Thursdays regular meeting voted to override McClures vetoes, and further introduced an ordinance for a hearing and possible vote July 20 on limiting the countys elected district attorney to two consecutive terms.

McClure in vetoing the three original term-limit ordinances cited concerns about consistency and ambiguity in the language of the measures.

Council members debated the term-limit ballot questions Thursday, with Councilwoman Tara Zrinski questioning the urgency of putting the issue before voters in an off-year election when turnout is likely to be down compared to years when state and federal races are decided.

I do not see the sea of people that come out for urgent matters, she said.

Councilmen Kevin Lott and Ron Heckman joined Zrinski in voting against the term limit referendums for council and executive. Zrinski abstained from the vote on controller because she is the Democratic candidate for the position; Councilman John Cusick is the Republican running.

Joining Cusick in voting to override the vetos were council members Thomas Giovanni, Lori Vargo Heffner, John P. Goffredo, John Brown and President Kerry Myers.

Lott argued that constituents can decide if an incumbent should no longer serve in office simply by voting in a challenger.

Goffredo responded to what he called insinuations that a conspiracy is behind bringing the term limit proposals before voters this year, saying local government can set an example for higher offices where people can remain in office into their 80s.

Its coming up now because we brought it up and it passed democratically, Goffredo said.

Vargo Heffner thanked the council members for taking part in discussions on the term-limit referendums both in committee and in full council meetings.

Its county council has done its job, she said, continuing later: Thats all it is, giving it to the people to vote on.

I just believe that democracy works for all of us, Myers said.

The referendums would amend the Northampton County Home Rule Charter to limit the county:

controller to serving two four-year terms in succession beginning in January 2024.

council members to three four-year terms in succession beginning in January 2024.

executive to being elected to two terms in succession beginning in January 2026.

The proposal to ask voters to term-limit the district attorney would limit that officeholder to serving two four-year terms in succession, beginning in January 2028. Incumbent District Attorney Terry Houck, elected as a Democrat, is running this year for re-election as a Republican after losing Mays Democratic primary election to retired county Judge Stephen Baratta.

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Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com.
I recently sent my two U.S. senators, Bob Casey and John Fetterman, and my U.S. Rep. Susan Wild the text below. I ask that you, as well, send your senators and representative either the exact text or your own words expressing your concern on this topic.

With the all-volunteer military failing to attain their desired recruiting goals, one step toward assisting recruiting, retention and career/retirees would be to help them stretch their meager salaries further than to remove the commissary surcharge.

I realize the surcharge was implemented in order to help the major grocery chains be more competitive with the commissary system.

Elected officials need to care more about our military personnel and their families than providing corporate welfare to corporate campaign contributors.

John Marks is a retired U.S. Coast Guard captain who lives in Palmer Township.
Recent rain has helped ease drought in part of the Lehigh Valley, but has so far been insufficient to alleviate the overall dryness that has persisted across Pennsylvania and New Jersey since spring.

Pennsylvanias statewide drought watch remains in effect after a drought task force met Thursday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

The task force comprises representatives of different state departments to assess factors including precipitation, river flows, groundwater levels, soil moisture and public water supply. The Pennsylvania DEP website still lists 18 suppliers, 11 in Bucks County, requesting voluntary water conservation measures.

Pennsylvanias drought watch was issued June 15. Neighboring New Jersey has not issued one but has encouraged water conservation.

The U.S. Drought Monitor's weekly report on July 6, 2023, shows some easing of the moderate drought across Pennsylvania, but 90% of the state and most of New Jersey are still abnormally dry.U.S. Drought Monitor

Separately, a new weekly report by the U.S. Drought Monitor shows some improvement. Half of Pennsylvania is still experiencing moderate drought, down from 65% a week ago and 80% in mid-June. The report released every Thursday considers data through Tuesday.

Locally, moderate drought still includes most or all of Berks, Lehigh, Schuylkill, Carbon and Monroe counties. Nearly all of Northampton County is outside the drought area, but it remains abnormally dry, along with 90% of Pennsylvania and much of northern New Jersey, per the Drought Monitor report. The drought is considered severe in central Maryland and a piece of southeast Pennsylvania.

In Pennsylvania, effects of a moderate drought are seen in trees and landscaping, hay and grain yields, honey production and increased wildfire risk, the U.S. Drought Monitor says.

Despite recent storms, the Lehigh Valley as of Thursday was 3.5 inches below normal rainfall for the year as measured at Lehigh Valley International Airport.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
A man who broke into the home of a Donegal couple and attacked them with a poker and a wheel brace has been jailed for seven years.

James Gallagher called to the home of Edward and Rose Sweeney at Doaghbeg, Fanad on the evening of September 23, 2018.

Along with another intruder, they burst their way into the remote farmhouse and terrified the middle-aged couple.

The men then began shouting and roaring about the whereabouts of a white van and demanding 15,000.

The couple were then subjected to a horrific attack which saw Mr Sweeney set upon and beaten with a poker, after which he had to be hospitalised. The couple attempted to 'protect each other' during the incident.

The couple's home was also ransacked during the terrifying home invasion.

Gallagher, a 37-year-old career criminal from Cushlawn Park in Tallaght in Dublin, appeared before Letterkenny Circuit Court charged with aggravated burglary.

Details of the couple's ordeal were given in court by Garda Sergeant Gerard Dalton.

Mrs Sweeney was on the phone and Mr Sweeney was feeding a sick calf when the two thugs arrived at their home.

They began shouting about a white van and 15,000 with Mrs Sweeney stating later that her son owned a white van.

Mrs Sweeney said she was 'dragged outside' and the men were 'effing and blinding' and demanding money.

Once they came across Mr Sweeney they began to attack him with a poker and a wheel brace leaving him covered in cuts and bruises.

The men also ransacked the house damaging pictures, a lamp and a television and took the couple's two mobile phones with them as they left.

They also smashed the couple's sitting room window.

Mrs Sweeney alerted a neighbour who contacted Gardai and a hunt for the two intruders was launched immediately.

A couple of hours later that evening tow men were arrested by the PSNI in Strabane after Gardai alerted their counterparts in Northern Ireland.

The men were found in possession of two mobile phones, a poker, a wheel brace, a screwdriver and matched a description put out by Gardai.

A poker on the rear seat of the car was examined and was found to victim Edward Sweeney's blood on it.

Gallagher was arrested and spent some time on remand in jail in Northern Ireland.

The court was told that on August 26th, 2019 at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin, Gallagher was arrested and taken to Tallaght Garda Station for interview about the burglary but made no comment when interviewed.

However, clothing seized by the PSNI was given to Gardai and DNA and forensics carried out showed a grey hoodie worn by the accused had Edward Sweeney's blood on it.

Sergeant Dalton said that although the Sweeneys were aware the case was ongoing, they did not want to provide victim impact statements but just 'want to get the situation behind them'.

A medical report on Mr Sweeney showed that he suffered multiple cuts and bruises to his face and body and also had to receive a number of staples to an injury on top of his head after his ordeal.

Barrister for Gallagher, Ms Fiona Pekaar, said her client had left school at 14 and had experienced a lifetime of offending which had become more serious in recent years.

A close friend had died from a drug overdose in his arms in 2008 and this appeared to set him off on a ten-year crime spree until 2018.

However, he has a very supportive partner and five children and is trying to change having been in prison since late 2018.

He has completed his Junior Certificate in prison and hopes to go on to sit his Leaving Certificate also.

Ms Pekaar added that Gallagher realises he faces a substantial sentence but she asked Judge Aylmer to 'leave the door open for him'.

Once released from prison he plans to move in with his partner and move far away from the people he has previously mixed with.

Ms Pekaar said: "He knows that when he leaves prison he will have to hit the ground running and he wants to get work so never to be sucked into this life again."

A letter written by Gallagher's eldest daughter was handed into court which said she has seen a major change in her father since he went into prison.

Passing sentence Judge Aylmer said there were a number of aggravating features of what was a 'very violent confrontation'.

He noted that Mr Sweeney, in particular, had suffered a fairly severe beating with multiple metal weapons.

Before mitigation he placed the crime at the upper end of the scale of such offences and one which merited a sentence of 12 years in prison.

In mitigation he said Gallagher had pleaded guilty but said there was a strong forensic case against him and that he also appears to be genuinely remorseful.

He also noted that he has the support of his family with whom he wants to re-engage with and that he also wants to work once he gets released from prison and that he is a good and interested father.

To give him credit for these efforts, Judge Aylmer reduced the headline sentence to one of nine years in prison.

He also said he needs to give Gallagher hope for the future and agreed to suspend the final two years of that sentence on agreement that he enter a bond to keep the peace for two years once released and go under the care of the Probation Services.

He also backdated the seven year sentence to October 18, 2022 when Gallagher went into custody for these offences.

There is a lot of work to be done for Mr Gallagher, Judge John Aylmer said..
The Taoiseach has promised to address the crisis of school places in Portlaoise after a Laois TD raised it with him in the Dail.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was alerted to the shortage by local Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley.

Deputy Stanley describes why he raised the issue.

I raised this in the Dail due to the number of parents coming to me with difficulty getting a place in Primary Schools for their children. The situation has reached a critical point as the population continues to increase.

One clear indicator of this is baptism figures continue to rise in Portlaoise Parish, despite the fact in other parts of the country they are decreasing. Laois Offaly Education Training Board (LOETB) have sent a draft proposal to the Department of Education, but this is not receiving the sense of urgency it requires.

Addressing the Taoiseach in the Dail Brian Stanley said;

There is a commitment in the programme for Government to reduce class sizes, which is welcome. However, in Portlaoise town, 200 children who are in need of school places at primary level cannot get them.

Children are being bussed to Mountmellick, Stradbally, Ratheniska, Mountrath, Timahoe, Barnashrone and The Heath every morning. Existing primary schools are bulging at the seams. Some new schools have been provided and I have welcomed those new schools over the past ten years.

However, a few prefabs will not solve this problem. There is a consensus locally that a new school is needed. The Department acknowledges there is significant pressure in the area. We do not have any easy way of solving the issue. New and enormous estates are being built on the edge of the town. The population is growing. It is the fastest-growing town in the country outside Dublin. The education and training board, ETB, wants to be a patron. I ask the Taoiseach to raise this issue with the Minister for Education. It is a pressing issue as September is coming. Action is required," Dep Stanley stated.

In reply the Taoiseach said he will speak to the Minister for Education on it.

I thank Deputy Stanley for raising this important issue, which I will take up with the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. We now have a school building programme every year and beautiful new schools are being built and new extensions are being added around the country.

Where a new school is needed, it is provided. Sometimes the new school is not provided quickly enough but it is provided. I will ensure the Minister, Deputy Foley, is aware that the issue was raised, and I will ask her to come back to the Deputy directly," the Taoiseach promised.

Portlaoise school principals recently described the crisis in places to the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

"We are at capacity. We all have lengthy waiting lists," the principal of Holy Family Junior School Enda Hickey said.

He said that while new houses are going up around the schools, there will be no places for the children moving to Portlaoise, with requests for places coming in year round to every school. Read it in full above.
A letter objection to a planning permission request as falsely made in the name of a councillor.

Cllr Brendan Weld, a former cathaoirleach of Kildare County Council, said a letter of objection was made to the councils planning section - but it was immediately apparent that he was not the author.

The councillor added his voice to call for tighter rules around how objections to planning applications are made.

Cllr Ivan Keatley told a KCC meeting that observations on planning applications should not be accepted unless a verified form of personal identification is provided when its being submitted.

He added that while legislation is one the way which is likely to resolve this, several parties have made spurious and vexatious claims - including one made in the name of Liam Lawlor.

He said some submissions are made without a name or address and this is wholly unfair.

He added: Whether its a one off house or anything else objections can be made by people not giving personal details.

In a report, KCC official Alan Dunney said that there is no requirement to look for any personal identification when receiving submissions and these can be submitted by hand, by post or electronically.

He also said that any submissions and observations are acknowledged through registered post to the address of the submitter and in the past this has served as a safety net where invalid submissions have been weeded out of the process.

Currently legislation permits any person or body, on payment of the prescribed fee, to make a submission or observation in writing to a planning authority in relation to a planning application within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application.

Any submission or observation received shall state the name of the person or body making the submission or observation, and indicate the address to which any correspondence relating to the application should be sent.

In 2017 the Irish Independent reported that a Galway man said that he and his wife have endured "a planning nightmare" over a 'mystery objector' blocking their plans for their dream home near the shores of Lough Corrib.

Richard Barrett was speaking after an An Bord Pleanala oral hearing in Oughterard, Co Galway, that was held to establish as to whether the objector, Harry Smyth, is who he or she says they are.

However, there was no show at the hearing yesterday from Harry Smyth and instead the mystery objector sent a Dublin based planning consultant to represent them.

At the outset, board inspector Paul Caprani told the hearing we dont even know if Harry Smyth is a man or a woman. The validity of the appeal by Harry Smyth is under question and I want to know why Harry Smyth is not here with a copy of her passport, drivers licence with the name Harry Smyth on it and proof that she lives at the address given. Why the appellant is not here today with those details is beyond me."

Mr Caprani said that in his 20 years with An Bord Pleanala he had never held an oral hearing into a one-off home application and it is his belief that the reason the board has decided to hold the oral hearing is to establish the bona fides of Harry Smyth.

He said that questions around the identity of Harry Smyth are crucial to the board considering whether the appeal can be considered valid or not.

The mechanical engineer said: It is a stressful situation not knowing if we are going to be able to build in the community that we grew up in. The stress is unbelievable and the financial cost of this is significant.

Read more Kildare news
Elderly people in La Salette, Isere, France. PASCAL DELOCHE/GODONG / PHOTONONSTOP

The US drug regulator gave full approval to a new Alzheimer's medicine on Thursday, July 6, a move that makes it more widely available to the public through government-run health insurance for the elderly.

Leqembi, developed jointly by Japan's Eisai and Biogen of the United States, was shown in a clinical trial to modestly reduce cognitive decline among patients in the early stages of the disease. But the study also raised concerns about side effects including brain bleeds and swelling.

Leqembi was initially granted "accelerated approval" by the Food and Drug Administration in January, which meant it was not broadly covered by the government-run Medicare program for people aged 65 and older. Thursday's decision, which follows further study of the drug, means Medicare will now defray a large portion of treatment, initially listed by the makers at $26,500 per year.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'France has not invested enough to prepare for the threat posed by Alzheimer's disease'

"This confirmatory study verified that it is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Alzheimer's disease," senior FDA official Teresa Buracchio said in a statement.

Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the agency that runs Medicare, added: "This is welcome news for the millions of people in this country and their families who are affected by this debilitating disease." But people covered by Medicare will still need to meet 20% of the cost, or thousands of dollars, themselves.

'More time' with loved ones

Approximately 6.5 million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's, which is characterized by memory loss and declining mental acuity.

Leqembi, also known as lecanemab, is an antibody treatment that is injected into the brain every two weeks and works by reducing amyloid beta, a protein that builds into plaques and causes brain cells to die, as well as brain shrinkage.

The FDA's decision was welcomed by patient groups. "This treatment, while not a cure, can give people in the early stages of Alzheimer's more time to maintain their independence and do the things they love," said Joanne Pike, Alzheimer's Association president and CEO. "This gives people more months of recognizing their spouse, children and grandchildren."

Leqembi was the second Alzheimer's drug developed by Eisai and Biogen to receive approval. The first, Aduhelm, was approved in 2021 but the decision was highly controversial as the data about its efficacy was inconsistent.

In May, US drugmaker Eli Lilly announced its drug donanemab also significantly slowed cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's, and would soon seek worldwide regulatory approval.

Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association. It progressively destroys thinking and memory, eventually robbing people of the ability to carry out the simplest of tasks.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels, on July 7, 2023. JOHN THYS / AFP

NATO leaders will agree next week to help modernize Ukraine's armed forces, create a new high-level forum for consultations and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day, the organization's top civilian official said on Friday, July 7. But the war-torn country will not start membership talks soon.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said that when United States President Joe Biden and his counterparts meet for a two-day summit in Lithuania's Vilnius, they also will agree to boost defense spending as alliance members pour weapons, ammunition, and other support like uniforms and medical equipment into Ukraine.

They hoped to welcome Sweden as the next member of the world's most prominent security organization. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised strong objections, and it was unclear if they could be overcome in time. Even if so, Sweden's accession would become official only in the coming months.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes War in Ukraine: On the front line with gunners

"For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe, seeking to destroy Ukraine and divide NATO," Stoltenberg told reporters. "At the summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger and set out a vision for its future."

Stoltenberg said the leaders "will agree on a multi-year program of assistance to ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian armed forces and NATO."

A NATO-Ukraine Council, where crisis talks can be held, will be established. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the council's first meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday

Stoltenberg said the leaders "will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal." NATO first pledged that Ukraine would become a member one day in 2008, but things have evolved little since then.

Asked when or how Ukraine might join, Stoltenberg said the "most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails" The US, Germany, and some other allies consider that Ukraine should not be invited in while it's at war so as not to encourage Russia to widen the conflict.

With Ukraine imploring its Western partners for more weapons and ammunition, and national military stocks among its partners depleting, NATO is encouraging the 31 allies to boost their military budgets.

In 2014, NATO allies pledged to move toward spending 2% of GDP on defense by 2024. In Vilnius, they will make 2% the minimum but will not set any timeframe for achieving that goal, NATO officials say. Under new estimates released on Friday, only 11 of the allies will reach the 2% goal in 2023.

But Stoltenberg said that good progress is being made. "In 2023, there will be a real increase of 8.3% across European Allies and Canada. This is the biggest increase in decades," he said, adding that European allies and Canada will have invested over $450 billion extra since 2014.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes 'Between the EU and the US, the two pillars of NATO, the power gap is widening at the expense of the Europeans'

Question marks remain about Sweden's future in NATO. After Russia invaded Ukraine, it abandoned a long history of military nonalignment last year to seek protection under the organization's security umbrella.

Erdogan appears set to steal the summit limelight. He accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt.

Hungary also holds up approval of Sweden's candidacy but has never publicly stated its concerns. NATO officials expect that Hungary will follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections.

The other 29 allies, Stoltenberg and Sweden, have all said the country has done enough to satisfy Turkey's demands. Sweden has changed its constitution, modified anti-terror laws, and lifted an arms embargo on Turkey, among other concessions.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all 31 members to expand.

Stoltenberg, Erdogan, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will hold talks in Vilnius on Monday to break the deadlock. Despite the mounting pressure, Turkey's president stood firm on Friday.

"We are ready to embrace anyone who is loyal to the alliance's core values," Erdogan said at a graduation ceremony for military students. "[But]We do not hesitate to show our reaction toward those who protect terrorists and do not take the necessary measures in the fight against terrorism."

Opinion Article reserve a nos abonnes 'For peace and stability in Europe, we must bring Ukraine into NATO, there is no other solution'
African migrants board a train on July 5, 2023, as they flee to Tunis amid unrest in Sfax following the July 3 knife attack on a Tunisian man during an altercation with migrants. HOUSSEM ZOUARI / AFP

Sinister images are coming out of Tunisia. In Sfax, racial hatred is inflaming minds and bruising bodies. The hunt is on for sub-Saharan migrants  present in large numbers in the port city, where would-be immigrants set sail for Italy. Gangs of young Sfaxians, drunk on vengeance following the death of one of their own in an altercation with Cameroonians on July 3, are tracking down and attacking sub-Saharan Africans who have been evicted from their homes at gunpoint.

Not only has the Tunisian state failed to intervene, but it has also joined in on the movement by deporting hundreds of these migrants to the Libyan border, leaving them destitute in a stony no-man's-land. It is the second time in six months that Tunisia has seen an outburst of anti-Black violence of this kind. The first was sparked in mid-February by inflammatory statements by Tunisian President Kais Saied. He denounced the "hordes of illegal migrants" who, in his eyes, were taking part in "a criminal plan" aimed at "metamorphosing the demographic composition of Tunisia."

The unrest in Tunisia is symptomatic of a deeper malaise, a rift that is fracturing the entire region. Until now, North Africa has been no more than a transit corridor for sub-Saharan migration to the Old Continent, on top of the departures of North African nationals themselves. For some years now, however, this transit has been hampered by pressure from Europe, which is seeking to barricade itself, and is altering the ethnic balance in North Africa. Blocked on the southern shores of the Mediterranean, which are now more difficult to leave, these migrant communities have become more visible in many cities, stirring up tensions with local populations. While Libya is familiar with such a presence, encouraged and exploited on a large scale by criminal human trafficking networks, the situation is more unusual in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. Here, tensions are running high.

Verbal attacks

In Morocco, the choice of imposing "soft power" on West Africa, which led to a pragmatic policy of regularizing migrants (50,000 between 2014 and 2017), has in no way prevented widespread hardening, led by both citizens and the government toward new arrivals in recent years. Rejected from the north of the kingdom, where crossing points to Spain have become virtually inaccessible, thousands of Sub-Saharans are confined to extremely precarious makeshift camps in Casablanca. In Algeria, where clashes pitted locals against migrants in 2017 in Ouargla, Tamanrasset, Bechar and Algiers, the government is carrying out mass expulsions. In March and April alone, 7,000 migrants were deported and dropped off in the middle of the desert, on the border with Niger, according to Amnesty International.

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IT'S such a sense of deja vu all over again again. Kilkenny v Clare and Limerick v Galway. The exact same All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final pairing as 2022.

All-Ireland semi-final weekend has turned out to be a great weekend in the big smoke. If you want to make a weekend out of it its a great few days.

Last year, Limerick were playing in the semi-final on the Sunday. Tip away up to Dublin on the Saturday, go to the first semi-final, and out in Dublin that night. Plenty of GAA folk around the place and generally a great buzz.

Wake up on the Sunday morning full of excitement around for the second game. This year though Limerick are up first. It won't change my plans though.

I'll make a night out of it anyway, but rather then watching the other semi-final ill be back down the road to walk up and watch Dermot Kennedy at Thomond Park. Dermot will be a bit quieter on the Saturday night, I'd say. I see some people are trying to sell or swap tickets because of the clash with the hurling game.

No matter which way you look at it, be it in Limerick or Dublin this weekend there is loads to look forward to. I have to say its a real pity though when you look at some of the prices hotels are looking for in Dublin and also the cost of living.

It's not like it was before and that makes overnight stays a hell of a lot harder. I do know there are loads of people who earmark this weekend as a weekend away months in advance, I'm one of them. And let's hope the hurling lives up to expectations.

I often speak of the narrative, and the narrative being driven by media. In last year's semi-final, if Limerick were to lose, it would have really been an upset for the books, a shock.

If Limerick did get turned over this Saturday, would it be the greatest shock in the world? Not for me anyway. They had to beat Cork in a do-or-die Munster round robin game earlier in the summer, basically the same with Tipp, Clare in the TUS Gaelic Grounds in the Munster final, and now galway.

For the last number of games, they had to go to the well. And dig out games, and dig them out they did. But I think Galway are coming in in a much better place this year.

I felt in last year's All-Ireland quarter final, they scraped over the line against Cork, should have been beaten actually. I thought they were very solid against Tipp, controlled, steely, and had everything in order.

They are no doubt very hungry after the loss of the Leinster final, and Henry Shefflin will have them well wound up. And on top of it all, Limerick have to find a number 6, and trust that whoever goes in there will do the job thats needed.

But whoever that person is won't have experience, or at least, won't have experience in a game like this. You can do all the video work in the world, you can play there a few years ago, but this is a specialised position.

So its a big call and then you just hope it works out. If I was to throw a guess at it, I would think possible Barry Nash there with Richie English to the corner.

On top of Declan Hannon being out, you also have Sean Finn missing and he always has done a great job on Conor Whelan.

So what's the difference between this year's game and last year's? Limerick are missing Declan Hannon and Sean Finn. Galway have had a better campaign this year than last year. They are year two under manager Henry. They have had an easier time of it than Limerick.

So dont believe the narrative, or the bookies, and forget what's in the past ahead of this game. To get a win on Saturday, for me, would be monumental. Thats not playing it down. It's not being fake. For me, it's reality.

When all that is said and done, I have said all year if Limerick get to Croke Park, they won't be beaten. And I remain with that same thinking.

But I will admit I'm not as confident saying that as I was over the last number of weeks. They're humans, and not machines.

I know nearly every year they have had to deal with an injury or two, but is this an injury or two too many? I sincerely hope not.

Aaron Gillane has been the man up top this year - and he destroyed Clare in the Munster final. In last years semi-final, he scored 6 points from play. I can't see Limerick complicating matters ahead of this weekend, and while Shefflin will no doubt have a plan to curb his influence, it's another thing to carry it out.

Curb him though and we need somebody else to stand up. Either way, it will make for fascinating watching, if nerve racking at the same time. I think we will do it. Just.
FATHER Frank ODea was appointed director of the Limerick Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage four years ago but this is the first time he has gone to France since!

Covid stopped the pilgrimage from 2020 to 2022 and even this year assisted pilgrims couldnt go on medical advice. Fr ODea, who has just returned to Lourdes with over 160 men, women and teenagers, said it was great to be back to where apparitions of the Virgin Mary occurred in 1858.

It was a very good week - a lovely, relaxed, family atmosphere. A lot were delighted to be back and we had quite a few who went for the first time - they really enjoyed the experience, said Fr ODea, who took on the role from long-serving Canon Donal McNamara.

The Newcastle West-based priest said the assisted pilgrims will return next year and he asked for helpers and especially nurses to get in touch if they wish to offer their expertise in 2024.

Fr ODea said of the 160 who travelled there were around 50 youth and a dozen youth leaders.

They are actually key to the pilgrimage - they bring vibrancy, carry banners, steward and guide people during the eucharistic and candlelight processions, and are very involved in the closing ceremony with music and song, said Fr ODea.

Two of the youth leaders - married couple Aine and James Malone - actually met in Lourdes as teenagers. They were friends for a few years before becoming a couple and then man and wife last year.

Aine (nee Hogan), from Ballyneety, said Lourdes is a huge part of her and James, from Patrickswell, lives. They started as youth, progressed through to going with the musicians and brancardier respectively and were then asked to be youth leaders.

Lourdes holds a special place in our hearts. It is just a tremendous community that has built up over the years among the people who go. A lot of our friends - we have met through Lourdes, said Aine.

James says that sense of community continues all year round with other events, trips and fundraising. This was their first pilgrimage going as a married couple and many at the wedding had been to Lourdes.

It is a wonderful place and continues to have a huge impact on peoples lives. I was in my local shop where I met a 16-year-old girl who went this year. She absolutely cant wait to go back again next year. It just goes to show it is still having the same impact it had on us 15 years ago, said Aine.
Hong Kong: Paul Chan meets finance experts

Financial Secretary Paul Chan today continued his visit to Shanghai and met New Development Bank President and former Brazil President Dilma Rousseff.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the global economic situation, financial services development and Hong Kongs assistance to the New Development Bank on its businesses and growth.

Mr Chan also called on the China Foreign Exchange Trade System and spoke to its president Zhang Yi on how the Mainland and Hong Kong could enhance the connection of financial infrastructure with each other.

He then toured a leading Mainland pharmaceutical company and discussed the development of the biomedicine industry.

Additionally, the finance chief delivered a speech at the opening ceremony of the Asian Logistics, Maritime & Aviation Conference Satellite Conference - A New Chapter of Hong Kong-Shanghai Collaboration this morning.

As Shanghai and Hong Kong are the world-class ports of the Yangtze River Delta Region and the Greater Bay Area, the two cities can join hands and leverage their strengths to explore more areas of co-operation, in order enhance the efficiency of cargo delivery to places all over the world, Mr Chan noted.

Separately, Mr Chan spoke at a luncheon organised by Invest Hong Kong, the Hong Kong & Economic Trade Office in Shanghai and Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing to promote Hong Kongs distinctive advantages to Shanghais commercial and industrial sectors, and encourage them to make use of Hong Kong for international expansion.

In the evening, he met Hong Kong people and enterprises in Shanghai.

The Financial Secretary will return to Hong Kong tomorrow.

This story has been published on: 2023-07-07. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
WHILE the majority of Croagh will be supporting Limerick this Saturday, theres going to be at least one person in the village backing the Tribesmen.

Despite living in Limerick for almost 50 years, Fine Gael councillor Stephen Keary remains a proud Galway man at heart, hailing from the town of Loughrea.

At the council's annual general meeting on Friday, where the newly-elected mayor Cllr Gerald Mitchell said he hoped to be marking Limerick's fourth straight Liam MacCarthy Cup win, Cllr Keary had a stark warning for his party colleague.

Lads, there's a lot of hurling to be played yet, he said.

It will be very tight and I'd be very slow to predict an outcome. I think it'll be a good game. There are two very good teams playing on Saturday evening and itd be a wise person to call it at this stage, said Cllr Keary.

A civil engineer by trade, the Adare-Rathkeale council member came to Limerick in 1975 to help build the Moyross estate in the city.

I thought I was coming down for three months, and Im still here 48 years later, he laughs.

He was elected in 2009 to the old County Council before being re-elected in both 2014 and 2019.

His crowning achievement in local politics came in 2017 when he was elected Mayor of Limerick and witnessed the U21 team win the All-Ireland title within weeks of coming to office.

It was a double-whammy for the mayor, as his home county had just landed a first All-Ireland SHC title this century.

They went all the way back to the final the following year, but of course could not repeat the feat as Limerick's won by a point, ending their own drought.

I thought Galway could have played better on the day, but I was delighted for Limerick because it was their first win in 45 years. I could not begrudge them - it was well overdue, he added.

The second year in a row Limerick will meet Galway in the last four, Cllr Keary fears it will be the Treatymen's strength-in-depth which could do for the Tribesmen as was the case last year.

And if Limerick do prevail on Saturday, he will of course support them in the final!
A company has been fined 75,000 euro for breaches of health and safety regulations after an employees hand was amputated while he was clearing cement from an auger, according to the States workplace safety watchdog.

Gleeson Concrete Unlimited in Donohill, Co Tipperary pleaded guilty to an offence under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 in that it failed to manage and conduct work activities in such a way to ensure employee safety.

At Waterford Circuit Court on Friday Judge Eugene O Kelly imposed a fine of 75,000 on the company.

The prosecution arose after an incident occurred on March 31 2021 at the concrete block-making plant in Donohill.

An employee of the company suffered serious injuries when his right hand was amputated while he was clearing a blockage of cement from an auger.

Assistant chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority Mark Cullen said: Certain work activities will involve hazards that may have significant higher level of risks, risks that give rise to the potential of serious personal injury if not identified and managed appropriately.

It is essential that employers manage and conduct the work activities being carried out at the place of work to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all employees.
Talks on the terms of reference for an inquiry into the Defence Forces continue amid calls by stakeholders to expand its scope.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin is due to outline his recommendations on the form of the inquiry to Cabinet colleagues next week.

He has said the investigation should take the form of a tribunal of inquiry with public hearings rather than a behind-closed-doors commission of inquiry.

However, a support group for former and current female Defence Force members who allege they were abused in the military have said it would be a pointless exercise without widening the terms of reference.

Women of Honour and other stakeholders have been provided with draft terms of reference drawn up by the Tanaiste in consultation with the Attorney General.

The group met with Mr Martin, who is also Minister for Defence, on Thursday.

It said it was agreed that engagement on terms of reference for a full public tribunal of inquiry will continue.

The group said the Tanaiste will not be including terms of reference when he brings the inquiry to Cabinet unless they have been approved by us.

Currently no such approval is in place but discussions are ongoing, it said.

It is understood that negotiations will likely be required to continue through the summer with a view to the terms of reference being submitted to Government in September, if agreement is reached.

We welcome this and appreciate the compromise made by the Tanaiste from his position earlier in the week.

Asked about the matter, a Department of Defence spokeswoman said: The Tanaiste has reflected very carefully on the views expressed by a wide range of interested parties who contributed their observations on the draft terms of reference.

He has discussed at length with the Attorney General the range of comments and observations received.

The Tanaiste had a very constructive meeting with the Women of Honour Group on Thursday last and discussions on the terms of reference are continuing.
According to a recent report published by CNBC TV18, when questioned about the rationale behind Hero and Bajaj competing in a segment largely dominated by Royal Enfield, Rajiv Bajaj, the CEO of Bajaj Auto, drew an analogy with the renowned American robber, William Sutton, who successfully robbed banks of a staggering two million dollars over a span of forty years.

"There was a famous bank robber in America called William Francis Sutton. When asked why do you rob a bank he said that's where the money is. So if Royal Enfield is where the money is then we have no choice but to rob that bank," Bajaj stated.

Reportedly, Bajaj mentioned that Honda has demonstrated the power of consumer influence in shaping the market. If customers perceive value in the 350cc plus segment, Bajaj Auto intends to seize this opportunity and capitalize on it.

The report further suggests that the 350cc segment is experiencing a steady growth rate of 9-10 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), and Royal Enfield has enjoyed dominance in this particular segment for quite some time. However, with the recently announced prices of 2.3 lakhs for the Bajaj-Triumph offering and 2.29 lakhs for the Harley-Hero offering, both motorcycles are expected to encroach upon Royal Enfield's market share.

The Himalayan 411cc model is priced at 2.15 lakhs, while the Royal Enfield Scrambler has an ex-showroom price of 2.06 lakhs.

According to Rajiv Bajaj, Bajaj Auto currently holds a 50 per cent share in the profit generated by the motorcycle market. However, he noted that the profit pool excludes Hero Splendor and Royal Enfield. Bajaj further mentioned that the introduction of Triumph's Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X allows Bajaj Auto to enter a segment where Royal Enfield has traditionally excelled.
In the current climate of rising gold prices and volatile markets, investing in ULIPs (Unit Linked Insurance Plans) has become an increasingly popular option for Indian investors. While ULIPs are a great way to create wealth over the long term, there are many benefits that make them attractive to investors in 2023. This article will explore those benefits and discuss how ULIPs can be used to reach financial goals with minimal risk.

Advantages of Investing in ULIPs

When it comes to investing, ULIP offers a range of advantages that can help investors achieve their long-term goals.

Tax Benefits:

As per Section 80C of the Income Tax Act 1961, investments in ULIPs are exempt from tax up to 1.5 lakhs. This means that investors can save money on taxes with an investment in ULIPs. Additionally, there is no tax levied on withdrawals or maturity amounts received from ULIP plans.

Transparency & Flexibility:

Investors can keep track of their investments through regular reports and statements provided by insurers which adds to the transparency of the plan. Furthermore, investors have the freedom to switch funds and adjust premiums as per their requirements.

Higher Returns:

ULIPs provide higher returns than traditional investments such as bank deposits and fixed deposits. This is because the funds are invested in equity and debt markets, allowing investors to take advantage of capital appreciation potential over the long term. Additionally, insurers offer bonuses on ULIP plans which can further boost returns for investors.

Risk Management:

ULIPs come with built-in risk protection features that can minimize losses if the stock market takes a downturn. Insurers also provide additional riders such as critical illness riders and accident benefit riders which help protect against risks associated with health or accidents.

Liquidity:

Investors have the option to liquidate their investments in a ULIP after the completion of 5 years. This is beneficial for those who need funds in an emergency or want to capitalize on market opportunities.

What are the Different Types of Unit Linked Insurance Plans?

Due to their popularity, insurers offer a wide range of ULIPs for investors with different risk profiles. Here are some of the most popular ULIP plans:

Debt Fund ULIPs:

Debt Fund ULIPs are suitable for investors with a low-risk appetite, as most of the funds are invested in debt instruments such as government bonds and corporate debentures. These plans have lower returns compared to equity funds but offer stability and protection during market volatility.

Equity Fund ULIPs:

Equity Fund ULIPs are perfect for investors with a high-risk appetite, as the funds are invested in equity instruments such as stocks and mutual funds. These plans have higher returns compared to debt fund ULIPs but come with a greater risk of capital erosion during market downturns.

Regular Premium ULIPs:

Regular Premium ULIPs require investors to pay regular premiums throughout the policy term. The premiums are invested in a mix of equity and debt funds, depending on the risk level of the investor.

Single Premium ULIPs:

Single Premium ULIPs allow investors to pay for their policy in a single payment and lock-in their returns for the duration of the policy. This type of plan is beneficial for those who want higher returns without having to make regular payments every month.

Conclusion

ULIPs offer numerous benefits that can help investors reach their long-term financial goals with minimal risk. With so many options available, investors should review each plan carefully and consider all factors before investing. Additionally, they should seek professional advice to ensure that their chosen plan meets their needs and goals. By investing in ULIPs, investors can experience the advantages of a conventional insurance policy as well as the potential for higher returns over the long term. Investing in ULIPs in 2023 is a great way to maximize returns while minimizing risk.

Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same. This information does not constitute a financial advice.
Jaypee Group's flagship firm Jaiprakash Associates on 7 July infirmed that the firm defaulted on loans worth 4,044 crore, including principal and interest amount, reported news agency PTI .

Jaiprakash Associates Ltd (JAL), in a regulatory filing, said that on June 30th defaulted on repayments of a principal amount of 1,660 crore and interest of 2,384 crore.

As per the details, the loans pertain to various banks, and the nature of the obligation is fund-based working capital, non-fund-based working capital, term loans, and FCCB (foreign currency convertible bonds).

ALSO READ: REC-extends-rs-4-785-crore-loan-for-hpcl-rajasthan-refinery-s-project-in-barmer-11688481930708.html">REC extends 4,785 crore loan for HPCL Rajasthan Refinerys project in Barmer

"The total borrowing (including interest) of the company is 29,477 crore, repayable by 2037, against which only 4,044 crore is overdue as on June 30, 2023," JAL said.

The firm said that 18,319 crore will get further reduced on transfer to the proposed Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that is pending sanction of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).

"The entire loan is in any case under restructuring," it said, adding, it has been taking tangible steps to reduce the borrowings.

"Post the proposed divestment of cement business and the restructuring under consideration, the borrowing will get almost to nil upon implementation of the revised restructuring plan," it said.

Meanwhile, the ICICI Bank had approached the NCLT Allahabad on the direction of the RBI under section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016 against the company, which it has contested.

"The matter is pending to be decided simultaneously with the Scheme of Arrangement for transfer of real estate to the SPV to be sanctioned by the NCLT," the filing said.

Earlier in September 2018, ICICI Bank filed an insolvency petition against JAL. Also, SBI has moved the NCLT against JAL, claiming a total default of 6,893.15 crore as of September 15, 2022.

JAL has recently announced the sale of its remaining cement assets to Dalmia Bharat Ltd at an enterprise value of 5,666 crore and exit from the sector as part of its strategy to reduce debt. It has also sold more than 20 million tonnes per annum cement capacity to Aditya Birla group firm UltraTech Cement between 2014 and 2017 as part of its debt resolution exercise.

In March, Mumbai-based realty firm Suraksha Group got approval from the NCLT for its bid to acquire JIL and complete around 20,000 apartments in Noida.

Though many parties have approached the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) against the NCLT order.

With agency inputs.

DALMIA BHARAT More Information

JAIPRAKASH ASSOCIATES More Information

REC More Information
NEW DELHI : Vedanta Limited, Indias natural resources and technology conglomerate, announced the addition of Semiconductor and Display Glass ventures to its diversified portfolio, the company said in a statement here today.

We believe that semiconductors and display fab are at the core of any electronics ecosystem. This will also spawn the creation of multiple ancillary industries and opportunities both downstream and upstream, creating jobs and will be a GDP multiplier," said Akarsh Hebbar, Global MD, Vedantas Semiconductor and Display Business.

The company had earlier said that it will be called volcan investment, which is a holding company wholly owned by the Agarwal family trust that is not listed on the bourses.

The company will leverage its expertise in large-scale manufacturing and operational excellence and partner with the best global companies to drive the two businesses, they said in the statement.

India imports 100% of their requirements for Semiconductor and Displays

Currently, India imports 100 per cent of their requirements for Semiconductor and Displays. Vedanta Limiteds twin ventures will provide added momentum to the Governments goal of Atmanirbharta in electronics. This represents a large growth opportunity for India where the semiconductor market stood at $ 24 bn in 2022 and is estimated to reach $ 80 bn by 2026. The display panel market is estimated to be worth $ 7 billion and is expected to grow to $ 15 billion by 2025.

The acquisition will be effected by way of a share transfer at face value of Twin Star Technologies Limiteds (TSTL) Semiconductor and Display SPVs, the company said. TSTL is a wholly owned subsidiary of Volcan Investments Limited, the ultimate holding company of Vedanta Limited.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed by the respective SPVs in September 2022 with the Government of Gujarat. This MoU has been signed to set up the semiconductor and display fans in the Dholera City of Gujarat.

The board of the company, in approving this acquisition, believes that India is in a sweet spot to capitalize as the world looks to diversify critical supply chains in semiconductors and display fab. The countrys economy can benefit from the tremendous opportunity these shifting global dynamics provide, they added.

Made in India semiconductors and display glass will facilitate affordable electronics - smartphones, laptops, televisions, and electric vehicles for all Indians. Speaking on this development, CEO of Vedantas Semiconductor business, David Reed said, I believe that India can become the next semiconductor hub for the world. It has all the ingredients for success."

The company, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, has an existing presence in the LCD glass substrate business through its subsidiary Avanstrate Inc. which is a pioneering top global manufacturer of LCD glass substrates. They are therefore in a strong position to leverage the experience and expertise in its glass business to its new presence in the Display ecosystem in Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
SpaceX has been granted two licenses by the Mongolian government to function as an internet service provider utilizing low-orbit satellites, according to an announcement made on Friday. As a result, high-speed connectivity through Starlink, the satellite communications service operated by SpaceX , will be accessible to numerous internet users in Mongolia.

Starlink has established a rapidly expanding network comprising over 3,500 satellites in low-Earth orbit, enabling connectivity even in remote regions. While Mongolia already benefits from an extensive network of fiber optic cables that offer widespread access to high-speed internet, the introduction of Starlink's technology will further enhance connectivity in areas that are typically challenging to reach. Minister for Digital Development and Communications, Uchral Nyam-Osor, expressed that this advancement will provide greater accessibility to underserved locations

"Herders, farmers, businesses and miners living and working across our vast country will be able to access and use information from all over the world to improve their lives," says Nyam-Osor.

The official collaboration between the Mongolian government and SpaceX was formally initiated in February during the 2023 Mobile World Congress held in Barcelona. Recently, Prime Minister L. Oyun-Erdene engaged in a virtual meeting with Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, where they explored potential investments and cooperation in the electric vehicle sector.

Mongolia, known for its abundant natural resources, possesses significant deposits of rare earth minerals and copper. These minerals play a vital role in the supply chain of electric vehicles, making Mongolia a valuable resource hub for the production of essential materials in the electric vehicle industry.

Meanwhile, Elon Musk is eager to bring his Starlink satellite broadband to India, but the world's richest man faces strong resistance from Mukesh Ambani, Asia's wealthiest, who runs Indian telecom giant Reliance Jio.

Following a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the U.S. recently, Musk said he was keen to launch Starlink in India which "can be incredibly helpful" in remote villages that have no internet or lack high-speed services.

(With inputs from Reuters)
It was a chilly afternoon in early February. In Yingshang, a town in the central province of Anhui, local bosses of more than 100 big private firms kept their jackets on as they took their seats behind rows of desks in a Communist Party meeting room. Three officials, flanked by red flags, sat on the dais before them to explain some new procedures. The businessmen were there to learn how to rewrite their company charters to specify a role for the party.

The officials were from Yingshangs Administration for Market Regulation, which handles company registrations. It also supervises party committees inside private firms. Over the past two decades the party has been trying to ensure that as many businesses as possible have a party organisation embedded within. Since he took power in 2012, Xi Jinping has been ramping up this effort. By 2015 state-owned enterprises (SOEs) were being pushed to enshrine a leading role for the party in their charters. Pressure has since been growing on private firms, too. Some foreign-invested companies have also been feeling the heat. In boardrooms and on factory floors, the party is gaining muscle.

It was already strong before this intrusion began. In a one-party state, ruling-party officials naturally hold sway. Woe betide any private boss who crosses them (as several who run big tech firms have been reminded in the past few years). Everyone knows that a persons position in the party is more important than their government role. A mayor is always subordinate to the local party secretary. No head of a ministry sits in the partys supreme decision-making body, the Politburo Standing Committee, which has seven members, nor even in the Politburo, which has 24.

Sometimes it is difficult for an outsider to discern the way the party exerts power: it is omnipresent, but often hard to see. Take the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral institution founded in 2016 by China, its biggest shareholder. Party regulations require that wherever three or more employees in a workplace are party members, they must set up a party branch. One with seven or more members should appoint a party secretary. The AIIB has no declared party structure. But its president, Jin Liqun, is a member and it is safe to assume that many of his Chinese colleagues are, too.

Last month Bob Pickard, a Canadian working in Beijing as the AIIBs communications chief, resigned from the bank, saying that it was dominated" by party people (the banks charter says its decisions will not be influenced by the political character" of any of its members). Canada, which is a member, announced it was freezing its ties with the bank pending an investigation of Mr Pickards allegations, which have been denied by China. It may be difficult to prove the partys role. Its tough to connect the dots between them," Mr Pickard says of former AIIB workmates whom he suspected of being party members. But its clear that theres a subterranean, or informal, or opaque situation where this group exercises power. As a collective? That needs to be demonstrated."

In other kinds of workplace, however, the party wants a conspicuous role. Gone are the days when party branches were often shy about operating openly in non-state entities such as private firms and NGOs. Now branches are coming out from behind the curtain", as party literature puts it. And the party is becoming much more assertive about making sure that these branches get more than just a say in organising entertainment for workers.

In the rewriting of charters, SOEs have blazed the trail. All of those controlled by the central government have done so to clarify the partys dominant position. As required, they have also arranged for the company party secretary to hold the simultaneous position of chairman of the board (if this wasnt the case already).

Some foreign-invested firms in joint ventures with SOEs have come under pressure to follow suit. In 2017 the European Union Chamber of Commerce in Beijing called this a matter of great concern" that could have serious consequences for the independent decision-making ability" of these companies. But a Western lawyer involved in such cases says requests by SOE partners for party-related stipulations in joint-venture charters have since become regular practice". There is, she says, no way to say no". A foreign businessman says an SOE partner at his firm has recently become more insistent that the party chief be consulted about big decisions.

As the meeting in Yingshang suggests, the private sector is now increasingly in the partys sights. Participants were told that the charter-rewriting effort was aimed at upholding and strengthening the partys all-round leadership of private enterprises". The revised articles should set out staffing for the party branch, pledge funding for it and embed the party in the corporate governance structure", says an account by Yingshangs party authorities.

Language used by the party to describe how it should operate in SOEs is now often applied to private firms. Two-way entry and cross appointment" is one such phrase. It means, in essence, that the companys management and the party branchs leadership team should be merged.

That may avoid conflict between the two structures, but it also gives the party a big say over appointments. For a start, it only works if all of the most senior managers are party members. Unlike in SOEs, this is often not the case in private firms. Local officials routinely extol the system, even if they do not order its adoption. By 2021 in the city of Chengde, the bosses of nearly a quarter of private firms were also party chiefs, according to state media. Officials like to talk about the creation among private firms of a modern enterprise system with Chinese characteristics". This is another term borrowed from SOEs. It means giving a central role to Communists.

Ensuring that only those trusted by the party get the top jobs is clearly one of the partys aims. In 2020 Ye Qing, a vice-chairman of the (party-controlled) All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, said that, as part of building a modern enterprise system, party branches in private firms should be given guiding power" over personnel decisions. Human-resources departments should be under party control, he said. A book about party-building in private firms, published in 2010 by the partys own personnel department, made the purpose clear: The non-state economy is taking up an ever bigger share of the national economyIf party organisations dont go and control it, other political forces will exploit [our] weakness."

It is sometimes unclear, however, how much difference party structures, as distinct from the partys power generally, make to the way firms operate. Company bosses have always had to cosy up to party officials to get business done. Employees who are party members may enjoy some clout, but they can still be fired. Their loyalty is often more to the business than to the party branch (which, in disputes between workers and management, often prefers to side with the latter). The party talks of hidden" members in firms: people who prefer not to reveal their party identity or get involved in party affairs because they want to avoid hassle and distraction from work. In a paper published in 2021, Daniel Koss of Harvard University says the party worries about some of its branches becoming clanified", meaning dominated by bosses relatives who happen to be party members in the same company.

Such problems, however, will not deter the party from trying to boost its presence. In the Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area, a business enclave south-east of Beijing, almost all private firms with more than 100 employees have written the party into their charters in the past three years, the zones management says. It adds that more than 150 firms there, including foreign ones, have staged events to celebrate the partys presence within their workforces. There will be plenty more such revelry as the party marches forward.

Subscribers can sign up to Drum Tower, our new weekly newsletter, to understand what the world makes of Chinaand what China makes of the world.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
IdeaForge IPO listing : Shares of IdeaForge Technology Ltd listed on the bourses at a premium on Friday. On the NSE, the stock was listed at 1,300 per share, 93.5 percent higher than the issue price, and on the BSE , the stock was listed at 1,305.10 per share.

The drone manufacturer set the price band for the IdeaForge IPO at 638 to 672 per equity share.

"IdeaForge Technology mada a tremendous entry into the market at a listing price of 1,300. This is a significant gain of around 93% for investors, as the company's issue price at the upper band was 672.

While there is no doubt that this was a great opportunity for investors, and it has delivered some surprising returns, we would recommend that investors should book profits and exit their positions. This is because after listing the stock is already trading at a significant premium to its issue price. Additionally, there are some business-related risks associated with the company, so it is better to lock in these gains now rather than take the risk of carrying them forward however, aggressive investors can still hold it with stop loss at 1,170," said Anubhuti Mishra, Equity Research Analyst at Swastika Investmart Ltd.

The IPO that opened on Monday June 26 and closed on on Friday, June 30 was subscribed 50.30 times on the final day. The issue received overall very positive response from retail, employees, non institutional investors (NIIS), and qualified institutional buyer (QIBs). Retail investors portion was subscribed 64.48 times, and employee portion was subscribed 63.99 times.

The IdeaForge IPO has received excellent reviews from the street as a whole, and the market participants were anticipating today's Dalal Street launch to be spectacular. Further, they predicted that the share price of IdeaForge would start the day at least in the four figures, and in the event of bull, the public offering may treble the invested sum of the lucky allottees.

The small size of the IPO and the enthusiastic response from investors, they continued, are sufficient to gauge the level of interest in the IdeaForge IPO.

ideaForge IPO listing date today. Experts, GMP signal four digit debut of shares

The company intended to raise 567 crore via the IPO, which included a fresh issue of shares worth 240 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of 48.69 lakh equity shares worth 327 crore by promoters and investors.

In a pre-IPO transaction, the company raised approximately 60 crore. As a result, the size of the new issuance was cut from 300 crore to 240 crore.

Promoters Ashish Bhat, Amarpreet Singh, and Nambirajan Seshadri participated in the OFS, while other selling shareholders included A&E Investment LLC, Agarwal Trademart Pvt Ltd, Celesta Capital II Mauritius, and others.

The company plans to use the net proceeds of the new issuance to settle debts, meet working capital needs, invest in product development, and for general corporate reasons.

JM Financial and IIFL Securities are the book-running lead managers for the ideaForge Technology IPO. Link Intime India is the IPO registrar.

IdeaForge Technology IPO: Issue subscribed 50.30 times on Day 3; check details

JM FINANCIAL More Information

IIFL SECURITIES More Information

BSE More Information
MUMBAI : Banks have informed the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) about the financial impact of a proposed regime where they have to make early provisions for the loans they expect to sour, the regulators response to a Right to Information (RTI) request showed.

The so-called expected credit loss (ECL) model proposed by the regulator earlier this year, where banks have to recognize stress much earlier, is in contrast to the existing regime where banks make provisions after the losses are incurred.

On 16 January, RBI released a discussion paper on shifting from the incurred-loss approach to the ECL model, a transition aimed at making the banking system more resilient. The regulator sought comments by 28 February.

Mint filed an RTI request seeking a copy of the comments received from stakeholders but was informed by the central public information officer, Deepak Chikhale, that the information was exempt from disclosure. Thereafter, RBI executive director Radha Shyam Ratho responded to an appeal and directed the CPIO to revisit the query and provide a revised reply.

Some of the feedback contains data on the plausible financial impact on these entities, which, if made public now, might be misused and misconstrued, thereby impacting the competitive interest of these entities," Chikhale said in a revised response.

RBI also said that the information being soughtstakeholder comments on the discussion paperconcerns an upcoming regulation, and releasing related documents in the public domain before the issue of final guidelines may affect an objective examination of the issues.

In their responses to the draft circular, lenders have pointed out certain provisions they are uncomfortable with. According to the chief financial officer at a public sector bank, the new regulation proposes a waiting period before upgrading a loan account after payments are regularized.

Analysts estimates peg the impact of ECL on the core capital of banks at 200 basis points (bps). The current core capital common equity tier 1 capital of 46 banks stood at 13.7% on 31 March, as per data from RBI.

An email sent to RBI remained unanswered till press time.

Analysts said most banks would be able to weather the impact without much difficulty, given the state of their balance sheets now. Indian lenders have cleaned up their books in the last few years and set aside large sums as buffers to defend against a potential repeat of the bad loan crisis, with top-tier private sector banks and State Bank of India better prepared than others. That apart, lenders with a larger share of retail loans are likely to take a smaller hit than those with a higher share of corporate loans.

Bad loans of banks are at the lowest level in a decade, the RBI said in a report released on 28 June. According to RBIs half-yearly financial stability report (FSR), gross bad loans of banks plummeted to 3.9% of total loans on 31 March marking their lowest point since 2013. We do not expect it to be a huge drag, at least for the larger and more efficient banks. For smaller banks, it will be harder to implement because of the quality of data required for ECL implementation," said Geeta Chugh, senior director, financial institutions ratings, S&P Global Ratings.

Although banks have been collecting data over a period of time, Chugh said it will still be a challenge to ensure that quality data is available for some of the state-owned banks.

Recent experiences in corporate lending have been particularly bad, and their historical data would show they have higher loss given default (LGDs) and probability of default (PDs) and therefore, ECL requirement might be higher," said Chugh.

Broking firm Macquarie had explained in a note on 17 January that under the ECL method, stages 1 to 3 assets are identified based on the overdue position of loans and provisions are made based on ECL.

The note had said that over the last five to 10 years, the probability of default would have been very high for the banking sector, and that is why eventual ECL provisions could be higher.

Meanwhile, banks have requested RBI for additional time to implement ECL norms, a news agency reported citing Indian Banks Association chief executive Sunil Mehta in May. RBI has assured it will give sufficient time to implement ECL regulations.

We have received comments from all the concerned stakeholders. Those comments are being evaluated," RBI deputy governor Rajeshwar Rao told reporters on 9 June. Some more refinements and work are being done."

An email sent to RBI remained unanswered till press time
New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of two Dornier aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with an associated engineering support package at an overall cost of 458.87 crore.

The aircraft will be procured under the Buy (Indian) Category, the ministry said in a statement.

It added that the aircraft will be fitted with several advanced equipment including a glass cockpit, maritime patrol radar, electro-optic infrared device, and mission management system.

The addition will further bolster the aerial surveillance capability of maritime areas of responsibilities of the ICG," the ministry said.

The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur and will significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance with the Make in India initiative of the government," it added.

In March, the defence ministry had signed a contract for procurement of six Dornier-228 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) from HAL at a cost of 667 crore.

The Dornier aircraft is a highly versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft. It has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of utility and commuter transport as well as for maritime surveillance.
US lawmakers and influential Indian-Americans have condemned the attempted arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco. They have also for expeditious action against those behind this criminal act.

Moreover, they also slammed the violent rhetoric against India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and said free speech does not mean a license to incite violence or vandalise property.

Congressmen Ro Khanna in a tweet said that act is dangerous and has no place in a democracy. He also added that free speech does not mean a license to incite violence.

In a tweet, he wrote, I know Ambassador Sandhu & respect him. When I bring up human rights issues, he always engages with civility, thoughtfulness & candor. This rhetoric puts diplomats in harms way. Its dangerous & has no place in a democracy. Free speech does not mean a license to incite violence."

Later a joint statement was also by Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans which stated that said violence against diplomatic facilities will not be tolerated.

"As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," they said.

"We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American but that is not a license to vandalise property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," they added.

Here's what happened:

On 2 July, a video by Khalistan supporters, posted on Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco. The video, with the words "violence begets violence" emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada last month.

Also Read: NSA Ajit Doval to address Khalistan issue in meeting with UK counterpart Tim Barrow

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said violence against diplomatic facilities will not be tolerated.

Another Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick also condemed the act and said that the attack on the Indian consulate is unacceptable.

"I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action," he said.

Till Thursday, no action had been taken against those involved in the attack on the Indian consulate. A spokesperson of the National Security Council of the White House said the US takes the safety and security of diplomats very seriously.

"We take very seriously the safety and security of diplomats living in the United States and strongly condemn acts of vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or personnel," the spokesperson told PTI.

Condemning the attack in the "strongest possible terms", Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar said, Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in democracy."
Karnataka CM Siddaramiah presented his 14th budget in the state Vidhana Soudha on Friday. CM Siddaramiah informed that the state government is expecting a total expenditure of 2,50,933 crores, a capital expenditure of 54,374 crore and loan repayment of 22,441 crores is expected.

Also Read: Karnataka budget 2023 Live Updates

Here are the top highlights from the Karnataka Budget 2023:

1) Congress' five poll guarantees to cost  52,000 crore annually:

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah while presenting the budget in the state assembly informed that government will provide an additional financial aid of 4,000 to 5,000 a month to each household through the five poll guarantees promised in the Congress party's manifesto. The five guarantees will cost the exchequer approximately 52,000 crore annually and are expected to benefit around 1.3 crore families

2) Liquor to get costlier:

Karnataka government has decided to hike the additional excise duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) by 20% on all 18 slabs. CM Siddaramaiah informed that the duty on beer will be increased from 175 percent to 185 percent.

"Even after the increase in excise rates, the price of liquor in our state would be lower when compared to the neighbouring states," Siddaramaiah noted.

With these hikes and effective enforcement and regulatory measures, the revenue collection target for the Excise Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at 36,000 crore, Siddaramaiah added.

3) Karnataka allocates 11% of budget for Education:

Karnataka government has announced that Education will be allocated 37,587 crore or almost 11 percent of the budget on Education while 24,166 or around 7 percent of the budget was been allocated for Women and Child Development.

4) Accidental insurance for delivery executives:

Karnataka govt announces life and accident insurance of 4 Lakh to e-commerce delivery employees working with Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon etc. This includes 2 lakh life insurance and 2 lakh accident insurance and covers both full-time and part-time delivery persons.

In order to provide social security to the Gig Workers in the unorganised sector, i.e., employed as full time/part time delivery personnel in e-commerce companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, etc., insurance facility of total of RS.4 lakh will be provided which includes, life insurance of Rs. 2 lakh and accidental insurance of 2 lakh. The entire insurance premium will be borne by the government," CM Siddaramaiah noted.

5)  30,000 crore allocated to Namma Metro:

In a bid to ease the traffic issue in Bengaluru, Karnataka CM Siddaramiah has allocated 30,000 crore for the development of BMRCL's Namma Metro project. The Chief Minister has also announced 8,409 crore for the comprehensive development of Bengaluru city.

6) Karnataka government to set up Christian Development Corporation:

Karnataka government will set up Christian Development Corporation at a cost of 100 crore annually.

Karnataka State Christian Development Corporation will be established for which 100 crore will be provided in the current year",
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will present the state budget today i.e. July 7 at 12 pm, the first after Congress assumed power in the state. This would be Siddaramaiah's seventh Budget as a chief minister.

The budget session of the Karnataka Legislature began on 3 July with Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot emphasising on the need to eradicate corruption in the state, and the ruling Congress and opposition BJP gearing up for a battle both inside and outside the Assembly.

Earlier in the month of February Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had presented the State Budget for the financial year 2023-24.

Ahead of the Budget, State's Minister HK Patil said, "Natural that there are people's expectations. There also have a lot of confidence in us. Congress party has built that credibility in Karnataka & also in the country. I am sure that we will be able to deliver and people will be happy after the Budget."

The budget assumes significance as the CM has to make provisions for the five guarantees, which his Congress party had announced before the assembly elections.

The implementation of the five poll guarantees is expected to cost the state exchequer an estimated 60,000 crore annually. The Chief Minister had already said that some strict austerity measures will be announced. He has hinted that the size of the budget this year could be about 3.35 lakh crore.

On Tuesday, Karnataka Assembly witnessed an uproar scenes due to protests by the BJP against the ruling Congress leading to four adjournments by Speaker U T Khader. As planned, the opposition BJP staged protests inside and outside the Assembly alleging injustice and cheating by the ruling Congress in the name of five guarantees. Yediyurappa charged the Congress with 'misleading' people through their five guarantees. "Our agitation is against the failure of fulfilling the five guarantees. We are also opposing the government's stand to withdraw the anti-conversion and anti-cow slaughter laws, which our government had introduced in the past," he said.

The Karnataka government is likely to table a bill scrapping the anti-conversion law called Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, which was promulgated by the previous BJP government.

According to some Congress insiders, the government will also introduce a bill scrapping the anti-cow slaughter law called Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, news agency PTI has reported.

The government may also introduce a bill repealing the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, besides another amendment pertaining to the Agricultural Produce Marketing (Regulation and Development) (Amendment) Act, 2020.

Pandemonium is expected when the Congress presents the bill repealing the anti-conversion and anti-cow slaughter laws as the BJP is likely to protest it vehemently. Reacting to questions on the Cow slaughter bill, the CM had said "Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act, 1964 already existed and an amendment was brought to the same."

The exercise to de-saffronise textbooks may also invite the BJPs ire during the session. The Siddaramaiah government will make budgetary provisions for its five guarantee schemes, namely Gruha Jyoti (offering up to 200 units free electricity for residential purposes), Gruha Lakshmi (promising 2,000 to women heads of BPL/APL ration card holders), Anna Bhagya (Promising 10 kg rice to each member of BPL ration card holders), Yuva Nidhi (offering 3,000 to unemployed graduates and 1,500 to unemployed diploma holders who passed this academic year, for 24 months) and Shakti offering free bus rides to Karnataka women across Karnataka in non-luxury government buses.

(With inputs from PTI)
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has chaired a meeting with the BMRDA officials and committee members to find a solution for Bengaluru's traffic issues. They have decided to connect the ends of Bengaluru with underpasses in the city.

During the meeting, the officials discussed improving connectivity to Bengaluru's outer parts by constructing tunnels. According to media reports, the officials planned to allocate 22,000 crore for the initial phase of the 50 km tunnel construction project.

After the completion of this project, Bengaluru will be connected end to end with metro, flyovers, and underpasses. The officials also sought suggestions from the people via the website Brand Bengaluru.

A Public-private partner (PPP) joint partnership or Built Operate Transfer (BOT) has approved the tunnel project which will also consist of tolls to collect funds for the contractors, the report said.

Currently, 50 km of tunnel road is proposed in the first phase in Bengaluru, however, the city needs 100 km of tunnel roads to overcome the traffic issues.

On multiple occasions, social media has been flooded with posts discussing the issue of traffic in Bengaluru. Specifically, for individuals residing in the Electronic City, heavy traffic has become a major concern.

Earlier, Zolo co-founder Nikhil Sikri highlighted the challenges associated with Bengaluru traffic. He pointed out an issue with Google Maps, where the estimated time of arrival remained constant for every five-minute interval, resulting in a cumulative increase in travel time by several minutes.

He penned a humorous post about Bengaluru traffic, it resonated with the online community, gaining widespread agreement.

Bengaluru's notorious traffic has made it the second slowest place to drive through in the world in 2022, according to the latest report by a specialist in geolocation technologies, TomTom.

As per the report, it would take anyone on an average of half an hour to cover 10 km. To be accurate, the report stated that travellers were able to cover 10 km of distance in Bengaluru in an average time of 29 minutes and 9 seconds.

However, travelling is painfully slower than Bengaluru in New York where it took 36 minutes and 20 seconds to travel 10 km in the centre of the city in 2022.
There are a number of exciting Hindi OTT releases scheduled for July 7. A couple of these have already been released on July 6. Overall, it promises to be an exciting weekend for viewers, who will have plenty of choices to stream these movies and shows on ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video , JioCinema, SonyLIV and Disney+ Hotstar.

Tarla on ZEE5

Director: Piyush Gupta

Genre: Biopic

Synopsis: Experience the enthralling biopic that unveils the extraordinary life of Tarla Dalal (portrayed by Huma Qureshi), a culinary luminary and acclaimed cookbook author. Delve into her humble origins and witness her remarkable ascent to culinary stardom, driven by unyielding ambition and an indomitable spirit. This captivating tale showcases Tarla Dalal's journey as she crafts a lasting legacy, leaving an indelible mark on the culinary world for generations to savour and cherish.

Sweet Kaaram Coffee on Amazon Prime Video

Directors: Bejoy Nambiar, Swathi Raghuraaman, Krishna Marimuthu

Genre: Drama

Synopsis: Madhoo, Lakshmi, and Santhy Balachandran breathe life into this heartwarming tale, which beautifully celebrates the unwavering strength and indomitable spirit of these extraordinary individuals. As they defy societal limitations, their collective journey unfolds into a powerful testament to resilience and personal growth.

Blind on JioCinema

Director: Shome Makhija

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Synopsis: Prepare to be captivated by Sonam Kapoor's remarkable portrayal of Gia, a visually-impaired woman thrown into the depths of a high-stakes criminal investigation. As the sole witness in a perplexing case, Gia fearlessly confronts the murderer, unwavering in her determination to unravel the enigmatic layers shrouding the events. Meanwhile, Purab Kohli delivers a spellbinding performance as the formidable antagonist, adding an extra layer of intensity to this gripping narrative.

Farhana on SonyLIV

Director: Nelson Venkatesan

Genre: Thriller

Synopsis: Experience the gripping tale of Farhana, portrayed by Aishwarya Rajesh, a determined middle-class mother whose pursuit of supporting her family takes her into uncharted territory. As she delves into a riskier division at her job, Farhana unwittingly becomes entangled in a perilous situation that not only puts her life at stake but also threatens the well-being of her loved ones. This captivating thriller shines a spotlight on the sacrifices and dangers that accompany the relentless quest for financial stability.

IB 71 on Disney+ Hotstar

Director: Sankalp Reddy

Genre: Spy Thriller

Synopsis: The film follows the story of Dev (played by Vidyut Jammwal), a skilled Indian intelligence officer entrusted with a crucial mission: thwarting Pakistan's sinister plot to launch an attack on the northeastern states of India. Collaborating closely with China, Pakistan intends to deploy fighter planes by utilising Indian airspace. With the stakes at an all-time high, Dev ingeniously formulates a strategic plan to ensure that Pakistan's access to Indian airspace is blocked.

Adhura on Amazon Prime Video

Directors: Ananya Banerjee, Gauravv K. Chawla

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Synopsis: Here is an electrifying and spine-chilling series that delves into the eerie events surrounding the arrival of 10-year-old Vedant (played by Shrenik Arora) at Nilgiri Valley School. As Vedant's path intertwines with Adhiraj's troubled past (portrayed by Ishwak Singh), a sinister secret emerges, casting a foreboding shadow over the entire campus. Brace yourself for an intense and hair-raising tale of terror, heightened by the stellar performance of Rasika Dugal in a pivotal role.
Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while unveiling the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24, has introduced a notable provision. The budget now includes a provision for life and accident insurance, offering coverage of 4 lakh to e-commerce delivery personnel associated with renowned platforms like Swiggy, Zomato , and Amazon.

In order to provide social security to the Gig Workers in the unorganised sector, i.e., employed as full time/part time delivery personnel in e-commerce companies like Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon, etc., insurance facility of total of RS.4 lakh will be provided which includes, life insurance of Rs. 2 lakh and accidental insurance of 2 lakh. The entire insurance premium will be borne by the government," announced Siddaramaiah.

In response to the persistent demand from the union representing gig workers, the Karnataka Budget has introduced a provision that addresses their concerns regarding the informal and uncertain nature of their employment. The government recognizes the need to establish a social security net to support these workers.

As defined by NITI Aayog, gig workers are individuals engaged in work that falls outside the conventional employer-employee arrangement. Understanding the unique challenges faced by this workforce, the government has taken this significant step to provide them with the necessary support and protection.

Karnataka CM Siddaramiah presented his 14th budget in the state Vidhana Soudha on Friday. CM Siddaramiah informed that the state government is expecting a total expenditure of 2,50,933 crores, a capital expenditure of 54,374 crore and loan repayment of 22,441 crores is expected.

Siddaramaiah while presenting the budget in the state assembly informed that government will provide an additional financial aid of 4,000 to 5,000 a month to each household through the five poll guarantees promised in the Congress party's manifesto. The five guarantees will cost the exchequer approximately 52,000 crore annually and are expected to benefit around 1.3 crore families

ZOMATO More Information
Karnataka's Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on 7 July presented the the state budget. While presenting the budget, the CM said that liquor, including beer, is set to get dearer in Karnataka as the state government proposed to hike additional excise duty in the 2023-24 budget.

CM proposed to increase the existing rates of the duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) by 20 per cent on all 18 slabs. He also proposed to increase the duty on beer from 175 per cent to 185 per cent.

"Even after the increase in excise rates, the price of liquor in our state would be lower when compared to the neighbouring states," the Chief Minister said in the budget speech.

With these hikes and effective enforcement and regulatory measures, the revenue collection target for the Excise Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at 36,000 crore, Siddaramaiah added.

While presenting the Karnataka Budget, the government also announced life and accident insurance of 4 Lakh to e-commerce delivery employees working with Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon etc.

This includes 2 lakh life insurance and 2 lakh accident insurance and covers both full-time and part-time delivery persons.

Moreover, the state government allocated 37,587 crore or 11 percent of the budget to education while 24,166 or around 7 percent of the budget was allocated for Women and Child Development.

While seeking to highlight the Congress party's poll promises, CM Siddaramaiah said that approximately 52,000 crore would be spent annually for the five key poll 'guarantees' and it is expected to benefit 1.3 crore families.

With an outlay of over 3.27 lakh crore, in the Legislative Assembly, he said through the five 'guarantees' (poll promises), the government will be providing an average additional financial assistance of 4,000 to 5,000 a month to each household.

The five 'guarantees' related to free bus travel for women, 200 units of free electricity, 10 kilograms of free foodgrains to the poor, 2,000 for the woman head of the house and unemployment benefit of up to 3,000.

According to some political analysts, these pre-poll promises found resonance with the electorate leading to the Congress' resounding victory in the Assembly elections.

In the polls to the 224-member Assembly, the Congress bagged 135 seats, while the BJP secured 66 and the JD(S) 19.

Siddaramaiah created a record of sorts by presenting his 14th budget in the Assembly as Finance Minister, surpassing the mark of late Ramakrishna Hegde, a former CM, who had presented 13 budgets.

During the Karnataka polls, the Congress bagged 135 seats, while the 66 and 19 seats were secured by BJP, JD(S) respectively.

(With inputs from agencies)
National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval will meet his UK counterpart Tim Barrow at Sardar Patel Bhawan in the national capital on Friday.

As reported by The Hindustan Times citing sources, Doval is likely to address various bilateral issues, including the activities of pro-Khalistan radicals.

The meeting takes place following the death of Avtar Singh Khanda, the UK-based leader of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF) and alleged mentor of separatist Amritpal Singh, who passed away under unclear circumstances in a Birmingham hospital on June 15th.

Although Doval has been in contact with Barrow regarding the increase in pro-Khalistan extremism in the UK and its implications for bilateral relations, India has expressed significant concerns about the British core establishment seemingly downplaying the issue. The individuals, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared this information.

The central government was highly displeased when radicals, led by Khanda, defiled the Indian Tricolour during a protest at the Indian high commission in London on March 19. In an unprecedented move, the Delhi Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) for a crime committed outside the country. Subsequently, the case was transferred to the NIA at the request of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Senior officials, who preferred anonymity, have revealed that the Delhi Police Special Cell has identified Khanda, Gursharan Singh, and Jasvir Singh as the primary individuals responsible for the London incident involving flag desecration.

Furthermore, the NIA has reportedly identified approximately twelve suspects connected to the flag-desecration incident.

While official details about the Doval-Barrow meeting remain undisclosed, it is reported that Ajit Doval will address concerns regarding Indian diplomats, specifically High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and a Consul General, being targeted by pro-Khalistan extremists. The issue will be raised in light of posters announcing a protest rally scheduled for July 8 outside the Indian high commission in London.

The rally has been sparked by the recent killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a separatist affiliated with the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), which was allegedly a result of a gang-related shooting incident in Canada on June 19.

According to the aforementioned sources, Doval is expected to request assurances from Barrow regarding the safety of Indian diplomats in the UK. He will likely seek guarantees that Indian diplomatic premises will not be violated by extremists.
US lawmakers and influential Indian Americans have condemned the attempted arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco and called for expeditious action against those behind this "criminal act".

They also slammed the "violent rhetoric" against India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and said free speech does not mean a license to incite violence or vandalise property.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 and posted on Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco.

The video, with the words "violence begets violence" emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada last month.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said violence against diplomatic facilities will not be tolerated.

"As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," they said.

"We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American but that is not a license to vandalise property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," they added.

Till Thursday, no action had been taken against those involved in the attack on the Indian consulate.

A spokesperson of the National Security Council of the White House said the US takes the safety and security of diplomats very seriously.

"We take very seriously the safety and security of diplomats living in the United States and strongly condemn acts of vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or personnel," the spokesperson told PTI.

Condemning the attack in the "strongest possible terms", Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar said, "Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in democracy."

Congressman Rich McCormick said this attack is vile and unacceptable.

"Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community," he said in a tweet.

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna slammed the posters against Indian diplomats in the US, including Sandhu, doing the rounds on social media.

"I know Ambassador Sandhu and respect him. When I bring up human rights issues, he always engages with civility, thoughtfulness & candor. This rhetoric puts diplomats in harm's way. It's dangerous & has no place in a democracy. Free speech does not mean a license to incite violence," Khanna said.

Last week's attack was the second time within months that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was targeted by Khalistani supporters.

On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the consulate. Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags.

In a tweet, the South Asian Minorities Collective said, "Known for their proximity to Pakistani intelligence service, the Khalistan cult has been trying to revive itself over the past few years in US, UK and Canada."

Sikh leader Jasdeep Singh described the attack on the Indian consulate as "shameful and disgraceful".

"Whoever did it should be brought to the fullest extent of law. Targeting any consulate or any diplomat or anybody for that reason is not a good thing," Singh told PTI.

"Although it has not been identified who the perpetrators were, the community is very, very upset because it is being linked to the Khalistani movement.

"There is a line between freedom of speech and the right to protest and getting involved in criminal activities like this one. So, we strongly condemn this criminal act," he said.

Responding to a question, Singh urged the Biden administration to make sure that consulates and diplomats of all countries, especially India, are protected and safe in the US.

"The Sikh community by and large stands with the laws of this great nation, and if anyone breaks the laws of this nation, the government should go after them," he said.
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to tell Chinese officials that Washington wants healthy economic competition but will defend trade curbs imposed by the United States on security grounds and express concern about Beijing's export controls on metals used in semiconductors and solar panels .

The US official was due to meet Friday with China's No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, as part of efforts to revive relations that are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes over security, technology, and other irritants.

During the visit, the US treasury officials said that Janet Yellen would not meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping, according to a report published by the news agency PTI.

Washington doesn't support decoupling or disconnecting US and Chinese industries and markets. Yellen will reiterate that message," the official said on Thursday.

Speaking to media persons on the condition of anonymity, the US official said Yellen also planned to discuss targeted action by Washington on trade due to national security or human rights concerns.

Her visit follows one by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met Xi last month in the highest-level US visit to Beijing in five years. The two agreed to stabilize relations but failed to agree on improving communications between their militaries, PTI reported.

China's government has been frustrated by US curbs on Chinese access to advanced processor chips on security grounds. Xi also accused Washington in March of trying to hamper China's development.

The official added that the United States wants healthy economic competition with China but considers some of Beijing's trade practices unfair. They said Yellen would detail those concerns in meetings with Chinese officials.

Washington wants to "promote resilient supply chains" and guard against excessive reliance on suppliers in critical areas but doesn't consider that to be decoupling, the Treasury official said as quoted by PTI.

Yellen said earlier the two governments "can and need to find a way to live together" in spite of their strained relations over geopolitics and economic development.

The latest flareup came after President Joe Biden referred to Xi as a dictator. The Chinese government protested, but Biden said his blunt statements are "just not something I'm going to change very much".

(With PTI inputs)
Zaragoza in Spain experienced flash flooding on July 6 as torrential rain and hail battered the province. The heavy downpour resulted in several streets being inundated, causing some drivers to become trapped in their cars. Emergency rescue teams were dispatched to rescue the affected individuals and gain control of the situation. Within a short span of time, some areas experienced an accumulation of up to 54.2 liters per square meter of rainfall, resulting in the inundation of roads, including one of the ring roads. Numerous motorists found themselves trapped in their vehicles, prompting the intervention of firefighters and diving teams to rescue them from the floodwaters. Also read: Mumbai Monsoon Rain: Yellow alert in the city today; check local train status to traffic updates here Despite the heavy rain, there were fortunately no reports of accidents or injuries. The city of Zaragoza experienced severe disruptions, with tram services being affected and several bus lines being diverted. The most challenging situation occurred on the Third Ring Road near the Barranco de la Muerte, where numerous individuals became trapped in their vehicles along with some people clinging to trees in the street, leading to complicated rescue operations.

Also read: Monsoon Rain LIVE Updates: Orange alert in 5 Maha districts; Kerala, Karnataka witness waterlogging

Rescue operations

Emergency services utilised various techniques, including rescues using ropes along with vertical rescues from the fire brigades automatic ladder. Public assistance was also required to rescue individuals from cars in the Los Enlaces area, reported EuroWeekly. The Ecociudad service teams were also a part of the rescue operations, that are in charge of the sanitation and supply infrastructures.

Extent of damage

Power cuts resulted in the malfunctioning of traffic lights, requiring the intervention of local police officers to regulate crossings at affected intersections.

Flooding occurred in different parts of the city due to leaves blocking drainage and sewage systems that subsequently blocked and overflowed. The situation was exacerbated by heavy rainfall and accompanied by strong winds. Storm damage was reported in Cuarte de Huerva and Burgo se Ebro to homes, premises and basements, resulting in the evacuation of eight individuals as a precautionary measure.

The Guardia Civil reported the closure of the A23 at Km 274 in the direction of Teruel, leading to the deployment of Citizen Security and Traffic Group personnel.

In Paniza, farmers suffered significant losses as large hailstones severely damaged the fruit, resulting in a complete loss of this year's vineyard harvest, reported EuroWeekly.
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has dismissed speculations of reuniting with the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Thursday that they are having a routine meeting and there is no question of reunion with the BJP.

"We have an alliance with the BSP, so how is this question even arising? This is our routine meeting. I have come after a month, so we are having a routine meeting. We held the meeting to discuss the VAT increase and water issues, said the President of Shiromani Akali Dal, Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The SAD was a close ally of the BJP in Punjab and had also fought many state elections together. However, SAD broke its alliance with the party over three farm laws that were eventually repealed.

Earlier on 5 July, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring had claimed that the SAD and the BJP never really parted ways. The SAD pulling out of the BJP-led NDA over the farmers' issue was a "drama" and it remains to be seen when they announce joining hands again, he said.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at an event had said now rejected leaders are forging new alliances or mending old ones against him, adding that the sole motive of such alliances was to grab political power in the state by hook or by crook. In Amritsar, BJP leader and former Gujarat chief minister Rupani was also asked by reporters about the speculation of a BJP-SAD tie-up. He said the BJP would form government at the Centre for the third time in 2024. In Punjab, the BJP will fight all 13 Lok Sabha seats alone, asserted Rupani.

Meanwhile, on Thusday, party had also formed a sub-committee to take all views on the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC) into consideration and prepare a case for submission to the Law Commission. A decision regarding this was taken at a meeting of the party's constituency incharges and district presidents which was presided over by SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal.

The meeting also rejected the Sikh Gurdwara (Amendment) Bill, 2023 while asserting that it was a direct interference in Sikh religious affairs. It termed the amendment made in the Bill as illegal and unconstitutional and warned the government not to inflame the passions of the community by such transgressions.

(With inputs from ANI)
Marjorie Taylor Greene, a United States Representative known for her close association with former President Donald Trump, has been removed from the Freedom Caucus, an ultra-conservative group within the House of Representatives, Politico reported on July 6.

"A vote was taken to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Freedom Caucus for some of the things she's done," Politico quoted Republican Representative Andy Harris as saying.

The Republican from Maryland, according to Politico, refrained from disclosing his vote but expressed his support for the decision to oust the congresswoman from Georgia, who is currently serving her second two-year term. The spokesperson for Greene was not accessible for immediate comment, Reuters reported.

In an email statement, a representative from the House Freedom Caucus declined to provide details on membership or internal proceedings.

The official vote occurred shortly after news surfaced of a heated altercation between Greene and her fellow caucus member, Representative Lauren Boebert, on the House floor in June. During the incident, Greene directed a barrage of insults towards Boebert.

Harris expressed his concerns regarding the way a fellow member, likely referring to Greene, made reference to another member. In his statement to Politico, Harris emphasised that such language and treatment of fellow members, particularly towards female colleagues, is not in line with the expected conduct within the group.

He further noted that publicly making derogatory remarks about another member was a significant contributing factor to the decision to remove Greene.

Harris, according to Politico, was asked if Greene's departure from the group on the debt limit bill or her support for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy played a role in her removal. In response, Harris acknowledged that these factors also had an impact on the decision.

McCarthy faced a revolt from hardline Republicans, who accused him of betraying an agreement that got him elected to lead the Republican-controlled chamber when he reached a deal with Democratic President Joe Biden for compromise debt ceiling legislation.

The hardline Republicans had said McCarthy and his leadership team failed to deliver on promised spending cuts and ignored their input.

(With Reuters inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and social media. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author
Senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra government as Deputy Chief Minister last week. The nine-MLA rebellion has since sparked a massive row, threatening to split the NCP and oust party chief Sharad Pawar. The developments - reminiscent of last year's Shiv Sena rebellion - has however set several lawmakers on edge.

For many of the Shiv Sena MLAs currently backing the Maharashtra government, Ajit Pawar's inclusion has been a point of concern. As one may recall, Shinde had highlighted the Sena -NCP alliance (under MVA government) as one of the primary reasons behind his rebellion. And as Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders take potshots at the ruling faction, senior members of the Shinde faction have rushed to put out fires.

"The scope of ministerial aspirants from BJP and Shiv Sena minimised after NCP joined the government. This has upset some MLAs. The Chief Minister is aware of this," news agency PTI quoted Shiv Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar as saying.

Going by the seniority of its leaders, they will mostly get plum portfolios, which is our concern as those leaders will favour their party workers and use the funds to benefit them. This was exactly the reason why we decided to go with Shinde and revolt against our leader Uddhav Thackeray a year ago. If similar treatment takes places this time also, some of us will struggle to get re-elected," explained another party leader soon after the swearing in ceremony.

ALSO READ: Power of PM Modi, Amit Shah behind me: Shinde on discontent within Sena camp

Members of the Uddhav Thackeray faction also claim that MLAs from the Shiv Sena have started revolting. Some MLAs (from Shinde bloc) have been sending messages that they want to "seek forgiveness from 'Matoshree'," MP Vinayak Raut claimed on Thursdaywhile talking to reporters.

He also added that many MLAs from the Shiv Sena had said that they would reply "positively" if 'Matoshree' approached them. 'Matoshree' in case you were wondering, is the residence of Shiv Sena (UBT) head Uddhav Thackeray.

Shinde had led a 40 MLA rebellion against then CM Thackeray in 2022, leading to a split in the party and a government collapse. The recent NCP rebellion incidentally bears a strong resemblance to the earlier crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

MPS More Information
'Modi surname' defamation case: Gujarat High Court will pronounce the judgement on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi 's plea seeking a stay on his conviction today, July 7.

Earlier in May this year, Gujarat HC reserved its order on Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case.

The court refused to grant any interim relief to Rahul Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi had moved the Gujarat High Court on April 25 challenging the Surat sessions court order which declined to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case.

The Surat sessions court had on April 20 rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 criminal defamation case.

In his judgement, Additional sessions judge Robin P Mogera had cited Gandhi's stature as an MP and former chief of the country's second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful.

Following his conviction by a lower court in the criminal defamation case, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP. He had been elected to Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala.

The lower court sentenced the Congress leader to two years in jail on March 23 under sections 499 and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case filed by Purnesh Modi.

At a rally in Karnataka's Kolar in April 2019, Rahul Gandhi, in a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?".

Meanwhile, on July 4, Jharkhand High Court directed that no coercive action be taken against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in the 'Modi surname' defamation case. The next hearing will be on August 16.
Gujarat High Court has refused to grant a stay on the order issued by the sessions court. The Sessions court had sentenced the senior Congress leader to two years in jail in a criminal defamation case by filed by BJP MLA Purnesh Modi. The court judgement had also led to Gandhi losing his membership in the Lok Sabha.

Congress leader and Karnataka deputy Chief Minister DK Shivkumar has criticised the Gujarat HC judgement calling it murder of democracy. In a video of DK Shivkumar shared by news agency ANI, he said, "It is very unfortunate that justice has not prevailed. It is a murder of democracy. But still the entire country, all the opposition parties and the people of this country stand by Rahul Ji. He is a great leader who has been fighting across the country."

Another Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal noted that Gujarat High Court judgement in the Modi surname defamation case in wrong. He told ANI, "We have always respected the judiciary and held it in high esteem but we believe that this decision is wrong - both in facts as well as law.

Congress party have said that they will approach the Supreme Court in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal after the Gujarat HC judgement said "There is one more option before us... the Supreme Court. Let's see. The Congress party will seek that option too".

BJP MP and senior leader Ravishankar Prasad, on the other hand, hit back at the Congress and Rahul Gandhi after Gujarat HC judgement. He said, "We would like to ask Congress - why can't you control Rahul Gandhi? Why can't you train him to speak properly? He is your leader. Had he apologised in this matter, it would have ended...It has become a chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi to abuse, defame & almost showering the worst kind of abuses against eminent leaders and organisations."

Surat West MLA Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his "how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday night at his official residence in Mumbai. The meeting lasted till 2 am. This came days after Ajit Pawar's breakaway from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and joined the Maharashtra coalition government .

A recent political development in the state involves the induction of nine NCP leaders, including Sharad Pawar's nephew, into the BJP-Shiv Sena (Shinde camp)'s Alliance. Ajit Pawar has been sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Here are top updates on Maharashtra political crisis

1) The fierce power tussle between rival NCP factions, led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar, continued to play out on Thursday. Fadnavis was seen leaving the CM's residence after the meeting on Thursday late night.

2) CM Shinde on Thursday made it clear that his government has emerged stronger, adding that he had no plans of stepping down, terming all such reports as 'rumors'. Shinde also chaired a meeting of Shiv Sena MLAs at his official residence in Mumbai.

3) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said CM Shinde may be replaced in the coming days, in light of the switchover of Ajit Pawar and 8 other NCP MLAs to the National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) government in the state.

4) Shinde said the power of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah is behind him and the alliance government in Maharashtra is only getting stronger with Ajit Pawars joining.

5) Some MLAs [from the Eknath Shinde bloc] have been sending messages that they want to "seek forgiveness from 'Matoshree'," the Lok Sabha member further claimed.

6) Addressing a gathering of his supporters in a show of strength, Ajit Pawar said, I became Deputy CM five times. It is a record but I am stuck at Deputy chief minister only. I also want to lead the state and be the chief minister."

7) NCP chief Sharad Pawar asserted that his effectiveness remains unchanged regardless of whether he is 82 or 92 years old. "I am still effective, whether I am 82 or 92," said Sharad Pawar after the party's national executive meeting in Delhi.

8) The working committee of NCP headed by Sharad Pawar has approved his decision of "expelling Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare and nine MLAs who have joined hands with the NDA."

9) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar appointed Narendra Rane as Mumbai's Working President of the party.

10) Ajit Pawar faction claimed that the dispute of representing real NCP is within the jurisdiction of the ECI and no one has any authority to call any meeting till the dispute is settled by the ECI.

(With inputs from agencies)

ALLIANCE More Information

ALLIANCE More Information
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday laid foundation stones of multiple development projects in Varanasi worth 12,000 crore and distributed checks to the beneficiaries under PM SVANidhi Yojana. PM Modi focussed his address on the poor and backward societies as he said that respect for the poor is his guarantee.

PM Modi said that it is the poor and the backward societies who have the biggest right to th resources in the country. "...The poor & the backwards societies have the biggest right to the resources of the country. Earlier only rich people had access to the bank. If there is no one to take a guarantee, then how will the bank loan be available?" PM Modi said.

In the last nine years, the BJP government changed this thinking and opened it for everyone. We opened about fifty crores of Jan Dhan bank accounts...Respect for the poor is Modi's guarantee," PM Narendra Modi said.

PM Modi also noted that in just four years, the Vande Bharat is running on 25 routes. "Today, whether it is poor welfare or infrastructure, there is no scarcity of budget...In 50 years, Rajdhani Express ran only on 16 routes, 35 years ago Shatabdi Express ran only on 19 routes. But Vande Bharat is running on 25 routes in just 4 years...Kashi's rapid development will continue with Baba's blessings," PM Modi said.

Launching an attack on the previous government, PM Modi said, The schemes of previous governments were made in air-conditioned rooms, they did not follow up on the implementation...BJP government met the beneficiaries, and we started a culture of direct benefit & direct feedback...In the last 9 years, we have not made schemes for just one family and one generation, but we have worked keeping in mind that the lives of future generations should also improve."

Speaking of the development projects worth 12,000 crore, the prime minister said, A record number of devotees will come to Kashi during the festival of Sawan; Uttar Pradesh including Kashi has got a gift of 12,000 crores."

As PM Modi made his way in his car towards the launch event in Varanasi, people lined up even in heavy rain to welcome their prime minister.
In the power struggle within Maharashtra's Pawar family, Parth Pawar, the younger son of Ajit Pawar, is gaining attention and is speculated to rise in prominence ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections">Lok Sabha elections. Ajit Pawar, who recently joined the BJP government as the deputy chief minister, is believed to be considering giving the Shirur Lok Sabha ticket to his son Parth. Parth Pawar had previously made an unsuccessful electoral debut in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, where he lost from the Maval constituency.

Parth Pawar came into the limelight when he wrote a letter to the then Home Minister Anil Deshmukh, requesting a CBI inquiry into Sushant Singh Rajput's death, contrary to the stance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government at that time, reported Hindustan Times. Also read: As rebel Ajit Pawar fires uncle from NCP, Sharad Pawar asserts I am president: Top points The ongoing power struggle between Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar has led to divisions within the NCP. Sharad Pawar addressed the national executive meeting of the party in Delhi and also met Rahul Gandhi">Rahul Gandhi, while Ajit Pawar claimed that the meeting was illegal and asserted himself as the party president. Sharad Pawar said his age does not matter as he is still effective be it 82 or 92, at the meeting. The Sharad Pawar faction will approach the Election Commission against the Ajit Pawar faction which already claimed the NCP symbol. The future course of action for Ajit Pawar remains uncertain. He has made appointments, such as appointing Narendra Rane as Mumbai's working president of the NCP and Deepak Mankar as the Pune city unit, further fueling the factional divide. Amidst the political developments, Uddhav Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the Maharashtra government for its uncertain functioning. Another day gone and yet one doesn't know who is handling what ministry in the (unconstitutional) Maharashtra government. People be damned, self-interests should continue," Priyanka Chaturvedi tweeted.

Former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray commented on the NCP split, accusing those involved of being against Maharashtra and attempting to break the state. "They are against Maharashtra. They broke Sena and now the NCP. They want to break Maharashtra," said Uddhav Thackeray.

Speculations regarding chief minister Eknath Shinde stepping down circulated and that he may face disqualification from the Assembly, defying these rumours Shinde said he is not resigning and everything else is rumours. "With our government now made up of three parties, the strength of our MLAs is more than 200. No leader is unhappy and all have faith in us. Our government is only getting stronger. We have the support of PM Modi and Amit Shah," said Shinde, reported Hindustan Times.

Also read: Maharashtra Political Crisis: When are you going to.., Ajit Pawar questions Sharad Pawar's retirement age

Speculations have also arisen about a possible alliance between estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray, as MNS's Abhijit Panse recently met with Uddhav Sena MP Sanjay Raut.
Do you want to grab a chance to watch the Chandrayaan-3 launch LIVE? Well, ahead of the Chandrayaan-3 launch  the lunar exploration mission  the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday invited citizens to witness the launch. The launch can be viewed from the Launch View Gallery at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota.

But how will you get this chance? Simply by registering at lvg.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATIO. ISRO tweeted: Vehicle electrical tests completed. Citizens are invited to witness the launch from the Launch View Gallery at SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota, by registering at https://lvg.shar.gov.in/VSCREGISTRATIO."

Chandrayaan-3 will be launched on July 14, Friday, at 2.35 pm from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, S Somanath, ISRO director, had announced. All those who want to witness the launch of Chandrayaan-3 can register at the given link.

On the launch of Chandrayaan-3, Somanath said, On July 14 at 2.35 pm, Chandrayaan-3 will lift off, and if everything goes well, it will land (on the moon) on August 23...the date is decided based on when the sunrise is on the moon; it will depend on the calculations, but if it gets delayed, then we will have to keep the landing for the next month in September."

Chandrayaan-3 is a follow-up mission to Chandrayaan-2 with the objective of showcasing the complete capability to achieve a secure landing and conduct rover operations on the lunar surface.

The lander of Chandrayaan-3 is expected to soft-land on the surface of the Moon on August 23 or 24. S Somanath said ISRO's prime objective was to enable a safe and soft landing of Chandrayaan-3.

He said, Our main objective is a safe and soft landing; all equipment will be fine if it goes safely and there is a soft landing. We are good with the landing system. Rover will come out after landing, the rover has 6 wheels, and we are expecting the rover will work for 14 days on the moon...With the support of multiple cameras on the rover, we will receive images. We have a solar panel on the rover. We already tested it, and we have good results with the battery."
Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of Twitter, recently made a remark about Mark Zuckerberg's new app, Threads, referring to it as a "Twitter clone". The comment was made on July 6, when Dorsey tweeted, "We wanted flying cars, instead we got 7 Twitter clones." Twitter's legal representatives earlier sent a letter to Meta, the parent company of Facebook, on July 5. In the letter, Twitter accused Meta of utilising trade secrets from former Twitter employees to develop Threads. Additionally, Twitter requested Meta to preserve internal documents relevant to the ongoing dispute between the two companies. This information was initially reported by Semafor. Also Read: All threads belong to us: Jack Dorsey takes jibe at Mark Zuckerberg over privacy Twitter owner Elon Musk commented on the matter, tweeted, "Competition is fine, cheating is not."

Threads, an Instagram app that facilitates real-time public conversations, experienced extraordinary success shortly after its launch.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that within just two hours of its release, more than two million people had downloaded the app. The number of downloads rapidly escalated, reaching five million within four hours and surpassing 10 million by the end of the day. By the following morning, Threads had been downloaded over 30 million times.

In less than 24 hours, Threads emerged as the fastest-growing app ever, positioning itself as a potential competitor to Twitter. It outpaced ChatGPT, a chatbot developed by OpenAI, which achieved one million downloads in its first five days.

Also Read: Twitter competitor Threads amasses 30 million users in the first 18 hours since launch

According to Similarweb, an analytics firm, Threads is projected to surpass 100 million users within two months, a milestone previously attained only by ChatGPT.

Notably, influential Twitter users, including Ellen DeGeneres, Bill Gates, Shakira and Oprah Winfrey, promptly joined Threads and began sharing posts. The platform experienced a celebratory atmosphere as users exchanged welcome messages and expressed excitement about engaging with one another's content. At one point, the app faced temporary instability due to the overwhelming influx of users.
Meta's new Threads app has garnered more than 30 million downloads in the 18 hours since its launch on Thursday. Dubbed as the Twitter-killer, Threads app allows users to share text, and links, and engage in conversations by replying to or reposting messages from fellow users.

Reuters, reported that Threads was the top free app on Apple's App Store in the UK and US on Thursday. Meanwhile, Threads could have become the most rapidly downloaded app ever and could surpass over 100 million users in the next two months, New York Times reported.

Threads currently allows users to share posts with upto 500 characters and videos of upto 5 minutes. The Meta-backed app also lacks many important functionalities present in Twitter like hashtags, keywords, direct messages and a desktop version.

Explaining the thought process behind the Threads app, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted in a post, There should be a public conversations app with 1 billion people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasn't nailed it. Hopefully we will,"

Many alternatives to Twitter have emerged following Elon Musk's $44 billion acquisition of the social media giant in October last year. Since the acquisition, Musk has managed to alienate Twitter users and advertisers with some of his chaotic decisions.

In what has been dubbed Twitter 2.0, the company has changed its verification policy, removing the verified blue tick mark for old verified users, while asking users to pay $8 a month for it. In perhaps its most chaotic decision to date, Musk announced imposing a limit on the number of posts users can see in an effort to combat "extreme levels of data scraping".

Even though many alternatives to Twitter have emerged, the Elon Musk-led social media platform has remained popular with users. While Twitter had 229 million monthly active users in May 2022, other competitors to the app such as Bluesky or Mastodon have only managed to attract around 1.7 million and 2,65,000 monthly active users respectively.

(With inputs from agencies)
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Attorney who challenged Trump's 2020 loss gives up law license as states weigh disciplining him

Attorney Lin Wood, who filed legal challenges seeking to overturn Donald Trumps 2020 election loss, is relinquishing his law license, electing to retire from practicing rather than face possible disbarment
Bradley Flood and Daniel Skojac placed third in the nation in the SkillsUSA Nationals Digital Cinema Production contest.
If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option.
A man who paid over 2,600 for insurance won't get a cent of it back after he pleaded guilty to being caught at the wheel with a false driving licence.

Brazilian born Maxwander Ferreira Rocha (30), Apartment 4, Inny Court, Main Street, Ballymahon, Co Longford appeared at a recent District Court sitting charged with using a false Portuguese drivers licence at Creevagh Rua, Creevagh Beg, Ballymahon, Co Longford.

He was also charged with having no driving licence and of being found driving without insurance.

Judge John Brennan was told the incident took place on September 9, 2022 at 5:30pm.

Sgt Mark Mahon said gardai made a lawful demand for Mr Ferreira Rocha's driving licence and insurance.

During his exchange at the roadside, Mr Ferreira Rocha handed over what the court was told was a bogus Portuguese driver's licence.

That conclusion was arrived at after gardai became suspicious at how a number of security features on the licence were allegedly missing.

Sgt Mahon said Mr Ferreira Rocha was very cooperative and met the investigating officer at all times by appointment.

Brid Mimnagh, defending, said her client was a married man with two children and was someone who had been unwittingly caught out by the incident.

He said it was bought on the internet and did not know it was false, she said.

Ms Mimnagh added Mr Ferreira Rocha was resident in Ireland for the past four to five years and worked in a factory in Ballymahon.

She said he had a number of significant financial commitments, most notably 225 a week that he pays in rent.

The local solicitor explained how Mr Ferreira Rocha had handed over 2,600 for an insurance policy, money which she said he would not get back as a result.

In summation, Judge Brennan said while he had a certain level of empathy in terms of Mr Ferreira Rocha's absent-mindedness over the authenticity of his driver's documentation, a conviction had to be recorded.

It is a serious matter, he said.

It is one of the reasons why young people find it very difficult to get insurance and are paying exorbitant rates, he said.

I am satisfied he didn't know it was a false driver's licence and he was very cooperative too.

Judge Brennan said there was also a certain level of inadvertence connected to Mr Ferreira Rocha's actions.

He said while he wouldn't impose a driving disqualification on Mr Ferreira Rocha, a fine of 200 was appropriate, he added, under the circumstances.

In issuing that order, he said he would give Mr Ferreira Rocha six months to pay in light of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

As the case concluded, there was a brief light hearted moment when Ms Mimnagh referenced how her client's name was somewhat similar to the famous Ferrero Rocher chocolate brand.

In making a submission for legal aid on her client's behalf, Ms Mimnagh joked: Would you consider the chocolates as well as legal aid?
The Strasbourg Youth Symphony Orchestra will perform A Symphonic Evening in St Mels Cathedral later this month, as part of Longfords Cruthu Arts Festival.

The concert on Sunday, July 23, is part of a tour that the OJS (Orchestre Symphonique des Jeunes de Strasbourg) is undertaking in Scotland and Ireland to celebrate its 35th anniversary.

As well as Longford, the orchestra also has dates in Edinburgh, Dunfermline and Annan in Scotland and Ballina here in Ireland.

This performance will be a rare treat and the first time that a full orchestra will perform in St Mels Cathedral since 2016. The evening promises to be packed full of orchestral favourites including Mahler, Mendelssohn, Beethoven and Gershwin.

The concert is being hosted by the Cruthu Arts Festival which is grant funded by Longford County Council and supported by Longford County Arts Service.

Cruthu is also celebrating its tenth anniversary as Longfords premier arts festival. It features a multi-disciplinary array of arts events and programmes.

This is going to be huge and tickets will go fast, says Director of Cruthu Arts Festival Gene Rhatigan. The OJS are one of the top performing youth orchestras in Europe. They are only playing two venues in Ireland this summer and St Mels is one of them.

Welcoming the event, Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Colm Murray said, Congratulations to Longford Arts Service and all in Cruthu Arts Festival for making this event a reality  its putting Longford and St Mels on the map as an ideal destination for incredible international performances of this calibre.

The idea of Strasbourg Youth Symphony Orchestra performing in Longford was first mooted through the French Honorary Consul for Connacht and Donegal Catherine Gagneux who has responsibility for the Irish French Twinning movement. There are a number of very successful twinning arrangements in place between Longford Town, Ballinamuck, Ballymahon and Granard with their respective partners in France.

Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon said, Longford County Council is delighted to support the staging of this wonderful event in our beautiful St Mels Cathedral. This is a great example of how the cultural exchange between Irish and French communities can yield significant results.

The Strasbourg Youth Symphony Orchestra is made up of around fifty musicians, ranging in age from 15 to 30.

Conducted by Gustave Winkler since 2017, the OJS performs its classical and modern repertoire around fifteen times in Alsace and neighbouring regions of France (Lorraine, Franche-Comte, Baden-Wurttemberg, etc) in a variety of forms including classical or gala concerts, festivals, sound and light shows, educational concerts and more.



Tickets for the performance in St Mels Cathedral, Longford are available on Eventbrite.ie.
They came to celebrate the school being awarded the Blue Star of Europe award and their Sixth Green Flag for Global Citizenship  Litter and Waste.

The school successfully earned the Blue Star Award as they fostered a better understanding and knowledge of the European Union and how it has an effect on the lives of primary school children. As part of this initiative, the school hosted a Global Citizenship event to celebrate the 14 different nations that are within the school.

As part of the award, the senior end of the school researched different countries within Europe and using digital technology funded by the Learning from the Extreme Initiative, the pupils were able to create Google slide presentations on their chosen country.

Lanesboro Primary School had the pleasure of speaking with members of the Portuguese Department of Education, along with their counterparts in Greece, concerning the use of digital technology in the school and how it is used to bridge the gap between new entrant learners from other countries such as the Ukraine.

Lanesboro Primary School recognises their place within the community of the EU and is looking forward to future projects with the EU.

The school, through hard work, civic engagement and through several different activities, earned the sixth flag of the Green Schools Initiative.

To earn this prestigious award, the pupils of 5th and 6th Class did numerous community clean up events, such as litter picking around the childrens playground in Lanesboro as well as the main street in the town.

Fifth and Sixth Class also visited Mulleadys Waste processing facility to learn more about how waste is disposed of in an efficient and sustainable manner.

1st  4th class participated in the Picker Pals programme. This was a school initiative where pupils would pick litter around the school as well as at home using equipment supplied to them by this programme. It was a very valuable and worthwhile programme that enabled the children to develop a greater understanding of the importance of keeping our communities tidy and free of litter.

The Global Citizenship aspect of this flag involved the pupils learning about the Global Development Goals and celebrating the different nationalities for Global Citizenship Day.

Members of the Green Schools Committee travelled to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone to collect the Flag and were treated to a tasty lunch afterwards.

The Green Flag was raised by Joe Flaherty TD.

Deputy Flaherty said, I have watched the school progress with these projects, and I am greatly impressed by the enthusiasm and the energy of the pupils. I have seen the school reaching out to school communities across Europe, and these are great initiatives for the school and it is something that all of the families within the school community can be very proud of.

The pupils and staff of Lanesboro Primary School would like to express sincere thanks to Maria Walsh MEP, Joe Flaherty TD and Senator Micheal Carrigy for supporting them in these activities and they look forward to future projects.
Local News

By Long Island Published: July 06 2023

David Forbes left his mothers house on foot, located at 9 Birchfield Court, Coram on July 4, after 11:30 p.m. He was reported missing on July 5.

Suffolk County Police Sixth Squad detectives are seeking the publics help to locate an autistic man who was reported missing yesterday.

David Forbes left his mothers house on foot, located at 9 Birchfield Court, Coram on July 4, after 11:30 p.m. He was reported missing on July 5.

Forbes, 38, lives in Canton Massachusetts and is white/Hispanic, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, and weighs 175 pounds. He is bald and has brown eyes. Forbes is diabetic.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 07 2023

Resources For Local Governments Will Build on Existing Shark Monitoring Efforts Already Being Conducted at State Beaches.

Governor Kathy Hochul has announced new shark-monitoring drones will be deployed to local beach communities on Long Island and New York City, building on the State's previous actions taken to address and enhance beachgoers' safetyat State beaches. Governor Hochul also announced that the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Department of Environmental Conservation have increased surveillance over the waters in response to shark sightings over the Fourth of July holiday, following new shark safety protocols established this year. "New York has some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, and I've directed State personnel to do everything possible to keep beachgoers safe this summer," Governor Hochul said. "Ahead of the busy summer season, we developed new tools and strategies to monitor marine wildlife and protect the health and safety of New Yorkers. These new drones will increase the shark monitoring capacity of local governments across Long Island and New York City, ensuring local beaches are safe for all beachgoers."

The new drones will be distributed to all downstate municipalities by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks). It also provides funding to cover the cost of training local personnel to operate the drones. As most of those municipalities do not have drone surveillance capability, this investment will assist localities and agencies along the entire Long Island coastline and in New York City enhance their shark monitoring efforts.

State Parks held a pre-season meeting this spring with beachfront municipalities and local agencies to provide the latest information on shark activity in New York State and discuss coordinated beachfront notifications. In addition, the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) last week released its Guidance to Reduce the Risk of Negative Interactions with Sharks.

When situations arise of shark sightings and/or interactions with swimmers occur in State Parks beaches, swimming is suspended and all bathers are cleared from the water. Swimming is allowed to resume at least one hour after the last sighting. State Park lifeguards, Park Police and park staff continuously scan and patrol the waters for shark activity.

In addition, the Long Island Coastal Awareness Group, which is comprised of more than 200 individuals from municipalities, agencies, and private beach operators stretching from Queens through Long Island, is notified so they may take appropriate action in their respective jurisdictions.

New York State Parks Commissioner Erik Kulleseid said, "State Park lifeguards, Park Police and park staff are on high alert at our Long Island beaches to keep visitors safe. We will continue using all of the tools at our disposal to be on the lookout for sharks and other dangerous marine life."

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "New York's shores are home to a wild and natural marine ecosystem that supports the annual migration of sharks to our coastal waters. While human-shark interactions are rare, DEC encourages the public to follow shark safety guidance to help minimize the risk of negative interactions with sharks this summer."

New York State Police Acting Superintendent Steven Nigrelli said, "In the event of a sighting or emergency such as the type of incidents that occurred over the 4th of July weekend, NYSP Aviation is ready to provide rapid response and support as needed. Like our State Parks and law enforcement partners, the safety of all New Yorkers is our first priority, and we stand ready to assist them to ensure that beachgoers remain safe."

In late May, Governor Hochul announced enhanced shark monitoring measures for Long Island State Park beaches, which include State Parks' expanded surveillance capabilities:

An additional ten drones has more than doubled the eight in operation from last year. One new drone assigned to Park Police is a large enterprise model with thermal imaging, laser range finding, and high-quality cameras to allow for night-time surveillance and patrols in adverse weather conditions. This drone can also drop personal flotation devices in emergency situations

Currently 21 staff including Park Police officers, State Park operational staff, lifeguards and certified drone operators are trained. An additional 12 staff members were trained to be ready for this summer.

State Parks Environmental Educators holding public outreach regarding shark habitats for people at Jones Beach, Robert Moses and Sunken Meadow this summer

Two new Yamaha WaveRunners have been assigned to lifeguards to patrol both Jones Beach and Robert Moses State Parks. These two personal watercrafts will join one already in operation at Sunken Meadow State Park

Additional buffer zones were created between swimming areas and surf fishing areas

When sightings occur, New York State Police Aviation will be available to respond as needed

To minimize the risk of shark interactions, the Department of Environmental Conservation advises the following shark safety guidance:

Avoid areas with seals

Avoid areas with schools of fish, splashing fish, or diving seabirds

Avoid swimming at dusk, night and dawn

Avoid murky water

Swim, paddle, and surf in groups

Stay close to shore, where your feet can touch the bottom

Always follow the instructions of lifeguards and Parks' staff

Humans assume risk whenever they enter any wild environment, whether on land or in the water. Although it is impossible to eliminate risk altogether, ocean users can modify their behavior to minimize potential interactions with sharks and reduce overall risk. When in the ocean, follow DEC's shark safety guidelines to minimize the potential for negative interactions with sharks.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 07 2023

Long Island Dispensary in Farmingdale Opening July 8.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the first cannabis dispensaries have opened this week in the Bronx and on Long Island, with two others coming to the Capital Region and the Southern Tier. This will bring the total of legal and licensed dispensaries in the State to 19.

"New York is leading the nation in building a new cannabis industry that advances social justice and provides economic opportunity for those who have been harmed by the inequitable enforcement of cannabis laws," Governor Hochul said. "With these new dispensaries opening in New York, we are providing safer product to New Yorkers, while furthering our ambitious goals for equity in New York's cannabis laws."

The Bronx dispensary, called Statis Cannabis Co, is supported by the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund (the Fund), the program created by Governor Hochul and adopted by the Legislature to prioritize the issuance of licenses to justice-involved individuals. Statis Cannabis Company opened for sales to the public on at 4:20 p.m., Thursday, July 6 at 817 East Tremont Avenue, The Bronx. It is operated by entrepreneurs Angel Turuseta and Emely Chavez, who received their Conditional Adult-Use Retail Dispensary (CAURD) licenses through the New York Office of Cannabis Management (OCM). Emely is a graduate of Rutgers University and New Jersey City University with a Master of Arts degree in Special Education and has been a special education teacher for over a decade. Angel is a New York City native who found opportunity as a city employee with the NYC Transit Authority.

The Long Island Dispensary, Strain Stars LLC, will open at noon on Saturday, July 8, at 1815 Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale. This dispensary will be owned and operated by Kamaldeep Singh, Tushar Mallick, Jasmin Kaur, Kamaldeep Singh, Darminder Sing, and Gurmeet Sing. For five years, Kamaldeep Singh, a justice-involved applicant, has owned & operated Whitestone Mart Inc, a gas station in Whitestone, New York with a retail storefront attached to it. Singh also holds a hemp cannabinoid retail license issued by The Office of Cannabis Management.

Converting from a delivery-only model to a full-service dispensary will be Stage One Cannabis LLC, which will open July 7 at 810C Broadway, in Rensselaer. It will be owned and operated by Nathaniel Innes, Galina German-Innes, Sugey Mirsky, and Joshua Mirsky. For 11 years Joshua Mirsky has owed & operated Foster House Studios Recording studio in Albany.

Also opening July 8 will be Exscape INC, a full-service dispensary at 1308 Vestal Parkway E, in Vestal. This dispensary will be owned and operated by Todd Hartman, also a justice-involved applicant. For 21 years, Mr. Hartman has owned & operated Designs by Pyramid, a wholesaler of tobacco and vapor products located throughout upstate New York.

Last week, Greenery opened their doors as a dispensary in Johnson City in the Southern Tier. This dispensary is owned and operated by Christopher M. Myers, Brandon R. Myers and Gregory R. Myers. For three years Gregory Myers has owned & operated Myers Security LLC, a security integration company.

These announcements come a week after Governor Hochul announced that a private investor, the Chicago Atlantic Group, has invested up to $150 million in the Fund, which was authorized by the Governor and the New York State Legislature to support the acquisition, design, construction, and outfitting of locations for cannabis dispensaries to be operated by CAURD licensees. The dispensary openings help advance New York's goals of equity in cannabis licensing that prioritizes providing licenses to justice involved individuals who have had a cannabis conviction or are a close relative of someone who has had one.

Statis Cannabis Co. is supported by the Fund and will open as a "pop-up." As with such pop-ups, this will provide licensees the opportunity to open on a short-term basis to fast-track sales and start generating capital for their businesses before closing for final construction and then re-opening on a long-term basis.

For a comprehensive list of legal, licensed New York State adult-use cannabis dispensaries, visit https://cannabis.ny.gov/ dispensary-location- verification.

Dormitory Authority of the State of New York President and CEO Reuben McDaniel, III said, "I am heartened to see the first dispensary opened in the Bronx as a collaboration between the Fund, DASNY, and the Office of Cannabis Management. Located in the heart of the Bronx, this dispensary affirms New York's commitment to opening doors for individuals who have the drive and the commitment to invest in their communities and seek success for them and their families. I'm grateful for Governor Hochul's leadership in this program that addresses deeply embedded historical injustices, the extraordinary support this program has had from the Legislature, and the work of the Fund's leadership.

Statis Cofounder Angel Turuseta said, "We are grateful to DASNY, the New York Office of Cannabis Management and Governor Hochul for this incredible opportunity to not only take another step forward in righting the failed 'War on Drugs,' but also showcase what entrepreneurs like us can do when equitable policies and support are in place. We look forward to opening our permanent location right by Yankee Stadium, as well as expanding our footprint via delivery and reaching more New Yorkers in the near future."



Statis Cofounder Emely Chavez said, "With DASNY's support, Statis will provide life-changing treatments and livable-wage jobs in the community that many of us work and live in. Seeing as cannabis prohibition continues to be one of the most successful misinformation campaigns in modern American history, we also look forward to hosting educational community events that bring our community together and give back to the people of the Bronx."

Dr. Meisha Porter, President and CEO of the Bronx Community Foundation, said, "This dispensary opening brings the story of cannabis in the Bronx full circle. We all know that residents of our borough suffered disproportionately during cannabis prohibition. Now we get to write a new chapter where a new legal cannabis industry helps the Bronx overcome decades of disinvestment and help build lasting, sustainable futures for our communities. I want to thank Governor Hochul and our partners throughout the state for making this day possible."

Chris Alexander, Executive Director of the New York State Office of Cannabis Management said, "As we witness the historic openings of The Bronx and Long Island's first legal dispensaries, we celebrate a significant step towards equitable access to safer cannabis. This momentous occasion not only brings economic opportunities to these communities but also represents our commitment to fostering a responsible and inclusive cannabis industry. We look forward to the positive impact these dispensaries will have on Bronx and Long Island residents, as we continue to prioritize social equity, public health, and safety while expanding the cannabis market throughout New York State."

Tremaine Wright, Chairwoman of the New York State Cannabis Control Board said, "It is great to celebrate the first legal dispensaries in The Bronx and Long Island. Thanks to the leadership of Governor Hochul and support from DASNY, New York is at the forefront of diversity in the nation's cannabis industry. These groundbreaking establishments not only provide safe and regulated environments for cannabis access but also serve as a testament to our commitment to fostering inclusive business opportunities. By supporting diverse entrepreneurs and ensuring equitable participation, we are paving the way for a vibrant and representative industry."

Damian Fagon, Chief Equity Officer of New York's Office of Cannabis Management said, "Despite making up only seven percent of New York's population, Bronx residents accounted for more than 20% of all cannabis related arrests since 1980, with over 95% of those arrested being Black or Hispanic. New York is doing the work to right these history wrongs, giving those harmed by bad policies the opportunity to build thriving businesses the right way. From The Bronx to Long Island to every corner of this State, these openings were years in the making, and I couldn't be prouder to see these entrepreneurs get their stores open."

Lavetta Willis, Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund Principal said, "As a General Principal of the New York Social Equity Cannabis Investment Fund, I am honored to witness the opening of the first licensed cannabis dispensary in the Bronx, led by justice-impacted entrepreneur Angel Turuseta and co-founder Emely Chavez. This dispensary opening is a powerful step forward in our mission to prioritize equity in cannabis licensing and ensure that justice-involved individuals have the opportunity to thrive in this industry. It takes a village. The collaboration with the Governor's office, OCM, DASNY and the Chicago Atlantic Group bring these visions to life and create lasting change in our communities."

Working with Dormitory Authority of the State of New York subsidiary, the Social Equity Servicing Corporation, the Fund is a public-private limited partnership formed to position social equity entrepreneurs to succeed in New York's newly created adult use cannabis industry. Managed by Social Equity Impact Ventures, the Fund will help justice involved CAURD licensees meet the costs of establishing adult-use cannabis retail dispensaries. It is supported by up to $50 million in licensing fees and revenue from the adult-use cannabis industry and up to $150 million from the private sector.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 07 2023

It is always a pleasure to work with the Baldwin Fire Department and all of our brave first responders to secure County grants in support of their heroic mission, Legislator Mule said.

Nassau County Legislator Debra Mule (D  Freeport) secured a $7,900 Community Revitalization Project (CRP) grant than funded the Baldwin Fire Departments recent purchase of Emergency Command Boards. The portable emergency boards will assist first responders manage incidents, create a tactical plan, and take assignments during an emergency.

It is always a pleasure to work with the Baldwin Fire Department and all of our brave first responders to secure County grants in support of their heroic mission, Legislator Mule said. I will continue to leverage the CRP program to fund our first responders and ensure they have every tool they need to serve and protect the public.
She had just finished her last tour here in Aotearoa when she got the news she had to go back to London because of the pandemic. Three years since her last visit is three years too long.
Prague, Czech Republic  President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday on the latest leg of a tour to push Ukraines bid to join NATO and secure more weapons from allies.

The talks in Istanbul come on the eve of the 500th day since Russians invasion, with Zelensky admitting a widely anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive was progressing slowly.

But nevertheless, we are advancing, not retreating, like Russians, Zelensky told reporters. We now have the initiative.

The talks with Erdogan  an important broker in the conflict  are to focus on an expiring deal to ship Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea as well as next weeks NATO summit.

Analysts also expect Zelensky to push Erdogan to give a green light for Swedens NATO membership ahead of the July 11-12 meeting of the military alliance in Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Turkey is blocking Swedens candidacy because of a longstanding dispute about Stockholms perceived lax attitude toward alleged Kurdish militants living in the Nordic country.

Zelensky is seeking NATO accession for his own country, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022, and has said he wants the summit to lead to an invitation to join the bloc.

Both Zelensky and Erdogan want to extend a United Nations and Turkey-brokered deal with Russia under which Ukraine has been allowed to ship grain to global markets during the war.

The deal will expire on July 17 unless Russia agrees to its renewal.

Erdogan has tried to leverage good working relations with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate an end to the war.

Turkey staged two early rounds of peace negotiations and is pushing for more talks.

Before visiting Prague on Thursday, Zelensky traveled to Sofia to discuss weapons deliveries with Bulgaria, a major supporter and ammunition producer.

Cluster bombs

In Washington, US media reported that the Pentagon was preparing a new package of arms and ammunitions that could include controversial cluster bombs.

The weapons, rockets which disperse multiple small explosives over a wide radius, have already been used by Russian and Ukrainian forces in the war.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov tweeted that he had spoken by phone to US Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.

The two talked about new projects related to supplying various types of ammunition. Stay tuned for the good news, Reznikov wrote.

But human rights groups condemned the plan, saying the bomblets can go undetonated and remain at the location for years, posing threats to civilians.

Prigozhin not in Belarus

In Russia, the Kremlin criticised Zelenskys visit to Bulgaria, saying the Ukrainian leader was trying to drag other countries into the war.

Meanwhile, the mystery deepened as to the fate of Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, after the collapse of his short-lived mutiny.

Originally, Prigozhin was said to have been exiled to Belarus.

But Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko  who mediated a deal to end the revolt  said Thursday that the Wagner leader wasnt in his country.

As far as Prigozhin is concerned, he is in Saint Petersburg He is not in Belarus, Lukashenko told reporters in Minsk.

Lukashenko said he knew for sure that Prigozhin was free.

He added that Wagner mercenaries had not yet established a base in Belarus, despite a Kremlin offer for attempted mutiny participants to relocate.

Ceiling started to fall

On Thursday, Russian missiles fell on Lviv in the biggest attack on civilian infrastructure in the western Ukrainian city since the Russian invasion, the citys mayor said.

The strike killed nine people and wounded 42, including three children, Ukraines interior ministry said in an updated toll on Friday.

Russias defense ministry said its long-range, precision strikes overnight had hit all the designated targets but did not specifically mention Lviv.

UNESCO said the missiles also struck a building in the buffer zone of Lvivs historic center, calling it a violation of the World Heritage Convention.

Rescuers worked to reach those still trapped in the bombed residential building, and AFP footage showed emergency responders clearing rubble and wood from the gutted first floor.

I woke up from the first explosion, but we didnt have time to leave the apartment, said Olya, 37.

There was a second explosion, the ceiling started to fall, my mother was immediately hit.

She said her mother and neighbors died in the attack.

At this point, it seems that I was the only one who survived from the fourth floor. Its a miracle, she said.AFP

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Commencing the BNI Philippines National Conference, distinguished BNI National Directors take center stage to delve into pivotal subjects essential for thriving amidst todays dynamic global business environment.

Business Network International (BNI) Philippines successfully concluded its highly anticipated National Conference, held on July 7-8, 2023, at the prestigious Hilton Hotel and Newport World Resorts. The theme for this years conference was Beyond Borders, Beyond Imagination, aimed at igniting new possibilities and fostering business growth for entrepreneurs who faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic.

The two-day event provided attendees with a unique platform to connect with industry experts, gain insights from renowned international speakers, and expand their network beyond their usual circles of influence. The conference featured a diverse range of thought-provoking sessions and immersive learning experiences, empowering participants to think outside the box and explore untapped markets.

One of the highlights of the conference was the keynote speech by Victor Antonio, a top-notch sales executive and CEO of a multimillion-dollar high-tech company. Victor, renowned as one of Americas leading motivational speakers, sales trainers, and consultants, shared invaluable strategies for reducing buyer resistance, moving client decisions forward, and mastering the upsell. His expertise left a lasting impact on the attendees, inspiring them to elevate their sales and business growth strategies.

BNI Philippine National Press Conference Speakers. In photo from Left: Chief Digital Officer of BNI Global Meena Srinivasan, Global Markets President of BNI Mac Srinivasan, BNI Philippines National Director Dexter Ortega, co-National Director of BNI Philippines YP Lai, Beyond Borders, Beyond Imagination Main Speaker Victor Antonio, BNI Japan National Director Asato Ohno and BNI Thailand National Director Kollakit Thalerngnawachart.

The event also boasted an impressive lineup of international and local speakers who delved into key topics relevant to expanding businesses in todays global landscape. Mac Srinivasan, BNI Global Markets President and a Certified Franchise Executive, recognized by the International Franchise Association, USA, captivated the audience with his presentation on potential new markets that were previously unimaginable. Meena Srinivasan, One of Mindful Magazines 2022 Ten Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement, Co-founder of Scion Social and the Chief Digital Officer of BNI Global, enlightened participants on leveraging digital platforms to expand business reach.

BNI Speakers with esteemed guests. In photo: Ruel Villaluna of Orchard Trading PH , Architect Gene Arthur Go of GSN+p Architecture Studio, Chief Digital Officer of BNI Global Meena Srinivasan, Global Markets President of BNI Mac Srinivasan, BNI Philippines National Director Dexter Ortega, BNI Taguig Executive Director Judee Quiazon, co-National Director of BNI Philippines YP Lai, Beyond Borders, Beyond Imagination Main Speaker Victor Antonio, BNI Japan National Director Asato Ohno, BNI Thailand National Director Kollakit Thalerngnawachart, and Cyril Tan of Tipping Point Consultancy.

In addition, National Directors from Japan, Hong Kong, China, Macau, Thailand, and BNI Philippines shared their insights on shifting global trends and provided guidance on how business owners can capitalize on the growing Asia market. Asato Ohno, Co-Founder and National Director of BNI Japan helped grow Japans organization from a few chapters to over 1,000 chapters, Kollakit Thalerngnawachart, Founder and National Director of Thailand, helped grow BNI Thailand from 10 chapters to over 200 chapters in just a few years, and Avryl Au, founder of the BNI Womens Leadership Council and the National Director of Hong Kong and China engaged in a thought-provoking panel discussion on untapped markets and the benefits of thinking beyond traditional boundaries.

The conference also welcomed the presence of a special guest speaker, Philippines Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual. Secretary Pascual emphasized the crucial role that BNI plays in contributing to economic growth and inspiring local entrepreneurs to push the boundaries of Philippine business.

Business Network International (BNI), a 38-year-old business and professional networking organization, has garnered global recognition with over 300+K members across 77 countries. Belonging to BNI means having a network of salespeople working collectively towards success. BNIs structured referral networking system allows bedded members to generate valuable business connections and increase referral business.

The organizations philosophy is deeply rooted in the concept of Givers Gain, where giving business to others leads to reciprocal business opportunities. BNIs commitment to nurturing a culture of collaboration and support has been instrumental in its members continued success.

As BNI continues to champion business growth and professional networking, it remains dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and helping them thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape. The National Conference served as a testament to BNIs unwavering commitment to providing valuable resources, fostering meaningful connections, and ultimately transforming the way businesses operate. Through this event, BNI Philippines exemplified its position as the top-of-mind organization in terms of business and professional networking.

For more information about BNI and its upcoming events, visit their website at BNI.ph

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Boston police arrested a Brockton man on Thursday pursuant to an outstanding warrant in connection with a September 2022 Boston homicide.

Adornous Hazelwood, 21, was charged with murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and armed robbery, Boston police said. The warrant was issued by Boston Police Homicide Unit and the Suffolk County District Attorneys office.

On Sept. 29, 2022, at around 6:05 p.m., officers assigned to Bostons South End responded to a report of a person shot in the area of 625 Shawmut Ave. in Roxbury. Police arrived to find Hanser Abraham Moreta-Gonzalez with a gunshot wound. Moreta-Gonzalez was taken by Boston EMS to a local hospital, where he died.

The circumstances around Moreta-Gonzalezs death remain under investigation, police said. The department said that anyone with information can call Boston Police Homicide Detectives at 617-343-4470. Boston police said they will protect the identities of anyone who wishes to help the investigation anonymously.

Read more: Robert Albert of New Bedford convicted of raping teenager for six years

Hazelwood is expected to be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court.
FAT, the iconic 1970s Western Massachusetts rock band that became one of the first local groups to sign with a major record label, will celebrate their 55th anniversary with a show at Pulaski Park in Three Rivers on Aug. 12.

The show will also celebrate frontman and founder Peter J. Newlands 75th birthday.

During their heyday, the band performed on the same stage as acts such as the original Allman Brothers Band, Grand Funk Railroad, Little Richard, Bonnie and Delaney, Freddie King, Muddy Waters and Robin Trower. The band dropped their eponymous LP on RCA Records in 1970
Stevie Nicks will release a career-spanning boxed set on Rhino on July 28.

The set comes with all eight of Nicks solo albums, starting with 1981s No. 1 platinum smash, Bella Donna, up through 2014s 24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault.

The collection also features Rareties, a new compilation of hard-to-find tracks only available with the set.
Vaguely gothic architecture may not be so alien to parts of New England, but a few familiar buildings in East Corinth, Vermont, stand out to indicate filming is underway for the upcoming sequel to a beloved 80s movie.

On-set images of the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel, tentatively referred to as Beetlejuice 2, have appeared on Facebook while the films production is underway. Residents and passersby have shared photos on a public group on the social media platform simply called Beetlejuice 2 (uh oh, the name has been said three times!).

Photos shared on Facebook show various buildings recognized from the first movie. Driving through town on June 30, group member Chris Gunnell shot images of the house owned by Adam and Barbara Maitland, portrayed by actors Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis in both films, draped in black cloth. The setting is intended to be the fictional town of Wind River, Connecticut.

Elsewhere in East Corinth, Gunnell and other users spotted the covered red bridge that plays an integral role in the first film.

35-year-old spoiler alert: The Maitlands crash through the side of the bridge and plunge to their deaths, but return as ghosts haunting their own home when its sold to the Deetz family.

The infamous red bridge from the first film is back in "Beetlejuice 2." In the first film, it led to the deaths of lead characters Adam and Barbara Maitland, played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis. Courtesy of Chris Gunnell.

VTDigger reported on the films production on June 4 but had difficulty talking to residents aware of the production. One Massachusetts man who worked on set was interviewed and said he had signed a nondisclosure agreement, while local employees and officials spoke of being sworn to secrecy.

Its called Operation Blue Hawaii or something like that, Memorial Library Director Jennifer Spanier said of the productions covert dealings to VTDigger. Its a code name.

East Corinth is once again used as the Connecticut setting where "Beetlejuice 2" takes place. Director Tim Burton and Warner Bros. shot the first film in East Corinth in 1987. Courtesy of Chris Gunnell.

Little is known about this sequels story. The first film focused on the dead couple trying to preserve their home after it was sold to the Deetz family. In doing so, they hire a bio-exorcist named Beetlejuice, played by Michael Keaton, to scare the family out, but he has his own plans when he sees the Deetzes daughter, Lydia, played by Wynona Ryder.

Director Tim Burton is returning to direct, and returning cast members include Baldwin, Davis, Ryder and Catherine OHara. Justin Theroux, Monica Belluci, Willem Defoe and Wednesdays Jenna Ortega also fill out the cast, according to Collider.

Of course, Michael Keaton is set to return as the films titular character in his fifth collaboration with Burton. They previously worked together on Batman, Batman Returns and Dumbo. Keaton returned as the Dark Knight for the first time in over 30 years in Junes The Flash.

Beetlejuice 2 will be released by Warner Bros. Discovery and is expected to premiere Sept. 6, 2024.
SPRINGFIELD  Massachusetts Military Support Foundation plans a move to Ludlow in an effort to continue providing free groceries to veterans and their families after Eastfield Mall, where the Foundations Empowerment Center has occupied a former restaurant since 2021, closes in just eight days.

The group, headquartered at Joint Base Cape Cod, has a verbal agreement in place and is working on a lease for 4-8 White St. in Ludlow, said Dennis Smith Jr., the manager of the foundations Springfield location.

The Ludlow space, nestled up against Interstate 90, was most recently an Inter Produce fruit and vegetable shop.

The Empowerment Center was one of the approximately 40 businesses hanging on at the Eastfield Mall when redevelopment plans became public in March.

On Thursday, the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts distributed a list of 25 small mom-and-pop business from the mall that showed where they ended up relocating.

The list includes 14 businesses that will stay in Springfield.

Wilbraham gave Mall Barber Shop and School of Fish, the largest aquatic pet store in Western Massachusetts, $7,500 each in business assistance from Wilbrahams American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Favorite Donovans Irish Pub announced last week plans to reopen in Holyoke. Hannoush Jewelers will open a new store on Boston Road across from the mall.

Were excited, Smith said Thursday of the move to Ludlow. We cant wait to get going. We cant wait to continue serving our veterans, which is the important thing.

The Massachusetts Military Support Foundation is moving its Empowerment Center from the Eastfield Mall to this former fruit store at 4-8 White St., Ludlow.

The center  operating now rent-free out of the former Ninety-Nine Restaurant & Pub  serves about 4,000 people each month. That number includes veterans and their family members.

More than 270 families visit Massachusetts Military Support Foundations center in Springfield each week. The center distributes more than 8,500 pounds of food per week to military affiliated families in need.

That includes fresh foods that need to be refrigerated and staples like breads, cereals and dried pasta.

We need to keep taking care of people, Smith said. Its expensive out there.

He doesnt know exactly, yet, what will be the foundations last day at Eastfield Mall nor does he know when the Ludlow location will open.

The Ludlow space is set up differently, he said, with storage downstairs. So that will take an adjustment. And the owner has equipment that will need to be moved out.

The Foundations Empowerment Center will be separate from a food pantry and other aid rendered by veterans by the town of Ludlow, said Eric Segundo, Ludlows director of veterans services.

The more services that come into Ludlow the better; we have no issues with that, Segundo said.

Smith said if the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation was unable to find a location, its contingency plan was to go back to parking-lot drive-by distribution of food boxes.

13 1 / 13 Massachusetts Military Support Foundation Empowerment Center

The center has to move because the Eastfield Mall  where management has given it free space since 2021  will close July 15.

Developer Onyx Partners bought the 46-acre site in April for $4.5 million. The mall will be demolished to make way for a strip center, a project expected to take two years and cost $65-$85 million.

The Military Support Foundation had offered drive-thru food distribution in the mall parking lot since 2017, an effort that took on more importance during the pandemic. The mall was also the site of mass testing and mass COVID-19 vaccination.

Before that, the malls former ownership brought in slews of mom-and-pop businesses hoping to fill the mall and build foot traffic after the rapid-fire loss of anchor stores like Macys, Sears and JCPenney.

Thursday, heading into the malls last weekend, there was a noticeably empty feel about the place with most retailers  including Old Navy  already closed or moving on. A few walkers got some exercise in the air conditioning.

The shelves of a free library offered mostly a 1981 edition of Encyclopedia Americana.

The list from Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts with the businesses new planned or already opened locations:

Agawam

Incredible Toys  270 Main St.

Holyoke

Donovans Irish Pub  80 Jarvis Rd.

Raw Beauty Brand  141 High St.

Exotic Scentsations  Holyoke Mall

Milan Menswear  Holyoke Mall

Midnight Odyssey Crystals  Holyoke Mall

Perfume Club, Inc.  Holyoke Mall

Ludlow

Millennium Nails  346 West St.

Springfield

A Blast From the Past & More  518 Main St., Indian Orchard

Bliss Threading Place  1760 Boston Road

Blunt Park Universe  Breckwood Shops, 457 Breckwood Blvd.

Cellular Galaxy  1924 Wilbraham Rd.

Charlenes Boutique  180 Eastern Ave.

Dress for Success Western MA  45 Lyman St.

Ethics Beauty Supply  1400 Boston Rd.

GodUs Boutique  5 Taylor St.

Mykonos II  1441 Main St.

OM Party & Floral Shop (Formerly A Dollar)  1101 Boston Rd.

Rapid Cuts Barber Shop  439 Main St., Indian Orchard

The Capanna  Downtown Marketplace 1365 Main St.

Tranquility Day Spa and Salon  1300 Boston Rd., Unit B

Wilbraham

Mall Barber Shop  2440 Boston Rd.

School of Fish  2133 Boston Rd.

Enfield, Connecticut
Boston police officers investigated two crimes that occurred in Dorchester and Roxbury Thursday night.

Officers went near 5 Leyland St. in Dorchester after a person was shot around 11:49 p.m., a police report stated. When they arrived, they found an unidentified man with gunshot wounds who was later pronounced dead at the scene.

While police were responding to the Dorchester killing, about a mile away, officers were responding to an armed carjacking on Dunmore Street in Roxbury.

Read More: Boston police ID suspects charged in connection with Mattapan shooting

Boston police officers said they were flagged down by the victim near 151 E. Cottage St. at approximately 11:49 p.m.

Police said they were eventually able to find the stolen vehicle on 24 Dunmore St. in Roxbury.

However, nobody was actually inside the vehicle. But a person the police came by during their investigation was arrested in connection with illegally possessing guns.

The empty car was towed, according to WCVB.
Christmas Tree Shops warned state labor officials that it will lay off 232 workers in Massachusetts between now and the end of August.

The layoffs began Friday, July 7, according to a WARN  Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act notice posted Friday by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development.

The chain will close all 70 of its remaining locations, 14 of them in Massachusetts including one in Holyoke.

The company told the state of the layoffs June 30 but after the close of business.

Christmas Tree Shops, a 53-year-old chain founded on Cape Cod and now headquartered in Middleboro, lost bankruptcy funding last week and news of its impending doom broke Monday.

Thursday, in a bankruptcy filing, the chain said it will stop accepting gift cards July 21.

The Massachusetts filing doesnt break down the number of employees by location. But similar filings with labor officials in New Jersey listed between 30 and 60 employees per location.

The Holyoke Crossing store opened in 2021 and was the first Christmas Tree Shops with a new look and new name  CTS, with the words Christmas Tree Shops in smaller print  and a new merchandising plan its owners hoped would grow the company.

By filing a WARN Notice in Massachusetts, Christmas Tree Shops brings in Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the MassHire Department of Career Services Rapid Response team that can help workers losing their jobs begin the search for new jobs or learn if they qualify for retraining or other benefits.
A 26-year-old New Hampshire man has been charged in connection with his mothers violent death, after authorities claim he repeatedly hit his mother in the head.

Christine DeGiacomo, 57, of Hudson, New Hampshire, died on Wednesday.

Her son, Grant DeGiacomo, was charged with second-degree murder, Attorney General John M. Formella said Thursday.

Officials said Hudson police officers responded to 35 Shoal Creek Road around 9:44 p.m. Wednesday. Christine DeGiacomo had a traumatic injury and was taken to Southern New Hampshire Medical Center where she later died.

Mr. Grant DeGiacomo is charged with recklessly causing the death of Christine DeGiacomo under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life by repeatedly striking her head, the attorney generals office wrote in a statement.

Officials said an autopsy is being scheduled.

Grant DeGiacomo is expected to be arraigned on Friday at the Hillsborough Superior CourtSouthern District.
A person was gravely injured in a motorcycle crash on Interstate 91 in Springfield on Friday afternoon, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The right lane on the southbound side of the highway was closed as of 4:35 p.m., police said.

At 2:12 p.m. on Friday, police received multiple 911 calls reporting a person whod been seriously hurt in a motorcycle crash near mile marker 7.4 on the southbound side of I-91 in Springfield, police said.

Emergency medical services, along with officers on patrol, performed CPR on the operator of the motorcycle, who was not responsive, police said.

The motorcycle rider was brought to Baystate Medical Center with life-threatening injuries, police said.

Detectives from the state polices collision analysis and reconstruction, along with crime scene services, were on the scene investigating on Friday afternoon.
A federal judge hadnt even ruled yet on suspending approval of the abortion pill mifepristone in April when Gov. Maura Healey orchestrated a major reserve shipment of the drug through the states flagship university. But despite pledges of public records transparency, any paper trail of how that response came together is still being kept locked away.

The governor was quick to act, and the ink had barely dried on the judges decision when Healey fired off a four-page executive order aimed at preserving legal access to the abortion pill in Massachusetts.

A public records response from the governors office offers a glimpse into some of the people looped into the development of that order. But its unclear how much of the mifepristone collaboration happened over email, or what other options may have been weighed, after the administration  which previously advertised that it would follow the public records law and provide more transparency than previous governors  claimed several exemptions and withheld documents.

U.S. District Court Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk made his ruling Friday, April 7, and emails from top Healey administration officials show them corresponding with reproductive rights advocacy groups and seeking feedback on a draft executive order over the Easter weekend. Emails also document the planning of a large press conference staged that Monday, April 10 on the State House steps.

The communications dont shed much light, though, on how Healey was able to quickly draft an executive order and secure a large mifepristone stockpile through the University of Massachusetts, achievements she announced on Monday, April 10 and which appear to have been in the works before the ruling came down.

Healeys announcement that day also included news that health care providers in Massachusetts had agreed to purchase additional quantities of mifepristone to make available for patients, that the state was dedicating $1 million to support providers contracted with the state with paying for the doses, and that Healey interpreted a 2022 abortion access state law as protecting access to medication abortion, including mifepristone.

Some state entities, including the governors office and the Legislature, have long claimed blanket exemption from the public records law.

Leading up to her inauguration, Healey told a local talk show that she would not claim that exemption. Back on the same radio show a month later, she elaborated that there may be certain instances where there are certain things that cannot be provided to the public, like security and personnel matters, or deliberative policymaking.

Governor Healey intends to follow the public records law and provide more transparency to the Governors Office than ever before, her website says, while noting that [b]y law, records held by the Office of the Governor are not subject to the Massachusetts public records law.

Healeys website says it encourages you ... to make a public record request, and lists a designated contact person  the Records Access Officer  as legal assistant Paige Ferreira. According to state payroll records, Ferreira has not worked in that office since partway through 2022.

Read more: Worcester woman suing Clearway Clinic claims missed diagnosis put her life at risk

The News Service sought access to any emails mentioning mifepristone between April 1 and April 10 sent or received by Healey, her chief of staff, senior advisor, deputy chief of staff for legislative affairs, and communications director.

The gap in records that the governors office was willing to release leads to a gap in the publicly visible timeline, and Healeys voice is absent from the less than 50 emails made available.

Responding to the request, Jesse Boodoo of the governors legal office (who had apparently taken over for Ferreira) said that some emails had been withheld, without specifying a number. Three reasons were given: attorney-client privilege, and public records law exemptions C and D, which are meant to shield individuals from an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy and prevent premature disclosure of in-development policy positions.

The secretary of states guide to the public records law says exemption C deals with privacy. It covers information like personnel and medical files along with intimate details of a highly personal nature.

And on exemption D, which the secretarys office dubbed the deliberative process exemption, the guide says the exemption applies to [o]nly portions of records that possess a deliberative or policymaking character and relate to an ongoing deliberative process.

The week before her State House press conference about mifepristone, Healey reportedly asked the University of Massachusetts to order 15,000 doses as a stockpile for Bay State providers. That request, or any response from UMass officials, does not appear in the records Healeys office released.

The stockpile shipment arrived on April 12, the governors office said at the time, seeming to place a bookend on those deliberations rather than portray them as ongoing.

Out of the emails the administration handed over, the first reference to mifepristone in the month of April came on April 6, when work on Healeys proposal was evidently already underway.

[Healey senior advisor] Gabe Viator briefed my team on the announcement in the works on mifepristone access and I just wanted to connect for comms purposes! Were thrilled about the action the Gov is taking and will do whatever we can to boost this announcement, Caroline Kimball-Katz of the Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts wrote to Healeys press secretary Karissa Hand on the afternoon of Thursday, April 6. We are prepping our own press release on it with quotes from leadership for after the news hits. PPLM would be happy to provide a quote for a release your team puts out if it would be helpful, just lmk!

Nothing else from that Thursday appears in the 49 documents released by Healeys office.

On Friday, April 7  the day Judge Kacsmaryk in Texas suspended FDA approval of the abortion medication  Healeys senior advisor, Gabrielle Viator, reached out to Rachel Sussman of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

I have taken my AGs Office hat off and joined Governor Healey in her new administration. I wanted to reach out and flag for you some actions that we are planning to take in MA in anticipation of the upcoming [Texas] decision re: Mifepristone, Viator wrote at 12:29 p.m. We expect to announce early next week: That we have partnered with UMass and providers across the state to acquire stores of mife to meet anticipated demand for well over a year; and An Executive Order that will interpret the prescribing and dispensing of mife as protected under last years Shield Law such that there will be no in state consequences for licensure and such for those who continue to use mife stock regardless of outcome of case.

Later that same hour, Healey communications director Jillian Fennimore connected with representatives of Reproductive Equity Now, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU of Massachusetts looking to talk that afternoon.

As Im sure you may have heard, Governor Healey is hoping to make an announcement on Monday at 1230 in advance of the mifepristone ruling out of Texas. Would love to touch base at your earliest convenience to get on the same page about messaging, availability etc., Fennimore wrote.

Later in the day, Fennimore followed up on the timeline for nailing down a quote for Mondays planned press release  by 10 a.m. Monday, or potentially sooner if we land an NYT embargoed piece.

Press secretary Hand confidentially shared a draft of Healeys executive order with the same three advocacy groups at 6:35 p.m. Friday as they developed their quotes for the press release. That was followed just three minutes later by some breaking news.

Hey team  We have a decision in the FDA case, Taylor St. Germain of Reproductive Equity Now wrote back to the group at 6:38 p.m. Should we hop on a call in the next few hours to discuss plans from here?

Fennimore wrote back from Healeys office at 7:09 p.m. saying the current plan was to stay the course.

Our legal team reviewing both TX and WA. Goal is to get statements tonight and keep the presser for Monday. Our executive order is ready if we need to do this sooner, she wrote.

The administration blasted out a media advisory Friday night to alert the media about the planned press conference.

Read more: MassLive sues University of Massachusetts over refusal to produce public records

Emails with advocacy groups picked up again on Easter Sunday, when Hand, responding to a question from the ACLU, said that my understanding is that the only change to the EO has been updating the language to reflect that the ruling already happened.

Viator connected with the Mass. Medical Society that Sunday, sharing a draft of the executive order with the caveat that things are moving quickly so there may be tweaks, and opening the door to MMS providing feedback and connecting with the Department of Public Health on developing guidance to implement the order.

So thats how a press conference was planned over the span of a few days.

But how did the administration arrange a one-year supply of an under-threat pill that it wanted to keep flowing to Bay Staters? What sort of coordination took place with UMass?

Responding to an inquiry from the News Service, Hand wrote that some emails between the Governors legal office and UMass were exempted under the deliberative process and privacy exemptions, and the attorney-client privilege.
A 38-year-old man from Templeton was killed while riding a moped on Thursday evening when a car hit him, pinning the man and his moped under the vehicle, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The crash happened on Thursday night near 591 West Broadway in Gardner, police said. The moped rider was hit by a 2013 Honda Pilot being driven by a 35-year-old Templeton woman, who also had a child in the car with her, police said.

The unidentified man was determined to be dead at the scene, police said. The moped rider and his vehicle were both pinned underneath the Honda Pilot, and police said both the car and moped had been driving westbound just before the crash.

The unidentified woman and the juvenile were not hurt in the crash, police said.

Members of the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the Crime Scene Services Section, along with the Gardner Police Department and state police in Worcester County are investigating the crash, police said.
A third suspect has been arrested in connection with a New Bedford shooting on Monday that killed 20-year-old Lorenzo Gomes, according to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office.

Xavier Luis Rodriquez, 20, of New Bedford, was arrested Thursday night, after an arrest warrant was issued for him earlier that day. Rodriquez is being charged with murder and carrying an illegal firearm, said the DA, and is set to be arraigned Friday morning in New Bedford District Court.

The two other suspects, Wyllie Monteiro, 25, of New Bedford, who was arrested Thursday morning in Dartmouth, and Sterling Robinson, 24, of New Bedford, who was arrested in Fall River Monday evening, are charged with accessory to murder - after the fact in connection with this ongoing investigation, according to the release.

Both Monteiro and Robinson are being held without bail after having their bail revoked on open criminal cases, said the district attorney.

On Monday at around 12:11 a.m., the New Bedford Police Department received a 911 call regarding shots fired near Tallman and North Front streets in New Bedford, said the release.

After searching the area and having people approach the police claiming they heard loud bangs that sounded like gun shots, police later found Gomes on Belleville Avenue, who looked to have attempted to drive to the hospital before losing consciousness in his vehicle, said the district attorney.

EMS rushed Gomes to Saint Lukes Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, said the release.

Read more: Boston police ID suspects charged in connection with Mattapan shooting

The investigation is being coordinated by Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan, who was to handle Friday mornings arraignment. The Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorneys office and New Bedford Police and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating Gomes homicide, said the district attorney.
White Huts new location in Holyoke could be serving up burgers and shakes as early as September.

The restaurant at 825 Hampden St. is in the final stages of converting a former PeoplesBank into the latest operation of the sprawling Bean Restaurant Group, owned by Peter Picknelly, Nathan Yee and other business owners.

In 2021, Thrillist ranked White Hut in West Springfield as the best burger in Massachusetts. James Beard award-winning writer Kevin Alexander also listed White Hut as one of the nations best burgers after traveling the 50 states to try 330 burgers.

The winning formula will be replicated at the new Holyoke location, according to a member of the famed restaurant group.

Yee, the director of hospitality for the Bean Restaurant Group, told MassLive that the overall goal is to recreate the success of the West Springfield restaurant and create a mirror image.

Were not trying to recreate the wheel, Yee said. Itll have the same menu with all the White Hut classics.

Construction is in the final stages at White Huts Holyoke location. Yee described renovations as a relatively big build-out for transitioning the former PeoplesBank into a restaurant. The restaurant will offer outdoor and indoor seating and will be essentially a carbon copy of West Springfield, according to Yee.

Yee said hours in Holyoke will be the same as in West Springfield.

Breakfast will be from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Monday to Friday; 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Lunch and dinner are served daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Fifteen to 20 employees are expected to staff the Holyoke location, Yee said. In March, The Republican reported that the Bean Restaurant Group employed 500 people across 16 of its business locations.

In May, the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau honored the restaurant group with the 2023 Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence Spotlight Award.

Apart from the two restaurants, White Hut also owns a food truck that is used at community events and private functions. It is no longer stationed outside of the Enlite Cannabis Dispensary in Northampton, Yee said.

White Huts inaugural West Springfield location opened in 1935 and has served as a community hamburger and hot dog staple ever since. The Bean Restaurant Group took over and resurrected the restaurant after its shutdown in 2020.
Only a day after the Easthampton City Council passed an ordinance which would provide protections for those seeking reproductive and gender-affirming health care services, Mayor Nicole LaChapelle vetoed it.

This is the first time the mayor has used her veto power since being elected in 2017.

LaChapelle told MassLive that her main concern is whether the city should be involved with the enforcement of state laws or information in the first place.

The question for me around this isnt at all what the reaction being violent or if we get sued. The question is, with what our charter says in our mandate as municipal officials, is this something in our wheelhouse? LaChapelle said after the public hearing.

Read more: Controversial Easthampton city council ordinance on crisis pregnancy centers passes

In a letter addressed to City Council President Homar Gomez informing the council of her veto, LaChapelle also cited concerns with potential legal implications that the ordinance could cause, despite the legal vetting by the city.

Even with our City Solicitor assuring the ordinances legal merit, we know it will face legal challenges by well-funded organizations intent on limiting the rights of women and the LGBTQIA+ community, LaChapelle wrote. We wont have to guess about that because weve already seen the discourse right here. It does not matter how frivolous; the City is still put in the position of having to defend itself for replicating the efforts of the state and other sources referenced by members of the City Council.

The ordinance, which took councilor Owen Zaret a year to draft, is based on a city ordinance initially proposed in 2022 that would ban deceptive advertising in so-called crisis pregnancy centers. However, after going through several public hearings, Zaret withdrew the ordinance to redraft and create the one proposed on Wednesday evening.

Councilor David Meunier voted against the proposal on Wednesday without speaking during the meeting or stating a reason for his opposition. Councilor James JP Kwiecinski abstained from voting, stating there wasnt enough time to consider the legal implications brought up during the public hearing. One councilor was absent.

Although there are already state protections for those seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care  including An Act Expanding Protections for Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Care, which protects individuals traveling from other states with abortion restrictions or bans  the Easthampton city ordinance would create additional and defined local protections, according to Zaret.

He added that the shield law doesnt dictate what municipalities should do if a city employee reports a person from another state receiving reproductive or gender-affirming care. Easthamptons ordinance would have explicitly prohibited city employees, except in certain circumstances, from aiding in another municipality or states litigation or prosecution of an individual receiving such care.

From 2022: Easthampton and Northampton look at banning deceptive advertising in crisis pregnancy centers through local ordinances

Zaret said the ordinance would also have prevented city agents from arresting an individual solely for having received such care, shared information about how to access reliable and safe reproductive and gender-affirming services through the citys website and would have allowed advisories posted about limited-services pregnancy centers.

These advisories would have been from the state, including prior advisories from then-Attorney General Maura Healey, according to Zaret. The city, through the ordinance, would have shared information about how to report a complaint against a limited-services pregnancy center or reproductive health care centers with the attorney generals office.

You can read the ordinance the council had approved Wednesday at this link.

Councilor responds to veto

In response to the mayors veto, Zaret called the mayors beliefs about reproductive justice into question.

It means we will have to see if we can override the veto. It also means, much like her previous stances against racial justice and environmental justice, that she also blatantly stands against the progress of reproductive justice, Zaret wrote in a message to MassLive. ... She stands with anti abortionists and anti trans activists that want to strip away our liberties piece by piece.

Zaret said he couldnt comment on the prospects of whether the veto would be overriden, citing open meeting law.

LaChapelle told MassLive she will support abortion rights until the end of time, citing her support for legislation such as the ROE act and collaboration and work with pro-abortion organizations such as the Abortion Rights Fund of Western Massachusetts.

In her letter to the council, LaChapelle also stated that the Easthampton Department of Health has been successful in conducting outreach and education on gender affirming care and reproductive healthcare. She also pointed to the fact that both her and the city council have prioritized funding the public health department in past agendas.

The city council has 10 to 30 days to consider the ordinance. If the city council passes it again by a two-thirds margin, the mayor will have 10 days to sign it or it will be deemed approved by force, according to the city charter.
Hospital closures put Bay Staters lives at risk by forcing people to travel further and wait longer for treatment, healthcare workers and community members said Thursday.

Lynn, for example, is the states largest city without a hospital, which means some residents must travel 30 minutes to Salem to receive care. Every single minute represents more danger, said Yousif Abdallah, director of the North Shore Labor Council.

Abdallah and fellow advocates urged lawmakers to embrace proposals from Rep. Peter Capano and Sen. Paul Mark (H 2143 / S 1406) that would establish a mechanism for state receivership of hospitals or free-standing clinics that are pending closure, yet provide essential health services.

When hospitals are slated to shut down, communities are not given a fighting chance to keep their health services safe, Abdallah told the Joint Committee on Public Health. Good-paying jobs are also lost amid hospital closures, including certified nursing assistants, phlebotomists and custodians, Abdallah said.

The Department of Public Health is required by existing regulations to hold a public hearing on a proposed closure and gauge whether the service provided by the hospital is necessary for preserving access and health status within the hospitals service area. But advocates told lawmakers that even when theres public outcry over a closure and DPH deems services necessary, hospital executives still proceed with their plan.

A receivership option would allow state officials to stabilize and potentially improve hospital operations and ensure theres a smooth transition to a new owner or operator, said Esther Hausman, a nurse midwife who previously worked at the North Shore Birth Center.

Beverly Hospital closed the facility  which Hausman described as the only birth center in eastern Massachusetts that was both open during the pandemic and stood for more than four decades  last year. It was a devastating closure exacerbated by the ongoing attack on reproductive choice across the country, Hausman said.

Theres nothing the state can currently do to stop a facility from closing, Hausman said. No community is immune from these closures and the devastation that they bring. Massachusetts can do better.

Former Rep. Edward Coppinger and Sen. Julian Cyr filed similar legislation (H 1175 / S 736) aimed at strengthening the hospital closure process and providing more community oversight. That proposal is pending before the Health Care Financing Committee, and it featured at a hearing last month.

Rep. Marjorie Decker, House chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, said Thursday she and co-chair Cyr  alongside HCF co-chairs Sen. Cindy Friedman and Rep. John Lawn  are having lots of conversations with Beacon Hill leadership on the really complicated issue of hospital closures.

The outcomes are dire and stark, Decker said.

So were not just passively listening to the testimony  we are actively engaging and trying to address solutions, Decker said. Our hospitals are really struggling. They are flailing on every level, and we are working hand in hand with our provider community, patient community and our hospital community.

A longtime Lynn resident, Gayle Chandler described herself as one of the many, many people  including people of color and the working poor  affected by the closure of North Shore Medical Centers Union Hospital campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. After a January 2016 hearing, DPH found the hospitals services were in fact necessary for preserving access and health status within NSMCs service area, but it closed anyway.

Many of our residents rely on public transportation and must travel to Salem or Peabody to access care, which requires a minimum of 45 minutes on bus routes, including bus transfers, Chandler told lawmakers. In an emergency, this kind of distance can adversely affect patient outcomes. And when its not an emergency, people often forgo care because the travel is so arduous.

Sen. Marc Pacheco said the states existing public hearing process is a joke and a farce as hospitals continue to shutter essential services. His separate proposal (S 1455) would strip medical health facilities or hospitals of their license until they resume care.

Different versions of this proposed legislation are in different pieces of the legislative health care committees, and I think thats a good thing because action on this issue is so long, long overdue, Pacheco said. This bill essentially says that essential services means essential services... You want to mess around, then you lose your license.
A pair of lawmakers in Massachusetts want to tax ultra-wealthy colleges that prioritize legacy applicants and children of donors in their admissions practices to fund the states community colleges.

Earlier this year, Democratic Rep. Simon Cataldo and Sen. Pavel M. Payano introduced An Act to advance fairness, integrity, and excellence in higher education admissions. Under the proposed bill, colleges that give preference to children of alumni or donors  legacy applicants  or use the early decision process would be required to pay a public service fee based on their endowment per student.
Domestic and international flyers out of Boston Logan International Airport must plan for one more obstacle until the end of August.

That is due to the closure of the Sumner Tunnel, a nearly 1-mile stretch from East Boston on Route 1A to the citys downtown, for the next two months. The tunnel must undergo repairs and officials are predicting traffic getting through Boston will worsen until it reopens in September.

It cannot be understated, Massachusetts Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said about the closure, according to WBUR, adding that traffic will make it very, very difficult for those living or traveling around the area.

Gulliver also said commuters from the North Shore detouring through the Tobin Bridge and Ted Williams Tunnel could see multi-mile backups that could add hours onto trips.

From avoiding the area completely to finding the best alternative routes, here are several ways you can give yourself a fighting chance to make it through and out of Boston, especially if you typically fly in and out of Logan International Airport.

Sumner Tunnel alternatives for commuters

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation put together a list of programs to help commuters beat the traffic:

State officials are encouraging commuters to ditch the drive, find your way around.

To that end, the Blue Line will be free and is recommended for people traveling between downtown Boston and Logan Airport, Revere or East Boston. Parking costs $2 a day.

Five MBTA bus routes are also free from Revere, Chelsea and East Boston during the closure (routes 111, 112, 114, 116 and 117).

The Newbury/Rockport Line commuter rail is recommended for people traveling between downtown Boston and cities and towns on the North Shore. Tickets are discounted to $2.40.

Ferries are recommended for people traveling between downtown Boston and East Boston, Lynn or Winthrop. The East Boston ferry is free; Winthrop and Lynn ferries are $2.40 each way.

Logan Express bus tickets are $9 each way from Braintree, Framingham, Peabody and Woburn when booking online. Tickets are $3 to the airport with a free ride back from Back Bay. Traffic may still be an issue but at least you can read a book.

The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority is providing hourly alternate service and parking updates on its Twitter page here.

Read more: Boston traffic is already bad, officials say, never mind when Sumner Tunnel closes

3 maps to navigate routes

East Boston to downtown Boston.

Revere to downtown Boston (MassDOT).

Logan Airport to I-93 North (MassDOT).

Alternative airports to avoid Logan

Here is a list of the 10 closest airports to Boston besides Logan.

Domestic airports near Boston:

International airports:
Two more days of mostly dry weather are in the Massachusetts forecast before a new system is expected to make its way through the region on Sunday.

Friday is expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures peaking in the mid- to high 80s, while approaching 90 in the Connecticut River Valley and north Eastern Massachusetts, the National Weather Service said. Turbulent weather from Vermont and New York could spill over into Western Massachusetts, offering chances of isolated rain and thunderstorms.

Read more: Springfield opens cooling centers as temps hit 90s

Worcester and Springfield are expected to reach a high of 90 degrees, while most of the coast and the Cape are anticipated to be in the 80s with Nantucket possibly reaching a high of 76, according to a weather service tweet. Greenfield could be the hottest spot on the map, with a potential high of 92 degrees.

Similar to yesterday...plenty of sunshine with only a few clouds out there. Highs will approach 90 again. Cloud cover will linger a bit longer along the south coast, Cape, and Islands. pic.twitter.com/2fQ55cgcBV  NWS Boston (@NWSBoston) July 7, 2023

This is expected to carry on into the evening, with some fog rolling in along the coast and the Cape. Forecasters see temperatures dipping down to the high 60s or at around 70 degrees.

Saturday is expected to resemble Friday, with temperatures once again in the 80s and closing in on 90 degrees with humidity sticking around, forecasters said. Western and Central Massachusetts could see some isolated showers and thunderstorms, but nothing that could escalate to unsettled or severe weather conditions.

The weather service said Worcester could see rain after 3 p.m. with a chance for thunderstorms before 10 p.m., with chances of precipitation hovering between 30 and 40%. In Springfield, those times are the same with the likelihood of precipitation planted at 30%.

Cloud cover is expected to increase going into Sunday as 2 inches of rain becomes an increasing possibility, forecasters said. This is due to a system rolling into the region coming from the Ohio River Valley, bringing with it heavy downpours and scattered thunderstorms. This storms severity is likely to be less so east of Interstate 495. By the afternoon, the severity of this storm is expected to be low, but flash flooding remains possible.

A second storm developing off of New Jerseys coastline is expected to progress toward southern New England Sunday night going into Monday, forecasters said. Western Massachusetts and Connecticut are expected to receive the heaviest dose of rainfall and a flood watch could become necessary.

Forecasters have not determined how soon these storms will likely end early next week. Some models suggest that any wet weather will depart sometime during the first half of Tuesday with consensus building that Wednesday is expected to be a drier day. Even after that, more unsettled weather across the interior is expected to return by late next week.
WESTFIELD  Christine Shea, Westfield public schools director of assessment and accountability, said 152 new English language learners moved into the district this past year.

English language learners are students whose native language is not English and who are not yet able to complete ordinary classroom work in English. According to state and federal laws, each school district must arrange for them to receive instruction from certified ELL teachers trained specifically to work with students still learning English.

Most of the new families in Westfield are coming from Ukraine, a total of 102 students this past year, some from the same families. Other students are from Russia, Moldova and Turkey, and 15 are from Afghanistan, families that are still trickling out after the end of the U.S. occupation. There are also several families from Ecuador that recently arrived.
WESTFIELD  A film by local video producer Ken Stomski has been selected by the Lift-Off Global Network, based in England, to be reviewed for an award and showcase recognition.

The film, Ready to Compete  A Choirs Story features the Westfield High School choirs trip this spring to a festival in Virginia, where once again, they mopped up the floor with awards, including the top Esprit de Corps honors.
Two people shot during a domestic incident on Colby Avenue in Worcester are being treated at a local hospital while hostage negotiators and a mental health clinician try to talk to the shooter, police said in a statement.

Officers were dispatched at around 8:38 a.m., Lt. Sean Murtha told MassLive. Worcester police closed off Colby Avenue Friday morning, telling people to stay away from the area, the department said on Facebook. A woman trying to get to a friends house on Colby Street Friday told MassLive that police officers told everyone on Colby Avenue to shelter in place, according to her friend.

Read more: Hostage negotiators on scene in Worcester after police say man shot two family members

The 24-year-old man used a handgun to shoot the two people, then shot at officers as they attempted to arrest him, Worcester police spokesperson Lt. Sean Murtha told MassLive. The man fired two shots at police and ran back inside before police could return fire, he said. No officers were hurt.

Officials did not release any information regarding the two people shot other than they were a male and female.

As of Friday afternoon, Worcester Police Hostage Negotiation Team is with officers, drone operators and a mental health clinician at their perimeter around the house, police said. Murtha told MassLive that police held a perimeter around the house and evacuated neighbors near the house.

Colby Avenue was closed off all the way up to where it transitions into Trinity Avenue, which itself was closed off to cars turning right or left from Lincoln Street. Green Hill Avenue, which connects Colby to Marsh Avenue, was also closed off.

A woman from Phoenix said she was staying at a friends house on Colby Avenue and was not allowed back by police. Her friend said police converged on a neighbors house, where she could see a police drone overhead. Another neighbor tried to leave, she added, but police called for her to stay home.

A man who said his friend lives on Mount Holyoke Avenue said some residents were allowed to drive out, but people outside police perimeters warned them they would not be able to return home while police have the area closed off.

Police said the public should continue to avoid the area as the situation remains ongoing.
Police converged on a Worcester home Friday, where a man barricaded himself after shooting two of his family members, injuring them and shooting at officers, with hostage negotiators and a mental health clinician speaking with him.

Officers were dispatched at around 8:38 a.m., Lt. Sean Murtha told MassLive. Worcester police closed off Colby Avenue Friday morning, telling people to stay away from the area, the department said on Facebook. A woman trying to get to a friends house on Colby Street Friday told MassLive that police officers told everyone on Colby Avenue to shelter in place, according to her friend.

Police believe a 24-year-old shot two family members, one woman and one man, with a handgun at a home on Colby Avenue, Murtha told MassLive. Both individuals were taken to a Worcester-area hospital and are being treated. No officers were injured after the suspect shot at them, Murtha added.

The officers attempted to take that individual into custody and we believe that during that attempt to take him into custody, fired rounds at the officers, thankfully not striking any of them. At that point, he ran back in the house, Murtha said during a press conference.

A helicopter was seen circling over the street. Colby Avenue was closed off all the way up to where it transitions into Trinity Avenue, which itself was closed off to cars turning right or left from Lincoln Street. Green Hill Avenue, which connects Colby to Marsh Avenue, was also closed off.

Murtha told MassLive that police held a perimeter around the house and evacuated neighbors near the house. A drone is also hovering over the home, where the suspect is still inside.

A woman mentioned above, from Phoenix, said she was staying at a friends house on Colby Avenue and was not allowed back by police. Her friend said police converged on a neighbors house, where she could see a police drone overhead. Another neighbor tried to leave, she added, but police called for her to stay home.

A man who said his friend lives on Mount Holyoke Avenue said some residents were allowed to drive out, but people outside police perimeters warned them they would not be able to return home while police have the area closed off.
UPDATE: Hostage negotiators on scene in Worcester after police say man shot two family members

Worcester police closed off Colby Avenue on Friday, telling the public to stay away from the area, the department said on Facebook.

Officers converged on one house, the Telegram & Gazette reported, which also noted that a police tactical unit was present.

Overhead, a helicopter was seen circling over the street. Colby Avenue was closed off all the way up to where it transitions into Trinity Avenue, which itself was closed off to cars turning right or left from Lincoln Street.

A woman from Phoenix said she was staying at a friends house on Colby Avenue and was not allowed back by police. Her friend said police converged on a neighbors house, where she could see a police drone overhead. Another neighbor tried to leave, she added, but police called for her to stay home.

Worcester police told the public to stay away from Colby Avenue, where a large police presence converged on Friday. Ryan Mancini/MassLive

MassLive has reached out to the Worcester Police Department for more information. Police at the site of the road closure did not provide any information.
A series of financial questions have been posed to Mayo County Council regarding the resettlement of Ukrainian and IPAS refugees in the county since March 2022.

Councillor Peter Flynn has a motion on the agenda for Monday's meeting of the local authority requesting a detailed breakdown of all income received or accrued from any government departments in relation to the resettlement of the refugees in Mayo.

He is asking that these details are set out in relation to each property where refugees have been housed and is also looking for relevant details of income received for salaries of officials involved and any other category of income.

In April, a parliamentary question posed by Michael Ring TD revealed that a total of 12,211,077.62 was paid to three accommodation providers in 2021 and 2022, according to figures released by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth affairs.

In 2022, a Mayo property with an occupancy of 243 received 3,978.075.74 while a second with an occupancy of 61 received 409,920. A third, with an occupancy of 192, received 338,766.

According to latest figures from the Central Statistics Office 3,873 Ukrainian refugees are now living in County Mayo

The figures are based on the number of PPS numbers allocated to refugees arriving from Ukraine and do not accurately reflect the number of Ukrainians living in each electoral area.

A total of 1,134 Ukrainian refugees have moved into the Westport Municipal District since the start of the war, which makes up 5.74 percent of the Westport population  the fifth highest of any electoral area in the country.
FORMER President Mary Robinson and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan and have been heckled at a climate conference in Ballina Arts Centre.

While speaking at the Mary Robinson Climate Conference this afternoon (Friday), Minister Ryan was interrupted by Fridays for Futures activists, who chanted Get up, come off it, our land is not for profit and From the rivers to the sea, we dont want your LNG.

The activists demanded that Minister Ryan expedite climate action, with one stating: We know the solutions to the climate crisis, and yet year after year the climate crisis worsens, and Irelands emissions grow. We are one of the worst states in the EU.

Weve been at this for years, and nobody cares, added another activist, who accused Minister Ryans government of only being interested in profit and maintaining the neo-liberal systems that brought us into this mess in the first place.

The three women  who had accreditation to attend the conference - were not removed from the venue and were applauded by some other attendees for their remarks.

Maura Harrington from Shell to Sea criticised former President Mary Robinson  whom she referred to as Madame Elder - for not making any public comment on the controversial Corrib gas project.

Theres an awful lot to be learned from the Shell to Sea campaign, and it is awful peculiar that this is the first mention of it in a climate conference within a few miles of the site, of a light polluting, emissions polluting, rotten, out-dated, gas refinery in the middle of what was as near pristine an environment, in the barony of Erris, as was to be had, she said.

She also demanded that Minister Ryan not facilitate Europa Oil & Gass plans to explore at the Inishkea gas prospect, which is located 11 kilometres from the Corrib gas field.

The UK-based company recently gave a presentation to Mayo County Councils Economic Development SPC, who lent their support to their proposals.

The SPC was told that the exploration could potentially secure 180 jobs at the Ballinaboy gas field for the next 20 years, as well as securing 60 percent of Mayos gas demand for the next decade.

Do it, or shut up, Ms Harrington shouted.

Minister Ryan did not specifically address the Inishkea project, despite repeated interruptions by Ms Harrington, but maintained that the government needed to engage with people from the bottom up, not the top down regarding climate issues.

Addressing concerns about communicating the issue of climate change, the Green Party TD said that the government should not blame, shame or terrorise people in addressing the issue.

At the end of Minister Ryans remarks, the activists chanted: What do we want? Climate justice. When do we want it? Now.

The last activist to speak concluded by citing the recent closure of the River Moy fisheries due to high water temperatures.
Program Design Expert

USAID/DRC Mission Strategic Support Program

Short Term Assignment

Company Profile

SoCha (a portmanteau of Social and Change) is an independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) firm that provides bespoke solutions to social challenges. We are a US-registered, veteran-owned small business and staff support offices in Nairobi, Pretoria and Mauritius. SoCha currently supports multiple foreign assistance interventions across Asia and Africa.

Background

SoCha is contracted to provide technical and advisory services to the United States Agency for International Development in the Democratic Republic of Congo (USAID/DRC) on the 5-year Mission Strategic Support Program (MSSP). MSSP works to strengthen Mission strategic monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) systems; manage high quality data; provide geo-intelligence; produce rigorous analyses that inform decision making; institutionalize collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) practices; expand localization through targeted and deliberate capacity building; generate action-oriented data visualizations and communications; and provide Mission personnel with third-party monitoring in areas they cannot access. SoCha is responding to a request from the USAID/DRC Mission to use a participatory process of workshops and expert consultations to adapt the design of an ongoing program focused on fostering peace and security in the eastern Congo.

Scope of Work

SoCha is seeking a facilitator with experience working on the design and implementation of USAID programs and fluency in both the French and English languages. The Expert Facilitator will work together with the SoCha Global Evaluation Manager to assess the design of USAID/DRCs multi-sectoral peace programming in East Congo. The goal will be to use workshops with activity implementers and managers to collaboratively review the program theory of change and results logic and elicit expert judgements leading to probabilistic scenarios surrounding the effectiveness of alternative approaches to programming. The assessment will take place between August and November 2023. The Expert Facilitator is a short-term position. The expected LOE for the role is 50 days. The position will require travel to Goma, DRC for about two to three weeks under SoChas robust security posture.

Responsibilities

Analyze activity documentation to build a detailed Theory of Change.

Conduct key-informant interviews with USAID implementing partners and peacebuilding experts.

Facilitate and document about 19 in-person and online Theory of Change and other workshops with USAID/DRC and IP staff.

Co-author a results briefer.

Lead an interactive pause and reflect workshop on the results of the assessment.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Masters degree in a relevant field.

5+ years of demonstrable experience in facilitating workshops in-person and online.

5+ years of extensive experience in conducting theory-based evaluations of complex, integrated interventions, especially in peacebuilding.

Experience in working with logic flowcharts and other visualization options for Theories of Change.

Willingness to learn how to build and evaluate Bayesian Belief Networks.

Extensive experience drafting and finalizing assessment reports.

Level 4 English and French ability (fluent) is required.

Position location:

Democratic Republic of Congo, Kinshasa.

How to apply:

To submit your application, please apply directly on our recruitment page on our website, using this link : https://jobs.socha.net/deputy-chief-of-party-drc-2/07/05/2023/

Candidates will only be considered if they apply directly on our website. The deadline for submitting applications is July 17, 2023.

Review of applications will be on a rolling basis.
by Ray Schultz , July 6, 2023

Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) has apparently prevailed in a case it filed in 2022 alleging that Gannett Publishing Co. has published classified ads that discriminated based on membership in a protected class.

This violates the federal Fair Housing Act, according to the Jacksonville Daily Record.

Publishing advertising that shows an overt or even tacit preference for a person who is not a member of a protected class limits those choices, said Suzanne Garrow, a lawyer in JALAs Fair Housing Unit who conducted the investigation.

Garrow added, We are glad that we could resolve the charge against Gannett. Its newspapers are in 43 states and are national and international, so this resolution has a broad reach.

Gannett allegedly ran classified ads for rental housing showing a preference based on race, as in white female seeks roommate and white female seeks day working M roommate.

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Gannett did not respond to a request for comment from the Jacksonville Daily Record, the Record stated.

JALA stated in a July 6 news release that individuals of similar economic means in the same housing market should have a like range of housing choices available to them regardless of their race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, familial status, or national origin, according to the Daily Record.
by Karlene Lukovitz @KLmarketdaily, July 7, 2023

Metas Threads messaging app pulled at least 30 million signups in its first 24 hours, and may be closer to 50 million, according to a credible report.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the lower number at 11 a.m. ET on Thursday, just 21 hours after the so-called Twitter Killer launched at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday.

Wow, 30 million signups as of this morning, he posted on Threads. Feels like the beginning of something special, but weve got a lot of work ahead to build out the app.

But as of 8 p.m. ET Thursday, one tech industry source was indicating that signups were actually approaching 50 million.

Threads has surpassed 48 million sign-ups, per internal Meta data shared with me, Alex Heath, deputy editor of The Verge and author of the weekly tech industry newsletter Command Line, posted on Threads.

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Heath  who posted an interview with Adam Mosseri, the Instagram chief overseeing Threads, one minute after Threads went live on Wednesday evening  did not indicate how he obtained the internal Meta data, or provide any insight as to why Zuckerberg had not yet touted the 48 million number.

But earlier on Thursday, he had also reported that Threads had already amassed more than 95 million posts and 190 million likes shared  again based on leaked Meta data.

In its first day, Threads outstripped ChatGPT as the most rapidly downloaded app ever, and is on track to exceed ChatGPTs first of accumulating 100 million users within two months, reported the New York Times.

Perhaps not surprising, then, that Twitter owner Elon Musk is now threatening to sue Meta over Threads.

Twitter has an estimated 1.6 to 2 billion accounts, claims more than 200 million daily users and, despite all of its troubles, had recently been adding more than 500,000 installs per day, according to Data.ai.

However, Threads rapid growth could be slowed to some extent by concerns about its privacy practices, particularly in Europe  where it has yet to launch, citing the complexities with complying with some of the laws coming into effect next year, in Mosseris words.

Meta is reportedly concerned about the Digital Markets Act that will soon be implemented by the European Union. The act imposes numerous legal obligations on Meta and other large, gatekeeper platforms, including precluding platforms from transferring personal data between products, which seems to be the case with Threads and Instagram.

European regulators already dinged Meta for transferring data after it acquired the WhatsApp messaging app, and consumers in the EU tend to be wary of companies with a history of privacy violations.

Threads is also being panned by some users, particularly due to its lack of a chronological, following-only feed -- one of the features still in the works, according to Meta.

But intentionally or not, Meta has built in an anti-uninstall poison pill. Instagram users will find that uninstalling Threads also automatically causes their Instagram accounts to be deleted.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 7, 2023

Publicis Media agency Spark Foundry has appointed Valerie Bernstein Chief Growth Officer. She succeeds David Calkins who shifted to a new role within Publicis Groupe.

Based in New York and reporting to CEO Sarah Kramer, Bernstein will lead business development and growth for the media agency.

Previously, Bernstein was the executive vice president/business development and marketing at Advantage Unified Commerce.

She joined Advantage Solutions as a vice president, client services in 2005 and is credited with playing a key role there in merging five agencies under the Advantage Unified Commerce banner including Amazon specialists Beekeeper Marketing and eShopportunity, e-commerce solution provider Sage Tree and shopper agencies IN Connected and Edge Agency. The new entity was announced in June of last year.

During her tenure there, Bernstein worked with brands such as Anheuser-Busch, Bayer, LOreal, Panera, and Unilever.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 7, 2023

The Biden administration is asking U.S. District Court Judge Terry Doughty to stay his sweeping July 4 order banning a host of government officials from attempting to suppress posts on social media.

The seven-page injunction is so broad and ambiguous that it could prevent the government from working with social media companies on initiatives to prevent grave harm to the American people and our democratic processes, the Department of Justice argues in a motion filed late Thursday.

The potential breadth of the entities and employees covered by the injunction combined with the injunctions sweeping substantive scope will chill a wide range of lawful government conduct relating to defendants law enforcement responsibilities, obligations to protect the national security, and prerogative to speak on matters of public concern, the attorneys add. Accordingly, Defendants are irreparably harmed as long as the injunction remains in effect.

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The order prohibits numerous federal agencies and government officials from taking any action such as urging, encouraging, pressuring, or inducing in any manner social-media companies to remove, delete, suppress, or reduce posted content protected by the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

The injunction includes specific prohibitions on meeting with social media companies in order to convince them to suppress content protected by the First Amendment, flagging specific posts as problematic, and encouraging tech platforms to change their content-moderation guidelines.

The First Amendment generally protects all lawful speech, including speech that contains incorrect information.

Doughty said in his order that the injunction isn't meant to prevent all contact between the government and social media companies. He specifically said the government can still inform tech companies about certain posts -- including ones involving crime, national security threats and criminal efforts to suppress voting.

The judge also said the injunction doesn't prevent officials from exercising permissible public government speech promoting government policies or views on matters of public concern.

The order applies to federal agencies including the Department Health and Human Services, The National Institute of Allergy and Infection Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Department of Justice. It also applies to numerous specific individuals, including Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

But the order doesn't cover all government agencies. Among the exclusions are the Food and Drug Administration, Treasury Department and Election Assistance Commission.

The Justice Department, which has already filed an appeal with the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, is now arguing to Doughty that the injunction is too broad, and that some of its exceptions are contradictory. For instance, the carve-out for promoting government policies on matters of public concern is difficult to reconcile with the prohibition on encouraging social media companies to moderate content, the Justice Department writes.

The government also says it's unclear who's covered by the injunction -- noting that while Doughty said he was exempting the Food and Drug Administration, that agency is part of Health and Human Services.

The administration is asking Doughty to rule on the request for a stay by Monday.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, July 7, 2023

TikTok and five of its users have asked U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula, Montana to block enforcement of a new state law banning the app.

The states ban is unconstitutional, TikTok says in its request for an injunction. It violates the First Amendment rights of Plaintiff TikTok Inc. and the thousands of Montanans who use TikTok to communicate.

The Chinese-owned company adds that the ban is overridden by federal law because only the federal government has authority over national security issues. Five users who sued raise similar claims in a separate request for an injunction.

The law, which was signed earlier this year by Governor Greg Gianforte, prohibits app stores from offering TikTok to people in Montana, and prohibits the use of the app in the state (with some exceptions for law enforcement). The measure doesn't penalize users, but provides for sanctions starting at $10,000 per violation against TikTok and mobile app marketplaces.

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Unless blocked, the law will come into effect on January 1 of next year.

Montana lawmakers who drafted the measure expressed concerns that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, shares data about U.S. users with China. Concerns regarding possible data sharing with China have spurred other states to prohibit use of the app on government-owned devices or public WiFi networks, but Montana is the only state so far to enact legislation banning the TikTok.

TikTok argues that concerns regarding national security can only be dealt with on the federal level.

"The state cannot justify a ban on speech by pointing to an interest for which it has no constitutional authority to legislate, TikTok writes, adding that Montana has neither legal authority nor practical expertise to legislate in the realm of national security.

Montana legislators also accused TikTok of failing to remove dangerous content that allegedly encourages young users to engage in risky activity, such as throwing objects at moving automobiles, inducing unconsciousness through oxygen deprivation, and cooking chicken in NyQuil.

But TikTok says in its request for an injunction that Montana lawmakers failed to analyze TikTok's safety features or content moderation policies, which prohibit uses from promoting dangerous activities. What's more, TikTok argues, other apps that may show users' objectionable content are still available in the state.

Even if the state could show that TikToks moderation processes were deficient, any resulting increase in dangerous content on TikTok would still not be a basis to ban the app because it would not eliminate such content from other platform, the company wrote.

Earlier this year, digital rights organizations opposed the law, arguing that it would violate free speech principles.

TikTok is home to massive amounts of protected speech and association: it enables Montana residents to discuss their opinions, share their hobbies, make art, and access news from down the street and around the world, The American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Democracy and Technology, Electronic Frontier Foundation and other digital rights organization argued in a letter sent earlier this year to Montana lawmakers.

They added that the law "would unjustly cut Montanans off from a platform where they speak out and exchange ideas everyday, and it would set an alarming precedent for excessive government control over how Montanans use the internet.

Molloy plans to hold a hearing in the matter on October 12.
In early 2022, state laws targeting LGBTQ+ communities began to spread across the U.S., leading the military services to offer resources for families seeking support and even relocations to escape discrimination.

The Department of the Air Force -- which also oversees the Space Force -- told Military.com on Thursday that 15 relocations have been granted under "exceptions to policy (ETP) for members experiencing a range of racial- and LGBTQ+-related discrimination" since 2021. The waivers allowed those families to move before a standard posting's term was up.

But in more than a year since the services claimed they were offering help, none of the other service branches has tracked family relocations, according to public affairs officials.

Read Next: Recruits Wouldn't Be Tested for Marijuana Under Proposed Defense Bill Amendment

For some services like the Army, Marine Corps and Navy, their discrimination-based relocation options are not heavily advertised and the branches are relying on old, existing policies to accommodate troops who have grown concerned that new state laws could lead to harm for their families.

In March 2022, the Department of the Air Force issued a press release responding to "various laws and legislation" that "may affect LGBTQ Airmen, Guardians, and/or their LGBTQ dependents in different ways." It detailed some of the resources available to service members and their families but did not mention the potential for moves using an exception to policy waiver. But besides that press release, the services have been largely mum on what they're willing to do to help families, and how many families they're helping.

Jennifer Dane, an LGBTQ+ advocate and an Air Force veteran who was one of the last to be investigated under the Pentagon's old "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, told Military.com that the lack of specific data that shows whether service members and their families are experiencing widespread discrimination is concerning.

"There's no transparency," Dane said. "There just needs to be more transparency across all branches."

Currently, the American Civil Liberties Union is tracking nearly 500 anti-LGBTQ bills throughout the United States, according to the organization's website.

Michelle Norman, the founder and executive director of Partners in PROMISE -- a nonprofit focused on advocating for family policies in the military, told Military.com that not specifying the purpose of programs and failing to advertise that they exist can lead to confusion among service members and their dependents.

"In order to sustain this military life, we do rely on these support systems and we know that the Department of Defense cannot offer it all, but they have some great programs out for us," Norman said. "But there's always room for improvement for messaging to families to make sure that they are connected with resources that they need."

When Military.com asked the Department of the Air Force for the number of discrimination-based requests last year, a spokesperson pointed to the number of humanitarian assignments in fiscal 2021, 511, but stated that the service branch did not categorize the specific reasons for those relocations. Humanitarian assignments are intended to help with "short-term problems involving a family member" and aim to place airmen and Guardians as close as possible to where the issue -- ranging from illness, death or loss of personal property through disaster -- is occurring, according to a 2017 news release.

The Department of the Air Force declined to provide additional details on the 15 relocations that were categorized as "exceptions to policy."

"Examples of relocation ETP denials are very rare, but when they occur, can be attributed to delays of mandatory clearance for dependents (including medical) and/or delay of travel documents for overseas assignments," the Department of the Air Force said. "We do not normally release relocation details due to the risk of personal identification of these families."

The Air Force also pointed to a variety of other programs used for reassignments, including humanitarian, threatened persons, expedited transfer and child custody assignments, as well as the Exceptional Family Member Program. That last program could also be utilized if a family member needed medical care, such as transition surgery, and state laws did not allow for the procedure.

Both the Army and the Marine Corps don't track the specific reasons for any relocation that could be due to LGBTQ+ discrimination.

The Army told Military.com that, under its compassionate action program, it had received 1,443 requests so far for fiscal 2023; 2,267 requests in 2022; and 2,459 in 2021.

In that three-year period, nearly 500 of those requests have been rejected. But compassionate actions cover a wide range of reasons, from pregnant soldiers switching bases during their third trimester or a soldier wanting to escape sexual harassment.

"Compassionate actions are unbiased, highly sensitive and processed based upon a soldier's or commander's request," the Army told Military.com. "These regulations ensure the Army provides the best quality of life support and allows commanders the flexibility to address specific needs of soldiers and their families."

The Marine Corps is even less forthcoming with details on Marines being able to transfer over discriminatory laws.

Last year, the Corps simply said that "each service member's assignment is assessed individually and state law is not an articulated factor in the assignment process." This year, it did not respond to Military.com's inquiries on the topic.

Meanwhile, the Navy is able to track sailors who apply for a move but, according to the service's spokespeople, none has been transferred in two years. After being contacted by Military.com, Cmdr. Rick Chernitzer, a Navy spokesman, said that the service "has not approved any requests for transfers related to state laws concerning the LGBTQ+ community."

Last year, officials told Military.com that the service didn't receive any requests. Lt. Alyson Hands explained that the Navy was using an already established policy of "safety transfers" to give sailors the option of transferring from discriminatory states.

The policy is largely intended for sailors who have been victims of crime or sexual violence and not discriminatory laws. While spokespeople for the Navy insist to media outlets that LGBTQ+ sailors experiencing discrimination are able to apply under the existing rules for transfer, there is little in the official regulations and documents that specifies such a move would be covered.

The guiding document on the transfers says a sailor or their family generally must be a victim of violent crime to qualify. The Navy's website on the transfer program references violent crimes as well but also cites the Pentagon's sexual assault prevention rules and mentions rape and sexual assault -- though it does note those are not the only examples of safety moves. In 2019, the Navy further expanded the program to allow fast, temporary reassignments for cases of stalking, revenge porn, and other sexual misconduct.

-- Steve Beynon contributed to this report.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Most of the Military Not Tracking Number of Families Relocated Due to Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws
The Pentagon has temporarily stopped accepting new civilian employers into the SkillBridge career transition program, an apprenticeship-style initiative where soon-to-separate service members train with companies, after the program grew far more popular than initially anticipated.

The program will undergo a "realignment," according to a statement from Defense Department spokesperson Jade Fulce.

Created in 2011, more than 50,000 service members had taken part in SkillBridge as of last year, with numbers growing annually. About 200,000 troops leave active duty each year.

Military commanders can authorize service members in the last 180 days of their active-duty military service to take part in a SkillBridge internship. Participation is considered official duty and authorized during normal working days and hours.

While the admission of new employers is on hold, transitioning troops can continue to apply for internship or training opportunities with existing SkillBridge organizations.

The self-described "already very successful and rapidly growing program" currently lists 3,312 authorized employers, from the likes of big aerospace firms such as Airbus to local outfits including Zuma's Rescue Ranch in Colorado.

The employers sign up with the Defense Department to offer the unpaid opportunities, which may take place in person, online or both. Troops continue to receive their military pay and benefits.

Fulce told Military.com by email that the "strategic pause" and realignment stemmed from a broader "organizational review" by the undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness to better meet "readiness policy and program requirements." New employers will be accepted again after Aug. 15.

Following the reorganization, the program will be run in tandem by the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for oversight and the Defense Human Resources Agency for operations. It was previously handled by a single office under the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, officials said.

The DoD considers SkillBridge "an integral component" to its transition program, Fulce said.

The Pentagon administrators aren't alone in revisiting aspects of SkillBridge. In March, the Navy issued instructions limiting which of its members can take part in internships and when.

Generally, higher-ranking officers don't get as much leeway as lower-ranking enlisted sailors. Participation in SkillBridge is "not an entitlement," the Navy said, and shouldn't "impact readiness."

-- Amanda Miller can be reached at amanda.miller@military.com.
Half a century after the last American combat troops left Vietnam, the U.S. has taken the first steps in a major but little-noticed policy shift to solidify relations with its former adversary by helping the Vietnamese account for and identify their war dead.

Under a July 2020 Vietnam Wartime Accounting Initiative Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Vietnam, the U.S. Agency for International Development was given the formidable task of providing technical assistance and archival research to Vietnam on as many as 300,000 Vietnamese missing.

"The United States appreciates all the support that Vietnam has provided over the last 35 years in accounting for missing U.S. service members," then-U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink said at the Hanoi signing of the memorandum between USAID and the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP).

Read Next: Navy Recruiting Boss Overruled by Superiors on 6-Day Workweek Plan

That reasoning would have been unthinkable when Americans recoiled at the brutal treatment of U.S. prisoners of war by Vietnam and urban legends proliferated about the possibility that Hanoi was still holding living POWs long after the war.

Kritenbrink added that the U.S. is now "committed to supporting the people of Vietnam as they seek to identify and ultimately reunite remains of combatants with their loving families."

By helping the Vietnamese, the U.S. also stands to gain in the search for America's missing from Vietnam, according to officials of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

"It's a win-win situation for us," said Dr. Gregory Berg, lab case manager for the DPAA's scientific analysis directorate. At a June 28 DPAA media roundtable, Berg said that the Vietnamese in conducting searches inevitably "will stumble upon something that's not theirs. There's a good chance they're going to find one of our missing."

In addition to U.S. government efforts to assist the Vietnamese, a team of officials and students from Texas Tech University is currently in Hanoi to share with the Vietnamese information from the vast archive maintained at the school's Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive, including the captured letters and diaries of Vietnamese troops.

In an interview from Hanoi with Lubbock, Texas, TV station KCBD, Steve Maxner, director of the Texas Tech Vietnam Center, said that, in combing through the archives, "We knew that there would be diaries and materials. The challenge then is transitioning that from a document you find in microfilm and then finding the family."

At a ceremony in early June in Hanoi, the Texas Tech team was able to deliver six sets of materials, including letters and diaries, to the families of six fallen and still missing Vietnamese troops, Maxner said.

"Those families, just like American families are suffering, have heartache and longing to understand what happened to their soldiers," Maxner said.

With the support of the Defense Department, the Unseen Legacies of the Vietnam War Project at Harvard's Kennedy School has also been involved in setting up a searchable database "to facilitate the location and identification of Vietnamese war dead," according to a statement from the school.

A team from the project was in Vietnam in the spring to begin work and was expected to return in the fall, a spokesperson told Military.com.

"In addition to our core work reviewing documents to facilitate the location and identification of Vietnamese war dead, the Unseen Legacies team will also share information and participate in training on our research and discovery process to enable teams in Vietnam to conduct similar efforts in the future," the spokesperson said.

The ultimate goal of USAID's initial $2.4 million project was "to build local government systems to implement a comprehensive identification program, as opposed to a case-by-case identification approach," a USAID spokesperson said in an email statement to Military.com.

USAID is also looking to equip a lab in Vietnam by 2025 for DNA analysis to aid in identification of recovered remains, according to the statement.

In support of the USAID project, the U.S. Institute of Peace, with the authorization of Congress, has begun a multiyear project to promote greater dialogue between the U.S. and Vietnam on war legacy issues and reconciliation.

"It's no longer super controversial" for the U.S. to be making what the U.S. Institute of Peace calls the "landmark" decision to assist in identifying Vietnamese remains, said Andrew Wells-Dang, a senior Southeast Asia expert at USIP.

In a phone interview, Wells-Dang said that "the numbers are staggering," with as many as 300,000 North Vietnamese troops missing in action, and "nobody knows how many South Vietnamese," or Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), are missing.

In an August 2021 online forum, Vietnam's Ambassador to the U.S. Ha Kim Ngoc said that the agreement to assist in the search for Vietnam's missing marked "a significant milestone" in "the long journey of overcoming our legacies of war."

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Bryce Semonian, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovery team explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician, removes loose soil from an excavation unit during a DPAA recovery mission in Quang Binh Province, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, June 21, 2023. (Jonathan McElderry/U.S. Air Force)

Veterans Stepping Up and Stories About the Missing

In addition to the USAID project, veterans acting on their own have recently renewed their 30-year commitment to assist in the accounting of Vietnam's MIAs through the return of personal effects taken during the war, eyewitness accounts and the identification of unmarked grave sites.

Following a three-year recess due to the pandemic, a two-person team from the Vietnam Veterans of America was in Vietnam for 20 days ending June 5 to renew VVA's "Vietnam Initiative" and demonstrate "our continuing commitment to the recovery of those still not home from our war," VVA said in a statement.

The USAID project, combined with the ongoing work of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, marks a new chapter in the long and often troubled history of U.S. efforts to account for the missing in action from Vietnam.

From the outset, when Vietnam released 591 U.S. POWs in February and March 1973, there were charges that Vietnam was still holding additional prisoners, and over the years conspiracy theories grew on unfounded "live sightings" of Americans in Vietnam.

The mistrust of the official versions of what was happening in the search for the missing was only exacerbated by the suspicions of many MIA families that the government was withholding information for political reasons.

At a June 22 Pentagon event to unveil the 2023 POW/MIA Recognition Day Poster, several veterans of the conflict were in attendance, including retired Air Force Col. Michael Brazelton, a Silver Star recipient who had more than 100 combat missions in Vietnam flying the F-105 Thunderchief. He was forced to eject when his aircraft came under fire in August 1966 north of Hanoi.

Brazelton, who endured more than six years of abuse in the fetid prison camps of North Vietnam, would be more than justified in bearing a grudge, but he's backing the new project by USAID to help the Vietnamese account for their missing.

In a brief interview, Brazelton told Military.com that he "absolutely" supports the policy shift to provide technical assistance to Vietnam and work with U.S. veterans who may have knowledge of grave sites.

Brazelton also didn't think much of the 1985 Sylvester Stallone movie "Rambo: First Blood Part II," which fueled conspiracy theories about U.S. troops left behind when all that was needed to free them was to send a super soldier armed with a bow and arrow, and a great big knife.

Then there were the Chuck Norris "Missing in Action" movies in which the fearsome Col. Braddock went on "a mission deep into the jungles of Vietnam to find the POW camp that he escaped from and free the Americans still held captive there."

"They were terrible movies, I thought," Brazelton said of the Rambo and Braddock franchises in that they depicted the POWs as "downbeaten and disillusioned" when in reality most remained tightly organized and resistant to propaganda.

But the impact of the movies and the proliferation of groups and individuals claiming to have knowledge of the whereabouts of Americans still held prisoner was such that a 1991 Wall Street Journal-NBC News poll showed that 69% of Americans believed that the Vietnamese still held American troops prisoner.

The controversy led to extensive hearings in 1991 by a Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs led by Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.), John McCain (R-Ariz), and Bob Smith (R-N.H.).

The conclusion of the lengthy final report filed by the committee was that "there is, at this time, no compelling evidence that proves that any American remains alive in captivity in Southeast Asia," but did not completely rule out the possibility that an American might still be held by the Vietnamese.

The live sighting reports "have not checked out; alleged pictures of POWs have proven false; purported leads have come up empty; and photographic intelligence has been inconclusive, at best," the report said.

The report also ripped the "latter-day Rambos" claiming they could go on rescue missions, for a price, and noted the buildup of a "cottage industry specializing in the creation and dissemination of false POW-MIA information" in Southeast Asia, mainly in Thailand.

Following the committee's hearings, the U.S. in 1994 lifted the trade embargo against Vietnam and normalized relations with Hanoi in 1995.

A Change in the Search

Since the '90s, as the possibility that any live POWs might return from Vietnam receded with each passing year, the issue of demanding a full accounting of the missing from Vietnam had reached the point where advocacy groups were having difficulty raising funds.

In February, the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia, which was incorporated as the National League of Families in 1970, announced that it would have to disband.

The intrepid Ann Mills Griffiths, board chairman of the League and an advocate for a full accounting of U.S. POWs and MIAs for more than 50 years, said in a phone interview that, "We were so flat out of money" that the League at the end of 2022 had to cancel its annual meeting.

Based on Mills Griffiths' announcement that the League was closing shop, Vietnam Veterans of America President Jack McManus put out a statement saying, "It is with heavy hearts that we receive the news of the dissolution of this fine organization. The League has changed the course of history and the way we, as a nation, deal with the accounting of our war missing."

But a donor who remained anonymous came through with a contribution of $2 million to keep the League in business, and Mills Griffiths announced on June 20 that the League's full name, founding date and nonprofit 501(c)(3) status had been legally restored and fully funded.

"Our ability to advocate for achieving the fullest possible accounting for 1,579 Vietnam War missing is restored," said Mills Griffiths, who says she stopped counting how many times she's been to Vietnam to advocate after the 30th visit.

"This good news provides inspiration and confidence that the League's efforts to obtain answers on missing Americans will not only be sustained, but expanded," Mills Griffiths said.

The decision by American leaders to help Vietnam in the search for its missing is not the first time the U.S. has helped a former enemy search for war dead, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Kelly McKeague, director of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, told Military.com.

After World War II, the U.S. assisted Japan's efforts to recover remains in the Pacific, McKeague said, but the Vietnam project is unprecedented in the sense that Vietnam was an undefeated former enemy.

At the June 22 unveiling, McKeague said that the recovery of the remains of U.S. service members from Vietnam, and from Korea and World War II, was a No. 1 priority for the Department of Defense, and he praised the diligence of recovery teams whose "work is complex, arduous and often involves great risk" in harsh environments.

In her remarks at the event, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth noted that more than 81,000 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for from the nation's wars, the vast majority of them from World War II.

Each of those missing personnel "represents a family that has not received the answers that they need or the closure that they deserve," Wormuth said. "And we know that this matters because every month there are families who do receive the news that they have often been waiting decades to hear."

Wormuth said that during this year DPAA has repatriated the remains of 81 service members -- three from Vietnam, 26 from the Korean War, and 52 from World War II.

In all, more than 1,000 remains of U.S. service members have been recovered from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos since cooperation with the U.S. on missing in action searches began more than 30 years ago, but a total of 1,579 U.S. personnel from the Southeast Asia war are still listed as missing, according to the DPAA.

One of those in attendance at the poster unveiling was Jeanie Jacobs Huffman, who was a baby when her father, Navy Cmdr. Edward J. Jacobs Jr., was reported missing in action in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of North Vietnam on Aug. 25, 1967.

Jacobs was piloting an RA-3B Skywarrior with two crew members aboard on a reconnaissance mission when radar contact was lost as the aircraft approached the coastline. Jacobs and the two crew members are still listed as missing by the DPAA.

In February, Jacobs Huffman and her husband, Dave Huffman, formed the nonprofit Mission POW-MIA to press the U.S. government and Vietnam for a full accounting on the missing.

In a phone interview, Dave Huffman said, "The war is over and the families want answers. The families deserve to have answers. I would imagine the Vietnamese feel the same way."

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Texas Tech was not acting as part of a government effort and that USAID was not involved with Harvard's efforts.

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.

Related: 50 Years Later, Vietnam Veterans Finally Get Official Tribute to Their Service and Sacrifice
Every day for 11 seasons, actor Alan Alda donned the same dog tags and boots to play his character, Dr. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce, on "M*A*S*H." They became so important to him that he kept them after the show's final episode aired on Feb. 28, 1983 -- more than 40 years ago.

The seemingly innocuous props had such a special meaning for him that the show's costume department let him keep them. They were a lot more important than just any old props, because the dog tags, it turned out, were real. Alda is now willing to part ways with his pieces of television history, but for a good cause: his passion project of helping scientists better communicate their research to the rest of the world.

Read: Alan Alda Didn't Just Play an Army Officer in Korea on TV. He Was One.

For the uninitiated, "M*A*S*H" is the story of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, a real kind of surgical unit that was designed to follow combat units closely on the front lines. Conceived during World War II and perfected during the Korean War, the MASH units, combined with helicopter evacuation, dramatically reduced the death rate of wounded soldiers.

The television show "M*A*S*H" centered around the 4077th MASH, technically a fictional unit, but the show (and the 1970 movie) were based on a book, "MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors" by Richard Hooker and W.C. Heinz. Hooker's name was actually a pen name, but the author actually was a MASH surgeon in Korea.

Naturally, over the course of 11 seasons, the television show strayed from the plot of the book, but many of the characters and the spirit of the two were the same. First airing in 1972, the dark comedy soon became a critique of the ongoing Vietnam War. Even after the United States left Vietnam, "M*A*S*H" still used its comedy to criticize the Cold War covertly.

"M*A*S*H" propelled Alda to stardom. He earned five Emmy Awards for his work on the show, three for his performance as Hawkeye, one for writing and one for directing. Although "M*A*S*H" never topped the ratings, it was consistently in the top five, 10 or 20 shows on the air throughout its run.

The last episode of the series, titled "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen," was the most-watched television broadcast in American history. It was unseated by Super Bowl XLIV in 2010, but it remains the most-watched series finale ever.

The dog tags Hawkeye wore for those 11 seasons didn't belong to Alda, who served as an Army officer in Korea, but rather to two other men, Hersie Davenport and Morriss D. Levine. Heritage Auctions, the house that will be conducting the auction on July 28, 2023, researched the names and found that both men had been in the Army and both were discharged in 1945.

"I put these boots on every day that we shot MASH, for eleven years," Alda wrote in his auction letter of provenance. "And the dog tags, too. And every time my foot found its way into one of the boots, or the necklace of tags went over my head, I remembered: Someone had worn these once in a real war."

According to the research conducted by Heritage Auctions, Davenport died in 1970. Levine, whose first name is misspelled on his dog tag with an extra "s," died in 1973. Neither could have known that their personal military history would be a part of television history.

"There's an old belief among actors that when you put the shoes of the character on, it's easier to believe you're the character and I think the boots had that effect on me," Alda told The Associated Press.

For 40 years, he kept both props on a shelf in his office, but decided it was time for them to go to work again. The auction will benefit the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University in New York, a learning annex he founded to help doctors and scientists learn how to communicate better about their work through improvisational exercises and other communications techniques.

"Putting them up for auction, with all proceeds going to the non-profit Center, is a way for them to march again. This time to help improve communication -- something a little different from the conflict in which they were first worn," the actor wrote.

"Mike Farrell and I today toasting the 50th anniversary of the show that changed our lives - and our brilliant pals who made it what it was. MASH was a great gift to us."(Alan Alda via Twitter)

Alda realized how important explaining their work would be as the host of the long-running PBS series "Scientific American Frontiers." He realized he didn't know what many of the scientists he interviewed were talking about, but connected with them using his skills as an actor. If they could communicate without his interaction, he reasons, the world would be better off for it.

The actor continues his scientific communication work on his podcast, "Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda." The auction for Hawkeye's boots and dog tags is ongoing at Heritage Auctions. As of this writing, the bid was $14,500. It includes a signed letter from the actor.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, Twitter, or on LinkedIn.

Keep Up With the Best in Military Entertainment

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Update: The CRA said the recall involves 1,387 candy bars, of which 104 have been sold to customers.

Michigan marijuana licensors are recalling THC-infused candy bars that violate state rules.

The Cannabis Regulatory Agency on Friday, July 7, issued the recall on the Weed Bar, an edible marijuana product produced by Warren-based Bloomfield Development Group Grow, which operates under the name Golden Shores Cannabis Company with a grow and processing facility.

The candy bars exceeded THC dose limits, lacked child-resistant, resealable packaging and werent labeled using the terms marijuana product, THC product or cannabis product, the CRA recall notice said.

Golden Shores Cannabis Company owner Jeffrey Dotson said the product issues were identified by CRA employees during a routine inspection. He did not know how many candy bars have been sold but said they are available at about five locations across Michigan. The company agreed to recall the bars at the CRAs request.

The CRA is asking customers who have purchased the candy bars to return them to the sale location for disposal.

The CRA limits the total number of THC in an edible product to 200 mg and requires they be segmented into a maximum of 10 mg doses. Dotson said the candy bars were not clearly segmented.

That candy bars is 200 mg, Dotson said, but they should be denoted to be 20 servings of 10 mg.

Golden Shores Cannabis Company garnered attention in 2022 due to its unique pre-rolled marijuana joints.

Were the only company that has a biodegradable beeswax tip with wildflower seeds, Dotson said. So when you smoke it, you throw it into the grass and it plants a flower.

The CRA said customers who have consumed the recalled candy bars with adverse reactions should contact their healthcare provided.

Consumers are encouraged to also report any adverse reactions to marijuana product to the CRA via email at CRA-Enforcement@michigan.gov or by phone at 517-284-8599, the CRA said.

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NAUBINWAY, MI  A wildlife park known for its uncommon selection of animals has added two baby warthogs to the mix.

Shrek and Fiona, an unrelated pair of piglets, were introduced last week by GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park in Naubinway, about 35 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Michigans Upper Peninsula.

The youngsters are about three months old. They enjoy chowing down on romaine lettuce and playing with their toys.

Shrek and Fiona, an unrelated pair of warthog piglets, are new residents at GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park in Naubinway, about 35 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Michigans Upper Peninsula.Photos provided by Mary Fuller

While theyre small now, Shrek and Fiona will be around 30 inches tall at the shoulder and 120 to 250 pounds when they reach full size at around 20 months old.

Warthogs are herbivores and live an average of 15 years, according to National Geographic. They boast four tusks and can run up to 30 miles an hour. They are generally peaceful animals but will attack predators when cornered and males sometimes fight during mating season.

Shrek and Fiona, an unrelated pair of warthog piglets, are new residents at GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park in Naubinway, about 35 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Michigans Upper Peninsula.Photos provided by Mary Fuller

Shrek and Fiona are the latest addition to GarLyn, which is home to a range of birds, mammals and reptiles. This year, the zoo also added a yak, squirrel monkeys and an aardwolf.

RELATED: U.P. zoo introduces Teddy Yakson, other new additions

GarLyn is located on US-2 west of the Mackinac Bridge in Naubinway. Its open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during summertime. Admission is $15 for adults, $12.50 for children 3-13 and free for children 2 and under. Group and family rates are available.

Shrek and Fiona, an unrelated pair of warthog piglets, are new residents at GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park in Naubinway, about 35 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Michigans Upper Peninsula.Photos provided by Mary Fuller

Shrek and Fiona, an unrelated pair of warthog piglets, are new residents at GarLyn Zoo Wildlife Park in Naubinway, about 35 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge in Michigans Upper Peninsula.Photos provided by Mary Fuller

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YPSILANTI, MI -- A man wanted for allegedly sexually assaulting and robbing a woman in Ypsilanti has been charged with criminal sexual assault.

Andrew Najib Jimenes Vasquez, an 18-year-old Ann Arbor man, was arraigned in the 14A District Court on Tuesday, July 4, on charges of criminal sexual assault, unarmed robbery, larceny, surveilling an unclothed person and aggravated incident exposure.
ANN ARBOR, MI - A University of Michigan nursing professor has been on administrative leave since May amid a pair of sexual harassment complaints.

Now, Robert Stephenson, a School of Nursing professor and former director of the universitys Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, has filed in the Michigan Court of Claims a notice of intent to sue the university for discrimination and retaliation.
ANN ARBOR, MI - With an Independence Day pause in many road construction projects in the rearview mirror, restrictions and shutdowns remain in place across Washtenaw County.

From the full closure of a Huron River bridge in Ypsilanti to the shuttering of well-used U.S. 23 ramps near Ann Arbor, heres a full list of road work that could affect commute times and travel across the area for Friday, July 7 and the week ahead.

ANN ARBOR

West Madison Street: The street is closed to all traffic between Ashley and Main streets through Tuesday, July 11 to allow for a DTE Energy contractor to install a new underground electrical conductor for an apartment building.

Pontiac Trail/Swift Street: Beginning Monday, July 10, all lanes of Swift Street and the southbound lanes of Pontiac Trail will close to through traffic between Broadway and Moore streets for a city water main and street upgrade project.

The closures are expected to last until Friday, Aug. 11, when a new phase of the project will begin.

South State Street: The street is closed between Granger and Dewey avenues, as well as between Hill Street and South University Avenue, as a two-year redesign of State and Hill streets gets underway. State is also shut down in the southbound direction between Hill and Packard Street, and the Packard intersection is closed to through traffic at State.

The Granger, Dewey, Hill and South U intersections remain open, though the blocks in between are fully closed to traffic. This wave of closures will continue until the next phase of the project beginning Wednesday, July 12, bringing modified restrictions.

Downtown, the street is also closed to vehicle traffic between North University Avenue and Huron Street until Friday, Sept. 1, for the second phase of a major overhaul extending curb-less design in the area near the University of Michigan Diag and bringing water and sewer upgrades.

The intersections on either side of the work zone will remain open. Regular updates can be found online from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority.

Brooks Street and Mixtwood Road: A five-month streets project in the Water Hill neighborhood has shuttered Brooks Street to all through traffic between Miller Avenue and Sunset Road, as well as Mixtwood Road between Brooks and Red Oak Road.

The construction  bringing a mini roundabout, new sidewalk and replacement water mains  is scheduled for completion by Saturday, Nov. 4.

East and South University avenues: Both streets have traffic restrictions for construction on a 12-story high-rise project.

East University Avenue is closed in both directions between South U and Willard Street. Eastbound South U is closed between Tappan Avenue and Church Street. The closures are set to last until Friday, July 14.

Liberty Street: The street will close between South Fifth Avenue and Division Street for the Sonic Lunch concert between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday, July 13.

Glen Avenue: The street is closed to all traffic through Friday, July 21 for a utility project.

Geddes Avenue: The street will be closed to through traffic between Observatory and Hill streets for a resurfacing and utility project.

The road is expected to run through Wednesday, July 19, with the road re-opened in the westbound direction only as of early June.

South Main Street: The street is closed between Liberty and Huron streets for the second phase of a major resurfacing project. The Washington and Main intersection is also closed.

Pedestrians can still access the businesses in the Main Street commercial district. Crews will replace a water main, make crosswalk improvements and put new pavement on the crumbling downtown street.

The project is slated to run until July 12 with a third phase in the cards within the Main/Huron intersection, beginning after the Ann Arbor Art Fair, July 20 to 22.

Broadway Street: The street is closed through Monday, Aug. 21 between the Traver Creek pedestrian crossing island, just south of Jones Drive, and Plymouth Road for a project bringing water main upgrades, sidewalk improvements and pavement resurfacing.

The dead-end section of Broadway southwest of the roundabout next to the Beekman on Broadway development is also closed through Saturday, July 8 as crews complete utility installation.

Platt Road: The road on the citys east side is reduced from four lanes to two between Packard Road and Huron Parkway until Friday, Aug. 1.

The restrictions will allow for crews to replace an existing water main, as well as replace curb, sidewalk and ramps while resurfacing Platt Road. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

Newport Road: The road between Sunset Road and Down Up Circle, near the Bird Hills Nature Area, will see flagging and temporary signals as crews install new sidewalk through Friday, Aug. 25.

Long-term projects: North Fifth Avenue from Detroit to Catherine streets will have a lane shift through June 2024 for a new development.

Eastbound South University Avenue traffic between East University Avenue and Church Street is closed long-term for high-rise construction.

The Liberty Road bridge over I-94 is reduced to single-lane traffic, with temporary traffic signals, until further notice after being damaged by a truck on March 13. The Michigan Department of Transportation plans to design and contract for a bridge replacement, officials say, though no timeline has been released for the project.

OTHER WASHTENAW COUNTY PROJECTS:

Pittsfield Township - U.S. 23/Michigan Avenue: A major project widening Michigan Avenue in Pittsfield Township and upgrading the U.S. 23 interchange will cause shoulder closures and lane closures on U.S. 23 south of Ann Arbor.

On Michigan Avenue between Carpenter and Textile roads, a single-lane closure is in place in both directions.

Beginning, Friday, July 7, the eastbound Michigan Avenue ramp to southbound U.S. 23 and the northbound U.S. 23 ramp to Michigan Avenue will also close for the construction project. The closures are expected to last through Sunday, July 16.

The project as a whole is scheduled to run through November. Pittsfield Township is posting regular updates.

Ypsilanti - Hamilton Street: A single lane in the southbound direction is closed between Pearl and Ferris streets through Thursday, Aug. 31.

Ypsilanti - Michigan Avenue: The downtown avenue will see a single-lane closure in the eastbound direction between Washington and Huron streets for water main installation.

Other downtown Ypsilanti street closures are possible as a major utility and street overhaul project continues. See the citys webpage on the project for updates.

Read more: Construction coming to downtown Ypsilanti as utility, street renovation projects resume

Ypsilanti - Huron River Drive: The road is closed to all westbound traffic between Lowell and Cornell streets for a major city reconstruction project. Officials are posting updates on the city website.

Ypsilanti - Forest Avenue bridge: The bridge over the Huron River is closed through early October for rehabilitation work.

Ypsilanti Township - Michigan Avenue/I-94 ramp: A road reconstruction project has closed Michigan Avenue between I-94 and a point just east of Hewitt Road. The construction, which began in mid-May, is estimated to last eight weeks.

A detour map is available online, and north/south traffic on Hewitt will be maintained with lane restrictions.

The westbound I-94 off-ramp at Michigan Avenue is also closed during the project.

York Township - U.S. 23/Willis Road interchange: Willis Road at U.S. 23 is closed in both directions through July 13 as bridge and ramp construction takes place. The eastbound Willis Road ramp to northbound U.S. 23 also is closed during the project.

Sylvan/Lima townships - I-94: The interstate will see overnight single-lane closures in both directions between Freer Road and the Washtenaw/Jackson county line until July 14.

The M-52 ramps to eastbound I-94 will see intermittent closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 7.

Manchester - City Road/M-52: The road will see single-lane closures in both directions from Parr Street to Hibbard Street from 8 a.m. to noon on July 12.

Augusta/Ypsilanti townships - Intersection of Bemis and Whittaker roads: The intersection will close completely for the construction of a new roundabout through Sept. 1. A detour map is available online.

Ann Arbor Township - Dhu Varren Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Whitmore Lake Road and Dhu Varren Court through July 14 for road resurfacing.

Augusta Township - Rawsonville Road: The road is closed between Talladay and Willis roads until Aug. 21 for drainage improvements.

Dexter Township - North Territorial Road bridge: The bridge over the Huron River between Dexter-Pinckney Road and Huron River Drive will see lane restrictions from July 5 to July 7 for pathway and bridge preventative maintenance.

Lima/Scio townships - Parker Road: The road will close between Shield Road and Dexter-Chelsea Road through August for a culvert replacement. A detour map is available online.

Manchester Township - Herman Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Sharon Hollow Road and Deer Valley Road through July 13 for forestry work.

Lyndon/Sylvan townships - Various roads: Several roads in the townships will see intermittent lane restrictions through July for a Consumers Energy natural gas pipeline replacement project.

Read more: From turtle rescues to trenches: How Consumers Energy is constructing a $550M pipeline in Michigan

Pittsfield Township - Morgan Road: The road between Carpenter Road and Michigan Avenue is closed for water main and road work until Friday, Aug. 4. A detour map is available online. This project has been extended.

Pittsfield Township - Platt Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Bemis Road and Michigan Avenue through September for construction of a non-motorized pathway.

Pittsfield Township - Crane Road: The road is closed between Textile Road and Michigan Avenue through July 7 for sanitary sewer installation. A detour map is available online. This project has been extended.

Pittsfield Township - Textile Road: The road is closed between Carpenter and Crane roads for sanitary sewer installation. The project runs through September. A detour map is available online.

Salem Township - Joy Road: The road will close between Gotfredson Road and a half-mile east of the intersection from through Monday, Aug. 14 for sanitary main work. A detour map is available online.

Scio Township - East Delhi Road: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between the railroad tracks and Huron River Drive through July 13 for crack sealing.

Scio Township - Rose Drive: The road will see intermittent lane restrictions between Wagner Road and the end of the road from through July 13 for crack sealing.

Superior Township - Stephens Drive: The road will see lane restrictions at the approach off Stamford Drive through July 10 for road resurfacing.

Superior Township - Stamford Drive: The road will see lane restrictions between Barrington Drive and MacArthur Boulevard through July 10 for road resurfacing.

Superior Township - North approach of Harris Road at Geddes Road intersection: The road will see lane restrictions through July 10 for road resurfacing.

Sylvan Township - Kilmer Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between Notten and Hoppe roads through July 13 for gravel resurfacing.

Sylvan Township - Ridge Road: The road will see intermittent lane closures between McClure Road and south to the pavement through July 13 for gravel resurfacing.

Ypsilanti Township - Jay Avenue: The road will see daytime lane closures between Grove Road and Jeffery Street through November for DTE Energy gas line replacement.

Ypsilanti Township - Levona Street: The street will see daytime lane closures between Janet Avenue and Service Drive through November for a DTE gas line replacement project.

Ypsilanti Township - Grove Road: The road will see daytime lane closures through November between Arthur and Emerick streets for a DTE gas line replacement project.

Ypsilanti Township - Holmes Road: The road will see lane restrictions between Prospect Road and Ford Boulevard through July 7 for road resurfacing.

An updated list of Ann Arbor city street closures, the weekly Washtenaw County Road Commission schedule and the MDOT road closure map are all available online.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

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FLINT, MI -- One of two engineering firms accused of negligence during the Flint water crisis has agreed to settle pending civil lawsuits filed by Flint residents after striking a similar deal late last year with four individual children who claimed they suffered brain damage because of their exposure to city water.

Lockwood Andrews & Newman (LAN) has agreed to an undisclosed settlement in the U.S. District Court cases, an attorney for the company told MLive-The Flint Journal on Friday, July 7.

LAN and Veolia North America have continued to be the targets of water crisis lawsuits after each engineering company declined to join in a $626-million settlement reached between residents, the state of Michigan and other parties in November 2021.

A bellwether trial that pitted the four Flint children against LAN and Veolia ended in a mistrial nearly one year ago after federal court jurors were deadlocked and LAN later reached a settlement with those plaintiffs in December.

LANs court filing on Thursday is designed to settle all remaining cases against the company regarding Flint water in both state and federal courts.

While terms of this settlement cannot be disclosed at this time, we are pleased with the settlement, which will allow LAN to put this matter behind them and focus on their future, said Wayne Mason, an attorney for the company. We believe this will finally bring closure for the state, plaintiffs and LAN. LAN maintains it was never responsible for any of the issues related to the Flint matter, and further litigation would not be productive for any party.

The settlement was disclosed in a court filing on Thursday, July 6, and the stipulation to stay proceedings was approved on the day it was filed by U.S. District Court Judge Judith E. Levy.

The stipulation gives the parties to the agreement, which includes attorneys representing class action and individual plaintiffs, at least three weeks to finalize the terms of the settlement without burdening this Court with additional filings and without incurring unnecessary litigation expenses in the interim.

LAN also reached a deal in a different lawsuit that Michigans attorney general filed in state court, according to the stipulation, which said Attorney General Dana Nessel will be a signatory to a similar stipulation to stay proceedings in that case in state court.

The Associated Press reported that Corey Stern, an attorney for the four Flint children who sued LAN and Veolia in the first bellwether case, said the goal is to weave the LAN settlement into the $626 million settlement between Flint families and the state, the city of Flint, McLaren-Flint hospital and Rowe Professional Services.

So people can be paid once and this can be administered at the same time, Stern told the AP.

In a message to The Journal, Stern said Friday that hes grateful that another defendant is providing compensation for a community that badly needs and deserves it for what theyve been through.

In December, Sterns clients reached a settlement with LAN, assuring that the company wouldnt be a party to a second trial after spending nearly six months in federal court during the first bellwether case.

In that trial, Stern claimed LAN and Veolia were partially responsible for high levels of lead in Flint water and for injuries the four children suffered because the companies were professionally negligent while advising the city about its water system.

The children alleged the companies failed to strongly recommend the treatment of Flint water to make it less corrosive to lead pipes throughout the distribution system and failed to warn residents about the potential for elevated levels of lead in their water.

In the first trial, the companies questioned the childrens injuries and maintained that government officials were solely responsible for the water crisis.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Engineering company agrees to settle Flint kids water crisis case

Historic $626-million Flint water crisis settlement approved by federal court judge

Deadlocked jury leads to mistrial in Flint water crisis civil case
FLINT, MI -- More than 50 years after he first met the late James A. Sharp Jr., former U.S. Sen. Don Riegle still remembers the strong and lasting first impression the former Flint mayor made on him.

He was gracious to everybody ... His personality and character were exceptional. (Because of) his life experiences, he was a great problem solver, Riegle said of the young soldier he would later hire to run his district office in Flint. He was a real Marine. You find a way to accomplish your goals no matter how difficult they may be.

In recent days, Riegle has been among those recalling the life of Sharp, who served as Flints first popularly elected Black mayor from 1983 until 1987. Sharp died on Sunday, July 2, at age 90 in Avondale, Arizona.

Riegle said on Thursday, July 6, that he spoke with Sharp just days before he died and called his friend one of the great public servants based on his military career and willingness to serve people.

Born during the Great Depression in New York City, Sharp joined the Marine Corps in 1951, serving in Korea and Vietnam before he retired in 1971.

His Marine career taught him stick-to-itness, discipline and how to get the most out of people, he told The Flint Journal in 1987.

Im not a politician, he said in the same story. Im an administrator more than anything. I come from the problem-solving side of politics.

Sharp joined Riegles staff in 1971 and worked for him while he served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate until 1983.

He defeated incumbent James Rutherford to become Flint mayor in 1983 but lost the position to Matt Collier in 1987.

As mayor, Sharp guided Flint at a time when crime was high and the economy, hit by General Motors layoffs, was suffering. During his tenure, attempts that had been long in the making to revitalize the city, including the opening of AutoWorld in 1984, fizzled.

But Sharp also accomplished some of the things he set out to do and that were within the control of his administration, including the development of the Bishop Airport Authority.

He championed efforts to padlock drug houses and was recognized by the Urban League of Flint for affirmative action gains during his one term as mayor.

In a 1986 feature story, the Christian Science Monitor called Sharp a father figure with gentle manner and a steely core.

Mayor Sharp was a relentless advocate for the people of Flint, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., said in a statement released by his office. By always putting the community first, he championed a pivotal chapter in this citys history. I learned many lessons by watching him lead a movement to make Flint a better place to live, work and raise a family.

I consider myself lucky to have known him as an ally and a friend.

Genesee County Commissioner Charles Winfrey, D-Flint, said he valued Sharp as a public servant, a supporter of The New McCree Theatre, and a friend.

Jim was just a hell of a guy, Winfrey said. He related to all the people. He was down to earth with incredible skills.

Funeral arrangements for Sharp are incomplete, but his obituary says a celebration of his life will be held in Flint with details announced at a later time.

Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter.

Read more at The Flint Journal:

Flint bringing in contractors to deal with rats and animals displaced by demolitions

Flint flags will fly at half-staff in honor of former Mayor James A. Sharp Jr.

Torrey Road bridge closes as $1.4M reconstruction gets started in Mundy Township
HOLLAND, MI -- The homeowner where a deadly fireworks explosion happened near Holland said he wasnt aware another person brought a cannon to use.

Rick Monetza spoke to MLive on Thursday, July 6 about the explosion in his front yard that killed a 41-year-old Holland woman and injured nine others.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Grand Rapids city leaders recently returned from Asia, where they visited multiple sister cities.

Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss headed the 15-member delegation late last month to Gangnam District in Seoul, South Korea, and then Omihachiman in Japan. Including travel, the trip started June 20, with the delegation returning June 29.

Our entire Grand Rapids delegation had a wonderful time learning about both of these cities, touring historical sites, visiting with their mayors and city staff and visiting businesses, Bliss said. It was a joy to spend time deepening our ties to their communities and strengthening our relationships. I thank our Grand Rapids Sister Cities committee members who worked hard on organizing and facilitating the trip.

Related: Grand Rapids mayor, city manager in South Korea for first visit of newest sister city

Grand Rapids Sister Cities International (GRSCI) is the nonprofit that administers Grand Rapids sister city program. Travel costs of the delegation were fundraised or otherwise paid for by the individual traveler, city officials said.

Gangnam, a wealthy district of some 550,000 people and one of 25 local government districts which make up Seoul, was made Grand Rapids sixth and newest sister city in July 2021. The district was referenced by South Korean musician Psy in his 2012 viral song and dance Gangnam Style.

Omihachiman is about 20 miles northeast of Kyoto and has a population of more than 80,000 people. In 1986, Omihachiman became Grand Rapids first sister city.

The delegation spent about four days in Gangnam before heading to Omihachiman for two days. It was the first visit by citys leaders to Gangnam.

During the trip, Bliss met with municipal leaders of Gangnam and Omihachiman. The delegation, composed of city leaders, GRSCI officials and community partners, visited local business and institutions and toured historic and cultural sites.

City officials say the delegation encouraged tourism, trade, educational opportunities and more. They also met with potential businesses and investors to support future investments in Grand Rapids.

City Manager Mark Washington, who also went on the trip, said the delegation discussed with their counterparts ways to collaborate on community and economic development issues shared by the cities. Mobility, housing and density concerns were also discussed.

While establishing formal partnerships and dialogue with these communities through the Sister Cities framework is important, there is something truly special about our personal interaction and direct communication with leaders and officials from Omihachiman and Gangnam-gu, Washington said. I valued forming a more robust relationship with our sister cities partners.

Bliss and Washington extended an invitation to leaders in Gangnam and Omihachiman to visit Grand Rapids. Washington said he looks forward to welcoming them and showcasing the community.

Since 1986, Grand Rapids has developed six sister city relationships with the cities of Bielsko-Biaa in Poland, Ga East/West Districts in Ghana, Omihachiman in Japan, Perugia in Italy, Zapopan in Mexico and Gangnam District in Seoul, South Korea.

In June, Bliss announced a friendship city status with Dnipro, Ukraine.

Officials with GRSCI previously said a friendship city status is a precursor to sister city status and allows the two cities to form a relationship and develop programs.

Read more on MLive:

5 fun things to do in Grand Rapids this weekend (July 7-9)

15 Michigan beaches closed, under health advisories as heat wave recedes

Mid-range forecast: Cooler, wetter conditions ahead for Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The Boston Square Neighborhood Association wants residents to become business owners and entrepreneurs without having to leave their community.

Victor Williams, president of the Boston Square Neighborhood Association, is rolling out the plan for a new community program at the Boston Square Summer Celebration on Saturday, July 8.

He said the association is bringing the neighborhood together for their biggest event of the year - the annual birthday party for the association - to talk about economic equity.

Williams said the new program, the Boston Square Savings Collaborative, invites residents to invest in a neighborhood savings plan to develop two projects in the neighborhood. He said the community will be investing in a grocery store and a financial institution for community banking like a credit union.

The neighborhood association has a unique vision of making both of those entities community-owned, so we are inviting residents to join us on a mission to make both of those entities community-owned and to take ownership stake in both of those ventures that we are working towards bringing here to Boston Square, Williams said.

The neighborhood association hasnt yet put out any detailed information spelling out exactly how the new program would work on its website or social media page for residents to review ahead of the event.

Williams said he is excited to talk to community members Saturday about the proposed initiative. He said he does not want to set up a savings program without knowing the interest level of residents to invest and any concerns they may have.

He said the summer celebration is the perfect time to hear from residents but the association will also be holding a future community meeting about the program. The fair Saturday is scheduled from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Boston Square Parklet, located at 1505 Kalamazoo Ave. SE.

Williams said he got the idea and model for the fundraising plan from The Savings Collaborative in Denver, Colorado, which he says is an off shoot of an organization called LaMedici. He said the association has a goal of raising $2.5 million in one year, solely from the donations of community members.

I have a lot of faith in my residents, and were gonna put the goal out there and hopefully its a year that we can achieve the goal, but were not gonna be heartbroken if its not a year, Williams said. If it takes us two years, thats just what it takes. This is long-term work that were in.

Williams said their proposed program is all about economic equity, giving community members the opportunity to grow wealth. He said they have not seen a lot of economic development in the citys Third Ward in a long time.

This is the first of its kind in the in the sense that residents are able to profit from building up this development, Williams said. Its not just having shiny brand new buildings, but actually benefiting residents by putting them in position to become entrepreneurs, business owners, and not only owning brick and mortar space in the development, but being financial investors and other aspects, reaping dividends from the development.

Williams said that this program is one way to stop the gentrification of Black neighborhoods. He said that the goal is healthy development, being inclusive of neighbors visions and needs and making sure they are included in the decision making.

The people are in power of our organization, so when we speak about equity, economic equity and having ownership these are desires of the people, Williams said. People do have desires to be entrepreneurs, they may need help in navigating the rough water that it takes to become entrepreneurs, but they do have those desires.

Williams said the association is pursuing this venture independently.

The Boston Square Community Hub, which began construction in April 2023, is just one element of a larger redevelopment plan for the Boston Square Business District created by Amplify GR in partnership with neighbors and community groups. The redevelopment plan encompasses a nine-acre stretch of property bordered to the east and west by Fuller and Kalamazoo avenues, and to the north and south by Adams and Ramona streets.

Amplify, along with its development partner Rockford Construction, wants to build 215 apartments, 22 townhomes, as well as retail space, a park and greenspace. The apartments are expected to include a range of market rate and income-restricted units., having community members being able to see the benefits, monetarily and neighborhood development wise.

Related: Community hub to be cultural anchor of large-scale Grand Rapids development

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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Housing proposal headed back to Grand Rapids board following design, neighborhood concerns

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  The West Michigan school community is mourning the death of a longtime local substitute teacher who was killed by an explosive during a deadly home fireworks display this week.

Jana Daniels, 41, of Holland, was identified by police as the woman who was killed in the tragic explosion that injured nine others on Monday, July 3.

RELATED: Fireworks explosion kills 1, injures 9 others in West Michigan

Daniels taught as a long-term substitute teacher in the Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids school districts.

East Grand Rapids Superintendent Heidi Kattula said the district was saddened to learn of Daniels death. Daniels served the district as a long-term substitute during the 2022-23 school year, Kattula said.

Our deepest sympathies are with her family and friends during this time, Kattula wrote in a statement to MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Our school community will remember her as one who had a heart for all students.

Daniels also served as a physical education teacher for Grand Rapids Public Schools, teaching at Burton Middle and Elementary School, Stocking Elementary and Palmer Elementary during the most recent school year.

We are aware of the tragic reports that one of our substitute teachers died from injuries sustained in a fireworks-related accident, GRPS said in a prepared statement. We are devastated to learn of this loss during the holiday celebrations. Our hearts are with all of those who have been impacted by this incident.

The deadly fireworks display happened just after 11 p.m. Monday, July 3, in the 1700 block of Main Street, just west of North 160th Avenue, in Ottawa Countys Park Township.

Sheriffs deputies found the deceased victim and nine others with injuries ranging from minor to critical.

Daniels was pronounced dead at the scene, the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office said. Police said a piece of shrapnel struck her in the chest. She was believed to be among 40-50 people observing the fireworks.

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, sheriffs deputies said.

The device that exploded was not a commercial firework. Rick Monetza, the homeowner that hosted the fireworks display, said another person who lives nearby brought what he described as a cannon to the show, and that he wasnt even aware it was there.

Related: Another person brought cannon to deadly home fireworks show, homeowner says

It was a cannon and it blew up in a lot of pieces, Monetza told MLive on Thursday, July 6.

The other fireworks being shot off during the display were from a retail fireworks store, he said.

Monetza told MLive the display was a tragedy and said he was sorry it happened. His 29-year-old son was one of the injured and was still at a Grand Rapids hospital Thursday, three days after the Monday, July 3, explosion.

Monetza said the event and aftermath left him shook up and emotional.

Im still not over it, he said.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.

More on MLive:

Another person brought cannon to deadly home fireworks show, homeowner says

City investigating after fireworks shoot into crowd during July Jubilee celebration

Bags of money spill near Michigan highway after armored truck clips vehicle, flips over
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI  Dredging of the Grand Haven harbor has been suspended after the closure of a nearby beach was possibly caused by E. Coli from the dredging.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which contracted for the dredging, announced on Friday, July 7, it is pausing dredging out of an abundance of caution, according to a news release.

Testing by the Ottawa County Health Department found high levels of E. coli in the water at North Beach Park in Ferrysburg on Wednesday, July 5, prompting a no-contact advisory to be issued for the Lake Michigan beach.

The no-contact advisory remained in place as of 5 p.m. Friday. Test results listed on the states BeachGuard website indicate very high levels of E.coli.

The health department said the high bacteria levels could be due to nearby dredging.

Related: No-contact warning issued for Ottawa County beach on Lake Michigan

E. coli is present in fecal material and no contact advisories issued by the Ottawa County Health Department are in response to sewage overflows such as those that are caused when heavy rains overwhelm a wastewater treatment system and cause it to discharge into rivers, according to the health departments website.

Dredged material has been placed north of the harbor, including along the shoreline at the countys North Beach Park, according to the Army Corps news release. Heavy rains could have elevated bacteria levels in the Grand River, leading to the contamination, the release states.

Dredging operations in the channel take on a significant amount of river water, which could  explain the elevated levels in the dredged material placement area, the release states.

The dredging will be halted until testing shows the E. coli has naturally dissipated, the release states.

Three tests conducted on July 5 at North Beach Park found a mean E. coli level of 1,795 E. Coli per 100 milliliters of water, the BeachGuard website shows. The safe level is below 300 E. coli per 100 milliliters, according to the website.

The Army Corps plans to conduct its own testing of the area, including the river, beach and dredging placement area.

We have been coordinating closely with Ottawa County, Army Corps Grand Haven Resident Engineer Liz Newell Wilkinson said in a prepared statement. While it is important that we complete dredging in the federal channel to allow continued commercial shipping unimpeded, we also take the countys concerns seriously and will work closely with them as we make decisions moving forward on our dredging operations.

The Army Corps has contracted with King Co. of Holland to remove 141,000 cubic yards from the Grand Haven harbor, according to the news release. So far, 106,000 cubic yards have been removed, and work was to be completed in late July, according to the news release.

Want more Muskegon area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter.

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Update, Monday, July 10: This story has been updated to reflect this is Rep. Will Snyders second meeting with constituents.

MUSKEGON, MI  Muskegons new state representative is holding an informal meeting with constituents on Monday.

Rep. Will Snyder, D-Muskegon, is holding his second coffee hour conversation from 9:30-10:30 a.m. July 10.

Hell meet with local residents at the US Cafe, 2300 Maffett St. in Muskegon Heights.

I am looking forward to hearing the issues that are most important to everyone and updating everyone on the latest from Lansing, Snyder said in a statement about the get-together.

Snyder won election in November 2022 to the state House 87th District. The new district includes urban Muskegon and Muskegon Heights and more rural areas north of North Muskegon along the shore and east along M-120 to Twin Lake.

Related: Snyder wins state House seat representing most of Muskegon County

Snyder previously served as a legislative aide to former Democratic state Rep. Terry Sabo.

Want more Muskegon area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter.

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ELK RAPIDS, MI  A group of scientists met up north to scuba dive in Lake Michigans Grand Traverse Bay, training how to stay safe while doing environmental research beneath the waves of the Great Lakes.

Researchers from state, tribal, and nonprofit The Nature Conservancy in recent weeks completed their underwater training and certification. The instruction was in preparation for work this summer to analyze Great Lakes reefs important for the spawning of fish such as lake trout, whitefish, herring and more.

Were training all these divers so that they can do research underwater together, said Isaac Scott, the diving trainer.

Weve focused on dive safety skills, rescue diving skills, a big component of CPR and first aid for professional divers. And now were working on underwater science skills here too. So, theyll be looking at aquatic invasive species, egg nets, and things like that.

Officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have been monitoring the underwater reef near Elk Rapids, part of which was the focus of a restoration effort in 2015. The project was designed to rebuild the limestone rock cover along damaged spawning grounds that support lake trout, cisco, and whitefish.

Weve been trying to evaluate the quality of those reefs, whether they need restoration or how many of them are covered with zebra mussels and quagga mussels that might impact fish egg survival. Theres a couple of places where weve actually done some physical restoration work, said David Clapp, DNR Charlevoix Fisheries Research Station manager.

Saginaw Bay is one and then near Elk Rapids is another one to evaluate whether fish are using those rehabilitated reefs. So thats a lot of what weve been doing the last couple of years.

Pat ONeill is a DNR vessel captain who leads the research dive team. He said scientists documented evidence of successful spawning on the reef near Elk Rapids in recent years, and now they want to broaden the Great Lakes reef monitoring effort.

Weve got a good handle on the reefs in this region between here and Charlevoix, he said at the Elk Rapids marina.

Now this year were going to be expanding to some of the reefs up in the Upper Peninsula on the Lake Michigan side, and then also some down by the Saugatuck and South Haven area.

The Nature Conservancy partners with state and federal agencies to monitor underwater habitats and fishery health across the Great Lakes.

Good data helps officials make decisions about restoration efforts and more, said Lindsay Chadderton, aquatic invasive species director for the nonprofits Great Lakes Project.

What the divers allow us to do is actually get in and look at whats going on inside the inside the reef. So, you can move the cobbles, you can look for the crayfish, you can see the muscles that are in the reef. Its sort of a unique aspect the divers actually allow us, Chadderton said.

Its no different to being on land when you go. And as a botanist, you want to get into the forest to see the trees; we want to get on the reefs and see whats going on.

The scientists who finished their training and received certification will be doing the Great Lakes reef inventory work throughout this summer, officials said.

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Just last week, Elvin Rodriguez finally received the good news he was looking for, securing a clean bill of health.

On Friday, the good news got even better.

The former Detroit Tigers pitcher earned his second big league stint, landing a spot on the American Leagues best first half team  the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rodriguez will fill in as the fifth man in the Rays starting rotation after being called up from the clubs Triple-A affiliate Durham Bulls on Friday. The right-hander was selected after a sequence of moves that included righty Ryan Thompson optioned down to Triple-A, while left-hander Jose Lopez was designated for assignment.

Rodriguez, 25, was just reinstated from Durhams seven-day injured list this past Sunday after missing over five weeks due to right elbow tightness. The right-hander has enjoyed a solid minor league season, holding a 3.42 earned-run average, a 1.14 WHIP and amassing 53 strikeouts through 47 and a third innings across 11 starts.

From San Cristobal Province in the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez landed in the Motor City as part of a trade that sent Justin Upton to the Los Angeles Angels in 2017. Rodriguez signed with the Los Angeles Angels as an international free agent in 2014 and pitched in their minor league system for three years.

Hed go on to pitch for the West Michigan Whitecaps and Lakeland Flying Tigers before making Detroits Opening Day roster in 2022. The 6-foot-3, 160-pound pitcher made his MLB debut on April 10 of last year against the Chicago White Sox, pitching in relief and allowing four earned-runs and two walks with two strikeouts in two and two thirds innings.

Save that baseball!



Elvin Rodriguez has his first Major League strikeout. pic.twitter.com/Ye2meji4dB  Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 10, 2022

Rodriguez drudged through his 0-4 rookie campaign, making seven appearances with the Tigers with five starts, allowing 15 walks and posting a 10.62 earned-run average with 25 strikeouts in 29 and two thirds innings pitched.

That led to Rodriguez removal from Detroits 40-man roster in November, sending him back to Triple-A and the Toledo Mud Hens, as hed choose to become a free agent shortly thereafter.

However, hes pitched soundly in the minor leagues overall, posting a 41-40 record, a 3.86 earned-run average and a 1.22 WHIP over 138 games, collecting 602 strikeouts in 649 innings. This season with Durham, Rodriguez was named International Leagues Pitcher of the Week for the period of April 17-24 after a stellar outing against Syracuse  hed fire seven shutout innings, yield just two hits and two walks while striking out a season-high eight batters.

Rodriguez will join a Tampa Bay pitching rotation that is ranked No. 4 in the MLB, posting a 3.72 earned-run average led by ace pitcher Shane McClanahan who leads the league in wins.
Stream the Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 premiere for free with a Crunchyroll 14-day trial.

Jujutsu Kaisen follows Yuji Itadori, a boy who  in order to save his classmate  allowed himself to be infiltrated by curse, causing him to inhabit his body alongside the originator of the curse, Ryomen Sukuna. Tokyo Jujutsu High School is his best chance at both combating future curses and exorcising the existing infestation, so Itadori enrolls, studying under renowned sorcerer Satoru Gojo.

Where to watch:

Watch the Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 premiere today on Crunchyroll (14-day free trial). With plans starting at $7.99/month, register and stream The worlds largest anime collection, says Crunchyroll.

Click here to watch Jujutsu Kaisen season 2.
If youre headed to Lake Michigan beaches to take a dip this weekend, know that water temperatures in some areas are in the midst of a respectable warmup.

The National Weather Service office in Grand Rapids has shared a beach water temperature report, with many beaches along Lake Michigan landing between 60 and 70 degrees in todays roundup.

The hot spot seems to be Warren Dunes State Park to the south, which is reporting water at 70 degrees off the beach.

In contrast, Holland State Park says its beach water temp was 58 degrees this morning. And the wind was causing some concerns: Winds must have blown in some cooler water, so be aware of that, state park rangers said in a Facebook post. Were also starting with an offshore wind so please dont leave children on floats unattended. In fact it would be a good idea to avoid using floats until the wind diminishes or changes direction. Stay safe out there.

Other beach water temperatures shared by the NWS:

Beach temperature report

The cause of these warmer temperatures has been plentiful sunshine that will stay with us until this evening.

Cloud cover at 12pm

The absorption of our suns rays has caused the Great Lakes to warm up, making conditions out on the water pleasant.

The end result will be temperatures out on the water reaching the 70-degree mark in some places by this evening.

Temperature forecast for today

The biggest winners will be near the Michigan/Indiana border, where water temperatures could reach the mid 70s.

You can view the latest swimming conditions, as well as our risk for rip currents, in this link here.
There is an upper-level storm system forming over Hudson Bay and a large area of central and southern Canada. This storm system will be a slow mover and bring meaningful rain to the areas with active wildfires in Canada.

In the image below, Ive plotted where the active fires are located today, July 7, 2023. The fires are noted by yellow triangles. The various colors show how much rain is expected over the next week.

The rainfall forecast between Friday, July 7 and Friday, July 14 with active fires plotted on top as yellow triangles. (Mark Torregrossa | MLive)

The purple to red shades are forecasts of 1.5 inches to 3 inches of rainfall. That is a meaningful amount of rain. Also, notice the most concentrated areas of wildfires are located in the areas expecting the heaviest rain.

Two to 3 inches of rain on a wildfire would certainly help. With the record number of acres on fire right now, I dont think this rain will put out all of the fires. The rain will put a big dent in the size and intensity of the fires.

As of this week, there were 639 fires burning in Canada and more than 350 of them were described as out of control, according to the Associated Press.

So far this year in Canada, fires have burned 27.7 million acres - an area about the size of the state of Virginia.

All of this coming rain will lead to less smoke in the air and a lower concentration of the smoke particles as they travel over Michigans sky and the Northeast.

Here is a forecast of the upper-level storm systems forming.

Upper-level storm at top of screen forms today and lasts into mid-week next week.

This is actually quite a rare, deep storm for this time of year. We are lucky its forming and bringing rain to the Canadian fires. In most years we wouldnt see a deep storm like this until September.

Maybe our smokiest days are over.
Alhaji Abubakari Musah

07.07.2023 LISTEN

Chairman of the Moslems Executive Foundation ( MEF) in Kumasi, Alhaji Abubakari Musah has expressed worry about the manner and way most Ghanaians maltreat animals, especially pets.

To reverse the trend, he indicated that the government must pass a law to protect animals in the country.

Speaking to the correspondent in an interview, Alhaji Abubakari Musa who doubles as the Managing Director of Basfam Co. Ltd in Kumasi observed that Allah created animals for a purpose.

He noted that animals exist to protect mankind and serve as a companion and not for consumption.

The scholar registered his disappointment that due to lack of understanding about the existence of animals apart from killing them for meals, people maltreat them.

He cited how importers of cattle, sheep and goats put the animals through all forms of cruel means to the southern part of the country for sale.

He noted that a country whose citizens abuse the rights of animals and eat their meat never progresses indicating that Prophet Mohammed and even scriptures in the Bible and Quran advise people to love animals and feed them properly.

Alhaji Abubakari Musa who is also a key rice distributor pointed out that animals are important to society.

He indicated that government imported snakes from Kenya to Wa in the Northern region in 1987 to help scare away squirrels that were destroying seeds from germination.

The essence, according to him, was to help farmers to grow their crops and increase yields.

"The way we treat our animals is bad. If we were in the advanced countries many of us would have been jailed," Alhaji Abubakari Musa stated.
Ghana's poor ratings by international agencies should not be blamed on bias or recklessness, but rather on data inconsistencies and other risks that the country presents, according to a political risk analyst.

Dr. Theo Acheampong, Political Risk Analyst, made the assertion when he appeared on Accra-based JoyNews PM Express on Wednesday, July 5.

"The supposed reckless behavior of the rating agencies doesn't exist. If there is anything at all, it is on the part of our governments, he contended.

He argued that African countries pay more to access capital markets due to inconsistent data and other political risks that rating agencies take into account.

However, he believes Ghana can improve its ratings by addressing these issues.

There are issues that are driving bond pricing... There are country political risk factors that are at play that should be factored into the equation," the risk analyst said.

The comments come after President Akufo-Addo criticized rating agencies for "reckless downgrades" that contributed to Ghana's economic challenges.

But the analyst says the solution lies with Ghana improving its data and risk profile, not blaming agencies.

"It is true that African countries are paying more to access the capital market than other comparator countries. This is because sometimes the data we provide are not consistent, JoyNews quoted him.

Political risk and revenue mobilization will be key to reverse the trend, according to the analyst.

If Ghana addresses these challenges, he stressed can aspire to better ratings that boost investor confidence and access cheaper capital.

"But the onus lies on Ghana to improve its fundamentals, not blame external ratings," he concluded.
Mr Joshua Upoalkpajor, a lecturer at the Department of Counselling Psychology of the University of Education Winneba, has admonished the members of Tertiary Students Confederacy of NPP (TESCON) especially the delegates to vote massively for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in the impending NPP flagbearer election.

According to Mr Upoalkpajor, politics is not about "it is my turn."

He noted that politics is about people with the political clout to win elections.

Mr. Joshua Upoalkpajor said this during his interactions with TESCON members at a meeting held at the Winneba campus over the weekend Saturday, July 1, 2023.

The lecturer, who also currently serves as the Deputy Northern Regional Organizer of NPP told the students to massively rally behind Vice President Bawumia since he is capable and the favourite to win the 2024 general elections.

'Forget about those who think politics is a queue that one is served after the other," he stated.

He further urged them to choose a leader who has the bravado to attract electorates to win power for the NPP in the 2024 general elections and beyond.

"The Vice President has seen it all in the Party by going through thick and thin without wavering and it was only proper that he be given more opportunity to serve more because of his unconditional loyalty to the party. Lets be careful not to give power to those who abandoned us and later came back," he added.

Mr. Joshua Upoalkpajor used the occasion to educate TESCON on the importance of networking and urged the students not to base their support for the New Patriotic Party only on monetary and material gains but to build a network amongst themselves for the growth and development of their future.

He enjoined TESCON members to join forces with the senior patriots on campus to fight collectively for victory in the upcoming general elections in 2024.

On their part, members of the UEW TESCON appealed to the party hierarchy to keep on supporting and resourcing TESCON to effectively discharge their duties.

The meeting also attracted other lecturers including Dr. Simon Kyei from the department of Social Studies and Dr. Phillip Siaw Kissi of UEW Business School.
06.07.2023 LISTEN

The Parliamentary Candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress in the Upper West Akim constituency, Mr. Emmanuel Drah, yesterday honored an invitation by the chief Nana Osaberima Asare Oduro and the people of Adeiso to grace a Durbar organized to mark the celebration of their Ohum Festival.

While noting that the event is symbolic, he highlighted that Ohum's cultural history is exceptional, historic, and respectable.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Emmanuel Drah urged the residents to continue to rally their unwavering support behind him and the presidential candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress, John Mahama.

He stated that culture and tradition would play an important role in his efforts to unite the Upper West Akim Constituency if given the nod to represent them in Parliament come 2025.

The outspoken Emmanuel Drah stated that with the positive reception of the people of Adeiso, he had confidence that the people would join other communities in the constituency to deliver 95 percent of the votes to the NDC in the 2024 polls.

Speaking at the event, he appealed to the people to vote out the ruling New Patriotic Party for inflicting pain and suffering on the masses.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Emmanuel Drah preached about the good things the government of John Dramani Mahama and the NDC would bring to the people of Upper West Akim Constituency and Ghanaians.

"If dignity was of any concern to the ruling NPP or if it had any sense of character or shame whatsoever, it would have called or written to the electoral commission to turn political attention toward 2024 and requested to be taken out of participation.

"Because it makes no sense for the NPP to consider itself worthy of leadership after taking the good people of our country through this unbelievable and unbearable hardship."

"You must first hate yourself if you have a dream of voting for NPP come 2024," he stated.

Mr. Drah although was in Adeiso Presby senior high school last two weeks to donate cash and minerals to support their SRC celebration, his financial contributions to the commemoration of the Ohum Festival were commended by the residents.
06.07.2023 LISTEN

The Minority in Parliament on Thursday 6, boycotted parliamentary proceedings in solidarity with Minority Leader, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson and MP for Assin North, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson.

The duo were due to appear in court Thursday 6, in their respective ongoing prosecutions by the Attorney-General.

The Minority in Parliament on Tuesday served notice it will henceforth boycott all parliamentary proceedings each time Hon. James Gyakye Quayson is to appear in court.

The minority considers the continuous trial of Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson and some members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) as not prosecution but rather persecution.

Hon. Gyakye Qyason is facing trial at the High Court in Accra for charges of forgery and perjury.

Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, on the other hand is facing a criminal charge of an alleged financial loss to the state in the purchase of 200 ambulances during the Mahama administration.

In a statement signed by Minority Chief Whip Kwame Governs Agbodza (MP), stated that The Minority stands united with our colleagues, and as such will not be able to honour the business of the house today."

It continued that "This is the beginning of a series of actions that the Caucus will be embarking on to end the ongoing persecution of the Minority Leader himself, the Hon. James Gyakye Quayson and the Hon. Collins Dauda.
Sam George, the lead proponent of the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021, has cautioned Amnesty International-Ghana about its opposition of the Bill.

According to Mr. George, Amnesty International-Ghanas position on the bill will not deter parliament from passing the bill which he believes was for the greater good of the people of Ghana.

The Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament said all the work that needs to be done on the bill has been completed in its 18-page document.

They keep talking about human rights. They should come and show us which part of the bill has issues because we have read the Constitution. So which right are they talking about? America or Ghana right they should show us which UN document supports homosexuality.

Homosexuality is madness and if they [Amnesty] wants to celebrate that madness, they should do so where they want but not in Ghana, he fumed on Accra-based Okay FM.

On Wednesday, Parliament unanimously consented to the passage of the controversial Promotion of Proper Sexual Human Rights and the Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021.

But Country Director for Amnesty International-Ghana, Genevieve Partington has said she believes some works still need to be done as the bill in its current form is discriminatory and will promote hate when passed.

The law seeks to criminalize the practice of LGBTQ and advocacy.
South Africa's crippling blackouts have shrunk from up to 12 hours a day to just over two hours daily in recent weeks, after inflicting a massive hit on the economy.

The improvement has surprised many citizens who had become hardened to the rolling outages, imposed by state utility Eskom to safeguard the grid whenever demand outstrips supply.

AFP looks at the causes for the upturn and prospects for the future.

Mild winter

Despite forecasts last month of "an incredibly difficult" southern hemisphere winter by Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, power supplies have dramatically improved.

Energy experts say demand for electricity in the continent's most industrialised economy has been lower than expected due to above average temperatures. By Phill Magakoe (AFP)

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday proudly declared that "interventions" at Eskom "are beginning to show definite signs of turnaround."

But energy experts say demand for electricity in the continent's most industrialised economy has been lower than expected due to above average temperatures this winter -- thanks to the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Increased prices have also forced businesses to consume less, said specialist Tshepo Kgadima.

"Even at the height of the winter, demand at peak consumption times is around 30,000 megawatts instead of the 37,000 forecast by the government," he told AFP.

Unable to produce enough power, Eskom has imposed power cuts for several years, and these worsened to record levels in recent months.

'Balance the situation'

Since last month, Eskom has managed to ramp up generation to achieve an average output of 60 percent at its 14 mainly coal-fired power stations.

"Production is starting to keep pace with demand," Ramokgopa told a weekend press conference.

"That's why we're starting to see that during certain periods of the day... we don't have load shedding. We're starting to balance the situation."

Independent producers are feeding solar and wind energy into the grid. By Shiraaz MOHAMED (AFP)

However, some of the additional electricy comes from independent producers.

They feed solar- and wind-generated energy into the grid, which Eskom buys at five times more than the cost of production in its own power stations, Kgadima said.

To help make up the shortfall in supply, Eskom has also turned to emergency turbines that burn through 14 litres of fuel per second -- 50,400 litres per hour.

Almost $1.6 billion has been budgeted for diesel purchases this year alone.

Maintenance on hold

South Africa's recent power boost has also come from the postponement of planned maintenance.

Eskom typically slows down routine upkeep of its 14 power stations during the winter months to cope with a surge in demand.

South Africa's electricity industry has also benefited from the postponement of planned maintenance. By Paul Botes (AFP)

This year, Eskom pressed as many generating units as possible into service, reducing maintenance to seven percent of the total capacity of the fleet, compared to an average of 13 percent in summer.

But, warned energy analyst Lungile Mashele, "there is a very significant risk" if Eskom fails to keep pace with its ageing plants' maintenance needs.

On Tuesday Eskom, while sticking to the two-and-half hour outages, resumed daytime power cuts due to an "increase in production unit failures."

Political spin?

Last month, Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said power rationing would end by the time the country goes to nationwide elections next year.

Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said power rationing will end by the time the country goes to national elections next year. By Rodger Bosch (AFP)

In office for nearly three decades, the ANC-led government is facing growing discontent fuelled in part by the electricity crisis and a struggling economy.

In May the central bank forecast GDP will grow by just 0.3 percent this year, and the power cuts alone would cost the economy at least two percentage points of growth.

But the ANC is adamant that come elections in 2024, "there won't be loadshedding (planned power cuts). We would've resolved that", Mantashe told reporters.

Graft and debt

Corruption that hollowed out Eskom's coffers under Jacob Zuma's presidency, lack of plant maintenance and sabotage are blamed for South Africa's electricity crisis.

Eskom's former chief Andre de Ruyter in February compared graft at the utility to a cancer that had "grown throughout the entire body of the organisation."

Appointed at the end of 2019, De Ruyter was credited for helping to reduce Eskom's colossal debt, still equivalent to $23 billion, which the government is seeking to pay down.
Some Senior High School and Tertiary students have benefitted immensely from a maiden one-day Entrepreneurship Symposium and Showcase, which was organized by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) at the Accra Digital Centre on Wednesday 5th July 2023.

The symposium, which was on the theme of Creating Sustainable Development Through Collaborative Innovation And Commercialization was meant to enlighten and encourage youngsters to be innovative, creative, and boldly step into entrepreneurship.

This is one of the many ways NEIP is initiating development to enable youngsters and students to be well-informed and educated to basically grasp the concept of entrepreneurship and economic empowerment for sustainable development.

NEIP primarily focuses on providing business development services; startup incubators and funding for young businesses to enable them grow and become successful.

Its primary objective is to provide integrated national support for start-ups and small businesses. NEIP is therefore set within the context of Ghanas long-term strategic vision of consolidating its middle-income status, building an industry-driven economy capable of providing decent jobs that are suitable and sustainable for development.

The students, who were mostly the target, were drawn from schools like Labone SHS, Presbyterian Boys Senior High School, UPSA, Ashesi University among other institutions.

The platform offered an opportunity to sharpen their skills, broaden their horizons and gain valuable insights into various facets of innovation and entrepreneurship.

There were also on the sidelines some product exhibitions by previous beneficiaries of NEIP Project Funding and Entrepreneurship Competitions.

The beneficiaries had the chance to take part in the interactive sessions by engaging panelists and industry leaders and experts within the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

The panel included representatives from the Ghana Standards Authority, GIZ, Mastercard, MASHAV, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation; The Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Association of Ghana Startups, Ghana Hubs Network, Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs Governing Council, Food and Drugs Authority, Ghana Copyright Office among others.

The expert panel addressed and unlocked complicated issues like Idea Generation, Market Research, Value Proposition, Collaboration and Networking, Risk-Taking, Adaptability and Agility, Funding and Resources, Scalability and Growth as well as Customer-Centric Approach.

At the end of the event, participants were refined and equipped with creating and managing a business that brings innovative ideas, products, or services to the market.

Also amongst others, how to source funding, protect intellectual property and deal with patenting, combine creativity and vision, daring risk-taking to develop new solutions, support existing industries, and create value for customers.

They were challenged to identify a problem that needs solving by thinking outside the box and coming up with creative and novel solutions that can potentially revolutionize an industry as well as meet unmet needs.

The Chief Executive Officer of NEIP, Mr. Kofi Ofosu Nkansah in his address stated that Ghana can be the next innovation hub in Africa if the right investments are done.

If Asia which was almost similar to Africa in terms of development, strength, and innovation 40-50 years ago is now ahead of Europe and North America, then Ghana can do it if the right investment is done Ghana.

".NEIP is working on getting a legal framework to back its operations to become a legal body that will drive innovations like that of the Israel Innovative Authority and the South Africa Innovation Technology Agency which will be a law to provide incentives for the innovation ecosystem and also support them with resources to make the innovation work better in Ghana, he said.

He also announced that NEIP will host and organize a contest dubbed the National Innovation Challenge, which will include all Senior High Schools in the country.

This, we believe, would help us bring out the best innovative ideas. When we get the best ideas, then NEIP will support them with funding which are mostly grants to help and commercialize their ideas. On copyright protection, we would like to assure that NEIP is also working closely with the Registrar General, Attorney General Office, and Copyright Office to ensure that the copyright of ideas and innovators are protected at both national and international levels.

Nana Adofo Ofori, Senior Procurement Officer at Ghana Export Promotion Authority speaking during a panel discussion on the topic Building a culture of innovation: Inspiring the next generation of Entrepreneurs in Ghana" urged youngsters to be very creative and take advantage of NEIP projects as part of efforts to develop themselves.

He lauded the government of Ghana for coming up with an institution like NEIP to encourage the youth to be creative and innovative.

When the opportunity is given to idea-bearers it will enable others to think about something. I think this will challenge every student in coming up with ideas that will help this country move forward.

Going globally, he stressed that Ghana has to be driven by innovation and entrepreneurship and he believes the style of NEIP programs will challenge everybody to come up with something.
07.07.2023 LISTEN

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) legal affairs directorate has issued a statement in response to a press release by Attorney General Godfred Dame.

According to a statement signed by the NDC legal affairs directorate, AG may want to use whatever legal gymnastics to try to make it look as if the prosecutions are so legally, factually, and sufficiently evidence-based but to the ordinary observer who has followed all that has gone on, knows, this is no prosecution at all but persecution.

The statement by NDC legal affairs directorate indicated that AG Godfred Yeboah Dame can try to "spin" the law, even on appeal to get favorable decisions but every reasonable observer can read between the line.

We are happy the AG understands, appreciates, and sees the need for freedom of speech and we hope that his expressions on freedom of speech in his Press Release is something he truly believes in and not just mere expressions on paper.

Freedom of speech is a guaranteed right in our constitution and we know that a Lawyer in good standing so far, he would ensure that that right of every person in Ghana is respected.

It has been said that he's engaging in selective justice and whilst on one hand he claims in his Press Release that discrimination of all kinds are abhorred by our constitution, little has been done so far by him to demonstrate that indeed he's not engaged in selective justice, the statement by the NDC legal affairs stated.

Below is the full statement by NDC Legal Affairs Directorate

LEGAL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE

RESPONSE TO THE PRESS RELEASE OF THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL GODFRED YEBOAH DAME.

The Legal Directorate of the NDC have seen and read a Press Statement from the Hon. Attorney General (AG) expressing his sentiments about reactions to all the high-profile political prosecutions he's undertaking.

The cases in point which he refers to are the following:

1. Rep .V James Gyakye Quayson

2. Rev. V Dr. Stephen Opuni and others

3. Rep. V. Carssiel Ato Forson.

Before we go into the substance of his Press Release we want to draw our attention to something in the study of law called the "reasonable man standard."This is a standard of measure of the conduct of people using the common sense principle.

The question is would the ordinary mind see what is happening to be reasonable? Is it justified? One fact is that people always want to see the common sense in what you are doing and it's on this basis that people can determine what you are about and your intentions.

So far every reasonable person out there sees the above three cases as persecution instead of prosecution intended to score political points.

The AG may want to use whatever legal gymnastics to try to make it look as if these prosecutions are so legally, factually and sufficiently evidence based but to the ordinary observer who has followed all that has gone on, knows, this is no prosecution at all but persecution.

So the AG Godfred Yeboah Dame can try to "spin" the law, even on Appeal to get favorable decisions but every reasonable observer can read between the lines.

We are happy the AG understands, appreciates, and sees the need for freedom of speech and we hope that his expressions on freedom of speech in his Press Release is something he truly believes in and not just mere expressions on paper.

Freedom of speech is a guaranteed right in our constitution and we know that a Lawyer in good standing so far, he would ensure that that right of every person in Ghana is respected.

It has been said that he's engaging in selective justice and whilst on one hand he claims in his Press Release that discrimination of all kinds are abhorred by our constitution, little has been done so far by him to demonstrate that indeed he's not engaged in selective justice.

One would have thought that a case like Menzgold would have been long concluded so that all the many Ghanaians who look up to him as the AG of Ghana and who are the suffering customers of Menzgold, would have taken steps to ensure a speedy trial of any crime allegedly committed by Nana Appiah Mensah so that his suffering customers would receive justice because they must also be treated equally without discrimination in the delay of their case.

We were all in this country when the Bank of Ghana (BOG) claimed that it had conducted investigations into a company called Menzgold owned by one Nana Appiah Mensah aka NAM1.

Fast forward, this company was shut down by the Security and Exchange Commission of Ghana in September 2018 leading to excruciating losses to numerous Ghanaians running into the thousands who have invested there.

The alleged grounds for shutting down his business is that he was operating without the requisite licenses in addition to the fact that he was engaging in a Ponzi scheme.

Ponzi schemes are fraudulent schemes all around the world and when they are uncovered swift action is taken to protect investors, the operators are quickly prosecuted, assets are sold and recovered investments are returned to it's unsuspecting customers who have been lured to invest there.

Unfortunately in Ghana and under the watch of the present Attorney General a pretentious prosecution is ongoing to fool the masses to think something is being done when in actual fact the accused person is enjoying himself at the expense of it's customers many of whom have died at the hands of this very same AG and NPP government but the AG has seen nothing wrong with such a delayed prosecution.

No one speaks for the customers in Ghana and no one in government is taking the serious steps that other civilized nations take to ensure customers of such scams are reimbursed or restored.

Such injustice has been ongoing since September 2018 spanning a very long period of five (5) years with the customers crying and wailing unto the death ears of the AG.

So far even the advice that is supposed to be given by the AG to pave the way for the criminal prosecution of NAM1 has not been sent for prosecution to start since the past 5 years.

Honestly, the time spent to prepare and issue the Press Release could have been better used to prepare the advice to the police so they can quickly start the trial in the NAM1 case.

Same can be said in the Ahmed Suale case, J. B. Danquah case, etc which have all crawled as if they attract no form of importance and undeserving of justice or equality before the law.

Interestingly, and under very flimsy excuses and in an orchestrated trial, the AG sees the need to pray for a daily trial in the name of politics but at the expense of the rights of Mr. Gyakye Quayson a citizen of Ghana who has done nothing compared to the case of NAM1.

The question is, is Hon Gyakye Quayson equal before the law? Does he deserve justice? Does he deserve a fair trial? Which principles of law apply to Opuni case, Gyakye Quayson case, and Carssiel Ato Forson case that can't apply to the Ahmed Suale case, Major Mahama case, J. B. Danquah case, Menzgold case, etc?

Truth is, we need no Press Release from him telling us about equality before the law, discrimination, freedom of speech, etc. Action speaks louder than words.

Very prominent and eminent personalities in Ghana have spoken and advised the AG to discontinue the Gyakye Quayson case and we hope he would listen.

The election results from Asin North is a resounding victory and a message from the people of Asin North to the NPP that it is Hon Gyakye Quayson they want and this message, despite all the machinations of the NPP in Asin North, is like an egg in the face of the NPP, thus, we expect the AG to listen to the good advice of the eminent Domaahene, the two Former AGs of Ghana Hon.

Ayikwei Otoo and Hon. Marietta Brew who have all spoken and advised their younger brother Godfred Yeboah Dame to stop the prosecution before he gets more eggs in his face.

To borrow the word "suffering" from the Vice President Dr. Bawumia when he was busily campaigning against the NDC and went on a singing spree...tailors are sufferings, market women are suffering, nurses are suffering, plumbers are suffering..... everybody is suffering.

On this suffering note, we would also say:Menzgold customers are suffering, The family of late Major Mahama are suffering Ahmed Suale is suffering...J. B. Danquah is suffering...And on the other hand...Opuni is suffering...Gyakye Quayson is suffering....Carsiel Ato Forson is suffering...

We also want speedy trial in the Menzgold, Ahmed Suale, Major Mahama and J. B. Danquah cases and on this basis can they kindly also apply for daily trials in these cases too?

Justice must be seen to be pursued and done to all manner of persons and in all cases.

-SIGNED Legal Directorate, NDC
National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia has called for a medical board to assess the health of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo before he makes public pronouncements.

Asiedu Nketia expressed concerns about the President's judgment of issues of national interest and suggested that his health be evaluated before he appear public to make statements.

"Sometimes we need to assess his judgments to ensure the seat of State is safe in his hands," Asiedu Nketia stated this during an interview on Okay FMs Ade Akye Abia morning show monitored by ModernGhana News.

He further explained that the President's comments in recent times have raised questions about his fitness in office.

Mr Asiedu Nketia suggested that the President might be going through some ill health but chooses not to disclose it due to political reasons.

"Those comments can only be made due to ill health, and since we do not know the health status of the President, these acts pose a grave threat to the country and the world at large," he emphasized.

The NDC National Chairman believes a thorough medical examination of the President by a qualified medical board would provide clarity on his health condition and prevent any potential risks associated with his public comments.

"What I believe can be done to salvage the situation is to have a medical board commissioned to examine him even before he makes public appearances and speeches," he suggested.
Unseeded Briton Liam Broady outmanoeuvred the fourth seed Casper Ruud on Thursday to reach the third round at Wimbledon.

The 29-year-old, who was invited to play in the main draw by the organisers, won 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 in three hours and 27 minutes to reach the last-32 for the second year running.

"I was thinking last night about what I would say if I won," said Broady during his post match on-court interview. "Now I'm here ... I don't what to say."

He could have recounted how his blend of grass court craft and lefty slice bedazzled the world number four who appeared leaden-hooved in comparison to the lesser ranked man's fleet feet.

The world number 142 will next take on the 26th seed Denis Shapovalov who beat the unseeded Frenchman Gregoire Barrere in straight sets.

"Denis is a mercurial talent," said Broady. "He's one of the best players in the world and he's won junior Wimbledon." Acknowledging the packed Centre Court, he added: "But with a crowd like this ... why not have a go again."

Ruud appeared to have wrested control after seizing the second and third set.

But Broady broke at the outset of the fourth set and held on to take it 6-3. He took Ruud's service at the beginning of the decider to put himself in the driving seat and he maintained his no nonsense flat ball-striking to secure a famous win.

Ruud said he had no complaints about the result. "If you look at what kind of player he is, what kind of player I am, there's no doubt that I think he's a much better grass court player than myself.

Expderience

"He has more experience. His shots are much more effective than mine on grass. He moves probably better,"

Ruud, who reached the final at the French Open in Paris last month, added. "You could see I was slipping a little here and there, losing my balance. He has a tricky lefty serve, which is tough on the grass where it skids off."

Elsewhere in the men's draw, 19th seed Alex Zverev moved into the second round following a straight sets win over the qualifier Gijs Brouwer.

And the seventh seed Andrey Rublev came from a set down to see off Aslan Karatsev and reach the third round.

In the women's draw, fifth seed Caroline Garcia recovered from a set down to beat the unseeded Canadian Leylay Fernandez in a third set tiebreaker.

Qualifier Sofia Kenin, who beat seventh seed Coco Gauff in the opening round, moved into the last-32 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Xinyu Wang from China. There were second round wins also for the former world number one Victoria Azarenka and the Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva.

The 16-year-old, who came through the qualifying tournament, advanced after the 10th seed Barbora Krejcikova retired in the second set due to injury.

"It's not the way I wanted to win the match, of course," Andreeva said. "She had some problems with her foot. Of course, I wish her the speedy recovery."
An unemployed, man who stole a money box with an amount of GH135 has been sentenced by an Accra Circuit Court.

Joshua Alarbi, is also said to have unlawfully entered the apartment of one Silas Beauty to steal the money box and its contents.

Alarbi, who was charged with unlawful entry and stealing pleaded guilty with an explanation that he stole the said money box to get money to do his Ghana Card.

The Court presided over by Mrs Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie, after listening to the explanation of the accused person, convicted him on his own plea and sentenced him to three months on unlawful entry and nine months on stealing, all to run concurrently.

The facts as presented by Police Inspector Ansah Da-Costa, prosecuting was that the complainant Mr Stephen Nana Sarpong Dodoo is the Manager of Biney Apartments located at Nungua Addogono.

The prosecution said both the complainant and the convict resided at Nungua Addogono.

It said on June 25, 2023 at about 1200 hours, the convict entered one of the apartments belonging to one Silas Confidence Beauty, a witness in this case on the first floor of the apartments through a balcony window and ransacked the room including her wardrobe, whilst she was away on a visit to a friend at East Legon.

The prosecution said the convict stole a 32 inches LG television fixed in the apartment, cash sum of GHS 1000 and an empty money box.

It said during the act, one of the tenants, who was then awake, spotted the accused person raising an alarm.

The prosecution said the convict upon sensing danger abandoned the booty on the balcony of the apartment and attempted to escape from the scene.

It said luck, however, eluded him and he was arrested by the occupant of the apartment and handed over to the Nungua police.

The prosecution said during investigations, the convict admitted the offence in his statement.

GNA
Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is seeking to become the flag bearer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called for a clean and decent campaign among the aspirants.

Commissioning his campaign office in Kumasi, he said all the aspirants qualified to lead the party and that they were contesting for a common goal which was to secure victory for the NPP in the 2024 election.

It is for that reason that there should be no room for character assassination as they solicit the mandate of the delegates ahead of the super delegates election, Dr. Bawumia pointed out.

He said he was the best person to lead the NPP to break the eight-year cycle rule and appealed to delegates across the country to give him the nod.

The ultra-modern office complex was donated to the Vice President by Nana Nkansah Boadu Ayeboafo, the chief of Agric Nzema to be used as his campaign office in the Ashanti Region.

Located at Asokwa, the spacious office would be used by the campaign team of Dr. Bawumia to coordinate all his campaign activities in the 47 constituencies in the Region.

The commissioning attracted scores of party stalwarts in the Region including Members of Parliament, Regional and Constituency Executives, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives.

The event also marked the beginning of Dr. Bawumia's campaign tour of the Region, where he would be meeting delegates across all the 47 constituencies to sell his message.

Nana Boadu Nkansah Ayeboafo entreated delegates in the Region to endorse the Vice President to increase the chance of the NPP in the 2024 election.

He said he donated the office because he believed in Dr. Bawumia and urged the delegates to give him their mandate to ensure a landslide victory for the party in 2024.

-GNA
Stephen Atubiga, a former member of the opposition NDC and founder of the National Liberation Congress (NLC), has criticized opposition parties for simply calling on Ghanaians to vote out the incumbent government without offering any concrete solutions.

In a Facebook post, Mr Atubiga questioned the alternative solutions opposition parties have to offer beyond just telling people to vote out the current government.

"Well, what alternative solutions do you have for our country? besides what I hear lazy minds set saying VOTE them out. Like manners will fall from heaven for them," Mr Atubiga wrote.

While Mr Atubiga did not mention any party by name, the remarks appear to be targetting his former party, the NDC, and its presidential candidate John Mahama, whom Mr Atubiga has consistently criticized in his weekly epistles.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken a swipe at Mr. Godfred Odame, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, over what they describe as selective justice.

The accusation is in sync with cases in court against Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin North Hon. James Gyakye Quayson, Minority Leader in Parliament Hon. Cassiel Ato Forsen, and Dr. Stephen Opuni.

The Legal Directorate of the NDC in a press statement in response to recent comments by the AG, has said, the AGs quest for justice had done little so far to demonstrate that indeed he's not engaged in selective justice.

It sighted a long standing case of the Menzgold saga, in court which had affected the investments of millions of Ghanaians since 2018 but had been given little attention.

Same can be said in the Ahmed Suale case, J. B. Danquah case, etc which have all crawled as if they attract no form of importance and undeserving of justice or equality before the law.

"Interestingly, and under very flimsy excuses and in an orchestrated trial, the AG sees the need to pray for a daily trial in the name of politics but at the expense of the rights of Mr. Gyakye Quayson a citizen of Ghana who has done nothing compared to the case of NAM1, the statement added.

In the case of Menzgold, So far even the advice that is supposed to be given by the AG to pave the way for the criminal prosecution of NAM1 has not been sent for prosecution to start since the past 5 years, the statement said.

They have however called on the AG to speed trial in the Menzgold, Ahmed Suale, Major Mahama and J. B. Danquah cases, adding that and on this basis can they kindly also apply for daily trials in these cases too? the statement quizzed.
07.07.2023 LISTEN

The Environmental Health Officers of the Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly (AEMA) have destroyed over 200 kilogrammes of contaminated maize flour meant for the preparation of local dish, tuozaafi for safety.

The flour was mixed with sand and properly disposed of after the officials were informed that it had been dried on unprotected plastic sheets on pavements along the Kanda to Kawukudi Highway.

The Ghana News Agency was informed that the flour had always been dried eight hours daily on the pavement with some angry pedestrians walking through and sometimes spitting on it.

They are also exposed to particles of smoke from vehicle exhaust fumes and worn out lorry tyre materials.

Mr Hamdawaiy Sheriff, the Acting Municipal Environmental Health Officer, Ayawaso East Municipal Assembly (AEMA), told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the Assembly had been able to pick up three persons as suspects.

He said: Their actions are dangerous to public health and safety. And they will surely receive the necessary punishment as prescribed by the by-laws.

Mr Sheriff said though an officer was nearly attacked by three machomen, the office was determined to stop the practice and urged community members to give out information on such activities and play their watchdog roles well.

Mr Douglas Tagoe, Regional Environmental Health Director, Greater Accra, who had earlier directed the Municipal Office to destroy the flour, said the contaminated flour when consumed could cause problems to the lungs, kidneys and liver.

How can food handlers be selling on smelly and fly infested drains with executive officers, scholars and intelligent adults scrambling for positions in queues to buy death for themselves, he asked?

He said the Public Health Act 851 of 2012 and the District Assembly Bye Laws frowned on such acts and that the offenders should be sanctioned.

Mr Tagoe said the citizens needed to be cautious of all health and environmental safety measures before buying food outside, particularly from food vendors around choked drains.

He said similar practices were ongoing at the various beaches, with some fishmongers drying fishes by the roadside and said it must stop.

Mr Tagoe noted that in farming areas, pepper and other vegetables were also dried on highways and sold to unsuspecting customers.

He urged the populace to avoid such foodstuffs and report the practices to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Environmental Health Offices for action.

Before the destruction of the flour, the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) raised concerns about the practice and urged the perpetrators to stop drying the substance on the pavement but they shrugged off the caution.

GNA
The Member of Parliament for Ablekuma Central, Hon. Abdul-Latif Dan on July 2, 2023 led Qatar Charity, a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) to commission a newly completed mechanized borehole project at Latebiokoshie.

The project was undertaken following the MP's working visit to the abandoned Town Council Line community clinic where he identified the need for a borehole to help the hospital carry out its day-to-day activities without any hindrance upon completion.

He therefore approached Qatar Charity which operates in over 42 countries worldwide to help provide the mechanized borehole.

According to the MP, the borehole will service the clinic and the people living around TCL and surrounding communities.

He assured them of the completion of the abandoned clinic project. According to him, work will commence in the coming week.

The Assemblyman for the area, Hon. Muntari Wahab, on behalf of the community expressed gratitude to Hon. Abdul-Latif Dan and Qatar Charity for their intervention and promised to put the facility into good use.

Mr. Ibrahim Anwar mentioned other areas of charity that Qatar Charity is engaged in and promised to extend a helping hand again in the future when called upon.

Present at the brief ceremony were Chief Sulley Wangabi, Chief of Town Council Line who chaired the function; Chief Lombena, Nawda Chief TCL; Imam Salou, TCL Community Imam; Mr. Ibrahim Anwar, Country Representative for Qatar Charity; Ing. Ahmed, Project Engineer; Mr. Mohammed Abdul-razak, Project Foreman and a selected number of NDC Constituency Executives.

Source: Elolo

Deputy Communication Officer NDC, Ablekuma Communications Bureau
The Bono East regional office of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) has engaged students of the Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College as part of the Preventing and Containing Violent Extremism campaign in Techiman.

Welcoming participants to the programme, Mrs. Mary Margaret Alakor, principal of the school who also doubles as a member of the regional Peace Council lauded the efforts of the NCCE at ensuring peace and national cohesion.

She added that no country can develop without peace.

Explaining the purpose of the gathering, the Bono East Regional Director of the Commission, Mr. Joseph Kwaku Yeboah recounted the history of extremist activities in the sub-region.

He referred to a 2016 suicide bombing in neighboring Ivory Coast and a subsequent one in Togo on the 9th of November 2021 adding that this necessitated some preemptive measures to prevent and contain any potential occurrence in Ghana.

Mr. Yeboah said the launch of the See something say something campaign by the Ministry of National Security last year was part of the measures and urged the students to call the National Security toll free line 999 in case of any suspicions.

Making a presentation on Peacebuilding mechanisms and social cohesion, Reverend Prince Owusu Asaku chairman of the regional Peace Council referred to peacebuilding mechanisms as measures instituted to sustain peace by addressing injustice and to deal with conditions that generate conflict.

He said respect for the culture, religion, ethnicity and political affiliation of others goes a long way to engender social cohesion which is important for peace and the avoidance of conflict.

Reverend Asaku urged the students to live in peace and harmony with one another.

DSI Prosper Gbolonyo from the Intelligence Unit of the Ghana Immigration Service speaking on community-based mechanisms for countering violent extremism and community-based strategies for countering arms proliferation, said violence emanates from a perceived condition or a strongly held belief and urged the students to desist from any acts that could lead to the marginalization of others.
06.07.2023 LISTEN

On 25-26 June 2023, Under-Secretary-General (USG) of the United Nations (UN) for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix visited Bangladesh on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend the first ever UN peacekeeping ministerial preparatory meeting to be held in Dhaka. The country co-hosted the meeting with Canada, and Uruguay which is a matter of incredible pride but the controversy surrounding the visit stuck out like a sore thumb. Although the USG generously appreciated Bangladeshs peacekeeping efforts in maintaining world peace during the meeting, some vested groups nationally and internationally tried to defame Bangladeshs honor before and after the visit. Yet, the successful visit does imply that Bangladesh and the current governments image hasnt been tainted by such rumors and scandals.

The meeting was held ahead of the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, to be held in Accra, Ghana, on 5 and 6 December 2023. The two-day meeting also welcomed representatives from different troop-contributing countries and peacekeeping experts who discussed on the theme Women in UN Peacekeeping.

During the visit, Lacroix met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Minister and State Minister of Foreign Affairs, the chiefs of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force, and the head of Bangladesh Police. He took this opportunity to applaud Bangladesh for its diligent peacekeeping operations and appreciated the impact of Bangladeshi personnel in different conflict-prone regions all around the world.

He also assured the Army chief that more peacekeepers from Bangladesh will be recruited in the near future. The gendered aspect of peacekeeping which was the main theme of the meeting was also discussed by Jean-Pierre Lacroix and Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen; both recognized the significance of female peacekeepers in UN missions.

Although the Under-Secretary-General had nothing but positive things to say about Bangladeshs peacekeeping missions, before this visit the chatter around banning RAB personnel from participating in UN deployment increased gradually. Two weeks prior to the visit, the chief advocacy officer of HRW, a New York-based human rights organization, Bruno Stagno Ugarte stated that Lacroix should publicly voice concerns over abuses by government security forces during his upcoming visit to Bangladesh. He accused in particular, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), of being involved in serious human rights violations and later getting deployed in UN peacekeeping missions. Amnesty International also asked for a more transparent screening process that wont be limited to high-ranking officials mentioning the case of Bangladesh.

This isnt the first attempt by international groups trying to undermine Bangladeshs peacekeeping efforts. In November of 2021, 12 international organizations in a letter to Jean-Pierre Lacroix suggested that the United Nations Department of Peace Operations should ban Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from UN deployment. This was followed by the sanction of RAB by the United States.

But it seems that the interests of the vested groups to undermine the peacekeeping missions and by extension undermine the current regime didnt hold much water as Mr. Lacroixs visit turned out to be in favor of Dhaka.

Bangladesh has been of the largest Troop contributing countries (TPCCs) for the last 3 decades and its clear UNDPO understands the importance of the country. Currently, 7,237 peacekeepers are deployed in 16 different countries all over the world and the meetings with Bangladeshi officials focused on the future of such missions rather than indulging in conversations of he said, she said.

UN peacekeeping missions are going through a crisis as the conflict environment is becoming hostile towards peacekeepers wherein the missions are getting expensive with less effectiveness in peacebuilding measures. Participation from countries in UN missions is also decreasing. Along with the absence of active participation from great powers, Bangladesh becomes a dependable candidate for the UN to strengthen its peacekeeping missions.

Lacroix joining the invitation of the Bangladeshi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and Bangladeshs inclination in UN peacekeeping affirms that the journey of both will continue strongly in the future. The visit has rather sealed this, failing the attempts of banning Bangladesh. UNs trust in Bangladeshi blue helmets has rather become more durable now.

Bangladeshi officials and the USG have also discussed strategies to ensure that all peacekeepers, irrespective of gender, can thrive in a safe and supportive environment which is especially important in the context that 3 Bangladeshi peacekeepers have recently been injured in an explosive attack in Mali.

Lacroix also introduced Action for Peacekeeping (A4P) initiative in the meeting which reaffirms certification of personnel by UN standards, has to be implemented by the member state meaning the demands of the right groups regarding UN screening will surely not be heeded by any time soon. This is important for Bangladesh as in spite of many other countries facing the same allegations of human rights abuse, Bangladesh was only targeted due to its internal problems by such groups. Evidently, theres more to such demands, speculated to be fueled by domestic groups in the country.

Lastly, this visit has demonstrated the UNs faith in Bangladesh and has certainly solidified more of the leadership role of the country in future peacekeeping operations.

Author: Shantho Islam

Occupation: Student, MSS at Chittagong University
On Wednesday, July 21, 2021, during a program on GHOne Today , I expressed my views on the LGBTQ+ issue: "I believe it is not right to impose this on our country. Throughout our many years of existence, we have not considered these things to be normal. We cannot suddenly accept them because of international relationships and support. We should not be forced to accept it just because of foreign support."

The people of Ghana have always valued and cherished the family system, from our great-grandparents to the present day. Our culture teaches us to uphold societal cohesion and procreate through natural means. The introduction of Islam and Christianity further reinforced our existing family and cultural system.

Ghana is predominantly a Christian country with a significant Muslim population. Millions practice traditional African religions. Historically, in Europe and Western societies, homosexuality has been seen as an emotional or physiological problem.

THE STANCE OF GHANA'S MAJOR RELIGIONS AND CULTURE ON LGBTQ+ AND HOMOSEXUALITY

In traditional African religions, homosexuality and LGBTQ+ are not practiced, thought of, or imagined. None of the over one hundred tribes/ethnic groups in Ghana have a history of homosexual or LGBTQ+ practices. It was not surprising that our grandparents readily accepted the criminalization of homosexuality and LGBTQ+ when they came under British colonial authority.

Today, the majority of Ghanaians are Christians, and the Holy Bible has a clear position on homosexuality and LGBTQ+. Leviticus 18:22 states, "Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable." Leviticus 20:13 further states, "If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable." The use of the word "detestable" in both verses indicates God's strong disapproval of homosexuality and the LGBTQ+ issue.

Islam is the second major religion in Ghana, and along with Christianity, they make up about 85% of the Ghanaian population (according to the 2020Populationn and Housing Census). Islam considers homosexuality and LGBTQ+ to be grave sins. Homosexuality and LGBTQ+ go against the natural human nature created by Allah, where men are content as men and women as women.

The four Sunni schools of jurisprudence all agree that practicing homosexuality is a severe crime that should be punished harshly, although the schools may differ in the exact punishment. A Hadith of the Prophet of Islam also states that "Whoever you findsinningf the people of Lut (Lot), kill them, both the one who does it and the one to whom it is done" - if it is done with consent. (This hadith was narrated by al-Tirmidhi in his Sunan, 1376). The people of Lot were known for their homosexuality and LGBTQ+ practices in the destroyed ancient cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.

It is evident that the three major religions in Ghana are strongly against homosexuality and the LGBTQ+ issue, as it is believed to be unnatural and against the principles that bind our society together.

LOOMING DANGERS:

We have witnessed how Western countries, particularly the USA, champion LGBTQ+ rights and move beyond boundaries, imposing dehumanizing practices on their citizens. These countries have started providing gender-affirming care for minors, allowing them to change their gender without parental consent. These practices in Western countries have diminished the positive influence parents have on their children. Gender-affirming care for minors can be considered child abuse and child sexual mutilation.

Through the LGBTQ+ agenda, the nuclear family's role in promoting positive education is undermined. The distinct differences between men and women are ignored, and society is forced to recognize non-existing genders. It is no longer limited to men and women or boys and girls; children in these Western pro-LGBTQ+ societies are made to believe that they could be trapped in the wrong body, resulting in body mutilation to achieve their "proper" gender.

As a country, we cannot allow ourselves to be influenced to accept something we do not believe in just because we seek external support. Western countries continue to pursue their development based on their beliefs, and we must do the same. The people I represent in parliament are strongly against homosexuality, and I will fight on their behalf to preserve, protect, and defend their interests.

CONCLUSION:

It is evident that pursuing homosexuality or LGBTQ+ has no benefits for Ghana. We cannot accept or accommodate it. Our priority should be protecting the human rights of Ghanaian citizens, especially our children. We must all support the fight against this un-Ghanaian and un-African issue. I, Hon. Amidu Chinnia Issahaku, on behalf of the Sissala East constituents, strongly oppose homosexuality and the LGBTQ+ issue.
Isaac Osei, a former NPP Member of Parliament for Subin constituency

07.07.2023 LISTEN

Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has received the support of Isaac Osei, a former NPP Member of Parliament for Subin constituency, as the ideal candidate to lead the New Patriotic Party to victory in the upcoming general elections in 2024.

Isaac Osei has appealed to the delegates of the ruling New Patriotic Party to elect Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as flagbearer of the party during Dr Bawumia's Ashanti regional tour to get the nod as flagbearer of the NPP.

He praised Dr. Bawumia as being the ideal candidate to help NPP win the upcoming general elections.

He pointed out that the Vice President has demonstrated through his work that he is deserving of being Ghana's President.

"He has demonstrated himself in this way even as Vice President. What will happen when he is elected President?" he stated.

Watch Full Video Here:


07.07.2023 LISTEN

The legal directorate of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has observed that, "so far, every reasonable person out there" sees the Opuni-Agongo, Gyakye Quayson and Cassiel Ato Forson criminal trials, "as persecution" by Attorney General Godfred Dame, "instead of prosecuton" and "intended to score political points".

The three cases: Republic vs. James Gyakye Quayson (who is being prosecuted for perjury, deceit of a public officer and forgery), Republic vs. Dr Stephen Opuni & 2 Others (who are being trialled for causing financial loss of GHS217 million to the state) and Republic vs. Cassiel Ato Forson & 2 Others (who are also before court for causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the state), have been the subject of political discussions and controversy.

Mr Dame recently issued a statement in which he said: "While respecting the freedom" of every Ghanaian "to comment on any matter including cases pending in court", his office has noted that "much of the recent commentary on many of the so-called high-profile criminal cases transgress permissible limits of free speech, unduly interferes with the work of state prosecutors performing their constitutional function of prosecuting crime in Ghana and tends to put unnecessary pressure on the courts".

In the statement, Mr Dame said his office "has observed with serious concern the increased tendency" for various people, "including members of the legal profession of considerable standing, to run extremely prejudicial commentary on cases pending before the courts".

Specifically, he cited the three cases above.

The NDC's legal directorate, in a reaction, said at a press conference on Thursday, 6 July 2023 that the "AG may want to use whatever legal gymnastics to try to make it look as if these prosecutions are so legally, factually and sufficiently evidence-based but the ordinary observer who has followed all that has gone on, knows, this is no prosecution at all but persecution".

"So, the AG, Godfred Yeboah Dame, can try to 'spin' the law, even on appeal, to get favourable decisions but every reasonable observer can read between the lines", the lawyers of the NDC said.

They accused the AG of using the justice system to hound the government's opponents.

"It has been said that he's engaging in selective justice and while on the one hand, he claims in his press release that discrimination of all kinds are abhorred by

our Constitution, little has been done so far by him to demonstrate that indeed he's not engaged in selective justice".

The NDC lawyers wondered why Mr Dame is not applying the same alacrity and seriousness to other cases except the three in question.

Citing tge Menzgold case as an example, the lawyers said: "Unfortunately, in Ghana and under the watch of the present Attorney General, a pretentious prosecution is ongoing to fool the masses to think something is being done when in actual fact the accused person is enjoying himself at the expense of it's customers, many of whom have died at the hands of this very same AG and NPP government but the AG has seen nothing wrong with such a delayed prosecution".

"Honestly, the time spent to prepare and issue the press release could have been better used to prepare the advice to the police so they can quickly start the trial in the NAM1 case", the lawyers argued.

They mentioned that the "same can be said in the Ahmed Suale case, J. B. Danquah case, etc., which have all crawled as if they attract no form of importance and undeserving of justice or equality before the law".

"Interestingly, and under very flimsy excuses and in an orchestrated trial, the AG sees the need to pray for a daily trial in the name of politics but at the expense of the rights of Mr. Gyakye Quayson, a citizen of Ghana who has done nothing compared to the case of NAM1".

Read the NDC lawyers' full statement below:

LEGAL AFFAIRS DIRECTORATE

RESPONSE TO THE PRESS RELEASE OF THE HONOURABLE ATTORNEY GENERAL

GODFRED YEBOAH DAME.

The Legal Directorate of the NDC have seen and read a Press Statement from the Hon. Attorney General (AG) expressing his sentiments about reactions to all the high-profile political prosecutions he's undertaking.

The cases in point which he refers to are the following:

1. Rep .V James Gyakye Quayson

2. Rev. V Dr. Stephen Opuni and others

3. Rep. V. Carssiel Ato Forson.

Before we go into the substance of his Press Release we want to draw our attention to something in the study of law called the "reasonable man standard."

This is a standard of measure of the conduct of people using the common sense principle.

The question is: would the ordinary mind see what is happening to be reasonable? Is it justified?

One fact is that people always want to see the common sense in what you are doing and it's on this basis that people can determine what you are about and your intentions.

So far, every reasonable person out there sees the above three cases as

persecution instead of prosecuton intended to score political points.

The AG may want to use whatever legal gymnastics to try to make it look as

if these prosecutions are so legally, factually and sufficiently evidence-based but to the ordinary observer who has followed all that has gone on, knows, this is no prosecution at all but persecution.

So, the AG, Godfred Yeboah Dame, can try to "spin" the law, even on appeal, to get favourable decisions but every reasonable observer can read between the lines.

We are happy the AG understands, appreciates, and sees the need for

freedom of speech and we hope that his expressions on freedom of speech

in his Press Release is something he truly believes in and not just mere expressions on paper.

Freedom of speech is a guaranteed right in our constitution and we know that a lawyer in good standing so far, he would ensure that that right of every person in Ghana is respected.

It has been said that he's engaging in selective justice and whilst on one hand

he claims in his Press Release that discrimination of all kinds are abhorred by

our constitution, little has been done so far by him to demonstrate that indeed he's not engaged in selective justice.

One would have thought that a case like Menzgold would have been long concluded so that all the many Ghanaians who look up to him as the AG of Ghana and who are the suffering customers of Menzgold, would have taken steps to ensure a speedy trial of any crime allegedly committed by Nana

Appiah Mensah so that his suffering customers would receive justice because

they must also be treated equally without discrimination in the delay of their case.

We were all in this country when the Bank of Ghana (BOG) claimed that it had conducted investigations into a company called Menzgold owned by one Nana Appiah Mensah aka NAM1. Fast forward, this company was shut down by the Security and Exchange Commission of Ghana in September 2018 leading to excruciating losses to numerous Ghanaians running into the thousands who have invested there.

The alleged grounds for shutting down his business is that he was operating without the requisite licences in addition to the fact that he was engaging in a Ponzi scheme.

Ponzi schemes are fraudulent schemes all around the world and when they are uncovered swift action is taken to protect investors, the operators are quickly prosecuted, assets are sold and recovered investments are returned to it's unsuspecting customers who have been lured to invest there.

Unfortunately in Ghana and under the watch of the present Attorney General, a pretentious prosecution is ongoing to fool the masses to think something is being done when in actual fact the accused person is enjoying himself at the expense of it's customers many of whom have died at the hands of this very same AG and NPP government but the AG has seen nothing wrong with such a delayed prosecution.

No one speaks for the customers in Ghana and no one in government is taking the serious steps that other civilised nations take to ensure customers of such scams are reimbursed or restored.

Such injustice has been ongoing since September 2018 spanning a very long

period of five (5) years with the customers crying and wailing unto the death ears of the AG.

So far even the advice that is supposed to be given by the AG to pave the way for the criminal prosecution of NAM1 has not been sent for prosecution to start since the past 5 years.

Honestly, the time spent to prepare and issue the Press Release could have been better used to prepare the advice to the police so they can quickly start the trial in the NAM1 case.

Same can be said in the Ahmed Suale case, J. B. Danquah case, etc which have all crawled as if they attract no form of importance and undeserving of justice or equality before the law.

Interestingly, and under very flimsy excuses and in an orchestrated trial, the AG sees the need to pray for a daily trial in the name of politics but at the expense of the rights of Mr. Gyakye Quayson a citizen of Ghana who has done nothing compared to the case of NAM1.

The question is, is Hon Gyakye Quayson equal before the law? Does he deserve justice? Does he deserve a fair trial? Which principles of law apply to Opuni case, Gyakye Quayson case, and Cassiel Ato Forson case that can't apply to the Ahmed Suale case, Major Mahama case, J. B. Danquah case,

Menzgold case, etc?

Truth is, we need no Press Release from him telling us about equality before the law, discrimination, freedom of speech, etc. Action speaks louder than words.

Very prominent and eminent personalities in Ghana have spoken and advised the AG to discontinue the Gyakye Quayson case and we hope he would listen.

The election results from Assin North is a resounding victory and a message

from the people of Assin North to the NPP that it is Hon Gyakye Quayson they want and this message, despite all the machinations of the NPP in Assin North, is like an egg in the face of the NPP, thus, we expect the AG to listen to the good advice of the eminent Domaahene, the two former AGs of Ghana Hon. Ayikwei Otoo and Hon. Marietta Brew who have all spoken and advised their

younger brother Godfred Yeboah Dame to stop the prosecution before he gets more eggs in his face.

To borrow the word "suffering" from the Vice President Dr. Bawumia when he was busily campaigning against the NDC and went on a singing spree...tailors are sufferings, market women are suffering, nurses are

suffering, plumbers are suffering.....everybody is suffering.

On this suffering note, we would also say:

Menzgold customers are suffering, The family of late Major Mahama are

suffering, Ahmed Suale is suffering...J. B. Danquah is suffering...And on the

other hand...Opuni is suffering...Gyakye Quayson is suffering....Cassiel Ato Forson is suffering...

We also want speedy trial in the Menzgold, Ahmed Suale, Major Mahama and J. B. Danquah cases and on this basis can they kindly also apply for daily trials in these cases too?

Justice must be seen to be pursued and done to all manner of persons and in all cases.

-SIGNED-

Legal Directorate, NDC

-classfmonline.com
The mission of the church

Yes, I agree the mission of the church is to reconcile sinners with God and to bring back the lost sheep into the fold of God. The Church is a legal entity and can sue and be sued in its own name. The church has been law abiding and has complied with many laws of the lands in which it exists. It is only relevant and crucial that the church and especially its leadership understand the scope and application of Data Protection laws in the very jurisdictions it operates in.

Sorry, our church does not process personal data, so we are exempted from registration with the Data Protection Commission. The ONLY information we collect from our members are their names and phone numbers. I dont think we are required to register.

This was the response from a lawyer of one of the churches. Obviously, the learned colleague did not understand the application of the Data Protection Act (Act 843) hence his initial response. When he got the right understanding of the application of the Act, its implementation, its material and territorial scope, his response changed.

Why is the church mandated to register?

Section 91(1) of the Data Protection Act states that: This Act binds the Republic. This means that every entity within the Ghanaian jurisdiction must register! The church (which is a legal entity) is mandated to register! Churches must fully endorse and adhere to the data protection laws and principles in order to be compliant. These principles specify the legal conditions that must be satisfied in relation to obtaining, handling, processing, transmission and storage of personal data. Employees and others who obtain, handle, process, transport and store personal data for and on behalf of their churches must adhere to these principles.

Churches use personal data about living individuals for the purpose of general church administration, welfare and communication matters. All personal data, whether it is held on paper, on computer or other media, is subject to the data protection laws and therefore must be processed with the appropriate security safeguards according to the Data Protection Act. Churches process huge volumes of data, and their activities are heavily reliant on the use of personal data.

What is personal data?

Personal data is any information relating to a living individual (the data subject) who can be identified from that data. Identification can be by the information alone or in conjunction with any other information in the data controllers (the churchs) possession or likely to come into its possession.

The definition includes digital photographs and videos, where images are clear enough to enable individuals to be identified. Other examples of the sort of personal data commonly held by churches are staff/payroll records; membership lists; baptismal records; information relating to pastoral care; information regarding those attending church activities; lists of children/young people attending Sunday schools, youth groups and creches; house visitations; welfare management; testimony recording; cell management; evangelism activities, Bible schools, counselling, marital counselling, naming ceremonies. It also includes records of those for whom the congregation holds contact details for various reasons, including volunteers working with children and young people and others, those attending churches, etc. These are examples only and there may be other types of personal data held. Churches with websites with a facility to collect data, such as a contact us form should be aware that the information supplied by any enquirer is personal data and will have to be held by the church in accordance with data protection law. Further, if a church uses cookies on its website to monitor browsing, it will be collecting personal data of that individual. Many activities in the church are handled by different people operating in different departments for different and specific purposes.

As an example, by virtue of being a member of the welfare team or committee, one would have access to personal data such as: the name, phone number, house number, medical information, financial information, next of kin, etc. about an individual. Some of these personal information are classified as special categories of personal data  in the Ghanaian data protection law, whiles other jurisdictional laws refer to them as sensitive personal data. The processing of these special categories requires that the controller (the church) puts in place the appropriate security safeguards to protect these personal data.

Who processes data in the church?

Processing is basically anything at all you do with personal data  it includes collecting, editing, storing, holding, disclosing, sharing, viewing, recording, listening, erasing, deleting etc. Individuals responsible for processing personal information in churches may include the Minister, Catechist, Presbyters, Elders, Deacons and Deaconesses, and other office bearers like treasurers, administrators, group leaders, Sunday school teachers and others.

The right of the data subjects (church members)

Right to be informed: church members have the right to be informed about the collection and use of their personal data.

Right to access: church members have the right to view and request copies of their personal data. This includes pictures, CCTV footage, tithe records, minutes of meetings, etc.

Right to rectification: church members have the right to request inaccurate or outdated personal information be updated or corrected.

Right to erasure: church members have the right to request their personal data to be deleted. Note that this is not an absolute right and may be subject to conditions being met or based on certain laws or regulations.

Right to restrict processing: church members have the right to request the restriction or suppression of their personal data.

Right to give and withdraw consent: church members have the right to withdraw previously given consent to process their personal data.

Right to object: church members have the right to object to the processing of their personal data. This effectively means that the church member can stop or prevent the church from using their data.

Right to object to automated processing: church members have the right to object to decisions being made with their data solely based on automated decision making or profiling.

Right to complain: church members have the right to complain to the church leadership or complain to the Data Protection Commission (DPC) which is the supervisory authority with regards to data protection.

Right to compensation: church members have the right to compensation from the church (data controller), where the individual suffers some form of damage or distress through actions or inactions of the church.

The objective of the Data Protection Act is to protect the privacy of the individual (the church member) by regulating organizations that process personal data which includes the church.

Why is data protection important for your church?

Failure to comply with data protection can result in data breaches. It is your legal and moral duty to protect those you hold personal data about (church members). Data breaches can result in emotional, physical, and financial consequences for the affected data subjects. Additionally, the consequences of a data breach on your church could be substantial. Repercussions include damage to your reputation as well as penalties issued by the DPC. Data protection training, and registration with the DPC can help to demonstrate compliance, protect your members (data subjects) and avoid the devastating effects that a data breach could have on your church.

Author: Emmanuel K. Gadasu

(Data Protection Officer, IIPGH and Data Privacy Consultant and Practitioner at Information Governance Solutions)

For comments, contact author [email protected] or Mobile: +233-243913077
07.07.2023 LISTEN

Rich African countries have fallen from grace to grass in less than half a century. The reasons and solutions are obvious but not rectified for advancement and progress. There are about two or three repeated assumptions with 1. Cheap Natural Resources 2. Currency devaluation. 3. Foreign economic advice that collapses the value of both natural resources and African currencies. Repeating the same thing for over 60 years without success is known as insanity.

The saga Nigeria faces today of the pros and cons of removing petroleum subsidies can be traced to the history of mismanaged mines and plants, sold in turn to fake competent private indigenous and foreign firms. This was how Nigeria, a major Oil producing country turned black gold into a curse. It was not too different from Ghana Gold mine or Sierra Leone Diamond Industries.

Though all the three Nigerian leading Presidential candidates agreed that oil subsidies must be removed, stopped or eliminated entirely. Yet, two that lost the Election are faulting the one that did exactly what all of them promised during the campaign. Of course, they could have done it differently. This selfish attitude points to one of Africa's weaknesses when it comes to National industries. The reason our new administrations abandon predecessors projects.

Some industries were bought and killed to avoid competition with foreign industries. Ajaokuta was a case in point since Russia, the builder, with a glut of steel in the world market, wanted no competition. The industries that were supposed to liberate and kickstart Africa's economy in order to reduce dependence on foreign imports. Indeed, with Structural Adjustment imports grow and they have become more expensive draining Africa's foreign foreign reserves.

How difficult is it for an oil producing country to have enough refineries to be self-sufficient and export refined petroleum products? When a country is named Gold Coast, it cannot be that difficult to produce and maintain a gold plant competing with the best in the world. If countries backed their currencies with gold or diamond, African countries should have the strongest currencies in the world.

African countries are encouraged to privatize the major industries they heavily invested in: as cheap scrap to be salvaged by the magic of another free market into the hands of leaders in cahoots with foreign partners. Usually experts were brought in to establish the industries. One would think if the so-called efficient partnership they claim is the best in the world, worked in the first place, there would be no need to sell again. New fraudulent experts replace another!

What is pertinent here relates to the Ajaokuta Steel Industry. Steel was supposed to liberate Nigeria economically so that other primary and secondary industries could take off from a solid base. The same argument or discussion on whether to scrap, revamp or sell the Steel Industry to private investors and how much would be saved are what we face with Nigeria refineries today.

There are deadly competitions with African industries from overseas foreign industries. It is not about capitalism or communism as political robbers would want us to believe. But about finding African partners willing to kill their own industries. There are no better examples of Africans working against Africa than in Nigeria's Electric Power system. More hard earned money has been poured into it than any industry with little to show.

Apart from the sabotage of Electric Power by Nigerians importing Generators, converting Gas Flaring from the Oil wells were flagrantly ignored despite law and regulations by each administration. You cannot regulate International corporations into making your industries efficient after the same politicians took kickbacks from them.

Nigeria had a car prototype by Professor Ajimobi of the University of Lagos as far back as the early 60s. After those days we killed our Peugeot and Volkswagen assembly plants with imported luxury cars. Right now, cars are still built in the Western and Eastern Nigeria begging for orders from patrons within.

It is not a matter of technical graduates refusing to train in mega projects but politicians that prefer foreign workers in order to launder money abroad. Unless anyone thinks that since Nigerians have acquired plants, factories, roads and bridges; no Nigerian graduates in training on the job are capable enough to be world class after 60 years.

This is how Nigerian politicians wanted to use P&ID to achieve what International Oil companies with the technical knowledge could not do at any profit after paying kickbacks. Enron defrauded many developing countries with the full backing of the United States President demanding access to African "free and open" markets that do not exist in their own countries. The political parties get corporate political contributions in return.

Bribes or kickbacks are not only practiced in African countries, we have seen progressive growth in Asian countries, increasing their middle class while poverty was reduced but poverty increased like never before in Africa. Nigerian politicians do not only inflate contracts, they leave projects uncomplicated and abandoned to start a new one for their own kickbacks. It was the same reason Virgin Airlines backed out of the Nigeria Airways deal.

Every major natural resource is mined and built by the experts from Western and Asian countries: from Gold mine in Ghana, Diamond in Sierra Leone to Oil in Nigeria are few cases in point. Even more painful are those mined in African countries surreptitiously in local villages without the full authorization of the Regional or Federal Governments. The local chiefs are paid off like they did during the slave trade.

Nigerian politicians without any contribution or investment want the lion share of the profit. There is more to African leaders' indifference and hero worship than we are willing to accept when we choose and vote for the same losers willing to repeat the same inefficiency for over half a century in a delusional sense of grandeur. The race to make money at neck breaking speed is so intense, Youths looking at their elders behavior cannot wait to get rich like them.
ModernGhana attention has been drawn to a publication with the caption: Stop insulting Bawumia, mind your business - Alan Camp told" attributed to one Dr. Stephen Takyi, a lecturer of the Department of Planning at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

We want to put it on record that, the content of the whole story thus quotations and comments did not come from Dr Stephen Takyi as attributed to him. The story was wrongly attributed to him.

We therefore retract and apologize to Dr. Stephen Takyi for any inconvenience caused him.

ModernGhana News Team
Political Science Lecturer at KNUST, Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng

07.07.2023 LISTEN

Political Science Lecturer at the Kwame University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Dr. Kwasi Amakye-Boateng has denied comments attributed to him which sought to demean Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia's presidential ambition.

According to him, some online reporters for reasons best known to them have a penchant for twisting his comments making him and the Vice President look bad in the eyes of Ghanaians.

"Some bloggers are after me. They always twist my comments and try to put words into my mouth. They also write to suit their agenda using my name and pictures. Some time ago, they published that 'I've said Dr. Bawumia is not fit to be the President of Ghana. A radio station later called me for more and when I denied it, they pulled down the said story from their website.

"I've never said Dr. Bawumia is unfit to become President. I don't know the Twi I spoke for them to infer I mean Dr. Bawumia is unfit for the presidency. I believe to say that in a local dialect is heavy for me," the political pundit spoke on Kumasi-based Angel FM.

"Such a knowledgeable person, Dr. Bawumia has also acquired practical experience as a Deputy Bank of Ghana Governor. I have been on the radio advocating for people with in-depth knowledge of economics to lead the country. How do I turn and say Dr. Bawumia is not qualified to become President," Dr. Amakye Boateng fumes.
On a beach south of Ivory Coast's economic hub Abidjan, a group of fishermen are spending the day sitting in the shade and playing cards.

Normally, they would be out on their boats -- long canoes known as pirogues -- and hunting the seas.

But this month, they have been banned from doing so to help the country's badly depleted fisheries recover.

"We can't do anything, we can't do anything at all," said Patrick Ange Yao, a fisherman since the turn of the century.

"We sit here, we chat," he said. But "we don't even know where to go -- we just go around in circles."

Overfishing compounded by climate change has left the waters off the West African state alarmingly void of a decent catch.

In May, the government announced an "annual biological rest period" in the nation's 200,000-square-kilometre (77,000-square-mile) Exclusive Economic Zone.

The measure entails a ban on trawling for a range of commercial species, including red tuna, sardinella, anchovies and threadfin.

Artisanal fishermen are being banned in July and "industrial and semi-industrial" vessels in July and August.

Poverty

But the interdiction has come without any aid, leaving families of small-scale fishermen in dire straits.

Yao and other men in Aleya, a village wedged between Abidjan and the sea, said they came from the Alladian ethnic group, a community that for generations has lived from fishing.

They could not imagine doing anything else.

"We do the fishing and our wives sell the fish, so when (fishing) stops, everything comes to a halt," said Yao.

Some of their spouses are buying frozen fish and hawking it to try to make a living, but "we earn nothing," said Gladys Donco, the wife of a fisherman and a trader for 32 years.

Fish trader Alice Koffi shows her empty fish-smoking hut at Port-Bouet beach near Abidjan. By Issouf SANOGO (AFP)

Frozen fish brings in just 3,000 CFA francs ($5) per day, Donco and her friend Alice Koffi explained.

By comparison, a successful month between July and December catching sea bream or a species called forkbeard can bring in up to 500,000 francs.

Earnings from a catch are divided up between the fishermen, who usually work in teams of five.

They typically take home a salary higher than the country's minimum wage of 75,000 francs.

Trawler damage

Ivory Coast is not the only West African nation with sickly fisheries.

Amnesty International reported in May that chronic over-fishing, especially by foreign-owned industrial trawlers, was having a "devastating" impact on the region, costing The Gambia, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea and Sierra Leone $2.3 billion per year in losses.

Climate change is another threat.

Ivory Coast. By Tupac POINTU (AFP)

According to the World Bank, warming oceans and rising carbon dioxide levels will cause catches off Ivory Coast to decline by 40 percent by 2100.

In Aleya, other fishermen sat atop their pirogues with their backs to the sea, shuttling needles back and forth to repair their nets while a huge tuna ship loomed on the horizon.

Industrial tuna vessels will be banned from January through March.

Breaking the ban is out of the question, the fishermen said.

Boat patrols "come out at 11:00 pm every evening," said one, Ismael Emmanuel Maniga.

Many argued that the impact of artisanal fishing on fish reproduction was far less than that of industrial fishing.

If the fish are there, a pirogue may come home with a catch of 500-600 kilograms (1,100-1,300 pounds), on a trip lasting several days, said Yao.

But trawlers can net tonnes over the same period, including juvenile fish that have yet to mature and reproduce.

Many artisanal fishermen say fish stocks are being ravaged by industrialised trawlers. By Issouf SANOGO (AFP)

"It takes at least three months for the fish to come back" after an area is swept clean, Yao said, referring to the sometimes illegal practices by Chinese vessels.

The damage meant they had to venture farther out to sea, toward the border of Ghana or Liberia, and as much as 100 kilometres (60 miles) from the coast, they said.

"We have children -- we don't know what we're going to do to feed them and keep a roof over our heads," said Kouame Benjamin Kouakou.
Somewhere in 2017, I was part of the squad detailed at the VVIP lounge of the Asantehenes palace during the final funeral rites of the late Asantehemaa, Nana Afia Kobi II and as a young career prison officer who was barely 4 months in the service, I made sure to work my heart out as if there was no tomorrow and also, as if the Asantehene was watching from his inner chambers.

In the course of our duty, one hardworking Warrant Officer of the Ghana Armed Forces who was also leading his squad at the funeral called me aside and went like hey young man, I admire the way you guys work without rest; you guys do not wield rifles but I can see how youre commanding respect and maintaining order; and on how you guys are able to escort prisoners without rifles still marvel me. Are you not sure you guys use some super natural powers?

As one of the chief patronizers of trotro to and from work, one elderly driver worriedly asked me why we have to be trekking or boarding trotro to work when they can get us shuttles for commuting; before I could say jack, he went on to say he suggests our salary and allowances should be the highest among all public servants because, aban, this your job, if you arent called by God you cant do it o., he said.

The above admiration from both civilians and colleagues from sister agencies isnt new to prison officers and they use no super powers in the performance of their duties. The only charm they use is professionalism, passion, discipline and they are daredevils who have that spirit that even the word fear will fear. Both the traditional and new media space is always flooded with the news of prisoners; with focus on their humane treatment, fair trial, protection of their rights, welfare and the icing on their cake being rehabilitation and reformation to the detriment of the officers. Prison Officers in Ghana work their hearts out by making sure inmates in their custody are given the highest standard of treatment; both on the grounds of compassion and security to make the society a safer place to be.

Aside their traditional role spelt out in Article 205 of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, Ghanaian Prison Officers also do perform other joint national security duties with sister agencies such as the Police, Army, Immigration, Fire service et al for the betterment of the country.

Escorting of Prisoners

It is common to see a single prison officer escorting between 1 to 4 prisoners on a farm, market square, hospital, court, etc. The potential security risk in transpoting prisoners outside the facility increases the chances of escape attempts, violence, or encounters with external threats. It is even higher especially where the escort is done on foot instead of the aid of a vehicle.

Another significant challenges faced by escorting officers is the public perception and potential safety concerns associated with the escorts. Sometimes, when prisoners are transported through public areas, there may be a risk of negative public reactions, including protests, media attention or attempts by some civilians to aid or harm them. In all these officer are to maintain their cool professionally and that of public safety while upholding the rights f the prisoners

The Adventurous spirit in the officers, make them escort prisoners with no fire arms and bring them back safe and sound. This isnt voodoo or a charm but the grace from heaven and the inbuilt spirit of braveness inculcated in them from the prestigious Prison Officers Training School, Ridge-Accra.

Mental and Emotional Strain

Working as a Prison Officer can be mentally and emotionally challenging due to the nature of the job and the environment they work in.

Prison Officers often face high levels of stress due to the demanding nature of their work. They must be constantly be alert and prepared to handle potentially dangerous situations, such as inmates violence, facility riots, or escape attempts. The need to maintain, control and ensure the safety of both inmates and fellow officers can lead to stress.

Again, working in a prison facility can be demoralizing for some officers. They may face challenges related to overcrowding, limited resources and lack of support from major stakeholders that can contribute to feelings of frustration and job dissatisfaction. Emotional detachment too can be one of the mentally straining issues; especially when an officer would have to be dealing with inmates who may have committed serious crimes or exhibit aggressive behavior can lead to emotional detachment as a coping mechanism. This emotional distancing can impact personal relationships outside of work and result in a sense of isolation.

In as much they are brave and daredevils, as humans, they have their down moments and it will be prudent for authorities to organize stress management trainings, access to proper counseling services and promoting a supportive work culture for them.

Balancing Security and Compassion

Prison Officers in Ghana face the challenging task of balancing security and compassion in their duties. Maintaining order and safety within the prison while also showing empathy and understanding towards inmates can be a delicate balance but the adventurous spirits in these officers move them to execute this professionally.

The old age misconception of Prison Officers being inhumane and wicked is now a thing of the ancient past. In this age of United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners, Ghanaian Prison Officers go through modern regimented professional training on how to maintain prisoners and also uphold public safety.

Prison Officers in Ghana undergo extensive professional training in Prison Duties and Interpersonal skills (IPS) to learn how to manage security effectively while also developing communication skills and strategies to interact with inmates in a compassionate manner. Professionalism and adherence to protocols enable them to handle potentially volatile situations with control and fairness.

Communication is crucial in any correctional facility. Professional prison officers must be able to convey clear instructions, maintain authority, and set boundaries while also actively listening to inmates concerns and grievances. By fostering open lines of communication, officers can build trust and promote a more compassionate environment. Listening to inmates grievances can also be sure ways of falling for their numerous cunning ways so strict boundaries are set for officers so not to fall into the trap of information and prohibited articles trafficking.

Compassionate prison officers recognize the importance of reformation and rehabilitation in reducing recidivism rates. They support and promote access to counseling, educational, vocational and therapeutic programmes that can help inmates reform and prepare for their eventual reintegration into society. By fostering opportunities for personal growth, officers create a more compassionate and rehabilitative environment. The Ghana Prisons Service has a Technical Unit in every facility with officers who are experts in Vocational and Technical skills.

Housing Deficit

Your community is calm and devoid of miscreants who used to terrorize you because they are being kept safe and far away from home in a prison facility manned by officers who have decided to sacrifice their comfort for your utmost comfort.

Your regular Prison officer isnt free from the housing deficit challenges confronting other citizens of the country.

Insufficient housing options closer to the prison facilities force many officers to live far away from their work places. This results in long commutes, often on poorly maintained and accident prone roads, which can be physically and mentally exhausting. Prolonged commuting times also reduce the amount of time officers can spend with their families and for personal rest and relaxation.

The housing challenges faced by prison officers in Ghana can affect their job performance. Living in substandard conditions or dealing with long commutes can contribute to physical and mental fatigue, reducing officers ability to carry out their duties effectively. This situation may compromise prison security, inmate management.

Inadequate housing arrangements may lead to security risks for prison officers, living in areas with high crime rates or unreliable infrastructure can compromise the safety of officers and their families. This situation can also make them vulnerable to threats or intimidation from individuals with criminal backgrounds or ex-convicts who are bent on re-offending.

Throat cutting rent rates and the delays in paying officers rent allowances do also have a social and financial toll on officers. Without a proper and comfortable living environment, officers may experience higher levels of stress and lower job satisfaction.

Dont ever stop to say a prayer for Prison Officers .

The writer is a Lance Corporal with the Manhyia Local Prison, Kumasi and can be contacted on [email protected]/+233249542342
In a recent address to delegates during his Greater Accra Regional tour, Alan Kyerematen, a prominent aspirant for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidacy, has expressed confidence in his capacity to lead the party to victory in regions where it historically struggled. Kyerematen, a former Trade and Industry Minister, specifically highlighted the Greater Accra, Central, Western, and Volta regions as areas where he believes he can garner substantial support.

The NPP, known for its strongholds in regions such as Ashanti, has faced challenges in winning over voters in other areas, including the Volta Region, which is traditionally a stronghold for the opposing National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The party achieved a breakthrough in the Volta Region during the last parliamentary election, with John Peter Amewu, former Energy Minister, emerging as the Member of Parliament for Hohoe.

Notably, Amewu is now endorsing Kyerematen's bid to lead the NPP in the 2024 elections.

During his regional tour, Kyerematen engaged with delegates from various constituencies, including Prampram, Ada, Sege, Madina, Adentan, and Shai Osudoku. Emphasising his high approval rating in the targeted regions, he asserted his unique ability to secure more votes for the NPP in the upcoming national polls.

Kyerematen also stressed the importance of selecting a flagbearer who could effectively become the next President of Ghana, breaking the established eight-year political cycle.

Addressing the delegates, Kyerematen urged them to consider the aspirations of the party's grassroots, which represent over six million members, when making their choice. He appealed for a candidate who would prioritise the welfare and interests of the party's constituents.

Furthermore, he pledged to enhance the opportunities and well-being of constituency executives if elected to lead the NPP to victory in the national election.

Kyerematen emphasised his appeal to the people of the Volta Region, stating that he was the only NPP figure capable of diluting the dominance of the NDC in the region.

"I am the only one that can win Greater Accra, Central, Western and Volta Regions for the NPP as the people of these regions are rooting for me to become the flagbearer of the NPP in 2024", Mr Kyerematen said.

His claims were supported by Minister for Railway Development, John Peter Amewu, who asserted that Kyerematen's clean record in office made him less susceptible to attacks from opponents. Amewu, hailing from the Volta Region himself, expressed confidence in Kyerematen's ability to break the NDC's hold in the area.

We are presenting to you a candidate that would make our work very easy I am from the Volta Region, and I am saying the love for Alan in the region is huge, and he is the one that can break the dominance of the NDC in the region he added.

Sylvester Tetteh, the Member of Parliament for Bortianor-Ngleshie-Amanfrom, highlighted Kyerematen's achievements, particularly his leadership in the Presidential Special Initiative (PSI) under former President Kufuor, as well as his commitment to President Akufo-Addo's industrialisation agenda.

Tetteh endorsed Kyerematen as the best candidate to secure victory for the NPP in the 2024 election, urging the delegates to support his candidacy at the party's National Delegates Conference in November.

The NPP is preparing to host a special conference for 900 delegates, aimed at reducing the number of presidential aspirants from nine to five.

The party's National Congress, scheduled for November 4, 2023, will see over 200,000 delegates choosing the NPP's flagbearer for the 2024 general elections.

Classfmonline.com
07.07.2023 LISTEN

The New Patriotic Party (NPP)'s Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu has released a statement criticizing Dormaahene.

According to the Deputy Director of Communications, anyone who has been following events in the political space would agree with the notion that Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II has turned precipitously more into a "legalistic albino and a pawn in the hands of the National Democratic Congress (NDC)."

He said "as a matter of fact, I almost threw up listening to his politically incorrect rants and open insults on the judiciary, the same institution that he belongs to."

Owusu Bempah added, I was particularly taken aback by his intemperate language, overt threat on the state, and his nerves for daring the Supreme Court.

What exactly was Justice Daniel Mensah driving at when he spouted that tosh to the effect that the President Akufo-Addo and the Attorney General must discontinue the Gyakye Quayson criminal trial?"

For a man of his caliber who wants to be seen as a fair-minded jurist, to request for the state to abandon its criminal case against Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson speaks volumes, Owusu Bempah stated.

Below is the full statement

Anyone who has been following events in our political space would agree with the notion that Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II, otherwise known in the Judiciary as Justice Daniel Mensah has turned precipitously more into a legalistic albino and a pawn in the hands of the National Democratic Congress(NDC).

As a matter of fact, I almost threw up listening to his politically incorrect rants and open insults on the judiciary, the same institution that he belongs to.

I was particularly taken aback by his intemperate language, overt threat on the state, and his nerves for daring the Supreme Court.

What exactly was Justice Daniel Mensah driving at when he spouted that tosh to the effect that President Akufo-Addo and the Attorney General must discontinue the Gyakye Quayson criminal trial?

For a man of his calibre who wants to be seen as a fair-minded jurist, to request for the state to abandon its criminal case against Assin North MP, James Gyakye Quayson speaks volumes.

Yes, Justice Daniel Mensah appears more as a political actor than a judge, and it is evident in his slandering commentary on the Gyakye Quayson criminal trial.

The courts are bulwarks of our constitution and laws, and they depend on the public to respect their judgments and on officials to obey and enforce their decisions.

But quite clearly, Justice Daniel Mensah is unable to assimilate the fact that our democracy is anchored on the independence of the judiciary.

Such an enormous shame and disappointment to see characters like this, clothed with influence run around engaging in such perverted politics.

And if Justice Daniel Mensah was minded by his duty of care towards the public as a judge, he would have done the right thing by not meddling in matters that are before the courts, instead of burying his head in the sand, and allowing partisanship to take better part of him.

Truly, a healthy democracy needs opposing views to be represented so that policies can be proposed and debated. The New Patriotic Party (NPP) is all for having an adult conversation about the politics of the day but then, we can't tolerate the erosion of public discourse to such low level. This is certainly not about the politics of the day, neither is it about proffering an opinion. It is about respect for the judiciary and responsibility towards same.

In any case, the 1992 Constitution as enshrined in Article 276 has injuncted chiefs from partisan politics.

Section (1) of Article 276 states: A chief shall not take part in active party politics; and any chief wishing to do so shall abdicate his stool or skin.

So why is Osagyefo Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II putting on the NDC jersey even at the peril of his position as a high court judge?

Again, we are aware of the fact that, a lot of profit has been made by some well connected leeches who are agreeable about building and operating propaganda machinery for the opposition NDC. However, it would be better for these people to stick to their chosen profession, and vote in whatever way they wish to, and let the discerning public decides on the political direction they want to pursue, based on facts, not propaganda, not the way paid activists bully them to do.

Shakespeare in King Lear observed the mythological Leir of Britain. King Lear, in preparation for his old age, divides his power and land between two of his daughters. He becomes destitute and insane and a proscribed crux of political machinations.

Sadly, Justice Daniel Mensah is gradually epitomising the Shakespearean King in every sphere of his life.

Truth is, public political views have been the ruin of many of the people who charted the path that Justice Daniel Mensah is walking on. "Ohene tufo antie nna y3de nno to Krotia mma 3mmaa twe Nsuo gu no so" He must must watch it.

Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah Bonsu (Deputy Director of Communications, NPP)
Secretary General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC) has expressed disappointment in the management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Limited for shifting its stance in negotiations.

Dr Anthony Yaw Baah said after giving Organised Labour hope in previous negotiations, drawing conclusion to engagements close, the management of the power company has gone back to its previous stance.

I should say we are very disappointed, Dr Yaw Baah opened up to TV3s Daniel Opoku after negotiations on Thursday, July 6.

When we left here on [Wednesday], we were hopeful that [on Thursday] we will get a deal, all that management had requested we were ready to provide.

We went to National Labour Commission and reported to them, he said, however, indicating that the hope carried from the previous engagements has been dashed.

Today, we came here and the meeting didnt go as we expected, so we have still not concluded the negotiations.

What that means is that our notice holds that on Monday, July 10, all workers under Organised Labour will stay at home.

Dr Yaw Baah, however, indicated that leadership of the workers will still welcome any invitation from the management of Sunon Asogli Power for an amicable resolution of the impasse until Sunday.

Organised Labour are solidly backing three union leaders dismissed by management of Sunon Asogli Power for joining a union in the company.

The TUC boss says it is the right of every worker to join a union, calling for the reinstatement of the three.

-3news.com
Socialist Movement of Ghana (SMG) has announced that it is in support of the upcoming nationwide strike action declared by Organised Labour.

Organised Labour is gearing up for massive strike action on July 10 as it continues to demand the reinstatement of three staff of Sunon Asogli Power Ghana dismissed after they were elected as Union Leaders upon joining the Ghana Mineworkers Union.

In its press release, the Socialist Movement of Ghana said Sunon Asoglis attack on its workers is an attack by foreign capital on the ability of all workers everywhere to protect their interest in fair wages, decent and safe working conditions, job security, and stress-free retirement.

The Movement holds the view that it is an attack that seeks to increase the level of exploitation and increase the profitability of its investors in all situations.

It is an attack that all workers everywhere must respond robustly to, parts of the release from SMG said.

To join Organised Labour to fight for the dismissed staff of Sunon Asoglo, the Socialist Movement of Ghana said: Organised Labour must be understood as acting on behalf of Society as a whole and should receive the support of all Ghanaians that seek prosperity and justice for our country.

The Socialist Movement of Ghana declares its solidarity with the proposed nationwide general strike commencing on 10 July, the Movement stressed in its press release.

SMG further calls on others especially other non-unionised workers and other social movements like NUGS and its component associations to join hands, raise their voices and bring pressure on Sunon Asogli to do the right thing and to strengthen the collective rights of the People.

Below is a copy of the release:

SOCIALIST MOVEMENT OF GHANA (SMG)

06-07-2023

SOLIDARITY WITH THE WORKERS OF GHANA

We have received notice of the Declaration of a General Strike by Organised Labour. This action is in response to the unfair dismissal of workers leaders by Sunon Asogli Thermal Power Ltd, a foreign investor in Ghanas power sector.

The case is simple. For over two years, Sunon Asogli, has categorically refused to recognize its Ghanaian workers natural, constitutional, statutory, and international law rights to unionise and collectively negotiate with the companys management over their working conditions. The company unlawfully dismissed of the Chair, Secretary, and Assistant Secretary of the Sunon Asogli Branch of Mine Workers Union. The National Labour Commission, the State body set up to regulate these matters has ruled that Sunon Asogli is in breach of Ghana and International law and demanded reinstatement of the dismissed workers. Sunon Asogli has ignored the NLC forcing them to take the matter to court. The State too has failed to protect its citizens rights. Accordingly, Organised Labour is acting to protect the rights of workers. Organised Labour is also proudly upholding Ghanas constitution, the 2003 Labour Act, and our international obligations under International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise and ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining.

Working people (whether street sweepers or medical officers) can only protect their interests and the interests of society against the concentrated economic power of capitalist enterprises like Sunon Asogli if they are able to organise and act collectively. It is only when their numbers and therefor their true weight is placed in the scales that meaningful economic negotiations with employers is possible. This is true at the level of the individual factory or workplace. And it is true at a wider national economic level. It is only collectively that workers can ensure that resources are available for policymakers to meet the needs of working people, our families, and our communities rather than the profit aspirations of Capital.

Sunon Asoglis attack on its workers is an attack by foreign capital on the ability of all workers everywhere to protect their interest in fair wages, decent and safe working conditions, job security, stress-free retirement. It is an attack that seeks to increase the level of exploitation and increase the profitability of its investors in all situations. It is an attack that all workers everywhere must respond robustly to.

The context for Sunon Asoglis attack is clear. Over the last 40 years real incomes and social security have eroded steadily. Employment has been increasingly casualised in sector after sector. More and more areas of work have been rendered gigs with Uber drivers, delivery riders, software technicians, and many more categories living the illusion that they are independent contractors and not employees with legal rights to safe and decent working conditions, rest, and job security. Capital with the connivance of government after government has broken Ghanaian workers back to near slave conditions.

It is in this context that Organised Labour, after two years of bending over backward to accommodate Asogli, has drawn a line in the sand. And said  NO FURTHER. Organised Labour must be understood as acting on behalf of Society as a whole and should receive the support of all Ghanaians that seek prosperity and justice for our country.

The Socialist Movement of Ghana declares its solidarity with the proposed nationwide general strike commencing on 10 July. We call on others especially other non-unionised workers and other social movements like NUGS and its component associations to join hands, raise their voices and bring pressure on Sunon Asogli to do the right thing and to strengthen the collective rights of the People.

Kyeretwie Opoku

Convener, SMG.
07.07.2023 LISTEN

The Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale Central, Murtala Muhammed has opened up on the heated exchanges with Ablekuma West MP Ursula Owusu-Ekuful in parliament on Wednesday, July 5.

The Minister of Communication and Digitalisation descended on the Minority MP and the entire house on Wednesday during a debate on the anti-gay Bill.

This was after she alleged that Murtala Muhammed referred to her as a practitioner of LGBTQ+.

Speaking to GHOne TV on the matter, Murtala Muhammed has denied referring to the Communications Minister as a practitioner of LGBTQ+.

According to him, whatever he said was off-record after Ursula Owusu-Ekuful had also referred to him as a "mad person."

I never used the word practitioner, I never did and in fact I wasnt even the only person from our side who were taking jabs, our mics were off. Ursula was said 'mua bo d3m'. We never took offence because she said it off mic which it means in twi as 'you guys are mad.' She made that statement when Honorable Defeamekpor was challenging some of the things she said in her submission.

What I said vividly you know we said a lot of things and you remember when the Speaker asked me to withdraw I asked the Speaker to tell me specifically which statement. The speaker could not tell me which statement because whatever statement any of us made, it was made off the mic. So there was no statement in the first place, Murtala Muhammed explained.

In the interview, the Tamale Central MP added that if it was Speaker Alban Bagbin overseeing proceedings, he would have ignored the alleged or purported statement that brought about the whole controversy.
Peoples National Convention has said it is worrying that the minority caucus in parliament is boycotting the business of the house on the trial days of its colleague members who are facing criminal prosecution.

On Thursday, 6 July 2023, the minority caucus boycotted the business of the house in solidarity with its leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, both of whom are appearing in court today in separate criminal trials.

While Dr Forson is being prosecuted for causing financial loss in the purchase of some ambulances while he was deputy finance minister, Mr Quayson is being trialled for perjury and forgery with respect to his dual-citizenship case.

Earlier this week, Dr Forson warned on the floor of parliament that his caucus will not attend to the business of the house every single day that Mr Quayson has a court appearance.

Read the Minority caucus' full statement below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

6TH JULY, 2023.

MINORITY IN PARLIAMENT BOYCOTTS TODAYS SITTING IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE MINORITY LEADER AND HON. JAMES GYAKYE QUAYSON.

The NDC Minority in Parliament has boycotted todays sitting to enable members accompany and solidarise with two members of our caucus, namely the Minority Leader, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and MP for Assin North, Hon. James Gyakye Quayson.

The two are due to appear in court this morning in their respective ongoing prosecutions by the Attorney General and the NPP government.

The minority stands united with our colleagues, and, as such, will not be able to honour the business of the house today.

This is the beginning of a series of actions that the caucus will be embarking on to end the ongoing persecution of the Minority Leader himself, the Hon. James Gyakye Quayson and the Hon. Collins Dauda.

We wish to reiterate the point that amidst persecution, cooperation will suffer.

END

SIGNED.

KWAME GOVERNS AGBODZA (MP)

MINORITY CHIEF WHIP

The PNC, however, said in a statement signed by General Secretary Janet Nabla that an opposition party that professes to believe in the rule of law is expected to have faith in the legal system of our nation where they held the reins of power some few years ago.

The minority Members of Parliament, at this moment, are causing financial loss to the state by abandoning their parliamentary business to go to court to protest for their colleague, the PNC statement said.

Read the full statement below:

NDC MPs BOYCOTTING PARLIAMENTARY SITTING

The PNCs attention has been drawn to the recent decision of the Minority in Parliament to boycott parliamentary sitting in solidarity with Gyekye Quaysons perjury case.

They have every right to express their support for their fellow MP in this trying times of the legislator.

However, the decision to boycott sitting due to criminal charges instituted by the republic against their colleague is worrying.

An opposition party that professes to believe in the rule of law is expected to have faith in the legal system of our nation where they held the reins of power some few years ago.

The Minority Members in Parliament at this moment, are causing financial loss to the state by abandoning their parliamentary business to go to court to protest for their colleague.

For how long will the Minority in Parliament continue this boycott of parliamentary sitting at the expense of the taxpayer?

We expect them to do same for their respective constituents who are also facing criminal prosecution across the country.

After all, the constituents elected these legislators to represent them in parliament.

Unless they want to tell Ghanaians that Members of Parliament come first and the constituents interest is the least to be considered.

As legislators, we expect them to demonstrate their commitment to the rule of law as enshrined in the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.

Politicisation of criminal proceedings must not be encouraged at all levels if we seek to uphold the tenet of the rule of law.

We are appealing to civil society organisations, the Peace Council, Academia, the media and all well-meaning Ghanaians to call the Minority Members of Parliament to order.

Additionally, we are urging the Finance Minister to ensure that the number of days they will use in protestation will be counted and a financial penalty would be taken from their salary.

Source: ClassFMonline.com
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia says the quality of secondary education has improved significantly under the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy, contrary to views held by many.

He said despite the substantial increase in enrolments recorded under the policy, students were performing relatively better in WASSCE than in previous years.

Compared to the poor performance that we saw in 2015 regarding the aggregate passes in the core subjects in WASSCE, we have 41 per cent and in 2022, the aggregate passes increased to 64 per cent, he said.

Many education stakeholders hold the view that the quality of secondary education has dipped under Free SHS with a good number of them calling for a review.

Vice President Bawumia, who was speaking at the opening session of the 56th congress of the National Union of Ghana Students at the University of Cape Coast, said that the situation was completely different.

People assume that with the expansion of access, quality will suffer, and performance will decline, and this is essentially saying that the Law of Gravity will have to be obeyed but access has expanded, and performance has improved and therefore we have defied the law of gravity, he maintained.

Dr Bawumia further averred that Free SHS had enhanced gender parity at the Senior High School level the policy did not discriminate.

He also touted other government policies and achievements, including the investments in Technical and Vocational Education Training, promotion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and provision of free Wi-Fi in various schools and institutions.

He said the government's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, strived to ensure inclusive and quality education for all was evident in the continuous efforts to expand educational opportunities and enhance learning outcomes.

GNA
Mr Muhammed Sanusi II, the Khalifa of Tijaniya and Former Emir of Kanu State in Nigeria, has urged the Fulani Community in Ghana to start taking legal actions against persons and groups that unjustly label and attack them.

He said the Community needed to start taking that step to deter others from discriminating against them, stressing that that was how they could deal with the discriminative ethnic profiling and attacks they faced.

The Khalifa Mohammed Sanusi II, the head of all Fulanis under the Tabital Pulaaku International, a grouping of Fulanis, said this when he met the leadership of the Fulani Community in Ghana and some Civil Society Organisations in Accra.

The meeting discussed recent happenings pertinent to the Fulanis in Ghana and how they could be addressed.

He said the time had come for the Community to start taking legal action and not just complain against discrimination.

He added that they should also deepen their engagement with leadership of governments and state securities on issues relating to their welfare and safety.

The Khalifa admonished the Community not to resort to violence in any endeavour, but always engage peacefully with all.

Ethnic profiling leads to ethnic hatred, which has the tendency to breed violence. However, let's not close our days to dialogue. Let's continue to engage and perceive justice, he stressed.

The Khalifa also advised the Community to identify those among them that were engaged in wrongful behaviours and call them out.

He said that would show that not all Fulanis were bad people as perceived by many and admonished the media against headlines and news reports that put the entire group in wrong description, when one person committed a crime or wrongdoing.

Mr Yakubu Musah Barry, General Secretary, Tabital Pulaaku International  Ghana Chapter, commended the Khalifa for the engagement.

He urged the Community to continue to support the local leadership to address their challenges.

The Khalifa Mohammed Sanusi II was a former Emir of Kanu State in Nigeria and served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014.

GNA
07.07.2023 LISTEN

Bright Botchway

Owane Street

C117-Chapel Square

Agona Swedru

The Right Honorable Speaker

Parliament of Ghana

PMB-Accra

Subject: Petition Regarding Alleged Breach of Standing Orders and Violation of Ghanaian Laws by Hon. Alex Blankson, NPP MP for Adanse Akrofrom

Friday, 7 July 2023

Dear Honorable Speaker,

I write to you with deep concern and a steadfast commitment to upholding the integrity and ethical conduct of Members of Parliament. As a citizen of Ghana, I exercise my right to petition the Parliament on matters of public importance. The purpose of this petition is to bring to your attention the alleged breach of Standing Orders and violation of Ghanaian laws by Hon. Alex Blankson, a Member of Parliament representing the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Adanse Akrofrom in the Ashanti Region.

Based on recent revelations, it has come to light that Hon. Alex Blankson presented a forged University of Cape Coast (UCC) certificate to his party and subsequently included the same falsified certificate on his Curriculum Vitae. Such actions, if proven true, undermine the principles of transparency, honesty, and trustworthiness that are indispensable for public officials entrusted with representing the interests of the people.

In light of this matter, I kindly request a thorough investigation be conducted to establish the veracity of these allegations and to determine if Hon. Alex Blankson has breached any provisions of the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Ghana, as well as relevant Ghanaian laws. The following points underscore the potential violations that necessitate urgent attention:

Breach of Standing Orders:

a) Standing Order 29: This order pertains to the qualification and disqualification of Members of Parliament. If it is indeed established that Hon. Alex Blankson presented a counterfeit UCC certificate, it could potentially breach the qualification requirements for MPs, thereby compromising his eligibility to hold public office.

Violation of Ghanaian Criminal Offenses:

a) Criminal Offenses Act, 1960 (Act 29): Hon. Alex Blankson's alleged actions of presenting a forged certificate, engaging in fraud, and making false representations could be deemed criminal offenses under this act, specifically relating to forgery, fraud, and false representation.

b) Public Officers Act, 1962 (Act 109): This act addresses offenses related to the conduct of public officials and the abuse of public office. If Hon. Alex Blankson is found guilty of presenting false credentials and misleading his constituents and the public, he may contravene this act.

Given the gravity of these allegations and the potential impact on public trust and confidence in the parliamentary institution, I implore you, as the custodian of parliamentary rules and procedures, to take appropriate action. Hon. Alex Blankson must be held accountable for his actions, should the investigation substantiate these claims.

Furthermore, I have attached the necessary evidence from the Division of Academic Affairs to support the allegations made in this petition. These documents provide substantial proof of the forged certificate presented by Hon. Alex Blankson.

I trust that you will ensure the independence and impartiality of the investigation, involving relevant parliamentary committees and, if necessary, collaborating with appropriate law enforcement agencies and legal authorities. The credibility and integrity of the Parliament of Ghana, as well as the democratic process, depend on fair and transparent investigations into allegations of misconduct.

I kindly request that you keep me informed of any developments regarding this matter and the actions taken in response to this petition. It is my sincere hope that through a thorough and just investigation, the truth will be unveiled, and appropriate measures will be taken to preserve the sanctity of the parliamentary institution and uphold the rule of law.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Bright Botchway

Youth Activist/Feminist Advocate

Citizen of Ghana
07.07.2023 LISTEN

Throughout history, a select few individuals have emerged as beacons of moral leadership. They guide their nations and inspire the world through their unwavering principles and profound impact. Marcus Aurelius, Nelson Mandela, and Lee Kuan Yew stand among these extraordinary figures, each leaving an indelible mark on their respective societies. Their ability to lead with integrity, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to justice sets them apart as exemplars of moral leadership in politics.

This article sheds light on the values and virtues that defined their leadership and inspire generations. While not without imperfections, these leaders prioritized the interests of their nations over their own, striving to do what was humanly possible to serve their people.

Their excellent leadership styles serve as powerful models for Ghanaian leaders seeking to transform their nation. Ghanaian leaders can create an environment of progress and prosperity by embracing integrity, empathy, justice, reconciliation, and pragmatic governance. Drawing inspiration from these iconic figures, Ghanaian leaders can prioritize the common interest, bridge divides, drive economic development, and uplift their citizens. This will position Ghana as a model of ethical and effective leadership.

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, is known for his philosophical reflections on Stoicism and his commitment to justice and virtue. He practiced self-discipline, fairness, and empathy to serve the common good. Despite his immense power, he remained humble and prioritized his people's well-being. His book "Meditations" reveals his introspective thoughts on morality, duty, and self-improvement, demonstrating his commitment to ethical leadership.

Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected South African President, is widely recognized for his moral leadership and fight against apartheid. Mandela demonstrated unwavering integrity, forgiveness, and reconciliation commitment. Despite 27 years in prison, he emerged with a vision of a united and non-racial South Africa. Mandela championed human rights, equality, and social justice, promoting peaceful coexistence and a democratic society. His ability to transcend personal suffering and foster national healing made him an inspirational moral leader.

Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of modern Singapore, transformed the country from a developing nation into a prosperous and stable state. He exemplified pragmatic and ethical leadership, focusing on meritocracy, efficiency, and good governance. Lee Kuan Yew prioritized public welfare over personal interests and made tough decisions to combat corruption and establish a clean government. He fostered social cohesion and economic development, emphasizing discipline, order, and long-term planning. Lee Kuan Yew's moral leadership laid the foundation for Singapore's success.

Integrity is the bedrock of moral and political leadership. It entails honesty, transparency, and consistency in words and actions. Marcus Aurelius demonstrated unwavering integrity in his role as Roman Emperor. In his writings, collected in "Meditations," he reflected on personal virtues and justice. His dedication to living a virtuous life and fulfilling his duty exemplifies integrity in political leadership. Also, Nelson Mandela's unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity was evident throughout his fight against apartheid.

Similarly, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father, exemplified unwavering integrity. He prioritized meritocracy, transparency, and good governance, effectively combating corruption and establishing a clean government. Lee's commitment to ethical conduct set the foundation for Singapore's success and contributed to its reputation for clean and efficient governance.

Moral political leaders prioritize the well-being of the people they serve over personal or partisan interests. As a Stoic philosopher and Emperor, Marcus Aurelius upheld the principle of serving the common good. His focus on justice, fairness, and the welfare of his people guided his decision-making, ensuring that his actions aligned with society's betterment.

Likewise, Nelson Mandela's commitment to the common good was evident in his fight against apartheid and subsequent efforts toward reconciliation. In the same vein, Lee Kuan Yew's commitment to the common good transformed Singapore from a developing nation to a prosperous and stable state. He prioritized economic and social development, focusing on meritocracy, efficiency, and good governance.

These leaders recognize the value of diversity and strive to foster unity and inclusivity within their societies. Marcus Aurelius understood the importance of diversity in the Roman Empire. Despite the challenges posed by a diverse empire, he emphasized the need for mutual respect and understanding among different cultures and religions. Likewise, Nelson Mandela's and Lee Kuan Yew's leadership was characterized by their commitment to inclusivity and dismantling divisive policies.

Moral and political leaders approach their roles with humility, recognizing their duty to serve the people. All these leaders embraced servant leadership, acknowledging their positions as responsibilities rather than privileges. They saw themselves as servants of their people and considered their welfare paramount.

Further, moral and political leaders understand the importance of collaboration and reconciliation in social progress. Marcus Aurelius recognized the need for cooperation among diverse groups within the Roman Empire. His emphasis on mutual understanding and dialogue facilitated collaboration and contributed to empire stability.

Nelson Mandela's pursuit of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa exemplifies forgiveness and dialogue. Despite apartheid's deep scars, Mandela advocated for reconciliation and worked towards building a united nation. Lee Kuan Yew emphasized social cohesion and collaboration in Singapore's diverse society. He promoted a culture of cooperation and encouraged dialogue among different ethnic and religious groups. Lee's governance approach fostered unity, enabling Singaporeans to work together towards common goals.

Moral political leaders exhibit a long-term vision and a pragmatic approach to sustainable development. Marcus Aurelius recognized the importance of long-term planning for the Roman Empires stability and welfare. His focus on infrastructure development, economic policies, and governance reforms aimed to secure the empire's future.

Nelson Mandela's vision for a democratic and inclusive South Africa was grounded in a long-term perspective. He understood that meaningful change required patience, persistence, and strategic planning. Mandela's pragmatism allowed him to navigate complex challenges and steer South Africa toward a more equitable and democratic future.

Lee Kuan Yew's long-term vision for Singapore's development played a crucial role in transforming the nation. He implemented comprehensive policies emphasizing education, urban planning, and economic diversification. Lee's pragmatic approach and long-term vision allowed Singapore to achieve remarkable economic growth and become a global hub of innovation and prosperity.

The examples of Marcus Aurelius, Nelson Mandela, and Lee Kuan Yew demonstrate common characteristics that define moral political leaders. These leaders exemplified integrity and ethics, prioritized the common good, respected human rights, embraced diversity and inclusivity, practiced humility and servant leadership, fostered collaboration and reconciliation, and exhibited a long-term vision with pragmatism. Their leadership left lasting legacies and transformed their respective nations.
Mr Yaw Amankwah Bonsu, the Deputy Regional Commander for the Bono Regional Narcotics Control Commission (NaCoC) has cautioned the youth to abstain from drug use.

He noted that treatment of drug addiction (substance use disorders) was expensive.

He said the life of most drug users had not ended well, saying it was either they die early or their life messed up.

Mr Bonsu gave the caution in an interview with the media in Sunyani as part of measures the Commission had taken in the region to mitigate drug abuse and warned the youth to stay away from drugs because it was not going to help them.

"How many drug addicts can afford rehabilitation treatment and the centres in Ghana are not open where one could walk in because they are substance use disorders to be treated and cared for," he stated.

Mr Bonsu noted that in the region, cannabis was the most abused drug, especially among the youth, saying the commission also records some cases of cracked cocaine and heroin, while some youth take higher doses of 100, 150, 200 milligrams of tramadol, which he described was a concern the commission was dealing with.

He indicated that the approach to enforcement of narcotic trade and trafficking had not abetted over the years, saying the Narcotic Control Commission Act, 2020 (Act 1019) sees drugs as a health issue and therefore the Commission was drifting from the enforcement and giving recognition to the health aspect.

Speaking about the theme for this years World Drugs Day celebration, People First: Stop Stigma and Discrimination, Strengthen Prevention, Mr Bonsu noted that society turns to isolate persons who were perceived as drug addicts, saying due to such behavior, they were not able to get close to people to be shown love and get the help they require to enable them heal.

He said the Commission was looking at sensitising the public against stigmatization and discrimination, saying the addicts needed attention, care and love so that they could also come out of the situation they find themselves.
Medical and Dental Council have begun investigations into an incident at the Central Aflao Hospital in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region where two nurses of the facility were alleged to have refused to treat a patient in a critical condition, unless cash was deposited, leading to her death.

The two nurses have since been released for investigations after the family of the deceased, Linda Adua, 39, petitioned the president, the Minister of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the Medical and Dental Council.

The Volta Regional Health Director, Dr. Senanu Djokoto confirmed the incident to Citi News and noted that internal investigations have begun and the report will be made available in a few days.

Background According to the family of the deceased, several pleas of the sick woman and her 19-year-old son could not convince the nurses to accept mobile money payment for her treatment, leaving the patient unattended until she passed away.

The Medical and Dental Council and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have swiftly responded to the petition and dispatched a team of investigators to the hospital to probe the matter.

Dr Gabrielle Kojo, the Medical Director of the Aflao Central Hospital, also known as Nkansah Hospital, confirmed to the Daily Graphic that a team from the GHS was in the hospital to investigate the matter.

The police have summoned us to release the nurses involved for interrogation on the matter, which we have done, he said.

Dr Makafui Dagbasu, the Medical Director of the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, the main referral centre of the municipality, also confirmed that the hospital was currently being investigated over the subject.

Abigail Adua, an elder sister of the deceased, told the Daily Graphic that at a point when Linda appeared to have died, the hospital directed the son to take her to a government facility where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Linda, who is yet to be buried, lived with her only son in Aflao, where she operated a restaurant.

Much as we appreciate the work and dedication to duty of health professionals, we think that there are some bad lots among them in the hospitals and clinics, whose actions and inaction are denting the image of the medical and nursing professions and need to be brought to order to sanitise the system, Ms Adua said.

She said Linda's son, Jerry Nii Tetteh, had just gained admission to pursue a degree programme at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and was now left alone and traumatised as his reliable source of support and friend was gone.

Abigail said on April 11 this year, Linda asked her son to accompany her to the hospital because she was not feeling too well.

They reached the hospital around 4:05 a.m., and were met by two nurses on duty, who requested that they made a deposit of GH400 before she would be attended to, Abigail narrated.

She said Linda offered to pay through mobile money transfer, but the nurses said electronic transfers were against the hospital's policy, insisting that Tetteh should go out of the hospital to look for a mobile money merchant to withdraw cash for the payment.

My sister pleaded with the nurses to take the MoMo and attend to her because it was too early in the morning to find a merchant to withdraw the money, but they refused, she said.

Plea She said Linda's son later had to walk from the hospital to Avoeme Junction before getting a motorbike to take him to the Aflao Border, about two kilometres from the hospital, in search of a mobile money merchant.

All this while, Linda remained seated in a wheelchair in the outpatient department (OPD) unattended to by the nurses. No details of the complaints were recorded, and her vitals were also not taken except her name which was recorded in the patient register at the OPD, she added.

The son found no merchant to facilitate the cash withdrawal, she said.

Linda, meanwhile, complained of difficulty in breathing and pleaded with the nurses to put her on oxygen.

One of the nurses retorted that she was disturbing them as she scanned her phone, she said.

She said Linda, who had been wheeled to a ward, asked the son to assist her to the washroom, but she fell on the way.

It was at that point that another patient in the ward, who witnessed the whole incident, rushed out to inform the nurses about what had happened.

The nurse, apparently sensing danger, told Linda's son to get a taxi and take her to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital as her situation was beyond their capacity, she said.

Confused and helpless Abigail said the son rushed to get the taxi as his mother remained motionless, and by the time he got back to the hospital with the taxi, the mother had been put on a stretcher, and wheeled from the ward to the entrance of the hospital.

She said the nurses asked the young man to sit in the taxi as they pushed the motionless body of his mother into the taxi, with her head resting on his laps and instructed him to take her to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital without a referral note or an accompanying officer.

Just upon arrival at the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, Linda was pronounced dead by the medical staff who said they were sure she had died several minutes before being brought to their facility at about 7:40 a.m, she said.

Abigail said when the news of the incident reached the family, they reached out to the management of the Central Aflao Hospital to understand what Linda's son had narrated to them.

Source: Citi Newsroom with background from the Daily Graphic
Even as students of journalism, one of the first lessons in first year journalism class is the admonishment by your lecturer to refrain from commenting on cases before the courts because it is sub judice.

Unfortunately, the values that made our country strong have been sacrificed for political expediency. It is our view that our politicians shed the extreme partisan political garb and demonstrate the expression of patriotism to promote our democracy.

We were therefore shocked to hear the comments of the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Bagbin and the Dormaahene who incidentally is a judge and knows the law better. He was speaking at a lecture to commemorate late President Atta Mills and therefore he moved to make a political statement.

Speaking during a visit to state-run Daily Graphic last week, Mr. Bagbin said there is selective justice in relation to the Gyakye Quayson case because there are many more people who have the same issues as Gyakye Quayson but are not being prosecuted. Is Mr. Bagbin telling us that there are others in Parliament with the same problem and he as the Speaker has not called them out to be sanctioned?

With due respect can we say the Speaker is condoning wrongdoing? In the case of the Dormaahene, let us ask him whether he was in the country when Adamu Sakande was tried and jailed, and if he was in the country, why did he not ask then Attorney General to discontinue the case? The comments of the Speaker and Dormaahene cannot be devoid of the kind of partisan politics we are engaged in and that is support our own even if they have erred. Please will you come to the defence of an MP who is an NPP person?

We want Ghanaians in positions of trust to help our democracy to endure by holding one of its pillars, the rule of law. Nobody is above the law, and therefore those who breach our laws must face prosecution. In this particular instance, we ask the Speaker and Dormaahene to come again and use their privileged positions to deepen the rule of law to sustain our democracy.

Source: Daily Guide
07.07.2023 LISTEN

Ms Abigail Adua, the sister of a 38-year-old patient who died recently at the Central Aflao Hospital in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, has said nurses of today have little regard for human life.

She said they are only fascinated by how they look in their uniform and the salary they receive at the end of the month.

She noted that her sister, Linda Adua, died because the two nurses on duty at the hospital at the time, insisted the now-deceased patient pay cash instead of e-money before she could be given any health care, even though she was admitted to the facility at about 4am on 11 April 2023 when no mobile money vendors were around.

Ms Abigail Adua narrated to Class91.3FMs regional correspondent Kingsley Atitsogbui that her sister, who does not like talking, pleaded with the nurses that her 19-year-old son, Nii Jerry Tetteh, would go out and withdraw the money for payment when day broke but they refused.

They said, No; they want physical cash before they can take care of her.

My sister was begging them [but] they said, no, she recalled.

She said Lindas son later had to trek from the hospital to Avoeme Junction before getting a motorbike to take him to the Aflao Border, about two kilometres from the hospital, in search of a mobile money merchant but to no avail.

All that while, she said her sister was not attended to, by the two nurses who were preoccupied by their phones, as they scrolled on Facebook. They didnt even mind her.

She said: It was later on that one lady, who is Christy, told my sisters son to push the mother to the ward, so, she showed the son where the ward is  the boy wheeled his mother to the bed, so, the mother sat on the bed and the boy went to them and complained that the mother was complaining of difficulty in breathing, so, they should come and give her oxygen and the nurses came, the two of them came and when they came, my sister said: I cant breathe, please, give me oxygen; please take care of me, tomorrow morning, early in the morning, we will give you money. Im still here. Ill not go anywhere. You people should take care of me. And the lady nurse said: Madam, you are disturbing us, what is it?

The Daily Graphic newspaper also reported that Linda later asked the son to assist her to the washroom, but she fell on the way.

It was at that point that another patient in the ward, who witnessed the whole incident, rushed out to inform the nurses about what had happened. The nurse, apparently sensing danger, told Lindas son to get a taxi and take her to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital as her situation was beyond their capacity, she said.

Abigail said the son rushed to get the taxi as his mother remained motionless, and by the time he got back to the hospital with the taxi, the mother had been put on a stretcher, and wheeled from the ward to the entrance of the hospital.

She said the nurses asked the young man to sit in the taxi, as they pushed the motionless body of his mother into the taxi, with her head resting on his laps, and instructed him to take her to the Ketu South Municipal Hospital without a referral note or an accompanying officer.

Just upon arrival at the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, Linda was pronounced dead by the medical staff who said they were sure she had died several minutes before being brought to their facility at about 7:40 am, she said.

Abigail Adua complained to Kingsley Atitsogbui that nurses are trained to save lives but now, the modern nurses that we have are not trained to save lives, they are only proud of the dress and their salary.

She advised nurses of today to take their work seriously, adding: Whenever a patient is brought to the hospital, they should quickly rush and take care of the person. The person will not run. Even if the person doesnt have physical cash and has mobile money, they should take the mobile money because now mobile money has come to stay with us.

Lindas family has subsequently petitioned President Nana Akufo-Addo, the Minister of Health, the Ghana Health Service and the Medical and Dental Council, for justice.

The Medical and Dental Council and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) have responded to the petition and dispatched a team of investigators to the hospital to probe the matter.

Dr Gabrielle Kojo, the Medical Director of the Aflao Central Hospital, also known as Nkansah Hospital, confirmed to the Daily Graphic that a team from the GHS was in the hospital to investigate the matter.

The police have summoned us to release the nurses involved for interrogation on the matter, which we have done, he said.

Dr Makafui Dagbasu, the Medical Director of the Ketu South Municipal Hospital, the main referral centre of the municipality, also confirmed that the hospital was currently being investigated over the subject.

Lindas son recently gained admission to pursue a degree programme at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). Her now-deceased mother was his only source of financial support.

The family are demanding the hospital take up the cost of the funeral of the patient and also cater to the needs of Lindas son.

- ClassFMonline.com with additional files from Daily Graphic
07.07.2023 LISTEN

Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, the Deputy Minister for Education, disclosed his strong support for the anti-LGBTQ+ bill which has been adopted in the second reading by Parliament.

The bill aims to prohibit unnatural sexual preferences and activities in the country.

Known as the "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022," the legislation has been unanimously adopted by Parliament on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

Its primary objective is to proscribe LGBTQ+ activities, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer practices.

If passed into law, the bill would criminalize homosexual acts, imposing legal penalties and potential imprisonment for offenders.

Prominent figures, such as the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and several Members of Parliament including Sam Nartey George, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, Madam Della Adjoa Sowah, Alhassan Sayibu Suhuyini, and Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, have been at the forefront of championing the Bill.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour on Thursday, July 6, 2023 defended the bill in an interview on Peace FMs "Kokrokoo" morning show monitored by ModernGhana News stating that tolerating same-sex relationships would have dire consequences for the nation.

He argued that the bill would act as a check on the LGBTQ+ community, preventing practices and prohibiting the dissemination of such behaviors to younger generations.

The Deputy Minister further stated that the bill aligns with constitutional provisions against unnatural carnal knowledge and offers detailed guidance on handling unacceptable sexual behaviors.

He indicated that LGBTQ+ should not be considered as human rights.

"LGBTQ is not a human right. It is a sexual perversion, he stated.

Rev. Ntim Fordjour emphasized the potential negative effects of allowing individuals to engage in same sex activities.

He said, "If we allow for any person to do whatever he or she wants and commit to any sexual preference because it won't have bad effects, it is absolutely not true. It will have bad consequences on the country."
Mr Alex King Nartey, Assistant Divisional Officer Grade One (ADO1) at the Public Relations Department of the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has appealed to Ghanaians to have a better understanding of the operations of the fire service.

He emphasised that not all fire outbreaks can be extinguished with water alone.

Mr Nartey explained that there are certain situations where fire officers assess the fire scene and determine that water alone is not sufficient to extinguish the fire.

In such cases, they may request the assistance of the Electricity Company of Ghana to cut off power supply to the area before tackling the fire.

This does not mean that the fire officers arrived at the scene without water in their firefighting apparatus, he stressed.

He further highlighted that there are different types of fires, such as petrol, gas, and electric fires, adding that these require specific firefighting techniques.

For instance, in the case of a petroleum fire, even if it is raining, water may not be effective in extinguishing the fire completely, he said.

He cited the June 3 fire disaster at the Kwame Nkrumah Circle in the Greater Accra Region.

Sometimes, the focus of the fire officers is to contain the fire to prevent it from spreading and causing further damage to lives and properties.

Mr Nartey urged people to refrain from jumping to unnecessary conclusions if they do not fully understand the workings of the fire service.

It is important to trust that the fire officers are employing the most appropriate methods to handle each specific fire incident, he concluded.

ADO1 Mr Alex King Nartey corrected the notion while speaking in an interview on the Ghana Yensom morning show hosted by Odehyeeba Kofi Essuman on Accra 100.5 FM on Friday July 7, 2023

- Classfmonline.com
Dr. John Kwabena Kwakye

07.07.2023 LISTEN

Senior Economist at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Dr. John Kwabena Kwakye has kicked against the Minoritys decision to boycott Parliamentary sitting to support colleague Members of Parliament in Court.

The Minority on Thursday, July 6, boycotted parliament to offer solidarity to Assin North MP James Gyakye Quayson, MP for Asutifi South, Collins Dauda, and Ajumako-Enyan-Esiam MP Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.

Sharing his view on the boycott, Dr. John Kwakye hit out at the Minority, insisting that the move will not affect the outcome of the case against the two colleague MPs.

The economist is of the view that the move by the Minority sets a bad precedent and should not be tolerated.

Boycotting Parliament is not the best way to support a colleague in court. It amounts to dereliction of duty and sets a bad precedent. We should allow our court system to work.

How will boycotting Parliament to support a colleague in court affect the outcome of the case? We should allow our court system to work, Dr. John Kwakye shared in a post on Twitter on Friday, July 7.

He continued, Checks and balances require that Parliament allow the judiciary to perform its functions unfettered. The continual presence of parliamentarians in court to support their colleague amounts to interference with the work of the judiciary.

Meanwhile, the Minority has served notice that it will continue to boycott parliamentary sittings to support colleague MPs in court whenever their cases are called.
The ongoing picketing by the National Food Suppliers Association (NFSA) at the premises of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) over unpaid arrears has raised concerns in Parliament.

Mr Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, highlighted the issue during a parliamentary session, further expressing his worry and calling for the involvement of the ministers of Education, Agriculture, and Finance.

On the other hand, Mr Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the MP for Akatsi South Constituency also in the Volta Region, also expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing picketing at the Buffer Stock Company.

The National Food Suppliers Association staged a protest to demand payment of GH270 million owed them by government.

These suppliers, who had travelled from various regions of the country, claimed that they had not been paid for the food they supplied to Senior High Schools since 2021.

Since July 4, 2023, the suppliers have been staying overnight at the premises of the Buffer Stock Company, insisting that they will not leave until the government fulfils its payment obligations.

In response to the situation, Speaker of Parliament Alban Sumana Bagbin directed the Business Committee in Parliament to schedule a session for the three ministers involved to appear before the house next week.

The ministers will be required to provide updates on the actions taken to address the issue.

Source: Classfmonline.com/cecil Mensah
07.07.2023 LISTEN

The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has reacted to the allegation from North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to the effect that she has awarded a contract without approval from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

In a post on his Facebook page on Thursday, July 7, Mr. Ablakwa accused the Ablekuma West MP of awarding a US$48 million contract without PPA approval to a Nigerian cabal that has hijacked the Communications.

Having cited reportage of the accusation, Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has through a post on Twitter dared Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to present proof.

She wants the North Tongu MP to produce the contract he claims she signed without PPA approval.

Ablakwa, please produce the contract you claim I signed without PPA approval. This is the only RTP contract I have signed, approved by Parliament, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful shared in her post.

In the latest development, Okudzeto Ablakwa has accepted the challenge from the Communications Minister and shared a letter from GIFEC confirming an existing contract with Ascend Digital Solutions.

He has given the indication that he would prove that a US$48 million contract has been signed under the watch of the Minister without PPA approval.
07.07.2023 LISTEN

Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has refuted claims she awarded a multi-million-dollar contract without the approval of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA).

Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has revealed that Communications Minister Ursula Owusu-Ekuful awarded a multi-million dollar contract without the necessary approval.

In a July 6, 2023 post on his social media handles, the MP provided correspondence between himself and the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) to back his claims.

Mr Ablakwas request to PPA dated 8th June was titled REQUEST FOR INFORMATION and read in part: Respectfully, can you confirm if the Public Procurement Authority has granted procurement approval as required per the Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended with (Act 914) to Ascend Digital Solutions under a US$48 million Rural Telephony Project contract purportedly for Engineering, Design, Build, Rollout and Managed Services which is being executed by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization since the year 2020.

The PPA in its response dated 30th June 2023 and signed by Deputy Chief Executive Kwame Prempeh read: We wish to inform you that our records do not reflect any information of the above-mentioned project.

In reaction, the Communications Minister noted that the only document signed is the Commercial Contract Agreement between the government of Ghana and Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

She challenges Hon. Ablakwa to produce the said contract she allegedly awarded illegally.

She said Ablakwa, please produce the contract you claim I signed without PPA approval. This is the only RTP contract I have signed, approved by Parliament.
07.07.2023 LISTEN

Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, the Deputy Minister for Education and Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency has issued a stern warning to the Diplomatic Community, urging them to respect Ghana's sovereignty following the adoption of the anti-LGBTQ+ bill by Parliament.

The "Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022" was unanimously adopted by Parliament on Wednesday, July 5, 2023.

The bill seeks to proscribe LGBTQ+ and related activities, including the promotion and advocacy of such practices.

As discussions surrounding the bill continue, the Country Director for Amnesty International, Genevieve Partington, called on Parliament to reject the bill, citing concerns over human rights violations.

In her view, she said, It is good to hear peoples point of view and to also give those who are pro-LGBTQ a chance to express why this Bill should not be passed.

So I think it is a healthy discussion even though some people decide to go below the belt, but in all, its a healthy discussion. But in terms of Amnesty we certainly believe that this bill should not be passed, it should be thrown out in its entirety."

It completely violates human rights and Parliament should not consider it at all. I feel like the Parliamentarians should be spending their time on bigger issues in Ghana, she stated.

She continued: There are places that do not have water and electricity, those are the things we should focus on, not the Bill.

In his reaction, Reverend Ntim Fordjour, during a discussion on Peace FM's Kokrokoo morning show, expressed his frustration with external interference in Ghana's legislative processes.

He said, "Some countries like Russia, Qatar have strict regulations against LGBTQ but ours is not like that.

I've not heard that these countries have been threatened to accept this act or face sanctions. But the situation is not the same in Africa."

Why don't they respect us as Sovereign countries? If you have accepted LGBTQ in your country, you are a sovereign country and you're entitled to set those laws so allow us to also do the same. We are also a Sovereign state," he stated.

The Deputy Education Minister concluded by urging the Diplomatic Community to refrain from dictating Ghana's pace and allow the country to enact its own laws and regulations based on its values and beliefs.

"This is not a diplomatic brawl; you can have your disagreement but in expressing your disagreement, you don't tell us what we must do.

Respect us because we didn't disrespect your laws in your country. This is what we want as a country so make sure your utterances are measured, he stated.
Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin has summoned the Ministers of Education, Agriculture, and Finance to appear before the House to explain governments indebtedness to the National Food Suppliers Association.

The ministers are Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Bryan Acheampong, and Ken Ofori-Atta.

The directive follows an appeal by Member of Parliament for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to the House to invite the ministers to brief the House on how the government intends to settle the over GH270 million debt to the food suppliers.

The food suppliers have been picketing at the office of the Buffer Stock Company in demand for their money.

As the leader of this House, it is important that I keep drawing your attention as the representatives of the people so that you can properly represent the interests of your constituents, Bagbin said.

Now this is where we are. So I agree that the Business Committee should schedule for the three ministers to appear before the House. The three ministers are the Ministers of Finance, Food and Agriculture, and Education. They will tell us why the challenge, Bagbin said.

The Speaker said this would enable the House to assist the Executive in addressing such challenges, adding that that is why we are establishing a committee on ways and means.
Minority in Parliament led by their leader Dr Cassiel Ato Forson stormed the office of the Minister of Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong on Friday, July 7 to demand answers as to why the picketing food suppliers have not been paid their arrears.

The other opposition MPs who accompanied their leader were Juabosso MP, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Ellembelle MP Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, Adaklu MP Kwame Agbodza.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) lawmakers had gone to the office of the National Food Buffer Stock Company where the food suppliers had been sleeping for the past three days to demand the payment of their arrears.

Bryan Acheampong was unhappy with the way and manner his colleague lawmaker had confronted him.

You are a former Deputy Finance Minister, what do you know about these payments? What do you know about payments that have been delayed, an unhappy Bryan told Ato Forson.

This is not the route to solve this problem. This inorganic picketing should not be accepted and encouraged, the Abetifi Lawmaker added.

In response to him, Mintah Akandoh told him You should be the last person to get angry, we are finding a solution.

Regarding the arrears, the management of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) has acknowledged its indebtedness to food suppliers which has resulted in the picketing.

The company says an emergency meeting has been scheduled by the board on the matter.

NAFCO acknowledges its indebtedness to its cherished suppliers. The company sympathizes with them in this unfortunate situation they find themselves in which has compelled them to picket at our head office premises. The company is equally concerned about their plight and appreciates their patience.

An emergency board meeting has been scheduled on the situation and the outcome including a possible roadmap for resolution will be shared thereafter, a statement issued by the company on Thursday, July 6 said.

The picketing food suppliers said that they were owed two years' arrears.

A spokesperson for the National Food Suppliers Association Koku Amedume said that this situation is putting pressure on them because they took loans from banks to enable them to meet the supply needs of the Buffer Stock.

Speaking on the Ghana Tonight Show with Alfred Ocansey on TV3 Tuesday, July 4, Amedume indicated that the suppliers who spent the night at the premises of the NAFCO as part of the demonstration are more comfortable sleeping at the premises of NAFCO than sleeping in their homes because of the pressure on them.

He also said they are worried about the interest being accrued on the loans they took because of the nonpayment by NAFCO.

The pressure on us at home is massive. Most of these people go to contract loans from banks with huge interests with the sole aim of supporting their business and engaging in this supply business.

Buffer stock had taken supplies from them for two years, for two years we have not been paid, he said.

-3news.com
Twitter is preparing to sue Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, over its recently launched Threads app.

It claimed Meta has systematically misappropriated Twitters trade secrets and intellectual property.

In a letter sent to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday, July 5, Twitter alleges that Meta hired dozens of former Twitter employees over the past year and assigned them to develop the Threads app, a copycat of Twitters core functionality.

Twitter asserts that these employees retained access to Twitters confidential information and trade secrets, which they then used to accelerate the development of Threads, amounting to violations of state and federal law.

Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information, the letter states in part.

The letter, reviewed by Modern Ghana News, was sent by trial lawyer Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan on behalf of Twitter.

Meta is expressly prohibited from engaging in any crawling or scraping of Twitters followers or following data, the letter further specifies.

Find full copies of the two paged letter below;
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, together with residents of Adaklu, have observed a moment of silence for the late Mama Dzankuia II, Queenmother of Adaklu-Waya in the Volta region.

The observance was made at the commissioning of an 11 million Euro water supply system for the district, which was spearheaded by the late Queenmother, who unfortunately did not live to see her dream become a reality.

Mama Dzankuia, featured on national television, in the build-up to the 2016 general elections, carrying her infamous mud-coloured water in a gallon, to show the state of drinking water in the area.

She espoused her position strongly and demonstrated how the people and herds of cattle struggled for the water resource.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, said the mega water project was part of the Five District Water Supply Project by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency.

He recounted several appeals the late Queenmother had made at various fora while showcasing unsafe water.

It will be recalled that Nana Dzankuia, brought the deplorable water system in Adaklu to the attention of Nana Addo in 2016, when he was campaigning to be president of this country.

Leadership is about carrying the pain of others. Permit me to salute her for that display and cry for good quality water, which Mr President has addressed, the Regional Minister stated.

Dr Letsa, said the commissioning marked the attainment of another milestone in quality safe water access, and demonstrated the Presidents love for the Region.

The Volta Region highly appreciates your love. You have demonstrated once again your desire to address the basic needs of the people. You have shown that the little things that make positive impact in the lives of the people mean the most to you and the people of Volta cannot hold back their gratitude to you, he said.

He noted how communities in the Region, including Amedjofe, Dzolo, Shia, Ziofe and Adaklu benefited from the Ghana Spain Debt Swap project, and hoped sod would be cut soon for the fourth phase of the Five District Project to serve more communities.

President Akufo-Addo said while commissioning the water that the Government remained focused on delivering the SDGs in a multi-facetted approach and mentioned various water projects across the country, totaling more than 700 million dollars.

These include the Sustainable Water Improvement project for the Volta, Oti, Greater Accra and Eastern Regions, and also the Keta Water Project, the Wenchi Water, and the Sekondi Takoradi Water Projects at varying stages of progress.

He said feasibility studies were almost completed for a mega water project for the Sogakope-Lome corridor that would benefit more than four million people.

Madam Cecelia Dapaah, the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, said through the efforts of the government water scarcity was being addressed, and that water coverage stood at 87.7 per cent from the latest data in 2021, while sanitation coverage was 80.8 per cent.

She said diseases such as cholera and dysentery had been banished to pave way for the attainment of the SDGs.

The Minister said water availability would support the sustainability of the business community and should be safeguarded.

Togbe Gbogbi Atsa V, the Paramount Chief of Adaklu Traditional Area, said the water intervention would address ill health from water borne diseases, and added to the Agenda 111 hospital projects, currently ongoing in Adaklu, the District would receive the deserved elevation.

For all this we the people of Adaklu owe you and your administration. We are extremely grateful. We will write your name in our minds and our hearts, he said.

He used the occasion to appeal to the Government to ensure the construction of the Adaklu Waya to Tsrefe Road, which had been awarded but not progressing, and to construct a promised cattle grazing reserve among other projects.

GNA
Nigeria's President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to Moshood Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election on the 25th year of his demise.

In a Twitter post on July 7, Tinubu said Abiola was "a true hero" and "champion of democracy" whose "legacy endures."

The post reads in part, "Today, our nation honors the sacrifice and example of a true hero, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, 25 years after his sad demise.

The president described Abiola as A true champion of democracy, his courage and integrity, complete dedication to public service, exemplified the highest ideals of our great nation. His legacy endures and his message of hope echoes still. May Allah SWT grant him mercy and increase his rewards."

Abiola ran for president in 1993 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party.

While he was widely believed to have won the election, the results were annulled by the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Abiola's historic run is believed by many to have represented the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians for democracy and good governance.

Though Abiola died in custody in 1998, his vision of a new Nigeria free from military dictatorship eventually came to pass with the return to civilian rule in 1999.

He remains a symbol of the struggle for democracy in Africa's most populous nation.
Organised Labour of Ghana has announced the suspension of its planned nationwide strike slated to commence on Monday, July, 10, until further notice.

The decision has been taken today, Friday, July 7, following the intervention of the Council of State.

Organized Labour on June 26 declared a nationwide strike action commencing Monday, July 10, to demand the reinstatement of the three union leaders whose appointments were terminated by the Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd, following their decision to exercise their constitutional right to join a trade union.

Following the declaration of the strike action, the National Labour Commission summoned the Leadership of Organized Labour and Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd to appear before it on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.

At that meeting Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd requested the Commission to allow it to engage Organized Labour to resolve the matter in dispute.

Although there were fruitful engagements between the two parties initially, Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd later withdrew their offer to reinstate the dismissed staff after they had issued an apology as requested.

Dismayed by this development, Organised Labour was ready to proceed on strike on Monday until the intervention of the Council of State and the involvement of the presidency.

In a press release, Labour Union informs the public that it has agreed to temporarily suspend the planned nationwide strike for the Council of State to try and resolve the matter.

At the end of the meeting with the Council of State, based on the assurances of the Council of State, Organized Labour agreed to suspend the planned nationwide strike scheduled for Monday, July 10, 2023, to allow the Council to work with Government and other key stakeholders to resolve the matter.

Organized Labour Leadership have, however, agreed to meet on July 17, 2023, to review the feedback from the Government and Council of State to guide its next steps including the immediate enforcement of its original nationwide strike action.

By this intervention, therefore, the planned nationwide strike action by Organized Labour of Ghana scheduled for Monday, July 10, 2023, is suspended, subject to the feedback from Government and Council of State, parts of the release from Labour signed by TUC Secretary General Dr. Anthony Yaw Baah said on Friday.

Read the full release below:

ALL ORGANIZED LABOUR GROUPS

Dear Brothers/Sisters

SUSPENSION OF NATIONWIDE STRIKE ACTION

As you are aware, on June 26, 2023, Organized Labour of Ghana declared a nationwide strike action commencing Monday July 10, 2023 to demand the reinstatement of the three union leaders whose appointments were terminated by the Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd, following their decision to exercise their constitutional right to join a trade union.

Following the declaration of the strike action, the National Labour Commission summoned the Leadership of Organized Labour and Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd to appear before it on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. At that meeting Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd requested the Commission to allow it to engage Organized Labour to resolve the matter(s) in dispute.

The National Labour Commission granted the request of the Company and directed both parties to appear before it on Wednesday July 5, 3023 with a report of their deliberations.

After extensive deliberations on Wednesday, July 4, 2023, between the parties under the chairmanship of the Hon. Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd offered to reinstate the three local union leaders subject to the three union leaders submitting letters of apology. This feedback was subsequently reported to the National Labour Commission later the same day by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour Relations and confirmed by both parties.

Based on this understanding, the Commission further directed both parties to meet on Thursday July 6, 2023 and put the settlement agreement together for submission on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. When the parties met to finalize the settlement agreement, to the utter dismay of the Organized Labour Leadership, Management of Sunon Asogli Power (Ghana) Ltd withdrew their offer with the reason that they did not have the mandate to commit to its earlier mandate.

On Friday July 7, 2023, at the instance of the Council of State of the Republic of Ghana, a meeting was convened with Organized Labour Leadership to delve into the matter and assist with its resolution.

At the end of the meeting with the Council of State, based on the assurances of the Council of State, Organized Labour agreed to suspend the planned nationwide strike scheduled for Monday July 10, 2023 to allow the Council to work with Government and other key stakeholders to resolve the matter.

Organized Labour has, therefore, agreed to suspend its planned nationwide strike action scheduled for Monday July 10, 2023. Organized Labour Leadership have, however, agreed to meet on July 17, 2023 to review the feedback from the Government and Council of State to guide its next steps including the immediate enforcement of its original nationwide strike action.

By this intervention, therefore, the planned nationwide strike action by Organized Labour of Ghana scheduled for Monday, July 10, 2023, is suspended, subject to the feedback from Government and Council of State.

We salute the working people of Ghana and wish to request everyone to be on standby.

Yours fraternally,

FOR: ORGANISED LABOUR OF GHANA

SECRETARY-GENERAL

Dr. Yaw Baah

Cc:

THE CHAIRMAN, COUNCIL OF STATE, ACCRA

HON. MINISTER, MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT AND LABOUR RELATIONS, ACCRA

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, NATIONAL LABOUR COMMISSION, ACCRA
A group calling itself Crusaders Against Corruption Ghana (CACG) has charged officials of the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to be proactive in the discharge of their duties.

According to the group, citizens are interested in the results of the cases being investigated by the OSP, not essay writing.

The OSP released its half-yearly report on June 30, indicating that about 150 cases are being probed, with three major cases completed.

In response, Emmanuel Wilson Jnr, the Chief Crusader of CACG, said, The Office of the Special Prosecutor should be proactive, not reactive, in executing its mandate. It must be noted that the taxpayer is interested in results, not essay writing.

In a statement issued on July 5, CACG indicated that the OSP failed to state how it has reduced corruption in the past periods.

Reference to Section III of the OSP's report, CACG observes that the report falls short of communicating clearly and specifically the tangible results of how the OSP's office has reduced corruption in these past periods.

It is important to note that the evaluation and potential areas for improvement can only be ascertained by considering the specific circumstances and challenges faced by the Office of the Special Prosecutor in Ghana. These are absent from the report; however, it is clear that the OPS still has a long way to go in making an impact in the corruption fight in Ghana, CACG observed.

-Citinewsroom
Shares of Cellnex Telecom, S.A. (OTCMKTS:CLLNY  Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Moderate Buy by the eight ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $54.67.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on CLLNY shares. Citigroup cut shares of Cellnex Telecom from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Cellnex Telecom in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. They set a hold rating for the company.

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Cellnex Telecom Stock Down 0.3 %

Cellnex Telecom stock opened at $20.06 on Friday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $20.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $19.40. Cellnex Telecom has a 12-month low of $13.56 and a 12-month high of $22.98.

Cellnex Telecom Company Profile

Cellnex Telecom SA engages in the operation of wireless telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructures. Its business activities include rental of sites for telecom operators, broadcast infrastructure activity, and other network services. It operates through the following segments: Telecom Infrastructure Services, Broadcasting Infrastructure and Other Network Services.

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Shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. (NYSE:CFR  Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the twelve analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $135.33.

Several equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a sell rating on the stock. Truist Financial reduced their target price on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $114.00 to $113.00 in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Wedbush lifted their target price on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from $110.00 to $120.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and reduced their target price for the company from $127.00 to $121.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 16th. Finally, UBS Group assumed coverage on shares of Cullen/Frost Bankers in a report on Wednesday, March 15th. They set a sell rating and a $107.00 target price on the stock.

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Cullen/Frost Bankers Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of CFR opened at $107.34 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $6.91 billion, a PE ratio of 10.72, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 1.05. The companys fifty day moving average is $104.89 and its two-hundred day moving average is $115.73. Cullen/Frost Bankers has a fifty-two week low of $92.55 and a fifty-two week high of $160.60. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.07.

Cullen/Frost Bankers Announces Dividend

Cullen/Frost Bankers ( NYSE:CFR Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The bank reported $2.70 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.55 by $0.15. The company had revenue of $505.09 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $503.93 million. Cullen/Frost Bankers had a net margin of 30.40% and a return on equity of 21.59%. Cullen/Frost Bankerss revenue for the quarter was up 44.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.51 EPS. Analysts forecast that Cullen/Frost Bankers will post 9.76 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 31st were given a $0.87 dividend. This represents a $3.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, May 30th. Cullen/Frost Bankerss payout ratio is currently 34.77%.

Insider Transactions at Cullen/Frost Bankers

In other news, insider Patrick B. Frost sold 6,617 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.09, for a total value of $668,912.53. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 210,946 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,324,531.14. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, insider Patrick B. Frost sold 6,617 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $101.09, for a total transaction of $668,912.53. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now owns 210,946 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $21,324,531.14. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, EVP Bobby Berman acquired 1,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $95.25 per share, with a total value of $142,875.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 26,662 shares in the company, valued at $2,539,555.50. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders purchased 8,500 shares of company stock valued at $818,945. Insiders own 2.89% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Cullen/Frost Bankers

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Fulton Bank N.A. boosted its stake in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 10.3% during the 2nd quarter. Fulton Bank N.A. now owns 3,314 shares of the banks stock valued at $356,000 after purchasing an additional 309 shares during the period. Duality Advisers LP boosted its stake in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 5.5% during the 1st quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 25,484 shares of the banks stock valued at $2,684,000 after purchasing an additional 1,328 shares during the period. Macquarie Group Ltd. acquired a new position in Cullen/Frost Bankers during the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. ProShare Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Cullen/Frost Bankers by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 254,139 shares of the banks stock valued at $26,771,000 after purchasing an additional 14,655 shares during the period. Finally, Brandywine Global Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Cullen/Frost Bankers during the 1st quarter valued at about $3,607,000. Institutional investors own 80.49% of the companys stock.

About Cullen/Frost Bankers

(Free Report

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Frost Bank that provides commercial and consumer banking services in Texas. It operates in two segments, Banking and Frost Wealth Advisors. The company offers commercial banking services to corporations and other business clients, including financing for industrial and commercial properties, interim construction related to industrial and commercial properties, equipment, inventories and accounts receivables, and acquisitions; and treasury management services, as well as originates commercial leasing services.

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Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (ETR:HHFA  Free Report)s share price traded down 1.2% during trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as 11.30 ($12.28) and last traded at 11.38 ($12.37). 34,230 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 71% from the average session volume of 117,376 shares. The stock had previously closed at 11.52 ($12.52).

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Warburg Research set a 9.00 ($9.78) price objective on Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd.

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Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft Stock Down 1.2 %

The firm has a market cap of $825.16 million, a PE ratio of 11.73, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss 50 day moving average price is 12.19 and its 200 day moving average price is 12.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 125.50, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 1.18.

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft Company Profile

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a port and transport logistics company in Germany, rest of European Union, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Container, Intermodal, Logistics, and Real Estate. The company operates three container terminals in Hamburg; and container terminals in Odessa, Ukraine, and Tallinn, Estonia, as well as in Trieste, Italy.

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Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC increased its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) by 4.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 459,992 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after buying an additional 20,429 shares during the period. iShares MSCI Japan ETF accounts for about 2.0% of Osborne Partners Capital Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest position. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $26,997,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in EWJ. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 15.7% during the first quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 202,282 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $12,462,000 after purchasing an additional 27,428 shares during the period. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 37.8% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 92,661 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,807,000 after purchasing an additional 25,415 shares in the last quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. grew its stake in iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 15.3% in the first quarter. Prudential Financial Inc. now owns 89,447 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $5,511,000 after purchasing an additional 11,850 shares in the last quarter. Wit LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $239,000. Finally, Founders Financial Securities LLC bought a new position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF in the first quarter worth approximately $2,797,000.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Stock Up 1.7 %

NYSEARCA:EWJ traded up $1.03 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $61.80. The stock had a trading volume of 2,958,741 shares, compared to its average volume of 5,863,898. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a one year low of $47.64 and a one year high of $64.11. The company has a market capitalization of $10.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $61.03 and a 200 day moving average of $58.39.

About iShares MSCI Japan ETF

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index).

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EWJ? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report).

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Taylor Wimpey (LON:TW  Free Report) had its price objective reduced by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from GBX 130 ($1.65) to GBX 94 ($1.19) in a research report released on Tuesday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have a neutral rating on the homebuilders stock.

Several other research firms have also recently weighed in on TW. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price objective on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 154 ($1.95) to GBX 141 ($1.79) and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 22nd. Barclays boosted their price target on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 125 ($1.59) to GBX 131 ($1.66) and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Finally, Berenberg Bank boosted their price target on Taylor Wimpey from GBX 111 ($1.41) to GBX 122 ($1.55) and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, May 12th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of GBX 121.33 ($1.54).

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Taylor Wimpey Stock Performance

Taylor Wimpey stock opened at GBX 99.70 ($1.27) on Tuesday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is GBX 116.49 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 115.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.57, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a current ratio of 4.71. The stock has a market cap of 3.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 567.50, a PEG ratio of -0.99 and a beta of 1.81. Taylor Wimpey has a fifty-two week low of GBX 80.64 ($1.02) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 132.07 ($1.68).

Insider Buying and Selling at Taylor Wimpey

Taylor Wimpey Company Profile

In related news, insider Mark Castle acquired 1,559 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 17th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 126 ($1.60) per share, with a total value of 1,964.34 ($2,493.13). Company insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock.

(Free Report)

Taylor Wimpey plc operates a residential developer in the United Kingdom and Spain. It builds and delivers various homes and communities. Taylor Wimpey plc was incorporated in 1935 and is based in High Wycombe, the United Kingdom.

Further Reading

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Lloyds Banking Group (NYSE:LYG  Free Report) had its price objective reduced by Barclays from GBX 75 ($0.95) to GBX 70 ($0.89) in a report released on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on LYG. Credit Suisse Group decreased their price target on Lloyds Banking Group from GBX 70 ($0.89) to GBX 69 ($0.88) in a report on Thursday, May 4th. BNP Paribas downgraded Lloyds Banking Group from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. StockNews.com upgraded Lloyds Banking Group from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Monday, May 15th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut Lloyds Banking Group from an overweight rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $60.14.

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE LYG opened at $2.19 on Monday. Lloyds Banking Group has a twelve month low of $1.70 and a twelve month high of $2.63. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.86 billion, a PE ratio of 5.46, a PEG ratio of 0.72 and a beta of 1.27. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.83. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $2.25 and a 200-day simple moving average of $2.34.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Lloyds Banking Group

Lloyds Banking Group ( NYSE:LYG Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported $0.11 EPS for the quarter. Lloyds Banking Group had a return on equity of 11.52% and a net margin of 21.31%. The firm had revenue of $5.65 billion during the quarter. On average, equities analysts forecast that Lloyds Banking Group will post 0.41 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Fisher Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in Lloyds Banking Group by 31.0% in the 4th quarter. Fisher Asset Management LLC now owns 17,338 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 4,100 shares in the last quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC lifted its stake in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 2.2% during the 1st quarter. Naviter Wealth LLC now owns 197,868 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $459,000 after purchasing an additional 4,273 shares during the period. Marino Stram & Associates LLC raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 23.6% in the 1st quarter. Marino Stram & Associates LLC now owns 24,503 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $57,000 after buying an additional 4,678 shares during the period. Ellevest Inc. raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 200,108 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $464,000 after buying an additional 4,710 shares during the period. Finally, Advisory Services Network LLC raised its position in shares of Lloyds Banking Group by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 87,891 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $204,000 after buying an additional 4,744 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 2.18% of the companys stock.

About Lloyds Banking Group

(Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions, and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal and small business customers.

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Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Elastic (NYSE:ESTC  Free Report) by 0.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 129,088 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,201 shares during the quarter. Osborne Partners Capital Management LLC owned 0.13% of Elastic worth $7,474,000 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 ESTC. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its position in shares of Elastic by 17.2% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 5,780 shares of the companys stock valued at $514,000 after buying an additional 848 shares during the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Elastic by 9.5% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 6,472 shares of the companys stock valued at $576,000 after buying an additional 564 shares during the last quarter. Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund bought a new stake in shares of Elastic during the first quarter valued at approximately $295,000. Rhumbline Advisers raised its position in shares of Elastic by 3.2% during the first quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 72,555 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,454,000 after buying an additional 2,274 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of Elastic by 4.8% during the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,616,149 shares of the companys stock valued at $499,557,000 after buying an additional 259,742 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 74.83% of the companys stock.

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Elastic Trading Up 3.7 %

Shares of ESTC traded up $2.30 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $64.94. 400,878 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,178,952. The firm has a market cap of $6.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -26.14 and a beta of 1.00. Elastic has a 12-month low of $46.18 and a 12-month high of $91.30. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.78 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $64.62 and its 200 day moving average price is $59.32.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Elastic ( NYSE:ESTC Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, June 1st. The company reported $0.22 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.09 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $279.94 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $277.63 million. Elastic had a negative net margin of 22.09% and a negative return on equity of 46.49%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 17.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned ($0.64) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Elastic will post -1.17 earnings per share for the current year.

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on ESTC shares. Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Elastic from $75.00 to $92.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. DA Davidson started coverage on shares of Elastic in a research report on Friday, June 16th. They issued a neutral rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price target on shares of Elastic from $60.00 to $70.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Robert W. Baird reduced their price target on shares of Elastic from $76.00 to $60.00 in a research report on Monday, June 5th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upgraded shares of Elastic from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the stock from $55.00 to $67.00 in a research report on Friday, June 2nd. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Elastic presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $74.65.

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Ken Exner sold 2,235 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $70.41, for a total value of $157,366.35. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 120,882 shares in the company, valued at approximately $8,511,301.62. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CEO Ashutosh Kulkarni sold 10,708 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.41, for a total value of $753,950.28. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 332,329 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,399,284.89. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Ken Exner sold 2,235 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 value of $157,366.35. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 120,882 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,511,301.62. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 347,694 shares of company stock worth $24,304,477 over the last 90 days. 18.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

About Elastic

(Free Report)

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.

Read More

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Pineapple Financial Inc. (PAPL) expects to raise $6 million in an initial public offering (IPO) on the week of July 10th, IPO Scoop reports. The company will be issuing 1,300,000 shares at a price of $4.00-$6.00 per share.

In the last year, Pineapple Financial Inc. generated $21.9 million in revenue and had a net loss of $3.2 million.

EF Hutton served as the underwriter for the IPO.

Pineapple Financial Inc. provided the following description of their company for its IPO: Pineapple Financial Inc. is a Canadian mortgage technology and brokerage company that provides mortgage brokerage services and technology solutions to Canadian mortgage agents, brokers, sub-brokers, brokerages and consumers. (Incorporated in Ontario, Canada) Through data-driven systems together with cloud-based tools, we believe we offer competitive advantages in the Canadian mortgage industry relative to alternative mortgage broker arrangements. We also provide back office services, together with pre-underwriting support services (collectively, asBrokerage Servicesat) to Canadian mortgage brokerages. In connection with Brokerage Services, we employ and engage several licensed mortgage brokers and agents. In addition, we enter into affiliation agreements with certain licensed mortgage brokers, pursuant to which the Company and the Affiliate Broker enter into an affiliation relationship with the intention of jointly marketing mortgage brokerage and other financial services as affiliated entities. This is sometimes referred to as aswhite labelingat, which allows the Affiliate Broker to sell a mortgage that is branded with its company name to its own client base. We currently operate exclusively in Canada, specifically the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, We have been approved by each of the applicable provincial mortgage regulators to operate in 11 provinces and territories, namely Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Yukon, and 2 provinces to follow are Manitoba and Saskatchewan. We launched our first brokerage office in Alberta on July 1, 2021. We launched our first brokerage office in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island on May 4, 2022. We provide our brokerage services for both residential and commercial mortgage opportunities and, in each case, through a proprietary technology called MyPineapple. At the heart of our brokerage services is an innovative technology system that provides real-time data management and reporting, lead generation, customer relationship management and direct underwriting support, all in one. MyPineapple offers network management capabilities for ssers, including hundreds of qualified field agents, to create an efficient marketplace for the provision of mortgage lending and insurance industry services. MyPineapple integrates directly with Salesforce, Equifax, OneSpan, G Suite and Filogix and manages the useras day-to-day business through automated triggers and tasks, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Backed by Salesforce.com, Inc. (asSalesforceat), pursuant to the Salesforce Agreement (defined herein), and built with proprietary code and deep data analytics, MyPineapple syncs up with usersa calendars and emails, produces robust reporting, advanced analytics, and real-time notifications on marketing communications, and more. MyPineapple is a sophisticated and fundamental tool for revenue growth and relationship development. It plays a significant role in what we believe makes our brokerage services distinct and cutting-edge. **Note: Revenue and loss figures are for the 12 months that ended Feb. 28, 2023. (Note: Pineapple Financial Inc. filed an S-1/A dated June 21, 2023, and updated its financial statements for the six months through Feb. 28, 2023. Pineapple Financial filed an S-1/A on May 16, 2023, and disclosed terms for its IPO: 1.25 million shares at $4.00 to $6.00 to raise $6.25 million. Pineapple Financial Inc. filed its S-1 on Dec. 1, 2022.)A .

Pineapple Financial Inc. was founded in 2015 and has employees. The company is located at Unit 200, 111 Gordon Baker Road North York, Ontario M2H 3R1 and can be reached via phone at (416) 669-2046 or on the web at https://gopineapple.com/.

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Regent Peak Wealth Advisors LLC trimmed its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 15.1% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 620 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 110 shares during the period. Regent Peak Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $203,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 17.9% in the 1st quarter. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale now owns 88,810 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $28,376,000 after buying an additional 13,494 shares during the period. NovaPoint Capital LLC boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. NovaPoint Capital LLC now owns 11,896 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,891,000 after buying an additional 398 shares during the period. Corundum Group Inc. boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 49.5% in the 1st quarter. Corundum Group Inc. now owns 4,090 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,338,000 after buying an additional 1,355 shares during the period. Cairn Investment Group Inc. boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.8% in the 1st quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. now owns 10,604 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $3,469,000 after buying an additional 290 shares during the period. Finally, Hexagon Capital Partners LLC boosted its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group by 14.9% in the 1st quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 719 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $235,000 after buying an additional 93 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 76.90% of the companys stock.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 0.4 %

The Goldman Sachs Group stock traded up $1.35 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $314.35. The stock had a trading volume of 684,134 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,589,805. The company has a quick ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 0.81 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $277.84 and a 52-week high of $389.58. The firm has a market cap of $104.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.15, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.38. The company has a fifty day moving average of $326.85 and a 200 day moving average of $338.72.

The Goldman Sachs Group Announces Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The investment management company reported $8.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.14 by $0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The company had revenue of $12.22 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.66 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $10.76 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 31.21 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, June 1st were given a $2.50 dividend. This represents a $10.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.18%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.60%.

Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group

In other news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 9,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.73, for a total transaction of $105,570,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 51,676,439 shares of the companys stock, valued at $606,164,629.47. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 9,000,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $11.73, for a total transaction of $105,570,000.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 51,676,439 shares of the companys stock, valued at $606,164,629.47. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $337.66, for a total transaction of $1,012,980.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,052 shares in the company, valued at $5,082,458.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 34,978,986 shares of company stock valued at $660,057,057. 0.54% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $420.00 to $390.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 3rd. JMP Securities increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $460.00 to $470.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $390.00 to $400.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Evercore ISI increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $360.00 to $370.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Bank of America increased their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $384.00 to $425.00 in a report on Thursday, March 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $386.95.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

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.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report).

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Royal Bank of Canada restated their outperform rating on shares of Rentokil Initial (LON:RTO  Free Report) in a report issued on Monday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They currently have a GBX 670 ($8.50) price objective on the stock.

A number of other brokerages also recently issued reports on RTO. Peel Hunt reissued a hold rating and set a GBX 525 ($6.66) price objective on shares of Rentokil Initial in a research report on Wednesday, March 8th. Barclays lifted their target price on Rentokil Initial from GBX 650 ($8.25) to GBX 700 ($8.88) and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday. BNP Paribas upgraded Rentokil Initial to a neutral rating and set a GBX 555 ($7.04) price objective for the company in a research note on Wednesday, March 22nd. HSBC restated a hold rating and set a GBX 665 ($8.44) target price on shares of Rentokil Initial in a research note on Wednesday, May 17th. Finally, Numis Securities restated a hold rating and set a GBX 470 ($5.97) target price on shares of Rentokil Initial in a research note on Thursday, March 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Rentokil Initial presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 627.89 ($7.97).

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Rentokil Initial Trading Down 0.5 %

Shares of RTO stock opened at GBX 599.80 ($7.61) on Monday. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 633.68 and a 200-day simple moving average of GBX 569.95. Rentokil Initial has a 1-year low of GBX 458 ($5.81) and a 1-year high of GBX 658.40 ($8.36). The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 133.92, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 1.76. The company has a market cap of 15.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 4,998.33, a PEG ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 0.43.

Insider Activity

About Rentokil Initial

In other Rentokil Initial news, insider Andy M. Ransom sold 1,025,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, April 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 619 ($7.86), for a total transaction of 6,344,750 ($8,052,735.12). In other news, insider Andy M. Ransom sold 1,025,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 619 ($7.86), for a total value of 6,344,750 ($8,052,735.12). Also, insider David Frear purchased 250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was bought at an average cost of GBX 3,950 ($50.13) per share, for a total transaction of 9,875 ($12,533.32). Corporate insiders own 1.08% of the companys stock.

(Free Report)

Rentokil Initial plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides route-based services in North America, the United Kingdom, rest of Europe, Asia, the Pacific, and internationally. It offers a range of pest control services for rodents, and flying and crawling insects, as well as other forms of wildlife management for commercial customers.

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TELUS International (Cda) (NYSE:TIXT  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Robert W. Baird from $22.00 to $17.00 in a report published on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

TIXT has been the topic of several other research reports. TheStreet lowered TELUS International (Cda) from a c- rating to a d+ rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Canaccord Genuity Group started coverage on TELUS International (Cda) in a research note on Monday, April 24th. They set a buy rating for the company. Finally, BMO Capital Markets dropped their target price on shares of TELUS International (Cda) from $26.00 to $21.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $25.69.

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TELUS International (Cda) Stock Performance

NYSE:TIXT opened at $14.71 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $16.18 and a 200-day moving average price of $19.36. The company has a market cap of $1.08 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.12, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90, a quick ratio of 1.30 and a current ratio of 1.30. TELUS International has a fifty-two week low of $14.33 and a fifty-two week high of $31.52.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

TELUS International (Cda) ( NYSE:TIXT Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The company reported $0.24 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.22 by $0.02. TELUS International (Cda) had a return on equity of 17.21% and a net margin of 6.38%. The business had revenue of $686.00 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $693.05 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that TELUS International will post 1.1 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership boosted its stake in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 203.3% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 500,783 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,124,000 after purchasing an additional 335,698 shares during the last quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP lifted its holdings in TELUS International (Cda) by 24.3% in the first quarter. Two Sigma Advisers LP now owns 22,500 shares of the companys stock valued at $455,000 after buying an additional 4,400 shares during the period. Two Sigma Investments LP lifted its holdings in TELUS International (Cda) by 144.7% in the first quarter. Two Sigma Investments LP now owns 68,508 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,386,000 after buying an additional 40,508 shares during the period. Ossiam raised its position in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 47.3% in the 1st quarter. Ossiam now owns 13,430 shares of the companys stock worth $271,000 after acquiring an additional 4,313 shares in the last quarter. Finally, BlackRock Inc. raised its position in shares of TELUS International (Cda) by 8.2% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,140 shares of the companys stock worth $347,000 after acquiring an additional 1,294 shares in the last quarter. 61.30% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

TELUS International (Cda) Company Profile

(Free Report)

TELUS International (Cda) Inc design, builds, and delivers digital solutions for customer experience (CX) in Europe, North America, the Asia-Pacific, and the Central America. The company provides digital experience solutions, such as AI and bots, omnichannel CX, enterprise mobility solutions, cloud contact center, big data analytics, platform transformation, and UX/UI design; and customer experience solutions, including work anywhere/work from home, contact center outsourcing, technical support, sales growth and customer retention, healthcare/patient experience, and debt collection.

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V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 2,496 shares of the medical research companys stock, valued at approximately $345,000.

Several other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Natixis Investment Managers International lifted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 2.0% during the 4th quarter. Natixis Investment Managers International now owns 3,245 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $486,000 after buying an additional 65 shares in the last quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. lifted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 5,965 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $893,000 after buying an additional 67 shares in the last quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. lifted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 8.8% during the 4th quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 837 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $125,000 after buying an additional 68 shares in the last quarter. First Command Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 19.4% during the 1st quarter. First Command Financial Services Inc. now owns 461 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $64,000 after buying an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its holdings in Agilent Technologies by 1.9% during the 4th quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 4,232 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $633,000 after buying an additional 79 shares in the last quarter.

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Agilent Technologies Stock Performance

Shares of A stock traded down $0.09 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $118.34. The stock had a trading volume of 334,118 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,694,326. Agilent Technologies, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $113.02 and a fifty-two week high of $160.26. The firm has a market cap of $34.96 billion, a PE ratio of 26.09, a PEG ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 2.37 and a quick ratio of 1.71. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $122.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is $137.26.

Agilent Technologies Announces Dividend

Agilent Technologies ( NYSE:A Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The medical research company reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.26 by $0.01. Agilent Technologies had a net margin of 19.19% and a return on equity of 30.11%. The company had revenue of $1.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.67 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $1.13 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Agilent Technologies, Inc. will post 5.61 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, July 26th. Investors of record on Monday, July 3rd will be paid a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.76%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 30th. Agilent Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 19.82%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have commented on A shares. TD Cowen dropped their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $168.00 to $145.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Credit Suisse Group dropped their price objective on shares of Agilent Technologies from $170.00 to $160.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Agilent Technologies from $174.00 to $144.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their target price on shares of Agilent Technologies from $153.00 to $135.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Finally, 58.com reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Agilent Technologies in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $151.06.

Agilent Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

Agilent Technologies, Inc provides application focused solutions to the life sciences, diagnostics, and applied chemical markets worldwide. The Life Sciences and Applied Markets segment offers liquid chromatography systems and components; liquid chromatography mass spectrometry systems; gas chromatography systems and components; gas chromatography mass spectrometry systems; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry instruments; atomic absorption instruments; microwave plasma-atomic emission spectrometry instruments; inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry instruments; raman spectroscopy; cell analysis plate based assays; flow cytometer; real-time cell analyzer; cell imaging systems; microplate reader; laboratory software; information management and analytics; laboratory automation and robotic systems; dissolution testing; vacuum pumps, and measurement technologies.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding A? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Agilent Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:A  Free Report).

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V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new stake in The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 1,908 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $327,000.

Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of TRV. Opus Capital Group LLC acquired a new stake in Travelers Companies in the first quarter valued at $352,000. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its stake in Travelers Companies by 38.5% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 9,856 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,689,000 after buying an additional 2,740 shares in the last quarter. Argent Advisors Inc. raised its stake in Travelers Companies by 18.9% in the first quarter. Argent Advisors Inc. now owns 9,533 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $1,445,000 after buying an additional 1,514 shares in the last quarter. Ahrens Investment Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Travelers Companies in the first quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC raised its stake in Travelers Companies by 2.5% in the first quarter. Patton Albertson Miller Group LLC now owns 23,272 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $3,989,000 after buying an additional 575 shares in the last quarter. 81.06% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Travelers Companies

In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total value of $1,873,481.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Travelers Companies news, EVP Michael Frederick Klein sold 10,246 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.85, for a total value of $1,873,481.10. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 14,080 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,574,528. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Andy F. Bessette sold 11,572 shares of Travelers Companies stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.14, for a total value of $2,061,436.08. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,361 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,092,688.54. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 59,134 shares of company stock valued at $10,617,466. 1.29% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Travelers Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TRV traded up $0.49 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $171.40. 76,138 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,367,828. The company has a current ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The Travelers Companies, Inc. has a 1 year low of $149.65 and a 1 year high of $194.51. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $176.64 and a 200 day simple moving average of $179.63. The stock has a market cap of $39.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.57, a PEG ratio of 2.43 and a beta of 0.60.

Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV  Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The insurance provider reported $4.11 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.64 by $0.47. Travelers Companies had a return on equity of 13.41% and a net margin of 7.41%. The firm had revenue of $9.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.98 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $4.22 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 10.2% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts forecast that The Travelers Companies, Inc. will post 14.23 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Travelers Companies announced that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Wednesday, April 19th that authorizes the company to buyback $5.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the insurance provider to repurchase up to 12.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are generally an indication that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued.

Travelers Companies Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 9th were issued a $1.00 dividend. This represents a $4.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.33%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 8th. This is a positive change from Travelers Companiess previous quarterly dividend of $0.93. Travelers Companiess payout ratio is currently 34.10%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group cut their price target on Travelers Companies from $188.00 to $182.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Travelers Companies from $181.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Roth Capital reiterated a buy rating on shares of Travelers Companies in a research report on Friday, April 21st. StockNews.com cut Travelers Companies from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 19th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on Travelers Companies from $179.00 to $185.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $194.31.

Travelers Companies Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Travelers Companies, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides a range of commercial and personal property, and casualty insurance products and services to businesses, government units, associations, and individuals in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance, and Personal Insurance.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Xinyuan Real Estate (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) in a research note issued to investors on Monday. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Trading Down 3.8 %

XIN stock opened at $3.29 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $3.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $4.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 24.87, a current ratio of 0.96 and a quick ratio of 0.96. Xinyuan Real Estate has a 52-week low of $2.95 and a 52-week high of $9.20.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Xinyuan Real Estate

An institutional investor recently bought a new position in Xinyuan Real Estate stock. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. bought a new position in shares of Xinyuan Real Estate Co., Ltd. (NYSE:XIN  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 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 SEC filing. Institutional investors own 1.62% of the companys stock.

Xinyuan Real Estate Company Profile

Xinyuan Real Estate Co, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, engages in residential real estate development and construction in the People's Republic of China, the United States, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. The company develops residential projects, such as multi-layer apartment buildings, sub-high-rise apartment buildings, high-rise apartment buildings; auxiliary services and amenities, such as retail outlets, leisure and health facilities, kindergartens, and schools, as well as office, mixed-use, and commercial properties.

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Karnataka government will provide insurance facility of Rs 4 lakh to gig workers of e-commerce companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Amazon etc. to ensure their social security. Out of the total insurance facility of Rs 4 lakh, Rs 2 lakh will be provided for life insurance and Rs 2 lakh will be provided for accidental insurance, as announced in the Karnataka Budget on July 7. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that 1.3 crore families are likely to benefit from an annual expenditure of about Rs 52,000 crore on the five major poll "guarantees", PTI reported. The five "guarantees" included free bus transportation for women, 200 free power units, 10 kg of foodgrains for the underprivileged, Rs 2,000 for the female head of household and up to Rs 3,000 in jobless benefits. This budget is Siddaramaiahs seventh Budget as a CM, highest number to be presented by a chief minister or finance minister in the state so far.

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Researchers at India's AI4Bharat are raising $12 million from venture capital firms Peak XV and Lightspeed Venture for an artificial intelligence start-up, according to three people familiar with the matter. The larger-than-usual seed funding round underscores the growing interest in generative AI, after OpenAI's ChatGPT dazzled users with its ability to engage in human-like conversations. Most seed rounds are usually up to $1 million to $2 million. Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, who worked on developing AI models for speech recognition and translation at AI4Bharat, are launching a new venture called Sarvam that will develop custom-made large language models (LLMs) for India-centric use-cases, the sources said. Peak XV and Lightspeed did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. LLMs are computer algorithms that understand and generate text in a human-like fashion. They power virtual assistants widely in use on smartphones and the Internet. The move comes months after Indian-government backed AI4Bharat unveiled a mobile assistant that aims to make information on government schemes accessible in multiple languages. The investment is among the first from Peak XV Partners after rebranding from Sequoia Capital India and SEA following a split with its U.S.-based parent fund last month. Peak XV's other AI investments include voice assistant firm AI Rudder, computer vision firm Mad Street Den and enterprise marketing platform Insider, according to its website. The buzz around generative AI among both consumers and businesses has helped related start-ups draw funding even as an uncertain economy saps investments for other companies. Indian AI start-ups have raised $583 million this year, as of June, according to data from Venture Intelligence. They raised a total of $2.45 billion last year. (This story has been updated on July 8, 2023 to reflect an update from Reuters)

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Green hydrogen has the potential to transform India from an energy importer to an energy provider and exporter, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said on July 7.



"Green hydrogen, along with other green fuels, could turn India's current $200 billion energy import bill into a $300 billion export advantage in the future. India has an advantage in terms of substantial demand and capacity to produce and store green hydrogen. India meets all the critical requirements to become a hub for this green fuel," Puri said on the concluding day of the International Conference on Green Hydrogen (ICGH) 2023, organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in New Delhi.



The three-day conference witnessed deliberations, with more than 2,700 delegates, 135 speakers, seven plenary sessions, 16 technical sessions and four panel discussions.



The minister also talked about the challenge of financing in this sunrise sector. However, he was hopeful that with increased demand more and more banks would freely finance projects of green hydrogen and its derivates. He said leading financial institutions have already started showing keen interest to invest in India.



"The European Investment Bank (EIB) has formally agreed to join the India

Hydrogen alliance and increase support for developing large-scale Industry

hub with a funding of 1 billion Euros. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently conveyed its intent to provide $20$25 billion over five years to aid Indias aspirations for green growth. The World Bank has approved $1.5 billion in financing to support Indias low-carbon transition journey," Puri said.



Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (MoS) for the Ministry of Science and Technology and Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office, talked about the importance of affordability, accessibility, and acceptability as key attributes for India's path to self-reliance in green hydrogen and furthering sustainable solutions.



G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant called upon the need to drive down the cost of green hydrogen from $4.5/kg at present to $1/kg by 2030. He said the oil companies and refineries will have to take the lead in shifting to green hydrogen.



"There would be many countries and industry people who would tell you (the government) to use blue hydrogen in the interim or any other type of hydrogen for that matter. But, my suggestion is that India should stick to green hydrogen and be the world leader in the same," he said.



All the speakers urged the private sectors such as cement and steel to follow suit.



Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, said India will now have to act fast in implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) before other countries grab the market and gain first mover's advantage.



"At least 16 countries, including India, have already unveiled their green hydrogen action plans. The demand for green hydrogen is expected to jump fivefold by 2050. So, India needs to buckle up from here," he said.



Bhupinder Bhalla, Secretary, MNRE said the conference and the green hydrogen mission will pave the way for R&D initiatives, pilot projects and favourable policies to drive sustainable growth and accelerate the transition to clean and green energy.



The Union Cabinet approved the NGHM on January 4 with an initial outlay of Rs 19,744 crore, including Rs 17,490 crore for incentives. The government aims to produce at least 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen annually by 2030 under the NGHM, which would require 60-100 GW electrolyser capacity and 125 GW renewable energy capacity. This initiative is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 50 MMT per year.
Policybazaar founder Yashish Dahiya said that the company's management had started conversations with private investors for share-based payments three years before its initial public offering in 2021, but the talks kept on going till 10 days before the public market debut.



This led to Policybazaar taking a hit of Rs 1,000 crore on its profitability in the first year of listing, which made public market investors unhappy, Dahiya said while speaking at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave on July 7.



New age companies like Policybazaar, Paytm, Zomato and Delhivery have been criticised in the last couple of years for alloting large amounts of share-based payments to founders and senior management just before they hit the bourses. These employees stock options (ESOPs) have weighed on the profitability of the listed tech companies and seen to be one of their biggest expenses.



"About three years before IPO we had a conversation with private investors about certain objectives of the business and certain amount of equity for the management (if those objectives were achieved)," Dahiya said.



ALSO READ: Profitability means PAT: Oxyzos Ruchi Kalra



"I think the private investors could have been more prompt in implementing those changes. This transaction existed when the company was worth less than a billion dollars," he added.



The Policybazaar founder also talked about the corporate governance lapses that have clouded the startup ecosystem in the recent past.



According to him, neither founders nor investors can absolve themselves of the responsibility for such issues.



"Investors have asked me to not meet the investment committee because information I provide might spoil the deal. And these are very reputed investors," he said.



Dahiya also talked about how he made important hiring decisions. He said that it was important to hire people who were selfless, otherwise things could get difficult when they needed to take decisions that would put the team before the individuals themselves.
Liquor stocks took a beating on July 7 afternoon after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget proposed a 20 percent hike in duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL). He also proposed a 10 percent hike in excise duty on beer, taking the increase to 185 percent. At 1.45 pm, United Spirits was quoting at Rs 923 apiece on the National Stock Exchange, down 2.2 percent from the previous close. Globus Spirits was trading at Rs 1,260, down 1 percent, while Radico Khaitan was quoting at Rs 1,350, down 2.2 percent. Som Distilleries was quoting at Rs 291, trading 3.7 lower. In June, Som Distilleries declared that its market share in the state increased to 20 percent. Karnataka-headquartered United Spirits, in its 2023 Annual Report said Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab were among the largest consuming states for alcohol in the country. United Breweries currently commands a 54 percent market share in the country and has several plants in Karnataka. Follow our market blog for all the live action "Even after the increase in excise rates, the price of liquor in our state would be lower when compared to the neighbouring states," Siddaramaiah, who is also the finance minister, said in his budget speech. With these hikes and effective enforcement and regulatory measures, the revenue collection target for the excise department for the year 2023-24 has been fixed at Rs 36,000 crore, he said. 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.

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Titan Company shares soared to a lifetime high after reporting a strong June quarter update, although a section of the market is concerned about the stocks expensive valuation. The shares surged to Rs 3,211.10 on the BSE on July 7, before closing lower. Titan shares have gained about 8 percent over the past month. Titan trades at 65 times its estimated FY24 earnings, on the higher end of the valuation curve. According to Amit Jeswani, founder of Stallion Asset, Titan's typical valuation range for one-year forward terms fluctuates between 55 times PE and 70 times PE. Jeswani said that in the retail category, Titan's revenue growth outperforms that of most apparel retailers except Trent. Trents revenue grew 120 percent from the pre-COVID period to FY23. Both Trent and Titan stand out in the retail category. He said that despite the impact of the pandemic, Titan's revenue almost doubled over the past three years, while D-Mart posted 72 percent growth. Titans June quarter revenue grew 20 percent from a year earlier in the three months ended June, the company said on July 6. All key consumer businesses, including jewellery, watches and wearables, and eyecare, reported double-digit growth. On initial public offerings, Jeswani said Senco Gold trades at an attractive valuation of 13-14 times and could potentially see a listing pop, similar to that of Ideaforge Technology. Senco Gold shares enjoy a premium of over 35 percent in the grey market. This follows the trend of substantial grey premiums commanded by shares of other IPO companies such as IdeaForge (75 percent premium) and Cyient DLM (45 percent) in the calendar year 2023. IdeaForge shares, which were sold at Rs 672 each, listed on July 7 and touched a high of Rs 1,344.

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If you are a novice investor desperate to make money, you could get taken in by Trade 26 Research.



This entity, which calls itself a stock advisory firm in Varanasi on its website, advertises investment ideas in stocks and commodities with various payment plans. Its website has elements such as KYC forms to fill, risk disclosures and disclaimer documents.



It even claims to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, without specifying the nature of the legal status.







Yet, more worryingly, Trade 26 Research could be getting legitimacy by functioning under the umbrella of a leading, listed brokerage.



Its sales executive confirmed to this reporter that it is not a Sebi-registered research analyst or investment advisor, but it still offers stock advisory services. It is not a registered money manager but still offers to manage the money of investors, offering to operate their trading accounts on their behalf  it will take an investors trading account login and password and place trades through that account.



Also read: MC Exclusive: Drug-peddler finfluencer was also running an illegal money-management business



In India, an entity must be registered with Sebi as a mutual fund, portfolio management service or alternative investment fund to manage someones money on their behalf. Such entities are governed by regulations that are put in place to protect investor funds and they are not allowed to transact using an investor-clients trading account.



To function outside the purview of these regulations and get a free hand with investors money, some money managers dont register themselves but offer to trade using the investors trading account. Investors opt for it because of the extraordinary and impossible returns promised.



Trade 26 Research promised this reporter a return of 10 percent every day. By putting in Rs 20,000, an investor can expect Rs 2,000 in return every day. That translates to 300 percent in a month and to 3,650 percent in a year!







The sales executive told this reporter that profit would be shared in a 70:30 ratio, with 70 for the investor, and added that a loss would have to be borne 100 percent, without clarifying what that meant. It could mean that a loss is absorbed entirely either by the service or by the investor.



While all this can be brushed aside as the attempts of a small-time scamster, what is really worrying was the sales executives claim that it works as a sub-broker for a listed, leading brokerage. This could not be independently verified, but market insiders said this is a common practice adopted by brokerages to attract investors.



Brokerages use sub-brokers, associated partners or franchisees to get clients/investors. They compensate such intermediaries with commissions, which include a cut in every trade the investor places.



While brokerages cannot be expected to monitor the workings of thousands of such distributorsthis brokerage named by the Trade 26 Research sales executive has a strong sub-broker networkmarket insiders said many leading brokerages are aware of questionable practices these intermediaries employ to get business.



In this case, the Trade 26 Research executive kept pushing the reporter to open a trading account with this leading brokerage. However, getting an investor to open a trading account is not what will bring big money  its only the first step.



Money spinners



The big money can come in at least two wayseither by functioning as a sub-broker and collecting commissions from the main broker or by misusing the clients account as a conduit to trade in illiquid stock options.



First, lets look at the sub-broker way. For each trade that an investor places, a sub-broker/associate partner gets a commission from the brokerage. For this to be successful, the illegal money management business will come in handy.



The other way is to use the clients account as a conduit. Once the investor shares the trading accounts log-in details, Trade 26 Research could trade frequently through the account.



While the investor has to pay the brokerage fee and taxes with every trade, the brokerage and its distributors or intermediaries earn money through fees and commissions. The incentive for the sub-broker is to get the investor to trade and trade frequently, and not necessarily make a profit.



Even if Trade 26 Research isnt a sub-broker, it can earn lakhs of rupees by simply misusing the investors account to trade in illiquid stock options.



For this, such a manager would sell illiquid stock options at a premium from his/her account and buy it from the investors account. Later, the manager would square off his/her position by buying the illiquid option at a much lower intrinsic value.



The investor would be left with the illiquid option to square off at a loss.
#1. Indian equity benchmarks continue record-breaking run, Sensex moves closer to 66,000



Indian shares shrugged off Thursdays selloff in global equities. The leading equity gauges extended their record-breaking run, with both indices advancing 0.5 percent. The Nifty briefly surpassed 19,500 points and the Sensex moved closer to 66,000 points. The Sensex closed at 65,785.64 points and the Nifty closed at 19,497.30 points. Foreign portfolio investors were net buyers for the seventh session in a row.



Why its important: The rally in Indian equities is expected to continue on favorable fundamental and technical factors despite global headwinds. India is expected to outperform peers in July and beyond.



#2. India poised to maintain growth, no room for complacency, says finance ministry



The Indian economy has carried the sound momentum of the year ended March to the current financial year as well, the finance ministry has said in an annual review. The governments capital expenditure push is now crowding in private investment, it said. India appears poised to sustain its growth in a more durable manner, the ministry said, while warning against complacency, pointing to several risks.



Why its important: India has cemented its position as the worlds fastest growing major economy although there could be headwinds due to geopolitical stress, higher volatility in global financial systems, price corrections in stock markets and a possible El Nino impact on the southwest monsoon.



#3. French portfolio investors concerned over potential end of tax benefits in India



A meeting between Indian and French tax authorities has set off alarm bells among foreign portfolio investors based in France. The meeting on potential tweaks to the double taxation avoidance agreement between India and France has led to apprehension among foreign funds that India may soon renegotiate the treaty to eliminate the capital gains tax exemption. France and the Netherlands are the only major jurisdictions that benefit from a tax treaty that grants exemption from capital gains tax on share sales.



Why its important: India has already renegotiated tax treaties with Singapore, Cyprus, and Mauritius to end the tax exemptions. Portfolio managers in France also need to prepare for such an eventuality.



#4. GST Council to look at ways to deal with tax credit mismatch in next meeting



Businesses could receive intimation from indirect tax authorities if there is a mismatch of input tax credit claimed by them with the output tax liability as declared by the supplier. They could even be asked to pay an amount equal to the excess of credit claimed with interest and penalty in the absence of satisfactory response. An official panel has proposed further tightening in the returns filing system to limit the scope of claiming input tax credit to curb fraudulent practices ahead of the GST Council meeting next week.



Why its important: A similar measure has been undertaken earlier for mismatch in invoices by wayward businesses. The fresh move could increase compliance significantly.



#5. Google accuses competition regulator of relying on unreliable statements from Amazon, Mozilla



Google has told the Supreme Court that the Competition Commission of India relied on unreliable and uncorroborated statements from Amazon and Mozilla to pass orders against it for abuse of dominance in the Android marketspace. Terming Amazon and Mozilla as motivated parties since they have competing interests with it, Google also said that the antitrust regulators orders were to protect and enable Amazon to compete with it.



Why its important: This is the first time that Google has made allegations against named companies in appealing the commissions order in the apex court that was earlier upheld by the national company law appellate tribunal.



#6. Adani Green Energy plans to raise Rs 12,300 crore through qualified institutional placement



Adani Green Energy will raise Rs 12,300 crore ($1.5 billion) by selling shares in a qualified institutional placement, according to a regulatory filing. The funds will be used to expand renewable energy operations The fundraising proposal is subject to necessary approvals, including those from the company's shareholders and other regulatory bodies, it said.



Why its important: Adani Green is the biggest company in Indias renewables space, and it plans to become bigger by adding yet more capacity. It recently raised Rs 9,600 crore from GQG Partners.



#7. Promoters of Aster DM Healthcare in discussions to sell stake in India business



Promoters of Aster DM Healthcare led by Azad Moopen have started talks with private equity groups such as Blackstone and KKR on selling stake. The promoters may even be open to selling a controlling stake in their India-listed hospital chain. Aster operates 32 hospitals, 127 clinics, 521 pharmacies, and 16 laboratories in seven countries in West Asia and India. India contributes 25 percent of 2022-23 revenues and 29 percent of earnings before tax.



Why its important: There has been an ongoing consolidation in the organized healthcare sector in India and Astors promoters want to capitalize on that. There has been keen investor interest in the rapidly expanding private healthcare sector in the country.



#8. HDFC merger could be template for why big is necessary, bank chairman says



There are multiple benefits of the merger between mortgage lender HDFC and HDFC Bank, HDFC Bank chairman Atanu Chakraborty has said. It brings in a large pool of capital under one brand, creates a big size and big size does give stability, he pointed out. If we want faster growth and greater flow of credit towards the private sector, it's important to have many more of such large entities, not just one, Chakraborty said.



Why its beautiful: There is much to be said in favor of bigger financial institutions in India. There has been some amount of consolidation in the Indian banking space but there is scope for more.



#9. FMCG sales decline in the fiscal first quarter shows no urban-rural divide



Sales of fast-moving consumer goods fell on year in the June quarter both in rural and urban markets, dragged down by a sharp fall in the beverages category due to unseasonal rainfall, followed by personal care products and confectionery, data from retail intelligence firm Bizom showed. Sales slipped 4.7 and 4.6 percent in urban and rural India, respectively. Overall FMCG sales were down 4.6 percent in the quarter.



Why its important: FMCG sales were not alone in being hit by declining sales in the June quarter due to erratic and unseasonal weather. White goods like fridges and ACs were hit as well. Companies are seeing bottom lines being impacted due to climate change.



#10. Local lithium hunts gathering pace, government working on coal export strategy



The government will chart a strategy to tap export markets for Indian coal as domestic production sets new records, coal minister Pralhad Joshi said in an interview. India exports around 2 million tons of coal to its neighbors. After the recent lithium finds in Jammu and Kashmir and Rajasthan, the Geological Survey of India has begun six projects on lithium investigation in Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, J&K, and Andhra Pradesh.



Why its important: Starting commercially viable lithium mines within the country to power batteries would be a gamechanger for the green energy transition in India.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has mandated that among the pooled investment vehicles, only private equity funds (PEs) can sponsor a mutual fund house, while the entities should have a minimum of five years of experience.



To facilitate the fresh flow of capital into the industry, fostering innovation, encouraging competition, providing ease of consolidation and easing exit for existing sponsors, the capital markets regulator in March allowed PEs to sponsor mutual fund schemes and also permitted the set-up of self-sponsored asset management companies (AMCs).



Currently, mutual fund houses must have a sponsor and must be a business in financial services such as banking, stock broking, housing finance company and so on.



SEBI had notified the rules for the new set-up of sponsors of a Mutual Fund earlier in June. The regulator has now issued a regulatory framework via a circular dated July 7.



Key rules for sponsor PEs



There are many types of pooled investment vehicles such as hedge funds, private equity funds, and pension funds. As per the regulatory framework, only PEs can sponsor a mutual fund.



Also read | SEBI puts onus on trustees to ensure fairness of fees, expenses charged by fund houses



Further, the applicant PE or its manager should have a minimum of five years of experience as a fund or investment manager and an experience of investing in the financial sector. The applicant should also have managed, committed and drawn-down capital of a minimum Rs 5,000 crore.



As per SEBIs MF regulations, an initial shareholding of a sponsor equivalent to capital contributed to an AMC to the extent of not less than Rs 150 crore is locked-in for a period of five years.



The said lock-in period of five years will also be applicable to the shareholding of PE in the corporate entity, which is sponsoring the mutual fund.



Safeguards in place



To ensure that investors interested are protected in a PE-owned fund house, SEBI has proposed several safeguards.



The regulator has barred off-market transactions between the schemes of the mutual fund and sponsor PE as well as schemes managed by the manager of the sponsor PE.



Also read | What to look for when investing in NCDs



There can also be no off-market transactions between the schemes of the mutual fund and investee companies of funds of sponsor PE, where it holds more than 10 percent stake, or has a board representation or a right to nominate board representation.



Self-sponsored AMCs



According to the regulator, considering the evolution of the mutual fund industry and the significant shift in the nature of roles and responsibilities in the last few decades, most of the AMCs can be stated to be prepared enough to stand on their own and create trust among their investors.



In view of this, SEBI has decided to allow a sponsor to voluntarily reduce its stake in an AMC.



A fund house can become a self-sponsored AMC, if it has been carrying on business in the financial services for a period of not less than five years and also has a positive net worth in all the immediately preceding five years.



To become a self-sponsored AMC, the entity should have average net annual profit of at least Rs 10 crore during the preceding five years.



Further, in terms of timelines, SEBI said that any sponsor looking to disassociate needs to reduce shareholding below 10 percent -- within five years in the case of listed AMCs and three years in the case of unlisted AMCs.



Post disassociation of any sponsor, all the shareholders of such AMC would be classified as financial investors and there will not be any sponsor of such AMC.



Post disassociation, the upper limit of shareholding for any financial investor needs to be below 10 percent.



Also read | Single premium term plans  Should you opt for them?



According to SEBI, the dissociated sponsor or a new entity can become the sponsor of a self-sponsored AMC if it fails to meet SEBI regulations.



Deployment of liquid net worth



As per SEBI regulations, an AMC has to deploy the minimum net worth required in assets as specified by SEBI.



In this regard, SEBI has decided that AMCs must deploy the minimum net worth required either in cash, money market instruments, Government Securities, Treasury bills, Repo on Government securities, or in listed AAA-rated debt securities without bespoke structures/structured obligations, credit enhancements or embedded options or any other structure/ feature which increase the liquidity risk of the instrument on a continuous basis.



Such investments shall be unencumbered, SEBI said in the circular.
The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has started the process of land acquisition for the development of wayside amenities along the under-construction 700-km-long Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway.



According to the tender documents, the MSRDC is looking to acquire 10-12 acres of land at each of four locations in the Nashik and Aurangabad districts, for which the authorities have adopted the land pooling model.



"For development and operations and maintenance of wayside amenities (the Project) and facilities on either side of the project corridor, the Authority has decided to procure land parcels on a land-pooling basis and lease a part of the identified land parcels to eligible contractors/developers/operators," reads the tender document floated by MSRDC.



Per the tender document, the minimum investment for the construction of wayside amenities at each location will be around Rs 50 crore, and successful bidders will have 60 months to complete the work.



Also read: Maharashtra authorities plan tourism park in MIHAN SEZ in Nagpur



What amenities?



According to the list MSRDC, the amenities include parking lots for cars, buses, and trucks, workshops for vehicle repairs, toilets, restaurants, first aid centres, fuel stations, etc.



What is the land pooling model?



Under the land pooling scheme, landholders will get around 30 percent of the developed land in lieu of giving their land to the government.



Also read: Samruddhi Expressway: Nearly 1000 vehicles denied entry between April 1-June 30 due to their worn-out tyres



This model was adopted for the initial land acquisition for the expressway as well but received a tepid response as over 60 percent of the land-owners opted to sell the land instead. Under the direct purchase scheme, MSRDC was offering five times the prevailing ready reckoner rate for a particular area.




The Karnataka government, on July 7, proposed to revise the guidance values of real estate properties in the state, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said while presenting Budget 202324 with an outlay of over Rs 3.27 lakh crore.



"The guidance value of all immovable properties across the state was revised during 2018-19 and came into effect in January 2019. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the guidance value of immovable properties has not been revised to date," he said.



Several changes over time have caused anomalies in the guidance values of all immovable properties, he added.



"To rectify these anomalies, the state government will revise the guidance values for all immovable properties across the state this year," he added.



The guidance value is the minimum value at which the sale of a property can be registered with the state government. It is also known as the circle rate in some states.



In May, Moneycontrol had first reported that the state government was likely to hike the property guidance value. Sources in the Stamps and Registration Department confirmed that a hike of 10-30 percent was likely.



A scientific approach to guidance value



Additionally, a scientific and rational guidance value system for the Stamps and Registration Department will be developed using the Geographic Information System (GIS) as a base, and guidance values will be assigned to properties adjoining all roads and streets.



"This system will make the guidance value for each property available online for residents to know the stamp duty for any property exactly. A pilot project will be taken up in one district, and then it will be rolled out for the entire state," the chief minister added.



To speed up decision-making and have better inter-departmental coordination in major projects on services requiring multiple approvals, Siddaramaiah said a GIS-based decision support system will be developed for all the decisions, approvals, or no objection certificates (NOCs) that require inter-departmental coordination.



Additionally, the Budget speech added that the revenue collection target for the Stamps and Registration Department for the year 202324 is fixed at Rs 25,000 crore.



According to experts, real estate prices are soaring in the central business districts. "And even in the peripheral real estate pockets, the prices have gone up in the last one-and-a-half years. The gap between the market value of a property and the guidance value has gone up to 40-50 percent today, up from 25-30 percent a few years ago," according to property consultant ANAROCK.



Thus, experts say, an immediate hike in guidance value will start hurting affordability about one to two years down the line.



The increase in the guidance value will impact developers costs, particularly approval expenses, as the guideline value directly influences government payments, Abhishek Kapoor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bengaluru-based Puravankara told Moneycontrol.



As a result, property prices in Bengaluru are expected to inch up. However, considering the robust demand from end-users, we dont see this hike dampening homebuyers sentiments, he added.
Russian energy giant Rosneft has appointed a former Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) director to its board in signs it may be looking at boosting trade links with India.



G K Satish, who retired as director for business development at IOC in 2021, is one of the three new faces appointed to the 11-strong board of directors of Rosneft, according to a statement issued by the Russian firm.



Satish, 62, is the first Indian to be appointed to the board of Rosneft.



Rosneft has partnerships with Satish's former company in oil and gas fields in Russia. It also sells crude oil to IOC and other Indian firms and has in recent months started shipping naphtha to Gujarat refiners.



His appointment assumes significance as Rosneft is now eyeing more deals with Indian firms including the sale of liquefied natural gas (LNG).



Satish, who has deep insight into the Indian oil and gas market and has expertise in petroleum product marketing, petrochemicals, LNG and international trade, is one of the five independent directors on the Rosneft board.



During his stint at the IOC board beginning September 1, 2016, Satish was also chairman of IndianOil Adani Gas Pvt Ltd - the joint venture IOC had formed with Adani Group for retailing CNG and piped cooking gas. That venture helped Adani Group catapult into city gas and it is now the biggest operator.



Rosneft said its shareholders at the annual general meeting on June 30 elected a new board of directors consisting of 11 members. Igor I Sechin, a confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin, continues to be the CEO and chairman of the management board of Rosneft.



Other members appointed include "Govind Kottis Satish, Managing Director, Value Prolific Consulting Services Pvt Ltd (ValPro)," it said.



ValPro is the firm that Satish joined as Managing Director in 2022. ValPro advises on mergers and acquisitions and investment banking. Former IOC chairman M A Pathan is on its board of advisor and its top management include former IOC executives.



Russia sells about 2 million barrels per day of crude oil or 100 million tonne on an annualised basis, to Indian firms.



Rosneft has a term deal to sell 6 million tonne a year of crude oil to Satish's former company and is eyeing similar deals with other state-owned refiners including Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).



Rosneft is also a majority owner of Nayara Energy, which operates a 20 million tonne a year refinery at Vadinar in Gujarat and owns over 6,300 petrol pumps in the country.



IOC alongside Bharat PetroResources Ltd (a unit of BPCL) and Oil India Ltd in 2016 bought a 23.9 per cent stake in Rosneft's Vankor oilfield for USD 2.02 billion. The consortium also took a 29.9 per cent stake in a separate Taas-Yuryakh oilfield in East Siberia for USD 1.12 billion.



IOC is India's largest importer of Russian oil and the only company with a long-term delivery deal in place with Rosneft.



Rosneft board includes representatives from Qatar and the Philippines.



"Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada (chairman of the board of trustees of Dohal University of Science and Technology) has been elected Chairman of Rosneft Oil Company Board of Directors," Rosneft said.
ICICI Direct's research report on Sobha Sobha Ltd. (SOBHA) achieved record Q1FY24 gross sales bookings of 1.39msf worth Rs14.7bn (up 28% YoY in value terms), aided by the company achieving its highest-ever gross realisation of Rs10,506/psf. The Bengaluru market clocked 0.84msf or 60% of the quarters volumes and 54% of sales value. The strong start to FY24 comes on the back of a strong FY23 operating performance where the company had clocked its best-ever annual sales performance with gross sales bookings of 5.65msf worth Rs52.0bn. The company plans to launch 7-8msf of new projects in FY24, of which 5msf is expected to be in Bengaluru, 1msf in Gurugram and balance in other cities. If the approvals for all the planned launches come through, then the company is targeting 15-20% growth in gross sales bookings for FY24 (we model for sales bookings of Rs57.8bn in FY24E and Rs61.1bn in FY25E). Another key positive in FY23 was the companys net debt levels reducing by Rs7.0bn to Rs16.4bn (net D/E of 0.66x). Outlook We maintain our BUY rating with an unchanged SOTP based TP of Rs891/share. Key risks are demand slowdown and rise in debt levels. For all recommendations report, click here Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts/broking houses/rating agencies on moneycontrol.com are their own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Sobha _ 07072023

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Shares of Kalyan Jewellers gained 6 percent on Friday after the jeweller maker said its revenue grew 34 percent in the April-June quarter, compared to the same period last year. Shares of the company were up 6.3 percent at Rs 163.55 at 10.21 am on the National Stock Exchange. The non-south markets for Kalyan Jewellers recorded higher revenue growth as a large number of showrooms were launched in the non-south markets in the last one year. Kalyan Jewellers opened 12 new showrooms in the non-south markets in the April-June quarter. It plans to open 20 more showrooms in the same market before Diwali. Kalyan Jewellers gross margin at showroom level has improved in Q1FY24 year-on-year and is in line with the last quarter's number. Blended gross margins (showroom and franchise) have declined sequentially in Q1FY24 year-on-year, said the company. Follow our live blog for more updates The gold makers online jewellery platform-Candere witnessed a 22 percent year-on-year fall in revenue in Q1FY24. However, Kalyan Jewellers is seeing positive trends in Canderes two physical showrooms. For the Middle-east market, revenue increased by around 22 percent year-on-year in Q1FY24. Eid holidays-driven sales, which was not part of the base quarter revenue in the prior year, also contributed to the higher than usual same-store-sales growth during the recently concluded quarter, said Kalyan Jewellers. The company plans to launch its first Franchise Owned Company Operated showroom in the July to September quarter. 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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Reserve Bank of India (RBI) deputy governor T Rabi Sankar on July 7 said the central bank is trying to target interoperability of central bank digital currency (CBDC) with unified payment interface (UPI).



The second thing we are targeting is interoperability with UPI. So anyone with a UPI QR, so that QR can be used if I and merchant have a CBDC, the payment will go to his bank account, he added.



Sankar was speaking at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave.



Follow our live blog for all the action at Moneycontrol Startup Conclave



He further said that some 9 banks have already placed this system and other 3-4 banks are trying that out.



Sankar said the central bank is not particularly interested in rolling it out like for example UPI did at a very large scale because unlike payment instruments, this is money and it is entirely different.



It has substantial impact on other forms of money like bank deposits, customer behavior, and therefore it has impact on monetary policy and eventually it will feed in to financial stability, he added.



Last year, the central bank rolled out pilot testing of CBDC in wholesale as well as retail segment.



With both wholesale and retail pilots live in the country, the RBI has joined 17 other central banks including those of China and South Korea whose pilots are underway.



Also read: RBI may bring fintech regulations soon: Dy governor Rabi Sankar



The RBI on November 29 while announcing the pilot said that the implementation will be done in phases in partnership with a few banks and in some cities to start with and the scope will later be scaled up.



The pilot will be implemented among a small group of customers and merchants, starting with the four cities of Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Bhubaneswar. It will in the next phase be extended to Ahmedabad, Gangtok, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Lucknow, Patna and Shimla.



While the retail CBDC was built for customers like individual.



he further during an interaction said we want to go in a measured, calibrated manner, learning along the way.



"So next step we take is to look at the threshold level of customers, we target 1 million customers by June, we have 1.3 million customers now," he added.
Anil Agarwal-led conglomerate Vedanta Ltd will take over the semiconductor and display glass businesses ventures which were thus far held by a unit of its holding company, the group said on Friday.



The decision comes after capital market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed a penalty of Rs 30 lakh on metals-to-oil conglomerate Vedanta Ltd for violating the market regulator's disclosure requirements.



SEBI said Vedanta had broken its rules by publishing a press release on its website that made it appear it had partnered with Foxconn to make semiconductors in India, when the deal was with Vedanta's holding company.



Twin Star Technologies is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Volcan which is the ultimate holding company of Vedanta.



Volcan Investments Ltd and Foxconn signed a pact last year to invest $19.5 billion to set up semiconductor and display production plants in the state of Gujarat.



The acquisition by Vedanta will be effected by way of a share transfer at face value of Twin Star Technologies Limiteds Semiconductor and Display SPVs.



With this restructuring, Vedanta Limited announced the addition of semiconductors and display glass manufacturing ventures to its diversified portfolio.



Speaking on the development, David Reed, CEO of Vedantas Semiconductor Business, said he has a notion that India could become a global semiconductor hub.



Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta, stated that this endeavour is the first step towards developing a cutting-edge and advanced electronics ecosystem comparable to Silicon Valley.



Vedanta is committed to making India self-reliant in electronics. This is the beginning of the creation of a Silicon Valley in India, a cutting edge and world class electronics ecosystem. My dream is for every Indian youth to have an affordable smartphone, laptop and an electric vehicle," Agarwal said.



Akarsh Hebbar, Global MD, Vedantas Semiconductor and Display Business, said the semiconductors and display fab businesses have the potential to create jobs and serve as a multiplier for the GDP.



The semiconductor market, according to a statement from Vedanta, was worth $24 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow to $80 billion by 2026. And, the display panel market, which is now estimated to be worth $7 billion, is expected to grow to $15 billion by 2025.
Indian-American billionaire businessman Vinod Khosla has said he will not recommend betting on as large a foundational model as OpenAI.



Speaking at Moneycontrol Startup Conclave via video conferencing on July 7, Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures and investor in OpenAI, said: We had bet on OpenAI some years ago when everyone was calling it a 'silly investment'. There will be a new development environment in the US, due to a large language model (LLM) based apps. "



He further elaborated that investors have been very cautious in India as they concentrate on revenue too much and not on building assets.



Follow our live blog for all the action at Moneycontrol Startup Conclave



There is not a single example where I have used an IRR (internal rate of return) calculation to decide whether to invest or not at Khosla Ventures. Too much founder friendliness or revenue is right. Founders should be treated like a child, and saying yes to everything will spoil them and you'll do them a disservice. Completely controlling then means they won't be Innovative and creative. You help them be better entrepreneurs, the billionaire venture capitalist emphasised.



Also Read: Billionaire Vinod Khosla on Musk-Zuckerberg fight: The more important fight is between



Khosla pointed out that India is very aligned with Western values. New Delhi and the West are going to be inevitably aligned. India can have more global companies and what is happening with China actually enhances the interest in investing in India.



Also Read: Vinod Khosla quotes Warren Buffett amid funding winter



Artificial intelligence's (AIs) potential in enhancing India's tech ecosystem is vast, among the youth in particular.



Moneycontrol Startup Conclave aims to highlight the resilience and determination of entrepreneurs and their unwavering commitment to overcoming obstacles.
The fight between Microsoft Corp and the UK competition watchdog over the software giants pursuit of Activision Blizzard Inc is no longer just an intellectual argument about how markets work. Its a battle of legal firepower and tactical nous.



Guess who has the upper hand.



Microsoft and Activision are appealing the Competition and Markets Authoritys conclusion that the $69 billion deal stifles innovation and cant be fixed with tweaks. This was predictable, given the nature of the case and the protagonists proclivities. Yet the CMA is surprisingly unprepared.



The regulator has tried to get appeal hearings pushed back. It claimed the playing field isnt level. The software firms lined up seven top barristers long ago, whereas the CMA has struggled to assemble its legal team. Theres a deluge of evidence to process, and its resources are stretched.



Maybe Microsoft and Activision drained the well of leading advocates. Either way, the judge heading the tribunal threw out the CMAs request. Indeed, he accused the CMA of failing to appreciate the overriding public interest in resolving antitrust disputes speedily. Ouch.



Legal resources matter here because the arguments are finely balanced. The market in question is cloud gaming: streaming titles like Call of Duty online rather than downloading them to a PC or games console such as Sonys PlayStation. Any assessment of a deals impact requires suppositions about the future of this form of gameplay.



On paper, the CMAs position is defensible. The agency is allowed to use discretion in reaching merger decisions. Thats like having a 10-point lead on Microsoft before entering the ring. Microsoft has to convince the tribunal that the CMA conducted its analysis in the wrong way or drew irrational conclusions from the evidence. Thats not easy.



Moreover, the CMAs fundamental concern is hardly radical. This is that Microsoft would have an incentive to limit distribution of Activision titles beyond its own cloud platform. Maintaining exclusivity would help the company attract gamers, in turn giving it an edge in securing quality content  a virtuous circle. This may not be a competitive advantage in isolation but becomes one in conjunction with Microsofts ownership of cloud infrastructure and the Windows operating system, the argument goes.



Microsoft questions these notions, including the idea that cloud gaming is a market distinct from console gaming (where the CMA reckons the deal wouldnt cause harm). But the CMA is in good company. An in-depth probe by the European Commission also fretted that Microsoft could withhold

Activision games from rival cloud distributors. Similar arguments underpin the US Federal Trade Commissions litigation against the transaction.



The thornier issue is the CMAs refusal to accept Microsofts suggested fixes. The watchdogs European peer reckons these transform the deal into something that actually benefits consumers by providing options they dont have today: Gamers who buy Activision titles would be permitted to play them on non-Microsoft cloud platforms already lined up to stream the catalogue.



The CMA acknowledges these benefits but doesnt see them outweighing the deals downsides. The remedies risk standardising a cloud model whereby consumers purchase games licenses and bring these to their chosen streaming service. Alternatives  say, where the streaming service buys games and rents them out  might struggle to gain traction.



Its unfortunate that the CMA has a stated aversion to so-called behavioral remedies (effectively promises of good conduct), which are what Microsoft is offering. That risks making its objections look ideological. The stance is probably too rigid. Nevertheless, its more credible in deals involving markets whose future is uncertain like this.



We dont know how the European Commission weighed the tradeoffs, as it hasnt published its full reasoning. But as Zach Meyers of the Centre for European Reform argues, the CMAs approach has the virtue of letting consumers decide what business models should prevail and shows more respect for open markets.



The CMA is on the back foot. Comments by Microsoft and Activision casting doubt on the attractiveness of UK investment have whipped up a political storm. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has told regulators to understand their responsibilities for economic growth. The pile-on continues. Chemicals billionaire Jim Ratcliffe this week said a CMA block on one of his deals showed the agency was increasingly hostile to business.



Lets hope the case will turn on its merits and not the size of each sides legal spending. Obviously, losing the appeal would create huge issues for the CMA. But one lesson is already clear: The regulator must ensure it is capable of defending controversial decisions. After all this, it cant shy away from making another bold call if the next big merger case demands one.

Chris Hughes is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Credit: Bloomberg
It would be easy to assume that not much has changed since Shinzo Abe, Japans longest-serving prime minister and de facto senior statesman, was assassinated in broad daylight one year ago.



But theres an evolution under way, and Japan is moving closer to the nation Abe aspired to when he was gunned down on the campaign trail for upper house elections last July 8. The language of decline, of a country whose time has passed, is gone: From think tanks to hedge funds, Japan is on everyones lips. Tokyo is at the heart of Washingtons strategy to de-risk from China. Money is flowing into the markets, led by Warren Buffett. And tourists are flocking back, with more Americans coming now than before the pandemic.



Abe aimed to build a Japan that could cast off the shackles of its wartime guilt and assume a position on the geopolitical stage befitting its economic might. The former prime minister laid out not just how his nation should position itself against China, but created the model that now dominates western thinking toward Beijing. He spearheaded the concept of the free and open Indo-Pacific, later adopted by the US, outlining this coalition of like-minded nations as far back as 2007.



The current prime minister, Fumio Kishida, has taken that ball and is running with it, with his plan to radically overhaul Japans military spending, a move that has vociferous US support. The country is taking steps to shore up its weakened defense industry, and is looking to relax a long-standing ban on the export of weapons in a bid to add additional support for Ukraine. The Quad, a group that Abe championed, has become central to US strategy in Asia (the other cornerstones are India and Australia.) No one talks anymore of concerns over revisionist politicians or Japanese remilitarisation.



Its easy to forget that Japan could have taken a very different path. The remarks by Chinas top diplomat this week that Japanese and South Koreans can never become western serve a reminder that Beijing still seeks to unite minds in Asia against the US. It may be of little use, with ties between Seoul and Tokyo at last on an upswing. After a quick pair of visits to their respective capitals, Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol are reportedly set to meet on the sidelines of next weeks NATO meeting in Lithuania. Even the ruling Liberal Democratic Party has its powerful China doves. It has not been 15 years since former Japan leader Yukio Hatoyama sought to shift the country away from the US and closer to Beijing.



Domestically, revitalising Japans economy was key to Abes goals. Theres good news on this front: The country is expected to have GDP growth of 1.2 percent this year, among the highest of major developed economies; deflation is a memory; companies are passing on input costs and expressing willingness to pay workers more, even if real pay is still declining.



Most notable has been the recent resurgence in interest from investors, a boom on a level not seen since Abe himself came back into power in late 2012. The return of foreign money has less to do with anything Kishida created, and more with three pillars that Abe himself put in place: Japans emergence as an alternative to China, a gateway to Asia where the rule of law is respected; the expansive monetary policy of the Bank of Japan, which has continued into Kazuo Uedas term; and a sudden awareness of corporate governance reforms enacted nearly a decade ago.



In shifting managements attitudes toward shareholders, Abe scored a bigger victory than anyone immediately realised. While it has taken time for those changes to bear fruit, theyre slowly pushing boards to improve returns and valuations. All of this has helped lift Japanese stocks higher than at any time during Abes time in power; some expect the Nikkei 225 may finally surpass its bubble-era high this year.



That might prove to be yet another false Japan is back moment. Risks abound, particularly in political terms. Would a second Trump administration place such importance on international cooperation in Asia? Can Kishida, whose own economic plans have largely fallen flat, advance the reforms Abe began?



The incumbents position remains far from secure. By all accounts, Kishida was last month close to pulling the trigger on a snap election that might have secured his term for years. That was before scandals involving his son (employed as his secretary), along with glitches in a national ID scheme got in the way. These events would in most other countries barely make the headlines, but show how vulnerable Kishida remains.



Much of what Abe sought to do still feels distant. The conversation on constitutional reform rolls on without action; growth remains concentrated in a small number of cities, notably Tokyo, despite promises of regional revitalisation; movement has been slow on his goal to boost womens participation in society.



But Abe was so successful precisely because of his failure. His humiliating resignation during his first stint in power in 2007 inspired him to go back to square one, rebuilding himself as a force to not only equal his past achievements, but surpass them. Its a fitting example, perhaps, for the country as a whole.



Gearoid Reidy is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
As the ubiquity of AI increases in our daily lives and parlance, an aspect of this transformation which has received scant attention is the cost associated with it all. While AI took the computing world decades to develop, its widespread deployment was not impeded by technological obstacles alone. Instead, a very significant aspect of why it took so long to publicly deploy powerful generative AI systems is the humongous cost associated with training and deploying them.



OpenAIs GPT-4, Googles PaLM (Pathways Language Model), and even the relatively smaller LLaMA model by Meta are expensive to train and deploy. And these costs are multi-dimensional: No easy fixes can bring it down dramatically in the short-term. Given the role AI is going to play in our lives it is important to explore the nature of these costs and the direction of future AI development.



Expensive To Train



The first major cost component to consider is hardware. This, most significantly, includes GPUs (Graphics Cards), essential for training and deploying AI models. Just one of Nvidias A100 cards, which are some of the most common GPUs for such tasks, is priced north of $10,000. And given the scale of computation required, firms need clusters of tens of thousands of these GPUs to train and deploy their biggest models.



Just for context, to train the massive (yet already dated) GPT-3 model containing 175 billion parameters, one of these cards would take around 288 years of computation. Therefore, OpenAI used several thousand of these to achieve their computational goals.



In fact, some estimates suggest that OpenAIs GPU requirement of A100 cards could exceed 30,000 for commercialising ChatGPT, costing a whopping $30 million. Similarly, the hardware cost to Microsoft for deploying ChatGPTs AI capability into Bing could be over $4 billion, and for Google, it could be around $100 billion.



Pricey To Run As Well



The second cost dimension is the running/inference cost. These are much larger than we have been used to, for our regular Google searches and queries. To contextualise, Alphabet Chairman John Hennessy told Reuters, that an exchange with a Large Language Model (LLM) like ChatGPT costs ten times more than a standard keyword search.



Now, if a 10x cost surge occurs over hundreds of millions or billions of daily queries, then even basic running costs could become unsustainable for all but the richest firms. SemiAnalysiss recent estimate that OpenAI spends around $700,000 per day to run ChatGPT substantiates this assertion.



The Other Costs



AI engineers are offered some of the highest take-home salaries across sectors, with Glassdoor regularly reporting compensations over a million dollars annually. Further, the talent pool is small, and there is fierce competition among firms to mop up the best talent for themselves. This combination of scarcity and competition has ensured that skilled talent demands a high premium.



Then there is the environmental cost. This is something that we have only recently realised as being quite steep. The global tech sector accounts for around 1.8-3.9 percent of GHG emissions, and AI, which is just one sub-sector within tech, has shown a disproportionate contribution towards emissions relative to its size.



To contextualise the emission output and energy profile of AI, we can see that GPT-3 emitted over 500 tonnes of CO2 for its training, Metas OPT emitted 75 tonnes, and a single query to ChatGPT could cost 100 times more energy than a standard Google Search. With net-zero commitments looming, such steep emission numbers simply cannot be ignored.



There is also the cost of R&D, gathering and cleaning data, securing electricity, operational costs, legal fees, lobbying costs, etc.



Thus, in every way that one looks at it, large AI models are very expensive. And the size and costs of these large model AIs have only been trending upwards, as the push for larger models with greater accuracy, performance, and knowledge continues.



Impact Of High Costs



Due to the steep cost profile of large AI systems, the first implication is that the public almost never gets access to the latest and greatest. This is because high quality, larger size of output, and lower latency for processing requests, are all antithetical to mass adoption. Lack of complete integration of the latest AI models into Bing and Googles search is reflective of the financial limitations of even the biggies like Microsoft and Alphabet.



Secondly, not-for-profit business models have become unviable. For training the largest foundational models, only firms with deep pockets and a clear vision towards monetisation will survive. The decision of OpenAI to become for-profit, instead of remaining open-source, speaks to this fact.



Third, the direction of research has changed. Currently, there are various bottlenecks in AI training and deployment, such as memory constraints, bandwidth constraints, hardware limitations etc., with many of these areas seeing scant research hitherto. However, as the fight for lower cost and latency surges, formerly untouched areas are seeing strong research thrusts.



For instance, several major players have already decided to make their own AI chips, such as Googles Tensor Processing Unit, Amazons Inferentia and Trainium, Metas MTIA, etc. all of which are specifically optimised for AI training. Novel research on new forms of computer memory to improve energy efficiency and performance are also getting released regularly. Software too is getting optimised constantly. Thus, AI research is now much more strongly guided by industrys interests than it has been in the past. Stanfords latest annual AI report also reiterates this point.



Where To, From Here?



Overall, AI costs are high and trending upwards. Various benefits that come with making models larger, including greater accuracy and more generalised intelligence, have given impetus to this trend.



However, as nothing can increase in scale indefinitely, firms are bound to draw their line somewhere. It will be interesting to see where they decide to do so, as their decisions will help us understand where the point of diminishing returns has been reached.



Further, through how companies act, well also learn of new ways of monetising larger AI models, and the plans to beat the growing competition that smaller but competent AI models are increasingly giving. For investors and interested observers alike, these are pertinent queries which theyll be interested in knowing the answers to.



Srimant Mishra is a computer science engineer from VIT university, Vellore, with a deep interest in the field of Artificial Intelligence. He is currently pursuing a law degree at Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
There are two ways of looking at Meta Platforms Incs release of a Twitter competitor called Threads on Thursday. Its beautifully timed to capitalise on growing unease over the way Elon Musk has run Twitter. And its also horribly timed, coinciding with the imminent launch of a new European Union law that strikes at the heart of the way Meta makes money. That undermines its plans to turn Threads into another outlet for data harvesting. For now Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg is taking what he can get. He has rolled out Threads in dozens of countries, racking up more than 10 million users in the first seven hours -- just not in the EU.



As of Thursday, the new app  which combines a cornucopia of personal information for advertisers about peoples health, shopping habits, location and other unspecified sensitive data  wasnt available in France, Germany, Italy or Belgium. Down the line, Zuckerberg may be forced to give the residents of those countries a choice on whether they want their data processed for the purposes of advertising. If they say no, that could hurt Meta financially.



Threads is being held back from Europe because Meta knows EU regulators wont like the way the app plays mixologist with personal information. But the reason isnt the General Data Protection Regulation, the EUs weakly enforced privacy law that has let Meta engage in a free-for-all on private data until now. Its because of another upcoming antitrust law called the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Meta delayed Threads because it needed more guidance from EU officials on how to follow that law, which could have a much broader impact on the company than just a belated launch.



You may be wondering what a European antitrust law has to do with privacy. These days, the answer is, Quite a lot. In fact, Metas business model faces a greater threat from new competition rules than it ever did from its data-protection policies. That is in part because of a shift in mindset among EU regulators over treating privacy infringements as a form of consumer harm  an approach the US doesnt take. One result: The DMA says the biggest online companies, designated as gatekeepers, must not combine personal data from their platforms with personal data from any other platform or third-party service unless consumers give their permission.



That single rule threatens to be a major blow to Meta. About 98 percent of its revenue is derived from advertising, and that business is based on compiling personal data from an array of sources outside of Facebook. Those sources  from apps and browsers to ad networks  use Metas free business tools and plugins to then take part in targeted ads on platforms like Instagram and, eventually, Threads.



The DMA rule means Meta will spend the next six months or so negotiating with EU officials about how to comply. It will somehow need to give consumers a choice about combining their data for advertising.



How Meta provides that choice will make a huge difference to its bottom line. Consider that Apple Incs decision to ping iPhone users with a pop-up window asking whether advertisers could track them cost Facebook an estimated $14.5 billion in lost sales last year.



For obvious reasons, Meta wont want to design the same kind of pop-up for its apps, but it may be forced to do something similar.



German antitrust regulators have been pushing Meta to redesign its apps so that its forced to give users a choice on combining their data for ad targeting. The regulator, whose case against the company has been going on for years and formed the basis for the critical DMA rule, announced last month that Meta was taking steps in the right direction. It had put the option into its apps, but the way it informed users was still inadequate.



Meta had also designed a new accounts center where Facebook and Instagram users could consent to what data gets harvested and combined, the regulator said. The new feature isnt public since it still needs regulatory approval. The Germans said Meta was still trying nudge users to merge their accounts, referring to their data as information instead of personal data for instance.



The big question is a small detail: Will the choice be a pop-up on peoples phones? If so, then it could be as consequential as Apples privacy update. Meta will push back hard against that, but now it has both the Germans and the EUs looming law to fight, and it doesnt have much opportunity left for appeal. On Wednesday, the European Court of Justice upheld the German regulators case. A Meta spokesman said the company was considering its next moves, but if it appeals, the company will probably lose.



The ruling from the European Court of Justice sends the signal to them that the age of unlimited data harvesting and profiling are over, says Anne Witt, an antitrust scholar with EDHEC Business School in Paris. Meta needs to give users a meaningful choice.



Doing business in the EU is already becoming harder for Meta. Spoiling the buzzy entrance of Threads is a sign of what's to come.



Parmy Olson is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering technology. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.



Credit: Bloomberg
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that corruption was its biggest ideology, and said the grand old party cannot breathe without it.



Modi said if the Congress is a guarantee for corruption, he is a guarantee for action against graft.



Addressing a rally at the Science College ground in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, he said the state has become an ATM of the Congress.



The scam-ridden Congress government in Chhattisgarh has become a model of misrule and people have decided to root out it in the upcoming Assembly elections, he said.



This was Modi's first visit to the Congress-ruled state, where Assembly elections are due this year-end, after being elected as the prime minister for the second term in 2019.



"...The next 25 years will be crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh, but a big 'panja' (referring to Congress party symbol) is standing like a tall wall against it. Congress's panja had decided to snatch your rights and it will loot and destroy the state," he said.



The PM further said he would like to remind people of the state about the promises made by the Congress during the 2018 assembly.



The Congress government betrayed the women of Chhattisgarh. The party promised liquor ban in the state, but in reality they have done crores of rupees of liquor scam. The scam money went into the account of the Congress party, he alleged.



Now people say due to fights over this money the party could not implement the two-and-a-half years formula (hinting at sharing of CM's post between Bhupesh Baghel and T S Singh Deo), he said.



"Chhattisgarh has become the ATM of Congress. Corruption is not limited to liquor. There is no department left where corruption is not being committed in the Congress government in Chhattisgarh. This government has become a model of misrule," he said.



Taking a dig at the opposition parties over their attempt to forge an anti-BJP front, Modi said, "Those who are stained with corruption, they are trying to come together today. Those who once cursed each other, are trying to find excuses to come together." Each corrupt person in this country should pay heed to this - if Congress is a guarantee for corruption, Modi is a guarantee for action against corruption, he said.



Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of eight projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur.
A Twitter user and YouTube content creator Ishan Sharma made IKEA a top trend on the social media website on Thursday thanks to a tweet. Ishan Sharma, who has over 1.53 lakh followers, shared that he went to IKEA Bengaluru for just five items but left with 78, costing Rs 80,000. And then he justified his exorbitant shopping spree by putting it on IKEA (and the tricks the Swedish furniture giant uses) prompting users to troll him.



Sharma, in his tweet, outlined three specific techniques utilized by IKEA to maximize consumer spending. The first method, known as the Gruen Effect, revolves around the layout of IKEA's experience stores. He explained that the arrangement of these stores resembles a maze, forcing customers to navigate through the entire inventory even if they only require a single item.



Even if you want just one item, you'll have to walk past their entire inventory. Normally in any store, a customer only sees 30% of its inventory. Not in IKEA. You end up forgetting what you came here for and that leads to impulse purchases, Sharma wrote.



The second trick highlighted by Sharma is the Decoy Effect, which he personally witnessed while perusing IKEA's frame selection. He noted that the pricing structure for frames featured a large frame priced at Rs. 900, a medium-sized one at Rs. 700, and a smaller option at Rs. 400. The deliberate pricing disparity nudges customers towards perceiving the Rs. 900 frame as the best value for their money.



This neat tricks generates over 14.3% more gross profit for IKEA every year, he said.



Sharma's tweet also shed light on the Secret Psychology of IKEA food, the third technique apparently employed by the company. Although IKEA primarily positions itself as a furniture retailer, it allocates a considerable portion of its floor space to dining areas and food offerings. Surprisingly, the profit derived from the food segment constitutes a mere 5% of the company's overall revenue. However, over 30% of customers visit IKEA specifically for its food.



But, why sell food as a furniture company? Because having food creates a sense of happiness, thereby elevating your mood. The mood of a customer largely affects how much they'll spend. In a 2012 survey report, customers who were well fed spent 2x more on home furniture and clothes, he wrote.



The tweet got over 1.6 million views and Sharma was called out for justifying his extravagant shopping spree by blaming it on IKEA.



No. You couldve just been more disciplined instead of finding theories that support your behaviour, one user wrote.



Another wrote: Dear Tweeter, first show us the receipt of the money you spent before we believe you.



Sharma did share a photo of a long bill with his original tweet, but the amount spent was not visible.



I never overbought any stuff from IKEA, this just shows how easily you can be persuaded, read another comment.



Many thought it was a paid post. And how much IKEA paid for this post? one user asked.



After the tweet blew up, Sharma had a clarification.



Chill guys, I was shopping for my new home, had to get beds, sofas, shelves and everything else.

Hence, the long bill.



Ofc I knew these tricks beforehand. I shared it since I found it interesting. No, it didn't persuade me.



Can you find this content anywhere else?

Yes you can. https://t.co/1kqzp9Ej6C



 Ishan Sharma (@Ishansharma7390) July 6, 2023

Chill guys, I was shopping for my new home, had to get beds, sofas, shelves and everything else. Hence, the long bill. Ofc I knew these tricks beforehand. I shared it since I found it interesting. No, it didn't persuade me. Can you find this content anywhere else? Yes, you can. Plenty of articles. I just shared my experience. No ones stopping you from sharing your own, he wrote.



IKEA, renowned for its affordable and stylish furniture, has become a global household name. The company's ability to blend innovative design, functionality, and competitive pricing has propelled it to the forefront of the industry.



IKEA has stores in Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru with Gurugram and Noida outlets coming soon.
The Supreme Court on July 7 granted Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) an additional six months to conduct enquiry in a matter related to the non-payment of dividends by Cairn India Ltd to Cairn UK Holdings Ltd.



Cairn India merged with Vedanta in 2017.



The order was passed in an application filed by SEBI, seeking an extension of time to complete the enquiry.



In October 2022, the apex court granted six months' time to SEBI to complete the enquiry into the issue and ordered that the observations by the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) in the case, will not influence the enquiry. SC further directed SEBI take its own independent decision uninfluenced by any of the observations in SAT's order.



In July 2022, SAT set aside a Sebi order in a matter related to the non-payment of dividends by Cairn India Ltd to Cairn UK Holdings Ltd and directed the regulator to hold an enquiry and find a "logical conclusion" in the case within six months. The appellate tribunal's order, came in an appeal was filed by Cairn UK Holdings Ltd against the Sebi order. "The impugned order passed by Sebi cannot be sustained and is quashed. The appeal is allowed.



Background:



In April 2017, the UK-based firm approached the regulator over the non-payment of dividends amounting to over Rs 340 crore by Cairn India. It had appealed to Sebi to direct Cairn India to pay the dividend along with an interest of 18 percent per annum.



Cairn UK Holdings had demanded initiating proceedings under the Companies Act against every director of Cairn India who was knowingly a party to the non-payment of the dividend. However, Sebi disposed of the complaint on the ground that the unpaid dividend was handed over by the company to the income tax authorities and, therefore, it would not be appropriate for the regulator to take any further action.



Cairn UK Holdings had challenged Sebi's rejection of the complaint before the SAT, which then asked the regulator to re-examine the matter in 2019. Rejecting the complaint again, Sebi held that Cairn India did not violate the Companies Act and LODR (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations.



Cairn UK challenged this order at the SAT for the second time.



In its order on July 5 2022, the SAT aside SEBI's order and asked it to conduct a second round of enquiry and pass an order. SEBI challenged this at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court on July 7 refused to grant additional time to low- cost airline SpiceJet to make payments to Kalanithi Maran to comply with its order from February.



The court pulled up SpiceJet for filing the application and noted that SpiceJet was pursuing a luxury litigation and said it will not grant any extension to SpiceJet as commercial morale must be upheld.



As a consequence of this order, SpiceJet will have to pay over Rs. 350 crore to Maran.



During the hearing today, SpiceJet represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi requested the court to grant them an extension and told the court that they were ready to pay Rs. 10 crore immediately to show their bonafides.



Appearing for Maran, senior advocate Maninder Singh argued that SpiceJet has not paid them any amount pursuant to the SC's February order and urged the court not to grant them any extension.



The court thus refused to grant any extension to SpiceJet.



In February 2023, SC disposed of the case directing that SpiceJets Rs 270-crore bank guarantee be encashed and asking the airline to pay Rs 75 crore towards interest within three months.



Also Read: SpiceJet is Indias most delayed Airline amid summer rush



However, in May, Maran moved Delhi High Court stating that SpiceJet has not complied with the order of the Supreme Court. The Delhi High thus directed SpiceJet to pay the entire amount of interest of Rs. 380 crore to Maran as they had not complied with the SCs order, despite SpiceJet saying they had moved a petition seeking an extension of the three-month period.



The present order of Supreme Court is the reiteration of its earlier order passed in February 2023. The main petition challenging the award by both the parties are pending disposal by the Delhi High Court.



The matter relates to payment of interest on a principal amount of Rs 579 crore that has already been paid. SpiceJet is engaged in talks with Kalanithi Maran and his firm KAL Airways and remains committed to finding an amicable settlement. We remain confident of resolving this to the satisfaction of both sides through discussions, a SpiceJet spokesperson said.



Background:



In February 2015, Maran and KAL Airways, his investment vehicle, transferred their 58.46 percent in SpiceJet to Ajay Singh, the current Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). Singh, a co-founder of SpiceJet, took on the airlines liabilities of around Rs 1,500 crore.



As part of the agreement, Maran and KAL Airways said they paid SpiceJet Rs 679 crore for issuing warrants and preference shares. However, Maran alleged that the warrants and preference shares were not allotted and initiated arbitration proceedings against SpiceJet and Ajay Singh.



Also Read: SpiceJet clears Rs 100-crore City Union Bank debt, stock gains



In July 2018, an arbitration panel rejected Marans claim of damages of Rs 1,323 crore for not issuing warrants to him and KAL Airways, but awarded him a refund of Rs 579 crore plus interest. SpiceJet was permitted to furnish a bank guarantee for Rs 329 crore and make a cash deposit of the remaining sum of Rs 250 crore.



Maran moved the Delhi HC to enforce the arbitral award. The HC, in September 2020, ruled in favour of Maran and directed SpiceJet to deposit Rs 243 crore. However, the apex court stayed the order in November 2020.




How often have you felt the craving for an insanely-good chocolate dessert? Especially with monsoons on, when nothing hits home like a gooey, rich, decadent, cocoa-fuelled dark, milky or nutty confection. Well, you're not alone, if you do. Chocolate is the single most gratifying, desirable ingredient, making for comfort food and in this case, also notching things up on your Instagram and Facebook posts. If the proof of the pudding is in the eating, check these gorgeous picture-perfect indulgences out on World Chocolate Day.



Bas Kar Pagle Rulayega Kya, Hitchki



This signature dessert at Hitchki gives the classic dessert a playful, contemporary twist and it has a quirky name, too! The drool-worthy Bas Kar Pagle Rulayega Kya by Chef Sandeep Rane, Corporate Chef (bakery and confectionery) is about cigarette-shaped candies, Gems, Kit Kat cake, Five Star brownies, Melody Truffles, nuts, scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with wafer cones, making for an explosion of flavours and textures. Your gram is sure to love it!



Hitchki, G5, Transocean House, Lake Boulevard Rd. Hiranandani Business Park, near Kaya skin clinic, Powai, Mumbai  400076



Call: 8291788008



Kit Kat Freakshake, 145 Kala Ghoda







If its extreme desserts were talking of, 145 Kala Ghodas lineup of mega-fun freakshakes definitely should be on the cards. Theyre a delicious overload of ice cream, chocolate sauce, cookie dough, fondant, jelly, caramel, brownies, fruit, sprinkles and more. Try the Kit Kat Freakshake which is a pile-up of all these topped with chocolate gems, a doughnut and of course, some Kit Kat chocolate. The monstrous delight is sure to grab attention when you do an I-ate-that post online.



145 Cafe & Bar, Temple Bar Building, 145, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai  400001



Call: 022 4039 6632



Dark Chocolate & Olive Oil Ice Cream, Burma Burma







If youve always loved having an ice cream cone, take that further with this treat, which has a comforting combination - Dark Chocolate & Olive Oil ice cream. Part of the new range of small-batch artisanal ice creams at Burma Burma, its about an indulgent dark chocolate churned into a smooth ice cream with extra virgin olive oil and dusted with olive dust. Its edged with chocolate and Cacao nibs with good ol classic chocolate ganache on top. Smooth and something that youll love to round up your meal with.



Burma Burma, Delhi NCR (Noida/ Delhi/ Gurgaon), Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata



Call: +91 22 4003 6601 (Mumbai), +91 9920240092 (Bengaluru), +91 124 437 2997 (Delhi), +91 033 4605 1001 (Kolkata)



Shukulata Al Habib, Bayroute







Take a Middle Eastern trip and indulge in the Shukulata Al Habib at Bayroute. The beautiful dessert consists of a dark-tempered chocolate ball, comprising the velvety smoothness of chocolate mousse paired with gooey brownie cake bits and topped with a delightful addition of edible flowers, edible gold and cocoa nib praline, set on a bed of raspberry coulis. Theres a surprise twist, too! It comes in the form of popping candy inside that creates a burst of flavour as you bite into the dessert.



Across Bayroute outlets in Mumbai



Call: 86575 30350 (BKC), 82911 77913 (Palladium, Worli)



Nutella Ghewar Tart, Nksha







In a lineup of chocolate desserts, a little fusion is a must-mention. And heres a dessert that combines the flavors of two popular sweets - ghewar and nutella. Chef Vikram Arora, Culinary Director and founder of Nksha restaurant brings together the Rajasthani sweet ghewar with the popular hazelnut spread. The disc-shaped crust is made by deep frying several droplets of batter in ghee and cooked until crispy. Once its ready, it is dipped in sugar syrup and then topped with a generous layer of creamy rabri and Nutella spread, for that rich and indulgent milky chocolate-hazelnut taste. It satisfies the sweet tooth cravings of anyone who enjoys a blend of traditional and modern desserts and notches up your social media feed, too!



ADCB Rehmat Manzil, 1A / 1B, Veer Nariman Rd, Churchgate, Mumbai - 400020



Call: 9820475555



Black Forest, House of Amel







Dessert lovers, whip up all the right indulgence with this modern take on a comforting classic creation from House of Amel. The cloud kitchen by Sanah Ahuja has a stand-out dessert called Black Forest, an egg-free dessert made of cherry confiture, chocolate cake, whipped vanilla cream and 70 percent chocolate mousse. The dessert is then dipped in a red milk chocolate mirror glaze and then garnished with the Amel chocolate stamp. We definitely see this grabbing likes.



Sea Croft Building, Wodehouse Road, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai - 400005



Call: 7506307607



Falooda, Loya







Ever thought youd tuck into falooda and chocolate together? Executive Chef Rajesh Wadhwas contemporary interpretation of the classic kulfi falooda, will have you do just that! This beautifully-plated dessert is akin to culinary art and makes just the right meal-ending indulgence. A chocolate shell filled with rabri is placed over chilled falooda and kulfi and when cracked with a spoon, creates a wonderful symphony of flavours for the palate.



Loya, Taj Palace, 2, Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, New Delhi  110021



Call: 011 66503588



Soiree-De-Chocolat Carnival, Smoor







Imagine a whole smorgasbord of chocolate to fuel your desires? Thats whats in store at Smoors Chocolate Day Carnival, in celebration of World Chocolate Day. The couverture chocolate brand is celebrating a cocoa-rich gastronomic delight across its stores in Bangalore, Mumbai, and Pune. The experience apart, we suggest you try the Chilli Couverture Praline, where luscious chocolate seamlessly intertwines with the fiery essence of chili pepper, delivering an interesting chocolate encounter. Made with white couverture chocolate, this creation unveils a delicious fusion of sweetness and spiciness, and notches one up for creativity, too!



Smoor outlets across India

Call: 07406600808



Zeus, La Licorne







The Zeus cake at La Licorne in Delhi is a bestseller for the past two and a half years now, informs home baker and owner Sujata Singh. The two-tiered creation has two layers of chocolate sponge covered in chocolate cream cheese frosting with milk and dark chocolate imported from Ghana. Its customisable and best enjoyed with edible gold, chocolates, strawberries or whatever else you like. The cake is light and moist to taste. At La Licorne also try the tiramisu in a tart shell, Nutella profiteroles and the Flourless Chocolate Wave Cake.



La Licorne, Villa number 4416/3rd floor, Marigold Lane, DLF Phase 4, Gurgaon  122009



Call: 9667509956



Bon-Bon, Lupa







Chef Manu Chandras restaurant in Bengaluru has sure got the buzz going and for good reason! Designed like an Italian villa, the place draws on rich traditional European cuisine served with contemporary flair. And one of their desserts is stellar - the Bon Bon! Inspired by the Snicker bar, it combines a Pinata cake with the trendy pull up cake concept and arrives at your table as a perfect ball of chocolate on a plate along with a hammer. At the base is a chocolate butter biscuit, giving it that apt crunch, topped with a generous scoop of house-churned 70% dark and creamy Belgian chocolate gelato with chewy caramel bits. Atop this is the chocolate rocher ball with a luscious, liquid chocolate filling. Crack open the rocher shell allowing the molten chocolate filling to ooze onto the plate, making sure you grab a video of that all along!



Ground Floor, Spencers Towers, No. 86, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Bengaluru - 560001



Call: 087923 85999



Double Chocolate Brownie, Warehouse Cafe







This millennial hotspot in Kolkata is buzzy with sum great music and food and what also stands out are the desserts. Ask the delicious Double Chocolate Brownie that hits all the right spots, especially on a rainy day. The melt-in-the-mouth fudgy brownies are crafted with Callebaut chocolate and crunchy walnuts. This decadent treat combines the lusciousness of dark and white chocolate with a perfect blend of cream, sugar, eggs, and butter. Topped with a velvety chocolate mousse and a scoop of vanilla, its well-plated and packs a whole lot of visual appeal.



Warehouse Cafe, 4th floor, South City Mall, Prince Anwar Shah Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata  700032



Call: 98319 49593



Chocolate-Infused Paans, The Betel Leaf Co







Can there be a better meal ender than some luxuriously good chocolate paan? The Betel Leaf Co has given the traditional Indian betel leaf a new avatar and youre sure to want more than a single serving. Try the Mexican Chilli Dark Chocolate made with a crisp Calcutta betel leaf, catechu (katta), slaked lime (chuna), gulkand, saunf, diced dried dates and a Mexican chilli-blended chutney. Or go for other variations such as the Mango, Orange and Strawberry Chocolate Coated Paan.



The Betel Leaf Co. (across India)



Call: 6366681111



Sandys Chocolate Laboratory







Heres the place that conducts some fun experiments in chocolate, giving it a delicious twist! Theres a list of desserts to choose from with cookie cakes, tarts and brownies and we suggest you try the Hot Nutella fudge brownie sundae. A sublime dessert, it has eggless brownie, Nutella, vanilla and chocolate ice-creams, this is just the dessert to enjoy on World Chocolate Day with your gang. Also, ask for Can't Make Up My Mind, a creation made of cookies, brownies and cheese; lending it a quirky, delectable appeal.



2 16/1 Wallace Garden next to Subway, Thousand Lights West, Nungambakkam, Chennai  600006



Call: 044 42144000
Indian-American billionaire businessman Vinod Khosla has no idea who will win the highly-anticipated cage fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, but the more important fight, according to him, will play out between Twitter and Threads.



Speaking at the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave via video conference from the Silicon Valley, Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Khosla Ventures, said that whoever wins the showdown between Twitter and Threads will be the real winner of the Musk-Zuckerberg fight.



Mark Zuckerberg owned Meta on July 5 launched Threads, a social media app in direct competition with Elon Musks Twitter. The app, billed as the text version of Meta's photo-sharing platform Instagram, arrives at a time when many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Elon Musk's raucous oversight of the platform since acquiring it last year for $44 billion.



The Twitter vs Threads rivalry also comes at a time when the owners of both social media platforms are preparing for a cage fight  which may or may not pan out, but is clear indication of the competition between the two billionaires.



At the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave, Vinod Khosla was asked which social media mogul, according to him, would win the cage fight.



I dont know about that, but the more important fight is between Threads and Twitter, he replied. I think that will be the determinant of the winner.



#MCStartupConclave | "I'm not going to leave Twitter but I'll join Threads," said @vkhosla, Founder, Khosla Ventures; Investor in OpenAI, Stripe & Doordash

Live updateshttps://t.co/71xTa0vSpz@chandrarsrikant #ToughGetGoing @IDFCFIRSTBank @peakxvpartners @cisco_in @awscloud pic.twitter.com/8sg49DCgO8



 Moneycontrol (@moneycontrolcom) July 7, 2023



Khosla was then asked if he had joined Threads or planned to quit Twitter. Im not going to leave Twitter but I will probably join Threads too, he replied, adding that he wanted to be active on both platforms.



They are great learning platforms for me. I learn a lot from those threads, the venture capitalist added.



Vinod Khosla currently has over half a million followers on Twitter. He was the first venture capitalist investor in OpenAI when it switched from a nonprofit to a private enterprise in 2019.
After speaking at length about fintechs, banks and the attacks of Ashneer Grover, BharatPe chairman Rajnish Kumar answered some light-hearted questions at the sidelines of the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave 2023 in Bengaluru today. He shared some valuable advice for budding entrepreneurs, offered his take on the Elon Musk-Mark Zuckerberg showdown and even revealed which two Indian founders he would like to see in a cage fight.



Cage fights have become a hotly-discussed topic ever since the idea of one taking place between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg became a real possibility. This happened a couple of weeks ago, when Musk said he would like to take on Zuckerberg in a cage fight. The Meta founder, who has been training in jiu-jitsu, accepted the challenge and asked Musk to send him the location for the fight.



Rajnish Kumar was asked to name two Indian entrepreneurs he would like to see engage in a fight. He was initially reluctant to say anything at all about this hypothetical scenario  but soon opened up with some prodding.



I think in terms of Indian founders, in the fintech space, we know that Paytm is very big there are many, many founders who are gearing up to give them a fight, said Kumar.



So you would like to see Vijay Shekhar Sharma inside that cage? he was asked. Yes of course, Kumar responded, laughing. And the second person, I think PhonePe, he added, referring to PhonePe founder and CEO Sameer Nigam, who also attended the Moneycontrol Startup Conclave.
Jimmy Donaldson aka MrBeast, he of viral YouTube fame, has become the first person to hit a million followers on Instagram Threads. The brand new social media app, launched by Meta as a rival to Twitter, has already amassed more than 44 million users since its launch a little over 24 hours ago. Of these 44 million Threads users, a million follow MrBeast. The 25-year-old YouTuber reached a million followers at 9.42 am EST on July 6  just a few hours after joining the app. Being the first individual to reach this milestone has earned MrBeast a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. A video from Guinness World Records shows the exact moment that MrBeasts 999K Threads followers turned to 1 million. But when the record-keeping company tweeted the video, MrBeast responded: Shhhhh, dont let the twitter police know Im cheating on them. Shhhhh, dont let the twitter police know Im cheating on them  MrBeast (@MrBeast) July 6, 2023 MrBeasts bio on Threads reads: Future Threads CEO, and he earned a following of 1 million after posting just three times. Threads, a text-based app built by Meta to rival Twitter, became available Wednesday night to users in more than 100 countries  including the US, India, Britain, Japan and Australia. New arrivals to the platform include celebrities like Oprah, pop star Shakira and chef Gordon Ramsay. Threads, which Meta says provides "a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations," arrives at a time when many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Elon Musk's raucous oversight of the platform since acquiring it last year for $44 billion. But Meta's new app has also raised data privacy concerns, and is notably unavailable in the European Union. (With inputs from the Associated Press)

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Medical travel company Healthtrip, which aggregates hospitals, cosmetic, and wellness clinics in India, Turkey, UAE, and Thailand, has turned profitable, according to the company's top official.



The company's founder, Danish Ahmed, stated that there has been significant post-Covid demand in the medical tourism space, leading to profits in recent months after a lean business period during the pandemic.



Through the platform, travelers can book flights and hospitals based on their medical needs.



Ahmed mentioned that Healthtrip suffered a significant impact from Covid in 2020 and 2021. From March 2020 to June 2021, the company worked with a skeleton staff. However, they have experienced substantial growth since then, with their Gross Transaction Value (GTV) increasing from $50,000 in June 2021 to about a million dollars in June 2023. Ahmed stated that the company has grown 20x in the last two years.



Healthtrip is currently recording an average gross profit of Rs 35-40 lakh every month, with a net profit of Rs 3-4 lakh after all expenses.



The company aims to increase the number of surgical patients from 250-280 per month to 400 per month by the end of the year. They also expect to achieve a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of $25 million or Rs 200 crore this year and grow 3.5 times next year.



In 2023, Healthtrip plans to target 4,000 patients on their platform for medical travel needs, with an increase to 10,000 patients by 2024.



According to Ahmed, the quality of treatment in India is becoming comparable to countries like Singapore, where costs are 50 times more expensive. India's reducing treatment costs, along with increased access to information and disposable incomes in developing countries, such as Africa and Bangladesh, are factors contributing to the company's growth and the growth of medical tourism in India.



The company currently receives 90 percent of its business from India and 10 percent from Thailand. They are attracting patients from Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, and have a strong hold in Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries like Uzbekistan, Myanmar, and Indonesia. Healthtrip aims to onboard 1,000 hospitals across India, UAE, Turkey, and Thailand in the next two years.



Healthtrip is in the process of raising another round of funds to develop new verticals. They have already raised $3.2 million from investors in India and Singapore and plan to invest heavily in AI and Ayurveda. Additionally, they are looking to add more hospitals and wellness centers in developing geographies like Jaipur and Gujarat.



Ahmed also highlighted dental as a vertical with strong potential that is yet to be explored due to its fragmented nature in India.



As a member of the government's committee on medical tourism, Ahmed mentioned that there are many initiatives by the government to boost medical tourism in the country. The "Heal in India" initiative and Niti Aayog's focus on medical tourism demonstrate the government's recognition of its potential to generate foreign exchange and develop India's soft power. More initiatives are expected to come from the government this year.



Currently, the medical tourism market in India is valued at $6 billion, projected to reach $9 billion next year and $13 billion by 2025. Out of this, $4 billion is spent on treatment, while $2 billion is spent on hotels and flights.



Healthtrip also anticipates completing a partnership with the hospitality chain OYO. Discussions are ongoing, and CEO Ritesh Agarwal has shown interest in the partnership.
Artificial intelligence-driven gains can propel Microsoft Corp. to join Apple Inc. in the elite category of stocks with a market capitalization of more than $3 trillion.



Thats according to analysts at Morgan Stanley, whose new $415 price target for the software giant implies a valuation of around $3.1 trillion. The analysts, led by Keith Weiss, named Microsoft their top pick among large cap software companies, and said that it is the best placed in the sector to benefit from the growth of AI.



Generative AI looks to significantly expand the scope of business processes able to be automated by software, Weiss wrote in a note. Microsoft stands best positioned in software to monetize that expansion.



A market frenzy for all things AI-related has supercharged Microsoft shares this year. Startup OpenAI Inc., which is backed by Microsoft, has fueled much of the excitement amid the viral success of its ChatGPT tool. Microsoft is now looking to overhaul its entire lineup of Office apps  including Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Word  with OpenAI technology.



Despite a 42% share-price rally this year, the valuation is still reasonable, according to Weiss. The stocks so-called PEG ratio, or the price-earnings multiple divided by the expected percentage growth in earnings, remains in line with historical averages, despite the unrivaled generative AI positioning, he wrote. The PEG ratio is a metric often used by growth-focused investors.







Weiss raised his price target to $415 from $335. Thats the second highest among analysts tracked by Bloomberg after Redburns $450 target. Morgan Stanley has rated Microsoft overweight since early 2016, and the stock has gained more than 500% in that period.



The rest of Wall Street is also overwhelmingly bullish on the stock  with 52 analysts rating it a buy or equivalent. Still, only three of them have price targets that imply Microsoft getting to the historic $3 trillion market capitalization mark by next year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Microsofts stock rose 0.9% on Thursday.



Apple made Wall Street history last month as the first company with a market value of over $3 trillion.
U.S. chipmaker Broadcom will invest in a European Union-funded programme to develop a semiconductor industry in Spain, Chief Executive Charlie Kawwas said late on Thursday. "Excited to announce our decision to invest in Spain's semiconductor ecosystem under their semiconductor support program," Kawwas said on his Twitter account. The project in which Broadcom would be involved could be worth $1 billion, the Spanish economy ministry said in an emailed statement. Broadcom did not say how much it would invest. The project would include the construction of "large-scale back-end semiconductors facilities unique in Europe", the ministry said, adding no location had been picked yet. The Spanish government has said it would allocate as much as 12 billion euros ($13 billion) from the European Union's pandemic relief funds it is set to receive to subsidise the development of the semiconductor industry. Prior to Broadcom, the Spanish government had said U.S. tech giant Cisco Systems Inc. was planning to open a new chip design centre in the northeastern Spanish city of Barcelona. The EU is seeking to reinforce its own chip industry and reduce its dependence on U.S. and Asian supply, triggered by a global shortage of semiconductors and supply chain bottlenecks.

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US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday that a decoupling of the US and Chinese economies would be "virtually impossible" and would destabilise global markets, in comments made while on a visit to Beijing packed with talks with officials and businesses.



Yellen's four-day trip is her first to China as Treasury chief, and she is the second high-ranking US official to visit recently after Secretary of State Antony Blinken last month.



The United States has in recent months said it is seeking to "de-risk" from China by limiting the world's second-largest economy's access to advanced technology deemed crucial to Washington's national security.



The US has blacklisted a number of Chinese companies to prevent them from accessing the most advanced chips while pushing its allies to follow suit.



Yellen on Friday stressed that Washington was not seeking a "wholesale separation of our economies".



"We seek to diversify, not to decouple. A decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be destabilising for the global economy," Yellen told a meeting with representatives of US businesses at a session hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing.



"And it would be virtually impossible to undertake."



Ahead of Yellen's trip, Beijing unveiled new export controls on metals key to semiconductor manufacturing on national security grounds, in the latest salvo in the chips war.



The Treasury secretary Friday told American businesspeople Washington was "concerned" about the curbs.



"We are still evaluating the impact of these actions, but they remind us of the importance of building resilient and diversified supply chains," she said.



- 'Win-win' -



Beijing has struck an optimistic tone about the visit, with China's finance ministry saying on Friday that it would serve to "strengthen communication and exchange between the two countries".



"The nature of China-US economic and trade relations is mutually beneficial and win-win, and there is no winner in a trade war or 'decoupling and breaking chains'," a ministry official said in a statement.



On Friday morning, Yellen had a "substantive conversation" with her previous counterpart, former Vice Premier Liu He, as well as the outgoing governor of China's central bank, Yi Gang, a US Treasury official said.



"They discussed the global economic outlook as well as the respective economic outlooks for the United States and China," the official added.



On Friday afternoon, Yellen is due to meet Premier Li Qiang at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, providing a chance to discuss the economic relationship, raise concerns and find opportunities for collaboration.



"Yellen actually appears to be a more down-to-earth member of the Biden administration," Tao Wenzhao, a fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told AFP.



"I think we welcome Yellen's visit, and this on a functional level should allow both sides to warm up to each other," he said.



"We are now reshaping, rebuilding China-US relations."



- 'Avoid misunderstanding'-



In a tweet after arriving on Thursday, Yellen said that although the United States would protect its national security when needed, "this trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding".



The United States does not expect specific policy breakthroughs this time, but hopes for frank and productive conversations that can pave the way for future talks, a US Treasury official told reporters on Thursday.



But, they said, "especially if they're things that we may disagree about, it's even more important that we're talking".



Tensions soared earlier this year when the United States detected and then shot down what it said was a Chinese spy balloon after the craft traversed its territory.



Blinken cancelled a visit to China over the incident but eventually travelled to the country in June.



During that trip, both sides agreed on the need to stabilise their relationship.



But Yellen faces an uphill struggle in persuading officials in Beijing that US actions -- such as tightened export curbs on high-end semiconductors -- are aimed at safeguarding national security and not an attempt to stifle China's economic rise.



Underscoring the challenges she could face, The Wall Street Journal reported that the US administration is mulling restricting Chinese firms' access to US cloud computing services provided by companies such as Amazon and Microsoft.
Telefonica has sold a 54% stake in its fibre optic network in Peru to U.S. private equity fund KKR and 10% to Entel's local business, the Spanish telecoms group said on Friday, adding that it will retain the remaining 36%. Over the past few years, Telefonica has carried out a series of asset sales to reduce debt and to help fund the hefty investment required to build 5G mobile networks. In many markets, the company has separated the infrastructure into different units to maximise the value of its disposed assets. The Spanish company did not disclose the value of the transaction but said the deal would cut its debt by 200 million euros ($217.8 million). The transaction valued 100% of the unit at about 550 million euros, including debt, according to a banking source close to the deal. The new company, Pangeaco, will combine the existing fibre optic network in Peru from Telefonica and Entel, KKR firm said in a separate statement. The private equity fund added that it planned to invest $200 million to accelerate the expansion of the digital infrastructure to more than double the size of the network to reach at least 5.2 million homes across Peru by the end of 2026. Santander advised Telefonica on the deal, the source said.

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PwC Australia advised Uber and Facebook how to restructure in face of an Australian law clamping down on tax avoidance, but both companies said on Friday they were surprised to find out PwC's advice may have been based on leaked government plans.



The "big four" firm is under pressure to name all the clients it advised on the basis of confidential government tax plans leaked by a former partner between 2014 and 2017 while consulting for the government on international taxation.



Citing two sources, Reuters reported on Wednesday Google had received confidential information from a former PwC employee confirming the likely Jan. 1, 2016 start date of Australia's Multinational Anti-Avoidance Law (MAAL) after there had been calls from a number of organisations to delay the legislation.



Uber and Facebook on Friday said they had received advice from PwC Australia about the law.



Facebook said it turned to PwC after the draft legislation was released, which was in September 2015, while Uber did not spell out the timeline of when PwC began advising it. However, both companies expressed surprise about the firm's breaches of government confidentiality.



"We had no knowledge their advice may have been based on improperly obtained information," an Uber spokesperson said.



Uber dropped PwC Australia as a tax adviser in 2016 after "engagements" with the Australian Tax Office, the spokesperson added. Uber then restructured its tax affairs in 2017.



Facebook said it was one of the first multinationals to restructure to comply with the tax avoidance law.



"Facebook did not seek advice from PwC on how to comply with the MAAL until after Treasury issued the draft legislation, which is why we were surprised to learn of PwC's alleged conduct," the spokesperson said.



Uber and Facebook's links to PwC on the leaked tax plans were first reported by the Australian Financial Review on Friday.



A PwC Australia spokesperson said the matter "was a PwC issue" and its "clients were not involved in any wrongdoing and no confidential information was used to enable clients to pay less tax."



First revealed in January, a national scandal that lawmakers are probing and Australia's Treasury has referred to police to investigate is beginning to spill beyond its borders.



A cache of 144-pages of PwC emails publicly released by the Tax Practioners Board in May details how the former tax partner shared with colleagues confidential government tax plans, which they then used to drum up work with companies overseas.



One of the released emails dated Jan. 6, 2016 mentioned a "north American project" that had 14 unnamed companies as clients. Australian lawmakers have requested the firm name all 14 companies.



PwC Australia has reported the breach to the U.S. accounting watchdog, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), which requires accounting firms to report legal or compliance issues, a spokesperson for the firm said.



The PCAOB cannot comment on inspection or enforcement matters, including whether or not they have been initiated, a spokesperson told Reuters.
The United States and its allies clashed with Iran and its ally Russia over Western claims that Tehran is supplying Moscow with drones that have been attacking Ukraine  and the U.S. accused the U.N. secretary-general of yielding to Russian threats and failing to launch an investigation.



At a contentious Security Council meeting Monday on the resolution endorsing the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and six major powers, the United States and Iran also accused each other of responsibility for stalled negotiations on the Biden administration rejoining the agreement that former President Donald Trump pulled out of in 2018.



Irans U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani insisted Irans negotiating team exercised maximum flexibility in trying to reach agreement and even introduced an innovative solution to the remaining issues to break the impasse. But he claimed the unrealistic and rigid approach of the United States led to the current stalled talks on the 2015 agreement, known as the JCPOA.



Lets make it clear: pressure, intimidation and confrontation are not solutions and will get nowhere, Iravani said.



Iran is ready to resume talks and arrange a ministerial meeting as soon as possible to declare the JCPOA restoration, Iravani said. This is achievable if the U.S. demonstrates genuine political will  The U.S. now has the ball in its court.



Speaking before Iravani, U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood said the door to negotiations remains open for a mutual U.S.-Iranian return to full implementation of the JCPOA. But he said, Irans own actions and stances have been responsible for preventing that outcome.



In September, a deal that all other parties had agreed to was within reach and even Iran prepared to say yes, Wood said, until at the last minute, Iran made new demands that were extraneous to the JCPOA and that it knew could not be met.



He said Irans conduct since September  notably its failure to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.s nuclear watchdog, and the expansion of its nuclear program for no legitimate civilian purpose  has reinforced U.S. skepticism about Irans willingness and capability of reaching a deal, and explains why there have been no active negotiations since then.



At the end of the council meeting, Wood asked for the floor to refute Iravani, saying its a fact that Irans extraneous demands and rejection of all compromise proposals are the reason why there has not been a return to mutual compliance with the JCPOA.



So let me just simply say, The ball is not in the U.S. court, Wood said. On the contrary, the ball is in Irans court.



Britains U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward, whose country remains a party to the JCPOA, told the council Irans nuclear escalation is making progress on a nuclear deal much more difficult.



Today, Irans total enriched uranium stockpile exceeds JCPOA limits by at least 18 times, and it continues to produce highly enriched uranium, which is unprecedented for a state without a nuclear weapons program, she said.



In addition, Woodward said, Iranian nuclear breakout time has reduced to a matter of weeks, and the time required for Iran to produce the fissile material for multiple nuclear weapons is decreasing. She said Iran is also testing technology that could enable intermediate and intercontinental range ballistic missiles to carry a nuclear payload.



U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the council the space for diplomacy appears to be rapidly shrinking.



She pointed to an IAEA report that Iran intends to install new centrifuges at its Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant and to produce more uranium enriched up to 60% at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant  a level close to that needed for a nuclear weapon. Iran also removed all IAEA equipment monitoring JCPOA-related activities.



DiCarlo called on Iran to reverse all steps outside JCPOA limits, and on the United States to lift sanctions on Iran outlined in the nuclear deal, and extend waivers on Iranian oil trading.



Irans Iravani emphasized that all of Irans nuclear activities are peaceful and said Iran is ready to engage the IAEA to resolve outstanding issues on nuclear safeguards.



As for what he called the unfounded allegation that Iran transferred drones to Russia in violation of the 2015 resolution, Iravani stressed that all restrictions on transferring arms to and from Iran were terminated in October 2020. So he said Western claims that Tehran needed prior approval has no legal merit.



Iravani also insisted that drones were not transferred to Russia for use in Ukraine, saying the misinformation campaign and baseless allegations  serve no purpose other than to divert attention from Western states transfer of massive amounts of advanced, sophisticated weaponry to Ukraine in order to prolong the conflict.



Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called allegations of Iranian drone deliveries to his country for use in Ukraine patently concocted and false. Russia is well aware that Ukrainian representatives have been unable to provide Tehran bilaterally any documentation to corroborate the use by Russian military personnel of Iranian-origin drones, he said.



Wood, the U.S. envoy, told the council that Ukraines report of Iranian-origin drones being used by Russia to attack civilian infrastructure has been supported by ample evidence from multiple public sources including a statement by Irans foreign minister on Nov. 5.



He insisted that Iran is barred from transferring these types of drones without prior Security Council approval under an annex to the 2015 resolution.



For seven years, Wood said, the U.N. has had a mandate to investigate reported violations of the resolution, and he expressed disappointment that the U.N. Secretariat, headed by secretary-general Guterres, has not launched an investigation, apparently yielding to Russian threats.



Russias Nebenzia reiterated Moscows contention that investigations are an egregious violation of the resolution and the U.N. Charter and the U.N. Secretariat should not bow to pressure from Western countries.



Guterres told a news conference earlier Monday, when asked about criticism that the U.N. hasnt launched an investigation of Iranian-made drones in Ukraine, that We are looking into all the aspects of that question and in the broader picture of everything we are doing in the context of the war to determine if and when we should conduct an investigation.
For the last three weeks, I have thought of you every day, every hour and have talked to you every night for hours. I longed to see you again, hold you in my arms, and tell you how much you mean to me.
FILE PHOTO: The Alzheimer's drug LEQEMBI is seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on January 20, 2023.
Tourists pose for a photo June 29 in front of the GUAM sign at the Plaza de Espana in Hagatna.
Activists in Kenya burn tires and block roads to protest taxes. Police detain more than 20 people

Activists in Kenya burn tires and block roads to protest taxes. Police detain more than 20 people View Photo

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Anti-government demonstrators in Kenya lit bonfires and barricaded major roads in the capital Friday as part of nationwide protests against the governments plans to increase taxes. Police detained more than 20 protesters.

Hundreds of protesters turned up in Nairobi, as well as in the coastal city of Mombasa and the lakeside city of Kisumu, where the opposition enjoys huge support. Some businesses closed their doors. Police dispersed the protesters with tear gas canisters.

Protester Emmanuel Wafula in Nairobi said he wanted President William Ruto to lower the cost of living, not raise it through his administrations newly passed tax package.

He wants to tax the little money we have in our pockets. What will we eat? Wafula said. He is increasing taxes to people who have nothing. If one has money, it is okay to be taxed. We have nothing!

Nairobi police commander Adamson Bungei told The Associated Press that more than 20 people had been arrested by midday, but he did not say what charges they would face.

The governments tax package increased the value added tax on petroleum from 8% to 16%, boosted a business turnover tax from 1% to 3% and created a new 1.5% percent housing tax for salaried workers.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called on followers not to pay the taxes, and for civil disobedience to protest them, including more nationwide demonstrations planned for next Wednesday.

The implementation of some of the new tax provisions has been suspended by a court pending a case filed by an opposition senator challenging their legality. The government has, however, implemented the increased fuel tax.

At a rally Friday in Nairobi, Odinga launched a petition drive to get 10 million Kenyans to sign an impeachment motion against President Ruto. However, the Kenyan constitution grants impeachment powers only to the national assembly, which the ruling party currently controls.

The opposition in March held a series of weekly protests that turned deadly and caused damage to property and businesses. President Ruto then invited the opposition into a dialogue, and the opposition called off its protests. It later accused the government of dishonesty during the talks and vowed to resume demonstrations.

The Kenyan constitution guarantees the right to peaceful demonstrations, but police sometimes deny permits to opposition groups because of a past history of violence and vandalism.

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI

Associated Press
South Korea vouches for safety of plans to release Fukushima wastewater but citizens fears persist View Photo

SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Koreas government on Friday formally endorsed the safety of Japanese plans to release treated wastewater from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean as it tried to calm peoples fears of food contamination.

The assessment was based on a 22-month review by government-funded scientists and aligns with the International Atomic Energy Agencys views. The agency greenlit the Japanese discharge plans this week, saying the treated wastewater would meet international safety standards and pose negligible environmental and health impacts.

South Koreas review focused on any impact the wastewater release might have on South Korea, and the result showed that its effect on our waters would be insignificant, Bang Moon-kyu, the minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said at a news conference.

Even before Fridays announcement, South Korean officials were actively working to reduce public unease about the wastewater release, holding daily briefings to address what they described as excessive fears and expanding radiation tests on fish imported from Japan or caught in nearby seas.

Conservative lawmakers from President Yoon Suk Yeols governing party have even toured a seafood market to drink sea water taken from fish tanks in a bizarre gesture to certify food safety, although no wastewater has been released from Fukushima yet.

Public concerns persist as retailers report an increase in sea salt sales, apparently driven by consumers looking to stock up ahead of the release.

Liberal opposition lawmakers, who control a majority in South Koreas parliament, have vowed an all-out fight against the Japanese discharge plans and accuse Yoons government of putting the nations health at risk by desperately trying to improve relations with Tokyo.

Japan says there are no problems science-wise, but I am still a little concerned, said Yang Ok-ryeo, a 56-year-old fishmonger at Seouls Noryangjin seafood market, where lawmakers drank from fish tanks last week.

Lim Young, a 55-year-old customer at the market, expressed similar worries.

I think its dangerous, she said about Japans discharge plans. Even with fish (caught in South Korea), I would still have doubts on whether they would be safe to eat.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo on Friday before heading to Seoul, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said he was willing to meet with South Korean opposition politicians to help ease public concerns.

Dozens of protesters gathered at an airport near Seoul ahead of Grossis arrival to denounce IAEAs support of the discharge plans, holding signs reading Dismantle IAEA! and Fukushima wastewater will definitely lead all humanity to disaster!

Everyone has trust in the scientific work of the IAEA, Grossi said. We are neutral, we dont take sides and we look at the assessment and we make a decision.

During their news conference in Seoul, South Korean government officials and scientists insisted the contamination levels of the released Fukushima wastewater would be within acceptable safety standards as long as the Japanese treatment systems work as designed.

We confirmed that if the water release is carried out as planned, the discharge standard and target level (of radiation) would be consistent with international standards, said Yoo Guk-hee, chairperson of South Koreas Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

The safety of Fukushimas wastewater has been a sensitive issue for years between the U.S. allies, who have been working in recent months to repair relations long strained over wartime historical grievances to address shared concerns such as the North Korean nuclear threat and Chinas assertive foreign policy.

South Koreas assessment was partially based on observations by a team of government scientists led by Yoo who were allowed to tour the Fukushima plant in May to review the discharge plans. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to that visit during a May 7 summit with Yoon in Seoul, in a show of his desire for improved ties.

Yoo said his team focused on verifying the capacities of the plants advanced liquid processing system, or ALPS, which is designed to reduce dozens of types of radioactive isotopes in the contaminated water to safe levels.

In a fiery speech Friday, opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, attacked the credibility of the IAEA assessment and urged Yoon to call out the report as unacceptable.

Lee also urged Yoons government to demand that Japan accept a joint inspection by South Korea and other nations in the Pacific over the wastewater concerns, and put the release plans on hold until theres scientific, objective and neutral verification.

(Yoons government) is putting the lives and safety of its citizens on the line, Lee said.

A massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the Fukushima plants cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and release large amounts of radiation.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, which operates the facility, has been storing the ALPS-treated water in hundreds of tanks that now cover most of the plant and are nearly full. Japanese officials say the tanks must be removed to make room to build facilities for the plants decommissioning and to minimize the risk of leaks in case of another major disaster. The tanks are expected to reach their capacity of 1.37 million tons in early 2024.

Japan first announced plans to discharge the treated water into the sea in 2018, saying that the water will be further diluted by seawater before being released in a carefully controlled process that will take decades to complete.

___

AP video journalists Yong-ho Kim and Yong Jun Chang in Seoul, South Korea, and writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to this report.

By KIM TONG-HYUNG

Associated Press
Armed rebellion by Wagner chief Prigozhin underscores erosion of Russian legal system View Photo

TALLINN, Estonia (AP)  Russias rebellious mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin walked free from prosecution for his June 24 armed mutiny, and its still unclear if anyone will face any charges in the aborted uprising against military leaders or for the deaths of the soldiers killed in it.

Instead, a campaign is underway to portray the founder of the Wagner Group military contractor as driven by greed, with only hints of an investigation into whether he mishandled any of the billions of dollars in state funds.

Until last week, the Kremlin has never admitted to funding the company, with private mercenary groups technically illegal in Russia. But President Vladimir Putin revealed the state paid Wagner almost $1 billion in just one year, while Prigozhins other company earned about the same from government contracts. Putin wondered aloud whether any of it was stolen.

The developments around Prigozhin, who remains unpunished despite Putins labeling of his revolt as treason, underscored what St. Petersburg municipal council member Nikita Yuferev called the gradual erosion of the legal system in Russia.

Andrei Kolesnikov, senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, writing about the mutiny in a column, concluded: The fabric of the state is disintegrating.

After Putin indicated the government would probe financial irregularities by Prigozhins companies, state TV picked up that cue.

Commentator Dmitry Kiselyov said Wagner and another company owned by Prigozhin earned over 1.7 trillion rubles ($18.7 billion) through government contracts. Russian business daily Vedomosti cited a source close to the Defense Ministry as saying the earnings occurred between 2014 and 2023, years when both Prigozhin and Russian officials denied any ties to Wagner or even its existence.

Big money made Prigozhins head spin, Kiselyov said Sunday, saying the private armys battlefield successes gave the mercenary boss a feeling of impunity.

One possible reason for Prigozhins mutiny, he said, was the Defense Ministrys refusal to extend a multibillion-dollar contract with his legal catering company, Concord, to supply food to the army.

According to Kiselyov, Wagner earned 858 billion rubles from government contracts, while Concord earned another 845 billion. Those numbers were 10 times higher than what Putin gave last week.

Also unclear is whether Prigozhin will move to Belarus, Moscows closest ally, under a deal with the Kremlin to end the rebellion. Belarus authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Prigozhin was in Russia. The Kremlin refused comment.

Russian media on Wednesday  including popular state TV channel Russia 1  showed video of searches of Prigozhins St. Petersburg offices and an opulent mansion he purportedly owned, complete with helipad and indoor swimming pool. They also showed a van with boxes of cash, as well as gold bars, wigs and weapons in the estate.

Russia 1 programs also alleged Prigozhins adult children amassed significant wealth through him and said the searches were a part of an ongoing investigation, contrasting his lifestyle to his anti-elite image.

So it turns out, Yevgeny Prigozhin didnt have enough and wanted more? an anchor mused.

The goal of these revelations is to smear the person, show he is an oligarch, said Ilya Shumanov, Russia director for Transparency International, noting Prigozhin often made crude and plain-spoken attacks on the military leadership.

And here they say that hes a billionaire, and all this (money) isnt his, its from the (state) budget, and he was sitting on it, and there would have been no private military company without the Defense Ministry, Shumanov told The Associated Press.

The revelations raised questions of how the government could fund Wagner at all, given that laws prohibit mercenary activities, including funding and training private troops, that put the company in a legal gray area.

Until the rebellion, Putin always denied any link between the state and Prigozhins mercenaries. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said as recently as 2020 that there is no such thing as a private military company in Russian law, and that he wasnt aware of one.

By then, however, Wagner had sent its soldiers-for-hire to Syria and African countries as Russia expanded its global influence. By Prigozhins own admission, his forces also operated in eastern Ukraine to support a separatist uprising and later fought there after the 2022 invasion.

Asked Monday about the legality of state funding for Wagner, Peskov refused comment.

Shumanov told AP that Wagner was likely funded either with cash through shell companies, or through government contracts via Prigozhins other entities. How much is impossible to know, he noted, but added it was clear Putins remarks gave a green light to investigate the Wagner chiefs finances.

Id wait several weeks, and I think there will definitely be a reaction from the security forces in terms of Prigozhin and his economic activities, he said.

The Kremlins message is that we are dealing with a thief, a corrupt person, a thief and an oligarch, who went too far and stole money from the budget, Shumanov said: This is a very clear explanation, and no one needs to be sacrificed except for Prigozhin.

Besides the finances, there is the matter of whether anyone will face prosecution for the deaths of the Russian troops who died at the hands of Prigozhins fighters.

Russian media reported about 15 military troops were killed during the rebellion as thousands of his soldiers seized a military headquarters in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, then headed for Moscow, shooting down military helicopters and other aircraft on what Prigozhin called his march of justice.

At a June 27 Kremlin ceremony, Putin held a minute of silence to honor the dead, although he didnt say how many were killed.

A deal struck with Prigozhin to end the uprising stipulated that the Federal Security Service, or FSB, would drop charges against him and his fighters of mounting a rebellion. That agreement went against Putins vow in a nationally televised address during the uprising to punish those behind it.

Instead, the Kremlin said Prigozhin agreed to end the mutiny and go to Belarus  a settlement that didnt sit well with some.

Yuferev, the St. Petersburg municipal council member, filed a request with the Prosecutor Generals Office and the FSB, asking who would be punished for the rebellion.

Thousands of people rolling toward Moscow on tanks shoot down aircraft, kill 15 troops.  The president speaks, says: I will punish all of you, you are mutineers, the FSB launches a case - and then nothing, he added.

He said authorities must respond in 30 days, and while he doesnt expect a substantive reply, he at least hopes to draw attention to this erosion of the legal system of a state.

It is very interesting what they will write there, how they will justify people committing an armed rebellion, Yuferev said.

Whether other charges will be filed is unclear. Prominent lawyer Ivan Pavlov told AP that mounting an armed rebellion is only one charge, and that Prigozhin may face others - especially since deaths occurred  but so far, no one is talking about it.

Another topic drawing official silence is how the FSB  the successor agency to the feared KGB  failed to prevent the uprising, even though it routinely boasts of averting terrorist attacks, sabotage plots and other major crimes.

Russian security experts Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan said the FSBs Rostov department barricaded itself in its city headquarters, while its military counterintelligence operatives assigned to Wagner did nothing.

After Prigozhin announced his intentions June 23 to act against Russias defense minister, the FSB issued a statement urging Wagner fighters not to follow the rogue commander and for the troops to detain him.

Soldatov and Borogan wrote in a recent article that such a call for the mercenaries to take that action was odd, since only law enforcement agencies and security services like the FSB have the power to detain people.

Mark Galeotti of University College, London, an analyst on Russian security affairs, said the rebellion tested previous assumptions that Putin could count on his security forces.

Now, the first time theres a real challenge we actually see, security forces are willing to hang back and wait and see what happens, he told AP.

So far, there has been no negative impact on the FSB, which Galeotti called Putins favored institution, having been a former member.

Asked by AP during a conference call with reporters Monday why the FSB failed to stop the mutiny, Kremlin spokesman Peskov refused comment, except to say that such services perform their functions, they do it properly.

He also noted Putin last week had praised soldiers, law enforcement and security officers and expressed his gratitude to them.

By DASHA LITVINOVA

Associated Press
Muslims across Pakistan hold anti-Sweden protests to denounce burning of Islams holy book View Photo

ISLAMABAD (AP)  Thousands of Muslims in Pakistan gathered on Friday to protest last weeks burning of the Quran, Islams holy book, in Stockholm following a call by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to send a strong message to Sweden.

The biggest anti-Sweden protests were held in the eastern city of Lahore and Karachi, the largest city in the South Asian Islamic country, where thousands of people gathered on main roads before dispersing peacefully.

In the capital, Islamabad, lawyers holding copies of the Quran protested in front of the Supreme Court, while smaller groups of worshippers gathered outside mosques, demanding the severing of diplomatic ties with Sweden.

A group of minority Christians in the northwest also held a protest to denounce the incident.

Supporters of Pakistans main opposition party Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf and radical Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan party also held demonstrations in all of the countrys major cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta.

Anger has grown in Muslim countries since last Wednesday when a man, identified in Swedish media as an Iraqi Christian immigrant, burned a Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on the festival of Eid al-Adha. Muslim leaders in Sweden have also denounced the incident.

In a televised speech to lawmakers in Pakistans parliament the previous day, Sharif asked why Swedish police allowed the burning of the Quran.

On Friday, he urged his supporters to send a strong message to Sweden by taking to the streets.

When it comes to the Quran, the nation is one, Sharif wrote on Twitter. We will all protest nationwide today under the title of Sanctity of Quran Day and after Friday prayers.

A similar call for protests was issued by Imran Khan, the former premier who was replaced by Sharif in April 2022 after his ouster through a motion of no-confidence in the parliament.

However, the followers of Khan, Sharif, and other parties held separate protests across the nation.

Pakistans Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also tweeted on Friday amid the nationwide demonstrations, saying the desecration of the Quran in Sweden is another example of the rising Islamophobic mindset that seeks to dehumanise and denigrate our faith.

He wrote that the incident was a blatant provocation attempting to inflame sentiments and undermine Islam as a religion of peace, tolerance, and acceptance.

Bhutto Zardari said Pakistan will address the issue at the United Nations on July 11.

Those holding anti-Sweden protests included a radical party, Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan (TLP), which previously held violent protest to condemn the desecration of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

TLP called for a boycott of all Swedish products and the cutting of diplomatic ties until the man responsible for the burning of the Quran is punished. It gained prominence in Pakistans 2018 elections, campaigning on the single issue of defending the countrys blasphemy law, which calls for the death penalty for anyone who insults Islam.

By MUNIR AHMED

Associated Press
Trump blasts DeSantis in Iowa, says GOP rival despises the states ethanol View Photo

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (AP)  Campaigning in Iowa, former President Donald Trump attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as an enemy of corn-based ethanol in his largest campaign event in the leadoff caucus state in nearly four months.

Trump, appearing Friday in Council Bluffs in the western part of the state, criticized his top 2024 Republican presidential rival for voting as a member of Congress to oppose the federal mandate for the fuel additive that Iowa leads the nation in producing.

Trump declared himself the most pro-farmer president that youve ever had at the event, which was aimed at promoting his administrations agricultural record and touting his oversight of clawbacks of regulations on farmers. I fought for Iowa ethanol like no president in history, he said.

On a rainy Friday, Trump spoke to more than 1,000 Iowans and Nebraskans packed into the event hall inside Mid-America Center, with hundreds more huddled under umbrellas in line outside the arena.

As a congressman from Florida, DeSantis co-sponsored a bill in 2017 that would have immediately ended the renewable fuel standard, a position consistent with fiscal conservatives who see such mandates as government overreach.

Iowa also needs to know that Ron DeSanctus totally despises Iowa ethanol and ethanol generally, Trump said, intentionally mispronouncing his rivals name as he routinely does. Hes been fighting it for years. Dont forget, as a congressman he was voting against it, and fighting for years to kill every single job.

DeSantis campaign described the attack as a distortion. As president, Governor Ron DeSantis will be a champion for farmers and use every tool available to open new markets, campaign press secretary Bryan Griffin said in an emailed statement

Trump spoke for 80 minutes, starting with the agriculture theme but blending his attacks on DeSantis and President Joe Biden with asides on such subjects as Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine  I told him: Dont do it.  an impression of French President Emmanuel Macron and a dismissal of climate change science, saying during the hottest week in history that global warming is just going to give more people beachfront property.

He touted his three picks for the Supreme Court, who helped make up the majority that voted to overturn Roe v. Wade on abortion last year and to end affirmative action in college admissions last week. He urged caution in the way that Republicans talk about life after Roe and cast the decision as an opportunity for bargaining at the state and federal levels.

Noting his own preference for exceptions to abortion bans for victims of rape or incest and to protect the life of the pregnant woman, Trump said the court ruling gave pro-lifers a tremendous power to negotiate abortion restrictions.

That issue has to be spoken about properly because Republicans, many of them dont speak about it properly, he said, a nod to his criticism of hardline opponents he blamed for holding Republicans to a narrow House win last year. He added: Its really a great victory to get something done. You now have tremendous power to negotiate something.

Trump took three audience questions and then headed to a local Dairy Queen. He teased the onlooking news media as he entered and wondered aloud what DQs signature Blizzard was before handing them out to adoring fans. Anyone want one back there? he asked the crowd, which chanted, USA! USA! USA!

Although Iowas caucus campaigns have become more focused on national party priorities over the past two decades, some candidates have continued to portray support for ethanol  specifically the federal requirement that the nations fuel supply contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels  as a litmus test in the state.

Ethanol is a fuel additive blended with gasoline and sold across the country that is usually produced by fermenting corn. The ethanol industry consumes about half of Iowas corn crop, and the state leads the nation in corn and ethanol production.

As a candidate, Trump has promoted the executive order he signed as president increasing the retail sale of fuel containing 15% ethanol.

Recent history, however, suggests a lack of support for ethanol may not be disqualifying. In 2016, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who opposes the mandate, won Iowas Republican caucuses, handing Trump an early defeat in his ultimately successful White House campaign. Trump carried Iowa by more than 9 percentage points in 2016 and 8.2 points in 2020.

As he arrived in Iowa, Trump also rolled out his Farmers for Trump Coalition, a group co-chaired by officials including Reps. Mike Sexton and Derek Wulf, the top two Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee.

Before Friday, Trumps last large event in Iowa was in March, when he spoke to more than 1,500 people at a theater in Davenport and also went after DeSantis on ethanol. He was due to hold an outdoor event in May in Des Moines with about 5,000 expected, but his campaign called it off because of a tornado warning.

The large Republican presidential field has spent a lot of time over the past few months in Iowa, the leadoff GOP caucus state. In June, more than a half dozen candidates, including DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, attended Sen. Joni Ernsts annual Roast and Ride fundraiser that kicked off a busy summer campaign season.

Trump campaigned in the Des Moines area last month, meeting with GOP state lawmakers, conservative pastors, campaign volunteers and a suburban Republican breakfast club. That visit came about a week before he was indicted on federal charges.

Part of the stops purpose was also to put supporters in touch with campaign organizers to ensure their participation in the Iowa caucuses, which he predicted Friday he would win.

But noting the robust delegation that had crossed the Missouri River from Nebraska to attend, Trump said, I hope Nebraskas represented here.

The gesture prompted an eruption of applause from the many Nebraskans in the hall, none of whom would be allowed to participate in the caucuses.

___

Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard contributed to this report from Columbia, S.C.

By THOMAS BEAUMONT

Associated Press
US Treasury chief Yellen and Chinas No. 2 aim for improved communication after trade disputes

US Treasury chief Yellen and Chinas No. 2 aim for improved communication after trade disputes View Photo

BEIJING (AP)  U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed hopes Friday for better communication as Yellen appealed to Beijing not to let frustration over U.S. curbs on technology exports disrupt economic cooperation.

Both governments used positive terms to describe Yellens visit to Chinas capital, which was aimed at improving strained relations, and stressed the importance of U.S.-China economic ties.

Yellen and Li announced no new plans for more high-level meetings to revive contacts that disputes over technology, security and other irritants have disrupted. Yet, Yellen is the latest of several senior U.S. officials traveling to Beijing to encourage Chinese leaders to revive interactions between the governments of the worlds two largest economies.

Treasury officials said earlier she wouldnt meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and no breakthroughs had been expected.

In a one-hour meeting with Chinas No. 2 leader, Yellen said Washington and Beijing have a duty to cooperate on issues that affect the world. She appealed for regular channels of communication and, more pointedly, for healthy economic competition, a reference to complaints that China is stepping up subsidies and market barriers to protect its companies.

At the same time, Yellen defended targeted actions, such as American curbs on Chinese access to advanced processor chips and other technology, that she said are needed to protect U.S. national security.

You may disagree, the Treasury chief said. But we should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that needlessly worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationships.

Li said he hoped Washington would meet China halfway but gave no indication of possible changes to Chinese trade and other policies that have irked Washington.

Chinas development is an opportunity rather than a challenge to the United States and a benefit rather than a risk, Li said, according to a statement from the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The two sides should strengthen communication and seek consensus on important issues in the bilateral economic field through candid, in-depth, and pragmatic exchanges.

The Chinese Finance Ministry called Yellens visit a concrete measure toward carrying out an agreement by Xi and President Joe Biden during a meeting in November to improve bilateral relations. The ministry called on Washington to make the next move.

We hope the United States will take concrete actions to create a favorable environment for the healthy development of economic and trade relations, a ministry statement said.

Yun Sun, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Stimson Center, said any major pronouncements on economic agreements would more likely come out of meetings between the nations respective presidents, rather than finance ministers.

I see Yellens meetings as a positive development and see it as a resumption of the senior level exchanges, she said. The meetings also build the ground for the potential of having something concrete, to be agreed upon between world leaders at the September Group of 20 summit in India or Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco in November, she said.

U.S. curbs on Chinese access to technology threaten to delay or derail the efforts of Chinas ruling Communist Party to develop telecommunications, artificial intelligence and other technologies. Xi accused Washington in March of trying to hamper Chinas development.

Beijing has been slow to retaliate, possibly to avoid disrupting its tech industries. But this week, the government announced unspecified controls on exports of gallium and germanium, metals used in making semiconductors and solar panels. The announcement jolted South Korea and other countries that import from China.

During a meeting with businesspeople earlier Friday, Yellen criticized Chinas treatment of American companies.

U.S. and other foreign companies are uneasy about their status in China following raids on consulting firms, the expansion of a national security law and calls by Xi and other officials for greater self-sufficiency.

I am communicating the concerns that Ive heard from the U.S. business community  including Chinas use of non-market tools like expanded subsidies for its state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, and barriers to market access for foreign firms, Yellen said, according to a transcript released by her department.

Yellen rejected suggestions Washington is trying to decouple, or separate the U.S. economy from Chinas.

Businesspeople have warned that China and the U.S. might split into separate markets with incompatible products as Beijing and Washington tighten trade controls and tell companies to reduce reliance on each other. They say that would hurt economic growth and innovation.

I have made clear that the United States does not seek a wholesale separation of our economies, Yellen told the businesspeople. A decoupling of the worlds two largest economies would be destabilizing for the global economy, and it would be virtually impossible to undertake.

Yellen defended U.S. export curbs as premised on straightforward national security considerations and not undertaken to gain economic advantage over China.

Also Friday, Yellen met with the outgoing governor of Chinas central bank, Yi Gang, and former Vice Premier Liu He, who previously was her counterpart in finance talks, according to the Treasury Department.

She is scheduled to meet and have dinner Saturday with Vice Premier He Lifeng, who succeeded Liu as Xis main economic aide.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Xi last month in the highest-level U.S. visit to Beijing in five years. The two agreed to stabilize relations but failed to agree on improving communications between their militaries.

The latest flareup came after Biden referred to Xi as a dictator. The Chinese government protested, but Biden said his blunt statements were just not something Im going to change very much.

Ties became especially testy after a Chinese surveillance balloon flew over the United States in February and was shot down.

Bidens climate envoy, John Kerry, is due to visit China next week. China and the United States are the worlds top emitters of climate-changing carbon, making whatever steps they take critical.

Beijing broke off climate discussions with Washington in August in retaliation for a visit by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the House of Representatives to Taiwan, the self-ruled island democracy claimed by China as part of its territory.

___

Associated Press reporter Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.

By JOE McDONALD

AP Business Writer
Yves here. This post gives an overview of Western thinking about mans relationship with nature, and specifically, how exploitative it should properly be. Even though philosophers often led these discussions, they influenced economic debates. As the Industrial Revolution produced a great upward march in living standards, few were willing to consider that there might be limits.

By Lynn Parramore, Senior Research Analyst at the Institute for New Economic Thinking. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website

On June 7, 2023, New Yorkers ventured outside to find their city choked in putrid orange smog that blocked the light of day. Smoke blown south from drought-fueled Canadian wildfires eventually dissipated, only to return as a brownish haze just in time for Fourth of July weekend. Many celebrants canceled their outdoor plans.

We are truly the first generation to feel the real effects of climate change, said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Big Apple inhabitants, already getting used to fretting about destructive hurricanes stoked by warmer oceans, now add out-of-control forest fires burning hundreds of miles north to their list of climate anxieties. Its getting harder to ignore the possibility that if their children lived to the year 2100, they might see actually New York City lost to rising seas, along with Mumbai, Shanghai, and Miami.

Canadian fires sent a smoke signal: the path of Western capitalism, which runs right through Wall Street, could end in a climate apocalypse.

In their new book, Scarcity: A History from the Origins of Capitalism to the Climate Crisis, historians Fredrik Albritton Jonsson and Carl Wennerlind warn that capitalist societies will have to overhaul the way we interact with the planet in order to avoid unthinkable consequences. They trace the key economic concept of scarcity as it developed over five hundred years of European thought, showing how a particular interpretation helped bring us to the trouble were facing.

The relationship between the economy and nature has been considered by thinkers all the way back to Aristotle. But as Jonsson and Wennerlind show, the topic gained center stage in the seventeenth century in the form of a new enthusiasm for controlling nature. During this period, thinkers like Francis Bacon spread the notion that with the help of science, humanity could bring nature under control and force it to yield its riches. The sky was no longer the limit of our desires.

The authors divide historical views of scarcity into two camps. Cornucopians like Bacon held that nature could be mastered to satisfy boundless human wants  a position that found its way to dominance in the West by the end of the 19th century, most recently promoted by neoclassical economists. As Jonsson and Wennerlind see it, economists under the sway of cornucopianism came to believe in a dream of infinite substitutability whereby natural resources were always available, and if something grew scarce, no problem  a substitute could be found. For example, if rainforests vanished, the price of goods associated with them would increase, thus lowering demand and sparking innovation to yield substitutes.

The authors outline how over the last century, most mainstream economists have been selling the idea that what we need to do is to use natural resources efficiently and develop science and technology to maximize economic growth. The basic premise: more is almost always desirable, the cheaper the better, and we can have it all without destroying the planet. The magic of market forces would take care of any environmental problems.

The authors liken this fantasy to the fervent visions of progress among 17th-century alchemists.

Jonsson and Wennerlind refer to a second group of ideas about scarcity as the Finitarian tradition, focused on limits to power over nature and the need to rein in human desires. While Cornucopians pictured the economy as the engine of the endless growth of wants, Finitarians asked, what about simplicity? A meaningful life? Liberation from desire? And by the way, what about living in balance with nature?

The authors note that Finitarianism was the dominant worldview of sixteenth-century Neo-Aristotelians, a perspective that later found expression in a variety of movements, such as Romanticism. When they thought about the economy and nature, Romantics tended to emphasize living within the limits of nature as the foundation of a healthy society. They saw the Cornucopian focus on ever-rising material standards of living as missing much of what makes human life worth the journey: community, artistic expression, imagination, spirituality, and work that is not soul-crushing.

Consider the views of art critic and political economist John Ruskin, who advocated the regulation of economic development for the protection of the environment and public health. Jonsson and Wennerlind note that during the 1870s, Ruskin began to notice sinister effects of industrial capitalism in the smoke-filled skies of his country home in Englands Lake District. Unlike most of his contemporaries, he saw the potentially global reach and catastrophic dimensions of what was billowing out of factories Romantic William Blake had earlier dubbed the dark Satanic mills. In a series of published letters addressed to British workers, Fors Clavigera, Ruskin warned: You can vitiate the air by your manner of life You might easily vitiate it so as to bring such a pestilence on the globe as would end all of you.

Talk about prescient.

Jonsson and Wennerlinds book describes several strands of resistance to cornucopianism, from Thomas Mores Utopia to recent challenges from ecological, feminist, and anarchist thinkers.

What the world needs right now, argue the authors, is more Finitarianism. Instead of charging ahead with exploiting nature and expanding our wants, we need to repair the harm weve done and work to prevent further damage.

The authors point to a few economists who have begun to recognize the threat economic growth poses to the planet and the role that economics has played in driving an unsustainable approach to natural resources  but its a pretty short list. Their history of Finitarian movements offers blueprints for new ways of considering the economy and nature.

For current inspiration, Jonsson and Wennerlind cite the Planetary Boundaries model as a useful framework for allowing humans to thrive without exploiting and destroying nature, part of a movement to rethink the purpose of the economy. They also point to Earth System science  the interdisciplinary study of the interconnected parts of the environment  as a promising tool for recognizing how the ideologies of maximum efficiency, infinite substitutability, and infinite growth threaten the intricate processes that make the planet inhabitable.

Despite these promising signs, the authors point out that neoclassical economists still hold onto a belief in human mastery of nature that turns a blind eye to the planetary crisis.

Bottom line: Scarcity warns that if we stay bent on harnessing nature to fulfill our limitless desires, those desires wont matter much because in the end well destroy ourselves, and a lot of the natural world, too. Our ignorance of natures complexities, plus the continuation of harmful economic ideologies, threaten the stable functioning of Earth, but with Finitarian approaches, Jonsson and Wennerlind are hopeful that we can envision a future beyond the endless multiplying of our material wants and enter a collaborative partnership with nature.

The good news: although the authors acknowledge that the conflict between Cornucopians and Finitarians is still playing out, they write that the planet itself now seems to weigh in on the side of the Finitarians. Is that enough to convince mainstream economists?

Meanwhile, smoke from Canadas wildfires has drifted down into the southern United States and as far away as Europe, covering millions in toxic haze. There is little doubt that human carelessness is a major cause of the phenomenon and that until humans can change course, wed better get used to it.
Dear patient readers,

Weve noticed a drop-off in comments during our unheard-of-ly weird spell of moderation issues. Please comment as normal. Be assured that we have thrown extra capacity at the problem (i.e., Yves and myself) in addition to our moderation team, and that although your comment may not immediately appear, it will not languish. lambert

* * *

What Colors Can Deer See? Field & Stream

Rare Irish orchid discovered in Trinity College after lawn mowing is halted The Irish Times

De-dollarisation would upend the global economy Council on Geostrategy. RAND Europe.

Climate

#COVID19

Viral persistence in children infected with SARS-CoV-2: current evidence and future research strategies The Lancet. From the Conclusion: Evidence exists for the possible spread of SARS-CoV-2 spread into different organs and persistence for weeks to months after initial infection, even in children independently from severity of the acute disease. Viral RNA has been documented in children who have died from critical acute disease, but also in paediatric patients diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome weeks to months after previous asymptomatic or mild infection with SARS-CoV-2. Whether these events can also occur with new variants of SARS-CoV-2 or in previously vaccinated children is still unknown. Although the biological significance of the possibility for viral spread and persistence in children is unknown, the substantial evidence for it should not be neglected , and should inform future clinical, biological, and pharmacological studies. Impact of imprinted immunity induced by mRNA vaccination in an experimental animal model Journal of Infectious Diseases. From the Abstract: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants has led to concerns that ancestral SARS-CoV-2-based vaccines may not be effective against newly emerging Omicron subvariants. The concept of imprinted immunity suggests that individuals vaccinated with ancestral virus-based vaccines may not develop effective immunity against newly emerging Omicron subvariants, such as BQ.1.1 and XBB.1. Here, we investigated this possibility using hamsters. While natural infection induced effective antiviral immunity, breakthrough infections in hamsters with BQ.1.1 and XBB.1 Omicron subvariants after receiving the 3-dose mRNA-LNP vaccine resulted in only faintly induced humoral immunity, supporting the possibility of imprinted immunity . Vax and relax my Sweet Aunt Fanny. Where do viruses hide in the human body? BMJ. From the Abstract: Virus particles often hide in immunoprivileged sites around the human body, also sometimes called sanctuary sites, that our immune systems dont monitor or protect as closely as the rest of our bodies. These include the brain, spinal cord, pregnant uterus, testes, and eyes. Viruses such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2 primarily infect the respiratory tract but can move elsewhere. Influenza viruses can persist after infection in peoples intestinal tract and stool, through swallowed secretions from the nose and throat or viruses in the blood. Researchers create test to detect SARS-CoV-2 in any animal species Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Losing grandparents to COVID may be increasing youth violence FOX

Should We Just Listen to the Scientists? JSTOR Daily

Another deadly pandemic seems inevitable  but there is a way to avoid it John Vidal, Guardian

China?

Myanmar

India

The Koreas

South Korea greenlights Japans nuclear waste release Anadolu Agency

Syraqistan

The Happy Country

Australia becomes first country to legalise medical psychedelics Sky News

Dear Old Blighty

European Disunion

South of the Border

New Not-So-Cold War

Dropping a Big Rock Down a Massive 600 Foot Deep Pit Laughing Squid

Biden Administration

2024

Digital Watch

AI Boom Stems Techs Downturn WSJ. How convenient. Threads Daring Fireball. A factor to be considered in the reporting is that liberal Democrats are hegemonic in the press, and since their Censorship Industrial Complex has lost control of Twitter, they wish it to fail, and by extension Threads to succeed. Of course, the press is never the story.

The Bezzle

How Amazon transformed the EU into a planned economy Cory Doctorow, Pluralistic. Excellent.

Groves of Academe

Class Warfare

Artificial cells demonstrate that life finds a way Scienmag (Chuck L). Original.

Antidote du jour (via):

And a bonus (Chuck L):

Why didnt anyone ever tell me that beavers walk around carrying their babies in their arms?!  pic.twitter.com/Y7qE0pxd8q  Jessi  (@its_jessi_grace) July 5, 2023

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Yves here. This post describes the long history of children serving as worker, and how modern economies moved away from it. Perhaps I am being unduly critical, but the long discussion of how common child labor once was serves to normalize it, which would seem to be contrary to the authors intent.

Perhaps my take is too high level, and US-centric. However, up to the Industrial Revolution, most people worked as subsistence farmers. Thus children were most often required to participate in helping assure survival. Recall that death rates among children were high due to disease, and undernourishment didnt help survival rates. Thus exploitation within the family would be defensible as unavoidable, provided the kids were not overburdened.

With the Industrial Revolution came the enclosure movement in England, making self-supporting farming untenable via the loss of common pastureland, forcing many into cities and factory labor. Children could do jobs that required small hands and fingers, like some types of textile work. As Marx and Engles chronicled, those jobs were often dangerous and brutalizing. In the US, borderline and actual depression conditions in the second half of the nineteenth century hit farmer hard. Some families with many children would send one or two away to reduce the drain on the household.which often meant being exploited where they landed.

The long-winded point here is that children not being required to work is a function of surplus. The fact that the US is rolling the clock back is a vivid proof of deterioration of household economics in the bottom half of the food chain.

By Steve Fraser. Originally published at TomDispatch

An aged Native-American chieftain was visiting New York City for the first time in 1906. He was curious about the city and the city was curious about him. A magazine reporter asked the chief what most surprised him in his travels around town. Little children working, the visitor replied.

Child labor might have shocked that outsider, but it was all too commonplace then across urban, industrial America (and on farms where it had been customary for centuries). In more recent times, however, its become a far rarer sight. Law and custom, most of us assume, drove it to near extinction. And our reaction to seeing it reappear might resemble that chiefs  shock, disbelief.

But we better get used to it, since child labor is making a comeback with a vengeance. A striking number of lawmakers are undertaking concerted efforts to weaken or repeal statutes that have long prevented (or at least seriously inhibited) the possibility of exploiting children.

Take a breath and consider this: the number of kids at work in the U.S. increased by 37% between 2015 and 2022. During the last two years, 14 states have either introduced or enacted legislation rolling back regulations that governed the number of hours children can be employed, lowered the restrictions on dangerous work, and legalized subminimum wages for youths.

Iowa now allows those as young as 14 to work in industrial laundries. At age 16, they can take jobs in roofing, construction, excavation, and demolition and can operate power-driven machinery. Fourteen-year-olds can now even work night shifts and once they hit 15 can join assembly lines. All of this was, of course, prohibited not so long ago.

Legislators offer fatuous justifications for such incursions into long-settled practice. Working, they tell us, will get kids off their computers or video games or away from the TV. Or it will strip the government of the power to dictate what children can and cant do, leaving parents in control  a claim already transformed into fantasy by efforts to strip away protective legislation and permit 14-year-old kids to work without formal parental permission.

In 2014, the Cato Institute, a right-wing think tank, published A Case Against Child Labor Prohibitions, arguing that such laws stifled opportunity for poor  and especially Black  children. The Foundation for Government Accountability, a think tank funded by a range of wealthy conservative donors including the DeVos family, has spearheaded efforts to weaken child-labor laws, and Americans for Prosperity, the billionaire Koch brothers foundation, has joined in.

Nor are these assaults confined to red states like Iowa or the South. California, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, and New Hampshire, as well as Georgia and Ohio, have been targeted, too. Even New Jersey passed a law in the pandemic years temporarily raising the permissible work hours for 16- to 18-year-olds.

The blunt truth of the matter is that child labor pays and is fast becoming remarkably ubiquitous. Its an open secret that fast-food chains have employed underage kids for years and simply treat the occasional fines for doing so as part of the cost of doing business. Children as young as 10 have been toiling away in such pit stops in Kentucky and older ones working beyond the hourly limits prescribed by law. Roofers in Florida and Tennessee can now be as young as 12.

Recently, the Labor Department found more than 100 children between the ages of 13 and 17 working in meatpacking plants and slaughterhouses in Minnesota and Nebraska. And those were anything but fly-by-night operations. Companies like Tyson Foods and Packer Sanitation Services (owned by BlackRock, the worlds largest asset management firm) were also on the list.

At this point, virtually the entire economy is remarkably open to child labor. Garment factories and auto parts manufacturers (supplying Ford and General Motors) employ immigrant kids, some for 12-hour days. Many are compelled to drop out of school just to keep up. In a similar fashion, Hyundai and Kia supply chains depend on children working in Alabama.

As the New York Times reported last February, helping break the story of the new child labor market, underage kids, especially migrants, are working in cereal-packing plants and food-processing factories. In Vermont, illegals (because theyre too young to work) operate milking machines. Some children help make J. Crew shirts in Los Angeles, bake rolls for Walmart, or work producing Fruit of the Loom socks. Danger lurks. America is a notoriously unsafe place to work and the accident rate for child laborers is especially high, including a chilling inventory of shattered spines, amputations, poisonings, and disfiguring burns.

Journalist Hannah Dreier has called it a new economy of exploitation, especially when it comes to migrant children. A Grand Rapids, Michigan, schoolteacher, observing the same predicament, remarked: Youre taking children from another country and putting them almost in industrial servitude.

The Long Ago Now

Today, we may be as stunned by this deplorable spectacle as that chief was at the turn of the twentieth century. Our ancestors, however, would not have been. For them, child labor was taken for granted.

Hard work, moreover, had long been considered by those in the British upper classes who didnt have to do so as a spiritual tonic that would rein in the unruly impulses of the lower orders. An Elizabethan law of 1575 provided public money to employ children as a prophylactic against vagabonds and paupers.

By the eighteenth century, the philosopher John Locke, then a celebrated champion of liberty, was arguing that three-year-olds should be included in the labor force. Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe, was happy that children after four or five years of age could every one earn their own bread. Later, Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism, would opt for four, since otherwise, society would suffer the loss of precious years in which nothing is done! Nothing for Industry! Nothing for improvement, moral or intellectual.

American founding father Alexander Hamiltons 1791 Report on Manufacturing noted that children who would otherwise be idle could instead become a source of cheap labor. And such claims that working at an early age warded off the social dangers of idleness and degeneracy remained a fixture of elite ideology well into the modern era. Indeed, it evidently remains so today.

When industrialization began in earnest during the first half of the nineteenth century, observers noted that work in the new factories (especially textile mills) was better done by little girls of 6-12 years old. By 1820, children accounted for 40% of the mill workers in three New England states. In that same year, children under 15 made up 23% of the manufacturing labor force and as much as 50% of the production of cotton textiles.

And such numbers would only soar after the Civil War. In fact, the children of ex-slaves were effectively re-enslaved through onerous apprenticeship arrangements. Meanwhile, in New York City and other urban centers, Italian padrones expedited the exploitation of immigrant kids while treating them brutally. Even the then-brahmin-minded, anti-immigrant New York Times took offense: The world has given up stealing men from the African coast, only to kidnap children from Italy.

Between 1890 and 1910, 18% of all children between the ages of 10 and 15, about two million young people, worked, often 12 hours a day, six days a week.

Their jobs covered the waterfront  all too literally as, under the supervision of padrones, thousands of children shucked oysters and picked shrimp. Kids were also street messengers and newsies. They worked in offices and factories, banks and brothels. They were breakers and trappers in poorly ventilated coal mines, particularly dangerous and unhealthy jobs. In 1900, out of 100,000 workers in textile mills in the South, 20,000 were under the age of 12.

City orphans were shipped off to labor in the glassworks of the Midwest. Thousands of children stayed home and helped their families turn out clothing for sweatshop manufacturers. Others packed flowers in ill-ventilated tenements. One seven-year-old explained that I like school better than home. I dont like home. There are too many flowers. And down on the farm, the situation was no less grim, as children as young as three worked hulling berries.

All in the Family

Clearly, well into the twentieth century, industrial capitalism depended on the exploitation of children who were cheaper to employ, less able to resist, and until the advent of more sophisticated technologies, well suited to deal with the relatively simple machinery then in place.

Moreover, the authority exercised by the boss was in keeping with that eras patriarchal assumptions, whether in the family or even in the largest of the overwhelmingly family-owned new industrial firms of that time like Andrew Carnegies steelworks. And such family capitalism gave birth to a perverse alliance of boss and underling that transformed children into miniature wage-laborers.

Meanwhile, working-class families were so severely exploited that they desperately needed the income of their children. As a result, in Philadelphia around the turn of the century, the labor of children accounted for between 28% and 33% of the household income of native-born, two-parent families. For Irish and German immigrants, the figures were 46% and 35% respectively. Not surprisingly, then, working-class parents often opposed proposals for child labor laws. As noted by Karl Marx, the worker was no longer able to support himself, so now he sells his wife and child. He becomes a slave dealer.

Nonetheless, resistance began to mount. The sociologist and muckraking photographer Lewis Hine scandalized the country with heart-rending pictures of kids slaving away in factories and down in the pits of mines. (He got into such places by pretending to be a Bible salesman.) Mother Jones, the militant defender of labor organizing, led a childrens crusade in 1903 on behalf of 46,000 striking textile workers in Philadelphia. Two hundred child-worker delegates showed up at President Teddy Roosevelts Oyster Bay, Long Island, residence to protest, but the president simply passed the buck, claiming child labor was a state matter, not a federal one.

Here and there, kids tried running away. In response, owners began surrounding their factories with barbed wire or made the children work at night when their fear of the dark might keep them from fleeing. Some of the 146 women who died in the infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911 in Manhattans Greenwich Village  the owners of that garment factory had locked the doors, forcing the trapped workers to leap to their deaths from upper floor windows  were as young as 15. That tragedy only added to a growing furor over child labor.

A National Child Labor Committee was formed in 1904. For years, it lobbied states to outlaw, or at least rein in, the use of child labor. Victories, however, were often distinctly pyrrhic, as the laws enacted were invariably weak, included dozens of exemptions, and poorly enforced. Finally, in 1916, a federal law was passed that outlawed child labor everywhere. In 1918, however, the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional.

In fact, only in the 1930s, after the Great Depression hit, did conditions begin improving. Given its economic devastation, you might assume that cheap child labor would have been at a premium. However, with jobs so scarce, adults  males especially  took precedence and began doing work once relegated to children. In those same years, industrial work began incorporating ever more complex machinery that proved too difficult for younger kids. Meanwhile, the age of compulsory schooling was steadily rising, limiting yet more the available pool of child laborers.

Most important of all, the tenor of the times changed. The insurgent labor movement of the 1930s loathed the very idea of child labor. Unionized plants and whole industries were no-go zones for capitalists looking to exploit children. And in 1938, with the support of organized labor, President Franklin Roosevelts New Deal administration finally passed the Fair Labor Standards Act which, at least in theory, put an end to child labor (although it exempted the agricultural sector in which such a workforce remained commonplace).

Moreover, Roosevelts New Deal transformed the national zeitgeist. A sense of economic egalitarianism, a newfound respect for the working class, and a bottomless suspicion of the corporate caste made child labor seem particularly repulsive. In addition, the New Deal ushered in a long era of prosperity, including rising standards of living for millions of working people who no longer needed the labor of their children to make ends meet.

Back to the Future

Its all the more astonishing then to discover that a plague, once thought banished, lives again. American capitalism is a global system, its networks extend virtually everywhere. Today, there are an estimated 152 million children at work worldwide. Not all of them, of course, are employed directly or even indirectly by U.S. firms. But they should certainly be a reminder of how deeply retrogressive capitalism has once again become both here at home and elsewhere across the planet.

Boasts about the power and wealth of the American economy are part of our belief system and elite rhetoric. However, life expectancy in the U.S., a basal measure of social retrogression, has been relentlessly declining for years. Health care is not only unaffordable for millions, but its quality has become second-rate at best if you dont belong to the top 1%. In a similar fashion, the countrys infrastructure has long been in decline, thanks to both its age and decades of neglect.

Think of the United States, then, as a developed country now in the throes of underdevelopment and, in that context, the return of child labor is deeply symptomatic. Even before the Great Recession that followed the financial implosion of 2008, standards of living had been falling, especially for millions of working people laid low by a decades-long tsunami of de-industrialization. That recession, which officially lasted until 2011, only further exacerbated the situation. It put added pressure on labor costs, while work became increasingly precarious, ever more stripped of benefits and ununionized. Given the circumstances, why not turn to yet another source of cheap labor  children?

The most vulnerable among them come from abroad, migrants from the Global South, escaping failing economies often traceable to American economic exploitation and domination. If this country is now experiencing a border crisis  and it is  its origins lie on this side of the border.

The Covid-19 pandemic of 2020-2022 created a brief labor shortage, which became a pretext for putting kids back to work (even if the return of child labor actually predated the disease). Consider such child workers in the twenty-first century as a distinct sign of social pathology. The United States may still bully parts of the world, while endlessly showing off its military might. At home, however, it is sick.
Previewing the Vilnius Summit at NATO Headquarters on Friday (7 July 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the meeting of Allied leaders will send a clear message: NATO stands united, and Russias aggression will not pay.

I expect Allied leaders will agree a package with three elements, to bring Ukraine closer to NATO, said Mr Stoltenberg. The package will include a multi-year programme of assistance to ensure interoperability; upgraded political ties  with President Zelenskyy attending the inaugural meeting of a new NATO-Ukraine Council; and a reaffirmation that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, with unity on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal.

Allies will also take major steps to strengthen deterrence and defence, with the adoption of three new regional defence plans to counter the two main threats to NATO: Russia and terrorism. The plans will be supported by 300,000 troops on higher readiness, including substantial air and naval combat power.

Allies are also expected to endorse a Defence Production Action Plan to aggregate demand, boost capacity, and increase interoperability and a more ambitious defence investment pledge to invest a minimum of 2% of Gross Domestic Product annually on defence. The Secretary General welcomed that NATOs new defence spending estimates, released today, show a real increase of 8.3% for European Allies and Canada in 2023. "This is the biggest increase in decades, and the ninth consecutive year of increases in our defence spending," said the Secretary General. "So European Allies and Canada will have invested over 450 billion extra US dollars since we agreed our defence investment pledge in 2014."

The leaders of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea, as well as the European Union, will also take part in the Vilnius Summit. This will be Finlands first Summit as a NATO Ally, the Secretary General noted, adding: we look forward to Sweden joining as soon as possible. Following a constructive meeting of senior officials from Turkiye, Sweden and Finland on Thursday, Mr Stoltenberg will meet with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Kristersson in Vilnius on 10 July, as the next step.
(As delivered)

Good afternoon.

NATO Heads of State and Government will meet in Vilnius next week, at a critical moment for our transatlantic security.

Russias war of aggression against Ukraine continues to rage on.

For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe, seeking to destroy Ukraine and divide NATO.

Our Summit will send a clear message.

NATO stands united.

And Russias aggression will not pay.

At the Summit, we will make Ukraine even more stronger, and set out a vision for its future.

I expect Allied leaders will agree a package with three elements, to bring Ukraine closer to NATO.

First, we will agree a multi-year programme of assistance.

To ensure full interoperability between the Ukrainian armed forces and NATO.

Second, we will upgrade our political ties.

By establishing the NATO-Ukraine Council.

And third, I expect Allied leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO.

And unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal.

Allies have already pledged 500 million euros for critical needs, including fuel, medical supplies, demining equipment and pontoon bridges.

We will also help build Ukraines security and defence sector, including with military hospitals.

And we will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards.

President Zelenskyy will join us for the inaugural meeting of the new NATO-Ukraine Council.

This will be a platform for crisis consultation and decision-making.

Where we all sit as equals to address shared security concerns.

At the Summit, we will take further major steps to strengthen our deterrence and defence.

With three new regional defence plans,

to counter the two main threats to our Alliance:

Russia, and terrorism.

One plan for the north, the Atlantic and European Arctic;

One for the centre, covering the Baltic region and central Europe;

And a southern plan for the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

To execute these plans, NATO is putting 300,000 troops on higher readiness.

Including substantial air and naval combat power.

I expect leaders will endorse a Defence Production Action Plan to aggregate demand, boost capacity, and increase interoperability.

To do all of this, we need to invest more.

At the Summit, Allies will set a more ambitious defence investment pledge, to invest a minimum of 2% of Gross Domestic Product annually on defence.

Today, we are releasing new defence spending estimates.

In 2023, there will be a real increase of 8.3% across European Allies and Canada.

This is the biggest increase in decades.

And the ninth consecutive year of increases in our defence spending.

So European Allies and Canada will have invested over 450 billion extra US dollars since we agreed our defence investment pledge in 2014.

Then, only three Allies spent 2 % of GDP on defence.

This year, eleven Allies reach  or exceed  the target.

And we expect this number will rise substantially next year.

At the Summit, we will be joined by the leaders of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Korea.

Because our security is not regional, it is global.

So we are working more closely on issues such as cybersecurity, maritime security and new technologies.

We will also welcome the European Union to Vilnius.

Our partnership has reached unprecedented levels, and we are committed to doing even more together.

This will be Finlands first Summit as a NATO Ally.

And we look forward to Sweden joining as soon as possible.

Yesterday, I hosted a constructive meeting of senior officials from Turkiye, Sweden and Finland.

And as the next step, I will meet with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Kristersson in Vilnius on Monday afternoon.

For almost 75 years, NATO has been the strongest Alliance in history.

The decisions we will take at the Vilnius Summit will ensure we continue to protect our people and our values.

With that, Im ready to take your questions.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu

Lithuanian TV.

Mindaugas Laukagalis, LRT

Mindaugas Laukagalis from Lithuanian National Radio and Television, thank you for this opportunity. I have two questions. The first one is: Ukraine is calling 2008, Bucharest declaration, a historic mistake. How Vilnius declaration will be different from that, because in 2008, the leaders said that Ukraine will become a NATO member, and it seems that you're going to repeat this in 2023. So what's the difference? And the other question is, have you got heard something from President Zelenskyy? Will he participate in the summit? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

There are many differences. One important difference is, of course, that Ukraine has come much closer to NATO, because NATO Allies have worked closely with Ukraine for many years, especially since 2014. So this has ensured a much higher level of cooperation and interoperability between Ukraine and NATO.

And I expect also that leaders when they meet in Vilnius, they will also agree a package that will have to move Ukraine even closer to NATO. Partly by establishing the NATO Ukraine Council, which is a political platform where we can have crisis consultations and also actually make decisions together and deepen our political cooperation.

The practical support and not least the multi-year program also has a clear political dimension, because by agreeing to stand by Ukraine and also help them for the longer term, and to ensure full interoperability with NATO, we are helping Ukraine to come even closer to NATO and NATO membership. And then finally, I am confident that we'll find the united way also to address the specific issue on membership, but I will not go into the details of exact language now because that is something we will announce when everything is in place by the summit. I look forward to welcoming President Zelenskyy at the summit and, to have him taking part in the first or the inaugural meeting of the NATO Ukraine Council.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu

ZDF.

Florian Neuhann, ZDF

Thank you very much, Fleurian Neuhann from ZDF, German TV. Mr. Stoltenberg, first question would be, the US is actively considering, it says, to send a cluster munitions to Ukraine, which are banned from more than 120 states. From a military point of view, do you think this is a good idea? Does Ukraine need such munitions? And from a political point of view, do you think it's wise to send weapons, munitions, that are banned for good reasons?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

NATO as an Alliance does not have a position on the Convention on Cluster Munitions, because a number of Allies have signed the convention but number of Allies have not signed the convention. And it is for individual Allies to make decisions on the delivery of weapons and military supplies to Ukraine.

So this will be for governments to decide and not for NATO as an Alliance. We are faced with a brutal war and we have to remember that this brutality is also reflected in the fact that we everyday see casualties, and that cluster munitions is used by both sides, or cluster munitions are used by both sides, and Russia use cluster munitions in their brutal war aggression, to invade another country, while Ukraine is using it to defend itself. The best way to end this brutal war is for President Putin and Russia to stop attacking another country. That is also the best way to stop all the suffering, the casualties, and the death we see caused by different types of weapons on the battlefield every day.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu

NTV.

NTV, Turkiye

Secretary General, Guldener Sonomut from NTV Turkiye. The meeting of yesterday with regard Sweden was rather a kind of icebreaker between the Turkish side and the Swedish side. You said that it was constructive. However, when we see the statement of the Turkish minister of Foreign Affairs and his Swedish counterpart, there is still a gap. So how would you be able to bridge that gap until next Monday? And what kind of pressure, because you also call always on Turkiye, but what kind of pressure you could do on Sweden so that they somehow try to face or at least release the concerns of Turkiye? Thank you very much.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

For me, I think words like constructive and good is better than icebreaker. If I am going to describe the meeting we had yesterday. It was a good meeting. It was a constructive meeting, and we made progress.

And I'm confident that we'll continue to make progress but there are still gaps to be bridged. And that's also the reason why I have invited President Erdogan and Prime Minister's Kristersson to meet on Monday, in a few days in Vilnius. And we will meet together the three of us, with our experts to sit down and look into the details, the concrete issues, and where we see differences between the Swedish position and the position of Turkiye.

And then that's the way to overcome differences when they exist as they now do in the issue related to the final ratification of Swedish accession into NATO. My message is that Sweden has delivered at the same time, on the commitment they made in Madrid, in the joint memorandum. At the same time. I'm also very clear that Turkiye has real security concerns and that's the reason why we are sitting down and addressing them. Because we also know that NATO Allies have serious security concerns related to the fact that they want to have Sweden in us as a full member as soon as possible. And that's not least the case for the Baltic countries, they see the great advantage of having Sweden as a member. So I strongly believe it will be good for Sweden. It will be good for the Baltic region, the Nordic Region, and it will be also good for the whole Alliance including Turkiye to have Sweden as a member as soon as possible.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu

Interfax Ukraine

Iryna Somer, Interfax Ukraine

Thank you Oana. Iryna Somer, Ukrainian News Agency Interfax Ukraine. I have follow up question on Mindaugas, regarding declaration. I do understand you can't comment on the language which will in decleration regarding membership. But can you tell us how far or how close Allies are regarding wording in the declaration regarding a possible membership for Ukraine, which also will be satisfactory for Kyiv? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

So we are, as we always are ahead of NATO Summit, now consulting and working on the exact language. That's the way NATO makes decisions. We are 31 Allies and also, of course, having close contact with Ukraine. But Allies are now consulting on the exact language in the in the communique.

I'm confident that we will find the united way forward, including on how to move Ukraine forward on its goal to become a member of the Alliance. I also expect as I said that there will be decisions on concrete support, practical support, but that has a dimension also when it comes to the political aspects because more interoperability, multi-year program for interoperability between NATO forces and Ukrainian forces, helps of course Ukraine to move towards NATO. And stronger political ties with the NATO Ukraine Council is also a way to move Ukraine and NATO even closer.

So the language, the exact wording will be made public when we have agreed and when the statement is endorsed by all the leaders next week. But I'm confident that we'll have a message which is clear, and also not only clear, but most of all we have to remember that Allies also agree already on a lot of important principles when it comes to Ukraine and membership.

We agree that NATOs door is open. We agree that Ukraine will become a member which is an important message. And then we agree that it's for the NATO Allies and Ukraine to decide when the time is right and not for Russia to have a veto. And then the most urgent task, and all Allies agree on that, is that we will stand by Ukraine. We will provide support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. Because unless Ukraine wins this war, there's no membership issue to be discussed at all. And that's the reason why Allies are stepping up and providing donations, military support, in an unprecedented way.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu

Bloomberg

Natalia Drodziak, Bloomberg

Hi, Natalia Drodziak from Bloomberg. Thank you for the question. We continue to hear pleas from Ukraine for Allies to send more artillery, ammunition. Are you satisfied with what Allies have sent, and the state of their defence production?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

So, NATO Allies are sending  and have sent unprecedented levels of ammunition, many different types of ammunition, and they're continuing to make new announcements, new donations, and all of this is coordinated in a very good way. And thats also a reason why the Ukrainians have been able to retake land in the north and east and the south and now, some weeks ago, they were able to launch the offensive. And the offensive is moving forward, they are able to liberate land.

Then, of course, there's a very high rate of consumption of ammunition in the military operations, which are going on now  thousands of shells every day. So theres an enormous need to resupply, and that's exactly what Allies are doing; they are resupplying constantly Ukraine with more ammunition, spare parts, maintenance for different artillery systems, armoured vehicles, battle tanks, air defences, and so on. And that need will continue to be there, and therefore we need continued support and continued decision-making strength in the NATO Allied countries, to make further decisions on even more support.I think that is what your question was about? No, sorry, on production.

Because on production, well, what we have seen is that since we started to address this issue of the need to increase our production capacity last fall, then things have started to move. So now more and more Allies are actually signing contracts. The thing that can actually increase production is of course, contracts with industry. We engaged with the industry at our latest Defence Ministerial Meeting. We have also worked on a defence production action plan which I expect the Allied leaders to agree on, both how to aggregate demand, how to make sure that we are buying things together.

Joint procurement is a way to get up the numbers, and therefore reduce the cost, to utilise the economy of scale. We have done joint procurement at NATO for many, many years. We have the NATO Support and Procurement Agency, which is now actually facilitating several big projects  also for battle-decisive ammunition. We have increased the guidelines for how much battle-decisive ammunition, which includes, for instance, 155mm ammunition, which is the most commonly used in the war in Ukraine, or by Ukrainians. We have increased the guidelines for how much of this type of ammunition Allies should have, and we are also strengthening our work to standardise, and to ensure that there is full interchangeability.

So, NATO is addressing these issues, the need to ramp up production, in many different ways using existing tools, using our mandate to set standards and guidelines, and the Allies are now implementing and following up, and production is going up.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu

Okay, Greek TV, there. Lady up there. Thank you.

Eirini Zarkadoula, Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation,

Eirini Zarkadoula, with public TV and Athens News Agency. Secretary General, you have mentioned lots of times that the 2% on defence spending is the floor, not the ceiling. Are the Allies closer to reaching a more concrete agreement, a more concrete and obligatory agreement, on this 2%, on this target? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

The answer is yes. We have made good progress on also agreeing a new Defence Investment Pledge, where we regard 2% of GDP for defence not as a ceiling, but the minimum, a floor. But as important is that we are making progress, and [are] close to having all the details in place for new investment pledge, is the fact that, actually, Allies have stepped up.

So this commitment is not only demonstrated in words, but also in deeds. And the new defence investment figures we released today, for defence investments in 2023, are encouraging, they are positive, the biggest increase in decades  8.3% increased defence spending across Europe and Canada in real terms, adjusted for inflation. That is something we haven't seen across NATO for decades.

And it reflects that NATO Allies are taking this extremely seriously, because to provide support to Ukraine, to sign long-term contracts for defence production with the defence industry, to replenish our own stocks, to invest in more high-end capabilities, there is a need for more money. And now the extra money is coming in, with in total 450 billion since we made the Defence Investment Pledge, and only this year [an] 8.3% increase.

That reflects that is something which is taken extremely seriously by Allies. Of course, still, we have way to go, and therefore I expect [a] further increase next year. We expect this year 11 Allies to meet the 2% guideline, which is significantly more than when we made the guidelines in 2014. That was a decade pledge that will end in 2024 so next year, we expect substantially more Allies to meet the 2% target, and then to move on from there when we agree a new pledge at the Summit in Vilnius.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu

Frankfurter Allgemeine.

Thomas Gutschker, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Thomas Gutschker, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Getting back to support to Ukraine: Two questions, please. The first one on the Comprehensive Action Plan: You said that Allies have pledged 500 million euros. Is that for one year, and are Allies ready to commit to 500 million on a multi-year basis? And the second question, on bringing Ukraine closer to NATO: What would it mean in practical terms if the MAP requirements were dropped? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

We are now finalising the text and decisions on both these issues, so therefore, Im a bit careful to go into the details. You will see all the details on both the questions you asked within a few days. And I think it will only make my task of leading the process, and to ensure that we end on [a] strong and united position on these issues more difficult if I now, at this press conference, went into the exact details of the language and the wording and the different alternatives which are now addressed.

But I can say that I'm confident that when we finalise these consultations, and have the decisions in place by the Summit, we will see that there is a strong commitment from NATO Allies to provide substantial sustained economic support to Ukraine  both as NATO through the Comprehensive Assistance Package for the different specific purposes, like fuel and the different types of equipment, but also for the multi-year program to ensure that Ukraine transitions from Soviet-era to NATO standards and doctrines, the full interoperability.

And on the Membership Action Plan: I will not go into the details, but the reality is that, with all the different programs, with the NATO-Ukraine Council, with the multi-year programme for interoperability, we will move Ukraine closer to NATO, and that will help us to also move on the issue of sending a positive message also on the membership question.

Mattia Bagnoli, ANSA,

Thank you for the opportunity. Mattia Bagnoli, ANSA. Mr. Secretary General we have been hearing lately warring signals both from Russia and Ukraine on possible provocation at Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant. Would a Chernobyl type accident with radioactive clouds impacting NATO country be considered a possible trigger for Article Five. Has that message being sent to Moscow?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg,

I think that first of all I think it is important to understand that wars are, by nature, dangerous and also unpredictable. And, of course, we are monitoring and following very closely the situation also around Zaporizhzhya and the nuclear power plant there. We also strongly welcome the fact that the International Atomic Energy Agency is monitoring closely. They have their experts following the situation. And this is important because Zaporizhzhya power plant is Europe's largest nuclear power plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency have a responsibility. They have a mandate. We support that, when it comes to ensure that regulations and safety standards are fully upheld.

That is of course a big challenge in the war zone. And, therefore, Russia has a particular responsibility. The best and the message from NATO and from the IAEA is that Russia should not launch any attacks from the power plant. They should not, of course, attack the power plant and they should withdraw their forces that will enable the experts to do their work in a better way. They have had access and have made some judgments and some assessments.

They have said that they have seen no visible indication of mines or explosives at this stage. But they've also asked for additional access to verify the safety of the plant. So we continue to call on Russia to withdraw from the facility and ensure the Ukrainian and international experts have full access. We continue to monitor. The International Atomic Energy Agency continued to monitor and we call on Russia to withdraw its forces Ukrainian news agency

National News Agency of Ukraine,

National News Agency of Ukraine. Thank you for the floor. I just want to hear just: will security guarantees for a future be on the agenda in the Vilnius Summit? And if I may about the future membership. Both Ukraine and NATO members agreed that issue of membership could be considered after the war is over. Would not it be an incentive for Russia to continue this war endlessly? And don't you think that the best security guarantee for Ukraine is to ensure the NATO membership? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

The most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails and that President Putin and Russia do not win this war. And therefore, the most urgent task is the military support to Ukraine. Also knowing that the more land Ukraine is able to liberate, the stronger their hand will be eventually to be at the negotiating table, to find a peaceful and during and just end to this war.

When the war ends, then it is important, of course, that we have the frameworks in place to ensure that Russia, President Putin, not only rests his forces, retrains them, reallocates them, rearm them and then re-attack at the later stage. That is actually a lasting and enduring peace. And to ensure that, we need frameworks in place to provide Ukraine with what they need to ensure that Russia is not going to attack again. And that's exactly what Allies are discussing, thats part of the discussion on the membership issue within NATO.

And as I said, I'm confident that well find a united way forward as NATO Allies on Ukraine's request for membership. We will also, I expect, make some concrete decisions on interoperability and all the things that will help Ukraine to move closer to NATO. Then, it is also publicly known and it has been announced by several Allies that there are bilateral and actually some multilateral consultations with Ukraine on different types of security arrangements. And I welcome also those efforts. We have been briefed about them and it will just complement and underpin the efforts of NATO answer as an Alliance. The message is, of course, that that we take our decisions as sovereign independent nations together with Ukraine. So it's not for Russia, to make any decisions, to have any veto. And again, we help Ukraine to win this war by providing military support and we'll continue to do that.

Andrew Grey, Reuters

Andrew Grey from Reuters. Secretary General, could you tell us some more about the NATO-Ukraine Council and perhaps put it in concrete terms for an ordinary citizen who doesn't follow this stuff super closely? In particular, what kind of powers might it have? Would Ukraine be able to convene a meeting if it wants to do that? And could it be a forum for sharing intelligence for example?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

The NATO-Ukraine Council will be a Council, which is formed by the 31 NATO Allies - hopefully soon 32 Allies with Sweden  but now 31 NATO Allies and Ukraine. And we will be together in the Council as equals. And it we will agree, what you call modalities on how, and how often is this Council will meet, but I expect that we will agree modalities that also then ensure that individual members of the Council - and that includes also, of course, Ukraine - can call a meeting to have a whole crisis consultations.

That is, if they feel threatened in any way and/or they see any need for urgent consultations, then they can invoke this crisis consultation mechanism between the NATO Allies and Ukraine as members of the Council. Then, the Council can also make decisions and it's fundamentally for the Council to decide what decisions they can make. But this opens up for more practical joint activities. It opens also for establishing sub-committees to address specific tasks, issues, be it cyber or be it - I don't know  interoperability, thats up to the Council to decide.

And, for instance, agree a work program. So the whole idea is that by establishing it, we establish a body, where we actually do things together, decide things together, consult together on issues that matter to our security. And that brings again, Ukraine closer to NATO, and it provides Ukraine and all of us with a tool that we can use to do more together and strengthen the cooperation and the ties between Ukraine and all the NATO Allies. So this will bring Ukraine closer to NATO. It will good for Ukraine and good for NATO and the inaugural meeting will be next week in Vilnius.

Alexandra von Nahmen, Deutsche Welle

Alexandra von Nahmen, Deutsche Welle. Just to follow up on the cluster bombs. Germany has already said that they are opposing sending cluster bombs to Ukraine. We understand that they could help Ukraine advance with their offensive. But if the US indeed decides to send them, is there not a risk that we could see cracks in NATO's unity with regards to that topic? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

As it is for individual Allies to make decisions on what type of weapons, all Allies agree that we should deliver weapons ammunition to Ukraine and Allies are delivering an unprecedented level of military support Ukraine.

And , of course, Germany and many other Allies are delivering different types of ammunition weapons to Ukraine. But when it comes to cluster ammunition, there's a difference between Allies, because some Allies have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions and they don't have a cluster munitions. So, of course, there is no cluster missions to provide to Ukraine.

Other Allies have not signed the Convention. And many of them, at least some of them, have cluster munitions. So it is for these individual Allies to make those decisions. NATO as an Alliance doesn't have a position on the Convention simply because there are different views among Allies on the Convention and then also any possession of cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are only used in the war in Ukraine by both sides.

The difference is that Russia is using cluster munitions to attack, to invade Ukraine. Ukraine is using cluster ammunition to protect itself against an aggressor. And all Allies, regardless of whether they have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, agree that we should provide military support to Ukraine as we do, also Germany. But exactly what type of weapons, what type of ammunition varies between Allies and will continue to vary between Allies.

NATO Spokesperson Oana Lungescu: Okay, I think we have one last question from Georgian TV. Over there, just above you.

Tamara Nutsubidze, Rustavi 2

Georgian TV, Rustavi 2, Tamara Nutsubidze. Can we expect some kind of messages in Vilnius regarding aspirant countries? For Georgia, for example? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Well, our message has been for a long time  and was reiterated at a previous Summit  that we need to strengthen our partnership with partners that are vulnerable for Russian interference and under pressure. At the Summit, Allies will reiterate our support to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognised borders. Allies will also, I expect, reaffirm Georgias right to decide its own future and foreign policy, free from outside intervention.

Therefore, we call on Russia to withdraw its forces it has in Georgia  without any consent from the Georgian government  and to end its recognition and militarisation, of course, and South Ossetia. And I think, also, we have to recognise, once again, the importance that Georgia plays in also strengthening the partnership between NATO and Georgia, and the commitment to Euro-Atlantic security. So we will address also other partners than Ukraine. Of course, Ukraine will be at the top of the agenda, because theres a full-fledged war taking place in Ukraine, but we will also address the importance of strengthening our partnership with a country like Georgia.

NATO Spokesperson Lungescu: Thank you very much. On the Council. Okay, Iryna, one last follow up.

Iryna Somer, Interfax Ukraine

Thank you so much, Oana. Just one follow-up on the NATO Ukraine Council: In the past, Hungarians constantly were blocking the NATO-Ukraine Commission. Do you think that Hungary again  or another Ally  will have a right to block such meetings? And do you think it's really a fair upgrade for Ukrainians to have a Council while the NATO-Russia Council still exists?

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

So, first of all, the fact that we established the NATO-Ukraine Council demonstrates that all Allies  also Hungary  is in favour of that. Because that's the way we make decisions. Second, we have the modalities that will ensure that we can convene the meeting. When we start to have meetings in the NATO Ukraine Council, I'm absolutely confident we'll continue to have meetings also in the future.

NATO Spokesperson Lungescu: Thank you very much. This concludes this press conference.
Car companies are expanding into the lithium mining business to secure their supplies for EV manufacturing

Major American car companies are expanding into the lithium mining business to prevent possible lithium supply snags for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing.

Lithium, sometimes referred to as "white gold" for its high value and silvery white color, has fueled a new global mineral rush with the element being critical in the manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries that power EVs. And as electric vehicle ramps up, demand for the metal soars with it.

Sales of EVs, which include battery-powered cars, pickup trucks and SUVs, rose 45 percent during the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year. In 2022, more than 10 million electric cars were sold worldwide, and sales by the end of this year are expected to hit 14 million  a 35 percent jump.

This growth in the demand for EVs has seen a similar boom in the mining of lithium. Until a few years ago, the price of lithium was so low, mining it was hardly profitable. But now, with most major car companies venturing into the EV business or expanding their already developed electric car sectors, there are dozens of new proposed mining projects all over the world looking for lithium. Most are still in the early development stages and will take years to begin production, but promise to make global lithium mining levels skyrocket sooner than expected, which could leave carmakers paying more for the metal than what it may be worth in the next few years.

Car companies striking deals for lithium from mines all over the world

Unfortunately for car companies, mining corporations do not have enough lithium to supply the demand coming from the burgeoning industry.

This is why car manufacturers are rushing to take control of lithium mines in places like Nevada, Quebec, Chile and Argentina. With a proper lithium mine under their control, they can secure their own supplies of a metal that could make or break their companies as they continue shifting away from internal combustion cars to electric ones.

"We quickly realized there wasn't an established value chain that would support our ambitions for the next 10 years," said Sham Kunjur, General Motors' executive director for EV Raw Materials' Center of Excellence.

Last year, General Motors struck a supply deal with Livent, a lithium company in Philadelphia, for material from some of the company's mines in South Africa. In January, General Motors signed a $650 million joint-development deal with Vancouver-based mining company Lithium Americas, which gives the car company exclusive rights to lithium extracted from the Thacker Pass mine in northern Nevada.

Kunjur is General Motors' lead in securing all of the battery manufacturing materials it needs to hit its target of selling two million EVs annually by 2025. Kunjur recalls how, when speaking with Lithium Americas CEO Jonathan Evans, the mining baron explained that the company was looking for two or three separate customers to buy 10,000 or 15,000 tons of lithium each, which could cost an estimated $2.3 billion to develop.

"We said, 'We want all of it,'" Kunjur recalled.

The Ford Motor Company has struck lithium deals with SQM, a Chilean mining firm, Albemarle, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Nemaska Lithium of Quebec. Ford has also struck a preliminary agreement to get a certain amount of lithium from a mine currently being developed in Argentina by British-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto.

"These are some of the largest lithium producers in the world with the best quality," said Lisa Drake, Ford vice president for electric vehicle industrialization, during a call with investors in May. (Related: Ford to lay off 1,000 employees as focus on EVs costs the company BILLIONS.)

By pouring investments into securing their supply of lithium, these car companies are hoping to catch up to Tesla, which has for years been trying to improve its access to the supplies needed to make lithium-ion batteries.

In 2022, Tesla contracted directly with mining firms or refiners for more than 95 percent of the company's lithium hydroxide needs. And since 2014, the company has invested more than $6.2 billion into its lithium-ion battery and EV component factory in Nevada.

Auto executives are taking no chances, and dozens of other car companies have already poured billions of dollars into helping develop mining projects all over the world to secure their sources of lithium. Executives worry that if they go even a few years without a sufficient source of lithium, their companies will never be able to catch up.

With few exceptions, the deals car companies are making do not involve buying actual stakes in lithium mines. Instead, the companies are negotiating agreements in which they promise miners and refiners that they will buy a certain amount of lithium within a price range.

These deals may also give the carmakers preferential access to lithium supplies, preventing rivals from getting their hands on the lucrative mineral. Tesla, for example, has a deal with Charlotte-based Piedmont Lithium that ensures the carmaker gets first dibs on a significant portion of the output from a lithium mine in Quebec.

Learn more about the expansion of the electric vehicle industry at RoboCars.news.

Watch this clip from Newsmax of Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst discussing why President Joe Biden's electric vehicle expansion plans are not realistic.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

GREEN SHORTAGE: Lack of lithium preventing Indonesia from becoming a global hub for EVs.

They will be RARER soon: Rare earth magnet supply for wind power and EVs will fall 246,000 tons short by 2040.

Japan to subsidize up to HALF THE COST of mine development and smelting projects for lithium and other minerals.

Tesla to expand lithium refining capacity to meet growing demand for EV batteries.

Argentina sees boom in lithium production as Chile tightens control.

Sources include:

DNyuz.com

TheMessenger.com

WSJ.com

Brighteon.com
Castrating kids to win elections

Bidens first campaign ad attacked conservatives for keeping Lawn Boy, a book featuring a 10-year-old performing sex acts, out of schools. The Department of Education launched a civil rights investigation of a Georgia school district for pulling books containing graphic sexual content from middle school shelves. At a Pride Month event at the White House, it was announced that a special coordinator would be waging lawfare against schools that try to shield children.

(Article by Daniel Greenfield republished from FrontPageMag.com)

The Biden administration sued Tennessee over the Protecting Children from Gender Mutilation Act. Democrat judges have illegally blocked similar measures in Florida, Arkansas and Alabama. In Washington and California, Democrat majorities legalized the abduction of children by the state for transgender procedures. Similar legislation is pending in other states.

This game of defense can get tiring. We want offense, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra demanded at a Health and Human Services Pride Summit. Lets play on the offensive.

Beyond the usual motives of groomers looking for fresh victims, what is behind the unprecedented obsession with sexualizing children by an entire political party?

State schools were always meant to indoctrinate a new generation. Modern schools are community organizing centers and the ideal educator is a community organizer. American students are falling behind in most areas, but they are succeeding at what they have really been taught, to march out of school and rally for gun control, the environment or for racial equity.

Beyond indoctrination, community organizing sets out to raise their consciousness so that the students see themselves as victims in the major political conflicts, like gun control or environmentalism, and then to shift them into the permanent category of victim activists.

Conventional community organizing rallies racial minority students to see themselves as the victims of racism and female students as the victims of sexism, while sexual community organizing takes students who may have no defining victim category and gives them one.

Grooming children in schools isnt just a perverted agenda, its a political one.

The Democrat electoral agenda depends on building coalitions of minority groups. Sexual community organizing in schools is a machine meant to expand that coalition. Every teenage girl tracked for a mastectomy and every teenage boy for castration is a future Democrat voter.

Pagan priests of the Syrian Astarte of Hierapolis would castrate themselves in honor of the ancient goddess and then wear female clothing for the rest of their lives. Puberty blockers for young children, followed by genital mutilation, like political rallies, is similarly part of the ritual indoctrination into a political movement. And while young activists can turn their lives around as they get older, once an irrevocable decision has been made, its much harder to walk away.

Theres a quote that has long made the rounds. If a man is not a socialist by the time he is 20, he has no heart. If he is not a conservative by the time he is 40, he has no brain. But what happens if the man is not a man and is missing parts other than his heart or his brain?

Read more at: FrontPageMag.com
DOUBLE AGENT? China supplies drones to both Ukraine and Russia

Since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, mainstream media has been consistent in claiming that China has been in full support and partnership with Moscow, including supplying military drones, to be used in the ongoing conflict. But this may not be the case as American Moscow-based political analyst and regular contributor to Global Research Andrew Korybko shared on his Substack newsletter how Kyiv accidentally proved the communist country is actually "militarily neutral" in the NATO-Russian proxy war

"Kyiv's foreign patrons would have certainly been aware of their proxy clandestinely procuring drones from China via its volunteers' purchases, yet they turned a blind eye out of military convenience while simultaneously pushing false claims about that country is arming Russian forces," he said in the article. First of all, he said, that the West claiming that China is secretly sending Russia military equipment disqualifies China from their suspicion that the Asian country is mediating a political resolution to the proxy war in Ukraine because would mean that it is not neutral.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Deputy Defense Minister Vitaly Deinega has been disputing the allegations that they are receiving military supplies straight from China as Kyiv is avoiding irritating President Joe Biden's regime. "As far as it was explained to me we cannot buy anything Chinese so as not to hurt our relationship with the United States," Deinega told Ukrainian news outlet Leviy Bereg on Monday. The government official also disclosed to local media that volunteers procure Chinese drones for their forces since they can't do so directly due to U.S. pressure.

However, Korybko pointed out that it does not mean that it is arming Ukraine against Russia just like similar claims from the mainstream media. It likewise does not follow that the Chinese state is arming Russia against Ukraine, he said.

"It shows that private Chinese drone suppliers are selling their wares to similarly private buyers who clandestinely pass them along to the most direct participants in this proxy war," the journalist explained.

Nevertheless, critics see how China is benefitting massively from selling its military equipment both ways, though not directly. Business is good for CCP.

Xi takes credit for warning Putin against a nuclear attack on Ukraine

Further supporting the claims that China is a "double-sided" sword, Chinese President Xi Jinping takes the credit for warning Russian President Vladimir Putin against triggering a nuclear explosion at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine  it's like saying to Kyiv that "Beijing cares for you even though we have close ties with Moscow."

The face-to-face message was delivered during Xi's state visit to Moscow in March, western and Chinese officials said. Stopping Putin from possibly spreading radiation via a local nuclear explosion has been central to China's campaign to repair damaged ties with Europe, said a senior adviser to the Chinese government. But analysts that are Kyiv-leaning on this war have doubted Beijing's commitment to such deterrence, given Xi's deep partnership with Putin and a "peace plan" that heavily overlaps with Russian talking points.

However, they are given a spark of hope that China is backing up its public rhetoric behind closed doors. "The Chinese are taking credit for sending the message at every level," a senior U.S. administration official said. Echoing the same idea, European Union's Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said back in March that the Chinese president's visit "reduces the risk of nuclear war and Chinese have made it very, very clear."

And China's opinion seems to have a great influence on Putin's decision. As per Financial Times, Russia's invasion is heavily reliant on support from China, which has helped Moscow to navigate economic sanctions that have excluded it from critical global markets and supply chains.

Meanwhile, Alexander Gabuev, director of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, insisted that Russia's Putin will not be entirely dependent on China's advice as "nuclear weapons are the ultimate insurance Putin has against losing this war catastrophically," he stressed. (Related: Intelligence officer Jeffrey Prather and Mike Adams unravel the global geopolitical puzzle: China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Russia and the accelerating collapse of the USA.)

Bookmark RussiaReport.news for updates on the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and China's participation in it.

Watch the video below where Intelligence Officer Jeffrey Prather and Health Ranger Mike Adams talk about China, Taiwan, Russia and Ukraine.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Peace talks over Russia-Ukraine conflict could be held as soon as July, German media reports.

China pledges support for Russia following failed Wagner mercenary rebellion.

Xi to Zelensky: China will work to mediate PEACE.

USA & NATO send weapons to Ukraine to kill Russians, just like Fauci and China built bioweapons to KILL Americans.

Russia is planning a NUCLEAR ATTACK at Zaporizhzhia power plant, Zelensky claims.

Sources include:

Korybko.Substack.com

GlobalResearch.ca

RT.com

FT.com

Brighteon.com
Rogue US agency called CISA has been attempting to control your thoughts, speech and life

Its a full-time job trying to sift through all the corruption and plots pertaining to the regimes COVID-19 dystopian takeover. Little by little, were getting there. However, one thing is clear: the U.S. government used every possible tactic and tool at their disposal to reshape society and snatch power and liberties from the American people. Were seeing that more and more clearly thanks to a report that came out on Monday. The House Judiciary Committee put out a 36-page report showing the shady actions of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

(Article republished from Revolver.news)

It turns out theyve been buddying up with Big Tech and their disinformation pals to silence Americans. The report flags three main problems weve seen over and over: firstly, it looks like government officials have been getting around the First Amendment by using third parties to do their dirty work; secondly, theyre picking and choosing narratives based on their political benefits, and lastly, an unchecked bureaucracy has sunk its claws into our society. So, in laymens terms, the report reveals that the CISA has been trying like hell to control your thoughts, speech, and your life.

Global Research:

The House Report reveals that CISA, a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, worked with social media platforms to censor posts it considered dis-, mis-, or malinformation. Brian Scully, the head of CISAs censorship team, conceded that this process, known as switchboarding, would trigger content moderation. Additionally, CISA funded the nonprofit EI-ISAC in 2020 to bolster its censorship operations. EI-ISAC worked to report and track misinformation across all channels and platforms. In launching the nonprofit, the government boasted that it leverage[d] DHS CISAs relationship with social media organizations to ensure priority treatment of misinformation reports. The switchboard programs directly contradict sworn testimony from CISA Director Jen Easterly. We dont censor anything we dont flag anything to social media organizations at all, Esterly told Congress in March. We dont do any censorship. Her statement was more than a lie; it omitted the institutionalization of the practice she denied. The agencys initiatives relied on a collusive apparatus of private-public partnerships designed to suppress unapproved information.

This was not about championing truth or setting facts straight. CISA was meticulously plotting to suppress any narratives, true or not, that didnt fit the preferred story.

Read more at: Revolver.news
CNN host: We should yield to government censorship demands

As a long-standing free speech advocate, the last few years have been alarming and, frankly, depressing. The censorship efforts of the government are, unfortunately, not new. However, what is new is the support of the media and the Democratic Party in such censorship. That was on display on various channels after the recent opinion finding that the Biden Administration had violated the First Amendment in the most massive attack against free speech in United States history. However, the New York Times immediately warned that the outbreak of free speech could curtail efforts to combat disinformation. Yet, no one expressed more simply and chillingly than CNN Chief White House Correspondent Phil Mattingly who stated that it makes sense for tech companies to go along with government censorship demands.

(Article republished from JonathanTurley.org)

Mattingly admitted that social media platforms more often than not gave in to the censorship demands by the Biden administration. However, he insisted that it makes sense, and is probably what we should do on public health grounds.

[T]he Biden administration would regularly reach out to Twitter and Facebook and other companies in kind of the early stages of their COVID response and say, this person is spreading lies about vaccines, this account is spreading misinformation that is inhibiting  not just our efforts, the administrations efforts to address COVID  but also public health, do something about it. And often, I think more often than not, the companies would respond and say, okay. And there are emails that came out during the course of this case that that was something that I think  when it was explained to me at the time, I thought, alright, that makes sense, thats probably what we should do on public health grounds.

What is striking is not just the blind acceptance that the government should be protecting us from harmful thoughts. It is also the failure to recognize that the government was wrong on many of these points while experts were being banned and blacklisted.

Many people were routinely censored on Twitter and other platforms for daring to challenge the official position on masks.

The Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) initially rejected the use of a mask mandate. However, the issue became a political weapon as politicians and the press claimed that questioning masks was anti-science and even unhinged. In April 2020, the CDC reversed its position and called for the masking of the entire population, including children as young as 2 years old. The mask mandate and other pandemic measures like the closing of schools are now cited as fueling emotional and developmental problems in children.

The closing of schools and businesses was also challenged by some critics as unnecessary. Many of those critics were also censored. It now appears that they may have been right. Many countries did not close schools and did not experience increases in Covid. However, we are now facing alarming drops in testing scores and alarming rises in medical illness among the young.

Masks became a major social and political dividing line in politics and the media. Maskless people were chased from stores and denounced in Congress. Then-CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said during a Senate hearing that face masks are the most important powerful health tool we have.

However, there are now ample studies stating that a new scientific review suggests that widespread masking may have done little to nothing to curb the transmission of COVID. It added that wearing a mask may make little to no difference in how many people caught a flu-like illness/COVID-like illness (nine studies; 276,917 people); and probably makes little or no difference in how many people have flu/COVID confirmed by a laboratory test (six studies; 13,919 people).

It also found little evidence of a difference from wearing better masks and that wearing N95/P2 respirators probably makes little to no difference in how many people have confirmed flu (five studies; 8407 people); and may make little to no difference in how many people catch a flu-like illness (five studies; 8407 people), or respiratory illness (three studies; 7799 people).

Again, I expect that these studies will be debated for years. That is a good thing. There are questions raised over the types of studies used and whether randomized studies are sufficient. The point is only that there were countervailing indicators on mask efficacy and a basis to question the mandates. Yet, there was no real debate because of the censorship supported by many Democratic leaders in social media. To question such mandates was declared a public health threat.

The head of the World Health Organization even supported censorship to combat what he called an infodemic.

Scientists previously objected

Suspending @ClareCraigPath impoverishes the discussion about covid on @Twitter. The Twitter interns who made this decision do not know more about medicine or covid than she does. pic.twitter.com/690hiI2h9P  Jay Bhattacharya (@DrJBhattacharya) August 21, 2022

to the suspension of Dr. Clare Craig after she raised concerns about Pfizer trial documents. Those doctors were the co-authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, which advocated for a more focused Covid response that targeted the most vulnerable population rather than widespread lockdowns and mandates. Many are now questioning the efficacy and cost of the massive lockdown as well as the real value of masks or the rejection of natural immunities as an alternative to vaccination. Yet, these experts and others were attacked for such views just a year ago. Some found themselves censored on social media for challenging claims of Dr. Fauci and others.

The media has quietly acknowledged the science questioning mask efficacy and school closures without addressing its own role in attacking those who raised these objections. Even raising the lab theory on the origin of Covid 19 (a theory now treated as plausible) was denounced as a conspiracy theory. The science and health reporter for the New York Times, Apoorva Mandavilli, even denounced the theory as racist.

Yet, Mattingly and others are defending censorship by repeating a tautology: the government must seek the censorship of ideas because some ideas must be censored. Governments have always claimed that censorship of critics and dissenters is for the publics best interest. They have always defined certain views as harmful or false.

Now, however, major media figures are shrugging off free speech concerns and supporting censorship as what former CNN media host CNN media correspondent Brian Stelter called a harm reduction model. While once fiercely opposed to censorship and government-supported blacklists, many in the media are echoing Mattinglys view that the natural default should be to obey the government and its directions on permitted speech. After all, this is all for our own protection. Censorship just makes sense.

Read more at: JonathanTurley.org
Former researcher at Wuhan lab reveals COVID-19 was developed by the CCP as a BIOWEAPON

A former researcher at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in China's Hubei province revealed that the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) was intentionally developed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) as a bioweapon.

Erstwhile WIV researcher-turned-whistleblower Chao Shao disclosed that the CCP ordered testing of coronavirus strains with the goal of human contagion. During the interview with the Jerusalem Post conducted by human rights activist and author Jennifer Zeng, he said some of his fellow researchers disappeared during the 2019 Military World Games in Wuhan.

One of his colleagues claimed they were sent to hotels to inspect "health and hygiene conditions." However, Shao thinks that this could have been a scheme to spread COVID-19 because hygiene examinations do not require virologists. The researchers at the WIV backed by U.S. infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci were ordered by "a superior" to identify the most contagious strain of the COVID-19 virus. (Related: Gain-of-function means bioweapon: Musk blasts Fauci for overseeing creation of COVID-19.)

One WIV researcher named Shan Chao admitted to being provided with the four strains of coronavirus by a superior. He was instructed to test these strains and determine which one had the greatest potential to infect multiple species, with a particular emphasis on human infections.

The whistleblower himself was sent to Xinjiang in April 2020 to examine the health status of the Uyghur population imprisoned in reeducation camps. He was presumably tasked with expediting their release. But with the irrelevance of virology expertise in conducting health checks, Shao believes he was sent to Xinjiang either to facilitate the virus's spread or to study its effects on humans.

His shocking revelation adds proof to the theory that the coronavirus leaked from the WIV, which corporate media outlets and the political class has often criticized as a "conspiracy theory." These disclosures should be concerning to the public, but the data Chao Shao revealed is only the tip of the iceberg.

All roads lead to the lab-leak theory

The true origin of the pandemic, which has claimed at least seven million lives worldwide, is still the subject of an ongoing investigation.

Genetic evidence collected by Chinese researchers in January 2020, which was finally made public earlier this 2023, suggests that raccoon dogs and other wild animals at a market in Wuhan, China, the hub of many of the earliest human COVID-19 cases, could be the source. That same evidence puts SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen responsible for COVID-19, in many of those same market stalls. Experiments suggest that raccoon dogs can be infected with and transmit SARS-CoV-2.

These findings suggest a scenario where the virus spread to people at the market.

However, some scientists say that this is only circumstantial evidence that warrants further investigation, and that there is still the possibility of a "lab leak" at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To date, at least eight U.S. intelligence agencies have conducted their own investigations of SARS-CoV-2's origins.

Four agencies concluded with "low confidence" that a natural spillover from animals is most likely while two agencies think it was due to a lab leak with "low" or "moderate" confidence.

Two agencies remain undecided. The U.S. government has ordered information related to COVID-19 origins to be declassified.

Go to BiologicalWeapons.news to learn more about the possible origins of COVID-19.

Watch this video about the COVID-19 lab leak with Tommy Carrigan and Dr. Andrew Huff below.

This video is from the Tommy's Podcast channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Former CDC head: COVID-19 likely the result of gain-of function-research.

"Beijing hid the truth:" Marco Rubio publishes covid report.

BOMBSHELL: Dr. Peter Hotez deliberately misleads public in huge COVID ORIGINS COVER-UP involving Fauci-funded, CCP military lab research.

WHO turns on China, says Beijing hid crucial data on covid's origins for three years.

Col. Lawrence Sellin: Lab-created COVID-19 is part of China's biowarfare program.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

JPost.com

ScientificAmerican.com

Brighteon.com
Desperate French government trying to convince tourists that it is safe to visit the country despite ongoing rioting

Ongoing rioting across France has resulted in at least $1.1 billion in damage, according to newly released figures, and many are concerned the violence will hurt the countrys tourism industry.

Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux, the head of the French business group MEDEF, said that hundreds of members have reported being attacked during the rioting, with 300 bank branches, 200 stores and 250 tobacco shops among those affected.

Speaking to Le Parisien, he said the cost of the damage already exceeds a billion euros, but the true damage will ultimately be much harder to measure as footage of the violence impacts Frances tourism industry.

Tourism makes up around 10 percent of Frances GDP, and tourist spending hit a record of 58 billion euros last year. This year, however, it could take a sharp downturn if the continued rioting keeps visitors away.

Paris Tourist Office Head Jean-Francois Rial reports that a lot of tourists have already changed their plans. He stated: "We've already had thousands of cancellations. At the start of July, I think we're already looking at 20 to 25 percent cancellations in Paris among international customers, and I wouldn't be surprised if the figures were the same for the whole of France."

Tourists have already been victims of the violence, with the Chinese Consulate General complaining to the government of France that a tour bus of its citizens came under attack in Marseilles. Some of those on the bus were injured as windows were smashed, and the footage of the incident went viral.

France is so concerned about the loss of tourists that its Economy Minister, Bruno Le Maire, has been making appearances on foreign media insisting that the rioting is not going to impact tourists. While countries like the U.S., Canada and the U.K. have been encouraging citizens to exercise great caution while traveling there, Le Maire is downplaying the threat.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph yesterday, he said: "All the major democracies today are faced with this kind of problem" and added that "our British friends should be happy to visit France and have no fear."

He is also trying to convince foreign investors that the riots will not have an effect on the economy, saying the violence has no impact on the daily life of the 65 million French citizens and this will not have a deep impact on the French growth and the French economy."

More than 1,000 buildings have been damaged so far, including schools and town halls

Although specific numbers are still pending, more than 1,000 buildings have been damaged, burned or looted in the week of riots so far, including 254 police stations, several town halls, and 243 schools, dozens of which have been damaged significantly. It is believed that more than 5,800 vehicles have been burned, including not only private cars but also public transportation buses and trucks.

The rioting began in response to an incident on June 27 in which police shot a 17-year-old boy of Algerian descent during a traffic stop in the Parisian suburb of Nanterre. His death added fuel to tensions that have been brewing for many years about policing and racial profiling in some of the countrys lower-income suburbs, especially those made up of multiple ethnicities and migrants.

Last year, 13 people were killed in police traffic stops, and most of them were black or of Arab origin.

The officer who shot the young man has already been hit with a preliminary charge of voluntary homicide and placed in custody.

Most of the violence being seen right now is being carried out by minors, who are setting fires, looting, and throwing fireworks. In one high-profile incident, rioters fired rockets at the home of a mayor, injuring his children and wife in the process.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

Politico.eu

Forbes.com
Riot update: French right-wing influencer tells followers do nothing  let the Republic fall as its intended to

As riots continue throughout France following the police shooting of a North African teenager, with people losing their lives and sustaining serious injuries, there are unconfirmed rumors swirling around that French President Macron intends to shut down the internet to try to calm the chaos. Again, this is unverified, but if it is true, its probably less about quelling the rioting and more about stifling a certain very powerful voice who is speaking out right now in ways the Macron regime doesnt like. The popular French right-wing influencer known as Papacito has come up with a rather intriguing strategy to topple the corrupt globalist regime: DO NOTHING while France burns.

(Article republished from Revolver.news)

Papacitos message to his followers across France and Europe is pretty cut and dry. Instead of jumping in to tackle the violent migrants and left-wing Antifa-types who are clashing with the government, hes telling them to sit back and watch. He thinks they should let the Republic fall as its destined to, and then they can get cracking on putting it back together. Thats when the fight begins.

French far-right influencer Papacito to his followers: Do not intervene, let the Republic go to the end of its logic Via @JeffYoungerShowpic.twitter.com/dTEHrrbgpT  VBLs Ghost (@Sorenthek) July 3, 2023

Here is an even more fascinating and in-depth analysis of Papacitos directive from French right-wing podcaster Jean Francois Gariepy.

Papacito, a French commentator, totally nails it on what Europeans need to do in response to French riots: absolutely nothing. pic.twitter.com/FXP3zZYU5k  Jean-Francois Gariepy ? (@JFGariepy) July 3, 2023

Sadly, this situation offers a scary glimpse into what happens when you have an open border mentality  something we have, literally and figuratively, experienced right here at home. Ultimately, it will lead to a state of complete and total decay, destroying even those who invited the vermin in.

Read more at: Revolver.news
Harvard vows to continue making enrollment decisions based on AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, which the Supreme Court ruled UNCONSTITUTIONAL

The Supreme Court may have ruled last week that making enrollment decisions based on affirmative action is unconstitutional, but a defiant Harvard University has vowed to continue weighing race when deciding who can attend the prestigious school.

A memo that was issued to the Harvard community by President Lawrence Bacow on June 29 referred to a specific line in the Supreme Court ruling that says that colleges can consider an individuals discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise when deciding who can attend. According to the memo, admissions committees will use this part of the decision to continue making decisions based on affirmative action.

The memo reiterated: For almost a decade, Harvard has vigorously defended an admissions system that, as two federal courts ruled, fully complied with longstanding precedent. In the weeks and months ahead, drawing on the talent and expertise of our Harvard community, we will determine how to preserve, consistent with the Courts new precedent, our essential values.

The university maintains that a diverse student body is necessary for enhancing the learning environment and fostering creativity.

Some experts have criticized the school for going against the spirit of the ruling in such a blatant fashion, with Cornell Law School Professor William Jacobson tweeting: The Supreme Court gave universities a narrow opening, and Harvard just announced its going to drive an affirmative action truck right through it.

Steven Hayward, a government professor at UC Berkeley, wrote: As I predicted, colleges are determined to defy the Supreme Courts ruling today. Harvards new president issued a statement about how this is a hard day, along with a signal that they stand ready to find a workaround.

Several other colleges have also made no secret of their intention to skirt the decision. For example, Vermont Law & Graduate School has said that it will consider how identity in all its manifestations, including race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, or sexual orientation, among others, have affected an applicants life.

Although it may sound like this is a loophole that can allow them to do as they please, legal experts note that the ruling explicitly bans race from being used in decisions about admissions, even if it is through essays, and that the Harvard letter takes the ruling out of context.

The Supreme Court ruling states that universities may not simply establish through application essays or other means the regime we hold unlawful today.

Harvard sued over its legacy admissions policy

Meanwhile, Harvard is also facing a federal civil rights lawsuit claiming that it favors an overwhelmingly white group of legacy candidates in its admissions process. The complaint challenges the universitys discriminatory practice of giving preferential treatment in the admissions process to applicants with familial ties to wealthy donors and alumni (legacy applicants).

The group that filed the suit, the nonprofit Lawyers for Civil Rights, said that the complaint is even more crucial in light of the Supreme Courts ruling and the perceived effect it may have on students of color, despite the university already demonstrating a willingness to find a way around the ruling.

According to the complaint, 70 percent of Harvards legacy and donor-related applicants are white. It claims that around 28 percent of those admitted in 2019 had a parent or another relative who had attended the school. The overall admission rate for Harvard was just 6 percent from 2014 to 2019, but the admission rate for children of alumni during the same period was 33 percent.

Sources for this article include:

TheCollegeFix.com

NYPost.com
Super PAC raises more than $10M to support RFK Jr.s presidential campaign

A political action committee (PAC) supporting Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) has raised more than $10 million for his electoral campaign.

Tony Lyons, co-chair of the super-PAC American Values 2024, confirmed that his group raised $10.25 million for RFK Jr. on July 3. He said that amount included two "very large" donations that each exceed $1 million. Lyons added that the contributions came from a "right down the middle" mix of Republicans and Democrats.

But the precise level of fund-raising by American Values 2024 will not be known until later in July, when PACs file mid-year reports with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Lyons, who chairs the super-PAC, also owns Skyhorse Publishing  the publisher of RFK Jr.'s 2021 book "The Real Anthony Fauci." Skyhorse has also published several books about the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy, RFK Jr.'s uncle.

American Values 2024 was established in 2022 as the People's Pharma Movement and was bankrolled by contributions amounting to $500,000 from New York City investor Mark Gorton. The investor supporting RFK Jr.'s candidacy said he had known the Democratic presidential hopeful through the health freedom movement. The PAC was renamed to its current moniker this past spring, after RFK Jr. entered the race for the Democratic Party nomination in April.

According to Lyons, a majority of the $10.25 million has come since Kennedy's announcement. Officials at the super-PAC said as recently as the first week of June 2023, it received $5.7 million. Of this amount, nearly $5 million more arrived in the weeks before the June 30 FEC reporting deadline.

Lyons also commented on the range of political affiliations among the donors. He said: "There really are people across the political spectrum who feel he's going to fight corruption in government and corporate takeover of government agencies." (Related: RFK Jr. promises punishment against all government officials who committed crimes against humanity during covid: "Not retribution but justice!")

Other groups also raising money for RFK Jr.'s presidential run

Aside from American Values 2024, another group called Common Sense PAC is helping RFK Jr. raise money for his campaign. It was established in Los Angeles by Canadian actress Sofia Karstens in April of this year. Karstens, known for her appearances in "Lovelace" and "Bad Blood," has also been active in the health freedom movement.

In June, the Common Sense PAC hosted a fund-raiser in San Francisco with two tech investors. The said event featuring Paypal founding CEO David Sacks and Social Capital CEO Chamath Palihapitiya raised nearly $1 million. However, Karstens did not have the PAC's latest total fund-raising numbers immediately available as of press time.

Both PACs are separate from RFK Jr.'s campaign, which sent out requests to hit a $5 million goal to close out its first full quarter of fund-raising. The campaign boasted a $1 million haul in a 24-hour period on June 30.

Former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), who now serves as RFK Jr.'s campaign manager, said the campaign is expected to make a fundraising announcement soon. Official numbers will be filed with the FEC later in July, he added.

The 69-year-old RFK Jr. has framed his candidacy as a bid to "heal the divide" in American politics. He is up against Joe Biden, who has the Democratic National Committee and a robust donor infrastructure behind him.

Based on recent polls, 20 percent of the Democrats support RFK Jr. His popularity ranks high even among non-Democrats, with a June poll by Quinnipiac University finding that 40 percent of Republicans and 31 percent of independents have a favorable view of him.

Visit VoteDemocrat.news for more stories about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential campaign.

Watch this video that talks about RFK Jr. having the support of both InfoWars founder Alex Jones and former President Donald Trump.

This video is from the Katy Odin channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

RFK Jr. likes his chances against Biden in 2024 presidential primaries.

TruNews: Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s presidential bid a BIG THREAT to the Deep State.

RFK Jr. commits to making America an EXEMPLARY DEMOCRACY again in 2024 presidential bid.

RFK Jr. on corporate media not putting his name in polls: That's OK. All we have to do is win the election.

RFK Jr. tied with Biden in primary poll, 20% of Democrats say they'd vote for Kennedy or Trump over Biden.

Sources include:

DNYUZ.com

Brighteon.com
Target to spend $5 billion on its stores to prevent them from shutting down

Big box retailer Target is spending $5 billion on its stores nationwide as part of a wider strategy to keep them profitable and prevent them from shutting down.

The investment is a response to new and old issues faced by the company as well as other big box retailers, including the rise in online shopping, the recent boycott causing profits to plummet and the ongoing threat from shoplifting and other organized retail crime incidents. (Related: Target on pace to lose $1.2 billion in profits over a two-year period due to organized retail crime which is only getting worse.)

The company claims the changes will improve customer experience and emphasize the company's drive to diversify its products away from grocery items and toward apparel, electronics and home goods.

Target's $5 billion strategy has three main prongs: security, store renovations and "Drive Up Returns."

"Drive Up Returns" is a new service Target is hoping to introduce that will allow customers to return unwanted items without getting out of their cars. This will allow guests to "return most new, unopened items within 90 days of purchase."

"Drive Up Returns will be available on purchases made through guests' Target.com accounts. Before heading to their Target store, guests can initiate a return through a guided experience in the Target.app," read Target's statement announcing the new program. "Guests then follow the normal Drive Up process to return their order, and wait in their car for a team member to pick up and complete their return."

In its second tactic, Target is also looking to renovate many of its existing stores and open new, more modern stores that will entice customers to come into their retail spaces.

"Many of the new stores will include new design elements that reflect the local community, experiences that highlight new brands, assortment and services and sustainable features," said the company.

In addition, Target will also be providing additional investments out of the $5 billion budget it has allotted to about 175 of its existing stores to conduct additional renovations, many of which include creating additions to the stores to include brand partners like Ulta Beauty and Apple.

Finally, Target is planning to spend a significant chunk of this budget to increase security in every one of its stores in response to escalating organized retail crime. Target Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell said the company would make "significant investments in strategies" to prevent theft of merchandise "and protect our guests and our team" from criminal elements.

In addition to these three main prongs in the company's strategy, Target is also planning to launch or expand over 10 company-owned brands, "bringing thousands of new, differentiated products to guests at incredible prices."

Organized retail crime represents a multi-billion dollar problem for major retailers

In the company's latest earnings release in mid-May, Target disclosed that it projected a significant $500 million decline in profits primarily caused by inventory shrinkage, including theft of merchandise, especially from organized retail crime incidents.

During an earnings call, Cornell expressed concern about the escalating issue of merchandise theft, emphasizing its widespread impact on various merchandise departments nationwide. Cornell emphasized that this problem was also not showing signs of improvement, but rather growing more severe over time.

"The unfortunate fact is violent incidents are increasing at our stores and across the entire retail industry. And when products are stolen, simply put they are no longer available for guests who depend on them," said Cornell. "Left unchecked, organized retail crime degrades the communities we call home. As we work to address this problem, the safety of our guests and our team members will always be our primary concern. Beyond safety concerns, worsening shrink rates are putting significant pressure on our financial results."

This problem is something every major retailer in the United States is facing. The trade group the Retail Industry Leaders Association warned that organized retail crime in the U.S. cost retailers nearly $70 billion in 2020, and association Senior Vice President of Communications and Marketing Jason Brewer warned the situation has "gotten exponentially worse" in the succeeding years.

When major retailers' profit margins take a hit, the companies typically look to raise prices for shoppers. This means that, in the end, consumers bear the cost of retailers' losses to organized retail crime.

Major retailers Walmart, Dollar Tree, Home Depot, Foot Locker and Ulta Beauty have all disclosed that organized retail crime is causing severe problems at their stores.

Learn more about the flailing fortunes of many American corporations at MarketCrash.news.

Watch this short episode of the "Health Ranger Report" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses how American can help bankrupt Target without even lifting a finger.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Gay mafia terrorizes Target with BOMB THREATS for dropping LGBT clothing collection from its stores.

Target LOSES $14 BILLION in market value as backlash over controversial "Pride" collection continues.

Target VP of brand management is board member of GLSEN  a radical LGBTQ group that promotes grooming pornography and filth in classrooms.

Target loses $9 BILLION in week following boycott calls over LGBTQ-friendly kids clothing.

Major retailers will keep shutting down their stores until organized retail crime gets under control.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NYPost.com

PYMNTS.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
UK on track to become a FULLY CASHLESS NATION by 2035 as use of cash declines rapidly

The United Kingdom is on track to become a fully cashless nation by 2035 as more and more adults, spurred on by government incentives, resort to using digital payment options.

In 2012, around 60 percent of all transactions in the U.K. were still conducted using physical currency. At this rate, by the end of the decade transactions using cash notes and coins will account for just six percent of payments, and by 2035 virtually all transactions will be conducted through debit and credit cards or a form of digital payment system. (Related: Top Bank of England official warns cash is becoming "less usable" as more people opt for digital payments.)

The Guardian already reported that in 2021, more than 23 million people in the U.K.  which has a population of around 67 million  used virtually no cash, with debit cards being the most-used non-cash method of payment. Cash transactions only accounted for 15 percent of all payments that year.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also rejected calls from within his own party for shops and establishments to be mandated to accept cash payments.

"We know that cash continues to be used by millions of people, particularly those in vulnerable groups  but as technology and consumer behavior changes, it is right that organizations themselves should be able to choose the forms of payment that they will accept."

In a poll of 1,006 people, the Daily Express found that 92 percent of the media outlet's readers are worried about the U.K. becoming a cashless society.

"I find it quite appalling that shops and businesses refuse to accept the country's legal tender via cash payment," remarked one survey participant. "It is wrong that businesses choose what means of payment they accept."

"Anyone who welcomes this is not thinking straight," remarked another participant. "It is lethal, it means the government and other agencies know all your business and there is nothing private. Why should we hand over this power to our government? It should not be happening and people need to say no."

Media outlet launches "Don't Kill Cash" campaign

British media outlet GB News has launched the "Don't Kill Cash" campaign in an effort to get the U.K. government to slow down the speed at which British society is becoming cashless, which they warn threatens to leave vulnerable people who rely on cash behind "by the relentless march of technology."

GB News' goal is to get enough signatures on its petition to allow for debates in the British Parliament regarding the digitization of financial transactions.

"The financial exclusion has to stop," warned GB News Head of Digital News Dan Falvey. "More than five million adults still rely on cash in the U.K. and it's used in six billion transactions every year, but there are strong vested interests pushing for it to be permanently replaced by debit and credit cards and other electronic payments. These cost ordinary Britons more in the long run and enable third parties to track people and their spending."

"There's a lot of older people, in particular, who need cash. They haven't got smartphones, they want to use cash," said GB News Economics and Business Editor Liam Halligan. "And also, if everything is not cash, if everything's bank transfers, every single transaction we do can be monitored by banks and, therefore, potentially by the state. A lot of people are concerned about that as well."

Around 75 percent of people in the U.K. over the age of 65 with a bank account said they want to continue conducting at least one banking task in person at a bank branch, building society or post office.

"From paying for necessities at the corner shop to paying tradespeople like window cleaners, cash is easy to use and the most trusted means to settle small bills," said Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, an advocacy organization for senior citizens in the United Kingdom. "The remorseless drive to digital transactions through smartphones and apps is isolating millions of older people from modern society and it is totally unnecessary."

"If cash disappears, it will have to be reinvented almost immediately, to oil the wheels of commercial transaction," he added. "We get regular reports from members that they are finding it difficult to access and spend cash. It's another isolating factor for older people and it's of great concern."

Learn more about the unrelenting advance of digital finance at CurrencyCrash.news.

Watch this clip from GB News discussing the "Don't Kill Cash" campaign and the consequences of transitioning to a fully cashless society with Liam Halligan.

This video is from the channel Make Earth Great Again on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

DIGITAL PRISON: ALDI grocery stores in London now requiring digital, cashless purchases.

Beware of REVERSE ATMs that take your cash, demand your identity, then dispense a debit card you can use to shop  these are SPYING machines.

Kiss your autonomy goodbye: One-world digital currency receives endorsement to replace fiat money.

Brave New Europe: Pay fine and go directly to JAIL if you use more than $1,000 in cash.

European Parliament to criminalize physical cash use by imposing limit on cash transactions.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

TheGuardian.com

Express.co.uk

GBNews.com

TheConversation.com

ThisIsMoney.co.uk
Anti-life group lobbies for BC Canada Catholic hospitals to carry out ASSISTED SUICIDE

A pro-euthanasia lobbying group is coercing the British Columbia provincial government to mandate all Catholic hospitals in the Canadian province to provide euthanasia or assisted suicide when a patient requests it. Dying With Dignity Canada (DWDC) is asking for reinforcement from the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) provincial government to work on their "dignified-death request" for the qualified ones.

According to Vancouver Sun, DWDC started their massive lobbying campaign after 34-year-old Samantha O'Neill was transferred on April 4 from the Catholic-run St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver to St. John's Hospice, run by Vancouver Coastal Health, where she was given the life-ending medical assistance in dying (MAID). St. Pauls' denied O'Neill's request to be euthanized to end her suffering from stage 4 cervical cancer. Her family and the "anti-life" group argued that it was unacceptable that a taxpayer-funded hospital like St. Paul's forces dying patients to leave its facility just to get MAID from another "healthcare" institution.

"It's such a heartbreaking situation. The whole point of MAID is to die with dignity," said her cousin Taryn Bodrug, who lives in Victoria and was with O'Neill in her final days. "She didn't get that. There was no dignity in getting transferred to another place for a matter of policy." But St. Paul's, run by Providence Health Care, is a "Catholic health care community dedicated to meeting the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of those served through compassionate care, teaching and research." The hospital does not offer MAID to apply the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.

As per LifeSiteNews, St Paul's is a non-profit and funded mainly through the government as are all Catholic hospitals but it is afforded some level of autonomy due to religious beliefs.

The Catholic medical institution is set to receive $2 billion in new taxpayer funding in 2027, which DWDC fights to stop just because MAID is not offered to requesting patients such as O'Neill.

In a letter published in the Vancouver Sun, the chair of the DWDC Metro Vancouver chapter Alex Muir said that it is "horrific" that O'Neill had to be "forced transfer" to a hospice that would comply with her request to be killed.

"The province has the power and the financial leverage to change this but lacks the political will due to Providence Health Care's prominence in our publicly funded health care system. Shame all around," wrote Muir.

Survey: Majority of Canadians support access to MAID, believe all publicly funded medical facilities are obliged to offer it

Information provided by DWDC indicated that a new national poll conducted by Ipsos Reid demonstrated that Canadians continue to support access to MAID. DWDC CEO Helen Long said that the survey results showed overwhelming support for equitable access to assisted death for those who meet the criteria.

The figures came out showing that 73 percent of Canadians believe that publicly funded healthcare facilities should be required to provide the full range of healthcare services, including MAID, if they have the proper equipment and staff to do so. This includes 72 percent of those who identify as Catholic and 75 percent of British Columbians. (Related: Survey: Nearly 3 in 10 Canadians believe the poor and homeless should be eligible for assisted suicide.)

Furthermore, another 73 percent believed that clinicians must put patients' primary interests ahead of their own morals and values and 81 percent agreed that a clinician should direct the patient to the assisted dying team in the local health authority. Interestingly, those who identify as Catholic or Protestant also support this approach, with 82 percent and 77 percent respectively.

"We know that patients admitted to publicly funded health care facilities with religious affiliation have experienced forced transfers to another location to receive health care, such as MAID, that the facility opposes," explain Daphne Gilbert, professor of law at the University of Ottawa and Vice Chair of DWDC's board of directors. "Clinicians can conscientiously object to practices that conflict with their values, but a building cannot; a building does not have a conscience."

Long meanwhile added that their mission is to improve the quality of dying and protect the end-of-life rights of people across Canada.

"The recent findings in the Ipsos poll, confirm that our advocacy efforts reflect what a majority of people across Canada support and want in place; this includes timely referrals for continuous health care, fair access to end-of-life care and compassion for those who suffer intolerably," she added.

The survey involved 3,502 Canadians aged 18 years and above from June 7 to 12. Weighting was employed to ensure that the sample's composition reflects the overall population according to the latest census information, according to DWDC.

Visit Euthanasia.news for more news related to medically assisted suicide done in hospitals.

Watch the video below that talks about assisted suicide and how fragile public opinion on this is.

This video is from the CHP Canada channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Canada attempting to expand EUTHANASIA program to allow assisted suicide of the mentally ill.

Canada expands euthanasia "mercy" killing to ensnare societys most vulnerable, including children.

OFFING THE POOR: Canadian man facing homelessness applies for medically assisted death.

Aussie scientist promotes ASSISTED SUICIDE in Scotland using DIY death pods.

Killing children: Canadian Paediatric Society proposes legalizing "medical assistance in dying" (assisted suicide) for children.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

VancouverSun.com

NewsWire.ca

Brighteon.com
The company you keep: White House logs show Biden meeting with far-left smear factory tied to terrorism

Staff and leadership at the radical Southern Poverty Law Center have frequently visited the Biden White House, according to White House visitor logs. Collaboration between the federal government and the SPLC should alarm Americans as the federal government ramps up its weaponization of domestic law enforcement and intelligence agencies.

(Article by Ben Collier and Tyler O'Neil republished from DailySignal.com)

White House records show that members of the SPLC have visited the White House at least 11 times over the short span of three years. These meetings mostly involved Biden himself, referred to as POTUS  an acronym for president of the United States  and typically featured officials from his Cabinet. These frequent consultations indicate that the Left and the Biden administration continue to collaborate closely in the hunt for so-called hate groups.

As this articles co-author Tyler ONeil wrote in his book Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center, the SPLC has leveraged its history in suing the Klu Klux Klan into bankruptcy by branding mainstream conservative and Christian groups hate groups, placing them on a map with KKK chapters.

SPLC Chief Policy Officer LaShawn Warren most recently visited the White House to meet with POTUS on Feb. 16, 2023. Shortly afterward the White House tapped the SPLC to serve on a coalition curbing antisemitism. Brandon Jones, SPLCs director of political campaigns, met with Amanda Trocola, deputy social secretary to the vice president, in December 2022; and Joseph Levin, emeritus member of the SPLCs board of directors, twice met with Cynthia Bernstein, the director of management and administration for the Office of the Vice President.

A Jan. 6 meeting between SPLC Intelligence Project Director Susan Corke and National Security Council Counterterrorism Director John Picarelli garnered more public attention, considering the SPLCs later decision to add parental rights groups to its hate map. The project the SPLC launched to monitor the Klan, the Intelligence Project, now publishes the hate map.

The Corke meeting occurred six months prior to the SPLCs public condemnation of grassroots parent groups such as Moms for Liberty and Parents Defending Education. The SPLC listed these parental rights groups on its hate map in the company of neo-Nazis and the KKK.

As the Biden administration continues to meet with SPLC members, we can expect a second wave of persecution targeted at mainstream Christian and conservative groups.

SPLC advocacy has been associated with several violent conflicts on the national stage, including but not limited to a physical assault on American Enterprise Institute scholar Charles Murray. Prior to the attack, the SPLC frivolously labeled Murray a white nationalist, isolating him as a target for extreme leftist groups. As a result, a mob physically assaulted Murray and severely injured one of his colleagues.

Similarly, a gunman confessed that the SPLCs hate map inspired him orchestrate a shooting of the Family Research Council headquarters in 2012. A security guard heroically apprehended the gunman but got shot in the process. Despite these events, to date, the SPLC has kept FRC on its hate map.

In more recent news, SPLC lawyer Thomas Webb Jurgens faces domestic terrorism charges after police arrested him following a violent barrage of Molotov cocktails and rocks thrown at an Atlanta police training facility. The agitators, including Jurgens, destroyed multiple pieces of construction equipment at the facility critics brand Cop City. The agitators did not injure anyone, but police said the situation created a threat of grave bodily harm. The SPLC stated that Jurgens was performing a public service, documenting potential violations of protesters rights.

Public scrutiny has raised certain questions about the SPLCs motives and institutional integrity. In 2019, the SPLC fired its co-founder, Morris Dees, due to reported workplace misconduct including racial discrimination and sexual harassment. ONeils book, referenced above, recognizes that Dees personal missteps seem somewhat representative of the SPLCs shortcomings as an organization.

Indeed, Bob Moser, a former SPLC employee who left the center amid Dees dismissal, publicly admitted that the SPLC has been running a cash-grab scheme disguised as a noble effort for racial justice. Moser described the SPLCs hate accusations as a highly profitable scam.

In the wake of these appalling incidents the SPLC has faced several defamation lawsuits over its erroneous accusations.

The SPLC paid a large settlement to Muslim reformer Maajid Nawaz after condemning him as an Anti-Muslim Extremist. Additionally, D.A. Kings Dustin Inman Society cleared a major hurdle in its defamation lawsuit, which now enters the discovery phase. The SPLC previously and publicly stated that the Dustin Inman Society was, in fact, not a hate group before it conveniently switched footing as the two organizations politically locked horns.

In fact, Moser previously worked on Kings profile for the SPLCs Intelligence Project and at that time he admitted that the first iteration of Kings organization was not a hate group.

The federal government continues to rely on the SPLC despite the organizations questionable methods and unpalatable track record. This trend raises serious concerns about future domestic policy under the Biden administration, especially in the light of new regulations on school curriculum and gender issues. The Biden administration also has a track record of targeting concerned parents and working with third parties to compare them to domestic terrorists.

SPLC Visitation Index

Warren, LaShawn with POTUS on Feb. 16, 2023

with POTUS on Feb. 16, 2023 Corke, Susan with John Picarelli on Jan. 6, 2023

with John Picarelli on Jan. 6, 2023 Levine, Joseph with Cynthia Bernstein on Dec. 30, 2022

with Cynthia Bernstein on Dec. 30, 2022 Levine, Joseph with Cynthia Bernstein on Dec. 28, 2022

with Cynthia Bernstein on Dec. 28, 2022 Jones, Brandon with Amanda Trocola on Dec. 6, 2022

with Amanda Trocola on Dec. 6, 2022 Anderson, Kirsten with POTUS on Nov. 30, 2022

with POTUS on Nov. 30, 2022 Warren, LaShawn with POTUS on Sept. 15, 2022

with POTUS on Sept. 15, 2022 Bekenstein, Joshua with POTUS on Sept. 13, 2022

with POTUS on Sept. 13, 2022 Levine, Joseph with POTUS on July 4, 2022

with POTUS on July 4, 2022 Clanton, Waikinya with POTUS on April 8, 2022

with POTUS on April 8, 2022 Huang, Margaret with POTUS on May 20, 2021

White-House-Visitation-Logs

Read more at: DailySignal.com
French media says vigilante gang zip-tying rioters are ransacking the country, local officials say its a lie

An alleged vigilante group armed withis allegedly roving France in search of rioters to apprehend  or so we are told. According to local mayors, no such vigilante group exists  but people who think they see one are encouraged to call local police to report any incidents they witness.

Witnesses claim to have seen an anti-thug brigade, described as a "brigade anticasseur" in French, going around tying up rioters in the port town of Lorlent, Brittany. The incident was reported on by local newspaper Le Telegramme.

The media outlet, citing claims made by said witnesses, reported that a group of between 20 and 30 "young, hooded men" wearing balaclavas and gloves was seen performing unofficial arrests in Lorlent, Brittany, without the presence of actual police officers.

"Using zip-ties to restrain alleged rioters, the men are said to have then handed their captures onto the regular police on Friday night as well as having been seen putting out fires," another report explains, citing a different French media outlet that reported much the same thing.

"Described as strongly physically built, fast-moving, and proceeding in a tightly-packed group, a report in Ouest France says one member of the group told a journalist that he couldn't reveal their identities but that 'we are on the good side' and that the group was a spontaneous meeting of friends to protect the city-centre."

(Related: Check out our earlier coverage to learn more about the unrest that is said to be spreading across France in response to a police shooting incident.)

When authorities lose the plot, vigilante justice increasingly fills the void

On the night when the nationwide riots began prior to Independence Day in the United States, French authorities deployed some 45,000 police officers to try to keep the peace. Those efforts were unsuccessful in preventing the torching and destruction of one of France's oldest historical public libraries in Marseille.

In an attempt to help police, these alleged vigilantes are going around trying to apprehend the rioters, including in another town where a local business was vandalized. Using a "visibly well-honed technique," including punching rioters in the face, if necessary, the movement has been making waves throughout the media for its efforts to restore peace in France.

French police say they have no idea who the vigilantes are, but welcome their assistance in bringing the perpetrators to justice. One officer told Le Telegramme that he and his fellow officers "let it happen at the start of the evening because it relieved us," referring to the vigilantes who were seen zip-tying the hands of criminals in a similar way to handcuffs.

Two members of the vigilante group reportedly spoke with J'aime Radio, revealing on the condition of anonymity that the original plan was simply to stand side-by-side with police forces while not actually getting involved. That plan changed once the group observed how few officers there are compared to the large number of rioters roving the streets of France committing acts of terrorism.

When asked by the radio station if they have any "far-right" connections, one of the members, a woman, said "no, we are just people who want to save France because France is going to ruin."

This same woman went on to reveal that her group's belief is that the killing of an Algerian-heritage "teen" by a French police officer last week is simply an excuse, much like the George Floyd psy-op was, for "youths" to go on rioting and looting sprees.

"We are patriots who love France," remarked another member, a man, to J'aime Radio.

More of the latest news about the situation on the ground in France can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

Breitbart.com

NaturalNews.com
Google Cloud launches AI-powered anti-money laundering tool for banks, paving the way for Orwellian financial surveillance

Google Cloud has launched a tool powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to combat money laundering. The tool could pave the way for surveillance when tied with the so-called social credit system, however.

The cloud computing subsidiary of the search engine giant launched the Anti Money Laundering AI (AML AI) tool, which is designed to detect illicit financial activities, last June 21. AML AI seeks to address the limitations of traditional rules-based systems that rely heavily on human monitoring. According to ZeroHedge, these traditional systems to detect money laundering have limitations  including heavy reliance on human monitoring and low rates of identifying suspicious transactions.

Current anti-money laundering products predominantly employ manually defined rules and require substantial resources to monitor the vast number of transactions within the financial industry. Google Cloud's AML AI makes use of machine learning to overcome this hurdle, enabling the tool to swiftly identify high-risk retail and commercial customers. It provides more accurate results and alleviates the workload for banking units responsible for monitoring suspicious activities.

According to Google Cloud, using AML AI gives banks several advantages over existing systems. These include increased risk detection; lower operational costs; improved governance and defensibility; and an enhanced customer experience.

HSBC is one such customer that has adopted the Google Cloud tool. The Wall Street Journal said that AML AI "cut the number of alerts HSBC received by as much as 60%, while increasing their accuracy."

Jennifer Calvery, HSBC's group head of financial crime risk and compliance, reiterated the benefits of AML AI for the banking giant. According to her, "it has significantly improved the precision of their financial crime detection, reduced alert volumes and accelerated the analysis of billions of transactions from weeks to mere days."

Big Brother AI is looking at your bank account

Back in early June, ZeroHedge's Tyler Durden noted a similar endeavor pushed by the Bank of International Settlements (BIS) called Project Aurora. The project is designed to make use of AI as a tool  in the same way as Google Cloud's AML AI  to monitor vast flows of financial transactions from all over the world in order to identify specifically flagged patterns.

According to the BIS, Project Aurora is meant to discover criminal money laundering structures protected by "money mules." However, some remain skeptical about the potential benefits of anti-money laundering tools driven by machine learning.

According to critics, machine learning algorithms may not accurately capture the nuanced contextual information needed to identify actual risks. Some even speculate that the reliance on AI and the push for a cashless society may contribute to a "Big Brother" scenario similar to George Orwell's "1984."

Tools such as AML AI would enable banks worldwide immediate access to anyone's account worldwide. In a similar way, this would enable globalists to target individuals labeled as "offenders" with impunity, as identified by the algorithm. (Related: AI spy program launched to monitor global bank transactions for "money laundering," but people know it's just an EXCUSE to surveil their private accounts.)

Moreover, there are concerns that, similar to how the War on Drugs was used as justification for governments to obtain unrestricted access to citizen finances, fear of money laundering could be used to grant governments and global banks extensive surveillance powers through AML AI. These powers have been abused in various ways, such as by freezing accounts based on mere suspicions of a crime rather than an actual conviction.

While the project emphasizes the use of AI as a means to help financial institutions detect suspicious financial activities, it is essential to remember that AI programs serve their creators. Whoever controls the AI also controls the selection of targets for surveillance.

Watch this video about Google Cloud's AML AI tool.

This video is from The Talking Hedge channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

NYDFS fines Robinhoods crypto division $30M over anti-money laundering and cybersecurity-related issues.

US Treasury group blacklists cryptocurrency mixer Tornado Cash over predictable money laundering claims.

The one-world digital currency is almost here  but first they have to collapse the global financial system to make way for it.

Credit Suisse found guilty of being unable to prevent money laundering by drug ring.

Money laundering: Joe Bidens brother sent bank wiring instructions to spy chief of China.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com 1

WSJ.com

ZeroHedge.com 2

Brighteon.com
James OKeefe wins major lawsuit in Oregon as court rules anti-recording laws UNCONSTITUTIONAL

A law in the state of Oregon that prohibits recording people has been struck down by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, vindicating undercover investigative journalist James O'Keefe of Project Veritas.

O'Keefe and Project Veritas sued the state back in 2020 over the matter, arguing that he and his group have a right to engage in undercover journalism and record people without their consent  and the courts agreed.

"WON in Ninth Circuit," O'Keefe celebrated after the win. "Federal Appeals Court STRIKES DOWN Oregon criminal recording law."

In its ruling, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals did not hold back in declaring the former Oregon law unconstitutional.

"It violates the 1st amendment right to free speech, INVALID ON ITS FACE," the court said.

O'Keefe explained further why Oregon Revised Statute 165.540(1)(c) is invalid as it pertains to undercover journalism:

"This law prohibited anyone from making an audio recording unless that person 'specifically informed' others they were recording. But the law also included special permissions from the government to allow for non-notified recording of the police, but not any other government employee."

"That just leaves the government putting its thumb on the lens of newsgathering, deciding which news is easiest to get and skewing reporting. Like the Ninth Circuit has explained before, whatever concerns Oregon has over shoddy reporting or 'fake news,' the remedy for speech that is false is speech that is true and not the suppression of speech."

(Related: Check out the undercover footage O'Keefe captured a few months back showing that Fox News fired Tucker Carlson at the order of Dominion and the pharmaceutical industry.)

The First Amendment wins while leftists lose

Circuit Judge Sandra S. Ikuta out of the Ninth Circuit in Pasadena, Calif., authored the ruling opinion, stating that "Oregon does not have a compelling interest in protecting individuals' conversational privacy from other individuals' protected speech in places open to the public, even if that protected speech consists of creating audio or visual recordings of other people."

In other words, it is unreasonable for the law to prohibit people from capturing public speech, even if the person speaking in public does not realize that he or she is being recorded. If you say something out loud in public, then it is reasonable to expect that someone might record it legally.

This is a major slap in the face to free speech-hating leftists who believe that all their dirty deeds, no matter how much they speak about them in public, should remain hidden at all times under threat of litigation. Where in the Constitution does it say that this is how the First Amendment works, we wonder?

"Great news just in time for Independence Day," one commenter wrote in celebration of O'Keefe's victory.

"If the 9th went against the state of Oregon, I sure hope they don't waste taxpayer dollars to appeal," wrote another.

"They probably won't," responded another. "They don't have their buddies in the Supreme Court anymore."

Numerous others wrote that the courts are slowly but surely chipping away at the leftist agenda with these kinds of rulings, "one by one, piece by piece" until it "caves."

"The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals if the most liberal appeals court in the country," someone else wrote. "That they ruled in O'Keefe's favor is unbelievable."

Another praised former President Donald Trump for packing the judicial system with his own right-leaning nominees.

"Yes, there is still corruption and many anti-constitutionalist judges remain in office, but Trump was taking it in the right direction to restore the republic," this person added.

James O'Keefe is one of the good guys. Learn more at Journalism.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

Newstarget.com
NASA plans to MINE THE MOON by early 2030s, says rocket scientist

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has plans to start mining for resources on the moon by the next decade.

Gerald Sanders, a rocket scientist at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, said America's space agency will at the beginning look into the development of oxygen and water on the moon and will later contemplate exploiting minerals on the moon like iron and rare earth minerals.

"We are trying to invest in the exploration phase, understand the resources to [lower] risk, such that external investment makes sense that could lead to development and production," Sanders announced at a mining industry event in Australia.

Sanders noted that the upcoming Artemis manned mission to the moon will collect knowledge that the agency could then use to measure the resources available on the moon so NASA can draw up future plans for exploration and mining activities. (Related: Are people really considering going to the moon to mine?)

"We are literally just scratching the surface," Sanders said, pertaining to the Moon's possible resources.

Sanders mentioned that NASA will ship a test drill to the Moon's surface while also stating that massive mining activities are planned for 2032. The agency is also working to create a processing plant for whatever resources are found.

Scientists are hoping expanding mining possibilities on the moon will also lead to the expansion of commercial opportunities in space. Commercial rocket companies and private space corporations are expected to be among the first customers, using the moon's resources for fuel.

Mining on the moon now a real possibility

For decades, the possibility of mining on the moon was considered mostly a trope of science fiction stories. Now, governments and their respective space agencies are implementing programs and legislation to join the race to exploit the moon's mineral resources.

In 2015, former President Barack Obama signed a law granting American citizens the right to own resources mined in space. This law was seen as encouraging investments into projects for mining in space. His successor, former President Donald Trump, signed an executive order in 2020 encouraging citizens to mine the moon and other celestial bodies with commercial purposes.

The Australian Space Agency (ASA) is already working with NASA to make both of their dreams of possibly mining on the moon a reality, with the agency developing a semi-autonomous rover that can take regolith, or moon soil, samples of the moon on a NASA mission as early as 2026. The rover will help realize NASA's plans of larger-scale excavations of regolith.

The rover will collect lunar soil containing samples of oxygen and other forms of oxides, and NASA hopes to extract that oxygen.

"This  is a key step towards establishing a sustainable human presence on the moon, as well [as] supporting future missions to Mars," said ASA Assistant Director Samuel Webster.

Private initiatives are now also exploring the possibility of mining celestial bodies like the moon, as well as potentially some asteroids further out in the solar system. Companies like Planetary Resources, Deep Space Industries and AstroForge have made similar plans about launching mining expeditions into space.

Follow Space.news for more news about the moon missions.

Watch this clip from Next News Network discussing how China is planning to establish a base on the moon before the U.S. does and thereby dominate this new phase of space exploration.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

NASAs next lunar mission could discover existence of life on the moon.

China to begin construction of LUNAR BASE using moon soil.

NASA confirms water on sunlit areas of the moon.

Space race? Russia to partner with China to build the first lunar base after rejecting US space deal.

Sources include:

GlobalResearch.ca

TheGuardian.com

Mining.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Proud Boys fined $1.03M for burning BLM sign during 2020 riots  but no penalties for BLM rioters who destroyed a lot more

The Proud Boys have been fined for tearing down and burning a Black Lives Matter (BLM) sign posted outside a Washington, D.C. church back in 2020.

According to the New York Post, D.C. Superior Court Associate Judge Neal Kravitz ordered the alt-right group to pay $1.03 million to the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church (MAMEC) for its "hateful and overtly racist" conduct. Aside from this, the magistrate banned the Proud Boys from coming near the MAMEC's vicinity. Kravitz also prohibited the group from making threats or defamatory remarks against the church or its pastor for five years.

In his June 1 order, Kravitz called the Proud Boys' demonstration an "attack" on the MAMEC. He added that this attack "resulted from a highly orchestrated set of events focused on the Proud Boys' guiding principles  white supremacy and violence." The ruling was a default judgment issued after the extremist group failed to show up in court to fight the case.

Kravitz's ruling came years after the predominantly Black church sued the Proud Boys, alleging that the group violated D.C. and federal law by trespassing and destroying religious property in a bias-related conspiracy.

The Rev. William Lamar IV, MAMEC's pastor, issued a statement following the July 1 ruling. The statement, coursed through the church's legal counsel, read: "Our courage and determination to fight back in response to the 2020 attack on our church is a beacon of hope for our community and todays ruling showed us what our collective vision and voice can achieve."

"While [MAMEC] refused to be silenced in the face of white supremacist violence, that does not mean real trauma and damage did not occur  merely that congregants and the church have and will continue to rise above it."

The MAMEC pastor has ignored the fact that the very group his church is supporting has done far more damage to communities.

Proud Boys leadership jailed following the attacks

The Proud Boys were established by writer and podcaster Gavin McInnes  famous for founding VICE back in 1994 with two others  in 2016. He stated that the men-only group consists of vocal supporters of former President Donald Trump, then a candidate for the White House.

MAMEC's lawsuit arose from a December 2020 incident where some members of the alt-right group ripped the BLM poster at the church building. They then stomped on the poster after taking it down. The incident occurred amid demonstrations in the federal capital at that time, in line with allegations of Trump's loss due to widespread voter fraud.

The commotion was captured on video, featuring dozens of Proud Boys punching and stomping on the sign right outside the MAMEC's front door. Other demonstrators also joined in the fray while chanting. After this, the group moved to Asbury United Methodist Church  another predominantly Black congregation  and took down another BLM poster.

Weeks after the fiasco, the group's leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested and convicted of destruction of property for the act. Tarrio had been named as the Proud Boys chairman by November 2018, following McInnes' departure that month upon the advice of attorneys. (Related: RIGGED: 'Low bar' used to convict Trump-supporting Proud Boys of 'seditious conspiracy' in connection with Jan. 6 riot explained.)

It is worth noting that Tarrio and the rest of the Proud Boys have been slapped with an exorbitant fine for the destruction of a simple sign. BLM rioters, meanwhile, often get a free pass after destroying buildings, vehicles and monuments. According to an analysis conducted by the Guardian, most charges filed against protesters who participated in the riots "were ultimately dropped, dismissed or otherwise not filed."

Axios reported back in September 2020 that insurance claims stemming from the damage caused by the BLM riots during the summer of that year amounted to between $1 billion and $2 billion. The outlet noted that the "arson, vandalism and looting" exceeded the $1.42 billion damage previously recorded during the 1992 Rodney King riots in Los Angeles.

Visit Patriot.news for more stories about the Proud Boys.

Watch this footage of Proud Boys fighting against Antifa and BLM rioters.

This video is from the MajikSunshine channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Gavin McInnes files suit against Left-wing SPLC for labeling his former organization Proud Boys a "hate" group.

Exposed: Left-wing insurrectionists planned to turn Trump rally into violent riot.

Twitter just banned Gavin McInnes after he DENOUNCED the "alt right."

Sources include:

NYPost.com

Britannica.com

TheGuardian.com

Axios.com

Brighteon.com
Sal Greco: NYC Mayor Eric Adams needs to GET A GRIP on his agenda

Veteran police officer Salvatore "Sal" Greco called on New York City (NYC) Mayor Eric Adams to "get a grip" on both his administration and agenda if he wants to save the Big Apple.

"The guy's a big hypocrite. As you can tell, there's one rule for Eric and one rule for everybody else. He's got to get a grip on his administration and his agenda," Greco told host Mel K during the July 3 episode of "The Mel K Show."

"Everything you're seeing is because of Eric Adams and the people that he surrounds himself with. You don't want a city like this. That is my case here."

Greco, a former officer of the New York City Police Department (NYPD) for 14 years, was terminated from the department due to his friendship with Roger Stone  political adviser for former President Donald Trump. According to the erstwhile cop, his wrongful firing stemmed from his association with Stone, someone believed to have engaged in or likely to have engaged in criminal activity.

Greco told Mel K that NYC Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell, the official who ordered his firing, had resigned from her post after a lot of behind-the-scenes bickering with NYC Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Phillip Banks. According to the former policeman, Banks was selling out his office to enrich himself while serving as the NYPD chief of department. The deputy mayor also eluded indictment in an infamous federal case involving Adams' predecessor, former NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Other officials appointed by Adams such as NYC public safety adviser Timothy Pearson, NYPD Chief of Department Jeffrey Maddrey and NYPD First Deputy Commissioner Edward Caban either have ongoing lawsuits, a conflict of interest or links with someone who has a criminal record. Greco said these people "violated the same rule" the media claims he did; thus, they should also be terminated.

NYC law and order situation turned UPSIDE DOWN

Mel K meanwhile pointed out that NYPD officers are no longer arresting or charging people for actual felonies in NYC  including gun crimes and armed robbery. Because of this, New Yorkers must now deal with a city full of criminals on a daily basis. She told Greco: "The whole law and order  what is criminal and what is not criminal  is completely turned upside down by design, in my opinion."

Aside from the crime problem, she also cited the 50,000 illegal immigrants  men, women and military-aged men from all over the world  walking around the Big Apple. These immigrants, most of them not even hailing from Central or South America, are funded by globalist groups and NYC's government. Ultimately, Greco pointed out that Adams himself is to blame as he welcomed all these illegals in the city. (Related: Hypocrite NYC Mayor Eric Adams declares state of emergency as migrants bussed from Texas flood sanctuary city.)

The former NYPD officer lamented how Adams has failed his constituents by not addressing the problem of mental health and homelessness, and is "just running around and doing nothing about the situation." He concluded: "Eric needs to get a grip on everything. His administration is in upheaval."

Visit Collapse.news for more stories about New York City's deteriorating situation under the leadership of Eric Adams.

Watch the full conversation between Sal Greco and Mel K on "The Mel K Show" below.

This video is from The Mel K Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

YOU CANT MAKE THIS UP! NYC Mayor admits illegal aliens who fled violent drug cartels are now fleeing NYC over fears of rampant crime.

NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Sen. Chuck Schumer, seen mingling with alleged Chinese police station chief in video.

Crime spike in NYC spreads to ultra-wealthy Upper East Side after NYPD disbands anti-crime unit.

New York City to hospitalize mentally ill individuals without consent.

Absurd: NYC spends over $10M each day for illegals.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

TheGatewayPundit.com
Study ranks Singapore as the best state in the world while the US is in 23rd place

A new study from Germany believes that Singapore is the best state in the world while the U.S. is only in 23rd place

Researchers from the Julius Maximilian University of Wurzburg (JMUW) in Bavaria have come up with a ranking system known as the Stateness Index, which measures the "stateness" and state quality of the world's countries through aggregated and dis-aggregated data to advance performance comparison and policy analysis scenarios.

"We can see the state in everything that surrounds us, for example in the streets, the courts, the police or the schools," said Theresa Paola Stawski, a political scientist from JMUW who has been investigating how well the states of the world function over the past few months.

Stawski's team defined a state as: "An institutionalized social and political order and organization of hierarchical authority that is in exclusive control of the monopoly of law, monopoly of violence and monopoly of administration throughout a given territory and its inhabitants."

She added that a good state  which her index calls a "high functioning state"  can be seen through things like patients immediately receiving a doctor's appointment when they need an X-ray, communities having 24-hour access to electricity and children having plenty of schools to go to. (Related: Survey: The average American has over $54,000 worth of debt and would do almost anything to get rid of it.)

Index claims democracy not always a factor on how well a state functions

The German researchers graded 173 countries according to three categories  monopoly of law, monopoly of violence and monopoly of administration  and how well it could extend the functions of the state through those categories on a scale of zero to one, with a number closer to one being the better mark.

Countries were then further categorized into five kinds of states: A "high functioning state," a "moderate functioning state," a "defective state" a "profound defective state" and a "collapse state." But regardless of categorization, states could still rank higher or lower depending on their ability to exercise their so-called "stateness."

With these grading and classification categories in mind, the researchers ranked Singapore as the best state in the world, ahead of Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Estonia in that order and out of a list of 173 countries.

The U.S. ranks 23rd, right below Japan, France, Spain and Malta and right above the Czech Republic, Austria, Canada and Barbados. Both Singapore and the U.S. still count as a "high functioning state."

Singapore ranked at the top of the list despite the country not being a full democracy, with the researchers noting that nation's government "can insert and uphold the laws enacted by the regime, [possesses] the means necessary to control both territory and populations, and [commands] a bureaucratic infrastructure to implement and exert territorial sovereignty throughout the state territory."

Responding to criticism about the fact that Singapore isn't even a democracy, Stawski said: "Whether a state functions well or not does not always have something to do with democracy."

This claimed understanding of a functioning state is why Stawski and her researchers ranked the United Arab Emirates  a near-absolute monarchy  above countries like Slovenia and Iceland that have generally free and fair elections and other freedoms like freedom of the press and assembly.

Watch this episode of "Brighteon Broadcast News" as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, goes into detail about how governments all over the world routinely terrorize their citizens to maintain control over them.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Germany needs 1.5 million migrants per year and they don't need to speak German, says head of government's Council of Experts.

Report: UK government's post-terror plans include BRAINWASHING  but they prefer to call it "controlled spontaneity."

Facial recognition tech deployed at Chinese gas stations  people on social credit blacklist can't refuel.

ACTS OF TERROR: Ukraine's intel chief admits his government has MURDERED "quite a few" Russian civilians.

Dutch government to seize up to HALF the country's farmland under the guise of curbing nitrogen emissions.

Sources include:

StudyFinds.org

News.Yahoo.com

Brighteon.com
Zelenskys RHETORIC: Russia is preparing nuclear explosion as Moscows troops are reduced at Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia is ready to set off a localized nuclear explosion at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), the largest in Europe, which could trigger the release of deadly radiation.

"There is a serious threat because Russia is technically ready to provoke a local explosion at the station, which could lead to a [radiation] release," the president claimed at a joint news conference in Kyiv with the visiting Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez. (Related: Russia is planning a NUCLEAR ATTACK at Zaporizhzhia power plant, Zelensky claims.)

Zelensky backed this narrative with the information he claimed to have gathered from Ukraine's military intelligence directorate (GUR), which insisted that Russia's military is reducing its presence at ZNPP and has told staff to relocate. The agency's chief, Kyrylo Budanov, even asserted that Kremlin already has greenlit the plan to blow up ZNPP and has mined four of the six power units, as well as a cooling pond.

According to the Guardian, GUR cited several representatives of Rosatom, Moscow's state nuclear energy agency, who have already left and Ukrainian employees who stayed at the plant and signed contracts with Rosatom were told to evacuate by Monday, preferably to Crimea.

President Joe Biden's military magnified Zelensky's warning and proved Ukraine is ready to fight back, only a little slower, as U.S. Army General Mark Milley told the National Press Club in Washington that Ukraines counteroffensive could take up to 10 weeks but could be "very, very bloody." "War on paper and real war are different," Milley said. "In real war, real people die. Real people are on those frontlines and real people are in those vehicles. Real bodies are being shredded by high explosives."

He argued that the counteroffensive was advancing steadily, deliberately working its way through very difficult minefields. "Five hundred meters a day, 1,000 meters a day, 2,000 meters, he said, adding he was not surprised progress was slower than some people and computers had predicted.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration denied these allegations. Vassily Nebenzia, Russia's UN ambassador, said that he had written to the United Nations Security Council and Secretary General, Antonio Guterres that the Eurasian country does not intend to blow up the nuclear power plant. "We have no intention of doing so," Nebenzia stressed.

In fact, Moscow said they have received threats that Kyiv will attack "literally at night, in the dark" on July 5. Renat Karchaa, an advisor to Russia's Rosatom nuclear agency, said on Tuesday: "Today, we got information that I am authorized to announce... On July 5, literally at night, in the dark, the Ukrainian army will try to attack the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant."

Speaking to Russian state television, he claimed that Zelensky planned to use "high-precision, long-range weapons" as well as drones to attack the facility.

Zelensky and US's "close corruptive ties"

The recent fearmongering led by the Ukrainian president himself only heightens most Americans' suspicion that the U.S. and the so-called "Europe's Breadbasket" are only prolonging this war so they could continue their massive "money laundering" scheme. In fact, reports are coming out that the Ukraine chief is now threatened with losing bipartisan support from the Biden regime, following what he called "dangerous messages coming from some Republicans."

GOP lawmakers have been calling on the government to already stop "sponsoring" Ukraine's weaponry and funneling much of America's budget into the war, especially since the U.S. is now drowning in its $32 trillion gross federal debt.

Meanwhile, Zelensky, who was a former comedian and actor, has been boasting of his measures to fight corruption within his administration amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. He fired his senior officials who were linked to a massive corruption scandal earlier in the year. His staff was reportedly connected to the fraud in the procurement of war-time supplies. Also, Vasyl Lozynskyy, the acting minister for regional development, was arrested for receiving $400,000 in "unlawful benefits" for facilitating contracts, including for power generators.

However, reality bit back soon after he fired his people. Zelensky has been associated with the embezzlement of hundreds of millions of dollars that the U.S. allocated for fuel purchases, according to Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh. In his blog, Hersh wrote that the president has been using American taxpayers' money to pay dearly for the vitally needed diesel fuel keeping the Ukrainian army on the move in its war with Russia.

It is unknown how much the Zelensky government is paying per gallon for the fuel, but the Pentagon was paying as much as $400 per gallon to transport gasoline from a port in Pakistan, via truck or parachute, into Afghanistan during the decades-long American war there, the writer pointed out.

Moreover, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns directly told Zelensky last January that "he was taking a larger share of the skim money that was going to the generals." Burns also showed him a list of 35 generals and senior officials whose corruption was known to the CIA and others in the American government. Zelensky responded to the American pressure ten days later by publicly dismissing ten of the most ostentatious officials on the list and doing little else.

"The ten he got rid of were brazenly bragging about the money they had, driving around Kyiv in their new Mercedes," an intelligence official said.

Bookmark UkraineWitness.news for recent updates on the dragging ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

TheGuardian.com

Nation.com.pk

EurasianTimes.com
Washington, New York City, Boston and parts of the Northeast can expect cooler temperatures and improved air quality as rainy conditions are forecast to unload this weekend.

As July began, the Northeast and Southeast suffered from soaring temperatures, especially the heat dome in Texas. Heat warnings and advisories were present to alert residents of possible heat-related health risks.

While the summer season is set, the hotter conditions could become more difficult for sensitive groups, including older adults, outdoor workers and children.

Motorists should check the weather conditions this weekend and until next week, as slower commutes and travel disruption are possible due to the rainy weather.

Hotter outlook in the Northeast

This Friday, the AccuWeather forecast showed that hotter conditions are likely in Boston, Burlington, New York, Washington and Charleston.

Cooler conditions are forecast in Buffalo, Detroit and Columbus.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service (NWS) reported that above-normal highs could unfold in Maine to Florida, Texas, Southwest and Northwest.

Normal high temperatures are likely in North-Central Plains.

The hotter and dry conditions could lead to wildfire concerns this week. It is best for motorists and homeowners to monitor the weather outlook before planning outdoor activities.

Rainy and stormy conditions

Furthermore, the AccuWeather forecast explained that stormy conditions could help bring rain in the Northeast, especially from Pennsylvania to New York.

On Friday, the torrential downpours would result in reduced road visibility. Chances of a flash flood could unfold in Scranton, Binghamton and Syracuse.

Also Read: US Weather Forecast: Southwest Likely to Experience Challenging Heat; Cooler Outlook to Unfold in Northwest

On Saturday, Americans can expect a rebound to cooler temperatures, easing last week's uncomfortable heat.

Based on the weather outlook, people could anticipate rain and possible thunderstorms in Portland, Boston, New York, Pittsburgh, Washington, Charleston, Columbus and Detroit.

Miami, Charlotte, Jacksonville, Memphis and Kansas City are forecast to experience rainy conditions this weekend.

Meanwhile, the NWS advisory reminded Americans that thunderstorms could become dangerous. The report emphasized that Americans should immediately go inside or seek shelter when thunder roars.

The NWS added that Americans should keep away from windows and doors. The report noted that 20-25 million lightning flashes unfold annually in the United States.

On Sunday, the forecast said rainy conditions would continue in Columbus, Charleston, Washington, New York, Boston, Portland, Burlington, Buffalo and Virginia Beach.

The Nature World News (NWN) recently reported that cooler conditions are forecast in the Northwest.

In contrast, a hotter outlook will continue in the Southwest.

The dry weather outlook is forecast in parts of Phoenix, Las Vegas, Elko, Salt Lake City and Reno.

Due to this week's challenging weather outlook, Americans should stay updated with the weather, from challenging heatwaves to flooding rainfall.

Americans with travel plans should consider the weather, as slower commutes could become likely due to slippery roads and minor flooding.

Related Article: Eastern US Summer Heat: People Advised to Look for Cooler Environment, Stay Hydrated

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature News.
Many pink lakes can be found in Australia, but one of the most stunning is the Pink Lake in the Loch Iel Nature Reserve, which can be reached in less than ten minutes by car from the rural Victorian town of Dimboola.

For both nature enthusiasts and photographers, Pink Lake is a distinctive and fascinating location.

Due to the presence of specific algae species, the lake is well-known for its pinkish tint, which gives it a surreal appearance.

Here are 5 things to know about Australia's Pink Lake:

Activities

Unfortunately, the pink lake's high salt content makes swimming inadvisable. However, individuals who adore natural beauty and landscape photography should pay a visit to Pink Lake in Dimboola, Victoria, as it is a distinctive tourist destination.

Tourism

The Pink Lake is located in the Loch Iel Nature Reserve, which is next to the Western Highway.

It features a rest area with restrooms, picnic tables, and shade where drivers can stop to rest and take in the lake's stunning scenery.

Some signs provide details on the geology and biology of the lake.

It takes less than a minute to walk down a hill to the lake from the parking area. The ideal place to observe the plants that flourish in the saline environment is on a stroll around the lake's perimeter.

Visitors need to stop at either the Dimboola or Horsham IGA on their drive there to pick up some snacks for a picnic since there are no refreshments provided at the Loch Iel Rest Stop, according to Green Adventures.

Living Organisms

Halobacteria and Dunaliella salina, a species of algae that thrives in saline settings like the pink lakes, were discovered by scientists to be present in pink lakes. The color of lakes is a result of the carotenoid red pigments released by these creatures.

Many Shades of Pink

According to How Stuff Works, the organisms found in the lake release carotenoid red pigments that give lakes their color.

The pink's intensity changes according to the time of year, temperature, amount of cloud cover, and water level. Fresh nutrients that wash into the lake after heavy rain cause the growth of algae. It fluctuates between being a mild salmon and a vivid bubblegum pink.

Although the recognizable pink tint cannot be assured, the stunning shifting tones of this lake will not disappoint, according to Parks Victoria.

Also Read: Threatened Pink Dolphins in Amazon At Risk From Overfishing, Construction

Owners

The Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Wergaia, Jadawadjali, and Jupagalk peoples are the land's traditional owners, and Dimboola and Loch Iel are a part of their cultural landscape.

There may have been 1200 First Nation inhabitants in the area before the British took over some of the land.

Two missionaries came to the region in 1858 and established the Ebenezer Mission Station. The mission, like many others at the time, sought to "civilize" Indigenous Australians by eradicating their customs and culture and urging them to embrace Christianity.

The Wotjobaluk people's Native Title rights to hunt, gather, fish, and camp on Crown reserves along a significant portion of the Wimmera River were recognized in 2005, according to Green Adventures.

Related Article: 5 National Forests with Trails and Campgrounds
An extinct penguin was found to be among the smallest of its kind to walk on earth, according to a recent study.

A report on Live Science said the recently discovered extinct species was similar to the living "little penguin," which only weighs around two pounds.

Scientists have unearthed the two fossilized skulls of one of the smallest penguin species, which is named as Wilson's little penguin (Eudyptula wilsonae), in the southern Taranaki region of the country's North Island.

According to studies, the said species waddled around New Zealand around three million years ago.

How does it look like?

Experts said the shape of skulls that belonged to a fully-grown adult are similar to the size and shape of those of the little penguins (Eudyptula minor), which still exist today.

Meanwhile, researchers are still unsure how small the extinct penguins were because of the lack of bones that they discovered.

They, however, noted that the exisiting little penguins normally grow to a maximum size of around 13.5 inches (35 centimeters), having a weight of around two pounds (0.9 kilogram).

The study, posted in the Journal of Paleontology of the Cambridge University Press, noted that the skulls discovered has depicted more slender proportions compared to modern little penguins.

These also preceded genome-derived estimates for the divergence between Eudyptula minor minor and Eudyptula m. novaehollandiae.

"This raises the possibility that the fossil taxon 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 m. novaehollandiae back into New Zealand," the study stated.

According to experts, the fossils described has shown that both the cranial morphology and body size of little penguins "have remained largely unchanged since the Pliocene, despite substantial environmental changes in the region over the past three million years."

Further, the study found out that the discovered penguin species could plausibly be ancestral to both of the living little penguin species that are presently found in Australia and New Zealand.

At present, little penguins and its four subspecies are inhabiting across New Zealand, mainland Australia and Tasmania.

However, experts are still uncertain where they come from, according to an entry posted on Massey University. The new finding suggests that the genus had its roots planted in New Zealand.

Read Also: The Story Behind Two Widowed Penguins Of Melbourne Skyline

Filling the gaps in ecosystem

Meanwhile, experts expressed belief that this discovery could help them fill in the gaps of the ecosystem's history.

The findings will also aid in providing insights about the other extinct and living species from the country, according to the experts.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed little penguins as "least concern," meaning they have large and stable populations.

The IUCN, however, noted that some populations have faced serious problems in the previous years.

The Live Science report said that in June 2022, more than 500 little penguins mysteriously washed up dead along beaches in New Zealand.

Related Article: Emperor Penguin: World's Largest Penguins Join The Threatened Species List Due To Climate Change and Global Warming

Related Video:
A zoo in Chile is now in celebration after successfully delivering a new Somali Wild Ass foal, which brings hope for the threatened endangered species.

The Buin Zoo, located on the outskirts of Santiago, the capital of Chile, said the birth of the new foal is a result of the captive breeding program.

The said zoo is an active participant in the international effort to grow the population of the Somali wild ass, which the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified as a critically endangered species.

"We're really happy to be telling this news during such difficult times for conservation for so many species," said Ignacio Idalsoaga, founder and director of the Buin Zoo, as reported by Reuters.

He said that the foal presented on Thursday is the fifth specimen at the zoo, adding that it was an honor for the zoo to have the capacity to reproduce the wild ass.

Read Also: Mesopotamia's Ancient War Donkeys Believed To Be First Animal Hybrids Bred By Humans

Captive Breeding For Somali Wild Ass

Scientists are working together to save the population of the Somali Wild Ass through captive breeding programs in selected zoos around the world.

According to Latin Post, aside from Chile, the United States and the United Kingdom are also part of the program.

In 2019, the St. Louis Zoo in Missouri successfully started breeding them when Tobias was born, while just last year, a foal was born to mother Calula and father Sahib in the United Kingdom.

The unnamed foal is the third Somali wild ass born in Chile; the first two, Lucrecia and Ita, were born in 2021.

The IUCN has estimated that less than 200 mature animals remain in the wild, with 17 individuals found in Eritrea and Ethiopia.

The population declined by 95% in Ethiopia for the last 35 years, while it is unknown whether they are still present in Somalia.

Loss of habitat and hunting for food or medicinal purposes were some of the reasons for the Somali wild ass near extinction.

"The bones are used in soups that supposedly have medicinal characteristics that hasn't been scientifically proven, but it's practically brought on the extinction of a beautiful species," Idalsoaga said.

What Are Somali Wild Ass?

The Somali wild ass is a subspecies of the African wild ass and a close relative of the zebra, as observed in their striped legs, according to Animalia.

They were once found in North Africa; however, today they only remain in the Ethiopian region of the Danakil desert and in Eritrea.

According to the San Diego Zoo, wild asses play an important part in Africa's history, where their images have been painted in caves by ancient people from North Africa.

They are also known for being intelligent creatures with excellent vision and hearing.

Scientists observed that they would rather run from predators than fight, but if cornered, they can kick hard to protect themselves.

Related Article: Is Donkey Skin The New Ivory? African Donkeys Are Being Slaughtered To Extinction
An animal welfare charity based in the United Kingdom has reported an "alarming increase" in intentional cruelty against animals in the country.

Data from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) shows that there were more than 800 reported cases of animal abuse in the South East in 2022, the BBC reported.

In the said numbers, 395 were from Kent, which has the biggest increase of 19% compared to the 331 cases in 2021. 296 cases were also recorded in Sussex and 157 in Surrey.

"We are seeing an increase in reported dog beatings. We are hearing that more and more people are struggling with their pets," said Julie Parsons, an RSPCA rescue officer based in Brighton.

Parson also noted that there was an increase in the number of calls that they were attending.

The RSPCA report also reveals that animal beatings across the whole of England and Wales rose by 22% in 2022.

More than 1,000 reports of animal cruelty were recorded in August 2022 alone, which is equivalent to 35 incidents every day.

There is also an increase in the number of animals killed in "suspicious circumstances." From 775 in 2021, it rose to 891 in 2022, which is a 15% increase.

Read Also: UK Will Promote The Highest Standards Of Animal Welfare, Queen Elizabeth Says

Potential Connection Of Cost of Living To Animal Welfare Crisis

The RSPCA cannot determine the specific reason for the increased number of animal cruelty cases; however, this might have a potential connection to the cost of living in the United Kingdom.

"The cost of living crisis and the post-pandemic world we live in has created an animal welfare crisis with more people getting pets with potentially less time and money to care for them," said Dermot Murphy, the RSPCA's inspectorate commissioner.

"The cost-of-living crisis also means the cost of rescuing animals is at an all-time high and our vital services are stretched to the limit," he added.

Laura Westcough of Pink Paws Cat Rescue said the problem is getting worse and something needs to be done immediately. She even stressed. that most people cannot afford the veterinarian care prices.

"People just cannot afford to look after their animals. They have to choose to feed themselves or their animals," she said as quoted by Yahoo.

Cancel Out Cruelty Campaign

To counter animal cruelty and "prevent another summer of suffering", the RSPCA launched a campaign called "Cancel Out Cruelty'.

The group is asking for a donation of 6 to 12 ($7.64 - $15.27) to help animals in desperate needs.

The RSPCA is the only organization in England and Wales that rescues animals and investigate cruelty with their team of frontline rescue officers, specializing in vet and network of animal care facilities.

"Together, we believe we can and will cancel out cruelty to animals by replacing violence with kindness. We are urging people to donate to our Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, every donation will help animals," said Murphy.

Related Article: Worst Animal Cruelty Case? 24 Dead Animals Found Inside Soldier's Fort Jackson House

Related Video:




According to information published by Nikkei on July 4, 2023, the Chief of Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, Yoshinari Sakei, announced that they plan to collaborate with the Italian Navy on the operation of F35 fighter jets.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

Royal Australian Navy's Anzac class frigate HMAS Anzac and Japanese JS Izumo. (Picture source: Japanese MoD)

Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is undergoing a significant transition, highlighted by the transformation of the JS Izumo (DDH-183), the lead ship of the Izumo class, from a helicopter carrier into a light aircraft carrier.

This modification will allow the Izumo to operate fixed-wing aircraft for the first time since World War II, reflecting Japan's reorientation of its defense guidelines.

This transformation has been in the works since 2018 when Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party announced its support for the conversion. The Izumo, which can house up to 28 aircraft, or 14 larger ones, is now poised to accommodate F-35 Lightning II aircraft, a first for a non-US military.

Parallel to this development, the JMSDF announced plans to collaborate with the Italian Navy regarding the operation of F-35 fighter jets. Yoshinari Sakei, the Chief of the JMSDF, made this announcement at a press conference, hinting at the possibility of Italian Navy's F35s landing and taking off from Japan's Izumo-class escort ships during the ship's modification phase.

This collaboration signifies an important step in defense cooperation between Japan and Italy. It not only reaffirms their collective defense commitment but also presents opportunities for knowledge sharing and increased interoperability between the two navies.

Both countries currently operate the F35, with Japan considering additional purchases of the STOVL version (F-35B) that could operate from a modified Izumo-class ship.

Thus, the transformation of the JS Izumo, coupled with the international collaboration with Italy, marks a significant milestone in Japan's naval capabilities and defense strategy.

Technical data

The Izumo's other specifications include a displacement of 19,500 long tons (standard) to 27,000 long tons (full load), a length of 248 m, a beam of 38 m, and a draft of 7.5 m.

She uses a COGAG propulsion system with four GE/IHI LM2500IEC gas turbines, and it can reach speeds exceeding 30 knots. The ship can accommodate 970 people, including crew and troops.

JS Izumo is equipped with OYQ-12 combat direction and FCS-3 fire control systems, OPS-50 AESA and OPS-28 surface-search radars, and an OQQ-23 bow sonar. For defense, it uses a NOLQ-3D-1 EW suite, Mark 36 SRBOC, an anti-torpedo mobile decoy (MOD), and a floating acoustic jammer (FAJ). Its armament includes 2 Phalanx and 2 SeaRAM close-in weapon systems (CIWS).
SCO must strive to build trust and collaboration among member nations Pub Date:2023-07-07 09:14 Source:CGTN Editor's Note:Saud Faisal Malik is the CEO of The Daily CPEC. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of our site. The virtual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) comes at a time when the globe faces increasing challenges and uncertainties. The Shanghai Spirit, characterized by an emphasis on equality, consultation, respect for the diversity of cultures, mutual trust, and mutual benefit, has served as the SCO's compass throughout the entirety of its 22-year history. The SCO has been instrumental in fostering greater political, economic, and security collaboration among its member states as an organization dedicated to advancing regional cooperation and development. As reaffirmed in the Dushanbe Declaration on the organization's 20th anniversary, the SCO continues to be resolute in its commitment to combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. This statement emphasized the significance of improving border security, combating economic crimes, and ending trafficking of illicit substances and weapons. The SCO also acknowledges the value of promoting economic cooperation and building an environment that is favorable for investment. It is essential to realize the SCO's potential for economic cooperation across a range of industries, including business, industry, transport, energy, finance, investment, agriculture, customs services, telecommunications, and innovation, in light of the present problems facing the world economy. The organization has also promoted cultural exchanges and economic collaboration among its members, giving NGOs useful forums for interaction and engagement. As founding members and substantial contributors, China and Russia have played a significant role in SCO's development. The SCO's influence in local affairs has expanded as a result of its dedication and active engagement. China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is in line with the SCO's goals, has been utilized to enhance connectivity, trade, and infrastructure expansion across the region. Pakistan has taken an active part in SCO projects and partnerships ever since it became a full member in 2017. The nation has reiterated its dedication to promoting trade, and economic cooperation and fostering an investment-friendly environment based on the values of equality, competitiveness, respect for one another, and mutual gain. Pakistan, an essential SCO member, has also endorsed China's BRI and is working on collaborative initiatives that link the BRI and the Eurasian Economic Union. However, the SCO faces a variety of difficulties, both internal and external, that put its effectiveness and influence in jeopardy. It has become increasingly challenging for the SCO to reach agreements and act in harmony as a result of the escalating geopolitical tensions between Russia and Ukraine as well as the confrontation between Russia and the U.S. It takes diplomatic actions and communication to resolve these problems and build trust among member nations for the organization to function effectively. External factors, especially India's membership in the American-led "Indo-Pacific" strategy, add complexity and raise the possibility of internal strife inside the SCO. It is a delicate undertaking to strike a balance between the various interests and goals of member nations in the face of outside pressures and geopolitical rivalry. To manage these issues and keep a consistent approach to regional cooperation, skillful diplomacy, and consensus-building are required. The SCO is also hampered by the economic differences among its members. To close the gap and encourage inclusive growth among member countries, which differ in economic development and resource availability, coordinated measures are needed. Economic imbalances must be addressed through cooperative projects and shared development plans to achieve sustainable regional cooperation and guarantee fair benefits for all member nations. The COVID-19 pandemic has made the SCO agenda even more complex. The global health crisis has harmed society and the economy, disrupted economies, and stressed healthcare systems. The SCO must modify its tactics and encourage cooperation among member states to address issues including vaccine distribution, healthcare coordination, and economic recovery. Other difficulties include the unsolved Afghan issue, disagreements over member state borders, and a U.S.-led media effort to demonize China, Russia, and Iran. These difficulties might make it more difficult for SCO members to cooperate and compromise the efficiency of the group. Despite these challenges, the SCO has been making efforts to adapt and overcome them. The organization should keep up its adherence to the concepts of shared, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security and refrain from turning into an instrument of geopolitical conflict. To enhance people's lives and preserve social and political stability, member nations must join hands to address conventional and unconventional security issues and foster economic exchanges. The SCO should also accord high priority to build trust, encourage conversation, and enhance collaboration among member nations amid these difficulties. The SCO may position itself as a strong and productive platform for regional collaboration and collective advancement by tackling geopolitical issues, managing outside pressures, bridging economic gaps, thwarting security concerns, and swiftly reacting to the pandemic. On the other hand, the SCO has several opportunities for its member countries that can positively influence the globe. Firstly, it offers a chance for better regional integration. To promote trade facilitation, investment promotion, and infrastructure development, member countries can make use of their proximity to one another and their complementary resources. The SCO can develop a linked zone that fosters shared prosperity and stability by enhancing economic cooperation. An opportunity for communication and interaction between India and Pakistan is provided by their membership in the SCO. Despite current hostilities, the SCO offers a venue for bilateral talks and meetings that may result in progress and better relations. However, because bilateral conversations cannot be held in person, the summit's virtual nature could make it more difficult for these discussions to advance. However, the SCO may still support communication between Pakistan and India in a number of different contexts. Future prospects for the SCO depend on taking advantage of the opportunities that have been provided and resolving the pitfalls that it is currently facing. The promotion of sustainable development, deepening economic cooperation, and enhancing security cooperation need to be the top priority. The SCO can unleash the region's economic potential and support global growth by putting programs into place that improve connectivity, commerce, and investment. Moreover, the SCO should reinforce the foundations of its various organizations' political and legal systems and respect the ideals specified in the SCO Charter and the SCO Treaty on Long-Term Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation to improve governance efficiency. The SCO should also create a more comprehensive network of alliances and collaborate with the UN and the international community to create a regional order based on respect and cooperation. The SCO's geographical reach and impact have increased with its expansion, which includes the addition of observer nations and dialogue partners. The SCO has been a major force behind both social change and global prosperity. The SCO places a strong focus on cultural exchange and heritage site preservation, which strengthens the bond between its member nations. The SCO Summit is a critical opportunity for member nations to handle opportunities and challenges amid global uncertainty. The SCO may establish itself as a powerful force for improvement by identifying and tackling geopolitical conflicts, outside pressures, economic inequalities, security risks, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The SCO can maximize its potential to enhance peace, security, and prosperity in the area and beyond by cultivating mutual trust, expanding economic integration, fostering cultural exchanges, improving security cooperation, and working together on global concerns. The SCO can manage the complexity of the international scene and emerge as a light of stability, collaboration, and advancement via group efforts, cooperation, and dedication to common goals. Editor:Zheng Chen

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Ecology prize awarded by Bishop of Norwich Ecology prize awarded by Bishop of Norwich

A University of East Anglia student has been awarded an ecology prize by the Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich.

Ecology UEA student, Charlie Russell, was given the prize for the best MSc Applied Ecology and Conservation research dissertation in the last academic year, for a dissertation that focused on improving understanding of why Greater Spotted Eagles are declining.



The third year of this award, the UEA chose the recipient from among the postgraduate students in their ecology department.



Presenting the prize, Bishop Graham, who is the lead bishop for the environment for the Church of England, said: Im delighted to present this prize to Charlie in recognition of his excellent dissertation in the applied conversation ecology area. His research about the migratory behaviour of Greater Spotted Eagles in Europe has expanded our knowledge, especially about the negative impact of large-scale human behaviour.



Having originally trained as an ecologist, I am all too aware that we need people to be researching and being passionate about exploring and protecting our single island planet home. As a Christian, I am called to live out a care for creation, so Im very happy to be encouraging endeavours such as this.



On receiving the prize certificate and 1,000, Charlie Russell said: I am really grateful to receive this generous award from the Bishop of Norwich and as a first-generation student it is really encouraging to have my work recognised this way. This prize will help me continue this research as part of my PhD at UEA.



Professor Jennifer Gill, Course Director of the MSc in Applied Ecology & Conservation said: We are delighted to have the work of our students recognised through the award. The support provided by this award hugely helps our students as they embark on careers in conservation ecology, and the celebration of their research provides a great confidence boost.



Conservation desperately needs many more able and committed people, as we tackle the twin challenges of the climate and biodiversity crises. It is wonderful that the Bishop of Norwich gives such generous support to the University of East Anglia's MSc in Applied Ecology and Conservation.



The prize is sponsored by the Anne French Memorial Trust which supports the ministry of the Bishop of Norwich, clergy in the Diocese of Norwich, and projects across Norfolk.



Pictured above UEA student Charlie Russell receives his prize from Bishop Graham in the bishops garden.


By Online Desk

A group of 88 academicians has demanded to reinstate Professor Tejaswini Desai, who was forced to go on leave last month for saying that rapists could belong to any religion.

As per media reports, on June 8, the 52-year-old physics professor at the Kolhapur Institute of Technologys College of Engineering had a discussion on religious discrimination in her class where some students had accused Muslims of being rapists and never getting punished for their crimes.

Some students said Hindus never engaged in riots and Babri Masjid was demolished on the orders of the Supreme Court, the prof told Newslaundry.

In response, Tejaswini Desai told the class that rape was not limited to any particular religion or community. Rapists dont have any religion or caste. It comes under the category of obvious crimes, she had told the students.

The professor reportedly also spoke about powerful people who were accused of rape, including Patils and Deshmukhs, referring to historic titles given to village heads or territory holders.

Some students recorded the classroom discussion and seemingly edited the conversation to show Desai saying that [Mughal emperor] Aurangzeb was good and Patil and Deshmukh were rapists.

After the video went viral on social media, the college administration forced the professor to go on leave.

Desai has claimed that she never said the things shown in the video  and that it was edited and taken out of context.

She told Newslaundry that she came to know about the video only when the police came to the college for an inquiry.

The professor said that while the college authorities supported her, she was asked to apologize but she refused to do so.

In 1943, my father-in-law, who was a freedom fighter, had played a part in destroying the statue of British governor Wilson, where a Shivaji statue was built, she told Newslaundry. Ironically, I was asked to issue an apology in front of the same statue, Desai added.

According to Scroll, Desai has also filed a complaint with the police demanding action against those who edited the video and spread misinformation with the intention to create a rift in the society.

In their statement on the matter, the 88 academics urged the college authorities to allow Desai to return to work and ensure her safety.

Her assertion that rapists can be from any community is borne out by the most superficial glance at newspaper reports, the statement said.

Mohan Vanrott, the director of Kolhapur Institute of Technology told Newslaundry that the college has formed a committee to investigate what had happened.

Incidentally, in June this year, clashes had broken out between two groups in Kolhapur following a protest over WhatsApp statuses that allegedly glorified Mughal emperor Tipu Sultan and 18th century Mysore ruler Aurangazeb.

A group of 88 academicians has demanded to reinstate Professor Tejaswini Desai, who was forced to go on leave last month for saying that rapists could belong to any religion. As per media reports, on June 8, the 52-year-old physics professor at the Kolhapur Institute of Technologys College of Engineering had a discussion on religious discrimination in her class where some students had accused Muslims of being rapists and never getting punished for their crimes. Some students said Hindus never engaged in riots and Babri Masjid was demolished on the orders of the Supreme Court, the prof told Newslaundry.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In response, Tejaswini Desai told the class that rape was not limited to any particular religion or community. Rapists dont have any religion or caste. It comes under the category of obvious crimes, she had told the students. The professor reportedly also spoke about powerful people who were accused of rape, including Patils and Deshmukhs, referring to historic titles given to village heads or territory holders. Some students recorded the classroom discussion and seemingly edited the conversation to show Desai saying that [Mughal emperor] Aurangzeb was good and Patil and Deshmukh were rapists. After the video went viral on social media, the college administration forced the professor to go on leave. Desai has claimed that she never said the things shown in the video  and that it was edited and taken out of context. She told Newslaundry that she came to know about the video only when the police came to the college for an inquiry. The professor said that while the college authorities supported her, she was asked to apologize but she refused to do so. In 1943, my father-in-law, who was a freedom fighter, had played a part in destroying the statue of British governor Wilson, where a Shivaji statue was built, she told Newslaundry. Ironically, I was asked to issue an apology in front of the same statue, Desai added. According to Scroll, Desai has also filed a complaint with the police demanding action against those who edited the video and spread misinformation with the intention to create a rift in the society. In their statement on the matter, the 88 academics urged the college authorities to allow Desai to return to work and ensure her safety. Her assertion that rapists can be from any community is borne out by the most superficial glance at newspaper reports, the statement said. Mohan Vanrott, the director of Kolhapur Institute of Technology told Newslaundry that the college has formed a committee to investigate what had happened. Incidentally, in June this year, clashes had broken out between two groups in Kolhapur following a protest over WhatsApp statuses that allegedly glorified Mughal emperor Tipu Sultan and 18th century Mysore ruler Aurangazeb.
By PTI

KOLKATA: Amid widespread violence and killings, rural West Bengal braces for the crucial three-tier panchayat polls on Saturday, which serves as a litmus test for the 2024 parliamentary elections and holds the power to reshape the state's political landscape.

Around 5.67 crore voters are likely to exercise their franchise to choose representatives for nearly 928 seats across 22 zilla parishads, 9,730 panchayat samities, and 63,229 gram panchayats seats.

Since the day the polls were announced on June 8, widespread violence was reported in various parts of the state leading to the death of over a dozen people, including a teenager.

Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and the party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee led the party's campaign while stressing the need to shun strong-arm tactics by its cadres and allow more democratic space to the political opponents, to avoid the rerun of the 2018 rural polls when it had won around 34 per cent seats uncontested.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, and leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari led the saffron party's campaign, whereas state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim led their parties' respective poll drives.

The Indian Secular Front (ISF), with its limited presence in parts of North and South 24 Parganas, too grabbed headlines as its leader and lone MLA Nawsad Siddique led the party's campaign, which often resulted in clashes with the ruling TMC in Bhangor in South 24 Parganas.

For the first time, Raj Bhavan played an active role in addressing the issue of poll violence, with Governor C V Ananda Bose opening a 'Peace Home' at the governor's house to address complaints of the aam aadmi.

The Raj Bhavan occupant was seen rushing to violence-hit areas to assuage the victims and their families, drawing a pat from the BJP and criticism from the ruling TMC.

The polls to elect representatives for village councils will be held under the watchful eyes of central forces for the second time since the inception of the Panchayati Raj system in Bengal in the late Seventies.

Nearly 65,000 active central police personnel and 70,000 state police personnel will be deployed for the polls, officials said.

"BJP seems to forget that people vote and not the central forces. If the BJP doesn't have the support of people, no matter how many central forces you seek, the mandate will not change," Abhishek Banerjee said.

In the 2013 panchayat polls, the TMC won over 85 per cent of the seats, despite the heavy deployment of central forces. In the 2018 rural polls, the TMC won 90 per cent of the panchayat seats and all the 22 zilla parishads.

However, these elections were marred by widespread violence and malpractices, with the opposition alleging they were prevented from filing nominations in several seats.

"The TMC wants to make the rural polls a replay of 2018, but we won't allow this to happen this time. BJP will defeat the TMC," Majumdar said.

Chowdhury had said the "grab-all mindset" of the TMC, with no space for any form of opposition, has led to this anarchic situation.

Echoing him, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said people will reject both the TMC and BJP in the polls.

The issue of corruption in rural bodies and Centre halting funds under MGNREGA have dominated the campaign, which ended on Thursday.

The rural polls, which cover nearly 65 per cent of the state's population, also provide parties with a final opportunity to assess their booth-level organisation ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, as most of the 42 parliamentary seats are situated in rural areas of the state.

KOLKATA: Amid widespread violence and killings, rural West Bengal braces for the crucial three-tier panchayat polls on Saturday, which serves as a litmus test for the 2024 parliamentary elections and holds the power to reshape the state's political landscape. Around 5.67 crore voters are likely to exercise their franchise to choose representatives for nearly 928 seats across 22 zilla parishads, 9,730 panchayat samities, and 63,229 gram panchayats seats. Since the day the polls were announced on June 8, widespread violence was reported in various parts of the state leading to the death of over a dozen people, including a teenager.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and the party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee led the party's campaign while stressing the need to shun strong-arm tactics by its cadres and allow more democratic space to the political opponents, to avoid the rerun of the 2018 rural polls when it had won around 34 per cent seats uncontested. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, and leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari led the saffron party's campaign, whereas state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim led their parties' respective poll drives. The Indian Secular Front (ISF), with its limited presence in parts of North and South 24 Parganas, too grabbed headlines as its leader and lone MLA Nawsad Siddique led the party's campaign, which often resulted in clashes with the ruling TMC in Bhangor in South 24 Parganas. For the first time, Raj Bhavan played an active role in addressing the issue of poll violence, with Governor C V Ananda Bose opening a 'Peace Home' at the governor's house to address complaints of the aam aadmi. The Raj Bhavan occupant was seen rushing to violence-hit areas to assuage the victims and their families, drawing a pat from the BJP and criticism from the ruling TMC. The polls to elect representatives for village councils will be held under the watchful eyes of central forces for the second time since the inception of the Panchayati Raj system in Bengal in the late Seventies. Nearly 65,000 active central police personnel and 70,000 state police personnel will be deployed for the polls, officials said. "BJP seems to forget that people vote and not the central forces. If the BJP doesn't have the support of people, no matter how many central forces you seek, the mandate will not change," Abhishek Banerjee said. In the 2013 panchayat polls, the TMC won over 85 per cent of the seats, despite the heavy deployment of central forces. In the 2018 rural polls, the TMC won 90 per cent of the panchayat seats and all the 22 zilla parishads. However, these elections were marred by widespread violence and malpractices, with the opposition alleging they were prevented from filing nominations in several seats. "The TMC wants to make the rural polls a replay of 2018, but we won't allow this to happen this time. BJP will defeat the TMC," Majumdar said. Chowdhury had said the "grab-all mindset" of the TMC, with no space for any form of opposition, has led to this anarchic situation. Echoing him, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said people will reject both the TMC and BJP in the polls. The issue of corruption in rural bodies and Centre halting funds under MGNREGA have dominated the campaign, which ended on Thursday. The rural polls, which cover nearly 65 per cent of the state's population, also provide parties with a final opportunity to assess their booth-level organisation ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, as most of the 42 parliamentary seats are situated in rural areas of the state.
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Amid a reunion buzz involving the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the saffron partys Punjab in-charge Vijay Rupani on Thursday said his party would fight the parliamentary elections on its own, without an alliance. SAD has also ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP.

SAD, in alliance with Mayawatis BSP, fought the 2022 Assembly polls and ended up frustratingly at number three after AAP and Congress. The BJP and SAD ended their three-decade-old alliance in 2020 in the wake of farm laws that were later junked.

Punjab BJP in-charge Vijay Rupani was in Amritsar on Thursday to pay obeisance at Golden Temple along with new Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar. The BJP in Punjab will fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on its own without forming an alliance with any other party. We will contest the elections alone in the state and win all 13 Lok Sabha seats. The party will contest the parliamentary elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and form the next government at the Centre, Rupani said.

Asked about the speculation that his party could have an alliance with SAD yet again, he said, I have already said that we will contest alone. It is up to you to interpret my statement.

Newly appointed Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the party leadership would take a call on any alliance as he would seek feedback from BJP workers if any realignment was acceptable to them.

Meanwhile, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met senior leaders of his party at his residence in Chandigarh on Wednesday where he was advised to be cautious and examine all aspects before taking any decision. We must also keep in mind the impact of any decision we make on all Punjabis, especially Sikhs, said a senior SAD leader.

Sources said SAD leaders asked Sukhbir to seek clarity from the BJP on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and its impact on the rights of minorities, especially the Sikhs. He should also demand the release of Sikh detainees lodged in various jails in the country.

However, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said that there was no question of an alliance with the BJP as the BSP is the SAD ally.

SAD spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema said, There is no discussion on our alliance with the BJP. Our alliance with the BSP is intact.

On the other hand, the BSP seemed to be in a dilemma. BSPs Punjab chief Jasvir Garhi said he has been enquiring about the reports of a possible SAD-BJP alliance from the senior SAD leadership, but they all have been feigning ignorance.

SAD lost the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections. Currently, the party has only three MLAs in the assembly, while the BJP has two legislators. Both parties were in alliance for more than three decades. The SAD had walked out of the NDA in September 2020 following the farmers protests against three Central controversial farm laws, which were later repealed. The three laws had led to a huge protest in Punjab.

CHANDIGARH: Amid a reunion buzz involving the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the saffron partys Punjab in-charge Vijay Rupani on Thursday said his party would fight the parliamentary elections on its own, without an alliance. SAD has also ruled out the possibility of an alliance with the BJP. SAD, in alliance with Mayawatis BSP, fought the 2022 Assembly polls and ended up frustratingly at number three after AAP and Congress. The BJP and SAD ended their three-decade-old alliance in 2020 in the wake of farm laws that were later junked. Punjab BJP in-charge Vijay Rupani was in Amritsar on Thursday to pay obeisance at Golden Temple along with new Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar. The BJP in Punjab will fight the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on its own without forming an alliance with any other party. We will contest the elections alone in the state and win all 13 Lok Sabha seats. The party will contest the parliamentary elections under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and form the next government at the Centre, Rupani said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Asked about the speculation that his party could have an alliance with SAD yet again, he said, I have already said that we will contest alone. It is up to you to interpret my statement. Newly appointed Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the party leadership would take a call on any alliance as he would seek feedback from BJP workers if any realignment was acceptable to them. Meanwhile, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met senior leaders of his party at his residence in Chandigarh on Wednesday where he was advised to be cautious and examine all aspects before taking any decision. We must also keep in mind the impact of any decision we make on all Punjabis, especially Sikhs, said a senior SAD leader. Sources said SAD leaders asked Sukhbir to seek clarity from the BJP on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and its impact on the rights of minorities, especially the Sikhs. He should also demand the release of Sikh detainees lodged in various jails in the country. However, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal said that there was no question of an alliance with the BJP as the BSP is the SAD ally. SAD spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema said, There is no discussion on our alliance with the BJP. Our alliance with the BSP is intact. On the other hand, the BSP seemed to be in a dilemma. BSPs Punjab chief Jasvir Garhi said he has been enquiring about the reports of a possible SAD-BJP alliance from the senior SAD leadership, but they all have been feigning ignorance. SAD lost the 2017 and 2022 assembly elections. Currently, the party has only three MLAs in the assembly, while the BJP has two legislators. Both parties were in alliance for more than three decades. The SAD had walked out of the NDA in September 2020 following the farmers protests against three Central controversial farm laws, which were later repealed. The three laws had led to a huge protest in Punjab.
Rajesh KumarThakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: There is a buzz about Prime Minister Narendra Modi contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu as well as Vanarasi.

The proposal to contest from TN is apparently aimed at taking the BJPs Mission South forward.

It would not be surprising if Modi were to contest from TN as well. His Kashi-Tamil Sangamam initiative some months ago contributed to strengthening his connection with TN, remarked senior political analyst P K D Nambiar. If Modi were to contest from Kanyakumari, the strong cultural links between Kashi and Kanyakumari would come into play.

Another source, who has a deep understanding of the BJP, recently said contesting from Kashi and Kanyakumari would be well suited for the PMs stature. Speculation is also rife on the PM picking Coimbatore to enter the poll fray instead of Kanyakumari.

ALSO READ | Tamil Nadus development is a priority: PM Modi

The BJP has generally done well in Kanyakumari. Its candidate Pon Radhakrishnan was locked in a neck-and-neck fight against Vijaykumar of the Congress in the 2021 LS by-polls. While BJP polled 4,38,087 votes, the Congress got 5,76,037. As for Coimbatore, the BJP has an MLA from Coimbatore South, Vanathi Srinivasan. In the 2019 LS polls, BJPs C P Radhakrishnan polled 3,92,007 votes against 5,71,150 by CPMs P R Natarajan.

ALSO READ | Amit Shah touts PM Modis love for Tamil, trashes dynastic politics

NEW DELHI: There is a buzz about Prime Minister Narendra Modi contesting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from Tamil Nadu as well as Vanarasi. The proposal to contest from TN is apparently aimed at taking the BJPs Mission South forward. It would not be surprising if Modi were to contest from TN as well. His Kashi-Tamil Sangamam initiative some months ago contributed to strengthening his connection with TN, remarked senior political analyst P K D Nambiar. If Modi were to contest from Kanyakumari, the strong cultural links between Kashi and Kanyakumari would come into play.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Another source, who has a deep understanding of the BJP, recently said contesting from Kashi and Kanyakumari would be well suited for the PMs stature. Speculation is also rife on the PM picking Coimbatore to enter the poll fray instead of Kanyakumari. ALSO READ | Tamil Nadus development is a priority: PM Modi The BJP has generally done well in Kanyakumari. Its candidate Pon Radhakrishnan was locked in a neck-and-neck fight against Vijaykumar of the Congress in the 2021 LS by-polls. While BJP polled 4,38,087 votes, the Congress got 5,76,037. As for Coimbatore, the BJP has an MLA from Coimbatore South, Vanathi Srinivasan. In the 2019 LS polls, BJPs C P Radhakrishnan polled 3,92,007 votes against 5,71,150 by CPMs P R Natarajan. ALSO READ | Amit Shah touts PM Modis love for Tamil, trashes dynastic politics
Narendra Sethi By

Express News Service

DEHRADUN: Police have registered two separate cases and arrested three persons in connection with a communal dispute that has been going on for the past four days in the Vikas Nagar area of Dehradun district and a dispute related to law and order and molestation of women.

On Thursday, the police conducted flag marches in Herbertpur, Dhakrani, Bhimawala, Jiwangarh, Nawabgarh areas, including Vikasnagar, located 40 km from Dehradun. In view of the critical situation, an adequate police force has been deployed in the Vikas Nagar area for security.

Speaking to The New Indian Express, Station House Officer (SHO) Vikasnagar Sanjay Kumar said, "A case has been registered against unknown persons under Sections 323, 341, 354, 504 IPC, SC/ST Act and POCSO Act on the complaint of a woman from one side in connection with the dispute between two communities on Wednesday.

On the other hand, on the basis of the complaint of Shamim's wife Sharbati, a case under sections 147, 323, 354, 452, 427, and 506 IPC has been registered against seven persons in Vikasnagar police station.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Dalip Singh Kunwar himself visited the Vikasnagar area and took stock of the law and order situation. At the same time, strict warning has been given to those who disturb law and order and communal harmony that under no circumstances will any person or community of the area be allowed to disturb communal harmony. "Strict action will be taken against those who disturb law and order. Every incident is fully reported by the police and every incident is being videographed regularly by the police", DIG Kunwar warned.

"Apart from this, the entire area is also being regularly monitored through drones and every activity is being monitored alertly," DIG Dalip Kunwar said. "The police have identified the persons who spoil the atmosphere of the area, the process of identifying the anarchist elements is going on continuously, and effective legal action will be taken against all the said anarchist elements", DIG Kunwar added.

DEHRADUN: Police have registered two separate cases and arrested three persons in connection with a communal dispute that has been going on for the past four days in the Vikas Nagar area of Dehradun district and a dispute related to law and order and molestation of women. On Thursday, the police conducted flag marches in Herbertpur, Dhakrani, Bhimawala, Jiwangarh, Nawabgarh areas, including Vikasnagar, located 40 km from Dehradun. In view of the critical situation, an adequate police force has been deployed in the Vikas Nagar area for security. Speaking to The New Indian Express, Station House Officer (SHO) Vikasnagar Sanjay Kumar said, "A case has been registered against unknown persons under Sections 323, 341, 354, 504 IPC, SC/ST Act and POCSO Act on the complaint of a woman from one side in connection with the dispute between two communities on Wednesday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); On the other hand, on the basis of the complaint of Shamim's wife Sharbati, a case under sections 147, 323, 354, 452, 427, and 506 IPC has been registered against seven persons in Vikasnagar police station. Deputy Inspector General of Police Dalip Singh Kunwar himself visited the Vikasnagar area and took stock of the law and order situation. At the same time, strict warning has been given to those who disturb law and order and communal harmony that under no circumstances will any person or community of the area be allowed to disturb communal harmony. "Strict action will be taken against those who disturb law and order. Every incident is fully reported by the police and every incident is being videographed regularly by the police", DIG Kunwar warned. "Apart from this, the entire area is also being regularly monitored through drones and every activity is being monitored alertly," DIG Dalip Kunwar said. "The police have identified the persons who spoil the atmosphere of the area, the process of identifying the anarchist elements is going on continuously, and effective legal action will be taken against all the said anarchist elements", DIG Kunwar added.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday said it will move the Supreme Court against the Gujarat High Court order refusing to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case.

In Kozhikode, AICC general secretary, Organisation, KC Venugopal said the party would move an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat High Court order.

"There is one more option before us...the Supreme Court. Let's see. The Congress party will seek that option too," Venugopal said while addressing a party programme.

The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.

ALSO READ: Gujarat High Court rejects Rahul Gandhi's request to stay his conviction in defamation case

"We will study the Gujarat HC verdict on Sh.@RahulGandhi ji's conviction and explore all available legal options. Rahul ji is a fierce voice that takes the Modi government head-on. No force can silence him, the truth will triumph and justice will ultimately prevail. Every patriotic Indian is in support of Rahul ji in this fight," he said on Twitter.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the reasoning of the judge is being studied and the matter will be taken up further.

"We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the Hon'ble judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further," Ramesh said on Twitter.

Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala termed it a "Travesty of justice".

"Instead of punishing 'Bank Fraudsters' like Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mehul Choksi and ilk, the 'messenger' exposing the deceit and swindling of public money is being punished," Surjewala said in a tweet.

He said Rahul Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of righteousness, of fearlessness and of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power.

"We will tread upon the path of truth and righteousness, come what may...Satyamev Jayate !" the Congress leader said.

While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader.

The court noted that there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 had sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday said it will move the Supreme Court against the Gujarat High Court order refusing to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case. In Kozhikode, AICC general secretary, Organisation, KC Venugopal said the party would move an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat High Court order. "There is one more option before us...the Supreme Court. Let's see. The Congress party will seek that option too," Venugopal said while addressing a party programme.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. ALSO READ: Gujarat High Court rejects Rahul Gandhi's request to stay his conviction in defamation case "We will study the Gujarat HC verdict on Sh.@RahulGandhi ji's conviction and explore all available legal options. Rahul ji is a fierce voice that takes the Modi government head-on. No force can silence him, the truth will triumph and justice will ultimately prevail. Every patriotic Indian is in support of Rahul ji in this fight," he said on Twitter. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the reasoning of the judge is being studied and the matter will be taken up further. "We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the Hon'ble judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further," Ramesh said on Twitter. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala termed it a "Travesty of justice". "Instead of punishing 'Bank Fraudsters' like Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mehul Choksi and ilk, the 'messenger' exposing the deceit and swindling of public money is being punished," Surjewala said in a tweet. He said Rahul Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of righteousness, of fearlessness and of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power. "We will tread upon the path of truth and righteousness, come what may...Satyamev Jayate !" the Congress leader said. While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader. The court noted that there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction. A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 had sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.
By Online Desk

NEW DELHI: Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of two Dornier Aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with an associated Engineering Support package at an overall cost of Rs 458.87 crore.

The aircraft will be procured under the Buy (Indian) Category.

The aircraft will be fitted with a number of advanced equipment viz., Glass Cockpit, Maritime Patrol Radar, Electro-Optic Infra-Red device, Mission Management System etc.

The addition will further bolster the aerial surveillance capability of maritime areas of responsibilities of the ICG.

The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur and will significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance with the Make in India initiative of the Government.

NEW DELHI: Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of two Dornier Aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with an associated Engineering Support package at an overall cost of Rs 458.87 crore. The aircraft will be procured under the Buy (Indian) Category. The aircraft will be fitted with a number of advanced equipment viz., Glass Cockpit, Maritime Patrol Radar, Electro-Optic Infra-Red device, Mission Management System etc.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The addition will further bolster the aerial surveillance capability of maritime areas of responsibilities of the ICG. The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur and will significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance with the Make in India initiative of the Government.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Just a day ahead of the rally call given by Khalistani supporters across many countries, including the UK, the National Security Advisor (NSA) of Britain Tim Barrow had a bilateral meeting with Indias NSA Ajit Doval.

"India has raised the issue of extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution," said a source familiar with the meeting.

India and the UK also agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. They reiterated that there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy.

It may be recalled that Khalistani supporters had brought down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission on March 20. British authorities have assured India of doing whatever it takes to rein in these extremist elements. Khalistani supporters have called for a rally on July 8 and have added pictures of Indian diplomats in posters about the event, threatening to harm them.

Also, this meeting comes after the mysterious death of Avtar Singh Kanda, UK chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), on June 15 in Birmingham. Kanda had spearheaded the vandalism of IHC London and brought down the Indian flag.

Kanda is said to have been an expert in bomb making. He was admitted to the Sandwell Hospital, Birmingham and was on life support after being diagnosed with cancer. However, there are conflicting reports on the exact cause of his death and there isnt any official confirmation.

Kanda was born in Moga, Punjab, and was the son of Kulwant Singh Khurana -- who was from the KLF too and was gunned down by security forces in 1991. His mother too is said to have been related to KLF terrorist Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala.

Meanwhile, both NSAs agreed to work closely on the issue.

"Both sides agreed to work closely on counter terrorism, counter terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter radicalisation," the source added.

Barrow is in India on the invitation of Doval for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials.

"The two had productive and wide-ranging discussions on furthering the UK India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and also covered global security issues," according to the British High Commission.

Both Barrow and Doval have met at regular intervals and have been regularly engaged in discussing bilateral, regional and global issues.

The current visit has given them the opportunity to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as exploring futuristic areas for technology collaboration.

Both sides have agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages. It was also agreed to deepen collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

Barrow is likely to meet other dignitaries during his ongoing visit.

NEW DELHI: Just a day ahead of the rally call given by Khalistani supporters across many countries, including the UK, the National Security Advisor (NSA) of Britain Tim Barrow had a bilateral meeting with Indias NSA Ajit Doval. "India has raised the issue of extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution," said a source familiar with the meeting. India and the UK also agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism. They reiterated that there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It may be recalled that Khalistani supporters had brought down the Indian flag at the Indian High Commission on March 20. British authorities have assured India of doing whatever it takes to rein in these extremist elements. Khalistani supporters have called for a rally on July 8 and have added pictures of Indian diplomats in posters about the event, threatening to harm them. Also, this meeting comes after the mysterious death of Avtar Singh Kanda, UK chief of the Khalistan Liberation Force (KLF), on June 15 in Birmingham. Kanda had spearheaded the vandalism of IHC London and brought down the Indian flag. Kanda is said to have been an expert in bomb making. He was admitted to the Sandwell Hospital, Birmingham and was on life support after being diagnosed with cancer. However, there are conflicting reports on the exact cause of his death and there isnt any official confirmation. Kanda was born in Moga, Punjab, and was the son of Kulwant Singh Khurana -- who was from the KLF too and was gunned down by security forces in 1991. His mother too is said to have been related to KLF terrorist Gurjant Singh Budhsingwala. Meanwhile, both NSAs agreed to work closely on the issue. "Both sides agreed to work closely on counter terrorism, counter terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter radicalisation," the source added. Barrow is in India on the invitation of Doval for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials. "The two had productive and wide-ranging discussions on furthering the UK India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and also covered global security issues," according to the British High Commission. Both Barrow and Doval have met at regular intervals and have been regularly engaged in discussing bilateral, regional and global issues. The current visit has given them the opportunity to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as exploring futuristic areas for technology collaboration. Both sides have agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages. It was also agreed to deepen collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. Barrow is likely to meet other dignitaries during his ongoing visit.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's review petition to suspend his conviction in the Modi surname remark Defamation Case was rejected by the Gujarat High Court. Court of Justice Hemant Prachchhak pronounced the verdict.

While pronouncing the verdict Court Observed said that"Rahul Gandhi is seeking a stay of execution on completely fictitious grounds." Staying true to one's conviction is not a rule. He is facing up to ten criminal charges. In politics, purity is required...The grandson of Veer Savarkar has filed a lawsuit against Rahul Gandhi in Pune Court after Gandhi spoke derogatory comments against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge.

Refusing to stay the applicant's conviction would result in no injustice. There are no compelling reasons to vacate the conviction. "The conviction is proper, just, and legal." Court Added

The court had previously declined to give an interim stay, stating that since the case had finally been considered by the court, temporary protection could not be granted at this time in the interest of justice. Therefore, the plea for temporary protection is denied.

Earlier, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Gandhi argued in the court that The current case does not concern the average citizen, but rather a legislator, and if a stay of execution is not given at this time and the conviction is reversed on appeal, it will never be possible to recoup the losses incurred by any law or judgment.

Noting that Rahul Gandhi has been barred from Parliament as a result of the judgment handed down in this case, Sanghvi said "There will be re-election, So, if someone else is elected and I am later acquitted, is there anyone on the planet who can order the other person to vacate the seat? "I'll have to give up six to eight years."

My argument is that this appeal must be allowed because the law prohibits such complaints. Except for those listed in the address, no one among the so-called 13 crore people can come and submit a complaint. Rahul Gandhi did not Mention Mr. Purnesh Modi,

The offense is neither serious nor of moral turpitude, which are two criteria for granting suspension of conviction in a relevant case, Argued Singhvi. Singhvi also stated that Gandhi mentioned many names in his address, none of which belonged to the Complainant caste. Rahul Gandhi stated the Names of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, and Vijay Mallya, no one belongs to the caste of complainant Purnesh Modi, PM Narendra Modi, or even the said witness," Singhvi claims.

ALSO READ:

AHMEDABAD: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's review petition to suspend his conviction in the Modi surname remark Defamation Case was rejected by the Gujarat High Court. Court of Justice Hemant Prachchhak pronounced the verdict. While pronouncing the verdict Court Observed said that"Rahul Gandhi is seeking a stay of execution on completely fictitious grounds." Staying true to one's conviction is not a rule. He is facing up to ten criminal charges. In politics, purity is required...The grandson of Veer Savarkar has filed a lawsuit against Rahul Gandhi in Pune Court after Gandhi spoke derogatory comments against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. Refusing to stay the applicant's conviction would result in no injustice. There are no compelling reasons to vacate the conviction. "The conviction is proper, just, and legal." Court Addedgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The court had previously declined to give an interim stay, stating that since the case had finally been considered by the court, temporary protection could not be granted at this time in the interest of justice. Therefore, the plea for temporary protection is denied. Earlier, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Gandhi argued in the court that The current case does not concern the average citizen, but rather a legislator, and if a stay of execution is not given at this time and the conviction is reversed on appeal, it will never be possible to recoup the losses incurred by any law or judgment. Noting that Rahul Gandhi has been barred from Parliament as a result of the judgment handed down in this case, Sanghvi said "There will be re-election, So, if someone else is elected and I am later acquitted, is there anyone on the planet who can order the other person to vacate the seat? "I'll have to give up six to eight years." My argument is that this appeal must be allowed because the law prohibits such complaints. Except for those listed in the address, no one among the so-called 13 crore people can come and submit a complaint. Rahul Gandhi did not Mention Mr. Purnesh Modi, The offense is neither serious nor of moral turpitude, which are two criteria for granting suspension of conviction in a relevant case, Argued Singhvi. Singhvi also stated that Gandhi mentioned many names in his address, none of which belonged to the Complainant caste. Rahul Gandhi stated the Names of Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, and Vijay Mallya, no one belongs to the caste of complainant Purnesh Modi, PM Narendra Modi, or even the said witness," Singhvi claims. ALSO READ: Disqualification from Lok Sabha has given me huge opportunity: Rahul Gandhi First to be given max defamation sentence: Rahul Gandhi
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

Shekhawats comment sparks speculation

A video has landed Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a row. While coming out of a recent BJP meeting at Sawai Madhopur, he was asked about the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) which is crucial for providing water to 14 districts in the state but is getting delayed due to lack of Centres support. In response, taking the name of Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Shekhawat remarked, Make Rajendra jis rule, I will also give the Rs 46,000 crore needed for ERCP project. This has given rise to talk that Shekhawat has declared Rathore as the BJPs face for CM in Rajasthan.

Delhi summons Raje and gives grist to the rumour mill

The sudden cancellation of former CM Vasundhara Rajes trip to Kota on Thursday led to much speculation. Party insiders say the Central leadership suddenly called her to Delhi for a meeting. Several leaders, including former MLA from Kota North and pro-Vasundhara MLA Prahlad Gunjal held a big rally in Kota on July 2.

This rally, incidentally, got no support from the BJP and even state president CP Joshi did not speak about it. Now, the question is whether Raje was called to Delhi for a dressing down from top brass or to be given a new role in view of the forthcoming elections.

Govt aid for organ transplant patients

The Ashok Gehlot government has come up with patient-friendly guidelines under the Chiranjeevi Health Scheme for those needing organ transplants. Under these, patients can get organ transplants done for free at any hospital even outside Rajasthan.

In addition, patients and one attendant will be reimbursed upto Rs 1 lakh for air tickets in case they need to travel outside the state for organ transplant or cochlear implants. In special cases, 50% of all expenses will be paid as advance for serious patients needing organ transplants. This is likely to be a huge relief for countless families in Rajasthan who are in need of transplants.

Shekhawats comment sparks speculation A video has landed Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a row. While coming out of a recent BJP meeting at Sawai Madhopur, he was asked about the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) which is crucial for providing water to 14 districts in the state but is getting delayed due to lack of Centres support. In response, taking the name of Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore, Shekhawat remarked, Make Rajendra jis rule, I will also give the Rs 46,000 crore needed for ERCP project. This has given rise to talk that Shekhawat has declared Rathore as the BJPs face for CM in Rajasthan. Delhi summons Raje and gives grist to the rumour mill The sudden cancellation of former CM Vasundhara Rajes trip to Kota on Thursday led to much speculation. Party insiders say the Central leadership suddenly called her to Delhi for a meeting. Several leaders, including former MLA from Kota North and pro-Vasundhara MLA Prahlad Gunjal held a big rally in Kota on July 2. This rally, incidentally, got no support from the BJP and even state president CP Joshi did not speak about it. Now, the question is whether Raje was called to Delhi for a dressing down from top brass or to be given a new role in view of the forthcoming elections.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Govt aid for organ transplant patients The Ashok Gehlot government has come up with patient-friendly guidelines under the Chiranjeevi Health Scheme for those needing organ transplants. Under these, patients can get organ transplants done for free at any hospital even outside Rajasthan. In addition, patients and one attendant will be reimbursed upto Rs 1 lakh for air tickets in case they need to travel outside the state for organ transplant or cochlear implants. In special cases, 50% of all expenses will be paid as advance for serious patients needing organ transplants. This is likely to be a huge relief for countless families in Rajasthan who are in need of transplants.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Indian government will be on tenterhooks on July 8, the day Khalistani supporters have called for rallies across Canada, US, UK and Australia. It is not just the rallies that are of concern to the government, but also the photographs of Indian diplomats that have been displayed as potential targets.

India has been particularly concerned about the incidents that have been allowed to happen in Canada  from vandalising the consulates to taking out tableaus hailing the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The threat to Indian diplomats and the rally dates on posters first appeared in Canada and followed all over.

Posters inciting violence against our diplomats are unacceptable, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday. External Affairs Minister, Dr Jaishankar, too has oft repeated that vote bank politics is one of the possible reasons for Canada to permit such things to take place in their soil.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday was on the defensive. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will. We have an extremely diverse country and freedom of expression is something we have. We always make sure we are pushing back against violence and extremism in all forms, Trudeau said.

Earlier on Thursday, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly assured that they would do everything to protect the Indian High Commission in London. Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable. We have made it clear to Indias High Commissioner to London, Vikram Doraiswami, and the Government of India that the safety of the staff at the High Commission is paramount, said Cleverly. Britain is not taking any chances after the Indian flag was brought down at the Indian High Commission in London earlier.

In the US, where the Indian consulate at San Francisco was attempted to be burnt, the US government was quick to react and oppose it.

The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offence, said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

India has been assured of support in Australia too. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured India of strict action against Khalistanis. Under the Geneva Convention, all diplomatic missions and their staff have to be taken care of by the host country. India is optimistic the Khalistani supporters are reigned in and do not resort to violence.

NEW DELHI: The Indian government will be on tenterhooks on July 8, the day Khalistani supporters have called for rallies across Canada, US, UK and Australia. It is not just the rallies that are of concern to the government, but also the photographs of Indian diplomats that have been displayed as potential targets. India has been particularly concerned about the incidents that have been allowed to happen in Canada  from vandalising the consulates to taking out tableaus hailing the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The threat to Indian diplomats and the rally dates on posters first appeared in Canada and followed all over. Posters inciting violence against our diplomats are unacceptable, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Thursday. External Affairs Minister, Dr Jaishankar, too has oft repeated that vote bank politics is one of the possible reasons for Canada to permit such things to take place in their soil. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Thursday was on the defensive. We have always taken serious action against terrorism and we always will. We have an extremely diverse country and freedom of expression is something we have. We always make sure we are pushing back against violence and extremism in all forms, Trudeau said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier on Thursday, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly assured that they would do everything to protect the Indian High Commission in London. Any direct attacks on the Indian High Commission in London are completely unacceptable. We have made it clear to Indias High Commissioner to London, Vikram Doraiswami, and the Government of India that the safety of the staff at the High Commission is paramount, said Cleverly. Britain is not taking any chances after the Indian flag was brought down at the Indian High Commission in London earlier. In the US, where the Indian consulate at San Francisco was attempted to be burnt, the US government was quick to react and oppose it. The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offence, said US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. India has been assured of support in Australia too. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has assured India of strict action against Khalistanis. Under the Geneva Convention, all diplomatic missions and their staff have to be taken care of by the host country. India is optimistic the Khalistani supporters are reigned in and do not resort to violence.
Ramashankar and Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

PATNA / NEW DELHI: Pouring cold water on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars prime ministerial ambitions, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday hinted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi might be his choice for the Oppositions PM pick in 2024. Before leaving for Delhi for his routine health check-up, Lalu told reporters in Patna that the next prime minister of the country should not live in the PMs official residence without a wife.

Staying in PMs residence without a wife is wrong and that should be done away with, he quipped. His satirical comment was in response to a query that if his recent advice to Rahul to get married meant he preferred the Congress leader to be the Oppositions PM candidate.

In the recent Opposition meeting in Patna, Lalu had praised Rahuls efforts during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and his parliamentary speeches. While Rahul remains single, Bihar CM Nitishs wife passed away in 2007. According to sources, a cold war is brewing between Lalu and Nitish with the recent transfer of a senior IAS officer close to the RJD leader being the latest trigger.

After reaching Delhi, Lalu said the BJPs days in power are limited and that the entire Opposition is united in their mission to protect democracy. Hitting out at the BJP, he said the party is two-faced and ridiculed how Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now welcoming leaders from rival parties such as the NCP in Maharashtra, who were till recently labelled as corrupt by him.

PATNA / NEW DELHI: Pouring cold water on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumars prime ministerial ambitions, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav on Thursday hinted that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi might be his choice for the Oppositions PM pick in 2024. Before leaving for Delhi for his routine health check-up, Lalu told reporters in Patna that the next prime minister of the country should not live in the PMs official residence without a wife. Staying in PMs residence without a wife is wrong and that should be done away with, he quipped. His satirical comment was in response to a query that if his recent advice to Rahul to get married meant he preferred the Congress leader to be the Oppositions PM candidate. In the recent Opposition meeting in Patna, Lalu had praised Rahuls efforts during the Bharat Jodo Yatra and his parliamentary speeches. While Rahul remains single, Bihar CM Nitishs wife passed away in 2007. According to sources, a cold war is brewing between Lalu and Nitish with the recent transfer of a senior IAS officer close to the RJD leader being the latest trigger.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); After reaching Delhi, Lalu said the BJPs days in power are limited and that the entire Opposition is united in their mission to protect democracy. Hitting out at the BJP, he said the party is two-faced and ridiculed how Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now welcoming leaders from rival parties such as the NCP in Maharashtra, who were till recently labelled as corrupt by him.
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: In the power struggle between the Pawars in Maharashtra, the senior Pawar appears to have chosen to play hardball with his nephew.

The 82-year-old seasoned politician Sharad Pawar has managed to win over 19 legislators to his side and is said to be wooing six more from his nephew Ajit Pawar's faction. Sharad Pawar has got the signed affidavits of 19 MLAs who are with the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, say sources.

If all goes well for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder, the ongoing power struggle could end up in his favour, say political observers.

"We have the support of 19 Ajit Pawar faction legislators. Six more legislators have expressed their wish to return to our faction. If Ajit Pawar fails to get the support of 36 out of the total of 53 MLAs in the NCP, the consequence would be that they will face disqualification," NCP Sharad Pawar faction state president Jayant Patil said.

"With the numbers they presently boast to have, the Ajit Pawar faction can either merge with the BJP or the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. There is no such provision in the 10th schedule of the Indian constitution to declare the elected representative of state legislation as a political party and the recent supreme court verdict is also on that line, said Jitendra Awhad, the NCP, Sharad Pawar-faction leader and chief whip.

However, Praful Patel, the working president of NCP (Ajit Pawar) has no doubt about the longevity of the newly sprouted faction which has joined the NDA-led government in Maharashtra.

"We are the original NCP, not Sharad Pawar's," he claimed.

Patel said that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP failed to hold party elections for several years. "They have no right to claim themselves as 'real' NCP. We went to the Election Commission of India, seeking the party name and symbol, for our faction by explaining all these," he noted.

A senior leader in the NCP, on condition of anonymity, said that after the split in Shiv Sena, Sharad Pawar amended their party constitution to give more rights to the national party president and working committee. Hence, Praful Patel was the working president. As per the party constitution, there is no such post. So his decision appointing Sunil Tatkare as state president is not legally tenable.

MUMBAI: In the power struggle between the Pawars in Maharashtra, the senior Pawar appears to have chosen to play hardball with his nephew. The 82-year-old seasoned politician Sharad Pawar has managed to win over 19 legislators to his side and is said to be wooing six more from his nephew Ajit Pawar's faction. Sharad Pawar has got the signed affidavits of 19 MLAs who are with the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP, say sources. If all goes well for the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder, the ongoing power struggle could end up in his favour, say political observers.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "We have the support of 19 Ajit Pawar faction legislators. Six more legislators have expressed their wish to return to our faction. If Ajit Pawar fails to get the support of 36 out of the total of 53 MLAs in the NCP, the consequence would be that they will face disqualification," NCP Sharad Pawar faction state president Jayant Patil said. "With the numbers they presently boast to have, the Ajit Pawar faction can either merge with the BJP or the Shiv Sena faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. There is no such provision in the 10th schedule of the Indian constitution to declare the elected representative of state legislation as a political party and the recent supreme court verdict is also on that line, said Jitendra Awhad, the NCP, Sharad Pawar-faction leader and chief whip. However, Praful Patel, the working president of NCP (Ajit Pawar) has no doubt about the longevity of the newly sprouted faction which has joined the NDA-led government in Maharashtra. "We are the original NCP, not Sharad Pawar's," he claimed. Patel said that the Sharad Pawar-led NCP failed to hold party elections for several years. "They have no right to claim themselves as 'real' NCP. We went to the Election Commission of India, seeking the party name and symbol, for our faction by explaining all these," he noted. A senior leader in the NCP, on condition of anonymity, said that after the split in Shiv Sena, Sharad Pawar amended their party constitution to give more rights to the national party president and working committee. Hence, Praful Patel was the working president. As per the party constitution, there is no such post. So his decision appointing Sunil Tatkare as state president is not legally tenable.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The judgment redoubles the Congress' resolve to pursue the matter further, the party on Friday said after the Gujarat High Court refused to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the reasoning of the judge is being studied and the matter will be taken up further.

"We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the Hon'ble judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr. Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further," Ramesh said on Twitter.

The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.

Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala termed it a "Travesty of justice".

"Instead of punishing 'Bank Fraudsters' like Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mehul Choksi and ilk, the 'messenger' exposing the deceit and swindling of public money is being punished," Surjewala said in a tweet.

He said Rahul Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of righteousness, of fearlessness and of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power.

"We will tread upon the path of truth and righteousness, come what may. Satyamev Jayate !" the Congress leader said.

AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said, "There is one more option before us. The Supreme Court. Let's see. The Congress party will seek that option too". Venugopal said this while addressing a party programme organised in Kozhikode district of northern Kerala.

While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader.

The court noted that there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 had sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

ALSO READ:

NEW DELHI: The judgment redoubles the Congress' resolve to pursue the matter further, the party on Friday said after the Gujarat High Court refused to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the reasoning of the judge is being studied and the matter will be taken up further. "We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the Hon'ble judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr. Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further," Ramesh said on Twitter.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala termed it a "Travesty of justice". "Instead of punishing 'Bank Fraudsters' like Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mehul Choksi and ilk, the 'messenger' exposing the deceit and swindling of public money is being punished," Surjewala said in a tweet. He said Rahul Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of righteousness, of fearlessness and of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power. "We will tread upon the path of truth and righteousness, come what may. Satyamev Jayate !" the Congress leader said. AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal said, "There is one more option before us. The Supreme Court. Let's see. The Congress party will seek that option too". Venugopal said this while addressing a party programme organised in Kozhikode district of northern Kerala. While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader. The court noted that there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction. A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 had sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi. ALSO READ: Disqualification from Lok Sabha has given me huge opportunity: Rahul Gandhi First to be given max defamation sentence: Rahul Gandhi
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army will march past the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 14. The regiment will be part of the 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces who would march alongside their French counterparts on the National Day of France. The contingents left for France on Thursday.

The Indian Army contingent of 77 marching personnel and 38 band members are being led by Captain Aman Jagtap.

The Army contingent is represented by the Punjab Regiment, which is one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army. The troops of the regiment have participated in both the world wars as well as post-Independence operations. In World War I, they were awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours.

The gallant soldiers fought in Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Damascus and France. In France, they took part in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915 earning the battle honours Loos and France and Flanders. In World War II, they earned 16 battle honours and 14 theatre honours.

NEW DELHI: The Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army will march past the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris on July 14. The regiment will be part of the 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces who would march alongside their French counterparts on the National Day of France. The contingents left for France on Thursday. The Indian Army contingent of 77 marching personnel and 38 band members are being led by Captain Aman Jagtap. The Army contingent is represented by the Punjab Regiment, which is one of the oldest regiments of the Indian Army. The troops of the regiment have participated in both the world wars as well as post-Independence operations. In World War I, they were awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The gallant soldiers fought in Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Damascus and France. In France, they took part in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915 earning the battle honours Loos and France and Flanders. In World War II, they earned 16 battle honours and 14 theatre honours.
Preetha Nair By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The high-decibel political drama being played out in Maharashtra politics shifted to Delhi on Thursday with the working committee of the Nationalist Congress Party headed by Sharad Pawar expelling Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and nine other MLAs who switched sides to join the Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra.

The move came a day after Maharashtra deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar removed Sharad Pawar as president of the party, which he founded more than two decades ago. After chairing a crucial national executive meeting in New Delhi, Sharad Pawar asserted he is still the president of his party. I am the president of NCP.

We will rebuild the party, he said. Dismissing Ajit Pawars claim of being the real NCP president, Pawar said: Anyone can say anything. There is no truth in it. Responding to his nephews comments about his age, the veteran leader said, I am still effective, whether I am 82 or 92.

Earlier this week, Ajit Pawar took a swipe at senior Pawar, urging him to step down and make way for new generation leaders. Addressing the media after the working committee meeting, party leader P C Chacko said all 27 state committees of the party are in support of Sharad Pawar.

Eight resolutions were passed in the meeting to ratify the expulsion of the nine rebel MLAs who took oath as ministers in the Shinde government. Sharad Pawar also sought to play down Ajit Pawars remarks that the meeting called by him has no legal sanctity as the dispute on who represents the real NCP is within the jurisdiction of the ECI.

The veteran leader said: The meeting was called as per the partys Constitution. He also expressed faith in the Election Commission. We have faith in the EC. We are clear about the legal position, he said. According to sources, Sharad Pawar has sent a letter to the EC, questioning why he was kept in the dark about Ajit Pawars staking claim for the party symbol.

Sharad Pawar also dismissed suggestions that the NCP had diminished in strength after the rebellion.

NEW DELHI: The high-decibel political drama being played out in Maharashtra politics shifted to Delhi on Thursday with the working committee of the Nationalist Congress Party headed by Sharad Pawar expelling Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and nine other MLAs who switched sides to join the Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra. The move came a day after Maharashtra deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar removed Sharad Pawar as president of the party, which he founded more than two decades ago. After chairing a crucial national executive meeting in New Delhi, Sharad Pawar asserted he is still the president of his party. I am the president of NCP. We will rebuild the party, he said. Dismissing Ajit Pawars claim of being the real NCP president, Pawar said: Anyone can say anything. There is no truth in it. Responding to his nephews comments about his age, the veteran leader said, I am still effective, whether I am 82 or 92.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier this week, Ajit Pawar took a swipe at senior Pawar, urging him to step down and make way for new generation leaders. Addressing the media after the working committee meeting, party leader P C Chacko said all 27 state committees of the party are in support of Sharad Pawar. Eight resolutions were passed in the meeting to ratify the expulsion of the nine rebel MLAs who took oath as ministers in the Shinde government. Sharad Pawar also sought to play down Ajit Pawars remarks that the meeting called by him has no legal sanctity as the dispute on who represents the real NCP is within the jurisdiction of the ECI. The veteran leader said: The meeting was called as per the partys Constitution. He also expressed faith in the Election Commission. We have faith in the EC. We are clear about the legal position, he said. According to sources, Sharad Pawar has sent a letter to the EC, questioning why he was kept in the dark about Ajit Pawars staking claim for the party symbol. Sharad Pawar also dismissed suggestions that the NCP had diminished in strength after the rebellion.
Sudhir Suryawanshi By

Express News Service

MUMBAI: As the NCP bickered over its true form and shape, speculation mounted over the plans of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Amid reports of the CM stepping down to pave the way for his deputy Ajit Pawar to take over as the CM, Shinde on Thursday clarified that as long as he has the blessings of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he will continue in his post.

Shinde termed his resignation reports as rumours. There is no such plan to step down, Shinde said. He had a meeting with his elected representatives at Chief Ministers official residence Varsha on Wednesday.

I want to clarify that with Ajit Pawar joining hands with us, our government has grown stronger. Our three-party MLA strength is more than 200 in the House of 288. There is no threat to our government. No leader is unhappy and all have faith. Our government is getting stronger. We have the huge support of PM Modi and Amit Shah, said Shinde.

Earlier on Wednesday, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also said that opposition parties were creating confusion over the chief ministership of Eknath Shinde. Shinde will continue as the CM of the state, he said.

The Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut said that Shinde could be replaced in the coming days in the wake of NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs joining the NDA government.

The chief minister of Maharashtra may be changed anytime soon, Raut claimed. Sources said some of the Shiv Sena MLAs (Shinde faction) have extended an olive branch to Uddhav, urging him to do ghar wapasi (homecoming).

It is true that some of Sena (Shinde) MLAs have approached Uddhav Thackeray, saying they never spoke derogatory words against Uddhav or Aaditya. We may have committed some mistakes but the leadership forgave us, said a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.

MUMBAI: As the NCP bickered over its true form and shape, speculation mounted over the plans of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Amid reports of the CM stepping down to pave the way for his deputy Ajit Pawar to take over as the CM, Shinde on Thursday clarified that as long as he has the blessings of PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he will continue in his post. Shinde termed his resignation reports as rumours. There is no such plan to step down, Shinde said. He had a meeting with his elected representatives at Chief Ministers official residence Varsha on Wednesday. I want to clarify that with Ajit Pawar joining hands with us, our government has grown stronger. Our three-party MLA strength is more than 200 in the House of 288. There is no threat to our government. No leader is unhappy and all have faith. Our government is getting stronger. We have the huge support of PM Modi and Amit Shah, said Shinde.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier on Wednesday, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule also said that opposition parties were creating confusion over the chief ministership of Eknath Shinde. Shinde will continue as the CM of the state, he said. The Uddhav Thackeray faction leader Sanjay Raut said that Shinde could be replaced in the coming days in the wake of NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight other MLAs joining the NDA government. The chief minister of Maharashtra may be changed anytime soon, Raut claimed. Sources said some of the Shiv Sena MLAs (Shinde faction) have extended an olive branch to Uddhav, urging him to do ghar wapasi (homecoming). It is true that some of Sena (Shinde) MLAs have approached Uddhav Thackeray, saying they never spoke derogatory words against Uddhav or Aaditya. We may have committed some mistakes but the leadership forgave us, said a Shiv Sena (UBT) leader.
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea challenging the indefinite internet ban that has been imposed in Manipur since May 3 due to the outbreak of violence as a result of clashes.

On being informed that the Manipur HC is already seized of five pleas and that the matter was listed before the HC bench on July 6, 2023, a bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra directed the petitioner Advocate Chongtham Victor Singh and businessman Mayengbam James to approach the HC.

The plea stated that the internet shutdown order was first issued on May 3 and was repeated indefinitely. The repeated internet ban by Manipur govt has not only resulted in states residents experiencing feelings of fear, anxiety, helplessness but have also not been able to communicate with their loved ones, the plea said. Seeking restoration of internet in all districts the plea states that the notifications on ban does not serve a legitimate goal.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea challenging the indefinite internet ban that has been imposed in Manipur since May 3 due to the outbreak of violence as a result of clashes. On being informed that the Manipur HC is already seized of five pleas and that the matter was listed before the HC bench on July 6, 2023, a bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra directed the petitioner Advocate Chongtham Victor Singh and businessman Mayengbam James to approach the HC. The plea stated that the internet shutdown order was first issued on May 3 and was repeated indefinitely. The repeated internet ban by Manipur govt has not only resulted in states residents experiencing feelings of fear, anxiety, helplessness but have also not been able to communicate with their loved ones, the plea said. Seeking restoration of internet in all districts the plea states that the notifications on ban does not serve a legitimate goal.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing of pleas seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) and the Central government for holding early assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The pleas will be heard on July 11.

Noting that a five-judge Constitution bench has listed for July 11 the hearing of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, the bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra, posted the pleas for the same day. We will adjourn this. The 370 matter is listed for directions on July 11, the bench said, refusing to issue a notice.

The pleas filed by the National Panthers Party leaders Manju Singh and Harsh Dev Singh had sought directions to the Election Commission of India to hold the elections in the Union Territory without further delay. It was argued in the plea that delaying elections has resulted in the people of Jammu and Kashmir being denied their right to have elected representatives.

People of J&K, including the petitioners, have been deprived of their right to be represented by elected representatives in violation of the fundamental tenets of democracy, which the SC had held as part of the basic structure of the Constitution in Keshavananda Bharti V/s Union of India & Ors. (1973) 4 SCC 225, the plea said.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday adjourned the hearing of pleas seeking directions to the Election Commission (EC) and the Central government for holding early assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir. The pleas will be heard on July 11. Noting that a five-judge Constitution bench has listed for July 11 the hearing of petitions challenging the abrogation of Article 370, the bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Mishra, posted the pleas for the same day. We will adjourn this. The 370 matter is listed for directions on July 11, the bench said, refusing to issue a notice. The pleas filed by the National Panthers Party leaders Manju Singh and Harsh Dev Singh had sought directions to the Election Commission of India to hold the elections in the Union Territory without further delay. It was argued in the plea that delaying elections has resulted in the people of Jammu and Kashmir being denied their right to have elected representatives. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); People of J&K, including the petitioners, have been deprived of their right to be represented by elected representatives in violation of the fundamental tenets of democracy, which the SC had held as part of the basic structure of the Constitution in Keshavananda Bharti V/s Union of India & Ors. (1973) 4 SCC 225, the plea said.
Namita Bajpai By

Express News Service

LUCKNOW: Asserting that the Gita Press was the only printing press in the world which was more than an organisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that it was a 'jeevant astha' (vivid faith).

It is no less than a temple for crores of Indians, said the PM while addressing a gathering at the concluding ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Gita Press as the chief guest in Gorakhpur.

In a bid to counter the Congresss criticism of the decision to award the Gandhi Peace Prize to the 100-year-old publishing house dealing in Sanatan religious content, PM Modi said Mahatma Gandhi was "emotionally attached" to the Gita Press for which he himself used to write, and had even advised it to remain free of advertisements.

The Union government had announced that the Gita Press was the winner of the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 on June 18. This had prompted the Congress to term the decision a "travesty". The Congress said it was like awarding VD Savarkar or Gandhis killer Nathuram Godse. The party also cited the alleged "stormy" relations the publisher had with Gandhi and the running battles it carried on with him on his political, religious and social agenda.

Modi claimed that Gandhi used to write for 'Kalyan', a magazine which the press started publishing from 1926. "It is heartening to see that Gita Press still adheres to Gandhiji's advice and is keeping 'Kalyan' free of advertisements," he said. The PM maintained that the conferment of the Gandhi Peace Prize symbolised the "huge respect" for the work and heritage the press maintained for the last 100 years.

ALSO READ | Buzz on PM Modi considering to contest 2024 polls from Tamil Nadu

It (Gita Press) has Gita in its name and it is engaged in the work on Gita (Shrimad Bhagwat Gita). Where there is Gita, there is Krishna and where there is Krishna, there is Karuna (compassion) and Karma (deeds), said the PM. Describing the Gita Press as a "spiritual light" guiding humanity, Modi said that crores of religious texts published by the press were empowering scores of people around the globe spiritually.

The PM said that the institution was not just associated with 'Dharma' and 'Karma' but was also an embodiment of nationalism. "It unites the country and strengthens its unity," he said, referring to the 1800 different types of religious texts that are published in 15 different languages by the press, which has nearly 20 branches in various parts of the country.

The PM recalled the history of foreign invaders destroying the libraries and culture of 'Gurkul' and 'Guru-Shishya' parampara. "Our religious texts started vanishing. The printing press started operating at a high cost, taking them away from the reach of the common man," he said, questioning how society functioned in the absence of the Gita and Ramayana. When the sources of moral values start drying up, the flow of society comes to a standstill, he noted. He added that religious treatises and scriptures like Ramayana and Bhagwad Gita helped in dealing with such phases and challenges.

Modi said that the country was moving ahead by blending Vikas (development) with Virasat (heritage). "On the one hand, the country is taking a leap in digital technology and developing a world-class infrastructure, and on the other hand, we are about to see the realization of the 500-year-old dream of Ram Temple, besides restoring the glory Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Kedarnath and Mahakaal," he said.

LUCKNOW: Asserting that the Gita Press was the only printing press in the world which was more than an organisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday that it was a 'jeevant astha' (vivid faith). It is no less than a temple for crores of Indians, said the PM while addressing a gathering at the concluding ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Gita Press as the chief guest in Gorakhpur. In a bid to counter the Congresss criticism of the decision to award the Gandhi Peace Prize to the 100-year-old publishing house dealing in Sanatan religious content, PM Modi said Mahatma Gandhi was "emotionally attached" to the Gita Press for which he himself used to write, and had even advised it to remain free of advertisements.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Union government had announced that the Gita Press was the winner of the Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 on June 18. This had prompted the Congress to term the decision a "travesty". The Congress said it was like awarding VD Savarkar or Gandhis killer Nathuram Godse. The party also cited the alleged "stormy" relations the publisher had with Gandhi and the running battles it carried on with him on his political, religious and social agenda. Modi claimed that Gandhi used to write for 'Kalyan', a magazine which the press started publishing from 1926. "It is heartening to see that Gita Press still adheres to Gandhiji's advice and is keeping 'Kalyan' free of advertisements," he said. The PM maintained that the conferment of the Gandhi Peace Prize symbolised the "huge respect" for the work and heritage the press maintained for the last 100 years. ALSO READ | Buzz on PM Modi considering to contest 2024 polls from Tamil Nadu It (Gita Press) has Gita in its name and it is engaged in the work on Gita (Shrimad Bhagwat Gita). Where there is Gita, there is Krishna and where there is Krishna, there is Karuna (compassion) and Karma (deeds), said the PM. Describing the Gita Press as a "spiritual light" guiding humanity, Modi said that crores of religious texts published by the press were empowering scores of people around the globe spiritually. The PM said that the institution was not just associated with 'Dharma' and 'Karma' but was also an embodiment of nationalism. "It unites the country and strengthens its unity," he said, referring to the 1800 different types of religious texts that are published in 15 different languages by the press, which has nearly 20 branches in various parts of the country. The PM recalled the history of foreign invaders destroying the libraries and culture of 'Gurkul' and 'Guru-Shishya' parampara. "Our religious texts started vanishing. The printing press started operating at a high cost, taking them away from the reach of the common man," he said, questioning how society functioned in the absence of the Gita and Ramayana. When the sources of moral values start drying up, the flow of society comes to a standstill, he noted. He added that religious treatises and scriptures like Ramayana and Bhagwad Gita helped in dealing with such phases and challenges. Modi said that the country was moving ahead by blending Vikas (development) with Virasat (heritage). "On the one hand, the country is taking a leap in digital technology and developing a world-class infrastructure, and on the other hand, we are about to see the realization of the 500-year-old dream of Ram Temple, besides restoring the glory Kashi Vishwanath Dham, Kedarnath and Mahakaal," he said.
By Express News Service

KOLKATA: The three-tier panchayat elections on Saturday will not only decide who is going to dominate rural Bengal's political landscape for the next five years, but are also seen as a curtain raiser to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state, measuring the support of each political party at the ground level.

With the violence in the past one month having already claimed 19 lives, Bengal is fearing more bloodshed during the electoral exercise, which will start shortly after sunrise.

Three bodies were recovered in the past 24 hours from Murshidabad and North 24 Paraganas districts strengthening the anticipation of violence. Two of the bodies were found in Murshidabad, the minority dominated district where the Trinamool Congress received a jolt in the recent by-election as the Congress snatched away Sagardighi Assembly seat from the ruling party.

Though Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the Congress victory in Sagardighi, where minorities form 66 per cent of the electorate, as a result of combined efforts of the CPI(M), BJP and the grand old party, leaders in Murshidabad admitted that the result of the by-election reflected discontent among Muslims. Our party failed because of corruption by party satraps, said a TMC leader.

Around 5.67 lakh voters will exercise their franchise on Saturday and decide the political future of 2,06,295 contestants who have joined the fray in the rural polls. The ruling Trinamool Congress fielded 71,938 candidates in the electoral battle and the party won many seats uncontested.

ALSO READ | 'All waters in holy Ganges can't wash away blood on your hands': Bengal Guv slams state poll chief

On Friday, governor CV Ananda Bose, who had slammed the state election commissioner 24 hours ago saying waters of the holy Ganges cannot wash away blood on his hand, visited Beldanga, Khargram and Domkol in Murshidabad district from where incidents of violence were reported.

The body of a Congress worker was found in Raninagar in Murshidabad. The party alleged that he was beaten to death by Trinamool Congress members. Another body was found in Beldanga and police are yet to ascertain whether the deceased was a victim of political violence.

At Bongaon in North 24 Parganas, the body of a man in his mid-40s, who was missing for the past three days, was found with bullet injuries.

Two persons were injured after a crude bomb exploded at Farakka in Murshidabad district, while in Birbhums Dubrajpur, police recovered 200 bombs from a paddy field, which were suspected to be stored for violence during the rural polls.

The remaining 485 companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) personnel arrived in the state and were being sent to the districts for poll duty on Saturday.

KOLKATA: The three-tier panchayat elections on Saturday will not only decide who is going to dominate rural Bengal's political landscape for the next five years, but are also seen as a curtain raiser to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state, measuring the support of each political party at the ground level. With the violence in the past one month having already claimed 19 lives, Bengal is fearing more bloodshed during the electoral exercise, which will start shortly after sunrise. Three bodies were recovered in the past 24 hours from Murshidabad and North 24 Paraganas districts strengthening the anticipation of violence. Two of the bodies were found in Murshidabad, the minority dominated district where the Trinamool Congress received a jolt in the recent by-election as the Congress snatched away Sagardighi Assembly seat from the ruling party.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Though Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee termed the Congress victory in Sagardighi, where minorities form 66 per cent of the electorate, as a result of combined efforts of the CPI(M), BJP and the grand old party, leaders in Murshidabad admitted that the result of the by-election reflected discontent among Muslims. Our party failed because of corruption by party satraps, said a TMC leader. Around 5.67 lakh voters will exercise their franchise on Saturday and decide the political future of 2,06,295 contestants who have joined the fray in the rural polls. The ruling Trinamool Congress fielded 71,938 candidates in the electoral battle and the party won many seats uncontested. ALSO READ | 'All waters in holy Ganges can't wash away blood on your hands': Bengal Guv slams state poll chief On Friday, governor CV Ananda Bose, who had slammed the state election commissioner 24 hours ago saying waters of the holy Ganges cannot wash away blood on his hand, visited Beldanga, Khargram and Domkol in Murshidabad district from where incidents of violence were reported. The body of a Congress worker was found in Raninagar in Murshidabad. The party alleged that he was beaten to death by Trinamool Congress members. Another body was found in Beldanga and police are yet to ascertain whether the deceased was a victim of political violence. At Bongaon in North 24 Parganas, the body of a man in his mid-40s, who was missing for the past three days, was found with bullet injuries. Two persons were injured after a crude bomb exploded at Farakka in Murshidabad district, while in Birbhums Dubrajpur, police recovered 200 bombs from a paddy field, which were suspected to be stored for violence during the rural polls. The remaining 485 companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Force (CAPF) personnel arrived in the state and were being sent to the districts for poll duty on Saturday.
S Gurumurthy By

After the 1937 Act was passed, the Muslim League emerged as a Muslim mass party and began challenging the unchallenged Gandhi-led Congress, which had till then total mobilising power over the Indian masses. The 1937 Act triggered powerful forces of Islamic religious and communal passions outside the Congress's influence. As the British and the League had intended, the Act helped the massive shift of the Muslims from the Gandhi-led Congress. The shift was so huge and so swift that even the League, which had till then thought of a federal government for Hindus and Muslims with separation of powers, suddenly shifted gears and asked for partition. The 1937 Act was passed in October 1937 and within just two-and-a-half years, in March 1940, Jinnah passed the Lahore partition resolution.

Article 44 as reaction to the 1937 Act

The UCC will not be written on a clean slate, it will be overwritten on the 1937 Shariat Act. What divided the Hindu and Muslim relations by a jhatka and eventually India itself, was the 1937 Act. The partition could not bridge the divide, and the continuance of the 1937 Act post Independence continues to make the Hindu-Muslim relations drift towards a greater split. The UCC is an attempt to arrest that drift. The BJPs response to the Congress charge that the UCC divides is, Look at the Constitution, it says pass the UCC. This is a poor response given the seriousness of the UCC to arrest the drift caused by the 1937 Act. The BJPs articulators understanding of the UCC doesnt seem to go to the deep, sordid historical origins of the UCC.

They do not seem to ask themselves the most obvious question  why did the Founding Fathers of the Constitution engage in strenuous discourse on the need for a Uniform Civil Code for India, which was after all within the legislative power of the Parliament? Had the 1937 Act not been passed and subsisted, the Constituent Assembly would not have wasted its time on the UCC. They could not allow a separate religious law, that too a law that divided India, to subsist. Any keen student of the history of the idea of the UCC in India would have known that the very thought of the UCC in the Constituent Assembly was clearly to undo the 1937 Shariat Act. The trigger for Article 44 mandating UCC under the Directive Principles was the 1937 Act, which divided India. The Founding Fathers did not want to leave it to the political discretion of the lawmakers later to pass or not to pass the UCC, but made it their constitutional duty. The BJP should be pointing to the 1937 Act as the cause that split India and that was why the Founding Fathers had to mandate the UCC as a stitch on the split. The BJP should be charging those who ruled the country for 70 years with having kept the split and wound open, which made Hindu-Muslim relations deteriorate instead of improve in secular India. If the BJP cant tell the nation about the historical background of the UCC, which is the 1937 Act, why will the detractors of the UCC not ask what is the need for a Uniform Civil Code now when there are scores of other problems facing the nation?

Ambedkars challenge to Muslim League

The man who fought the case for the UCC in the Constituent Assembly was Dr B R Ambedkar. He lambasted the League members who argued in the Constituent Assembly against a common civil code saying Sharia was immutable for Muslims. He challenged them to deny that up to 1935, the North-West Frontier Province followed not the Sharia Law, but the Hindu Law, and up to 1937 in the rest of India, the United Provinces, the Central Provinces and Bombay, Muslims were largely governed by the Hindu Law in matters of succession. He cited that the Muslims in North Malabar were till that day following the Hindu Marumakkathayam (matrilineal) law. He concluded that no Muslim could say that the framers of the idea of a common civil code had done great violence to the sentiments of the Muslim community. Here are the details of the common bases of civil code among Hindus and Muslims which Dr Ambedkar spoke about.

ALSO READ: 1937 Shariat Act  For Muslims or for Jinnah and the Zamindars?

Common civil law base of Hindu-Muslim society till October 1937

Go back to 1937. From Kerala to UP, from Bengal to North-West Province, whether it was the Hindu-ruled Ajmer-Merwara or Muslim-ruled Awad (Ayodhya), the rules of Inheritance, Succession, Adoption, or Wills were common for Hindus and Muslims. See the list.

In Kerala, the local Hindu law of Marumakkathayam prevailed over the Sharia among Moplah Muslims. In the succession to Tarawad in Malabar in Kerala, in Muslim families that followed Hindu customs, the Sharia was not applied.

In Punjab and the North-Western Province, now part of Pakistan, local Hindu customs prevailed over the Sharia. In Punjab, the heart of todays Pakistan, the Hindu custom of allowing widows life estate in property prevailed over the Sharia that give her an absolute share. The customary law of East and West Punjab did not recognise the Sharia on Iddat, which provided for a divorced wifes maintenance only for three months.

In Oudh (Ayodhya)  Muslim-ruled province till 1856  the custom among the Muslims for the widows to take a life interest as per Hindu law prevailed over the Sharia that gave her specific, absolute share. In East and West Punjab, the custom of adoption prevalent among the Muslims that was contrary to the Sharia, was recognised by courts. The custom of writing Wills among the Muslims in East and West Punjab, which was contrary to the Sharia, too, was recognised by courts. In East Punjab, customs having the force of law were expressly allowed to prevail over the Shariat.

The Oudh Estates Act passed by Muslim rulers expressly exempted Muslims from the application of the Sharia. The Nawab of Oudh legislated local customs to prevail over the Sharia, as in East Punjab. It was identical in Ajmer-Merwara also. In Madhya Pradesh, too, local customs conflicting with the Sharia prevailed. Kambojis of Malerkotla state who were predominantly agricultural, were governed by local custom and not the Sharia in matters of inheritance.

When a large section of people converted from Hinduism to Islam, like the Kutchi Memons and the Khojas, they continued to be governed by Hindu laws. The same principle of Hindu law, as in the case of Memons and the Khojas, was applied to the Sunni Bohras and Molisalam Giriasias in Gujarat. Halai Memons, like the Kutchi Memons, were governed by Hindu law.

In Madras province, courts refused to apply the Sharia principle that mandated Muslims to sell their properties only to Muslims. In the Presidency towns of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, local Hindu customs prevailed over the Shariat. In the mofussil areas of Madras, local customs and usages were allowed to prevail over the Shariat.

An interesting tailpiece. Despite the Shariat Act 1937, the Muslims of Cooch Behar were governed only by the Hindu law till, believe it, as recently as July 1, 1980. Only from that date did the government of West Bengal notify the application of the Shariat Act.

Can anyone deny that the aim of the 1937 Act was to cut off the umbilical links that existed between the Hindus and the converts?

Economic integration, social diversity

It was this commonality between Hindus and converted Muslims at the local levels that made them feel like each other was the target of the 1937 Act. The Islamic Sharia consists of two broad aspects. One, the religious and cultural part; and two, the economic part. That part of Sharia which consisted of marriage, divorce and other cultural and social aspects was followed by the converted Muslims even before 1937. So, cultural diversity that enabled the converts to follow their own religious rules existed even before 1937. But the second part, the economic part, consisted of property rights and inheritance rules. As in almost the whole of India, local Hindu customs and usage laws of property and property rights were common to Hindus and Muslims till 1937, which acted as a powerful social and economic link and kept the converted Muslims integrated with their ancestral Hindu society. The idea behind the 1937 Act besides giving separate and formal communal and religious identity to the Muslims, was psychologically to snap the common rules of property and property rights. The strategy behind the Shariat Act 1937 was to break that societal bond. The 1937 Act turned two brothers with differences into enemies without a common base in just under a decade. See the most powerful example of how this transformation worked.

1937 Act turned brothers into enemies

Jinnah belonged to the Khoja Muslim community, also known as Ismailis. Who were Khojas? Even as late as just a few decades before Jinnah sounded the Islamic partition bugle, the Holy Book of the Khojas, was not the Quran but Dashavatara. In Dashavatara, nine Avatars up to Krishna were common between Khoja Muslims and Hindus. Only the 10th Avatar is different. The tenth Avatar for the Khojas was Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed. In their work, The Aga Khan Case: Religion and Identity in Colonial India [p55] Purohit, Teena (2001) citing the famous Aga Khan succession case [1866] in the Mumbai High Court confirm that fact. In Dashavatara, part of the Ismaili devotional hymns known as Ginans was the work of Pir Sadruddin, founder of the Khojas and descendent of Prophets son-in-law, Ali. This was cited as Aga Khans previous connection with the Prophet through Ali Pir Sadruddin. As Khojas converted, not as individuals, but as a community, it was the Hindu law of succession that applied to them, not the Sharia.

Jinnah, who was born within 10 years of the Bombay High Court judgment that Khojas did not have Quran as their Holy Text, might not have read the Quran but perhaps only Dashavatara as he grew up. He himself followed only the Hindu law till 1937. He ensured even in the 1937 Act he would have the rights of a Hindu to adopt and also to write a Will. And yet he turned the bitterest enemy of the Hindus and unleashed a bloodbath when he called for direct action in 1946 to achieve partition. Like Jinnah, later the grandson of Aga Khan [Aga Khan III] played a prominent part in the Muslim League and in the creation of Pakistan. Like in the case of Khojas, Kutchi Memon Muslims who, too, were similarly converted as a group, the Hindu law, not the Islamic one, applied. Tiger Memon and Yakub Memon, whose parents and grandparents would have only followed the Hindu laws, bombed and killed as many as 900 innocents and maimed 2000 in 1993. The trigger for this massive shift to hostility and enmity was the 1937 Shariat Act.

The UCC was conceptualised by the Founding Fathers to ensure that post Independence, Hindu-Muslim relations are not ruined like in the pre-partition days by the continuation of the 1937 Act. Contrary to the constitutional mandate, the 1937 law has been allowed to fester for too long. The law that divided Bharat into India and Pakistan and which the Constitution makers wanted undone, is now being glorified by pseudo-seculars as integral to the religious rights of Muslims. This is an utter perversion. The UCC is an attempt  a belated one though  to right that historic wrong. It calls for deep national introspection dating back to 1937. Undoubtedly the 1937 Act divided India. Will the UCC integrate it?

S Gurumurthy

Editor, Thuglak, and commentator on economic and political affairs

After the 1937 Act was passed, the Muslim League emerged as a Muslim mass party and began challenging the unchallenged Gandhi-led Congress, which had till then total mobilising power over the Indian masses. The 1937 Act triggered powerful forces of Islamic religious and communal passions outside the Congress's influence. As the British and the League had intended, the Act helped the massive shift of the Muslims from the Gandhi-led Congress. The shift was so huge and so swift that even the League, which had till then thought of a federal government for Hindus and Muslims with separation of powers, suddenly shifted gears and asked for partition. The 1937 Act was passed in October 1937 and within just two-and-a-half years, in March 1940, Jinnah passed the Lahore partition resolution. Article 44 as reaction to the 1937 Act The UCC will not be written on a clean slate, it will be overwritten on the 1937 Shariat Act. What divided the Hindu and Muslim relations by a jhatka and eventually India itself, was the 1937 Act. The partition could not bridge the divide, and the continuance of the 1937 Act post Independence continues to make the Hindu-Muslim relations drift towards a greater split. The UCC is an attempt to arrest that drift. The BJPs response to the Congress charge that the UCC divides is, Look at the Constitution, it says pass the UCC. This is a poor response given the seriousness of the UCC to arrest the drift caused by the 1937 Act. The BJPs articulators understanding of the UCC doesnt seem to go to the deep, sordid historical origins of the UCC. They do not seem to ask themselves the most obvious question  why did the Founding Fathers of the Constitution engage in strenuous discourse on the need for a Uniform Civil Code for India, which was after all within the legislative power of the Parliament? Had the 1937 Act not been passed and subsisted, the Constituent Assembly would not have wasted its time on the UCC. They could not allow a separate religious law, that too a law that divided India, to subsist. Any keen student of the history of the idea of the UCC in India would have known that the very thought of the UCC in the Constituent Assembly was clearly to undo the 1937 Shariat Act. The trigger for Article 44 mandating UCC under the Directive Principles was the 1937 Act, which divided India. The Founding Fathers did not want to leave it to the political discretion of the lawmakers later to pass or not to pass the UCC, but made it their constitutional duty. The BJP should be pointing to the 1937 Act as the cause that split India and that was why the Founding Fathers had to mandate the UCC as a stitch on the split. The BJP should be charging those who ruled the country for 70 years with having kept the split and wound open, which made Hindu-Muslim relations deteriorate instead of improve in secular India. If the BJP cant tell the nation about the historical background of the UCC, which is the 1937 Act, why will the detractors of the UCC not ask what is the need for a Uniform Civil Code now when there are scores of other problems facing the nation?googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Ambedkars challenge to Muslim League The man who fought the case for the UCC in the Constituent Assembly was Dr B R Ambedkar. He lambasted the League members who argued in the Constituent Assembly against a common civil code saying Sharia was immutable for Muslims. He challenged them to deny that up to 1935, the North-West Frontier Province followed not the Sharia Law, but the Hindu Law, and up to 1937 in the rest of India, the United Provinces, the Central Provinces and Bombay, Muslims were largely governed by the Hindu Law in matters of succession. He cited that the Muslims in North Malabar were till that day following the Hindu Marumakkathayam (matrilineal) law. He concluded that no Muslim could say that the framers of the idea of a common civil code had done great violence to the sentiments of the Muslim community. Here are the details of the common bases of civil code among Hindus and Muslims which Dr Ambedkar spoke about. ALSO READ: 1937 Shariat Act  For Muslims or for Jinnah and the Zamindars? Common civil law base of Hindu-Muslim society till October 1937 Go back to 1937. From Kerala to UP, from Bengal to North-West Province, whether it was the Hindu-ruled Ajmer-Merwara or Muslim-ruled Awad (Ayodhya), the rules of Inheritance, Succession, Adoption, or Wills were common for Hindus and Muslims. See the list. In Kerala, the local Hindu law of Marumakkathayam prevailed over the Sharia among Moplah Muslims. In the succession to Tarawad in Malabar in Kerala, in Muslim families that followed Hindu customs, the Sharia was not applied. In Punjab and the North-Western Province, now part of Pakistan, local Hindu customs prevailed over the Sharia. In Punjab, the heart of todays Pakistan, the Hindu custom of allowing widows life estate in property prevailed over the Sharia that give her an absolute share. The customary law of East and West Punjab did not recognise the Sharia on Iddat, which provided for a divorced wifes maintenance only for three months. In Oudh (Ayodhya)  Muslim-ruled province till 1856  the custom among the Muslims for the widows to take a life interest as per Hindu law prevailed over the Sharia that gave her specific, absolute share. In East and West Punjab, the custom of adoption prevalent among the Muslims that was contrary to the Sharia, was recognised by courts. The custom of writing Wills among the Muslims in East and West Punjab, which was contrary to the Sharia, too, was recognised by courts. In East Punjab, customs having the force of law were expressly allowed to prevail over the Shariat. The Oudh Estates Act passed by Muslim rulers expressly exempted Muslims from the application of the Sharia. The Nawab of Oudh legislated local customs to prevail over the Sharia, as in East Punjab. It was identical in Ajmer-Merwara also. In Madhya Pradesh, too, local customs conflicting with the Sharia prevailed. Kambojis of Malerkotla state who were predominantly agricultural, were governed by local custom and not the Sharia in matters of inheritance. When a large section of people converted from Hinduism to Islam, like the Kutchi Memons and the Khojas, they continued to be governed by Hindu laws. The same principle of Hindu law, as in the case of Memons and the Khojas, was applied to the Sunni Bohras and Molisalam Giriasias in Gujarat. Halai Memons, like the Kutchi Memons, were governed by Hindu law. In Madras province, courts refused to apply the Sharia principle that mandated Muslims to sell their properties only to Muslims. In the Presidency towns of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay, local Hindu customs prevailed over the Shariat. In the mofussil areas of Madras, local customs and usages were allowed to prevail over the Shariat. An interesting tailpiece. Despite the Shariat Act 1937, the Muslims of Cooch Behar were governed only by the Hindu law till, believe it, as recently as July 1, 1980. Only from that date did the government of West Bengal notify the application of the Shariat Act. Can anyone deny that the aim of the 1937 Act was to cut off the umbilical links that existed between the Hindus and the converts? Economic integration, social diversity It was this commonality between Hindus and converted Muslims at the local levels that made them feel like each other was the target of the 1937 Act. The Islamic Sharia consists of two broad aspects. One, the religious and cultural part; and two, the economic part. That part of Sharia which consisted of marriage, divorce and other cultural and social aspects was followed by the converted Muslims even before 1937. So, cultural diversity that enabled the converts to follow their own religious rules existed even before 1937. But the second part, the economic part, consisted of property rights and inheritance rules. As in almost the whole of India, local Hindu customs and usage laws of property and property rights were common to Hindus and Muslims till 1937, which acted as a powerful social and economic link and kept the converted Muslims integrated with their ancestral Hindu society. The idea behind the 1937 Act besides giving separate and formal communal and religious identity to the Muslims, was psychologically to snap the common rules of property and property rights. The strategy behind the Shariat Act 1937 was to break that societal bond. The 1937 Act turned two brothers with differences into enemies without a common base in just under a decade. See the most powerful example of how this transformation worked. 1937 Act turned brothers into enemies Jinnah belonged to the Khoja Muslim community, also known as Ismailis. Who were Khojas? Even as late as just a few decades before Jinnah sounded the Islamic partition bugle, the Holy Book of the Khojas, was not the Quran but Dashavatara. In Dashavatara, nine Avatars up to Krishna were common between Khoja Muslims and Hindus. Only the 10th Avatar is different. The tenth Avatar for the Khojas was Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed. In their work, The Aga Khan Case: Religion and Identity in Colonial India [p55] Purohit, Teena (2001) citing the famous Aga Khan succession case [1866] in the Mumbai High Court confirm that fact. In Dashavatara, part of the Ismaili devotional hymns known as Ginans was the work of Pir Sadruddin, founder of the Khojas and descendent of Prophets son-in-law, Ali. This was cited as Aga Khans previous connection with the Prophet through Ali Pir Sadruddin. As Khojas converted, not as individuals, but as a community, it was the Hindu law of succession that applied to them, not the Sharia. Jinnah, who was born within 10 years of the Bombay High Court judgment that Khojas did not have Quran as their Holy Text, might not have read the Quran but perhaps only Dashavatara as he grew up. He himself followed only the Hindu law till 1937. He ensured even in the 1937 Act he would have the rights of a Hindu to adopt and also to write a Will. And yet he turned the bitterest enemy of the Hindus and unleashed a bloodbath when he called for direct action in 1946 to achieve partition. Like Jinnah, later the grandson of Aga Khan [Aga Khan III] played a prominent part in the Muslim League and in the creation of Pakistan. Like in the case of Khojas, Kutchi Memon Muslims who, too, were similarly converted as a group, the Hindu law, not the Islamic one, applied. Tiger Memon and Yakub Memon, whose parents and grandparents would have only followed the Hindu laws, bombed and killed as many as 900 innocents and maimed 2000 in 1993. The trigger for this massive shift to hostility and enmity was the 1937 Shariat Act. The UCC was conceptualised by the Founding Fathers to ensure that post Independence, Hindu-Muslim relations are not ruined like in the pre-partition days by the continuation of the 1937 Act. Contrary to the constitutional mandate, the 1937 law has been allowed to fester for too long. The law that divided Bharat into India and Pakistan and which the Constitution makers wanted undone, is now being glorified by pseudo-seculars as integral to the religious rights of Muslims. This is an utter perversion. The UCC is an attempt  a belated one though  to right that historic wrong. It calls for deep national introspection dating back to 1937. Undoubtedly the 1937 Act divided India. Will the UCC integrate it? S Gurumurthy Editor, Thuglak, and commentator on economic and political affairs
Sreenu Babu Pativada By

Express News Service

SRIKAKULAM: The price slump in the domestic market and surge in input cost for processing cashew nuts has forced the manufacturers in Palasa of Uddanam region to go on a 25-day strike from July 5. With 350-odd cashew units being shut, the livelihoods of over 20,000 workers are at stake.

Palasa Industrial Estate and villages in the vicinity are home to 350 industries that process at least 3,000 bags of raw cashew nuts per day. The humble town is known as the financial capital of Srikakulam district due to the thriving cashew industry that exports nearly two tonnes of processed cashew kernels to Gorakhpur, Indore, Kanpur, Jaipur, and other parts of the country daily.

However, the industry has been facing a challenging time for the past few months due to an increase in power tariffs and labour charges. Cashew nuts imported from Vietnam at a cheaper price are also hurting the manufacturers in Palasa. This has forced the Palasa Cashew Manufacturers Association to call for a strike as they are unable to bear the expense of operating the units.

The rise in imports has resulted in a sudden decline in the price of the commodity to Rs 625 from Rs 800 per kg of the 180-grade variety. As the input cost for processing cashew nuts has increased due to the surge in power tariff and labour charges, we are incurring hefty losses, Palasa Industrial Estate Cashew Association President M Rameswara Rao lamented.

The imports from Vietnam are cheaper as the availability of raw cashew nuts as well as their processing cost is very low in the South Asian country. Demanding the State government to set up a cashew development board similar to the one in Kerala, Rameswara Rao said the board can then resolve issues related to cashew production and marketing.

Further, the Palasa Industrial Estate Cashew Association president said a meeting will be held on July 15 to discuss with other manufacturers whether or not the strike should be continued till July 30. Meanwhile, the 20,000-strong labour force at these units is preparing ground to protest against the bandh.

SRIKAKULAM: The price slump in the domestic market and surge in input cost for processing cashew nuts has forced the manufacturers in Palasa of Uddanam region to go on a 25-day strike from July 5. With 350-odd cashew units being shut, the livelihoods of over 20,000 workers are at stake. Palasa Industrial Estate and villages in the vicinity are home to 350 industries that process at least 3,000 bags of raw cashew nuts per day. The humble town is known as the financial capital of Srikakulam district due to the thriving cashew industry that exports nearly two tonnes of processed cashew kernels to Gorakhpur, Indore, Kanpur, Jaipur, and other parts of the country daily. However, the industry has been facing a challenging time for the past few months due to an increase in power tariffs and labour charges. Cashew nuts imported from Vietnam at a cheaper price are also hurting the manufacturers in Palasa. This has forced the Palasa Cashew Manufacturers Association to call for a strike as they are unable to bear the expense of operating the units.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The rise in imports has resulted in a sudden decline in the price of the commodity to Rs 625 from Rs 800 per kg of the 180-grade variety. As the input cost for processing cashew nuts has increased due to the surge in power tariff and labour charges, we are incurring hefty losses, Palasa Industrial Estate Cashew Association President M Rameswara Rao lamented. The imports from Vietnam are cheaper as the availability of raw cashew nuts as well as their processing cost is very low in the South Asian country. Demanding the State government to set up a cashew development board similar to the one in Kerala, Rameswara Rao said the board can then resolve issues related to cashew production and marketing. Further, the Palasa Industrial Estate Cashew Association president said a meeting will be held on July 15 to discuss with other manufacturers whether or not the strike should be continued till July 30. Meanwhile, the 20,000-strong labour force at these units is preparing ground to protest against the bandh.
By PTI

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has said abusive words used against the Prime Minister was derogatory and irresponsible but it does not constitute sedition, while quashing a case of sedition against a school management.

Justice Hemant Chandangoudar, at the Kalburgi bench of the High Court, quashed the FIR filed by the New Town Police Station, Bidar, against Allauddin, Abdul Khaleq, Mohammed Bilal Inamdar and Mohammed Mehatab, all management persons of Shaheen School in Bidar.

The court said the ingredients of Section 153(A) (causing disharmony between religious groups) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) are not found in the case.

"The utterance of the abusive words that the Prime Minister should be hit with footwear is not only derogatory but is irresponsible.

The constructive criticism of the government policy is permissible, but the Constitutional functionaries cannot be insulted for having taken a policy decision, for which, certain section of the people may have an objection," Justice Chandangoudar said in his judgement.

Though it was alleged that the play enacted by the children criticised the various enactments of the government and "if such enactments are enforced, the Muslims may have to leave the country," the HC noted that "the play was enacted within the school premises. There are no words uttered by the children inciting people to resort to violence or to create public disorder."

The HC said the play came to public knowledge when one of the accused uploaded the play on his social media account.

"Hence, at no stretch of imagination it can be said that the petitioners herein enacted the play with an intention to incite people to resort to violence against the government or with the intention of creating public disorder," it observed.

Therefore, the court said that "the registration of the FIR for the offence under Section 124A (Sedition) and Section 505(2) in the absence of essential ingredients is impermissible."

The sedition FIR was filed against the school authorities following the performance of a play against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) by students of Classes 4, 5, and 6 on January 21, 2020.

The four persons were charged under Sections 504 (insulting someone intentionally), 505(2), 124A (sedition), and 153A read with Section 34 of the IPC following a complaint by one Nilesh Rakshala, an Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist.

The HC had initially dictated the operative portion of the order, and the full judgement was uploaded recently.

The HC, in its judgement, also had advice for schools to keep children away from criticising governments.

"Dramatisation of the topics which are appealing and creative in developing a child's interest in academics is preferable, and hovering over current political issues imprints or corrupts young minds.

They should be fed with knowledge, technology, etc, which benefits them in their upcoming curriculum academic period.

"Therefore the schools have to channelise the river of knowledge towards children for their welfare and betterment of society and not indulge in teaching the children to criticise the policies of the government, and also insult the Constitutional functionaries for having taken particular policy decision which is not within the framework of imparting education," the judgement said.

BENGALURU: The Karnataka High Court has said abusive words used against the Prime Minister was derogatory and irresponsible but it does not constitute sedition, while quashing a case of sedition against a school management. Justice Hemant Chandangoudar, at the Kalburgi bench of the High Court, quashed the FIR filed by the New Town Police Station, Bidar, against Allauddin, Abdul Khaleq, Mohammed Bilal Inamdar and Mohammed Mehatab, all management persons of Shaheen School in Bidar. The court said the ingredients of Section 153(A) (causing disharmony between religious groups) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) are not found in the case.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The utterance of the abusive words that the Prime Minister should be hit with footwear is not only derogatory but is irresponsible. The constructive criticism of the government policy is permissible, but the Constitutional functionaries cannot be insulted for having taken a policy decision, for which, certain section of the people may have an objection," Justice Chandangoudar said in his judgement. Though it was alleged that the play enacted by the children criticised the various enactments of the government and "if such enactments are enforced, the Muslims may have to leave the country," the HC noted that "the play was enacted within the school premises. There are no words uttered by the children inciting people to resort to violence or to create public disorder." The HC said the play came to public knowledge when one of the accused uploaded the play on his social media account. "Hence, at no stretch of imagination it can be said that the petitioners herein enacted the play with an intention to incite people to resort to violence against the government or with the intention of creating public disorder," it observed. Therefore, the court said that "the registration of the FIR for the offence under Section 124A (Sedition) and Section 505(2) in the absence of essential ingredients is impermissible." The sedition FIR was filed against the school authorities following the performance of a play against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) by students of Classes 4, 5, and 6 on January 21, 2020. The four persons were charged under Sections 504 (insulting someone intentionally), 505(2), 124A (sedition), and 153A read with Section 34 of the IPC following a complaint by one Nilesh Rakshala, an Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist. The HC had initially dictated the operative portion of the order, and the full judgement was uploaded recently. The HC, in its judgement, also had advice for schools to keep children away from criticising governments. "Dramatisation of the topics which are appealing and creative in developing a child's interest in academics is preferable, and hovering over current political issues imprints or corrupts young minds. They should be fed with knowledge, technology, etc, which benefits them in their upcoming curriculum academic period. "Therefore the schools have to channelise the river of knowledge towards children for their welfare and betterment of society and not indulge in teaching the children to criticise the policies of the government, and also insult the Constitutional functionaries for having taken particular policy decision which is not within the framework of imparting education," the judgement said.
By Express News Service

KOZHIKODE: Those line sketches were so powerful that they reflected the hurt feelings and pain of Bheema in Randamoozham, the masterpiece of M T Vasudevan Nair. As writer VKN rightly said he was the Paramasivan (Lord Siva) of line sketches.

K M Vasudevan Namboothiri, popularly known as Artist Namboothiri, whose iconic illustrations gave life to many mythical characters in Malayalam literature passed away at Kottakkal in Malappuram district in the wee hours of Friday.

The 97-year-old artist who inspired a golden era of painting and sculpture in Kerala through his unique three-dimensional sketches was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital in Kottakkal where he breathed his last at 12.21 am on Friday.

Born to Parameswaran Namboothiri and Sridevi Antharjanam of Karuvattu Illam in Ponnani on September 13, 1925, Artist Namboothiri, started drawing line sketches of characters he met around his village using charcoal pieces on the walls of his house at a very young age. Namboothiri had lessons in Sanskrit and traditional Ayurveda medicine during his childhood.

(Photo | Express)

It was famous artist Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboothiri who took him to Madras College of Fine Arts where he was groomed by legends like KCS Panikker. Namboothiri had the opportunity to bring to life the epic characters of legendary writers like M T Vasudevan Nair and V K Narayanankutty Nair (VKN).

MT Vasudevan Nair had once said that it was Namboothiri's Bheema that readers saw in Randamoozham as his line sketches were distinctive. VKN had called him the 'paramasivan of drawings'.

Namboothiri's sketches (Kerala Arts Gallery)

Namboothiri's line sketches were so powerful that they brought to life the simplicity of Kerala's rustic life. As a sculptor, he worked on multiple media like wood, metal, stone, cement and clay. His drawings gave life to many characters in stories and novels that were serialized by literary magazines like Samakalika Malayalam, Kala Kaumudi and Mathrubhumi.

He had won much appreciation for the illustrations based on Sankaracharya's Soundarya Lahari drawn at the request of actor Mohanlal. Namboothiri had worked as the art director for director Aravindan's movies like Utharayanam and Kanchana Seetha.

He had received many honours like Kerala Lalita Kala Akademi's Raja Ravi Varma Award and the State Institute of Children's Literature award. He is survived by his wife Mrinalini and sons Parameswaran and Vasudevan.

1925 - 2023

A disciple of Paniker

During his early days, Namboothiri assisted K C S Paniker to complete an oversize painting for the Railways.

He proved his skill in copper relief work in which he created a series based on various events from Mahabharata and Parayi Petta Panthirukulam. He also created a few large sculptures for Cholamandal.

Namboothiri had served as the chairman of Kerala Lalitakala Academy twice. He had won much appreciation for the illustrations based on Sankaracharyas Soundarya Lahari drawn at the request of actor Mohanlal.

Namboothiri also worked as an art director for films like Uttarayanam and Kanchana Seetha, directed by G Aravindan, which won him the Kerala State Award for the best art director. He had received many honours like Kerala Lalita Kala Akademis Raja Ravi Varma Award. He is survived by wife Mrinalini and sons Parameswaran and Vasudevan.

KOZHIKODE: Those line sketches were so powerful that they reflected the hurt feelings and pain of Bheema in Randamoozham, the masterpiece of M T Vasudevan Nair. As writer VKN rightly said he was the Paramasivan (Lord Siva) of line sketches. K M Vasudevan Namboothiri, popularly known as Artist Namboothiri, whose iconic illustrations gave life to many mythical characters in Malayalam literature passed away at Kottakkal in Malappuram district in the wee hours of Friday. The 97-year-old artist who inspired a golden era of painting and sculpture in Kerala through his unique three-dimensional sketches was undergoing treatment for age-related ailments at a private hospital in Kottakkal where he breathed his last at 12.21 am on Friday.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Born to Parameswaran Namboothiri and Sridevi Antharjanam of Karuvattu Illam in Ponnani on September 13, 1925, Artist Namboothiri, started drawing line sketches of characters he met around his village using charcoal pieces on the walls of his house at a very young age. Namboothiri had lessons in Sanskrit and traditional Ayurveda medicine during his childhood. (Photo | Express) It was famous artist Varikkasseri Krishnan Namboothiri who took him to Madras College of Fine Arts where he was groomed by legends like KCS Panikker. Namboothiri had the opportunity to bring to life the epic characters of legendary writers like M T Vasudevan Nair and V K Narayanankutty Nair (VKN). MT Vasudevan Nair had once said that it was Namboothiri's Bheema that readers saw in Randamoozham as his line sketches were distinctive. VKN had called him the 'paramasivan of drawings'. Namboothiri's sketches (Kerala Arts Gallery) Namboothiri's line sketches were so powerful that they brought to life the simplicity of Kerala's rustic life. As a sculptor, he worked on multiple media like wood, metal, stone, cement and clay. His drawings gave life to many characters in stories and novels that were serialized by literary magazines like Samakalika Malayalam, Kala Kaumudi and Mathrubhumi. He had won much appreciation for the illustrations based on Sankaracharya's Soundarya Lahari drawn at the request of actor Mohanlal. Namboothiri had worked as the art director for director Aravindan's movies like Utharayanam and Kanchana Seetha. He had received many honours like Kerala Lalita Kala Akademi's Raja Ravi Varma Award and the State Institute of Children's Literature award. He is survived by his wife Mrinalini and sons Parameswaran and Vasudevan. 1925 - 2023A disciple of Paniker During his early days, Namboothiri assisted K C S Paniker to complete an oversize painting for the Railways. He proved his skill in copper relief work in which he created a series based on various events from Mahabharata and Parayi Petta Panthirukulam. He also created a few large sculptures for Cholamandal. Namboothiri had served as the chairman of Kerala Lalitakala Academy twice. He had won much appreciation for the illustrations based on Sankaracharyas Soundarya Lahari drawn at the request of actor Mohanlal. Namboothiri also worked as an art director for films like Uttarayanam and Kanchana Seetha, directed by G Aravindan, which won him the Kerala State Award for the best art director. He had received many honours like Kerala Lalita Kala Akademis Raja Ravi Varma Award. He is survived by wife Mrinalini and sons Parameswaran and Vasudevan.
R Kirubakaran By

Express News Service

COIMBATORE: Coimbatore Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) C Vijayakumar IPS died by suicide on Friday morning in the premises of his quarters attached to the camp office at Red Fields near Racecourse in Coimbatore city.

Sources said that he shot himself using his service pistol after returning from his jogging round at Racecourse.

The cop's body was shifted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for post-mortem and was later handed over to his family at noon.

Senior police officers including ADGP (L&O) A Arun, City Police Commissioner V Balakrishnan, West Zone Inspector General of Police R Sudhakar, and SP V Badrinarayanan visited the hospital and expressed their condolences.

C Vijayakumar's body was then taken to his native Theni district by ambulance.

ALSO READ | Using a global lens to situate suicide prevention in India

ADGP Arun told media persons that Vijayakumar, said to be in his mid-40s, had been suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and depression and that he was receiving treatment for the last few years.

He also claimed that the late cop had undergone a medical checkup four days ago and that doctors had prescribed alternate medication.

The top cop further added that Vijayakumar had not disclosed his health issues to his superiors. He said that a few top police officials in Coimbatore who knew Vijayakumar had spoken to him about it recently.

"Inquiry revealed there was no external pressure from his family and work," the ADGP said.

A case has been booked and an investigation into his death is underway, he added.

Meanwhile, forensic science experts have collected the pistol and bullets from the late cop's quarters. A dog squad has been roped in, too.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock and condoled the death of Vijayakumar.

Recalling the police officers service to the force in various capacities, including as the Superintendent of Police, Stalin said his death was a huge loss to the Tamil Nadu Police.

Meanwhile, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswamy demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter.

BJP state president K Annamalai urged the state government to carry out an investigation to ascertain the 'reason' behind the suicide. Tagging the office of TN CM Stalin in a tweet, he asked what were the steps taken to address the work burden and fill up the 10,000 vacancies in the police department.

"One cannot so easily brush aside the suicide of a senior police official. The state government should conduct a serious probe into the matter and take action," Annamalai, a former IPS officer, said in the tweet.

Various other leaders, including MDMK chief Vaiko, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss and AMMK's T T V Dhinakaran condoled the death of the officer.

Vijayakumar was a 2009 batch IPS officer. Earlier, he had served as Superintendent of Police in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur districts. Later, he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Chennais Anna Nagar. He was promoted as DIG and posted to the Coimbatore range in January 2023.

This is the second such incident in recent years of a senior official allegedly dying by suicide in Tamil Nadu. Then Tiruchengode Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnupriya allegedly died of suicide at her residence in Namakkal district in 2015.

ALSO READ | India's workplaces have failed to protect their employees from suicide risk

(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7))

COIMBATORE: Coimbatore Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) C Vijayakumar IPS died by suicide on Friday morning in the premises of his quarters attached to the camp office at Red Fields near Racecourse in Coimbatore city. Sources said that he shot himself using his service pistol after returning from his jogging round at Racecourse. The cop's body was shifted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for post-mortem and was later handed over to his family at noon.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Senior police officers including ADGP (L&O) A Arun, City Police Commissioner V Balakrishnan, West Zone Inspector General of Police R Sudhakar, and SP V Badrinarayanan visited the hospital and expressed their condolences. C Vijayakumar's body was then taken to his native Theni district by ambulance. ALSO READ | Using a global lens to situate suicide prevention in India ADGP Arun told media persons that Vijayakumar, said to be in his mid-40s, had been suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and depression and that he was receiving treatment for the last few years. He also claimed that the late cop had undergone a medical checkup four days ago and that doctors had prescribed alternate medication. The top cop further added that Vijayakumar had not disclosed his health issues to his superiors. He said that a few top police officials in Coimbatore who knew Vijayakumar had spoken to him about it recently. "Inquiry revealed there was no external pressure from his family and work," the ADGP said. A case has been booked and an investigation into his death is underway, he added. Meanwhile, forensic science experts have collected the pistol and bullets from the late cop's quarters. A dog squad has been roped in, too. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock and condoled the death of Vijayakumar. Recalling the police officers service to the force in various capacities, including as the Superintendent of Police, Stalin said his death was a huge loss to the Tamil Nadu Police.      .  ...,             . .            pic.twitter.com/TryrsY3FSK  M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) July 7, 2023 Meanwhile, AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswamy demanded a CBI inquiry into the matter. BJP state president K Annamalai urged the state government to carry out an investigation to ascertain the 'reason' behind the suicide. Tagging the office of TN CM Stalin in a tweet, he asked what were the steps taken to address the work burden and fill up the 10,000 vacancies in the police department. "One cannot so easily brush aside the suicide of a senior police official. The state government should conduct a serious probe into the matter and take action," Annamalai, a former IPS officer, said in the tweet. Various other leaders, including MDMK chief Vaiko, PMK founder Dr S Ramadoss and AMMK's T T V Dhinakaran condoled the death of the officer. Vijayakumar was a 2009 batch IPS officer. Earlier, he had served as Superintendent of Police in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur districts. Later, he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Chennais Anna Nagar. He was promoted as DIG and posted to the Coimbatore range in January 2023. This is the second such incident in recent years of a senior official allegedly dying by suicide in Tamil Nadu. Then Tiruchengode Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnupriya allegedly died of suicide at her residence in Namakkal district in 2015. ALSO READ | India's workplaces have failed to protect their employees from suicide risk (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050 (available 24x7))
By AFP

MILAN: A fire at a retirement home in the early hours of Friday in Milan killed six people, firefighters said, with "numerous" residents hospitalised.

"Six people killed, numerous (others) suffering from smoke inhalation hospitalised. Dozens of people saved by firefighters who immediately evacuated the building," the fire brigade said on Twitter.

An AFP photographer saw the bodies of two of the victims being removed from the three-storey building which was reportedly housing 167 people when the fire started.

The cause of the blaze was not yet known, the fire brigade said.

Over 10 ambulances, various fire trucks and a silver mortuary van could be seen outside the building in the south of the Italian city.

Some eighty people were rushed to hospital, two of whom were fighting for their lives, Milan's fire chief Nicola Micele said. Some 14 others were in serious condition, Italian media said.

Five of the victims were women aged between 69 and 87 years old, while the sixth was a 73-year-old man, the reports said.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the fire "started in one room housing two female residents", both of whom were killed by the flames.

"It did not spread, not even to the neighbouring rooms, but the smoke is just as deadly and the four other victims died of smoke inhalation".

It was a member of staff who sounded the alarm at 1:20 am (2320 GMT Thursday), he said. Fire chief Micele told Rai news that staff raised the alarm after spotting the smoke.

"Four teams of firefighters were immediately dispatched. They found themselves faced with very low visibility in a corridor inside one part of the building and flames in one room".

"They focused on putting out the flames, then evacuating the guests.

"It was a particularly complicated evacuation both because of the smoke and because some of the guests were not able to walk". The residents had to be evacuated "by being carried out, almost one and at a time," mayor Sala said.

The council was working to quickly re-house people in other suitable retirement homes.

The privately-run "Casa per Coniugi" caters to people who are not self-sufficient but do not need hospital care.

MILAN: A fire at a retirement home in the early hours of Friday in Milan killed six people, firefighters said, with "numerous" residents hospitalised. "Six people killed, numerous (others) suffering from smoke inhalation hospitalised. Dozens of people saved by firefighters who immediately evacuated the building," the fire brigade said on Twitter. An AFP photographer saw the bodies of two of the victims being removed from the three-storey building which was reportedly housing 167 people when the fire started.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The cause of the blaze was not yet known, the fire brigade said. Over 10 ambulances, various fire trucks and a silver mortuary van could be seen outside the building in the south of the Italian city. Some eighty people were rushed to hospital, two of whom were fighting for their lives, Milan's fire chief Nicola Micele said. Some 14 others were in serious condition, Italian media said. Five of the victims were women aged between 69 and 87 years old, while the sixth was a 73-year-old man, the reports said. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the fire "started in one room housing two female residents", both of whom were killed by the flames. "It did not spread, not even to the neighbouring rooms, but the smoke is just as deadly and the four other victims died of smoke inhalation". It was a member of staff who sounded the alarm at 1:20 am (2320 GMT Thursday), he said. Fire chief Micele told Rai news that staff raised the alarm after spotting the smoke. "Four teams of firefighters were immediately dispatched. They found themselves faced with very low visibility in a corridor inside one part of the building and flames in one room". "They focused on putting out the flames, then evacuating the guests. "It was a particularly complicated evacuation both because of the smoke and because some of the guests were not able to walk". The residents had to be evacuated "by being carried out, almost one and at a time," mayor Sala said. The council was working to quickly re-house people in other suitable retirement homes. The privately-run "Casa per Coniugi" caters to people who are not self-sufficient but do not need hospital care.
No military utility: South Korea after analysing N Koreas failed spy satellite

Tokyo, July 6: The South Korean military on Wednesday said that it had salvaged the wreckage of a North Korean spy satellite that had been launched in May but had crashed into the Yellow Sea, concluding that it had o military utility, Kyodo News reported.

No military utility: South Korea after analysing N Korea's failed spy satellite

According to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, scientists from South Korea and the United States conducted an analysis of the wreckage and determined that the satellite could not be used for military reconnaissance.On May 31, North Korea attempted but failed to launch a military spy satellite into orbit.Pyongyang confirmed the satellite launch failed the same day but promised to try again "as soon as possible," according to the country's state media.Earlier, on June 19, North Korea called its failed attempt to launch the military reconnaissance satellite launch "most serious," Pyongyang's state media, Korean Central News Agency reported."The most serious one was the failure of the military reconnaissance satellite launch, the important strategic work in the field of space development, on May 31," the KCNA said in an English-language dispatch.On May 31, North Korea attempted to use the Chollima-1 to put its first spy satellite into orbit, but the rocket experienced problems and crashed into the ocean. This was the nuclear-armed nation's sixth attempt to launch a satellite, and its first since 2016.The North made the assessment following a plenary meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea on June 19, attended by leader Kim Jong-un.In a statement, KCNA said that the development of military reconnaissance satellites is of very great significance in the prospect of the development of the armed forces of North Korea and in making full preparations for combat.The KCNA had earlier said that officials who were responsible for the launch were "bitterly" criticized."The report bitterly criticized the officials who irresponsibly conducted the preparations for satellite launch, and set forth the militant task for officials and scientists in the relevant field to make a thorough analysis of the cause and lesson of the recent failure, successfully launch the military reconnaissance satellite in a short span of time and thus make a shortcut to improving the capabilities of the Korean People's Army's reconnaissance intelligence and achieving a greater leap forward in the field of space development, bearing deep in mind their important mission," KCNA said earlier.Pyongyang has vowed to "correctly" put the satellite into orbit soon despite global condemnation that the move breaches multiple UN Security Council resolutions banning any launch using ballistic missile technology, as per Yonhap News Agency.During the key meeting, participants reviewed the goals it had laid out for the first half, such as increasing grain production and building new homes for economic development, and set forth new agenda items, including the "epoch-making measures for developing education" and the "important measures for intensifying the building of the Party discipline," according to Yonhap News Agency.ANI06 July 2023

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Dont think US can or should lecture India any other country on democracy, human rights: Kurt Campbell

Washington DC, July 6: A top official in US president Joe Biden's administration, Kurt Campbell, has said that both India and the United States have their challenges and he does not think Washington can or should be in a position where it gives lectures to another country on democracy and human rights.

Don't think US can or should lecture India any other country on democracy, human rights: Kurt Campbell

The US National Security Council's coordinator for Indo-Pacific affairs on Thursday in an interview with ANI said "Each of our countries is imperfect. I don't think the United States can or should be in a position where it lectures any other country.""I think what President Biden... sought to do was to suggest that for India to meet its full potential, it would need to become more of an example on a number of fronts. And I think that message was delivered with respect and I think it was heard in that vein," Campbell said in response to a question about comments on democracy and human rights in India."I have been involved in India-US relations for almost 30 years and I can tell you in the period leading up to the arrival of PM Modi here in Washington, DC the level of trust and confidence between the US and Indian interlocutors was notably different...," the White House official added.Talking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent US visit, Campbell said that he found "quite inspirational" the level of trust and confidence developed between President Biden and Prime Minister Modi. "And that's something that I think is important and we will seek to build up," Deputy Assistant to the US President said.The top White House official on Asia, termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi one of the "most effective successful, popular and democratically elected leaders" on the planet."In an exclusive interview with ANI, Campbell said, "Look, Prime Minister Modi is one of the most effective, successful, popular, democratically elected leaders on the planet. And this far into his tenure, he is still extremely popular in India in a real sense that he has an agenda for bringing India into the 21st century."Every society, including the United States and India, has challenges and have its problems. I can tell you that Prime Minister Modi and President Biden had discrete, important conversations about some of our differences."He stated that there is an "undeniable strategic component" to the relationship between India and United States. Campbell said that he has witnessed the connections between the people of India and the US noting that the two countries share an enormous number of values."Look, there is an undeniable strategic component to this relationship. And I think that sense of changing geostrategic realities is felt in both Delhi and in Washington DC. But I will also tell you, I have seen personally the connections between our peoples. I saw the tremendous sense of appreciation and dignity of the diaspora Indian Americans that felt, finally, India is getting its due," Kurt Campbell told ANI."I think the United States and India share an enormous number of values. And I think it is simplistic to say that we're so different. Every country has differences. We come from different traditions, different histories. But at the same time, we share many things in common, and not least of which are educational aspirations, goals and objectives for a free and Indo-Pacific, working closely to secure peace and stability. I think there is enough common purpose in the relationship to propel us forward," he added.Asked about pro-Khalistan supporters attack on the building of the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, Kurt Campbell said, "First of all, let me say that these are deeply regrettable events. We take very seriously the safety and security of diplomats that are living in the United States. We have been in close contact with Indian authorities, with local law enforcement. We are trying to take the necessary steps to ensure that Indian diplomatic community feels safe and secure here. And we'll continue with that work going forward."Earlier, the US strongly condemned the reported vandalism and attempted arson by pro-Khalistan supporters against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Sunday (local time)."The US strongly condemns the reported vandalism and attempted arson against the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on Saturday. Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the US is a criminal offense," US state department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a tweet on Monday (local time).Around 140 am (local time) on Sunday, a group of Khalistan radicals made an attempt to set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire, sources told ANI. A video of the incident was verified by sources who told ANI the fire was suppressed quickly by the San Francisco Fire Department.ANI06 July 2023

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Familiarise yourself with the latest GenZ dating trends and terms

New Delhi, July 6: Much has been said and done about the global dating patterns, but this time, we wanted to shed some light on the up-and-coming desi online dating trends and specifically observe GenZ Indian daters' behaviour. We have noticed that approximately 44 percent of the participants have been a part of more than one trend, with Delushionship and Evil Dead Rise on the lead, says QuackQuack's Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal.

Familiarise yourself with the latest GenZ dating trends and terms

Celebrating its 25M milestone, India's homegrown dating app, ran a survey among its GenZ users to find out the latest scoop of the virtual dating world. 15,000 men and women between 18 to 26 participated in the survey.The individuals taking part came from tier 1 cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and more and tier 2 cities -- Surat, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal, Patna, Indore, Kochi, Kanpur, and Guwahati. The participants of the survey are self-employed, working professionals, and students.Delusionship39 percent of survey participants disclosed being in a delusionship at least once in their dating lifespan. Explaining this trend, they said delusionship is a state of mind wherein the person imagines an entire relationship, starting from proposing to ending in marriage and kids, without even making a single move on their crush. It's all in their heads, and 29 percent of these people who revealed their delusionships are introverts.Extroverts are also a part of this trend, and they think it's more common than most people care to admit. Users from both tier 1 and 2 cities alike have experienced this intense obsession and daydreaming, as they termed it. It builds slowly and steadily, but thankfully, it does not last long. If it does, that no longer comes under the delusionship category.Evil Dead RiseExes trying to re-enter with new and upgraded fake promises is not new, but GenZ daters have certainly given it a fresh and fancy term- Evil Dead Rise. 37 percent of dating app users between 18 to 22 have admitted that they have been on the receiving end of the Evil Dead Rise, and the term fits the trauma that comes from rehashing the past.Seven per cent of daters from tier 1 and 2 cities admitted being the Evil Dead Rise in someone's life, and they justified that their intentions were not as evil as people are making it sound. For every trend, perspective matters.ChameleoningShining light on new trends, the survey shows Chameleoning is on the lead- this trend is where daters keep changing their personalities, likes, and dislikes to fit their matches'. The app has even seen some users change the same in their profile bios and preferences. 23 per cent of women between 23 to 26 revealed that time and again, they have altered their persona to be more likable, and they think almost everyone does it, some more subtle than others.31 per cent of men between 21 and 25 have done the same to impress their date. 36 per cent of men and women opined that while chameleoning is common, and almost everyone does some minor alterations, any major change is not sustainable; sooner than later, people's true colors start showing, and that can be more damaging.Fake-ups18 percent of male daters from metros and smaller cities disclosed using fake-up stories to talk to their crush. Compared to men, the number of females participating in this trend is much lower, and 23 per cent of women above 21 believe that women's compassion makes it easier for men to use fake-up to slide into their DMs.IANS06 July 2023

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Platinx, a pure Indian crypto exchange emerges as the Crypto Exchange Outlier in India

PNN, New Delhi, July 6: In the face of tougher restrictions for preserving client KYC data, several cryptocurrency dealers and exchanges have opted to relocate outside of India.

Platinx, a pure Indian crypto exchange emerges as the Crypto Exchange Outlier in India

Platinx, a 100 per cent , is emerging as an exception to this tendency. Platinx is building a reputation for itself in the Indian industry with its user-friendly design, broad cryptocurrency offers, and dedication to security and compliance.Platinx, an Indian Registered Crypto Exchange certified by a government-certified agency, has partnered with Indian Banks to easily link bank accounts with Platinx Accounts.The company distinguishes itself from global crypto exchange businesses that have set their eyes on India's large user base, which is expected to reach 156 million by the end of 2023. While these businesses operate in India, their headquarters are in tax-friendly nations like the UAE and Singapore, enabling them to avoid Indian tax rules. Platinx, on the other hand, has made a strong presence in India, creating its platform with a competent team of Indian blockchain engineers, crypto specialists, and programmers.One of Platinx's main strengths lies in its intuitive platform, designed to accommodate both experienced traders and novices entering the world of cryptocurrencies. The exchange supports a wide range of digital assets, including popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), and many others. This diverse selection enables users to engage in seamless trading activities, regardless of their preferred digital assets.Platinx places a high priority on user security and has implemented cutting-edge measures to protect user funds and data. By adhering to stringent security protocols, the platform ensures that its users can trade with peace of mind, safeguarding their assets against potential threats.One notable advantage offered by Platinx is its low trading fees, allowing users to maximize their profits and minimize transaction costs. Furthermore, the platform boasts round-the-clock customer support, with representatives readily available to address any queries or concerns users may have. Whether users require assistance with account setup, trading strategies, or technical issues, the dedicated team at Platinx is committed to providing timely and effective support.In addition to its focus on user experience and security, Platinx is actively engaged in promoting cryptocurrency education and awareness in India. The platform diligently follows all regulations and guidelines set by the Indian jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC regulations. By prioritizing regulatory adherence, Platinx aims to foster a trustworthy and transparent crypto trading ecosystem within the country.While many crypto dealers and exchanges have opted to relocate outside of India, Platinx is carving a unique path by demonstrating its dedication to the Indian market.Platinx also has an active refer and earn program. It allows users to earn Rs100 Worth of Crypto when a new account is created by their referral link. By combining user-friendly features, robust security measures, and a commitment to compliance, Platinx is poised to become a leading player in India's crypto exchange landscape.App Available on Google Play StoreApp Available on Apple App Store(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI06 July 2023

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Make AI in India: Government, Startups, and Doctors Unite to Build a More Patient-Centric Healthcare System

BusinessWire India, Bengaluru, July 6: With the convergence of start-up culture, AI technology, and the government's vision of Make AI in India and Make AI work for India, the stage is set for a transformative era in digital health and Doctors are at the centre of this, by leveraging their clinical expertise, they are poised to play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful implementation and governance of new technologies that can positively impact patient outcomes.

Make AI in India: Government, Startups, and Doctors Unite to Build a More Patient-Centric Healthcare System

As suggested by data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), India's doctor-to-patient ratio has plummeted sharply to about 0.7 doctors per 1,000 patients in the year 2020, from its record high of 1.2 doctors per 1,000 patients in 1991. The uneven distribution of medical resources across the rural urban population divide is felt all the more acutely in the field of specialised care with the shortage of surgeons, physicians, gynaecologists and paediatricians. AI technology has emerged as a powerful tool with the potential to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and accessibility in healthcare delivery. The need for collaboration between doctors and innovators is crucial in building an intrusive healthcare ecosystem that addresses the diverse healthcare needs of India's vast population. AI-driven solutions hold the potential to bridge the gap created by the scarcity of medical resources. By leveraging AI's capabilities, doctors can overcome the limitations imposed by workforce constraints and optimize healthcare delivery. This can not only improve the overall quality of care but also enhance patient outcomes.The Make in India program and the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) initiated by the government are playing a crucial role in promoting the adoption of technology within the healthcare industry. As of 2021, there were 3,548 active startups operating in the healthtech sector, as per a report from the industry. Over the past decade, startups have effectively utilized technological tools such as AI, IoT, ML, and big data to address various healthcare challenges. Dozee, India's first AI-based contactless Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) and Early Warning System (EWS) for continuous patient monitoring, is a notable example. Dr Lallu Joseph, Quality Manager, CMC Vellore and National Secretary General, CAHO, a leading healthcare industry body, expressed admiration for the dedication and resilience of doctors on National Doctors Day. She commended "Doctors are the key pillars who can spearhead the transformation of healthcare in India. The collaborative efforts of doctors and innovators will not only shape the future of healthcare but also address the challenges of accessibility, affordability, and quality. By leveraging AI and supporting 'Made-in-India' start-ups, healthcare can become more patient-centric, efficient, and equitable, ensuring that every individual receives the care they deserve." Vikram Thaploo, CEO-Telehealth, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited, emphasized the significance of technological advancements in supporting doctors' life-saving endeavors. "Through Apollo Telehealth, we proudly stand alongside these remarkable professionals, empowering them with innovative, advanced technologies that continue to revolutionize the way healthcare is delivered. These technologies not only improve various aspects of healthcare operations and contribute to advancements in healthcare but also enable the application of predictive analytics, enhancing efficiency for medical professionals and easing their responsibilities. In a time when non-communicable diseases are rapidly increasing across the nation, the expertise and dedication of our doctors are needed more than ever. The fusion of doctors' clinical expertise with the power of AI can lead to ground breaking advancements, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare providers alike." Mudit Dandwate, CEO and Co-Founder of Dozee, added "On the occasion of National Doctors Day, we express our heartfelt gratitude and admiration to the dedicated doctors who have tirelessly served and provided compassionate care to patients. Dozee stands shoulder to shoulder with these extraordinary heroes in their mission to address the best of healthcare needs of our nation. We are unwavering in our commitment to driving innovation in healthcare and collaborating closely with doctors to establish a patient-centric healthcare system. Together, we aim to alleviate the burden on the healthcare system and ensure that quality healthcare is affordable, accessible and available to all". In its mission to revolutionize the healthcare industry, Dozee - India's first AI-based remote patient monitoring and early warning system has partnered with doctors and healthcare providers (HCPs) nationwide, delivering comprehensive training programs on leveraging AI for optimal patient care delivery. Over 2500+ doctors from 100+ hospitals across 20+ states and 40+ cities have been trained by Dozee on advanced AI-based remote patient monitoring solutions.(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)ANI06 July 2023

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Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha return to voice characters in audio series Virus 2062

Mumbai, July 6: Stars Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha will return to voice their characters for Season 2 of the audio sci-fi thriller series 'Virus 2062', with this season returning with the mysteries of time, space, and reality.

Ali Fazal, Richa Chadha return to voice characters in audio series 'Virus 2062'

The series is the Hindi adaptation of the Chilean audio series 'Caso 63'.Speaking about his role in the audio series, Ali Fazal said In season two of 'Virus 2062', my character of Peter Pereira returns, stranded in a lost future. It has been both exciting and enriching to return to this show and continue to expand my creativity voicing this extraordinary world, in a podcast, and I hope the audience enjoys listening to this season as much as we enjoyed making it.Richa Chadha, who returns as Dr. Gayatri Rajput in the series, said, Following the success of season one, reprising my role as Dr. Gayatri Rajput for the second season of 'Virus 2062' has been an exciting challenge. In season two, we emerge in a new timeline, where Gayatri has to grapple with a reversal of roles and a new reality.She added, It continues to be an insightful and interesting experience to explore this form of storytelling as a voice actor with Spotify and Mantra, and we are excited to see how listeners receive this season of 'Virus 2062'.IANS06 July 2023

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Take care of your teeth to boost brain health, ward off Alzheimers risk

Tokyo, July 6: Poor dental health can lead to decline in brain volume, and increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease, warned a study.

Take care of your teeth to boost brain health, ward off Alzheimer's risk

The study, published in the journal Neurology, found that gum disease and tooth loss were linked to brain shrinkage in the hippocampus, which plays a role in memory and Alzheimer's disease.The study, however, does not prove that gum disease or tooth loss causes Alzheimer's disease; it only shows an association.Tooth loss and gum disease, which is inflammation of the tissue around the teeth that can cause shrinkage of the gums and loosening of the teeth, are very common, so evaluating a potential link with dementia is incredibly important, said Satoshi Yamaguchi, from Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan.Our study found that these conditions may play a role in the health of the brain area that controls thinking and memory, giving people another reason to take better care of their teeth.The study involved 172 people with an average age of 67 who did not have memory problems at the beginning of the study.Participants had dental exams and took memory tests at the beginning of the study. They also had brain scans to measure volume of the hippocampus at the beginning of the study and again four years later.Researchers found that the number of teeth and amount of gum disease was linked to changes in the left hippocampus of the brain.For people with mild gum disease having fewer teeth was associated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the left hippocampus.However, for people with severe gum disease having more teeth was associated with a faster rate of brain shrinkage in the same area of the brain.After adjusting for age, researchers found that for people with mild gum disease, the increase in the rate of brain shrinkage due to one less tooth was equivalent to nearly one year of brain ageing.Conversely, for people with severe gum disease the increase in brain shrinkage due to one more tooth was equivalent to 1.3 years of brain ageing.Another recent study showed that skipping night-time dental hygiene sessions can increase the risk of heart disease.IANS06 July 2023

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IVCA holds the third and the final of its #VC101 programme in Delhi; Emphasises the role of governance in boosting Indias economy

NewsVoir, New Delhi, July 6: India's apex industry body for alternative assets, the (IVCA), held its third and final in-person learning session for in Delhi on July 6th, following two successful sessions in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

IVCA holds the third and the final of its #VC101 programme in Delhi; Emphasises the role of governance in boosting India's economy

#VC101 is an industry-led knowledge-sharing programme for first-time fund managers (FTFMs) organised by IVCA in collaboration with Knowledge Partners Price Waterhouse and Co LLP and IC Universal Legal.Featuring over 100 attendees, the Delhi chapter sought to educate FTFMs on strategic portfolio management, corporate governance, exits, and returns. Spearheading the Delhi edition of #VC101 was Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Peak XV Partners and Surge, and Chair, Venture Capital Council, IVCA, who was joined by Karthik Reddy, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Blume Ventures, and Chairperson, IVCA; Rema Subramanian, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Ankur Capital, and Executive Committee Member, IVCA; Nilesh Kothari, Co-founder and Managing Partner, Trifecta Capital; Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder, Info Edge; Ankur Jain, VP - Finance, Elevation Capital; Ritesh Banglani, Partner, Stellaris Venture Partners; Himanshu Mandavia, Partner, Price Waterhouse and Co LLP; Nipun Khanna, Associate Director, Price Waterhouse and Co LLP; Shatrughna Samaddar, Partner, Advisory Services, Price Waterhouse and Co LLP; Leelavathi Naidu, Partner, IC Universal Legal; Sambhav Ranka, Senior Partner, IC Universal Legal; and Rowena Desousa, Partner, IC Universal Legal.Rajan Anandan, Managing Director, Peak XV Partners and Surge, and Chair, Venture Capital Council, IVCA, said, "Recognizing the need to establish an industry-led, structured system for educating first-time fund managers, IVCA has designed the #VC101 programme from the ground up. Its success reinforces the industry's commitment to fostering a vibrant ecosystem for venture capital in India and propelling the nation to become a leading fund management hub globally. This in turn will spur economic growth and create lasting value for investors and entrepreneurs alike.""IC Universal Legal is glad to be associated with IVCA as the Knowledge Partner in the industry led knowledge sharing program for the first-time fund managers (FTFMs). #VC101 is an ideal platform for the FTFMs to get practical insights from industry experts to get the right head start. I am excited to cover key topics relevant for FTFMs in terms of structuring their portfolio investments, complex interplay of investment instruments and legal and regulatory considerations in structuring exits. Besides fund structuring, we want to ensure that the FTFMs are well versed in structuring their portfolio investments as well as have clear visibility in terms of their exit strategy and shaping returns from their investments," said Sambhav Ranka, Senior Partner, IC Universal Legal.Through #VC101, IVCA aims to advance India's venture capital environment and amplify the 'India opportunity'. To strengthen India's start-up ecosystem, it is crucial to establish sustainable and resilient companies, for which portfolio management and corporate governance play a critical role. An understanding of these concepts is, thus, very important for emerging fund managers to achieve success in the industry.Himanshu Mandavia, Partner, Price Waterhouse and Co LLP, said, "The #VC101 event has been a great platform to interact with first-time fund managers and understand their requirements. Hopefully, this has granted the participants access to some very practical insights on fund-raising and help them plan their journey better."This year, the aim of IVCA's Venture Capital Council is to strengthen fund management practices for VCs and improve the venture capital environment in India. To fulfil this vision, IVCA launched #VC101 to establish an empowered and experienced generation of fund managers in India. Additionally, IVCA recently launched a partnered report "Start-Up Governance Playbook", which is a comprehensive framework of corporate governance practices to foster a culture of trust and accountability in India's thriving start-up ecosystem. IVCA's Venture Capital Council is now planning to create similar programs for seasoned VC funds and deep dive into operational aspects like Model Term Sheets, Share Holder Agreements, Deal Structuring, Risk Management, etc. and deep diving on few topics that were covered in #VC101 as well.Indian Venture and Alternate Capital Association (IVCA) is a not-for-profit, apex industry body promoting the alternate capital industry and fostering a vibrant investing ecosystem in India. IVCA is committed to supporting the ecosystem by facilitating advocacy discussions with the Government of India, policymakers, and regulators, resulting in the rise of entrepreneurial activity, innovation, and job creation in India and contributing towards the development of India as a leading fund management hub. IVCA members are the most active domestic and global VCs, PEs, funds for infrastructure, real estate, credit funds, limited partners, investment companies, family offices, corporate VCs, and knowledge partners. These funds invest in emerging companies, venture growth, buyout, special situations, distressed assets, and credit and venture debt, among others.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI06 July 2023

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Youre only as old as you feel: Novak Djokovic after win over Jordan Thompson in Wimbledon

London, July 6: At age 36,Novak Djokovic, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, continues to defy age stereotypes by extending his winning streak at Grand Slam events to 23.

You're only as old as you feel: Novak Djokovic after win over Jordan Thompson in Wimbledon

The World No. 2 produced a clean performance to defeat Australian Jordan Thompson in the second round of Wimbledon.Djokovic will next face 29th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry or three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka in the third round at Wimbledon.The victory earned Djokovic his 350th match win at the Majors, becoming just the third player to reach that milestone, joining Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365). Djokovic is showing no signs of slowing down."You're only as young or as old as you feel. I feel young in my own body, in my own head, in my heart," Djokovic said in his post-match press conference as stated by ATP.com."My children remind me of that, the time that I spend with them. The innocence, incredible curiosity, pure love and energy that I get to experience with them is something that really strengthens that inner child in you," he added."Also the fact that I'm still playing the sport that I fell in love with when I was very young. I think that is something that is very refreshing. I have to say that I'm really fortunate and blessed to have a healthy body. Still at this stage, after 20 years of professional tennis, I'm able to compete at the highest level," said the 23-time Grand Slam champion.If Djokovic continues his current level, he may be able to add to the Wimbledon record books this year. If he wins, he would equal Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles and become the Open Era's oldest men's victor at SW19.The fact that the 94-time tour-level titlist has won 11 majors after turning 30 is due in part to his steady improvement of even the tiniest nuances of his game."I never want to stop growing, learning, trying to improve, trying to understand the nuances, the details. Whether it's with my game, with my body, with my nutrition, recovery, whatever it is that can take me a small step further," Djokovic said."I feel very hungry for knowledge, for experiences. Life is a great journey that can offer a lot if one is open to experience. I can only speak on my own behalf. I've been through a lot of things in life for these 36 years. Very, very grateful for all that I have experienced," the Serbian said.Djokovic, who is chasing a record-extending 24th major this fortnight, is soaking up any type of pressure and using it as fire to pursue his third Grand Slam championship crown this season."Every time I walk out on the court, particularly in Grand Slams and centre courts, I feel tremendous pressure and expectations from myself, from people around that are watching live or on TV, the whole tennis world. It's a feeling that I'm used to by now, and it's something that I also embrace because it's giving me further motivation to strive to make more history," Djokovic said."I don't think it's ever going to change as long as I'm playing really. Regardless of the Grand Slam count fact, I still want to make my own results and my own journey. I think that's what drives me most nowadays," Djokovic added.ANI07 July 2023

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WB Panchayat polls: Governor CV Ananda Bose forms committee to maintain peace, social integration

Kolkata, July 6: Amid the ongoing violence in West Bengal prior to the Panchayat polls scheduled on July 8, Governor CV Ananda Bose on Wednesday constituted a committee primarily to look into the matter of maintaining peace and social integration in the state, said an official statement.

WB Panchayat polls: Governor CV Ananda Bose forms committee to maintain peace, social integration

The Raj Bhavan issued a statement saying, "West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose forms a Peace and Social integration committee headed by former Chief Justice Calcutta High Court Subhro Kamal Mukherjee who has consented to be the interim Vice Chancellor of the Rabindra Bharati University (RBU)."The statement also said that the committee will study the menace of violence in society and how it will affect the student community."The Committee will study the menace of violence in society, and how it will affect the student community, the future generation and the education system in the state of West Bengal," it said.Earlier, Ananda Bose on Wednesday sent a sealed envelope to the State Election Commissioner (SEC) Rajiva Sinha which contained observations of his field visits to violence-hit areas in the state ahead of upcoming Panchayat polls.Governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday criticised the ongoing violence in Panchayat polls and said that the violence can be described as politics of "murder", "intimidation" and of "muscle flexing".Bose has been visiting various places where violence had earlier broken out in the state. "My visit to the field has convinced me that there is violence in certain pockets of West Bengal. There is a manifestation of what is called the politics of murder, the politics of intimidation, the politics of muscle flexing," he said.Governor CV Ananda Bose said that his visits should not be construed as a "fault-finding mission" but a "fact-finding mission".West Bengal has witnessed several instances of violence during the filing of nominations for the panchayat polls and thereafter. One incident involved the alleged hurling of crude bombs at a Block Development Office (BDO) in Ahmadpur, Birbhum district.A TMC worker was also allegedly beaten to death in the Malda district. The panchayat elections will be held in a single phase, with the counting of votes scheduled on July 11.The polls are likely to see a fierce tussle for control of local administrations between the ruling TMC and the BJP and will be a litmus test for both parties ahead of next year's Lok Sabha elections.ANI07 July 2023

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Abu Dhabi Judiciary discusses mechanisms for international protection of women rights

Abu Dhabi, July 6: Participants at the Women's Empowerment and Role in Sustainable Development forum, organised by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy in association with the Human Rights Division, discussed a wide range of topics related to women's rights and empowerment.

Abu Dhabi Judiciary discusses mechanisms for international protection of women rights

The forum, held in light of Declarations of Rights, International Treaties, National Legislation and Practices, discussed mechanisms for the international protection of women's rights, and the rights and duties of women of determination, their role in sustainable development, the role of the constitution and national legislation in protecting women's rights and eliminating all forms of discrimination against them, as well as the role of the Public Prosecution and the judiciary in strengthening that protection.The forum reflects the ADJD's attention to empower women in all sectors, in line with the vision and directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, and Head of the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, by supporting factors of empowerment and sustainable leadership for women in various fields, and efforts to ensure the continuous creativity and innovation in the judicial system.At the opening speech, Counselor Mansour Al Marzouki, President of the Abu Dhabi Criminal Court, highlighted the efforts of the UAE to empower women and enhance their important role in achieving the goals of sustainable development, indicating that women were distinguished by their endless giving in serving the country in various work fields, as they showed their high efficiency and merit over years by assuming senior and significant leadership positions in various fields and vital sectors in the state.Counselor Dr. Abdul Majeed Mahmoud, Head of the Technical Office of the Judicial Inspection Division, who run the event sessions, stressed the key role of women in achieving sustainable development, being an integral part of it. Dr. Abdul Majeed pinpointed the importance of international covenants and national legislation in ensuring women's rights and enhancing international protection for them.Fatima Al Kaabi, Vice President of the National Human Rights Commission, presented a statement entitled "Mechanisms for the international protection of women's rights", where she shed light on the international legal framework for women's rights and human rights, and the convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, noting that during the past year 2022, the UAE was ranked first in many global indicators of women's rights, including the parliamentary representation index and the rate of girls in education at all educational levels, while ranked 11 globally in gender equality, and the first rank in the Arab and Gulf countries.Kletham Obaid Al Matroushi, a member of the Board of Trustees of the National Human Rights Commission and a member of the Board of Directors of Al Thiqah Club for the Disabled, presented a paper entitled "The rights and duties of women of determination and their role in sustainable development". In her paper, she discussed the legislation and laws supporting women of determination, the social aspect and the challenges facing completing their education and their access to the labour market. She pointed to the pioneering model achieved by the UAE in overcoming obstacles and giving them opportunities.Counselor Dalal Fahad Al Johari, Judge of the Abu Dhabi Family Court and Civil and Administrative Cases, spoke about the role of the constitution and national legislation in protecting women's rights and enhancing their status in society, and the role of the Public Prosecution and the judiciary in strengthening that protection and eliminating all forms of discrimination against women.In addition, Counselor Ateeqa Al Kathiri, Head of the Family and Child Prosecution Office at Al Ain Prosecution Office, reviewed the national legal and judicial mechanisms for the protection and empowerment of women, and the efforts of the UAE to enhance their political participation and support their representation in the judiciary, noting that the state was able to formulate an integrated legislative system to combat forms of family violence to ensure the protection of women to the fullest.Dr Rania Yahya Saad Zaghloul of the National Council for Women in the Arab Republic of Egypt in her paper entitled "Arab women and their empowerment under the Sustainable Development Goals", outlined the concept of sustainable development and its relationship to women's empowerment.She referred to the challenges facing women in general and Arab women in particular, highlighting the pioneering strategy of the UAE to empower women, which includes four axes, namely building capacities and preserving the achievements and gains accomplished by women, preserving the social fabric and integrating gender roles, providing the elements for a decent life and social well-being for women, and developing the spirit of leadership and responsibility and strengthening their position in regional and international forums. (ANI/WAM)ANI07 July 2023

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Nepal: 4 projects built with Indias financial assistance handed over to Dailekh local govt

Kathmandu, July 6: Four high-impact community development projects (HICDPs) constructed with financial assistance from the Government of India have been handed over to the local government concerned in Dailekh district on July 3.

Nepal: 4 projects built with India's financial assistance handed over to Dailekh local govt

The project includes the building of three school buildings of Shree Malika Higher Secondary School, Lalikanda; Shree Bhairav Secondary School, Badabhairav; Shree Jagadish Secondary School, Badakhola and one Campus building of Shree Narayan Campus, Rampur, in Dailekh with financial assistance of NRs 108.60 million from the Indian government, the Indian embassy in Nepal said in an official release on Monday.The project comes under 'Nepal-India Development Cooperation' and was formally handed over by Prashant Kumar, Sona, SS (DP), Embassy of India and Namraj Shahi, Chief, District Coordination Committee (DCC), Dailekh.Under an agreement between India and Nepal, these projects were taken up as High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) which will help the students in the area by providing them with quality educational infrastructure and will create a suitable environment for good quality education in Dailekh District, as per the official release.Moreover, all these school and campus building projects were implemented through DCC Dailekh.The ceremony was attended by Mr Top Bahadur BC Chairman of Gurans Rural Municipality, Mr Ganesh Bahadur Thapa Chairman of Bhagawatimai Rural Municipality, Ms Manju Kumari Sharma (Pandey), Acting Chairman of Mahabu Rural Municipality and Mr Loman Sharma, Mayor, Narayan Municipality. However, social workers, political representatives, officials of the Nepal Government and local community leaders were also present on the occasion."India has taken up over 544 HICDPs in Nepal and has completed 480 projects since 2003. Amongst these, 14 projects are in Karnali Pradesh of which 4 projects are in Dailekh," according to the release.In addition, on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day, India has gifted 940 ambulances and 184 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal. Amongst these, till date, six ambulances have been provided to the Dailekh district, the release added.Furthermore, these projects reflect India's development partnership with Nepal and complement the effort of the Government of Nepal in elevating infrastructure in the field of education.ANI07 July 2023

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Drone Destination Limited brings its IPO on the 7th of July, To be listed on NSE Emerge platform

PNN, New Delhi, July 6: Drone Destination Limited, a Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS) company and India's first DGCA-authorized Drone Training Organisation under Drone Rules 2021, brings its IPO for 68,00,000 equity shares of Rs.

Drone Destination Limited brings its IPO on the 7th of July, To be listed on NSE Emerge platform

10 each at a cash price band of Rs. 62 to Rs. 65 per equity share, aggregating to Rs. 421.6 million at the lower price band and Rs. 442 million at the upper price band. Out of 68,00,000 equity shares, 5,00,000 equity shares will be reserved for the subscription by the Market Maker. The remaining 63,00,000 equity shares will constitute the "net issue". The issue and the net issue will constitute 27.98% and 25.93% respectively of the post issue paid up equity share capital of the company. The issue opens on the 6th July for the anchors and on the 7th July for others. The issue closes on the 13th of July. The company will subsequently be listed on the NSE Emerge platform. The book running lead manager to the issue is Narnolia Financial Services Limited and the registrar to the issue is Maashitla Securities Private Limited.The key objects of the issue are as follows1. Purchase of new drones and accessories2. Purchase of 100 Maruti EECO (5 Seater)3. To meet the Capital Expenditure Requirement4. To meet the Working Capital requirements5. To meet out the General Corporate Purposes6. To meet the Issue ExpensesDrone Destination Limited has trained the highest number of DGCA-certified Drone Pilots in India along with its partners IGRUA, the largest FTO of India under Ministry of Civil Aviation. The company is backed by a well-experienced team of aviation and technology experts with a total experience of over 350 years. The company's training centres are located at 10 locations across India - Gurugram, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Phulpur, Dharamshala, Gwalior and Madurai, with its headquarters at New Delhi. It is authorised by the Government of India to conduct key "Train the Trainer Programs".Drone Destination Limited currently operates as a Drone As A Service (DAAS) and Training and Education provider. Its new verticals include Rent-A-Drone, Agricultural Services and Drone Sports. It is backed by Hubblefly Technologies, with extensive drone manufacturing capabilities. The key clients of the company include Reliance Industries Limited, Airbus, IFFCO, Tata, Aditya Birla group, Asteria Aerospace, Syngenta and many more. Drone Destination, with its GIS partners, plays an important role in execution of flagship government projects like Prime Minister "Svamitva Yojana" and other survey and mapping services with strong presence in Karnataka, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.The Indian drone industry is forecasted to have a market size USD 40 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 37%. Drones find usage across a variety of industries such as precision agriculture and farming, energy sector, mining, disaster management, film and media industry, sea ports, oil and gas industry and others. The drone industry is supported by various government initiatives such as the PLI Scheme, liberalised drone rules, ban on imports and the new GIS policy. SVAMITVA and SMAM are the two key schemes of Government of India which magnify the use of drones.Drone Destination Limited has recorded impressive financial growth over the years. Its total revenue stood at Rs 1207.22 lakhs for FY23, while it stood at Rs 256.46 lakhs for FY22 and Rs 39.18 lakhs for FY21. It registered an EBITDA of Rs 470.25 lakhs for FY23, which was Rs 39.36 lakhs for FY22. PAT stood at Rs 244.19 lakhs for FY23, while it was Rs 20.73 lakhs for FY22.Chirag Sharma and Shashi Bala are the promoters of the company.(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI07 July 2023

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Eight extremist groups lay down arms in Assam; CM announces rehabilitation program

Guwahati, July 6: Making another leap towards strengthening peace, a total of eight extremist groups in Assam laid down their arms before Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at a programme held in the state's capital city Guwahati on Thursday.

Eight extremist groups lay down arms in Assam; CM announces rehabilitation program

The extremist groups that laid down their arms are ACMA (Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam) and ACMA factional group, AANLA (All Adivasi National Liberation Army) and AANLA factional group, BCF (Bircha Commando Force) and BCF factional group, APA (Adivasi People's Army) and STF (Santhal Tiger Force).Altogether, 1,182 cadres of the eight groups laid down their arms which included 304 sophisticated arms and 1,460 rounds of ammunition, a press release from CMO said.It may be noted that these extremist organizations surrendered before the government on January 24, 2012 and later signed the agreement of Suspension of Operation (SoO) on October 4, 2016.Since the signing of SoO agreement, several rounds of talks took place between these groups and the government. Subsequently, on September 15, 2022, the Adivasi Accord was signed between these groups and the Union government and the state government.After the signing of the Adivasi Accord, on May 22, 2023, the state government constituted a 16-member Adivasi Welfare and Development Council. Today, along with the arms laying down ceremony, the members of the Council led by its Chairman Ashim Hasda took oath, as Secretary, Tribal Affairs (Plain), Social Justice and Empowerment Binita Pegu administered the oath in front of the Chief Minister.Chief Minister Sarma said, "Our efforts of bringing all disgruntled elements to the peace process has yielded dividends as eight Adivasi extremist groups laid down their arms to come to the mainstream of the society. It is an important day for strengthening peace in Assam and taking along everybody on board towards the forward march of the state."The Chief Minister on the occasion also appealed to ULFA (I) for talks."In Assam when all the militant groups have come over the ground, ULFA should also come for talks in the interest of all sections of the people of the state," Sarma added.The Chief Minister on the occasion announced Rs 4 lakh each for all the cadres that laid down arms today as part of the rehabilitation program. The amount will be fixed deposited, as the cadres will be able to take loan up to Rs 3 lakh against the fixed deposit amount.He also said that government will also give Rs 6000 monthly to each of the cadres for three years to help them towards self-employment. He also asked them not to be carried away by any external stimulus and to refrain from taking arms in their hands again.He on the occasion also paid his tributes to those who lost their lives during the armed struggle of the Adivasis.Addressing the cadres who returned to the mainstream, the Chief Minister also said that Assam is on the robust path of peace and development where all sections of the people are enjoying the fruits of development.He said that for the development of the Tea community and Adivasis government has set up 119 model schools. Moreover, he said there will be a reservation of seats in various medical and nursing courses.Moreover, three per cent of reservations will be earmarked for government jobs for the Tea community and Adivasis. He also said that the State government is taking steps for safeguarding the culture, language and literature of the Adivasis.ANI07 July 2023

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Centre launches 3rd edition of framework to measure effectiveness of existing e-Governance service delivery mechanisms

New Delhi, July 6: The Central government on Thursday launched the third edition of a framework with an overall objective to measure the depth and effectiveness of existing e-Governance service delivery mechanisms from the citizen's perspective.

Centre launches 3rd edition of framework to measure effectiveness of existing e-Governance service delivery mechanisms

Secretary Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) V Srinivas launched the new edition of the framework called National e-Governance Service Delivery Assessment (NeSDA).It is a periodic assessment intended to improve the effectiveness of States/Union Territories and the Central Government in the delivery of their online services to citizens and shares best practices across the country for all states, UTs and Central Ministries to emulate.This framework, based on the Online Service Index (OSI) of the UN eGovernment Survey, has been customized for the Indian federal structure and the e-Governance landscape of the states and the Union Territories (UTs).The DARPG has earlier successfully released two editions of NeSDA study-- NeSDA 2019 and NeSDA 2021. Both studies have shown a significant rise in e-services across all states and the UTs.It has also shown a rising trend of e-Services delivery shifting from single silo departmental portals to integrated and centralized portals.Improvement in the country's e-Governance landscape in the last two editions of NeSDA study may be summarized in the following key takeaways such as - Increase in e-service delivery, rise in use of integrated and centralized portals for delivery of e-services and improvement across assessment parameter scores.In NeSDA 2021, 1,400 services across all states and the UTs were assessed as compared to 872 in 2019, an increase of over 60 per cent, said a statement from the Ministry of Personnel."74 per cent of respondents of the nationwide citizen survey conducted during the study had stated that they are satisfied with the e-Services provided by the States and UTs. The e-Services of Finance and Local Governance and Utility Services sectors were the most widely used by citizens."Now, with the launch of the NeSDA 2023 portal, DARPG has embarked on the journey of the third edition of the study- NeSDA 2023. NeSDA 2023 framework has been revised in line with the contemporary citizens' needs, leading global digital government trends and UN e-Government Survey studies.ANI07 July 2023

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Janhvi Kapoor completes 20 days shoot schedule of Ulajh, actor shares BTS pictures

London, July 6: Actor Janhvi Kapoor, on Thursday, shared a string of monochrome BTS pictures from the sets of her upcoming film 'Ulajh' as she completed 20-day shoot schedule.

Janhvi Kapoor completes 20 days shoot schedule of 'Ulajh', actor shares BTS pictures

Taking to Instagram, Janhvi shared the post which she captioned, "20 days of Ulajh done. 20 more to go food for the soul."In the first picture, she can be seen sitting on a chair inside what it seems like a library, and in another picture, the actor is seen sitting on a dining table just below the camera.In another picture, she is seen posing with her team members.Directed by National Award winner Sudhanshu Saria, 'Ulajh' is a patriotic thriller film which also stars Gulshan Devaiah and Roshan Mathew in the lead roles.Produced by Junglee Pictures, the project follows the journey of a young IFS officer, belonging to a prominent family of patriots, who gets embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy while far from her home turf, at a career-defining post. Written by Parveez Shaikh and Sudhanshu Saria, with dialogues by Atika Chohan, this new-age thriller promises to be unlike anything else audiences have seen in this genre.Excited to be a part of 'Ulajh', Janhvi earlier said, "When I was approached with the script of 'Ulajh', it instantly attracted me because as an actor, I am constantly looking for scripts that make me break out of my comfort zone and portraying a character based in the celebrated world of the Indian Foreign Services was just that. Just as the name of the film suggests, my character and the story have so many layers, emotions, and parameters, which is challenging and exciting at the same time."I am thrilled for the audience to see me in this new role envisioned by Sudhanshu, who has such a fresh approach towards dealing with this genre. I am also looking forward to working with such talented co-actors and a development studio like Junglee Pictures for the first time."The official release date of the film is still awaited.Meanwhile, Janhvi will be next seen in the upcoming film 'Bawaal' opposite Varun Dhawan. Helmed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film is all set to stream on the OTT platform Amazon Prime Video from July 21.Apart from that, she also has 'Mr and Mrs Maahi' in her kitty opposite RajKummar Rao.ANI07 July 2023

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Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport served over 150 types of aircraft in one year

Gujarat (Ahmedabad), July 6: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has served over 180 different types of aircraft in the past two years.

Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport served over 150 types of aircraft in one year

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport also became a stopover choice for aerobatic teams of United Arab Emirates - Al Fursan (Aermacchi MB-339NAT), South Korea - Black Eagles (KAI T-50B Golden Eagle), our nation's pride Surya Kiran (BAE Hawk Mk 132) and Sarang (HAL Dhruv).With the rapid increase in the aviation industry and passenger traffic, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, is going through major developments. Due to growing infrastructure and facilities, some of the aircraft operated for the first time in Ahmedabad."This development reflects the airport's ongoing commitment to improvement and growth, positioning it as a key player in the aviation industry. Additionally, Ahmedabad Airport also supported handling various wide-body aircraft, including IL 76, IL 78, C 17 Globemaster, C 130, DO 228, EMB, and defense aircraft movement when required," it added."While rapidly growing infrastructure and facilities are being introduced, extreme attention to the safety of aircraft, passengers, and workers have also been part of the development plan. The range of aircraft that visited Ahmedabad in the last year includes a microlight on the world tour to one of the largest aircraft in the world," the release stated.It was a memorable weekend when Mark Rutherford flew in with Shark Aero UL, on his world record-breaking travel. Some of the significant aircraft that regularly visit, and frequencies are increasing are Airbus 350 and Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner."Large cargo planes that visited Ahmedabad airport multiple times were Antonov-124 and the iconic Airbus Beluga. Be it for passengers, cargo transit, or even a short refueling stop," it stated.The release further stated that, it appears Ahmedabad airport is becoming the preferred airport while on long journeys. Airbus Beluga's refueling stop is testimony to being the preferred airport for short stopovers. SVPIA is equipped to accommodate a wide variety of aircraft."Over the last couple of years, Ahmedabad Airport terminals are constantly getting upgraded with the utilization of available space. The runway, taxiway, and aprons of Ahmedabad Airport have also undergone significant development and refurbishment over the last couple of years," it added.SVPIA will strive for excellence in all operations, from infrastructure development to customer service. The airport remains committed to fueling the growth and progress of Ahmedabad and the surrounding areas. Passengers and aviation enthusiasts alike can look forward to an even more exciting and dynamic experience at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport as it continues to attract a wide range of aircraft and expand its air traffic capacity.ANI07 July 2023

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India, Singapore sign Protocol Document extending current MoU on Cooperation till 2028

New Delhi, July 6: India and Singapore on Thursday extended their current pact on cooperation in the field of personnel management and public administration for another five years till 2028 by signing a 'Protocol Document'.

India, Singapore sign Protocol Document extending current MoU on Cooperation till 2028

According to an official statement, the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Government of India and the Public Service Division, of the Republic of Singapore signed the 'Protocol Document' extending for five years the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the field of personnel management and public administration.The MoU aims to strengthen the two countries' partnership through various forms of cooperation between both countries' public service officers, the statement added.The release further stated that cooperation in areas such as Administrative Reforms and Public Sector Transformation, Public Service Delivery, Leadership and Talent Development, E-Governance, Capacity Building and Training form part of the areas to be covered under the activities of MoU.The MoU was signed by V Srinivas, Secretary on behalf of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, and Simon Wong, High Commissioner of Singapore to India.The signing ceremony was attended by senior officers of the Singapore High Commission and DARPG.Permanent Secretary, Public Service Division, Republic of Singapore also attended and addressed the event virtually.ANI07 July 2023

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Former Saudi minister to visit India, hold one-on-one meeting with NSA Doval

New Delhi, July 6: Dr Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa, the Secretary-General of the Muslim World League and former Minister of Justice of Saudi Arabia, will visit India on July 10-15, where he will meet National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and will also deliver a speech on moderate Islam and religious tolerance, informed an official release.

Former Saudi minister to visit India, hold one-on-one meeting with NSA Doval

According to the release, Dr Al-Issa will arrive in New Delhi on July 10. He shall be meeting India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval for a one-on-one meeting in the evening.On July 11 morning, upon the invitation of the Khusro Foundation, Dr al-Issa will address a gathering of prominent religious and community leaders, academics and media at BS Abdur Rahman Auditorium, India Islamic Cultural Centre, Lodhi Road. India's NSA Ajit Doval will also address the gathering.Given his previous work as Minister of Justice Saudi Arabia and Secretary General Muslim World League, he is expected to speak on moderate Islam, dialogue between civilizations, religious tolerance, intercultural communication, non-violence and religious pluralism, the release stated.Many invitees including senior academics from various Universities are showing keen interest in the event in view of Dr Issa's nuanced stance on various critical issues facing the Muslim world."As per sources, Dr al-Issa is expected to meet India's Minister for External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, and Minister for Minority Affairs Smriti Irani, and he may also call on President Droupadi Murmu. He will also meet the President of ICCR and interact with a group of distinguished faith leaders at Vivekanand International Foundation. As per sources, he might visit Akshardham Temple and also meet some prominent personalities," the release stated.During his stay in New Delhi, he is also likely to pay tributes to martyrs at National Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri. An important part of his engagement will be the visit to Jama Masjid Delhi for Friday Prayers. He is also scheduled to visit Agra.Mohammad bin Abdulkarim al-Issa is a prominent religious leader, Islamic scholar and reformist from Saudi Arabia. Before being appointed. He was the Secretary General of the Muslim World League in 2016, Dr al-Issa served as the Minister of Justice in the Saudi Cabinet.As the powerful Saudi Minister for Justice, he, oversaw key reforms in several areas, including legislative reforms in family matters, humanitarian cases, and for the rights of women.An esteemed figure in global affairs Dr. Al-Issa, is widely recognized for his prominent role in promoting moderate Islam and fostering empathy, understanding, and cooperation among people of all backgrounds.As the Secretary General of the Muslim World League, an influential non-governmental organization representing Muslims worldwide, Dr. Al-Issa has spearheaded initiatives to build partnerships and strengthen relations between diverse communities, faiths, and nations.He also serves as the chairman of the Centre for Responsible Leadership, a body of globally influential government, faith, media, business, and community leaders working together to solve the challenges facing humanity and the world today.ANI07 July 2023

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Predator drones, P-8I surveillance aircraft have proved to be useful in operations over Ladakh: Navy chief

By Ajit K Dubey, Leh (Ladakh), July 6: Amid the ongoing standoff with China in Eastern Ladakh, Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Thursday said the P-8I surveillance planes along with the two leased Predator drones have proved useful in Ladakh since 2020 and will further improve the capabilities when they start arriving in the country.

Predator drones, P-8I surveillance aircraft have proved to be useful in operations over Ladakh: Navy chief

"The sensors they (Predators) have are quite a state of the art and they provide good recognizance and intelligence effort. So I would say no asset belongs to just any one service. It's a national asset and we need to use it wherever it can give the best results and optimal results so that the nation benefits," he added.Asked about the induction of the proposed 31 Predator drones and their surveillance capability, the Admiral said that the surveillance capabilities will definitely increase."Out of the 31, about 16 of them will be primarily for the border areas, for the land region. The only difference between the sky guardian and the sea guardian for the surveillance is mainly the sensors," he told ANI."So the sensor will be state of the art and they will be able to provide near real-time and almost 24/7 surveillance. So that definitely augments the effort and brings transparency in battlespace awareness," he added."The P8I have been used here along with the army and the Air Force teams and we found it quite beneficial. And similarly, we found that the two sea guardians which we have on lease are being operated since number 2020. They've also been quite useful," he added.The Indian Navy is extending the lease of the two Predator drones which have flown more than 12,000 hours for surveillance across the country including the boundary with China.The two drones were inducted by the Indian Navy under the emergency powers on lease in November 2020 during the initial phase of the military standoff with China and have been used extensively by the force.The two drones of the older version of the Predators were taken on lease along with the ground control stations and other equipment.After extensive flying operations and use of these drones for surveillance requirements of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, it has now been decided that the defence forces would get a total of 31 of the latest Predator MQ-9B drones which will be used for surveillance.The drone deal was announced by India and the US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US.The deal has been approved by the Defence Acquisition Council and will now be negotiated with the US government for the final price and other contractual requirements.Fifteen of these drones would be used for surveillance in the maritime zone while the reaming 16 would be used for aerial and ground surveillance along the northern and northeastern sectors.The drones are located at the INS Rajali air base of the Navy in Tamil Nadu which is also planned to be one of the three hubs of the high-altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicles.ANI07 July 2023

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Israeli study finds long-term COVID affects ethnic groups differently

Tel Aviv, July 6: Israeli researchers have uncovered a significant discrepancy in the effect of long-term COVID on the country's different ethnic groups. The findings carry implications beyond Israel and shed new insight into global efforts to address the pandemic's continuing consequences.

Israeli study finds long-term COVID affects ethnic groups differently

The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Bar-Ilan University, highlighted an 11 per cent disparity between Arabs and Druze on one hand, and Jews, suggesting that certain populations may be more susceptible to long-term symptoms and a diminished quality of life. The findings were recently published in the peer-reviewed International Journal of Public Health.Many people who were infected and then cured of the coronavirus have reported ongoing health problems such as persistent fatigue, heart palpitations, chest pains, brain fog, changes in smell and taste, joint and muscle pains, and for women, changes in their menstrual cycle, among other symptoms. More severe cases can impact the heart, lungs, kidneys, skin, or brain.More than half of Israelis who caught COVID reported feeling at least one symptom of long-term COVID one year after their sickness, according to an Israeli Health Ministry survey released in April 2023."By comprehending how the virus affects different communities, we can strive to develop targeted interventions and support systems that alleviate the long-term impact on quality of life," said Professor Michael Edelstein, the study's lead author.Well-being was assessed using the EQ-5D quality of life instrument measuring five dimensions mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression.The researchers followed up with individuals who had previously contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus as part of a comprehensive cohort study.The disparity persisted, even after taking into account socio-economic differences."We embarked on this study to investigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on minority groups in Israel given existing health inequalities in the country," Edelstein said. "While the pre-COVID quality of life among Jews, Arabs, and Druze in our study was initially comparable, at the 12-month mark after infection the Arab and Druze participants reported a quality of life 11 per cent lower than their Jewish counterparts."Moving forward, the research team intends to further investigate the role of vaccines in mitigating the long-term effects of COVID. Additionally, they plan to explore the pandemic's economic consequences on employment and income among the study participants. (ANI/TPS)ANI07 July 2023

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The Nun 2 trailer out, fans excited

Los Angeles, July 6: The makers of 'The Nun' are all set to come up with the film's sequel.

'The Nun 2' trailer out, fans excited

On Thursday, they unveiled the film's trailer and it has definitely left fans excited.Take a lookThe sequel, which is headlined by Taissa Farmiga, is set to be out on September 8.As per Variety, the film begins in 1956 after a priest is viciously murdered in France. According to the film's official logline, "'The Nun 2' follows Sister Irene (Farmiga) as she once again comes face to face with the demonic Valak."Farmiga returns alongside Bonnie Aarons and Jonas Bloquet who will reprise their roles as Valak and Maurice "Frenchie," respectively. "The Nun 2" will introduce new additions to the "Conjuring" universe, including Katelyn Rose Downey as Sophie, Anna Popplewell as Marcella and Storm Reid as an unknown new character.The USD 2 billion franchise began in 2013, with the original "The Conjuring" film, starring Patrick Wilson and Taissa Farmiga's older sister, Vera Farmiga. The original film was inspired by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren's nonfiction book, "The Amityville Horror.""The Conjuring's" first spinoff "Annabelle" premiered in 2014. Soon after, "The Conjuring 2" was released in 2016, "Annabelle Creation" in 2017 and then the second spinoff, "The Nun" in 2018. Since "The Nun," the "Conjuring" universe has released "The Curse of La Llorona," "Annabelle Comes Home" and "The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It."Directed by "The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It's" Michael Chaves, "The Nun 2" was written by "M3GAN" screenwriter Akela Cooper and "Fear the Walking Dead" screenwriters Ian Goldberg and Richard Naing.ANI07 July 2023

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UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Philippines Secretary of Foreign Affairs discuss promoting cooperation

Abu Dhabi, July 7: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, during a phone call with Enrique Manalo, secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, discussed the prospects for further expanding cooperation across all sectors.

UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Philippines' Secretary of Foreign Affairs discuss promoting cooperation

The two sides reviewed their collaboration in combatting climate change, especially with the UAE hosting the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of common concern.Sheikh Abdullah underscored the strong ties the UAE and the Philippines share, highlighting their keenness to cement them further to serve their common interests and drive sustainable development to benefit their people.He also lauded the tireless efforts made by UAE residents from the Philippines across various sectors. (ANI/WAM)ANI07 July 2023

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NEC adopts executive regulations of 2023 FNC elections

Abu Dhabi, July 7: The National Elections Committee (NEC) issued Resolution No.25 of 2023 concerning the executive regulations of the 2023 Federal National Council (FNC) elections.

NEC adopts executive regulations of 2023 FNC elections

The executive regulations constitute the legal framework governing all stages and procedures of the electoral process and comprise 69 articles divided into nine chapters, which encompass the formation of committees entrusted with organising the elections, the rules of the elections, the rights and duties of voters and candidates, electoral offences and relevant penalties, electoral appeals, and procedures for counting and declaring results.The executive regulations were amended based on analyses and feedback from previous elections. The most notable feature is the introduction of a remote voting system, a smart system that enables voters to cast their votes from anywhere, whether inside or outside the country, using digital applications launched by the NEC.Voters outside the UAE can vote remotely from the start of the early voting period until the main election day, with no polling stations to be set up in embassies. The NEC has also introduced a hybrid voting system that allows voters to choose between remote and electronic voting at specific polling stations.The hybrid voting system is the latest and most efficient method of voting that will help make the election process more accurate and transparent. It utilises digitised methods to sort and count votes, reflecting the efforts to improve the electoral experience and encourage more people to be involved in national affairs by making the streamlining entire process.The electoral voting system has been updated to match the country's digital transformation, making it easier and more efficient to complete the necessary tasks with speed and accuracy, in line with the UAE Cabinet's decisions related to the digital service policy, the implementation of the national framework for information security, and the adoption of a UAE Pass digital ID system in all government transactions.UAE Pass is key to this significant electronic transformation and accessing the voting system, and NEC members are required to register on the platform.The executive regulations were also amended to raise the candidate registration fee from AED1,000 to AED3,000. The candidacy process for people of determination has also been regulated, and eligible voters with disabilities can apply for FNC membership if they provide a medical report from the Supreme Committee for Medical Liability at the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The report should state the type and level of disability and how it affects the candidate's ability to perform the duties of an FNC member.As part of the amendments, the limit on election campaign spending was increased to AED3 million, and the maximum penalty for electoral violations was raised to AED10,000.The executive regulations comprise nine chapters. The first chapter establishes the voting rules, which state that each voter can only vote once and for one candidate from their emirate. They can vote online or in person, but they cannot vote on behalf someone else or change their vote later. The last vote they cast will count. (ANI/WAM)ANI07 July 2023

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NCP national working committee meets to address national issues; reinforces partys unity under Sharad Pawars leadership

Mumbai, July 6: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) convened its National Working Committee meeting today in New Delhi, chaired by the party's National President, Sharad Pawar, following the recent developments in Maharashtra's political landscape.

NCP national working committee meets to address national issues; reinforces party's unity under Sharad Pawar's leadership

The meeting was attended by leaders including Supriya Sule, Jitendra Awhad, AK Shashidharan, Mohd Faizal, Fauzia Khan, PC Chacko, KK Sharma, K Thomas, Pithambaran Master and others were present during the meeting, which focused on various national issues, including recent political developments in Maharashtra, said Mahesh Tapase, Chief Spokesperson of the NCP.The working committee approved the decision taken by National President Sharad Pawar to expel Praful Patel,Sunil Tatkare and 9 MLAs from Maharashtra for anti party activities. They have been absolved of all responsibilities associated with the NCP announced PC Chacko."The working committee also expressed concern regarding communal tension in Manipur and criticised the BJP for misusing central agencies against the opposition. The committee condemned Modi Governments failure in handling price rise, unemployment and woman safety," the release stated.Speaking to the media earlier in the day Mahesh Tapase reiterated that, as per established law, the original party holds greater significance than the legislature party.Consequently, the NCP MLAs who wrote to the Election Commission, staking a claim to the party and its symbol, will face rejection, as the entire party stands firmly behind NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.Expressing his concerns, Tapase questioned whether these MLAs were fully aware that their signatures would be used to assert claim to the party, indicating that they may have been kept uninformed.He also lamented the timing of their letter, coinciding with Supriya Sule's birthday, suggesting a lack of sensitivity on their part.Highlighting the NCP's extensive reach, Tapase emphasized that the party is represented in 24 states. These State Presidents have unequivocally pledged their allegiance to Pawar Saheb, affirming his supreme authority in the party's affairs.In national politics, Sharad Pawar ji enjoys unwavering support from the entire opposition. The NCP, under his astute leadership, remains committed to opposing the BJP regime, collaborating with like-minded parties to defend the constitution and fortify democracy, affirmed Mahesh Tapase.Addressing the recent induction of Ajit Pawar and eight others into the Shinde Fadnavis Ministry, Tapase noted that all is not well within the Shinde camp. As portfolios are allotted, CM Shinde is likely to face challenges from Ajit Pawar, indicating a tough road ahead for the CM.ANI07 July 2023

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Jackie Shroff gets nostalgic as Tridev clocks 34 years

Mumbai July 7: As 90's classic film 'Trivdev' completes 34 years since its release on Friday, the actor Jackie Shroff shared a special video on social media.

Jackie Shroff gets nostalgic as 'Tridev' clocks 34 years

Jackie took to Instagram and posted a video featuring all the moments captured while shooting for 'Tridev'.Sharing the video, he wrote, "#34yearsoftridev."As soon as the video was posted, the actor's fans and industry friends flooded the comment section.One of the users wrote, "Lol that shit was iconic. Funniest thing is that the movie had this one song which was played in normal speed at the start and then played as a slow version later. Good old 90s."Another commented, "One of my childhood fav movie."Rajiv Rai directed the 1989 action thriller Tridev. The leading actors in the film include Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Naseeruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Sangeeta Bijlani, and Sonam. At the 35th Filmfare Awards in 1990, the film received high praise and took home three Filmfare Awards. Additionally, the film was later remade in Telugu under the title Nakshatra Poratam, starring Suman, Bhanuchander, and Arun Pandian.Meanwhile, on the work front, Jackie will be seen in 'Jailer' starring Rajnikanth in the lead role, this movie also includes stars like Ramya Krishnan, Priyanka Arul Mohan and Shiva Rajkumar and Tamannaah Bhatia. The 'Lingaa' actor has teamed up with filmmaker Nelson Dilipkumar for this project.He will be next seen in 'Baap' alongside Sunny Deol, Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff and Mithun Chakraborty.ANI07 July 2023

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Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen talks security cooperation in Greece

Tel Aviv, July 7: Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is currently on an official visit to Greece where he met with his Greek counterpart Foreign Minister Giorgos Irapatris. Greece formed a new government after elections were held a few weeks ago.

Israeli Foreign Minister Cohen talks security cooperation in Greece

Cohen said the two foreign ministers discussed strengthening cooperation in the fields of security, economy and energy, and promoting the Hellenic triangle with Greece and Cyprus, which, he said, "will strengthen Israel's position in the region and stability in the Middle East.""Greece is an important regional and strategic ally," said Cohen. "We will discuss strengthening ties between the countries and promoting cooperation in the fields of energy, economy and regional security."Israel Greece and Cyprus have been cooperating recently in a number of areas, including defence. (ANI/TPS)ANI07 July 2023

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HVB Global Academy Shines Bright as It Celebrated Diamond Jubilee Marking 60 Years of Excellence in Education

BusinessWire India, Mumbai, July 7: HVB Global Academy, a leading educational institution renowned for its commitment to excellence, recently celebrated its Diamond Jubilee celebration, marking 60 years of providing outstanding education and nurturing young minds.

HVB Global Academy Shines Bright as It Celebrated Diamond Jubilee Marking 60 Years of Excellence in Education

The festivities marking the 60th anniversary were held recently at Tata Theatre, Nariman Point, Mumbai, where the guests, alumni, faculty, parents, and students came together to commemorate the significant milestone.Esteemed Hindi poet, author, and motivational speaker Dr Kumar Vishwas honoured the occasion as the Chief Guest, enlightening the audience with his insights on the existing education system and the necessary reforms to instil a sense of pride, nationalism, and appreciation for the country's history, cultural heritage, and civilisation.Additionally, Rahul Narwekar, the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, also graced the occasion as an esteemed guest. The event also featured captivating performances by Kings United and Illuminati Dance group to entertain the guests. As they celebrated the Diamond Jubilee, they took pride in their achievements developing an innovative pedagogical model focused on learner happiness, introducing the Happiness Quotient (HQ) metric for measuring happiness.Creating the right curriculum and books centred around HQ and devising a method to assess learners' HQ, they are launching "My ABC An HVB Adventure", book to reconnect with the Indian roots, and fostering distinguished alumni like Uday Kotak, Amit Jatia, and Vallabh Bhansali who have shaped the economy and improved lives. Author, Poet and Motivational Speaker, Dr Kumar Vishwas, expressed his excitement, "I am honoured to be part of HVB Global Academy's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, marking 60 years of educational excellence. I commend their commitment to redefine education as a means to our young students' all-round personal growth and to help them connect and identify with their rich and unique Indian cultural heritage, values and the legacy of intellectual contributions.This extraordinary milestone exemplifies dedication in shaping young minds and nurturing brilliance. May HVB's legacy continue to inspire and illuminate the path to a future where education unlocks limitless opportunities." The Principal and CEO of HVB Global Academy, Dr Chandrakata Pathak expresses her thoughts on the celebrating Diamond Jubilee, "As we celebrate the momentous occasion of the Diamond Jubilee at HVB Global Academy, it fills me with immense inspiration and gratitude.Over the past six decades, our institution has consistently strived for excellence, making a profound impact on countless lives. This milestone is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our supportive management, dedicated educators, talented students, and encouraging community. As we reflect on our achievements, we are motivated to continue our mission of empowering learners and creating a positive impact on society. Together, we will embark on the next chapter of our journey and continue to empower our learners by providing them with quality education, nurturing their talent, and prepare them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world." From Hindi Vidya Bhavan to Humanity Versatility Brilliance, HVB's journey through time and challenges has been a story of resilience, hope, innovation and change guided by its motto "Nurture imagination and inspire excellence".(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)ANI07 July 2023

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Jeremy Allen White ditches wedding ring after dating rumours with Selena Gomez

Los Angeles, July 7: 'The Bear' actor Jeremy Allen White has made his marital status clear amid the floating rumours that the actor is dating Selena Gomez. A The Golden Globe winning actor ditched his wedding ring during an outing in LA, two months after his wife filed for divorce.

Jeremy Allen White ditches wedding ring after dating rumours with Selena Gomez

As reported by Aceshowbiz, White went out to shop for groceries at Gelson's Market and in the photos circulating online, the actor was not seen wearing his wedding band on his ring finger, though he was wearing another ring on the middle finger.The 32-year old was seen wearing a khaki NY Yankees cap, matching linen shirt, baggy blue jeans, and white sneakers for his errand.According to Aceshowbiz, Jeremy was seen carrying a blue reusable bag from the grocery store when heading to his parked car. He appeared to be in no rush, as he took a moment to smoke a cigarette and check his phone before driving away from the parking lot.IANS07 July 2023

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India joins Champions Group of Global Crisis Response Group

New Delhi, July 7: India has joined the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG). The decision of India comes after the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres extended to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India joins Champions Group of Global Crisis Response Group

Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs has been designated as Sherpa to the GCRG process. The Sherpas will meet today virtually and a meeting of the Champions is scheduled to be held on July 21, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a press release.The Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) was set up by the UNSG in March 2022. The GCRG was created to address urgent and critical global issues related to interlinked crises in food security, energy and finance and to coordinate a global response.The MEA in the press release said, "The GCRG is overseen by the Champions Group comprising of HOS/ HOGs of Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal."The decision to join the Champions Group of the GCRG demonstrates India's increasing global leadership and commitment addressing contemporary global challenges. The MEA noted that India's participation will further boost the efforts of the United Nations in finding result-oriented solutions on developmental issues that impact the world, particularly developing countries.ANI07 July 2023

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PM Modi attends closing ceremony of Gita Press centenary celebrations in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur, July 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 awardee, publisher Gita Press here.

PM Modi attends closing ceremony of Gita Press' centenary celebrations in Gorakhpur

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to four states, which kicked off today.He flew down to Gorakhpur Airport from Chhattisgarh's Raipur, where he was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister addressed a Vijay Sankalp Rally in Raipur. Speaking in the poll-bound state he sharpened his attack against the Congress party and said that those who are stained in corruption are trying to stitch an Opposition Unity."Those stained are trying to come together today. Those who used to curse each other, they have now started finding excuses to come together," PM Modi said.He added there is corruption at the core of the Congress party."Without corruption, Congress cannot even breathe. Corruption is the biggest ideology of Congress."Following the Gita Press event, the PM will flag off two Vande Bharat trains connecting Gorakhpur - Lucknow and Jodhpur - Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) and lay the foundation stone of the Gorakhpur Railway Station redevelopment.According to an official release, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,100 crore in his home constituency, Varanasi, and will inaugurate the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction- Son Nagar railway line of Dedicated Freight Corridor.The PM will also dedicate a four-lane widening of the Varanasi-Jaunpur section of NH-56 making travel from Varanasi to Lucknow easier and faster and lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats and distribute loans of PMSVANidhi, keys of PMAY Rural houses and Ayushman cards to the beneficiaries in UP, the release added.PM Modi's hectic tour of four states including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan will conclude on Saturday.ANI07 July 2023

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NSA Ajit Doval meets UK counterpart Tim Barrow in Delhi

New Delhi, July 7: National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Friday met his UK counterpart Tim Barrow in Delhi.

NSA Ajit Doval meets UK counterpart Tim Barrow in Delhi

This meeting between the two is the second in this year as earlier the two had an informal meeting on March 30.The high-profile meeting came days after attacks and protests at Indian High Commission in London.Earlier, on March 19, a pro-Khalistan protestor in London climbed the High Commission of India's balcony and pulled down the Indian flag.India had registered a strong protest over the matter while urging the UK authorities to take appropriate action against those involved in the act.Meanwhile, Ajit Doval recently held in-depth talks with Diplomatic Advisor to French President Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Bonne.The talks were held to prepare for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France scheduled to take place next week.Sharing details regarding the meeting between Bonne and Doval, French Embassy in India in a tweet stated, "E. Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to Prez @EmmanuelMacron, held in-depth talks with NSA Ajit Doval to prepare for PM @NarendraModi's visit to France next week. Defence, energy, space, new technologies and more we're working on an ambitious agenda for the India-France strategic partnership!"ANI07 July 2023

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Indian Auto LPG Coalition Urges Government to Promote Auto LPG as a Clean and Cost-Effective Fuel Option

NewsVoir, New Delhi, July 7: There have been recent reports flagging a sharp decline in sales of Auto LPG vehicles since 2019 in India.

Indian Auto LPG Coalition Urges Government to Promote Auto LPG as a Clean and Cost-Effective Fuel Option

A top automaker is even said to have stopped the manufacturing of its LPG models. For a country that is home to the largest number of polluted cities among the fifty most polluted in the world with nearly 15% of its pollution coming from transport sector, the dipping sales in auto LPG vehicles is baffling. After all, auto LPG is said to be the third-most-popular mobility fuel after petrol and diesel worldwide due to its enormous environmental and cost benefits.Over decades, some of the most advanced regions or countries in the world including Europe, Australia, Japan, Russia, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, Bulgaria and the United States have seen the development of a well-oiled auto LPG ecosystem as a significant alternative to the conventional fossil fuel-based petrol and diesel. While Europe has 15.7 million vehicles powered by auto LPG and serviced by a 47,000-strong refuelling stations, a whopping 95% of taxis in South Korea run on auto gas. Similarly, 50% of taxis in Australia as also most taxis in Japan run on auto gas. And in the US too, auto LPG has seen demand from vehicle fleets including school buses, goods delivery and other government and non-government agencies. In Turkey, almost 40% of passenger vehicles and 26% of all vehicles run on Autogas. In Bulgaria, as much as 90% of LPG is consumed as an auto fuel. In Ukraine, auto gas accounts for more than one-fifth of total auto fuel consumption."For years now, we have been imploring the government to allow auto LPG a level-playing field in the Indian auto fuel market as a part of its broader low-carbon energy transition as well as mobility strategy. If auto LPG can turn out as the most preferred and used fuel after petrol and diesel in most other parts of the world, what is it that prevents India from taking the auto LPG route in a more vigorous and sustained manner. After all, India does have a colossal environmental and pollution challenge on its hands with particulate matter pollution especially playing havoc with human health in our cities and elsewhere. Although low in per capita terms, India is also the third largest emitter of CO2 globally. For their part, vehicles running on autogas not only produce 90% fewer particulates and 98% lesser nitrogen oxides emissions than petrol-powered vehicles, but also up to 20% less CO2 than equivalent petrol models, all of which cannot be overlooked by any government," said Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition."The price of auto LPG has been consistently below the price of the carbon-emitting petrol and diesel in our country. In fact, the price differential in some regions particularly the south Indian market has come down to nearly 50% in recent times. Yet, traction is yet to be seen for a shift to this near-perfect clean fuel alternative. So, just as other developed and high-income countries have promoted extensive auto LPG usage through policy intervention, whether for commercial or personal use, India must also provide sufficient policy stimulus. In other words, the authorities need to reduce the payback period or the breakeven distance for a vehicle owner to opt for either converting his existing petrol vehicle, or for purchasing a high-cost factory-built variant. For conversion, it is time that we reduce the exorbitant 28% GST on conversion kits and relax Type approval norms for them, process which is highly costly as well as tiresome. Similarly, OEMs must be encouraged through bringing down GST on auto LPG and other incentives. With the shale gas finding having transformed the US from an energy importer to an exporter coupled with India's improved terms of agreement with West Asian suppliers, there is stability in terms of supply and pricing. At the same time, the existing vast supply and distribution network set up on account of project Ujjwala has already lowered the entry barriers for distribution across the country," added Gupta.Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC) is the nodal body for the promotion of Auto LPG in India. Members of the Coalition include the Oil Sector PSUs, Private Auto LPG marketers, Kit Suppliers and Equipment Manufacturers. The Coalition works closely with the World LPG Association and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. IAC is also a member of "Central Motor Vehicle Rules - Technical Standing Committee" (CMVR-TSC) and "Standing Committee on Emission Legislation" (SCOE), TED26 (Bureau of Indian Standards), Government of India.For more information, please visit website(Disclaimer The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)ANI07 July 2023

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Tripura govt proposes universal health insurance scheme CMJAY in Assembly

Agartala (Tripura), July 7: Chief Minister Manik Saha-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government proposed a universal health insurance scheme in the State Budget 2023-24 tabled in Tripura Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Tripura govt proposes universal health insurance scheme 'CMJAY' in Assembly

Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy in his Budget speech said that the state government is very sensitive to the medical needs of the people. "They spend lakhs of rupees for treatment purposes in and outside the state," he said.Keeping this in mind, it has been proposed in the Budget 2023-24 for introducing 'CM- Jan Arogya Yojana', a universal health insurance scheme on the pattern of Ayushman Bharat- PMJAY, he said.The Scheme will cover 4.75 lakh families and provide benefits upto Rs 5 lakh per annum/ per family. The State Government employees will also be covered. According to the state government, an amount of Rs 59 crore per annum will be spent for implementing this scheme.The families covered under this scheme will have access to 26,000-plus hospitals empanelled across the country, including 133 hospitals (130 public and 3 private) empanelled in Tripura under Ayushman Bharat.The scheme will provide cashless treatment benefits for admitted patients across all specialities and super specialities.The Finance minister presented a Rs 27654.40-crore Budget for the FY 2023-24 in the House with an increase of 9.87 per cent as compared to the allocation of the previous year. The deficit is Rs. 611.3 crore.Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha termed the budget as 'inclusive'.CM said the Budget highlights the State Government's goal of building "Unnata Tripura, Shrestha Tripura" and fulfilling the aspirations of the common people.ANI08 July 2023

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Ektaa Kapoor unveils LSD 2 first poster, film to release on this date

Mumbai, July 7: Producer Ektaa Kapoor, on Friday, unveiled the first poster of her next production 'Love, Sex aur Dhokha 2'.

Ektaa Kapoor unveils 'LSD 2' first poster, film to release on this date

Taking to Instagram, Ektaa shared the poster and captioned it, "Who needs roses and chocolates when you can have likes and reposts? From Love in the times of Camera to Love in the times of the Internet. On the Valentine's 2024 weekend choose your poison LOVE, SEX AUR DHOKHA! #LSD2 IN CINEMAS from 16th Feb 2024."Titled 'LSD 2' the film is helmed by Dibakar Banerjee and is all set to hit the theatres on February 16, 2024.With a thought-provoking poster, the team confronts the audience with the stark reality of our digitally obsessed society, capturing a couple engaged in both intimate connection and technological detachment simultaneously.Soon after the makers unveiled the poster, fans flooded the comment section with red hearts and fire emoticons."can't wait," a fan wrote.Another fan wrote, "Loved the poster."The film will be facing a big Bollywood clash with Akshay Kumar's untitled film which is the Hindi remake of the Tamil film 'Soorarai Pottru'.Ekta and Dibakar announced the sequel of the film earlier in the year 2021 but the film got delayed and the makers are all set to begin the filming of the sequel soon.'Love Sex Aur Dhokha' which was released in the year 2010, was directed by Dibakar Banerjee and starred actors Rajkummar Rao, Neha Chauhan, Anshuman Jha, and Nushrratt Bharuccha among others.Earlier, Ekta Kapoor and Dibakar Banerjee, arrived at the 'Bigg Boss 16' house to cast for the sequel of their film and reportedly, the contestant Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia has been roped in as the leading lady of the sequel.ANI08 July 2023

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The US will provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package

President Joe Bidens administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine for the war against Russia, even though the United Nations urges the warring countries to avoid using them
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Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. This serious condition occurs when the heart beats so fast that the upper chambers of the heart quiver. This irregular heartbeat can lead to severe conditions, including heart failure, dementia and a fivefold increase in the risk of stroke.

AFib affects more than 33.5 million people worldwide, and its prevalence is increasing. Despite intense research to better understand AFib, the molecular mechanism underlying the progression of this condition remains poorly understood.

At Baylor College of Medicine, Dr. Na Li's lab and her colleagues have been investigating AFib's underpinnings and identified key molecules and associated processes contributing to the development of persistent AFib forms. Their findings, published in the journal Circulation Research, represent a crucial step toward developing a therapeutic strategy to prevent AFib progression and maintenance.

Research on FKBP5 brings new insights

Previous studies have shown a reduction in the expression of the FKBP5 gene in patients with AFib. Even though this gene has been well studied in brain cells, its role in the heart had not been examined before. In this study we investigated whether a reduced activity of gene FKBP5 was causally linked to AFib and delineated its function in the heart using animal models." Dr. Na Li, associate professor of medicine and corresponding author

First, the researchers measured the levels of protein FKBP5 in heart samples of patients with chronic AFib. They found that the levels were significantly reduced, when compared to those in individuals without the condition.

Then, the team developed a mouse model of AFib in which the gene Fkbp5 was absent only in heart cells, called cardiomyocytes. "These Fkbp5-deficient mice had an increased susceptibility to AFib, mimicking the condition we see in patients," Li explained. "Restoring FKBP5 protein levels specifically in the atria, the two upper heart chambers, resulted in a lower propensity to AFib compared to the Fkbp5-deficient mice." These studies demonstrate a causal relationship between reduced FKBP5 protein level and the enhanced AFib susceptibility.

New pieces in the AFib puzzle reveal therapeutic potential

In the animal model, the absence of FKBP5 protein promoted an increase in the level and function of another protein called NCX1  a key ionic transporter molecule in excitable cells like cardiomyocytes. The elevated level of NCX1 in chronic AFib patients was already known; however, the molecular mechanism behind this phenomenon remained unclear prior to this study. The team discovered that the absence of FKBP5 indirectly increased NCX1 production in cardiomyocytes by enhancing the activity of the transcription factor HIF-1a, which then promoted NCX1 transcription.

"Interestingly, the increased activity of HIF-1a has been previously associated with AFib patients. Yet, for the first time, we've unveiled a mechanistic link between enhanced HIF-1a function and its pro-arrhythmic effect through modulation of NCX1 expression," Li said.

More importantly, the researchers found that normalizing HIF-1a activity with compound 17-AAG in Fkbp5-deficient mice can prevent AFib, pointing to FKBP5 as a potential novel target for the treatment of this life-threatening condition.

Other contributors to this work include Xiaolei Wang, Jia Song, Yue Yuan, Luge Li, Issam Abu-Taha, Jordi Heijman, Liang Sun, Shokoufeh Dobrev, Markus Kamler, Liang Xie, Xander H.T. Wehrens, Frank T. Horrigan and Dobromir Dobrev. The authors are affiliated with one or more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, University of Duisburg-Essen, Maastricht University, Montreal Heart Institute and Universite de Montreal.

This study is supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01HL136389, R01HL163277, R01HL147108, R01HL131517, R01HL089598, R01-HL160992, UM1HG006348, R01DK114356, S10OD032380 and P30CA125123). Further support was provided by the European Union (large-scale network project MAESTRIA No. 965286), the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO/ZonMWVidi 09150171910029) and American Heart Association (23POST1013888 and EIA 936111).
A major clinical trial has found a simple change to world practice for kidney transplants could deliver real benefits for recipients and reduce their need for dialysis by 25 per cent.

The BEST-Fluids trial was conducted by the Australasian Kidney Trials Network (AKTN) in collaboration with researchers from The University of Queensland, The University of Adelaide, and The University of Sydney.

ATKN chair and UQ Professor David Johnson said the trial assessed the use of an intravenous fluid containing sodium, potassium, magnesium and chloride in proportions similar to human blood - instead of the usual practice of using normal saline (sodium chloride and water).

Of those study participants who received intravenous Plasma-Lyte 148, 30 per cent needed dialysis after their transplants, compared to 40 per cent for those given normal saline. This is a significant improvement in outcomes for those undergoing kidney transplant surgery." David Johnson, UQ Professor

Royal Adelaide Hospital Nephrologist Dr Michael Collins led the study and said the findings would change world practice for kidney treatments.

"Based on these results, we believe that balanced crystalloid fluids should be used for all patients during and after kidney transplant surgery," Dr Collins said.

"Balanced fluids are relatively cheap and widely available, which makes them a useful treatment for most of the estimated 200,000 kidney transplant operations that are conducted globally each year."

University of Sydney Professor and Senior Investigator Steve Chadban said with regular saline, as currently used, about 1 in 3 transplanted kidneys did not work immediately.

"Kidneys can be effectively 'stunned' by the traumas of donation surgery, transportation and then transplant surgery," Professor Chadban said.

"When a kidney doesn't work immediately, dialysis is required.

"This can cause anxiety and inconvenience for patients, as well as potential longer-term damage to the kidney."

More than 800 transplant recipients participated in the study, across 16 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand between January 2018 and August 2020.

The trial was 'double-blinded', meaning participants and researchers were not aware who had received which fluid until its conclusion.

The researchers received funding from the Medical Research Future Fund in Australia and the Health Research Council of New Zealand, and supported by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.

The research was published in The Lancet.
Reviewing qualitative studies from the past 20 years, the researchers found a range of contributing factors including: a continuing stigma around periods; society's normalization of menstrual pain; and a lack of medical training about the condition.

Endometriosis, which affects 10% of women globally and 1.5 million women in the UK alone, is caused by endometrial (womb) tissue growing outside the womb. It's extremely painful, exhausting, interferes with daily life and can lead to infertility if untreated.

The researchers found that women in the studies often weren't sure if their pain was unusual or severe enough to seek treatment. When they did, some found that their GP was doubtful, or even dismissive of their symptoms. GPs in two of the studies themselves admitted that they found it difficult to differentiate problematic pain from ordinary menstrual symptoms.

Dr Sophie Davenport, who led the research and is now working as a doctor in the NHS, says: "Society has traditionally normalized period pain, so we need to rethink what constitutes 'non-normal' periods. If symptoms are affecting daily life, where the woman is not going to work or school, or unable to carry on a social life, that's a clear sign that medical intervention is needed".

Many GPs in the studies reviewed mentioned a lack of knowledge about endometriosis, with some saying they'd had scant training in medical school about it. Endometriosis symptoms can vary widely and overlap with other common conditions, so the signs can be difficult to spot.

Dr Davenport says: "Given the numbers of women affected, we think there should be additional, mandatory training about menstrual conditions during medical school. At present, as little as 4 weeks out of 5 years of medical training may be spent on gynecology; and during that time, endometriosis may barely be mentioned. Given that 1.5 million women in the UK are affected, we think it's time to prioritize this."

Even if suspected, the definitive method of diagnosis has been by laparoscopy under general anesthetic, so some practitioners have been reluctant to order such an invasive procedure. However recent ESHRE guidelines now recommend a two-step approach in which treatment is started more quickly, based on clinical suspicion and MRI/ultrasound imaging, rather than waiting for laparoscopic findings. Supervising author Dr Dan Green, Senior Teaching Fellow at Aston University's College of Health and Life Sciences, adds: "It will be interesting to see if these new ESHRE guidelines affect the existing time to diagnosis, and can improve patients' experiences in future."

We hear many stories at Endometriosis UK evidencing the points this research highlights. The study underlines once more that those with suspected and diagnosed endometriosis are being consistently let down. I urge Government to use these findings to drive forward real action towards ensuring greater, faster and easier access to medical professionals with a specialist interest in endometriosis across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland." Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK

She continues: "It's important that women experiencing chronic pelvic pain or other symptoms of endometriosis speak to their GP, and when they do they should expect to be listened to, believed and understood. We have heard many stories of such symptoms being shrugged off as 'normal', 'not serious' or 'just part of being a woman'. These attitudes are changing, but sadly we still have some way to go."
Regulations are urgently needed to protect children from harm in the unregulated online world, researchers at the University of Otago, New Zealand, say.

The call comes as the researchers publish the results of their study into the after-school habits of 12-year-olds. Their research, published today in the New Zealand Medical Journal, finds children are spending a third of their after-school time on screens, including more than half their time after 8pm.

Senior researcher Dr Moira Smith from the University's Department of Public Health says this is considerably more than the current guidelines, which recommend less than two hours of screen time per day (outside school time) for school-aged children and adolescents.

The results are from the innovative Kids'Cam project, with the 108 children involved wearing cameras that captured images every seven seconds, offering a unique insight into their everyday lives in 2014 and 2015.

Children were mostly playing games and watching programmes. For ten per cent of the time the children were using more than one screen.

Screen use harms children's health and wellbeing.

It is associated with obesity, poor mental wellbeing, poor sleep and mental functioning and lack of physical activity. It also affects children's ability to concentrate and regulate their behaviour and emotions." Dr Moira Smith, Department of Public Health, University of Otago

Screen use is now a regular part of children's everyday lives and is likely to have increased since the Kids'Cam data was collected.

"Screen use rose rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and children in 2023 are frequently spending time online, particularly on smartphones. According to the latest media use survey, YouTube and Netflix are the most popular websites for watching programmes, with one in three children under 14 using social media, most commonly TikTok, which is rated R13."

She says children are being exposed to ads for vaping, alcohol, gambling and junk food, and experiencing sexism, racism and bullying while online.

"Cyberbullying is particularly high among children in Aotearoa, with one in four parents reporting their child has been subjected to bullying while online."

Dr Smith says current New Zealand legislation is outdated and fails to adequately deal with the online world children are being exposed to.

"While screen use has many benefits, children need to be protected from harm in this largely unregulated space."

She says the Government is to be applauded for proposing more regulation of social media in its recent consultation document from the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), which notes concern about children accessing inappropriate content while online.

The Otago researchers are currently studying the online worlds of children in Aotearoa using screen capture technology, with the results expected to be published soon.
California has agreed to improve health care for newly released prison inmates who are disabled, including through a series of measures that advocates say will help almost everyone trying to make the transition from incarceration.

Attorneys representing inmates say proper care during the transition from prison has long been lacking and can lead to homelessness. A recent study found that 1 in 5 Californians experiencing homelessness came from an institution such as prison or jail.

The state agreed in June to release inmates with a 60-day supply of their prescription medications, up from the previous 30-day requirement, and promised to replace medical equipment lost within the first month of an inmates being released from prison. Officials will also submit applications for Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, on their behalf at least 90 days before they're discharged.

The agreement will benefit at least 11,000 parolees who have physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities, or nearly a third of the state's 36,000 parolees, inmates' attorneys estimated. But many of the provisions will aid most inmates being released, even those without a qualifying disability.

The improvements "should help shut the revolving door between homelessness and incarceration that prevents far too many people with disabilities from succeeding on parole and reintegrating into the community," said attorney Ben Bien-Kahn, one of the lead negotiators on behalf of inmates.

California corrections officials declined comment.

The June agreement is the latest to come from a nearly 30-year-old class-action lawsuit brought on behalf of inmates and parolees who have trouble seeing or hearing or have mobility, learning, mental, or kidney disabilities. A federal judge found in 1996 that the state violated the Americans with Disabilities Act in its treatment of inmates and parolees.

Seven years ago, attorneys pushed the state to do a better job planning for the release of inmates with disabilities. They sent a demand letter to state officials two years ago that ultimately led to the agreement to change the state's parole process for the disabled.

By moving to providing a 60-day supply of prescriptions, the state is promising to double the amount of medication it previously provided inmates upon their release, which should be enough to cover parolees until their health coverage kicks in. A federal receiver who controls the state prison medical system had made that change in February 2022, after earlier negotiations with inmates' attorneys, and it's now written into the parole policy.

The state agreed to release inmates with appropriate medical equipment, such as canes, wheelchairs, and walkers, and promised to replace lost or damaged equipment in the first month without charge.

And the state will generally require that applications be filed for inmates' Medi-Cal, Social Security, and veterans' benefits at least 90 days before their release, making delays less likely.

Most people on parole and who they are releasing to parole are going to end up benefiting from this," Bien-Kahn said.

About 95% of parolees are eligible for Medi-Cal. According to a recent state report, about 17% of Medi-Cal applications and 70% of Social Security applications were still pending when inmates were released, leaving them at least temporarily without health insurance or income.

"The transition from prison to parole is fraught with danger for all parolees, but especially those with disabilities," the attorneys' letter said in arguing for better care.

Among examples, it said a former inmate was released without his wheelchair, walker, and cane, and with no help applying for his Social Security benefits or Medi-Cal. He was left "at extreme risk of being homeless" after he had to wait several months after his release for coverage to begin to receive inpatient care for a neurological condition.

And Bien-Kahn said in an email that attorneys learned this June of a paraplegic with disability-related incontinence who became homeless after he was released without any planning, following more than four decades in prison.

Attorneys said both men were told there was no appropriate transitional housing available for them, another area addressed in the agreement. The demand letter cited a study that found "being released homeless or marginally housed puts ex-offenders in almost immediate risk of failure."

To help fix that, officials agreed to assess the disability, medical, and mental health needs of every parolee, information that will be used to place them in transitional housing and provide services in the community. And state-funded transitional housing programs will be barred from rejecting parolees because of a disability.
Nieltje Gedney was half-asleep in her West Virginia home, watching murder mysteries over the hum of a bedside hemodialysis machine, when she felt something warm and wet in her armpit.

A needle inserted into her arm had fallen loose, breaking a circuit that the machine used to clean her blood. It was still pumping, drawing and filtering blood as designed, but the blood was now spilling into her bed instead of returning to her body.

Gedney, a leader of the Home Dialyzors United support group, knew what to do. Armed with a decade of experience with hemodialysis, she calmly applied pressure to her arm and pressed a red button that turned off the pump. Her blood loss stopped. In the seconds her needle was loose, Gedneys blood had soaked through her pajamas, bedsheets, and quilt.

"I sat up and looked down, and I was literally covered in blood," said Gedney, 71. "It was a bloodbath."

On that frightful night last year, Gedney survived a rare and very dangerous complication of hemodialysis  a venous needle dislodgment, or VND. About 500,000 Americans with kidney failure rely on hemodialysis to mimic the function of healthy kidneys by pumping their blood through an external cleaning machine. If the venous needle dislodges, the machine continues to pump and clean blood, but the blood escapes. The patient is methodically drained and, unless someone intervenes, can die in minutes.

By some estimates, at least one American is killed this way every week.

A relatively simple solution is available in Europe: An alarm detects blood loss with a disposable sensor patch, then automatically shuts off the dialysis pump. Dialysis companies in the United States have not embraced this fail-safe technology, so it is largely unavailable to Americans. The alarm costs $649 and each patch about $2.25. Neither is covered by Medicare, which insures most dialysis patients.

"That's the ugly side of dialysis," said Debbie Brouwer-Maier, a 40-year dialysis nurse and member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association's VND task force. She said the dialysis industry resists "any item that's going to improve care if there is added cost."

"The patch is the problem," Brouwer-Maier said. "It's a disposable you have to buy without being reimbursed for every single treatment the patient does."

Currently, most American dialysis treatment occurs in a nationwide network of clinics where patients sit in rows of chairs for hours at a time about three times a week. Only about 2% of patients undergo hemodialysis at home, sometimes with the aid of family or a caregiver.

But hemodialysis is changing: The Trump and Biden administrations promoted home dialysis with increased Medicare payments. A new generation of portable machines offer better results, more independence, and a lower overall cost to the government and insurers. Home patients can be treated more often or for longer periods, putting less stress on their bodies, and may find it easier to travel or keep a day job.

Dialysis experts and patient advocates interviewed for this article agreed that many hemodialysis patients, if carefully selected and thoroughly trained, would benefit greatly from the momentum toward home care. Some also worry that no amount of training could erase the increased threat of needle dislodgment for those who dialyze at home while alone or asleep.

"It is the widowmaker heart attack of dialysis," said Ankur Shah, a Brown University nephrologist. "If you have a VND at home, and you go one or two minutes before you recognize it, you are now trying to intervene while you are physically going into shock."

Shah's concerns are shared by others. In 2020, the nurse association task force found that patients who do hemodialysis at home or while asleep "may be at higher risk." ECRI, a nonprofit focused on health care safety, named needle dislodgments a top health hazard for 2023 with a "particular concern" for patients at home. Both organizations said dialysis machines don't reliably detect dislodgments, so blood pumps cannot be counted on to turn themselves off.

Ismael Cordero, an ECRI engineer who evaluates medical devices, said the absence of an automatic shut-off may also endanger patients in dialysis clinics, where a patient's blanket could obscure a loose needle or staff members may not react in time.

Decades ago, Cordero witnessed a few dislodgments while working his way through college at a clinic in Pennsylvania. It was his job to mop up the blood.

"If that needle slips out, and no alarm goes off, and nobody notices, then within 10 minutes that patient would lose all of their blood," he said.

Two companies make hemodialysis machines that the FDA has approved for home use.

Outset Medical, whose Tablo machines resemble a mini-fridge and were approved for home use in 2020, said in response to emailed questions that it has received no reports of VNDs among Tablo patients at home. The company said it believes VNDs may be more common or dangerous in a clinical setting than at home because staffers monitor multiple patients who are "frequently sleeping under blankets" and "completely disengaged from their treatment."

"At home, a patient has been trained to manage themselves, including this rare event," the company said in an email. "And despite the potential severity of the event, the treatment is simple and a procedure the patient performs every time they dialyze. Stop the blood pump."

Fresenius, one of the world's largest dialysis companies, which has sold NxStage hemodialysis machines for home use in the U.S. since 2005, declined to comment.

Despite the lethality of venous needle dislodgments, there is no accounting of how often they occur. The National Institutes of Health maintains voluminous data on kidney failure and dialysis patients but does not track VND events in clinics or at home. The Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services requires dialysis companies to log them internally but not to report them to the government or the public.

But research shows they do happen. A 2017 study by researchers in Portugal reported 88 venous needle dislodgments among about 733,000 dialysis sessions in one year. A 2012 survey of more than 1,100 dialysis nurses reported that 76% witnessed a dislodgment in the prior five years, and 8% said they had seen five or more. A 2008 study of dialysis clinics run by the Veterans Health Administration found 47 needle dislodgments or similar disconnects among 2.5 million sessions over a six-year span, including many that required hospitalization and some that were fatal.

Redsense Medical, a Swedish company that makes dialysis safety products, estimates that needle dislodgment kills three Americans and 21 people globally each week. But these estimates are extrapolated from a mid-2000s study from a single Pittsburgh hospital  one of the few efforts in the U.S. to count them.

Redsense's signature product is a stand-alone alarm system, used by some clinics and home patients in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. The system detects a needle dislodgment with a blood sensor patch, then sounds an alarm and flashes red lights to alert someone to turn off the pump.

But these alarms could be doing more. Since 2017, some Redsense alarms have also been able to send a signal that will automatically turn off a blood pump without human intervention. This fail-safe was requested by dialysis clinics in Europe, said Redsense CEO Pontus Nobreus, but it has never been submitted to the FDA for approval because no companies showed interest in using it in the United States.

Currently, no hemodialysis machine used in the U.S. is programmed to respond to the shut-off signal, Nobreus said.

"It hasn't been used to its full potential, which is a pity," Nobreus said. "We can send a signal to the machine, but the manufacturer has to have the software integrated to actually tell the machine to stop."

Although Redsense alarms are not covered by Medicare, new legislation could change that. In May, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) and Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) introduced the "Home Dialysis Risk Prevention Act," which would extend Medicare coverage to VND alarms and related supplies for home patients only.

The bill was motivated in part by rural constituents who drive hours to dialysis clinics, Smith said, and he believes Medicare coverage lags far behind the latest dialysis technology.

"We want our public policy to be parallel with what technology can deliver," Smith said, "and more than that, encourage innovation and more technology that will ultimately help patients."
In a world-first clinical trial published in the journal Nature Medicine, a multi-centre study from Lawson Health Research Institute, the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM) and the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) has found fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) from healthy donors are safe and show promise in improving response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma.

Immunotherapy drugs stimulate a person's immune system to attack and destroy cancer. While they can significantly improve survival outcomes in those with melanoma, they are only effective in 40 to 50 per cent of patients. Preliminary research has suggested that the human microbiome  the diverse collection of microbes in our body  may play a role in whether or not a patient responds.

In this study, we aimed to improve melanoma patients' response to immunotherapy by improving the health of their microbiome through fecal transplants." Dr. John Lenehan, Medical Oncologist at London Health Sciences Centre's (LHSC) London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP), Associate Scientist at Lawson and Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry

A fecal transplant involves collecting stool from a healthy donor, screening and preparing it in a lab, and transplanting it to the patient. The goal is to transplant the donor's microbiome so that healthy bacteria will prosper in the patient's gut.

"The connection between the microbiome, the immune system and cancer treatment is a growing field in science," explains Dr. Saman Maleki, Scientist at Lawson and LHSC's LRCP, Assistant Professor in Schulich Medicine's Departments of Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Medical Biophysics, and senior investigator on the study. "This study aimed to harness microbes to improve outcomes for patients with melanoma."

The phase I trial included 20 melanoma patients recruited from LHSC, CHUM and Jewish General Hospital. Patients were administered approximately 40 fecal transplant capsules orally during a single session, one week before they started immunotherapy treatment.

The study found that combining fecal transplants with immunotherapy is safe for patients  which is the primary objective of a phase I trial (also called 'safety trials'). The study also found 65 per cent of patients who retained the donors' microbiome had a clinical response to the combination treatment. Five patients experienced adverse events sometimes associated with immunotherapy and had their treatment discontinued.

"We have reached a plateau in treating melanoma with immunotherapy, but the microbiome has the potential to be a paradigm shift," says Dr. Bertrand Routy, Oncologist and Director of CHUM's Microbiome Center. "This study puts Canada at the forefront of microbiome research by showing we can safely improve patients' response to immunotherapy through fecal transplants."

"These exciting results add to a rapidly growing list of publications suggesting that targeting the microbiome may provide a major advance in the use of immunotherapy for our patients with cancer," adds Dr. Wilson H. Miller Jr. of the JGH and Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Oncology at McGill University.

The study is unique due to its administration of fecal transplants (from healthy donors) in capsule form to cancer patients  a technique pioneered in London by Dr. Michael Silverman, Lawson Scientist, Chair of Infectious Diseases at Schulich Medicine and Medical Director of the Infectious Disease Care Program at St. Joseph's Health Care London.

"Our group has been doing fecal transplants for 20 years, initially finding success treating C. difficile infections. This has enabled us to refine our methods and provide an exceptionally high rate of the donor microbes surviving in the recipient's gut with just a single dose," says Dr. Silverman. "Our data suggests at least some of the success we are seeing in melanoma patients is related to the efficacy of the capsules."

The team has already started a larger phase II trial involving centres in Ontario and Quebec. Lawson researchers are also studying the potential of fecal transplants in the treatment of other cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, as well as HIV and rheumatoid arthritis.

This research is supported in part through donor funding from London Health Sciences Foundation, Western University, the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, the JGH Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society's Impact Grant program and The Terry Fox Foundation.
On July 1, Idaho became the only state without a legal requirement or specialized committee to review maternal deaths related to pregnancy.

The change comes after state lawmakers, in the midst of a national upsurge in maternal deaths, decided not to extend a sunset date for the panel set in 2019, when they established the state's Maternal Mortality Review Committee, or MMRC.

The committee was composed of a family medicine physician, an OB-GYN, a midwife, a coroner, and a social worker, in addition to others who track deaths in Idaho that occur from pregnancy-related complications. Wyoming studies its maternal deaths through a shared committee with Utah. All other states, as well as Washington, D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, and Puerto Rico, have an MMRC, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research group.

A majority of the state committees were established within the past decade as federal officials scrambled to understand state and local data to address gaps in maternal care. The committees review deaths that occur within a year of pregnancy and identify trends, share findings, and suggest policy changes.

Liz Woodruff, executive director of the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians, said she was "incredibly disappointed" by the legislature's decision to scuttle the committee. "It seems relevant that the state of Idaho supports a committee that works toward preventing the deaths of pregnant women," she said. "This should be easy."

The committee disbanded despite a high rate of maternal mortality in the United States that exceeds those of other high-income countries. The U.S. recorded 23.8 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, compared with 8.4 in Canada and 3.6 in Germany, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And the U.S. rate is sharply rising. In March, a few weeks before Idaho lawmakers adjourned their 2023 session, the CDC released data that showed the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. climbed in 2021 to 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Idaho has a particularly acute problem. Its pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 41.8 pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, according to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee report from that year.

Hillarie Hagen of Idaho Voices for Children, a nonprofit focused on low- and moderate-income families, said that the committee used the Idaho-specific data to do deep-dive analyses and that an information void would be left by shuttering the board.

"How do we make decisions and policy decisions to improve the health of mothers and their babies if we're not tracking the data?" she asked. "From our perspective, having consistent data and trends shown over time helps make more sound policy decisions."

The decision to disband the board came as two hospitals that serve rural areas announced they would stop providing services for expectant mothers. One of the hospitals cited trouble recruiting and retaining OB-GYNs after the state last summer enacted one of the strictest abortion bans in the country.

The committee, tasked with investigating deaths both individually and collectively, found that almost half of the maternal deaths in Idaho in 2020 occurred after delivery.

Amelia Huntsberger, an OB-GYN and a member of the committee, noted also that patients covered by Medicaid during pregnancy are overrepresented in maternal death rates, which led the panel to recommend expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months rather than the current 60 days.

Huntsberger made national headlines this year when she announced plans to leave both her job and the state, citing the state's abortion ban and the move to dissolve the MMRC.

But in their legislative session, Idaho lawmakers decided not to advance a bill that would have embraced the committee's recommendation to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage.

The legislation creating the review committee included a "sunset clause" to dissolve the committee on July 1, 2023. Following a contentious session of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Idaho House of Representatives in February, House Bill 81, which would have renewed the committee, failed to advance.

Republican state Rep. Dori Healey said she sponsored the bill because of her work as an advanced practice registered nurse when the legislature is out of session. "For me, being in the health care field, I think it's always important to understand the why behind anything. Why is this happening? What can we do better?" Healey said. "I feel like in health care we can only improve with knowledge."

Healey said she hadnt anticipated the strong opposition to the bill. In declining to advance it, lawmakers cited costs of running the panel, although some, like Huntsberger, say its operation was covered by a federal grant.

The MMRC was funded by the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program, aimed at improving the health of mothers, infants, and children. Idaho has received more than $3 million annually in Title V funds in recent years, according to statistics cited by Huntsberger.

The MMRC, whose members say annual operation costs stand at about $15,000, was deemed budget-neutral, running at no cost to the state.

In an interview with KFF Health News, Marco Erickson, vice chair of the Health and Welfare Committee, said Idaho's Republican Party has been focused on reducing government spending. He said the same maternal data could be adequately culled through epidemiology reports already published by the Department of Health and Welfare.

"Anytime that there is a death of a mother and child, there is value in evaluating why it occurred," Erickson said. "The whole committee saw the importance but saw there was another way to do it. It wasn't that they didn't think it was valuable."

Erickson, who previously oversaw elements of maternal and child health in his role as a health program manager for Nevada's Division of Public and Behavioral Health, said that information could become siloed in government, but it was worthwhile to improve existing bodies, rather than creating a committee anew.

"I think it could be covered elsewhere, and if it's not being done, they need to make a loud voice to cover it in the existing programs," he said. "We're happy to sit down together to find a solution that works."

The lobbying group Idaho Freedom Foundation celebrated the end of the committee, contending it was a "vehicle to promote more government intervention in health care," and citing the group's recommendation to extend Medicaid coverage to mothers for 12 months postpartum.

Elke Shaw-Tulloch, public health administrator at the Department of Health and Welfare, said the department would "continue to collect raw data on maternal deaths and gather as much data as possible through limited, existing sources." But, she said, it will not have the ability to compel reporting on cases or convene committee members to investigate deaths.

"We are currently assessing what actions we can take and working with stakeholders to address solutions moving forward," she said.

A group to do so has not yet convened since the legislative session ended in April, although stakeholders say they will focus on bringing another bill before the Idaho Legislature to reinstitute the committee in the 2024 session.

Stacy Seyb, a maternal-fetal specialist who grew up in rural western Kansas and chaired the committee until its dissolution, said that supporting medical providers in more rural areas was part of his lifelong mission and that the work won't necessarily stop.

"We knew once it didn't get out of committee that 'Oh, well, we're sunk,'" Seyb said. "I know one thing we want to do is collect as much information as we can over the year. Whether it will get reviewed or not, I don't know."
Tumors consist of both the actual, malignant cancer cells and healthy, non-transformed cells in the immediate environment. These include, among other things, the endogenous scavenger cells of the immune system, called macrophages, as well as types of cells that form connective tissue, such as fibroblasts. Both macrophages and fibroblasts normally contribute to keeping tissue in its original healthy state and to restoring its structure after minor or major damage. These capabilities also play an important role in defending the body against the proliferation and spread of cancer cells.

However, cancer cells have developed strategies to reprogram both macrophages and fibroblasts into tumor-promoting cells. In this process, the fibroblasts are altered in such a way that they change the tissue structure so that it helps the tumor cells to survive and spread. For example, if metastases form in the lung, the fibroblasts in the lung are activated first. Macrophages secrete growth and survival factors, which the tumors use, for example, to give themselves a better supply of nutrients and oxygen.

It has long been assumed in cancer research that the deactivation of specific, non-transformed types of cells might be enough for therapy to be successful. However, despite the promising results achieved in research such strategies have so far hardly been successful in the treatment of patients.

A research team led by Professor Andreas Weigert and Professor Bernhard Brune from Goethe University Frankfurt has now identified possible reasons for this. For their analyses, the researchers used genetically modified mice that spontaneously develop tumors in their breast tissue. Through further genetic modifications, a fat-like molecule produced by the macrophages and released into the tumor environment, the hormone prostaglandin E2, was deactivated in the mammary carcinoma of these mice. Prostaglandin E2 was previously believed - on the basis of cell culture experiments - to have above all tumor-promoting properties. As expected, deactivating prostaglandin E2 also inhibited the growth of mammary carcinoma in the mice. To the surprise of the research team, however, tissue analyses showed that the fibroblasts divided extensively and were activated, and at the same time more metastases developed in the lungs of the mice.

In further trials, the transcriptome of the fibroblasts was analyzed, that is, all the genes read from the genome at that point in time. The researchers were able to show that prostaglandin E2 keeps the fibroblasts in mammary carcinoma in an inactive state by means of a previously unknown signaling pathway, which explains why removing the molecule in the mice led to increased metastasis. The process is evidently similar in humans: Fibroblasts activated in a similar way were also found in the breast tumors of some patients, and these patients were far less likely to survive.

In the course of their histological study of mammary carcinoma, the researchers also encountered a subgroup of macrophages which, similar to fibroblasts, produce parts of the extracellular matrix (the connective tissue between the cells) - above all collagens. Such macrophages, called fibrocytes, were already known from fibrotic disorders (pathological proliferation of connective tissue) of the lung, but their role in tumors was unclear.

That is why the researchers in Frankfurt, together with Professor Rajkumar Savai from the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim, examined the role of fibrocytes in lung tumors by systematically deactivating them during tumor growth. By means of single-cell sequencing, they were able to corroborate, among other things, that these cells are a key population which coordinates both the growth of the tumor cells and their supply with blood vessels as well as the tumor-promoting activation of other macrophage subtypes.

"The results of our studies illustrate that there are many types of cells in the tumor microenvironment that promote tumor survival, growth and spread in a similar way. The tumor uses central molecular hubs through which it simultaneously reprograms various endogenous cells into tumor promoters. If we want to fight cancer effectively, we need to advance the detection and therapeutic use of such hubs," says Weigert, summarizing the study results, which were published in the renowned journals Cancer Research and Nature Communications. Identifying such hubs will be a research priority for the participating laboratories in the future.
In a world where Electric Vehicles (EVs) are gradually replacing traditional fuel-powered cars, we find ourselves in a generation that is witnessing the rise of a cleaner and greener future.

Governments across the globe are also encouraging the emergence of EV vehicles as they can bring a less-polluted future. When the first EVs were launched in the automobile market, they failed to attract customers due to sky-high cost, low speed, below-par battery backup and many other issues. But in the last decade, sales of such cars have witnessed a significant surge with people shifting their focus on low-emission vehicles.

The Indian market has also seen the launch of a number of EVs over the past few years. From Tata to Mahindra, every auto giant in the country has already introduced some top-notch EV models. Along with the general masses, celebrities are also showing their interest in EV vehicles. Lets take a look at some of such prominent personalities who own an EV:

MS Dhoni Kia EV6:

From superbikes to antique four-wheelers, the garage of former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni includes almost everything that a car lover may wish to purchase. Dhoni recently added a flagship electric vehicle to his outstanding collection. The EV is manufactured by the Korean automaker Kia. Dhonis Kia EV6 comes at a starting price of Rs 59.95 lakh.

Prashanth Ruia Tesla Model S:

Prashanth Ruia, the CEO of Essar, became the first person to bring a Tesla to India when he purchased the Model S in 2017. He had to make a special arrangement to import the EV. Although, Ruia did not need to pay RTO taxes for Tesla Model S as it is an electric vehicle. The car can produce 967 Nm of electric torque, while the power range is 750 Bhp.

Also Read: Watch: Video of John Abraham Talking About His 90s Model Tata Sierra Goes Viral

Nitin Gadkari BMW iX:

Nitin Gadkari, the Road Transport and Highways Minister of India, has reportedly been spotted travelling on BMWs latest EV creation BMW iX SUV. The German automaker BMW formally debuted the iX electric SUV in the Indian market a year ago. Upon its initial launch in India, the four-wheeler cost around Rs. 1.16 crore. It has a driving range of 425 km.

Riteish Deshmukh Tesla Model X:

Riteish Deshmukhs wife Genelia DSouza gifted a red Tesla Model X to the Bollywood actor on his 40th birthday. In terms of speed and overall performance, the seven-seater can easily beat Model S, as it can accelerate to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds. The Model X has a 475 km range on a single charge. The EV, which is equipped with falcon-wing doors, costs close to Rs 2 Cr in the Indian market.

Mahesh Babu Audi e-Tron:

Mahesh Babu, a glittery name in the Telugu film industry, owns a brand-new Audi e-Tron. This electric SUV is capable of producing a maximum torque of 664 nm and power of 402 bhp. The Audi e-Tron which has a driving range of 484 kilometres, comes at an ex-showroom price of Rs. 1.18 crore in the Indian market.
When it comes to the automobile industry, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are two renowned names that have been competing fiercely for years. Both companies have a wide range of vehicles that cater to various segments of the market. In this article, we will compare two popular models from these automakers: the Maruti Suzuki Invicto and the Toyota Innova HyCross. We will delve into their price, features, engine specifications, and more, to help you make an informed decision.

Maruti Suzuki Invicto vs Toyota Innova HyCross: Price

Maruti Suzuki has officially introduced the highly awaited Invicto MPV in the nation, with prices ranging from Rs 24.79 lakh (ex-showroom) to Rs 28.42 lakh (ex-showroom).

Toyota Innova Hycross, on the other hand, is offered in the price range of Rs 18.30-28.97 lakh (ex-showroom).

Maruti Suzuki Invicto vs Toyota Innova HyCross: Variants

Maruti Suzuki Invicto comes in two variants, the Zeta+ and Alpha+. On the other hand, the Innova Hycross comes in four primary variants: VX, ZX, and ZX(O).

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki to Invest 2.8 Lakh Crore by FY 2030-31, Kharkhoda Factory Starts Operations in 2025

Maruti Suzuki Invicto vs Toyota Innova HyCross: Features

Both the Maruti Suzuki Invicto and the Toyota Innova HyCross come packed with features that enhance comfort, convenience, and safety. The Invicto boasts a modern and stylish design with LED headlights, a prominent grille, alloy wheels, and sleek body lines. Inside, it offers a spacious cabin with premium upholstery, a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control, and a host of advanced safety features.

The Innova HyCross, known for its versatility and practicality, showcases a refined exterior with chrome accents, projector headlamps, and stylish alloy wheels. Inside, it provides ample space for passengers and cargo, along with premium materials and finishes. The infotainment system is equipped with advanced connectivity options, and the vehicle comes with features like three-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, and multiple airbags for enhanced safety.

Maruti Suzuki Invicto vs Toyota Innova HyCross: Engine Specification

The Maruti Suzuki Invicto draws its power from a cutting-edge 2.0-litre electric hybrid system seamlessly integrated with an e-CVT transmission. With this advanced technology, the Invicto achieves an impressive mileage of 23.24 kmpl, setting a new standard in fuel efficiency within the Maruti Suzuki portfolio.

On the other hand, the Toyota Innova HyCross is available in two versions, Petrol-only and Self-Charging Hybrid Electric, both built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). The Self-Charging Hybrid Electric version utilizes Toyotas 5th Generation Self-Charging Strong Hybrid Electric System and a monocoque frame, offering a robust 181 bhp and an impressive best-in-segment mileage of 23.24 kmpl.

Conclusion

Choosing between the Maruti Suzuki Invicto and the Toyota Innova HyCross depends on your priorities and budget. If you are looking for a more affordable option with decent features and fuel efficiency, the Invicto makes a strong case. However, if you prioritize a more premium driving experience, a comprehensive feature list, and the reliability associated with the Toyota brand, the Innova HyCross is worth considering, despite the higher price.
In India, many young individuals aspire to become doctors, as it is considered one of the most esteemed professions. The journey to becoming a doctor is known to be arduous, requiring immense dedication and discipline. There are exceptional individuals who, despite completing their MBBS degrees, made a bold decision to leave their medical careers and join the civil services, driven by a deep desire to serve society.

Lets meet these remarkable doctors who transformed their paths to become IAS officers, shaping their destinies in pursuit of a greater purpose.

Roman Saini: Roman Saini, a graduate of AIIMS, New Delhi, completed his medical degree in 2013. However, driven by an inner calling, he appeared for the UPSC CSE exam and achieved an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 18 at the age of 22. Roman later resigned from civil services and co-founded Unacademy 2015, a renowned online learning platform.

Dr Arun Thamburaj: Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Dr Arun Thamburaj abandoned his medical career to embark on a journey towards becoming an IAS officer. After cracking the UPSC CSE in 2010 and securing a place in the IPS, he persevered and achieved AIR 6 in CSE 2012 on his second attempt. Currently, Dr Arun serves as the Collector of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu.

Dr Sneha Agarwal: Dr Sneha Agarwal, a distinguished doctor, made waves in the UPSC Civil Services Examination (CSE). After graduating from AIIMS, New Delhi, in 2009, she secured an impressive AIR 305 in CSE 2010. Undeterred by initial setbacks, Dr Snehas perseverance paid off when she secured AIR 1 in CSE 2011. She currently holds the esteemed position of Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Ludhiana in Punjab.

Dr Syed Sabahat Azim: Dr Syed Sabahat Azim, a renowned doctor-turned-entrepreneur, left his IAS career in 2010 to establish Glocal Healthcare Systems. The visionary doctor, belonging to the 2000 batch of IAS officers, founded this Kolkata-based organization to make quality healthcare accessible to rural areas through the establishment of cost-effective yet efficient hospitals.

Dr K. Vijayakarthikeyan: Dr K. Vijayakarthikeyan, hailing from Tamil Nadu, made a significant transition from his medical background to the realm of civil services. After completing his MBBS in 2009, he cracked the UPSC CSE in 2010 and joined the prestigious IAS. Currently, Dr Vijayakarthikeyan serves as the Secretary of the State Human Rights Commission in Tamil Nadu.

These inspiring doctors-turned-IAS officers showcase the power of following ones inner calling and pursuing a path that aligns with their deep sense of purpose. Their journeys exemplify the idea that even after attaining success in one field, individuals can choose to make a remarkable change in pursuit of their passion for serving society through civil services.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG counselling 2023 schedule is likely to be release this week by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) at mcc.nic.in. However, there is no official confirmation from the examination authorities a few reports claim that the counselling session is expected to start in July.

NEET 2023 counseling will be handled by the State Counseling Authorities for the 85% State Quota seats, and by MCC for the 15% All India Quota (AIQ) seats. In total, 20,38,596 candidates applied for the NEET UG 2023 exam; 11,45,976 of them were shortlisted. The NEET 2023 Counseling Process involves registration, choice filling, option locking, seat assignment, seat assignment results, and reporting to designated colleges.

Based on the NEET 2023 results, the MCC NEET 2023 counselling system selects students for admission to MBBS/BDS programs under AIQ, deemed institutions, and ESIC/AFMS colleges across the country. Passing the NEET exam is a requirement for enrollment in these medical programs. There are two varieties of NTA NEET counseling: All India and State.

NEET UG 2023: List of documents required

 NEET UG 2023 Admit and Rank Card

 Copy of NEET UG 2023 Application

 10th Board Exam Marksheet and Pass Certificate

 12th Science Marksheet and passing certificate

 Birth certificate

 Category certificate (if applicable)

 Provisional allotment letter

 Valid identity proof like Aadhaar card, PAN card or passport

 Passport-size photographs

 Domicile Certificate

 Migration Certificate

In the meantime, the Delhi Police detained four AIIMS medical students on suspicion of defrauding NEET applicants. The applicants allegedly gave the students Rs 7 lakh in exchange for hiding their identities and appearing for them in the medical entrance exam. Naresh Bishroi, an AIIMS second-year medical student, was the leader of the gang. The Delhi police also detained Sanju Yadav, Mahavir, Jitendra, and Naresh Bishroi with him. Furthermore, the police
As many as 101 universities across the country will implement the Four Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUP) from the new academic session starting August this year. While some universities will be starting it for all courses, others plan to launch it for select programmes.

According to the University Grants Commission (UGC), while 19 of these are central universities, including the likes of Delhi University (DU) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), 42 deemed to be universities, 22 state universities and 18 state-private universities have opted for the multidisciplinary four-year degree programme.

Also Read- FYUP: How Different is the Programme from 3-Year Undergrad Degree? Will DU Follow New Norms?

Among the states, higher education institutions from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Bihar, have opted for the four-year framework. This will allow students to earn credits each year, multiple entry-exits and the option to do a major and a minor in two different disciplines.

The framework for FYUP was notified by the higher education regulator last December for all central universities, while states and other private institutions were urged to adopt the programme. However, of the 56 centrally-funded universities, only 19 have opted for it so far while others are yet to implement it.

Some of the central universities besides DU and AMU opting for the new framework include Central University of Jammu, Viswa-Bharati, Assam University, Tezpur University, Sikkim University, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University and National Sanskrit University, among others. Some of these universities have opted for FYUP for all courses being offered, including vocational courses, while others signed up for select courses, initially opting for Humanities, Commerce and Economics.

Over 100 universities are going to start FYUP this session while others too will join the course by next year, as some of the institutions needed more time to switch to the four-year mode. Also, the number of disciplines in which the four-year programme is being offered will increase by the next session. No state would want its students to lag behind at a time when all others are offering four-year UG course, said Professor M Jagadesh Kumar, Chairperson, UGC.

The FYUP has been formulated in line with the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which has its focus on skill-based education and a multi-disciplinary approach. Under the new framework, each year has been divided into two semesters. If students exit after a year (with 40 credits), they will be given a UG certificate.

Those leaving after two years (with 80 credits) will be eligible for a UG diploma, and those after three years (with 120 credits), a Bachelors degree. Students who leave before three years will be able to rejoin within three years of their exit and will have to complete the degree within a stipulated period of seven years. It is only after they complete four years (160 credits) that students will be eligible for a Bachelors degree with honours or research.
GLOBALink | OPEC secretary general eyes broad cooperation with China in energy transition Pub Date:23-07-07 09:13 Source:Xinhua The secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said that he is very optimistic about China's economic recovery, and he sees broader cooperation with China in energy transition, technology and other areas. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Editor:Zheng Chen

Related News China promotes city cooperation for global... Chinese automaker SAIC Motor to build plan... China making its mark in global services t... GLOBALink | Foreign businesses expanding i...
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said Class 10 and Class 11 students being taught to use technology to solve day-to-day problems now is a good thing and added that it is something that did not happen earlier.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Delhi Robotics League and HE21 Exhibition at the Thyagaraj Stadium here.

A high-end competition like this has not been held anywhere in India before. Today, there are government as well as private schools that are participating in this competition. But the maximum number of students participating in it are from the School of Specialised Excellence. We can say that the level of education in the government schools of Delhi is much above that in other states, he said.

Praising the students for their innovations, he said they have tried to find solutions to real-world problems and called it the best aspect of such an initiative.

To drive home his point, Kejriwal recalled how he could not fix his grandfathers ceiling fan despite studying at an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

I went to IIT-Kharagpur to study mechanical engineering. After my second year of college, I had my vacation and went to my village. One day, my grandfather called me and said his fan was not working and asked me to fix it.

I told him I didnt know how to fix the fan. He was surprised that I was a mechanical engineer in IIT-Kharagpur and could not even fix a fan. That is when I realised the disconnect between what we study in college and the real-world problems, he said.

The chief minister also expressed his happiness that high school students are now researching and trying to find solutions to real-world problems.

I believe that this DRL (Delhi Robotics League) is a great initiative and will go a long way in finding solutions to problems that our country faces. I want to congratulate the team that goes on to win it, and also the other teams that learn and showcase their work over here.

Ultimately every product over here is a solution to some real-world problem and, therefore, I firmly believe that there are no losers in this tournament and everyone here is a winner, he said.

Kejriwal also spoke about a product in the exhibition that can inform farmers how much water to put in their fields.

Often, a farmer ends up putting too much water and sometimes it is the other way round. Either way, it is harmful for the crops. So, the students here have put sensors on the ground and through these they know how much water is adequate. This is an excellent idea and, if it is implemented throughout the nation, it can be a transformational move, he noted.

According to a government statement, the Delhi Robotics League is Indias first statewide robotics competition, conceived to enhance skills and competence among school students.

The theme of the 2023 edition is Robo Kancha. Kancha is a traditional game, mostly played by children. The aim is to enable students to learn problem-solving by conceptualising game solutions, designing and building robots, testing, debugging and ultimately creating a winning strategy.

Education Minister Atishi said this is the first-of-its-kind competition being hosted by the Delhi government.

Until eight to nine years ago, no one would have imagined a day when Delhi government school students would compete in a robotics competition. But today, we are hosting the final round of the Delhi Robotics League. DRL was started in December last year and students from various Delhi schools participated with their robots in this, she added.
The BJP on Friday appointed election in-charges for four poll-bound states as the party intensified its strategic approach for crucial assembly elections ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The senior party leaders include Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, who has been appointed as the Assembly election in-charge for Rajasthan and BJP MP Prakash Javadekar, who will assume the role in Telangana.

Former Rajya Sabha member OM Mathur has been appointed as the election in-charge for Chhattisgarh and Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav has been assigned election in-charge for Madhya Pradesh respectively.

The BJP has appointed former Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel and Haryana leader Kuldeep Bishnoi as co-incharges for the Rajasthan Assembly polls. Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya will serve as the co-incharge for Chhattisgarh, while Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw will take on the role of co-incharge for Madhya Pradesh, according to an official announcement.

BJP national general secretary Sunil Bansal has been entrusted with the responsibility of co-incharge for Telangana, it added.

The announcement followed a meeting chaired by BJP President J P Nadda and attended by senior leaders from different states, signaling the partys escalating campaign for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Discussions revolved around organizational programs, public feedback, and future strategies, according to reports.

Representatives from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Daman Diu-Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Haryana were present at the meeting.

The meeting held earlier in the day took place in anticipation of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Mizoram. It followed a similar meeting held on Thursday, primarily attended by leaders from eastern and northeastern states, in Guwahati. Furthermore, BJP leaders from southern states and Maharashtra are scheduled to convene in Hyderabad on Sunday.

According to sources, the meetings have centered around the themes of sewa, sushashan, and garib kalyan" (service, good governance, welfare of the poor), highlighting the BJP government at the Centres accomplishments and introducing new initiatives.

The BJP has intensified its organizational efforts as it strives to secure another term in power at the national level under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

(With inputs from PTI)
As voting for the West Bengal panchayat elections will be held tomorrow (July 8), the big question on peoples mind is  Will the hot spots, which saw at least 15 deaths in the run-up, remain peaceful? At least 658 companies of Central Forces have been deployed and are expected to stay for 10 days after the polls, according to the high court order. The counting of votes will be held on July 11.

ALSO READ | Bengal Panchayat Polls | One CAPF Jawan Per Booth Life-Threatening: Force Coordinator Warns MHA, Plan Changed Late Night

The number of booths stands at 61,636. Concerns are being raised as 658 companies mean 52,640 people, making it tough to have one Central Force personnel in every booth.

A look at the spots of bother:

BHANGAR

Three deaths on the last day of nomination made Bhangar the most vulnerable and hot spot in the panchayat polls, amid the battle of allegations between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Indian Secular Front (ISF).

Locals from Bhangar say, Bombing is the new normal here. While the Central Forces are present, bombing happens once they cross the route. We are not sure what will happen on the voting day.

The contest: Bhangar has two blocks. Bhangar 1 has no contest as the opposition could not file their nomination. Bhangar 2 will see a real contest. Of the six Zilla Parishads, four will see a fight.

The ISF, which is focused on minorities, is giving the TMC a good fight. Areas where the ISF is dominant, the TMC is not being allowed, and vice-versa.

ALSO READ | Bengal Panchayat Election: Bhangars Unique Muslim vs Muslim Turf War as Violence Gives Way to Uneasy Silence

The allegation is the TMC is intimidating candidates. Sources on ground say, The Jomi Suraksha Committee backed by Ultra Left ideology also has their presence here. They have tied up with the ISF now. So the fight is between the TMC and ISF Ultra Left alliance.

MURSHIDABAD

With four deaths in the run-up to the panchayat polls, 72 companies of Central Forces has been deployed here. More than 1,000 were injured in the run-up to the elections.

The first death was reported from Khargram Murshidabad on the first day of nomination. On the last day of nomination, one death was reported in Nabagram. Two more deaths were reported in Nabagram.

ALSO READ | Bengal Panchayat Polls: Murshidabad Test Vital for Mamata Critic Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury as Congress Takes on TMC

Raninagar, Samsergunj, Domkal are the areas seeing tension.

The contest: In Murshidabad, the fight is between the Congress and TMC. Here, too, the Congress is trying to tap into the unhappy TMC minority voters. Murshidabad has more than 40% minority population.

Although Murshidabad has always been a Congress bastion, of late, the TMC has created a dent there. In 2021, the TMC did well there. For Congresss Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, its a do-or-die situation before the Lok Sabha polls.

COOCHBIHAR

Three deaths have been reported so far. One of them was the death of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker Prashanta Basuniya. Although the police has not confirmed that this was not due to polls, locals say it was a political murder. A brother-in-law of a candidate died, which police said was over a personal issue. The third was a TMC worker Babu Hak, who died in the remote Gitaldaho.

At least 31 companies of Central Forces have been deployed here.

The contest: It is a fight between BJP MoS Home Nishith Pramanik and TMC leaders. The last Panchayat, assembly polls and Lok Sabha polls, the BJP dominated this area.

BASANTI

Basanti in South 24 Parganas is also among the hot spots following the death of a TMC worker Ziarul Mollah. Another TMC worker Khagen Kutia, too, was shot dead.

From the time of filing of nominations, bombs and firing have been common.

The contest: Here, the fight is between the two groups of the TMC, BJP and Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM).

NANDIGRAM

No deaths were reported in Nandigram, but it remains politically sensitive after TMC chief and WB CM Mamata Banerjees defeat in the 2021 assembly polls. A bomb has been recovered from this area two days ago, amid the prevailing tension.

ALSO READ | Panchayat Khela Hobe in Bengals Nandigram: Mamata Didis Schemes Vs Bhoomiputra Adhikary Dada

The contest: There are two blocks in Nandigram. There are 17 Gram Panchayats, 2 Panchayat Samitis and 5 Zilla Parishads, all were won by the TMC in 2018. Then, Adhikary was with the TMC. The Didi vs BJPs Suvendu Adhikary Dada is a battle of prestige.

BIRBHUM

Although TMC chief Anubrata Mondal is in jail, almost every thana of Birbhum has recovered bombs, with the death of Dilip Mahara in Mohammad Bazar.

The contest: Here, the fight is between the TMC and BJP. For TMCs local leaders it is a test without Mondal, although they have put in extra efforts.
China on Friday insisted it is up to the US to create necessary conditions for anti-drugs cooperation, following complaints from Washington that Beijing has ignored its calls for a crackdown on precursor chemicals for the highly addictive painkiller fentanyl.

China takes an active part in international anti-narcotic cooperation and firmly opposes smears and unilateral sanctions on other countries under the pretext of the fight against drugs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily briefing.

We urge the US to correct wrongdoings with concrete actions and create necessary conditions for the two countries anti-narcotic cooperation, Wang said.

US diplomats and anti-drug officials have repeatedly complained that China has ignored calls for closer cooperation on combating the production and sale of fentanyl precursor chemicals.

Wang gave no details on the source of Chinese discontent or what conditions it was looking for.

However, Washington and Beijing are at odds on a wide-range of issues, from trade to Taiwan and US sanctions against the Chinese defence minister.

China was also deeply angered by a decision late last month by the US Justice Department to file criminal charges against four Chinese companies and eight individuals for allegedly trafficking the chemicals used to make fentanyl in the United States and Mexico.

The indictments represented the first prosecutions to charge China-based chemical companies and Chinese nationals with illegally selling the chemicals used to make the drug, which has been blamed for a deadly overdose crisis.

The Chinese Embassy condemned the charges, accusing the US government of seeking to shift the blame for its domestic drug problem.

China has also complained over sanctions levelled against the Ministry of Public Securitys Institution of Forensic Science over a lack of action on combating the production and sale of fentanyl precursor chemicals, and says US claims of a pipeline of such substances from China to Mexico and into the US is a fallacy.

China cut off contacts with the United States entirely on vital issues including military matters, crucial climate cooperation and anti-drug cooperation last August amid a furious reaction to House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan.

Those contacts have only partially been restored and military contacts remain entirely on hold.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday said it attached assets of jailed AAP leader Manish Sisodia, his wife Seema Sisodia, and others in connection with a money laundering case related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi governments now-scrapped excise policy.

The attachment includes assets worth RS 81.5 lakh that belonged to Sisodia and his wife. This includes two flats- one worth Rs 5 lakh (in Sisodias name) and another Rs 65 lakh (in the name of his wife who is not an accused)- along with Rs 11.49 lakh in deposits, according to sources.

A provisional order was issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach among others immovable properties comprising two assets of former Delhi deputy chief minister Sisodia and his wife, land/flat of another accused Rajesh Joshi (director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd.) and land/flat of Gautam Malhotra.

The attachment also includes movable assets worth Rs 44.29 crore including Brindco Sales Pvt. Ltd. (amount of Rs 16.45 crore), and others, the ED said, adding that the total attachment value is Rs 52.24 crore.

Sisodia was arrested by the probe agency in the excise policy case in March and is currently in judicial custody.

It is alleged by the ED and the CBI that the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi governments excise policy for 2021-22 to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP.

No Evidence, Says AAP

Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal has accused the BJP-led Centre of defaming Sisodia by running fake news" of the ED attaching assets worth over Rs 52 crore belonging to the AAP leader. He stated the ED has, in fact, attached properties worth Rs 80 lakh of Sisodia and his wife.

  ,            ED         ? ED               52       ED        ,   https://t.co/zabjAPfwH3  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 7, 2023

Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, clarified that in reality, Rs 80 lakh worth of assets of Sisodia and his wife have been attached. These properties belong to pre-2018 period when the excise policy was not even framed. He also said that these assets have already been declared.

These include a flat in the name of Sisodia worth Rs 5 lakh, a flat worth Rs 65 lakh in the name of his wife (who is not named as an accused) and bank deposits worth Rs 11.49 lakh.

Commenting on the EDs action, Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi explained that the two properties seized by the probe agency are two flats in Ghaziabad and Mayur Vihar, which were bought by Sisodia much before the said excise policy even existed. She also claimed the ED has no evidence" regarding this against Sisodia.

She added that the Mayur Vihar flat was purchased in 2018 for Rs 65 lakh, while the Ghaziabad flat was acquired for Rs 5 lakh in 2005.

#WATCH | BJP and PM Modi is trying to plant false stories against former Delhi Dy CM Manish Sisodia EDS attachment order clearly states that Manish Sisodia has Rs 11.5 lakh in his bank account. EDs paper state that Manish Sisodia has two flats- one of them was brought 18 pic.twitter.com/WrcCYfgzaP ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

These properties belong to pre-2018 period when the excise policy was not even framed, she asserted.

Another AAP leader and Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bhardwaj told news agency ANI, Along with former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia various other businessmens properties have been attached. The ED has found nothing against him. If there has been a corruption of crores of rupees, Sisodia should have some amount of it at least. The ED has attached those properties which he mentioned in his affidavit during the 2020 elections. It is very shameful for ED to plant this news."

(with inputs from PTI)
Four Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force reached France on Friday to take part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris on July 14 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the Parade as the guest of honour.

Delighted to welcome our air warriors and @IAF_MCC Rafale aircraft in France for the Bastille Day Parade on July 14 when PM @narendramodi will be the guest of honour. Will fly over Paris skies with French Rafale in a message of partnership on the historic occasion," Indian envoy to France, Jawed Ashraf, said in a tweet shortly after the jets landed in the country.

On Thursday, a 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian armed forces left for Paris on board two C-17 Globemaster aircraft.

Delighted to welcome our air warriors and @IAF_MCC Rafale aircraft in France for the Bastille Day Parade on July 14 when PM @narendramodi will be the guest of honour.Will fly over Paris skies with French Rafale in a message of partnership on the historic occasion. pic.twitter.com/jRgK1oGQmF  Jawed Ashraf (@JawedAshraf5) July 7, 2023

Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a woman helicopter pilot, will lead the IAFs marching contingent at the parade. The IAF said a flying contingent of four Rafale fighters, two C-17 Globemasters and 72 personnel departed for France on Friday.

The flypast and marching by the IAF air warriors on Bastille Day follows a long association that the two nations share, especially in the field of air power, it said in a statement.

Many Indians like Welinkar, Shivdev Singh, H C Dewan and Jumbo Majumdar have fought over the skies of France during the two World Wars. Some, like Jumbo Majumdar were also decorated for their gallant action, over the Falaise Gap, during the terminal phase of World War II, it said.

The Indian Air Force has also operated multiple French aircraft starting with the Ouragan. This was followed by fighter aircraft like Breguet Alize, Mystere IVA, SEPECAT Jaguar, Mirage 2000 and now, the Rafale, the IAF statement added.

The IAF said the professional ties between the two air forces have also been strengthened during flying exercises like Exercise Desert Knight, Garuda and Orion.

The IAFs Rafale aircraft, flying wings to wings with the FASF (French Air and Space Force), is reflective of this strategic friendship spanning decades that continues to mature, both, on ground, as well as in air, it said.

India procured 36 Rafale jets from France under an inter-governmental framework. The Rafale jets are Indias first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.

The Rafale jets are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons. In August last year, a French Air and Space Force contingent, including three Rafale jets, made a strategically crucial stopover at the IAFs Sulur base in Tamil Nadu as part of a mega military operation it carried out in the Pacific Ocean.

(With PTI inputs)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Gita Press is not only an organization but also a manifestation of living devotion. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press, the worlds largest publisher of Hindu religious textbooks in Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur, PM Modi said, the nation is blessed to witness the historic celebration."

Noting that the Centre recently awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize to Gita Press, he mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi himself used to write for the publisher.

Mahatma Gandhi used to contribute to Kalyan Magazine and even recommended that no advertisements should be published in it," Modi stated. Gita Press represents the theme of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. It unites the nation with its nationwide network," he added.

He further said, Gita Press completing 100 years with the nations celebration of 75 years of independence is not merely a coincidence. Our epics and libraries were destroyed by foreign invaders, and then the Britishers arrived, causing our holy books to vanish."

PM Modi also mentioned his upcoming flagging off of the North Eastern Railways first semi high-speed Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat train and the Jodhpur-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express later in the day. Citing pictures of the new railway station that he shared on social media, he said people are surprised to see that a railway station can be developed in this manner."

Here are the top quotes by PM Modi at the Gita Press Centenary Celebrations

Gita Press is the only printing press in the world which is not just an organisation, but a living faith. It is no less than a temple for crores of people."

On the occasion of Gita Press completing its 100 years, our government has conferred Gita Press with Gandhi Peace Prize. Gandhi Ji was emotionally attached to Gita Press. He once used to write for Gita Press through Kalyan Patrika."

Gita Press unites India, it strengthens the unity of India. It has 20 braches across the country, and its stalls can be seen all across. As many as 1,600 publications are done in 15 different languages."

Ever since I shared the photos of Gorakhpur Railway Station on social media, people are left amused. They never imagined that a railway station could be developed in such a way."

Gita Press completing 100 years coinciding with the nations celebration of 75 years of independence is not merely a coincidence. Our epics and libraries were destroyed by foreign invaders, and then the Britishers arrived, causing our holy books to vanish."

After centuries, dream of grand Ram temple in Ayodhya is going to be fulfilled.

Our traditions have now been given the recognition they deserve.

Gita Press was recently honored with the prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021, which was awarded by a jury headed by PM Modi. Instituted by the central government in 1995, the annual award carries a prize money of Rs 1 crore, along with a citation, plaque and a traditional handicraft or handloom item. However, Gita Press has declined to accept the prize money, stating they would receive only the citations.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who also addressed the gathering said, thanked PM Modi as under his leadership Gita Press received the Gandhi Peace prize. This is not only an honour for Gita Press, but also an honour for all the heritage of the country that embodies our identity, he said.

Yogi said nobody could believe that Gorakhpur could get an AIIMS to treat diseases like Encephalitis. We will now have establishment of ICMR and the upcoming Vande Bharat."

The Chief Minister further added, Modijis popularity is unparalleled, be it internationally with nations like USA or Australia. It fills the entire nation with pride."

This new India is following the footsteps of PM Modi and his vision to establish India as one of the biggest powers in the world, CM Yogi said.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) and Electoral Tribunal (ET) of Panama on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the institutional framework for their ongoing cooperation in the field of election management and administration.

In a statement, the poll body said that a three-member ECI delegation led by Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar held interactions with Presiding Magistrate, Electoral Tribunal of Panama Alfredo Junca Wendehake on strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange between the two Election Management Bodies (EMBs).

While speaking on the occasion in Panama City, Kumar said that this MoU reflects the ECIs ongoing commitment to engage with electoral bodies across the globe and strengthen the democratic processes worldwide.

While learning from best election integrity practices from world over, the ECI is committed to sharing its expertise and knowledge in conducting free, fair and transparent elections with its counterparts in other countries," Kumar added.

On the occasion, CEC @rajivkumarec said that this MoU reflects ECI's ongoing commitment to engage with electoral bodies across the globe & strengthen democratic processes worldwide. #IndiaPanama #ECI #MoU pic.twitter.com/e0nmOI96zu Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) July 7, 2023



During the interaction, Wendehake discussed collaboration between the two EMBs on use of technology and social media in elections.

MOUS SIGNED WITH MEXICO, BRAZIL AND CHILE

The ECI has been expanding its links and cooperation with foreign EMBs through its International Cooperation Programme.

Having signed MoUs with Mexico, Brazil and Chile in the past years, this is the fourth MoU signed by ECI with an EMB in the Latin Americas region, with an overall 31 MoUs with EMBs and international organisations across the world.
A burqa-clad Hindu man was nabbed by local residents in Karnataka over suspicions of trying to avail a free bus ticket under the Karnataka governments Shakti Yojana, which provides free bus travel for women. The 58-year-old Hindu man wearing a burqa was spotted sitting at a bus stop in Karnatakas Dharwad district on Thursday.

The man, identified as Veerabhadraiah, was noticed by onlookers sitting at a bus stop in Dharwad. He claimed that he wore a burqa for the purpose of begging, however, his explanation did little to satisfy the people who alleged that Veerabhadraiah had plans to get a free bus ticket under the Shakti Yojana.

According to an India Today report, the man also had a photocopy of a womans Aaadhaar card in his possession.

The Karnataka government has provided free bus travel for women across the state under the Shakti Yojna, which was one of the five pre-poll promises made by Congress.
A teenager died after he was infected by a rare brain infection caused by free-living amoebae in contaminated waters of Keralas Alappuzha district.

State Health Minister Veena George on Friday said that the victim was a 15-year-old native of Panavalli and the disease that killed him is called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis."

Till now, five of these cases have been reported from Kerala, George added.

All the infected patients had died and the mortality rate of this infection was 100 per cent," George said.

After this, the health officials have advised people to avoid taking baths in the contaminated water of the district.

What is this rare brain disease?

The main symptoms of the primary amoebic meningoencephalitis are fever, headache, vomiting, and seizures.

It is caused by a free-living amoebae which are found in still water.

The free-living, non-parasitic amoeba bacteria enters the body through the nose and infects the human brain, according to doctors.

Cases in Kerala

The first was reported in Thirumala ward of Alappuzha in 2016.

Two cases were confirmed in Malappuram in 2019 and 2020 and one each was reported in Kozhikode and Thrissur in the years 2020 and 22 respectively.

With PTI inputs
The monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature will be held from July 17 to August 4. The decision was taken on Friday at a meeting of the Assemblys Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal who joined the government on Sunday were present at the meeting along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Sources in the BJP said the expansion of the cabinet was unlikely before the session though the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers might happen in the coming days.

A senior BJP leader said the council of ministers might comprise only cabinet ministers and no ministers of state.

However, a leader from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena said the cabinet expansion could happen in a day or two.

Both BJP and Shiv Sena members will be accommodated, he said.

There has been speculation about restlessness in the Shinde camp after the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction became a part of the ruling alliance.

According to sources in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was split after Ajit Pawar and his supporters broke away, 19 MLAs have given affidavits saying they stand by party founder Sharad Pawar.

Six MLAs have sent messages asserting that they continue to be in the Sharad Pawar faction, the sources said.
Air quality monitoring across India remains sparse despite the ever-growing challenge of pollution. Out of 4,041 cities and towns, only 476 have monitoring systems  manual or real-time, shows a new study by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

A majority of the cities (267) have manual stations; 98 cities have only real-time stations; and 111 cities have manual as well as real-time stations. But only Chandigarh, Delhi and Goa have full population coverage under the combined monitoring network. This leaves out at least 47 percent of the population, which lives outside the 50-km radius coverage of the air quality monitoring network.

The limited air quality monitoring has made it challenging to identify non-attainment status of a vast number of towns/cities and regions. It has also impeded effective evaluation of clean air action and improvement in air quality. More harmful PM2.5 and ozone are not even considered for compliance under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) due to limited monitoring and data, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the CSE.

According to the team, air quality reported by a station can represent ambient air in its 2-km radius but it can also be used for measuring ambient air 2 km to 10 km away from the station. And, if no major topographical or human-made features exist, then the air quality reported at a station can also be considered a good proxy for ambient air 10 km to 50 km away from the station.

The analysis covers about 883 manual stations under the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) and 409 real-time stations under the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring System (CAAQMS), as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The number of manual monitoring stations have doubled since 2010, and the number of real-time monitoring stations have grown 20 times in that time period. But the current national monitoring grid is only 6 percent to 8 percent of the recommended requirement. In terms of districts, over half of a total of 755 districts have no air quality monitoring stations, whether manual or real-time.

Researchers also highlighted that the current monitoring network is riddled with problems of inadequate data generation, lack of data completeness and poor quality control of monitoring.

The current urban monitoring grid is highly concentrated in a few big cities and there are vast areas in other regions with no monitoring at all. This needs to be rationalised to cover a wider population and habitats to support implementation of clean air action plans, provide information to the public about the daily risks and design emergency response and long-term action, said Avikal Somvanshi, senior programme manager at CSE.

Also, fewer than 200 cities that have systems in place monitor all the six key criteria pollutants  particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), carbon monoxide and oxidants like surface ozone.

There is not only a need to expand the monitoring network to all communities, especially vulnerable sections, but also important to include all pollutants that pose a higher public health risk, the team said.
Dismissing Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname remark, the Gujarat High Court (HC) said the offence falls in the category of moral turpitude and increases as not only one individual, but a community has been defamed. CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed the HC order copy.

The stay would have paved the way for Gandhis reinstatement as a Member of Parliament (MP). After the verdict, the Congress said it would challenge the HC order in the Supreme Court (SC).

ALSO READ | Modi Surname Case: Setback for Rahul Gandhi as Gujarat HC Rejects Plea for Stay on Conviction

Here are the key points from the order:
In big setback for Rahul Gandhi, the Gujarat High Court has upheld the sessions court order in the plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case related to his remark about the Modi surname.

While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader. The HC noted that there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction.

As a result of this verdict Rahul will be unable to contest elections or seek revocation of his Member of Parliament status, necessitating his approach to the Supreme Court to challenge this order.

The verdict was delivered by Justice Hemant Prachchhak at 11 am.

In May, Justice Prachchhak, while hearing Gandhis plea, declined to provide interim relief, stating that a final order would be issued after the conclusion of the summer vacation, which ended three weeks ago.

During a hearing on April 29, Gandhis lawyer argued that a maximum punishment of two years for a bailable, non-cognizable offense could result in his client losing his Lok Sabha seat permanently and irreversibly," which would have a very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents."

On March 23, a metropolitan magistrates court in Surat convicted the former Congress president under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for criminal defamation in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Purnesh Modi, sentencing him to two years in jail.

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala, was disqualified as MP under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act. Gandhi challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat along with an application seeking a stay on the conviction. While granting him bail, the court, on April 20, refused to stay the conviction, after which he approached the HC.

Surat West MLA Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.
With Manipur in the grip of violence for two months now and even civilians said to be equipped with sophisticated weapons, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) has raised concerns over deployment in the north-eastern state.

The RAF, a specialised force under the CRPF to handle riots, was deployed in Manipur on May 4 after violence broke out in the state between tribals and the majority Meitei community following a Tribal Solidarity March organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei communitys demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Since then, more than 100 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 have been injured in spiralling violence.

In a letter to the Manipur DGP and other concerned officers, the Operations branch of the CRPF has said that RAF battalions have been raised and trained to be deployed in crowd control situations not in counter-insurgency operations or conflicts where the crowds can return fire.

It is stated that 10 RAF companies have been deployed in Manipur on directions of the MHA since May 4, 2023. It is well known that RAF Battalions have been raised to deal with situations of crowd control, and for defusing law and order instances having communal overtones," the letter says.

As per the RAF SOP, they are accordingly trained, equipped and tasked. With only 24 personnel in an RAF team, four are authorised to carry fire arms; non-lethal munitions are their primary source of defusing a crisis. They are, therefore, not programmed to be involved in counter-insurgency operations, or in any other situation where there is likelihood of firearms getting unleashed," it adds.

Explaining the situation in Manipur, it said even civilians are armed with sophisticated weapons. Meanwhile, the ongoing state of affairs in Manipur is altogether of different dimension. As is reported, not only the hostile elements, but even the civilians are equipped with sophisticated weaponry in large proportion."

The letter also sounds caution that in case firing breaks out, the RAF, with non-lethal munitions, is on compromised turf.

On the other hand, RAF troops with non-lethal munitions, non-bullet proof protective gears and with orientation to attract a close proximity, stand on a compromised turf, if an exchange of fire breaks out. Various instances concerning the RAF deployment have been reported, wherein the mob was highly agitated and violent. However, the situation was somehow managed from escalating further," the CRPF Operations branch letter says.

It also raises concerns over the deployment of the RAF in AFPSA-affected pockets, saying it is beyond the forces mandate.

Keeping all the aspects under consideration, competent authority has asked to coordinate with Manipur Police, and reassess the places of RAF deployment and duties being undertaken by them in Manipur," letter concludes.

Around 40,000 central security personnel, besides the Manipur Police, have been deployed to control the violence in the state.
Anurag Kashyaps daughter Aaliyah Kashyap is going through an incredible period in her life right now. During a romantic getaway to Bali, Indonesia, her longtime boyfriend, Shane Gregoire, just proposed to her. Millions of people were spellbound by the beautiful photos of their proposal. Currently, the couple is enthusiastically getting ready for their engagement ceremony, which will take place in Mumbai in accordance with traditional rituals. Aaliyah just posted a video on her YouTube channel detailing the clothing challenges shes been going through in preparation for her wedding day.

Aaliyah Kashyap published a vlog on July 6, 2023, in which she and Shane Gregoire shop for their engagement attire. The choice of renowned designer Anita Dongre for their special day was made public by them on their YT channel. Aaliyah may be seen in the video trying on beautiful lehengas with detailed embroidery. She did not reveal her chosen dress, but she did say that she will wear a white lehenga to her engagement. I am not showing it in the vlog, you will see it on the day. But I think the white one", she mentioned.

For those who dont know, on May 20, 2023, Aaliyah posted a number of images on her Instagram account flaunting her romantic proposal. The pictures showed the happy moments between the couple and Aaliyahs stunning diamond engagement ring. She was chic in the photographs while donning a midi dress with ruffled sleeves and various patterns.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by aaliyah (@aaliyahkashyap)

She captioned the image she posted, Soooooo THIS HAPPENED!!!!! To my best friend, my partner, my soulmate and now my FIANCE! You are the love of my life. Thank you for showing me what real & unconditional love feels like. Saying yes to you was the easiest thing Ive ever done & I cant wait to spend the rest of my life with you, my love. I love you forever & always Fiance (still cant believe I get to call you that AAHHHH)."
American rapper Cardi B has been celebrating fashion in her own unique way at the recently concluded Paris Couture Week 2023. Known for her impeccable and avant-garde style, Cardi B looked like a Green Goddess when she graced Indian couturier Gaurav Guptas couture show in a lime green artfully moulded hooded creation.

Cardi B exuded grace and glamour in a two-piece ensemble featuring a sculpted hood with puffer detailing and a hand embroidered scintillating lime green dress enhanced with intricate zardosi thread work. Making an entrance like a true superstar, Cardi B carried off the creation with elan.

Fitting her like a glove, the silhouette which featured a deep plunging neckline complemented her curves to the T. What we love about this Cardi B x Gaurav Gupta collaboration is that both are not only good at what they do, but also celebrate each others strengths with panache.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cardi B // Bronx (@cardibronx)

In a couple of videos posted on Instagram, Cardi B was spotted being carried out of her car in the statement piece minus the hood. But when the look came together and she made her way up the stairs to attend the show the paps couldnt get enough of her gorgeous look. Seated in the front row next to Chinese actor Fan Bing Bing, who also looked surreal in a sculpted black gown, Cardi highlighted some of Gauravs creations from the show in her Instagram stories.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gaurav Gupta (@gauravguptaofficial)

The piece of art adorned by Cardi B is from Gaurav Gupta Coutures Hiranyagarbha collection, which he presented at this years couture show. Hiranyagarbha which means Golden Womb out of which the universe was born, saw Gaurav channel his love for sculpted art and transform it into a world of new beginning in hues of beautiful possibilities. Voluminous draped detailing and a palette of celebratory shades, each creation presented at the show was enhanced with intricate embroidery.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by PARIS PHOTOGRAPHER JUAN SAPANATAYM (@paris_photographer_juan)

This isnt Cardi Bs first time wearing Gaurav Guptas design. Her love for Gauravs sculptural couture began in 2022 when Cardi B adorned a white amorphous shape shifter sculptural outfit in the music video of the hit song No Love. In 2023, the legendary rapper walked the Grammys 2023 red carpet in a hooded electric blue sculpture gown paired with a silk satin trail skirt. And making all this happen in real time was none other than Hema Bose, founder, Maison Bose and who still continues to be a strong pillar in placing Indian designers on the global map.

Even though this is Gauravs second season with Couture Week, we cant wait to see what he and Hema have in store next.
The well-known entrepreneur and socialite Natasha Poonawalla lately captured the attention of the internet with her cutting-edge fashion choices. Natasha consistently pulls off a stylish statement when she shows up at high-profile events thanks to her immaculate sense of style. Her most recent notable appearance was at a friends birthday celebration in New York City, where she caught everyones attention in a velvet dress and striking balloon shoes, both from the Loewe line.

Scroll here to see Natashas post-

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natasha Poonawalla (@natasha.poonawalla)

Natasha posted pictures of her stunning outfit for the event on Instagram. The birthday balloon studded shoes from the Loewe Spring Summer 2023 collection were the star of her full-body outfit. After a long day of meetings in New York City, she thanked her makeup squad in her post for enabling her to attend the birthday dinner. She declared her enthusiasm for the extravagantly cut royal blue velvet dress and, of course, the distinctive birthday balloon shoes.

The Loewe footwear that Natasha wore is from the Spanish designers Spring/Summer 2023 line, which debuted at Paris Fashion Weeks womens catwalk show. The precise pair of shoes she wore is known as the Comic Balloon Pump in Satin and is available online. The cost of purchasing a pair, though, is approximately $1,69,000.

The clothing Natasha had chosen was a structured royal blue ensemble by Loewe. The basque-structured, strapless, bustier velvet dress had a tight waist that emphasised her thin shape, a corseted bodice, a neckline that emphasised her decolletage, and a midi-length hem.

Natasha matched the dress with contrasting anthurium red Balloon shoes that were hand-embroidered with latex balloons to produce a dramatic color-blocking effect. She finished off her ensemble with metal hoop earrings, hefty bracelets, and a clutch bag that matched.

Natasha chose a smokey eyeshadow look, winged eyeliner, mascara to lengthen her lashes, smudged kohl eyeliner, well-groomed brows, a glossy blush pink lip colour, rosy cheekbones, a dewy base, dazzling highlighter, and subtle contouring for her makeup. A sleek side-parted open hairstyle that she matched with her makeup gave her look the ideal final touch.
Researchers in many parts of the world have initiated the cultivation of meat in a laboratory setting, asserting that it possesses a taste similar to chicken. The lab-grown meat is created with cellular structures, resembling those found in chicken. It does not involve the conventional process of raising and slaughtering animals. Instead, it is cultivated in bioreactors within an urban factory located in California, United States. This scientific endeavour commenced more than ten years ago and gained attention with the production of the worlds first lab-grown beef burger, reportedly priced at 257,626 in 2013.

Following the consumption of the lab-grown burger by Mark Post, a biomedical engineer from Maastricht University, the past decade has witnessed over 150 companies engaging in the development of cultured meat, milk, and various other items like leather. Recent reports from Nature.com suggest that two companies received regulatory approval last month to market lab-grown chicken" products, which might become available in restaurants within the next year.

According to an industry report, construction of production facilities is underway, and investments in lab-grown products have reached a staggering $2.78 billion. Advocates of this research are optimistic that if these products are effectively introduced, they could help mitigate the adverse effects of animal consumption. Traditional livestock rearing occupies extensive land resources and contributes to around 15% of greenhouse gas emissions, raising significant environmental apprehensions.

Specialists assert that the consumption of red and processed meat is associated with an elevated risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Farms are also linked to the spread of avian influenza and antibiotic resistance, posing additional concerns. Mark Post, in an interview with The Guardian, mentioned interactions with long-term vegans who still experience cravings for meat even after 15 years. He suggests that if the habit of meat consumption proves difficult to relinquish, the logical solution would be to substitute traditional meat with lab-grown alternatives. Critics of the project argue that it requires more effort and incurs higher costs than it is worth.

Pelle Sinke, an industrial ecologist at the non-profit consultancy CE Delft in the Netherlands, also spoke on this matter to the news portal. He emphasises the evident advantages of lab-grown meat in terms of land utilisation and its positive impact on biodiversity. Sinke believes it is a more efficient method of meat production. However, he acknowledges that significant questions remain regarding energy consumption, technological advancements, and the market viability of cultured meat.
It is World Chocolate Day, a day we must all celebrate with a lot of love and adoration in our hearts considering not a day goes by without us thinking about chocolate. Even though we do believe that we know everything that there is to know about chocolates, we actually do not. This World Chocolate Day, indulge your palate and take a delicious trip into the fascinating diverse world of chocolate.

Beyond the classic dark and milk varieties, chocolate over the years has evolved into a multi-faceted realm of flavours, origins, and textures. From single-origin chocolates to filled truffles and innovative cacao blends, there is a chocolate experience to suit every palate.

As craftsmen and chocolatiers continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, the world of chocolate is now getting more diverse than ever. Emerging trends in the chocolate industry are transforming and reimagining the entire way we savour and experience a bar of chocolate. From the rise of speciality, cacao blends to the introduction of unusual ingredients and experimental techniques, there is a constant sense of excitement and discovery and chocolate lovers are all in for it.

Around the world, chocolate has an undeniably profound cultural significance. Even to this day, rituals and cultural traditions still involve chocolate as an essential element. It is bewildering how each country offers its own distinct viewpoint and regard to this timeless delicacy, whether it be the rich hot chocolate of Spains thick and creamy hot chocolate or the delicate beauty of Swiss chocolate making.

It is important to note that chocolates cultural significance can vary across regions and communities, and its meaning continues to evolve in different contexts. Chocolate is often exchanged as a symbol of love and affection, particularly in Western cultures. Globally, it has become a traditional gift, expressing sweetness and romantic sentiment. Additionally, chocolate plays a role in various festive celebrations globally. For example, chocolate eggs are associated with Easter celebrations, while chocolate coins are popular during Hanukkah. These traditions connect chocolate with joy, abundance, and celebration, said Dipraj Das, co-founder, of Craft Coffee.

Abhay Mishra, Director & Strategy Consultant, Istaka, a tiki bar in Vagator, North Goa says, Chocolate has spanned time and cultures throughout history, creating a delicious journey that encompasses ancient civilizations to our modern-day celebrations. Originating in Mesoamerica, where the Mayans and Aztecs held it in reverence as a sacred elixir, chocolate has remained a cherished indulgence in the hearts of people worldwide. And even today, as we sip on a cup of rich, warm and velvety hot chocolate, we pay homage to the cultural significance of this timeless delight.

Consumer habits and preferences have evolved over the years. Even the brands that sell plain chocolates have come up with exciting, flavourful varieties targeting a niche segment. With the increase in awareness of healthy lifestyles, consumers understand and value the new innovations. Likes of sugar-free chocolates have also got their own fan following as a healthier alternative, stated Vikram Khinwasara, co-founder, of The Yellow Straw.

Whether you are a devoted chocolate aficionado or simply enjoy a sweet indulgence from time to time, World Chocolate Day is the perfect affair to immerse yourself in the wonders of this delicacy.
Sharman Joshi has once again shared an update on the sequel of his, Aamir Khan and R Madhavan starrer 3 Idiots. In a recent interview, Sharman Joshi, who played the role of Raju in 3 Idiots, shared that the director Rajkumar Hirani has already discussed some ideas about the story of the film. He also added that Hirani does not want to comprise on the quality of the plot and therefore they all hope that the sequel will happen soon.

We often exchanged a few ideas that we have had before, but never really took them too far. As you all know, Rajkumar Hirani has some potential in terms of very good work on the sequel, but as we all know, Hirani Sir does not compromise at any level in terms of story, quality and standards. So, we are all just hoping that it will happen, Sharman told India Today.

Earlier this year, rumours of a 3 Idiots sequel made headlines after Aamir Khan re-united with Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan for an advertisement. The commercial was misunderstood by many as the official announcement of 3 Idiots 2. Talking about the incident, Sharman added, When they got to know that it was an ad, the fans were deeply disappointed. Not just this, we even got some gaalis from fans. It was actually really exciting to be back together after a really long time. I was also part of the campaign concept and the fact that we had someone who was willing to invest that kind of money, to me, I think it was beautiful.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time that Sharman Joshi talked about 3 Idiots sequel. Last month too, the actor told DNA, Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) sir is aware of the love. And he doesnt want to disappoint the audience. He has shared a few ideas with me about the sequel. But when you ask him about it after a few months, he reveals that the ideas are not working out."

Released in December 2009, 3 Idiots remains one of the most loved movies to date. Directed by Rajkumari Hirani, the film also starred Kareena Kapoor Khan, Boman Irani and Mona Singh in key roles. The film was widely loved by all and earned Rs 400 crore worldwide.
Salaar, featuring Prabhas and directed by Prashanth Neel, is considered the most significant mass cinema of 2023. The stakes are incredibly high for this action thriller.

According to reports, renowned producer Allu Aravind is actively pursuing the Telugu theatrical rights for Salaar. Aravinds Geetha Arts, which is approaching its 50th anniversary, intends to mark the occasion with a grand release of Salaar.

Hombale Films, the production house backing Salaar, is well-known for its business dealings. In the past, they received substantial offers for the Telugu rights of KGF: Chapter 2, but instead of selling the film outright, they chose to release it on a commission basis. This decision proved to be highly beneficial as the film garnered significant profits in the Telugu states. It indicates that Hombale Films values the potential earnings from theatrical releases and carefully strategises its distribution models.

Given Hombale Films previous approach with KGF 2, it is uncertain if they will be open to selling the Telugu rights of Salaar outright. Allu Aravind, being an experienced and financially strong producer, certainly has the resources to pursue Salaar. The decision ultimately lies with Hombale Films, and it remains to be seen whether they will engage in negotiations with Allu Aravind or stick to their commission-based distribution model. Time will reveal how the situation unfolds.

Indeed, as the release date for Salaar is set for September 28, it is expected that business decisions, including the Telugu rights distribution, will be finalised well in advance. Closer to the release, more clarity will emerge regarding the involvement of Allu Aravind and whether an outright agreement will be reached.

The first teaser of Salaar was released online yesterday at 05:12 am, generating immense anticipation. Excitingly, the teaser has now set a new record as the most-viewed teaser in India, accumulating over 83 million views and 1.6 million likes within 24 hours. As fans eagerly await the release of the Salaar trailer, they can look forward to its arrival in August.
Its another Friday. And another crime thriller has hit the digital space. It seems to have become a favourite genre for our filmmakers. And no matter how different they may claim to be from one another, crime thrillers, by and large, have lost their spark. Its a classic case of old wine being served in new bottles, over and over again. Woody, burned, spicy or resinous, weve tasted almost every flavour, and seems like its time we move on to something new, something different, something unique. Our palate when it comes to crime thrillers, unfortunately, is also stuck in the same rut.

Sonam Kapoor Ahujas Blind is another drop in the ocean full of crime thrillers. But credit should be given where its due It starts off as a really promising plot with a novel milieu. Set in Glasglow, Blind revolves around Gia Singh, an efficient cop who had once topped her class. She has now lost her vision after both of her retinas were severely damaged following a lethal car accident. As she adjusts to her new life with her new companion, Elsa, her pet pooch, she encounters a ruthless serial killer one night who under the garb of dropping her off to her destination in his car, tries to abduct her. Thus begins Gias hunt to nab the criminal, who has already killed a few white women. Joining Gia in this cat-and-mouse chase is a youngster named Nikhil and Prithvi Khanna, a DI (detective inspector).

Blind has a novel-like vibe to it. An element of coldness, uncertainty and discomfort looms large over the narrative. The makers make use of lots of grey to convey the gloomy mood and tone of the story and Gias dejected and miserable state of mind. Cinematographer Gairik Sarkars lenses frame some of the scenes in the most stunning fashion which renders them the look of an aquarelle. Some of the physically and emotionally brutal scenes take place against the backdrop of neon, psychedelic lights and they serve as a perfect contrast to Gias unexciting routine.

Music composer duo Clinton Cerejo and Bianca Gomes also render an Anglo-ised vibe to the story. It is not every day that we have original English songs playing in the backdrop as the characters go about their daily life. While their music definitely adds a layer and character to the plot, they dont really stay back with you.

Here, Shome Makhija writes a screenplay that seldom embodies nuance. As Gia sets out to avenge the deaths of innocent women who have been brutally murdered by the killer, we also get a glimpse into the demons she is fighting with within her own head. She is seen constantly blaming herself for the death of a close one and questioning the power of divinity. We wish these layers could have been explored a little more. Despite Shomes attempt, our heart never really breaks for the woman who is perhaps at the abyss of her life and has no light to look forward to at the end of the tunnel. What also appears as a weak link in the film is its predictability. Right from the moment Gia steps inside the killers car, we know what the end is going to bring us.

Even at 2 minutes 4 minutes, Blind feels too long. A lot of time is spent before the film dives into its crux. A crispier storytelling always helps a crime thriller. But here, especially since we can already predict whats going to happen eventually, the narrative feels extremely long-drawn. The point of climax comes in too late and unfortunately, by then, we have already lost most of our patience. So, despite a stylish and chic treatment, the film and its intent fizzles out eventually.

Sonam diligently slips under the skin of Gia, a blind ex-cop. She sheds off all the sheen and glamour and plays the part earnestly. And most importantly, its quite refreshing to see her back on the screen after about four years. She manages to bring a subtle charm to her character even as Gia struggles and craves for an easier way of life. Though some of the emotionally intense scenes doesnt quite see her hitting the right notes, Blind will remain her most impactful and impressionable performance after Raanjhanaa. It might also just be the beginning of a new chapter for the actor.

Vinay Pathak as Prithvi Khanna brings a sense of comic respite to this otherwise heavy film. In most scenes, he is seen binging on junk as he tries to join the loose ends pertaining to the case of the serial killer. And he does crack you up every now and then. Shubham Saraf, who plays Nikhil, does an impressive act.

But the show-stealer happens to be Purab Kohli, who plays the twisted murderer. Hes cruel and merciless and borderline creepy. He pops out of nowhere and truth be told, he gives you the chills, a must for a crime thriller. Kudos to Purab for taking on an unlikeable role like this and revelling in it like a true-blue seasoned artist. In the second half of the film, you end up repulsing him and thats where his victory lies.

Blind isnt the spiffiest crime thriller. It has its own flaws. Its gory, gloomy and grim. But you can give it a chance for Elsa, the most gorgeous brown Labrador. She brings about the sweetest respite in this cold tale of human spirit and vengeance. If you do have some free time after exploring Threads, have missed watching Sonam or not tired of crime thrillers yet, then go for Blind.
Ranveer Singh celebrated his 38th birthday on July 6. While his fellow colleagues and close friends showered him with immense love and appreciation on social media, his wife, Bollywood star Deepika Padukone, skipped sharing any lovey-dovey post for Ranveer Singh on his birthday. And, DeepVeer fans are a little heartbroken.

A bunch of fans rushed to Deepikas comment section on Instagram and expressed their concern over the same. One fan wrote, Me waiting for Ranveers birthday wish post on Deepikas Instagram whole day." Another one said, Post something (on) your hubbys birthday." A third fan commented in Hindi, You havent put a birthday post for your husband?"

Meanwhile, Karan Johar sent a quirky birthday wish to Ranveer Singh. The director, who is helming the actors upcoming release Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, took to Instagram and shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos from the sets of the movie along with a sweet birthday note for the Bollywood star. Its ROCKY day!!!! Happiest birthday to this magnanimous force of nature thank you for giving all your heart to our kahaani Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. Lots of love to you always," Karan captioned the post.

This month is extra special for Ranveer as he headlines Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, one of the most awaited films of the year. The film marks his first director-actor collab with Karan Johar and his second film with Alia Bhatt after Gully Boy (2019).

On the other hand, Deepika Padukone is currently busy with her upcoming movies Project K and Fighter. While Project K will see her opposite Prabhas, the actress is starred alongside Hrithik Roshan in Fighter.
DILIP KUMAR 2ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY: It has been two years since the Bollywood industry mourned the loss of its legendary superstar, Dilip Kumar. On July 7, 2021, the legendary actor, 98, passed away after battling a prolonged illness. Revered as the Tragedy King of Bollywood, Dilip Kumar left an unforgettable legacy through his mesmerizing performances in timeless classics such as Mughal-E-Azam, Devdas, Naya Daur, Gunga Jumna, and Mashaal, to name a few. His extraordinary talent deeply touched the lives of countless individuals.

In 2021, as the world grappled with the tragic news, heartfelt tributes poured in from fans, colleagues in the industry, and politicians alike.

Heres how the film fraternity, politicians and other celebrities paid tribute to his remarkable legacy.

Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world.  Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Dilip Kumar Ji will be remembered as a cinematic legend. He was blessed with unparalleled brilliance, due to which audiences across generations were enthralled. His passing away is a loss to our cultural world. Condolences to his family, friends and innumerable admirers. RIP. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 7, 2021

A career that teaches many actors like me a standard and commitment to maintain in their performance. Truly one of the greatest actors of India leaves us today but leaves us with a treasure trove of his brilliance through his acting."  Kamal Haasan

Dililp Kumar saheb. A career that teaches many actors like me a standard and commitment to maintain in their performance. Truly one of the greatest actors of India leaves us today but leaves us with a treasure trove of his brilliance through his acting. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/PNdBzjYj7R Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) July 7, 2021

What can I say about this legend, Dilip Kumar Sahab, who showed us the way. Who showed us how its done, with so much grace and elan. He has been an inspiration to people like me who have aspired to be like him in every possible way His love and warmth is unmatched and there will never be another like him."  Jeetendra

Dilip Kumar summarised in himself a history of emerging India. The thespians charm transcended all boundaries and he was loved across the subcontinent. With his demise, an era ends. Dilip Saab will live forever in the heart of India."  Former President Ram Nath Kovind

An institution has gone, whenever the history of Indian Cinema will be written, it shall always be before Dilip Kumar and after Dilip Kumar."  Sanjay Dutt

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay)

Shared many moments with the legend, some very personal, some on stage. Yet, nothing really prepared me for his passing away. An institution, a timeless actor.  Ajay Devgn

Shared many moments with the legendsome very personal, some on stage. Yet, nothing really prepared me for his passing away. An institution, a timeless actor. Heartbroken.Deepest condolences to Sairaji#DilipKumar pic.twitter.com/Il8qaMOOhf Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) July 7, 2021

To the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. Dilip Kumar Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him."  Akshay Kumar

To the world many others may be heroes. To us actors, he was The Hero. #DilipKumar Sir has taken an entire era of Indian cinema away with him.My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Om Shanti  pic.twitter.com/dVwV7CUfxh Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) July 7, 2021

His extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come."  Rahul Gandhi

My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends & fans of Dilip Kumar ji.His extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema will be remembered for generations to come. pic.twitter.com/H8NDxLU630  Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 7, 2021

There will never be another like you. Your contribution to Indian cinema is unparalleled and youll be missed dearly.  Sachin Tendulkar

Rest in Peace Dilip Kumar ji!There will never be another like you.Your contribution to Indian cinema is unparalleled and youll be missed dearly. My heartfelt condolences to Saira Banu ji & the family.  pic.twitter.com/9yw80eTegZ  Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) July 7, 2021

Dilip Kumar passed away at the age of 98.
Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise returns as iconic IMF agent Ethan Hunt in the seventh installment of the Mission Impossible franchise. The movie has been divided into two parts, with the first one titled, Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One. With Tom Cruise performing deadly stunts, the spy thriller has become one of the highly-anticipated actioners of the year. As the release date of the movie inches closer, here we have curated everything that you need to know about who plays whom and the storyline.

The cast of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One

Along with the old cast, the upcoming Christopher McQuarrie features new faces. When it comes to actors reprising their roles, Rebecca Ferguson returns as Ilsa Faust, the former MI6 agent who joined forces with Ethan Hunts team in Rogue Nation and Fallout. Simon Peggs IMF technical field agent Benji Dunn, Ving Rhames computer technician Luther Stickell, and Vanessa Kirbys White Widow also make a comeback. A surprising element to the cast also marks the comeback of Henry Czernys former IMF director Eugene Kittridge, who was last featured in the first installment of the franchise.

Meanwhile, the newcomers include Esai Morales who essays the main antagonist, a powerful terrorist named Gabriel. Hayley Atwell portrays Grace, Pom Klememtieff plays French Assassin Paris, and Shea Whigham essays Jasper Briggs who tracks Ethan Hunt. Additionally, Frederick Schmidt, Charles Parnell, Indira Varma, and Mark Gatiss also play pivotal roles.

What is the plot of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One?

The movie embarks Tom Cruise on another dangerous mission to procure a deadly weapon that threatens humanity before it lands in the wrong hands. With powerful forces at play, Ethan Hunt has to consider putting the lives of loved ones on the line to achieve the main goal.

What does the trailer of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One reveal?

The trailer of the seventh entry in the film franchise shows Tom Cruises Ethan risking his life again and again. Your days of fighting for the so-called Greater Good are over, says Henry Czernys former IMF director to Ethan in a tense conversation. This is our chance to control the truth. The concepts of right and wrong, are for everyone for centuries to come. Youre fighting to save an ideal that doesnt exist. It never did. You need to pick a side," he continues. Several action scenes including a sniper battle in a desert storm, a haunting chase on a moving train, and brutal combat leave viewers gasping for air. The video ends on a high-octane note with Ethan falling off a cliff after an adventurous motorcycle ride.

Early Reviews of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One

The first set of reviews of the film are already out and critics have lauded the upcoming Tom Cruise movie. We get all the Ethan/Benji/Luther moments wed expect, but this new cast hints that the future certainly has potential. Especially fun is Klementieff, who is gleefully malicious, as she drives over cars with joy and tracks down Hunt with viciousness," wrote Ross Bonaime while reviewing for Collider. However, there were also those who stated that Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning isnt the best film of the franchise.

The movie has already made its premiere in Rome, and it will hit the theatres in the US and India on July 12.
Shah Rukh Khans fans stood up for him when Pakistani actress Mahnoor Baloch criticised his acting and conventional looks. Baloch shared her perspective on what truly makes someone attractive and said that SRKs charisma lends him a certain charm but his looks do not meet societal beauty standards.

Mahnoor Baloch shared her opinion on the importance of physical appearance in relation to a persons overall aura and personality. She mentioned that Shah Rukh Khan is skilled in business and knows how to effectively market himself, but lacks acting skills.

Shahrukh Khan has a very good personality, but if you see him according to the beauty parameters and what is considered handsome, he doesnt come under that. It is just that his personality and aura is so strong that he looks good. He has that thing (aura), but there are many beautiful people, who dont have any aura, so people do not even notice them," she said during her appearance on Pakistani chat show Had Kardi, adding, It is my opinion about Shah Rukh Khan that he doesnt know acting. He is a great businessman, he knows how to market himself. Maybe, his fans and people would disagree with me, and thats okay. He has a good personality, he markets himself well. There are so many good actors, who are not as successful."

Many shared their opinions in the comments section of the interview posted on Samaa TVs official YouTube channel. One user wrote, You are definitely wrong. Hes the king of expressions." Another wrote, No offence but who is she and what are her achievements till date? Just need to know.. what srk is today because of what he did in the past and how he build himself over the years."

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh Khan made his first appearance on Wednesday, after reports claimed he met with an accident in LA and allegedly underwent surgery. On Wednesday morning, the superstar was seen making his way out of the airport completely fine, thus debunking claims of his alleged accident. SRK was spotted making his way out of the Mumbai airport with his wife Gauri Khan and their son AbRam.
Nag Ashwins directorial Project K, a sci-fi fantasy thriller has already created a massive buzz ever since its announcement. Featuring Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, the movie is scheduled to release next year in January. With each passing day, the makers are strategically dropping hints and fuelling excitement among the audience. Now, theres a new update. The movies official title and trailer will be unveiled at the prestigious San Diego Comic-Con event, on July 19.

Interestingly, Nag Ashwins big-budget sci-fi film will become the first-ever Indian film to get its official launch at Comic-Con. A report in Variety stated that the highly anticipated event will witness the presence of Deepika Padukone, Prabhas, and Kamal Haasan, adding more star power to the occasion. The makers of Project K have planned to captivate the audience by unveiling the first look of their ambitious project during the SDCC event. The following day, on July 20, a panel titled This is Project K: First Glimpse of Indias Mytho-Sci-fi Epic" will take place, where the films full title, teaser trailer, and official release date will be announced.

The producers in a statement said, This exclusive event will transport guests into Indias most ambitious cinematic universe yet with their captivating storytelling, futuristic setting, and Spice Punk aesthetic inspired by the film.

Not just this, the Project K team will also be a part of a performance that will be held at Comic-Cons largest stage. Reports also state that Amitabh Bachchan and Disha Patani, who also play key roles in Project K, might miss the event.

Recently, the production banner, Vyjayanthi Movies, confirmed the reports with a social media post. Ahead of the launch, director Nag Ashwin said, India is the home of some of the greatest lore and superheroes ever written. We feel that our film is an attempt to bring out and share this with the world. And Comic Con gives us the perfect stage to introduce our story to a global audience.

Project K marks Prabhas and Deepika Padukones first-ever collaboration. The sci-fi drama revolves around a futuristic concept based on Hindu mythology. The songs are composed by Santhosh Narayanan. More details and the rest of the cast is likely to be revealed after the official launch of the film at the San Diego Comic-Con event.
The trailer for the Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine starrer queer romantic comedy Red, White and Royal Blue released on Thursday night. The film, based on Casey McQuistons critically acclaimed New York Times best seller of the same name, will release on August 11 exclusively on Prime Video.

The story is about Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the President of the United States (Uma Thurman) and Britains Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine), who share a complete disdain for one another.

Separated by an ocean, their long-running feud hasnt really been an issue, until a disastrousand very publicaltercation at a royal event becomes tabloid fodder, driving a potential wedge in U.S./British relations at the worst possible time.

Going into damage-control mode, their families and handlers force the two rivals into a staged truce. But as Alex and Henrys icy relationship unexpectedly begins to thaw into a tentative friendship, the friction that existed between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected.

The trailer has created quite a buzz among the fans of the book and Taylor Zakhar Perez. The actor became an audience favorite when he portrayed Marco Valentin Pena in The Kissing Booth 2.

One fan wrote in the comments section, Everything about this is iconic! I can tell that the film is going to be as cheesy, funny, and romantic as the novel. This romcom is definitely for the history books." Another wrote, Nick and Alex seem to have incredible chemistry I am so excited for this movie August 11th needs to come fast I cannot wait much longer."

The film marks the feature film co-writing and directing debut of Tony Award-winning playwright Matthew Lopez. The film is produced by Sarah Schechter and Greg Berlanti. Michael Riley McGrath and Michael S. Constable also join as executive producers.

The cast also includes Clifton Collins Jr., Sarah Shahi, Rachel Hilson, Stephen Fry, Ellie Bamber, Thomas Flynn, Malcolm Atobrah, Akshay Khanna, Sharon D Clarke, Aneesh Sheth and Juan Castano.
On his visit to the valedictory ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the University of Delhi on June 30, 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone of Delhi Universitys three buildings  Faculty of Technology, a computer centre and an academic block. PM Modi also released two coffee table books. He was felicitated by DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh. On his way to the varsity, the PM took the metro at Lok Kalyan Marg metro station and deboarded at the Vishwavidyalaya metro station on the yellow line, during which he interacted with the students. It is a remarkable outreach step which is grounded in building a connection with the youth and unfolding the concerned generations culture and psychology. In a hyper-mediatised society like that of todays, the PMs active dialogical involvement with the students on the metro shows a leadership style which is marked by compatibility with motivation and stake-holding. PM Modis interactive political leadership style is a viable textbook example of youth capitalisation when India is undergoing its demographic dividend. The youth bulge bringing opportunities has threats of an ever-burgeoning uneducated and largely untrained population.

This article will discuss his vision to convert threats into opportunities and to have trained, skilled youth as the greatest stakeholder in the process of nation-building. The competence, integrity and performance of the leader is essential to evoke a constructive imagination in the minds of the youth. Its a conceptual attempt that is integrated with his political leadership style that can bring about the actualisation of the capacities for performance bearing of the youth, which will have a positive and direct impact on society. The Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, also spoke during the ceremony.

DU: A 100 years Legacy of Academic Excellence

The University of Delhi, established in 1922 by an Act of the colonial Central Legislature, remains among the first choices for the students to study arts, commerce, and science in the country. This collegiate central university is spread across Delhi with 90 constituents and recognised colleges affiliated with it, and has become a space of learning that attracts lakhs of students across the nation. It has 29 centres and institutions, 20 halls and hostels, more than 86 departments and 7,00,000 students to its credit.

The university began its journey through its first Chancellor, Lord Reading, who was the then Viceroy of India, and Hari Sigh Gour as the first Vice-Chancellor. DU, both in the pre- and post-independence era has immensely contributed to reaching its present form of being a global leader in higher education and the Government of India granted it the status of Institution of Eminence (IoE) in 2019. In the Union Budget 2016, the then Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, announced that an enabling regulatory architecture would be provided to 10 public and 10 private institutions so that they would emerge as world-class teaching and research institutions. This announcement led to the establishment of IoEs. Such institutions would get heightened autonomy and substantial extra government funding in the case of public institutions. They would also enjoy better collaboration with global universities. The University Grants Commission (UGC) introduced a regulation in 2017 that requires the Institute of Eminence scheme to receive accreditation within five years of notification. Moreover, Indian educational institutes must implement intricate changes depending on the standardised guidelines to get a position in the national institute ranking systems.

PM Modi on Education in the US

PM Modis five-point proposal for strengthening Indo-US collaboration in the education and research sector included an integrated approach where both the governments, academia and the industry will work together, and encourage the exchange of students and faculties. The PM also proposed organising hackathons on various disciplines, mutual recognition of vocational skill qualifications, and encouraging academic exchange programs, in an event on India and USA: Skilling for Future at National Science Centre in Washington DC, which was organised by the National Science Foundation (NSF) on June 21. His visit to the Virginia-based agency was hosted by First Lady, Jill Biden.

The event focused on workforce redevelopment across higher education institutions to expand and enhance access to quality education across society. The PM emphasised on National Education Policy (NEP), integrating education and skill development. He further said that to maintain the momentum of growth, for India and the US, it is important to ensure a pipeline of talent and that his goal is to have this decade as a tech decade. Under the Skilling Mission, more than 50 million people have been trained, and another 15 million are being given training on the latest and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the gathering.

Modis Address at the G20 Edu Ministers Meet

PM Modi, in his address at the G20 Edu Ministers meet, held in Pune on June 22, said that education is not only the foundation upon which Indian civilisation has been built but also the architect of humanitys future and termed digital technology as an equaliser promoting inclusivity and a force multiplier in increasing access to education and adapting to future needs.

He referred to Artificial Intelligence (AI) offering great potential in the field of learning, skilling, and education. Modi underlined that with opportunities, technology also poses challenges while calling for the need to strike the right balance and how the G20 can play an important role in making the youth future-ready through continuous skilling, reskilling, and upskilling and aligning their competencies with evolving work profiles and practices. He stressed the need to adapt and use new e-learning innovatively and said the objective must be to provide quality education with better governance.

Prime Minister Modi emphasised the initiatives the Indian government has taken in the field of e-learning. He referred to Study Webs of Active-learning for Young Aspiring Minds, or Swayam, an online platform that hosts courses from Class 9 to the post-graduate level and enables students to learn remotely, and Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (Diksha Portal) for distance school education. PM Modi contended that foundational literacy forms a strong base for the youth and India is combining it with technology. He referred to the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy or Nipun Bharat initiative and said foundational literacy and numeracy have been identified as a priority by G20 as well.

He underlined the importance of research and innovation and said India has set up 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across the country as research and innovation nurseries for school children. More than 7.5 million students are working on more than 1.2 million innovative projects in these labs. The G20 countries with their respective strengths can play a crucial role in promoting research and innovation, especially in the Global South, he said. He called for the need to increase research collaborations among G20 member states. He appreciated the grouping for identifying green transition, digital transformations, and womens empowerment as accelerators for achieving Sustainable Development Goals. Education is at the root of all these efforts, the PM added.

NEP 2020: Accessibility and Inclusivity

The Union Cabinet chaired by the prime minister recently approved the new National Education Policy 2020, making way for large-scale, transformational reforms in both school and higher education sectors. This is the first education policy of the 21st century and replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. Built on the foundational pillars of access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability, this policy is aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student. NEP aims at universalising school education (achieving a 100 percent Gross Enrolment Ratio in preschool to secondary level) by 2032 and higher education (increasing the GER in higher education to 50 percent) by 2035.

It recommends modifying the existing 10+2 pedagogical structure in the form of a new structure of 5+3+3+4, having a strong base of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from the age of three years.

The policy recommends universal provisioning of quality early childhood care and education based on strong pedagogical components to be achieved by 2030.

It recommends every student should attain foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) by grade 3.

The main thrust of structural reforms in higher education is transforming higher education institutions into large multidisciplinary universities, colleges, and knowledge hubs.

Being multidisciplinary, institutions will restructure the pedagogy, permitting the scope for choices of subjects to students and it is also expected that affiliated colleges will gradually phase out giving way to multidisciplinary universities and colleges by 2035.

The policy also recommends building world-class multidisciplinary Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) called Multidisciplinary Educational Research University (MERU).

NEP 2020 envisages achieving equitable and inclusive quality education for all. The policy considers equity as an inclusive notion focusing on Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) and areas. Recognising the large intra-state variations, the policy recommends declaring the regions with large populations from disadvantaged groups as Special Education Zones (SEZs), where all the schemes and policies can be implemented more effectively.

Promoting equity in learning outcomes from early childhood care and education through higher education is one of the major goals of NEP 2020.

Standard Setting and Accreditation for School and Higher Education under NEP

NEP 2020 advocates for the institutionalisation of an effective quality assurance and accreditation system by establishing the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) as an independent state-wide body.

In higher education, the policy envisages setting up NAAC as one of the verticals of HECI.

Vocational training Under NEP

NEP envisages strengthening the skills component in general education and raising the status of vocational education by integrating it into mainstream formal education.

It is expected that by 2025, over 50 percent of the learners through the school and higher education system will have exposure to vocational education.

Quality Research under NEP

It calls for setting up the National Research Foundation (NRF) with a special mandate to foster research and innovation in universities and colleges including interdisciplinary research.

The new NEP 2020 proposes to set up a National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) to serve as a platform to better the ideation process and improve learning, assessment, planning, and administration.

This policy aims to see that technology is appropriately integrated into all levels of education for improving teaching, learning, and evaluation processes etc.

Budget 2023-24: Skill development policies for the youth

To empower Indias youth and help the Amrit Peedhi realise their dreams, the government has formulated the NEP focused on skilling, it adopted economic policies that facilitate job creation at scale and has supported business opportunities. Budget 2023-24 has allocated heavily towards enabling the youth for skill development.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0

The Yojana emphasises on skilling, reskilling and upskilling, and was started in 2015. It had different versions in 2017 and 2021. Now, in the year 2023, the focus will be back on skilling the youth to empower them and give them confidence. Areas to be covered are coding, AI, robotics, IoT, mechatronics, and 3D printing among others.

Skill India digital platform

The scheme was launched in 2015. Relevant programmes (skill development initiatives) have been going on since then through various ministries of the government. Now, the government will open 30 Skill India International Centres with the sole aim of arming the youth with the requisite knowledge to get international opportunities.

National Apprenticeship Scheme

This scheme is aimed at strengthening the youth from rural areas and economically disadvantaged families with the required hard and soft skills. The government also plans to provide support to 47 lakh youths in a time frame of three years by starting a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

As part of its Digital India endeavour, the Modi government will also set up as many as three centres of excellence for AI in leading institutions. The move will help create a strong AI network in the country.

PM Modis Amrit Kaal certainly has its bearing on creating a paradigm of education, skill development, academic research and youth empowerment that will transform India into a global knowledge superpower. Despite being internationally standardised, it is Indian culture-centric, which intends to instil among the learners a deep-rooted pride of national ethos.

The author is a senior faculty in the Department of History, ARSD College, University of Delhi. Views expressed are personal.
Amid the raging debate over the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the country, the expert committee for a UCC in Uttarakhand is all set to submit its report, along with a draft of the proposed law, to the state government by the end of July. It is learnt that the Union government is expected to use it as a template for drafting its own UCC Bill and ruling party members hoping to take it up in the winter session of the Parliament.

This announcement has once again stirred up the debate about whether this one nation is to be governed by one law or a hybrid of personal laws drawn from the religious scriptures of the respective communities. The answer, despite being logically evident, surprisingly eludes even the best of minds, even the ones apparently committed to the ideas of secularism and equality.

The partition of India was an unprecedented tragedy that left millions massacred, and many more displaced and desolated. The reason behind this ordeal was that the Jinnah-led Muslim League demanded a separate nation-state for Muslims as they feared that an independent India would be dominated by Hindus. The piece of land amputated from India, wasted no time in implementing the Islamic law, trampling upon the rights of religious minorities and codifying that inequality in the law of the land.

What transpired in independent India dominated by Hindus is a different tale altogether. India decided to not have a state religion and since both Hindus and Muslims living in India were governed by personal laws, the next logical step would have been to mould the personal laws into a standardised code. A paranoid mind might have anticipated that a Hindu majority India would only intervene in the religious freedom of the Muslim minority by codifying the Islamic law and Hindus would still be governed by their personal laws. What happened was the exact opposite.

The Hindu personal law was abolished in favour of the Hindu Bill while the Muslim Personal Law remained untouched by this prospect of modernity. Jawaharlal Nehru believed that womens empowerment should be the foundation stone of any civil society and hence, wanted to implement the Uniform Civil Code in the country. Dr B.R. Ambedkar, a vehement advocate of the UCC, saw it as an opportunity to reform Hindu society as well as to ensure the dignity of Muslim women who have little protection under Sharia Law. When Ambedkar proposed the UCC in the Constituent Assembly, he had to face staunch opposition from the Muslim leadership, and hence, India stopped midway on its path to modernity and progress.

The majority had, with all its resistance, agreed to mend ways with the passage of time, while the minority, which had just carved out a nation in the name of religion, arm-twisted the whole establishment into granting privileges in the name of religion once again. The Hindu Code asserted that all Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains would be governed under a uniform law while Muslims had practically secured themselves little theocracies on both sides of the border.

The desire of the founding fathers of the Indian Republic was enshrined in Article 44 of the directive principles of the Constitution, which asserts, The State shall endeavour to secure for citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India; in hopes that Muslim community would progress at its own pace and soon enough, the UCC would be adopted by the nation. Soon enough, but to the contrary, the Indian judiciary found itself at crossroads with the Muslim leadership at the advent of the Shah Bano case, and once again, the establishment caved in to the theocratic demands of the minority community.

The phrase equal before law does not reach its logical conclusion till each individual, irrespective of gender, race and religion, is governed by one set of laws. It is evident that such a proposition would contribute to national integration and reduce everyday mental gymnastics around special courts, rights and privileges for specific communities.

It is often reiterated that implementing UCC would be in contradiction with Article 25 of the Indian Constitution which secures the minorities the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion. It is rather interesting that these self-proclaimed devotees of the Indian Constitution fail to quote the complete Article which states that all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion subject to public order, morality and health.

Practices that are at loggerheads with the public order and modern morality need to be done away with; if the barrier to inter-caste marriages could be abolished by the Hindu Bill, there is no reason that a modern republic in the 21st century should allow a practice like Nikah Halala which is against every definition of public order, morality and health. The implementation of UCC will bring numerous benefits to Indian Muslim women, who currently face several gender inequalities under personal laws. The UCC will provide them with equal rights and protection, empowering them to make informed choices regarding marriage, divorce, and inheritance. It aims to ensure that all citizens, including women, have the freedom to lead lives of dignity, irrespective of their religious backgrounds.

The originality of any religion lies in its spiritual quest that helps a person answer big questions in life, its methods of connecting with a higher power and its festivals and rituals that promote social cohesion. Claiming that the originality of a religion lies in regressive practices that outrage a womans modesty or disturb public order, morality and health is an insult to that religion and should be deemed offensive by its followers.

What was actually deemed offensive by these devotees of the Indian Constitution was the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) because a secular country cannot make laws based on religion. The same secular country can definitely have a Ministry of Minority Affairs, National Commission for Minorities, minority welfare schemes, minority character of educational institutions and minority certificates but it cannot provide asylum to those in distress. These anomalies occur because, at the time of partition, India neither adopted a state religion nor it could adopt a uniform law for every citizen, hence, monkey-balancing between appeasing different communities became an everyday affair and privileges were mistaken as rights.

The CAA has been a victim of misinformation and distorted narratives. It is vital to understand that the CAA does not take away the citizenship of a single Muslim in India. Instead, it is a culmination of a promise made by our nation to protect and provide a haven for religious minorities facing persecution in neighbouring countries.

The fear-mongering perpetuated by the Leftist activists and communist elements in our society is not driven by genuine concern for the welfare of Indian Muslims. Rather, it is a tactic employed to further their own political careers and agendas. They manipulate the emotions of the Muslim community, falsely claiming that the UCC will erode their cultural identity. It is crucial for Indian Muslims to see through this misguidance and recognise the true intentions of these individuals.

To address concerns about the UCC, let us look at the United States, a nation that prides itself on its diversity and inclusivity. Despite having a predominantly Christian majority, the US does not have separate civil codes based on religion. It operates under a uniform law for all citizens, ensuring equality before the law. Indian Muslims should recognise that the UCC is not an attack on their faith or culture, but rather a step towards a more harmonious and unified society.

Indian civilisation has been a repository of wisdom and a torchbearer for humanity for thousands of years, and seeing it reduced to this confusion and uncertainty is rather awkward and disappointing. At the dawn of the Indian Republic, India missed by a small step, but it will be a giant leap for mankind to realise the phrase equal before law both in letter and in spirit.

The author takes special interest in history, culture and geopolitics. He is a proponent of religious reform and identifies himself as an Indic Muslim exploring Vedic knowledge and cultural heritage through music. When he is not writing columns, he enjoys playing drums and performing raps. Views expressed are personal.
Nearly two weeks after their leaders came face to face at the Opposition meeting in Patna, stalemate continues between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party over the former dragging its feet on a key demand. Unless the Congress denounces the Centres Ordinance assuming control of administrative services in the AAP-ruled national capital, Arvind Kejriwal is unlikely to attend or send any representative to the Bangalore meeting of the Opposition on July 17-18.

Adding insult to injury, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have kept Kejriwal waiting for a meeting despite the Delhi Chief Minister and AAP supremo requesting an invitation for tea from the duo.

The leaders of the two parties are likely to share space again on July 19 at the customary all-party meeting before the Monsoon Session of Parliament commences the next day.

The Rajya Sabha Suspense

During the Monsoon Session, the Centre is likely to introduce a bill to replace the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, which effectively nullified the Supreme Court judgement that gave the Delhi government greater legislative and administrative control over services matter.

While the bill may see smooth passage in the Lok Sabha, the BJP lacks majority in the Rajya Sabha but has often succeeded in getting enough support from regional parties in the Upper House to pass its legislative agenda. Kejriwal has urged all non-BJP parties to come together to defeat the bill in the Rajya Sabha.

The AAP has 10 MPs in the Rajya Sabha, while the Congress has 31. The tally of other Opposition parties in the Upper House is as follows:

TMC - 12 MPs

DMK  10 MPs

TRS  7 MPs

RJD  6 MPs

CPI(M)  5 MPs

JD(U)  5 MPs

TDP  1 MP

NCP  4 MPs

Samajwadi Party  3 MPs

Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray  3 MPs

CPI  2 MPs

JMM  2 MPs

The AAP has already said that without Congress opposing the ordinance and pledging to vote against it in the Rajya Sabha, the party will not attend future Opposition meetings.

Until the Congress publicly denounces the Black Ordinance and declares that all 31 of its Rajya Sabha MPs will oppose the ordinance, it will be difficult for the AAP to participate in future meetings of like-minded parties where the Congress is a participant. It is becoming increasingly clear that unless the Congress publicly denounces the Delhi ordinance before the next meeting of the opposition parties in Bangalore, the AAP is unlikely go for it, the party had said in a statement.

The AAP Gamble

Speaking to News18, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said there is no change in the partys position. We have already stated our position. It remains the same. Let them make their stand clear, said Singh, indicating that the ball is now in the Congress court.

If the AAPs gamble of staking it all on the Congresss public position on the Ordinance does not pay off, it would not just bring down the index of opposition unity, but also impact the mutual interests of both parties in at least two states as well as heighten the risk of AAP getting isolated. After all, the AAP style of going solo is not unknown to other parties.

In fact, even the CPM, which has consistently supported the AAP thought it was important enough to be mentioned. In a recent edition of its mouthpiece, Peoples Democracy, it said: This move (the Ordinance) has greatly agitated Kejriwal, prompting him to seek the support of opposition parties. Previously, he had maintained a distance from the anti-BJP front or platform.

Impact on Assembly Elections

Since June 23, Arvind Kejriwal, along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has been kicking off the AAP campaign in poll-bound Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, holding maiden rallies in the three states that have, so far, witnessed bipolar contests between the BJP and the Congress. Can the AAP make these elections a triangular contest?

Not at all, says Sanjay Kumar of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), adding that a triangular contest in these states would give the advantage to the BJP.

I dont see any sign of any movement if I look at AAP in Rajasthan or in Madhya Pradesh. And these are big states, rural states. In Gujarat, the advantage was that they made an early start and it is far more urban compared to Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh. That is why I dont think the AAP is in a similar situation in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan or Chhattisgarh as they were in Gujarat, he adds.

AAPs fierce campaign in Gujarat last year resulted in five seats and 13% vote share, an impressive showing considering that it is the BJPs bastion and the home turf of the top two in the NDA government.

According to sources, while the AAP will fight elections in all three states, it will channelise maximum resources and energy in one.

Plan for 2024 General Elections

For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, AAPs strongholds are Delhi and Punjab, but on 48 Lok Sabha seats an understanding between the AAP and the Congress may pose a challenge to the BJP.

However, just like Delhi and Punjab, AAP has grown in Gujarat and Goa too at the cost of the Congress, which partially explains why the grand old party is not willing to accommodate Kejriwals demands. The AAP, could play spoiler for the Congress in closely fought seats.

The Congress knows that wherever the AAP has expanded, it is all at the cost of the Congress. So the Congress has to take the call one day or the other. It is not only for the future of the Congress that AAP needs to come for the meeting; it is for all Opposition parties, says Sanjay Kumar.

The other reason why the Congress is reluctant to support the AAP is the number crunch. Sanjay Kumar explains. Why the Congress is not very keen on appeasing the AAP is because if you look at Gujarat, all 26 parliamentary seats were won by the BJP by more than 50% votes; in Delhi, all seven Lok Sabha seats were won by the BJP by more than 50% of the votes. So, even if AAP and Congress come together, it makes no difference.

When it comes to Delhi, political analysts believe that unless there is a seat-sharing agreement between the AAP and the Congress, the BJP may get to walk over as it as in the last two elections. With an understanding between the AAP and Congress, there will at least be a fight in the 2024 General Elections in Delhi.

It is in Punjab, where the AAP swept to power winning 92 of 117 Assembly seats, that it has the brightest chance of a good showing in General Elections. A possible straw in the wind is the Jalandhar bypoll in May this year which AAP candidate Sushil Kumar Rinku, a former Congressman, won by defeating Congresss Karmanjit Kaur in her own stronghold.

However, any overt understanding between the ruling AAP and opposition Congress in Punjab looks difficult as it would mean ceding the opposition space completely to the Akalis and the BJP. Punjab is the only state which has sent MPs from AAP to the Lok Sabha  four in 2014 and one in 2019 which the party lost in bypolls after Bhagwant Mann vacated the seat. Of course, AAP won the Jalandhar bypoll in 2023 and has one MP in the Lok Sabha.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress had won eight seats, while the Akali Dal and BJP won two apiece.

Not too hopeful of AAPs prospects or any understanding between AAP and Congress, Sanjay Kumar says: In Punjab, when it comes to Lok Sabha polls, the Congress is in a dominant position. People voting for AAP in Assembly elections does not mean they will vote for AAP in Lok Sabha elections too. There are numerous examples of the kind  two Assembly elections in Delhi and two Lok Sabha elections in Delhi. People voted for the AAP in Delhi but for the BJP in the Lok Sabha.

Goa has two Lok Sabha seats. In 2019, the Congress and the BJP won one each and the AAP, in its maiden foray, managed to garner 3.01% of the vote share. In Goa, out of the two seats, one was won by the BJP by more than 50% votes, says Sanjay Kumar, ruling out any space for the AAP. The latter currently has two MLAs in Goa. It will be difficult for the party to turn the Goa parliamentary elections into a triangular contest.

Of course, the 2024 elections are more than 10 months away and the political climate could change. But if AAP, the newly minted national party and only the third after the Congress and the BJP to have a government in two or more states, does skip the next Opposition meeting in Bengaluru, it will be advantage BJP.
I was the one who brought him back after the 2019 midnight swearing-in ruckus  Amid the split in NCP after Ajit Pawar turned rogue and joined hands with the BJP to become a part of the Maharashtra government, veteran leader and Ajit aide Chhagan Bhujbal accused Sharad Pawar of playing games with his nephew.

Speaking exclusively to News18, the Maharashtra minister said one cannot reveal all their cards at once in politics. When you people were asking me, I had always said he [Ajit Pawar] is our leader, I never said he is our president. Its not the case that we dont have confidence. If MLAs dont want to come, they will not come now also. Those who want to leave us can go today also. But the situation is that people who are with them have joined us now, Bhujbal said.

On the suspension of national office-bearers and MLAs and who has got control over the party, the senior leader said as per him, the reins were in Ajit Pawars hands. He has got the support of more MLAs and party workers. You must have seen both meetings [of NCP]. Our meeting was house full and we got tremendous response. The legal battle will continue and the court will take the final decision.

Bhujbal also sought to play down the confusion of party workers, saying this was common in case of a split. But at this moment, I feel Ajit Pawar enjoys the support of more than 85 per cent party workers and the elected members of the party.

Personally, Bhujbal admitted that leaving the Shiv Sena was a more difficult decision for him compared to cutting ties with Sharad Pawars NCP.

Balasaheb Thackeray gave us love. We had differences later but still carried love for him. But here, Pawar saheb held meetings with BJP 4-5 times in Delhi and then took U-turns. We all were confused about what is happening in the party. Sharad Pawar changed his stand on many occasions. If someone changes their stand once, we can consider it a mistake but what can be said if it happens regularly?

When asked if Pawars dilly-dallying was why central agencies were deployed against NCP leaders, Bhujbal said it was possible. Ultimately, we had to face action, he rued.

Talking about the infamous 2019 swearing-in, the veteran leader said he had brought back Ajit Pawar after the drama and proposed his name for deputy chief minister.

But I was not aware of many things then. Later I got to know that these people [Sharad Pawar camp] had gone to Delhi and promised BJP that they will join hands with them. Despite giving his word and asking Ajit Pawar to go ahead, Pawar saheb called it a googly from my side. You cant play games with your nephew. I didnt like the decision.

This is why Ajit Pawar was hurt and he expressed it too. Ajit worked relentlessly for the party. He is still hurt because of that. But the way this fight is being fought, I dont think there is any scope that both factions will come together. You cant predict anything but the split in the family is painful and wont get healed so early, he said.
Veteran BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis opened up about the 2019 Maharashtra political drama and said that then Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo Uddhav Thackeray was responsible for how things unfolded at the time.

In an interview with ANI Editor Smita Prakash which was recorded before the recent crisis in the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Fadnavis also acknowledged and praised Sharad Pawars role in uniting the opposition parties.

Explaining how the 2019 political drama unfolded, Deputy CM Fadnavis said that Uddhav Thackeray ditched the BJP and formed a government with Congress and NCP to get enough numbers.

After coming to the majority in Maharashtra, when Uddhav Thackeray understood that numbers were odd despite getting the majority, he went into different a direction to form the government," said Fadnavis.

Uddhav Ji decided to separate from us and go with two other parties so that the government can be formed. If we had ten more seats at the time, then Uddhav Thackeray would not have done this. He did so because we lacked seats. We lost the alliance because numbers were such," he added.

Praising Sharad Pawars role in bringing opposition under one roof, Fadnavis said that despite reeling from health issues, Pawar is politically alert and strong enough to be the driver of opposition unity.

The only person to bring the opposition parties together is Pawar Sahib. And the force behind bringing the opposition parties together, who cannot see each other face to face is Pawar Sahib," he added.

Talking about Pawars health and calls for him to quit politics, Fadnavis said, He has health reasons but he is fit. He is politically, totally alert. He is counted among those politicians who know politics from every side. He wants to transfer the legacy of his party just like all family parties want. To transfer his legacy, he has put Supriyaji in the forefront."

Since the interview was recorded before the Ajit Pawar NCP crisis, there was no mention of the recent developments but it came at a time when Maharashtra politics is in turmoil.

Last week, in a massive showdown, nine NCP MLAs, including Ajit Pawar, were sworn in as ministers in the Maharashtra government at a surprise cabinet expansion on Sunday.

Ajit Pawar, with senior party leaders Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Dilip Walse Patil by his side, asserted to be the real NCP.
Ajit Pawar News LIVE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a crucial meeting over power sharing in the state government on Friday. The state cabinet expansion, following entry of second deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and eight NCP MLAs, will likely take place on July 9, Sunday, according to CNN-News18 reports.

NCP leader (Ajit Pawar camp) Praful Patel, addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Friday said, there is no split in the party. Patel, a former key aide of NCP Chief Sharad Pawar, said majority of the party leaders is backing Ajit Pawar. We have reported this to the Election Commission", he said. Meanwhile, Both Patel and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar will attend the NDA meeting scheduled to take place on July 18.

Patel has claimed that attempts are being made to mislead with rumors," and added that the Maharashtra deputy chief minister is the partys appointed leader of NCP." A unanimous resolution has been passed in the NCP meeting," he said.

Patel also targeted the meeting of the Nationalist Congress Party Working Committee that was chaired by Sharad Pawar on Thursday and said the meeting held in Delhi was not an official NCP event and does not have legal sanctity."

NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) state unit chief Jayant Patil expelled Pradeep Gartkar from party membership and post of Pune Rural District President for attending the swearing-in ceremony of Ajit Pawar and party MLAs joining the Maharashtra government on July 2.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray met Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his residence.

Shinde had held an hour long meeting with his deputy Devendra Fadnavis at the CMs Nandanvan late last night. The meeting came amid rumblings in Shindes Shiv Sena faction over the entry of Ajit Pawar as deputy CM and 8 NCP MLAs in the Maharashtra government.

Taking a swipe at the situation, NCP spokesperson Mahesh Tapase said that MLAs are worried that now they cannot take high moral ground after induction of Ajit Pawar". I wonder what will happen if finance and planning portfolio goes to dada," he added.

Trouble in Shinde camp.Late night meeting between @mieknathshinde ji @Dev_Fadnavis ji assumes significance as MLAs not happy with the induction of Dada. MLAs worried that now they cant take high moral ground after induction of @AjitPawarSpeaks Mahesh Bharet Tapase    (@maheshtapase) July 7, 2023

Even as sources claimed that the unrest ended" after the Shiv Sena MLAs were explained why changed in the coalition were necessary", the disquiet within the CMs camp reportedly grew on Thursday.

According to a report in Times of India, independent MLA Bachchu Kadu, who had been among the earliest to support Shindes rebellion against Uddhav Thackeray last year, said the 40 Sena MLAs who supported the revolt were now feeling that it was all a mistake and added that Pawars entry would pose problems.

The report further stated that two Sena MLAs, Bharat Gogawale and Mahendra Thorve from Raigad district, made it clear they would not accept it if NCP minister Aditi Tatkare were made guardian minister of the district.

Earlier, in the MVA, Ajit Pawar had created problems. He will do the same again, including keeping funds away from us. He will create hindrances in decisions that we want," Kadu was quoted as saying. The independent MLA Bachchu was a minister in the earlier Maha Vikas Aghadi government but joined Shindes revolt.

Kadu also lashed out at BJP and said it did not care about its allies. BJP only wants to strengthen its own party. Those coming in can fall into a ditch or die, BJP does not think about this. It is focused on winning the Lok Sabha polls," he was quoted as saying. He added that the Sena rebels now feel that joining hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party was a mistake".

For the 40 MLAs who joined the (Shinde-led) rebellion, now the situation is that it was a mistake. There should be some information that is shared. Even as an ally, we dont get any information," Kadu said.

The report also quoted MLA Bharat Gogawale who opposed any possible appointment of NCP legislator Aditi Tatkare as guardian minister of Raigad district. It had been decided earlier that the guardian minister would be with the Shiv Sena," he said. MLA Mahendra Thorve was quoted as saying, We will not accept Aditi Tatkare as guardian minister."

MLAs of Shindes Sena in Touch with Sena (UBT)

Amid the rumblings in CMs camp, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed that 17-18 MLAs from the rival Shiv Sena led by Shinde were in touch with his party since NCP leader Ajit Pawar joined the state government. Sena minister Uday Samant countered him by claiming that six of 13 MLAs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction were in touch with him.

Since Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders joined the government, 17-18 MLAs from the Shinde camp have contacted us," Raut claimed, talking to reporters here.

Rauts colleague and the partys Lok Sabha MP Vinayak Raut said the Shinde faction MLAs have started revolting" after the rebel NCP MLAs were made ministers.

Many MLAs have also said that if Matoshree" (name of Uddhav Thackerays residence) approaches them, they will reply positively, he said.

Those who wanted to become ministers but could not, or those who can lose the ministerial berth in the next cabinet expansion are in touch with us," Vinayak Raut claimed, without disclosing any names.

Gajanan Kirtikar, MP from the Shinde-led Sena, had said on Wednesday that the induction of the rebel NCP group in the cabinet had dented the prospects of ministerial aspirants from the BJP and Shiv Sena, leaving some of them upset, and Shinde was aware of their sentiments.

Sharad Pawar Calls Up All NCP MLAs

Sources told News18 that 19 MLAs have filed affidavit with NCP and six have reached out to the party to join it. Sharad Pawar has called up all MLAs asking them to return back. Most of them have said they will. He didnt call nine MLAs who took oath," a source said.

Hema Malinis Message for Ajit Pawar

Bollywood actress and BJP MP from Mathura, Hema Malini, has wished Ajit Pawar on joining the Shinde-Fadnavis government. The actress congratulated him on becoming the deputy CM and wished him well for his tenure.

(With inputs from PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Friday, took a swipe at the previous governments stating they made their schemes sitting in air-conditioned rooms and never saw ground realities."

In an apparent swipe at the Gandhi family, he said the BJP government at the Centre worked for not just one family." In the last nine years, we didnt work for just one family, or one generation, but worked for future generations," he said addressing a public gathering in Varanasi.

He referred to scams and corruption cases that dominated headlines before the BJP government came to power and said: Earlier, news related to scams and black-marketeering used to galore newspapers but now the same newspapers are brimming with news related to inauguration of new projects."

The Prime Minister said beneficiaries of government schemes today have become examples of real secularism". Earlier, fewer people were benefiting from government schemes. We are now practicing true secularism by reaching every beneficiary, which is effectively curbing corruption," he said.

The BJP government has opened the doors of banks for everybody, he said. Earlier governments insulted people from backward classes. Street vendors were humiliated, but I cannot do that. I have helped them and banks are providing loans to them under the PM SVANidhi Yojana," he said.

I guarantee to everyone that the poor will live with pride," he said.

He further targeted the UPA government and said in the past, the so-called democracy only catered to the interests of a few individuals, leaving no room for the poor. Under the BJP government, the beneficiary class has become an example of true social justice and true secularism."

He said the Congress has always spoke about losses whenever Budgets would be discussed. Before 2014, whenever we discussed about budget, they (Congress) always spoke about losses. However, now there is no dearth of budget for the welfare of the poor and infrastructure development," he said.

The Prime Minister said today, the businesses of those involved in corruption are closed. The practices of those who engage in bribery are closed. The operations of those who perpetrate scams are closed This means there is no discrimination and no corruption," he said.

Hailing the international delegation that visited Kashi for the G20 meeting, PM Modi said: For G20 meeting, hundreds of people came to Kashi, who were warmly welcomed by the locals."

PM Modi distributed loans of PM SVANidhi, keys of PMAY rural houses and Ayushman cards to the beneficiaries in Varanasi.

VIDEO | PM Modi distributes loans of PM SVANidhi, keys of PMAY rural houses and Ayushman cards to the beneficiaries in Varanasi.(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/Pp7uj1fW5T  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 7, 2023

Today, Uttar Pradesh, including Kashi will get projects worth over Rs 12,000 crore," he said.

PM Modi unveiled 29 development projects worth Rs 12,100 crores in Varanasi. After arriving from Gorakhpur, the prime minister inaugurated the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction-Son Nagar railway line of the Dedicated Freight Corridor, which was built at a cost of over Rs 6,760 crore. This new railway line will facilitate faster and more efficient movement of goods.

Additionally, Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stones and inaugurated several other projects for Varanasi and the surrounding districts. The program was attended by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Prior to this, in Gorakhpur, the prime minister participated in the centenary celebrations of Gita Press and also launched two Vande Bharat Express trains.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to begin his 4-state tour with Chhattisgarh on Friday. The PM will visit Raipur to lay the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 7,600 crore.

On being landed, PM Modi received a warm welcome in Raipur from Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Former CM Raman Singh and other dignitaries.

In Raipur, PM @narendramodi was welcomed by Governor Shri Biswabhusan Harichandan, CM Shri @bhupeshbaghel, former CM @drramansingh and other dignitaries. pic.twitter.com/TvIY2sdrS1 PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 7, 2023

BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh believe that Modis visit will energise the party workers, who are gearing up for the polls in the state. The party had lost the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh in 2018, after occupying power for 15 years.

An official said the prime ministers event will be held at the Science College ground here at 10.45 am on Thursday.

This is PM Modis first visit to Congress-led Chhattisgarh, which is scheduled to go to polls later this year.

PM Modi Distributes 75 Lakh Ayushmann Bharat Cards

Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Raipur ahead of his mega rally.

VIDEO | PM Modi distributed 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. pic.twitter.com/FPgZSVHNC0 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 7, 2023

Its a historic day today in the developmental journey of Chhattisgarh. Today, Chhattisgarh is receiving a gift of projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore. This gift is for infrastructure, connectivity and to make lives of people of Chhattisgarh easy," PM Modi said in his address.

PM Modi also flagged off a new train from Antagarh (Kanker district) to Raipur in Chhattisgarh.

VIDEO | PM Modi flagged off a new train from Antagarh (Kanker district) to Raipur in Chhattisgarh. pic.twitter.com/9YS4clzIHK Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 7, 2023

Talking about mobile connectivity in the state, PM Modi said, Nine years ago, over 20 per cent of villages in Chhattisgarh did not have any kind of mobile connectivity. Today, this has come down to nearly 6 per cent."

PM Modi To Launch THESE Projects in Raipur

The PM will dedicate to the nation four-laning of the 33-km-long Raipur-Kodebod section of the National Highway 30, the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of NH-130,

He will also lay the foundation stone for the construction of three sections (Jhanki- Sargi (43 km), Sargi Basanwahi (57 km) and Basanwahi-Marangpuri (25 km)) as a part of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor NH-130 CD.

The PM will also dedicate to the nation the doubling of the 103-km-long Raipur-Khariar Road Rail Line, built for Rs 750 crore, a 17-km-long new railway line connecting Keoti-Antagarh, and a bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric ton per annum in Korba constructed at a cost of over Rs 130 crore.

3 Killed on Way to PM Modis Rally In a Major Accident

Three persons were killed and six others injured when a bus ferrying people to Prime Minister Narendra Modis public rally in Raipur, rammed into a stationary truck in Chhattisgarhs Bilaspur district on Friday, PTI reported.

The accident occurred near Beltara village when the bus with around 40 people on board. rima facie, the bus driver could not see the stationary truck parked on the roadside due to heavy rainfall.

(With PTI inputs)
The BJP on Friday welcomed the Gujarat High Courts decision rejecting Rahul Gandhis plea to stay his conviction in a defamation case, and alleged it is a chronic habit" of the Congress leader to abuse and defame others.

Addressing a press conference here, BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the Congress leader refused to apologise for his Modi surname jibe and displayed irresponsible arrogance".

If he behaves like this and defames people and institutions, the law will catch up with him, Prasad said, asserting that those claiming that Gandhis punishment is harsh should answer as to why he committed such a harsh" offense. The law has caught up with him, he added.

Prasad noted that there are seven-eight defamation cases against the former Congress president.

It has become a chronic habit" of Gandhi to abuse and defame eminent people and organisations, the former law minister said, noting the Congress leader has also been accused of insulting a great patriot" like V D Savarkar and Hindutva organisation RSS.

Rahul Gandhi had to apologise to the Supreme Court for his claims on the Rafale case, but he later attacked a reporter covering his press conference by calling him a BJP spokesperson, Prasad said.

It is his arrogance that he believes he is above the law as he is from the Gandhi family, Prasad said, reiterating the BJPs stand that the Congress leader insulted backward castes by allegedly linking those with Modi surname to thieves.

I want to ask the Congress why cant it control Rahul Gandhi and train him to speak right? When given a chance by the trial court in Surat to apologise, he instead said, I am not Savarkar that I will apologise. This truly shows the extent of hatred, Rahul has against a great patriot of the country," he added.

Asked about the comments of some Congress leaders that their party will fight the BJP politically, Prasad said the ruling party is ready to take them on and asserted Prime Minister Narendra Modi will again win the popular support in the coming elections.

He said any insinuation from Congress leaders that the BJP is to blame for Gandhis conviction is an insult to the judiciary.

The Gujarat High Court earlier in the day dismissed Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his Modi surname" remark.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi was already facing 10 criminal cases across India, adding that the order of the lower court was just, proper and legal" in handing over a two-year jail term to Gandhi for his remarks.

There was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction, the high court said.

After the verdict, the Congress party said it would challenge the high court order in the Supreme Court.

A stay on Gandhis conviction in the case would have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.
If 2024 is the grand finale, 2023 is definitely the semi-final for political parties in India when as many as nine states go to polls.

Apart from the north-eastern states, among the major states, the Karnataka election is done and dusted in which Congress wrested power from the BJP and called the loss a clear mandate for a BJP-mukt south India  hitting the saffron party with its own game of slogans.

With four states remaining  Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Chhattisgarh  BJP knows it has to showcase its best performance to winch the perception war ahead of the crucial 2024 Lok Sabha election when Narendra Modi will seek re-election for the third consecutive term. Regardless of the invincible Modi magic, if BJP fails in these four states, it is likely to have a direct bearing on the mind of the electorate.

Among the four states, BJP is in power only in MP. The Congress rules in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh while TRS  now known as BRS  handles Telanganas reins. A formidable performance for the BJP would mean retaining MP, winning back at least one of the two Congress-ruled states, and establishing itself as a strong opposition in Telangana if it fails to attain Amit Shahs Mission 70 in the state.

But what should BJP do to get there?

TELANGANA

While the headlines are dominated by the recent reshuffle where RSS blue-eyed boy Bandi Sanjay was replaced from the post of Telangana BJP president by Union Minister Kishen Reddy, BJPs trump card seems to be someone else.

In a state where BJP has tried to ignite Hindutva emotions time and again, its success depends upon how well it connects with its local sentiment which has roots in the movement for the creation of Telangana. And who better than Eatala Rajender, a former top TRS leader and associate of K Chandrasekhar Rao who walked out and joined the BJP?

Rajender worked with KCR since 2003 and led the separate state agitation from the front. He was as much a hero of the movement, whose sentiments cut across social strata in Telangana, as KCR. He also acted as the legislative party floor leader between 2008 and 2014.

If BJP wants to go any closer to Shahs Mission 70 in the southern state, it needs to project Rajender  essentially an outsider with no RSS background  as its chief ministerial face. Notwithstanding Kishen Reddys powerful surname, it wont help BJP win the assembly poll where movement legacy is key.

Its not that the BJP isnt mindful of that. Rajender was recently appointed as the chairperson of the partys election management committee in the state. While he promised he would strive for BJPs victory in the state, even positioning BJP as a strong opposition will be considered a good performance, given the partys 2018 tally.

Rajender has already started to set the narrative that if there is one party that can oust KCR, it is BJP. He is seen reminding voters how BJP had won two assembly bypolls, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) election, and legislative council polls. A senior minister in the BRS government, Rajender was unceremoniously removed from the cabinet and he has a point to prove. At this time, both Rajender and the BJP need each other. But it remains to be seen whether JP Nadda announces his name as BJPs CM face.

MADHYA PRADESH

Post Operation Lotus and a royal jump in 2020, BJP pulled down a Congress government and established its rule. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who was ousted earlier, was back at the helm once again. But come 2023, Mama, as Chauhan is known in the state, is looking wary  particularly while weathering the after-effects of a Congress win in Karnataka.

While most pollsters are predicting a close finish like last time, even recent bypoll results seem to indicate that way. A total of 13 local body by-elections were held for the post of corporators of which seven were won by the BJP and six by the Congress. However, what brings cheer to the BJP camp was a winning of a ward in Chhindwara  Kamal Naths constituency  in the local body bypolls in MP.

But what can BJP do to beat the anti-incumbency and retain the state?

The answer is simple  BJP needs to change its state president VD Sharma. The ongoing cold war between the chief minister and the party boss is public knowledge and is resulting in an absolute lack of coordination between the government and the organisation. BJP often leans on to the party to drive home the point about government projects. With Chouhan and Sharma not seeing eye to eye, that is not happening on the ground.

BJP usually does not change its CM face when they have a chief minister in a state. To contain the damage, the BJP needs to quickly find Sharmas replacement who is on the same page as Chouhan.

RAJASTHAN

The desert state ruled by Congress is reeling under anti-incumbency, allegations of corruption, and most importantly  inner-party rivalry. The Gehlot vs Pilot saga has become so old that it no longer makes it to the headlines on TV news channels. But, despite that, the BJP is not well placed to win unless it declares Vasundhara Raje as its chief ministerial face.

Lets face it, Raje is the undisputed BJP leader with a dash of royalty who commands the loyalty of party MLAs, most of whom are not subservient to 6A, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg  BJPs national headquarters. So much so that Raje did not think twice before opposing Amit Shah when it came to organisational appointments in 2018. Back then, Ashok Parnami  a Raje loyalist  had resigned as Rajasthan BJP chief. But Shahs efforts to appoint Gajendra Shekhawat in his place werent received well by Raje.

Cut to 2023, the BJP is yet to declare her its CM face. Manifesting her usual Raje-ism, the former Rajasthan chief minister has gone ahead and is holding her own public events. Probably sensing the vibe, in a recent event in Udaipur, Amit Shah delivered a powerful signal by asking Leader of Opposition Rajendra Rathore to invite Raje to speak before Shah himself delivered the keynote speech. Sources say Rajes speech was not planned. Similarly, in Bharatpur, Raje was asked to speak just before JP Nadda, the party president.

If BJP indeed wants to exploit the intra-Congress rivalry and capitalise on the anti-incumbency, it needs to project Raje as the chief minister of a state where, by and large, loyalty to royalty is still the norm.

CHHATTISGARH

If Chhattisgarh can be equated with a jungle, unfortunately, the BJP doesnt have a Babbar Sher (lion) here. The pack of cadres are waiting eagerly to pounce upon Congress with whatever might they have after being battered in the 2018 rout when chief minister Raman Singh resigned as the longest-serving BJP CM. But the pack doesnt know who will lead them. If in any state the saffron party is so disillusioned, its in Chhattisgarh.

Realistically speaking, the BJPs best move here will be to announce a chief ministerial face who is available on the ground, can lead from the front and put up a reasonable fight backed by Narendra Modis campaigning. But the moot question remains  who is leading BJP in Chhattisgarh?

Raman Singh is currently the national vice-president who is more active on social media and seldom seen on the ground. His coterie too has vanished. Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel isnt popular enough and state president of BJP Arun Sao hasnt created a connection with cadres that can make him a mass leader. While both are OBCs, BJP seems to have another OBC leader in mind who  to BJPs delight  has gained considerable traction both on ground as well as social media.

OP Choudhary is a former IPS officer who is right now serving as the states general secretary. Young, with a clean slate, and relatively popular with the cadres, Choudhary is BJPs best bet, given that the assembly election is just a few months away. On the other hand, Congresss Bhupesh Baghel, in spite of a five-year term, remains reasonably popular. Hence, BJP desperately needs a leader who can lead from the front in Chhattisgarh.
The Uniform Civil Code was part and parcel of the Indian Constitution and suggested by its architects, said RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale in what could be the first time the organisation has spoken about the controversy over the proposal. He said it was not an idea propagated by the BJP, and the Sangh had never approached the central government seeking its implementation.

In a conversation with News18, Hosabale said misunderstanding created over the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will further divide society. The uniform civil code, until it is implemented, has to be discussed in a democracy through a democratic process. That is why the law commission has asked for opinions. Many people may oppose it, but those who are doing it dont know what the UCC is, he said.

The RSS general secretary was in New Delhi to attend a programme on Hindutvas tryst with politics: Legacy of Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee on Thursday. The UCC is not the idea of the BJP. It was suggested by the Constitutions founding fathers. It is there in the directive principles. Why is it there in the directive principles? It is there because it is part of the Constitution. It is also part and parcel of the states structure, which means administration, governance, law framing etc can happen based on that. Muslims and Hindus must be speculating over several things, but the UCC is not only about those, he said.

UCC includes larger socio-legal issues

Hosabale talked about how the UCC was not only about polygamy or other social practices of Muslims. He said it was more about social and legal matters related to maintenance, inheritance, succession, tribals among others.

When the Uttarakhand government appointed a committee including judicial officers, around 4.5 lakh people had given their opinion. Hardly 0.01% was anything about Muslim society; 99.9% was about maintenance, inheritance, marriage act, succession, property law, tribals. These things featured in the suggestions and opinions collected from the people, he said.

He added: In Telangana, a section of Muslims started a signature campaign saying they do not want UCC. They feel that if UCC is implemented, they cannot live here. Both the approaches (by Hindus and Muslims) are wrong.

People need to be educated about actual content of UCC

Hosabale further said the ruling party at the Centre, think tanks and the media should play an active role in educating people about the actual content of the UCC and what it stands for.

I request the party people to educate people first. Think tanks, media personnel should educate people and explain what the UCC is, he said.

He added: The RSS never approached the government requesting them to bring the UCC. It never passed a resolution on it. Jana Sangh, a political party, talked about it and it is the partys job to implement the Constitution while in power.
Google has released the monthly security updates for the Android operating system, which come with fixes for 46 vulnerabilities, along with the fix for three actively exploited bugs.

There are indications that the following (vulnerabilities) may be under limited, targeted exploitation  CVE-2023-26083, CVE-2021-29256, and CVE-2023-2136," reads Android Security Bulletin.

According to BleepingComputer, CVE-2023-26083 is a medium-severity memory leak flaw in the Arm Mali GPU driver for Bifrost, Avalon, and Valhall chips that was exploited in a December 2022 exploit chain that delivered spyware to Samsung devices.

CVE-2021-29256 is a critical (CVSS v3.1: 8.8) unprivileged information disclosure and root privilege escalation vulnerability that affects specific versions of the Bifrost and Midgard Arm Mali GPU kernel drivers.

The third vulnerability, CVE-2023-2136, is a critical-severity one with a score of 9.6 out of 10 as it is an integer overflow bug in Skia, Googles open-source multi-platform 2D graphics library that is also used in Chrome, where it was fixed in April, the report said.

Moreover, the report mentioned that CVE-2023-21250, a critical vulnerability in Androids System component that affects Android versions 11, 12, and 13, is the most serious of the security issues that Google fixed this month.

The Android security update for this month covers Android versions 11, 12, and 13, but depending on the scope of the addressed vulnerabilities, they may affect older OS versions that are no longer supported.

Last month, Google issued a security update for the Chrome web browser to address the third zero-day vulnerability exploited by hackers this year.

Google is aware that an exploit for CVE-2023-3079 exists in the wild," Google said in a blogpost.
Evidence of a giant rockslide in one of the Himalayas highest mountain peaks during the Middle Ages has been unearthed, an event that could have possibly knocked several hundred metres off the height of the summit, scientists say. Jerome Lave from the Universite de Lorraine, France, and colleagues have found geological evidence for an abrupt, high-altitude rockslide that may have occurred around 1190 AD in the Annapurna mountain range of the Himalayas, in central Nepal, that could help understand Himalayan evolution better.

The sudden collapse involving a total rock volume of around 23 cubic kilometres may have brought down the peak by several hundred metres and prevented the disproportionate growth of the Himalayan peaks, the scientists said in a paper published in the journal Nature.

They suggested the presence of permafrost at high altitude to be behind the giant rockslide.

Having massive implications for landscape evolution and natural hazards, they said, massive supplies of finely crushed sediments could have filled valleys more than 150 km downstream and overwhelm Himalayan rivers for more than a century.

Despite previous numerous studies on Himalayan erosion, the authors wrote, little is known about how the peaks of the Earths tallest and one of the most active mountain ranges erode and evolve. The shape and altitude of mountain peaks are constantly evolving in response to tectonic plate movements and erosion.

They said that the findings shed light on one potential mode of evolution of high Himalayan peaks and their abrupt erosion by large rockslides.

They called for future studies to assess the erosive contribution of giant rockslides on the long-term topographic evolution of these mountain ranges.
As Metas new Twitter competitor Threads has recently been released, Mark Zuckerberg has now revealed his opinion on why he believes Twitter failed - people on there arent friendly, or as Twitterati is taking it - they are just too mean. Since its launch on July 6, the text-based app has become the talk of the town and Zuckerberg is leaving no stones unturned to take this advantage. He has been replying to queries and users Threads, expressing his vision for Threads future.

However, one particular interaction captured the attention of a user. Mark Cuban, a user on the new social media platform, addressed Zuckerberg: Hey @zuck, are you sure you have to open this up to everyone? Its pretty nice right now. Amazing people on here."

Also Read: Threading Memes Go Viral As Users Look for Uploading Term on Twitters Clone Threads

In response, the Meta CEO stated, The goal is to keep it friendly as it expands. I think its possible and will ultimately be the key to its success. Thats one reason Twitter never succeeded as much as I think it should have, and we want to do it differently."

Post by @zuck View on Threads

This sparked a frenzy on Twitter as people began interpreting Zuckerbergs remarks as him calling Twitter users too mean. A user named @petergyang shared a screenshot of the conversation and commented, Zuck thinks Twitter never succeeded because people on here are too mean." Another user shared a similar screenshot and wrote, Mark Zuckerberg is such a loser."

Zuck thinks Twitter never succeeded because people on here are too mean pic.twitter.com/AnKi7lKJUm Peter Yang (@petergyang) July 6, 2023

Mark Zuckerberg is such a loser pic.twitter.com/i5wRaTdVXu Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) July 6, 2023

Some individuals speculated on Zuckerbergs intentions, saying, Zuckerbergs plan is very clear. The mechanism by which Threads will maintain friendliness is censorship. How else do you keep a place friendly?"

Zuckerbergs plan is very clear. The mechanism by which Threads will maintain friendliness" is censorship. How else do you keep a place friendly"? https://t.co/Du9ZEzsbgI Brusk Awat (@BruskAwat) July 6, 2023

On the other hand, some agreed with Zuckerbergs point of view. One person commented, Theres a lot that can be improved about Twitter, hes right. Its important for Twitter to have some competitive pressure." Another user wrote, Correct to some extent."

Theres lots that can be improved about twitter, hes right. Its important for twitter to haVe some competitive pressure James Limmer (@JamesLimmer) July 6, 2023

Hes right. This app is a cesspool of bros. Nuseir Yassin (@nasdaily) July 6, 2023

correct to some extend Equity | AlphaScan (@itsequity) July 6, 2023

In the midst of this, a heated rivalry between Zuckerberg and Musk has taken center stage on social media platforms.

Also Read: Did Mark Zuckerberg Drop An Update On Cage Fight With Elon Musk After Threads Launch?

People are choosing sides in this Zuck vs Musk trend, and memes have come to the rescue, adding a humourous twist to the situation.
YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson, popularly known as MrBeast, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first person to reach 1 million followers on the Threads app, a newly launched social media platform by Meta (formerly Facebook). In just over 24 hours since its launch, Threads has already gained a user base of over 30 million. Among these users, one million have chosen to follow MrBeast.

MrBeast, aged 25, accomplished this feat shortly after joining the app at around 9:42 am EST on July 6 (7:12 pm IST). His achievement has earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Also Read: YouTuber MrBeast is Going to Die in 3 Years, This Video is Proof

The moment MrBeasts follower count on Threads reached one million was captured in a video shared by the record-keeping company. In response to the video, MrBeast humourously commented, Shhhhh, dont let the Twitter police know Im cheating on them."

The moment @mrbeast reached one million followers on Threads(yes, this is how we monitored the record) (and yes, it drained the battery from our phone a lot) pic.twitter.com/PwzrUNPa2t  Guinness World Records (@GWR) July 6, 2023

Shhhhh, dont let the twitter police know Im cheating on them MrBeast (@MrBeast) July 6, 2023

MrBeast, who humourously identifies himself as the Future Threads CEO" in his bio, made sure to inform Metas CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, about his milestone. So, when Zuckerberg celebrated 10 million sign-ups on Meta within seven hours of the launch, he jokingly responded, Thats a lot more than 1."

Post by @mrbeast View on Threads

As of now, MrBeast has amassed 2.4 million followers on the Threads app, while Zuckerbergs follower count stands at 1.8 million.

The text-based app, launched as a competitor to Twitter, has gained widespread availability in over 100 countries, including major markets like the US, India, Britain, Japan, and Australia. Although Threads shares similarities with Twitter, such as the ability to post tweets and retweet content, its interface bears a resemblance to Instagram. Notably, the app does not incorporate hashtags or direct messaging functionalities, setting it apart from its counterparts in the social media realm.
At least 264 suspected gang members in Haiti have been killed by vigilante groups since April, the UN representative in the violence-wracked country said Thursday, voicing concern at the trend.

The appearance of vigilante groups adds another layer of complexity. Since April, BINUH (United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti) has documented the killing of at least 264 alleged gang members by vigilante groups," Maria Isabel Salvador told the Security Council.

Haitian police have been unable to quell the unprecedented violence by gangs that control much of the capital Port-au-Prince, and residents have begun to take matters into their own hands.

The Haitian people are trapped in a living nightmare," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres earlier in the day, who visited Port-au-Prince on Saturday.

Humanitarian conditions are beyond appalling. Brutal gangs have a stranglehold on the people of Haiti," he added. And there can be no lasting and inclusive political solutions without a drastic improvement of the security situation."

Guterres repeated his call to send an international force to support the police and dismantle" the gangs. This appeal, first launched in October, has gone unheeded.

While a few countries have indicated their willingness to participate, no country has volunteered to lead such an operation in a nation where numerous prior foreign interventions ended in failure.
The British government is responsible for the safety and security of Indian diplomats and missions in the country, officials told CNN-News18 on Friday. The Indian high commission in the United Kingdom will get full security, they added. The issue of the safety of the Indian high commission and Indian diplomats in the United Kingdom was discussed with the British national security adviser (NSA) and other officials, sources said.

The British side assured adequate safety and security of the high commission and the Indian diplomats in the UK, they added.

UK foreign secretary James Cleverly on Thursday had said that any direct attacks on the Indian high commission in London were completely unacceptable.

The real test of the British assurances would be how the UK authorities will deal with the Khalistani protesters who have planned a demonstration before the Indian high commission in London on Saturday.

On March 19, pro-Khalistan supporters tried to vandalise the Indian high commission in London and pulled down the national flag while holding protests. The incident came a day after Punjab Police launched a crackdown against radical preacher Amritpal Singh.

India had summoned the British deputy high commissioner in New Delhi for an explanation over the complete absence of security".

The ministry of external affairs had said that India finds unacceptable" the indifference of the UK government to the security of Indian diplomatic premises and personnel.

Intelligence officials have told CNN-News18 that the Khalistan movement has been under pressure following the deaths of three top leaders.

While Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed in Canada last month, reports of the murder of 63-year-old Pakistan-based Khalistani terrorist Paramjit Singh Panjwar surfaced in May. In June, Avtar Singh Khanda, a pro-Khalistan leader who planned an attack on the Indian embassy, died in the UK.
Both houses of Nepal's Parliament scheduled for Friday were postponed till Sunday as the main opposition party stuck to its demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" over his remarks that an Indian businessman settled here and made efforts to make him the premier.

Prachandas remarks that he made during a function to launch a book on Sardar Pritam Singh here have stirred up a storm and drawn criticism from several quarters.

"He (Singh) had once made efforts to make me the prime minister," Prachanda said. "He travelled to Delhi several times and held multiple rounds of talks with political leaders in Kathmandu to make me the prime minister," Prachanda said of the reported role of Singh, a pioneer trucking entrepreneur in Nepal.

The main Opposition party Communist Party of Nepal-(Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML), has demanded the prime minister's resignation saying that his remarks had undermined the prestige and independence of the country.

The CPN-UML Chairperson and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli demanded the prime minister's resignation from the post, saying that his remarks had undermined the national dignity and independence of the country.

Meanwhile, the ruling alliance members, including the Nepali Congress and CPN-Unified Socialist, backed Prachanda. At a meeting held at the Prime Ministers residence at Baluwatar on Thursday, decided that Prachanda would face the Parliament rather than resigning from his post.

Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) Rajendra Pandey said the ruling alliance stood behind Prachanda and added that if the opposition parties had any complaints against the prime minister, they could seek a response from him in Parliament.

CPN-UML lawmakers obstructed the National Assembly's meeting on Friday over the prime minister's remarks and stood from their respective seats as a gesture of protest.

Parliamentarian Bimala Ghimire said that Prachanda's remarks about an individual and a foreign country taking initiatives to elect the prime minister were against the country's Constitution and sovereignty.

Ghimire asserted the National Assembly meetings could not be taken forward unless Prachanda tenders his resignation.

The House of Representatives meeting was also postponed until Sunday, following the disruption by opposition parties the CPN-UML, the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)  over Prachanda's remarks.

Prachanda, 68, was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal for a third time on December 26 last year.

Meanwhile, Prachanda's Press Adviser Govinda Acharya issued a press note stating that the opposition parties were blowing the prime minister's remarks out of proportion.

He said that Prachanda was trying to express the emotional bond he shared with the Indian businessman, but the opposition was blowing the prime minister's remarks out of proportion to serve their political interests.

He said Prachanda's elder daughter Gyanu Dahal stayed at Singh's house in New Delhi when she underwent cancer treatment.

Prachanda's party, the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC), also issued press releases condemning the CPN-UML's protest, accusing it of propagating rumours.

The party said Prachanda and Singh shared emotional bonds, and the former's remarks were aimed at highlighting the sincere feelings of the latter, who wanted to see him become the prime minister.

In an oblique reference to Oli, the CPN-MC claimed in its release that people knew well the repeated dissolution of the House of Representatives after (Oli's) midnight meeting with the Indian RAW chief, scuttling the government's attempt to make laws in favour of the people, and the main Opposition party's irresponsible attitude against the government's investigation into old corruption cases were attacks on the new political gains.

"Our party strongly condemns the tendency of fishing in muddy water and looking for a chance to bash others," CPN-MC Spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara stated, making a veiled reference to the CPN-UML.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and IT Rekha Sharma said that the present coalition government was not going to collapse despite the resignation sought by opposition parties over Prachanda's remarks.

The government enjoys full support from the people as it is working against corruption and to fulfil the aspiration of the Nepalese people, she said.

The Opposition, mainly the CPN-UML, unnecessarily sought the prime ministers resignation over his remarks at a time when the government was working to bring laws against the loan sharks and taking strong measures to eradicate corruption, she pointed out.

Meanwhile, an editorial in The Kathmandu Post titled "Think before you speak" said that Prachanda's remarks were against Nepal's sovereignty and the people's mandate.

"No matter how the prime ministers damage-control machinery tries to play down what he has said, Dahals statement has dishonoured the sovereignty of Nepals Parliament and the electoral mandate of the people who elected him to power," the editorial said.

Calling Prachanda's remarks "callous" it said that opposition parties were right in "seeking a sensible explanation from the prime minister, as an individual holding the nations most important executive portfolio cannot get away with a strategically sensitive remark like the one Dahal made." It added that the prime ministers tongue-in-cheek remark has already fuelled the fire in a political culture high on rabble-rousing and low on content.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday urged his British counterpart, Sir Tim Barrow, to take strong and decisive public action such as deportation or legal prosecution against extremist elements in the UK who have been threatening officers of the Indian High Commission.

During their meeting in New Delhi, the two National Security Advisers engaged in restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest, according to an official statement. The one-on-one talks was followed by delegation level dialogue attended by senior Indian and UK government officials.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in addressing violent extremism and radicalisation. There can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalization in a democracy," the statement read.

The discussions came after pro-Khalistan groups recently released posters inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats in the UK, as well as in the US, Canada, and Australia. In response, India has formally requested these countries to ensure the safety and security of Indian diplomats and their missions.

This was followed by the delegation level talks where both the countries reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and agreed to further enhancing of security linkages.

Areas of focus included counterterrorism, terror financing, the use of the internet for terror purposes, drug trafficking, and counter radicalization. Additionally, India and the UK agreed to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

Barrow is currently on a visit to India to attend the India-UK Strategic Dialogue meeting with Doval. He is also slated to meet other Indian officials during his visit.
An accountability court on Thursday said that a 34-year-old case against former prime minister Nawaz Sharif was reopened during the Imran Khan regime for political victimisation and to damage his reputation, the Dawn said.

The court acquitted Sharif of all charges leading his party, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) (PML-N) to say that it was vindication of the party chief.

Under the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) regime in 2020, the Pakistan National Accountability Bureau (NAB) filed a reference alleging that Jang Group owner Mir Shakilur Rehman got 54 plots of land in Lahores Johar Town in an illegal manner with the help of the then chief minister of Punjab, Nawaz Sharif, in 1986. Nawaz Sharif, allegedly, made monetary gains in the deal.

The record reflects that the accused Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had become the victim of political victimisation, and perhaps the NAB authorities were constrained to prepare the reference at the behest of the then ruling junta to damage and destroy the political career and goodwill of the accused who had been three-time elected prime minister of Pakistan, the verdict said.

Sharif was cleared of any wrongdoing on June 24 through a short-order. Mir Shakilur Rehman and two other highly-placed civic administration officials were also acquitted earlier this year.

Following the verdict, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his cabinet minister Marriyum Aurangzeb lashed out at Imran Khans government for deliberately implicating the PML-N supremo.

Aurangzeb said that the PTI regime pressured the NAB to create false cases against Nawaz Sharif. Sharif said that the case was filed to cause political damage to his elder brother. Today, the accountability court had affirmed that Nawaz Sharif was targeted for political vengeance, Aurangzeb was quoted as saying by the Dawn. She said that NAB-Niazi nexus targeted political opponents of the PTI chief.

She further claimed that a senior editor of a media house was arrested to ensure that the mainstream media reflected the sentiments of the then-government and portray Nawaz Sharif in a bad light.

It remains unclear whether the acquittal will act as a precursor for the return of Nawaz Sharif who is currently in London. Nawaz was convicted in a corruption case and has been living in London since 2019 on the pretext of ill health.
Popular adult website Pornhub has taken the step to block access to users from the US states of Mississippi and Virginia over the recently passed laws mandating age verification for porn sites.

Similar legislation was implemented in Louisiana earlier this year. Instead of employing age checks, MindGeek, the Luxembourg-based company that owns Pornhub, has chosen to prohibit access altogether.

We have made the difficult decision to fully block our site in Virginia and Mississippi, as we have also recently done in Utah. We are sorry to let our loyal visitors in these states down but have opted to comply with the newly effective law in this way because it is ineffective and worse, will put both user privacy and children at risk," Pornhub said in a statement, a copy of which was posted on their Twitter.

The only solution that makes the internet safer preserves user privacy and stands to prevent children from accessing adult content is performing age verification at the source: on the device," the statement added.

Concerns have been raised by internet privacy advocates regarding the security of age verification tools, which require personal information sharing.

US states are increasingly going out on their own to regulate online activity, with national lawmaking all but blocked in a bitterly divided Washington. Texas and Montana, are set to implement related legislation in the near future.

Read more: After Pornhub Blocks US State of Utah, VPN Searches Shoot Up

Earlier in May, Pornhub pulled the plug in Utah over a law that requires visitors to the site to prove their age with government-issued ID.

Shortly after that, internet workarounds surged in popularity in the western US state as users sought alternatives to access the adult streaming platform.

Google data showed that searches for VPN access spiked in the state, becoming the most popular search item in Utah in the hours after the law came into effect.

Pornhub is instead promoting a device-based verification," where users could guarantee their age through their smartphone, computer or tablet.
The Swedish government could be open the amending the protest law after the public burning of the Quran in Stockholm led to backlash from Muslim nations and followers across the world.

Last month, Salwan Momika, an Iraq-born refugee burnt a Quran outside Swedish capital Stockholms main mosque late June during the festival of Eid al-Adha. Gunnar Strommer told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet that the incident has made Sweden a target for jihadist violence.

We have seen arrests in Sweden on suspicion of preparation for a terrorist offence. There have been arrests in Germany on suspicion of preparation for a terrorist offence against Sweden in the light of this. We can also see that the burning of the Quran last week has generated threats to our internal security, Gunnar Strommer was quoted as saying by Aftonbladet.

Strommer said Sweden must analyse the legal situation in the light of the current events and said the Swedish government is currently analysing the situation and will return with conclusions.

The incident is expected to concern Sweden as it eyes NATO membership and Turkey is unhappy with how the Swedish government handled the situation. Turkey has blocked Swedens bid and alleges that Stockholm houses elements that Ankara considers terrorists.

The fact that the Swedish security system is incapable of preventing provocations and is presenting an image of a (country) that brings problems to NATO instead of more power is making us think in terms of the strategic and security aspects, Turkish foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, said earlier this week.

Turkey itself has strayed from its secular roots and conservative groups inside the nation wants to hold Sweden accountable.

Iran, Saudi Arabia and Iraq unanimously condemned the incident and Morocco recalled its ambassador from Sweden.

In Pakistan, Christian minorities have received threats as Momika is an Iraqi Christian. It also passed a legislation demanding Sweden to take steps against those involved in the desecration of the holy book.

In Baghdad, a crowd of protesters also entered the compound of the Swedish embassy and had to be dispersed by security forces.

Authorities gave permission for Momikas protest but later launched a probe saying that they are investigation his protest act as a stunt or potential act of agitation against an ethnic group.

(with inputs from Euronews)
A high-level Australian inquiry called on Friday for criminal or civil action to be taken over a government scheme that sent false debt repayment demands to more than 400,000 welfare recipients.

The robodebt" scandal caused such distress to job seekers, pensioners, students and carers that some considered suicide. It allegedly pushed two young men to take their own lives.

The scheme ran from 2015 to 2019 under Australias former conservative government, and was most notably promoted by ex-prime minister Scott Morrison.

Current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who set up a royal commission into the affair after his centre-left Labor Party won elections in May 2022, described it on Friday as a gross betrayal and a human tragedy".

It was wrong, it was illegal, it should never have happened and it should never happen again," he said.

This tragedy caused stress, anxiety, financial destitution and sadly had a very real human toll."

But the prime minister would not be drawn on whether Morrison should resign as a member of parliament, saying: Thats a matter for him.

I think that these findings make it clear that Scott Morrisons defence of this scheme and all the governments actions over such a long period of time were, to quote the report, based upon a falsehood."

In her report, which runs for more than 900 pages, Royal Commissioner Catherine Holmes said an additional sealed chapter sent to federal authorities recommends referral of individuals for civil action or criminal prosecution".

The names of those people should be kept secret, she said, so as not to prejudice the conduct of any future civil action or criminal prosecution".

The robodebt" scheme used income averaging  comparing a persons reported income with their income as measured by the Australian Tax Office  to automatically issue notices to welfare recipients saying they would have to repay some of the benefits they had received.

But the system was faulty and resulted in the unlawful claiming of almost Aus$2 billion (US$1.32 billion) from 433,000 people.

Morrison, who was social services minister at the time the scheme was rolled out, was criticised a number of times in the report.

Holmes said he had allowed cabinet to be misled" and had failed to meet his ministerial responsibility to ensure that cabinet was properly informed about what the proposal actually entailed and to ensure that it was lawful".

A class action was settled in November 2020, with the government agreeing to pay Aus$112 million (US$74 million) in compensation to around 400,000 people.
Indian-American lawmaker Ro Khanna on Friday condemned the vandalism and attempted arson at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco, stating that violence against diplomatic facilities will not be tolerated."

In a statement issued by co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, Khanna urged the US State Department to expedite the probe into the attack against the Indian mission and hold those involved accountable.

As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating of social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," the India Caucus said.

As co-chairs of the India Caucus, @RepWaltzPress and I condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Fransisco along with the recent violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats. Our statement: pic.twitter.com/lTOUMsqpSL Rep. Ro Khanna (@RepRoKhanna) July 6, 2023

In the wake of recent threats issued against Indian diplomats, the Caucus said, We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American, but that is not a license to vandalize property or incite violence."

Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offense and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," the statement added.

The Indian mission in San Francisco was subjected to arson during the early hours of Sunday morning. This is the second attack on the consulate by Khalistan supporters in a span of five months. The first attack was in March.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 posted on Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian Consulate.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the US administration has responded promptly at very senior levels. Safety of our diplomats and security of our missions is of utmost priority to the government, Bagchi said during a weekly briefing.

According to an official, Khalistani groups in the US will no longer be characterised as protesters and the recent attacks on Indian missions will fall under the ambit of criminality.

Read More: US No Longer Considers Khalistani Groups Protesters, FBI Action Likely on San Francisco Consulate Attack

The FBI is reportedly planning action as per criminal laws against such groups and has named the persons it seeks to target. In the past, activities of such pro-Khalistan groups have been explained away by the US as freedom of expression.

The Government of India and intelligence agencies are following up with counterparts in US government and FBI. In India, too, we are going to file a case regarding the attack and it will be investigated by a federal agency, an official said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday said that Kyiv wanted honesty" in its ties with NATO, as he began a tour of countries ahead of a key summit of the Western military bloc.

Zelensky is seeking NATO accession for his country, which has been battling a Russian invasion since February 2022, and has said that Kyiv wants to receive an invitation" to join the bloc at next weeks summit in Lithuania.

We need honesty in our ties," Zelensky told reporters in Prague, alongside Czech President Petr Pavel. He said it was time to demonstrate the courage and strength of this alliance."

We need this motivation," he added.

Zelensky said that Ukraines counteroffensive was not fast" but Kyivs troops were advancing.

The offensive is not fast, thats a fact. But nevertheless, we are advancing, not retreating, like Russians," Zelensky told reporters. We now have the initiative," he said.

The summit is expected to take decisions to establish a NATO-Ukraine council and individual allies will provide security guarantees to Kyiv, including economic and military assistance.

Zelensky urged NATO to show its strength and unity" ahead of its summit in Vilnius, calling on it to give Ukraine a clear signal".

Ukraine does not have an invitation in one form or another," Zelensky said.

Pavel, a former head of the NATO Military Committee, said Ukraine should start NATO accession talks as soon as the war is over.

Ukraine will sit there alongside NATO countries as equals, and the communication between NATO and Ukraine will reach a new level," Pavel said.

He also hailed Ukraines efforts, saying the country has not only launched a counteroffensive, but it has shown that Russia is by far not as strong as it was trying to make itself seem to us all."

Earlier Thursday Zelensky paid a visit to Bulgaria, a major arms maker and ally, meeting Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and President Rumen Radev for talks.

On Friday, the Ukrainian president will meet Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and parliament speakers, before heading to Turkey for his first visit since Russias invasion and talks with counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Zelensky said on Telegram the talks would focus on the security of our countries and our entire Europe, defense support and defense cooperation".

Bulgaria and Ukraine also signed a joint declaration on the Euro-Atlantic integration of the war-torn country and a memorandum of cooperation in the field of energy.

- Kremlin criticism -

Zelenskys visit came as Bulgaria was preparing to approve sending military aid directly to Ukraine, reversing its former practice of delivering arms to Kyiv via third countries.

He told reporters in Sofia that slow weapons deliveries to Ukraine delayed Kyivs planned counteroffensive, allowing Russia to bolster its defences in occupied areas.

The Kremlin meanwhile criticised Zelenskys visit to Sofia, saying the Ukrainian leader was trying to drag" other countries into the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv.

Many countries have already plunged headlong into this conflict, both directly and indirectly. This topic will be discussed with the Bulgarians," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Bulgaria  an EU and NATO member but historically and culturally close to Moscow  has been deeply divided over the issue of sending arms to Kyiv.

But its munitions factories have been running at full capacity since Russias invasion of Ukraine and arms exports from Bulgaria trebled to an estimated $4.3 billion in 2022 over the previous record set in 2017.

Until now, third countries acted as intermediaries to deliver weapons to Ukraine from Bulgaria, hailed as a major supplier early into the conflict by Ukrainian authorities.

The Czech Republic has also provided Ukraine with hefty humanitarian and military aid since the invasion began.

The Czech Republic has sent over aircraft, tanks and armoured vehicles, among other items, and welcomed nearly half a million war refugees from Ukraine.

Pavel said military aid from Prague to Kyiv was worth over $2 billion.
Governors of Wisconsin have an unusual "partial veto" power that allows them to remove letters, numbers, and punctuation from legislationand Gov. Tony Evers used it this week to extend a public school funding increase for an extra 400 years. The Democratic governor removed the "20" and the hyphen from a reference to the 2024-25 school year in a two-year budget bill, extending a $325-per-student annual increase until 2425, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. The governor made dozens of other changes to the bill sent to him from the Republican-controlled legislature, including the removal of a tax cut for the state's wealthiest residents.

It would take a two-thirds supermajority for the state legislature to override Evers' veto and Republicans don't have enough votes. The partial veto power was introduced in a 1930 constitutional amendment and there has been a "longstanding act of gamesmanship" over the budget, with lawmakers attempting to write legislation immune to "creative" uses of the veto, the AP reports. In 2017, then-Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, used the partial veto to extend a state program from 2018 to 3018. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, a Republican who was in power from 1987 to 2001, was fond of the so-called "Vanna White" veto, which allowed him to strike letters inside words to make new words, but voters removed that power in 1990.

In 2008, voters also removed the "Frankenstein" veto power, barring governors from creating new sentences from parts of other sentences. Republicans are threatening legal challenges to Evers' latest use of the partial veto, though former Gov. Jim Doyle, a Democrat, describes the move as "masterful" and something that Republicans should have seen coming, the AP reports. Doyle notes that Evers has effectively restored an automatic school funding increase that was introduced in the 1990s and removed by Walker decades later. (Read more Wisconsin stories.)
Finland became the 31st member of NATO earlier this year. Neighbor Sweden's hopes of becoming the 32nd this month continue to run into a wall of opposition otherwise known as Turkey. All members of the alliance must agree to any new members, explains the Wall Street Journal , and Sweden's bid for membership is currently opposed by Hungary and Turkey. However, Hungary has suggested that if Turkey changes its mind, it will do the same, meaning it's all up to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, per the New York Times .

Erdogan's main objection is that he accuses Sweden of harboring Kurdish militants that Turkey regards as terrorists. Sweden says it has addressed the concerns in a new anti-terror law (a measure that has drawn protests in Sweden), but the law doesn't appear to have satisfied Erdogan. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the two sides are closer after talks on Thursday, and he, Erdogan, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will meet Monday in Lithuaniaon the eve of a NATO summit there, reports the AP.

"We all agreed that we have made good progress," said Stoltenberg. "We all agreed that the full membership of Sweden is in the security interests of all allies, and we all want to conclude this process as soon as possible." Both Sweden and Finland applied for membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the addition of Sweden would give the alliance a "united front" against Russia, per the Times. That applies both symbolically and geographically, as the Journal explains in a video. (Read more Sweden stories.)
A Canadian farmer is out more than $61,000 after a judge in Saskatchewan ruled that a thumbs-up emoji he sent a client amounted to a contractual agreementwhich the farmer then failed to deliver on. Kent Mickleborough, a grain buyer, first texted in March of 2021 regarding an order of 94 tons of flax at about $13 a bushel for delivery in November, the CBC reports. He later spoke to farmer Chris Achter on the phone about the order, and still later texted Achter a picture of a contract for the November delivery along with the message, "please confirm flax contract." That's when Achter sent the thumbs-up emoji. The flax, however, was not delivered in November, which is when Mickleborough took the matter to court, the BBC reports.
Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to several US drone aircraft over Syria again Thursday, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers, the Air Force said. It was the second time in 24 hours that Russia has harassed US drones there, the AP reports. "We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behavior and adhere to the standards of behavior expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS," Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, head of US Air Forces Central Command, said in a statement.

The Defense Department said Russian fighter jets harassed US drones over Syria for nearly two hours on Friday, the third time this week the nations' forces had a close encounter. "Russian aircraft flew 18 unprofessional close passes that caused the MQ-9s to react to avoid unsafe situations," US Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich said in a statement, CNN reports. "We continue to encourage Russia to return to the established norms of a professional Air Force," he added, in the interest of defeating ISIS forces. France's military has reported a similar encounter, saying Russian fighters had a "non-professional interaction" with two of its Rafale fighter jets on Thursday.

Col. Michael Andrews, Air Forces Central Command spokesman, said "the Russian harassment} lasted nearly an hour. "So it wasn't a quick fly-by, but much more of a sustained and unprofessional interaction," Andrews said. US Air Forces Central released videos of the incidents. In the first, on Wednesday morning local time in Northwest Syria, Russian SU-35 fighters closed in on a Reaper, and one of the Russian pilots moved their aircraft in front of a drone and engaged the SU-35's afterburner, which greatly increases its speed and air pressure. The jet blast from the afterburner can damage the Reaper's electronics, and Grynkewich said it reduced the drone operator's ability to safely operate the aircraft. Later, a number of the so-called parachute flares moved into the drone's flight path. The flares are attached to parachutes.

In the second incident, over Northwest Syria on Thursday morning, "Russian aircraft dropped flares in front of the drones and flew dangerously close, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved," Grynkewich said. The drones were not armed with weapons and are commonly used for reconnaissance missions. Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of US Central Command, said in a statement that Russia's violation of ongoing efforts to clear the airspace over Syria "increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation." The Guardian posted the Defense Department footage here. About 900 US forces are deployed to Syria to aid in the fight against Islamic State militants there.

(Read more US-Russia relations stories.)
A 31-year-old father of four driving for Lyft was shot to death in Washington, DC, during an apparent botched robbery, say police. And the death of Nasrat Ahmad Yar around midnight on Monday has another tragic aspect: Ahmad Yar is from Afghanistan, where he worked as an interpreter for US troops, reports CNN . When the Taliban took over the country in 2021, he emigrated to the US with his family, fearing for his life. "He served this countrythis country, not even his countryway more than I did and I'm a 27-year veteran and I have six tours," Army Special Forces veteran Matthew Butler tells FOX 5 . Butler served two of his tours with Ahmad Yar.

DC police have not made any arrests, but they released video of four people, possibly male teenagers, running from the scene after a gunshot. WUSA9 provides a jarring snippet of captured dialogue: "You killed him," says one of those fleeing the scene. "He was reaching, bro," is the response. Ahmad Yar had been living in Alexandria, Virginia, for about a year. He had first moved to Philadelphia, but left that city feeling unsafe after being robbed at gunpoint. "He was so happy he got a new car because he could take care of his family," friend Rahim Amini tells WUSA9. Ahmad Yar's four children range in age from 15 months to 13 years. Friends have set up a GoFundMe for the family; Ahmad Yar was their sole provider and was still sending money to family in Afghanistan. (Read more fatal shooting stories.)
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen appealed to China's No. 2 leader not to let frustration over US curbs on access to processor chips and other technology disrupt economic cooperation during a visit Friday aimed at improving strained relations. Meeting with Premier Li Qiang, the AP reports that Yellen said Washington and Beijing have a duty to cooperate on issues that affect the world. She appealed for "regular channels of communication" at a time when relations are at their lowest in decades due to disputes over technology, security, and other irritants. Yellen is one of several senior US officials due to visit Beijing to encourage Chinese leaders to revive interactions between governments of the two largest economies. Treasury officials said earlier she wouldn't meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and no breakthroughs were expected.

Yellen defended "targeted actions," a reference to curbs on Chinese access to advanced processor chips and other technology, saying they are needed to protect national security.

"You may disagree," Yellen said. "But we should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that needlessly worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationships." Yellen appealed for "healthy economic competition," a reference to complaints Beijing is stepping up use of subsidies and market barriers to protect its companies. "A fair set of rules will benefit both of our countries," Yellen said. "We also face important global challenges where the United States and China have a duty to both countries but also to the world to cooperate."

Li expressed optimism that conditions might improve but gave no indication of possible changes in Chinese policies that have irked Washington and its trading partners. Referring to a rainbow that was spotted after Yellen's plane landed Thursday in rainy weather, Li said, "after a round of wind and rain, we will definitely see more rainbows." The Chinese finance ministry called Yellen's visit a "concrete measure" toward carrying out an agreement by Xi and President Biden during a meeting in November to improve relations. It mentioned no initiatives and called on Washington to make the first move. "There will be no winners in trade wars or 'decoupling and broken chains,'" the ministry said in a statement. "We hope the United States will take concrete actions to create a favorable environment for the healthy development of economic and trade relations." (Read more Janet Yellen stories.)
One political fight emerged over the July 4th holiday, and it's still percolating. After ice cream makers Ben & Jerry's called for the return of Mount Rushmore to Indigenous people, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem fired back on Fox News. "I'm not going to listen to a bunch of liberal Vermont businessmen who think they know everything about this country and haven't studied our history," said the conservative Republican. She said the four presidents on the monumentGeorge Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln"led us through some challenging times" and the monument itself is "the greatest symbol of our freedom," per the Hill.
Try as he might, Ron DeSantis can't seem to gain any ground on former President Trump in the polls. So much so that the spokesman for the main super PAC supporting the Florida governor delivered an unusually frank assessment of the race by referring to Trump as the "runaway frontrunner," reports the Hill. "Right now in national polling we are way behind, I'll be the first to admit that," said Steve Cortes of the Never Back Down super PAC. DeSantis, he added, had an "uphill battle" ahead of him. A look at related coverage:

Blame game: In an interview with Fox News, DeSantis blamed his poll numbers on the media, notes Florida Politics. "Well, I think if you look at the people like the corporate media, who are they going after, who do they not want to be the nominee?" he asked. "They're going after me."

In an interview with Fox News, DeSantis blamed his poll numbers on the media, notes Florida Politics. "Well, I think if you look at the people like the corporate media, who are they going after, who do they not want to be the nominee?" he asked. "They're going after me." Blame game, II: In the same interview, DeSantis also faulted Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for calling on US citizens not to vote for him. "Who's the president of Mexico attacking because he knows we'll be strong on the border and hold him accountable in the cartels?" DeSantis asked. "He's going after me."
A white gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack on Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart in a Texas border city was sentenced Friday to 90 consecutive life sentences but could still face more punishment, including the death penalty. Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty earlier this year to nearly 50 federal hate crime charges in the 2019 mass shooting in El Paso, making it one of the US government's largest hate crime cases. Crusius, wearing a jumpsuit and shackles, showed no visible reaction as the verdict was read, per the AP . Police say Crusius drove more than 700 miles from his home near Dallas to target Hispanics with an AK-style rifle inside and outside the store. Moments before the attack began, Crusius posted a racist screed online that warned of a Hispanic "invasion" of Texas.

Crusius pleaded guilty in February after federal prosecutors took the death penalty off the table. But Texas prosecutors have said they will try to put Crusius on death row when he stands trial in state court. That trial date has not yet been set. Joe Spencer, Crusius' attorney, told the judge before the sentencing that his client had a "broken brain" and that he had lost touch with reality. "Patrick's thinking is at odds with reality  resulting in delusional thinking," Spencer told the court. The sentencing by US District Judge David Guaderrama in El Paso followed two days of impact statements from relatives of the victims, including citizens of Mexico.

One by one, family members used their first opportunity since the shooting to directly address Crusius, describing how their lives have been upended by grief and pain. Some forgave Crusius. One man displayed photographs of his slain father, insisting that the gunman look at them. Bertha Benavides' husband of 34 years, Arturo, was among those killed. "You left children without their parents, you left spouses without their spouses, and we still need them," she told Crusius. In addition to the dead, more than two dozen people were injured and numerous others were severely traumatized as they hid or fled.

(Read more El Paso shooting stories.)
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TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

High-ranking officials from Bahrain and the GCC Railways Authority yesterday reviewed the progress in establishing the rail link between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia via the King Hamad Causeway.

The meeting focused on updates regarding the transitional phase of the King Hamad Causeway project and the construction of the railway track leading to the King Hamad International Station in Al Ramli.

Officials also examined in detail the engineering designs and meeting points along the railway line connecting the two nations. Present during the discussion were Hussein Ali Yaqoub, Assistant Undersecretary of Land Transportation at the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, and the GCC Railways Authority, led by Nasser Hamad Al Qahtani and Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Samaani.

Established in 2022, the GCC Railways Authority holds the responsibility of shaping the overall policy for the GCC railway network. It also plays a vital role in coordinating among member states to ensure the implementation and operation of the railway project.
China will ban the import of food from about one-fifth of Japanese prefectures for safety reasons, Chinese customs said on Friday, citing Japan's move to discharge nuclear contaminated water into the sea.

China, the biggest buyer of Japan's seafood exports, said it would also strictly review the documents for food, especially aquatic products, from other parts of Japan, customs said in a statement.

China customs said it would continuously strengthen the detection and monitoring of radioactive substances to ensure the safety of food imported from Japan in banning food from 10 prefectures.

The move was to prevent the export of radioactive contaminated Japanese food to China and protect the food safety of Chinese consumers' imports, China said.
Bloomberg - Jul 22

Fujitsu is trialling its new dog office until the end of the year at its building in Kawasaki, about a half an hour by train from central Tokyo, as a way to improve employee well-being and productivity.
, Jul 08 ( WION ) - If you despise the burden of baggage and prefer to travel light, Japan Airlines has a groundbreaking solution for you. The airline now offers the option to fly to Japan without cumbersome suitcases, thanks to a new initiative that encourages travellers to leave their luggage behind.

Instead, passengers can rent clothes during their stay in the country, promoting sustainable tourism and providing convenience, reported the Financial Times.

This trial project, in collaboration with Sumitomo Corp, aims to reduce aircraft weight, fuel consumption, and ultimately carbon dioxide emissions. The experiment will run from July 5th, 2023, until August 2024.

The concept, known as "Any Wear, Anywhere," allows passengers to select outfits of their choice and size through a dedicated website before boarding their Japan Airlines flight.

Travellers are only required to pack their undergarments and a toothbrush, leaving the bulky suitcases behind. Through the website, they can choose up to eight outfits, tailored to seasonal needs, for a duration of two weeks. ...continue reading
Japan's nuclear regulators have approved a new system to release treated and diluted water into the ocean from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This means all logistical preparations have been completed.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority on Friday granted plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company a certificate that allows it to run the system.

The approval was given after NRA officials inspected the system that includes pumps to take in massive seawater and emergency shut-off valves.

Inspectors concluded that there were no performance problems.

Water used to cool molten nuclear fuel at the Fukushima Daiichi plant mixes with rain and groundwater. The accumulated water is treated to remove most radioactive substances, but still contains tritium.

The government plans to dilute the water to reduce the tritium level to about one-seventh of the World Health Organization's safety guidelines for drinking water.

The International Atomic Energy Agency on Tuesday said Japan's plan to release the treated and diluted water is consistent with the international safety standards.

The government plans to start releasing the water sometime this summer. The exact start date is yet to be decided, but local fishery workers and others are concerned about reputational damage to their businesses. ...continue reading
, Jul 08 ( Nikkei ) - Japan's 10 trillion yen ($70 billion) university endowment fund is off to a rough start, posting a deficit of 60.4 billion yen -- about $420 million -- for its first full fiscal year, which ended in March.

The fund debuted in 2022, with the goal of providing subsidies for Japanese universities to help them rank among the best in the world. It is run by the education ministry's Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), which announced the results on Friday. ...continue reading
Moderna, the United States-based pharmaceuticals manufacturer, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with authorities in Shanghai on Wednesday, marking the company's first investment on the Chinese mainland.

Under the agreement among the Shanghai Commission of Economy and Informatization, the district government of Minhang and Moderna, the parties will collaborate on investment, research and development, production and commercialization in the biomedical sector, it was announced by the Minhang district government on Thursday.

The company's first investment project on the Chinese mainland will involve setting up an R&D base in Minhang and conducting clinical trials on new medicines to put its products on the market, and produce and sell them in China.

Moderna has registered a biotech company in Minhang district and established its Chinese headquarters there. It plans to set up several wholly-owned subsidiaries under the Chinese headquarters, which will cover investment management, R&D, sales, production and to build a plant to improve its capability in R&D.

Shanghai Party Chief Chen Jining met with Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel on Wednesday and briefed him on the latest developments in the biomedical industry in the city. Chen pointed out that biomedicine is one of the three new leading industries in the city and has already achieved a comparatively complete industrial chain.

Chen hopes the cooperation will propel more advanced technology and innovative products to be born in Shanghai. He also promised the city will continue to form a top-level business environment offering enterprises efficient and convenient services.

Bancel, who visited Shanghai in April, said he has been impressed by China and Shanghai's determination and action to accelerate the biochemical industry.

As one of the world's leading mRNA vaccine developers, Moderna focuses on cancer immunotherapy, including mRNA-based medicine R&D and virus prevention technologies.

Last year, the company reported total revenue of $19.2 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.29 percent.
OTTAWA, ON, July 6, 2023 /CNW/ - As wildfire seasons become longer and more extreme, the Government of Canada is focused on keeping people safe while strengthening our long-term response. Canada faces a current wildfire season that has already been the most severe in its history. Alongside our international partners, we are committed to strengthening cross-border cooperation and wildland fire resource sharing.

That's why Elise Racicot, Ambassador of Canada to Portugal, and Tiago Oliveira, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management of the Portuguese Republic, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen Canada and Portugal's cooperation on combating and mitigating wildland fires and protecting communities in the face of climate changedriven threats.

The signing of this arrangement between Natural Resources Canada and the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management of the Portuguese Republic facilitates more effective and efficient mutual wildfire assistance between the two countries by:

setting out procedures for the exchange of wildfire fighting resources; and

establishing a framework that encourages reciprocal support and cooperation.

This arrangement sets out how resources can be exchanged between Portugal and Canada, providing enhanced protection by making it more efficient for resources to cross international borders to suppress wildfires in the other country.

As Portugal is recognized internationally by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development as a leader in wildland fire management transformation and innovation, this MOU will also provide for increased knowledge sharing, including the potential to accelerate training and technology transfer, science and prevention strategies.

This arrangement, and other initiatives like it, show how international collaboration can help countries manage the increasing challenges of extreme weather events in the face of climate change.

Canada and Portugal will continue to work together to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change on both sides of the Atlantic, protecting communities, livelihoods and our shared environment for generations to come.

Quotes

"In the face of the most severe wildfire season in history, our top priority will always be keeping Canadians safe. This arrangement with the Portuguese Republic will ensure effective cooperation on both sides of the Atlantic, advancing our joint efforts to protect livelihoods and communities from intense wildfires."

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources

"The cooperation in wildland fire management and combat between Canada and Portugal has been developing over several years, and this memorandum is another step and a key milestone in formalizing that cooperation. Further to the sharing of resources, it will contribute to the exchange of experiences and exposure to different working models and intervention philosophies, allowing both countries to strengthen their capacity to prevent and fight wildland fires. International collaboration with friendly and ally countries such as Portugal will be key in our joint efforts to protect our communities and ecosystems."

Elise Racicot

Ambassador of Canada to Portugal

"Portugal and Canada already have a history of sharing resources, as was recently the case with the dispatch of 140 Portuguese operatives to support the firefighting efforts in various Canadian provinces. The signing of this memorandum will further strengthen the mutual assistance between the two countries in managing rural fires, allowing for the exchange of knowledge, research and resources for prevention and suppression. With the North Atlantic Wildfire Cooperation, both nations will be better prepared to jointly protect nature and their citizens."

Tiago Oliveira

Chair of the Board of Directors for the Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management of the Portuguese Republic

Quick Facts

Countries are increasingly dependent on each other to provide mutual aid during wildfire emergencies; Canada requires support from international partners most years and has benefited from such assistance in the recent past.

requires support from international partners most years and has benefited from such assistance in the recent past. Memoranda of understanding are important instruments to request and receive wildland fire management resources from other countries and to facilitate cooperation on wildland fire management-related activities.

In addition to the MOU signed today, Canada has wildfire arrangements with six other countries: Australia , Costa Rica , Mexico , New Zealand , South Africa and the United States .

has wildfire arrangements with six other countries: , , , , and . On June 23, 2023 , Canada and the United States of America signed an arrangement that strengthens the two countries' long-standing cooperation to combat wildland fires and protect communities in the face of this climate changedriven threat.

, and that strengthens the two countries' long-standing cooperation to combat wildland fires and protect communities in the face of this climate changedriven threat. On June 27, 2023 , the Government of Canada launched the National Adaptation Strategy that lays out an agreed-upon framework to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters such as wildfires, improve health outcomes, protect nature and biodiversity, build and maintain resilient infrastructure, and support a strong economy and workers.

Related Information

Follow us on Twitter: @NRCan ( http://twitter.com/nrcan )

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

For further information: Natural Resources Canada, Media Relations, 343-292-6100, [email protected];Keean Nembhard, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Natural Resources, 613-323-7892, [email protected]; Agency for Integrated Rural Fire Management of the Portuguese Republic, Media Relations, +351 969 780 481, [email protected]
Over $65 million invested in Parks Canada's National Fire Management Program since 2021

BANFF NATIONAL PARK, AB, July 6, 2023 /CNW/ - Climate change is causing wildfires to become more frequent and more severe across Canada, threatening our health, economies, and wildlife.

Today, the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced the upgrading of a National Fire Equipment Cache in Banff National Park, through the construction of a new facility that will act as a central equipment storage location and augment equipment reserves across the country.

Specialized fire management equipment will be maintained in a state of readiness where it can be quickly deployed to Parks Canada administered places across Canada or shared with provincial and territorial partners through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC). The National Fire Equipment Cache will enhance wildfire preparedness in national parks and surrounding areas and will increase Parks Canada's overall capacity to respond to wildfires.

Since 2021, the Government of Canada has invested over $65 million in the National Wildfire Management Program at Parks Canada.

This funding has supported wildfire resilience initiatives including:

increasing the scope of wildfire risk reduction efforts with a focus on communities located within or adjacent to a national park;

increasing the number of fire management specialists and firefighting crews; and

enhancing the government's capacity to train these highly specialized personnel.

Through this program, Parks Canada is increasing the safety and security of the public, protecting critical infrastructure, contributing to ecosystem resilience, and reducing or preventing disruptions to economic activity in affected areas and those at risk. The initiative is fully aligned with Canada's National Adaptation Strategy, which lays out an agreed-upon framework to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters, improve health outcomes, protect nature and biodiversity, build and maintain resilient infrastructure, and support a strong economy and workers.

The Government of Canada invests in Parks Canada's assets and the critical function they provide to Canadians and visitors to combat the effects of climate change, while supporting the health of our natural environment and ensuring public safety.

Quote

"The recent wave of wildfires across Alberta and Canada has severely affected millions of Canadians. We have seen thousands of Albertans leaving their homes to flee the fires, communities destroyed, and livelihoods threatened. My heart goes out to all those that have been affected by the wildfires. The Government of Canada takes wildfire preparedness and resilience seriously and is investing in measures that are critical to protecting Albertans, Canadians, visitors, communities and infrastructure from the impact of wildfire in and around national parks. Parks Canada's National Fire Equipment Cache will enhance Parks Canada's capacity to respond to wildfire incidents and to support other fire management agencies when they need assistance. I would also like to thank all the first responders for their hard work throughout this difficult fire season."

The Honourable Randy Boissonnault

Minister of Tourism, Associate Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre

Quick Facts

Parks Canada's National Fire Management Program is a team of professional, highly trained wildland fire management specialists committed to public safety and the stewardship of Parks Canada administered places.





National Fire Management Program is a team of professional, highly trained wildland fire management specialists committed to public safety and the stewardship of Parks Canada administered places. Parks Canada's National Fire Management Program is committed to building an inclusive and diverse team that supports and respects members for their experiences, perspectives, and contributions.





National Fire Management Program is committed to building an inclusive and diverse team that supports and respects members for their experiences, perspectives, and contributions. Parks Canada takes wildfire preparedness very seriously and works with communities, including town sites located within or near national parks, on initiatives to reduce wildfire risk.





takes wildfire preparedness very seriously and works with communities, including town sites located within or near national parks, on initiatives to reduce wildfire risk. Parks Canada manages wildland fire across 350,195 km 2 of federal Crown lands, including several iconic townsites, and critical infrastructure such as the Trans-Canada Highway and railways.





manages wildland fire across 350,195 km of federal Crown lands, including several iconic townsites, and critical infrastructure such as the Trans-Canada Highway and railways. Parks Canada is the only federal organization with similar roles and capabilities as provincial and territorial wildfire agencies.





is the only federal organization with similar roles and capabilities as provincial and territorial wildfire agencies. As a member of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, Parks Canada collaborates with other Canadian fire management agencies to provide support to our partners across the country and internationally when they require assistance by providing equipment and highly trained personnel.





Parks Canada has provided wildland fire management specialists to support fire fighting efforts across Canada and internationally. Some recent deployments include Australia (2019-20) and Western United States (2020). Parks Canada deployed 180 wildfire management specialists in support of five provinces and territories during the summer of 2021, including a total of 143 team members who assisted with the devastating British Columbia wildfires. In 2023, Parks Canada has provided over 50 personnel and specialized equipment to wildfire suppression efforts in Alberta , the Northwest Territories and Quebec .

Related Document

Related Links

SOURCE Parks Canada

For further information: Kaitlin Power, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-230-1557, [email protected]; Media Relations, Parks Canada, 855-862-1812, [email protected]
Aniekan Bassey, Senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District, has urged the Senate to investigate the controversial Make-Up Gas (MUG) reprocessing deal involving the Federal Ministry of Finance, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), Calabar Generation Company Limited and Acugas Limited.

In a statement from Senator Basseys media unit, he made the call through a motion during Thursdays Plenary.

Bassey noted that if the Senate fails to investigate the circumstances under which the GSA and MUG were executed by the Federal Government with Acugas Limited, these transactions would constitute an endless drain on scarce public funds, which should have been applied towards the execution of other pressing Government projects.

He, however, urged the senate to establish an Ad-Hoc Committee and mandate the Committee to investigate the circumstances under which the GSA and MUG arrangement was executed, the parties involved, payments so far made to entities to date, the status of implementation of the GSA, and for this purpose invite all stakeholders to the transaction, including the Immediate past Minister of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, the NDPHC, Acugas Limited, Calabar Genco, the Transaction Adviser engaged under the MUG deal, etc ,and to report back within two weeks.

According to Senator Bassey, The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), a company owned by the Federal, States and Local Governments in Nigeria to hold and manage Nigerias Independent Power Projects, sometime in 2017, entered into a GSA with Acugas Limited for the supply of gas to Calabar Generation Company Ltd (Calabar Genco), a subsidiary of the NDPHC. Under the GSA, the Federal Government of Nigeria is obliged to pay over $10million monthly to Acusgas Limited and this monthly obligation was protected and secured with a Take-or-Pay clause, implying that the monthly payment of over $10million must discharged unfailingly by the Federal Government whether the Calabar Genco takes delivery of gas or not.

The discharge of the Take-or-Pay obligation by the Federal Government has become a major concern to all well-meaning Nigerians because of its huge burden on the public treasury as huge sums of money were paid to Acugas even for gas not received or utilized by Calabar Genco.

In a bid to get Nigeria out of this controversial Take-or-Pay cul de sac and put in place an arrangement to reprocess and redirect the gas for which Nigeria has paid for but not utilized over time, the then Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, initiated a MUG deal involving Calabar Genco and Acugas Ltd.

The Senator further urged the Federal Government, particularly the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, to ensure due diligence in the preparation and execution of transaction agreements with companies and other investors to avoid the ugly scenario the government is facing under the GSA with Acugas Limited and several other entities.
Adamu Bulkachuwa, a former senator, has filed a suit at the federal high court in Abuja, seeking to stop the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) from investigating him.

On June 10, the former senator, while speaking at the 9th senate valedictory session, said Zainab Bulkachuwa, his wife, used her position as a judge to favour his colleagues in the red chamber.

Zainab, a former president of the court of appeal, was the first female to hold the position.

Bulkachuwas comments sparked outrage, with many Nigerians calling for investigations into his claim.

However, the former appeal court president had denied Bulkachuwas claim, saying she never compromised her office on partisan grounds.

Owing to the development, TheCable understands that the ICPC has commenced an investigation and invited Bulkachuwa for questioning.

Bulkachuwa was scheduled to appear at the ICPC office on July 6 but he filed a suit to stop the invitation before the scheduled date.

It was learnt that the counsel of the former senator had given the commission a commitment that his client would honour the July 6 date.

In a suit filed on Monday, Bulkachuwa asked for the courts declaration that the commissions invitation is ultra vires, illegal, arbitrary, oppressive, unconstitutional and a gross violation and a likelihood of continuous infraction of the applicants fundamental human right as guaranteed by sections 34, 35, 36, 37, 41 and 46 of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

He also asked the court to interpret section 1 of the legislative houses (Powers and Privileges) Act 2017, which confers immunity on him from any civil or criminal litigation in respect of any utterance he makes on the floor of the upper chamber.

A declaration that the applicant is entitled to freedom of speech/expression by Section 39(1) of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria (as amended) and as exercise by his other senators colleagues and having not been so afforded by the leadership of the ninth (9th) senate, cannot be held liable for the unintended inference of an inchoate speech/statement/expression, the suit reads.

An order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents jointly and severally, particularly the 4th respondent (ICPC), acting directly or indirectly through their agents, officers, privies, assigns and any other persons by whomsoever or however constituted from inviting, harassing, intimidating and/or compelling the applicant to appear before the respondents pending the hearing and determination of suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/895/2023 at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Those joined as respondents in the suit are: attorney-general of the federation, the clerk of the national assembly, Department of State Services (DSS), the ICPC, and Nigeria Police Force.
The Kano State All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the immediate past governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to disregard the invitation extended to him by the states Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) regarding the alleged dollar video.

According to the party, the recent revisiting of the case, which is already before a court of law, appears to be politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the image of the former governor.

In a statement jointly signed by Abdullahi Abbas, the chairman of the party, and Zakari Sarina, the secretary, the APC revealed that the current campaign of calumny is intended to create a rift between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Ganduje, who is known as one of the presidents strongest allies in the north.

It further explained that a similar scenario was played to scuttle the former governors chance of securing the ticket for the partys gubernatorial election in 2019.

The APC affirmed that Gandujes significant contributions to the Tinubu political project, particularly during the primary election, are widely recognised, and his relationship with the president remains cordial.
Gbenga Daniel, senator representing Ogun east, has asked that his pension as a former governor of the state, be stopped.

Daniel, who was elected in February to represent Ogun east in the red chamber of the 10th national assembly, said he has written to Dapo Abiodun, governor of the state, to stop his monthly pension and allowances.

In a tweet on Friday, the former governor said good conscience informed his decision to have his monthly payment of N676,376.95 suspended.

After my inauguration at the Senate, I wrote H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, CON on June 14, 2023, to notify him of my decision to have the monthly payment of N676,376.95kobo being gross payment for my pension and allowances as former governor of the Ogun State suspended pic.twitter.com/q1LV3u5iyo  Gbenga Daniel (@JustusOGD) July 6, 2023





In a letter attached to the tweet, Daniel said apart from the pension, he has not benefited from any welfare package such as medical, transportation or furniture since he left office in 2011.

After my inauguration at the senate, I wrote H.E Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, CON on June 14, 2023, to notify him of my decision to have the monthly payment of N676,376.95 kobo being gross payment for my pension and allowances as former governor of the Ogun state suspended immediately, he tweeted.

This decision, I made, in good conscience, moral principles and guiding ethics.

It is also important to state that this is the only payment and package I get from the state government as a former governor.

Daniel was the governor of Ogun from 2003 to 2011.
President Bola Tinubu has showered encomiums on the late MKO Abiola, saying that his legacy lives on.

Abiola, the acclaimed winner of the 1993 presidential election, died in military detention on July 7, 1998.

Marking the 25th anniversary of his death on Friday, Tinubu described the late Abiola as a champion of democracy.

Today, our nation honours the sacrifice and example of a true hero, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola, 25 years after his sad demise, he said.

A true champion of democracy, his courage and integrity, complete dedication to public service, exemplified the highest ideals of our great nation.

His legacy endures and his message of hope echoes still. May Allah SWT grant him mercy and increase his rewards.

The June 12, 1993, presidential election was annulled by Ibrahim Babangida, a former military head of state.

The election was adjudged as the freest and fairest poll in the country.

In 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari conferred the late Abiola with the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR).

Buhari also declared June 12 as the new Democracy Day  which is marked annually  in place of May 29, the usual date.




Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has said he has not decided on the teams new captain after Cesar Azpilicueta left the club this summer.





According to Pochettino, he will evaluate the squad he inherited before announcing his decision.





Azpilicueta, who replaced Gary Cahill as skipper four years ago, has joined Atletico Madrid after 11 years at Stamford Bridge.





The Spaniard was granted permission to terminate his contract early and return to Spain.





Pochettino is, however, in no rush to decide who will be Azpilicuetas successor.





The next captain? Well, first of all, we need to close the squad.





And then I need to know all the players. I think I need to feel the players, I need to feel the commitment, I need to feel the character and personalities.





One thing is looking from outside; another is when you are working with themfor positive and not so positive.





First of all, we need to close the squad, and then we have many players who have experience, and then we will decide, Pochettino said.
President Bola Tinubu has urged the Nigerian Army to tackle banditry like it did to Boko Haram.

This was as Tinubu charged the Nigerian Army to tackle criminals trying to destabilize Nigeria.

He assured Nigerians of his administrations readiness to address the insecurity issues across the country.

Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, spoke at the Nigerian Army day celebration on Thursday in Ibadan, Oyo State.

He vowed to tackle all threats to national security within the shortest time.

I assure the Nigerian Army and the entire Armed Forces of my commitment to their welfare, and I will address the issue of equipment, insufficient funding and other factors constraining their efficient operation.

I commend you for your joint efforts in tackling Boko Haram and I urge you to replicate same in tackling banditry and other criminals trying to destabilise the country, he said.




The Kano State Government has withdrawn its suit before the Federal High Court, Kano, aiming to stop the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from investigating former governor Abdullahi Ganduje.





A letter signed by the Kano Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, dated 4th July 2023, and addressed to Sanusi Musa, SAN, contained the notice of withdrawal of the suit submitted before the court.





According to the letter, We write to notify you that Kano State Government and the Attorney General of Kano State wish to debrief you of the earlier instructions, given to you to handle the case NO: FHC/ KN/71/2023 between Attorney General of Kano State and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).





The letter stated that Sanusi Musa, SAN, and his team members are instructed not to take any further steps on the matter, either by appearing in court or filing any processes regarding the case.





The Kano State Government had issued a fiat instrument to restrain EFCC from investigating the controversial dollar video under the former governor through the Ministry of Justice.




Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Friday, lamented the continuous detention of the Biafra agitator.





Ejimakor said Kanus continued detention was a humiliation of over 70 million Igbos.





Tweeting, Ejimakor said its impossible to separate Kanu from Igbos.





He noted that the IPOB leaders detention was dicey.





If you think you can separate MAZI NNAMDI KANU from Ndigbo, think again because its impossible. The two are  like Siamese twins  joined together FOREVER. So, detaining #MNK amounts to virtually detaining and humiliating 70 million Igbos. Thats impolitic and dicey to boot, he said.





The IPOB leader is currently locked up by the Department of State Services, DSS, despite court orders granting him bail.








Simon Ekpa, a popular Biafra agitator and Separatist, said the 70 million Igbos are in high hope that President Bola Ahmed Tinibu would release the Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.





Ekpa, the Finland-based lawyer and Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government in Exile disclosed on Friday through his official Twitter handle that the weeklong sit-at-home has been peaceful.





According to him, Igbos voluntarily observe the sit-at-home due to their Biafra Referendum.





We thank the people of Biafra! The week-long sit-at-home has been peaceful (Biafran voluntarily observed it due to their desire for a Biafra referendum).





We are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take note that over 70m Biafrans are now in high hope that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would be released, he wrote.





Ekpa had declared a weeklong sit-at-home in the southeast to call for the release of Kanu.




Kefas Agbu, governor of Taraba, has declared free education in all government primary and secondary schools in the state.

Kefas, who spoke while on an assessment tour of primary and secondary schools in Wukari, his home town, said the policy takes effect from the next academic session.

The governor said the decision will help to cushion the effects of the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The governor added that his administration would immediately embark on a massive renovation of most of the schools to enable them to meet the demands of modern-day education.

The governor had earlier declared a state of emergency on primary and secondary education in Taraba.

On Wednesday, he announced the reduction of the Taraba State University fees by 50 percent to alleviate the impact of subsidy removal.

Let me announce to you that by the next academic session, the state government will take responsibility for the school fees and all of you will attend school free of charge, Kefas said.

We will continue to support you to have access to qualitative education for the brighter future of our state.

Daniel Nuhu, a zonal director of education, commended Kefas for making out time to personally assess the condition of public schools in the state.

Nuhu noted that the free education and renovation of primary and secondary schools would help in turning around the fortunes of the less privileged in the state and grant them equal access to quality education.
The Supreme Court has quashed the conviction of Senate, Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) and his sentencing to seven years imprisonment for offences of fraud and money laundering.

The apex court ordered his immediate release from Ikoyi prisons in Lagos, where he is currently being held.

In a judgment on Friday, the Supreme Court also freed the two companies  Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd and Suiming Electrical Ltd, tried with him on a two-count charge brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a split decision of four-to-one, the Supreme Court set aside the July 1, 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which had reversed their discharge and acquittal by a Federal High Court in Lagos.

In a lead judgment by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the apex court held that Nwaobishi and the two companies were unjustly and maliciously prosecuted by the EFCC for committing no offences known to law.

It faulted the EFCC for subjecting them to needless criminal trial in relation civil transaction.

DAILY POST reports that the EFCC had accused Nwaoboshi and his companies of illegally acquiring a property named Guinea House on Marine Road, in Apapa, Lagos, for N805 million, property said to belong to the Delta State Govt.

The anti-graft agency had claimed that part of the money paid for the property was transferred by Suiming Electrical Ltd. on behalf of Nwaoboshi and Golden Touch Construction Project Ltd, adding that the funds were believed to be proceeds of their illicit activities.
Lotanna Ojukwu, younger brother to the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the former Biafra Head of State, says he believes President Bola Tinubu is a different person from former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The younger Ojukwu said Tinubu doesnt carry the same baggage as Buhari appeared to carry regarding the Igbo people.

Lotanna Ojukwu stated this on Friday while fielding questions on Arise Televisions Morning Show programme.

He was responding to questions on security issues bedevilling the Southeast region of the country.

If the governors are sincere, they are enough to be able to talk to the president, they will achieve the result that we are seeking on the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

The most important fact is that the court has said Nnamdi Kanu should be released.

We know that Buhari did not have much favour towards the Igbos. He called us a dot in the spot. So really I never believed Buhari was going to release Nnamdi Kanu, and I voiced it out anytime people ask for my opinion.

But I believe Tinubu is a different person. He doesnt carry the same baggage as Buhari appears to carry regarding the Igbo people.

And I would like to see the Yoruba and the Igbos have a better standing love for each others ethnic group.
President Bola Tinubu has commended the decision of Senegal President Macky Sall not to seek a third term in office after the end of his tenure.

Mr Dele Alake, Presidential Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, revealed this in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

There had been protests in Senegal in the past few weeks following speculations over Salls third-term ambition after his second term in office in 2024.

Senegal is a country considered the most stable democracy in Africa.

To quell the crisis, Sall on Monday said he would not offer himself as a candidate for the Feb. 25, 2024, presidential election in his country.

Tinubu said the decision by Sall was in the best interest of his country and the peace and stability of the West African region.

He described Senegals presidents decision to abide by the constitutional terms of office and not offer himself for a third term as heart-warming.

It has brought great joy and relief. As a Democrat, I must commend my brother for his statesmanship.

With this singular decision, President Sall chose the stability, security and economic well-being of his people over and above narrow personal interest.

The impact of this important decision will be felt beyond the shores and borders of Senegal and across our West African sub-region.

Tinubu said Sall has demonstrated that leadership is about serving the people honourably and quitting the stage when the constitutionally-stipulated time is up.

By his example, democracy and respect for people power will take stronger roots in Africa and will continue to flourish.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sall, 61, came to power in 2012 and was re-elected in 2019.

The Senegalese constitution was amended in 2016 but still provides for a maximum of two terms.

But his supporters argued that his first term, which came before the constitutional amendment, does not count, something the opposition contested.

My decision is not to be a candidate in the presidential election even though the constitution gives me the right to do so, Sall said.
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday to attend the 63rd ordinary session of the authority of heads of state and government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Bissau, capital of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

Dele Alake, Tinubus special adviser on special duties, communications and strategy, announced the development in a statement on Friday.

The summit is Tinubus first ECOWAS official trip since he assumed office as Nigerias president on May 29.

According to the statement, the summit, which will take place on Sunday, is expected to address memoranda on pressing sub-regional issues, including; a report of the 50th ordinary session of the mediation and security council (MSC) covering security challenges faced by the member countries; report of the 90th ordinary session of ECOWAS council of ministers on the financial situation of the body and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), as well as report on the status of transition in the Republics of Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea.

Other items slated for discussion include; memoranda on the ECOWAS single currency programme and the report on obstacles to the free movement of goods on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, the statement added.

Tinubu will be accompanied by some members of the presidential policy advisory council and other top government officials.

The president is expected back in the country at the end of the meeting.




Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has explained why he joined the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to stand with President Bola Tinubu.

Fayose explained that they took the stand because Tinubu is a man of vision.

He stressed that Tinubu was determined to ensure the betterment of Nigerians.

The former governor spoke after his meeting with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

According to Fayose: My name is Ayo Fayose, I came to share moments with the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Im happy to be here, one to congratulate the good people of Nigeria to the fact that this is a new beginning, a renewed hope.

You will see him very alert and very clearly in the direction he wants to take the country, but he cant do it alone, he needs all of us.

Whosoever is in this saddle is Nigeria on the saddle [sic] and we must stand by him. We must give our best and I want to tell you that people like me, others like Wike, Governor Makinde and other wonderful Nigerians, we have made up our minds that it is better to stand with a man of vision and to stand with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the betterment of our country. That is why Im here.
Thick, black smoke continued to pour from a cargo ship in Port Newark on Friday, more than a day after two firefighters were killed fighting the intense blaze that tore through several decks of the vessel.

Explosions could be heard coming from the ship, as the vessel continued to rust and blacken from the flames.

Thermal images taken by an Elizabeth Police Department drone Thursday showed the fire continuing to burn inside the ship as smoke rose from the top level of the the Grande Costa Davorio, berthed near Export and Marsh streets in Newark.

Newark firefighters Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, died after they were trapped aboard the 692-foot long ship Wednesday night.

A New York City fireboat continues to pour water on the blaze on Thursday July 6, 2023, in Newark, N.J.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

The Newark Firefighters Union said they will hold a press conference Friday to discuss the lives and legacies Acabou and Brooks, who were veteran first responders.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Newark Fire Department and Gallagher Marine Systems, the operator of the cargo ship, were planning Friday to hold a news conference in Elizabeth Friday morning to provide updates on the firefighting efforts.

The ship was carrying 1,200 vehicles when it caught fire about 9:38 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters from Newark, Elizabeth and numerous other municipalities fought the fire. In addition to the two deaths, five other firefighters were injured but were expected to survive.

Video from the scene on Friday showed smoke and flames billowing from the top deck of the ship. ABC-7 reported the fire was being prolonged by gas and oil inside the cars on the ship that continue to fuel the fire.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said during a press conference Thursday that firefighters did not have adequate training or equipment to fight a fire aboard a towering ship.

Newark officials said the fire got out of hand because the initial efforts to contain it were begun with small diameter hoses that could not bring enough water to the decks where the fire was already raging.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is considering creating its own firefighting force for Port Newark after a huge cargo ship fire led to the deaths of two veteran firefighters.

As the investigations unfold, and we get lessons learned from this, everything is on the table for consideration, Beth Rooney, port director with the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, said during a press conference in Elizabeth on Friday.

Once the fire, which has been burning more than 30 hours, is extinguished, federal agencies will work with state and local investigators with the owners of the vessels to identify the root cause of the fire and the subsequent fatalities to prevent similar incidents from ever happening again, said Capt. Zeita Merchant, commander of the Port of New York and New Jersey and commander of Coast Guard sector New York.

There was no discussion about staffing or response issues on Friday morning, but Newark Mayor Ras Baraka said during a press conference on Thursday that firefighters did not have adequate training or equipment to fight a fire aboard a towering ship.

Newark officials said the fire got out of hand because the initial efforts to contain it were begun with small diameter hoses that could not bring enough water to the decks where the fire was already raging.

A firefighters union official said while they took over the 1-inch diameter hoses that were already laid down, they did not have the volume or pressure needed to adequately push back the fire because those hoses were too small.

However, there is a possibility Newarks larger 2.5-inch hose lines would not connect to the equipment on the European-built ship, the Grande Costa DAvorio, according to reporting in The New York Times.

When asked to confirm the discrepancy in the fire hose connection on Friday, Merchant said that is currently a part of our investigation.

We cant confirm that at this point in time, but its a part of what were looking at in the investigation and that information will come out, Merchant said Friday.

While the city initially said a brigade was launched by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the ports of New York Harbor, the agency said that was not the case.

The Port Authority said that at all non-airport facilities, firefighting is handled by the local municipality with jurisdictional responsibility.

The Port Authority provides support and assistance in these efforts including regular classroom and on-site shipboard orientation training to fire department personnel and first responders, said a spokeswoman.

When asked how frequently firefighters have shipboard training, Merchant said the Coast Guard runs its own regular trainings.

That is training that is done here in this area locally, as well as throughout the New York and New Jersey area so that training is done regularly from a federal standpoint and then they also conduct their training at a state and local level.

Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Frage said city firefighters are trained at the county and state levels, but also receive instruction from the Port Authority.

Its ongoing. Its important that we do it together in a sense, and thats how we train, Frage said.

The fire will likely continue to burn for days, officials said.

The fire on a cargo ship at Port Newark in Newark, NJ that started on Wednesday night continues to burn on Friday, July 7, 2023. Jeff Rhode | For NJ Advance Medi

At this point, the fire is going to burn for a couple more days probably. Its impossible to give you really any kind of definitive timeline, said Tom Wiker, the president of Gallagher Marine Systems and a representative of Grimaldi Deep Sea, the Italian operator of the massive cargo ship.

Gov. Phil Murphy also said officials are monitoring whether the ship is listing to one side as it takes on more water from the firefighting efforts.

It is clear we are dealing with an extremely difficult set of circumstances aboard a very large cargo ship, Murphy said at an unrelated event in Long Branch.

The ship was listing 3 degrees toward the dock on Friday, Murphy said. A shift of 5 to 6 degrees is the danger zone, he said.

The governor said both the Coast Guard and a private marine firefighting company are poking holes through the hole to let trapped water out.

There is no timeline as to if or when the ship would reach the danger zone for listing, Murphy said.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Newark Fire Department and Gallagher Marine Systems spoke to the media Friday morning to provide updates on the firefighting efforts.

Video from the scene earlier in the day showed smoke and flames still billowing from the top deck of the ship and Wiker said teams continue to fight fires on several decks of the structure nearly 40 hours after the first calls for help were made.

Theres a team of 20-plus firefighters and additional salvage support, who have been fighting this fire around the clock since it began, Wiker said. A New York City fire boat and other firefighting resources were deployed to the pier and waterside.

No cause was given for the fire, which broke out about 9:38 p.m. Wednesday in Port Newark.

Newark firefighters Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, died after they were trapped aboard the 692-foot long ship Wednesday night. A GoFundMe set up by the Newark Firefighters Union had raised more than $13,000 as of Friday.

This combo of undated images released by Newark, N.J., Department of Public Safety show Newark firefighters Augusto Acabou, left, and Wayne Brooks Jr. Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson says the two firefighters were killed and five others injured battling a blaze inside a docked cargo ship carrying more than a thousand vehicles at Port Newark, N.J., Wednesday night, July 5, 2023. (Newark Department of Public Safety via AP)Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

Officials said there are no reports of oil leaking from the vessel or poor air quality in the area.

However, sulfur dioxide, which can be harmful to the lungs, was detected twice Thursday night near the stern of the ship, officials said. But, those levels were not seen outside the immediate area.

Water testing was set to commence Friday afternoon, and officials said they will monitor for byproducts and hazardous materials that may have entered the water due to firefighting activities.

The ship was carrying 1,200 vehicles when it caught fire, the ship operator said. Firefighters from Newark, Elizabeth and numerous other municipalities fought the fire.

In addition to the two deaths, five other firefighters were injured but were expected to survive.

Wiker said Donjon Marine Co. is doing their best to do assessment (but) our primary objective is safety.

So were going to do the utmost to make sure that we do our best to fight this fire but were going to do is put the safety responders as our first objective, Wiker said.

Firefighting efforts continued Friday, as the cargo ship fire entered its third day.Jackie Roman | NJ Advance Media

The port, which includes marine terminals in Newark, Elizabeth, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Bayonne, is the busiest in the country. Officials determined there has been little or no impact to the container terminals at the port.

The good news is that the impact on the container terminals has been completely negligible. About 99 and a half percent of our container activity is un-impacted by these events, said Rooney, port director.

However, she noted that there was a modest amount of cargo activity impacted. So, additional car carriers that were expected to call the port within the last 36 hours have been impacted. They remain at anchor until we can get those ships in order to work on that, Rooney said.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

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Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com.
Calling all lovers of hot sauce: Now is your chance to save a seat at this North Jersey restaurants hot sauce dinner  available for only one night.

The dinner will be held July 18 at Gioia Mia in Montclair in collaboration with Mikes Pasta and Sandwich Shoppe in Nutley, New Jersey Beer Co. in North Bergen and Jersey Barnfire Hot Sauce in Sparta.

The five-course dinner menu features different hot sauces in each dish, such as crab agnolotti with a murder by Primo hot sauce for the third course, and fried ricotta beignets with a strawberry scorpion hot sauce for dessert. Each course also comes with its own beer pairing.

Guests can expect a unique experience, as this is not your average tasting menu. The dishes are influenced by multiple cuisines, and each chef has a different background/style of cooking, Mary Cumella, managing partner of Gioia Mia, told NJ Advance Media. Basically, our goal is to provide our guests with a fun filled evening with great food, flavors, and beer, that they cant get anywhere else in New Jersey.

Even though the dinner itself is advertised as a hot sauce dinner, there wont be an absurd amount of heat for those who are more cautious.

Although the dinner is heat forward, no, the food will not be extremely spicy. said Cumella. Chefs Logan, John and Mike carefully curated each course, where they will use the hot sauce as an ingredient to build layers of flavor in each dish. Theyre not just using hot sauce as a condiment on the plate.

Cumella mentioned that there will be more collaboration dinners like this one in the future.

The dinner is priced at $130 per person, gratuity and alcohol included. Call 973-233-0350 to reserve a seat. The restaurant will be accepting reservations until 4 p.m. on July 9 or until sold out.

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Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
The deadly fire that engulfed a cargo ship in Port Newark Wednesday night required a team effort from firefighters all across northeastern New Jersey to respond to, with those from Bergen, Essex, Union and Hudson County all rushing over with aid.

But in their shared efforts also came a shared sense of grief, as towns across the county expressed their condolences for the two Newark firefighters who died while fighting the blaze.

At least two dozen firefighters from Hudson County responded to the fire, bringing over vehicles and equipment to the scene, officials said. No serious injuries were reported from Hudsons firefighters.

The Jersey City Fire Department (JCFD) sent ten firefighters and chiefs to the scene to assist with the removal and rescue of several downed firefighters from other departments, according to Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione.

The JCFD also sent two engines and one truck company to help Newark with citywide coverage, and a Mass Service Unit was also sent to the scene of the fire to help refill firefighters air supply units, Wallace-Scalcione said.

The Hoboken Fire Department sent five firefighters with a heavy rescue truck to provide aid and search and rescue, according to Hoboken spokeswoman Marci Rubin.

North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue, which covers towns such as Union City, North Bergen and West New York, sent five firefighters, a captain and a battalion chief to the scene to do search and rescue, according to Chief David Donnarumma.

Officials expressed their condolences for the two firefighters, Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, who died when they became trapped in the fire.

The two firefighters paid the ultimate sacrifice, said Donnarumma, who added that his team had searched the ship for one of the firefighters that died. Every day that we work, you never know what the day is going to entail.

Rubin also said that (Hobokens) thoughts are with the Newark Fire Department, and the families of the fallen firefighters.
A grand jury has indicted a state correctional officer on an official misconduct charge stemming from a fight with a civilly committed sex offender who later died.

He is not charged with causing the mans death, officials confirmed, but the detainees family claims in a lawsuit that the man was brutally beaten by officers and denied prompt medical care.

Officer Giuseppe Mandara was working at the Special Treatment Unit, located on the grounds of East Jersey State Prison in Avenel section of Woodbridge Township, on Aug. 23, 2019, when he got into a physical altercation with a detainee in the facility, according to the state Attorney Generals Office.

Mandara allegedly abandoned his equipment, including his keys and radio and thereafter used excessive or unlawful force against the resident in violation of Department of Corrections policies and training for correctional police officers, the attorney general reported.

The detainee, Darrell Smith, 50, suffered a fatal stroke several days after the incident, officials said.

The state grand jury indicted Mandara last week on a second-degree count of official misconduct.

Mandaras attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The grand jury heard testimony from the state medical examiner about the cause of the stroke and manner of death, but they declined to initiate homicide charges for any involved individuals, according to the attorney generals office.

The announcement did not provide additional details about Smiths death or identify him by name.

The investigation is ongoing and additional details are not being released, the announcement stated.

Mandara has been suspended without pay, according to Department of Corrections spokeswoman Amy Quinn.

As of July 5, 2023, SCPO Giuseppe Mandara is suspended without pay, and disciplinary charges for his termination are pending, Quinn said in a statement. NJDOC maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding the mistreatment or abuse of incarcerated people. All allegations of abuse, neglect, or violations of an incarcerated persons rights are investigated, and individuals found responsible are held accountable for their actions.

Smiths family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging he was attacked twice by a group of correctional officers in gang-style assaults.

Mr. Smith was tortured, beaten, kicked, punched, stomped, placed in an illegal chokehold, slammed to the ground, and had his head slammed into a glass door, the lawsuit alleges, adding that he was denied prompt and critical medical care after the first attack.

The second attack resulted in catastrophic injuries that left him in an unresponsive and catatonic state in a cell covered in his own feces, urine and vomit, the suit claims.

Four days after the attack, Smith was taken to a hospital, where he arrived unresponsive, according to his family. He was placed on life support, declared brain dead and died two days later.

He sustained a severe catastrophic brain injury as a result of the brutal beatings, according to the lawsuit, which is ongoing.

Smith served more than two decades in state prison on charges of kidnapping and aggravated assault. After completing that sentence, he was civilly committed to the Special Treatment Unit.

The unit houses sex offenders who have completed their prison sentences, but are deemed a danger to commit additional acts of sexual violence if released. Treatment is provided via the state Department of Health.

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A man who admitted he was driving drunk when he slammed into a car and killed its driver last year in North Brunswick was sentenced Thursday to six years in state prison, officials said.

Egrevel Vasquez-Garcia, 28, of Hightstown, must serve 85% of his sentence, and once he is released, his license will be suspended for 10 years, a judge ruled.

Vasquez-Garcia was driving a 2016 Toyota Highlander on Route 130 at a high rate of speed shortly before midnight on June 28, 2022 when he crashed into Jeep Patriot driven by Levelt Alexis, Jr., 34, of Linden, according to a statement from the Middlesex County Prosecutors Office. Alexis was brought to a local hospital where he died of his injuries.

After hitting the Patriot, the Highlander crossed into oncoming lanes of travel where it struck other vehicles, the office said. The other drivers did not suffer any serious injuries.

Vasquez-Garcia was charged with vehicular homicide, aggravated manslaughter and assault by auto. He was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash, investigators said.

On Feb. 21, Vasquez-Garcia pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and driving while intoxicated in exchange for the sentence he received this week, officials said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Jasmin Morrison is dreading the idea of having to move again. But soon, the former Seaside Heights resident will have no choice: A new ordinance in Absecon limiting motel and hotel stays to 28 days to prevent them from becoming permanent housing means its again time for her to reluctantly start packing.

The 36-year-old single mom and her two sons  one is four and the other almost two  live crammed together in a small motel room in the Atlantic County city. They were placed there through an Ocean County temporary housing assistance program and have been living there for nearly five months.

Before then, we lived in a motel room in Tinton Falls, she says. We were there for a while but Tinton Falls also has a rule limiting [motel and hotel] stays so, off we went ...now, its the same thing happening all over again.

Jasmin tells me all the bouncing around started last summer when the rundown Seaside Heights apartment building she, her children and nine other tenants were living in was deemed a nuisance property by the town. Shortly after, the owner sold it to the town and tenants were forced to move.

Thats kind of where it all began, all this moving from here to there, she says with a sigh.

A Seaside Heights official told me the borough, like others in Ocean County, has long battled a lack of affordable housing as well as a homeless problem bolstered by unemployment. An NJ Advance Media investigation nearly a decade ago highlighted the problem when aging hotels were being rented by the county to provide emergency shelter. Now, it seems the same is being done  just in other towns. The council president in Absecon said solving it by shipping their own struggling residents to other parts of the Jersey Shore  in another county 50 miles away  isnt the answer.

Having to move yet again is very frustrating and makes me sad, Jasmin says. I know all kids need normalcy, stability, a home ...but for mine, especially because theyre both on the autism spectrum, not having that can feel even more challenging and difficult.

Every month, Jasmin pays the motel in Absecon the $425 she receives through a federally funded, state-run program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. She says Ocean County pays the motel an additional amount but county officials didnt respond to my requests for more information about the program.

She tells me if her kids didnt have autism things would be a little easier. Shed be able to send them to any daycare and get a job. But finding appropriate care for them is not that simple and her sons pediatrician advised that she remain their sole caretaker for the time being.

She says shes distressed by the situation because she knows an income from working would help greatly in finding a better and more steady place to live for her kids.

Jasmin Morrison sits in the motel room in Absecon where she and her two young children have been living for the past five months. A new ordinance in the Atlantic County city that limits hotel and motel stays to 28 days means it's time for Jasmin and her kids to move. Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media

I know things wont always be this way but its the situation Im in right now, she says. They need my undivided care and attention so Im giving it to them and doing the best I can.

I dont doubt it. But I wonder whether elected officials here are doing the same. Are they doing the best they can for Jasmin and the countless others, who like her are in desperate need of housing? Having to move from town to town and motel to motel every time a new occupancy ordinance is passed is no way to live. Not for Jasmin. Not for her kids. Not for anyone.

As I listened to her story, I couldnt help but think of all the migrants suddenly shipped off to faraway cities in faraway states. Shipped off to be someone elses problem. And I couldnt help but think of the selfish, self-serving leaders, who shove them on planes and buses and just wash their hands of them.

Is whats happening here comparable? Maybe not quite. But the anxiety and uncertainty that come with feeling like youre the hot potato in a politicians hands, of not knowing exactly where youll land, and whether or not youll have a safe roof over your head  sounds similar.

Strangely, Jennifer Hagendoorn, Deputy Director at the Ocean County Board of Social Services, in an email denied having confirmation about any ordinances limiting motel stays and said to date, our clients have not been impacted.

Still, Jasmin says theres at least 14 other people who were placed in my same motel and none of us know what will happen or where well end up ...we dont know anything and thats just scary.

Absecon City Council President Nick LaRotonda told me he shares Jasmins frustration. Ocean County, he said, has been shipping their own struggling residents away from their families, communities, and support networks and warehousing them in hotels and motels in Absecon.

But these were never intended to become de facto apartment complexes ...and the result has been an increase in violent and petty crime. The new ordinance, he says, is meant to protect our residents and alleviate the unfair burden being placed on our local schools, police, and fire and emergency medical personnel.

What its not meant to do, he says, is further displace people. Hes had extensive talks with area hotel and motel owners and says Absecon is working closely with several nonprofits to help those impacted get the proper and safe housing they desperately need and deserve.

What we want more than anything is to resolve this issue, he said. LaRotonda, whos a parent to a young child himself, told me a small motel room without a real kitchen and thats so close to the railroad tracks is not an adequate place to live for a family with small kids.

He told me it hurts his heart to hear stories like Jasmins and said hell do everything in his power to help. In talking with other motel tenants, he says he learned many couldnt afford the security deposit thats required when moving into a new apartment or house. He said a subsidy to assist with security deposits may be a solution to finding more permanent housing for people living in motels.

If we put our heads together Im confident we can come up with solutions, LaRotonda said. But to turn a blind eye to her and her situation and the situations of other families placed into a single motel room in far away and unfamiliar territory is uncompassionate and unacceptable.

He strongly called on Gov. Phil Murphy to combat this humanitarian crisis and help prevent and end the horrible practice of shipping the [unhoused] to other counties.

Tyler Jones, Murphys deputy press secretary, said the governor and his administration are actively working to address housing affordability in the state. Since the beginning of the Murphy Administration, billions of dollars have been allocated to address this issue, she said, adding that the recently signed state budget, officially builds on the steps the Administration has taken to address it.

She said this years budget included over $300 million towards affordable housing initiatives  bringing the total housing investment by the state in just two fiscal years to over $630 million.

She assured me the Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency, and several other state entities, have used state and federal dollars to administer affordable housing projects across the state but didnt comment on LaRotondas specific plea to Murphy or on the situation Jasmin and so many other New Jerseyans find themselves in, being bounced from county to county, town to town, motel room to motel room.

I reached out to Christopher Vaz, Seaside Heights Borough Administrator, for his take on all this. He said he wouldnt comment on the countys temporary housing program but said that like other counties in New Jersey, Ocean County has a homeless problem underpinned by unemployment, the mental health and drug addiction crises, lack of affordable housing, and no coordinated plan for solving any of the above.

Seaside Heights officials, including me, have been speaking about this problem since the early 1990s, he said. We have argued for a very long time that Seaside Heights should not be expected to solve these problems for an entire county.

He said its high time all 33 Ocean County municipal governments join with county government to find workable solutions before every community finds a homeless camp on the doorsteps of city hall.

For Jasmins sake, the sake of her children, and that of all others who are facing housing instability in our state, I pray that finally happens.

Daysi Calavia-Robertson may be reached at dcalavia-robertson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram at @presspassdaysi or Twitter @presspassdaysi. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Heres how to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters.
Three members of a Newark-based drug trafficking organization were sentenced Thursday for their roles in three killings on behalf of the group, including that of a federal informant, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Wednesday.

Tyquan Daniels, 27, Ali Hill, 30, and Thomas Zimmerman, 28, all of East Orange, previously pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy, the office said. Additionally, Daniels had pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Zimmerman was sentenced to 37 years in prison, Daniels was handed a 35-year prison term and Hill received a 25-year sentence, federal prosecutors said.

In February 2018, the leader of the group, Michael Healy, of Montclair, found out that one of his conspirators in the drug ring was cooperating with law enforcement by providing information about the ring, according to a statement from the office. He then ordered members of the Brick City Brims Bloods in East Orange to kill the informant.

On Feb. 3, 2018, outside the informants Bloomfield home, Zimmerman and other unidentified gang members shot and killed an innocent bystander, believing the bystander was the informant, the office said. Realizing they killed the wrong person, Daniels, Zimmerman, Hill and other members conspired to kill the informant.

On March 12, 2018, in Bloomfield, Zimmerman and other members of the gang who were not identified, approached the informant and fired multiple shots at him at close range, killing him, investigators said.

Daniels also admitted to killing a member of a rival Bloods on May 13, 2018, in Orange, officials said. The office has not not identified any of the victims.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
Mama June: From Not to Hot is premiering the 10th episode of its 6th season on Friday, July 7 at 9 p.m. The series will be available to watch on Philo (free trial).

Heres the information youll need to watch a free live stream of Mama June: From Not to Hot online without cable.

How to watch Mama June: From Not to Hot without cable

If youre a cord-cutter or dont have cable, you can live stream Mama June: From Not to Hot on Fubo TV, Philo, or DIRECTV Stream. Each streaming service offers a free trial.

When is Mama June: From Not to Hot on?

Mama June: From Not to Hot continues its 6th season on Friday, July 7 at 9 p.m. on WETV Network. It will air bookended by reruns of previous episodes.

What channel is WETV?

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 Mama June: From Not to Hot online on-demand

If you missed an episode of Mama June: From Not to Hot or want to binge watch the entire series online as it becomes available, check out Fubo TV, Philo, or DIRECTV Stream. Each streaming service offers a free trial.

What is Mama June: From Not to Hot about?

According to the official description of the WETV series: Pumpkin and Josh are raising five kids, with only $800 in child support for Alana; June and Justin start planning a big wedding, but June is suddenly rushed to the hospital; Pumpkin finds out June moved to Alabama and assumes she is on drugs again.

The series stars Mama June, Honey Boo Boo, Pumpkin, Big Mike, and Doe Doe.

Heres a look at a scene from an episode of Mama June: From Not to Hot, courtesy of WETVs official YouTube account:

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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.
NEW YORK - Its late July and the Yankees have done everything in their power to fix Luis Severino - and nothings worked. Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes are both healthy, finally, but GM Brian Cashman decides he needs one more quality arm to round out the rotation.

Could Clevelands Shane Bieber be the answer?

Maybe, assuming all the moving pieces fall into place. Just dont dismiss the idea that Cashmans search for the best-possible rotation has accelerated now that Severinos bogged down in the worst slump of his career.

The right-hander, who was pummeled for seven runs in 2.2 innings by the Orioles on Thursday, admits hes stumped as to why he cant get anyone out. Until Severino solves the mystery, his numbers - 14 earned runs allowed in the last 6.2 innings - practically force Cashman to pick up the phone.

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

Enter the Guardians, who may or may not decide to go for it come August 1. Theyre currently 1.5 games behind the Twins in the AL Central, but 4.5 games out of the wild card race with five teams ahead of them.

If they choose the all-or-nothing option - division title or bust - then Bieber is staying put. But a Minnesota hot streak or Cleveland skid could make things interesting for teams like the Yankees.

Bieber is a former Cy Young Award winner (2020), whos having a good-but-not-great 23. With a 5-5 record and 3.66 ERA, he just might surge with a change of scenario, especially since hes only in his age-28 season.

Want to bet on MLB?

See the best NJ Sports Betting sites

Question is, how much would it take to tempt the Guardians? Bieber is a front office dream, still two years away from free agency.

The price would indeed be steep. Just remember what happened the last time the Yankees set their sights on a stud rotation piece in 2022.

As feverishly as Cashman tried to pry Luis Castillo away from the Reds, the Yankees didnt make it to the final round of negotiations. The Mariners, stocked with a better farm system and a more aggressive pursuit, swooped in and won the Castillo sweepstakes. The Yankees never even got a chance to make a best/final offer.

Something to think about as the deadline approaches and Severino searches for answers.

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Bob Klapisch may be reached at bklapisch@njadvancemedia.com.

A
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Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low around 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low around 65F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Alex Del Castillo had been working in the galley-like confines of his taco truck for so long that when he started drawing up a brick-and-mortar restaurant, he found himself defaulting to the dynamics of street food mixed with his experience on warships from his days in the Navy.

The kitchens like the engine room in some ways, with the same kind of dangers and intensity, he said. "It's called a brigade system for a reason!"

Taceaux Loceaux is the Uptown restaurant on Magazine Street that shares its name with the food truck that inspired it. It opened in 2019, less than a year before the pandemic lockdown arrived. Although the food truck continued to run, the storefront was shuttered.
An armed robbery suspect who was shot by a Jefferson Parish deputy sheriff while hiding under a Marrero house has been formally charged in a string of West Bank holdups, according to court records.

Louis Alexander, 50, appeared in Magistrate Court on Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to six counts of armed robbery, one of attempted armed robbery, four counts of being a convicted felon in possession of a gun, residential burglary and one of resisting an officer.

The holdups occurred at four businesses in Harvey and Marrero between March 31 and May 4, according to the Sheriff's Office. Alexander is charged with one count of armed robbery for each of the individuals present at the businesses when they were robbed, according to court records.
NOPD investigates the scene of a homicide in the 1900 Elizardi Boulevard in New Orleans on Tuesday, June 13, 2023. (Photo by Brett Duke, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Holidaymakers pouring into Devon and Cornwall for summer breaks are putting local police services under mounting pressure.

The influx means increased pressure from car crashes, missing people and incidents around mental health issues. Now the government is to consider increasing police funding to help local forces cope.

The news has been welcomed by Devon and Cornwalls police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez, who was part of a westcountry delegation that put forward the case for funding.

She has campaigned for years for Devon and Cornwall Police to receive extra money because the force area has more visitors than any other outside London.

As well as joining the delegation, she submitted evidence to the home office as part of a project to develop a new funding formula for policing.

In an answer to a question by North Devon MP Selaine Saxby, policing minister Chris Philp said 'rurality, sparsity and seasonality, particularly seasonal tourism' are likely to be considered as part of a consultation into a new funding formula.

The formula determines how much each police and crime commissioner receives for their respective forces from central government, with the rest of the budget made up from the policing precept added to council tax bills.

The current formula provides no financial recognition of the number of visitors that forces must deal with. The government intends to consult on a new formula in due course.

Ms Hernandez said: At this time of year the number of incidents that Devon and Cornwall Police must deal with increases substantially. These incidents are not only crime related but are linked to road traffic collisions, missing people and calls for help from people who are experiencing mental ill health.

Devon and Cornwalls rurality and sparsity add to the challenge of dealing with the visitor influx and it is fantastic that those in Westminster have heard our message. I will continue to make the case that Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are worthy of additional central government investment so we can maintain the force area as one of the safest in England and Wales for our resident populations and those who choose to holiday in this wonderful part of the world.

I look forward to taking part in the forthcoming consultation on this formula.

Figures presented to the government in 2019 showed a 14 per cent increase in incidents between April and October in Devon and Cornwall, the largest increase amongst English and Welsh forces.
We landlubbers have gotten it all wrong: Kraken aren't terrible monsters from the sea who destroy our sailing ships and munch on our sailors. They're kind and helpful. It's the mermaids who are the real demons.

That's the upside-down premise to DreamWorks Animation's sweet Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, a tale of generational sisterhood with the message to not hide your difference. (Oh, and slaughtering mermaids is perfectly OK.)

The movie centers on Ruby Gillman, a young kraken hiding in plain sight in the human town of Oceanside. She's blue, likes math, has a retainer and four long fingers that look like hot dogs. But she and her family have been passing. If anyone asks questions, they say they're Canadian and that seems to work. Let's all have a very human day, is their morning mantra.

But 15-year-old Ruby (voiced with real tenderness by Lana Condor) is on a collision course with her mom (Toni Collette) when the subject of prom is debated. This year, it will be held on a party boat and any kind of water splashed on Ruby will turn her into a massive iridescent Kraken. Mom (Toni Collette) says she can't go, despite Ruby's pleas. (Even kraken parents just don't understand.)

Prom soon becomes the least of Ruby's problems when she connects with her heritage and learns she's a royal kraken, one of the last of her kind. Her estranged and formidable grandmother (voiced nicely by a real human queen, Jane Fonda) urges her to ditch the humans and reclaim her crown. You can never outswim your destiny.

Ruby, who likes wearing turtlenecks but has no nose, is torn between the humans above  a potential cute boyfriend, her slightly weird friends and social media  and her heritage and power. Watching her swim, unfurling her arms and legs, glowing with bioluminescence and testing her strength, is a joy. Being in the ocean is better than I ever could have imagined, she says.

Director Kirk DeMicco keeps things moving at a hectic, pressurized pace on land and lets things float and swoosh in the sea. The animation really shines when it comes to water, whether the roiling ocean or a puddle-filled pier.

A fun soundtrack includes songs by BLACKPINK, Sigrid, The Linda Lindas, Mimi Webb, Fitz and The Tantrums, RAYE and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. There's even Christopher Cross' Ride Like the Wind for the old folks.

The script by Pam Brady, Brian C. Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi isn't airtight, with some bits that make little sense  why does Ruby become a giant Kraken in the library? Does she later become one just being angry, like the Hulk?  but its heart is in the right place and their story of generations being truthful to each other is a good one.

The arrival in Oceanside of a mermaid  gorgeous, sweet and popular  complicates Ruby's life even more. Mermaids, she's been told for years, are selfish, narcissistic and dishonest, but this mermaid, Chelsea, (Annie Murphy) takes a liking to Ruby  Super-seagirl bestie!  and they share their woes of hiding among humans. Maybe they can team up to stop the kraken-mermaid feud once and for all?

At the film's heart is the push-pull of mothers and daughters  the elder sometimes lying to be protective, the younger rebelling at all the rules. In one of the film's most touching moments, Ruby as a giant Kraken towers over her mother, who gently soothes this massive creature. The final message  no more lying, no more hiding  is well earned.

There's also a push-pull in the script  between a small story of belonging and embracing outsiders, and an outsized war between sea creatures that includes Godzilla-like stomping around and eye lasers. It's a hard balance to find but the filmmakers have done enough.

Ruby Gillman has echoes of last years Turning Red, also a coming-of-age story of a girl coming to terms with her familial and personal history. There's also a whiff of Luca, an Italian-set animated fairy tale about two young sea monsters exploring an unknown surface world as humans. So Ruby Gillman gets some points docked for originality, but gets full marks for prompting young ones to go home and battle their Little Mermaid dolls.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, a DreamWorks Animation release in theaters Friday, is rated PG for some action, rude humor and mature thematic elements. Running time: 91 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

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MPAA Definition of PG: Parental guidance suggested.

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
PORTAGE  A heavily intoxicated man carrying four knives was found by an elderly woman in a wheelchair sleeping on a couch in her living room, Portage police said.

The 88-year-old woman, who lives in the 2600 block of Vivian Street, reportedly told police she awoke Wednesday morning to find the stranger in her home.

I immediately observed a male sleeping on the sofa and a filled wine glass nearby on a coffee table, the officer reported.

The man, identified by police as Maxwell Rodriquez, 37, of Fort Wayne, was so combative that he had to be drugged at the hospital before taken to jail, according to the report.

He was eventually taken to the Porter County Jail and faces a felony count of residential entry.

The woman reportedly told police she did not hear anything overnight and had left her front door unlocked. When she came out into her living room Wednesday morning, she found the unknown man sleeping on her couch.

Portage sex offender secretly used online accounts, new charge says He is further accused of using two Twitter accounts and two Snapchat accounts without notifying authorities.

(The woman) stated she attempted to wake the male and called 911, the report says.

Police said they found four knives on Rodriquez and had a tough time understanding him due to his level of intoxication. He reportedly admitted to drinking alcohol, and taking benzos and kratom.

The male was asked where he was to which he stated he did not know, police said.

He told police he parked his vehicle at an address in the 5000 block of Boulder Avenue and police confirmed its location.

A portable breath test revealed he was intoxicated, police said. When he had a seizure in a police vehicle, he was taken to the hospital where he reportedly kicked at and pulled away from staff, and yelled vulgarities.

Mr. Rodriquez had to (be) physically restrained to be treated, and was given a dose of Haldol to calm his combative state, police said.
Valparaiso police are adding a fourth resource officer in Valparaiso Community Schools.

Officer Michelle Kodicek began her duties July 1 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Kodicek succeeds Officer Shannon Morris, who will become the school resource officer for all VCS elementary schools.

Kodicek is a 26-year veteran of the Valparaiso Police Department. She has also been very active within our school system and community over the years, while earning multiple commendations, the department said in a news release issued last Friday.

The decision to add an officer at the elementary schools came during discussions between the Police Department and the school district.

Our partnership with them continues to grow, as school safety is of great importance to us both, Joe Hall, captain of support services for Valparaiso Police, said in an email.

The addition of an SRO in Valparaiso schools comes as several Northwest Indiana districts faced threats of violence this year.

In January, three threats were made at Valparaiso High School, which resulted in multiple lockdowns and early dismissals. A 16-year-old boy from Ohio was later arrested in connection with the threats.

Also in January, threats of violence were made toward Bailly STEM Academy in Gary and Portage, Hobart and Wheeler high schools. None of the threats was found to be credible.

A bomb threat May 1 at Lake Central High School sent students home early and prompted the use of a bomb-sniffing dog.
Bryan Homan raised his hands toward the lightning-streaked sky and repeatedly yelled the same three words to everyone around him:

Let it go!

Homan yelled it again and again to fellow fans of the Dave Matthews Band.

Let it go!

Homan, who lives in Westville, implored others at last Friday's performance at the Ruoff Music Center to let it all go. Possibly their inhibitions, their troubles, their problems or their mundane experiences before they came together to share this communal musical experience.

Let. It. Go.

I looked around the outdoor venue in Noblesville, about 27 miles northeast of Indianapolis. Sure enough, everyone was letting it go. I did my best to join them even though I wasnt drunk, stoned or high on DMB music.

Many of the bands classic songs seemed to profoundly affect fans, as if the tunes were gospel hymns sung inside a church filled with devout believers. Or as if the fans were converted by these hymns years ago in their formative years. Or as if these fans responded the same way, with visceral emotions, every time they hear certain songs or the deeper cuts from older albums.

The show was magical. And transformative. And sensual. Quintessential Dave Matthews Band, according to fans around me.

Most of Daves songs are about sex and death, one guy told me.

Some of those fans have attended dozens of DMB concerts since the band hit the music scene in the early 1990s. Others have attended hundreds of DMB shows. This one was my first. I felt like an unconverted atheist at an old-time church revival.

Can you feel it? one woman yelled to no one in particular.

Yes, I felt it.

Thousand of fans will feel it again this Friday and Saturday night in Chicago when they make a pilgrimage to Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, where DMB will be performing. Im a bit envious of those fans. Im even more envious of anyone who will be experiencing their first DMB show.

Theres something special about your first concert of a music performer. Any performer or band that left you with a memory that has never faded.

You cant deny the soul-touching experience of live music performed in front of hundreds or thousands of like-minded fans, all singing and pulsating as a single organism. Its as primal as the first beat of a primitive drum. And its as joyful as it gets for fans of any music, any performer, any venue, in any city on the stairway to musical heaven.

Come back for tomorrow nights show! Homan told me.

I hesitated to reply, considering his invite.

Come on, what else do you have to do? he asked.

I hesitated again.

You see, youve got nothing going on.

Actually I did, including a column to write on deadline. But I enjoyed his sermon, so much so that I recorded it during the show. (Watch it at NWI.com.)

Tomorrow youre gonna see 22 more songs that youve never seen in your life. (Expletive) everything else if its not important, Homan said as the music blared.

His wife, Christina, interrupted him for a second.

What are you doing? she asked.

Hes preaching! I told her.

Homan continued preaching to a choir of one: me.

If its not important, enjoy this weekend. You will remember it for the rest of your life, he said. Just do it, man.

And so I did. I had one of the most unforgettable weekends of my life, although I didnt return to that venue for DMBs second show.

Instead, I had other plans for Saturday, including a 20-mile bicycle ride through nearby Carmel, soaking up a 95-degree day in a new city, and enjoying a tasty visit to Triple XXX Family Restaurant in West Lafayette.

Plus, theres something special about doing a certain thing only once that keeps it pristine in memory. Its like capturing a bolt of lightning in an empty bottle and keeping it frozen in time. I feel this way about many bucket-list experiences Ive done, although I dont have a formal bucket list.

For instance, skydiving. Or driving the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angles to San Francisco. Or riding my motorcycle 100 mph on a highway. Or flying at 9.2G's in a F-16 fighter jet. Or, possibly, attending a Dave Matthews Band concert. I may do it again next year. I may not.

You should say (expletive) whatever is not important tomorrow and enjoy your life right now, Homan told me.

Hes right again.

I thought about this as DMB played a brilliant mashup of the Bob Dylan classic All Along the Watchtower and the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven.

You dont have to be a die-hard DMB fan or a die-hard Dylan or Jimi Hendrix or Zeppelin fan to enjoy this live version. It was amazing.

Some of the songs that night felt like musical moments of spiritual reawakening. Fans seem to tap into a higher power during these shows while tapping into primal aspects of the human spirit.

Homan joined billions of humans before him who've used music to touch their soul. People have been exploring ways to let it go for eons. Homan was definitely practicing what he was preaching.
Nineteen minutes before the first 911 call alerted the authorities to a mass shooting, a hate-filled, anti-immigrant manife sto appeared online. The authorities have said that it was written by the suspect; it said he was carrying out the attack in response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas. The deadliest attack to target Latinos in modern American history, the shooting in El Paso, a city that is 80 percent Hispanic, has deeply disturbed Latinos across the United States.

The suspect told investigators soon after his arrest that after driving more than 10 hours from Allen to El Paso, he had become lost, and then drove to Walmart because he was hungry, according to court documents. He also told investigators that he had used an AK-47-style rifle and brought multiple magazines with him from Allen to carry out the killings.

His mother had called the Allen Police Department in the weeks before the shooting, asking whether her son was mature enough to handle the rifle he had recently ordered. The police told her that, according to the law, her son was allowed to have the weapon , a lawyer for his family has said.

A lawyer for Mr. Crusius could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday. His court-appointed lawyer, Mark Stevens, has previously said that he would use every legal tool available to prevent his client from being executed. Mr. Crusius is being held without bond, the authorities said.
A Texas man who fatally shot 23 people and injured dozens more at a Walmart store in El Paso in 2019 pleaded guilty on Wednesday to federal hate crimes and weapons charges in connection with the deadliest anti-Latino attack in modern United States history.

Lawyers for the gunman, Patrick Crusius, said last month that he would change his plea to guilty days after federal prosecutors notified the court that they would not seek the death penalty. He has agreed to accept a sentence of 90 consecutive life terms, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. Mr. Crusius is to be formally sentenced in June.

Mr. Crusius, 24, still faces trial on state capital murder charges, for which he could receive the death penalty.

He appeared in U.S. District Court in El Paso on Wednesday afternoon, where he pleaded guilty to all 90 federal charges that he faced, including 45 hate crimes.
Jack Goldstein, a preservationist who in the 1980s reacted to the razing of several venerable Broadway theaters under a Times Square redevelopment plan by helping to organize a successful campaign to give landmark status to more than two dozen other theaters, died on June 16 in Cold Spring, N.Y., in Putnam County. He was 74.

The cause was a heart attack, said Tom Miller, his executor.

Over 30 years, Mr. Goldstein established himself as an effective behind-the-scenes player on Broadway.

He was the executive director of the nonprofit Save the Theaters, which was formed to prevent the future destruction of playhouses. He was an executive at Actors Equity Association, the labor union, and with the Theater Development Fund, where he initiated the design competition that led to the creation of a new TKTS discount ticket booth in Duffy Square, topped with a dramatic cascade of 27 ruby-red structural glass steps that rises above West 47th Street.

Jack had a great artistic eye and a deep commitment to good government, Gretchen Dykstra, the former president of the Times Square Business Improvement District, said in a phone interview.
Shootings in New York City dropped by about 25 percent through the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, extending a downward trend after a spike in violent crime during the pandemic.

The sharp drop, which mirrored similar decreases across the United States, came amid widespread fears about crime in the city, which officials have blamed for keeping workers and suburbanites cloistered in their homes.

At a briefing on Thursday, Edward Caban, the acting police commissioner, said that shootings had declined for 13 consecutive weeks. The numbers were released at the beginning of summer, when violence historically rises, but he said he was confident that the departments positive streak would continue in the summer.

It is no coincidence, Mr. Caban said. From the beginning of this administration, we made the fight against gun violence our top priority.
A change in hair color can be emblematic of a shift in someones personal life, a fresh start or an attempt to hit pause on the aging process. Depending on the person, it may be a significant change that lasts for a while  or just till the next haircut.

For many men, it can feel like a chance to strut out a new look, or to signify that they are back on the market. That may have been a consideration for Bill de Blasio, the former New York City mayor: After 30 years of marriage, he and his wife, Chirlane McCray, revealed this week that they were separating. (The couple said they did not intend to divorce and would continue to live together for the time being.)

One of the major takeaways for readers who remembered his grayer days in Gracie Mansion, however, was Mr. de Blasios considerably darker hair. I never anticipated ever doing anything with hair color, he said in the interview. But I like feeling what I feel.

We spoke with hairstylists and colorists about what men should know before going under the dye bottle.
In her role as an operations manager at an Amazon warehouse in Georgia, Kayricka Wortham had the authority to approve new vendors and their invoices.

But during her time there, federal prosecutors said, she used that power in another endeavor: Running a scheme by which $9.4 million was stolen from the company  money that, in part, Ms. Wortham used to buy a nearly $1 million home nearby, along with luxury cars, including a Tesla and a Lamborghini.

On Wednesday, Ms. Wortham, 32, was sentenced by a federal judge in Atlanta to 16 years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in a plot that involved six other people, according to court documents.

Ms. Wortham, who was charged in September 2022 and pleaded guilty in November, was also ordered to pay more than $9.4 million in restitution to Amazon, and her time in prison will be followed by three years of supervised release, the United States Attorneys Office in the Northern District of Georgia said in a statement on Wednesday. The home that Ms. Wortham bought with the stolen money, along with several luxury vehicles, have been seized, prosecutors said.
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida and Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, Republicans who have claimed responsibility for sending migrants to Democratic-led states, said the individuals volunteered to travel elsewhere. They have also framed the moves as a protest against President Bidens border policies, and argued that Democratic cities and states that have declared themselves sanctuaries against immigration enforcement should welcome migrants.

Democratic leaders, including Mr. Bonta and Mr. Newsom, have in return denounced the relocations as a partisan and callous political stunt. For the past year, Mr. Newsom has attacked Mr. DeSantis and Mr. Abbott for their policies on abortion, guns and immigration while encouraging other Democrats to call out Republican-led states. The California governor flew to Idaho this week to rally Democratic voters.

Mr. DeSantis did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the call for a federal investigation. A spokesman for Mr. Newsom said that Mr. Garlands office had not yet replied to Thursdays request.

The letter on Thursday focused on the moves underwritten by a Florida-funded Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, which has claimed responsibility for relocating about 100 migrants so far. The program has transported far fewer people than Texas, but has operated more stealthily by dropping off migrants with no warning.

Last month, the Florida program paid for two planeloads of Latin American migrants to fly to Sacramento, prompting civil and criminal investigations by the California Justice Department. After several of the migrants said they had taken the flight because a program contractor had promised them jobs and housing before leaving them without any resources, Mr. Newsom suggested that kidnapping charges should be filed against Mr. DeSantis, who is running for president.
Business groups say that asking employers to shoulder the burdens of Californias housing crisis, particularly acute in places like Los Angeles, is unfair.

Background: Hotel workers want multiple raises over three years.

As tourists, wedding guests and Anime fans descended on the region for an extended weekend leading into the Fourth of July holiday, thousands of workers at 19 hotels officially began striking on Sunday.

Members of Unite Here Local 11, the union representing some 15,000 hotel workers in Southern California, authorized a strike last month, as their contract was expiring. Kurt Petersen, the unions co-president, said on Thursday that although the initial picketers had returned to their jobs, thousands of additional union members were preparing to walk out at some of the roughly 60 hotels where workers had voted to strike.

Were calling it waves, he said. Theyre really angry: They want to get to a wage thats fair, and they want respect.

Local 11 wants hourly wages, now $20 to $25 for housekeepers, to immediately rise by $5, followed by a $3 increase in each subsequent year of a three-year contract. Union leaders say workers need such increases to afford living costs in Los Angeles, where housing is scarce and expensive. The union has also asked that hotels impose a 7 percent fee on guests to help fund worker housing.
Now, Mr. Bidens aides think they have little choice.

Ukraine, which has deployed cluster munitions of its own in the war, is burning through the available supply of conventional artillery shells, and it will take time to ramp up production.

Mr. Biden has come under steady pressure from President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, who argues that the munitions  which disperse tiny, deadly bomblets  are the best way to kill Russians who are dug into trenches and blocking Ukraines counteroffensive to retake territory. One American official said Thursday that it was now clear that the weapons are 100 percent necessary to meet the current battlefield needs.

Yet for months, Mr. Biden and his aides have tried to put off the decision, hoping that the tide of the war would turn in Ukraines favor. Part of the concern has been that the United States would appear to lose the moral high ground, using a weapon that much of the world has condemned, and that Russia has used with abandon.

The administration has also been aware that sending the weapons to Ukraine would be enormously unpopular among allies and members of Mr. Bidens own party; over the years, many Democrats have led the charge to bar the use of the weapons by American troops. When, five days into the war, Jen Psaki, then the White House press secretary, was asked about the Russian use of unconventional weapons, including cluster munitions, she said: We have seen the reports. If that were true, it would potentially be a war crime.

More than 100 nations have signed a 15-year-old treaty banning the use of cluster munitions, which rain down smaller bombs that scatter across the landscape. The weapons, which are meant to explode when they hit the ground, have caused thousands of deaths and injuries, often among children who have picked up duds that failed to go off in the initial attacks, only to explode long after a conflict is over.
She was there to woo the conservative moms of Iowa. So Casey DeSantis, the wife of Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, wasted no time in talking about her three young children  and how badly she wanted to leave them home.

Its funny, somebody outside by the snowball machine was asking, Did you bring your kids with you? she said, sitting on a small stage on Thursday in suburban Des Moines for her first solo appearance in her husbands presidential campaign. Her answer was unequivocal: No.

The last time she had the brilliant idea of doing a campaign event with one of her small children, she told the crowd, was at an event for her husbands re-election campaign in Florida. For most of her remarks, Madison, then 5, squirmed by her side. In the final moments, Madison tugged on her sleeve and whispered that she had to go to the bathroom, Ms. DeSantis recalled.

What youre having, moms, is one of those out-of-body experiences. Do I need to get up? Do I need to walk her? she said, as the audience roared. Like, what is happening?
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida raised $20 million in the first six weeks of his presidential run, his campaign said Thursday, a substantial sum that solidifies his place as the leading rival to former President Donald J. Trump.

While the number falls short of the $35 million that Mr. Trumps campaign said the former president raised in the three months ending June 30, Mr. DeSantis had only half the time to bring in campaign funds after officially entering the race in mid-May.

In addition to the $20 million the DeSantis campaign said it had raised, a super PAC backing Mr. DeSantis, Never Back Down, said Thursday that it had collected $130 million since March. But nearly two-thirds of that sum was transferred to the group from a state committee that had supported Mr. DeSantiss re-election bid last year.

The totals supplied by the campaigns  more detailed numbers dont have to be filed with the Federal Election Commission until July 15  provide the first glimpse into the fund-raising battle between the leading candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, a race that could set records for spending.
China's logistics sector has experienced rapid growth, thanks to the application of digital technologies such as big data, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence, leading to a faster flow of commodities and an increasingly efficient distribution system. Recently, Chinese express delivery companies have been expanding cold-chain logistics facilities to ensure product freshness. This is in response to the escalating demand for deliveries, particularly for perishable products such as lychees, cherries, crayfish, ice creams, and ready-to-cook dishes. These companies have extended their cold-chain logistics service networks to rural areas and expanded the sales area of agricultural products. In Jiangjin district of Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, freshly harvested Sichuan peppers from a local planting base are sent directly to a nearby cold storage facility for packaging. From there, they are moved to a cold-chain parcel collection center less than 100 meters away and dispatched to locations across the country on the same day. As of June 24 this year, China had handled 60 billion parcels, according to the country's State Post Bureau. Many courier companies have adopted a method that involves shipping parcels from the warehouse closest to a customer's delivery address, leveraging big data analysis in the process. This approach optimizes the allocation of resources in all facets of logistics. Big data analysis enables more precise matching of supply and demand, effectively reducing costs and enhancing efficiency, according to Liu Dacheng, deputy director of the Institute of Internet Industry at Tsinghua University. Express delivery enterprises are vigorously improving their digital operations, optimizing transit and delivery processes. They are hastening the application of fully automated sorters, unmanned warehouses, unmanned vehicles, drones, and other technological equipment, all aimed at enhancing the efficiency of delivery services. "Real-time information about each cargo truck is displayed on our digital logistics platform. By applying positioning technology and a big data processing system, we achieve fully automated logistics," stated an executive of FAW Logistics Co., Ltd. Safety, efficiency, and price are the three key factors that drive intelligent logistics. Logistics equipment such as automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots are widely employed, noted Liu Bin, an expert at JD Logistics' intelligent logistics park, a division of Chinese leading e-commerce company, JD.com. In 2022, the National Development and Reform Commission introduced plans for a modern distribution system over the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025). The plans emphasized the need to accelerate the development of intelligent logistics and utilize modern information technologies and intelligent equipment to make logistics more automated and smarter. While delivering smart logistics services, some Chinese courier companies are working towards green development. At an outlet of Chinese express delivery company ZTO Express in Linyi city, east China's Shandong Province, several hundred numbered blue mail bags were used for packaging. According to the outlet manager, each bag was equipped with a chip, allowing mail bags to be reused for four to six months. These chips facilitate the collection of real-time information about parcel delivery, making it possible to track the parcels throughout the transport process.
Their love affair across one of the worlds most heavily guarded borders had begun on the virtual battlefields of a video game where players bond over having one anothers back against bloody enemy ambushes to become the last survivors.

But when Seema Ghulam Haider, 27, a married Pakistani Muslim, sneaked into India with her four children to be with Sachin Meena, 22, a Hindu man, their time together was brief. About two months after they started secretly living in the same neighborhood in Rabupura, a town outside New Delhi, the couple ran into the Indian authorities.

This week, Ms. Haider and her children were arrested on charges of having illegally entered India; Mr. Meena and his father were also arrested, on charges that amount to little short of conspiring to shelter an enemy.

I dont want to go back, Ms. Haider told reporters as she was taken away by the police, her befuddled children next to her. I want to marry Sachin. I love him a lot. I left everything for him.
In a rare news conference with local and foreign journalists at the marbled presidential palace in Minsk, Mr. Lukashenko, always eager to be seen as an international statesman, clearly enjoyed the limelight cast on him by the most dramatic challenge to Mr. Putins authority in his 23 years in power. But days after offering a haven to Wagner fighters and their leader in his country, Mr. Lukashenko gave no clarity about where they would go or what role they would play.

While Mr. Lukashenko, an autocrat who has ruled his country for 29 years, continued to boast of his mediation and peacemaking, he also made clear his deference, even subservience, to Russia and Mr. Putin, whom he referred to multiple times as big brother.

The main question of where Wagner will be deployed and what will it do  it doesnt depend on me; it depends on the leadership of Russia, he said. He added that he had spoken to Mr. Prigozhin on Wednesday, and that Wagner would continue to fulfill its duties to Russia for as long as it can, though he did not elaborate.

Mr. Putin has long sought to pull Belarus deeper into the Russian political, economic and military orbits. For years, Mr. Lukashenko, whose power depends heavily on managing that relationship, did well enough to maintain some independence and even tried to build trade ties to the West.
In 1936, the eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first Black student to win the Akron, Ohio, citywide spelling bee. Buoyed by community support, Cox traveled on a segregated train to Washington, D.C., and entered the arena for the national competition through a back door. When she reached the final five, the judges committed an act of racial perfidy. The word they gave her  nemesis  was not on the approved list. Cox spelled it N-E-M-A-S-I-S and was eliminated. The terrible prospect of Black excellence besting Anglo-Saxon smarts was narrowly avoided.

Spelling bees fit neatly into the idea of American meritocracy and are, increasingly, a vehicle for immigrant industry. Winning requires an alchemy of aspiration, labor and talent, plus a dash of good fortune. There is something stirring about the public display of potential, the ability to master anxiety in a moment that demands perfection, and the promise of youth.

The picture book HOW DO YOU SPELL UNFAIR? MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee (Candlewick, 40 pp., $18.99, ages 7 to 10), by the veteran childrens nonfiction author Carole Boston Weatherford, functions both as history and as antiracist reading that will inspire discussion in homes and libraries. Weatherfords depiction of Coxs journey pairs facts gleaned from newspaper accounts with directive questions: Can you spell discrimination?

It is not subtle. But at a time when many Americans will offer any explanation for racism but racism, there is value in being on-the-nose. Even in seemingly straightforward games of achievement like spelling bees, the best and the brightest dont always secure the victory, and racism can curdle the whole affair.
The Chinese authorities announced a fine of nearly $1 billion for the financial technology firm Ant Group on Friday, nearly three years after regulators halted the companys plan for a record-breaking public offering that ushered in a period of intense government scrutiny of technology firms.

The fine announced by Chinas top securities regulator is seen as a sign that the authorities are wrapping up investigations into technology firms, bringing to a close a period of tough regulation for the industry. Officials said this year that they would start to relax oversight of tech firms. The 2020 crackdown on Ant was followed by a record $2.8 billion antitrust fine for the e-commerce giant Alibaba, Ants sister company, and a $1.2 billion penalty for Didi, a ride sharing service.

Regulators fined Ant and its subsidiaries 7.1 billion renminbi ($985 million) and ordered the company to shut down its crowdfunding platform for medical costs, Xianghubao. Regulators also announced a shift in their focus, because most of the prominent problems in the financial business of technology giants have been rectified.

Ant Group said in a statement that it has been conducting business rectification proactively since 2020 and would comply with the terms of the penalty in all earnestness and sincerity.
Kathryn Keeler and her husband, Stuart de Haaff, own an olive oil company in the hills of central California. The couple spend their days harvesting olives, bottling the oil, labeling the glass bottles and shipping them out, relying primarily on UPS to get their product to kitchens throughout the United States.

They are far from alone. UPS handles about a fourth of packages shipped each day in the United States, according to the Pitney Bowes Parcel Shipping Index, many of them for small businesses like Ms. Keelers company, Rancho Azul y Oro.

But with the labor contract between UPS and 325,000 of its workers expiring at the end of the month and a potential strike looming, business owners around the country are facing what could be the latest in a series of supply chain disruptions they have confronted since the start of the pandemic.

Some are pre-emptively turning to FedEx, the next largest private carrier in the United States, or the Postal Service. Others are calling their third-party shippers  firms that work with the likes of UPS, FedEx and DHL to handle their clients shipping needs  to ensure that their packages can still get to their final destinations even if there is a strike.
Of all the economic rifts between the United States and China, one felt personally by American executives is what they describe as the difficult, even hostile, conditions they face doing business in China.

Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen laid bare those concerns on Friday by leveling a forceful objection in Beijing to punitive measures the Chinese government has taken against foreign firms, as tension between the two nations has escalated.

Surrounded by executives from some of the most powerful American companies, Ms. Yellen criticized the Chinese governments harsh treatment of companies with foreign ties and its recent decision to impose export controls on certain critical minerals. She suggested that such actions justified the Biden administrations efforts to make U.S. manufacturers less reliant on China.

Ms. Yellens comments, made to a group of executives from American businesses operating in China, underscored the challenges that the worlds two largest economies face as they struggle to reconcile their deep differences.
Sue Johanson, the blunt, bawdy and beloved Canadian sex educator and host of the long-running television call-in program Sunday Night Sex Show and its American counterpart, Talk Sex With Sue Johanson, died on June 28 at a care facility in North Toronto. She was 92.

Her death was confirmed by her daughter Jane Johanson.

Sue Johanson dressed demurely, often in blazers and wire-rimmed glasses, but she had a comedians timing and instincts, which defused the hot-button topics she addressed. (In demonstrations, she had a way of stretching out condoms  she was an evangelist for them  that recalled a clown making balloon animals.)

And like Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the Holocaust survivor and onetime Israeli sniper turned sex therapist, Ms. Johanson, a registered nurse and mother of three who had run a birth control clinic in a public high school for nearly two decades, became a media star in midlife.

I wasnt young, she said in Sex With Sue, a 2022 documentary about her directed by Lisa Rideout, with Jane as her mothers interlocutor and the films creative consultant. I wasnt beautiful. I didnt have bodacious tatas. I was a mother with a load of information.
A new shortage of a type of penicillin crucial to the fight against syphilis is alarming infectious disease experts, who warn that a protracted scarcity of the drug could worsen the U.S. epidemic of the sexually transmitted infection.

The shortage, announced by the drugmaker Pfizer in a letter last month, involves Bicillin L-A, a long-acting injectable antibiotic also known as penicillin G benzathine. The company cited significant increases in demand because of the rising rate of syphilis infections, as well as Bicillins recent use as an alternative to amoxicillin, another antibiotic that has periodically been scarce and is prescribed for more general infections like strep throat.

Steven Danehy, a spokesman for Pfizer, said it would likely take about a year for the company to ramp up production by 50 percent at its plant in Rochester, Mich., and ultimately manufacture enough Bicillin to meet demand and shore up reserves.

Syphilis has been on the rise in the United States since 2000, reaching 176,713 cases in 2021, which was an increase of nearly 75 percent since 2017, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Years after the events of the first Avatar movie, we pick up with the human Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who is now a Navi (you know, the blue creatures) and husband to Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). Theyre raising a bevy of children, three of their own along with the human orphan nicknamed Spider and Kiri, the daughter of Sigourney Weavers character, Dr. Grace Augustine, from the first film. The familys idyllic life in the fictional realm of Pandora is disrupted when sky people (you know, the military) come back to avenge Jake for betraying his human self. He is torn between fighting the enemy and protecting his family, and the universe of the original film opens up as they travel to distant, extremely gorgeous landscapes. With a running time of just over three hours, this James Cameron film might not be in the cards for toddlers who can watch maybe 20 minutes of Blippi before imploding. For older kids with some viewing stamina, the dynamic flying scenes and eye-popping visuals should hold their attention. Maybe not for the whole time, but you can always hit pause and come back later.
Id been trying to direct a movie since 2015, Wilson told me over coffee at a West Village bistro. TV didnt appeal to me. And Im not the kind of guy who wants to make a tiny indie that nobody sees just to prove that I can do it. I want my movie to play well in theaters, so to have this half-a-billion-dollar franchise supported by a studio come my way  thats rare for a first-time director.

Insidious: The Red Door, the fifth movie to fly under the Insidious banner, wisely skips over the lackluster third and fourth installments and returns to the events of Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013). After nearly ax-murdering his entire family, Jack Torrance-style, Josh retakes control of his body from a psycho-biddy demon, and  with the help of a mind-scrubbing hypnotist  completely represses all memory of his possession. The Lamberts are free and the credits roll.

No offense, but thats not how you deal with a problem, Wilson chuckled.

The Red Door confronts the trauma of that earlier film from the perspective of a father-son relationship. Ten years later, Josh has separated from his wife, Renai (Rose Byrne), and is the quintessential absent dad, haunted by a past he cant articulate. In Insidious, its revealed that the couples eldest child, Dalton (Ty Simpkins), has inherited his fathers ability to astral project, which renders him vulnerable to the ghosts hanging out in a netherworld called the Further. Dalton, too, had his memory erased. Now, the prickly teenager rejects his father, though hes stuck with him on the drive to his first year of art school.

I asked Wilson if his sons  one is heading to college soon  send him curt one-word texts. Nah, we have a great relationship, said Wilson, who since 2005 has been married to the actress Dagmara Dominczyk (Karolina in Succession).
What happened to Mike is a grievous tragedy, Mr. Simon wrote. But I know that Michael would look upon the undone and desolate life of Mr. Macci and know two things with certainty: First, that it was Michael who bears the fuller responsibility for what happened.

And second, Mr. Simon continued, No possible good can come from incarcerating a 71-year-old soul, largely illiterate, who has himself struggled with a lifetime of addiction and who sold drugs not for profit but rather as someone caught up in the diaspora of addiction himself.

The Wire was a five-season panorama of the drug trade in Baltimore, where Mr. Simon once was a police reporter. It followed narcotics and their attendant corruption from the streets through every municipal institution. Mr. Williamss character made a living by robbing dealers, his presence presaged by an ominously whistled version of The Farmer in the Dell and shouts of Omars coming!

Mr. Simon said that during the third season of The Wire, Mr. Williams quietly acknowledged his struggles with addiction to a producer. Then, to stay at work  which was, in fact, a stabilizing influence in his life  he readily agreed to let us help him address his drug use, going so far as to seek the constant companionship of a crew member whose job was to assure some distance between Mike and temptation.
A retired inspector who worked and socialized with Mayor Eric Adams when they were both members of the New York Police Department was charged on Friday with conspiring with four construction executives and a bookkeeper to funnel illegal donations to Mr. Adamss 2021 campaign.

The 27-count indictment accuses the defendants, some of whom had sophisticated knowledge of campaign finance law, of trying to conceal the source of thousands of dollars in donations by making them in the names of colleagues and relatives.

The indictment, announced by the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, says the group sought influence and perhaps city contracts, but it does not accuse Mr. Adams or his campaign of misconduct and does not suggest he was aware of the scheme.

Mr. Bragg said in a statement that the defendants had concocted a deliberate scheme to game the system in a blatant attempt to gain power.
The palatial Beaux-Arts library on Fifth Avenue guarded by a pair of stone lions was not where Farrah Denson wanted to be when she was a teenager growing up on the Upper West Side.

It was too formal and too intimidating, she recalled. She felt like she had to be on her best behavior and not touch anything. And she dreaded climbing all the steps to the main entrance.

I felt like I was going to a courthouse, said Ms. Denson, now 34, who lives in Jersey City. It wasnt a place youd want to hang out in.

Today, the New York Public Librarys celebrated research library  officially known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman building  is still as imposing as ever, set in its elegant lot in the middle of the skyscrapers of Midtown Manhattan, but it has become a far more welcoming place.
What Does This Project Entail?

The tunnel would be the centerpiece of a sprawling project to upgrade the New York metropolitan regions rail system. Known as Gateway, it involves replacing a balky, old bridge in New Jersey and adding tracks on both sides of the Hudson.

The main beneficiaries of the improvements would be commuters from New Jersey and riders on Amtraks Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston. But Gateways supporters say that, along with creating more than 70,000 construction jobs, the project will boost the regional and national economies.

Once the new tunnel is open, Amtrak would repair the existing tubes, which have been deteriorating steadily since Hurricane Sandy flooded them in 2012. If one of those tubes had to be shut down before the new tunnel is finished, the number of trains that could use the remaining track during peak hours would be cut by 75 percent.

The potential failure of one or both of the only two rail tunnels running under the Hudson River is one of the most pressing issues facing New York City right now, and that is why I have worked so hard to move this project and this critical work ahead with all due speed, Mr. Schumer said.
This article is part of Overlooked, a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, went unreported in The Times.

Its April 17, 1945. Two Nazi officers are making a 24-year-old woman walk ahead of them toward the sandy dunes along the Dutch coast. Shes wearing a blue skirt and a red and blue sweater.

She is the Dutch resistance fighter Hannie Schaft, but one might not have recognized her immediately: Her signature red hair has been dyed black.

As she walks, one of the officers fires his gun at the back of her head. The bullet ricochets off her skull and doesnt kill her. The other officer then shoots her, also in the back of the head, this time at closer range.
We might assume that legacy admissions help privileged students at the expense of underprivileged ones. But I would wager that legacy students, if eliminated, are far more likely to be replaced by other kinds of privileged students than by underprivileged ones. And in ways that are far less obvious, legacy students, with their deep social and cultural connections, are part of the reason less advantaged students get so much out of elite schools.

With the end of affirmative action, this is all moot. Estimates suggest that the percentage of Black, Latino and Native American students at selective colleges will drop significantly in the coming years, in some cases returning to 1960s levels. Colleges and universities that are serious about fairness should eliminate all preferences  not just legacy ones  that advantage the privileged. But as they redesign their systems, its worth taking time to consider how the presence of privilege can aid the disadvantaged.

Start by asking yourself what students get out of elite schools. I would like to believe that the most important benefit of these colleges is the exceptional knowledge that professors can deliver in the classroom. But if elite schools delivered special intellectual growth and professional training  what social scientists call human capital  privileged students would benefit greatly from them. And theres no good evidence that they do.

Instead, other forms of capital play a bigger role: symbolic capital (the value of being associated with prestigious institutions), social capital (the value of your network) and cultural capital (the value of exposure to high-status practices and mores). Graduating from an elite school pays off on all three counts: It affiliates you with an illustrious organization, offers you connections to people with friends in high places and acculturates you in the conventions and etiquette of high-status settings.

Students who come from privileged backgrounds arrive for freshman year having already accrued most of this capital. Attending an elite college doesnt add much for them. But for students from underprivileged backgrounds  students who are less likely to have a ready-made network of rich, influential connections, or to have a shared set of cultural references over which to bond with powerful gatekeepers  an elite college experience can be transformative.
I am a ballet dancer and a Black man, in that order. I left the United States to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow at age 15 so that people would see my skill first and not my skin. It was a naive dream, I realize now, since unlike painters, whose work can be regarded without their presence, I am both the artist and the artwork, and there can be no separation.

But at the time, I wanted to be like Monet or Janis Joplin  artists remembered for their haystacks and raspy voice, not their whiteness. In Russia, I found this freedom. There was no history to support American stereotypes, and so I was so alien, so foreign, that I was the author of my past, present and future for the first time. Also, the Russians didnt care about diversity, so they didnt plaster my face on a billboard or in a catalog to show they filled a quota.

My nearly 12 years dancing for American Ballet Theater could not have been more different. Back in the United States, my skin color seemed to snap into the spotlight. I tended to get cast in swarthy, sinister roles, like the evil sorcerer in Swan Lake, and subservient, exotic roles like the lead fakir in La Bayadere. When I was given the role of Harlequin in Harlequinade, a significant role, I was still playing what is essentially a comic court servant. I couldnt help feeling humiliated, as if I was doing a shuck and jive. Would I ever be ready in their eyes for a more aristocratic role?

The leaders of the American Ballet Theater do not agree with the way I am characterizing my tenure with the company. They said I lacked the technical and artistic skills for the roles I sought. But why did I get promoted to soloist in 2020 if they didnt think I was ready?
Its an interesting question and an interesting conversation that we can have. We did an assessment of who was dying. And we published it in November, I believe, and part of that was showing that those people who are dying from Covid are those who have very high rates of comorbidity. Some of them are dying at home. Some of them are dying in hospice. That is not to dismiss their death. Theyre important deaths. But the character of the kind of person who was dying is different. And the backdrop of immunity was different, and the case fatality rate of different variants changed over time, as well. And maybe the messaging that you heard was not as loud as it should have been, but we have throughout said these vaccines are imperfect  certainly after we recognized that they were working better to protect against severe disease and death than to protect against infection. And I think about all of the messaging that we did over the last three years. We have all known that throughout all of this, the elderly and immunocompromised were the ones that were being hit the hardest. And that has been the area of focus.

But I dont think the public really appreciated just how large that skew was, with people in their 80s facing a mortality risk from infection perhaps thousands of times as large as the one faced by teenagers and maybe several times as large as people in their 70s.

Vaccination reduces those risks dramatically, but it doesnt eliminate them. And through Delta and Omicron, it seemed there was very little messaging along the lines of, If youre 85 and vaccinated, act like you might if you were 70 and unvaccinated. There was much more focus on the power of the vaccines and much less about their limitations. Again and again, we heard that binary language, the pandemic of the unvaccinated  a point Biden made in September 2021 and then returned to in December, when nearly 30 percent of Covid deaths were among the fully vaccinated or boosted.

On top of which, there are also two different components of mortality risk: the infection fatality rate, which measures your chances of dying from an infection, and the prevalence of the disease, which is a good proxy for your risk of being infected in the first place. And if you have vaccines, which cut the I.F.R. by, say, a factor of three or four for the elderly, but also a variant that is spreading much faster both because of its inherent transmissibility and because people are taking fewer precautions, the overall effect on the risk by an individual is effectively null. And yet during this time, almost no one was saying that especially for the most vulnerable, the risk landscape hadnt changed that much.

And maybe theres more you can do to decrease the prevalence than you can in potentially decreasing the I.F.R. And so where do you try and put your efforts? There was a lot of effort in decreasing prevalence in Omicron.
But the Saudis were not the only ones at fault. In October 2021, the R.S.F. and S.A.F.  which had once operated in the same national military force  led a joint coup that dissolved Sudans transitional government. A month later, the prime minister and the military signed a power-sharing agreement that codified the coup, further legitimized the military as a governing force, and delayed the transition to a civilian government. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Britain welcomed this agreement as a step in the right direction. They ignored the thousands of protesters who saw any type of military rule as unacceptable.

Since the start of the war on April 15, the R.S.F. and S.A.F. have agreed to  and broken  at least 17 cease-fires. The war has only grown more deadly. The city of El Geneina, home to over half a million people, has been described by doctors as one of the worst places on earth. Parts of Khartoum do not have running water or electricity right now. Evacuation remains difficult, if not nearly impossible.

As this disaster has unfolded, international leaders have once again ignored the Sudanese people. This includes the more than 8,000 neighborhood resistance committees, trade unions, and womens groups that participated in the Revolutionary Charter for Establishing Peoples Power, a blueprint for a bottom-up approach to democracy. The participants refuse to cooperate with the Sudanese military, which has orchestrated genocides and violence since Sudans independence in 1956, or with its dark offshoot, the R.S.F.

The R.S.F. has a particularly sinister history. It was born of a militia that was originally commissioned by the government to quell a rebellion in Darfur and was later accused of committing crimes against humanity in the process. While the R.S.F. reportedly fell under S.A.F. authority in 2017, it kept some autonomy. Since then, the R.S.F. has steadily gained more power, arms and capital through likely affiliations with the Wagner group, the U.A.E., and Libya. It was inevitable that they would eventually come head-to-head with the institution that created them. When they did, millions of ordinary Sudanese people became collateral damage.

I was one of them, forced to flee the country against my will.

The international community tends to benefit from Sudans instability. The R.S.F. and the S.A.F. s respective control over what appear to be complex illicit trading and commercial networks doubtlessly enable Sudans dependence on imports. Since the 2014 signing of the African Union Commission and European Unions Khartoum Process, the R.S.F. has played a major role in preventing migration to Europe through Sudan. The head of the R.S.F. has claimed, in that regard, to be operating under the directives from the president of the republic to combat illegal migration. While the international community has not formally partnered with the R.S.F., it may have inadvertently enabled the violence that the R.S.F. has used against Sudans most marginalized groups.
The Teamsters and UPS go back a long way. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was formed through a merger in 1903. UPS was founded four years later by a couple of teenagers as the American Messenger Company. The Teamsters became for a time the nations biggest private-sector labor union, and UPS became the worlds biggest package delivery company. There were ups and downs along the way. In 1967 the Teamsters president, Jimmy Hoffa, was sent to federal prison after being convicted of jury tampering, mail and wire fraud and conspiracy. In 1997 there was a 15-day strike that largely crippled UPS, as The Times reported at the time.

Today UPS is the biggest employer of Teamsters, with a third of the unions members. According to the company, full-time package truck drivers earn $42 an hour, on average, after four years on the job, and part-time employees earn $20 an hour, on average, after a month on the job. All employees represented by the Teamsters get zero-premium health care benefits and a pension plan.

To be clear: Im not taking sides. Its impossible for outsiders to judge whos right and wrong in the current impasse over hourly pay and other money matters, because neither party has publicly revealed its bargaining positions. What we do know is that a lot of contentious issues have already been resolved, including, as The Times has reported, a requirement for air-conditioning in new trucks beginning in January and additional fans and venting for existing trucks. Last Saturday the Teamsters tweeted about three big wins: the elimination of a lower tier of pay for some drivers, the establishment of Martin Luther Kings Birthday as a full holiday and the ending of forced overtime on drivers days off.

Earlier in the negotiations the Teamsters put me in touch with a couple of UPS drivers so I could get a sense of the rank and files perspective. Jason Dube, a package truck driver from Poland, Maine, told me, We get worked like rented mules, and complained that when any petty red flag goes up, were treated like criminals. He said he was prepared to go on strike to be shown some appreciation, respect. On the positive side, he said he would much rather work for UPS than FedEx. (He said there are no Amazon drivers in his area.) The safety, the training, the professionalism, everything we do is with a purpose and with a thought. Thats why we have consistently been the best service provider in the industry.
INTERNATIONAL

An article on Thursday about a suit filed by four countries over an Iranian missile that hit a Ukraine Airlines passenger flight misstated the year that the U.N. rapporteur, Agnes Callamard, published her report about the downing of the flight. It was in 2021, not 2001.

NATIONAL

An article on Tuesday about online bullying of a lecturer at the University of Chicago over a course on whiteness misattributed a statement that said the online messages Rebecca Journey received were disturbing. The university said that in a statement to The Times, and not in a February dismissal from Jeremy W. Inabinet.

An article on Thursday about the sentencing of the Texas man who pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes in the 2019 massacre targeting Latinos in an El Paso Walmart store misspelled the surname of the judge in the sentencing hearing. He is David Guaderrama, not Guaderama.

Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions.
On a hike during a vacation on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Heather Brooke Rinehart was one month pregnant and needed to stop for a snack at a beach. As she rested, she noticed that someone had written Will You Marry Me? in the sand.

I was like, this is awkward, she said Were going to witness it and Ill have to say, Its OK, I dont mind not being engaged. It was September 2016, and Ms. Rinehart was on the trip with her boyfriend of four and a half years, Tom Patrick Sinnott.

When they first began dating, both had been adamant that marriage was not in the cards. Mr. Sinnott had witnessed many messy divorces among family and friends, and Ms. Rinehart had been married once before, a relationship that ended after her ex-husband used her identity to embezzle money at his workplace. Getting married was almost the scariest thing I could do, said Ms. Rinehart, who goes by Brooke.

But months before, they had decided to have a child, and now, their son was on the way. Starting a family and the resulting closeness ameliorated their fears about marriage, and led to them independently changing their perspectives. I thought, am I punishing myself by saying Im not going to get married again and drawing that line in the sand? Ms. Rinehart said. If its someone I love and were building this special life together, Im allowed to do this.
Growing up in Dallas, Kelly Ann Wingets parents used to remind her that her lifestyle was not the norm, but being gay in a conservative state like Texas had nothing to do with it. Instead, Ms. Winget, who described herself as the daughter of a fifth-generation oil and gas family, said they were very well-to-do. But her parents still wanted us to be exposed to the real world  if we wanted something, we had to work for it, she said.

Ms. Winget, 33, started working at a carwash at 15 to buy a $300 pair of jeans, and she hasnt stopped working since.

In June 2020, on her first date with Sarah Naomi Matteson in Argyle, Texas, Ms. Winget fell asleep on Ms. Mattesons bed 20 minutes after knocking on the front door. She had been working very hard as a vice president of investor relations at a private equity firm in Reno, Nev.

It felt so natural to walk in there, and talk to each other a little and then just go to bed, Ms. Winget said. We describe it now as a coming home feeling.
Twitters parent company sued a leading corporate law firm on Friday for what it said were unjust payments related to Elon Musks $44 billion acquisition of the social media company last year.

A $90 million payment that Twitter made to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, a top mergers and acquisitions firm, amounted to unjust enrichment and should be paid back, according to the lawsuit, which the parent company, X Corp., filed in San Francisco Superior Court.

The lawsuit said Wachtell Lipton took funds from the company cash register while the keys were being handed over to Mr. Musk, who owns X Corp.

Twitters previous management hired Wachtell Lipton after Mr. Musk tried to terminate his agreement to acquire the company last year. He was unsuccessful, and the purchase closed in October.
And I love to bring people to Hail, also in the north. Hail is a historic area  Lawrence of Arabia spent a lot of time there  and the landscape is stunning. The sand dunes, the red mountains, and just the beautiful shapes of the rocks and rock inscriptions. You can be driving and driving, then suddenly you come across a small oasis, a cluster of palms between the mountains.

Are there many other women tour guides in Saudi Arabia?

There are many, many female tour guides, and even more in training. In the class that I took to become a licensed guide, there were twice as many women as men, and I think thats pretty common.

A lot of potential female visitors might have questions about how to dress in Saudi Arabia. I know you dont wear a head scarf or an abaya. Did you stop doing that as soon as the rule changed a few years ago?

It was gradual for me. At first, I would still wear an abaya and hijab in the city, but not if I was out in the desert or in the mountains. But then I moved to Riyadh for work and I found myself more comfortable and happier without an abaya, as long as I was still dressed modestly. Now, I dont wear an abaya or hijab. The only exceptions are if Im going somewhere official  the courthouse or a police station  or if Im going to a mosque. If Im going to pray, I need a scarf.

Some people might stare because its still kind of a new thing to see, but they respect my choice. I once had an Uber driver in Al Jouf who told me: Look at me, with my beard and my mustache. Im a man, but I married the woman my mother chose for me. But look at you, without an abaya: Youre a woman, and you made your choice. Youre braver than me.

What do you advise women visitors in terms of how to dress?

Some Saudis will recommend that women visitors wear a scarf. But why? Its OK not to. In rural areas, they might stare at you, but I find that, even there, most people are welcoming. And the people who arent welcoming wont say anything because there is no longer a rule about it. I always feel safe, even though I travel alone and without an abaya. Come and Ill take you to the Red Sea, and youll see  there, you can wear a bikini. The only exception is if you visit a mosque. There, its mandatory to cover your legs, and for women to wear long sleeves and a scarf.
A recently discovered letter written by President Abraham Lincoln that offers a glimpse into his thinking during the early part of the Civil War sold this week in Pennsylvania for $85,000, according to an autograph dealer.

The previously unpublished letter had been in the same private collection for at least a century before it was acquired earlier this year, said Nathan Raab, the principal of the Raab Collection, which buys and sells historical autographs, documents and signed letters.

Discovering unpublished, unknown letters of Abraham Lincoln is increasingly rare, Mr. Raab said in a statement about the document on the Pennsylvania collections website. The letter, which measures 5 by 8 inches, was sold to a private collector in the southeastern United States on Wednesday, Mr. Raab said.

Dated Aug. 19, 1861, the short letter is addressed to Charles Ellet Jr., an American civil engineer and Union Army colonel, who had met the president and lobbied him for the creation of a civil engineering corps. Colonel Ellet had insisted that immediate action be taken to understand the Souths infrastructure because he felt that Washington was vulnerable.
A self-described white nationalist who wrote that Hispanics were invading America before fatally shooting 23 people at a Walmart store in El Paso was sentenced on Friday to 90 consecutive life terms for his conviction on federal hate crimes charges.

For two days this week, relatives of victims confronted the gunman during an emotional hearing in federal court, where they called him a coward and described some of the gaping wounds caused by the AK-47-style rifle that he used in the shooting, which also left 22 people injured, including an infant.

Several of the victims relatives had hoped the gunman, Patrick Crusius, would be sentenced to death. Texas prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty when the gunman is tried later on murder charges in state court. Life sentence is not justice for you, Luis Juarez Jr., who lost his father in the massacre, told the gunman.

The federal sentencing in the attack, one of the deadliest on Latinos in U.S. history, follows a plea agreement in February that recommended that the defendant be imprisoned for life in exchange for pleading guilty to hate crimes and weapons charges.
At the house where four University of Idaho students were murdered last year, sheets of plywood cover the windows. A temporary fence surrounds the yard. Security guards, posted in a blue trailer, keep watch 24 hours a day.

And yet, for a university trying to erase the remnants of a tragedy that cast a terrifying shadow over the past academic year, the house on a hillside near campus remains uncomfortably conspicuous  visible from nearby fraternity houses and sought out as a photo spot by true-crime aficionados from around the country. University officials hope to demolish it before a new class of students arrives in August.

But the plan has distressed some family members of the four students killed, who worry that the house could be vital to the prosecution of the accused killer, and to a jurys understanding of how the four students could have been slaughtered in bedrooms on the second and third floors without alerting two other roommates in the house. They have pressed the university to hold off on any demolition.

Whats best for the case is for us to take caution and protect what the jury may possibly want to wrap their heads around, Steve Goncalves, the father of one of the victims, Kaylee Goncalves, said of the universitys announcement.
A legal ethics committee in Washington that oversaw a disciplinary case late year against Rudolph W. Giuliani recommended on Friday that he be disbarred for his unparalleled attempts to overturn the 2020 election in favor of his client at the time, President Donald J. Trump.

In its recommendation, the panel from the D.C. Bars board on professional responsibility said that Mr. Giulianis efforts to undermine the integrity of the election had helped destabilize our democracy and done lasting damage to the oath to support the U.S. Constitution that he had sworn when he was admitted to the bar.

While the panel acknowledged a record of public service by Mr. Giuliani, a former New York City mayor and U.S. attorney in Manhattan, it also noted that all of that happened long ago.

The misconduct here sadly transcends all his past accomplishments, the panel wrote. It was unparalleled in its destructive purpose and effect. He sought to disrupt a presidential election and persists in his refusal to acknowledge the wrong he has done.
While the front-runners in the 2024 presidential race have yet to show up on Threads, the new Instagram app aimed at rivaling Twitter, many of the long-shot candidates were quick to take advantage of the platforms rapidly growing audience.

Buckle up and join me on Threads! Senator Tim Scott, Republican of South Carolina, wrote in a caption accompanying a selfie of himself and others in a car that he posted on Thursday  by that morning, the app had already been downloaded more than 30 million times, putting it on track to be the most rapidly downloaded app ever.

But President Biden, former President Donald J. Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida remain absent from the platform so far.

And that may be just fine with Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, who told The Timess Hard Fork podcast on Thursday that he does not expect Threads to become a destination for news or politics, arenas where Twitter has dominated the public discourse.
Donald J. Trump attacked Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida on Friday over his support for farmers, saying his chief rival for the Republican presidential nomination would be a catastrophe for the countrys agriculture industry.

Mr. Trump claimed at a rally in Iowa that Mr. DeSantis would outsource American farming jobs overseas and oppose the federal mandate for ethanol, a fuel made from corn and other crops. Support for ethanol, which Iowa is a national leader in producing, is a quadrennial issue in presidential elections in this early voting state.

In 2017, Mr. DeSantis supported legislation that would end the renewable fuel standard, a nearly two-decade-old standard that requires refiners to blend biofuel into gasoline nationwide. The policy is opposed by some conservatives, who see the mandate as onerous government regulation.

Speaking to more than 2,000 supporters in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Friday, Mr. Trump rattled off his record of delivering on priorities for conservative farmers, including raising the exemption limit on the estate tax and replacing the North American Free Trade Agreement. Then, he eagerly highlighted what he claimed was his rivals history of opposing an issue that carries outsize political weight in Iowa.
For months, Floridas usually picturesque coast was plagued by a rotting tangle of seaweed, known as sargassum. Then, as quickly as the stinking mass arrived, it began to disappear.

Beachgoers rejoiced, posting pictures of white sands and sparkling waters to social media. Scientists said they had expected the sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico to wane eventually  but not so fast, or by so much.

That is a surprise, said Chuanmin Hu, a professor of oceanography at the University of South Florida, noting that there was still a lot of sargassum in the Tropical Atlantic. The good news is the sargassum season for Florida is very likely over for this year. But for the Eastern Caribbean, its not over yet, he said.

Last month, the amount of sargassum in the Gulf of Mexico dropped by a staggering 75 percent, Dr. Hu and colleagues at the University of South Florida Optical Oceanography Lab noted in a bulletin published last week.
From her first week on the Supreme Court bench in October to the final day of the term that ended last week, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson did something remarkable for a junior justice: She established herself as a distinctive voice on the court.

She was not cowed by her surroundings or the historical import of her appointment, said Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University. She came to play.

Other justices have spoken about taking years to find their footing at the court, but Justice Jackson, the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court, wasted no time.

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. did not write his first solo dissent in an argued case until 16 years into his tenure. Justice Jackson issued three such dissents in her first term.
In her preliminary ruling on Friday that allowed the case to advance, Judge Diane Schlipper indicated that she did not believe that doctors could be prosecuted for performing consensual abortions before a fetus reached viability. She wrote that there is no such thing as an 1849 abortion ban in Wisconsin.

The decision by Judge Schlipper, of the Circuit Court in Dane County, gave credence to the legal arguments used by abortion-rights supporters and kept open a judicial path to restore abortion access. But the immediate effect of her decision was limited, and the final say on the case is widely expected to come from a higher court.

Todays ruling is a major victory in our fight to restore reproductive freedom in Wisconsin, said Attorney General Josh Kaul, a Democrat who brought the lawsuit challenging the measure, in a statement. While this ruling does not resolve the case and wont be the final word in this litigation, he said, it made clear that the law should not be interpreted to criminalize consensual abortions.

The ruling on Friday stemmed from a request by Joel Urmanski, the district attorney in Sheboygan County and a defendant in the lawsuit, to dismiss the case. Mr. Urmanski, a Republican, had previously indicated to local reporters that he would be open to prosecuting abortion providers under the 1849 law if a case was presented to his office.

Mr. Urmanski said in an email on Friday that he was in court and had not yet reviewed the ruling. He declined to comment further. Two lawyers representing him in the case did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment.
Rahul Gandhi, Indias top opposition leader, faced another setback on Friday when a court in the state of Gujarat denied his request to stay his conviction in a defamation case, a move that leaves him at risk of imprisonment and possibly unable to run in national elections next year.

Mr. Gandhi, the most prominent leader of the Indian National Congress party, was sentenced to two years in prison in March in connection with a 2019 campaign speech in which he likened Prime Minister Narendra Modi to two Indians accused of swindling money who shared the same last name.

A member of Mr. Modis party, who also shared the Modi name, argued that the remark was offensive and filed a lawsuit. The sentence, the maximum for defamation cases, automatically disqualified Mr. Gandhi from his seat in Parliament. Members of the opposition have called the case politically motivated.

The Gujarat High Court, where Mr. Gandhi had filed a petition seeking a stay on his conviction, said there was no reasonable ground to suspend it. The conviction is just, proper and legal, said Justice Hemant Prachchhak, who heard the review plea at the high court.
Just four years ago, a joint American and Chinese effort to stem the flow of fentanyl produced in China from reaching the United States appeared set to take off. Beijing had unveiled a sweeping new law banning the synthetic opioid, leading the Trump administration to praise Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, for a wonderful humanitarian gesture.

Soon, Chinese and American law enforcement agents joined forces to investigate and prosecute fentanyl traffickers in China.

But today, cooperation between the two countries on fentanyl is at an impasse. Mutual efforts to crack down on a narcotic responsible for tens of thousands of drug overdoses in the United States each year have been thwarted by wider geopolitical tensions over trade, human rights, Russia and Taiwan. The failure to cooperate on fentanyl interdiction is emblematic of the myriad ways the bilateral relationship has run aground.

In part to try to get other countries to pressure China to do more to curb the outflow of precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken led on Friday the first virtual meeting of a global coalition of nations aiming to end the threat of dangerous synthetic drugs.
Yan Mingfu, the son of a Chinese Communist Party spy who became Mao Zedongs interpreter and a negotiator who sought to defuse the standoff between the party and student protesters occupying Tiananmen Square in 1989, died on Monday in Beijing. He was 91.

His daughter, Yan Lan, confirmed the death in a statement in the Chinese magazine Caixin. She did not specify a cause, but Mr. Yan had endured a succession of illnesses in old age.

Dad passed away peacefully, putting a full stop on a life filled with tumult and drama, Ms. Yan wrote.

Mr. Yan was thrust onto the center stage for key moments in Chinas Cold War years. He was a Russian-language translator for Mao as he built an alliance with the Soviet Union in the 1950s, and later as the alliance slid toward bitter animosity. He accompanied Chinese leaders again in 1989, when the Soviet leader, Mikhail S. Gorbachev, visited Beijing to heal the rupture.
Be careful before you casually dash off another thumbs-up emoji: A Canadian court has found that the ubiquitous symbol can affirm that a person is officially entering into a contract.

The ruling pointed to what a judge called the new reality in Canadian society that courts would have to confront as more people express themselves with hearts, smiley faces and fire emojis  even in serious business dealings or personal disputes.

The case questioned whether a farmer in Saskatchewan had agreed to sell 87 metric tons of flax to a grain buyer in 2021. The buyer had signed the contract and texted a photo of it to the farmer, who had responded by texting back a thumbs-up emoji.

The farmer, Chris Achter, contended that the thumbs-up emoji simply confirmed that I received the flax contract and that it was not confirmation that he had agreed to the terms of the deal, according to the ruling. He said he had understood the text to mean that the complete contract would follow by fax or email for me to review and sign.
After the 36-hour mutiny ended on June 24 without a major armed clash, Mr. Lukashenko claimed credit for brokering the resolution, and he seemed to sketch the outlines of a deal: the Wagner leader Yevgeny V. Prigozhin would go to Belarus, Russian authorities would not prosecute him, and Wagner fighters in Ukraine who did not want to be absorbed into the Russian military, as required by a new law, could be welcome there, too.

Mr. Lukashenko said last week that Wagner might use an old Belarusian military base, but despite the speculation spurred by the new tents, it was not clear that he meant this one, in the village of Tsel. He also said that Mr. Prigozhin was in Belarus, though there was no confirmation of that.

On Thursday, in a rare session with foreign journalists, Mr. Lukahsenko said Mr. Prigozhin was in Russia, a free man. On Friday, a Pentagon official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military intelligence, said Mr. Prigozhin was believed to be in Moscow, with no apparent restrictions on his movements.

General Kasinsky was cagey about the camps purpose. He said it would be used for a military training exercise in September, and insisted that the tents and bunks were erected so quickly as part of an exercise in rapid field camp construction.
President Bidens decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine has angered a wide range of Democrats, who are accusing his administration of making a hypocritical decision that risked the moral standing of the United States.

The move answered a monthslong clamor from congressional Republicans to supply Kyiv with the weapons, but Mr. Bidens political allies denounced it.

A victory for Ukraine is an essential victory for democracies across the globe, but that victory cannot come at the expense of our American values and thus democracy itself, Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Democrat of Pennsylvania and an Air Force veteran who co-chairs a bipartisan congressional caucus on unexploded ordnance and demining, said in a statement on Friday. I challenge the notion that we should employ the same tactics Russia is using, blurring the lines of moral high ground.

She and other Democrats argued that cluster munitions of the kind the administration plans to send to Ukraine pose indiscriminate harm to civilians long after they are used in combat.
American allies reacted with caution on Friday to reports that the Biden administration said it would provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, widely banned weapons that often cause grievous injury to civilians, especially children.

While not criticizing the United States or opposing the move, Germany and France said they would not follow suit, pointing to an international treaty they have signed that bans the use, stockpiling or transfer of such weapons. The United States, Russia and Ukraine have not signed the treaty, known as the Convention on Cluster Munitions.

Germany has also signed the convention; for us this is not an option, Germanys defense minister, Boris Pistorius, told reporters in Bern, Switzerland.

The French Foreign Ministry also referred to the treaty, known as the Oslo Convention, saying that France has pledged not to produce or use cluster munitions, and to discourage their use. But a spokeswoman for the ministry noted in response to a reporters question that neither the United States nor Ukraine were bound by the treaty.
For months, the parties in the coalition government had struggled to come to an agreement about migration, debating terms of family reunification and whether to create two classes of asylum: a temporary one for people fleeing conflicts, and a permanent one for people fleeing persecution.

Dutch news organizations reported that Mr. Rutte had called for limiting the entrance for children of war refugees who were already in the Netherlands and for making families wait at least two years before they could be reunited. Mr. Rutte denied those reports, according to the Dutch broadcaster NOS.

But arguments about migration policy continued to split the Dutch government, which already has tougher immigration policies than some other E.U. nations. This week, two parties in the governing coalition, the Christian Union and the centrist D66, determined that they could not come to terms with Mr. Ruttes party, leading to a crisis in the government.

One of the values that are important with the proposals is that children grow up with their parents, a statement by the Christian Union party said. As a family party, that is what we stand for. The party said it wanted to work with heart and soul for a humane and effective migration policy.

Migration has proved an intractable issue among many European voters and political parties, fueling the popularity of nationalistic and right-wing parties around the continent, and leading to sharp criticism from rights activists over how governments have treated migrants. Last year, Dutch aid agencies struggled to help hundreds of asylum seekers who were living in a makeshift camp outside an overcrowded reception center, in what aid workers described as dismal conditions.
Under the vaulted brick arches of a contemporary art center in central Kyiv, a soldier in military green gave a reading of his own poetry, far from the front lines of the war he has been fighting since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Like many other soldiers, Pavlo Vyshebaba, 37, a platoon commander with the 68th Brigade, had long been collecting donations to procure supplies for his unit, in his case using his poetry as an appeal.

But donations, which once flooded in via the web, have been lagging lately as the war drags on. Mr. Vyshebaba recently took two weeks off from the war to give readings around the country in a push to ramp up contributions in person.

I saw that the fund-raising on the internet at the beginning of 2023 stopped being effective, that maybe my audience was exhausted and we didnt have victories for a long time, he said. But we still needed all this stuff.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is wrapping up an intense week of diplomacy with a visit to Istanbul on Friday to meet with Turkeys president about the Black Sea grain deal that is once again facing an uncertain future, according to Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency.

Turkey and the United Nations brokered the deal last year to allow Ukrainian grain to be exported through the Russian blockade in the Black Sea. Moscow has repeatedly threatened to abandon the agreement, saying that it impedes Russias own exports, but last-minute extensions have so far kept the deal alive. An extension agreed upon in May expires on July 17.

Mr. Zelensky and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet amid renewed pressure on Mr. Erdogan to approve Swedens bid to join NATO. Mr. Erdogan has blocked Swedens membership for months, accusing the country of harboring dissidents whom Turkey considers terrorists. NATO officials, who are hoping the issue will be resolved at an annual summit next week in Vilnius, Lithuania, worry that a failure to move ahead with the expansion of the alliance would be a symbolic victory for President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia.

The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry S. Peskov, said on Friday that Russia would be closely following the results of the meeting. Mr. Peskov added that Russia considered Turkey an important partner and greatly values its relationship with Mr. Erdogan.
When he learned that the Israeli army had launched a raid this week to comb for weapons and explosives in the occupied West Bank city of Jenin, Mahmoud Sarahat and his friends mobilized to fight back. His comrades shot at Israeli soldiers, while he helped evacuate the wounded and the dead, he said, retrieving their guns to give to other fighters.

After two days of violence left 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier dead, the Israelis pulled out on Wednesday, leaving behind damaged homes, broken infrastructure and renewed rage at Israels occupation of the West Bank. But it was mixed with frustration with the Palestinians own leaders for their failure to chart a better future for their people, much less to protect them.

We want the Authority to leave, Mr. Sarahat, 23, said of the Palestinian Authority. They left us for dead.

Israel called its 48-hour incursion into Jenin, which it said was aimed at rooting out Palestinian militants, a necessary operation to prevent attacks on Israelis: It said all 12 Palestinians killed were combatants, and at least nine were claimed as fighters by militant groups.
The |

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of Translation See how a translator carries a book from one language to another, line by line.

If someone asked me to describe my relationship to literary translation, my full-time occupation for the last decade, I might call it an ungrudging obsession. Its often difficult, occasionally all-consuming, but not without its pleasures  some of which are akin to those of the daily crossword.

Much like a crossword, a translation isnt finished until all the answers are present and correct, with each conditioning the others. But when it comes to literature, there is rarely ever just one solution, and my job is to test as many as possible. A word can be a perfect fit until something I try in the next clause introduces a clumsy repetition or infelicitous echo. Meaning, connotation and subtext all matter, but so does style.

Below are two attempts to show the thought processes involved in the kind of translation I do.

Original La verdad, la verdad, la verdad es que el no vio nada, por su madre que en paz descanse, por lo mas sagrado que el no vio nada | Original La verdad, la verdad, la verdad es que el no vio nada, por su madre que en paz descanse, por lo mas sagrado que el no vio nada | Original La verdad, la verdad, la verdad es que el no vio nada, por su madre que en paz descanse, por lo mas sagrado que el no vio nada | Google Translate The truth, the truth, the truth is that he did not see anything, for his mother may she rest in peace, for the most sacred thing that he did not see anything | Google Translate The truth, the truth, the truth is that he did not see anything undefined|  Draft 1 undefined Draft 1 The truth undefined| is that he did not see anything  Draft 1 The truth is that he did not see anything | Draft 2 The truth undefined| Draft 2 undefined Draft 2 undefined Draft 2 The truth, the absolute truth, is that he didnt see anything | undefined| Draft 3 undefined| Draft 3 The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is that he didnt see anything | Draft 3 undefined undefined| Draft 4 undefined| Draft 4 undefined Draft 5 Honest undefined| Draft 5 undefined Draft 5 Honest, honest, honest to God, he didnt see a thing undefined|  Draft 5 Honest, honest, honest to God, he didnt see a thing, on his mothers soul, may she rest in peace, he didnt see a thing | The first example comes from the Mexican writer Fernanda Melchors 2017 novel, Hurricane Season, a murder mystery wrapped around a critique of state corruption. The plot unfolds as a continuous restating of the facts by those involved in the crime. Its a story told in village hearsay, and it hangs on the author's ability to create distinct and credible voices for her characters. A successful translation has to carry those voices over to English. These are the first lines of a chapter that follows a character named Munra, a sort of lovable (though highly unreliable) fool. Munra isnt speaking here, but the narrator is channeling him. Here, just for reference, is how Google Translate renders the lines in English. Im often asked if machine translation services or A.I. will put human translators out of a job. It doesnt keep me up at night. So how would I turn this into a human translation? Lets start with the first part. Id definitely get rid of this ploddingly literal repetition. Nobody would say the truth, the truth, the truth in English. But some kind of repetition is crucial. Its how the third-person narrator gives us the feeling that were inside Munras head. Without it, the translation is faithful to the meaning of the Spanish clause, but it feels stale, spiritless, not faithful to the voice. Munra, in this moment, is insistent; that opening (La verdad, la verdad, la verdad) seeks to persuade. Maybe one repetition, plus an emphatic adjective, could get that across. And a contraction should make this bit feel more conversational. Now it just about passes for something someone might say   but not this character. This next try is something of a joke, but it shows you where my mind goes: Sometimes translation is almost like a session of free association. I mentioned that Munra is trying to persuade here, but because I read the whole book before I started translating it, I know more: Hes actually providing a witness statement. Even so, my nod to the courts of law reveals this information too quickly and inelegantly, in a way that the original does not. Its a reckless translation. Back to the drawing board. Could I swap an adverb for a noun? I think were starting to hear a voice emerging, but its too formal for this character. Whats more, the rhythm doesnt hold. Obviously not every line of a novel has to scan, but the three rushed syllables of anything at the end of this clause are deeply unsatisfying to my ear. One last try. Ive managed to get rid of that adverb, but only by introducing a set phrase. It may seem like quite a liberty to bring God into the picture, but consider the second part of the original: por su madre que en paz descanse, por lo mas sagrado que el no vio nada. Munra is swearing on his dead mother, and on the most sacred thing. And whats the most sacred thing, if not God?

I grant that Ive shifted the pieces around, but I havent added or removed any, and the sentence is shaping up. Crucially, I think Ive found this characters voice  a task that really does keep me up at night, in a no mans land between the voice I can hear in Spanish and the one that doesnt yet exist in English.

Another important charge of the literary translator is preserving ambiguity. Literature can be beautifully precise, but it can also be wonderfully vague, open to interpretation. Sometimes a character says something and all the possible inflections of their voice are meant to sound equally plausible. Ambiguity in this sense allows a work of literature to linger in the mind.

Theres a scene like this in Chilean writer Alia Trabucco Zerans novel Clean, which comes out in English next year. Estela, a live-in domestic worker nurturing a grudge, sabotages her employers much fussed-over pisco sours, intended for that evenings distinguished party guests. When the employer, Senora Mara, discovers this, she turns on Estela, telling her that she will be docking her pay.

With that, Mara takes a bottle of champagne from the fridge and returns to her guests in the next room, delivering a line that marks the quite astounding end of the chapter.

Original Enseguida se enderezo, se dio unos golpecitos en la falda y volvio con sus visitas, gritando:

Alegria, alegria.| Draft 1 undefined|

Alegria, alegria. Draft 1 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined Draft 1 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 1 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 1 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 1 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 2 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 2 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Wonderful, wonderful.| Draft 2 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined Draft 3 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 3 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Fun times, fun times.| Draft 4 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 4 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Drink up, drink up.| Draft 5 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

undefined| Draft 5 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Cheers, cheers.| Draft 5 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Cheers, cheers.| Draft 5 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Cheers undefined| cheers. Draft 5 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Cheers, everyone, cheers.| Draft 5 Immediately afterwards, she straightened up, patted down her skirt and returned to her guests, crying:

Cheers, everyone, cheers.| Here is how the scene concludes. Everything before the colon is easy enough. But the last two words are another story. They deftly bring out what action alone cannot  Maras essential hubris, self-consciousness and internalized superiority. The whole scene turns on these words, and I need to find a way to capture their pointedly ambiguous tone. Alegria means joy, happiness or merriment. Alegria, alegria  it should be so simple! Except none of those nouns makes for a vaguely credible exclamation in any tone of voice. Nope, nope. Theres another possible reading. The common construction Que alegria literally means What joy but translates as something like How wonderful. Maybe I can extrapolate the adjective and repeat it. Its not bad, and it sounds like speech, but from a more literary perspective  considering the novels themes  Im loath to replace a metaphysically rich abstract noun like joy with an adjective. A note on punctuation: It goes against instinct not to add an exclamation mark to this sentence, but the choice of a period in the original is striking, part of what creates that unreadable tone, so for me it must be mimicked. How about this? I like how colloquial it is as a phrase. I can really hear this woman saying it. The problem is, without the exclamation mark, it sounds like its dripping with sarcasm. That locks down the tone, rather than leaving several possible readings open. On that basis, I rule it out. This is quite a leap from Joy, joy, but I see this character as wanting above all to keep up appearances, to have a successful party. The longed-for piscos have been sprayed all over the kitchen, but theres still champagne. I think this is a passable, if a little heavy-handed, translation, relevant to the context and conveying the characters mood, while sounding natural to English readers. But I think I can do better. Now were getting somewhere. Cheers is a helpfully open-ended sort of phrase, and as a noun cheer is, if not exactly a cognate, certainly allied in meaning to joy, happiness and merriment. But I dont really hear Mara saying it twice. It feels too flat for this woman sweeping into her reception room to lavish champagne on her guests. The rhythm needs picking up. This just about does it. When a word or short line takes me this long to translate, theres always some resignation at the end. But for now, Im satisfied.

I can only hope that Ive communicated a good deal of the irony and pathos in this incredible scene, which reveals the misery of domestic servitude and the cost  for everyone involved  of the bourgeois pursuit of joy, joy.

For the purposes of this exercise Ive zoomed in most unnaturally on isolated lines of full-length novels. In fact, the most valuable piece of advice I received as a novice literary translator was never to lose sight of the whole puzzle, never to become wedded to one solution to the possible preclusion of the next.

Contrary to what Id imagined, in my eagerness to be faithful to the original meaning above all else, translation didnt turn out to be a subdued search for equivalence  for the closest possible match for each word  but a playful pursuit of equilibrium across an entire work, an exhilarating and, yes, joyful balancing act of loyalties: to sense, to significance and to style.
What grade would you give America when it comes to making progress on race and racism today? For our latest Times Opinion focus group, held in mid-June, we were curious to get those grades from young Black Americans just before the Supreme Court issued its ruling on affirmative action in college admissions. The court was weighing, on one level, whether affirmative action was no longer necessary to foster diversity on campus, as Justice Sandra Day OConnor predicted would be the case by 2028. Did members of our group, who graduated not long ago from a mix of historically Black colleges and universities and predominantly white institutions, think that America was making enough progress on race that it could do away with racial preferences in admissions?

Jocelyn, a 32-year-old from Pennsylvania who went to an H.B.C.U., said America felt like a split country, citing efforts by some states and school districts to actually remove Black history from curricula. Kathryn, a 34-year-old from Tennessee who went to a P.W.I., gave America a D. People think the civil rights movement fixed everything, she said, adding that just when theres some progress, we go two or three steps backward.

As for affirmative action, several members of the group said they thought critics of the policies put too much emphasis on it as a boost for minority students, noting that the policies have most benefited white women in America. Karis, a 34-year-old from Illinois, said his alma mater, the University of Chicago, made it a priority to recruit students from underrepresented minority groups but said he thought admissions criteria were balanced for applicants regardless of race.

For many members of the focus group, navigating white spaces and Black spaces in America has long been a fact of life, from school to the workplace to their neighborhoods. Several said they thrived at H.B.C.U.s, feeling encouraged academically and pushing themselves to succeed while having support from teachers and peers who were almost like family. Looking to the future, some hoped that enrollment at H.B.C.U.s would increase with the end of affirmative action. Others said they were worried about America in the near term, seeing little going well in the country and feeling downbeat about President Biden. Still, several said they believed the country will have made progress on race 25 years from now compared with today.
An 81-year-old Russian woman with ties to the criminal underworld of Krasnodar was recently arrested for ordering the killing of a criminal investigations detective.

Lyudmila Ryabykh is not your average grandmother. Not only does the 81-year-old have a strong connection to members of Krasnodars organized crime, but she once threatened to kill a paramedic with a sawed-off shotgun and she recently placed a hit on a local detective that apparently rubbed her the wrong way. The pensioner was caught red-handed after ordering the killing of an officer from the Krasnodar police department and paying part of the reward for proof of his death. Unfortunately for her, Ryabykh didnt know that her criminal associates had revealed her plan to the authorities, and she now risks spending the rest of her days behind bars.

According to the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, Lyudmila Ryabykh contacted a number of acquaintances from her circle of former prison inmates, offering them one million Russian rubles ($11,000) for the killing of a Krasnodar criminal investigations detective. The reason for wanting the man dead remains a mystery, but authorities suspect that the officers investigative work threatened the 81-year-old woman in some way.

The ruthless grandmother told her killer buddies where the police detective lived and even drew up a map of directions to his house, advising them that this was the best place to ambush and kill him. She never expected her contacts to rat her out to the police, but that was exactly what happened. As soon as they learned about Lyudmila Ryabykhs intentions, police officers decided to let her think that everything was going according to plan, in order to build a stronger case against her.

The targeted detective agreed to play dead, with blood makeup around his neck, to make it look like someone had slit his throat. Photos of the dead police officers were then provided to the contract killers, as proof for their employer. Only Lyudmila required more convincing. After seeing the photos, she went to the police station where the detective had worked to ask about him, only authorities had expected her to snoop around, and she was told that the police officer had been murdered.

The day after confirming the death of the snooping detective, Lyudmila Ryabykh paid 25,000 rubles to the contract killers and was arrested shortly after. Upon searching her home, police officers found an impressive arsenal of firearms, ammunition, hatchets, and knives.



The 81-year-old woman is currently being held in a pre-detention center until being formally charged for her crimes.
THE up and coming Dunkerrin Dog show is heading for its 24th year.

From humble beginnings it started at the grounds of the Church of Ireland in Dunkerrin and was organised by a committee which included Canon Arthur Minion and Reverend Janet White Spunner.

As it had grown and expanded down through the years it was necessary to relocate to a larger space in the close by Dunkerrin Community Centre.

The Dog Show is a great family day out with lots of categories to suit all dogs and great spot prizes from local sponsors.

Also on the day there will be an opportunity to purchase local homemade cakes, desserts, plants and a variety of goods.Try your luck with their raffle, auction and lots more.

This year the Dog Show will be opened by Patrick Fogarty, a local from Dunkerrin who recently had great success with his award winning play "The High King Of Ireland".

Patrick's play took first place in the 2022 P.J. O Connor Radio Drama Awards.

The Dog Show will be held on Sunday July 16th in Dunkerrin Community Centre, please come along and support Dunkerrin Church Of Ireland.
A MAN got so drunk in a Tullamore pub on the day of the Ireland/England rugby match in March that he went upstairs to a private apartment thinking it was his own home.

The local District Court heard that Conor Kavanagh, who must pay 2,500 to avoid jail, smeared blood in his cell after being arrested.

Details of what happened at the Newtown Bar in the early hours of March 19 last were outlined to Judge Andrew Cody.

Mr Kavanagh (30), Spollanstown Wood, Tullamore, pleaded guilty to assaulting Keelan Feery and trespassing in the Newtown Bar.

He also admitted public drunkenness and a breach of the peace at Market Square and criminal damage at the Garda Station.

Sergeant Richard Thornton told the court that gardai received a report of a male being highly intoxicated and refusing to leave the Newtown Bar, Church Street.

On arrival they found that Conor Kavanagh was banging at Market Square trying to gain entrance to the Newtown Bar.

He was highly intoxicated and aggressive and had no shirt or shoes on. Earlier he had been found upstairs in private property in the Newtown Bar banging doors and putting a resident in fear.

He had refused to leave and when the gardai arrested him he called them useless c...s and was placed in a cell where he continuously banged the door causing his hand to bleed. He then smeared blood on the walls and spat on the cell door.

Sergeant Thornton added that Mr Kavanagh had no previous convictions.

Defending solicitor Donal Farrelly described the case as a very sad one involving a 30-year-old salesman who previously had an impeccable record.

He went out for the day to watch a rugby match between Ireland and England and had drunk a lot without eating anything.

Mr Farrelly said his client was so consumed with alcohol that he has almost total amnesia. It appeared he ended going up into the apartment upstairs and went to the toilet thinking it was his own house he was so intoxicated.

The solicitor produced letters in court to be handed to the injured parties and he apologised for the distress he had caused to the person in their own home.

In the letter to that person, he said they should never have come into contact with something like that and he should have known better himself because he had worked in a bar for a number of years and had to deal with intoxicated people and understood what it's like to deal with them.

Sergeant Thornton said a statement had been received from the owner of the bar, Kevin Cleary, about how afraid he was of Mr Kavanagh because of his aggression and intoxication. A guest in the apartment was terrified.

Sergeant Thornton said the assault victim, Keelan Feery, a barman in the pub, had said that Mr Kavanagh was refused service at about 12.20am and then called the barman a fat prick and useless c...

He refused to leave the pub and threatened Mr Feery, saying: I'll get you.

Mr Cleary and Mr Feery got the man out onto Market Square and Mr Kavanagh tried to spit at Mr Feery's face but missed and got his shoulder.

Mr Farrelly said it was a dreadful experience for all who dealt with his client that night and stressed that Mr Kavanagh was extremely ashamed and embarrassed.

He was also extremely apologetic and asked for the opportunity to pay some compensation.

When Judge Cody put it to Mr Farrelly that there had been a series of incidents, not just one, the solicitor said it was fortunate that no one was injured.

His client had thought he was in his own home and started taking off his clothes. Though it was no excuse, he had been very drunk.

Judge Cody asked Mr Farrelly how much compensation he had in mind, stressing that even though the assault on Mr Feery was not a serious one, it was not pleasant to get spit on the shoulder.

Mr Farrelly said 1,000 was being offered, either for charity or in compensation.

Judge Cody said convictions like those facing Mr Kavanagh could drag behind him like a ball and chain so he would offer him the opportunity to pay 500 to Mr Feery and 2,000 to a charity nominated by Mr Feery.

The money must be paid by October 4 next, the judge added.

Asked if that would leave his client without a conviction, Judge Cody said that after October 4 he would put the matter back for another nine months and then consider striking it out this time next year.
5 Terror Suspects Held In Bengaluru With firearms, Raw Materials Used In Explosives

Highlights Of Karnataka Budget 2023

Bengaluru

oi-Prakash KL

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday presented the 2023-2024 state budget with an outlay of over Rs 3.27 lakh crore in the Legislative Assembly.

He said approximately Rs 52,000 crore would be spent annually for the five key poll 'guarantees' and it is expected to benefit 1.3 crore families.

He said through the five 'guarantees' (poll promises), the government will be providing an average additional financial assistance of Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 a month to each household.

The five 'guarantees' related to free bus travel for women, 200 units of free electricity, 10 kilograms of free food grains to the poor, Rs 2,000 for the woman head of the house and unemployment benefit of up to Rs 3,000.

Here are the highlights of the Karnataka budget 2023:

Re-launch of Indira Canteens. The government will allocate Rs 100 crore for renovation and maintenance.

From the existing 173, the dialysis centres will be increased to 219 at a cost of Rs 92 crore.

In memory of Karnataka Ratna, Puneet Rajkumar, Automated External Defibrillators (AED) will be installed in all district hospitals and taluk hospitals to aid in the prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. For this purpose, Rs 6 crore will be provided.

Excise duty increased by 20 per cent. Duty on beer increased by 10 per cent.

Rs 30 thousand crore grant to Namma Metro, a sub-urban train.

Rs 10 thousand crore grant to Food and Civil Supply department.

Rs 11 thousand crore grant to Social Welfare department.

Rs 10 thousand crore grant to PWD department.

Rs 10 thousand crore grant to Mahatma Gandhi NREGA Project through Krushi Bhagya.

Trauma Center in Kalaburgi and Mysuru.

4 per cent subsidy to 100 agricultural product manufacturer companies.

To elevate the state's GSDP growth rate from 13 per cent to 17 per cent and achieve the goal of becoming a 1 trillion dollar economy, various initiatives will be undertaken. These include enhancing capacity in the agriculture, industry, and service sectors, bolstering infrastructure support, implementing devolution of power, and promoting administrative decentralization.

2,442 pre-matric and post-matric boarding schools functioning under the Backward Classes Welfare Department will be provided with necessary basic facilities, and steps will be taken for their comprehensive strengthening.

20 per cent or a maximum of one lakh rupees in case of borrowing through commercial banks to create self-employment opportunities under Yam Udyog Loan Schemes loan subsidy will be provided through commercial banks.

100 Forest Product Units will be set up in tribal areas in coordination with TRIFED for processing and value addition of forest products.

Rs 310 crore is allotted for the construction of classrooms in schools and Rs 240 crore for the construction of classrooms in Pre-University colleges. With a total allotment of Rs 550 crore, the construction of 8,311 school and college classrooms will be completed shortly. This will ensure better facilities for the students of government schools and colleges.

For the ongoing construction works of medical colleges and hospitals, Rs 450 crore has been earmarked. In the current year, construction work on 450-bedded hospitals in Gadag, Koppala, Karwar and Kodagu districts will be completed on priority.

Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology has been dedicatedly serving cancer-affected patients in the state by offering affordable cancer treatment. In honour of its Golden Jubilee celebrations, a generous allocation of Rs 20 crore has been sanctioned to enhance the facilities of its regional units located in Kalaburgi and Mysuru. This investment aims to further strengthen the institute's ability to provide advanced and improved care to a multitude of patients.

To provide financial and social support to specially-abled persons, motorized bicycles will be provided to around 4000 registered beneficiaries with the department, at the cost of Rs 30 crore. The government will also make efforts to identify unregistered eligible beneficiaries and extend the facility.

An interest subsidy of 6 per cent will be provided to entrepreneurs belonging to Other Backward Classes Category-I and II(a) for loans availed up to Rs 10 crore from Karnataka State Finance Corporation. This will help them to utilize ample opportunities available for starting new enterprises in the service sector.

To prevent the menace of fake marks cards, the government will make it mandatory for all the higher education students of the state to get registered in 'The Academic Bank of Credits' and to access marks cards and certificates from NAD/Digilocker.

Suitable training programs will be organized for around 7,800 departmental staff at Higher Education Academy, Dharwad under 'Vruthi Chaitanya' program at an estimated cost of Rs 10 Crore.

Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences will establish a new medical college in Kanakapura taluka of Ramanagara district.

The state is home to 200 Moulana Azad Schools, where a commendable minimum of 75 per cent of students have successfully cleared their exams. Remarkably, 22 schools within this group have achieved a perfect 100 per cent pass rate. In order to further improve the quality of education, efforts will be made to identify the top-performing Moulana Azad Schools. These schools will receive special attention to enhance their educational standards. Additionally, schools without their own buildings will be provided with the necessary basic infrastructure to ensure a conducive learning environment for students.

A 'State Education Policy (SEP) will be launched which will replace the National Education Policy.

A budget of Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the establishment of the Karnataka State Christian Development Corporation.

To support minority students in pursuing graduate and post-graduate degrees at foreign universities ranked below 250 globally, interest-free loans of up to Rs 20 lakh will be provided.

Rs 50 crore to develop Waqf board and other religious properties.

A mega jewellery park has been announced in Bengaluru which will create employment for 10,000 people.

Action to establish 05 new traffic police stations and 06 women police stations in Bangalore city. Creation of a total of 2,454 posts in two phases.

100 crore in the year 2023-24 to replace the old vehicles in the department under the Police Mobility Scheme. grant.

Rs 10 crore for the upgradation of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Cyber Crime Cell (CCD) and Cyber Economics and Narcotics (CEN) units of police stations.

100 crore rupees for the construction of ten 3 bay fire stations under the K-SAFE scheme and for providing the necessary fire fighting vehicles. assistance

Construction of a museum near the Rajkumar Memorial to record the history of Kannada cinema.

Construction of film city in Mysore district with private participation.

Sculpture training centre to be started in Kolar district to prepare skilled sculptors for the construction of temples in the state.

Creation of two new elephant task forces in Ramnagar and Bannerghatta areas to control human-forest conflict.

Declaration of Black Antelope Conservation Reserve for the conservation of the Black Antelopes commonly seen in Bidar; 2 crore for protection and maintenance of this area.

Implementation of new policy to control and monitor Green House Gases (GHG) emissions.

Formation of Coastal Beach Tourism Task Force for coastal tourism development. Development of Sasihitlu beach as an international surfing destination.

Action for construction of Yatriniwas/dormitory at various tourist spots of the state.

Action to upgrade the premises of Karnataka Exhibition Authority, Mysore.

Under our metro plan, the existing 70 km network will be extended to 176 km in the next three years. The airport route will be completed in 2026.

15,000 crore under Metro 3rd phase. Estimated cost, 37 km from Hebbal to Sarjapur. Longitudinal Project Proposal Submission to Centre.

A total of Rs 800 crore has been allocated in the current year for the water supply scheme and conservation of water bodies in 287 towns under the Amrit 2.0 scheme. grant.

Construction of a new flyover at a cost of Rs 263 crore to connect Visvesvaraya Terminal.

800 crore in Bangalore city. 100 km in cost. Action to develop long main roads into white top roads.

273 crore in the year 2023-24. 83 km in cost. Development of long high-density corridor roads.

The interest-free loan limit for fisherwomen in banks is Rs 50,000. 3 lakh from Rs. An increase of Rs.

Limit on concessional diesel for fishing boats 250 crore to increase up to 2 lakh kilo litres. assistance

Rs 50,000 each for conversion of kerosene engines of fishing boats to petrol engines.
OPINION: AIMPLB Stalling Reforms Both From Within and Without

Feature

lekhaka-Smita Mishra

For too long, organisations like the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and the Jamaat-e-Islami have thwarted every possibility of reform in the Muslim society, especially any reform that pertains to the womenfolk. As for the AIMPLB, its very inception was rooted in opposition.

In 1973, some Muslim members from various parts of India came together to oppose the adoption laws under a uniform code and formed the Board. Among the objectives of the Board was to preserve personal laws as per the Sharia and protect Muslim society from any outside attempt to impose any rules and laws. Ironically, the Board also lists solving any problems of the Muslim society as its objective but records suggest that the Boar has seldom initiated any progressive moves or solutions to improve the lot of the community.

From Shah Bano to abolishing Triple Talaq, it has pursued the single point agenda of sticking to rigid old customs which are not in tune with the life of our times. While this helps to preserve the status and authority of the Board and other such bodies, it has terribly hobbled Muslim women's march ahead in life. The elite and well to do Muslims are still better off because they have resources to make up for it.

But it is the women and girls in ordinary families who are the most disadvantaged.

Dr Zakia Soman, who heads the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan told me recently that the only reason their women have been lagging behind those in the other communities is because others like Hindu women could benefit from successive reforms in the area of marriage, inheritance, divorce etc and thus unshackled themselves from old practices which were not in consonance with the demands of modern life.

What Is Uniform Civil Code: List Of Parties That Are Supporting, Opposing It

Every time an attempt was made by Muslim women, either out of resolve or the exigency of the situation, to approach the judiciary and demand equal rights, the AIMPLB and others like the Jamaat rose up to thwart the move. Meetings, morchas and protests were organised and the community scared into submission.

Had the Board been honest about its objective of 'solving' the problems of Muslim society, it would have dropped the role of a disruptor, conducted a free and fair dialogue within the community and facilitated reforms which were needed to facilitate the march of their women and girls just like their counterparts from other religions.

Instead, it chose to stall, scare and demean all attempts towards reforms.

Even in the Triple Talaq case, it was accepted only when it became a fait accompli in the Supreme Court and not out of any love for progress.

It is a travesty of our political system that those who openly denounce reforms are feted by people who call themselves secular and those who encourage even a small step forward are branded anti-Muslim.

The most frequently repeated argument one gets to hear from the spokespersons of both the secular parties and Muslim organisations is that reforms cannot be imposed, they must come from within the community. Fair enough.

But when it is proven time and again that attempts for reform are always nipped in the bud and those initiating the reforms are even demonised and ostracised, what else but legal remedies are the solution?

Electoral considerations killed Shah Bano's historic fight for a meagre relief. It would have almost killed Triple Talaq verdict had the Modi govt not brought an enabling legislation in Parliament.

Now Or Never: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Bats For Uniform Civil Code

Once again, the AIMPLB has announced country wide protests against the Law Commission's move towards a Uniform Civil Code so clearly enshrined in the Constitution of India.

The AIMPLB failed its responsibility of facilitating reforms in the Muslim society for five decades. It should now stop trying to stall a historic move to bring in a common civil code , an idea whose implementation is long overdue. It is incumbent upon organisations representing the community to allow, if not facilitate, equality and justice for their members and no amount of legal technicalities can change this fact.

(Smita Mishra writes on politics and current affairs)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of OneIndia and OneIndia does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.
Abusive Words Against PM Derogatory, Not Seditious: Karnataka HC

India

oi-PTI

The Karnataka High Court has said abusive words used against the Prime Minister was derogatory and irresponsible but it does not constitute sedition, while quashing a case of sedition against a school management.

Justice Hemant Chandangoudar, at the Kalburgi bench of the High Court, quashed the FIR filed by the New Town Police Station, Bidar, against Allauddin, Abdul Khaleq, Mohammed Bilal Inamdar and Mohammed Mehatab, all management persons of Shaheen School in Bidar.

The court said the ingredients of Section 153(A) (causing disharmony between religious groups) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) are not found in the case.

Corruption Biggest Ideology Of Cong, Chhattisgarh Has Become Its ATM: PM Modi

"The utterance of the abusive words that the Prime Minister should be hit with footwear is not only derogatory, but is irresponsible. The constructive criticism of the government policy is permissible, but the Constitutional functionaries cannot be insulted for having taken a policy decision, for which, certain section of the people may have objection," Justice Chandangoudar said in his judgement.

Though it was alleged that the play enacted by the children criticised the various enactments of the government and "if such enactments are enforced, the Muslims may have to leave the country," the HC noted that "the play was enacted within the school premises. There are no words uttered by the children inciting people to resort to violence or to create public disorder."

The HC said the play came to public knowledge when one of the accused uploaded the play on his social media account.

"Hence, at no stretch of imagination it can be said that the petitioners herein enacted the play with an intention to incite people to resort to violence against the government or with the intention of creating public disorder," it observed.

Therefore, the court said that "the registration of the FIR for the offence under Section 124A (Sedition) and Section 505(2) in the absence of essential ingredients is impermissible."

The sedition FIR was filed against the school authorities following the performance of a play against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizenship (NRC) by students of Classes 4, 5, and 6 on January 21, 2020.

The four persons were charged under Sections 504 (insulting someone intentionally), 505(2), 124A (sedition), 153A read with Section 34 of the IPC following a complaint by one Nilesh Rakshala, an Akhila Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activist.

The HC had initially dictated the operative portion of the order, and the full judgement was uploaded recently.

The HC, in its judgement, also had advice for schools to keep children away from criticising governments.

Modi Surname Case: Why Gujarat HC Rejected Rahul Gandhi's Review Petition?

"Dramatisation of the topics which are appealing and creative in developing a child's interest in academics is preferable, and hovering over current political issues imprints or corrupts young minds. They should be fed with knowledge, technology, etc, which benefits them in their upcoming curriculum of academic period.

"Therefore the schools have to channelise the river of knowledge towards children for their welfare and betterment of society and not indulge in teaching the children to criticise the policies of the government, and also insult the Constitutional functionaries for having taken particular policy decision which is not within the framework of imparting education," the judgement said.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 17:10 [IST]
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

Defamation Case: No Relief For Rahul Gandhi But SC Issues Notice To Gujarat Govt

Can Rahul Contest 2024 Polls? What's Next For Him After Gujarat HC's Verdict

India

oi-Deepika S

The Gujarat High Court on Friday rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's appeal seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case.

The high court, while pronouncing the verdict, said "the order is just, proper and legal".

"There is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction. The trial court's order is just, proper and legal and there is no need to interfere with the said order. The disqualification is not limited to only MPs and MLAs," the court said.

The court further highlighted that at least 10 criminal cases are pending against Rahul Gandhi.

The high court verdict extends the uncertainty over whether he can contest in national elections due next year.

Modi Surname Case: Why Gujarat HC Rejected Rahul Gandhi's Review Petition?

Since the Gujarat high court rejected his plea against conviction, Rahul Gandhi will not be able to attend the upcoming monsoon session in Parliament beginning July 20.

Rahul Gandhi will now approach the Supreme Court with his request. If the top court also rejects his request, Rahul Gandhi cannot contest Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

However, the 53-year-old will not go to jail as his two-year sentence had been put on hold by a court previously.

The Gujarat high court's verdict is seen as a major setback to the Congress as it plans strategy for a series of upcoming polls, including the 2024 national election.

What is the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi?

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

The BJP leader had filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his "how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

Modi Surname Case: Gujarat HC Dismisses Rahul Gandhi's Plea To Suspend Conviction

Following the court order, Gandhi was disqualified from Lok Sabha effective from March 23, the day of his conviction.

"Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat...Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction i.e. 23 March, 2023," the notification read.

Rahul Gandhi's disqualification could have been reversed if a higher court overturns his conviction or reduces his sentence to less than two years.

In a 2018 decision in 'Lok Prahari v Union of India', the top court held that the disqualification will not operate from the date of the stay of conviction by the appellate court. Hence, a stay of conviction would relieve the individual from suffering the consequence of a disqualification relatable under Section 8 of the RP Act of 1951.
Cong To Move SC After HC's Refusal To Stay Rahul's Conviction In Defamation Case

India

oi-PTI

The Congress on Friday said it will move the Supreme Court against the Gujarat High Court order refusing to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case. In Kozhikode, AICC general secretary, Organisation, KC Venugopal said the party would would move an appeal before the Supreme Court challenging the Gujarat High Court order.

"There is one more option before us... the Supreme Court. Let's see. The Congress party will seek that option too," Venugopal said while addressing a party programme. The Gujarat High Court on Friday dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.

"We will study the Gujarat HC verdict on Sh. @RahulGandhi ji's conviction and explore all available legal options. Rahul ji is a fierce voice that takes the Modi government head on. No force can silence him, the truth will triumph and justice will ultimately prevail. Every patriotic Indian is in support of Rahul ji in this fight," he said on Twitter.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said the reasoning of the judge is being studied and the matter will be taken up further. "We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the Hon'ble judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr. Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm.

The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further," Ramesh said on Twitter. Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala termed it a "Travesty of justice". "Instead of punishing 'Bank Fraudsters' like Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mehul Choksi and ilk, the 'messenger' exposing the deceit and swindling of public money is being punished," Surjewala said in a tweet.

Can Rahul Contest 2024 Polls? What's Next For Him After Gujarat HC's Verdict

He said Rahul Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of righteousness, of fearlessness and of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power. "We will tread upon the path of truth and righteousness, come what may... Satyamev Jayate !" the Congress leader said.

While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi is already facing 10 cases across India, adding the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in convicting the Congress leader. The court noted that there is no reasonable ground to stay the conviction. A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 had sentenced Gandhi to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by BJP Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 14:36 [IST]
Cyclone Fani: No flights to and from Kolkata airport between 3 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday

Consensual Sex Not Rape if Promise of Marriage is Broken: Orissa HC

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Orissa High Court has said that if a consensual physical relationship was based on a promise of marriage which could not be materialised for some reasons, it cannot be considered rape.

The high court quashed the charge of rape faced by a Bhubaneswar-based man. The allegation against him was brought by a woman who is a friend of the petitioner and is in a matrimonial dispute with her husband for five years.

The other allegations against the petitioner such as cheating are left open for investigation, Justice R K Pattanaik said in the order.

"There is a subtle difference between a breach of promise which is made in good faith but subsequently could not be fulfilled, and a false promise to marry.

Delhi Court Summons Brij Bhushan In Sexual Harassment Case

"In the former case, for any such sexual intimacy, an offence under Section 376 IPC is not made out, whereas, in the latter, it is, since the same is based on the premise that the promise of marriage was false or fake from the very beginning," the high court order of July 3 read.

The Supreme Court in an order had said that if two persons maintained a physical relationship on an assurance of marriage to the victim, which due to some reasons failed to materialise later, it cannot be called rape with a claim that the promise had been broken, the bench observed.

"A sour relationship, if initially started and developed genuinely with friendship, should not always be branded as a product of mistrust, and the male partner should never be accused of rape," it said in connection with the case.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 23:38 [IST]
Corruption Biggest Ideology Of Cong, Chhattisgarh Has Become Its ATM: PM Modi

India

oi-PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that corruption was its biggest ideology, and said the grand old party cannot breathe without it. Modi said if the Congress is a guarantee for corruption, he is a guarantee for action against graft. Addressing a rally at the Science College ground in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur, he said the state has become an ATM of the Congress.

The scam-ridden Congress government in Chhattisgarh has become a model of misrule and people have decided to root out it in the upcoming Assembly elections, he said. This was Modi's first visit to the Congress-ruled state, where Assembly elections are due this year-end, after being elected as the prime minister for the second term in 2019.

"...The next 25 years will be crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh, but a big 'panja' (referring to Congress party symbol) is standing like a tall wall against it. Congress's panja had decided to snatch your rights and it will loot and destroy the state," he said.

The PM further said he would like to remind people of the state about the promises made by the Congress during the 2018 assembly. The Congress government betrayed the women of Chhattisgarh. The party promised liquor ban in the state, but in reality they have done crores of rupees of liquor scam.

The scam money went into the account of the Congress party, he alleged. Now people say due to fights over this money the party could not implement the two-and-a-half years formula (hinting at sharing of CM's post between Bhupesh Baghel and T S Singh Deo), he said.

Modi Surname Case: Why Gujarat HC Rejected Rahul Gandhi's Review Petition?

"Chhattisgarh has become the ATM of Congress. Corruption is not limited to liquor. There is no department left where corruption is not being committed in the Congress government in Chhattisgarh. This government has become a model of misrule," he said.

Taking a dig at the opposition parties over their attempt to forge an anti-BJP front, Modi said, "Those who are stained with corruption, they are trying to come together today. Those who once cursed each other, are trying to find excuses to come together."

Each corrupt person in this country should pay heed to this - if Congress is a guarantee for corruption, Modi is a guarantee for action against corruption, he said. Modi inaugurated and laid foundation stones of eight projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore in Chhattisgarh capital Raipur.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 14:04 [IST]
Delhi Court Summons Brij Bhushan In Sexual Harassment Case

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A Delhi court on Friday summoned BJP MP and outgoing WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers and said there was sufficient evidence to proceed against him.

Taking cognisance of the charge sheet, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal directed Singh to appear before the court on July 18.

The court also summoned Vinod Tomar, suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India.

''Perusal of the police report, statements of the victims recorded under section 164 CrPC shows that the allegations are specific, suggesting offences under provisions of IPC. List of prosecution witnesses has been filed. Having heard the submissions and having carefully considered the police report, along with its annexed documents, including the statements of the victims...other witnesses...the other oral and documentary evidence, etc., this court takes cognizance for the offences committed, under sections of IPC,'' the judge said.

The judge directed the SHO of Connaught Place Police Station to execute the summons against both the accused.

Brij Bhushan Faces Sexual Harassment Charge, No Evidence In Minors Case: Delhi Police

Judge Jaspal said he was giving a short date, noting that both the accused reside in Delhi.

Delhi Police had filed the charge sheet against the six-time MP Singh on June 15 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Tomar was charged with offences under sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354A and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Besides the present case, another FIR was filed against Singh pursuant to the allegations made by a minor wrestler which was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. She was among the seven female grapplers who had accused Singh of sexual harassment.

Both the FIRs mentioned several alleged instances of sexual harassment like inappropriate touching, groping, stalking and intimidation by Singh at different times and places over a decade.

In the minor's case, the court had on July 4 sought a response from the girl and the complainant on the final report filed by Delhi Police seeking cancellation of the case against Singh for alleged sexual harassment.

Delhi Police had on June 15 submitted the report seeking cancellation of the FIR filed with regard to the allegation of sexual harassment against Singh.

WFI sexual harassment case: Court Seeks Response from Minor Victim on Cancellation Report by Police

A cancellation report is filed in cases where police fail to find corroborative evidence after due investigation.

In a startling admission, the father of the minor wrestler had told PTI that he and his daughter had filed a ''false'' police complaint of sexual harassment against Singh because they wanted to get back at him for perceived injustice against the girl.

Singh has been questioned by the police twice so far, and on both occasions, he denied all the allegations against him and claimed he was ''framed''.

The cause of the women wrestlers was taken up by decorated grapplers like Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, and Asian Games champion Vinesh Phogat. The protest by celebrity grapplers drew support from a host of opposition parties and farmer organisations.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 17:51 [IST]
In a Filmy Style, Bihar Man Unites His Wife With Her Lover

India

oi-Prakash KL

A woman was caught by villagers with her boyfriend while her hubby was out on work. However, the couple was united by the woman's husband after he returned.

The incident came to light in Bihar's Nawada district, according to a report in India Today. The story looks similar to Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn-starrer 1999 hit film 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', but the only difference being the woman here decides to leave her husband.

According to the report, the husband had gone out for work and the woman decided to meet her boyfriend. However, this time she was caught by their family members.

The family members beat up the man and held the two people hostage. The villagers asked them to leave the village.

Karnataka Man Strangles Daughter to Death for Having Inter-caste Affair; Her Lover Dies by Suicide

Once the husband returned, he helped the couple to reunite and made them tie the knot at a temple.

It has to be noted that the woman has three children. However, no complaint has been filed in this regard.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 12:37 [IST]
Dont Take Selfies Or Swim In Flooded Areas, Threat Not Over Yet: Kejriwal Warns Delhiites

Kejriwal Accuses PM Modi of Defaming Manish Sisodia through ED

India

pti-PTI

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused the BJP-led Centre of defaming AAP leader Manish Sisodia by running fake news of the Enforcement Directorate attaching assets worth Rs 52 crore belonging to the jailed leader in the Delhi excise policy case.

He said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has, in fact, attached properties worth Rs 80 lakh of Sisodia and his wife.

The ED on Friday said it has attached two immovable assets of Sisodia and his wife apart from bank deposits worth Rs 11.49 lakh of the ex-deputy chief minister in the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said in Hindi, ''Prime Minister, when you did not find anything against Manish Sisodia, you started defaming him through ED. Your ED is running fake news on TV channels saying that Rs 52 crore worth assets of Manish Sisodia have been attached.'' Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convener, clarified that in reality, Rs 80 lakh worth of assets have been attached. These properties belong to pre-2018 period when the excise policy was not even framed.

  ,            ED         ?



 ED               52       ED        ,   https://t.co/zabjAPfwH3  Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) July 7, 2023

He also said that these assets have already been declared.

''People would not have thought that a day would come that the prime minister of a great country like India would try to eliminate his political rivals by lying openly. Who is the actual corrupt, you also know. If you have guts, you should catch them,'' he said.

The probe agency has issued a provisional order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to attach assets worth Rs 52.24 crore of the Sisodia couple and some other accused being probed in this case.

Assets Of Manish Sisodia, Wife and Other Accused Seized In Delhi Liquor Policy Case

Two immovable properties of Manish Sisodia and his wife Seema Sisodia and a land/flat of arrested accused Rajesh Joshi -- the director of Chariot Productions Media Pvt Ltd -- have been attached, the ED said. It also attached a land/flat of Gautam Malhotra, a Punjab-based liquor businessman and son of former SAD MLA Deep Malhotra.

Gautam Malhotra was arrested by the ED in the case earlier.

Movable assets worth Rs 44.29 crore were also attached as part of the same order. These included Manish Sisodia''s bank balances worth Rs 11.49 lakh apart from Rs 16.45 crore worth of deposits of a company Brindco Sales Pvt. Ltd. and others, the agency said in a statement.

Brindco Sales Pvt. Ltd. is a company of liquor businessman Amandeep Singh Dhall who was also arrested in this case by the ED. Sisodia, 51, was arrested by the agency in this case in March and is currently in judicial custody.

This is the second attachment in this case after the ED a few months ago attached properties worth Rs 76.54 crore of other accused such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) communications in-charge Vijay Nair, liquor businessman and promoter of Indospirits company Sameer Mahandru, promoter of liquor company Buddy Retail Pvt Ltd. Amit Arora, Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Pillai and others.

The ED had said in its chargesheet filed before a local court a few months ago that the Delhi excise policy 2021-22 was brought in by the AAP leadership, specifically by Manish Sisodia, to ''continuously generate and channel illegal funds'' to themselves.

It is alleged by the ED and the CBI that the policy to grant licences to liquor traders allowed cartelisation and favoured certain dealers who had allegedly paid bribes for it, a charge strongly refuted by the AAP.

The policy was subsequently scrapped and the Delhi lieutenant governor recommended a CBI probe, following which the ED registered a case under the PMLA.
McDonalds Removes Tomato From Burger Amid Price Surge, Netizens Are Not Loving It

India

oi-Deepika S

The Tomato price hike has quite literally left Indians in tears!

Yes, a kg of tomato is being sold in the range of Rs 200 to Rs 250 in Uttarakhand. The kitchen staple is priced at Rs 250 in Gangotri Dham and Rs 180 to Rs 200 per kg in Uttarkashi district.

In light of this crisis, a post shared by SEBI Registered Investment Adviser, Aditya Saha on Tomatoes missing from McDonald's food products is going viral on social media.

"We are ever committed to serve you the best food with the best of ingredients. Despite our best efforts, we are not able to get adequate quantities of tomatoes that pass our world-class stringent quality checks," the notice said.

Mcdonalds,Delhi put up this notice!



Even Mcdonalds cannot afford tomatoes now! pic.twitter.com/cn1LkoQruf  Aditya Shah (@AdityaD_Shah) July 7, 2023

"Hence for the time being we are forced to serve you products without tomatoes. Rest assured; we are working to get the tomato supplies back," it added.

Additionally, the crisis is so bad that many restaurants are going out of their way to reduce the usage of tomatoes so as to keep the prices of the dishes moderate.

Tomato Price Touches Rs 250 Per KG In Uttarakhand; Check Prices In Your State

Since being shared, the tweet has garnered more than 53,000 views.

"That's a tomato Supremacy, Itna toh Onion k time Pe Bhi Nhi Kiya tha," commented a Twitter user.

"Jokes apart, this is standard for McDonald's to not serve tomatoes during the rainy season since tomatoes quality is not upto the mark," commented another.

"Wow! Never seen this before," a third user commented.

The rise in the price is attributed to the prevailing heatwave in key tomato-growing areas and heavy rains, leading to a disruption in supply chains. More importantly, tomatoes have a lower shelf life, which is also believed to be having a bearing on their prices.

Not Just in Uttarakhand, the people across the country are facing the brunt of the price rise.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 16:55 [IST]
He must make his statements within limits: Gujarat HC in Rahul Gandhi defamation case

Matter Will Be Taken Up Further: Cong On HC's Refusal To Stay Rahul's Conviction In Modi Surname Case

Can Rahul Contest 2024 Polls? What's Next For Him After Gujarat HC's Verdict

Modi Surname Case: Gujarat HC Dismisses Rahul Gandhi's Plea To Suspend Conviction

India

oi-Deepika S

In a major setback to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to stay his conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, costing him his Parliament membership.

Rahul Gandhi will not be able to contest elections or seek revocation of the suspension of his status as a Member of Parliament (MP). He can appeal the High Court order in Supreme Court.

The Trial Court conviction order is proper, there is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed, ruled the Gujarat High Court.

The Court further noted that at least 10 criminal cases are pending against Rahul Gandhi.

"'Even after the present case, some more cases filed against him. One such is filed by the grandson of Veer Savarkar. In any way, the conviction would not result in any injustice," said the high court.

The High Court verdict is a huge blow to the Congress as it plans strategy for a series of assembly polls and the crucial Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

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In May, Justice Prachchhak, while hearing Gandhi's plea, had refused to grant any interim relief saying it will pass a final order after the summer vacation, which ended three weeks back.

During a hearing on April 29, Gandhi's lawyer had argued that a maximum punishment of two years for a bailable, non-cognisable offence meant his client could lose his Lok Sabha seat "permanently and irreversibly", which was a "very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents".

Modi Surname Case: No Coercive Action Against Rahul Gandhi, Says Jharkhand HC

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail on March 23 after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Purnesh Modi.

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala, was disqualified as MP under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat along with an application seeking a stay on the conviction. While granting him bail, the court, on April 20, refused to stay the conviction, after which he approached the high court.

Surat West MLA Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname? remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13.
He must make his statements within limits: Gujarat HC in Rahul Gandhi defamation case

Matter Will Be Taken Up Further: Cong On HC's Refusal To Stay Rahul's Conviction In Modi Surname Case

Can Rahul Contest 2024 Polls? What's Next For Him After Gujarat HC's Verdict

Modi Surname Case: Why Gujarat HC Rejected Rahul Gandhi's Review Petition?

India

oi-Deepika S

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will remain disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP after a Gujarat High Court on Friday rejected his plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his remark on "Modi surname". He can now approach the Supreme Court with his request.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak affirmed that the previous decision of the Sessions court, which declined to halt the conviction, was deemed "fair and lawful."

The judge also highlighted that there are at least eight other criminal cases pending against Gandhi.

"At least 10 criminal cases pending against him. Even after the present case, some more cases filed against him. Representatives of people should remain of clear character. One such is filed by the grandson of Veer Savarkar in a court in Pune as the accused used defamation (sic) terms against Veer Savarkar in Cambridge. In another case, complaints was also filed in a court in Lucknow," the judge said.

Further, the bench said that in the backdrop of the facts of the instant case, no case is made out to stay the conviction.

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Modi Surname Case: Gujarat HC Dismisses Rahul Gandhi's Plea To Suspend Conviction

"In anyway, the conviction would not result in any injustice to the applicant. The conviction order is just, proper, and legal. There is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed," the Court ruled.

On April 20, a sessions court in Surat dismissed Gandhi's plea seeking suspension of his conviction by the Magistrate court.

In a detailed order, the sessions court held that Gandhi's disqualification would not amount to be an "irreparable or an irreversible loss" to him and refused interim relief to him.

What did Rahul Gandhi say?

Addressing an election rally in Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi had linked Prime Minister Narendra Modi with fugitives like Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.

"Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How come all the thieves have 'Modi' as a common surname?", he had said.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 12:08 [IST]
'I may not be qualified enough': Pankaja Munde on missing out on Shinde Cabinet berth

Never Met Rahul Or Sonia Gandhi: Pankaja Munde Refutes Reports Of Joining Congress

India

oi-Deepika S

BJP National Secretary Pankaja Munde on Friday refuted speculation of her having met Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in Delhi.

She also threatened to file a defamation case against the channel which reported that she had met Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

"Since last few days, reports have been circulating of me joining the Congress. This is completely false. I have been a dedicated party worker for the last 20 years. Being the daughter of Gopinath Munde, betrayal does not run in my blood," Pankaja Munde told reporters in Mumbai.

Assembly Elections: BJP Appoints Poll In-Charges for Rajasthan, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and MP

Addressing a press conference, Munde said post her defeat in the 2019 Assembly polls from Parli, her name came up for nomination to the Rajya Sabha and two times for the Maharashtra Legislative Council but she was asked to not go ahead at the last moment.

"I have never commented on this in public and have obeyed the party directive. i have never worked against the party's interest. Where is politics going...nobody is interested in what people think, I am going to introspect," Pankaja Munde was quoted saying by PTI.

Speaking about the political crisis in Maharashtra, Munde said, "I am a BJP worker who believes in the ideology of Deendayal Upadhaya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. I want that ideology to remain as I have grown up with that sentiment," she asserted.

Munde claimed portions of her speeches were sometimes take out of context and speculations were made on what she had said, because of which she had decided to take a break "not from my work but from you (media)".

Will Eknath Shinde Be Replaced As Maha CM? Here's What BJP Says

Speaking about a tweet of her cousin and Parli MLA Dhananjay Munde, the BJP leader said she did not know why it was uploaded during the day. Pankaja Munde had met her cousin and NCP leader Dhananjay Munde recently, with the latter on Friday tweeting a photograph where the BJP general secretary is seen performing 'aukshan' (lamp based ritual for someone's well-being). In the tweet, Dhananjay Munde said she had greeted him for being made minister in the Eknath Shinde government, adding that "brother sister relations are strong in happiness and sadness".

Dhananjay Munde had defeated her from Parli in the 2019 Assembly polls.
US Offers To Help India To Deal With Manipur Violence, Congress Reacts Sharply

India

oi-Deepika S

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti has offered to assist India in dealing with the violence in Manipur.

Garcetti said one need not be an Indian to care when "children or individuals die in this sort of violence".

"You don't have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence. We know peace is a precedent for so many good things. There has been so much progress in the Northeast and the East...We stand ready to assist in any way if asked," Eric Garcetti said.

SC Seeks Report On Manipur Violence, Rehabilitation

"We know it's an Indian matter and we pray for that peace and that it may come quickly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place," he added.

The statement evoked a response from Congress MP Manish Tewari who said it is very rare for a US envoy to make a statement "of this nature about the internal affairs of India".

"To the best of my recollection going back at least 4 decades in Public life I have never heard a US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India," Tewari said.

Manipur Violence: Kuki Groups Lift 2-Month Blockade On NH-2

"We faced Challenges in Punjab, J&K , North East over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity and wisdom. Even when Robin Raphel would be loquacious on J&K in the 1990's the US Ambassador's in India was circumspect. I doubt if the New Eric is cognisant of the convoluted and torturous history of US-India relations and our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well-intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs," he added.

To the best of my recollection going back atleast 4 decades in Public life I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India.



We faced Challenges in Punjab, J&K , North East over the decades and surmounted those with pic.twitter.com/fW58ZiShCA  Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) July 7, 2023

Manipur is witnessing incidents of sporadic violence for the last two months after an ethnic violence broke out on May 3 between Meitei and othet communities in the state.

Nearly 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 were injured in the months-long violence.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 9:21 [IST]
What Happened With Daughters Can Never Be Forgiven: PM Modi On Manipur Parade Incident

If PM Modi Is Angry About Manipur, He Must Dismiss The CM: Mallikarjun Kharge

What To Expect From PM Modis Visit To France

India

oi-Deepika S

With a focus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Paris visit next week, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday held wide-ranging talks with French President's diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne.

In a rare honour, PM Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade (France's National Day) celebrations on July 14.

"E Bonne, Diplomatic Advisor to President Emmanuel Macron, held in-depth talks with NSA Ajit Doval to prepare for PM Narendra Modi's visit to France next week. Defence, energy, space, new technologies & more: we're working on an ambitious agenda for the India-France strategic partnership!", tweeted French Embassy in India.

Modi Surname Case: Gujarat HC Verdict On Rahul Gandhis Plea Seeking Stay On Conviction Today

Speaking to ANI, Ambassador of France to India, Emmanuel Lenain said, "Well, it's going to be a very important visit. India is the guest of honour on our Bastille Day...our National Day. Every year we have a guest of honour but this year, it is very special that's the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between France and India and we wanted to have Indian troops in the parade and also Indian Rafales in the sky."

Let's take a closer look at what Prime Minister Modi will do in France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be accompanied by a business delegation of top CEOs during his trip to France. He will address the Indian diaspora at La Seine Musicale, a performing arts center located on Ile Seguin island in the Seine River.



The prime minister is set to hold extensive talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during the visit. The defence and security cooperation between India and France have been on a major upswing since New Delhi's procurement of 36 Rafale jets from French aerospace major Dassault Aviation.

French defence major Safran is also set to jointly develop an engine with India's relevant state-run defence manufacturers for military aircraft.

Modi's trip to Paris will be special as it will be the first Bastille Day visit by a foreign leader in Macron's current term, they said.

It is understood that Bonne apprised Doval about the current security scenario in Paris. Various French cities witnessed violent protests after police shot and killed a teenager near Paris last week.

PM Modi to Visit 4 states on July 7-8; Set to Inaugurate, Lay Foundation Stones of 50 Projects

A tri-services contingent from India has already left for Paris to participate in the Bastille Day parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will also take part in the flypast over the Champs Elysees on the occasion along with French jets. France has been a key partner for India in a range of sectors including defence, space and nuclear technology.

Modi-Macron will also deliberate on the field of technology, the fight against climate change, global issues, and people-to-people exchanges among others.
Indian Nurse Buried Alive By Boyfriend in Australia

International

oi-PTI

In a horrific act of vengeance, a 21-year-old Indian nursing student in Australia was abducted by her jilted ex-boyfriend from India, driven nearly 650 km and buried alive in South Australia state's remote Flinders Ranges, a court has heard.

Jasmeen Kaur from Adelaide City was killed by Tarikjot Singh in March 2021, a month after reporting him to the police for stalking.

Kaur was abducted from her workplace on March 5, 2021, and driven more than 400 miles (644 km) while bound with cable ties in the boot of a car Singh had borrowed from his flatmate, news.com.au portal and other websites reported on Wednesday.

He buried Kaur in a shallow grave after making "superficial" cuts to her throat which were not enough to kill her and she was aware of her surroundings when she died at some point on March 6.

Andhra Shocker: 15-Year-Old Student Burnt Alive By Unidentified Persons

Singh pleaded guilty to the murder but the horrific details of his crime came to light during sentencing submissions at the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutor Carmen Matteo said the murder was "not efficient" and Kaur was "made to suffer".

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"She had to have been consciously suffering what could only be described as the absolute terror of breathing in and swallowing soil and dying in that way," Matteo said.

Kaur's family, including her mother, were in the court to hear the sentencing submissions.

The court heard Singh planned the killing because he was unable to get over the breakdown of their relationship.

"The way in which Kaur was killed involved, really, an uncommon level of cruelty," Matteo said.

"It's not known when her throat was cut, it's not known when or how she got into or was placed into that burial grave, and it's not known when that was dug, other than the prosecution says it had to have been while she was still alive and in preparation for her burial.

"[It was] a killing that was committed as an act of vengeance or as an act of revenge," she said.

Singh wrote several messages to Kaur in the lead-up to her death that he never ended up sending.

"Your bad luck that I am still alive, cheap, wait and watch, will get the answer, each and every single one will get the answer," one message said.

Bus Crash In Australia Kills 10 Wedding Guests, Wounds 25 Others

Singh initially denied murder, saying Kaur had committed suicide and that he had buried the body, but pleaded guilty before he was due to stand trial earlier this year.

He took officers to her burial site where they found Kaur's shoes, glasses, and work name badge in a bin, alongside looped cable ties.

He was caught on CCTV hours before the murder at a Bunnings in Mile End buying gloves, cable ties, and a shovel.

He faces a mandatory life sentence, with the court to impose a non-parole period next month.

His lawyer wants him to be given a more merciful sentence, partly because they labelled it a "crime of passion".

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 9:07 [IST]
US Representatives Condemn Attacks On Indian Consulate By Khalistani Radicals

International

oi-Prakash KL

A number of US legislators expressed their strong disapproval of the recent arson attempt and violent rhetoric directed towards Indian diplomats, notably Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

Congressmen Shri Thanedar, Rich McCormick, and Brian Fitzpatrick, representing Michigan's 13th district, Georgia's 6th Congressional district, and Pennsylvania's 1st Congressional district respectively, registered their outrage on Twitter regarding the actions of pro-Khalistani groups.

It comes days after a group of Khalistan radicals tried to set the Indian consulate in San Francisco on fire.

"I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attacks at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in democracy," tweeted Thanedar. McCormick said the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco is 'unacceptable'. He tweeted, "This attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco is vile and unacceptable. Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community."

Indian Consulate In San Francisco Set On Fire, Second Attack In 5 Months

Rep Fitzpatrick called for appropriate legal action against those involved in the incident. Taking to his official Twitter handle, he wrote, "This kind of violence is lawless and unacceptable. I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action."

Condemning the attempted arson attack on the Indian Consulate by pro-Khalistanis and their ensuing rally on July 8, India Caucus said free speech is not a license to provoke violence. Co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India, Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, in a press release, said, "As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu."

They also appealed to the US State Department to investigate the damage and take necessary action. "We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American, but that is not a license to vandalize property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," the release added.

A group of Khalistan radicals made an attempt to set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire on July 2 around 1.40 am (local time), sources told ANI. A video of the incident was verified by sources who told ANI the fire was suppressed quickly by the San Francisco Fire Department.

Indian Americans hold peace rally at Indian Consulate in San Fracisco after pro-Khalistan vandalism

On the other hand, Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Dr TV Nagendra Prasad, Consul General, Consulate General of India, San Francisco, were targeted in a poster purportedly circulated by Sikh extremists, who accused them of playing a role in the June killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

India has reportedly expressed its apprehensions regarding the safety of its diplomats due to the circulation of posters in Canada, which included information about an upcoming pro-Khalistan rally scheduled for July 8. These posters contained explicit threats directed towards the Indian ambassador to Canada and the consulate general in Toronto. Furthermore, a similar poster disclosing the rally date was also discovered in San Francisco.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 9:37 [IST]
US To Provide Cluster Munitions To Ukraine As Part Of Aid Package

International

oi-PTI

The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision.

The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties. The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced "dud rate," meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

US officials said Thursday that the cluster munitions would be part of about USD 800 million in new military assistance to Ukraine.

Long sought by Ukraine, cluster bombs are weapons that open in the air, releasing submunitions, or "bomblets," that are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multiple targets at once.

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The officials and others familiar with the decision were not authorized to publicly discuss the move before the official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 10:46 [IST]
Tonight We Celebrate Great Bonds Of India, US Friendship: Biden At State Dinner With PM Modi

White House Cocaine Inquiry: New Details Emerge

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Multiple officials involved in the White House cocaine inquiry have revealed that the bag of powder was found in a cubby near the White House's West Executive entrance, rather than the formal West Wing lobby, as initially reported.

The entrance is located between the foyer and a lower-level lobby. It is near where some vehicles, like the vice president's limo or SUV, park. The entrance is also one floor below the main West Wing offices and on the same floor as the Situation Room and a dining area.

Investigators expect to be done with the investigation by Monday. While forensic analysis of the cocaine bag is ongoing, officials maintain low expectations of identifying the individual responsible for leaving it.

Cocaine discovery sparks White House evacuation

When asked about the specific West Wing entrance involved during Wednesday's briefing, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre deferred the question to the Secret Service.

The area where the cocaine was found is heavily trafficked by VIPs, visitors, tourists, staff members, military officials, and facilities operations employees.

President Biden and his family were not at the White House when the cocaine was found. They were at the presidential retreat at Camp David, Maryland.

Meanwhile, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., has sent a letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle asking for more information about the investigation. Secret Service officials say they have received the letter and will respond.

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Story first published: Friday, July 7, 2023, 22:49 [IST]
More than 50,000 voters in Melbournes outer northeast will return to the polls to replace outgoing Warrandyte MP Ryan Smith.
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The US military said Russian jets flew dangerously close to American jets over northwest Syria for a second time on Thursday after a similar incident Wednesday. The Central Command has released videos of both incidents.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama said Thursday he believes Britney Spears grabbed him from behind as he was walking into a restaurant at a Las Vegas casino, and that the security detail he was with pushed the pop star away.
Wibbitz Top Stories 10 Jul 2023

Biden Says Ukraine Must End War With Russia , Before Joining NATO.

Biden Says Ukraine Must End War With Russia , Before..
Some lawmakers questioned how the United States could maintain the moral high ground while supplying Ukraine with weapons that could harm civilians. Republicans cheered the move.
GOP lawmakers are weighing in on media reports that say the suspect who left cocaine at the White House may never be identified.
Both Russia and Ukraine have warned this week of purported plans by the other to attack the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. For much of the war to date, there have been fears that disaster could unfold there amid the ongoing conflict.
The Biden administration plans to send cluster munitions to Ukraine to help it in its war against Russia, U.S. officials said, in a move that will likely anger human rights groups.



The controversial weapons are fired from a cannon and release dozens of bomblets across a wide area. They can cause harm long after the...
Joe Biden's 360 Degree Turn on "Cluster Bombs"

With depleted U.S. Arms Stockpiles, A Bonapartist President Overrides Congress

With the much-touted and ballyhooed "Ukraine Counter Offensive," petering out into a military whimper in the face of a dug-in, formidable Russian offensive, and a dwindling stockpile of munitions among Ukraine's NATO and western allies, the United States is now escalating the war by agreeing to send "cluster bombs" to the battlefield. The president's move to override a congressional ban on such munitions because of their devastating effects on civilians is his latest Bonapartist pivot on U.S. foreign policy.

Biden, who promised to bring back a saner U.S. domestic and foreign policy in comparison to the jingoistic and bombastic Donald Trump years, has become the best modern example of Bonapartism - the modus operandi of a political leader mouthing the right popular catch phrases, making the most progressive pledges and promoting a sharp contrast between himself as a progressive, people-centered and caring leader while doing the exact opposite. Cluster bombs will have a massive risk on civilians in the war on both sides.

Saying that "we will not leave the Ukraine defenseless" the United States has justified its position on the controversial munitions - banned by 120 nations around the world - on a now worn-out default position. The United States has sold, supplied and given the Ukraine billions of dollars in arms and ammunition since the start of the war, not to mention the correspondingly huge amounts from NATO countries. All of this has not tipped or even tilted the war in Ukraine's favor. But let us now look at the methods that allow an Imperial President (aka a U.S. monarch albeit in modern, 21st century clothes) to literally thumb his nose at the country's main legislative body with impunity and without consequences, simply by signing a piece of paper called "a waiver."

To begin with, the United States, the President does not have the inherent power to unilaterally override or disregard established laws to achieve a political outcome. The U.S. Constitution, at least on paper, establishes a system of checks and balances to ensure that no single branch of government holds excessive power. However, there are certain actions or mechanisms through which the President can influence or shape the implementation or interpretation of laws. When it comes to the export of munitions, the primary legal framework that allows the U.S. President to override congressional restrictions is the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) of 1976.

The AECA grants the President certain powers related to the export of defense articles, services, and technologies to foreign countries. Under the AECA, the President can authorize exceptions to congressional restrictions or licensing requirements for the export of munitions, subject to specific conditions. These exceptions include:

National Security Waiver: The President can waive specific statutory restrictions on the grounds of national security if it is determined to be in the interest of the United States. This waiver authority is typically invoked to maintain diplomatic relations, support allies, or respond to emerging security threats. This is by far the most commonly use rationale for the kinds of actions taken in respect of cluster bombs decision. That is because the definition of "U.S National Security interests" are broad, nebulus and shift to accommodate any and all military and other misadventures abroad.

Congressional Notification: The AECA requires the President to notify Congress of proposed arms sales or exports, providing an opportunity for Congress to review and potentially block such transactions. This has never been an enforceable process - it has been sporadic at best - since the Congress has literally abnegated its oversight authority when it comes to war deferring these actions/decisions to the Imperial President, no matter which political party is in office. If Congress does not pass a joint resolution disapproving the proposed sale within a specified time period, the President can proceed with the transaction without any consequences.

International Treaties and Agreements: If the United States has entered into international treaties or agreements that override certain provisions of domestic law, the President can rely on these agreements to authorize the export of munitions, as long as they have been ratified by the Senate.

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"The Fukushima Disaster, The Hidden Side of the Story" is a just-released film documentary, a powerful, moving, information-full film that is superbly made. Directed and edited by Philippe Carillo, it is among the strongest ever made on the deadly dangers of nuclear technology.

It begins with the words in 1961 of U.S. President John F. Kennedy: "Every man, woman and child lives under a nuclear sword of Damocles, hanging by the slenderest of threads, capable of being cut at any moment by an accident, or miscalculation or by madness."

It then goes to the March 2011 disaster at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plants in Japan after they were struck by a tsunami. Their back-up diesel generators were kicked in but "did not run for long", notes the documentary. That led to three of the six plants exploding--and there's video of this--releasing an unpreceded amount of nuclear radiation into the air."

"Fukushima is the world's largest-ever industrial catastrophe," says Professor John Keane of the University of Sydney in Australia. He says there was no emergency plan and, as to the owner of Fukushima, Tokyo Electric Power Company, with the accident its CEO "for five nights and days locked himself inside his office".

Meanwhile, from TEPCO, there was "only good news" with two Japanese government agencies also "involved in the cover-up--the Nuclear Industry Safety Agency and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

"Japanese media was ordered to censor information. The Japanese government failed to protect its people," the documentary relates.

Yumi Kikuchi of Fukushima, since a leader of the Fukushima Kids Project, recalls: "On TV, they said that 'it's under control' and they kept saying that for two months. The nuclear power plant had already melted and even exploded but they never admitted the meltdown until May. So, people in Fukushima during that time were severely exposed to radiation."

Arnie Gundersen, a nuclear engineer and now a principal of Fairewinds Energy Education in Burlington, Vermont, speaks of being told by Naoto Kan, the prime minister of Japan at the time of the accident, that "our existence as a sovereign nation was at stake because of the disaster at Fukushima Daichi."

Kan then appears in documentary and speaks of "manmade" links to the disaster.

The documentary tells how Kan, following the accident, became "an advocate against nuclear power, ordered all nuclear power plants in Japan to shut down for safety" and for the nation "to move into renewable energy."

But, subsequently, "a nuclear advocate," Shinzo Abe, became Japan's prime minister.

Yoichi Shimatsu, a former Japan Times journalist, appears in the film and speaks of "the cruelty, the cynicism of this government." He speaks of how in the accident's aftermath, "nearly every member of Parliament and leaders of the major political parties" along with corporate executives, "moved their relatives out of Japan".

He says "Shanghai is the largest Japanese community outside Japan now while these same people" had been "telling the people of Fukushima go home, 10 kilometers from Fukushima, go home it's safe, while their families are overseas in Los Angeles, in Paris, in London and in Shanghai."

"If it's safe, why they left?" asks Kikuchi. "They tell us it's safe to live in Fukushima, and to eat Fukushima food to support Fukushima people. There's a campaign by Japanese government--and people believe it."

Gundersen says: "At Fukushima Daichi, the world is already seeing deaths from cancer related to the disaster--There'll be many more over time." He adds that there's been a "huge increase in thyroid cancer in the surrounding population.

"Unfortunately," he goes on, "the Japanese government is not telling us all the evidence. There's a lot of pressure on the scientists and the medical community to distort the evidence so there's no blowback against nuclear power."

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Prominent law firm, Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP, is one such entity under scrutiny following allegations of engaging in questionable practices. Los Angeles City Councilman Current Price has recently been charged in connection to a pay-to-play scheme after having a financial interest in projects he voted on, according to the district attorney's office. Price is not the only person accused of such behaviour in recent months. Exclusive New York City prep school Horace Mann is also accused of a pay-to-play scheme in which it allowed a wealthy businessman to buy his children's admission for $1 million. And New York Governor Kathy Hochul is also accused of alleged involvement in such a scheme. Pay-to-play schemes refer to the practice of exchanging political or business favours for financial contributions or benefits to influence decision makers and engaging in this type of activity is often illegal.

Such schemes do not reside solely in the political or education domains but extend to the legal realm as well. A prominent law firm, Bernstein Litowitz Berger & Grossmann LLP (BLB&G), is under scrutiny following allegations of violating ethical rules through a "pay-to-play" scheme. A recently released and widely circulated grievance committee complaint about BLB&G implicates BLB&G has breached Model Rule 7.6 of the American Bar Association and Rules 5.1 and 7.2 of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct.

Model Rule 7.6 of the American Bar Association prohibits lawyers or law firms from accepting government legal engagements or appointments if they make political contributions or solicit such contributions to obtain or be considered for those positions. Similarly, Rule 7.2 of the New York Rules of Professional Conduct forbids lawyers from compensating or providing anything of value to individuals or organizations in exchange for recommending or obtaining employment by a client.

The evidence shown in the complaint letter reveals that BLB&G, including several senior partners such as former managing partner Douglas McKeige and current senior partner Tony Gelderman, engaged in a multi-year "pay-to-play" campaign involving political donations. According to the evidence, these contributions appear to have been made to curry favour with government decision-makers, particularly elected officials responsible for awarding legal engagements or appointments related to representing public pension funds in shareholder suits.

Furthermore, the evidence suggests that BLB&G's donations were made or influenced to secure and maintain their representation of public pension funds in shareholder suits. The complaint revealed that the donations were not in line with the normal activism of a committed political activist but were, instead, part of a broader scheme to obtain favourable treatment from elected officials in exchange for lucrative business relationships.

The evidence further suggests that BLB&G's actions contravene ethical rules designed to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain the integrity of the legal profession and government. By engaging in these questionable contributions to elected officials whose agencies BLB&G sought to represent, the law firm may have compromised the impartiality and fairness of the legal system.

The anonymous complaint outlines specific instances of unlawful donations by BLB&G to public officials, such as the former Attorney General of Mississippi, Mr. Hood, and former Louisiana Treasurer, Senator John Kennedy. These donations coincided closely with BLB&G's engagement by the states in representing their public pension funds in class-action lawsuits, raising suspicions of a connection between the contributions and the selection process.

This complaint provides new evidence that was previously unavailable, which could not be considered in prior court rulings on pay-to-play misconduct allegations involving BLB&G. The former Executive Director and Chief Investment Officer of the Louisiana State Employee Retirement System, Mr. Robert Borden, acknowledged the ethical implications and stated that any benefits received from a law firm should require disclosure and abstention from voting on their hiring.

The Grievance Committee will now investigate the allegations and assess whether BLB&G violated ethical rules as outlined by the complainant. If found guilty, the law firm could face disciplinary actions, potentially affecting their reputation and standing in the legal community.

BLB&G has yet to issue a public response to these allegations, and it remains to be seen how they will address the evidence presented to the Grievance Committee.

As long as companies, organizations, law firms, and individuals continue to employ pay-to-play schemes, integrity and trustworthiness will remain elusive. It is crucial to stem this phenomenon as much as possible. Otherwise, the very foundations of trust are at risk.
OceanGate Expeditions, the Everett company whose submersible imploded last month, killing five people, has suspended all its exploration and commercial operations.

The company posted the update Sunday to its website, which still listed its various expeditions as of Thursday morning. A company representative declined to provide additional information beyond the statement.

OceanGates Titan submersible was descending to the Titanic wreckage site when it imploded, killing co-founder and CEO Stockton Rush; British businessman Hamish Harding; Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman; and Frenchman Paul Henry Nargeolet, a prominent Titanic expert.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the submersible imploded near the Titanic shipwreck June 22, the same day the OceanGate office in Everett closed indefinitely. Titan wreckage was found on the ocean floor about 550 yards from the bow of the Titanic.

Seattle resident Rush, 61, founded OceanGate in 2009 beginning with a five-person sub purchased from a private owner. The submarine Antipodes was introduced the next year and made 130 dives within two years. Antipodes, and the two submersibles OceanGate built called Cyclops and Titan, went on dozens of dives throughout Puget Sound and around the world.

Titan completed expeditions to the Titanic site in 2021 and 2022, and OceanGate planned to complete additional descents this summer. OceanGate charged passengers  the company called them mission specialists  up to $250,000 for a seat.

OceanGate was recently valued at $60 million, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence records. As of May 2020, the company had 22 employees, according to documents filed when OceanGate received a $447,000 Paycheck Protection Program loan.

Co-founder Guillermo Sohnlein said last month he didnt know what the future of OceanGate looked like, but hoped it would continue. Sohnlein, who left the company in 2013, added that a continued emphasis on ocean exploration would be a way to honor the five who died.

The Coast Guard has convened a Marine Board of Investigation, the highest investigation level in the Coast Guard, to examine what occurred in the North Atlantic waters. The board is working with the National Transportation Safety Board and safety investigators in Canada, France and the United Kingdom, according to the Coast Guard.

OceanGate continued to include its scheduled expeditions on its website Thursday morning, though the site was down later in the day. One May 2024 expedition was planned for Portugals Azores Archipelago, where Titan passengers would explore hydrothermal vents in the deep waters. Passengers could see giant burgundy tubeworms, predatory octopi or graceful crabs, which would intrigue the scientific community.

Few people in history have witnessed these mysterious places, the company wrote. You could be one of them.

___

(c)2023 The Seattle Times

Visit The Seattle Times at www.seattletimes.com

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A regional homelessness nonprofit sent an open letter signed by over 700 people on Thursday to the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners urging the body to expand the work of the countys Equity and Inclusion Office, six weeks after a commissioner proposed slashing the offices funding.

The letter  signed by five mayors, three state representatives, two state senators and seven school superintendents  called on the commissioners to continue funding diversity, equity and inclusion programming at current or greater levels.

Political leaders should commit themselves to dismantling racism and promoting equality, the letter states. The county plays a vital role in this ongoing work.

Commissioner Mark Shull moved during a May 24 budget meeting to strike nearly $830,000 in proposed funding for the office in the upcoming fiscal year. Shull called the funding, which would pay for three full-time employees and programming, an unnecessary expense that only foments friction.

The board of commissioners and budget committee members voted 9-1 to table his motion and return to a discussion about the proposed funding this month.

The countys former diversity manager, Emmett Wheatfall, said in June that defunding the office would lead to more miscommunication, more misunderstanding, more discrimination (and) more lawsuits.

Members of HereTogether Oregon, a nonprofit focused on homelessness in Clackamas, Washington and Multnomah counties, started drafting the open letter in May after hearing Shulls comments, said Anna Kemper, a spokesperson for the organization.

Signatures started pouring in after the organization sent out a draft of the letter last week, Kemper said, including from mayors of five cities in Clackamas County: Milwaukie, Lake Oswego, Oregon City, Gladstone and Wilsonville.

Lake Oswego Mayor Joe Buck endorsed the letter, calling the countys Equity and Inclusion Office essential.

The work of this office will foster a stronger sense of community, attract diverse businesses and create an environment where every resident can thrive, Buck said in a statement Thursday from HereTogether Oregon.

Trey Winthrop, the chief executive officer of Milwaukie-based whole grain company Bobs Red Mill, said prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts helps attract talent, enhance productivity and cultivate innovation.

Supporting this office is not only morally imperative but also economically advantageous, as it paves the way for a prosperous Clackamas County where everyone can thrive and contribute, Winthrop said in the statement.

The letter urges the commissioners to expand, not scale back, the countys diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, saying they build community cohesion, strengthen economic growth and uphold the countys values fairness, compassion and justice.

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet Tuesday.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_

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A man who attacked a woman walking along a downtown Portland street in 2016 raped and robbed another woman in Seattle the following year before police tied the two cases together with DNA evidence, authorities say.

Multnomah County Circuit Judge Jenna Plank on Wednesday sentenced Timothy D. Harris to 32 years and four months in state prison for accosting the woman in Oregon on July 5, 2016.

A jury in April found him guilty of first-degree sodomy, kidnapping, attempted rape and second-degree assault after a four-day trial.

Harris wasnt indicted in Multnomah County until 2021 after he had been convicted in the Seattle attack and his DNA was uploaded to a criminal database.

In Portland, Harris, a 29-year-old drifter originally from Illinois, pulled a gun on the woman as she was walking before dawn downtown, led her to a nearby parking lot, then slammed her in the head with the butt of the gun, court records show.

The woman tried to defend herself with a knife but Harris took it from her and slashed at her neck, according to a sentencing memo.

While investigators collected DNA evidence at the time, no match was found until Harris was taken into custody in King County in Seattle for raping a woman he met at a concert on Dec. 17, 2017, records show. Harris also struck that woman with a gun and stole her car and cash before being arrested several days later.

Harris represented himself over the course of two trials in King County and was found guilty of first-degree rape and first-degree robbery. He is currently serving a sentence of 12 years and three months.

Whether Harris will serve his Oregon and Washington sentences at the same time is still to be decided as he appeals his Washington conviction, according to his defense attorney, Alicia Hercher.

 Zane Sparling; zsparling@oregonian.com; 503-319-7083; @pdxzane

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Fidel Cassino-DuCloux, a 16-year assistant federal public defender in Oregon, took over the top job this month.

Cassino-DuCloux was selected by 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges to replace Lisa Hay, who retired June 30 after 25 years working in the Federal Public Defenders Office.

We are grateful to Lisa Hay for her outstanding service and are confident Fidel Cassino-DuClouxs extensive experience, commitment to indigent defense and ability to inspire, teach and mentor others will ensure that the Oregon federal public defender office continues to provide exceptional representation to its clients, 9th Circuit Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw said in a statement. Wardlaw chairs the courts standing committee on federal public defenders.

Cassino-DuCloux, 54, joined the Oregon office in 2007 after working as a public defender on juvenile and felony cases in New Orleans and then continuing to do public defense work for juveniles in Savannah, Georgia, after evacuating from New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

He now oversees 20 lawyers and 83 staff members based in Portland, Eugene and Medford. Among some of its recent high-profile cases were litigation challenging conditions in the federal prison in Sheridan during the COVID-19 pandemic and petitions to release Oregonians held in custody without lawyers due to the ongoing public defense crisis in the state.

Cassino-DuCloux, who was born in Alabama, credited his father, a retired U.S. Army veteran, and his mother, a social worker, with instilling in him a penchant for public service. He graduated from Tuskegee University in Alabama and Loyola University College of Law in New Orleans.

I always felt this deep desire to help the underdog,he said.

After law school, he found a job at the Capitol Assistance Center in New Orleans, providing legal representation to people facing the death penalty. He helped represent people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and largely worked with defendants who were held at Mississippi State Penitentiary, known as Parchman Farm, a maximum-security prison farm.

After receiving a Ford Foundation fellowship, he helped New Orleans residents with criminal and civil legal matters as they transitioned into mixed-income housing through the federally funded Hope VI urban redevelopment program.

Since he joined Oregons Federal Public Defenders Office in 2007, he said hes worked to tell his clients stories beyond whats presented on paper.

To read an indictment on its face, on the four corners of the document, really doesnt give the whole story of the client, he said. One of my favorite parts of the job is to tell their story to the court and the government so that we can come to the right resolution, based on everything that has happened in their life.

He became a supervisor of eight attorneys in the office in 2020.

Cassino-DuCloux has served on the board of Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare and the Federal Bar Association and co-organized the Haggerty Scholars Program, which provides mentors and scholarships to high school students, and Behind the Robe Project, which introduces high school students to the courthouse and public defenders, prosecutors and judges.

He said he worked in the community with Oregon U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight when she became one of the first mentors in the Haggerty Scholars Program as an assistant U.S. attorney. He said he looks forward to building a collaborative relationship with her now in his new job.

Fidel is a longtime colleague and friend, and I look forward to continuing to work with him in his new role. He is dedicated to public service and will maintain the Federal Defenders high standards for professionalism and advocacy, Wight said in a statement.

Cassino-DuCloux called the federal defenders staff smart, dogged, empathetic and creative in their representation of the most marginalized in our society.

Cassino-DuCloux is a father of three and grandfather to five with a sixth on the way. When hes not working, he enjoys snowboarding, sailing and biking.

I am energized by this opportunity, he said. I am excited to continue our mission of providing holistic and zealous client-centered advocacy, while supporting our incredible staff as they tackle the challenges to come.

-- Maxine Bernstein

Email mbernstein@oregonian.com; 503-221-8212

Follow on Twitter @maxoregonian

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The Portland Police Bureau on Thursday publicly identified the victim in Wednesdays early morning fatal shooting in the Argay Terrace neighborhood.

Ace L. Lewis, 28, was shot to death outside the Darrins Place Apartments off Northeast 131st Place, according to a Thursday news release from the Portland Police Bureau.

The Multnomah County medical examiner confirmed Lewis died of gunshot wounds, police said.

On a busy Fourth of July night that saw fireworks set off around the city despite a fireworks ban, officers responding to a shooting call arrived at the apartment complex shortly before 1 a.m., where they found Lewis dead.

A resident, who asked not to be identified for publication, told The Oregonian/OregonLive he heard fireworks in the neighborhood going off throughout the night as people celebrated Independence Day. Firework remnants littered the apartment complexs parking lot and surrounding streets Wednesday morning.

The resident heard six or seven gunshots sometime after midnight that he mistook for fireworks  until he heard a car driving fast out of the parking lot, he said.

I just thought it was someone being reckless with a firework, he said. Until I heard the tires (screeching) when the car took off.

The resident left his apartment and saw Lewis sprawled on the staircase of the center building of the U-shaped apartment complex. Other residents had already called 911, he said.

The resident said hed seen Lewis pacing around the apartment complex earlier that night, going back and forth from a second-story apartment to the parking lot.

The resident said Lewis didnt live in the building but frequented the complex often to see his partner and her children, and he said Lewis typically was friendly.

No arrests have been made in connection with Lewis death, and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Police ask anyone who may have information to contact Det. Jeff Sharp at Jeff.Sharp@police.portlandoregon.gov, 503-823-9773, or Det. J.D. McGuire at Jeff.McGuire@police.portlandoregon.gov.

 Nick Gibson; ngibson@oregonian.com; 971-393-8259; @newsynicholas

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Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has rejected a request for an independent probe into the error-ridden investigation of the Portland hiker who was shot and killed along with his puppy while hiking on a Cascades trail last summer.

The decision means the investigation into the death of the slain hiker, Aron Christensen, remains in the hands of the Lewis County prosecuting attorney.
Anthony Swofford earned widespread acclaim for his 2003 memoir, Jarhead: A Marines Chronicle of the Gulf War and Other Battles, which drew from Swoffords experience in the U.S. Marines Corps, including time he spent serving during the Persian Gulf War, in 1990 and 1991. The book was also adapted for a 2005 movie, which starred Jake Gyllenhaal and Jamie Foxx.

But critical acclaim apparently wasnt enough to keep Jarhead from becoming another example of a book being banned by members of a school board. In this case, as Swofford wrote in a piece for The Daily Beast titled, Culture Warriors Banned My Memoir About Being a Young Marine, the Hudsonville Public Schools Board of Education, in Ottawa County, Michigan, voted 4-3 to ban Jarhead from the Hudsonville High School library.

Swofford, who also briefly lived in Portland and taught at Lewis & Clark College, discussed his thoughts about his book being banned in a recent appearance on Dan Abrams Live, a show on the cable news channel, NewsNation.

Considering the book is 20 years old, Swofford told Abrams that he asked himself the question, Why now? The author went on to say that, the book hasnt changed at all.

What has changed, Swofford said, is the culture, in which people who can take the slightest offense at any intellectual work, any content, now have these greased avenues with which to attempt to ban ideas, ban books.

Swofford objected, he said, to what he saw as closing down ideas, limiting access of ideas to young people.

Members of a school board, Swofford said, should be helping to educate young people, or guide their education, so that theyre open to as many ideas as possible.

Swofford said the Hudsonville school board was pretty stacked with hardcore-right conservatives who obviously have a culture-warrior mentality, whose action conveyed the message, anyone who wants a book banned, come to us.

According to an MLive.com story about the decision, a district parent initiated the review of Jarhead. Though a seven-member committee that included teachers, parents, a building administrator and a curriculum department member had reviewed the book and voted 7-0 to keep it on the shelves, the concerned parent appealed that decision.

In a May meeting, the school board members voted on the matter, with four voting to pull the book and three voting to keep it in the library.

The school board members who voted to remove the book had concerns, according to the MLive.com story, including the belief that the book lacked educational suitability and had pervasive vulgarity, such as sexually explicit passages and profane language.

According to the article, a school board member who voted to retain the book said, I dont believe a school board, be it this one or any school board, should be in the business of banning books. Our job is to inform parents, our job is to give information to parents to make rational, informed decisions for their kids.

District officials said that only one copy of Jarhead was in the school library, and it had been checked out 22 times since 2010.

(You can stream NewsNation programs on platforms including Fubo, and Hulu)

 Kristi Turnquist

503-221-8227; kturnquist@oregonian.com; @Kristiturnquist

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CHONGQING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Shutterbug Yang Xiaoping from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality is so familiar with the local bird population that he can almost identify different species solely by their unique chirps. "Asian paradise flycatcher is a kind of migratory bird and I can manage to photograph this species here in the Nanchuan District around May every year," said the 76-year-old man, adding that each year at least five pairs of Asian paradise flycatchers can be spotted in the nearby park. Eight years ago, Yang stumbled upon a catalog detailing the diverse wildlife species inhabiting Chongqing's Jinfo Mountain. The catalog featured an impressive collection of 228 bird species, which inspired him to embark on a photography expedition to capture each and every one of these avian wonders with his camera. Capturing a perfect image of the Asian paradise flycatcher is not an easy task at all. On one occasion, Yang had to patiently wait for several days to get a family picture of these enchanting birds. "I stationed myself by the tree every day for a span of nine to 12 days, waiting for the moment when the fledglings would finally venture out of their nest and I would capture a photograph," he said with pride. Yang pointed out that there has been an increase in the bird population in recent years, attributing this positive trend to the concerted efforts by the authorities toward environmental protection. His photographic collection now boasts an impressive 270 bird species, surpassing the catalog. Asian paradise flycatcher, also known as the Terpsiphone incei, is one of the 700-plus species newly added to the updated list of terrestrial wild animals of important ecological, scientific and social value, as China further expanded the legal basis of wild animal protection and boosted public awareness. First published in 2000, the list now contains a total of 1,924 wild animal species, including 1,028 birds, 450 reptiles, 253 amphibians and 91 mammals, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Meanwhile, the updated list saw the removal of wild boars, which no longer face threats to their survival as a species, along with some other species that have a relatively large population and no longer face the threat of extinction. According to Jin Kun, a researcher with the Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute of the Chinese Academy of Forestry, the population of wild boar grew quickly due to the protection measures, and the animal was sighted in 28 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions on the Chinese mainland. Jin explained how wild boars have caused damages in 857 counties, cities and districts. "This relentless issue has significantly disrupted the daily lives of local residents," he said, adding that it is necessary to remove the species from the protected list considering people's welfare and local development. However, Jin made it clear that this action does not imply unrestricted killing of the animals. "Culling should be undertaken responsibly, in conjunction with protective measures." In contrast, the rise in the population of Asian paradise flycatchers is greatly welcomed. Wang Xia, from the Mt. Jinfo National Nature Reserve management center, told Xinhua that along with other animal species, the Asian paradise flycatcher can be more frequently spotted in the nature reserve and sometimes the bird even ventures into the urban area of Chongqing. Wang noted that after the bird is added to the protected list, the nature reserve will further enhance the protection of the species. "Those who hunt and kill the bird will be strictly punished in accordance with the wildlife regulation, and I believe that such illegal activities will definitely be reduced." According to Wang, to protect the bird species, the first thing that must be done is to protect the environment. "We engaged with local communities, villages and schools to create awareness among people on environmental protection," she said, adding that efforts are being mounted jointly by local ecology and environment, forestry and police authorities in this mission. Speaking about the visible improvements in the environment, Yang Xiaoping said, "Garbage once scattered along the rivers is gone, the water is cleaner and the forest is denser." He also expressed his admiration for the noticeable shift in people's behavior. Previously, he witnessed locals engaging in activities such as fishing and using slingshots to harm birds near a reservoir, despite the best efforts of rangers to prevent such actions. "Now, I no longer see people do such things, which shows a rise in public awareness about environmental protection," the photographer said.
Firefighters responded to more than three times as many fires in Portland this Fourth of July than last year, according to preliminary data from Portland Fire & Rescue.

And officials suspect close to half of this years Independence Day fires  at least 25 out of 55  started with fireworks, despite a permanent citywide fireworks ban thats been in place since spring 2022.

Last year, by comparison, fire officials said fireworks caused at least three out of 15 July Fourth fires.

Portland City Council voted in March 2022 to enact a permanent, year-round ban on the sale and use of fireworks in the city, citing rising temperatures, drought, increased fire risk and their sometimes catastrophic consequences.

In September 2017, a teen ignited a blaze that consumed 48,000 acres in the Columbia River Gorge after he threw a smoke bomb into Eagle Creek Canyon.

And on July 4, 2021, a fire at the Heidi Manor apartments in Northeast Portland killed three people after someone threw fireworks in a dumpster.

Despite the ban, fires reported during the citys fireworks season, which runs from June 26 to July 6, increased this year, jumping from 138 fires during that time in 2022 to 227 fires during the same time this year, according to Portland Fire & Rescue.

 Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_

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As home prices and public safety worries remain elevated, one in three Seattleites are considering leaving the Emerald City, according to a Seattle Times/Suffolk University poll conducted in June.

About 33% of Seattle residents surveyed said they were seriously considering moving out of the city. Sixty-seven percent said they were not. The poll of 500 residents was conducted by phone from June 12-16 and has a margin of error of 4.4 percentage points.

Among the residents who say they are considering leaving, 37% blamed rising housing costs, and 34% cited public safety as their primary reason for moving.

Reasons for moving were also closely tied to income levels and homeownership.

Overall, renters (44%) were more likely than homeowners (27%) to consider moving out. Respondents with lower incomes, especially those earning less than $20,000, were more likely to blame soaring Seattle home prices for motivating them to move. Poll data shows this group also reported experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity at the highest rates.

Meanwhile, public safety was the main concern among respondents in the highest household income bracket, those earning over $250,000 a year. These residents were also more likely to be homeowners than renters.

Of those wanting to move, 80% rated Seattle poorly as a place to live and 66% said they did not feel safe in their neighborhood. In comparison, among the two-thirds of Seattleites who did not consider leaving, 88% rated the city as an excellent place to live and 72% said they felt safe in their own neighborhood.

Notably, the majority of respondents citing housing costs as a major reason for wanting to move out rated Seattle as an excellent place to live, indicating their reluctance to leave if not for affordability.

In the last three years, costs in the Seattle metro area climbed over 20%. Before the pandemic, it took nine years for costs to grow that much.

Meanwhile the Seattle metro areas home price index is now 40% higher than 2018, down from 50% in 2022. But wages have not kept up with these cost increases, and well-compensated tech and finance workers are skewing the citys income average.

In the past two decades, King Countys middle-class residents moved more frequently than those in any other income group, according to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco based on credit scores.

Moving patterns revealed these residents were more likely to move out of the countys wealthiest neighborhoods. While lower-income residents moved less often, they were more likely to move out of the Puget Sound region altogether.

About 65% residents considering leaving said the citys ability to make progress on homelessness had gotten worse, and 60% rated the quality of education poor.

Along party lines, Republicans (53%) were more likely than Democrats (24%) to express a desire to move out of the city.

Phoenix and Spokane are the top destinations for Seattle-area residents moving out of the region, shows data from Redfin.

___

(c)2023 The Seattle Times

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A pre-historic stone tool unearthed by educators and students at the University of Oregons Archaeological Field School suggests that people were living in Oregon 18,000 years ago. That is far earlier than scholars previously thought, and more than 1,000 years before the Clovis culture, once seen as the oldest in the Americas.

The University of Oregon team, working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), announced Thursday that a blood residue analysis revealed animal proteins on a human-crafted scraper tool extracted from Rimrock Draw Rockshelter in southeastern Oregon. The animal was likely the Pleistocene species Bison antiquus, an extinct ancestor of the modern buffalo, according to a BLM news release.

The team, which has been excavating the rockshelter site near Riley since 2011, discovered the tool made from orange agate in 2012. The tool was preserved well under a layer of undisturbed volcanic ash from a Mount St. Helens eruption more than 15,000 years ago. Also found were fragments of tooth enamel from a Pleistocene camel, a species that went extinct about 13,000 years ago.

In 2015, the team found another crafted scraper under ash. Experts believe the tools with a created serrated edge were used for butchering animals and scraping hides.

The tooth enamel, the tools positions within the sites stratigraphy and other data suggest that Rimrock Draw Rockshelter could be the oldest site of human occupation in North America, say experts.

Radiocarbon-dating analysis on the tooth enamel in 2018 and 2023 by Dr. Thomas W. Stafford Jr. of Stafford Research and Dr. John Southon of University of California, Irvine, dated the objects as 18,250 years old (14,900 radiocarbon years), stated the news release.

Additional testing of Ice Age camel and bison teeth fragments is taking place, and archaeo-botanists are studying plant remains from cooking fires in the Rimrock Draw area, says the BLM.

The Rimrock Draw Rockshelter site was discovered in 2009 by BLM archaeologist Scott Thomas.

Patrick OGrady, director of the Rimrock Draw excavations and staff archaeologist with the universitys Museum of Natural and Cultural History, was working at the site Thursday alongside students enrolled in a six-week-long archeology field session.

Theres a great deal of interest and people are checking in to see whats next, said OGrady.

Chelsea Rose, a historical archaeologist and director of the Southern Oregon University Laboratory of Anthropology in Ashland, said two of her students are working at the site. I wish I could be there today, she said. Its just a really exciting time to be an archaeologist in Oregon.

Rose and other experts not involved in the University of Oregons excavation work acknowledge that the universitys anthropology department, founded almost a century ago by Luther Cressman, has produced groundbreaking scholarship.

They are making Oregon archaeology look good around the world, Rose said. They found the tool 11 years ago and took the time to have the information confirmed about this important discovery.

The Rimrock Draw areas geology and cave systems protected the ancient deposits, and new technology and techniques allowed the team to extract microscopic data to reveal how people lived 18,000 years ago on land that once supported camels and bison, Rose said.

All of that tells a compelling story that we wouldnt have been able to tell 15 years ago, she said. And it confirms what Indigenous people have been telling archaeologists for years, that things are much older than believed.

In 2008, research by UO archaeologist Dennis Jenkins revealed human occupation at Oregons Paisley Caves that predated Clovis by 1,000 years.

Coopers Ferry, another archaeological site on BLM-managed public lands in western Idaho, is thought to be the oldest known site in western North America. Evidence there suggests human occupation dating back more than 16,000 years, says the BLM.

This is a very exciting development for the archaeological community, Heather Ulrich, BLM Oregon/Washington Archaeology lead, said in the news release. Thanks to the partnership with Dr. OGrady and the university, these new dates push our archaeological knowledge of human occupation in North America even farther, perhaps the oldest yet.

Scholarly records of the states early human populations began in the 1930s by Luther Cressman, who has been called the father of Oregon archaeology and anthropology, and is best known for finding the worlds oldest shoes in 1938 near the Fort Rock volcanic crater in Central Oregons Northern Great Basin.

His leadership through the 1960s established records of the states ancient human history and occupation by Native peoples, according to the Oregon Historical Societys Oregon Encyclopedia.

Cressman, who was married to anthropologist Margaret Mead from 1923-1927, helped found the anthropology department at the University of Oregon and its summer archaeological field school. He was also the first director of what would become the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, the first museum in the state to curate archaeological remains, stated the Oregon Encyclopedia.

Cressmans protocols at sites continue to benefit scientific knowledge, said Rose.

This story demonstrates why the scientific process is so important in archaeology, she said. If (the team) rushed it or didnt carefully control how evidence was gathered, they wouldnt have been able to get this fine-grained data and to say with confidence that we need to shift the paradigm about the way we thought about the peopling of the Americas.

 Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
The City of Portland will change the name of OBryant Square to Darcelle XV Plaza next week in honor of legendary drag performer Darcelle, also known as Walter Cole, who died March 23 at age 92, city officials announced Friday.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Dan Ryan, who heads the parks department, called the decision a symbol of the citys progress toward embracing diversity and the LGBTQ+ community.

This renaming reflects our commitment to fostering a more inclusive city that recognizes the diversity and immense value of its residents, Ryan said in a statement.

Darcelle spent over five decades performing at her eponymous Old Town nightclub, Darcelle XV Showplace, and was internationally known as The Worlds Oldest Drag Queen.

In June, Darcelle became the first Oregonian to be named on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor at New York Citys famed Stonewall Inn.

The half-acre plaza on Southwest Harvey Milk Street and Park Avenue opened in 1973 bearing rose bushes, a bronze fountain and the name of the citys first mayor, Hugh OBryant. The square has deteriorated for years, and was fenced off in 2018 due to structural problems with an underground parking garage.

OBryant Square straddles two extremes confronting downtown Portland, sharing sidewalks with the new luxury Ritz-Carlton hotel and Multnomah Countys Behavioral Health Resource Center, which serves some of the citys most distressed residents.

The renaming comes as the Portland Parks Foundation has led an effort to reimagine and revitalize the square, transforming it into a gathering space for events and cultural celebrations.

A public renaming proclamation will happen July 13 at 2 p.m. in the City Council chambers of Portland City Hall.

-- Catalina Gaitan, cgaitan@oregonian.com, @catalingaitan_

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Put down the raw sheeps wool you are spinning into yarn before you hand-dye it and knit it into a winter sweater. Portland is, once again, in the crafting news.

Its been half a year since Portland was named the third most creative city in the United States, but dont think weve put away the hot glue gun since achieving such glory. Certainly not. We were cutting things up, buying weird fabric scraps at Joannes, embroidering lopsided flowers on all our sweatshirts and decoupaging clay pots.

Now, Portland is getting recognized for its creativity once again, this time from an actual fabric company, Liberty London, which named Portland the fifth best city for crafting in the whole country in its United States Top Crafting Cities Report.

According to a press release, the fabric company used 76 different data points to determine which cities liked crafting the most. Those included search data, local crafting resources, and social media interest.

Portlander, apparently, according to Liberty Londons read of our search data, are especially interested in knitting and fabric. In those two search categories, we were number one.

Overall, somehow, we came in behind fourth place, Los Angeles, third place, Chicago, second place, New York and first place, San Francisco. However, it should be noted that we are on a list that includes four of the coolest cities in the country and excludes Seattle, so maybe we are also now the fifth coolest city in America?

OK, back to your spinning. This yarn isnt going to make itself and you only have five months to hand-make all your pagan winter solstice ceremony presents!

 Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
Portlands more mild summertime weather pattern of morning clouds followed by afternoon sun has returned and may stick around for the foreseeable future.

High pressure just off the coast is expected to stay that way through Sunday. The National Weather Service says this will maintain a moderate onshore flow and a high chance of cloudy mornings followed by mostly sunny afternoons through the weekend.

Friday is proving this true. Morning clouds were seen on traffic cams across the metro area. Portland should see the clouds burn off later in the morning. The high temperature will be about 84 degrees.

#pdxtraffic Hey Friday, guess what? We've got clouds! And lots of them. Much cooler today with highs in the mid 80s. Enjoy pic.twitter.com/ykY5juuDHg  PDX Traffic Alerts (@TrafficPortland) July 7, 2023

Some instability in the lower atmosphere may contribute to thunderstorms across the Cascade crest both Friday and Saturday. Theres a slight chance some of those storms will spill to the western slopes, but the stronger chance is that theyll move eastward into central Oregon. Those recreating in the mountains should be ready for pop-up storms, especially in the afternoons.

Portland will see an even cloudier morning Saturday. The marine layer is expected to stick around through mid-morning. Winds will be light. The high temperature will reach about 81 degrees under afternoon sunshine.

The weekend ends with another cloudy morning Sunday. Afternoon sunshine should help temps reach about 83 degrees.

The extended forecast is looking much the same as what well experience over the weekend. Expect some period of cloudiness early in the day followed by clearing afternoons to start next week. Highs will be in the low 80s.
Tangier, Morocco (PANA) - Mali's Under-23 team are ready to give their all in a decisive third-place play-off match against Guinea in the 2023 Under-23 AFCON, set to take place on Friday evening in Tangier
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Burundi's most recent weekly Council of Ministers adopted a bill ratifying a military and technical cooperation agreement with Russia, an official statement said here Friday
Banjul, Gambia (PANA) - The European Union and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), officially launched a new joint project under the title EU Support to the Consolidation of Democratic Dispensation in the Gambia (CODE)
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - The Kenyan opposition coalition kicked off its series of protests against high state taxes on Friday, 7 July, known locally as Saba Saba, the historic day in which pro-democracy activists launched the push for an end to single-party era
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA)  Human Rights Watch (HRW) has asked the Tunisian government to halt the collective expulsions of Black African migrants and asylum seekers without due process
Photo: (Photo : Leon Neal/ Getty Images )

The Dutch government has announced a significant decision that will reshape the educational landscape in the Netherlands.

Starting in 2024, a ban on mobile phones in classrooms will be implemented, aiming to curb distractions during lessons and promote focused learning. The move comes as part of a broader effort to safeguard students' ability to concentrate and excel academically.

According to Reuters, Dutch Education Minister, Robbert Dijkgraaf, emphasized the need to create an environment conducive to learning.

"Even though mobile phones are intertwined with our lives, they do not belong in the classroom," he stated.

Citing scientific research, Dijkgraaf underlined the disruptive nature of mobile phones and the importance of shielding students from their negative effects.

Collaboration for a Distraction-Free Learning Environment

The ban on mobile phones in classrooms is the result of a collaborative agreement between the Dutch Ministry of Education, schools, and relevant organizations. The joint effort highlights the shared commitment to provide students with optimal conditions for focused studying and concentration.

Schools will have the flexibility to determine how they organize the ban, taking into account the specific needs of their students. However, if self-regulation proves inadequate by the summer of 2024, legal rules will be established to enforce the ban uniformly across secondary schools.

Secondary schools in the Netherlands have been grappling with growing concerns over the disruptive impact of mobile phones on students' educational experience.

Instances of unrest and distractions in classrooms prompted the government to urgently address the issue by informing schools of the impending ban.

Education Minister Dijkgraaf acknowledged the potential backlash from students who view their mobile devices as essential tools. However, he emphasized that the ban is a necessary step to safeguard students' ability to concentrate and learn effectively.

Dijkgraaf expressed his confidence in a collaborative approach, the minister also expressed his intention to closely evaluate the effectiveness of the decision, considering the potential for a legal ban while remaining optimistic about the possibility of finding a collaborative solution.

Furthermore, the education minister conveyed that thorough scrutiny would be given to the effectiveness of the decision, recognizing the potential for a legal prohibition. Nevertheless, the minister expressed confidence in the ability to collaboratively address the issue and find a resolution.

Read Also: Pennsylvania Park Tragedy: Man Dies After Rescuing Kids from Drowning in Lake Nockamixon

Expert Backing and Long-Term Assessment

According to Neuronews, experts have long raised concerns about the adverse effects of mobile phones on classroom dynamics and academic performance. Their research suggests that mobile phones can be a major source of distraction, undermining students' ability to focus and engage fully with their studies. By implementing the ban, the Dutch government aims to address these concerns and create a more conducive learning environment.

The ban on mobile phones in classrooms aligns with various studies that have highlighted the benefits of limiting children's screen time.

Improved cognition, concentration, and overall academic performance has been linked to reduced exposure to electronic devices.

The effectiveness of the ban will be closely monitored and reviewed at the end of the 2024/2025 school year. This evaluation will assess the ban's impact on classroom dynamics, student focus, and academic achievement. The findings will inform future decisions, including the possibility of a legal ban should the need arise.

As reported by BBC, with the implementation of a ban on mobile phones in classrooms starting in 2024, the Netherlands joins a growing number of countries, including Finland, England, and France, that have taken steps to restrict mobile phone use in educational settings.

The Dutch government's decision reflects a commitment to prioritize students' concentration and academic success while recognizing the potential of mobile phones to disrupt the learning process.

By collaboratively addressing concerns and promoting a distraction-free learning environment, the Netherlands aims to provide students with the best opportunities for focused studying and personal growth.

As the ban takes effect, schools, teachers, parents, and students will play an integral role in creating an educational space where mobile phones are set aside, allowing students to thrive and reach their full potential.

Related Article: Teen Weight Perception Shift: Concerns Rise as Overweight, Obesity Awareness Declines
Photo: (Photo : Anna Rose Layden / Getty Images)

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has announced a call for a special legislative session aimed at enacting stricter abortion laws in the state.

The move comes in the wake of a recent split decision by the Iowa Supreme Court on a six-week abortion ban proposed by Reynolds in 2018, which ultimately allowed abortion to remain legal until about the 20th week of pregnancy.

Governor's Discontent with Supreme Court Decision

According to The Hill, expressing her dissatisfaction with the court's decision, Reynolds believes that it disregards the will of Iowa voters and lawmakers who strive to protect the unborn. She sees the special session as an opportunity to address what she perceives as a lapse in protecting the rights of the unborn, despite the existing legal framework allowing abortion up to the 20th week of pregnancy.

Reynolds, a Republican, made the announcement on Wednesday, stating that the special session will convene next week with the sole purpose of passing legislation that addresses abortion and protects unborn lives. Her decision to call for the session follows the Iowa Supreme Court's order, which upheld the block on the state's six-week abortion ban, effectively leaving abortion legal until the 20th week of pregnancy.

According to CNN, Reynolds' proposed six-week abortion ban, often referred to as a "fetal heartbeat" law, aimed to prohibit doctors from performing abortions once early cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks into a pregnancy. However, the law faced significant legal challenges and was deemed unconstitutional by a lower court.

The Supreme Court's recent decision maintained the block on the law, further igniting Reynolds' determination to push for stricter abortion restrictions.

Read Also: Teen Weight Perception Shift: Concerns Rise as Overweight, Obesity Awareness Declines

The Political Landscape and Opposition

NBC News reported that in a statement, Reynolds asserted that Iowans have chosen representatives who are dedicated to upholding the rights of the unborn, reflecting a strong endorsement of pro-life values and a firm stance against the unjust eradication of innocent and vulnerable lives.

Additionally, she expressed her belief that the pro-life movement stands as a paramount human rights cause in our current era. The call for a special session highlights the ongoing debate surrounding abortion rights and restrictions in Iowa.

While Governor Reynolds and the GOP-controlled Legislature are expected to support stricter abortion laws, opposition from Democrats and advocates for reproductive rights is inevitable.

Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum issued a statement opposing the move, emphasizing that the majority of Iowans are against this attack on reproductive healthcare.

Mazie Stilwell, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa, expressed concern about the special session, calling it "drastic" and "power-hungry."

Stilwell emphasized that a growing majority of Iowans support abortion access and vowed to mobilize supporters to reject any proposed abortion ban or further restrictions on abortion care. Iowa's pursuit of stricter abortion laws is not an isolated event.

In recent years, a wave of conservative-led states has sought to pass legislation restricting access to abortion. At least 14 states have implemented bans or severe restrictions on abortion, while six states have established gestational limits.

The recent enactment of North Carolina's 12-week ban further demonstrates the nationwide trend. With polarized opinions and strong opposition from advocates for reproductive rights, the outcome of the session remains uncertain. Nonetheless, this development underscores the ongoing struggle to define and shape abortion regulations in the United States.

Related Article: Federal Court Bars Biden Administration From Pressuring Social Media Platforms on Free Speech
Photo: (Photo : Tasos Katopodis /Getty Images)

TikTok Inc. and a group of content creators have joined forces to file a lawsuit against the state of Montana, seeking to halt the implementation of its first-in-the-nation law to ban the popular video sharing app.

ABC reported that the plaintiffs have now turned to a federal judge, requesting a preliminary injunction to block the ban while the case progresses through the courts.

The contentious law, set to take effect in January, has raised concerns about free speech rights and the state's authority to regulate foreign affairs.

TikTok, Content Creators Try To Halt Montana's Ban

In a significant development in the legal battle between TikTok and the state of Montana, separate motions for preliminary injunctions were filed by both TikTok Inc. and the group of content creators on Wednesday.

The cases, initially filed in May, have been consolidated by U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy. The plaintiffs argue that the ban is an unconstitutional violation of free speech rights and that the state lacks the authority to regulate foreign affairs. By seeking a preliminary injunction, TikTok and the content creators aim to prevent the ban from taking effect before a final decision is reached.

In response to the lawsuit filed by the five TikTok creators in Montana, who argue that the state's ban on the app infringes upon their First Amendment rights and exceeds the government's legal authority, it has been revealed that TikTok is financially supporting their legal action.

As reported by The New York Times, TikTok spokesperson Jodi Seth acknowledged the company's backing after two of the creators disclosed TikTok's involvement.

Seth emphasized TikTok's commitment to its creators and their constitutional rights, as many of them have expressed concerns about the impact of the Montana law on their livelihoods. The company's support for the creators highlights their significance in TikTok's campaign against the impending ban, scheduled to take effect on January 1.

Governor Greg Gianforte, a Republican, signed the bill, citing apprehensions that TikTok, owned by Chinese internet giant ByteDance, could potentially expose user data to the Chinese government.

TikTok vehemently denies ever sharing U.S. user data with Beijing or receiving such requests. The ban on TikTok in Montana stems from concerns raised by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who drafted the bill out of shared apprehensions expressed by the FBI and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

However, TikTok has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that there has been no such incident.

Read Also: North Carolina Governor Stands Against Anti-LGBTQ Legislation, Vetoes Trio of Bills

Clash of Arguments and Impending Court Proceedings

The legal battle between TikTok, the content creators, and the state of Montana has now entered an important phase.

According to the Associated Press, attorneys on both sides have agreed to a schedule that sets deadlines for responses and replies to the preliminary injunction motions. The state is expected to respond by mid-August, followed by the plaintiffs filing their replies by mid-September, as per court records.

TikTok and the content creators argue that granting a preliminary injunction is crucial as they are likely to succeed in their challenges to the law. They contend that the ban would result in irreparable harm by impeding their ability to express themselves and communicate with others.

Governor Greg Gianforte, a Republican, signed the bill into law in May, hailing Montana's action as the most decisive among all states in protecting private data and sensitive personal information from being accessed by the Chinese Communist Party.

Notably, more than half of the U.S. states, including Montana, as well as the federal government, have banned TikTok from government-owned devices.

In an additional move, Governor Gianforte has also prohibited the use of social media apps associated with foreign adversaries on state equipment and for state businesses.

As the legal proceedings progress, the outcome of this high-stakes clash between TikTok, content creators, and the state of Montana remains uncertain.

The court's decision on whether to grant a preliminary injunction will significantly impact the future of the ban and the continued operation of TikTok within the state.

Related Article: Netherlands Implements Ban on Mobile Phones in Classrooms Starting 2024
Patently Apple has been covering Apple's foldable, scrollable and flexible device patents for years as our archive proves out. Yet it took until March 2021 for an Apple patent to finally characterize one of the foldable devices as a "laptop." We began following the foldable hybrid tablet-notebook project from Intel, Samsung and Microsoft back in 2020. COVID-19 and the battered economy that ensued put the project on hold. The original project, like Microsoft's Surface Neo, was also based on two displays with a hinge in the middle. The revised project uses a large foldable tablet design.

The project is expected to get back on track sometime in late 2024 when Qualcomm's match to Apple's M3 processor, known as 'Oryon," launches in tune with Windows 12 to accommodate this new breed of device.

Not to be left behind, Apple is reportedly now in talks with display suppliers to launch a foldable MacBook model (or foldable iPad(, which is expected to rev up the sluggish display market.

BusinessKorea reports today that Apple is expected to launch a foldable laptop as soon as 2026. Apple is in talks with suppliers to launch the foldable MacBook model and plans to launch it in 2026 after taking the wraps off of it in 2025.

Korean companies are also coordinating development and production plans for foldable OLED panels for laptops in line with the opening of the foldable panel market for IT devices.

Samsung Display has decided to invest 4.1 trillion won (US$3.1 billion) to produce 8.6-generation OLED panels from 2025 to 2026. LG Display is also investing in medium-sized OLED panels, including those for tablet PCs.

In the display industry, larger sizes are bound to be more profitable, although it is more difficult to achieve high definition. Foldable displays for laptops are more profitable than foldable displays for smartphones.

However, Korean manufacturers have released the first laptops with OLED panels, but not yet any with foldable OLED panels. Samsung Electronics has only secured trademark rights for foldable laptops. For more, read the full BusinessKorea report.

Side Note: Our cover graphic is from a 2022 foldable device patent report from Apple
On April 04, Patently Apple posted a report titled "U.S. Appeals Court blocks Apple's Trademark Application for 'Apple Music' Regarding "Live Performances." The report noted that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected Apple's argument that it had priority over trumpeter Charlie Bertini's "Apple Jazz" trademark rights based on its ownership of an earlier trademark from the Beatles' music label Apple Corps Ltd.

A unanimous Federal Circuit ruled that Apple could not "tack" its trademark rights for live performances to the Apple Corps trademark for sound recordings, a different category of goods.

"Tacking a mark for one good or service does not grant priority for every other good or service in the trademark application."

At the end of most of Patently Apple's trademark reports we state the following: "It should be noted that international trademark classes that Apple files their trademarks under are important as the trademark registration will only protect those classes that have been identified in their original application. In a legal battle, the classes filed for originally could make or break a legal case." In this case, it broke Apple's case.

Yesterday, "The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) denied Apple, Inc.s June request that the court rehear a decision that effectively canceled the tech companys application to register the trademark APPLE MUSIC.

Apple had asked the court to rehear the case in order to direct the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) to narrow the services listed in the trademark application so that it could proceed to registration.

In its rehearing petition, Apple asked the court to remove arranging, organizing, conducting, and presenting concerts [and] live musical performances from the services listed in the APPLE MUSIC trademark application in order to get around the ruling. Apple said this would allow the application to proceed, as Bertini has not established priority over the other services listed in the application. The companys counsel claimed the appeal should be heard because it requires an answer to a precedent-setting question of exceptional importance. For more on this. For more on this, read the full IPWatchdog report.
We were up early this morning, again  our little family group now at full strength  in order to catch the FRS Clipper from Seattle to Victoria, a favorite little trip of ours through the Salish Sea (specifically through Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca). Then we drove up to Nanaimo, where my wife had lined up a place for us on Airbnb. Im sitting out on the veranda, writing and looking out at the sunset over the Strait of Georgia. (At this point, I need to welcome my fans over at the Peterson Obsession Board, and to tell them that we enjoyed a Desi Veggie  using Indian flavors  from Local Pizza. I commend it heartily to anybody who happens to pass through this beautiful neck of the woods.)

In 1838, Thomas B. Marsh, onetime senior apostle turned bitter apostate  and, many years later, humble returnee to the Saints who had by then settled in the Great Basin West  swore out an affidavit claiming to have heard Joseph Smith say that he would yet tread down his enemies, and walk over their dead bodies; and if he was not let alone, he would be a second Mohammed to this generation, and that he would make it one gore of blood from the Rocky mountains to the Atlantic ocean; that like Mohammed, whose motto in treating for peace was, the Alcoran or the Sword. So should it be eventually with us, Joseph Smith or the Sword. (History of the Church, 3:167 note)

Critics often use this alleged statement (and its misrepresentation of Muhammad) to malign Josephs character, to portray him as an unprincipled would-be tyrant.

But is it authentic?

Maybe. The so-called 1838 Mormon War was on. Many Church leaders were falling away, including the Book of Mormon witnesses Oliver Cowdery and David Whitmer (who, however, always reaffirmed their testimony of the plates, the angel, and the affirming voice of God), and apostles such as Marsh and Orson Hyde (who would also return, much sooner than Marsh). The Hauns Mill Massacre, which left seventeen members of the Church dead, occurred on 30 October. Joseph and Hyrum Smith, along with others, would be condemned to death on 1 November, and then, when Alexander Doniphan refused to obey that order, they were cast into Liberty Jail, where they remained from December 1 until April 6, 1839. Meanwhile, led by Brigham Young, Latter-day Saints fled the state through winter snows, seeking asylum in Illinois.

Its conceivable that, under such stress, hoping to intimidate Missouris anti-Mormons and to persuade them to leave the Saints alone, Joseph Smith might have engaged in exaggerated rhetoric,.

Its much more likely, though, that the statement is false, wholly or in part. Arnold Green and Lawrence Goldrup remarked in 1971 that this threat was quite probably a mere fabrication by the disgruntled Marsh. (See their Joseph Smith, an American Muhammad? An Essay on the Perils of Historical Analogy, Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought 6/1, page 47.) Orson Hyde, they observe, who seconded Marshs allegations in 1838, had a change of heart the following year and confessed that unspecified portions of the affidavit had been invented by Marsh.

Joseph Smiths own journal reports of the period that some excitement was raised in the adjoining Counties . . . against us, in consequence of the suden departure . . . of the apostates from this Church, into that vicinity reporting false stories, and statements, but when [the Missourians] come to hear the other side of the question their feeling[s] were all allayed upon that subject. (Dean Jessee, ed., The Papers of Joseph Smith, 2:255-256)

I became jealous of the Prophet, Marsh himself remarked around the time of his 1857 Utah rebaptism (a rebaptism thats difficult to explain if he really considered Joseph Smith a bloodthirsty aspiring dictator), and then I saw double, and overlooked everything that was right, and spent all my time in looking for the evil. . . . I felt angry and wrathful; and the Spirit of the Lord being gone, as the Scriptures say, I was blinded, and I thought I saw a beam in brother Josephs eye, but it was nothing but a mote, and my own eye was filled with the beam; but I thought I saw a beam in his, and I wanted to get it out; and, as brother Heber says, I got mad, and I wanted everybody else to be mad. (Journal of Discourses 5:207) (Its frankly difficult in this context not to think of certain apostates of our own era.)

The fact is that Joseph Smith didnt actually behave in the belligerent manner suggested by this dubious quotation. The Latter-day Saints couldnt have conquered Missouri if they had wanted to, let alone everything from the Atlantic to the Rockies, and Joseph never showed any inclination to try it. After all, he sued for peace in Missouri (and, as a consequence, was arrested and nearly executed). And during the last month of his life, even after his arrest and imprisonment at Carthage Jailwhere he was in fact murdered by government militiahe ordered the Nauvoo Legion to stand down.

Joseph probably made a comment about Muhammad in Missouri that Thomas Marsh misheard, misunderstood, or (consciously or not) angrily distorted. David Grua provides seeming corroboration for some such statement in his 2007 essay Joseph Smith or the Sword!? http://juvenileinstructor.org/from-the-archives-joseph-smith-or-the-sword/. However, we dont know whether or not that seeming corroboration represents genuinely independent testimony. And the precise wording of Josephs alleged statement is crucial  but, unfortunately, we cannot know it. A secondhand allegation by a hostile witness is an awfully slender thread upon which to base a serious accusation against Joseph Smith and his character.

Posted from Nanaimo, British Columbia
I previously reviewed Bishop Robert Barrons The Word on Fire Bible, Volume I: The Gospels on 2 June 2020, and the follow-up volume, completing the New Testament, The Word on Fire Bible, Volume II: Acts, Letters and Revelation, on 14 January 2022. The Word on Fire Bible, Volume III: The Pentateuch is, like the others, a beautiful leather-bound Bible (NRSV version), filled with frequent inserts offering commentary (from Church fathers, Doctors of the Church, popes, saints, and other notable exegetes) and beautiful reproductions of great Catholic art. The book page offers a general introduction:

Volume III of The Word on Fire Bible features the first five books of the Old Testament, collectively known as the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Accompanying the text of Scripture, youll find over 90 commentaries from Bishop Robert Barron and over 230 commentaries from mystics, artists, and scholars throughout history. Volume III includesfor the first time in the seriescommentaries from Dorothy Day, Ephrem the Syrian, Hildegard of Bingen, Bernard of Clairvaux, and more. This volume also includes over 50 works of art . . .

As I did in my other reviews, Id like to offer what I think are notable and representative examples of the relentlessly helpful and eloquent commentary, with regard to some of the most well-known stories of the first five books of the Bible. Its a subject matter very close to my heart, having recently written a book, The Word Set in Stone: How Archaeology, Science, and History Back Up the Bible (Catholic Answers Press: March 15, 2023). About half of its text was devoted to the Torah, or Pentateuch. So Im personally very pleased with the appearance of this Bible at this point in time.

A gem from the great Catholic apologist and social critic G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936), from his book, Orthodoxy (1908) appears at Genesis 3, which chronicles the fall of man, or original sin:

Modern masters of science are much impressed with the need of beginning all inquiry with a fact. The ancient masters of religion were quite equally impressed with that necessity. They began with the fact of sin  a fact as practical as potatoes. . . . But certain religious leaders . . . have begun in our day . . . to deny the indisputable dirt. Certain new theologians dispute original sin, which is the only part of Christian theology which can really be proved. Some [people] in their almost too fastidious spirituality, admit divine sinlessness, which they cannot see even in their dreams. But they essentially deny human sin, which they can see in the street. (pp. 58-59)

Bishop Barron offers fascinating and thought-provoking analogies in his commentary on Noahs ark:

The careful description of the building of the ark and the delineation of its proportions point forward to similar accounts of the construction of the tabernacle in the desert during the Exodus and of the Jerusalem temple. . . . In his City of God, St. Augustine reads the history of salvation, from biblical times through the era of the Church, as a tale of Noahs ark  the little ship, filled with a holy remnant, bouncing on the waves of the stormy sea. And this is why the medieval architects also endeavored to make the cathedrals look like great ships. The nave (from the Latin navis, meaning boat) is surrounded by high walls, which in turn are supported by flying buttresses, which look, for all the world, like oars coming out the side of a ship. . . . The idea is that the Church is Noahs ark, moving through the stormy waters of sin, the place of safety into which sinners have been called. So the Church is shelter from the storm, a boat tossing on the waves of a dysfunctional world. (pp. 77-78)

Bishop Barron again provides a magnificent commentary on The Binding of Isaac: the story where God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22), that baffles many pious, observant Christians as well as Jews; which he describes as the most terrifying story in the Old Testament:

If you dont feel some dark anguish upon hearing this story, you havent been paying attentions; if there isnt some anger welling up in you, you havent grasped the disturbing core of the narrative. . . . Abraham, in sacrificing his son, was actively willing the impossible, something the mind cant contain. Until we have experienced something of this intellectual vertigo, we havent allowed the story to grasp us adequately. This terrifying narrative is one of the most vivid displays of a paradoxical principle that can be found from the beginning to end of the Bible  namely, the law of the gift. This spiritual maxim can be stated simply: your being increases and is enhanced in the measure that you give it away. And its corollary can be expressed with equal simplicity: your being decreases to the point of annihilation in the measure that you cling to it. . . . What is Abraham willing to give away? That which he loves the most, the son of his old age, the child of promise. And the result is the increase of his being. . . . We all must identify that which we love the most and then make of it an offering to God, and we will receive it back multiplied thirty, sixty, or a hundredfold. . . . Like Abraham, the heavenly Father was willing to give away what was dearest to him . . . (pp. 141-143)

For my next sampling, I go to the famous appearance of God to Moses in the burning bush (Exodus 3). Pope Francis is cited, from a General Audience of June 25, 2014, making a point concerning how Gods words tie into the necessity of sacred tradition:

[H]e defines himself as the God of your ancestors. He doesnt say: I am the Omnipotent One . . . no: I am . . . the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. In this way he reveals himself as the God who made an alliance with our fathers and remains ever faithful to his pact, and calls us to enter into this relationship which precedes us. . . . [O]thers, before us, lived the faith and then transmitted it to us. We have received the faith from our fathers, from our ancestors, and they have instructed us in it. (p. 273)

A wonderful observation by Pope St. Gregory the Great (540-604), comparing the two Testaments, appears in conjunction with Exodus 22:1:

Some people consider the commandments of the Old Testament stricter than those of the New, but they are deceived by a short-sighted interpretation. In the former, theft, not miserliness, is punished: wrongful taking of property is punished by fourfold restitution. In [the latter], the rich man is not censured for having taken away someone elses property, but for not having given away his own. He is not said to have forcibly wronged anyone, but to have prided himself on what he received. (p. 368)

I love Dr. Mary Healys accessible and informative Introduction to Leviticus (pp. 442-445). Here are some highlights:

Leviticus: that proverbial book in which the best-laid plans to read the whole Bible cover to cover come to a grinding halt. The resolute reader immediately finds himself immersed in arcane details of animal sacrifice and instructions on what to do with the blood, entrails, and other body parts. What in the world could this ancient manual of sacrifice have to do with faith or the spiritual life today? Yet when its secrets are unlocked, Leviticus is a powerfully moving book. . . . Curiously, in Jewish tradition this book was the first that children would study in the synagogue. Perhaps there was a sense that children are naturally attuned to the holy awe that Leviticus evokes. . . . God proceeds to give Moses his instructions on how his people are to live in covenant fellowship with him, first in their worship (chapters 1-16) and then in their moral conduct (chapters 17-27). To us, the instructions seem strangely external . . . But as the Letter to the Hebrews explains, all these regulations for the body were a provisional arrangement, imposed until the time comes to set things right (Heb. 9:10). . . . Gods holiness is a difficult lesson for human beings to learn. . . . We take sin lightly. Much of Leviticus, like the rest of the Old Testament, is Gods patient pedagogy in which he unveils the dazzling light of his holiness, and in that light, the ugly, devastating darkness of sin.

These excerpts provide, I think, a good idea of the innumerable treasures to be found in this volume. As the Word of Fire book page explains, this Bible is designed for people reading the Bible seriously for the first time, who may be unsure of what to make of its many events and characters. And it approaches Holy Scripture from the heart of the Church. Anyone who reads the commentaries alongside the Old Testament will have a greater appreciation and comprehension of the often misunderstood Hebrew Bible, and how, especially, it sets the groundwork for, and relates to Christianity. The Word of Fire Bible will cause folks to catch on fire for the faith!

I give it my highest, most enthusiastic recommendation. Bravo! to Bishop Barron and to everyone else who participated in this worthy endeavor.

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Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist , and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

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Roman Primacy in the Early Church; First Clement; Ignatius & Cyprian on the Papacy; Pope Liberius; Sozomen & Socrates on Papal Primacy; Pope Honorius

Prominent Protestant apologist Norman Geisler and his co-author Ralph MacKenzie triumphantly but falsely claim, in a major critique of Catholicism, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1995, 206-207, 459), that Salmons book has never really been answered by the Catholic Church, and call it the classic refutation of papal infallibility, which also offers a penetrating critique of Newmans theory.

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Bishop Butlers book is partially available (8 chapters of 11) in old Internet Archive files (see chapters one seven ) and another web page with Chapter Ten . Most of these files will eventually be inaccessible, so I have decided to select highlights of all of these chapters, and also from chapters eight, nine, and eleven, from my own hardcover copy of the book. The words below are all from Bishop Butler, edited and abridged by myself. I will indicate which chapter excerpts are from, but not page numbers. George Salmons words will be in

Salmons tome, however, has been roundly refuted at least twice: first, by Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Murphy in The Irish Ecclesiastical Record ( March November 1901 and January March 1902): a response (see the original sources )  which Ive now transcribed almost in its totality: adding up to more than 73,000 words, or approximately 257 pages (last two installments abridged a bit); secondly, by Bishop Basil Christopher Butler (1902-1986) in his book, The Church and Infallibility: A Reply to the Abridged Salmon (New York: Sheed & Ward, 1954, 230 pages). See all of these replies  and any further ones that I make  listed under George Salmon on my Anti-Catholicism web page

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See other installments of this series:

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Chapter Eight: The Church and See of Rome in Antiquity

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I agree with Salmon that it is a question of tracing a development. This is not tantamount to abandoning Tradition as a basis for the doctrine of Papal Supremacy ([Salmon], p. 152), any more than to trace he development of a human character from childhood to maturity is to renounce the effort to see his life as a historical unity.

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He often mentions the Church , but never seems to face squarely the question: What is the Church?

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I . . . quote two dicta of the great liberal Protestant scholar Harnack: The (local) Christian churches became a real confederation under the primacy of the Roman Church (and later under the leadership of the bishop of that Church) [Dogmengeschichte, 4th ed., vol. I, p. 489]. And again: The Roman Church from the end of the first century possessed a de facto primacy in Christendom [Mission und Ausbrietung, 2nd ed., 1906, vol. I, p. 398].

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[T]he Epistle of Clement . . . is a striking intervention on the part of Rome in the affairs of the Church of Corinth, . . . but Salmon thinks, could clearly not be regarded as an attempt by Rome to domineer over provincial Churches [p. 163]. But the great Anglican scholar Lightfoot (in 1890) wrote of this Epistle as follows:

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It is . . . instructive to observe the urgent and almost imperious tone which the Romans adopt in addressing their Corinthian brethren during the closing years of the first century . . . It may perhaps seem strange to describe this noble remonstrance as the first step towards papal domination. And yet undoubtedly this is the case. [St. Clement of Rome, 1890, vol. I, p. 698]

Harnack, once again, is worth quoting:

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This letter to the Corinthians proves that already at the end of the first century the Roman church . . . kept watch with maternal care for distant churches, and that at that date she knew how to utter the word that is an expression of duty, of love, and of authority at the same time. [Dogmengeschichte, 4th ed., vol. I, p. 485]

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It is surely somewhat remarkable that, in the eyes of good scholars, both 1 Clement and the only slightly later letter of Ignatius to the Romans should alike bear witness, just before and just after the end of the apostolic ages, to the primacy, not to say the authority, of the Roman Church. . . . [T]here is no hint that Ignatius respected the Church of Rome precisely because of the prestige of the capital city. And both epistles speak of Peter and Paul in a way which at least suggests that this apostolic origin is the real source of the Roman Churchs pre-eminence.

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[I]t should be noticed  and Salmon is silent on this point  that before (apparently) the baptismal controversy Cyprian had urged the Bishop of Rome . . . to send to Gaul and excommunicate the Bishop of Arles and supply a successor [Ep. 68, 3].

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It [also] appears that Cyprian had accepted and proclaimed, before the baptismal controversy, the principle that to be in communion with the Catholic Church (i.e., to be within the ark of salvation) one must be in communion with the See of Rome.

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Chapter Nine: Empire and Papacy

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The fall of Liberius is discussed by Salmon (pp. 206-209), and the question of its extent must occupy us in a moment. But it seems fitting to remark first that, even if Salmons version is accepted as true, papal infallibility as defined by the Vatican Council is not involved. Not only is it to be considered highly doubtful whether Liberius (in exile and under imperial pressure) could have any intention of making an ex cathedra pronouncement: but it cannot be shown that he signed anyth ing that was positively erroneous. Salmon himself states [p. 208]: the worst of the formulas, one of which Liberius is supposed to have signed, did not assert anything untrue, but merely omitted the phrases which the orthodox used to exclude the Arians.

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Salmon . . . gives a minimal interpretation of Juliuss letter vindicating Athanasius, and states that  the Greek historians, Socrates and Sozomen, appear simply to report what had been said by Julius [p. 195]. As a matter of fact Socrates says that Julius reproved the Easterns, since the ecclesiastical canon orders that the churches shall not make canons against the judgment of the Bishop of Rome (ii, 17), and Sozomen (following Socrates), that Julius blamed them, saying that it was a sacerdotal law that what was done against the will of the Roman bishop was null and void (iii, 10).

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Salmon . . . fails to make it clear that the ultimate victory in doctrinal disputes from A.D. 451 onwards always lay with the side that had Rome with it.

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Chapter Ten: The Sixth Century and Beyond

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So we pass on to the celebrated affair of Pope Honorius and his condemnation in the seventh century [Salmon, pp. 213-15, 220-2. See Chapmans The Condemnation of Pope Honorius , which I follow closely]. The bare and essential facts of this affair may be briefly stated, once the theological issue has been made clear. The Council of Chalcedon had defined that Jesus Christ was one person (hypostasis) in two perfect natures, one divine (by which he was the Son of God) and one human (whereby he was the Son of Mary). The Monophysites, and among them almost the whole of Egyptian Christianity, had rejected this definition and affirmed that there was one nature of the incarnate Word of God; in consequence they were excommunicate. About A.D. 630 a considerable section [Chapman, from whom the following unassigned quotations are taken] of the Egyptian Monophysites were reconciled to the Church on acceptance of the proposition that Christs works, alike the human and divine, are wrought by one theandric [i.e. divino-human] operation  the main thesis of the Monothelite heresy. The Catholic truth is that Christ has a divine will but also a human will (two wills, then), and that each will has its own operation or working.

The Emperor and Sergius, Patriarch of Constantinople, welcomed the reconciliation of the Monophysites; but on receiving a protest against the teaching of one operation from a Palestinian monk named Sophronius, Sergius took the obvious course of laying the whole matter before the Pope, Honorius by name. Honorius replied to the effect that the expression one operation was objectionable. But he goes on to admit one will, because our Lord took to himself a human nature free from original sin. The reason given implies that our Lord has a human will, only not also a corrupt lower human will The Pope declares that to teach one operation will seem Eutychian, i.e. Monophysite, while to teach two will seem Nestorian. Both expressions are consequently to be avoided. He also told Cyrus, Patriarch of Alexandria, that the expressions one or two operations are to be dropped, as it is very silly to use such expressions.

The result was that the Emperor Heraclius decreed (in the so-called Ecthesis ) that all his subjects are to confess one will of our Lord, but to avoid the expressions one or two operations  precisely agreeing with Honoriuss letter to Sergius. But, Honorius being dead, Pope John IV condemned the Emperors Ecthesis and in about A.D. 648 Pope Theodore [I] pronounced the deposition of the Monothelite Paul of Constantinople (Sergius being by now also dead), and in 649 Pope Martin I at a Lateran Council condemned Cyrus, Sergius, Paul, the ecthesis and the Typus (an imperial decree replacing the ecthesis and forbidding the expressions one and two operations). We are back at the situation under the Henotikon , the Emperor and the Bishop of Constantinople ranged against the Bishop of Rome. And it was not till 680 that, under a new Emperor [Constantine IV, called Pogonatus], the Sixth Ecumencial Council met at Constantinople and Pope Agathos ruling on the disputed points, which of course agrees with that of the Lateran Council of 649, was accepted by all save the Monothelite Macarius, Patriarch of Antioch, who was in consequence deposed.

But Macarius had sent the Emperor a packet of documents, of which the seal was broken in the Council, and amongst these documents, read out before the Council, was the letter of Honorius to Sergius, which thus for the first time came under conciliar cognizance (it had not been read at the Lateran Council). It would seem that neither Emperor nor papal legates, nor even the Eastern episcopate as a whole, but only Macarius was responsible for this thunderbolt. There was nothing for it. If Cyrus, Sergius and Paul were to be condemned, it was impossible to spare the name of Honorius; and after anathematizing the other leading Monothelites the Council judged: And in addition to these we decide that Honorius also, who was Pope of elder Rome, be with them cast out of the holy Church of God, and be anathematized with them, because we have found by his letter to Sergius that he followed his opinion in all things and confirmed his wicked dogmas.

[Footnote: To some it may seem that it was all a storm in a teacup. Provided the definition of Chalcedon was accepted on all hands, why worry about such foolish novelties as one or two operations in Christ? And it is true that though Monothelitism is contrary to the implications of the Chalcedonian definition, the doctrine of two wills and two operations in Christ had not been explicitly defined in Honoriuss time  not indeed till the Lateran Council of 649. But the Church has felt instinctively that the fullness of the Incarnation is to be insisted upon and must not in any way be watered down. From primitive Docetism (the heresy which affirmed that Christ had only a phantom body) through Apollinarianism and Eutychianism down to Monothelitism the human reason has sought to detract from the fullness of Christs manhood. And this is to detract, more or less, from the full sweep of that love which moved God to identify himself with man in the Incarnation  as love ever identifies the lover with the object of his love. It also detracts from the redeemed sacredness of creatures, if God has not fully entered into the conditions of the creature. Monothelitism is a slighter error than Monophysitism, but as Thomas of Aquinas says on another subject, a small error in the beginning leads to great error in the end. Hence the Church has always been acutely sensitive to doctrinal inaccuracies which may have baneful effects far outside the purview of the theologians who originate them, effects in the spiritual life and moral effort of the faithful.]

The Acts of the Council were approved by Pope Leo II, and among those whom he anathematizes is also Honorius, who did not attempt to sanctify this Apostolic Church with the teaching of apostolic tradition, but by profane treachery permitted its purity to be polluted. Honorius is included by the Seventh Ecumenical Council in its list of heretics; the oath taken by every new Pope from the eighth century till the eleventh adds these words to the list of Monothelites condemned: Together with Honorius, who added fuel to their wicked assertions; and Honorius was mentioned as a heretic in the Roman Breviary till the eighteenth century.

The first and most important observation that must be made on this episode is that the doctrine of papal infallibility, as defined by the Vatican Council, is not contradicted by Honoriuss lapse or by his post-mortem condemnation. As Chapman writes:

It is, of course, absurd to regard the letter of Honorius as a definition ex cathedra. It was natural to exaggerate at the time of the Vatican Council, but today the decree [of 1870] is better understood. If the letter of Honorius to Sergius is to be ex cathedra, a fortiori all papal encyclicals addressed to the whole Church at the present day must be ex cathedra, quod est absurdum. [which thing is absurd]

And again, after reminding the reader that the Vatican Council explains that the Pope speaks ex cathedra when, in the exercise of his function as shepherd and teacher of all Christians, in virtue of his supreme apostolic authority he defines a doctrine on faith or morals to be held by the whole Church, Chapman proceeds, with reference to Honoriuss letter:

In this case not even the first condition is certainly fulfilled, for Honorius addresses Sergius alone, and it is by no means evident that he intended his letter to be published as a decree. Further, he does not appeal, as Popes habitually appealed on solemn occasions, to his apostolic authority, to the promise to Peter, to the tradition of his Church. Lastly, he neither defines nor condemns, utters no anathema or warning, but merely approves a policy of silence.

To these important paragraphs it may be appropriate to add the following from the same author:

Infallibility is, as it were, the apex of a pyramid. The more solemn the utterances of the Apostolic See, the more we can be certain of their truth. When they reach the maximum of solemnity, that is, when they are strictly ex cathedra, the possibility of error is wholly eliminated. The authority of a Pope, even on those occasions when he is not actually infallible, is to be implicitly followed and reverenced. That it should be on the wrong side is a contingency shown by faith and history to be possible, but by history as well as by faith to be so remote that it is not usually to be taken into consideration. There are three or four examples in history.

And again:

The infallibility of the Pope is for the sake of the Church. Wherever his fall would necessarily involve the Church in the same error, he is infallible. Therefore he is infallible whenever he binds the Church by his [supreme and definitive] authority to accept his ruling, and only then. It is a matter of history that no Pope has ever involved the whole Church in error. It is a matter of history that Pope after Pope has solemnly defined the truth and bound the Church to accept it. It is a matter of history that Pope after Pope has confirmed the Councils which decided rightly and has annulled those which decided wrongly. It is a matter of history that Rome has always retained the true faith. If this was wonderful in the 7th century, it is more wonderful after thirteen more centuries have passed.

The affairs of Liberius, Honorius and Galileo may be taken as limiting cases in the question of papal infallibility. They are therefore invaluable as illustrations to explain to non-Catholics what the Vatican definition [of papal infallibility, in 1870] does not imply. They are also invaluable as warnings to Catholics to be sober and moderate and therefore truly loyal in their application of the dogma. I hope that it is not now necessary to spend long on Salmons treatment of the affair of Honorius. The fact is that Salmon actually first tells us what would be his own (Salmons) doctrine of papal infallibility, if he believed in it at all (p. 215), adding that he would take it as involving papal inspiration (p. 217), which has never been officially claimed by the Popes themselves; he then leaves us to infer that, since the affair of Honorius contradicts Salmons own doctrine of infallibility, therefore the Catholic doctrine of infallibility is disproved.

We can imagine a man visiting some country which enjoys a constitutional monarchy like our own [i.e., like that of Great Britain]. He is told that the whole political structure is built upon the principle that the king can do no wrong. Thereupon he publishes a number of authentic records, how one king was a drunkard, another a liar, a third the father of illegitimate children and a fourth almost brought the State toppling to disaster by his imprudent use of the royal prerogative: and, strong in the knowledge that his facts are correct, he pours ridicule on the constitution  unaware of the fact that he has made himself a little laughable. The rules (Salmon, p. 215) invented for distinguishing when the pope speaks ex cathedra are not arbitrary; and they are embodied (most of them) in the Vatican definition itself. Can it be that Salmon had already worked the Honorius affair into his brief before the definition was promulgated, and was a little taken aback to find that he had been tilting at a windmill?

But perhaps the main value of Honoriuss condemnation, in Salmons eyes, is that it proves that as late as the seventh century no suspicion had entered the mind of the Church that it was impossible for a Pope to be a heretic (Salmon, p. 221). The short answer to this inference is that the Churchs mind is still quite free of that suspicion. It is not taught that his office makes a Pope immune from personal error, but that God will not allow him to commit the Church definitively to public error.

It may not, however, be amiss to point out how clearly the seventh-century conviction, that the Pope is the de jure [Latin, according to law, by right] teacher and guardian of the universal Church, emerges from the whole affair of Honorius. The following is a selection from the evidence [from Dom John Chapman]:

(1) Sergius, the Patriarch of Constantinople, was not prepared to give more than a provisional decision on the lawfulness of the expression one operation till he had put the question to the Pope, whom in fact he asks if there has been anything wanting in what has been said, to fill this up and with your holy syllables to signify your opinion on the matter.

(2) The reply of Honorius was apparently in fact what gave the Emperor, with the patriarch of Constantinople behind him, the courage to publish his Ecthesis .

(3) Stephen of Dora (in Palestine) told Martin I at the Lateran Council of a conversation he had had with Sophronius, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who had raised the alarm against Monothelitism, but died forty years before the [Third] Council of Constantinople. Stephen says that in the patriarchate they had asked for the wings of a dove that we might fly away and announce these things [their troubles consequent upon the heresy] to the Chair which rules and presides over all, I mean to yours, the head and highest, for the healing of the whole wound. For this it has been accustomed to do from of old with power by its canonical or apostolical authority, because Peter, head of the Apostles, was clearly thought worthy not only to be entrusted with the keys of heaven, alone, apart from the rest but because he was also first commissioned to feed the sheep of the whole Catholic Church and again because he had a faith in the Lord stronger than all and unchangeable, to be converted and to confirm his spiritual brethren as having been adorned by God himself, incarnate for us, with power and sacerdotal authority. Thus Stephen bases the universal rule of the Papacy upon the three chief Petrine texts. The fact that he is addressing a Pope in a Roman Council does not evacuate the significance of this papalism on the lips of an orthodox bishop from Palestine.

(4) He states that Sophronius had adjured him to go to the Apostolic See, where are the foundations of the holy doctrine.

(5) Maximus, once a secretary of the Emperor Heraclius and later a monk at Chrysopolis, who took refuge from Monothelitism at Rome, speaks of the most great and Apostolic Church at Rome as the truly firm and immovable rock.

(6) A council held in Cyprus, A.D. 643, wrote to the Pope {Theodore I} to persuade him to destroy the insolence of the new heretics: Thou art Peter, and upon thy foundations the pillars of the Church have been fixed. Thou art set as the destroyer of profane heresies, as leader of the orthodox and unsullied faith.

(7) Maximus again, writing to an official in the East, says: If the Roman See recognises Pyrrhus [formerly Patriarch of Constantinople] to be not only a reprobate but a heretic, it is certainly plain that every one who anathematizes those who have rejected Pyrrhus, anathematizes the See of Rome, that is, he anathematizes the Catholic Church. I need hardly add that he excommunicates himself also, if indeed he is in communion with the Roman See and the Catholic Church of God. In the same letter he speaks of the Apostolic See, which from the incarnate Son of God himself, and also by all holy synods, according to the holy canons and definitions, has received universal and supreme dominion, authority and power of binding and loosing over all the holy Churches of God which are in the whole world.

(8) Martin I appointed the Bishop of Philadelphia in Palestine as his vicar in the East in all ecclesiastical functions and offices, to appoint bishops, priests and deacons in all the cities subject to the patriarchates of Jerusalem and Antioch, the appointments of Macarius as Patriarch of Antioch and Peter as Patriarch of Alexandria being null.

(9) Pope Agatho, in a letter read at the [Third] Council of Constantinople (the Sixth Ecumenical Council), after instancing various unsatisfactory doctrinal statements of Eastern prelates, wrote: The holy Church of God must be freed from errors like these, and the whole number of prelates and priests, and clergy and people must confess with us the formula of truth and apostolic tradition, the evangelical and apostolic rule of faith, which is founded upon the firm Rock of blessed Peter, the prince of the Apostles, which by his favour remains free from all error.

(10) The Emperor [Constantine IV] asked the assembled bishops whether they agreed with Agathos letter. George of Constantinople replied that he had found the testimonies from the Fathers, adduced by Agatho, to be accurate, and so I profess and believe. Fifteen individual assents followed, and then others in a body assented. Thus, while the evidence adduced by the Pope is verified, his dogma is accepted as it stands. As the bishops said in acclamation: It is Peter who speaks through Agatho.

(11) The Council, in its final decree, speaks of itself as faithfully and with uplifted hands greeting the letter of the most holy and blessed Pope of elder Rome, Agatho, to our most faithful Emperor Constantine [IV].

(12) In its address to the Emperor the Council includes this remarkable piece of historical writing: Constantine [I] and the famous Silvester [I] [bishop of Rome] assembled the great and illustrious [First] Council of Nicaea. Similarly against Macedonius (i.e. at the [First] Council of Constantinople, the Second Ecumenical) Theodosius [I] and Damasus [I] the adamant of the faith, immediately resisted him. So Celestine [I] and Cyril resisted Nestorius (at Ephesus, 431); Leo [I] roared like a lion against Eutyches (sc. at the Council of Chalcedon); and Vigilius agreed with the all-pious Justinian [I] at the Fifth Ecumenical Council. We note that the Emperor [Theodosius II] had been supporting Nestorius at Ephesus, so that in that case a Bishop of Alexandria [Cyril] is mentioned beside the Pope [Damasus I]. But each of the other four previous Ecumenical Councils is described, by implication, as the achievement of the Emperor as civil head and of the Pope  obviously as ecclesiastical head. This is impressive as coming from an Ecumenical Council, and one which had had the Emperor [Constantine IV] as president and had accepted the dogmatic letter of the Pope [Agatho], a letter which, after expounding the true faith on the point at issue, had proceeded to state that, if the Patriarch of Constantinople refused this irreprehensible rule let him know that of such contempt he will have to make satisfaction before the Judge of all, who is in heaven. This was the letter greeted with uplifted hands by the Council, the same Council that denounced Pope Honorius as a heretic.

(13) In a letter to the Pope, the Council asked him to confirm its decision by an honoured rescript. This confirmation was granted by Pope Leo II, in A.D. 682.

Is it too much to say that, in this body of evidence, including actions and statements of an Ecumenical Council, we have as much proof as could be expected, from a period nearly twelve hundred years before the [First] Vatican Council, that the juridical and doctrinal primacy of the See of Peter is a genuine element in the faith of the Church? In particular I would urge our Eastern Orthodox and Anglo-Catholic friends to ask themselves, what was the united Catholic episcopate doing in A.D. 451 and again in A.D. 680, if it failed to protest against Papal claims which were already unequivocal, which were brought into play precisely in doctrinal issues which had set the whole East agog, and which nevertheless were (on modern Eastern and Anglican premises) a monstrous distortion of the Christian faith and a malignant cancer within the body of the Church? Yet on any principles purporting to be Catholic, surely the episcopate has a responsibility before God for preserving doctrinal purity and fidelity to the tradition.

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Chapter Eleven: The Body and the Spirit of the Church

I hope I have shown that Salmon did not speak the last word on these episodes and this story; that not only Catholics, but often also writers, more recent than Salmon, who do not acknowledge the truth of the Catholic claims, find nevertheless in some of these episodes a meaning that is compatible with the truth of the Vatican definition.

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Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist , and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

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The business of banking is increasingly changing. With modern technology, mixed with the dynamism of customer needs and the changing economic landscape, the industry is undergoing a different kind of transformation.



Clients and customers are increasingly clamouring for convenient banking  banking away from branches or physical interaction to a more seamless, virtual and stress-free experience. Banking is no longer where you go but something you constantly do.



It is in this light that Absa Bank has launched, Absa Access, a new platform for its clients and institutions. It is a platform that gives every client instant access to all transactions, products and services, across multiple channels, with just a single sign-on. The platform also has a unique element that makes it possible for any standard browser to access it.



Clients can now enjoy simple, secure and cost-effective domestic payments, gain full control of their payables, cashflows, salaries, supplier and pension payments and many more. As if that is not enough, the bank has also partnered with all three major mobile network companies in Ghana, to enable the transfer of funds to mobile wallets of beneficiaries instantly.



Commenting on the new product, Managing Principal in charge of Absa Banks Corporate and Investment Banking, Ellen Ohene-Afoakwa, said: Our customers are the reason we are in business. Our success lies in understanding their needs, being responsive to their requests and going above and beyond to transform their experience with us.



Absa Access is truly a game-changer and will significantly modify the way we deliver banking services to our customers.



Our brand purpose reflects a journey of empowering Africas tomorrow, togetherone story at a time. This means we are constantly responding to the changing dynamics of the ecosystem and using new information to meet the shifting needs of our clients.

Source: Peacefmonline com









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The United Nations has condemned what it called rising sexual violence against women and girls in Sudan in more than two months of conflict.



The UN human rights office in Sudan said it had received credible reports of more than 20 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 57 women and girls.



It said that in one incident as many as 20 women were raped in the same attack.



The UN's chief humanitarian official, Martin Griffiths, said it was unconscionable that Sudan's women and children were being traumatised in this way.

Source: BBC









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A Policy Advisor, Atik Mohammed has applauded all the 275 Members of Parliament who have unanimously adopted the anti-gay bill.



The Members of Parliament accepted the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022 which is to provide for proper human sexual rights and Ghanaian family values as well as proscribe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) and related activities.



The Bill is yet to become law, however, there is a high probability that it will come into effect.



This therefore means implementation of this law will ensure any person caught in homosexual act will face a criminal charge and may end up in prison.



This bi-partisan Private Members Bill was introduced by eight Members of Parliament (MPs) led by Samuel Nartey George, National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Ningo-Prampram.



Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme, Atik expressed his delight that the MPs have all come into consensus to pass the bill.



"We have to commend all the MPs, particularly the proponents of the bill. We have to applaud all of them and this was a bi-partisan proposition. For the first time, I have been impressed that this is the product of some corporations and consensus between and amongst MPs from different political parties. They deserve our praise and this opens the floodgate for more private members bills," he said.



He slammed those who argue it is of no concern to the nation should a man decide to have sex with a man or woman with a woman in their own room and not displaying it in the face of people.



But to Atik, there is no privacy to homosexuality.



He stated; "There is something called conspiracy to commit crime. It's an offence. If two people meet in a room and conspire to commit a crime, it's a crime according to the laws of this country."





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The economist said the progressive recovery of investment expectations is the outcome of improvement in domestic investors' confidence in Peru a situation that is being reflected abroad as well.

"This domestic confidence is also witnessed at the international level, with a series of signs that you already know about very well, (such as) credit rating reaffirmation, recognition by international organizations, and international visits," Contreras specified.

In this sense, the Cabinet member pointed out that Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretary-General Mathias Cormann , as well as the International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD) chairman , have confirmed their arrival in Peru for the second half of 2023.

"Once again, there is a repositioning of Peru at the international level, which is important to recognize, because that helps restore confidence in the country and makes investment arrive more promptly," he underlined.

The high-ranking official said that, given the domestic and external situation, Peru has maintained its fiscal strength and remains the country with the lowest debt in Latin America.

"We are a solid country, and that is reflected in Peru's (country) risk. Peru's (country) risk, despite the ravages that Peru has suffered such as droughts, cold spells, Coastal El Nino Global El Nino , conflict, despite everything it remains one of the economies with the highest positioning in Latin America, and I would say, at the emerging countries level, it is something that must be highlighted," he stressed.
"Don't tell us what to do," Deputy Minister for Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour has sent a strong warning to the Diplomatic Community.



This comes on the back of Parliament adopting the anti-LGBTQ Bill.



Parliament on Wednesday, unanimously adopted the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2022.



The bill seeks to proscribe LGBTQ+ and related activities, proscribe propaganda of, advocacy for or promotion of LGBTQ+ and related activities.



The Bill now moves to the consideration stage, after which it will go through the third reading before it is passed into law.



Amnesty Country Director



However, the Country Director for Amnesty International, Genevieve Partington has called on Parliament to throw out the Bill.



According to her, It is good to hear peoples point of view and to also give those who are pro-LGBTQ a chance to express why this Bill should not be passed. So I think it is a healthy discussion even though some persons decide to go below the belt, but in all, its a healthy discussion. But in terms of Amnesty we certainly believe that this bill should not be passed, it should be thrown out in its entirety. It completely violates human rights and Parliament should not consider it at all. I feel like the Parliamentarians should be spending their time on bigger issues in Ghana."



She continued: There are places that do not have water and electricity, those are the things we should focus on, not the Bill.



Respect us



Ntim Fordjour who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Assin South Constituency contributing to a panel discussion on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo' asked the Diplomatic Community to respect our choice as a country.



"Some countries like Russia, Qatar have stern regulations against LGBTQ but ours is not like that. I've not heard that these countries have been threatened to accept this act or face sanctions. But the situation is not the same in Africa. Why don't they respect us as Sovereign countries? If you have accepted LGBTQ in your country, you are a sovereign country and you're entitled to set those laws so allow us to also do same. We are also a Sovereign state," he urged.



He added: "This is not a diplomatic brawl; you can have your disagreement but in expressing your disagreement, you don't tell us what we must do. Respect us because we didn't disrespect your laws in your country. This is what we want as a country so make sure your utterances are measured."



Listen to him in the video below





Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has stated that developing the country's digital economy requires standardised rules of engagement and competition.



Therefore, she said the proposed Legislative Instrument for the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) Act, Act 771 and the Electronic Transactions Act, Act 772 is key to strengthening the countrys Information and Communication Technology (ICT) ecosystem.



That, she said, would also equip NITA to perform its proper role as the Regulator for all ICT-related matters and electronic transactions in Ghana.



We cannot develop our digital economy and digital transformation in a vacuum and our participation in the 4th Industrial Revolution requires a fit-for-purpose ICT ecosystem, operating within a standardised framework with properly laid out rules of engagement and competition, she said.



Mrs Owusu-Ekuful was speaking at a stakeholder engagement on the draft Legislative Instrument for the NITA Act, Act 771 and the Electronic Transactions Act, Act 772 in Accra yesterday.



She explained that Act 771 defined the objective for the establishment of NITA as an agency to regulate the provision of information communication technology, ensure the provision of quality information communication technology, promote standards of efficiency and ensure high-quality service.



NITA to issue licences



She said NITA was, therefore, expected to issue licences to service providers and ensure fair competition, among others, a roadmap which was set out as far back as 2008.



Unfortunately, without properly understanding their mandate, NITA never performed the role prescribed by its enabling Act fully but rather got engrossed in operations and became a service provider, competing in the same space as the entities it was mandated to regulate, she said.



According to her, the ministry dumped projects it could not operate on and watched it flounder.



She added that without regulation, the nation embarked on digital initiatives with no direction and was held captive by service providers who did as they pleased with no regard for the sustainability of initiatives, and interoperability of systems as ICT procurement for ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) were done with no oversight and no set standards guiding it.



The situation, she said, led to the wanton dissipation of public resources as it encouraged duplication, waste and procurement of sometimes near-end-of-life systems which were unfit for purpose.



Potential of ICT



Mrs Owusu-Ekuful explained that the significance of technology could not be overemphasised in this increasingly interconnected world; hence, the government recognised the transformational power and potential of ICT.



She said the government had set ambitious goals of becoming an inclusive, progressive digital hub in Africa by ensuring that no citizen was left behind.



She said the draft Legislative Instruments (LIs) would lay the foundation for a robust regulatory framework that nurtured innovation, safeguarded the rights and interests of all stakeholders, and addressed crucial domains such as digital infrastructure, applications, systems, innovation and e-commerce.



It is pertinent to acknowledge that legislation alone cannot bring about the desired transformation.



It is only through our collective efforts and close collaboration with all stakeholders that we can establish the right legal and regulatory framework to achieve the desired transformation.

Source: graphic.com.gh









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Prophet Emmanuel Adjei, the Lead Pastor and General Overseer of the Prophetic Prayer Palace International, has made a shocking revelation that he would have quit serving God if Archbishop Charles Agyinasare had accepted the invitation to visit the Nogokpo traditional shrine in the Volta region.



The controversy started in May when Archbishop Charles Agyinasare referred to Nogokpo as the demonic headquarters of the Volta Region during a sermon.



His words, which were part of a church program, instantly drew a strong reaction from the council of elders in Nogokpo.



In a recent interview on #UrbanBlend with Black Rasta, Prophet Emmanuel Adjei expressed his belief that the reaction from the people in Nogokpo was excessive and characterized by extremism.



The man [referring to Agyinasare] is a statesman. He came out and made a statement. Hes been in ministry for years. He has a track record. He is not a man that creates controversies, said Pastor Emmanuel Adjei, who was in Canada at the time of the incident.



He further added that he respects every religion but believes that no harm can come to individuals who have placed their bodies and souls in the hands of God.



Prophet Emmanuel Adjei stated that he has not disrespected the practicing of other religions and emphasized that they went to extreme measures in their reaction.



During the interview, Prophet Adjei revealed that he would have been deeply disappointed and even contemplated quitting his faith if Archbishop Agyinasare had actually visited Nogokpo.



Hey, I said if the Archbishop had gone to Nogokpo, I would have stopped worshipping God. Because I will feel so ashamed and disappointed because we see him as a father, we see him as a mentor and a leader. Now you leave our territory and go there, Ill feel very disappointed, he explained.



Prophet Adjei believes that no harm can come to those who have put their trust in God, regardless of their location or spiritual practices.

He suggests that the incident should be put to rest and not be stretched any further.



In light of the controversy, it is clear that emotions are running high and discussions on religious practices and beliefs continue to be a sensitive topic in Ghana.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









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A momentous occasion unfolded at the celebrated Manhyia Palace on Wednesday during the vibrant Awukudae festival, as a remarkable custom-made timepiece was presented to the revered Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.



This exquisite watch, crafted in 18k gold plate, holds immense historical and cultural significance and stands as a unique masterpiece with an appraised value of GHC 100,000.00.



The Kings customized timepiece was presented by Hourhand Watch COs. CEO, Mr Patrick Amofah, at the Awukudae grand durbar at Manhyia, on July 5, 2023, to signify a deep appreciation for Otumfuo Osei Tutu IIs leadership and unwavering commitment to the Asante Kingdom.



Mr Patrick Amofah speaking to the media also said that the presentation of this extraordinary timepiece marks a significant milestone in honouring the rich heritage of the Asante Kingdom and a gesture of gratitude for the Asantehenes tireless efforts in preserving the culture of the Asante people as well as advancing their collective well-being.



Designed as a testament to the regal legacy of the Asantehene, the watch is a one-of-a-kind creation, affirming the unique status of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II as its sole owner.



Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the Warrior King Heritage timepiece encapsulates the essence of royalty and power. Every element has been carefully chosen to symbolize the exceptional leadership qualities embodied by the Asantehene.



The watch's bold and elegant design reflects the majestic character of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, capturing his charisma and influence, thus, this masterpiece would be a treasured possession in the collection of the Asantehene as he becomes the sole owner of this extraordinary watch.



Beyond its aesthetic brilliance, the timepiece features intricate engravings that narrate the rich history of the Asante Kingdom.



Giving details of the timepiece, he said that the Asantehenes custom-made watch has a green dial with gold marks and white embossed fonts. A rare green crocodile skin leather strap and an 18-karat gold bezel which features a brushed and polished finish and a luxury butterfly clasp buckle.



The face of the watch, he said, has the Denkyemkye emblem, an official seal (symbol of authority) of the office of His Majesty the Great King with Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II inscribed below, and the back has the independence arch of Ghana with inscriptions and tags like Gold Coast, Warrior King Heritage, and limited edition.



The name Warrior King, according to Mr Amofah, is a prestigious brand that connotes the Ghanaian prehistoric cultural, political and traditional origins in timepieces.



The name Ghana literally means Warrior King.



We want to tell the tales of the Gold Coast of Africa through our timepieces. We will use our watches to spread our values and heritage. We decided to create timepieces that will be recognized for their style, uncompromised robustness, and a quintessential touch of our primordial roots, incorporating elements from the durability, ingenuity, and elegance of our ancestral artisans embodied into the workmanship of our craftsmen. We combined heritage with a contemporary modern twist to create a one-of-a-kind brand for you, Mr Amofah noted.



The Warrior King Heritage is an impressive timepiece that offers exceptional value for money. A classic design, a sturdy construction, a unique finish, and reliable movement and waterproof up to 165 Feet.



As the sole owner of this extraordinary masterpiece, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has become the custodian of a horological treasure. This unique timepiece bridges the gap between tradition and modernity, encapsulating the essence of the Asante culture while embracing the artistry and precision of contemporary craftsmanship.

Asantehene honoured with 18-karat gold Warrior King Timepiece

During the presentation ceremony at the Manhyia palace, the air was filled with a palpable sense of pride and admiration. The Asantehene graciously accepted the timepiece, acknowledging its significance and the thoughtfulness behind the gift.



The significance of this gift extends beyond its material value; it represents a deep-rooted connection between the present and the past. It is a symbolic bridge between tradition and modernity, showcasing the blending of craftsmanship and technology while honouring the Asante Kingdom's time-honoured legacy.



As the Asantehene proudly wears this remarkable timepiece, it will undoubtedly become an iconic symbol, not only of his reign but also of the enduring spirit of the Asante people. The watch will serve as a constant reminder of the illustrious heritage that the Asante Kingdom cherishes and continues to pass down from one generation to the next.



In presenting this extraordinary 18k gold-plated timepiece, the generous gesture serves to strengthen the bonds between tradition and innovation, history and progress. It summarizes the essence of the Asante Kingdom's proud legacy and showcases the timeless elegance that the Otumfuo embodies.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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National Chairman of the largest opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC) Mr. Johnson Asiedu Nketia has suggested that a medical board to be commissioned to assess the health of President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo.



"Sometimes we need to assess his judgements to ensure the seat of State is safe in his hands . . ." he said.



According to him, the President may be suffering from forgetfulness and will not mention it because of political expediency.



Speaking on Okay FM's 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, he explained that the President over the years had made certain comments which are not befitting of his status.



Those comments can only be made due to ill health, and since we do not know the health status of the President, these acts poses grave threat to the country and the world at large, he said.



He said it will however, be prudent for a medical board to be commissioned so that they can examine the President and probably tell us about his health condition and not expose the country to any external threat with his utterances.



"What I believe can be done to salvage the situation is to have a medical board commissioned to examine him even before he makes public appearance and speeches," he suggested.



Watch video below





Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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In another boost to the political fortunes of Hon Alan Kyerematen in NPP presidential race, the constituency Chairman for Ningo-Prampram, Mr. Alexander Narh-Gbeeku Amano, has openly thrown his support behind him .



The newly elected chairman joined the masses in affirming his unflinching allegiance to the former Trade and Industry Minister, on the third day of his delegates cluster meetings at the campaign grounds in Ningo- Prampram, where delegates from Kpong and Katamanso had also gathered.



"It is with great pleasure and conviction that I stand before you today to endorse a leader who embodies integrity, competence, and a deep commitment to the development of our beloved nation Ghana. I speak of none other than Alan, a man, whose good works have endeared him to the hearts of Ghanaians far and wide", Mr Amanor told the gathering.



He added, "leadership is not a position to be imposed on the citizenry; it is a quality that emerges naturally from individuals who possess the vision and passion to effect positive change. Alan has demonstrated these qualities throughout his illustrious career, both in the private sector and in public service. His unwavering dedication to the betterment of our nation is evident in his numerous achievements and his tireless efforts to uplift the lives of Ghanaians.



"It became clear to me that Alan is not just a politician seeking power; he is a servant leader driven by a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of ordinary Ghanaians. Alan's track record speaks for itself. As the former Minister of Trade and Industry, he spearheaded initiatives that revitalized our economy, promoted entrepreneurship, and created jobs for our youth. His strategic thinking and visionary approach to governance have earned him accolades both locally and internationally. Alan's ability to bring people together, foster collaboration, and implement sustainable solutions is exactly what our nation needs in these challenging times".



Actions they say speak louder than words, and Alan's actions have resonated deeply with Ghanaians and the party faithfuls from all walks of life, Mr Amanor said to loud cheers from the gathering.



Alan Kyerematen has been hailed by political pundits as the only hope for the New Patriotic Party heading into the 2024 Elections.



His universal affection across the political divide adds to his persona in the political ecosystem.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Ghanaian actor, Harold Amenyah has disclosed that he is in for a threesome and had been harbouring the idea for a very long time and wanted to experience it on his 30th birthday.



However, his wish didnt see the light of day after meeting his now wife at the time who is very conventional with such things.



Speaking on GH One, the actor said despite being married, he is still opened for it when the opportunity comes.



I havent tried it before but Im open to it. Im open to it. Why not? I was actually hoping that I will try it before my 30th birthday but it didnt happen. And before I knew it I was dating my wife.



My wife is very conventional, she comes from a typical Ghanaian home, shes not used to all these unconventional things, I dont know how its going to play out so Im putting it out into the universe, he said. Acknowledging that his now marital status could be a possible barrier, Harold said he will encourage his wife so that they both audition to get the right person.



We will audition. The two of us have to be mutually in sync with it because, obviously, its two people that you are meeting now, he said. Harolds comments have not been taken lightly by some of his followers and social media commentators who think they were distasteful to the sanctity of his marriage.



More so, when the actor had revealed that he prays on Alpha Hour, an online prayer platform, with his wife and that the latter even agreed to marry him because he started praying on the altar when she used to send links when they first met.







Source: graphiconline.com









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Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's former prime minister who died last month, has left 100million to his girlfriend and 30million to an associate with mafia ties - in a will described as 'worthy of a soap opera'.



The billionaire, who was one of Italy's richest men when he died aged 86, also settled a dispute over which of his five children would take control of his business empire.



The bulk of the tycoon's portfolio of publishing, banking and TV interests - worth a staggering 5.8billion - has been left to his eldest two children.



Read Full Story .... dailymail >>> :

















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A court hearing will be held Friday for the Pennsylvania man arrested for shooting two men and a dog in Pylesville, Maryland.

Steven Nolan, 53, of Airville, York County, was arrested Sunday by Pennsylvania State Police for the shooting that occurred the previous day.

The hearing Friday in the York County Court of Common Pleas will determine whether Nolan will be extradited to Maryland. Nolan is currently being held in York County Prison.

In a news release Sunday, the Harford County Sheriffs Office said investigators believe Nolan shot and killed Timothy Witherite, 62, and David Oktavec, 70, and a dog.

Harford deputies responded to the 1700 block of Scott Road, less than half-mile from the Pennsylvania-Maryland border, at about 8:49 p.m. Saturday for a report of two people shot. They found the men suffering from gunshot wounds to their upper bodies, according to a release.

Investigators say they believe that the suspect shot Witherite inside the home and Oktavec outside before fleeing, according to police, who said the suspect was known to the victims but that the motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

A Harford County District Court said documents related to the case were unavailable on Wednesday.

Those with information on the homicide are asked to call investigators at 443-409-3154 or anonymously use the Metro Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Jason Fontelieu of the Baltimore Sun wrote this story.

2023 Baltimore Sun. Visit baltimoresun.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Police in Pennsylvania say a man wanted for crimes in two states, including a homicide, escaped from a jail Thursday night.

Warren police posted on Facebook that Michael Burham was last seen around 11:20 p.m. at the Warren County Jail wearing a blue denim jacket. Police told people to lock doors and stay vigiland.

Burham is accused of killing 34-year-old Kala Hodgkin in Jamestown, N.Y. in May. He was taken into custody in Charleston, S.C., May 24 after a dayslong manhunt.

City of Warren Police photos of homicide suspect Michael Burham.

In addition to the homicide, hes accused of a sexual assault in the Buffalo area of western New York and the kidnapping of an elderly couple in Sheffield, Pa., the FBI said. The couple said Burham kidnapped them from their home, drove them in their vehicle to North Charleston, S.C., and released them.

The Times-Observer in Warren, Pa., reported that a state police helicopter was searching in the Warren area in northwestern Pa. at about 1 a.m. Friday. Jamestown Police, New York State Police and the FBI have been notified of the escape.




"Peruvian exports to the Pacific Alliance grew 13% in 12 years of the regional bloc's existence, going from US$3.445 billion in 2011 to US$3.894 billion in 2022," said Jose Luis Castillo, Director General for International Trade Negotiations at Mincetur.





"The number of enterprises involved in these sales is 3,149, which have traded 3,403 products from Peru to the Pacific Alliance. 56% out of the total productive units are MSMEs," he added.





Castillo underscored that the Pacific Alliance constitutes an area of integration that seeks to advance towards free movement of goods, services, capitals, and people, as well as to promote greater growth, development, and competitiveness of the bloc's economies.





"The Pacific Alliance draws the attention of economies around the world because it comprises a population of 233.6 million people, has a GDP per capita of US$9,207, and attracts 45% of the foreign direct investment entering Latin America and the Caribbean," he remarked.





"It also represents 42% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Latin America and the Caribbean; it is the sixth largest exporter in the world; and its member countries are the most competitive economies in the region," the Mincetur official noted.









Integration





Castillo emphasized that the Pacific Alliance was conceived as an initiative of Peru, which invited Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Panama to form it, with the purpose of making such space an integration model for the region, consolidating a common economic platform, with projection to the world, specially the Asia-Pacific region.





Eventually, Mexico joined this group made up of Colombia, Chile, and Peru, while Panama and Ecuador were added as observer countries. Nowadays, the latter, along with Costa Rica, are in the process of accession into the bloc as full members.





"It is a process that is 12 years old since its emergence. The Pacific Alliance began to take shape in 2011 with the Declaration of Lima, and the first stage was intended to start working on the Macro Agreement, which shall govern trade relations among member countries," he stated.





Jose Luis Castillo participated in the 21st SMEs Expo: "Challenges and opportunities for SMEs within the framework of the Pacific Alliance," organized by the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL).





(END) CNA/RMB/MVB

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) on Thursday reported that 1,784 Peruvian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) export their products to member countries of the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru).Publicado: 6/7/2023
A married Philadelphia couple was shot and killed a few feet from their home early Friday morning.

Police responded to a call at the intersection of 61st and Locust streets at about 3 a.m., according to reports from 6ABC and NBC10. There they found the bodies of a 43-year-old woman and 47-year-old man. Both had been shot multiple times and both were pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said at least 18 shots were fired at the couple, the news sites reported, and at least 15 of those were at point-blank range.

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small told 6ABC that the couple was found just a few feet away from their front steps. It is believed they were returning home when they were killed.

The woman did have a firearm but it wasnt removed from its holster, police said.

Police said they do not have a motive or description of the shooter yet, but are hopeful that surveillance footage could help them track down the shooter.

READ MORE: Homicide suspect escapes from Pa. jail: police
A Butler County man is behind bars and has been charged with trying to solicit sex from two decoys posing as teenage girls, according to news sources.

Adams Township police arrested and charged Dale Wahl Pine, 61, after they received a call from a nonprofit in Clearfield County called 814 Pred Hunters. The group provided evidence they had against Pine, according to reports from TribLive and WPXI.

The organization set up fake accounts on social media apps to locate child predators. According to the CEO of 814 Pred Hunters, Pine was conversing with two people who posed as 15-year-old girls.

When one of them told Pine she was only 15, he replied by saying, ok interested. Pine is said to have sent one of them naked photos and sexually explicit comments. He even tried to send the decoy money, according to reports.

He wanted to set up a CashApp account for her and send her a card so he could pay her for numerous sexual acts over the phone, the CEO, who only gave his first name, Brian, said to WPXI.

Pine has been charged with permitting a child to photograph, film or depict on computer a sex act, corruption of minors, and criminal use of a communication facility. Hes currently being held in Butler County Prison and is unable to post $25,000 bail, TribLive reported.

Right now, he awaits a preliminary hearing scheduled for July 18.

Since last year, the organization claims it has caught 67 predators in Pennsylvania and one in Ohio, according to reports.

Read More:
More than 18 hours after fire broke out aboard a cargo ship in Port Newark  killing two veteran Newark firefighters and injuring five others  additional explosions could be heard Thursday afternoon from inside the ship and heavy smoke continued to pour from its stern.

Throughout Thursday afternoon, several New York Fire Department fire boats could be seen pumping thousands of gallons of water onto the ship, loaded with more than 1,000 new and second-hand cars and trucks bound for West Africa, in an apparent vain effort to knock down the spreading blaze.

The cause of the fire, which will be investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Transportation Safety Board, as well as state and local authorities, remained unknown. But the vehicles being transported would certainly have all been carrying gasoline and motor oil.

Just an awful tragedy, Gov. Phil Murphy said.

The two firefighters who lost their lives were Augusto Augie Acabou, 45, and Wayne Bear Brooks Jr., 49, who were both trapped after the fire was reported about 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening aboard the Grande Costa Davorio, where crew members and stevedores at the time had been loading vehicles aboard the berthed ship.

Owners of the Italian-flagged vessel said there had been more than 1,200 vehicles and 157 cargo containers on board. They said there were no electric cars nor hazardous cargo on board.

The tragedy, meanwhile, sparked pointed and growing questions, even from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, about how prepared the citys fire department had been to battle a shipboard fire, something that they had not trained for, he said.

All night and this morning I keep having images of two firefighters being lowered down from a pulley from a ship that had to be at least 150 feet or so high, and firefighters lined up on both sides as their fallen brothers were taken to the hospital, the mayor said. That image will forever be stamped in my mind. How dangerous this job is and how precarious things can be for our men and women in the fire service as they do their best to save peoples lives and property.

City fire officials and others, though, believe the fire got out of hand because the initial efforts to contain it were begun by a fire brigade from Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the ports of New York Harbor and was ill-equipped to respond. That brigade, which typically would be deployed to put out dumpster fires, was simply not equipped with the kind of fire hoses needed to bring enough water to the decks where the first was already raging, they said.

They just didnt have the capacity at all to deal with what was going on, so we had to take full control, said Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson.

A firefighters union official said while they took over the hoses that were already laid down, they did not have the volume or pressure needed to adequately push back the fire because those hoses were too small.

Port Authority officials said only that at all non-airport facilities, firefighting is handled by the local municipality with jurisdictional responsibility.

The Port Authority provides support and assistance in these efforts including regular classroom and on-site shipboard orientation training to fire department personnel and first responders, said a spokeswoman.

As the fire continued to burn throughout the afternoon, it seemed like most of the effort to contain the blaze was being handled by the FDNY fireboats, with few fire crews seen on the pier. Longshoremen on the scene speculated that officials were just going to let the fire burn itself out, noting several other ships were already being moved out of Newark Channel.

As dangerous as it can be to work at the port, where heavy machinery often leads to fatal accidents each year, industry officials believed it was the the first shipboard fire there of any significance in decades, according to John Nardi, president of the Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey, the ports main trade group.

When the fire broke out Wednesday, firefighters from Hudson, Union, Essex, and Bergen provided mutual aid as the massive ship burned next to the dock through the night, authorities said. A New York Fire Department spokesman said four special operation units also responded, including a rescue squad and the citys marine units. All remained operating on the scene into the afternoon.

Capt. Zeita Merchant, commander of Coast Guard Sector New York and captain of the Port of New York and New Jersey, said the Coast Guard was actively involved with the joint response and focused on the safety of responders, as well as assessing overall impact on the maritime transportation system and the environment.

Our thoughts are with Newark Fire Department, our partner agencies and the families of the firefighters lost during this response, Merchant said.

The Grande Costa Davorio is known as a RORO vessel (for roll-on-roll off), designed to carry wheeled cargo such as cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses. Like a ferry, vehicles are driven under their own power up ramps within the ship, which is configured like a giant parking deck, and then secured to the decks for transport.

Grimaldi Deep Sea, the operator of the ship, said a loading operation was underway when the fire started on Deck 10.

The crew of the vessel immediately activated the on-board fire suppression procedures while the local firefighting service were alerted, Grimaldi said in a statement.

Jackson said seven vehicles were engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on scene on Wednesday night.

But responders found that the hoses already deployed by the Port Authority fire brigade in an effort to put out the huge blaze were not nearly large enough to handle the volume of water needed to knock down the flames, according to Anthony Tarantino, president of the Newark Fire Officers Union.

The issue, he said, was getting enough water on the fire. The hoses that had been set out were only 1-inch diameter  more suitable for putting out small fires in the industrial port. This fire, Tarantino continued, needed more penetration and pressure that called for a much larger 2  inch hose that would have been able to blast the fire from a greater distance.

I think the volume of water the reach and penetration didnt give us the ability to fight the fire. We couldnt fit in between the cars, he said. The Newark Fire Department is one of the best fire departments in the country. We are capable of handling any fire, but the combination of fighting a fire in the equivalent of a 12-story building on a ship with 1-inch diameter hose, which does not provide the protection, reach, and ability to put out the volume of fire, caused the deaths of our brave brothers.

New York City fireboats continued to pour water on the blaze.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media

Firefighters inside the ship were forced back due to intense heat from the flames.

The two men who died were lost while backing out, Jackson told reporters.

With firefighters on the 10th and 11th decks, there was a mayday around 10:25 p.m from Acabou, who was trapped in the fire, officials said. He was eventually rescued at 12:45 a.m., more than two hours later, by members of the FDNY after multiple efforts under extreme conditions.

Acabou was transported to University Hospital in Newark, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.

A second mayday came around 10:40 p.m. from Brooks, who was also trapped, officials said. He was also eventually brought out by firefighters around 3:05 a.m. He was also taken to University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Newark fire house for Engine 16, where Acabou was based, had purple and black bunting hanging out of a second floor window Thursday afternoon. The firehouse is on Ferry Street in Newarks Ironbound section, close to the port.

Firefighters in uniform and civilian clothes somberly embraced as they came and went. None would comment.

In a statement, the Newark Firefighters Union called Acabou and Brooks brave brothers who are being mourned by fellow firefighters and the community.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support the community has extended to Newark firefighters, the statement said.

Just as we have always been there for the people of Newark in their time of need, you are here for us in our time of need. We will honor the sacrifice of Augie and Bear by continuing to do the job they loved, so if the people of Newark need help, we are still a phone call away, the statement said.

NJ Advance Media staff writers Brent Johnson, Andrew Mills, Ted Sherman, and Steve Strunsky contributed to this report.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Jackie Roman may be reached at jroman@njadvancemedia.com.
By Kerry Burke, Rocco Parascandola and Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News (TNS)

NEW YORK  A fight between a CVS worker and a man attempting to shoplift from a Midtown branch of the chain turned deadly Thursday when the employee knifed the thief in the torso, cops and police sources said.

Employee Scotty Enoe and a man suspected of trying to steal goods got into an argument near the door of the CVS pharmacy on Broadway near West 49th Street in New York, according to authorities.

It was a homeless guy. He had a big problem with the security guard with the CVS, street vendor Modo Gui, who witnessed the melee from across the street, told the New York Daily News.

The thief punched Enoe, according to a police source, and the employee then pulled a knife and stabbed the 50-year-old man at about 12:26 a.m., cops said.

They fought and he stabbed him. Boom. Stabbed him dead. Its crazy, Gui said.

This guy attacked him. My brother is a good person. In a situation like that he would defend himself, Enoes sister told the Daily News.

Hes mentioned a lot of people come off the street and just take stuff. I told him to be careful, said the sibling, who wished to remain anonymous. These people are coming off the street and robbing and you never know what they might have  a gun or a knife.

Officers responding to a 911 call for a robbery in progress arrived to find the would-be shoplifter with a stab wound to his torso.

Medics rushed the man to Bellevue Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Enoe, 46, was arrested and charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon, police said.

He has no criminal record, they added.

Scottys a real cool guy. It must have been self-defense, Enoes friend Wayne Augustine told the Daily News. Scottys not an aggressive or violent person. He suffers from sickle-cell anemia really fiercely and he still goes to work.

The deceased man had multiple prior arrests for shoplifting, including at CVS and Walgreens, a police source said.

A manager at the CVS declined to comment on the stabbing.

More:

After 2 arguing men left Harrisburg house, one killed the other: police

Pa. man left loaded gun in Taco Bell bushes, threatened to kill mattress in jail cell: police
By Ernie Suggs, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

ATLANTA  On Friday, July 7  7/7 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter reached their 77th wedding anniversary.

The former U.S. president and first lady will celebrate quietly.

The family is keeping a low profile around the anniversary this year, said Matthew De Galan, spokesman for the Carter Center. President Carter and Mrs. Carter will celebrate their 77th wedding anniversary privately at their home in Plains tomorrow along with family members.

On July 7, 1946, when a 21-year-old U.S. Naval Academy graduate married the 18-year-old salutatorian of Plains High School, who could have imagined that it could last that long? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 6% of married couples make it to even 50 years.

In this Feb. 8, 2017, file photo former President Jimmy Carter, right, and his wife Rosalynn arrive for a ribbon cutting ceremony for a solar panel project on farmland he owns in their hometown of Plains, Ga. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)AP

The Carters are the longest-married presidential couple in U.S. history, followed by former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, who were married for 73 years and 102 days until Barbaras 2018 death.

To put the Carters in perspective, the Obamas, who wed in 1992, would have to stay married until 2069 to catch them.

The Carters have survived through a Georgia governorship, a presidency, a Nobel Peace Prize, building their Atlanta-based nonprofit Carter Center, eradicating diseases and now their biggest challenge  failing health.

Jimmy Carter, 98, went into home hospice care in February. In May, the family revealed that 95-year-old Rosalynn Carter has dementia.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP)  Wildfires raging across Canada have already broken records for total area burned, the number of people forced to evacuate their homes and the cost of fighting the blazes, and the fire season is only halfway finished, officials said Thursday.

Its no understatement to say that the 2023 fire season is and will continue to be record-breaking in a number of ways, Michael Norton, director general, Northern Forestry Centre, Canadian Forest Service, said Thursday during a briefing.

A health expert also warned that smoke from the fires can cause health problems for people living in both Canada and the United States.

When youre emitting large amounts of fire smoke into the air, and that smoke is reaching populated areas, there will be health effects, said Ryan Allen, a professor of health sciences at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia.

Norton said warm weather and dry conditions across Canada indicate the potential for higher-than-normal fire activity through July and August.

Drought is a major contributing factor affecting parts of all provinces and territories, intensifying in some regions, he said. When coupled with forecasts for ongoing above normal temperatures across most of the country, it is anticipated that many parts of Canada will continue to see above normal fire activity.

As of Wednesday, there were 639 active fires burning in Canada, with 351 of them out of control. So far this year there have been 3,412 fires, well above the 10-year average of 2,751, said Norton.

The fires have burned 8.8 million hectares (27.7 million acres) an area about the size of the state of Virginia. This already exceeds the record of 7.6 million hectares (18.7 million acres) set in 1989 and is 11 times the 10-year average experienced by this date.

The final area burned for this season may yet be significantly higher, said Norton. What we can say with certainty right now is that 2023 is a record-breaking year since at least since 1986 when accurate records started to be kept.

Allen said the fine particles found in fire smoke not only have the ability to penetrate deep into airways, they also can travel long distances, meaning they could drift far into the U.S.

There have been reports that fires in Eastern Canada and Quebec are affecting air quality in Europe.

Allen said higher concentrations of smoke increase health risks to the lungs, brain, cognitive functions and even fetal development.

As you get very far away, its unlikely the concentration would be as high as they are in close proximity to the fire and therefore the health risk would be lower, but the health risk is probably not zero, he said.

U.S. Forest Service smokejumper Mike Dunn steps through a puddle while exiting a plane in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. His crew is assisting Canadian firefighters battling fires throughout the region. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)AP

Norton said the fires have forced an estimated 155,856 evacuees, the highest number in the last four decades. About 4,500 people remain under evacuation orders across the country with about 3,400 in Indigenous communities.

Fighting the fires has taken on a global proportion.

There are about 3,790 provincial firefighters battling the blazes across the country being assisted by Canadian Armed Forces personnel. Another 3,258 firefighters from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, the U.S., Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, South Korea and the European Union have travelled to Canada to fight fires.

Norton said the cost of fighting wildfires has steadily grown and is approaching about CDN$1 billion (US$750 million) a year.

With the scale of this years activity and the fact weve still got three months left, theres no question in my mind the direct cost of suppression will be a new record, he said.
Waynesboro police are searching for a 16-year-old boy who has been missing since the end of May.

Wilvon L. Raleighs guardians last saw him on May 30 at his Viewpoint Way home, according to police.

Police said Raleigh is 5 feet, 10 inches tall, and about 150 pounds.

Anyone with information on Raleighs whereabouts can call 717-762-2131 or submit a tip through CrimeWatch.

READ MORE: After 2 arguing men left Harrisburg house, one killed the other: police

Coroner IDs woman killed in Cumberland County murder-suicide
Two Senate lawmakers are making a new run at legalizing marijuana in Pennsylvania.

Sens. Dan Laughlin (R - Erie County) and Sharif Street (D - Philadelphia) introduced a bill Thursday that would allow those 21 and older to use recreational marijuana in the state.

The measure would include provisions for enforcement of DUI and pursuit of illegal markets, as well as deterrence efforts to keep marijuana out of the hands of children and ban any marketing toward children, according to Laughlin and Streets co-sponsorship memo.

It also would allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own cannabis plants and would expunge all non-violent marijuana convictions.

Recreational marijuana is legal in the District of Columbia and 23 states, including four that border Pennsylvania: New York, New Jersey, Delaware and most recently Maryland.

Gov. Josh Shapiro backs legalizing marijuana but support is mixed in the legislature, which has failed to approve legalization bills introduced since at least 2019.

Polls have found an increasing number of Pennsylvania residents support legalizing recreational marijuana.

A 2021 Franklin & Marshall College poll found 6 in 10 registered Pennsylvania voters supported allowing recreational marijuana use.

Laughlin and Street, in their co-sponsorship memo, said without marijuana legalization Pennsylvania will continue to lose out on hundreds of millions in tax revenue.

It is our duty to taxpayers to seize the initiative and legalize marijuana concurrently with bordering states, the memo said. Failure to do so risks permanently ceding hundreds of millions of dollars of new tax revenue as well as thousands of jobs at a time when taxpayers can least afford it.

Pennsylvanias Independent Fiscal Office in 2021 projected marijuana legalization would generate $400 million to $1 billion in new tax revenue.

Legislation that would relax Pennsylvanias 7-year-old Medical Marijuana Act and allow doctors to certify medical cannabis as a suitable treatment regardless of the patients medical condition was overwhelmingly approved by a Senate committee last month.
A Philadelphia man was arrested and charged with causing the death of a 2-year-old in Berks County, according to news sources.

Charles A. Acosta, 25, is being charged with murder in the first and second degree, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of children. He was arrested in Philadelphia on July 6 for the toddlers death, which took place in May, according to reports from NBC10 and Fox29.

In the early morning hours of May 5, the child arrived at St. Josephs Hospital in Berks County with life-threatening injuries and was later flown to Penn State Hershey Medical Center for advanced critical care. Unfortunately, the toddler was pronounced dead while there.

Through an investigation into the toddlers death, it was revealed that the child suffered from several internal injuries and head trauma. The cause of death was determined to be from multiple traumatic injuries and the manner of death was ruled to be a homicide.

On the evening of May 4, the child was in Acostas care, news reports said. Acosta was in a relationship with the childs mother and babysat the 2-year-old and his siblings.

While caring for the child, Acosta called the childs mother and told her to come home because of his concern over the toddlers medical condition. When she arrived, she found her young son in extreme medical distress before he was transported to the hospital by his mother and Acosta, according to reports.

Investigators determined that between 9 p.m. on May 4 and 12:52 a.m. on May 5, Acosta intentionally or recklessly caused bodily harm to the child, which resulted in his death, NBC10 reported.

He was charged on July 5 and was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Berks County Detectives and Philadelphia police after his arrest the following day, Fox29 reported.

Acosta is currently being held in Berks County where he awaits arraignment.

Read More:
Want a say in the news? Email Claudia at todayinpa@pennlive.com to have your thoughts on the stories covered here or on PennLive heard during Listening to Listeners, an original Today in Pa. segment that occurs every other Friday.

You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Spotify, and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit!

Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | July 7, 2023

A former Penn State Abington assistant teaching professor is suing the school, claiming he was discriminated against for being white. Underage drinkers are consuming beverages like alcopops and borgs, among others. More schools have joined a nationwide civil lawsuit against social media companies. And come on Barbies, lets go party.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa.

Todays episode refers to the following articles:

If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too.

As sponsored by Renewal by Anderson of Central PA.
WILLIAMSPORT  Barring something unforeseen, a township in Lycoming County again will be able to conduct business beginning Tuesday.

County Judge Eric R. Linhardt on Thursday appointed Justin Kastner and Richard A. Metz as Old Lycoming Twp. supervisors to fill vacancies on the three-member board.

They were immediately sworn in by a different judge and they will meet as a body for the first time Tuesday.
A person protests outside of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., on June 29, 2023. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

In a 6-3 ruling on Thursday, June 29, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the use of race in college admissions at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, outlawing the use of race in college admissions in general. The Conversation reached out to three legal scholars to explain what the decision means for students, colleges and universities, and ultimately the nations future.

Kimberly Robinson, Professor of Law at the University of Virginia

Writing for the majority in a case that bans affirmative action in college admissions, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that such programs unavoidably employ race in a negative manner that goes against the Constitution.

The research, however, shows that the ban could potentially harm many college students and ultimately the United States. The reason this can be said with certainty is because in states where affirmative action has been banned, such as California and Michigan, many selective state colleges and universities have struggled to maintain the student body diversity that existed before affirmative action was banned.

Robust research shows how students who engage with students from different racial backgrounds experience educational benefits, such as cognitive growth and development and creating new ideas. For those reasons, a substantial decline in enrollment for underrepresented minority students carries many repercussions.

It means, for instance, that many students at selective colleges will have far fewer opportunities to learn from and interact with students from different racial backgrounds.

The nations elite colleges, such as Harvard and the University of North Carolina, educate a disproportionately high share of Americas leaders. Those who dont attend these selective schools are dramatically less likely to complete a graduate or professional program. This is because these selective schools carry certain advantages. For instance, students who attend them are statistically more likely to graduate and be admitted to professional and graduate programs.

That means for students from underrepresented groups who dont get into selective colleges, the chances of getting an advanced degree  which often paves the way to leadership positions  will be even lower.

The decision may also affect the workplace. Research shows that in states that eliminated affirmative action, meaningful drops in workplace diversity took place. Asian and African American women and Hispanic men experienced the most significant declines.

These shifts in elite college enrollment, leadership and workplaces will weaken long-standing efforts to dismantle the nations segregationist past and the privilege that this segregationist past affords to wealth and whiteness.

To help mitigate these potential harms, selective colleges will have to devote their attention to limiting what I believe are the decisions harmful impacts and reaffirming their commitment to diverse student bodies through all lawful means.

Kristine Bowman, Professor of Law and Education Policy, Michigan State University

In striking down race-conscious admissions practices, the Supreme Court overturns the courts 1978 decision that held that race-conscious admissions were constitutional.

This reversal was not unexpected, but it will have profound implications for building and maintaining diverse and inclusive colleges and universities, particularly among selective institutions. The most effective way to enroll a diverse student body  and achieve the educational and social benefits that come with it  is to consider race as a factor in admissions. In the 10 states that have had affirmative action bans in admissions, diversity in selective institutions has declined. This remained true even as alternative strategies were employed to achieve racial diversity, such as targeting recruitment efforts and focusing more on socioeconomic status diversity.

Although the court does not say outright that institutions cannot pursue diversity, it is not clear what diversity-related goals, if any, could constitutionally support race-conscious admissions. The court states that the benefits of diversity that Harvard and UNC articulate are not sufficiently measurable, focused, concrete or coherent. How many fewer leaders Harvard would create without racial preferences, or how much poorer the education at Harvard would be, are inquiries no court could resolve, the court wrote.

And yet, as Justice Sotomayors dissent highlights, the majority also says that race-conscious admissions with a focus on numbers or particular numerical commitments are also unconstitutional.

The opinion did not go as far as it could have in restricting the consideration of race. Institutions can still consider what a students comments about their racialized experiences reveal about their characteristics, such as courage, determination or leadership.

This provides a way for institutions to consider how race has impacted a students life. Although this unfairly places the burden on students of color to write about their racialized experience, it is arguably lighter than the burden that would have been borne if the court had attempted to prohibit consideration of such experiences.

Furthermore, efforts to pursue diversity through other means remain lawful. These alternative means include increasing attention to socioeconomic status, making campus communities more inclusive. It also involves checking whether students are passing classes and graduating at the same rate regardless of race.

Research hasnt shown that these efforts will result in as much diversity at selective colleges as race-conscious college admissions. These efforts, however, now stand as a critical way forward to keep Americas elite colleges and universities diverse.

Vinay Harpalani, Associate Professor of Law, University of New Mexico

Although the court struck down the use of race in college admissions  as predicted by many experts and observers  the court left room for one narrow exception.

The majority opinion stated in a brief footnote that its ruling does not apply to race-conscious admissions at the nations military academies, such as West Point or the Naval Academy.

This issue had come up at oral arguments. When articulating the U.S. governments position, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar raised the point that the military may have compelling interests beyond those that universities have. Specifically, the U.S. government argued that a racially diverse military officer corps was necessary for national security. In response, Chief Justice Roberts briefly noted the possibility of a military academy exception. This was not lost in his ruling.

The majority opinion stated that there could be potentially distinct interests that the military academies may present. Because the academies were not parties to these cases, the court did not directly address this issue and left it unsettled.

This was not the first time that the military influenced the courts view of race-conscious admissions. Twenty years ago, national security interests played a significant role in the majority opinion in Grutter v. Bollinger.

Citing the amicus brief of former military leaders, Justice Sandra Day OConnors majority opinion in the Grutter case noted that diverse military leadership was essential to the militarys ability to fulfill its principle mission to provide national security. She found that [i]t requires only a small step from this analysis to conclude that our countrys other most selective institutions must remain both diverse and selective.

In its latest rulings, the court left alone O'Connors claim that diverse military leadership is essential to national security, but it soundly rejected her view that diversity can justify race-conscious admissions at the nations colleges and universities.

The military is not the only place where the court has noted that security interests can justify use of race. The court also cited a 2005 ruling, Johnson v. California, where the justices held that prison officials could temporarily segregate prisoners by race to prevent violence.

It seems that the court is willing to uphold use of race when government power is at stake  as with the military and law enforcement. But it will not do so for the education of Americas citizenry.

Kristine Bowman, Professor of Law and Education Policy, Michigan State University; Kimberly Robinson, Professor of Law, Professor of Law, Education and Public Policy, University of Virginia, and Vinay Harpalani, Associate Professor of Law and Henry Weihofen Professor, University of New Mexico

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
An Allegheny County state lawmaker heard her House colleagues refer to her bill barring discrimination based on hairstyle and texture as frivolous.

Rep. LaTasha Mayes, a Democrat, told them: Try being a Black person in Pennsylvania on any given day.
Pennsylvanias beleaguered budget process was dealt another setback Thursday, as a second attempt to fund state-related universities again failed to get enough votes needed to clear the state House of Representatives.

A bill to fund the four schools  Penn State, Pitt, Temple and Lincoln, all of which are not state-owned but offer tuition discounts to state residents  failed on a 130-to-73 vote.

Under the state constitution, appropriations to charities and educational institutions that are not directly state-controlled require a two-thirds vote, or 136 of the Houses 203 members.
By Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News (TNS)

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has been kicked out of the biggest conservative club in Congress over her nasty feud with fellow MAGA stalwart Rep. Lauren Boebert.

The right-wing House Freedom Caucus ousted Greene in large part for calling Boebert an expletive in a quarrel that erupted on the House floor.

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) gives a thumbs down during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address during a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber of the U.S. Capitol on February 07, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images, file)Getty Images

The straw that broke the camels back was publicly saying things about another member in terms that no one should, said Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., according to Politico. The vote to expel the Georgia Republican took place late last month but Harris was the first member to confirm it.

The way she referred to a fellow member was probably not the way we expect our members to refer to other fellow, especially female, members, Harris added.

Greene hurled insults at Boebert in a dispute over their dueling improbable proposals to impeach President Joe Biden, with Greene accusing her Colorado colleague of pandering for donations toward the end of a fundraising period.

Youve been nothing but a little (expletive) to me, Greene told Boebert, the Daily Beast reported last month. And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to co-sponsor them.

Im not in middle school, Boebert countered.

It wasnt the first time the two women have fought publicly even though they mostly share the same archconservative world view and joined forces to heckle Biden at his State of the Union address in 2022.

After her ouster, Greene will be barred from joining the groups biweekly strategy sessions during which members reportedly discuss long-shot plans to shut down the government and impeach Biden and most of his Cabinet. They also use the sessions to brainstorm about ways of undermining the GOP leadership, which they consider to be far too cozy with Democrats.
A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service in State College for four counties in central Pennsylvania.

The severe thunderstorm warning is for northern Dauphin County, northwestern Lebanon County, southwestern Northumberland County and southwestern Schuylkill County until 7:15 p.m.

At 6:20 p.m. a severe thunderstorm was located over Elizabethville, moving southeast at 20 mph. The storm could bring 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

Locations impacted include Millersburg, Lykens, Elizabethville, Williamstown, Tower City, Urban, Fort Indiantown Gap, Penn National Race Course, Dehart Dam, Wiconisco, Gratz and Dalmatia. This includes Interstate 81 between mile markers 80 and 85, and from mile markers 92 to 96.

A severe thunderstorm warning is issued by the National Weather Service when either a severe thunderstorm is indicated by the WSR-88D radar or a spotter reports a thunderstorm producing hail one inch or larger in diameter and/or winds equal or exceed 58 miles an hour. The National Weather Service advises that people in the affected area seek safe shelter immediately.
South Okanagan-West Kootenay member of Parliament Richard Cannings welcomed a family from the Ukraine to the Okanagan, Wednesday morning. From left, Salome, Jennifer Martison of the Nightingale Project, Milena, age 13, Cannings, Amiran, age 11, supporter Midge Wyse and Lasha Kiladze. It was a long road to Keremeos for this family.
Yannick Bandaogo (left) appears in court before Justice Geoffrey Gaulin in New Westminster, B.C., on Monday, May 29, 2023 in this artist's sketch. The sentencing hearing for Bandaogo, who attacked numerous people in a fatal North Vancouver stabbing spree two years ago, continues in New Westminster, with family members calling him a "monster" for shattering many lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jane Wolsak
"Today, the work of a teacher is not only to transmit knowledge, it is to train, use technology, learn languages, but above all it is to train good female and male citizens because education is the basis for building a more just and equitable country, a country at peace, with tolerance, with dialogue, a country of solidarity, developed, and with hope," she expressed.

Saludo de la presidenta de la republica, Dina Boluarte, con motivo del Dia del Maestro.#DocentesConPunche pic.twitter.com/pdFRTCX8a5




"Peruvian exports to the Pacific Alliance grew 13% in 12 years of the regional bloc's existence, going from US$3.445 billion in 2011 to US$3.894 billion in 2022," said Jose Luis Castillo, Director General for International Trade Negotiations at Mincetur.





"The number of enterprises involved in these sales is 3,149, which have traded 3,403 products from Peru to the Pacific Alliance. 56% out of the total productive units are MSMEs," he added.





Castillo underscored that the Pacific Alliance constitutes an area of integration that seeks to advance towards free movement of goods, services, capitals, and people, as well as to promote greater growth, development, and competitiveness of the bloc's economies.





"The Pacific Alliance draws the attention of economies around the world because it comprises a population of 233.6 million people, has a GDP per capita of US$9,207, and attracts 45% of the foreign direct investment entering Latin America and the Caribbean," he remarked.





"It also represents 42% of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Latin America and the Caribbean; it is the sixth largest exporter in the world; and its member countries are the most competitive economies in the region," the Mincetur official noted.









Integration





Castillo emphasized that the Pacific Alliance was conceived as an initiative of Peru, which invited Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Panama to form it, with the purpose of making such space an integration model for the region, consolidating a common economic platform, with projection to the world, specially the Asia-Pacific region.





Eventually, Mexico joined this group made up of Colombia, Chile, and Peru, while Panama and Ecuador were added as observer countries. Nowadays, the latter, along with Costa Rica, are in the process of accession into the bloc as full members.





"It is a process that is 12 years old since its emergence. The Pacific Alliance began to take shape in 2011 with the Declaration of Lima, and the first stage was intended to start working on the Macro Agreement, which shall govern trade relations among member countries," he stated.





Jose Luis Castillo participated in the 21st SMEs Expo: "Challenges and opportunities for SMEs within the framework of the Pacific Alliance," organized by the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL).





(END) CNA/RMB/MVB

The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism (Mincetur) on Thursday reported that 1,784 Peruvian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) export their products to member countries of the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru).Published: 7/6/2023
Both in the poker world and in numerous cultures, the number seven is considered lucky. For one player at the 2023 World Series of Poker, a seven's luck can also bring in loads of cash and a coveted WSOP bracelet. Today marks Day 1a of Event #77: $777 Lucky 7's No-Limit Hold'em at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

Everything about this event is based around the number seven. In addition to only sevens in the event number and buy-in amount (and the date, as Day 1a takes place on 7/7) play will be conducted seven-handed. On top of that, the winner of this event is guaranteed $777,777. Players surviving today will advance to Day 2 on Monday, July 10th and find themselves one step closer to the all-sevens jackpot. They will be joined there by survivors from Saturday's Day 1b and Sunday's 1c.

Last year's event saw 6,903 entrants create a total prize pool of $3,517,898. Gregory Teboul came out on top, defeating Rodney Turvin in heads-up play to pocket $777,777 and a WSOP gold bracelet. Teboul and Turvin were joined at the final table by Allen Cunningham, who finished seventh.

Rodney Turvin

Other notable players cashing in last year's event include Mike Takayama (16th), Ben Yu (48th), and Ryan Eriquezzo (156th).

The action kicks off at 10 a.m. local time. Players begin with 40,000 chips and will play 22 30-minute levels, with blinds starting at 100-200 with a 200 big blind ante. Players will receive a 20-minute break after every four levels, with a 75-minute dinner break scheduled for the end of Level 16. For the first time at the 2023 WSOP, players will have unlimited reentries. Late registration closes at the end of Level 12, approximately 5 p.m.

Stay tuned to PokerNews as we find out who can harness the power of the lucky sevens and take home a WSOP bracelet!
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Gov. Ron DeSantis has seen his Republican presidential campaign flatline, and he is refusing to confirm or deny that he is being flown to campaign events by a wealthy supporter.

Politico reported:

This week, Ron DeSantis flew to New Hampshire for a campaign swing that coincided nearly exactly with the path of a private plane connected to a wealthy supporter.

Daniel Doyle, Jr., who runs a printing company in Central Florida, owns a plane whose flight path lines up with DeSantis July 4 trip to the Granite State, according to public records. Neither DeSantis presidential campaign nor representatives for Doyle would say if DeSantis was aboard.

Its a recurring pattern where DeSantis and the organizations assisting him remain quiet about who is bankrolling his travels and his frequent use of private charter jets.

Campaign finance law is clear. Any travel that DeSantis accepts must be disclosed, and the campaign must reimburse the owner of the plane for the cost of the fight. It doesnt matter what laws the state of Florida has passed to hide who is paying for Ron DeSantiss travel. Governor DeSantis is a federal election candidate who is subject to federal campaign finance laws.

The situation should be very uncomplicated. DeSantis should be paying for his travel. If he and his campaign are allowing wealthy donors to fly him around and they arent reporting and reimbursing for the flights, DeSantis is breaking the law.

The DeSantis campaign has stalled. The chatter in Republican circles is growing and perception is growing that Ron DeSantis is not the candidate who can beat Trump.

The last thing that DeSantis needs is a travel scandal, but that is what his campaigns lack of transparency is creating.
Lost at sea for months on a disabled catamaran, with no way to cook and no source of fresh water but the rain, Australian Timothy Shaddock said he expected to die. But there was a lot he liked about the experience, he said, like swims in the sea, the company of his dog Bella, and the sight of the moon over the water. In a press conference as he came ashore Tuesday, Shaddock dwelled on his love of the sea, and declined to describe the many, many, many bad days he experienced before being rescued by a tuna fishing boat. He said he and Bella lived on raw fish and rainwater, and worked maintaining the boat almost all the time he wasn't sleeping. Read moreAdrift for months, Australian and his dog lived on raw fish until Mexican fishermen rescued them
One of the highlights of the annual programming calendar at the Aiken County Public Library is the highly anticipated Lets Talk About It series. Conceived by S.C. Humanities, our states program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, this supercharged book club features discussions Read moreARTS AND HUMANITIES: 'Let's Talk About It' series returns to Aiken this fall
A North Augusta man is facing sexual exploitation charges stemming from a cyber tip.

Casey Royce Watts, 30, was arrested and charged July 6 by the office of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson with five counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a media release from the attorney generals office.

Watts was arrested by the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force investigators along with the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. They were assisted by the investigators with the Attorney General's Office, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Secret Service, Aiken Department of Public Safety and Edgefield County Sheriff's Office.

On April 3, police received a tip from the S.C. Attorney Generals Office in reference to child sexual abuse materials, according to an incident report from Aiken County Sheriffs Office.

Investigators were led to Watts after receiving a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and stated Watts possessed files of child sexual abuse material.

The felony offense is punishable up to 10 years in prison for each count and the case will be prosecuted by the Attorney General's Office.
For 25 minutes on July 6, young Swaydyn Abrams got her hands in the sticky neon mess of glow-in-the-dark paint. More than that, she and five of her friends emerged from the larger of two rooms very nearly covered from head to toe in the stuff.

Abrams was turning 10 that day. The venue of her neon celebration was turning just one day old: The Splatter Place is a place for throwing paint and making a mess and coming away with the canvas evidence of it all. It opened at 614 E. Martintown Road in North Augusta on July 6.

Birthday girl Abrams and her friends were the first customers.

I kept it a secret from her for a long time. When I finally told her where she was going, she freaked cause she loves to paint. This is right up her alley, said her mom, Khadijah Abrams.

Khadijah said she found out about Brandy and Chris Gunsolus new venture via a chance search on Facebook that turned up the Gunsoluses post about July 6 being opening day for The Splatter Place.

It was meant to be, Khadijah said.

For the Gunsoluses, who moved from New Orleans to Graniteville seven years ago, The Splatter Place is happiness incarnate.

I just like seeing all the kids  and not just kids, but people in general  I like putting smiles on peoples faces, Brandy Gunsolus said.

It was the smile that lit up her own grandsons face after an outing to a similar venue at the Texas-Louisiana border that first told Gonsolus that the splatter paint thing might just be the business she and Chris had been wanting to open for a long time. The two have had home businesses before but never a brick-and-mortar.

And with nothing like it in the area, the two went after it.

We wanted to help families create memories, Brandy said. Whether youre creating memories with your kids, with your spouse, significant other, your parents, friends  we just wanted to help people create memories.

For 25 minutes a session, those coming to The Splatter Place don a pair of safety glasses and let loose their inner Jackson Pollock. The paint on the walls might stay behind, but what lands on the canvas goes home with the customer.

Youre not only walking away with an experience, but youre also walking away with a piece of yourself, a piece of your art," said Matt Fletcher, manager at The Splatter Place and, said Brandy, a "friend who turned family."

Gunsolus advises guests to take a peek at the know before you go page on their website to avoid any undesired effects, like being caught with paint on your favorite jeans forever more  unless thats your jam; its in the offing to paint whatever youve got on, too.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 76F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 76F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
A Virginia-based science and technology firm said July 6 that it plans to invest $31.7 million in a new security systems manufacturing site in North Charleston, the third of its type for the company in the U.S.

Leidos makes security systems that can help aviation, maritime and other industries detect threats by screening baggage, cargo and people at key checkpoints. For example, the Reston, Va.-based company and partner Symetrica last year deployed two radiation monitors to the Port of Charleston, and the Department of Defense is purchasing two Leidos-made desktop explosive- and drug-detection units for Joint Base Charleston.

The 150,000-square-foot campus in Ladson Industrial Park will help the company bring more manufacturing back to the U.S. from overseas, said Jim Moos, president of the firm's civil group.

It also "expands Leidos' global security capabilities for the aviation and critical infrastructure markets," Moos said in a written statement.

"This expansion represents an exciting milestone for Leidos as we embark on a new chapter in our commitment to deliver cutting-edge security systems," he said. "By establishing this facility, we aim not only to provide top-tier solutions, but also to contribute to the local community by creating job opportunities."

The North Charleston building is under construction and is expected to begin operations during the first half of 2024. Leidos said the site will hire up to 170 workers over the next three years in jobs that will include positions in manufacturing, supply chain, quality assurance, engineering and planning and procurement.

Company spokesman Victor Melara said North Charleston was selected after an extensive search across the South and Southeast, including sites in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and North Carolina.

"The Charleston region represented the best opportunity for Leidos with a good balance on available facilities, workforce talent, proximity to shipping and transportation, municipal support and overall cost of business," Melara said.

The S.C. Coordinating Council for Economic Development, part of the state Commerce Department, has approved tax credits for the project based on employment levels and salaries.

Leidos previously was part of Science Applications International Corp., which was broken into two publicly traded companies about a decade ago  one focusing on government services and the other specializing in technology.

Leidos is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol LDOS. The company's stock market valuation is $12.1 billion.
NANJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected the city of Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning.

Xi visited the exhibition center of the Suzhou Industrial Park, a high-tech enterprise and a historic and cultural block of Pingjiang Road, where he learned about efforts in construction and development of industrial parks, sci-tech innovation of enterprises, and historic and cultural city protection.
#HaceMinutos| El volcan Ubinas registra emisiones continuas de cenizas que alcanzaron una altura maxima de 3000 metros sobre la cima del crater, aviso que ha sido informado por el #Ingemmet al @COENPeru pic.twitter.com/EsCfuSw50k
Four inmates at Lee Correctional Institute in Bishopville pleaded guilty to mob and assault charges July 20, five years after riots at the state prison resulted in the death of seven inmates. 'Just the beginning,' says corrections chief. Read morePlea deals in deadly 2018 Lee prison riots for 4 SC inmates
LEXINGTON  Following a May announcement of a proposed lakeside resort community in Lexington, concerns that it would bring more cars to an already traffic-prone area and that Lake Murray will become overdeveloped circulated on social media, prompting a joint meeting between the town of Lexington and Lexington County.

After decades of discussion, the town of Lexington, a 24,000-resident municipality 15 miles southwest of Columbia, took initial steps in spring 2023 toward creating a lakefront community and resort. The proposed 93.5-acre development off Beekeeper Court and North Lake Drive would include two hotels, a marina, retail space, restaurants, a conference center, single-family homes, townhomes and condos.

The town and county have agreed to convene a special-called joint meeting for 6 p.m. July 12 at the Municipal Complex Conference Center. They say this meeting is part of an effort to ensure that the development is handled responsibly.

"There's no question that it is going to have impacts on other areas outside of the town of Lexington, most of which being Lexington County," said Lexington Town Councilman Gavin Smith. "So that's where this idea originated from, to bring other governmental stakeholders to the table."

This marks the first time the councils will sit down together, but the planned development is big enough and unique enough to warrant it, said Lexington County Council Chairwoman Beth Carrigg.

"It's in the best interest of our community for local government to get along," Carrigg said. "I think it's imperative that the town and the county work together on development, even though that's not a requirement by statute."
Greenville, SC (29601)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible late. Low 72F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms this evening with a few showers possible late. Low 72F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
OKATIE  Fourteenth Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone announced the arrest of a third suspect in the 2021 slaying of a Bluffton teen during a news conference July 6.

Stone declined to publicly identify the suspect, who was a 15-year-old juvenile when the crime was committed March 05, 2021. The suspect is now 18 years old.

"We will be asking Family Court to waive this juvenile from Family Court to the Court of General Sessions so that he can be prosecuted as an adult," Stone said.

Dwon D.J. Fields Jr., a popular 18-year-old Bluffton High School senior, was shot and killed while driving along the Bluffton Parkway.

Another individual riding in Fields' car at the time of the shooting suffered a gunshot wound to the face that required a 10-day hospital stay, while a third victim was injured when Fields lost control of his car and crashed.

The Solicitor's Office has prepared multiple charges against the suspect including murder, two counts of attempted murder, assault and battery by a mob first degree, and assault and battery by a mob second degree.

In Family Court a juvenile can be held until his 21st birthday. If convicted as an adult, the sentence for murder ranges from 30 years to life in prison.

"He would have to serve every day of that sentence," Stone said.

The U.S. Supreme Court has identified eight factors that can be considered by a judge when deciding to move a juvenile to an adult criminal court. Those factors include the seriousness of the alleged offense, whether the offense was committed in a violent, aggressive or premeditated manner and whether the offense was committed against a person or property.

Stone said it could take several months before Family Court decides the suspect's disposition. He also noted that there are no cases currently pending in the 14th Circuit in which a 15-year-old suspect is being tried as an adult.

"It's relatively unusual," Stone said, adding that the request has only been made about 10 times during his tenure, which started in 2006.

The process to remove the suspect from Family Court is expected to begin next week. The suspect is also expected to appear in that court in Beaufort County next week. He is currently detained in the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Fields' parents attended the press conference. Dwon Fields, father to D.J. Fields, expressed thanks to law enforcement for the two-year effort to apprehend the third and final suspect in the shooting.

"It means everything to me know that. It won't bring our son back, but it'll take somebody dangerous off the street," he said.

The suspect was arrested July 5 by agents from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

With this week's arrest, a total of five people have been arrested in connection with the murder of D.J. Fields. In addition to the newly arrested defendant, two others have been charged in direct connection with the shooting.

Jimmie Lewis Green pleaded guilty to murder, two counts of attempted murder and three counts of assault and assault and battery by mob in May of this year as his case was about to got to trial. Circuit Court Judge D. Craig Brown sentenced Green to 40 years in prison.

Tyleic Dae Jhon Chaneyfield, 20, of Ridgeland has been charged with murder, two counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault and battery by mob and possession of a weapon during commission of a violent crime. He is awaiting a trial date.

Shayniah Void, 20, of Orangeburg, and her brother, Jayden Lamont Void, 20, of Bluffton also face charges related to the incident.

Stone was unable to provide details about the investigation that led to the arrest of the suspect, but did credit the work of SLED investigators and crime lab personnel, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office, the Jasper County Sheriff's Office, the Bluffton Police Department, and the Hardeeville Police Department.

"This is an investigation that started at the time of the crime and has continued and has never slacked up," Stone said. "The people behind me have been dedicated to bringing the right answer before us, no matter how long it took."
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. Low 71F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms mainly during the evening. Low 71F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Sumter Police have yet to release any more details 12 days after a Sumter mother and her 2-year-old son seemingly disappeared.

Sophia Van Dam, 20, and Matteo Van Dam have gone missing since their family had contact with them on June 24 in Beaufort. She was returning to her new home in Sumter when last seen, and her vehicle was found at the Sumter home, her sister Desiree Pevey said.

The youngest of five children, Sophia Van Dam and her family had never lost contact before, Pevey said. They are asking for help from anyone who might have seen the young mother and her son.

Van Dam grew up in Beaufort, where she graduated from high school and earned a welding certificate. Most of her family and nearly everyone she knows live in Beaufort, her sister said. She left her hometown to live with a boyfriend about two months ago, her big sister Pevey said.

Although Matteo was born premature, neither he nor his mother required daily medication. He turned 2 in February, Pevey said.

Van Dam left Beaufort in her vehicle and it was found at her home in Sumter. The Sumter Police Department reported the vehicle is now in their custody but declined to discuss what they called an active investigation.

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office also declined to discuss the case.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2700, or the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office at (843) 255-3200.
A New York man wanted on rape and kidnapping charges and suspected in a murder who was captured in Berkeley County following a multiday manhunt in May is on the loose again.

Police in Jamestown, N.Y., reported early July 7 that Michael Burham had escaped from the jail in Warren County, Pa. He had last been seen at 11:20 p.m., police reported on Facebook. They warned residents in that area along the New York-Pennsylvania border to lock their doors and remain vigilant.

State, local and federal authorities caught Burham, 37, on May 24 in the Huger area. He was extradited to New York after his capture.

During the early morning hours of May 11, police in Jamestown, N.Y., responded to the fatal shooting of Kayla Hodgkin. She had reported to authorities in early April that Burham had raped her, according to court documents filed in a New York federal court.

An arrest warrant for Burham was issued April 27 on charges of rape and false imprisonment, and Jamestown police were searching for Burham when the murder occurred.

Jamestown is a small town near Lake Erie and just over the New York-Pennsylvania border.

Burham is accused of kidnapping an elderly couple at gunpoint at their Sheffield, Pa., house on May 20 and stealing their car, taking them with him. The three arrived the following day in North Charleston, where the couple flagged down a police officer along Rivers Avenue after Burham had let them go.

For the next three days, police departments across the tri-county area as well as agents with the State Law Enforcement Division and the FBI searched for Burham in the Lowcountry.

The search largely focused on the area around Huger and near Awendaw in Charleston County, which borders the Francis Marion National Forest.

A federal magistrate judge on May 25 ordered Burham be returned to New York to face prosecution. He also was charged with kidnapping by Pennsylvania authorities. He was being held in jail there on $1 million bond, GoErie.com reported. Burham used bedsheets to make a rope and climbed down from the jail roof, the outlet reported.
BEAUFORT  After Union forces took control of Port Royal and Beaufort in 1861, White planters fled, forfeiting much of their property. Suddenly, 10,000 enslaved people were free. Federal authorities needed to figure out what to do. Part of the solution was to invite Black men to join newly formed regiments that would battle the Confederacy.

The first of these Black regiments, initiated in 1863, was the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry. On July 10 that year, the men of the 1st South were called to duty.

They launched a raid up the Edisto River, along the bluffs of Willtown, liberating 200 enslaved people who had until then remained out of reach of Union forces. About one month earlier, Harriet Tubman joined the Combahee River Raid, recovering 750 Black people still stuck on the rice plantations. It was a "Year of Jubilee" in the Port Royal area.

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, a project of the National Park Service, will mark the 160th anniversary of the Willtown Raid at 10:30 a.m. July 8 at Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve in Port Royal.

This ranger-led program, centered around the events of the raid, will meet at the site of Camp Saxton where soldiers of the 1st South Carolina trained.

The Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve is located at 601 Old Fort Road. Visitors are encouraged to bring a water bottle and a lightweight folding chair. Some parking is available at the Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve, and the site is located about a half-mile from the Port Royal Farmers Market.

For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS.
The job of South Carolinas pension system is to make sure our state has enough money to fund the lifetime retirement benefits the Legislature has promised to state and local government, public school and college employees. Its a job that the system has never done as well as it should, which has forced lawmakers to repeatedly increase taxpayers share of the funding to keep it stable.

For most of the State Retirement Funds existence, the problem was that the state constitution prohibited investments in the stock market. Then once we finally lifted that restriction, pension managers jumped into the market just as it was about to plummet. Then came charges  some legitimate, others completely manufactured for political purposes  that pension fund managers were incompetent, or corrupt or whatever claim might increase the power of the person making the claim.

Today, as The Post and Couriers Clare Fieseler reports, political opportunists are again trying to manipulate the pension systems investment portfolio for reasons that have nothing to do with ensuring its financial health.

S.C. Treasurer Curtis Loftis and like-minded legislators say they are simply trying to ensure the pension systems health by steering it away from politically motivated investment firms. And that would be fine, if they werent instead trying to steer it toward other politically motivated investment firms whose politics they prefer.

But lets be clear: Thats precisely what at least part of the so-called anti-ESG movement is about. In seeking to divest from investment funds that take what they call environmental, social and corporate governance factors into account and instead invest in funds that boast of being anti-ESG  regardless of how much that costs the state  were just trading one set of politics for another.

According to documents unearthed by Ms. Fieseler and confirmed by Mr. Loftis, our treasurer arranged for longshot GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to meet with GOP lawmakers and S.C. pension commission CEO Michael Hitchcock to push moving money into his anti-woke startup Strive Asset Management and passing legislation to prohibit investing state funds with firms that consider environmental, social or corporate governance factors in assembling portfolios.

Banking experts warn that such laws can limit a states investment options. More significantly, the argument that investment funds that embrace or even include ESG principles are inherently less profitable simply isnt true, in some cases because those funds are more stable and in others because anti-ESG firms are much smaller and charge much higher fees.

Texas, for instance, is paying $300 million to $500 million more in additional interest to switch to an anti-ESG investment strategy. An analyst for the state of Kansas said an anti-ESG bill moving through that states Legislature could reduce pension returns by $3.6 billion over the next decade by taking funds away from its current diversified portfolio to a less diversified, right-leaning one. Ms. Fieseler reports that Mr. Ramaswamys company charges fees on index funds that are more than 13 times higher than the large investment manager Mr. Loftis fired last year over politics. (Think $41,000 in annual fees on $100 million in gross returns instead of $3,000.)

Its true that our state would be wise to steer away from investment firms that pursue liberal political goals at the expense of financial goals. Its also true that its financially riskier to invest in some businesses associated with the political right, such as weapons manufacturing and coal production, than it is to invest in, say, food manufacturing or, for the foreseeable future, balanced energy companies.

Its true too that for many businesses, being more attentive to their carbon footprint is a smart way of reducing overhead costs and preparing for a not-too-distant future when the weather is going to be more volatile, in some cases affecting their operations. Likewise, some smart managers embrace the goal of a more diverse workforce or leadership structure not because its favored on the political left but because it can make them more nimble and productive.

The bottom line is that South Carolina should no more steer clear of investments that are wedded to favored environmental, social and corporate governance principles than it should steer clear of companies that are opposed to those principles. What it should do is divest of companies that arent meeting our financial needs and invest in the ones that are  whatever the politics of the management or shareholders.

Click here for more opinion content from The Post and Courier.
YEREVAN, JULY 6, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan has met with Prince Michael of Kent at the Kensington Palace during his visit to the UK.

The programs and results of cooperation with NGOs and charitable organizations, associations and foundations working in the social protection sector of the two countries were discussed, the ministry said in a press release.

Stressing the importance of public-private partnership, Mkrtchyan presented the services rendered by Armenian organizations to children, persons with disabilities and others.

Prince Michael of Kent spoke about his involvement in nearly 100 charitable and other organizations, his public work, awareness campaign on the rights of vulnerable groups, a part of which is financed by his family. Services rendered to children with disabilities and children deprived of family environment, foster family care and alternative care types were discussed.

Both sides emphasized ensuring the best interest of the children to create a safer and better environment for them in the foundation of the reforms in the children rights protection system.
Goose Creek, SC (29445)

Today

Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 94F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low around 75F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
LAKE MARION  Clarendon County's largest housing development since the 1990s could be built in the next few years.

O'Cain Construction of Orangeburg is developing a 430-acre plot off S.C. Highway 260 and Marcus King Road near Lake Marion, with plans to build 485 homes over the next five years. The zoning for the project was approved by the Clarendon County Planning Commission, and the builder will receive additional details in August.

Wyboo Plantation was the last development of this size in the county. It is a 650-acre gated community on Lake Marion with more 500 properties.

More builders are looking to Clarendon as housing in other fast-growing counties, such as Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester, bottom-out, said Tabitha Hanna, director of planning and zoning.

What we are hearing is that folks are looking to gravitate to Clarendon County due to its atmosphere, the quietness and the availability to be near the lakes, Hanna said.

O'Cain vice president Chad Rast said the company hasnt looked into any building opportunities in Berkeley, Charleston or Dorchester because to those areas are being flooded with other interests. The high property values in those counties didnt lend themselves to a subdivision, he said.

Charleston County has the highest median price of houses sold in the last 12 months, at more than $539,000. Berkeley County had the lowest at $350,000, according to Rocket Mortgage.

The median price of a house sold in Clarendon is just over $330,000.

It was an area of growth. And I think there's a lot of desire to reside in that area, Rast said.

He said the first phase of construction of the Lake Marion project will begin in 2024 with about 100 houses planned.

Clarendon has interest in the area from developers increase over the past two years, county administrator David Epperson said.

Epperson said a sure sign of the growth came in the form of the countys first and only Chick-Fil-A that opened last year in Manning.

Those guys don't normally go somewhere unless they can potentially see the growth that support their business, Epperson said.

He also said people from the Charleston area could come to Clarendon to get away from the city and development pressures.

It also helps, he said, that the county has U.S. Interstate 95 running through it and is in between Charleston and Columbia. Lake Marion is another draw for developers and people.

Marcy Cutchall has been a real estate agent with The Litchfield Co. Real Estate's office in Manning for four years, and works with properties in the area south of the city.

She said the bulk of her clients used to be people coming from the northern U.S., but she's noticed more are moving away from the Charleston and Summerville areas.

She said some agents also are making the move and looking to work with property in the area. She said the trend started with COVID.

Epperson said the county saw an uptick in interest from developers looking to build housing in the years leading up to the 2008 recession. Some interest included large-scale housing subdivisions similar to the planned O'Cain development.

He said the county created ordinances to help guide the growth it was expecting. The recession drove the early interest away but the policies remain.

This interest also prompted the county to create its own water system rather than rely on the systems of private investors, cities and towns.

Most of this infrastructure growth, Epperson said, is focused around Lake Marion, specifically east of Summerton and south of Manning.

He said he wanted to preserve the rural parts of Manning.

We feel like we are very prepared from a regulation standpoint to be able to address the growth that we foresee coming very soon, Epperson said.
FLORENCE  A corrections officer at the Florence County Detention Center was arrested July 6 on multiple charges of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute.

Ladayisha Marie Bell, 30 of Timmonsville, who was hired as a corrections officer at the detention center in April, was arrested by the sheriff's office narcotics investigators.

Bell's application was dated for March 28 and was hired April 5. The hiring process involves an application, criminal background check, reference check and in-person interview, according to an email statement from Major Michael Nunn, public information officer for the Florence County Sheriff's office.

Bell is charged with trafficking 4 grams or more but less than 14 grams of fentanyl and trafficking in meth or cocaine base of 28 grams or more but less than 100 grams.

She is also charged with possession of 15 dosage units of MDMA, or ecstasy, and manufacturing, possession of other substances in schedule I, II, III or flunitrazepam or analogue with intent to distribute.

Bell is accused of having illegal narcotics in her possession while at the Detention Center, according to investigators. She also is accused of providing an inmate with a cellphone.

The investigation, which started July 5, is continuing.

It is always sad when one of our own violates the public trust, Sheriff T. J. Joye said in a press release. But we will not tolerate corruption within our ranks.

The arrest comes as drugs laced with fentanyl in South Carolina cause an unprecedented surge in deadly overdoses.

Bell is being held at the Detention Center while awaiting a bond hearing. The center itself was also facing overcrowding issues last month, Major Michael Nunn, public information officer for the Florence County Sheriffs Department, said.

The Center can hold approximately 550 people and had 411 inmates as of July 10. The Center cannot use two open-door pods due to potential violence that may occur between people there, limiting how many people the center can actually hold. The two pods combined can hold over 150 people.
YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. The two Armenian soldiers who were kidnapped by Azerbaijani forces on May 26 in an Azeri cross-border incursion into sovereign territory of Armenia were sentenced on Friday to more than 11 years in prison in a sham trial in Azerbaijan.

Local media reported that the Azeri court sentenced the two Armenian soldiers to 11 years and 6 months imprisonment on fabricated charges of illegal border crossing and conspiracy to commit crimes.

The two servicemen were ambushed and kidnapped by Azerbaijani forces after delivering water and food to an Armenian army unit on the border.

On May 27, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said Azerbaijan was attempting to deviate from its own obligations with the illegal kidnapping of the troops. It called on Azerbaijan to immediately release all Armenian POWs.

On May 29, Armenia requested the ECHR to indicate interim measures in the case of the two kidnapped soldiers.
Miranda Devines most recent New York Post column on the Biden family business is Missing Biden corruption case witness Dr. Gal Luft details allegations against presidents family in extraordinary video. The New York Post has published the video on which Devines column is based and I have posted it below. The Post draws on Devines column to provide the accompanying summary with the video on YouTube:

The missing witness from the Biden corruption investigation, Israeli professor Dr. Gal Luft, has laid out his bribery allegations against the presidents family in an extraordinary video filmed in an undisclosed location while hes on the run.

In the 14-minute recording, obtained exclusively by The Post, the fugitive former Israeli army officer claims he was arrested in Cyprus to stop him from testifying to the House Oversight Committee that the Biden family received payments from individuals with alleged ties to Chinese military intelligence and that they had an FBI mole who shared classified information with their benefactors from the China-controlled energy company CEFC.

The self-proclaimed fall guy says he provided the incriminating evidence to six officials from the FBI and the Department of Justice in a secret meeting in Brussels in March 2019  but alleges that it was covered up.

I, who volunteered to inform the US government about a potential security breach and about compromising information about a man vying to be the next president, am now being hunted by the very same people who I informed  and may have to live on the run for the rest of my life on the run 

Im not a Republican. Im not a Democrat. I have no political motive or agenda  I did it out of deep concern that if the Bidens were to come to power, the country would be facing the same traumatic Russia collusion scandal  only this time with China. Sadly, because of the DOJs cover-up, this is exactly what happened 
Philip Hamburger is the Maurice and Hilda Friedman Professor of Law at Columbia Law School and the author of several books including Is Administrative Law Unlawful? (2014). Steve Hayward mentioned the book earlier this week in Will the Supreme Court dismantle the administrative state?

Professor Hamburger argues that administrative law is unlawful, unconstitutional, and illegitimate. Drawing on English legal history, he contends that the regime of agency government resurrects the prerogative power once claimed by English kings and places it in the executive branch of the United States government. The history makes clear that this is exactly what our Constitution was carefully designed to prevent. Reading the book at the time of its publication, I felt like the scales were falling from my eyes. I reviewed the book for National Review in A new old regime and wrote about it several times on Power Line in posts that are collected here.

I thought (and think) it was the most important book I had read in a long time. In one of my posts on the book I tried to play the role of C-SPAN founding genius Brian Lamb and ask the questions an intelligent reader would want answered. Here is my interview  slightly outdated, but the issues remain the same with the necessary adjustments being made:

Power Line: How long did you work on the book?

Philip Hamburger: Three years.

Power Line: What interested you in the subject?

Philip Hamburger: Extralegal power is the central constitutional question of our time.

Power Line: What is the nature of the research you conducted to write the book?

Philip Hamburger: The research was very satisfying, for it took me across the full history of constitutional struggles, from the Middle Ages to the present. The English research included the medieval due process statutes, and the attempts of Henry VIII and James I to rule through the Star Chamber and High Commission, and the constitutional battle to limit the extralegal power. This involved reading old statutes, Parliamentary debates, and reading printed and manuscript writings on the prerogative.

The research then took me into American history, from the founding era onward. This American research included a study of the Treasurys circular letters, instructions, and regulations in the Archives in Maryland, and an attempt to identify all federal licensing schemes up to the twentieth century. I also looked at a wide range of nineteenth-century health, police, and other regulations.

Ultimately, the work led to Continental law. Extralegal power has long been justified by academics, beginning with those who worked in the Roman civil law tradition that flourishes on the Continent. It therefore became necessary to study how civilian academics helped to establish extralegal power there, especially in Prussia and other early German states, and how Americans learned about administrative power, from German legal theorists and even learned from them to have contempt for the separation of powers.

But my work just scratches the surface. There remains much important work to be done, especially on the Continental developments and on nineteenth and twentieth century American administrative power.

Power Line: You argue that administrative law is outside the law, above the law and consolidated in violation of the law (the Constitution). What do you mean?

Philip Hamburger: Administrative power is extralegal, or outside the law, in the sense that it attempts to bind Americans not through law, but through other mechanisms. The traditional common law ideal, secured in the Constitution, is that government can bind its subjects only through the lawmeaning only through legislative acts and acts of the courts of law. In contrast, in the absolutist traditions of the civil law, the government can bind subjects through other, prerogative or administrative edicts. This is not government through law, but extralegal power that runs outside the law.

Administrative power is surpralegal, or above the law, in the same sense that absolute prerogative power was above the law. King James I demanded that the judges defer to the acts of his prerogative courts, including their interpretations of statutes, on the theory that the kings absolute prerogative was above the law. Similarly, nowadays, the judges defer to administrative power, including administrative interpretations of statutes, and although they no longer say that they thereby are treating administrative power as above the law, this is, in effect, what they again are doing.

Power Line: Does English legal history provide an analogue or antecedent for administrative law? Is this a case of eternal recurrence?

Philip Hamburger: Sadly, administrative power is not just a modern development. Instead, it appears to be a recurring phenomenona part of the long-standing tension between absolute power and government through law. Repeatedly over the past thousand years, rulers have attempted to exercise binding power, legislative and judicial, not merely in a regular manner through the law and the courts of law, but also irregularly, through prerogative or administrative commands.

Magna Carta already took a stand against this sort of power. The 1354 and 1368 due process statutes even more emphatically barred it. But English kings persisted in exercising extralegal power until, in the seventeenth century, the English adopted constitutional ideas to put an end to this danger. Similarly, American constitutions barred extralegal power. Nonetheless, it has come to back to life.

The tendency toward extralegal power thus seems to arise not from the nature of modern society, but from the nature of human beings, who always seek more power, if not through law, then outside the law.

Power Line: As you note in the book, in Federalist 47 Madison condemns the consolidation of executive, legislative and judicial power in one hand as the very definition of tyranny. Doesnt this perfectly describe the regime of administrative law?

Philip Hamburger: Unfortunately, administrative power does combine executive, legislative, and judicial powers, but whether it amounts to tyranny in a simple sense is another matter. As Tocqueville recognized, administrative power consolidates the powers of government in a way that, at least initially, creates only a soft tyranny. Of course, this sort of consolidated power eventually accustoms the people to being ruled. It turns them from free people into a people anxious for Ordnung, and this is what happened to the Germans between the sixteenth and the twentieth centuries. Too many of them became what Max Weber called Ordnungsmenschen.

Power Line: You dont address particular administrative agencies or regulations or proceedings in your book. Would you apply your thesis to current examples of the administrative state in action (for example, the EPA, the IRS, Obamacare, waivers and so on)?

Philip Hamburger: Almost all government agencies, ranging from the IRS to the FDA, attempt to bind Americans through administrative rules and adjudicationsthat is, not through law, but through extralegal edicts.

Power Line: Your book was obviously written over a period of years, but some of it feels like it comes out of todays headlines. How does the issue of executive waivers or executive rewriting of Obamacare requirements illustrate your thesis?

Philip Hamnburger: The waivers issued during the past several years have been astonishing. They reveal that aspects of seventeenth-century England have come back to life, and this is deeply disquieting.

The waivers are so disturbing because they revive the old dispensing and suspending powers. These were long recognized as extralegal or absolute powers, and constitutional law therefore long ago put them to rest. Now, however, these old types of absolute power have crawled out of the grave in the form of waivers.

As a practical matter, waivers are simply private letters, from executive officers, purporting to relieve the recipients of the obligation of the law. It is difficult to think of anything more lawless.

Power Line: It seems to me that your chapter on congressional delegation of legislative authority is a pillar of your argument. You argue that the Constitution prohibits the delegation of its authority to the executive branch. Will you briefly restate your argument on this point? Is this argument an essential component of your case against administrative law?

Philip Hamburger: Delegation is one of the standard excuses for administrative power. But it often fails even on its own terms.

One problem is that delegation usually is only a theoretical justification, not a realistic one in practice, for much administrative power does not have authority from Congress. Agencies frequently strain their powers beyond their delegated authority, and thus, even if delegation really could justify administrative power, it often does not justify it in particular instances.

A second problem is that, even if Congress could delegate its own legislative power, how could it delegate judicial power, a power that does not even belong to Congress? The legislature cannot delegate a power it does not have.

More generally, even where there is delegation, it is a poor excuse for administrative power. First of all, delegation is not as central a point as often assumed, because even if administrative lawmaking is delegated by Congress, it remains an attempt to bind Americans through rules that are not laws, and it thus remains extralegal power.

In addition, what apologists for administrative power call delegation is really subdelegation. Delegation is what the people do, for the people delegate legislative, executive, and judicial powers to different parts of the government. The next stage is when Congress gives this power to administrative agencies, and this therefore is subdelegation.

The principle of delegation, however, has long been recognized to preclude subdelegation where the initial delegation of power is to bodies chosen for their particular qualities. In the Constitution, the people delegate legislative powers to a Congress structured for legislative purposes and the members of which are chosen by the people for their personal qualities. The initial delegation by the people therefore precludes any subdelegation by Congress.

The Constitution, moreover, does not leave this conclusion to a mere implication from principle; it also expressly bars the subdelegation of legislative powers. Cass Sunstein complains that there is no textual barrier to congressional delegation of legislative power. But one only needs to read the first sentenceindeed, the first wordof the Constitution, after the preamble. The Constitution begins: All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States. . .

The initial word is revealing. If the goal were merely a permissive delegation of legislative powers to Congress, so that Congress could subdelegate the legislative powers, the Constitution could have simply stated that the legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress. Instead, the Constitution stated all legislative powers. If all legislative powers are in Congress, they cannot be elsewhere.

Power Line: You contrast Congresss delegation of legislative authority with Congresss inability to transfer judicial duties outside the judicial branch. You also recount the legal history regarding the nontransferable nature of the judges office. Does Congress have greater power to delegate its legislative authority than it might over another branchs power? If Congress can delegate its legislative authority, why cant the judicial branch delegate the judicial power?

Philip Hamburger: Congress at least has legislative powers, and it therefore is at least open to debate whether Congress can delegate them. In contrast, Congress does not have the judicial power, and Congress cannot delegate a power it does not have. Nor can the courts delegate their judicial power, for at common law it long has been recognized that judges are chosen for their personal qualities and that they therefore cannot subdelegate their office and power of judgment. In the civil law tradition, it was expected that judges would subdelegate their judicial power, but in the common law tradition, when a constitution authorized courts and judges, it was taken for granted that this meant that the judges themselves would exercise judicial power, and that they could not delegate their office of judgment.

Power Line: It seems to me that you dont propose much in the way of a solution to the problem of administrative law  not that there is anything wrong with that. To ask the Leninist question, however, what is to be done?

Philip Hamburger: The first step is simply to understand administrative powerto recognize that it is extralegal and absolute power. Once this is understood, the rest will follow. This is why I wrote my book and why I close with a plea for more accurate language about administrative power.

Rather than clothe it with the legitimizing vocabulary of the law, one should describe it in candid terms that recognize its extralegal character. For example, rather than call it administrative law, one should call it extralegal power. Rather than call administrative adjudicators judges, one should call them executive officers who are stepping outside the bounds of executive authority. And so forth.

Power Line: Professor Hamburger, we thank you for your indulgence and wish you great success in your mission with the book.
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Arvana Inc. (OTC PINK:AVNI) today announced that it has reached a mutual understanding with Luxcor Gold (Alberta) Limited Partnership (Luxcor), to terminate the previously announced letter of intent (LOI) to acquire certain registered mining claims, mining permits, infrastructure and equipment to process prospective gold ore in La Paz County, Arizona.The LOI, signed on June 28, 2023, outlined the terms and conditions for the acquisition of the Luxcor gold property, including related assets. However, after additional consideration, in light of subsequent discussions between the parties involved, Arvana and Luxcor jointly agreed to terminate the LOI. Both parties concluded that terminating the LOI was in their respective best interests due to their mutual reassessment of financial considerations.The mutual termination of the LOI does not impact Arvana's overall growth strategy or disrupt ongoing operations. Arvana's dedicated management team continues to focus on advancing the company's existing business, exploring new potential ventures, and delivering value to its stockholders.Arvana will continue to provide updates on its activities, and share significant developments in its business with interested stakeholders.For additional information concerning our business, please refer to Arvana's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or contact us directly.Arvana Inc.Arvana ("OTC:AVNI") is a public company registered under the Securities & Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that is quoted on the OTC Pink Sheets Current Information Alternative Reporting platform.Forward-Looking StatementsSeveral statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements of future expectations based on currently available information that are subject to risks and uncertainties including general economic conditions, changes in capital markets, regulatory legislation, and other circumstances that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expectations. Arvana does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or status of such statements so it will not be liable for any decision made or action taken in conjunction with the information and/or statements contained in this press release. Arvana encourages the public to read the information provided in conjunction with its recent filings on Form 8-K, Form 10-Q and Form 10-K, which may be viewed at www.sec.gov ContactRuairidh Campbell, Chief Executive OfficerPhone: +1 801-232-7395Email: ruairidh@ arvana.us Website: https://arvana.us SOURCE: Arvana, Inc.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Ascension Advisory, a leading global corporate real estate advisory firm dedicated to private equity firms and business owners, is excited to announce a transformative update marked by growth into new territories, a strategic partnership with a national business brokerage firm, and the opening of new offices. This milestone comes as Ascension Advisory separates from James Capital Advisors, signaling a meaningful expansion of its operations and a defined move to sharpen its focus on core competencies, enabling the company to double down on its vision and direction for the future.Chelsea MandelAscension Advisory Founder & Managing Director The separation from James Capital Advisors reflects Ascension's affirmation of its strategic focus and determination to forge its own path, investing in innovation, technology, and complementary business partnerships in order to deliver the highest standard of corporate real estate advisory solutions to its clients in the middle and lower middle market. James Capital Advisors had provided back office services, and Ascension has taken all steps necessary to ensure operational continuity for clients and partners as it forges this new path. "This shift empowers Ascension to navigate the corporate real estate landscape with precision and focus on delivering exceptional value and service to our clients. We would like to thank Mike James and the staff at James Capital Advisors," explains Chelsea Mandel, Founder of Ascension Advisory.Expanding Footprint with New Offices:Demonstrating its worldwide ambition, Ascension announces the opening of three new offices in major international markets. These include Miami, Toronto, and London, allowing Ascension Advisory to better serve its diverse client base in key regions. This expansion underscores Ascension's commitment to being at the forefront of global industry trends and providing localized expertise on a global scale.Jack Foley, Ascension Advisory's Chief Operating Officer, explains, "Global markets are facing new and increasing pressures, unlocking opportunities for Ascension Advisory to create value for clients across a wider range of geographies. While Ascension has an international presence already, opening offices in Canada and the UK is our formal recognition of the evolving capital environment. Our goal is to continue bringing reliable and innovative solutions to our clients across the globe, helping them navigate the changing landscape with confidence." Strategic Partnership for Enhanced Client Value:Alongside this expansion, Ascension has entered into a strategic partnership with a national business brokerage firm specialized in the lower middle market. This collaboration brings together industry expertise, market insights, and the extensive networks of both organizations that will instantly generate synergies and unique opportunities for the two firms."Through our newly formed alliance with a leading business brokerage firm, Ascension is able to provide meaningful synergies to our partners across the business, bringing both investment and capital partnership opportunities to our private equity clients and family- and founder-owned businesses in a more significant way," explained Chelsea Mandel, Founder of Ascension Advisory.About Ascension Advisory:Ascension Advisory is a prominent international corporate real estate advisory firm dedicated to serving private equity firms and business owners, globally. With strategically located offices in New York City, Miami, Toronto, and London and a steadfast commitment to client service, Ascension Advisory assists sponsors and private businesses in crafting and executing corporate real estate strategies that align with their strategic objectives. The firm's recent transformations highlight Ascension's dedication to providing unparalleled support and delivering results to its clients. Ascension specializes in a comprehensive range of services including Sale Leaseback Advisory, Tenant Lease Structuring, Capital Markets, and Market Data and Research, offering a suite of corporate real estate solutions that seamlessly integrate with their clients' teams. For more information about Ascension Advisory, please visit hireascension.com Contact InformationSam JacobsChief Marketing Officersam@ hireascension.com (416) 676-0121SOURCE: Ascension Advisory
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HAMILTON, BERMUDA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Family-owned spirits company Bacardi is celebrating the 160th anniversary of MARTINI, the leading vermouth and sparkling wine brand, with a series of events and launches that will build on its legacy as an icon of Italian style and culture.Since 1863, MARTINI has been a pioneering presence in the world of drinks and in cocktail culture thanks to its Italian craftsmanship, Italian quality and Italian taste. Aperitivo would not be aperitivo without MARTINI.This year is also the 30th anniversary of MARTINI joining the Bacardi portfolio of premium wines and spirits. Since Bacardi, a family-owned company that recently marked its own 160th anniversary, acquired the Martini & Rossi Group in 1993, MARTINI has been part of a growing portfolio of iconic brands which today includes BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, GREY GOOSE vodka, PATRON tequila, ST-GERMAIN liqueur and, of course, BACARDl rum."For 160 years, MARTINI has been an icon of Italian culture while continuously evolving, innovating and inspiring each new generation. What's stayed constant is a commitment to craftsmanship, quality and exceptional taste. As we celebrate this milestone for MARTINI, we continue to make MARTINI a modern, Italian lifestyle brand, that we can continue to be proud of while carrying its legacy for future generations." Mahesh Madhavan, CEO of Bacardi LimitedThe 160th anniversary of MARTINI is being celebrated in a number of exciting ways:New MARTINI global campaign - 160 years of Italian taste' draws inspiration from the legacy of MARTINI as a symbol of Italian style and culture. The campaign brings together the brand's heritage and its vision for the future with imagery that illustrates how the brand is moving into a new era. The new creative reflects consumers' changing drinking habits - the brand's newest innovation, MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo is front and center and represents how MARTINI is meeting the demand for the rise in mindful drinking, while remaining grounded in aperitivo culture;First ever aged MARTINI vermouth - MARTINI Maestro 36, demonstrates the brand's constant drive to innovate and create new experiences for every generation. MARTINI Maestro 36 is aged for 36 months to create an exceptional, super-premium expression of the classic vermouth. Created by MARTINI Master Blender, Beppe Musso, Maestro 36 captures 160 years of vermouth-making expertise in a limited edition of only 2,000 bottles. To celebrate the Italian hospitality industry's support for MARTINI over 160 years, Maestro 36 is available exclusively in bars and restaurants in Italy;MARTINI Pop-Up Bar at DAZI Milano - Everyone in Milan, the style capital of Italy, is invited to join the celebration by visiting this special pop-up MARTINI bar. Enjoy an unforgettable MARTINI aperitivo in an unforgettable venue, open until July 4;MARTINI postage stamp - The Italian Government is celebrating 160 years of MARTINI and 160 years of an iconic brand proudly Made in Italy with the release of a MARTINI postage stamp, available at post offices across Italy starting in July;Terrazza MARTINI influencers digitized for future generations - A collection of 30,000 photographs taken at the Terrazza MARTINI since its opening in 1958 is being preserved for future generations in the first corporate digitization project supported by the Italgas Heritage Lab. The collection captures generations of celebrities and influencers at Milan's most fashionable destination.Founded in 1863 by entrepreneur Alessandro Martini and herbalist Luigi Rossi, MARTINI has a legacy that goes far beyond the world of drinks. MARTINI has left its mark on everything from culture to sport. Hollywood stars and artists have collaborated with MARTINI to create legendary advertising campaigns; Terrazza MARTINI parties have influenced generations of style leaders; and the now classic MARTINI racing stripes are famous around the world.MARTINI can look back on an extraordinary legacy and look forward to a future full of new innovations.For generations, MARTINI has cared for the environment, for suppliers and their communities. The brand's sustainability milestones are a reflection of Bacardi and its mission to be the most environmentally responsible global spirits company. Back in 1987, L'Osservatorio MARTINI - the MARTINI Observatory - was established in Northern Italy as a center dedicated to promoting sustainable farming methods. And in just the last year, MARTINI has been using solar energy to power the distillation of its botanicals and 100% of the wineries for the entire MARTINI portfolio have been certified sustainable.Helping to achieve these sustainability milestones is newly appointed Master of Botanicals, Alessandro Garneri and MARTINI Master Blender, Beppe Musso. Only the eighth Master Blender in the 160-year history of MARTINI, Beppe has been instrumental in the creation of contemporary vermouth MARTINI Fiero, a 100% natural blend of citrus, bittersweet orange and crisp white wines, as well as the deliciously complex MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo range."This year, MARTINI is celebrating its 160th birthday but we are still young. Our knowledge and experience grows with each new generation and that is reflected in the quality and taste of every MARTINI drink and in our commitment to sustainable practices that will secure our future for the next 160 years. That's what really excites me - our future legacy. This is only the beginning." Beppe Musso, MARTINI Master BlenderAbout MARTINIOne of the most iconic brands in the world, MARTINI is the leading name in Italian winemaking and a purveyor of the highest quality vermouths and sparkling wines. The award- winning, vibrant and bittersweet taste of the MARTINI range is the result of secret blends of more than 40 botanicals sourced from the finest locations across the globe. First created in 1863 in Turin, Italy, the MARTINI portfolio today includes: MARTINI Fiero, MARTINI Riserva Speciale Rubino, Ambrato & Bitter, MARTINI Bianco, Rosato, Rosso & Extra Dry, MARTINI Non-Alcoholic Vibrante & Floreale, MARTINI Asti, Prosecco & Rose Extra Dry. For more information, please visit www.martini.com or @martini on all social media platforms.MARTINI and the ball & bar logo are trademarks. MARTINI is part of the portfolio of Bacardi Limited, headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.About Bacardi LimitedBacardi Limited, the world's largest privately held international spirits company, produces,
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MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / BankingBridge, a trailblazer in mortgage technology, is excited to announce its expanded reach within the credit union sector as Arkansas Federal Credit Union selects BankingBridge to revolutionize its member mortgage website shopping experience. This integration enables Arkansas Federal Credit Union members to connect real-time rate data from the pricing engine directly to BankingBridge, modernizing the way they shop for mortgages.This marks the fourth credit union to integrate BankingBridge's innovative technology into its services, joining forces with IQ Credit Union, Embold Credit Union, and Park Community Credit Union. Through these partnerships, BankingBridge is solidifying its commitment to enhancing the mortgage shopping experience for credit union members."We are thrilled to partner with Arkansas Federal Credit Union and support their dedication to providing members with an efficient and transparent mortgage shopping experience," said Jimmy King, CEO of BankingBridge. "Our technology is transforming how credit union members engage with mortgage rates by ensuring they have access to the most accurate and real-time data available." Key benefits for credit unions using BankingBridge's platform include:Displaying real-time and accurate mortgage rates to members.Customizing rate displays according to preference.Streamlining the mortgage shopping experience.Enhancing member satisfaction and trust through transparency.The integration with Arkansas Federal Credit Union reinforces BankingBridge's position as a leader in mortgage technology solutions that empower credit unions, banks, and mortgage lenders to modernize and optimize their online presence.About BankingBridge: BankingBridge is an industry-leading mortgage technology provider that specializes in offering solutions to credit unions, banks, and mortgage lenders for modernizing their online presence. Through its cutting-edge platform, BankingBridge is committed to enhancing consumer engagement and streamlining the mortgage shopping experience with transparency and efficiency.About Arkansas Federal Credit Union: Arkansas Federal Credit Union is a federally chartered credit union headquartered in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and regulated under the authority of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Arkansas Federal is the largest credit union in Arkansas. As of 2018, Arkansas Federal had over $1 billion in assets, with more than 98,000 members, and 14 branch locations.For more information, please contact:Kodey Knapmillerkodey@ bankingbridge.com SOURCE: BankingBridge
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Did you lose money on investments in Charles River? If so, please visit Charles River Laboratories International, 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 / July 7, 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 Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. ("Charles River" or the "Company") (NYSE:CRL) between May 5, 2020 and February 21, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 18, 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.Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) Charles River had engaged in illegal activity with respect to its importation of non-human primates for research; (2) as a result, Charles River was at a heightened risk of criminal and regulatory investigation by, inter alia, the U.S. Department of Justice; and (3) as a result, Charles River would be forced to suspend shipments of primates from Cambodia.On February 22, 2023, before the market opened, Charles River revealed that it had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") relating to an ongoing investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("USFWS") into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research. The Company noted that it was voluntarily suspending shipments of primates from Cambodia, which would negatively impact its earnings for the year and would reduce revenue growth by 200 basis points to 400 basis points.On this news, Charles River's stock price fell $24.51, or 10%, to close at $219.09 per share on February 22, 2023.If you purchased or acquired Charles River securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit Charles River Laboratories International, 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
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SURREY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Condor Gold Plc (AIM:CNR)(TSX:COG) announces that Galloway Limited, a company wholly owned by Burnbrae Group Limited which is, in turn, wholly owned by Jim Mellon, Condor's Chairman has sent the Company a signed notice for the exercise of warrants which will result in the issue of 6,666,667 New Ordinary Shares at 15p for a consideration of 1M.Application has been made for the New Ordinary Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM. Admission of the New Ordinary Shares is expected to take place on or before 10 July 2023. The Company has prior approval for the Shares to be listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX").Director/PDMR ShareholdingGalloway Limited will hold 22.99% of the Company's issued ordinary shares post exercise of the warrants and is wholly owned by Burnbrae Group Limited which is, in turn, wholly owned by Jim Mellon, Condor's Chairman.Denham Eke, a Non-Executive Director, is also a director of the Burnbrae Group Limited and Galloway Limited.Total Voting RightsFollowing the issue of the 6,666,667 New Ordinary Shares to Galloway Limited, Condor's total issued share capital will comprise 187,457,491 New Ordinary Shares, each with voting rights (the "Enlarged Issued Share Capital"). This figure may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, securities of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.TSX MattersThe Company is relying on the exemption provided for pursuant to Section 602.1 of the TSX Company Manual (the "Manual") from the requirements of the Manual and the TSX relating to the Payment Shares, including the requirements of Section 613 of the Manual, as the Company is an "Eligible Interlisted Issuer" as defined in the Manual.- Ends -For further information please visit www.condorgold.com or contact:Condor Gold plcMark Child, CEO+44 (0) 20 7493 2784Beaumont Cornish LimitedRoland Cornish and James Biddle+44 (0) 20 7628 3396SP Angel Corporate Finance LLPEwan Leggat+44 (0) 20 3470 0470H&P Advisory LimitedAndrew Chubb, Matt Hasson, Jay Ashfield+44 207 907 8500Adelaide Capital (Investor Relations)Deborah Honig+1-647-203-8793About Condor Gold plc:Condor Gold plc was admitted to AIM in May 2006 and dual listed on the TSX in January 2018. The Company is a gold exploration and development company with a focus on Nicaragua.The Company's principal asset is La India Project, Nicaragua, which comprises of a large, highly prospective land package of 588 sq km comprising of 12 contiguous and adjacent concessions. The Company has filed a feasibility study technical report dated 25 October 2022 and entitled "Condor Gold Technical Report on the La India Gold Project, Nicaragua, 2022" (the "2022 FS") which is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and was prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The 2022 FS indicated that La India Project hosts a high grade Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 9,672 kt at 3.5g/t gold for 1,088,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 8,642 kt at 4.3 g/t gold for 1,190,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category. The open pit MRE is 8,693 kt at 3.2 g/t gold for 893,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 3,026 kt at 3.0 g/t gold for 291,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category. Total underground MRE is 979 kt at 6.2 g/t gold for 94,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 5,615 kt at 5.0 g/t gold for 98,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category.The 2022 FS replaces the previously reported Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") as presented in the Technical Report filed on SEDAR in October 2021 as the current technical report for the La India project.The 2021 PEA considered the expanded Project inclusive of the exploitation of the Mineral Resources associated to the La India, Mestiza, America and Central Breccia deposits. The strategic study covers two scenarios: Scenario A, in which the mining is undertaken from four open pits, termed La India, America, Mestiza and Central Breccia Zone ("CBZ"), which targets a plant feed rate of 1.225 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa"); and Scenario B, where the mining is extended to include three underground operations at La India, America and Mestiza, in which the processing rate is increased to 1.4 Mtpa. The 2021 PEA Scenario B presented a post-tax, post upfront capital expenditure NPV of US$418 million, with an IRR of 54% and 12 month pay-back period, assuming a US$1,700 per oz gold price, with average annual production of 150,000 oz gold per annum for the initial 9 years of gold production. The open pit mine schedules were optimised from designed pits, bringing higher grade gold forward resulting in average annual production of 157,000 oz gold in the first 2 years from open pit material and underground mining funded out of cashflow. The 2021 PEA Scenario A presented a post-tax, post upfront capital expenditure NPV of US$302 million, with an IRR of 58% and 12 month pay-back period, assuming a US$1,700 per oz gold price, with average annual production of approximately 120,000 oz gold per annum for the initial 6 years of gold production. The Mineral Resource estimate and associated Preliminary Economic Assessment contained in the 2021 PEA are considered a historical estimate within the meaning of NI 43-101, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify such historical estimate as current, and the Company is not treating the historical Mineral Resource estimate and associated studies as current, and the reader is cautioned not to rely upon this data as such. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company believes that the historical Mineral Resource estimate and Preliminary Economic assessment is relevant to the continuing development of the La India Project.In August 2018, the Company announced that the Ministry of the Environment in Nicaragua had granted the Environmental Permit ("EP") for the development, construction and operation of a processing plant with capacity to process up to 2,800 tonnes per day at its wholly-owned La India gold Project ("La India Project"). The EP is considered the master permit for mining operations in Nicaragua. Condor has purchased a new SAG Mill, which has mainly arrived in Nicaragua. Site clearance and
YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan has met with the newly appointed Ambassador of Hungary to Armenia Anna Maria Siko.

Sanosyan welcomed the ambassador and attached importance to the process of normalization of relations, the ministry said in a readout.

A number of issues of bilateral interest in energy and transport sectors were discussed.

Inter-regional cooperation was highlighted.
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GODALMING, UK / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Condor Gold plc, (AIM:CNR; TSX:COG) announces that on 6 July 2023 (the "Grant Date") it granted 4,600,000 share options, representing 2.45% of the issued share capital (the "2023 Options") under the Company's existing Share Option Scheme ("Share Option Scheme").The grant of the 2023 Options was recommended by the remuneration committee and approved and by the board as part of the Share Option Scheme, whereby options are granted annually as an incentive to directors, employees and consultants. The 2023 Options were granted to:Mark ChildJim MellonKate HarcourtAndrew CheatleIan StalkerDenham EkeAndrew PearceDavid CrawfordOther employees and consultantsCEOChairmanNon-Executive DirectorNon-Executive DirectorNon-Executive DirectorNon-Executive DirectorCFOChief Technical Officer1,250,000300,000300,000300,000300,000300,000300,000200,0001,350,000In August 2018 the Company established an Enterprise Management Incentive Scheme (the "EMI Scheme") as a sub-plan within the framework and in accordance with the rules of the Share Option Scheme. The EMI Scheme is open only to employees of Condor Gold plc who are UK tax resident. Of the 2023 Options, 200,000 were awarded through the EMI Scheme.The 2023 Options have an exercise price of 0.23 pence per share, equal to the closing price on AIM on 6 July 2023 and are exercisable for a period of 5 years from the Grant Date, with the restriction that no options can be exercised within 12 months of the Grant Date, only up to 50% of the said options can be exercised in the following 12 months and thereafter, 100% of the said options can be exercisable, provided that the grantee remains with the Company.Following the grant of the 2023 Options outlined above, the total share options outstanding will represent 10.49% of the total number of 187,457,491 ordinary shares in issue, this number includes the 6,666,667 new ordinary shares allotted and to be issued to Galloway Limited (See RNS 4 July 2023).For further information please visit www.condorgold.com or contact:Condor Gold plcMark Child, CEO+44 (0) 20 7493 2784Beaumont Cornish LimitedRoland Cornish and James Biddle+44 (0) 20 7628 3396SP Angel Corporate Finance LLPEwan Leggat+44 (0) 20 3470 0470H&P Advisory LimitedAndrew Chubb, Matt Hasson, Jay Ashfield+44 207 907 8500Adelaide Capital (Investor Relations)Deborah Honig+1-647-203-8793About Condor Gold plc:Condor Gold plc was admitted to AIM in May 2006 and dual listed on the TSX in January 2018. The Company is a gold exploration and development company with a focus on Nicaragua.The Company's principal asset is La India Project, Nicaragua, which comprises of a large, highly prospective land package of 588 sq km comprising of 12 contiguous and adjacent concessions. The Company has filed a feasibility study technical report dated 25 October 2022 and entitled "Condor Gold Technical Report on the La India Gold Project, Nicaragua, 2022" (the "2022 FS") which is available on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com and was prepared in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101. The 2022 FS indicated that La India Project hosts a high grade Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 9,672 kt at 3.5g/t gold for 1,088,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 8,642 kt at 4.3 g/t gold for 1,190,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category. The open pit MRE is 8,693 kt at 3.2 g/t gold for 893,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 3,026 kt at 3.0 g/t gold for 291,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category. Total underground MRE is 979 kt at 6.2 g/t gold for 94,000 oz gold in the indicated mineral resource category and 5,615 kt at 5.0 g/t gold for 98,000 oz gold in the inferred mineral resource category.The 2022 FS replaces the previously reported Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") as presented in the Technical Report filed on SEDAR in October 2021 as the current technical report for the La India project.The 2021 PEA considered the expanded Project inclusive of the exploitation of the Mineral Resources associated to the La India, Mestiza, America and Central Breccia deposits. The strategic study covers two scenarios: Scenario A, in which the mining is undertaken from four open pits, termed La India, America, Mestiza and Central Breccia Zone ("CBZ"), which targets a plant feed rate of 1.225 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa"); and Scenario B, where the mining is extended to include three underground operations at La India, America and Mestiza, in which the processing rate is increased to 1.4 Mtpa. The 2021 PEA Scenario B presented a post-tax, post upfront capital expenditure NPV of US$418 million, with an IRR of 54% and 12 month pay-back period, assuming a US$1,700 per oz gold price, with average annual production of 150,000 oz gold per annum for the initial 9 years of gold production. The open pit mine schedules were optimised from designed pits, bringing higher grade gold forward resulting in average annual production of 157,000 oz gold in the first 2 years from open pit material and underground mining funded out of cashflow. The 2021 PEA Scenario A presented a post-tax, post upfront capital expenditure NPV of US$302 million, with an IRR of 58% and 12 month pay-back period, assuming a US$1,700 per oz gold price, with average annual production of approximately 120,000 oz gold per annum for the initial 6 years of gold production. The Mineral Resource estimate and associated Preliminary Economic Assessment contained in the 2021 PEA are considered a historical estimate within the meaning of NI 43-101, a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify such historical estimate as current, and the Company is not treating the historical Mineral Resource estimate and associated studies as current, and the reader is cautioned not to rely upon this data as such. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company believes that the historical Mineral Resource estimate and Preliminary Economic assessment is relevant to the continuing development of the La India Project.In August 2018, the Company announced that the Ministry of the Environment in Nicaragua had granted the Environmental Permit ("EP") for the development, construction and operation of a processing plant with capacity to proces
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Forward Water Technologies Corp. (TSXV:FWTC) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed its condensed consolidated audited financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis for the twelve months ended March 31, 2023. Copies of these financial statements and related management's discussion and analysis can be found on the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com . All financial information in this news release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated.Fiscal Year End Financial HighlightsTotal expenses were $2,421,598 for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to $4,186,933 over the same period in 2022, a decrease of $1,765,335. The decrease in expenses were largely due to the costs associated with the completion of a qualifying transaction (the "Transaction") in the prior year that did not repeat in the fiscal year 2023.Net loss and comprehensive loss were $2,286,526 for the year ended March 31, 2023, compared to a loss of $4,178,676 for the same period in 2022.Basic and diluted loss per share were $0.02 for the year ended March 31, 2023 and $0.05 for the same period in 2022.Operating Highlights and Recent Corporate DevelopmentsFiscal year 2023 was the full first year as an operating company after the Transaction was completed in October, 2021, with the focus transitioning from engineering development to commercialization.The Company generated almost $40,000 in revenue in testing and reporting for customers interested in purchasing a forward osmosis ("FO") unit.A number of potential customers have been identified, with six requesting testing. These include large multinational businesses in the mining and lithium industries.On May 1, 2023, the Company announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Forward Water Technologies Inc., has licensed specific intellectual property from FUJIFILM Corporation in order to solidify protection of its water treatment technology platform, and which will secure further clean water alternatives to legacy solutions to combat the ongoing global water crisis. As part of this agreement, the Company paid a $135,620 licensing fee.On May 30, 2023, the Company announced a partnership with Mead & Hunt. The Company will guide project support with its FO expertise, design know-how, and technical assets. Mead & Hunt will provide extensive supply chain connections, engineering design experience, capabilities to fabricate the needed treatment equipment, as well as an established customer pipeline.On May 31, 2023, the Company announced that it has signed a technical advisory engagement with CleanTech Lithium PLC to review and assess technologies capable of further increasing CleanTech Lithium's existing process efficiencies. Under this advisory engagement, FWTC will evaluate and advise on various technologies for use within CleanTech Lithium's operations, at its Laguna Verde and Francisco Basin projects located in the lithium triangle within Chile.Management CommentaryForward Water's CEO and President, C. Howie Honeyman comments "Fiscal year 2023 has been exciting for the Company. We have been successful in introducing the FO technology to potential customers across a number of different industries, resulting in orders for testing, a non-binding letter of intent with Mead & Hunt and a technical advisory engagement with Clean Tech Lithium PLC. In addition, the Company is in negotiations to deliver the FO pilot system on-site to support a customer's lithium extraction process in Chile". Mr Honeyman commented further, "We look forward to the year ahead as we continue to engage with our potential customers and expand our opportunities." Summary of Financial ResultsIncome Statement*Reflects the retrospective application of the 1:5 exchange ratioBalance SheetStatement of Cash FlowsAbout Forward Water Technologies Corp.Forward Water Technologies Corp. is a publicly traded Canadian company dedicated to saving the earth's water supply using its patented Forward Osmosis technology. The Company was founded by GreenCentre Canada, a leading technology innovation centre supported by the government of Canada. The Company's technology allows for the reduction of challenging waste streams simultaneously returning fresh water for re-use or surface release. The Company's mandate is to focus on the large-scale implementation of its technology in multiple sectors, including industrial wastewater, oil and gas, mining, agriculture and ultimately municipal water supply and re-use market sectors. In addition, the Company has initiated early stage R&D for the treatment of food and beverage process streams.For more information, please visit www.forwardwater.com Contact InformationFor more information or interview requests, please contact:C. Howie Honeyman - Chief Executive Officer416-451-8155Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.Forward-Looking StatementsCertain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws including statements regarding expansion and uptake of the Company's technology and the ability for the Company to achieve its growth strategy and business plan. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, the ability to scale the technology and the adoption of the technology by potential customers.Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; unanticipated operating events; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com . The
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Enbridge:How does this Massachusetts organization help those with intellectual disabilities and autism achieve independence?With "just a little bit of tech." South Shore Supportive Services (SSSS), based in Weymouth, MA, provides resources for individuals and their families through respite and home care. Served by the Department of Developmental Services and by MA Health, the agencies work together to run several different supportive programs."From family to individual to employment service programs, we focus on individuals' achievements versus the barriers they face due to their disabilities," says Amy Pratt, Development and Special Projects Coordinator."There have been so many advances in recent years that the breadth of support available now is really amazing." Just over a year ago, and in response to a shrinking pool of qualified applicants, SSSS embarked on a new direction focused on assistive technology and remote supports. The pilot project resulted in the establishment of a short-term respite apartment, intended to create an environment for independent living and offer families a break from their full-time care duties.The apartment in Cohasset is equipped with a plethora of technology to help individuals-from automatic medication dispensers to door cameras to a smart 12-in-1 countertop oven.Most innovative, however, is a remote platform installed into the room that offers a two-way communication device to reach an SSSS staff person if needed. Individuals can program the remote to provide any reminders they need to live independently, such as taking medication at set times and remembering to call mom."Ultimately, we want people to get used to trying these things on their own and getting help from staff remotely," says Pratt.In 2022, Enbridge made a $20,000 Fueling Futures donation to South Shore Supportive Services as part of our commitment to building vibrant and sustainable communities. The grant follows a $50,000 donation in 2021, which saw Enbridge fund the first year's rent for the respite apartment during its pilot stage.Pratt envisions the apartment project growing beyond the current model of offering two-night stays, although it does also serve a dual purpose as a training site during the week.As demand grows annually for the support services, the payoff of seeing the impact that SSSS respite care has on families becomes even more meaningful."We recently set an individual up with remote support and his parents were able to go out for the first time in their lives," she says. "It's just so exciting." Christopher, left, has been training on the assistive technology at South Shore Supportive Services' short-term respite apartment in Cohasset, MA.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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RADNOR, PA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / The law firm of Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP ( www.ktmc.com) informs investors that a securities class action lawsuit has been filed against Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. ("Charles River") (NYSE:CRL). The action charges Charles River with violations of the federal securities laws, including omissions and fraudulent misrepresentations relating to the company's business, operations, and prospects. As a result of Charles River's materially misleading statements and omissions to the public, Charles River's investors have suffered significant losses.CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR CHARLES RIVER LOSSES. YOU CAN ALSO CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK OR COPY AND PASTE IN YOUR BROWSER: https://www.ktmc.com/new-cases/charles-river-laboratories-international-inc?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=crl&mktm=r LEAD PLAINTIFF DEADLINE:JULY 18, 2023CLASS PERIOD: MAY 5, 2020 THROUGH FEBRUARY 21, 2023CONTACT AN ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS YOUR RIGHTS:Jonathan Naji, Esq. at (484) 270-1453 or via email at info@ ktmc.com Kessler Topaz is one of the world's foremost advocates in protecting the public against corporate fraud and other wrongdoing. Our securities fraud litigators are regularly recognized as leaders in the field individually and our firm is both feared and respected among the defense bar and the insurance bar. We are proud to have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and the classes of shareholders we represent.CHARLES RIVER'S ALLEGED MISCONDUCTCharles River is a full-service, non-clinical global drug development partner with a mission to create healthier lives. The company has three reporting segments: Research Models and Services, Discovery and Safety Assessment, and Manufacturing Solutions. The Discovery and Safety Assessment segment accounts for approximately 60% of the company's total revenue and offers, among other things, safety assessment studies required for regulatory submission of therapeutic solutions.On February 22, 2023, Charles River revealed that the company had received a subpoena from the U.S. Department of Justice relating to an ongoing investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service into the supply chain and illegal importation of non-human primates for research. On the same day, during an earnings call with investors, James C. Foster, the company's CEO, stated that the "investigation in current [non-human primate] supply situation will result in study delays in our Safety Assessment business." He further stated that the investigation into the Cambodian non-human primate chain would reduce the annual revenue forecast by approximately 200 basis points to 400 basis points.Following this news, the price of Charles River shares declined by $24.51 per share, or approximately 10.06%, from $243.60 per share to close at $219.09 on February 22, 2023.WHAT CAN I DO?Charles River investors may, no later than July 18, 2023, move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff for the class, through Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP or other counsel, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP encourages Charles River investors who have suffered significant losses to contact the firm directly to acquire more information. The class action complaint against Charles River, captioned Coleman v. Charles River Laboratories International, Inc., et al, Case No. 23-cv-11132, is filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts before the Honorable Denise Jefferson Casper.CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE CASEWHO CAN BE A LEAD PLAINTIFF?A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of all class members in directing the litigation. The lead plaintiff is usually the investor or small group of investors who have the largest financial interest and who are also adequate and typical of the proposed class of investors. The lead plaintiff selects counsel to represent the lead plaintiff and the class and these attorneys, if approved by the court, are lead or class counsel. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision of whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff.ABOUT KESSLER TOPAZ MELTZER & CHECK, LLPKessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP prosecutes class actions in state and federal courts throughout the country and around the world. The firm has developed a global reputation for excellence and has recovered billions of dollars for victims of fraud and other corporate misconduct. All of our work is driven by a common goal: to protect investors, consumers, employees and others from fraud, abuse, misconduct and negligence by businesses and fiduciaries. The complaint in this action was not filed by Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP. For more information about Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP please visit www.ktmc.com CONTACT:Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLPJonathan Naji, Esq.280 King of Prussia RoadRadnor, PA 19087(484) 270-1453info@ ktmc.com SOURCE: Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Aflac IncorporatedMy Special Aflac Duck waddled on the wild side with approximately 240 pediatric oncology families at the Philadelphia Zoo in May.The free-of-charge event, exclusively for childhood cancer patients and their families, was hosted by Ronald McDonald House Charities Philadelphia Region and Eagles Fly for Leukemia.Attendees had the opportunity to visit more than 1,900 rare and endangered animals at America's first zoo and learned about available resources for families and patients, including My Special Aflac Duck, a free-of-charge resource designed to bring comfort and joy to children ages 3 and up during their cancer journey.Patients and families got to see firsthand the soft and cuddly companion's features that help children prepare for medical procedures, communicate their feelings, practice distraction techniques and so much more.My Special Aflac Duck, designed hand-in-hand with more than 100 families undergoing cancer treatment at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, comes equipped with:Medical play accessories such as a port-a-cath, IV, stethoscope, pulse oximeter, and syringe.Feeling cards that can help children communicate their feelings; they simply tap one of the seven included feeling cards to the lights on the duck's chest, and it will act out that emotion.Soundscape spaceship, designed with child life specialists and psychologists, lets children listen to sounds of a forest, space, ocean, farm or amusement park - perfect for practicing distraction therapy in what can be a noisy setting.Introduced in 2018 for children with cancer, Aflac has since added accessories to My Special Aflac Duck specifically designed to help support pediatric sickle cell patients and, to date, has delivered more than 23,000 ducks free of charge in the United States, Northern Ireland and Japan."We were so grateful to be able to bring My Special Aflac Duck to be among the zoo's unique animals that would bring joy to patients and their families, giving them a night away, one full of adventure and wonder," said Mandy Flynn, program manager, Corporate Social Responsibility. "To see the smiles on their faces, and to serve alongside other organizations with a similar mission, is a sweet reminder of why we do what we do - give support, hope, time and resources to children and families who face cancer and blood disorders." Since 1995, Aflac has contributed more than $168 million to the pediatric cancer and blood disorders cause, including nearly $6 million donated by more than15,000 independent agents licensed to sell Aflac products. See the My Special Aflac Duck in action and learn more about this important initiative by visiting AflacChildhoodCancer.org Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999Z2300672View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Aflac Incorporated on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Aflac IncorporatedWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/aflac-incorporated Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Aflac Incorporated
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MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / In the ever-evolving landscape of global finance, money has continuously adapted to changing times. From gold and silver to banknotes and digital account balances, the concept of money has undergone significant transformations. The latest chapter in this narrative unfolds with the emergence of digital currencies, decentralized forms of money that rely on a network of users rather than traditional banks and regulators. This groundbreaking financial revolution attracts billions in investments and millions of new users annually.Embracing the Digital Currency WaveAs digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum gain mainstream acceptance, businesses and entrepreneurs are increasingly adopting them as their primary mode of payment. These currencies are no longer confined to niche communities; they are now used to purchase goods, services, and even real estate and vehicles. The financial system could transition to a decentralized structure since numerous financial assets already exist in electronic form, including bonds, equities, and derivatives.Motion Plus: A Visionary CompanyRecognizing the transformative potential of digital currencies and blockchain technology, Motion Plus, a forward-thinking company, sought to carve out a niche in the market by assisting people in navigating through the complexities of this new financial landscape. Originally established to help customers with everyday tasks and duties, the company recently shifted its focus to providing financial assistance tailored to digital currencies.Facilitating Financial AssistanceMotion Plus works with businesses and private individuals, acting as an intermediary between them and complex technological solutions. Understanding that many people struggle to grasp the intricacies of blockchain technology, the company recognized the need for guidance to embrace its potential fully. In response, Motion Plus introduced the "Financial Assistance" service.The primary objective of Motion Plus associates is to offer clients the best solution for converting fiat dollars into preferred digital currencies, such as USDT (USD Tether). The company strives to ensure a seamless process, protecting clients from potential errors and losses they may encounter along the way. The expertise of Motion Plus managers allows them to assist clients in selecting the most suitable digital assets based on their specific requirements.Seamless Transactions and Secure WalletsMotion Plus goes the extra mile to provide a secure environment for its clients' digital currencies. The company can create a secure wallet for clients to store their currencies and seamlessly facilitate the purchase of desired tokens upon request. By taking care of the technical aspects, Motion Plus enables individuals and businesses to focus on leveraging the potential of digital currencies without being overwhelmed by the intricacies of the technology.The Future of Blockchain TechnologyBlockchain technology has the power to revolutionize the entire financial industry. It offers improved security, reduced error rates, and substantial cost savings by redefining the processes of registration and reconciliation of financial transactions. Motion Plus, with its astute foresight, recognized the potential impact of this technology and successfully positioned itself to assist individuals and businesses on their digital currency journey.Motion Plus is a trusted partner in digital currencies and blockchain technology. By recognizing the complexities individuals and businesses face, the company provides financial assistance tailored to their needs. With a team of trained associates across the USA, Motion Plus offers stability, profitability, and guidance in navigating the transformative landscape of digital currencies. As the evolution of money continues, Motion Plus stands ready to support clients in embracing the potential of decentralized finance.Media Contact: Tyler ReedCompany: MotionPlusEmail: support@ at-motion.com Phone number: (844) 378-7024Website: https://at-motion.com/ SOURCE: MotionPlus
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Did you lose money on investments in SentinelOne? If so, please visit SentinelOne, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or pallocco@ bernlieb.com to discuss your rights.NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 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 SentinelOne, Inc. ("SentinelOne" or the "Company") (NYSE:S) between June 1, 2022 and June 1, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against the Company and certain of its officers (the "Complaint").If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than August 7, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff. If you choose to take no action, you may remain an absent class member.According to the Complaint, SentinelOne is a cybersecurity company that claims to have pioneered the world's first AI-powered Extended Detection and Response ("XDR") platform to make cybersecurity defense truly autonomous. The Company claims its Singularity Platform instantly defends against cyberattacks, performing at a faster speed, greater scale, and higher accuracy than otherwise possible from humans. The Company's fiscal year 2023 ended January 31, 2023.SentinelOne claims that its "Annualized Recurring Revenue" or "ARR" is a key business metric. The Company defines ARR as "the annualized revenue run rate of our subscription and capacity contracts at the end of a reporting period, assuming contracts are renewed on their existing terms for customers that are under contracts with us." Plaintiff alleges that Defendants made materially false and misleading statements throughout the Class Period. Specifically, Plaintiff alleges that Defendants failed to disclose that: (1) the Company lacked effective internal controls over accounting and financial reporting; (2) as a result, the Company's ARR was overstated; and (3) as a result, the Company's guidance was overstated.On June 1, 2023, after the market closed, SentinelOne published a press release titled "SentinelOne Announces First Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results." Therein, the Company disclosed that "[a]s a result of a change in methodology and correction of historical inaccuracies, which we further describe in our letter to shareholders, we made a one-time adjustment to ARR of $27.0 million or approximately 5% of total ARR." The Company also revised its fiscal year 2024 revenue guidance downward to a range of $590 million to $600 million from a range of $631 million to $640 million. In a shareholder letter published the same day, SentinelOne further explained that "we . . . discovered historical upsell and renewal recording inaccuracies relating to ARR on certain subscription and consumption contracts, which are now corrected" and that "[w]e are applying a comparable estimated adjustment to the remaining quarters in fiscal year 23, which we believe is a reasonable approximation of the impact in those periods." On this news, SentinelOne's stock price fell $7.28 per share, or more than 35%, to close at $13.44 per share on June 2, 2023.If you purchased or acquired SentinelOne securities, and/or would like to discuss your legal rights and options please visit SentinelOne, Inc. Shareholder Class Action Lawsuit or contact Peter Allocco at (212) 951-2030 or 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
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / July 6, 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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Originally published on TriplePunditNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Red meat farming is not typically at the top of the environmental balance sheet. But farmers and policymakers in New Zealand are doing their best to change that, with government efforts like the world's first tax on agricultural emissions and industry standards like the New Zealand Farm Assurance Program. Industry organizations, like Beef + Lamb New Zealand, work with farmers to implement sustainable agriculture methods that produce some of the world's best beef and lamb, while also ensuring the health of their lands and environment for future generations.So, what do the country's sustainable agriculture standards and strategies look like, and what can the rest of the world learn from them? We spoke with leaders in New Zealand's agricultural sector to find out.Creating harmony with the landSilver Fern Farms, a cooperative of 16,000 New Zealand sheep, cattle and deer farmers, is just one example of the export brands Beef + Lamb New Zealand works with that takes its stake in regenerative and sustainable agriculture seriously."New Zealand farm systems are built on understanding underlying natural capital and matching different types of animals in a grazing context to what grows on those farms," said Matt Harcombe, sustainability manager at Silver Fern Farms. "We call that the grass curve." Put simply, the grass curve refers to how much grass is available for livestock grazing throughout the year, based on seasonality, biodiversity, and weather patterns like droughts and heat waves. Operating in alignment with the grass curve means farmers must pay close attention to a number of factors related to how their operations impact land and water ecosystems - including water quality and quantity, biodiversity, and soil health."Nature-positive [farming] resonates with us because it's about looking after our soils, our pastures and our waterways," said Jeff Cleveland of Brae-Lynn Farm, one of Silver Fern Farms' supplier partners. "It's about knowing the limitations of our farm and land, and farming within those limitations, not exceeding what it's capable of." For example, Jeff and his wife, Diane, pay specific attention to propagating native trees on their property, which helps improve water quality and biodiversity as well as sequester carbon. Collecting and planting seeds from native tree species, such as Kopis (Cabbage trees), Lemonwood and Toe Toe, that grow well improves water filtration in low-lying wetland areas while attracting more native birds to the farm.Jeff and Diane are also quite mindful of their soil health and haven't cultivated the soil on their farm in 35 years. Rather, they direct drill which not only helps them conserve moisture on the property, but also ensures they retain enough organic matter in their soil to do so.The couple's strategy boils down to looking at the farm as a holistic ecosystem and understanding how that ecosystem fits together. It's not just the animals they raise, but also the entire environment in which they raise them that creates a better-quality product and a more sustainable farm system.The strategies behind sustainable farm managementWhile sustainable agriculture has inherently been imbued within Silver Fern Farms ethos, its formal approach to sustainability as we know it now commenced in 2016 and has ramped up in the last two years with a definitive sustainability action plan, including stringent nature-based and circularity targets for the company's operations and supply chain, alongside a strong emphasis on transparency.Many of the strategies that support suppliers to improve are based on what the Indigenous Maori people of New Zealand have practiced for centuries, "We are thinking about the long-term, 100-year vision and treading lightly on water, soil and restoring nature," Harcombe said. "The Maori worldview is that we're borrowing from the Earth. Our role is to give back and restore, very much in line with emerging and defined regenerative practices." Last year, Silver Fern Farms created the Maori development framework to further its implementation of Indigenous learnings. Staffed by long-term, in-house employees, this growing team looks to extend native knowledge of New Zealand's soils and ecosystems out to a broader company approach to sustainability.Leading by exampleTo do that, Silver Fern Farms discloses the full lifecycle emissions of the Net Carbon Zero meat products it produces - meeting international standards for carbon removals on participating farms and making direct payments to farmers to recognize and incentivize the role of vegetation in helping to mitigate the immediate impact of climate change."We want to create a halo of understanding around all of the aspects of sustainable red meat production," Harcombe explained. "It must have integrity. We want to be super clear on what we have done, what challenges we have ahead and what we are doing and plan to do about them. We want to lead by doing." Scaling the use of robust sustainable agriculture standards helps to ensure New Zealand's natural resources, including the lush rolling hills it's known for, can be preserved for generations to come. "From a New Zealand farm context, deeply understanding your natural resources and their limitations and matching your needs to them so you can use fewer inputs over time, that means a happy environment and happy animals," Harcombe said.New Zealand may be uniquely placed to take advantage of abundant natural resources, a supportive regulatory environment and a powerful Indigenous voice, but leading by example may be the strongest factor in a nation of humble people. "Kiwis [or New Zealanders] don't like blowing our own horn, and as farmers, we like to sit in the back corner," Cleveland said. "But we need to start telling our story." If their story is about teaching the world how to farm in harmony with the land, it is a story worth listening to.This article series is sponsored by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and produced by the TriplePundit editorial team.Image courtesy of Beef + Lamb New ZealandView additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from TriplePundit on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: TriplePunditWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/triplepundit Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: TriplePundit
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Georgia Businesses Can Still Get on the BallotATLANTA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / The Georgia Business Journal is once again proud host their annual Best of Georgia Awards. This year's awards recognize businesses from all industries for their successes and impact on their communities. From bakers to bankers, contractors to accountants, the awards honor companies that have made a difference in their local area.Best of Georgia AwardsThe Best of Georgia Official SealThe voting process is simple and easy: friends, fans and clients can vote for their favorite businesses once per day at gbj.com/best-of-vote . Winners will be featured in the Annual Print Edition, The Digital Edition, plus on social media and in the GBJ.com Newsletter.Businesses who are not yet on the ballot still have time to get in the running. They can visit https://gbj.com/join to create a free listing and automatically be put on the Best of Georgia Ballot.This year's awards are an exciting opportunity for businesses to showcase what makes them unique and stand out from the competition. "We're thrilled to kick off this year's Best of Georgia Awards," said GBJ CEO David Greer. "These awards recognize organizations who provide excellence in customer service, innovation and dedication to our community." The Best of Georgia Awards celebrates businesses that have gone above and beyond when it comes to providing quality products or services, leading with integrity, and making a positive impact on their customers' lives. These awards are also an excellent way for businesses to gain recognition within their community and help build relationships with potential customers or partners."We want these awards to not only recognize outstanding companies but also highlight the importance of supporting local business," said Greer. "Our goal is to celebrate the hard work, dedication and commitment put forth by these amazing organizations." Voting for The Best of Georgia Awards is now open. Just visit this link: https://gbj.com/best-of-vote Don't miss your chance to show your support by voting once per day for your favorite business before voting closes on October 31st.The GBJ.com and The Best of Georgia Awards are produced by Story Road Studios.The firm is a content marketing and publicity firm, focused on recognizing, celebrating, and promoting businesses on their road to success. The firm has been in business for over 25 years, publishing award winning business stories in print, video, podcasts, and newsletter formats. For information visit Storyroad.com or email David@ storyroad.com Contact Information:David GreerCEOdgreer@ tillmanallengreer.com 770-545-8746SOURCE: Georgia Business Journal
YEREVAN, 7 JULY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 7 July, USD exchange rate down by 0.09 drams to 386.19 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 0.10 drams to 420.64 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.01 drams to 4.22 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 0.50 drams to 492.82 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price down by 202.37 drams to 23700.22 drams. Silver price up by 4.41 drams to 287.69 drams.
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Want to invest in the future of the medical supply chain? Get started with iRemedy.STUART, FL / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Jim Harding, the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at healthcare supply firm iRemedy, is a renowned veteran in the technology sector with decades of experience finding innovative solutions for complex problems. iRemedy is a technology-driven healthcare and medical products distributor, and as CTO, Harding developed the AI-powered platform to find a "better way" for the $144 billion global medical supplies market. Harding recently gave an interview, discussing his background in advanced technology systems and the work he is doing with cutting-edge AI technology to change the medical supply market.A Background In Microsoft And AmazonWith a background rooted in Seattle's culture of innovation, Harding tenured as a research assistant at the University of Washington before joining a startup called Seattle Computer Products (SCP) in Tukwila, Washington. This venture famously played a crucial role in launching the personal computer (PC) industry, as it created the early Quick and Dirty Operating System (QDOS) along with its own computer. This development ultimately led to SCP making the Microsoft Disk Operating System (MSDOS) deal with Microsoft and IBM - a deal that in many ways shaped the trajectory of the computer industry.As well as co-inventing DOS and Microsoft databases, Harding was involved in leading the teams that developed the Amazon Merchants and Marketplace platforms. Now, he said, he's applying his expertise "to create a platform that solves the big problems in U.S. medical supply." iRemedy's Solution For The Medical Supply IndustryHarding crossed paths with Tony Paquin - now CEO of iRemedy - when they worked in the healthtech sector. They both wanted to address the antiquated architecture of the healthcare supply chain, and they decided to combine their expertise in an effort to fix the system. "My work in healthcare had exposed me to the problems of medical supply," said Harding. "The timing and opportunity were both good, so we joined forces. There had to be a better way." The medical supply sector is plagued by unreliability and high costs, and a Deloitte study revealed the majority of supply chain leaders don't believe their supply chains are highly resilient. iRemedy has a mission to combat these systemic weaknesses with AI-powered technology that infuses intelligence into the supply chain.iRemedy uses digital agents (bots) to automate the categorization and normalization of its vast product catalog. By continuously training the machines as new products are added, iRemedy ensures reliable and uniform results in searches across the platform while eliminating the need for human intervention in the catalog's maintenance.Creating A More Efficient Supply Network?Traditionally, access to pricing has been a major challenge in the sector, with supply chain functions accounting for 40% of a hospital's total spending. In addition to its cataloging efforts, Harding believes iRemedy has solved the pricing problems in the medical supply chain. Its patented technology enables real-time price updates, optimizing choices for the consumer and keeping its catalog constantly updated. "Our technology finds the best price for our clients every time they order," said Harding. "We've automated the building of our catalog through patented digital agents, giving us immense scale." Most medical supplies available in the U.S. are manufactured overseas, primarily in China, resulting in a fragile and unreliable distribution system characterized by high costs, slow delivery times, and scarcity. According to Harding, iRemedy's bots efficiently search throughout the global supply chain for the best product sourcing. With millions of products and potentially billions of data points to manage, these bots enable the discovery of products at a scale only achievable by machine-powered solutions - using patented technology to get price updates in real-time and keep the company's product catalog fresh.Harding ended the interview on a note of optimism for the future of healthcare. He predicts a steady shift in manufacturing supplies to the U.S. and allied nations, with this gradual transition potentially making the supply chain more resilient and cost-effective.Furthermore, advancements in science and medical treatments hold promise for enhancements to overall health and wellness. iRemedy is focused on "giving these products a go to market' solution using our platform," said Harding. "As we see new drugs, devices and treatments get approved for use, iRemedy plans to use our platform to get them in the hands of healthcare providers and consumers as quickly and efficiently as possible." Find out how to invest in iRemedy's innovative solutions.Visit iRemedy's website to learn more about the company.Featured photo by Tianyi Ma on Unsplash.Contact:Debbie RinderknechtGary Paquin1-888-701-6918investors@ iremedy.com SOURCE: iRemedy
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) released its 2022 Impact Report (PDF), detailing the Credit Union's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. UNFCU's positive impact advanced 14 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Key achievements in support of the UN SDGs:100% climate neutral since 2016Updated investment policies to prohibit investments in tobacco, firearms, and fossil fuel industriesExpansion of United in Sustainability (UIS) Network to 100 credit unions132% increase in the number of accounts across all green products12 years' active membership in the UN Global Compact5 strategic initiatives completed by Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) programsUNFCU Foundation empowered more than 13,300 women and youth in marginalized communities"At this midway point for collective global action on achieving the UN SDGs, we are committed to prioritizing positive change in the communities we serve," said Yma Gordon, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact at UNFCU, and Executive Director of the UNFCU Foundation. "Our CSR is guided by the UN SDGs and is a reflection of and commitment to our members' work globally." Last year, for example, UNFCU expanded the UIS Network it founded for credit unions and their associations beyond North America. UNFCU's staff also conducted more than 6,000 volunteer hours working on internal and external sustainability initiatives."From shaping allyship and supplier diversity programs to regularly convening our industry on environmental, social, and governance (ESG), 2022 was a year of action," said Prasad Surapaneni, Co-Executive Sponsor of UNFCU's CSR Program. "With this momentum, we aim to contribute even more to advancing the UN SDGs." Philanthropy is one of three focus areas for UNFCU's CSR. The UNFCU Foundation, an accredited New York-based nonprofit corporation, invested $1 million in poverty alleviation for women and youth, and humanitarian relief efforts. Against the backdrop of socio-economic and geopolitical uncertainty, UNFCU Foundation supported critical access to education, health care, and jobs training.UNFCU developed its 2022 Impact Report with reference to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). In close collaboration with Greenhouse Gas Accounting specialists, the Credit Union tracked emissions using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol standard.About United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU)UNFCU is the member-owned credit union of the United Nations community, dedicated to providing financial peace of mind. UNFCU was founded in 1947 and serves more than 200,000 members across the globe. In 2015, it established the UNFCU Foundation, which has a mission to sustain the path out of poverty through healthcare and education for women and youth. You can learn more in the UNFCU 2022 Impact Report (PDF).For media questions, contact: Elisabeth Philippe, UNFCU, +1 3476866776, mobile: +1 347-510-4036, or ephilippe@ unfcu.com View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU)Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/united-nations-federal-credit-union-unfcu Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU)
Yoruba actress and producer Ibironke Anthony, known as Ronke Oshodi-Oke, regrets campaigning for the All Progressives Congress (APC) political party.

The actress disclosed this in an interview with Chude Jideonwe and cited reasons on Friday.

The Yoruba movie star accused the ruling party of failing in their promises throughout their eight years of administration in Nigeria.

The 48-year-old actress expressed her regrets and recounted how the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was inconsistent in his response about what truly happened during the Endsars protests.

SARS, a controversial police unit, was accused of having links to extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, extortion, torture and framing up suspects.

After several investigations into its activities, the unit was disbanded in October 2020 after Nigerians took to the streets during the EndSARS protests.

Ronke, who began her acting career with a drama group called Star Parade, recounted how she felt about the incident, particularly with the alleged lies to cover up the truth.

She said, I love APC. Im a fan of APC in body and soul. I feel APC is going to take Nigeria to the next level. Thats how I felt. Even while campaigning for them, I didnt collect much. You understand. Im not looking at the money. I was looking at what is going to happen later.

I knew eight years cannot fix Nigeria. We all know that, but I was so down when that Endsars of a thing came up. I was down. Our Governor is saying three things at the same time. Three things! Does that make any sense to you? Im not sorry to say this. I will say it anywhere.

Buttressing herself in Yoruba, she said, Ki n eni yo ma pa Iro meta, ni e meta papo, which translates to When someone is inconsistent with their words just to hide the truth, he gives three different responses on one issue.

The actress claimed that there was evidence to prove what the government did during the Endsars protest. According to her, they chose to cover it up. She noted that the impact of one persons death is beyond just killing the person.

Ronke said, They said they didnt kill anybody. You kill one person, and if one person dies, 50 people have died with that person. The people that one person is feeding, the parents and siblings, before they get themselves back, maybe two to five years later. Its a thing of the mind. Thats one.

Secondly, so many injuries. So many. I see some guys. They cannot use their legs again; some cut them, yet you tell me you did not kill them. Does that make any sense? I regretted working for them for that reason alone. She added.

Campaigning for APC

According to the Guardian report in February 2015, Ronke Oshodi was among Yoruba Nollywood actors and actresses who stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) guber rally in Lagos, declaring support for the party and its candidates in the coming elections.

Some of the Yoruba acts that took part in the Lagos rally aside from Ronke Oshodi included Moji Olaiya, Remi Shitta-Bay, Remi Oshodi, Iyabo Oko; Eniola Badmus and Fadeyi Oloro, LAwori, among others.

Alongside her colleagues, they campaigned to Lagosians to get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), come out en masse on election days and vote without fear.

During the campaign, they testified to the good works of the party across the state. They also said they had no apologies to their colleagues, who threatened them to support the opposition party.

During the 2019 elections, Ronke Oshodi also campaigned for APC. In a music video she sang entirely in Yoruba, the actress sang the partys praises and urged citizens to vote for Muhammadu Buhari as President.

In the video, she also encouraged people to vote for Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, admonishing his good deeds in the state.

EndSars Massacre

The EndSar movement slogan agitated the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The band was a notorious unit of the Nigerian Police with an alleged record of abuse of Nigerian citizens.

The protest started in 2017 as a Twitter campaign using the hashtag #EndSARS to demand the disbanding of the unit by the government.

However, in October 2022, many youths took to the streets to demonstrate their agitation against police abuses, particularly among the (Sars) police unit. Though, many protests were repressed across the country.

According to Amnesty International, at least 12 people were killed in the #EndSars protests, while dozens were injured, including at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos on 20 October 2020. It reported that some witnesses recorded evidence on live-stream. They claimed they saw soldiers shooting at protesters at the venue.

Meanwhile, several reports have been made internationally and nationally about what transpired during the massacre.

However, the army and Nigerian government continue to deny anybody was killed at Lekki tollgate, and instances at other demonstrations are scarcely acknowledged.

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A list of 67 suspicious transactions scheduled for investigation by Cameroons tax agency shows a total equivalent of $656 million in undeclared payments from state coffers to questionable business entities and individuals. The list, obtained by the Arizona Project team in Cameroon (see box at end of article), covers the period 2017 to 2021 and contains the names of beneficiaries with foreign connections, some real and some possibly fake.

However, the tax investigations, initiated by former tax agency Director-General Mopa Fatoing, seem to have been snuffed out. No results have been forthcoming and Mr Fatoing was recently removed from his post by Cameroons President, Paul Biya.

This is another finding of the Arizona Project (See story: The murder of Martinez Zogo) investigation into the murder of journalist Martinez Zogo, which was conducted by Cameroonian and West African journalists in ZAMs partner Network of African Investigative Reporters and Editors (NAIRE), together with the ZAM platform itself and international partners in Italy, Nigeria, Togo, and Equatorial Guinea (see credit box). There are no indications whatsoever that any one of the individuals named on the list -except for Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, who is now jailed on charges in connection with the case- have anything to do with the murder of Martinez Zogo. But the journalists gruesome killing created a climate of terror and silence in which any and all corruption investigations in Cameroon, including the tax agencys list of 67 cases, came to a standstill.

A terse letter

According to a letter written by former tax Director-General Mopa Modeste Fatoing, his office was put on the trail of the 67 cases by the states own anti-corruption agency, ANIF (LAgence Nationale dinvestigation Financiere). ANIF investigates fraud and money laundering concerning state finances and is attached to the Ministry of Finance. The letter, which was attached to the Excel spreadsheet of the 67 transactions, is dated 5 July 2021. It is addressed by Fatoing to his revenue services monsieur le chef de division des enquetes, de la programmation et du suivi des controles, i.e. the investigations divisions chief.

The tone of the letter is terse. I had already instructed you to follow up on (the list), he wrote. Up to today, these instructions have not been followed. ANIF needs dossier numbers to work with. However, little has been heard from the tax office on the list of 67. Mr Fatoing was removed and posted to an office position at the IMF in Washington on 26 January 2023, a mere four days after the murdered body of Martinez Zogo was found in the Cameroonian capital Yaounde.

Titled etat des dossiers programmables (status of cases to be scheduled), the Excel sheet containing the 67 payment lines shows that the tax agency is, or at least was, concerned that individuals with access to Cameroons state budget paid out massive amounts of state money for mostly unclear services between 2017 and 2021 to, inter alia, foreign exchange and money transfer companies, mining and wood logging companies, tourist and transport companies, hotels and financial consulting companies. In twenty-nine of the sixty-seven cases, there was no indication of what the money was for.

The 67 transactions also include a substantial number of payments to companies connected to media mogul Amougou Belinga, who was arrested in January 2023 on charges in connection with the murder of Martinez Zogo and for which he is still awaiting trial (See story: The life and trials of a media tycoon). According to the spreadsheet, Belingas companies could have received payments amounting to the FCFA equivalent of $125 million. But even though Belingas cases have largely been made public in Cameroon, were very publicly investigated by the tax authorities, and form the background of the current charges against him in the Martinez Zogo case, he is not the biggest fish to be found in the tax agencys Excel sheet (1). That is an Italian called Eugenio Matarazzi, whose forestry company Societe Industrielle de Mbang (SIM) appears to have received more than double that: over $273 million for wood logging in one transaction alone. According to the spreadsheet, Matarazzi also received $200,000 personally (see below for SIMs and Matarazzis comments).

The Italian link

Unrelated to the tax case, Arizona Project Team partner Edoardo Anziano of IRPI (Investigative Reporting Project Italy, found that Matarazzis company has a reputation for illegal logging in Cameroon. In 2004, Anziano reports, the NGO Global Witness found irregularities in forest concessions where SIM was subcontracted by another company. In one case, this company through its sub-contractor SIM was found guilty of timber extraction out of the limits (), of failure in marking the stumps and trees, and of abandoning the timber produced. In 2005, the following year, the NGO Greenpeace claimed that the Cameroonian-based timber company Societe Industrielle de Mbang (SIM) is involved in large-scale illegal logging in Cameroon, both directly and indirectly.

Reports from local communities allegedly affected by SIMs logging operations align with these accusations. In the Mbam et Kim region, this company now has a virtual monopoly on logging operations, which it has won with the active support of a highly influential local elite, a senior official of the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife told the news site Cameroun24. According to the Association des Journalistes Africains pour lEnvironnement (Association of Environmental Journalists) in Cameroon, other officials have defined SIMs activities as illegal plundering of forests.

The forestry minister helped, forest communities protested

According to a Facebook post from 2015 about a visit to Italy organised by the Cameroon-Italy Friendship Association, both the Italian ambassador to Cameroon and Matarazzi were present at a dinner organised by Theodore Datouo, the deputy speaker of the Cameroonian parliament. But Datouo is only one of a number of influential contacts of Matarazzi in Cameroon. His principal ally is forestry minister Jules Doret Ndongo, who has extended many forest concessions to SIM and has, according to a reliable source, also been instrumental in granting public money to SIM after it threatened to declare bankruptcy and lay off hundreds of its staff unless it was granted government assistance.

In 2020, community representatives of the eastern region of Lom and Djerem in Cameroon wrote to Doret Ndongo to ask him to stop yet another concession to SIM because our water comes from the forest, according to news site Stopblabla.com.

We could not establish if the concession continued regardless.

Both Matarazzis contacts Datouo and Ndongo are reportedly close to Chantal Biya, the wife of Cameroons President Paul Biya.

In a letter sent in response to questions, SIM said that it does not sell anything to the state of Cameroon and that it also has never requested and does not receive state subsidies, adding that Mr. Eugenio Matarazzi has never requested or obtained money from the Cameroonian state. SIM attached tax certificates, dated 13 and 15 June 2023, declaring that neither it nor Mr Matarazzi owe any tax to the state of Cameroon. It also attached confirmation of a tax audit, dated 15 February 2022,, that covered the four years 2017, 2018, 21019, 2020, i.e. the same period as the list in ZAMs possession. The tax audit confirmation letter reads, inter alia, that envisaged adjustments were brought to the attention of the taxpayer. In its letter, SIM cites this, adding that to our knowledge, this verification did not reveal the criminal acts which would have been reported to you. With regard to the reported irregularities in SIMs forest concessions, the company said that in Cameroon, forest concessions are awarded by the State and in particular the Ministry in charge of public procurement on the basis of objective criteria and following an open and transparent procedure. It is not uncommon for losers to cry out about unfair competition and fraud. The company reiterated that accusations of irregularities, illegal logging, plunder and benefiting from elite connections are part of such smear campaigns.

Another major recipient of state money on the list of 67 is a foreign exchange company based in Maroua in the far northern part of Cameroon, which borders Chad and Nigeria: it received the equivalent of $227 million for unspecified services. A third recipient, a company that goes by its abbreviation, FINEX, received $38 million for transport. This appears to show that the government paid the real bus company First National Express FINEX for travel, which it provides between Cameroons two main cities Yaounde and Douala. However, close scrutiny through the Orbis company database reveals that the FINEX beneficiary listed on the spreadsheet is a different company. The one on the list has (among other numbers) a Mauritanian phone number, is in shipping, and is represented by a person whose phone number is in Yaounde but whose email address appears to be from within the French multinational construction company Bollore network.

No road like that

Also in the top ten, in 6th and 7th place respectively, are two directors of companies in Nigeria, who were paid the equivalent of $13 million and $7 million respectively. The first directors company could not be traced to its registered address at 10 Market Road in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state in Nigerias South-South. Colleagues from the Nigerian online news platform the Premium Times (PT) www.premiumtimesng.com, who went to check in Uyo, were told that it does not exist by local residents, cab drivers and other transport operators. The Chairperson of the Uyo Local Government Area, Uwemedimo Udo, told the team in a text message, No road like that to my knowledge, please.

The PT team also could not find the second directors company at its registered address of Plot 3, block 38, Yinka Bello street off Admirality Way 12 in Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The occupants of the building in the said address are Lagos Bridge Hotel, the PT team reported. An official of the hotel said they have occupied the space since 2006, three years before the incorporation of (the company you are looking for). Neither of the two companies seems to have a website, and an extensive search shows that they dont have an online presence on social networking platforms. All efforts to retrieve contacts for the individuals or their company ask them for comment proved futile, reported the PT team.

A person listed in 9th place is based in Jaipur, India and received $5.6 million for unspecified services. We could not find any functional contact details for the businessman, but a person matching the name and the Cameroonian company registration is listed as chairing a company in raw farm products with headquarters in Singapore, which does not appear to have a website, nor a contact address or email. It shares its Singapore address with a shipping company. The same individual is also listed as a director of a travel company with offices in Abuja and Kano in Nigeria, but there was no response at either of the two listed office telephone numbers when the Premium Times team tried to call. No contacts could be found for two other companies registered to the same person in Benin either. In 10th place is a company in Yaounde, which received $5.5 million, also for unspecified services. According to its Yaounde registration, the entity does market research into wellness, but no response was obtained from emails and phone calls to the listed contacts.

Foldout or box

The case of Baba Danpoulo and his friendship with the president

The payment amounts for the last seven entries on the tax agency Excel sheet are left blank, which means that one cannot assess how much these entities received from Cameroon state budgets. Most remarkably, among these seven entries is the name of Baba Danpoulo, a multi-millionaire reputed to be one of Africas ten richest men and a personal friend of President Paul Biya. Danpoulo, who claims to be worth at least $940 million, stands accused by South Africas First National Bank of defaulting on loan and interest repayments to the extent of $165 million, for which FNB has attached buildings he bought with his loans in South Africa, including the Thibault building in Cape Town and a 32-storey high rise in Johannesburg.

In response and amid much outrage in Cameroon government circles, a Cameroon court froze the bank accounts of two South African companies operating in Cameroon, the mobile network MTN and Tiger Brands subsidiary Chococam, in November 2022. The two companies recently approached a higher court in Cameroon for leave to appeal this action. This retaliation has been called ridiculous by an anonymous advocate who specialises in international law in Cameroon. The advocate published an in-depth analysis of the wrangle in Cameroonian media, agreeing with South Africas foreign affairs minister Naledi Pandor that such acts damage international relations. And we are not even asking where Baba Danpoulo got all his wealth from, the advocate commented.

Baba Danpoulos lawyer Aggee Mbanzehe said in response to questions that these are very sensitive and I need to discuss with my client. When approached again four days later, Mbanzehe reiterated that Mr Baba is not around and I need his special authorisation to give any information about those sensitive issues.

Among the next twenty listed beneficiaries from payments ranging from $4.5 to $1.5 million are: a mining company registered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that does not appear to have a website or a functioning email address; a construction company registered in Oman; an import-export company registered in Nigeria under a Nigerian representative but with a Cameroonian married couple as directors and a person with the same name as a director of a previously sanctioned Belgium-based diamond buying company which does much business in Central Africa. Phone calls to the companys listed office in Antwerp, made to ask for comment on its inclusion on the tax agency list were left without a response and an email bounced. A travel company with branches in Togo, whose director, according to our investigative partner in Togo, is from Benin, would have received close to $2 million from Cameroonian state coffers. The director, who was reached by phone, denied this, saying he or his companies had never received any payment from the state of Cameroon.

A money transfer company with offices in Equatorial Guinea as well as in Cameroon features in 23rd place on the list and has, according to the tax agencys spreadsheet, received over $1.5 million. Colleagues from the Equatorial Guinean Diario Rombe, which operates from exile in Spain, knew of this company as connected to ruling circles in that country. Upon investigating, they discovered that, on the business site ZoomInfo, the company is listed at a New York address with a number of US-based representatives. However, the same people appear on several similar-looking websites with what are probably stock photos, exactly the same every time, while the contact phone number listed on ZoomInfo is still Cameroonian.

Customers left high and dry

The same money transfer company has recently been the target of much outrage in Cameroon. A local colleague reports, It stopped paying out money that came from (the diaspora in) Europe. It even closed its doors. It is rumoured that some Africans in the diaspora with a base in Strasbourg, France have accumulated money abroad and customers in Cameroon have been left high and dry.

A phone call by the local colleague to the companys branch in Akwa, Douala, was answered by a security man and later by an administrative employee, but neither of these responded to the question of whether operations were ongoing, or where the Cameroonian CEO who has reportedly not been seen for a while, might be reached. All other efforts to contact the company or its representatives for comment on the current situation as well as on its inclusion on the tax agencys list, whether by email or phone, also remained fruitless.

The companys website seems only intermittently functional, but its Facebook page still lists Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Strasbourg as its areas of operation. A recent posting on its page by a dissatisfied customer called Stella Alexis says Tsuippp, agence fausse, which roughly translates as you are a damn fake agency.

USA fronts

A number of other companies that feature on the list are ostensibly registered in the United States, but these registrations may, like the money transfer companys New York registration on ZoomInfo, be fronts for individuals who are resident in Cameroon or Central Africa itself. These individuals may also be using the names and logos of other people, or other real companies, without their knowledge.

A Cameroon-based man, for example, 24th on the list and the recipient of around $1.5 million, is using the logo of a financial consulting company CBIZ based in Cleveland, USA, on his LinkedIn profile, claiming that he is a documents controller for CBIZ. A spokesperson for CBIZ in Cleveland told us that they did not know this man, nor have they worked with any Cameroonians.

Another Cameroonian, who according to the tax agency document was paid around $670,000 through his Cameroon-based company for cellulose products, mentions on his LinkedIn profile that he lives in Chicago, US. A ZoomInfo page mentions the same man as a co-founder of an identically named company in California, USA. Like CBIZ in Cleveland, the California-based company said in response to questions that they did not know the man, nor have they worked with any Cameroonians.

Our investigations into the cases on the list did not include Amougou Belingas companies, since payments from state coffers to him were widely investigated and published in Cameroon, inter alia by Martinez Zogo, already. (To find out more read The murder of Martinez Zogo).

Foldout

Our correspondence with the International Monetary Fund

On 14 June 2023, ZAM wrote to the IMF in Washington, asking to be connected to former Cameroon Directorate of Taxation Director-General, Modeste Fatoing. Fatoing had been pushing to investigate the 67 cases but was transferred by President Biya to an IMF post in Washington on 26 January 2023, four days after Martinez Zogos mutilated body was found in a suburb in Yaounde. No response to the email was received. ZAM emailed a second time on 20 June 2023, this time including more detail, saying that it was very important that (Modeste Fatoing) is made aware of questions relating to his posting to the IMF, four days after the murder of journalist Martinez Zogo in Cameroon. Our email continued to say that our working hypothesis was that both the murder (of Zogo) and Mr Fatoings posting (were) connected to illicit financial flows that the Cameroon revenue service was investigating under the leadership of Mr Fatoing and that this investigation appeared to have come to a halt after the murder of Zogo and the removal from Cameroon of Mr Fatoing. Our email asked that, in the case that Mr Fatoing is not able or willing, or cannot be enabled by you, to give his views on the above, the IMF itself answer the following questions:

1. Were or are you aware that Mr Fatoing was posted to the IMF by Cameroons president days after the murder of journalist Martinez Zogo?

2. Were or are you aware that Martinez Zogo had forcefully denounced high level corruption, particularly illicit payments to a businessman, Amougou Belinga, who stands accused of having externalised millions of dollars in Cameroon state money towards personal business ventures in France?

3. Were or are you aware that Mr Belinga is now in jail in Cameroon on charges of the murder of Martinez Zogo, whose mutilated body was found on 22 January 2023 in Yaounde?

4. Were or are you aware that the Cameroon revenue service under the leadership of Mr Fatoing was investigating no less than 67 illicit financial outflows from Cameroon state coffers (including ones who benefited Mr Belinga), many of which seem to have ended up in European countries as well as in the United States?

5. Were or are you aware that this investigation has come to a standstill after Mr Fatoings departure from Cameroon to the IMF?

6. What is your comment on the current situation, where it appears as if the IMF is sheltering a corruption fighter who has been sidelined from Cameroon?

7. Protective as such shelter might be to Mr Fatoing, how does the IMF envisage proceeding vis a vis Cameroon, where monetary and financial policy appear not to be in good order and corruption fighting institutions, as well as the revenue service, are noticeably silent after the murder of Martinez Zogo and the removal of Mr Fatoing?

8. Does the IMF aim to encourage good financial governance in countries like Cameroon and if so, how does it do that? Our email ended with the sentence that we would very much like to include your and Mr Modeste Fatoings comments for our publication.

To this email, an IMF spokesperson responded on the same day, 20-6-2023, that:

* The issues concerning the work done by the tax agency in Cameroon are best dealt with by the relevant institutions in Cameroon. It is not in the IMFs purview to comment on this.

* To clarify, the employment of IMF staff is based on a rigorous and impartial recruitment process that is driven by IMF guidelines and international best practices for recruitment. Modeste Fatoing Mopa was competitively selected to the position of Head of TADAT secretariat in our Fiscal Affairs Department in a process that attracted several internal and external candidates. Modeste started his functions at the IMF on February 6, 2023.

Credit box

The ZAM and NAIRE Arizona Project

The Arizona Project model dates back to 1976, when Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles, who had been working on stories about land fraud and the Italian-American mafia in Arizona, was blown up in an explosion caused by TNT that had been placed under his car. In response to the murder, Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) in the US put together a team of 30 reporters who gathered in Phoenix to finish Bolless story. It was the first large-scale collaborative investigative journalism project in history.

After the murder of Martinez Zogo, the Network of African Investigative Reporters and Editors (NAIRE) initiated a discussion with ZAM on the possibilities of carrying out an Arizona Project in Cameroon in order to assist colleagues under siege in that country and retrieve important information. ZAM agreed to use its office as a base for the coordination.

The decision to send colleagues into Cameroon was not taken lightly. It would be risky because of the danger of violence, detention, and torture for which Cameroonian security forces are known. However, NAIRE found members willing to go regardless. They were Selay Kouassi from Ivory Coast, David Dembele from Mali, and Bram Posthumus, also based in Ivory Coast. They were to work in close contact with Cameroon-based colleagues, who had access to information but could not be exposed for their safety. These colleagues, as much as ZAM and NAIRE would like to credit them in full, cannot be named for the same reason.

Investigations editor Evelyn Groenink worked full-time in the ZAM back office to coordinate the project, serve as liaison, and edit the results.

When the team discovered that illicit financial flows from Cameroon to foreign countries were a crucial factor in the murder of Martinez Zogo, international partners in the Global Investigative Journalism Network were also ready to help. These were:

 The Investigative Reporting Project Italy, in particular reporter Edoardo Anziano, who dived into the case on the Italian side.

 Premium Times reporter Kabiru Yusuf, who, in spite of the investigative publications heavy workload, was made available by his editors to work on the Nigerian and USA fronts of the story.

 Diario Rombe (Equatorial Guinea/Spain), which investigated a money transfer agency link between Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

 Pierre-Claver Kuvo , editor of De Cive in Togo and coordinator of the Togolese Consortium of Investigative Journalists Togo Reporting Post, who focused on the links to Togo and Benin.

ZAM and NAIRE extend their greatest thanks to these colleagues, who worked with (other) African investigative journalists in solidarity.

The project also owes thanks to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ), which provided crucial and much-needed advice.

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As we reach the heart of the rainy season, the Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, has said his administration is doing all necessary to mitigate the annual flooding and its impacts in some parts of the state.

The governor, who was speaking on a Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) live programme on Tuesday, said a flood assessment committee inaugurated almost a year ago has come up with recommendations to reduce the impacts of flooding.

He said his government is working on the recommendations of the committee, among which include the dredging of nearby rivers and clearing grasses on the waterways that slow the flow of water.

Last August, torrential rain led to flooding. More than 100 people were killed, and thousands more were displaced. Many families lost their homes, livestock, and farmlands. The floods also destroyed infrastructures like dams and bridges and washed away several roads.

As a government, we are constructing culverts and drainage in towns to enable the free flow of water. A technical committee set up has recommended more embarkment at flood-prone areas to ensure that the communities are protected; that is what we have been doing for a long, and we have covered about 85 kilometres of embarkment.

The embarkment is not less than 2.5 metres high and less than four metres thick as recommended by the technical committee; we have covered 35 communities within eight local government areas and a distance of about 85 to 90 kilometres (doing the embarkment).

On the clearing of the waterways, Mr Namadi said the total kilometres between the upstream area in Jigawa and the downstream area in Yobe State is about 418 kilometres and trimming projects of the World Bank has done (desilting of the river and clearing of the waterways) about 95 kilometres in 27 months.

To serve the situation, the Jigawa state government have commenced the clearing up of grasses using the state-acquired excavator machines that have covered 36 kilometres within four months, and there are about 323 left; this is something that must be done.

The Hadejia Jamare River Basin Development Authority bought two more excavators for the state. Every day the four machines dredge 250 meters; this is part of the effort being made, he said.

Collective effort

According to the governor, recent surveys showed that the dams capacity could only hold 2.2 billion cubic meters of water  meaning that about 700 million cubic litres of water must flow out, in that regard, destroying farmlands and houses and affecting the communities negatively.

READ ALSO: Jigawa governor catches health workers selling free drugs

The federal authorities must understand this challenge and do something about it. The clearing exercise being embarked upon by the Jigawa state government is capital-intensive; we are planning to cover 300 kilometres.

This is what we need to understand and act collectively, and the authorities need to take the warning given by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), not telling the states that there is going to be rain or flood but what can we do as a country to help the situation?

The rivers are not being maintained for long periods, and the state has limited resources to maintain the rivers. Jigawa state has swung to action in addressing the flooding, but has limitations, the governor appealed.

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Over half of the domestic flights in Nigeria between January and March were delayed, an official report states, confirming the complaints of travellers about incessant flight delays in the countrys airports.

Of the total 18,288 domestic flights within the period, 10,128 were delayed 9about 55 per cent), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stated in a report tagged Executive Summary on International and Domestic Flight Operations.

Many Nigerians have lamented the incessant delay in domestic flights by operators across the countrys airports. Many have taken to social media to narrate their experiences with some flights delayed for over 24 hours.

In its report, the NCAA said the 11 domestic airlines operating in the country also had 284 flight cancellations within the period.

The report also stated that 2,791,591 passengers passed through the nations domestic airports in the first quarter of 2023, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

It indicates that, of the 2,791,591 passengers, 1,391,560 were inbound and 1,400,031 outbound.

Also, the summary indicates passenger traffic of 870,776 on international airlines operations in the first quarter of the year.

The breakdown shows that while inbound passenger traffic of 375,700 was recorded, outbound traffic was 495,076 on the international routes.

In the first quarter, 25 foreign airlines operated 3,073 flights on international routes, while 11 domestic airlines operated 18,288 flights on domestic routes.

Also, 1,193 complaints were received from passengers by the NCAA, on delayed flights on international routes, with 24 complaints of cancellations and six of air returns.

ALSO READ: Emirate Airlines reinstate flights to Nigeria

On domestic flights, 10,128 flights were delayed within the first three months, with 284 cancelled and 28 cases of air returns.

The report indicates that 499 flights were delayed on foreign flights in January, with Air Peace topping the list with 53, followed by Asky with 45, Qatar Airways with 41 and British Airways with 33, amongst others.

In February, delayed flights were 325, with AWA recording 30, Ethiopian Airlines 33, Kenya Airways 11; while in March, 369 flights were delayed, with Qatar Airways recording 32, United Airlines had 1 and Air Peace recorded 64.

There were seven cancelled flights in January, 13 in February and four in March.

A total number of 25 Air/ramp return flights were recorded in the first quarter of the year.

Missing baggage was 9,087, and the number of those found was 7,942 on international flights, while 31 were found on domestic flights.

During the period under review, NCAA received 27 complaints from international operations and 45 on domestic flights.

Nine cases were resolved on international flights, while 22 were resolved on domestic flights.

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Four children of a former military governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Idongesit Nkanga, have urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja, to help them reclaim their deceased fathers family house in the capital city.

The children  Utibeabasi Nkanga, Etietop Nkanga, Lance Nkanga, and Ini-Idara Nkanga  and their mother, Joanna, urged the judge, O A. Musa, to invalidate the warrant of possession of premises issued in favour of their step-mother, Mosun Nkanga.

The youngest among the children, according their lawyer, is 25 years old.

Mosun is the widow of Mr Nkanga, a former military governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Mr Nkanga, a retired air commodore, passed away in December 2020. His death arose from COVID-19 complications.

He sired six children, two females from Mosun, and four males from Joanna Achibong, the deceaseds former wife.

Mr Nkanga married Mosun in 2007 after his marriage to Joanna was dissolved by a court.

Request to retake property

The children through their lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, on Thursday, pleaded with the judge to hear an application in which they are asking the court to nullify eviction by their stepmother, Mosun.

Relying on an earlier order by the judge, Mr Musa, on 6 June, Ms (Mosun) Nkanga expelled her step-children and their mother from the family house at the upscale Asokoro area of Abuja.

The order dated 24 March 2022, issued Ms Nkanga a warrant for an immediate possession of two rooms apartment in her deceased husbands estate at No. 3A and B Mary Slessor Close, off Udo Udoma, off Yakubu Gowon Road at Asokoro.

In a submission on Thursday, Mr Effiong said, My Lord, at the moment, the children are homeless.

Recalling the eviction exercise, Mr Effiong said one of the children was seen being chased out in a video during an eviction process by the judgement creditor (Ms Nkanga).

He added that the children had lived at the property before Mosun was married by their late father in 2007, urging the judge to hear and determine the application before the looming annual judges vacation.

Ms Nkanga counters stepchildrens claims

However, Ms Nkangas lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, told the judge that there was no urgency in entertaining the childrens request to nullify the eviction order it earlier made.

Contrary to Mr Effiongs claim that his clients were homeless, Mr Omorogbe argued that at the time of the eviction the children were holidaying in France.

There is nothing before this court to suggest that these boys are homeless, Mr Omorogbe said, urging the judge not to transfer the application to a vacation judge as requested by Mr Effiong.

Mr Omorogbe complained of the media reportage of the disputed property, urging the judge to restrain lawyers from making comments that will prejudice the issues before the court.

Judge promises to revisit order

After taking arguments from both lawyers in the suit, Mr Musa said the court had a duty to revisit whatever it did.

The judge said the courts docket was congested and advised the children to find a place to stay pending when I return from the annual vacation.

He cautioned journalists against armchair reporting of court proceedings.

The judge asked journalists to attend court sittings with the intention to report them accurately.

He adjourned the suit until 1 September for hearing.

Background

Mrs Nkanga first sued her step-children children and their mother in 2021 over their refusal to grant her access to the Asokoro property.

Ruling on the matter on 17 March 2022, the court held that refusing Ms Nkanga access to her matrimonial home violated her fundamental human rights to own and have an interest in her late husbands property.

Consequently, the court barred Joanna and her children from restraining or interfering with Mosuns right to live in or enjoy her matrimonial home, pending the issuance of a letter of administration or grant of probate over the estate.

An extract of Mr Nkangas will, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, showed that there are two wings  3A and 3B with two duplexes on the premises of the Asokoro property.

The former governor gave one wing, 3A, to his wife, Mosun.

He gave the second wing, 3B, where he lived before his demise, to his children to live as a family house on the condition that it should be reverted to his wife, Mosun, when his last son, Ini-Idara, turned 30 years.

Earlier, Mr Effiong told this newspaper that Mr Nkangas last son, Ini-Idara is 25 years and that Mrs Nkanga should not have taken possession of the building until Ini-Idara is 30, as stated in the will.

He clarified that Mrs Nkanga had not gotten the letter of administration or grant of probate over the estate as directed by the court before taking possession of the premises, describing her action as an abuse of court processes.

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The House of Representatives has urged the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF) to implement the 10 per cent job reservation in Federal Ministries Department and Agencies (NDAs) of Government for Persons Living With Disability (PLWD).

This was sequel to the adoption of a motion by Kafila Ogbara (APC-Lagos) at the plenary in Abuja on Thursday

The House warned against discrimination against PLWD, adding that public buildings should be made accessible to them.

The House also told the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to direct the HoSF and MDAs to adhere strictly to the provisions of Section 29 of the discrimination against PLWD prohibition Act, 2018.

It said this is by way of providing 10 per cent of jobs available for the physically challenged persons in Nigeria.

Ms Ogbara in her motion said that discrimination against PLWD Act 2018 was enacted as part of the efforts to ensure that the rights of disabled persons in the country were safeguarded.

She said Section 6 of the Act provides that there shall be a transitory period of five years within which all public buildings and structures must be accessible and usable by PLWD.

She said that Section 29 of the Act provides that all employers of labour in public organisations shall, as much as possible, have persons with disabilities constituting at least 5 per cent of their employment.

Ms Ogbara said that the five years transitory period provided under Section 6 of the Discrimination against PLWD Act, 2018 had lapsed, hence the need for its full implementation.

She said it was the duty of the government to ensure that the rights of every Nigerian were respected, protected and fulfilled.

The House while further adopting the motion also urged all relevant security agencies to commence full enforcement of the provisions of the Act.

The House also said that when constituted its committees on Public Service Matters, Federal Character, and Legislative Compliance should ensure the implementation of the Act.

(NAN)

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The Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, has expressed concern over imminent food insecurity in the Horn of Africa due to the climate crisis.

Mr Ghebreyesus said this during an online news conference, saying that the climate crisis is a major factor determining human health outcomes.

He added that climate crisis, which prolonged drought in the greater Horn of Africa, has already driven a wave of hunger, migration and disease, putting a major strain on health services.

He said This year, nearly 60 million people will face food insecurity across the greater Horn of Africa, which includes Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda.

Over the coming months, we expect a range of extreme weather events, including drought, flood, hurricane, and heat wave, all of which harm human health.

El Nino, which has now been announced by the World Meteorological Organisation, together with global warming is already driving record temperatures.

The WHO boss said that on June 3, the world recorded its hottest day ever on record.

On malaria, he said he was pleased that together with Gavi and UNICEF, the origination would announce the allocation of 18 million doses of the RTS,S vaccine to 12 countries in Africa.

According to him, with the climate crisis changing weather patterns, mosquitoes that carry diseases are increasing in density and spreading further afield.

Malaria remains one of Africas deadliest diseases, killing nearly half a million children under the age of five every year, and accounting for approximately 96 per cent of global malaria deaths in 2021.

READ ALSO:

As the first vaccine against malaria, the RTS,S vaccine has now been delivered to more than 1.6 million children in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi, he said.

Mr Ghebreyesus said it has been shown to be safe and effective, resulting in a substantial reduction in severe malaria and a fall in child deaths.

According to him, other positives worth noting is that at least 28 African countries have expressed interest in receiving the RTS,S vaccine.

He said that a second vaccine is currently under review for pre-qualification and if successful, it would provide additional supply in the short term.

(NAN)

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Revered legal giant, Afe Babalola, is 60 years at the Bar and will be celebrating the feat with a book launch and lecture on 10 July.

The nonagenarian and founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Ekiti State, was called to the Bar of England and Wales on 9 July 1963.

He has trained over 1,000 lawyers, produced 25 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, including several Attorneys-General at the federal and state levels as well as judges up to the appellate courts, according to a statement announcing activities lined up for the diamond jubilee ceremony.

His law firm, Emmanuel Chambers, founded in 1965, is touted as the largest in the country.

Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a partner and chair of the organising committee of the anniversary, said Mr Babalola has made outstanding contributions to Nigerian Law and jurisprudence through his excellent advocacy in court and by authoring several law books.

Mr Babalola was at some point the President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria, and has been invited by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on several occasions as Amicus Curiae, said Mr Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

He said the celebration of Mr Babalolas 60th year at the Bar is scheduled at the Alfa Belgore Hall, ABUAD, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on 10 July.

Mr Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the theme of the lecture was designed to set the tone for the Future of Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria to birth a new constitutional Order where the laudable tenets of a working Constitutional Democracy will be better observed.

Among the guests expected to attend the event are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola; the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Mathew Hassan Kukah, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau.

READ THE FULL STATEMENT HERE

Obasanjo, Ariwoola, Sultan, Kukah, Maikyau others to grace Aare Afe Babalolas sixtieth call to bar ceremony.

The former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III, the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Reverend Mathew Hassan Kukah and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association Y.C. Maikyau SAN, FCIArb. are among the eminent Nigerians set to grace the sixtieth call to bar ceremony of the revered legal doyen, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, FNIALS, LL. D (London), FCIArb. The legal luminary and educationist had the privilege of being admitted to the Bar of England and Wales on July 9, 1963.

An advocate par excellence, Aare Afe Babalola has made outstanding contributions to Nigerian Law and Jurisprudence through his excellent advocacy in court and by authoring several law books. He was, at some point, the President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria. He has been invited by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on several occasions as Amicus Curiae. He has also trained over 1,000 lawyers and produced 25 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (the largest by any Law Firm in the country), including several Attorneys-General at the Federal and State Levels and Judges up to the Appellate Courts.

The events marking the celebration of the sixtieth call to bar anniversary of the legal luminary and great jurist will come up on 10th July 2023 at the Alfa Belgore Hall, Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Afe Babalola Way, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. The events are put together by Aares mentees, admirers, and beneficiaries to mark, in a grand style, the Diamond Anniversary of the uncommon phenomenon and leader at the bar.

Aare Afe Babalola is a committed educationist and a two-term Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, where he won the Best Pro-Chancellor Award twice, one-time Chairman of the Committee of Pro Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Aare Afe Babalola founded Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State (ABUAD), recently ranked by the highly respected Times Higher Education Impact Rankings as the Number 1 University out of the 221 universities in Nigeria and Number 321 globally.

In recognition of Aare Afe Babalolas immense contributions to making the world a better place, he has been conferred with over 50 titles and Awards across the globe, including Honourary Doctor of Laws and Doctor of Letters from 10 universities, including the University of London, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan and the elite Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, the Zik Prize in Leadership, Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Award, the AU-ECOSOCC Leadership Award, as well as many traditional titles, humanity has unequivocally and loudly demonstrated that Aare Afe Babalola is a rare gem with all-time and all-round relevance to the world around him. The legend also holds the prestigious National Honours as the Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

The creme-de-la-creme of the society will witness the festive event made up of members of the Bar and the Bench, Legal Academics, the Royalty, the Clergy, Delegates from the University of London, Delegates from Kings College London, and Captains of Industries as well as members of the Diplomatic Community.

The Anniversary Lecture titled The Future of Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria: Imperative of A New Constitutional Order will be delivered by Bishop Mathew H. Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and an Honorary Alumnus of ABUAD and the Lecture will be chaired by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR.

In a statement by the Chairman of the organising committee, Kehinde Ogunwumiju SAN, the theme of the lecture is to set the tone for the Future of Constitutional Democracy in Nigeria to birth a new Constitutional Order where the laudable tenets of a working Constitutional Democracy will be better observed. He said the lecture is scheduled for 10.00 a.m. at the Alfa Belgore Multi-purpose Hall, ABUAD.

READ ALSO: Why IGP ll not retire despite clocking 60 years in March Police Minister

According to him, the event will also feature Testimonials & Goodwill Messages from Friends, Admirers and Associates of Aare Afe Babalola and a Book Launch. The Chief Launchers are Dr Taiwo Afolabi, CON, Wema Bank, Fidelity Bank, Union Bank, Zenith Bank, First Bank, and Polaris Bank, among other launchers.

He also indicated that the money realised from the book launch will be channelled towards the construction of the ABUAD museum while the days activities will be rounded off with a celebration dinner with King Sunny Ade on the Band Stand by 7.00 p. m. at the same venue.

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YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS/BTA.The state of the lake in Srebarna Reserve is good this year, a check by BTA shows. Momchil Petrov, an expert from the Ruse Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate, explained that this is the result of sufficient water coming from the Danube, unlike in 2022 when the water level was too low. There are thus conditions for the normal development of the ecosystem in the lake.

The expert said that the Dalmatian pelicans who traditionally reside in Srebarna Reserve arrived too early this year due to the untypically high temperatures in January. Some 40 pairs began nesting then, but in February the drop in temperatures led to the water in the lake freezing and predators reaching the eggs. All pelicans left the lake for two to three weeks; some 10 pairs returned to nest again, while the rest raised their chicks in the Kalimok-Brashlen protected area.

In Srebarna Reserve, there currently are some 15 to 17 young Dalmatian pelicans who can already fly.

According to Petrov, climate change affects the protected birds' generation as well as their migration. The mid-winter bird census, which is conducted annually in January, shows that there were no pelicans wintering in Bulgaria some twenty years ago, while the last years have seen an increasing number who spend the winter on the islands along the Danube. Their migration has been reduced: they no longer fly sought to African countries, and in very harsh winters they reach only the north coast of the Mediterranean, the expert specified.

(This information is being published according to an agreement between Armenpress and BTA.)
The House of Representatives has warned public tertiary institutions in the country not to take advantage of the Students Loans and access to Higher Education in Nigeria Act to increase their tuition fees.

This followed the adoption of a motion by Terseer Ugbor (APC-Benue) at plenary on Thursday in Abuja.

The House also resolved to convene a Legislative summit on students loans and access to higher education with all stakeholders in the education sector.

Moving the motion, Mr Ugbor said that financial support from family members and relatives were often considered a traditional source for funding higher education globally.

He said in the past 60 years, such funding indicated that governments in both developed and developing countries had put in place various students loan and educational credit schemes to enable students borrow towards the funding of higher education.

According to him, the use of Students Loans and Educational Credit Schemes in most countries of the world is often justified on the grounds that it guarantees greater access to higher education for the less privileged citizens.

He said it was further predicated on the notion that education remained an investment in human capital which in turn would promote individual development, economic growth and national productivity.

He said, After several years of unsuccessful attempts by successive administrations to introduce students loans, scholarships and other educational credit schemes, the 9th National Assembly passed the Students Loans Bill.

He said it was recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu to provide the legal and institutional framework for implementation of a Students Loan Scheme in the country.

He said the objectives and intention of the loans were patriotic and would improve access to higher education in Nigeria, especially among the underprivileged citizens.

He however, said that there were several critical omissions and identifiable bottlenecks that would frustrate the successful implementation of the Act.

This, according to him, is if immediate further legislative action was not taken to ensure its efficient implementation.

He said there was an urgent need to convene a legislative summit with all key stakeholders to develop a strategy to ensure the smooth implementation of the Act for the benefit of indigent Nigerian students.

(NAN)

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A former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has asked the state government to stop the payment of his monthly pension as an ex-governor.

Mr Daniel is now the senator representing the Ogun East district.

His request was in view of the ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former State Governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such state.

The senator made the request through a letter he sent to the state governor and dated 14th June, a copy of which was obtained by PREMIUM TIMES.

The statement read in part: I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of 676,376.95 (gross) (Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy-Six Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being paid as a former Executive Governor of Ogun State.

It is pertinent to also have it on record that since I left the office in 2011, I have not benefitted from any welfare packages, be it medical, furniture, transportation etc.

Many state governments award their former governors generous pensions, despite the payment being widely criticised.

Many former governors have taken other public offices as senators or ministers at the federal level.

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Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka, in an open letter has critisised the Emir of Ilorin, Sulu Gambari, for reportedly banning a Yoruba cultural event, the Isese festival, from holding in the Kwara State capital.

The playwright on Thursday said the emirs action is an assault on civilized conduct.

Shortly after Adesikemi Olokun, an Osun devotee, reportedly released fliers announcing a three-day traditional event aimed at celebrating certain Yoruba deities, an Islamic group, Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society, stormed her residence to warn her not to hold the celebration.

The group said they were sent by the emir, Punch newspaper reported.

The spokesperson of the Emir of Ilorin, Abdulazeez Arowona, reportedly said the emir and the palace supported the action of the Islamic group. He, however, said the group was not sent by the emir.

The priestess also reportedly claimed to have received death threats over the planned festival.

Isese day is a public holiday observed by Osun and Ogun states to give a sense of belonging to adherents of traditional religions. It is usually celebrated on 20 August.

But the Ilorin Muslim group vowed not to allow the celebration anywhere in the five local government areas of Kwara that constitute the Ilorin emirate.

Soyinka reacts

Speaking on the controversy, Mr Soyinka said it is sad to see the ancient city of Ilorin, a confluence of faiths and ethnic varieties, reduced to this level of bigotry and intolerance, manifested in the role of a presiding monarch.

The truncation of a peoples traditional festival is a crime against the cultural heritage of all humanity, he said.

Year after year, Ramadan has been celebrated in this nation as an inclusive gathering of humanity, irrespective of divergences of belief.

Not once, in my entire span of existence, have I encountered pronouncements by followers of any faith that the slaughtering of rams on the streets and market places is an offence to their concept of godhead. Vegetarians hold their peace. Buddhists walk a different path.

Prior to Ramadan, non-Moslems routinely join in observing the preceding season of fasting as a spiritual exercise worthy of emulation.

Mr Soyinka recalled how for instance, a procession of Corpus Christ was once attacked, some killed, by a brood of Moslem fanatics, for daring to process along the streets of that same Ilorin. Needless to say, such abominations have become routine. Community is sacrificed to bigotry.

Mr Soyinka said he presently teaches in Abu Dhabi in the Emirates where the Islamic religion originated, and the system is inclusive.

It may interest you to know that, in Abu Dhabi, numerous programmes are pursued, at government expense, for the evolution of a humanised community based on religious tolerance and mutual respect, he said.

By contrast here, several tiers removed from Origin, must we turn the turban of enlightenment into a crown of bigotry? And in a society whose very constitution that supposedly governs us all guarantees freedom of belief, association and movement?

The novelist described the emirs action as one that has led to religious malformations.

Your Royal Highness, it is conduct like this that has bred Boko Haram, ISIS, ISWAP and other religious malformations that currently plague this nation, spreading grief and outrage across a once peaceful landscape, degrading my and your existence with their virulent brand of Islam, he said.

It is conduct like this that has turned, before our very eyes, a once ecumenical city like Kaduna into a blood-stained mockery of cohabitation. It is conduct like this that makes it possible for a young student, Deborah, to be lynched in the very presence of armed police, on mere allegation of having belittled the image of a revered prophet.

It is action of this nature, perpetrated in obscure as well as prominent outlets of the nation, that turns a young generation into mindless monsters, ever ready to swarm out and kill, kill, kill. Simply kill for the thrill of it, but under presumption of religious immunity. It is conduct like this that then nerves one extremist to wake up one day in a Scandinavian country, publicly announce his intention, and proceed to make a bonfire of copies of the Quran. Reprisals follow, equally mindless, trapping humanity in an ever-ascending spiral of costly but gleeful violence.

He also said the African continent has endured centuries of disdain and despoilation at the hands of alien religions  Christianity and Islam at the forefront.

He urged the emir to rein in those agents of division, of triumphalist intolerance, such as the Majlisu Shabab Ulamahu Society. There is a thin line between Power and Piety.

Call Yeye Ajasikemi OIokun Omolara to your side, make peace with her and make restitution whichever way you can for this grievous insult to our race. We know the history of Ilorin and the trajectory of your dynasty  but these are not the issues.

The issue is peaceful cohabitation, respect for other worldviews, their celebrations, their values and humanity. The issue is the acceptance of the multiple facets of human enlightenment.

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The Osun State government has said it has no plan to sack workers or to pay them half salaries.

Governor Ademola Adelekes media aide, Olawale Rasheed, made the declaration in Osogbo on Thursday while dismissing a claim credited to a pressure group within the Nigeria Union of Pensioners.

We affirm that there is neither a plan to sack workers nor any re-introduction of payment of half salaries.

This is fake news, which the public is implored to ignore.

Governor Adeleke is available to meet all stakeholders for the development of the state. As a responsive leader, he has met with many groups and associations since assumption of office.

Many of such groups, including the protesting pensioners, have also been scheduled for appointments with the governor.

READ ALSO:

It is important to note that the government has remained committed to meeting its financial obligations to workers, both in and out of service.

The government can, however, not pay off all outstanding salaries and pensions all at once due to paucity of funds, which is known to all stakeholders.

The administration has adopted a phased payment system, but with an increase in the amount paid monthly to the pensioners, among others, Mr Rasheed stated.

(NAN)

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President Bola Tinubu Friday in Abuja assured the manufacturing and service sectors that more reforms will be unfolded to enable efficiency and attract investments, saying the ongoing economic revolution will be deliberately steered to capture and favour teeming youth in the country.

We have a responsibility to revolutionise the economy so that our youth can share in the nations prosperity, otherwise we are only waiting for the dreams to be charted, the President told a delegation from MTN led by Group Chairman Mcebisi Jonas, at the State House.

If you have any problems or impediments do let us know. We are ready to remove bottlenecks to investments in the economy, the President added while acknowledging the sweeping changes across the world, largely driven by technology.

President Tinubu said the growing rural-urban migration can only be controlled with more investments in digital technology that will directly improve healthcare systems and education for the poor.

I am happy you are moving from Corporate Social Responsibility to be more incisive and inquisitive with technology so that we can see how we can partner structurally, the president stated.

You can do a lot for the economy by partnering with us. We believe no one can succeed alone. The structural adjustments we are making are to ensure we face the right direction and arrive at a destination that caters for our people.

You and I will make sure that the people have a share of that prosperity. We will, together, build a well-informed society. We have to re-assess the journey. I am glad that the stock market is responding positively to the structural adjustments, he stated.

The MTN Group Chairman said the company had a plan to invest $3.5 billion in the economy over the next five years, with a broader vision of becoming a pan-African company by moving investments from the Middle East and focusing more on Africa, especially Nigeria, where it gets the highest return on investment.

Mr Jonas congratulated the president for the upswing of interest in the country within a short period since he assumed office on 29 May, promising to support in the mobilisation of other investors with about $1.5 trillion to look towards Nigeria, where reforms had been styled to favour business and encourage inclusive development.

The message you have given us is that Nigeria is investible, and with your election, we are seeing decisive, prompt and keen interest in structural reforms, the MTN Group Chairman noted.

The Group President/CEO of MTN, Ralph Mupita, Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Ernest Ndukwe and Chief Executive Officer, Olutokun Karl Toriola, were part of the meeting.

Dele Alake

Special Adviser to the President

Special Duties, Communications and Strategy

July 7, 2023

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6 July, 2023

Your Royal Highness,

So soon after the Moslem season of spiritual purification, it is sad to see the ancient city of Ilorin, a confluence of faiths and ethnic varieties, reduced to this level of bigotry and intolerance, manifested in the role of a presiding monarch. The truncation of a peoples traditional festival is a crime against the cultural heritage of all humanity. Year after year, the Ramadan has been celebrated in this nation as an inclusive gathering of humanity, irrespective of divergences of belief. Not once, in my entire span of existence, have I encountered pronouncements by followers of any faith that the slaughtering of rams on the streets and market places is an offence to their concept of godhead. Vegetarians hold their peace. Buddhists walk a different path. Prior to Ramadan, non-Moslems routinely join in observing the preceding season of fasting as a spiritual exercise worthy of emulation.

Even the sturdiest of thrones crumble. Long after you and I are gone, generations will continue to endure the effects of present anomalies, pretensions, hypocrisies, and continue to harvest the bitter fruits of the seeds of discord being sown by their forebears. I therefore urge you to rein in those agents of division, of triumphalist intolerance, such as the Majlisu Shabab Ulamahu Society.

Perhaps this is another occasion for self-introduction. I currently teach courses in Abu Dhabi in the Emirates. That is the region of Origin of Islam; all others are mere appendages. I was there just before Christmas. I passed through again in the countdown to Ramadan. On both occasions, the streets, businesses, hotel lobbies and other public spaces were lit up with the same festive spirit. Only the symbols within the designs were different. The mood of celebration was equally pervasive and inclusive. Painfully, my mind could not help but travel back home, and some years past, recalling for instance how a procession of Corpus Christ was once attacked, some killed, by a brood of Moslem fanatics, for daring to process along the streets of that same Ilorin. Needless to say, such abominations have become routine. Community is sacrificed to bigotry.

It may interest you to know that in Abu Dhabi, numerous programmes are pursued, at government expense, for the evolution of a humanised community based on religious tolerance and mutual respect. By contrast here, several tiers removed from the Origin, must we turn the turban of enlightenment into a crown of bigotry? And in a society whose very constitution that supposedly governs us all, guarantees freedom of belief, association and movement?

Your Royal Highness, it is conduct like this that has bred Boko Haram, ISIS, ISWAP and other religious malformations that currently plague this nation, spreading grief and outrage across a once peaceful landscape, degrading my and your existence with their virulent brand of Islam. It is conduct like this that has turned, before our very eyes, a once ecumenical city like Kaduna into a blood-stained mockery of cohabitation. It is conduct like this that makes it possible for a young student, Deborah, to be lynched in the very presence of armed police, on the mere allegation of having belittled the image of a revered prophet. It is actions of this nature, perpetrated in obscure, as well as prominent outlets of the nation, that turn a young generation into mindless monsters, ever ready to swarm out and kill, kill, kill. Simply kill for the thrill of it, but under the presumption of religious immunity. It is conduct like this that then gives the nerves to one extremist to wake up one day in a Scandinavian country, publicly announce his intention, and proceed to make a bonfire of copies of the Quran. Reprisals follow, equally mindless, trapping humanity in an ever-ascending spiral of costly but gleeful violence.

Your conduct is an affront to my sense of racial being, and that holds true for millions beyond these national and continental borders, stretching into the Americas and the Caribbean. There you will still encounter ISESE and allied spiritualities. There, ISESE still exerts its hold on the human spirit.

This continent has endured centuries of disdain and despoilation in the hands of alien religions  Christianity and Islam at the forefront. Both religions have been sanctimoniously deployed as justification for unspeakable atrocities, for the dehumanisation of the black race. Do I need to teach you your own history, or is it that you prefer to forget? To encounter, in this century, a convert to alien spiritual dogma, appropriating the cloak of piety to impede the observation of our antecedent spirituality is not just racial treachery but an assault on civilised conduct as a universal aspiration of humanity, where every discovery, every new encounter ushers in new propositions of enlightenment. Humanity builds on the past, preserving alternatives of world views, not destroying that past which, in any case, is indestructible. Your conduct is an affront to my sense of racial being, and that holds true for millions beyond these national and continental borders, stretching into the Americas and the Caribbean. There you will still encounter ISESE and allied spiritualities. There, ISESE still exerts its hold on the human spirit. Visit Brazil, go to Columbia, explore Cuba, and be humbled by the tenacity of this spirituality among the descendants of black humanity.

Even the sturdiest of thrones crumble. Long after you and I are gone, generations will continue to endure the effects of present anomalies, pretensions, hypocrisies, and continue to harvest the bitter fruits of the seeds of discord being sown by their forebears. I therefore urge you to rein in those agents of division, of triumphalist intolerance, such as the Majlisu Shabab Ulamahu Society. There is a thin line between Power and Piety. Call Yeye Ajasikemi OIokun Omolara to your side, make peace with her and make restitution whichever way you can for this grievous insult to our race. We know the history of Ilorin and the trajectory of your dynasty  but these are not the issues. The issue is peaceful cohabitation, respect for other worldviews, their celebrations, their values and humanity. The issue is the acceptance of the multiple facets of human enlightenment.

The greatest avatars that the world has known were not without human frailties, flaws, and errors of understanding. You are NOT Omniscient. And you are not Omnipotent.

Wole SOYINKA is the Akintalun of Egba, Giiwa of Ijebu-Remo, and Akogun of Isara.

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My view is that crunching the election numbers cannot be expected to resolve the issue of the winner, after all the bifurcation occurred before the election, with different sides seeking to prove that opinion polls show their side was about to win. The problem is that most observers had already made their judgments from the very beginning, as such the judicial outcomes will change nothing in the minds of many, who will believe that they have been bulkachuwared by the judges

I doubt that the judiciary would be able to settle the deep disagreements among Nigerians about the outcome of the 2023 elections, especially the presidential election. For some, Bola Tinubu proved his mettle of being a great political actor by securing a nomination, when the odds were stacked heavily against him, and obtaining sufficient support among political gladiators and citizens to win the presidency. Others think the evidence is clear that Peter Obi won but the results were changed and the evidence is found in the non-transmission of results on the IReV portal, because had the process been followed, the evidence of the Obi victory would have been clear.

Poor Atiku Abubakar, who came second in the race, as shown in the official results, is largely missing from a lot of the on-going passionate debate, and he is assumed not to be a factor in the election for reasons that are not clear to me. Every day, there are widespread public debates on the unfolding case at the election tribunal, on how the evidence shows clearly that Tinubu or Obi won. Both lawyers and non-lawyers are engaged in the production of the running bifurcated narratives.

I watched the television appearance of my good friend, INEC National Commissioner Festus Okoye, when he tried to explain the INEC view of what transpired in the election. I am not surprised at the steady stream of insults and ridicule he has been subjected to, especially for not being able to explain the content of the glitch (malfunction, says the dictionary) that led to the non-transmission of the results of the presidential election. The INEC leadership team will, without doubt, carry the glitch blame for the rest of their lives, even if it is to be expected that they might not want to go into details in the middle of a judicial process.

My view is that crunching the election numbers cannot be expected to resolve the issue of the winner, after all the bifurcation occurred before the election, with different sides seeking to prove that opinion polls show their side was about to win. The problem is that most observers had already made their judgments from the very beginning, as such the judicial outcomes will change nothing in the minds of many, who will believe that they have been bulkachuwared by the judges  to use a recently invented Nigerian word that is pregnant with meaning.

I think we should give the Commission the benefit of the doubt. INEC has promised a thorough investigation and review of the 2023 elections and, while awaiting that, the academic community and media should continue their own reviews and analyses of what happened and how. I had argued from the very beginning that a lot of things happened during the elections, some good and some bad, that we should seek to understand

These Nigerians have been comforted by the recently released report of the European Union that the 2023 general elections did not ensure a well-run transparent and inclusive democratic process, as assured by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The report also emphasised the non-transmission of presidential results as the basis that justifies the loss of trust and confidence in the process. I agree that public confidence and trust in INEC have been severely damaged since the presidential poll and the electoral body has to make a major effort to reclaim its credibility.

I think we should give the Commission the benefit of the doubt. INEC has promised a thorough investigation and review of the 2023 elections and, while awaiting that, the academic community and media should continue their own reviews and analyses of what happened and how. I had argued from the very beginning that a lot of things happened during the elections, some good and some bad, that we should seek to understand, and rushing to definitive early judgments might not be the best approach.

Let us not forget that we had great concern in the period leading to the elections, that insecurity was so severe that it would compromise the entire process. As it turned out, the elections were held all over the country and they were largely peaceful. Even the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank that made cash disappear from the pockets of Nigerians and widespread fuel shortages, did not disrupt the elections. The reports of observers indicate that the accreditation of voters using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) had a success rate of over 90%, and was much better than the Smart Card used during the 2019 General Election.

The terrible trends that emerged from the election were hate messaging, voter suppression and vote buying. If today there is a bifurcated country, in terms of personal judgments of who won or lost the presidency, it is because of massive ethno-religious hate messaging that characterised the electoral campaigns. Identity politics and its manipulation reached its zenith during the campaigns and such behaviour has not abated.

The elections have also deepened Nigerias multiparty democracy and broadened the political arena in a very profound manner. Five different political parties have produced state sovernors, seven parties won senatorial seats, while eight parties are represented in the House of Representatives and nine parties in State Houses of Assembly. This is the broadest party representation we have had in the Fourth Republic. In some states around the country, different political parties control the legislative and executive arms of government. We have moved away from the two-party dominant system that had developed previously and Nigerians have clearly secured broader political choice, which is important in deepening democracy.

The terrible trends that emerged from the election were hate messaging, voter suppression and vote buying. If today there is a bifurcated country, in terms of personal judgments of who won or lost the presidency, it is because of massive ethno-religious hate messaging that characterised the electoral campaigns. Identity politics and its manipulation reached its zenith during the campaigns and such behaviour has not abated. The weaponisation of hate speech into political violence in aid of voter suppression has traumatised too many Nigerians, who have seen their civic rights challenged in a very direct manner. We must all advocate for an immediate end to such behaviour.

The other troubling element of the election was that in spite of the currency shortage, vote buying was very high, and where candidates could not secure cash, the used goods to pay voters. The danger of such behaviour is transforming citizens into co-conspirators is destroying their civic rights; their mandate. These negative elements of the elections must occupy the centre stage in the proposed review of the 2023 elections. What would lead to the improvement of the next electoral cycle would be our ability to address these challenges and not the verdict that would be announced by the judiciary, an institution that has also lost a lot of its credibility.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.

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Today, we are bombarded with all sorts of information every day, be it directly from a person, on television, on newspaper, on social media or via email. And many good-hearted people may just accept them, assuming this piece of news as indisputable facts coming from trustworthy sources. However, as a Muslim, what is our role towards such sayings and claims? What does the Shariah say about such information?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of ourselves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.

Dear brothers and sisters, surely, today we live in difficult times, full of different trials and tribulations. And one of the ways that we are tried and tested by Allah Almighty is by testing us with rumours and how we react to them. Today, we are bombarded with all sorts of information every day, be it directly from a person, on television, on newspaper, on social media or via email. And many good-hearted people may just accept them, assuming this piece of news as indisputable facts coming from trustworthy sources. However, as a Muslim, what is our role towards such sayings and claims? What does the Shariah say about such information? Allah Almighty says:

Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge of; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah. [Surah Nur: 15]

So before we accept what anyone and everyone says, there are certain points to keep in mind, as we all have to stand in front of Allah Almighty one day.

We have to verify the information and ascertain, to the best of our ability, the truthfulness and authenticity of the news that reaches us. WHY? 

Because Allah orders you and me to be JUST. Allah Almighty says:

Verily! Allah commands that you should render back the trusts to those, to whom they are due; and that when you judge between men, you judge with justice. Verily, how excellent is the teaching which He gives you! Truly, Allah is Ever AllHearer, AllSeer. [Surah Nisai:58]

Please, think about what is being said, who is saying it and about whom is he saying it, before believing it. Allah Almighty says:

O you who believe! If a Fasiq (evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done. [Surah al-Hujurat 49:6]

And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

Deliberation is from Allah and haste is from the Shaitan. [Albani, in al-Silsilah al-Sahihah]

Sometimes something may appear or sound true on the surface but, you may not know the full circumstances behind the statement, news or the report may be taken out of context. Imam Al-Hasan al-Basri (rahimahullah) said:

The believer reserves judgment until the matter is proven.

Therefore anyone who claims a statement or levels an accusation against another person must provide proof. Allah Almighty says:

Say (O Muhammad), Produce your proof if you are truthful. [Surah al-Baqarah:111]

And if they fail to produce any solid proof for what they claim

Since they produce not witnesses, they are the liars in the sight of Allah. [Surah al-Nur 24:13]

The people in charge can explain the facts of the matter and remove any confusion or doubts a person may have. Allah the Most High says:

When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they make it known (among the people); if only they had referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have understood it from them (directly). Had it not been for the Grace and Mercy of Allah upon you, you would have followed Shaitan (Satan), save a few of you. [Surah al-Nisa :83]

Search for and stand up for the Truth, and do not accept any false statements from anyone, even if it is from someone you love or hold close to your heart. Allah Almighty says:

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even though it be against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, be he rich or poor, Allah is a Better Protector to both (than you). So follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you may avoid justice, and if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well Acquainted with what you do. [Surah Nisa:135]

The Shariah issues a stern warning against passing on all that one hears. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said:

It is enough lying for a man to speak of everything that he hears. [Muslim]

Imam Al-Nawawi said:

Usually a person hears truth and lies, so if he speaks of everything that he hears, he is lying by telling of things that did not happen, and lying by speaking of something other than the way it happened.

Many people just believe any news they hear and pass it on without even stopping to think that it may not be true. In that case it is a slander against the person that the news is about. And slander is a major sin. Allah the Most High says:

Woe to every backbiter, slanderer. [Surah Humazah: 1]

And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

No man accuses another of an immoral deed or kufr, but it will come back on him, if the person he accuses is not as he says then he is. [Bukhari]

And he (Peace be upon him) said:

No (Muslim) man will desert a man who is a Muslim in a place where his respect may be violated and his honour aspersed without Allah deserting him in a place where he wishes help. [Abu Dawud and authenticated by Sheikh al-Albani]

And Allah Almighty says:

Not a word is said except that there is a watcher by him ready to record it. [Surah Qaf:18]

And the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

Indeed a servant may say a word from which Allahs displeasure is gained and he does not realise it. Allah will put him in Jahannam (hellfire) due to it. [Bukhari]

Allah the Most High says:

O you who believe! Be afraid of Allah, and be with those who are true (in words and deeds). [Surah al-Tawbah 9:119]

And why did you not, when you heard it, say?

It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to Allah, this is a most serious slander. [Surah Nur:16]

Respected brothers and sisters, remember, Allah Almighty says:

If a Fasiq (liar- evil person) comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you should harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful for what you have done. [Quran, 49: 6]

And the respected Imam, Abu Al-Fida, Imadud-Din Ismail Bin Umar Bin Kathir Al-Qurashi Al-Busrawi said concerning the above Quranic verse:

Allah the Exalted ordered investigating the news that sinners and the wicked bring, to make sure of its authenticity. Otherwise, if the sinners word is taken for granted and a decision is based on it, regardless of whether the information is true or not, the authorities will be taking the lead of the sinners. Allah the Exalted and Most Honoured forbade taking the path of the corrupted and sinners. This is why groups of the scholars of Hadith refuse to accept narrations from narrators whose reliability is unknown, for they might be from among the wicked people, in reality.

Dear brothers and sisters, whatever news we hear we must verify it before believing it. We must not circulate it further unless first we establish if the news is based on truth or not. It is Major Sin, to believe a story or news before verifying it, and to spread untrue stories and news in the society because the untrue stories can create enmity, crisis, wars, turmoil, confusion and injustice in society. For all Major Sins there is the punishment of burning by unending Hellfire. For many Major Sins the punishment starts from this world and continues in the Hereafter.

Lastly, I pray, May Allah Almighty guide us and enable us to stand up for the Truth, wherever it may be. Ameen.

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation; may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and security  and his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour.

Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761.

This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Dhul-Hijjah 19, 1444 AH (July 07, 2023).

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An armed gang attacked residents of Kajala, a community in the Ningi Local Government of Bauchi State, on Thursday, injuring several people.

A resident in Kajala, Musa Jiwo, told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that the gunmen who invaded the village rode in motorcycles.

He said it was not clear why the gang invaded the community. He said before the attack, the village had been peaceful, with no report of violence.

On arrival, the gunmen started beating up the residents, bringing us out of our houses, women and children everybody was running for his or her dear life.

Luckily enough, nobody was killed, but several residents sustained serious injuries; some were taken to the hospital in Ningi while those with minor injuries were treated in the village, Jiwo added.

He said the attack would have been worse but for the prompt arrival of security personnel, which forced the attackers to flee. He said they abandoned two motorcycles.

After the gunmen fled, the security operatives took the motorcycles and assured the villagers they could apprehend the assailants.

The Caretaker Chairman of the Ningi Local Government, Ibrahim Mato, when contacted said he has not returned from Saudi Arabia where he went for the 2023 Hajj, but he has sympathised with the victims of the incidents.

Government will not just sit down and watch people break the law by constituting themselves into a quasi authority. Anyone found to be involved will be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the country, Mr Mato said.

He promised to take necessary actions to see that the lives of innocent people are saved.

However, the spokesperson of the Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakili, could not be reached on Friday afternoon. Calls made to his phone did not go through.

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The Lagos State Government has requested the collaboration and support of stakeholders, particularly old students of public schools, in its efforts to rebuild the states education sector.

Speaking on Thursday in Lagos, the Chairman of Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Victoria Peregrino, said adopting public and private sector partnerships is one of the ways to address the infrastructural gaps in public schools in Lagos and across Nigeria.

Ms Peregrino spoke at the 70th Founders Day Anniversary of Lagos City Senior College, Yaba.

The schools platinum jubilee celebration was organised by the management of the college in collaboration with the Old Students Association and Parents Forum.

She said: The government does not discourage old students and the public who voluntarily want to donate to schools or to give back to the institutions that impacted their lives. It is a welcome development.

Lagos City Senior College, Yaba, was founded on 3 January 1953 by Nigerias first President, the late Nnamdi Azikiwe.

As part of the 70th anniversary, the school inaugurated four classrooms which were renovated by Okeke Emmanuel, an alumnus of the school, who dedicated the contribution to the Late Johnson Arowosegbe- the schools teacher who taught him Economics in 1977.

Govts efforts

According to Mrs Peregrino, revitalising schools has formed a significant part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olus T.H.E.M.E agenda.

Funding is continuous. You can never finish developing in one day. No government can boast of finishing projects like roads, schools, and other amenities, she said.

I can rate the Lagos government high when it comes to the development of infrastructure. Improvement of the life of the citizens, motivation, of students, teachers, and even citizens.

Also, in her welcome address as the Chairman of the anniversary, Mrs Peregrino noted that the Lagos State government is committed to a high standard of education to meet the world-class level.

READ ALSO:

She said: Lagos City happens to be one of the 12 newly established comprehensive colleges in the state and also a beneficiary of Lagos Scholars Agriculture Smart Project for an integrated three-in-one Agriculture project.

I sincerely commend the kind gesture and commitment of Lagos State Government to this great college. We look forward to seeing more of these.

Achievements recorded

In his remarks, the Principal of the college, Hassan Abiodun, noted that the school has recorded some achievements before it was relocated to the new building along Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, on 14 September 2022.

He highlighted some of the achievements to include the renovation and equipment of the Physics Laboratory, Chemistry Laboratory, Biology Laboratory, toilet facilities and improved water supply in the school.

He added that the school library facility was upgraded to an e-library to support students and teachers studies and the installation of a well-equipped computer laboratory with internet courtesy of our benefactors.

Mr Hassan thanked those he described as the schools benefactors, including the North American chapter of the 1981-1985 set of the schools old students association, the 1983/85 set, 2000 set; the national body of the association, the UK chapter, and the parents forum, among others.

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Air Products' Chief Operating Officer to Participate in

"Fueling the LNG Innovation Agenda" during Plenary Conference Session

LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Air Products (NYSE: APD), the world's leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology and equipment, will showcase the latest developments in LNG liquefaction technology at LNG2023, the 20th International Conference & Exhibition on liquefied natural gas from July 10-13 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in British Columbia, Canada. During the conference, Air Products' Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Samir J. Serhan, will be a panelist in the Plenary Session, Fueling the LNG Innovation Agenda, and Air Products' industry specialists will take part in multiple technical sessions.

At the conference, Air Products' LNG experts will be available in booth 1417 to discuss the Company's unrivaled LNG process technologies and equipment found in large export, small and mid-sized and floating LNG plants. Air Products' team also will showcase how it enables customers to optimize an LNG facility's overall performance with safe, sustainable solutions that minimize the total cost of ownership. Air Products is proud to play a pivotal role in the LNG industry providing a wide range of products and services for the successful design, construction, start-up, and operation of LNG facilities, having successfully shipped over 150 large coil wound heat exchangers to plants in 20 countries around the world.

Dr. Serhan will join a panel of industry leaders for Fueling the LNG Innovation Agenda, scheduled for 10:15 a.m. PT/1:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 12. The panel discussion will focus on preparing for a less carbon-intense world while maintaining costs competitive enough to provide LNG to the emerging economies around the world that need it most.

Air Products' industry specialists will be making presentations and moderating during the following technical sessions:

Decarbonisation of Natural Gas Liquefaction: Design Options: Annemarie Weist, Process Engineering Manager at Air Products, will be a moderator for this session focused on effective design options and plant configurations for decarbonization. The session will be at 11:45 a.m. PT/2:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 12.

Challenges of Optimizing Modern LNG Facilities - Floating, Electric, Mid-scale: Christopher Ott, Senior Process Engineering Associate at Air Products, will present a paper titled "Large Or Small: Which Is Better?", which discusses the factors to consider

when selecting liquefaction technology and train size for a project. The presentation will be at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 12.

Innovation in Liquefaction Processes and Equipment: Justin Bukowski, Senior Process Engineering Associate at Air Products, will present a paper titled "Making End Flash Cool Again", which discusses the innovative ways that end flash can be adapted to solve challenges and opportunities posed by recent industry trends. The presentation will be at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET on Thursday, July 13.

New Approaches to Modular Construction: Damian Vujcich, LNG Modularization Manager at Air Products, will present a paper titled "Advancing Modularization of Coil-wound Heat Exchanger Equipment", which discusses how modularization increases the certainty around project cost and overall schedule by decreasing workload in the field. The presentation will be at 10:45 a.m. PT/1:45 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 13.

In addition, Air Products' industry specialists are co-authors on the following papers:

FLNG and LNG Projects from Design to Operation: "PFLNG Dua Key Success Factors for Smooth Commissioning And Start Up" being presented at 8 a.m. PT/11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 11.

Canadian LNG: Opportunities and Challenges: "Woodfibre LNG Facility: Technical Challenges and Solutions" being presented at 3:15 p.m. PT/6:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 11.

For more information on Air Products' LNG process technology and equipment, visit https://www.airproducts.com/lng.

Air Products' proprietary LNG process technology and equipment, is vital to helping meet the world's increasing energy needs and desire for clean energy, processes and cryogenically liquefies valuable natural gas for consumer and industrial use. For over 50 years Air Products has manufactured LNG heat exchangers, which currently operate in over 100 LNG trains in 20 countries around the world.

Typically, an LNG heat exchanger can be as large as over 15 feet (5 meters) in diameter and 180 feet (55 meters) long. A finished unit can weigh as much as 500 tons. Photos of Air Products' LNG technology can be downloaded for publication with proper attribution at http://prphotolibrary.airproducts.com/ImageViewer.aspx?q=LNG.

Air Products' LNG process technology and equipment is the heart of an LNG production plant. The technology, in place at some of the most remote locations around the world, takes natural gas and unlocks its value by liquefying it and making it possible to ship it economically. Typically, the LNG is eventually re-gasified for energy uses.

The majority of total worldwide LNG is produced with Air Products' technology. In support of the LNG industry, Air Products provides process technology and key equipment for the natural gas liquefaction process for large export plants, small and mid-sized LNG plants, floating LNG plants and LNG peak shavers. Upstream, Air Products provides both nitrogen and natural gas dehydration membrane systems for offshore platforms. Downstream, Air Products provides membrane nitrogen generators for LNG carriers and land-based membrane and cryogenic nitrogen systems for LNG import terminals and baseload LNG plants. In addition, Air Products' Rotoflow turbomachinery business provides cryogenic and warm gas centrifugal turbomachinery for refrigeration and power recovery.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets. The Company has two growth pillars driven by sustainability. Air Products' base business provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food. The Company also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest industrial gas and carbon-capture projects, supplying world-scale clean hydrogen for global transportation, industrial markets, and the broader energy transition. Additionally, Air Products is the world leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, and globally provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers.

The Company had fiscal 2022 sales of $12.7 billion from operations in over 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of over $60 billion. More than 21,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and reimagine what's possible to address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook or Instagram .

Air Products Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and other factors disclosed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs or expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

SOURCE Air Products
DUBLIN, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Solutions in the Space Industry" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report investigates the impact of AI/ML on various aspects of the space industry, including satellite network management, satellite health management, attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS), and space weather monitoring.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within the space industry has the potential to significantly enhance satellite operations, space exploration, and space situational awareness, among other areas.

Additionally, the report addresses AI/ML techniques and challenges associated with implementing AI/ML technologies onboard satellites, such as processing capabilities and environmental constraints.

As the space industry expands, particularly with the emergence of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, AI/ML technologies have become instrumental in managing complex satellite networks. By enabling efficient routing procedures that consider multiple attributes, AI/ML applications ensure high-quality service and low latency. Furthermore, the increased autonomy provided by AI/ML reduces the reliance on ground station availability, thus streamlining satellite network management and optimizing resource utilization.

AI/ML technologies also hold promise in the field of satellite health management by minimizing dependence on ground operators and providing more accurate fault predictions. The capacity to efficiently analyze extensive datasets and offer real-time fault predictions allows for the implementation of timely mitigation measures and the potential extension of satellite component lifecycles.

Although still in the early stages of development, AI/ML technologies are poised to significantly improve the safety and success of space missions through enhanced satellite health management.

Lastly, AI/ML applications in AOCS and space weather monitoring offer substantial advantages over traditional methods. AI-based star identification enables robust, rapid, and precise attitude determination, while AI-enhanced space weather monitoring facilitates comprehensive data collection and expeditious information dissemination.

As the space industry continues to evolve, AI/ML technologies are set to play an increasingly crucial role in addressing the growing complexities and challenges associated with space operations, exploration, and security.

Key Topics Covered:

Strategic Imperatives

Why is it Increasingly Difficult to Grow?

The Strategic Imperative

The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in the Space Industry

Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine

Opportunity Universe

Space Debris Tracking and Mitigation

Spacecraft Autonomy and Navigation

Space Exploration and Resource Identification

Growth Analysis

AI Applications for Satellite Payloads

AI Applications for Satellite Platforms

AI Techniques in the Space Industry

Supervised Learning Techniques in the Space Industry

Semi-supervised, Unsupervised, and RL Techniques in the Space Industry

Neural Network (NN) Techniques in the Space Industry

NLP, Expert Systems, and Vision Techniques in the Space Industry

Robotics in the Space Industry

Successful Applications for AI Onboard Satellite Payloads

Challenges for AI Application Onboard Satellites - Space Environment

Challenges for AI Application Onboard Satellites - Satellite Design

AI Application in the Space Industry - Satellite Network Management

AI Application in the Space Industry - Satellite Health Management

AI Application in the Space Industry - Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS)

Growth Drivers

Growth Driver Analysis

Growth Restraints

Growth Restraint Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ffln5k

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:

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SOURCE Research and Markets
TAIPEI, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd., today announced the appointment of Mr. Chau-Young Lin as the new President of Chunghwa Telecom's Information Technology Group, succeeding Mr. Shui-Yi Kuo, effective July 7, 2023. The appointment was approved by the Board of Directors in an extraordinary board meeting held today.

President Lin holds a Ph.D. degree in Electronic Engineering from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, and has extensive experience serving in various leadership positions in Chunghwa Telecom since 1987. President Lin assumed the role of President of Chunghwa Telecom's Information Technology Group in April 2022, while also serving as the Chairman of International Integrated System Inc. since 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Lin was the President of Chunghwa Telecom's Data Communications Business Group from June 2020 to April 2022 and the Senior Executive Vice President of the Company's Administration Department from August 2019 to June 2020. He was also the President of the Company's Southern Taiwan Business Group from March 2018 to August 2019. President Lin helped Chunghwa Telecom become Taiwan's leading system integration service provider by leading Chunghwa's IT service team to design and accomplish the largest national IT system upgrade project, the National Tax Filing System for the Ministry of Finance of Taiwan. He also led the Information Technology Group to develop cutting-edged technology and services in the areas of IDC, Cloud, AI, IoT and Cybersecurity, making Chunghwa Telecom the leading ICT service provider in Taiwan. President Lin also serves as the Chairman of International Integrated System, one of the subsidiaries of Chunghwa Telecom. Under his leadership, the company achieved record-high revenue in 2022, and is now moving towards the goal of going public.

Starting from the grassroots and leading by example, Mr. Lin is seen as a friendly and amiable partner by his subordinates. The enthusiasm and curiosity he shows for new technologies, makes it easy for him to connect with colleagues. In recent years, with the impact of the pandemic and the digital transformation demand from enterprises, "cloud services" have boomed in the global market and become a focal point for enterprises. Earlier this year, Mr. Lin set an example by leading the senior executives of the Information Technology Group to obtain professional certifications in cloud services, making "cloud adoption" a common language and belief within the organization to collectively drive the cloud service.

Since the end of last year ChatGPT and generative AI have gone viral, which further ignited Mr. Lin's passion for learning in the field of AI, which originally was sparked when doing his doctoral thesis over 20 years ago. In addition, he personally participated in the PoC development and implementation of generative AI services within the Information Technology Group, achieving a "learning by doing" approach.

Mr. Lin will execute the business strategies of the "Three Principles of Management, Three Fleets of Business, and Three Keys of Technologies" led by Chairmen Shui-Yi Kuo. He will also coordinate all branches and subsidiaries to strengthen the telecom network, enhance digital resilience, and ensure information security of the information systems while improving service quality. Mr. Lin also aims to replicate Taiwan's successful services, products and experiences of the Company's digital and net-zero transformation abroad, leveraging the synergies of group operations. In addition, he will continue to broadly build alliances and promote positive development of the industry ecosystem with partners in the field of innovative applications including cloud and AI, creating mutual benefit and common prosperity.

Looking forward, just as the three visions declared by Chairman Kuo for the Company when he took office: sustainability, digital empowerment and being company with market value far beyond trillion, President Lin will uphold this direction and exert every effort to fulfill the mission entrusted by Chairman to achieve the goal of surpassing a trillion-dollar market capitalization while continuing the sustainable development.

About Chunghwa Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom (TAIEX 2412, NYSE: CHT) ("Chunghwa" or "the Company") is Taiwan's largest integrated telecommunications services company that provides fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and internet services. The Company also provides information and communication technology services to corporate customers with its big data, information security, cloud computing and IDC capabilities, and is expanding its business into innovative technology services such as IoT, AI, etc. Chunghwa has been actively and continuously implemented environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives with the goal to achieve sustainability and has won numerous international and domestic awards and recognitions for its ESG commitments and best practices. For more information, please visit our website at www.cht.com.tw

Media contact:

Contact: Angela Tsai

Phone: +886 2 2344 5488

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Chunghwa Telecom
CHATHAM BOROUGH, N.J., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ciel Power LLC, a leading provider of home energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades, is excited to announce the launch of the Chatham Borough Home Energy Insight Program. This new energy efficiency initiative aims to empower Chatham homeowners with valuable insights into their home's energy performance and actionable recommendations for improvement.

Chatham Borough, nestled in Morris County, New Jersey, is a vibrant community known for its charming neighborhoods, excellent schools, and convenient access to major transportation hubs.

Chatham Home Energy Insight Program Introductory Video The Chatham Borough Home Energy Insight Program, a new energy efficiency initiative, offers discounted home energy audits and comprehensive reports to Chatham homeowners. As part of this program, residents can benefit from a discounted rate of $49 on a thorough home energy audit conducted by Ciel Power LLC's team of experts. The audit includes blower-door testing, thermal scans, and combustion safety testing to identify areas of inefficiency and potential energy savings. Chatham Borough Home Energy Insight Program Logo

The Chatham Borough Home Energy Insight Program, a new energy efficiency initiative, offers discounted home energy audits and comprehensive reports to Chatham homeowners. As part of this program, residents can benefit from a discounted rate of $49 on a thorough home energy audit conducted by Ciel Power LLC's team of experts. The audit includes blower-door testing, thermal scans, and combustion safety testing to identify areas of inefficiency and potential energy savings.

"We are thrilled to bring the Chatham Borough Home Energy Insight Program to Chatham Borough homeowners," said Scott Fischer, Managing Member of Ciel Power LLC. "Through the Chatham Home Energy Insight Program, we aim to enhance energy efficiency, unlock potential energy savings, and reduce the environmental footprint of homes in Chatham Borough. Our expert team is committed to delivering personalized recommendations to optimize home energy performance."

Upon completion of the audit, homeowners will receive a comprehensive report outlining the efficiency of their home's heating system, air-conditioning system, and hot water system, along with overall air infiltration rate and insulation levels. The report will also provide a prioritized list of recommended improvements, along with information on available incentives through utility companies and federal and state tax credits available for installing energy efficiency upgrades.

Chatham Borough homeowners are encouraged to seize this opportunity to improve their home's energy efficiency. To learn more about the Chatham Home Energy Insight Program and schedule a discounted home energy audit for only $49, visit cielpower.com/chatham or contact Ciel Power LLC at (201) 632-3463.

About Ciel Power LLC:

Ciel Power LLC is a licensed New Jersey Home Improvement Contractor (NJHIC#13VH06170900). Earlier this year, Ciel was awarded the 2023 Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Contractor of the Year award from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection.

About Chatham Borough:

Located in Morris County, New Jersey, Chatham Borough is home to approximately 9,000 residents. Chatham Borough has a history of implementing environmental initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting community well-being. The launch of the Chatham Home Energy Insight Program further underscores this commitment, aiming for a healthier, more sustainable future for all residents.

Media Contact:

Krystal Soto-Perez

[email protected]com

(201) 632-3463

SOURCE Ciel Power LLC
YEREVAN, JULY 7, ARMENPRESS. The meeting of Prime Ministers of Armenia and Georgia, Nikol Pashinyan and Irakli Garibashvili, took place in the city of Batumi, Georgia, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

First, the leaders of the two countries had a private conversation, and then the negotiations continued in an expanded format.

The Prime Ministers emphasized the strong historical and cultural ties that unite the two nations.

It was noted that with a common commitment to contribute to regional stability and prosperity, Armenia and Georgia aim to engage in High Level Dialogue on strategic issues, which will provide an additional impetus for effective cooperation while contributing to regional peace and stability.

The intense contacts that testify to the dynamic development of bilateral relations and the high level of political dialogue were highlighted.

The interlocutors discussed various issues and perspectives of Armenia-Georgia cooperation, referred to further steps aimed at consistent development and expansion of cooperation in various fields.

The sides exchanged views on the regional situation and developments.
WARREN, N.J., July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cipla Limited (BSE: 500087; NSE: CIPLA EQ; and hereafter referred to as "Cipla"), today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Cipla US is voluntarily recalling six batches of Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90 mcg (200 Metered Inhalation) manufactured in November 2021 to the consumer level.

Sr. No Product Name Batch No Expiry Date 1 Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90mcg (200 MI) IB20045 Nov.2023 2 Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90mcg (200 MI) IB20055 Nov.2023 3 Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90mcg (200 MI) IB20056 Nov.2023 4 Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90mcg (200 MI) IB20057 Nov.2023 5 Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90mcg (200 MI) IB20059 Nov.2023 6 Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol, 90mcg (200 MI) IB20072 Nov.2023

Risk Statement: There is a reasonable probability that failure to deliver the recommended dose to treat the respiratory symptoms of acute asthma exacerbations such as wheezing coughing, shortness of breath and bronchospasms, due to device defect, may be life-threatening. There were no adverse events reported for Albuterol Sulfate Inhalation Aerosol 90 mcg related to this recall.

The company is initiating a recall in the US due to a market complaint for one single inhaler (Batch Number - IB20056), where leakage was observed through the inhaler valve. Out of an abundance of precaution, the above mentioned 6 batches manufactured using the same lot of valves are being recalled.

The product is used for the treatment and prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise induced bronchospasm. The product is packaged in 17ml plain aluminium aerosol canister integrated with dose counter coupled with plastic actuator and dust cap, each pack claims 200 metered inhalations and associated codes NDC-69097-142-60. These 6 batches were distributed Nationwide to wholesalers and retailers.

Cipla is notifying its distributors and customers by letter and is arranging for return and replacement of all recalled products. Consumers/distributors/retailers that have product from these 6 batches which are being recalled should stop using/return to place of purchase/discard.

Consumers with questions about adverse reactions or quality problems regarding these 6 batches can contact Cipla Customer Service at 844- CIPLAUS (844-247-5287) M-F 8:30-5:00 EST, or email [email protected]. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Complete and submit the report Online : www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Cipla maintains stringent quality processes to assess quality defects and safety issues. Cipla conducts regular investigation and assessment by committees consisting of subject-matter experts, quality management, and medical safety experts.

SOURCE Cipla
Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met with Pakistan's Prime Minister, Minister of Climate Change, diplomats, and youth climate advocates in Islamabad .

met with Prime Minister, Minister of Climate Change, diplomats, and youth climate advocates in . His visit focused on enhancing progress across mitigation, adaptation, finance and loss and damage, and meeting the needs of the most climate-vulnerable countries.

"The reality is that climate change is already having a profound impact on the lives of billions of people and this is something Pakistanis understand all too well."

"Last year's floods impacted at least 30 million people. More than 1,700 lost their lives. Millions were displaced  and billions of dollars in damages were incurred."

"The world is at an inflection point in climate diplomacy  platitudes will no longer suffice."

"I am determined to ensure that at COP28 the world's focus is fixed on the needs and the hopes of people, that we hear their voices, and we respond to their demands with ambition and action."

the world's focus is fixed on the needs and the hopes of people, that we hear their voices, and we respond to their demands with ambition and action." "None of us is immune to the effects of climate change, it is a political, economic and social challenge that requires all of us acting in solidarity to collaborate and find solutions."

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and COP28 President-Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber witnessed the signing of a UAE-Pakistan MoU to cooperate on the development and investment in renewable energy projects in Pakistan to support their efforts to advance the energy transition.

ISLAMABAD, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- COP28 UAE President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber met the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif, senior government and diplomatic officials, and youth climate advocates in Islamabad as part of his global listening and engagement tour. During his visit, he called for greater collaboration on climate and support for developing countries on the frontlines of climate change.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, COP28 President-Designate meets Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad

Dr. Al Jaber met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss priorities linked to the COP28 agenda, including building a robust response to the Global Stocktake, climate finance and operationalization of the loss and damage fund, tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030, climate adaptation and resilience and nature-based solutions.

Dr Al Jaber met with Sherry Rehman, Pakistan Minister of Climate Change and Environment to discuss Pakistan's vulnerability to extreme weather events linked to climate.

"The reality is that climate change is already having a profound impact on the lives of billions of people and this is something Pakistanis understand all too well," said Dr. Al Jaber, referring to last year's devastating floods that affected at least 30 million people and resulted in mass displacement and infrastructure and economic loss.

Dr. Al Jaber added, "At COP28, the world's focus must be fixed on the needs and hopes of people, their voices must be heard and we must respond to their demands with ambition and action."

Supporting Pakistan's efforts to advance a just energy transition, the COP28 President-Designate and the Pakistani Prime Minister witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to cooperate on the development and investments of renewable energy projects in Pakistan. The agreement was signed by Sharif Al Olama, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, and Rashid Mahmood Langrial, Federal Secretary from Pakistan's Ministry of Energy.

"We must build the energy system of the future while decarbonizing the energy system of today," stressed the COP28 President-Designate. "This includes tripling renewables and doubling both energy efficiency and hydrogen production. We must also achieve net zero methane emissions by 2030 and deliver on net zero carbon emissions by 2050."

Dr. Al Jaber added: "We must streamline and simplify access to climate finance and reform IFIs and MDBs, while incentivizing the private sector to play a larger role in climate finance. Developed countries must deliver on their promise of $100 billion annually to the Global South and the Loss & Damage fund must be operationalized."

During his visit, Dr. Al Jaber also delivered a speech at the Pakistan Foreign Service Academy, emphasizing the need for course-correction to get the world back on track towards meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

The COP28 President-Designate also pointed to the need to 'protect nature, enhance food systems, upgrade adaptation responses and bring health onto the climate agenda for the first time'. He commended Pakistan's pioneering reforestation initiatives, which "will lead to the expansion of natural carbon sinks, the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity, and better protection against land degradation and climate impacts."

Dr. Al Jaber was accompanied on the visit by the Emirates Red Crescent Secretary General Hamoud Al Junaibi, who emphasized the crucial need to respond to the humanitarian needs in Pakistan, especially in the aftermath of last year's disastrous floods.

The Secretary-General highlighted the Emirates Red Crescent's significant contribution in providing humanitarian assistance to those affected through its office in Pakistan.

"The authority has been actively engaged in Pakistan for many decades, implementing numerous relief programs and development projects in areas such as healthcare, education, social welfare, housing, and other essential services," said Al Junaibi. "The Emirates Red Crescent will continue to support vulnerable countries to alleviate the impact of natural disasters, particularly floods and earthquakes."

In Islamabad, Dr Al Jaber met with Pakistan-based youth delegates from the COP28 International Youth Climate Delegates Program and representatives from YOUNGO, the Official Children and Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC. He listened to their personal stories and efforts to mobilize climate action and welcomed their views for meaningful youth inclusion in the multilateral climate process.

"We must have the most inclusive COP ever  one that brings everyone to the table, using every tool available, to take a holistic approach to this global challenge," said Dr. Al Jaber.

Notes to Editors:

COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a "leave no one behind" approach to inclusive climate action.

Youth Climate Delegate Program

Through the International Youth Delegates Program we will support 100 youth to join us from small island developing states, least developed countries and indigenous communities from around the world.

Further information on the Youth Climate Delegates can be found on the COP28 website - https://www.cop28.com/en/youth-delegates

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2148810/COP28_Pakistan_Visit.jpg

SOURCE COP28
TORONTO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Cybeats Technologies Corp. ("Cybeats'' or the "Company"')(CSE: CYBT)(OTCQB: CYBCF) is pleased to announce the signing of a licence agreement for SBOM Studio with a global medical device manufacturing (MDM) company, ranking in the top 5 based on revenue.1

This license marks Cybeats' second commercial agreement with MDM providers from the global top 5. Cybeats also recently announced a pilot evaluation2 with another MDM from the top 5, and the commercial pipeline has expanded to include several MDMs from the global top 20.3

"Securing a contract with another prominent medical device company highlights the increasing demand for SBOM Studio. Our platform offers comprehensive solutions for risk management and supports compliance with the recently mandated FDA requirements, ensuring enhanced cybersecurity for the healthcare industry. We expect that the Healthcare IT and MDM sector will continue to be a significant catalyst for Cybeats' commercial expansion,"said Bob Lyle, CRO of Cybeats

Cybeats SBOM Studio delivers comprehensive software supply chain intelligence technology, empowering the company to effectively manage SBOMs and proactively address cyber risks in their medical device portfolio and beyond. The FDA's new Refuse-to-Accept Authority emphasizes the significance of SBOM management solutions like SBOM Studio. This recent contract with a medical device firm underscores the growing expertise in the healthcare security industry vertical, and increasing demand for SBOM solutions within the industry.

FDA & Medical Device Manufacturers

The FDA's role in regulating medical device cybersecurity has significantly increased due to its authority to approve or reject premarket submissions based on compliance with the FD&C Act's section 524B. This section mandates that Medical Device Manufacturer (MDM) provide a SBOM for their devices' commercial, open-source, and off-the-shelf software components. The ability to institute an RTA decision emphasizes the FDA's dedication to medical device cybersecurity and the importance of SBOMs for a transparent and accountable software supply chain.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act ('Omnibus') amended the FD&C Act's section 524B, titled 'Ensuring Cybersecurity of Medical Devices.' This requires MDMs to disclose a comprehensive list of software components used in their devices, including third-party and open-source elements, and address postmarket vulnerabilities with patches. To proactively manage cybersecurity risks, MDMs must maintain an accurate inventory of device components, develop vulnerability management and risk assessment processes, provide device patches, and maintain device change records. The urgent need for managing vast amounts of SBOM data has created a large and growing addressable market for solutions like SBOM Studio.

Other Recent Commercial Highlights

86.5% growth in SBOM Studio 'seats' under licence contract since late 2022, when Cybeats publicly listed in Canada . A seat represents a single user of the SBOM Studio platform, and organizations acquire several SBOM Studio seats in order to provide access to all team members who require use of the platform 4

'seats' under licence contract since late 2022, when Cybeats publicly listed in . A seat represents a single user of the platform, and organizations acquire several seats in order to provide access to all team members who require use of the platform Three clients from the global top-10 largest industrial control systems and building automation sectors

Signed a license Agreement with a top-3 global Medical Device Manufacturer 5 , and this licence (effective May 14, 2023 ), marks its 2nd commercial agreement with an MDM from the global top 5 and another in a pilot evaluation stage

, and this licence (effective ), marks its 2nd commercial agreement with an MDM from the global top 5 and another in a pilot evaluation stage 75% of organizations that have completed SBOM Studio pilot evaluation periods have moved on to sign commercial licence agreements with Cybeats6

About Cybeats

Cybeats is a cybersecurity company providing SBOM management and software supply chain intelligence technology, helping organizations to manage risk, meet compliance requirements, and secure their software from procurement to development and operation. Our platform gives customers comprehensive visibility and transparency into their software supply chain, enabling them to improve operational efficiency and increase revenue. Cybeats. Software Made Certain. Website: https://cybeats.com

SUBSCRIBE: For more information, or to subscribe to the Company's mail list, visit: https://www.cybeats.com/investors

Forward-looking Information Cautionary Statement

Except for statements of historic 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. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates 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 statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the CSE. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for the products described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Company filings are available at sedar.com.

SOURCE Cybeats Technologies Corp.
SHENYANG, China, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A delegation from China's northeastern province of Liaoning has been in Hong Kong since June 30th to attend an event at Victoria Park celebrating the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The delegation also engaged in a series of investment promotion activities aimed at strengthening cultural and economic cooperation between Hong Kong and Liaoning. These activities included a cultural and tourism industry promotion conference that showcased Liaoning's cultural charm and development achievements to attract more investment to the region.

The Victoria Park exhibition featured 37 cultural and tourism companies from Liaoning that displayed their traditional culture, industrial foundation, rich cultural and tourism resources, unique humanistic features, and advanced cultural and technological integration achievements, according to the Information Office of Liaoning Province.

During the Liaoning Cultural and Tourism Investment Promotion Conference, the delegation provided a detailed introduction to Liaoning's cultural heritage, characteristic cultural resources, and industrial development advantages. They presented 306 cultural and tourism investment projects and aimed to collaborate with Hong Kong's relevant businesses and institutions to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results.

Liaoning is currently implementing a three-year action plan for comprehensive revitalization aimed at making new breakthroughs. With a unique natural landscape, diverse ecological types, and a long history, Liaoning aims to transform its resource advantages into industrial and competitive strengths. They are looking to develop a new path of high-quality development with Liaoning characteristics while accurately grasping the new trends, characteristics, and opportunities of the cultural and tourism industry.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441467

Caption: Liaoning promotes investment in Hong Kong.

SOURCE The Information Office of Liaoning Province
CHICAGO , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The EUV lithography market is expected to reach USD 25.3 billion by 2028 from USD 9.4 billion in 2023, at a CAGR of 21.8% during the 20232028 period according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. Many semiconductor companies are investing in EUV lithography system and equipment which gives an opportunity for growth in the EUV lithography market. The EUV lithography market is in the development phase at present, with the presence of multiple players offering EUV equipment. Asia Pacific is likely to contribute significantly to the growth of the EUV lithography market. Similarly, the Americas and Europe are expected to be the growing market for the forecasted period.

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Browse in-depth TOC on "Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography Market"

120  Tables

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Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) Lithography Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $9.4 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $25.3 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 21.8% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million/Billion) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Equipment, End User and Region Geographies Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of World Key Market Challenge Source power and productivity in EUV lithography act as a challenge for the market Key Market Opportunities Advanced memory development for next-generation memory devices Key Market Drivers Increasing complexity of the integrated circuit

The Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) light source segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR of the EUV lithography equipment market during the forecast period.

EUV Lithography light source is a critical component utilized in EUV lithography systems within the semiconductor industry. Currently, the dominant technology for generating EUV light is laser-produced plasma (LP). A prominent example of such an LP EUV light source is the one developed by ASML, a leading manufacturer of semiconductor equipment. ASML's LP EUV light source employs a high-power pulse laser to irradiate tin (Sn) droplets or a thin tin film. The intense laser energy quickly heats and vaporizes the tin material, resulting in the creation of plasma. As the plasma cools and recombines, it emits EUV light with a wavelength of approximately 13.5 nanometers. This process is essential for enabling advanced semiconductor manufacturing using EUV lithography technology.

Multiple companies are expanding their business in EUV light sources. For instance, Energetiq Technology Inc. announced in December 2022 that the company is creating a distinct business segment for EUV light source products. The new EUV Business segment of the company will be responsible for assembling all the core technology, engineering, marketing, field service, and operations personnel under the guidance of the EUV general manager.

IDM is expected to have a significant growth in EUV lithography market.

An IDM, or Integrated Device Manufacturer, is a company that handles the complete process of designing, manufacturing, and marketing integrated circuits or chips internally. In the context of EUV Lithography, an IDM specializing in this technology would take full responsibility for all aspects related to EUV lithography, starting from designing and developing EUV lithography systems to fabricating integrated circuits utilizing EUV Lithography technology. As an IDM in EUV lithography, the company would possess expertise in both EUV lithography system design and semiconductor manufacturing. They would invest in research and development (R&D) to advance EUVL technology, optimize its performance, and enhance the manufacturing process. Typically, IDMs operate their own fabrication facilities equipped with EUV lithography systems to produce chips using this advanced technology.

EUV lithography plays a critical role in semiconductor manufacturing, and IDMs specializing in EUVL technology play a key role in driving its adoption and pushing the boundaries of integrated circuit capabilities. These companies contribute to the development of cutting-edge semiconductor devices by leveraging the advantages offered by EUV lithography.

ASML is a supplier of EUV lithography technology and systems to IDMs (Integrated Device Manufacturers), while other companies such as Carl Zeiss AG, TOPPAN Inc., and NTT Advanced Technology Corporation are also actively involved in the development of lithography equipment, including EUV lithography optics, light sources, masks, metrology tools, sensors, and EUV Lithography Subassembly products.

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South Korea is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in Asia Pacific region.

South Korea plays a significant role in the advancement and adoption of EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography. The country is known for its strong presence in the global semiconductor industry, with major players like Samsung and SK HYNIX INC. These companies have been actively investing in EUV technology and integrating it into their manufacturing processes. Samsung has made significant strides in EUV lithography and has been using it to produce cutting-edge semiconductor chips. With its technological expertise, research and development capabilities, and substantial investments in EUV infrastructure, South Korea contributes to the continued development and widespread implementation of EUV lithography, driving innovation in the semiconductor industry.

In March 2023 Samsung announced their plan to invest $230 billion over the next two decades in a semiconductor production mega cluster in South Korea. The new campus, located near Yongin, will feature five advanced fabs and aims to make South Korea the world's largest chip producer. The facilities will utilize extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography scanners, contributing to the adoption of cutting-edge fabrication technologies.

During the forecast period, Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest growth rate.

The Asia Pacific region plays a significant role in the realm of EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet) lithography, an advanced technology utilized in semiconductor manufacturing. When evaluating the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography industry within this region, it encompasses countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and other parts of Asia Pacific. The strong presence of chip manufacturers in these generates a high demand for EUV lithography, contributing to its continuous development and optimization. Furthermore, the Asia Pacific region boasts a large market for consumer electronics, including smartphones, tablets, and various electronic devices. The growing need for smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient semiconductors is driving the adoption of advanced lithography technologies such as EUV. EUV lithography enables the production of high-density and high-performance chips, which are crucial for meeting the requirements of the consumer electronics market in the Asia Pacific region.

Key Players

The report profiles key players in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography companies such as ASML (Netherlands), Carl Zeiss AG(Germany), TOPPAN Inc.(Japan), NTT Advanced Technology Corporation(Japan), KLA Corporation(US), ADVANTEST CORPORATION(Japan), Ushio Inc.(Japan), SUSS MicroTec SE(Germany), AGC Inc.(Japan), Lasertec Corporation(Japan), NuFlare Technology(Japan), Energetiq Technology Inc.(US), Photronics, Inc.(US), HOYA Corporation(Japan), TRUMPF(Germany), Rigaku Corporation(Japan), Edmund Optics Ltd.(US), Park Systems(Korea), Zygo Corporation(US), Imagine Optic(US) and Applied Materials, Inc.(US).

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SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
NS Pharma, Inc. (NS Pharma; President, Tsugio Tanaka) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. (Nippon Shinyaku; President, Toru Nakai)

PARAMUS, N.J., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NS Pharma, Inc. announced today the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Rare Pediatric Disease Designation to NS-089/NCNP-02 (brogidirsen) an investigational candidate for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy amenable to exon 44 skipping therapy.

The FDA's Rare Pediatric Disease Designation is granted for treatments intended for serious or life-threatening diseases that affect children under the age of 18 and less than 200,000 patients in the U.S.

NS-089/NCNP-02 is an antisense nucleotide discovered through joint research between NS Pharma's parent company, Nippon Shinyaku, and the National Center for Psychiatry and Neurological Medicine (Kodaira City, President: Kazuyuki Nakagome).

Clinical development of NS-089/NCNP-02 includes a planned Phase 2 study in the United States conducted by NS Pharma and a Phase 2 study conducted in Japan by Nippon Shinyaku. Additional details will be provided once the trials are ready to begin enrolling participants.

About Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (Duchenne)

Duchenne is a progressive form of muscular dystrophy that occurs primarily in males. Duchenne causes progressive weakness and loss of skeletal, cardiac, and respiratory muscles. Early signs of Duchenne may include delayed ability to sit, stand or walk. There is a progressive loss of mobility, and by adolescence, patients with Duchenne may require the use of a wheelchair. Cardiac and respiratory muscle problems begin in the teenage years and lead to serious, life-threatening complications.

About NS Pharma, Inc.

NS Pharma, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd. For more information, please visit http://www.nspharma.com. NS Pharma is a registered trademark of the Nippon Shinyaku group of companies.

Contact

U.S. Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE NS Pharma
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BARTLESVILLE, Okla., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "I love you and I forgive you," Anita Smith said to husband Ronnie's murderers during a national TV interview.

Her Christlike words riveted reporters and inspired believers worldwide as they saw her faith in action after her husband was killed while living and working in Libya on mission to show Christ.

The Hearts of Fire Virtual Event from The Voice of the Martyrs is a free online event airing 7 p.m. EDT, July 14th. Tweet this

Anita's powerful story is one of four featured in the upcoming Hearts of Fire Virtual Event airing online at 7 p.m. EDT, July 14th.

The Hearts of Fire Virtual Event from The Voice of the Martyrs, in partnership with Lifeway, is a free online event designed for churches and individuals to ignite a passion for persecuted Christians around the world.

Smith is just one of four heroic women who will share testimonies of faithfulness amidst suffering and persecution. Also scheduled to speak are:

Gracia Burnham , held captive for 376 days by Islamic extremists in the Philippines .

, held captive for 376 days by Islamic extremists in . Helen Berhane, imprisoned in a shipping container for 32 months in Eritrea .

. Susanna Koh , whose husband was abducted in Malaysia in 2017 and hasn't been seen since.

"These four women showed incredible commitment to Christ in the face of opposition," said Todd Nettleton, host of VOM Radio. "And they foundeven amidst suffering and lossthat God was faithful to them, an ever-present help in times of trouble."

"Their stories will certainly inspire us," Nettleton continued, "But beyond that, I think these stories challenge each of us to consider whether we can have the same boldness, the same faithfulness, when we encounter difficult times in our own lives."

The Hearts of Fire Virtual Event will air in English and Spanish. Grammy Award-winning artist Michael W. Smith will lead worship for English-speaking viewers, while the Spanish-language version will feature award-winning Latin Christian worship leader Christine D'Clario.

VOM hosted a similar event in 2021 when more than 100,000 individuals and 1,200 churches in more than 50 countries gathered to hear stories from three male Christian workers falsely accused, arrested and imprisoned for their faith.

Churches can register online at www.heartsevent.com . There is no charge to view or host the event.

VOM provides free resources for churches such as host guides, books for attendees and free access to a six-week discipleship group study about the ministry's cofounder Sabina Wurmbrand.

SOURCE The Voice of the Martyrs
SAN FRANCISCO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA

IN RE MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. SHAREHOLDER LITIGATION ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Case No. 19CV357070 CLASS ACTION SUMMARY NOTICE OF PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF CLASS ACTION Judge: Hon. Sunil R. Kulkarni Dept: 1 Date Action Filed: October 21, 2019 This Document Relates To: ALL ACTIONS

TO: ALL PERSONS WHO ACQUIRED MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES INC. ("MAXAR" OR THE "COMPANY") COMMON STOCK IN EXCHANGE FOR DIGITALGLOBE, INC. ("DIGITALGLOBE") COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND PROSPECTUS ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH MAXAR'S OCTOBER 2017 MERGER WITH DIGITALGLOBE.

THIS NOTICE WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE COURT. IT IS NOT A LAWYER SOLICITATION. PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY.

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that a hearing will be held on December 7, 2023, at 1:30 p.m., before the Honorable Sunil R. Kulkarni at the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, Department 1, 191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113, to determine whether: (1) the proposed settlement ("Settlement") of the above-captioned action as set forth in the Stipulation of Settlement ("Stipulation")1 for $36,500,000 in cash should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable and adequate; (2) the Judgment as provided under the Stipulation should be entered; (3) to award Class Counsel attorneys' fees and expenses out of the Settlement Fund (as defined in the Notice of Proposed Settlement of Class Action ("Notice"), which is discussed below) and, if so, in what amount; (4) to pay Class Representative out of the Settlement Fund for representing the Class and, if so, in what amount; and (5) the Plan of Allocation should be approved by the Court as fair, reasonable, and adequate.

This Action is a securities class action brought on behalf of those persons who acquired Maxar common stock pursuant to the registration statement and prospectus ("Offering Materials") issued in connection with Maxar's October 2017 merger with and acquisition of DigitalGlobe, against Maxar and certain of its officers and directors (collectively, "Defendants") for, among other things, allegedly misstating and omitting material facts from the registration statement and prospectus filed in connection with the Merger. Plaintiff alleges that these purportedly false and misleading statements resulted in damage to Class Members. Defendants deny all of Plaintiff's allegations and deny that there was any violation of the securities laws.

1 The Stipulation can be viewed and/or obtained at www.MaxarSecuritiesSettlement.com.

IF YOU ACQUIRED MAXAR COMMON STOCK IN THE MERGER WITH DIGITALGLOBE, YOUR RIGHTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE SETTLEMENT OF THIS ACTION.

To share in the distribution of the Settlement Fund, you must establish your rights by submitting a Proof of Claim and Release form ("Proof of Claim") by mail (postmarked no later than September 27, 2023) or electronically (no later than September 27, 2023). Your failure to timely submit your Proof of Claim will subject your claim to rejection and preclude your receiving any of the recovery in connection with the Settlement of this Action. If you are a member of the Class and do not request exclusion therefrom, you will be bound by the Settlement and any judgment and release entered in the Action, whether or not you submit a Proof of Claim. If you have not received a copy of the Notice, which more completely describes the Settlement and your rights thereunder (including your right to object to the Settlement), and a Proof of Claim, you may obtain these documents, as well as a copy of the Stipulation (which, among other things, contains definitions for the defined terms used in this Summary Notice) and other settlement documents, online at www.MaxarSecuritiesSettlement.com, or by writing to:

Maxar Securities Settlement

c/o A.B. Data, Ltd.

P.O. Box 173131

Milwaukee, WI 53217

Inquiries should NOT be directed to Defendants, the Court, or the Clerk of the Court.

Inquiries, other than requests for the Notice or for a Proof of Claim, may be made to Class Counsel:

ADAM E. POLK

GIRARD SHARP LLP

601 California Street, Suite 1400

San Francisco, CA 94108

Telephone: (415) 981-4800

Facsimile: (415) 981-4846

DAVID W. HALL

HEDIN HALL LLP

Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 1400

San Francisco, CA 94104

Telephone: (415) 766-3534

Facsimile: (415) 402-0058

If you wish to be excluded from the Class, you must submit a request for exclusion such that it is postmarked by August 28, 2023, in the manner and form explained in the Notice. All members of the Class who have not requested exclusion from the Class will be bound by the Settlement, even if they do not submit a timely Proof of Claim.

If you are a Class Member, you have the right to object to the Settlement, the Plan of Allocation, the Request by Class Counsel for an award of attorneys' fees of up to 35% of the Settlement Fund (or $12,775,000) and expenses not to exceed $600,000, and/or for payment to the Class Representative not to exceed $10,000 for representing the Class. Any written objections must be filed with the Court and sent to Class Counsel and Defendants' counsel by August 28, 2023, in the manner and form explained in the Notice. You may also make an oral objection at the Settlement Fairness Hearing without submitting a written objection.

DATED: JUNE 8, 2023



BY ORDER OF THE SUPERIOR COURT OF





CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA

SOURCE Girard Sharp LLP and Hedin Hall LLP
DUBLIN, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Carrier Screening Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2017-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global carrier screening market is anticipated to observe impressive growth during the forecast period 2023-2027.

The major factors include increasing occurrences of genetic conditions, rising emphasis on early detection and prevention, and technological developments in the field of genomics that are fueling the growth of the market. Genetic conditions are diseases caused due to mutations in the normal DNA sequence.

Carrier screening is a kind of test that helps to know the risk of having a child with a genetic disorder. It determines whether a healthy person contains the recessive gene of genetic diseases such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and others.

The other factors supporting the market's growth are rising investments in research and developments activities by the government, rise in numerous releases and approvals of new carrier screening tests, increasing birth rate across the globe, rising focus on personalized medicine, growing awareness of carrier screening among the population, increasing maternal age, availability of mass genetic testing programs, and the high incidence of chromosomal disorders.



Rising Prevalence of Genetic Diseases



The rising incidences of genetic disorders and fetal chromosomal anomalies due to mutation in genes or chromosomes are bolstering the growth of the market globally. For instance, in the U.S., genetic diseases are the primary cause of newborn deaths, accounting for nearly 20% of annual infant mortality.

Genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, and sickle cell anemia occur due to inheritable genetic conditions present in parents, which may get inherited by the offspring. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, about 2 to 5% of infants had genetic diseases or chromosomal abnormalities. Owing to the increasing occurrences of disabilities in newborns, the surge in demand for prenatal testing is propelling the growth of the market.



Rising Emphasis on Early Detection and Prevention of Complex Genetic Disorders



In recent years, people have become more aware of genetic disorders, which enables them to plan and take better care of their babies. The growing inclination among urban parents to delay childbearing and the higher average age of mothers lead to pregnancy complications, which is a contributing factor to facilitating the growth of the market.

Early detection helps couples to know the risk of having a child with genetic diseases or disorders in an early stage of pregnancy. Thus, the rising focus on early detection and prevention of complex genetic disorders is fueling the growth of the market globally. Various initiatives are taken by government and non-government organizations for early carrier screening. For instance, in 2018, "Step One Newborn Screening" was introduced by the Dubai health authority.



Technological Advancements fuel the Market Growth.



The rise in the adoption of advanced technology in the field of genomics sector is augmenting the growth of the market. The testing techniques are becoming more reliable and convenient because of technological advancements in carrier screening methods. For instance, in 2022, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., an American supplier of scientific products, announced the launch of an NGS-based test kit, which is a type of carrier screening approach in single solution that assists in scanning genetic disorders, including gene expression.

Companies Mentioned

Eurofins Scientific, Inc.

Fulgent Genetics, Inc.

CENTOGENE N.V.

Invitae Corporation

Illumina, Inc.

Gene by Gene, Ltd.

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

Natera, Inc.

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

Market Segmentation

by Type:

Expanded Carrier Screening

Targeted Cancer Screening

by Screening Type:

Prenatal Carrier Testing

Preconception Carrier Screening

by Technology:

Next-Generation Sequencing

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Microarrays

Others

by Indication:

Cystic Fibrosis

Down's Syndrome

Thalassemia

Tay-Sachs Disease

Huntington's Disease

Sickle Cell Anemia

Others

by End User:

Hospitals & Clinics

Reference Laboratories

Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/j47fyj

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
After a meeting between President Vladimir Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov in Sofia, a joint declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration was signed.

July 7, 2023, 12:09 Bulgaria signs declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO membership

STEPANAKERT, JULY 7, ARTSAKHPRESS: Bulgaria has become the 22nd country with which Ukraine has formalized its support for membership in the Alliance, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Igor Zhovkva wrote on Facebook, news.am informs.

"The Bulgarian side welcomes Ukraine's significant achievements on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration, in particular in achieving interoperability with NATO, confirms its intention to increase joint efforts to support Ukraine's integration into the Alliance and the implementation of NATO standards, and fully supports the Ukraine-NATO Council," the document reads.

According to the declaration, Bulgaria pledges political support for Ukraine's accession to NATO.

"Together with international organizations, allies and partners, Bulgaria confirms its readiness to participate in the post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation of Ukraine," the document states.
DUBLIN, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Mobility and the Employment of Overseas Nationals Training Course" training has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The law and best practice around global mobility and the employment of overseas nationals is a fast-moving area. Are you aware of the latest changes and how they can impact your business?

This intensive training programme covers everything the in house lawyer needs to know when considering the employment of overseas nationals, including the risks involved and best practice.

This one-day event will cover the most relevant, and fast changing, topics in the world of immigration with a focus on the UK. From the impact of Brexit, to the seismic shifts in working practices caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, this session will ensure you are fully up to date.

Why you should attend?

Get to grips with the latest updates in immigration best practice

with the latest updates in immigration best practice Understand the risks involved in getting it wrong and what that could mean for your business

the risks involved in getting it wrong and what that could mean for your business Examine the primary recruitment routes available to employers

the primary recruitment routes available to employers Clarify the processes you need to follow to remain compliant with employment law

the processes you need to follow to remain compliant with employment law Expand your knowledge of discrimination law and how to ensure inclusivity

your knowledge of discrimination law and how to ensure inclusivity Learn about agile working and the implications of cross border flexible working

Who Should Attend:

This event is primarily aimed at in-house lawyers but it will also be of interest and value to HR personnel and people managers looking to recruit overseas nationals.

Key Topics Covered:

Prevention of illegal working

This session will cover a detailed look at the rules and policies around the prevention of illegal working policies, including the new (and soon to be mandatory) online verification procedure, the proposed changes in right to work verification for settled individuals and British citizens, and the implications of the Covid-19 concessions. Whilst many businesses believe they are compliant, this is actually rarely the case due to the frequent changes introduced.

Immigration options

This session will provide an overview of all UK immigration options for non-settled individuals looking to live lawfully in the UK for the purposes of work. It will cover all the primary routes employers should be aware of when looking to recruit an individual from overseas, and help them decide the most appropriate way forward.

This will include:

Sponsor licencing

Skilled workers

Intra-company transfers (and the proposed new 'Global Mobility' route)

Non sponsored work options

Family options

Immigration compliance and discrimination

This session will show you how to ensure you remain compliant with your obligations under immigration rules and policies, whilst also ensuring you remain compliant with employment law and the avoidance of discrimination to ensure inclusivity.

Global flexible working

With an increased focus on agile working, which is often across country borders, many employers are not aware of the full implications of this. This session will therefore look to provide a high level overview of all the risks when faced with cross border flexible working, including the immigration, tax, employment, health and safety and data security considerations.

Speakers:



Adam Sinfield

Osborne Clarke



Adam Sinfield, Immigration Director, UK at Osborne Clarke, is an experienced global mobility specialist, specialising in UK inbound immigration for fast growth corporates and high net worth individuals. With over 15 years' experience in advising clients on all aspects of UK and global migration matters.



As a member of the specialist immigration team, part of the employment service line, Adam focuses on assisting clients with their global staff mobility needs. This includes clients varying from fast growth tech start-ups to larger, established corporates with their global mobility strategy and management.



With a particular focus on Decarbonisation and technology, Adam is specifically involved where the two cross over, assisting clients with a tech driven approach to decarbonisation issues. In addition, he is regularly instructed to assist on multi service line, multi-jurisdictional issues, where clients require complex cross border project management.



Aside from assisting corporate clients, Adam also has a particular expertise in assisting high net worth individuals with their UK relocation, where careful planning and coordination with Osborne Clarke's Private Client team is essential.



Gavin Jones

Osborne Clarke



Gavin Jones, Head of Immigration, UK at Osborne Clarke, has over 20 years' experience advising on both business and personal immigration issues. He leads the firm's immigration practice and has a well-regarded reputation in the industry. His legal expertise comprises all areas of UK business immigration acting for multi-nationals through to start-up companies and he has advised on the full extent of entry clearance applications, as well as personal applications for UK residency and nationality, settlements and citizenship and student applications.



Gavin has a particular specialism for inward investment and helping international companies set up in the UK and has helped a number of household names with their immigration strategic planning as they set up and grew.



Gavin worked previously as Special Counsel at Taylor Wessing (where he was ranked by legal directories as a leading individual) and then as a Senior Manager at Fragomen before joining Blake Lapthorn to build and lead its immigration practice.



Gavin regularly provides commentary to the media on immigration issues and has had commentary published in HR Magazine and The Times Higher Education.



He is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioner's Association and has been a contributing editor for Immigration for The Investors Guide to the UK.



Helga Butler

Osborne Clarke



Helga Butler joined Osborne Clarke in January 2017 and has over twelve years' immigration experience. She has in-depth knowledge and expertise comprising of UK business immigration and private immigration applications.



Helga advises on a wide range of applications ranging from business sponsor licence applications, skilled worker, intra-company visas to indefinite leave to remain, naturalisation and EU Settlement Scheme and associated applications.



Helga's client base is a mixture of start-up, multinational and high net worth individuals. Compliance is an important aspect of immigration and Helga advises sponsor licence holders with sponsorship and right to work compliance. She also has experience in assisting Investors and Exceptional Talent / Global Visa applicants.



For more information about this training visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mx4tvo

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Satellite Imaging for Agriculture Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on, Application, End User, Product, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global satellite imaging for agriculture market was valued at $516.1 million in 2022, and it is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.50% during the forecast period 2023-2028 to reach $785.3 million by 2028.

The growth in the global satellite imaging for agriculture technology market is expected to be driven by the increasing need for efficient and sustainable agriculture practices.

Through the analysis of satellite imagery, farmers can assess soil characteristics, track crop health, and identify susceptibility to diseases, pests, and other risks. The integration of satellite imaging into precision agriculture practices has significantly enhanced sustainability and intelligence in the field.

Recognizing the potential of satellite imaging in agriculture, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) acknowledges the need for improved management of global agricultural resources, especially in developing nations.

Industrial Impacts

Market for satellite imaging technology in agriculture is set to benefit significantly from the advancement of small satellite constellations. These constellations consist of multiple compact satellites working collaboratively to provide high-resolution and high-frequency satellite services, delivering crucial information for achieving profitable, efficient, and sustainable agricultural practices.

In comparison to traditional satellite systems, small satellite constellations offer notable advantages, including cost reduction, shorter revisit intervals, and enhanced image resolution. These factors have substantially improved farmers' accessibility to satellite imagery, enabling its integration into sustainable farming methods and precision agriculture.

In the global market for satellite imaging in agriculture, companies are proactively employing knowledge-driven strategies and technological innovations to establish themselves as market leaders. By adopting effective business or corporate strategies, these companies aim to maintain their relevance in the market and identify opportunities for growth. They strive to gain a competitive edge by implementing efficient business or corporate strategies that contribute to long-term profitability and ensure their future success.

Demands, Drivers and Limitations

Increasing Requirements from the Insurance Sector

In the realm of payment claims management, crop insurance companies are progressively incorporating satellite imagery as a valuable tool to assess the magnitude and extent of crop damage. An accurate and unbiased view of a crop's status and potential can be obtained from satellite imagery, which can assist insurers in making more informed choices regarding crop insurance claims.

Increasing Farm Consolidation

The proliferation of satellite imagery in agricultural applications is projected to surge in response to the growing trend of farm consolidation. As farms expand in size, the integration of remote sensing technology would enable managers to effectively monitor various aspects such as growth, weather conditions, and other relevant factors. Moreover, identifying underutilized or suboptimal areas would empower farmers to consolidate these areas and increase overall productivity and operational efficiency.

High Benefits over Other Remote Sensing Technology and Infield Monitoring Technology

By incorporating satellite data into sophisticated algorithms, it is also possible to measure a variety of characteristics, including yield and crop growth stage, using satellite imagery. Satellite imagery can also aid farmers in understanding a variety of farming-related issues, such as areas that require more or less irrigation, the areas where their livestock graze, where to apply fertilizer, and the effects of changing weather patterns.

Need for Sustainable Agriculture Practices

In several ways, satellite imagery in agriculture supports the need for sustainable agricultural practices. First, crop health and growth rates can be tracked using satellite imagery, which can assist farmers in maximizing inputs and minimizing the use of pesticides and fertilizers. Second, land use and changes in vegetation cover can be tracked using satellite imagery, which can be used by farmers to identify underutilized or underused land. Deforestation and other types of land-use changes may not be as necessary as a result of more effective land use.

Market Challenges:

Technical Challenges in Obtaining and Analyzing Satellite Imagery

Even though satellite imagery has long been used in the agriculture industry, many developing nations still lack knowledge and understanding of the technology. This ignorance and lack of understanding may limit the use of satellite imagery in agriculture and prevent farmers from benefiting from its advantages.

Although satellite imagery offers data for agricultural practices, crop types, and the corresponding outcome variables over lengthy time periods, farmers in developing nations might lack the technical know-how or expertise to effectively access and use the data.

Geopolitical Issues

High-resolution satellite imagery is restricted from being accessed for agricultural purposes due to national security, political, and privacy concerns, among other geopolitical issues.

Additionally, some nations might not have the resources or infrastructure necessary to access and use satellite imagery efficiently, which can restrict the extent to which farmers in those nations can take advantage of satellite imagery's advantages in agriculture.

Limited Understanding and Awareness Across Developing Countries

Israel and the U.S. are two nations that limit access to high-resolution satellite imagery. While access to high-resolution satellite imagery in Israel has historically been constrained due to national security concerns, production of satellite imagery with a resolution finer than 0.31 m is prohibited in the U.S.

Market Opportunities:

Rising Threat of Climate Risk

Satellite imagery is employed to tackle climate risks in agriculture. It aids in precision agriculture, enabling farmers to manage their environment sustainably. Remote sensing combines satellite data with field samples for a comprehensive agricultural landscape overview. Decision-makers can utilize satellite data for climate-sensitive matters like land use and water management.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Action

By advancing crop production, raising agricultural efficiencies, enhancing crop yields, and cutting costs associated with food production, AI and ML are revolutionizing satellite imagery in agriculture. In order to predict crop yields, ML analyzes sensor data and historical trends, aiding farmers in the practice of precision farming. To help farmers monitor, manage, and protect crops from extreme weather conditions, diseases, pests, and other threats, satellite imagery can be combined with other cutting-edge solutions, such as the Internet of Things.

Tapping Small Holding Farmers with Affordable Solutions

The free use of satellite imagery on services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the cost-effective solutions offered to smallholder farmers by satellite imaging. This can improve efficiency and help farmers conserve water and fertilizer. Additionally, utilizing satellite data and machine learning can promote smallholder farmers' financial inclusion.

Key Market Players and Competition Synopsis

The companies that are profiled have been selected based on inputs gathered from primary experts and analyzing company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

The top leading players include the public companies operating in the global satellite imaging for agriculture market, which had a market share of around 62% in 2021. The rest of the market share, 38%, was taken by the private and start-up companies.

Industry Outlook

Market Dynamics

Business Drivers

Increasing Requirements from Insurance Sector

Increasing Farm Consolidation

High Benefits over Other Remote Sensing Technology and Infield Monitoring Technology

Need for Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Business Opportunities

Rising Threat of Climate Risk

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Action

Business Challenges

Technical Challenges in Obtaining and Analyzing Satellite Imagery

Hindrance Due to Cloud Cover

Hindrance due to Spatial and Temporal Resolution

Limited Awareness and Understanding across Developing Countries

Geopolitical Issues

Business Dynamics

Ongoing Trends

Development of Small Satellite Constellations

Integration with other technologies

Ecosystem/Ongoing Programs

Consortiums, Associations, and Regulatory Bodies

Government Initiatives and Impacts

Tapping Small Holding Farmer with Affordable Solutions

Market Strategies and Developments

Business Strategies

Product Developments

Market Developments

Corporate Strategies

Mergers and Acquisitions

Partnerships, Collaborations, and Joint Ventures

Snapshot of Corporate Strategies Adopted by the Key Players in the Market

Case Study

Airbus in Yield Optimization

Planet Labs PBC in Irrigation Intelligence

EOS Data Analytics,Inc in Precision Agriculture

Start-Up Landscape

Key Start-Ups in the Ecosystem

Funding Analysis

Total Investment and Number of Funding Deals

Top Funding Deals by the Start-ups

Funding Analysis (by Country)

Top Investors

Active Satellites for Digital Agriculture Application and their Technicalities

Impact of Russia-Ukraine Crisis on the Global Satellite Imaging for Agriculture Market

Key Companies Profiled

Public Companies

Airbus

Farmers Edge Inc

Planet Labs PBC

Satellogic

Syngenta

Maxar Technologies

Private Companies

Descartes Labs, Inc

EOS Data Analytics Inc

Esri

European Space Imaging

Gamaya

ICEYE

NaraSpace Inc

Open Cosmos Ltd

Satellite Imaging Corporation

SkyWatch

SpaceKnow Inc.

EarthDaily Analytics

SatSure

SpaceSense

Synspective

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5scft6

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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Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/539438/Research_and_Markets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Softwood Sawn Timber Market (2023 Edition): Analysis By Value & Volume, Pricing, Type (Fir, Cedar, Pine, Treated Lumber, Redwood, Others), End User Industry, By Region, By Country: Market Insights and Forecast (2019-2029)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Global Softwood Sawn Timber is expected to generate USD 456.1 Billion by the end of 2029, up from USD 111.7 Billion in 2022. During the forecast period, 2024-2029, the Global Softwood Sawn Timber is expected to expand at a CAGR of 23.10%.

The research report covers a detailed analysis of the regions (Americas, Europe, APAC, Middle East Africa) and 10 countries (United States, Canada, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, China, India, Japan). Additionally, the research report presents data including market size, yearly growth & potential analysis, the competitive study of market players, investment opportunities and demand forecast.



The research report also assesses growth indicators, restraints, supply and demand risk, and other important statistics, as well as a full assessment of current and future market trends that are relevant to the market evolution.



Softwood species such as pine, spruce, fir, and cedar are widely available and have relatively faster growth rates compared to hardwood species. Softwood lumber possesses excellent structural properties, including a high strength-to-weight ratio and load-bearing capacity.

These factors make it a perfect material for rapid construction and infrastructure development worldwide. Due to high-scale urbanization and increasing global demand for construction, there is an increase in demand for softwood sawn timber globally. The rising population, as well as the growing urbanization, are driving up the Softwood Sawn Timber market.



The Asia Pacific, comprising of developing countries like India, China, and developed countries like South Korea and Japan, represents a significant market for Softwood Sawn Timber services. The market size is influenced by the size of the economy, population, and the level of urbanization and construction industry in the country within the region.

The demand for softwood sawn timber in the Asia Pacific region is primarily driven by several factors. One of the main reasons is the rapid economic growth and urbanization in many countries in the region, such as China, India, and Southeast Asian nations. This has led to an increased demand for construction materials, including softwood-sawn timber, which is used for building homes, offices, and other structures.



In addition, the Asia Pacific region is home to some of the largest forestry industries in the world, with countries like Canada, Russia, and the United States exporting large quantities of softwood sawn timber to the region. This has helped to meet the growing demand for softwood-sawn timber in the region.



Wood packaging material sometimes referred to as Non-Manufactured Wood Packing (NMWP) or Solid Wood Packing Material (SWPM), is mostly softwood. Increasing industrial product packaging demands have brought a variety of rigid and flexible packaging designs in the market.

Packaging is an important aspect of the safety of products. Innovative bio-based materials as substitutes for polymers derived from fossil fuels for packaging applications have been developed in response to growing environmental concerns from businesses and consumers which are increasing the demand for wood packaging solutions.



Scope of the Report

The report analyses the Softwood Sawn Timber Market by Value (USD Billion)

The report presents the analysis of Softwood Sawn Timber Market for the historical period of 2019-2022, the estimated year 2023 and the forecast period of 2024-2029

The report analyses Softwood Sawn Timber Market by Type (Fir, Cedar, Pine, Treated Lumber, Redwood and Other Types)

The report analyses the Softwood Sawn Timber Market by End User Industry Channel (Construction Industry, Packaging Industry, Manufacturing Industry and Other End User Industries)

The key insights of the report have been presented through the frameworks of SWOT and Porter's Five Forces Analysis. Also, the attractiveness of the market has been presented by region, by Product Type, by End User Industry

Also, the major opportunities, trends, drivers and challenges of the industry has been analysed in the report

The report tracks competitive developments, strategies, mergers and acquisitions and new product development.

The companies analysed in the report include

West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.

Canfor Corporation

Weyerhaeuser Company

Stora Enzo Ojy

Interfor Corporation

Svenska Cellulose AB

Metsa Group

Holmen AB

Sierra Pacific Industries

Binderholz Gmbh

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pm06da

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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Research and Markets

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Green Hydrogen Market Report 2023-2033" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Major Drivers of the Green Hydrogen Market Is the Increasing Demand for Clean Energy

The Green Hydrogen market is forecast to surpass US$2.829 billion in 2023.



Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. The market for green hydrogen is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years as governments and companies around the world invest in the technology to reduce carbon emissions and meet climate change goals.



One of the major drivers of the green hydrogen market is the increasing demand for clean energy. As the world shifts away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources, green hydrogen is seen as a viable alternative for many applications, including transportation, industrial processes, and power generation.



Another driver of the market is government support and funding. Many countries, including the European Union and the United States, have announced plans to invest in green hydrogen production and infrastructure. This is expected to drive the development of new technologies and the expansion of existing ones, helping to bring down the cost of green hydrogen and making it more competitive with fossil fuels.



However, the market is also facing some challenges, such as the high cost of production, lack of infrastructure and the difficulty of storing and transporting hydrogen. The technology is still in its early stages, and more research and development is needed to bring down the cost and increase the efficiency of green hydrogen production.



Key Questions Answered in the Report:

How is the green hydrogen market evolving?

What is driving and restraining the green hydrogen market?

How will each green hydrogen submarket segment grow over the forecast period and how much revenue will these submarkets account for in 2033?

How will the market shares for each green hydrogen submarket develop from 2023 to 2033?

What will be the main driver for the overall market from 2023 to 2033?

Will leading green hydrogen markets broadly follow the macroeconomic dynamics, or will individual national markets outperform others?

How will the market shares of the national markets change by 2033 and which geographical region will lead the market in 2033?

Who are the leading players and what are their prospects over the forecast period?

What are the green hydrogen projects for these leading companies?

How will the industry evolve during the period between 2023 and 2033? What are the implications of green hydrogen projects taking place now and over the next 10 years?

Is there a greater need for product commercialisation to further scale the green hydrogen market?

Where is the green hydrogen market heading and how can you ensure you are at the forefront of the market?

What are the best investment options for new product and service lines?

What are the key prospects for moving companies into a new growth path and C-suite?

Forecasts to 2033 and other analyses reveal commercial prospects

In addition to revenue forecasting to 2033, the new study provides you with recent results, growth rates, and market shares.

You will find original analyses, with business outlooks and developments.

Discover qualitative analyses (including market dynamics, drivers, opportunities, restraints and challenges), cost structure, impact of rising green hydrogen prices and recent developments.

The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Green Hydrogen Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies' operations.



Leading companies profiled:

Air Liquide

Air Products and Chemicals

Cummins

Engie

Guangdong Nation-Synergy Hydrogen Power Technology

Linde

Nel ASA

Siemens Energy

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions

Uniper

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Overview



2 Executive Summary



3 Premium Insights

3.1 Geographical Snapshot: Global Green Hydrogen Market

3.2 Technology Segment

3.3 Renewable Segment

3.4 Application Segment

4 Market Overview



5 Global Green Hydrogen Market Analysis

5.1 Key Findings

5.1.1 Global Green Hydrogen Market Forecast

5.1.2 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Region

5.1.3 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Technology

5.1.4 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Renewable Source

5.1.5 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Application



6 Global Green Hydrogen Market Analysis by Technology

6.1.1 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Technology: Market Attractiveness Index

6.1.2 Global Green Hydrogen Market Share Index by Technology

6.1.3 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Technology

6.2 Alkaline Electrolyser

6.3 Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) Electrolyser

6.4 Solid Oxide Electrolyser

6.5 Other Technology



7 Global Green Hydrogen Market Analysis by Renewable Source

7.1.1 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Renewable Source: Market Attractiveness Index

7.1.2 Global Green Hydrogen Market Share Index by Renewable Source

7.1.3 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Renewable Source

7.2 Solar Energy

7.3 Wind Energy

7.4 Geothermal Energy

7.5 Hydropower Energy

7.6 Hybrid of Wind and Solar



8 Global Green Hydrogen Market Analysis by Application

8.1.1 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Application: Market Attractiveness Index

8.1.2 Global Green Hydrogen Market Share Index by Application

8.1.3 Global Green Hydrogen Market by Application

8.2 Mobility industry

8.3 Industrial Uses

8.4 Chemical Production

8.5 Grid Injection

8.6 Power Generation

8.7 Other Applications



9 North America Green Hydrogen Market Analysis



10 Europe Green Hydrogen Market Analysis



11 Asia-Pacific Green Hydrogen Market Analysis



12 Latin America Green Hydrogen Market Analysis



13 Middle East & Africa Green Hydrogen Market Analysis



14 Company Profiles

14.1 Siemens Energy

14.2 Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation

14.3 Nel ASA

14.4 Linde

14.5 Cummins

14.6 Guangdong Nation-Synergy Hydrogen Power Technology

14.7 Air Liquide

14.8 Air Products and Chemicals

14.9 Uniper

14.10 Engie



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/rky05w

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]



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SOURCE Research and Markets
QINGDAO, China, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hisense, a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand, has partnered with the documentary channel Discovery to encourage people to explore new worlds and 'Find Their Mission X'.

Through the collaboration, the two companies have produced a content series documenting the adventures of Ping Fan, an underwater photographer, finding his own Mission X through his unrivalled ability to capture some of the most striking and isolated places in the world.

"Find Your Mission X" with Hisense and Discovery

Embarking on a cave diving exploration to uncover the secrets of Mexico's mysterious caverns, which the Mayans believed to be the gateway to the underworld, Ping is filmed finding his own Mission X through the partnership. But Mission X isn't restricted to Ping or indeed to diving. It is a mindset that anyone can adopt: one that emphasizes discovery, exploration and curiosity, and which ultimately drives people's quality of life and happiness.

Hisense is on its own Mission X, in search for the ultimate goal of perfect picture quality. And while the company knows it will be challenging, it is confident it will succeed on its journey. This mission is particularly evident in its new ULED X television, which allows viewers to experience the true depth of colour. Thanks to its 20,000 mini-LEDs, it brings to market the brightest whites and the darkest blacks of any television, resulting in 3x the environmental contrast of OLED TV. The entire ULED product series, not just the new product ULED X, is designed around providing users with the ultimate audiovisual experience and meeting different needs.

The documentary video, which displays stunning footage of an underwater cave and how Ping captured it, demonstrates this technology at its peak; with all the darks of the caves situated in stark contrast next to the sharp pockets of light emanating from Ping's torch.

The full documentary is available to watch on Hisense's social media channels, meanwhile, the Master Class Livestream is available at 1 p.m. EDT on July 14 on YouTube.

About Hisense:

Hisense is a leading global home appliance and consumer electronics brand. Hisense's business covers multimedia products (with a focus on Smart TVs), home appliances, and IT intelligent information. Recently, Hisense has grown rapidly and is now operating in more than 160 countries.

SOURCE Hisense
Curators will showcase pop art icon Andy Warhol and internationally known artists featured in Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art, to reclaim Milford, PA's artistic and environmental legacy.

MILFORD, Pa., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Forest Hall Studios, located at historic Forest Hall of Milford, announces curators Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg of its art exhibition showcase features. To prepare the landmark venue, interior updates and renovations are underway for the return of "Andy in Nature" and the reveal of Hunt Slonem, Bruce Denhert, and Vincent Caruso.

Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg, also known as the Hilton Brothers. PHOTO: JEFFREY CLOUTIER

Artists Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg , aka the "Hilton Brothers," join forces to create beautiful public art exhibitions in the town of Milford, a place they have fallen in love with. Makos, called by Andy Warhol "the most modern photographer in America," is known for his portraits of Andy Warhol and the cultural pillars of the '70s and '80s. Solberg is known for his renowned military "Service" portraits and monumental flower portraits. "Paul's images evoke bygone eras while remaining fresh and immediate"-Sir Elton John. Both artists, based in Manhattan, exhibited their works individually and as a duo in museums and international institutions.

Makos and Solberg's curatorial plans include the following exhibitions:

"Andy in Nature" artists: Christopher Makos + Paul Solberg

Returning, Andy in Nature, will run July 8 - September 3, 2023a rare glimpse of two contrasting and connected bodies of 36 artworks between the two artists. Makos's pictures of Warhol "outside" in locations such as Colorado, seaside New England, and Montauk. Contrasting are the oxygen-fueled monumental flower portraits of Solberg, a nod to Warhol's work with flowers.

Followers of the famed pop art icon can visit Forest Hall Studios, less than two hours from New York City. Andy in Nature merchandise will be available for purchase.

"Wildlife" artist: Hunt Slonem

On September 23, 2023, "Wildlife" by Hunt Slonem will be unveiled. Slonem, a renowned Neo-Expressionist, with work in the Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney, Miro Foundation, and New Orleans Museum of Art, is known for his depiction of bunnies and butterflies, revealing natures reocurring wonder.

"Alula" artist: Bruce Denhert

Fulbright Award selector Bruce Dehnert is an internationally known ceramist, founder, and educator of Sugar Mapes Center for Creative Arts in Maplecrest, NY. Denhert is an author of works displayed in numerous national and international collections from North America to New Zealand. "Alula" is a unique installation made especially for Forest Hall. As Denhert says, "It's the architecture of impulsive cuts to the left when I know it's not right following nature's intuition, rather than mine."

"Shadows" artist Vincent Caruso

A new addition to the hall will be "Shadows" by Vincent Caruso, on display July 22, 2023. The most intimate of the three shows, Caruso's youthful curiosity will showcase engaging visual effects exploring the mystery between light and dark. Caruso is a Hallmark Institute of Photography graduate passionate about creating images of beauty reminding us to look at the beauty our own walk with light creates.

Admission to Forest Hall Studios exhibition is complimentary. Exhibit Hours: Saturdays 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm and Sundays 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.

The hall will house "The Store" at the entry-level, where merchandise can be purchased.

For more information, visit Forest Hall Studios at foresthallmilford.com.

Email [email protected].

About Forest Hall

Historic venue located in Milford, Pennsylvania. The beautiful bluestone building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is known as the building where the American conservation movement began. Forest Hall, today in 2023, is now home to Forest Hall Studios, curated exhibitions by Christopher Makos and Paul Solberg.

About the Hilton Brothers:

The Hilton Brothers, a moniker derived from the conjoined vaudeville stars of the 1930s, the Hilton Sisters, began their collaboration from their travels starting in 2004. They were both drawn to similar subject matter when they were in the latest exotic location: from Egypt, Alaska, Vietnam, or Spain, documenting the textures of the world, naturally creating their second collaborative identity. Looking at the printed results back in the studio, it was fascinating for them to see where their sensibilities merged and diverged. It was the collision of identity derived from the most authentic evolution. Unlike artists who assign themselves to collaborate, this collaboration presented itself to the two artists. As one year turned into five, and ten into twenty years, it became a photographic journal of two artists photographing the same experience, which led them to begin a series of diptychs. Over time, they reviewed their photographic history to tell a new story, one artwork combining two images. The start of their collaboration was the "Hippofolium" (2005) series, which can be seen in the suites of Hotel Fauchere, and later, their series, "Andy Dandy" (2007) where two examples are in the current "Andy in Nature" exhibition.

SOURCE Milford Hospitality Group
CHICAGO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --The future of the IoT security sector is bright. The rapid expansion of the IoT ecosystem, increased cybersecurity risks, regulatory and compliance requirements, integration of AI and ML, collaboration between the IoT and cybersecurity industries, emphasis on secure IoT deployment and lifecycle management are all key factors. As organisations invest in comprehensive security solutions to secure the expanding number of connected devices and the data they manage, the market will expand significantly.

The IoT Security Market is estimated at USD 20.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 59.2 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 23.1% from 2023 to 2028, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. IoT controls various connected devices into a single, smart device, such as a smartphone, PC, or tablet. But for hackers, the IoT ecosystem is a world of opportunities, where billions of interconnected devices transfer and share data, creating a massive playground for tinkering, crafting, exploiting, and taking these systems to their limits. Hence, IoT security becomes essential for organizations, governments, utilities, and individuals to protect data and infrastructure.

Browse in-depth TOC on "IoT Security Market"

268 - Tables

44 - Figures

265 - Pages

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Scope of the Report

Report Metrics Details Market size available for years 2023-2028 Forecast period 20232028 Base Year 2022 Forecast units Value (USD) Million/Billion Segments Covered Offerings, Solutions, Services, Type, Data Sensitivity, Applications and Region Region covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, Latin America Companies covered Microsoft (US), AWS (US), Google (US), IBM (US), Intel (US), Cisco (US), Ericsson (Sweden), Thales (France), Allot (Israel), Infenion (Germany), Atos (France), etc.

The solution segment is expected to account for the largest market size during the forecasted period

IoT security solutions that are being offered include identity access management, data encryption and tokenization, intrusion detection system/intrusion prevention system, device authentication and management, secure software and firmware update, secure communications, PKI lifecycle management, DDoS protection, security analytics, and other solutions (virtual firewall and incidence response system). These solutions enable enterprises to secure IoT devices around the world.

The IAM (Identity and Access Management) segment is expected to account for the largest market size during the forecast period

Identity and access management refers to a business process framework. This framework consists of policies and technologies which help organizations control the appropriate access of all employees to technology resources. It manages attributes, such as phone numbers, email addresses, and social security numbers, and authenticates identities. IoT is gaining traction across industries due to its robust offerings. With the expanding reach of IoT, multiple end users and devices can be connected to networks. One of the main causes of cyberattacks is unauthorized access to networks through intrusions. With the help of identity access management, users in the network can be given limited access as per their requirements. This would protect networks from fraudulent events.

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Based on region, North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period

North America has witnessed significant growth in the IoT Security Market, leading the market in market share. North America has led in witnessing cyberattack incidents globally. It is regarded to be the most advanced region regarding information technology security adoption and infrastructure. The rising concern to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive data has enlarged government intermediary in recent years. Numerous government industry-collaborative efforts have been considered to boost the IoT Security Market. Peculiar budget allocation, mandated information consulting policies, and collaboration with the private sector are expected to make North America the most lucrative market.

Top Key Companies in IoT Security Market:

The major players in the IoT Security Market are Microsoft (US), AWS (US), Google (US), IBM (US), Intel (US), Cisco (US), Ericsson (Sweden), Thales (France), Allot (Israel), Infenion (Germany), Atos (France), etc. These players have adopted various growth strategies, such as partnerships, agreements and collaborations, new product launches and enhancements, and acquisitions to expand their footprint in the IoT Security Market.

Recent Developments

In May 2023 , AWS announces support for Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 through Configurable Endpoints. TLS 1.3 provides two major improvements in security and performance - it removes legacy features and older cipher suites in previous versions of TLS, and offers better performance through a simplified handshake process.

, AWS announces support for Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 through Configurable Endpoints. TLS 1.3 provides two major improvements in security and performance - it removes legacy features and older cipher suites in previous versions of TLS, and offers better performance through a simplified handshake process. In April 2023 , Launches a new IoT security platform called IBM Security QRadar for IoT

, Launches a new IoT security platform called IBM Security QRadar for IoT In February 2023 , Cisco announced new cloud management tools for industrial IoT applications, simplified dashboards to converge IT and OT operations, and flexible network intelligence to see and secure all industrial assets

, Cisco announced new cloud management tools for industrial IoT applications, simplified dashboards to converge IT and OT operations, and flexible network intelligence to see and secure all industrial assets In July 2022 , Microsoft launched Defender for IoT to protect printers, smart TVs and all connected things besides PCs and smartphones. Microsoft Defender for IoT was launched in preview in late 2021 but was also formerly known as Azure Defender for IoT, which launched in public preview in 2020. Before that, it was called Azure Security Center for IoT

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IoT Security Market Advantages:

IoT security solutions offer strong defence against online threats aimed at IoT networks and devices. In order to protect IoT infrastructure from unauthorised access, data breaches, and malicious assaults, they include capabilities like device authentication, encryption, access control, and secure communication protocols. IoT security lowers the possibility of data breaches, financial losses, reputational damage, and operational disruptions.

IoT security solutions emphasise data privacy, ensuring that private data sent and gathered by IoT devices is kept private and protected. In order to prevent unauthorised access to confidential and sensitive information, they deploy data anonymization and encryption techniques. with using IoT security measures, businesses may abide with data protection rules, win over more clients, and reduce the likelihood of privacy breaches.

The primary goal of IoT security solutions is to stop unauthorised manipulation or tampering with IoT devices. They put in place systems to recognise and react to attacks at the device level, including firmware alteration, software exploits, and physical manipulation. Organisations may preserve the security of their systems, stop unauthorised access, and guarantee dependable and trustworthy operations by safeguarding IoT devices.

Solutions for IoT security reduce operational risks related to IoT deployments. They give organisations insight into the security posture of IoT networks and devices, allowing them to spot vulnerabilities, patch them, and enforce security standards. Businesses may preserve their investments in IoT infrastructure and avoid disruptions to crucial operations by proactively controlling security risks.

IoT security solutions help companies comply with legal standards for data security and privacy. Avoiding fines and legal problems requires adherence to rules like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or industry-specific standards. Organisations may show their dedication to regulatory compliance and safeguard sensitive data from unauthorised access by putting strong IoT security measures in place.

Businesses can increase confidence among their stakeholders by putting a high priority on IoT security. Brand reputation, customer confidence, and the development of long-lasting connections are all improved by displaying a proactive attitude to safeguarding IoT implementations. Strong security procedures distinguish the company from rivals and give it a competitive edge by communicating a commitment to protecting sensitive data.

Report Objectives

To determine and forecast the global IoT Security Market based on components, solutions, services, types, deployment modes, application areas, and regions from 2018 to 2028, and analyze various macro and microeconomic factors that affect the market growth.

To forecast the size of the market segments with respect to five key regions: North America , Europe , Asia Pacific (APAC), Latin America , and the Middle East and Africa (MEA)

, , (APAC), , and the and (MEA) To provide detailed information related to the major factors (drivers, opportunities, threats, and challenges) influencing the growth of the IoT Security Market

To analyze each sub-segment for individual growth trends, prospects, and contribution to the total IoT security

To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders by identifying the high-growth segments of the IoT security

To profile key market players comprising top vendors and start-ups; provide comparative analysis based on business overview, regional presence, product offerings, business strategies, and key financials; and illustrate the market's competitive landscapes

To track and analyze competitive developments, such as mergers and acquisitions, product developments, partnerships and collaborations, and Research and Development (R&D) activities, in the market

Browse Adjacent Markets: Digitalization and Internet of Things (IoT) Market Research Reports & Consulting

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BEIJING, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on Japanese tourists in Xinjiang:

In midsummer, 20 Japanese residents headed to Xinjiang from various places in Japan, for a journey at their own expense.

Japanese tourists in Xinjiang: Witnessing the real Xinjiang life

Xinjiang, what kind of place is this?

For those who live outside China and have never been to Xinjiang, their first impressions are probably related to stereotypical labels like "cotton" or "human rights," which in this case, suited quite many of these 20 travelers. To some of them, Xinjiang is at most, a "remote desert."

Over this trip of nine days and eight nights, these travelers traversed the autonomous region from north to south, during which they could take photos or do livestreams whenever they wanted. On social platforms, they shared what they witnessed and experienced in Xinjiang.

In Urumqi, a traveler finished his night market tour at 1:00 a.m. Then he chose to stroll back to the hotel, which is an act, one could assume, to test if Urumqi is safe. After his return, he posted that he felt no danger along the way.

In Aksu, people saw the cotton fields in Awat County, where only two days are needed to sow 303 mu (about 49 acres) of cotton, and only five hours to finish pesticide application using drones for plant-care spraying. In a spinning company in Aksu, the travelers visited a workshop where highly automated machines operate efficiently, with very few laborers in sight. The travelers were amazed at the high degree of mechanization, a living testament to the absurdity of the so-called "forced labor." On their way to the night market, they passed by a park, where adults were dancing and children were playing around; a traveler captured the scene, commenting how peaceful people's lives are. The Consul General of China in Osaka posted some photos of the Aksu night market from a traveler's perspective, to which a Japanese user commented: It's so lively, (they) seem so happy!

In Kashgar, the Japanese travelers were warmly welcomed by the locals, and they even danced together with a Uygur "internet celebrity grandpa" who had gone viral in China. When visiting a local elementary school, Uygur children invited Sawada Osamu, the youngest member of the tour to dance with them. Despite the language difference, the boy, who started out shy, joined the students and danced freely. A Twitter user posted, when seeing the video afterwards, that he found the cross-cultural power magical!

There are also posts about fresh watermelons, tasty kebabs, about girls selling flowers while singing by the road, about people living leisurely lives

Now, in your eyes, what is Xinjiang like?

To the unknown, it is much easier to hear and believe what others say than explore and validate via your own actions. Meanwhile, these Japanese residents chose to go to Xinjiang, venturing thousands of miles, and see for themselves. There, they appreciated the exotic scenery, relished in the fresh fruits and gourmet cuisines, and experienced the real everyday life in Xinjiang, all the while gaining a different seeing perspective from what they had heard about Xinjiang.

The gate to China is now wide open. Welcome friends from all the world to come to China and witness the country for yourself.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

Japanese tourists in Xinjiang: Witnessing the real Xinjiang life

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2023-07/07/content_91674056.htm



SOURCE China.org.cn
BEIJING, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from People's Daily: Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 6 inspected the Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu province, to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development.

Over recent years, Jiangsu province has accelerated the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy, promoted in-depth cooperation among enterprises, universities and research institutions, strengthened the construction of major sci-tech and innovation platforms, and supported top scientists to lead original and pioneering sci-tech research, so as to break through bottlenecks in key and core technologies and ensure that key areas and links can fall within its own hands.

The Purple Mountain Laboratories is a major sci-tech innovation platform jointly built by Jiangsu province and Nanjing in 2018. It focuses on the basic and frontier research of future internet and endogenous security. It gathers over 1,000 researchers and has achieved a series of world-leading results in future internet, B5G/6G communication and cyber security.

Recently, the facility developed a batch of core cyber technologies, including the world's first major breakthrough in wide-area deterministic network system.

"We will keep our efforts to advance original and pioneering sci-tech research," said Liu Yunjie, academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director and chief scientist of the Purple Mountain Laboratories.

Apart from the Purple Mountain Laboratories, Jiangsu province has built a series of other major innovation platforms such as the Suzhou Laboratory and the Taihu Laboratory of Deepsea Technological Science.

Last year, the province's total R&D investment reached 330 billion yuan ($45.55 billion), and the number of invention patents owned by every 10,000 people in the province stood at 41.2. Besides, there were more than 37,000 high-tech firms in the province.

Jiangsu will give full play to its advantages as a hub of sci-tech institutions and a strong industrial province, to strengthen innovation in all links including basic research, technological breakthrough, as well as outcome translation and commercialization, concentrate its strength to strive to make major breakthroughs in core technologies in key fields, and build itself into a center of technology with global influence.

SOURCE People's Daily
The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032

LONDON, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Luxury Watch Global Market Report 2023, the global luxury watch market value will grow from $30.5 billion in 2022 to $34.1 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 11%. The luxury watch industry revenue is then expected to grow to $49.6 billion in 2027 at a CAGR of more than 9%. Going forward, the increasing urbanization, the rising use of internet and social media platforms and the increasing export of Swiss watches will drive the luxury watch industry growth rate.

The increasing export of Swiss watches is expected to propel the luxury watch market growth going forward. For instance, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), a Switzerland-based non-profit Swiss watch industry trade association, Swiss watch exports increased by 11.4% in 2022 to reach CHF24.8 billion ($27.4 billion), outpacing their performance in 2021. The quantity of wristwatch items increased by 50,000 (+0.3%) from the prior year to 15.8 million. Therefore, the increasing export of Swiss watches is driving the growth of the luxury watch market.

Learn More On The Luxury Watch Market Research Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/luxury-watch-global-market-report

As per the luxury watch market outlook, Swiss watch companies are focusing on new technologies and developing new product solutions to strengthen their position in the market. For example, in January 2023, Omega, a Switzerland-based luxury watch manufacturer, launched the new Spirate System, a technology that promises 0/+2 second accuracy per day. It introduces a novel hairspring that is capable of extremely precise 0/+2 control. This technology features a fine tuner on top of the whole balancing bridge that, using a special tool developed by Omega, can be adjusted very easily by Omega watchmakers even in boutiques in increments of.01 seconds. The Speed master Super Racing is a new watch that features this innovative mechanism.

In addition, in March 2022, Tag Heuer, a Swiss luxury watchmaker, introduced the revolutionary Carrera Plasma, a luxury watch featuring innovative Diamant D'avant-Garde technology and a unique design. TAG Heuer expands the creative potential and potential diamond shapes, as well as the use of various design techniques employing lab-grown diamonds, by incorporating the cutting-edge nature of lab-grown diamonds into its product universe. Additionally, it provides customers with a product that is truly unique to them and makes cutting-edge use of revolutionary technologies.

Request A Free Sample Of The Luxury Watch Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=6423&type=smp

The Business Research Company in its luxury watch industry overview recommends players to adopt strategies such as enhancing business operations in the luxury watch market by expanding partnership with major competitions and athletes, launching new and advanced products. The business research company also recommends players to implement advanced technologies to satisfy customers and clients.

View More Similar Market Reports:

Smart Watch Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/smart-watch-global-market-report

Watch, Clock, Measuring Device Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/watch-clock-measuring-device-global-market-report

Jewelry And Watch Stores Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/jewelry-and-watch-stores-global-market-report

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The International Court of Justice of the United Nations today reaffirmed the interim measure applied by its order of February 22, 2023,finding that theres no need for modification of it.

July 7, 2023, 14:29 The UN court reaffirmed February 22 Order on the Lachin Corridor

STEPANAKERT, JULY 7, ARTSAKHPRESS: Yeghishe Kirakosyan, Armenia's Representative on International Legal Matters,wrote in his Twitter microblog.

Azerbaijan shall take all measures at its disposal to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions,'' quoted Yeghishe Kirakosyan.
YINCHUAN, China, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Su Wenping monitors soil temperature, humidity and irrigation data for his vineyard on mobile app. By pressing a button on the app, he can have the 20-hectare vineyard irrigated precisely.

Such modern irrigation contrasts with the days in the past when farmers had to manually turn on the water valves for irrigation, which not only demanded a larger labor force but also wasted water.

This photo taken on June 14, 2023 shows a screen displaying precision irrigation data from the vineyard of Lilan Winery in Yongning County, Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

"We used to need up to eight employees to manage the vineyard, but now we only need two," said Su, 60, adding that the smart software has helped reduce water usage by 20 percent through precision irrigation.

Su is the vineyard plantation manager from Lilan Winery in Yongning County in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

His winery is one of some 200 wineries located at the eastern foothills of Helan Mountain in Ningxia. With its prolonged sunshine and cool, dry climate contributing positively to grape farming, the region has become a rising star on the world wine map, with local wines winning many top international awards. The plantation area of wine grapes has reached 38,867 hectares in Ningxia.

With its wine industry seeing a momentum of development, Ningxia is pushing its vineyards and wineries to adopt various smart digital technologies, delivering high-quality wine with less labor force and more efficiency.

On another plot of vineyard, an insect control facility is installed. Through a micropower network in the vineyard, farmers can kill insects with a photo-electric effect system and also collect information on insect invasions as the facility is equipped with an image acquisition device.

"The information and statistics collected through the system are analyzed to help farmers better decide on pesticide spray quotas and better fight the insects," said Li Xuyang, deputy general manager of Yongning power supply company in the city of Yinchuan, which is affiliated to the State Grid. The company has supported establishing the vineyard as a smart farming base.

At the winery of Xige Estate in the city of Qingtongxia, the wine brewery is also digitalized through an app enabling brewers to remotely control each fermentation period.

Wang Fei, an assistant brewer at the winery, said different types of wine need different fermentation temperatures, and the smart system not only helps the brewers remotely monitor and adjust the temperatures in real time, but also improves the winemaking efficiency.

"We now only need 10 workers to manage the 215 fermentation tanks," said Wang, adding that the annual wine production volume of the winery has reached 6 million bottles.

Zhang Junxiang, a professor at Ningxia University, said promoting smart vineyard and winery management is an inevitable choice for the future.

"Only in this way can we further improve the efficiency, reduce costs, and make Ningxia's high-quality wine more competitive in the international market," said Zhang.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441459

Caption: This photo taken on June 14, 2023 shows a screen displaying precision irrigation data from the vineyard of Lilan Winery in Yongning County, Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

SOURCE State Grid Yinchuan Power Supply Company
OMAHA, Neb., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Solutions, one of the largest healthcare talent ecosystems, is honored to have been named among America's Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek, a premier global news magazine. The company is also among the top companies which received 5 out of 5 stars in the scoring.

Medical Solutions prides itself on an excellent culture, centered on a human-first approach. It is committed to creating an environment of belonging for all employees, including corporate and clinical staff. This focused effort has resulted in employee and clinician satisfaction, which leads to client satisfaction and outstanding patient care.

"As we work to create the largest healthcare talent ecosystem, we take great pride in this recognition and our ongoing commitment to providing our team members with professional development opportunities, an employee experience focused on the whole person, and a work-life balance," said Dana Coonce, Chief Human Resources Officer, Medical Solutions. "Being named one of America's Greatest Workplaces in 2023 is a testament to the culture that has been created and sustained at Medical Solutions."

The company provides holistic benefits to support employees personally and professionally, including healthcare benefits on day one, generous paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and more. It also offers a remote/hybrid work environment and strives to create a work setting where individuals are allowed to show up as their authentic selves and feel supported when they do.

Newsweek, in cooperation with data research firm Pant-A Insights Group, conducted an independent survey of over 389,000 company reviews completed by employees working for U.S. companies with a workforce of at least 1,000 or more. Companies that made the ranking were regarded as offering competitive salaries and benefits, promoting equality and diversity, and cultivating a culture open to innovative ideas.

According to Newsweek, employees who like their work are more productive, and these employers have lower turnover rates. By staying at companies longer, loyal employees contribute to organizational stability and consistency. This enhances the bottom line.

"We understand companies benefit from creating great workplaces," said Craig Meier, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Solutions. "We want our team members to succeed, feel supported, find meaning in every day, and grow personally and professionally. We go to great lengths to live out our culture, and we do not sacrifice our culture for profits. In fact, it is the exact opposite. We believe if we focus on delivering the best culture possible, profits will follow."

Medical Solutions was also recently named as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2023 and one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women developed by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights.

ABOUT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Medical Solutions is one of the nation's largest healthcare talent ecosystems. Together with its family brands, Aureus Medical Group, Matchwell, HOST Healthcare, FocusOne Solutions, and WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, Medical Solutions connects nurses, allied health clinicians, and clinical leaders with healthcare facilities across the U.S. Its service offerings include contingent staffing, managed services, strike staffing, permanent placement, local contract, per diem, and international staffing. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Medical Solutions maintains office locations in San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; Tupelo, Mississippi; Durham, North Carolina; and Tampa and Jacksonville Beach, Florida. For more information, visit www.medicalsolutions.com.

SOURCE Medical Solutions LLC
ONTARIO, Calif, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MUCAR is a new brand in the automotive diagnostic industry, with a focus on providing high-quality and affordable diagnostic tools for individual car owner users. Recently, with a lively UI interface design, quick operation guide, and years of experience, MUCAR's products are breaking the traditional pricing model and providing customers with a better experience.

The core selling points of MUCAR's products for individual car owners include:

MUCAR Product Line 2023

1. Lively UI interface design: MUCAR's products have a lively UI interface style, which is more attractive to young people and car modification enthusiasts.

2. Quick guidance & operation video: To make it more convenient for individual users to use products with complex functional attributes, MUCAR has set up fool-style boot guidance steps and placed electronic manuals and specific function operation videos inside the product.

In 2023, two competitive product series proudly presenting: MUCAR's CDE900 series and VO series are both cost-effective and powerful, providing customers with a machine that can be used for a lifetime.

MUCAR's CDE900 series includes CDE900, CDE900 Pro, and CDE900 Max. The series breaks the traditional pricing model, through users can experience higher hardware configuration after purchasing at a very low price, and the basic OBD function is also added inside, when users have more functional needs, there is no need to purchase other products again, just purchase software inside the product to get it, so that from experiencing first, to buying software according to needs, avoid wasting money.

MUCAR's VO series includes VO7, VO7S, and VO8. This series of products is equipped with all functions except online programming, and factory configured for 3 years without subscription, the first three years after successful registration support all diagnostic software free updates, very cost-effective.

These products are believed to have a certain impact on old brands in the automotive diagnostic industry. Some models have been launched on major e-commerce platforms, and Amazon July membership day will also launch event prices, which are super cost-effective. The event will be available in North America and European countries on July 11-12 local time.

MUCAR is committed to providing high-quality and affordable diagnostic tools for individual car owner users. To learn more about MUCAR and its products, visit us at our official website or follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/mucardiagnostictools

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2NZTC2S

Official Mall: www.mythinkcar.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2148262/1.jpg

SOURCE Mucar Tech
New World Bird Sanctuary Foster Center to be commissioned to honor Murphy

ST. LOUIS, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a joyous event along the banks of the Mississippi River, the orphaned Eaglet fostered by Murphy the Bald Eagle was released along the Mississippi River to cheers from hundreds of enthusiastic supporters.

Kira Klebe, Hospital Manager at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, Missouri, releases Eaglet 23-126 at The Audubon Center at Riverlands in West Alton, Missouri, on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Murphy captured international acclaim when news of him incubating a rock spread like wildfire through social media. The story took an even more remarkable turn when staff at St. Louis' World Bird Sanctuary recognized Murphy's potential as a caregiver for a recently orphaned baby eagle (Eaglet 23-126 -- the 126th patient in 2023 at the Sanctuary's hospital), placing a calculated bet on his nurturing instincts.

"Today is a wonderful day for Murphy, for the Eaglet and for everyone associated with the World Bird Sanctuary," said Roger Holloway, Executive Director, World Bird Sanctuary. "We firmly believe that Murphy's exceptional care, attention and nurturing has equipped this young eagle with the necessary skills to thrive in his new community here along the Mississippi."

Captivating video footage of the release is available for download here (video credit: World Bird Sanctuary).

Additionally, The World Bird Sanctuary unveiled a significant campaign to raise funds for a new foster center which will enhance the Sanctuary's hospital in honor of Murphy, the orphaned eaglet and Murphy's Rock.

The commissioning of the new foster center represents an important milestone for the World Bird Sanctuary. With enhanced resources and capacity, the center will empower the Sanctuary's hospital to provide sustained and scaled support to the avian residents, ensuring their well-being and rehabilitation for years to come. For those interested in contributing to the campaign, please go to www.worldbirdsanctuary.org.

About Murphy the Bald Eagle, his Rock & Eaglet 23-126

Murphy's story began when the 31-year-old male eagle decided to incubate a rock in his enclosure at the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS) this spring. Due to an injury in his youth, Murphy can't fly, but he can walk and hop to low perches in his aviary. He used those skills to defend his rock fiercely from the other resident eagles, just as an eagle would defend its eggs in a nest.

Murphy's hormonal, nesting season surge would have ordinarily subsided after a few weeks, but an orphan bald eagle chick arrived at the Sanctuary about three weeks later. The eaglet was about two weeks old, young enough to imprint on an adult eagle. But Murphy had never formed a pair bond with either of the females in the eagle aviary, never built a nest or raised young. Staff had to answer: "Could he be a foster dad?"

The Sanctuary staff introduced Murphy to the eaglet carefully. They put the chick in a small, heated cage in an enclosure with Murphy. Murphy investigated and began feeding the eaglet through the bars of the cage. The WBS staff released the eaglet from his small cage. Murphy instantly took to his new role as foster dad and began watching over the baby and teaching him how to grow to be an adult eagle.

About The World Bird Sanctuary

The World Bird Sanctuary was founded in 1977 to provide care for sick or injured raptors. As the Sanctuary grew, so did our mission. Now located on 305 acres of Missouri hardwood forest, World Bird Sanctuary is home to over 200 animals representing over 60 species from all around the world. What began as a small rehabilitation center has grown into an internationally renowned rehabilitation, education, and conservation organization. To learn more, please visit

www.worldbirdsanctuary.org.

For more information, contact:

Patrick Barry

314-540-3865 / [email protected]

SOURCE World Bird Sanctuary
An exclusive Neopian experience that brings fans together beyond the screen!

LOS ANGELES, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Neopets, the original virtual pet site that galvanised a generation of online gamers, is about to make waves at this year's San Diego Comic-Con! Neopets is not only bringing a fantastic booth to San Diego: they'll also be celebrating their devoted community with a once-in-a-lifetime Neopets Era Party that the Neopian Times will be writing about for decades to come!

Neopets San Diego Comic-Con (CNW Group/Neopets)

Neopets will be setting up shop at San Diego Comic-Con from Wednesday, July 19th to Sunday, July 23rd at booth #1129. Attendees can purchase exclusive, never-before-seen merchandise, meet The Neopets Team, purchase bespoke art prints signed by a TNT artist, and connect with special guest Erinn Pascal, Editor of Neopets: The Official Cookbook. And for one night only, lucky fans will have an exclusive chance to experience Neopia like never before at the Neopets Era Party, an immersive community event at Deck665 on Friday, July 21st.

"We can't wait to celebrate with our dedicated players and fans," said Michaela Thompson, Chief Brand Officer, Neopets. "We are so indebted to our wonderful community who have supported Neopets through the years; what better way to show our appreciation than to throw a Neopets SDCC party for the ages?"

The fully immersive throwback bash will time warp back to an era when dial-up internet, chat rooms, and the Neoboards reigned supreme. Come party with The Neopets Team and connect with other fans in person as we celebrate the past, present, and future of Neopets with a live DJ, Neopian-themed food and drinks, photo-ops, and swag bags full of exclusive merch! General admission tickets can be picked up at the Neopets booth, but a select number of VIP Tickets will be available to wingiveaway details coming soon. Capacity is limited and general admission tickets will be admitted on a first come, first serve basis.

Neopets Era Party attendees can expect an authentic Neopian experience, complete with a sneak preview of what's in store for the future of Neopets:

Date: Friday, July 21, 2023

Time: 7:30 - 11:30 PM (PST)

Location: Deck 655 (655 W Broadway, San Diego , 92101)

"It's been an incredible experience bringing the world of Neopets to our own through merchandising, and we can't wait to be able to take things even further with the Neopets Era Party," said Carlin West, founder & CEO of Carlin West Agency. "Having our partners all in one place to see the fan reaction in person is a worthwhile celebration on its own."

Fans will be treated to a fabulous blast of "Neostalgia" at the Neopets San Diego Comic-Con booth. The Neopets Team is excited to meet and greet fans at Booth #1129, which will be jam-packed with a variety of swag available for purchase, including:

Neopets: The Official Cookbook by Andrews McMeel Publishing

by 3 Neopets-inspired energy drink flavours & custom Neopets slushie cup by G FUEL

Neopets Tarot Cards by Geekify

Three Neopets SDCC specific themed pins and a matching lanyard from What's Your Passion Jewelry

Neopets Vaporwave Comic-Con t-shirts by H3

Limited-edition Neopets art prints drawn by TNT Fae

A variety of new Neopets holographic and die-cut sticker sets.

Fans can also visit the Upper Deck booth to purchase the limited edition Neopets Battledome trading card game promotional pack: a six-card set which includes two SDCC-exclusive cards.

For more information on Neopets, head to Neopets.com and join the community! Make sure to follow the Neopets social channels to keep track of all upcoming Neopets events, including highlights from San Diego Comic-Con:

About Neopets

Neopets is an immersive, online virtual pet game in which players can adopt, customise, and interact with Neopets in the vast world of Neopia. Known for its multi-generational, passionate community, Neopets offers players a vast world of storytelling, collecting, pet care, and exciting social gaming experiences. Since its launch in 1999, Neopets has galvanised unique adventures, games, stories, and challenges for over 150 million players worldwide.

About Carlin West Agency

CWA (Carlin West Agency LLC.) is a leading brand building and merchandise licensing company representing licensing rights to children's/pop culture entertainment brands such as Neopets, global pop star Hatsune Miku, Winx Club, Pet Rock and others. CWA is based in New York City. For more information, please visit www.carlinwestagency.com.

SOURCE Neopets
MCLEAN, Va., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100 small business leaders across the country have completed the Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), Clark's signature small business development program, during the 2022-2023 cycle.

SPP graduation in Nashville.

The primary goal of the SPP is to enhance the size, scale, and capacity of small, local businesses to contribute to large, high-value construction projects. The program provides intensive, months-long executive MBA-style training to small and diverse business enterprises, including minority-, women-, and veteran-owned firms. Offered at no cost to participants, more than 1,400 entrepreneurs nationwide have completed the professional development and mentoring program in its 17 years.

"Each year, I am blown away by the tenacity of the small business leaders who complete the Strategic Partnership Program," said Jay Grauberger, executive vice president of corporate affairs at Clark Construction. "Taking on the responsibility of a rigorous program like this while also leading their respective firm is impressive. While graduations mark a completion, Clark is committed to providing resources and supporting SPP graduate firms as they grow."

This year, 12 Nashville business leaders completed the city's inaugural SPP class. These graduates lead companies across the spectrum of specialized trades, including painting, low voltage systems, waterproofing, and cleaning services, as well as general contracting and program management.

"I left the SPP with a better understanding of the full lifecycle of the construction process  from the owner to the general contractor to the trade partners and small businesses," said Sandra Potter, CEO of The Cleaning Leaders, a Nashville-based woman-owned business. "The SPP showed me how to position my company for growth".

SPP Nashville joins seven other markets that offer the program, including Baltimore, Chicago, Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, Southern California, and Washington, DC.

"This is an exciting time in Nashville," said Tim Lamson, vice president and general manager of Clark's Nashville operations. "I am proud that Clark is empowering local entrepreneurs, not only with enhanced business acumen, but also a rich network  with Clark and their fellow SPP peers  to take their companies to the next level."

In addition to technical and business skills, participants gain ongoing access to Clark's professional resources and join an engaged network of industry peers. Program alumni take part in SPP ENCORE, Clark's continuing education programming that connects graduates to the resources, tools, and knowledge to achieve greater economic success.

In 2021, Clark announced a pledge to award $2.5 billion in new contracts to SPP alumni over the next decade. This will help ensure SPP graduates have access to meaningful opportunities to grow their capacity and their business. The pledge, alongside the continued growth of SPP, reaffirms Clark's longstanding commitment to fostering inclusive growth within the construction industry.

About Clark Construction Group

At Clark Construction, we build what matters. From the academic buildings where students find their passion and the hospitals where people are healed to the roads that connect us, we create the assets and infrastructure that make the United States a stronger, safer place. As one of the largest building and civil construction firms in the country, we are passionate about delivering high-quality experiences and products to our clients. With offices strategically located across the country, we pride ourselves on being a local builder with national reach. To learn more, visit www.clarkconstruction.com.

Media Contact:

Shanna Wilson

[email protected]

SOURCE Clark Construction Group
CHINA YUCHAI INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

SINGAPORE, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

To all Shareholders

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of CHINA YUCHAI INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (NYSE: CYD) (the "Company") will be held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, 392 Havelock Road, Singapore 169663 on Monday, August 7, 2023 at 9.00 a.m. (Singapore time) for the following purposes:

As Ordinary Business

1. To receive and adopt the audited financial statements and independent auditors' report for the financial year ended December 31, 2022.

2. To approve an increase in the limit of the Directors' fees as set out in Bye-law 10(11) of the Bye-laws of the Company from US$250,000 to US$540,000 for the financial year 2022 (Directors' fees paid for the financial year 2021 was US$538,493).

3. (a) To re-elect the following Directors retiring pursuant to Bye-law 4(2) of the Bye-laws of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of the Company:

(i) Mr. Kwek Leng Peck

(ii) Mr. Gan Khai Choon

(iii) Mr. Stephen Ho Kiam Kong

(iv) Mr. Hoh Weng Ming

(v) Mr. Li Hanyang

(vi) Mr. Wu Qiwei

(vii) Mr. Xie Tao

(viii) Mr. Neo Poh Kiat

(b) To elect Mr. Wong Hong Wai pursuant to Bye-law 4(2) of the Bye-laws of the Company to hold office as a Director until the next annual general meeting of the Company.

(c) To note that Mr. Ho Raymond Chi-Keung will be retiring pursuant to Bye-law 4(2) of the Bye-laws of the Company and he will not be seeking re-election at this Meeting.

4. To authorize the Board of Directors to appoint up to the maximum of 11 Directors or such maximum number as determined from time to time by the shareholders in general meeting to fill any vacancies on the Board.

5. To re-appoint Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors of the Company and to authorize the Audit Committee to fix their remuneration.

As Special Business

6. To approve the following amendments to the Bye-laws of the Company:

(i) to insert a new definition of "Treasury Shares" in Bye-law 1 as Bye-law 1(12A) immediately after the existing Bye-law 1(12) as follows:

"(12A) "Treasury Share" means a share of the Company that was or is treated as having been acquired and held by the Company and has been held continuously by the Company since it was so acquired and has not been cancelled;"

(ii) to amend the existing Bye-law 34A(2) to read as follows:

"(2) Subject to the provisions of the Act and these Bye-laws, the Company may from time to time by resolution of the Board purchase its own shares for cancellation or acquire them as Treasury Shares in accordance with the Act at such prices and on such terms and conditions as the Board may determine. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Bye-laws, all the rights attaching to a Treasury Share shall be suspended and shall not be exercisable by the Company while it holds such Treasury Share and, except where required by the Act, all Treasury Shares shall be excluded from the calculation of any percentage or fraction of the share capital or shares of the Company."

7. To transact any other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

By Order of the Board

Hoh Weng Ming

President

Date: July 6, 2023

Important Notes:

1. By resolution of the Board, only Members entered in the Register of Members of the Company at the close of business on June 21, 2023 (New York time) are entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at the Meeting.

2. A Member is entitled to appoint one or more proxies to attend the Meeting and vote in his stead.

3. A proxy need not be a Member of the Company.

4. Members are encouraged to vote in advance by internet, telephone or by mail per the instructions on the proxy form not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the Meeting. Beneficial owners of shares held in street name will need to follow the instructions provided by the broker, bank or other nominee that holds their shares.

5. If a proxy is appointed, the proxy form and the power of attorney or other authority (if any) under which it is signed, must be lodged with the Company at 16 Raffles Quay, #26-00 Hong Leong Building, Singapore 048581, Republic of Singapore OR to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717 not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for the Meeting, that is no later than 9.00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2023 Singapore time or 9.00 p.m. on Friday, August 4, 2023 New York time.

6. Pursuant to the Bye-laws of the Company, no resolution of Members may be passed without the affirmative vote of the Special Share cast by the holder of the Special Share.

For more information:

Investor Relations

Kevin Theiss

Tel: +1-212-510-8922

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE China Yuchai International Limited
For community members looking to start or grow their e-commerce business, Operation HOPE and Shopify are partnering to host a panel of ATL's leading e-commerce experts and over 50 Black-owned vendors built on Shopify.

ATLANTA, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Operation HOPE's 1 Million Black Businesses (1MBB) Initiative today announced they are partnering with Shopify to host "Shop & Learn with Shopify: A Vendor Expo Experience." The expo experience will be take place on July 8 from 12  3pm EDT at the New Black Wall Street Mall in Stonecrest, GA.

The Vendor Expo Experience will feature a panel of Atlanta's leading e-commerce experts and over 50 Black-owned vendors that were built on Shopify. The keynote speakers include Marlon Watts and Nicholas Clark, Shopify experts and owners of WRLD INVSN - a popular t-shirt business that has generated over $15 million in sales. Other panelists include Glenn Wiggins, CEO/Management of GLAD WE MET, Latoya Forever, CEO/Management of Leisure Forever, and Nick Mitchell, CEO/Management of FRESH KICKZ MARKET.

For community members looking to start or grow their e-commerce business, admission into the expo is free. Operation HOPE and Shopify are also providing free vendor space for any Black-owned business interested in displaying their products to shoppers.

"Our 1MBB initiative to date has supported over a quarter of a million businesses, which accounts for nearly 5% of all Black owned businesses in the US," said Operation HOPE Chairman, Founder, and CEO John Hope Bryant. "Our partnership with Shopify and community events like our panel and vendor experience have helped to make this vision possible as we work to start, grow, and scale 1 million Black businesses by 2030."

Operation HOPE has over 290,000 Black-owned businesses signed up, engaged and being supported by the 1MBB initiative since 2020. With the support of financial partners, 1MBB has also secured over $26 Million dollars in small business loans to 369 Black businesses across the country. This includes e-commerce retailers who have leveraged the Shopify platform to reach new customers online. In addition to Shopify, program partners include the U.S. Small Business Administration, Truist, Wells Fargo, and the NFL, to name a few.

As 1MBB continues to expand, more Black entrepreneurs will be equipped with the tools and resources needed to create, scale and sustain their enterprise. The initiative is aligned with Operation HOPE's broader mission to promote financial inclusion and dignity, aimed at empowering the underserved of America.

About 1MBB

Launched in October 2020 with the support of founding partner Shopify, 1MBB aims to remove traditional hurdles to for aspiring Black business owners. Through ongoing partnerships, including the support of the US Small Business Administration, Truist, Wells Fargo, and the NFL, 1MBB will continue to offer tools for business growth such as technology and resources, educational programs, and funding. To learn more about 1MBB, visit HOPE1mbb.org.

About Operation HOPE, Inc.

Since 1992, Operation HOPE has been moving America from civil rights to "silver rights" with the mission of making free enterprise and capitalism work for the underserveddisrupting poverty for millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation. Through our community uplift model, HOPE Inside, which received the 2016 Innovator of the Year recognition by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has served more than 4 million individuals and directed more than $3.2 billion in economic activity into disenfranchised communitiesturning check-cashing customers into banking customers, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into small business owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered disaster survivors. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Jayla Moody

(404) 859-6351

[email protected]

SOURCE Operation HOPE, Inc.
MUSKOKA, ON, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Andy and Connor Montgomery, a father-son team, have committed to paddling 162 kilometers in the legendary Brent Run through Algonquin Provincial Park. Their mission isn't simply about enduranceit's about transforming lives. The duo's objective is to fund 75 children's attendance at Camp Mini-Yo-We this summer, and they have raised their fundraising target from $50,000 to an audacious $75,000, driven by the overwhelming public response.

Andy & Connor Montgomery Training for Brent Run 2023 Kids Need Camp - The Brent Run is Aiming to Send 75 Kids In Need to Camp This Summer!

"We're navigating this challenge with grit and gratitude. Each donation pushes us forward like a tailwind," said Andy Montgomery.

The generosity of supporters will profoundly impact lives like Sarah's, a single mother hoping to send her children, Emma and Noah, to Camp Mini-Yo-We. "Emma thrived at camp last summer. We're hoping for Noah to share this experience," Sarah expressed.

Or Ukrainian newcomers like Olena and Andriy, seeking a sense of normalcy for their daughters through Camp. "Mini-Yo-We offers our girls a chance to make friends in our new home," says Olena.

Or heroes like Susan, a resilient grandmother battling cancer, who wishes to send her grandson Timothy to Mini-Yo-We. "I believe this could give Timothy the community and support he needs during these tough times," Susan said.

"Our voyage isn't just about fundraising," Connor Montgomery commented. "It's about igniting change. Offering these children an unforgettable summer camp experience is the ultimate reward."

A 2013 study by the University of Waterloo highlights that participation in summer camps like Mini-Yo-We leads to significant improvement in children's social skills, self-confidence, and emotional intelligence (University of Waterloo, "The Canadian Summer Camp Research Project," 2013).

Algonquin Outfitters has recognized this meaningful cause, supporting the duo with supplies for the journey. Andy and Connor warmly welcome additional corporate partners to contribute.

In an era of unique challenges, summer camps like Camp Mini-Yo-We provide children with necessary life skills, resilience, and memorable experiences. The motivating force behind the Brent Run challenge is to see children enriched by the life-changing impact of Camp.

Join Andy & Connor in their remarkable journey and invest in a brighter future for 75 deserving children. Follow their expedition and donate at www.BrentRun.com. All donations through the Brent Run challenge to Camp Mini-Yo-We are 100% tax deductible.

Donate now at www.BrentRun.com to Support the Montgomery's on the Brent Run Challenge to Send 75 children to Camp Mini-Yo-We this summer!

Press Contact:

Rich Birch - Camp Mini-Yo-We

Executive Director

[email protected]

CELL: (647) 221-3447

SOURCE Camp Mini-Yo-We
NEW YORK, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE, NEE-PR, NEE-PQ) between December 2, 2021 and February 1, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 25, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased NextEra securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the NextEra class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16680 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 25, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) NextEra's primary subsidiary, Florida Power and Light Co. ("FPL"), surreptitious orchestration of political misconduct exposed NextEra to substantial legal and reputational risk; and (2) in light of the above, defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the NextEra class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=16680 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
NANJING, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed efforts to focus on the goals for the centenary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and break new ground for theater command development and war preparedness.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during his inspection of the headquarters of the PLA Eastern Theater Command in east China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday.

Xi, on behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, extended sincere greetings to all the officers and soldiers of the command. He met with their representatives and had group photos with them.

Xi fully affirmed the significant contributions the command has made since its founding in safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests as well as national unity.

As the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, China's security situation is facing rising instability and uncertainty, Xi noted.

He called for vigilance against potential dangers and all-out efforts to fulfill the duty of combat tasked with theater commands.

Xi also called for enhancing the planning of war and combat, strengthening the command system for joint operations, and stepping up training under real combat conditions to raise the forces' capabilities to fight and win.

Xi said military issues must be considered and handled from a political perspective.

He said the armed forces must have the courage and ability to fight, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests.

He called for strengthening Party building in all aspects and make the Party committee of the theater command more capable of leading combat readiness, thus fully fulfilling tasks entrusted by the Party and the people.
Farmers across the Owasco watershed are protecting water quality by implementing farming practices that improve nutrient management and lessen runoff risks.

Houston Farms is a family-owned dairy farm located in Groton that manages more than 600 acres on the southern side of Owasco Lake in Tompkins County. PJ Houston owns and operates the farm, making him the fourth generation of his family to continue the tradition of agriculture. The fifth generation of Houston Farms is secured, as PJs son Robert now works alongside him and plans to continue the family business.

PJ Houston was born and raised on the farmlands that his family has nurtured for over a century. PJ and Robert manage 150 dairy cows, as well as growing hay, soybeans, corn and grains.

PJ has spent his life working with cattle, and cares deeply for their health and welfare.

I dont think it is possible to treat my cows any better; we really baby them," he said. If you take care of the animals, they will take care of you.

For the fourth-generation producer, farming for the future means ensuring that his business is focused on more than just productivity. PJ believes that prioritizing the well-being of his animals and protecting the local environment are key to ensuring its long-term success for future generations.

One day my son will rely on this land to make a living, and I want to make sure I leave it to him in good condition, he said.

PJ and his family continue to make changes on their farm with the goal of improving their efficiency and sustainability. Over the years PJ has worked closely with Tompkins Countys local agricultural professionals to help achieve this goal.

Implementing a supplementary feeding program of rotational grazing in the warmer months, PJ has improved his milk production, cattle weight gain and nutrient distribution across the farm. PJ has also modified his tillage methods to better suit his productivity and environmental values.

By changing over to new tillage practices, PJ has saved fuel and time, while at the same time reducing soil erosion and nutrient runoff on his farm. Reduced tillage practices can help minimize disturbance to the soil, keeping the soil (and the nutrients that it holds) where farmers want it  on the farm.

We spend a lot of time fine-tuning when we are trying a new practice on the farm, PJ said. "If we dont like the way it turns out the first time, we try it a few different ways until we like it.

The newest addition to the farm is a recently completed nutrient storage facility. Finished in August 2022 and holding over 1 million gallons of manure, this new acquisition lets PJ store nutrients so they may be worked into the soil as needed, allowing for more precise application of valuable nutrients. This storage and precision incorporation of nutrients allows for the farm to hold onto the nutrients it needs, generating both economic and environmental benefits.

PJ has been involved in New York states Agriculture Environmental Management program, funded by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, as well as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, funded by the Natural Resource Conservation Service. PJ has utilized these programs to improve his fencing, waterway management and manure storage. Both programs are voluntary and support local farmers to help them achieve their production and environmental goals while also achieving local, state and federal environmental and water quality goals.

Were lucky to have people like Tompkins Soil & Water Conservation District to help get us access to resources to do things better on the farm, he said.

Paul Gier and Devin Cox are the natural resource program specialists and conservation technicians at the Tompkins County Soil & Water Conservation District. Paul and Devin work closely with PJ and other local farmers to help them implement different practices and get involved in programs through the watershed, including the AEM program.

AEM supports local farmers to protect the quality of their farms natural resources and demonstrate their stewardship of their land, Paul said. We work one-on-one with farmers to develop individualized farm plans; this often includes a range of different conservation practices such as cover crops, no-till cropping and pasture rotation.

If youd like more information about best management practices on farms, please join Tompkins County Soil & Water Conservation District and Cornell Cooperative Extension staff for a pasture walk of Houston Farms from 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, July 27. At this free event, attendees will learn how the Houstons manage their rotational grazing system to supplement the dairy ration during the grazing season, as well as other conservation practices underway on the farm. For more information about this event, please visit Cornell Cooperative Extensions South Central Dairy and Field Crops Team website, or email Mary Kate at mkw87@cornell.edu.
DALLAS, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Argent Trust Company, as Trustee of the Sabine Royalty Trust (NYSE: SBR), today declared a cash distribution to the holders of its units of beneficial interest of $0.320470 per unit, payable on July 31, 2023, to unit holders of record on July 17, 2023. Sabine's cash distribution history, current and prior year financial reports and tax information booklets, a link to filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission and more can be found on its website at http://www.sbr-sabine.com/. Additionally, printed reports can be requested and are mailed free of charge.

This distribution reflects primarily the oil production for April 2023 and the gas production for March 2023. Preliminary production volumes are approximately 44,123 barrels of oil and 992,651 Mcf of gas. Preliminary prices are approximately $76.22 per barrel of oil and $2.20 per Mcf of gas.

This month's distribution is lower than the previous month's primarily due to decreased oil production and increased gas production, relative to the timing of certain receipts through the end of the month, offset by higher oil prices and lower gas pricing.

The production from all the new horizontal gas wells in Panola County, Texas, has contributed approximately $409,000 reflecting March production including the recent new wells. All volumes and pricing are included in the tables below.

Additionally, for the other three horizontal wells, also in Panola County, there were two months of receipts totaling $180,500 posted for this month's distribution.

As more regular monthly receipts are made in the months to come, additional information will be made available.

The table below compares this month's production and prices to the previous month's:





Net to Trust Sales







Volumes

Average Price



Oil (bbls)

Gas (Mcf)

Oil (per bbl)

Gas (per Mcf)

















Current Month

44,123

992,651

$76.22

$2.20

















Prior Month

56,892

776,402

$56.99

$2.89



















Revenues are only distributed after they are received, verified, and posted. Most energy companies normally issue payment of royalties on or about the 25th of every month, and depending on mail delivery, a varying amount of royalties are not received until after the revenue posting on the last business day of the month. The revenues received after that date will be posted within 30 days of receipt.

Due to the timing of the end of the month of June, approximately $1,330,000 of revenue received will be posted in the following month of July in addition to normal receipts during July. Since the close of business in June and prior to this press release, $566,000 in revenue has been received.

The 2022 Annual Report with Form 10-K and the January 1, 2023 Reserve Summary are available on the Sabine website at http://www.sbr-sabine.com/.

SOURCE Sabine Royalty Trust
SAN DIEGO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxebooth.com, the renowned provider of innovative and high-end San Diego photo booth rental services, is delighted to announce it has garnered the illustrious Couples' Top Choice Award. This accolade underscores Luxebooth.com's exceptional contribution to San Diego's bustling event scene and its dedication to crafting remarkable experiences.

Redefining the Photo Booth Rental Experience

Luxe Booth Luxe Booth

From its inception, Luxebooth.com has embarked on an ambitious journey to redefine the traditional photo booth rental experience. They offer an extensive range of customizable rental services, encompassing unique features like GIF and Boomerang booths, interactive touch screen mirrors, and bespoke props and backdrops to meet any event's requirements.

An Undying Commitment to Excellence

"This award signifies a validation of our unwavering commitment to excellence," stated Kris Hartmann, CEO and founder of Luxebooth.com. "We are profoundly honored by this recognition from San Diego's couples, and we're committed to persistently delivering the high-caliber service that has solidified us as their preferred choice."

Empowering Community Growth and Local Businesses in San Diego

Luxebooth.com proudly declares its active membership with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. This affiliation emphasizes their dedication to nurturing local business growth and fostering community engagement. Owing to their dedication to service excellence and innovation, Luxebooth.com has secured a special member spotlight on the Chamber's website, which is accessible at https://sdchamber.org/2023/06/member-spotlight-luxe-booth/.

Tailored Photo Booth Rental Packages and Streamlined Experience

Luxebooth.com's comprehensive photo booth rental packages provide clients with a streamlined, stress-free experience. Their San Diego-based team ensures impeccable setup, seamless event execution, and immediate social media sharing capabilities. Their customer-focused approach guarantees the flawless translation of every client's vision into an unparalleled photo booth experience.

"We aim to transform the photo booth rental landscape," Hartmann further emphasized. "By merging cutting-edge technology with top-tier materials, we provide a deeply personalized, memorable experience. Our recent award and our planned expansion to new regions underline our unwavering commitment to this objective."

About Luxebooth.com

Rooted in Orange County, California, Luxebooth.com has emerged as a trailblazer in offering luxurious and innovative photo booth rental services. The company presents a myriad of customizable offerings to suit any event, ensuring an added layer of elegance and interactive fun. Luxebooth.com is steadfast in its mission to create unforgettable memories through its state-of-the-art photo booths, assuring each event's success.

On the heels of their successful operations and commendation in San Diego, Luxebooth.com is thrilled to unveil its expansion to Temecula, CA, and the Inland Empire. These booming locations have been strategically selected to accommodate the rising demand for their contemporary, interactive photo booth services. This expansion reinforces Luxebooth.com's ambition to ascend as a nationally acclaimed leader in photo booth rentals, providing unmatched service and unforgettable experiences at every event.

For more details about their San Diego operations and their award-winning services, visit https://www.luxebooth.com/photo-booth-rental-san-diego/ or reach out to their dedicated team.

Luxe Booth | Photo Booth Rental San Diego

4134 Adams Ave UNIT 105

San Diego, CA 92116

Direct: 619-923-4023

SOURCE Luxe Booth | Photo Booth Rental San Diego
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sentinel Resource Group (SRG) announces the strategic hire of Frank Carrubba as its first Chief Legal Officer. The addition of a highly experienced legal and intelligence professional is another step in reinforcing our commitment to excellence and maintaining our position as a trusted advisor to corporations, their law firms, and private family offices.

Frank Carrubba, Chief Legal Officer

Carrubba, an accomplished legal and intelligence professional, recently led the San Jose Police Criminal Data Intelligence Center, established by now Dallas Chief of Police Eddie Garcia. Known for his innovation in shaping law enforcement intelligence capabilities, Carrubba has a proven record in the design, development, and optimization of intelligence fusion centers. Previously, he served as a Chief of the Criminal Division at the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, where he led the establishment of the Crime Strategies Unit, which was a recognized national model for innovative, data-driven prosecutions. Before this, Carrubba enjoyed a 25-year career as a prosecutor with the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.

In his new role at SRG, Carrubba will join CEO Wesley Bull and COO David Tindall in advancing the company's strategic vision to be the recognized global authority in security risk advisory, intelligence, and investigations for corporations, their law firms, and private family offices.

Wesley Bull, CEO at SRG, said, "Frank's deep experience with complex legal risk assessments, enriched by his formidable intelligence and investigations acumen, sets the stage for us to elevate our service offerings, and signifies an exciting addition to our executive leadership team to pioneer additional advancements in our sector."

Carrubba received his Juris Doctor degree after attending both California Western and Santa Clara University School of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1991, where he remains active as an attorney in good standing.

SRG's COO David Tindall commented, "I know first-hand that Frank's experience as a former prosecutor and expertise with intelligence data-driven investigations will be highly valued by SRG clients, particularly with our work in threat assessments and workplace violence risk. Frank is an accomplished leader who will further extend our People First approach to client engagements."

As CLO, Frank will be responsible for directing all legal and compliance matters for SRG, in addition to advising on client engagements across the firm's services verticals. Frank said, "SRG has meticulously assembled a distinguished team of cross-disciplinary professionals, renowned for their discretion, and results. I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to infuse my unique skills into this formidable talent matrix."

About SRG:

Sentinel Resource Group (SRG) is a security risk, intelligence and investigations firm serving corporations, their law firms, and private family offices across the United States, and around the world. Based in San Jose, CA, and with offices in Los Angeles, CA and Scottsdale, AZ, the firm is entrusted to advise several of the world's most iconic brands, companies, and people on their security risks, intelligence needs and investigative matters. For more information, visit: www.srgrisk.org

Contact: SRG Media Inquiries

Phone: (888) 547-8189

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Sentinel Resource Group
"The restructuring of our banking division aligns with our Better Bank Initiative by positioning us to capitalize on the opportunity to grow and diversify Commercial and Corporate Banking, while further emphasizing our Community and Retail franchise," said Jay Brogdon, Simmons' president and chief financial officer. "Recent industry events reinforce the value of traditional community banking, for which Simmons has a respected 120-year legacy. This foundation, coupled with the scale we have achieved throughout our footprint, provides significant opportunities to further enhance our future growth, particularly in the commercial arena."

Chad Rawls has taken on the newly created role of chief commercial banking officer. Rawls previously served as chief credit officer overseeing all credit activity including underwriting, approval and collections across Simmons' six-state footprint. Prior to that position, he served as chief metro banking officer and president of corporate banking, with oversight of Simmons' metro market activity, treasury management, equipment finance, institutional banking, small business banking and C&I banking groups. Rawls will report directly to Brogdon.

Earlier this year, Chris White was named chief community banking officer. A 19-year veteran of Simmons, White has served in multiple leadership roles with increased responsibilities, including Arkansas Community Division president.

Veteran credit officers Josh Herron and Steve Wade have been tapped to lead Simmons' well established credit function. Herron will serve as interim chief credit officer and Wade will provide support during this transition as deputy chief credit officer. A 22-year banking veteran, Herron served as corporate credit officer since joining Simmons in 2020. Wade, a seasoned veteran with 40 years of industry experience, most recently served as assistant general counsel, having previously served as Simmons' chief credit officer for almost six years. Herron and Wade will report directly to Simmons' chief executive officer, Bob Fehlman.

Simmons Bank

Simmons Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simmons First National Corporation (NASDAQ: SFNC), a Mid-South based financial holding company that has paid cash dividends for 114 consecutive years. Simmons Bank operates 231 branches in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. Founded in 1903, Simmons Bank oers comprehensive financial solutions delivered with a client-centric approach. In 2023, Simmons Bank was recognized by Forbes' as one of "America's Best Midsize Employers" and among the "World's Best Banks" for the fourth consecutive year. In 2022, Simmons Bank was named to Forbes' list of "America's Best Banks" for the second consecutive year. Additional information about Simmons Bank can be found on our website at simmonsbank.com, by following @Simmons_Bank on Twitter or by visiting our newsroom.

SOURCE Simmons Bank

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CHESTERFIELD, Mo., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aroostook Renewable Gateway, a proposed 100+ mile transmission line being developed by LS Power Grid Maine that will deliver low-cost power to the grid, as well as a 1000 MW wind project in Aroostook County being developed by King Pine Wind, will save Maine ratepayers an estimated $887 million (net present value) on electricity bills over the life of the project contracts, according to a June 2023 study by Daymark Energy Advisors.

The Daymark study, commissioned by LS Power Grid Maine and King Pine Wind Maine, concluded that the transmission line project and wind project together will lower wholesale electricity prices and provide significant cost savings for Maine consumers and businesses. The benefits will result in long-term monthly savings on customer bills, as shown in the table below.

CUSTOMER MONTHLY USAGE

(KWH) AVERAGE MONTHLY

BILL SAVINGS (2023$) Residential 500 $2.30 Small Commercial 1,000 $4.66 Medium Commercial 5,000 $23.31 Large Commercial/Industrial 1,008,000 $4,699.35

Summary of 25-year rate impact

The Daymark study found that this Maine-based, low-cost, renewable energy will reduce reliance on dispatching inefficient and expensive fossil fuel-fired resources and lower wholesale electricity market prices by an average of five percent.

The study is a conservative assessment as not all the projects' benefits were included in its analysis. For example, the study does not quantify benefits to air quality and other public health and environmental imperatives, price hedging, fuel diversity, incremental 200 MW of transmission capacity available on the line or regional economic benefits such as new jobs or property taxes.

"The Daymark study shows that these projects will provide significant tangible benefits in terms of lower energy costs for Maine consumers," said Paul Thessen, President of LS Power Development. "Lower energy costs, coupled with the significant investment and inherent economic and environmental benefits, makes these projects huge wins for the State of Maine."

"The Chamber is excited to learn the details of these cost savings. Our members need lower and more predictable energy prices and the Daymark analysis shows that the average residential customer will save $2.33/month and the average commercial/industrial consumer will save nearly $4,700/month. These are vital and meaningful savings that will help Mainers for years to come. Further, the LS Power Aroostook Renewable Gateway and the King Pine Wind farm will help create hundreds of jobs, attract billions of dollars of new investment, and deliver significant new property taxes along their proposed routes. As we make this clean energy transition, we must be focused on three things: 1) saving money for Maine residents and businesses; 2) creating job opportunities for Maine businesses; and 3) bringing new tax dollars into our host communities. These projects will deliver on all 3." - Ben Lucas, Senior Government Relations Specialist, Maine State Chamber of Commerce.

The full study can be found at:

http://www.lspgridmaine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Daymark_Maine-Ratepayer-Benefits_2023.pdf.

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.

SOURCE LS Power
SEOUL, South Korea, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SurplusGLOBAL (www.SurplusGLOBAL.com), a leading provider of legacy semiconductor equipment solutions, is set to participate in SEMICON WEST 2023, a prestigious global semiconductor exhibition. The company aims to promote its global parts platform business and showcase its comprehensive range of legacy semiconductor equipment services.

SurplusGLOBAL at SEMICON exhibition

SEMICON is an internationally recognized exhibition organized by SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials Institute) that brings together the semiconductor equipment and materials industry, as well as the entire electronics sector. It is held annually in seven countries, including South Korea, Southeast Asia, China, the United States, Taiwan, Europe, and Japan. This year, SEMICON WEST 2023 will take place in San Francisco, from July 11th (Tuesday) to July 13th (Thursday) for three days.

SurplusGLOBAL's CEO, Mr. Bruce Kim, stated, "We consistently participate in major global semiconductor exhibitions each year to understand the latest customer demands, share market insights, and strengthen collaboration with our customers." He emphasized further, "During the first day of the exhibition, we are delighted to announce our hosting of a VIP party, where we will extend invitations to key industry customers. Notably, we have consistently expanded the scale of this event and witnessed a growing number of attendees year after year. Our commitment to continuous customer communication, encompassing both online and offline networking channels, strengthens our ability to respond proactively to the dynamic shifts within the market environment."

SurplusGLOBAL's booth at SEMICON WEST 2023 will be in Moscone Center South Hall, booth number 1451.

Meanwhile, SurplusGLOBAL operates a global parts platform business through a marketplace to address issues in the semiconductor parts supply chain. The company has long-term goals of establishing a customer-centric open marketplace where suppliers and buyers can directly register, sell, and purchase products.

For more information about SurplusGLOBAL's participation in SEMICON WEST 2023 and it's legacy semiconductor equipment solutions, please visit the website at www.SurplusGLOBAL.com.

SOURCE SurplusGLOBAL, Inc.
California Amazon Workers Picket Warehouses in Three States Since ULP Strike Began June 24

NORTH HAVEN, Conn., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Striking Amazon delivery drivers and dispatchers from Palmdale, Calif., extended their picket line to an Amazon warehouse in Connecticut (BDL3) today, to demand the e-commerce giant stop its unfair labor practices. The growing strike will continue until Amazon reinstates the unlawfully terminated Palmdale employees, recognizes the Teamsters, respects the contract negotiated by the workers, and bargains with the Teamsters Union to address low pay and dangerous working conditions.

"I've been bitten by a dog and felt close to fainting in the back of Amazon's sweltering vans, but Amazon only cares about whether the packages get delivered," said Cecilia Porter, a striking Amazon driver from California who traveled to Connecticut for the picket line. "Our safety is not Amazon's priority, so we are protecting ourselves by organizing a union. We are going to continue our unfair labor practice strike until Amazon respects our rights."

Amazon drivers and dispatchers began their unfair labor practice strike at an Amazon delivery station in Palmdale on June 24. The North Haven, Conn., facility is the sixth Amazon warehouse Palmdale Teamsters have picketed during their nearly two-week strike. They picketed an Amazon sortation center in New Jersey yesterday and several warehouses in California last week.

"These Amazon workers organized a union for fair pay and safe jobs, but Amazon illegally refused to recognize their union or bargain with them," said Victor Mineros, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 396 in Los Angeles. "The support from communities around these warehouses and other workers in this industry has been tremendous. We are going to hold this corporate criminal accountable for how it treats the workers who wear its uniforms and deliver its packages."

The 84 workers in Palmdale joined Teamsters Local 396 and bargained a contract with Amazon's Delivery Service Partner (DSP), Battle-Tested Strategies (BTS), in April. Despite the absolute control it wields over BTS and workers' terms and conditions of employment, Amazon has refused to recognize and honor the union contract. Instead, Amazon has engaged in dozens of unfair labor practices in violation of federal labor law, including terminating the entire unit of newly organized workers.

Amazon drivers in Palmdale organized with the Teamsters to protect their safety in extreme temperatures, which regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit during Palmdale summers. Their Teamster contract guarantees the rights of workers to drive safe equipment and refuse unsafe deliveries. Making the contract's protections a reality will require an overhaul of Amazon's exploitative labor practices.

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:

Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Alliance with Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative Extends TEC Products and Services

AUSTIN, Texas, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Electric Cooperatives (TEC) leadership has announced a new sole source alliance with Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative (PHEC). Headquartered in Marshall, Texas, PHEC services over 2,580 square miles and 13,722 members across east Texas and Louisiana.

PHEC has been serving its members for eighty-four years with a service area that includes Harrison and Panola counties in Texas and Caddo and DeSoto parishes in Louisiana. Owned by the people it serves, PHEC believes in providing affordable electrical power to its members. "At PHEC we consider it a privilege and an honor to serve our members. The alliance with TEC helps us better navigate the supply chain allowing PHEC to continue offering the same reliable service we have for the past eighty-four years," said Austin Haynes, PHEC's General Manager.

"We are excited to work more closely with Panola Harrison Electric Cooperative," said Johnny Andrews, Chief Operating Officer of TEC Utility Supply & Services. "Their track record for providing quality, dependable service and electric power to users across Texas and Louisiana is well known. We are proud to support them in their mission to keep the lights on for their members."

Establishing alliances with co-ops around the state is a major priority for TEC. "This new sole source alliance is an exciting opportunity for both organizations. Offering total supply chain services gives TEC the ability to help cooperatives plan and manage their inventory as well as the uncertainty associated with long lead times and inventory challenges in today's world," said Johnny Andrews. "That's why TEC works so hard to expand our network of alliances."

About Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.: Serving members since 1941, Texas Electric Cooperatives represents the interests of the electric cooperatives serving more than three million people throughout the state. TEC provides products and services that help sustain public power businesses in the 21st century, and offers a full line of utility supplies and services through its Utility Supply & Services facility headquartered in Georgetown. For more information, visit www.texas-ec.org/about.

About Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative: Panola-Harrison Electric Cooperative is an electric cooperative headquartered in Marshall, Texas. PHEC's service area includes 2,580 miles of power line and 20,648 active meters across east Texas and northwest Louisiana. Serving members for 84 years, PHEC's employees work tirelessly every day to provide their members with reliable, low-cost electric power. For more information, visit www.phec.us.

SOURCE Texas Electric Cooperatives
TOKYO, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new record, Tokyo University of Science (TUS) has won the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023 in the 'Outstanding Support for Students' category, making it the first Japanese university to do so! The awards were announced on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, and honored outstanding work in academia, leadership, management, and professional services provided by universities across Asia.

Tokyo University of Science Wins Times Higher Education Awards Asia for Outstanding Support for Students.

Unlike conventional university rankings, which are based on more rigid criteria like the number of students or the number of papers cited, THE Awards evaluates universities and their initiatives for their societal impact. This year was the fifth edition of the awards, and THE Awards Asia received over 700 applications from 220 educational institutions in 20 countries and regions!

TUS won because of the comprehensive support that it provides to students. The University impressed the judges with its three-tiered support programmewhich includes learning, mental health, and peer supportensuring that students face no barriers to achieving their educational goals. The development of a series of different but linked support mechanisms by TUS provides a comprehensive package to help students realize their potential while also creating a mechanism to identify where they are experiencing difficulties.

"We congratulate the university for realizing its vision of connecting and integrating the academic and pastoral aspects of the student experience, and then overlaying the career elements," the judges said. Indeed, TUS has a Career and Employment Support Center to help students. The University ensures that its faculty members are available for career consultations to help students explore job opportunities related to their areas of study. It has also established a remedial education system to provide learning assistance. The university has long had a student counselling office, but in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it also launched a telephone counselling service for students in 2022. During the same year, the university tested a Campus-Mate System to give international students opportunities to socialize while also assisting them in adjusting to campus life.

TUS indeed has an impressive track record in supporting its students and will continue its efforts to help them in their academic, personal, and future professional lives.

About The Tokyo University of Science

https://www.tus.ac.jp/en/about/

Media Contact:

Hiroshi Matsuda

+81 3-5228-8107

[email protected]

SOURCE Tokyo University of Science
JAKARTA, Indonesia, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the advent of the digital age, the threshold for lifelong learning has been lowered. More and more Silver Surfers are sharing their knowledge and benefiting from it. On Kuaishou, Grandma Wu, a 70-year-old retired professor from Tongji University, demonstrates interesting physics experiments through short videos and live streams. Using common items such as iron pots, brooms, and coins in her experiments, she successfully stimulates the public's interest in science. She has gained more than 2 million followers on Kuaishou, and also had her story showcasing at the United Nations.

On July 3, the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) held the "2023 Inclusive Lifelong Learning Conference" in Indonesia. Kuaishou was invited as a representative of Chinese enterprises to share its innovations, explorations, and practices in adult learning and education from a lifelong learning perspective.

At the conference, Ms. Xiaohan Zhou, the vice president of Kuaishou Technology and head of pan-knowledge and information business, said in the speech "Live Streaming and Short Video: The Revolutionary of Lifelong Learning" that live streamings and short videos are transformative learning methods for lifelong learning.

Chinese technology companies have taken technical and resource advantages to help build a social ecology for lifelong learning. As a digital community, Kuaishou has become an important platform for older citizens to share knowledge, acquire knowledge, and expand their horizons. At Kuaishou, the elderly are both producers and consumers of knowledge. On the one hand, in the free and open creation environment of the platform, the knowledge content of Kuaishou has grown vigorously, covering more than 10 core fields such as education, humanities, arts, emotions, science and technology, finance and economics, and law, etc. More than 110 million videos posted by the creators of 10,000 fans in the knowledge category. A large number of "Silver Surfers", such as "Grandma Wu," have spontaneously become knowledge producers and content creators.

The guests gave high recognition of the innovation and progress of Kuaishou in helping the elderly learn. With the advent of knowledge inclusion and universal sharing, lifelong learning is becoming more and more the consensus of the world and the times. As a live short video platform, Kuaishou will also continue to fully support lifelong learning for the elderly in the future from various aspects such as inclusion, innovation, and cooperation.

Contact:

Xing Han

[email protected]com

SOURCE Kuaishou Technology
AUBURN  A Brutus man accused of basically trying to cut off another person's head with a machete is getting a new defense attorney after requesting new representation in Cayuga County Court Thursday afternoon.

Christopher M. Laframboise, 39, with a previously listed address of 2919 E. Brutus St., was before Judge Thomas Leone for a hearing related to different aspects of his case. Laframboise is facing a count of second-degree attempted murder and a count of second-degree assault, both class B felonies.

New York State Police previously said the defendant attacked and seriously injured a person at the victim's home on Pople Road in the town of Victory Feb. 6. Laframboise was arrested a short time later in a traffic stop on Egypt Road in the town of Conquest, troopers said.

Toward the end of the hearing Thursday, Laframboise said he wanted to speak. Leone told Laframboise everything he would say would be on the record, adding that it is "probably not in your interest to address the court." Laframboise pressed on, saying he felt Eric Smith, his defense attorney, "is not defending me to the best of his ability." Laframboise added he has not seen some pieces of documentation related to his case he said he previously requested, and criticized how Smith handled his case.

"He doesn't know my side of anything," Laframboise said. Given a chance to respond, Smith said he and Laframboise had discussions "numerous times." Leone said he would be taking Smith off the case and would appoint a new attorney.

Earlier in the proceedings, Smith and the DA's office were heard on a request to obtain a swab of Laframboise's DNA. Cayuga County Chief Assistant District Attorney Chris Valdina said there was a shirt with blood on it and noted Laframboise had a cut on his leg when he was arrested. Valdina noted after court that the blood was tested and it was determined to not be the victim's blood, so the DA's office can infer that it belongs to the defendant, but a swab could help determine that.

Smith fought against the swab, arguing it was "late" for such a request and that "if they wanted this, they should have moved on this months ago," since Laframboise has been in custody since February. Smith also asked, "Don't they have DNA for my my client already? That's another issue."

Leone ultimately said he would allow a state police representative to swab Laframboise. After Leone said he would appoint a new lawyer for Laframboise, the judge noted the defendant needed to be swabbed by the end of the day.

Laframboise was arraigned in late March, and a plea offer in May was not accepted.

A May 17 letter from Valdina to Smith about that plea offer said Laframboise bought a machete at Tractor Supply in Sennett on Feb. 2 After the machete was found following the alleged Feb. 6 attack, members of the state's forensic investigation unit looked at the weapon and determined it had been sharpened based on markings found on the blade.

The letter also said Laframboise had dinner with the victim and his family at the victim's home Feb. 5, and the victim mentioned he would be leaving for work at 6 a.m. the following morning, so "the defendant believed that the victim would not be at home with his family at that hour the next day." The defendant went to the victim's house at 6:45 a.m. Feb. 6, but the victim had not left for work that morning and the man's fiance and two sons were in the residence at the time.

The defendant later returned to the building around noon, the letter continued, adding that after he was allowed inside and briefly spoke with the victim, Laframboise pulled out the machete "and attacked the victim without warning."

Valdna said during Laframboise's arraignment that the machete caused a laceration and a jaw fracture, requiring metal plates to be placed in the victim's jaw.

"For all intents and purposes, he attempts to cut the victim's head off," Valdina said at the time.

Laframboise chased the victim in the home with the machete and called for the victim's 10-year-old son by his nickname, the letter continued, but the boy was at school. Laframboise had "the presence of mind," the letter said, to leave the home when the victim pointed a shotgun at him, also mentioning the victim's fiance pointed a pellet pistol at Laframboise. Laframboise tossed the weapon out of his vehicle and into a swamp, it was recovered days later, the letter said.

Valdina said after court that Laframboise's trial is set to start Sept. 18, "but I would imagine we're going to have some appearance before then" due to the incoming new appointed attorney.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Day 4 of a week-long international conference entitled 'New Uzbekistan: development, innovation and enlightenment' turned its focus to the country's regional leadership role, with the concept of Uzbekistan as a 'Eurasian Tiger' taking shape.

Several hundred guests from various national institutions and government organisations interacted with panel discussions featuring experts from 15 countries, tackling subjects such as foreign policy, transport corridors.

During a session on the topic of changing the country's image, a representative of the South Korean construction giant DL E&C Co., Ltd, said Uzbekistan will be the new 'Eurasian Tiger.' Responding to a suggestion that Uzbekistan was in some ways similar to South Korea 30 years ago  poised to become an Asian tiger, Minsu Jang, Civil Business Division Vice President of DL E&C, said, "I agree with you. I think the new big tiger is here. That's why we selected to participate in Uzbekistan among all the CIS countries. It is very impressive."

The importance of Uzbekistan in an east-west land corridor, the so-called 'New Silk Road' was raised by Wang Gochao of Lianyungang Port Group in China. "The logistical corridor that connects the Pacific Ocean to the west via Uzbekistan in the internal part of Asia ensures the connectivity of east and west, north and south, it ensures access to the sea for landlocked countries and this is our main purpose: to increase operation and efficiency of transport, warehousing, logistics services."

Sir James Wharton, Member of the UK House of Lords, paid tribute to the country's positive trajectory in human capital mobilization. "If a country has to be successful in the world, it has to use every resource it has. And of course, one of Uzbekistan's greatest resources is its people. And I would strongly endorse the approach that's being taken to maximize the value of that human capital to recognize the contribution that people can make collectively to the state in the economy, but also for each individual to protect his or her rights as part of that process."

Speaking about the pivotal role of Uzbekistan in rail and road transport across Eurasia, Latvia's Deputy State Secretary of Transportation, Uldis Reimanis, said, "We in Latvia highly value the decision to second your transportation attache to Latvia, that's the only European country where Uzbekistan's embassy will have this full position of an officer responsible for transportation. That's great. And we've signed a memorandum of understanding with the countries of Central Asia, which will produce better opportunities to access other routes, like to China, for example."

Previously, panels covered measures being taken to better educate the young population and to provide for a healthy society.

Munir Mamedzadeh, head of the UNICEF office in Tashkent, speaking about the challenges facing Uzbekistan's education system, continued, "We need to see climate resilient education, system and infrastructure. But in order to understand better what are the emerging realities in economy or introduction of artificial intelligence, we must engage children and young people and communities themselves to be part of the national dialogue."

Amarillo Inoyatov, Minister of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, spoke about progress in healthcare, stating, "Uzbekistan's new Constitution became the legal basis for the development of quality healthcare and the achievement of a healthy future. Over the past 7 years, more than 200 legal and regulatory acts in the field of healthcare have been adopted and in the next few years, healthcare spending is expected to double and reach $6 billion. The main principle informing all of our efforts is to promote human interest."

Homie A. Razavi, the Founder and Managing Director of the US-based Center for Disease Analysis Foundation, praised the performance of Uzbekistan's healthcare sector. "I'm very very proud to say that Uzbekistan has implemented a national program to fund and support Hepatitis C elimination by 2030. As part of that program, all testing and laboratory treatment is provided free of charge to all Uzbekistan's citizens. This was done through a partnership with the Ministry of Health. Next year, 2 million people will be screened throughout all polyclinics."

Uzbekistan's Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovations, Ibrahim Abdurahmanov, concluded, "Historically, we had lots of good schools, good talents, but we finally understood ourselves that innovation is not science only. Innovation is like money. When you sell your knowledge, that is innovation. And after that, we give our scientists and our young generation the freedom of thinking and prepared all infrastructure like technoparks and innovation centers, so that they can prototype the ideas."

The week's program, a joint endeavor of the Center of Sustainable Development of Uzbekistan and the World Society for the Study, Preservation and Popularization of the Cultural Legacy of Uzbekistan, featured more than 50 conferences, roundtable discussions and practical dialogues organized by research and analytical centers, business community, ministries and agencies together with more than 300 foreign partners.

More than 460 well-known political and public figures, big business representatives and experts from 60 countries and 5 international organizations are visiting the international events organized during the week. Among them, 19 ministers and high-ranking state figures, heads of 203 organizations, companies and associations, rectors, presidents and directors of more than 70 prestigious foreign universities and research centers will participate.

SOURCE Center for Sustainable Development, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
ESPOO, Finland, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Valmet has on July 7, 2023, entered into an agreement to acquire Korber Group's Business Area Tissue. The Business Area Tissue specializes in innovative converting and packaging technologies and services for the tissue industry.

By combining the complementary offering and competencies of Valmet and the acquired business, Valmet creates the market's widest technology, automation and services offering for the growing tissue industry covering the entire tissue value chain. Growth in tissue demand is driven by several favourable trends such as increased hygiene awareness and standards of living.

Korber's Business Area Tissue in brief

Korber's Business Area Tissue offers process technologies and related services for converting the jumbo reels of tissue paper into final tissue products for consumers and the Away from Home segment. It has the broadest offering in the tissue converting industry with converting lines for tissue rolls and for folded tissue including product packaging, as well as services and digital solutions.

In 2022, Korber's Business Area Tissue's net sales amounted to EUR 305 million and its adjusted EBITDA margin was approximately 12%. The company has a strong and growing services business, which accounted for 36% of total net sales in 2022. The business employs around 1,170 employees in Italy, Brazil, the U.S., China and Japan.

Details of the transaction

The enterprise value of the acquisition is approximately EUR 380 million on a cash and debt free basis subject to ordinary post-closing adjustments. The acquisition is estimated to be completed at the earliest on November 2, 2023, subject to competition authority approvals. The transaction consideration will be paid in cash upon the completion. Valmet will finance the acquisition with debt. The financing package for the acquisition consists of two facilities underwritten and committed by Danske Bank A/S and Nordea Bank Abp, a EUR 250 million term loan facility maturing in January 2028 and a EUR 150 million term loan facility maturing in two years from the closing of the acquisition.

Valmet estimates that the acquisition will bring sales, service and cost synergies worth of EUR 8 million by the end of 2026. The acquired business will be integrated into Valmet's Paper business line as a separate business unit. In Valmet's reporting, the process technology part of the business will be consolidated to Paper business line and the services part to the Services business line.

At the end of Q1/2023, Valmet had a strong liquidity with cash and cash equivalents amounting to EUR 429 million and net interest-bearing liabilities totalling EUR 345 million. Valmet's net debt to EBITDA ratio was 0.49 and gearing 15%.

Pasi Laine, President and CEO of Valmet: Valmet will have the broadest offering and unrivalled technology leadership in the global tissue markets

"Valmet benefits from the growing demand for bio-based products globally. With this acquisition, Valmet takes again a new step forward and strengthens both its Process Technologies and Services segments. The combination of Valmet's current tissue making technologies, services and automation offering and the acquired tissue converting offering and competences is a good strategic fit complementing each other and forms a strong basis to create new business opportunities and serve our customers even better. We are happy and proud to warmly welcome all the new colleagues from Korber's Business Area Tissue to become part of Valmet."

"Today our Business Area Tissue is a global market player. Now, joining Valmet, this is an excellent opportunity to form a unique tissue player and set the course for the future. Our Business Area Tissue will be able to further expand its potential, offering and reach with Valmet as its committed new owner," says Stephan Seifert, CEO, Korber Group.

"Valmet has profound market expertise, a strong customer focus, and extensive experience in integrating additional competencies. We are very pleased that in Valmet we have found an ideal future partner for our employees, customers, and suppliers to leverage the full potential of our tissue business," says Oswaldo Cruz, CEO, Korber's Business Area Tissue.

The acquisition is discussed in Q2/2023 interim result webcast

Valmet will arrange a news conference on Valmet's Q2/2023 interim result on July 26, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. Finnish time (EEST) as a live webcast. Valmet's President and CEO Pasi Laine and CFO Katri Hokkanen will be presenting Valmet's Q2/2023 results and discuss the acquisition of Korber's Business Area Tissue in the webcast.



VALMET

Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:

Jari Vahapesola, Business Line President, Paper, Valmet, tel. +358 40 558 6555

Anu Salonsaari-Posti, Senior Vice President, Communications, marketing and sustainability, tel. +358 40 453 4262

Pekka Rouhiainen, Vice President, Investor Relations, Valmet, tel. +358 10 672 0020

Valmet is a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries. With our automation systems and flow control solutions, we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our 17,500 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers' performance forward  every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. In 2022, a major milestone was achieved when the flow control company Neles was merged into Valmet. Valmet's net sales in 2022 were approximately EUR 5.1 billion.



Valmet's shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki, and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.

Follow us on valmet.com | Twitter | Twitter (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram |

Processing of personal data

SOURCE Valmet Oyj
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vulcan Materials Company (NYSE: VMC) will host its second quarter 2023 earnings conference call on Thursday, August 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. CT (11:00 a.m. ET). Financial results will be released before the NYSE market opens.

The Company invites investors and other interested parties to listen to the live webcast of the conference call at www.vulcanmaterials.com. To participate by phone, call 800-343-4849 approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start. For international calls, the number is 203-518-9814. The conference ID is 8433578.

A replay of the webcast will be available after the call at the Company's website.

Vulcan Materials Company, a member of the S&P 500 index with headquarters in Birmingham, Alabama, is the nation's largest supplier of construction aggregates  primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel  and a major producer of aggregates-based construction materials, including asphalt and ready-mixed concrete. For additional information about Vulcan, go to www.vulcanmaterials.com.

Investor Contact: Mark Warren (205) 298-3220

Media Contact: Janet Kavinoky (205) 298-3220

SOURCE Vulcan Materials Company
BEIJING, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huairen, a city known as capital of everyday ceramics in north China, is embracing notable progress in regional branding as a latest index to gauge its ceramics brand communication and influence edged obviously up since January 2022.

On June 29, the XinhuaHuairen Ceramics Brand Communication Index made its debut on the forum on high-quality development of characteristic light industry held during the 1st Shanxi Characteristic Professional Town Investment and Trade Expo.

Compiled by China Economic Information Service (CEIS), the index built on big data-based two core elements, popularity and credibility to monitor the communication effectiveness and influence of ceramics of Huairen, grew as high as 16.25 percent on quarter from April to June.

Owing all of the fruitful geographical branding to continuous growths in media reports thanks partially to a series of recommendation meetings and thematic promotion activities, the city saw frequent appearance of buzz words relative to Huairen such as "industrial clusters", "brands", "quality" and "professional town" in the second quarter.

Zhang Chun, professor with Jingdezhen Ceramic University said that Huairen ceramics, as a regional brand, already has a certain reputation at home and abroad and a batch of local corporate bands are also gaining popularity.

Under such circumstances, Zhang suggested that Huairen can further seek high-quality development of local ceramics industry through campaigns to improve industrial quality, public services, brand standards and ceramic town construction.

Huairen adheres always to product diversification, quality optimization and branding to improve the influence of local ceramic industry.

Boasting annual ceramics output of 6.3 billion yuan, Huairen is planning to craft a ceramic professional town with top-class industrial ecology and overall yearly output of 10 billion yuan by 2025 and 30 billion yuan by 2035.

Currently, ceramic products of the daily ceramics capital of north China have been broadly exported to countries in Europe, North America, Central Asia and the Middle East and exports account noticeably for about 50 percent of local ceramics sales.

In 2022, Huairen ceramics professional town was listed among the first batch of top 10 characteristic professional towns by Shanxi Province where the 1st Shanxi Characteristic Professional Town Investment and Trade Expo was convened during June 28-30 to shore up influence of local brands and accelerate industry clustering for win-win cooperation.

See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/334960.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
Three suspects are being sought as part of an investigation into the installation of credit card skimming devices at Walmart locations in central New York, including the Auburn store.

The Auburn Police Department on Friday provided surveillance images of the three suspects  two men and one woman  who authorities believe installed a credit card skimmer at the Auburn Walmart on Sunday, July 2. Store employees did not find the device, which was installed in one checkout lane, until Wednesday.

According to police, a credit card skimmer captures certain data from a cardholder, such as their information and PIN.

The three people are suspected of installing credit card skimming devices at other central New York Walmart stores. The New York State Police is investigating a similar incident involving a credit card skimming device that was found in a checkout lane at Walmart in Fulton, Oswego County. The skimmer, like the one in Auburn, was installed on July 2.

Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying the three suspects and their vehicle. A surveillance image from Auburn Walmart shows they were driving a gray or light blue minivan.

Anyone with information about the case should contact Detective Atkins by phone at (315) 255-4703 or by emailing natkins@auburnny.gov. They can also contact Officer Tanner at (315) 253-3231 or mtanner@auburnny.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
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
New Delhi, July 7 : Amidst the Opposition's efforts to carve a strong and united front ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the ruling BJP has also geared up to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

The BJP has called a meeting of NDA constituents on July 18 in New Delhi to ensure better coordination among the allies during the monsoon session of Parliament, which will commence on July 20.

It is being said that the positive result of the BJP's search for new allies would be visible in the coming days and BJP's old allies like the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) may also attend the NDA meeting. Further, it is speculated that the JD(S) from Karnataka would also join the NDA meeting.

Even, there are speculations in political circles that Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) may again join the NDA. However, while answering a query regarding the possibilities of Nitish Kumar's return to NDA, former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday clarified the party's stand and said that Amit Shah has clearly announced 3-4 times that the BJP will not forge an alliance with Nitish Kumar now.

On the issue of the return of the Akali Dal, several BJP leaders, from Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to Vijay Rupani, have repeatedly claimed that the party will contest the Lok Sabha elections alone in Punjab. The newly appointed Punjab BJP chief, Sunil Jakhar, after meeting the party's National President J.P. Nadda on Wednesday, said that the BJP has suffered a lot due to the limitation of seats because of the alliance with the Akali Dal.

Jakhar further said that he has been given the responsibility to strengthen the party on all 117 Assembly seats in Punjab. Right now, the condition of Akali Dal is poor and the BJP is now in a position to take the role of elder brother in Punjab.

On the other hand, amidst efforts to bring TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu back to the NDA, the BJP has recently made its intentions clear by appointing former Union Minister D. Purandeshwari as the state President of Andhra Pradesh and G. Kishan Reddy as the party's chief in Telangana.

According to sources in the BJP, the party definitely wants to expand its alliance and all political parties who want to join hands with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the country's "development journey" are welcome.

Jitan Ram Manjhi's party HAM and Ajit Pawar's NCP have come together with BJP in recent times and in future, many other political parties may also join hands with it, they said.

The BJP has decided to go alone in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. However, alliances with smaller parties would be considered in Bihar. On the same lines, if any political party agrees to give the elder brother's role to the BJP, then it would be welcomed to join the alliance, sources added. The reference is clearly to the Akali Dal and TDP. Despite publicly declaring to fight alone, the back door round of talks is on with these parties.
Gorakhpur/Varanasi, July 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will give a push to development as he undertakes a tour to two eastern Uttar Pradesh districts, attending centenary celebrations of the Gita Press and flagging off two Vande Bharat Express trains in Gorakhpur besides launching 29 development projects worth Rs 12,100 crore in Varanasi on Friday.

In Varanasi, the Prime Minister will have a tiffin meeting with the party workers, interact with them and give them a lesson in strengthening the party organisation at the booth level ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

"We have made all preparations to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We will take him on a tour of the Lila Chitra Mandir that depicts stories of Lord Ram, Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva and a picture of Mahatma Gandhi," said Gita Press manager Lal Mani Tiwari. He claimed that Modi will be the first Prime Minister to visit the Gita Press.

Prime Minister Modi's visit to Gorakhpur comes nearly three weeks after the controversy over the Centre's decision to confer Gandhi Peace Prize-2021 on the organisation on June 18, 2023, for its contribution towards social, economic and political change through non-violent and other Gandhian methods.

Prime Minister Modi headed the panel that unanimously decided to confer the award on the Gita Press. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, however, kicked a controversy when he called the union government's decision to confer the award on Gita Press a 'travesty'.

The Prime Minister will also reach Gorakhpur railway station to flag off two Vande Bharat express trains and lay the foundation stone for remodelling of Gorakhpur railway station with Rs 498 crore. He will inaugurate 125 km electrified rail track between Bhatni and Aurihar there.

In Varanasi, he will launch 29 development projects worth around Rs 12,110 crore. The Prime Minister will also address a public meeting at Wazidpur which is likely to be attended by around 50,000 people.

Kashi region BJP President Dilip Singh Patel said, "Prime Minister will inaugurate 19 projects worth over Rs 10,720 crore and lay the foundation of 10 projects worth over Rs 1,389 crore. He will also interact with 20 beneficiaries of various schemes." He said that the Prime Minister will hold a meeting of 120 BJP workers at the DLW guest house.

Modi will interact with party workers during the tiffin meeting and will give the 'mantra' to strengthen the party at every booth. The BJP workers will apprise him of the condition of their respective wards and the development projects brought in Varanasi in the last nine years.

He will open Pt Deendayal Upadhyay Junction-Son Nagar railway line of the dedicated freight corridor there. Built at a cost of over Rs 6,760 crore, the new line will facilitate faster and efficient movement of goods. He will dedicate to the nation three railway lines, electrification of which has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 990 crore.

They include Ghazipur city-Aunrihar rail line, Aunrihar-Jaunpur line and the Bhatni-Aunrihar line. This will mark the completion of 100 per cent electrification of railway lines in Uttar Pradesh.
Brussels, July 7 : Turkey did not green-light Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at a three-party meeting held here, but the participants agreed to meet again next Monday in Vilnius, Lithuania, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.

The aim of Thursday's talks between Stoltenberg and the foreign ministers of Sweden and Turkey in Brussels was to overcome Turkey's objections to Sweden joining the alliance, Xinhua news agency reported.

Stoltenberg described the Brussels meeting as "productive" and reaffirmed that Sweden's NATO membership is within reach. He added that he would convene a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the eve of NATO's July 11-12 summit.

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last year but faced objections from Turkey, which argued that the two countries harbour members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Gulen movement.

Turkey eventually lifted its objection to Finland's NATO accession earlier this year after Helsinki took "concrete steps" against such organisations. In April, Finland became NATO's 31st member state. However, Ankara continued to block Sweden's NATO bid.

Stoltenberg said Sweden had amended its constitution and introduced new anti-terrorist legislation, removed restrictions on arms exports to Turkey, and stepped up counter-terrorism cooperation, including against the PKK.

"Sweden has taken steps in terms of legislative changes, but legislative changes need to be reflected in practice," Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was quoted by Turkish state-run Anadolu News Agency as saying.

Fidan said after the meeting that it is imperative that countries wishing to join NATO take a firm stand in the fight against terrorism.

Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said after the meeting that progress was made during the meeting and that his country expects "a positive decision next week."

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Washington, July 7 : A bipartisan duo of US lawmakers has called upon the state department to ensure the safety of Indian diplomats and diplomatic missions in the aftermath of the second attack on the Indian mission in San Francisco.

They, on Thursday, also called for the state department to work with law enforcement agencies to apprehend those responsible.

Two men set fire to the entrance to the Indian consulate in San Francisco on Saturday in a second instance of a breach of security, just a few months after the attack in March.

No one was hurt in the Saturday fire, which was put out by the local fire department.

"As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," said Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat, and Michael Waltz, a Republican, referring to personal threats to Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu by a group that claims to be fighting for Khalistan.

The group's consul general and founder Gurpatwant Pannun was designated a terrorist by India in 2022, but the US has refused to sanction him despite his public threats to Indian diplomats by names such as Sandhu.

Pannun reiterated his threats in a video message released on Thursday without, noticeably, addressing rumours of his death in a road accident. He did not refer to those reports. Not once.

There are many theories about these rumours. One of them, and the most credible of them, is that Pannun may have started these rumours himself as he tries to drop off the radar to avoid investigation and prosecution by US authorities in the aftermath of the attacks on the Indian mission in San Francisco.

In the video message posted on Thursday, Pannun invoked the freedom of speech guaranteed in the US Constitution, which, he did not say, does not cover arson vandalism.

Pannun has not responded to requests for comment.

"We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American, but that is not a license to vandalize property or incite violence," Khanna and Waltz said in the statement.

They added: "Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable."

There was no response from the state department to a request for a reaction to the lawmakers' call.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- In the sixth month of 2023, Chinese automaker Chongqing Changan Automobile Co., Ltd. (Changan Automobile) saw its monthly sales climb up 8.81% compared to a year ago.

In June, Changan Automobiles monthly sales came in at 225,696 vehicles, summing up to a cumulative volume of 1,215,681 vehicles in the first half of 2023, which also rose 7.99% from the year-ago period.

Among the vehicles sold last month, 39,734 units were new energy vehicles (NEVs) under Changan Automobile's wholly-owned brands, representing a 117.51% year-on-year spike and a 35.67% month-on-month jump.

UNI-V iDD; photo credit: Changan Auto

In the first six months of this year, cumulative sales of the automakers wholly-owned brands amounted to 1,020,506 units, representing a 13.39% increase over the prior-year period. Among the wholly-owned brands vehicles sold in the Jan.-Jun. period, 116,218 units were sold in overseas markets to reflect a 14.3% increase year-on-year and a 20.85% leap month-on-month.

As to Changan Automobiles two joint ventures, both Changan Ford and Changan Mazda encountered a double-digit decline in June sales compared to that of a year ago. Specifically, Changan Ford reported a monthly sales volume of 20,153 vehicles (-25.83% YoY), while sales of Changan Mazda stood at 7,411 vehicles (-28.7% YoY).
San Francisco, July 7 : Alarmed at Instagram Threads' steep rise, Elon Musk-run Twitter has threatened to sue Meta for allegedly using its trade secrets and poaching its former employees to build the new "copycat" platform that saw over 30 million users in just 24 hours.

Twitter lawyer Alex Spiro sent a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, accusing the company of engaging in "systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property", reports Semafor.

"Twitter intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights, and demands that Meta take immediate steps to stop using any Twitter trade secrets or other highly confidential information," Spiro wrote in a letter.

"Twitter reserves all rights, including, but not limited to, the right to seek both civil remedies and injunctive relief without further notice to prevent any further retention, disclosure, or use of its intellectual property by Meta," the Twitter lawyer added.

Spiro also accused Meta of hiring dozens of former Twitter employees who "had and continue to have access to Twitter's trade secrets and other highly confidential information."

Andy Stone, Meta's communications director, told Semafor that Twitter's accusations are "baseless".

"No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee - that's just not a thing," he was quoted as saying.

Musk said in a tweet on Friday: "Competition is fine, cheating is not."

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino on Thursday appealed to the Twitter community to stay together.

She said that on Twitter, everyone's voice matters.

"Whether you're here to watch history unfold, discover real-time information all over the world, share your opinions, or learn about others -- on Twitter you can be real," Yaccarino posted.

Twitter is threatening to sue Meta over Thread, @maxwelltani reports (also he's on Thread, same handle) https://t.co/IVVZsCwyrf pic.twitter.com/89rZPTU9it  Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) July 6, 2023

"You built the Twitter community. And that's irreplaceable. This is your public square," she added.

Yaccarino said that "we are often imitated but the Twitter community can never be duplicated".

-- Syndicated from IANS
United Nations, July 7 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for international help to end the "living nightmare" that Haiti has spiralled into four years after the world body ended its controversial peacekeeping operations in the Caribbean nation.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday after a visit to Haiti, he said: "The world must act now to stem the violence and instability".

Describing the harrowing conditions, the UN chief said: "Brutal gangs have a stranglehold on the people of Haiti. (Capital) Port-au-Prince is encircled by armed groups that are blocking roads, controlling access to food and health care, and undermining humanitarian support."

But he ruled out resuming direct UN operations there and there were no takers for his call last year for a rapid action force to help Haitian police end the anarchy.

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has repeatedly asked for international help to back up his nation's beleaguered police.

This time around, Guterres may find help after he and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made personal appeals in Trinidad this week to Caribbean leaders at the summit of their 15-member Caricom group.

Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, the current head of Caricom, has said that his group was open to helping the Haitian police provided the UN Security Council empowers it and Western nations pick up the tab.

Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who spoke at Thursday's Security Council meeting on Haiti, said that there was urgent need for a political solution to the crisis in Haiti.

Earlier this year, he had offered to deploy police and troops in Haiti.

Some other countries like the Bahamas have also shown willingness, but the question of who will lead the operation has put those offers on hold.

Now the search is on for a lead nation for a Haiti operation.

UN peacekeeping operations in Haiti have a controversial history with wavering international support and internal problems making nations wary of stepping into anarchy where their personnel will have to actively confront local criminal gangs.

The UN's peacekeeping started in Haiti in 1994 after the elected government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was restored after a coup and the first operation known as UN Mission in Haiti operated till 1996.

As Haiti slid further into anarchy after another coup in 2004 ousted Arisitede, the Security Council authorised a new mission, UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, known by the acronym MINUSTAH, in 2004 and it lasted till 2017.

MINUSTAH's tenure was marred by a cholera outbreak in 2010 caused by poor sanitary conditions and attributed to peacekeepers from Nepal that claimed an estimated 10,000 lives and sickened more than 800,000 people.

MINUSTAH was succeeded by a less ambitious operation, UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) later in 2017 and it ended in 2019, marking the end of UN peacekeeping there.

Indian Central Reserve Police personnel served with MINUSTAH and MINUJUSTH for 11 years starting in 2008 to the UN operations' end in 2019.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in <aru.l@ians.in> and followed at @arulouis)
Lucknow, July 7 : The Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to repeal 138 laws of the British Era, which it says are no longer relevant.

The legislative department has written to around 40 concerned departments, asking for their opinion on whether these laws need to be retained in their present form, and if so, to provide a "convincing reason" for the same.

An official in the Chief Minister's Office confirmed that the drive was part of a larger plan to get rid of old, redundant laws.

The state government has already struck down several such laws and amended rules to make them more suitable to the present.

The Centre had also written to the state, asking it to take action in the matter.

Another state official said there are more than 40 departments under which 138 British Era laws are applicable.

"A letter has been sent to the heads of the concerned departments, asking for their opinions on the matter. The departments will have to give a very convincing reason to retain these laws in the present state for the government to consider their request," he said.

The official added that the failure to provide any reason for retaining the law or for not changing it in its present form would be considered as an assent by the department to repeal the law.

The official gave the example of the Indian Partnership Act of 1932, which was enacted by the Imperial Legislative Council.

The Act, which dictates the functioning of a partnership firm, pertains to all of India, except for Jammu and Kashmir.

"The law was promulgated in 1932. Since then, India as a country has evolved, the style of conducting businesses has changed and the challenges before us are very different. Therefore, such a law now needs to be repealed and replaced with a fresh law that addresses the concerns of the present-day stakeholders," the official said.
Kalaburgi, July 8 : In a shocking case, a group of minor boys gang-raped a nine-year-old girl in Kalaburgi district of Karnataka, police said on Friday, adding that four have been detained.

The child has been admitted to a hospital after the brutal assault and the police have detained four boys aged between 12 years and 14 years in this connection. The juveniles have been sent to a remand home, while a hunt has been launched by the police for the fifth accused.

The incident took place in the limits of Kalaburgi Women's police station on Wednesday noon.

According to police the accused gang of five minor boys lured the victim, who was sitting in front of her house, to an isolated place on the pretext of buying her a chocolate.

The mother of the victim in her complaint stated that the accused gang took the girl upstairs of a nearby house and gang-raped her.

The victim had gone to school earlier in the day and after returning was trying to break almonds when the boys took her away. After committing the crime the accused threatened the victim not to reveal anything and that if she told any one, they would kill her. However, the girl, who somehow reached her home, narrated the incident to her mother.

The girl was rushed to the hospital and a complaint was lodged in the police station.

The police swung into action and took four accused into custody.

The police have lodged IPC Section 366A (procuration of minor girl for committing sexual offence), 376 (G) (gang-rape), 506 (criminal intimidation) against the accused persons. The police have also slapped POCSO case against them.
New York, July 7 : Some Indian immigrants to the US used to say that a reason for coming here was the reservations policy in university admissions and jobs in their homeland and they wanted their children to escape its clutches. But it followed them here in the form of affirmative action in universities and government programmes and threatened to spill over into technology and science jobs.

The US Supreme Court's ruling last week in cases involving Harvard and the Univerity of North Carolina that race-based affirmative action programmes violated the Constitution's provisions on equality of all may give them a reprieve, but risks persist.

The cases were brought by an organisation called Students for Fair Admissions (SFA) primarily on behalf of Asian students with high academic credentials denied admission because of the affirmative action programmes.

Three Indian and two Hindu organisations joined other Asian organisations in filing a brief before the Supreme Court supporting the case because Indians are a part of the Asian demographic.

Explicit racial quotas -- similar to the reservations in India -- were always illegal in the US and the affirmative action programmes skirted it by using other strategies like awarding almost uniformly low scores for personality factors like "likeability" and being "respected" to Asian students to bring down their rating for admissions, while boosting admissions of others.

Universities justified their action claiming that they wanted a student body more representative of the general population. The Asian groups' court brief pointed out that admissions counsellors and guides advised Asian students "to hide their identity, to emphasize personal characteristics that avoid Asian stereotypes".

Vijay Chokalingam, the brother of Hollywood actress and producer Mindy Kaling, exposed how it works.

Challenged by mediocre scores on the medical school entrance test, he modified his name to "JoJo Ingam" and altered his appearance on the photograph with the application in a way to be mistaken for an African-American and found a coveted seat.

The Asian brief said, "in the hierarchy of race, Asian American applicants rank lowest at Harvard".

But if the Indian hierarchy of castes for reservations were to be applied to the US affirmative programmes, Asians would be considered the "highest", the Whites as something similar to backward castes and African-Americans, Latinos and Native Americans as the equivalent of scheduled castes.

The affirmative action programmes that sought in effect to limit admissions of Asians also benefitted Whites. And here's why:

Although most of the rhetoric was about White privilege needing a correctie, in reality, Asian students had to score 140 points more than White students in the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) for admission to elite universities, according to a study by two Princeton University scholars.

SAT, along with another known as ACT, was used to help determine the academic capacbitiies of undergraduate applicants.

The apparent rationale for limiting Asian admissions by Harvard, but not openly admitted, was that they are over-represented:

They are 6.3 per cent of the US population, but make up 27.9 per cent of students admitted to Harvard College, the university's undergraduate division.

While some supporters view affirmative action as a form of reparation for the history of slavery of African-Americans, and discrimination against them, Latinos and Native Americans, those responsible for it were some Whites.

But Asians were being made to pay the price for it. And that despite Asians also having been discriminated against: In fact, Indians had faced the discrimination of being excluded from immigration under a 1917 legislation till 1964 and those already here were not allowed to own land in California under a 1913 legislation.

Raj Razdan, president of The National Federation of Indian American Associations (NFIA), which was one of the groups that joined in filing the Supreme Court brief, said the ruling "apparently will reward justifiably and proportionately the Indian-American students in America, especially Ivy League colleges for their par excellence academic performances in future".

Yet Indians and other Asians may not be really safe from the sting of affirmative action even after the court verdict.

The Ivy League universities have dropped the SAT scores requirement, which would would expose race-based discrimination, and will instead be using factors like the socio-economic backgrounds, adversities overcome, including due to discrimination, and personality traits (on which Asians already scored low) in their quest for diversity.

Some of these are subjective and less open to empirical evaluation like SAT scores making them more liable to be manipulated and not seem racially tainted.

Moreover, unlike some Asian groups, Indians have the highest income among ethnic groups in the US and high education levels that would put them at a disadvantage when socio-economic factors are taken into account.

Among Indians, there is a contradiction in attitudes to affirmative action despite its impact on them.

According to a Pew Research Center survey, 60 per cent of Indians say affirmative action is a "good thing" and only 13 per cent that it was a "bad thing".

This may reflect the Indians' political leanings: 68 per cent of Indian voters are supporters of the Democratic Party and nearly the same percentage of Indians were supportive of affirmative action.

While overall 50 per cent of Americans "disapprove" affirmative action and only 33 per cent "approve", 50 per cent of Democrats or party supporters approve, according to Pew.

Thomas Abraham, chairman of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) which also joined the Asian brief against affirmative action, reflected on the "need for diversity. "

"We didn't want the whole affirmative action to go away, but at the same time, we didn't want Asian Americans to be discriminated in the general quota of admissions. We hope that the universities can achieve both," he said.

The over-representation of Asians in coveted educational and employment opportunities has drawn the ire of social justice groups and activists, although they avoid directly speaking of them and often make it appear directed against Whites.

It starts at the level of advanced programmes for school children and is now creeping towards tech jobs, where Indians and other Asians are disproportionally represented -- for example nearly 45 per cent of Google employees, in contrast to African-Americans who made up 5.3 per cent despite being 13.6 per cent of the population.

Because of the criticism of the social justice groups that has been taken up by Democratic Party politicians, companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft and Apple have committed to increasing the hiring of other minorities.

They filed briefs in the Supreme Court supporting affirmative action and against the SFA case.

Now they may face a legal minefield in how they frame their diversity programmes.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in <aru.l@ians.in> and followed at @arulouis)
Saharanpur, July 7 : Two warders of Saharanpur district jail in Uttar Pradesh have been suspended for alleged manhandling and misbehaving with the four jail inmates arrested in connection with the attack on Bhim Army founder Chandra Shekhar Azad at Deoband.

The Saharanpur Police has lodged an FIR against unidentified jail personnel on the complaint of the families of the four accused Lavish, Vicky and Prashant and Vikas Kumar of Karnal, Haryana.

Director general (DG), prisons, S.N. Sabat on Friday confirmed that two jail warders Naresh Kumar Verma and Karanveer Singh had been placed under suspension with immediate effect.

He said disciplinary action had been recommended against the two warders.

Besides, the superintendent of Muzaffarnagar district jail had been asked to conduct an inquiry into the incident.

Another jail official said earlier the two warders were removed from their duties as soon as the jail inmates had alleged manhandling and misbehaviour from them.

The jail officials said the incident was the fallout of the attack on a deputy jailer of Deoband sub-jail as one of the four inmates Lavish was allegedly involved in while being lodged there earlier.

It may be recalled that Chandra Shekhar was shot at when he was on his way to Saharanpur in an SUV after attending a programme in Deoband on June 28. In the attack, the bullet grazed his waist and his vehicle was damaged.
Lucknow, July 7 : The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is set to sign MoUs with Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Indore to improve its Swachh Survekshan rankings.

It will also help the city achieve the cherished goals as part of the three-year-long pacts that will be signed on Friday.

"The overall objective of the MoUs is to develop Lucknow as the model city. The MoUs propose to not only propel the local economy but also help Lucknow learn the best sanitation practices," said an official.

The pact with the administration is also concentrated around bringing a dynamic shift in the dwindling fortunes of Lucknow's Chikan Handicraft Industry and its workers, largely female workers, who spend hours in the intricate handcrafting of traditional garments.

The pact will help the traditional hand embroidery craft, get better global exposure.

The pact envisages a range of activities and training that will upskill the workers in enhancing their craft and using new-age tools to market their products under the One District One Product (ODOP) project of the state government that aims to encourage indigenous and specialised products district-wise.

During the course of three years, a team of experts from IIM Indore will train and handhold the workers and also connect with the ace designing institutes to facilitate the learning of new skills and techniques. This, the officials say, will modernise this traditional craft.

Also, the focus will be on making artisans and the Self-Employed Women's Association (Sewa) self-reliant in managing their finances.

"Upskilling of the artisans, connecting them with leading designing institutes, and expanding the reach of the products is the focus area. Besides, we will also be focusing on training women on financial literacy and helping them become financially independent. This will help them get out of the clutches of the local money lenders and avail institutional credit," said IIM-Indore director Himanshu Rai.

The second pact will be the LMC with an objective of building new strategies to accomplish the targets of the Swachh Bharat Mission and improve the overall sanitation status of the city.

Under this pact, IIM-Indore will work on two aspects. One would be to devise a ward-wise plan for Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) strategies to foster behavioural change among the residents and take the message of a clean neighbourhood to every household in a more effective manner.

The second aspect is the capacity building of the corporation officials and hand holding them in adopting best practices that helped Indore bag the cleanest city title for six times in a row.

"In line with our approach in districts like Ayodhya and Kanpur, we will devise a ward-wise strategy after mapping the specific issues. We will also help enhance the capacities of the officials to replicate best governance models," Rai added.--IANSamita/dpb
Stockholm, July 7 : The Swedish Prosecution Authority has charged climate activist Greta Thunberg with disobeying law enforcement after she allegedly refused to leave a protest site last month.

"The prosecutor has filed charges against a young woman who, on June 19 this year, participated in a climate demonstration which, according to the prosecution, caused disruption to traffic in Malmo," CNN quoted the Authority as saying in a statement on Thursday.

The woman "refused to obey the police command to leave the scene", it added.

While the statement does not identify the climate activist by name, Annika Collin, a spokesperson for the Swedish Prosecution Authority, told CNN that the woman referred to is Thunberg.

"The criminal classification is disobedience to law enforcement. According to the prosecutor, the act was committed with intent," the Prosecution Authority's statement added.

Thunberg faces a fine or a sentence of up to six months in jail, according to the Authority.

In January, Thunberg was detained by police during a protest in the village of Lutzerath, Germany, over the expansion of a coal mine.

She was released later the same day.
London, July 7 : The European Union (EU) regulators have launched an in-depth probe into Amazon's $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot, the company which designs and builds consumer robots, including robot vacuum cleaners sold under the 'Roomba' brand.

The European Commission said in a statement that it's concerned that "the transaction would allow Amazon to restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners (RVCs) and to strengthen its position as online marketplace provider."

The preliminary investigation found that the transaction may allow Amazon to restrict competition in the market for the manufacturing and supply of RVCs and strengthen its position in the market for online marketplace services to third-party sellers (and related advertising services) and/or other data-related markets.

"Amazon is both an online marketplace and a retailer. We are concerned that, by acquiring iRobot, Amazon may use such a dual role to foreclose access by iRobot's rivals to its marketplace," said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of competition policy.

"With our in-depth investigation, we will also investigate whether Amazon would use data collected by iRobot to strengthen its position as an online marketplace provider," she added.

The Commission now has 90 working days, until November 15, to make a decision.

The EU probe comes as the UK's antitrust regulator last month cleared Amazon's proposed $1.7 billion acquisition of iRobot. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that iRobot's market position in the supply of robot vacuum cleaners in the UK is modest and that it already faces several significant rivals.
United Nations, July 7 : As world temperature records were broken on two consecutive days this week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that "climate change is out of control".

"If we persist in delaying key measures that are needed, I think we are moving into a catastrophic situation, as the last two records in temperature demonstrates," the Guardian quoted Guterres as saying in referrence to the global temperature records that were broken on Monday and Tuesday.

The average global air temperature was 17.18 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, according to data by the US National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), surpassing the record 17.01 degress recorded the previous day.

Data from the University of Maine's Climate Reanalyzer showed that for the seven-day period ending Wednesday, the daily average temperature was .04 degree, higher than any week in 44 years of record-keeping.

That metric showed that Earth's average temperature on Wednesday remained at the record high of 17.18 degrees.

But the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said on Thursday that it could not validate the Reanalyzer data, reports the Guardian.

"We recognise that we are in a warm period due to climate change, and combined with El Nino and hot summer conditions, we're seeing record warm surface temperatures being recorded at many locations across the globe," the NOAA said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the UN confirmed the return of El Nino.

The last major El Nino was in 2016, which remains the hottest year on record.

Various parts of the world have been experiencing heatwaves and on Thursday the EU's climate monitoring service said the world had experienced its hottest June on record last month, the Guardian reported.

The southern US has been sweltering under an intense heat dome in recent weeks, including on the national 4 July holiday on Tuesday.

In parts of China, a scorching heat wave has continued, with temperatures reaching above 35 degrees.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Chinas smartphone giant Xiaomi's automotive venture has made further strides, as Changchun Faway Automobile Components Co., Ltd. (Faway) disclosed on its interactive platform that the price quotation to Xiaomi's first car model has been finalized.



Photo credit: Xiaomi

Faway stated, "The company is actively engaging in business discussions with Xiaomi's automotive division, and several subsidiaries have joined Xiaomi's procurement team. Currently, pricing for Xiaomi's first car model has been completed."

During the Q1 earnings conference call, Xiaomi expressed that its car project is progressing smoothly and has entered the accelerated development phase. Summer and winter testing will be conducted this year, with the Xiaomi's first vehicle model slated to hit the market in the first half of 2024.

Data reveals that Xiaomi's total revenue for Q1 2023 reached 59.5 billion yuan, with adjusted net profit at 3.2 billion yuan, gross profit at 11.6 billion yuan, and R&D expenses at 4.1 billion yuan, which includes a 1.1-billion-yuan cost related to innovative businesses such as smart electric vehicles.

Earlier reports suggested that Xiaomi's first all-electric sedan would be available in two versions, including a standard version priced at 149,900 yuan, featuring rear-wheel drive with a single electric motor and an 800-kilometer range; and a Pro version priced at 179,900 yuan, offering dual-motor all-wheel drive with an approximate range of 700 kilometers. However, these reports have not been officially confirmed by Xiaomi.
Washington, July 7 : Two firefighters were killed and five others were injured as they battled a blaze that broke out aboard a cargo ship at Port Newark in the US state of New Jersey, according to authorities.

"The Newark Fire Department, the Coast Guard, and multiple state and area agencies are continuing their response to a fire in Port Newark on the vehicle carrier ship, Grande Costa D'Avorio," Xinhua news agency quoted the US Coast Guard as saying in a statement on Thursday.

Coast Guard watch standers received an initial call of the fire on the multi-level vessel at 9.38 p.m. on Wednesday night , said the statement.

There have been no reports of crew member injuries on the ship, but two Newark firefighters were fatally injured while responding to the fire, it added.

The Coast Guard noted that responders continue to fight the fire and a determination of environmental impact will be made once it is under control.

The cargo ship docked on the port was carrying about 5,000 cars, local news outlet News 12 New Jersey reported.

The firefighters who were killed were Wayne Brooks, 49, and Augusto Acabou, 45, said the report, citing officials.

The five firefighters injured were taken to hospitals for treatment of various injuries, the report added.

"Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of two Newark firefighters, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in a statement.

"This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers our firefighters face and their remarkable courage," the Governor noted.
Seoul, July 7 : The South Korean government said on Friday that Japan's plan to release contaminated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant would meet international standards, including those set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), if carried out as planned.

The announcement was based on the government's scientific analysis of the discharge plan, based on the findings of an on-site inspection of the plant completed in late May and other related data, as well as an analysis of the IAEA safety review, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"After a review of the treatment plan of contaminated water presented by Japan so far, the total concentration level of radioactive materials of Japan's plan would meet the standards for a release into the ocean," Government Policy Coordination Minister Bang Moon-kyu told a briefing.

Bang said, therefore, the plan has been confirmed to meet international standards, including those of the IAEA.

According to a simulation based on an emission standard set by Tokyo Electric Power Co., the operator of the plant, the radiation impact on South Korean shores is estimated to be about one-100,000th of the current level.

The government further said that the technology of the plant's custom purification system, known as ALPS, has gradually improved and stabilized, resulting in radionuclide levels within permissible limits since mid-2019.

Previously, the Seoul government had reported that six types of radionuclides were detected at levels exceeding permissible limits even after treatment through ALPS, but most of these cases occurred before 2019.

As ocean currents disperse the contaminated water, radioactive materials would become nearly undetectable on South Korean shores, the government said, emphasizing that the concentration level would remain within the acceptable limit.

Notably, the concentration level of tritium, a hydrogen radioisotope known to still be detected after treatment through ALPS, would also be within the limit as the seawater would dilute it sufficiently.

"The review was carried out under the premise that Tokyo Electric Power's discharge plan is carried out as planned," Bang said.

The government would conduct a further review if there were a change in the plan, Bang said.

The government also emphasized its respect for the outcome of the IAEA's safety review of Japan's plan.

On Tuesday, the UN nuclear watchdog announced that its two-year review found Japan's plan to release water from the plant into the sea to be consistent with its safety standards. The agency also stated that the treated water would have a negligible radiological impact on both people and the environment.

In response to heightened public concern, Seoul launched a daily press briefing last month to keep the public updated on the planned release of contaminated water from the plant, which suffered severe damage due to a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011.
Helsinki, July 7 : Non-essential travel by Russian citizens to and through Finland to other Schengen area countries will continue to be restricted, and restrictions will be tightened for business travelers, students and property owners, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Helsinki announced in a statement.

According to the statement issued on Thursday night, business travelers from Russia will only be allowed to enter Finland, which means that transit to other countries will be prohibited, reports Xinhua news agency.

They will be required to have an "essential reason to come to Finland in person".

Property owners will also be required to provide grounds for their personal presence in the country, said the Ministry statement.

Students will only be allowed to participate in programs or studies leading to a degree -- such as exchange programs.

Earlier on Thursday, Russia's Foreign Ministry had announced the expulsion of nine Finnish diplomats and the closure of Helsinki's consulate in St. Petersburg effective on October 1.

In response, Finland's President Sauli Niinisto said that his country was preparing counter-measures.

In a Twitter post, the President said the counterpart of the Finnish consulate in St. Petersburg is Russia's consulate in Turku, western Finland.

On June 6, Finland expelled nine employees of the Russian Embassy, prompting the Foreign Ministry to say that they would "react accordingly".
Ahmedabad, July 7 : The Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to stay Rahul Gandhi's conviction and two-year jail term in a criminal defamation case, which led to the loss of his Parliament membership.

The court ruled that granting a stay on conviction is an exception and not a rule.

The defamation case, which dates back to the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign, revolves around Gandhi's comment, "How come all thieves have the common surname Modi." This remark was interpreted as an attempt to draw an implicit connection between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and fugitive businessmen Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi.

Gandhi's counsel, in a hearing held on April 29, had argued that his client could lose his Lok Sabha seat "permanently and irreversibly" given that the offence carried a maximum punishment of two years.

The lawyer further contended that such a loss would result in "very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents."

Earlier in May this year, the Gujarat High Court had reserved its order on Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction in this defamation case.
Jaipur, July 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Bikaner for a day-long visit on Saturday, during which he will inaugurate different projects.

After landing at the Nal Airport at around 3.30 p.m., Modi will inaugurate different projects near Greenfield Expressway Toll Plaza.

At about 5 p.m., he will address a public gathering after which he will return to Delhi.
New Delhi, July 7 : Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has entered into four new international collaborations with leading law schools and universities in US and Australia that include American University, Ohio State University, University of Southern California and Bond University.

These collaborations are the latest addition to the existing 200+ international collaborations that Jindal Global Law School already has with other international institutions. These collaborations are a result of the law school's deep commitment towards internationalisation and thereby the creation of opportunities for inter-cultural and global learning. The specific type of international collaborations include student and faculty mobility programmes, dual degree programmes, pathways to post graduate studies and joint research opportunities.

The list of the new partner institutions are:

The American University Washington College of Law, American University, Washington D.C., US

Michael E. Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, US

USC Gould School of Law, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, US

Bond University, Australia

Reflecting on these new collaborations, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University and Dean, Jindal Global Law School stated that, "Our relentless pursuit of international collaborations continues, as we realise, it is the key to open global possibilities for students and faculty members. The legal profession as it stands today and the type of issues modern-day lawyers have to deal with demand transnational and comparative understanding of law, and the perspective essential for developing such an understanding becomes possible only if we are able to situate the global within our domestic contexts. We also need to develop the qualities and values of empathy, mutual respect, and reciprocity which should be cultivated in individuals through conscious and collective efforts. All these are part of our shared responsibility to the generation and progeny. Herein comes the relevance of international collaborations."

In commenting on the establishment of these new partnerships, Professor (Dr.) S.G. Sreejith, Executive Dean, JGLS observed, "This is a fantastic opportunity for students studying at JGLS. These collaborations include student and faculty mobility programmes, dual degree programmes, pathways to post graduate studies and joint research opportunities. The student mobility programmes help students to experience intercultural learning, which instils in them a global perspective, enhances their intercultural empathies, and broadens their intellectual and professional horizons. These opportunities prepare JGLS students in a big way to deal with global professional challenges. The faculty exchange programme promotes joint research and publications and development of globally relevant pedagogy."

On the general approach of the JGLS Office of International Collaborations, Professor Malvika Seth, Associate Dean (International Collaborations), JGLS observed that, "Our vision and ambition to provide global legal education by partnering with leading international institutions has proved to be immensely advantageous to our students in building their legal career, as well as for our faculty members, by giving them a platform to build their research and teaching methods. Our commitment towards creating a world class institution in India has led us to establish various partnerships all around the world."

Reflecting on the possible outcomes of these particular collaborations, Smarnika Srivastava, Assistant Dean (International Collaborations), JGLS stated that, "These opportunities create an open academic environment and maximises the potential of our students and faculty alike, which leads to their professional and personal growth in a holistic way. JGLS has secured diverse international collaborations with countries all around the world. The student centric programmes put JGLS students a step ahead in their career and makes them well prepared for the legal world. The faculty centric programmes help our faculty in developing their teaching pedagogy and engaging in research with peers from around the world."
New Delhi, July 7 : Soon after the Gujarat High Court on Friday denied stay on the conviction of former Congress president Rahul Gandhi in a 'Modi surname' remark defamation case, the Congress said that it respects the court judgement and would approach the Supreme Court.

Speaking to media at the party headquarters here, Congress treasurer Pawan Bansal said, "We respect the court, but we don't agree with the judgement as according to us this is wrong."

Meanwhile, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter and said, "We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the judge is being studied, as it should be, and Dr. Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further."

Speaking to IANS, Indian Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV said, "Truth can be troubled but cannot be defeated. We have trust in the Supreme Court as everyone knows why such a thing (conviction) has happened. Rahul Gandhi has raised the issue of Adani Group and Rs 20,000 crore in shell companies. We have trust in the Supreme Court."

The remarks of the Congress leaders came after the Gujarat High Court upheld the Sessions Court's order denying stay on conviction of Rahul Gandhi in the defamation case against 'Modi surname' remark.

Hundreds of Congress workers assembled at the Congress headquarters here and raised slogans against the BJP government at the Centre. Extra security was deployed at the Congress headquarters.
New Delhi, July 7 : The moderation in the pace of new investments suggests that the capex cycle is not yet on a durable, self-sustaining path, foreign brokerage, Nomura said in a report.

Quarterly fluctuations aside, the size of new investment projects announced remains low by historical standards, it said.

The latest data from the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE) showed a slowdown in the pace of new investment projects announced in Q2 2023 to Rs 6 trillion from Rs 12.2 trillion in Q1, but up from Rs 5.8 trillion a year ago.

On a 4-quarter rolling sum basis, new investments stood at 11.2 per cent of GDP in Q2, lower than the 11.4 per cent in Q1, but up from 9.6 per cent a year ago.

On a 4-quarter sum basis, the pace of manufacturing investments has moderated to 4.2 per cent of GDP in Q2, from 4.9 per cent in Q1 and a peak of 6.3 per cent in Q4 2022, led by a moderation in the machinery, metals and chemical sectors, the report said.

Infrastructure investments announced remain strong, and have risen to 6.4 per cent of GDP in Q2 (4q sum) from 5.8 per cent in Q1 and 4 per cent in Q4 2022, driven primarily by transport services, the report said.

Other investments announced, notably in construction & real estate also remain tepid, as per the CMIE data.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at sanjeev.s@ians.in)
Kolkata, July 7 : The leader of the opposition of West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Friday approached a single- judge bench of the Calcutta High Court against the movement restriction order imposed by the state administration and the state election commission on him on polling day for panchayat polls on Saturday.

Adhikari was forwarded a communique late Thursday evening by the inspector-in-charge of the local Contain police station Amalendu Biswas directing the latter to remain constrained in the area under 'Part No.76, Nandanayakbar of Nandigram constituency' in East Midnapore district, where is Adhikari is a voter.

He was also barred from even entering his polling booth with the security personnel that he is entitled for as the leader of the opposition.

On Friday morning only Adhikari approached the Calcutta High Court's single- judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha challenging the restriction order.

The matter will come for hearing in the second half on Friday only.

"The order was clearly intended at restricting my movement as the leader of the opposition so that the ruling party activists can resort to rampant election malpractices on the polling day. They have been trying to restrict my movement since the beginning and the office of the state election commission is acting as a puppet for the ruling party on this count. So I have decided to approach the Calcutta High Court," Adhikari told newspersons on Friday morning.

The leader of the opposition is also an elected BJP legislator from Nandigram Assembly constituency, where he was elected in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls defeating the-then Trinamool Congress candidate and the current chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Later the chief minister made an entry to the Assembly after getting elected in a by-election from Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in Kolkata. During the campaign phase, Adhikari has once and again announced that he will be moving around throughout the state on the polling day of July 8 to ensure that there are no attempts to vitiate the process of free and fair polls.
New Delhi, July 7 : Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala on Friday dubbed the Gujarat High Court upholding the session court's order and denying a stay on party leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in "Modi surname" defamation case a "travesty of justice".

Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of fearlessness and of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power, he said.

In a tweet, Surjewala said, "Travesty of justice. Instead of punishing aBank Fraudstersa like Nirav Modi, Ami Modi, Neeshal Modi, Mehul Choksi and ilk, the 'messenger' exposing the deceit and swindling of public money is being punished."

"Rahul Gandhi has chosen the path of truth, of righteousness, of fearlessness & of seeking accountability from those in citadels of power. We will tread upon the path of truth and righteousness, come what may... Stayamev Jayate," Surjewala added.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Alka Lamba said that the decision of the Gujarat High Court is not a setback. "Rahul Gandhi has always said 'daro mat' (be fearless) and we will fight and win. We all know why Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as a MP because he raised the issue of Rs 20,000 crore in shell companies and demanded a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

Even without holding any post, he had visited the violence-hit Manipur whereas the Prime Minister is still silent on it. He also met the Governor appealing for peace, she said.

The BJP felt threatened after a sea of people assembled in Telangana for a public meeting. Gandhi's soaring popularity has also unsettled them, hence they have tried to silence his voice in Parliament, Lamba said. "We will fight in court," she added.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Congress workers assembled and raised slogans against the Centre at the party headquarters, where the security has been tightened in view of the Gujarat High Court's verdict.
With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information.

SAIC-GM Buick starts shipment of Ultium-based ELECTRA E4s

SAIC-General Motors (SAIC-GM) has already started shipping the Ultium-based Buick ELECTRA E4 pure electric vehicles to corresponding dealership stores, the joint venture announced on July 6. Delivery of the model will begin soon.

Photo credit: SAIC-GM Buick

Foton Motor sells 46,497 vehicles in June 2023

Chinese commercial vehicle maker Foton Motor sold 46,497 vehicles in June 2023, versus the 40,033 units sold in the year-ago period.

Yutong Commercial Vehicle delivers 34 fuel cell heavy-duty trucks to Henan Liyuan Group

On July 6, Yutong Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd. held a ceremony to deliver 34 hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks to Henan Liyuan Group.

Photo credit: Yutong Commercial Vehicle

SAIC Motor boasts 40.01% YoY surge in June export volume plus sales of overseas markets

During the first six months of the year, SAIC Motor recorded a combined number of 533,424 vehicles for its export volume and sales in overseas markets, indicating a 40.01% year-on-year spike. The figure stood at 94,969 units in June alone, rising 12.88% from a year ago.

BYD, DiDi-backed 99 to co-promote BEV applications for ride-hailing service in Brazil

On July 5th, local time, BYD Brazil (referred to as "BYD") and 99, a Brazil-based ride-hailing platform under DiDi, announced their partnership. As part of the collaboration, 300 units of BYD's pure electric vehicle, the D1, will be provided to drivers on registered on the 99 platform through a leasing arrangement. Together, they aim to bring modern, sustainable, and zero-emission mobility options to the local users.

SAIC Motor showcases 43 innovative technologies at 2023 Tech-Show

On July 6, SAIC Motor kicked off its "2023 Tech-Show" event, where 27 subsidiaries showcased a remarkable array of 43 innovative technologies.

Xiaomi's first vehicle model completes pricing

Chinas smartphone giant Xiaomi's automotive venture has made further strides, as Changchun Faway Automobile Components Co., Ltd. (Faway) disclosed on its interactive platform that the price quotation for Xiaomi's first car model has been finalized.

Dongfeng Sharing obtains first commercial pilot license for autonomous bus in Wuhan

Dongfeng Sharing, the autonomous driving arm of Dongfeng Motor, was recently granted the first commercial pilot license for autonomous buses in the Wuhan region, according to Dongfeng Motors WeChat post on July 5.

Tesla launches referral program in China with 3,500 yuan off referred purchase

Tesla announced on July 7 a new referral program in China, aimed at rewarding existing owners who refer friends and family to purchase the Model 3 and the Model Y.

Changan Automobile posts 8.81% YoY rise in June 2023 auto sales

In June, Changan Automobiles monthly sales came in at 225,696 vehicles, summing up to a cumulative volume of 1,215,681 vehicles in the first half of 2023, which rose 7.99% from the year-ago period.

Hesai Technology to supply LiDAR for SAIC Motors intelligent commercial vehicles

On July 6, Hesai Technology, the leading Chinese LiDAR manufacturer, announced it was nominated as the designated provider of factory-installed LiDAR systems for multiple vehicle models from SAIC Motor's commercial vehicle sector.
Bengaluru, July 7 : The Congress in Karnataka is organising a protest before the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the premises of the Vidhana Soudha on Friday after the Gujarat High Court verdict in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar, ministers and Congress legislators will take part in the protest to condemn the "conspiracy" against Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka Deputy CM and Congress state President D.K. Shivakumar stated, "Very unfortunate that justice has not prevailed. It is the murder of democracy. Still, the entire country and the opposition parties stand by Rahul Gandhi.

"He is a great leader who is fighting across the country to unite it. BJP leaders are not able to tolerate this. They want to block him from Parliament...I feel Rahul Gandhi will grow stronger."

"It is being done to end the political career of Rahul Gandhi. Leaders from all opposition parties stand together with Rahul Gandhi. No one can stop Rahul Gandhi. The people will give a befitting answer to this," Shivakumar said.
New Delhi, July 7 : The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response of Hindutva leader Yati Narsinghanand in a contempt of court petition filed against him for allegedly making derogatory and baseless remarks on the top court.

A bench of Justices A.S. Bopanna and M.M. Sundresh issued the notice on the contempt petition filed by activist Shachi Nelli over Narsinghanand's controversial statement that "those who believe in this system, in these politicians, in the Supreme Court, and in the Army will all die the death of a dog."

In January 2022, the then Attorney General (AG) K.K. Venugopal had granted consent to activist Nelli who had sought to initiate contempt proceedings against Narsinghanand over his remarks against the Supreme Court and constitution.

In his consent letter, AG Venugopal had said that the statement made by Narsinganand was "a direct attempt to lower the authority of the Supreme Court" and "would certainly amount to contempt of the Supreme Court of India".

In an interview given by Narsinghanand last year, he had allegedly said, "We have no trust in the Supreme Court of India and the Constitution. The Constitution will consume the 100 crore Hindus of this country. Those who believe in this Constitution will be killed. Those who believe in this system, in these politicians, in the Supreme Court, and in the Army will all die the death of a dog."

"This is perhaps the most vicious attack on the Supreme Court in its history. To permit these remarks to pass unaddressed will be to allow this attempt of lowering the authority of the apex court to succeed, if not wholly then in considerable measure," wrote activist Shachi Nelli to the Attorney General while seeking his consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Narsinghanand.

Earlier, Yati Narsinghanand was in the headlines across the country because of his open call for the "genocide of Indian Muslims" in Haridwar.
Tokyo, July 7 : The popular Japanese cyberpunk-psychological-thriller anime 'Psycho Pass' is now geared up for the global release of its movie 'Psycho Pass: Providence' and has released a new trailer for it.

It is in this untold story that the missing link between 'Psycho-Pass: SS' and 'Psycho-Pass 3' is finally revealed.

The story picks up from the year January 2118 with series protagonist Akane Tsunemori serving as Chief Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department. Akane receives a report of an incident on a foreign vessel where the corpse of Professor Milicia Stronskaya has been discovered.

The culprits behind the murder is a force called the 'Peacebreakers', a foreign paramilitary organisation which the Action Division of the department had been chasing for a long time. This new threat are targeting the professoras research papers known as the Stronskaya Document.

After the incident, the Criminal Investigation Department forms forms a team to conduct a joint investigation with the Behavioral Investigation Department. This also reunites them with Shinya Kogami, a former fugitive from the Public Security Bureau.

Akane now heads the new case which quickly escalates into something dangerous that was far beyond their expectations. The Stronskaya Papers could reveal a truth that would shake Japan's government, and even the Sibyl System, to the core.

An original anime series, the Psycho-Pass franchise revolves around The Sibyl System, an authoritarian system that assesses and quantifies the human personality which dictates every aspect of the citizens' future. In exchange for Sibyl's rule, the citizens enjoy a peaceful life.

With all manner of mental states and trends being recorded and monitored, the standard by which an individual's soul is measured is a number that people have come to call the PSYCHO-PASS.

The show focuses on gun wielding detectives called the Dominators who measure criminal potential, work closely with enforcers who hunt down the latent criminals before they can break the law.

The young inspector Akane Tsunemori is a part of the Criminal Investigation Department, and her partner, enforcer Shinya Kogami, wrestle with the morality of the whole thing, asking how a fair and perfect society can be upheld and maintained by a rigid and authoritarian system which could potentially be corrupted.

PSYCHO-PASS began to air on TV back in 2012 and since then has released several anime movies which include 'Psycho-Pass: The Movie', 'Psycho-Pass: Sinners of the System' or (Psycho Pass-SS trilogy) and 'Psycho-Pass 3: First Inspector'.

The movie will hit Indian theatres on July, 28 2023 Indian. It will be released by Sony Pictures India.
New Delhi, July 7 : After the Delhi High Court permitted aircraft lessors to conduct inspections and maintenance on aircraft leased to Go First Airlines, the airline's Resolution Professional (RP) has filed an appeal challenging the order.

Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi on Friday requested an urgent listing of the matter before a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula.

However, the court said that it will consider the case on Monday.

On Wednesday, the High Court allowed aircraft lessors of cash-strapped Go First airline to inspect their aircraft at least twice a month and carry out maintenance.

The permission was granted by Justice Tara Vitasta Ganju, who was hearing a bunch of applications filed by the lessors in the main petitions seeking to de-register their aircraft currently on lease with Go First, to avoid any further losses.

On May 26, aircraft lessors - Pembroke Aircraft Leasing 11 Ltd, SMBC Aviation Capital Ltd, Accipiter Investments Aircraft 2 Ltd and EOS Aviation 12 (Ireland) Ltd - had moved the High Court seeking deregistration of their planes by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to take them back from the airline.

During the hearing, the judge had acknowledged how valuable and sophisticated equipment of the lessors' aircraft are, and required maintenance for their preservation.

The airline, its representatives, and the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)-appointed IRP were restricted by the court from removing, replacing or taking out any part or components, or records of the 30 aircraft without taking prior written approval from lessor of the particular aeroplane.

While asking the respondents in the case, DGCA and IRP, to file their responses to the petitions within three weeks' time, Justice Ganju had also asked the aviation regulator to allow the lessors, their employees and agents to access the airport, where their aircraft are currently parked, and to inspect them within three days.

The low-cost airline first stopped flying on May 3 and is undergoing voluntary insolvency resolution proceedings before the NCLT.

On lessors' petitions seeking deregistration of their aircraft, the DGCA had told the court that it was due to a technical glitch on its portal that the applications of several aircraft lessors were shown as "rejected".

The DGCA had said it was not processing such requests after a moratorium on financial obligations and transfer of assets of the crisis-hit airline post insolvency resolution proceedings.

"Why is there a distinction? There are seven-eight petitions and each one of them has a different response. Why so?" Justice Ganju had asked the aviation regulator's counsel Anjana Gosain as to why different responses were sent to different lessors on repossession requests.

Advocate Gosain had apprised the court that when lessors send deregistration requests to the regulator, it is done in five working days and that in this case, no application has been rejected.

"There was a glitch in the portal due to which it showed that the applications have been rejected," she had said. "They have made the applications on the portal on May 4. Unfortunately, a glitch came. When they opened on May 12, it showed them to be rejected," she had further submitted.
New Delhi, July 7 : Friday is a momentous occasion for the residents of Uttar Pradesh, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate two Vande Bharat Express trains in the state.

The semi-high-speed Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express, which is the country's 25th Vande Bharat train, will cover a distance of 302 km in just four hours with a stop at Ayodhya junction. It will reduce the travel time between Gorakhpur and Lucknow by two hours and can be used by commuters from July 9.

Sunaina Sain, a local resident, said: "I am happy with the launch of the Vande Bharat train in Gorakhpur. It will reduce the travel time from six hours to four hours to reach Lucknow. It's a moment of pride, and I thank the Prime Minister for launching this special train."

PM Modi will also inaugurate the Jodhpur-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express the same day.

With the commencement of these two trains, the total count of semi-high-speed trains in operation across the country will reach 25 and 50 up and down services.

The Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express will be scheduled to depart from Gorakhpur at 6.05 am, arriving in Lucknow at 10.20 am on the same day.

For the return journey, the train will leave Lucknow at 7.15 pm and reach Gorakhpur at 11.25 pm on the same day.

The Gorakhpur-Ayodhya-Lucknow Vande Bharat train is significant because it will cover the distance from Gorakhpur to Ayodhya in about two hours and from Lucknow to Ayodhya in just two hours as well.

"We used to see such trains on TV, and now the Vande Bharat train has been gifted to Purvanchal. The CM and MP are both working for the development of the city. The price of a train ticket is Rs 750, and it is affordable. Now, we will reach Lucknow in just 3.5 hours," said Bihari Tiwari, resident of Gorakhpur.

Therefore, passengers coming from Purvanchal through Vande Bharat trains and those coming from Lucknow will have the convenience of modern train services in less time.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, July 7 : Crime thrillers are engaging and often edge-of-the-seat experiences that do not necessarily have great performances. The first requirement of such a film is that all the characters -- from the suspects to the law enforcers -- need to be convincing.

A remake of the Korean thriller 'Blind' (2011), originally remade as the Tamil 'Netrikann', which came out on Disney+ Hotstar in 2021, the Sonam Kapoor-headlined film centres around a blind police officer in search of a serial killer. What's unusual is fashionista Sonam Kapoor essaying the role of tough cop Gia, who is seen shooting a bullseye at a firing range.

Not that professional actors can't play roles that demand a complete departure from their screen image; what is important for them is to get under the skin of the character without retaining any traces of their erstwhile screen appearances.

Set in Glasgow, Gia (Sonam Kapoor) is a hard-nosed police officer who loses her sight in an accident. Though not everyone is happy about her rejoining the force, she is determined to make good use of her no-nonsense attitude. As luck would have it, she runs into a serial killer.

For her, two people mean the world to her: the woman (Lillitte Dubey) who raised her in an orphanage and her loyalist dog Elsaa. When Gia unsuspectingly discovers a crime, she is also trapped but manages to save herself in the nick of time from getting abducted. She becomes the sole witness to a heinous crime and unwittingly enters a game of cat and mouse with a dangerous criminal.

And then ensues a deadly chase of one trying to outdo the other as the serial killer appears to be smarter than Gia. Or, at other times, Gia proves to be far, far faster and sharper than the criminal. It is a lot of fun to watch even if you know who the killer is, and in a way, support Gia and her moves to outdo him.

There are other characters thrown in to keep the suspense alive. Also a part of the narrative are a doctor (Purab Kohli), who keeps tabs on Gia, and an investigator (Vinay Pathak) who is always ready to help her in her efforts. She must now summon every ounce of courage to rebuild her life, and in this she gets support from Nikhil (Shubham Saraf), who is an eye-witness to a crucial kidnap.

This one is almost a frame-to-frame copy of the Tamil version, which in turn, was a faithful adaptation of the Korean original. Sadly, the similarity ends there. But the film doesn't have enough suspenseful moments to keep the interest of the audience alive.

Despite being mounted on a much lavish scale, the film leaves you somewhat cold. Kapoor tries hard to be effective, but because of the poor writing can't infuse enough fire into a dull script.

Among her co-stars, Vinay Pathak, as desi Old Fox, breathes some life into the proceedings, Kohli as a doctor who has a past, keeps a deadpan expression throughout. Shubham Saraf is passable and Dubey, a fine actor, doesn't have much to showcase her talent. Too much time is wasted in developing the oddities of the characters mainly with the purpose of confusing the viewers.

The pace of the film slackens and it fails to leave any tension for the audience. The plot seems forcibly entangled in contrivances that don't lead to a conclusive finish.

Gairik Sarkar's camerawork should be credited for the light and dark play of colours that are a must to evoke the nosiness and prying nature of both the sleuths and the audience. If the job of composers Clinton Cerejo and Brianca Gomes was to forewarn you of the impending disaster, they strike the perfect notes with their fast-moving energetic strains of music, evoking curiosity, anxious trepidation and momentary excitement.

Film: Blind Duration: 124 minutes

Direction: Shome Makhija Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak, Lillete Dubey

Cinematography: Gairik Sarkar Music: Clinton Cerejo and Brianca Gomes

IANS Rating: **

-- Syndicated from IANS
Tokyo, July 7 : Japan's Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) is mulling over conducting an on-site inspection at the digital agency regarding multiple glitches related to the country's "My Number" national identity card system, a local newspaper reported on Friday.

The Asahi Shimbun newspaper said the inspection is expected to take place as early as this month, Xinhua news agency reported.

The PPC considers the use of important personal information such as the My Number card as a matter requiring proper risk management and measures, and the country's digital agency will be held responsible.

The PPC is also considering administrative guidance based on the My Number Act, the newspaper reported.

Seen by the Japanese government as an essential part of the country's transformation into a digital society, the My Number Card system has been riddled with problems since its introduction, with numerous cases of leaked personal information, linkage with other individuals' health insurance cards and pension information.

Despite the Japanese government's efforts to promote and expand their usage, public acceptance has been slow as their trust had been eroded by repeated glitches.

The original My Number program was instituted to combine multiple governmental administrative systems into a single one, which issued a 12-digit ID number to every citizen and resident, including foreign nationals living in Japan.

In 2016, the My Number Card system was introduced to further streamline the process through digitalization, with the physical card embedded with an IC chip.
Ahmedabad, July 7 : The Gujarat High Court's decision of dismissing Rahul Gandhi's plea for a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case led to a political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress on Friday.

BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, who initially lodged the complaint against Gandhi, hailed the decision as a true embodiment of 'Satyamev Jayate'. He stressed that Gandhi's derogatory comments about the 'Modi' surname should give him pause for thought.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak, upholding the sessions court's decision, reiterated that the denial of a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction was "just and legal".

The court emphasized that a stay is an exception, not a rule, and no injustice would result from the conviction standing.

BJP leaders were quick to respond. Ravi Shankar Prasad labelled Rahul Gandhi a "serial offender" in defamation cases, and Shehzad Poonawalla urged Gandhi to apologize to the OBC community.

On the other hand, the Congress party, undeterred, signalled its intent to challenge the High Court's decision in the Supreme Court.

K C Venugopal, AICC general secretary, noted that a successful appeal could clear the way for Gandhi's reinstatement as an MP.

Further, Party's Gujarat chief Shaktisinh Gohil announced that a thorough study of the 80-90 pages judgment will be conducted before providing an official statement.

Gohil said, "A 80-90 pages of judgement is given by the Gujarat High court. After going through this and doing a thorough study, we will give an official statement today at 3 p.m.

"Technically, for something that Rahul Gandhi ji spoke in Karnataka, you can't run a matter on it in Surat.

"Abhishek Manu Singhvi will give a reaction on this today. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as MP with lightning speed, a Gujarat MP Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya convicted in a criminal case had not faced the same action. Here, Rahul Gandhi has done nothing wrong and we are sure to get justice," he added.
Agartala, July 7 : Tripura assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen on Friday suspended five opposition MLAs for the day for disrupting proceedings of the opening day of the budget session.

Later all the opposition members of Tipra Motha Party (TMP), CPI-M and the Congress -- staged walkout protesting the Speaker's decision while demanding disciplinary action against BJP MLA Jadab Lal Debnath, who was caught on camera watching an obscene video on his mobile phone while the Tripura Assembly session was going on in March.

The unprecedented bedlam began as soon as the house assembled and Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy started presenting the annual budget for 2023-24 financial year.

All the members of the TMP, CPI-M and the Congress led by their leaders went to the well of the house and started shouting demanding action against Debnath and the noisy scene continued for over 40 minutes before the Chief Minister Manik Saha named five MLAs to suspend them for the day.

The Speaker immediately announced the suspension of five MLAs  Sudip Roy Barman (Congress), Nayan Sarrkar (CPI-M) and Brishaketu Debbarma, Nandita Reang and Ranjit Debbarma, all TMP  and asked the watch and ward staff to remove them from the house.

During the chaos, the three TMP legislators as part of their protests climbed on the table of the house, in which assembly staff recording the proceedings of the house.

As the uproarious scene continued, the Speaker told the opposition MLAs that he would reconsider his decision of suspension of five MLAs, and then the agitated legislators returned to their seats and then walked out from the house.

After the opposition MLAs walked out from the house, the Finance Minister resumed reading his budget speech.

Due to the pandemonium, proceedings of the house were disrupted for more than an hour.

Earlier, before the beginning of the proceedings of the house opposition leader Animesh Debbarma moved an adjournment motion to discuss Debnath's issue but the Speaker rejected the motion triggering escalating the protests of the lawmakers.

Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman after entering into the house sprinkle Ganga water in the table and floor of the house "in a bid to purify the assembly premises."

Opposition leaders  CPI-M's Jitendra Choudhury, Congress' Birajit Sinha -- continued to demand action against Debnath for doing the unethical act inside the House.

Criticising the BJP legislator, opposition leader Animesh Debbarma, said, "The MLAs are responsible persons and their acts should not create a bad precedent for others, especially the younger generation."

Earlier, Debnath watching an obscene video while the session was going-on, went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from all quarters.

The 55-year-old leader, who is also the secretary of BJP's Tripura state unit, however said that when he received a phone call then a site was automatically opened and he immediately closed it.

Netizens had termed the act as shameful.
New Delhi, July 7 : Amid growing objection over the delimitation process in Assam, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday said that the process needs wider consensus within the political spectrum and the party will submit a memorandum to the Election Commission.

In a tweet, Kharge said, "Leaders of 11 opposition parties along with AICC General Secretary, Jitendra Singh, Congress Party's Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Gourav Gogoi, Assam unit chief Bhupen K Borah, CLP Leader Debabrata Saikia and other members of Assam Congress handed over a representation to me regarding our collective objections to the delimitation exercise in the state."

"A Memorandum in this regard will be given to the Election Commission. Today, these leaders will be sitting on a dharna at Jantar Mantar," Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, said.

"This issue will be taken up on all appropriate forums. The delimitation exercise in Assam needs wider acceptance and consensus within the political spectrum," the Congress chief added.

The Election Commission's June 20 draft proposal for a delimitation exercise in Assam has left the opposition Congress and AIUDF agitated.

--IANS

aks/svn
Beijing (Gasgoo)- Dongfeng Sharing, the autonomous driving arm of Dongfeng Motor, was recently granted the first commercial pilot license for autonomous buses in the Wuhan region, according to Dongfeng Motors WeChat post on July 5.



Sharing-BUS; photo credit: Dongfeng Sharing

The autonomous driving bus, Sharing-BUS, was officially deployed and has been in trial operation for over a year since the May Day holiday last year. The fares for the unmanned buses are the same as traditional buses. The current reference fare for regular bus routes in Wuhan is 2 yuan. The suggested fare for the yet-to-open rapid bus routes within 6 kilometers will be 3 yuan, with fare increments based on the distance traveled.

Robotaxi; photo credit: Dongfeng Sharing

The commercial pilot license also covers Dongfeng Sharing's Robotaxi, an autonomous taxi service operating through ride-hailing platforms. Residents can use Dongfeng Sharings WeChat mini-program to book rides, selecting their pick-up and drop-off points.

Both vehicle types will be able to operate commercially on open roads in the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone and Hanyang District, excluding urban expressways.

In 2023, the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone plans to open up 100 intelligent connected vehicle demonstration scenarios, including unmanned taxis, scenic tours, smart buses, last-mile logistics, smart parking, autonomous parking, and smart tourism. It will also introduce three industry standards for vehicle-road coordination construction, complete legislative research on intelligent connected vehicles, and lead the way in the commercialization of autonomous driving.
New Delhi, July 6 : The Supreme Court on Friday set aside an interim direction passed by the Calcutta High Court asking the West Bengal authorities to conduct selection for 32,000 teacher posts afresh before the end of August 2023.

A division bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and K.V. Viswanathan was hearing the state government's appeal against the High Court's refusal to stay the single-judge Bench direction asking the state Primary education Board to complete the recruitment process in the newly created vacancies within three months.

On May 12, Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay had ordered for termination of services of 36,000 primary teachers.

However, later the figure was revised to 32,000.

While passing the order for termination of services of the primary teachers, Justice Gangopadhyay observed that they were not trained and they got the appointment without appearing for the mandatory aptitude tests.

The West Bengal government then approached the Calcutta High Court's division bench of Justice Subrata Talukdar and Justice Supratim Bhattacharya against the single-judge bench order.

On May 19, the division bench had put an interim stay on the single-judge bench order terminating jobs till September 23 this year.

However, it did not grant a stay on the single-bench order which had simultaneously directed the state authorities to complete the recruitment process in the newly created vacancies within three months.

Meanwhile, the state government moved to the Supreme Court in the matter.

On Friday, the apex court said that the opportunity of hearing has to be given to all concerned.

It asked the Calcutta High Court to decide the appeal pertaining to the School Jobs for Cash scam at the earliest. "We hope and trust that such controversy be decided at the earliest.

Therefore, we ask the HC to expedite hearing of the writ appeal," the top court recorded in its order.

"We set aside the interim order to the extent of directing fresh selection as directed by the single judge," it said.
Kolkata, July 7 : The top leadership of CPI(M) has given a message to the party's rank and file in rural West Bengal to submit blank ballots for the forthcoming panchayat elections in the state on Saturday in case of those seat without any candidate either from the Left Front allies or from Congress or even Left or Congress- backed independents.

From the message it is clear that the Left parties are determined to stop the transfer of their dedicated votes to BJP, a trend which was evident in West Bengal since the 2019 Lok Sabha polls or to be more precise since the 2018 rural civic body polls in the state.

Officially, the CPI(M) leadership is claiming that the stand of the Left parties is clear which is equal distance from the BJP and Trinamool Congress.

"BJP and Trinamool Congress are two sides of the same coin. So our aim is to create unity of all anti- BJP and anti- Trinamool forces and more importantly the unity of people," CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty said.

However, the stand of the CPI(M) leadership on this count is totally opposite to the slogan of the leader of the opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari's strategy and slogan of "No Vote to Mamata".

According to Adhikari, the stand of the party is clear on this count. "Wherever there is a BJP candidate, we are appealing to people to vote for them. But in seats where there is no BJP candidate our call is 'no vote to Mamata' which means call to vote for the strongest candidate against Trinamool Congress," Adhikari said.

Trinamool Congress' state spokesman Kunal Gosh has ridiculed Adhikari's slogans and claimed that the slogan reflects the political bankruptcy that BJP in West Bengal and the leader of the opposition are suffering from.

Incidentally, before the 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls, Trinamool Congress gave the slogan of "note vote to BJP". Similarly before the 2011 state Assembly elections, which marked the end of the 34- year Left Front rule in West Bengal, the current ruling party in the state raised the slogan of "no vote to CPI(M)".
Kiev, July 7 : The Ukrainian military on Friday claimed that troops were making advances against Russian positions around the eastern city of Bakhmut amid fierce fighting.

The battle for the city in the Donetsk region has been the longest and bloodiest since the war began in February 2022.

It has little strategic value, but is important symbolically both for Kiev and Moscow.

The capture of Bakhmut would bring Russia slightly closer to its goal of controlling the whole of Donetsk, one of four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine annexed by Russia last September following referendums widely condemned outside Russia as a sham.

Speaking to Ukrainian TV on Friday, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi said:"The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there (Bakhmut), putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks.

"In particular, over the past day, they (Russian troops) have advanced more than one kilometre."

On a similar note, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian armed forces general staff said troops had had "partial success" near the village of Klishchiivka, just southwest of Bakhmut, the Independent reported.

Friday's development comes just over a month afterDeputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar had confirmed that Ukrainian troops were making advances on the eastern front around Bakhmut, which she described as the "epicentre of hostilities".

In May, the US had said that it believed more than 20,000 Russian soldiers had been killed in the battle for Bakhmut and another 80,000 wounded.

Ukraine however, has not released figures on its casualties in Bakhmut, but admitted to sustaining heavy losses.

There were about 70,000 people living in Bakhmut before the invasion, but only a few thousand remain in the devastated city, once best known for its salt and gypsum mines and huge winery.
Los Angeles, July 7 : Actress Eva Mendes has praised Ryan Gosling, her partner and father of their two kids, as the "greatest actor" she has ever worked with.

The couple have largely kept their relationship private.

Eva took to Instagram to praise Gosling and publicly called him her "man, life, and love", ahead of the release of his new film 'Barbie', directed by Greta Gerwig and also starring Margot Robbie.

Eva shared a quote Greta gave to Rolling Stone this past week, in which the director called Ryan's performance as the Ken doll "some combination of Marlon Brando meets Gene Wilder meets John Barrymore meets John Travolta."

In response, Eva added: "One of my favorite things the insanely talented and beautiful Greta Gerwig says in @rollingstone about Mi Hombre, Mi Vida, Mi Amor  RG." The English translation reads: "My man, my life, my love."

In a second post, Eva added: "Mii Hombre. Mi Vida To say he's the greatest actor I've ever worked with is an understatement. Gracias to the brilliant & beautiful Greta Gerwig @rollingstone."

She posted photos from their 2012 film 'The Place Beyond the Pines'.

Eva, 49, and Ryan, 42, met in 2011 when they filmed 'The Place Beyond The Pines' together. They fell in love on set and have been together ever since. They welcomed two daughters: Esmeralda Amada, eight, and Amada Lee, seven.

The couple keep their home life private, but in recent months have begun to share snippets with fans.

As per People, in a recent interview with GQ, Gosling revealed that he knew he wanted to have a family with Mendes after their first meeting.

"I wasn't thinking about kids before I met her, but after I met Eva, I realised that I just didn't want to have kids without her," he said. "And there were moments on The Place Beyond the Pines where we were pretending to be a family, and I didn't really want it to be pretend anymore."

Gosling added: "I realised that this would be a life I would be really lucky to have."

Gerwig's praise for Gosling comes ahead of the highly anticipated release of 'Barbie' on July 21.
New Delhi, July 7 : In recent years, there has been a remarkable shift in the perception and expression of gender identity, both globally and in India. One powerful aspect of this movement is the rise of gender-neutral clothing, which enables individuals to dress in a way that aligns with their own unique identity, rather than conforming to societal expectations.

The market demand for gender-neutral clothing has been steadily rising. According to a report by GlobalData, the global gender-neutral fashion market was valued at $27 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5 percent from 2020 to 2027. No wonder, many mainstream fashion brands have started to incorporate gender-neutral collections into their offerings

We have all witnessed the evolving landscape of fashion, where our wives, daughters, and women, in general, are breaking free from the confines of gender-specific clothing. They proudly showcase their prowess in un-gendering fashion and embrace a more fluid and inclusive approach to their attire. Let us take a serious look at how gender-neutral clothing is revolutionizing the fashion industry and creating a more inclusive world for the global LGBTQA+ community, including the vibrant community in India.

Breaking Free from Gender Stereotypes

For far too long, fashion has been confined by rigid gender norms, dictating what is considered appropriate attire for men and women. Gender-neutral clothing defies these stereotypes by offering a more fluid and versatile approach to personal style. It encourages individuals to express themselves authentically without the fear of judgment or exclusion based on societal expectations. By rejecting the idea that clothing should be limited to specific genders, we open the doors to a world where self-expression is celebrated and diversity is embraced.

Empowering Self-Expression

Gender-neutral clothing empowers individuals to define their own sense of style, free from the constraints of gender norms. It provides a platform for creative expression, allowing people to mix and match different styles, colours, and silhouettes without feeling restricted by the gender binary. This freedom to experiment with fashion not only enhances personal expression but also encourages self-acceptance and boosts self-confidence. It enables individuals to present themselves authentically, fostering a sense of belonging within the LGBTQA+ community and beyond.

Gender Neutral Clothing Ensures Inclusivity for All

The impact of gender-neutral clothing extends far beyond the LGBTQA+ community. It promotes inclusivity for people of all genders, including those who identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or genderfluid. By challenging the notion that clothing should be limited to masculine or feminine designs, fashion becomes a more accessible and welcoming space for everyone. This revolution is gradually dismantling the barriers that have long separated fashion by gender, allowing people to wear what they love and feel comfortable in, regardless of societal expectations.

How to Further Generate Education and Awareness?

Social media platforms have played a significant role in popularizing gender-neutral fashion. Influencers and activists on platforms like Instagram and TikTok have created a space for discussions, fashion inspiration, and sharing of gender-neutral outfits. This online community has contributed to the normalisation and acceptance of gender-neutral clothing. Thus, now it comes to basic education - schools, media, and communities can play a vital role in providing comprehensive information about gender diversity and celebrating individuality. By incorporating these topics into curricula, workshops, and public discussions, we can create a generation that is more accepting and understanding of different gender expressions.

What is the Fashion Industry's Role?

The fashion industry plays a pivotal role in driving societal change and fostering inclusivity. In recent years, many designers, brands, and retailers have embraced the concept of gender-neutral clothing. They are not only creating collections that cater to diverse gender identities but also challenging the existing norms by featuring genderqueer models and dismantling traditional fashion presentations. This industry-wide support is instrumental in breaking down stereotypes and promoting acceptance on a global scale.

Design Innovation Amid Gender-Inclusive Sizing and Retail

Fashion designers will continue to push boundaries and explore innovative designs that cater to diverse gender identities. Materials and technologies will advance, allowing for garments that are both stylish and adaptable, accommodating different body types and preferences. Customisable and modular clothing will become more prevalent, enabling individuals to express their unique identities through personalized fashion choices. The fashion industry will move away from the traditional binary sizing system, recognizing the need for gender-inclusive measurements.

Inclusive Representation at Fashion Events

The future of fashion will embrace greater diversity and representation. Designers, brands, and retailers will prioritize inclusivity in their campaigns, fashion shows, and advertisements. Unlike a handful of Rainbow Fashion shows today, the future will have a wider range of LGBTQA+ models who will showcase diverse gender identities, body types, ages, and cultural backgrounds. This inclusive representation will foster a sense of belonging and promote self-acceptance within the LGBTQA+ community and beyond.

Gender-neutral clothing represents a significant step towards challenging societal norms and fostering inclusivity. By breaking free from traditional gender expectations, individuals can express themselves authentically and confidently. Let us continue to support and embrace the global LGBTQA+ community, advocating for a world where everyone can dress and live without fear of judgment or exclusion.

(Ilesh Ghevariya, is the founder and CEO of French Crown)

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS

-- Syndicated from IANS
Thiruvananthapuram, July 7 : One of Kerala's popular sculptors popularly known as the 'Lord Shiva of Line Drawings' - K. Vasudevan Namboothiri passed away at a private hospital in Malappuram where he was being treated for breathing issues. He was 97.

Expressing grief over his passing away, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Namboothiri will always be remembered through his historical works. "His works which blended history and culture will always be remembered. Am deeply pained by his passing away and in this hour of grief my thoughts are with his family," Modi tweeted in Malayalam.

Namboothiri often used to say he was influenced by the sculptures at the Sukapuram temple near his house and developed an urge to draw and mould the sculptures. Soon he joined the Government College of Fine Arts, in Chennai where he had the opportunity to study under Debi Prasad Roy Chowdhury.

He returned to Kerala to join Mathrubhumi weekly as a staff artist in 1960 and continued till 1982 during which he illustrated the literary works of most of the major writers in Malayalam including Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Kesavadev, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, Uroob, S. K. Pottekkatt, Edasseri Govindan Nair, and others.

In 1982, he moved to Kalakaumudi weekly where he provided illustrations for some more time before shifting to Samakalika Malayalam Vaarika of The New Indian Express.

In between he dabbled in the Malayalam film industry and in 1974, he won the Kerala State Film Award for the best art director in the film 'Uttarayanam' directed by the legendary film maker Aravindan.

Remembering him, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Namboothiri's creativity will be immortal as he has given life to so many characters and will be etched in the minds of all and he is irreplaceable. The last rites will be held later on Friday at his home district in Malappuram.

--IANS

sg/shb
Vadodara, July 7 : In a shocking incident, concrete pieces fell from the Atal Bridge, the longest flyover in Gujarat's Vadodara, and landed on a car passing underneath.

The incident happened at the busy Yoga Circle beneath the bridge on July 5 night.

An investigation has been launched in the incident. Recently, a notice was issued to the contractor of the bridge in another case.

Alpesh Majmudar, the in-charge city engineer of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), explained that some loose materail may have come off. He said that while loose materials are usually removed during bridge construction, some may have remained at the particular spot.

This 3.5 km-long bridge is notorious for its horizontal gaps between slabs which present a significant risk of injury to motorists, particularly motorcyclists traversing the junction. Majmudar said that these minor gaps are expansion joints.

Following the incident, the VMC promptly issued a notice to the bridge contractor citing the potential hazard to road users. Additionally, the contractor received instructions from the VMC to prevent recurrence of such dangerous incidents in the future.

Further details were awaited.
Raipur, July 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attacked the Congress calling it a 'panja' -- an obstacle -- in the development of Chhattisgarh.

Attacking Congress, PM Modi claimed 36 promises were made by the Congress. "Five years have passed. The truth is Congress has done a liquor scam worth thousands of crores in Chhattisgarh. And its complete information is in the newspapers," he said.

He said, "This is the 'panja' of Congress, which is snatching your rights. This 'panja' has decided that it will loot and ruin Chhattisgarh."

Modi was on a visit to Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur where he inaugurated several projects and also laid the foundation stones for the upcoming projects.

He said that it is only the BJP which understands the people of Chhattisgarh and knows their needs. "Foundation stone and inauguration of projects worth more than Rs 7,500 crore have taken place in the state," he said.

However, the Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel hit back at Modi saying his visit has started spreading lies in the state and BJP leaders are continuously misleading the farmers that paddy is procured with the money of the Centre.

"You are the Prime Minister. You know the truth. But you lied. This is the biggest lie in the name of farmers that the center takes 80 per cent of the state's paddy procurement. If the role of your government is this much in paddy purchase of the states, then why are farmers in your Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi forced to sell paddy at Rs.1000-1200 a quintals," Baghel asked.

The Chief Minister said that the BJP leaders of Chhattisgarh have given wrong information about the developments of Chhattisgarh.

"Every child in Chhattisgarh knows that we had taken an oath of Gangajal for loan waiver for farmers within ten days. The loan was waived off within two hours. But BJP's needle is still stuck. The BJP's never fulfilled promise of 'Rs 2100 a quintal' and 'bonus' is well remembered by the farmers. They also know what the Congress government is doing for them. Now no one can mislead the farmers of Chhattisgarh, not even Modi," Baghel said.
Bhopal, July 7 : In a shocking case, a mother carrying the body of her nine-year-old son was slapped by a policeman in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district on Friday after she refused to hand it over for autopsy.

As per a report, the boy was admitted to a hospital for treatment two days ago after a snake bit him at a village in Jaitpur in the district.

Doctors tried their best to save the boy, however, he died during the treatment on Friday.

While carrying the body of her boy, the mother was crying incessantly outside the hospital. A policeman, identified as Santosh Singh Parihar, came to her and asked her to hand over the body for post-mortem.

The aggrieved mother resisted and refused to handover the body. The family alleged that Parihar got irritated and slapped her.

"Head constable Santosh Singh Parihar asked the woman to handover the body for post-mortem. Family has alleged that Parihar slapped the mother of the deceased. Parihar has been line attached immediately and further inquiry is underway," Mukesh Vaishya, ASP Shahdol said.
Kolkata, July 7 : The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari to remain in his Nandigram Assembly constituency on Saturday when voting will take place for the panchayat polls in West Bengal.

The directive was issued by the single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha.

On Thursday evening, a communique was forwarded by the inspector-in-charge of the Contai police station, Amalendu Biswas directing Adhikari to remain constrained in the area under "Part No.76, Nandanayakbar of Nandigram constituency" in East Midnapore district, where the latter is both a voter and an elected legislator.

He has also been barred from entering his polling booth even after being accompanied by security personnel that he is entitled for as the Leader of the Opposition.

On Friday morning, Adhikari approached Justice Sinha's bench for quashing the gag order, the hearing for which took place in the afternoon.

In his argument, Adhikari's counsel Soumya Majumdar said that the notice from the Cotai police station was irrational since as the Leader of the Opposition, he will have a lot of responsibilities throughout the state with regards to the elections.

"He might have to take the responsibility of shifting his party workers injured in poll-related violence to hospitals for treatment," Majumdar argued.

In his counter argument, the West Bengal State Election Commission's (WBSEC) counsel Jishnu Saha argued that the order was applicable for political leaders and elected representatives and was not exclusive for the Leader of the Opposition.

He also pointed out that even the Election Commission of India follows the same theory in case of the Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

Justice Sinha questioned why the communique was issued from the Cotai police station.

The WBSEC counsel then informed that since Adhikari's residence is under the said police station, its authorities have issued the communique.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 5th, local time, BYD Brazil (referred to as "BYD") and 99, a Brazil-based ride-hailing platform under DiDi, announced their partnership. As part of the collaboration, 300 units of BYD's pure electric vehicle, the D1, will be provided to drivers registered on the 99 platform through a leasing arrangement. Together, they aim to bring modern, sustainable, and zero-emission mobility options to the local users.

Photo credit: BYD

As a leading mobility service platform in Brazil, 99 is committed to offering diversified and integrated mobility services, providing users with intelligent and convenient travel experiences. In April 2022, 99 took the lead in establishing the "Brazil Sustainable Mobility Alliance" with the goal of surpassing 1,000 registered new energy vehicles on the platform by the end of 2023, creating Brazil's largest electric vehicle fleet. Currently, the alliance consists of 12 companies from various sectors, including manufacturing and finance.

BYD joined the Alliance in July 2022, offering DiDi's first custom-made ride-hailing vehicle, the D1, to drivers on the 99 platform. Through green technology, they aim to support the achievement of sustainable goals.

Under the partnership, 300 BYD D1s will be made available for rental by 99's partner drivers from July to October of this year. To encourage adoption, a portion of the rental fee will be subsidized by the platform, making the initiative more accessible.

Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas, expressed, "This partnership with 99 aims to promote more sustainability and technology to local urban mobility, and we want to expand this alliance to have more electric cars on the streets of Sao Paulo. We are confident that this will be another success case for BYD worldwide."
New Delhi, July 7 : World Chocolate Day honours one of the most scrumptious and adored foods on the globe. Every year on July 7, it offers chocoholics a great chance to go to some of the world's best chocolate places and indulge guilt-free in chocolate experiences. Booking.com provides a list of worthwhile travel spots in India in honour of Chocolate, these locations sate your hunger for chocolate since they are renowned for their distinctive experiences, tastes, and cultural history.

Ooty, Tamil Nadu

One of the greatest destinations in India to get mouthwatering handcrafted chocolates is Ooty, a charming hill town in Tamil Nadu. The fact that it's a hill station is an additional plus! There are several bakeries providing different types of chocolates, including dark, milk, and white chocolates that are loaded with raisins, cashews, almonds, and other ingredients. Visit the chocolate museum in Ooty as soon as possible to discover the process of creating chocolate. The trip the museum takes you on begins with the harvesting of cocoa beans and finishes with the creation of the chocolate bar. It helps spread the word about chocolate's health benefits and is a chocolate lover's utter delight. The museum is distinguished by a life-size mannequin clothed in chocolate-colored attire.

Coorg, Karnataka

You imagine of retiring to the tranquilly for all time when you visit the foggy hill station with its gentle, chilly wind that is mixed with the aroma of cocoa plantations. Visit Coorg to take part in chocolate-making activities, experience plantation tours of cocoa fields, and bring home some of the silky, melt-in-your-mouth handcrafted chocolates. If you want to experience the process of understanding how chocolate is manufactured and tasting chocolate with all of your senses while in Coorg, visits to chocolate plantations are a need.

Munnar, Kerala

Munnar is recognised as one of India's greatest hill towns and is also well-known for its in-house chocolate production. Resorts in Munnar promote chocolate tourism by setting up excursions to chocolate manufacturers and cocoa plantations. It is one of the top producers of tasty, premium cocoa seeds. Due to the accessibility of cocoa beans, Munnar is now the leading producer of handmade chocolate. There are many different kinds of chocolates available; some of the more popular kinds include white, dark, and nut-filled. If you want to try a unique flavour, peach, blueberry, strawberry, and almond are all wonderful choices.

Puducherry

French-influenced fusion foods from Puducherry are well known for providing a distinctive eating experience. While you inhale the scent of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods, explore Pondicherry's delicious and mouthwatering quality chocolates, pastries, and truffles in the neighbourhood cafAs. Discover a chocolate-filled journey with the city's artisanal, homemade, and genuine chocolate-making classes. Everyone may have a memorable time in Puducherry thanks to the plethora of chocolates that are offered in flavours ranging from vegan to unusual selections.

Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh

Get yourself over to Araku Valley right away if you want to sample some delectable coffee chocolates. Because of the Valley's long history of organic farming, the chocolate produced there is known for its rich flavour and uses native cacao. Chocolates from Araku Valley promise enjoyment, and you may pick from a special selection of tastes including peanut butter, coffee biscuit, coconut, honeydew, and honey with almonds. The hill station offers artisan chocolates that are prepared by hand and have flavours that are really local, like filter coffee. It is also delightful to sample chocolate-covered coffee beans. Araku Valley provides serene settings that are perfect for relaxing and unwinding in addition to excellent chocolates.

(IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in)

--IANS

IANSlife/tb
Sydney, July 7 : Police in Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state said on Friday that two men were injured following a public shooting in Sydney.

According to a statement by NSW Police Force, at about 1.50 p.m. lon Friday, emergency services were called to a barbershop on Marrickville Road, Marrickville, after gunshots were reported, reports Xinhua news agency.

Upon arrival, the police officer found two men suffering gunshot wounds.

Both men were treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital for treatment.

The police noted that one man is believed to be in a critical condition and the other is in a stable condition.

NSW Police Force Superintendent Despa Fitzgerald told a media conference that the 33-year-old male was shot in the barracks area, while the other 20-year-old man suffered a shot in the chest.

"Two vehicles were set alight in short proximity and timings after this shooting at Marrickville Road," said Fitzgerald, adding that the police are currently making inquiries about a Toyota Camry, which they believe one of the offenders has gotten into.

The police officer mentioned that there were other people in the barbershop as well.

"It is very brazen, and that's why we believe it's obviously a targeted attack. It's not random and it was fortunate that no other member of the public was involved in that incident," said the police officer.

The Electorate Office of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is within walking distance from the crime scene.

"My thoughts are with my community after a shooting in Marrickville across the road from my electorate office. My team are all safe. NSW Police are on the scene conducting an investigation," Albanese said on his social media.
Mumbai, July 7 : Actress Shilpa Shetty, who is all set to reprise her role as a judge on 'India's Got Talent' season 10, said that the reality show has the ability to change lives, and she cannot wait to witness awe-inspiring talent.

Expressing her excitement, Shilpa shared: "India is racing ahead to become a force to be reckoned with, backed by a talent pool which is already making its mark on a global level, proof being our Talent being unique and outstanding on even America's Got Talent (AGT)."

"Be it dance, singing, magic, stunts, comedy a" you name it, and India has it all. I am ecstatic to be returning as a judge on India's Got Talent, which celebrates 'hunar' in all forms. Last season, this stage brought alive daring acts and age-old art forms, introducing viewers to the real India."

"And this being the 10th season, a milestone to celebrate, I cannot wait to witness awe-inspiring talent. Being a judge on such a huge platform has been exciting and a learning curve for me as well, and I feel privileged to be a part of the transformational journey of budding talent."

"India's Got Talent has the ability to change lives and I am looking forward to discovering unique talents along with my co-judges, Kirron Ma'am and Badshah," she added.

'India's Got Talent' will premiere from July 29 on Sony TV.
Mumbai, July 7 : In another rude jolt to the Shiv Sena (UBT), its senior leader and Deputy Chairperson of Maharashtra Legislative Council Dr Neelam Gorhe joined the ruling ally Shiv Sena, here on Friday.

Dr Gorhe has been with the Shiv Sena (UBT) for over three decades, and her decision comes barely three weeks after the party's spokesperson Dr Manisha Kayande had joined the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Dr Gorhe was welcomed to the Shiv Sena fold by Shinde, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis and other senior leaders.

Upon her entry to Shiv Sena, she said that Shinde is on the right track and the party belongs to him as per the decision of the court.

"I have officially joined the Shiv Sena. It is heading in the right direction under the leadership of CM Shinde," she announced.

Dismissing suggestions that she was unhappy or disgruntled with the Shiv Sena (UBT), she said that it was a conscious decision keeping in mind the women's issues and overall development of the state and country.

Incidentally, political circles have been abuzz with speculation about Dr Gorhe's political moves since the past over five months.

However, the Shiv Sena (UBT) top brass, including Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, had stoutly denied any such possibility even this morning.

Welcoming her, Shinde said that Dr Gorhe holds a Constitutional post and pointed out that she is not 'defecting' but has come back to the original Shiv Sena.

He added how his Shiv Sena is emerging stronger by the day and people keep joining it seeing the impact of its unity with the ruling ally Bharatiya Janata Party.

"People are seeing the work we are doing. Even Dr. Gorhe will be able to work freely with all her heart for women's issues," assured the CM.

Shinde pointed out how it was the wish of the people of the state who wanted the Shiv Sena-BJP to be together as per the elections mandate of Nov. 2019, and that's why he and 50 other MLAs walked out in June 2022.

"We did not come together for the lust of power We were already in power. We had a common ideological ground from the days of the late Balasaheb Thackeray and the late PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. We did not compromise our ideals and our ideology. Even the Supreme Court has ruled in our favour," declared Shinde.

Fadnavis said that Dr Gorhe has taken a wise decision and so he had come personally to welcome her into the alliance.

To a query whether there was any scope for the Opposition, the Deputy CM smiled and said that he believes that there should be a strong opposition in a democracy.

"However, the Opposition should be a constructive one, and not destructive as we are witnessing," Fadnavis urged.

Referring to the political grapevine of the past four days, Shinde reiterated that the Opposition is 'planting rumours' that he was preparing to quit to confuse the people.

"Let them do so. We are strongly united, PM Narendra Modi is leading the nation ahead to become a superpower and we think we have a role to play as a state. The Opposition should introspect before hurling allegations," said Shinde.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut slammed Dr. Gorhe's move to quit after the party did so much for her, while senior leader Chandrakant Khaire said she was hankering for positions and has left.
Chandigarh, July 7 : State NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Friday said that the the Punjab government will take all possible steps to help Punjabis stranded abroad to return home safely and will take strict action against the rogue travel agents.

He said the government has resolved to take strict action against the travel agents who are doing the illegal business and cheating the youth. A special meeting has been called on July 11 in which the matter of taking strict action against the erring travel agents would be discussed.

The minister said that the government is committed to the welfare of the youth and will not allow injustice to any youth. The government will provide all possible help to the young boys and girls, who are trapped abroad due to the fraud, to return home, and they should contact the NRI department of Punjab.

Due to the ministeras efforts, a woman trapped in Iraq was brought back safely. She had gone to Iraq from Amritsar to improve her financial condition. She was trapped there by an agent of Gurdaspur who kept all her money and passport. On her return, the minister went to the Amritsar airport to receive her.
Chandigarh, July 7 : The Haryana Youth Congress on Friday announced holding statewide protests, starting from July 10, over the demand to allow candidates who had cleared the common eligibility test (CET) of the Haryana Staff Selection Commission to appear in the main exam.

Under the leadership of Youth Congress state chief Divyanshu Budhiraja, workers and unemployed youth will stage protests outside district secretariats, starting from Sonipat.

He said "due to the government's incompetence, wrong policies, and stubbornness, the dream of unemployed youth to find jobs is being shattered because the CET exam has become a roadblock on the path to the future of unemployed youth".

Budhiraja said the Youth Congress has prepared a strategy to raise a voice against the "government's stubbornness".

It will begin from Sonipat on July 10, and later in Hisar on July 15 in which Congress Rajya Sabha MP Deepender Singh Hooda will lead the protest.

The dates for upcoming protests at the Lok Sabha level will be announced soon. Budhiraja said nearly three years ago, the government showed the dream of providing employment to the youth through the CET, which has remained just a dream until now.

The government had claimed to recruit through the CET every year but despite the passage of three years, the government has not fulfilled even a single recruitment.

"On one hand, where the youth of Haryana are in a state of dilemma regarding the CET, on the other, they are angry with the government's incompetence. The government's incompetence is evident in formulating policies, which have deprived the youth of participating in the recruitment exam despite passing the qualifying examination."

Divyanshu accused the government of not fulfilling the promise of conducting exams in the district headquarters which they have promised in its manifesto.
New Delhi, July 7 : Hours after the Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to stay the conviction of former Congress President Rahul Gandhi in 'Modi surname' defamation case, the party termed the judgement "disappointing but not unexpected" and it will approach the Supreme Court.

Addressing a press conference here at the party headquarters, Congress leader and senior lawyer Abhishek Manu Singhvi said: "Today, a single judge bench of the Gujarat High Court passed an order dismissing Rahul Gandhias application asking for a stay on conviction. This is highly disappointing, but it is not unexpected."

He said that the appeal against the sessions courtas order was filed on April 25 and the matter was heard on April 29, and May 2 in the high court.

"On May 2, the judgment was reserved for orders. It was pronounced today after 66 days. We have yet to examine the judgment and will do so once it becomes available," Singhvi, who had appeared for Rahul Gandhi in the high court, said.

He said that this jurisprudence that the courts in question are evolving "is, for want of a better word, unique".

"It has no precedent or parallel with any other judgments ever passed on the subject of defamation laws," Singhvi said, adding that in his previous press conferences have explained the law of defamation and how it allows only a person who is defamed, not an amorphous, undefinable community, to file a case.

"I ask again, the question I asked on March 23, a question which none of these benches seem to be answering: How are the complainants personally defamed? This is the first condition precedent of the law of defamation. Second, malice which is an essential ingredient, is absent. Then, where have these benches found the malice which has escaped everyone other than the BJP members/complainants? Third, what is the damage or loss suffered by these individuals? Basic questions. All left unanswered," he said.

He further said that it has become clear now, that that jurisprudence has no bearing on what is happening in Gujarat.

"The simplest way to prove me wrong, is to find a single case, where a conviction has occurred in identical or similar circumstances. Neither of the courts below have relied on any such judgments. We will wait to see if the high court has some judicial justification for its conclusion. The reasoning will be for everyone to see," he said.

Singhvi also pointed out that in almost every judgment in this matter so far, attention is drawn by the bench to other cases of Rahul Gandhi.

"In this case, no one notes that the complainants in all those cases, just like this one, are BJP leaders, workers or supporters. There is literally no fourth category. The question therefore arises, that these courts have been quick to point out that Rahul Gandhi in those other defamation cases is accused and not convicted and the implication being that such pending cases have a bearing on their decision.

"There is a crystal-clear conspiracy and pattern of suppression all being executed in plain sight by the BJP and its affiliates. Of throttling the opposition and anyone who dares to criticise this hollow and petrified government. Should not the courts find this relevant as well?" Singhvi asserted.

He also said that he was surprised and indeed astonished to find a reference by the Gujarat HC judge as follows: "At least 10 criminal cases pending against him (Rahul Gandhi). Even after the present case, some more cases filed against him. One such is filed by grandson of Veer Savarkar."

"How is this relevant in the slightest. At the end of arguments, a cutting was handed over by the complainantas counsel of a case filed on April 12, 2023 post the conviction by the trial court on March 23. The cutting is neither pleaded nor otherwise argued. Yet this becomes a major basis of appeal," Singhvi said.

He warned that this decision impacts every single one. "This is an important legal battle regardless of the personalities involved. It is, in effect, a battle to limit the arena of free speech. To dictate what can and cannot be said. To state from on high, that free speech is what we find harmless, not the law," he said.

The Congress leader said that defamation law, on paper and in practice outside Gujarat, was written to prevent exactly such abuses. And now, it is being undone in full public view, in Gujarat.

"Finally, the ultimate apex court is the court of the 'janata'. The people see what is happening, how an entire cottage industry has been unleashed against one individual, how it is being done because he is the only leader from the opposition who they cannot break. I will not reiterate the gymnastics that took place at the stage of trial, where the complainant got a one year stay on his own complaint, and then revived it after there was a change on the bench. And it was that second magistrate, who proceeded to pass that order of conviction. Those are facts, and the facts speak for themselves," he said.

This act of obvious vendetta asignifies the systematic, repetitive, emasculation of democratic institutions by the ruling party. It signifies the strangulation of democracy itself", he added.

Singhvi said that the party will approach the Supreme Court soon to challenge the HC judgement.
Toronto, July 7 : Two police officers are likely to face criminal charges after a Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) dog bit an Indo-Canadian off-duty inspector in British Columbia province, while pursuing a suspect two years ago.

Manjinder Singh Kaila, 55, was bitten by a police dog on May 29, 2021, next to his Surrey home, as the cops pursued a suspect, despite the victim yelling "it wasn't me", the Global News reported.

Civilian police watchdog, Independent Investigations Office (IIO), has filed a report with the British Columbia Prosecution Service for consideration of charges, saying there are "reasonable grounds" to believe the officers may have committed an offence during the incident.

Kaila, who once worked as a police dog handler himself, filed a notice of civil claim in Vancouver Supreme Court in May this year, claiming he was 'violently' tackled by an officer and bitten by their service dog.

According to the Global News report, Kaila was standing on the driveway of his Surrey home at 9.35 p.m. when he heard a loud bang. He saw a pickup truck stop on his neighbour's lawn and a man and woman run from the scene. That's when several officers arrived with the police dog, he said in his lawsuit.

Kaila said he yelled several times, "I'm not involved, it wasn't me," with his arms and hands raised to chest level, adding that he made no threatening gestures or sudden movements.

The statement of claim named constables Sarbjeet Singh and Paul Baker, who were working with RCMP dog service at that time, according to Vancouver Sun.

Kaila said he was "violently tackled" by Baker, and heard Singh issue a command to the German Shepherd "in direct response to which the dog bit and mauled Kaila's left leg and calf.

The lawsuit further said that the two officers ran off, leaving Kaila "battered, bloodied and unable to bear any weight on his left ankle". Kaila said the bite wound to his leg and calf required 12 to 14 staples and left a permanent scar. He also suffered ankle, calf, back and shoulder injuries and continues to suffer chronic shoulder pain that requires pain management and continuing treatment, including corticosteroid injections, the Sun reported.

Denying Kaila's allegations, the British Columbia government stated the two police officers "acted in good faith", believing with reasonable grounds that they were engaged in a "high-risk situation with unknown persons who were adamant on escaping from police and had a propensity to become violent."

"As soon as it was discovered that the plaintiff was not the male suspect, (the constable) disengaged the police dog," the statement read. It further alleged that if the plaintiff did suffer any injury or damage, it could have been prevented or reduced had he not placed himself in a scene of active police response or failed to follow police instructions.

It's now up to the prosecutors in British Columbia (Crown Counsel) to decide whether to proceed with charges. The Crown Counsel will only approve charges if it believes there is a substantial likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the IIO, and that prosecution be required in the public interest.
Mumbai, July 7 : The makers of Genelia Deshmukh and Manav Kaul starrer 'Trial Period', on Friday unveiled the trailer of the slice-of-life drama, showcasing an endearing tale of unconventional family bond.

Written and directed by Aleya Sen, the film boasts of a stellar cast of Genelia, Manav in the lead, with Shakti Kapoor, Sheeba Chadda, Gajraj Rao and Zidane Braz in significant roles.

The trailer showcases an emotional rollercoaster as it unravels the love and complexities of modern imperfect families.

The film follows the journey of a single mother Ana, played by Genelia, whose world turns upside down when her inquisitive son demands a father on a trial period of 30 days. The innocent coercion leads to the arrival of a disciplined Prajapati Dwivedi from Ujjain, fondly known as PD, played by Manav - who is in complete contradiction to the expectations of the mother and the son.

What follows is an adorable tale of love and friendship, as they navigate through the challenges of an unconventional family dynamic, personality clashes, blossoming into unexpected bonds.

Sharing her thoughts about the film, Genelia said: "I'm at the stage in my career, where I choose a film which is about quality more than just quantity.

'Trial Period' when offered to me by director Aleya Sen and Chrome was about a mother and the various relationships a woman goes through at that phase, it's about a single woman finding her love story which is different from college love stories, and this is exactly what excited me to do the role."

Manav commented, "Trial Period is all things special! So heartfelt in its treatment, the film is an emotional rollercoaster. Moreover, working alongside such incredibly talented actors and the Chrome Pictures team has been a rewarding journey for me. All of us were personally invested in the film, and every character in it will leave you with a different point of view, therein lies the beauty of Aleya Sen's capabilities as a director."

"My mother even penned an emotional note after I completed the film, which was truly overwhelming. As the film prepares to stream exclusively on JioCinema, I'm eagerly looking forward to all the love that's going to come our way in the future," the actor added.

Director Aleya shared, "Trial Period holds a very special place in my heart. As a filmmaker, I like to explore the unconventional dynamics of human relationships. 'Father on Rent' as an idea germinated from the perspective of a no-filter thinking Gen Alpha kid, who makes an unexpected demand, turning his mother's world upside down. The film has a quirky take on the complexities of imperfect families in today's society."

"In addition to the unorthodox pairing of Genelia and Manav, I was excited to work with a great ensemble cast that includes the likes of Gajraj Rao, Shakti Kapoor, Sheeba Chaddha, and last but not the least, Zidane. I am hoping that the film stirs a multitude of emotions among its viewers and changes the narrative of the 'traditional Indian family'," added Aleya.

Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Presented by Jio Studios, a Chrome Pictures production, produced by Hemant Bhandari, Amit Ravindernath Sharma, and Aleya Sen, it will premiere on July 21, on JioCinema.

--IANS

sp/prw/svn
Mumbai, July 7 : Actress Rachel Shelley of 'Lagaan' fame is making a comeback to Indian screens with the crime investigative series 'Kohrra' on Netflix.

The actress gained widespread recognition in India for her role as Elizabeth Russell in 'Lagaan' starring Aamir Khan. The film released in 2001.

In 'Kohrra', Rachel's character portrays the complexity of love through her relationship with her son. Her character's commitment to her son's happiness is evident in her choices and actions in the series.

Rachel expressed her fascination with this layered story, recognising its ability to both uplift and challenge individuals.

The actress said: "Love, with its incredible capacity to uplift and disrupt, takes center stage in 'Kohrra.' It's a layered and compelling story that highlights the complexities of human emotions. In 'Kohrra', the presence of secrets, too, add layers of intrigue and depth to the narrative."

"My character Clara carries a significant secret, and as the story unfolds, audiences will witness the strength and resilience she derives from her choices.

"At the heart of 'Kohrra' beats the intensity of human passions, intertwining a rich tapestry of unrequited love and the ultimate betrayal," she added.

"These emotions resonate deep within us, tugging at our very heartstrings, as the characters navigate the complexities of their relationships."

'Kohrra' will release on July 15 on Netflix.

--IANS

dc/prw/arm
AUGUSTADemocratic Gov. Janet Mills signed a bill into law last week that partially decriminalizes sex work in the U.S. state of Maine. Local news media reports suggest that the decriminalization effort is reflective of the controversial Nordic model of prostitution regulations utilized by three out of the five Scandinavian countries. The new law eliminates criminal charges for sex workers while keeping those in place for customers paying for commercial sex services or supposedly engaging in the trafficking of sex workers.

The bill, LD 1435, was introduced by state Rep. Lois Galgay Reckitt, D-South Portland. Reckitt served as the prime sponsor for the legislation throughout the process of it becoming law. We are long overdue to better protect and decriminalize sellers engaged in prostitution without legalizing pimping and sex buying, acts that would expand the market in Maine, said Rep. Reckitt, via the Portland Press Herald.

Other proponents of LD 1435 point to how other countries have adopted a similar model as a means to protect the rights of sex workers and potential victims. However, there are many in the commercial sex industry that oppose the partial decriminalization of sex work, arguing that this public safety approach is a potentially damaging scenario for otherwise consenting, legal-aged adults transacting a sexual rendevous.

A press advisory released by Gov. Mills office indicated that LD 1435 was adopted with dozens of other bills passed by the legislature during its most recent session in Augusta. According to the language in the bill, LD 1435 will enter force 90 days after the adjournment of the Maine Legislature. Penalties for those who are searching for sexual services are additionally elevated. For instance, the bill elevates the criminal charge of solicitation of a child for commercial sexual exploitation from a Class D to a Class C felony. The law additionally alters the state code to expand the definition of the term sexual exploitation to include solicitation of sex from not only minors but individuals with mental disabilities.

The term mental disabilities is broad, according to the final language of the legislation. There is very little language specifying what constitutes a mental disability that negates an individual from being able to consensually engage in a transactional sexual encounter. This is of note because there are intersectional sex worker communities that include individuals with particular disabilities or conditions who otherwise meet the standard of consenting adults at or above the legal age, per statutes. Despite the language in the immediate bill, the issue at hand is the implementation of the Nordic model in a U.S. jurisdiction. Sex workers rights groups and major human rights organizations have criticized the so-called Nordic model on the grounds that it doesnt adequately protect consenting sex workers from abuse and sanctions.

Sex worker discrimination and criminalization remains a massive problem throughout the majority of the 50 states and I hope that this law sets a tone that other states will follow, notes adult industry attorney Corey Silverstein. While Silverstein concedes that this is a step in the right direction, concern in legal and academic circles still focuses on the fact that the superior solution, in the long run, should be the decriminalization and eventual legalization of sex work, covering actual laborers and those purchasing the services.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown, the award-winning senior editor for Reason, while reporting on the bill herself, noted that Nordic model policies keep in place many of the harms of total criminalization and that the sex industries must continue to operate underground. Brown builds on this assessment of the Nordic model by referring her readers to a study recently published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Law and Economics which found that rates of rape and sexual assault go down when countries legalize sex work and rates climb when sex work is prohibited. Most sex worker rights advocates want full decriminalization of prostitution between consenting adults, Brown added in her report on LD 1435s passage.

Amnesty International published a policy statement in the summer of 2016 calling for countries all over the world to adopt legislation that reframes sex work. Tawanda Mutasah, Amnestys senior director for law and policy at the time, noted that the human rights organization wants laws to be refocused on making sex workers' lives safer and improving the relationship they have with the police while addressing the very real issue of exploitation. We want governments to make sure no one is coerced to sell sex, or is unable to leave sex work if they choose to.

Echoing these sentiments, researcher Niina Vuolajarvi of the London School of Economics and Political Science warned legislators all over the world to look for other public policy remedies to address sex work issues instead of the Nordic model. Dr. Vuolajarvi, an assistant professor in international migration at the schools European Institute, studied the impacts of Nordic model-style policies on sex workers in European jurisdictionsparticularly among migrants who are people of color emigrating to Sweden, Norway and Finland. Even though these nations have laws that dont criminalize the sale of sexual services in a format that is similar to Maines new law, the study found that sex workers were de facto penalized due to the enforcement of other laws and rules that happen to intersect on the issue at hand. These laws include immigration regulations and fiscal laws. Vuolajarvi conducted 210 interviews with sex workers, social workers, policymakers and police officers in all three countries. The findings of the interviews were that 96 percent of respondents opposed laws that criminalized sex buyers.

I could just say generally in relation to the partial criminalization that of course, it is positive that the sale of sexual services is decriminalized, however everywhere where this approach (Nordic countries, France, Canada, Ireland) has been adopted it has increased the policing of sex workers and made their conditions more dangerous and insecure, notes Dr. Vuolajarvi in an email to AVN, adding that full decriminalization is the only solution that recognizes the existence of consensual sex work between adults and removes the detrimental presence of the police from the lives of sex workers. It gives tools for sex workers to organize their work in a safe manner and has not been shown to increase the sex trade.

When you criminalize any part of a consenting adult's sexual interactions, commercial or otherwise, the interaction becomes inherently more dangerous, Blair Hopkins, the executive director of SWOP Behind Bars, told AVN. SWOP (Sex Workers Outreach Project) Behind Bars is a national grassroots group that advocates for basic human rights for sex workers, trafficking victims and those communities. It places a particular emphasis on individuals who are currently incarcerated or seeking re-entry. Hopkins added: It's also worth noting that the Nordic model as it's employed in the [United States] is founded in the idea that the sex trade is inherently coercive, so the laborers are all victims, and those who patronize them are all victimizers. This strips people performing sexual labor of their agency and forces them to become objects of pity, which is only barely better than being an object of ire.

Other organizations are just as concerned. Bella Cummins of the Onesta Foundation, a Nevada-based group advocating for regulated prostitution and the legalization of licensed sex work, said in a phone call with AVN that the law in Maine sets a concerning precedent by only partially reforming sex work.

I am never in favor of partial decriminalization, said Cummins, also the madame and proprietor of the licensed brothel Bellas Hacienda in Wells, NV. Decriminalization is at least a parallel direction, in the essence, to legalization. Of course, I am an expert in legalization because it has been the model of Nevada for over 50 years, and Ive been involved for 37 years. And, I understand that when buyers and sellers can work legally, it works the best. She explained that the so-called Nevada modellicensed brothelsare environments that provide control, safety and healthy interactions between sex workers and their buyers.

Nevada is the only U.S. state with laws permitting legal prostitution in some form. Brothels are licensed, taxpaying outfits that provide companions with the opportunity to operate as independent contractors. Regarding her views on the new Maine law, Cummins asserted that Gov. Mills lacks the understanding of sex worker protection that she has as an owner of a legal brothel. It can look good on paper, but its going to ruin peoples lives, Cummins lamented.

AVN also spoke with Alice Little, a legal courtesan at the Chicken Ranch Brothel in Pahrump, Nev., who provided remarks similar to Cummins', expressing that whats happening in Maine is a positive step in the right direction, but more needs to be done. As a legal sex worker in Nevada, I have had the privilege of working under the protection of the law for pretty much my whole career, Little explained. However, the reality is that the Nordic model is something that sex workers themselves have never actually asked for or advocated for.

To that point, the website NoNordicModel.com, launched by a collective of sex workers rights activists, explains in great detail how sex workers are looking for full recognition of their bodily autonomy, which includes the right to engage in consensual sex work. The site argues that the solution is to decriminalize sex work for both clients and workers.

Sex workers seek true and complete decriminalization which removes penalties for both the purchase of sex and the sale of sex, Little went on to say. While I applaud Maine for taking a small step in the right direction, the legislative language shows me, instead of actually listening to sex workers who are the ones most directly impacted by such legislation, the lawmakers instead listened to anti-trafficking organizations that tend to have their opinions based on morality and religious views rather than any lived experience in the industry.
New Delhi, July 7 : India is learnt to have urged UK to take strong action against extremist elements threatening Indian diplomats. This issue was raised during talks between National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his UK counterpart Tim Barrow.

The issue of posters by pro-Khalistani groups inciting violence against Indian diplomats is said to have been raised by the Indian side during the meeting between Doval and Barrow, sources informed.

Both India and UK agreed to work closely to counter terrorism and terror financing during the meeting, sources said.

India and UK during the meeting, also agreed to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical, emerging technologies, sources said further.

On Thursday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi had said that space shouldn't be given to those advocating violence in the name of freedom of expression.

Such posters threatening Indian diplomats stationed in Canada, UK, US and Australia, surfaced ahead of a "rally" being organised by Khalistani elements in the above-mentioned countries on July 8.

While External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has taken up the matter with the concerned nations, Bagchi said on Thursday that India has taken up with London the issue of threats issued to Indian diplomats.

The MEA spokesperson had said that India has noted comments by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, however, they (UK) would be judged by the action taken on ground.

Cleverly had said that any direct attacks on the Indian high commission in London are completely unacceptable.

He had added that the Indian high commissioner and Indian government have been conveyed that the safety of staff at the Indian high commission is paramount.
Hyderabad, July 7 : The Telangana High Court on Friday dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging allotment of land by the state government to well-known film director N. Shankar near Hyderabad for setting up a film studio.

A division bench of Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan and Justice N. Tukaramji, which had completed the hearing on July 5, pronounced its orders on Friday, ruling thatthe court canat interfere with the allotment.

The state government had allotted 5 acres of land to the director at Mokila village in Rangareddy district near Hyderabad in 2019 for setting up a film studio.

The land allotment to the director was challenged through a PIL in 2020 by Jaishankar of Jagtial district. The petitioner had questioned the allotment of land worth around Rs 5 crore per acre to the director for Rs 5 lakh per acre and prayed to the court to set aside the allotment.

The court observed that the government should have a clear policy on land allotments but in the absence of the same, it canat fault the allotment made to the director.

It also took into consideration the argument of the directoras counsel that he paid Rs 25 lakh for the land and spent Rs 1.25 crore on land development.

The state government had defended the allotment saying it is in tune with the government policy. It submitted to the court allotting land to film studios and film personalities at lower costs is nothing new.

The court was told that the decision to allot the land was taken only after examining the genuineness of the applicant, the need for setting up a film studio near Hyderabad and the recommendation by the State Film Development Corporation.

Municipal Administration Secretary Arvind Kumar, through a counter-affidavit, had informed the court that the land was allotted after Shankar deposited Rs 5 crore with a promise to bring in Rs 50 crore investment to build a modern studio that offers complete facilities for making full-fledged movies and also advertisements that portray the journey of the new state.

The director also promised to the government that the studio will employ 1,000 cine workers on a daily basis, provide direct employment to 100 persons and indirect employment to 200 persons.

The court was also told that Shankar is a well-known director from the state with 36 years of experience in the film industry. Shankar had also submitted to the court that he had not used his popularity or his local origins to get the land from the Telangana government. He claimed that the then undivided Andhra Pradesh government had agreed to give him the land in 2012, but it did not materialise.
New Delhi, July 7 : India has joined the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG), after accepting an invitation from United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The GCRG was set up by the UNSG in March 2022 to address urgent and critical global issues pertaining to interlinked crises in food security, energy, and finance and to coordinate a global response.

It is overseen by the Champions Group comprising of representatives of Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal.

The decision to join the Group reflects Indiaas increasing global leadership and commitment addressing contemporary global challenges. Indiaas participation will further boost the efforts of the United Nations in finding result-oriented solutions on developmental issues that impact the world, particularly developing countries, a statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry said.

Sanjay Verma, Secretary, West, in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been designated as Sherpa to the GCRG process.

A meeting of the Champions is scheduled for July 21.

--IANS

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Kathmandu, July 7 : Chairman of Nepal's CPN-UML, K.P. Oli on Friday said that during his recent visit to India, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" discreetly met former RAW chief Samant Goel.

"Prachanda went to the residence of Goel and met him but he was silent over the meeting," Oli, also a former Nepal Prime Minister, said.

Prachanda was on an official visit to India from May 31 to June 3.

He had met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others, but there was no news about his meeting with Goel.

In October 2020, Oli met Goel in Kathmandu in a bid to mend fences with India over a "disputed territory" issue.

In May 2020, the Nepal government issued a new map incorporating the disputed territories that have been occupied by India.

"I met the then RAW Chief in Kathmandu but I did not hide it," said Oli.

After it was reported in the media about the meeting between Oli and Goel, the Prime Minister's Office issued a statement and admitted the meeting between Oli and Goel but did not elaborate much about the content of the meeting.

"There has been the tendency to malign the UML. The chief of RAW came to Nepal and expressed his desire to meet me, so I met him. During his India visit, Prachanda went to meet Goel at his residence. But I met him in Kathmandu, not at Goel's residence. I did not meet him discreetly. He came to my residence and I talked about the interests of the Nepali people and the country. But he (Prachanda) can not admit the meeting and cannot reveal what was discussed," said Oli.

Earlier, a controversy had erupted after Prachanda, while addressing a function to launch a book written by Kiran Deep Sandhu on Sardar Pritam Singh on Monday, said that Pritam Singh once went to India to lobby for him to make him the Prime Minister of Nepal.

Pritam Singh's family left India long ago, and settled in Kathmandu. They have good connections with political leaders of Nepal, including Prachanda.

Pritam Singh's daughter wrote the book "Roads to the Valley: The Legacy of Sardar Pritam Singh in Nepal".

While commending the role played by Pritam Singh in enhancing Nepal-India relations, Prachanda said that he lobbied in Delhi and Kathmandu to make him the prime minister around eight years ago.

The remarks were criticised by the Opposition, with the CPN-UML saying "it is the Parliament that makes the prime minister, not India".

Taking exception to the statement of the Prime Minister, the CPN-UML, on Wednesday as well as Thursday, obstructed the proceedings in the Parliament, and sought Prachanda's resignation.
Mumbai, July 7 : Actor Jackie Shroff stirred up the nostalgia among his fans and followers, as he celebrated the 34th anniversary of the iconic Bollywood film 'Tridev' on Friday, by sharing a heartfelt reel on Instagram.

Jackie goes down the memory lane, and shares unseen pictures from the sets alongside Madhuri Dixit, Sunny Deol and other cast from the team.

The actor captioned the post as, "34 years of Tridev", expressing his sentiment and appreciation for the movie that left an indelible mark on his career.

The reel has garnered 76.3K views. It got comments such as, "My all-time favorite movie!", "Dada, you looked incredible then, and you look incredible now", and "Ek number".

It also evoked memories of the popular song 'Gali Gali Mein Firta Hai', which became an instant hit then, and is still loved by fans today.

'Tridev' is a 1989 action thriller film directed by Rajiv Rai, starring Sunny Deol, Naseeruddin Shah, Jackie Shroff, Madhuri Dixit, Sangeeta Bijlani, Sonam, Anupam Kher and Amrish Puri.

On the work front, the actor has Tamil movie 'Jailer' alongside Rajinikanth, Malayalam project 'Chila Nerangalil Chilar', and Hindi movie 'Baap' in the pipeline.
New Delhi, July 7 : The venture funding in the cryptocurrency space dropped further to $2.34 billion in the second quarter (Q2) globally amid strict regulatory environment around various top-notch crypto exchanges.

It was the fifth consecutive quarter when crypto funding nosedived, according to a report in TechCrunch.

The $2.34 billion were raised across 382 deals, according to PitchBook data.

In comparison, the crypto industry had garnered $12.14 billion in the first quarter of 2022.

The biggest raises during Q2 2023 were LayerZero's $120 million Series B round and Worldcoin's $115 million Series C round.

"This decline in capital deployment could be attributed to regulatory headwinds in the US," the report noted.

US regulators sued Binance and its CEO Changpeng Zhao last month for allegedly operating a "web of deception" and filed 13 charges in a federal court.

Binance was also ordered by Belgium's Financial Services and Markets Authority (FSMA) to immediately cease all offers of virtual currency services in the country.

The US SEC also charged another crypto exchange Coinbase with operating its crypto asset trading platform as an unregistered national securities exchange, broker, and clearing agency. Several crypto companies have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in recent months like Genesis Global Trading (a subsidiary of the crypto conglomerate Digital Currency Group (DCG), FTX, BlockFi, Three Arrows Capital, Celsius Network and Voyager.
New Delhi, July 7 : The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed an application filed by SpiceJet seeking extension of time to pay Rs 75 crore to Kal Airways and Kalanithi Maran.

A bench of CJI D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha said that SpiceJet's application is nothing but a delay tactic to not pay the money despite orders of the court and its orders ought to be followed, especially in commercial matters.

On February 13, the apex court had directed SpiceJet to pay Rs 75 crore to the decree holders i.e., Kal Airways and Kalanithi Maran within a period of 3 months towards its interest liability under the arbitral award.

In its order, the court had also made it clear that in the event SpiceJet fails to pay, the entire award would become executable in entirety in favour of Kal Airways and Kalanithi Maran.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for SpiceJet, sought extension of time for two more months as the three months deadline had expired on May 13. He requested the court to list the matter after 3-4 days to find a way out.

On the other hand, senioraAdvocate Maninder Singh, instructed by advocates from Karanjawala & C., alleged that SpiceJet is not honoring the orders passed by any of the courts, including of the Supreme Court.

He argued that SpiceJet did not comply with the order passed by the Delhi High Court in 2020 requiring it to file an affidavit disclosing its assets.

On May 29 this year, the Delhi High Court in execution proceedings had directed SpiceJet and its chief Ajay Singh to pay the entire executable amount under the award to Kal Airways and Kalanithi Maran.

On Friday, the apex court did not agree to extend the time and said that a clear message needs to be sent across that its orders ought to be followed, especially in commercial matters.

The court dismissed the application filed by SpiceJet and directed the award to be executed fully.

--IANS

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Los Angeles, July 7 : Ryan Reynolds has begun shooting for 'Deadpool 3' with the actor sporting a new suit for the 'Merc with a Mouth', and it is a bit different from his older suit from the Fox movies, having a brighter palette.

As reported by Aceshowbiz, in the photos obtained by 'The Mirror', Reynolds was seen filming a car crash scene in the woods on location earlier this week.

"The pictures gave away a look at Deadpool's new suit, which features very few changes from the outfit donned earlier in the Fox movies. Some gold highlights have been added to the black areas on the costume, but the overall design remains the same."

"The biggest change to the costume is the colour. Where 'Deadpool' and its sequel had a largely muted color palette, the red of the suit in the new set photos is surprisingly bright, almost similar with the coloring in the comics."

"This may indicate a distinction between the MCU and the 20th Century Fox universe where Deadpool debuted."

The first 'Deadpool' entry in the MCU, the movie will keep the blood and gore of the earlier films and will be a particularly special entry in the franchise as this will also see Hugh Jackman return as Wolverine after what was his final stint at the character in 'Logan'.

Reynolds and Jackman had both earlier confirmed that this version of Wolverine will be completely separate from the one in 'Logan' due to that movie being set in an alternate timeline, as this version of the character will be in his prime.

'Deadpool 3' is directed by Shawn Levy, and is written by Levy, Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Wendy Molyneux, Paul Wernick, and Lizzie Molyneux.

The movie is currently set to be released in theaters on May 4, 2024.
Islamabad, July 7 : The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Friday raised concerns over a potential cyber security breach after numerous employees reported receiving suspicious emails from unidentified senders, media reports said.

In response to the alarming development, the ECP swiftly issued a cyber security alert cautioning its officials against opening any such emails, suspecting a ransomware attack aimed at unauthorised data acquisition, Samaa TV reported.

A statement released by the Commission urgently called on all employees to exercise extreme caution, advising them to disregard and report any emails from unknown or anonymous sources, the report said.

The message explicitly labeled the emails as potential ransomware threats that may lead to the unauthorized extraction of valuable information.

Meanwhile, the electoral watchdog has also urged political parties, candidates, and relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their digital infrastructure from potential cyber-attacks, Samaa TV reported.

As the country gears up for the upcoming general elections, the Commission has emphasised the significance of collective efforts to combat cyber threats and maintain the trust of the electorate.

The letter dated July 6, titled "Cyber Security Alert" and written by ECP information security specialist Naveed Ahmed Kandhir shared a screengrab of an email sent to an ECP official that asked the recipient to open an attached RAR file titled "Cabinet", Dawn reported.

Referring to the said email, the ECP said that "someone is [] sending the email to all" the ECP officials.

The electoral body said it was a "ransomware attack and trying to steal the information", and asked its employees to not open the said email, ignore it and report it as spam.

The alleged phishing email -- sent to an ECP employee -- informed the recipient about a letter, dated July 5, that was attached to the email, Dawn reported.

In January this year, Power Minister Khurram Dastgir had said a "cyberattack on the national grid cannot be ruled out" when detailing the inquiry progress on a countrywide power outgae earlier that month, Dawn reported.
Srinagar, July 7 IANS Zahid Baba a young entrepreneur and fitness enthusiast based in the Anantnag district of south Kashmir, always had a passion for fitness, and successfully opened the "Look Smart Unisex fitness center cum Gym" to promote wellness.

With a diploma in computers, Zahid's journey from being a gym lover to becoming a gym owner showcases his determination, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact in the society.

Despite facing challenges, Zahid's determination, passion for fitness, and leadership skills propelled him to become an inspiring example among youth.

His journey to success has been marked by hard work, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Initially, Zahid pursued a diploma in computers, which equipped him with essential technical skills.

However, his true passion lay in the realm of fitness and wellness, prompting him to embark on a transformative journey.

With limited resources but boundless determination, Zahid's entrepreneurial spirit shone through as he transformed his dream of owning a fitness center into a reality.

Drawing from his personal experiences as a gym enthusiast, Zahid designed a comprehensive fitness space that caters to both men and women, empowering individuals to prioritize their well-being and achieve their health goals.

"Look Smart Unisex Gym" stands as a testament to Zahid's commitment in promoting fitness and overall well-being in the community.

The gym offers state-of-the-art equipment, personalised training programs, and a vibrant and supportive environment, fostering a sense of camaraderie among its members.

His accomplishments extend beyond his own personal success. By establishing the fitness cum gym centre, Zahid not only supported himself but has also created employment opportunities for others.

His commitment to empowering others is evident in his efforts to provide a platform for aspiring fitness trainers and staff members, enabling them to contribute to the community's overall fitness journey.

Zahid Baba said: "Opening 'Look Smart Unisex Gym' has been a dream come true for me. It has allowed me to combine my passion for fitness with my desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others. I am grateful for the support I have received from the society, and I look forward to continuing to inspire and motivate individuals on their fitness journeys."

Zahid Baba's success story serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the power of determination, perseverance, and a genuine passion for one's chosen path. Through his entrepreneurial journey, Zahid has demonstrated the ability to overcome obstacles and make a meaningful difference in his community.

--IANS

/dan
LONDONIroha has released newly revamped versions of its three original luxury vibrators in celebration of the brand's 10th anniversary.

Encased in soft silicone, the finish is smooth to the touch and allows the user to enjoy sensations akin to a massage. The discreet, yet powerful design offers five vibration modes that can be controlled by one button. Additionally, each item in the iroha series comes with a compact charging cable that lights up while in use. Lastly, the vibrator is waterproof.

The iroha Midori (short for Hanamidori, which translates to green flower) features a rounded base and a perked-up tip allowing the users to target various pleasure points.

The iroha Yuki (short for Yukidaruma) was inspired by the shape of a snowman. The Yuki is a versatile vibrator featuring a semi-insertable tip that can be used for internal and external stimulation.

The iroha Sakura is inspired by the shape of a Japanese cherry blossom petal. The Sakura allows users to please a variety of erogenous zones due to its indented tip, which has been improved with a softer edge and rounder opening, making it ideal for external pleasure.

Eddie Marklew, global marketing manager at iroha, said, With the renewal of the iroha series, we have kept true to our aim of combining functionality with design. The iroha series was created with the aim to help more women enjoy self-pleasure with confidence and comfort. We remain committed to creating an environment where everyone can feel comfortable expressing their sexuality, and this commitment can be seen in the design of each and every product in the iroha lineup. Each product is inspired by elements of Japanese culture and is designed for comfortable and easy use for both beginners and those more familiar with self-pleasure products."

To view the collection, visit ukstore.tenga.co/collections/iroha-series.
New Delhi, July 7 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat train amid the presence of an enthusiastic crowd. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was also present at the event in Gorakhpur.

The train, resembling a graceful white swan, impressed the locals with its modern features.

During the event, PM Modi interacted with students from different schools, including Kendriya Vidyalaya and Lucknow Public College, who were on board the Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express.

When asked about their favourite aspects of the train, Sejal Priya, a Class 11 student, mentioned "the spacious-ness, appealing features, and, most importantly, the reduced travel time".

Another student appreciated the train's automatic door opening feature.

The train's interior is designed with blue-coloured seats, offering ample space for comfortable travel.

The seats are also rotatable and equipped with charging ports, while their reclining functionality can be adjusted using a push button.

Additionally, sensor-based lights are installed, and CCTV cameras ensure real-time monitoring for security purposes.

The primary objective of this train is to enhance connectivity to popular tourist destinations like Kushinagar, Siddharthnagar, and Sant Kabir Nagar, which holds significance as the birthplace of the 15th-century mystic poet Kabir.

These areas will benefit from improved transportation facilities, facilitating easier access for tourists.

The completion of the magnificent Lord Rama temple in Ayodhya has attracted a significant number of people eager to witness its grandeur and have darshan (sight) of Lord Rama.

The Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat train will greatly facilitate the convenience of passengers traveling to Ayodhya.

The Vande Bharat train initiative plays a vital role in connecting various cities with tourism and religious sites, significantly reducing travel time.
Jammu, July 7 : Three persons were killed on Friday in a road accident on Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban district.

Police said that three people were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in rolled down into the Chenab River near a cafetaria in Morh on Jammu-Srinagar highway in Ramban district.

"Soon after the accident, rescue operation was started by police, SDRF and volunteers.

"A case has been registered into the incident," police said.
Kolkata, July 7 : The death toll in poll-related violence ahead of the panchayat elections in West Bengal scheduled on Saturday mounted to 19 after a bullet-ridden body of a man was found in Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district on Friday.

The police are yet to ascertain the identity of the deceased, whose body was found near a pond at Kalopur village. It is believed that the deceased was a non-local person.

This was the second casualty reported since Friday morning, after a local Congress leader named Aurobindo Mondal was lynched allegedly by Trinamool Congress supporters at Raninagar in Murshidabad district.

Out of the 19 deaths reported in pre-poll violence since the announcement of election date on June 8, four have been reported from Murshidabad district alone. Four deaths have also been reported from South 24 Parganas district.

Meanwhile, BJP legislator from Bangaon (South), Swapan Majumdar, accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of assembling anti-social elements in the area in order to create tension on the polling day.

"In all probability, the latest death was the result of infighting between two groups of Trinamool-backed hooligans, one local and the other coming from outside," Majumdar alleged.

The local Trinamool leadership, however, has rubbished the allegations.
Mumbai, July 7 : The Maharashtra Congress on Friday staged protests against the Gujarat court's verdict on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, terming it as Bharatiya Janata Party's 'political vendetta'.

Led by State President Nana Patole, Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan, Aslam Shaikh, Jagdish Amin, Anisha Bagul, the demonstrations were carried out in different parts of the state and inMumbai city.

The protesters were carrying banners and posters, and raised slogans condemning the BJP.

"Rahul Gandhi has not insulted any community, but BJP is trying to scare him through its dirty politics This is continuing political vendetta through false complaints, but the Congress has full faith in the judiciary," said Patole, during a protest in Thane.

He said that after Rahul Gandhi's plea was rejected by Gujarat High Court, the party will now appeal in the Supreme Court, and it will be a big battle as the Congress is challenging the dictatorship in the country.

Patole pointed out that Rahul Gandhi was criticising the scamsters like Nirav Modi and Lalit Modi, and if the corrupt are being exposed how it can be termed as an attack on a particular caste.

"Those scamsters looted crores of rupees and fled abroad. Why is Prime Minister Narendra Modi silent on them? Why is he not taking action against them? The BJP is scared and fears losing power, and this is strangulating the country's democracy," said Patole.

Working President M. Arif Naseem Khan said that the Centre is suppressing the Congress' voice by such false cases but the party and Rahul Gandhi will fight all such oppression as the country stands solidly behind him.

The demonstrations were carried out in Mumbai, the eastern and western suburbs, Thane, Pune, Nagpur and other places in the state.
New Delhi, July 7 : A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court, contesting the constitutional validity of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Amendment Rules, 2023 (IT Amendment Rules) concerning their applicability to the regulation of online gaming.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Narula, hearing the plea, asked Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma to provide assistance in the case and scheduled it for further consideration on July 13.

The petition was filed by Noida-based NGO Social Organisation for Creating Humanity, based in Noida, and represented by advocate Sakshi Tikmany. Advocate Akshat Gupta presented arguments on behalf of the petitioner.

In the plea, the petitioner said that there should not only be effective control and regulation of online games and gambling or betting activities but there should also be an effective mechanism for such regulatory measures and that the same should conform to the four corners of powers granted under the Constitution and other legislative provisions.

"The impugned rules neither conform to the constitutional provisions nor are effective to control online gaming activities which are growing in an untrammeled manner at an explosive pace, especially after lockdowns and the Covid-19 pandemic," the plea said.

"Therefore, the exercise of power by the respondent in this manner, to enact and notify the impugned rules, which are ex-facie ultra vires the Constitution and the IT Act is against public interest, and a drain on the public exchequer, whilst, failing to effectively tackle the menace of online gambling, which has engulfed the nation's youth," it further read.

Consequently, the petitioner seeks a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate order to declare the IT Amendment Rules, 2023 as unconstitutional and beyond the scope of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

--IANS

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Agartala, July 7 : Tripura assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen on Friday suspended Congress MLA and former Minister Sudip Roy Barman for the entire budget session for making "derogatory remarks against ministers and treasury bench members." In the second half of the opening day session of Tripura assembly, Roy Barman while participating in a discussion, taking permission of the Speaker while narrating a story, without naming any minister and MLA, said "dog barking much more than his master" triggering a section of ministers and MLAs furious.

The agitated ministers and MLAs demanded the Speaker to expunge Roy Barman's comments from the assembly records and told the Congress MLA to withdraw his "derogatory remarks".

Six term MLA Roy Barman remained firm on his position and refused to withdraw his remarks. Afterwards the Chief Minister Manik Saha proposed to suspend him for the entire session (till July 13) and the Speaker announced accordingly.

On the request of the Speaker, Roy Barman, also a former BJP MLA and Minister who joined Congress in February last year, walked out from the house.

Opposition leader Animesh Debbarma and CPI-M legislature party leader Jitendra Choudhury opposed the Speaker's decision.

Earlier on Friday, Tripura assembly Speaker suspended five opposition MLAs, including Roy Barman, for the day for disrupting proceedings of the opening day of the budget session.

However, the suspension was withdrawn in the second half by the Speaker.

Opposition members of Tipra Motha Party (TMP), CPI-M and the Congress -- staged walkout protesting the Speaker's decision while demanding disciplinary action against BJP MLA Jadab Lal Debnath, who was caught on camera watching an obscene video on his mobile phone while the Tripura Assembly session was going on in March.

The unprecedented bedlam began as soon as the house assembled and Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy started presenting the annual budget for 2023-24 financial year.

All the members of the TMP, CPI-M and the Congress led by their leaders went to the well of the house and started shouting demanding action against Debnath and the noisy scene continued for over 40 minutes before the Chief Minister Manik Saha named five MLAs to suspend them for the day.

The Speaker immediately announced the suspension of five MLAs  Sudip Roy Barman (Congress), Nayan Sarrkar (CPI-M) and Brishaketu Debbarma, Nandita Reang and Ranjit Debbarma, all TMP  and asked the watch and ward staff to remove them from the house.

Due to the pandemonium, proceedings of the house were disrupted for more than an hour.

Earlier, before the beginning of the proceedings of the house opposition leader Animesh Debbarma moved an adjournment motion to discuss Debnath's issue but the Speaker rejected the motion triggering escalating the protests of the lawmakers.

Congress MLA Roy Barman after entering into the house sprinkled Ganga water on the table and floor of the house "in a bid to purify the assembly premises."

Earlier, Debnath watching an obscene video while the session was going-on, went viral on social media, drawing sharp criticism from all quarters.

The 55-year-old leader, who is also the secretary of BJP's Tripura state unit, however said that when he received a phone call then a site was automatically opened and he immediately closed it.
New Delhi, July 7 : Microsoft India President Anant Maheshwari has moved on from the company to pursue a new path, the company said on Friday.

Chief Operating Officer Irina Ghose has been promoted to Managing Director of India.

Maheshwari, who joined Microsoft in 2016 after serving at HoneyWell and McKinsey & Company, steered the tech giant growing across the spectrum, be it workplace productivity, skilling and local innovation at scale in India.

"We can confirm that Anant has decided to leave Microsoft to pursue a role outside the company," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement.

"We would like to thank Anant for his many contributions to our business and culture in India and wish him every success in his future endeavours," the spokesperson added.

Maheshwar is a graduate from Birla Institute of Technology. He also studied at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.
Bengaluru, July 7 : Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has presented the budget for the financial year 2023-24, with an outlay of over Rs 3.27 lakh crore.

While presenting the budget, CM Siddaramaiah said that approximately, Rs 52,000 crore will be spent annually to fulfill the five guarantees.

The government has aimed at collection of Rs 11,500 crore of taxes. The excise duty has been hiked by 20 per cent on liquor and 10 per cent on beer.

It has been announced in the budget that the guidance value of immovable properties would be reviewed. The guidance value for immovable property was not reviewed since 2019.

The government is aiming to collect Rs 1 lakh crore in this financial year.

It aims to collect Rs 9,000 crore of royalties from the Mines and Geology sector.

CM Siddaramaiah stated that the Grihalaxmi and Griha Jyothi schemes will provide relief to women who are reeling under the price rise "due to failure of the Central government".

The Karnataka state is the only land which is taking development and social justice hand in hand, CM Siddaramaiah stated.

Siddaramaiah slammed the Opposition for ridiculing the free schemes of the Congress government.

"The common person's discretion should not be insulted. The KMF brand has an emotional connection with Kannada people. The government is committed to protecting and developing the brand," he said.

Siddaramaiah also announced that more Goshalas (cow nursing centers) will be built at a cost of Rs 50 crore.

Former CM H.D. Kumaraswamy, reacting to the budget, stated that to increase the revenues, the excise tax has been increased.

"People are losing lakhs of rupees. The government's money given to the poor instead of free rice is going there. What is the long-term plan for empowering the working class? I don't have any objection to guarantee schemes. They will cost Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 crore. No funds are earmarked for any other sector. The presentation of the budget is nothing but blaming the previous BJP government in the state and central government," Kumaraswamy said.

"You (CM Siddaramaiah) are burdening people with Rs 85,000 crore loans in one year. If you target the Central government, how will you get the funds? There must be a cordial relationship with the Union government," he said.

Former minister V. Sunil Kumar said the objective of the presentation of the budget seemed to communicate that, "the Central government had not given any funds and governments did nothing".

BJP legislator B.Y. Vijayendra said no fund has been earmarked for major projects such as Mekedatu and Mahadayi.

"This is being done to contain Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar," he said.
Chennai, July 7 : Government-owned telecom player Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has decided to monetise its land parcels located in prime localities here and in other places in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

The BSNL Tamil Nadu Circle has initiated an e-tender for the e-auction of five numbers of land parcels.

The following surplus land and buildings in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are proposed to be sold through e-Auction: Dinrose Telephone Exchange at Anna Salai, Chennai (area: 4,047 square metres), Telephone Exchange and SQ Compound at, Udumalaipettai (area: 4,267 square metres), Microwave Building compound, Mettupalayam, Coimbatore (area: 2,929 square metres), DTO Compound, Villupuram (area: 2,396 square metres), and Co Axial compound, Puducherry (area: 2,237 square metres).

"The above properties are located in the prime locality and are lying on main roads. Further, this would be the biggest opportunity for the prospective bidders to purchase prime properties free from encumbrances and hidden costs," an official statement said.

The request for proposal (RFP) and other documents can be seen on BSNL website.

The last date of submission of online bids is up to 3 p.m. on August 17.

--IANS

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Varanasi : , July 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched 29 development projects worth around Rs 12,110 crore here on Friday.

Addressing a public meeting at Wazidpur, the Prime Minister said that his government had ensured that the benefits of schemes reach the beneficiaries.

"We have been sending the benefits to the people and also talking directly to them to ensure that they have received the benefits of the schemes. This leaves no room for middlemen or scams," he said.

Modi said that those who have got houses from the government are now witnessing an appreciation in costs.

He thanked the people of Varanasi for ensuring the victory of BJP in the recent municipal polls and for supporting the journey of development.

The Prime Minister listed the various schemes that his government had launched for the poor in the past nine years.

He then inaugurated 19 projects worth over Rs 10,720 crore and laid the foundation for 10 projects worth over Rs 1,389 crore.

He also interacted with 20 beneficiaries of various schemes.Later, he met 20 BJP workers at the DLW guest house.

Modi will also interact with the party workers during the 'tiffin' meeting and will give 'mantra' to strengthen the party at every booth. The BJP workers will apprise him of the condition of their respective wards and transformation the development projects brought about in Varanasi in the last nine years.

Among the projects inaugurated by the Prime Minister are the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Junction-Son Nagar railway line of the dedicated freight corridor there. Built at a cost of over Rs 6,760 crore, the new line will facilitate faster and efficient movement of goods.

He also dedicated to the nation three railway lines, electrification of which has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 990 crore.They include Ghazipur city-Aunrihar rail line, Aunrihar-Jaunpur line and the Bhatni-Aunrihar line.

Earlier, the Prime Minister inspected the renovation work at Manikarnika and Harish Chandra Ghats.
Tao Tao, the world's first Yangtze finless porpoise successfully bred in artificial environment, welcomed its 18th birthday on Wednesday. The male Yangtze finless porpoise was born on July 5, 2005 in Baiji Aquarium of Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Wuhan City, central China's Hubei Province. According to experts, the average lifespan of the Yangtze finless porpoise is about 22 years old. At present, 18-year-old Tao Tao is similar to a middle-aged to elderly human, and is in good health. Tao Tao has participated in the artificial breeding programs multiple times in the aquarium. Now, it is the father of one male and one female Yangtze finless porpoise, namely, "Han Bao" and "Jiu Jiu." They are the second generation of Yangtze finless porpoises to be successfully bred and brought up in a full artificial environment. The Yangtze finless porpoise is under first-class state protection in China. They only pulse through the waters in the central and eastern parts of the Yangtze including two lakes naturally connected to the 6,300-km river, Dongting and Poyang, according to conservationists. A scientific investigation conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022 showed that the number of Yangtze finless porpoises has reached 1,249. Editor:Zheng Chen

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CHICAGOCPA network CrakRevenue, which is heading to the European adult convention circuit this summer, is looking for a new affiliate manager to represent the company in the U.S.



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For more information, visit CrakRevenue.com.
New Delhi, July 7 : A Delhi court on Friday issued fresh summons to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and others in a defamation suit seeking to restrain them from publishing the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi or any other material related to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

Additional District Judge Ruchika Singla of Rohini Courts in a suit filed by BJP leader Binay Kumar Singh observed that the BBC and other defendants -- Wikimedia Foundation and the US-based digital library Internet Archive -- are foreign entities and the service of summons must be effected as per guidelines issued by Delhi High Court.

Earlier, it was opposed that since the defendants are foreign entities, the service could be effected only as per the procedure prescribed.

During the hearing, the court on Friday said that mere filing of 'vakalatnama' by the lawyers shall not do away with the mandatory requirement of the service of summons on the defendant entities under the prescribed procedure.

"Hence, by virtue of the same, it is clear that as per the rules formulated under the Hague Convention and by the Government of India, the summons/ notices in foreign countries can be effected only through the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice, which has admittedly not been done in the present case," the court said.

It added: "It is directed that the summons be issued afresh to the defendants on filing of PF within 7 days to be served through the Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law & Justice, as per rules."

The court had earlier issued summons.

Singh, who claims to be the state executive committee member of the Jharkhand BJP and an active volunteer of the RSS and VHP, moved the suit through advocate Mukesh Sharma stating that the claims made in the documentary against the RSS and Vishwa Hindu Parishad are made with the intention of defaming the organisations and its volunteers.

"The allegations made against the RSS and VHP are motivated by a malicious intent to defame the organisations and its millions of members/volunteers. Such unfounded allegations are not only baseless but also have the potential to damage the reputation and image of the RSS, VHP and its millions of members/ volunteers, who have committed themselves to upholding the cultural, social and national values of India," the suit states.

The two-volume documentary series that has already been banned is nevertheless easily accessible in the public domain on Wikimedia and the Internet Archive, Singh has argued.

"The Defendant No.1 (BBC), strategically and purposefully disseminated unfounded rumours without verifying the authenticity of the claims. Furthermore, the accusations made therein foster animosity between multiple faith communities, in particular Hindus and Muslims," the suit says.

Singh has also sought an order of unconditional apology by the defendants, to him, the RSS, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad for the allegedly "libellous and defamatory content" that was included in the two-volume documentary series.

The suit states: "The plaintiff has worked assiduously over decades to build his career and reputation, and if this matter is left unchecked, it will permanently demolish the Plaintiffs hard-earned reputation and career. Therefore, even though the Plaintiff is a champion of free speech, he is compelled to seek an immediate injunction to safeguard his reputation and livelihood."
New Delhi, July 7 : Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday said that India is determined to further strengthen and broaden its strategic partnership with Mongolia.

Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary delegation (IPD) to Mongolia, called on Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.

During the meeting, Birla recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modias state visit to Mongolia in 2015 greatly strengthened relations between the two countries.

He noted that India is playing the role of a dependable partner in the economic development of Mongolia. In this context, he mentioned that the oil refinery project in Mongolia is the largest project undertaken by India abroad, which is a testimony to the close partnership between the two nations.

Noting that both countries have always supported each other, Birla recalled that India and Mongolia have often worked with mutual cooperation at several international fora.

In this context, he invited attention to the fact that India supported Mongolia's membership in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, while Mongolia has consistently supported India's candidature in international organisations.

He expressed confidence that Mongolia will certainly support India's candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2028-29.

--IANS

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Patna, July 7 : The Muzaffarpur police nabbed an oil tanker which was used for smuggling liquor on Friday.

The oil tanker was intercepted at Saraiya toll plaza. During inspection, the driver of the tanker claimed that there was only oil inside the tanker but the officers thoroughly checked it, and a huge cache of liquor was found in it.

"The SHO of Saraiya police station and his team intercepted the oil tanker and recovered 4200 litres of liquor inside it. We have registered a FIR under relevant sections of liquor prohibition act and arrested the driver. His interrogation is underway to find out who brought the liquor consignment. We have learnt that the liquor was to be distributed somewhere in Saraiya," said Kumar Chandan, the SDPO of Muzaffarpur.

In another incident, the Arwal police arrested two persons for smuggling liquor in a truck. A team headed by the Kaler police station SHO initiated a vehicle checking campaign in the Dilawarpur area of the district. During the checking, the liquor consignment worth Rs 70 lakh was seized from the truck.

Arwal SP Mohammad Kasim said that the liquor was kept under a pile of fodder. "When we interrogated him, the driver of the truck claimed that it was on way to Siliguri. We have seized 582 packets containing Indian Made Foreign Liquor. The driver Surendra Singh and helper Harbhajan Singh have been arrested. They were bringing the liquor consignment from Punjab."
Mumbai, July 7 : The fifth accused involved in the infamous multi-crore 'Dabba trading' scam that was exposed in June has been arrested, Mumbai Police officials said on Friday.

The accused a" identified as Dhimant K. Gandhi, 34 a" is considered the mastermind behind the scam.

Nabbed from Kandivali, he was sent to a dayas police custody by a local court.

A Mumbai Police official said that Gandhi runs a computer spares shop who used to provide the login details and passwords to his co-accused Jatin Mehta, who, in turn, passed them onto others involved.

The illegal racket was laid bare last month when Gandhi and others allegedly engaged in illegal share trading activities worth over Rs 4,600 crore. This has caused an estimated loss of over two crore rupees to the government by way of capital gains tax, security transactions taxes, stamp duty, SEBI and stock exchanges fees and dues, etc.

Earlier in June, the police had nabbed three sub-brokers Vijay Gada, Hiten Makwana and Vijay Gala from Kandivali and other places. During their interrogation, the three accused revealed how they were using a mobile App called aMoodya for conducting the illegal share-trading activities, bypassing the stock exchanges, between March-June this year.

Police hint at more arrests from Mumbai and other places as the probe continues further.
Kolkata, July 7 : West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose said on Friday that he will be on the ground during the panchayat elections in the state on Saturday.

"I will be on the ground on Saturday for the sake of the security of the common people," the Governor told mediapersons during his tour to the violence-hit Murshidabad district on Friday.

Even as he was saying this, West Bengal reported the 19th death in pre-poll violence since the announcement of election date on June 8 after the bullet-ridden body of a man was found in Bangaon in North 24 Parganas district.

Reacting to allegations levelled by Trinamool Congress that his district tours are only meant to seek publicity, the Governor said, "This publicity is required for the sake of the safety and security of the common people. To ensure that the democratic rights of the people are protected, I will resort to such publicity drives again and again. My only aim is to ensure that people can exercise their democratic rights without fear."

On Thursday, the Governor had launched a scathing attack against State Election Commissioner Rajiva Sinha, and asked him to perform his duties neutrally.

"We put up fence to guard crops. What do we do when the fence itself eats up the crops? If democracy is dying in the run-up to the panchayat elections, who is the killer? Will the State Election Commissioner please raise his hand? You should know who the killer is," Bose had said.
Hyderabad, July 7 : The Telangana State Anti-Narcotics Bureau has busted an international drug racket with the arrest of three Nigerians and a local peddler.

In a joint operation, the TS-NAB along with Hyderabad-Narcotics Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) and Banjara Hills police arrested the accused and seized 100 grams cocaine, 300 grams MDMA, and five cell phones, all valued at Rs1 crore from their possession.

The arrested Nigerians were identified as Agbowo Maxwell Nnabuisi alias Kweku Essuman Kwame, 37, Okeke Chigozie Blessing, 32, and Ikem Austin Obaka alias Kingsley alias John, 41.

The fourth Nigerian Mazee is absconding.

TS-NAB Director and Hyderabad Police Commissioner C.V. Anand told media persons that a police team camped in Bengaluru for a month to arrest the Nigerians. Police also arrested drug peddler P.Sai Akesh, a resident of Hyderabad.

M. Sanjay Sunil Kumar of Kerala and Tumma Bhanu Teja Reddy of Hyderabad were also arrested.

Main accused Nnabuisi had come to India in 2011 on a medical visa, while Blessing came to India on a business visa while Ikem Austin Obaka had arrived on a student visa.

After reaching Mumbai, Nnabuisi started a drug peddling business. Later due to the fear from the police, he moved to Bengaluru. After reaching Bengaluru, he created a fake profile in the name of Kweku Essuman Kwame and also created a fake Nigerian passport with a fake visa.

After receiving the payments online, the accused were supplying the drug at an isolated place. They used to send the location of the drug where he kept to the customers to collect the same. Apart from Bengaluru, the accused were also selling the drug to the needy customers at Mumbai, Hyderabad and other areas.

Ghanian national Felix Awunyo, 36, who accompanied accused Obaka, was being deported, the police said.
Jaipur, July 7 : The Gehlot government on Friday launched the Jan Samman video contest to publicise the flagship programs of the government and the winners will also be awarded accordingly.

A cash prize of Rs 2.75 lakh will be given every day for one month and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot will start distributing the prizes from Friday.

In the video contest, there will be questions about 10 flagship schemes of the government.

To participate in the contest, the beneficiary will have to upload a video of flagship schemes and ask question and answers on 10 major schemes on social media, tagging the government.

Through these videos, the government has made preparations to publicise its schemes to the common people.
New Delhi, 7 July : aAn Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent of four Rafale fighter jets, two C-17 Globemasters and 72 IAF personnel departed for Paris on Friday to participate in a fly-past there on July 14, which is celebrated as the Fete Nationale FranAaise, the National Day of France. It is also known as the Bastille Day as this day is the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.

It is also known as the Bastille Day as it marks the anniversary of storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.

IAF said the marching contingent is commanded by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, who is an accomplished helicopter pilot. She has also extensively flown the Alouette-III helicopter in her service. The fly-past and marching by the IAF warriors on Bastille Day follows a long association that the two nations share, especially in the field of the air power, IAF added.

The Ministry of Defence apprised that France will witness a 269 member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Force marching alongside its French counterparts. This year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade.

The Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force will also form part of the fly-past during the parade.

Many Indians like Welinkar, Shivdev Singh, HC Dewan and Jumbo Majumdar have fought over the skies of France during the two World Wars. Some, like Jumbo Majumdar, were also decorated for their gallant action during the terminal phase of World War II, IAF said.

aThe Ministry of Defence said that the IAF has also operated multiple French aircraft starting with the Ouragan. This was followed by fighter aircraft like Breguet Alize, Mystere IVA, SEPECAT Jaguar, Mirage 2000 and now, the Rafale. Helicopters like the Alouette-III and Lama continue to render yeoman services to India, especially in the remote Himalayan areas.

The ministry said that athe professional ties between the two air forces have also been strengthened during flying exercises like Ex Desert Knight, Garuda and Orion. The IAF's Rafale aircraft, flying wing to wing with the FASF, is reflective of this strategic friendship spanning decades that continues to mature, both on the ground, as well as in the air.
New Delhi, July 7 : The Congress on Friday asked all the state units chiefs to hold one-day 'Maun Satyagraha' (silent protest) in front of Gandhi statues in all state headquarters in solidarity with former party chief Rahul Gandhi on July 12.

The party's decision to hold one-day long 'Mauna Satyagraha' came after the Gujarat High Court on Friday did not stay the session court judgement convicting Rahul Gandhi in the 'Modi surname' defamation case.

In a communication to all the state presidents, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said: "The entire world has seen how Rahul Gandhi has consistently been questioning and exposing the relationship between Modi and Adani, on various platforms. His courageous pursuit has forced the Prime Minister and BJP to resort to crooked measures leading to his conviction and disqualification from the membership of Lok Sabha."

"Not just the Congress Party, but the entire nation has condemned this erroneous conviction and disqualification, and resolved to stand by Rahul Gandhi in this noble fight," he said.

"In the present circumstances, it is high time that we stand together and reiterate that Rahul Gandhi is not alone and that millions of congressmen and crores of people irrespective of their political affiliations are with him in this fight for truth and justice.

"Under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in solidarity with our leader and in support of his fearless and uncompromising fight, all the PCCs are requested to organise a massive one-day 'Maun Satyagraha' in front of Gandhi statues, in all State Headquarters from 10 AM to 5 PM, on July 12 with maximum possible mobilisation and involvement of all the senior leaders, MPs, MLA or MLCs and other elected representatives, leaders of frontal organisations, departments and cells, party workers and supporters in large numbers," the Congress Rajya Sabha MP said.

He said despite all hardships, Rahul Gandhi has been consistent in his unstoppable fight against the misuse of power by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and in fighting for the truth and raising the issues concerning the people of the country.

Venugopal also said that Rahul Gandhi has fearlessly remarked that, "I am fighting for the voice of my country. I am ready to pay any price."

Earlier in the day, Congress said that it will approach the Supreme Court against the Gujarat High Court decision.
Imphal, July 7 : A Peace Convention of 10 parties, including the Congress, AAP, four Left parties, here on Friday strongly condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his total silence on Manipur turmoil "as he has neither spoken a single word on the situation nor appealed for peace and restoration of normalcy in the state as yet in the last 65 days".

Accusing Chief Minister N. Biren Singh for the ethnic violence and asking him to quit from his post, the Convention resolved that the need of the hour is to restore peace and normalcy, bridge the unprecedented divide among the ethnic groups and heal the wounds of the people.

The Peace Convention expressed gratefulness to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his two-day visit to Manipur as a aPeace Messengera and hoped that the Parliamentary team of 5 MPs of the Left parties, who came to assess the situation in Manipur, to recommend, through Parliament, to the Center to take necessary action to restore normalcy, peace and tranquillity in the state and to urgently resolve the ongoing violence in the state.

Manipur state Congress President Keisham Meghachandra, Nationalist Congress Party state President S. Iboyaima Singh, Janata Dal-United state President K. Biren Singh, Trinamool Congress Convener Inaocha Singh, Aam Aadmi Party state Coordinator Bishwanath, CPI state Secretary L. Thoiren Singh, CPI-M state Secretary Santa Singh, RSP state Secretary K. Manoranjan Singh, Forward Bloc state Secretary Gyaneshwar Singh and Shiv Sena-UBT state President T. Devananda Singh spoke in the convention.

--IANS

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On May 27, 2017, Omaha Westside graduate John Lang led a group of hundreds of volunteers in building a gigantic flag that broke a Guinness Book record.

The 60-foot by 30-foot flag was made from MegaConstrux bricks. At 1,813.52 square feet, it broke the previous record of 1,687.78 by 125.74 square feet.
New Delhi, July 7 : The Delhi High Court on Friday directed the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Delhi Police to respond to a petition filed by the Delhi Waqf Board, expressing concerns over the potential demolition of a historic mosque that stands strong for over 150 years at the Sunehri Bagh Road roundabout in Lutyens' Delhi.

In a bid to gather accurate information, the court also instructed all parties involved to conduct a joint inspection at the site.

Justice Prateek Jalan has issued a notice on a plea seeking to protect a mosque from potential harm caused by the NDMC while listing the matter for further hearing on August 14.

During the proceedings on Friday, the court also emphasised the need for a practical and holistic approach, urging both parties to adopt a reasonable perspective.

The judge highlighted that indigenous properties are not exempt from acquisition as long as statutory conditions are met. He stressed the importance of treating all religious structures equally and applying consistent policies.

Consequently, the court ordered a joint inspection to take place on July 12 at 3 p.m., with the option for further inspections if necessary.

"Notice shall be issued. The concerned parties are instructed to conduct a joint inspection on July 12, 2023, at 3 pm, and may schedule additional inspections as required. The NDMC is authorised to notify any other relevant authority about the inspection," the court said.

"The respondents are directed to submit their response to the petition along with the necessary records within a period of two weeks. The report of the joint inspection should be presented as well," the court ordered.

The petitioner's advocate, Wajeeh Shafiq, informed the court that the authorities had conducted an inspection at the site without the petitioner's presence.

"The inspection was carried out based on a letter from the traffic police requesting the NDMC to assess the feasibility of redesigning the Sunehri Bagh roundabout due to increased traffic issues in the area," Shafiq argued.

The petitioner argued that the presence of the mosque was not the cause of traffic problems and that the notice for inspection was given less than 24 hours in advance.

The petition further claimed that the mosque's demolition was planned for the week starting July 3, following a pattern of demolishing Waqf properties without following proper legal procedures.

The plea also stated that the mosque had been in existence for over 150 years and served a large number of worshippers, hosting daily prayers, Friday prayers, and Eid prayers. It alleged that the congestion in the area was not due to the mosque but rather due to uncontrolled vehicle parking on both sides of Motilal Nehru Marg.

As counsel for the petitioner urged the court to direct maintenance of status quo, counsel for the NDMC said the apprehension with respect to demolition of the mosque in the near future is misplaced.

Taking the stand on record, the court asked the NDMC to approach it in case of any change.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 : An inter-state arms trafficker supplying high-end weapons to several criminal gangs, including infamous Kapil Sangwan alias Nandu outfit in Delhi and its surrounding areas, has been arrested by the Special Cell, an official said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Mohd Sajid alias Rashid, 38, a resident of JJ Colony near Wazirpur, used to purchase an illicit pistol of .32 bore for around Rs 30,000 and used to sell the same to the criminals for around Rs 40,000.

Special Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, H.G.S. Dhaliwal said that an information was received that Sajid, who is previously involved in several criminal cases, is indulged in smuggling of illicit firearms from Uttar Pradesh and is supplying the weapons to the gang members of different syndicates, including the group of most wanted gangster Kapil Sangwan.

"The team deployed sources and made efforts to collect more information about Sajid and his activities. After persistent hard work, specific information was received that Sajid would come near Uttam Nagar Bus Terminal to deliver a consignment of illegal firearms to some member of Nandu gang on the night of June 28," he said.

A trap was laid and Sajid was apprehended. "On search, eight illegal firearms (five sophisticated pistols of .32 bore and three single shot pistols of .315 bore) were recovered from his possession," said Dhaliwal.

On interrogation, it was revealed that when Sajid used to work as a meat contractor in Ghazipur Murga Mandi, he came into contact with Ashok and Hazi, who inducted him into the business of arms trafficking. "Hazi was a Meerut-based arms supplier. Thereafter, Sajid started supplying arms to criminals in Delhi," the Special CP said.

In 2012, Sajid was arrested and sent to jail in a case of armed robbery in the Kamla Market area. "During his stay in jail, he came into contact with several criminals. After coming out on bail, he continued supplying illicit weapons. He was arrested again in a case of dacoity of Rs 25 lakhs in Amar colony area," said Dhaliwal.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 : A Vistara aircraft en route to Kolkata experienced a technical snag on Friday following which it returned to Delhi.

There were approximately 160 passengers on board.

As per sources, there was an engine failure. However, it is yet to be confirmed by the airline officials

In a statement, a Vistara spokesperson said: "Shortly after take-off, a technical snag was detected on Vistara flight UK 707 operating from Delhi to Kolkata on July 7. As a precautionary measure following the standard operating procedures (SOPs), the pilots decided to turn back, and safely landed the flight at Delhi's IGI airport."

The spokesperson also said that the aircraft was undergoing essential inspections. However, a replacement aircraft has been promptly arranged and will depart once all passengers have boarded.

"The team involved is making every effort to minimise passenger inconvenience by organising the necessary arrangements," said the spokesperson.
Washington, July 7 : The US is taking all necessary measures to "protect the safety and security" of India's embassy and consulates and people who work there, a senior State Department official said on Friday.

There is a heightened sense of urgency about the safety and security of Indian missions here and diplomats after the incident of arson at the San Francisco consulate last Saturday.

This was the second attack on the facility after pro-Khalistan protestors had sought to break in in March.

"Consistent with our obligations under the Vienna Conventions, the Department is taking steps, including coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities, to protect the safety and security of the Indian Embassy and Consulates and the individuals who work within them," said Assistant Secretary of State David Lu, who heads the South and Central Asia department.

He also reiterated that the US "strongly condemns the reported acts of vandalism and attempted arson against" the consulate and, added: "Vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or foreign diplomats in the United States is a criminal offense".

This was more of less what State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller had on Monday in the first public response from the US on the incident.

Indian diplomats have seen heightened security in the days since the incident as they brace for another round of protests as threatened by SFJ chief Gurpatwant Pannun in a video message released on Thursday in which, tellingly, he vowed to hold Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu, responsible for the death of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada in June.

A response was awaited from the San Francisco police on the state of the investigation into the Sunday morning incident, which is understood to have taken place at about 1.40 a.m. and lasted about 10 minutes, which included the time taken by the local fire fighters to put out the fire before it could become dangerous.

Though it was a July 4 holiday weekend, all major security agencies were involved as the matter was pursued by the Indian mission here "at the highest level".

A bipartisan duo of US lawmakers urged the State Department on Thursday to ensure the safety and security of Indian missions and diplomats in a joint statement.

"As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," said Congressman Ro Khanna, a Democrat, and Michael Waltz, a Republican, referring to personal threats to Ambassador Sandhu.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 : A newly-wed woman was seriously injured after she fell from the balcony of their house in Delhi's Tughlakabad Extension area after being assaulted by her husband with ceramic utensils, the police said on Friday.

A police officer said that they have arrested the accused, who has been identified as Wasim. The couple got married 20 days ago.

Sharing the details, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast), Rajesh Deo, said that a PCR call was received at 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday, informing that a woman had fallen off the balcony of a house in the Tughlakabad Extension area.

On reaching the location, the investigating officer (IO) learnt that the injured woman, identified as Muskan alias Sabbo, had already been taken to the hospital.

When a police team reached the Mazidiya Hospital, it found that the woman was being treated for head injuries.

"Preliminary inquiry revealed that the woman fell from the balcony of their flat on the third floor. There are bloodstains in the house. The FSL team from Rohini has been summoned to collect evidence," the DCP said.

"The husband of the injured woman, who was hiding in the building, has been apprehended by the police just when he was attempting to escape," the officer said.

He had bloodstains on his clothes, and his hand was also bleeding profusely.

Wasim told the police that he had married Muskan about 20 days ago and they had been living in the flat since their wedding. At around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a quarrel ensued between them, following which he assaulted his wife with a ceramic pot and pan (kadahi)," the DCP said.

Wasim said that as she defended tried to defend herself, he also sustained injuries.

"In a bid to escape, she ran to the balcony and fell," the DCP said.

A case has been registered under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

"The exact cause of the fall is being ascertained," the officer said.
Hyderabad, July 7 : Cyberabad police have prohibited flying of remotely controlled drones, para-gliders, and remotely controlled micro-light aircraft around Air Force Station, Hakimpet and surrounding areas in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Saturday Cyberabad Police Commissioner M. Stephen Raveendra on Friday issued a notification on no flying activities of remotely controlled drones near the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC), the venue of the two-day meet.

Drones, para-gliders and micro-light aircraft will not be allowed over 5 kilometer radius from Air Force Station, Hakimpet and surrounding areas within the jurisdiction of Cyberabad Police Commissionerate limits.

The Cyberabad Commissioner issued a notification under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code. According to the notification, any person found violating the order shall be punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The possibility of attacks by terrorist/antisocial elements by the use of para-gliders, remote controlled drones, remote controlled micro-light aircraft etc, may endanger and breach of peace to public tranquility, reads the notification, citing a memorandum issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs' ISI Division/VIP Security, which brought to the notice that terrorist/antisocial elements may organise attacks through such means and that there is an increasing trend by eventas organisers to use remote controlled drones for getting aerial views for live telecasts and photography of various events.

The memorandum prescribes that state/UT Police under various sections of state police acts and the IPC will prohibit flying of such aerial platforms over the area bounded by a circle of five km radius from the State Secretariat Complex in state capitals and two km around strategic vital installations.

The Prime Minister will be landing at Air Force Station, Hakimpet at 9.25 a.m. on Saturday. He will then fly in a chopper to Mamunur aerodrome in Warangal. After reaching Warangal at 10.15 a.m., he will travel by road to visit Bhadrakali temple. Later, he will reach the public meeting venue.

The PM will virtually lay the foundation stone for a wagon manufacturing unit and for various highway projects. The public meeting will be held from 11.45 a.m. to 12.20 p.m. He will return to Air Force Station Hakimpet at 1.40 p.m. and leave for Rajasthan.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 7 : The Law Commission on Friday issued notice warning the public that certain phone numbers falsely associating with it are being circulated and clarified that it has no involvement or connection with WhatsApp texts, calls, or messages being circulated pertaining to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

In its disclaimer, the Commission said that it communicates through official channels like its website https://lawcommissionofindia.nic.in/ and official publications (PIB).

It said that individuals are encouraged to visit the official website of the Law Commission of India to access the Public Notice issued regarding the UCC.

"Further it is stated in the Public Notice, dated 14th June, 2023, suggestions, views, or inputs regarding the Uniform Civil Code may be presented through "click here" button or by Email at membersecretary-lci@gov.in to the Law Commission of India," it added.

The Commission urged the public to exercise caution and rely on official sources for accurate information. On June 14, the 22nd Law Commission had solicited the views and ideas of the public and recognised religious organisations to examine the UCC.

The common public can send its views on the matter till July 14 to the commission.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his address to BJP workers in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal pitched for UCC.

--IANS

puneet/vd
New Delhi, July 7 : A Delhi court on Friday sent the leaders of the two groups involved in the firing incident at Tis Hazari court complex to three days police custody.

The duo -- Manish Sharma, former Vice President of the Delhi Bar Association, and Lalit Sharma -- were nabbed by police early on Friday.

During the production of both the accused, the Delhi Police counsel told the court that both are actively cooperating with the investigation. The investigating officer had requested a three-day police remand for the accused in order to recover the weapons used in the crime and apprehend other accused involved in the incident, which is crucial evidence.

Consequently, Metropolitan Magistrate Chatinder Singh granted a three-day police custody for both accused individuals. Furthermore, the court instructed the investigating agency to ensure that no torture is inflicted upon the accused during their custody while listing the matter for hearing on June 10.

On Thursday, the court sent three accused persons -- Aman Singh, Ravi Gupta and Sachin Sangwan a" who were part of the groups of lawyers involved in firing at Tis Hazari court, to four days of police remand.

On July 5, two groups of lawyers clashed and opened fire at the Tis Hazari Courts. The videos of the incident have gone viral on social media showing a man in white shirt and black pants firing in air, accompanied by others hurling stones and wooden planks. The involved parties, predominantly in lawyers' attire, could be seen brandishing sticks and engaging in verbal confrontation.

Another video shows bullet casings scattered at the location where the gunshots were fired.

As per the police, the fight broke out between Lalit Sharma and Manish Sharma over some personal enmity.
New Delhi, July 7 : The government has said that foreign diplomats would not usually comment on India's internal developments, in an apparent reference to US Ambassador Eric Garcetti's comments that his country is "ready to assist" the Indian government in restoring peace in the violence-hit Manipur, even though it was India's internal matter.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said this when asked to comment on Garcetti's comments on Manipur on Thursday.

Bagchi said he had not seen Garcetti's comments. However, if he has made them, then the ministry will see.

"I haven't seen those comments by the US ambassador, and if he has made them, we'll see. I haven't had a chance to see it, maybe it just happened. I think, you know.... We would also like to see peace there, and I think that our agencies and our security forces are working, and our local government are working on it. I am not sure foreign diplomats would usually comment on internal developments in India, but I wouldnat like to make a comment without seeing exactly what is being said," Bagchi was quoted as saying.

While participating in an event in Kolkata on Thursday, Garcetti said: "I don't think it's about strategic concerns, it's about human concerns. You don't have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence."

The US Ambassador made these comments in response to a question on whether the US was concerned about the violence in Manipur.

"We stand ready to assist in any way if asked. We know it's an Indian matter and we pray for that peace, and that it may come quickly," he was quoted as saying, as per reports.
Panaji, July 7 : Targetting the BJP-led Central government over Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a defamation case, former AICC secretary Girish Chodankar on Friday questioned the saffron party "if the current era wherein a person without committing a crime is booked and convicted can be considered Ram Rajya".

In a tweet, Chodankar said "Is this Ram Rajya? Where a person without committing a crime is booked and convicted. BJP stifling democracy and its institutions?"

Chodankar, also the former chief of Congress in Goa, said that the entire nation is with Rahul Gandhi for a healthy democracy.

"You cannot stop him from exposing your wrongdoings," he said.

His remarks came after the Gujarat High Court on Friday did not stay the session court judgement convicting Rahul Gandhi in the 'Modi surname' defamation case.

Rahul Gandhi, after his conviction on March 23 by the Surat court, was disqualified as a Lok Sabha MP on March 24.
Nebraska voters may see a repeat matchup on the 2024 ballot in the states most competitive congressional district.

State Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha, a Democrat, announced Wednesday that he will challenge Rep. Don Bacon again for his seat serving Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District. Bacon defeated Vargas in 2022, winning his fourth two-year term, but by a margin of less than 3 percentage points.

While we came up just short last November, I was so encouraged by the enormous response we got from voters across the district, who were excited by our message of cutting middle class taxes, growing the economy, protecting womens health care, and keeping our communities safe from gun violence, Vargas said in a statement.

Bacon, a Republican, welcomed Vargas challenge in an email statement Wednesday, expressing confidence that he would prevail again in 2024. Bacon has represented Nebraska in Congress since 2017, after defeating Democratic incumbent Brad Ashford.

Aside from Ashfords two-year term from 2015 to 2017, 2nd District voters have chosen Republicans to represent them during the past three decades. However, the district has been more varied in its presidential election results, favoring President Joe Biden in 2020 and former President Barack Obama in 2008.

Despite that, Bacon noted, he still beat his Democratic opponent in the presidential election year of 2020 by more than 4 percentage points.

While D.C. Democrats call Nebraskas 2nd a Biden District, voters call it a Bacon District, Bacon said in his statement.

Randall Adkins, a University of Nebraska at Omaha political science professor, said having Biden at the top of the 2024 ticket will likely benefit Vargas this time around. Presidential election years typically draw higher voter turnout and favor candidates from the presidents party, compared with midterm election years, which typically yield the opposite results, he said.

Vargas also will have a head start for his campaign compared with his 2022 bid, with more name recognition and a better knowledge of the 2nd District.

Vargas has served two terms in the Nebraska Legislature representing District 7 in eastern Omaha, and will be term-limited out at the end of next session. In that time, he has been a key player in drafting state budgets on the Appropriations Committee, and recently contributed to the passage of a multimillion-dollar effort to revitalize underserved areas of Omaha.

Bacon, a retired brigadier general, has worked extensively in Congress on issues related to national security and defense, securing upgrades to Offutt Air Force Base and currently working to improve military recruitment.

Vargas campaign announcement highlighted abortion, noting that while Vargas voted against increased abortion restrictions that passed in the Legislature, Bacon supported similar measures in Congress. Abortion rights have been a key issue for voters in recent elections since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer.

With Republicans in Nebraska passing an extreme ban on abortion, its more important than ever that we elect representatives that will fight for the people of Nebraskas Second in Washington, Vargas said in the statement.

Bacon accused Vargas of being too extreme on abortion, according to a tweet he posted Wednesday. He claimed Vargas supports zero restrictions on abortion and said that doesnt align with most voters views.

There is a reason Nebraskans rejected Vargas in 2022, and they will reject him again in 2024, National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said in an email statement.

Besides the economy, Adkins said, abortion rights are likely to remain a top issue for voters in 2024. But whether that gives an advantage to either party remains to be seen, he said.

Adkins said he expects the 2024 race will see a rise in some trends seen in 2022, including an increase in national money contributing to both campaigns. Both Bacon and Vargas raised over $3 million for their 2022 campaigns, largely bolstered by national donors.

Adkins also expects to see more negativity and television ads from both candidates. However, he said the outcome will likely come down to which candidate can knock on the most doors.

Photos: World War II Higgins boat PA31-17 arrives at Nebraska National Guard Museum
New Delhi, July 8 : A day after US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti, commenting on Manipur violence, asserted that it will stand ready to assist in any ways if asked, the Congress on Friday hit out at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar asking him if he will summon the envoy and tell him in no uncertain terms the US has no role to play in the northeastern state.

Taking a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on Manipur, the Congress said that he and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had been ineffective but that does not mean that there is any opening for any other country.

In a tweet, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said: "Will the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar summon the US Ambassador and tell him in no uncertain terms that the USA has no role whatsoever to play in Manipur? The responsibility for bringing back peace and harmony in Manipur is that of the Union government, the state government, the civil society and political parties in the state, especially.

"The Prime Minister is silent and the Home Minister has been ineffective. That does not mean that there is any opening for any other country. This is an Indian challenge which we as Indians have to address sensitively and resolutely."

His remarks came a day after Garcetti while speaking on Manipur violence, said:" I don't think its about strategic concerns, it's about human concerns. You don't have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence."

"We know peace as a precedent for so many good things. There has been so much progress in the Northeast and the East...We stand ready to assist in any ways if asked. We know it's an Indian matter and we pray for that peace and that it may come quickly. Because we can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place," the US Ambassador said in Kolkata on Thursday.

Earlier in the day too, Congress slammed the BJP government on the issue.

Congress leader Manish Tewari said it has never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India.

In a tweet, he said: "To the best of my recollection going back atleast four decades in Public life I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India."

"We faced Challenges in Punjab, Jammu abd Kashmir, North East over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity and wisdom. Even when Robin Raphel would be loquacious on J&K in the 1990as the US Ambassadoras in India were circumspect," Tewari, a former Union Minister, said.

"I doubt if the New US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti is cognisant of the convoluted and torturous history of US-India relations and our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs," he added.

The Congress has questioned silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and also demanded immediate removal of Chief Minister N Biren Singh for failing miserably to control the situation in the northeastern state. It has said that it will raise the issue of Manipur violence in Parliament's Monsoon Session.

--IANS

aks/vd
New Delhi, July 7 : Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that the Centre has put up an eco-system for the development of green hydrogen and government sectors with support from private companies can expedite the process of achieving a green hydrogen economy.

In his valedictory address at an international conference, Puri said that green hydrogen is an idea whose time has come.

He informed the gathering on the last day of the three-day long conference on green hydrogen that public sector entities have been earmarked to produce more than 1 MMT of green hydrogen by 2030.

The global demand for hydrogen is expected to reach 200 million tonnes by 2030, Puri said.

The minister noted that there is now a global consensus towards making a transition to renewable energy.

"India has embarked on a new journey and requires active support and collaboration amongst all the stakeholders and with the recent launch of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the Government means business," he said.

"We have a natural advantage in producing green hydrogen as we have an abundance of solar energy and investments in our power grid. We have an apt climate, resources, adequate production and a strong supply-chain for green hydrogen," the minister added.

"The European Investment Bank (EIB) will be our hydrogen ally and would support developing a large scale industry hub with a funding of 1 billion Euros. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has recently conveyed their intent to provide $20a"$25 billion over five years to aid Indiaas aspirations for green growth. That's not all, the World Bank has approved $1.5 billion in financing to support Indiaas low-carbon transition journey," he informed the gathering.

Talking about the importance of public and private players coming together to bring the future fuel on the global platform, the petroleum minister informed that several review meetings at industry level are regularly being undertaken to find out ways to boost the hydrogen production capacity in India.

"We will ensure uptake of green hydrogen in refineries and city gas distribution (CGD) through both public sector entities and the private sector and try to design new projects with maximum chances of hydrogen deployment to strategically phase out fossil fuels and aid de-carbonisation goals," he noted.
New Delhi, July 7 : A 16-year-old boy was stabbed to death by three minors following a scuffle in Delhi's Bawana area on Friday, an official said.

A senior police officer said that around 6 a.m., an information of medico-legal case (MLC) of a person brought dead was received from M.V. Hospital, Bawana.

"A police officer reached the hospital where it was revealed that a minor, a resident of JJ Cluster in Bawana was admitted by his relative. As per MLC, there is a history of physical assault (stab injury). Two injuries -- wound at the back and one in the stomach, were found," the police officer said.

The incident happened at Jhanda Chowk area in Bawana.

"The crime team inspected the spot and exhibits were collected," said the official.

During initial probe, it was learned that the minor was beaten and stabbed by another minor, also a resident of the same locality, along with two of his associates, who are also minors

"A case under section 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered," the official added.
Beirut, July 8 : A Lebanese citizen on Friday opened fire at worshipers as they were leaving a mosque in the town of Bar Elias in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, killing one and injuring several others, local media reported.

The Lebanese army rushed to the area and exchanged fire with the gunman, which led to his injury, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the state-run National News Agency.

The shooter, reportedly in critical condition, was transported to hospital.

The cause of the incident was still unknown, the report added.
Brussels, July 8 : The Council of the European Union (EU) and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP), aimed at boosting the production of ammunition and missiles in the EU to the benefit of the member states and Ukraine.

Under the agreed regulation, 500 million euros ($545.3 million) will be urgently mobilised from the EU budget to support the ramp-up of the manufacturing capacities for the production of ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition as well as missiles, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Council.

The agreed rules include an instrument providing financial support through grants for the EU industry to reinforce its ammunition and missile production capacities throughout the supply and value chains. It will also help avoid bottlenecks and shortages.

A so-called "Ramp-up Fund" will assist the ammunition and missile supply chains in gaining access to both public and private financing, the Council said.

The provisional agreement now needs to be endorsed by both the Council of the EU and the European Parliament before formal adoption. Signature and entry into force are expected before the end of July, according to the Council.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the EU's continued military support to Ukraine have exposed the European defence and military equipment market to challenges.

On March 20, the Council agreed to provide 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition for Ukraine in a joint effort within the next 12 months. It agreed to urgently deliver ground-to-ground and artillery ammunition to Ukraine and, if requested, missiles from existing stocks or the reprioritization of existing orders. It further called on member states to jointly procure ammunition and, if requested, missiles from the European defence industry and Norway. (1 euro = $1.09)
Allegheny Health Network, Israel Innovation Authority Announce Plans for Technology Start-Up Collaboration Health care is local, but health care research is global  and international partnerships are an important part of our targeted research strategy at AHN and Highmark Health, said Keith Lejeune, AHNs Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation.

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) and the Israel Innovation Authority announced today that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a formal affiliation between AHNs Research Institute and the Innovation Authority to support Israeli health-care startups, and provide them with access to AHN facilities for pilot projects, advanced technology support, and other forms of program assistance.

When launched, the organizations will collaborate on an array of technologies and business development opportunities that have the potential to bring some of Israels most promising health technology startups to Pittsburgh, giving the companies  and the entrepreneurs behind them  a local research partner and a foothold for American operations.

Were excited to partner with the Israel Innovation Authority to help cultivate some of their countrys brightest health care startups, and were thrilled to work with their entrepreneurs as they refine, test and scale innovative new technologies that may one day benefit patients and medical providers here in Pittsburgh, and around the world, said Tariq J. Cheema, MD, medical director of the AHN Research Institute. AHN, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a 14-hospital health care organization and part of Highmark Health.

After the collaboration is finalized later this year, applications to the program will be opened in Israel, with the Innovation Authority and the AHN Research Institute jointly selecting, screening and approving finalists. The selected companies will then receive up to 50% funding from the Israel Innovation Authority for conducting joint research and development projects or pilots together with AHN.

The AHN Research Institute may also choose to supply its own seed funding, in addition to non-monetary support such as access to AHN facilities, consulting services, research assistance, information technology assistance, and clinical and administrative staff across a variety of clinical settings, for the purposes of piloting new technologies or even new drug therapies.

The ability to develop a drug suitable for a particular population, to ensure its safety, and to prove its efficacy with precision, is paving the way for faster, smarter, and cost-effective medical care, said Dr. Amiram Appelbaum, Chairman of the Israel Innovation Authority and Chief Innovation Scientist at the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology. We are delighted to collaborate with an outstanding partner such as AHN, which has a rich legacy of advancing pioneering scientific research and groundbreaking clinical innovations that have improved the health and well-being of so many people over the decades."

This collaboration will be part of the Innovation Authoritys larger International Health Centers R&D and Piloting program, which established similar partnerships with the Mayo Clinic, Hartford HealthCare and Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in the U.S., as well as hospitals in the United Kingdom and Germany.

This new collaboration will enable the Israeli medical innovation ecosystem to access top-tier facilities, know-how, infrastructure and expertise on a global scale, and provide Israeli companies with a new launchpad for their technologies and services, Dr. Appelbaum said.

AHN, meanwhile, continues to expand its portfolio of partnerships with international collaborators. In recent months, AHN has formalized agreements with Splendo Health (Netherlands) and AdipoPharma (France) to share office space, lab space and professional resources at AHN Suburban, a former acute-care hospital in Bellevue, Pa., that is now being used as a health care innovation center.

AHN Suburban is also home to AlphaLab Health, a life-sciences incubator that was developed in partnership with Pittsburgh-based technology investor Innovation Works.

The AlphaLab Health incubator draws applicants from around the world to compete for pre-seed investment funding and participate in a mentorship program that helps them to navigate the key risk points in the clinical and commercial development of their early-stage companies.

Health care is local, but health care research is global  and international partnerships are an important part of our targeted research strategy at AHN and Highmark Health, said Keith Lejeune, AHNs Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation. These strategic alliances will be key as we work to nurture new health care technologies and companies that will help to solve the many systemic challenges that affect the U.S. and global health care systems.

AHNs partnership with the Innovation Authority is the latest in a series of collaborations between Pittsburgh-based innovators and their Israeli counterparts. For example, the group known as 412972  signifying the area code for Pittsburgh and the international calling code for Israel  has nurtured business connections between the two regions, and has helped dozens of Israeli and Pittsburgh companies partner on innovative projects since 2020.

AHN has been a participant in the 412x972 initiative from the beginning.

AHN Suburban is also home to Testa Seat, a company that builds adaptive seating for children and adults with special needs. Founded in Israel by Alex Geht, Testa Seat is part of AHN Suburbans disability technology incubator program, and arrived in Pittsburgh through an Israeli initiative known as TOM  Tikkun Olam Makers.

TOM, a global nonprofit founded by Israeli entrepreneur Gidi Grinstein, sponsors companies that create affordable technologies and products for people living with disabilities, as well as the elderly and the poor. (Tikkun olam is the core Jewish concept of repairing the world through purposeful service and action.)

Our agreement with the Israel Innovation Authority is the latest example of how AHN is seeking out partners locally and internationally who share our mission and values, said Jeffrey Cohen, MD, Chief Physician Executive, Community Health and Innovation for AHN and leader of AHN Suburban. Working together with the IIA, we can develop new technologies and solutions that further advance our Living Health strategy by helping marginalized populations, building stronger communities, and improving the lives of our patients and others around the world.

###

About the Israel Innovation Authority

The Israel Innovation Authority, an independent publicly funded agency, was created to provide a variety of practical tools and funding platforms aimed at effectively addressing the dynamic and changing needs of the local and international innovation ecosystems. This includes early-stage entrepreneurs, mature companies developing new products or manufacturing processes, academic groups seeking to transfer their research developments to the market, global corporations interested in collaborating with Israeli technology, Israeli companies seeking new markets abroad and traditional factories and plants seeking to incorporate innovative and advanced manufacturing into their businesses. For more information, visit The Israel Innovation Authority | Israel Innovation (innovationisrael.org.il/en).

About the Allegheny Health Network

Allegheny Health Network (AHN.org) is an integrated healthcare delivery system serving the greater Western Pennsylvania region. The Network is composed of 14 hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, Health + Wellness Pavilions, an employed physician organization, home and community-based health services, a research institute, and a group purchasing organization. The Network provides patients with access to a complete spectrum of advanced medical services, including nationally recognized programs for primary and emergency care, trauma care, cardiovascular disease, organ transplantation, cancer care, orthopedic surgery, neurology and neurosurgery, women's health, diabetes, autoimmune disease and more. AHN employs approximately 22,000 people, has more than 2,600 physicians on its medical staff and serves as a clinical campus for Drexel University College of Medicine and the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
NYC Autumn Jewelry and Object Show This is an amazing opportunity for antique jewelry dealers, watch dealers, contemporary jewelry designers, and object sellers to showcase their items in one of the greatest cities in the world, in an uplifting and supportive environment.

Nostalgia is a powerful, transformative emotion inspired by many things, including jewelry, watches, and art objects. Antiques can evoke memories of a bygone era, a special moment, or loved onecreating feelings of calm and comfort. As a result, many consumers seek out jewelry and art objects to remind them of specific times in their lives. Often handcrafted, these items have character, carrying a sense of history and heritage. This fall, KIL Promotions is launching the inaugural NYC Autumn Jewelry and Object Show during the prestigious NYC Jewelry Week, from November 16-19, 2023, at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Tapping into nostalgia, both trade and consumers can explore and shop a wide range of pieces, learning about their history and cultural significance. Contemporary jewelry designers will also exhibit their jewels, stories, and inspiration, giving collectors an opportunity to acquire unique, wearable and decorative art objects that speak to them.

Konstantinos I. Leoussis, Founder of KIL Promotions, says I wanted to create a new and exciting jewelry event due to the dwindling number of jewelry related trade shows in the tri-state area that could bring all sorts of dealers, collectors, and object lovers together from all paths of life. This is an amazing opportunity for antique jewelry dealers, watch dealers, contemporary jewelry designers, and object sellers to showcase their items in one of the greatest cities in the world, in an uplifting and supportive environment. We truly want our vendors to succeed and are sparing no expense to help achieve this.

The NYC Autumn Jewelry and Object Show will be an immersive, engaging experience for consumers and trade alike. Vendors are encouraged to showcase pieces in the curated setting, sharing the history and cultural significance of each. Influencer partnerships will engage exhibitors with social media and greater reach for branding. For exhibitors, the show is priced for affordability. Designed to be accessible to a wide range of buyers, with pricing that is reasonable and competitive, the NYC Autumn Jewelry and Object Show allows seasoned collectors, the trade, and enthusiasts to explore and acquire rare and beautiful pieces. The show will feature an impressive selection of antique and vintage jewelry and watches from around the world, including Art Deco pieces to classic Victorian designs and classic watches, with something for everyone.

The NYC Autumn Jewelry and Object Show will be hosted at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, a venue known for regaling many leading art industry events. Event organizers at KIL Promotions are developing a welcoming show environment, with room for vendors to display, and space for visitors to discover new treasures. High quality vendors are being handpicked from around the world, from renowned dealers to up-and-coming jewelry designers, ensuring attendees experience a diverse range of sellers. Discovering new pieces and learning about craftsmanship, attendees will make valuable connections with the trade. Local retailers are encouraged to shop the show as well, with wholesale pricing offered to store owners looking to update their inventory.

The NYC Autumn Jewelry and Object Show debuts on November 16th, 2023, and concludes November 19th, 2023, during the heart of NYC Jewelry Week, a week-long festival with collective events exploring the making, makers, and art of jewelry. A special early preview and press event is scheduled for November 15th, 2023. A follow-up NYC Spring Jewelry and Object Show is tentatively planned for April 2024, as well as a Tokyo Jewelry and Object Show, debuting in Japan during the summer of 2024.

To register for this must attend event, visit the NYC Autumn Jewelry and Object Show Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nyc-autumn-jewelry-and-object-show-tickets-548338283567. Visit the website at NYCJAOS.com. To contact KIL Promotions to discuss vendor, sponsorship, advertising and partnership inquiries, email Accounts & Communications Director, Lauren Smith, at lauren@kilpromotions.com, or call/text 203-788-5531. For inquiries regarding this press release, email Pietra Communications at info@pietrapr.com or call 212-913-9761.

About KIL Promotions LLC

With offices in Brooklyn and Manhattan, KIL Promotions was established in January 2023 as an antidote to the lack of jewelry-related events in New York City. The company is dedicated to creating accessible opportunities for vendors of all kinds, from all over the world, and curating a range of events beginning in late 2023.
LL Aesthetics I am thrilled to offer this class and share my years of experience to help others perfect the fine art of Botox injections, says founder Lisa Lifshitz.

As owner of Miamis top cosmetic studio, LL Aesthetics, skincare specialist, Lisa Lifshitz, PA-C, is well-known for delivering exceptional results for clients. This upcoming class will provide an incredible opportunity to learn from the best, with the sharing of Ms. Lifshitzs expert knowledge from 10 am -5 pm on August 3rd, 2023, in Woodmere, NY. This full-day training experience will equip students with the essential skills and techniques needed to master Botox injections. From understanding facial anatomy to ensuring safety protocols, this comprehensive class covers it all. This course is appropriate for practitioners looking to expand knowledge or a beginner eager to enter the world of aesthetic medicine with hands-on training and step-by-step demonstrations to provide the confidence and expertise needed to excel in this evolving aesthetic practice. Those interested in the event can find out more and register by emailing Lisa at lisalifshitzpa@gmail.com.

I am thrilled to offer this class and share my years of experience to help others perfect the fine art of Botox injections, says founder Lisa Lifshitz.

More about Lisa Lifshitz:

Lisa Lifshitz, PA-C is the founder of LL Aesthetics, located at 820 W 41st St, Suite 213, in Miami Beach, FL. At LL Aesthetics, the team provides incredible outcomes using the latest options in innovative aesthetic procedures, ranging from Botox and fillers to skin rejuvenation with lasers, peels and lip injections. Ms. Lifshitz obtained her BA in psychology and biology with honors, from Touro College in 2011. To continue her education, she entered Barry Universitys - Masters of Clinical Medical Science program, graduating at the top of her class, and became a licensed physician assistant. To schedule an appointment or consultation, please visit http://www.llaestheticsmiami.com or call 786-785-6005.


Dr. Kami Parsa My goal has always been to provide compassionate care and achieve natural results for my patients, offering the latest treatments available, says Dr. Kami Parsa.

Dr. Kami Parsa, a highly-credentialed oculoplastic and reconstructive surgeon in Beverly Hills, has recently been recognized as a Top Patient Rated Doctor by Find Local Doctors. His patient-centered approach and expert knowledge in oculoplastic procedures have fostered a large volume of outstanding reviews from his patients across multiple online sources. Such superior ratings have led Find Local Doctors, a credible online directory of medical providers, to honor Dr. Kami Parsa with this award. Dr. Parsa is a skilled oculoplastic surgeon who is highly sought-after for his specialization in reconstructive, revisional and cosmetic surgery of the eyes and surrounding tissue. He is known for excellence in cosmetic eyelid surgery, upper eyelid lifts, and minimally-invasive surgical techniques. As a double-board-certified ophthalmologist and oculofacial plastic surgeon, Dr. Parsa is renowned for his artistic approach and meticulous attention to detail.

Over the course of his career, Dr. Kami Parsa has performed thousands of procedures to help patients achieve a refreshed and rejuvenated appearance. He is known across the country for his expertise and has earned numerous awards as a leading Beverly Hills oculoplastic surgeon, appearing on multiple media outlets, such as The Doctors, Botched, The New York Times and the Miami Herald. While Dr. Parsa holds elite qualifications and experience in his field, he passionately pursues new innovative techniques to produce beautiful results with minimal downtime for his patients. Offering cosmetic procedures such as blepharoplasty (eyelid lift) and eyebrow lifts, Dr. Parsa also performs a full menu of complex reconstructive surgeries for the eyes, including those involving ectropion repair, orbital decompression and Bells Palsy. In addition, at his Beverly Hills practice patients can take advantage of non-surgical treatments in facial rejuvenation using fillers, lasers, micro needling and more.

My goal has always been to provide compassionate care and achieve natural results for my patients, offering the latest treatments available, says Dr. Kami Parsa.

More about Dr. Kami Parsa:

Kami Parsa M.D. is a native of California. He attended UCLA and graduated with honors from the University of Southern California School of Medicine. Dr. Parsa completed a residency in ophthalmology at USCs prestigious Doheny Eye Institute. He then finished a two-year sub-specialty fellowship in Oculoplastic & Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Miamis Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. Dr. Parsa participates in several humanitarian efforts and is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and fellowship trained by the American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeons. He is also a clinical professor at USCs Department of Ophthalmology and Department of Plastic Surgery and has published extensively in leading medical journals and textbooks. Dr. Parsa frequently lectures at major meetings and conferences around the world. For more information about the cosmetic and reconstructive services offered by Dr. Kami Parsa, please call his clinic located at 465 N Roxbury Dr. Suite 1011 in Beverly Hills, CA, at (310) 777-8880 or visit his website at http://www.oculoplastic.info.


COLUMBUS  First, Paul Peronard talked about the good news.

Out of six rail cars filled with asphalt that plunged into the Yellowstone River on June 24 near Reed Point, two are reasonably full, said the EPAs lead on the cleanup project.

Now the bad news. Two of the rail cars were pretty empty and two were only partially full, he said before a community meeting on Thursday night.

Roughly estimating, he said there could be 300,000 to 500,000 pounds  plus or minus 25%  of asphalt that spilled into the Yellowstone River during spring runoffs high water.

Thats the order of magnitude were talking about, he said.

Each rail car holds about 20,000-plus gallons, or 178,000 pounds. When multiplied by six rail cars, Peronards total estimate of asphalt in play is about 1.06 million pounds.

As of Thursday, crews recovering asphalt from along the banks of the river had collected more than 35,000 pounds, concentrating on the first 4 to 10 miles downstream.

With the Federal Railroad Administration and National Transportation Safety Board finishing their inspection of the damaged rail cars on Thursday, the cars can be released to Montana Rail Link. Peronard said the plan is to cut open the damaged cars and remove the asphalt to get a better estimate of how much product was spilled into the river.

Recovery

The cleanup crew was ramping up to about 150 personnel on Friday. The problem for the crews is that as the rivers flow continues to drop as runoff ebbs, bigger boats that can carry more crew members must be abandoned for smaller watercraft. Two days after the spill, the river was running at more than 30,000 cubic feet per second at the Billings gauge. As of Friday that had dropped to 17,300 cfs.

So were shifting tactics to get into new areas, said Chad Anderson, Montana Department of Environmental Qualitys Enforcement Program manager.

The problem is the asphalt behaves like taffy, Peronard explained. The farther it drifts downstream the more it breaks up into smaller particles.

With an oil spill, like the ones that occurred in the Yellowstone River in 2011 near Laurel and 2015 near Glendive, crews would normally target slow, deep water for cleanup, Peronard said.

This stuff isnt behaving like that at all, he added. I dont think a lick of this stuff is sinking anywhere.

Because the asphalt is being carried in the middle of the channel in many parts of the river, it hasnt been detected at irrigation headgates that were monitored downstream of the spill, prompting officials to OK reopening the canals.

He compared the asphalt to someone blowing on a dandelion thats gone to seed. Once those seeds are blown into the wind, finding them is difficult if not impossible.

This stuff is already in the Mississippi River, he said.

Tactical change

At some time in the next two to four weeks, Peronard predicted there will be a diminishing return of asphalt collected by cleanup crews.

We will keep chasing asphalt as long as were taking large amounts from the river, he said.

Rather than continue to have boats and personnel on the water disturbing wildlife like nesting bald eagles, a value judgment will be made to turn the operation over to the state for enforcement action.

When 150 guys are stomping around with boats, when are footprints more damaging than the oil were leaving behind?

Thats been a lesson learned from the previous two oil spills in the river, Anderson said.

There will indeed be asphalt material left in the river, Peronard said. We cant get it all.

In response to a question from the 20 people gathered at the Columbus High School gym, Peronard said the best crews can do in river oil spills is to recover 30%, although he hopes crews can do better than that on the Yellowstone.

Its somewhat paradoxical, he explained. You can see a big blob of (asphalt), we can sample the water next to it, and the water is perfectly clean. That gets back to the solubility and the type of material you have. These are long hydrocarbon chains. Were not talking about gasoline, benzene or toluene which dissolve pretty readily in water. Were talking about things that are designed purposely not to (dissolve).

Danger

Because asphalt is made not to be water soluble, even though it is breaking into smaller particles, there has been no detection of petroleum hydrocarbons in the river.

The real hazard for most species is getting stuck in it, Peronard said. Its not particularly toxic. Fish ingesting it is not something you worry about.

Peronard worked on two asphalt spills into rivers in Colorado that were very different. In those instances the river flows were much slower, the streams smaller and the asphalt sunk so it could be more easily retrieved. In the Yellowstone, the asphalt has not behaved in the same manner.

Part of every spill is its new to us, so were learning, Anderson said.

Large bridge timbers and metal from the bridge may be in the river, but the channel at the bridge is believed to be deep enough to not threaten boats. For now, however, the river is closed to boaters from Indian Fort fishing access site downstream to Holmgren FAS. Cleanup crews are removing any timbers they find and beaching them for eventual pickup, Peronard said.

Sulfur

Although three rail cars that plunged into the river contained sulfur, that material hardened into a rock-like state in the cold water, Peronard said. So its believed little sulfur was released into the river.

Water monitoring stations were established above the spill and below to detect any differences in water quality. Background levels of sulfur are common in rivers because it is used in agricultural fertilizers and runs off into the water, he explained. The Yellowstone River also receives a dose of natural sulfur from Yellowstone National Parks hydrothermal features.

Sulfur is also not considered a pollutant or contaminant, Peronard said.

So sulfur just hasnt been a big deal, it hasnt been a response priority for us other than getting it out of the river so we dont have a bigger release of it.

MRL

Montana Rail Link has taken on the full cost of cleanup and is also already staging to rebuild the bridge, according to company president Joe Racicot.

The company has not released any figures on the cost of the operation, rebuilding the bridge or the effect of the loss of its main east-west arterial line on its bottom line, although Racicot said it was a significant amount. For now, trains that would have used the line are being rerouted to the Hi-Line near Shelby.

Despite the loss of its main line, MRL has not idled any of its employees, Racicot said. Instead, the company is redirecting workers to other tasks.

The goal is to not furlough a single employee, he said. Were working with our union to find creative solutions to that.

The bridge, originally constructed in 1917, will be repaired with a new pier. Racicot said its not clear yet whether the pier failed or it was something else on the bridge that caused the collapse. Thats something the Federal Railroad Administration will determine following its investigation of the bridge, rail line and railroad cars. The agency is sending out structural specialists next week to examine the bridge.

As soon as we have a cause well be transparent with it, Racicot said.

MRL and its contractor performed a full underwater inspection of the bridge in November 2022 and again in May during low water.

We have a pretty robust inspection program, Racicot said. It could be a derailment that led to the failure of the pier.

Last June, the river flowed at historic highs in its upper stretch, causing damage to homes, bridges and roads. The flooding also redirected the path of the Yellowstone River near the bridge, aerial photography has shown. Thats something engineers will take into account in rebuilding the structure, Racicot said.

One of the reasons that drove that (inspection) was the kind of historic 500-year flood event, Racicot said. A full underwater inspection didnt reveal any scour issues, any structural instability issues. We came back and did a visual inspection again in May of this year in low water. Again, it didnt reveal any structural issues at that bridge.

Racicot said the repairs are expected to be completed in weeks, not months.

Looking ahead

Although the EPA has the final say on the cleanup effort, Peronard explained the idea behind the Unified Command structure implemented in this situation that also includes the state, MRL and Columbus fire department.

Where we have a multi-jurisdictional incident, everybody has a dog in the fight here, were supposed to form a unified command where we make decisions based on everybodys interest, Peronard said. In the end, I could have a trump card. But I havent even reached for that pocket. At some point in time, the feds will drop out here.

However, if the state finds something big, the EPA will return, he added.

Thats ultimately what NRD (Natural Resources Damage Program) is looking at, Anderson said. What are all of the effects? Theres the macroinvertebrate effects. Theres the were not fishing the river effects. Theres a whole bunch of pieces.

Unified Command is planning boat launch improvement work at Itch-Kep-Pe Park in Columbus and Buffalo Mirage fishing access site (Sportsmans Park) in Laurel to support increased boat traffic for assessment and cleanup, the Unified Command said Friday.

For those participating in the Yellowstone Boat Float this weekend, remember the last takeout for users before the river closure is Indian Fort fishing access site in Reed Point, said Mike Ruggles, Region 5 Supervisor with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.

Anyone looking for updates on the derailment and spill can log on to EPAs website for daily info. The site also has a place to report the location of asphalt. The public is advised not to pick up the asphalt. If they do, they should use gloves to peel up the material and place it in garbage sacks. The sacks can be dropped off at the Holmgren FAS.

To report observed asphalt material, submit information to: rpderailment@mtrail.com.

Anyone with information about oiled wildlife are encouraged to call the Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) Response Hotline at 888-ASK-OWCN (888-275-6926).

For more information, visit the response websites: https://response.epa.gov/stillwatertrainderailment or https://www.stillwatercountymt.gov/train-derailment/
Last year, I moved to Billings full of excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to lead a beloved cultural institution, the Yellowstone Art Museum. Museum members, the YAM Board and staff all welcomed me with incredible kindness and generosity. Similarly, new neighbors, colleagues, and community partners from across the state demonstrated that Montana truly is one small town with really long streets. That deep neighboring ethos was on full display last week when the YAMs biggest event of the summer was threatened by unforgiving weather.

For the past 45 years, the YAM has hosted SummerFair, one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the region. The event features artisans from across the country showcasing unique works of pottery, leathercraft, weaving, painting, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and more. At the YAM, we believe that art is for everyone and we see SummerFair as an expression of our commitment to this community. Along with being a museum fundraiser, this event brings people together from all backgrounds around a shared appreciation for art. However, this year, more than ever, it was clear that the YAM was on the receiving end of community care.

Months of planning were behind us as we enthusiastically prepared for SummerFair 2023 outdoors at South Park. After weeks of rainfall leading up to the event, we hoped the skies would clear before opening day. They didnt. The rain kept coming, and forecasts called for thunderstorms throughout SummerFair weekend.

Our team discussed a full spectrum of options  cancel our signature event, host an outdoor arts fair in a torrential downpour, or find an indoor venue that could hold nearly 100 craft and vendor booths, a performing arts stage, a professional sound system, and multiple food trucks. Out of respect for the artists, sponsors, attendees, and community partners who make SummerFair a destination event annually, our staff wanted to locate a new venue and pivot to an indoor event. Our deadline? Less than 48 hours. Admittedly, I was skeptical.

But, I underestimated just how deep Yellowstone Countys neighboring values run. We reached out to MetraPark, and not only were they willing to host us on unbelievably short notice, they rolled out the red carpet. General Manager Tim Goodridge, Event Coordinator Craig Peterson, Marketing Director Cody Reitz, and Marketing Coordinator Jamie Porter were lifesavers, dropping everything to meet our every need. MetraParks entire facilities team went above and beyond at every turn. We thank them all!

Our Yellowstone County Commissioners played a big hand in making this happen, too. The Downtown Business Alliance, our friends at Billings Cultural Partners, and so many others stepped up to support us and help spread the word about a last minute change to an event we had been publicly promoting for months. The leaders at Billings Parks and Recreation were deeply gracious about our unexpected weather-related pivot away from South Park as were the amazing artists and craftspeople who are the heart and soul of SummerFair.

After this outpouring of generosity amidst a downpouring of rain, SummerFair 2023 was a huge success and exceeded our original goals for the event. As blown away as I was by the care extended from the Billings community, I was equally in awe of the YAM staff who worked around the clock to pull out all the stops and maintain the SummerFair tradition.

Montana continues to display how good neighbors are integral to our collective success, and I feel fortunate to live in a community that values collaboration in the face of a storm. On behalf of everyone at the Yellowstone Art Museum, thank you!
Yu and Me Books, in New York's Chinatown neighborhood, launched a GoFundMe on July 6, after a fire in a residential unit above the store caused significant smoke and water damage. Within 12 hours, the fundraiser easily surpassed its goal of $150,000, raising nearly $215,000 at the time of this article's publication, with more than 3,500 donors pitching in. Authors Celeste Ng and Vanessa Chan and actor Simu Liu each donated $5,000 to the shop.

The store lost "the majority of our inventory and much of our equipment that makes our day-to-day business possible," the shop's staff said in a collective statement on its GoFundMe page. "Most devastatingly, we've been told that the store will require a complete gut renovationestimated to take about a year to complete." The store added that "insurance money won't be coming in for at least eight months." Yu & Me will use the money crowdfunded for staff wages and healthcare, creating a pop-up or temporary space, replacing damaged inventory and all technology and POS systems, and more.

The bookstore/cafe/bar was founded in 2021 by Lucy Yu, then a 27-year-old former chemical engineer and supply chain manager. A woman-owned, Asian Americanowned business, it has received an outpouring of support on social media overnight, especially from the Asian American writing community.

The Yu and Me GoFundMe is still open and accepting donations.

Devastated to learn today about the fire that gutted @yuandmebooks. It will take them a year to rebuildbut I believe in them, and that our community will keep them afloat. Theyve given so much to us; now its our turn. Please give what you can. https://t.co/vNd1iEkKCL  Celeste Ng (@pronounced_ing) July 7, 2023

On July 4th, Yu & Me bookstore the first Asian American woman owned bookstore  had a devastating fire. The store needs to close for a year. Please give and give generously. Were all in this together. Thank you. https://t.co/LsbXvGdDIX  Min Jin Lee (@minjinlee11) July 7, 2023
A somewhat abbreviated column this week begins with a chance to look back at one of the more talked about sessions at the recently concluded ALA Annual Conference: Emily Amick, former counsel to U.S. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumerand @emilyinyourphone on social mediawho spoke at ALA about how right wing groups like Moms for Liberty are fueling a nationwide surge in book bans, and why. This week, Amick published a version of her ALA speech on her Substack, and it's well-worth a share.

The presentation, first delivered at the United For Libraries President's Program at ALA last month (with an introduction from UFL president Gordon Baker) discussed how Moms for Liberty works alongside groups like ALEC (a conservative group that focuses on state legislatures) and the Heritage Foundation (the conservative group that has worked effectively in recent years to reshape the judiciary) to harness "culture war" issues in a broader pursuit of political power.

"Books bans arent about the books. They are part of a much bigger fight over who gets to control the contours of our societywhat ideas, what people, what history are we going to allow to exist," Amick writes. "So while I know its absolutely critical for [the library community] to be equipped with the tactics and techniques to fight book bans, I want to push you to think bigger about what were up against and how to fight it."

By now, the political nature of the current surge in book bans (and the role played by groups like Moms for Liberty) is no secret. But Amick's speech offers a quick, straightforward, and easily shareable primer on what librarians, teachers, and freedom to read advocates are up against, and includes some ideas on how to fight back.

IFLA (the International Federation of Library Associations) announced this week that it will hold a member referendum on the group's recently announced decision to hold its World Library and Information Congress 2024 in Dubai, UAE. IFLA has faced significant criticism for selecting Dubai, as homosexuality is illegal there. It's unclear whether IFLA is having second thoughts, as the referendum is "advisory only," IFLA officials note in their announcement, not a binding vote.

At the ALA Annual Conference, the ALA Council passed a resolution condemning IFLA's decision to meet in Dubai "without the inclusion of the full and unfettered participation of the LGBTI special interest group (SIG) and the allowance of programming and other activities related to the LGBTQIA+ community with guarantees of the safety and immunity from prosecution of crimes related to consensual homosexual activity and gender expression." There appears to be no such assurance at this time.

"IFLA sought assurances that there would be no barriers to including the discussion of services to LGBTQ+ users in the conference," notes an IFLA advisory paper. "However, on 25 May 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the constitution and laws of the UAE mean that Dubai is unable to provide a platform for the LGBTQ+ Users Special Interest Group to discuss topics related to equity and inclusion issues of LGBTQ+ communities in the conference."

CNN reports on how book "vendors" in Texas are feeling the burden of a new state law that requires them to implement a book rating system to sell to school libraries. "Book vendors selling to Texas public schools, ranging from national sellers like Amazon to local bookstores with eight employees, must now rate all the books they sell based on sexual content, according to new legislation signed into law on June 12," the report notes. Ben Conn, president of the Educational Book and Media Association, told reporters the law burdens the entire book industry, from Amazon and publishers like Penguin Random House to independent booksellers like BookPeople, whose CEO Charley Rejsek told reporters she doesnt have the time or resources to rate the thousands of books she might sell to a school. "Were losing all school business forever. Thats how its going to hurt us, Rejsek told CNN.

In North Dakota, the Grand Forks Herald reports on what comes next for librarians following the passage of House Bill 1205, which requires that libraries remove or relocate vaguely defined "explicit sexual material" from children's collections. "Librarians in the region have previously shared their concern on the bills vague language and how that could impact day-to-day operations, specifically how much material librarians may have to sift through," the report states. The bill defines "explicit sexual material" as material "patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community in North Dakota as a whole with respect to what is suitable material for minors."

 Books bans arent about the books. They are part of a much bigger fight over who gets to control the contours of our society. 

The Louisiana Illuminator reports that governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, has signed a controversial state law that requires libraries to restrict minors access to material the state defines as sexually explicit. Among the bill's provisions, it requires libraries to "create a card system so parents can prevent their children from checking out books deemed inappropriate," the report notes along with adopting new policy language on access to "material that describes sexual conduct. If libraries do not comply, the state can withhold funding from libraries. As we have said from the beginning, this bill paves the way for book bans across Louisiana, financially penalizing libraries that do not have the means to comply, while doing nothing to solve the great number of actual problems we are dealing with, Lynette Mejia, cofounder of Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship, told the Illuminator.

Over at Book Riot, Kelly Jensen begins her weekly censorship column by noting that it is not just new tiles that book banners are going after. "Despite growth in diversity both in publishing and in young people, it is curious to see that the most banned and challenged books in the USA average a publication date equal to todays teenagers," she writes."These books, many classics of course, are not contemporary depictions of concerns or realities of todays teens; good literature endures, so this isnt a condemnation of that. Instead, its a moment to pause and realize that the process of getting books banned is long, requires wide access to books, and has a wealth of information about previous challenges and bans upon which book censorship advocates can draw."

In Kansas, local affiliate 12 News reports that the Sterling library director Kari Wheeler has been fired by the library board, which Wheeler suggests was in retaliation for not removing a rainbow flag from a display.

In Utah, local station KUER talks with a second generation librarian who is taking a break from the profession amid the pressures of the job today. "As much as Bates cares deeply about her students and loves libraries, the job has taken a toll on her mental health," the report notes. "Bates attributes multiple factors to why she is quitting but said the rise in book challenges and book bans over the last couple of years has certainly played a role. Her mom was in a middle school library for over 10 years, she said, and only received one book challenge... When Bates reflects on her recent career, she estimates she has dealt with some form of book banning or censorship every month for the last two years. 'It is not sustainable,' Bates said. 'I cant do it.'

In the U.K., the Guardian has an article on a new report that stresses the value of libraries. "Libraries in England generate at least 3.4 billion in value a year through services supporting childrens literacy, digital inclusion and health," the article notes, citing research from the University of East Anglia. "The report, published on Friday, should be a 'gamechanger' for how libraries are viewed by 'local and national' decision-makers, said Isobel Hunter, chief executive of Libraries Connected, the charity that commissioned the report. "'The evidence is clear: investing in libraries brings huge returns for local communities and the public purse.'

LawSites reports on a survey of 275 legal professionals conducted by Wolters Kluwer and Above the Law, which suggests that law librarians are at risk of being replaced by generative AI. But opinions vary. I cant imagine a significant number of law firms, especially solo practitioners and small firms, adopting AI at a fast pace at all, one commentator pointed out. It took law firms 10 or 15 years to adopt cloud technology.

And finally this week, from Queens, QNS reports on New York City libraries honoring the 50th anniversary of hip hop with some pretty cool programs and events, including a dope library card from Queens Public Library designed by Shirt Kings streetwear.

"While set to be available at QPL branches on July 14, the new library cards will first be available at a release party at the Queens Central Library at 89-11 Merrick Blvd. at 11:30 a.m. on July 13. The party will offer attendees with early access to the cards and feature the Shirt Kings, QPL Hip Hop Coordinator Ralph McDaniels, and other special guest," writes John Schilling. "In addition to QPL, the New York Public Library (NYPL) will also release a special edition card recognizing hip-hop, but with a different design. Instead of the Shirt Kings, NYPLs card features the 'Wild Style' mural from the original soundtrack of the 1983 film of the same name. Created by Charlie Ahearn and set in the South Bronx, 'Wild Style' is considered to be the first-ever hip-hop film."
Kirk Howard, founder of Canadian independent publishing house Dundurn Press, has died at 80.

Howard founded Dundurn in 1972 to publish books on Canadian history. The press quickly expanded, acquiring other Canadian publishers including Natural Heritage Books, Thomas Allen Publishers, and XYZ Publishing, which enabled the house to expand into a wider variety of topics. Dundurn has published some 2,600 books to date.

Among the notable titles published by Dundurn are Barbara Fradkins Amanda Doucette and Inspector Green mystery series, several editions of Phil Edmonstons Lemon-Aid New and Used Cars and Trucks, and artist biographies such as James Kings Inward Journey: The Life of Lawren Harris and Steve Paikins biography of Bill Davis, as well as Paikin's book Paikin and the Premiers,

Dundurn titles have won many of the major Canadian book prizes, from the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize (formerly known as the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize), the Governor Generals Award, the Speakers Book Award, and awards presented by the cities of Ottawa, Toronto, and Victoria.

Under Howard's leadership, Dundurn was credited with bringing aggressive modern marketing to Canadian publishing and bookselling. The tactic that drew criticism and controversy over the years.

Howard also played a key role in the development of several publishing institutions in Canada. He served as president of the Association of Canadian Publishers and the Organization of Book Publishers of Ontario, and was founder of the Commonwealth Book Publishers Association. In 2017, he was awarded the presidents award by the Association of Canadian Publishers, and in 2018, he was named a member of the Order of Canada for his work advancing Canadian publishing.

A group of tech investors purchased Dundurn in 2019. Last year, in 2022, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary by relaunching with a new colophon. Today, Kwame Scott Fraser serves as publisher.
A Burleigh County official wants North Dakota to stop counting ballots that are received after Election Day.

Burleigh County Auditor Mark Splonskowski filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday asking the U.S. District Court in North Dakota to decide the constitutionality of North Dakota law when it comes to accepting ballots after Election Day. Federal law conflicts with North Dakota Century Code, putting him at risk of criminal prosecution if he chooses incorrectly which law to enforce, Splonskowskis lawsuit claimed.

North Dakota law and Defendants enforcement of it harm Mr. Splonskowski because they put him in the position of having to choose between dictates of state law to accept and allow votes to be cast after Election Day and federal law that requires a single election day, the civil complaint said.

The lawsuit names North Dakota Election Director Erika White as the defendant. Splonskowski has asked the U.S. District Court to declare North Dakota violates federal law by allowing ballots that come in after Election Day to be counted.

He also asked White be banned from enforcing the North Dakota law and training elected officials to accept what he called "late ballots."

The Secretary of States Office, where White works, did not respond to a request for comment. Splonskowski also did not return a message left by The Forum. He did not immediately respond to a Bismarck Tribune request for comment Friday.

North Dakota allows counties to accept absentee ballots in person the day before Election Day. If mailed, the ballot must be postmarked the day before, as well, according to Century Code.

Some mailed ballots may not be received and counted by county officials until days after Election Day. Counties must finalize voting results during a process called canvassing 13 days after Election Day, according to North Dakota law.

Some, including Splonskowski in his lawsuit, have criticized mail-in ballots as allowing elections to last beyond Election Day, with residents not knowing who their elected officials are until days later.

Federal law prescribes votes to be tabulated on Election Day, as every mention of the day is singular, and not plural, Splonskowski said in his lawsuit.

The lawsuit displayed a political cartoon that made fun of the election process. An election official shown in the cartoon holds a piece of paper and says, Election Day could last weeks.

The auditor argued in his lawsuit that he could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor if he knowingly excludes a qualified elector from voting or allows an unqualified individual to vote. That carries a maximum punishment of 360 days in jail.

He also could face charges for failing to properly perform his duty as an election officer and willfully violating the Secretary of States rules, according to the civil complaint. If he willfully makes a false canvass of votes, he could be charged with a Class C felony and be subject to five years in prison, the lawsuit said.

"Mr. Splonskowski has no other remedy in law and will suffer serious and irreparable harm to his constitutional rights unless Defendant is enjoined from implementing North Dakotas laws related to accepting late ballots," the lawsuit said.

In the November 2022 election, Burleigh County received at least 53 ballots after Election Day, 30 of which were counted, the lawsuit said. One ballot that didnt have a postmark was counted, according to the complaint.

North Dakotas 53 counties received almost 300 ballots after the last general election on Nov. 8, with 212 being counted.

Cass County counted 121 ballots that came in legally after Election Day, Cass County Election Coordinator Craig Steingaard said. The Cass County canvassing board decides which ballots to accept, and any that are received late in-person or postmarked on Election Day or afterward are not counted, he said.

Every county gets to make that decision, too, he said. Any ballot that comes in after the canvassing date, that is 13 days after the election, those are not accepted. Those are automatically rejected. They cant be counted.

Splonskowski was elected auditor in the 2022 general election in November, winning by 2% over Kirsten Dvorak. That means he did not act as auditor in the last general election, but he would be a part of the canvassing board for the 2024 election and must train election officials who will accept ballots.

Splonskowski resigned in March from the Bismarck City Commission, to which he was elected in June 2020, after Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer expressed conflict of interest concerns if he held both positions.

Attorney David Chapman of West Fargo is representing Splonskowski in the case. Court documents also listed Public Interest Legal Foundation lawyer Noel Johnson as the auditor's legal counsel.

The Public Interest Legal Foundation is a conservative nonprofit based in Virginia that says it is dedicated to election integrity. It is known for suing election officials over voter rolls.

Foundation Board of Directors Chairwoman Cleta Mitchell represented former President Donald Trump in his failed legal efforts to overturn the 2020 election, during which he lost the presidential election to Joe Biden.

The organization in a statement said the lawsuit is meant to "restore the day in Election Day.

Election Day has ceased to be a day, Foundation President J. Christian Adams said. Instead, we have election month because states accept ballots that arrive days and even weeks after Election Day. Not only does this lead to distrust and chaos in the system, but it also violates federal law."
Austrian Federal Railways (OBB) is working with Stadler in order to replace the Austrian local and long-distance transport fleet.

Stadler has now received a further order for 35 new KISS double-decker multiple units worth approximately 600 million as part of the 2022 framework agreement, which could see up to 186 of the double-decker units ordered.

This latest order follows a call-off for 41 KISS double-decker multiple units from the agreement last year and will see a further 14 six-car trains which will be used on long-distance services alongside 21 KISS vehicles which will support local travel. The trains will see a staggered deployment, which is anticipated to begin in mid-2026.

The KISS double-decker multiple units have proved to be extremely popular with Stadler's customers across 14 countries due to its spacious and innovative design. This latest order comes as a great vote of confidence for the Swiss railway and rolling stock manufacturer, demonstrating its commitment and willingness to support the project.

Peter Spuhler, Executive Chair of Stadler's Board of Directors, said: Stadler and OBB have set themselves the goal of jointly modernising Austrian rail transport. With its high degree of innovation, our KISS model is an essential solution for passenger- and environmentally friendly rail transport  on both local and long-distance routes. We would like to thank OBB for their trust in us. We look forward to working together to deliver the next generation of double-decker multiple units for Austria

OBB CEO, Andreas Mattha said: At OBB, the passenger boom continues: Long-distance transport recorded a total of 41.6 million passengers in 2022  even surpassing our previous record year of 2019. Not only are we very proud of this result, but we are also implementing other measures to further increase capacity on our trains. We are investing in the heart of our long-distance service  the Railjet  and will be adding modern Railjet double-decker trains to the existing fleet for the first time,

The KISS platform has been in operation since 2010 and provides a vehicle suited to both long-distance and local services, offering excellent capacity and the very latest facilities.

The impressive vehicle, which can reach speeds of up to 200km/h, sees approximately 380 seats when used in a four-car configuration which is suited to local service. The six-car long-distance train offers passengers around 480 seats with first-class options and two catering facilities.

The new double-decker multiple unit offers around 380 seats in the four-car configuration for local transport.

The KISS double-decker multiple unit's latest design has been carefully designed in order to meet the needs of passengers, such as those travelling for work or leisure. Each car features a low-floor entrance and a multi-purpose area which provides space and ease of accessibility for those travelling with bikes, pushchairs or luggage. The vehicles also feature specially dedicated wheelchair spaces which include height adjustable tables.
Recently, the House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 24 Defense Appropriations Bill ( PDF ). Included in the bill is a prohibition on the Department of Defense (DoD) using any of the funds to provide financial assistance and paid leave for service members and qualified family members who travel over state lines for abortion care. This would rescind a pair of recently implemented DoD policies designed to improve access to reproductive health care for service women and female dependents.

If passed, these prohibitions would likely impact tens of thousands of women on active duty. In September 2022, the RAND Corporation found that roughly 40 percent of women on active duty have either severely restricted access or no access at all to abortion carebased on the state in which they are stationedas a result of the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson in June 2022. The Dobbs decision removed the constitutional right to abortion, and it allowed states to determine the legality of abortion care. As a result, the landscape of access to legal abortion has changed: An update of RAND's September 2022 figure shows that the percentage of active-duty service women who have no or severely restricted access to abortion care has increased to 46 percent. This means that roughly half of all women currently serving in America's active-duty military have restricted access to the full suite of reproductive health care.

Unlike most civilians, members of the military do not get to choose where they live. Many of the states with the largest populations of service membersFlorida, Georgia, North Carolina, Texasalso have complete bans or severe restrictions associated with abortion care. Service women stationed in these states have to travel hundreds of miles and incur great personal expense to receive abortion care.

Roughly half of all women currently serving in America's active-duty military have restricted access to the full suite of reproductive health care. Share on Twitter

The DoD policies targeted by the appropriations billwhich aim to lessen the personal and financial burden placed on individual service memberswere a direct response to the Dobbs decision's impact on service women.

Beyond abortion care, it is important to note that service women also struggle with access to the full suite of reproductive health care. Take, for instance, the headline-making shortage of obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) in Okinawa, Japan, or the delays in OB-GYN appointments at Camp LeJeune in North Carolina. A 2020 survey of active-duty service women found that 13 percent waited more than four weeks to get an appointment with an OB-GYN in the Military Health System (MHS). When asked how often it was easy to get an appointment with an MHS OB-GYN, close to one-third said never.

Access to reproductive health care outside the MHS is equally difficultand growing more so. Prior to Dobbs, the United States was already falling short of the needed number of OB-GYNs. Post-Dobbs, the number of applicants to obstetrics and gynecology residency programs has fallen, with the largest drops seen in states with total abortion bans. One analysis found that 29 percent of obstetrics and gynecology residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education are located in states or territories where pre-viability abortions are banned. Moving forward, it is unclear how these programs will be able to train students on the full scope of reproductive health. Should service women seek care outside the MHS, these facts suggest they will struggle to find care, and will have differential access based on where they live.

The immediate impact of the Dobbs decision on service women's access to abortion care is clear, however, the full impact remains unknown. Nonetheless, clues indicate that women may be turning away from military serviceand this trend may be exacerbated in a post-Dobbs America. According to a briefing provided to the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, female enlistment in the Army has declined every year since 2019. Recent data ( PDF ) from the Joint Advertising, Market Research, and Studies survey, DoD's data for understanding the propensity of youth to join the military, found that one of the top 10 reasons why youth would not consider joining the military is the possibility of experiencing sexual assault and sexual harassment. Though correlation does not equal causation, recent high-profile cases, like that of Spc. Vanesa Guillen, have clearly permeated public consciousness and the current youth climate for military service.

Being a victim of military sexual assault is associated with many well-documented, life-altering consequences. Pregnancy can be one of those. Limitations in access to OB-GYN care in both military and civilian health care systems are problematic, and can be particularly acute for those who become pregnant as a result of sexual assault. In both cases, this lack of access can be directly tied to geography and, more importantly, to the fact that women who serve in the military have little to no say over where they live.

Lack of access to OB-GYN care can be directly tied to geography and, more importantly, to the fact that women who serve in the military have little to no say over where they live. Share on Twitter

The perils of sexual assault and lack of access to the full range of health care options is further exacerbated by a mismatch between the letter of the law and the practice of the law. A New York Times investigation into abortion access since the Dobbs decision found that rape exceptions to abortion bans were rarely to never used in practice; in nearly every incidence of a woman seeking any exception (rape, incest, life of the mother), the woman was counseled to travel to a state with more-permissive laws. Complicating the landscape is the addition of vigilante enforcement or punitive actions against physicians even suspected of performing abortion. These mechanisms have been found to create fear-based discouragement for seeking care when needed.

Women who serve in the military are exposed to a higher risk of sexual assault than their male peers, have limited access to the full suite of reproductive health care due to the inability to select the location of their assignments, and continue to experience stigma associated with being pregnant. What signal does revoking policies related to improved access to reproductive health care send to young women who are considering the military as a possible path for them? Given an already concerning recruiting environment, can we really afford to further alienate an entire gender when it comes to protecting our national security?

Kyleanne Hunter is a senior political scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. Sarah O. Meadows is a senior sociologist at RAND and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School.

Commentary gives RAND researchers a platform to convey insights based on their professional expertise and often on their peer-reviewed research and analysis.
The Second Amendment Foundation is celebrating a ruling by a federal judge in Texas against Joe Bidens ATF by vacating the agencys final rule which treated unfinished frames and receivers the same as if they are functional firearms.

In a 38-page ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Reed OConnor, the ruling said in part that:

A part that has yet to be completed or converted to function as frame or receiver is not a frame or receiver. ATFs declaration that a component is a frame or receiver does not make it so if, at the time of evaluation, the component does not yet accord with the ordinary public meaning of those terms.

In short, this throws out the ATFs attempt to create law and make 80% and other unfinished pieces of metal firearms.

Judge OConnor puts ATF on the spot by rejecting the governments argument that it has previously taken action against a firearm component, thus it has regulatory authority over firearm parts. But the judge observes, If these administrative records show, as Defendants contend, that ATF has previously regulated components that are not yet frames or receivers but could readily be converted into such items, then the historical practice does nothing more than confirm that the agency has, perhaps in multiple specific instances over several decades, exceeded the lawful bounds of its statutory jurisdiction. That the agency may have historically acted ultra vires does not convince the Court it should be permitted to continue the practice.

We are delighted with Judge OConnors ruling, and it certainly underscores why we intervened in this case, said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. This decision amounts to another court blow to Joe Bidens anti-gun agenda, which threatens the very Constitution he swore to uphold and defend when he took office.

This case is one more example of the Biden administrations ongoing effort to exceed its authority in an effort to place as many restrictions as possible on the rights of law-abiding gun owners, added SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. We are pleased the court took this decisive action, and we will litigate this issue to finality, if and when, the government appeals.
North Dakota's attorney general on Thursday announced a settlement with three gambling equipment distributors he accused in April of violating the state's charitable gambling laws and regulations. But now their licenses could be in jeopardy if he finds issues with an email he said the companies sent to their customers regarding the settlement.

The settlement, which includes a $125,000 fine and acknowledgement of wrongdoing, comes as state lawmakers and gambling regulators have been grappling with issues related to electronic pull tab machines, which have proliferated in North Dakota since 2018. The Legislature this spring passed a bill to limit the devices, which function like slot machines, while a legislative study of the state's charitable gambling issues unfolds.

Attorney General Drew Wrigley in April filed an administrative complaint accusing Western Distributing Company, Plains Gaming Distributing Inc. and Midwest Gaming Distributing Inc. of facilitating excessive rent payments and attempting to influence bars' charitable gambling activities through the Wall of Honor veterans nonprofit. The Wall of Honor recognizes military members and veterans and emergency responders on indoor digital display boards in places such as bars, restaurants and fraternal organizations.

Wrigley had alleged a scheme involving the Wall of Honor as an enticement to get bars to use electronic pull tab machines provided exclusively by the three distributors, and to influence bars to switch charitable gambling organizations, The Bismarck Tribune reported in April.

These gaming violations undermine the integrity of charitable gaming in North Dakota. Those responsible for these improper actions violated the public trust and the trust of the charities that relied on them," Wrigley said in a statement. "The last year has brought a new day in gaming enforcement, and the public can be assured that law enforcement and the outstanding professionals in the Attorney Generals Gaming Division are working hard to protect the integrity of the limited charitable gaming that is permitted under North Dakota law.

Wrigley had sought to revoke the distributors' licenses and fine them.

Among the settlement's terms is a maximum $125,000 fine against the three distributors, who also must pay attorney costs incurred by Wrigley's office, totaling over $36,000 so far. Western and Plains President and shareholder Dave Wisdom and his immediate relatives also will be removed from ownership and other involvement with the companies.

Wisdom did not immediately respond to an email or phone message from The Associated Press for comment on the settlement or the email the attorney general is scrutinizing.

The settlement also includes an acknowledgement by the distributors of wrongdoing and of inaccurate public statements, and potential revocation of the distributors' licenses if they don't comply with the settlement's terms or if they commit other violations during the next three years.

Wrigley said in an interview he is reviewing the email sent to the distributors' customers and any related statements the companies might make, citing an agreement of the settlement that the distributors will refrain from making any statements contrary to the settlement's terms and acknowledgements.

He wouldn't elaborate on what in the email caught his attention, an email he called a very significant and troubling development. His office has reached out to the distributors' counsel, he said.

This is not a public relations matter for them. It's a legal matter," he told AP.

Wrigley said he has discretion to revoke the distributors' licenses if he finds the email violated the terms of the settlement.

The Wall of Honor in a statement said its board of directors is "pleased a settlement has been reached between the Attorney Generals office and Western Distributing companies." The nonprofit was not accused in the complaint.

The Wall of Honor has 132 locations, 68 of which are eligible for charitable gambling. Of those 68, the distributors named in the complaint have machines in 28 locations, 21 of which Western had long before the Wall of Honor concept, the nonprofit said.

The Wall of Honor did have discussions with several veteran organizations regarding the opportunity charitable gaming would provide their organizations to sustain their brand and keep membership alive. Sustainability of veteran organizations is as important as honoring the men and women who served our country, Wall of Honor Volunteer Executive Director Tammy Ibach said in the statement.
Fire that killed 2 aboard a cargo ship in New Jersey is expected to burn for days

A cargo ship burned for a third day and will likely smolder for several more days at a New Jersey port after two firefighters died in the blaze
Google, in its latest appeal to the Supreme Court, has said the Competition Commission of India (CCI) is protecting Amazons interests after having complained that Indias anti-competition body (CCI) had copied part of a European Commission ruling against it for allegedly abusing the market dominance of Android.

Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters

The latest twist to the Google-CCI case comes as Google filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on June 26, against the National Company Law Appellate Tribunals (NCLATs) March 29 order.

The tech giants contention is that the NCLAT failed to apply the effect analysis part in the CCI order.

In its appeal, which Business Standard has seen, Google said: The Tribunal correctly held that an effects analysis is required to establish a contravention of Section 4 (abuse of dominance) of the Competition Act, but did not properly apply this test to the Commissions Order.

"Had the Tribunal applied the effects test, it would have found that Googles agreements were incapable of causing any anticompetitive effects.

The CCI had found Google to have allegedly abused its dominant position in contravention of the Competition Act, 2002.

It had penalised Google and asked it to pay Rs 1,337.76 crore for practices related to Android devices.

It also ordered the tech giant to cease and desist from various unfair business practices and allow modified versions of its Android operating system, called Android fork.

In the latest Supreme Court appeal, Google alleged the tribunal ignored relevant evidence and relied on what was irrelevant and unreliable.

The only competitor that came forth was Amazon.

The only competitor who came forth to lament forking down was Amazon -- a technology giant -- which instead of investing in creating a competing ecosystem (like Apple, Windows, and Android) wanted to fork down Android OS, said Google in its appeal.

During its investigation the CCI had approached industry players and asked if Google used its dominance. Amazon was among them.

Amazon told the CCI that Googles dominance hindered the growth of its FireOS, which was an Android fork.

Globally, FireOS failed commercially due to poor user experience. In India, the Fire Phone was not even launched. Thus, the Commission called Amazons lack of attempt to compete in India a failure and attributed it to Googles agreements, said the appeal.

An attempt to get Googles response on the issue did not elicit a response. Amazon declined to comment on the matter.

Legal experts, however, said the CCI did not just rely on third-party submissions.

Third-party submissions are one of the many pieces of evidence considered by the CCI.

"One of the most common exercises undertaken by competition authorities worldwide in abuse of dominance cases is to seek comments from rivals of the dominant entity in order to get a holistic view of the case before it.

"In any case, enquiries under the Competition Act are proceedings in rem (as opposed to proceedings in personam) and changes directed by the CCI are aimed at protecting the competitive process and not the competitor, said G R Bhatia, partner, Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India.

Google alleged the tribunal did not take comments by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Samsung, Sony and Oppo.

It relied on players like Lava and Xiaomi, which said they did not attempt to develop an Android fork.

In its March 2023 order, the NCLAT, while upholding the penalty on Google, had held the submission by Amazon and eight other OEMs were relevant and properly considered by the CCI.

"Accordingly, in the appeal against the said NCLAT order pending before Supreme Court, one of the moot issues will certainly involve adjudication on the correctness and relevancy of the claims of Amazon and other OEMs, said Hemant Kothari, principal, HK Law Chambers, Jaipur.

The tech giant argues that over 30,000 Indian app developers are distributing their apps through Playstore with more than 150,000 apps currently available.

Almost half the top 200 apps installed in India in 2019 were developed by Indian companies.
'If they don't make Ajit Pawar chief minister, what can he do?'

IMAGE: Newly sworn-in Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai, July 2, 2023. Photograph: Sahil Salvi

"Will the BJP let Ajit Pawar become so big?", Vijay Chormare, political commentator and long-time Pawar family watcher, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com in the concluding segment of a two-part interview.

Part 1 of the Interview: 'It's aar-paar ki ladaai between chacha-bhatija'

Narendra Modi recently called the NCP as Natural Corrupt Party, a fact highlighted by Supriya Sule in her speech. So how will the BJP benefit from bringing NCP politicians into the Maharashtra government?

The BJP had no reason to get the NCP in the cabinet or to weaken the NCP as a party.

Eknath Shinde's government was formed in June 2022 and three months later there was a voter survey in which it was stated that out of 48 seats in Maharashtra, the BJP-Sena will get only 18 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections while the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi will get 30 seats.

This was a poll by C-Voter, which is very reliable.

The BJP realised that they are not going to benefit an iota by taking Shinde on their side in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. They want to win a minimum 40 seats from Maharashtra in 2024 and with Uddhav Thackeray closing the doors on them permanently they decided to go after NCP leaders.

The BJP's sole aim is to increase their Lok Sabha seats from Maharashtra in 2024 and the NCP leaders who joined them have a sole reason, to escape the wrath of central agencies.

Will the BJP's core voter not turn against them?

Yes, this political development matters to the BJP's core voter.

The Congress-NCP core voter will never vote for the BJP.

They feel with Shinde if the BJP-Sena are going to get only 18 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra, then by taking Ajit Pawar they will get 15 to 20 more seats. This is their assumption.

Is that the reason Ajit Pawar defended and praised Modi in his speech?

He has been defending Modi for very long.

He defended Modi over his college degree issue.

He also defended the Modi government on the electronic voting machine issue.

In the last six months, he has not spoken a word against Modi.

Did Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's advertisement that he is more popular in Maharashtra than Devendra Fadnavis lead to getting the NCP on their side, to cut him to size?

This political development has nothing to do with Shinde or Devendra Fadnavis. This entire operation has been done by Amit Shah.

Is the BJP not confident of winning Maharashtra in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections?

After Shinde-Fadnavis formed the government in June 2022 there is too much of negativity going on in people's minds against them.

They are getting this input from their internal surveys and therefore they wanted some plus points to counter this negative sentiment, so they got NCP leaders into the cabinet.

They are still not confident, though, of the people's sentiments turning in their favour.

In the 2019 elections the BJP won 23 Lok Sabha seats and Shiv Sena won 18 seats. One more they got as an Independent MP in Navneet Rana who ironically won with the NCP's support.

So out of 48, the BJP had 42 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 from Maharashtra. Now if the Shinde group manages to win only four Lok Sabha seats then it is a drop of 14 seats, which is a big number.

Is it true that after August 11 Shinde will be disqualified as Speaker Rahul Narwekar will not give a favourable ruling on him and the other rebel Sena MLAs?

This discussion is going on in the inner circles for sure, as many feel that Ajit Pawar has joined the government to become chief minister. This is the agreement and therefore he has joined them.

The Supreme Court has given guidelines to the speaker of Maharashtra on what he has to follow and he will have to do so accordingly, therefore I feel there are chances that Shinde will have to quit his post.

But then it is too early to say because will the BJP let Ajit Pawar become so big? You never know what they are thinking as they are the BJP.

Now, Ajit Pawar has come into the BJP's cage and there is no way he can escape from it.

Even if they do not make him chief minister, what can he do? There is no other road for him.

Sharad Pawar was looking very sad, isn't it?

He is sad for sure because so many of his proteges and close men have left him at this juncture.

Dilip Walse Patil's father was his close friend and he took his son to Pawar and told him to give guidance in his life.

Pawar made Dilip Walse Patil his personal secretary and then an MLA, home minister too in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. He got much more than what he deserved according to his capabilities.

Pawar is hurt for sure as even Chhagan Bhujbal, who was his ideological political protege, has left him. He had quit the Shiv Sena in 1991 to join hands with Pawar and was always with him.

Does it mean ideology is dead in Maharashtra politics?

Sharad Pawar and his daughter Supriya Sule have the ideology line of politics.

Ajit Pawar though spoke that he is with his ideology in simplified terms, but that is not the right path.

He told his party workers that when the NCP shook hands with Shiv Sena our secular ideology did not break, so what is wrong if we go with the BJP? He was trying to simplify things, but it is not that simple when it comes to political ideology.

Ajit Pawar also stated that minorities in Maharashtra need not fear because now he is in the government.

I personally feel that Ajit Pawar can apply the brakes on the communal politics of Fadnavis and Shinde. He will never do communal politics.

This will be good for Maharashtra as Ajit Pawar will never allow the communal harmony of the state to be disturbed.

Sharad Pawar too in his political life never shook hands with the BJP to form a government because of their ideology.

However, Ajit Pawar said in his speech that Sharad Pawar formed the government with the Jan Sangh in 1978 (when they were part of the Janata Party) and in 2014 Sharad Pawar decided to support the BJP from outside when the Shiv Sena was delaying support to the Fadnavis government. But he never worked with the BJP directly in power.

Ajit Pawar also said that in 2017 Sharad Pawar had almost decided to be a part of BJP-Sena government.

He didn't do so eventually. He must be trying to trap the BJP in some game. It is possible that he wanted to keep the BJP in the dark by not letting them know his motives.

In 2019, he did that by trapping the BJP to form the government with Ajit Pawar and later dumping them to join hands with the Shiv Sena and Congress to form the government.

It looks like Ajit Pawar was hurt as he was used as a political pawn and got all the flak for joining hands with BJP and turning his back on them in 2019.

It was all Sharad Pawar's game plan and he just obeyed his leader quietly, and suffering the humiliation.

This is not true. Fadnavis said one week ago that in 2019, when the swearing-in ceremony took place, Sharad Pawar went back on his word of three days before.

Sharad Pawar had backtracked on supporting Fadnavis as CM in 2019 and still Ajit Pawar on his own went and took oath as deputy chief minister.

Sharad Pawar has never compromised on secularism in whichever party he has been.

Even now many MLAs went to meet Sharad Pawar and told him that they want to go with the BJP and also told him that 50 out of 53 MLAs of the NCP will shake hands with the BJP.

Sharad Pawar told them that whoever wants to go can go, but he will not go to share power with the BJP.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar's entry into the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state posed no threat to him.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, second from left, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, right, and newly sworn-in Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, left with Governor Ramesh Bais at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, July 2, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Parties split when hard-working workers are neglected, he said while commenting on Ajit Pawar's rebellion against his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

"Such things happen when meritorious party workers are sidelined. Ajit Pawar has himself said that it was Sharad Pawar who had wanted an alliance with the BJP in the past....in 2017, 2019 but did a U-turn later," Shinde told DD News in an interview.

He also pointed out that Sharad Pawar himself had rebelled against then chief minister Vasantdada Patil (in 1978) and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi (in 1999).

Dismissing speculation that he was about to be replaced as chief minister, Shinde said these were baseless rumours which cause him no "tension", and the "higher ups" will take appropriate decision.

The Shiv Sena led by him and the BJP are bound by ideology, he said.

"Now with a third partner, we have to work together strongly and make Narendra Modi prime minister again in 2024.....We have to win Maharashtra with more than 45 (out of 48 Lok Sabha) seats," Shinde said.

Ajit Pawar joined the government because of the development track record of his government, he added.

"Modi and (Amit) Shah have made me chief minister, and now with Ajit Pawar joining the government, we have become stronger....lot of work has been done in the constituencies of our MLAs in the last one year," he said.
The monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature will be held from July 17 to August 4. The decision was taken on Friday at a meeting of the Assembly's Business Advisory Committee (BAC).

IMAGE: Maharashtra governor Ramesh Bais with CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis during the swearing-in ceremony of Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar as the second deputy CM and eight MLAs as the state ministers, at Raj Bhavan, in Mumbai on Sunday, July 2, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Nationalist Congress Party leader Chhagan Bhujbal who joined the government on Sunday were present at the meeting along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis.

Sources in the BJP said the expansion of the cabinet was unlikely before the session though the allocation of portfolios to the NCP ministers might happen in the coming days.

A senior BJP leader said the council of ministers might comprise only cabinet ministers and no ministers of state.

However, a leader from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena said the cabinet expansion could happen in a day or two.

Both BJP and Shiv Sena members will be accommodated, he said.

There has been speculation about restlessness in the Shinde camp after the Ajit Pawar-led NCP faction became a part of the ruling alliance.

According to sources in the Nationalist Congress Party, which was split after Ajit Pawar and his supporters broke away, 19 MLAs have given affidavits saying they stand by party founder Sharad Pawar.

Six MLAs have sent messages asserting that they continue to be in the Sharad Pawar faction, the sources said.
According to insiders, "talks are on" between the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena at "an exploratory level".

Photograph: Satish Bodas/ Rediff.com IMAGE: Uddhav Thackeray, left, with cousin Raj Thackeray, estranged elder brother Jaidev and elder son Aditya at Balasaheb Thackeray's funeral at Mumbai's Shivaji Park, November 19, 2012.

Just four days after the Pawar versus Pawar, chacha-bhatija, battle for political supremacy between Sharad Pawar and his now-estranged nephew Ajit Pawar exploded under full public glare leading to an impending vertical split in the Sharad Pawar-founded Nationalist Congress Party, political developments that unfolded since the morning of July 6 indicate the punar-milan (reunion) of the estranged Thackeray cousins, Uddhav and Raj.

According to insiders, "talks are on" between the two political parties at "an exploratory level" to fathom the chances of a reunion between the Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which Raj Thackeray founded in 2006, because then Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray made it clear that his son Uddhav would lead the party he founded.

While the Thackeray versus Thackeray political split was not as acrimonious as the Pawar versus Pawar duel being played out presently, Raj Thackeray did go on to politically undermine the Shiv Sena's electoral prospects in urban Maharashtra in the 2009 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.

Interestingly, even though both the SS-UBT and MNS leaders officially deny the possibility of the cousins coming together, sources insist that Raj and Uddhav are in the know of proceedings and have given their blessings for the reunion considering the formidable force this would create in the context of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation elections, whenever they are scheduled.

The united Shiv Sena has been ruling the BMC -- India's richest municipal corporation -- since 1985, but the BJP came very close to dislodge it from the prestigious local body in 2017 with wins in 82 seats compared to the Shiv Sena's 84.

The BJP, ever since the Shiv Sena ditched it after the 2019 assembly elections and joined hands with the NCP and Congress to form the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in the state, has vowed to finish off SS-UBT's domination of the BMC, which the BJP thinks could further lead to the SS-UBT's unravelling.

"Daal shijayla thevli aahe; neet shijlyavar saglyanna kalelach (The curry is kept on the stove for cooking; everybody will know once it is ready to be served)," is how this insider cryptically revealed about the SS-UBT and MNS reunion.

"These are so far exploratory discussions, but both the Thackerays would be happy if some agreement is reached," says the insider.

The media caught the wind of this probable coming together on the morning of July 6 when MNS Vice President and Raj Thackeray confidant Abhijit Panse was seen outside Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut's Bhandup residence in north east Mumbai.

"Sanjay Raut is my close friend and I came to meet him for personal work," is how Panse evades the query about a possible patch up between the two brothers from Rediff.com.

IMAGE: Uddhav and Raj Thackeray.

Interestingly, Panse and Raut travelled together from Bhandup to the Saamana newspaper office in Prabhadevi, south central Mumbai, and spent some 90 minutes discussing political developments in Raut's car even as Panse's car followed them.

"Considering the current state of flux in Maharashtra we did discuss political developments," says Panse, who met MNS President Raj Thackeray after his "discussions over political developments" with Raut raised many political eyebrows.

"It is a given that the media will talk about my meeting with him (Raut) given the current imbroglio in Maharashtra politics. I am not surprised," says Panse.

Senior SS-UBT functionaries flatly deny that they had any inkling about Panse-Raut car-diplomacy.

SS-UBT's South Mumbai Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant believes that the possibility of the MNS and SS-UBT aligning together looks "quiet difficult."

Former Shiv Sena Lok Sabha MP from Aurangabad (now Sambhajinagar) Chandrakant Khaire says, "I did see on television that the former chief of the Bharatiya Vidyarthi Sena, the student wing of the Shiv Sena (Panse) met Raut saheb. I can't comment whether the two parties will come together or not, but such a decision rests with Uddhav saheb and only he can take a call on it."

"After all every MNS sainik is also a former Shiv Sainik who owes loyalty to Balasaheb (Thackeray, the party founder and its supremo). They are also original Shiv Sainiks. Even grassroots workers and cadres of both the parties fondly wish that the two parties come together for the benefit of the Marathi manoos," says Khaire.

Anil Parab, former transport minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government and three-time SS-UBT MLC, echoes both Khaire and Sawant.

"They regularly meet each other given their personal friendship," says Parab trying to downplay the car-diplomacy between Panse and Raut.

While refusing to admit or deny the possibility of a SS-UBT-MNS reunion, Parab says, "Any decision in such matters is taken by Uddhav saheb. They (Panse-Raut) are close friends just like many from our side sometime meet people like Bala Nandgaonkar and other MNS leaders. That doesn't mean anything," adds Parab, who was under the Enforcement Directorate lens on charges of money laundering last year.

On reports of some Shiv Sena MLAs from the Eknath Shinde camp seeking political shelter under their mother party, Parab says, "I don't know anything. Nobody is in touch with me. I can't say though if they are in touch with Uddhav saheb. Whatever the case, the ultimate decision rests with Uddhav saheb."

IMAGE: Balasaheb Thackeray, centre, flanked by his son Uddhav, left, and nephew Raj, right.

Political observers in Maharashtra who have been keenly watching the MNS since its inception in 2006 believe that the two parties reuniting could add significant heft to the political fortunes of the two Thackerays, particularly Raj and his MNS, who has been lost in the wilderness of Maharashtra politics after shining bright in the 2009 Vidhan Sabha and Lok sabha elections.

While the MNS's independent debut into electoral politics saw it emerge victorious in 13 assembly seats in Maharashtra, equally significantly the MNS dented chances of a dozen Shiv Sena-BJP alliance candidates in seats across the urban belts of Thane, Mumbai and Nashik, says a political analyst.

"The MNS tallied 24 per cent votes in Mumbai, considered the Shiv Sena's strongest bastion in October 2009 under Balasaheb (Thackeray)'s leadership, the latter mustered only 18 per cent popular votes cast in that assembly election," he adds.

In fact, the MNS had already proved its electoral might when it ensured that the SS-BJP alliance lost all six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai in the general elections held in April 2009 along with Pune, Nashik, Kalyan, Thane and Aurangabad.

However, the MNS, says this analyst, peaked after its maiden foray and failed to sustain the tempo in the 2014 assembly elections when it won only one seat from Junnar in Pune district.

"If the MNS and SS-UBT do indeed come together, even if it is political expediency, the MNS will benefit significantly given the sympathy factor that is now working in (Uddhav) Thackeray's favour and against the BJP," adds this political analyst.

"The SS-UBT-MNS combine will register a historic, record-breaking victory riding on the votes of Mumbai's Marathi manoos and the sympathy wave that is only working in favour of Thackeray," he says.

"It will resurrect Raj Thackeray's political career for sure.
Expressing displeasure over the Gujarat high court's refusal to stay Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark, the Opposition party on Friday said it will knock the Supreme Court's doors for relief.

IMAGE: Congress supporters protest against the Gujarat High Court verdict on the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi over 'Modi surname' remark, in Patna, July 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

While Gujarat Congress leaders claimed it was the Bharatiya Janata Party's conspiracy to stop Gandhi from raising uncomfortable issues in Parliament, the ruling party leader Purnesh Modi, who had filed the defamation suit, said the disqualified Lok Sabha MP should be sensitive towards others.

"Our legal team will take up this matter in the Supreme Court. Since Gandhi had made the statement in Karnataka (during 2019 polls), it was not under the jurisdiction of Surat court (where suit was filed). It is the right as well as responsibility of political leaders to speak if something wrong was happening. Speaking about (businessmen) Lalit Modi and Nirav Modi, who fled after looting the country's wealth, is not a crime," said Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil.

Gohil, speaking after the HC ruling earlier in the day, maintained that in the past the apex court has provided relief to accused in different cases.

"This matter (defamation case) will definitely go till the Supreme Court. In 2016, a court in Amreli convicted sitting MP Naran Kachhadiya for assaulting a Dalit doctor. Later, the SC gave him relief, saying 'though it was a serious crime, the conviction should not stop him from carrying out his responsibilities as a people's representative'," he added.

Giving another example, the Congress leader said a court in Kerala gave relief to a Member of Parliament in a case of attempted murder.

"I am confident the SC will give similar relief to Rahul Gandhi," said the Rajya Sabha MP.

According to senior Congress MLA Amit Chavda, the HC verdict has hurt the feelings of all those citizens who believe in democracy and the Constitution.

"As soon as Rahulji started questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his autocratic regime, be it on Chinese intrusion into Indian territory or black money being invested in Adani entities, a conspiracy was hatched by the BJP to expel our leader from Parliament so that he can not raise those issues," said Chavda.

Hitting out at the BJP, he said several cases based on Gandhi's remarks were lodged to stop him from raising critical issues in Parliament.

"To stop Rahul Gandhi from raising issues in Parliament, several such cases were lodged in different parts of the country as part of a conspiracy by the BJP. The way courts are delivering adverse judgements, it appears autocracy will take over the country's democracy. We trust the judiciary and we will knock on the doors of the Supreme Court," said the Congress Legislature Party leader.

BJP legislator Purnesh Modi, on whose complaint the Surat metropolitan court had convicted Gandhi and handed him over two-year jail term, leading to his disqualification from the Lok Sabha, said the Congress leader should now do an introspection.

Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019, had sought a stay on the conviction in the HC.

"I was the vice-president of the Gujarati Modh Modi Community in 2019 when Rahul Gandhi said at a rally in Karnataka 'why do all thieves have Modi as surname'? Since it was an insult to our entire community, we filed a defamation suit in a Surat court," said Purnesh Modi, a BJP MLA from Surat.

The former state minister welcomed the HC ruling.

"We welcome the High Court's verdict. Since the court has also observed that Gandhi has several such cases of defamation across the country, he needs to do an introspection and ponder upon it. He should be sensitive towards others," he added.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code Sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation).

Following the verdict, Gandhi was disqualified as a Member of Parliament (MP) under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat, which is still pending, along with an application seeking a stay to the conviction. While granting him bail, the sessions court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction, following which, he approached the HC.

The former Congress president made the "how come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?" remark at an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.
The Gujarat high court on Friday dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark.

IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi waves to the crowd during a public meeting in Telangana. Photograph: ANI Photo

While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi was already facing 10 criminal cases across India, adding that the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in handing over a two year jail term to Gandhi for his remarks.

There was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction, the high court said.

After the verdict, the Congress party said it would challenge the high court order in the Supreme Court.

A stay on Gandhi's conviction in the case would have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament.

"He (Gandhi) was trying to stay the conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that staying of conviction is not a rule, but an exception, resorted only in rare cases. Disqualification is not only limited to MP, MLAs. Moreover, as many as 10 criminal cases are pending against the applicant," the HC said.

"After this complaint, another complaint was filed in a court in Pune by the grandson of Veer Savarkar for Gandhi's defamatory utterance against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. Another complaint against him was filed in the concerned court of Lucknow," it said.

In this backdrop, refusal of stay on conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant, the judge said.

"Impugned order passed by the appellate court is just, proper and legal, and does not call for any interference. However, it is hereby requested by the concerned learned district judge to decide the criminal appeal on its own merits and in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible.

"In view of the above, the present criminal revision application deserved to be dismissed and accordingly it is dismissed," the judge while reading the order.

While noting that there was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction at this stage, Justice Prachchhak also directed the district and sessions court of Surat to hear Gandhi's appeal against the conviction "as expeditiously as possible".

Unhappy with the high court's verdict, Congress Legislative Party leader in Gujarat Assembly, Amit Chavda, told reporters that the party will challenge the high court order in the apex court.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party's Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi.

Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019, was disqualified as a Member of Parliament (MP) under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat, which is still pending, along with an application seeking a stay to the conviction. While granting him bail, the sessions court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction, following which, he had knocked the doors of HC.

BJP MLA and former minister in Gujarat government Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his 'How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?' remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

During an earlier hearing on April 29 in the court of Justice Prachchhak, Gandhi's lawyer had argued that a maximum punishment of two years for a bailable, non-cognisable offence meant he could lose his Lok Sabha seat "permanently and irreversibly", which was a "very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that corruption was its biggest ideology, and accused the grand old party of stalling the development of Chhattisgarh, where elections are due by the year-end.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel (right) distributing Ayushman health scheme card to a beneficiary during the launch of various projects, in Raipur, July 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Chhattisgarh has become an ATM for the Congress, the PM alleged while addressing a rally at the Science College ground in Raipur, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones of eight projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore.

In his first visit to the Congress-ruled Chhattisgarh after being elected as the prime minister for the second term in 2019, Modi said if the Congress was a guarantee for corruption, he himself was a guarantee for action against graft.

The scam-ridden Congress government in Chhattisgarh has become a model of misrule and people have decided to root it out in the upcoming assembly elections, he said.

"...The next 25 years will be crucial for the development of Chhattisgarh, but a big panja (Congress's poll symbol) is standing like a tall wall against it. Congress's panja had decided to snatch your rights and it will loot and destroy the state," he said.

The PM further said in order to expose the ruling party's lies, he would like to remind people of the state about the promises made by the Congress during the 2018 assembly polls.

Liquor ban was among 36 promises made by Congress.

They had said they will give prohibition rights to gram sabha in scheduled areas.

Instead of fulfilling these promises in the last five years, Congress indulged in crores of rupees of liquor scam. The scam money went into the Congress party's account, he alleged.

The Congress government betrayed the women of Chhattisgarh.

Now people say due to fights over this money, the party could not implement the two-and-a-half years formula (hinting at the CM seat sharing between Bhupesh Baghel and TS Singh Deo), he said.

"Chhattisgarh has become an ATM for Congress. Corruption is not limited to liquor. No department is left where corruption is not being committed in the Congress government in Chhattisgarh. They did not even spare schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission, PM housing scheme...This government has become a model of misrule," he said.

"The last four years of this government proved that corruption is at the core of Congress and it cannot breathe without it. Corruption is the biggest ideology of Congress," he said.

"Some people get angry when I say Congress is a guarantee for corruption and start abusing me. This anger shows that the Centre is working in the right direction...," Modi added.

Taking a dig at the opposition parties over their attempt to forge an anti-BJP front, Modi said, "Those who are stained with corruption, they are trying to come together today. Those who once cursed each other, are trying to find excuses to come together...they think Modi will get afraid of it..."

Each corrupt person in this country should pay heed to this -- if Congress is a guarantee for corruption, Modi is a guarantee for action against corruption, he said.

"Those who indulge in wrongdoing will not be spared. I dare to say this because whatever I have is given by you (people) and the country. Those who are trying to conspire against me and trying to dig my grave don't know that the one who gets scared cannot be Modi," he said.

"Whatever tricks Congress plays, I will not back down from my resolve to take the people of Chhattisgarh forward. I hail from a poor family and understand the pain of the poor," he added.

Hailing his government's strategy against Left Wing Extremism, the PM said the Centre's efforts to free the country from the menace of Naxalism have started showing results.

"In the last few years, the number of Maoist-affected districts declined from 126 to around 70," he added.

Modi cautioned the people to stay alert against the Congress as it tries to hide its misrule through false promises and guarantees and claimed that Bharatiya Janata Party makes real guarantees and true promises and fulfils them.

He cited the examples of schemes, including free ration, Ayushman Bharat, housing to highlight BJP's commitment to fulfil its promises.

Further targeting Congress, Modi said, "BJP is a party which has concern about the poor and thinks about their welfare. But the Congress is the biggest enemy of the poor. The Congress government in Chhattisgarh obstructed the schemes launched by the BJP government at the Centre for states and Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awas Yojana is an example of it."

"...BJP during its rule made an average of 2 lakh houses each year in Chhattisgarh under the housing scheme. Now Congress is unable to make even one lakh houses each year under the Awas Yojana. If we come to power, we will speed up this work...," he said.

Highlighting the Centre's schemes in the interest of tribals, Modi said, "Congress has always considered the tribal community as a vote bank. Congress kept tribals deprived of their rights and facilities. The BJP government has given rights to several tribal groups in Chhattisgarh by enlisting them in the list of tribes."

Thanking people for coming to the rally in large numbers despite rains, Modi said he learnt about an accident (in Bilarpur) which claimed the lives of three persons and injured few others injured.

"I express my condolences over their death," he said.

Before the rally, the PM also virtually flagged off a new train service between Antagarh in Kanker district and Raipur.



Chhattisgarh CM hits back at Modi



Reacting sharply to Modi's corruption charges against his government, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel accused the prime minister of speaking lies.

Refuting Modi's claims, Baghel tweeted, "Modi ji as you came, waves of lies started flowing. State BJP leaders have been misleading farmers that paddy is procured with the Centre's money. You are the prime minister, you know the truth, but you also lied."

It is the biggest lie in the name of farmers that the Centre accepts 80 per cent of the paddy procured in the state, the chief minister said.

"If your government's role is so huge in paddy purchase in the states, then why are farmers in your Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi forced to sell paddy at Rs 1,000-1,200 a quintal, Modi ji?" he asked.

Baghel further claimed that the prime minister was given wrong information by the BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh.

"Every child in Chhattisgarh knows that we had taken an oath of Gangajal to fulfil the promise of loan waiver for farmers within 10 days (of the government's formation in 2018) and we did it within two hours," he said.

Farmers remember that the BJP never fulfilled the promise of Rs 2,100 per quintal in paddy procurement and a bonus for them, the chief minister said, adding that no one can mislead the farmers of Chhattisgarh.

The prime minister during his rally said the Congress had taken Gangajal in hand and vowed to fulfil promises, including liquor ban, within 10 days if the government was formed in the state, but it failed to do so.
Amid apparent disgruntlement among his MLAs, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Deputy CM and senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis late on Thursday night, sources said.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with his two deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. Photograph: @MahaDGIPR/Twitter

The meeting came days after Shinde denied that his Shiv Sena MLAs were uncomfortable with the inclusion of Ajit Pawar and 8 Nationalist Congress Party legislators in the state cabinet and claimed that he would remain as the chief minister until 2024.

The Maharashtra cabinet now has 29 ministers with the entry of NCP leaders on Sunday. It can accommodate 14 more.

Referring to the late-night meeting, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP faction said it proves that there is unrest in the Shinde-led Shiv Sena and state BJP over the inclusion of NCP legislators in the cabinet.

Mahesh Tapase, spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar faction, said Shinde's MLAs feel that if Ajit Pawar and his MLAs get plum posts, the very purpose for which they had rebelled and caused the collapse of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government will be rendered futile.

There is unrest among Shinde's MLAs on how they will face the electorate again, Tapase said in a statement.

Tapase claimed that Shiv Sena MLAs are not sure if they will get ministerial berths. The late-night Shinde Fadnavis meeting proves that there is unrest among the MLAs, Tapase claimed.

NCP founder Sharad Pawar returned from Delhi late on Thursday night and met his state unit chief Jayant Patil and others at Silver Oak', his residence in south Mumbai. He will be on a tour of Nashik district on Saturday.

After becoming a part of the ruling alliance, Ajit Pawar had said that NCP would win more than 71 seats. He also said that his party will contest 90 assembly seats.

Meanwhile, former NCP legislator Dhanraj Mahale from Dindori in Nashik district met Ajit Pawar. Pune former corporator Harshada Vanjale, daughter-in-law of late MLA Ramesh Vanjale and her family also met Ajit Pawar and extended their support to him.
NEW SALEM -- Thousands of country music fans have gathered under the watchful eyes of the Salem Sue cow statue outside of New Salem for the sixth ND Country Fest.

Organizers of the four-day event at the Morton County Fairgrounds this week expect 15,000 people each day, according to Marketing Director John Gourley. Attendees come from all over the country to see Country Fest, which books some big-name acts.

Day One on Wednesday saw artists Out of Line, Clare Dunn and Rodney Atkins play. The following days feature up to five artists a night, including Sawyer Brown, Justin Moore and Lee Brice.

Each night has a theme. The first day was Give Back Night. Country Fest offered free music admission to the public but encouraged a $20 donation at the gate. All proceeds go to Morton County FFA and 4-H.

The festival offers campsites for attendees to set up campers. Recreational vehicles lined the streets early on the morning of the first day, waiting to get in.

Attendees said they come for a good time and for good music. Dewey Aaseth and his group of friends from Hazen had about 10 RVs lined up next to one another on the campgrounds. They arrived around 5:30 a.m. the first day. Its their fourth year attending Country Fest. Every year its rained, and its a lot of work to come down to New Salem, but its worth it, they said. Aaseth also expressed how much he appreciates the law enforcement and security that help out at Country Fest. He hasnt seen a single fight in all the times hes attended.

We have an awesome time. Its about visiting other people. Meeting a lot of new friends from other parts of the state, he said.

Vendors come from all over, as well. Poach 2 Go, a mobile coffee business, came from Ray in northwest North Dakota. Its the company's first year at Country Fest, and the owners enjoyed meeting new people and talking with other vendors. The first day was slow, they said, but they got customers the next day looking to get their morning coffee.

Crazy Bull Longhorns came from Muskogee, Oklahoma, for its first year at Country Fest. Owner Marty Ross saw the large crowds that the event draws and decided to come himself. Ross sells real cattle skulls, sometimes decorated with crushed glass or paint. If business is good this time, he hopes to come again next year.

New Salem Mayor Lynette Fitterer expressed how much Country Fest has done for the small town. It puts the community of about 1,000 people on the map, she said, and it doesnt just help the liquor stores. Festivalgoers also need food and things for their campers.

The community is phenomenal. They are very inviting, cooperative. They make sacrifices, they put up with traffic, and the businesses are very accommodating, Fitterer said.

She also mentioned that the festival takes place the weekend before New Salems city celebration, the Cow Town Hoe Down. Some people even come back for the event after Country Fest, she said.

For more information on Country Fest, go to https://www.ndcountryfest.com/.
United States lawmakers and influential Indian-Americans have condemned the attempted arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco and called for expeditious action against those behind this "criminal act".

They also slammed the "violent rhetoric" against India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and said free speech does not mean a license to incite violence or vandalise property.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 and posted on Twitter, showed the act of arson at the Indian consulate in San Francisco.

The video, with the words "violence begets violence" emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Canada-based Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Canada last month.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said violence against diplomatic facilities will not be tolerated.

"As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," they said.

"We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American but that is not a license to vandalise property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," they added.

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said the attack on the Indian consulate is unacceptable.

"I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action," he said.

Till Thursday, no action had been taken against those involved in the attack on the Indian consulate.

A spokesperson of the National Security Council of the White House said the US takes the safety and security of diplomats very seriously.

"We take very seriously the safety and security of diplomats living in the United States and strongly condemn acts of vandalism or violence against diplomatic facilities or personnel," the spokesperson told PTI.

Congressman Mike Lawler said the attempted arson at the Indian consulate was disturbing.

"I had the pleasure of welcoming Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi of India to Washington, D.C. last month and look forward to a continued, strong partnership with the world's largest democracy," he said.

Condemning the attack in the "strongest possible terms", Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar said, "Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in a democracy."

Congressman Rich McCormick said this attack is vile and unacceptable.

"Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community," he said in a tweet.

Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna slammed the posters against Indian diplomats in the US, including Sandhu, doing the rounds on social media.

"I know Ambassador Sandhu and respect him. When I bring up human rights issues, he always engages with civility, thoughtfulness & candor. This rhetoric puts diplomats in harm's way. It's dangerous and has no place in a democracy. Free speech does not mean a license to incite violence," Khanna said.

Last week's attack was the second time within months that the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was targeted by Khalistani supporters.

On March 19, a group of pro-Khalistan protesters attacked and damaged the consulate. Raising pro-Khalistan slogans, the protesters broke the makeshift security barriers raised by the city police and installed two so-called Khalistani flags inside the consulate premises. Two consulate personnel soon removed these flags.

In a tweet, the South Asian Minorities Collective said, "Known for their proximity to Pakistani intelligence service, the Khalistan cult has been trying to revive itself over the past few years in US, UK and Canada."

Sikh leader Jasdeep Singh described the attack on the Indian consulate as "shameful and disgraceful".

"Whoever did it should be brought to the fullest extent of law. Targeting any consulate or any diplomat or anybody for that reason is not a good thing," Singh told PTI.

"Although it has not been identified who the perpetrators were, the community is very, very upset because it is being linked to the Khalistani movement.

"There is a line between freedom of speech and the right to protest and getting involved in criminal activities like this one. So, we strongly condemn this criminal act," he said.

Responding to a question, Singh urged the Biden administration to make sure that consulates and diplomats of all countries, especially India, are protected and safe in the US.

"The Sikh community by and large stands with the laws of this great nation, and if anyone breaks the laws of this nation, the government should go after them," he said.
Four persons including a Manipur police commando and a teenager were killed in Kangvai area of Bishnupur district in clashes between the two warring communities in the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, officials said.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

The area where people from both the communities stay in close proximity witnessed gunfights during the night despite a buffer zone created by security forces to prevent escalation of the situation, they said.

Last night, an attempt was made by mobs from the hillside to come down and burn some villages in the valley. These mobs had gathered from outside the area and did not yield to the request of locals to go back, they said.

The security forces responded in a calibrated manner and prevented them from torching any house.

However, some people from both sides indulged in firing at each other from standoff ranges from villages of Kangvai, Songdo and Awang Lekhai which resulted in death of three persons besides injuries on both sides.

Although the firing ceased during the early hours of Friday, mobs on the valley side continued to block movement of security forces for reinforcing the area, they said, adding that senior officers have been working round the clock to restore peace in the area by engaging both communities.

However, emotions continued to run high and intermittent firing continued even during the day, the officials said, adding that the police commando suffered fatal injuries late Friday evening.

The teenager was killed at Phoubakchao locality while hurrying to take cover.

Meanwhile, irate locals, mostly womenfolk, hit the streets in Moirang to vent out their anger against the firing.

Officials said the firing between two groups of armed men was first reported in Awang Leikei and Kangwai in Churandpur district near Phoubakchao around 1.30 am.

Additional columns have already been deployed from alternative routes to respond to the tense situation in this area.

More than 120 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 injured since ethnic violence broke out in the state on May 3, when a 'tribal solidarity march' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

Around 40,000 central security personnel, besides the Manipur police, have been deployed to control the violence and bring back normalcy in the state.

Meiteis account for about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Tribal Nagas and Kukis constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the beneficiaries of welfare schemes today are examples of social justice and real secularism, as he slammed the previous regimes for coming up with their schemes while sitting in air-conditioned rooms.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat and PMAY Rural schemes, in Varanasi, July 7, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Addressing a public rally in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, Modi said the schemes earlier were meant for a select few and the past governments did not get seek feedback from the ground.

"Ensuring self-respect for the poor is a Modi guarantee," he said.

Varanasi was the second stop on Modi's Uttar Pradesh trip. Earlier, in Gorakhpur, he addressed the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press.

He also launched two new Vande Bharat Express trains at an event at Gorakhpur station.

While at the Gorakhpur event, he talked about combining development with respect for the country's heritage, in Varanasi the focus was on welfare schemes.

Development projects were unveiled at both places.

Varanasi's 29 new projects are worth Rs 12,000 crore.

Modi said the biggest complaint against the previous governments was that the welfare schemes were made sitting in air-conditioned rooms.

They never got to know what the impact of the schemes was on the ground, he said, adding that now there is dialogue and direct feedback from the intended beneficiaries.

He said the benefit of democracy has reached the right people now, so many years after Independence. Earlier, only a select few benefited, he added.

The poor had no say.

The prime minister said previously the welfare schemes were meant to help one family and one generation". But his government keeps in mind the benefit of the future generations as well, he claimed.

Under the BJP government, the beneficiary category has become an example of real social justice and real secularism, the PM said.

He said corruption in welfare schemes has ended, and there is no discrimination.

In Varanasi, he launched the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction-Son Nagar railway line of the Dedicated Freight Corridor.

Modi also dedicated to the nation three railway lines whose electrification or doubling has been completed at a cost of more than Rs 990 crore. They are the Ghazipur city-Aunrihar, Aunrihar-Jaunpur and Bhatni-Aunrihar lines.

The four-laning of the Varanasi-Jaunpur section of NH-56, completed at a cost of more than Rs 2,750 crore, was also unveiled.

Other projects inaugurated by the prime minister here included roads, a girls' hostel building.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the Gorakhpur and Varanasi events.
A Brahmin organisation on Friday opposed the demolition of a part of the house of the accused in the Sidhi urination incident, saying his act was deplorable but his family members can't be punished for his behaviour.

IMAGE: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan washes the feet of Dashmat Rawat, victim of the Sidhi urination incident, in Bhopal, July 6, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Madhya Pradesh unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Samaj said it will move the high court against the demolition at the house belonging to his father.

On Tuesday, a video of a man, later identified as Sidhi resident Pravesh Shukla, showing him urinating on a tribal person in Madhya Pradesh's Sidhi district went viral on social media, sparking massive outrage.

The next day Shukla was arrested and booked under the stringent National Security Act and what officials said was an illegal portion of the house, where he lived, was demolished.

I assure full help to the family of the accused and ask all the district presidents of the Samaj to help the Shukla family, the organisation's state chief Pandit Pushpendra Mishra said in a communication to its district branches.

Man like Pravesh Shukla is not acceptable in any caste and society. His act is highly deplorable. But is it lawful to punish others for the act of someone else, he asked in a statement.

The Samaj's Sidhi district president Rakesh Dubey along with other office-bearers of his unit has handed over Rs 51,000 to the Shukla family on behalf of Mishra, he said.

Acquaintances of the Shukla family said structures spared over 400 square feet, including the porch, of the house were demolished by the authorities claiming it was illegal.

Shukla's parents and other family members live in the house.

Mishra told PTI over the phone that they will move the MP High Court in Jabalpur against the demolition at the Shukla family house.

The urination episode has triggered a political controversy in Madhya Pradesh, where Assembly polls are due by the year-end, with the Congress alleging that the accused was connected to the local BJP legislator and the saffron party denying its connection with the accused in any way.

Amid outrage and government action, MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday washed the feet of the victim, Dashmat Rawat, at the CM's residence in Bhopal and also apologised to him over the humiliating incident.

The Opposition described Chouhan's act of washing the victim's feet as mere drama.
Congress MP Manish Tewari on Friday objected strongly to United States Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti's reported remarks on Manipur and said he doubts if the new American envoy is cognisant of the torturous history of bilateral ties and India's sensitivity about interference, perceived or real, in its internal affairs.

IMAGE: United States Ambassador to India Eric Michael Garcetti at Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata. Photograph: ANI Photo

Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on Thursday, Garcetti reportedly said the violence and killings in Manipur are a matter of "human concern" and the US is "ready to assist" India in dealing with the situation "if asked".

Reacting to the remarks, Tewari said on Twitter, "To the best of my recollection going back at least four decades in public life, I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India."

"We faced challenges in Punjab, J-K , northeast over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity and wisdom," the former Union minister said.

Even when Robin Raphel would be "loquacious" on Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s, US ambassadors in India were circumspect, he said.

Raphel is a former US diplomat who looked after south and central Asian affairs.

"I doubt if the new @USAmbIndia @ericgarcetti is cognisant of the convoluted and torturous history of US-India relations and our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs," the Congress MP from Punjab said.

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed latched onto the US ambassador's remarks to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"US ambassador Eric Garcetti on Manipur violence -- 'It's about human concerns. You don't have to be Indian to care when children or individuals die in this violence.' Sadly, @narendramodi doesn't seem to have any human concerns, because he hasn't mentioned Manipur even once!" she said on Twitter.

More than 100 people have lost their lives and over 3,000 injured since ethnic violence broke out in Manipur on May 3 when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.

Around 40,000 central security personnel, besides the Manipur Police, have been deployed to control the violence and bring back normality in the state.
The Supreme Court has agreed to examine a plea on whether seeking details of hotel stays and call records to prove allegations of adultery are violative of the fundamental right to privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution.

A bench of justices Krishna Murari and Sanjay Kumar issued notice to a woman after her husband challenged an order of the Delhi high court on the issue.

The high court on May 10 had said the law recognises adultery as a ground for divorce and it will not be in public interest for the court to come to the aid of a married man, who indulged in alleged sexual relationships outside the wedlock, on the premise of right to privacy.

It had referred to the Supreme Court's decision holding that though the right to privacy is a constitutionally protected right, it is not an absolute right and it has to be necessarily subject to reasonable restrictions, especially when the restrictions are in public interest.

The high court made the observations while dismissing a man's plea challenging a family court's December 14 last year order to preserve the documents related to reservation, payment details and ID proofs of a particular room in a hotel for the period between April 29 and May 1 last year and send it to the court in a sealed cover.

Justice Rekha Palli of the high court had said when a wife seeks the court's help for procuring evidence, which would go a long way to prove adultery on the part of her husband, the court must step in.

This would be in consonance with Section 14 of the Family Courts Act which gives a leeway to the court to consider evidence which may be not admissible or relevant under the Indian Evidence Act, the high court had said.

Section 14 of the Family Courts Act states that the family court may receive as evidence any report, statement, documents, information or any other matter which it thinks may assist the court to deal with a dispute, whether or not the same would be otherwise relevant or admissible under the Indian Evidence Act.

The court was deciding the question as to whether the husband, represented through advocate Preeti Singh, can claim right to privacy vis-a-vis his wife's prayer to seek assistance of the court for production of records to substantiate her charge of adultery levelled against him in her petition for divorce.

"There can therefore be no gainsaying that direct evidence of adultery can rarely be available. I am therefore of the considered opinion that the respondent (wife) has not only been able to make out a prima facie case against the petitioner (husband) but also that the information which she is seeking would definitely be relevant for proving the charge of adultery which she has levelled against her husband, the judge had said.

Justice Palli had said the payment and reservation details along with the ID proof of the occupants of the room will surely throw light on this crucial issue as to whether the man was indeed staying with a lady other than his wife in the same room.

Similarly, the call details will surely be indicative of the fact as to whether the conversations of the petitioner with the lady were of such duration and frequency as is not expected between colleagues. The respondent is seeking to prove the charge of adultery against the petitioner and therefore, it cannot be said that this information would not be relevant, the high court had said.

It had said the man, who is harping on his right to privacy, as on date, continues to be in a subsisting marital relationship with his wife, having a grown-up daughter out of wedlock.

The Hindu Marriage Act specifically recognises adultery as a ground for divorce and therefore, it would not at all be in public interest that the court should on the ground of right to privacy, come to the aid of a married man who, during the subsistence of his marriage, is alleged to have indulged in sexual relationships outside his marriage, the high court had said.

Regarding the issue as to whose right should prevail in the facts of the present case, the judge had said she was inclined to accept the plea of the wife, who was represented through Prabhjit Jauhar.

The high court said the man's claim is based solely on the right to privacy which is not an absolute right, and on the other hand, the woman's prayer is based not only on morality but also on specific rights granted under the Hindu Marriage Act and the Family Courts Act.

"I, therefore, have no hesitation in holding that the respondent's right must prevail and therefore, find no reason to interfere with the impugned orders. The family court by way of the impugned orders has sought records which pertain only to the respondent's husband and not to his friend or her daughter. There is, therefore, no question of their right of privacy being violated in any manner," the judge had said.

The high court had said the family court's order only pertained to the production of records and did not in any manner deal with the question as to whether the record would in itself be sufficient to prove the charge of adultery against the man.

The family court was dealing with the divorce petition of the wife who alleged that her husband was involved in an illegitimate relationship with another woman and has a daughter from that relationship.

The wife also alleged before the family court that the man and the other woman had stayed in a hotel. She argued that the hotel and call detail records were necessary to establish her contention.
National security advisor Ajit Doval on Friday urged his British counterpart Sir Tim Barrow to take strong public action such as deportation against extremist elements threatening officers of Indian high commission in the UK, official sources said.

IMAGE: NSA Ajit Doval meets UK counterpart Tim Barrow. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

Doval raised the issue during his wide-ranging talks with Barrow, who is currently on a visit to India.

The two NSAs held one-on-one talks that was followed by delegation level dialogue.

Pro-Khalistan groups have issued posters inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats in the UK as well as in the US, Canada and Australia.

India has already asked all these countries to ensure safety and security of Indian diplomats and its missions.

"The Indian side raised the issue of the extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution," said a source.

Both the sides agreed to work closely to counter terrorism and terror financing.

The two NSAs also resolved to deepen mutually beneficial bilateral collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.
On the night before the death of C Vijayakumar, deputy inspector general of police, Coimbatore range, he, along with his wife and daughter, is said to have attended a birthday dinner at a fellow officer's residence in Coimbatore.

IMAGE: C Vijayakumar, DIG, Coimbatore range, who died by suicide at his residence. Photograph: ANI Photo

The next morning also did not seem very unusual in the Vijayakumar residence.

He usually checked the daily situation report of the districts under his command at 7 am.

On Friday, the approximately 45-year old officer checked the DSR at 6.30 am.

He then walked up to where his police standing officer's pistol was safely kept, picked it up, walked out to the portico of his camp office in Coimbatore and allegedly pulled the trigger on himself.

Vijaykumar's wife and his daughter, along with the help of some police personnel, rushed him to a nearby hospital where he was declared 'brought dead'.

"The death was instant," a senior police officer told PTI.

"There was nothing that was odd about the officer. He has worked in my team in the past. He was a good officer," Coimbatore city police commissioner V Balakrishnan told PTI.

ADGP (law and order), A Arun, told reporters in Coimbatore citing preliminary investigation, Vijayakumar was undergoing treatment for "depression" for the past few years.

"I have spoken to the doctor treating him (Vijayakumar) who shared the information. He had consulted the doctor four days ago for mental pressure and had been given different medicines," Arun told reporters.

On Thursday afternoon, a source said, the Inspector General of police had asked if there was something wrong with the officer as he looked worried. Vijayakumar had said that he had not had a good night's sleep despite taking pills. Senior officials who had worked with Vijaykumar knew that for several years he was under medication for severe depression, anxiety, Obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar-related issues, a source said.

"Senior officers have counselled him individually and sometimes along with his wife, and have tried to support him with his mental health issues," Balakrishnan said.

While the support did not seem adequate in the end, a senior police official said that measures were being taken to counsel police officers battling mental health issues in the state.

Balakrishnan said that a pilot project for providing mental health support to police personnel which started in Madurai some years ago, was eventually expanded throughout the state.

"The police well-being programme was launched in 2018 and in three years the entire police force in the state was covered," he added.

The project involved training some officers in each district by specialists at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Bengaluru. And these trained officers will then provide support and counselling to fellow officers in their respective districts.

"In Coimbatore, the concept of station happiness officers was introduced covering all stations in the city where a trained officer in each police station will have to look out for any symptoms of mental stress or other issues and provide counselling or support in any manner possible," the city police commissioner added.

However, officers say that in the case of police suicides, it mostly is a case of a "mix of personal and professional issues."

An IPS officer who did not want to be named said the state government has been creating new police stations across the state but not creating new positions for these stations.

"It is a case of redeploying existing officers at the new stations. The net vacancies may be coming down because of redeployment, but new appointments are not being made at the required pace," the officer pointed out.

The opposition parties in the state have raised the issue of police officers being under tremendous stress because the state is not filling up over 10,000 existing vacancies in its police force.

(Tamil Nadu mental health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416 and Sneha's suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050 provide support to overcome suicidal thoughts.)
Nationalist Congress Party founder Sharad Pawar's fight against the revolt in his party at this age is inspiring, Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut said on Friday.

IMAGE: A banner put up near Shiv Sena Bhavan in Mumbai urging Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray to come together. Photograph: ANI Photo

Pawar (82) on Thursday declared he was the president of the party and hit back at nephew and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's retirement jibe, saying he will work more effectively "whether 82 or 92."

This is what inspires us about him. (Shiv Sena founder) Balasaheb (Thackeray) was 84-86 years old. We would take inspiration from him. What is age? Mahatma Gandhi was old, but he still fought against the British, Raut said.

The Rajya Sabha MP said there is no need for any mediator to initiate talks between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray as both are brothers, amid a buzz of a possible alliance between the two.

MNS leader Abhijit Panse on Thursday met Raut, leading to speculation about a possible truce between the estranged Thackeray cousins against the backdrop of the changed political situation in Maharashtra.

Panse, however, denied that he had brought any proposal from Raj for an alliance with Uddhav.
Bharatiya Janata Party leader Keshav Upadhye on Thursday said the induction of some Nationalist Congress Party ministers in the Mahararshtra government did not mean the saffron party had "compromised" or given a "clean chit" to them in probes being carried out by agencies.

IMAGE: NCP leader Ajit Pawar and eight of his colleagues joined the Shinde-Fadnavis government on July 2. Photograph: @MahaDGIPR/Twitter

Ajit Pawar and eight of his colleagues joined the Eknath Shinde government on July 2. While Pawar was made deputy chief minister, the others were sworn in as ministers.

Several of them have been accused of corruption and are being investigated by Central probe agencies currently.

Speaking to reporters in Aurangabad, Upadhye said, "The investigation agencies are independent and they do their job. What is going to happen will happen (in these cases). The BJP has not compromised on their judicial procedures. Giving clean chit to anyone is not our work, only the court has that right."

Upadhye, who is the BJP spokesperson, said it was "good" if someone was aligning with the BJP on the issue of development.

He also said "when a new daughter-in-law comes into to a family, she learns the culture of that home", hinting that those who have been inducted into the state government will now have to follow the political decorum of the BJP.
We have just passed the greatest annual event in civil religion when we all  even some atheists  joined the chorus God Bless America to honor the United States, believing somehow that God is still dealing with countries even though the New Testament made faith a personal rather than a national matter.

So by what authority can we order God to bless America when we are not sure of the status of nations in His theology? Indirectly, this idea is based on the assumption that America is worth Gods blessing.

The religious right is convinced that the United States was ordained by God even though the actual creation was a secular convention gathered to solve secular problems for a secular people and made no mention of God in their documents. It was human freewill from beginning to finish.

In an effort to be consistent in our principles, if God is in the nation-creating business then we have to account for Stalin and Hitler. Or does God create some nations but humans create others?

Has America been a righteous nation warranting Gods blessing? According to the Book of James, faith without works is dead. You may not be from Pennsylvania but we need a little proof.

The incredible wealth of America has spilled some benefits to other peoples but not as much as we would like to think. In a test to measure the level of information in the public mind, it was guessed that the United States gave over 20% of the budget for foreign aid when it has really been under 3%  and much of that was in military assistance to protect our own backsides.

When it has been to our benefit, we have saved democracy in other countries. At the same time, we have compromised with dictators.

Too many Christians mix Calvinism and freewill, depending on what is needed for the present discussion. While some claim everything is ordained they still conduct themselves with freewill.

Most of Americas progress can be attributed to freewill. We have no way of knowing how God is interacting with nations. Nevertheless, this doesnt bother those of us who live in the land of absolutes.

This brings us to the inevitable question: does our present or past reflect any kind of behavior that deserves Gods blessing?

The first Christians to arrive in Plymouth started the 400-year genocide of Native Americans, killing an estimated 7,000,000 people that God loved.

Meanwhile, down in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1620 the first 20 African American slaves were put ashore and launched a 350-year of brutal unchristian treatment so that one class of people could smoke Cuban cigars and live in luxury.

Todays culture has little to redeem itself. Church attendance is a sure sign that God is being pushed back by a wave of materialism and selfishness.

We have come to the point at which guns are more important than sanctity of life, except when it comes to abortion. We have the economic capacity to save millions of starving children but that is not as important as luxury cars, spacious houses and Christian cruises on Christian cruise lines.

Of those who have much, much is expected. Have we used our much enough to ask God to bless America?
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to partly cloudy skies after midnight. Potential for severe thunderstorms. Low near 60F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
On-premises Firewalls or SASE Cloud Security - what customers need to consider When planning to mature their security infrastructure, many businesses must consider whether to stick with their on-prem firewall or journey to SASE by shifting to a cloud security architecture. Download this white paper to understand how these approaches stack up against each other.

Delivering much cheaper connectivity and enhanced security for a remote workforce Browse this case study to track a manufacturing organizations journey from legacy SD-WAN to a SASE solution that addressed the companys seven major IT obstacles.

The Future of SASE, SD-WAN and SSE Between skyrocketing amounts of data and the IT skills shortage, organizations encounter significant obstacles on their path toward securing their digital assets. Along with digging into those challenges, this white paper explores how businesses can surmount them with SASE. Keep reading to unlock these insights.

Buyers guide to choosing the best SASE solution When youre selecting SASE technology for your business, consider leveraging these partners to enable SASE success: a managed service provider (MSP) and a network connectivity supplier. Why? Check out this white paper to understand the benefits of such partners.

How SASE safely replaces MPLS with cheaper internet links MPLS was designed for use in the legacy, pre-cloud world where all enterprise users typically worked in a branch and all traffic was routed back to a data center to access IT applications and resources. Access this white paper to learn how SASE safely replaces MPLS with cheaper internet links.

Escalating cyber threats whilst under pressure to reduce IT costs Cybercrime continued to rise in 2022, with AUD 300 million lost to scams last year (2021) and an increase in mobile ransomware attacks by 33%, according to a Security Brief Australia report. Access this white paper to learn how SASE is designed to overcome todays security challenges.

SASE and its Components Learn more about Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) According to Gartner, a cloud access security broker (CASB) is an on-premises or cloud-based security policy enforcement point, which is designed to combine and interject enterprise security policies as cloud-based resources are accessed. Access this resource to learn how you can achieve a unified data protection policy approach.

Use case How SASE can protect against infected Dropbox files Superloop recently consulted with a customer that had an employee who downloaded an infected file from Dropbox and uploaded it to their local file server. Access this resource to uncover why ZTNA is a key capability of SASE and how it can combat infected files.

How SASE and SD-WAN are making on-premise firewalls redundant According to Gartner, by 2024 at least 40% of enterprises will have explicit strategies to adopt SASE, up from less than 1% at year-end 2018. Access this resource to learn how SASE and SD-WAN can make on-premises firewalls redundant.

SASE vs CASB vs SSE: What's The Difference? Tap into this e-guide to explore the core aspects of SSE and find out how CASB and SASE work together to improve network security.

Mastering User Experience in a Hybrid Workplace With the rise of hybrid work, it has become more difficult than ever to gain insight into UX. In this webcast, industry experts discuss the rising importance of UX considering the prevalence of hybrid work. Tune in and gain the valuable information you can use to improve your hybrid workplace UX.

Benefits of SASE - Superloop SASE When moving security to the cloud there are some cost benefits or things you no longer must do. But what are those operational and cost advantages of SASE? Join Superloop and Palo Alto Networks as they discuss the full benefits of SASE in this brief webinar.

Good Performance Strong Security - Superloop SASE Todays remote and hybrid workers require a different set of tools to maximize performance and ensure security at the device, user and application level. Watch this video to learn how SASE can help ensure good performance and deliver strong security for remote workers.

What is SASE? - Superloop SASE Back in 2019, Gartner released a report titled, in which they said; Security and risk management leaders need a converged cloud-delivered secure access service edge to address the shift effectively coining the term SASE. Watch this video to learn more about SASE and how it enhances network security.

Helping customers adopt SASE - Superloop SASE Coined by Gartner, secure access service edge (SASE) is an IT model that designed to deliver wide area networking and security as a cloud service directly to the source of connection rather than a data center. Watch this video to learn how Supreloop is helping their users adopt SASE.

Superloop SASE powered by Palo Alto Networks The networking and security landscape is changing in 3 major ways: digital transformation, cloud networking, and remote work is here to stay. This white paper gives an overview of 5 SASE cloud-delivered solution features for managing todays evolving cyber environment. Read on to get started.

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"Shanhe University", an imaginary university created by students to serve the people of Shandong, Shanxi, Hebei and Henan provinces, has become a meme online. It has also caught the attention of the Ministry of Education, which responded by stressing the need to increase higher education resources in populous regions. The term has become a catchphrase online as high school graduates in the provinces complain about a lack of top-tier universities in the region, which has increased the competition for college enrollment and limited their opportunities to access high-quality higher education. In China, students in the same provincial region compete with each other to get enrolled into universities. Meanwhile, if a provincial region has more reputable universities, they will assign more slots to students in the region and the students have a higher possibility to be enrolled. While there are 3.43 million students in the four provinces taking this year's national college entrance exam, or gaokao, accounting for 26.5 percent of the gaokao candidates, the regions only have a handful of renowned universities. Netizens have joked that if each high school graduate in the province donates 1,000 yuan ($138), there would be more than 3 billion yuan, enough to establish Shanhe University, located in a way that overlaps the four provinces and that could admit more graduates from the regions. The imaginary university has become a trending topic on social media platforms. Netizens have also designed a school logo, motto, website and student admission guide. However, although they are neighboring provinces, it is almost geographically impossible for a university to sit in all four provinces, unless it is extremely big. At a news conference on Wednesday, Wu Yan, vice-minister of education, said the ministry is aware of people calling to establish such a university. The ministry supports regions in central and western areas, especially populous provincial regions, to expand the scale of their higher education, he said. Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng said the ministry will continue to bridge the education gap among urban and rural areas, different regions, schools and groups, so that all children can enjoy equal and high-quality education.


Nothing good is going to happen to us : Douglas Macgrego

Douglas Abbott MacGregor 1999

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHRVU5k_7t4&ab_channel=



 6000  

28  2004   

 2014 

      

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Nothing good is going to happen to us : Douglas Macgrego

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHRVU5k_7t4&ab_channel=DouglasMacgregor%F0%9F%94%88

We think of ourselves as this invincible and vulnerable Colossus that the strides the world we're not and we are failing to invest where we need to here at home; we are not investing in high-end manufacturing; we're not investing in the energy; we're not investing in the agricultural sector; these are our great strengths that we should capitalize on; we're not doing it and instead of fearing China.

What we should do is limit our exposure where we think that they present a threat to us economically but stop this ridiculous nonsense of going to war yet again 6 000 miles from the United States over an obscure island called Taiwan that's silly it's nonsensical just as fighting the Russians in Ukraine is nonsensical for us; it's irrelevant; it's crazy; I spent 28 years in regular army after graduating from West Point; I left the Army at the end of 2004.

I then began in a number of different jobs working with or inside the defense Industries either as a consultant or an advisor and then ultimately started becoming a routine commentator on television and radio about military Affairs and finally ended up as the senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense under Donald Trump, in his last months as president so when this whole Ukraine thing started; what was your first response well I had been somewhat on the periphery of the Ukrainian crisis if you will I had been asked to look at Ukraine back in 2014.

In the aftermath of the so-called maidon Revolution, which installed this very right-wing government that is hostile to Russia largely conceived and executed by the United States and the CIA over time. The Ukrainian government in Kiev began actively oppressing the russian-speaking population; Russians inside Ukraine, even though they were Ukrainian citizens effectively became second-class citizens; and so conflict was just a question of when no longer; if Ukraine has an interesting history; the Ukraine the word itself means on the periphery or on the margin or on the edge depending upon; how you want to translate it and the people that live on the edge of what was called Russia were always different from the Russians themselves; and the Ukraine developed a a strong sense of identity particularly in the 20th century; people argued that it was always there; there was always a Ukrainian people but I don't think the sense of nationhood was really there; until the aftermath of World War; One there was a serious attempt to build a nation when the Imperial German and Austrian forces pulled out that failed and Ukraine was ultimately bolshevized like the rest of the tsarist empire; unfortunately Lenin who was a student of the history understood czarist Russia very well; and he altered borders to ensure that there were always minorities within the various provinces or oblas; whatever you want to call them who would prevent any large concentration of force that could be aimed at the center in other words; let's include Russians Charters and others inside Ukraine who are not Ukrainian to ensure there is no ethnically pure Ukraine; that emerges it could present a threat to Unity in the Soviet Union and this was out of response to the the farmers the kulaks

the well that that actually comes later that's under Stalin and Stalin sets out

to utterly destroy and annihilate tens of millions of people not just in Ukraine but also in Russia who were

so-called independent Farmers that that was defined Loosely as someone who has a plot of land and may own a cow

in other words that was part of the class Warfare Gambit pitting people against each other but it also created

an opportunity for people to plunder Ukraine murder people plug in their belongings enrich your friends who are

Thugs who were supporting you in Moscow we think that somewhere is between 7 8 9

10 million ukrainians were killed probably one or two million Russians that just happened to be in the way as

well that was not the first time that there was a famine that was orchestrated

to murder people that had already happened under Trotsky and Lenin Stalin perfected it raised it to a high art we

don't know how many millions of people died between the time the Bolshevik Revolution occurred and the second world

war breaks out but certainly somewheres north of 20 million dead it was a

horrible period and the ukrainians of course never forgot it this orchestrated famine then becomes an excuse to

effectively destroy the population and the attempt to sovietize it to transform

it into what the Bolsheviks called the Soviet man terrible crimes were committed whole families were

annihilated and this of course laid the groundwork later on for the Holocaust uh

the nkvd that was responsible for this murdered large numbers of ukrainians and ultimately the ukrainians then respond

with the arrival of the Germans in World War II to a Liberation and take out

their hatred and anger and antagonism on everyone in sight I mean is this this is

hard to characterize today because we don't understand what it's like if you are the only surviving

member of a family of say 11 or 12 that included grandparents and that your land

that you'd lived on for hundreds of years was taken from you along with all of your belongings so that you literally

have nothing left you ultimately learned to hate Moscow or hate to Center and

you're willing to do anything to destroy them and anyone who comes along who promises to destroy them is your friend

that's effectively what happened in Ukraine people in the west know almost nothing

about Eastern Europe if you go to the the Versailles treaty discussions the

level of ignorance about Eastern Europe about Ukraine Lithuania Latvia Estonia Bill Russia just astounding or a place

like moldava which used to be called best Arabia no understanding at all of what existed there no understanding of

the people the complexity of the history and that resulted in numbers of bad

decisions that that produced the Versailles Treaty Organization so the bottom line is I don't I don't

fault people in the West for not paying enough attention it was easier to look at what was happening in Germany because

the Germans were open about it you could you could walk the streets and see what was happening and there were still plenty of Germans willing to talk to you

that wasn't the case in in the Soviet Union where there was absolute Terror absolute control by the nkvd that

ensured Stalin knew everything and everyone else knew nothing well in January I was asked whether or not the

Russians would go in and I was one of the few people in Washington said absolutely they will go

in because they were under severe threat I have to remember that after 2014 the

ukrainians began the process of attacking the so-called two Breakaway republics donatskin luhansk in the East

which were entirely Russian speaking and they killed roughly 14 000 people

between 2014 and 2021 and that was one of the reasons that we

had Dominica course because Putin who was trying to avoid a war uh went to the

Western powers and said look we've got to have some sort of solution in Ukraine which provides for the welfare care and

security of the Russians living on Ukrainian soil no one was particularly interested in listening but he persuaded

Merkel and macron to sign up for these Minsk Accords which essentially obligated Ukraine to take measures to

ensure that Russians would be treated equally before the law that they could speak their language go to school and so

forth as as Russians inside Ukraine it was never taken seriously by the west and that of

course is what Chancellor Merkel admitted publicly during the summer that the entire Minsk Accord process was

simply designed to buy time to continue the build up of the so-called Ukrainian

Army and what had been happening since 2014 is a very directed deliberate effort to

build not just an army to defend Ukraine but to build an army that would attack

Russia the army that that emerges from this process that we see fighting in 2022 was a very fine force it was

extremely well trained by NATO standards standing force of about 450 000 with 200

000 trained Reserves there's a lot of evidence to suggest that by

the spring of 2022 that this Army would probably be hurled at these two

Breakaway republics with the goal of forcing them back under Ukrainian Rule and I think Putin decided that since the

Minsk Accords were a failure that he would make one final diplomatic effort which of course he makes in December and

January to try and persuade us principally who are the real backers of

the war in Ukraine to come to the negotiating table and make arrangements that would avoid the war we demonstrated

we were totally disinterested but I think most people in Washington concluded that the Russian economy

wasn't strong enough to support a serious war and that ultimately the

Russians would balk and not go in I was quite convinced that they would however

I thought they would go in differently from the way they went they went in with a relatively small force and I think the

attempt was to do two things first of all avoid killing as many people as possible

secondly avoid damage to the infrastructure and then third to

persuade us in the west that he was quite serious about his request for a negotiated settlement

it takes him several months to discover certainly by June and July that he has

no negotiating Partners in the west and more important he discovers that we in

the United States are willing to bankroll this war against Russia effectively in perpetuity because our

real goal is to displace Putin from power and that's made very clear in

Biden's speech in Warsaw when he visits in March and ultimately to dismember

Russia to carve it up get control of its resources literally erase Russia as a

great power this was never acceptable to Putin or for that matter to the Russian Nation

and thus they had to make some new decisions we're not going to be able to fight this war with what we have we're

going to have to build new and bigger and better forces and since then the Russians have brought in an additional

400 000 reservists and volunteers these people are now trained they've been

assimilated into the Russian army and they are dispersed around the Ukraine

the vast majority of these troops have continued to train and they're sitting in reserve now what they have done is

they've rotated some Russian forces forward so they could see the battlefield see the enemy some units

have gotten limited exposure but for the most part the war in the South has been waged with a

a Reliance of what I would call an ISR strike complex that is where you link

intelligence surveillance reconnaissance platforms banned and unmanned space-based as well as terrestrial

two strike systems strike systems being artillery borders Rockets missiles and

unmanned aircraft are what we now call drones all of these have been organized to be very responsive very short period

of time and Destroy concentrations of Ukrainian forces as they try to attack the Russians in defense

this has been enormously successful and as a result certainly in November

December and January the exchange rate was about eight Ukrainian dead for every

one Russian killed and people in the west don't understand that the difference in Striking power is one to

ten for every one gun that the ukrainians have the Russians have ten

Putin had given strict orders don't kill civilians don't destroy infrastructure

and then when they realized they didn't have enough forces they decided to essentially lay Siege to places like

balita pole and mariopol in Mario poll they had thousands of ukrainians

eventually surrender but they killed thousands of ukrainians and so they they learned that it wasn't very sensible to

go in building the building room to room and try and dig people out it was easier to essentially cut them off cut the

power cut the water and then let time do its work for them the problem for the

Russians is this we have said that we will not relent that we are going to fight them until

they're destroyed if you tell the Russians that the Russians say to themselves well this war will only end

when we are on the Polish border that's that's a terrible situation frankly for Ukraine because we've said

we will not negotiate I don't think Putin expected that this would drag on I think he really thought that once he

showed us in the west that he was serious and that the Russians would not tolerate this large anti-russian

military establishment in eastern Ukraine that we would then say stop

let's negotiate and of course he was wrong his great fear was not just the

Ukrainian force in eastern Ukraine but that over time we would emplace missiles

in eastern Ukraine that could reach Russia's nuclear deterrent and that worried him about his ability

then to deter us from using nuclear weapons against Russia in the future but how could this operation take so long

well very simply he had a relatively small regular army and this small force

was simply not large enough to fight a war in a country the size of Texas remember he was initially only

interested in a portion of what we would call Texas it's so it's as though you said well the Panhandle in Eastern Texas

are Russia the rest of its Ukrainian I want to ensure the Russian citizens in

the Panhandle and in Eastern Texas have equal rights before the law they're not

oppressed they're not being brutalized they're not being punished for being Russians that was his goal and then to

find some sort of solution for the two republics luhanska Donetsk and to extract from the ukrainians the

understanding that Crimea was not up for discussion it was legitimately Russian and had been for hundreds of years

and he hoped then that he could make Ukraine neutral as a multinational Multicultural state

which is rather interesting because we have all of these people currently Waging War against him who ostensibly

hear her insisting on multinationalism and multiculturalism but they want to destroy Russia when Russia was only

interested in ensuring equal rights for their own citizens and neutrality for Ukraine

we insisted no Ukraine has to be a member of NATO and the Russian position had been for decades no that touches our

borders it sits on our border we will accept neutrality no one's forces there not yours not ours no ones except

ukrainians and they held up the Austrian State treaty as a good model for Ukraine

and if you haven't looked at the Austrian State treaty you should because it has worked very effectively and he

was convinced that this could work in Ukraine obviously he was wrong and that left him no choice but to do what he's

done there are estimates that the ukrainians have now fielded three armies in a row the first Army was largely

destroyed in the spring contrary to popular beliefs the ukrainians were not winning relentlessly

which was reported in the news media the exchange rate with the Russians was

never good then they built a second Army in the summertime that was designed to take the

offensive against the Russians that Army was largely destroyed by the full

and then they built a third Army which is now dying and much of it has died in

bakmut along this 160 mile front in the north of the donbos the donuts basin

Baka mood has become probably one of the largest blood bass we've seen certainly since the Battle of Shanghai in 1937.

now there are estimates of 250 000 dead ukrainians uh that's that's beyond what

I had anticipated I thought perhaps 200 000 I'm being told no it's much higher and it's again because of this

overwhelming strike presence on the Russian side the Russians have the

advantage in the air they have the advantage on the ground and the ukrainians can't compensate for that

because they simply don't have the wherewithal whatever we send to them is being destroyed almost as soon as it

shows up at the front they've been they've been sending these high Mars systems rocket artillery systems over

there the drones that fly over identify them the artillery strikes them and they're dead

and this goes on and on and on if you're saying all this Aid to Ukraine is added

dead to them yeah absolutely they'll be in debt for centuries well they they already are and there's no chance of

ever climbing out of it I mean this is the great tragedy Ukraine as a nation has been destroyed they started out

rethink with maybe 37 million 37.5 remember if you go back into the early

90s they had almost 90 people 90 million people living in Ukraine when when this

war started there were about 37.5 million there were already two million

ukrainians working and living in the West in other words uh everywhere from

London to Rome now add to that 10 plus million refugees

uh at least two million ukrainians that were Russians have gone into Russia

another 9 million ukrainians plus have gone into Western Europe and each day

more go there there are almost no women and children left you do have some men

but we're looking at somewhere is between 18 and 22 million people left in Ukraine and how many of those men are

physically fit and capable of fighting I don't know what that potential is but it's way below what people estimated

initially and you they're now bringing in women and and young boys and men over 40 50 60

to come in and and join units that have been reduced from say 500 men down to

100 men I mean this is a a tragedy unlike anything we've seen since World War II unfolding in front of us well if

you look at the people that are running the show in Ukraine right now they don't seem to be terribly concerned about the

destruction of the Ukrainian nation and its state that's the best that I can say they

they're behaving very much like Stalin and we now know that the losses during the second world war were not 20 million

they were at least 35 to 39 million in fact when I was in Moscow in 2001 I I

was told that they were then had counted 39 million nine hundred thousand and we're still counting based on their

access to the nkvd archives this government seems to think in those

terms that they can sacrifice whole generations of men in order to achieve

their aims I I don't see any evidence that it's going to work and the Russians are not going to run out of ammunition I

mean we've been hearing about the Russians running out of everything their factories their manufacturing centers

are turning out equipment and ammunition 24 hours a day seven days a week and multiple shifts the Russians aren't

running out of anything but we are we've just about run out run through our own War stocks same thing has happened in

Europe where the war Strokes stocks were never very high to begin with so you've got the German defense

minister saying we can't send anything else or we won't be able to defend ourselves

and I think you're going to hear that from a lot of European States now is any of this helping Ukraine I I don't think

so I think the only thing that we've done is uh played a key role in the

destruction of Ukraine and from the very beginning I had said to several people

Ukraine is to the Russians essentially what Mexico is to us if we discovered there was a large army

that was built exclusively for the purpose of attacking the United States and its goal was to quote unquote

liberate New Mexico Texas Arizona and Southern California from the evil white

Yankees I think we would have acted instantly to destroy that army the

Russians have essentially done the same thing so there was never any chance that the ukrainians were going to win an

all-out war with Russia and right now they've got an all-out war with Russia well you've got a nation of over 140

million finding a country of what 37 million now down to somewhere is between 18 and 22 million I don't I don't think

there's much chance that the nation of 140 million is going to lose and then finally the Russians are

sitting on territory that has the resources the manufacturing the industry

the technical development that represents about 90 percent of Ukrainian

gross national product they already control it and they're not going to leave it so how does prolonging this war help

Ukraine I don't think it does I don't see any evidence for it when you deal with the military and the political

leadership in Washington the key questions that are never asked is first of all what is the purpose of

this operation and then someone says well the purpose is to remove Putin from Power

well that's a dumb idea because it's not going to happen if that's your goal that

objective makes no sense so give me another objective well we want to hurt the Russians

well in what regard well we're going to sanction them well we already know that the sanctions have failed there's no

chance of destroying the Russian economy through sanctions on the contrary the ruble is now one of the strongest

currencies in the world and the Russian economy has actually thrived because there are plenty of

people in the world that want to do business with the Russians because the Russians have an abundance of food and abundance of resources mineral resources

oil Natural Gas so if that's the case that's not a reasonable objective so give us another

objective we never go through that well if you don't ask the first question what's the purpose and come up with

something reasonable the second question is how do you plan to do this

and no one no one ever sat down well we're just going to drop an avalanche of

equipment on top of the ukrainians we're going to give them our best intelligence that should be enough finally what do

you want it to look like when it's over well we want Russia to be destroyed and Putin to be gone well again this is

absurd this is nonsensical what are you talking about it is crazy crazyville so

you don't have responsible mature balanced diplomats and Military

commanders talking to you talking to people who are worse than amateurs

they're ideal ideologically blinded to reality their hatred is unbalanced them

you know the first question I ask people and they start oh well yeah Russia once Russia's destroyed then it's just China

where are these Russian and Chinese armies mobilizing to invade us where are these vast Air Forces ready to

attack us and bomb us where are these vast fleets assembling off our shore to

invade us and destroy us this is just nonsensical it's crazy we are still

fortunate in that we do live between two major oceans we have an enormous strategic advantage over everyone we've

squandered it by making enemies we're really frankly there were none and that's very true for Russia Russia to

actually cooperated with us very closely especially after 2001 and their help in

Afghanistan to us in the beginning was absolutely essential if we hadn't had their

intelligence and their support with the Northern Alliance we could not have gone into that country and stayed for any

length of time the notion that Russia was this unconditionally hostile enemy

was never true I think it is now and I think it will be decades before the Russians really recover from their

experience with us so the you know at this stage it's hard to see anything good happening for us I don't think NATO

is going to survive this experience I think the Europeans are going to come out of this with new governments I don't

know if they'll happen next week or in six months but I think governments are going to change in Europe you're going

to see new leaders emerge and their attitude is going to be why should we follow these Americans all the things

that we don't like about the Chinese we can deal with here at home if you

don't want the Chinese to steal your intellectual property then don't allow them into your Laboratories your

corporate Labs your University Labs your research and development why let them in why let them study in our universities

if you're that concerned about the Chinese why not defend your border you're letting thousands of Chinese walk

into our country illegally right now we don't even know where they went we don't know where they're going we don't know

what they're here to do that doesn't seem to bother anybody but those things should be addressed

here at home first and then you need a trade policy and the trade policy is very simple we'll do business with China

if it's in our interest to do so if it's not in our interest to do so we shouldn't do business with them it's a

very simple Prospect and we got to get a hold we got to get control of this very

corrupt Elite in this country the the people that shipped our manufacturing

base to China are are the wealthy ruling classes of this country they began that

process while Reagan was in office and it simply snowballed in the 90s under Clinton lots of people got rich

from Shipping out those factories those manufacturing centers what difference

did it make to us whether Ukraine was neutral or not none we should have made it neutral when

Eisenhower was President he ultimately welcomed Austria's neutrality because he argued that we don't have the resources

to defend all these countries the more neutral States we create the easier the military burden is on us well

that was in the 1950s when we were certainly stronger conventionally than we are today

and if you look at the balance of power between the various States we're dealing with a continental power in Russia we're

primarily a maritime in Aerospace power our strength is really at Sea and in the

air we are only a land power in the Western Hemisphere so the notion that somehow Or Another

We're going to take on and defeat a continental power is ludicrous nonsense

and we are we are failing to invest where we need to here at home we are not investing in high-end

manufacturing we're not investing in energy we're not investing in the agricultural sector these are our great

strengths that we should capitalize on we're not doing it and instead of fearing China what we should do is limit

our exposure where we think that they present a threat to us economically remember China abandoned communism in

the early 1990s that's what people don't seem to understand we keep saying the Chinese Communist Party the Chinese

Communist party I challenge anybody to find a communist in China these people are capitalists they understand how to

make money and what China wants to do is wants to transform itself into some facsimile of Singapore

by the way so do the Japanese and the Koreans they're all very enamored of the Singaporean model

well that's reprehensible to us because we'd say Singapore is a fascist state which of course it is it's a partnership

between the corporations and the government that goes far beyond anything we imagine and then the rules and laws

of those areas are strictly enforced by the government and the government owns

virtually all of the property we don't understand Asia we don't understand the people in Asia we absolutely do not

understand the Chinese and what they want they do not want to live in a liberal democracy as we imagine it

they don't want to elect a a president from a multi-party system G is

effectively the modern equivalent of the Chinese emperor and they're very happy with that because they see that as

absolutely essential to their security and what are the three things that the Asians expect from their government they

expect security from external attack and that was something the Chinese Emperors failed miserably to do in the last 200

years of Chinese Imperial rule they expect the people to be fed something

else that the Emperors failed to do at the end of their Dynasty or dynastic succession and three they expect the

population to be sheltered now if you look at those three things the Chinese leadership today has done

those things very well if you compare China to say India there is none of the

crippling poverty the horrific poverty that you see on the streets in India does not exist in China and China has

1.4 billion people those three things are what they want we in the United States should be demanding

something similar from our own government security number one for our country

and that has been treated with complete contempt if not total disinterest they

were really interested in protecting us we wouldn't have this wave of criminality sweeping across the country

we wouldn't have these open borders how many repeat criminals do we routinely

apprehend that have been released for all sorts of terrible crimes who've been deported and keep coming back what sort

of nonsense is this why do we tolerate these things we have a government that seems to be suicidal here at home and

suicidal overseas they're picking enemies that we cannot take on a defeat nor should we try and we don't have to

and at the same time they're doing things here at home that are destructive to our society

it's hard to imagine a worst set of circumstances and the question is not so much

what do we do about the government what do we do about the American people who are the Americans where are they

what are they doing when are they standing up and saying no more

we will not tolerate this any longer it hasn't happened because here

the standard of living is still too high life is still too easy I think the current financial and

economic crisis is about to change that and so perhaps that will awaken the American people to their

responsibilities to themselves and maybe then we'll get a different government than wants to protect us that

wants to feed us it wants to shelters
The Counter Intelligence Wing of Punjab Police in a joint operation with West Bengal Police and central agencies have arrested the main accused of Batala firing incident from Indo-Bhutan Border in West Bengal's Alipurduar district. The 21-year-old arrested accused has a criminal background and he was out on bail in a murder case.

According to the police, preliminary investigations have revealed that the handlers from abroad was behind the entire module and the accused was getting funds to carry out criminal activities. The arrested accused was involved in multiple cases in Punjab and the probe is now on to establish the money trail.

An FIR no. 103 dated 24/6/2023 was registered under sections 452, 307, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station City Batala.

While sharing how the Punjab Police tracked down the main accused of Batala firing incident, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the operation of the Counter Intelligence (CI) wing was based on technical inputs and evidence that helped locating the accused in Alipurduar district of West Bengal.

In a major breakthrough, @BatalaPolice, in a joint operation with @WBPolice & Central agencies solved firing incident after arresting the main accused from #WestBengal. @PunjabPoliceInd is fully committed to maintain peace & harmony as per directions of CM @BhagwantMann pic.twitter.com/m9tchPYaaX  DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) July 7, 2023

Batala Police immediately dispatched a team for West Bengal, and also shared the pinpointed information with them, he said. He also thanked the DGP of West Bengal for extending all kinds of cooperation during the operation.

SSP Batala Ashwini Gotyal who was also a part of the operation said that the police are working on different leads and efforts are on to nab the remaining accused in this case.

Rajeev Mahajan, his brother Anil Gupta and his son Manav Gupta had sustained bullet injuries after two assailants barged into their electronics shop at Lakkar Mandi in Batala on June 24, 2023, and opened fire at them.
Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), especially those who carried out three terror attacks in Rajouri and Poonch, used 'Tailored Communication Apps' for coordinating with top commander of Lashkar in Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK). Investigation so far has revealed that terrorists are using applications on mobile phones of locals in the Poonch-Rajouri district for communication and then wipe out the data from the phone.

Sources have informed Republic that the terrorists use the phones of locals in lieu of money or threat. During the investigation of three terror attacks in Poonch and Rajouri this year, it came to light that the terrorists were in touch with the Lashkar Commander, Saifullah Sajjad Jatt alias Langda, who is the launch commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for Jammu region.

Terrorists download apps on mobiles of locals

Agencies suspect that this handiwork of terrorists has been introduced by Lashkar Commander Saifullah Sajjad Jatt, who was active in South Kashmir for a decade as terrorism made a headstart in Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s, and is now settled in Pakistans Punjab province.

An official privy to the development told Republic that terrorists install these apps for a few minutes and then make calls to their handlers across the border. They convey their message and take the order, after which they delete the application from the mobile phones. In some cases, it was found that locals were paid money for using their mobile phones for communication. These terrorists are aware of the demography of the area and are moving tactically to skip the security cordon that has been in place at multiple locations in the Pir Panjal. Even they moved back and forth after Dhangri attack for almost 15 days, the official said.

The terrorists in Poonch and Rajouri have carried out the killing of 17 people, including 10 personnel of Indian Army, in three attacks - 7 in the Dhangri village of Rajouri on January 1-2; 5 Army jawans in Bhatta Durriyan area of Poonch on April 20 and subsequently, 5 jawans of Indian Armys Special Forces in Kandi area of Rajouri on May 5.
Sandip Haldar, 24, has made it back to his village of Helencha near the Bongaon border with Bangladesh in West Bengals North 24 Parganas just a day ahead of the crucial rural polls from the restaurant where he works as a cooks understudy in far-away Visakhapatnam.

Haldar is one of tens of thousands of semi-skilled and unskilled youth from his district who work outside their village as far away as Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, to help out families struggling to earn a living from small, often uneconomic farms.

I had to come back home  I was getting phone calls from friends in all major parties, asking me to come back and vote for the panchayat polls. The candidates have known us from infancy and expect us boys who work outside to come and be here on voting day, said Haldar as he lifted his new moulded plastic suitcase, a gift from his restaurant owner-employer on his shoulder and jumped on to a rickshaw which will take him on the last leg of his nearly 1,000 km journey home by train and bus.

A population boom which has seen the states population density increase 3.44 times between 1951 and 2011, the last time a census was conducted, has also eroded farm sizes reducing it to an average of just 0.77 hectares. Despite Bengal being one of the most fertile deltas in Asia, tiny farms and falling agricultural prices have forced many village youth to migrate outwards in search of greener pastures.

Shrinking farm sizes and lack of sufficient new labour-intensive industry which can absorb the excess rural workforce results in migration of blue-collar labour  some of it within the state and some intra-state.

Those migrants who go out as lone males or have land holdings in rural Bengal tend to be politically more connected, while those who migrate with their families or with little or no land in the state find their political interests here waning, Dr Pronab Sen, well known economist who was the first Chief Statistician of the Indian government, told PTI.

The last census in 2011 estimated that nearly 5.8 lakh people migrated from West Bengal to other states in search of work, the fourth largest stream of internal migrants from any state after UP, Bihar and Rajasthan. Analysts believe the number has since gone up, but in the absence of verifiable data, educated guess-estimates place it at over 2 million.

Sujit Mondal, 51, a master-mason in Delhi is also going back home to Malda to vote and to be with his parents. However, this time round his wife and sons who live with him in Delhis Tughlakabad area are not travelling with him.

Everyone cannot make it and the party I am voting for will anyway win, so their (his family members) votes need not be cast, he reasoned while transiting through Kolkata.

Bengals other migration stream of up-market, hi-tech and highly paid professional workers who now thrive in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Gurgaon are of course a different breed, who according to political pundits have far lesser interest in participating in politics back in Bengal.

Most of these blue collared migrants come from districts like North and South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad and Nadia, they used to travel to Delhi and Maharashtra for work earlier but now Southern states are a big draw, especially Kerala where they work as replacement workers in construction and agriculture as locals migrate further west to the Gulf, said Dr Samata Biswas, a researcher in migration flows with Calcutta Research Group, who is also on the faculty of the 200-year-old Sanskrit College and University.

Understanding the political importance of these migrant workers, the Left led by CPI(M) has mobilized its workers at railway stations through which they pass on way home, to campaign among them.

While TMC and BJP have mobilised its cadres to influence families to call back their sons to vote on July 8, the date for the panchayat polls in the state.

The Left parties in their manifesto for the Bengal rural polls have even promised a safety net for migrant labourers of the state, while claiming their numbers have now risen to 10 million.

Ashok Lahiri, former chief economic advisor to the Indian government and now a BJP MLA in West Bengal told PTI that while numbers on the size of the migrant population were hard to get, one gets a sense of the dimension of this migrant workforce from the profile of victims who died in the Coromandel train crash last month at Balasore. Most of them were going South to work. Lahiri, who is campaigning for his partys nominees in the panchayat elections, said there was a lot of enthusiasm among them (migrant workers) to come back and vote. Local loyalties, the excitement of being part of the voting exercise besides the opportunity to be with family and friends is what has brought him and many of his friends back, said Haldar.

However, money is important  if I had wrangled the work visa to Oman to work on a big building contract I knew about, I would not have taken the train from Delhi  But Malda is me and politics in my village runs in our blood, said Mondal with a wry smile as he got onto the Gour Express from Kolkatas Sealdah which would take him home and to the vote.
An arrest warrant for Salwan Momika, a 37-year-old Iraqi-born refugee residing in Sweden, has been forwarded by Iraq's prosecutor general's office to the International Criminal Police Organization. This action comes in response to Salwan Momika's act of burning a Quran in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, which occurred in late June, Iraqi media reported Thursday, citing the country's Supreme Judicial Council.

According to the council's statement, the prosecutor's office has provided an information sheet and a specific arrest warrant for Momika. Furthermore, they have urged Interpol to inform Baghdad if he is apprehended.

According to a Iraqi security official who spoke to AP, the individual involved in the incident was identified as an Iraqi Christian who had previously served in a Christian unit of the Popular Mobilisation Forces. The Popular Mobilisation Forces consist predominantly of Shiite militias that were integrated into Iraq's armed forces in 2016.

During the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha on June 28, a protest occurred outside Stockholm's primary mosque, where a Quran was burned. The Swedish police granted permission for the demonstration, although Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson subsequently remarked that while the permit was "lawful," it was deemed inappropriate.

The act of desecrating and burning the Quran in Stockholm has elicited widespread condemnation globally. The incident has garnered condemnation from numerous heads of state, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League and the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council. In response, Iraq has appealed to the Swedish authorities, urging them to extradite the immigrant accountable for the incident.

In a similar incident that occurred in January, a demonstration took place in Sweden where Danish far-right politician Rasmus Paludan burned the Muslim holy book in front of the Turkish embassy.

Protesters storm Swedish Embassy in Baghdad

Hundreds of followers of the influential Iraqi Shiite cleric and political leader Muqtada Sadr briefly stormed the Swedish Embassy in Baghdad on June 29 in protest of the burning.

The Iraqi security official who spoke to AP on the condition of anonymity said that the Swedish Embassy was evacuated by security forces after protesters managed to enter the building. The protesters displayed images of Sadr and flags representing his militia, the Mahdi Army.

Some of the protesters also burned rainbow flags, a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride. Iraqi officials didn't make any public statement on the storming of the embassy.
WASHINGTON aA Top leaders from both sides of the aisle reassured Americans on Wednesday that the U.S. wont default on its debt as tense negotiations over the debt ceiling continued.

I think at the end of the day we do not have a debt default, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told CNBC in a Squawk Box interview Wednesday morning.

President Joe Biden echoed that sentiment later in remarks from the White House, Were going to come together because these is no alternative, he said. Every leader in the room understands the consequences of failure.

Biden spoke minutes before he departed Washington for a truncated visit to Asia, where he plans to attend the Group of Seven summit.A He also said he would hold a news conference Sunday upon his return to share the latest on the negotiations.

The House speakers and the presidents remarks were the latest signs that negotiations, which had been stalled for months, were now moving into a more serious and concrete phase, and potentially closer to a deal.

Leaders are running out of time to raise the debt ceiling before a June 1 deadline when the government is set to run out of money. McCarthy met Tuesday with Biden at the White House alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and other top congressional leaders in an attempt to hammer out a deal before the president left for Japan.

McCarthy refrained from saying Wednesday that he was optimistic about the state of the talks, but said he was encouraged by Bidens willingness to negotiate.

The only thing Im confident about is now we have a structure to find a way to come to a conclusion, McCarthy said. The timeline is very tight. But were going to make sure were in the room and get this done.

Lifting theA debt ceilingA is necessary for the government to cover spending commitments already approved by Congress and the president a and prevent default. Doing so does not authorize new spending. But House Republicans have said they will not raise the limit if Biden and lawmakers do not agree to future spending cuts.

McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in separate interviews Wednesday morning on Squawk Box agreed that negotiations were moving forward, but the two remained entrenched in their positions.

Jeffries called a Republican request to attach work requirements to federal food benefits a nonstarter but said he remains optimistic about negotiations.

It was a very positive meeting yesterday, Jeffries said. It was calm. It was candid in terms of the discussion and Im optimistic common ground will be found in the next week or two.
Bangladesh said on Thursday that it is keen to witness a more vibrant BIMSTEC with India being a key active partner of the regional economic grouping, as both sides discussed the ways and means to make it a vibrant and successful organisation.

"India is giving enough priority to BIMSTEC -- so (they) want to know what Bangladesh as the (would be) new chair (of the forum) is thinking (about BIMSTEC)," Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen told a media briefing here after talks with Secretary (East), External Affairs Ministry, Shaurabh Kumar.

Kumar, who arrived here Thursday morning on a two-day official visit, discussed with Masud various issues related to the BIMSTEC ahead of the grouping's ministerial retreat to be held on July 17 in Bangkok.

Dhaka is set to be the new chair of the seven-nation grouping in December when India is scheduled to be its secretary general after the BIMSTEC summit to be held in Thailand on November 30.

Masud said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will join the ministerial retreat on July 17 in Bangkok to discuss various issues at the BIMSTEC summit. Thailand will host the summit on November 30.

The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) is an international organisation of seven South and Southeast Asian nations comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The foreign secretary said Bangladesh's priority area in BIMSTEC is on the economic front while Indias focus is on security agendas and both the countries would like to synchronize the issues between each other through discussion.

"There is room between Bangladesh and India in working together on different issues under BIMSTEC, he said.

Masud said during its chairmanship, Dhaka will give additional importance upon this regional forum and Bangladesh's priority is to realize BIMSTEC multilateral free trade agreement. On the other hand, he said New Delhi would like to sign some conventions among the BIMSTEC countries on various security issues, like extradition and money laundering. The foreign secretary said they also discussed connectivity among the BIMSTEC states. "We discussed connectivity not only through roads but also connectivity through transborder power gridlines, he added.

Replying to a question, Masud said the ministerial retreat would also discuss taking other regional countries as new members, dialogue partner or observer, if any state shows such interest.

When asked if there is any link between the Indian diplomat's visit and the upcoming US high level visit here, foreign secretary ruled it out and said todays meeting was fixed long ago.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry in a press release said that during his meeting with the Indian diplomat, Foreign Secretary Masud said that Bangladesh is committed to deepening relations with the member states of BIMSTEC in all aspects and moving forward in materializing the objectives of this regional organisation.

On his part, Kumar expressed New Delhis willingness to work together with Bangladesh to make BIMSTEC a most effective and dynamic organisation.

Both sides agreed to intensify their efforts in achieving tangible progress in the field of trade and investment, connectivity, energy security, and climate change for ensuring shared peace and prosperity in the Bay of Bengal region, it said.

Both sides also discussed the ways and means of moving forward the BIMSTEC process and making it a vibrant and successful organization.

Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Kumar Verma was also present during the meeting.
Nepal's former premier K P Oli on Friday said India should not be dragged into the controversy over Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachandas recent remarks that an Indian businessman made efforts to make him the premier. His remarks came in response to Prachanda's statement on Sardar Pritam Singh, a trucking entrepreneur in Nepal. "He (Singh) had once made efforts to make me the prime minister," Prachanda said.

"He travelled to Delhi several times and held multiple rounds of talks with political leaders in Kathmandu to make me the prime minister," Prachanda said during a book launch event. His remarks have courted controversy and drawn criticism from several quarters and have also stalled Parliament. Responding to Prachanda's remarks, Oli said: "India is well aware that interfering in the government formation in Nepal would be a violation of Nepal's sovereignty and it has not done it and will not do so." He also claimed that Singh has rejected Prachanda's statement that he travelled to New Delhi to make the CPN-UML chairperson the prime minister.

According to Oli, Singh has said: I have not gone to Delhi to make Prachanda Prime Minister. I dont know why the Prime Minister is saying this, but I never visited Delhi to make him Prime Minister. Singh made these remarks at a press conference, Oli said while addressing a programme organised by UMLs student wing in Kathmandu.

Friendly country India has never said till now that it will facilitate government formation in Nepal. India knows very well that to say so is against Nepals sovereignty, Oli said.

India never says so but our Prime Minister is saying that Nepals sovereignty doesnt lie in the Nepali people or Parliament and the government is not formed by Parliament but it will be made by running to Delhi, he said. He said Prachanda's statement was a "blow to our national sovereignty and nationalism". Oli also said his party was willing to hold talks with the ruling parties to address the current issues in the country.

In his address to the All Nepal National Free Students Union (ANNFSU) at the 10th National Gathering in Kritipur on Friday, the former prime minister said his party was ready to hold dialogues with the ruling side, centring on existing problems facing the nation. The UML has been obstructing Parliament proceedings for the last three days over Prachandas recent statement. "We are open to joining the talks wherever the ruling side invites us - be it in Parliament or outside," he said.
Both houses of Nepal's Parliament scheduled for Friday were postponed till Sunday as the main opposition party stuck to its demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" over his remarks that an Indian businessman settled here and made efforts to make him the premier. Prachanda's remarks that he made during a function to launch a book on Sardar Pritam Singh here have stirred up a storm and drawn criticism from several quarters.

"He (Singh) had once made efforts to make me the prime minister," Prachanda said. "He travelled to Delhi several times and held multiple rounds of talks with political leaders in Kathmandu to make me the prime minister," Prachanda said of the reported role of Singh, a pioneer trucking entrepreneur in Nepal.

The main Opposition party Communist Party of Nepal-(Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML), has demanded the prime minister's resignation saying that his remarks had undermined the prestige and independence of the country. The CPN-UML Chairperson and former prime minister KP Sharma Oli demanded the prime minister's resignation from the post, saying that his remarks had undermined the national dignity and independence of the country.

Meanwhile, the ruling alliance members, including the Nepali Congress and CPN-Unified Socialist, backed Prachanda. At a meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence at Baluwatar on Thursday, decided that Prachanda would face the Parliament rather than resigning from his post. Senior leader of CPN (Unified Socialist) Rajendra Pandey said the ruling alliance stood behind Prachanda and added that if the opposition parties had any complaints against the prime minister, they could seek a response from him in Parliament.

CPN-UML lawmakers obstructed the National Assembly's meeting on Friday over the prime minister's remarks and stood from their respective seats as a gesture of protest. Parliamentarian Bimala Ghimire said that Prachanda's remarks about an individual and a foreign country taking initiatives to elect the prime minister were against the country's Constitution and sovereignty. Ghimire asserted the National Assembly meetings could not be taken forward unless Prachanda tenders his resignation.

The House of Representatives meeting was also postponed until Sunday, following the disruption by opposition parties the CPN-UML, the Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) over Prachanda's remarks. Prachanda, 68, was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Nepal for a third time on December 26 last year.

Meanwhile, Prachanda's Press Adviser Govinda Acharya issued a press note stating that the opposition parties were blowing the prime minister's remarks out of proportion. He said that Prachanda was trying to express the emotional bond he shared with the Indian businessman, but the opposition was blowing the prime minister's remarks out of proportion to serve their political interests.

He said Prachanda's elder daughter Gyanu Dahal stayed at Singh's house in New Delhi when she underwent cancer treatment. Prachanda's party, the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist Centre (CPN-MC), also issued press releases condemning the CPN-UML's protest, accusing it of propagating rumours. The party said Prachanda and Singh shared emotional bonds, and the former's remarks were aimed at highlighting the sincere feelings of the latter, who wanted to see him become the prime minister.

In an oblique reference to Oli, the CPN-MC claimed in its release that people knew well the repeated dissolution of the House of Representatives after (Oli's) midnight meeting with the Indian RAW chief, scuttling the government's attempt to make laws in favour of the people, and the main Opposition party's irresponsible attitude against the government's investigation into old corruption cases were attacks on the new political gains.

"Our party strongly condemns the tendency of fishing in muddy water and looking for a chance to bash others," CPN-MC Spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara stated, making a veiled reference to the CPN-UML.

Government spokesperson and Minister for Communication and IT Rekha Sharma said that the present coalition government was not going to collapse despite the resignation sought by opposition parties over Prachanda's remarks. The government enjoys full support from the people as it is working against corruption and to fulfil the aspiration of the Nepalese people, she said.

The Opposition, mainly the CPN-UML, unnecessarily sought the prime minister's resignation over his remarks at a time when the government was working to bring laws against the loan sharks and taking strong measures to eradicate corruption, she pointed out. Meanwhile, an editorial in The Kathmandu Post titled "Think before you speak" said that Prachanda's remarks were against Nepal's sovereignty and the people's mandate.

"No matter how the prime minister's damage-control machinery tries to play down what he has said, Dahal's statement has dishonoured the sovereignty of Nepal's Parliament and the electoral mandate of the people who elected him to power," the editorial said. Calling Prachanda's remarks "callous" it said that opposition parties were right in "seeking a sensible explanation from the prime minister, as an individual holding the nation's most important executive portfolio cannot get away with a strategically sensitive remark like the one Dahal made." It added that the prime minister's tongue-in-cheek remark has already fuelled the fire in a political culture high on rabble-rousing and low on content.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Thursday for a robust international force to help combat Haitis armed gangs and restore security in the impoverished nation, saying that a U.N. experts estimate that Haiti needs up to 2,000 additional anti-gang police officers is no exaggeration.

Stressing that the U.N. is not calling for a military force or a political mission, Guterres appealed to U.N. Security Council members and potential contributing countries to act now to deploy a multinational force to help the Haitian National Police defeat and dismantle the gangs."

The Caribbean nation has been asking for such a force since last October, and Guterres has been looking for a country to lead the deployment.

The United States and Canada, two likely candidates, have opted out. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Georgetown, Guyana, on Thursday that the United States is involved in discussions trying to find a lead nation.

The U.N. chief, who visited Haitis capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday, told reporters that criminal gangs have a stranglehold on the population. The Haitian people are trapped in a living nightmare. Humanitarian conditions are beyond appalling, he said.

Guterres spoke ahead of a Security Council meeting later Thursday on his report on Haiti and following Wednesdays news conference by the U.N. independent expert for Haiti, William ONeill, who concluded a 10-day trip to the country last week.

O'Neill estimated that Haiti needs 1,000 to 2,000 international police with expertise in organized criminal gangs and their financing, as well as in kidnappings and urban operations. He stressed that the quality of the officers is more important than the quantity.

Guterres, asked about ONeills estimate, said the right number for an international force needs to be assessed but that it should be a meaningful number, and that he believes the U.N. experts numbers do not reflect any exaggeration. He added that the police also need financing, training and equipment.

At the council meeting, many members supported the secretary-general's call for an international force but there were no new offers. Jamaica and The Bahamas have already signaled their willingness to contribute to a multinational force and Guyana's President Irfaan Ali said Rwanda and Kenya have also indicated a willingness.

ONeill, an American lawyer who has been working on Haiti for over 30 years and helped establish the Haitian National Police in 1995, told reporters: I have never seen the situation as bad as it is now.

But he stressed that Haiti is not without hope, and cited efforts by prosecutors in Port-au-Prince to speed work on criminal cases and to launch corruption cases against top officials. He also singled out the customs agencys efforts to collect taxes and duties that werent previously being paid.

Guterres called for simultaneous action on three fronts: restoring security, working toward a political solution that restores democratic institutions and addressing urgent humanitarian needs. He called on donors to respond quickly to the U.N. appeal for $720 million to help more than 3 million people, which is only 23% funded.

The U.N. chief said these three steps are vital to break Haitis cycle of suffering and create a path out of the crisis.

The gangs have grown in power since the July 7, 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and are now estimated to control up to 80% of the capital. The surge in killings, rapes and kidnappings has led to a violent uprising by civilian vigilante groups.

U.N. special envoy for Haiti Maria Isabel Salvador noted the second anniversary of Moise 's assassination on Friday and told the council the call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice continues. She cited widespread backing for a robust international force, stressing that it must help strengthen, not replace, the Haitian National Police.

Since her briefing to the council in late April, she said, the dire security situation has gotten worse and the violence has moved beyond Port-au-Prince, with vigilante groups adding another layer of complexity. She said the U.N. political mission she heads has documented ""the killing of at least 264 alleged gang members by vigilante groups" since April.

ONeill said he met with senior Haitian National Police leaders, including the inspector general, and they told him they are committed to seriously looking at the integrity and competence of all officers and for evidence of misconduct, abuse of power, criminal activity or collusion with the gangs.

He said the inspector general told him 80 officers have been suspended and are under investigation for misconduct or criminal activity, and that police participation in a vigilante justice movement called bwa kale is also being investigated.

ONeill said he plans to meet council members and other countries active on Haiti over the coming week to discuss his visit and recommendations, including an immediate arms embargo as well as deployment of international police experts.

China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun said regrettably he didnt hear any country announce concrete actions in response to calls for an international force and told the council that it should therefore prioritize cutting off arms and ammunition shipments to Haiti, which experts have said mainly come from the United States.

If large numbers of weapons were to continue to float unabated into the hands of Haitian gangs, it will be futile for the international community to try to give more support to the Haitian police," he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will travel to Turkey where he is scheduled to meet his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul on July 7. This was announced by the Turkish Presidency's Directorate of Communications. According to the statement released, the two leaders are also scheduled to hold a joint press conference after the bilateral meeting.

Zelenskyy's visit reported earlier by Turkey

The visit was earlier reported by Turkish news agency Anadolu. The official announcement of Zelenskyy's visit to Turkey came later. Zelenskyy's international trips are usually not announced in advance for security reasons.

According to the Anadolu news media, Turkish President Erdogan and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy are set to discuss relations between the two countries, regional and international issues, the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine, and the Black Sea grain agreement, set to expire on July 17.

Zelenskyy on a 3-nation trip

Before Turkey, Ukraine's president visited Bulgaria and Czech Republic on July 6 to discuss, among other topics, defence assistance and the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

The two leaders are also expected to discuss the very important Black Sea grain agreement. The Black Sea Grain initiative, brokered by Turkey and the UN in July 2022, has been extremely crucial in mitigating a global surge in food prices. Russia's war initially prevented Ukraine from shipping agricultural products through its Black Sea ports. Moscow has also threatened not to extend the agreement unless the West eases its restrictions against Russia's grain and fertilizer exports.
Laos has launched a hotline that citizens can call for government assistance, but people appear afraid to use it because callers must reveal their names, phone numbers and addresses. Laos, one of the world's few avowed Marxist-Leninist states, has given critics lengthy jail terms for social media comments. Residents say they don't want to get in trouble for reporting problems.
Zhang Hai hasn't been allowed to meet with a lawyer since his detention following February's 'silver' protests.

Veteran activist Zhang Hai was detained by authorities after reposting video clips of the "silver" protests in Wuhan, along with media reports and comments to his Twitter account.

Authorities in the central Chinese city of Wuhan have sent the case against COVID-19 rights activist Zhang Hai back to police '"for further investigation," amid fears he may have been placed in incommunicado detention, putting him at greater risk of torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

Wuhan state security police detained Zhang in the southern city of Shenzhen after he reposted video clips of the "silver" protests in Wuhan, along with media reports and comments to his Twitter account.

Zhang, who also campaigned for the rights of COVID-19 victims, was formally arrested in April for "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.

Just before he was detained, he had publicly expressed support for recent protests by older people in his home city of Wuhan over cuts to medical insurance payouts.

Netherlands-based dissident Lin Shengliang, who is in contact with Zhang's family, said there are now fears that the authorities may be holding Zhang incommunicado.

"It's not out of the question that he was placed under 'residential surveillance at a designated location' prior to being locked up in the detention center in Hanyang," Lin told Radio Free Asia in a recent interview.

"Residential surveillance at a designated location" allows detainees to be held for up to six months without access to a lawyer, placing them at greater risk of torture to elicit a "confession," according to human rights groups.

No contact with lawyer

Zhang is currently being held in the Wuhan No. 2 Detention Center, and the authorities have refused to allow his family to hire their own lawyer, saying he will be represented by a government lawyer instead, Lin said.

"His family haven't been given any kind of documentation [relating to his case]," Lin said. "They've appointed a government lawyer for him, but they haven't allowed the lawyer to meet with him yet."

"I heard that they won't allow this while the police are still investigating the case," he said.

Police scuffle with retirees protesting cuts to medical benefits near the entrance to Zhongshan Park in Wuhan, China, on Feb. 15, 2023. Credit: Screenshot from video obtained by Reuters Lin said the municipal state prosecutor's office -- the procuratorate -- recently sent the case back for further investigation by police, something that usually happens when prosecutors want more evidence to substantiate a criminal charge.

"It's possible that the so-called facts of the 'crime' don't match the charge assigned to him," Lin said. "Another possibility is that the ... case has been sent back due to insufficient evidence."

He said if the case attracts the attention of higher-ranking officials as a result, it could be designated a priority case, used to make an example of someone.

"Maybe it's all part of the show they put on," Lin said, referring to the fact that Chinese courts almost never acquit political prisoners in similar cases.

Lin said the authorities are also putting huge pressure on Zhang's wife, making her consider divorcing him to protect the couple's child, whose access to housing and schooling could be affected by Zhang's prosecution.

"As far as I know, his wife is in Shenzhen, because they have a kid in school there," Lin said. "She is worried that this will affect their son, and that the authorities will put pressure on the child."

"As far as I know, she started out speaking up for Zhang Hai's rights, but now she is thinking about divorce so as not to impact the kid," he said.

'Silver' protest support draws ire

Wuhan-based activist Gao Fei said Zhang has likely been targeted due to his persistence in speaking out over his father's death, and for his support for the "silver" protests.

"Seeking justice for his father and supporting socio political movements are of course part of the reason," Gao said.

"I think the most important factor is that he has stood firm," he said. "If you confront them head-on, they will do the same to you, as a form of retaliation."

"They are always looking for people to help them meet their targets," he said.

Zhang, who hails from Wuhan but lived in Shenzhen at the time of his detention, became an outspoken critic of the ruling Chinese Communist Party since the pandemic prompted a city-wide lockdown in Wuhan and killed his father.

The authorities placed restrictions on his bank cards and on routine banking transactions in June 2022.

Since a nationwide crackdown on hundreds of rights attorneys and law firms in 2015, police have begun to put pressure on the families of those detained for political dissent to fire their lawyer and allow the government to appoint a lawyer on their behalf, in the hope of a more lenient sentence.

Zhang's detention came after thousands of people took to the streets of two Chinese cities  Wuhan and Dalian  on Feb. 15 in a second mass protest over major cuts to their medical benefits.

The protests were a continuation of an earlier rally outside municipal government headquarters in Wuhan on Feb. 8 against the slashing of medical payouts under an insurance scheme offered to retired employees of state-owned enterprises.

The ruling Chinese Communist Party's propaganda machine says the "silver protests" were the result of "rumor-mongering," and ordered police and local officials to carry out "ideological work" with people who attended the demonstrations.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Paul Eckert.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary says she seeks to protect national security and reestablish communications.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks as Chinese Premier Li Qiang listens during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Friday, July 7, 2023.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen voiced concerns Friday over market barriers for American firms operating in China but stressed the importance of stabilizing relations between the two world powers at the start of a high-profile visit to Beijing.

She met with Chinas central bank governor Yi Gang, former economy point-man Liu He and State Premier Li Qiang on Friday to discuss the global, U.S. and Chinese economies.

In prepared remarks, Yellen told Li she hoped her visit would spur more regular channels of communication between the world's two largest economies, adding that both countries had a duty to show leadership on global challenges such as climate change.

She said Washington would in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security, but disagreements over such moves should not jeopardize the broader relationship.

We seek healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time, she said.

Separately, speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Yellen noted concerns in the U.S. business community.

I am communicating the concerns that Ive heard from the U.S. business community, including Chinas use of non-market tools like expanded subsidies for its state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, as well as barriers to market access for foreign firms, she said.

Meanwhile, in a sign of a possible thaw in China-U.S. relations, the usually provocative nationalist state tabloid Global Times asked in a tweet, whats Yellens preferred choice of food while in China?" after she ate at a popular Yunnan restaurant with the U.S. ambassador after her arrival Thursday.

It seems that Yunnan cuisine takes the top spot, as a popular Yunnan restaurant in Beijing's Sanlitun area recently shared a picture of Yellen using chopsticks to enjoy a meal shortly after her arrival in Beijing on Thursday.

Yellen is in Beijing amid a flurry of visits aimed at breaking the ice between Washington and Beijing after the U.S. military shot down a Chinese government balloon over the United States in February.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in late June and U.S. climate envoy John Kerry will visit Beijing later this month Bloomberg reported.

Mediating influence

Yellen has a near mission impossible  to convince China that its measures in the interests of state security, restricting technology exports to China, are not intended to harm Chinas interests as a rising nation state.

But Chinese state media showed signs that Beijing may be in the mood for compromise  at least when it comes to trade and investment.

Chinas Global Times, in an uncharacteristically positive turn, editorialized that even though U.S. officials are downplaying any expectations from Yellens visit, Chinese experts believe that one major point of significance of Yellen's trip is to keep high-level communication channels open, which may help bilateral relations walk out of their downward spiral.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen walks after arriving at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, Thursday, July 6, 2023. Credit: Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via Reuters

Ahead of Yellens visit, in a response to restrictions on Chinas access to high-technology semiconductor chips, on Monday, China announced it was restricting exports of two critical components in the chips that modern life runs on.

This is just the beginning, Wei Jianguo, a former Chinese vice-minister of commerce, told the China Daily. Chinas tool box has many more types of measures available.

The trade and investment entanglement of China and the U.S. makes what the U.S. is now referring to as de-risking, rather than decoupling, hugely complex due to the entangled nature of the two nations' trade.

Firm on security

Its likely Beijing may think that accepting Yellens visit and appearing to be more receptive, as opposed to the cooler reception Blinken received last month, could give the U.S. pause for thought about its tech restrictions.

But Yellen reiterated that her mission, like Blinkens, was to open up lines of communication and avoid a catastrophic confrontation between the worlds two superpowers.

I am glad to be in Beijing to meet with Chinese officials and business leaders. We seek a healthy economic competition that benefits American workers and firms and to collaborate on global challenges, Yellen said in a tweet.

We will take action to protect our national security when needed, and this trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding.

A possible thaw

Yellen is a more rational voice on China issues within the Biden administration, Wu Xinbo, dean of the Institute of International Studies at Shanghais Fudan University told The Wall Street Journal.

But her visit comes amid unsafe moves in the South China Sea, a war of words over Chinese fentanyl exports, revelations of a multibillion-dollar Chinese spy base in Cuba and daily military harassment of Taiwan.

Wendy Cutler, a former diplomat and Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute, talking to Taiwan +, an English-language TV news service, said of Yellens visit, No 1, she has to go through the list of U.S. grievances, including their recent announcement of [export restrictions on] two critical minerals, the way U.S. companies are being treated in China and recent legislation to create more uncertainty in the business climate.

Cutler added that, as Yellen has previously pointed out, the U.S. doesnt seek to decouple the two superpowers economies, but there are sectors of national security concern [and] were not going to be shy about protecting that.

Back to business

Yellen took a jab at Chinas planned economy, saying that Beijing should return to the era of market reforms that former leader Deng Xiaoping ushered in and which led to decades of rocket-fueled economic growth.

A shift toward market reforms would be in Chinas interests, Yellen told U.S. business executives on Friday, according to reports.

A market-based approach helped spur rapid growth in China and helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. This is a remarkable economic success story, Yellen added.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen meets with representatives of the U.S. business community in China, in Beijing, July 7, 2023. Credit: Reuters/Thomas Peter

Yellen said that China's vast middle-class was a market for American goods and services, again stressing that Washingtons bevy of restrictions on trade against China were about national security and not holding back Chinese development.

We seek to diversify, not to decouple, she said. A decoupling of the worlds two largest economies would be destabilizing for the global economy, and it would be virtually impossible to undertake.

Edited by Mike Firn.
A cargo container ship crosses the Gulf of Suez toward the Red Sea as holiday-makers play at al Sokhna beach in Suez, Egypt, July 26, 2019.

The global shipping industry on Friday agreed to reduce planet-warming greenhouse gasses (GHG) to net zero by or around 2050, after China and others opposed a stricter emissions target despite mounting pressure.

The deal was agreed to by the 175 member states. It came at the end of a five-day meeting at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations global shipping regulator.

Maritime nations agreed on a revised strategy to peak GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as possible and to reach net-zero GHG emissions by or around, i.e. close to 2050, a statement from the IMO said.

The less firm deadline was agreed to take account of different national circumstances, it added.

This outcome is far from perfect, but countries came together and got it done - and it gives us a shot at 1.5 C, said Vanuatus climate change minister, Ralph Regenvanu.

Previously, the shipping industry had targeted cutting its emissions by at least half from 2008 to 2050. Most of the worlds 100,000 cargo ships are powered by highly polluting diesel.

Pacific island nations had been pushing for more ambitious targets, calling for a 50% reduction by 2030 and a 96% emissions cut by 2040. Rich countries, including the United States, backed the demand.

Due to pushback from China, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and several other countries, the proposed strategy resulted in indicative checkpoints rather than a hard target to cut total annual GHG emissions by at least 20%, striving for 30%, by 2030 and by at least 70%, striving for 80%, by 2040, compared to 2008 levels.

After the deal was agreed, Tuvalus negotiator said he was very disappointed with a strategy which falls short of what we needed, while the Marshall Islands negotiator said he had mixed feelings with more work to be done.

John Maggs, president of the environmental group Clean Shipping Coalition, said that one of the reasons weve got this ridiculously caveated 2050 language is because of China, and one of the reasons that we dont have stronger 2030 targets is because of Japan.

On Monday, Chinas negotiator had argued at the meeting that trade and development are as existential issues as climate change and that the emission targets should be practical, reasonable and feasible, with their impact properly assessed.

Scientists consider keeping global warming below the critical threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels the limit to stave off climate changes most catastrophic and irreversible effects.

Activists from the Ocean Rebellion group protest outside the International Maritime Organization at the end of the 80th Marine Protection Committee conference in London, July 7, 2023. Credit: AFP.





The agreement is lacking, experts say

Experts and environmentalists said the agreement falls short of whats needed to curb warming to agreed temperature limits.

There is no excuse for this wish and a prayer agreement. They knew what the science required, and that a 50% cut in emissions by 2030 was both possible and affordable, said John Maggs, president of the environmental Clean Shipping Coalition.

Instead the level of ambition agreed is far short of what is needed to be sure of keeping global heating below 1.5C, and the language seemingly contrived to be vague and non-committal.

The global shipping industry, carrying up to 90% of trade goods, is responsible for around 3% of global GHG emissions. It is roughly equivalent to the emissions of Germany and more than the entire aviation industry, which is aiming to reach net zero by 2050.

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) said the new targets are incompatible with the Paris Agreements aim to keep global temperature rise to 1.5C by 2100.

By our new estimates of the revised strategy, international shipping will exceed its current share of the worlds 1.5 C carbon budget by approximately 2032 but will not exceed the well below 2 C carbon budget (well below interpreted as 1.7 C) if it follows the emissions reduction pathway implied by this revised strategy, said Bryan Comer, the marine program lead at the ICCT.

Experts have said the shipping industry must cut emissions by 45% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050 to keep on track with the 1.5 C temperature goal.

Attempts to impose a levy on emissions from international shipping to fund climate action were unsuccessful, but it is still in consideration despite attempts to block it.

Ultimately, its not the targets but the incentives we put in place to meet them. So we in the Pacific are going to keep up a strong fight for a levy that gets us to zero emissions by 2050, Regenvanu said.
Lao authorities pardoned and released inmates, such as these, at a jail in the Lao capital of Vientiane on the country's National Day, Dec. 2, 2022.

More than 500 prison inmates have been sentenced to death in Laos  some more than a decade ago  but the countrys dysfunctional legal system and unclear prison procedures have left the inmates languishing for years, the countrys minister of public security said.

Many of the inmates were convicted on drug charges and have had their sentences reduced to life in prison, Lt. Gen. Vilay Lakhamfong, head of the Ministry of Public Security and deputy prime minister, told lawmakers at a National Assembly session on Thursday.

Authorities have even released some inmates who had originally been sentenced to death, which hasnt helped Laos make any headway on combating illicit drug production, trafficking, and related criminal activity, he said.

Lao laws do not mandate where and how to execute them, by firing squad or by lethal injection, Lakhamfong told lawmakers.

International organizations oppose the two execution methods, he said, adding that about 90% of Laos death-row sentences are drug-related.

They dont want us to do that; therefore, we have to keep them in jail and give them life sentences, Lakhamfong said.

Laos has not officially abolished the death penalty, though the last known execution, done by shooting, occurred in 1989, according to the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. In the past, authorities never disclosed the number of prisoners put to death, the crimes they had committed, or the places of execution.

Now government and legal bodies involved in drafting laws are updating death-sentence procedures and are expected to complete their work by year end, Lakhamfong said.

Largely poor landlocked Laos is part of the Golden Triangle, an area that converges with Myanmar and Thailand at the confluence of the Mekong and Ruak rivers, and is a haven for crimes, including the drug trade, by organized criminal networks.

Though Lao authorities have committed to combating drug trafficking, it remains rife in the Golden Triangle. In February, authorities there seized 500 kilograms of crystal meth in one of the largest hauls of the narcotic in the notorious zone.

Setting a bad example

Meanwhile, members of the general public have urged authorities to execute inmates on death row so that people have faith in the countrys legal system.

One Laotian told Radio Free Asia that if authorities continue to pardon prisoners with death sentences, they will likely return to drug trafficking or the drug trade once they are out of jail.

They should execute them, not just say it but do it, in the middle of a field and let all the other [prisoners] see it, he said.

Another Lao citizen said if the inmates are let out of prison, it will set a bad example for others involved in the drug trade because they wont fear getting caught and sent to jail.

Inmates with death sentences should be executed right away if a court verdict orders an execution, and the law should be decisive and trustworthy, he said. If they do not execute them, then those who are in drug businesses right now will not fear the law, and that will undermine the countrys judicial system.

A Lao legal expert, who declined to be named so he could speak freely, said authorities should carry out death sentences based on legal mandates, rather than keeping inmates in jail for 10-20 years, reducing their sentences to life in prison, and later releasing them.

It is not good for society if inmates often ask for a pardon from a death sentence to get life in prison, but after 10 to 20 years are released, he said.

Translated by Sidney Khotpanya for RFA Lao. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Matt Reed.
Last week, Rachel Jones (AZ State House, District 17, outside of Tucson), tweeted this photograph of herself, standing next to Justine Wadsack (AZ State Senate, District 17), in front of the Arizona State Capitol Building in Phoenix, with no text or description other than "#2A." In the photo they are both wearing skinny jeans, high heels, and blazers, and they are both holding gunsit's definitely "giving" massive Lauren Boebert, as the kids say.

Far-right group Arizona Campaign for Liberty re-tweeted the photo alongside an image from the Pima County Democratic Party and with the accompanying text: "LD 17  Choose Your Fighters. We trust you'll make the right choice." The image from the Pima County Democratic Party was from a drag show fundraiser, with the text: "The LD17 Fundraiser, Drag Show, Comedy Show, and evening of love and solidaritywas a magnificent success! We are 'woke' and we are proud. Our resistance is our joy and power. #pride20023 #Pride 2023."

Who is Rachel Jones? On her website, she says she'll "restore Arizona Values" (that she claims are "under attack") by:

Banning Critical Race Theory Ending any and all lockdowns Securing our elections Securing our border Fighting for the Unborn Defending our God-given rights

Both Jones and Wadsack are part of what they call the "Arizona Freedom Team in Legislative District 17." In addition to Jones and Wadsack, the third member of the "Freedom Team" is Cory McGarr, State House District 17. Here are some signature quotes from the three, featured on the Freedom Team website:

"Vaccine mandates stolen elections critical race theory our rights being trampled do not always start in the home. But our way back does. Our Conservative Values have been relentlessly attacked by the Socialist Democrats in Phoenix, but the fight to RESTORE ARIZONA VALUES starts with STRENGTHENING ARIZONA FAMILIES. Banning Critical Race Theory, Defending the lives of the Unborn, and championing Medical Freedom. This is our way back this is our way to a Stronger Arizona."  Rachel Jones, State House District 17 "The weak do-nothing politicians in Phoenix do not want me in the State Senate. The Radical Left and Fake Republicans do not want me in office because they know what I will do they know I will PROTECT the PEOPLE and DEFEND their FREEDOM. The People of Arizona are tired of being ignored so I am going to the State Senate to STOP IT."  Justine Wadsack, State Senate District 17 "We need someone in the State House who has and will continue to support President Donald J. Trump's AMERICA FIRST Agenda. We need an Authentic Conservative that WILL NOT BACK DOWN. The formula for a better Arizona is simple, but we need Conservative fighters willing to act. I am that Conservative Fighter and I ask you to elect me to the Arizona State House."  Cory McGarr, State House District 17

I would 100% choose drag queens over these "Freedom"-loving ammosexuals, any day of the week. Come on, Arizona, we can do better than this!
Meanwhile, an international prosecutor who visited Coxs Bazar calls for more support for hungry refugees.

A Rohingya man walks inside Balukhali refugee camp in Coxs Bazar where five men were killed during a clash between two armed groups, July 7, 2023.

At least five members of rival Rohingya militant groups were killed in a gunfight Friday at a refugee camp in Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district, police and other sources said.

Separately, following a four-day visit to refugee camps in that southeastern district, International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan urged the world to provide more humanitarian support because, he said, Rohingya were missing meals after the U.N. World Food Program had cut monthly aid to U.S. $8 from $12 on June 1.

The killings in Fridays shootout before dawn marked the latest bloodshed between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO). Up until relatively recently, Bangladesh officials had denied that Rohingya militants had a foothold in the sprawling refugee camps near the Myanmar border, where security has deteriorated sharply.

The gunfight that left five dead this morning was between two Rohingya armed groups, ARSA and RSO, Md. Farooq Ahmed, an assistant superintendent with the Armed Police Battalion, told BenarNews.

Sheikh Mohammad Ali, officer-in-charge of the Ukhia police station, said law enforcers recovered the corpses of those killed in the gunfight, which took place around 5 a.m. at the Balukhali camp.

Camp resident Nur Hafez said gunshots woke him.

I heard a hue and cry. Rushing to the scene, I found some blood-stained injured people lying on the ground. The police took them away after a while, he told BenarNews.

Due to contests among different groups inside the camp, the killings are increasing, Hafez said.

Syed Ullah, a Rohingya camp leader, said that the feud between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Rohingya Solidarity Organization had surfaced over efforts to exert dominance in the camps.

The ordinary Rohingya people have been living in a terrified atmosphere, he said.

The population of the densely crowded camps has swollen to about 1 million after about 740,000 Rohingya crossed the border into Bangladesh as they fled a brutal military offensive in their home state of Rakhine in Myanmar. That followed a series of deadly attacks by ARSA forces on Burmese military and police posts in Rakhine in August 2017.

Ullah said uncertainty over efforts to repatriate the Rohingya to Myanmar had caused frustration, leading to an increase in criminal activities at the camps.

We at the camps have faced two-pronged difficulties  our monthly food allocations have been reduced twice and now we face the danger of being killed by the armed groups, he said.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan speaks to reporters in Dhaka following his first visit to Rohingya camps in Coxs Bazar, Feb. 27, 2022. (BenarNews)





Karim Khan, the ICCs chief prosecutor, visited the camps to interview Rohingya about atrocities they suffered before fleeing to Bangladesh.

He had made a similar visit in February 2022 after the Hague-based ICC authorized the investigation in 2019, but that was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pre-trial chamber concluded at the time that it was reasonable to believe that since at least 9 October 2016, members of the Tatmadaw [the Myanmar military], jointly with other security forces and with some participation of local civilians, may have committed coercive acts against the Rohingya people that constitute crimes against humanity, according to a 55-page court document.

In a separate investigation, the International Court of Justice allowed a case to proceed that the Gambia had brought against Myanmars military regime alleging genocide against Rohingya.

The ICJ in May ruled to allow Myanmar officials until Aug. 24 to present arguments and evidence necessary to respond to the claims made against them.

Following his four-day visit, Karim Khan expressed concern that Rohingya are going without meals.

[U]p to March, Rohingya men, women and children were given three meals a day, they were given enough money to eat three times a day. And since March, they have (been) eating twice a day, and not even twice, he told reporters at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Dhaka hours after flying in from Coxs Bazar.

Mohammad Alam, a leader of Leda camp in Teknaf, had told BenarNews that the new monthly allocation translates to about 28 taka (25 cents) per day per person or about nine taka (eight cents) per each of three meals a day.

Is it possible to feed a family with such an allocation, Alam asked.

During his news conference, Karim Khan, who said he discussed the issue with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, expressed similar concerns.

What could you do with nine taka  I was told one egg is 12 taka, he said, pointing out that some meals are skipped.

He said children would ask their parents, Where is lunch?

The heart should note that this is an area where the world should give support, Karim Khan said while urging the World Food Program and other United Nations agencies to step up.

[I]t is a symptom of a malaise in which we have to show that every human life matters, that we give resources fairly and adequately wherever possible, that we realize 1.1 million people in a camp, the government of Bangladesh also needs support, he said. If people are hungry and there is no hope, it will lead to tension and difficulties.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
The arrests have reportedly prompted the owner of retailer Zara to plan its exit from the military-run country.

Seven Burmese garment workers and union activists will face trial on incitement charges in a military court for advocating for a pay raise at a factory that supplied Inditex, the owner of the Spanish retailer Zara, a labor activist said Friday.

The case has put a spotlight on the plight of workers in Myanmars troubled garment sector. Several companies have exited the country since the February 2021 military coup and subsequent deterioration in labor conditions.

Inditex is reportedly set to make a phased exit from the country after the arrests of the five garment workers and two union activists in June. They worked at a Chinese-owned factory operated by Hosheng Myanmar Garment Company Limited in Yangon division. They formed a union in April to bargain for better conditions.

An activist affiliated with the union, declining to be named for safety reasons, told RFA that the seven accused are still being held at Hlawga police station in Shwepyithar Township.

On Friday, despite a scheduled hearing, the activist was told that the seven would remain in custody awaiting a trial for incitement. If convicted, they face up to two years in prison under section 505 (a) of Myanmars penal code.

Before setting up the trade union, the working conditions had many rules  no complaints, forced overtime, very low salary, the activist said. The factory doesnt like the trade union, so thats why the seven trade union members were dismissed.

The activist said the trial of the seven will be held behind closed doors at a military court in Shwepyithar Township in Yangon. The township is under martial law.

RFA has reached out to Inditex for comment.

Workers lack recourse from labor abuse

Nearly 500,000 people are employed in Myanmars garment sector, but labor activists say the military takeover has diminished regulatory oversight of factories. They say workers have less ability to negotiate with their employers and lack recourse in cases of labor abuse. But faced with economic instability, some feel they have no choice but to accept any job available.

In the last two years, as Myanmar has sunk into civil conflict and international condemnation of the military junta has grown, Inditex and other European brands have decided to quit the Southeast Asian country, including Primark, C&A, and the UK-based Tesco PLC and Marks & Spencer.

Since December, the European Union and international retailers have funded the Multi-stakeholder Alliance for Decent Employment in Myanmar, or MADE, to provide more accountability for conditions in factories that supply garments for export, expanding on a previous project. Roughly 380,000 garment jobs are directly reliant on EU trade.

Workers in a Yangon, Myanmar, factory stitch clothes in 2015. Nearly 500,000 people are employed in Myanmars garment sector. Credit: AP file photo





Labor activists have called for the program to be axed, claiming brands still present in the country have not been able to ensure worker protection in factories. Out of 37 brands linked to labor violations in Myanmar factories since the coup, Inditex was reported to be linked to the highest number of alleged abuse cases, followed by H&M and Bestseller.

One rights group found that freedom of association was nearly non-existent and that business-military collusion was found in 16% of cases. At Hosheng, soldiers were recorded telling workers there were no unions under military rule.

In April, the 16-union Myanmar Labour Alliance sent a letter to EU leaders requesting that the program be defunded. It said that training for workplace coordination committees provided by MADE would undermine union efforts and allow management to conduct elections which would threaten existing unions.

We dont have any legal mechanism

The alliance reported that since the coup, 53 union members and activists were murdered and 300 were arrested. Khaing Zar Aung, a representative of the alliance and president of the Industrial Workers Federation of Myanmar, told RFA that brands had no capacity to oversee working conditions on the ground.

What mechanism do we have? she asked. We dont have any legal mechanism applicable.

However, the EU has also remained firm in their stance on the program.

An EU spokesperson told RFA in a statement that funding for MADE provides ways for workers to file complaints about workplace conditions, as well as facilitating dialogue between employers, workers and international stakeholders.

While acknowledging the constraints on freedom of association, the spokesperson wrote: Nonetheless, the EU and the Multi-stakeholder Alliance for Decent Employment in Myanmar (MADE) partners believe that the interests of workers are best served if EU companies continue to source from the country, as long as this is done responsibly.

When large international retailers exit, this will inevitably lead to a loss of jobs, regardless of how the retailer goes about this, Jacob A. Clere, a team leader of the MADE project, told RFA. He said retailers are currently being enrolled in MADE for 2023, with the first cohort to be finalized this coming month.

We estimate that between 130 and 170 facilities could collectively be covered by those who initially joined MADE in 2023.
The crisis in Myanmar is expected to be one of the main topics at meetings hosted by Indonesia next week.

Protesters prepare to burn the flag of ASEAN as they take part in a flash mob demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, June 14, 2021.

ASEAN chair Indonesia said Friday it was increasing efforts to implement a five-point consensus to end instability in post-coup Myanmar, while Burmese civil society groups called for junking the ineffective plan amid divisions within the regional bloc.

The crisis in Myanmar is expected to be one of the main topics at a series of ministerial-level meetings that Indonesia will host next week as the 2023 chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The talks will involve ASEAN members and other countries, including the United States, China and Russia.

Jakarta has been communicating with all parties in Myanmar to persuade them to support implementing the consensus, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

We have conducted 110 engagements, in the form of in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and phone calls, including my own face-to-face meetings with both the NUG and SAC foreign ministers on several occasions, Retno told reporters, referring to the National Unity Government, the shadow civilian administration, and the junta, which calls itself the State Administration Council.

ASEAN leaders agreed on the consensus during an emergency summit in April 2021, but the Southeast Asian bloc has since been heavily criticized for inaction in pressing ahead with the five-point plan.

It aims to reduce violence in Myanmar after the Burmese military toppled an elected government in February that year. The plan demands an immediate halt to violence, a constructive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the visit of a delegation to Myanmar.

The junta agreed to this consensus but reneged on it, prompting ASEAN to exclude any representative from the Myanmar junta from its meetings, starting in October 2021.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi speaks during a news conference in Jakarta, July 7, 2023. Credit: Achmad Ibrahim/AP





Most ASEAN states have no interest in democracy

Meanwhile, a network of Burmese civil society groups, which calls itself Myanmar Springs young revolutionaries, said the exclusion was a mirage, because Indonesia, through its office of the special envoy, was engaging with the junta.

[T]he Special Envoys official engagement with the illegal military junta is inconsistent with ASEANs decision and stance to exclude and ban members of the military junta from all high-level ASEAN meetings, representatives of several civil society groups told Ngurah Swajaya, the head of the special envoys office, according to a statement issued Friday.

The groups representatives had met with Ngurah on Monday.

[T]he representatives expressed their concern and frustration over the ineffectiveness and failure of ASEAN to stop the terrorist military juntas violence and atrocities against Myanmar people over the past two years since the adoption of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on 24 April 2021, the statement said.

They also conveyed to Ngurah that the ineffective 5PC will only embolden the terrorist junta to commit further crimes and exacerbate the plight of the people of Myanmar.

Indonesias president, too, acknowledged in May that there had been no progress in implementing the peace plan.

All along, Myanmars junta has cracked down on mass protests, killed more than 3,000 people and arrested thousands more, according to human rights groups. The United Nations said more than 1.8 million people had been forced to flee their homes in Myanmar because of violence since the coup.

And yet, ASEAN continues to stick to a plan agreed in April 2021 that has palpably failed, said CIVICUS Lens, a group that analyzes current events from a civil society perspective.

A major challenge is that most ASEAN states have no interest in democracy. Half of them are outright authoritarian regimes, and the other half could be characterized as democracies with flaws  sometimes serious flaws, the group wrote in an article in late June.

Continuing emphasis on the 5PC as the baseline consensus, however, hasnt masked divisions among ASEAN states.  But the fact that theyre formally sticking with it enables the wider international community to stand back and do little, on the basis of respecting regional leadership and giving the 5PC a chance.

Of ASEANs 10 members, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam are not democracies, and Thailands outgoing government first came to power much like the current Myanmar junta, via a military coup.

CIVICUS Lens also noted Thailands decision to break ranks with ASEAN and engage in talks with the Myanmar military.

Indonesia on Friday again dismissed the Thai meeting in June as not a formal one.

Regarding the informal meeting in Thailand, once again it was an informal meeting of ASEAN and only the foreign minister of Laos attended. The 5PC is the main track for resolving the Myanmar issue, Foreign Minister Retno said.

However, in addition to Thailand and Myanmar, representatives of ASEAN members Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and the Philippines  as well as India and China  attended the meeting in Pattaya.

Some experts say that ASEANs approach to Myanmar reflects its limitations as a consensus-based organization that prioritizes stability and non-interference in its members domestic affairs.

Additionally, while Jakarta should be praised for holding so many meetings with different stakeholders, it was impossible to assess the progress of its diplomatic engagements as they were confidential, said Hunter Marston, a researcher at the Australian National University.

Its also possible that the Indonesian government has underestimated the degree to which the current conflict is entrenched and the unwillingness of the warring sides to consider a peaceful settlement that does not include the complete eradication of the other side, he told BenarNews.

He said that the outcome of Indonesias efforts remained uncertain.

If nothing materializes by the end of Indonesias chairmanship, however, then everyone will point and say, See? There was never a chance of progress to begin with, he said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
Locals say 7 people died and 6 were critically injured on their way to a village market.

Locals put out flames after junta troops set fire to houses in Tha Ma Yoe village in Wetlet township, Sagaing region on March 17, 2023.

Junta troops opened fire on street vendors in Sagaing regions Wetlet township, killing seven and critically injuring another six, locals told RFA Friday.

An army convoy opened fire on market stallholders as they headed to Shwe Pan Kone village around dawn Thursday according to a resident who didnt want to be named for security reasons.

They are ordinary civilian vendors who come to Shwe Pan Kone village, said the local.

They came by cars and motorbikes which were fired on by a junta column  between Shwe Pan Kone and Tha Ma Yoe villages. They were brutally murdered.

The local said he didnt know why the column opened fire on civilians.

Residents identified the dead  four women and three men  as 57-year-old Hnin Hlaing; 46-year-old Pwe Li; 40-year-old Aye Nu Win, 30-year-old Phyu Phyu San; 62-year-old Thein Hlaing; 55-year-old Poe Lwin; and 27-year-old Lwin Moe.

The six critically injured included a 29-year-old pregnant woman and a 65-year-old man.

The daughter of Hnin Hlaing, told RFA she was shocked by the attack.

My mother sold vegetables, Losing my mother is a great loss, she said.

An innocent civilian was shot, not just one gunshot, she was hit by many bullets.

The dead were cremated on Thursday, locals told RFA.

They said the injured are being treated at the clinics set up by the shadow National Unity Government, which has given the equivalent of U.S.$50 to families of the dead and $25 to the injured.

Residents said the army column continued onto Tha Ma Yoe village, capturing around 30 locals, who had not been heard from as of Friday afternoon.

Tha Ma Yoe was also raided by the junta in March this year, with troops torching many of the houses there.

The junta has not issued a statement on the latest attack and RFAs calls to its Sagaing region spokesperson, Saw Naing, went unanswered Friday.

At least 3,750 pro-democracy activists and civilians have been killed since the February 2021 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will head to China this weekend for his second visit to the Asian superpower in four years, an official from the island nations foreign ministry confirmed Friday, underlining U.S.-China rivalry in the Pacific region.

Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin announced the week-long visit at a regular ministry press conference on Thursday, though the government in Honiara is yet to issue a statement about the trip.

A Solomon Islands foreign ministry official told BenarNews that Sogavare will travel to Beijing on Sunday.

The leaders of the two countries will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest, Wang said at the press conference. Sogavare will visit Beijing, Jiangsu and Guangdong, he said.

The Solomon Islands, home to about 700,000 people, has become a focal point of China-U.S. rivalry in the Pacific. Under Sogavare, it switched its diplomatic recognition to Beijing from Taiwan in 2019 and signed a secretive security pact with China last year, alarming the United States and allies such as Australia.

Sogavares trip to China comes after Australia offered to extend its military and police deployment in the Solomon Islands. The Pacific island country is preparing to host a regional sporting event later this year  bankrolled by China, Australia and Indonesia  and hold postponed elections in the first half of 2024.

Australia sent more than 200 troops and police to the Solomon Islands in late 2021 at the request of Sogavares government following anti-China and anti-government riots in the capital Honiara. So far, the Solomons Islands government has neither publicly accepted nor rejected Australias offer.

The Sogavare governments apparent secrecy about the trip to China has caused some disquiet in the Solomon Islands.

Honiara resident Wilson Kako, enjoying a public holiday to mark Solomon Islands Independence Day, said previous prime ministers usually announced their overseas travel to the public several days beforehand.

I have issues when such big and important visits are kept secret or unannounced, he said. This has left many of us wondering whether this trip is for the good of the nation or for the prime ministers personal interest only.

Wilson Kako, pictured in Honiara on July 7, 2023, said he was concerned that the Solomon Islands government had not announced details of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavares visit to China. Credit: Gina Makaa/BenarNews





Jason Mone, however, said he was happy that Sogavare would visit China because the country had helped change the image of the Solomon Islands.

Development is what every Solomon Islander wants, he said.

Chinas influence in the Pacific has burgeoned over several decades through a combination of increased trade, infrastructure investment and aid as it seeks to isolate Taiwan diplomatically and gain allies in international institutions. The Pacific island nation of Kiribati also switched its diplomatic recognition to China from Taiwan in 2019.

Both China and Australia have been training Solomon Islands police and donating equipment, including water cannons gifted by China and guns courtesy of Australia. The most recent largesse  in the past week  included seven Nissan X-Trail SUVs from Australia as well as night-vision devices, drones, a wireless signal jammer and two vehicles from China.

Wang, at the press conference, said relations between China and Solomon Islands have grown rapidly since they established diplomatic relations in 2019.

Sogavares visit, Wang said, will provide new impetus to further develop China-Solomon Islands ties. The visit will be an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and enhance cultural and people-to-people exchange, he said.

BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news organization.
I feel I look as if Im still in my 50s,' says the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

Artists from the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts sing the Tibetan National Anthem at the start of the Dalai Lamas birthday celebration. Credit: Tenzin Choejor

Students from Peton Model School pay respects to the Dalai Lama after performing at his birthday celebration. Credit: Tenzin Choejor

Well-wishers wait for the Dalai Lama to arrive at the main Tibetan temple courtyard to attend his birthday celebration. Credit: Tenzin Choejor

The Dalai Lama addresses the crowd during the celebration of his 88th birthday at his residence in Dharamsala, India, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong (political leader) of the exiled Central Tibetan Administration, looks on at right. Credit: Tenzin Choejor

The Dalai Lama celebrated his 88th birthday at his residence in Dharamsala, India, on Thursday, feted by song-and-dance performances and declaring he was in good health and expected to live to be 100.

Today, you are celebrating my 88th birthday, but when I look in the mirror, I feel I look as if Im still in my 50s, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism said to those gathered for the celebration. My face doesnt look old, it isnt wrinkled with age. Whats more I still have all my teeth so theres nothing I cant eat or chew.

According to indications in my own dreams and other predictions, I expect to live to be more than 100 years old, said the Dalai Lama, whose real name is Lhamo Thondup and is also known as Tenzin Gyatso. Ive served others until now, and Im determined to continue to do so. Please pray for my long life on that basis.

Attending the celebration in the temple courtyard adjacent to the Dalai Lamas residence were his relatives, members of the Tibetan government-in-exile, and later Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, chief minister of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, where Dharamsala is located.

Successor?

His birthday comes amid an ongoing controversy about who should determine his successor.

Tibetans say they have the right to do so according to their Buddhist belief in the principle of rebirth. They believe the Dalai Lama chooses the body into which he is reincarnated, a process that has occurred 13 times since 1391, when the first Dalai Lama was born.

But China, which annexed Tibet in 1951 and maintains a tight rein on the western autonomous region, says only Beijing can select the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, as stated in Chinese law.

The Chinese government intends to appoint a pro-Beijing puppet leader in place of the Dalai Lama after he dies, giving it an opportunity to firm up its control of the region, according to a report issued in 2022 by the International Tibet Network, a global coalition of Tibet-related groups.

Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of supporting terrorism and trying to split Tibet from China, though the spiritual leader is pursuing a policy approach called the Middle Way, which accepts Tibets status as a part of China but urges greater cultural and religious freedoms, including strengthened language rights, guaranteed for ethnic minorities under the provisions of Chinas own constitution.

The Dalai Lama cuts a birthday cake presented to him during the celebration of his 88th birthday at his residence in Dharamsala, India, on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Credit: Tenzin Choejor

I was born in Tibet and I bear this name Dalai Lama, but in addition to working for the cause of Tibet, Ive been working for the welfare of all sentient beings, he also said in remarks to the crowd in Dharamsala.

Ive done whatever I could without losing hope or allowing my determination to flag. Im angry with no one, not even those Chinese leaders who have adopted a harsh attitude towards Tibet. Indeed, China has historically been a Buddhist country as witnessed by the many temples and monasteries I saw when I visited that land.

Subtle celebrations

China has sought to erase the Dalai Lama and his likeness from the Tibet Autonomous Region, so Tibetans there celebrated his birthday in subtle ways.

They shared poems and odes to the Dalai Lama online and circulated in various online messaging groups an image of a hat he wore as a child in a popular photograph, with the number 88 appearing below it.

Tibetans are engaging in creative ways as well as performing religious activities to celebrate his holinesss birthday, said a Tibetan who lives in the region, referring to reciting prayers and hoisting prayer flags.

The exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, who is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, also expressed gratitude for the support he has received from his friends.

In a four-minute recorded video message marking his birthday, the Dalai Lama said, On the occasion of my birthday, if you, my friends, can guard your minds and lead good-natured lives, you will be joyful at heart, and as a result be able, directly and indirectly, to help everyone around you.

High-level government officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, issued birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama on what Blinken said was an auspicious day for the Tibetan community.

His Holinesss kindness and humility serve as an inspiration to many around the world, and I have deep admiration for his ongoing commitment to peace and nonviolence, Blinken said. Today, may we reflect on his messages of compassion and tolerance as we reaffirm our commitment to upholding the human rights of all people, including those of the Tibetan community.

The United States is unwavering in our commitment to support the linguistic, cultural, and religious identity of Tibetans, including the ability to freely choose and venerate their religious leaders without interference, he said.

Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: Spoke to His Holiness @DalaiLama and conveyed heartfelt greetings to him on his 88th birthday. Wishing him a long and healthy life.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Belarus appears to be dismantling tent camps on Belarusian territory used to train Russian soldiers, raising questions about whether Moscow is in need of more troops at the front to halt Ukraine's large-scale counteroffensive.

New satellite imagery obtained by RFE/RLs Belarus Service show the sudden disappearance of dozens of tents at three location that have recently been used as training grounds for mobilized Russian fighters.

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.

The images were published amid speculation that Belarus might be constructing a new base for Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group.



After Russias Defense Ministry announced in September the mobilization of up to 300,000 troops, Moscow began sending some recruits to Belarus to train due to a lack of available training grounds at home.



Since October, thousands of Russian troops have undergone military exercises with heavy equipment at the three locations before being deployed to fight in Ukraine.



At Abuz-Lyasnouski in western Belarus where ground forces train, only about 15 tents remained as of July 4, down from 150 a month earlier, images from Planet Labs shows. The camp at that time could house about 3,000 troops.



The liquidation of the camp at Abuz-Lyasnouski, located about 160 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border, began no earlier than June 30, satellite images indicate.



Meanwhile, at the training grounds in Lepel in northern Belarus, only a few tents remained on July 4. Days earlier, there were 75 tents that could hold about 1,500 troops.



There was nothing left at the third camp in Repishcha in central Belarus, where artillery forces exercised. There had been 30 tents on that training ground on July 3.



The images indicate that the three largest training grounds in Belarus for Russia had been largely liquidated in a matter of days. At the same time, a new camp larger than those three combined has been going up in the village of Tsel, not far from Repishcha.

In Tsel, located 80 kilometers southeast of the capital, Minsk, Belarus has built 303 tents capable of holding up to 15,000 soldiers.



The satellite images indicate that work on the camp in Tsel began in earnest days after Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka allegedly agreed to allow Wagner mercenaries to settle inside the country following a failed mutiny.



However, Lukashenka said on July 5 that neither Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, nor his fighters are currently in Belarus.



Mikhailo Samus, director of the New Geopolitics Research Network, said it was too early to tell whether the closure of the camps indicated an end to the training of Russian mobilized men in Belarus.



He said that Moscow may have been able to expand its training capacity inside Russia and no longer needs the grounds in Belarus. However, Samus did not exclude that Russia may simply need all its available troops at the front now to halt the Ukrainian counteroffensive.



"Everything now depends on the situation at the front. If the Ukrainian Army continues its successful counteroffensive actions, then Russia may simply not have enough resources to transfer new military personnel to Belarus. They will throw all reserves to prevent a breakthrough of the front, he told RFE/RL.



However, should the Ukrainian Army get bogged down, then Russia could potentially move men back into Belarus and launch an invasion of Ukraine from the north, Samus said.

Russia used Belarus as a launchpad for its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Many of the 30,000 Russian troops stationed in Belarus poured over the border into Ukraine, only to be beaten back.



When Russian troops reappeared en masse in Belarus in October 2022 following mobilization, it raised concerns that Moscow might again be preparing to invade from the north.



However, experts said at the time that Russia would need no less than 30,000 troops to attack again from Belarus. At its peak, the number of mobilized Russian soldiers in Belarus reached about 11,000.



Some experts speculated that Russia may have moved troops to Belarus to train in order to distract Ukraine from its successful autumn counteroffensive in which it regained some territory in the northeast and south.



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on July 5 held a meeting to discuss strengthening the nations defense in the north, including along the border with Belarus.



Ukrainian officials said that the number of Russian troops inside Belarus has increased over the past month to between 3,000 and 5,000 from as low as 1,000. This could be tied to joint exercises expected to be held later this year.



Russia and Belarus said they plan to hold five military exercises in Belarus in the autumn within the framework of the Moscow-led Collective Security Treaty Organization, which also includes Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
A fourth day of Russian missile strikes on Ukrainian Black Sea port installations on July 21 set grain storage facilities in the Odesa region on fire and destroyed a huge amount of food stored for export, causing damage and injuries, regional officials and the military said, as fighting continued along the whole eastern front.

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.

Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said that Russia launched Kalibr-type cruise missiles from vessels in the Black Sea, destroying a grain terminal and wounding two people.

Unfortunately, a grain terminal of one of the agricultural enterprises of the Odesa region was hit. The enemy destroyed 100 tons of peas and 20 tons of barley. Two people were wounded in the explosion," Kiper said.

Kiper said that, at first, two missiles hit the granary, causing a fire, then a third missile struck while firefighters were trying to extinguish the flames.

"Another missile hit the same enterprise, damaging agricultural and rescue equipment. A fire on an area of more than 200 square meters was quickly extinguished," Kiper said.

Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said that up to four P-800 Onyx cruise missiles hit infrastructure targets south of the city of Odesa.

"Unfortunately, our means of detection and destruction are not enough to cover the entire territory of Ukraine and destroy incoming missiles and drones," Ihnat said.

In Moscow, the Russian Defense Ministry said its navy carried out a live fire "exercise" in the northwest Black Sea on July 21, just days after the Kremlin said that cargo ships en route to Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea would be regarded as potential military targets.

The Black Sea Fleet "carried out live firing of anti-ship cruise missiles at the target ship in the combat training range in the northwestern part of the Black Sea," the ministry said in a statement on Telegram.

On July 20, Russian missiles struck the Odesa and Mykolayiv regions, killing two people, wounding another 20, including five children, and causing extensive damage to port installations and stored grain.

The strikes also hit residential areas in the center of Odesa and Mykolayiv, setting large areas on fire.

The Ukrainian Energy Ministry said that grain terminals and port infrastructure in the ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk were targeted. In Chornomorsk, 60,000 tons of grain were destroyed over the past several days, the ministry said.

Russia's Defense Ministry has said the series of strikes on southern Ukraine targeted facilities where it claimed Ukraine was building seaborne drones of the type that Moscow says damaged a bridge in the annexed region of Crimea.

But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the Russian strikes had "deliberately" targeted sites in the Odesa region that are used to export grain after Russia refused to extend the grain deal.

Zelenskiy met on July 21 with military commanders to discuss the situation at the front and about the grain initiative.

Work continues to protect ports and the infrastructure of the grain initiative, he said, adding he had instructed the commanders to prepare an action plan for the continuation of the grain corridor and to work out the next diplomatic steps.

In New York the UN's political affairs chief told the Security Council on July 21 that Russia's attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports risk "having far-reaching impacts on global food security, in particular, in developing countries."

Rosemary DiCarlo also said threats about the potential targeting of civilian vessels in Black Sea waters -- made by both Russia and Ukraine -- are unacceptable.

"Any risk of conflict spillover as a result of a military incident in the Black Sea -- whether intentional or by accident -- must be avoided at all costs, as this could result in potentially catastrophic consequences to us all," she said.

The Black Sea escalation comes as Kyiv reports a new attempt by Russia to return to the offensive in the northeast.

"The enemy continues to focus its main efforts on Kupyansk [in the Kharkiv region], Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiyivka and Maryinka [in the Donetsk region], where 32 close combat battles were fought over the past day," the General Staff of Ukraine's military said on July 21.

Ukrainian defenders in Kupyansk repelled attacks by Russian troops southwest of Masyutivka, the military added.

Germany meanwhile announced that it has handed over the first 10 Leopard 1A5 tanks to Ukraine. In a message, the German Defense Ministry said the new package of military aid also included 20 MG3 machine guns for tanks and armored vehicles, 1,035 155-millimeter shells and smoke ammunition, among other items.

On July 20, the United States said U.S.-supplied cluster munitions are being deployed in the field. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the munitions are having an impact on Russian defensive formations and maneuvering.

"We have gotten some initial feedback from the Ukrainians, and they're using them quite effectively," Kirby said at a news briefing.

In its daily intelligence update, Britain's Defense Ministry said that up to 20,000 Russian convicts recruited by the Wagner mercenary group were killed in fighting in Bakhmut over the past several months.

Russian forces spearheaded by Wagner mercenaries captured Bakhmut in May, following months of intense and bloody fighting.



British intelligence said that, while it was a rare recent Russian military success, the battle for Bakhmut was also "one of the bloodiest episodes in modern military history."

It estimated that at its peak, Wagner had some 40,000 convicts under contract early this year.

It said that the last convicts recruited under the so-called Project K program are likely to be released over the next several days, but it estimated that many will probably stay on as contract fighters.

With reporting by AP and Reuters
The return of the so-called morality police to the streets of major Iranian cities has brought back fear and stress for women who choose to ignore the requirement that they wear the hair-covering hijab. But it has also been met with resistance by men and women alike, while lawmakers have questioned the effectiveness of the hard-line approach to enforcing compliance.

Iranians who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Farda said the presence of the morality police -- officially known as "guidance patrols" that usually include male officers and women wearing black chadors -- is not as visible as it was before the patrols were scaled back after nationwide protests first broke out against the hijab law last autumn.

I really don't know where they want to get with this method, but in my opinion, if they want to continue this way, confrontations will start again."

"Before, when we went on the street, they had a stationary vehicle, or a vehicle that was moving on the street," Leila Mirghaffari, a women's rights activist who lives in Tehran, told Radio Farda on July 17, a day after the return of the morality police was announced. "They haven't yet dared to encroach like before. But they are present, mostly in main squares."



Mirghaffari described the decision to redeploy the morality police, coming after the monthslong protests had largely wound down, as a distraction aimed at creating "fear and terror" among the population.



"It creates mental and emotional problems for us. It's stressful, and it occupies our thoughts and those of our families," Mirghaffari said. "When we want to leave home and come out to the street, at any moment we may travel a route where morality police patrol and are stationed to arrest people."



Nevertheless, Mirghaffari and others suggested, the patrols are largely ineffective and have even given new life to resistance against the authorities' efforts to enforce the countrys strict Islamic dress code.



Some Tehran residents who spoke to Radio Farda said that many women simply put on a hijab when they spot the morality police before quickly removing them once out of sight. And in some cases where women have been harassed or threatened by morality police, fellow citizens -- male and female alike -- have pushed back.



Almost immediately after the authorities announced on July 16 that the morality police patrols would resume, residents of the northern city of Rasht took to the streets to protest an attempt to arrest three women for allegedly violating the hijab requirement.

The situation reportedly escalated into clashes between demonstrators and police, who used tear gas to disperse protesters, some of whom were chanting against Iran's clerical establishment.



"I really don't know where they want to get with this method, but in my opinion, if they want to continue this way, confrontations will start again," said a male Tehran resident who requested anonymity while answering questions on WhatsApp.

"Personally, if I see them taking a girl into a van, I will step forward and shout so as not to let them take them. That's how things are, and I think most people now are like me. They don't want the Mahsa incident to happen again and for another innocent girl to be killed."



The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September, soon after she was arrested for allegedly violating the hijab law, sparked the nationwide protests that lasted months and prompted a crackdown that led to the deaths of more than 500 people. Amini's death became the cause celebre for thousands of women and men who took to the streets to show their opposition to the hijab law.

Amid the protests, there were reports that the authorities had disbanded the morality police, although other reports indicated that they never really went away in some cities. But the issue also prompted the clerical establishment, which views the hijab as key to its interpretation of Islam, to introduce revisions to the country's Chastity and Hijab Law that would introduce stiffer penalties for noncompliance, including up to three years in prison for repeat offenders.



While the hijab has been compulsory in public for women and girls over the age of 9 since 1981, shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution ushered in the clerical establishment, the requirement is often flouted, particularly in urban areas.



The Chastity and Hijab bill, which is awaiting parliamentary approval, has been fodder for intense debate -- with some lawmakers saying it does not go far enough to make women comply with the hijab requirement and others questioning the effectiveness of forcing women to comply.



Following the announcement that the morality police patrols would resume in many Iranian cities, lawmaker Vali Esmaili, who heads the parliament's social commission, said that the body would unlikely be involved in the effort.



He also said that before resuming the patrols, "we should first look at the state of society to see if such actions have been effective in the past 43 years."



The Chastity and Hijab bill also proposes penalties, including the confiscation of automobiles, against drivers or passengers of vehicles in which women are not in compliance with the hijab requirement.



"When I'm driving, I have to wear a hijab," a woman who resides in Tehran told Radio Farda following the redeployment of the morality police, explaining that she has had her vehicle impounded four times for failing to wear the hijab. "But when I get out and move away from the car, I take off my head scarf. Many times, I just put it in my bag. Sometimes, when I see that the conditions are bad, I keep it around my neck, but I am still without a hijab in the street."



The woman said that she has not personally seen any morality police since they returned to the streets of Tehran. But she has heard eyewitness accounts of the presence of marked morality police vehicles in the northern city of Shahriar, in Tehran Province, where she said most women wear head scarves and those who do not could be seen without a hijab not far from the morality police.

WATCH: Masses of demonstrators are turning out throughout Iran, where some are shouting down police enforcement of strict religious dress codes for women.



"There are the odd ones out who are without a hijab, and they were 100 or 200 meters away from the morality police," she recalled being told of the current situation.



She said that even before the morality police returned to the streets, her experience in dealing with them showed that they were reluctant to enforce the hijab requirement.



"It's pretty clear that they're tired of this matter, but it seems like they have orders from above," she said.



That is far from the norm, according to the activist Mirghaffari, who painted a dark picture of the morality police, whose involvement in human rights violations has led to Western sanctions.

"The morality police are truly violent. They are really repressive. They have no humanity," said Mirghaffari, who added that she has been arrested by the force several times. "The morality police are really trained for savagery and for causing distress to the point that someone like Mahsa Amini could be killed. And they have no fear at all."



Others who spoke to Radio Farda were incredulous that the authorities would reintroduce the morality police amid public frustration over Iran's dire economic situation.



"The issue is not the hijab. The real issue is the terrifying inflation and high prices," said the man who answered questions by WhatsApp. "But they are only fixated on the hijab. They are playing with everyone's nerves, whether man or woman, whether with a hijab or without, they are bothering everyone."



The renewed protests, which included women carrying placards bearing the "We won't go back!" slogan that became popular during anti-hijab demonstrations, suggests that efforts to force women into compliance will be met with continued resistance.



"Look, our girls are fighting and know that there is no way back for us and we are not going back, and our answer to them wanting to forcibly put a hijab on us is, 'No!'" said Mirghaffari. "This is a big step we have taken to reach our other desires and we will never go back."

Written by Michael Scollon based on reporting by Mehdi Tahbaz and other Radio Farda correspondents.
Just hours after hiring her 3rd campaign manager since March, Marianne Williamson lost six more staffers, including her three-person South Carolina team, who all quit. The departures  which included some firings as well as the resignations  followed a meeting about broadening the Democratic presidential candidate's ballot access beyond New Hampshire and South Carolina. The seemingly appropriate subject matter left Williamson feeling "ambushed" by her own team, according to Politico.

"During that meeting, there was just a vibe that she felt attacked, and an insinuation at the end of that call that some staff were not going to make it to the end of the week," one person told Politico. "She didn't listen to anything that was said.  Clearly, because the people who expressed frustration were fired."

"If you're just thinking about New Hampshire and South Carolina, then this is a grift," the person said about Williamson, who happens to (ahem) have a new book coming out by the end of summer.

From Politico:
When Ukrainian troops liberated the village of Neskuchne in the Donetsk region, they found the area covered in land mines left by retreating Russian forces. Heavily entrenched enemy positions have been slowing Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive. After it took them three days to storm a Russian stronghold and recapture the settlement, a soldier in the Ukrainian unit says the counteroffensive is not as easy as people think.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on NATO to send "a clear signal" about his nation's future membership in the military alliance less than a week ahead of a NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital. Zelenskiy made the comments at a July 6 news conference in Prague alongside Czech President Petr Pavel. Pavel expressed support for Ukraine's bid to join both NATO and the European Union.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on July 7 that Kyiv deserved to join NATO but also urged it to enter peace talks with Moscow.

"There is no doubt that Ukraine deserves membership of NATO," Erdogan told a joint news conference with Zelenskiy in Istanbul, but added that "both sides should go back to peace talks."

He also said Russian President Vladimir Putin next month will pay his first visit to Turkey since the Kremlin launched its invasion of Ukraine 500 days ago. He will discuss prisoner swaps with the Russian ruler, he said.

Zelenskiy traveled to Turkey for talks with Erdogan at the end of a four-nation tour will cover next week's NATO summit in Vilnius, security guarantees, and a Ukrainian grain export deal with Russia that Turkey helped broker last year were on the agenda.

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.

Zelenkiy has been touring the last two days to drum up support for his country's bid for an invitation to join NATO ahead of the military alliance's summit next week.



His first stop was Bulgaria, where he received assurances of support from Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov and signed a declaration on Ukraine's integration into Western organizations, namely NATO and the EU.



The Ukrainian president then traveled to Prague, where he met with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who said that Ukraine's future lies in the European Union and NATO while pledging further support -- including military helicopters -- for Kyiv as it battles to repel Russian troops who launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022.

"Ukraine is also fighting for us, for the security of the whole of Europe," Fiala said.



Speaking at a joint news conference with Fiala, Zelenskiy appealed for long-range weapons, saying that without them "it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation."

On a stop in Slovakia, Zelenskiy also met with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova and Prime Minister Ludovit Odor to discuss the situation on the front line of Ukraine's war and Kyiv's aspirations for the NATO summit.



Another weapon Ukraine has requested, cluster munitions, will be sent in an upcoming package from the United States, U.S. national-security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed on July 7. Sullivan told reporters that Washington will provide the controversial weapons, telling reporters that it is "the right thing to do."

Kyiv has promised to use the munitions carefully, Sullivan said, adding that the U.S. will send a version that has a reduced dud rate, meaning fewer of the bomblets fail to explode.



Sullivan also commented on Ukraine's membership aspirations, saying that Ukraine's pathway to NATO will be discussed but not decided at the summit.



Kyiv "still has further steps that it needs to take before membership" and "will not be joining" at the current time, Sullivan said.

While many Western allies including the United States and NATO have been quick to pledge their full support for Ukraine for as long as it takes to win the battle against Russia, some division has been voiced on the speed at which Ukraine can be taken into the EU and NATO since it would move them even closer to the precipice of war with Russia.

In addition to next weeks NATO summit, Zelenskiy's talks in Istanbul covered the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal to ship grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports that will expire on July 17.



Russia has so far not agreed to the renewal of the deal under which Ukraine has been able to ship grain to global markets despite the war. Moscow has said it sees no grounds to renew the agreement beyond July 17 because of obstacles to its own exports of grain and fertilizers.



Turkey, which brokered the deal last year, has called for its extension. After his talks with Zelenskiy, Erdogan said he hoped a deal will continue.

With reporting by AP, AFP, Hurriyet, and Reuters
I'm Steve Gutterman, the editor of RFE/RL's Russia/Ukraine/Belarus Desk.

Welcome to The Week In Russia, in which I dissect the key developments in Russian politics and society over the previous week and look at what's ahead. To receive The Week In Russia newsletter in your inbox, click here.

Attacks in Ukraine and Chechnya, horrific but now not unusual, lay bare President Vladimir Putins legacy at home and abroad. Meanwhile, two of his most prominent foes languish in prison, one in Russia and one in Georgia.

Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

The Prisoners

There are plenty of differences between Aleksei Navalny and Mikheil Saakashvili, but there are also some striking similarities.

Both are foes of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Both are serving long prison terms following convictions on charges they say were fabricated for political reasons. And both are being tried on additional charges that could keep them behind bars even longer.

If they survive, that is. Both men have suffered serious health problems in prison and say they have been mistreated, denied adequate medical care, and even poisoned by their jailers.

Another similarity is linked closely to the first: While Navalny and Saakashvili have many detractors whose criticism draws on their actions and their words over the years, they represent, for many in Russia, Georgia, and other former Soviet republics who want change, the idea that the political landscape could be different from what it is -- that there must be another choice, another way. The hope, that is, for a nonviolent change of power.

In Georgia, Saakashvili embodied that hope 20 years ago and rode it to the top office, winning the presidency after the Rose Revolution of late 2003 -- massive protests over disputed parliamentary elections and the government of former Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze, which was seen by many citizens as corrupt, ineffectual, and mired in the Soviet era more than a decade after the U.S.S.R. fell apart.

Saakashvili launched major reforms in the South Caucasus country and sought close ties with the West, portraying Georgia as the cradle of Europe. Over two terms as president, his popularity faded, and he came to be accused of the same crass practices he had stood against. In November 2007, four years after the Rose Revolution, state security forces violently crushed anti-government protests, badly tarnishing his reputation, and further troubles followed.

Peaceful Transfer

Saakashvili appeared no less enamored of power than Putin, say, or Alyaksandr Lukashenka, who has held onto it in Belarus since 1994 by jailing opponents, suppressing protests, and staging votes marred by ample evidence of fraud. But he ceded power to the opposition after his party lost parliamentary elections in 2012, and he stepped down peacefully as president the following year.

That sets Georgia apart from several former Soviet republics -- including Russia.

Putin was appointed prime minister in August 1999 and became acting president when Boris Yeltsin abruptly resigned on the last day of that year, giving his chosen successor a huge edge in the first election he faced, in March 2000. When Putin stepped away from the presidency for four years in 2008, becoming prime minister again, it was a carefully arranged move that left little or no room for chance.

Unlike in Georgia in 2003, Russian government forces cracked down harshly on a wave of protests that were sparked by anger over alleged fraud in parliamentary elections in 2011 and dismay over Putins decision to return to the presidency the following year. He started his fourth term in 2018 and -- when faced with constitutional term limits that would have made this one his last -- he changed the constitution, pushing amendments through in a vote that was also marred by evidence of fraud.

Navalny was one of the leaders of the protests that erupted in 2011 and contends that his repeated prosecutions -- not to mention a weapons-grade nerve-agent attack that nearly killed him in 2020 -- are aimed at thwarting his efforts to challenge Putin in elections. He was barred from the ballot in 2018, and the extensive political network he established to support his campaign, which was banned before it officially began, has been destroyed and outlawed by the state. He is now being tried in prison on extremism charges.

Of course, while Navalny is probably Putins most prominent opponent, its impossible to know what the results of a free and fair presidential election in Russia would bring. Its also impossible to know how much Russia would differ under Navalny -- or almost anyone else who might come to power, for that matter -- both domestically and in terms of foreign policy.

Prigozhin's Rebellion

After all, perhaps the greatest challenge to Putins grip on power in nearly 24 years as president or prime minister occurred just last month -- and it came from Wagner mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, for whom violence appears to be a way of life, or at least a frequent means to whatever end he is pursuing on any given day.

As for Ukraine, Prigozhin has advocated an even more aggressive pursuit of the war against Ukraine, despite suggesting on the eve of his mutiny that one of the main narratives Putin has used to justify the full-scale invasion of February 2022 -- the claim of an imminent threat from NATO and Ukraine -- was false.

Still, it is Putin, for example, who put Ramzan Kadyrov in charge of Chechnya, where human rights activists say he rules through violence and fear, fostering an atmosphere of impunity for abuses by security forces in order to maintain control of the restive region in Russias North Caucasus.

Amid the daily atrocities of the war in Ukraine, an incident in Chechnya this week underscored Kadyrovs method of rule -- and therefore Putins, because he cannot or will not rein the regional leader in and, in any case, has shown no inclination to try.

Yelena Milashina, an award-winning journalist who has doggedly reported on abuses in Chechnya, was severely beaten by attackers while en route from Chechnyas main airport to the capital, Grozny, on July 4. A lawyer she was traveling with, Aleksandr Nemov, was also attacked.

Putin's Appointee

Milashina and Nemov were on their way to a courthouse to attend the verdict hearing in the trial of Zarema Musayeva, the mother of three Chechen opposition activists who have fled Russia in the face of harassment and threats by Chechen authorities over their online criticism of Kadyrov.

Kadyrov and several allies, including a member of the Russian parliament, have publicly vowed to kill brothers Ibragim, Abubakar, and Baisangur Yangulbayev, as well as all members of their family, calling them "terrorists."

Hours after the attack on Milashina and Nemov, the court convicted Musayeva of fraud and assaulting a law enforcement officer -- charges critics said were outrageous and politically motivated -- and sentenced her to 5 1/2 years in prison.

Meanwhile, every attack Russia launches against Ukraine, in a war that is motivated in part by Putins personal vagaries, bogus historical assertions, and apparent obsession with controlling or obliterating the independent nation next door, once again raises the question of how different things might be today if democracy had progressed steadily in Russia over the decades since the Soviet collapse of 1991, when Moscow accepted it sovereignty and its borders without condition, instead of backsliding badly under Putin.

And in Ukraine, where the full-scale invasion reaches its 500th day this weekend and Kyivs forces push ahead with a crucial counteroffensive in the east and south, there is no letup in the Russian attacks and no place in the country where civilians are safe.

Hours before dawn on July 6, Russia targeted the western city of Lviv, hundreds of kilometers from the front lines, with a barrage of missiles apparently fired from warships on the Black Sea.

At least 10 people were killed when an apartment building was hit, destroying the roof and top two stories and creating a terrible but familiar sight: rescue workers digging through rubble to search for survivors and the dead.

'Sing Loudly Of Life'

On the evening of June 27, a similar scene played out much further east, closer to Russia and to the front. A Russian rocket attack hit a busy pizza restaurant in the city of Kramatorsk in the Donbas, where the war began -- fueled by Russian efforts to stoke separatism following the downfall of Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych -- eight years before the invasion of 2022.

Among the 13 civilians killed in Kramatorsk were twin sisters Yulia and Anna Aksenchenko. Born in September 2008, they were starting the 15th summer of their lives.

One of the victims survived until July 1: Viktoria Amelina, 37, an award-winning author from Lviv and an activist who had been documenting evidence of crimes by Russian forces since the invasion. She was at a restaurant in Kramatorsk with a group of Colombian writers and journalists when Russia launched the attack.

Amelina was writing a book on women's experiences of the war, according to Uilleam Blacker, a British-based scholar who is a translator of Ukrainian literature.

Another Ukrainian book that will never be finished because of Russian bombs and bullets, Blacker wrote in a Twitter post. It included his translation of her Poem About A Crow, which he said was inspired by her work interviewing women who have lived through Russian occupation in Ukraine.

One stanza reads like this:

Shell cry each name into the ground,

As though sowing the field with pain,

From pain and the names of the women,

New sisters will grow from the earth,

And, again, will sing loudly of life.

That's it from me this week.

If you want to know more, catch up on my podcast The Week Ahead In Russia, out every Monday, here on our site or wherever you get your podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts).

Yours,

Steve Gutterman
Giving a digital thumbs up to a request is a binding legal agreement, rules a Canadian court. When asked to confirm a contract for flax, a flax seller responded with a "thumbs up" emoji. The buyer relied on this thumbs up, and a lawsuit arose when the flax did not arrive.

The meaning of the emoji and the message its sender claims to have thought he was sending were discussed, but in the end, the judge determined that, in this situation, it was indeed a valid way to "sign" a contract. The judge believes this will not be the last time such an interpretation is necessary; the world is a changing place soon to be even more filled with emoji.

Insider:

"I did not have time to review the Flax Contract and merely wanted to indicate that I did receive his text message," Achter said. In a cross-examination, Achter said he had never Googled the meaning of a thumbs-up emoji, and his lawyer said that his client is "not an expert in emojis." But in the ruling, Justice Timothy Keene decided that while the thumbs-up emoji was "a non-traditional means to 'sign' a document but nevertheless under these circumstances this was a valid way to convey the two purposes of a 'signature.'" The judge found that the contract was therefore enforceable, and consequently breached. He awarded damages to the amount of $82,200.21 ($61,498.09 US) plus interest.

Bonus:
For two years, Kayricka Wortham, 32, worked as an Amazon warehouse manager in Smyrna, Georgia. During that time and after, she apparently ran a scam enabling her to steal more than $9 million from the company. She's just been sentenced to 16 years in prison and must pay restitution to Amazon. Authorities also seized the mansion and numerous luxury vehicles she had bought with the stolen dough.

From the Seattle Times/New York Times:

Starting in January 2022, prosecutors said, Wortham told unknowing subordinates to input false vendor information into the Amazon system. Wortham would then approve the fake vendors and, along with others involved in the plot, file fake invoices to Amazon, according to charging documents. Then Wortham would approve the phony invoices, transferring money to bank accounts that she and her co-conspirators controlled, prosecutors said.

Wortham was helped in the scheme by Brittany Hudson, 37, of Atlanta, who owned a business contracted by Amazon to deliver packages and who was in a relationship with Wortham, prosecutors said. They contend that Hudson helped Wortham submit fake invoices to Amazon that were worth millions of dollars.

Together, Wortham and Hudson used the stolen money to buy a five-bedroom home in Smyrna, just miles from the Amazon warehouse, for nearly $1 million, along with a Lamborghini, a Tesla, a Porsche Panamera, a Kawasaki motorcycle and a Dodge Durango SUV, according to prosecutors. They also bought expensive jewelry with the stolen money, charging documents show.
ROTHERHAM has outperformed all but one of its South Yorkshire neighbours in a national survey of food hygiene ratings.

Research into food hygiene ratings of 15 major towns and cities in Yorkshire found Rotherham ranked number five in the list  level with Barnsley with an average rating of 4.65 out of five.

Sheffield was in seventh position with a score of 4.52  despite having nearly six times more venues (1,984) than Rotherhams 333 and five times Barnsleys 404.

The data by High Speed Training ranked Doncaster 12th, with its 580 facilities giving the city an average score of 4.39.

Rotherham also moved up a spot from last years position at five with a slight score increase compared to 2022s 4.61.

Harrogate was top of the Yorkshire and Humber rankings with an average rating of 4.79, while Halifax had the lowest average rating in the region, scoring 4.20.

The Food Hygiene: Know the Score 2023 report analysed Food Standards Agency data for more than 218,000 food establishments  including hotels, B&Bs and guest houses, pubs, bars and night clubs, restaurants, cafes and canteens, takeaways and sandwich shops  across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Following regular inspections, ratings are devised based on the standard of food handling hygiene, the physical condition of the premises and facilities, and food safety management practices.

The ratings are then posted on the FSA website and usually visible from outside the premises.

In Yorkshire, the average food hygiene rating was 4.53 from nearly 11,000 premises, placing the region seventh in the national rankings out of 11.

Northern Ireland took the top spot.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme is a partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and aims to provide customers with information as to how well a business is upholding food hygiene and safety standards.

Rotherham Councils cabinet member for transport and environment, Cllr Dominic Beck, said: Were very pleased to hear that Rotherham is in the top five best food hygiene ratings in the region.

"The councils environmental health officers take great care and pride when inspecting food premises across the borough to ensure residents are kept safe.

Dr Richard Anderson, head of learning and development at High Speed Training said: Our report shows that, on average, standards remain high across the UK, and have slightly improved from 2022.

"For businesses that perform well, a high rating is a real selling point.

"However, establishments with a low hygiene rating can be extremely off-putting for customers, which ultimately have a significant impact on reputation and profitability.

Correct food hygiene training for staff, alongside robust food management procedures and everyday good practices are crucial to keep performing at high standards."

He added: One of the biggest responsibilities as a food establishment is ensuring that food safety and hygiene practices are thorough and up to date.

"This is why its so important for customers to check FHRS ratings  they are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically that establishment operates.
Sir Jony Ive, whose work at Apple revived its reputation in the 1990s and its fortunes in the 2000s, has turned his eye to an elegant weapon from a more civilized age: the turntable. His design for legendary Scottish company Linn is also very expensive: the limited edition Sondek LP12 50 is tagged "From $60,000" and you must prepurchase one of the 250 in the run. The press release follows.

Sondek LP12-50 produces the best vinyl playback performance Linn has ever achieved, alongside the immediately recognisable and iconic design language of Sir Jony Ive and his team at LoveFrom, applied in key visual and tactile interfaces. The sonic improvement comes by way of Linn's all-new Bedrok plinth technology; formed of orthogonal layers of beech placed under extreme pressure to create an entirely new, solid and massive material. The consequent ultra-dense wood has negligible resonance and offers a superior isolating housing for the turntable's mechanism. LoveFrom has applied their design expertise to the new, precision-machined power/speed control button and hinges  providing delightful and precise interaction with the turntable. Further aesthetic refinements to the classic Sondek LP12 form have been made with deep respect for the quality and integrity of the product. The combination of performance, usability, and aesthetic improvements result in an historic piece with unrivalled sonic quality and beauty. Only 250 of these limited edition Sondek LP12-50s will ever be produced  with each bearing an embossed aluminium plaque celebrating this landmark collaboration with individual numbering.

In a blog post, Linn CEO Gilad Tiefenbrun describes how the collab came about.

At the start of 2022, I received a LinkedIn request from a sender I didn't recognise for a meeting with British design guru Sir Jony Ive. Of course, I deleted it immediately believing it was spam. However, as the day continued, I had this nagging feeling building in my stomach. Suddenly the feeling crystallised into a thought: What if it actually is Sir Jony Ive?

Turns out, it was Sir Jony Ive.

But are the cables danceable?
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Ryan Walters, Oklahoma's superintendent of public instruction says that it's just fine for public schools to teach kids about the Tulsa race massacre so long as teachers don't suggest that the white supremacists' horrific attacks on Black people was motivated by the color of their skin. During a public forum in Norman, Oklahoma, someone asked Walters how teaching the history of the Tulsa race massacre doesn't interfere with his ban on "Critical Race Theory" in public schools. As a reminder, in May 1921, a mob of white supremacists attacked residents of the predominantly Black neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, destroying countless homes and businesses and killing hundreds of people. Because they were Black. Here's Walters' incredible response:

"I would never tell a kid that because of your race, because of the color of your skin, or your gender or anything like that, you are less of a person or are inherently racist. That doesn't mean you don't judge the actions of individuals. Oh, you can. Absolutely, historically, you should. 'This was right. This was wrong. They did this for this reason.' But to say it was inherent in that because of their skin is where I say that is Critical Race Theory. You're saying that race defines a person."

More at Baptist News Global.

(Thanks, Bob Pescovitz!)
Open source code with profanity in its comments is a sign of superior programming (PDF), according to a student at the Institute of Theoretical Computer Sciences (ITI) of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. Jan Strehmel, presenting his research in his thesis, analyzed more than 10,000 GitHub projects written in C for the presence of profanity in English, then ran a suite of code quality tests on them. Swearing correlated with higher scores. [via JWZ, desdelinux]



3.2 Conclusion and Future Work By using the Git-API we successfully collected more than 3,800 repositories containing swearwords. Those swear-repos were then evaluated with the SoftWipe tool to calculate a score, which represents the code quality. Those swear-repos were then compared to over 7600 repositories, which we selected to be our general population and also analysed with the SoftWipe tool. This comparison was done by running multiple hypothesis tests, such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. These tests, combined with our visual analysis of the data yielded the result that repositories containing swearwords exhibit a statistically

significant higher average code-quality (5.87) compared to our general population (5.41). There are many things that you can consider to further add to this study. Of course "[] there's no data like more data"-Kai-Fu Lee, thus obtaining more swearword samples is of course of interest to us, as well as the possibility to include C++ code as well. During the data crawling, one could of course also deploy natural language processing to more accurately identify swearwords.

Strehmel assumes a correlative relationship, not a causative one. The cause, both of swearing and measurable quality, he proposes: stress.


Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers put herself into legal jeopardy after possibly violating state law by posting explicit images of President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, on Twitter without his consent, reports Raw Story. Her post was viewed by over 300,000 of her followers.

Twitter allows users as young as 13, raising alarm over minors' exposure to inappropriate content. After being alerted to the explicit content, Rogers removed the images, yet this act may not protect her from legal ramifications.

Arizona law classifies the non-consensual sharing of explicit imagescommonly dubbed "revenge porn"as a criminal act. Even the subsequent removal of such content does not negate the initial illegal action. As Arizona attorney Tom Ryan has explained, "It's not a defense if she later took them down, which appears she has done. Any more than it would be a defense if you robbed a Circle K and later gave the money back, you don't get to wipe out the robbery."."

Violating this law is considered a Class 4 felony in Arizona, carrying a potential 1 to 4-year prison sentence for first-time offenders.

From Raw Story:
The recently developed method of sex determination via sexually dimorphic amelogenin peptides in human tooth enamel represents a breakthrough for both archaeology and anthropology. Tooth enamel contains sex chromosome-linked isoforms of amelogenin, an enamel-forming protein, which preserves well even in archaeological specimens. Through the analysis of amelogenin peptides in the tooth enamel of the most socially prominent person of the Iberian Copper Age (c. 3200-2200 BCE), scientists at the University of Seville establish that the individual was not male, as previously thought, but female. The analysis of this woman, now re-dubbed the Ivory Lady, reveals that she was a leading social figure at a time where no male attained a remotely comparable social position.

Given the absence of written records, the main source of information available to analyze gender inequalities in early complex societies is the human body itself.

And yet, for decades, archaeologists have struggled with the sex estimation of poorly preserved human remains.

In 2008, an individual was discovered in a tomb at the Copper Age mega-site of Valencia in Spain.

As well as being a rare example of a single occupancy burial, the tomb contained a large number of valuable goods, including ivory tusks, high-quality flint, ostrich eggshell, amber, and a rock crystal dagger.

The finds suggested that this individual  originally thought to be a young male aged between 17 and 25 years  held a high status within society.

In the new research, University of Seville researcher Marta CintasPena and her colleagues used amelogenin peptide analysis to test for the presence of the sexually-dimorphic enamel-forming protein amelogenin in the teeth of the specimen.

The analysis of a molar and an incisor detected the presence of the AMELX gene  which produces amelogenin and is located on the X chromosome  indicating that the individual was female rather than male.

This means that the highest ranked person in Iberian Copper Age society was a woman, now re-dubbed the Ivory Lady, the researchers said.

Additionally, the lack of goods in infant burials suggests that, in this period, individuals were not granted high status by birth rite.

We suggest that the Ivory Lady achieved her status through merit and achievements in life.

No male of similarly high status has yet been found, they added.

As the only comparably lavish Copper Age tomb in the region, containing at least 15 women, was found next to the tomb of the Ivory Lady and is presumed to have been built by people who claimed descent from her.

This suggests that women occupied positions of leadership in Iberian Copper Age society.

The teams paper was published in the journal Scientific Reports.

_____

M. Cintas-Pena et al. 2023. Amelogenin peptide analyses reveal female leadership in Copper Age Iberia (c. 2900-2650 BC). Sci Rep 13, 9594; doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-36368-x
To achieve tangible solutions for ocean conservation, we should listen to the people who are most affected by the current problems facing the ocean: the people in the tropics, say 25 co-authors of "Engaging the Tropical Majority to Make Ocean Governance and Science more Equitable and Effective," a new paper in the journal Ocean Sustainability, funded by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI).

"We can't really talk about the ocean without talking about nature and humans," said STRI staff scientist and founding director of the Adrienne Arsht Community-Based Resilience Solutions Initiative, Ana Spalding, lead author with marine ecologist and associate professor at Oregon State University (OSU) Kirsten Grorud-Colvert. "Kirsten and I have been working together to bridge those two aspects."

The goal of the paper was to take advantage of the focus on the tropics resulting from the Our Ocean Conference held in Panama in March 2023. Spalding and Grorud-Colvert assembled a group of multidisciplinary researchers from around the global tropics to discuss actionable solutions for ocean conservation. After initial brainstorming meetings on Zoom, they organized an in-person draft-writing workshop with a core group of collaborators in November 2022 at STRI's Punta Culebra Nature Center in Panama City, Panama.

The objective was to discuss how to face the most urgent problems affecting the oceans, particularly in the global tropics. However, instead of focusing solely on the scientific aspect of marine conservation, a common theme during the initial discussions became the inequity in ocean governance and ocean science.

"The underlying tone was that systemic changes in inequity and access were important," Spalding said. "We still incorporated the more technical science side of things, but that's been written, that's been talked about. We decided to prioritize this issue."

The tropics are home to most of the world's marine biodiversity and the majority of directly ocean-dependent people. But governance of the ocean is still dominated by high-income countries in temperate regions, where most of the scientific knowledge and funding originates. Policies are disproportionately established by policymakers outside of tropical regions.

"We wanted to acknowledge this inequity from the start, that most of the resources and funding for marine conservation come from temperate regions, and that often leads to those interests co-opting conversations. From there we can move forward, with tropical voices and tropical expertise in the lead," Grorud-Colvert pointed out.

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In the paper, the authors concluded that, to achieve real and tangible solutions for ocean sustainability, there are four key actions to achieve first: equity in ocean science and governance, reconnecting people and the ocean, redefining ocean literacy, and decolonizing ocean science.

"The paper really highlights that the problem isn't just with the changes to natural ecosystems, fish and mangroves, the problem is the disproportionate impact that those changes have on certain groups of people, particularly around the global tropics. And we're not going to see changes in nature until we see systemic changes in how people in these regions can participate, engage, feel connected to the issues, and feel responsible for these changes," stated Spalding.

"We need to go beyond talking about the problems to intentionally taking action to address inequities," said co-author Sangeeta Mangubhai, research scientist at Talanoa Consulting, in Fiji. "It is time to value and trust the deep knowledge and understanding of history and place held by those of us in the tropical majority and let us take the lead in those places we call home."

"The conclusion I'd like to focus on is decolonizing ocean science, from who leads, to how it is done. This action is relevant to all scales and dimensions of ocean conservation: from individuals to institutions, theory to practice, and from our youth to our elders," commented co-author Steven Mana'oakamai Johnson, from the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at Cornell University.

Spalding and Grorud-Colvert committed themselves to creating a space for listening and challenging perspectives and ideas. "We can't find solutions without open and honest and transdisciplinary conversations, and making sure that we are creating spaces for these to happen," Grorud-Colvert added.

Despite the different time zones and cultures, the collaborators were surprised to find that their experiences were not very different.

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"It's amazing how shared experiences lead to co-creating solutions for the global tropics. In East Asia and the Pacific and Africa and Latin America, we are all feeling similar things, and we feel validated by the folks from these regions," Spalding said.

"Amplifying the voice of the tropical majority in ocean science and governance is key to making sure decisions related to the tropics include perspectives from key actors from the tropics," stated co-author Josheena Naggea of the Oceans Department and Center for Ocean Solutions in Stanford University.

"Current scientific leaders need to realize that scientists in the tropics have been mostly ignored or marginalized for a very long time and we nevertheless are producing essential knowledge, and often in much more equitable ways," said co-author Andres Cisneros-Montemayor, Deputy Director at Ocean Nexus, and Assistant Professor at Simon Fraser University.

Researcher and co-author Estradivari, from the Ecology Department at Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT) in Germany, said: "While there are real inequities in ocean governance and science that can have negative effects on ocean conservation, there are also solutions available as long as we value diversity and flexibility and seize opportunities for change."
If you travel to Bali, you won't see a cockatoo, but if you go to the neighbouring island of Lombok, you will. The situation is similar with marsupials: Australia is home to numerous marsupial species, such as the kangaroo and the koala. The further west you go, the sparser they become. While you will find just two representatives of these typically Australian mammals on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, you will search in vain for them on neighbouring Borneo. Australia, on the other hand, is not home to mammals that you will typically find in Asia, such as bears, tigers or rhinos.

This abrupt change in the composition of the animal world already caught the eye of the British naturalist and co-discoverer of evolutionary theory Alfred Russell Wallace, who travelled through the Indo-Australian Archipelago from 1854 to 1862 to collect animals and plants. He described an (invisible) biogeographical line running between Bali and Lombok and Borneo and Sulawesi that marked the westernmost distribution of Australian fauna.

Fascinating change of wildlife

Biodiversity researchers have long been fascinated by this abrupt change of creatures along the Wallace Line. How these distribution patterns came about, however, has not yet been clarified in detail.

One explanation is plate tectonics. Forty-five million years ago, the Australian Plate began to drift northwards and slid under the mighty Eurasian Plate. This brought two land masses closer together that had previously been far apart. It became easier for land creatures to colonise one continent from the other. Tectonic movements also gave rise to the creation of countless (volcanic) islands between the two continents, which animals and plants used as stepping stones to migrate westwards or eastwards.

More Asian animals in Australia than vice versa

But why more species found their way from Asia to Australia -- countless poisonous snakes, thorny lizards (Moloch horridus), hopping mice (Notomys sp.) or flying foxes bear witness to this -- than the other way round has been a mystery until now.

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In order to better understand this asymmetrical vertebrate distribution along the Wallace Line, researchers led by Loic Pellissier, Professor of Ecosystems and Landscape Evolution at ETH Zurich, have created a new model. It combines reconstructions of the climate, plate displacements between 30 million years ago and the present day and a comprehensive data set for around 20,000 birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians that are recorded in the region today.

Climates in areas of origin decisive

In the latest issue of Science, the researchers now show that adaptations to the climates in the areas of origin are partly responsible for the uneven distribution of Asian and Australian faunal representatives on both sides of the Wallace Line.

In addition to plate tectonics, the environmental conditions that prevailed millions of years ago were decisive for the exchange between the two continents. Based on simulations, the researchers found that animals originating from Asia were more likely to "hop" across the Indonesian islands to reach New Guinea and northern Australia.

These islands featured a tropically humid climate, which they were comfortable with and had already adapted to. The Australian wildlife was different, having evolved in a cooler climate that had become increasingly drier over time, and was therefore less successful in gaining a foothold on the tropical islands than the fauna migrating from Asia.

The Asian climate thus favoured creatures that reached Australia via the tropical islands of the faunal region known as Wallacea, especially those that could tolerate a wide range of climates. This made it easier for them to settle on the new continent. "The historical context is crucial for understanding the biodiversity distribution patterns observed today and was the missing piece of the puzzle explaining the enigma of Wallace's line," says first author Alexander Skeels, a postdoctoral researcher in Pellissier's group.

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Competitive advantages for tropical species

Traits of species that evolved in tropical habitats include faster growth and higher competitiveness to enable them to withstand the pressure of coexistence with many other species. In harsher climates, such as the colder and drier regions of Australia, organisms usually have to evolve special adaptations to cope with drought and heat stress. These include behavioural adaptations such as nocturnal activity and physiological adaptations to minimise water loss. "Many Australian frogs bury themselves in the ground and remain dormant for long periods for this reason," Skeels points out. "Something that is rare in tropical frogs."

The findings are important for the researchers: "They make it clear that we can only understand today's distribution patterns of biodiversity if we include the geological development and climatic conditions of prehistoric times in our considerations," says Pellissier.

The heritage of long past epochs has shaped the patterns of biodiversity right up to the present. It also helps us to understand why more species are found in the tropics today than in temperate latitudes. "To fully understand the distribution of biodiversity and the processes that maintain it in the present, we need to find out how it came about," says the researcher.

Learning to understand invasive species

This is especially true in biogeography because the exchange of species between continents continues to take place regularly and at an alarming rate today as humans move animals and plants around the planet. These species can become invasive on other continents and harm the ancestral fauna and flora. "Knowing the factors that influence exchange on long time scales is important to understanding why species can become invasive on more recent time scales. In the current biodiversity crisis, this can help us to better assess the consequences of human-induced invasions," Skeels emphasises.
Discoveries by West Virginia University forensic scientists about how gunshot residue behaves on skin, hair and fabric will allow crime scene investigators to catch up to the proliferation of new, eco-friendly types of ammunition and make faster, more informed decisions at crime scenes and in forensic laboratories.

Lead and other toxic components of ammunition are crucial in establishing the presence of gunshot residue, or GSR, at crime scenes. However, heavy metals like lead aren't present in new "green" ammunitions that are changing the rules for GSR analysis, according to Tatiana Trejos, associate professor in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Department of Forensic and Investigative Science.

"A major forensics discovery was that, when you fire a gun, a cloud of particles is produced by the primer, the material that explodes and causes a bullet to eject. The primer contains, among other things, inorganic compounds, heavy metals like lead, barium, antimony," Trejos said.

"When this cloud touches our skin, tiny particles remain there. The composition of those particles is specific to firearm discharge -- we don't commonly find that combination of metals in other conditions. That realization was a big help to forensic scientists in firearms-related investigations."

But over the years, ammunition has changed. More primers are manufactured without metals harmful to the environment and human health. That's a challenge for GSR analysis and the reason forensic science -- a field that uses scientific methods to help solve crimes and examine trial evidence -- is looking beyond inorganic compounds like metals to organic compounds like nitroglycerine that are also released when a gun fires.

"If we combine information about organic and inorganic compounds in GSR, we can have more confidence in our results," Luis Arroyo, an analytical chemist and associate professor, said. "For over a decade, scientific groups have said we need to know more about organic gunshot residue. We're missing opportunities to confirm the presence of GSR, and this research funded by the National Institute of Justice is helping to narrow that gap."

The research establishes how organic and inorganic compounds in GSR differ in the ways they each persist on surfaces and transfer to other surfaces during activities like running, hand shaking or washing.

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Trejos and Arroyo published the results of the studies in a Forensic Chemistry paper co-authored with WVU graduate students Courtney Vander Pyl, Kourtney Dalzell, Korina Menking-Hoggatt and Thomas Ledergerber.

To gather data, the team created new and improved organic and inorganic GSR "reference standards" or methodologies for creating standardized mixes of particles that accurately mirror real-world gunshot residue, allowing different labs to meaningfully compare results.

They applied those particles to fabrics, to the skin and hair of real human volunteers and to an artificial skin product called Strat-M. Then they subjected those surfaces to real and simulated activities like running, struggling, washing and rubbing, before measuring the remaining particles.

Trejos said the experiments established Strat-M as a viable substitute for human skin.

"Artificial skin has been used by fields like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, health sciences. Now we have proved it can provide a consistent forensic standard while allowing us to test conditions that wouldn't be feasible or safe for a person's skin."

The researchers found inorganic GSR particles persist longer on a surface -- a palm, a sweatshirt -- than organic compounds, but they're more susceptible to being lost or transferred by common activities. A shooter who washes their hands with soap and water, then dries them with a paper towel, will likely prevent crime scene investigators from identifying GSR based on analysis of lead, barium and antimony particles on their hands.

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The fact that inorganic particles persist over time and are significantly lost only due to outside forces can be critical to questions about whether someone is the victim of a suicide or homicide, Trejos said.

Organic compounds, conversely, may be lost from clothing if a suspect struggles during arrest, but they are less likely to transfer to someone else, like the arresting officer.

Up to 100 characteristic inorganic particles could transfer from one person to another during a handshake, compared to no transfer at all for organic compounds. But unlike inorganic particles, organic particles are lost over time due to factors like evaporation from the skin.

Trejos said the next step is to put the findings to use in combination with another methodology the group recently developed, which allows field CSIs to immediately analyze possible GSR at a crime scene.

As enthusiastic as Trejos is about the research, she emphasizes that real-life CSIs don't have as many answers as the ones on television.

"Right now, we can do a pretty good job answering the question, 'Is GSR present or not?' But the next and more interesting question is, 'Did this person fire the gun?' Forensics is not always able to answer that with high certainty. This research opens new avenues to answer questions relevant to a judge or jury.

"By providing faster and more informative investigative tools, we're helping to apprehend offenders with more solid evidence, and we're minimizing the potential for false incarcerations."
AI (artificial intelligence) may sound like a cold robotic system, but Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have shown that it can deliver heartwarming -- or, more to the point, "heart-warning" -- support. They unveiled an innovative use of AI that classifies cardiac functions and pinpoints valvular heart disease with unprecedented accuracy, demonstrating continued progress in merging the fields of medicine and technology to advance patient care. The results will be published in The Lancet Digital Health.

Valvular heart disease, one cause of heart failure, is often diagnosed using echocardiography. This technique, however, requires specialized skills, so there is a corresponding shortage of qualified technicians. Meanwhile, chest radiography is one of the most common tests to identify diseases, primarily of the lungs. Even though the heart is also visible in chest radiographs, little was known heretofore about the ability of chest radiographs to detect cardiac function or disease. Chest radiographs, or chest X-Rays, are performed in many hospitals and very little time is required to conduct them, making them highly accessible and reproducible. Accordingly, the research team led by Dr. Daiju Ueda, from the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology at the Graduate School of Medicine of Osaka Metropolitan University, reckoned that if cardiac function and disease could be determined from chest radiographs, this test could serve as a supplement to echocardiography.

Dr. Ueda's team successfully developed a model that utilizes AI to accurately classify cardiac functions and valvular heart diseases from chest radiographs. Since AI trained on a single dataset faces potential bias, leading to low accuracy, the team aimed for multi-institutional data. Accordingly, a total of 22,551 chest radiographs associated with 22,551 echocardiograms were collected from 16,946 patients at four facilities between 2013 and 2021. With the chest radiographs set as input data and the echocardiograms set as output data, the AI model was trained to learn features connecting both datasets.

The AI model was able to categorize precisely six selected types of valvular heart disease, with the Area Under the Curve, or AUC, ranging from 0.83 to 0.92. (AUC is a rating index that indicates the capability of an AI model and uses a value range from 0 to 1, with the closer to 1, the better.) The AUC was 0.92 at a 40% cut-off for detecting left ventricular ejection fraction -- an important measure for monitoring cardiac function.

"It took us a very long time to get to these results, but I believe this is significant research," stated Dr. Ueda. "In addition to improving the efficiency of doctors' diagnoses, the system might also be used in areas where there are no specialists, in night-time emergencies, and for patients who have difficulty undergoing echocardiography."
In a world-first clinical trial published in the journal Nature Medicine, a multi-centre study from Lawson Health Research Institute, the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM) and the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) has found fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) from healthy donors are safe and show promise in improving response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma.

Immunotherapy drugs stimulate a person's immune system to attack and destroy cancer. While they can significantly improve survival outcomes in those with melanoma, they are only effective in 40 to 50 per cent of patients. Preliminary research has suggested that the human microbiome -- the diverse collection of microbes in our body -- may play a role in whether or not a patient responds.

"In this study, we aimed to improve melanoma patients' response to immunotherapy by improving the health of their microbiome through fecal transplants," says Dr. John Lenehan, Medical Oncologist at London Health Sciences Centre's (LHSC) London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP), Associate Scientist at Lawson and Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

A fecal transplant involves collecting stool from a healthy donor, screening and preparing it in a lab, and transplanting it to the patient. The goal is to transplant the donor's microbiome so that healthy bacteria will prosper in the patient's gut.

"The connection between the microbiome, the immune system and cancer treatment is a growing field in science," explains Dr. Saman Maleki, Scientist at Lawson and LHSC's LRCP, Assistant Professor in Schulich Medicine's Departments of Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Medical Biophysics, and senior investigator on the study. "This study aimed to harness microbes to improve outcomes for patients with melanoma."

The phase I trial included 20 melanoma patients recruited from LHSC, CHUM and Jewish General Hospital. Patients were administered approximately 40 fecal transplant capsules orally during a single session, one week before they started immunotherapy treatment.

The study found that combining fecal transplants with immunotherapy is safe for patients -- which is the primary objective of a phase I trial (also called 'safety trials'). The study also found 65 per cent of patients who retained the donors' microbiome had a clinical response to the combination treatment. Five patients experienced adverse events sometimes associated with immunotherapy and had their treatment discontinued.

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"We have reached a plateau in treating melanoma with immunotherapy, but the microbiome has the potential to be a paradigm shift," says Dr. Bertrand Routy, Oncologist and Director of CHUM's Microbiome Center. "This study puts Canada at the forefront of microbiome research by showing we can safely improve patients' response to immunotherapy through fecal transplants."

"These exciting results add to a rapidly growing list of publications suggesting that targeting the microbiome may provide a major advance in the use of immunotherapy for our patients with cancer," adds Dr. Wilson H. Miller Jr. of the JGH and Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Oncology at McGill University.

The study is unique due to its administration of fecal transplants (from healthy donors) in capsule form to cancer patients -- a technique pioneered in London by Dr. Michael Silverman, Lawson Scientist, Chair of Infectious Diseases at Schulich Medicine and Medical Director of the Infectious Disease Care Program at St. Joseph's Health Care London.

"Our group has been doing fecal transplants for 20 years, initially finding success treating C. difficile infections. This has enabled us to refine our methods and provide an exceptionally high rate of the donor microbes surviving in the recipient's gut with just a single dose," says Dr. Silverman. "Our data suggests at least some of the success we are seeing in melanoma patients is related to the efficacy of the capsules."

The team has already started a larger phase II trial involving centres in Ontario and Quebec. Lawson researchers are also studying the potential of fecal transplants in the treatment of other cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, as well as HIV and rheumatoid arthritis.

This research is supported in part through donor funding from London Health Sciences Foundation, Western University, the Lotte and John Hecht Memorial Foundation, the JGH Foundation, Canadian Cancer Society's Impact Grant program and The Terry Fox Foundation.
In generating electricity, electrons carry electric charge by acting as free agents. This means they bump and graze against other electrons as they travel collectively through transmission lines, generating friction and heat.

When electrons pair up, on the other hand, they glide through a material without friction. The "superconducting" behavior of these particles can occur in various materials. If such materials are allowed to superconduct close to room temperature, they can provide a key to creating devices with zero energy loss. Before making this happen, scientists must first understand how electrons pair up.

New Insight on Electron Behavior

New images of particles pairing up in atoms shed light on the tendency of electrons to pair in a superconducting material. These photographs captured by physicists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are the first snapshots of fermion pairs.

In this study, the researchers used potassium-40 atoms under conditions resembling electrons' behavior in particular superconducting materials. Headed by Professor Martin Zwierlein, the team developed a strategy to visualize a supercooled cloud of potassium-40 atoms. This technique allowed them to view the pairing up of particles even if a small distance separates them. Interesting patterns and behaviors were also observed, such as the formation of checkerboards disturbed by single electrons as they pass.

Zwierlein's team created and visualized various clouds of atoms thousands of times and translated each shot into a digital version that resembles a grid. In each grid, the location of both types of atoms is shown. Upon analyzing the sets of hundreds of snapshots, the team interpreted the way atoms show up in pairs.

According to the physicists, their observation not only provided blueprint of the formation of electron pairs in superconducting materials, but it also helps in describing how neutrons pair up in forming a very dense and churning superfluid found in neutron stars.

The event witnessed by the physicists was pairing behavior among the atoms, which was predicted by the Hubbard model. It is a widely held theory that is known for holding the key to the characteristics of electrons in high-temperature superconductors. Experts have used this model in testing the predictions of electron pair-up on superconducting materials, but they have never observed it directly until now.

READ ALSO: Physicists Expose Accidental Discovery of a New Quantum Particle



What are Fermions?

In physics, a fermion refers to a category of elementary particles that are very small and very light. It describes any particle with odd half-integer spin like , 3/2, etc. Examples of fermions include the most composite particles like protons and neutrons and quarks and leptons.

The atomic nucleus is a fermion depending on the number of its protons and neutrons, whether odd or even, respectively. Recent studies have allowed researchers to discover that fermions can lead to strange behavior in particular atoms under unusual conditions. In nuclear physics, fermion pairing is the basis for superconductivity and other phenomena.

A consequence of having an odd half-integer spin in fermions is its relation to the Pauli Exclusion Principle. This means that this category of elementary particles is not allowed to co-exist on the same date in the same region at the same time.

RELATED ARTICLE: Photon Split Into Halves, Which "Nobody Believed Existed," Shows New Approach in Physics to See and Understand Light

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WASHINGTON  Thanks to the Supreme Court, affirmative action in college admissions is effectively dead. But while racial preferences were the wrong solution, the underlying problem is real: We have horrific racial disparities in elementary and secondary education in this country that make it harder for poor Black and Hispanic students to gain admission to, and succeed in, college. And that is because millions are trapped in failing public schools that do not prepare them for college, much less for life .

The latest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation's Report Card, show that pandemic lockdowns wiped out nearly two decades of progress in reading and more than three decades of progress in math. Black and Hispanic students in schools with high poverty rates suffered learning losses far worse than their white peers, because high-poverty schools stayed closed longer than schools in more affluent communities.

The state of education for poor minority students in the United States is a disgrace. An analysis of 2021-22 data by a Project Baltimore, a series of stories by Fox 45 Baltimore, found that 93 percent of students in Baltimore public schools could not do math at grade level, including 23 schools where not a single student could do so. In Illinois, data showed 53 schools  most of them in Chicago  where not a single student could do math at grade level, and 30 where not a single student can read at grade level. There is simply no excuse for keeping kids trapped in schools like these.

Affirmative action in college admissions did not help these kids. As Bates College professor Tyler Austin Harper recently wrote in The New York Times, many elite colleges and universities "boost diversity statistics on the cheap by accepting minority students who can pay full freight." David Leonhardt of the Times reports less than 15 percent of recent undergraduates at public universities including the University of Virginia, Auburn, Georgia Tech and William & Mary as well as elite private colleges come from families with incomes low enough to qualify for Pell Grants. Affirmative action, Leonhardt writes, "often succeeded at producing racial diversity without producing as much economic diversity." In other words, these colleges and universities tend to admit wealthy minorities from educated households who do not need help .

Instead of trying to help kids at the end of the process by lowering admissions standards, we should be helping them at the start of the process by giving them access to better schools so they can get the education they need .

Right now, affluent white parents can just pull their kids out of the failing schools and send them to schools that are focused on fundamentals like reading and math. But poor Black and Hispanic parents can't do the same. If you're concerned about systematic discrimination, you should fi nd it unacceptable that white parents have choices for their kids while Black and Brown parents don't. Giving them that choice is the civil rights struggle of our time.

Fortunately, conservatives have not just been fighting against affirmative action, but passing school choice laws across the country . In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, just signed a budget including universal school choice. Ohio is now the eighth state to pass universal school choice in just two years, alongside Arizona, Iowa, West Virginia, Utah, Arkansas, Florida and Oklahoma.

Eight states is a start, but that leaves 42 in which poor Black and Hispanic parents don't have the same choices as affluent parents. So, if you are a conservative, celebrate the Supreme Court's historic decision. But tomorrow, the fight for school choice begins anew.

While racial preferences were the wrong solution, the underlying problem is real: We have horrific racial disparities in elementary and secondary education.
Less than a year after his life-changing declaration about gun control effectively ended his time in the House of Representatives, Chris Jacobs was in Austin, Texas, taking part in a panel on gun violence at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festival.

But it was what he heard during a different panel that has stayed with him and has him thinking less about his past and more about Western New Yorks future.

The speaker he heard was author and CNBC contributor Rebecca Fannin, who helped Jacobs understand the relevance of the high-tech ecosystem to Buffalos future.

I think that were in a great position climbing out of Covid to get back to the momentum we saw pre-Covid and build upon that  and Rebecca confirmed that theres been a lot of progress here, Jacobs said.

Jacobs hosted a tech industry panel June 20 at Seneca One with Fannin and several local industry panelists. Fannin said Buffalo is similar to some of the other Midwest cities she visited while writing her latest book, Silicon Heartland.

$100 million in federal funds to boost broadband internet in New York New York will use this funding to expand access to low-income families in affordable housing developments, said Jacob Leibenluft, the U.S. Treasury Department's chief recovery officer.

Buffalo is a good example of a city ripe for a turnaround, and is in the progress of a turnaround from its industrial past to a tech future centered around innovation, Fannin said. Youre seeing some of these factories and farm fields turned into tech innovation zones.

After Jacobs announced his support for gun control measures following the May 14, 2022, racist massacre at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue, fellow Republicans and Conservatives disavowed him, and he decided not to run for re-election in 2022. Since then, he has been tackling projects in and around Buffalo as part of his real estate business.

That includes renovating a building in the citys Theatre District, where a blaze broke out in May that killed Buffalo Firefighter Jason Arno, 37. Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said Thursday that the fire was caused by a blow torch being used in renovation work, but that no criminal charges would be filed in the case.

Jacobs stance on gun control is what brought him to Austin, where he introduced himself to Fannin and invited her to visit Buffalo.

The more opportunities we can get people to come to Buffalo to learn from them, but also so they can see what is going on here, then maybe a stereotype from people who have never been here gets defused because they see that this is a new Buffalo, Jacobs said.

Chris Jacobs reflects on brief tenure in Congress  and indicates he's not done with politics "It's now about 18 years that I've continuously served in elected office, so I certainly have a passion for it, and a passion for Western New York," Jacobs said in a wide-ranging interview.

Fannin, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, who now lives mostly in New York City, had a front-row seat to the growth and rise of Silicon Valley as a resident of that area during a time when it became the center of the computer industry, bringing many venture capitalists and entrepreneurs to the area.

The tech journalist and media entrepreneur has been doing self-guided trendspotting reporting by driving from one place to the next to see where the tech, talent and money is flowing and where transformative changes are most noticeable.

Chris impressed me as a person who can be a champion for Buffalos future, Fannin said.

Fannin made the most of her visit to the area.

She toured Viridi Parente, which is making energy storage systems in the former General Motors and American Axle & Manufacturing plant on East Delavan Avenue; the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus to take in the cutting-edge science and tech transfer business spinoff going on; and TechBuffalo, which is training future technology talent. At Seneca One, Fannin spoke with officials from 43North and several of the startups it has worked with, including Twipes, a recent competition-winning company that moved to Buffalo from Great Britain.

She also met with Steve Hyde, president and CEO of the Economic Development Center for Genesee County, where an industrial park that will house a chip manufacturing and semi-conductor facility is being built.

I did several days of touring, and it was very rewarding, she said. I drove around Buffalo, just seeing what was going on. I just love exploring.

For Jacobs, the tour was confirmation of the progress the region is making in developing a high-tech ecosystem. Having the event at Seneca One  the center of Buffalos tech turnaround and home to the M&T Tech Hub that overlooks Canalside  was emblematic of the new Buffalo, Jacobs said.

If were benchmarked against other midwestern cities, I think were doing pretty darn well, Jacobs said. I walked away learning a lot more about whats going on here and feeling a lot more optimistic about the future.

Fannin said it is critical that the region take the next step in promoting its tech future, as other nearby cities also embrace this idea, and the country attempts to move some tech industries back from countries such as China and Mexico.

There is also a clear need for more venture capital investment from the private sector  and not just government spending, Fannin said. She sees Buffalo as having a good start, with organizations such as 43North and TechBuffalo supporting the tech ecosystem.

If you dont embrace the future and arent willing to try different things, youre going to be left behind, she said. If Buffalo doesnt do this, it will be outcompeted by other cities.

Jacobs is confident Fannin will be saying good things about what is going on in Western New York, and that, perhaps, it may ever spark an idea for a chapter in her next book.
The suspect in a Jamestown homicide who escaped from a Pennsylvania jail Thursday night climbed a piece of exercise equipment in a recreation yard and then used bedsheets to get down from a roof, a county spokesperson said during a briefing Friday.

Jamestown police warned residents Friday morning to lock their doors and stay vigilant after Michael C. Burham, a suspect in the homicide of a woman in May and kidnapping of an elderly couple, escaped from jail in Warren County, Pa.

Burham, 34, was last seen about 11:30 p.m. Thursday wearing an orange-and-white jumpsuit, Crocs and a blue denim jacket.

He fled the jail on foot. Authorities have searched the area of the City of Warren and are expanding the search area, public information officer Cecile M. Stelter said during a briefing, which was posted on Twitter by Your Daily Local.

Authorities have no information Burham is being helped or that hes traveling in any way but on foot, Stelter said.

Burham, who should not be approached by the public and who should be considered dangerous, has survivalist skills and would be comfortable living in the woods for several days, she said.

Burham was being held in Pennsylvania on federal kidnapping charges after being captured in South Carolina on May 24.

Warren County is just across the Pennsylvania border from Chautauqua County, and the Warren County jail is about 20 miles from Jamestown.

Burhams escape was noticed within minutes, the Warren County spokeswoman said. He was in the recreation yard with other inmates and was under video surveillance, Stelter said.

Burham drew attention of the authorities after the body of Kala M. Hodgkin, 34, was found on William Street in Jamestown on May 11. Jamestown police identified her as a homicide victim.

While authorities dont know what Burhams potential motives might be, law enforcement in Chautauqua County has relocated several individuals tied to the Hodgkin case, including witnesses, said District Attorney Jason Schmidt.

Schmidt said Burhams ties are to the Jamestown area.

Anyone who sees something suspicious should call their local police agency, he said.

Jamestown police ask anyone with information to call their confidential tip line at 716-483-8477.

As of about 11:30 a.m. Friday, roughly 12 hours after his escape, there had been no official reports of potential sightings, Schmidt said.

More than 10 agencies are involved in the manhunt, officials said.

A day after Hodgkins body was found, police said a pickup truck Burham was believed to have been driving was found in Warren, Pa.

Burham has been charged with kidnapping an 89-year-old man and 68-year-old woman from Sheffield, Pa., and driving them to South Carolina.

North Charleston, S.C., police identified Burham as a suspect in a homicide who also was wanted on a rape charge.

On May 24, Burham was taken into custody in Huger, a community in Berkeley County, S.C., after a resident called in a tip that Burham was hiding in a shed behind a residence, police said. Burham was confronted by the resident as he hid behind tarps near the familys woodshed and fled. Police, with the help of a K9 team and air units, located and arrested an unarmed, disheveled Burham.

According to the Post-Journal, Burham was extradited first to New York and then was moved to the Warren County Jail on June 19. He was arraigned before U.S. District Judge Raymond Zydonik on charges including two counts of kidnapping, burglary and aggravated assault. He has not been charged in the Jamestown homicide.

Prosecutors are awaiting results of laboratory tests on DNA evidence, Schmidt said.

Jamestown police also said there were two fires set in the city around the time Hodgkins body was found.
The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged former U.S. Army financial counselor Caz L. Craffy for defrauding Gold Star family members and others by engaging in unauthorized trading-including of life insurance and family survivor benefits they received following the death of an active duty service member-and for recommending excessive trades and higher risk strategies that did not match customers' investment profiles.

According to the SEC's complaint, Craffy, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, was permitted to provide general financial education to service members' families through his job as a U.S. Army financial counselor. However, as alleged, between May 2018 and November 2022, Craffy used his position and access to manipulate grieving family members by directing them to transfer their benefits into brokerage accounts he managed outside of his official duties with the U.S. Army. Once the funds were deposited, Craffy engaged in unauthorized trading and trading that did not match his customers' risk profiles and investment objectives and exposed them to higher risks of loss from excessive trading, concentration and lack of diversification. In that 54-month span, Craffy's customers incurred more than $1.64 million in commissions and fees, most of which Craffy pocketed, while the accounts he managed suffered approximately $1.79 million in realized losses and faced additional unrealized losses of approximately $1.8 million. In one particularly egregious offense, Craffy misappropriated $50,000 from the IRA account of a minor child whose parent had died on active duty.

The complaint charges Craffy with violating Section 17(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Regulation Best Interest (Rule 15l-1(a)(1) of the Exchange Act).

The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations. The SEC's ongoing investigation is being conducted by Michael Ellis, Bari Nadworny, Roseann Daniello, and Ariel Atlas of the SEC's New York Regional Office, under the supervision of Hane L. Kim of the Retail Strategy Task Force and Sheldon Pollock of the New York Regional Office. Alex Lefferts of the Enforcement Division's Office of Investigative and Market Analytics assisted with the investigation. The litigation will be led by Hayden Brockett, Ms. Nadworny, and Ms. Atlas.
The 19-year-old Buffalo man arrested after seriously injuring a Town of Tonawanda police officer in a hit-and-run attempt in a reported stolen vehicle now faces more severe charges.

Dareious T. Akbar was arraigned Thursday before Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case on an indictment charging him with first-degree attempted murder, a Class A-1 felony  the most severe charge under New York Penal Law, as well as five other felonies and a misdemeanor, according to Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.

Akbar also faces charges of aggravated assault of a police officer, three counts of first-degree assault, assault of a police officer, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and third-degree unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, the DAs Office said. If hes convicted of the highest charge, the defendants maximum sentence is 25 years in prison. He is being held without bail until his next court date July 21.

Tonawanda officer badly injured when dragged by stolen vehicle is released from ECMC The Town of Tonawanda police officer badly injured while he was dragged during a traffic stop has been released from the hospital, officials said Monday, while new court records reveal more about the investigation into what happened.

The highest charge against Akbar, prior to the indictment, was second-degree attempted murder at his arraignment in the Town of Tonawanda Justice Court.

On the evening of May 29, Akbar is alleged to have driven a Kia Sportage, reported stolen from East Aurora earlier that day, through a red light at Sheridan Drive and Sheridan-Parkside Drive, the DAs Office said. After he was stopped by Town of Tonawanda police, Akbar allegedly drove off, dragging Officer David Piatek, who was taken to Erie County Medical Center, the report continued. Akbar was arrested the following day, The News reported.

Second person in vehicle that dragged and injured Tonawanda officer is charged Town of Tonawanda Police say Mariah Pietrangeli, 19, of Lewiston, was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Dareious Akbar, 19, of Buffalo, that dragged and injured Officer David Piatek on Monday.

Akbar is amid three other criminal cases the DAs Office described in detail. He pleaded guilty on April 11 to third-degree criminal possession of stolen property for stealing a 2021 Kia Soul in Buffalo last October; his sentencing is adjourned in that case.

Akbar last September allegedly stole a Dodge Ram from Hamburg and used a victims debit and credit cards for purchases in Amherst; he was arrested May 23 and charged with five felonies, the DAs Office continued.

Akbar was also charged with second-degree menacing for allegedly pointing what appeared to be a black handgun at a victim; officers allegedly recovered a BB gun.
All students in the Depew School District will be getting free breakfast and lunch starting in September.

The district announced it received a four-year approval for the Community Eligibility Provision under the national school lunch and breakfast programs.

Thats K-12 in all three schools, said Joseph Metty, school lunch manager at Depew.

There are 1,800 students in Depew schools.

The Community Eligibility Provision allows high-poverty schools to provide free meals to all students. The State Legislature and governor agreed to expand eligibility for the program, and Metty said the district was able to qualify with the state subsidy included in this years budget.

He said none of the districts three schools was eligible last year, although all schools received free meals for all students during the pandemic years.

Students will be able to purchase additional breakfasts, lunches and a la carte items, he said.

We definitely expect to be busier serving more lunches and breakfasts, Metty said.

Families are still being asked to fill out applications for the meals because the district receives funding for other programs based on the forms.
FORT ERIE, Ont.  This is a story about fox news.

(Not Fox News. Thats a different species.)

Until recently I never knew much about foxes. Then we discovered a family of red foxes living in our suburban backyard in Arlington, Va.

We called the folks at local animal control to come take them away. They politely said no. If the foxes are healthy, they said, theres no reason we cant learn to live with them. After all, these highly adaptable creatures have learned to live with us.

At first we were angry at this advice. Then, over time, we found much to admire, and little to fear, in the red foxes that are common to rural areas  and, more and more, to cities and suburbs, too.

Foxes are our friends, says Elise Able, who styles herself as the Fox Lady. They are intelligent, resilient and beautiful.

Able, who lives in a cottage on eight acres in East Concord, near Springville, is president of Fox Wood Wildlife Rescue, a small nonprofit in Erie County that she founded 30 years ago.

Foxes are in every county of New York State, she says. I get calls from every town in Western New York. I get calls from all over the United States, too. Ive gotten calls from as far away as Australia.

The other day she got a call from Canada. That one was from me.

Six of us in the Virginia branch of the Brady family are happily ensconced just now in our cousin-shared cottage on the Canadian shore of Lake Erie. We spotted a red fox trotting along the beach on our first day here. We joked that maybe it had followed us the 400 miles.

Back in Virginia, we didnt know at first that we had a nuclear family of foxes living in a den in the bushes by our back fence. We saw only the father in the beginning. Then one day there were the mother and four kits frolicking in the grass. They were cute beyond belief.

If you have a den in your backyard, consider yourself lucky, the Fox Lady says. Let the kids watch them out the window instead of the Saturday morning cartoons.

If a red fox in your neighborhood is ruddy and bushy-tailed, its healthy; if it looks mangy or is lying on its side, contact a wildlife rehabilitator such as the Fox Lady. (Not sure? Take a cellphone photo and email it to foxladye@yahoo.com and she will be happy to assess it for you.)

Able is 60 and grew up in Orchard Park. She is a state-licensed wildlife rehabilitator who also cares for coyotes. She traps lost and abandoned dogs, too, in the offseason for foxes.

Sometimes days-old orphaned fox kits are brought to her; they must be fed every few hours around the clock. She raises them for months until they are ready to be released in the wild.

Tough love, she says. Get them out there and learn.

Fox Wood Wildlife Rescue cares for sick, injured, or orphaned foxes. And, as she says, the Fox Lady answers questions from neighborhoods around Western New York  and around the world.

Which brings us back to our Virginia neighborhood. This is where it gets weird. Every few days this spring, another plush plaything somehow appeared in our backyard overnight, more than a dozen of them over several weeks.

One day it was Santa. Days later, a blue whale. And then Lamb Chop, the sock puppet.

At last came the day I simply could not believe: Our father fox had brought home a stuffed  fox.

Oh, somebody was having fun, the Fox Lady says. Foxes love to play with stuffed animals.

She explains that foxes sometimes use them as a way to awaken in their young ones the instinct to hunt for food.

But where in the world do foxes find these plushies? Sure, some people keep rubber dog toys in their backyards. But who keeps plush toys outside?

And yet new ones  grimy and chewed on  kept showing up every few days. For a while we thought we were living in a Stephen King novel. Instead, as it turned out, we were living in the Roald Dahl childrens story:

Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Here is the weekly outdoors calendar: Today through July 30  Lake Ontario Counties Summer Derby. www.loc.org

July 10  Deadline for BOW Summer Camp.

July 11  Erie County Trappers Association summer meeting starting at 7 p.m. 12580 Jennings Road, Lawtons. Potluck picnic. Bring a dish.

July 11  Wood and Brook Sportsmans Club Trap or Skeet League continues at 13712 Genesee St., Crittenden. Shooting 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Also Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to the public. Teams are 5-7 shooters. 300 total birds in trap or skeet. Call Ben at 716-983-0026 or Brian at 716-863-0719.

July 11  Allied Sportsmen 3-D Archery League continues at 12846 Clinton St., Alden, and will run for 17 weeks beginning at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday. A total of 15 targets on the course. Any questions, contact John Floriano at 716-725-5822 or Kevin Ulrich at 716-430-1059.

July 11  Niagara Musky Association general membership meeting at the Eldredge Club, 17 Broad St., Tonawanda, starting at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be local musky expert Tony Scime.

July 12  Sun Life Marina Bass Open from 6-9 p.m. Fee is $40 per boat. Best 3 bass.

July 13  Six Week Doubles Trap League (300 Target Doubles) at Boston Valley Conservation Society, 9624 Zimmerman Road, Boston. Sign-up 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays. Targets may be ATA registered.

July 13  Learn-to-Fish at Birdseye Hollow State Forest in Steuben County from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This will be an inclusive, adaptive, family-friendly event, and no fishing license is required. For additional information, contact Gretchen Cicora at 607-776-2165.

July 14  13th Annual Curt Meddaugh Memorial Free Tournament for LOTSA members. www.lotsa1.org.

July 14-15  Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout. www.walleyeshootout.com.

July 15  20th Annual LOTSA King Salmon Tournament and picnic. You must pre-register. Entry fee is $70. Sign up at www.lotsa1.org.

July 17  Niagara County Fisheries Development Board monthly meeting starting at 6 p.m. at Maxwell Station, Olcott.

July 18  Erie County Fishery Advisory Board monthly meeting at Bison City Rod and Gun Club, 511 Ohio St., Buffalo starting at 7 p.m.

July 18  Wood and Brook Sportsmans Club Trap or Skeet League continues at 13712 Genesee St., Crittenden. Shooting 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Also Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Open to the public. Teams are 5-7 shooters. 300 total birds in trap or skeet. Call Ben at 716-983-0026 or Brian at 716-863-0719.

July 18  Allied Sportsmen 3-D Archery League continues at 12846 Clinton St., Alden, and will run for 17 weeks beginning at 5:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Wednesday. A total of 15 targets on the course. Any questions, contact John Floriano at 716-725-5822 or Kevin Ulrich at 716-430-1059.

July 20  Southtowns Walleye Association monthly meeting at 5895 Southwestern Boulevard, Hamburg, starting at 7 p.m.

July 24  Niagara County Federation of Conservation Clubs summer picnic meeting at the Hartland Conservation Club, 3606 Orangeport Road, Gasport, starting at 6 p.m. Hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks provided.

July 27  Erie County Federation of Sportsmens Clubs monthly meeting at Niagara River Station, 355 East River Road, Grand Island, starting at 6:30 p.m.

Submit calendar items to billhiltsjr@gmail.com at least three weeks in advance.
After Sudanese musician wife flees war, Sudanese music professor waits to travel to her in Port Sudan

Sudanese families fleeing to Egypt separated by new visa rules After Sudanese musician wife flees war, Sudanese music professor waits to travel to her in Port Sudan

By Khalid Abdelaziz

PORT SUDAN (Reuters) - Elsafi Mahdi was separated from his wife and three younger children on June 1 near Sudan's border with Egypt. He does not know when he'll see them again.

Like many families fleeing the war in the capital Khartoum, Mahdi, a prominent music teacher and conductor, left home without a visa required for entry to Egypt.

His elder sons aged 19 and 17 needed their passports renewed, a task that became impossible as the conflict paralysed central government offices.

Mahdi and the two elder boys turned back to Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, while the rest of the family headed north to Cairo.

"I'm so close to my young children, they did not accept the idea," said Mahdi, whose family decided to leave Bahri, part of Sudan's wider capital, after hearing heavy air strikes from their home.

"I was telling them that I will join them in two or three days in Egypt, but I knew it was not easy and that it would take a very long time."

More than 2.5 million people have been uprooted by the conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that erupted on April 15, including an estimated 600,000 who have crossed into neighbouring states.

Over 250,000 have crossed into Egypt, which on June 10 began requiring that all Sudanese obtain entry visas.

Previously, only men aged 16-50 needed visas, meaning that many women, children and elderly crossed while men stayed behind in the northern Sudanese town of Wadi Halfa waiting for days or weeks to apply for visas at the Egyptian consulate.

On June 13, the United Nations said about 12,000 displaced families were staying in Wadi Halfa. Witnesses say some of those who reached the town have recently retreated to larger towns and cities in northern Sudan, hoping for a change in rules that would allow easier access for refugees.

LIVING IN TENTS

Women and elderly displaced people have been held up by the new visa rules. Saadia Abdullah, an 80-year-old with chronic health problems, said she left Khartoum before they were imposed.

"They cannot prevent us from entering Egypt. I am ill, and there is no treatment in Sudan," she told Reuters by phone from Wadi Halfa last week, before travelling nearly 900km to Kassala city in eastern Sudan to wait for another chance to cross.

Egypt says it brought in the new visa rules in response to "illegal activities". The foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment on what such activities were and how they related to women, children and the elderly.

The United Nations has appealed to Sudan's neighbours to keep their borders open.

The U.N. World Food Programme said this week it had opened a humanitarian corridor to deliver food from southern Egypt to Wadi Halfa.

Some of those still camping out in Wadi Halfa are hoping to catch up with family in Egypt, including Nader Ismail, a 48-year-old who said he had been there with his eldest son for six weeks.

"We live in tents and in difficult conditions with the temperature rising," said Ismail. "My only hope is to get a visa so we can live as a single family again."

Suheir Siddig Ali, Mahdi's wife, said at the time she crossed into Egypt with her three younger children after a long and difficult journey that it was the only country open to them.

Now, she said, all they can do is wait until the rest of the family can join them.

"We talk to them daily on the phone," she said. "But it is not easy."

(Reporting by Khalid Abdelaziz in Dubai, Ibrahim Mohamed Ishak in Port Sudan, and Sherif Fahmy in Cairo; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Life sciences company Aptamer Group announced a significant update on recent contract wins on Friday, totalling up to 0.51m over the next six months.

The AIM-traded firm said all four contracts, which were part of its previously-disclosed pipeline, related to the 2024 financial year and would make a substantial contribution to Aptamers revenue targets for the year ending 30 June next year.

However, it noted that the final revenue recognition would depend on the progression of those contracts.

The first contract was secured with a top 10 pharmaceutical company.

Aptamer said it would develop Optimer binders to support a bioprocessing application, specifically in the purification of gene therapies.

The agreement also held the potential for additional downstream licensing revenue once the Optimer binders were successfully developed and validated by the customer.

In the second contract, Aptamer would be supporting a US-based gene therapy company in the field of neurodegenerative disease.

It would develop Optimer binders to facilitate accurate measurements of a disease biomarker in the company's research immunoassays.

By using the Optimer binders alongside an antibody in a sandwich pair format, Aptamer said the work aimed to advance neuroscience disease research.

The third contract focussed on a US-based genetic medicine company, where Aptamer would generate Optimer binders for two viral targets.

The binders would play a critical role as reagents in quality control (QC) assays for the batch release of new medicines.

Successful development of the Optimer binders could lead to further downstream licensing revenue if they were integrated into the company's processes.

Finally, Aptamer said it had signed a follow-on contract with a US-based vaccine development company.

Building on the positive results from a previous project, the company would develop Optimer binders to viral targets, aiming to enhance selectivity and enable multiplex analysis in QC assays.

Similar to the other contracts, Aptamer said it would have the opportunity for additional downstream licensing revenue on successful validation of the developed Optimer binders.

As noted in the trading update issued on 4 July, the group's unaudited cash balance at the end of June was 0.2m, the board said in its statement.

In addition to trading income, further funding will be required in the short-term in order to continue as a going concern.

Aptamer said the directors were actively reviewing all possible financing options in the best interests of the company and its shareholders, and were continuing to take steps to carefully manage working capital.

Whilst the board is aiming for a satisfactory outcome of the financing, there can be no certainty that these discussions will be successful, nor as to the terms or timing thereof.

At 1315 BST, shares in Aptamer Group were up 21.18% at 5.15p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
7 times something went horribly wrong on OceanGate's Titanic sub dives before the deadly implosion

The Titan submersible in water. OceanGate

OceanGate's Titan sub malfunctioned many times during dives in the years before its implosion.

The sub got lost for hours, spun in circles underwater, and lost communication often, former passengers say.

The Titan sub imploded during its final dive to the Titanic wreckage in June, killing all 5 passengers.

OceanGate's doomed Titan submersible had a lengthy history of malfunctioning during dives even before it imploded at the bottom of the ocean last month, former passengers say.

For years industry experts and even staff had warned OceanGate's CEO Stockton Rush that the sub may be dangerous due to its design.

But despite the concerns, Rush believed in his product and kept taking the sub out on treacherous dives, until its last.

The sub imploded underwater on a trip to the Titanic wreck site on June 18 after it lost communications with its support ship, killing all five passengers on board, including Rush.

From getting lost for two-and-a-half hours to spinning in circles, here are the times something went wrong on previous Titan submersible dives.

The sub made cracking sounds during a dive, a former passenger said

Karl Stanley, a submersible expert and friend of Rush, was inside the sub during a dive in the Bahamas in 2019.

In an email sent to Rush, which was obtained by Insider, Stanley warned the CEO that passengers could "panic" if they heard the same "breaking sounds 2 miles underwater" that he did during his dive.

Stanley also expressed concern to Rush about the integrity of the sub's hull, urging the CEO to conduct more testing before taking on paying passengers.

The sub was struck by lightning during a dive in the Bahamas

Though not technically a malfunction, the Titan submersible was struck by lightning during a test dive in the Bahamas in 2018, according to CEO Stockton Rush.

Rush told Teledyne Marine, an undersea technology company, in a now-deleted interview that if the lightning had directly struck the vessel's carbon-fiber hull, it "probably would have taken us totally out."

OceanGate posted about the incident on Instagram in 2018, revealing that the sub "sustained lightning damage that affected over 70% of its internal systems."

A former passenger said the sub lost communication on every dive he took

Mike Reiss, a writer and producer for "The Simpsons," told CNN that he went on four separate dives in the sub, and it lost communication with its support ship every single time.

"There was one dive we took  as soon as communication went out, we went right back to the surface," Reiss told CNN. "We had gone to see a U-boat just off the shore of New York. We saw it for one second, and they said, 'We're going back up. We shouldn't be down here.'"

Weiss added that the sub losing communication just seemed like it was "baked into the system," and that each time, the sub did eventually restore its connection to the support ship.

Another ex-passenger said the vessel's propulsion system failed, leaving them stuck underwater

Brian Weed, a documentary cameraman for the Discovery Channel series "Expedition Unknown," told Insider the vessel's propulsion system failed and it lost communications with the mother ship while he was on a test dive in the sub in 2021.

The sub was only about 100 feet underwater at the time, according to Weed.

Weed said the sub was stuck underwater for more than two hours.

"We sort of became sitting ducks in water without the ability to go anywhere," Weed said.

Weed told Insider that of all the dangerous expeditions he's been on, the trip on board the Titan sub was the only time he felt like something was "wrong."

Weed and the TV crew ultimately decided not to take the sub on a complete dive and canceled the episode.

Passengers once had to rock the sub from side to side to release its weights

Bill Price, an adventurer from California and former passenger, told the Los Angeles Times that during a dive two years ago, the mechanism that releases the sub's weights did not work.

Because the sub needs to release its external weights to rise back up to the surface, passengers inside the sub had to physically rock it side-to-side to dislodge the weights.

"There was some apprehension of how are we going to get back up," Price told the Times. "When we heard our first clunk, that was such a relief."

The sub got lost for several hours during filming for a CBS TV segment

David Pogue, a CBS reporter, was in the control room on the Titan's mother ship during a dive in 2022 that was being filmed for a segment on the network.

Pogue said that the ship lost the submersible for several hours after its descent into the depths of the ocean.

The only way the Titan sub could communicate with the surface ship was through text messages, and the sub could not reliably navigate itself on its own.

Pogue wrote on Twitter that the ship's crew "could still send short texts to the sub, but did not know where it was," adding, "It was quiet and very tense, and they shut off the ship's internet to prevent us from tweeting."

The sub was eventually able to resurface during that trip, but its passengers never got to explore the Titanic wreckage.

The sub lost control and spun circles while near the Titanic wreck

The sub's pilot lost control of the vessel during a 2022 dive when its thrusters malfunctioned, sending the sub spinning in 360-degree circles, an ordeal that aired on an episode of the BBC's "The Travel Show."

The sub was just 1,000 feet from the Titanic wreckage when the crew realized the thruster had been installed backwards, forcing the sub to spin around, according to the BBC show.

During that dive, Rush had to troubleshoot the issue and sub was eventually able to make it to the site of the Titanic.

Last month, the vessel imploded on its way to the Titanic, killing everyone on board

The Titan sub's last malfunction was fatal.

The OceanGate sub first went missing on June 18 during a trip down to the Titanic when it lost contact with its support ship, sparking an international search effort.

Rescuers feared that the passengers were alive in the sub and running out of oxygen.

Four days later, the US Coast Guard announced that it had found a field of debris belonging to the submersible about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic.

The Coast Guard has said it believes the sub suffered a "catastrophic implosion" during its initial descent to the Titanic, presumably killing all 5 passengers near-instantly, including Rush.

Advisors to OceanGate and deep-sea explorer James Cameron have since said that it appears the crew of the sub knew something was wrong and were trying to surface before the vessel was destroyed.

Read the original article on Insider
Twitter has threatened to sue Meta over its new Threads app, which Mark Zuckerberg has openly billed as a rival, claiming the company has violated Twitters intellectual property rights. In a letter to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, first published by the news outlet Semafor, a lawyer for Twitter said the company has serious concerns that Meta Platforms (Meta) has engaged in systematic, willful and unlawful misappropriation of Twitters trade secrets and other intellectual property.  Guardian

London Gatwick has formally submitted plans for a 2.2bn second runway, as the airport looks to double its passenger numbers to 75 million a year. Gatwick said the planned runway would generate 14,000 jobs and bring a 1bn annual boost to the region. Campaigners said the additional flights would significantly worsen noise and air pollution, as well as carbon emissions, from the airport.  Guardian

Almost 390,000 people who took early retirement during the onset of the pandemic have fallen into poverty, according to a leading think-tank. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said around half of those aged 50 to 70 who left the workforce in 2020-21 ended up living in relative poverty because of labour market disruptions or health concerns.  Telegraph

The financial regulator called on banks to move faster to raise savings rates for consumers after calling in the bosses of high street banks yesterday. The Financial Conduct Authority said that the banks recognised they needed to do more to help their consumers access the best rates and urged them to accelerate recent increases.  Telegraph

The quality of work produced by Britains auditors is improving, although some of the challenger firms looking to break the stranglehold of the Big Four have been scolded again for their unacceptable performances. BDO, the UKs fifth-largest accountant, and Mazars, the seventh-largest, were admonished last year by the Financial Reporting Council, the industry regulator, for growing too fast.  The Times
Entrepreneurship Cell IIT Kanpur is delighted to present UpStart'23, the newest edition of its exclusive event dedicated to fostering the growth of budding startups in our nation. Going beyond the limitations of conventional startup competitions and fleeting pitching sessions, UpStart'23 emerges as an extraordinary endeavor, aiming to provide participants with unparalleled opportunities for growth and success.. Our unwavering commitment lies in bestowing participants with far more than mere accolades and rewards.

In UpStart, the journey of each startup commences with a rigorous selection process, encompassing multiple rounds of meticulous scrutiny. These rounds entail immersive brainstorming sessions conducted at various levels, complemented by invaluable face-to-face mentoring sessions.

The culmination of this remarkable journey is UpStart Finale which will be held during E-Summit , E-Cell IIT Kanpurs flagship event, where the top finalists will have the opportunity to pitch their startup endeavors to a panel of esteemed Venture Capitalists. This event stands on the pillars of its unique structure, providing a platform for startups to ignite their potential, innovate with groundbreaking ideas, and inspire others with their passion and determination.

UpStart Nationals will take place on 16th July 2023 in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad bringing together aspiring entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, and mentors from across the nation. The founders from across the nation will pitch their ideas to a VC Panel enabling the participants to expand their networks and gain valuable insights into the startup ecosystem.

If you are a budding startup founder or an investor seeking new opportunities , this is the event for you.'

Source : Press Release
Atsuya Technologies, a Chennai-based startup, has been selected as one of the 20 Indian companies participating in Class 7 of Google's coveted Startup Accelerator programme, the company said. Google's three-month accelerator programme offers Indian tech companies utilising AI/ML or data access to Google's resources, programmes, people, products, and technology. Atsuya Technologies stood out among over 1,050 applicants, positioning itself as the sole Tamil Nadu startup on the prestigious list and joining the esteemed portfolio of 137 Google for Startups Accelerator participants in India.

Atsuya Technologies is a vertically-integrated deep tech company that leverages cutting-edge technologies like IoT and AI to revolutionise operational excellence in businesses, with a strong focus on sustainability. The programme commenced with an intensive one-week face-to-face training camp in Bengaluru, providing valuable insights through comprehensive workshops and training sessions covering product and engineering, technology, growth strategies, and human resources, the report added.

The curriculum placed a significant emphasis on AI/ML and generative AI, equipping the participants with the knowledge and skills to scale their ventures with workshops focused on product design, customer acquisition, and founder leadership development, besides mentorship and technical project support, the release said.

Rahul Ganapathy, the cofounder and CEO of Atsuya Technologies, expressed his delight at being selected for the programme, stating, "It is truly an honour to be a part of this prestigious programme and have the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with such an esteemed community. We eagerly anticipate the acceleration of our growth journey through the invaluable support of Google."
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Two males, ages 16 and 18, were shot on Forest Avenue in West Brighton Thursday night, police said.

The teens were outside on Forest near the corner of Broadway when the shooting occurred just before 11:10 p.m., according to a spokesman for the NYPD.

Their injuries are not expected to be life-threatening.

The 16-year-old victim was shot in the right leg and the 18-year-old victim was shot in the right shoulder, police said.

There is currently no suspect description, according to the NYPD spokesman. No motive for the shootings has been identified and police do not know if the shooter was in a car or on foot.

Both victims were transported privately to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton and are in stable condition.



OTHER STATEN ISLAND NEWS:

>> He escaped streets for the ring. Now, Staten Island kickboxer fights for continental title.

>> Woman, 58, stabbed in thigh on MTA bus on Staten Island, says NYPD

>> Bus drivers descend on Staten Island court, after one of their own is allegedly beaten by 2 brothers
A top House Republican is demanding the Secret Service share more about its investigation into the cocaine at the White House

House Oversight Chairman James Comer, a Kentucky Republican Drew Angerer/Getty Images

House Oversight Chairman James Comer demanded more information about how cocaine got into the White House.

The Kentucky Republican called the episode an "unacceptable and a shameful moment."

He wants the Secret Service to speak to his committee's staff.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer blasted the White House on Friday for the "unacceptable" discovery of cocaine inside the West Wing. He also demanded that the Secret Service tell his panel more about its probe to get to the bottom of what occurred.

"The presence of illegal drugs in the White House is unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White House's history," Comer, a Kentucky Republican, wrote in a letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle.

Comer said that the episode "requires the Committee to assess White House security practices and determine whose failures led to an evacuation of the building and finding of the illegal substance." White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre previously deferred to the Secret Service, expressing confidence that the agency responsible for the White House security would "get to the bottom of" what happened.

According to multiple reports, a white powdery substance was found in the West Wing over the weekend. President Joe Biden and his family were out of town. A Secret Service spokesperson later confirmed to Insider that laboratory testing confirmed that the substance was cocaine.

NBC News reported that the bag containing the drug is also being tested for fingerprints and DNA. The investigation will also comb through visitor logs and camera footage. Officials, per NBC, have cautioned that a culprit may not be found.

The Kentucky Republican requested that the Secret Service provide a briefing to committee staff by July 14, exactly a week from Friday. As one of the top Republicans with broad oversight power, Comer has also led a lengthy probe into Hunter Biden's business affairs and whether those deals resulted in any untoward actions by then-Vice President Joe Biden.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Over two dozen unexploded fireworks shells washed up on a beach on Marthas Vineyard on Wednesday, prompting a response from the Massachusetts State Police bomb squad and local officials, the department announced.

Officials are warning the public of the extremely dangerous explosives and stated more unexploded shells could wash up, state police said.

A total of 25 unexploded firework shells were found by the state police bomb squad and the local fire department at a Chappaquiddick beach on Marthas Vineyard on July 5, the day after the town-sponsored Edgartown Independence Day firework show, police said.

The shells were found by a homeowner on a beach running along Chappaquiddick Road, about half a mile down the beach from the Chappaquiddick Beach Club. The nearest business to where the shells were found is Marshall Farm Wood-Works, located on Chappaquiddick Road.

The 25 unexploded fireworks shells discovered on Martha's Vineyard beach, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The shell casings found range in size from eight inches, six inches, four inches and three inches, the department said.

An investigation into the vendor at Edgartown, named Central Maine Pyrotechnics, showed the pyrotechnic company may have intentionally thrown the unexploded shells into the ocean, police said.

The discovery location of unexploded fireworks on Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday. Photo by Google Maps

These shells are highly explosive and extremely hazardous, said Edgartown Fire Chief Alexander Schaeffer.

All of the known shells have been cleared from the beach, but there is a possibility that more may wash up. They should not be handled by anyone except trained professionals. If you encounter an unknown object like the ones in this photo, please call 9-1-1 right away so professionals can safely dispose of it.

Some of the 25 unexploded fireworks shells discovered on Martha's Vineyard beach, according to Massachusetts State Police.

State police, the fire department and the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services are warning people on the Vineyard to leave the shell casings alone, and call the fire department if they see any. Additional instructions are expected to come later Thursday, state police said.

The 25 unexploded firework shells recovered on Wednesday were brought to a safe location in Edgartown by boat and detonated by officials, state police said.

Following the police investigation, officials said the Central Maine Pyrotechnic Company has been ordered to surrender their pyrotechnic user certificate and therefore cannot perform firework shows until a hearing on July 26, which will be held in Stowe at the state Department of Fire Services.

This hearing will determine whether there is grounds for the companys certificate to be suspended or revoked, police said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Over 100 people, including Mayor Eric Adams, gathered at the Charleston Bus Depot Thursday to honor dozens of MTA New York City Transit workers who died as a result of the coronavirus.

Leaders are on the front lines. There is an American dream, and it means something. And that dream is alive because of everyday blue collar people, said Adams as he addressed those gathered for the event, which was hosted by three of the citys transit unions. My other half is a teacher. Im a blue collar man. New York is not coming back. New York is back, because of a blue collar person who knows what it is to get up in the morning and put in an honest day doing their job.

Sellers L. Davis III, an MTA bus operator for 18 years who worked during the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, recalled how grateful riders were during that time.

They would say thank you when they got on the bus. They had to get to where they had to go. They had to go to the grocery store. They had to get to their loved ones who they had to go look after, he said.

The 27 essential workers honored on Thursday were members of either the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), the United Transit Leadership Organization (UTLO) or the Subway-Surface Supervisors Association.

Its a blessing to be here, and its nice to know that he was loved by so many people. I just wish he was here, said Barbara Williams, the mother of Kiyoto Breeze Williams, who died from COVID-19 on April 30, 2020, at the age of 47.

Williams was a member of ATU Local 726 and a bus operator who served Staten Islanders for 23 years.

Its a blessing to be here, and its nice to know that he was loved by so many people. I just wish he was here, said Barbara Williams, the mother of Kiyoto Breeze Williams, who died from COVID-19 on April 30, 2020. (Priya Shahi/ Staten Island Advance)Priya Shahi

His mother received a certification of recognition in honor of her son for his two decades of extraordinary service to Staten Island from state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and District Attorney Michael McMahons office. Many family members of the fallen MTA transit workers were presented with memorial recognition awards. And the names of the 27 essential workers were read aloud, followed by a moment of silence.

Over 170 transit workers died in New York City from COVID-19, according to MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey.

New York City Transit workers answer the call, always. And in the darkest moment, in the early days of COVID, we moved the city, Davey said. I am just honored to be here to remember and to honor the men and women we lost to COVID.

The president of Subway Surface Supervisors Association, Michael Carrube, said he considered the pandemic a war that no one could see. He recalled going into his office plenty of times throughout the start of the health crisis, closing the door, and mourning.

MTA bus operator Davis said: It was like trial and error ... By the time we figured out how to maneuver around it and protect ourselves from it, it was already too late for these guys.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A new drug that slows the progression of Alzheimers disease made history Thursday when it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The medication, Leqembi, a monoclonal antibody manufactured by Eisai and Biogen, was previously approved by the FDA medical board through an accelerated approval pathway, which allows the FDA to approve treatments for unmet medical needs. After a confirmatory trial, the FDA granted traditional approval on Thursday, making it the first disease-modifying drug ever to receive that approval.

It works by reducing the amount of amyloid beta plaque in the brain, slowing down the progression of the illness. Until now, medications existed to treat symptoms, but none could change the course of the disease.

Though it cant reverse the damage already done by Alzheimers disease, it can produce improvement for patients with mild symptoms, research has shown.

That improvement has Staten Island medical professionals and Alzheimers researchers optimistic.

Its big-time progress, Dr. Adam Smith, who holds a Ph.D. in a neuropsychology and is director of research at Richmond Behavioral Associates in Graniteville, told the Advance/SILive.com last week. Richmond Behavioral conducts clinical trials on promising treatments for moderate and severe dementia cases, and Smith said he and his colleagues are excited about the possibilities the new medication offers.

Its very exciting, because its the first time a drug has been shown to reduce the amyloid deposits, Smith said.

More than 6 million Americans live with Alzheimers disease, the fifth-leading cause of death for adults over 65, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Though Leqembi is not without potential side effects, it is considered by Alzheimers experts to be a significant step forward in therapy for the aggressive disease.

It is expected that Medicare will cover the cost of treatment with Leqembi, which can cost up to $26,000 a year, but physicians will be required to provide patient treatment and demographic data before approval is granted.

Until now, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would not pay for Leqembi or other similar Alzheimers drugs unless patients were enrolled in a clinical trial.

The new treatment isnt for everyone, the FDA said.

Leqembi should be initiated in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of Alzheimers disease, the population in which treatment was studied in clinical trials, the FDA said. The labeling states that there are no safety or effectiveness data on initiating treatment at earlier or later stages of the disease than were studied.

It is not for patients in the advanced stages of the disease, and its only for patients with amyloid plaque deposits, which can only be determined by a PET scan, Smith said. Not all patients experiencing dementia have such deposits, Smith told the Advance/SILive.com.

His words were echoed by Dr. Theodore Strange, a board-certified geriatrician and chairman of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital, who said thats one reason hes cautiously optimistic.

Anything that comes out, Im encouraged, Strange told the Advance/SILive.com last week. Its something Id like to see used in the proper circumstances.

Strange noted that there are several causes of dementia that arent related to Alzheimers disease at all, including B-12 deficiency. And vascular dementia is caused by cigarette smoking, he said, noting that patients with these conditions wont benefit from the new drug.

Yet, Strange said this progress is definitely a step forward in what has been a long, difficult journey.

Anything thats out thats been approved by the FDA always holds promise, he said. With Alzheimers, were always looking for promise. Anything approved in this field is very, very hopeful.

Potential side effects, such as brain swelling and behavioral problems, are also a concern.

Leqembi is administered intravenously to patients twice a month. An MRI scan is required every three months to check for brain swelling, and patients must also undergo a PET scan to identify the buildup of plaque in the brain

Early detection of the disease, before patients begin to lose Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is critical, both Smith and Strange said.

ALZHEIMERS SCREENINGS

Richmond Behavioral Associates is planning to hold another screening, which will allow those concerned about Alzheimers to undergo testing, and potentially participate in treatment trials, free of charge.

The screening evaluations, which are held in Graniteville, involve providing a family history and then participating in a memory test, Smith said. If theres a concern or ... if the screening is positive, they have trouble with their memory on testing, then we can suggest further follow up. That can be a more detailed memory test, talking to family members and possibly sending for an MRI or PET scan.

Richmond Behavioral Associates is one of only a handful of such clinical research centers in the New York metropolitan area, Smith said.

The advantages to early detection of Alzheimers disease are plentiful, families of Alzheimers patients recently told the Advance/SILive.com.

Anyone over age 50 is invited to participate in a routine screening, which takes about 10 minutes.
I find myself wondering what Eric Adams thinks he is mayor of. It was one thing to have his adversaries guessing about his policies during the election. Its quite another to be mostly missing in action at the helm of a world city.

Really, addressing homelessness by threatening to veto the City Councils modest remedy? Refusing to negotiate expired city worker (particularly Ferry worker) contracts and offering to pay with crypto? Hiring a highly qualified and popular police commissioner then removing her authority to run the department? Remaining silent at state autocrats DeSantis and Abbott shipping immigrants to New York City while complaining at the drain on his budget?

So far, it appears that the only reliable policy of Mayor Adams is full employment for his family and friends. Given how far hes come to achieve that office, thats a betrayal of voter trust that should not be forgiven or forgotten.
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The Gary Weiss-led Cromwell Property Group has boosted its suite of funds under management in a deal with Australian Unity that will add another 15 new properties to the portfolio.

The deal will see the merged fund own a portfolio of 15 offices, retail and service station assets, valued at $1.1 billion. Under the plan, unit holders in the unlisted Cromwell and Australian Unity Diversified fund jointly own interests in a larger entity with improved geographic and sector diversification, and strong weighted average lease expiry and occupancy metrics.

Cromwell chairman Gary Weiss. Credit: Jessica Hromas

The Brisbane-based Cromwell will pay Australian Unity $17 million through cash and which will require a vote by unitholders.

Cromwell is an ASX-listed diversified trust with a market value of $1.45 billion. Known as a corporate raider, Dr Weiss was appointed chairman in March 2021 after his ARA Property Group made a proportional takeover of Cromwell and forced a board spill.
An Apple iPhone screen showing the Threads app.

An Apple iPhone screen showing the Threads app. The new app billed as a rival to Twitter has seen more than 10 million people sign up in its first few hours, according to Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg. Threads, created by Facebook and Instagram owners Meta, went live in the UK at midnight. Picture date: Thursday July 6, 2023. Credit - Yui MokPA Images/Getty Images

After months of chaos under its new owner, Twitter is facing its most heavyweight competitor yet in Threads, Metas text-based conversation platform, which launched in 100 countries Wednesday. The app has attracted 30 million users in less than a day, with celebrities and media platforms alike signing up, but its release in Europe has been delayed amid data privacy concerns.

Meta CEO and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg billed the app as a friendly rival to Twitter, which has deterred some users since it was purchased by Elon Musk for $44 billion in October. Lets do this. Welcome to Threads, Zuckerberg wrote in his debut post on the platform. He also offered up his first tweet since January 2012, making a jibe at Twitter by using a popular Spiderman meme that appears to acknowledge that apps have a similar interface.

Read More: How Metas New Platform Threads Compares to Twitter

Users on the social media app can share posts of up to 500 characters, as well as links and multimedia. Much like Twitter, it has like and comment functions but no direct messages can be sent. Threads is linked to Instagram, Metas photo-sharing app with over 2 billion users, and allows users to sign up using their Instagram usernames and networks.

Responding to a post asking if the app is likely to supersede Twitter, Zuckerberg wrote: Itll take some time, but I think there should be a public conversations app with 1 billion+ people on it. Twitter has had the opportunity to do this but hasnt nailed it. Hopefully we will.

Musk also engaged with a tweet about Instagram on Thursday, writing: It is infinitely preferable to be attacked by strangers on Twitter, than indulge in the false happiness of hide-the-pain Instagram. Threads release comes as Musk has relaxed Twitter moderation efforts and lost 50% of its annual advertising revenue. Twitter has also pivoted to an $8 per month premium service for features that were once free on the platform, leaving many users hungry for an alternative like Threads.

But despite the obvious appetite for the new app, privacy concerns have prevented Meta from rolling the app out in many European countries.

Why isnt Threads available in the European Union?

The release of Threads in the European Union was postponed amid regulatory uncertainty about how the app will use personal data. This is because of the E.U.s Digital Markets Act, which includes provisions for sharing user data across multiple platforms. Meta must await approval from the European Commission, the E.U.s executive arm, before it can launch Threads in E.U. countries.

According to the apps own data privacy disclosure, Threads can collect information about a users health, finance, contacts, search history, location, and other sensitive information via their digital activity. The app can also forward data to third parties about a users sexual orientation, religious and political beliefs, race and ethnicity, body, and employment status.

Read More: What to Know About Spill: The Black-Owned Twitter Alternative

Once a user has committed to a Threads account it cant be deleted o without the user also losing the associated Instagram account. Users wishing to keep their Instagram account will only be able to deactivate their Threads page.

According to Irelands Independent newspaper, a spokesperson for Irelands Data Protection Commission (DPC) said that the watchdog had been in contact with Meta about Threads and that the platform wouldnt be rolled out in the E.U. at this point.

Metas recent history with E.U. regulators

Two recent rulings have highlighted data and privacy concerns about Metas operations in the E.U. On Tuesday, Luxembourgs Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that a German watchdog may investigate privacy breaches in which user consent was not acquired before the company used personal data to target adverts to users.

Additionally, in May, Irelands DPC, which regulates Meta across the E.U., ordered Facebook to stop the transfer of data from within E.U. to the U.S. and fined the tech giant a record 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) for breaching General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws. Meta said it would appeal the decision and claimed it had been singled out by the DPC despite many other businesses using similar data migration processes.

We are therefore disappointed to have been singled out when using the same legal mechanism as thousands of other companies looking to provide services in Europe, wrote Nick Clegg, Metas president of global affairs, and Jennifer Newstead, the companys chief legal officer, in a statement on May 22.

The statement added: This decision is flawed, unjustified and sets a dangerous precedent for the countless other companies transferring data between the EU and US.

In 2018, before it rebranded to Meta, Facebook made headlines when a whistleblower revealed that the company had allowed British consulting firm Cambridge Analytica to access the personal data of up to 87 million users and which was used to build psychological profiles of voters. Last year Meta agreed to pay out $725 million to settle a class action lawsuit relating to Cambridge Analytica and other third parties.
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Eating outBest of The secret to the perfect hot chocolate  plus five of Sydneys best What better way to revel in winter than with a rich, velvety hot chocolate? From the simple to the super special, heres five to try. Bianca Hrovat July 7, 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

The hot chocolate at Manon. Steven Siewert With temperatures dipping into the single digits lately theres no better time for warming cups of dark, velvety hot chocolate. In NSW and Victoria, two hot chocolates have captured the attention of the social media majority: the deliciously thick chocolat chaud at Manon Brasserie in Sydney, and the caramel-flavoured hot chocolate at Pidapipo Laboratorio in Melbourne. After Manons hot chocolate soared to social media stardom last October, it became so popular the kitchen had to invest in new equipment and processes to manage the demand. Even now, some eight months later, the restaurant sells close to 100 litres of hot chocolate each week. Manon Brasserie. Supplied

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We were all super shocked, says group executive chef Rob Crichton of the response. I think it became so popular because of how different and rich the chocolate is. We use the highest grade [Valrhona] chocolate, which is the chocolate of choice for patissiers and chocolate-makers. To make Manons chocolat chaud, Crichton heats a 50:50 mixture of pure cream and full-fat milk in a saucepan with a pinch of brown (turbinado) sugar. Once it reaches a simmer, he removes it from the heat and blends in the chocolate with an electric stick mixer. Its poured tableside, alongside a dish of whipped cream, for a theatrical touch. Photo: Steven Siewert

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Crichton says the secret to recreating his French-style hot chocolate at home is using high-quality dark chocolate, with 60 to 70 per cent cocoa. Dont use milk chocolate because youre going to be adding milk and cream anyway, he says. And be careful to only reheat it at a very low temperature, otherwise it will burn. The hot chocolate at Pidapipo Laboratorio is a comparatively newer find, with its eye-catching gooey snowball of marshmallows and fior di latte ice-cream. Hot chocolate at Pidapipo Lab. Wayne Taylor

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Compared to a normal hot chocolate, its slightly thicker and it doesnt have that sweet, milky flavour, says head of production Nicola Totaro, the brains behind the viral winter beverage. Its actually quite a complex flavour, due to the caramel and the darkness of the chocolate, and as soon as your palate requires a different flavour youre hit with the softness of the marshmallow, the coldness of the gelato and the crunch from the hazelnut. Pidapipos recipe uses Victorian-produced Sungold jersey milk (chosen for its creamier texture), dark chocolate with 55 per cent cocoa, pure cream and house-made caramel. Small white marshmallows are then folded into the house-made fior di latte gelato before being dropped into the hot cup. . Wayne Taylor

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I wanted to create something you cant find anywhere else, Totaro says. Its more like a dessert than just a sweet drink. For those attempting to make a similar drink at home, Totaro also advises using the highest-quality dark chocolate you can find (and steering clear of premade chocolate powder). Adam Liaws peanut butter hot chocolate He recommends heating the milk and cream mixture  in the microwave is fine!  before pouring it over the chocolate and stirring it in with a spoon. The ideal ratio of milk and cream to chocolate is around 70:30. If you want to take it to the next level you can make your own caramel, otherwise a spoonful of dark brown sugar will work, Totaro says.

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Five of Sydneys best hot chocolates Hyggelig hot chocolate at Pier One. Supplied Hyggelig Fresh Cacao This passionate Sydney chocolatier transforms sustainably sourced, single-origin cacao beans into decadent drinking chocolate. With deep flavours reflective of each beans origin, this is a hot chocolate unlike any youve tasted before. Its currently available at Sammy Junior and Pier One in the CBD. hyggelig.com.au

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Manon The rich, French-style chocolat chaud at Manon could be Sydneys most popular hot chocolate. Slide into a leather booth by the window of this handsome CBD brasserie to try it for yourself. manonbrasserie.com.au

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Adora Handmade Chocolates Hot chocolate on tap? Yes, please. Each day, Adora stores across Sydney pour a unique blend of dark chocolate with a hint of coffee and hazelnut, creating a smooth and special hot chocolate that will stay with you long after the cup has been emptied. And its easy to recreate at home with their range of dippable hot-chocolate sticks. adora.com.au The mirage hot chocolate (and its original cake version) at Black Star Pastry. Supplied Black Star Pastry

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Newtowns cult cake shop  with outposts in the CBD, Rosebery and Moore Park  has turned one of its most popular creations, the Chocolate Mirage cake, into liquid form to create a smooth butterscotch-flavoured hot chocolate unlike any youve sipped before. The secret? Rooibos tea mixed with caramel and hazelnut syrup and signature chocolate powder, swirled into hazelnut milk and dusted with chocolate and gold to resemble the garnish of the cake. File under fancy. blackstarpastry.com Hot cacao at Maiz. Dominic Lorrimer Maiz The team at Maiz import hard-to-find organic cacao from Chiapas and Tabasco to create a traditional Mexican hot cocoa. That means no milk  indigenous cultures did not have cows milk until the Spanish conquistadors invaded in 1519. Its a must-try for those who enjoy earthy, strong and bitter flavours. instagram.com/maizstreetfood

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Eating outRestaurant news Hundreds queue for first taste of cult Lune croissants in Sydney, but is it worth it? The cult Melbourne croissanterie has collaborated with Koko Black to create a limited edition World Chocolate Day Belgian Truffle croissant. Cue massive queues. Bianca Hrovat July 7, 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

The croissant is topped with mascarpone chantilly cream, tempered chocolate shards, salted cookie crumb and Belgian truffles. Supplied Cult Melbourne croissanterie Lune attracted long lines and waits of up to three hours when it opened its first Sydney pop-up store at the Queen Victoria Building on Friday morning. Hundreds of people queued to try the decadent $15.50 Belgian truffle croissant, a World Chocolate Day collaboration between Lune and Australian chocolatier Koko Black. The first person in the line, Saki Akinakao, arrived at the pop-up store at 5am, when temperatures were as low as 9 degrees. I tried Lune croissants in Melbourne and they were so good, I had to have one again, Akinakao says. To celebrate her arrival, she was presented with a free extra croissant by Lune founder and pastry chef Kate Reid.

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Lune croissants are landing in Sydney this week, and heres where you can find them The one-off creation, available at select Koko Black stores and the pop-up store on George Street until July 9, took about five months to develop and was inspired by Koko Blacks smooth, creamy Belgian truffles. The twice-baked croissant is filled with Koko Black cocoa frangipane and 70 per cent Guanaja fondant, and topped with mascarpone chantilly cream, tempered chocolate shards, salted cookie crumb and Belgian truffles. Its so crazy delicious, Reid tells Good Food. The long queue at the Lune pop-up store at the Queen Victoria Building on Friday morning. Louise Kennerley

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After trying a croissant, it became clear why so many people were willing to wait for hours. I assumed it would be too rich when I first saw it, because of all the cream on top, but the cream magically balances out the richness of the chocolate to create this perfect little package. After trying a croissant, it became clear why so many people were willing to wait for hours. The pastry was buttery and flaky, the filling rich and sweet without becoming overwhelming. It was the type of croissant you dont want to share. A man buys a croissant after making it to the front of a very long queue. Louise Kennerley There will be 800 croissants available across the four Sydney stores each day of the pop up, with sales limited to one croissant per person.

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For many Sydneysiders, such as home baker Stephanie Davies, the pop up was their first opportunity to taste a Lune croissant, dubbed the worlds best by The New York Times. Lune croissants are the gold standard, Davies says, adding that she was prepared to stay in line for as long as it takes. Ive been waiting for the Lune store to open in Sydney for over a year. The opening of Lunes first Sydney store on Oxford Street in Darlinghurst has been delayed to early next year. Last week, it was announced Lune was already planning its second Sydney store, set to open on Castlereagh Street in Martin Place.

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We could not be more excited for the Sydney stores to open, its been the longest time coming, says Reid. This time next year, there will be two Lune stores in Sydney. Lune Croissanterie adds a third Melbourne pastry shop in Armadale

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I totally agree with Terry Duracks assessment of the lack of dress sense and clothing consideration in the general population  and this is not limited just to restaurants. On the flip side, if restaurants cleaned up their act and reinstated the use of tablecloths or even place mats so crockery and cutlery didnt clunk on wood or melamine, they might deserve more respect. Even our local Chinese puts fabric place mats on their tables.

Michele Thomas

Mollymook Beach, NSW

Thank you, Terry Durack, for your article on dress code. We regularly go on a cruise, and one of its nicer aspects has been the attention to dress standards in ship dining areas. If you want to be casual, go to the buffet. However, we recently took our first cruise on a line run out of Australia, and on a number of occasions went to its best speciality restaurant. It was disconcerting that, on one night, a guest arrived  and was let in  dressed in his favourite NRL team jumper, footy shorts and thongs! Says it all about how casual we have become.

Chris Smith

Newcastle, NSW

Farewell to a Friend

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Id like to pass on my gratitude to Cherie Gilmour for this story [June 24]. While Ive never tuned in to a strangers streamed funeral, it was oddly reassuring to know Im not the only one who is uneasy with their interest in death notices. I, too, tend to linger over the notices of those who have died prematurely, and wonder at the cause. Other than the death of a boyhood friend some 35 years ago, when still too young to properly fathom the loss, Ive not experienced the tragic loss of family or close friend to offer as an excuse.

Michael Bushell

Canowindra, NSW
The states transport agency has blamed problems with recruiting highly specialised workers to fill critical jobs after the last-minute absence of a single employee brought part of Sydneys rail network to a grinding halt, triggering delays for nearly half a million commuters, on Thursday afternoon.

Trains on the T1 Western and T5 Cumberland lines from Parramatta to St Marys and Blacktown to Richmond were down from 2.24pm to 3.37pm, but the flow-on delays disrupted most train lines and required replacement buses to run until 1am.

Staff at the Rail Operations Centre in Alexandria. Credit: Kate Geraghty

The incident follows a Sydney-wide train meltdown in March, when a failed switch, or router, caused the rail network to freeze for more than an hour in the afternoon peak, affecting 250,000 passengers.

Transport for NSW said a train signaller at its Rail Operations Centre had called in sick. Signallers inform train drivers when the tracks are clear to avoid collisions.
More students are entering high school without the ability to add, subtract, multiply or divide because they never learnt how in primary school and are overdependent on calculators for basic arithmetic, a principal has said.

Maths teachers believe the problem of lower numeracy skills begins before primary school and stems from fewer parents engaging with their children from a young age with everyday maths skills such as counting and measuring.

Students need to spend less time on the calculator and more time memorising times tables. Credit: Getty

Ryde Secondary College principal Cassy Norris said teachers found an increasing number of students entering year 7 could not do basic maths that should have been mastered in primary school.

Some analysis suggests students are entering high school now with lower levels of numeracy, and struggle to add, subtract, multiply or divide without calculators, Norris said in the schools annual report.
Police believe two teenagers and a man have fled Brisbane to Victoria after a spate of violent stabbings in the city which left three men in hospital, including one with a knife snapped off in his abdomen.

Dozens of police are currently searching in Victoria for the teenagers and the 21-year-old man, Awan Awan, with suspicion Awan and one of the teenagers identify as associates of the south-west Brisbane gang Swish Bound Gorillas.

Awan Awan has been identified as the alleged main offender in the Fortitude Valley stabbings at the weekend.

Detectives are also trying to identify another three people, believed to be both adults and teenagers, who were in the area when the stabbings occurred.

Detectives have already charged a 17-year-old over the incident in which the balaclava-clad group allegedly set upon people as they left pubs and clubs in the early hours of Sunday morning in Fortitude Valley, a designated Safe Night Precinct.
There is a lot of hard work that goes in from those artists; their blood, sweat and tears and also, their creative energy, he said. They had either forgotten about the artworks or thought they had disappeared into the ether. They were stoked when we got them back to them. Loading Jiaxin Nong said it felt unreal to be reunited with paintings she last saw in 2016, when she exhibited with Koenig when she was fresh out of art school. She said she painted the works at a personally difficult time and touching them again brought back vivid memories. It is just very emotional, she said from her Ivanhoe home. When the delivery person walked in with the paintings all the memories hit me really hard. I could feel the blood rushing to my head. She said the return of the works would inspire her to paint more. I misplaced my trust in Tristian, but on the other side, people stood up and did the right thing. That warms my heart.

Elyss McCleary, a Melbourne-based artist who previously spotted two of her missing paintings hanging on the wall of a Brunswick East home that Koenigs wife was selling at auction, expressed her gratitude for the work of Kushnir and police to track down her other missing works. Former gallery owner Tristian Koenig. Im relieved to physically see and be with my paintings again after not knowing where the works were situated for many years, she said. Its also important to see some movement happening respectfully with this matter and hope that this can be a step closer to a positive action of resolve for everyone. McCleary and Nong have provided statements to police about their dealings with Koenig. Sydney-based artist Seth Birchall had 22 missing works returned. It just feels good to have them back, he said. I want to thank everyone for everything they have done.

The case of the missing artworks is a bizarre tale which stretches from Koenigs eponymous former gallery in Smith Street, Collingwood to the home studios of emerging artists in Melbourne and Sydney. It also reached the West Hollywood showroom of celebrated art dealer Stefan Simchowitz and the Perth family business of Australias richest man, Andrew Twiggy Forrest, all of whom came to regret their good faith dealings with Koenig. This masthead spent weeks investigating the circumstances of how the works went missing, and an art market where gallery owners commonly take 50 per cent commissions and artists provide work without entering into written contracts. Although the stories from the artists about their dealings with Koenig were many and varied, two themes emerged. The first is that most artists were grateful that Koenig showed an interest in their work early in their careers and helped them develop and show their art to a broader audience. The second is that, after they provided their works to Koenig on consignment, he would become vague or elusive about whether the works had sold or if and when they would be returned. In some instances, he simply stopped returning their calls and texts. In one hilarious episode, he hid in the ceiling crawl space of his gallery and refused to come down when an artist came to retrieve his paintings.

When the first story was published in December 2021, Kushnir was attempting to retrieve 39 paintings and $27,000 in unpaid commissions on behalf of six contemporary artists, and Simchowitz had engaged separate lawyers to pursue Koenig over $60,000 in missing works by renowned LA-based artist Petra Cortright. Loading As a consequence of the publicity, other artists came forward to detail similar dealings with Koenig and some art buyers realised they had paintings hanging on their walls by artists who hadnt been paid for their work. Among those collectors were Andrew and Nicola Forrest, who promptly arranged for Sydney artist Lara Merrett to be paid for two paintings theyd bought from Koenig and hung inside the Perth headquarters of their family company, the Minderoo Foundation. On Tuesday, works produced by 11 artists were released from police hold and returned to the artists or their current galleries. All were seized under warrant from the storage facility.
An Australian lawyer and Labor Party member with a bounty on his head for criticising the China-led rights crackdown in Hong Kong has urged Andrews government MPs to abandon a planned trip to China, arguing the visit was a propaganda tour that insulted his plight.

Kevin Yam, 47, is one of two Australia-based activists accused by Hong Kong police of national security offences, including foreign collusion. Authorities have offered $130,000 for information leading to his arrest and urged Australia to stop providing a safe haven for fugitives.

Kevin Yam (right) and Ted Hui, pictured in Canberra, have bounties on their heads.

Yam, who is also a rank and file member of the Australian Labor Party, told this masthead he was disappointed to learn of a 10-day September junket being planned by a group of state Labor MPs who intend to learn about Chinese culture and business.

Youll never see the real China on these trips, he said.
Our problem is this, Villa said. If China would invade Taiwan there would be great consequences in our place because we are so near to Taiwan.

On the islands of Batanes, which lie in the middle of the Luzon Strait, the passage of water between the Philippines and Taiwan, the anxiety over tensions between the US and China has been felt even more acutely.

In a panic buying spree, locals hoarded basic goods, preparing for the worst. The people were worried, said Ignacio Villa, the vice-governor of Batanes. The people panicked to secure their own food.

World War III is coming, was the message that had been taken from the arrival of US forces, according to German Caccam, the mayor of Basco, the sleepy main town on Batan and the provincial capital.

The Philippines remote, northernmost region sits just 150 kilometres from Taiwan  as close to its southern tip as it is to the Philippine mainland and some of its 18,000 inhabitants thought this was the moment the US was gearing up for war with China.

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The Philippines, which brought that case, has under President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos jnr vowed not to concede an inch of its territorial waters. The son of the countrys late former dictator has also moved to reinvigorate defence ties with the US that had been flagging during the six-year rule of his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte.

Amid intensifying great power competition in the Indo-Pacific, Beijing has militarised artificial islands in the South China Sea and continues to declare most of the waterway its own despite its claims being invalidated by an international tribunal decision in The Hague in 2016.

Tension over Taiwan, which China regards as a breakaway province and has not ruled out annexing by force, is not the only potential flashpoint on the doorstep of the Philippines, a long-time treaty ally and former colony of the US.

We explained to them that this is just a military exercise, although, at the back of our mind, we are worried because of the proximity of our place to Taiwan, said the mayor, Caccam.

Basco is home to half the population of Batanes province but its streets are mostly quiet. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem

But internet coverage is poor and miscommunication led residents to fear that war was breaking out over Taiwan and their homeland would become collateral damage. Older residents remembered Japan launching its invasion of the Philippines in 1941, storming Batan, the most populated of the island group, less than 24 hours after its attack on Pearl Harbour.

The US Marines and Army soldiers were only in Batanes for training drills with their Filipino counterparts. It was part of an annual exercise that also involved a small contingent of Australian military personnel.

With rolling green hills, volcanoes and an untouched coastline, Batans scenic landscape is one of its great appeals.

The location of the bases has triggered consternation in Cagayan, whose governor Manuel Mamba has raised concerns about the Philippines being swept up in a wider confrontation. They have also been contested from within the Marcos clan itself by the presidents elder sister Imee, who is chair of the Philippine Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

One of the new EDCA sites is on the island of Palawan, facing the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. But, controversially, two of the other three are airfields in northern Cagayan province, which face Taiwan.

Central to that is the granting the US use of four more Philippine military bases under Manila and Washingtons Enhanced Defence Co-operation Agreement (EDCA), bringing to nine the total number it has access to under the deal, and deepening multilateral security links, notably with Australia and Japan.

They can overcome any kind of adversity. They can rise up against any kind of misfortune. Thats something I have seen in them, he said.

Their resilience in facing such natural disasters is one of their defining characteristics, says Danilo Ulep, who has been posted to Basco as the Catholic Churchs Bishop-Prelate of Batanes since 2017.

Fishing is the leading line of work, followed by farming and more recently tourism. The Ivatan, as the people of the Batanes islands are called, are also known for their traditional stone houses, built in a bid to withstand the typhoons which hurtle through the islands.

I always wanted to come back because of the simple living, she said. We plant vegetables for our daily needs and sustenance. The best thing here is its an island and we are surrounded by beautiful scenery and we can go to the ocean and to the mountains any time.

Jeanette Jinky Cabardo, 53, runs a cafe along one of them, having been drawn back five years ago to the place where she was born and grew up after a decade and a half of city life.

The quiet, peaceful lifestyle is another attractive attribute for locals. One of the three islands in Batanes province that are inhabited  there are 10 islands in total  the narrow streets of its commercial centre Basco are mostly devoid of the hustle and bustle one might expect elsewhere in the Philippines.

Back then, Batanes greatest external threat was illegal poaching by Taiwanese fishermen and Castillejos pushed successfully for the region to be declared a protected environmental area.

I told them I was happy because I had finally found my long-lost brothers and sisters, Castillejos, now 76, said of his first visit to Orchid island, which lies 50 kilometres off the south-east coast of Taiwan.

During that time he made a point of forging greater links with Taiwans Orchid Island, whose indigenous Tao people are believed to have originated from Itbayat, the largest island in Batanes, and share a similar language.

Getting into politics, he was governor of Batanes from 1988 to 1998 and again from 2007 to 2010.

The features of island life were also what convinced retired provincial leader Telesforo Castillejos to return to Batan in the early 1980s, having left to study engineering and then work in Manila.

They are God-fearing, of course, deeply religious. They put God at the centre of their lives. Basically, they are simple people. They can survive without the usual comforts you experience on the mainland. They live a very simple life [and] they have a sense of community. They tend to support and help each other.

He was unsuccessful, though, in his efforts to persuade Manila to back the construction of a deep-sea port that he believes would now be very useful in the current geopolitical climate.

The reason why we are not getting government or military security of our islands is they cannot just stand by the islands because there is no safe harbour. My argument was that the port will not be for Batanes alone but would be for the entire country, he said.

Residents enjoy simple living in Basco. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem

His first stint as governor included the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis when Beijing carried out missile tests around Taiwan. The danger then seemed so distant to the Philippines most northern outpost he jokingly quipped to then-president Fidel Ramos that if [Chinas] guided missiles will be misguided ... then Batanes will be hit.

The heightened friction now over Taiwan, and between China and the US, means it is no longer a laughing matter.

From the laymans point of view, if youre China and Im [the] Philippines and if I allow the American people to use my island as a main stepping stone for whatever activities they have, then you, China, will make us a target, he said.

It is an unease shared by Cabardo, the cafe owner.

[If] the Americans are using our island to help Taiwan ... Im afraid if that will happen, of course we will be affected, she said. This is an island. Where will we go?

We will have a lot of refugees

An hours drive along Batans west coast from Basco, at the other end of the island, is a reminder of the historical US presence here. The white brick building on the shoreline there was once a long-range navigation station for the US Coast Guard.

Closed in 1971, these days it is a museum showcasing Ivatan culture. With the American outpost long gone, the only permanent security position now is north of Batan on Mavulis, an otherwise uninhabited, 2.2 square kilometre island less than 100 kilometres from Taiwan.

The former US Coast Guard station at the southern end of Batan. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem

There, at the farthest end of the Philippine archipelago, a small contingent of about two dozen marines and police serve on six-month rotations.

According to Caccam, the Basco mayor, one of those posted there scribbled on the wall of the small shelter they live in that it was the loneliest place in the world.

It is technically the countrys first line of defence but, sparked into activity by the community reaction to recent US military drills, officials in Batanes have been looking to get out in front of any conflict themselves.

Since April, they have drawn up contingency plans to prepare for a scenario in which China attempts to seize Taiwan or war breaks out in their vicinity in another way.

Caccam said the planning includes developing the capability to erect a tent city to accommodate thousands of refugees  there are 150,000 Filipino workers alone in Taiwan  and facilities for extra food and water provisions.

Philippine military personnel at Mavulis island, the northernmost post of the Philippines, in 2021. Credit: Facebook

First, [there is] the repatriation of Filipinos in Taiwan going home. Of course, they will use Batanes as the transit point, he said. So if Batanes is a transit point we will have a lot of refugees. Our first concern is the food, water. We have food here [for the existing population] but for refugees, we are not ready for that.

We raised those concerns and issues with the US ... [and asked] if they can help us. They are willing to.

Caccam, a former primary school teacher in Basco, said he had not supported the US-Philippine military training exercises coming to the island.

I dont like it. We are living peacefully here, he said. We are a potential target because of the presence of [the] Americans.

The provincial government did not oppose the war games.

The national government explained to us the good side [of the exercises] and all about Balikatan, said Villa, the vice-governor.

Its not the first time the Balikatan exercises have come here for different purposes, not only because of the Taiwan dispute. We have been helped by the United States.

At the same time, regional leaders have also been heavily involved since April in drafting a strategy for an unwanted future.

Basco mayor German Caccam was opposed to the US-Philippine military drills on Batan in April. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem

Batanes imports rice and other products from the Luzon, the Philippines main island, and Villa said the possibility that those transport links in the Luzon Strait could be severed, isolating it further, had to be taken into account.

We produce our own foods but it is not enough. There are other commodities that we really need from the mainland, he said. We have supplies for three months [to] six months [but] once the transportation would be cut wed be hard up.

Batanes is very small, Batanes is poor. Our finances our just enough for our constituents.

The influx of refugees who could be coming from Taiwan ... it would be a national concern, a Philippine concern.

The message for America is we need them

Marcos has stressed that the additional military bases opened up to the US are not about providing Washington with a forward operating position in advance of possible hostilities with China.

The foreign minister of China just visited with me ... and I told him and I assured him that no, these are not ... intended to be military bases to attack, to move against anyone, any country, not China, not any country, he said during a recent visit to the US where he also called on President Joe Biden at the White House.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos jnr was on hand to witness US-Philippine military drills in Zambales in April. Credit: AP

It is a message emphasised by the US. Its embassy in Manila said at the time the locations of the sites were announced that they were to support interoperability with the armed forces of the Philippines, and were not about a third country. US Ambassador MaryKay Carlson has also said everything that we do in the Philippines is at the invitation of the Philippine government.

China, however, did not take the expansion of the deal well. Its top representative in Manila, Huang Xilian, accused the Philippines of stoking the fire and advised it to oppose Taiwans independence if leaders cared for the tens of thousands of Filipinos living there.

There have been questions as well from within the Philippines, whose location makes it strategically crucial in the superpowers rivalry, about handing the US keys to bases facing Taiwan rather than attention being squarely on the South China Sea, where Manilas maritime sovereignty is undermined by Beijing.

In March, Imee Marcos queried the approach of her brothers government conducting drills a stones throw or at least a boat ride away from Taiwan, asking whether US access to northern bases meant the Philippines was going to fight for ... the United States?

Batanes vice-governor Ignacio Villa in his office in Basco. Credit: Jeoffrey Maitem

Rommel Banlaoi, a former national security adviser in the Philippine government, believes the EDCA expansion is escalating tensions in the region.

Unfortunately, the Philippine government has its own reasons on why it wants EDCA to be expanded ... and that is to facilitate improvement of Philippine military facilities there with the support of the United States, said Banlaoi, the chairman of the board of advisers at the China Studies Centre at New Era University in Quezon City.

But the United States has a greater agenda. For me, the United States agenda is clear. The US is really making military preparations for possible conflict with China in the Taiwan Strait, in the South China Sea and possibly in the Korean peninsula. The Philippines is a very valuable country for the United States to strengthen its strategic positions.

It is a view challenged by Jose Antonio Custodio, a fellow at the Consortium of Indo-Pacific Researchers, who sees the US pact as a crucial deterrent and whose only concern is whether the Philippines will stay the course in reinforcing the alliance as well as ties with Australia and Japan.

He said the six-year presidency of Duterte, who steered the country closer to China, was a wake-up call that could not be ignored. Dutertes daughter Sara is Marcos vice-president and his likely successor in 2028.

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[EDCA] is a positive and very much delayed development because all of this was put on the backburner by Duterte, allowing the Chinese to build up their influence in the Philippines and trying to restrain and even push back the allies, Custodio said.

We have a problem with the Chinese, who are intruding in our exclusive economic zone. They are laying claim on the entire South China Sea. The Philippines doesnt have the necessary capability to defend [itself] unilaterally against this, so it enjoys a mutual defence treaty with the United States.

Back on Batan, Castillejos, the two-time former governor, is edgy about a show being made of US military training on the island.

But he is also supportive of Marcoss pivoting towards Washington and the likes of Australia.

To me, hes on the right track to create this kind of bilateral or multilateral relations because the Philippines cannot stand alone, he said. The message for America is we need them.

I always pray and believe that war will not come because no one will be the winner.

- with Jeoffrey Maitem

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Police Force of Sint Maarten, together with the Prosecutor's Office, recently held a productive meeting with the Ombudsman. The central topic of discussion centered on the meticulous process involved in the successful return of confiscated (Stolen) vehicles to their lawful owners and the communication thereof

During the meeting, parties acknowledged and addressed the existing shortcomings within the police's timely return of their vehicle that had been stolen. The Police Force is aware of the challenges faced in ensuring efficient and accurate communication concerning confiscated (stolen) vehicles and returning them to their respective owners.

In light of this, KPSM would like to take this opportunity to reach out to individuals who have previously encountered difficulties or grievances regarding information about their confiscated vehicles or the process of reclaiming their vehicles. We encourage those individuals to visit the Philipsburg Police Station between the hours of 9:00 am and 12.00 pm. Upon arrival, please specifically request to speak with Inspector J.Rijna at (ext. 114) or Inspector P. Richardson (ext. 106) from the Detective Department.

We value the importance of addressing past grievances and believe that open communication and collaboration are essential in rectifying any issues related to confiscated vehicles. The Police Force of Sint Maarten is committed to improving its procedures and ensuring a smoother process for returning of these confiscated vehicles to their rightful owners.

We assure the public of Sint Maarten that the insights gained from our meeting with the Ombudsman will be instrumental in implementing effective measures to enhance our overall service delivery. We remain dedicated to upholding law and order and to continuously improving our processes to better serve and protect the community of Sint Maarten.

The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) extends its sincere appreciation to the Ombudsman for extending the invitation and providing valuable suggestions to enhance the confiscated vehicle return process for the public. We are grateful for the collaboration and insights shared, which will contribute to the ongoing improvement of our procedures.

For further inquiries or additional information, please contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten at the number 54-22222. You can also visit our official website at https://www.policesxm.sx/

KPSM Press Release
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint-Maarten Police Force (KPSM) Traffic Department is currently investigating a serious accident that occurred at the intersection of Welfare Road and Windsor Road on June 5th, 2023, at approximately 19:30.

Preliminary findings reveal that a white Hyundai I-10 vehicle was traveling on Windsor Road, approaching the intersection with Welfare Road. Simultaneously, a beige Hyundai Tucson was proceeding on Welfare Road, heading towards the Kruithoff roundabout. Unfortunately, the driver of the I-10 failed to yield the right-of-way to Tucson and proceeded onto Welfare Road, leading to a severe collision.

Both vehicles involved in the accident sustained significant damage as a result of the collision. The driver of the I-10 had to be extricated from the vehicle by personnel from the Fire Department. Fortunately, the driver of the I-10 only sustained minor injuries to their leg and received immediate medical attention from the Ambulance personnel present at the scene.

The Traffic Department of the Sint Maarten Police Force continues to investigate this incident.

The Sint Maarten Police Force urges all motorists to exercise caution and adhere to traffic regulations, ensuring the safety of all road users.

KPSM Press Release
~Calls issued to rename Waterfront in the name of longest serving Mayor of Saint Martin. ~

MARIGOT: ---Persons from all walks of life throughout the community of Saint Martin and dignitaries from Sint Martin, Anguilla, St. Barths, and Guadeloupe gathered at the waterfront in Marigot on Friday to pay their last respects to Mayor Albert Fleming who passed away on June 28th, 2023, at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital.

The late Mayor Fleming was described as a patriot, a man for his people, simple and humble, and a man who cared for his family and that of his community.

Second Vice President of Parliament William Marlin said that Fleming served his people for 30 years, 24 of which he was the Mayor of Saint Martin. Marlin said Fleming was a peoples person, one who was very concerned about the two sides of the island coming together to work in the best interest of his people.

He called on the current government to revisit the idea of building a road from Concordia to St. Peters, Marlin said that was the vision of the late Mayor and it is an honor if those in power revisit the idea of completing that road in his honor, while Pastor Hodge called on the President of the Collectivity and other elected officials on Saint Martin to rename the waterfront in the name of the late Mayor Albert Fleming who loved being on the waterfront during his lifetime.

Pastor Hodge reminded the gathering that Mayor Fleming came from humble beginnings and as such he remained humble with a deep concern for the people of St. Martin whom he served. He was the largest employer who started off his trade as a construction worker and worked himself up the ladder of becoming a contractor and businessman. He provided work for construction workers through his companies while providing work for construction workers as taxi drivers and other ambassadors when the tourism industry kicked off on Saint Martin.

Paying tribute to the late Mayor Fleming were Richard Gibson Sr. his friend and business partner, Imran Macsood Amjad former CEO of Nagico Insurance, former Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, First Vice President Bernadette Davis, Director of the Office Tourisme Valerie Dameseaux, former President Daniel Gibbs, Deputy Prime Minister Egbert Jurendy Doran, Adrien Baron, President Loui Mussington, Audrey Gil and several others including his children, Brenda Brooks, Raoul Fleming, many others.
Osisko Development completes deferred payment installment in connection with the Tintic Acquisition

Osisko Development Corp. (NYSE: ODV, TSXV: ODV) (\Osisko Development\ or the \Company\  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/osisko-development-corp/ )) announces that in connection with the terms of the Company\-s previously-completed acquisition in May 2022 of a 100% ownership interest in the Tintic Project located in Central Utah\-s historic Tintic Mining District (the \Tintic Acquisition\), the Company has satisfied the first of five deferred payments to the sellers.

Deferred consideration of US$2,500,000 was paid comprising of US$250,000 in cash and US$2,250,000 (or C$3,060,000 based on a USD/CAD exchange rate of 1.36) in common shares of the Company (\Common Shares\) at a deemed price of C$6.74 per Common Share (based on the 20-day VWAP as of May 30, 2023), resulting in the issuance of 454,026 Common Shares to the sellers in satisfaction of such deferred payment.

For additional details regarding the Tintic Acquisition, please refer to the Company\-s news releases dated January 25, 2022 (entitled \Osisko Development Announces Proposed Acquisition of Tintic Consolidated Metals\) and May 30, 2022 (entitled \Osisko Development Completes Acquisition of Tintic Consolidated Metals, Finalizes Binding Stream Terms and Satisfies Escrow Release Condition For Brokered Subscription Receipt Financing\).

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 B.C., 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

Chairman and CEO

Email: sroosen@osiskodev.com

Tel: +1 (514) 940-0685

Philip Rabenok

Director, Investor Relations

Email: prabenok@osiskodev.com

Tel: +1 (437) 423-3644

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.ch

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.
Gov. Tony Evers visited the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley on July 6 as part of his continued statewide tour following the signing of the 2023-25 biennial budget on July 5.

Evers stop in Chippewa Falls highlighted his investment in initiatives for youth and family programs across Wisconsin, including $5 million in aid to Boys & Girls Club children in federal temporary assistance.

The government sees the benefit of our programs and impact, said Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley Jeff Jaeger.

Jaeger said the vote of confidence that the governor had in the budget for Boys & Girls Club youth was great for local kids involved in its programming.

Well work with our alliance partners across the state of Wisconsin to distribute those funds for various programs, he said. The Be Great: Graduate is probably our flagship one where were focusing on taking youth and adolescents and getting them from the point theyre at today and getting them to graduation and degrees. This is really our emphasis. We achieve that through high-yield learning programs and activities.

Money in the state budget for such activities demonstrates that the state government sees dividends in Boys & Girls Club efforts, Jaeger said. Once the money from the state budget is allocated, the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater Chippewa Valley hopes to use some of it to enhance its programming dedicated to teenagers.

Its really about the mentorships and (the) academic gap that were trying to close by partnering with our school districts, making sure the kids have the resources and tools so they can be good citizens, Jaeger said. Here in Chippewa Falls, were very fortunate to be redoing our programming space, making a dedicated teen area to help attract and retain those teens, because thats a vital age when you talk about growth and development.

Evers said he was glad to be able to visit Chippewa Falls youth Thursday and that the budget would help ensure their future.

Its a good day for the Boys & Girls Club here in Chippewa Falls and across the state of Wisconsin, Evers said. Were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to increase the amount of money that we have in the budget for the Boys & Girls Club. Weve been supporting their work, especially with kids in middle school and high school, for years and were going to continue to do that.

Jaeger said he was excited about the new opportunities to serve the community that Evers budget will help provide. He also emphasized that the club is a place where all youth should feel welcomed and appreciated.

Its really important that as were celebrating the budget today, that the community knows that the club is here for all kids, Jaeger said. Anyone can benefit from the programming that we offer, the academic support and the mentorship. Its a safe place that your kids can thrive.

The Greater Chippewa Valley Club is renovating its facility and aims for an October completion. Staff plan to use the expanded and improved space to help cater to a growing middle school and high school population.

The Boys & Girls Club budgeting is part of Evers touted theme of funding community educational needs, he said.

Education funding

Evers, a former teacher and state education secretary, enacted a budget that provides an overall increase of nearly $1.2 billion in spendable authority for public school districts. This increase is 10 times larger than the increase in spendable authority for public school districts in the 2021-23 biennium.

Evers used his line-item veto to overrule an education spending plan approved by the states legislative Republican leadership and provide a $325 per pupil increase on revenue limits in each fiscal year from 2023-24 until 2045 in addition to an increase in the low revenue ceiling from $10,000 to $11,000 per pupil in the first year of the biennium. It is the largest increase in statewide revenue limit authority since revenue limits were first imposed on K-12 schools in 1993-94, and it is permanent and base-building.

The revenue limit increase signed by Evers also alleviates the need for districts to seek operational referendums, according to administration officials. Over half of the states 421 school districts will be able to use the low revenue ceiling increase in fiscal year 2024-25. That means Wisconsin students may attend schools that could provide better resources.

Gov. Evers 2023-25 biennial budget included over 50 line-item vetoes to provide child care, housing grants and targeted tax relief to low-income families. The budget also brings more than $1 billion to statewide public education, farmers, workforce housing, infrastructure investments.

There are lots of wins here, Evers said of the budget on Thursday.
C MC Markets suffered a fresh blow today when long-standing finance chief Euan Marshall quit to join trading rival IntegraFin.

Founder and CEO Lord (Peter) Cruddas has been under fire lately for his loyal support of ousted Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whom he feels was unfairly stitched up.

He wrote in The Telegraph last month: What I am surprised by is the brazen nature with which they have dispensed with the man who had the only mandate to lead this Parliament. I am shocked by their shamelessness and utter disregard for British democracy.

Today Marshall, paid 371,000 last year, said he was leaving.

He said: I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the extremely talented people at CMC over the last 11 years, and particularly my last four years as CFO.

The company has changed significantly during my time here, and through the recent investments in diversifying the business, there are strong foundations in place for the enduring success of the business.

With Cruddas somewhat distracted by politics, some in the City may fear CMC lacks high-level leadership, though Marshall will remain in place for a while as a replacement is sought. Cruddas, a huge Tory party donor, said: Euan has been a highly valued member of the CMC team, holding various positions since becoming a part of the group in 2011. Over the past four years, he has served as the CFO, playing a crucial role in the companys transformative journey.

On behalf of the board and colleagues throughout CMC, I would like to express our gratitude to Euan for his dedication and valuable contributions during his tenure. As he moves forward in his career, we extend our best wishes for his future endeavours.

Like other trading houses, CMC enjoyed a Covid-lockdown boom.

The shares are down 43% in the last year as revenues fell. Today the shares rose 9p to 158p, which leaves the business valued at 442 million.
A Democratic state senator apologized to chamber leaders last Friday for using an expletive to address Milwaukees suburbs during a speech about crime spilling out from the states biggest city.

Although I stand by the context of my speech, I could have used a different choice of words on the Senate floor. I apologize for using those specific words, Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, said in an email to Senate President Chris Kapenga, R-Delafield, and Senate Minority Leader Melissa Agard, D-Madison.

Ive spoken with the Senator about the inappropriate action on the floor of the Senate, Kapenga said in response. She recognizes it was wrong and has issued an apology to her colleagues. We now move on.

Johnsons words addressing the rhetoric around crime came as Democrats proposed adding gun control policies and funding for a school safety program to the states 2023-25 budget. Their proposed amendment failed to pass along party lines.

During her speech Johnson said, To say that these additional police are needed because crime is spilling out into the suburbs  what about these babies who are being lost right in their own cities, who are born into poverty and then who die before they even get an opportunity to change what they were even born into?

F- the suburbs because they dont know a (expletive) thing about how life is in the city, she continued.

Legislators were sharply divided about her comments.

Republicans who continuously (weaponize) and (villainize) the people of Milwaukee without accountability need to answer for constantly legislating racism, said Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison. These absurd times in state gov call for real talk.

Elected officials say dumb things occasionally and when that happens, apologies are appropriate, said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester.
B y-elections are different to general elections. Voters understand they are electing a single Member of Parliament, not a government. They often take place in mid-term, at a time when prime ministers are at their least popular. Local issues regularly dominate. They ought, therefore, to come with a health warning.

And yet this does not feel like the usual mid-term blues. The Conservatives, having lost the Wakefield by-election to Labour last year and Tiverton and Honiton to the Lib Dems on a swing of 29.9 per cent, could face defeat in a further three in the space of a month: Uxbridge and South Ruislip in West London, Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire and Somerton and Frome in Somerset.

Recent history suggests the Tories have been reasonably swift to depose leaders potentially taking them to electoral oblivion. Yet another change at the top is neither the answer, nor is it remotely feasible. After 13 years in power, and in the face of fierce economic headwinds, the Conservative Party must demonstrate it still has the will, the energy and the vision to drive Britain forward. That is no easy task.

Susan still in slow lane

Are you with Susan? The Tory mayoral frontrunner is not afraid of an eye-catching policy or two, her latest during an interview with the Evening Standard being a pledge to lift 20mph speed limits on main roads in central London.

This will undoubtedly prove popular with a segment of the electorate, even if it will not necessarily get them to their destination any faster. Still, the danger of such policies is not only to pedestrians, but to the Tories themselves: that Halls pitch, in conjunction with her previous support for Donald Trump, will fail to attract a sufficient breadth of voters.

The reality is that to stand a chance of winning in the capital, the Conservatives must persuade swing voters. Tory red meat policies will not cut it. Despite the pronouncements from party chairman Greg Hands, it is not too late to reopen the selection and find a candidate who can give the Mayor a run for his money.

Psychic tale is a winner

The Gift, a wonderful short story by Kelvin Hill about a family coming to terms with their psychic powers, has won the Standards Stories competition.

The piece prevailed over 1,300 other writers asked to explore the theme of belonging, with one of our judges predicting great things for the winner. Congratulations to Kelvin, and those other shortlisted writers. To read the winning story, go to: stories.standard.co.uk
Y esterday morning followed its usual pattern of early morning events for me, but for one notable change in circumstance. On the iphone I reach for the second my eyes open a decorous new squiggle avatar appeared, a memorable addition to the banking apps, endless snapshots, email chains, texts, whatsapps, notes, calendars, weather veins, Wordle reminders, headlines, playlists, DMs and (cough, cough) all that other stuff which lives on our hand-held brains. Before the customary cup of tea and cuddle, the telephone was ready to roll and scroll me into a day fresh with possibilities, potholed with familiar digital landmines. Now with added Threads.

By the time I woke up, there was already a boastful news bulletin circulated from Threads parent corporation, Meta. Like animals lining up two-by-two to enter Noahs ark, in disarmingly similar socio-political times, a cool ten million had so far signed up to Threads, Mark Zuckerbergs sword drawn in a thinly disguised billionaires pissing contest with Elon Musk. A new dawn for social media? It was not yet 7am.

When I was a young man, the clever persons consensus was that the less outside surveillance of our lives happened, the better

Rarely one to voluntarily miss out on the emergence of a thing, obviously I signed up. Threads is Twitter in all but name. It looks the same, feeding the same endorphins by encouraging the same jostle for public approval. When Twitter arrived, I remember feeling queasy at the coercively shifty move from friends to followers in our digital allegiances, offering a vaporous imprint of fame for all. I decided to body-swerve it.

Already digitally exhausted from Live Journal, Bebo, Friendster, MySpace, Facebook and the rest, I thought Id sit this one out and wait for the next excitement to arrive, maybe making more practical use of my time. In the interim, before Instagram arrived and sucked me in, I had my first book published, 120,000 whole words on paper, verifying my early suspicions with something which felt more substantial than a blue tick.

When I was a young man, the clever persons consensus was that the less outside surveillance of our lives happened, the better. When they were first erected, cameras on high street lampposts felt like unnerving plot devices from JG Ballard novels. Whole civic demonstrations were staged against the suggested introduction of national identity cards. Now Zuckerberg and Musk are sparring rock star titans, drunk on their own nerdish power, driving an odd shift in lifes rhythm, it feels almost ludicrous to recall a time when freedom was considered an agreed gold standard.

The tech giants bowled in, wielding their magnetic popularity magnets and we fell like skittles, documenting every action and catapulting it out into some unknowable digital vault to be sold for analysis. We literally cannot give our whereabouts away fast enough. The meals we eat, persuasions we hold dear, fun we have, neuroses we harbour, grudges we bear, dead we mourn and lovers we caress are all galleried for full public inspection.

What a cheap species we turned out to be. Half a dozen likes and were anybodys. Have us. Threads couldve proved a useful opportunity to evaluate the benefits of social media, collectively bail out or formalise their arrangement. That Faustian ship has long sailed. Clearly, I will be sharing all of the above to my exciting new Threads page later, and look forward to seeing you there.

In other news...

An earlier classical concert at the Barbican / Mark Allan

This evening, the brutalist masterwork of the Barbican concert hall will play host to a novel event, Classical Pride. An entirely LGBTQ+ orchestra and soloists, conducted by a gay man will perform a repertoire of music composed entirely by LGBTQ+ musicians. This is the first event of its type in Europe. After debuting the idea in Philadelphia last year, its only the second in history.

Not only does Classical Pride offer a brief reprieve from the tinny party house music and Taylor Swifts tireless mid-market self-absorption from gay events, it may even plug some of the gaps in the educations of folk of a certain age. I knew when Clause 28 banned the promotion of homosexuality in schools for all those years between the late 80s and early 00s that Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams, Vita Sackville West and Truman Capote were now considered dodgy materials. I had no idea the works of Haydn and Tchaikovsky were, too. Even into my 50s, its never too late to learn, in the most gorgeous and elegant surrounds.
Review at a glance









 Youve just seen the heart-stopping, pants-dropping, hard-rocking, booty-shaking, love-making, earth-quaking, Viagra-taking, death-defying, legendary E Street Band! yelled Bruce Springsteen in a Pentecostal frenzy, three hours into the first of two last chance power drives through this years British Summer Time Hyde Park festival.

If Springsteen ever had the number on which to phone in a performance, it clearly became sweat-soaked and unreadable decades ago. At 73 hes now putting rockers a third of his age to shame, hitting the stage with a No Surrender that sounded like a statement of intent and blazing through enough chrome-wheeled glory rock to give organisers itchy plug fingers. Again. At his last Hyde Park gig in 2012 the sound was cut when his duet with Paul McCartney ran over curfew, as Bruce reminded his fortune teller of a guitar foil Little Steven Van Zandt as Glory Days reached its umpteenth euphoric peak. F*** em, Van Zandt sagely advised, and kept right on rocking.

Springsteen had, after all, a whole rocknroll lifetime to cover. Once the poster boy of small-town rebellion, he has built a rich canon that virtually represents the great American novel in song form over 50 years. All aspects of the noble blue-collar life were here: the hungry teenage runaways (Born to Run), the machine shop dreamers (The Promised Land), the struggling family men (The River), the disillusioned Vietnam vets (Born in the USA), the barstool nostalgists (Glory Days) and the old-age romantics full of fear and doubt (Letter to You).

BST Hyde Park 2023 | Bruce Springsteen 1 / 17 BST Hyde Park 2023 | Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen at BST Hyde Park PA Wire PA Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP PA PA Stella McCartney Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP PA Bob Geldof Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP Billy Joel PA PA Roger Federer PA

A country ballad section culminated in a forlorn Last Man Standing, written  Springsteen explained, holding back tears  following the death of George Theiss, who had been the only other surviving member of his first teenage band The Castiles. At 15, its all hellos, and a lot later on there a lot more hard goodbyes, he said, pressing home the songs message, how important it is to seize the day.

He certainly seized this one. Though hes more going-for-it-grandpa than hi-octane James Dean these days, there was still an unquenchable power and charm to Springsteens presence, whether belting out Badlands or Thunder Road, venturing out to the crowd barriers to fist-bump toddlers or waggling his backside at the onstage cameras.

And with Jake Clemons proudly filling his legendary uncle Clarences formidable boots on saxophone, the E Street Band remained a powerhouse, attacking a punchy Because the Night, the heavy-duty honky-tonk of Darlington County and party rocker Marys Place like heartland rocks most elite battalion.

He kept plenty in the tank for a momentous final stretch involving a celebratory Dancing in the Dark, a Born to Run that still roared along like a precision-tooled hog and Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out transformed into a visual tribute to fallen E Street Band members Clarence Clemons and organist Danny Federici.

The tours solo acoustic closer Ill See You in My Dreams speaks of a road seeming without end. Heres hoping.
Review at a glance









I s there a more quintessentially British rite of passage than the post-sixth form group holiday? Perhaps yours was to Zante, or maybe its slightly classier cousin Ayia Napa? Maybe you went full Brits abroad on the strip in Shag-aluf?

Its perhaps less likely that you opted to spend a week on the run from a group of drug-dealing murderers in Rotterdam after accidentally attempting to sell them five kilograms of 80 per cent pure heroin. But hey, it could happen to anyone.

Such is the premise of Then You Run, Skys gruesome new holiday thriller. Adapted from Zoran Drvenkars novel You, the eight-episode mini-series follows Tara (Normal Peoples Leah McNamara), Stink (Rye Lanes Vivian Oparah), Ruth (Yasmin Monet Prince) and Nessi (Isidora Fairhurst), a tight-knit group of rebellious London teenagers who find their party holiday re-routed from Zante to Rotterdam when Taras grandmother and sole carer unexpectedly dies.

Her absent father (Cillian OSullivan) is begrudgingly forced to step up, inviting her and her pals to stay with him in his lavish, glass-walled Dutch mansion with his equally lavish new Dutch girlfriend  all funded, apparently, by revenue from his success in advertising. Funny that.

If you can see where this is going, dont get too cocky. Subtlety isnt exactly the shows forte  within the first half an hour Tara discovers that her extended family run a sprawling European drug ring after she stumbles on her uncle (The Falls Richard Coyle) torturing a poor German man outside of a restaurant, and finds out that her dads advert recording studio is actually an elaborate underground weed farm.

Leah McNamara as Tara / Sky

It is at this stage that Taras pals rock up, suitcases in tow and ready for a fun  if unexpected  week of Mary Jane and partying, only to find Tara in the midst of an accidental overdose on what turns out to be lethally-strong heroin, and her dad lying dead in a drinks freezer. Rather than calling the police or legging it to the next Flixbus home, they instead attempt to sell the heroin he has lying around his house, inadvertently ending up shilling it to its very owner, Taras uncle. Uh oh. This forces them on the run with a murdering gang of criminals hot on their heels.

And, exhale. We shouldve gone to f**king Zante, mutters Stink at one point. You dont say.

Of course, thrillers nearly always ask their audience to suspend their disbelief, and its a pretty tall order here. However, once you accept that none of the characters decisions really make any sense (rule number one: dont stop for snacks when youre being actively pursued by bloodthirsty hitmen), and none of them come close to being at all likeable either, the show quickly becomes incredibly compelling.

Before you know it youre thrown into car chases, shoot-outs, an unexpected pregnancy, bloody murder scenes and inordinate quantities of drugs, interspersed with cutting asides filled with the morbid humour that the show hangs on. Despite its slightly predictable set-up, Then You Run certainly isnt simply a paint-by-numbers thriller  from its unique neon visual styling to the mysterious killing spree scenes which open each episode (and which well presumably learn more about these, the more the show progresses), the action is thoughtful, deliberate and effective.

It is also aided by some truly stellar casting  Oparah in particular shines as Stink, the girl groups ringleader, but Prince is often a scene stealer in the more understated role of Ruth, the goody-two-shoes and moral barometer of the group. There is also a surprise cameo, in the form of GoldenEye, Taken and X-Men star Famke Janssen, whose performance as ominous drug tycoon Dagmar is a fabulous addition to an already terrifying group of baddies.

With only three episodes available for review, it is tantalisingly difficult to predict where the drama will catapult to next. One things for sure, though: theyre probably never going to make it to Shag-aluf.

Then You Run airs on Sky Max at 9pm on Friday July 7
F or a while it was Georgia and its crumbling hillsides and ancient ruins. Then it was Albania and its rugged landscapes and unspoilt beaches  but even those have lost their best-kept-secret, new Croatia badges as hordes of holidaymakers follow the rumours of a low-cost, away-from-the-crowds adventure.

Fortunately, Londons smart set have one last hidden gem up their sleeve  and this one, for now, actually still feels hidden. Transylvania  the central Romanian region long known as the (much disputed) birthplace of Dracula and widely considered Europes last great wilderness  is the destination on the lips of every dinner party guest this summer, or at least for those who need a little more than a cabin in the Cotswolds to get their really wild fix.

Just ask Elon Musk, Angelina Jolie and King Charles, who are among the growing list of A-listers alleged to have fallen in love with the regions discreet sophistication, delicious simplicity and slow, back-to-nature, back-in-time feel. Here among the wildflower meadows and mist-strewn forests, you wont find any of the swarms of Range Rovers, tacky gates and neat hedges that blight the Cotswolds each summer. Instead, youll find unflashy, philosophical types embarking on guided adventures into the lynx-filled Carpathian Mountains  said to hold the largest brown bear count in Europe  or taking riding expeditions skirting the edges of glaciers.

Bethlen Estates, a chic, centuries-old castle hotel said to be putting Transylvania on the luxury travel map, offers everything from birdwatching and horse-drawn carriage rides to heli-skiing and snowshoe walking in the Harghita mountains. Madonnas eldest son Rocco Ritchie tapped into this high-adrenaline scene when he raved about the crazy place that was the Transylvanian mountains on motorcycling trip last month, while Twitter owner Musk was seemingly drawn to the regions mythical links when he allegedly hired out an entire Transylvanian castle for a star-studded Dracula-themed party last year.

Our private clients always want to know whats happening in the world of travel and Transylvania is definitely on our radar, without question, says Jules Maury, an award-winning luxury travel specialist and Head of invite-only travel company Scott Dunn Private. Maury says her clients have always sought out quiet corners of Europe away from the crowds and with these becoming harder and harder to find, they are increasingly looking further afield. Greece, Croatia, Albania... theyre all too on-the-map now.

Shutterstock / tokar

According to Maury, Transylvanias soft valleys, glassy lakes and crumbling castles are a big draw. The place has a rich Saxon heritage and maintains many of its age-old traditions and ways of living, so holidaying feels closer to time-travel. The air is also some of the cleanest in the world, so a stay is like a big deep breath for the soul and the ultimate antidote to urban life.

Recent attention from royals and tech billionaires has certainly helped, too. King Charles has long found peace in Transylvania, reportedly owning 10 properties in the region and missing his son Prince Harrys visit to London last month because he was on a hiking and painting holiday in the picturesque hills near his rustic hideaway holiday house in Viscari. Transylvania is in my blood, he once said in a nod to his nostalgic itch for a bygone era and his Transylvanian ancestry (he is a descendant of Vlad Tepes, a ruthless 15th-century prince known sa Vlad the Impaler and widely referred to as the real-life Dracula).

AP

Meanwhile Musks fascination with the region goes beyond forestry and family. The outspoken Tesla founder and Twitter owner allegedly eschewed the regions low-key appeal for a Halloween party last October, inviting scores of billionaire and celebrity friends to a Halloween party at Draculas Castle, Bran Castle in Brasov, and even hiring in an event director to put together a special vampire-themed experience for his guests. Rumoured attendees included Hollywood megastar Angelina Jolie, Swedish actress Julia Sanstrom, PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and Googles co-founders Sergei Brin and Larry Page.

The region certainly has star quality and a luxury, status-symbol feel: Bethlen Estates popular eight-person Caretakers house costs 1,212 per night and the region is said to have a burgeoning wine scene, particularly in the ancient cities of Brasov, Cluj-Napoca and Sibiu. But insiders also say one of the beauties of Transylvania is that anyone can live like a king: a stay at King Charles Prince of Wales Guesthouse in the Zalan Valley costs as little as 105 a night (just dont expect wifi, TV or radio).

Andrei Mike / Unsplash

As Europes last great wilderness, the place speaks to the unflashy, eco types, whod rather a rural, pared-down holiday hobnobbing with fellow rewilding enthusiasts over flame-cooked local mutton than quaffing champagne to Insta-snaps along the Cote dAzur. Mornings rise to the clank of cowbells, farm-to-fork has long been the prevailing tradition, and walkers rest weary heads in gently spruced-up guesthouses after a hearty bowl of goulash.

Its that obsessiveness with the wilderness, says Maury, who is finding its the same clients who ask about the Arctic or Patagonia or the Galapagos Islands who are now expressing an interest in Transylvania. Bespoke, back-to-nature trips have become a WhatsApp group go-to among Londons elites in recent months, with faded aristocrats and their yogi progeny relishing the chance to turn back time to an unsullied England of yore where old-world rhythms and linen smock-dressed rituals still hold sway.

Oli Broom, founder of The Slow Cyclist tour operator, shares the Kings affection for Transylvania and its deep sense of history and pure, unsullied landscapes. You can still walk or cycle here without hitting a single fence for over six days, he says.

Broom founded The Slow Cyclist over a decade ago and quickly gained popularity among an exclusive network of low-key British landowners, down-to-earth types  with eco-tourism at its core. Private groups of like-minded, Sloaney guests peddle for miles through an England that was lost, stopping off at Saxon guesthouses for traditional, cockle-warming smoked pork stews and savoury pancakes.

AFP via Getty Images

In summer, theyll encounter shepherds high in the hills, surrounded by enormous sheepdogs protecting flocks from bears and wolves. Theyll slice through bucolic scenes of glistening rivers and meadows strewn with Lily of the Valley before reaching the next time-warp village. This connection to nature is so hard to find in the UK now, says Broom. Its all very well going to stay in a cabin in the Cotswolds, in some wood, but its not genuinely wild like this we saw eight bears the other day.

Like Maurey, Broom has noticed a growing appetite among his clients for an away from the crowds experience, without a whiff of a scene. They are drawn to Transylvanias evocative, eerie landscape, where bell towers pierce through the valleys low-hanging clouds and the snow-capped Carpathians surge menacingly in the distance. Its essentially time-travelling, which is helping to build Translyvanias rural economy in villages untouched by modernity that can flourish in their current form, rather than being left behind.

@danieldudu/Pixabay

The wellness set, too, is slowly but surely shifting its coordinates east to Transylvania. One of the regions most popular retreats is Akasha in the fairytale village of Pestera. Not far from Bran Castle (of Dracula folklore and Musk fame) and the hauntingly beautiful Bucegi Mountains, the retreats setting  the unspoilt Piatra Craiului National Park  is integral to its mission: tapping into the healing powers of nature. Meditation and yoga take place overlooking bucolic valleys, theres hiking and horse riding in the hills and detoxifying vegetarian meals are plucked from the surrounding fields.

Insiders say its increasingly popular among trust-fund yogi types whod have previously booked retreats in the Balearics. Transylvania  Europes last great wilderness  is their latest attempt to side-step the crowds, so book quietly and tread lightly. Once youve been bitten by the magic of Draculas den, as its often nicknamed, youll never go back. Or perhaps thats all just part of the legend.
A n asylum seeker who travelled in a dinghy in the English Channel where four people died said he was threatened with death to pilot the boat, a court has heard.

Ibrahima Bah, from Senegal, said in a statement that he was trying to come to the UK to claim asylum when smugglers asked if he could pilot the boat, and if so, he could travel for free.

The written evidence being read aloud at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday comes as the trial of Bah, who is over 18 years old and of no fixed address, continues.

Bah is accused of four counts of manslaughter and of piloting a boat facilitating unlawful entry to the UK after an inflatable dinghy carrying more than 40 people across the sea sank on December 14, 2022.

Bah denies all the charges.

Its very sad people died. If they had stayed calm we would have all been safe and claimed asylum together

Bahs statement read to jurors went on to say when the group of travellers reached the shore, and he saw the state of the boat he changed his mind, but this angered the smugglers.

He added: I was assaulted and threatened with death.

Bah then explained when they were on the boat, the plan was to go to the middle of the Channel and seek help from the British authorities and claim asylum.

He described how others on the boat were panicking and grabbing for anchor ropes of a nearby fishing boat and he told them to stop.

Bah said: They were panicking for no reason and causing the issue.

Its very sad people died. If they had stayed calm we would have all been safe and claimed asylum together 

It was a very upsetting experience.

Police interviews following his arrest read out in court said that Bah had left Senegal in 2019, spent two years in Libya and had driven a boat from Libya to Italy, having previously learned how to pilot boats in Africa.

The account also detailed how Bah driving the boat to the UK from France meant free travel for himself and a close friend, also from Senegal, who died after falling into the water that night.

The interview also reiterated how when Bah saw the large boat with small engine and decided not to pilot it, there was a fist fight with the smugglers and Sudanese migrants witnessed the smugglers kicking him.

In the last day of the prosecutions case, junior counsel Ben Lloyd stated when Bah was charged with facilitating illegal entry to the UK on December 17, he replied: I did something, it was wrong. If I had known it I wouldnt have done it.

To the charge of manslaughter, Bah is recorded to have said: I have to say I didnt kill anyone.

The case continues next week.
T wo men from London who used a neo-Nazi podcast series to encourage listeners to commit violent acts against ethnic minorities have been convicted of terrorism offences.

Christopher Gibbons and Tyrone Patten-Walsh used their neo-Nazi podcast - which had nearly 1,000 subscribers and more than 152,000 views - to air homophobic, racist, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic and misogynistic views.

On some occasions during the 21 episodes that aired, they encouraged listeners to go out and commit acts of terrorist violence.

An investigation by the Mets Counter Terrorism Command also found Gibbons had created an online neo-Nazi library containing more than 500 videos of extreme, right-wing-related speeches and propaganda.

The material was analysed by a team of specialist officers, and found to be in breach of terrorism legislation.

Officers identified seven videos and a document that, as well as containing extremist views, encouraged others to carry out terrorist acts.

Gibbons, 40, of south London, and Patten-Walsh, 35, of east London, were arrested in May 2021, and charged on August 16 that year.

Both men went on trial for eight counts of encouraging acts of terrorism - each count relating to a different podcast episode. Gibbons also went on trial for two counts of dissemination of terrorist publications.

They were found guilty of all charges, following a trial at Kingston Crown Court which concluded on Friday.

They have been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Tuesday, September 26.

Commander Dominic Murphy, who leads the Mets Counter Terrorism Command, said: Gibbons and Patten-Walsh thought that the fact they were airing their hateful views and advocating terrorist acts in plain sight, on a radio and podcast platform, somehow gave them some legitimacy and meant they wouldnt face any consequences.

They were wrong, and both our investigation and a jury has found that they sought to encourage terrorism in how they expressed their abhorrent extreme right-wing views.

During the course of the investigation, detectives reviewed hundreds of hours of material, and the result of their work was the compelling case that was presented at court which has resulted in their convictions.

If you come across extremist content online, report it to police and we will act. Information from the public is vitally important in our fight against terrorism.

If you see or hear something unusual or suspicious and think someone may be engaging in terrorist activity, trust your instincts and act by reporting it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT or the anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, dial 999.

Visit the ACT Early website to find out how you can seek help and support for anyone who you suspect may be being radicalised.
Given recent severe hurricanes, intense rainfall and flooding, and increased wildfires (such as those happening in Canada), there is no doubt that the world is grappling with the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Organizations, communities and nations all need to be accountable for what is happening worldwide.

To hold entities accountable, foster transparency and inspire collaborative action, net zero certification emerged as a key tool in the pursuit of a sustainable and climate-resilient future. At the forefront of that initiative: The Global Network for Zero, or GNFZ, with the launch of its platform that enables individuals and organizations to accelerate their net zero commitments.

GNFZ is an international leadership collective of business and policy leaders implementing actionable strategies and certifications for accelerating ESG compliance and the rapid realization of a zero emissions world. The networks three pillars are:

Technology : Developing solutions to eliminate market barriers, bridge technology gaps and enable scalability.

: Developing solutions to eliminate market barriers, bridge technology gaps and enable scalability. Investment : Connecting financiers with the most promising and profitable innovations for maximum sustained returns on investment and impact and facilitating a marketplace that provides a full suite of resources to empower action.

: Connecting financiers with the most promising and profitable innovations for maximum sustained returns on investment and impact and facilitating a marketplace that provides a full suite of resources to empower action. Policy: Interpreting the business implications of accelerating carbon reductions across various sectors in society and assisting in scaling implementation efforts.

Through the platform, GNFZ network members gain comprehensive assistance in evaluating and quantifying their emissions, devising effective strategies to achieve their goals and obtaining certified recognition for their net zero accomplishments. This platform ensures the transparency and credibility of net zero efforts through third-party certifications.

With an initial emphasis on existing buildings, GNFZ focuses on tackling the long-standing challenges of decarbonization in this sector. Given that the building industry contributes nearly 40% of global emissions, it represents an opportunity for decarbonization. GNFZ's net zero certification for existing buildings aims to drive substantial progress and overcome market barriers. The inclusive nature of this certification guarantees that all existing buildings can follow an incremental roadmap toward achieving net zero status.

By joining the network, members gain access to end-to-end implementation support from trusted partners. These partners guide them through steps such as calculating Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions for their buildings, setting targets, formulating tailored plans, implementing effective net zero strategies and securing independently verified third-party certification.

"Our platform, built on years of experience and market knowledge and fueled by data-driven decision-making will pave the way for a societal transformation towards a zero emissions world and leave a lasting positive impact on millions, improving their quality of life, said GNFZ co-founders Mahesh Ramanujam and Sarah Merricks. Our net zero certification can be applied across numerous sectors, industries and economies, helping businesses realize their climate goals.

GNFZ has already established partnerships with prominent players in various industries, including SRK Exports, a diamond crafting company.

According to Govind Dholakia, founder and chairman of SRK, decarbonization is a top priority for their organization. Through their collaboration with GNFZ, they made progress in accelerating their net zero targets. SRK successfully measured their emissions, putting them on track to obtain net zero certification for their flagship facilities, SRK House and SRK Empire, by 2024. This achievement is significant, as it surpasses their initial commitment by a remarkable six years.

Another noteworthy member of GNFZ is Pearl Homes, a trailblazer in eco-friendly and energy-efficient construction for single-family and multifamily residences.

Pearl Homes gained recognition in 2018 for creating a LEED Zero home, a milestone achieved through collaboration with Mahesh and Sarah. LEED Zero Homes represent the highest level of sustainability and are designed to minimize environmental impact, conserve resources and provide healthy and comfortable living spaces.

Now fully committed to working with GNFZ, Pearl Homes aims to obtain net zero certification for their entire portfolio, starting with the Hunters Point development in Florida. Their objective is to demonstrate how all existing and new homes, as well as residential units, can develop practical plans to achieve net zero and net positive status, all while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as stated by Marshall Gobuty, founder and president of Pearl Homes.

This rapidly growing community will help GNFZ implement best-in-class sustainability strategies so that the platform becomes a game changing solution for decarbonizing existing buildings. In future platform releases, GNFZ plans to expand its net zero certifications to encompass organizational operations, supply chains, fleets, products, processes and assets.

Edited by Alex Passett
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fatal stabbing in Nunhead.

Rohan Trotman, 26, was killed following an attack in Nunhead Green at around 9.20pm on Sunday, June 25.

A 19-year-old man was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Officers rushed to Nunhead Green  near to the junction with Gordon Road  following reports of a stabbing last month.

Rohan was taken to hospital by a member of the public after suffering stab wounds.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead at 9.30am on Monday, June 26.

His next of kin are being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Laurence Smith, from the Mets Specialist Crime Command, said: Rohans family and friends have been left devastated by his death. I know there are people in the community who have information about the circumstances in which he suffered the fatal stab wounds.

If they have not already done so, I would urge them to contact police. I also continue to appeal to anyone who was in the area of Nunhead Green at around 21:20hrs on Sunday, 25 June who saw any of this incident to get in touch. You may have information that could prove vital to this investigation.

Any witnesses are asked to call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting reference CAD 7706/25Jun. To remain anonymous contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A senior Metropolitan Police officer who was convicted of possessing a child abuse video in 2019, has appeared in court to deny she failed to comply with sex offenders register notification requirements.

Superintendent Novlett Robyn Williams, 58, appeared via videolink at Westminster magistrates court on Friday to face five charges relating to her alleged conduct between November 2019 and December 2021.

It is said she failed to declare Capital One and HSBC credit cards as well as a bank account with Santander, and she allegedly failed to notify authorities of a trip to Kenya in December 2021.

Williams, the only black female Superintendent in the Met, has been highly decorated during her policing career, including a commendation for her work in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

In November 2019 she was convicted of possession of an indecent image of a child after footage was sent to her via WhatsApp. The clip was not viewed by Williams but she did not report it.

As a consequence of her conviction, Williams was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years, and was subject to strict notification requirements.

Speaking over a videolink from her lawyers office, Williams entered not guilty pleas to the five charges and when asked where she would like her trial, she replied: Crown Court, judge and jury.

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told the hearing: The allegation is a senior police officer, having previously been convicted of a sexual offence and placed under notification requirements, has breached those requirements.

He freed Williams, who lives in Pimlico, on unconditional bail until a hearing at the Old Bailey on August 4.

Williams denies five charges of failing to comply with Sex offenders register notification requirements.
F our teenagers have been jailed after stealing 115,000 worth of cryptocurrency in a series of knifepoint robberies across the capital.

Daniel Boakye, 18, from Enfield, was jailed for six years and five months after being convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery at Wood Green Crown Court.

Nathan Mohalland, 19, was convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, robbery and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment with five additional years on licence.

Justin Popoola, 19, of Rushcroft Road, Chingford, was jailed for two-and-a-half years after being convicted of conspiracy to commit robbery.

Daniel Boakye was jailed for six years and five months / Met Police

Justin Popoola has been jailed for two-and-a-half years / Met Police

Another male, aged 17, was sentenced to two years and nine months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

The court heard how the group carried out a spate of robberies across London from June 2021 to January 2022.

The teens would threaten victims with knives and force them to hand over their phones and provide the passcodes needed to unlock the devices.

Then theyd siphon off the victims cryptocurrency into hot wallets, resulting in more than 155,000 worth of the digital currency being stolen.

The group also used stored bank information to purchase top-up cards, taxi journeys and complete other fraudulent transactions.

Detectives were able to track them down after they used the stolen bank information to order takeaways to their home addresses.

Detective James Green, of the Specialist Crime Command, said: In total, there were 19 robberies within the conspiracy in which 26 people were robbed. During my career as a police officer I have not come across criminals of such a cowardly nature.

The group singled out innocent members of the public whilst armed with weapons in order to rob them of their mobile phones and digital currencies.

They would insinuate that the victims were members of an opposing gang, whilst all knew that these were innocent members of the public.
L ondon scientists have called for closer monitoring of Britain's bat population after several species were found to harbour four viruses related to the Covid pathogen.

Researchers from Imperial College and University College London screened faecal samples from 16 of the UK's 17 species of bat. They discovered four species of coronaviruses, two of which had never been found before.

None are currently capable of infecting humans, the scientists said, but some were found to be distantly related to the pathogen which causes Covid and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

Diseases that emerge in animals and transfer to humans are known as zoonotic. Human infection requires the virus to be able to infect human cells, and to cause an outbreak, it must then be able to spread between humans. This process is known as zoonotic spillover.

The coronavirus that causes Covid is believed to have originated in a bat, though it remains unclear how it infected its first human host.

Investigations are also ongoing into the theory that the virus emerged from a Wuhan laboratory where bat coronavirus samples were being studied.

Co-author Professor Francois Balloux, Director of the UCL Genetics Institute, said: In many parts of the world, we have decent surveillance of the pathogens circulating in humans and domestic animals but not so much in wildlife. Increased surveillance should improve public health preparedness and food security, and also be beneficial for biodiversity conservation.

While bat virus surveys have been conducted in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, in the UK bat viruses have been overlooked for detailed genetic studies, beyond European bat lyssaviruses that cause rabies.

Viruses are more likely to spill over from wild animals when they are brought in closer contact with humans. Habitat losses and land-use changes across the world have been linked with an increase probability of zoonotic spillover.

The researchers said that maintaining bat conservation efforts and minimising habitat destruction could help to prevent zoonotic spillover, alongside a monitoring program that regularly screens for potential pathogens.

Lead researcher Professor Vincent Savolainen, from the Georgina Mace Centre for the Living Planet at Imperial College London, said: Working with a network of conservationists and bat rehabilitators has been most fruitful in documenting the diversity of coronaviruses that is present in British bats, and which had been so far overlooked.

This collaborative work forms the basis for future zoonotic surveillance and conservation efforts given the importance that bats play in our ecosystems.
T wo new mental health facilities embedded in a new community in south west London will help break the stigma around mental illness, an NHS Trust leader has said.

Vanessa Ford, the chief executive of South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, told the Standard that the Trinity and Shaftesbury buildings on the Springfield Village site in Tooting would help local residents to seek help for mental illness at an earlier stage.

The buildings are home to a range of outpatient services and eight inpatient mental health wards.

Mental health hospitals have traditionally been ostracised from the communities they serve, contributing to mental health stigma.

Hundreds of staff from the Trust and the local community gathered to celebrate the official opening of Springfield Village on Wednesday. In addition to the two mental health hospitals, the new community includes over 800 new homes, shops, a public square and a 32-acre park  the biggest developed in London since the 2012 Olympics.

Ms Ford told the Standard: By creating homes and parks alongside our hospitals, it creates a greater understanding of mental health and makes it less frightening. I really hope that will bring people forward to get help earlier. The earlier you get support with your mental health, the less likely you ever are to come into hospital. We have got a real opportunity to genuinely transform mental health and wellbeing for south west London.

We have moved massively in terms of mental health in the past ten years, but environments like this will take us forward another ten years.

In an open letter published on Wednesday, Ms Ford said: For too long, large parts of the NHS mental health estate have been isolated from the people they serve, reflecting outdated, stigma-laden attitudes from years gone by. These days are now far behind us in South West London.

The opening of the Village coincided with the 75th anniversary of the NHS.

The Springfield Village site comes as part of a 250m investment to develop new facilities across Wandsworth, Richmond and Kingston in line with local consultations.
S ir Keir Starmer has backed London mayor Sadiq Khan over his proposal to expand the capitals charge on the most polluting vehicles.

The Labour leader said Mr Khan had to take action due to the legal requirement on him to improve Londons air quality.

Addressing a listener question on LBC, Sir Keir said: I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him.

In November Mr Khan announced his intention to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez)  a scheme originally introduced by Conservative mayor Boris Johnson  to all of Londons boroughs, enlarging it beyond the North and South Circular roads.

If it goes ahead, the extended Ulez will see drivers in outer London pay a 12.50 daily fee from August 29 if their vehicles do not meet the required emissions standards.

The new borders will reach Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

Conservative-led councils challenged the move in a hearing at the High Court this week and are waiting on Mr Justice Swifts ruling.

There have been calls from Labour MPs, such as Clive Efford and Jon Cruddas, to delay the expansion and improve its associated scrappage scheme.

Among the party figures to speak out is Danny Beales, who is contesting Mr Johnsons old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in a by-election on July 20.

Mr Beales reportedly told a recent hustings it was not the right time for the charge to be applied more widely.

Sir Keir said it was right for the Uxbridge candidate to stand up for his potential constituents but argued Mr Khan had been left with no wriggle room on the issue.

The Opposition leader said he recognised that the move would cause pain and it would be a lot of money for motorists to have to pay during the current cost-of-living crisis.

But he said it was important to make clear that there was a legal obligation on the mayor to take measures in relation to air pollution.

So he doesnt just have a free choice to decide what he does here. He has got to take action, Sir Keir added.

Pressed on whether he supported the call from Labour MPs to delay the rollout, Sir Keir replied: My experience of the mayor is he always listens to these overtures and that is why he has asked for more money on scrappage.

Ive looked at it myself, looked at the legal provision.

I think it is difficult to say you could simply ignore the legal requirement to do something about this, so the mayor in fairness is between a rock and a hard place on this.

The former director of public prosecutions suggested Mr Khan would have likely faced legal action from air pollution campaigners if he had opted not to extend Ulez.

Sir Keir said Mr Khan was looking for central government funding to boost the plan for a 110 million scrappage scheme, which is designed to help those who have non-compliant cars or vans.

Following his response, the caller, Tony from Tunbridge Wells in Kent  who described himself as a life-long Labour voter  said he would not be voting for the party at the next election in protest at Ulez.

Mr Khan is looking to become the first politician to be elected London mayor three times at next years election, with the Tories in the process of choosing who their candidate will be to rival the former minister.
S adiq Khan appeared to tell a City Hall meeting on Thursday that he would prefer to go up against Tory mayoral hopeful Susan Hall, rather than her rival Moz Hossain.

The mayor weighed into the Tory candidate selection process at a meeting of the London Assembly, where he repeatedly asked Conservative group leader Neil Garratt whether he would be voting for Ms Hall.

The partys London members are currently voting to decide who should be their candidate in next years mayoral election.

Following Daniel Korskis exit from the race, the field of candidates narrowed to just two: Ms Hall, an assembly member and former council leader, and Mr Hossain, a criminal barrister and Kings Counsel.

The chosen candidate will be announced on July 19 but at Thursdays meeting, Mr Khan gave his own opinion on the race.

First, the mayor repeatedly asked Tory group leader Mr Garratt whether he would be voting for Ms Hall, but was ignored by him.

Assembly chairman Andrew Boff tried to move the discussion on by telling Labour member Leonie Cooper that it was now her turn to speak.

But Mr Khan cut across her, asking: Are you voting for Susan? Because Neil Garratt isnt.

Raising his hand, the mayor added: Id like Susan.

Even if said in jest, the remarks are unlikely to be welcomed by Ms Hall, who has pitched her campaign around her being the one Sadiq Khan fears.

Her supporters point out that unlike her rival Mr Hossain, she has fought and won elections in the past, and she regularly confronts the mayor with difficult questions at City Hall meetings.

Mr Hossain has meanwhile emphasised his experience as a senior lawyer, as well as his inspirational backstory - having been born into poverty in Bangladesh.

The mayoral election, along with elections to the Assembly, is scheduled to be held on May 2, 2024.

The Green Party has selected Hackney borough councillor Zoe Garbett, while Reform UK has chosen Howard Cox, the founder of Fair Fuel UK. The Liberal Democrats are expected to announce their candidate over the coming weeks.
B oris Johnson has attacked Sadiq Khan and his bone-headed plans to expand Londons ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez) in his latest Daily Mail column.

The former prime minister, who came up with the initial Ulez scheme when he was mayor of London, has labeled Mr Khans plans to expand it to cover most of Greater London on August 29 as insane and so transparently wrong and unnecessary.

Drivers of older petrol or diesel cars have to pay Transport for London (TfL) 12.50 for every day they cross into, or move within, the Ulez zone in a bid to improve air quality.

On Friday Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer backed Mr Khan over his expansion proposal, telling LBC: I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him..

But Mr Johnson suggested that the Labour party has started to crack and failed to explain and convincingly support the Ulez expansion.

It comes after Labour candidate Danny Beales in Uxbridge and South Ruislip - Mr Johnsons former constituency - called for a delay to the zones extension due to the rising cost of living, despite previously defending the policy.

In his Daily Mail column published online on Friday evening, Mr Johnson wrote: It is the sheer bone-headed cruelty of Sadiq Khans scheme  rushed in with only nine months consultation  that is causing such indignation; and it is that indignation that is fomenting the panic in Labour ranks.

He added: If not even Keir Starmer will wholeheartedly back Labours new tax on driving, then surely the thing is doomed.

Taking a swipe at Mr Khan next, the former Mayor of London said he has so badly mismanaged the finances of Transport for London and accused him of needing to balance the books.

Mr Johnson then appeared to accuse Mr Khan of using a driver and protection while in the role.

When I was mayor I had no driver, and no protection. I cycled to work every day, producing zero emissions of any kind. Lets get Khan out of his limo and out of City Hall, he wrote.

When I became mayor of London in 2008, the world economy had just gone off a cliff because of the banking crisis. So I did the sensible thing  I protected white van man, and protected the economy, by postponing the next step of the ULEZ; and we still achieved great reductions in pollution.

The Conservatives - rocked by Mr Johnsons resignation - hope to win support in Uxbridge by capitalising on residents opposition to the Ulez expansion.

The new borders will reach Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Surrey.

Conservative-led councils challenged the move in a hearing at the High Court this week and are waiting on Mr Justice Swifts ruling.

There have been calls from other Labour MPs, such as Clive Efford and Jon Cruddas, to delay the expansion and improve its associated scrappage scheme.

But Mr Starmer said it was right for the Uxbridge candidate to stand up for his potential constituents but argued Mr Khan had been left with no wriggle room on the issue.

The Opposition leader told LBC he recognised that the move would cause pain and it would be a lot of money for motorists to have to pay during the current cost-of-living crisis.

But he said it was important to make clear that there was a legal obligation on the mayor to take measures in relation to air pollution.

Pressed on whether he supported the call from Labour MPs to delay the rollout, Sir Keir replied: My experience of the mayor is he always listens to these overtures and that is why he has asked for more money on scrappage.

Ive looked at it myself, looked at the legal provision.

I think it is difficult to say you could simply ignore the legal requirement to do something about this, so the mayor in fairness is between a rock and a hard place on this.

Mr Starmer suggested Mr Khan would have likely faced legal action from air pollution campaigners if he had opted not to extend Ulez.

Mr Khan is looking to become the first politician to be elected London mayor three times at next years election, with the Tories in the process of choosing who their candidate will be to rival the former minister.

A source close to the Mayor said: This is utter nonsense from the disgraced former Mayor. It was Boris Johnson who first announced the introduction of the Ulez to tackle air pollution, and around 4,000 Londoners still die prematurely every year as a result of toxic air.

Boris Johnson also made the woeful deal with Government to remove TfLs entire operational grant at a cost of nearly 1 billion a year.

The ULEZ expansion is expected to lose money after three years. TfLs latest budget shows that it will achieve an operating surplus in 2023/24.
RAINBOW COUNTRY A 2 HOUR Nationally Syndicated Gay radio show & Canada's #2 LGBT Podcast working to give voice to the LGBT Community & BEYOND! ON EPISODE 360: HR 1 #GayTalkRadio StartOut - A Queer American based nonprofit dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs. StartOut was founded in 2009 & has over 21K members nationwide. Joining me from StartOut is Director Of Programs Tarik Perkins Who talks about their Accelerator Program Issues facing Queer businesses & MORE!  HR 2 #Music DISCO - #Shalamar R&B - #GraceJones NEW MUSIC - #ChurchOfTrees #Transstar #Terouz INDIE ROCK - Queens & Kings

Echo Beach

Martha And The Muffins - Black Stations White Stations

Martha And The Muffins - The Second Time Around

Shalamar - Make That Move

Shalamar - Dead Giveaway

Shalamar - Demolition Man

Grace Jones - Walking In The Rain

Grace Jones - Pull Up To The Bumper

Grace Jones - Progression

Church Of Trees - I, Bitch

Transstar - Tiger Girl

Terouz - Testify

Queens & Kings - I'm Beggin

Queens & Kings - Going Through Hell

Queens & Kings - I Want You

Mark Tara -
W imbledon fans braced themselves for 28C heat on Friday as Sir Andy Murray, Liam Broady and Cameron Norrie attempted to continue the march of the Brits.

Players and fans were facing sweltering conditions at the All England Club after a yellow heat-health alert was issued by the UK Health Security Agency and the Met Office for London.

The alert will be in place from midday on Friday until 9am on Sunday, with the Met Office forecasting temperatures up to 28C at Wimbledon for the next three days. Spectacular thunderstorms may also hit the area on Saturday, a Met Office forecaster said.

The queue on Friday morning was busy - with more than 7,000 people in line by 7am. The attendance figures at this years tournament are the highest since 2015.

Matthew Turner, 39, and his sister Paula Sellers, 49, joined the queue at 8pm on Wednesday to ensure they would be among the first 20 in line for today.

They have Centre Court tickets - and said it was a total bonus to be seeing Sir Andy in action.

Andy Murray was returning to Centre Court on Friday to finish his second round match against Stefanos Tsitsipas / AP

The Brit was resuming his second round clash with Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas this afternoon after the match was halted at 10.39pm last night because of a curfew put in place by the local council.

Mr Turner said: We always come on the Friday and this year we were keen to see Carlos Alcaraz or some of the younger, newer players but I was looking at the scores last night with Andy and I was hopeful wed also get to see him. Its a total bonus.

Lindy Short, 62, and Jennifer Carpenter, 61, said they were ready for the scorching temperatures. We have hand fans and we usually try and get the tickets where youre in the shade a bit. I think it will be hard for the players in this heat, especially the ones who have been playing a lot this week.

A spokesperson from the All England Club urged fans to look after themselves - suggesting they stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and try to spend some time in the shade.

Fridays temperatures will not be warm enough, however, for organisers to execute their Heat Rule protocols, which only kick in when temperatures hit 30.1C and above. The rule allows a 10-minute break to be taken between the second and third set for best-of-three set matches, or between the third and fourth set for best-of-five set matches.

Andy Murrays wife Kim Sears cheering on the star on Thursday evening / Getty Images

The heat rule has only been applied on two Wimbledon days in recent years - in 2006 and 2009.

Broady was stepping back on the court after his career-best win over world number four Casper Ruud on Centre Court yesterday, becoming the first British male into the third round in the process.

Norrie will play his second-round match against American Christopher Eubanks, while Katie Boulter will meet last years champion Elena Rybakina in the third round on Saturday.
W e thought the summer party season had peaked on Wednesday with The Spectators summer bash, but it turns out there was one on the same day to rival even that. Down in Richmond at Ormeley Lodge, Lady Annabel Goldsmith discreetly threw her glamorous summer party. It was so good that some of The Spectators own writers decided to defect. Taki, the magazines High Life columnist, was seen chatting to former Tory MP Jonathan Aitken in what was affectionately dubbed jailbirds corner (in the Eighties, Taki spent time in Pentonville on a drugs charge, and, in the Nineties, Aitken was sent down for perjury). It really was the place to be. Prince William of Wales was there, claimed a mole at the party. The guest list, like the spread, was extravagant. For decades, Lady Annabel, 89, has hosted an annual bash for the great and good. A major figure in the swinging London of the Sixties, she gave her name to Mayfair club Annabels. In previous years she has hosted her party at various Mayfair clubs but this year opted for something closer to home. Ormeley Lodge is the grade II listed Georgian house she bought with her late husband Sir James Goldsmith in the Seventies. We understand that Ellie Goulding, a friend of Lady Annabels son Zac, couldnt make it as she was at a conservationist event.

Bianca Jagger at the Prospect Summer Party 2023 / Sascha Klamp

A touch of stardom at the summer party of centre-Left magazine Prospect last night as Bianca Jagger, former model and wife of Rolling Stone Mick, turned up to mingle with the crowd of economics boffins and journalists. Her environmental work drew her to the party. Former Tory cabinet minister Dominic Grieve said he was glad to be there but didnt get an invite to the Spectator party yesterday. They havent invited me for, oh, six years. Around the time I came out against Brexit. Which is odd  they once gave me their Parliamentarian of the Year Award, he said. The Archbishop of Canterbury, also there, told us that he has never made it to a Spectator party but only because he has a full diary. The Archbishop has been leading the charge against the Governments migration bill in the House of Lords.

Billie Piper Josie Naughton Jameela Jamil Caitriona Balfe Amelia Windsor / Dave Benett

Does Soho need another restaurant? Yes, according to fine dining maestros at the Wolseley Hospitality Group. Last night they opened Manzis, the new seafood joint between Frith Street and Greek Street. The first guests included actor Billie Piper and Josie Naughton, founder of the Help Refugees charity. Manzis opened in partnership with Choose Love, an NGO that advocates for refugees. It is a cause close to the heart of Wolseley group CEO Baton Berisha. Actor Catriona Balfe, activist Jameela Jamil and champion of many causes Lady Amelia Windsor were there.
T hree by-elections are taking place today, with two others expected in the near future, sparking fears in the Conservative party that it might lose a number of seats.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Uxbridge seat is up for grabs, following Mr Johnsons resignation last month.

The next general election is expected in autumn 2024 although the very last date it can be held on is January 25, 2025, so these by-elections offer Labour an early opportunity to gain seats in Parliament.

So where are these by-elections taking place and why have the seats become available?

Where and when are the by-elections?

Three by-elections will take place on July 20:

Uxbridge and South Ruislip

Selby and Ainsty

Somerton and Frome

Two more by-elections are expected to happen after them:

Mid Bedfordshire

Tamworth

Why are the by-elections taking place?

A by-election takes place when one of the following happens. An MP:

resigns or dies

is declared bankrupt

takes a seat in the House of Lords

is convicted of a serious criminal offence

The by-elections follow the confirmed resignation of three Conservative MPs and the expected resignation of another, and the suspension of a fifth MP.

Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Boris Johnson)

Former prime minister Boris Johnson (PA) / PA Wire

Uxbridge and South Ruislip is hosting a by-election following Mr Johnsons resignation on June 9 after a report from the Privileges Committee found that he misled Parliament over parties at Downing Street during the pandemic.

In his resignation statement, he said the committee was determined to use the proceedings against [him] to drive [him out of Parliament.

Mr Johnson resigned as prime minister on July 7, 2022, before resigning as an MP almost a year later.

Selby and Ainsty (Nigel Adams)

Nigel Adams had been thought to be in line for a peerage / PA

On June 10, Nigel Adams announced that he would resign with immediate effect.

It has been speculated that Mr Adams quit after he wasnt featured in Mr Johnsons resignation honours list, despite expecting to be.

There has been speculation that Mr Adams and MP Nadine Dorries were removed from the list to avoid by-election contests, though the prime minister, Rishi Sunak, has denied having any involvement in the final list.

Somerton and Frome (David Warburton)

A fresh inquiry into David Warburtons conduct has been ordered / David Woolfall/UK Parliament/PA Media

David Warburton was found guilty of three sexual misconduct allegations by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

Mr Warburton announced that he was resigning in June, after being suspended from the Conservative party in April 2022. In March 2022, a staffer made four sexual misconduct and two bullying and harassment allegations against him.

Mid Bedfordshire (Nadine Dorries)

Nadine Dorries has yet to resign / Aaron Chown/PA Archive

Nadine Dorries announced she would resign last month but has failed to formally do so. Like Mr Adams, it is thought that she resigned after being left off Mr Johnsons honours list.

As she hasnt formally resigned, no date has been set for a Mid Bedfordshire by-election.

Tamworth (Chris Pincher)

Former Tory deputy chief whip Chris Pincher faces suspension from the Commons / Parliament/PA Media

Chris Pincher is facing an eight-week suspension from parliament over groping claims. The Commons Standards Committee recommended the suspension following what it said was an egregious case of sexual misconduct.

His suspension is likely to lead to a by-election in Tamworth if the ensuing recall petition is signed by at least 10 per cent of constituents.

Who is running in the by-elections?

The candidates for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, Selby and Ainsty, and Somerton and Frome have been announced.

Uxbridge and South Ruislip

There are currently 17 candidates running for the Uxbridge and South Ruislip seat.

Danny Beales is standing for Labour, Steve Tuckwell for the Conservative Party, Blaise Baquiche is the Liberal Democrats choice, and Sarah Green is the Green Party candidate.

Laurence Fox is running for the Reclaim Party, Piers Corbyn is running on behalf of the Let London Live party, while Count Binface is running for the Count Binface Party.

The remaining candidates are: Cameron Ball (Independent), Steve Gardner (Social Democratic Party), Ed Gemmell (Climate Party), Kingsley Hamilton (Independent), Richard Hewison (Rejoin EU), Howling Hope (Official Monster Raving Loony Party), 77 Joseph (Independent), Rebecca Jane (UKIP), Enomfon Ntefon (Christian Peoples Alliance) and Leo Phaure (Independent).

Selby and Ainsty

There are 13 candidates running for the seat in Selby and Ainsty.

Keir Mather for the Labour Party, Claire Holmes for the Conservative Party, Matt Walker for the Liberal Democrats, and Arnold Warneken for the Green Party.

The remaining candidates are: Andrew Gray (Independent), Mike Jordan (Yorkshire Party), Dave Kent (Reform UK), Nick Palmer (Independent), Guy Phoenix (Heritage Party), Sir Archibald Stanton (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party), John Waterston (Social Democratic Party), Luke Wellock (Climate Party), and Tyler Wilson-Kerr (Independent).

Somerton and Frome

There are eight candidates in the Somerton and Frome by-election.

Neil Guild is running for the Labour Party, Faye Purbrick for the Conservative Party, Sarah Dyke for the Liberal Democrat Party and Martin Dimery for the Green Party.

The remaining candidates are: Lorna Corke (Christian Peoples Alliance), Bruce Evans (Reform UK), Rosie Mitchell (Independent) and Peter Richardson (UKIP).

What are the polls saying?

In Uxbridge, Labours Danny Beales is on 41 per cent and Conservative Steve Tuckwell 33 per cent, according to the survey by JL Partners. Another poll put Labour 12 points ahead in Selby and Ainsty.

Matthew McGregor, chief executive of campaign group 38 Degrees, which commissioned the poll, said: In any by-election, youd expect local issues to feature  in this case its the debate around Ulez.

But this poll shows that its the issues that affect all of us, every day, at the supermarket counters, in GP waiting rooms, and when we come to pay our rent, mortgage or energy bills that are likely to determine this election.
 If you go to Selby town its like going to New York and thinking the whole of America is Democrat, explains John Grogan.

The former MP for Selby tells this to Labour colleagues trekking to the North Yorkshire constituency, which now includes villages in the more rural Ainsty area, so they dont get carried away over the prospects of overturning a 20,137 Tory majority to win the by-election there.

But he adds: We are doing better in the villages than at any time since 1997. Its going to be very close.

Tories are finding support in Ainsty pretty solid so they are relatively upbeat compared to by-elections further south, particularly Somerton and Frome, a Somerset seat held by the Liberal Democrats for 18 years before it was won by David Warburton in 2015.

He quit recently amid sex and drug allegations, which he denies, sparking the by-election.

The backdrop is a pretty grim story, says one Tory MP.

The Lib-Dems pulled off seismic by-election wins in Tiverton and Honiton and in North Shropshire, but they found the Tories who had stood down, Neil Parish over tractor porn and Owen Paterson over a lobbying scandal respectively, remained relatively popular locally.

They say that is not the case for Mr Warburton and are finding it easier to win over previous Tory voters, than Labour and Green supporters, with a sizeable pocket of the latter in Frome.

A Lib-Dem source said: They (the Conservatives) are not giving up on it but all the signs so far its looking pretty positive for us.

The Conservatives may face a similar by-election struggle, but against Labour, if their ex-Deputy Chief Whip Chris Pincher is forced to quit over a drunken abuse of power groping incident in an exclusive London club last summer.

The most bizarre battle, though, is the by-election that isnt a by-election in Mid Bedfordshire where parties are campaigning despite ex-Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries having yet to follow through on her announced resignation.

It definitely feels more like 97 than 92, says one Tory MP who has been out canvassing.

If Labour stood aside, which it has not, the Lib-Dems could deploy the pincer movement of squeezing the Conservative vote, and also of other parties on the Left, which has proved so successful for them.

But pollster and Tory peer Lord Robert Hayward said: Keir Starmer is determined to show the Labour Party is in a position to gain nationally.

For them gaining Uxbridge and Rutherglen (by-election in Scotland) will not be enough.

Dozens of Tory MPs in the 80/20 seats (the 80 the party fears losing and 20 that they might gain) are already being slipped to return to their constituencies to quietly campaign.

But there is already despair among some Conservatives over a feared General Election loss.

On who would lead the party in Opposition, one minister predicts Kemi Badenoch, Suella Braverman, or possibly Penny Mordaunt.

But he laments: We have to wait for the nutters to feed through the system, before the party chooses what he believes would then be an electable leader.
S cotlands drugs minister has said she is terrified of the impact a lack of reform could have on the number of deaths as the Scottish Government called for personal use to be decriminalised.

On Friday, Elena Whitham announced a shift in the Scottish Government position on personal use, as well as a framework for the creation of drug consumption rooms and the consideration of implementing the regulated supply of drugs.

A policy paper produced by the Government said decriminalisation would free individuals from the fear of accessing treatment and support, reducing drug-related harms and, ultimately, improving lives.

However, drugs laws remain devolved to Westminster, with the Scottish Government having engaged in repeated battles with the UK Government in recent years as it tries to stem the tide of Western Europes highest drug deaths.

In the final paragraph of the paper, the minister says that while independence or further devolution would allow the policies to be implemented, these changes are not dependent on constitutional changes.

We stand ready to engage with the UK Government on meaningful drug law reform to improve the lives of people who use drugs, their families and our communities.

Speaking at a press conference in Edinburgh flanked by Helen Clark and Ruth Dreifuss  former premiers of New Zealand and Switzerland, respectively, turned drug reform advocates  the minister said the changes were a momentous step forward.

But asked how the UK Government would react when previous calls have been met with refusal, the minister said: Drug deaths are rising across the rest of the UK as well.

Were actually facing down the barrel of a storm in terms of synthetic opioids and new and novel street benzodiazepines that are heading to our shores at the moment.

If we are not prepared for that arriving here, with 21st century drug laws in place, Im terrified as to what that could look like.

So again, I would ask the United Kingdom Government to work constructively with the Scottish Government so that we can realise these proposals which, although may sound radical, but are actually tried and tested.

Most recently, the noises we have heard have not been as positive as we would like, but you can hear some changes afoot

Later in the press conference, Ms Whitham said there had been many conversations between the two Governments, but said: Most recently, the noises we have heard have not been as positive as we would like, but you can hear some changes afoot.

Within an hour of the press conference finishing, the Prime Ministers official spokesman poured cold water on the proposals.

No. Whilst I havent seen those reports I think Im confident enough to say that there are no plans to alter our tough stance on drugs, he said.

The issue is yet another example of the differences in policy north and south of the border, with both Governments engaging in repeated constitutional spats over independence, gender reforms and the deposit return scheme in the past year.

The shift was also ruled out by Labour  who look set to take the keys to Downing Street at the next election  with shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves telling journalists during a visit to Scotland: The short answer is no.

I dont think this sounds like a good policy.

I find it quite stunning that this would be a priority for the Scottish Government when were here today talking about the Tory mortgage bombshell and what we would do to address that.

Were here meeting people training to do jobs in the industries of the future.

Weve got more than 700,000 people in Scotland on NHS waiting lists  pick an issue.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said drug deaths are three times as high in Scotland as elsewhere in the UK despite the same drugs laws, while Ms Reeves added that it was not a constitutional issue.

Helen Clark, the chair of the Global Commission on Drug Policy and former prime minister of New Zealand, said at the event she was unclear why drug policy was not a devolved matter, when issues of justice and health were.

What is interesting to me is that while justice generally is a devolved competency for the Scottish Government, this area of drug policy has not been.

As the minister said, the ultimate answer is for the UK as a whole to change its position of not devolving this area, which I cannot see any rational reason for carving out from the justice and health portfolio areas.

Announcing the proposals, Ms Whitham added that the war on drugs has failed.

Thats a fact. I dont think we can dispute that, she said.

Our current drug law does not stop people from using drugs, it does not stop people from experiencing the harm associated and, critically, it does not stop people from dying.

In fact, I would say today here, that criminalisation increases the harms people experience. Criminalisation kills.

A joint statement from 10 leading drugs charities welcomed the report, but said the Scottish Government must implement the drug consumption rooms and drug testing facilities as a matter of urgency.
T housands of European summer holidays could be at risk this summer after air traffic control revealed their intention to strike.

Dates could be announced as early as Monday after workers at Eurocontrol, which manages European airspace, said they could walk out over pay and rota issues, The Times reported on Friday.

It could see up to 12,600 flights per day delayed or cancelled across Europe, a source told the publication - nearly a third of all European flights. It could also coincide with the school summer holidays.

In a full-blown strike, 20 to 30 per cent of flights would be at least delayed, the source said. They are big numbers.

Holidaymakers have previously been warned by the agency of a challenging summer of flight disruptions owing to overloaded air traffic control.

Eurocontrol is expecting to handle about 33,000 flights a day for the next two months, rising to more than 34,000 on Fridays in July and August.

This is an increase of 7% compared with the same period last year.

Under European rules, pilots operating flights in or over Europe must submit a flight plan to Eurocontrols operations centre, to make sure no two planes fly with the same call-sign are flying in the region.

A letter seen by The Times by the Union Syndicale Bruxelles (USB), which represents EU civil servants, said that its demands included the immediate hiring of 20 more controllers.

As difficult as industrial action is on everyone, we see no other path forward than to inform you of our decision to progress [with strikes], it states.

Our case is lawful, strong and fair, and in the interest of the agency, the network manager, our stakeholders (operational and member states), the flying public at large and ourselves as loyal employees of the agency.

Stewart Wingate, the chief executive of Gatwick Airport, said that strikes at European air traffic control were the biggest challenge operationally for airlines this summer.

But Raul Medina, Director General of Eurocontrol, previously said the industry was better prepared than last year.

Speaking at a conference in Barcelona, he said: Recent industrial action caused many delays across the network.

We can manage situations like that in quieter periods, but if it happens in the middle of summer, it will be much more challenging. We need to be prepared.
A new nationwide study has revealed that London has more reports of cold food delivery than any other UK city.

In collaboration with restaurants such as Park Chinois and C London, Supper London commissioned the independent survey to get an understanding of how often Londoners are left frustrated and disappointed by their food deliveries.

The data revealed that three in 10 Londoners order at least one meal a week, spending over 105 million on deliveries. Furthermore, 62 per cent of them said food temperature is an important factor for them, while 80 per cent have highlighted the value of quality.

However, 58 per cent of their orders were reported to be delivered at an unacceptable temperature. More than three in ten (35 per cent) have complained about poor food quality and a third have received the wrong order altogether. Plus, 71 per cent of customers have had their orders cancelled.

With 18% of respondents admitting to often being disappointed by their order, its no surprise that half have revealed that they would pay more for better quality options and to guarantee their food arrives hot, every time.

Supper London, an upmarket delivery app that couriers Michelin-starred dishes to London residents, had raised 2.4 million from investors in 2021. The company employs all its drivers and delivers meals on specially made bikes with temperature-controlled boxes.

Supper was created by a City worker who came up with the idea after he and his friend realised that it was impossible to order takeaways from numerous top restaurants across London.

It delivers food and gifts from over 200 restaurants and retail brands including Aquavit, China Tang, Fortnum and Mason, and Laduree Buckingham Palace.
I relands deputy premier has expressed dismay at the poisoning of a white-tailed eagle in Co Antrim that he released in the Republic.

Micheal Martin released the bird on the Shannon Estuary last August as part of the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Services white-tailed Eagle reintroduction programme.

It has been confirmed that the bird, along with a second white-tailed eagle of unknown origin, were poisoned.

The alarm was raised when conservationists monitoring the bird released by Mr Martin, which was fitted with a satellite tag, became concerned when the tags data indicated it had stopped moving.

The birds body was then traced, with a second untagged bird also lying dead close by in the Glenhead Road area of Ballymena on May 15.

A post-mortem examination revealed both birds tested positive for the insecticide bendiocarb.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an investigation, while the RSPB NI is offering a 5,000 reward for information around the poisoning.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin said he is deeply saddened and shocked.

I have closely followed the reintroduction programme for a number of years and to be involved in the release of the seven young eagles in 2022 was an experience that I will never forget, he said.

These are an iconic species, and the work of the NPWS in reintroducing them is something I, and the Government, am proud to support.

There have been great successes in the programme over recent years, so to learn of a poisoning like this is very disappointing.

The tagged eagle had been brought as a chick in 2022 from Norway before his release in the Shannon Estuary area.

He spent a number of months on the Shannon Estuary before starting to travel around the country. He crossed into Northern Ireland from south Donegal on the May 1.

NPWS staff believe the second unknown eagle may have fledged from a nest in Munster in 2021.

The illegal killing of these beautiful birds in a popular rural area is disgraceful

NPWS director general Niall ODonnchu described the losses as a setback.

White-tailed eagles are beautiful and rare birds, and while we are in the midst of a successful reintroduction programme, these setbacks truly matter, he said.

The deliberate poisoning of birds of prey is a heinous crime against nature and an offence under the Wildlife Act. These birds have no means of detecting that they have been baited and the malice aforethought in these acts doesnt bear thinking about.

Joanne Sherwood, director RSPB NI, said the charity is offering a 5,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction of those who are responsible for the poisoning.

The PSNIs Rural and Wildlife Crime Superintendent Johnston McDowell said the illegal killing of the majestic birds is disgraceful.

The test results suggest that an individual not only has access to the insecticide bendiocarb but has placed this in to the outside environment illegally, so that wild birds have been able to consume it, he said.

Bendiocarb is present in the trade product Ficam D, a powder which is only permitted for indoor use to control crawling insects such as wasps and ants, so using this active ingredient in fields would be a breach of Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR).

The illegal killing of these beautiful birds in a popular rural area is disgraceful, and for any individual to think that they can ignore the law and lay poisonous bait which has led to the killing of these birds, is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

He said officers, with support from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, have been on the ground conducting house-to-house enquiries in the areas where the birds were seen before they were found dead.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland will continue to work with our partners to tackle this criminal activity, investigate any reports made to us and prosecute offenders, he said.

He urged anyone with information to come forward.

There must be people in the community who are aware of individuals committing these offences, and who can come forward and assist police with any information they have, he said.

If you notice any suspicious activity in rural areas, notice a dead or injured bird of prey, please call police on 101, or you can make a report via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org.

The RSPB can be contacted on their confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101 or online at crime@rspb.org.uk.
D rug smuggler Michaella McCollum has graduated from university ten years after her prison conviction.

McCollum and Melissa Reid were caught with 11 kilos of cocaine in their luggage at Lima Airport in Peru in 2013 as they attempted to board a flight to Spain.

Both were jailed in the notoriously tough Ancon 2 prison in South America but were granted early release in 2016.

Mother-of-two McCollum, 29, has now shared pictures online of her picking up her diploma after completing a BBA course in Business Management, Marketing and Related Support Services at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland.

The former prison convict can be seen posing in a black graduation cap and gown alongside her twin sons Rio and Rafael.

McCollum had been living in Ibiza before her drugs run, where she worked as a waitress.

But after beginning to serve up drugs alongside drinks, she said she met a man named Davey who asked her to do "a run" for him from Ibiza to Barcelona.

However, Davey changed the destination to Peru, which McCollum thought was just another part of Spain.

She explained in a media interview: When they mentioned Peru, initially I was going to Barcelona and then Majorca.

So Peru was mentioned and because I had went to two different places in Spain ... now I look back, how stupid, who doesnt know where Peru is?

Obviously at that time, I had no idea. I look back and Im like how can you not know where that place is?

Speaking in a 2021 BBC documentary called High: Confessions Of An Ibiza Drug Mule, McCollum said the idea of spending time in Ancon 2 womens prison made her want to do something stupid.

The whole place was just so toxic, everything about it was toxic, the majority of the people were toxic, she said.

The first thing I noticed about Ancon was it was just so manic and crazy and noisy, it sounded like a zoo.

There was this woman... she had caught her husband having an affair and she had killed their child, and then she fed it to her husband in a stew.

Ive never been so scared and I was obviously really intimidated because we were foreign... One of the things I noticed about Ancon quite quickly was they were just so active sexually.

Id never actually seen people be so open about their sexuality, I was shocked that they were doing that kind of thing quite openly. Nobody was really making that big of an issue... but I felt uncomfortable that was happening so close to me.

McCollum also spoke about calling her mother to tell her where she was. Im like: How am I going to tell her where I am? I said: Im in Peru, Im in jail, and she was like: What, what? and then the phone call ended, I didnt get to tell her the situation.

Her brother later told her that her mother had passed out during the phonecall.
During the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committees businesspersons breakfast held July 6 at Ag Park, attendees heard a number of updates on state news from Gov. Jim Pillen.

Of the topics discussed, Pillen noted the Education Future Fund, which appropriates $1 billion for school funding.

Nebraska had ranked 49 out of 50 states in state funding of education, Pillen said, and this fund will get Nebraska into the 25 range.

We've invested a lot of excess money to move the state up to have the state more involved in educating our kids, and that's one of the challenges of why our property tax is so out of whack, Pillen said. We made transformative change with that, and that doesn't solve all the property tax problems but it's certainly good stuff.

The Opportunity Scholarships Act would provide the change for low-income families to send their children to private and parochial schools. Passed by the Nebraska Legislature, $25 million a year is set aside in tax credits for those who donate to scholarship granting organizations.

We all know when there are kids in private schools in Columbus and if the fit isn't right for their child, where do they go? They go to the public school, Pillen said.

Why is it that if a child is in a public school living in poverty, living in foster care or from a veteran, if that child is in a public school that's not the right fit, that we're opposed to having a tax credit for them to go to private school, and it takes no dollars from public education?

Pillen also mentioned a measure for increasing state support for schools by $305 million was pushed through, adding Columbus will see an additional $2 million more than before the session started.

A bonding bill, introduced by Sen. Mike Moser, was approved as well. This will allow the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) to issue bonds to fund road improvements, especially the long-delayed Nebraska Expressway System.

Pillen signed an executive order earlier this year to establish a broadband office. Patrick Haggerty, the states first broadband director, introduced himself at the breakfast.

Brand new Department of Economic Development (DED) Director K.C. Belitz, former chief operating officer of the Nebraska Community Foundation, said hes still learning the duties of his position but noted a focus of the DED will be growing our own.

That means building on the assets that we already have that starts with the team at DED, Belitz said. These are public servants. They're working hard for their fellow Nebraskans every day. And so we're going to build on that asset first, and then expanding that into building on the assets that Nebraska has economically.

He mentioned there are tremendous strengths in agriculture and noted the partnerships growing between the directors of state departments to help create better lives for Nebraskans.

He pointed to Columbus as an example.

That that means companies like Behlen (Mfg. Co.) and all of the others who have grown up here in Columbus, he said. We're the poster child for growing your own in terms of industry and manufacturing.

Pillen added that a question hes often heard in the last two-and-a-half years is how Columbus is seeing all of its development.

The answer is really simple: Columbus is a place where we all work together, Pillen said. Nobody cares who gets credit. We just pull together whether its the city, county, business  everybody just pulls together and gets it done.

NDOT Director Vicki Kramer also mentioned the bonding bill and that there is another 10 years of funding for the Build Nebraska Act.

Notably, Kramer mentioned the 23rd Street reconstruction project in Columbus, which extends from 31st Avenue to just east of East 11th Avenue.

It is being completed in three phases and will last three years.

We've got the sewer work underneath that we're working with the city on so we've got to get through that, Kramer said. It's a project that's not going to be completed until 2025. We're doing everything we possibly can to minimize impacts while still maintaining access to business.
T housands of rail workers will strike for three days in July as part of a long-running dispute about pay and conditions.

The RMT union said 20,000 of its members at 14 train companies will walk out on Thursday, July 20, Saturday, July 22 and Saturday, July 29. It said that train operators had failed to make a new pay offer and negotiations with the Government had stalled.

However, train operators said the action was totally unnecessary and urged the union to put the latest pay offer to its members.

But RMT is not the only union to have taken or promised action. Here is a complete round-up.

London Underground strikes

In protest against pensions, job losses, and working conditions, London Tube employees will go on strike for six consecutive days.

Various parts of the Tube will be affected by strikes from Sunday, July 23, to Friday, July 28.

In a long-running dispute with Transport for London (TfL), RMT asserted that 600 jobs were slated for elimination.

According to RMT, the predicted job losses will have an impact on every part of the Tube, including stations and maintenance, increasing the possibility of unstaffed stations and decreasing safety standards.

The RMT additionally accused TfL executives of trying to impose a 100 million pension cut that, if accepted, they claim will leave London Underground workers with less retirement money.

DVLA

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has just finished 15 days of strike action from its Swansea office. Public and Commercial Services Union members took action over pay, pensions and conditions until Sunday, June 25. The public has been warned that there could be delays in processing driving licences.

Teachers

The National Education Union (NEU) went on two national strike dates on July 5 and July 7. The union is calling on the government to publish the recommendations of the independent pay review body, which advises what pay rise teachers should be offered for next year.

Formal exams were not affected, as all GCSEs, AS levels and A-levels, which were due to finish by June 27 at the latest.

Three unions are balloting their members to take strike action in the autumn term: the NEU and the National Association of Head Teachers ballots are currently running and the Association of School and College Leaders vote is due to begin this month.

On top of these strikes, the NEU has already staged five national and three regional strike days this year.

Junior doctors

Junior doctors are to strike for five days from July 13 in what will be their fourth round of industrial action. The British Medical Association (BMA) has demanded more than the five per cent pay increase the Government has offered and said that junior doctors have suffered a real-terms pay erosion of 26 per cent over the past 15 years.

NHS consultants

NHS consultants in England are set to strike on July 20 and July 21 in a dispute over pay. The British Medical Association said that take-home pay for consultants in England has fallen by 35 per cent since 2008/2009.

The BMA recently held a 72-hour walkout from June 14 to 17. More than 350,000 appointments and procedures were cancelled across England during the week. Londoners were warned to stay away from A&E unless they had life-threatening injuries.

Buses

More than 1,700 drivers working for the bus company Arriva were set to go on strike on three dates in June, as part of a fresh wave of industrial action; however, they have now been called off.

According to the TfL strikes page: Strikes planned on Arriva London North bus services in June have been suspended.

Airport workers

The long-running dispute involving security officers at Heathrow Airport has ended after workers voted to accept an improved pay offer, Unite has said.

More than 2,000 security officers at Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5 and campus security were due to take 31 days of strike action throughout the summer but talks resumed, which Unite said led to an improved pay offer. It said workers will receive an increase of between 15.5 and 17.5 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: This was a hard-won victory which demonstrates what can be achieved when workers stand together and take action together. The pay deal at Heathrow is a further demonstration of how Unites complete focus on jobs, pay and conditions is having direct benefits for its members.

Amazon workers

GMB members in Coventry have voted to strike across another six months in a dispute over pay, with 99 per cent voting in favour.

Senior organiser Amanda Gearing said: The vote for six more months of strike action at Amazon Coventry shows these workers are in for the long haul.

These workers are angry, they know their rights and they will not go away.

Rail strikes

RMT union members will walk out on July 20, 22 and 29. The strikes coincide with the fourth and fifth Ashes Tests at Old Trafford and The Oval and The Open golf championship at Royal Liverpool.

The Aslef union has also voted to continue industrial action for a further six months.
S ummer flights across Europe are at risk of disruption from air traffic control (ATC) strikes.

A trade union representing staff at Eurocontrol, which manages European airspace, is threatening to take industrial action in a row over issues such as recruitment, management and rosters.

The Union Syndicale Bruxelles (USB), which represents EU civil servants, wrote to Eurocontrol bosses stating that industrial action will take place with just a five-day notice period, and could begin next week.

Eurocontrol is in ongoing dialogue with USB

This means UK holidaymakers face major uncertainty over whether their summer getaway flights will be delayed or cancelled.

The Times reported it was told by an aviation source that up to 12,600 flights across Europe could be disrupted every day during strike action.

The dispute relates to Eurocontrols network manager operations centre (NMOC), which plays a vital role in streamlining ATC operations across the continent.

It validates all flight plans, checking more than 96,000 messages a day.

USB claimed the NMOC has a 25% staff shortage and called for more workers to be recruited.

It is also demanding a fundamental change in management or manager behaviour and a roster system that is based on agreement and not unilaterally imposed.

Eurocontrol confirmed it had received the unions letter.

It said in a statement: No specific dates for industrial action have been announced. This was only a pre-warning.

Eurocontrol is in ongoing dialogue with USB and all the other trade unions to discuss the situation and we are hopeful of a positive outcome.

ATC restrictions due to strikes, staff shortages and airspace closures related to the war in Ukraine are expected to be among the biggest problems facing airlines this summer.

Eurocontrol recently warned that demand from airlines might get close to capacity for ATC in large parts of Europe, including London, Brussels and Madrid.

Fridays and weekends are expected to be most at risk of disruption.
A ndrew Tate has lost an appeal against a courts decision to keep him under house arrest.

The divisive influencer is charged in Romania with rape, human trafficking and forming a crime gang to sexually exploit women.

On Thursday, the Bucharest Court of Appeal ruled against the 36-year-olds appeal which had challenged the decision to place him under house arrest for 30 more days.

It came days after Romanias anti-organised crime agency, Diicot, formally charged Tate, his brother Tristan and two Romanian women.

All four have denied the allegations.

Before the appeal courts final ruling on Thursday, two judges disagreed on whether or not to uphold the house arrest measure, so a third judge was required to preside over the ruling.

The Tate brothers spokeswoman, Mateea Petrescu, said that although they lost the appeal an initial decision in the process was a great step forward because one judge thought the brothers should be allowed to move freely in Romania without restrictions".

She said the brothers continue to put their faith in the Romanian justice system.

Andrew Tate, a self-declared misogynist, has repeatedly claimed that prosecutors have no evidence against him and there is a political conspiracy designed to silence his views.

The Tate brothers, who are dual UK-US citizens, won an appeal on March 31 to be moved to house arrest after spending three months in police detention.

Prosecutors allege that the four defendants formed a crime gang in 2021 in order to commit the crime of human trafficking in Romania, as well as in the US and Britain.

There are seven female victims in the case, they allege, who were lured with false pretences of love and transported to Romania, where the gang sexually exploited and subjected them to physical violence.

One defendant is accused of raping a woman twice in March 2022.

The women were allegedly controlled by intimidation, constant surveillance and claims they were in debt, the prosecution claims.

Andrew Tate was previously banned from several prominent social media platforms for expressing hate speech and misogynistic comments, including that women should bear responsibility for being sexually assaulted.
E arths average temperature has reached a new high for the third time this week, according to unofficial records.

The planetary average hit 17.23C, surpassing the 17.18 degree mark set Tuesday and equaled Wednesday, according to a group of US scientists.

It also broke the 17.01C record set on Monday.

The data from the University of Maine uses satellite data and computer simulations to measure the worlds condition.

Experts say it is driven by human-induced climate change and the warming affects of the El Nino weather pattern, the phenomenon of the warming of sea surface temperature that occurs every few years.

The average includes places suffering dangerous heat, like Jingxing, China, which recorded a temperature of 43.3C.

It also includes places which are recording unusually warm temperatures, like Antarctica, where temperatures across much of the continent were as much as 4.5C above normal this week.

Some climate scientists have said they werent surprised to see the results of the analysis.

Robert Watson, former chairman of the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said governments and the private sector are not truly committed to addressing climate change.

Nor are citizens, he said, adding: They demand cheap energy, cheap food and do not want to pay the true cost of food and energy.

Friederike Otto, senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London, told the BBC: Climate scientists arent surprised about the global daily temperature record being broken, but we are very concerned.

However, she added it should be a wake-up call for those promoting fossil fuels.

The University of Maines findings are conducted by a tool called the Climate Reanalyzer, which is not an official source of data. However, it is closely watched as a sign of what is happening with the climate.

Last month was the hottest June on record, while the Met Office has concluded that climate change made the June heat more than twice as likely. The heat caused a dramatic spike in fish deaths in British rivers.
T he company that owned the doomed Titan submersible on which five people died has suspended commercial operations.

A small message in the top-left corner of OceanGates website now reads: OceanGate has suspended all exploration and commercial operations.

The statement comes two weeks after the sub imploded as it descended to the wreck of the Titanic.

Three Britons died - billionaire Hamish Harding, businessman Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman - along with OceanGate boss Stockton Rush and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

It follows reports that a former staff member had repeatedly voiced safety concerns to his colleagues.

David Lochridge, formerly OceanGates director of marine operations, voiced his concerns about CEO Stockton Rush with a colleague in a series of emails after he was fired by the company in 2018.

Court documents filed after he was sacked claimed Mr Lochridge had inspected the Titan and found glue was coming away at the seams of its ballast bags.

Shahzada Dawood pictured alongside his son Suleiman before boarding the Titan submersible / .

He also allegedly found improperly placed mounting bolts that threatened to cause a rupture and snagging hazards with important components that were said to have been attached with zip-ties.

Mr Lochridge was also concerned about the presence of flammable flooring, along with interior vinyl wrapping that he said would regularly emit highly toxic gases upon ignition.

He was particularly concerned about the subs untested carbon fibre core that ultimately failed amid water pressure of 6,000lb per square inch at the icy depths where the Titanic rests.

The New Yorker reports Mr Lochridge emailed OceanGate project associate Rob McCallum, who also left over safety concerns, and said: I dont want to be seen as a Tattle tale but Im so worried he kills himself and others in the quest to boost his ego. I would consider myself pretty ballsy when it comes to doing things that are dangerous, but that sub is an accident waiting to happen.

Theres no way on earth you could have paid me to dive the thing.

Mr Lochridge argued the Titan needed more testing - saying passengers could be endangered when it reached extreme depths, according to the lawsuit.

But The New Yorker reported a furious Mr Rush fired him almost on the spot.
A t least six people have died following a blast at a Russian explosives factory, the countrys state news has said.

According to reports, the blast occurred at the Promsintez plant in the city of Chapayevsk in central Russia.

Eight people were injured, six of whom died, the RIA Novosti news agency cited the emergency services as saying.

The cause of the explosion has not been revealed.

Last month a separate explosion derailed a train in the border region of Bryansk.

Pictures shared on social media showed several tank carriages lying on their side and dark grey smoke billowing into the air at the site of the derailment.

Russias capital has also been attacked by drones. While Ukraine has not taken credit for the attacks, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said two people were injured in the most recent strike last month.

Within Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed that Russia has left apparent explosives on the Zaporizhzhia plant, which is the largest of its kind in Europe.

Some residents close to the plant have fled amid concern this could herald a false flag operation on the plant, which has been in Russian hands since February 2022.

Professor Michael Clarke, a visiting professor at Kings College London, said that if an explosion were to disturb the plants reactors, it would be something akin to Chernobyl in 1986.

Speaking to Sky News, he said: Although these plants are all powered down, theyre not working, they still have fuel rods in them, the rods have got to be kept cool.

If they are exploded, it would still cause damage and they will probably overheat, even in their passive state, so there will be some nuclear fallout.
T he head of the United Nations issued a rebuke to Israel as he condemned the use of excessive force following the military operation in the West Bank.

During the two-day offensive in the Jenin refugee camp, at least 12 Palestinians were killed and many more injured - one Israeli soldier also died.

I strongly condemn all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres said.

It applies to all use of excessive force, and obviously in this situation, there was an excessive force used by Israeli forces.

Mr Guterres then went further to call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law to use restraint and proportional force.

Antonio Guterres / REUTERS

Any use of airstrikes, however, are inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations he added.

Following the end of the military operation on Thursday, a Hamas militant shot and killed an Israeli soldier near the settlement of Kedumim.

Israeli forces also said two Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks against the police this week were shot and killed in the town of Nablus.

That was just the latest in the violence in the area after Israel launched its operation on the camp which claimed was a hotspot for training terrorists.

Separately, Hamas said one of its militants rammed a car into a crowded Tel Aviv bus stop before stabbing and wounding eight people, including a pregnant woman.
T he US has confirmed it will send thousands of controversial cluster munitions to Ukraine to help the countrys fight-back against Russia.

More than two-thirds of NATO members have banned the weapons due to their track record for causing many civilian casualties.

The munitions  which are bombs that open in the air and release scores of smaller bomblets  leave behind unexploded rounds, which often cause unintended civilian deaths.

Confirming on Friday the US will be sending the weapons to Ukraine, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan acknowledged the risk they pose but said Kyiv has promised to use them carefully.

He said the US will send a version of the munition that has a reduced dud rate, meaning fewer of the smaller bomblets fail to explode.

We recognise the cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance, he told a White House briefing.

This is why weve deferred the decision for as long as we could. But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians, because Ukraine does not have enough artillery. That is intolerable to us.

Cluster munitions are seen by the US as a way to get Kyiv critically needed ammunition to help bolster its offensive and push through Russian front lines.

US leaders debated the thorny issue for months, before Mr Biden made the final decision this week.

The news on Friday on came on the eve of the NATO summit in Lithuania, where President Joe Biden is likely to now face questions from allies on the controversial move.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, some cluster munitions leave behind bomblets that have a high rate of failure to explode  up to 40 per cent in some cases.

The rate of unexploded ordnance for the munitions that will be going to Ukraine is under three per cent, and therefore will mean fewer unexploded bombs left behind to potentially harm civilians.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries that agreed not to use, produce, transfer or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after theyve been used.

The United States, Russia and Ukraine are among those who have not signed on.

The cluster munitions are included in a new $800 million package of military aid the US will send to Ukraine.

The weapons will give Ukraine a highly lethal capability and also allow them to strike more Russian targets using fewer rounds.

So far the reactions from NATO allies have been muted.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stressed on Friday that the military alliance takes no position on cluster munitions and it is a decision that allies will make. And Germany, which has signed the ban treaty, said it wont provide the bombs to Ukraine, but expressed understanding for the American position.

Were certain that our US friends didnt take the decision about supplying such ammunition lightly, German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit told reporters in Berlin.

We need to remember once again that Russia has already used cluster ammunition at a large scale in its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine.

Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of Ukraines parliament who has been advocating that Washington send more weapons, noted that Ukrainian forces have had to disable mines from much of the territory they are winning back from Russia. As part of that process, Ukrainians will also be able to catch any unexploded ordnance from cluster munitions.

We will have to de-mine anyway, but its better to have this capability, Ms Ustinova said.

The last large-scale American use of cluster bombs was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to the Pentagon. But US forces considered them a key weapon during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch. In the first three years of that conflict, it is estimated the US-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan.

Proponents of banning cluster bombs say they kill indiscriminately and endanger civilians long after their use. Marta Hurtado, speaking for the UN human rights office, said on Friday the use of such munitions should stop immediately and not be used in any place.

We will urge the Russian Federation and Ukraine to join the more than 100 states that have ratified the convention of cluster munitions and that effectively ban their use, she added.
L ondon in the summer is easy to fall in love with  but it isnt always easy to fall in love in. Were all knackered from trying to sleep in the heat, while app-dates take so long to arrange  I could do a fortnight on Thursday?  that half the time you never end up meeting at all.

Perhaps thats partly why this years breakout romcom Rye Lane, in which two heartbroken twentysomethings meander through Peckham and Brixton catching feelings along the way, was such a hit. It spoke to a deep-seated and slightly embarrassing London longing: which of us doesnt want to skip through the summer feeling like were heading for happily ever after?

But heres a secret  you can. Really! When Im not writing about food and drink I write romantic comedies. The trick to sprinkling stardust over your everyday is to really lean into tropes: the beats or moments on which romcoms hinge. Ive spent a lot of time working out which bars, cafes and restaurants make the best backdrops to them, and Im sharing the results of my research here. While I cant promise that hanging around them will result in a summer romance, it certainly cant hurt  and youll feel miles better about the whole business than you would sat swiping on the sofa.

For a meet-cute

A meet-cute is a charmingly whoops! first encounter that leads to romance blossoming: one of you spilling something over the other, your dogs leads getting tangled on Primrose Hill, both of you reaching for the last bag of Torres...

Bookshops famously lend themselves to them (see: Notting Hill), and bookshops that sell drinks and have closely packed tables are a dead cert: hang around the London Review Cake Shop in Bloomsbury (14-16 Bury Place, WC1A 2JL, londonreviewbookshop.co.uk) for long enough and youre practically guaranteed to slosh a drink over somebody, much like Hugh Grant with Julia Roberts.

For watching the sun set together

Few films have captured the shimmering potential of a London summers evening like Rye Lane: every look a lingering one, every accidental touch freighted with romantic promise. You could easily plan an entire date around the films locations, ending with dinner at legendary trattoria Il Giardino (7 Blenheim Grove, SE15 4QS, @il_giardino_peckham), though alas, contrary to legend, they dont just keep bringing you food. But to really get into the spirit of the film, youre going to have to watch the sun set over Peckham. Skylight (120 Peckham Hill Street, SE15 5JT, skylightbars.com), Forza Wine (The Rooftop, 133A Rye Lane, SE15 4BQ, forzawine.com) and the Bussey Rooftop Bar (133 Rye Lane, SE15 4ST, busseyrooftopbar.com) all fit the bill, and you wont go hungry at any of them.

For when you dont want the date to end

Youve had one of those enchanted Before Sunrise nights  drinks that turned into dinner that turned into dancing. (In the central-London-specific version, all your Ubers came within a minute and the bench outside Gelupo was miraculously empty.) The thought of saying goodnight is physically painful.

One more drink? you suggest. Your beloved nods, too choked with emotion to speak  but where to go that wont kill the vibe? The rules of romcom mandate a hand-in-hand stroll through the empty streets of Soho to Bar Italia (22 Frith Street, W1D 4RF, baritaliasoho.co.uk), which is almost never closed and where you can whimsically order limoncellos and drink them with your knees touching.

For the morning-after debrief

Bridget, Shazza and Jude had 151, Carrie and the crew had the Magnolia Bakery  the first rule of romcom is that your friendship group gets together on Sunday morning to dissect the events of Saturday night with you. Thing is, last-minute weekend brunches are a big ask, and in London the venue needs to be enough of a destination to lure even your furthest-flung pal out of bed and onto an Overground-replacement bus. Id vote for Towpath Cafe (42 De Beauvoir Crescent, N1 5RY, towpathlondon.com), and not just because it features in my new book, Its Complicated. The canal makes a suitably filmic setting for dropping the bombshell that X or Y is Actually The One, and the long wait for a table means plenty of time for forensic analysis of their Instagram Story views.

For the obligatory candlelit dinner

It wouldnt be a romcom without one, but you have to go carefully  laying on the capital-R romance overly thick leaves you with nowhere to go, like opening your sex playlist with Ginuwines Pony. Avoid cliche at Leos (59 Chatsworth Road, E5 0LH, @leos.london) the chic new Clapton Italian from the team behind Juliets and Milk. Not-so-accidentally Wes Anderson interiors, a very shareable tiramisu, impeccable vibes. Its been said elsewhere, but every hour feels like golden hour here.

For misery-eating ice cream

Traditionally done on the sofa in pyjamas to a Celine Dion soundtrack, this is actually much better (bear with me) done publicly. Not only will you get a superior class of giant dessert in central London, theres also every chance that somebody will ask you why youre crying and itll turn into a meet-cute. Everyone at Chin Chin Dessert Club (54 Greek St, W1D 3DS, chinchinicecream.com) is very nice, and if you do happen to start sobbing into your pint-sized sundae theyll look after you (I know this because it happened to, um, a friend).

For showing off your makeover

A cornerstone of Noughties romcoms, this one now feels more than a tad problematic: who really wants their love-ability to be contingent on their contact lenses? But lets say for the sake of argument that you have dyed your hair/got laser eye surgery/employed the services of a stylist and you do want a certain somebodys jaw to hit the floor when they see you for the first time. You need a bar to park yourself at, and it must be one with  and this is crucial  stools that either weigh a tonne or are screwed into the floor, because the slightest wobble is going to wreck your big reveal when you spin around. Book The Connaughts Red Room (16 Carlos Place, W1K 2AL, the-connaught.co.uk); never mind the prices, youre not paying.

For bumping into your ex

Picture the scene: through Glastonbury-like tenacity and a series of phone alarms you have managed to secure a Saturday night table at Bouchon Racine (Upstairs, 66 Cowcross Street, EC1M 6BP, bouchonracine.com). There you are, embodying main character energy as you peruse the blackboard with your new, extremely attractive and sexually adventurous squeeze. But wait! Whats that noise? Its your ex, trying to chance a walk-in after three drinks in one of Farringdons less glamorous watering holes with a Tinder date whose name theyve clearly forgotten. Your eyes meet, and you bestow on them a beatific smile as they are turned away into the night. Five minutes later you order the last Mont Blanc in the kitchen. Cut. Credits roll.

Its Complicated by Emma Hughes is out now with Century
Omaha firefighters rescued two workers Friday who were swept into a drain pipe downtown, including a man who was washed about a mile through city sewer pipes for about an hour before he was found and freed.

The two men, workers for a private contractor, were swept into a manhole near 19th and Howard Streets shortly before 9 a.m. Friday. One of the men was tethered to a safety system, and firefighters helped quickly pull him out.

The other man, who fire officials were told was not tethered, was swept into city sewers carrying rushing water from Friday's heavy rain, touching off a dramatic search and rescue effort by city fire and street maintenance crews and the contractor, Ace Pipe Cleaning. The man was finally located at about 10:20 a.m. near Fourth and Jones Streets, close to a city pumping station and the Missouri River.

The man had extricated himself from the water, but was trapped behind a metal grate covering the culvert, fire officials said. An Omaha Fire Department crew cut the grate and got the man free, Assistant Fire Chief Jason Bradley said.

The 41-year-old man was rushed by ambulance to the Nebraska Medical Center. His name and more information about his condition were not immediately available.

According to scanner traffic, first responders were systematically checking the manholes in the area, and a camera was deployed into the sewers to locate the man.

Sewer pipes get progressively bigger as they approach the river. Using maps and knowledge from the Omaha Public Works Department, rescuers fanned out over streets above the route the man was likely to be washed to look for him.

Rescuers thought his clothes could have caught on something in the pipes, Bradley said. It was also possible that he could be swept all the way into the Missouri River. The Fire Department staged a boat at the river to watch for him.

Rescuers were paying special attention to the area around 7th and Jones Streets. There's a wall in the sewer system there that diverts water to the river, Bradley said.

"That's why we were kind of concentrating our efforts down there, because they were thinking that he would have to have a lot of force to get up over the wall at 7th and Jones before he would get diverted south to Leavenworth and then the river," Bradley said.

It appears the man was carried over the wall. It was unclear Friday afternoon how he got out of the water stream and how he was found, but his head was above water when rescuers arrived.

"This incident had a successful conclusion due to the seamless collaboration with (the Omaha Sewer Division), OPD, and the contractor all working to support OFD and the rescue effort," Assistant Fire Marshal Joseph Caniglia said in a press release. "The information provided by the other agencies was invaluable, and helped to provide a very favorable outcome."
B ruce Springsteen laughed off his set being cut short by Hyde Park as he took to the stage for the first of his two headline dates in the capital.

The musician and his E Street Band returned to London for the first time since 2016 for a three-hour show at American Express presents British Summer Time Hyde Park on Thursday.

The New Jersey native, who famously plays three to four hour-long sets, kicked off his 27-song set at 7pm to seemingly avoid the venues 10.30pm curfew, which he breached back in 2012.

At the time, the venue pulled the plug while The Boss was performing with Paul McCartney.

Springsteen wowed the crowds on Thursday in London / PA

Springsteen couldnt help but cheekily address the incident as he led the band in an encore of his biggest hits, including Born in the USA and Born to Run.

After performing Glory Days, the hitmaker poked fun at breaking the venues curfew with his guitarist and Sopranos actor Steven van Zandt saying: Its time to go home.

Im telling you they are going to pull the f***ing plug again!

To which, Van Zandt replied, cheekily replied: F*** em!

Springsteen then asked the crowd if they wanted to go home, before playing Dancing in the Dark and Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.

After the E Street Band left the stage, the Boss performed a heartfelt acoustic rendition of Ill See You in My Dreams.

Springsteen will return for his second headline show on Saturday, July 8 while Billy Joel will take to BST Hyde Park stage on Friday, July 8. Lana Del Rey will conclude the festival on Sunday, July 9.

The music stars quip comes days after Paul McCartney blamed Springsteen for increasingly long stage times.

During a recent appearance on Conan OBriens Needs a Friend podcast, the music icon bemoaned the expectations of modern-day concertgoers and their appetite for increasingly extensive sets.

According to McCartney, it was The Boss who began the trend of performing lengthy sets that go on for hours, which made it impossible to get away with shorter sets.

The 81-year-old also explained that The Beatles would often only play for 30 minutes during their 60s heyday, and this was never an issue with fans.

He began: These days, pretty much theres the main act and there might be a warm-up act.

Then [in the 1960s], it was a lot of people on the bill because nobody did long, now people will do three or four hours. I blame Bruce Springsteen  Ive told him so, I said, Its your fault, man.

You cant now do an hour, we used to do a half hour. That was The Beatles thing  half an hour and we got paid for it.
D rena De Niro has addressed speculation surrounding the cause of her son Leandro De Niro Rodriguezs untimely death.

The 19-year-olds passing was announced on Monday, July 3, and after news broke his grandfather Robert De Niro issued a statement expressing his deep distress at the familys sudden loss.

In the days following his death, Drena has taken to Instagram to discuss her grief, and recently shared her gratitude for those who had sent messages of support.

The actress responded to a comment under the poignant post, which featured a black and white photo of her son smiling, with a claim about how Leandro died.

She replied: Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him, so for all these people still f***ing around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever.

An official cause of death has not yet been announced.

Leandro had followed in his mother and grandfathers acting footsteps. He notably appeared alongside his mother Drena in 2018s A Star is Born, playing the son of Dave Chapelles character, George Noodles Stone.

His other acting credits included 2005s The Collection, and 2018s Cabaret Maxime.

In the wake of his grandsons death, De Niro, 79, said he and his family were grateful for peoples well-wishes and requested they be given privacy.

Im deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo, De Niro said in a statement.

Were greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.

De Niro adopted Drena, 51, after marrying his first wife, American actor Diahnne Abbott. The former couple also share son Raphael, 46.

Then in 1995, he welcomed twin sons Julian and Aaron, 27, with his former girlfriend, the model Toukie Smith.

The Oscar winner also has two children, son Elliot, 25, and daughter Helen Grace, 11, with ex-wife Grace Hightower.

The Taxi Driver actor most recently welcomed his seventh child, Gia, in April 2023 with his girlfriend Tiffany Chen.
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The truth about UFOs is out there, according to a congressman who claims hes seen classified footage of physics-defying alien craft.

Republican Tim Burchett, sits on the House Oversight Committee probing UFO sightings, told the Event Horizon podcast he believes these extra-terrestrial ships can travel at light speed while not leaving heat trails and even fly underwater.

It comes after a Pentagon whistleblower claimed America runs a long-standing, top-secret UFO retrieval programme, including discovery of non-human intelligence.

Hear how Star Wars sounds played purely by plant power - as part of a digital organic orchestra created by Royal College of Art masters graduate Feiyang Xia, who was inspired to get city-dwellers outside more and boost mental health.

The artist built a microcontroller-based cube and sensors wedged into the ground to detect plants tiny bioelectrical voltage changes, which are connected to a pulsing 3D-printed breath ball that helps with meditation guidance.

Pine trees were found to sound much like a cello, while bluebells have an ethereal timbre and Feiyang turned this digital information into Midi data for playing through a synthesiser.

Scientists have discovered the most distant active supermassive black hole to date with the James Webb Space Telescope.

The CEERS 1019 galaxy - CEERS stands for Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science - existed about 570 million years after the Big Bang.

Plus, Twitters legal row with Meta over Threads app, future of Wikipedia fears in Online Safety Bill, Cabinet Office told to release Johnsons Covid WhatsApp messages, PlayStation 5 Slim leak and the science behind how board games help children learn maths.

Listen above, and find us on your Spotify Daily Drive or wherever you stream your podcasts.
Nine people are behind bars after a human trafficking sting conducted by multiple Cumberland County agencies, the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office announced Friday.

The investigation targeted the sex trade and involved the DA's Office, Pennsylvania State Police, the Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, Hampden Township Police Department and Shippensburg Police Department.

Undercover officers conducted an operation June 29 to meet men in a Shippensburg Township hotel, the DA's Office said. The men contacted the officers and arranged to meet them for sex for financial compensation.

The operation was the fifth conducted during the past year and law enforcement officers arrested nine men, including five from Cumberland County:

Jared Dennis Stoner, 23, of Chambersburg

Kenneth Eugene Yoder, 67 of Carlisle

Robert Danrell Lewis, 56 of Carlisle

Thomas Michael Colantuono, 65 of Carlisle

Admir Emkic, 36 of Mechanicsburg

Edward Allen White, 57 of Waynesboro

Doychin Dimhrov Manchorov, 44 of Dauphin

Edwin Quinones, 68 of Myerstown

Chad Michael Smith, 42 of Shippensburg.

"Since we began these operations targeting sex buyers who drive the demand for commercial sex, we have arrested 45 individuals," Cumberland County District Attorney Sean M. McCormack said. "Every single dollar that a sex trafficker makes comes out of the wallet of a sex buyer. They are the ones driving sex trafficking by putting money into the hands of the sex traffickers who exploit the women and men trapped in this existence. We are going to continue these operations."

Preliminary hearings will be scheduled at a later date.
Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) in western Cluj-Napoca announces that it will have, starting with the new academic year, a postgraduate programme in Quantum Computing and Communication.

"Babes-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca (UBB) is launching, starting this autumn, an innovative postgraduate programme in Quantum Computing and Communication, an important step in strengthening its position as a centre of excellence in quantum technologies in the country. Through this programme, UBB will train future specialists in quantum technologies in Romania, offering graduates a unique opportunity to join an elite academic community. This new programme is no coincidence, as UBB is also the coordinator of the team that is developing the National Strategy for the Development of Capabilities in Quantum Communications in Romania, to be finalised this autumn. At the same time, UBB is a partner in the RONAQCI [Romanian National Quantum Communication Infrastructure] project, which is aimed at the development of a nationwide quantum communications infrastructure over 1,500 km long. Recently, UBB has inaugurated an education and research centre in quantum technologies, UBB Quantum HUB, which will operate in collaboration with a similar centre at the Polytechnic University of Bucharest," UBB informs in a press release sent on Friday.

According to the cited source, through these initiatives, UBB aims to be one of the leaders in the field of quantum technologies and is committed to accelerating the development and implementation of revolutionary quantum technologies. This commitment also comes as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has established its national office for EIT Digital at UBB.

The postgraduate programme in Quantum Computing and Communication offered by UBB will provide students with solid knowledge and skills in this booming field. Courses will cover essential aspects of quantum computing as well as its theory and practical applications. Students will have the opportunity to work in state-of-the-art laboratories and collaborate with quantum computing specialists, gaining a unique experience.
President Klaus Iohannis promulgated, on Friday, the normative act for the amendment and completion of Law no. 86/2016 regarding the establishment of Romanian community centers abroad.

The law provides that their establishment and dissolution, the financing regime, the organizational structure and the number of positions will be approved by a Government decision, upon the proposal of the Department for Romanians Everywhere (DRP), with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

The normative act also provides that, in order to fulfill the obligations, the Romanian community centers abroad collaborate with the diplomatic mission, the consular offices of Romania in the host state, the Romanian Cultural Institutes abroad, governmental or non-governmental organizations from the country and abroad, as well as with the ministries and authorities from the country and from abroad with assignments in fields relevant to the activity of the centers.

The Romanian state, through the DRP, provides each Romanian community center with a headquarters in which to carry out its activity.

"As far as possible, the headquarters of the Romanian community center will also have a room appropriately equipped to be able to temporarily house, at the request of the diplomatic mission or the consular office of Romania in the respective country, persons in vulnerable situations", the law also stipulates.

Also, the normative act also provides that, "in support of the activity of Romanian community centers abroad, the DRP proposes the inclusion in the state budget of the funds necessary for the operation of Romanian community centers and for the development of programs and projects for each Romanian community center separately, depending by the projects it has in view, by the number of members of the community center and the community it covers".

DRP with the support of the MAE will establish the methodological norms for the application of this law within 90 days from its entry into force. AGERPRES
The traveling photographic exhibition "Noi, Poporul/We the People", which celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between the United States of America and Romania, will open on July 12, in Ovidiu Square in Constanta.

According to a press release from the United States Embassy in Bucharest, sent to AGERPRES on Friday, the event will include viewing the exhibition in Ovidiu Square, followed by the official opening that will take place in the National Museum of History and Archeology of Constanta.

The US ambassador to Romania, Kathleen Kavalec, the Minister of Culture, Raluca Turcan, the mayor of Constanta, Vergil Chitac, the director of the Directorate of Cultural Diplomacy, Education and Science in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrei Luca, the general director of AGERPRES, Claudia Nicolae will address the participants of the event.

Organized by the US Embassy, in partnership with the Romanian Foreign Ministry - Diplomatic Archives Unit, the National News Agency AGERPRES and in collaboration with the University of Craiova, the exhibition "We, the People: 25 years of Strategic Partnership" is a thematic photographic essay that explores the diplomatic, security, economic, cultural relations between the Romanian and the American peoples.

Focused on the theme "Noi, Poporul"/"We the People" which is the famous preamble of the United States Constitution and the embodiment of human ties that form bridges of understanding and cooperation between peoples, the exhibition captures the interactions between the two peoples, from the very beginning of the strategic Partnership in 1997, links that illustrate the fact that this partnership is accessible to everyone.

The 150 photographs included in the exhibition create a personal framework for the Strategic Partnership of the past and present and offer the opportunity to experience the friendship and collaboration between the two peoples in a new way.

AGERPRES contributed 20 photos from the photo stream and from the Photo Archive. For its part, the Diplomatic Archives Unit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs contributed 13 photos.

Over the course of a year, the photographic exhibition traveled to Craiova, Timisoara, Bucharest, Sibiu, Iasi, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta and could be visited until July 25.
On July 10, 2023, the National Bank of Romania (BNR) will put into circulation for numismatic purposes a silver coin to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of film director Liviu Ciulei.

Featuring on the obverse is a clapperboard and several film rolls, the inscription "ROMANIA" in an arc, the coat of arms of Romania, the year of issue "2023" and the face value "10 Lei."

On the reverse there is be a portrait and name of Liviu Ciulei, together with the inscription "100 de ani de la nastere."

The silver coins, housed in transparent plastic capsules, will be accompanied by leaflets featuring a presentation of the numismatic issue, as well as by certificates of authenticity, in Romanian, English and French. Each certificate of authenticity bears the signatures of the governor and the chief cashier of the National Bank of Romania.

The maximum mintage is 5,000 silver coins. The selling price for the silver coin, including the leaflet and the certificate of authenticity, is lei 470.00, VAT excluded.

The silver coins celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of Liviu Ciulei are legal tender in Romania.

They will be available for purchase at the regional branches of the National Bank of Romania in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Constanta, Craiova, Iasi and Timisoara.
The Border Police Inspectorate General (IGPR) informs that 140,692 people entered Romania on Thursday through the border crossing points, including 17,026 Ukrainian citizens.

According to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday, approximately 271,000 people, Romanian and foreign citizens, with more than 66,100 means of transport, went through the control formalities at the border points throughout the country, both on the way in and on the way out.

As of February 10, 2022 (pre-conflict period), 4,898,619 Ukrainian citizens entered Romania.

In the areas of jurisdiction, crossing points and "green border," the police found 62 illegal acts (26 offences and 36 contraventions) committed by both Romanian and foreign citizens, and the value of the fines imposed amounted to approximately 40,300 lei.

Goods worth approximately 74,600 lei were seized for confiscation.

On Thursday, seven foreign citizens were not allowed to enter the country because they did not meet the conditions provided by the law and 26 Romanian citizens were not allowed to leave the country for various legal reasons.
President Klaus Iohannis will participate, July 12-13, in the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

According to the Presidential Administration, the Vilnius Summit, which takes place at a critical moment for Euro-Atlantic security in the second year of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, will assess the implementation of the decisions adopted at the Madrid Summit of 2022, when the Strategic Concept in force was also adopted, with emphasis on strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence posture. Political and practical support for Ukraine, as well as making concrete progress towards its accession to NATO, will be another important objective.

"The particular significance of this summit meeting is generated by the fact that it will reflect the way in which the Euro-Atlantic community continues to articulate its response to the current security environment seriously affected by Russia's war against Ukraine. That also regards ensuring enhanced NATO presence on the eastern flank, with allocations of forces, equipment and capabilities. At the same time, co-operation with NATO partners will be strengthened, including in terms of political dialogue," the Presidential Administration says.

The summit includes three meetings at the highest level of the North Atlantic Council, with Ukraine, the European Union and NATO's Indo-Pacific partners.

On July 12, Iohannis will participate in a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of heads of state or government with the participation of Sweden as a state invited to join NATO. Discussions will focus on NATO's current agenda, including the assessment of the security and defence environment marked by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as the security threats arising from Russia's illegal actions. Another subject will be further strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence posture, and also the adaptation and modernisation of NATO in the current security context. NATO leaders will also discuss their commitment to increasing defence investment.

On July 13, Iohannis will take part in the North Atlantic Council Meeting at the level of heads of state or government, which will be attended by both Sweden, as an invited state, and partners from the Indo-Pacific region - Australia, Korea, Japan , New Zealand - as well as the president of the European Council and the president of the European Commission. The meeting will address NATO's relations with these partners, as well as security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Presidential Administration reports that on July 13, Iohannis will also take part in the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of heads of state or government, a new format designed to strengthen the political relationship between NATO and Ukraine while providing the necessary support for the advancement of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

In his speech to the meeting, Iohannis will emphasise the fundamental importance of continuing to implement the decisions of the Madrid Summit regarding the strengthening of the allied deterrence and defense posture on the eastern flank so that it is carried out in a unitary and coherent manner on the entire flank.

"President Klaus Iohannis will point out the importance of the decisions of the NATO meeting regarding the adoption of a package to strengthen the NATO posture on the eastern flank in the long term in order to offer Romania a higher degree of security and defence. The head of state will also reiterate the robust support for Ukraine, including for its accession to NATO, as well as for the most vulnerable partners, especially Moldova. During the summit, the President of Romania will support the reflection, in the NATO documents and decisions that will be adopted, of the importance of the Black Sea region to Euro-Atlantic security," according to the Presidential Administration.
Roaming traffic increased, in 2022, 20 times in the case of users from the Republic of Moldova roaming in Romania, respectively almost 3 times, in the case of Romanian users roaming in the Republic of Moldova, according to the Joint Report after the first year of application of the Roaming Agreement between the two countries.

"The increase in bilateral roaming traffic was the consequence of the price reduction of these services, achieved by the operators from the two states in applying the Agreement. Thus, in the Republic of Moldova, roaming users with Romania enjoyed an essential and rapid decrease in tariffs by applying "roaming at home" with Romania. In Romania, the tariff reductions for roaming with the Republic of Moldova were large, especially for roaming internet (-65%). According to the report, the cost of the average roaming consumption basket in the 2 states decreased by almost 70% in the case of users from the Republic of Moldova and by 30% in the case of those in Romania," states the National Communications Administration and Regulation Authority (ANCOM) in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday.

According to the quoted source, with regard to bilateral international calls, the tariff reductions were, with some exceptions, below expectations in both countries, so the evolution of consumption was modest: increases of 25-27% in volume (number of minutes), exceeded, however, by increases in the number of unique users making such calls in 2022 (32-46% increases). Thus, the average consumption of international calls/user decreased in both countries.

The two regulatory authorities will continue monitoring and reporting the developments and effects of the Agreement.

On February 11, 2022, the governments of Romania and the Republic of Moldova signed an Agreement regarding the reduction of tariffs for the provision of international roaming services and those of international calls between the two states. The agreement entered into force on March 25, 2022 and is implemented with the support of the The National Agency for Regulation in Electronic Communications and Information Technology of the Republic of Moldova (ANRCETI), respectively with the support of ANCOM in Romania.

The agreement aims to create a framework for cooperation between the two countries in order to sustainably reduce retail charges for international roaming services: voice, SMS and data, and international calls between the two countries.
Most of us think of historic as a word that goes with big-headline events  wars, presidential elections, scientific breakthroughs.

Indeed, in Historic Tales of St. Louis, author Mark Zeman of Chesterfield gives readers a batch of big-headline stuff  the deadly cholera outbreak of 1849, say, or the Dred Scott Case, the 1904 Worlds Far, the East St. Louis race riots of 1917 and so on.

But in his brief, easy-to-read and well-illustrated chapters  88 of them  Zeman throws in some old tales that will ring as new to many readers. A few samples:

 The worlds first single-purpose gas station opened at 420 South Theresa Avenue in 1905.

 In May 1917 at around noon, another chapter opens, after church services let out, the worlds first organized cocktail party was held in the parking lot of the Cathedral Basilica on Lindell Boulevard. Nine years later  after Prohibition had kicked in  the cathedral was consecrated.

 At 3615 Olive Street in 1930, what was then the Grand National Bank opened Americas first drive-up tellers window. Zeman notes: The bank is no longer there. In 2000, the building was renovated into apartments. But if you are so inclined, you can drive through the alley to see the bricked-up window.

 On April 28, 1836, a crowd dragged Francis L. McIntosh, a mixed-race prisoner, from his St. Louis jail cell, tied him to a tree trunk and burned him in perhaps the first recorded lynching in the U.S. By the way, Zeeman notes, Today, the location is the site of a Hooters.

 Yes, Zeman writes, St. Louis was the first city in the nation to legalize prostitution. That happened in 1870, when 5,000 woman got licenses to sell themselves. After only four years, he adds, the brief flirtation with legal prostitution was over.

And what history of St. Louis can ignore the city as the birthplace of toasted ravioli? Zeman recaps the debate over the birthplace of the T-rav: Was it what we now know as Mama Campisis, or was it what we now know as Charlie Gittos on the Hill?

Zemans conclusion: The delicious dish is here and is on the menu of every Italian restaurant in St. Louis. So what does it matter?! Buon appetito!

You might want to bite into this tasty book.

Harry Levins of Manchester retired in 2007 as senior writer of the Post-Dispatch.
WEST ALTON  There was no hesitation. Eaglet 23-126 flapped his mighty wings and took off over the Mississippi River. He made a couple of swooping passes and soared toward the Illinois shore.

About 300 bird lovers cheered.

Eaglet 23-126, better known as Rocky, has stirred the imagination of eagle fans not just in the St. Louis area but also around the globe.

Fully grown at 4 months old, the bald eagle has been a two-winged internet sensation.

I think the story was something the world needed, said Roger Holloway, executive director of the World Bird Sanctuary. Its about hope; its about cooperation.

The sanctuary, which raised Rocky from a week-or-so-old cute little ball of fluff, plays an integral role in his story and his fame.

Rockys tale began before he was even hatched. Murphy, a male bald eagle at the sanctuary in Valley Park, found an egg-sized rock and started to incubate it and defend it from other eagles as if it were a real egg.

Murphy may be proud and majestic, but lets face it, hes a bit of a birdbrain.

Meanwhile, Cindy Barnes and Mike Wiegard went to visit an eagle nest they had seen at the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam. It was the day after a fierce storm.

We heard the parents calling and screeching and sounding like they were in distress, Barnes said.

On the ground was the nest. One eaglet inside was already dead. Barnes and Wiegard called the World Bird Sanctuary to ask what to do.

It was April 1. We were afraid they would think it was a joke, Wiegard said. But they took us seriously.

Barnes and Wiegard kept the eaglet warm in a blanket in their car and brought him to the sanctuary, where the staff had a brilliant idea.

They took away Murphys rock and replaced it with the eaglet  hence the name Rocky.

The 31-year-old Murphy had never bonded with female eagles in the aviary, built a nest or raised young eaglets, but he took to his new role like he was born to it. He began feeding the baby bird and teaching him how to grow up and become an adult eagle.

It turned out that Murphy would be the best dad ever, Barnes said.

Barnes and Wiegard privately called the eaglet Modoc, after the Illinois town nearest where he was found. His official name, 23-126, reflects that he is the 126th patient at the sanctuary in 2023.

So when he was released into the wild Friday at the Audubon Center at Riverlands, it was not with a one, two, three but a one, two, six.

Barnes and Wiegard felt like proud empty-nesters.

(I feel) very emotional. That was awesome. Wow! Barnes said.

We saved his life, Wiegard said, with a touch of wonder.

Before staff member Kira Klebe sent the bird soaring on his way, Holloway warned the crowd that they did not know what 126 would do. He might just hop down to the wooden observation deck from which he was released. He might fly a few feet and land among the spectators.

There was no need for concern. Like another Rocky of cinematic fame, the bird decided he was gonna fly now.

It was a satisfying release, Klebe said. It was almost a relief to see him fly away.

Bird lover Kathy Glowczwski said: He did exactly what he should have done. He took off perfectly, like he had done it before.

Another fan, Matt Mayer, said the release couldnt have been staged any better. He hung in front of us and flew away.
CAPE GIRARDEAU  U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. on June 26 sentenced a man who committed arsons in the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri and assaulted a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer to 12 and a half years in prison.

Limbaugh also ordered Lucas G. Henson, 37, of Iron County, to pay the U.S. Forest Service about $7,200 for the cost of fighting the fires he set.

Henson was out on bond after being charged with stealing and drug offenses when he stole a Ford van on Oct. 22, 2022, near Poplar Bluff. Henson abandoned the van when it ran out of gas. Later that day, he broke into a camper and stole items from it. The next day, he stole a Dodge pickup truck, then burglarized someones home and stole a Ruger LC9 9mm handgun. He stole a crossbow from a workshop near the home.

When the trucks owner found Henson, Henson pointed the pistol at the trucks owner and drove away. Law enforcement officers then joined the chase.

Henson crashed the truck in Mark Twain National Forest, then started a fire and burned the handgun and the items that hed stolen from the camper before fleeing into the forest.

Officers began tracking Henson with dogs. When they got close, he started a fire to prevent being captured. He started a second fire when they approached him again. Later, he pointed the crossbow at a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer, as well as other officers, before fleeing again. Henson was eventually caught near the Black River.

The fires burned a total of 7.61 acres of land. Due to the dry and windy conditions at the time, Hensons fires kept leaping over fire lines established by firefighters. Crews eventually had to construct dozer lines to contain the fire.

Henson pleaded guilty in March to assaulting a law enforcement officer, arson and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Forest Service, the Butler County Sheriffs Office, the Wayne County Sheriffs Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Shelton prosecuted the case.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Nova Hart and his father-in-law, J.H. Jackson, saw the mysterious thing soaring noiselessly over their July 4th picnic near Creve Coeur Lake, in what is now Maryland Heights. Hart said it was silver-gray and round.

"Our wives saw it too, and so did some people in an automobile who stopped when they saw us looking up," said Hart, then of 3969A St. Ferdinand Avenue in St. Louis. "I can say it certainly was strange, and none of us drinks a drop."

Hart and Jackson were the first St. Louisans to report one of the flying saucers that suddenly were all over the American sky in the summer of 1947. Some newspapers called them "flying discs." Eventually, the accepted term became unidentified flying object, or UFOs.

The first sighting was made June 25, 1947, by a private pilot, Kenneth Arnold, who said he saw nine saucers zipping at 1,200 mph east of Seattle. Another aviator spotted them over Bakersfield, Calif. Sightings poured in from Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Idaho and Kentucky. Among the witnesses were the Idaho lieutenant governor and a Weather Bureau meteorologist. Thus began an enduring national craze.

Military brass scoffed, then dispatched fighter planes to search for saucers. "If some foreign power is sending flying discs over the United States, it is our responsibility to know about it," an Army Air Forces spokesman said.

The wave hit St. Louis on July 5, when Hart told his story. One evening later, Dr. Walter Hoefer, 23 Black Creek Lane in Ladue, saw six saucers flying southeast in formation. People in Shrewsbury, Webster Groves and south St. Louis also saw them. George Malcolm of 5632 Tholozan Avenue described the six as 'silver streaks floating in the air. ... They were round and made no noise."

Reports came from 38 states and Canada. Newspapers dutifully contacted scientists, who suggested weather balloons, reflections from searchlights, vivid imaginations and generalized fear of a world in peril. One California physicist cited the "transmutation of atomic energy."

There already was enough serious news in 1947 to keep Americans on edge. The Iron Curtain ran across eastern Europe. The Soviets coveted the atomic bomb. Communists were gaining in China. Could a visit from outer space be so unlikely, or unwelcome?

Many people got their notions of space travel from "Flash Gordon" movies and radio shows. American rocketry, still barely off the ground, practiced with surplus German V-2s.

Inevitably, reports trailed off, undone by mockery and pranksters. On July 9, nearly 100 people called the Post-Dispatch to report discs plunging from the sky. It turned out that three pilots had dropped them in a publicity stunt for their flying school near Fenton.

But UFOs, or at least sightings, never went away.

1947 UFO sightings shake St. Louis
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Developers have filed plans to build new fast food restaurants and an Aldi grocery store on nearby properties in unincorporated South County.

Michigan-based developer Alrig USA has proposed to build a Chick-fil-A and Chipotle with a drive-thru on the southeast corner of Tesson Ferry and Schuessler roads, across from Mercy South Hospital, according to plans filed with the county Planning Commission.

St. Louis County records show Alrig bought the property, at 5240 Towne South Road, for $3.6 million last year. John Shuff and Patrick Willett of commercial real estate firm Pace Properties are marketing the rest of the site for new development.

In a separate development a quarter-mile south, Aldi has presented plans to build a 20,700-square-foot grocery store with 108 parking spots at 13047 Butler Crest, off Highway 21. Town and Country-based Kromal Investments owns the property, records show.

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. July 17 at 41 South Central Avenue in Clayton. The meeting also will be streamed on YouTube.
EDWARDSVILLE  Walgreens plans to close its distribution center here because of restructuring, and will begin laying off its 393 workers Aug. 28, according to a notice filed with the state.

Walgreens reached out to Madison County in late June and inquired about setting up resume workshops for employees at the distribution center, said Tony Fuhrmann, director of the countys government and training department.

We knew something was going on, but we did not know the magnitude, Fuhrmann said.

Walgreens Boots Alliance has 8,886 locations in the U.S. and plans to close up to 150 stores in the U.S. by the end of the 2024 fiscal year. In May, Walgreens Boots Alliance announced the slashing of about 10% of its corporate workforce, many in Chicago and Deerfield. The company is changing its distribution model away from centralized warehouses.

As we continue to transform our business into a consumer-centric healthcare company, we are focused on aligning our operational structure to best serve our patients and customers including how we use our network of stores to ship orders to our patients and customers homes, Marty Maloney, Walgreens spokesperson said Friday.

James Arnold, economic and community development coordinator for Edwardsville, estimated that the Walgreens distribution center has been in operation for over 10 years. He called the company an asset to the community both as a retail provider and employer.

Fuhrmann said he is not too concerned about laid-off workers finding new jobs, especially because by the end of August other consumer goods distribution centers will hire in preparation for the holiday season.

There are lots of jobs in Madison County unfilled. There are lots of jobs at the distribution center unfilled, he said.

Located in what Fuhrman called Logistics Valley, the Walgreens Edwardsville facility is part of the Gateway Commerce Center that neighbors Lakeview Commerce Center and Gateway Tradeport. Between these three distribution centers, about 12,000 jobs, many of which are open, exist, he said.

The Employment and Training Department will be meeting with Walgreens workers to help explore next steps and share resources, said county service manager Antonio Stephens.
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The Supreme Court recently overturned affirmative action for underrepresented minorities in college admissions. Those who saw it as a win for fairness, cheered.

But now theres a similar challenge that may hit closer to home, and it will be interesting to see how many of those in the fairness crowd are still on board.

Three days after the courts decision in the cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions Inc. against the University of North Carolina and Harvard College, Boston-area advocacy groups filed a complaint with the Education Department requesting an investigation into another controversial Harvard admissions practice. They argued that the colleges admissions policies discriminate against Black, Hispanic and Asian applicants, in favor of less qualified white candidates who have alumni and donor connections.

Ironically, data that came out from the previous lawsuit that dismantled affirmative action supports their point. Harvard had released years of records as part of the lawsuit that ended up before the Supreme Court. Researchers found that the data revealed that legacy students were eight times more likely to be admitted, and nearly 70% were white.

A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that 43 percent of white students admitted to Harvard University were recruited athletes, legacy students, children of faculty and staff, or on the deans interest list  applicants whose parents or relatives have donated to Harvard.

Of the white students admitted from those four categories, 75 percent of them would have been rejected if they had been treated as white students without the special considerations, the study said.

Even after the courts decision, affirmative action for mostly white and wealthy students still stands. Yet, everyone knows the students did nothing to earn this advantage.

Not a single other country in the world has legacy preferences in admissions.

Americas longstanding tolerance for this particular unfairness begs the question of why conservative groups have been unwilling to challenge legacy and donor preference along with their fight against race-based preferences?

Unearned advantages bestowed by a chance at birth to mostly white students have been acceptable for generations but a preference for Black students and other underrepresented minorities for a few decades have provoked years of legal challenges.

We all know that giving the richest people in American affirmative action at the expense of others who are more qualified is ethically indefensible.

In the ongoing war over fairness in the admissions game, this battle has renewed life after the courts recent decision.

An Associated Press survey of the nations most selective colleges last year found that legacy students in the freshman class ranged from 4% to 23%. This tidbit from the AP report was even more revealing: At four schools  Notre Dame, USC, Cornell and Dartmouth  legacy students outnumbered Black students.

Who could have known.

On several occasions white parents have lamented to me how difficult it will be for their child to gain admission at an elite school or graduate program as a white male or as a white girl.

Its a common refrain during college application season. The unspoken part of that grievance is that their child is being disadvantaged by non-white students. But even with affirmative action the percentage of Black students has hovered around 6 percent at Ivy League colleges for years.

Perhaps those parents were blaming the wrong group all along.

The defense Ive heard for those who have benefited from legacy admissions is that I was still highly qualified for admission, and I also worked hard.

Great, lets see how you would fare without a thumb on the scale.

I say this as a parent of a child who is a legacy student at my own alma mater. Its time to get rid of the practice. It goes against the mission of higher education.

A conservative legal activist group worked with Asian plaintiffs to bring the case that overturned affirmative action. As Asian American parents, our children may ostensibly benefit from this decision since statistically fewer percentages of Asians with qualifying scores and grades are accepted into elite universities. But I believe our children, and all students, will be worse off for having fewer classmates from diverse perspectives and backgrounds on their campuses. Thats largely been the outcome at other places that have already gotten rid of considerations of race in admissions.

There are already several elite institutions that have decided that legacy merits no weight in its admissions  MIT, CalTech, Amherst College, Johns Hopkins University, Pomona, University of California system and University of Texas.

To all the remaining universities who claim to value diversity and the people who have been clamoring for fairness: Heres your moment to prove it.
EAST ST. LOUIS  East St. Louis police officers filed a petition against the city and mayor on Thursday after waiting years to receive court-ordered retroactive pay since 2016.

More than a handful of officers protested with signs about back pay outside of City Hall, getting the attention of city council members meeting inside and residents driving by. Later, Sgt. Keith Randolph and others walked inside City Hall to speak during the public comments portion of a city council committee meeting.

Randolph reminded the public and members of the council of the importance of their jobs, which is why they continue to serve despite not receiving their back pay over the years.

We are not sitting up here asking for anything thats just outlandish. Were asking for our just due, said Randolph to the city council members and public on Thursday.

On top of not paying all of the wage increases, which the state courts have ordered multiple times, the East St. Louis police officers say the city and police department refuse to recognize their new union as a collective bargaining unit.

Officers started receiving their negotiated pay increases in March 2022, but they say they have yet to answer for the retroactive pay from 2016 to 2022. They estimate there is about $1.2 million owed to about 40 current and retired officers.

We are tired of waiting on our money, said East St. Louis Officer Tia Mitchell, the unions president. Shes been with the department for about five years.

This has caused me not to want to be in law enforcement, honestly. This department has left a bad taste in my mouth.

Mitchell says recently she was on patrol and responding to an overdose call when she was exposed to fentanyl. She and two other paramedics were taken to the hospital for treatment, and there was a lack of support from the department or any other public safety officials, she says.

Afterward, she was denied injured on duty pay, and Mitchell said the police chief warned her against attending union meetings while on sick leave following her hospitalization from that incident.

The petition for the officers against the city and mayor was filed on Thursday by East St. Louis police officers new police union, the Police Benevolent and Protective Association. More than 80 percent of union members OKd the petition against the city and mayor, and the union represents more than half of the police department, which totals around 40 officers.

The officers petition accuses the city and police department of retaliatory, union-busting tactics such as punishing police union members without investigation or just cause.

When city leaders play games with frontline public servants, they diminish the safety and well-being of the entire community, said the unions representative, David Amerson.

East St. Louis Mayor Charles Powell III did not return a request for comment on Friday, and East St. Louis police Chief Kendall Perry declined to comment.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  Multiple officers were suspended after a man now facing several felonies passed through security checks with a loaded gun in his wheelchair at the St. Louis County Jail.

Anthony Tillman, 42, was charged on May 30 for bringing a gun into the jail, and his next court date is pending.

On Christmas Day, Tillman arrived at the St. Louis County Jail as a new inmate, after being arrested by Berkeley police on weapons charges. The procedure in place to catch weapons and other contraband consists of at least three security checks during the intake process, according to several current and former jail officers.

But Tillman was discovered in the jails infirmary on the third floor with a gun in the seat of his wheelchair and a large amount of marijuana, according to court records.

Clayton police confirmed the gun was loaded.

County spokesman Doug Moore said five county corrections officers were suspended over the incident, but did not say for how long or what positions they hold. Moore said anyone arrested & brought to the county jail using their wheelchair will be given a department-issued wheelchair unless that is deemed unsafe by jail's medical staff.

Tillman flashed a gun outside a womans residence Dec. 18, and threatened the woman, who also has an order of protection against him, court records show. At that time, he was on probation for unlawful possession of a weapon.

A week later, on Christmas Day, Hazelwood police stopped Tillman, and alerted Berkeley police that Tillman had a warrant out for his arrest. Berkeley police arrested Tillman, and brought him to the county jail, according to Berkeley Police Chief Art Jackson who said one of his officers was disciplined over the security lapse.

St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said promised to hold Tillman accountable.

I applaud the County Justice Services infirmary staff who reported the contraband firearm hidden under this defendants wheelchair seat cushion, said Bell.

An officer at the jail, who did not want to use their name in fear of retaliation, told the Post-Dispatch security measures have been lacking at the jail, making it unsafe.

Incidents like that make you feel less safe. You dont know whats around, said the officer. Everything is always reactive instead of proactive.

Even what some might think is small, like cellphones, are a huge security breach, they said.
The male victim was found dead near St. Charles Rock Road and Engelholm Avenue about 1 a.m. Friday. His name and age have not been released.
ST. CLAIR COUNTY  Authorities on Friday charged two men with murder in the shooting death of a 10-year-old boy earlier this week in unincorporated St. Clair County.

Jaylen P. Nicks, 26, and Devin M. Dunbar, 20, are each charged with first-degree murder. They were being held Friday at St. Louis County jail. Nicks is held on a $1 million bond and Dunbar on a $1.25 million bond.

Nicks and Dunbar are from north St. Louis County. Nicks lives in the 11300 block of Sugar Pine Drive; Dunbar lives in the 11100 block of Riaza Square.

The two are said to be acquaintances of people who were at the scene of the shooting.

The Major Case Squad, a regional team of investigators, said Brandon Scott was shot inside a home just before 10 p.m. Monday in the 1800 block of Roosevelt Avenue.

He later died at a hospital.

Authorities said 24 investigators worked on the case and looked into 50 leads before identifying Dunbar and Nicks as suspects.

Additional details surrounding the shooting were not released Friday.

Dunbar and Nicks are expected to be extradited to Illinois.

Police ID 10-year-old boy shot and killed near Belleville Police on Wednesday identified the 10-year-boy shot and killed near Belleville Monday night.
ST. LOUIS  A woman was shot and killed early Friday in The Ville neighborhood of St. Louis.

Officers were called just before 6 a.m. to the 4400 block of Kennerly Avenue and found a woman who had been shot and killed, police said.
ST. LOUIS  An aldermanic committee on Thursday gave initial approval to a bill banning the open carry of firearms in the city without a concealed-carry permit. It also advanced a bill that would require police to provide more information  and business cards  to people they stop and search.

The three-hour session paired efforts to chip away at two of the citys thorniest issues: the scourge of violent crime and the longstanding distrust between Black residents and the citys crimefighters.

The approval of the bill targeting open carry, from Alderwoman Cara Spencer, of Marine Villa, followed weeks of debate at City Hall on its merits and legality.

Spencer had cast the plan, which takes advantage of a gap in normally gun-friendly Missouri, as a way to get some firearms off the street and cut down on some of the more brazen gun-toting that made headlines in recent months. She also said it would disarm minors, because the age requirement for a conceal-carry permit is 19.

Fifteen-year-olds cant be walking around with AR-15s anymore, she said in May.

But the idea was controversial. Some of Spencers colleagues and the citys top lawyer raised questions about whether state law allowed for penalties included in the bill, like a $500 fine, 30 days in jail, and the permanent confiscation of the weapon. A couple of aldermen also expressed concern the bill would encourage dangerous interactions between police and Black residents.

Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, of Old North St. Louis, said in June that the bill gave him stop-and-frisk vibes, referencing the controversial practice pioneered in New York City that saw police stop and search millions of people  most of whom were Black or Hispanic  who had not committed a crime.

At Thursdays hearing, Aldridge moved some legislation of his own, modeled on a bill from New York City, that addressed some of his concerns. His bill would require police officers to give out business cards to people they stop, search, frisk, or question during interactions that dont lead to arrests or summonses. The business cards would have their name, rank and badge number, and well as instructions for submitting comments or complaints to the citys civilian oversight board.

There would be exceptions for officers working undercover or trying to preserve an active investigation.

Aldridge said he hoped the idea would help build trust between police and residents.

The goal of the bill is to make sure we put some transparency out there, and that people know their rights, Aldridge told colleagues.

It would also require the department to ensure that when officers are performing searches reliant on a subjects consent, they clearly inform people of their right to allow or deny the search at any time.

Police Chief Robert Tracy and Joe Steiger, business manager for main police officers union, raised concerns that Aldridges bill would require things that are already addressed by department policy.

But the committee overruled them, voting 4-2 to forward the bill to the full board for further consideration. Aldermen Tom Oldenburg, of St. Louis Hills, and Bret Narayan, of Dogtown, voted no. Alderwoman Laura Keys, of the O'Fallon neighborhood, voted present.

Then the committee took up Spencers bill. And she introduced an amendment to take care of some of the legal concerns. And she took an amendment from Alderwoman Daniela Velazquez, of Shaw, to require police to track the race and gender of people they stop. Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, of Tower Grove East, also amended the bill to add community service as an alternative penalty.

The committee, including Aldridge, sent it to the full board 7-0.

In an interview after the meeting, Spencer thanked her colleagues for working with her and getting the bill through.

I think weve got a bill that will help to start to address gun violence in St. Louis, she said.
Members of the Missouri Department of Economic Development concluded an American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) tour across Missouri last Thursday, marking their final stop at Shepherd Mountain in Ironton.

The state of Missouri, having received a substantial allocation of $2.7 billion from The American Rescue Plan Act, designated 20% of these funds for economic development initiatives.

Responding to this opportunity, the Department of Economic Development devised nine new grant programs aimed at supporting local communities and businesses throughout Missouri. Among the numerous grant applications received statewide, Ironton emerged as a standout candidate, having showcased Shepherd Mountain Bike Park as a way to attract tourists to the area.

The City of Ironton was selected to receive a $500,000 grant from the State of Missouri to expand upon Shepherd Mountain. Renowned among the mountain bike community for its challenging trails and extensive off-road stretches, the trail is poised to embark on its second phase of development.

Sydney Joy Willis, director of operations at Shepherd Mountain Bike Park, spoke about the park's future endeavors.

"Currently, we have pretty high-level trails that the mountain bike community loves. However, we now have the opportunity to make the sport more accessible to a broader audience," Willis said.

Willis went on to explain that the expansion plans include a four-mile cross-country trail offering a less arduous experience than the park's advanced bike trails. Willis described the initiative as a way to attract families and locals, introducing them to the sport and the trail as a whole.

In addition to the cross-country trail, Willis revealed plans for a training ground catering to intermediate riders. This part of the trail is scheduled during the second phase of the park's expansion, soon after the completion of the cross-country trail.

During the visit to Shepherd Mountain, representatives from ARPA and the Missouri Department of Economic Development addressed a crowd at the Shepherd Mountain Pavilion, which included Missouri State Representative Chris Dinkins among the audience.

Director of Federal Initiatives for the Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Shad Burner commended the accomplishments of Shepherd Mountain Bike Park, stating, "We had $30 million to give out, and everyone wanted a piece. I saw the passion of this place, and I know that this money will go towards giving Ironton what it deserves - a world-class mountain bike park."

Burner also announced the conclusion of his involvement with Missouri Department of Economic Development, expressing intentions to pursue other prospects.

Ironton Mayor Jeff Stinson spoke in favor of the expansion.

"I want to start by saying, I had nothing to do with this. The former mayor spearheaded this project, and we can thank him for it. It's a great time to be from Arcadia Valley. For years, we were a mining community. We can't go back to that now, but we can always evolve. From mining to outdoor tourism, Ironton has a bright future," he said.

Owned by the city of Ironton, Shepherd Mountain has been a fairly popular mountain bike destination over the years, with numerous YouTube videos showcasing its advanced, aptly-named trails such as "Scorched Earth" and "Powder Keg." With the upcoming expansion, the boosters in the community hope to establish Ironton as a premier destination for mountain biking enthusiasts while maintaining its family-friendly appeal for visitors.

Gideon, a young rider at the park, expressed his family's affinity for Shepherd Mountain, stating, "Shepherd Mountain played a big role in my family's decision to move here. I try to ride a trail every week if I can." Gideon went on to showcase his riding skills for the audience at the pavilion, with photos being taken.

As the second phase of development approaches, the city of Ironton continues transitioning from a former mining town to a destination for mountain bikers everywhere.
ST. LOUIS  Aldermen on Friday gave their final approval to a plan to pay for lawyers for thousands of city renters facing eviction each year.

But they put the brakes on plans to fast-track a pair of bills aimed at cracking down on the open carry of firearms and requiring police to provide more information  and business cards  to people they stop and search.

Alderman Tom Oldenburg, of St. Louis Hills, objected to an expedited vote on the police bill; he wanted to allow more time for discussions with Police Chief Robert Tracy, who on Thursday raised concerns about technical issues. And with at least one proponent absent from the meeting, bill sponsor Rasheen Aldridge, of Old North St. Louis, fell one vote short of an override.

That prompted Alderwoman Cara Spencer, of Marine Villa, to hold her open carry restrictions bill until next weeks meeting, the last before the board goes on summer break until September.

Aldermanic President Megan Green said one couldnt go without the other.

If were going to give the police department increased enforcement authority, we need to have increased accountability, she said.

From there, aldermen took up the eviction-focused bill from Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, of the West End neighborhood. It envisions spending millions of dollars to help low-income renters who often cannot afford attorneys and usually lose in court to landlords who regularly hire counsel. Then theyre put out on the street, too often with children in tow and a black mark on their record.

The plan would not block evictions outright, and wouldnt pay rent for tenants who cant. But supporters said it could be a big help: Lawyers at nonprofits, law firms and other organizations could examine filings for errors and weaknesses. If a tenant is withholding rent because there are rats in the apartment and the toilet doesnt flush, they might be able to work out a deal to get things fixed. And if the lawyers cant prevent an eviction, they might be able to negotiate for more time for tenants to move their things out, or file paperwork to keep the eviction off of a tenants record.

Its balancing the scales, Hubbard told colleagues Friday, and making sure that people are not being wrongly taken advantage of.

Alderwoman Sharon Tyus, of Kingsway East, disagreed. She said the bill would empower bad tenants who dont pay their rent.

You dont have a right to live in other peoples property that they own, she said.

She said the bill was unfair to small-scale landlords who might also struggle to afford an attorney.

And as activists booed her from the upstairs gallery, Tyus, a longtime landlord herself, predicted the Republican-led state legislature would eventually overturn the bill.

I talked to state legislators who said, Sharon, you said exactly what we already know, she said.

But it was a lonely critique. A slew of aldermen spoke in favor of the bill. Whether youre a tenant or a landlord, this is about having an equitable city, said Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, of Tower Grove East, and thats good for all of us.

Dutchtown Alderman Shane Cohn, who criticized the bill last week, said he remains concerned that the city isnt doing enough on other housing-related issues, like enforcement of discrimination laws and building code. But he said he believed in the spirit of the legislation.

Housing is a human right, he said.

The vote on the bill was 11-1 in favor. Tyus was the only no vote. Alderwomen Anne Schweitzer, of Boulevard Heights, and Daniela Velazquez, of Shaw, were absent. Alderwoman Laura Keys, of the OFallon neighborhood, did not vote.

The bill now goes to Mayor Tishaura O. Jones for her signature.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was kicked out of a conservative group in Congress over her feud with fellow Rep. Lauren Boebert.

The right-wing House Freedom Caucus ousted Greene in large part for calling Boebert an expletive in a quarrel on the House floor.

The straw that broke the camels back was publicly saying things about another member in terms that no one should, said Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md., according to Politico. The vote to expel the Georgia Republican took place late last month but Harris was the first member to confirm it Thursday.

The way she referred to a fellow member was probably not the way we expect our members to refer to other fellow, especially female, members, Harris added.

Greene hurled insults at Boebert in a dispute over their dueling improbable proposals to impeach President Joe Biden, with Greene accusing her Colorado colleague of pandering for donations toward the end of a fundraising period.

Youve been nothing but a little (expletive) to me, Greene told Boebert, the Daily Beast reported last month. And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to co-sponsor them.

Im not in middle school, Boebert countered.

It wasnt the first time the two women fought publicly, even though they mostly share the same conservative views and joined forces to heckle Biden at his State of the Union address in 2022.

Greene confronted Boebert in a congressional ladies room over Boeberts refusal to back Rep. Kevin McCarthys bid for House Speaker.

Greene, a Georgia representative from one of the most conservative Republican districts in the nation, drew flack from fellow right-wingers for forging a strong alliance with McCarthy, who represents the GOPs establishment wing.

She also backed McCarthys compromise with Biden to raise the debt ceiling, a deal most of the 45-member Freedom Caucus opposed.

All of that mattered, Harris said.

After her ouster, Greene will be barred from joining the groups biweekly strategy sessions.

Photos: Scenes from historic speaker vote of 118th Congress
The long-time medical coordinator of the now-closed Agape Boarding School was jailed  and later released  after his arrest on allegations of kidnapping and sex crimes.

Scott Dumar, 46, was arrested by Bolivar police at 8:20 p.m. Thursday in southwest Missouri. He was held in the Polk County jail, according to a booking document, but released Friday afternoon.

The alleged crimes on the booking information are second-degree sodomy, second-degree kidnapping and three counts of second-degree sexual misconduct. There were no details of what led to the arrest.

Keaton Ashlock, Polk County prosecuting attorney, said Friday morning that he was preparing charges.

But at 3:45 p.m., Dumar was released from jail. Ashlock emailed a statement to The Star.

The case against Scott Dumar is under further investigation before a filing decision can be made by the Polk County Prosecutors Office, Ashlock said. As a result, Mr. Dumar was released from his 24 hour hold.

Missouri law allows a person to be held up to 24 hours for a felony investigation. At that point, the person must be released or formally charged.

Since late 2020, Agape has been scrutinized by Missouri law enforcement, child welfare officials, lawmakers and former students. Several of those students testified in Jefferson City in 2021, urging lawmakers to do something about the years of abuse and protect the children still at the school. As a result, legislators passed a law that for the first time implemented some regulations on such schools.

Dumar is a former Agape student who as an adult became one of the top staffers at the unlicensed Christian boarding school. He was also one of five employees charged with low-level felonies in 2021, accused of physically abusing boys.

In December, Dumar pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors and was placed on two years probation. He initially was charged with four counts of third-degree assault, a Class E felony. All charges involved former students.

Those charges alleged that between February 2020 and April 2021 Dumar knowingly caused physical injury to three boys by scrubbing their arms with rubbing alcohol and a scouring pad to remove their tattoos.

Two 18-year-olds testified in December that they bled when Dumar scrubbed off the tattoos they had given themselves with a pencil and ink, which Agape considered self-harm and a rule violation. One of them, who attended the school for four months, said a classmate gave him a cross tattoo on one of his fingers during lunch.

When Dumar removed it, the boy testified, he used the rough side of a sponge that was typically used to clean dishes and dipped it into a bin of rubbing alcohol. The teenager remembered it as very painful.

Dumar also was named in a civil lawsuit filed by a former student that alleged abuse at the boarding school. The suit was among many that have been settled in the past year.

In a March/April 2020 Agape newsletter, Dumar is featured and details his time at the school. He became a student of the school at age 17 when it was located in Washington state and stayed until he graduated a year later.

He said he began working at Agape in June 1995. The next year Agape moved to Stockton in Cedar County. And Dumar worked there until it closed.

In January, former director Bryan Clemensen announced he was voluntarily shutting down the school.

The closure came as the Missouri Attorney Generals Office said it planned to continue its petition for a court injunction to close the school.

For the past 30 years Agape Boarding School has provided over 6,000 boys with an opportunity to get their life back on track and toward a bright future, Clemensen said in a news release. Agape has made the decision to stop providing services to the boys in its care effective January 20, 2023. Agapes focus is on getting the boys who remain in the program safely transitioned to their parents or to foster care, other group homes or residential programs.

Dumar worked closely with David Smock, Agapes former longtime physician who faces 12 counts of child sex crimes in Cedar County, including multiple counts of statutory sodomy, sexual misconduct, child molestation and enticement of a child. Prosecutors with the Missouri Attorney Generals Office are leading that case, which originated in Cedar County but is now in Dade County on a change of venue.

Smock is being held without bond in the Cedar County Jail.

Updated at 5 p.m.
Affirmative Action was one of the limited number of tools available to elite universities to correct decades or even centuries of racial exclusion. Harvard University, founded in 1636, had more than 300 years of excluding African Americans. Now the Supreme Court has ruled that fifty years of trying to correct the harm by purposely enrolling a few more African Americans was just too much.

The Court began undermining Affirmative Action in 1978 with its decision in the Allan Bakke case. Bakke claimed that racial set-asides  quotas  werent just advantaging African-American students, they were also disadvantaging white students and thus unconstitutional. The Court agreed, ruling that the harm to Black students in the past couldnt be corrected by harming white students today and so colleges and universities could not use racial quotas to increase the number of African American students.

Except the harm wasnt just to past African American students; its to current African American students as well. Still the leading predictor of whether someone goes to college is if their parents went to college; if your parents are college graduates, you are far more likely to go yourself. If your parents or grandparents were not allowed into college, you are far less likely to go to college. This is one of the ways past racism continues to harm current generations of African Americans.

People on the right are celebrating as if well now return to a purer meritocracy, as if ending Affirmative Action takes us closer to the meaning of our Constitution. College admissions has never been a pure meritocracy. The lawsuit the Court ruled on claimed that Affirmative Action was harming Asian-American students. Harvard noted that if grades and tests scores were the only criteria for admissions, Harvards freshman classes would be 40% Asian-American. Does anyone really expect that next year is from Harvard class is going to be 40% Asian-American? Of course not, because Harvard weighs a great many factors when selecting the students that get admitted. All of those other factors Harvard uses to justify taking non Asian-American students over Asian-American students with better grades and test scores, it still can use.

As Justice Gorsuch noted, the biggest non-academic factor elite universities use to decide enrollment is legacy  Harvard is more likely to admit you, regardless of your academic performance, if your parents and grandparents went to Harvard. But of course, his comments are just that, comments, not law. Harvard is free to continue to enroll as many legacy students as it wants. According to the Supreme Court, just about the only factor that cant be explicitly considered by colleges and universities is race.

Personally, I think its good for society that institutions build connections across generations. However acknowledging the good of multi-generation Harvard families doesnt change the fact that it effectively advantages students today because their grandparents got in when African Americans were excluded. In a small way this is how racism also gets paid forward  the advantages that our forefathers accumulated under legal racism get passed down, even though legal racism has been ended.

Chief Justice Roberts went out of his way to note that while colleges and universities couldnt just assume African American students had it a little harder because they were Black, the impact of racism could still be considered on a student by student basis. This is part of the irony of the ruling. The anti-Affirmative Action crowd generally believes African Americans need to get over it and stop focusing on historical racism. This court ruling will instead force African American students to look back, to make sure they think about and note the impact of racism on their lives.

Like so much else about our national conversation on the race, this decision feels somehow dishonest; the Supreme Court just used a case about Asian-Americans to end Affirmative Action for African-Americans. Affirmative Action was a blunt tool that didnt always produce the intended outcomes and was never meant to permanent. Universities will still find ways to ensure their student mix matches our world. However once again the Supreme Court has avoided having the hard conversation our country needs on the progress we have made and the work still to be done.

Blake Ashby is a member of the Ferguson, Missouri, City Council. The opinions expressed here are his own.
Last week the Supreme Court handed down a bunch of decisions leaving the already hyperpolarized electorate raw heading into our countrys birthday. One of those decisions was ending affirmative action for college admissions. The court held that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitutions guarantee of equal protection and that colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis for granting admission.

Im not a lawyer nor a Constitutional scholar and therefore I cannot speak to the legal merits of the ruling, but I can address it from a societal point of view. Of course, affirmative action is about racial discrimination, but it can also be viewed through the lens of fairness and opportunity. That is why I agree with the six conservative justices in their decision. The thing about affirmative action and racial based college admissions processes is that you lose the individual students stories.

Joined by Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito Jr., Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote the student must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual  not on the basis of race. Many universities have for too long done just the opposite. And in doing so, they have concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individuals identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the color of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice.

Roberts added that nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affected the applicants life, so long as that discussion is concretely tied to a quality of character or unique ability that the particular applicant can contribute to the university.

He suggests that students should share their stories as a way to let college know who they are. It is the biography of a student that can wield much more information on their diversity than the color of their skin alone.

It is my story that forms the basis for my passionate agreement with the chiefs above point. Sharing it here helps explain my position and the position of many hardworking students:

I grew up in a diverse, low- to lower-middle-class community. My Depression-era father had to drop out of school in the eighth grade in order to work to help his family. I attended my local public school. Both of my alcoholic parents worked full time. As early as first grade I fed myself breakfast, made my lunch, and walked by myself on the nearly one-mile trip to school.

My high school served over 1,600 students. There was one college counselor for the entire student body. I dont remember receiving any college counseling services from that individual. What I do remember is sitting in the office and looking at giant books that listed every college and university in the country. I completed the applications alone. I scheduled my SAT and drove myself there.

I was delighted to receive a few large envelopes in the mail a few months later. I headed off to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with very little other than some clothes, bedding, and a couple towels. I worked two jobs on campus and my mother worked three jobs in order to pay for my schooling. Four years later I graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. My brother and I were the first in our family history to graduate from college.

I have no idea whether affirmative action played any role in my acceptance or rejection by any of the universities to which I applied. While I am a white person, I share my journey as an example as someone who was not at all privileged at the time I applied to college.

A majority of the American public agrees with the conservative justices when it comes to affirmative action during the college admissions process. According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed in February, 62% of Americans say race and ethnicity should not be considered at all in college admissions, including a majority of minority poll respondents.

Several states, including Florida and Michigan, have already prohibited race-based admissions for universities. In 2020, heavily Democratic California voters rejected affirmative action at the ballot box.

Since the ruling, colleges and universities have pushed back, complaining that ending affirmative action will make their student bodies less diverse. Granted, this will cause schools to change their processes, but it gives them the freedom to learn about students in other ways. Santa J. Ono, the current president of the University of Michigan, said, We know firsthand from our own data how a ban on affirmative action can really affect the diversity especially of your undergraduate populations. Its a lot of work. It takes a lot of resource and time, but with time it is possible.

The ending of affirmative action will give colleges and universities the opportunity to take a nuanced look at students with the understanding that diversity can be more than just race.

Lynn Schmidt is a Post-Dispatch columnist and Editorial Board member lynnschmidtrn@outlook.com On Twitter: @lynnschmidtrn
INTERSTATE 95

PHILADELPHIA  The collapsed stretch of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia will reopen within two weeks, Pennsylvania's governor said Saturday, after joining President Joe Biden on a helicopter tour over the critical segment of the East Coast highway closed to traffic since last weekend.

"We are getting it done here in Philly," Gov. Josh Shapiro said at a briefing at Philadelphia International Airport after the flyover that included members of Congress and the city's mayor.

Biden outlined the substantial initial federal commitment and longer-term support for a permanent fix for the vital roadway. "I know how important this stretch of highway is" to Philadelphia and the Northeast Corridor, he said. "Over 150,000 vehicles travel on it every day, including 14,000 trucks.  It's critical to our economy and it's critical to our quality of life."

Shapiro, offering a timeline that would be welcome news to commuters and long-haul truckers alike, said, "I can state with confidence that we will have I-95 reopened within the next two weeks. We are going to get traffic moving again thanks to the extraordinary work that is going on here."

He said "folks here in Philly have a real renewed sense of civic pride through this project" and "there's something special happening in our community" with people coming together.

The stretch of the East Coast's main north-south highway collapsed early last Sunday after a tractor-trailer hauling gasoline flipped over on an off-ramp and caught fire. State transportation officials said the driver was trying to navigate a curve and lost control.

"I've directed my team ... to move heaven and earth to get this done as soon as humanly possible," Biden said. He said he told the governor, "There's no more important project right now in the country as far as I'm concerned." The president described it as an "all hands on deck" project to address a "crisis."

"We're with you. We're going to stay with you until this is rebuilt, until it's totally finished," he said at the briefing.

Pennsylvania's plan for the work involves trucking in 2,000 tons of lightweight recycled glass nuggets for the quick rebuilding, with crews working around the clock until the interstate is open to traffic.

Rather than rebuilding the overpass right away, crews will use the recycled glass to fill in the collapsed area to avoid supply-chain delays for other materials, Shapiro said. After that, a replacement bridge will be built next to it to reroute traffic while crews excavate the fill to restore the exit ramp, officials said.

Biden said the design was "incredibly innovative in order to get this work done in record time."

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who visited the area Tuesday, promised that the federal government would provide needed assistance to repair the destruction, although he warned that the wreckage will likely raise the cost of consumer goods in the short term because truckers must now travel longer routes.

Shapiro, Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman and Rep. Brendan Boyle and Mayor Jim Kenney, all Democrats, joined Biden on the presidential Marine One helicopter. Later Saturday, Biden addressed union workers during a 2024 campaign event at a convention center in Philadelphia.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Core One Labs Inc. (CSE:COOL), (OTCQB:CLABF), (Frankfurt:LD6), (WKN: A3CSSU) (the "Company" or "Core One") is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Vocan Biotechnologies Inc. ("Vocan"), has completed final steps of its research for its biosynthetic production system (the System) and has filed a patent under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) (the "Patent" or "Filing") for international protection of its novel production techniques for biosynthesized psilocybin (the "Invention").

Vocan's filling of this international patent is a monumental step in the patenting of its revolutionary biosynthetic psilocybin production method. Prior to the PCT patent, Vocan had filed a provisional patent (the "Provisional Patent") with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the "USPTO") in January 2022, outlining its theory for a proprietary biosynthetic psilocybin production process. Over the past year, Vocan scientists have been able to prove their concept through rigorous experimentation and testing, successfully documenting and defending the breakthrough production method. The summation of Vocan's findings has resulted in today's announced international patent filing, the success of which will ensure Vocan's revolutionary biosynthetic production system for psilocybin would remain the exclusive property of the Company.

This filing marks a major milestone in the Company's progression towards becoming an industry frontrunner in the psychedelic space as a leading producer of psychedelic drugs, given Core One's proprietary production systems having the ability to yield 100% pure API grade psilocybin through an extremely cost and time efficient method. The current market price of reliable API and GMP compliant psilocybin, produced via conventional synthetic and extraction/isolation production methods, ranges between US$7,000 - US$10,000 per gram.1 The Company's novel recombinant System can cut production costs significantly with increased efficiency, which could, as a result, lead to substantially lower market price of API and GMP compliant psilocybin and potentially transform psychedelic-based mental health care worldwide.

The Patent is a result of a culmination of three (3) years of diligent research and trials, conducted and perfected by Vocan's team of scientists, and holds considerable importance for the Company and its investors, since the Patent's success will enhance and solidify Core One's ability to protect its Invention across many countries; and as a result, prevent it from being copied and manipulated by competitors.

The Provisional Patent detailed a proof-of-concept production method for the biosynthetic production of psychedelic compounds, whereby its scientists used a recombinant protein expression process technology to convert a chosen bacterial strain into a production factory to produce psilocybin (the "Production Method"). The Production Method utilized by Vocan effectively inserts and manipulates DNA segments to add to the genetic make-up of the chosen bacteria, so that the bacteria contain appropriate biosynthetic enzymes (proteins that help to catalyze and speed up chemical reactions in the bacteria) and allow the organism to produce psilocybin at yields that Vocan scientists have deemed suitable for scale-up production capabilities.

"The filling of the international patent is the biggest achievement Vocan has made to date. Since the inception of Vocan, its team of scientists have been dedicated to completing the work required to file this patent. Now that this milestone has been completed, the Company will focus on refining the biosynthetic production process to increase yield and decrease cost," stated Joel Shacker, Core One CEO.

About Core One Labs Inc.

Core One Labs is a life sciences biotechnology research and development company focused on bringing psychedelic medicines to market through the development and production of psychedelic compounds, the advancement of psychedelic assisted treatments, and the integration of novel delivery systems technology.

The Company has a multi-faceted business approach and incorporates several complementary lines of businesses and units in establishing itself as an industry leader in the rapidly growing and emerging psychedelics market space.

Core One, through its wholly owned subsidiary Vocan Biotechnologies Inc., has developed and filed for patent protection of a proprietary psilocybin production system using engineered bacteria. It is also the holder of 4 provisional patents for the development of psychedelic-based pharmaceutical formulations targeting neurological and mental health disorders, under its 100% owned subsidiary Akome Biotech Ltd., and 3 provisional patents under its other 100% owned subsidiary, Awakened Biosciences Inc., for additional synthetic technologies for psilocybin and psilocin production methods.

In addition to the development of psychedelics and psychedelic compounds, Core One holds an interest in four medical clinics which maintain a combined database of more than 275,000 patients. Through its clinics the Company intends to integrate a roll out of its intellectual property related to psychedelic technologies and participate in the advancement of psychedelic-based treatments for mental health disorders.

Core One Labs Inc.

Joel Shacker

Chief Executive Officer

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

[email protected]

1-888-452-6731

Cautionary Disclaimer Statement:

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions as of the date of this news release. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations. They are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the Company's limited operating history and the need to comply with strict regulatory regulations. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

In addition, psilocybin is currently a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) and it is a criminal offence to possess substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Canada) without a prescription or authorization. Health Canada has not approved psilocybin as a drug for any indication. Core One does not have any direct or indirect involvement with illegal selling, production, or distribution of psychedelic substances in jurisdictions in which it operates. While Core One believes psychedelic substances can be used to treat certain medical conditions, it does not advocate for the legalization of psychedelics substances for recreational use. Core One does not deal with psychedelic substances, except within laboratory and clinical trial settings conducted within approved regulatory frameworks.

1 Psilocybin - Current Market Prices

SOURCE: Core One Labs Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Perk Labs Inc. (CSE:PERK)(OTCQB: PKLBF)(FKT:PKLB) ("Perk" or the "Company"), the company that specializes in ordering and payment technology, is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting"), held on July 5, 2023, at 997 Seymour Street, Suite 250, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada V6B 3M1.

The voting results for each nominee are as follows:

Votes

|For % of

Votes Cast

- For - Votes

Withheld % of

Votes Cast

- Withheld - Kirk Herrington 111,445,937 80.84% 26,420,249 19.16% Larry Timlick 124,015,754 89.95% 13,850,432 10.05% Patrick Power 48,413,615 35.12% 89,452,571 64.88% Ryan Hardy 134,766,457 97.75% 3,099,729 2.25% Benoit Lacroix 124,349,235 90.20% 13,516,951 9.80% Jonathan Hoyles 117,077,867 84.92% 20,788,319 15.08%

As a result, Kirk Herrington, Larry Timlick, Ryan Hardy, Ben Lacroix and Jonathan Hoyles were elected as directors of the Corporation to serve until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, or until their successors are elected or appointed.

In accordance with the Corporation's majority voting policy, Patrick Power has submitted his resignation to the Board. After review and consideration, the Board has accepted Mr. Power's resignation. The Company thanks Mr. Power for his service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.

In addition, the Company reports that ordinary resolutions: (i) to fix the number of directors of the Company at six (6); and (ii) to appoint Welch LLP as the Company's auditor for the fiscal year ending November 30, 2023 and to authorize the Board of Directors to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditor; was passed by a majority of the votes represented at the Meeting.

Voting results on all matters voted on at the Meeting will be filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Perk Labs Inc.

Perk Labs, the owner of Getit Technologies Inc. and Perk Hero Software Inc, specializes in technology, logistics, and connecting communities. Our digital payments and loyalty software empowers merchants to optimize their business and customer journey. Our marketplace and driver network connects and supports their business with additional sales and flexible last mile delivery options.

For more information about Perk Labs, please visit www.perklabs.io.

For more information contact:

Ryan Hardy

CEO

Perk Labs Inc.

(833) 338-0299

[email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is typically identified by words such as: "may", "believe", "thinks", "expect", "exploring", "expand", "could", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "plan", "pursue", "potentially", "projected", "should", "will" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. These forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties, relate to, among other things, the discussion of the Company's business strategies and its expectations concerning future operations. Although the Company considers these forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by the Company is not a guarantee of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking information, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are based will occur.

SOURCE: Perk Labs Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
Detailed prospecting to begin in August ahead of trenching/drilling

ST. JOHN'S NL / ACCESSWIRE / July 7, 2023 / Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV:SIC)(OTCQB: SICNF) (the "Company" or "Sokoman") is pleased to provide an update on the planned exploration of the Fleur de Lys gold project on the Baie Verte Peninsula, in north-central Newfoundland. Company geologists and prospectors recently toured gold systems in Dalradian / Caledonian rocks in Northern Ireland which are equivalent to the Appalachian, Fleur de Lys Supergroup rocks, including mineralization in and around the world-class Curraghinalt gold deposit. Curraghinalt is host to >6 million ounces of NI 43-101 compliant* gold resources in 20+, discrete quartz veins ranging from tens of centimeters to more than 1.5 m in thickness. The veins have strike lengths in excess of 1.8 km and have been intersected in drill holes to 1,000 m vertically with the resources calculated by SRK Consulting (Canada) in 2018 to a 400 m depth. Curraghinalt, which remains open at depth, is the largest gold deposit in the Appalachian-Caledonian Orogen.

Tim Froude, President and CEO of Sokoman, commented: "We are extremely thankful for the opportunity to visit Northern Ireland and examine the geological setting of gold in Dalradian rocks of the Sperrin Mountains and adjacent terranes to aid in our broader assessment of Sokoman's Fleur de Lys gold project. A week in the field and underground, viewing core from the deposits, and meetings with the British Geological Survey (BGS), industry geologists, and local prospectors, has been invaluable in helping our team understand i) the controls on gold deposition in the very familiar-looking Dalradian rocks, and ii) gold exploration strategies that have proven successful in this segment of Irish/UK Caledonides. Several crucial elements pertaining to the distribution of gold in Dalradian rocks are directly applicable to evaluating Sokoman's gold in till anomalies at Fleur de Lys including 1) the regional structural setting; 2) the absolute ages and relative timing of gold mineralizing events and poly-phase tectonism; 3) vein styles, and proximity to the Clew-Bay/Omagh crustal-scale terrane boundary - the Baie Verte Line equivalent; 4) local, specific, lithological controls; 5) the proximity to gold-rich VMS in adjacent terranes; and 6) the physical nature and distribution of the gold at Curraghinalt.

This data highlighted the critical commonalities, vis--vis gold, between the Sperrin Mountains (e.g., Curraghinalt) and the Fleur de Lys belt at regional, property, and outcrop scales. Our mission in Northern Ireland was to learn about gold in this part of the world and apply it to exploration plans in the Fleur de Lys belt in Newfoundland. Given what we learned, we left even more confident about the potential of our Fleur de Lys gold project. The Company, with input from Overburden Drilling Management, is prioritizing the anomalies for a detailed follow-up prospecting program beginning in August, with significant results to be further explored by trenching or diamond drilling."

Gold-bearing quartz float; Curraghinalt gold deposit underlies the field in the foreground

Exposure of gold-bearing quartz vein in graphitic schist and psammite near Curraghinalt

Narrow high-grade quartz-pyrite (gold bearing) vein near Curraghinalt

About the Fleur de Lys Gold Project

The 100%-owned project is located on the west side of the Baie Verte Peninsula in north-central Newfoundland. The area has a long history of base metal and gold production dating back to the 1860s. The project is highly prospective for Dalradian-style (e.g., Curraghinalt) orogenic, vein-hosted, gold deposits and as such, represents a readily accessible, yet underexplored, district-scale, gold target in the Newfoundland Appalachians. The Fleur de Lys Supergroup, which underlies the project, includes equivalent rocks to the Dalradian Supergroup in the UK, where three significant gold deposits, including the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland, and Cononish in Scotland are found. The Dalradian, vein-hosted, gold deposits occur in moderate to high-grade metamorphic terranes and are typically high grade.

Prior to Sokoman's exploration, the Fleur de Lys belt had seen little modern exploration with some areas completely unexplored, even though historical grab sample values of 3.3 g/t Au to 25.5 g/t Au were reported from several locations (note: historical assays have not been verified by the Company and should not be relied upon). Sokoman's Fleur de Lys property is ideally suited to cost-effective exploration with excellent access and infrastructure, a supportive local population, a long history of mining, and support businesses.

To date, the Company has completed a property scale C-horizon till sampling program (1,260 samples) implemented and overseen by Overburden Drilling Management (ODM), which has outlined strongly anomalous gold in tills overlying favourable rocks and structures with significant gold values in both float and bedrock. The background level of gold grains in tills for the project has been determined to be 10 grains in a 10- to 12-kilogram sample of screened till. ODM considers a Fleur de Lys sample to be anomalous if it contains two-times background or 20 gold grains. Results indicate that of the 1,260 samples collected, 328 samples, or just over 25%, have at least 20 gold grains (to a maximum of 230 grains) and are considered anomalous. Fifty-five (55) samples contain at least 60 grains (six-times background) with multiple samples containing more than 50% pristine gold grains. Gold grains described as pristine are considered to be from a local bedrock source. Of note - most gold grains at Fleur de Lys are small (

In addition, limited prospecting has located anomalous gold in bedrock and float with 34 samples giving gold values >100 ppb Au (0.1 g/t Au), including 18 samples >500 ppb Au (0.5 g/t Au), and 10 samples >1000 ppb Au (>1.0 g/t Au) with a maximum of 6.2 g/t Au. The highest gold value was in an outcrop (a grab sample) in an area of strong gold-grain counts. A regional airborne magnetic survey (Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) - 2015) over the Baie Verte Peninsula suggests that multiple crosscutting structures occur in the vicinity of several strong gold in till anomalies and in multiple rock (grab and float) gold-bearing samples, all within a 5-8 km corridor adjacent to the Baie Verte Line. Interpretation of the till results by ODM defines a target area of 30 km strike-length, with better-defined anomalies located within this 30 km long area.

Panned, fine gold grains from surface vein exposure at Curraghinalt

QP

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P. Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Till Sampling QA/QC

The till samples were collected by Sokoman personnel using field collection techniques provided by ODM. All samples were hand dug to the desired depth (C-Horizon Till) with a 10- to 12-kg sieved sample (8 mesh) placed in a clear plastic sample bag and sealed. Samples were shipped in plastic pails by bonded courier to the ODM lab in Ottawa, Ontario. The till samples are processed using procedures designed to progressively concentrate the heavy minerals, expose the gold grains and prepare a split of the heavy mineral concentrate ("HMC") suitable for geochemical analysis if requested. The sample is wet screened at 2 mm with a preliminary concentrate extracted from the -2 mm fraction by tabling. Geological observations on the character of the sample are made during both the screening and tabling operations. The table concentrate is purposely large (typically 300-400 g) and of low grade (10%-25% heavy minerals) in order to achieve a high, 80% to 90% recovery rate for all desired heavy minerals irrespective of their grain size or relative specific gravity. The gold grains, more than 95% of which are normally silt-sized (Averill 2001), are observed at this stage with the aid of micro-panning and are counted, measured, and classified as to degree of wear (ie distance of glacial transport), then returned to the table concentrate. The pyrite content of the pan concentrate is estimated and the number of grains of heavier, visually distinctive indicator minerals such as arsenopyrite, galena, scheelite, cinnabar, etc. is recorded.

Quality Control and Quality Assurance Measures

In addition to using field duplicates to monitor the quality of the indicator mineral data obtained from specific projects, ODM performs blind tests to ensure that the recovery rates for all targeted minerals are consistently in the 80% to 90% range. Furthermore, both the quality of the mineral separation and the overall mineralogy of the concentrate are visible at every stage of the concentration process, minimizing the potential for sample mix-ups, indicator mineral carryover between samples, and other potential contamination issues. For example, gold grains, which are the most important indicator mineral on many surveys, are more susceptible to inter-sample carryover than any other indicator mineral due to their very small size, but these grains are physically observed during the first stage of mineral concentration, tabling, and if anomalous concentrations are present, blank samples are tabled and carefully inspected for gold grains before the next project sample is processed.

Rock Sample Analysis

Rock sample analysis (gold by fire assay) completed at Eastern Analytical Ltd., in Springdale NL. Samples were delivered in sealed bags directly to the lab by Sokoman Minerals' personnel. Eastern Analytical is an accredited assay lab that conforms to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025. Eastern routinely inserts industry-accepted standards and blanks in all sample runs performed as well as completing random duplicate analysis.

About Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company with projects in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects; the 100%-owned flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead, as well as Crippleback Lake (available for option); and East Alder along the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in north-central Newfoundland, that is targeting Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company also entered into a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland.

Sokoman now controls, independently and through the Benton Alliance, over 150,000 hectares (>6,000 claims - 1500 sq. km), making it one of the largest landholders in Newfoundland, in Canada's newest and rapidly-emerging gold districts. The Company also retains an interest in an early-stage antimony/gold project (Startrek) in Newfoundland, optioned to Thunder Gold Corp (formerly White Metal Resources Inc.), and in Labrador, the Company has a 100% interest in the Iron Horse (Fe) project which has Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) potential.

Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby and/or referenced properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property.

*The Curraghinalt deposit has >6 million ounces of NI 43-101 compliant gold resources including 6.34 million tonnes at 15.01 grams per tonne (Measured and Indicated) for 3.06 million ounces; and 7.72 million tonnes at 12.24 grams per tonne gold (Inferred) for 3.03 million ounces {2018 Mineral Resource Statement, Curraghinalt Gold Project, Northern Ireland, SRK Consulting (Canada)}.

The Company would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for past financial support of the Fleur de Lys project through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program.

For further information, please contact:

Sokoman Minerals

Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President & CEO

Phone: 709-765-1726

Email: [email protected]

Cathy Hume, VP Corporate Development, Director

Phone: 416-868-1079 x251

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com

Twitter: @SokomanMinerals

Facebook: @SokomanMinerals

LinkedIn: @SokomanMinerals

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.

Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp.

SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
(CNN)  The bizarre tale of Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian President Vladimir Putins former pal-turned-mutineer, just got a whole lot weirder.

The foul-mouthed former head of the Wagner private military company  who ran a business empire that included a troll farm, a multi-million dollar catering company, and a media group  had the temerity to launch a mutiny on June 23 against Putins top military brass.

The rebellion was quelled by a deal supposedly brokered by another Putin friend (some call him vassal), Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko. It required Prigozhin to leave Russia and move to Belarus. His men had three choices: follow Prigozhin to Belarus, join the regular Russian military, or stop fighting and go home.

After the mutiny ended, Lukashenko claimed Prigozhin had, indeed, arrived in Belarus. But for weeks, no one could confirm that. Then Thursday, Lukashenko reversed himself, telling CNN that Prigozhin was in St. Petersburg and might be traveling to Moscow or elsewhere.

In any case, he said, Prigozhin wasnt where he was supposed to be. Neither were the Wagner fighters at the camps Lukashenkos government apparently had set aside for them in Belarus, raising questions about the fate of the Wagner boss.

As if on cue, Russian state-controlled TV began broadcasting video of security forces raiding Prigozhins St. Petersburg office and residence. His mansion or palace had a pool, a private operating room, even a dedicated prayer room, as the Russian propaganda website RT described it, along with a few sledgehammers  a tool Wagner is accused of using to murder defectors. The security agents reportedly found 10 million rubles (about $110,000) in cash, along with gold, guns, and wigs  presumably for Prigozhin to disguise himself.

And yet, a few hours later, there were reports that some of his money and possessions were returned to him. It adds another layer to the mystery as to why Putin has, so far, let Prigozhin remain free even as he fails to abide by the Lukashenko deal.

Unclear fate

Before he fell out of favor, Prigozhin was a social media rock star. He was a tough guy strutting about in camouflage, whose fighters could win battles in Ukraine that the regular Russian military couldnt handle. He swore at military leaders and other elite government officials but crossed a red line when he accused them of lining their pockets and misleading Putin into launching an invasion of Ukraine when there was no real threat.

Prigozhins ensuing march toward Moscow  which saw his troops take over the city of Rostov-on-Don, down Russian aircraft, and kill several servicemen  enraged Putin, who accused him of stabbing Russia in the back.

Its well-known that Putin cannot abide traitors, but Lukashenko, using a gangster-like Russian word that Putin famously used about Chechen terrorists, assured reporters that Putin isnt malicious and vindictive enough to have Prigozhin wiped out.

Putin himself, several days ago, hinted at another way to deal with Prigozhin, admitting that the government had paid him billions of dollars, adding that he hoped no one stole anything, but that the Kremlin would deal with it.

Prigozhins ultimate fate is still unclear, but he is only one of Putins problems. What he does about Prigozhins valuable companies is another: The Kremlin currently appears to be dissecting his empire, putting control of the most valuable enterprises into more reliable hands.

Will he end up in prison? Or in a coffin? The only thing that seems even remotely clear is that Putin will have to settle this razborka, a word Russian mobsters use to describe their internal squabbles. And that portends more repression, more settling scores, and more fighting behind the scenes in Putins Russia.

The-CNN-Wire

 &  2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

ACTICOR BIOTECH (ISIN: FR0014005OJ5  ALACT), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of innovative treatments for cardiovascular emergencies, including ischemic stroke, today discloses the total number of voting rights and shares as of June 30, 2023 (pursuant to Article L. 233-8 II of the French Commercial Code and Article 223-16 of the General Regulation of the French Financial Markets Authority).

Listing Place: Euronext Growth Paris

ISIN Code : FR0014005OJ5

Web site: acticor-biotech.com

Date Number of shares making

up the share capital Theoretical number

of voting rights (1) Number of voting rights

excluding shares stripped

of voting rights (2) June 30, 2023 12.338.781 12.338.781 12.295.358

(1) In accordance with Article 223-111 of the AMFs General Regulation, this number of shares is calculated based on all shares carrying the right to vote, including those stripped of voting rights.

(2) The actual voting rights correspond to the total number of voting rights that can be exercised in a general meeting. They are calculated on the basis of the total number of voting rights attached to the total number of shares minus the shares without voting rights.

About ACTICOR BIOTECH

Acticor Biotech is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, a spin-off from INSERM (the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), which is aiming to develop an innovative treatment for cardiovascular emergencies, including ischemic stroke.

The positive results from its Phase 1b/2a study, ACTIMIS, confirmed the safety profile and showed a reduction in mortality and intracerebral hemorrhage in the glenzocimab-treated group in patients with stroke. The efficacy of glenzocimab is now being evaluated in an international Phase 2/3 study, ACTISAVE, which will include 1,000 patients. In July 2022, Acticor Biotech was granted "PRIME" status by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for glenzocimab in the treatment of stroke. This designation will allow the company to strengthen its interactions and obtain early dialogues with regulatory authorities.

Acticor Biotech is supported by a panel of European and international investors (Mediolanum farmaceutici, Karista, Go Capital, Newton Biocapital, CMS Medical Venture Investment (HK) Limited, A&B (HK) Limited, Anaxago, and the Armesa foundation). Acticor Biotech is listed on Euronext Growth Paris since November 2021 (ISIN: FR0014005OJ5  ALACT).

For more information, visit: www.acticor-biotech.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707499310/en/

ACTICOR BIOTECH

Gilles AVENARD, MD

CEO and Founder

[email protected]

T. : +33 (0)6 76 23 38 13

Sophie BINAY, PhD

General Manager and CSO

[email protected]

T. : +33 (0)6 76 23 38 13

NewCap

Mathilde BOHIN / Quentin MASSE

Investor Relations

[email protected]

T. : +33 (0)1 44 71 94 95

NewCap

Arthur ROUILLE

Media Relations

[email protected]

T. : +33 (0)1 44 71 00 15

Source: ACTICOR BIOTECH
SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DESIGN AUTOMATION CONFERENCE  Ausdia, the leading developer of design constraints verification and management solutions, introduced a significant enhancement to its SDC platform at the 60th Design Automation Conference (DAC) 2023.

Timevision SC allows constraint developers to both read and write timing constraints in a Spreadsheet format  typically ExcelTM. This empowers users to express their design intentions in a simple, reviewable format, with Timevision automation taking care of the complexities of translation to exact SDC syntax. Users can also export existing SDC to SC (Spreadsheet Constraints) format for simplified review and porting.

We use Ausdias Timevision constraints verification platform on multiple blocks and SoC level for both backend and frontend flow. This helped to improve the constraints quality. As a part of constraints handoff, we use Timevision SC. Ausdia enhanced the constraints management platform with new spreadsheet-based flows, said Ateet Mishra, Director, SOC Implementation at NXP Semiconductors. Spreadsheet based constraints methodology is critical for the flow which enables us to maintain, propagate and integrate the constraints throughout RTL to GDSII flow. Also, easy to debug and track the constraints changes," added Piyush Gaur, Lead Design Engineer at NXP Semiconductors.

Timevision SC is in production currently at several major semiconductor houses, including NXP.

Timevision is a comprehensive timing constraints development, verification and management solution that complements all implementation and timing signoff flows. It has the capacity to handle over 1 billion cells and thousands of clocks. Timevision integrates with all aspects of the design flow and is used before synthesis, before DFT insertion, before place and route, and when signoff timing is being run. Timevision helps designers create good SDC constraints and is a verification platform for existing timing constraints.

Ausdia is highlighting the Timevision platform in booth #2311 at the Design Automation Conference (DAC) at the San Francisco Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, CA from July 10 - 12, 2023.

About Ausdia

Ausdia delivers standout timing constraint development, verification, and management solutions that complement all implementation and timing signoff flows. The companys groundbreaking methodology and products give system-on-chip (SoC) and integrated circuit (IC) developers a new way to work, enabling massive productivity gains throughout the design flow. Founded in 2006, the privately held company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.

Ausdia acknowledges trademarks or registered trademarks of other organizations for their respective products and services.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707818139/en/

Michelle Clancy Fuller

Cayenne Global

[email protected]

+1 503.702.4732

Source: Ausdia
DEERFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF) today announced that Douglas C. Barnard, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, has informed the Company that he will retire from CF Industries January 12, 2024. Effective immediately, Mr. Barnard will serve as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Legal Advisor, reporting to Tony Will, President and Chief Executive Officer, CF Industries Holdings, Inc., with primary responsibility for obtaining FTC clearance for the recently announced acquisition of the Waggaman, Louisiana, ammonia facility, and assisting with other strategic initiatives and business development support.

Mr. Barnard joined CF Industries as General Counsel in January 2004. Prior to that, he had been an Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Bcom3 Group, Inc. Earlier, he served as a partner in the law firm of Kirkland and Ellis and as Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of LifeStyle Furnishings International Ltd.

Doug has been an invaluable leader at CF Industries, providing expert legal advice and strategic business insight that has helped build our Company into the global leader it is today, said Will. He has had a profound and lasting impact on CF Industries, including his work on our initial public offering, guiding us through transformational acquisitions and building a world-class legal and compliance function. I want to thank Doug for his extraordinary leadership and partnership, and congratulate him on a wonderful career.

Michael P. McGrane, Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary at CF Industries, has been promoted to Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary as Barnards successor, effective July 7, 2023. Mr. McGrane will report to Susan L. Menzel, who has been promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Ms. Menzel has served as Senior Vice President, Human Resources, for the Company since 2017. As CAO, she will add oversight of the legal function to her current responsibilities for human resources and information technology.

Mr. McGrane joined CF Industries in 2011 as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary. In January 2016, he was named Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary. Prior to joining CF Industries, Mr. McGrane was an attorney at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, where his practice concentrated on mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, corporate governance, and general corporate and securities law matters. He holds a B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a J.D. degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Mikes selection as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary is a great example of our internal succession planning process, said Will. He has not only been a trusted legal advisor throughout his time at CF Industries, but has also demonstrated outstanding leadership across a range of our business initiatives. We look forward to Mikes continued contributions to the Company as general counsel.

Sues leadership has been instrumental in CF Industries growth as a company, helping strengthen our culture, improving and maturing our talent management process and modernizing our information technology infrastructure. As CAO, she will build on this success and help accelerate our continued transformation as a company, added Will.

Additionally, Christopher D. Bohn has been named Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Bert A. Frost has been named Executive Vice President, Sales, Market Development and Supply Chain, in recognition of their ongoing contribution to the leadership of the Company.

I am pleased to name Chris and Bert executive vice presidents, said Will. Their appointments reflect the contributions they have made, and will continue to make, to the success of our Company, as well as the strength of our leadership team.

About CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

At CF Industries, our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. With our employees focused on safe and reliable operations, environmental stewardship, and disciplined capital and corporate management, we are on a path to decarbonize our ammonia production network  the worlds largest  to enable green and blue hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement and other industrial activities. Our manufacturing complexes in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, an unparalleled storage, transportation and distribution network in North America, and logistics capabilities enabling a global reach underpin our strategy to leverage our unique capabilities to accelerate the worlds transition to clean energy. CF Industries routinely posts investor announcements and additional information on the Companys website at www.cfindustries.com and encourages those interested in the Company to check there frequently.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230706003997/en/

Media

Chris Close

Director, Corporate Communications

847-405-2542  [email protected]

Investors

Darla Rivera

Director, Investor Relations

847-405-2045  [email protected]

Source: CF Industries Holdings, Inc
ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- David L. Brown has been selected to receive the prestigious 2023 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Eighth Circuit. Brown has been a partner in the Des Moines, Iowa, law firm Hansen, McClintock & Riley since 1978. He will receive the award during the 2023 Eighth Circuit Judicial Conference.

Davids character, integrity, and gravitas are evident wherever he is at work, making a positive and meaningful difference, writes U.S. Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, who supported Browns nomination by District Judge Robert W. Pratt of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. David Brown is a legal luminary committed to excellence.

After growing up on the campus of Illinois State University, where his father was a dean, Brown began his career as a teacher in the Bloomington, Illinois, public school system before turning to law. Before joining Hansen, McClintock & Riley, he served as an assistant attorney general for the state of Iowa and as a law clerk for then Chief Justice C. Edwin Moore in the Iowa Supreme Court.

Brown is very active in bar association work and service to the legal community. Currently a bar delegate to the American Bar Associations House of Delegates since 1997, he has also been a member of its Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary since 2010 and the committees vice chair since 2020. (The committee evaluates federal judicial nominees based on their integrity, professional competence, and judicial temperament.) Brown was also a member of the American Bar Associations Board of Governors from 2017 to 2020.

Active in the Iowa State Bar Association, which named him dean of the Iowa Bar in 2007, the association has honored him with its Keeper of the Flame Award in 2014, a Presidents Award in 2005, and the Award of Merit in 1999. Brown is the past junior bar president of the Polk County Bar Association, serves as secretary-treasurer of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, is state chair for the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and ABOTA.

Brown earned an undergraduate degree in history from Lawrence University in 1969 and a masters degree in history from Michigan State University in 1972. He earned his law degree from Drake University Law School in 1975. He received an honorary doctorate of law from Illinois State University in 2014.

The American Inns of Court, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, inspires the legal community to advance the rule of law by achieving the highest level of professionalism through example, education, and mentoring. The organizations membership includes nearly 30,000 federal, state, and local judges; lawyers; law professors; and law students in more than 360 chapters nationwide. More information is available at www.innsofcourt.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707920356/en/

American Inns of Court

Contact: Cindy Dennis

Awards & Scholarships Coordinator

(571) 319-4703

[email protected]

Source: The American Inns of Court
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Greenland Resources Inc. (Greenland Resources or the Company; NEO: MOLY | FSE: M0LY) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a subscription agreement for a private placement financing (the Private Placement) with investment funds advised by Maj Invest. Under the terms of the private placement, Greenland Resources will issue 4,225,352 common shares (Common Shares) in the capital of the Company at a price of C$0.71 per Common Share for gross proceeds of C$3 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Private Placement to advance capex and permitting of its Malmbjerg Molybdenum project in Greenland (the Project) and for general corporate and working capital purposes. The Company welcomes Maj Invest as a partner with a long-term focus and strategic support for the development of the Project.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707435452/en/

Closing of the Private Placement is anticipated to occur on or around July 12, 2023, and is subject to certain customary conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals including the approval of the NEO Exchange. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period of four (4) months and one (1) day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws. No finders fees or commissions are payable on the Private Placement.

About Maj Invest

Maj Invest is one of Denmarks leading asset management companies, managing assets for primarily institutional clients. The Maj Invest group was established in 2005 and is today owned by management and employees. The Maj Invest group engages in two main business activities, Asset Management and Private Equity which both primarily provide services to institutional investors and major clients in Denmark and abroad. The Maj Invest group has USD $18 billion in assets under management and more than 100 employees. To learn more visit www.majinvest.com.

About Greenland Resources Inc.

Greenland Resources is a Canadian public company with the Ontario Securities Commission as its principal regulator and is focused on the development of its 100% owned world-class Climax type pure molybdenum deposit located in central east Greenland. The Malmbjerg molybdenum project is an open pit operation with an environmentally friendly mine design focused on reduced water usage, low aquatic disturbance and low footprint due to modularized infrastructure. The Malmbjerg project benefits from a NI 43-101 Definitive Feasibility Study completed by Tetra Tech in 2022, with Proven and Probable Reserves of 245 million tonnes at 0.176% MoS2, for 571 million pounds of contained molybdenum metal. As the high-grade molybdenum is mined for the first half of the mine life, the average annual production for years one to ten is 32.8 million pounds per year of contained molybdenum metal at an average grade of 0.23% MoS2. The project had a previous exploitation license granted in 2009. With offices in Toronto, the Company is led by a management team with an extensive track record in the mining industry and capital markets. For further details, please refer to our web site (www.greenlandresources.ca) and our Canadian regulatory filings on Greenland Resources profile at www.sedar.com.

The Project is supported by the European Raw Materials Alliance (ERMA) as stated in their press release EIT/ERMA_June 13, 2022 Press Release, a Knowledge and Innovation Community of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union.

About Molybdenum and the European Union

Molybdenum is a critical metal used mainly in steel and chemicals that is needed in all technologies in the upcoming green energy transition (World Bank, 2020; IEA, 2021). When added to steel and cast iron, it enhances strength, hardenability, weldability, toughness, temperature strength, and corrosion resistance. Based on data from the International Molybdenum Association and the European Commission Steel Report, the world produced around 576 million pounds of molybdenum in 2021 where the European Union (EU) as the second largest steel producer in the world used approximately 25% of global molybdenum supply and has no domestic molybdenum production. To a greater degree, the EU steel dependent industries like the automotive, construction, and engineering, represent around 18% of the EUs  US$16 trillion GDP. Greenland Resources strategically located Malmbjerg molybdenum project has the potential to supply in and for the EU approximately 24 million pounds per year, of environmentally friendly molybdenum from a responsible EU Associate country, for decades to come. The high quality of the Malmbjerg ore, having low impurity content in phosphorus, tin, antimony, and arsenic, makes it an ideal source of molybdenum for the high-performance steel industry lead worldwide by Europe, specifically the Scandinavian countries and Germany.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" (also referred to as "forward looking statements"), which relate to future events or future performance and reflect managements current expectations and assumptions. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "hopes", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements reflect managements current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the Companys objectives, goals or future plans, receipt of regulatory approvals, anticipated closing date and completion of the Private Placement (if it is to close at all), receipt of the necessary regulatory approval for the Private Placement, anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and their valuation, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations, estimates of market conditions, the Companys ability to supply molybdenum to the EU, the EUs future expected demand for molybdenum, the Companys ability to commercialize the project, and the Companys intentions regarding its objectives, goals or future plans and statements.

These forward-looking statements and information reflect the Companys current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: mineral reserve estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based, including geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock confirming to sampled results and metallurgical performance; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; assumptions and discount rates being appropriately applied to the technical studies; estimated valuation and probability of success of the Companys projects, including the Malmbjerg molybdenum project; prices for molybdenum remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; availability of funds for the Companys projects; capital decommissioning and reclamation estimates; mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled construction and production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals are received in a timely manner; the Private Placement proceeds as anticipated; all requisite regulatory and stock exchange approvals for the Private Placement are obtained in a timely fashion, if at all; anticipated use of proceeds from the Private Placement; the continued economic feasibility of the Companys current corporate social responsibility commitments; and the ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: an inability to complete the Private Placement on the terms or on the timeline as announced or at all; an inability to commercialize the Companys Malmbjerg Project; a change to the demand for molybdenum in the EU and elsewhere; the projected and actual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic or the conflict in Ukraine on the factors relevant to the business of the Corporation, including the effect on supply chains, labour market, currency and commodity prices and global and Canadian capital markets; fluctuations in molybdenum and commodity prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar versus the Euro); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structure formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); inadequate insurance, or the inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses, regulatory and stock exchange approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in Greenland and Canada, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; legal restrictions relating to mining; risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; reallocation of proceeds from the Private Placement to cover unanticipated expenses; title matters; the relationship with local communities and its effects on the business of the Corporation; and the additional risks identified in our filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR in Canada (available 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. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The securities described herein 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 accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States 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 to buy any securities in any jurisdiction. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable securities regulations, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking information. Neither the NEO Exchange Inc. nor its regulation services provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707435452/en/

For further information:

Ruben Shiffman, PhD Chairman, President

Keith Minty, P.Eng, MBA Engineering and Project Management

Jim Steel, P.Geo, MBA Exploration and Mining Geology

Nauja Bianco, M.Pol.Sci. Public and Community Relations

Gary Anstey Investor Relations

Eric Grossman, CPA, CGA Chief Financial Officer

Corporate office Suite 1410, 181 University Av. Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5H 3M7

Telephone +1 647 273 9913

Email [email protected]

Web www.greenlandresources.ca

Source: Greenland Resources Inc.
NEW YORK & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), a leading global provider of data, technology, and market infrastructure, and home to the largest soft commodity futures and options markets in the world, today announced strong first half volumes and open interest across soft commodities as customers respond to changing weather patterns and its impact on commodity supplies.

Volumes across ICEs soft commodity portfolio, which include ICEs benchmark Sugar, Cocoa, Coffee, Cotton, Canola and Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice markets, are up 22% year-over-year (y/y), with OI up 19% y/y at 4.2 million. Sugar volumes are up 30% y/y with OI up 22% at 1.7 million; Coffee volumes are up 10% y/y; while Cocoa is up 17% and Cotton volumes are up 10% y/y.

ICEs soft commodity Options markets are performing particularly strong with OI across the portfolio up 22% y/y at 1.9 million, with customers increasingly utilizing ICE's Calendar Spread Options products to manage spread volatility between futures contract months. Sugar Options OI is up 23% y/y and Cocoa Options OI is up 62% y/y at 669,000 contracts.

As customers manage the new risk environment created by rising cocoa prices, a record number of Cocoa futures and options traded in the first half of 2023. Cocoa hit successive volume and OI records through the period to reach a record high of 1.4 million contracts on June 29, 2023. Cocoa OI is up 36% y/y across futures and options while participation in ICEs New York and London Cocoa contracts is at its highest since 2018, with record participation in ICEs London Cocoa markets in June.

Commodity derivative markets have facilitated price risk management for producers and consumers for over 100 years, said David Farrell, Chief Operating Officer at ICE Futures U.S. As new weather patterns emerge and fundamentals change, participants utilize ICEs deeply liquid markets to manage price exposure for these commodities which are so central to daily life.

A record 4.4 million Canola futures and options traded in the first half of 2023, surpassing the record previously set in 2016. Canola is used to hedge the price of canola seed, also known as Rapeseed, with the global benchmark price for Canola formed on ICEs markets each day. Canadian Canola exports are estimated to represent over half of global Canola/Rapeseed exports.

ICEs soft commodities markets are one part of ICEs extensive global energy and commodity markets including the global benchmarks Brent Crude Oil, TTF natural gas and European carbon allowances. Open interest across ICEs commodity markets is up 12% y/y at 52.6 million contracts with average daily volume up 7% y/y at 3.9 million contracts.

About Intercontinental Exchange

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks to connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes that offer our customers access to mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and operational efficiencies. We operate exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, and clearing houses that help people invest, raise capital and manage risk across multiple asset classes. Our comprehensive fixed income data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers capitalize on opportunities and operate more efficiently. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming and digitizing the U.S. residential mortgage process, from consumer engagement through loan registration. Together, we transform, streamline and automate industries to connect our customers to opportunity.

Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading Key Information Documents (KIDS).

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 -- Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors in ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as filed with the SEC on February 2, 2023.

Category: EXCHANGES

ICE- CORP

Source: Intercontinental Exchange

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707163421/en/

ICE Media Contact:

Rebecca Mitchell

[email protected]

+44 7951 057 351



ICE Investor Contact:

Katia Gonzalez

[email protected]

(678) 981-3882

Source: Intercontinental Exchange
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- LTC Properties, Inc. (NYSE: LTC) will release second quarter earnings on Thursday, July 27, 2023 after market close.

LTC will conduct a conference call on Friday, July 28, 2023 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific / 11:00 a.m. Eastern, to provide commentary on the performance and operating results for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Conference Call

Interested parties may access the live conference call via the following:

Webcast www.LTCReit.com USA Toll-Free Number 1-888-506-0062 International Number 1-973-528-0011 Conference Access Code 152241

Conference Call Replay

A replay of the call will be available one hour after the live call and through August 11, 2023.

USA Toll-Free Number 1-877-481-4010 International Number 1-919-882-2331 Conference Access Code 48641

An audio replay of the conference call and the Companys earnings release and supplemental information package for the current period will be available on the Companys website at: https://ir.ltcreit.com/Investors.

About LTC Properties

LTC is a real estate investment trust (REIT) investing in seniors housing and health care properties primarily through sale-leasebacks, mortgage financing, joint-ventures and structured finance solutions including preferred equity and mezzanine lending. LTCs investment portfolio includes 212 properties in 29 states with 30 operating partners. Based on its gross real estate investments, LTCs investment portfolio is comprised of approximately 50% seniors housing and 50% skilled nursing properties. Learn more at www.LTCreit.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that are not purely historical and are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the Companys expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. All statements other than historical facts contained in this press release are forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. All forward looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update such forward looking statements. Although the Companys management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. The actual results achieved by the Company may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to the risks and uncertainties of such statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707483040/en/

Mandi Hogan

(805) 981-8655

Source: LTC Properties, Inc.
HSINCHU, TAIWAN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Taiwan signed a BOT hospital contract with privately owned Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) on July 4th, with NTHU President W. John Kao () and KMU Director Yi-chen Wang () signing the contract. KMU will invest more than NT$10 billion to build a large-scale smart hospital in the Taoyuan Aerotropolis. Construction on the first phase of the project, which will have a total of 515 beds, is expected to begin in 2024 and be completed by 2028.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707014768/en/

NTHU signed a hospital BOT contract with KMU on July 4th. (Photo: Business Wire)

Guests attending and witnessing the BOT contract signing ceremony included Deputy Premier of the Executive Yuan Wen-tsang Cheng (), Minister of Finance Tsui- yun Chuang (), Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Education (MOE) Hsin-kuo Liao (), and Deputy Mayor of Taoyuan City Ming-ju Wang ().

The land for the NTHU Taoyuan Medical and Educational R&D Park, which was allocated by the Taoyuan City Government, covers an area of 7.2 hectares. Five hectares have been reserved for the medical park, which initially will contain 329 general beds and 186 special beds, resulting in a total of 515 beds for the first phase. In the future, the number of beds will gradually increase to 910, making it a teaching hospital at the medical center level.

The remaining 2.2 hectares have been designated for the educational R&D park. In the first phase, KMU will construct laboratories, classrooms, and dormitories for healthcare and medical students. In the second phase, NTHU will raise funds independently to develop a medical incubation center and a research center.

Deputy Premier Cheng pointed out that this project was initiated during his tenure as the mayor of Taoyuan City. The NTHU Hospital will leverage the advantages of the Aerotropolis to develop international healthcare services.

During her speech, Minister of Finance Chuang confirmed that KMUs investment in the NTHU Hospital exceeds NT$10 billion. She noted that this project is the largest private sector investment in public infrastructure under the jurisdiction of the MOE.

NTHU President Kao pointed out that the project is an excellent example of public- private partnership (PPP) collaboration. NTHU and KMU will work together to bring the most advanced technologies such as AI, big data, and gene editing into medical services, benefiting the local population and promoting international healthcare. The NTHU Hospital will also serve as a cutting-edge medical education platform, cultivating future physicians with a sense of mission and imparting diverse perspectives.

KMU noted that the NTHU Hospital will include services such as preventive medicine, community healthcare, clinical medicine, and home healthcare, with the aim of providing comprehensive outpatient, emergency, and inpatient services.

The NTHU Hospital will incorporate 39 medical sub-specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, as well as other medical disciplines.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707014768/en/

Holly Hsueh

NTHU

(886)3-5162006

[email protected]

Source: National Tsing Hua University
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Adding to the wave of support for the Canadian news industry in the face of the unfair actions of dominant digital players, Postmedia has paused all direct company advertising on Meta platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

Our government recently made important steps by passing the Online News Act, said Andrew MacLeod, President and CEO, Postmedia. There is no greater proof of the critical need for this law at this time than the actions taken upon its passing. We hope to work together to ensure that all parties can do what the Online News Act allows for, to bargain fairly, level the playing field and preserve journalism in Canada.

About Postmedia Network Inc.

Postmedia Network Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Postmedia Network Canada Corp. (TSX:PNC.A, PNC.B), is a Canadian newsmedia 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707150775/en/

Postmedia

Phyllise Gelfand

Vice President, Communications

(647) 273-9287

[email protected]

Source: Postmedia Network Inc.
Agencies in select counties looking for drivers and riders committing safety violations

OLYMPIA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- More motorcycles travel on Washingtons roads in the summer months than any other time of the year and officials are concerned about the continued increase in fatal motorcycle crashes throughout the state. As part of an effort to reduce these crashes, increased safety patrols will be visible July 7 through July 23 in Pierce, King, Snohomish, Clark, Yakima, and Spokane Counties.

The patrols will focus on illegal driving behaviors by both motorcycle riders and other vehicle drivers. Local law enforcement agencies in these counties, along with the Washington State Patrol, will be working overtime focused on drivers and riders who commit traffic safety violations.

The increasing number of motorcycle rider deaths is a concerning trend and we know that we can all work to prevent these deaths, said Shelly Baldwin, Director of the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. The little things count. Drivers can watch out for motorcyclists, riders can improve their skills through training, and all of us can respect speed limits and ride and drive sober.

From 2018 through 2022, motorcycles made up just 3 percent of the registered vehicles on Washingtons roads but accounted for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities (492 of 3,076). In 2022 alone, preliminary data shows 132 motorcycle rider fatalities in Washington, possibly the most in a single year in our states history. This was a 43 percent increase over 2021.

While about two-thirds of fatal motorcycle crashes involved another vehicle, illegal and dangerous actions by the rider including speeding, losing control in corners and curves, improper passing, and riding under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs were the main contributing factors cited in these crashes.

Summer events can bring thousands of people together from across our state, Baldwin added. We want to ensure that everyone enjoys the weekend and arrives back home safely. Were in this together.

In June 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a study supporting the effectiveness of law enforcement patrols in reducing unsafe driving behavior and crashes. The WTSC and participating law enforcement agencies condemn profiling. Trained and commissioned law enforcement officers will be conducting these patrols enforcing traffic violations as defined by Washington State laws.

For training videos and other information on the Its A Fine Line motorcycle safety program in Washington, please visit http://itsafineline.com/

These and all extra law enforcement patrols sponsored by WTSC are part of Target Zerostriving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on Washingtons roadways. For more information, visit www.targetzero.com. Additional information on the Washington Traffic Safety Commission can be found on the website, www.wtsc.wa.gov.

Source: WTSC Research and Data Division:

Year Total Traffic Fatalities Motorcycle Fatalities Percentage of Total 2018 539 80 15% 2019 538 95 18% 2020 574 93 16% 2021 675 92 14% 2022 (preliminary) 750 132 18% Totals 3,076 492 16%

For journalists on word choice:

A crash or collision happens when a vehicle collides with another object. Using the word accident assumes it was a bizarre occurrence that no one could have stopped, when in fact the circumstances leading up to 90 percent of car crashes are predictable and preventable. WTSC is seeing and hearing crash or collision in the news more often lately and wants to thank journalists who are making this insightful choice.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707524923/en/

Mark Medalen

WA Traffic Safety Commission

[email protected]

360-725-9878

Source: Washington Traffic Safety Commission
At a time when the isolation and separation of the COVID-19 pandemic threatened to erode partnerships of all kinds, members of the Seattle band The Head and the Heart made a commitment, as drummer Tyler Williams put it, to cherish our relationships.

The Head and the Heart, which will headline Tuesdays show at Ting Pavilion, established a weekly check-in Zoom call to help make sure hearts and heads were in the same space during a disruptive time in history.

Williams and his bandmates  vocalist and guitarist Jonathan Russell; violinist, guitarist and vocalist Charity Rose Thielen; pianist Kenny Hensley; bassist Chris Zasche and multi-instrumentalist Matt Gervais  invested extra time in checking in with each other during a time when shutdowns kept them from rehearsing and conversing in person.

We started a weekly Zoom call that was just for the band to talk about our lives and stay together, and not grow apart, Williams said. Then, we were also doing therapy together. Weve done band therapy since 2019, which the drummer said is valued for helping the musicians stay committed to understanding each other.

I think we realized we want to stay together as long as possible and cherish our relationships, Williams said. He said that Metallica caught a lot of heat early on for devoting time to band therapy, but now its not a joke anymore.

The musicians hard work can be heard in Every Shade of Blue, a 16-track collection that explores the musical influences the individual band members bring to the song creation process and the creative energy of producers Jesse Shatkin, Andrew Sarlo, John Hill and Sammy Witte.

Work had just started on a new album in February 2020 when the pandemic arrived and a cascade of shutdowns began. Each band member started recording at home on his or her own equipment, sharing the results and savoring the versatility.

Were music, Williams said. Were influenced by so many things. This one has a lot of variety.

The musicians created so many songs that it made sense to include as many as possible on Every Shade of Blue and revel in the diverse influences that flow into a cohesive sound thats unmistakably the bands own.

It was a learning process for two and a half years before we could see each other again, Williams said. We came up with so much stuff in that time that we had to use it, and not sit on it.

One track is Virginia (Wind in the Night), penned by a grateful Russell after returning to his home state. Williams is happy to remind listeners how great Virginia is.

Jon and I moved back to Richmond, said Williams, who grew up in Fredericksburg. We cant stay away. Were back for good.

Quality time in the commonwealth includes Tuesdays visit to Ting Pavilion. Williams fondly remembers the bands first Charlottesville performance  a 2012 show opening for Dr. Dog at the Jefferson Theater. My whole family was there, he said.

He said the Charlottesville audience can expect to hear music from each of the bands albums.

We always hit every album and different eras, Williams said. Weve always had a song or two that brought a different audience.

The Head and the Heart will headline its own inaugural music festival at summers end. Down in the Valley Festival, scheduled for Sept. 2 and 3 at Oxbow Riverstage in Napa, California, reflects the founders ideas about what makes a successful festival.

We got to curate the whole lineup, Williams said. Everybody we like to listen to. We look at it as really doing it right. It feels very much like a community.

Also performing in Tuesdays show at Ting Pavilion will be Illiterate Light, Landon Elliott and Deau Eyes.

General admission is $50. From each ticket purchased, $1 will go to The Head and the Hearts The Rivers and Roads Foundation. Funds will go to work in the bands home base of Seattle both by boosting local music programs, especially ones that help youths gain equitable access to music education, and mental health resources and support for musicians.

Learn more at tingpavilion.com.
GOLDEN, Colo., July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Alpha Energy, Inc. (OTC Markets: APHE) today announced that it has filed with the Colorado Secretary of State to change its name to Truleum, Inc. In conjunction with the name change, the Company is pleased to announce that the name and trading symbol change has been officially approved by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and will begin trading under the trading symbol, TRLM effective July 7, 2023.

The decision to change the companys name and trading symbol was carefully considered and aligns with Truleums narrative of restoring trust and hope in the petroleum industry.

Truleums name and symbol change mark a significant milestone in our companys journey, said Jay Leaver, President of Truleum, Inc. We are thrilled to embrace this new identity, as it accurately represents our core values and unwavering commitment to restoring the economic viability of the oil and gas industry to the American heartland. This change enables us to better communicate our mission to our stakeholders and strengthens our position as a catalyst for positive change in the petroleum industry.

Truleums common stock will continue to trade on the OTC Markets.

For further information and updates, please visit Truleums official website at www.truleum.com.

About TruleumTruleum is an oil and gas company dedicated to acquiring and developing abandoned wellbores. The company utilizes advanced technologies to revitalize to become economically viable assets.

Safe HarborThis press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as anticipate, believe, contemplate, could, estimate, expect, intend, seek, may, might, plan, potential, predict, project, target, aim, should, will, would, or the negative of these words or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words,. Forward- looking statements are based on Alpha Energy, Inc.s current expectations and are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These and other risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the section titled Risk Factors in the Alpha Energy, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. Forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made as of this date, and Alpha Energy, Inc. undertakes no duty to update such information except as required under applicable law. The SEC permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved, probable and possible reserves. We may use the term resource in this news release that the SECs guidelines prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. investors are urged to consider closely the oil and gas disclosures in our Form 10-K and other reports and filings with the SEC. Copies are available from the SEC and from the Alpha Energy, Inc. website.

For more information contact Jay Leaver at [email protected] .

Source: Alpha Energy, Inc
Reference is made to the Companys announcement from 20 June 2022 of a dawn raid by the Danish competition authority regarding Atlantic Trucking, which is a part of Eimskip Denmark A/S.

The announcement stated that Eimskipafelag Islands hf. had no reason to believe that Atlantic Trucking, which has around 5% market share in the market, had been involved in any violation of Danish competition law.

Today the Company received a letter from the Danish competition authority notifying of its decision to discontinue the case proceedings and to close the case. Eimskip is content that this case is thereby over.
MONACO, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- My message to young people is this: I really invite you to be very curious, to question the status quo and also the social norms. The way were doing things today is not right regarding climate change. We need to make a breakthrough and we will see the greatest changes in the history of our civilization in the next century. This will be a very challenging time for engineers and technicians to work on solutions to drive change, so be ambitious and don't stop at no, says German skipper Boris Herrmann, who has just been with his crew on the Ocean Race. Herrmann has arrived at the Yacht Club de Monaco, 'home' of his team Malizia (designed and founded together with Pierre Casiraghi, vice president of the Club and Founder of the Team Malizia), on the occasion of this 10th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. The event dedicated to alternative propulsion has now reached its tenth edition and gathers 31 universities, about 50 teams for a total of 500 international students, who will compete with their boats powered by alternative propulsion in various competitions at sea. Herrmann has always been committed from an environmental point of view including for instance having a laboratory onboard during the past Vendee Globe. Here at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, continues Herrmann, we see students with boats with solar technologies but also with hydrogen fuel cells. They are technologies that are not common. They will drive innovation and some startups will emerge from here. They will certainly learn a lot and more and more talent will spread among the people who work in the sector. And on the future from the point of view of sailing, the German sportsman has his eyes on the Transat Jacques Vabre (October 2023) and the Vendee Globe 2024-2025, a regatta which consists of a complete circumnavigation in solitary, with arrival and departure from the French port Les Sables-d'Olonne, in the Vendee department (Vendee). As far as we are concerned, we are only in the middle of the cycle of our project with this boat, he says referring to the Imoca protagonist of the Ocean race. We have built, he adds, a boat specifically for the Vendee Globe, which is the next regatta coming in winter 2024-2025. Until then we still have four more transatlantic regattas to participate in, so this is not the end of the campaign. This is only the first big step taken in 11 months since the launch and 50,000 nautical miles covered.

Video available on AP Multimedia Newsroom

For more information:Press Office LaPresse - [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a2b38a5-99ed-431e-b338-1f6827033807

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

Boris Herrmann Yacht Club de Monaco Boris Herrmann and his message to the young people on climate change, be curious and drive innovation.

Source: Yacht Club de Monaco
CALGARY, Alberta, July 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Canadian Organising Committee for the 24th World Petroleum Congress (OCAN) marks the 75-day milestone to the Congress in Calgary where global policy and energy leaders will gather to discuss innovative solutions for potential paths to a net zero future. Momentum is building for the Congress, taking place from September 17  21, 2023, with strong support and participation from industry and government sponsors, strategic and technical speakers, and delegates.

Announcing our Strategic & Technical Programmes

As the Congress nears, the full Technical Programme has been released, and thought leaders from around the globe continue to be announced as participants in the Strategic Programme.

The World Petroleum Council (WPC) brings together a diverse cross section of domestic and global energy and government leaders, which represents a key differentiator for the Congress, says Dr. Pierce Riemer, Director General of the WPC. With an outstanding group of speakers in both the Strategic and Technical programmes, we look forward to innovative and thought-provoking dialogues in support of the theme: Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero.

The 24th World Petroleum Congress will offer the most robust networking to date and throughout the week delegates will enjoy multiple opportunities to engage with energy peers seeking conversations, collaborations and connections to address the challenges of transitioning to a low carbon future.

For detailed information on the Congress programme and speaker list please visit www.24wpc.com.

Recognising our Sponsors

OCAN is pleased to recognise our sponsors and partners supporting the 24th Congress, which includes domestic and international energy producers, supporting companies and government partners. The participation is indicative of the industrys commitment to addressing the worlds collective energy challenges and identifying solutions to a net zero future.

OCAN would like to recognise the current Congress sponsors including Accenture, Qatar Energy, Cenovus Energy, Pathways Alliance, Repsol, Suncor Energy, BP, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Chevron, Deloitte, Enbridge, ExxonMobil, Imperial, Petrobras, S&P Global, Bennett Jones, Petroleum Economist, PwC, Upstream, AMGAS,

ConocoPhillips Canada, geoLOGIC, Hatch, MEG Energy, Shell Canada, Fluor, Stikeman Elliott, and Tenaris for their support in making this Congress a world-class event.

We are delighted with the level of engagement and support provided by our sponsors, says Denis Painchaud, President & CEO, OCAN. In addition to industry support, the critical funding and in-kind contributions from government partners including PrairiesCan, the Province of Alberta and the City of Calgary, will help promote Canadas commitment to building a sustainable industry.

With delegates from over 75 participating nations already registered we look forward to the diverse conversations that the Congress will bring. Registration is open with registration costs rising on August 1st. Register now at www.24WPC.com.

Notes for Editors:

About the World Petroleum Congress

Held every three years in WPC member countries, the Congress is the worlds premier oil, gas and energy forum that attracts the attendance of heads of state, energy leaders and technical experts who discuss the challenges and opportunities of managing the worlds petroleum and energy resources for the benefit of all. Under the theme of Energy Transition: The Path to Net Zero, the 24th WPC in Calgary will feature a multi-stream conference, including strategic and technical sessions, an international exhibition covering 225,000 ft2, programming for young professionals, and special events such as Canada Night, Womens Networking Breakfast, Ministerial Reception, Excellence Awards and much more.

The information presented at the Congress, as well as the discussions and debates around the progressive programme topics, will help to define realistic, workable paths forward for the global energy industry to achieve a net zero future. The Congress is expected to draw over 5,000 delegates from more than 100 countries, 50 ministerial delegations, 700 expert speakers, and 800 media. Over 15,000 unique visitors are expected to participate in the Congress, which will also feature an Exhibition comprising of over 200 international exhibitors.

About the World Petroleum Council

Established in 1933, the World Petroleum Council is a non-advocacy, non-political organization with charitable status in the U.K. and has accreditation as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) from the United Nations (UN). The WPC is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable management and the use of the worlds energy resources for the benefit of all. WPC conducts the triennial World Petroleum Congress, covering all aspects of the industry including management of the industry and its social, economic, and environmental impact.

For further information about the 24th World Petroleum Congress, contact:

Brittney Price, Communications Lead E-mail: [email protected]www.24wpc.com

For further information about the World Petroleum Council, contact:

Sarah Beattie, Project Manager E-mail: [email protected]www.world-petroleum.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/50d6a068-4778-460e-ba23-1c9dae76a53f

Countdown to Calgary: Join the Conversation on The Path to Net Zero in 75 Days A shot of the 23 WPC hosted in Houston in 2021 highlighting advancements in the energy industry

Source: WPC Canada
Electromagnetic Geoservices ASA (the Company or EMGS) releases information on vessel activity and multi-client sales during the quarter approximately 4-5 working days after the close of each quarter. The Company defines vessel utilisation as the percentage of the vessel charter period spent on proprietary or multi-client data acquisition. Downtime (technical or maritime), mobilisation, steaming, and some standby activities are not included in the utilisation rate.



At the end of the second quarter 2023 the Company had one vessel on charter, the Atlantic Guardian. The Atlantic Guardian was warm stacked for the entire quarter.

The utilization for the second quarter was 0% compared with 18% for the second quarter 2022.

EMGS had one vessel in operation and recorded 3.0 vessel months in the quarter. In the second quarter 2022, the Company recorded 3.0 vessel months.





Multi-client revenues in the second quarter

The Company expects to record approximately USD 0.1 million in multi-client revenues for the second quarter of 2023.



EMGS will publish its second quarter 2023 financial results on Thursday 17 August 2023 prior to 07:30 local time (Norway). A recorded presentation will also be made available over the Internet. To access the presentation, please go to the Companys homepage ( www.emgs.com ) and follow the link.



Contact

Anders Eimstad, Chief Financial Officer, +47 948 25 836





This information is published in accordance with the Norwegian Securities Trading Act  5-12.



About EMGS

EMGS, the marine EM market leader, uses its proprietary electromagnetic (EM) technology to support oil and gas companies in their search for offshore hydrocarbons. EMGS supports each stage in the workflow, from survey design and data acquisition to processing and interpretation. The Company's services enable the integration of EM data with seismic and other geophysical and geological information to give explorationists a clearer and more complete understanding of the subsurface. This improves exploration efficiency and reduces risks and the finding costs per barrel. CSEM technology can also be used to detect the presence of marine mineral deposits (primarily Seabed Massive Sulphides) and EMGS believes that the technology can also be used to estimate the mineral content of such deposits. The Company is undertaking early-stage initiatives to position itself in this future market.


All amounts expressed in US dollars

LUMWANA, Zambia, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: GOLD)(TSX: ABX)  Barricks drive to transform the Lumwana copper mine into a Tier One1 asset with a life extending beyond 2060 is picking up speed with a strong performance in the past quarter adding impetus to its continuing production ramp-up.

Briefing media at a site visit here today, Barrick president and chief executive Mark Bristow said the mines full potential was only now being revealed. Additional expansion opportunities, identified through an updated geological model, are currently being assessed, while drilling at the Kababisa prospect highlights potential mining flexibility through higher grades. The Lumwana pre-feasibility study is progressing in line with our plans to transform its long-term copper profile through the delivery of the envisioned super pit.

Since Barrick refocused its strategy in Africa in 2019, Lumwana has become a key element in the expansion of our strategic copper portfolio and a significant contributor to our bottom line. At the same time its importance to Zambia has grown. Since 2019 it has contributed more than $2.3 billion to the countrys economy in the form of royalties, taxes, salaries and purchases from local suppliers, he said.

Barrick has a global policy of sourcing its suppliers locally and last year it spent $432 million, 83% of its total procurement, with Zambian suppliers and contractors. It has also launched a Business Accelerator Program to build the capacity of Zambian contractors in the mining supply chain.

Similarly, Barrick is committed to local employment. Currently 99.3% of Lumwanas employees and 98% of its contractors are Zambian nationals, both industry-leading statistics.

Lumwana is a participant in the United Nations REDD+ project, which is designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation, and the mine has engaged with its communities on this initiative.

Barrick enquiries

Investor and media relationsKathy du Plessis+44 20 7557 7738Email: [email protected]

Website: www.barrick.com

Endnote 1

A Tier One Copper Asset is an asset with a reserve potential of greater than five million tonnes of contained copper and C1 cash costs per pound over the mine life that are in the lower half of the industry cost curve.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

Certain information contained in this press release, including any information as to our strategy, projects, plans or future financial or operating performance, constitutes forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The words transform, extend, ramp-up, started, will, continue and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, with respect to: potential life of mine extensions at Lumwana; Barricks commitment to employing host country nationals and creating long-term value for its host communities in Zambia; Barricks focus on Tier One Assets and its potential for growth while delivering sustainable returns; Barricks sustainability strategy, including projects to reduce greenhouse gas or carbon dioxide emissions in Zambia; and Barricks future investments in community projects and contributions to the Zambian economy.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions including material estimates and assumptions related to the factors set forth below that, while considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this press release in light of managements experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, copper, or certain other commodities (such as silver, diesel fuel, natural gas, and electricity); the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; 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 Zambia and other jurisdictions in which the Company or its affiliates do or may carry on business in the future; changes in mineral production performance, exploitation, and exploration successes; the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Companys expectations; disruption of supply routes which may cause delays in construction and mining activities, including disruptions in the supply of key mining inputs due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia; risk of loss due to acts of war, terrorism, sabotage and civil disturbances; failure to comply with environmental and health and safety laws and regulations; timing of receipt of, or failure to comply with, necessary permits and approvals; uncertainty whether some or all of Barricks targeted investments and projects will meet the Companys capital allocation objectives and internal hurdle rate; damage to the Companys reputation due to the actual or perceived occurrence of any number of events, including negative publicity with respect to the Companys handling of environmental matters or dealings with community groups, whether true or not; risks associated with new diseases, epidemics and pandemics, including the effects and potential effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic; litigation and legal and administrative proceedings; employee relations including loss of key employees; increased costs and physical and transition risks related to climate change, including extreme weather events, resource shortages, emerging policies and increased regulations relating to related to greenhouse gas emission levels, energy efficiency and reporting of risks; and availability and increased costs associated with mining inputs and labor. Barrick also cautions that its guidance may be impacted by the ongoing business and social disruption caused by the spread of Covid-19. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion, copper cathode or gold or copper concentrate losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks).

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, us. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. Specific reference is made to the most recent Form 40-F/Annual Information Form on file with the SEC and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities for a more detailed discussion of some of the factors underlying forward-looking statements and the risks that may affect Barricks ability to achieve the expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Barrick 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.

Source: Barrick Gold Corporation
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Optimum Ventures Ltd. (Optimum or the Company) (TSXV: OPV) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arrangement agreement with Blackwolf Copper and Gold Ltd. ("Blackwolf") dated as of July 6, 2023 (the "Arrangement Agreement"), pursuant to which Blackwolf has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Optimum (collectively, the "Company Shares") by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "Arrangement").

Tyler Ross, CEO of Optimum, stated, This is a transformational opportunity for Optimum's shareholders to join the vision of Blackwolf in becoming a leading mining company in the Golden Triangle. With experienced leadership under Morgan Lekstrom, strategic investment from Frank Giustra, Rob McLeod leading the Geological programs and the addition of Andrew Bowering to the board of the resulting issuer, the combined entity is well situated to unlock the large-scale potential of these complementary projects in the Golden Triangle.

Summary of the Arrangement

Pursuant to the terms of the Arrangement, shareholders of Optimum (the "Company Shareholders") will receive common shares of Blackwolf ("Blackwolf Shares") on the basis of an exchange ratio of 0.65 (the "Exchange Ratio") of a common share of Blackwolf for each share of Optimum held, resulting in existing Company Shareholders collectively owning approximately 26% of the outstanding share capital of the resulting company upon closing of the Arrangement and all outstanding stock options of the Company will be cancelled. Each of Optimums directors and officers and certain other significant Optimum shareholders, collectively holding in aggregate at least 41% of the outstanding shares of Optimum, have entered into voting support agreements in favour of the proposed transaction. The proposed consideration for the Arrangement values Optimum at approximately C$0.196 per share, representing a premium of approximately 8.97% to Company Shareholders based on the trailing 10-day volume weighted average price of each company as of the close of trading on June 20, 2023 at the time the proposed Arrangement was initially announced.

The Arrangement is subject to a number of closing conditions, including: the Company having minimum working capital of C$675,000 (net of costs and expenses of the Company in connection with the Arrangement); reconstitution of the board of directors of Blackwolf to consist of six (6) members, five (5) of which will be existing members of the board of directors of Blackwolf or chosen by Blackwolf and one of which will be Andrew Bowering, a nominee of the Company; the approval of the Supreme Court of British Columbia (the Court); the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV) and all other applicable third party and regulatory consents for the Arrangement; the Company obtaining the requisite approval of its shareholders (the "Optimum Shareholders") and optionholders; no more than 5% of the Company's shareholders exercising their rights of dissent in connection with the Arrangement, and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature.

The Arrangement Agreement includes customary provisions, including non-solicitation, right to match, and fiduciary out provisions, as well as certain representations, covenants and conditions which are customary for a transaction of this nature. The Arrangement Agreement provides for a termination fee payable by either party in certain circumstances in the event the Arrangement does not close. The Arrangement is an arms length transaction in accordance with the policies of the TSXV.

Further information regarding the Arrangement will be contained in a management information circular that Optimum will prepare, file and mail to the Optimum securityholders (the "Circular") in connection with the special meeting of the Optimum securityholders to be held to consider the Arrangement (the "Meeting"). All securityholders are urged to read the Circular once available as it will contain additional important information concerning the Arrangement. The Arrangement Agreement will be filed on SEDAR. Only Optimum Shareholders of record and optionholders of Optimum at the close of business on the record date will be entitled to vote at the Meeting. The Arrangement will require the approval of (i) at least 66% of the votes cast by Optimum securityholders; (ii) at least 66% of the votes cast by Optimum shareholders; and (iii) if applicable, a majority of the votes cast by Optimum shareholders present in person or represented by proxy at the Optimum annual general and special meeting, excluding, for this purpose, votes attached to Optimum shares held by persons described in items (a) through (d) of Section 8.1(2) of Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. The Transaction is anticipated to be completed at or about the beginning of September 2023.The Plan of Arrangement is subject to Court approval by way of receipt of an interim order (the Interim Order) and a final order (the Final Order). The Interim Order will provide for, among other things, the holding of the Meeting to approve the Arrangement. The Interim Order will also set out other conditions that must be met for the Company to apply for the Final Order of the Court to approve the Plan of Arrangement.

The Blackwolf Shares to be issued under the Arrangement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or applicable exemption from registration requirements. It is anticipated that any securities to be issued under the Arrangement will be offered and issued in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 provided by Section 3(a)(10) thereof.

Board of Directors and Special Committee Recommendations

The Arrangement Agreement has been approved by the Boards of Directors of Optimum and Blackwolf. The Board of Directors of Optimum has evaluated the Arrangement Agreement with the Company's management and advisors and, following receipt and review of a unanimous recommendation from the special committee of the Board of Directors (the "Optimum Special Committee"), comprised entirely of independent directors of Optimum, in favour of the Transaction, the Optimum Board of Directors unanimously determined that the Arrangement Agreement is in the best interests of the Company, and unanimously recommend that Optimum securityholders vote in favour of the Transaction.

RwE Growth Partners, Inc. has provided a fairness opinion to Optimum Special Committee. The opinion stated that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications stated in such opinion, the consideration to be paid under the Arrangement is fair, from a financial point of view, to Optimum shareholders.

Strategic Rationale for the Arrangement

The resulting entity following completion of the Arrangement will provide the Optimum Shareholders a direct interest in a company with a strong base of strategically located high potential projects in the Golden Triangle area in Northern British Columbia and Alaska with significant capital and an experienced management team to pursue further exploration and development of the projects; Complementary management teams with a combined skill set of mining development, operations, finance, exploration and community relations experience; locally-based team of miners, drillers and support team; and Strong, supportive combined corporate, retail and institutional shareholder base of the resulting issuer providing enhanced market visibility.

Advisors and Counsel

DuMoulin Black LLP is acting as legal counsel to Blackwolf and Fiore Management and Advisory Corp. has acted as advisor to Blackwolf in connection with the Transaction and will receive a 2% advisory fee payable in Blackwolf Shares on closing of the Arrangement.

Boughton Law Corporation is acting as legal counsel to Optimum. RwE Growth Partners, Inc. provided a fairness opinion to Optimums Special Committee of the board of directors that the Arrangement is fair from a financial point of view to the shareholders of Optimum subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in such fairness opinion.

About Blackwolf

Blackwolfs founding vision is to be an industry leader in transparency, inclusion and innovation. Guided by our Vision and through collaboration with local and Indigenous communities and stakeholders, Blackwolf builds shareholder value through our technical expertise in mineral exploration, engineering and permitting. Blackwolf holds a 100% interest in the high-grade Niblack copper-gold-zinc-silver VMS project, located adjacent to tidewater in southeast Alaska as well as five Hyder Area gold-silver and VMS properties in southeast Alaska and northwest British Columbia in the Golden Triangle, including the high-priority wide gold-silver veins at the Cantoo Property. For more information on Blackwolf, please visit the their website at www.blackwolfcopperandgold.com.

About Optimum

Optimum is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company actively seeking opportunities in the resource sector. Its properties and projects are all located in British Columbia and the extensions of the Golden Triangle area of Northern British Columbia into Alaska. The Company has an option agreement with Teuton Resources Corp. pursuant to which Teuton has agreed to grant to Optimum the option to acquire an up to 80-per-cent interest in the Harry and Outland Silver Bar properties, located near Stewart, B.C.

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.

Completion of the Arrangement is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, TSXV acceptance and shareholder approval. The Arrangement cannot close until the required approvals are obtained. There can be no assurance that the Arrangement will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Arrangement, any information released or received with respect to the Arrangement may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange, Inc. nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) has in any way passed upon the merits of the Arrangement and associated transactions and neither of the foregoing entities accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release or has in any way approved or disapproved of the contents of this press release.

Forward Looking Statements

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Companys control. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include risks associated with the business of Optimum and Blackwolf; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the closing of the Arrangement including obtaining all required securityholder approvals and third party and regulatory consents; non-completion of the Arrangement due to the exercise of dissent rights by Optimum shareholders; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Optimum and Blackwolf; risks related to exploration and potential development of Optimum and Blackwolf projects; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and those risks set out in the filings on SEDAR made by the Company with securities regulators. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including without limitation: the Company's ability to complete the proposed Arrangement; and the Company's ability to achieve the synergies expected as a result of the Arrangement. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. 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, other than as required by applicable securities legislation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Tyler Ross Optimum Ventures Ltd. Tel: (604) 428-6128 [email protected]

Source: Optimum Ventures Inc
Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining

7 July 2023

Vast Resources plc

(Vast or the Company)

Placing to raise 1,701,000

Issue of Equity and TVR

Company Update

Vast Resources plc, the AIM-listed mining company, announces that it has raised 1,701,000 gross through a placing (the Placing) of 486,000,000 ordinary shares of 0.1p in the Company (Ordinary Shares) at a price of 0.35p per Ordinary Share (the Placing). The Placing was undertaken by the Companys joint broker, Axis Capital Markets Ltd (Axis).

The net cash raised from the Placing will be used for working capital and to ensure the Company can meet its current corporate obligations both in Romania and at corporate level, applied to bridging any unforeseen operational related costs as well funding further expansion capital costs, and the ongoing drilling programme and mine development costs at the Companys Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in Romania (Baita Plai).

Recovery of Historic Parcel

As stated in the announcement made on 4 July 2023, the Company continues to liaise with the appropriate organisations regarding the procedure for the handover of the historic parcel currently held in the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. The Placing is necessary to give the Company liquidity until the process has been finalised and implemented and the sale of the parcel can proceed. The Company will update the market with further news.

Asset Backed Debt

As stated in the announcement made on 3 July 2023, the Company is in continued discussions with Mercuria Energy Trading SA and Alpha Investments SARL about a further extension on the repayment of debt totalling approximately $8.4m which was repayable in full on 30 June 2023. The Company, once discussions are successfully concluded, will make a further announcement regarding a formalised extension agreement.

Baita Plai

The Company will be updating the market regarding the Q2 2023 Production Report in the coming weeks and drilling results achieved to date from the drilling programme. The Company can however report that operational breakeven has been achieved in June 2023 and that name plate capacity is now anticipated to be met in Q3 rather than H1 2023.

Admission of the Placing Shares & Total Voting Rights

Application will be made to AIM for the Placing Shares, which will rank pari passu with existing Ordinary Shares, to be admitted to trading on AIM (Admission) in two tranches. It is expected that Admission will become effective and dealing will commence in respect of 58,500,000 Shares on or around 13 July 2023 (the First Admission) and Admission will become effective and dealing will commence in respect of the issue of 427,500,000 being the balance of the Placing Shares on or around 25 July 2023 (the Second Admission). The Placing is conditional on Admission.

Following the First Admission, the total issued share capital of the Company will be 2,986,144,142 and following the Second Admission this will be 3,413,644,142. The Company does not hold any Ordinary Shares in Treasury and accordingly the above figures of 2,986,144,142 and 3,413,644,142 may then be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in Vast under the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rule.

Important Notices

This announcement contains 'forward-looking statements' concerning the Company that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Generally, the words 'will', 'may', 'should', 'continue', 'believes', 'targets', 'plans', 'expects', 'aims', 'intends', 'anticipates' or similar expressions or negatives thereof identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond the Company's ability to control or estimate precisely. The Company cannot give any assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to have been correct. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this announcement. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise publicly any of the forward-looking statements set out herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent legally required.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

Certain information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (UK MAR) until the release of this announcement.

**ENDS**

For further information, visit www.vastplc.com or please contact:

Vast Resources plc

Andrew Prelea (CEO)

Andrew Hall (CCO)



www.vastplc.com

+44 (0) 20 7846 0974 Beaumont Cornish  Financial & Nominated Advisor

Roland Cornish

James Biddle



www.beaumontcornish.com

+44 (0) 20 7628 3396 Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited  Joint Broker

Toby Gibbs / James Thomas (Corporate Advisory)



www.shorecapmarkets.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7408 4050 Axis Capital Markets Limited  Joint Broker

Richard Hutchinson



www.axcap247.com

+44 (0) 20 3206 0320 St Brides Partners Limited

Susie Geliher / Charlotte Page www.stbridespartners.co.uk

+44 (0) 20 7236 1177

ABOUT VAST RESOURCES PLC

Vast Resources plc is a United Kingdom AIM listed mining company with mines and projects in Romania, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe.

In Romania, the Company is focused on the rapid advancement of high-quality projects by recommencing production at previously producing mines.

The Company's Romanian portfolio includes 100% interest in Vast Baita Plai SA which owns 100% of the producing Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine, located in the Apuseni Mountains, Transylvania, an area which hosts Romania's largest polymetallic mines. The mine has a JORC compliant Reserve & Resource Report which underpins the initial mine production life of approximately 3-4 years with an in-situ total mineral resource of 15,695 tonnes copper equivalent with a further 1.8M-3M tonnes exploration target. The Company is now working on confirming an enlarged exploration target of up to 5.8M tonnes.

The Company also owns the Manaila Polymetallic Mine in Romania, which the Company is looking to bring back into production following a period of care and maintenance. The Company has also been granted the Manaila Carlibaba Extended Exploitation Licence that will allow the Company to re-examine the exploitation of the mineral resources within the larger Manaila Carlibaba licence area.

Vast has an interest in a joint venture company which provides a share of revenue generated from the Takob Mine processing facility in Tajikistan. The Takob Mine opportunity, which is 100% financed, will provide Vast with a 12.25 percent royalty equivalent over all sales of non-ferrous concentrate and any other metals produced.

In Zimbabwe, the Company is preparing for the release of its diamonds previously mined by the Company and preparing for their marketing. Upon the finalisation of the process the Company will recommence its focus on the finalisation of the mining agreement on the Community Diamond Concession in the Marange Diamond Fields.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (OTCQB: MAPPF) (TSXV: MAPS) (FSE: 5D00) ProStar Holdings Inc. (the "Company" or "ProStar") a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions, is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of up to C$2,500,000 (the "Offering").

The Offering will consist of up to 8,333,333 units of the Company (each, a "Unit", and collectively the "Units") at a price of C$0.30 per Unit (the "Offering Price"). Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share", and collectively the "Common Shares") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant" and collectively the "Warrants"). Each whole Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.45 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering, provided that if the closing price of the Common Shares on any Canadian stock exchange on which the Common Shares are then listed is at a price equal to or greater than Cdn$0.75 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, the Company will have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by issuing a press release or other form of notice permitted by the certificate representing the Warrants, announcing that the Warrants will expire at 4:30 p.m. (Vancouver time) on a date that is not less than 30 days from the date notice is given.

The Company will use the proceeds of the Offering for sales, marketing, research and development, and working capital requirements.

Directors and officers of ProStar and shareholders owning more than 10% of the Common Shares may participate in the Offering for a yet to be determined amount. Any such participation in the Offering will constitute a related party transaction as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101  Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (61-101). The Offering will be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties nor the consideration for such securities will exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization.

The securities issued in the Offering will be subject to applicable hold periods imposed under applicable securities legislation, including a hold period of 4 months and one day from the date of issuance. The Company may pay a finders fee on a portion of the gross proceeds of the Offering. The Offering remains subject to regulatory approval and the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the TSXV).

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor will there be any sale of any of the securities described in this news release in any jurisdiction, including the United States, in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction or an available exemption therefrom. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or 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, unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States or pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.

About ProStar:

ProStar is a world leader in Precision Mapping Solutions and is creating a digital world by further integrating the most modern GPS, cloud, and mobile technologies in Precision Mapping Solutions. ProStar is a software development and solution provider company specializing in developing cloud and mobile precision mapping solutions focused on the critical infrastructure industry. ProStars flagship product, PointMan, is designed to significantly improve the workflow processes and business practices associated with the lifecycle management of critical infrastructure assets both above and below the Earths surface.

ProStars PointMan is offered as a Software as a Service (SaaS) and seamlessly connects the field with the office and provides the ability to precisely capture, record, display, and manage critical infrastructure, including pipelines, and utilities. Some of the largest entities in North America have adopted ProStars Precision Mapping solutions, including Fortune 500 construction firms, Subsurface Utilities Engineering (SUE) firms, utility owners, and government agencies. ProStar has strategic business partnerships with the worlds leading geospatial technology providers, data collection equipment manufacturers, and dealer networks.

The Company has made a significant investment in creating a vast intellectual property portfolio that includes several issued patents in the United States and Canada. The patents protect the methods and systems to digitally capture, record, organize, manage, distribute, and display the precise location of critical infrastructure, including buried utilities and pipelines. ProStars Executive management team has extensive experience in the management of both early-stage and Fortune 500 technology companies in the private and public sectors.

For more information about ProStar, please visit www.prostarcorp.com.

On behalf of the Company,Page Tucker on sales / corporate news releases, CEO and DirectorContact:Joel SutherlandInvestor Relations970-822-4792[email protected]

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statements 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 "forwardlooking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the terms of the Offering, the anticipated use of proceeds of the Offering, the securities issuable under the Offering and participation of insiders in the Offering. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will complete the Offering, use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated and the Company will receive approval from the TSXV in connection with the Offering.

These forwardlooking 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 the required regulatory approvals or approval from the TSXV in connection with the Offering and that the Company will not use the proceeds of the Offering as currently anticipated.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

Source: ProStar
BALTIMORE, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Royal Farms announces the opening of its third location in North Carolina in New Bern at the end of July.

Royal Farms is renowned for its hand-breaded, never-frozen fried chicken, recognized by Food and Wine magazine as the Best fast food fried chicken.

The first two locations opened in Grandy and Greenville, NC earlier in the year. Lumberton, Kinston, and Jacksonville, NC locations will be opening later in the year.

The new Royal Farms in New Bern will host a ticketed soft opening event where customers can check out the new store and be served one free meal from the soft opening menu. The free tickets will be available to secure on Eventbrite.

The New Bern location will be equipped with 16 fuel pumps, a carwash, and operate 24 hours and 365 days a year to service all convenience, food, and fuel needs. Free carwashes can be earned through the Royal Farms rewards program RoFo Rewards. Customers can sign up for RoFo Rewards on the Royal Farms mobile app or on RofoRewards.com. RoFo Rewards Members save money throughout the year, earn fuel discounts, receive rewards for everyday purchases, and redeem other surprise freebie offers.

How to Register as a RoFo Rewards Member

Download the Royal Farms app here: https://engagement.punchh.com/b/royalfarms and click "Sign Up" to create a RoFo Rewards account. You can also visit https://www.roforewards.com/register/ to create an account.

About RoFo Rewards

By registering a RoFo Rewards card or downloading our app you gain access to special member offers and can earn rewards points on purchases. Every time you visit Royal Farms and make a purchase, you'll receive 2 points for every dollar you spend, and one point for every gallon of gas you purchase. If you upgrade your card to RoFo Pay, you will also receive a discount on gas when you use your RoFo Rewards card to pay at the pump except for New Jersey Stores. You can keep track of points and offers at www.roforewards.com or by downloading the RoFo Rewards app on your phone.

For those interested in working for Royal Farms, please visit https://www.royalfarms.com/careers/. Royal Farms offers competitive pay, medical and dental insurance, a 401(K)-retirement plan, opportunities for advancement, flexible schedules, vacation time, and our employee store discount.

About Royal FarmsRoyal Farms is a renowned operator of fast and friendly neighborhood convenience stores with nearly 300 locations throughout the Mid-Atlantic. Royal Farms opened its first store in Baltimore, MD in 1959 under the name White Jug. Today, the chain has locations in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Royal Farms has been satisfying customers hunger for Real Fresh food served Real Fast. The Royal Farms Kitchen is well known for its Always Fresh, Never Frozen World-Famous Royal Farms Chicken that is lightly hand-breaded and pressure-cooked in Trans Fat Free cooking oil to golden brown perfection. Royal Farms Western Fries are hand-cut from fresh Idaho potatoes, hand-breaded, and cooked right in store. Most locations are open 24 hours, 365 days a year. For more information about Royal Farms, visit: www.royalfarms.com

Contact:Aliyah Atayee[email protected]

Source: Royal Farms
As Asian longhorned ticks continue to spread throughout Virginia and the United States, scientists are racing to understand how the species is expanding so fast and how they can keep a virulent parasite carried by the ticks from infecting herds of cattle.

Theres a geographic niche for these ticks, and we are reaping that, said Dr. Kevin Lahmers, associate lab director of Virginia Techs Animal Laboratory Services and a professor with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. But, he added, We still have a lot to learn.

Asian longhorned ticks have likely been in the U.S. since 2010, but seven cattle deaths in Virginias Albemarle County in 2017 found the species was carrying a new threat to livestock: a virulent form of the Theileria orientalis parasite, which can cause a disease known as theileriosis characterized by anemia, fever, jaundice, respiratory problems and weakness in cattle. In some cases, cows become so depleted that they spontaneously abort fetuses; in other cases, cattle die. Research has estimated this particular form of Theileria, known as the Ikeda genotype, causes mortality rates between 1% and 5%.

Still, variation is wide, said Lahmers. There are herds that have zero percent mortality. And we have some that have had 25%.

In 2019, when the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) began testing cattle at sales barns and livestock auctions for Theileria, Lahmers said about 1% to 2% of cows turned up positive. That percentage has grown dramatically: While he has not yet finalized his data for publication, Lahmers said hes seen a 10- to 20-fold increase in positive cases.

Neither he nor VDACS have firm estimates of cattle deaths linked to theileriosis, but Lahmers said that if we count cattle deaths and abortions, were probably in the thousands.

It spread easily, he said. It doesnt cause death in the majority  similar to COVID, its only a problem for a few, but the way the cattle industry works, there isnt that much margin for profit. So if you lose 5% of your herd or 5% abort  thats enough to take you from marginally profitable to significant financial losses.

At the same time, Asian longhorned ticks are also showing up in more Virginia counties. In 2019, they had been detected in 24 counties, largely following the spine of Interstate 81 and then stretching west into the coalfields region. By this June, the number of counties had jumped to 38.

It seems to be the higher elevations along the I-81 corridor, said Lahmers. All of those counties are positive or are going to be positive soon.

So far, presence of the tick hasnt been confirmed in Madison County, but it has been found in Greene, Orange, Rappahannock and Page counties.

Virginia isnt the only state grappling with the ticks. Between 2019 and April 2023, the number of states that had detected the species rose from 11 to 19, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifying it in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia, as well as Virginia.

Im not sure that the expansion in Virginia is any faster than anywhere else, said Lahmers.

Scientists arent sure yet how the tick is managing to spread as quickly as it is, but they have identified several possible factors. One is the species willingness to feed on an array of animals, including migratory birds, which means they have less trouble finding sustenance to survive and reproduce. Another is the ticks asexual method of reproduction, which allows it to reproduce without relying on a mate.

Whatever the cause, an increasing number of Asian longhorned ticks appear to be moving into Virginias cattle regions, and theileriosis is a growing concern. The disease has no approved treatment in the U.S., so agricultural officials are focusing on controlling tick populations. They are urging farmers to regularly inspect their herds or any new animals being added, keep cattle out of wooded areas, mow pastures, use ear tags treated with pesticides and submit tick samples to local Virginia Cooperative Extension agents.

As there is no cure, treatment should focus on supportive measures including stress reduction, nutritional supplementation and above all, prevention in the form of tick control, said Dr. Charles Broaddus, Virginias state veterinarian, in a VDACS release.

Furthermore, Lahmers warned, just because a cow tests positive for theileriosis doesnt mean that any subsequent illness it might suffer is due to theileriosis.

Despite the spread and the concerns, Lahmers said theres no need to panic. Most cattle survive theileriosis, and researchers are actively working to better understand the disease and its connections to the Asian longhorned tick through cooperative agreements between the state and the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

In 2019, he said, it was a Virginia problem. But with time, we have found out it wasnt just a Virginia problem and it has continued to spread.
HOUSTON, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stellar Bancorp, Inc. (the Company) (NYSE: STEL) today announced that it will hold a conference call to discuss its second quarter 2023 results. The call will be held on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time (9:00 a.m. Eastern Time). The related earnings release will be issued prior to the market opening on July 28, 2023, and will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at ir.stellarbancorpinc.com, under Press Releases.

Conference Call and Live Webcast

Participants may register for the conference call at https://register.vevent.com/register/BI2481d74e1f5a4577b2eff534eef7c8b7to receive the dial-in numbers and unique PIN to access the call. If you need assistance in obtaining a dial-in number, please contact [email protected]. A simultaneous audio-only webcast may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at https://ir.stellarbancorpinc.com/news-and-events/webcast-and-presentations. If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the webcast will be accessible via the Investor Relations section of the Companys website at ir.stellarbancorpinc.com.

About Stellar Bancorp, Inc.Stellar Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas. The Companys principal banking subsidiary, Stellar Bank, provides a diversified range of commercial banking services primarily to small- to medium-sized businesses and individual customers across the Houston, Dallas, Beaumont and surrounding communities in Texas.

Investor relations:[email protected]

Source: Stellar Bancorp, Inc.
Dallas, TEXAS, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Sylvie Jewelry is excited to announce that it has updated its domain name to sylviejewelry.com. The move marks the culmination of its brand evolution launched last year. While the domain name has changed, the previous domain, sylviecollection.com, directs visitors to the brands new website.

Sylvie Jewelrys new website offers a more content-rich and educational user experience in an effort to empower visitors to gain a deeper understanding of engagement ring and fine jewelry shopping. This website is built for a new generation of customers that does not like to be sold  they crave knowledge, transparency, and an intimate understanding of their purchases, said Gary Levine, Director of Operations at Sylvie. The launch of sylviejewelry.com is aimed at providing an enhanced shopping experience driven by information and education in partnership with our authorized retailers.

Founder Sylvie Levines namesake brand, Sylvie Collection, reflected the companys prior focus on Spectrum Diamonds original bridal collection, which was founded in 2007. The Sylvie brand has taken on a life of its own, and Sylvie Jewelry is no longer primarily focused on bridal jewelry, Levine said. This change reflects that shift in focus and is a move positioned for the next generation of product design and development across all of our jewelry categories, including bridal.

The website showcases Sylvies latest designs and more educational content such as the Sylvie engagement ring guide or topics that discuss How to Clean an Engagement Ring and Upgrading Your Engagement Ring.

In addition to educational content, the new website also tells the story of many of its products like the Sylvie Shell and the many one-of-a-kind styles that Sylvie offers in categories like hidden halo engagement rings and wedding rings. Plus, you can find designer picks that are highlighted on many of its collection pages.

Co-founder and Designer Sylvie Levine stated, We are delighted to introduce our new website and domain name as we move into a new, exciting chapter. Today, our mission transcends being a luxury jewelry brand. Our core purpose in all that we doas a team, family of authorized Sylvie retailers, and individuals who wear my designs every dayis to celebrate life. Our fine jewelry is on-trend and full of life. And symbolically, it is designed to be emblematic of lifes most joyful moments and the stories that they create.

Sylvie is an award-winning luxury jewelry brand that is available at select authorized retailers across the United States and Canada. The Sylvie brand recently celebrated 15 years since its inception, marking a milestone in design excellence and continuous growth. The brand was founded by Sylvie Levine, a jewelry designer, and her husband Ian Levine, a diamond merchant a byproduct of the husband-wife duos love and enduring bond. Sylvie has a powerful heritage and bright future with significant growth plans. To date, Sylvies designs have won several awards and helped her gain recognition for having a deeply personal touch with her pieces. If youd like to learn more about the exceptional jewelry and engagement rings available from Sylvie, please visit the new website here: https://www.sylviejewelry.com/.

Source: https://thenewsfront.com/sylvie-changes-domain-name-to-sylviejewelry-com/

Source: Sylvie
Shanghai, China, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On July 6, 2023, the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC2023) with the theme "Intelligent Connectivity, Generating Future" was held in Shanghai.

WAIC 2023 coincided with the vigorous rise of large-scale models and generative artificial intelligence (AIGC) globally. Facing this wave of technological and industrial revolution, WAIC 2023 focused comprehensively on large-scale models and AIGC. It invited top scholars and industry leaders from around the world to join hands in exploring the "AI generation path" of self-creation, innovation, creation, and imagination. Together, they interpreted the splendid panorama of high-quality development driven by AI and the rejuvenation of modern industrial systems facilitated by AI. They also discussed the new form of human civilization after the "intelligence transformation", and envisioned a brighter and better intelligent future.

Gathering of the World's AI Leaders

At the WAIC 2023 opening ceremony, Elon Musk, the technology leader and founder and CEO of Tesla, delivered the keynote speech. In his speech, he shared his visionary insights on general artificial intelligence in the new era, introduced the latest explorations of his team in the frontier technologies of AI, and highlighted the latest applications in vertical fields such as humanoid robots and autonomous driving. He stated that the ratio of computational power between computers and humans is rapidly increasing each year, resulting in a widening gap between machines and biology. This will lead to fundamental changes that will profoundly impact and influence the future of human civilization. Therefore, the present time is the most critical period for human civilization.

Yann LeCun, Turing Award laureate and Chief AI Scientist of Meta AI Fundamental AI Research (FAIR) team, engaged in a dialogue with Horizon Robotics Founder and CEO Yu Kai. He discussed innovative approaches to meet the ethical and governance challenges posed by future AI requirements, emphasizing that open-source is the only way to ensure the safety, benevolence, and practicality of AI platforms.

Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Turing Award laureate, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and President of the Shanghai Institute for Advanced Studies (SIAS), led the discussion on "AI Ideation: Possibilities of Intelligence Transformation." He elaborated on AI theoretical breakthroughs and future technological roadmaps. After the prevalence of large language models, he emphasized that the next important goal is to enable intelligent robots to have various perceptual abilities such as vision and hearing, enabling them to autonomously learn new skills in various environments.

Group Showcase of AI Achievements

Professor Tang Xiao'ou from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, a longstanding friend who has participated in the inaugural conference, presented a series of recent research achievements. His team recently won the Best Paper Award at the Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition(CVPR 2023) , which is one of the top three conferences in the global field of computer vision. He also mentioned their team's recent creation of the world's first city-level 3D realistic model, CityNeRF, based on the NeRF (Neural Radiance Fields) technology.

Moreover, the opening ceremony featured the unveiling of significant innovative achievements, including the release of the INTERN General Model System, the Digital Twin Brain by Fudan University, Zhangjiang SUPERCITY, and the Fourier General-Purpose Humanoid Robot GR-1.

The highly anticipated SAIL (Super AI Leader) Award, the highest honor of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference, was officially announced during the opening ceremony. The award was jointly presented to Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), Huawei Cloud, Qualcomm, XtaiPi Technology, and the research team led by Yunwei Zhang from the University of Cambridge. It is believed that there will be more major original innovations and breakthroughs in key core technologies showcased on the stage of WAIC, making significant contributions to the progress of human civilization.

Global "Young" AI Stars Share Vibrant Stories

Zhilin Yang, an assistant professor at Tsinghua University, discussed his philosophy on innovation and the transformation of achievements. He emphasized that while there are still many unresolved issues in the field of large-scale models, and when considering them, it is important not to think from a singular perspective but to systematically abstract the underlying commonalities of these problems and solve them at a more fundamental level.

In a dialogue, Xingang Pan, the first author of the emerging DragGAN and an assistant professor at the School of Computer Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, mentioned that AI is becoming the foundation for broader and more creative applications. He highlighted the significant prospects of his invented algorithms in video and 3D content generation, which can assist designers, artists, animators, and visual effects artists in their respective fields.

Assistant Professor Yang Yuan from the School of Interdisciplinary Information Studies at Tsinghua University discussed the key aspects of applying large-scale models and the core challenges in deepening cross-industry research. He emphasized the critical importance of collecting sufficient data based on modal completion.

In-depth Analysis of the Latest AI Trends

At the opening ceremony of WAIC 2023, industry leaders and innovative pioneers gathered to discuss the technological collaboration in the era of AI. Harry Shum, former Executive Vice President of Microsoft and foreign member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), along with Saifur Rahman, President and CEO of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), engaged in an insightful dialogue. They jointly explored the technology collaboration in the AI era.

In addition, distinguished guests such as Ken Hu, Rotating Chairman of Huawei, Hou Yang, Senior Vice President of Microsoft Global and Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Greater China Region, and Xu Li, Chairman and CEO of SenseTime, shared their insights and visions on the current trends in large-scale model development, AI industry development, and the transformative trends in AI-enabled pathways. It was unanimously agreed upon by the attendees that they would collaborate to build a symbiotic and mutually beneficial AI ecosystem.

Building a Better Future of AI Together

At this crucial moment when humanity enters the era of AI, discussions surrounding digital governance, digital ethics, and civilizational development have become hot topics in 2023. The opening ceremony of WAIC 2023 directly addressed the risks and challenges, responded to concerns, highlighted the benefits of AI, and fostered collaborative consensus.

As a platform that connects global wisdom and voices from China, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Global AI Alliance for Industry and Manufacturing was officially established during the WAIC 2023 opening ceremony. Simultaneously, the "UNIDO International Center for Excellence in Industrial and Manufacturing AI Development" was announced. This serves as an important platform for Shanghai to deepen its participation in international AI cooperation and jointly build a more prosperous form of human civilization amidst the backdrop of the development and transformation of next-generation AI technologies.

Maxine Mao Donghao Lansheng (Group) Co. Ltd. media-at-worldaic.com.cn

Source: World Artificial Intelligence Conference
Despite facing financial and tax challenges, Californias marijuana industry remains unparalleled as the largest cannabis market globally. According to the recent MJBizFactbook report, the state is projected to generate approximately $5.9 billion in legal medical and recreational cannabis sales in 2023.

To provide perspective, this revenue could sustain the economy of a small island country. For instance, the

Read More>>

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to IGC Pharma Inc. (NYSE American: IGC) are available in the companys newsroom at https://cnw.fm/IGC

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - Blue Thunder Mining Inc. (TSXV: BLUE) ("Blue Thunder" or the "Company") announces that the January 27, 2023 letter of intent between Blue Thunder and Analog Gold (the "Analog LOI") has been terminated due to unanticipated logistical delays. Blue Thunder wishes to thank the Analog Board and management for their efforts in trying to consummate this transaction.

Following the termination of the Analog LOI, the Company resumed discussions respecting a potential critical metals transaction which it was formerly considering which involves the acquisition of a package of exploration properties in the Yukon Territory, and is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding letter of intent (the "Critical LOI") respecting this transaction. The parties will replace the Critical LOI with a definitive agreement containing additional terms usual and customary for a transaction of this nature (the "Definitive Agreement"), but the Critical LOI represents a binding agreement between the parties.

The property package in the Yukon comprises eleven projects hosting highly prospective targets for copper, cobalt, tin, and tungsten. These are all metals which are characterized as "critical metals" in that their production is key to the planned increasing electrification of the global economy, and in that both Canada and United States will be seeking to assure reliable domestic supplies of these metals. The eleven projects are currently held by a private company ("Holdco"), which is wholly owned by the Company's CEO and director Chad Williams, and is a "related party transaction" as defined in MI 61-102 and Policy 5.9 of the TSX Venture Exchange. Mr. Williams declared his interest and abstained from voting in respect of the approval of the Critical LOI.

Principal terms of the transaction are:

Blue Thunder will acquire 100% of Holdco. The resulting company will be owned 60% by current Blue Thunder shareholders and 40% by Mr. Williams as the sole shareholder of Holdco (excluding the shares which Mr. Williams currently holds in Blue Thunder). Assuming Blue Thunder has 36,995,635 common shares outstanding, 24,663,756 Consideration Shares will be issued as consideration for the Holdco shares, with a value of $1,233,187 assuming the Consideration Shares are issued at a deemed price of $0.05 per share.

The parties have agreed to sign the Definitive Agreement within 60 days.

Closing of the transaction is subject to various conditions, including completion of due diligence by Blue, approval by the boards of each of Blue and Holdco, and approval by the TSX-V.

In addition, the Company is negotiating to acquire prospective lithium exploration projects in Nevada and in Quebec, which will be a natural complement to the Company's focus on critical metals.

Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, the Company's CEO, commented, "We are very excited to pivot toward critical metals and believe that the Yukon property package, as well as other projects we will acquire in due course, would allow us to generate shareholder value by advancing toward discovery in this ever-increasingly important space of critical metals. Meanwhile, of course, we continue to hold our highly prospective Muus property in the Chibougamau District of Quebec. Last year's field work at Muus identified prospective copper targets in addition to the gold targets that had been the focus of precious work."

We seek Safe Harbor.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any U.S. persons or any persons in the United States, absent (a) registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws, or (b) exemptions from such registration requirements.

This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities for sale, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities. "United States" and "U.S. person" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.

The Exchange has in no way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

About Blue Thunder

Blue Thunder is a gold exploration company that controls 100% of a large land position near Chibougamau, Qubec. The Muus Gold project covers approximately 51,000 hectares in five separate blocks of prospective ground in the eastern part of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The Project is considered particularly prospective for gold mineralization, as a series of prominent ductile and brittle fault-sets transect the Project, including the Guercheville and Fancamp deformation zones, both of which are associated with numerous past and currently producing precious- and base metal mines in the district.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, CEO & Director

For more information, please visit our website www.bluethundermining.com, or contact Mr. Dorian L. (Dusty) Nicol, [email protected] (647) 848-1009.



Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated content, commencement, anticipated exploration program results, the ability to complete future financings, the ability to complete the required permitting, the ability to complete the exploration program and drilling, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, the state of the financial markets for the Company's equity securities, the state of the commodity markets generally, variations in the nature, the analytical results from surface trenching and sampling program, including diamond drilling programs, the results of IP surveying, the results of soil and till sampling program. the quality and quantity of any mineral deposits that may be located, variations in the market price of any mineral products the Company may produce or plan to produce, the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary permits, consents or authorizations required, including Exchange acceptance, for its planned activities, the inability of the Company to produce minerals from its properties successfully or profitably, to continue its projected growth, to raise the necessary capital or to be fully able to implement its business strategies, the potential impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on the Company's exploration program and on the Company's general business, operations and financial condition, and other risks and uncertainties. All of the Company's Canadian public disclosure filings may be accessed via www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials, including the technical reports filed with respect to the Company's mineral properties. This news release contains information with respect to adjacent or similar mineral properties in the Chibougamau District in respect of which the Company has no interest or rights to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that the Company has no interest in or right to acquire any interest in any such properties, and that mineral deposits, and the results of any mining thereof, on adjacent or similar properties, are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's properties or any potential exploitation thereof.

This news release is intended for distribution in Canada only and is not intended for

distribution to United States newswire services or dissemination in the United States.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172655
London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - On Thursday July 20th, Reuters Events will be hosting a free technology webinar titled 'Enhance, Enable, Accelerate - Deploy Tech to Transform Operations'. As technology tools become more finetuned by the day, never before has there been such a critical inflection point to deploy technology to revolutionize processes across the insurance value chain.

Join Reuters Events and industry experts from Manulife, Markel, and First Acre Insurance live to tackle tech challenges head on. Ask your burning questions and leave with the answers to not only refine but reinvent processes.

Join Reuters Events LIVE (07/20, 11:00 EDT) or On Demand here - 'Enhance, Enable, Accelerate - Deploy Tech to Transform Operations'

The expert panel here to answer your most important questions:

Eugene Wen, VP Group Advance Analytics, Manulife

Sachin Rustagi, Director, Head of Digital, Markel Canada

Robin Shufelt, CEO, First Arce Insurance

Here's a snapshot of the topics on discussion:

Utilize tech incubators as an opportunity to gain early exposure of exciting new product trends

as an opportunity to gain early exposure of exciting new product trends Deploy emerging technologies to anticipate adverse weather events before they arrive and prevent profit loss

to anticipate adverse weather events before they arrive and prevent profit loss Construct unique customer profiles in real time by using AI/ML to align products perfectly with customer preferences

Sign up here to join LIVE (07/20, 11:00 EDT) or On-Demand

Turn that tech 'wow' moment into a revolutionary moment - Join Reuters Events to find out how.

Newsfile on behalf of Reuters Events

Contact Information

Tom Robinson

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172293
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: VGANF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leading consolidator of emerging food brands is pleased to announce it has entered the Caribbean fast casual sector with the launch of its 100% wholly owned subsidiary brand, Joey Turks Island Grill.



"Establishing our presence in the fast casual Caribbean sector with island inspired food in Canada is a strategic step forward for Happy Belly as we look to have first mover advantage and build a national chain", said Sean Black, CIO of Happy Belly. "In this sector there is no clear market leader in Canada, and no emerging QSR or Fast Casual concept that we really wanted to acquire, so the path forward for us became clear to utilize the in-house experience we have and the capital in hand to launch our own brand. Speed to market is very important when launching a new brand so we plan to quickly execute on both a corporate and franchise store accelerated growth strategy."



"This is no different than how we incubated and grew Mucho Burrito to be the market leader in Canada for fast casual Mexican when there were no other attractive options to us. With construction already underway at our first corporate store location, the launch of our own fast casual brand in this sector will add to our portfolio as we plan to open our first store in Q3."



"We see this as the first of many opportunities in sectors that have open ice for us. With the cost of capital being high, our M&A strategy remains laser focused on creating value for our shareholders. We refuse to overpay for M&A deals when we have the experience, the capital, and the access to real estate to create our own brands. During my time at MTY [TSX:MTY], I was able to see how the company benefited from creating several of their early brands in-house. We see no reason to not repeat the same blueprint of success with Happy Belly.





Joey Turks Island Grill

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/172667_bdb3fdbf344aa91d_001full.jpg



About Happy Belly Food Group

Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: VGANF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a leading consolidator of emerging food brands.

Happy Belly Food Group

Shawn Moniz

Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

www: www.happybellyfg.com or email [email protected]

If you wish to contact us please call: (604) 737-2303



Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. 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, and include the future performance of LumberHeads Food Co. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates 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 statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedar.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172667
PU Prime is taking a fresh approach to the traditional trading contest with futuristic visuals and an exciting theme, making it well-suited for beginner traders as it is also risk-free trading done on a demo account

Prizes incentivize traders to do well by strategising their trading, inculcating good habits when they start trading with a live account

Also gives experienced traders a chance to prove their mettle in a controlled environment where everyone starts off on equal footing

Mahe, Seychelles--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - PU Prime is excited to share that it is launching a new demo trading contest as part of its lineup of events this year. Titled the Cosmic Trading Battle Royale, this contest pits the trading skills of its contestants against each other in an exciting, risk-free trading environment.

At stake is a prize pool totalling US$8000 in cash, with prizes for the top 10 traders, and the trader with the most margin in first place bringing home US$3000; followed by $2000, $1000, and $500 for the following three runner ups; and $250 for the traders in the 5th to 10th places.

Participants will each be provided with a new PU Prime demo account bearing the same virtual equity of US$100,000 to start off with. This means that participants will be starting off on equal ground, and have just under four weeks to prove their trading mettle on the intuitive but powerful PU Prime app.

Registration starts 3 July, while the contest period runs from 10 July 2023 to 4 August 2023, starting at 00:00 and ending at 12:00 GMT+3. However, contestants can also register and jump in any time during the contest period.

To start, interested participants simply have to download the PU Prime app, register for the contest, and activate it before starting to trade on their demo account during the contest period. For those without an existing PU Prime Live Account, one will have to be created in order to receive any cash prizes, which will be deposited into said accounts if and when awarded.

For budding traders, this is an exciting opportunity to jump start into the world of trading. For experienced ones, this is an excellent chance to prove their skills and potentially win a generous cash prize.

In order to get the most out of this trading contest, PU Prime strongly encourages participants to master the markets. Either by viewing one of PU Prime's webinars on their YouTube page; or perusing some of PU Prime's educational materials. Participants can also keep up with financial news, as well as the latest developments of the contest by following PU Prime on social media.

PU Prime wishes contestants all the best, and godspeed with their trading for this contest. Full details of the Cosmic Trading Battle Royale can be found here.



Hashtag: #PUPrime #PUPrimeDemoTradingContest #TradingContest #CosmicTradingBattleRoyale #DemoTradingContest



https://www.linkedin.com/company/puprime

https://www.facebook.com/puprime

https://www.instagram.com/puprime_official/

https://www.tiktok.com/@puprime

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About PU Prime

Founded with the vision of making trading accessible for all, PU Prime is an award-winning online brokerage offering hundreds of products across multiple asset classes, including forex, indices, commodities, and more. The company is committed to providing a secure and regulated trading environment, 24-hour multilingual support, low trading costs, and being at the cutting edge of technology to ensure it always stays ahead in the competitive CFD industry.



Contact Us:

Phone: +248 4373 105

Email: [email protected]

Address: 9A, CT House, Providence, Mahe, Seychelles



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/172666
Minneapolis, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - Reuters Events is pleased to announce the launch of Transform Food 2023, a premier event dedicated to accelerating innovation and collaboration within the global food and agriculture industry. The event will take place on November 2-3 at the prestigious Marquette Hotel Minneapolis.

Unilever, a longstanding participant of Reuters Events, will be actively involved in this year's forum. Herrish Patel, General Manager of Unilever Nutrition North America, expressed his anticipation for the event, stating, "Unilever has had a strong presence at Reuters Events in the past, and I am looking forward to being part of this year's conversation at Transform Food. It is an important forum for leading business executives to engage in impactful and thought-provoking conversations to drive the global sustainable food agenda forward."

Under the theme of "Innovate. Commercialize. Transform.", Transform Food 2023 aims to address the urgent need for resilient and sustainable food and agriculture systems worldwide. It will provide a platform for forward-thinking executives to share critical experiences, forge impactful connections, and develop strategies that drive the commercialization of climate-resilient innovation from farm-to-fork.

"This fall, we will challenge the world's most influential food and agriculture executives to overcome the barriers to transformational innovation and collaboration at scale," said the organizing team at Reuters Events. "We believe that by prioritizing collaborative innovation and showcasing true thought leadership, we can secure the foundations of a net-positive future for all."

Transform Food 2023 stands apart from other industry events by offering an innovative program of impact interviews and roundtables designed to empower executives with the tools, tactics, and networks needed to navigate the evolving landscape of the food industry. By limiting attendance to the world's most forward-thinking executives, every connection made, and conversation held at the event will be of utmost relevance and significance.

Major new speakers and thought leaders from across the farm-to-fork ecosystem already include:

Jason Buechel, CEO, Whole Foods Market

Herrish Patel, General Manager Nutrition NA, Unilever

Sherene Jagla, Chief Demand Officer, Impossible Foods

Renata Nogueria, Global Nature Based Solutions Director, Cargill

Ryan Whitsand, Director Land Use Finance, WBCSD

Irving Fain, CEO, Bowery Farming

Jeffrey Amocasto, SVP Supply Chain & Menu Innovation, Shake Shack

Shannon Hauf, SVP Seed Innovation, Bayer

Aaron Rudberg, Senior Managing Director, COO and co-leader, S2G Ventures

Samuel Dennigan, Founder & CEO, Strong Roots

Debbie Reed, Executive Director, Ecosystem Services Market Consortium

Matt Carstens, President & CEO, Landus

Sherry Fry, VP Total Wellness, Nielsen

John Piotti, President & CEO, American Farmland Trust

Nicholas Bertrum, President & CEO, Flashfood

Irina Gerry, Chief Marketing Officer, Change Foods

Ben Mand, CEO, Harmless Harvest

Aditi Roy, Creator/Host, Full Stack Food Podcast

Peggy Yih, Managing Director, Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Brett Brohl, Managing Partner, Bread+Butter Ventures

Paige Graham, SVP Impact, Edelman

Aaron Magenheim, CEO/Founder, AgTech Insight/Growers Insight

Sara Eckhouse, Executive Director, FoodShot Global

Gina Nagel, (fmr) VP Mission & Regenerative Agriculture, Applegate

The event's agenda revolves around four pillars that encapsulate the transformative journey of the food industry:

Realize Resiliency: Participants will assess progress towards a net-zero, food-secure, sustainable, and just food system. Lessons learned thus far will be analyzed to unlock structural barriers to transformation and accelerate innovation, investment, and global impact.

Empower Analytics: Debates will focus on liberating the flow of analytics from farm-to-fork, with an emphasis on digitalization, AI, and automation. These technologies will strengthen measurements integrity, enhance governance, and unveil a new generation of digital tools, products, and services.

Thought Leaders to Change Makers: Diversity and collaboration in capital and incentives will be advocated to empower innovation champions at all levels. Opportunities for collaborative investment will be explored to better bridge the gaps between multinational muscle and grassroots pioneers.

Catalyze Consumer Demand: This final pillar delves into the challenge of building emotional resonance between new foods, agricultural practices, and consumers. By mobilizing mass markets for a regenerative, sustainable, and climate-smart future, the event aims to scale support for innovation beyond current technical boundaries.

Further statements of support from industry leaders sees them express their enthusiasm for the unique approach taken by the organizers of Transform Food 2023:

"Reuters is asking the right questions about the real challenges and opportunities facing our food and ag supply chains. They understand the complexity of the industry we operate in and are bringing the right stakeholders to the table to understand the full picture." - Matt Carstens, President & CEO, Landus

"Transform Food is accelerating collaboration between industry leaders across agriculture and food tech. There is no silver bullet to solve the challenges facing our global food system, but together we can build creative solutions to secure the future of food." - Irving Fain, CEO and Founder, Bowery

"We need events like Transform Food, where decision-makers across sectors come together to confront the challenges of food system transformation. By fostering collaboration and honesty in these venues, we can make progress toward a food system that supports human and environmental health." - Sara Eckhouse, Executive Director, FoodShot Global

"I look forward to joining leaders from across the food supply chain at Reuters Transform Food 2023 - to engage in focused discussions on how we can drive innovation and collaboration to ensure a sustainable and resilient food future for 10 billion people." - Shannon Hauf, SVP Seed Innovation, Bayer

For more information on Reuters Events: Transform Food 2023, visit https://events.reutersevents.com/sustainable-business/transform-food-usa or contact the organizer directly on [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/171619
Washington, D.C.--(Newsfile Corp. - July 7, 2023) - The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged former U.S. Army financial counselor Caz L. Craffy for defrauding Gold Star family members and others by engaging in unauthorized tradingincluding of life insurance and family survivor benefits they received following the death of an active duty service memberand for recommending excessive trades and higher risk strategies that did not match customers investment profiles.

According to the SECs complaint, Craffy, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, was permitted to provide general financial education to service members families through his job as a U.S. Army financial counselor. However, as alleged, between May 2018 and November 2022, Craffy used his position and access to manipulate grieving family members by directing them to transfer their benefits into brokerage accounts he managed outside of his official duties with the U.S. Army. Once the funds were deposited, Craffy engaged in unauthorized trading and trading that did not match his customers risk profiles and investment objectives and exposed them to higher risks of loss from excessive trading, concentration and lack of diversification. In that 54-month span, Craffys customers incurred more than $1.64 million in commissions and fees, most of which Craffy pocketed, while the accounts he managed suffered approximately $1.79 million in realized losses and faced additional unrealized losses of approximately $1.8 million. In one particularly egregious offense, Craffy misappropriated $50,000 from the IRA account of a minor child whose parent had died on active duty.

Rather than help Gold Star families best use their survivor benefits, we allege that Mr. Craffy manipulated them to profit from their grief, said Gurbir S. Grewal, Director of the SECs Enforcement Division. We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to these families who have sacrificed so much in service to our country. I am grateful to the SEC staff for holding Mr. Craffy accountable for his shameless conduct and delivering some measure of justice to these incredible families.

As our complaint alleges, Craffy repeatedly defrauded families whose loved ones gave the ultimate sacrifice to their country, said Antonia M. Apps, Regional Director of the SECs New York Regional Office. In so doing, he violated not only the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws, but the Commissions Regulation Best Interest as well. The SEC will aggressively use all tools at its disposal to pursue and hold accountable bad actors who victimize investors whether in the military or otherwise.

The SECs complaint, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, charges Craffy with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws and Regulation Best Interest. The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, disgorgement of allegedly ill-gotten gains, plus interest, and civil penalties.

The SEC appreciates the assistance of the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of New Jersey, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Army Criminal Investigation Division, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations.

The SECs ongoing investigation is being conducted by Michael Ellis, Bari Nadworny, Roseann Daniello, and Ariel Atlas of the SECs New York Regional Office, under the supervision of Hane L. Kim of the Retail Strategy Task Force and Sheldon Pollock of the New York Regional Office. Alex Lefferts of the Enforcement Divisions Office of Investigative and Market Analytics assisted with the investigation. The litigation will be led by Hayden Brockett, Ms. Nadworny, and Ms. Atlas.

The SEC's Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has information to help service members and their families make informed saving and investing decisions and avoid common scams.
Local solar developer Sigora Home is trying to quash rumors that it will soon be going out of business.

The company, formerly known as Sigora Solar, posted a statement to its website on June 30 claiming that reports of its demise were simply not true.

Michael Ball, CEO since June, told The Daily Progress that the company is not going bankrupt.

Questions about the developers future began swirling in earnest when a local podcast speculated about Sigoras financials and other local residents noted that the groups Charlottesville office has been vacated.

Ball said the company has consolidated into its warehouse office located in Staunton. A statement on Sigoras website says it is undergoing a restructuring process that will streamline our operations and further enhance our capabilities.

Ball is Sigoras third CEO in a single year. He replaced Andy Bindea, the companys founder, last month, and Bindea replaced Logan Landry in November of last year.

Bindea did not return requests for comment from The Daily Progress.

Landry declined to offer comment to The Daily Progress.

Since taking over the role, Ball said Sigora has laid off employees, secured some additional financing and is seeking to rebuild its sales force. The main focus, however, is delivering for its customers.

The ultimate mission is about regaining that customer excellence, Ball said.

Sigora appears to have much work to do in that regard.

Customers and former employees alike have told The Daily Progress that the company has a recent track record of prioritizing sales, ignoring clients once they sign a contract.

Theyre impossible to get a hold of. They were great up until the contract was signed, and after that, they stopped answering, said John Ray, who had Sigora install solar panels on his home in 2020.

Being a local company like that, youd think theyd at least take care of people in the area, said Ray, a Nelson County resident who grew up in Charlottesville.

Kelli Crickenberger said she had a similar experience after Sigora installed solar panels on her home in April.

Our salesperson was very knowledgeable and seemed great, she told The Daily Progress. We found out later he stretched the truth about the process and how much money wed be saving.

Crickenberger said she called the company every day for three weeks but was unable to get anyone to answer the phone. At one point her husband began to worry that they had somehow been scammed.

It was a very sick feeling, Crickenberger said, noting that the company had acquired much of their personal information.

Ray does not believe the company is a scam.

Its just a badly run business, he said. But I think they have scam artists working for them.

The employees who ignored the calls of Ray, Crickenberger and many other customers may no longer be with the company.

I dont think there are any secrets here. Theres been quite a lot of turnover in last six months, said Ball.

Tad Luttrell was part of that turnover. The chief sales and marketing officer was let go by the company in November. Former Sigora energy consultant Brian Gearing described Luttrell as a really old school, bulldog, sales bro type of guy.

Gearing worked for Sigora from 2019 to 2022 and told The Daily Progress that Luttrell had a sell at all costs perspective.

In one instance, a customer Gearing worked with signed a contract to have solar panels installed on her home. A week later, her husband died unexpectedly. She wanted to cancel the contract after his death, so Gearing reached out to Luttrell to make that happen.

Tads message was pretty much, I dont care if her husband died, you need to save this sale, Gearing recalled.

Luttrell denied that conversation ever happened, telling The Daily Progress that Gearing's account was "categorically false."

"There would be no scenario where someone would not be able to cancel an agreement," Luttrell said.

The problem with the company was not on the sales side, but on the back end, according to Luttrell.

"Hundreds of reviews online overwhelmingly have positive things to say about the sales process and negative things to say about what happened afterwards," he said.

Until recently, it appears Sigora was a reputable business.

In 2019, it was named Solar Power Worlds Most-Forward Thinking Company. It operated in 14 states and was the largest residential solar installer in Virginia. Crickenberger and Ray both chose Sigora because it had rave reviews from a number of their close friends.

They went from the being the it company everyone used to its customer service being nonexistent, Crickenberger said.

Jeremy Hull is the owner of Remnant UAV, a small business that specializes in aerial photography. Sigora hired him to take images of customers roofs, requiring Hull to drive for hours around north and south Carolina. But when it came time to collect payment, Hull wouldnt hear back.

Id be 12 invoices deep, Hull told The Daily Progress. I was like, Can you please help me out and pay me at least one of the invoices you owe me?

Hull said he sent the company a letter of intent to sue.

I dont want to sue these people, I just want them to pay me my stuff, he said.

Sigora still owes him three invoices for a total of $5,600.

In 2021, the company bought two solar installation companies in California. Ed Murray, the previous owner, said he bought them back in June of 2022.

When initially contacted by The Daily Progress about Sigora, Murray asked: Are they out of business yet?

Murray did not want to speak poorly of the company, expressing sympathy for the people who have been laid off. Asked why he bought back his two businesses, he responded that he thought it was best to divest myself of that company.

It remains unclear what led to Sigoras apparent fall from grace.

Im not going to characterize anything as mismanagement because I wasnt there for that period, said Ball. I do think our overheads were too high and thats been remedied.

Financials aside, Ball and his team have much work to do to salvage a badly battered reputation. Crickenberger and Ray want to know that if something goes wrong with their solar panels, theyll be able to call Sigora and expect someone to help.

We were trying to save money and be better for the environment, but now we feel stuck with them, Crickenberger said. Were stuck in this 20-year-loan and hoping nothing goes wrong.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (PRWEB) July 07, 2023

COCM (Capstone On-Campus Management) has been selected to manage The Village, a 342-bed student housing community on the campus of Nevada State University, in Henderson, Nevada.

The Village opened in October of 2020 and provides students with apartment style living options in fully furnished one, two, and four-bedroom living arrangements. The housing community includes a state-of-the-art fitness center, swimming pool, conference rooms, and study lounges.

Including The Village, COCM currently manages 32,531 beds at 37 campuses across the country. COCM is the leading provider of third-party management services for on-campus housing, as ranked by Student Housing Business magazine for 4 consecutive years.

About COCM:

COCM is a company of student housing professionals focused on providing third-party management services for on-campus and university-affiliated student housing communities. COCM's stated mission is to provide exceptional management of student housing communities through excellence in customer service, facilities maintenance, residence life, and financial performance, all encompassed by a focus on student success. The company's current management portfolio is 32,531 beds at 37 campuses, spread across 18 states. For more information, visit cocm.com.



Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/cocm_awarded_management_of_the_village_student_housing_community_on_the_nevada_state_university_campus/prweb19431359.htm
WASHINGTON (PRWEB) July 06, 2023

The Vinyl Institute announced today that its President and CEO, Ned Monroe, will chair the Global Vinyl Council (GVC), a coalition of national vinyl trade organizations that advocate for the PVC industry around the globe. This appointment coincides with ongoing negotiations by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) to address plastic waste.

"The need for a unified global vinyl industry is greater than ever," said Ned Monroe, president and CEO of the Vinyl Institute. "In the leadup to the next UNEP discussions on the globally binding plastics waste agreement in Nairobi, the GVC must organize and advocate in support of the critical uses of PVC."

Monroe's appointment as Chairman comes at the perfect time for the GVC, as the global PVC industry readies itself for the conversations in Nairobi, Kenya later this year, set to occur from November 13-17. In addition to his continued leadership of the Vinyl Institute in the United States, Monroe will help lead the educational efforts of the GVC during the United Nations' meetings. Monroe and a delegation from the Vinyl Institute attended the last round of UNEP meetings in France and they will participate in Nairobi as well.

About the Global Vinyl Council:

The Global Vinyl Council (GVC) has been established with the aim of promoting the value of PVC and vinyl products and represents its members in advocacy actions worldwide. The GVC constantly seeks opportunities to improve the PVC industry's global standing with key stakeholders combined with other vinyl industry efforts and undertakes branded performance improvement initiatives. The fundamental values of the GVC are to discuss the benefits and challenges of the industry, review other industry efforts and decide on a path forward. GVC's audience is the PVC value chain and authorities.

About the Vinyl Institute:

The Vinyl Institute (VI), founded in 1982, is a U.S. trade association representing the leading manufacturers of vinyl, vinyl chloride monomer, vinyl additives, and modifiers. The VI works on behalf of its members to promote the benefits of the world's most versatile plastic, used to make everything from PVC piping to flooring, roofing and vinyl siding. The vinyl industry in the United States employs over 350,000 highly skilled employees at nearly 3,000 facilities and generates an economic value of $54 billion. For more information, visit vinylinfo.org.



Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/ned_monroe_selected_as_newest_chair_of_the_global_vinyl_council/prweb19428862.htm
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Extensive fashion art photography series by Barrett Dennison featuring select designs from the Tess Mann Haute Couture label has been released for public viewing.



The Tess Mann Haute Couture label recently launched an art photography series featuring select pieces from the labels latest collections designs photographed by Barrett Dennison at The Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee. Despite its initial intention of marketing fashion, this particular project has been recognized for its artistic value by several international publications, pushing the boundaries between advertising and art. As time has passed, fashion photography has evolved its own distinct aesthetic, where clothing and style are elevated through the use of captivating locations and narratives.



The current Tess Mann Haute Couture collection is titled New Discovery, a curated collection that has utilized designs from previous collections by Tess Mann and re-imagined based on clients' feedback from over the years. The collection is now available for wholesale purchase to retail bridal stores internationally. Additionally, brides-to-be can work directly with the designer and purchase from Tess Manns atelier in Cookeville, Tennessee.



Several photos from this series still have not been released. Publications interested in covering the Tess Mann Haute Couture photo series at The Parthenon should reach out to the labels PR management, Meredith Corning, by emailing meredith (at) meredithcorning (dot) com.



Location scouting for a fashion shoot began with the idea that the location needed to be grand in scale, romantic, and luxurious. The Parthenon, being close by in Nashville, Tennessee, came onto my radar relatively quickly. Its massive columns, beautifully designed bronze doors, and scale seemed to hit all the right points for a fashion shoot location. The Parthenon would set the scene to properly display the New Discovery collection and highlight the true haute couture collection at a level it deserved, says Tess Mann, fashion designer for Tess Mann Haute Couture.



Photo Shoot Creative Team



Fashion Designer: Tess Mann Haute Couture

Photography: Barrett Dennison/El Osito Films

Creative Director: Tess Mann

Lighting Specialist: Corey Allen

Public Relations: Meredith Corning PR

Models: Haley McClaren, Joslyne Jackson and Shifa Maryyam



About Tess Mann Haute Couture: Tess Mann is the fashion designer behind the Tess Mann Haute Couture and Couture by Tess labels in addition to owning a bridal boutique under the name, Couture by Tess Bridal. Tess has been in the bridal industry since 2013. Prior to her formal entry into the industry, she had been designing since she was a young teenager, however chose a different career path in order to serve her country for over twenty years as a federal officer. In September 2018, Tess became a US Trademark Designer with her designs being protected by the US Patent Office. After serving the Memphis, Tennessee area for a little over six years in the bridal industry, Tess and her husband, Joe, opened Couture By Tess Bridal on 31 W. Broad Street in Cookeville, Tennessee in November of 2019. Tess is also the talk show host of Couture Chats with Tess on Youtube where she interviews fashion, fine arts and event industry professionals in her bridal boutique's parlor.





About Us: Tess Mann Haute Couture is a bridal label designed exclusively by Tess Mann, a Tennessee, USA-based fashion designer.

Contact Info:

Name: Meredith Corning

Email: Send Email

Organization: Tess Mann Haute Couture

Website: https://tessmannhautecouture.com/



Video URL: https://youtu.be/DST5GsZxhwY

Release ID: 89101725

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.
Association to Also Work with Other Payers, Health Systems to Deliver Broad Access

Association Calls on CMS to Open Reconsideration of National Coverage Determination

CHICAGO , July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alzheimer's Association welcomes today's announcement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) about their plan to enable access to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) traditionally approved Alzheimer's treatments. The announcement  which includes additional details about its own low touch registry  is an important development for people living with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

"We appreciate today's action by CMS and their efforts to reduce physician burden in their registry approach. It is clear that CMS leaders have listened to experts, advocates, people living with Alzheimer's and families. It is reflected in their plan for delivering coverage of traditionally approved treatments proven to deliver meaningful benefit," said Joanne Pike , DrPH, Alzheimer's Association president and CEO. "Now, CMS's policy must be implemented effectively to minimize clinician burden and maximize patient access. We are committed to working with CMS, the physician community, our health system partners and other community partners to ensure a smooth rollout."

Today's announcement by CMS to open up Medicare coverage comes following extensive efforts by the Alzheimer's Association, bipartisan members of Congress, state attorneys general, clinicians, and, most importantly, advocates from communities all across the country.

"Alzheimer's Association advocates have tirelessly shared their stories in congressional hearings and in rallies at the White House and in all 50 states about the impact that clinically meaningful treatments like Leqembi will have on their lives," said Robert Egge , Alzheimer's Association chief public policy officer. "Today is an important advance in making access to this and future treatments a reality."

"We were disappointed, however, that CMS did not take this opportunity to initiate the formal process to reconsider their National Coverage Determination policy. This reconsideration is extremely important and long overdue. We will continue to work with the administration and Congress to ensure the initiation of this process," said Egge.

The additional details released today will help physicians and health systems be better prepared to assist patients in getting access to Leqembi and future traditionally approved FDA treatments.

"For people not enrolled in Medicare, including many treatment-eligible individuals under age 65, we expect other payers to ensure burden free access. For payers that were waiting for CMS to be clear about their intentions, CMS has now indicated that their objective is broad access. It is time for all payers to deliver broad access," said Pike.

Registries  an important tool to gather much-needed real-world evidence to transform and improve patient care  should not be a requirement for coverage of an FDA-approved treatment.

The prescriber information for Leqembi acknowledges the need for real-world evidence and long-term safety data collection. Participation in the Alzheimer's Association's Alzheimer's Network for Treatment and Diagnostics (ALZ-NET) by clinicians and patients is encouraged by the FDA in the prescribing information.

"An early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's has a positive impact on health outcomes, access to treatments, and eligibility for research trials, plus vital support and information services," said Maria C. Carrillo , Ph.D., chief science officer, Alzheimer's Association. "CMS also said they will cover amyloid confirmation diagnostics, removing an obstacle to accurate diagnosis that far too many individuals have faced."

The Alzheimer's Association is here all day, every day for people facing Alzheimer's and other dementia. The Association strongly encourages anyone experiencing memory changes to speak with a health care provider for a thorough evaluation, diagnosis and to discuss treatment options.

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia  by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alzheimers-association-welcomes-announcement-of-cms-coverage-for-fda-approved-treatments-301871665.html

SOURCE Alzheimer's Association
AKRON, Ohio , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BIT Mining Limited (NYSE: BTCM) ("BIT Mining," "the Company," "we," "us," or "our company"), a leading technology-driven cryptocurrency mining company, today announced that it received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE"), dated June 9, 2023 , notifying the Company that it was not in compliance with applicable market capitalization and equity criteria (the "Market Cap and Equity Criteria") in the NYSE's continued listing standards because, as of June 8, 2023 , the Company's (i) average total market capitalization was less than $50 million over a consecutive 30 trading-day period, and (ii) last reported stockholders' equity as of March 31, 2023 was less than $50 million .

In accordance with procedures in the NYSE's Listed Company Manual, the Company has 90 days following its receipt of the notice to submit a business plan to the NYSE that demonstrates how the Company intends to regain compliance with the Market Cap and Equity Criteria within 18 months of receipt of the notice. The Company intends to develop and submit such a business plan to the NYSE. The business plan will then be reviewed for final disposition by the NYSE.

If the NYSE accepts the plan, the Company will be subject to quarterly monitoring for compliance with the business plan. If the NYSE does not accept the business plan, the Company will be subject to suspension and delisting procedures.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the NYSE will promptly initiate suspension and delisting procedures with respect to a company that is determined to have an average market capitalization of less than $15 million over a consecutive 30 trading-day period.

The notice has no immediate impact on the listing of the Company's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs"), which will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE, subject to compliance with other NYSE continued listing standards and other rights of the NYSE to delist the ADSs. The Company is currently in compliance with all other NYSE continued listing standards. The NYSE notice does not affect the Company's business operations, its U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission reporting requirements, or its contractual obligations.

About BIT Mining Limited

BIT Mining (NYSE: BTCM) is a leading technology-driven cryptocurrency mining company, with a long-term strategy to create value across the cryptocurrency industry. Its business covers cryptocurrency mining, mining pool, data center operation and mining machine manufacturing. The Company owns the world's top blockchain browser BTC.com and the comprehensive mining pool business operated under BTC.com, providing multi-currency mining services including BTC, ETC and LTC. The Company also owns a 7-nanometer cryptocurrency mining machine manufacturer, Bee Computing, enabling the Company's self-efficiency through vertical integration with its supply chain.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "target," "going forward," "outlook" and similar statements. Such statements are based upon management's current expectations and current market and operating conditions and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control, which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause BIT Mining's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties or factors is included in the Company's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under law.

For more information:

BIT Mining Limited

[email protected]

ir.btcm.group

www.btcm.group

Piacente Financial Communications

Brandi Piacente

Tel: +1 (212) 481-2050

Email: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bit-mining-limited-receives-notice-regarding-nyse-continued-listing-standards-301871812.html

SOURCE BIT Mining Limited
SANTIAGO, Chile , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Republic of Chile (" Chile ") announced the results of its (i) exchange offers for U.S. dollar-denominated notes announced on June 27, 2023 (the " USD Invitation "), and (ii) exchange offer for Euro-denominated notes announced on June 28, 2023 (the " Euro Invitation " and, together with the USD Invitation, the " Invitations "), all as described below. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the USD Invitation materials or the Euro Invitation materials, as applicable.

In connection with the USD Invitation, pursuant to which Chile invited holders of the notes set forth in the table below (the " USD Eligible Notes "), subject to certain conditions set forth in the USD Invitation materials, to tender USD Eligible Notes in exchange for additional 4.950% Notes due 2036 (the " 2036 Notes ") and 5.330% Notes due 2054 (the " 2054 Notes " and, together with the 2036 Notes, the " USD New Notes "), Chile announced today that all validly tendered USD Eligible Notes have been accepted. The table below describes the aggregate principal amount of each series of USD Eligible Notes accepted in the USD Invitation and the approximate principal amount that would remain outstanding of each of such series following completion of the USD Invitation.

USD Eligible Notes

Group A Notes ISIN CUSIP Common Code Option Aggregate Principal Amount

Accepted in the USD Invitation Approximate

Principal Amount

Outstanding

following completion

of the USD Invitation

3.125% Notes due 2025 US168863BW77 168863BW7 115193795 2036 Notes US$48,018,000 US$264,832,000









2054 Notes US$5,878,000



3.125% Notes due 2026 US168863CA49 168863 CA4 134687312 2036 Notes US$105,149,000 US$600,788,000









2054 Notes US$3,379,000



3.240% Notes due 2028 US168863CF36 168863CF3 176683155 2036 Notes US$132,930,000 US$1,793,691,000









2054 Notes US$73,379,000



2.450% Notes due 2031 US168863DP09 168863 DP0 217325153 2036 Notes US$242,446,000 US$1,465,534,000









2054 Notes US$50,020,000



















Group B Notes













3.625% Notes due 2042 US168863BP27 168863BP2 168863BP2 2054 Notes US$77,558,000 US$ 330,062,000

3.860% Notes due 2047 US168863CE60 168863CE6 162411667 2054 Notes US$232,616,000 US$1,051,796,000



Holders that validly tendered USD Eligible Notes will receive in exchange for each US$1,000 principal amount of USD Eligible Notes accepted for exchange, 2036 Notes or 2054 Notes, as applicable, having a principal amount equal to US$1,000 multiplied by the relevant Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest multiple of US$1.00 ).

The aggregate principal amount of 2036 Notes to be issued in exchange for the USD Eligible Notes pursuant to the USD Invitation is US$500,293,191 , and the aggregate principal amount of 2054 Notes to be issued in exchange for the USD Eligible Notes pursuant to the USD Invitation is US$381,712,091 . Each series of USD New Notes will be consolidated, form a single series, and be fully fungible with the corresponding series of USD New Notes offered by the Republic for cash on June 27, 2023 (the " USD New Notes Offering ").

In connection with the Euro Invitation, pursuant to which Chile invited holders of the notes set forth in the table below (the " Euro Eligible Notes " and, together with the USD Eligible Notes, the " Eligible Notes "), subject to certain conditions set forth in the Euro Invitation materials, to tender Euro Eligible Notes in exchange for additional 4.125% Notes due 2034 (the " Euro New Notes " and, together with the USD New Notes, the " New Notes "), Chile announced today that all validly tendered Euro Eligible Notes have been accepted. The table below describes the aggregate principal amount of each series of Euro Eligible Notes accepted in the Euro Invitation and the approximate principal amount that would remain outstanding of each of such series following completion of the Euro Invitation.

Euro Eligible Notes Euro Eligible Notes ISIN Common

Code Aggregate Principal Amount Accepted in the Euro Invitation Approximate Principal Amount

Outstanding following completion

of the Euro Invitation 1.625% Notes due 2025 XS1151586945 115158694 58,092,000 1,583,458,000 1.750% Notes due 2026 XS1346652891 134665289 134,490,000 975,280,000 1.440% Notes due 2029 XS1760409042 176040904 38,406,000 670,697,000 1.875% Notes due 2030 XS1236685613 123668561 217,206,000 1,273,550,000

Holders that validly tendered Euro Eligible Notes will receive in exchange for each 1,000 principal amount of Euro Eligible Notes accepted for exchange, Euro New Notes having a principal amount equal to 1,000 multiplied by the relevant Exchange Ratio (rounded down to the nearest multiple of 1.00).

The aggregate principal amount of Euro New Notes to be issued in exchange for the Euro Eligible Notes pursuant to the Euro Invitation is 425,688,963. The Euro New Notes will be consolidated, form a single series, and be fully fungible with the Euro New Notes offered by the Republic for cash on June 28, 2023 (the " Euro New Notes Offering ," and together with the USD New Notes Offering, the " New Notes Offerings ").

The USD Invitation commenced on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 , on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the USD Invitation materials, and expired at 5:00 p.m. New York City time on Thursday, July 6, 2023 . The Euro Invitation commenced on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 , on the terms and subject to the conditions described in the Euro Invitation materials, and expired at 5:00 p.m. CET on Thursday, July 6, 2023 .

Both Invitations' settlements are expected to take place on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 (the " Expected Settlement Date ").

The respective Exchange Ratios account for any accrued and unpaid interest on the (i) Eligible Notes from and including the immediately previous interest payment date of such Eligible Notes, and (ii) New Notes from and including the original issue date of such Eligible Notes issued for cash, in each case, to and excluding the Expected Settlement Date. Given that the Exchange Ratios account for such accrued and unpaid interest on the (i) Eligible Notes, Chile will not make a separate payment (in cash or otherwise) to holders, and (ii) New Notes, holders will make no separate payment (in cash or otherwise) to Chile , in connection therewith.

In the event either Invitation's settlement date is delayed, the principal amount of New Notes that holders would be entitled to receive for the Eligible Notes tendered and accepted in either Invitation will not be adjusted; provided that if the settlement date is delayed for more than seven business days from the Expected Settlement Date, the applicable Exchange Ratio will be adjusted to account for any accrued and unpaid interest on the applicable Eligible Notes and applicable New Notes to and excluding the settlement date, as communicated by Chile. The Exchange Ratios do not account for or include interest accrued on and after the Expected Settlement Date on Eligible Notes accepted for exchange, and similarly they do not account for interest accrued but unpaid on the New Notes on and after the Expected Settlement Date.

The Invitations were made pursuant to certain prospectus supplements filed by Chile with the SEC.

This announcement is not an offer or a solicitation of offers to exchange or tender any securities. Any offer was made solely by documents prepared in connection with the Invitations. The distribution of materials relating to any offer, and the transactions contemplated by any offer, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. If materials relating to any offer come into your possession, you are required by Chile to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to any offer does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where such offers or solicitations are not permitted by law.

The Information and Depositary Agent for the Invitations is Global Bondholder Services Corporation. The website for the Invitations is: https://www.gbsc-usa.com/chile/. Any questions concerning the Invitations or requests for copies of the documents may be directed to the Information and Depositary Agent at the contact information provided below.

Global Bondholder Services Corporation

65 Broadway  Suite 404

New York, New York 10006

Attn: Corporate Actions

Banks and Brokers call: (212) 430-3774

Toll free (855) 654-2015

Email: [email protected]

The Dealer Managers for the USD Invitation are:





Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc. 1301 Avenue of the Americas , 8th Floor New York, New York 10019 Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (866) 807-6030 Attention: Liability Management HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 452 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Toll Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM Collect: +1 (212) 525-5552 Email: [email protected] Santander US Capital Markets LLC 437 Madison Avenue , 7th Floor New York, New York 10022 Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 (212) 940-1442 Attention: Liability Management Team





Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. 250 Vesey St New York, New York 10281 Email: [email protected] Phone: +1-833-498-1660 Attention: Liability Management Group

SG Americas Securities, LLC 245 Park Avenue New York, New York 10167 Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 855 851 2108 Attention: Liability Management

The Dealer Managers for the Euro Invitation are:





Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank 12 place des Etats-Unis CS 70052 92547 Montrouge Cedex France E-mail: [email protected];

[email protected]om Attention: Liability Management HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 452 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10018 Toll Free: +1 (888) HSBC-4LM Collect: +1 (212) 525-5552 Email: [email protected] Banco Santander, S.A. Ciudad Grupo Santander Avenida de Cantabria s/n Edificio Encinar, planta baja 28660 Boadilla del Monte Madrid, Spain Email: [email protected] Attention: Liability Management





The Bank of Nova Scotia, London Branch 201 Bishopsgate 6th Floor London EC2M 3NS United Kingdom Phone: +1-833-498-1660 Email: [email protected] Attention: Liability Management Group

Societe Generale Immeuble Basalte 17 Cours Valmy CS50318 92972 Paris La Defense Cedex France Telephone: +33 (0)1 42 13 32 16 Email: [email protected] Attention: Liability Management

Questions regarding the Invitations may also be directed to the Dealer Managers at the above contacts.

Chile has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering of securities. Before you make any decision related to this communication, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents that Chile has filed with the SEC for more complete information about Chile and this announcement. You may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, Chile or any participating underwriter or dealer will arrange to send you the prospectus or any prospectus supplement in connection herewith if you request it by calling Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc., at +1 (866) 807-6030, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., at +1 (866) 811-8049, Santander US Capital Markets LLC, at +1 (212) 940-1442, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., at +1 (833) 498 1660, SG Americas Securities, LLC, at +1 855 851 2108.

The following additional information of Chile and regarding the New Notes is available from the SEC's website and also accompanies this free-writing prospectus:

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19957/000110465923072353/tm2318446d1_18k.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19957/000110465922011948/tm225317d1_sb.htm

sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19957/000110465923075020/tm2319570d1_424b3.htm

sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19957/000110465923075020/tm2319570d1_424b3.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19957/000110465923075969/tm2319570d14_424b2.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19957/000110465923075660/tm2319570d8_424b2.htm

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/19957/000110465923078618/tm2320733d1_fwp.htm

Important Notice

This announcement is not an offer to exchange or a solicitation of an offer to sell the Eligible Notes. The Invitations were made only by and pursuant to the terms of a prospectus filed with the SEC.

The distribution of materials relating to the New Notes Offerings and the Invitations, and the transactions contemplated by the New Notes Offerings and the Invitations, may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Each of the New Notes Offerings and the Invitations were made only in those jurisdictions where it is legal to do so. The New Notes Offerings and the Invitations are void in all jurisdictions where they are prohibited. If materials relating to the New Notes Offerings or the Invitations come into your possession, you are required to inform yourself of and to observe all of these restrictions. The materials relating to the New Notes Offerings and the Invitations do not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation in any place where offers or solicitations are not permitted by law. If a jurisdiction requires that the New Notes Offerings or the Invitations be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a dealer manager participating in the Invitations or any affiliate of any such dealer manager is a licensed broker or dealer in that jurisdiction, the New Notes Offerings or the Invitations, as the case may be, shall be deemed made by such dealer manager or such affiliate in that jurisdiction. Owners who may lawfully participate in the Invitations in accordance with the terms thereof are referred to as "holders."

Stabilization/FCA

No securities are intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in any Member State of the European Economic Area ("EEA"). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, "MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (as amended, the "Insurance Distribution Directive"), where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (as amended or superseded, the "Prospectus Regulation"). Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling any securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore any offering or selling of any securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation.

No securities are intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the United Kingdom (the " UK "). For these purposes, (a) a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client, as defined in point (8) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 2017/565 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("EUWA"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of the provisions of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 ("FSMA") and any rules or regulations made under the FSMA to implement the Insurance Distribution Directive, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (8) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 600/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA; or (iii) an investor who is not a qualified investor as defined in Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation, and (b) the expression "offer" includes the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and the securities to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for the securities. Consequently, no key information document required by the PRIIPs Regulation, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA (the " UK PRIIPs Regulation"), for offering or selling securities or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the UK has been prepared and therefore any offering or selling of securities or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the UK may be unlawful under the UK PRIIPs Regulation.

The expression " UK Prospectus Regulation" means the Prospectus Regulation, as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the EUWA.

Neither this communication is, nor any other offer material relating to the Invitations will be, made, and this communication has not been approved, by an authorized person for the purposes of section 21 of the FSMA. This announcement is for distribution only to persons who (a) are outside the United Kingdom ; or (b) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Order"); (c) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations etc.") of the Order; or (d) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being "relevant persons"). This announcement is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

* * *

ANY DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES THAT MAY APPEAR AFTER THIS MESSAGE ARE NOT APPLICABLE TO THIS COMMUNICATION AND SHOULD BE DISREGARDED. SUCH DISCLAIMERS OR OTHER NOTICES WERE AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED AS A RESULT OF THIS COMMUNICATION BEING SENT VIA BLOOMBERG OR ANOTHER EMAIL SYSTEM.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chile-announces-results-of-its-us-dollar-denominated-and-euro-denominated-exchange-offers-301871729.html
LONDON , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clarivate Plc (NYSE: CLVT), a global leader in connecting people and organizations to intelligence they can trust to transform their world, announced today it will report its financial results for the second quarter 2023 before the market opens on Thursday, August 3 . The press release and earnings supplement, with accompanying financial information, will be posted on the Clarivate investor website. The Company will host a conference call and webcast on Thursday, August 3 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time to review the results.

The live webcast of the earnings call on August 3 will be accessible through the investor relations section of the Company's website. To join the webcast please visit https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/182614049. A replay will also be available on https://ir.clarivate.com.

Interested parties may access the live audio broadcast by dialing +1 404-975-4839 or toll-free +1 833-470-1428 (in North America ) and +44 208 068 2558 or toll free +44 808 189 6484 (internationally). The conference ID number is 677201.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a leading global information services provider. We connect people and organizations to intelligence they can trust to transform their perspective, their work and our world. Our subscription- and technology-based solutions are coupled with deep domain expertise and cover the areas of Academia & Government, Life Sciences & Healthcare and Intellectual Property. For more information, please visit clarivate.com.

Category: Earnings

Source: Clarivate Plc

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SOURCE Clarivate Plc
SHENYANG, China , July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A delegation from China's northeastern province of Liaoning has been in Hong Kong since June 30th to attend an event at Victoria Park celebrating the 26th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland. The delegation also engaged in a series of investment promotion activities aimed at strengthening cultural and economic cooperation between Hong Kong and Liaoning . These activities included a cultural and tourism industry promotion conference that showcased Liaoning's cultural charm and development achievements to attract more investment to the region.

The Victoria Park exhibition featured 37 cultural and tourism companies from Liaoning that displayed their traditional culture, industrial foundation, rich cultural and tourism resources, unique humanistic features, and advanced cultural and technological integration achievements, according to the Information Office of Liaoning Province .

During the Liaoning Cultural and Tourism Investment Promotion Conference, the delegation provided a detailed introduction to Liaoning's cultural heritage, characteristic cultural resources, and industrial development advantages. They presented 306 cultural and tourism investment projects and aimed to collaborate with Hong Kong's relevant businesses and institutions to achieve mutual benefits and win-win results.

Liaoning is currently implementing a three-year action plan for comprehensive revitalization aimed at making new breakthroughs. With a unique natural landscape, diverse ecological types, and a long history, Liaoning aims to transform its resource advantages into industrial and competitive strengths. They are looking to develop a new path of high-quality development with Liaoning characteristics while accurately grasping the new trends, characteristics, and opportunities of the cultural and tourism industry.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: https://iop.asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=441467

Caption: Liaoning promotes investment in Hong Kong .

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SALT LAKE CITY , July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. (the "Company") (NYSE: EXR) announced today it will release financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 on Thursday, August 3, 2023 after the market closes. The Company will host a conference call at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 4, 2023 to discuss its financial results. Hosting the call will be Extra Space Storage's CEO, Joe Margolis. Joining him will be Scott Stubbs , Executive Vice President and CFO.

During the conference call, company officers will review operating performance, discuss recent events, and conduct a question-and-answer period. The question-and-answer period will be limited to registered financial analysts. All other participants will have listen-only capability.

To Participate in the Conference Call:

A live webcast of the conference call will be available online from the investor relations page of the Company's corporate website at www.extraspace.com. Telephone participants may avoid any delays in joining the conference call by pre-registering for the call using the following link to receive a special dial-in number and PIN: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3eb70db729a8472a9aa8005624bf6983.

The conference call will also be available on the Company's website under Investor Relations at www.extraspace.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

Conference Call Playback:

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Extra Space Storage Investor Relations website beginning August 4, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. ET , and will remain available for one year after the call.

Full Text of the Earnings Report and Supplemental Data

The full text of the earnings report and supplemental data will be available at the Company's investor relations website immediately following the earnings release to the wire services after the market close on Thursday, August 3, 2023 .

About Extra Space Storage Inc.

Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City , is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of March 31, 2023 , the Company owned and/or operated 2,388 self-storage properties, which comprise approximately 1.7 million units and approximately 180.0 million square feet of rentable storage space offering customers conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. The Company is the second largest owner and/or operator of self-storage properties in the United States and is the largest self-storage management company in the United States.

For more information, please visit www.extraspace.com.

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SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc.
Webcast Conference Call Scheduled for 8 a.m. CDT

MILWAUKEE , July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) will release its second quarter 2023 financial results before market hours Thursday, July 27, 2023 . The public is invited to attend an audio webcast from 8-9 a.m. CDT . Harley-Davidson, Inc. senior management will discuss financial results, developments in the business, and updates to the Company's outlook. A slide presentation supporting the discussion will be available prior to the audio webcast.



Webcast participants should log-on and register at least 10 minutes prior to the start time and can access the slide presentation here: https://investor.harley-davidson.com/events-and-presentations/default.aspx . A replay of the audio webcast will be available approximately two hours after the call concludes.

Company Background

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services.

Media Contact: Jenni Coats (414) 343-7902

Financial Contact: Shawn Collins (414) 343-8002

### (HOG-Earnings)

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SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.
The sale of recreational marijuana in Virginia will remain prohibited so long as Gov. Glenn Youngkin is in the Executive Mansion, members of his administration said last week.

Marijuana sales were expected to begin in 2024 after former Gov. Ralph Northam signed the 2021 Cannabis Control Act. Provisions in that law, however, required additional action from state lawmakers that was blocked by Republicans in the House of Delegates in 2022 and again in 2023.

Governor Youngkin has stated that he is not interested in any further moves towards legalization of adult recreational use marijuana, said Joseph Guthrie, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, during a Virginia Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council meeting last week. So I wouldnt expect that during his administration.

This doesnt mean that Youngkin plans to repeal the Cannabis Control Act.

However, the sale of recreational marijuana and marijuana products, plants and seeds which the law said shall be permitted on and after January 1, 2024, is not to be; there are no current licensing and regulatory provisions that would even allow existing dispensaries to begin selling recreational products.

The 2021 legislation, which also decriminalized possession, consumption and personal cultivation of marijuana, included reenactment clauses in multiple sections. That means that the General Assembly had to approve additional parts of the law in a subsequent legislative session, in this case specifically provisions on licensing.

In the past two years, bills that tackle licensing, regulatory authorities and the establishment of a retail market have been killed by the Republican-controlled House. And without those provisions, dispensaries and retailers wont be able to sell recreational marijuana, even though sales technically become legal in 2024, according to Karen OKeefe, director of state policies at the Marijuana Policy Project lobbying group.

The law as it stands was internally ambiguous, OKeefe told The Daily Progress. There was language that said sales are legal. But all of the details about taxation, equity and licensing havent moved forward. The governor made it clear that it wasnt a priority of his.

For several years, Youngkin has avoided getting involved in this important policy debate that needs leadership, state Sen. Adam Ebbin, a Northern Virginia Democrat, told The Daily Progress. Ebbin was the chair patron for Senate bills in 2022 and 2023 that would have successfully established a retail market for recreational marijuana. [Youngkin] seems to avoid trying to take public positions on issues that he knows hes out of step with the public on.

Youngkin told Virginia Business in December 2021 he is not against commercialization and has no intention of overturning the Cannabis Control Act. He later told Virginia Public Media in February 2023 that Ive looked to [lawmakers] for sending me bills, but declined to say if he would sign legislation on the issue.

That is, until last week, when an appointed member of his administration said that Youngkin was not interested in moving forward with recreational marijuana.

Asked for further detail on the governors position on the matter, Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter said only this:

As it stands, retail marijuana sales in Virginia are illegal and would require legislative action for that to change.

So Virginians lining up at dispensaries without a medical marijuana card on Jan. 1, 2024? Theyll have to try again in a few years  likely once Youngkin is no longer governor in 2026.

I dont expect Governor Youngkin to sign a reasonable adult-use regulatory bill, which is a shame, because adults deserve the ability to have a tested, safe product, Ebbin said. The governor ought to want to keep these things out of the hands of minors by allowing for adult sales that are carefully and safely regulated. And the governor should want to collect the taxes due on adult use of cannabis, rather than proliferate a black market.

Opposing an adult-use retail sales bill is an active choice to continue emboldening Virginias illicit market, according to JM Pedini, executive director of the Virginia chapter at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

By failing to take legislative action, lawmakers are electing to continue driving consumers to the unregulated, underground market, Pedini wrote to The Daily Progress in an email. If public safety is a priority of the Youngkin administration, then legislation enacting legal access and providing regulatory oversight ought to be a top issue in the 2024 session.

It is possible someone could file suit and point out the laws ambiguity, which has happened in similar situations in other states, according to OKeefe. Medical dispensaries could decide to sell to an adult, and if acquitted after litigation, could force the hand of legislators to set up a retail market.

But whos gonna want to take that risk? Its very much a gray area, OKeefe said.

The only other way to set up legal sales in Virginia would be for Democrats to take control of the house and the governorship, OKeefe said. Or, for leadership to have a change of heart in the remaining two years of Youngkins tenure.

I think that probably the only way it would happen is if [Governor Youngkin] didnt stand in the way, OKeefe said. But I dont know if its very likely that we would see that kind of turnaround.
A federal court authorized this Notice. It is not a solicitation from a lawyer.

PHILADELPHIA , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Settlement has been reached with Macy's Inc., Macy's Retail Holdings, Inc. n/k/a Macy's Retail Holdings, LLC, Macy's West Stores, Inc. n/k/a Macy's Retail Holdings, LLC, and Macys.com, LLC ("Macy's" or "Defendants") in a class action lawsuit about whether CVC (also known as Chief Value Cotton) Sheets sold by Macy's were labeled with inaccurate thread counts.

What does the Settlement provide?

The Defendants have agreed to pay ten million, five hundred thousand dollars ( $10,500,000 ) into a Settlement Fund. After payment of Attorneys' Fees and Costs, Incentive Payments, and Administrative Expenses, the funds remaining from the Settlement Amount will be used to pay all Eligible Claims.

Who is included in the Settlement Class?

All Persons who purchased one or more CVC Sheets supplied by AQ Textiles, LLC from a Macy's store in the United States or Guam or on www.macys.com between November 8, 2013 and March 24, 2023 .

How do I get a payment from the Settlement?

To qualify for a settlement payment, you must complete and submit a Claim Form no later than one hundred eighty (180) calendar days after the Effective Date. You may complete and submit a Claim Form online at www.cvcsheetsettlement.com or mail a completed Claim Form to CVC Sheets Claims Administrator, 1650 Arch St , Ste 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Claim Forms are also available by calling 1-844-483-0488, or by emailing [email protected].

What are my options?

If you are a Settlement Class Member and do nothing, you will be bound by the Settlement and will give up any right to separately sue any of the Released Parties, including the Defendants, for the claims made in this lawsuit and released by the Class Action Settlement Agreement. If you don't want to be legally bound by the Settlement, you must exclude yourself from it by September 6, 2023 . Unless you exclude yourself, you won't be able to sue or continue to sue the Defendants for any claim made in this lawsuit or released by the Settlement. If you stay in the Settlement (i.e., don't exclude yourself), you may object to it or ask for permission for you or your lawyer to appear and speak at the Final Approval Hearing  at your own cost  but you don't have to. Objections and requests to appear are due by September 6, 2023 . More information about these options is available at www.cvcsheetsettlement.com.

The Court's hearing.

The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing at 10:00 a.m. on October 20, 2023 , at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, 100 East Fifth Street , Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. At this hearing, the Court will consider whether the Settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. It will also consider whether to approve Plaintiffs' Counsel's request for an award of Attorneys' Fees and Costs, as well as Incentive Payments to the Named Plaintiffs. If there are objections, the Court will consider them. The Court may listen to people who have asked to speak at the hearing. You or your own lawyer may appear and speak at the hearing at your own expense, but there is no requirement that you or your own lawyer do so. After the hearing, the Court will decide whether to approve the Settlement.

This notice is only a summary.

For more information, including the full Notice and Class Action Settlement Agreement, visit www.cvcsheetsettlement.com, email [email protected],

or call 1-844-483-0488.

Media Contact:

Angeion Group

Shiri Lasman

(215) 563-4116

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/if-you-are-a-person-who-purchased-one-or-more-cvc-sheets-supplied-by-aq-textiles-llc-from-a-macys-store-in-the-united-states-or-guam-or-on-wwwmacyscom-between-november-8-2013-and-march-24-2023-you-could-get-benefits-from-a--301870422.html

SOURCE Angeion Group
A court authorized this Notice. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer.

COSTA MESA, Calif. , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Simpluris Inc. announces that a settlement has been proposed in a class action lawsuit concerning the sale of "FEI" or "TRIBE" tokens through the Fei Protocol in an initial sale conducted between March 31, 2021 and April 3, 2021 , called the "Genesis Event." The settlement will provide $17,850,000.00 to pay claims to persons and entities who purchased FEI or TRIBE tokens in the Genesis Event. If you qualify, you can submit a Proof of Claim form to get your share of the settlement, exclude yourself from the settlement to retain your right to sue, or object to the settlement. The amount of your claim could be substantial.

The Superior Court of California for San Francisco County authorized this notice. Before any money is paid, the Court will have a hearing to decide whether to approve the settlement.

WHO IS INCLUDED IN THE SETTLEMENT?

You are a class member and could get a payment if you purchased the digital assets FEI or TRIBE in exchange for ETH in the Genesis Event conducted between March 31, 2021 and April 3, 2021 , including if you "pre-swapped" your FEI token allocation for TRIBE.

If you are not sure if you are included, you can get more information, including a detailed notice and class definition, at www.FEITRIBESecuritiesSettlement.com or by calling toll free 888-427-9229.

WHAT IS THIS LAWSUIT ABOUT?

The lawsuit claims that the sale of FEI and TRIBE tokens in the Genesis Event was a sale of unregistered securities. The plaintiff claims that this entitles persons who purchased FEI and TRIBE tokens directly from the Fei Protocol in the Genesis Event to get compensation. The defendants deny any wrongdoing, and the Court has not found that any defendant has committed wrongdoing.

WHAT DOES THE SETTLEMENT PROVIDE?

The settlement creates a fund of $17,850,000.00 ("Settlement Fund") that will be used to pay class claims, settlement administration costs, taxes, attorneys' fees and costs, and a potential service award to the plaintiff. The Net Settlement Fund, which is the amount left over after the Court approves any notice, claims and administration costs, taxes and tax expenses, attorneys' fees and costs, a potential service award to the Plaintiff who brought the lawsuit, and other Court-approved deductions, will be divided pro rata among all class members who timely file a valid Proof of Claim form and do not exclude themselves from the settlement. The Net Settlement Fund is estimated to be at least $13 million , if the Court approves the payment of notice, claims and administration costs, attorneys' fees and costs, and a service award for Plaintiff in the full amounts sought.

Your share of the Net Settlement Fund will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted, the amount of FEI and TRIBE tokens you purchased, and the amount you recouped or could recoup from selling or surrendering the tokens. All of the $17,850,000.00 fund will be paid out. Generally, if you bought more FEI and TRIBE tokens, and have more losses, you will receive a greater payment. If you bought fewer FEI and TRIBE tokens, and have fewer losses, you will receive a lesser payment.

HOW DO YOU REQUEST A PAYMENT?

To qualify for a payment, you must submit a valid Proof of Claim form and supporting documentation. You can download a paper version of the Proof of Claim form or submit one online at the Settlement Website www.FEITRIBESecuritiesSettlement.com. Proof of Claim forms are due by October 1, 2023 .

WHAT ARE YOUR OTHER OPTIONS?

If you do not want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must exclude yourself by September 6, 2023 , or you will not be able to sue or continue to sue the defendants about the legal claims in this case. If you exclude yourself, you cannot get money from the settlement. If you remain in the class, you may object to the settlement by October 1, 2023 . For further information about your rights to object or to request exclusion from the settlement, you may visit www.FEITRIBESecuritiesSettlement.com, and in particular, the full Long Form Notice, which can be found at www.FEITRIBESecuritiesSettlement.com/long-form-notice.pdf.

The Court will hold a hearing on October 27, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. to consider whether to approve the settlement, and a request by the lawyers representing class members for approximately $4,500,000.00 in attorneys' fees and costs for investigating the facts, litigating the case, and negotiating the settlement, as well as a service award of up to $10,000.00 for plaintiff for litigating class members' claims. These requested fees, costs, and service award would represent approximately 25% of the settlement fund if approved. You may request to appear at the hearing, but you do not have to.

For more information, you may call toll free 888-427-9229, visit the website www.FEITRIBESecuritiesSettlement.com, email [email protected], or write to FEI TRIBE Securities Settlement, P.O. Box 25243, Santa Ana, CA 92799.

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SOURCE Simpluris Inc
BEIJING , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from China.org.cn on Japanese tourists in Xinjiang :

In midsummer, 20 Japanese residents headed to Xinjiang from various places in Japan , for a journey at their own expense.

Xinjiang , what kind of place is this?

For those who live outside China and have never been to Xinjiang , their first impressions are probably related to stereotypical labels like "cotton" or "human rights," which in this case, suited quite many of these 20 travelers. To some of them, Xinjiang is at most, a "remote desert."

Over this trip of nine days and eight nights, these travelers traversed the autonomous region from north to south, during which they could take photos or do livestreams whenever they wanted. On social platforms, they shared what they witnessed and experienced in Xinjiang .

In Urumqi , a traveler finished his night market tour at 1:00 a.m. Then he chose to stroll back to the hotel, which is an act, one could assume, to test if Urumqi is safe. After his return, he posted that he felt no danger along the way.

In Aksu, people saw the cotton fields in Awat County, where only two days are needed to sow 303 mu (about 49 acres) of cotton, and only five hours to finish pesticide application using drones for plant-care spraying. In a spinning company in Aksu, the travelers visited a workshop where highly automated machines operate efficiently, with very few laborers in sight. The travelers were amazed at the high degree of mechanization, a living testament to the absurdity of the so-called "forced labor." On their way to the night market, they passed by a park, where adults were dancing and children were playing around; a traveler captured the scene, commenting how peaceful people's lives are. The Consul General of China in Osaka posted some photos of the Aksu night market from a traveler's perspective, to which a Japanese user commented: It's so lively, (they) seem so happy!

In Kashgar, the Japanese travelers were warmly welcomed by the locals, and they even danced together with a Uygur "internet celebrity grandpa" who had gone viral in China . When visiting a local elementary school, Uygur children invited Sawada Osamu, the youngest member of the tour to dance with them. Despite the language difference, the boy, who started out shy, joined the students and danced freely. A Twitter user posted, when seeing the video afterwards, that he found the cross-cultural power magical!

There are also posts about fresh watermelons, tasty kebabs, about girls selling flowers while singing by the road, about people living leisurely lives

Now, in your eyes, what is Xinjiang like?

To the unknown, it is much easier to hear and believe what others say than explore and validate via your own actions. Meanwhile, these Japanese residents chose to go to Xinjiang , venturing thousands of miles, and see for themselves. There, they appreciated the exotic scenery, relished in the fresh fruits and gourmet cuisines, and experienced the real everyday life in Xinjiang , all the while gaining a different seeing perspective from what they had heard about Xinjiang .

The gate to China is now wide open. Welcome friends from all the world to come to China and witness the country for yourself.

China Mosaic

http://www.china.org.cn/video/node_7230027.htm

Japanese tourists in Xinjiang : Witnessing the real Xinjiang life

http://www.china.org.cn/video/2023-07/07/content_91674056.htm



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SOURCE China.org.cn
RICHARDSON, Texas , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lennox (NYSE: LII), a leader in energy-efficient climate control solutions, will report second quarter 2023 financial results before the market opens on Thursday, July 27, 2023 . An earnings conference call and webcast is scheduled for the same day at 8:30 a.m. Central Time during which CEO Alok Maskara and CFO Joe Reitmeier will provide a summary of the company's financial results and outlook, followed by a question-and-answer session.

To participate in the earnings conference, please call 800-274-8461 ( U.S. ) or +1 203-518-9765 (international) at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and use conference ID LIIQ223. The conference call also will be webcast live on the company's web site at www.lennoxinternational.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available until Aug 10, 2023 , by calling toll-free 800-925-9354 ( U.S. ) or +1 402-220-5384 (international). The call also will be archived on the company's web site.

About Lennox

Lennox (NYSE: LII) is a leader in energy-efficient climate-control solutions. Dedicated to sustainability and creating comfortable and healthier environments for our residential and commercial customers while reducing their carbon footprint, we lead the field in innovation with our cooling, heating, indoor air quality, and refrigeration systems. Additional information on Lennox is available at www.lennoxinternational.com or by contacting, Investor Relations, 972-497-6670, [email protected].mailto:

Contacts

Analysts & Investors

Michael Quenzer

Vice President, Corporate Finance

Media

Mary Ellen Mondi

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

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SOURCE Lennox International Inc.
DUBAI , UAE , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LRQA's Chairman Martin Blackburn visited the UAE , heading a delegation of LRQA colleagues that held meetings with various clients, local partners, as well as internal work meetings with the Assessments and Inspection teams.

For their first stop on the visit, they met with UK's Ambassador to the UAE , Edward Hobart CMG to work closely with the British Embassy UAE and Department for Business and Trade to collectively support UAE's year of sustainability.

The team met with both existing, and potential clients like Nawah, an energy company focused on harnessing the power of nuclear energy to provide a safe, reliable, clean, and sustainable supply of low-carbon electricity. They met with Craig Wilson , Commercial Vice President and Lulian Apostolie, Industrial Development Manager to discuss opportunities of working together given LRQA's expertise in the nuclear sector across the whole lifecycle of projects from design to decommissioning.

Martin accompanied by Luis Cunha , Regional Director and Ayman Ktaily, Country Lead attended a ceremony hosted by H.E Rashed Lahej Al Mansoori, Director General, General Administration of Customs. 24 certifications from LRQA were on display that Abu Dhabi Customs had achieved for their management systems.

Another client the team met was Etisalat by e&, a major telecommunications provider which is reinventing itself into a digital innovative company. After years of successful collaboration, LRQA charted a path with Etisalat's business excellence and strategy leadership team, to discuss managing risk during and after this period of transformation. LRQA's Cyber, Assurance, ESG offering is going to be instrumental to Etisalat's new business divisions and international operations.

As working with a local partner is key to any organization's success in the Middle East , we thank Khalid Al-Qubaisi for his assistance. He is involved in multiple capacities with several UAE companies, and we look forward to strengthening this relationship.

Speaking about his visit to the UAE , Martin said: "LRQA is uniquely placed to support the Middle East in becoming the next hub for sustainability and renewable energy by bringing global best practices to the region through our unmatched expertise in Assessments, Cybersecurity, Inspection, and Advisory. Our Middle East growth plan, and the hard work of our teams, are going to be instrumental in transforming our business in this region."

Further information, please contact:

Hasan Surve

Regional Marketing Manager - APAC, LRQA

+971552504482

[email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2146657/Team_LRQA.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1994890/LRQA_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lrqa-chairman-martin-blackburn-spearheads-sustainable-growth-and-partnerships-during-uae-visit-301871041.html

SOURCE LRQA
New Partnership Adds Award-winning Clinical Research Leader, Dr. Donald Hurley, to Wake Research's National Network

CHARLESTON, S.C. , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- M3 Wake Research, a leading fully integrated network of clinical research sites and one of North America's largest providers of Phase I-IV clinical trials, is expanding operations into Charleston, SC with the opening of a clinical research practice. Operating as Charleston Clinical Trials, LLC, the new center is led by Donald Hurley , DO, and located at 2270 Ashley Crossing Drive in Charleston .

Dr. Hurley will serve as Principal Investigator. He brings more than 35 years of clinical experience to Charleston Clinical Trials, including 18 years in clinical research as a principal and sub-investigator in more than 40 therapeutic areas, with Medical Research South, LLC.

"I am excited to join the M3 Wake Research network and anticipate the continued growth of our Phase 2-4 trial base here in Charleston ," said Dr. Hurley . "This is a diverse, active market in a growing area, and we look forward to providing access to more investigative therapies to the community here."

Dr. Hurley has practiced in South Carolina for most of his career after some stints working in Georgia , Virginia , and overseas deployments in the US Navy. He has obtained numerous professional awards including six years of recognition among "America's Top Family Doctors," between 2002-2021, two Navy Commendation Medals, two Navy Achievement medals, and a commendation letter for his work with the White House Medical Unit, among many other achievements throughout his career.

Dr. Hurley is supported by an experienced clinical research team including a Certified Clinical Research Coordinator who is managing the site operations of Charleston Clinical Trials.

The Charleston team will provide clinical research services in a variety of therapeutic areas including vaccines, gastroenterology, cardiovascular disease (hypertension, etc), diabetes, urology (UTIs, etc), and more.

For more information about conducting clinical trials in South Carolina , please contact: 843-994-6574

About M3 Inc.:

M3 Inc. operates in the US, Asia , and Europe with over 5.8 million physician members globally via its physician websites such as mdlinx.com, m3.com, research.m3.com, doctors.net.uk, medigate.net and medlive.cn. M3 Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 2413) with subsidiaries in major markets including USA , UK , Japan , S. Korea, and China . M3 Inc. provides services to healthcare and the life science industry. In addition to clinical research, these services include medical education, ethical drug promotion, market research, job recruitment, and clinic appointment services. M3 has offices in Tokyo , Fort Washington, PA , Raleigh, NC , Oxford , London , Paris , Beijing , and Seoul .

About M3-Wake Research, Inc.:

M3-Wake Research is an organization of integrated investigational sites, committed to excellence, working closely with and meeting the needs of the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and pharmaceutical industries. M3-Wake Research's 23 sites are fully equipped to meet the needs of sponsors and CROs in the conduct of Phase I-IV clinical trials in a large variety of indications.

M3-Wake Research is known for effectively combining strategic volunteer recruitment, rapid trial start-up and subject enrollment/retention with high quality clinical trial conduct, using standardized operating procedures and centralized marketing and advertising to ensure rapid subject enrollment. M3-Wake Research sites have conducted more than 9,100 research studies for hundreds of pharmaceutical and biotech sponsors and CROs. Wake Research's mission is to bring novel medications, biologics, and devices through clinical research to as many people as possible while providing unparalleled service and exceptional value to clinical trial partners and stakeholders. For more information, visit www.wakeresearch.com.

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SOURCE M3 Wake Research
OMAHA, Neb. , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Solutions, one of the largest healthcare talent ecosystems, is honored to have been named among America's Greatest Workplaces 2023 by Newsweek, a premier global news magazine. The company is also among the top companies which received 5 out of 5 stars in the scoring.

Medical Solutions prides itself on an excellent culture, centered on a human-first approach. It is committed to creating an environment of belonging for all employees, including corporate and clinical staff. This focused effort has resulted in employee and clinician satisfaction, which leads to client satisfaction and outstanding patient care.

"As we work to create the largest healthcare talent ecosystem, we take great pride in this recognition and our ongoing commitment to providing our team members with professional development opportunities, an employee experience focused on the whole person, and a work-life balance," said Dana Coonce , Chief Human Resources Officer, Medical Solutions. "Being named one of America's Greatest Workplaces in 2023 is a testament to the culture that has been created and sustained at Medical Solutions."

The company provides holistic benefits to support employees personally and professionally, including healthcare benefits on day one, generous paid time off, career advancement opportunities, and more. It also offers a remote/hybrid work environment and strives to create a work setting where individuals are allowed to show up as their authentic selves and feel supported when they do.

Newsweek, in cooperation with data research firm Pant-A Insights Group, conducted an independent survey of over 389,000 company reviews completed by employees working for U.S. companies with a workforce of at least 1,000 or more. Companies that made the ranking were regarded as offering competitive salaries and benefits, promoting equality and diversity, and cultivating a culture open to innovative ideas.

According to Newsweek, employees who like their work are more productive, and these employers have lower turnover rates. By staying at companies longer, loyal employees contribute to organizational stability and consistency. This enhances the bottom line.

"We understand companies benefit from creating great workplaces," said Craig Meier, Chief Executive Officer of Medical Solutions. "We want our team members to succeed, feel supported, find meaning in every day, and grow personally and professionally. We go to great lengths to live out our culture, and we do not sacrifice our culture for profits. In fact, it is the exact opposite. We believe if we focus on delivering the best culture possible, profits will follow."

Medical Solutions was also recently named as one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Diversity 2023 and one of America's Greatest Workplaces for Women developed by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights.

ABOUT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Medical Solutions is one of the nation's largest healthcare talent ecosystems. Together with its family brands, Aureus Medical Group, Matchwell, HOST Healthcare, FocusOne Solutions, and WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, Medical Solutions connects nurses, allied health clinicians, and clinical leaders with healthcare facilities across the U.S. Its service offerings include contingent staffing, managed services, strike staffing, permanent placement, local contract, per diem, and international staffing. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska , Medical Solutions maintains office locations in San Diego, California ; Denver, Colorado ; Cincinnati, Ohio ; Tupelo, Mississippi ; Durham, North Carolina ; and Tampa and Jacksonville Beach, Florida . For more information, visit www.medicalsolutions.com.

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SOURCE Medical Solutions LLC
New World Bird Sanctuary Foster Center to be commissioned to honor Murphy

ST. LOUIS , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a joyous event along the banks of the Mississippi River , the orphaned Eaglet fostered by Murphy the Bald Eagle was released along the Mississippi River to cheers from hundreds of enthusiastic supporters.

Murphy captured international acclaim when news of him incubating a rock spread like wildfire through social media. The story took an even more remarkable turn when staff at St. Louis' World Bird Sanctuary recognized Murphy's potential as a caregiver for a recently orphaned baby eagle (Eaglet 23-126 -- the 126th patient in 2023 at the Sanctuary's hospital), placing a calculated bet on his nurturing instincts.

"Today is a wonderful day for Murphy, for the Eaglet and for everyone associated with the World Bird Sanctuary ," said Roger Holloway , Executive Director, World Bird Sanctuary . "We firmly believe that Murphy's exceptional care, attention and nurturing has equipped this young eagle with the necessary skills to thrive in his new community here along the Mississippi ."

Captivating video footage of the release is available for download here (video credit: World Bird Sanctuary ).

Additionally, The World Bird Sanctuary unveiled a significant campaign to raise funds for a new foster center which will enhance the Sanctuary's hospital in honor of Murphy, the orphaned eaglet and Murphy's Rock.

The commissioning of the new foster center represents an important milestone for the World Bird Sanctuary . With enhanced resources and capacity, the center will empower the Sanctuary's hospital to provide sustained and scaled support to the avian residents, ensuring their well-being and rehabilitation for years to come. For those interested in contributing to the campaign, please go to www.worldbirdsanctuary.org.

About Murphy the Bald Eagle, his Rock & Eaglet 23-126

Murphy's story began when the 31-year-old male eagle decided to incubate a rock in his enclosure at the World Bird Sanctuary (WBS) this spring. Due to an injury in his youth, Murphy can't fly, but he can walk and hop to low perches in his aviary. He used those skills to defend his rock fiercely from the other resident eagles, just as an eagle would defend its eggs in a nest.

Murphy's hormonal, nesting season surge would have ordinarily subsided after a few weeks, but an orphan bald eagle chick arrived at the Sanctuary about three weeks later. The eaglet was about two weeks old, young enough to imprint on an adult eagle. But Murphy had never formed a pair bond with either of the females in the eagle aviary, never built a nest or raised young. Staff had to answer: "Could he be a foster dad?"

The Sanctuary staff introduced Murphy to the eaglet carefully. They put the chick in a small, heated cage in an enclosure with Murphy. Murphy investigated and began feeding the eaglet through the bars of the cage. The WBS staff released the eaglet from his small cage. Murphy instantly took to his new role as foster dad and began watching over the baby and teaching him how to grow to be an adult eagle.

About The World Bird Sanctuary

The World Bird Sanctuary was founded in 1977 to provide care for sick or injured raptors. As the Sanctuary grew, so did our mission. Now located on 305 acres of Missouri hardwood forest, World Bird Sanctuary is home to over 200 animals representing over 60 species from all around the world. What began as a small rehabilitation center has grown into an internationally renowned rehabilitation, education, and conservation organization. To learn more, please visit

www.worldbirdsanctuary.org.

For more information, contact:

Patrick Barry

314-540-3865 / [email protected]

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MCLEAN, Va. , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 100 small business leaders across the country have completed the Strategic Partnership Program (SPP), Clark's signature small business development program, during the 2022-2023 cycle.

The primary goal of the SPP is to enhance the size, scale, and capacity of small, local businesses to contribute to large, high-value construction projects. The program provides intensive, months-long executive MBA-style training to small and diverse business enterprises, including minority-, women-, and veteran-owned firms. Offered at no cost to participants, more than 1,400 entrepreneurs nationwide have completed the professional development and mentoring program in its 17 years.

"Each year, I am blown away by the tenacity of the small business leaders who complete the Strategic Partnership Program," said Jay Grauberger , executive vice president of corporate affairs at Clark Construction. "Taking on the responsibility of a rigorous program like this while also leading their respective firm is impressive. While graduations mark a completion, Clark is committed to providing resources and supporting SPP graduate firms as they grow."

This year, 12 Nashville business leaders completed the city's inaugural SPP class. These graduates lead companies across the spectrum of specialized trades, including painting, low voltage systems, waterproofing, and cleaning services, as well as general contracting and program management.

"I left the SPP with a better understanding of the full lifecycle of the construction process  from the owner to the general contractor to the trade partners and small businesses," said Sandra Potter , CEO of The Cleaning Leaders, a Nashville -based woman-owned business. "The SPP showed me how to position my company for growth".

SPP Nashville joins seven other markets that offer the program, including Baltimore , Chicago , Houston , Seattle , San Francisco , Southern California , and Washington, DC .

"This is an exciting time in Nashville ," said Tim Lamson , vice president and general manager of Clark's Nashville operations. "I am proud that Clark is empowering local entrepreneurs, not only with enhanced business acumen, but also a rich network  with Clark and their fellow SPP peers  to take their companies to the next level."

In addition to technical and business skills, participants gain ongoing access to Clark's professional resources and join an engaged network of industry peers. Program alumni take part in SPP ENCORE, Clark's continuing education programming that connects graduates to the resources, tools, and knowledge to achieve greater economic success.

In 2021, Clark announced a pledge to award $2.5 billion in new contracts to SPP alumni over the next decade. This will help ensure SPP graduates have access to meaningful opportunities to grow their capacity and their business. The pledge, alongside the continued growth of SPP, reaffirms Clark's longstanding commitment to fostering inclusive growth within the construction industry.

About Clark Construction Group

At Clark Construction, we build what matters. From the academic buildings where students find their passion and the hospitals where people are healed to the roads that connect us, we create the assets and infrastructure that make the United States a stronger, safer place. As one of the largest building and civil construction firms in the country, we are passionate about delivering high-quality experiences and products to our clients. With offices strategically located across the country, we pride ourselves on being a local builder with national reach. To learn more, visit www.clarkconstruction.com.

Media Contact:

Shanna Wilson

[email protected]

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SOURCE Clark Construction Group
WASHINGTON , July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Eileen O'Reilly , president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein , president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, on the brutal assault by masked assailants on Russian investigative journalist Elena Milashina and attorney Alexander Nemov as they were traveling in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya :

"We are outraged by this repulsive attack on Elena Milashina and Alexander Nemov on July 4 . Both were in Grozny for the trial of Zarema Musayeva, the mother of exiled opposition activists, according to Elena's employer, the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta. Elena was there to cover the trial, and Alexander is Musayeva's attorney.

"This odious attack, which left Elena with brain injuries and broken fingers and Alexander suffering a stab wound, was the action of those who are afraid of exposure to the reality of life under the oppressive rule of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his key ally, Chechnya's autocratic leader, Ramzan Kadyrov .

"Our hearts are with Elena and Alexander, and we wish them a full recovery. The whole world should condemn the barbaric treatment they received at the hands of masked thugs. The perpetrators of this egregious act must be held accountable, else we fear more violent attacks like this - and not contained to Chechnya and Russia ."

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged, global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with the skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. The NPCJI is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club.

Contact: Beth Francesco , National Press Club Journalism Institute executive director, [email protected]

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SOURCE National Press Club
General Assembly budget negotiators may have backed away from Gov. Glenn Youngkins $1.13 billion of tax cuts, but the governor is sticking to it.

And Youngkin said he expects the state financial numbers for June, due shortly, will show the such a large surplus that legislators should see Virginia can afford his tax proposal and some $2.6 billion of additional spending on schools, law enforcement and behavioral health that he has called for in the budget.

Asked if there is any give on his tax proposal, since the tight circle of senior legislators who tried, but failed, to agree on a budget compromise had floated widely varying proposals for smaller tax breaks, Youngkin was firm.

Not from my perspective, he said, talking to reporters after giving blood at the Petersburg American Red Cross donation station.

He brushed aside concerns Democratic senators have raised that ongoing tax cuts are risky given current economic uncertainties.

Were going to see a substantial surplus, he said. We can actually put more reserves away for future problems, and still cut taxes by a billion and invest 2.6 billion, he said.

I remain frustrated, I cant put it any other way, he said.

We can have and moments not or moments, he said. We can fund tax cuts and we can fund investments in education, law enforcement and behavioral health  I think the Democrats want to have an or moment, to convince people it is either this or that. We can do both.

Youngkin said he wanted to see the June revenue report, before deciding whether to call a special session.

I think that will be my final plea, he said, adding: There is no reason why we shouldnt be able to have substantial tax reductions.

This years General Assembly ended without any agreement between the House of Delegates version of a budget, which included all of Youngkins tax cuts, and a Senate version that rejected them.

Negotiations on a compromise collapsed as the General Assembly session ended.

Senate budget negotiators balked at a package of tax breaks proposed by House Appropriations Committee chair Barry Knight, a Virginia Beach Republican.

They said those cuts were more than their conferees would not accept, given the money that would be left for the increases on education and other programs funding their colleagues wanted.

Worries the economy would slow also mean ongoing cuts were a bad idea, they said.

Knights package, totaling about $900 million, dropped Youngkins corporate income tax rate cut and proposed a one-time tax rebate as an alternative to Youngkins proposed 0.25 percentage point cut in the top individual income tax rate, now at 5.75%.

While Knight said Senate Finance Committees co-chairs agreed to his proposal, one of the two, state Sen. George Barker of Alexandria who was defeated in his June 20 primary  has denied that.

Last month, as the first year of the current two year budget drew to a close, the Senate proposed one-time tax rebates, initially totaling $700 million and then increased to $900 million on Tuesday, to match the amount of tax savings that Knight wanted.

That would have meant rebates of $200 for individuals and $400 for couples, to be paid in the fall.

Knight has offered to resume talks with the Senate budget leaders.

The balls in their court, Knight said on Thursday. Its been total silence.

I dont know who Im supposed to be negotiating with, he said in response to statements by other Senate negotiators that they opposed the proposed tax cut compromise.

Barker said on Friday that he is not not even sure the governor is going to call a special session on the budget.

Faced with elections in November for all 140 seats in the General Assembly, the assembly could choose to not amend the budget at all, as some suggested during the legislative session.

The two-year budget remains in place through June 30, 2024, but not taking action would leave at least $3.6 billion unspent until Youngkin proposes a new two-year budget in December for the newly elected assembly to consider in a 60-day session that begins in January.

I would much rather have a compromise on it, Barker said, but right now, I dont see the House moving in that direction.
SAN FRANCISCO , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Simplilearn, the world's #1 online bootcamp for digital economy skills training, hosted the 9th convocation ceremony along with Purdue University for 1500 post-graduates. Gracing the event with their presence were Professor Bart Collins , Purdue University as the Chief Guest and Mr. Anand Narayanan , Chief Product Officer, Simplilearn as the Guest of Honour.

The convocation ceremony was held to felicitate the meritorious students on their graduation. It was a joint celebration by Purdue University and Simplilearn on the successful completion of the various post-graduate programs of learners in the following categories: PG Program in Business Analysis, PG Program in Digital Marketing, PG Program in Digital Transformation, PG Program in Digital Supply Chain Management, PG Program in Data Analytics, PG Program in Data Engineering, PG Program in AI and Machine Learning and PG Program in Data Science. The convocation ceremony was filled with enthusiastic students full of energy and excitement.

Congratulating the post-graduates at the ceremony, Mr. Anand Narayanan , Chief Product Officer, Simplilearn, said, "It brings me great joy to be a part of this convocation, surrounded by individuals who are dedicated to attaining their academic and professional aspirations. I am truly thrilled to observe the fruitful academic journeys and extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the learners who have completed their post-graduate programs. On behalf of Simplilearn, I commend your unwavering commitment and accomplishments. As you venture into the future, I encourage you to nurture your curiosity, embrace innovation, and strive to make a meaningful impact wherever your path leads you."

Addressing the post-graduates at the convocation, Professor Bart Collins , Purdue University, said, "Every quarter, Purdue University and Simplilearn come together to host the convocation ceremony for a group of meritorious students congratulating them for their dedication and commitment. Today, as you stand at the threshold of a new chapter in your lives, we commend your dedication and unwavering pursuit of excellence. Hope this convocation ceremony marks the beginning of a lifetime filled with success, fulfillment, and endless possibilities. Congratulations to all the graduates."

Peter Jerald , A graduate of the Post Graduate Program in AI and Machine Learning shared his thoughts, "Thank you for providing such great content to understand and practice AI & ML concepts. During this learning period, I learned every week with excitement. I did a detailed study on course content provided by various learning providers; I never saw such great content, right from the basics (i.e., fundamentals) to advanced topics, whether they were specific to certain pathways or specific to cloud tools. A person who doesn't have programming & statistical knowledge can also choose this course, it covers in-depth topics in the majority of the areas.

There was a famous saying, 'Instead of giving fish to eat to a hungry person, Teach them how to catch a fish.' This is exactly what this course taught me. During the initial days, I was worried and had difficulty understanding concepts, but day by day, it showed pathways to understanding and solving the problems. Especially the faculty, they have taken a good amount of time to answer my questions and explain the concepts multiple times. They have incredible knowledge and have shared it with us.

Web 3.0 is going to be a game-changer for this upcoming decade. It's going to rule this technology industry. To make myself comfortable with this technological change. This course helped me a lot. It clearly showed me a pathway to reach my destination, and it helped me move to the next level of my professional career."

This is the 9th convocation ceremony hosted by Simplilearn and Purdue University. Since this is a quarterly event, the next one will be held sometime in October 2023 .

About Simplilearn

Founded in 2010 and based in San Francisco, California , and Bangalore, India , Simplilearn, a Blackstone portfolio company, is the world's #1 online Bootcamp for digital economy skills training. Simplilearn offers access to world-class work-ready training to individuals and businesses worldwide. The Bootcamps are designed and delivered with world-renowned universities, top corporations, and leading industry bodies via live online classes featuring top industry practitioners, sought-after trainers, and global leaders. From college students and early career professionals to managers, executives, small businesses, and big corporations, Simplilearn's role-based, skill-focused, industry-recognized, and globally relevant training programs are ideal upskilling solutions for diverse career or/and business goals.

For more information, please visit www.simplilearn.com/

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1100016/Simplilearn_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Simplilearn
ST. LOUIS , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday, August 2 to discuss our fiscal 2023 third quarter results. We will issue our earnings news release before the market opens that day, and it will be available on our website at Investors.SpireEnergy.com under the News tab.

To access the call, please dial the applicable phone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time.



Date and Time: Wednesday, August 2



8:00 a.m. CT ( 9:00 a.m. ET )







Phone Numbers: U.S. and Canada: 844-824-3832



International: 412-317-5142

The call will be webcast in a listen-only format for the media and public. The webcast can be accessed

at Investors.SpireEnergy.com under the Events & presentations tab.

A replay of the call will be available from 10 a.m. CT ( 11 a.m. ET ) on August 2 until Sept. 1, 2023 , by dialing 877-344-7529 ( U.S. ), 855-669-9658 ( Canada ) or 412-317-0088 (international). The replay access code is 4585691. A replay of the webcast will be available on our website at Investors.SpireEnergy.com under the Events & presentations tab.

About Spire

At Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR) we believe energy exists to help make people's lives better. It's a simple idea, but one that's at the heart of our company. Every day we serve 1.7 million homes and businesses making us one of the largest publicly traded natural gas companies in the country. We help families and business owners fuel their daily lives through our gas utilities serving Alabama , Mississippi and Missouri . Our natural gas-related business segments include Spire Marketing and Spire Midstream. We are committed to transforming our business through growing organically, investing in infrastructure, and advancing through innovation. Learn more at SpireEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Spire Inc.
JAKARTA, Indonesia , July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the advent of the digital age, the threshold for lifelong learning has been lowered. More and more Silver Surfers are sharing their knowledge and benefiting from it. On Kuaishou, Grandma Wu, a 70-year-old retired professor from Tongji University, demonstrates interesting physics experiments through short videos and live streams. Using common items such as iron pots, brooms, and coins in her experiments, she successfully stimulates the public's interest in science. She has gained more than 2 million followers on Kuaishou, and also had her story showcasing at the United Nations.

On July 3 , the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) held the "2023 Inclusive Lifelong Learning Conference" in Indonesia . Kuaishou was invited as a representative of Chinese enterprises to share its innovations, explorations, and practices in adult learning and education from a lifelong learning perspective.

At the conference, Ms. Xiaohan Zhou , the vice president of Kuaishou Technology and head of pan-knowledge and information business, said in the speech "Live Streaming and Short Video: The Revolutionary of Lifelong Learning" that live streamings and short videos are transformative learning methods for lifelong learning.

Chinese technology companies have taken technical and resource advantages to help build a social ecology for lifelong learning. As a digital community, Kuaishou has become an important platform for older citizens to share knowledge, acquire knowledge, and expand their horizons. At Kuaishou, the elderly are both producers and consumers of knowledge. On the one hand, in the free and open creation environment of the platform, the knowledge content of Kuaishou has grown vigorously, covering more than 10 core fields such as education, humanities, arts, emotions, science and technology, finance and economics, and law, etc. More than 110 million videos posted by the creators of 10,000 fans in the knowledge category. A large number of "Silver Surfers", such as "Grandma Wu," have spontaneously become knowledge producers and content creators.

The guests gave high recognition of the innovation and progress of Kuaishou in helping the elderly learn. With the advent of knowledge inclusion and universal sharing, lifelong learning is becoming more and more the consensus of the world and the times. As a live short video platform, Kuaishou will also continue to fully support lifelong learning for the elderly in the future from various aspects such as inclusion, innovation, and cooperation.

Contact:

Xing Han

[email protected]com

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SOURCE Kuaishou Technology
DALLAS , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- X-BULL, a renowned brand in the Australian off-road recovery industry, has officially opened its inaugural store in the United States . With its products reaching every corner of the Australian terrain, X-BULL has become synonymous with off-road enthusiasts. Whether it's the vast Victoria Desert, the densely forested Leamington National Park , beautiful beaches, or treacherous streams, X-BULL's off-road recovery products can be seen in use.

X-BULL has gained the admiration of Australian off-road enthusiasts for its resilient winches, recovery boards, exceptional quality, competitive pricing, and outstanding customer service. Presently, X-BULL commands an 83% market share in the Australian online market, with various product models being shipped daily to cities such as Sydney , New South Wales , and Perth , providing trusted safety assurances to these pioneering off-roaders.

Since its introduction to the US market in 2016, X-BULL has experienced rapid growth. Through e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay, the brand has consistently supplied high-quality products to off-road enthusiasts throughout the country. By June 2023 , X-BULL had sold over a million electric winches across the US. The increasing demand from US customers, coupled with the loyalty of X-BULL enthusiasts, led to the idea of opening the brand's first store in the US.

After a careful two-year site selection process, X-BULL's parent company purchased a warehouse in Dallas and established the first US retail store in July of this year.

"On the opening day, the store was filled with local off-road enthusiasts and invited X-BULL fans!" exclaimed Justin, the sales manager of X-BULL Dallas, enthusiastically describing the bustling opening scene and the well-organized layout of the expansive warehouse located behind the store. Spanning nearly 21,000 square feet, the warehouse features neatly arranged shelves showcasing a wide range of winches. Electric forklifts continuously traverse the warehouse, efficiently handling the dispatch of goods.

The launch of the Dallas retail store represents a significant foray for X-BULL into the US offline marketan important extension of its online platform business into nationwide retail operations. It is anticipated that in the near future, X-BULL will establish a growing network of retail stores throughout the United States , providing enhanced off-road equipment and elevating the off-road experience for enthusiasts across the nation.

Presently, X-BULL has a single store in the US, but its products are available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Walmart, and their official website.

Media Contacts

X-BULL

Official Website:www.xbullauto.com

E-mail: [email protected]

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SOURCE X-BULL
BEIJING , July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huairen, a city known as capital of everyday ceramics in north China , is embracing notable progress in regional branding as a latest index to gauge its ceramics brand communication and influence edged obviously up since January 2022 .

On June 29 , the XinhuaHuairen Ceramics Brand Communication Index made its debut on the forum on high-quality development of characteristic light industry held during the 1st Shanxi Characteristic Professional Town Investment and Trade Expo.

Compiled by China Economic Information Service (CEIS), the index built on big data-based two core elements, popularity and credibility to monitor the communication effectiveness and influence of ceramics of Huairen, grew as high as 16.25 percent on quarter from April to June.

Owing all of the fruitful geographical branding to continuous growths in media reports thanks partially to a series of recommendation meetings and thematic promotion activities, the city saw frequent appearance of buzz words relative to Huairen such as "industrial clusters", "brands", "quality" and "professional town" in the second quarter.

Zhang Chun , professor with Jingdezhen Ceramic University said that Huairen ceramics, as a regional brand, already has a certain reputation at home and abroad and a batch of local corporate bands are also gaining popularity.

Under such circumstances, Zhang suggested that Huairen can further seek high-quality development of local ceramics industry through campaigns to improve industrial quality, public services, brand standards and ceramic town construction.

Huairen adheres always to product diversification, quality optimization and branding to improve the influence of local ceramic industry.

Boasting annual ceramics output of 6.3 billion yuan , Huairen is planning to craft a ceramic professional town with top-class industrial ecology and overall yearly output of 10 billion yuan by 2025 and 30 billion yuan by 2035.

Currently, ceramic products of the daily ceramics capital of north China have been broadly exported to countries in Europe , North America , Central Asia and the Middle East and exports account noticeably for about 50 percent of local ceramics sales.

In 2022, Huairen ceramics professional town was listed among the first batch of top 10 characteristic professional towns by Shanxi Province where the 1st Shanxi Characteristic Professional Town Investment and Trade Expo was convened during June 28-30 to shore up influence of local brands and accelerate industry clustering for win-win cooperation.

See the original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/334960.html

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FILE PHOTO: The Barclays logo is seen in front of displayed stock graph in this illustration taken June 21, 2017. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By David Carnevali

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Barclays Plc has hired Jim Birchenough from Wells Fargo & Co as its chairman of global healthcare investment banking, a spokesperson for the British bank confirmed, after Reuters reported on the appointment on Friday.

Birchenough last served as vice chairman of biopharma investment banking at Wells Fargo. A Wells Fargo spokesperson declined to comment.

Birchenough, who will be based in San Francisco, had previously worked at Barclays as a research analyst covering biotech companies. He held similar roles at BMO Capital Markets and Lehman Brothers in the early part of his career.

In his new role, Birchenough will also lead Barclays' global biopharma investment banking unit alongside Alexis de Rosnay, who joined the bank last year and is taking on an expanded role in addition to his responsibilities as chairman of global healthcare investment banking.

Birchenough's addition is a boost to the bank's healthcare investment banking unit, which had been hit by the departure of its vice chairman Darren Campili who left for Wells Fargo earlier this year.

"Jim has a real track record and it's well known within the industry, both from his tenure as a banker and his tenure as a research analyst," said Richard Landgarten, global head of healthcare and real estate investment banking at Barclays.

More than two dozen U.S. investment bankers have left Barclays since January when it named two new global co-heads of investment banking. They are Cathal Deasy, former co-head of Credit Suisse Group AG investment banking and capital markets, and Taylor Wright, former co-head of Morgan Stanley global capital markets.

(Reporting by David Carnevali in New York; Editing by Anirban Sen, Mark Porter, Will Dunham and Richard Chang)
An employee hiring sign with a QR code is seen in a window of a business in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., April 7, 2023. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo

By Safiyah Riddle

(Reuters) - The U.S. Black unemployment rate hit a 10-month high in June, driven in large part by Black workers leaving the labor market, a development some economists worry may be a "canary in the coal mine" that may mean a recession is approaching.

The Labor Department's closely watched monthly employment report released Friday showed the U.S. economy added the fewest jobs in 2-1/2 years in June - but this softening did not affect all demographic groups uniformly.

The Black unemployment rate rose to 6.0% last month, the highest since last August, from 5.6% in May, even as the overall jobless rate ticked down a notch to 3.6%. Just two months earlier in April, the gap with the white unemployment rate had narrowed to 1.6% as Black unemployment fell to 4.7%, both measures reaching the lowest levels since the Labor Department began tracking rates half a century ago. The 1.3-percentage-point Black unemployment rise since April is the largest two-month increase outside the pandemic in 14 years, and the gap with the white rate has widened to 2.9 points in that span.

Meanwhile, total employment among Blacks, which had hit a record-high in March, fell for a third straight month, a streak that has erased 635,000 jobs. Blacks were the only major racial or ethnic group to experience a net drop in employment over the past three months.

Some economists are concerned by the falling Black labor force participation rate - a measure of the people who are either employed or looking for work - which has fallen by 1.5% since March. In fact, the majority of the 239,000 person decrease in Black employment came from the people who left the labor force altogether in June, according to the report.

The exact cause of the recent weakening in Black employment is not yet clear. It is also a volatile data series that makes it difficult to gauge yet whether the most recent reports are indicative of a longer trend. Indeed, the three-month average through June at 5.4% is the same as it was at the end of March, and both are record-lows when looked at on a quarterly basis.

Nonetheless, a spike in the Black unemployment rate can be a strong predictor of an impending recession, since Black workers have historically been the first to be fired during an economic downturn.

"The increase in unemployment for these vulnerable workers appears to be driven by difficulty finding a job among existing workers, rather than a meaningful entry of previously sidelined workers," William M. Rodgers III, director of the St. Louis Federal Reserve's Institute of Economic Equity, said.

"These groups can be thought of as a 'canary in the coal mine,'" Rodgers said. "Their economic outcomes tend to be weaker than their peers and more sensitive to changes in the macroeconomy."

Despite the overall report featuring the softest pace of job creation since late 2020, it showed the job market on balance remains tight, highlighting another risk for vulnerable workers: Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

Among other factors, the June report's strong wage growth increased the likelihood the Fed will resume raising interest rates later this month after skipping an increase last month for the first time since March 2022.

"We've seen a really healthy recovery precisely because of public investment and more money in people's pockets. But that has that has been pushing against the tide of these rate hikes And so we're starting to see the effects of that, and as ever, it's always the folks who are left behind historically that are going to feel the effects of these policy choices first," said Rakeen Mabud, chief economist and managing director of policy and research at the think-tank the Groundwork Collaborative.

Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su emphasized that the most recent data doesn't necessarily suggest a long term decline, and pointed to job growth since the pandemic. Su also said the rise in Black unemployment and the decline in participation is something the Biden administration would "continue to track."

(Reporting by Safiyah Riddle; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Dan Burns)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivers remarks at the release of the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 15, 2023. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger//File Photo

By David Brunnstrom and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Washington hopes to rally Southeast Asian nations to take tougher action against Myanmar's military junta and to push back on China's actions in the South China Sea as top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken heads to the region for meetings next week, a State Department official said on Friday.

Secretary of State Blinken will travel to Indonesia to participate in a meeting of foreign ministers from the ASEAN regional bloc after he joins President Joe Biden in the United Kingdom and in Lithuania for NATO meetings from Sunday to Wednesday.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the top State Department official for East Asia, told reporters that Myanmar, which was plunged into chaos by a 2021 military coup, would be "one of the key issues" discussed in Jakarta.

ASEAN has barred Myanmar's ruling generals from its high-level meetings, but Thailand has proposed re-engaging with the junta.

"We do expect our friends and partners in ASEAN ... to continue to downgrade Myanmar's representation in the ASEAN ministerial and we also look forward to finding ways to increase pressure on the regime to compel the regime to end its violence and return to a path of democracy," Kritenbrink said during a phone call to preview the trip.

Washington last month issued sanctions against two Myanmar banks used by the junta to convert foreign currency, in a move aimed at reducing the military's ability to import weapons and material for its crackdown on anti-coup forces.

Kritenbrink said last week that countries in the region should make progress in resolving maritime disputes with each other in order to strengthen their collective voice in disputes with China in the South China Sea.

Kritenbrink said on Friday that the U.S. would work with ASEAN members in Jakarta to push back against what he said was "an upward trend of unhelpful and coercive and irresponsible Chinese actions."

"It's not a matter of getting countries on board with the U.S. view, it's a matter of working with our partners to advance our shared view and vision for the region, and to push back on behavior that runs counter to that vision," he said.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom, Simon Lewis and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Rami Ayyub and Daniel Wallis)
Fish and crabs are tangled in a net, in a boat at Tsurishihama fishing port in Shinchimachi, about 55 km away from the disabled Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon/File Photo

BEIJING (Reuters) -China will tighten its scrutiny on food from Japan and maintain curbs on some Japanese imports, the government said on Friday, citing Tokyo's decision to discharge treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the sea.

The Japanese plan, approved on Tuesday by the U.N. nuclear watchdog, has faced opposition at home and abroad. Japan insists the releases will be safe and meet global standards.

China's customs administration said in a statement it was stepping up monitoring of products including seafood and keeping curbs on produce from one-fifth of Japan's prefectures for safety reasons.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2011 disaster, China banned the import of food and agricultural products from five prefectures. It later widened its ban to 12 prefectures, before removing two of them.

China will "strengthen supervision" and "rigorously examine" certificates for food imports, especially aquatic products, from the other non-banned prefectures, the administration said, emphasising restrictions on the 10 prefectures remain in place.

Some Japanese officials worry that China, the biggest buyer of its seafood exports, may halt purchases of those items after Tokyo begins the water discharge later this summer.

For weeks China had voiced strong opposition to Japan's move to discharge the treated water, saying it poses a threat to the environment and human health.

Under the Japanese plan, the water will first be filtered to remove most radioactive elements except for tritium, an isotope that is difficult to separate from water, and diluted to well below international standards.

"The Japanese side still has many problems in the legitimacy of sea discharge, the reliability of purification equipment and the perfection of monitoring programmes," Chinese customs said.

It said the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) report did not fully reflect the views of all the experts involved in the assessment process, and the conclusions were not unanimously endorsed by the experts.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told Reuters on Friday that one or two of the team of international experts behind the report may have had concerns but that none raised their concerns with him directly.

(Reporting by Ella Cao and Bernard Orr; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and William Mallard)
FILE PHOTO-CEO of DWS group Asoka Woehrmann arrives on the red carpet for the Axel Springer award, in Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2020. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke/Pool/file photo

By Tom Sims and Friederike Heine

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -German prosecutors are investigating asset manager DWS's former chief executive Asoka Woehrmann over allegations of investment fraud through so-called greenwashing, a person with knowledge of the matter said on Friday.

The formal investigation follows probes by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic since 2021 over accusations that DWS, which is controlled by Deutsche Bank, may have misled investors by marketing its funds as greener than they actually were.

Woehrmann, who in the past has called the allegations "unfounded", and the property investor Patrizia, where Woehrmann is CEO-designate, did not respond to requests for comment.

A lawyer for Woehrmann said DWS' internal investigations "did not reveal any evidence of misconduct on the part of my client".

A spokesperson for prosecutors in Frankfurt, where DWS is headquartered, would only say an individual was targeted but would not name the person.

DWS declined to comment on Woehrmann, but has said that it stands by its financial disclosures and fund prospectuses and is cooperating with investigators.

"The resolution of the allegations and conclusion of the external investigations remain a top priority for the executive board. At present, we cannot estimate when and how the proceeding of the Frankfurt Public Prosecutors Office will be concluded," DWS said.

The German business daily Handelsblatt first reported the development earlier on Friday.

In 2021, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and German financial watchdog BaFin launched separate investigations into whistleblower allegations that DWS marketed its funds as greener than they were.

Woehrmann resigned as CEO of DWS last year after German prosecutors raided the offices of DWS and Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt over the allegations.

(Additional reporting by Matthias Inverardi; Editing by Miranda Murray, Sabine Wollrab, Susan Fenton and Louise Heavens)
In asserting its power over that of the courts, Congress violated the separation of powers doctrine when it parachuted in to save the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

That is what environmental groups contend in written arguments filed with a federal appeals court. Proving it, however, may be another matter.

Its a very tricky legal question, said Evan Zoldan, a professor at the University of Toledos law school who has read the legal briefs in a case that raises a fundamental question: Did Congress breach the U.S. Constitution when it passed a law that fast-tracks completion of the controversial pipeline?

Long delayed by lawsuits, and facing yet another round of litigation, Mountain Valley was bailed out last month by the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

A section of that law that had nothing to do with its primary purpose  raising the federal debt ceiling and averting a budget crisis  ordered federal agencies to issue all permits for the project while allowing it to sidestep any remaining legal challenges.

Lawyers for Mountain Valley recently asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to dismiss two pending lawsuits, arguing that the law strips the court of its jurisdiction.

A coalition of organizations that includes Appalachian Voices, the Sierra Club and The Wilderness Society counter that the law is unconstitutional.

Zoldan, who teaches legislation and administrative law and is an expert on the separation of powers, said the Fourth Circuit is being asked to clarify the limits on Congresss ability to redefine a courts jurisdiction.

On one hand, what Congress did appears to be run-of-the mill legislation, Zoldan said. Congress is generally allowed to set the jurisdiction of federal courts.

On the other hand, theres a long-standing principle that says when Congress provides a rule of decision for the courts to follow, then it might be doing something that looks a lot like judicial action.

Generally, a rule of decision means a directive from lawmakers on what a court must do. But what it means precisely is the $64,000 question, Zoldan said  a question that is now being raised anew.

If the effect of the statute is to guarantee the outcome for a particular party in a pending case, it stops looking like Congressional action and starts looking a lot more like what courts are supposed to do, which is to resolve pending cases, he said.

The basis for that argument goes back to 1871, when the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark decision in a case that involved cotton, the Civil War and Congress.

At issue were presidential pardons that allowed former supporters of the Confederacy to petition for the return of their property taken by the federal government. John A. Klein, the administrator of an estate from which $125,000 worth of cotton was seized, cited the pardon in a request for compensation, which was granted by the Court of Claims.

While an appeal by the government was pending, Congress passed a law that removed the Court of Claims jurisdiction and required Kleins case to be dismissed.

In so doing, the legislative branch violated the separation of powers doctrine by stripping jurisdiction from the lower court as a means to an end of having the case thrown out, the Supreme Court held.

More than a century and a half later, Congress did the same thing when it removed the Fourth Circuits authority to hear challenges of government permits issued to Mountain Valley, environmental groups contend.

Whatever happened to checks and balances? asked Caroline Hansley, senior campaign representative for the Sierra Club.

Congress should never have overextended its powers to try to tell the courts how to do their jobs, Hansley said in a written statement. When communities, climate, and habitats are at risk, there is just too much at stake.

The environmental track record of Mountain Valley  which has been cited more than 400 times with violating erosion and sedimentation control regulations  is a common theme in legal challenges of its permits.

Today, United States v. Klein and its progeny still stand for the proposition that Congress cannot direct courts to reach a particular result in a pending case, Zoldan said.

I dont think that age alone is a problem, he said of the Reconstruction-era ruling. The thing thats a challenge is there have been a handful of cases subsequent to Klein that seem to point in a different direction.

Those cases read Congresss power much more broadly and they make it difficult to determine what, if anything, Klein still means today, Zoldan said.

Four other law professors  from Brooklyn Law School, the University of Californias Berkeley School of Law, the George Washington University School of Law and the Florida International University College of Law  agree with Zoldan on the basic principle.

If the constitutional structure separating the legislative power from the judicial is to mean something, it is that there is a line between making laws and applying them, they wrote in a friend-of-the-court brief that supports the environmental groups.

The question, the brief states, is where that line lies.

Zoldan said he would not be surprised if whoever loses at the Fourth Circuit  be it Mountain Valley or the environmental groups that oppose the natural gas pipeline  decides to take the case to a higher court.

Theres enough uncertainty about the law to make it a fair question for the Supreme Court to resolve, he said.

The laws language that expedites Mountain Valley, pushed by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia, and backed by Democratic leaders in exchange for his support on another matter, is being challenged separately from the rest of the Fiscal Responsibility Act. That means declaring the provision unconstitutional would not affect the debt ceiling, lawyers say.

Meanwhile, its unclear how  or if  the latest round of litigation will affect construction of the 303-mile pipeline, which has resumed in the days since the Fiscal Responsibility Act was signed into law June 3.

Mountain Valley says it hopes to have the $6.6 billion project done by years end, allowing 2 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to be distributed from drilling sites in Appalachian shale fields to markets along the East Coast.

The Wilderness Society, which last month filed a legal challenge of a permit allowing the pipeline to pass through the Jefferson National Forest in Giles and Montgomery counties, asked the Fourth Circuit this week to issue a stay on work while the case is pending.

A similar request was made in April by Appalachian Voices and other groups who are contesting a second government approval, a finding that endangered species would not be jeopardized by a buried pipeline that traverses steep mountain slopes and plows through streams and wetlands.

A stay would protect the public interest in forestalling unlawful environmental harm and would not impair any other public interests, Spencer Gall, an attorney with the Southern Environmental Law Center, wrote in The Wilderness Societys request.

It was not clear whether the Fourth Circuit would rule first on Mountain Valleys motion to dismiss the lawsuits, or on the requests for stays.

Attorneys for Mountain Valley have asked the court not to act until they file more court papers, which is expected to happen by Monday. In previous briefs, they said the plain language of the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires dismissal of the lawsuits. The Act allows only limited legal challenges, which should be filed not with the Fourth Circuit but a federal appeals court in Washington D.C.

Also this week, five Congressional representatives from Virginia  Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, Don Beyer, D-Alexandria, Gerry Connolly, D-Fairfax, Robert Bobby Scott, D-Newport News, and Jennifer Wexton, D-Leesburg  filed a friend-of-the-court brief that backs the environmental groups challenge.

Allowing Mountain Valley to proceed under these circumstances, they said, would be contrary to the public interest.

The separation of powers, Gall said, is a vital bulwark for preserving and protecting a free society.
SEOUL (Reuters) -The first meeting of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) between South Korea and the United States will take place on July 18 in Seoul, South Korea's presidential office said on Saturday.

The meeting will discuss "information sharing, consultation mechanism and joint planning and execution designed to bolster nuclear deterrence against North Korea."

The NCG was first announced during the bilateral summit in Washington in April amid growing calls in South Korea for its own nuclear bombs, a step Washington opposes.

The announcement was met with concern from Beijing's Korean affairs envoy.

"China is concerned over ROK-US Nuclear Consultative Group's meeting to reinforce the enforcement of USs extended deterrence," said Liu Xiaoming, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Korean Peninsula Affairs, in a tweet.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has said the group had upgraded the alliance with the U.S.

The inaugural meeting will be co-chaired by South Korea's Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae-hyo and U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, according to the report.

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by Sandra Maler and Kim Coghill)
FILE PHOTO: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo is seen outside the headquarters building in Washington, U.S., September 4, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas/File Photo

By Gibran Naiyyar Peshimam

KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) -Pakistan's main opposition leader and former prime minister Imran Khan expressed support for a recently-reached bailout deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) after a meeting with officials of the lender on Friday, his party said.

The IMF said it was, in the lead up to national elections in the autumn, seeking the support of Pakistan's political parties, including Khan's, for the new nine-month $3 billion stand-by arrangement and policies associated with the programme.

Hammad Azhar, a former finance minister under Khan, who attended the meeting virtually, said in a post on Twitter that the former premier and his economic team had discussed last week's staff-level deal between the IMF and Pakistan's government.

"In this context we support the overall objectives and key policies," Azhar said, adding the meeting at Khan's residence in the eastern city of Lahore was attended in person by IMF officials while Mission Chief Nathan Porter joined virtually.

Earlier, the IMF's resident representative Esther Perez Ruiz said in a statement that the meetings with political parties were to "seek assurances of their support for the key objectives and policies under a new IMF-supported program ahead of the approaching national elections."

The new deal, which will be vital to help stabilise Pakistan's struggling $350 billion economy, will be taken up for approval by the IMF board on July 12.

The programme looks to replace a four-year Extended Financing Facility programme, originally signed by Khan's government in 2019, and which expired last month.

Khan's government deviated from agreements under an earlier IMF programme days before he was ousted in a parliamentary vote last year, leading to a delay in the implementation of the programme and increased economic uncertainty.

Pakistan's national elections are scheduled to be held by early November amid a charged political atmosphere that has seen Khan, the country's main opposition leader, in a bruising standoff with the government and the powerful military.

'POLITICAL STABILITY KEY'

The new programme will span three governments - the incumbent set up under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, whose term ends in August, a caretaker administration that will conduct the polls, and then a new government following the elections.

Azhar said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) party believed political stability was key for the economy and called for "free, fair and timely" elections after which a new government would initiate reforms and engage on a longer-term basis with multilateral institutions.

Despite being the country's most popular leader according to polls, Khan faces the prospect of being disqualified from the elections if found guilty in any of the cases against him since his removal from power.

The meeting is the highest profile engagement for Khan and his the PTI since he was ousted from power less than four years into his five-year term.

He said the cases are a bid to sideline him and dismantle his party before the polls. The government and military deny this, and say the cases are on merit.

The government launched a country-wide crackdown on the party in the aftermath of violent protests that followed Khan's brief arrest in May. The protests saw military installations ransacked. Khan was later released on bail.

Many of Khan's key aides remain under arrest and many others, like Azhar, are in hiding. Azhar said some of PTI's economic team members attended the meeting virtually.

(Reporting by Gibran Peshimam; Editing by William Maclean and David Holmes)
FILE PHOTO: A drone view shows derailed coaches after trains collided in Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha, India, June 3, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

By Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Jatindra Dash

MUMBAI (Reuters) -India's federal police have arrested three railway employees on Friday in connection with the country's deadliest train crash in two decades that killed 292 people last month, the crime agency said in a statement.

The arrests were made under Indian penal code sections related to culpable homicide and causing evidence to disappear, according to the statement from The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Of the three people arrested, two are engineers and one worked as a technician for the railways.

The June 2 crash at Bahanaga Bazar station, in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, also injured more than 1,000 people.

It is India's worst train crash in more than two decades.

The accident happened when a passenger train hit a stationary freight train, jumped off the tracks and hit another passenger train coming from the opposite direction.

The CBI had launched an investigation after registering a case of criminal negligence.

The investigation into the case was continuing, the CBI said.

Reuters reported earlier this week that workers repairing a rail-road barrier had made faulty connections in the automated signalling system on the network.

In a report seen by Reuters the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) investigators said the first collision occurred due to modifications made to the signalling circuit to fix frequent problems at a nearby rail-road barrier.

Local railway staff did not have a standard circuit diagram which led to a faulty connection in the signalling system when they tried to take the boom-barrier circuit offline for repair, it said. The malfunctioning system directed the passenger train onto the path of the freight train, it said.

Indian Railways, the fourth largest train network in the world, is a state monopoly run by the Railway Board. The board reports to the Railways Ministry.

The rail network is undergoing a $30 billion transformation with new trains and modern stations under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's push to boost infrastructure and connectivity.

(Reporting by Shilpa Jamkhandikar, Krishn Kaushik and Jatindra Dash; Writing by Shivam Patel; editing by YP Rajesh and Hugh Lawson)
FILE PHOTO: Car chargers at a Tesla Supercharging station are shown in Carlsbad, California, U.S. Sept. 14, 2018. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

(Reuters) -German automaker Mercedes-Benz said on Friday its electric vehicles in North America will adopt the Tesla-developed charging technology from 2025 and also get access to more than 12,000 of its Superchargers from next year.

The company joins American rivals Ford and General Motors to adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) as they try to expand their network of fast-chargers in an attempt to make owning EVs easier.

Mercedes-Benz will be the first German automaker to sign up for Tesla's charging design for its North American customers. German peer Volkswagen is also in discussions to adopt NACS.

Mercedes-Benz will initially offer an adapter that would help its existing EVs with the Combined Charging System in North America to charge on the NACS network from 2024. The CCS is a widely used rival plug for DC fast-charging.

Mercedes drivers will also see Tesla superchargers on the map along with their availability status and price in their cars.

It also plans to simultaneously expand its charging network with more than 400 charging hubs, including over 2,500 high-power chargers in North America by the end of the decade.

Tesla, meanwhile, has expanded beyond its connectors to include CCS at some of its U.S. charging stations as the Biden administration seeks to provide billions in subsidies to expand charging networks.

Tesla's Superchargers account for about 60% of the total number of fast chargers in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Tesla shares were up about 1% in morning trade.

(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
FILE PHOTO: A general view of the Norwegian central bank, where Norway's sovereign wealth fund is situated, in Oslo, Norway, March 6, 2018. REUTERS/Gwladys Fouche/File Photo

OSLO (Reuters) - Norway's $1.4 trillion sovereign wealth fund has excluded Power Construction Corp of China from its portfolio and placed London-listed Petrofac under observation.

The Norwegian wealth fund, set up in 1996 to save petroleum revenues for future generations, operates under ethical guidelines set by parliament and excludes investments in companies that it says does not respect the guidelines.

The fund, which holds stakes in more than 9,200 companies globally, on Thursday said the exclusion of Power Construction Corp of China was because of "unacceptable risk of the company contributing to or being responsible for serious environmental damage", citing its hydropower development in Batang-Toru in Indonesia.

Its stake in Power Construction Corp of China was 0.03% at the end of last year, valued at $4.1 million.

Power Construction Corp of China Ltd did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The fund, which owns about 1.5% of all globally listed shares, also said it had placed London-listed oilfield services company Petrofac under observation for three years, citing "unacceptable risk of gross corruption or other serious financial crimes".

Petrofac reached a deal in 2021 with Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and was fined after pleading guilty to paying bribes related to contracts in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates between 2011 and 2017.

The SFOs investigation into Petrofac concluded in October 2021 and all penalties imposed by the court have been paid by the company. Today Petrofac has a comprehensive and robust compliance and governance regime," a Petrofac spokesperson said.

The fund's stake in Petrofac stood at 1.19% at the end of 2022 and was worth $5.25 million at the time, the fund's website says.

(Reporting by Victoria Klesty; Additional reporting by Shadia Nasralla in London and Brenda Goh in Shanghai; Editing by Diane Craft and David Goodman)
BEIRUT (Reuters) -One person was killed and three were wounded during a shooting near a mosque in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Friday, a security source said, adding that preliminary information indicated it was sparked by a personal dispute.

Lebanon'S state-run National News Agency said the shooting had taken place at the mosque in Bar Elias and army forces had headed to the site. It said the shooter was wounded during the arrest by the army.

(Reporting by Ahmed Elimam, Writing by Nayera Abdallah, Editing by Nadine Awadalla, Tom Perry, William Maclean)
FILE PHOTO: A man walks by Tesla Model 3 sedans and Tesla Model X sport utility vehicle at a new Tesla showroom in Shanghai, China May 8, 2020. Picture taken May 8, 2020. REUTERS/Yilei Sun/File Photo

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Tesla wants the Biden administration to finalize more stringent vehicle emissions limits than those proposed in April by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), putting the automaker at odds with other manufacturers.

The EPA in April proposed 2027-2032 vehicle standards that would cut emissions by 56% and result in an estimated 60% of new vehicles by 2030 being electric and 67% by 2032. Tesla said in comments made public Friday it wants the EPA to adopt a tougher plan that would ensure more than 69% of vehicles in 2032 are EVs.

Tesla added it believes the EPA could require an end to gasoline-powered vehicles as early as 2030 and added there is "sound legal basis for an even more stringent set of standards than EPAs current proposal."

Tesla also said it believes the EPA's "cost assumptions are far too high and are not supported by the record, in that they do not fully consider the documented and projected rapid decline in battery cell and pack costs, as well the significant BEV (battery electric vehicles) range increases achieved through other efficiencies."

Last week, a trade group representing nearly all major automakers except Tesla urged the EPA soften its proposal, saying it is "neither reasonable nor achievable".

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota Motor, Hyundai Motor and others, recommended adopting requirements for 40% to 50% (electric, plug-in electric and fuel cell vehicles) in 2030.

Tesla also wants the EPA to make its proposal more stringent by eliminating the credits internal combustion vehicles can receive to meet pollution targets.

Tesla said its internal modeling projects 28% of vehicle sales in 2026 will be zero-emission models and said the EPA's "modeling significantly underestimates Tesla vehicle sales and projects them out at less 100,000 vehicles per year".

Tesla said this projection is "inexplicable, unjustified, and needlessly undermines the stringency of the rule ... In 2022, Teslas U.S. sales already approached 500,000 vehicles."

Tesla added it had confidentially provided production and sales estimates to EPA.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and David Holmes)
FILE PHOTO: Ivan Marquez of the political party of FARC speaks during a news conference in Bogota, Colombia April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Jaime Saldarriaga/File Photo

By Luis Jaime Acosta

BOGOTA (Reuters) -Ivan Marquez, the well-known leader of a faction of former FARC rebels who returned to arms after a peace deal with Colombia's government, has died in Venezuela, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

Though most members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) demobilized under the 2016 deal, which ended the FARC's role in the country's nearly 60-year conflict, two major groups reject it and, according to security forces, have continued to participate in drug trafficking and illegal mining.

"The information provided by the group is that he died in a hospital in Caracas, where he received medical attention for serious injuries he suffered in an attack in Venezuela at the end of June 2022," said a source close to the Segunda Marquetalia.

The attack against Marquez, whose real name was Luciano Marin Arango, may have been led by Ivan Mordisco, leader of a rival FARC dissident group, according to security sources.

Colombia's Defense Minister Ivan Velasquez told journalists there was still no official information on Marquez's death.

Venezuela's Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to questions sent by Reuters.

Marquez was one of the negotiators of the deal but abandoned it just two years later in 2018 after his nephew was arrested and sent to the United States.

Marquez later emerged as the leader of the so-called Segunda Marquetalia, a group of former FARC who took up arms anew.

The group has 1,670 members and most - 1,060 - are combatants, according to security agency reports seen by Reuters.

Leftist President Gustavo Petro has pledged to end Colombia's conflict through deals with armed groups, but plans to hold talks with the dissidents have stumbled on uncertainty over whether they are eligible for a peace or surrender deal.

Marquez died in Venezuela the two people familiar with the matter told Reuters, which also included an intelligence source.

A number of major FARC dissident leaders have been killed in Venezuela, and the Colombian military says dissidents have significant presence in the neighboring country.

Colombian intelligence last year reported that Miguel Botache Santillana, better known as Gentil Duarte - a dissident commander who clashed with the Segunda Marquetalia - was presumed dead following clashes with rivals in Venezuela.

Both Seuxis Hernandez and Hernan Dario Velasquez - better known as Jesus Santrich and El Paisa, respectively - were both reported killed in Venezuela in 2021.

Previous Colombian administrations repeatedly accused Venezuela's leader, Nicolas Maduro, of harboring Colombian illegal armed groups, something Caracas has repeatedly denied.

Petro reopened diplomatic and trade relations with Venezuela and Venezuela is a guarantor at Colombia's peace talks with the National Liberation Army rebels.

(Reporting by Luis Jaime Acosta, additional reporting by Vivian Sequera in Caracas; Writing by Oliver Griffin and Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Michael Perry)
FILE PHOTO: NATO flag is seen at the military equipment display during the celebration of the 15th anniversary of Lithuania's membership in NATO in Vilnius, Lithuania March 30, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo

By Nandita Bose and Steve Holland

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Friday said President Joe Biden and fellow NATO leaders will discuss at next week's summit what steps Ukraine must complete to join NATO and that Kyiv has additional reforms to make, as it fights Russian invaders.

Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, said Ukraine will not be voted into NATO membership at the summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, but he encouraged Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenskiy to attend to discuss the matter.

"The NATO summit will dive into the question of NATO's relationship with Ukraine both the question of its pathway towards future membership and the question of an ongoing partnership that has existed for several years," he said.

He said NATO allies are discussing whether Ukraine has moved beyond the need for a Membership Action Plan. Under the MAP process followed by other former communist countries in eastern Europe, candidates have to prove they meet political, economic and military criteria and are able to contribute militarily to NATO operations.

Biden has repeatedly said "there is an open door, that there is a pathway for Ukraine and that Ukraine needs to take additional reforms," to move to NATO membership, Sullivan said. "That remains true today," he said.

Ukraine is hoping to receive a clear signal on its membership prospects in Vilnius. The United States announced on Friday it will provide cluster munitions for use in its counteroffensive against Russia.

Ukraine plans to abandon conscription and move to a professional army after the war with Russia to bring Kyiv closer to NATO standards, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Thursday.

Also topping Biden's agenda in Vilnius will be Sweden, whose accession into NATO has been blocked by Turkey. Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan says Stockholm harbors members of militant groups, namely supporters of the Kurdistan Workers Party in Sweden who he accuses of organizing demonstrations and financing terrorist groups.

Sullivan said Sweden will eventually gain NATO membership despite Turkey's opposition. This could happen at next week's summit, but possibly not until afterward, he said.

He said Biden will discuss Sweden with Erdogan at some point during the summit but did not know the format for the talks.

Biden leaves on Sunday for London, the first stop on a three-nation trip centered around the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital. The trip ends with a visit to Helsinki to hail Finland's accession to NATO.

While in London on Monday, Biden will meet British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and discuss climate initiatives with King Charles at Windsor Castle after skipping the king's coronation in May.

(Reporting by Nandita Bose and Steve Holland; Editing by Chris Reese and Alistair Bell)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala visit the Velvet Revolution Memorial in Prague, Czech Republic, July 7, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS

By Robert Muller

PRAGUE (Reuters) -The head of NATO said on Friday the military alliance would unite at a summit next week on how to bring Kyiv closer to joining, while Ukraine's president drummed up support for its membership bid on a tour of several NATO states.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the Czech Republic and Slovakia a day after holding talks in Bulgaria, and was due to travel to Turkey later on Friday.

In Prague, he won a pledge of support for Ukraine to join NATO "as soon as the war (with Russia) is over", and in Sofia secured backing for membership "as soon as conditions allow".

Slovakia said the question of Kyiv's membership was "when", not "if".

At a news conference in Bratislava, Zelenskiy said he expected unity among NATO member states at the July 11-12 summit in Vilnius and wanted concrete steps on Ukraine's movement to join the alliance.

"There is strength in unity of NATO," he said, adding that undecided questions over Ukraine's future in NATO and Sweden's pending membership were "a threat to the alliance's strength".

However it remains unclear what Ukraine will be offered in the Lithuanian capital. The alliance is divided over how fast Ukraine should move towards membership, and some countries are wary of any step that might take NATO closer to war with Russia.

Zelenskiy has acknowledged that Kyiv is unlikely to be able to join NATO while at war with Russia.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed his view that Ukraine would become a member.

"Our summit will send a clear message: NATO stands united, and Russia's aggression will not pay," Stoltenberg told a news conference in Brussels.

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said she expected the summit to produce a deepening of practical and political cooperation with Ukraine, "for example in the form of the creation of a NATO-Ukraine Council".

Russian President Vladimir Putin has cited NATO's expansion towards Russia's borders over the past two decades as a reason for his decision to send tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

He has threatened unspecified action if Ukraine joins NATO.

TALKS DUE IN TURKEY

Despite Russia's anger, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala told a news conference with Zelenskiy in Prague that he expected all NATO allies to support Ukraine in its membership aspirations.

"I am convinced that the future of Ukraine is in the European Union, the future of Ukraine is in NATO, and this will ensure that a situation like the one we are experiencing in Europe will not happen again," Fiala said.

Zelenskiy and Fiala visited a memorial dedicated to Czechoslovakia's 1989 Velvet Revolution protests that peacefully overthrew communist rule. The speaker of the lower house of parliament gave Zelenskiy a black T-shirt saying "Russia is a terrorist state", a phrase from a 2022 parliamentary resolution.

Prague has been a strong backer of Kyiv, providing military aid and other help, and Fiala promised more attack helicopters and hundreds of thousands more large-calibre ammunition rounds.

Zelenskiy welcomed the "new, powerful, very timely defence package" but said more weapons were needed.

"Without long-range weapons it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission but also to conduct a defensive operation," he said. "First of all, we are talking about long-range systems with the United States and it depends only on them today."

Kyiv says it has taken back a cluster of villages in southern Ukraine since launching a counteroffensive in early June, but that it lacks the firepower and air cover to make faster progress.

After his talks in Prague and Slovakia, Zelenskiy was due to meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul.

Turkish officials said the two leaders would discuss the potential extension of a wartime grain deal allowing the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea.

Russia, angry about aspects of the grain deal's implementation, has threatened not to allow its further extension beyond July 17.

(Additional reporting by Jason Hovet and by Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash in Kyiv, Writing by Timothy Heritage, Editing by Gareth Jones and Philippa Fletcher)
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian military serviceman Igor Ovcharruck holds a defused cluster bomb from an MSLR missile, among a display of pieces of rockets used by Russian army, that a Ukrainian munitions expert said did not explode on impact, in the region of Khar

By Mike Stone and Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States announced on Friday that it will send Ukraine cluster munitions - prohibited by more than 100 countries - as part of an $800 million security package, a move Ukraine said would have an "extraordinary psycho-emotional impact" on Russian forces.

Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security adviser, sought to make the case for providing these arms to Ukraine shortly before the Pentagon formally announced the aid. Cluster munitions could boost Ukraine's counteroffensive to reclaim territory seized since Russia invaded in February 2022.

"We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance," Sullivan told reporters. "This is why we've deferred the decision for as long as we could."

"But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery," Sullivan said.

Asked why he was providing the cluster munitions now, Biden told reporters that it was because the effort to defend against Russia had "run out of ammunition."

Cluster munitions typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades after a conflict ends. Ukraine has asked for these weapons to fire against Russian positions with dug-in troops.

"Ukraine has provided written assurances that it is going to use these in a very careful way" to minimize risks to civilians, Sullivan said, adding that the U.S. National Security Council was unanimous in its assent to send the weapons.

The security assistance package announced by the Pentagon included cluster munitions fired by 155-millimeter Howitzer cannons, 31 additional Howitzer cannons, additional munitions for Patriot air defenses and anti-tank weapons.

New Penguin drones, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and ground vehicles such as Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers were also included in the security aid - the 42nd such U.S. package for Ukraine totaling more than $40 billion since the invasion.

Human rights groups opposed the U.S. decision to provide cluster munitions. Human Rights Watch has accused Russian and Ukrainian forces of using these weapons, which have killed civilians.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is against the continued use of cluster munitions, a U.N. spokesperson said.

U.S. ally Germany also opposes sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. Germany is one of 111 states party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a pact that does not include the United States.

Republicans on the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee applauded Biden's move but wanted more, urging the U.S. government to send the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, which they noted has a similar range to Storm Shadow cruise missiles that Britain has already sent.

A 2009 U.S. law bans exports of American cluster munitions with bomblet failure rates higher than 1%, which covers virtually all of the U.S. military stockpile. Biden waived prohibitions around the munitions, just as his predecessor Donald Trump did in 2021 to allow the export of cluster munitions technology to South Korea.

'VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION'

Ukraine previously had urged U.S. lawmakers to press the Biden administration to approve sending cluster munitions.

"Undoubtedly, the transfer of additional volumes of shells to Ukraine is a very significant contribution to the acceleration of de-occupation procedures," presidential political adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Friday.

"Especially if we are talking about cluster ammunition, which is undoubtedly capable of having an extraordinary psycho-emotional impact on already demoralized Russian occupation groups," Podolyak added.

Sending cluster munitions, known as Dual-Purpose Conventional Improved Munitions (DPICM), would ease a drain on standard "unitary" 155 millimeter shells that the United States has been shipping to Ukraine in massive quantities.

Sullivan acknowledged that the United States needed "to build a bridge from where we are today to when we have enough monthly production of unitary rounds," and said cluster munitions would be that bridge through the summer and autumn.

(Reporting by Mike Stone, Nandita Bose and Steve Holland; Editing by Will Dunham and Grant McCool)
A Boeing 737 MAX-10 performs a flying display at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo

By Abhijith Ganapavaram

(Reuters) -U.S. private equity firm 777 Partners has said it is in talks with Boeing Co and Franco-Italian turboprop maker ATR over a new jet order, as it looks to enter more markets amid a boom in air travel.

"We've been in discussions with the (aircraft) manufacturers. I think right now the big issue with ordering jets is when you're going to receive them," 777 Managing Partner Josh Wander told Reuters in an interview on Thursday, without disclosing specific numbers.

The talks come amid a rush for planes by airlines eager to tap into a greater-than-expected recovery in air travel.

Miami-based 777, which invests its founders' money rather than seeking funds from other investors and has about $10 billion in assets under management, had finalized orders for 60 aircraft in its portfolio.

"777 is in discussions with ATR on an additional opportunity that includes aircraft, technology and airline services and if firmed up would put the committed aircraft purchase agreements into the triple digits," the firm said in a statement.

Boeing said it had no comment and ATR was not immediately available for comment.

Earlier this year, Air India placed an order for 470 jets with Boeing and Airbus SE - which was later eclipsed by rival IndiGo's order for 500 Airbus planes.

Wander said the company is also looking at investments in Asia and South America and is close to striking a deal to invest in a South African carrier, whose name he did not reveal.

777's business model involves buying jets and leasing them to airlines which it backs, such as Canadian low-cost carrier Flair Airlines and Australian airline Bonza.

Flair had four aircraft seized in March as a result of a commercial dispute with a New-York based hedge fund and aircraft lessor Airborne Capital Ltd; the matter is now in court.

(Reporting by Abhijith Ganapavaram in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian military serviceman Igor Ovcharruck holds a defused cluster bomb from an MSLR missile, among a display of pieces of rockets used by Russian army, that a Ukrainian munitions expert said did not explode on impact, in the region of Khar

(Reuters) -The United States announced on Friday that it would supply Ukraine with widely banned cluster munitions for its counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces, and NATO's leader said the military alliance would unite at a summit next week on how to bring Ukraine closer to joining.

Rights groups and the United Nations secretary-general questioned Washington's decision on the munitions, part of an $800 million security package that brings total U.S. military aid to more than $40 billion since Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who describes the conflict as a "special military operation" to protect Russian security, has said the U.S. and its allies were fighting an expanding proxy war.

The cluster munitions "will deliver in a time frame that is relevant for the counteroffensive," a Pentagon official told reporters.

Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries.Russia, Ukraine and the United States have not signed on to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans production, stockpiling, use and transfer of the weapons.

They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades after a conflict ends.

"Ukraine has provided written assurances that it is going to use these in a very careful way" to minimize risks to civilians, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

U.S. President Joe Biden described the decision on cluster bombs as difficult but said Ukraine needed them.

BOTH SIDES SHOULD STOP USING CLUSTER BOMBS -HRW

Human Rights Watch has accused Russian and Ukrainian forces of using cluster munitions, which have killed civilians.

Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov criticized the transfer of these weapons to Ukraine by the U.S.

"The cruelty and cynicism with which Washington has approached the issue of transferring lethal weapons to Kyiv is striking," TASS news agency on Friday quoted Antonov as saying.

"Now, by the fault of the US, there will be a risk for many years that innocent civilians will be blown up by submunitions that have failed."

Ukraine says it has taken back some villages in southern Ukraine since the counteroffensive began in early June, but that it lacks the firepower and air cover to make faster progress.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield situation.

"It's too early to judge how the counteroffensive is going one way or the other because we're at the beginning of the middle," Colin Kahl, the U.S. under secretary of defense for policy, told reporters.

ZELENSKIY TOURS NATO COUNTRIES

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Turkey a day after talks in Bulgaria to drum up support for NATO membership before the alliance's July 11-12 summit.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said after meeting Zelenskiy that Ukraine deserved NATO membership and that Ankara would continue working on a negotiated end to the war.

In Prague, Zelenskiy won a pledge of support for Ukraine to join NATO "as soon as the war is over", and in Sofia secured backing for membership "as soon as conditions allow."

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed his view that Ukraine would become a member.

"Our summit will send a clear message: NATO stands united, and Russia's aggression will not pay," Stoltenberg said at a news conference in Brussels.

It remained unclear, however, what Ukraine will be offered next week at the summit in Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital. The alliance is divided over how fast Ukraine should move towards membership, and some countries are wary of any step that might take NATO closer to war with Russia.

Biden, in an excerpt of a CNN interview that aired on Friday, underscored the point. "I don't think there is unanimity in NATO" about Ukraine joining now, he said.

Zelenskiy has acknowledged that Kyiv is unlikely to be able to join NATO while at war with Russia. Putin has threatened unspecified action if Ukraine joins NATO.

UN WARNS RUSSIA ON GRAINS DEAL

At the United Nations, aid chief Martin Griffiths warned Russia that it should not "chuck away" an agreement it made a year ago on the safe wartime passage of agricultural exports, known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

If Russia does not agree to extend the deal that allows export of grain and fertilizer from Ukrainian ports, it is unlikely Western states will continue cooperating with U.N. officials helping Moscow with its exports, Griffiths told reporters.

Russia has threatened to quit the deal, which expires on July 17, because several demands to export its own grain and fertilizer have not been met. The last three ships traveling under the deal are loading cargoes at the Ukrainian port of Odesa and are likely to depart on Monday.

The United Nations and Turkey brokered the deal with Russia and Ukraine in July 2022 to help tackle a global food crisis worsened by Moscow's invasion of its neighbor and blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports.

(Reporting by Robert Muller and Jason Hovet in Prague; Pavel Polityuk and Olena Harmash in Kyiv, Mike Stone, Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali in Washington and Michelle Nichols at the United Nations; writing by Grant McCool; editing by Diane Craft and David Gregorio)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala make statements to the press after their meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, July 7, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

By Can Sezer

ISTANBUL (Reuters) -Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that he was pressing Russia to extend a Black Sea grain deal by at least three months and announced a visit by President Vladimir Putin in August.

He was speaking at a joint news conference with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after the two parties met to discuss the fate of an arrangement, brokered last year by Turkey and the United Nations, to allow for the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea despite the war.

Zelenskiy's visit followed stops in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, part of a tour of various NATO capitals aimed at encouraging them to take concrete steps at a summit next week towards granting Kyiv membership of the alliance, which Erdogan said Ukraine deserved.

Erdogan said work was underway on extending the Black Sea grain deal beyond its expiration date of July 17 and for longer periods beyond that. The deal would be one of the most important issues on the agenda for his meeting with Putin in Turkey next month, he said.

"Our hope is that it will be extended at least once every three months, not every two months. We will make an effort in this regard and try to increase the duration of it to two years," he said at the news conference with Zelenskiy.

PRISONER EXCHANGES

Both men said they had also discussed another key question for Erdogan's talks with Putin -- the question of prisoner exchanges, which Zelenskiy said had been the first thing on their agenda. "I hope we will get a result from this soon," Erdogan said.

Zelenskiy said he would wait for a result to comment but made clear the discussion had gone into specifics on returning all captives including children deported to Russia and other groups.

"We are working on the return of our captives, political prisoners, Crimean Tatars," he said, referring to members of Ukraine's Muslim community in the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014. "Our partners have all the lists. We are really working on this."

Erdogan said the issue could also come up in his contacts with Putin before his visit. "If we make some phone calls before that, we will discuss it on the call as well," he said.

The Kremlin said on Friday it would watch the Erdogan-Zelenskiy talks closely, adding that Putin has highly appreciated the Turkish president's efforts to mediate a resolution of the conflict in Ukraine.

Asked on Saturday whether a visit by Putin to Turkey in August was being prepared, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted by the TASS news agency as saying: "Contacts are possible. There are no exact dates yet."

Russia, angry about aspects of the grain deal's implementation, has threatened not to allow its further extension beyond July 17.

Turkey, a NATO member, has managed to retain cordial relations with both Russia and Ukraine over the past 16 months of the war and last year it helped to broker prisoner exchanges.

Turkey has not joined its Western allies in imposing economic sanctions on Russia, but has also supplied arms to Ukraine and called for its sovereignty to be respected.

(Reporting by Ezgi Erkoyun, Oleksandr Kozhukhar and Orhan Coskun, Writing by Elaine Monaghan and Huseyin Hayatsever, Editing by Jonathan Spicer, Gareth Jones and Diane Craft)
The foregoing discussion of the AGA Boards consideration of the factors supporting the Reorganisation is forward- looking in nature. This information should be read in light of the factors discussed in the section entitled  Forward- Looking Statements  on page 10 of this Pre-listing Statement.

AGA will be released from all guarantees regarding group debt and the Group (through AGAH and the Credit Support Agreement) will provide credit support to AGA post implementation and to the extent required.

The only relevant remaining South African subsidiaries and associates of the Group are AGAs interest in Rand Refinery Proprietary Limited (42.41%), AGRe Insurance Company Limited (100%) and Agent K Proprietary Limited (16.95%), a company managing the silicosis settlement. In addition, AGA has certain legacy liabilities being the post-retirement medical obligation and the silicosis liability.

This discussion of the information and factors considered by the AGA Board in making its decision is not intended to be exhaustive but includes the material factors considered by the AGA Board. The AGA Board did not consider it practicable to, nor did it attempt to, quantify, rank or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors it considered in reaching its decision, nor did it evaluate whether these factors were of equal importance. In addition, each member of the AGA Board may have given different weight to the various factors. The determination of the AGA Board was made after consideration of all of the factors together.

While the Group will incur significant non-recurring transaction costs and expenses in connection with the implementation of the Reorganisation and the NewCo Notes Distribution, the Reorganisation is not expected to result in any significant cost savings or synergies for the Group, despite the other benefits outlined above; and

The Reorganisation is not expected to be subject to U.S. federal or South African income tax generally, or to U.K. income tax or corporation tax for Non-U.K. Holders (as defined below), and is expected to be broadly tax neutral for the Group on a going-forward basis, following the payment of one-off transaction taxes in South Africa and Australia.

The Reorganisation will allow existing AGA Shareholders to maintain their investment in the Group in the same percentages as they held prior to the implementation of the Reorganisation (subject to any adjustments to reflect the exercise of appraisal rights please see paragraph 14 ( Dissenting AGA Shareholders Appraisal Rights )).

Distribution will trigger transactions costs and expenses and are not expected to result in any significant cost savings or synergies. (See the paragraph entitled  Tax Consequences of the Reorganisation and the NewCo Notes Distribution for the Group  on page 72 of this Pre-listing Statement).

In addition to a primary listing of the NewCo Ordinary Shares on the NYSE, NewCo will seek secondary inward listings on the JSE and A2X in South Africa and a secondary listing on the GhSE in Ghana. As a result, the Group will continue to build upon established listings and pools of liquidity. Furthermore, the Group proposes no changes to the membership of the board or to management, who remain focused on executing the Groups strategy. The Reorganisation is not expected to result in any job losses, and certain core corporate functions servicing the Group are expected to maintain a presence in South Africa. In addition, the transaction costs and expenses of implementing the Reorganisation and the NewCo Notes Distribution, which are largely tied to factors such as the fair market value of AGAH (which in turn is related to, and driven by factors similar to that which determine, AGAs market capitalisation) and the ZAR/USD exchange rate, in each case on the Operative Date, are expected to be non-recurring. Based on current legislation, an assumed market capitalization of AGA of ZAR 186,115 million, an AGA share price of ZAR 444 and a ZAR/USD exchange rate of 18.19, each as of 19 June 2023, these transaction costs and expenses are estimated to be approximately $482 million, representing approximately 5% (five percent) of the market capitalisation of AGA, consisting primarily of tax costs payable in South Africa and Australia of approximately $422 million as well as transaction expenses. The Reorganisation and the NewCo Notes

As a result of the Reorganisation, all of the Groups operating entities will be held under NewCo, a U.K. incorporated entity subject to English corporate law. AGA believes this will provide an efficient legal, regulatory and tax framework for the Group and its shareholders which is expected to enhance strategic and financing flexibility thereby broadening the appeal of the Group to investors. AGA also expects to build upon the existing corporate infrastructure, relationships and knowledge of the Group in the United Kingdom, which stems from the management of AGAH, AGAs principal holding company subsidiary, having been tax resident and headquartered there since 2017.

Major global gold mining peers with primary listings in North America have significantly higher valuations and greater trading liquidity on U.S. exchanges than the Group does. AGA believes that a change in primary listing to the NYSE will increase the Groups proximity to North American institutional investors and analysts, which is expected to improve valuation comparisons to North American peers and enhance share trading liquidity.

AGA believes that a change in primary listing to the NYSE will increase access and broaden appeal to North American and other international investors. AGA believes this enhanced position could generate incremental demand and share trading liquidity. AGA also expects the broader investment appeal and related shift in regulatory environment to enhance the Groups strategic and financing flexibility.

The AGA Board unanimously approved the proposal of the Reorganisation at a meeting held on 11 May 2023. In reaching its decision, the AGA Board consulted with AGAs management and legal, financial and tax advisers, and considered a variety of factors, including the following:

The purpose of the Reorganisation is to enhance the Groups strategic position. While the business carried out by the Group following the implementation of the Reorganisation will remain the same, AGA intends to change its primary listing from the JSE to the NYSE in connection with the Reorganisation. AGA believes that a primary listing on the NYSE will broaden the appeal of the Group to North American and international investors, which could generate incremental demand and share trading liquidity and improve valuation comparisons with North American industry peers. Additionally, NewCos incorporation in the United Kingdom will take the Group to a leading, low-risk jurisdiction where the Group already has a corporate presence.

Additionally, NewCo expects the NewCo GhDSs to be listed on the GhSE. Following the implementation of the Reorganisation, the AGA Ordinary Shares will be delisted from the JSE in terms of paragraph 1.17(b) of the JSE Listings Requirements and AGA will procure the delisting of the AGA Ordinary Shares from the A2X and from the GhSE and the delisting of the AGA GhDSs from the GhSE. The AGA ADSs will also be delisted from the NYSE and the AGA ADS Program will be terminated upon completion of the Reorganisation. AGA resolved to terminate its listing on the ASX regardless of whether the Reorganisation is implemented. AGA received approval to voluntarily delist from the ASX (which occurred on or about 27 June 2023).

The NewCo Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Reorganisation will have a primary listing on the NYSE and

As a result of the Reorganisation, each Scheme Participant will beneficially own one NewCo Ordinary Share for each AGA Share held on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date, and the existing AGA Shareholders will hold the same percentage of NewCo Ordinary Shares as they held of AGA Ordinary Shares on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date (subject to any adjustments to reflect the exercise of appraisal rights as contemplated in paragraph 14 (Dissenting AGA Shareholders Appraisal Rights). Based on the current number of issued AGA Ordinary Shares, NewCo will issue up to approximately 419,612,543 (four hundred and nineteen million six hundred and twelve thousand five hundred and forty three) NewCo Ordinary Shares in the Reorganisation (subject to the aforesaid adjustments to reflect the exercise of appraisal rights). NewCo will have sufficient authority to allot and issue the Spin-Off Shares and the Scheme Consideration Shares to the Scheme Participants.

The implementation of the Reorganisation is subject to the fulfilment or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Implementation Agreement), as the case may be, of the Reorganisation Conditions including, amongst others, approval of the AGAH Sale and the Scheme by the AGA Shareholders in terms of the AGAH Sale Special Resolution and the Scheme Special Resolution. If all of the Reorganisation Conditions are not fulfilled or fulfilment is not waived (to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Implementation Agreement), as the case may be, by the Longstop Date, the Reorganisation will not be implemented and the AGA Shareholders, AGA ADS Holders and AGA GhDS Holders will retain their AGA Ordinary Shares, AGA ADSs and AGA GhDSs, respectively.

The Irrevocable Offer to Purchase sets out, amongst other things, the terms of NewCos irrevocable offer to AGA to purchase 100% (one hundred percent) of the shares in AGAH in consideration for the issue of the NewCo Notes.

The Implementation Agreement contains, amongst other things, the Reorganisation Conditions, provisions regarding the implementation of the Reorganisation, and certain representations and warranties given by each of AGA and NewCo.

AGA and NewCo have entered into the Implementation Agreement, in relation to, amongst other things, the Spin-Off and the Scheme, and NewCo made, and delivered to AGA, the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase, in relation to the AGAH Sale, on 12 May 2023:

Upon completion of the Reorganisation, NewCo will be the listed parent company of the Group and each of AGA and AGAH will be a direct, wholly-owned Subsidiary of NewCo.

AGA implementing a scheme of arrangement in terms of Section 114(1) read with Section 115 of the Companies Act between AGA and the AGA Shareholders, proposed by the AGA Board whereby NewCo will acquire all of the issued AGA Ordinary Shares from the AGA Shareholders in consideration for the right and obligation to receive, ipso facto and without any action on the part of such AGA Shareholders, the respective pro rata portions of the Scheme Consideration Shares.

NewCo has made an irrevocable offer to AGA to purchase 100% (one hundred percent) of the issued shares in AGAH, which holds all of the operations and assets of AGA and its subsidiaries located outside of the Republic of South Africa. It is the present, non-binding intention of AGA to accept the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase; and

AGA effecting a distribution in specie to the Scheme Participants, as at the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date, pursuant to which AGA will direct NewCo, its wholly-owned Subsidiary at that time, to issue the Spin-Off Shares to the Scheme Participants on a pro rata basis with the aggregate subscription price of USD 46,000 (forty six thousand Dollars) paid by AGA, resulting in NewCo ceasing to be a subsidiary of AGA;

The following summary highlights information related to the Reorganisation contained in the Circular. This summary is not complete and does not contain all of the information that may be important to you. To understand the Reorganisation, you should carefully read the Disclosure Package in its entirety and the documents incorporated by reference in this Pre-listing Statement.

Any AGA Shareholder which wishes to give notice to AGA objecting to the AGAH Sale Special Resolution and/or the Scheme Special Resolution may to do so at the Shareholders Meeting immediately before the AGAH Sale Special Resolution or the Scheme Special Resolution, as the case may be, is voted on.

For the timetable relating to AGA ADSs, AGA ADS Holders should refer to the Form F-4 (File No. 333-272867) and the notice and instructions provided by the ADS Depositary. Holders of AGA ADSs in a securities account through a broker or other securities intermediary should refer to the Form F-4 and the notice and instructions provided by their intermediary.

All times given in this Pre-listing Statement are, unless the context indicates to the contrary, a reference to South Africa Standard Time.

As the salient dates and times are subject to change, they may not be regarded as consent or dispensation for any time periods which may be required in terms of the Companies Act or the Companies Regulations, where applicable, and any such consents or dispensations must be specifically applied for and granted.

All dates and times in respect of the Reorganisation are subject to change by mutual agreement between AGA and NewCo and/or to the extent required obtaining the approval of the JSE, NYSE and the Takeover Regulation Panel established by Section 196 of the Companies Act. The dates have been determined based on assumptions regarding the dates by which certain regulatory approvals will be obtained and that no court approval or review of the Reorganisation will be required. Any change to the dates and times will be released on SENS and filed or furnished with the SEC.

Record Date on which AGA Shareholders must be recorded in the AGA Register to receive the NewCo Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Reorganisation (Reorganisation Consideration Record Date)

Secondary inward listing of NewCo (NewCo Ordinary Shares) ISIN No. GB00BRXH2664 with alpha code: ANG and short name ANGGOLD on the JSE and A2X with effect from the commencement of business (09:00 am South Africa Standard Time)

Last Day to Trade in AGA Ordinary Shares in order to receive the NewCo Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to the Reorganisation (Reorganisation Last Day to Trade)

The following dates assume that no court approval or review of the Scheme and/or AGAH Sale is required and will be confirmed in the Finalisation Date announcement if the Scheme and/or AGAH Sale becomes unconditional:

Last day for an AGA Shareholder who gave notice to AGA objecting to the Scheme and/ or AGAH Sale in terms of Section 164 of the Companies Act, to make a demand against AGA as contemplated in Section 164(7) of the Companies Act (assuming AGA provides the notice contemplated in Section 164(4) of the Companies Act on the last possible day)

Last day for an AGA Shareholder who voted against the Scheme and/or AGAH Sale to apply to court for leave to apply for a review of the Scheme and/or AGAH Sale in terms of Section 115(3)(b) of the Companies Act

Last day for AGA to send notice of adoption of Scheme Special Resolution and/or the AGAH Sale Special Resolution to Dissenting AGA Shareholders, in accordance with Section 164(4) of the Companies Act

Last day for AGA Shareholders who voted against the Scheme and/or AGAH Sale to require AGA to seek court approval for the Scheme and/or AGAH Sale in terms of Section 115(3)(a) of the Companies Act

Last date and time for AGA Shareholders to give notice to AGA objecting to the Scheme Special Resolution and/or the AGAH Sale Special Resolution in terms of Section 164 of the Companies Act, at any time before the voting on Scheme Special Resolution and/or the AGAH Sale Special Resolution takes place

Voting Record Date for AGA Shareholders to be recorded in the AGA Register in order to be eligible to vote at the Shareholders Meeting (Shareholders Meeting Voting Record Date)

Last day to trade in AGA Ordinary Shares in order to be recorded in the AGA Register on the Voting Record Date (Voting Last Day to Trade)

The definitions and interpretations commencing on page 17 of this Pre-listing Statement apply, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, to this section on Salient Dates and Times.

references to law or regulation or any similar such word shall be deemed to include the rules of any stock exchange by which AGA and NewCo are bound, and specifically includes the JSE Listings Requirements.

the use of the word including, include/s, in particular or any similar such word followed by a specific example/s shall not be construed as limiting the meaning of the general wording preceding it and the eiusdem generis rule shall not be applied in the interpretation of such general wording or such specific example/s; and

where any number of days is prescribed, those days shall be reckoned exclusively of the first and inclusively of the last day unless the last day falls on a day which is not a Business Day, in which event the last day shall be the next succeeding Business Day;

a reference to any other document referred to in this Pre-listing Statement is a reference to that other document as amended, revised, varied, novated or supplemented at any time;

a reference to any statute or statutory provision shall be construed as a reference to the same as it may have been, or may from time to time be, amended, modified, replaced or re-enacted;

references to a paragraph or Annexure are to a paragraph of, or Annexure to, this Pre-listing Statement or to an Annexure to the Circular as the context may require;

expressions defined in the main body of this Pre-listing Statement shall bear the same meanings in schedules and/or annexures to this Pre-listing Statement which do not themselves contain their own conflicting definitions;

if figures are referred to in numerals and in words in this Pre-listing Statement and if there is any conflict between the two, the words shall prevail;

any word or expression defined in the JSE Listings Requirements, the Companies Act, the Takeover Regulations and/ or the Circular and not expressly defined in this Pre-listing Statement shall have the meaning given in the JSE Listings Requirements, the Companies Act, the Takeover Regulations and/or the Circular (as applicable);

 Subsidiary  means a subsidiary of a company as contemplated by Section 3 of the Companies Act including, for the avoidance of doubt, entities registered and incorporated outside of South Africa which would otherwise constitute a subsidiary if such entities were registered and incorporated in South Africa;

 Strate  means, as appropriate, the electronic clearing and settlement system for transactions that take place on the JSE and A2X which is managed by Strate Proprietary Limited (Registration No. 1998/022242/07), a private company duly incorporated in accordance with the laws of South Africa;

 Spin-Off  means the distribution in specie to all the Scheme Participants, pursuant to which AGA will direct NewCo, its wholly owned subsidiary, to issue 46,000 (forty six thousand) NewCo Ordinary Shares to such Scheme Participants on a pro rata basis, with the Spin-Off Subscription Consideration paid by AGA;

 Shareholders Meeting  means the meeting of the AGA Shareholders that will be held entirely by way of electronic communication on Friday, 18 August 2023 at 2:00 p.m. (South Africa Standard Time) or such other postponed date and time or location as determined in accordance with the provisions of the AGA Memorandum of Incorporation, the Companies Act and the JSE Listings Requirements, at which AGA Shareholders will be requested to consider and, if deemed fit, to pass, with or without modification, the resolutions set out in the Notice of Meeting of Shareholders attached to the Circular;

have timeously delivered an appraisal rights demand to AGA in terms of Section 164(5) to 164(8) of the Companies Act but have had their rights reinstated in terms of Section 164(10) of the Companies Act;

have not timeously delivered an appraisal rights demand to AGA in terms of Section 164(5) to 164(8) of the Companies Act; or

 Scheme Participants  means the AGA Shareholders who are recorded as such in the AGA Register on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date and are entitled to receive the Scheme Consideration Shares being those AGA Shareholders who are registered as such in the AGA Register at the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date and who, by the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date, either:

 Scheme Consideration Shares  means such number of new NewCo Ordinary Shares as equate to the total number of Scheme Shares less the total number of Spin-off Shares;

 Scheme  means the scheme of arrangement in terms of Section 114 read with Section 115 of the Companies Act to be proposed by AGA to the AGA Shareholders, in terms of which the Scheme Participants will exchange their Scheme Shares for the right and obligation to receive, ipso facto and without any action on the part of such Scheme Participants, the respective pro rata portions of the Scheme Consideration Shares;

 Reorganisation Consideration Record Date  means 05:00 p.m. (South Africa Standard Time) on the date upon which an AGA Shareholder must be recorded in the AGA Register, in order to participate in the Spin-Off and the Scheme and to consequently receive the Spin-Off Shares and the Scheme Consideration Shares, being the record date set by the AGA Board for such purpose in terms of Section 59(1) of the Companies Act and the JSE Listings Requirements;

 Reorganisation Conditions  means the suspensive conditions to which the completion of the Reorganisation is subject, as set out in paragraph 4.2 of this Pre-listing Statement;

 Reorganisation  means the series of inter-conditional transaction steps which will be implemented in the following sequence being the Spin-Off, the AGAH Sale and the Scheme, in order to procure that, following implementation of the foregoing, NewCo is established as the new holding company of the Group, with its primary listing on the NYSE and with secondary inward listings on the JSE and the A2X and a secondary listing on the GhSE, which is described in more detail in the Circular;

 Pre-listing Statement  means this pre-listing statement posted by NewCo dated 7 July 2023, including all annexures and attachments hereto, which was prepared by NewCo in accordance with the JSE Listings Requirements for the purpose of the JSE Listing;

 Operative Date  means the date, after the Fulfilment Date, on which the Scheme is to be implemented, being the later of: (a) the date set out in the Circular as being the Operative Date; (b) the day after the date, if any, on which the AGAH Sale has been implemented (which sale, it is recorded, shall occur after the Spin-Off Completion); or (c) such other date as may be agreed in writing between AGA and NewCo;

 Non-U.K. Holders  means holders of AGA Ordinary Shares, AGA ADSs or NewCo Ordinary Shares, as the case may be, who, at the relevant time, (i) are not resident or domiciled for tax purposes in the United Kingdom, and to whom split-year treatment does not apply; (ii) do not have a permanent establishment or branch or agency in the United Kingdom to which their AGA Ordinary Shares, AGA ADSs or NewCo Ordinary Shares (as applicable) are attributable; (iii) have not, in the case of individuals, within the past 5 (five) years been resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom; (iv) are not carrying on a trade, profession, or vocation in the United Kingdom; (v) are the absolute beneficial owner of their AGA Ordinary Shares, AGA ADSs, or NewCo Ordinary Shares (as applicable) and any dividends paid in respect of them; (vi) hold their AGA Ordinary Shares or NewCo Ordinary Shares (as applicable) as an investment (rather than, for example, as securities realised in the course of trade); (vii) hold their AGA Ordinary Shares, AGA ADSs, or NewCo Ordinary Shares (as applicable) other than under a self-invested personal pension plan, individual savings account, or other regime providing for exemption from tax; and (viii) are not members of a special class of holders subject to special rules ( including those detailed in Material Tax Consequences  Material U.K. Tax Consequences  Scope of Discussion );

 NewCo Shareholders  means, other than in the section entitled  Description of NewCo Ordinary Shares, Description of NewCos Articles and Related Regulation , the AGA Shareholders who shall become beneficial owners of NewCo Ordinary Shares on the Operative Date;

 NewCo Notes  means zero coupon unsecured loan notes, which have an aggregate face value equal to the fair market value of the AGAH Sale Shares (as determined pursuant to the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase), to be issued by NewCo to AGA;

NewCo GhDSs means Ghanaian depositary shares representing NewCo Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1 (one) NewCo Ordinary Share to 100 (one hundred) such Ghanaian depositary shares, which are to be listed and traded on the GhSE;

 NewCo Board  means the board of directors of NewCo, comprising, as at the Last Practicable Date, those persons whose names appear in section headed  NewCo Board at the Date of this Pre-listing Statement  in paragraph 44 on page 50 of this Pre-listing Statement;

 Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Report  means the report titled Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Report as at 31 December 2022, an annual report prepared by AGA in terms of paragraph 12.13 of the JSE Listings Requirements;

 Material Adverse Effect  means any change, event, effect, fact, circumstance, development or occurrence (whether known, unknown or reasonably foreseeable by AGA on the signature date of the Implementation Agreement, and including any change, event, effect, fact, circumstance, development or occurrence relating to taxation) that, individually or in the aggregate with other changes, events, effects, facts, circumstances, developments or occurrences, in the reasonable opinion of AGA (a) relates to the Reorganisation and decreases, or could reasonably be expected to decrease, the free cash flow of the Group by at least USD 150,000,000 (one hundred and fifty million Dollars), (b) prevents or impairs or delays (for a period of at least 60 days), or could reasonably be expected to prevent or impair or delay (for a period of at least 60 days), the implementation of the Reorganisation or the ability of either AGA or NewCo to perform its obligations under the Implementation Agreement, or (c) increases, or could reasonably be expected to increase, the costs to the Group of implementing the Reorganisation by at least USD 150,000,000 (one hundred and fifty million Dollars);

 Longstop Date  means 29 February 2024 or such later date that the AGA and NewCo may agree to in writing prior to such date, being the date by which all the Reorganisation Conditions must be fulfilled (or, where appropriate, waived);

 Legal Advisers  means each of AGAs and NewCos appointed legal advisers, being ENSafrica, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, or Slaughter and May, as the context may require;

 JSE Listing  means the proposed secondary inward listing of the NewCo Ordinary Shares on the JSE by way of an introduction;

 JSE  means the JSE Limited (Registration No. 2005/022939/06), a public company duly incorporated in South Africa and which is licensed to operate as a securities exchange under the Financial Markets Act;

 Integrated Reports  means collectively or separately and individually as the context may require the Integrated Report published by AGA for its financial years ended on 31 December 2022, 2021 and 2020;

 Irrevocable Offer to Purchase  means the document titled Irrevocable Offer to Purchase, signed by NewCo and delivered to AGA on 12 May 2023, in terms of which, inter alia , NewCo irrevocably offers, in favour of AGA, to purchase all (and not part only) of the AGAH Sale Shares in consideration for the issue by NewCo to AGA of the NewCo Notes;

 Implementation Agreement  means the agreement titled Implementation Agreement entered into on 12 May 2023 between AGA and NewCo, and as amended on 23 June 2023, in terms of which, inter alia , NewCo undertakes to co-operate with AGA to implement the Reorganisation;

 Group  means AGA and its Subsidiaries prior to the implementation of the Reorganisation and subsequent to the implementation of the Reorganisation, NewCo and its Subsidiaries, as the context requires;

 Fulfilment Date  means the date on which the last of the Reorganisation Conditions has been fulfilled or waived, as the case may be;

 Founder Share  means the 1 (one) NewCo Ordinary Share which AGA holds in NewCo as at the Last Practicable Date, which NewCo Ordinary Share was issued to AGA upon the incorporation of NewCo;

 Financial Advisers  means AGAs and/or NewCos (as the case may be) appointed financial advisers in respect of the Reorganisation, being Centerview Partners UK LLP (Company number OC345806), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Johannesburg Branch (Registration No. 2001/016069/10) and Rothschild and Co South Africa Proprietary Limited (Registration No. 1999/021764/07), a limited liability private company incorporated and registered under the laws of South Africa;

 CSDP  means a central securities depository participant authorised by a licenced central securities depository to perform custody and administration services or settlement services or both, in terms of the central securities depository rules published in terms of the FMA;

 Credit Support Agreement  means an agreement titled Credit Support Agreement concluded or to be concluded between AGAH and AGA, in terms of which, inter alia , AGAH undertakes to provide and/or provides credit support to AGA by way of a loan facility to enable AGA to meet the requirements of the solvency and liquidity test (as set out in Section 4 of the Companies Act);

 Broker  means any person registered as a broker member equities in terms of the rules of the JSE in accordance with the provisions of the Financial Markets Act;

 A2X  means A2X Solutions Proprietary Limited (Registration No. 2021/439627/07), a private company duly incorporated in accordance with the company laws of South Africa, or where the context requires, the South African securities exchange known as the A2X Markets which is operated by A2X Solutions Proprietary Limited and which is licensed to operate as a securities exchange under the Financial Markets Act;

 AGAH Sale  means the irrevocable offer by NewCo to AGA to purchase 100% (one hundred percent) of the shares in AGAH, and the present, non-binding intention of AGA to accept the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase, which if completed will constitute a disposal of all or the greater part of the assets or undertaking of AGA subject to approval under Chapter 5 of the Companies Act in terms of Section 112 and Section 115(2)(b) of the Companies Act;

 AGAH  means AngloGold Ashanti Holdings plc (Registration No. 001177V), a company duly incorporated in accordance with the company laws of the Isle of Man, which as of the Last Practicable Date is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AGA and which acts as a holding company for certain of AGAs operations and assets located outside South Africa;

 AGA Shares  or  AGA Ordinary Shares  means the ordinary shares, with a par value of R0.25 (twenty five cents) each, in the issued share capital of AGA, which are listed for trading with ISIN No. ZAE 000043485 on, inter alia , the Main Board of the JSE;

 AGA Register  means collectively AGAs: (a) securities register as defined in Section 1 of the Companies Act; and (b) uncertificated securities register as defined in Section 1 of the Companies Act (which the Companies Act stipulates forms part of the securities register);

 AGA GhDSs means Ghanaian depositary shares representing AGA Ordinary Shares at a ratio of 1 (one) AGA Ordinary Share to 100 (one hundred) such Ghanaian depositary shares, which are listed and traded on the GhSE;

 AGA Deposit Agreement  means the amended and restated deposit agreement (dated as of 3 June 2008) entered into between AGA, the ADS Depositary and all owners and beneficial owners from time to time of AGA ADSs issued thereunder, as amended from time to time;

 AGA Board  means the directors of AGA, comprising, as at the Last Practicable Date, those persons whose names appear in section headed  Corporate Information and Advisers  in this Pre-listing Statement;

 AGA ADSs  means American depositary shares representing AGA Shares deposited or subject to deposit with the ADS Depositary under the AGA Deposit Agreement at a ratio of 1 (one) AGA Share to 1 (one) such American depositary share, which are listed and traded on the NYSE;

the following terms shall have the meanings assigned to them hereunder and cognate expressions shall have corresponding meanings, namely:

The headings in this Pre-listing Statement are for the purpose of convenience and reference only and shall neither be used in the interpretation of, nor modify, nor amplify the terms of this Pre-listing Statement. Unless a contrary intention clearly appears:

Ernst & Young Inc. will resign as independent external auditor of the Group on conclusion of its responsibilities relating to the 31 December 2022 financial year audit, which is expected to conclude during June 2023. Accordingly, PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. was appointed by the AGA Board as the Groups independent external auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2023. See the section entitled  Report of the Audit Committee  Auditors  in the Annual Financial Report for 2022, which is incorporated by reference in this Pre-listing Statement.

Ernst & Young Inc. was appointed by the AGA Board as the Groups independent external auditor for the financial year ending 31 December 2022. Ernst & Young Inc. was also appointed by the AGA Board as the Independent Reporting Accountant for the purpose of preparing the assurance report on the pro forma financial information to illustrate the effect of the Reorganisation as of and for the year ended 31 December 2022, as required in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements and the Takeover Regulations, which assurance report is set out in Annexure D to the Circular and is incorporated in this Pre-listing Statement by reference.

As NewCo was incorporated solely for the purpose of the Reorganisation and has not carried on any activities other than in connection with the Reorganisation, NewCo does not have audited financial statements for the three financial years preceding the Reorganisation. However, as following the implementation of the Reorganisation, AGA will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of NewCo, this Pre-listing Statement incorporates by reference the consolidated financial statements of AGA as at, and for, the years ended 31 December 2020, 2021 and 2022, which have been prepared using the historical results of operations, assets and liabilities attributable to AGA and all of its subsidiaries, as contained in the Annual Financial Statements for those years. The consolidated financial statements of AGA as at and for the years ended 31 December 2020, 2021 and 2022 have been prepared according to the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain assets and liabilities to fair value. The consolidated financial statements of AGA are presented in U.S. Dollars and prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by IASB. AGAs Annual Financial Statements are distributed to AGA Shareholders and AGA ADS Holders and are submitted to the JSE and the NYSE.

NewCo was incorporated, as a private limited company under the laws of England and Wales on 10 February, 2023, and on 22 June 2023 NewCo was re-registered as a public limited company, solely for the purposes of carrying out the Reorganisation. As such, NewCo has not yet commenced operations, has no material assets or liabilities and has not carried on any activities other than in connection with the Reorganisation. The functional currency of NewCo is U.S. Dollars and the annual financial statements will be prepared in accordance with FRS 102. These financial statements will be made available to NewCo Shareholders and will be submitted to the JSE and the NYSE.

Signed at , London, England on behalf of each of the directors of NewCo in terms of a resolution of the NewCo Board authorising him to do so on their behalf.

The information in the documents filed with the SEC have been prepared in accordance with applicable U.S. securities laws. Such information does not comply with the JSE Listings Requirements and has not been reviewed by the JSE. In addition, the documents filed with the SEC and referred to herein do not form a part of, and are not being incorporated by reference into, this Pre-listing Statement.

AGA files annual reports and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC ( http://www.sec.gov ), on which AGAs annual and other reports are made available. You may also inspect certain reports and other information concerning AGA at the offices of the NYSE located at 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

The Form F-4 and any amendments thereto will be available for inspection and copying as set forth below. The Form F-4, including the attached exhibits, contains additional relevant information about NewCo and the NewCo Ordinary Shares.

In terms of applicable U.S. securities laws, NewCo has filed a registration statement on Form F-4 with the SEC with respect to the NewCo Ordinary Shares being issued to AGA Shareholders with a registered address in the United States and in respect of the AGA Shares represented by AGA ADSs. Among other things, the Form F-4 is required by applicable U.S. securities laws to contain certain financial information, presented in a format compliant with U.S. securities laws, including the unaudited pro forma financial information required by the rules and regulations of the SEC, for the year ended 31 December 2022.

Any document that is incorporated in this Pre-listing Statement by reference and any document that is made available for inspection in terms of this Pre-listing Statement, will be incorporated herein and made available for inspection subject to all of the disclaimers contained in this Pre-listing Statement together with any disclaimer, limitation and/or qualification set out in any such document, provided that if there is a conflict between the disclaimers contained in this Pre-listing Statement and any of the disclaimers, limitations and/or qualifications set out any document incorporated herein by reference or made available for inspection in terms hereof, the most onerous provision shall prevail to the extent of the conflict.

at NewCos registered address, AGAs registered address and at the offices of the Sponsors, which documents will be available at no charge, during business hours for a period of 14 (fourteen) days after the date of this Pre-listing Statement.

pro forma financial information of NewCo to illustrate the effects of the Reorganisation as of and for the 12 (twelve) months ended 31 December 2022;

the reviewed condensed consolidated interim financial statements of AGA for the three financial periods ended 30 June 2022, 2021 and 2020, prepared in accordance with IFRS;

the audited financial statements of AGA for the three years ended 2022, 2021, 2020, prepared in accordance with IFRS, as issued by IASB;

written consents of the Financial Advisers, Sponsors, Independent Reporting Accountant and Legal Advisers to the inclusion of their names in this Pre-listing Statement in the context and form in which they appear;

copies or summaries of service agreements with NewCos and AGAs directors, managers, secretaries entered into within the three years preceding the Last Practicable Date;

Copies of the following documents will be available for inspection in hard copy form at the registered office of NewCo and at the registered offices of the Sponsors between the hours 09:00 and 16:00 on all South African business days (which excludes Saturdays, Sundays and South African public holidays) and/or in the electronic form by email request sent to [email protected] from the date of issue of this Pre-listing Statement up to and including the 14th (fourteenth) day after the date of this Pre-Listing Statement:

A separate registration statement on Form F-4 has been filed with the SEC by NewCo, which includes a prospectus under the Securities Act with respect to NewCo Ordinary Shares being issued to AGA Shareholders with a registered address in the United States and in respect of the AGA Shares represented by the AGA ADSs.

The NewCo Ordinary Shares which are the subject matter of this Pre-listing Statement will be beneficially acquired by the Scheme Participants, by virtue of their participation in the Reorganisation and accordingly, this Pre-listing Statement is addressed exclusively to the Scheme Participants, who shall become beneficial owners of the NewCo Ordinary Shares, in the same proportions in which they held their shares in AGA as at the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date (subject to any adjustments to reflect the exercise of Appraisal Rights as contemplated in paragraph 14 ( Dissenting AGA Shareholders Appraisal Rights )), upon the completion of the Reorganisation. Any AGA Shareholder which does not exercise its Appraisal Rights (as further described in the Circular) before the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date, and which is eligible to receive the NewCo Ordinary Shares, shall automatically be entitled to receive the NewCo Ordinary Shares in exchange for its Scheme Shares and become a Scheme Participant upon the approval of the AGAH Sale Special Resolution and the Scheme Special Resolution. The NewCo Ordinary Shares which are the subject matter of this Pre-listing Statement are only being made available to Scheme Participants, who will be the only persons who are entitled to receive the NewCo Ordinary Shares, and therefore the NewCo Ordinary Shares may not be acquired by any person who is not a Scheme Participant. Accordingly, there are no minimum subscription requirements for the NewCo Ordinary Shares in terms of the Pre-listing Statement and as the NewCo Ordinary Shares will be issued to the Scheme Participants on a one-for-one basis in consideration for their AGA Shares and over subscription in respect of the NewCo Ordinary Shares is not possible.

A separate Circular has been prepared to provide AGA Shareholders with information regarding the Reorganisation and the manner in which they may have their vote in relation to the Reorganisation recorded. The Circular additionally provides AGA Shareholders with the Independent Expert Report prepared in respect of the Reorganisation and informs AGA Shareholders of their Appraisal Rights and the manner in which such rights may be exercised. Further, the Shareholders Meeting, convened in terms of the notice of the Shareholders Meeting attached to the Circular, is convened to consider and approve the AGAH Sale Special Resolution and the Scheme Special Resolution. This Pre-listing Statement should be read in conjunction with the Circular, which contains the full description of the Reorganisation and has been posted to the AGA Shareholders together with this Pre-listing Statement, and the documents that are incorporated in this Pre-listing Statement by reference.

This Pre-listing Statement has been prepared in accordance with the JSE Listings Requirements in respect of the secondary inward listing of the NewCo Ordinary Shares on the JSE.

The dates and times referred to in this Pre-listing Statement are subject to change. Any such changes will be published through an announcement on SENS. All dates and times referred to in this Pre-listing Statement are South African dates and times.

This Pre-listing Statement is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States. An offer of securities in the United States pursuant to a business combination transaction will only be made, as may be required, through a prospectus which is part of an effective registration statement filed with the SEC. In connection with the Reorganisation a registration statement on Form F-4 under the Securities Act has been filed with the SEC. Investors and shareholders are urged to read the registration statement, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because they will contain important information. Copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding the Reorganisation and documents incorporated by reference may be obtained at the SECs website at https://www.sec.gov . In addition, the effective registration statement on Form F-4 will be made available for free to AGA Shareholders.

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, all information provided in this Pre-listing Statement is provided as at the Last Practicable Date.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Pre-listing Statement have not been reviewed nor reported on by AGAs or NewCos auditors or the Independent Reporting Account. Each of AGA and NewCo qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these factors and statements.

Forward-looking statements included in this Pre-listing Statement are made only as at the date on which the forward-looking statement is made, and neither NewCo nor AGA intends to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, except as is required by law. New factors may emerge from time to time that could cause the Groups business, or other matters to which such forward-looking statements relate, not to develop as expected and it is not possible to predict all of them. Further, the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results or matters to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement is not known.

AGA Shareholders are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and are advised to read the Disclosure Package in its entirety.

AGA Shareholders should consider any forward-looking statements or forecasts in light of the risks and uncertainties described in the information contained or incorporated by reference in this Pre-listing Statement. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Groups actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Although AGA and NewCo believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and forecasts are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Accordingly, results could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements as a result of, among other factors, risks and uncertainties related to the timing of the Reorganisation, the possibility that the AGA Shareholders will not approve the Reorganisation, that the Reorganisation will not receive other necessary approvals or that the Reorganisation is otherwise not completed (whether following the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect or otherwise), the possibility that the expected benefits from the Reorganisation will not be realised or will not be realised within the expected time period, operational disruption due to the Reorganisation, the incurrence of unexpected transaction costs and expenses or total transaction costs and expenses being higher than current estimates, the degree to which AGA is successful in implementing the Reorganisation (and deriving the anticipated benefits from the Reorganisation) and other changes which AGA and/or NewCo may make to the Groups corporate structure, changes in economic, social and political and market conditions, including related to inflation or international conflicts, the success of business and operating initiatives, changes in the regulatory environment and other government actions, including environmental approvals, fluctuations in gold prices and exchange rates, the outcome of pending or future litigation proceedings, any supply chain disruptions, any public health crises, pandemics or epidemics (including the COVID-19 pandemic), and other business and operational risks and other factors, including mining accidents. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause AGAs actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results.

This Pre-listing Statement includes statements that are, or may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect AGAs current expectations concerning future results and events and generally may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as believe, aim, expect, anticipate, intend, foresee, forecast, likely, should, planned, could, may, would, estimated, potential, outlook or other similar words and phrases. Similarly, statements that describe AGAs objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements.

Any AGA Shareholder who is in doubt as to their position, including, without limitation, their tax status, should consult an appropriate independent professional adviser in the relevant jurisdiction without delay.

If you are a Foreign Shareholder, you are urged to read the important information relating to Foreign Shareholders contained in paragraph 11 on page 37 ( Foreign Shareholders ) in this Pre-listing Statement.

The rights of the Foreign Shareholders in respect of the Reorganisation pursuant to which this Pre-listing Statement has been issued, may be affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions of any Foreign Shareholders. Such Foreign Shareholders should inform themselves about and observe any applicable legal requirements of such jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of any Foreign Shareholder to satisfy themselves as to the full observance of the laws and regulatory requirements of the relevant jurisdiction in connection with the Reorganisation, including the obtaining of any governmental, exchange control or other consents or the making of any filings which may be required, the compliance with other necessary formalities, the payment of any transfer or other taxes or other requisite payments due in such jurisdiction.

The Reorganisation (comprising the Spin-off, the AGAH Sale and the Scheme) is governed by the laws of South Africa and is subject to any applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Companies Act, the Companies Regulations, the JSE Listings Requirements and the Exchange Control Regulations.

This Pre-listing Statement has been prepared in accordance with the JSE Listings Requirements, and the information disclosed may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this Pre-listing Statement had been prepared in accordance with the laws and regulations of any jurisdiction outside of South Africa.

The information contained in this Pre-listing Statement constitutes factual information as contemplated in Section 1(3)(a) of the South African Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act, No. 37 of 2002 (as amended and restated from time to time) and should not be construed as an express or implied recommendation, guidance or proposal that any particular transaction in respect of the Reorganisation and/or the acquisition of the NewCo Ordinary Shares is appropriate to the particular investment objectives, financial situations or needs of an AGA Shareholder, and nothing in this Pre-listing Statement should be construed as constituting the canvassing for, or marketing or advertising of, financial services in South Africa or in any other jurisdiction.

Shareholders also acknowledge that: (a) they have not relied on the Transaction Advisers or any person affiliated with the Transaction Advisers in connection with any investigation of the accuracy of any information contained in the Disclosure Package or their investment decision; (b) they have relied only on the information contained in the Disclosure Package and have made their own assessment of such information; and (c) no person has been authorised to give any information or to make any representation concerning AGA, NewCo or the NewCo Ordinary Shares (other than as contained in this Pre-listing Statement) and, if given or made, any such other information or representation should not be relied upon as having been authorised by AGA, NewCo or the Transaction Advisers.

No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by any of the Transaction Advisers as to the accuracy, completeness or verification of the information set out in this Pre-listing Statement, and nothing contained in this Pre-listing Statement is, or shall be relied upon as, a promise or representation in this respect, whether as to the past or the future. Each of the Transaction Advisers assumes no responsibility for this Pre-listing Statements accuracy, completeness or verification and accordingly hereby disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all liability whether arising in delict, tort, contract or otherwise which they might otherwise be found to have in respect of this Pre-listing Statement or any such statement.

The Transaction Advisers are acting exclusively for AGA and/or NewCo (as the case may be), and no one else in connection with the Reorganisation and the contents of this Pre-listing Statement and will not be responsible to anyone, other than AGA and/or NewCo (as the case may be), for providing the protections afforded to clients of the Transaction Advisers, respectively, or for providing advice in relation to the Reorganisation and the contents of this Pre-listing Statement.

The contents of this Pre-listing Statement should not be construed as legal, financial or tax advice. Each AGA Shareholder should consult his/her or its own legal, financial or tax adviser as to the legal, financial, business, tax and related aspects of the acquisition of NewCo Ordinary Shares.

To the extent that the distribution of this Pre-listing Statement in certain jurisdictions outside South Africa may be restricted or prohibited by the laws of such foreign jurisdiction, then this Pre-listing Statement is deemed to have been provided for information purposes only and neither AGA nor NewCo, nor their respective boards of directors nor the Transaction Advisers, accept any responsibility for any failure by AGA Shareholders to inform themselves about, and to observe, any applicable legal requirements in any relevant foreign jurisdiction. None of the NewCo or the Transaction Advisers, nor any of their respective representatives, is making any representation to any AGA Shareholder regarding the legality of an investment in the NewCo Ordinary Shares by such AGA Shareholder under the law applicable to such AGA Shareholder.

This Pre-listing Statement is not intended to, and does not constitute an offer to sell or issue, or the solicitation of an offer to purchase or to subscribe for shares or other securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in which such solicitation would be unlawful or in which securities may not be offered or sold without registration or an exemption from registration. This Pre-listing Statement does not constitute a prospectus or a prospectus-equivalent document.

The release, publication or distribution of this Pre-listing Statement may be restricted by law and therefore persons in any such jurisdictions into which this Pre-listing Statement is released, published or distributed should inform themselves about, and observe such restrictions. Any failure to comply with the applicable restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws or other legal requirements of any such jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, AGA and NewCo, their respective boards of directors and the Transaction Advisers disclaim any responsibility or liability for the failure to become informed of or to observe or for any violation of such requirements by any person.

The definitions and interpretations commencing on page 17 of this Pre-listing Statement apply, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, to this section  Notice to Investors .

The definitions and interpretations commencing on page 17 of this Pre-listing Statement apply, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, to this section on Corporate Information and Advisers.

This Pre-listing Statement is only available in English. Copies of this Pre-listing Statement may be obtained during normal business hours from the registered office of NewCo and the offices of the Sponsors, whose addresses are set out in the Corporate Information and Advisers section of this Pre-listing Statement, during normal business hours from the date of posting this Pre-listing Statement until the 14th (fourteenth) day after the date of this Pre-listing Statement. A copy of this Pre-listing Statement will also be made available on AGAs website at www.anglogoldashanti.com . An abridged version of this document will be published on SENS on Friday July 7, 2023 .

This Pre-listing Statement is addressed exclusively to the AGA Shareholders and is therefore not an invitation to the general public to purchase or subscribe for the NewCo Ordinary Shares and is issued in compliance with the JSE Listings Requirements.

Certain information is incorporated by reference in this Pre-listing Statement to ensure that AGA Shareholders are aware of all information, which according to the particular nature of NewCo and the Reorganisation, may be necessary to enable AGA Shareholders to make an informed assessment of the assets and liabilities, financial position, profit and losses and prospects of NewCo. In this regard, please refer to the section entitled  Important Information  Documents Available for Inspection and Documents Included or Incorporated by Reference in this Pre-listing Statement  beginning on page 13 of this Pre-listing Statement.

The Sponsors, Financial Advisers, Legal Advisers, Tax Adviser and Independent Reporting Accountant whose report and/or names are included in this Pre-listing Statement, have given and have not withdrawn their consent to the inclusion of their names and/or report in this Pre-listing Statement in the form and context in which they appear.

Following the Listings, all the issued NewCo Ordinary Shares are expected to be listed on the JSE (as a secondary inward listing), the A2X (as a secondary inward listing), the GhSE (as a secondary listing) and the NYSE (as a primary listing), in compliance with the JSEs, A2Xs, GhSEs and NYSEs listing requirements and standards and the laws of South Africa, Ghana and the United States. NewCo has filed the Form F-4 (which relates to the registration of the NewCo Ordinary Shares under the Securities Act) and will apply to list the NewCo Ordinary Shares on the NYSE.

The JSE has conditionally approved the secondary inward listing, by way of an introduction, of the issued ordinary share capital of NewCo in the  Platinum & Precious Metals  sector of the Main Board of the JSE under the abbreviated name ANGGOLD and share code ANG and ISIN No. GB00BRXH2664 with effect from the commencement of business on 20 September 2023, subject to NewCo obtaining the requisite spread of shareholders required by the JSE Listings Requirements and the Reorganisation being approved by the AGA Shareholders. During the three years prior to the Last Practicable Date, AGA has complied with the spread of shareholders requirements in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements and as such, on the Operative Date, it is expected that NewCo will also comply with the spread of shareholders requirements in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements.

The directors of NewCo and AGA, whose names are set out on page 7 of this Pre-listing Statement, collectively and individually, accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information given in this Pre-listing Statement (but only to the extent that they are required to accept such responsibility in terms of the Companies Act and/or the JSE Listings Requirements), and certify that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no facts that have been omitted, which would make any statement in this Pre- listing Statement false or misleading, and all reasonable enquiries to ascertain such facts have been made and this Pre-listing Statement contains all information required by law and the JSE Listings Requirements.

As there is no requirement for a company to set out an authorised share capital under English law, NewCo does not have an authorised share capital. NewCo will have sufficient authority to allot and issue the requisite number of NewCo Ordinary Shares to satisfy the Reorganisation Consideration. The aggregate nominal value of the issued share capital of NewCo will, immediately following the implementation of the Reorganisation, be approximately USD 419,612,543 and NewCo will, immediately following the implementation of the Reorganisation, have a stated capital in compliance with the JSE Listings Requirements. As at the date of listing, no NewCo Ordinary Shares will be held as treasury shares. It is expected that NewCo will have 419,612,543 NewCo Ordinary Shares listed on the NYSE, and secondary listed on the JSE, A2X and GhSE following the implementation of the Reorganisation, being the same number of shares that AGA will have listed on the JSE on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date (subject to any adjustments to reflect the exercise of Appraisal Rights as contemplated in paragraph 14 ( Dissenting AGA Shareholders Appraisal Rights )). The subscribed capital is expected to be equal to the market value of AGA (standalone) on the date of implementation. All of the NewCo Ordinary Shares rank pari passu in all respects, there being no conversion or exchange rights attaching thereto, and have equal voting rights and rights to participate in capital, dividend and profit distributions by NewCo.

The issue of the NewCo Ordinary Shares pursuant to the Scheme to the Scheme Participants, as contemplated by and in terms of the Circular as read with this Pre-listing Statement, is governed by Section 114 of the Companies Act and accordingly, the exchange by the Scheme Participants of their AGA Ordinary Shares in consideration for the issue of NewCo Ordinary Shares in terms of the Scheme does not constitute an offer as contemplated in Section 95(1)(g) of the Companies Act. NewCo is therefore not required, in terms of the Companies Act, to prepare and file a prospectus with CIPC and this Pre-listing Statement does not constitute a prospectus within the meaning given thereto in the Companies Act.

As a result of the Reorganisation, each Scheme Participant will beneficially own one NewCo Ordinary Share for each AGA Share held on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date, and the existing AGA Shareholders will hold the same percentage of NewCo Ordinary Shares as they held of AGA Ordinary Shares on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date (subject to any adjustments to reflect the exercise of Appraisal Rights as contemplated in paragraph 14 ( Dissenting AGA Shareholders Appraisal Rights )). NewCo will have sufficient authority to allot and issue the Spin-Off Shares and the Scheme Consideration Shares to the Scheme Participants.

the AGA Shares currently listed on the JSE under the ticker symbol ANG will be delisted from the Main Board of the JSE.

the NewCo Ordinary Shares will have a primary listing on the NYSE and secondary inward listings on the JSE under the ticker symbol ANG and ISIN No. GB00BRXH2664 and on the A2X, and a secondary listing on the GhSE; and

The NewCo Ordinary Shares are not currently listed on any securities exchange. If the Reorganisation becomes unconditional and is implemented:

Upon completion of the Reorganisation NewCo will be the listed parent company of the Group and each of AGA and AGAH will be a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of NewCo. In this regard, as AGA has been listed on the Main Board of the JSE since 1998, and, as this Pre-listing Statement is addressed exclusively to the AGA Shareholders, the majority of information required to be disclosed in this Pre-listing Statement is already in the public domain and is already known to the AGA Shareholders. Accordingly, this Pre-listing Statement does, where possible, incorporate the required information by reference to the relevant public documents in which the applicable information regarding AGA may be located.

This Pre-listing Statement has been prepared on the assumption that both the AGAH Sale Special Resolution and the Scheme Special Resolution, shall have been passed at the Shareholders Meeting and that the Reorganisation shall have become effective and have been implemented; and accordingly, all disclosures in respect of NewCo are prepared on the basis that NewCo will have acquired all of the issued ordinary shares in both AGA and AGAH.

The implementation of the Reorganisation is subject to the fulfilment or waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Implementation Agreement), as the case may be, of the Reorganisation Conditions including, amongst others, approval of the AGAH Sale and the Scheme by the AGA Shareholders in terms of the AGAH Sale Special Resolution and the Scheme Special Resolution respectively. If all of the Reorganisation Conditions are not fulfilled or fulfilment is not waived (to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Implementation Agreement), as the case may be by the Longstop Date, the Reorganisation will not be implemented, and the AGA Shareholders and AGA ADS Holders will retain their AGA Ordinary Shares and AGA ADSs, respectively.

the Scheme, being a scheme of arrangement in terms of Section 114(1) read with Section 115 of the Companies Act between AGA and the AGA Shareholders, proposed by the AGA Board whereby NewCo will acquire all of the issued AGA Ordinary Shares from the AGA Shareholders in consideration for the right and obligation to receive, ipso facto and without any action on the part of such AGA Shareholders, the respective pro rata portions of the Scheme Consideration Shares.

the AGAH Sale, in terms of which NewCo has made an irrevocable offer to AGA to purchase 100% (one hundred percent) of the issued shares in AGAH. It is the present, non-binding intention of AGA to accept the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase. The AGAH Sale, if completed, will constitute a disposal of all or a greater part of the assets or undertaking of AGA subject to approval under Chapter 5 of the Companies Act in terms of Section 112 and Section 115 of the Companies Act; and

the Spin-Off, in terms of which a distribution in specie will be effected by AGA to the AGA Shareholders recorded in the AGA Register as at the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date, pursuant to which AGA will direct NewCo, its wholly-owned Subsidiary at that time, to issue 46,000 (forty six thousand) NewCo Ordinary Shares to such AGA Shareholders on a pro rata basis, with the aggregate subscription price of USD 46,000 (forty six thousand United States Dollars) paid by AGA resulting in NewCo ceasing to be a Subsidiary of AGA;

On 12 May 2023, AGA announced the Reorganisation, pursuant to which NewCo was incorporated and a proposal was made to implement 3 (three) sequential, separate and fully inter-conditional steps. The expected steps consist of:

The interpretation clause and the definitions set out in the section headed Definitions and Interpretation commencing on page 17 of this Pre-listing Statement apply, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, throughout this Pre-listing Statement, including this cover page, except where the context indicates a contrary intention.

should be read in conjunction with the Circular (to which this Pre-listing Statement is enclosed) detailing the Reorganisation together with the Form F-4 (which is available for inspection in terms of the Circular) relating to the registration of the NewCo Ordinary Shares with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

has been prepared on the assumption that the shareholders resolutions proposed in the notice of the Shareholders Meeting, forming part of the Circular to which this Pre-listing Statement is enclosed, will be passed at the Shareholders Meeting of the AGA Shareholders and the Reorganisation shall become effective and be implemented; and

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION MAY RESULT IN THE VIOLATION OF THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS. IF YOU HAVE GAINED ACCESS TO THIS ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OR THE PRE-LISTING STATEMENT CONTRARY TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS, YOU ARE NOT AUTHORISED AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THE PRE-LISTING STATEMENT.

The Transaction Advisers are acting exclusively for NewCo and/or AGA (as the case may be) and no one else in connection with the Reorganisation and the issue by NewCo of the NewCo Ordinary Shares in terms thereof. Each Transaction Adviser will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of the Pre-listing Statement) as its client in relation to the Reorganisation and/ or the acquisition of any NewCo Ordinary Shares by a Scheme Participant and will not be responsible to anyone other than NewCo for providing the protections afforded to its clients nor for giving advice in relation to the acquisition of the NewCo Ordinary Shares or any transaction or arrangement referred to herein.

No representation or warranty express or implied, is made by any of the Transaction Advisers or any of their respective affiliates or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents as to the accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or sufficiency of the information set out in this Pre-listing Statement. Thus, in addition to considering the contents of this Pre-listing Statement in full, each AGA Shareholder is advised to seek appropriate professional advice, conduct its own research and consider all relevant factors in light of their individual circumstances in relation to any decision with respect to the Reorganisation and the acquisition of NewCo Ordinary Shares and/or the information contained in this Pre-listing Statement.

None of the Transaction Advisers or any of their respective affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees or agents accepts any responsibility whatsoever for the contents of the Pre-listing Statement or for any statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in connection with NewCo or the NewCo Ordinary Shares. The Transaction Advisers and any of their respective affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents accordingly disclaim all and any liability whether arising in tort, delict, contract, or otherwise which they might otherwise have in respect of such document or any such statement.

You may not, nor are you authorised to, deliver this electronic transmission or the Pre-listing Statement, electronically or otherwise, to any other person. By accepting electronic delivery of this document, you are deemed to have represented to NewCo and the Transaction Advisers that (i) you are acting on behalf of a person, or you are acting in an offshore transaction as defined in, and in reliance on, Regulation S under the Securities Act; (ii) you are an AGA Shareholder; and (iii) if you are outside South Africa, the electronic mail address that you gave us and to which the document has been delivered is not located in Canada or Japan and you are a person into whose possession this document may lawfully be delivered in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which you are located.

CONFIRMATION OF YOUR REPRESENTATION: This electronic transmission and the Pre-listing Statement are delivered to you on the basis that you are deemed to have consented to delivery by electronic transmission of the Pre-listing Statement and deemed to have warranted and represented to NewCo and the Transaction Advisers that: (i) you are an AGA Shareholder and (ii) you are a person into whose possession this electronic transmission and the Pre-listing Statement may be lawfully delivered in accordance with the laws of the jurisdiction in which you are located, or to which you are subject.

If the Pre-listing Statement has been sent to you in an electronic form, you are reminded that documents transmitted via this medium may be altered or changed during the process of electronic transmission, and consequently NewCo, the Sponsors, Financial Advisers, Legal Advisers, Tax Adviser and Independent Reporting Accountant, whose report and/or names are included in the Pre-listing Statement (collectively, the  Transaction Advisers ), any person who controls NewCo or the Transaction Advisers, any director, officer, employee or agent of any of them or any affiliate of any such person does not accept, and will not assume, any liability or responsibility whatsoever in respect of any difference between the Pre-listing Statement distributed to you in electronic format and the hard copy version of the Pre-listing Statement. If verification is required, please request a hard copy of the Pre-listing Statement. You are responsible for protecting against viruses, the unauthorised interception and other threats and destructive items. Your receipt of this electronic transmission or the Pre-listing Statement via electronic communication is at your own risk and it is your responsibility to take precautions to ensure that it is free from viruses and other items of a destructive nature.

The Pre-listing Statement is not a disclosure document for the purposes of Chapter 6D of the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the  Corporations Act ) and does not purport to include the information required of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. It has not been approved by any Australian regulatory authority, such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (the  ASIC ) and has not been lodged with ASIC. NewCo Ordinary Shares which will be issued as part of the Reorganisation to Australian resident Scheme Participants (as defined below) will be issued in reliance on exemptions in the Corporations Act and ASIC Legislative Instrument 2015/358 (as in respect of the Scheme, it will occur under a foreign compromise or arrangement that is made in accordance with laws in force in South Africa, being an eligible foreign country). Australian resident Scheme Participants are advised to exercise caution in relation to the proposal set out in the Pre-listing Statement. Australian resident Scheme Participants should obtain independent professional advice if they have any queries or concerns about any of the contents or subject matter of the Pre-Listing Statement.

The Pre-listing Statement is only being made available to AGA Shareholders and the NewCo Ordinary Shares which will be issued as part of the Reorganisation will only be issued to, and be capable of being received by, Scheme Participants (as defined below). The Pre-listing Statement does not constitute an offer for the sale of or subscription for, or the advertisement or the solicitation of an offer to buy and/or to subscribe for, NewCo Ordinary Shares to the public as defined in the Companies Act (as defined below) and will not be distributed to any person in South Africa in any manner that could be construed as an offer to the public in terms of the Companies Act. Should any person who is not an AGA Shareholder receive the Pre-listing Statement, they will not be entitled to acquire any NewCo Ordinary Shares or otherwise act thereon. The Pre-listing Statement does not, nor is it intended to, constitute a prospectus prepared and registered under the Companies Act. Accordingly, this Pre-listing Statement does not comply with the substance and form requirements for prospectuses set out in the Companies Act and the Companies Regulations of 2011(as amended or restated from time to time) and has not been approved by, and/or registered with, the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. The JSE has approved the Pre-listing Statement. Information made available in this Pre-listing Statement should not be considered as advice as defined in the South African Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act No 37 of 2002 (as amended or restated from time to time), and nothing in the Pre-listing Statement should be construed as constituting the canvassing for, or marketing or advertising of, financial services in South Africa.

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area (each a  Member State ), an offer of NewCo Ordinary Shares may not be made to the public in that Member State except that an offer to the public in that Member State of any NewCo Ordinary Shares may be made at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation: (i) to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation; (ii) to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of NewCo for any such offer; or (iii) in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation, provided that no such offer of NewCo Ordinary Shares shall result in a requirement for NewCo to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this paragraph, the expression an offer to the public in relation to any NewCo Ordinary Shares in any Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any NewCo Ordinary Shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any NewCo Ordinary Shares and the expression Prospectus Regulation means the EU Prospectus Regulation (Regulation 2017/1129).

This Pre-listing Statement does not constitute an offer document or an offer of transferable securities to the public in the U.K. to which Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 of the U.K. ( FSMA ) applies and should not be considered as a recommendation that any person should subscribe for or purchase any of the NewCo Ordinary Shares. The NewCo Ordinary Shares will not be offered or sold to any person in the U.K. except in circumstances which have not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public in the U.K. in contravention of Section 85(1) of FSMA. This Pre-listing Statement is not being distributed by, nor has it been approved for the purposes of Section 21 of FSMA by, a person authorised under FSMA. The Pre-listing Statement is being communicated only to: (i) persons outside the United Kingdom; (ii) persons who are investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the  FPO ); or (c) high net worth companies, unincorporated associations and other bodies within the categories described in Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the FPO (together  relevant persons ). The NewCo Ordinary Shares are available only to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to purchase will be engaged in only with, relevant persons who are AGA Shareholders as at the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date. No part of the Pre-listing Statement should be published, reproduced, distributed or otherwise made available in whole or in part to any other person without the prior written consent of NewCo.

Nothing in this electronic transmission or the Pre-listing Statement constitutes an offer of securities for sale or subscription in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where it is unlawful to do so. In the United States, the NewCo Ordinary Shares to be issued in connection with the Reorganisation will be registered with the SEC on a registration statement on Form F-4 under the Securities Act. This document is available at https://www.sec.gov .

Neither this electronic transmission nor the Pre-listing Statement is an offer or an invitation to the public to subscribe for, or acquire, the NewCo Ordinary Shares (as defined below), and the Pre-listing Statement is issued in compliance with the JSE Listings Requirements (as defined below) for the purpose of providing information to selected persons in South Africa (as defined below) and in other jurisdictions with regard to AngloGold Ashanti plc ( NewCo ).

You acknowledge that this electronic transmission and the delivery of the Pre-listing Statement is confidential and is intended for you only and you agree that you will not forward, reproduce, copy or publish this electronic transmission or the Pre-listing Statement (in whole or in part) to any other person. NewCo (as defined below) has taken no action to authorise any distribution, copying, reproduction (electronically or otherwise) of this electronic transmission or the Pre-listing Statement in whole or in part to any person in any jurisdiction.

IMPORTANT: You must read the following disclaimer before continuing. This electronic transmission disclaimer applies to the Pre-listing Statement and you are advised to read this disclaimer carefully before reading, accessing or making any other use of this Pre-listing Statement. In accessing this electronic transmission and the Pre-listing Statement, you agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions (in addition to, and without derogating from, the terms and conditions set out in the Pre-listing Statement), including any modifications to them from time to time, each time you receive any information as a result of such access.

ANY FORWARDING, REDISTRIBUTION OR REPRODUCTION OF THE DOCUMENT IN WHOLE OR IN PART IS UNAUTHORISED. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS DIRECTIVE MAY RESULT IN A VIOLATION OF THE APPLICABLE LAWS OF APPLICABLE JURISDICTIONS. IF YOU HAVE GAINED ACCESS TO THIS TRANSMISSION CONTRARY TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS, YOU ARE NOT AUTHORISED AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACQUIRE ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN THE DOCUMENT.

THE JSE LISTINGS REQUIREMENTS AND OTHER SOUTH AFRICAN REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE PREPARATION AND DISSEMINATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS DIFFER FROM STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WHICH MAY RESULT IN DIFFERENCES IN THE PRESENTATION OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS BETWEEN JURISDICTIONS.

AN OFFER OF SECURITIES IN THE UNITED STATES PURSUANT TO A BUSINESS COMBINATION TRANSACTION WILL ONLY BE MADE, AS MAY BE REQUIRED, THROUGH A PROSPECTUS WHICH IS PART OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE  SEC ). IN CONNECTION WITH THE REORGANISATION, A REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-4 UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, (THE  SECURITIES ACT ) HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SEC. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC REGARDING THE REORGANISATION AND DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE SECS WEBSITE AT HTTPS://WWW.SEC.GOV . IN ADDITION, THE EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM F-4 WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR FREE TO SHAREHOLDERS.

THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION OF THIS PRE-LISTING STATEMENT (AS DEFINED BELOW) IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS MAY BE RESTRICTED BY LAW AND THEREFORE PERSONS IN ANY SUCH JURISDICTIONS INTO WHICH THIS PRE-LISTING STATEMENT IS RELEASED, PUBLISHED OR DISTRIBUTED SHOULD INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND OBSERVE SUCH RESTRICTIONS. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE APPLICABLE RESTRICTIONS MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION. THIS PRE-LISTING STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR TO SUBSCRIBE FOR SHARES OR OTHER SECURITIES OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY VOTE OR APPROVAL IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION OR REQUIRE NEWCO (AS DEFINED BELOW) TO TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION.

The diagram below depicts, in simplified form, the organisational structure of the Group as it is expected to be immediately prior to the implementation of the Reorganisation.

The diagram below depicts, in simplified form, the organisational structure of the Group as it is expected to be immediately following the implementation of the Reorganisation (i.e. post the implementation of the Spin-Off, AGAH Sale and the Scheme).





3. EFFECT OF THE REORGANISATION





If the Reorganisation is implemented, with effect from the Operative Date:







3.1. NewCo will own all of AGAs existing assets with:







3.1.1. the same underlying shareholders as AGA immediately prior to implementation of the Reorganisation (subject to any adjustments to reflect the exercise of appraisal rights (see paragraph 14 ( Dissenting AGA Shareholders Appraisal Rights ));







3.1.2. the business carried out by NewCo and its Subsidiaries immediately following the Reorganisation being the same as the business carried out by AGA and its Subsidiaries immediately prior to the implementation of the Reorganisation;







3.1.3. a primary listing on the NYSE; and







3.1.4. secondary inward listings on the JSE and A2X and a secondary listing on the GhSE.







3.2. NewCo will be the listed parent company of the Group and each of AGA and AGAH will be a direct, wholly-owned Subsidiary of NewCo with AGAH being a Major Subsidiary;







3.3. the AGA Ordinary Shares will be delisted from the JSE in terms of paragraph 1.17(b) of the JSE Listings Requirements and AGA will procure the delisting of the AGA Ordinary Shares from the A2X and from the GhSE and the delisting of the AGA GhDSs from the GhSE;







3.4. the AGA ADSs will also be delisted from the NYSE and the AGA ADS Program will be terminated and NewCo will not establish an American depositary share programme for the NewCo Ordinary Shares;







3.5. no changes to the withholding tax rates for South African shareholders and no South African withholding tax on dividends for other shareholders; and







3.6. South African shareholders being able to hold NewCo Ordinary Shares on the South African register of NewCo without using their foreign investment allowance and continue to trade their NewCo Ordinary Shares on the South African capital markets.





4. SALIENT TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE REORGANISATION







4.1. Overview of the Reorganisation







4.1.1. In anticipation of the Reorganisation, AGA has incorporated a new Subsidiary, NewCo, under the laws of England and Wales. The Reorganisation comprises three sequential, separate and inter-conditional transaction steps consisting of:







4.1.1.1. the Spin-Off;







4.1.1.2. the AGAH Sale; and







4.1.1.3. the Scheme,





pursuant to the Implementation Agreement and the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase, as applicable. Upon completion of the Reorganisation, NewCo will be the listed parent company of the Group and each of AGA and AGAH will be a direct, wholly-owned Subsidiary of NewCo with AGAH being a Major Subsidiary.







4.1.2. In the Spin-Off, AGA will effect a distribution in specie to the Scheme Participants, pursuant to which AGA will direct NewCo, its wholly-owned Subsidiary at that time, to issue the Spin-Off Shares to the Scheme Participants on a pro rata basis, with the Spin-Off Subscription Consideration being paid by AGA.







4.1.3. In the AGAH Sale, NewCo has made, pursuant to the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase, an irrevocable offer to AGA to purchase 100% (one hundred percent) of the shares in AGAH, which holds all of the operations and assets of AGA and its Subsidiaries located outside of South Africa, in consideration for the issue by NewCo to AGA of the NewCo Notes. The AGAH Sale, if AGA accepts the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase following the Spin-Off Completion, will constitute a disposal as contemplated in Section 112 and Section 115 of the Companies Act given that NewCo will not be a Subsidiary of AGA following the Spin-Off Completion. It is the present, non-binding intention of AGA to accept the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase.







4.1.4. In the Scheme, which is a scheme of arrangement pursuant to Section 114(1) read with Section 115 of the Companies Act between AGA and the AGA Shareholders, proposed by the AGA Board, NewCo will acquire all of the issued AGA Ordinary Shares from the Scheme Participants in consideration for a right and obligation to receive ipso facto and without any action on the part of such Scheme Participants, the respective pro rata portions of the Scheme Consideration Shares.





31







4.1.5. Following completion of the Reorganisation, AGA will declare as a distribution in specie to its shareholder, NewCo, a portion of the NewCo Notes, which will then be cancelled. AGA will retain a number of NewCo Notes that have the face value equal to the aggregate amount of South African dividends withholding tax payable by AGA as a result of the aforementioned distribution of NewCo Notes to NewCo.







4.1.6. The failure or inability to implement any one or more of the Spin-Off, the AGAH Sale and the Scheme will result in the failure of all of the steps comprising the Reorganisation and any steps already completed shall be unwound.







4.1.7. As a result of the Reorganisation, each Scheme Participant will beneficially own one NewCo Ordinary Share for each AGA Share (including the AGA Ordinary Shares represented by AGA ADSs) held on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date, and the existing AGA Shareholders will hold the same percentage of NewCo Ordinary Shares as they held of AGA Ordinary Shares on the Reorganisation Consideration Record Date (subject to any adjustments to reflect the exercise of appraisal rights as contemplated in paragraph 14 ( Dissenting AGA Shareholders Appraisal Rights )).







4.1.8. The completion of the Reorganisation is subject to the fulfilment or, alternatively, the waiver (to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Implementation Agreement and the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase (as the case may be)) of the fulfilment, as the case may be, of certain Reorganisation Conditions, the details of which are set out in the Circular and which are repeated in paragraph 4.2 of this Pre-listing Statement.







4.1.9. With effect from the Operative Date, Scheme Participants, shall be deemed to have:







4.1.9.1. disposed of their AGA Shares to NewCo, who will acquire ownership of such AGA Shares, in exchange for the NewCo Ordinary Shares, subject to the provisions of the Implementation Agreement;







4.1.9.2. authorised AGA and/or the Transfer Secretaries on their behalf to transfer the AGA Shares to NewCo; and







4.1.9.3. authorised the CS Depositary Nominee (as nominee for the CS Depositary) to receive the NewCo Ordinary Shares from NewCo on the terms and in the manner set out in the Implementation Agreement.







4.2. Reorganisation Conditions (see page 34 of the Circular)





The Implementation Agreement and the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase are subject to the fulfilment or, alternatively, the waiver of the fulfilment, as the case may be (to the extent permitted by applicable law and the terms of the Implementation Agreement), of the Reorganisation Conditions by no later than the Longstop Date. The Reorganisation Conditions, and their respective status as at the Last Practicable Date, are as follows:





Reorganisation Conditions Status 1. The Irrevocable Offer to Purchase has been signed by NewCo and delivered to AGA. Completed 2. NewCo has procured that the NewCo Ordinary Shares are approved for listing on the NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date 3. The Independent Expert: Completed / completed by Last Practicable Date  has issued a final report dealing with the matters listed in Section 114(3) of the Companies Act and (to the extent necessary) Regulation 90 and such report is distributed to all of the AGA Shareholders; and  has expressed a fair and reasonable opinion as required in Regulation 110(1) and defined in Regulation 81(h). 4. Should the implementation of the AGAH Sale and/or Scheme be subject to approval by a court in terms of the provisions of Section 115(2)(c) of the Companies Act, such approval has been obtained. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date 5. AGA has not, by the expiry of the 20 business day period contemplated in Section 164(7)(a) or 164(b) of the Companies Act (as the case may be), received valid demands as contemplated in Section 164(5) to (8) of the Companies Act (whether in relation to the AGAH Sale or the Scheme) which in aggregate represent more than 3.5% (three point five percent) of the voting rights attaching to the AGA Ordinary Shares. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date 6. The AGA Shareholders have passed the resolution required in terms of Section 112, as read with Section 115(2), of the Companies Act to approve the AGAH Sale. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date









32





Reorganisation Conditions Status 7. The AGA Shareholders have passed such resolutions by the requisite majority of AGA Shareholders as may be required in terms of the Companies Act and the Companies Regulations to approve the Scheme, including in particular, the resolution contemplated in Section 115(2) of the Companies Act. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date 8. The AGA Shareholders have conditionally passed special resolutions pursuant to Section 164(9)(c) of the Companies Act revoking each of the resolutions referred to in rows 6 and 7 above. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date 9. Such approvals from the JSE as may be required by and in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements in connection with the Reorganisation have been received, including (among other things): Completed / completed by Last Practicable Date  the approval by the JSE of the AGAH Sale and the Scheme (such approval being in such form as is customarily issued by the JSE to in relation to transactions similar to the AGAH Sale and the Scheme) and of all documentation required by the JSE to be submitted to it in connection with the AGAH Sale and the Scheme; and  the admission to listing by way of the secondary inward listing of all NewCo Ordinary Shares on the Main Board of the JSE, including in particular, the Subscription Shares and the Scheme Consideration Shares, and the approval by the JSE of all documentation required by the JSE to be submitted to it in connection with the JSE Listing. 10. The SEC has made a declaration confirming the effectiveness of the registration statement on Form F-4 and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement on Form F-4 is in effect and no proceedings for such purpose are pending before or threatened by the SEC. Outstanding on Last

Practicable Date 11. NewCo, AGA and AGAH have executed and delivered to The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, in form satisfactory to The Bank of New York Mellon acting reasonably, an indenture supplemental to the indenture dated as of 28 April 2010, and entered into between AGAH (as issuer), AGA (as guarantor) and the aforesaid trustee, in connection with the assumption by NewCo of the due and punctual performance of the guarantees and the performance or observance of every covenant of the aforesaid indenture on the part of AGA to be performed or observed, which supplemental indenture will become effective upon the implementation of the AGAH Sale. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date 12. If and to the extent required, any other regulatory approvals, consents or rulings necessary to implement the Reorganisation have been obtained (excluding the requirement that the Takeover Regulation Panel has issued a compliance certificate in respect of the AGAH Sale and/or the Scheme, in terms of Section 119(4)(b) of the Companies Act). Outstanding on Last Practicable Date 13. AGA has not, prior to 10:00 a.m. South Africa Standard Time on Longstop Date exercised its right to cancel the Implementation Agreement as a result of the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect. Outstanding on Last Practicable Date







4.2.1. AGA and NewCo are required to use their reasonable commercial endeavours and to cooperate with each other in good faith to achieve the fulfilment of the Reorganisation Conditions on or before the Longstop Date.







4.2.2. If the Reorganisation Conditions are not fulfilled or fulfilment is not waived, as the case may be (where permitted), by the Longstop Date, the rights and obligations of AGA and NewCo under the Implementation Agreement, as set out in the immediately operative provisions of the Implementation Agreement, will remain in full force and effect and the status quo ante will be restored as near as may be possible and neither AGA nor NewCo will have any claim against any other, save for any claims arising from a breach of the obligations referred to in paragraph 4.2.1 above and/or any prior breach of any of the provisions of the Implementation Agreement and/or the Irrevocable Offer to Purchase which became effective prior to the Fulfilment Date.





33







4.2.3. If the requisite majority of AGA Shareholders do not approve each of the Scheme and the AGAH Sale at the Shareholders Meeting, or if the Reorganisation is not implemented for any other reason, the holders of AGA Ordinary Shares and AGA ADSs will continue to hold their AGA Ordinary Shares and AGA ADSs, respectively, and any exercise of Appraisal Rights by AGA Shareholders will not be effective. In that case, AGA will continue to be the holding company of the Group and will remain a publicly traded company with AGA Ordinary Shares listed on the JSE and AGA ADSs listed on the NYSE, as well as listings on the A2X and the GhSE. AGA resolved to terminate its listing on the ASX regardless of whether the Reorganisation is implemented. AGA received approval to voluntarily delist from the ASX (which occurred on or about 27 June 2023).







4.2.4. To the extent one or both of the AGAH Sale and the Scheme are not ultimately implemented after the Spin- Off and, if applicable, the AGAH Sale is implemented, the steps that have been completed will be unwound.







4.3. SARB Conditions





Approval from SARB, the South African National Treasury and the South African Minister of Finance for the implementation of the Reorganisation was obtained on 29 March 2023 subject to certain conditions, including that:







4.3.1. neither AGA nor any other South African Subsidiary of the Group will provide any guarantees in order to enable the Reorganisation;







4.3.2. NewCo has undertaken to nominate 2 (two) representatives from South Africa for election by shareholders to the NewCo Board at each annual general meeting for 5 (five) years following completion of the Reorganisation and to 
0001533030 false 0001533030 2023-07-07 2023-07-07 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

Cryomass Technologies Inc

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada 000-56155 82-5051728 (State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer of incorporation) Identification No.)

1001 Bannock St Suite 612 , Denver CO 80204 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number, including area code 303 - 416-7208

(Andina Gold Corp.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class Trading Symbol Name of each Exchange on which Registered None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (240.12b -2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On July 7, 2023 CryoMass Technologies Inc (Company) issued a press release (Press Release), which was also disseminated on the same day via email to certain shareholders who provided contact information. A copy of the Press Release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.

The information in Item 7.01 of this Current Report and Exhibit 99.1 is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Items 7.01 and 9.01 of Form 8-K. Accordingly, the information in Items 7.01 and 9.01 of this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1, will not be subject to liability under Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated by reference. The furnishing of information in this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1, is not intended to, and does not, constitute a determination or admission by the Company that the information in this Current Report, including Exhibit 99.1, is material or complete, or that investors should consider this information before making an investment decision with respect to any security of the Company or any of its affiliates.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

EXHIBIT 99.1 July 7, 2023 CryoMass Technologies Inc Press Release 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Any statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K or any exhibit hereto about future expectations, plans, and prospects for the Company, including statements about Companys future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, expect, intend, may, might, likely, plan, potential, predict, project, seek, should, target, will, would, or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms.

These forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed or suggested by the forward-looking statements. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of Companys assumptions prove incorrect, its actual results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include risks associated with: Companys ability to achieve or maintain profitability, and to effectively manage its anticipated growth; and the risks described in the other filings Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including the risks described under the heading Risk Factors in Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and which should be read in conjunction with its financial results and forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K or any exhibit hereto are based on information available to Company as of the date hereof, and it does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements provided to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.

1

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 hereunto duly authorized.

Cryomass Technologies Inc

/s/ Christian Noel Christian Noel CEO Date: July 7, 2023

2

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

JULY 7, 2023 CRYOMASS TECHNOLOGIES INC PRESS RELEASE

XBRL SCHEMA FILE

XBRL LABEL FILE

XBRL PRESENTATION FILE

IDEA: R1.htm

IDEA: ea181482-8k_cryomass_htm.xml

IDEA: Financial_Report.xlsx

IDEA: FilingSummary.xml

IDEA: MetaLinks.json
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant 

Check the appropriate box:

 Preliminary Proxy Statement  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))  Definitive Proxy Statement  Definitive Additional Materials  Soliciting Material Pursuant to  240.14a-12

Popular Total Return Fund, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 No fee required.  Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: (5) Total fee paid:  Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: (3) Filing Party: (4) Date Filed:

POPULAR TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

POPULAR CENTER, NORTH BUIDLING

Second Level (Fine Arts)

209 Munoz Rivera Avenue

San Juan, PR 00918

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To Be Held on Thursday, July 27, 2023

To the Shareholders of

POPULAR TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) of Popular Total Return Fund, Inc., (the Fund) a Puerto Rico corporation and an open-end, non-diversified investment company registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), will be held at Popular Center Lobby, Conference Hall A, 208 Ponce de Leon Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM, for the following purposes:

1. To elect three Directors of the Fund (PROPOSAL 1);

2. To ratify the selection by the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as the Funds independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 (PROPOSAL 2); and

3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any continuation or adjournment thereof.

These items are discussed in greater detail in the attached Proxy Statement.

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on June 21, 2023, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments. Shareholders will need to provide adequate proof of ownership of Fund shares to enter the Meeting.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE SIZE OF YOUR HOLDINGS IN THE FUND. WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE COMPLETE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH NEEDS NO POSTAGE. INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PROPER EXECUTION OF THE PROXIES ARE SET FORTH ON THE ATTACHED PAGE.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 30th day of June, 2023.

By Order of the Board of Directors, Manuel Rodriguez-Boissen Secretary

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SIGNING PROXY CARDS

The following general rules for signing proxy cards may be of assistance to you and avoid the time and expense to the Fund involved in validating your vote if you fail to sign your proxy card property.

1. Individual Accounts: Sign your name exactly as it appears in the registration on the proxy card.

2. Joint Accounts: Either party may sign, but the name of the party signing should conform exactly to a name shown in the registration.

3. All Other Accounts: The capacity of the individuals signing the proxy card should be indicated unless it is reflected in the form of registration. For example:

Registration Valid Signature Corporate Accounts (1) ABC Corp. ABC Corp. (2) ABC Corp. John Doe, Treasurer (3) ABC Corp. c/o John Doe, Treasurer John Doe Trust Accounts (1) ABC Trust Jane B. Doe, Trustee (2) Jane B. Doe, Trustee u/t/d/ 12/28/78 Jane Doe Custodial of Estate Accounts (1) John B. Smith, Cust. f/b/o John B. Smith, Jr. John B. Smith (2) John B. Smith John B. Smith, Jr., Executor

POPULAR TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

POPULAR CENTER, NORTH BUILDING

Second Level (Fine Arts)

209 Munoz Rivera Avenue

San Juan, PR 00918

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON July 27, 2023

This proxy statement (the Proxy Statement) is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Popular Total Return Fund, Inc. (the Fund), a Puerto Rico corporation and an open-end, non-diversified investment company registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on July 27, 2023, at Popular Center Lobby, Conference Hall A, 208 Ponce de Leon Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918 at 10:00 a.m., Atlantic Standard Time, or at any adjournment or postponement thereof (the Meeting). At the meeting, the shareholders of the Fund will consider and act upon the following proposals:

1. The election of three (3) directors of the Fund (Proposal 1);

2. The ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as the Funds Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2024 (Proposal 2); and

3. Consideration and voting upon such other matters as properly may come before the Meeting or any adjournments thereof.

The close of business on June 21, 2023 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and all adjournments thereof.

The Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of the Funds annual report to any shareholder upon request. Such requests should be directed to the Fund at Popular Center, North Building, Second Level (Fine Arts), 209 Munoz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918, or by calling toll free at (787) 754-4488.

If you will be attending the Meeting in person, we respectfully request that you bring your brokerage-account statement and proxy card, along with a government-issued identification cardand, in the case of corporate, trust, custodian or estate accounts, a copy of a resolution designating you as an authorized representative of such accountin order to verify your identity for admittance to the Meeting. Failure to comply may result in your being denied admittance to the Meeting. Only the registered shareholderor, in the case of corporate, trust, custodian or estate accounts, a single representative of the registered shareholdermay attend the Meeting.

In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, officers of the Fund and officers and regular employees of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the Funds administrator (in such capacity, the Administrator), affiliates of Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (Banco Popular), and/or other representatives of the Fund may also solicit proxies by telephone, telefax or in person. The costs of solicitation and the expenses incurred in connection with preparing this Proxy Statement and its enclosures will be paid by the Fund. The Fund will reimburse brokerage firms and others for their expenses in forwarding solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of shares. This Proxy Statement is expected to be mailed to Shareholders on or about June 30, 2023.

If the enclosed proxy is executed and returned in time to be voted at the Meeting, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with the instructions marked thereon. Unless instructions to the contrary are marked thereon, the proxy will be voted FOR the election of the Directors of the Fund, FOR the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm, and FOR any other matters deemed appropriate. Any Shareholder who has given a proxy has the right to revoke it at any time prior to its exercise, either by attending the Meeting and voting his or

her shares of common stock (Shares) in person or by submitting a letter of revocation or a later-dated proxy to the Fund at the above address prior to the date of the Meeting.

The presence at the Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of one-third of the outstanding Shares of the Class A common stock and Class C common stock, taken together as a single class, will constitute a quorum at the Meeting. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes (that is, a proxy from a broker or nominee indicating that such person has declined to exercise its discretionary authority on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or nominee has discretionary power) will be treated as Shares that are present at the Meeting but that have not been voted. In the event that a quorum is not present at the Meeting, or in the event that a quorum is present but sufficient votes to approve any of the proposals are not received, the persons named as proxies may propose one or more adjournments of the Meeting to permit further solicitations of proxies. In determining whether to adjourn the Meeting, the following factors will be considered: the nature of the proposals that are the subject of the Meeting; the percentage of votes actually cast; the percentage of negative votes actually cast; the nature of any further solicitation; and the information to be provided to Shareholders with respect to the reasons for the solicitation. Any adjournment will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares represented at the Meeting in person or by proxy. A shareholder vote may be taken on the proposals in this Proxy Statement prior to such adjournment if sufficient votes have been received and it is otherwise appropriate.

Approval of the election of the four Board Nominees as Directors of the Fund contemplated in Proposal 1 below requires the affirmative plurality vote of the outstanding Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy. Approval of the ratification of the selection of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm contemplated in Proposal 2 below requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy.

VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF

The close of business on June 21, 2023 has been fixed as the record date for the determination of Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting and all adjournments thereof (the Record Date).

Each Shareholder is entitled to one vote for each full share and an appropriate fraction of a vote for each fractional share held. The Class A Shares and Class C shares vote together as a single class. On the Record Date, there were 2,796,082.496 Class A Shares and 156,295.936 Class C Shares, respectively, outstanding.

As of June 21, 2023, 1,659,119.032 and 28,817.687 Class A and Class C Shares, respectively, were held of record by National Financial Services, Inc., as clearing agent for Popular Securities, LLC, representing approximately 370 and 7, respectively, brokerage accounts; 296,360.195 and 2,466.660 Class A and Class C Shares, respectively, were held of record by Merrill Lynch representing approximately 33 and 1, respectively, brokerage accounts; and 808,036.569 and 125,011.589 Class A and Class C Shares, respectively, were held of record by Pershing representing approximately 85 and 32, respectively, brokerage accounts.

PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS OF THE FUND

The purpose of Proposal 1 is to elect three (3) members of the Board of Directors of the Fund.

Nominees for the Board of Directors of the Fund

The Board of Directors of the Fund (the Board) currently consists of the following three individuals (each, a Director): Enrique Vila del Corral, Jorge Vallejo and Carlos Perez. The Board consists of three members due to the resignation of the Funds past Chairman and President, Mr. Juan O. Guerrero Preston, effective as of May 1, 2023, due to his retirement after over twenty years of service to the Fund. Rather than fill the vacancy created by Mr. Guerreros retirement, the Board elected to reduce the size of the Board from 4 members to 3 members.

Of the three current Directors of the Fund, no director is an interested person of the Fund as defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Directors). Enrique Vila de Corral is the Chairman of the Board. All three current Directors are

2

standing for re-election (each, a Board Nominee). The Board Nominees elected at the meeting will serve from the time of their election until their respective successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death or removal.

All of the Board Nominees currently serve as Directors of the Fund and all were previously elected by the Shareholders of the Fund. The Board Nominees were recommended by the Independent Directors. Each of the Board Nominees has consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a Director if elected.

Directors/Nominees Biographical Information

The table below identifies the Board Nominees and sets forth certain biographical and other information relating to the Board Nominees. Such information includes each Board Nominees address and year of birth, principal occupations for at least the last five years, length of time served, total number of registered investment companies and investment portfolios overseen in the Popular complex (the Popular Family of Funds) and any currently held public company and other investment company directorships. Each Board Nominee was nominated unanimously by the Directors of the Fund. Enrique Vila del Corral was selected to serve as the Chairman of the Board.

Name, Address and

Year of Birth Position(s) Held

with the Funds

(Length of

Service) Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five

Years Number of

Investment Portfolios in the Popular Family of Funds Overseen Public Company and Other Investment Company Directorships

Held by Director During

the Past Five Years Independent Directors Enrique Vila del Corral Professional Offices Park ROC Company Building, Carr. San Roberto #1000, Rio Piedras, PR 00926 (1945) Director (since 2001) Private Investor since 2001; Managing Partner of various special partnerships involved in real estate development and leasing of commercial office space; Director of Popular Family of Funds and Puerto Rico Investors Tax-Free Family of Funds; Director of V. Suarez Group of Companies. 3 73 Jorge Vallejo Vallejo &Vallejo, 1610 Ponce de Leon Ave., Parada 23, Santurce, PR 00912 (1954) Director (since 2001) Managing Partner of Vallejo & Vallejo, a real estate appraisal and consulting firm in San Juan Puerto Rico, from April 1992 to 2020; Director of Popular Family of Funds and Puerto Rico Investors Tax-Free Family of Funds. 3 71 Carlos Perez Pediatrix Medical Group, Metro Office Park #6 (Edif. Toshiba) Calle 1 Suite 202, Guaynabo, PR 00968 (1953) Director (since 2001) President of the Caribbean and Latin American Region of Pediatrix Medical Group since 2002; Director of the University of Puerto Ricos Hospital of Carolina since September 2013; Member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Puerto Rico from 2014 to 2017; Director of Popular Family of Funds. 3 None

Based on each Board Nominees experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Board Nominees, each Board Nominee should serve as a Director of the Board. Among

3 The Investment Companies are as follows: Puerto Rico Residents Tax Free Fund I, Inc., Puerto Rico Residents Tax Free Fund II, Inc., Puerto Rico Residents Tax Free Fund III, Inc., Puerto Rico Residents Tax Free Fund IV, Inc., Puerto Rico Residents Tax Free Fund V, Inc., Puerto Rico Residents Tax Free Fund VI, Inc. and Puerto Rico Residents Bond Fund I, Inc.

3

the attributes common to all Board Nominees are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties as Directors. A Directors ability to perform his or her duties effectively may have been attained through such Directors educational background or professional training; business, consulting, public service or academic positions; experience from service as a Director of the Fund and the other funds in the Popular Family of Funds (and any predecessor funds), other investment funds, public companies, or non-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences.

In particular, Mr. Vilas vast experience and understanding of accounting and finance principles are strong attributes for the Board and provide critical insight into financial matters to the Board. Mr. Vallejos profound understanding of the Puerto Rico real estate market and his extensive board experience, which includes services on board of the Popular Family of Funds and the Puerto Rico Investors Tax-Free Family of Funds is of great benefit to the Boards initiatives. Finally, Dr. Perezs experience as an executive of a regional medical group and his experience as a director of both public and private entities provide a depth of experience for the Board.

Based on the discussion of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills of each Director set forth above, the Board has concluded that each of the Board Nominees should continue to serve as Directors of the Fund.

Board Leadership Structure and Oversight

The Board currently consists of three Directors, all of whom are Independent Directors. The Board has overall responsibility for the oversight of the Fund. Among other things, the Directors (i) monitor the quality of the advisory services provided by the Adviser; (ii) review annually the fees paid to the Adviser for its services; (iii) monitor potential conflicts of interest between the Fund and the Adviser; (iv) monitor distribution activities, custody of assets and the valuation of securities; and (v) oversee the Funds compliance program. In performing their duties, Directors receive detailed information about the Fund and the Adviser on a regular basis and meet at least quarterly with management of the Adviser to review reports relating to the Funds operations. The Directors role is to provide oversight and not to provide day-to-day management.

The Board has engaged the Adviser to manage the Fund on a day-to-day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser, other service providers, the operations of the Fund and associated risks in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, Puerto Rico law, other applicable laws, the Funds charter, and the Funds investment objectives and strategies. The Board reviews, on an ongoing basis, the Funds performance, operations and investment strategies and techniques. The Board also conducts reviews of the Adviser and its role in running the operations of the Fund.

The Board has one (1) standing Committee: the Audit Committee. The Chairman of the Audit Committee, Enrique Vila del Corral, is an Independent Director.

None of the Directors or their immediate family members have an affiliation or business connection with the Adviser, the Funds principal underwriter (Popular Securities, LLC) or any of their affiliated persons, and they do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser or the Funds principal underwriter.

The role of the Chairman of the Board is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys and other Directors generally between meetings. The Chairman of the Audit Committee performs a similar role with respect to the Audit Committee. The Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Audit Committee may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board or the Audit Committee, respectively, from time to time.

The Board has regular meetings four times a year and may hold special meetings if required before their next regular meeting. The Audit Committee meets regularly to conduct the oversight functions delegated to the Audit Committee by the Board and reports its findings to the Board.

The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate for the Fund because it enables the Board to exercise informed and independent judgment over matters under its purview, allocates responsibility to the Audit Committee in a manner that fosters effective oversight, and allows the Board to devote appropriate resources to specific issues in a flexible manner as they arise. The Board periodically reviews its leadership structure as well as its overall structure, composition and functioning and may make changes in its discretion at any time.

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Compensation of Directors

No officer, director or employee of the Adviser or of any affiliate thereof receives any compensation from the Fund for serving as an officer or Director of the Fund. The Fund pays each Director who is not an interested person of the Fund under the 1940 Act a fee of $1,000 per board and committee meeting attended, together with such Directors actual travel and out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings.

The following table sets forth the aggregate compensation paid by the Fund to its non-interested Directors for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and the total compensation paid to such Directors by all investment companies advised or co-advised by the Adviser (the Fund Complex) for the calendar year ended December 31, 2022. The Fund does not accrue any retirement benefits for its Directors as part of its expenses.

Name of Non-Affiliated

Director Aggregate Compensation

from Fund(1) Total Compensation from all

Funds Advised or Co-Advised

by Adviser(2) Enrique Vila del Corral $5,667.00 $69,000.00 Carlos Perez $5,667.00 $19,000.00 Jorge Vallejo $5,667.00 $60,000.00

(1) For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

(2) For the calendar year ended December 31, 2023.

Shares Owned by the Board Nominees

Information relating to each Board Nominees Share ownership in the Fund and in all registered investment companies in the Fund Complex that are currently overseen by each respective Director (the Supervised Funds) as of December 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below.

Name Dollar Range

of Equity Securities

in Fund Aggregate Dollar Range

of Equity Securities

in Supervised Funds Enrique Vila del Corral None None Carlos Perez $10,000  $50,000 $10,000  $50,000 Jorge Vallejo $10,000  $50,000 $10,000  $50,000

As of March 31, 2023, none of the Independent Directors of the Fund or their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities of the Funds Adviser or principal underwriter, or of any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with such entities.

Attendance of Directors at Shareholders Meetings

The Fund currently does not have a formal policy regarding Directors attendance at Shareholder meetings. During the last fiscal year, the Fund held a Shareholder meeting on July 28, 2022 at which 1 Director attended.

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Shareholder Communications

The Board has established a process for shareholders to communicate with the Board. Shareholders may contact the Board by mail. Correspondence should be addressed to Fund at Popular Center, North Building, Second Floor (Fine Arts), 209 Munoz Rivera Avenue San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918. Shareholder communication to the Board should include the following information: (a) the name and address of the shareholder; (b) the number of shares owned by the shareholder; (c) the Fund of which the shareholder owns shares; and (d) if these shares are owned indirectly through a broker, financial intermediary or other record owner, the name of the broker, financial intermediary or other record owner. All correspondence received as set forth above shall be reviewed by the Secretary of the Fund and reported to the Board.

Board Meetings

The Board met a total of 6 times during the Funds most recent fiscal year, of which 4 were regular meetings and 2 were special meeting. Each of the Directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings held by the Board during the most recent fiscal year.

Standing Committees of the Board

The Board has one (1) standing Committee: the Audit Committee. The members of the Audit Committee of the Fund are Enrique Vila del Corral, Jorge Vallejo and Carlos Perez, each of whom is an Independent Director. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to approve, and recommend to the Board the approval, the selection, retention, termination and compensation of the Funds independent registered public accounting firm (the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm) and to oversee the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms work. The Audit Committee met 2 times during the Funds most recent fiscal year.

The Board has elected not to have a standing Nominating Committee due to the Boards small size. Therefore, responsibilities typically delegated to a Nominating Committee are handled by the Board as a whole which identifies and evaluates nominees in accordance with the Funds by-laws. In addition, the Board handles any persons nominated for election as directors by a Shareholder in accordance with the process and requirements outlined in the Funds by-laws.

Officers of the Fund

The following is a list of the current executive officers of the Fund, all of whom have been elected by the Directors to serve until their respective successors are elected and who also serve in the same capacity for the other Funds in the Popular Family of Funds:

Name, Address and Year of Birth Position(s) Held with the Funds (Length of Service) Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years Javier Rubio Robles Banco Popular de Puerto Rico, 208 Ponce de Leon Ave., Popular Center, North Tower. 4th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918 (1960) President (since 2023) Mr. Rubio has been the Manager of Banco Populars Fiduciary Services Division since 2007. Mr. Rubio spent four years with Central Hispano International Inc., an international banking entity in Puerto Rico, where he was Executive Vice President. Prior to that, Mr. Rubio spent four years with the Investment Division of Banco Popular, where he was Second Vice President and Investment Portfolio Manager.

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Name, Address and Year of Birth Position(s) Held with the Funds (Length of Service) Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years James A. Gallo Senior Principal Consultant, Fund Officers ACA Group 3 Canal Plaza, 3rd Floor Portland, ME 04101 (1964) Treasurer (since 2022) Mr. Gallo has served as Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer of each of the Popular Family of Funds since December 2022. Mr. Gallo has been a Senior Principal Consultant at Foreside Management Services, LLC, since May 2022. Prior to joining Foreside, Mr. Gallo was a Director of Fund Services at Bank of New Yor Mellon from 2002 to 2021. Lucas Foss SS&C 1290 Broadway, Suite 100 Denver, Colorado 80203 (1977) Chief Compliance Officer (since 2021) Mr. Foss has been the Chief Compliance Officer of for the Popular Family of Funds since 2021. Mr. Foss currently serves as Vice President and Fund Chief Compliance Officer at SS&C/ALPS Fund Services, Inc. Prior to joining ALPS in November 2017, Mr. Foss served as the Director of Compliance at Transamerica Asset Management beginning in July 2014. Manuel Rodriguez Boissen, Esq. Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLC, 208 Ponce de Leon Ave., Popular Center, 19th Floor, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918 (1977) Secretary (since 2018) Mr. Rodriguez-Boissen has been an attorney at Pietrantoni Mendez & Alvarez LLC, legal counsel to the Fund, since 2002 and a Member since 2012. Mr. Rodriguez-Boissens practice focuses on public-private partnerships, corporate and public finance and regulatory compliance for clients engaged in the financial services industry, including the Popular Family of Funds.

Required Vote

Approval of the election of the four Board Nominees as Directors of the Fund requires the affirmative plurality vote of the outstanding Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO ELECT THE FOUR BOARD NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS OF THE FUND.

PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF THE INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP (the Auditor), with offices located at San Juan, Puerto Rico, as the Funds Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. The Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is responsible for auditing the financial statements of the Fund. The Board considers the selection of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to be an important matter of Shareholder concern and is submitting the selection of the Auditor for ratification by the Shareholders.

Effective May 31, 2023, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Funds prior Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ( PWC ), was dismissed by the Boards Audit Committee as the Funds Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. PWCs reports on the Funds financial statements for the financial statements for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2023, contained no adverse opinions or disclaimers of opinion no were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accountant principals.

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During the Funds fiscal period ended March 31, 2023, and the subsequent interim period through May 31, 2023 (i) there were no disagreements with PWC on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of PWC, would have caused them to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with their reports on the Funds financial statements for such period, and (ii) there were no reportable events of the kind described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees and Other Matters

The table below shows the amounts paid by the Fund to PWC, the Funds prior Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for accounting services for the periods indicated:

Fees Paid to the Auditor for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023 2022 2020 Popular Total Return Fund $53,667.00 $47,000.00 $35,599.00

Audit Committees Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

The Audit Committee of the Fund complies with applicable laws and regulations with regards to the pre-approval of services. Audit, audit-related and tax compliance services provided to the Fund on an annual basis require specific pre-approval by the Funds Audit Committee. As noted above, the Funds Audit Committee must also approve other non-audit services provided by the Funds Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm to the Fund and to the Funds Adviser that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund.

Required Vote

Approval of the ratification of the selection of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING THE INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS, UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE SELECTION OF THE FUNDS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Broker Discretionary Votes, Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions

Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 are considered routine proposals and thus broker discretionary votes will be allowed . A broker discretionary vote is a proxy ballot that a broker may cast on behalf of the Shareholder if such Shareholder does not provide the broker with a specific voting instruction. A broker may vote your Shares to the extent such broker (i) has transmitted this proxy and all related soliciting material to you, (ii) exercises investment discretion for you pursuant to an advisory contract, (iii) has been designated in writing by you to receive soliciting material; and (iv) has not received instruction from you as to how to vote your Shares.

Abstentions and broker non-votes (i.e., a proxy from a broker or nominee indicating that such person has declined to exercise its discretionary authority on a particular matter with respect to which the broker or nominee has discretionary power) will be treated as Shares that are present at the Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum for transacting business at the Meeting but that have not been voted. If a proxy that is properly executed and returned by a broker and such broker has declined to exercise its discretion to vote represents a broker non-vote, the

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Shares represented thereby will be considered to be present at the Meeting for purposes of determining the existence of a quorum for the transaction of business but will not have an effect on the vote of the proposals requiring either a plurality vote or majority vote of the outstanding shares present at the meeting because such broker non-votes are not entitled to vote on such matters. If a proxy that is properly executed and returned is unmarked or marked with an abstention (collectively Abstentions) and the vote required for the proposal is a plurality vote of the outstanding shares present at the meeting, such Shares will have no effect on the outcome of the vote. If a proxy that is properly executed and returned is unmarked or marked with an Abstention and the vote required for the proposal is a majority vote of the outstanding shares present and the meeting, such Shares will be treated as a vote against the proposal.

Accordingly, broker-non-votes will not be counted in determining the number of Shares necessary for approval of Proposal 1 and Proposal 2 and will not have an impact on the vote of such proposals. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against Proposal 1. Abstentions will not have an impact on the vote for Proposal 2.

Unless instructions to the contrary are marked thereon, the Proxy will be voted FOR the election of the Directors of the Fund, FOR the ratification of the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund, and FOR any other matters deemed appropriate. Approval of Proposal 1 requires the affirmative plurality vote of the outstanding Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy. Approval of Proposal 2 requires the affirmative vote of the majority of the outstanding Shares present at the Meeting, in person or by proxy. Broker non-votes will not have an effect on the vote of such proposals. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against Proposal 1 and will not have an effect on the vote of Proposal 2. Each proposal is an independent proposal and is not contingent on the adoption of another proposal.

Investment Adviser, Administrator and Distributor

The address of the Adviser is: Popular Asset Management LLC, Popular Center, North Building, Second Level (Fine Arts), 209 Mufioz Rivera Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918. The address of the Administrator is: ALPS Fund Services, Inc., 1290 Broadway Suite 1000, Denver, Colorado 80203. The address of the Distributor is: Popular Securities, LLC, Twelfth Floor, Popular Center Building, 208 Ponce de Leon Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918.

OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE MEETING

The Directors do not intend to present any other business at the Meeting, nor are they aware that any Shareholder intends to do so. If, however, any other matters are properly brought before the Meeting, in accordance with the Funds By-Laws, the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote thereon in accordance with their judgment.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

As provided for in the Funds By-Laws, at any annual or special meeting of Shareholders, proposals by Shareholders and persons nominated for election as Directors by Shareholders shall be considered only if advance notice thereof has been timely given as provided herein and such proposals or nominations are otherwise proper for consideration under applicable law and the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Fund. Notice of any proposal to be presented by any Shareholder including the nomination of any person by any Shareholder for election as a Director of the Fund at any meeting of Shareholders shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Fund at its principal executive office not less than thirty (30) nor more than fifty (50) days prior to the date of the meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the meeting is first publicly announced or disclosed less than forty (40) days prior to the date of the meeting, such notice shall be given not more than ten (10) days after such date is first so announced or disclosed. Public notice shall be deemed to have been given more than forty (40) days in advance of the annual meeting if the Fund shall have previously disclosed, in the Funds By-Laws or otherwise, that the annual meeting in each year is to be held on a determinable date, unless and until the Board determines to hold the meeting on a different date. Any Shareholder who gives notice of any such proposal shall deliver therewith the text of the proposal to be presented and a brief written statement of the reasons why such Shareholder favors the proposal and setting forth such Shareholders name and address, the number and class of all Shares of each class of stock of the Fund beneficially owned by such Shareholder and any material interest of such Shareholder in the proposal (other than as a Shareholder). Any Shareholder desiring to

9

nominate any person for election as a Director of the Fund shall deliver with such notice a statement in writing setting forth the name of the person to be nominated, the number and class of all Shares of the Fund beneficially owned by such person, the information regarding such person as would be required by paragraphs (a), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (or the corresponding provisions of any regulation subsequently adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission), such persons signed consent to serve as a Director of the Fund if elected, such Shareholders name and address and the number and class of all Shares of the Fund beneficially owned by such Shareholder. The person presiding at the meeting, in addition to making any other determinations that may be appropriate to the conduct of the meeting, shall determine whether such notice has been duly given and shall direct that proposals and nominees not be considered if such notice has not been given.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. SHAREHOLDERS THAT DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING ARE THEREFORE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, this 30th day of June, 2023.

By Order of the Board of Directors, Manuel Rodriguez-Boissen, Esq. Secretary

10

POPULAR TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.

POPULAR CENTER, NORTH BUILDING

Second Level (Fine Arts)

209 Munoz Rivera Avenue

San Juan, PR 00918

PROXY

The undersigned hereby appoints Enrique Vila del Corral, Javier Rubio, or any one of them, to act as the attorneys and proxies of the undersigned, with power of substitution, to vote all shares of the stock of Popular Total Return Fund, Inc., (the Fund) a Puerto Rico corporation and an open-end, non-diversified investment company registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Fund to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at 10:00 AM, at Popular Center Lobby, Conference Hall A, and at any continuation or adjournment thereof, with the same force and effect as the undersigned might or could do if personally present thereat, as set forth below and in their discretion upon any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

1. To elect four directors of the Fund, to serve until the 2024 annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

Nominees: Jorge I. Vallejo Carlos A. Perez Enrique Vila del Corral

   For all nominees listed above (except as marked below): To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write that nominees name in the space provided below: Withhold authority as to all nominees. 2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. (Check one box).  FOR  AGAINST  ABSTAIN THE PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
Registration No. 333-264388

Filed Pursuant to Rule 433

NEW ISSUE: Bank of Montreals Buffer Enhanced Return Notes Linked to a Basket of Ten Securities These notes do not guarantee the return of your principal at maturity Please see the following page for additional information about the terms included on this cover page, and how your investment ma y be impacted. Any capitalized term not defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the preliminary pricing supplement to which the term sheet relates (se e h yperlink below). 1 SEC File No. 333 - 264388 | July 7, 2023 This term sheet, which gives a brief summary of the terms of the notes, relates to, and should be read in conjunction with, t he pricing supplement dated July 7, 2023, the Product Supplement dated September 22, 2022, the Prospectus Supplement dated May 26, 2022, and to the Prospectus dated May 26, 2022. INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE The objective of the notes is to provide clients the potential for leveraged participation in any upside performance of the B ask et, while offering limited downside protection against a slight to moderate decline in the Basket over the term of the notes. As such, the notes may be suitable for investo rs with a bullish view of the Basket over the term of the notes. The performance of the notes may not be consistent with the investment objective. PRELIMINARY TERMS CONTINUED Initial Level: 100.00 Final Level: Initial Level x (1 + Percentage Change). Buffer Level: 80.00% of the Initial Level Buffer Percentage: 20.00% Accordingly, you will receive the principal amount of your notes at maturity only if the level of the Basket does not decrease by more than 20.00% over the term of the notes. If the Final Level of the Basket is less than its Buffer Level, you will receive less than the principal amount of your notes at maturity and you could lose up to 80.00% of the principal amount of your notes. Percentage Change: The sum of the Weighted Percentage Change for each Basket Component. Weighted Percentage Change: With respect to each Basket Component, the product of (a) its Weighting Percentage and (b) its Component Change. Component Change: With respect to each Basket Component, the quotient, expressed as a percentage, of the following formula: (Final Basket Component Level - Initial Basket Component Level) / Initial Basket Component Level Initial Basket Component Level: With respect to each Basket Component, its closing price on the Pricing Date. Final Basket Component Level: With respect to each Basket Component, its closing price on the Valuation Date. NOTE INFORMATION Issuer: Bank of Montreal Minimum Investment: $1,000 (and $1,000 increments thereafter) DATES Offering Period Closes: July 28, 2023 (at 2 pm NY Time.) Pricing Date: On or about July 28, 2023 Settlement Date: On or about August 02, 2023 Valuation Date: On or about July 30, 2025 Maturity Date: On or about August 04, 2025 Term: Approximately 2 Years Issue: ELN 1904 REFERENCE ASSET The Reference Asset is an equally weighted basket consisting of the following equity securities (the Basket and the underlying equity securities, the Basket Components): PRELIMINARY TERMS Upside Leverage Factor: 125.00% Maximum Return: 30.00% Maximum Redemption Amount $1,300.00 CUSIP 06375M2A6 Basket Component Bloomberg Ticker Weighting Percentage The common stock of Cintas Corporation CTAS 10.00% The common stock of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation EW 10.00% The common stock of Freeport - McMoRan Inc. FCX 10.00% The common stock of Intuitive Surgical, Inc. ISRG 10.00% The common stock of KLA Corporation KLAC 10.00% The common stock of ServiceNow, Inc. NOW 10.00% The common stock of Prologis, Inc. PLD 10.00% The common stock of Roper Technologies, Inc. ROP 10.00% The common stock of Schlumberger N.V. SLB 10.00% The common stock of Synopsys, Inc. SNPS 10.00%

2 Payment at Maturity: If the Final Level of the Basket is greater than its Initial Level and the Percentage Change of the Basket multiplied by the Upside Leverage Factor is greater than or equal to the Maximum Return, the payment at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal the Maximum Redemption Amount. If the Final Level of the Basket is greater than or equal to its Initial Level and the Percentage Change of the Basket multip lie d by the Upside Leverage Factor is less than the Maximum Return, then the amount that investors will receive at maturity for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal: $1,000 + ($1,000 x Percentage Change x Upside Leverage Factor) If the Final Level of the Basket is less than its Initial Level, but is not less than its Buffer Level, then investors will, for each $1,000 in principal amount of the notes, receive the principal amount of $1,000 and no additional return. If the Final Level of the Basket is less than its Buffer Level, then the amount that investors will receive at maturity for e ach $1,000 in principal amount of the notes will equal: $1,000 + [$1,000 x (Percentage Change + Buffer Percentage)] In this case, investors will lose 1% of their principal for each 1% that the Final Level of the Basket declines from its Initial Level in excess of 20.00%. You may lose up to 80.00% of the principal amount of your notes.

3 Principal at Risk: Investors in these notes could lose a substantial portion of their investment at maturity if there has been a decline in the market value of the Basket and the Final Level of the Basket is less than its Buffer Level. We urge you to carefully review the documents described in Additional Information below, including the risk factors set forth and incorporated by reference therein, prior to making an investment decision. Secondary Market: The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Although not obligated to do so, BMO Capital Markets Corp. (BMOCM) (or one or more of its affiliates), plans to maintain a secondary market in the notes after the Settlement Date. Proceeds from a sale of notes prior to maturity may be less than the principal amount initially invested. Selected Risk Considerations: The risks summarized below are some of the most important factors to be considered prior to any purchase of the notes. Investors are urged to read all the risk factors related to the notes in the pricing supplement and the product supplement to which this term sheet relates.  Changes in the level of one or more Basket Components may be offset by changes in the level of one or more other Basket Components.  You could lose up to 80.00% of the principal amount of your notes. If the Final Level of the Basket is less than its Buffer Level, you will lose 1% of the principal amount for each 1% that the Final Level of the Basket is less than its Initial Level in excess of the Buffer Percentage.  Your return on the notes is limited to the Maximum Redemption Amount, regardless of any appreciation in the level of the Basket.  Your return on the notes may be lower than the return on a conventional debt security of comparable maturity.  The notes are unsecured debt obligations of the Issuer and your investment is subject to the credit risk of the Issuer.  Our and our affiliates activities may conflict with your interests and may also adversely affect the value of the notes.  Our initial estimated value of the notes will be lower than the price to public, does not represent any future value of the notes, and may also differ from the estimated value of any other party.  The terms of the notes are not determined by reference to the credit spreads for our conventional fixed - rate debt.  The inclusion of the hedging profits, if any, in the initial price to public of the notes, as well as our hedging costs, is likely to adversely affect the price at which you can sell your notes.  You will not have any shareholder rights and will have no right to receive any shares of the Basket Components at maturity.  We have no affiliation with the sponsor of any Basket Component, and will not be responsible for their actions.  Changes that affect each Basket Component will affect the market value of the notes and the amount you will receive at maturity. Adjustments to a Basket Component could adversely affect the notes. The sponsor of a Basket Component may make adjustments, discontinue or suspend calculations or publication of that Basket Component, or discontinue of suspend maintenance of that Basket Component at any time.  The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. BMOCM may offer to purchase the notes in the secondary market, but are not required to do so. Even if there is a secondary market, it may not provide enough liquidity to allow you to trade or sell the notes easily.  We and our affiliates may engage in hedging and trading activities related to the notes that could adversely affect our payment to you at maturity.

4 Hypothetical Calculations for the Payment at Maturity: Examples of the Hypothetical Payment at Maturity for a $1,000 Investment in the notes The following table illustrates the hypothetical payments on a note at maturity. The hypothetical payments are based on a $1,000 investment in the note, a hypothetical Initial Level of 100.00, a hypothetical Buffer Level of 80.00 (80.00% of the hypothetical initial level), a hypothetical Maximum Return of 30.00%, a hypothetical Upside Leverage Factor of 125.00%, a hypothetical Maximum Redemption Amount of $1,300.00, a range of hypothetical Final Levels and the effect on the payment at maturity. The hypothetical examples shown below are intended to help you understand the terms of the notes. The actual cash amount that you will receive at maturity will depend upon the Final Level of the Basket. You may lose a significant portion o f the principal amount at maturity. These examples do not give effect to any U.S. federal tax payments or brokerage commissions that you may be required to pay in connection with your purchase of the notes. Hypothetical Final Level of the Basket Hypothetical Final Level of the Basket Expressed as a Percentage of the Initial Level Hypothetical Payment at Maturity Hypothetical Return on the Notes 200.00 200.00% $1,300.00 30.00% 180.00 180.00% $1,300.00 30.00% 160.00 160.00% $1,300.00 30.00% 140.00 140.00% $1,300.00 30.00% 124.00 124.00% $1,300.00 30.00% 110.00 110.00% $1,125.00 12.50% 105.00 105.00% $1,062.50 6.25% 100.00 100.00% $1,000.00 0.00% 95.00 95.00% $1,000.00 0.00% 90.00 90.00% $1,000.00 0.00% 85.00 85.00% $1,000.00 0.00% 80.00 80.00% $1,000.00 0.00% 79.99 79.99% $999.90 - 0.01% 40.00 40.00% $600.00 - 40.00% 20.00 20.00% $400.00 - 60.00% 0.00 0.00% $200.00 - 80.00%

Additional Information The notes will not constitute deposits insured by the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or under the Canada Deposit Ins urance Corporation or by any other U.S. or Canadian governmental agency or instrumentality. The notes will not be subject to conversion into our common shares or the common shares of any of our affiliates under subsec tio n 39.2(2.3) of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation Act. Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), nor any state securities commission, has reviewed or approve d t hese notes, nor or otherwise passed upon the accuracy of this document, to which it relates or the accompanying product supplement , p rospectus supplement, or prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The Issuer has filed a registration statement with the SEC for the offerings to which this communication relates. Before you in vest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and the other documents discussed below that the Issuer has filed w ith the SEC for more complete information about the Issuer and these offerings. You may obtain these documents free of charge by visiting th e S ECs web site at http://www.sec.gov . Alternatively, the Issuer will arrange to send to you the prospectus (as supplemented by the prospectus supplement, product supplement, and preliminary pricing supplement to which this term sheet relates) if you request it by cal lin g its agent toll - free on 1 - 877 - 369 - 5412 or emailing [email protected] . The information in this term sheet is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed explanations set forth elsewhere in the Iss uers preliminary pricing supplement dated July 7, 2023 and the accompanying product supplement, prospectus supplement, and prospectus. Unless the context provides otherwise, capitalized terms used in this term sheet but not defined shall have the meaning assigned to them in the pricing supplement, product supplement, prospectus supplement, or prospectus, as applicable, to which this term sheet relates. Infor mat ion about retrieving these documents can be found elsewhere in this term sheet. You may access these documents on the SEC website at www.sec.gov as follows (or if such address has changed, by reviewing our filings for the relevant date on the SEC website):  Preliminary Pricing Supplement dated July 7, 2023: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000121465923009350/o76235fwp.htm  Product Supplement dated September 22, 2022: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/927971/000121465922011396/j922220424b2.htm  Prospectus Supplement dated May 26, 2022 and Prospectus dated May 26, 2022: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0000927971/000119312522160519/d269549d424b5.htm Our Central Index Key, or CIK, on the SEC website is 927971. As used in this terms sheet, the Issuer, we, us or our r efe rs to Bank of Montreal, but not its consolidated subsidiaries. This term sheet contains no description or discussion of the United States tax consequences of the acquisition, holding or di spo sition of the notes. We urge you to carefully read the section entitled U.S. Federal Tax Information in the accompanying pricing supplement, the section entitled Supplemental Tax Considerations  Supplemental U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations in the accompanying product supplement, the section United States Federal Income Taxation in the accompanying prospectus and the section entitled Cert ain Income Tax Consequences in the accompanying prospectus supplement, in each case, to which this term sheet relates. You should consult your tax advisor about your own tax situation. 5
The purpose of this notice is to inform you of the dates for your Funds current repurchase offer. If you are not interested in selling your shares at this time, please disregard this notice.

July 7, 2023

Dear Invesco Senior Loan Fund Shareholder:

We extend this repurchase offer to provide liquidity to shareholders because shares of your Fund, which is structured as a closed-end interval fund, are not redeemable daily for cash and are not traded on a stock exchange. Prior to each monthly repurchase offer, the Fund is required to send notification of the repurchase offer to all of its shareholders. You will receive a notice similar to this once per month. The Fund will offer to repurchase shares only during each regularly scheduled monthly repurchase offer period. This notice is provided to make you aware of the deadlines and procedures to tender your shares should you wish to do so.

Note that early withdrawal of shares from the Fund may result in a sales charge and may be a taxable event; consult your financial advisor or tax advisor for more information. Please remember that you are not obligated to do anything with your shares at this time.

This repurchase offer period begins on July 14, 2023 and ends (unless extended) on the repurchase request deadline at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (normally the Exchange closes at 4 p.m., Eastern Time, but it may close earlier on certain days) on July 21, 2023. Shares accepted for repurchase will be purchased at a price equal to the respective net asset value of such shares on the repurchase pricing date, which is described further in the enclosed Repurchase Offer Terms. For informational purposes, on June 30, 2023, the net asset values per share of the Funds share classes were as follows:

Class A $5.85 Class C $5.87 Class IB $5.85 Class IC $5.85 Class Y $5.85

If you intend to sell or exchange your shares during this repurchase offer period, please read the enclosed documents.

You should also consider the following:

 Determine if your account is held with your financial advisor or directly with Invesco Investment Services, Inc. (IIS). If you are unsure if your account is held directly with IIS or with your financial advisor, please review your most recent account statement. If your statement is from your financial advisor, you must contact your financial advisor for assistance because there may be different requirements for making a repurchase request during the repurchase offer period. If your statement is from Invesco, you may either contact your financial advisor or you can contact a Client Services representative at 800 959 4246.

 If you wish to sell shares held in an Invesco sponsored retirement plan account with Invesco Trust Company (ITC) serving as custodian, you must complete and submit the appropriate Invesco retirement account distribution form in addition to the enclosed Repurchase Request Form to execute your request. Please note that Required Minimum Distributions, Substantially Equal Periodic Payments (72t) or any other systematic redemptions will not be allowed out of the Invesco Senior Loan Fund. To obtain a distribution form, please contact a Client Services representative at 800 959 4246 or you may download the form at invesco.com/us.

 If you wish to sell any of your Fund shares during this repurchase offer period, all requests must be received in good order prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange on July 21, 2023.

Please refer to the Funds Prospectus and the enclosed Repurchase Offer Terms and Repurchase Request Form if you have any questions or contact a Client Services representative at 800 959 4246. The enclosed documents apply to the current repurchase offer period. New documents will be mailed to you in connection with any subsequent monthly offers.
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13D

(Amendment No. )*

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Semper Paratus Acquisition Corporation

(Name of Issuer)

Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share

(Title of Class of Securities)

G8028L107

(CUSIP Number)

Surendra Ajjarapu

Chief Executive Officer

Semper Paratus Acquisition Corporation

515 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor  Suite 8133

New York, New York 10022

With a copy to:

Andrew Tucker

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

101 Constitution Avenue NW, Suite 900

Washington, DC 20001

Telephone: (202) 689-2800

(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

June 7, 2023

(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule l3G to report the acquisition that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this schedule because of  240.13d-1(e), 240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g), check the following box.  Note: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See  240.13d-7 for other parties to whom copies are to be sent.

* The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ( Act ) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

CUSIP No. G8028L107 SCHEDULE 13D Page 2 of 6

1. Name of Reporting Person I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person (Entities Only): 92-1731688 SSVK Associates, LLC 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (1) (a)____ (b) ____ 3. SEC Use Only 4. Source of Funds (See Instructions) WC 5. Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  6. Citizenship or Place of Organization Delaware

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned By Each Reporting Person with: 7. Sole Voting Power 8,988,889 (2) 8. Shared Voting Power 9. Sole Dispositive Power 8,988,889 (2) 10. Shared Dispositive Power

11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,988,889 (2) 12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares  13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 56.8% (3) 14. Type of Reporting Person OO

(1) The Reporting Person does not affirm, and hereby disclaims membership in a group as described herein. Therefore, the Reporting Person has not checked row 2(a). Because this is a joint filing pursuant to Rule 13d1(k)(1), pursuant to Instruction 2 to the Schedule 13D cover page, the Reporting Person also has not checked row 2(b). (2) Consists of 8,988,889 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (Class A Ordinary Shares), of Semper Paratus Acquisition Corporation (the Issuer). Excludes 500,000 shares of the Issuers Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of Placement Warrants which will not become exercisable within 60 days. (3) The amount beneficially owned by the Reporting Person is determined based on 15,816,386 Class A ordinary shares outstanding as of May 22, 2023, as the Issuer reported in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 22, 2023.

CUSIP No. G8028L107 SCHEDULE 13D Page 3 of 6

1. Name of Reporting Person I.R.S. Identification No. of Above Person (Entities Only): Surendra Ajjarapu 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (1) (a)____ (b) ____ 3. SEC Use Only 4. Source of Funds (See Instructions) OO 5. Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  6. Citizenship or Place of Organization USA

Number of

Shares

Beneficially

Owned By

Each Reporting

Person with: 7. Sole Voting Power 8,988,889 (2)(3) 8. Shared Voting Power 0 9. Sole Dispositive Power 8,988,889 (2)(3) 10. Shared Dispositive Power 0

11. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person 8,988,889 (2)(3) 12. Check Box if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain Shares  13. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11) 56.8% (4) 14. Type of Reporting Person IN

(1) The Reporting Person does not affirm, and hereby disclaims membership in a group as described herein. Therefore, the Reporting Person has not checked row 2(a). Because this is a joint filing pursuant to Rule 13d1(k)(1), pursuant to Instruction 2 to the Schedule 13D cover page, the Reporting Person also has not checked row 2(b). (2) The shares reported in this Schedule 13D as beneficially owned by Surendra Ajjarapu were acquired pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated as of May 4, 2023, entered into by and among, SSVK Associates, LLC (the New Sponsor), the Issuer, and other certain securityholders for an aggregate purchase price of $1 (one dollar) due on the date on which a business combination is completed. Mr. Ajjarapu, the Issuers Chairman and Chief Executive Officer is the manager of the New Sponsor. Mr. Ajjarapu may be deemed to beneficially own the securities held by the New Sponsor by virtue of his control over the New Sponsor. Mr. Ajjarapu disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities held by the New Sponsor, except to the extent of his respective pecuniary interest. (3) Consists of 8,988,889 Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share (Class A Ordinary Shares), of the Issuer. Excludes 500,000 shares of the Issuers Class A ordinary shares issuable upon exercise of Placement Warrants which will not become exercisable within 60 days. (4) The amount beneficially owned by the Reporting Person is determined based on 15,816,386 Class A ordinary shares outstanding as of May 22, 2023, as the Issuer reported in its Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 22, 2023.

CUSIP No. G8028L107 SCHEDULE 13D Page 4 of 6

Item 1. Security and Issuer.

This statement on Schedule 13D relates to the Class A ordinary shares of Semper Paratus Acquisition Corporation, a Cayman Islands exempted company (the Issuer). The Issuers principal executive office is located at 767 Third Avenue, 38th Floor, New York, NY, 10017.

Neither the present filing nor anything contained herein shall be construed as an admission that any Reporting Person constitutes a person for any purpose other than for compliance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 2. Identity and Background.

(a) This Schedule 13D is filed by Surendra Ajjarapu, an individual, and SSVK Associates, LLC, a limited liability company (the Reporting Persons).

(b) The business address of both Reporting Persons is 515 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor - Suite 8078, New York, New York 10022.

(c) Mr. Ajjarapu is the manager of SSVK Associates, LLC and the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Issuer. SSVK Associates, LLC is organized under the laws of the State of Delaware.

(d) None of the Reporting Persons has, during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors).

(e) During the last five years, the Reporting Persons have not been a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding were or are subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

(f) Mr. Ajjarapu is a citizen of the United States of America. SSVK Associates, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

On May 4, 2023, the Issuer entered into a purchase agreement (the Sponsor Share Purchase Agreement) with SSVK Associates, LLC (the New Sponsor) and Semper Paratus Sponsor LLC (the Original Sponsor), pursuant to which the New Sponsor will purchase from the Original Sponsor (x) 7,988,889 Class A ordinary shares and (y) 1,000,000 private placement units, each consisting of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant that is exercisable for one Class A ordinary share, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, for an aggregate purchase price of $1.00 payable at the time of the initial business combination.

The summary description of the Sponsor Share Purchase Agreement in this Schedule 13D is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Sponsor Share Purchase Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

The information reported in Item 3 of this Schedule 13D is incorporated by reference into this Item 4.

Except as disclosed below, the Reporting Persons have acquired beneficial ownership of the securities for investment purposes and will evaluate the investment in the securities on a continual basis.

CUSIP No. G8028L107 SCHEDULE 13D Page 5 of 6

The Issuer had until February 8, 2022 (which is 15 months from the closing of the initial public offering) to consummate an initial business combination. However, Issuer anticipated that it may not be able to consummate its initial business combination within 15 months, and by resolution of its board, the Issuer, extended the period of time to consummate a business combination by an additional ten months to December 15, 2023, subject to New Sponsor depositing additional funds into the trust account.

Except as disclosed above, the Reporting Persons have no plans or proposals that would relate to or would result in: the acquisition of additional securities of the Issuer or the disposition of presently-owned securities of the Issuer; any extraordinary corporate transaction involving the Issuer; a sale or transfer of a material amount of assets of the Issuer; any material change in the present capitalization or dividend policy of the Issuer; any material change in the operating policies or corporate structure of the Issuer; any change in the Issuers amended and restated memorandum and articles of association; the shares of the Issuer ceasing to be authorized to be quoted in the over-the-counter market; or causing the Issuer to become eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section 12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Reporting Persons, however, reserve the right, at a later date, to effect one or more of such changes or transactions in the number of shares they may be deemed to beneficially own.

Based on the transactions and relationships described herein, the Reporting Persons may be deemed to constitute a group for purposes of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The filing of this Schedule 13D shall not be construed as an admission that the Reporting Persons are a group, or have agreed to act as a group, and the existence of any such group is expressly disclaimed.

Item 5. Interests in Securities of the Issuer.

The responses of the Reporting Persons to rows (7) through (13) of the cover pages and Items 2, 3, 4 and 6 of this Schedule 13D are incorporated into this Item 5 by reference.

(a) As of May 22, 2023, there were 15,816,386 Class A ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, and 0 Class B ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value, issued and outstanding, as reported in Issuers Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 22, 2023.

As of the filing date of this Schedule 13D (the Filing Date), Mr. Ajjarapu beneficially owns 56.8% of the outstanding voting control of the Issuer, consisting of (i) 8,988,889 Class A ordinary shares, 1,000,000 of which are underlying the Private Placement Units. The warrants underlying the Private Placement Units to purchase 500,000 Class A ordinary shares are excluded from the number of Class A ordinary shares as the warrants will not become exercisable within 60 days. Mr. Ajjarapu disclaims beneficial ownership of the reported securities held by SSVK Associates, LLC, except to the extent of his pecuniary interests therein.

As of the Filing Date, SSVK Associates, LLC beneficially owns 56.8% of the outstanding voting control of the Issuer, consisting of (i) 8,988,889 Class A ordinary shares, 1,000,000 of which are underlying the Private Placement Units. The warrants underlying the Private Placement Units to purchase 500,000 Class A ordinary shares are excluded from the number of Class A ordinary shares as the warrants will not become exercisable within 60 days.

(b) As of the Filing Date, Mr. Ajjarapu has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of, and to dispose or direct the disposition of 8,988,889 Class A ordinary shares.

(c) Except as otherwise described in Item 3, Item 6, or elsewhere in this Schedule 13D, no transactions in the shares of Class A ordinary shares were effected by any of the Reporting Persons during the past 60 days.

(d) Except as described herein with respect to indirect holdings by the Reporting Persons, to the knowledge of the Reporting Persons, no other person has the right to receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the proceeds from the sale of, any shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by the Reporting Persons.

(e) Not applicable.

CUSIP No. G8028L107 SCHEDULE 13D Page 6 of 6

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

The information provided in Items 3 and 4 is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 6. To the best of the knowledge of each Reporting Person, other than as described in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons have no contracts, arrangements, understandings or relationships with any other person with respect to any securities of the Issuer.

Except for the arrangements described in this Schedule 13D, the Reporting Persons are not a party to any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with respect to any securities of the Issuer, including but not limited to the transfer or voting of any securities of the Issuer, finders fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.

Item 7. Materials to be Filed as Exhibits.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete, and correct.

Date: July 7, 2023

By: /s/ Surendra Ajjarapu Name: Surendra Ajjarapu. SSVK ASSOCIATES, LLC By: /s/ Surendra Ajjarapu Name: Surendra Ajjarapu Title: Manager

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

ex1.htm
CAMP ZAMA, Japan  A brigade commander who last served in Washington state became the new commander of U.S. Army Garrison Japan during a handover ceremony Friday.

Col. Marcus Hunter, previously commander of 1st Battalion, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., took charge of the Army garrison from Col. Christopher Tomlinson in front of approximately 300 people inside Kizuna Hall at Camp Zama.

Craig Deatrick, director of U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific, presided over the command change at Zama, headquarters of U.S. Army Japan 26 miles southwest of central Tokyo.

Hunter is a graduate of the Brigham Young University ROTC Program and the U.S. Naval War College Command and Staff program and has deployed to Afghanistan three times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, according to his Army biography. He has served around the world in Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Indo-Pacific region.

I'm truly grateful for the privilege to join this historic team and to serve alongside each and every one of you here today, he told the audience. Id like to say I'm indebted; we are guests in this majestic country. We share the happiness, values and ideals of a free and open Indo-Pacific. I look forward to the many ways in which to cultivate relationships with trust respect and true friendships.

Tomlinson, who took charge of the garrison in July 2021, in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, steered it through that episode, Deatrick said during the ceremony.

Tomlinson also acquired funding for new living quarters and myriad other construction projects and helped strengthen partnerships both inside and outside Zamas gates, Deatrick told the audience.

Turning to Hunter, Tomlinson said: You have already brought excellence to this organization. I am confident the success that we have enjoyed will continue to thrive and continue under your command.

The garrison commander has charge of the headquarters post and 15 other Army facilities throughout Japan, which support 12,000 service members, Defense Department employees, their families and Japanese employees.

The changeover follows the June 20 arrival of Maj. Gen. David Womack as the new commander of U.S. Army Japan. He took over for Maj. Gen. Joel JB Vowell during a ceremony at Camp Zama.

A native of Gruver, Texas, Tomlinson is moving to Vicenza, Italy, to become the assistant chief of staff for intelligence at Southern European Task Force  Africa.

I could not have asked for a more incredible assignment in the most beautiful country, Japan, Tomlinson said. In the last two years we have set the example of demonstrating a true alliance.
A Marine stationed at an air base in Japan received a suspended sentence in a Japanese court Friday for car theft and drunken driving in April.

Lance Cpl. Helder Molina, 30, assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, was sentenced by Judge Soshi Okada to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years, a spokesman for Yamaguchi District Court told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday.

Molina at a hearing June 28 pleaded guilty to car theft and driving under the influence. He still faces disciplinary action from the Marine Corps, according to a statement from MCAS Iwakuni.

The United States Marine Corps takes these matters seriously and the service member and his command have cooperated fully with Japanese authorities throughout this process, said an email Friday from the office of base spokesman Maj. Gerard Farao.

Now that the Japanese case is complete, the Marine Corps will take appropriate further action against Lance Corporal Molina in accordance with U.S. laws. We take all allegations of wrongdoing seriously and expect all our service members to show respect to the local community.

Japanese police arrested Molina on April 2 in a car reported stolen, Iwakuni Police said April 4.

Molina drank about 10 bottles of beer at bars on and off base between 8 p.m. April 1 and 5 a.m. the next day, the prosecutors said in court June 28, according to media reports. Then he got into a parked car with its engine running and drove off, crashing into another car and a wall.

The prosecutor recommended 18 months for the selfish crime. Molinas defense attorney asked for a suspended sentence, saying the Marine regrets his actions and intends to pay damages.

Another Iwakuni-based Marine, Lance Cpl. Dominic Youngren, received a suspended sentence in June for stealing a car from a local dealer, driving drunk and crashing into another vehicle at a stop light, injuring two people.

Stars and Stripes reporter Joseph Ditzler contributed to this report.
When I was young, my grandmother took my sister and me out to breakfast at least twice a month.

Grandma always ordered the same thing: two poached eggs. It prompted my sister to joke she could easily make the same dish at home for a fraction of the price. But those breakfasts were more about the overall experience than the food itself.

Cafe Baennjerrueck, on the outskirts of Kaiserslautern, Germany, reminds me a bit of the restaurants my family used to visit in the northern suburbs of Detroit. It specializes in cakes and breakfast items, most of which could easily be prepared at home.

But its ambiance, created in part by large windows that overlook a calm wooded area and a retro interior complete with sea foam-colored booths and Kandinsky-esque ironwork dividers, makes going out to eat there worthwhile.

I first visited Cafe Baennjerrueck on a Saturday and it was full of customers. A hum of German chatter and clinking coffee mugs filled the room. Many of the guests that day are regulars, I was later told.

American visitors will quickly notice the breakfast choices arent as extensive as they are at the average restaurant stateside. Stacks of pancakes dripping with maple syrup or omelets served with hash browns and sausage links are nowhere to be found.

But what is on offer is sufficiently filling and beautifully presented. For those with a small appetite, the French breakfast consists of a cup of coffee or cappuccino and a croissant.

The pastry is light and buttery and comes with additional squares of butter and jam. The peach jam I had was full of flavor. The meal was served on a plate garnished with strawberries, kiwi, apricot, nuts, raisins and two small pretzels.

The big hunger breakfast includes a colorful charcuterie plate and various types of bread, an ensemble that allows customers to make their own sandwiches.

Slices of cheese, turkey, roast beef and salami are included on the charcuterie plate, as are various vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, red peppers, lettuce and pickles, which are fresh and crisp. A hard-boiled egg is also thrown in.

The dish most reminiscent of breakfast fare at a U.S. restaurant is a helping of eggs, fried or scrambled, with American-style bacon.

The scrambled eggs served to me almost resembled an omelet. They had an excellent consistency, firm enough to where they werent dried out, but also not watery. A generous pinch of chives boosted the taste.

They also came with cucumbers, red peppers and tomatoes on the side, and I used all of the fixings to build an egg sandwich on a pumpkin seed roll.

In addition to breakfast, many customers visit just to enjoy something sweet with tea or coffee in a relaxed atmosphere.

Sit-down service is offered only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but the cafe bakery sells cakes and other baked goods from a separate side entrance every day except Monday.

The eatery makes around 50 cakes a week, owner Andrea Rohde told me. Of the several I tried, the cinnamon cream cake, or zimtrahmkuchen, was the best.

The cheesecake dusted with cinnamon was recommended to me by Rohdes nephew. Its not too sweet and the cinnamon is more of an aftertaste. The light texture made it even more enjoyable.

Coming in a close second was the cream cheese mandarin cake. This surprised me, as Im usually not a big fan of fruity cakes. But the slightly tangy mandarins blended perfectly with the sweet creamy filling that sat between two layers of white sponge.

The Black Forest cherry cake packed a punch. I was warned it contains kirsch, a cherry brandy, but I wasnt expecting the alcohol element to be so strong. The cake was otherwise soft and fresh.

The item I appreciated the least was the gefullter kranz, which translates to filled wreath. Its a dense, round cake that looks like it should be sweet, but it doesnt have much of a taste at all.

About a dozen other options are available at the cafe at any given time. I recommend going on the weekend and enjoying them at the restaurant.

Cafe Baennjerrueck

Address: Leipzigerstrasse 17, Kaiserslautern, Germany

Hours: Dine in: Friday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Bakery shop for takeaway: Tuesday to Friday, 6 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays.

Prices: French breakfast, 6.50 euros; big hunger breakfast, 14 euros; two eggs, 2.90 euros; two eggs with bacon, 4.50 euros; most cake slices between 2.50 and 4 euros. Cash payments only.

Information: +49 631 593 67, reservations recommended.
When the temperature soars, the quickest path to release from the heat can often be a dip in the nearest body of water. Those who consider swimming that one activity that makes any summer vacation complete might wish to take part in some of these upcoming events promising iconic backdrops, camaraderie and bragging rights, with or without a healthy dose of competition.

Juoksengi, Sweden: Swim the Arctic Circle is an open-water swimming competition that takes place in a river that forms the border between Sweden and Finland. The chilly temperature of the Torne River, in Lapland, adds to the challenge of these two races staged in a village thats home to some 300 residents. The 2000-meter race, held in the daytime hours, starts at a beach north of the Arctic Circle and crosses the Finnish border before returning to the finish at the Swedish shore. The 3,000-meter race starts from the Finnish shore just after midnight, crosses the Swedish-Finnish border, Arctic Circle, and a time zone, which allows all participants who complete the distance in under 55 minutes to claim theyve completed the race the day before it began. Organizers recommend the use of wetsuits and safety buoys. The races, capped to a max of 150 swimmers per start, take place July 15. Entry fees are 1,200 Swedish Krona ($111.35) for the 2,000-meter and 2,000 Swedish Krona for the 3,000-meter race. Online: swimac.eu/en

Zurich, Switzerland: The annual Limmatschwimmen, or Limmat Swim, takes swimmers on a course along the river running through the heart of this pretty city. In order for the race to take place, the depth and temperature of the water must be within certain parameters, and the day must hold minimal risk of thunderstorms. Should these conditions not be met on Aug. 19, the race will be postponed until Aug. 26. Places in this swim that's capped at 4,500 participants will be put up for sale online at 5 p.m. Aug. 16; these have always tended to sell out quickly. The cost of participation with ones own dry-sack is 22 Swiss Francs, or about $24.60. Online: limmatschwimmen.ch

Istanbul, Turkey: Taking part in the Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swim gives participants an unusual claim to fame: they can say they have swum from Asia to Europe. Once a year, shipping traffic in the normally bustling Istanbul Strait is brought to a halt, allowing thousands of strong open water swimmers to traverse the body of water that connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The 6.5 km course starts from Kanlica on the Asian side of the Bosphorus and ends in Kurucesme, on its European end. The race is so popular that the number of applicants greatly exceeds the approximately 2,200 spots available. The 35th edition of this sold-out race is slated for Aug. 20. Those hoping to take part in future editions can learn about the application process, race rules and conditions at bogazici.olimpiyat.org.tr/en. Another possible route to participation is to apply through SwimTrek, a British travel agency specializing in swim vacations.

Copenhagen, Denmark: Once a year in late summer, swimmers are allowed to swim in the usually off-limits canals of the Danish capital. On Aug. 25-26, the Danish Swimming Federation invites city residents and tourists alike to take part in swims of various distances around the Parliament building. Events include the 2,000-meter Copenhagen Swim By Night, a social swimming event in which swimmers are equipped with LED lights on their swim buoys, slated for 8 p.m. Aug. 25. The races to be held Aug. 26 include 2,000-meter races, with separate events for both elite and recreational swimmers and a 10,000 meter long distance race, along with a relay race to be completed by teams of four. Those new to the sport of open water swimming can also opt for a 1,000 meter-course. The race is open to all swimmers age 15 or older. The cost of entry to the 2,000-meter individual recreational swim, for example, is 525 Danish Krone, or about $77. Online: copenhagenswim.com/en

Porec, Croatia: The "Porecki delfin" is a swimming challenge open to all comers. Participants swim along a marked trail through the sea while enjoying pretty views of the old town. As the trail hugs the coast, friends and family can follow and cheer on their swimmers for most of the way. Distances include the 1,500-meter Bronze Dolphin, the 3,000-meter Silver Dolphin and the 5,000-meter Golden Dolphin. Participants can swim any stroke and use aids including fins, masks, swimming boards and air mattresses. There are no age restrictions, although those under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The challenge can be started between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sept. 2. The 20-euro registration fee includes a hot meal, water, fruit, T-shirt and a medal. This can be paid online or from 8 a.m. on the day itself. Online: poreckidelfin.com/en

Montenegro: The distance of the swimming challenge named Ultra Swim 33.3 is significant: its length reflects that of the English Channel. Following a successful test event held in September of 2022, the race makes up part of the newly-launched UltraSwim 33.3 global series, set to kick off in Montenegro on Sept. 29. The race unfolds over four days, in a point-to-point open water off-road timed challenge format. Participants can choose from solo, duo or four-person team formats and three different packages offering various levels of service. The price for one swimmer at the most basic level of support comes in at 1,350 euros, inclusive of accommodation. The Lazure Hotel & Marina on the Kotor Bay in Herceg Novi serves as race headquarters. Online: ultraswim333.com
There are few things in life better than a good burrito or taco.

Fortunately for people in South Korea, a restaurant called Cuchara serves burritos and tacos to satisfy some of their cravings.

Cuchara, or spoon in Spanish, operates in 10 locations on the peninsula, most of them in Seoul. The restaurant describes itself on its website as a healthy Mexican brand that cooks fresh ingredients daily and prides itself in offering over a dozen toppings for your burrito.

Ordering is fairly simple: The menus come in Korean and English and most of the staff is bilingual.

Similar to the Chipotle Mexican Grill franchise in the United States, Cuchara serves diners through an assembly line that starts with a warmed tortilla or burrito bowl and continues onto a choice of white, brown, or cauliflower rice and pinto or black beans.

Diners have several meat options: chicken, steak, shrimp, al pastor, carnitas, tofu and galbi, or thinly cut short ribs.

Other toppings include romaine lettuce, mild and hot sauces, tomato and corn salsas and cheese.

Tortilla chips are thrown in a brown bag and come with salsa. If you opt to include guacamole with your chips for an extra 3,000 won, or $2.30, you will be served with a heaping scoop of green deliciousness that would likely get your server in the U.S. fired for wasteful practice.

Drinks include assorted sodas on tap, bottled beer and Jarritos, a fruit-flavored soda from Mexico.

Inside the restaurant, loud hip-hop and jazz music from the speakers amplify the rooms urban ambiance.

Despite Cuchara's obvious similarities with its American counterparts, its steak burrito fell short.

The white rice, which was dry and somewhat brittle, lacked the taste of cilantro that ordinarily punctuates the taste buds. The small portion of steak was also cut into smaller pieces, leaving me to wonder if I had neglected to order meat.

Cuchara is a valiant effort in recreating the quick, dependable burrito and taco normally found in U.S. cities  but diners in South Korea will be disappointed if they expect the same taste as its American equivalent.

If you are desperately craving American-style burritos and tacos in South Korea, Cuchara should satisfy some of your needs.

Cuchara

Location: Ninth floor of the Galleria Department Store, Gwanggyo, Suwon. Nine other locations in Seoul and Seongnam.

Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday to Thursday; 10:30 a.m. 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Prices: Between 7,900 won and 20,000 won

Dress: Casual

Information: Online: cuchara.co.kr/about-cuchara
Chinas reported harassment of the Philippine coast guard near contested territory in the South China Sea is irresponsible, the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines said Friday.

Several Chinese coast guard vessels attempted on June 30 to prevent two Philippine patrol ships from reaching Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratly Islands, Philippine coast guard spokesman Jay Tarriela tweeted Wednesday.

In response, Ambassador MaryKay Carlson called on Beijing to comply with a 2016 ruling that rejected its claim on the shoal.

We are concerned by the unprofessional maneuvers of the China Coast Guard against the Philippines Coast Guard, she tweeted. [Chinas] irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea threatens the security and legal rights of our treaty ally, the Philippines.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration  an intergovernmental organization that facilitates dispute resolution between countries  ruled in 2016 that Second Thomas Shoal is part of the Philippines exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and exempt from Chinas claims.

Beijing, however, continues to assert that its entitled to the shoal 128 miles northwest of Palawan and 875 miles southeast of Hong Kong.

Beijing said the Philippine vessels intruded without Chinese permission into waters around the shoal, known in China as Renai Reef.

In accordance with the law, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel carried out law enforcement activities to uphold Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime order, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a Thursday news conference. The Chinese sides maneuvers were professional and restrained.

The Spratlys, a group of about 100 islands between Vietnam and the Philippines, are claimed in full by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Portions are also claimed by the Philippines and Malaysia.

About 45 islands are occupied by small contingents of military forces from all five countries, according to the CIAs World Factbook website.

Second Thomas Shoal is one of nine features occupied by the Philippine military, and in recent months has become a contentious landmark as Manila and Beijing grapple over it.

The Philippines in February accused China of temporarily blinding crew members on a coast guard vessel with a military-grade laser during a resupply mission near Second Thomas Shoal; in April, a Chinese Coast Guard vessel blocked a Philippine patrol ship near the shoal.

Chinese vessels appear to be exerting additional effort to prevent ships from reaching the shoal, Tarriela, the Philippines coast guard spokesman, said in his tweet.

Two additional Chinese navy warships were also sighted in the area, a report Tarriela called particularly alarming because the Philippine vessels were on a humanitarian mission to escort boats safely.

Despite this, the Chinese have deployed their warships, raising even greater concerns, he said, adding that the mission was successful.
NAHA, Okinawa  An Air Force captain and a Marine Corps lance corporal, convicted of separate drunken driving offenses committed on the same day last year, drew a suspended sentence and a fine, respectively.

A Japanese court in December sentenced Capt. Crosby Shaver to 14 months in prison, suspended for three years, after she pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol and crashing into two vehicles.

Shaver, who was assigned to Kadena Air Base, pleaded guilty in Naha District Court to violating Japanese traffic law and negligent driving resulting in injury on Aug. 27.

According to court documents, Shaver, 27, was westbound in the wrong lane on Route 23 in Chatan around 2:20 a.m. when her vehicle struck another car and a cargo truck. She was arrested at the scene.

One driver required a week of treatment for a sprained neck and shoulder pain, according to court documents. Another driver required three days of treatment for head and knee injuries, and a passenger required two weeks of treatment for whiplash.

A breath test measured Shavers blood-alcohol content at 0.06%, twice Japans legal limit of 0.03%, a city police spokesman said at the time. By comparison, all 50 U.S. states have set 0.08% as the legal limit for driving under the influence or driving while impaired.

Judge Takashi Kato sentenced Shaver on Dec. 22. She did not appeal the sentence, which was finalized Jan. 6, a spokeswoman for the Naha District Public Prosecutors Office told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

Some government spokespeople in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

In a separate incident, Marine Lance Cpl. Daniel Cervantes, 20, was fined $2,100 on Sept. 15 for driving under the influence of alcohol, also on Aug. 27.

According to court records, Cervantes was convicted on Sept. 15 in Naha Summary Court by Judge Shuji Shimamura.

Police at the time said Cervantes struck a parked vehicle in Ginowan, scratching its side, before he was stopped by police at 7:26 a.m.

A breath test measured Cervantes blood-alcohol content at 0.12%, four times Japans legal limit, police said.

Cervantes did not appeal the sentence or conviction, which was final Oct. 1, according to the spokeswoman.
ITOMAN, Okinawa  Hundreds of unexploded, U.S.-made shells believed to date to the Battle of Okinawa have been recovered from a small island by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

Eleven members of the 101st Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit, assisted by 10 members of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, collected 420 shells Wednesday and another 160 Thursday from Okahajima, a spokesman for the Ground Self-Defense Forces 15th Brigade told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday.

Okahajima, a half-mile from Itoman city, is a small island popular with kayakers.

The shells were mostly 3.5- and 3-inch rounds and white phosphorus bombs. The work was complete by noon Friday, the spokesman said.

Japanese police and the Self-Defense Force discovered the shells in February after tourists reported smoke on the island, the brigade spokesman said. Some government spokespeople in Japan are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

The spokesman said the removal went forward without any trouble and the collected shells were taken to a Ground Self-Defense Force base. They will be detonated or disposed of at a later date.

It is very unusual to collect this amount of unexploded ordnance, the spokesman said. "Most of the shells were from U.S.-made bombs. There were also shells from Japan-made bombs."

Approximately 10,000 tons of ordnance fell on Okinawa during the war and nearly 2,000 tons remain undiscovered, according to the prefectures General Bureau website. More than 13 tons were disposed of between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.

We do not know why so many shells were placed on this small island," a spokesman for the Itoman city Disaster Prevention Department said by phone Friday.
SEOUL, South Korea  A former South Korean army officer cleared of assault charges after slapping a subordinate on a U.S. military base in 2018 must stand trial again after the countrys highest court reversed an appellate courts ruling.

The officer  identified as a colonel in South Korean media reports  was convicted in a military court of assault for lightly slapping a soldier five to eight times for failing to salute, according to a June 15 decision by the Supreme Court of Korea. The conviction carried a maximum two-year prison term.

The decision sends the case to the Seoul High Court for retrial.

Both soldiers served in the same unit that supported the U.S. armed forces, according to the supreme court decision. The incident occurred at an unspecified base in Pyeongtaek, home of the U.S. Armys Camp Humphreys and the Air Forces Osan Air Base.

Names, ranks and other information about the soldiers were redacted in the court filing. Except in extreme cases of cruel crimes, South Korean law protects the identity of the accused.

An appellate court in 2019 overturned the officers conviction, ruling the military law did not apply because the assault took place on a foreign country's base and the victim expressed a desire for the defendants acquittal.

A prosecutor must dismiss a criminal case if the victim does not wish to punish a wrongdoer, according to South Korean law.

Prosecutors in 2020 took their case to the Supreme Court of Korea, which overturned the appellate decision.

That the offense occurred on a U.S. base was irrelevant, the court ruled. A military base where South Korean troops conduct military operations is the same as other military bases within the [South Korean] armed forces, the decision states.

The high court also ruled that the victims desire not to prosecute does not apply to a crime committed on a military base.

In military court, those involved in a case are supposed to be punished regardless of whether the victims and defendants reach an agreement, Dongin Law Group attorney Chun Seungsoo, a retired South Korean navy judge advocate and a former prosecutor, told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday.

Kim Hyungnam, director of the Seoul-based Center for Military Human Rights Korea, said he viewed the incident as an assault that needed to be prosecuted. Violence that was part of military life is no longer tolerated in South Korea, he said.

Nowadays, folks disagree with assault in the armed forces, Kim told Stars and Stripes by phone Thursday. Many people view violence in the military as more problematic than violence outside of military life.

Kim recalled the case of South Korean army Pfc. Yoon Seung-joo, 23, who died of asphyxiation in 2014 after six of his peers bullied and beat his chest as he was eating inside the barracks.

Something like this was sort of normal in the South Korean military in the past; however, beatings in the military have decreased these days, Kim said. Something like this is a habit gaining acceptance in the military  but incidents like this must be eradicated in the armed forces.
DNA testing has led to the arrest of a Nebraska man who was repeatedly questioned over decades in the 1978 stabbing death of a woman while he was stationed with the U.S. Army in Germany, authorities said.

Tommy Molina, 69, was arrested in the western Nebraska city of Gering on June 21, the U.S. Marshals Service in Omaha said in a statement Thursday. He is awaiting extradition to Germany to face a murder charge.

German prosecutors in the Bavarian city of Schweinfurt believe Molina, 24 at the time, was having an extramarital affair with 18-year-old Cornelia Humpfer when she was killed April 20, 1978.

He was initially questioned days after the killing and then again in 1996, after he told his third wife, while intoxicated, that a woman with whom he'd been having an affair had revealed she was pregnant and that he killed her, authorities said in a complaint unsealed at his initial appearance June 30 in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska.

If extradited, Molina will face murder charges in Germany that could lead to at least 15 years in prison. A date for his next hearing has not been set.

His public defender in the extradition case did not immediately return a call Friday seeking comment.

The case is laid out in the complaint, which seeks his extradition and includes documents from German prosecutors, the U.S. Army and the FBI.

The day after Humpfer was killed, her body was discovered on a roadside with 14 stab wounds in the neck and back. A witness said she had seen a small car with a green license plate used by the American military near where the woman's body was found. The vehicle description matched the Fiat 124 Molina owned at the time.

German authorities questioned Molina five days after the killing but didn't move forward with charges. He said he had been at home with his wife that night, and the wife said she couldn't remember the night.

For years, investigators made little progress until U.S. military authorities received new information, German prosecutors said.

In 1995, according to the complaint, Molina's third wife contacted U.S. Army criminal investigators in Fort Riley, Kansas, alleging that an intoxicated Molina repeatedly told her he had killed a German woman with a knife while stationed in Schweinfurt. He told her that he had been having an affair with her, and that she had said she was pregnant and intended to tell his wife.

Molina strongly denied involvement when questioned again in 1996, and the investigation moved slowly after that.

Later, the availability of new DNA technology led investigators to reopen the file.

They got a blood sample from Molina in 2020 under a federal search warrant and confirmed that genetic traces from the suspect were on key parts of the victim's clothing, German prosecutors said.

Karnowski reported from Minneapolis and Jordans from Berlin.
NAPLES, Italy  The opportunity of a lifetime almost didnt happen for Capt. John Randazzo.

A few years ago, the decorated Navy helicopter pilot and squadron leader, whose 24-year career spans deployments to the Middle East and service at the Pentagon, was pondering retirement.

Leading a helicopter squadron through the first half of the pandemic and later fulfilling an important but less dynamic role in Washington had left him exhausted and uncertain.

But a conversation with his wife, Laura, brought clarity and Randazzo realized he wasnt quite ready to leave the Navy. A new job on the chief of naval operations staff as executive assistant to the director of naval air warfare revitalized him.

I felt that fire again, like I can make a difference, Randazzo said during an interview last week.

On Friday, Randazzo relieved Capt. James Stewart to become the 36th commander of Naval Support Activity Naples, the services largest installation in Italy. The hourlong ceremony was overseen by Rear Adm. Brad Collins, commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central.

This is going to be my most challenging tour, for sure, and the place I can make the biggest impact, said Randazzo, who joined the service in 1995 at 17 and spent a year at the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School before advancing to the academy.

Taking the job wasnt a hard decision.

The mission was ideal, he thought, allowing him to apply the management skills he had refined in supporting service members and their families, among many responsibilities.

Naples also was the unanimous choice of his wife and two teenage children, who are experiencing their first overseas tour.

He is eager to try his hand at Italian cooking and woodworking, and visit the Sicilian town that shares his surname.

This tour is a good match point for all of that, said Randazzo, whose grandfather served as an enlisted sailor in Naples in 1946.

Its a big assignment, he acknowledged. The base includes Capodichino, an administrative site near Naples International Airport, as well as family housing, schools and other services at Support Site, about 15 miles away.

A recreation area in nearby Pozzuoli, a port facility in Gaeta and responsibilities at Allied Joint Force Command Naples also are part of his new role. NSA Naples is home to U.S. 6th Fleet, among 55 commands.

Randazzo said hell spend his first months on the job building relationships with sailors, staff and others, a process that will help build the trust needed to fulfill the bases mission. The effort incudes empowering people to ask challenging questions, he said.

Fridays ceremony also capped a 26-year Navy career for Stewart, who had commanded the base since June 2020. Stewart steered the base and its more than 10,000 American and Italian personnel through the COVID-19 pandemic and the U.S. response in Italy to more than 4,300 Afghan refugees, among other accomplishments.

For any other commander this might have seemed an overwhelming task but (Stewart is) one of the Navys best, Collins said.
U.S. allies in NATO ramped up defense spending in 2023 as more members hit a key target that for years proved elusive, the alliances top official announced Friday.

This is the biggest (spending) increase in decades and the ninth consecutive year of increases in our defense spending, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during a news conference at his Brussels headquarters.

In all, 11 of the 31 member countries will hit the NATO benchmark this year that calls for allies to dedicate 2% of their gross domestic product to defense matters, Stoltenberg said.

That is up from seven nations the previous year and three in 2014, when military spending became a larger alliance priority. The spending boost in 2023 by European allies and Canada added up to an 8.3% increase overall.

Getting allies to spend more on defense has been a long-standing U.S. priority. Stoltenberg highlighted the expenditures ahead of next weeks NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

President Joe Biden and other heads of state will gather to approve an array of new battle plans designed to defend NATO territory against Russia and other threats.

In addition, members are expected to agree on a pathway for Ukraine to eventually join the alliance, something that is off the table in the immediate term given the ongoing war there, Stoltenberg said.

While the details continue to be worked out regarding Ukraines future membership, Stoltenberg said Kyivs status in the alliance will be elevated with the creation of the Ukraine-NATO Council.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join allies at the summit for an inaugural meeting of the council during the two-day gathering that begins Tuesday.

This will be a platform for crisis consultation and decision-making where we all sit as equals to address shared security concerns, Stoltenberg said.

In Vilnius, members also are expected to discuss more concrete defense spending commitments that would make expenditures of 2% of their GDP on defense a bare minimum.

Still, the sharp increase in expenditures in 2023 is a notable step forward for an alliance that for years was in fiscal decline. The military buildup started in 2014 with Russias initial invasion of Ukraine.

Still, the progress proved slow, and the focus on defense spending, or lack thereof, only intensified during the tenure of former President Donald Trump, who routinely criticized many allies for falling short of spending targets.

Then Russias full-fledged invasion of Ukraine delivered another jolt to allies in Europe, most notably Germany, which pledged to significantly increase its defense budget.

For NATO, even more investments will likely be needed in the years ahead as new defense plans are put into action. Those plans will call for more troops operating at higher levels of readiness and for more equipment to support them.

The plans are being finalized and will be approved by leaders at the Vilnius summit, Stoltenberg said.

The regional strategy will detail how the alliance fights should war break out, with individualized plans for the Baltic states, central and southern Europe and up into the Arctic.

To execute these plans, NATO is putting 300,000 troops on higher readiness, including substantial air and naval combat power, Stoltenberg said.
KYIV, Ukraine - Top Ukrainian officials are hoping that next week's NATO leaders' summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, will be an epic moment - when Ukraine finally receives a "clear signal" that it will eventually join the alliance, anchoring the country in the West's security infrastructure and sending an unequivocal message to Moscow.

Yuriy Sak, an adviser to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, said the summit "must end" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg "standing next to each other" and proclaiming, in Sak's words: "Today, we have reached a historical decision. Today, we have invited Ukraine to join NATO."

"Then everyone drinks champagne," Sak said.

But just days before leaders arrive in the Lithuanian capital, it's far from clear that corks will be popping - or that there are even any bottles to put on ice. Instead, questions loom about what options Ukraine will be left with if its hopes are dashed, which may probably be the case.

NATO allies are still negotiating what exactly to offer Ukraine at the meeting, which begins Tuesday.

On Friday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg kept things vague, saying only that allies would "reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member" - which has been the alliance's fraught position for 15 years - and "unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to this goal."

Washington, which holds the greatest sway over decisions of the 31-member alliance, has been maneuvering for months to lower Kyiv's expectations by focusing the conversation on "security guarantees" rather than membership in the near term, which many allies see as impossible to even discuss so long as Ukraine remains at war with Russia.

Reznikov said the Vilnius summit will afford the alliance an opportunity to "correct the mistake" that was made at a 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest - where Ukraine and Georgia were told they would become members sometime in the future, without saying when or how this would come about.

In hindsight, many officials and analysts say this made the countries a target for Russian invasion - Georgia in 2008, and Ukraine in 2014 and again last year - without providing the protections of NATO's collective defense doctrine, in which an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all.

"'The doors are open,' they told us, but they didn't show us where to find these doors, how to get in - and we're ready," Reznikov said in an interview.

Others, however, still question Kyiv's "readiness." Ukraine still has a long way to reform its military and tackle its chronic problem with corruption, which will be a concern of Western politicians when looking at Kyiv's application.

Publicly, Ukrainian officials are pushing hard for an invitation even without a fixed date. In an interview broadcast on CNN Wednesday evening, Zelensky called on President Biden to invite Ukraine into the alliance "now."

Biden, Zelensky said, was NATO's chief "decision-maker."

Zelensky said he understood that membership could not happen while Ukraine is fighting Russia's invasion, in keeping with the alliance's policy of requiring territorial disputes to be resolved before accession. "We understand everything," Zelensky said. "But this signal is really very important."

With or without membership, Ukrainian officials are looking for security commitments by Western nations "without delay and as soon as possible," which would potentially encourage Moscow to withdraw its forces. Many analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is counting on Ukraine's Western supporters to grow exhausted and halt the expensive flow of weapons and economic aid they have been sending to Kyiv.

Such security guarantees could also serve to deter Russia from any major acts of aggression in the future. "I am sure that if the regime in the Kremlin does not change in the coming years, even after our victory, there will be - in their heads - a desire for revenge," Reznikov said.

Details of the security package are still not finalized, diplomats said. But U.S. and NATO officials have described evolving proposals for bilateral or multilateral agreements that they characterized as mutual defense pacts or security memorandums with Ukraine.

The Biden administration has tried to shift the debate toward long-term security pacts as an alternative to near-term membership. The United States also has given tentative backing to a plan to remove barriers to Ukraine's entry - by, say, allowing Ukraine to later circumvent the alliance's Membership Action Plan in the future, but without actually setting a timeline.

It is unclear, however, that such agreements would do much more to help Ukraine at the moment. No NATO ally appears willing to send its own soldiers to fight in Ukraine. And the United States has repeatedly balked at sending Ukraine its most advanced weapons.

Reznikov, in a separate text message, said that "we've made it very clear to our partners" that security guarantees for Ukraine "should be comprehensive and include military and financial assistance, as well as economic guarantees."

And they "have to be real," he added - unlike the Budapest Memorandum, which Ukraine signed in 1994, that gave assurances that Russia and other powers would not use military force against Ukraine in exchange for Kyiv giving up its nuclear weapons. This, Reznikov said, "turned out not worth the paper it was written on."

Ukraine may find it difficult to fulfill its security needs, however, leaving it in an uncertain situation similar to the one it found itself in before the war with Russia.

Virtually any outcome of the Vilnius summit, short of an immediate invitation to join NATO, seems likely to leave Ukraine in pretty much the same limbo that it faced after Bucharest. While Kyiv has received an unprecedented supply of weapons and ammunition from the West, it is not clear that Ukraine's allies will be able to sustain this indefinitely. Democratic Western governments must also adjust to election results if voters demand change.

Without a clear commitment, some Ukrainian officials see a worst-case scenario in which support for Kyiv eventually crumbles, especially if Biden is defeated by a Republican in next year's presidential race. Ukraine and its supporters hope to lock in its security assurances for years to come, regardless of who occupies the White House.

While there is broad agreement that the alliance should enhance its political relationship with Kyiv, there are big divisions about what that actually means.

In the days leading up to the summit, as Ukraine fights Russia, NATO country aides are engaged in their own battle over how to word the summit's concluding declaration.

NATO is expected to upgrade the NATO-Ukraine Commission, a forum for consultation, to a Ukraine-NATO Council, a shift that NATO insists will give Ukraine more agency, including the ability to convene meetings and raise issues. The council's first meeting will be held Thursday, the second day of the summit, with allied leaders in attendance.

Beyond that, things are very much in flux.

Aside from the creation of the council, Reznikov said Ukrainian officials have a list of key areas of cooperation with NATO - in procurement, training and joint defense planning - which they hope the Vilnius summit will confirm.

In the Vilnius declaration, allies must find language that does not give Russia a "veto" over membership, said Camille Grand, a former NATO assistant secretary general for defense investment who is now a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations. "We have to counter the notion that to be eligible for membership they have to be at peace with Russia," Grand said, "that if you have a frozen conflict, you are not welcome."

Reznikov and other Ukrainian officials say Ukraine has already more than proved its worth. NATO, he said, was created "as a solution against Soviet aggression" - a role that Moscow has inherited. "We are carrying out the NATO mission that it was created for - the only army in the world doing this," Reznikov said.

"There is no other such army with such experience to defeat Russia," he said. "Other arguments are not even necessary."

If Kyiv does not receive an invitation in Vilnius, or some clear commitment, the disappointment will be felt across Ukraine, civil society activists say.

A formal invitation would send "a clear signal to Russia that Ukraine is not considered as a buffer zone anymore," said Hanna Hopko, a former member of Ukraine's parliament and founder of the International Center for Ukrainian Victory, an advocacy group.

"The crime of inaction is worse than crimes of aggression when you know you can help and save lives but don't do this or deliberately delay these decisions," Hopko said. "This is how evil prevails."

Rauhala reported from Brussels.
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday gave full approval, for the first time, to a drug that modestly slows Alzheimers disease  a development that offers a degree of hope for treating the memory-robbing disease but also raises difficult questions about safety, effectiveness and cost.

The agency had previously granted the drug, called Leqembi, accelerated approval based on its ability to reduce amyloid clumps in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimers. Thursdays action was based on later-stage data that showed the treatment slowed cognitive and functional decline by 27 percent over 18 months compared with placebo. That represented a five-month slowdown in progression, experts said.

Todays action is the first verification that a drug targeting the underlying disease process of Alzheimers disease has shown clinical benefit in this devastating disease, said Teresa Buracchio, acting director of the Office of Neuroscience in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. This confirmatory study verified that it is a safe and effective treatment for patients with Alzheimers disease.

The FDA action means the drug will be available to a broader swath of people, Medicare said Thursday. The health program for older Americans declined to pay for the drug outside of clinical trials after it received accelerated approval. But Medicare said the treatment would be covered once it received full FDA approval - as long as prescribers participate in registries that collect evidence about how Leqembi works in the real world.

Leqembi, which is given intravenously every other week, is for early-stage patients with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia caused by Alzheimers, and a confirmed buildup of amyloid in their brains.

The FDA said the drugs label will include a boxed warning highlighting safety issues. That warning, sometimes called a black box, says that Leqembi, and other members of a new class of anti-amyloid drugs, can cause brain swelling and bleeding. The side effect, called ARIA - amyloid-related imaging abnormalities - usually is asymptomatic and managed safely. But life-threatening incidents can occur in rare cases, the FDA said.

Three patient deaths in an extended portion of Leqembis main trial were thought to be linked to the drug. About 21 percent of trial participants who received the drug experienced ARIA, but only a small percentage had symptoms. About 9 percent of those who received the placebo had the side effect.

The boxed warning also says that patients with two copies of a genetic variant that increases the risk of developing Alzheimers - called APOE4 - appear to be at considerably higher risk of complications from Leqembi. The FDA recommended, but did not require, that genetic testing occur before a patient receives the drug.

Elsewhere in the label, the FDA urged physicians to use caution in prescribing Leqembi to people on blood thinners. Some clinics have said they dont plan to give the drug to people on blood thinners because of concerns about possible bleeding in the brain.

Leqembi, from the pharmaceutical company Eisai in Tokyo and Biogen in Cambridge, Mass., is a monoclonal antibody, or lab-made protein, that targets amyloid beta in the brain. It is not a cure and does not restore memories ravaged by the fatal neurodegenerative disease. But many neurologists say having a drug that slows Alzheimers, even modestly, is a milestone after years of failed drug trials.

Nevertheless, the drugs side effects, and its $26,500-a-year price tag, have generated controversy about the medication, also called lecanemab. Some doctors are skeptical, saying the drug is not effective enough. Others doubt amyloid is the root cause of Alzheimers.

Jerry Avorn, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, worries patients will wrongly expect the medication to improve their memory and thinking skills. Thats untrue, he said. It will just make grandma forget a tiny bit less. And he noted that patients who get the drug will have to undergo multiple brain scans and make frequent trips to infusion centers, which could be a burden.

Some skeptics have said patients might not notice the effects of the drug. In an editorial last December, after the results from the pivotal trial were released, the British medical journal Lancet said the drugs impact might not be clinically meaningful and urged physicians to highlight reducing risk factors for dementia such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes and obesity.

But Ivan Cheung, chairman and CEO of Eisai in the United States, said in an interview Thursday the data clearly shows the drug is clinically meaningful for patients and also provides societal value to caregivers and families. He said the approval Thursday was a triumph for patients, families and those who treat Alzheimers after decades of hard work and dashed hopes.

Keith Vossel, director of the Alzheimers center at UCLA, said he was excited about Leqembi, calling it a breakthrough scientifically.

But he added that dementia experts would have to carefully explain the medications benefits and risks. Usually, initial visits with patients last about an hour, but just a discussion on Leqembi could take 30 minutes because it requires a lengthy discussion of how the drug works, and what that means, he said.

Vossel said the clinic will have an amyloid infusion core of experts to review patients who meet the initial screening requirements to ensure the drug is appropriate. He said the group would operate like a tumor board does for cancer cases.

Two years ago, the FDA granted accelerated approval to another antibody drug called Aduhelm. Some of the trial data indicated that medication slowed Alzheimers, but the information was so confusing and contradictory that Aduhelm failed in the marketplace and never received traditional approval.

More than 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimers - and that number does not include many people with mild cognitive impairment who often are not diagnosed.

Pamela Spicer, therapy area director at Citeline, a company that tracks global drug development, predicted the initial demand for Leqembi would be subdued. The rollout is not going to be immediate, she said. Even at academic medical centers, where the drug is likely to be offered, it might take months for doctors to establish safety protocols and learn how to secure Medicare coverage for patients.

The Medicare requirement that patients and providers enroll in registries has been harshly criticized by some advocacy groups, including the Alzheimers Association. They say some doctors might not want to take part in a registry, curbing access for patients. In the past, such registries have mostly been used for complex medical devices, not drugs.

But many physicians say gathering data about how Leqembi affects patients could prove helpful in answering questions and is not a significant burden.

In a statement Thursday, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said, With FDAs decision, CMS will cover this medication broadly while continuing to gather data that will help us understand how the drug works.

Even with Medicare coverage, patients could face thousands of dollars in drug bills; typically patients are responsible for 20 percent of the cost of infused drugs. And it is not clear whether other tests, including genetic ones, will be covered. Most patients who are likely to get the drug are expected to be in Medicare because of their age or, if they are younger than 65, because they are receiving Social Security disability benefits.

The Department of Veterans Affairs already covers the drug, although not for people who have two copies of the APOE4 gene. Private insurers often follow Medicares lead.

John Driscoll, 80, who lives in Manhattan Beach, Calif., has been getting Leqembi for three years as part of the trial, called Clarity AD. At first, he received infusions but now injects himself in the thigh as part of a study to test self-administration, a formulation not yet approved by the FDA.

Driscoll, who is being treated at UCLA, said he believes the drug, along with the support of a large and loving family, is slowing his decline, though he does not know by how much. My memory loss now is not overwhelming, he said.

But he acknowledges the drug will not keep him from getting worse. Im choosing not to pout or cry about it, he said. I just keep going forward.

Laurie Scherrer of Albertville, Ala., who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers a decade ago at age 55, said she had a bad experience with Aricept, which treats symptoms such as confusion, and is not interested in Leqembi.

I have found that having a purpose and a positive attitude and mind-set, and getting exercise and fresh air, has worked better than any drug could, said Scherrer, who is on the board of an organization called Dementia Action Alliance that runs support groups and activities for people with dementia. A drug does not get you up out of the recliner.

Another anti-amyloid drug, by Eli Lilly, is on the horizon. The company is expected to release details of the data from its main clinical trial for donanemab this month, and may get FDA approval at the end of the year or early next year.

The arrival of two anti-amyloid drugs could mean billions of dollars in additional Medicare spending, analysts say, but the exact cost depends on how many patients receive them, which is not known.

Eisai has forecast that 100,000 people will be eligible to receive Leqembi or a similar drug after three years, but many analysts say the estimate is too low.

Amyloid is thought to be one factor - although not the only one - that contributes to Alzheimers. Clinical trials also are testing drugs that target inflammation and tau tangles, another characteristic signature of Alzheimers.

To be eligible for Leqembi, patients will need evidence they have a buildup of amyloid in their brains - as determined by lumbar punctures, also known as spinal taps, or by costly PET scans generally not covered by Medicare.

Joanne Pike, president and CEO of the Alzheimers Association, which has been pressing Medicare to provide unfettered coverage of Leqembi, said people should not underestimate the value of even a few months of slower decline.

This gives people more months of recognizing their spouse, children and grandchildren, Pike said in a statement. This also means more time for a person to drive safely, accurately and promptly take care of family finances, and participate fully in hobbies and interests.

Avorn, of Harvard, views it differently and plans a demarketing campaign to highlight the drawbacks of Leqembi. He hopes to discourage primary-care doctors from referring patients to memory clinics to get Leqembi.

If this were an improvement, I would say, Hooray, lets do it, Avorn added. But once people see it is a modest slowing of decline, people will weigh it more carefully.

University of Kansas neurologist Jeffrey M. Burns acknowledged that doctors need more information about how the drug works. It may be an incremental change or a huge step forward, he said. But it is a whole new era. Finding patients who might respond is a whole new way of going after the disease.
AUSTIN, Texas  A Fort Bliss soldier was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to making and selling automatic weapon converters without charging the required federal tax, according to court documents.

Spc. Grant Lee Mosley, 26, was arrested by the FBI and indicted in August on charges of 3-D printing accessories to convert firearms into fully automatic ones in his barracks room at the west Texas Army base.

The manufacturing and selling of such devices are regulated by the National Firearms Act. As part of a plea agreement, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Cardone sentenced Mosley in the El Paso Division of the Western District of Texas.

The three other charges against Mosley were dropped as part of the agreement. Those charges were for dealing and manufacturing firearms without a license, transferring or possessing a machine gun, and receiving or possessing a firearm that doesnt have a serial number.

Mosley, who enlisted in the Army in May 2019 as a combat engineer, posted to social media last year asking for funding for his gun manufacturing business, according to court documents. He also used online message platforms to advertise and sell conversion devices, commonly referred to as switches and auto sears, across the United States in violation of law.

Agents posed as potential buyers, sending money to Mosley through a smartphone application. Mosley sent them the items, which were found to have his fingerprints on them, according to court documents. In one transaction, agents paid $400 for five fully automatic auto sears.

Mosley used a 3-D printer to make the items in his Fort Bliss barracks room and used a storage facility in El Paso, the nearest city, according to court documents.
Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps Troy Black, the top enlisted Marine, will become the Pentagons highest ranking enlisted service member, the Defense Department announced Friday.

Black, a 35-year Marine who has served in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, will become the fifth senior enlisted adviser to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, or SEAC, according to the Pentagon. Black was selected by Army Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, for the position, which provides advice and insights on the enlisted force to the top U.S. general and the Pentagons top civilian leaders.

Black will replace SEAC Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez, who is slated to retire Nov. 3 after 33 years in the Air Force. Colon-Lopez has held the SEAC job since December 2019.

Black has served as the sergeant major of the Marine Corps since 2019, during a stretch of time that saw great change in that service. During Blacks time as the top Marine, the service eliminated the Corps tank units and pivoted the service toward preparing for expeditionary fights after it spent some two decades conducting land wars.

Originally an infantry machine gunner, Black has served at every enlisted level in the Marine Corps, according to his official biography. He deployed in 1989 aboard the USS Forrestal supercarrier in support of Operation Just Cause in Panama. One year later, Black deployed to Kuwait with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

He served two tours at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., as a drill instructor and senior drill instructor before multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, according to his biography. He deployed twice to Iraq between 2003 and 2006 with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines. Black then served two deployments to Afghanistan between 2009 and 2011 as the sergeant major for the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines.

Black was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with V device for valor in 2010 for actions in Afghanistan. He was credited with running several hundred yards through an uncleared area to rescue the remains of a fallen Marine who had been killed by an improvised explosive device. The Bronze Star citation credited him with routinely braving enemy fire during that deployment to lead his Marines from the front on some 50 missions.

Blacks boldness under fire continually imbued his Marines with confidence and a steady resolve," his award citation reads. "He consistently demonstrated a sincere dedication to his Marines and sailors and inspired them to overcome incredible challenges to accomplish their mission.

The Bronze Star is not Blacks only valor award. He has also received a Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with V device for combat valor, according to the Marine Corps.

Black will become the second Marine to serve as the SEAC. Retire Sgt. Maj. Bryan Battaglia held that job from 2011 to 2015. Two Army sergeant majors have served as SEAC. No service members from the Navy or Space Force have held the job. Colon-Lopez is the only airman to have held the post.

When he takes the top enlisted job at the Pentagon, Black will likely work alongside Air Force Gen. Charles CQ Brown, who was nominated by President Joe Biden in May to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Milley is expected to retire by October.
The man arrested last month with multiple firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition near the Washington, D.C., home of former President Barack Obama is a Navy veteran who served in combat in Iraq, the service said Friday.

Taylor Franklin Taranto, 37, served in the sea service from 2004 to 2010 and earned a Combat Action Ribbon while serving on a deployment to Iraq, Navy records show. The Combat Action Ribbon is awarded to Marines, sailors and Coast Guard members "who have actively participated in ground or surface combat, according to the services.

Taranto, who is from Washington state, was captured by Washington Metropolitan police June 29 in the neighborhood where the former president and his wife, Michelle, live. The veteran was arrested after Secret Service agents observed him walking near a restricted area close to the Obamas home, according to federal prosecutors. A search of the van in which Taranto had been living and parked near the Obamas home turned up at least two firearms, a machete, hundreds of rounds of nine-millimeter ammunition, and bomb-making materials, according to court documents.

Taranto also was wanted on four misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in which he was accused of unlawfully entering the U.S. Capitol. Prosecutors intend to charge him with felony counts, they told a judge during a hearing Thursday, CNN reported. The prosecutors did not reveal the specific charges Taranto might face.

Prosecutors alleged Taranto had made threats online against House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., according to CNN. Raskin is a prominent lawmaker involved in the House investigation into former President Donald Trumps actions on Jan. 6, 2021. CNN also reported Taranto was part of a group of people who entered an elementary school near Raskins Maryland home, walked throughout the school and used a projector to display a film related to Jan. 6. Prosecutors said Taranto had live-streamed the incident online.

Prosecutors said Taranto also had been live-streaming on the day of his arrest. They allege he had told his YouTube followers that he had been attempting to find a good angle on a shot, while near the Obamas home.

Tarantos Navy records show he enlisted in August 2004 and was discharged in November 2010 after reaching the rank of E-5, petty officer second class, in 2009. He initially worked in information warfare before reclassifying to serve in the Seabees as a construction equipment operator, his records show.

He served in Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, based at Port Hueneme, Calif., from 2008 to 2010, according to his records. That unit routinely deploys around the world to provide expeditionary construction and engineering capabilities to U.S. forces, according to the Navy.

Navy officials declined to provide a characterization of Tarantos discharge on Friday. However, the federal defender representing him wrote in a court document that he had been honorably discharged from the Navy.

Taranto is due back in court on Wednesday, according to CNN.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(Tribune News Service)  Mitch McConnell has had the National Defense Authorization Act on his brain for weeks, complaining about the pace of the annual allocation for military spending and warning that its size will be integral in deterring creeping Chinese aggression.

With the $886 billion bill set to hit the House floor next week, the tenor and breadth of the debate will begin to reveal the chasm between the more conservative House  which is seeking a slew of cultural and spending restraints  and the Senate, which is prioritizing robust military deterrence around the globe.

Some hardline House Republicans are already balking at voting for the immense measure if it contains continued funding for Ukraines battle against Russian aggression, spending that McConnell sees as an imperative.

Last month, McConnell indicated he believes the $886 billion total earmarked for 2024 defense spending is simply insufficient and senators from both parties have expressed support for a supplemental stipend to bolster the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

If you want to send a message to President Xi in China, defeat Russia in Ukraine, McConnell said during a visit to Fort Knox on Wednesday.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthys position has been muddled, saying during a trip in Israel he would vote for Ukrainian aid months after insisting the war-torn country would not receive a blank check.

The U.S. has provided Ukraine with more than $75 billion in assistance since Russia invaded its neighbor in February of 2022, including $30 billion in military aid, $24 billion in economic aid and $11 billion for humanitarian purposes.

But as the war slogs through a second year and a stalemate continues, the share of Americans souring on U.S. involvement has steadily ticked up.

More than 4 in 10 (44%) Republicans now say the U.S. is giving too much aid to Ukraine, up from 40% in January, according to a Pew Research Center poll released in June.

Thats likely to put pressure on some conservative lawmakers to pump the breaks on the spigot of financial assistance the U.S. is sending overseas.

Michael OHanlon, a senior fellow and director of research for Brookings Foreign Policy, said its still too early to predict how the NDAA will play out  except that a swift agreement is unlikely. Its likely to take months to resolve differences between the chambers.

I would be stunned if anything like consensus emerged early in the summer. Id be surprised if anything like consensus emerged even by Sept. 30, OHanlon said. This feels like yet another year of continuing resolutions, piecemeal agreements, wait-and-see approaches, baby steps towards compromiseand perhaps a decent amount of brinkmanship along the way too.

McConnell has delivered two speeches in the past month highlighting how the NDAA should be composed to combat China and improve our ability to project power into the Asia-Pacific through deepening cooperation between allies.

Its an opportunity to reform Americas sluggish foreign military sales procedures, promote interoperability, and expand joint exercises and access agreements across the region, the GOP leader said on the Senate floor. Remember, threats of sanctions and stern diplomatic warnings didnt deter Vladimir Putin in Ukraine. Words alone will not deter Chinese aggression in Asia.

But before the Senate can place their fingerprints on the bill, itll have to make it through the House, which is expected to consider dozens of amendments next week.

Those include everything from restricting diversity programs to prohibiting sending F-16s and long-range missiles to Ukraine to ending marijuana testing for military personnel when they choose to enlist and term-limiting the Capitols attending physician.

Rep. Thomas Massie, the northern Kentucky Republican who typically votes against the annual Pentagon bill, will be a key vote given that McCarthy has only a wafer-thin four-vote margin to achieve passage.

On the Senate side, Rand Paul has also been a reliable no vote on NDAA, having voted against final passage of the sweeping spending bill in both 2021 and 2022.

And in the waning days of former Donald Trumps administration in 2021, McConnells GOP- controlled Senate voted to override the presidents veto of a $741 billion defense bill.

Massie breaks ceiling streak of no votes, enabling GOP House to pass debt limit bill

As McConnell pushes for more Ukraine aid, Republican opposition grows louder

2023 McClatchy Washington Bureau.

Visit mcclatchydc.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  It was the morning of Oct. 26, 1966 and Jim Harlander was serving off the coast of North Vietnam aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, when a deadly fire erupted.

The smoke and flames raced through five decks, killing 44 men, many of them veteran combat pilots who had flown sorties over Vietnam just a few hours earlier.

"He never talked about it," said Jim's wife, Gay Harlander.

Then in 2018, the U.S. Navy veteran joined Honor Flight Kern County's flight No. 34 from Bakersfield to the nation's capital. With his granddaughter, Amber Nicks, as his guardian, the two were able to trace the names of most of his shipmates, the men who were lost that day nearly six decades ago from the names engraved on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

When Jim Harlander returned home, something had changed. And after he and Gay shared a second trip back to Washington, D.C., he was better still.

"He never talked about it until he came back. Even then, he didn't talk about it much until he came back from our trip," Gay Harlander said of her husband, now 80.

Honor Flight Kern County founder Lili Marsh and other Honor Flight volunteers have heard similar stories from veterans' families and loved ones countless times. Most come back, they say, changed for the better.

Jim and Gay Harlander joined hundreds of Honor Flight Kern County veterans, family members, supporters and volunteers Thursday morning for the monthly Honor Flight Breakfast at the Elks Club in downtown Bakersfield.

Besides the sausage, scrambled eggs and coffee, there were announcements of fundraising successes. Without fundraising, and without the generosity of individuals and local businesses, these flights, nearly four dozen since the first one in 2012, could not happen.

The Veteran Family Band, which volunteers to perform at numerous veteran-related and patriotic events throughout the year, were thanked and honored for their long history of volunteerism.

Since its first flight in 2012, the all-volunteer nonprofit has flown nearly 2,000 veterans to the nation's capital. They receive a hero's send-off in Bakersfield and a hero's welcome in Washington, D.C., where they take guided tours of the memorials, including the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, Lincoln, Women's, Navy, Marine and Air Force memorials. They also witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.

(c)2023 The Bakersfield Californian (Bakersfield, Calif.)

Visit The Bakersfield Californian

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Pakistan observed 'Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran' to lodge a strong protest against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden  a country that has repeatedly allowed such vile acts.

Demonstrations are being held nationwide, with people from different walks of life participating in the protests to express their resentment over the desecration of the holy book.

A person, who migrated from Iraq to Sweden, burned pages of the Holy Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on the first day of Eid ul Adha, prompting outrage in the Muslim world and condemnation from Pope Francis.

On Tuesday, while presiding over a meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif decided to stage countrywide protests over the incident and appealed to all the political parties and the nation to partake in the rallies.

Speaking with one voice, the whole nation will give a message to the evil minds, said the premier. He maintained that the nation will observe the Youm-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran on Friday.

Several demonstrations have been held throughout the country since the incident, with people belonging to other religions also partaking in them to express their annoyance over the desecration of the holy book.

In a tweet today, the PM said the nation stands united when it comes to Holy Quran, noting that not only Pakistanis but the entire Muslim world was concerned over the vile act.

The premier said people across the country would express their emotions over the heart-wrenching incident after Friday prayers, where "all Muslims will raise the flag of the Holy Quran's honour and record their protest".

"Quran is in our hearts. The Quran is not only a recitation for us but a guideline for living," the prime minister added.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden is another example of the rising Islamophobic mindset that seeks to dehumanise and denigrate Islam.

"It is an act of blatant provocation to try [to] inflame sentiments and undermine Islam as a religion of peace, tolerance, and acceptance," the top diplomat said.

"Pakistan will be raising this issue at the UNHRC urgent debate in Geneva on behalf of the OIC Group on 11 July on the premeditated acts of desecration of Holy Quran."

Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman said the desecration of the holy book not only dehumanises Islam, but also deliberately seeks to provoke Muslim sentiment and ignite emotions to undermine the basic teachings of Islam as a religion of peace, tolerance, and acceptance.

"Pakistan will be raising this issue at the UNHRC urgent debate in Geneva on behalf of the OIC Group on 11 July on the premeditated acts of desecration of Holy Quran."
"Please let this family have some peace and let us get the answers we need to bring closure in this case," an Aurora resident whose son was shot to death pleaded.

Aurora investigators are asking for the public's help in finding the person responsible for fatally shooting 13-year-old Phoenix Day in late March.

The shooting happened at the Town Center at Aurora mall at 14300 E. Alameda Way just after 8 p.m. on March 25, according to Aurora police.

Responding officers were working off-duty at the mall when they were alerted to a fight involving a group of teenagers near the food court, Aurora police agent Nicholas Lesnansky said at a Friday press conference.

While officers responded, they were notified of shots fired outside of Dillard's just before 8 p.m. and "responded in moments," finding Day with two gunshot wounds, Lesnansky said.

An officer did CPR on Day until paramedics arrived to transport him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead at about 8:24 p.m.

Investigators found that Day and a group of friends he was with were involved in a shouting match with another group of teens just before the shooting.

The two groups left the mall with the intention to fight in the movie theater parking lot across the street when Day was shot twice by an unknown assailant, Lesnansky said.

Since then, investigators have reviewed more than 100 hours of video surveillance footage, conducted interviews with shoppers and other teens involved in the two groups and executed "numerous" search warrants. None of the efforts yielded a suspect identification.

Police have sorted through numerous calls the night of the shooting and have developed "quite a few" possible suspect descriptions, but all of them were consistent in that they believed the suspect to be a Black teenage male, according to police.

"We do know that there are numerous potential witnesses who may have information about the homicide that have not been identified and spoken to by detectives," Lesnansky said. "We're not going to rest and will continue to investigate this case."

Day's mother, Tabatha Denney, referred to her son as her "best friend," saying he had a lot of challenges in his life, but was never held back by them.

Day moved to Colorado 13 months before his death to "have a better life" and was excited to "finally be home with mom," Denney said.

"Phoenix was working really hard with a mentor who works with at-risk youth, we just needed more time," Denney said. "Phoenix was making big changes we were so proud of him."

Denney pleaded for anyone with information who saw her son on the day he died or know anything about what happened to reach out to police.

"No details are too small," Denney said. "No mother should feel the way I've felt the past three months."

Due to the large crime scene area and many people at the mall on the Saturday of Day's death, locating all of the witnesses and those who may have small, but useful, bits of information has been difficult, police said.

Aurora Police Department spokesperson Sydney Edwards said officials have not determined if the two groups involved in the altercation were gang-related.

Day's death is part of a larger crisis across the county where police are seeing more and more youth involved in crime and violence, police said.

"We are seeing an uptick in youth involved in crime in our area," Edwards said. "It just seems that this is happening too often right now."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867 . Crime Stoppers is offering a $4,000 reward for information on the homicide.
Gardai said the bank discovered the money had been transferred to a Revolut account linked to the accused

A nail technician has been charged with money laundering after 19,000 was allegedly transferred to her bank account.

Nadja Kajic (21) was identified as the culprit, it is alleged, as the victim quickly informed the bank that money had been removed from their account.

Judge Ciaran Liddy accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case in the District Court, and ordered the disclosure of any statements.

The accused, of Bellgree Boulevard, Tyrrelstown, appeared before Blanchardstown District Court charged with concealing the true source and ownership of property, some 19,312 in cash, which was the proceeds of crime, on May 12, 2021.

Outlining the allegation for jurisdiction purposes, Sergeant Maria Callaghan alleged the victim downloaded the Bank of Ireland app, and then later received a text

Sgt Callaghan alleged the victim found themselves blocked from accessing the app, and when they checked, it was discovered that 19,312 had been taken from their bank account.

Sgt Callaghan said the bank discovered the money had been transferred to a Revolut account linked to the accused. The money was recovered, and returned to the injured party, she said.

Solicitor Kelly Breen was assigned on free legal aid.

Ms Kajic has not yet indicated a plea to the charge.
The firm maintained the worker was already on a final written warning over a pattern of unacceptable behaviour

Irish Distillers has been ordered to pay 35,000 for sacking a restaurant worker who was late 91 times and was accused of using offensive language about a supervisor when he pulled her up for clocking in late after a night of socialising.

The firm maintained the worker was already on a final written warning over a pattern of unacceptable behaviour  with its top executive in Cork saying he was faced with an employee who had been late on 91 out of 118 occasions at the time he decided to dismiss her.

But the workers solicitor said his client was using alcohol as a crutch for an anxiety disorder while struggling to return to work after a period of sick leave, and that the matter should have been dealt by the firms HR department, not local management in Cork.

Upholding a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 by the worker, Yvonne Foley, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that Irish Distillers had departed from its own disciplinary procedure and was largely improvising when it moved to sack her.

The WRC found that a final written warning, used as one of the bases for dismissal, was not actually in force at the time.

Irish Distillers, a subsidiary of the French-headquartered multinational Pernod Ricard, produces Jameson, Huzzar vodka and Cork Dry Gin for the domestic market from its distillery in Midleton, Co Cork.

Ms Foley said she had only been four minutes late to clock in on September 30, 2019, but the Irish Distillers solicitor, John Dunne, said she had been so extremely hungover that she was unable to start work for some time.

He said the complainant used extremely offensive language to describe her supervisor on this date, which was provided to the tribunal in a written submission but not put into evidence.

The firms food and beverage manager, Steve Guiney, said Ms Foley was on a final written warning.

Kieran McCarthy, appearing for the complainant, said alcohol had become a crutch for his client because of a long-standing anxiety disorder that saw her certified unfit for work the year before her sacking.

Mr McCarthy said Ms Foley went back to work but continued to struggle, with workplace stress and her underlying mental health difficulties affecting her performance.

Counsel said the written warning of March 2019 noted by the tribunal was the result of Ms Foley uncharacteristically slipping  and argued the same about the September incident.

Every time I was late or missed a day, it was presumed it was because of a night out or drinking, Ms Foley said.

The companys solicitor, Mr Dunne said: Mr Guiney was trying to do you a favour, he was trying to keep you on the straight and narrow.

Yes, he was looking out for me and telling me, Ms Foley said, but added that she felt she was being picked on as other people were not being treated the same way.

Mr Dunne put more dates to her, saying she had been late on one occasion in May 2019 the night after a staff party; that she was hungover at work on a date in June that year and that she missed work entirely on a date in July.

She said she had eight to 10 years of never being in trouble, had never got a warning, so I actually didnt take the seriousness of it.

The Irish Distillers site manager in Midleton, David Byrne, said the complainant told him she did not have a problem with alcohol when they spoke as he was drawing up his decision following a disciplinary hearing.

Irish Distillers are a very fair employer, Mr Byrne said. He said Ms Foley had been late 91 times out of 118 and had been given every opportunity to turn up on time, to look after her job, to be in a fit state.

Mr Byrne said his decision was that Ms Foley should be dismissed summarily for gross misconduct over the series of incidents that year.

When it was put to him by the complainants solicitor, Mr McCarthy, that she was innocent, Mr Byrne replied: Absolutely not.

Mr McCarthy said in a closing submission that Irish Distillers is a large firm with a HR department which ought to have taken charge of dealing with his client but was AWOL  leaving it to Mr Guiney and Mr Byrne to deal with an ill employee with a psychiatric issue.

In her decision, WRC adjudicator Lefre de Burgh wrote that Irish Distillers had relied on what it termed a final written warning issued in March 2019 for nine months that was still live on Ms Foleys file at the time of the last incident, both before the tribunal and in its internal processes.

But Ms de Burgh wrote that the company handbook set out just three disciplinary sanctions before dismissal: a verbal warning for six months, a written warning for nine months, and a final written warning for 12 months.

There is no final written warning nine months in length in the employers handbook or policies. No such sanction exists, Ms de Burgh wrote, adding that the firms action in treating the written warning as a final written warning fundamentally undermines its decision to dismiss Ms Foley, and to uphold the decision on appeal.

It is hard to escape the conclusion that the respondent was largely improvising, instead of applying its own policies consistently and fairly, she wrote, and added that the distillerys management of the situation does not stand up to scrutiny.

Ruling the dismissal unfair, Ms de Burgh ordered Irish Distillers to pay Ms Foley 35,000 in redress.
Alan Swan (52) of Donard Road, Drimnagh pleaded guilty to eight counts of the unauthorised use of trademarks including Adidas, Nike, Ugg, and Hugo Boss

A man who pleaded guilty to offering to sell counterfeit luxury goods with an estimated value of over 36,000 is to complete 240 hours community service in lieu of imprisonment.

Alan Swan (52) of Donard Road, Drimnagh pleaded guilty to eight counts of the unauthorised use of trademarks including Adidas, Nike, Ugg, and Hugo Boss on December 21, 2015 and December 19, 2017 at Liberty Market. He has 13 previous convictions for the unauthorised use of trademarks.

Judge Orla Crowe had previously directed the Probation Service to prepare a report to assess the defendant's suitability for community service. The court heard today the report was positive.

Judge Crowe today ordered Swan to carry out 240 hours community service in lieu of 18 months imprisonment. It is to be carried out within two years.

The court heard that gardai carried out an operation at the market after receiving confidential information about the suspected sale of counterfeit goods. During this operation, a member of An Garda Siochana paid for suspected counterfeit items including 30 for a pair of Ugg boots at one stall and 50 at another stall for two tracksuits, including an Adidas one.

Sergeant Brian Quinn gave evidence that gardai then obtained a search warrant for four stalls operated by Swan and carried out a search on December 21, 2015. Counterfeit Ugg, Adidas and Under Armour items were seized, with a street market value of 20,000.

Detective Garda Alan Gordon of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation also gave evidence that gardai carried out a search of five stalls at Liberty Market on December 19, 2017.

A large quantity of counterfeit Adidas, Nike and Hugo including sportswear, footwear and outerwear were seized. These goods had a street market value of 16,300.

All the goods seized by gardai were inspected and confirmed to be counterfeit by brand protection managers for the relevant companies. The items have been held in secure storage, at a cost of 50,000 to Adidas.

The court heard that Swan was later interviewed under caution in 2018 in relation to events in 2015. Swan confirmed that he rented several stalls where some branded items were sold.

Swan denied knowing the items were counterfeit and told gardai he bought goods to sell from the internet and from people closing other shops.

Det Gda Gordon told the court that he asked to speak with Swan in 2019 about the search carried out in 2017. During a cautioned interview, Swan admitted to selling items, which he said he had purchased online or in Manchester. Swan told gardai he didn't know or inquire into the authenticity of the goods.

Sgt Quinn agreed with John Gallagher BL, defending, that his client declined an offer to have a solicitor present during the 2018 interview, during which he admitted he was the proprietor of these stalls. The witness accepted a suggestion made by defence counsel that the victims in this case were the copyright holders, rather than the people who bought the goods. The sergeant also agreed with defence counsel that the guilty pleas were of value to the prosecution.

Det Gordon agreed with Mr Gallagher that his client was cooperative and took responsibility for the goods.

Mr Gallagher asked the court to treat his client's previous convictions at the District Court as a single conviction as they relate to one offence date.

Swan has two adult children and cares for his grandchildren. Mr Gallagher said his client is a hard-working man, but his propensity for work had been misdirected. Swan has applied for a taxi licence and also has some temporary work.

A number of references were handed into the court on behalf of Swan, who is also involved in community work. Mr Gallagher asked the court for as much leniency as possible for his client.
Conor Dolan (33) from Dublin admitted today to murdering Neil Fitzgerald (36) at Hills Lane, Crooksling, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 5 2016

A 33-year-old man has pleaded guilty this afternoon to murdering his friend, who was "lured" to a country lane and "riddled" with bullets in an "execution-style killing", just two days after a second trial jury had to be empanelled because a prison officer stood too close to the defendant in view of jurors.

Conor Dolan with an address at Ashbrook Apartments, Navan Road, Dublin 7 admitted today to murdering Neil Fitzgerald (36) at Hills Lane, Crooksling, Tallaght, Dublin 24 on June 5 2016.

Dolan originally pleaded not guilty to the charge on July 4 and prosecution counsel Mr Lorcan Staines SC made his opening address in the trial. Mr Staines said the prosecution would use circumstantial evidence to prove that Dolan arranged to pick up the deceased from a pub in Tallaght before driving to the remote area where Mr Fitzgerald's body would be discovered the following day.

Mr Staines said Mr Fitzgerald's body was found on a quiet country lane where south Dublin turns into countryside as one travel's south from Tallaght towards Blessington in Co Wicklow. He was, Mr Staines said, "riddled with bullets" having been shot six times. Counsel suggested that the jury would not have much difficulty in concluding that Mr Fitzgerald was executed and that his killing was murder.

The second question, as to whether it was Mr Dolan who had committed the murder, would take up more time, said the barrister.

However, a new jury had to be empanelled on the second day of the trial after the defence successfully applied to have the jury discharged. Mr Paul Murray SC, defending Dolan, submitted to trial judge Ms Justice Eileen Creedon that prison officers had approached the defendant and were standing too near him while the jury was still in the courtroom.

Mr Murray told the judge that as the court went for a break at around 12.30pm on its second day, prison officers - one of whom he said was sitting too close to his client - approached Dolan to take him to the cells in view of the jury.

The defence was successful in their application to the court that this had created a prejudice against Dolan and the first jury of seven men and five women was discharged. Ms Justice Creedon told the original jury that a matter had arisen just before lunchtime that day saying: "Something has arisen so we cannot proceed with the trial. Thank you very much for the time you have given up to this date and I am formally discharging you from the trial".

Mr Staines gave his opening speech for a second time to a jury of six men and six women on Thursday, July 6 and the case proceeded. Evidence was given on Thursday in the trial that gardai had recovered a burning rubber glove and mobile phone from the fireplace in the defendant's home. The court also heard that when Dolan was approached by gardai the day after the murder, he had cuts on his hand and blood on his tracksuit bottoms.

Following delays in the trial today, Mr Murray, representing Dolan, told Ms Justice Creedon at 2.30pm this afternoon that his client could be re-arraigned before the jury on the single count on the indictment.

When the registrar put the count of murder to Dolan in the presence of the jury this afternoon and asked him how he was pleading, he replied "guilty".

Addressing the 12 jurors, Ms Justice Creedon explained that the defendant had been re-arraigned on the count of murder and had pleaded guilty. She told the jury she would now release them and exempted them from jury service for the next three years.

When the six men and six women left the courtroom, Mr Murray asked for a sentence date in early October for his client as he [Dolan] had "personal arrangements" to put in place.

Mr Staines told the judge that he would "canvass" whether the Fitzgerald family wanted to make a victim impact statement on the next date.

The judge remanded Dolan in custody until October 9, when he will be sentenced.

Ms Justice Creedon will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to Dolan on that date.

There had been 14 days of a pre-trial hearing in advance of the trial.

In his opening speech, Mr Staines said the deceased was a big man, standing at 192 cm (Six feet, three inches). He said the jury might wonder how the killer got such a big man to the quiet country lane where he was killed. He added: "The prosecution case is that he was lured to his death by Conor Dolan and that Conor Dolan was a man he trusted, a man Neil Fitzgerald considered to be his friend."

Mr Staines said the evidence would show that Mr Fitzgerald was shot between five and ten minutes after midnight when a number of witnesses heard gunshots in the area. CCTV, automatic number plate recognition cameras and mobile phones would show the movements of the deceased and accused in the hours and minutes before the shooting, he said.
A member of a prolific Irish burglary gang suspected of stealing st200,000 in a spate of robberies targeting vulnerable elderly people has been jailed for nine years.

This week Luke Connors (23) was sentenced in London where he had carried out a spate of robberies over a two-month period last year.

A local Neighbour Watch group played a key role in helping police to track down the violent burglary gang.

In one burglary an elderly man was stabbed with a screwdriver after being followed home by a group of masked men.

On Sunday, 4 September, a man in his 70s was on his way home from a pub in Ickenham, London, when he spotted men in masks looking suspicious, according to London Metropolitan Police.

Before he could enter his home, he was punched and stabbed with a screwdriver, and the gang also took the dashcam from his car.

Local residents provided police with CCTV footage, which helped investigating officers establish what car had been used by the criminals.

A joint investigation by Scotland Yards Flying Squad, local officers in north and west London, and other police forces in Hertfordshire and Thames Valley linked 11 burglaries to the gang.

The total value of items stolen was in the region of 200,000 of cash, jewellery and high value items.

Detectives reviewed hours of CCTV and automatic number plate recognition data, they carried out surveillance and on 1 November arrested Connors in Paddington Green.

He was charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and robbery while two other men were also arrested, charged and await trial.

Following a two-week trial at Isleworth Crown Court, Connors was found guilty of both charges last week and on Monday sentenced to nine years imprisonment.

Detective Superintendent Simon Moring, from the Mets Flying Squad, said: Luke Connors committed violent burglaries in north and west London.

By listening and working with residents we were able to investigate, detain and convict him for his heinous offences.

A member of Ickenham Neighbourhood Watch praised the police investigation, saying: This was a fantastic investigation by the Mets Flying Squad and the North West/West Area investigation team who really engaged with our community.

Residents were understandably very nervous, afraid even of giving evidence against the perpetrators. However, we all realise that unless our communities step forward and support our police then the criminals have won and we descend into a state of lawlessness.

That simply cannot be allowed to happen. A brilliant investigation, well done.
Ms Wards family have also issued a statement asking for privacy during this distressing time after the Irish mother-of-one was murdered in the Spanish town.

The family of Kirsty Ward who was killed in Salou have released a photograph of the tragic mum-of two.

Ms Wards family have also issued a statement asking for privacy during this distressing time after the Irish mother-of-one was murdered in the Spanish town.

The family also said they are continuing to liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs following her death.

The family will not be making any further comment or statements and ask for privacy during this distressing time, they said. 'The Department of Foreign Affairs are liaising with the family of mother of one Kirsty Ward from Dublin. The family will not be making any further comment or statements and ask for privacy during this distressing time.'

Kirsty (36) was attacked at the adults-only Hotel Magnolia in Salou on Sunday night and her partner was later arrested.

The 30-year-old suspect appeared before a Spanish court and was remanded in prison while investigations continue.

It is understood Ms Ward and the suspect had travelled to Salou, south of Barcelona, on Friday afternoon.

Efforts are being made to repatriate Ms Wards remains to Ireland, and a garda based in Madrid has been assisting local authorities with this process and the investigation.

Ms Wards partner was initially treated in hospital under armed guard after suffering apparently self-inflicted injuries to his hand before being taken into custody.

During his detention, he frustrated efforts to make contact with Ms Wards relatives and was said by investigators to have not been co-operative.

Local sources indicated police have already gathered a large amount of evidence in the case.

This week, the suspect was brought before a special court in Tarragona that deals with violence against women.

Following a lengthy hearing held in secret, as is standard with Spanish legal proceedings, the man was refused bail.

In a statement, the court said it received today the man arrested for the death of his partner in a hotel in Salou.

Kirsty had only arrived in the resort two days before her murder.

She was attacked at the adults-only Hotel Magnolia in Salou on Sunday night and her partner was later arrested.

The 30-year-old suspect appeared before a Spanish court this week and was remanded in prison while investigations continue.

It is understood Ms Ward and the suspect had travelled to Salou, south of Barcelona, on Friday afternoon.

Efforts are being made to repatriate Ms Wards remains to Ireland, and a garda based in Madrid has been assisting local authorities with this process and the investigation.

Ms Wards partner was initially treated in hospital under armed guard after suffering apparently self-inflicted injuries to his hand before being taken into custody.

During his detention, he frustrated efforts to make contact with Ms Wards relatives and was said by investigators to have not been co-operative.

Local sources indicated police have already gathered a large amount of evidence in the case.

This week, the suspect was brought before a special court in Tarragona that deals with violence against women.

Following a lengthy hearing held in secret, as is standard with Spanish legal proceedings, the man was refused bail.

In a statement, the court said it received today the man arrested for the death of his partner in a hotel in Salou.

It also said the judge had agreed to remand the suspect to a provisional prison without bail.

The case is open for a crime of homicide/murder, which will be specified as the investigation progresses, the statement added.
Ralph DiMatteo was consigliore for the New York mob

The chief adviser to the Colombo crime family in New York city, famously photographed lounging shirtless in a pool whilst on the run, pleaded guilty to racketeering in court this week.

Ralph Di Matteo (68) admitted the crimes of extortion, conspiracy and money laundering in Brooklyns federal court- including threats to intimidate union officials.

Give us a break, will you fellas? Di Matteo said outside court, in a scene reminiscent of a Hollywood gangster flick.

The Colombo crime family are one of the five large clans which run the organized mafia in New York and Di Matteo was one of the main men.

Mushy Russo

His clan overcame numerous internal and external feuds to remain top dogs in the city, with a net worth of countless millions.

The chilled-out gangster wore a dark jumper, blue shirt and green tie to court in a change from the picture of him posing shirtless in a pool  a snapshot that surfaced one day after DiMatteo was supposed to surrender in September 2021.

The Colombo mobs third most powerful member famously jetted to Florida a day before cops charged 13 co-defendants with major crimes including labour racketeering, extortion and money laundering related to the infiltration of a Queens labour union.

In the infamous photo, the wise guy appeared shirtless and half-submerged in a swimming pool with a gold crucifix resting against his burly chest.

But DiMatteos days on the run were cut short after his son posted the pool photo to Twitter  leading to his surrendering just a day later.

DiMatteo was subsequently slapped with charges alongside 87-year-old boss Andrew Mushy Russo.

Other co-defendants include underboss Benjamin The Claw Castellazzo and four capos  including the nephew of former Colombo family boss, Carmine Persico.

The consigliere was also charged with conspiracy to steal and embezzle health benefit funds, attempted health care fraud and other crimes.

While he was locked up awaiting trial, authorities said DiMatteo continued to orchestrate family business from inside the Brooklyn federal detention center, even making calls to Colombo members on the outside.

In one recorded chat, according to authorities, he ironically advised a relative to stay off the phones because of FBI surveillance.

Another call cited by prosecutors captured DiMatteo advising a Colombo associate to avoid a garage once used as a crime family meeting venue because cops were aware of the location.

The Claw

He was later freed on a $5 million bond that required him to wear an electronic monitoring device on his person.

Everything we allege in this investigation proves history does indeed repeat itself, FBI Assistant Director, Det. Driscoll said about the indictment.

The underbelly of the crime families in New York City is alive and well.

These soldiers, consiglieres, underbosses, and bosses are obviously not students of history, and don't seem to comprehend that we're going to catch them.

Regardless of how many times they fill the void we create in their ranks, our FBI Organized Crime Task Force, and our law enforcement partners, are positioned to take them out again, and again, the top cop said.
The incident happened on Tuesday night.

Dublin Fire Brigade were tasked to put out the burning car

Dublin firefighters extinguished a dramatic car fire on Tuesday night in the white car park of Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, an area reportedly known as doughnutsville.

One source said the incident happened opposite the McDonalds in a possible case of joy riding, at approximately three in the morning.

Car park involved

A photograph of the incident was posted on the social media page of Dublin Fire Brigade, with a reference made to the fact it takes nearly 1,000 litres of water to extinguish a vehicle fire.

Two firefighters are seen spraying water from the hose onto the towering inferno, with flames licking the treetops overhead.

A shopping trolley is seen nearby in the car park. A source said the quiet section of the car park has the nickname doughnutsville due to the number of cars which perform maneuvres there.

Smoking tyre

A doughnut is performed by rotating the rear of the car around the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion, creating a circular skid-mark, causing the tires to emit smoke.

"Well done to all. Keep up the good work. What you do matters, said one social media user, alongside a thumbs up emoji and Ireland flag.

Earlier this year, it was reported that Dublin was suffering from a joy riding epidemic.

"These are a new breed of joyriders who would not be even considered criminals  they are doing it for the sport and that is dangerous, a senior source said at the time.

When contacted about the car fire, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre said it could not confirm or deny the incident nor would they be willing to comment any further.
Telefonica announced it will sell off shares in its Peruvian fibre optic unit PangeaCo in a move that will shave 200 million off its debt pile, and continue its asset-selling strategy.

Reuters reported, the Spanish operator group sold a 54% stake to private investment company KKR and 10% to Entels local unit, Telefonica will retain 34%. It did not reveal how much the deals were worth, only how much debt it would pay off due to the transaction.

A banking source close to the deal speaking to Reuters valued the entire Peruvian unit at 550 million including debt.

Telefonica has for years sold off assets to cut debt and fund expensive 5G deployments across its footprint.

In a statement KKR revealed, PangeaCo will combine its fibre footprint in Peru with Telefonica and Entel. The investment firm also added it planned to invest $200 million to double PangeaCos network to spread coverage to 5.2 million homes by the end of 2026.
Gardai are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

A teenager has been arrested after a pedestrian was injured in a hit-and-run collision in Ballymun yesterday.

Shortly after 3pm yesterday afternoon, gardai were alerted following a collision involving a car and a pedestrian on the R108 Ballymun Road.

The pedestrian, a man aged in his 60s, was removed from the scene to the Mater Hospital where his condition is understood to be critical.

Gardai said the car involved failed to remain at the scene.

A male aged in his late teens has since been arrested and is currently detained under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda Station in north Dublin.

A garda spokesman said they are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to get in touch with them.

Gardai are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They are also appealing to road users with camera footage (including dashcam) from the area at the time of the collision to make it available to them.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Ballymun Garda Station 01 666 4400 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111.
A spokesperson said the President will undergo an elective medical procedure to relieve back pain

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has revealed he will be going into hospital to undergo a procedure on his back.

The 82-year-old, who has been President of Ireland since November 2011, stresses he will still be able to fulfil his constitutional abilities.

A spokesperson said the President will undergo an elective medical procedure to relieve back pain.

They added: Following the procedure, the President will continue to carry out his constitutional duties, including consideration of legislation, from Aras an Uachtarain and from his home in Galway.

The procedure the President will undergo has been planned for some time, ahead of a busy Autumn schedule, including a number of planned engagements overseas, and following the completion of a substantial programme over the first half of the year.

It is anticipated that the President will carry out a reduced number of public engagements over the remaining weeks of the summer while he completes a short rehabilitation programme, during which time he will be preparing speeches for the autumn engagements and continuing to fulfil his constitutional duties.

The father-of-four lives with his wife Sabina primarily in the Presidents residence in Dublins Phoenix park, and the family also own a house in Galway city.
The Black Ferns coaches have named a powerful match day 23 to face Canada in their second Test match of the Pacific Four Series.

The teams will go head-to-head at TD Stadium, in Ottawa, on Saturday evening, 7pm (CEDT), Sunday morning, 11am (NZT).

Following a comprehensive win against the Wallaroos in Brisbane the Black Ferns have included three new players to play Canada; experienced loosehead prop Phillipa Love earns her first start, Kelsey Teneti returns for her second Test in the fifteens format, while diligent Matatu loose forward Lucy Jenkins is in-line to debut off the bench.

Love will combine with hooker Luka Connor and tighthead prop Amy Rule, who have been promoted to start in the only changes to the starting fifteen.

Hooker Georgia Ponsonby, props Kate Henwood and Tanya Kalounivale will be an influential injection off the bench. Jenkins and utility back Teneti, complete the remaining changes to the twenty-three.

Bunting says the team is looking forward to the challenge Canada present.

'Canada is a well organised team who were very unlucky not to knock England out of last year's Rugby World Cup. We will need to ensure we are a bit more patient and accurate in our game this weekend but continue to play with freedom.

Hopeful debutant, 22-year-old Jenkins will line-up in jersey number 19.

The Sky Super Rugby Aupiki MVP is set to impress with her outstanding power, determination, and work-ethic if she takes the field.

Bunting says there's plenty to admire about Jenkins.

'Lucy was a dominant player during Sky Super Rugby Aupiki. She is a very driven individual and has a well-rounded skill set. After taking a bit of time off through sickness, she has come back in and continued to impress in our environment. Lucy has a bright future ahead of her and we are excited to see her play and enjoy this very special moment."

The team is;

1. Phillipa Love (25)

2. Luka Connor (15)

3. Amy Rule (13)

4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos (15)

5. Chelsea Bremner (13)

6. Alana Bremner (14)

7. Kennedy Simon (14) (Co-Captain)

8. Liana Mikaele-Tu'u (12)

9. Arihiana Marino-Tauhinu (13)

10. Ruahei Demant (27) (Co-Captain)

11. Katelyn Vahaakolo (1)

12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu Atai'i (Sylvia) Brunt (8)

13. Amy du Plessis (8)

14. Mererangi Paul (1)

15. Renee Holmes (11)



16. Georgia Ponsonby (14)

17. Kate Henwood (1)

18. Tanya Kalounivale (7)

19. Lucy Jenkins*

20. Kendra Reynolds (10)

21. Iritana Hohaia (1)

22. Rosie Kelly (1)

23. Kelsey Teneti (1)



*Denotes Black Ferns debut
Managed retreat needs to be seriously considered for homes around the rising Lake Rotoma, Rotorua's mayor says.

The lake is just a few millimetres away from overflowing onto State Highway 30, the lifeline between Rotorua and Kawerau.

Parts have already flooded. Lake Rotoma is also seriously threatening houses on its shore.

After months of rain, land around the Bay of Plenty is waterlogged, with NIWA's water soil map showing the ground is totally saturated.

NIWA has also revealed 11 locations across the country have already seen more than a year's worth of rain in the first six months of this year.

Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell says the council is planning for the worst.

Photo: Supplied.

"This is not like a river or the sea. Most of the time these lake levels do rise slowly but the problem is they don't go down.

"So we're not actually discussing evacuation, we're discussing something much more scary, and that's called managed retreat."

The council is yet to determine who could stay and who will have to leave, Tapsell says.

"We have set up teams between our council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, local iwi and the Ministry for the Environment. We're looking at what we can do, not only in the short term to support the residents, but of course those big decisions on, well, can these homes stay where they are?"

Rotorua Lakes Community Board chairperson Phill Thomass told The Detail a number of houses near Lake Rotoma have already been flooded.

"A slowly developing disaster is I guess how I'd describe it, because water just keeps coming in and there's no way for it to go away, other than seepage and evaporation."

Tapsell says the consequences of the flooding are widespread.

"Unfortunately for some it does mean a long detour around the lake. This is impacting schools, for example. I know some students are only able to have half days so they can get in the bus and go the long way around to get back home."

Waka Kotahi says it's working closely with councils from Rotorua and Whakatane to manage flooding on State Highway 30.

The transport agency says a short-term resilience improvement programme for State Highway 30 is underway, with rock armouring being added to the lakeside bank.

Lake Rotoehu, just west of Lake Rotoma, is also seriously affected by rising water levels.

Adrian Holmes, who has a two-storey holiday home at Otautu Bay, says flooding began in January.

"The house started flooding downstairs due to groundwater, not lake water. It was just pure saturation of the land and the water was coming up through every crack it could find in the concrete.

"Now we're facing the lake coming into the house, as well as the groundwater, so this is a new problem and the lake brings a lot of rubbish with it."

Holmes bought the place two years ago because he and his family wanted to be lakeside.

"Now we're in it," he says.

Like other property owners, Holmes has moved his belongings off the ground level and expects power to be cut off by floodwaters any day.

Nearby, the handful of permanent residents at Kennedy Bay have been cut off from the rest of the community because the road connecting them with State Highway 30 is underwater.

They include Julie Riggir, who now has to drive an hour to the shops, school, and social gatherings at the local hall - a trip that used to take five minutes.

It also means children in the settlement don't go to school and workers' 20-minute commutes now took up to two hours.

The road could stay closed for months, Rigger says.

Parts of the northern & eastern North Island have already received a year's worth of rain just 6 months into 2023



We crunched the numbers & 21 locations in 7 different regions experienced a record wet January-June!



The why behind the wet (& warm) https://t.co/IpEuTdxOzq pic.twitter.com/PCzFhSoIph  NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) July 6, 2023

Meanwhile, NIWA data shows the Bay of Plenty is not the only region dealing with unusually high rainfall.

Eleven locations around the country have recorded more than a year's worth of rain in just six months.

Kaikohe, in the Far North, has fared the worst - receiving more than 130 percent of its average annual rainfall - and it is only July.

Also making the list are Whangarei, Warkworth, Leigh, Whangaparaoa, Albany, Mangere, Tauranga, Gisborne, Tutira and Napier.

MetService forecaster Lisa Murray says climate change, a marine heatwave and La Nina are all partly to blame.

"All these things have combined along with a bit of being unlucky as well, because they could have gone a little way east, they could have gone westwards, but actually they came down over New Zealand. So we have the situation where we've had event after event after event. Some of those regions are very saturated even still."

However, Murray says the country can expect a change in the weather sometime soon.

"The systems we have coming through at the moment, and continuing really for much of July, are very fast moving systems. So although they will come in and bring some heavy rain, they will move through quickly."

MetService has forecast more rain for the east from Sunday.

- Finn Blackwell and Jordan Dunn/RNZ.
From mermaids lying in tree branches, to hammer head sharks drifting down trunks, Greerton Village trees have once again been garlanded with artistic and vibrant woollen creations.

The yarnbombing theme for this year's annual winter celebration is Waterways of the World  Nga ara wai o te Ao'.

'This theme allows us to celebrate and be inspired by our waterways, says Greerton Village Mainstreet manager Mahia Martelli.

Mahia, who came into her new role earlier this year, says Waterways of the World recognises local iwi of Tauranga Moana - the seas of Tauranga  which are Ngati Ranginui, Ngai Te Rangi and Ngati Pukenga.

Wendy Pedersen from Ninja Knits with their tree, raising funds for The Incubator. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

This year locals and yarn bombers from around the country and one from the UK have participated, with Ray White Greerton and Greerton Village Community Association sponsoring prizes.

Everyone is encouraged to pop into the village and vote for their favourite tree with three main categories to vote for  schools, general public, and the new category  sustainability.

Marilyn Mouat with her creation, raising funds for Riding for the Disabled. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

The tree with the most votes in each category will receive $500 towards their nominated charity.

'This year we have the sustainability award for our crafters and artists who have been able to repurpose works they've made in previous years, says Greerton Village Yarnbombing coordinator Chrissy St Amant.

Tia O'Reilly with Tauranga Girls' College Deputy Principal Kylie Valentine and the Tauranga Girls' College tree, for Youthline. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Manual voting is available at MD's Leatherworks, Robyn's Cottage, Red Cross Shop, Ray White Greerton, Greerton Lotto and Waipuna Hospice Shop. Online voting is also possible.

Many trees are displaying QR codes.

'This is an additional way for you to help the crafters raise funds for their individual charities. Just scan your phone over the QR code and follow the link online to their Givealittle page.

Yarny Friends' Linda Rookes and Sue Miles with their tree for Alzheimer's Tauranga/BOP and I am Hope Foundation. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Voting closes at 10am on Thursday, August 3, with the winners made public on the Greerton Village and the Greerton Community Yarn Bombing Facebook pages on Monday, August 14.

Chrissy, who has taken over the reins of running the yarnbombing for the first time this year, has crocheted up nine Matariki stars which will be hiding in shop windows.

'You find them, scan in the QR code and go in the draw to win $200 to spend in Greerton Village.

One of the knitted creations in the cherry blossom trees of Greerton Village. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

'It has been a pleasure to work alongside Chrissy for this year's Yarn Bomb event, says Mahia. 'We are both newbies so it has been an exciting experience.

Mahia says the yarn bombing has been given an extra lift with the introduction of Christmas lights to help give Greerton Village vibrancy.

'It gets dark early in winter so the lights will hopefully bring a little bit of cheer.

To vote for your favourite tree head to Greerton Village or vote online here

One of the knitted creations in the cherry blossom trees of Greerton Village. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

One of the knitted creations in the cherry blossom trees of Greerton Village. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.
An inherited passion for motors in Torremolinos Adolfo Trigueros, owner of a garage with almost 50 years of history, is the grandson of a pioneering mechanic from Malaga and great-grandson of the chauffeur to the Marquis of Larios

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There are few businesses that last over time and can say that they have "tiptoed through the bad times", but car workshops are a good example of these. There are thousands throughout the province, and this one may look like any other except that the history behind it makes it special.

In the heart of La Carihuela, in Torremolinos, on Avenida Carlota Alessandri, there is a garage bearing the full name of one person: Taller Adolfo Trigueros. A great unknown to the masses, but from a family renowned for promoting this trade in Malaga.

Adolfo Trigueros, now 57 years old, is named after his grandfather, who founded one of the first auto repair workshops in Malaga city, on Avenida de la Rosaleda, in the mid-1920s, while still very young. He, a mechanic, fitter, turner, welder and electrician, was an icon at a time when only very few could afford a car. But it was his passion, inherited from his father.

His great-grandson explains: "His father, my great-grandfather, was a driver for the Marques de Larios from the end of the 19th century into the 20th. My grandfather inherited this taste for cars as he was always surrounded by people cleaning, oiling, repairing..." He continues: "He was immersed in that world so, by the time my grandfather was 20 years old, he had already set up his first workshop. And back then, those who had a car in the area were people like the family of Manuel Heredia and the Larios, plus four or five other wealthy families from Malaga, everyone else had carriages, carts and the like...".

And how could it be otherwise, this passion for the smell of petrol and the way cars worked was passed down the family line. First to his father, Ramon Trigueros. "As a child, my father was always in the repair shop, he learned mechanics from his dad, totally immersed in it. In the 1940s and '50s Malaga was in very bad shape, people were in great need, and it was then that he decided to go to Switzerland to work for Jaguar," he said. Upon his return, he moved to Torremolinos.

"He arrived here in the '60s and when he saw it, he fell in love, calling it paradise. Here he set up his workshop, he met my mother and stayed here. My uncles, who were also mechanics, stayed in Malaga".

The years have slipped by but, thanks to their passion, which Adolfo Jr. has also inherited, the Taller Trigueros de Torremolinos has continued to provide a living for this pioneering family. In fact, several anniversaries are on the go from last year to this: 2022 marked 40 years since Adolfo began working as a mechanic; this year it will be 50 years since this repair shop was created. Also 2023 will mark the 20th anniversary since Adolfo created his own company, allowing his father to put his feet up.

He has renamed the business Taller Adolfo Trigueros in honour of his legendary grandfather, to who he is so grateful for having instilled this passion in him although, sadly, he only got to spend time with him until he was 15 years old. It should also be noted that his current workshop is part of the global Bosch Car Service network for vehicle servicing.

New technology

In addition to devoting the entire working day to his business, "I have thrown my whole life into this, never keeping to a schedule, thankfully we have now set a closing time," he has also been president of the Torremolinos Entrepreneurs Circle for the past eight years. In whatever free time he has, he organises projects and round tables or attends talks, meetings and various activities. In addition to managing his company, he battles so that other businesses can flourish.

As to his specific profession, his only complaint is as follows: "We're really short of qualified staff in the world of auto repairs. Young people look for other jobs as this is very hard work, you have to be in constant training, especially when it comes to new technologies. It's very self-sacrificing, each car is a world in itself; new cars are nothing like the old ones and you have to re-learn all the time."

He dreams of his workshop and his family name continuing to last over time, still offering their services, but today the future is unknown.

Of course, being self-employed, he assures us that he will be working at least for another decade.
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Norwegian airline, which has its main base of operations in Spain on the Costa del Sol, has sealed an agreement to buy Norway's main regional flight airline, Widere. This acquisition will improve connectivity and expand the route network offered by the fourth largest carrier at Malaga Airport.

In a statement Norwegian said that, by linking the Widere regional route network with Norwegian national and international routes, it "ensures an offer for the customer with better connectivity and a fluid end-to-end experience". Widere covers more than forty small and medium airports in Norway, in addition to some larger infrastructures in Europe, while Norwegian offers more than 300 routes to 114 destinations in the Nordic countries and in Europe.

"This is a milestone in the history of Norwegian aviation. Our two airlines have coexisted for many years and no one knows the aviation market in this country better. With this transaction, we will now create an optimized and more comprehensive offering for all customers, and we look forward to offering fluid travel across our route networks," Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian said.

Widere is the oldest aviation group in Norway. It has a fleet of about 50 aircraft and its market share is approximately 20% of Norwegian national traffic, measured in number of passengers. Widere will continue to exist as a separate company with its own brand, organisation and headquarters in Bod. Norwegian will acquire Widere for a cash consideration of NOK 1,125 million ( approximately 96.6 million euros).

In a recent interview with SUR, Geir Karlsen considered Malaga as "the main destination in Spain, by far, over the rest of the airports where it operates such as Alicante, Madrid and Barcelona in which we have resumed activity this high season". For this summer Norwegian has increased planes based at Malaga Airport from two to three and has added new routes this high season to Haugesund, considered a cultural centre in southwestern Norway; Vaxjo, in south-eastern Sweden, and Stockholm-Skavasta, south of Stockholm.
Vivacom received the green light to acquire seven broadband and TV providers, despite backlash and furore from rivals who harbour concerns about competition.

The companies were NetWorx Group  comprising Networks-Bulgaria, Online Direct, TVN Distribution Bulgaria and Telko Infrastructures  and Veliko Turnovo-based TELNET Group, which comprises TELNET, TELNET Securities and STV.

TeleGeography reported, the deal makes Vivacom the largest broadband and TV provider in Bulgaria, and did not deter the countrys Commission for the Protection of Competition (CPC) from approving the deals.

In December 2022, the Supreme Administrative Court annulled the anti-monopoly regulators previous approval of Vivacoms acquisition of NetWorx Bulgaria. The Communications Regulation Commission launched an investigation into several deals where Viacom gained control over its rivals NetWorx, TVN Distribution Bulgaria, Telko Infrastructures and indirect control over Online Direct.

Large-scale rivals A1 and Yettel protested the latest acquisitions blasting the CPC for a blatant disregard for recent European rulings and this will lead to a huge concentration of market share and power in the hands of Vivacom and its owner United Group.

Yettel parent company PPF Telecom said in a statement: CPC decision-making has raised our concerns about its forthcoming review of the proposed acquisition of Bulsatcoms infrastructure by Slovenia Broadband, which is 100% owned by United Group. If this proposed acquisition is approved, it would lead to a total concentration of the whole national market and infrastructure power far exceeding the normal thresholds acknowledged in all other EU markets.

It concluded by calling on regulators to review the transactions and threatened to escalate its case to the European Commission.

In a statement sent to Developing Telecoms, Vivacom said it "firmly rejects" A1 and Yettel's accusations, and outlined how it apparently holds 31% of the fixed broadband market and 33% of the pay-TV market in Bulgaria (based on the number of subscribers). Meanwhile, A1 holds 28% and other local players have 35%, Vivacom claimed.

"The coordinated statements from A1 and Yettel are misleading and inconsistent with the CPCs findings. Their joint attempt to include Bulsatcom as part of Vivacoms market share is wholly inaccurate and shows evidence of collusion," said Vivacom.
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Taylor Swift changes controversial song lyric

Taylor Swift has released Speak Now (Taylors Version), featuring re-recorded versions of the 2010 album and collaborations with Paramores Hayley Williams and Fall Out Boys Patrick Stump. Swifties are paying extra attention to the new Better Than Revenge, with controversial lyrics allegedly inspired by her ex-boyfriend Joe Jonas relationship with Camilla Belle: Shes not a saint and shes not what you think, shes an actress, whoa/ Shes better known for the things that she does on the mattress, whoa. Some fans accused Swift of slut-shaming, and shes since changed her tune. In the new release Friday, Billboard reports the second line is changed to: He was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches, whoa.

RHONJ stars return

ET reports Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga are returning for season 14 of the Bravo reality show. Filming is expected to begin later this summer, along with the entire RHONJ season 13 cast, including Dolores Catania, Margaret Josephs, Jennifer Aydin, Danielle Cabral and Rachel Fuda, plus friends Jackie Goldschneider and Jenn Fessler. Bravo has not confirmed details, but Andy Cohen previously said the show would take pause after a tense season 13 reunion special that featured Giudice and the Gorgas feuding.

New music

TGIF: Besides Swift, new music out this week includes Tomorrow x Togethers Jonas Brothers collaboration Do It Like That, Fifty Fiftys Barbie Dreams (from the Barbie soundtrack), a new Skrillex anthem with Boys Noize, and Cardi Bs Point Me 2 remix for up-and-coming rapper FendiDa Rappa.

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Florence Pugh poses in see-through gown at Paris fashion week ( E!

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Buzz is a daily roundup of entertainment news about movies, TV, music and celebrities.
Orange and e& are reportedly considering bids for the 45% stake on offer in Ethiopia-owned operator Ethio Telecom, Bloomberg reported.

Early talks are apparently underway with both operator groups, and Orange is stated to be examining the potential conditions of the stake sale.

Ethiopias government put up the shares in its state-owned operator earlier this year, in a move to seemingly stay competitive against the Vodafone, Vodacom and Safaricom consortium (trading as Safaricom).

Safaricom bagged Ethiopias first private mobile licence in 2021 and began commercial services in 2022.

More competition is expected in the Ethiopian market as the government issued a notice for invites doe interest in a second private mobile licence. Ethiopia is seen as one of the remaining many greenfield opportunities in the world  it also has the second highest population in Africa at around 100 million people.

Recently, the Middle East and Africa have proven to be bright spots in Orange's results. The operator was also exploring an entry into Nigeria which it told Developing Telecoms, has been put on ice for now.
Cortlandville, N.Y.  A 15-year-old girl has been charged with criminally negligent homicide for a car crash during a police pursuit that killed a 16-year-old girl, troopers announced Friday.

The 15-year-old girl was driving a SUV reported stolen from the William George Agency for Childrens Services in Tompkins County at 10:15 p.m. Dec. 28, troopers said.

The 15-year-old, whose name was not released, drove through a red traffic light at the intersection on State Route 281 and West Main Street in Cortlandville, troopers said.

A Cortland County Sheriffs Office deputy attempted to stop the SUV but it kept going, troopers said. The girl kept driving and both the girl and deputy lost control of their vehicles, crashing after failing to negotiate a turn onto the Interstate 81 on-ramp in Homer, troopers said.

A passenger in the rear seat, Salena N. Wallner, 16, died at the scene, troopers said. The driver, a 16-year-old girl passenger, and a 15-year-old girl passenger were all taken to Upstate Medical Center with serious injuries, troopers said.

The New York Attorney Generals Office launched an investigation that has since found the deputy did not play a part in Salenas death, troopers said. The investigation also found the 15-year-old drivers actions caused the death and injuries to the other girls, troopers said.

The 15-year-old driver was charged with criminally negligent homicide and two counts of third-degree assault.

All four girls had run away from the William George center, troopers said.

The facility is a residential treatment center for troubled youth in Freeville.

Staff writer Rylee Kirk covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, story idea, photo, question or comment? Reach her at 315-396-5961, on Twitter @kirk_rylee, or rkirk@syracuse.com.
Update: A 5th Central NY Walmart found to have card skimmer over July 4 weekend

How to avoid becoming a victim of credit card skimmers like those found at 4 CNY Walmarts

The questions Walmart refuses to answer about credit card skimmers found at 5 Central NY stores

Four secret credit card skimmers found at 4 Central NY Walmart stores

Original article

Auburn, N.Y. A device used to steal credit card information has been found at a second Central New York Walmart.

The device was secretly placed in a checkout and not found for four days.

On Friday, Auburn police announced that the credit card skimming device was found at the Walmart at 297 Grant Ave. in Auburn.

Another card-skimming device was found at a Walmart at 818 County Route 3 in the town of Granby near Fulton, State Police announced Thursday. A cashier found that device, troopers said.

The devices were installed on July 2 and discovered on July 5, the two agencies reported.

Walmart employees in Camillus also reported finding a credit card skimming device at one of their checkouts, said Capt. James Nightingale, a Camillus police spokesperson. the device was also found on July 5 and was believed to be installed on July 2.

Auburn police are seeking the publics assistance to try to identify three people -- two men and one woman -- who are suspected of installing the devices at several Walmart stores in the region, police said. Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard has reached out to Auburn police to identify what other stores the skimmers were found.

The suspects are believed to have a gray or light blue minivan, police said.

Customers who shopped at either location are encouraged to check their credit card and bank statements to watch for fraudulent charges.

Troopers do not know whether any customers had their information stolen, said Trooper Jack Keller, a State Police spokesperson.

Some skimming devices have Bluetooth capabilities that allow criminals to steal information remotely, while others need to be retrieved to collect the data.

Keller said troopers are not certain whether the device they recovered is Bluetooth compatible.

It is unusual for a skimming device to be installed in such a public place. Typically, criminals target ATMs or registers in areas with less light or fewer people around, Keller said.

Skimming occurs when devices illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture data or record cardholders PINs, Keller said.

Criminals use the data to create fake debit or credit cards and steal from victims accounts. It is estimated that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year.

The State Police ask anyone with fraudulent charges to contact the Fulton barracks at 315-598-2112. Troopers are working with Walmart to determine how many shoppers may have used the affected register.

Auburn police are asking that anyone with information on the suspects or skimming devices contact APD at (315)255-4703 or (315)253-3231. All callers can remain anonymous, police said.

Walmart issued a statement Thursday night in reference to the device found in the store outside Fulton:

We have controls in place designed to give customers a safe experience and have measures designed to help guard against these types of crimes. We are continuously enhancing and reviewing our protocol to better serve and protect customers, and will continue to work with the police and refer any additional questions to them.

A Walmart spokesperson has not responded to questions from Syracuse.com seeking more information about the device or what Walmart will do if customers have fraudulent charges.

Auburn Police are seeking the public's help to identify three people suspected of installing credit card skimming devices at Walmart locations in the region. (Provided by Auburn Police)

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
Updates:

A 5th Central NY Walmart found to have card skimmer over July 4 weekend

How to avoid becoming a victim of credit card skimmers like those found at 4 CNY Walmarts

The questions Walmart refuses to answer about credit card skimmers found at 5 Central NY storesSyracuse, N.Y.  Four credit card skimmers, designed to steal customers information, have been found at four different Central New York Walmart stores, according to local police.

The devices were secretly placed in checkouts and not found for four days over the July 4th holiday weekend, police said.

The card-skimming devices were found in the following stores: Camillus, East Syracuse, Auburn and Fulton.

Related article: How to avoid becoming a victim of credit card skimmers like those found at CNY Walmarts

Walmart has declined to answer any questions about the skimmers or provide information about how many customers passed through those checkout lanes. The spokesperson instead referred questions to local police.

The devices were installed on July 2 and discovered on July 5, police said.

Police agencies working on the case include the New York State Police, Camillus Police, DeWitt Police and the Auburn Police.

DeWitt police, Camillus Police and Auburn police spokespersons said they are looking for three people -- two men and one woman -- suspected of installing the devices at various Walmart locations on July 2.

The suspects are believed to have a gray or light blue minivan, police said.

Auburn Police are seeking the public's help to identify three people suspected of installing credit card skimming devices at Walmart locations in the region. This photo shows the suspects installing the device. (Provided by Auburn Police)

Lt. Jerry Pace, a spokesperson for DeWitt police, said that the device found in East Syracuse was placed over the card reader at checkout lane 6 when the cashier was distracted. A store manager was notified about the reader found in Fulton and found the one in his store.

The devices are made to look identical to the front of a card reader, said Capt. James Nightingale, a spokesperson for Camillus Police. He said the devices can be easily lifted off the top of the card reader.

Camillus police were notified of the device found in Camilus by Walmart employees, Nightingale said. He said that the employees told police they were asked to check all their card readers by representatives of Walmarts corporate office. The device was found in checkout lane 5.

Customers who shopped at any of the four locations between July 2 and July 5 are encouraged by police to check their credit card and bank statements to watch for fraudulent charges.

State Police do not know whether any customers had their information compromised at the Granby/Fulton Walmart, said Trooper Jack Keller, a State Police spokesperson. The skimmer was on checkout lane 7 at the Granby/Fulton Walmart.

Auburn, Camillus, Dewitt and State Police have not heard from anyone who has had a fraudulent charge as of Friday.

Some skimming devices have Bluetooth capabilities that allow criminals to steal information remotely, while others need to be retrieved to collect the data.

Keller said troopers are not certain whether the device they recovered at the Fulton store is Bluetooth compatible.

Skimming occurs when devices illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture data or record cardholders PINs, Keller said.

Criminals use the data to create fake debit or credit cards and steal from victims accounts. It is estimated that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year.

It is unusual for a skimming device to be installed in such a public place. Typically, criminals target ATMs or registers in areas with less light or fewer people around, Keller said.

Its pretty gutsy, he said.

If you have information about the suspects or suspect you are a victim of fraudulent charges police provided these contact numbers:

State Police: (315) 598-2112

Auburn Police: (315)255-4703 or (315)253-3231

DeWitt Police: (315) 449-3640

Walmart on Friday said customers who believe they may have been impacted should contact the Walmart Customer Care Team at 800-925-6278, in addition contacting their bank.

Walmart also issued a statement Thursday night in reference to the device found in the store outside Fulton:

We have controls in place designed to give customers a safe experience and have measures designed to help guard against these types of crimes. We are continuously enhancing and reviewing our protocol to better serve and protect customers, and will continue to work with the police and refer any additional questions to them.

Auburn Police are seeking the public's help to identify three people suspected of installing credit card skimming devices at Walmart locations in the region. (Provided by Auburn Police)

Staff writer Anne Hayes covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at ahayes@syracuse.com.
George Tickner, a Syracuse-born guitarist who was a co-founding member of the rock band Journey, is dead at age 76.

Rest peacefully, Dr. George Tickner, Journey guitarist Neal Schon wrote on Facebook. You will be missed immensely.

A cause of death has not been named for Tickner, whose death was announced on the 4th of July holiday Tuesday.

According to American Songwriter, Tickner was born Sept. 8, 1946, in Syracuse, N.Y. He performed with the California-based psychedelic rock band Frumious Bandersnatch in the 1960s before forming Journey in 1973 with bandmate Ross Valory, former Santana members Schon and Gregg Rolie, and drummer Prairie Prince.

Tickner performed rhythm guitar and backing vocals on the bands first album in 1975, notably co-writing opening track Of a Lifetime. Hes also credited with writing other songs on the bands first three albums, such as Topaz, Mystery Mountain, Youre On Your Own, Im Gonna Leave You and Nickel and Dime.

Of a Lifetime is still one of my favorite songs ever, Schon wrote on Facebook.

Schon, the only constant original member of Journey, said Tickner left the band to pursue his doctorate at Stanford University Medical School on a full scholarship. Vocalist Steve Perry soon joined the group, which began rising to fame with Journeys biggest hits including Open Arms, Separate Ways, Faithfully and Dont Stop Believin over the following decade.

Thank you for your incomparable contributions to Journeys early years, Schon wrote of Tickner. Fly free above the stars, Sir... Herbies waiting to greet you.

Journeys longtime manager, Herbie Herbert, died in 2021.

(L-R) Rock group Journey bandmembers Jonathan Cain, Steve Perry, George Tickner, Neal Schon, Aynsley Dunbar (rear), Robert Fleischman, Ross Valory, and Steve Smith (beret) at their star ceremony where they were honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Photo by Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)Corbis via Getty Images

Journey was originally called Golden Gate Rhythm Section, but changed its name after John Villanueva, a Camillus resident who was a drum technician for Santana at Woodstock, suggested the name Space Journey due to interest in space travel after astronauts landed on the moon. Villanueva, a longtime roadie for Journey and other bands, died in 2021.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Tickner still maintained an interest in music after leaving Journey. He opened a recording studio with Valory called the Hive and formed another band called VTR, releasing an album in 2005 that featured Schon, Prince and Steve Smith.

Also in 2005, Tickner reunited with past and present Journey members, including Perry, to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The band was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, but Tickner was not included.

Journey celebrated its 50th anniversary this year with a tour that included a Buffalo concert in March. The bands current lineup includes Schon, Jonathan Cain, Arnel Pineda, Jason Derlatka, Deen Castronovo and Todd Jensen.
NEW YORK (AP)  Six people were charged Friday in an alleged scheme to divert tens of thousands of dollars in public funds to New York City Mayor Eric Adams campaign months before his election.

The indictment announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg does not implicate Adams or any other city employees. Rather, it describes a straw donor scheme orchestrated by individuals with business before the city who hoped to maximize their donations to the future mayor in exchange for political favors.
A non-binary student at an Upstate New York college is alleging discrimination after being kicked out of a sorority by its national headquarters.

St. Lawrence University student Fabian Fa Guzman told the New York Post that they rushed and were accepted into the Chi Omega sorority on campus, but informed by Chi Omegas national office that their membership had been revoked at the beginning of Pride Month in June. In a Change.org petition demanding reinstatement, Guzman said Chi Omega found out about their unprecedented membership when the school wanted to publish a story about their accomplishments, and then the sororitys CEO kicked them out without an option to appeal.
Andy Gardner, Watertown Daily Times, N.Y. (TNS)

MASSENA  An Upstate New York man doing volunteer humanitarian aid work in the Ukraine war zone was badly injured in a Russian missile strike.

Because of international logistical and diplomatic problems, his family is trying to raise funds to return him to the United States to finish his recovery.

Cristiano J. Zeledon, 24, was wounded June 27 when Russian troops fired missiles into the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk in the Donetsk province, hitting a popular pizzeria where he was eating. Hes recovering in a Ukrainian hospital from severe head injuries and burns. Ukrainian authorities have since arrested a man who they say helped direct the strike.

Zeledons older sister, Marina N. LaBaff of Massena, said her brother is a former U.S. Marine who was born and raised in St. Lawrence County. He has been studying pre-law at Hobart College and hopes to apply to Cornell Law School after finishing his undergraduate degree. Before volunteering in Ukraine, he was editing videos at LaBaffs photography studio, A Million Monarchs Boudoir Photography.

Zeledon became involved in Ukrainian humanitarian efforts through his partners father, Mordecai Moti Kahana, an Israeli-American businessman and philanthropist who has been assisting with humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Kahana has been getting millions of dollars in donations to buy medical supplies. He then handles the logistics of delivery. Zeledon had been delivering supplies. He is in Ukraine as a volunteer civilian, not employed by Kahana, the U.S. Marine Corps or the American government in any capacity.

LaBaff traveled with her brother on June 10, the day he flew overseas. They drove to Albany and from there took a train to New York City, arriving at Grand Central Station. She and her brother spoke at length during the journey, but the conversations had an eerie feel.

It was very morbid to ride down with him and I had this gut feeling, she said. The entire four hours from Northern New York to Albany, we had a lot of deep and thoughtful conversations and it was almost like he was giving me his last words.

A professional photographer, she started taking pictures of her brother at the station. Hes usually camera shy.

That day, for some reason, he played along, she said. Thats what Im holding onto now, is were going down the escalator in Albany and hes just smirking at me in his Hobart shirt.

Once they arrived at Grand Central Station, we sat there and kind of soaked in the moments, LaBaff said. When we walked away from each other, I actually turned around and watched him go down the escalator to keep eyes on him as long as I could.

Once Zeledon arrived in Ukraine, we heard from him sporadically while he was there. He said he arrived safe.

On June 27, Zeledon and another humanitarian aid worker went to get pizza in Kramatorsk. Its a frontline city that houses the Ukrainian armys regional headquarters. Zeledon and his companion decided to go to Ria Lounge, known locally as Ria Pizza. The Associated Press said its a restaurant frequented by journalists, aid workers and soldiers, as well as locals. Thats where Russian missiles were fired.

On June 28, somebody from the Ukraine called us and said just to let you know, you may see a video circulating. Thats your brother, LaBaff said.

The video, which went viral around the globe, showed the immediate aftermath of the pizza shop attack. It shows a man on the ground, barely conscious and bleeding from his head. Thats Zeledon.

LaBaff said based on what theyve heard from sources in Ukraine, one of the things we think saved his life is he was sitting on the outside picnic area, rather than inside of the pizzeria.

Hes a 24-year-old humanitarian kid who just wanted a greasy piece of pizza and almost lost his life, LaBaff said.

The pizzeria strike killed 11 people, including three teenagers, and injured 61. Among the dead was popular Ukrainian author Victoria Amelina, who had been documenting Russian war crimes. That bombing was part of a wider attack on Kramatorsk on June 27. There were other missile strikes that damaged 18 multistory buildings, 65 houses, five schools, two kindergartens, a shopping center, an administrative building and a recreational building.

When I got that call of Chris, we looked up that hashtag on Twitter and Instagram and he became the poster child for that incident, LaBaff said. From there, information was very hard to get. We were told at first he just had a concussion ... You dont get just a concussion from this.

She said they were able to learn that Zeledon had brain surgery, has burns all over his body. The injuries include at least two skull fractures, a brain bleed, ocular issues and burns on his legs and side.

That uncertainty was short-lived. Kahana linked Zeledon with the humanitarian Romulus T. Weatherman Foundation, which has been helping him get better medical care and also relays regular updates to his family in the United States.

They actually came to his aid and were able to transport him from where the bombing was to a hospital with better neurosurgeons, LaBaff said, adding that her brother is due for a second brain surgery this week.

(Kahana) does this all the time. He helps people. He connects people ... he apparently had known of them before, so he was able to connect resources, she said.

It was extremely scary, especially because we didnt have good info, LaBaff said. The Weatherman Foundation has given us a lot of peace with the amount of information. Theyve been able to give us a lot of security because theyre managing his health care very well. Before, we felt totally hopeless.

Although Zeledon is an American citizen, returning him to the United States is complicated. His family isnt sure when hell be home.

He will need private support for medical aid and to get him home. Hes not covered under military insurance because hes not active duty, LaBaff said. The United States embassy will not answer our cries for help to get him out.

When youre a volunteer humanitarian, youre by yourself. Youre on your own, she said. He doesnt have the resources of the United States military.

LaBaff said she and her family started a crowdfund campaign on GoFundMe, but for unknown reasons it was flagged and blocked. Theyre now raising funds to bring Zeledon home through Spotfund. Anyone who wants to support the effort can go to wdt.me/a2L2Z9 to make a donation.

His home is wherever help is needed. On break from college he travels the world serving people in need for free, LaBaff said. He is a young humanitarian of the world. He takes off with little cash and a backpack and just goes to help. He is not a well-funded college student, so he needs help between being in college, not working, not being under the United States military ... its critical we help him with this fund.

On top of the diplomatic and international logistical problems, Zeledon isnt yet stable enough to be moved overseas. LaBaff talked to him on the phone on Sunday, and he can only say a few words at a time. Its very difficult for him to talk or think.

Its very scary for us. We want to have him home and with U.S. doctors, she said.

___

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Visit Watertown Daily Times (Watertown, N.Y.) at www.watertowndailytimes.com

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NEW YORK (AP)  Seven weeks before the premiere debate of the 2024 GOP primary, anxiety is building that the event could prove messy and divisive for the party.

Some candidates, like former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, are struggling to meet fundraising and polling requirements to make it on stage. He and others are pushing back on a loyalty pledge the Republican Party is insisting candidates sign to participate. And the races frontrunner, former President Donald Trump, is considering boycotting and holding a competing event instead.

Thats turning what is typically the highly anticipated opener of the election season into a source of uncertainty for the candidates and broader party. The frustration is particularly acute for candidates who hoped to use the forum as a powerful opportunity to confront Trump and try to blunt his momentum.

If the outcome of all of these machinations is a very limited field and no Trump in the first debate, its hard to see how that can be successful, Hutchinson said in an interview. Still, he said he was confident he will make it to the stage, even though he said he has only received contributions from over 5,000 donors.

Were not there yet. Weve got a ways to go. And we fully intend to get there, he said.

The Republican National Committee has said that, in order to participate in the Aug. 23 debate in Milwaukee, candidates must have received contributions from at least 40,000 individual donors, with at least 200 unique donors in 20 or more states. They also must earn at least 1% in three high-quality national polls, or a mix of national and early-state polls, between July 1 and August 21.

Candidates will also have to sign a pledge agreeing to support the eventual party nominee, according to an RNC press release, and one agreeing not to participate in any non-RNC sanctioned debate for the remainder of the election cycle.

Our criteria is very clear, we are ensuring quality polls are used to determine which candidates make the debate stage and we are confident that there will be enough polls for our candidates to qualify, said RNC spokeswoman Emma Vaughn.

The candidates who say they have qualified so far include Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Some lesser-known candidates, such as conservative radio host Larry Elder, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, appear unlikely to make the cutoffs.

Former Vice President Mike Pence, who launched his campaign on June 7, has not yet released a tally of donors, but his campaign said it had raised well into five digits in the weeks since his announcement.

Getting in late made it more difficult, but were confident well get there, said Pence spokesman Devin OMalley.

As part of that effort, the campaign focused on direct mail, aided by the list it has rented from Pences nonprofit, Advancing American Freedom. That group had well over 40,000 donors, and Pence aides are hopeful those donors will also give to the former vice presidents campaign.

Hes also been holding a series of fundraisers, including one in Boston next week that will be hosted by top Massachusetts Republican donor Bob Reynolds, the CEO of Putnam Investments.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who has also expressed confidence he will hit the benchmarks, has pitched himself as the candidate most qualified to directly take on Trump onstage. While Trumps threats to boycott have complicated that argument, Christies campaign has nonetheless urged donors to give even $1 to help him qualify.

Anthony Scaramucci, the financier who served briefly as Trumps White House communications director and is now supporting Christie, recently encouraged even those who have no intention of voting for the former New Jersey governor to nonetheless chip in.

Whether youre a Republican or Democrat, whether you would vote for Chris or wouldnt vote for Chris, we need someone onstage to tell the truth and put a stop to this nonsense, he said during a recent podcast interview with the candidate.

ESPN host Stephen A. Smith has urged his followers to do the same. Smith told The Associated Press that hes not endorsing any candidate but feels it is imperative to have Christie onstage for several reasons.

Christies presence will force both Trump and DeSantis to defend their positions in ways others may be unable to pull off, he said in an email, adding that watching Christie tussle with the likes of Trump and DeSantis would be must-see TV, in my opinion.

At the same time, Christie has criticized Trump for threatening to boycott.

He should show up because he owes it to the Republican Party and the voters of the Republican Party to stand up and defend his record, he said on CNN Thursday, urging viewers to visit his website, donate to me, make sure Im on that stage, because, if I am, I will raise those issues right to the presidents face.

Trump, according to campaign officials, has yet to make a final decision on his plans. But he has indicated both publicly and privately that he is not inclined to participate, and aides have been considering options for an alternative event.

DeSantis said Thursday night that he planned to participate in the debate regardless of Trumps decision.

I hope everybody whos eligible comes. I think its an important part of the process and I look forward to being able to be on the stage, he said in an interview with Fox News.

This wouldnt be the first time Trump has skipped a major GOP debate. During his 2016 campaign, Trump boycotted the final GOP gathering before the Iowa caucuses and instead held his own campaign event, a flashy telethon-style gathering in Iowa that was billed as a fundraiser for veterans. While the event earned him headlines and drew attention away from his rivals, Trump went on to lose the Iowa caucuses to Ted Cruz  a loss some supporters blamed on his debate decision.

In 2020, Trump pulled out of the second general election debate against Joe Biden after the nonpartisan Commission on Presidential Debates sought to make it virtual because of the coronavirus pandemic. Trump had recently tested positive for COVID-19, but said he would only debate onstage.

Lower-polling candidates during the crowded Democratic primary voiced similar frustrations about the debate process in 2019. But this years GOP drama is unique in part because the party is requiring that candidates promise to support the eventual nominee, which has given pause to Trumps fiercest critics.

The RNC has so far declined to release the actual language of the pledge it intends to make candidates sign. It is expected to be similar to 2016, when candidates had to affirm that, if they did not win the nomination, they would endorse the 2016 Republican presidential nominee regardless of who it is and not run as an independent or accept the nomination of any other party.

So far, only former Texas Rep. Will Hurd has said definitely that he will not sign the pledge because he refuses to support Trump if he becomes the eventual nominee.

Hutchinson, who said he wants to wait to see the pledges exact language, said he believes that everyone running should have the chance to appear.

The first debate particularly should be an open affair where the candidates should be showcased, he said.

RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has repeatedly defended the criteria, which came after so many candidates ran in 2016 that debates had to be split in half  with lower-polling candidates participating in an earlier forum.

Not everybody deserves to be on that debate stage, she said in a recent interview on Newsmax.
Burundis Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (ARCT) has earmarked July 2024 as a target for the launch of commercial 5G in the market.

In its recently published roadmap for 5G development, ARCT highlighted the importance of ensuring adequate amounts of spectrum can be made available within the correct parameters to enable smoother 5G deployment.

To this end, the regulator plans to make a continuous band of 60MHz-100MHz available in the sub-6GHz bands, as well as a minimum of 800MHz of mmWave spectrum above 6GHz. In December 2023, ARCT will release spectrum in the 700MHz, 2.3GHz, 2.5GHz, 3.5GHz and 26GHz bands ahead of authorising 5G testing in January 2024.

In its roadmap, ARCT refers to a possible auction process without confirming details, stating: Depending on the availability of the spectrum and the needs of the market, the ARCT may set up a mechanism [auction] for selecting candidates for the use of the spectrum predefined in advance. The regulator will also commence a public awareness campaign in August 2023 to explain the benefits that 5G can deliver.
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LEXINGTON, Virginia  Three Coffee County students are among 486 new initiates from 24 universities welcomed into Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, during May this year.

Students initiated into the society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

New members from the local area include:

Lougener Wyrosdick of Elba, attending Huntingdon College;

Mary McInnis of Samson, attending Huntingdon College; and,

Rebekah Wriston of Enterprise, attending Huntingdon College.

Omicron Delta Kappa Society, the National Leadership Honor Society, was founded in Lexington, Virginia, on December 3, 1914. A group of 15 students and faculty members established the Society to recognize and encourage leadership at the collegiate level.

The founders established the ODK Ideathe concept that individuals representing all phases of collegiate life should collaborate with faculty and others to support the campus and community.

ODKs mission is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and promote ODKs leadership values of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service on college and university campuses throughout North America.

The Societys national headquarters are located in Lexington, Virginia.
Massive numbers of Dairy Farmers attend Teagasc Moorepark23 Open Day

Thousands of dairy farmers attended Moorepark23, the Teagasc National Dairy Event for 2023, which took place earlier this week at the Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Securing a Sustainable Future was the theme of this major Teagasc Open Day.

Research to underpin the Economic, Social and Environmental sustainability of the grass-based Irish dairy production system was on display right across the campus in Moorepark.

Speaking at the Moorepark Dairy Open Day, Teagasc Director Professor Frank OMara, said; Dairy farmers had a good year in 2022 but there are challenges this year with the adjustment in the price of milk. There are huge levels of engagement from farmers with the available technologies on display to help them to maximise their competitiveness while at the same time to reduce their emissions, protect water bodies and improve biodiversity on their farms. On this farm here in Moorepark, there have been over 4 kilometres of new hedgerows planted in recent years and 3 hectares of woodlands. Nationally, farmers reduced their nitrogen fertiliser use by 14 per cent last year, and farmers are adopting the technologies to further reduce chemical nitrogen by incorporating white and red clover into their farming systems and by using low emission slurry spreading techniques to optimise the efficient use of nutrients in animal manures.

Head of the Teagasc Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation Programme, Professor Laurence Shalloo, spoke about the three pillars of sustainability - Economic, Social and Environmental. In terms of social sustainability, he spoke about the importance of people in dairy farming and the research that has been conducted around managing daily and weekly workloads, and succession planning. He also pointed out the importance of decisions related to land use, the importance of maintaining high animal welfare standards and the opportunities to develop the Dairy Beef sector. Professor Shalloo spoke about both the Nitrates Directive and the low carbon footprint of Irish milk.

Dr Deirdre Hennessy, Lecturer in Sustainable Agriculture at University College Cork, urged farmers to adopt the practical technologies that are available today and can be implemented on their farms. She said; This is really a call to action to farmers. We all have to take responsibility in terms of helping to achieve the climate targets. There are technologies that are ready and available and can be adopted today. There are also technologies being developed for tomorrow, and on-going research work that will be published in the future that will contribute to country specific emissions factors. One scientific paper under review is showing that the measured emissions for methane are lower across the grazing season in spring and summer than the calculated value currently being used.

Teagasc Researcher Professor Stephen Butler outlined the progress made with the use of sexed semen to breed dairy replacement heifers and allow greater usage of beef genetics on the rest of the dairy herd. He said that over 250,000 sexed semen straws were available to herd owners this year to breed dairy replacement heifers. For all replacement heifers to be generated using sexed semen, approximately 800,000 sexed semen straws need to be used each year, so we are already one third of the way toward this target. This would reduce the percentage of male dairy calves down to approximately 3% of the total calf crop.

View the open day booklet here and view the main information boards and videos here

The dairy open day was sponsored by FBD, and supported by Ornua and AIB.
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Visitors to this years Goodwood Festival of Speed will see the UK debut of EV pioneer NIOs ET5. The compact fastback will be displayed in Goodwoods Electric Avenue from 13-16 July.

Already available in China and European markets including Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden, the 360 kW ET5 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds thanks to a 150 kW induction asynchronous motor in the front and 210 kW permanent magnet motor at the rear. These deliver peak torque of 700 Nm.

Like all NIOs smart EVs, the ET5 offers the ability to charge or swap its battery, fitting a fresh, fully charged battery at one of its Power Swap Stations in less than five minutes. Today, there are 1,561 Power Swap Stations globally, including 18 in Europe. There have been over 24 million battery swaps with one happening every 1.6 seconds, on average.

Inside, the ET5 uses recycled and more sustainable materials. The Clean+ sustainable fabric, made from recycled bottles, forms a relaxing cocooning ambiance, acccording to the manufacturer, and improves the acoustic performance of the cabin.

Technology enthusiasts will be drawn to the 256-colour ambient light feature, Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 surround sound system, PanoCinema, a panoramic and immersive digital cockpit, featuring AR and VR technologies and NIOs in-car AI virtual assistant, NOMI.

Although no official date has been released for the ET5 to go on sale in the UK, NIO is already making plans to bring its user-focussed cars and services, such as battery swapping and NIO Houses, to the country.

Says Matt Galvin, NIO UKs managing director:

We are delighted for ET5 to make its UK debut, here at Goodwood, a location that holds a special place in the story of our growing brand. Electric Avenue is all about making EVs accessible to all and whilst it is not on sale here just yet, we wanted to highlight how NIOs battery swapping and other user-focussed services make switching to EVs an attractive option. Its the perfect place to show just how different EV use can be with NIO.

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A new study showed that the state of your dental health may be linked to the wellness of your brain. The shrinkage of the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain that controls a person's memory and learning ability, reportedly occurs in people with gum infections or those who suffer tooth loss.

(Photo : ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

A ceramicist technician holds up artificial teeth being prepared for implants at the lab of the Rubio Dental Group offices in Los Algodones, Mexico, just across the border from California and Arizona, on April 11, 2023.

New Study Shows Dental Problems May Cause Alzheimer's Disease

The study from Tohoku University in Japan suggested that tooth and gum problems may cause hippocampus shrinkage, which plays a role in developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

According to Interesting Engineering, this conclusion was derived from a comprehensive experiment for more than four years, encompassing 172 participants with 67 as its median age.

According to the researchers, the study aims to "clarify a longitudinal association between the number of teeth present and hippocampal atrophy dependent on the severity of periodontitis" in a late middle-aged and older adult population.

Periodontitis is a gum disease that damages the soft tissues that hold your teeth.

Four Years in the Making

While Tohoku University is not the first to highlight this connection, the current study showed how a particular part of the brain is affected due to dental health problems.

The researchers conducted an experiment to illustrate this correlation, in which they examined the number of teeth, periodontal probing depth, and hippocampal volume of the participants. Before the study started, all participants underwent a series of dental and brain checkups, and none had dementia.

But after four years, researchers noticed that some participants developed mild gum infections while others faced severe gum diseases. The hippocampus volume of both such participants was also discovered to have reduced.

The study also showed participants with mild infections and fewer teeth and those with severe gum diseases, but more teeth experienced the fastest left hippocampus region shrinking.

Tohoku University study author and professor Satoshi Yamaguchi said, "The findings suggest that retaining teeth with severe gum disease is associated with brain atrophy. Controlling the progression of gum disease through regular dental visits is crucial, and teeth with severe gum disease may need to be extracted and replaced with appropriate prosthetic devices," as Fox News reported.

Also Read: Cognito's Alzheimer's Treatment Headset is Cleared for Large-Scale Trials

Tooth Loss Equals to Brain Aging

For each participant, EurekAlert! reported that the researchers assessed the number of teeth and examined the periodontal probing depth to determine the presence of gum disease.

The periodontal probing depth is a measurement of the gum tissue, with readings within the range of one to three millimeters considered indicative of good gum health.

Researchers found that in mild gum disease, one less or one more tooth equaled almost a year of brain aging, while for those with severe gum disease was equivalent to one year and three months.

Among the organization who supported this study are the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology; Takeda Pharmaceutical; Health Care Science Institute; Japan Arteriosclerosis Prevention Fund; Teikyo University; Pfizer Japan; Bayer Yakuhin; Chugai Pharmaceutical; Daiichi Sankyo; Astellas Pharma, Health Science Center; Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare; Keio University; and Takeda Science Foundation.

Related Article: AI-Powered Tool Shows Promise in Detecting Dementia and Alzheimer's

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a spectacular celestial display, NASA features a breathtaking combination of fireworks and a supermoon on the Fourth of July. The image, taken by photographer Michael Seeley, showcases the enchanting juxtaposition of Earth's celestial wonders.



On that special evening, as people across the United States celebrated Independence Day with dazzling fireworks, the sky offered an additional treat. An almost Full Moon graced the night skies, known as the Buck Moon, representing the full lunar phase that occurred on July 3 at 11:39 UTC.

It is worth noting that the term "Buck Moon" is a nickname given to the full moon that occurs in July. It is derived from Native American folklore and is associated with the time of the year when male deer, or bucks, start growing their antlers.



The name "Buck Moon" represents this significant natural event in the animal kingdom. Each month's full moon has different names rooted in cultural traditions and observations of nature.

Supermoon vs. Fireworks

What made this Full Moon even more remarkable was its proximity to perigee, the closest point in the Moon's monthly orbit around our planet. This phenomenon qualified July's Full Moon as a supermoon, marking the first of four supermoons to occur in 2023.



The captivating image was captured from Cocoa Beach along Florida's Space Coast. Here, nature's celestial masterpiece unfolded as the supermoon rose above the horizon, casting a soft glow over the man-made sparks of the fireworks.



The radiant Full Moon, with its luminous beauty, competed for attention with the vibrant burst of colors from the fireworks display.



While fireworks traditionally steal the spotlight on such occasions, the presence of the supermoon added a touch of celestial magic to the festivities. The combination of the moon's serene glow and the explosive brilliance of fireworks created a truly captivating sight.



This convergence of Earth's natural wonders serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring beauty that surrounds us. It reminds us to pause and appreciate the wonders of the cosmos, even during moments of celebration and merriment.

Read Also: Are Talking Spaceships Coming Soon? NASA to Revolutionize Space Exploration with AI-Powered ChatGPT-Like Interface





The image captured is a testament to the remarkable synergy between nature's grandeur and human creativity. It highlights the harmonious coexistence of the celestial realm and the artistic expressions of humanity, blending science and art in a mesmerizing display.



The fireworks against the backdrop of the supermoon remind us of the vastness of the cosmos and the immense power of human imagination. It is a reminder of the boundless potential that exists within us and the beauty that can be created when art and science unite. And when they do, the outcome is as explosive, bright, and grand like a fourth of July celebration!

Related Article: [WATCH] NASA Releases Shocking Animation Showing How Far Sea Levels Have Risen in 30 Years

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Police on Thailands Phuket Island have charged a van driver for threatening a Singaporean tourist after a video of their dispute went viral on social media.

The 47-year-old driver was charged with "frightening a person by use of threat" at a court session on Monday.

He could face a fine of 1,000 baht ($28.44) and a one-month jail term, The Straits Times reported.

The driver turned himself in after police named him a wanted person.

According to investigators, a dispute broke out between him and a 35-year-old Singaporean tourist when the latter refused to pay an additional 100 baht ($2.88) to be taken to Grand Supicha City Hotel.

The van driver, who works for the Hatyai World Tour agency, said his company only provides transportation within the Phuket city area. He told the tourist he would have to pay an additional fee of 100 baht if he wanted to be taken to the hotel, which is one km from the spot he insisted on dropping the tourist off.

It was unclear where they had initially agreed the Singaporean should alight.

Thailand has welcomed 12.46 million foreign tourists so far this year. It targets a total of 25 million by the end of the year.
The renewable energy sector, particularly in Japan, faces a potential risk of disruption due to a critical vulnerability found in Contec's SolarView products. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2022-29303, has garnered a severity score of 9.8 out of 10.

SolarView products, developed by a Japanese company, facilitate active monitoring of solar farms and have been installed in approximately 30,000 locations to date.

Solar Panels Are Exposed to Hacking

According to TechRadar, security researchers at Palo Alto Networks have uncovered a mission aimed at spreading a variant of the notorious Mirai botnet, a threat that emerged in 2016 and continues to wreak havoc.

This campaign targets Internet of Things (IoT) devices, with victims including popular brands like TP-Link, Netgear, and Zyxel. Mirai's persistence, coupled with the increasing number of IoT devices, presents a significant risk for widespread disruption.

SolarView Vulnerability

Of particular concern is the vulnerability within SolarView products such as solar panels, identified as CVE-2022-29303. This vulnerability allows for command injection via conf_mail.php in SolarView Compact ver.6.00. The severity of this flaw, rated as critical, cannot be understated.

VulnCheck, a vulnerability scanning service, has discovered that at least 600 SolarView systems are accessible through Shodan, a search engine for Internet-connected devices. Although the number of devices still operating on the vulnerable firmware version 6.00 remains uncertain, a considerable number of solar panel operators could be at risk.

Additionally, VulnCheck suggests that this vulnerability might have existed since version 4.00, while the latest version available is 8.10.

As of writing, Contec, the manufacturer of SolarView products, has not yet released an official announcement about the SolarView vulnerability.

However, it is crucial for all users to regularly update their Internet-connected devices to the latest firmware as a general security measure.

Related Article: Communal Solar Panel UK: One Roof, Clean Energy for Multiple Apartments is a World's First

How to Minimize the Risk

To safeguard renewable energy stations and protect against potential disruptions, it is essential to address this vulnerability promptly. Operators should take the following steps:

Update Firmware : Ensure SolarView products are running on the most recent firmware version (currently 8.10). Regularly check for firmware updates and apply them promptly.

Security Best Practices: Implement robust security measures, such as changing default credentials, using strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication where possible.

Network Segmentation: Isolate SolarView systems from critical infrastructure by implementing network segmentation. This helps limit the potential impact of a compromised device.

Regular Monitoring and Patching: Continuously monitor SolarView systems for any suspicious activity and apply patches as soon as they become available.

In another report by Innovation Origins back in May, a study discovered that solar panel inverters are easy to hack. Many of them do not comply with the requirements, as per the National Digital Infrastructure Inspectorate (RDI).

While more solar panels are being installed in the Netherlands, RDI said that nine inverters were subjected to investigation to see if they are compliant.

The study has revealed that five of them were causing interference.

Read Also: Camera Sensitive Enough to Spot Single Photons Finally Achieved by Colorado Researchers

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Amazon vendors got suspended for selling stolen items from Breville, Keurig, Levoit, and SharkNinja. Many of these vendors, however, contend that they were unaware of the stolen goods they were selling.

Amazon has provided little evidence to back its assertion that the sellers committed acts that are "illegal and strictly prohibited," leaving retailers to investigate their suppliers and goods to clear their identities, according to a CNBC report.

Amazon's marketplace sells 60% of all goods on the site, attracting spammers and counterfeiters owing to its popularity. The company's recent crackdown on stolen goods dealers indicates that the business knows criminals sell on the platform.

Investigation Ongoing

Although there are many other reasons why sellers might be banned, it can be complicated to get beyond being identified as a seller of stolen goods. Sellers contend that Amazon must provide them with more opportunities to argue their case or get a second chance.

Six recently suspended sellers gave information to the media outlet during interviews concerning their suppliers. Investigation of invoices and emails discovered a comprehensive network of wholesale and liquidation businesses that often overlapped and promoted comparable items from different brands.

Amazon responded to a query by saying it is working with law enforcement and will not comment on issues that are the subject of ongoing investigations. The giant tech business underscored its collaboration with law enforcement, merchants, and brands to hold wrongdoers responsible while reiterating its commitment to preventing the listing of stolen items.

Read Also: OpenAI Forms Assembles Team to Control "Superintelligent" AI Systems

Beyond Amazon, the problem of stolen and fake goods exists. Since criminal businesses are believed to sell more than $500 billion worth of stolen or counterfeit goods yearly via online marketplaces globally, retailers like Target and Walmart have raised worries about stealing in their locations, according to Business Insider.

Online buyers fall prey to these unlawful operations since they may have inadvertently acquired stolen goods. The products are often offered at steep discounts, giving buyers the impression that they are authentic and alluring.

Both the companies targeted for theft and the genuine online retailers that compete with these criminals have been affected by the growth of internet commerce and organized crime. Retail sector specialists have observed that organized crime groups actively target goods that may be sold online for profit.

Chicago Acts Against Online Selling of Stolen Goods

New federal legislation known as the Inform Consumer Act has gone into effect in Chicago to stop selling stolen items online, per ABC Eyewitness News. It necessitates tracking high-volume third-party sellers, gathering and confirming their identities, and gathering bank account information for online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Amazon.

Senator Dick Durbin backs the online vendor transparency and accountability strategy. The Federal Trade Commission is also warning firms with $50,000 fines if they don't remove illegal groups from their websites. State attorneys general may sue these companies.

Related Article: Meta's Threads App Privacy Concerns Rise as Sensitive Data Collection Revealed

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to make a crucial decision about the traditional approval of the Alzheimer's medication Leqemb on Thursday. This ground-breaking medication is the first to show promise in halting the course of the memory-robbing condition.

If approved, the CMS would amend its coverage standards to make the medicine accessible to almost one million early-stage Alzheimer's patients, as reported by CNN.

Eisai and Biogen manufactured Leqembi, which was approved in January because it can get rid of Alzheimer's disease-related amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. However, the medication has only seen limited use because of CMS's prior coverage choice, per Action 5 News.

How does it work?

Healthcare systems have been getting ready for Leqembi's expected expanded usage. Every two weeks, the medication is given intravenously, and infusion facilities have made the appropriate preparations to handle a probable increase in patients.

Leqembi targets and combats specific proteins in Alzheimer's patients' bodies, reducing the disease's development. The medicine would be the first to be recognized in this way if the FDA were to approve it fully, per WRAL. According to the North Carolina Medical Society, the yearly cost of Leqembi therapy is around $25,000.

Read Also: Australian Researchers Discover Mosquitoes Carrying Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Benefits and Side Effects

If Leqembi wins conventional FDA clearance, the CMS has said it will increase drug coverage. But to get coverage, a physician's and the clinical team's participation in gathering data on practical effectiveness will be required.

Leqembi is only allowed for patients with moderate cognitive impairment or mild dementia, brain amyloid plaques, and early-stage Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Lawrence Honig, a neurology professor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, believes that one-sixth of the over six million Americans with Alzheimer's are in this category.

Patients with advanced illness stages could not benefit as much from the medicine and might run higher safety risks. Leqembi does delay decreases in cognitive capacity and function by 27%, but Dr. Honig warns that it is not a cure. Future developments in therapy effectiveness are anticipated.

Leqembi does have adverse effects, and frequent brain imaging monitoring is necessary. About 13% of patients in the clinical research had brain swelling or bleeding, with potential risks being higher for specific genetic subgroups or those using blood-thinning drugs.

Aduhelm, a different medication intended to halt the course of Alzheimer's, has gained provisional approval, although its advantages have not yet been shown.

Related Article: Women's Use of Menopause Treatment May Increase Dementia Risk, Study Claims

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Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, expressed his admiration for China's potential in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) during a video address at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.

He believes that China has the ability to excel in various sectors and emphasized its potential in AI development.

China's Strength in AI

Musk stated that China is capable of achieving greatness in any endeavor it sets its mind to, including the development of AI.

CNBC reports that the tech boss predicts that China will possess robust AI capabilities in the future. These remarks reflect Musk's positive view of the world's second-largest economy and its potential for growth and innovation.

Elon Musk and China Have Strong Ties

It's no doubt that Musk praises China with its excellent business skills given that it has strong ties with Beijing.

In particular, one of Tesla's major manufacturing facilities lies in the heart of Shanghai. It's been a stable place for EV production for Musk.

Musk also praised that Chinese automakers are very professional and competitive in their craft, stating China's achievements are worth-admiring.

"I think there's a tremendous number of very smart, very talented people in China. I've always been a tremendous admirer of the sheer amount of talent and drive that exists in China," Musk said.

Related Article: China to Use AI Against US over Taiwan Invasion, Smart Deterrence to Counter Forces

Will China Surpass US in AI Dominance?

As far as the current AI trend is concerned, China won't probably oust the US as a leader in the field of AI, according to a report by the Washington Post.

Musk's recent comments come amidst ongoing tensions between the United States and China in the tech industry.

The US implemented export restrictions on crucial chips and semiconductor equipment to China in 2022. Although these restrictions may pose challenges to China's efforts to enhance its domestic industry in critical technology, industry analysts believe that Chinese chip makers will still be able to develop advanced semiconductors independently.

While China has access to AI tools, some companies in the country struggle with less funding for AI development, Jeff Ding, assistant professor of political science at George Washington University, said.

Back in April, Tech Times reported that a Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) researcher Bao Yungang claimed that China's AI race lagged behind other countries because of the same reason: insufficient funding.

Another expert Liang Zheng, the current deputy head Tsinghua University's China tech policy research center said that Chinese firms missed a lot of AI-related opportunities because no one wants to invest in research.

To address the problem, Zhang suggested that Beijing should seek more support from other markets to start AI innovation.

Read Also: Elon Musk Creates New Company Called X.AI, as per Business Records

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The US Navy is not only limited to navigating ships and submarines. There are also people in the team who investigate cybersecurity research.

Just this week, the red team of the Navy has created a tool called TeamsPhisher to exploit a recently discovered flaw in Microsoft Teams. The bug is capable of bypassing intended restrictions by permitting files from external accounts to go straight to the inbox.

How US Navy Exploits Flaw in Microsoft Teams

To suppress the security flaw, the team managed to deceive Teams into accepting external files as if they were internal via a Python-based tool dubbed "TeamPhisher."

According to PC World, TeamsPhisher modifies the ID in the POST request of a message, fooling the software into perceiving external file sends as originating from internal accounts. This simple modification enables the tool to autonomously carry out attacks.

Users only need to provide a message, attach the file, and specify a list of targets. The tool selectively targets users with enabled external message reception, which is necessary for the attack to succeed.

How Effective is TeamsPhisher?

TeamsPhisher utilizes additional techniques to enhance its effectiveness. It creates a group chat thread by duplicating the target's email address, bypassing any splash screen notifications that might alert the user to an external message.

The attached file is linked in the user's Sharepoint for easy access. The tool also incorporates features like message delay to avoid rate limits and logging capabilities for tracking outputs.

Related Article: Microsoft Teams New Features: Users Get Access to Video Filters

Microsoft Team Bug Contains Malware

The vulnerability exploited by TeamsPhisher allows threat actors to deliver malware to Teams users with external messaging enabled.

Despite the discovery of this flaw, Microsoft has not yet released a fix, stating that it does not consider the issue serious enough to warrant immediate attention, per TechRadar.

Microsoft acknowledges the existence of the TeamsPhisher tool, emphasizing that it relies on social engineering for success. The Redmond firm advises users to exercise caution when receiving links or attachments.

How to Protect Yourself From Microsoft Teams Flaw

To safeguard against potential attacks, users can disable external messages by accessing the Microsoft Teams Admin Center and navigating to External Access settings, Bleeping Computer writes in its latest report.

Alternatively, if organizations do not wish to block all external communications, they can choose to communicate only with trusted domains by adding them to an allow list.

It's also important to practice good computing habits online and avoid clicking suspicious links to pages you barely know to mitigate the risk.

Another tip to do as per advice from a Microsoft spokesperson is to exercise extreme caution when accepting file transfers and opening files that potentially contain malware or any virus.

Read Also: Hundreds of Solar Panels at Risk of Getting Hacked

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The Port of Nagoya, the biggest shipping port in Japan, said on Thursday that it would restart operations after being a victim of a ransomware assault that prevented it from accepting cargo for two days. Restoration of the port is anticipated to ease worries about the economic consequences of the assault.



The Nagoya Harbor Transportation Association verified that the computer system managing shipping containers went down on Tuesday when the ransomware attack started. As a result, the port was compelled to stop processing cargo containers that arrived on trailers, according to CNN.



The assault was traced to ransomware, a malicious program that locks the computers of the affected company to demand money from them. According to Mihoko Matsubara, chief cybersecurity strategist at NTT Corporation, this is the first known ransomware assault on a Japanese port, raising serious concerns about the effect on the local economy and supply chain, particularly the car sector.

Group Behind The Ransomware Attack Identified

The ransomware employed in the breach, which has lately hit several targets, including the Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC, was identified as LockBit, according to Japanese media.



The LockBit organization has not used its dark-web site to take credit for the ransomware assault on the Port of Nagoya as of Thursday noon in Japan.



Beyond the port, the effects of the ransomware attack have been felt. Due to the hack's impact on the port's infrastructure, Toyota Motor said on Friday that it would be stopping operations at a packaging plant for components destined for export, as Reuters reported.



The Nagoya Harbor Transportation Authority predicts that the port will reopen fully by nightfall, although cargo operations have just partly begun.



To decide whether to restart operations at the packaging factory, Toyota will keep an eye on the port's operating state. The manufacturer expected no significant interruptions to the local manufacturing of completed automobiles or its foreign vehicle factories.

Read Also: Amazon Vendors Unknowingly Selling Stolen Goods, Suspended from Platform

Experts Advise Businesses to Invest in Cybersecurity

The ransomware attack at the Port of Nagoya serves as a reminder of how vulnerable essential infrastructure is in the modern world. Craig Jones, Vice President of Security Operations at Ontinue, underscored the severe dangers and economic effects that ransomware attacks represent, per Security Magazine. He noted that given that the Port of Nagoya handles a significant percentage of Japan's commerce, the attack's interruption might have a considerable impact.

Jones emphasized the need to have robust cybersecurity protections in place for crucial infrastructure, especially in the logistics and transportation sectors, as highlighted by the ransomware attack. Moreover, he suggested that organizations prioritize investments in cybersecurity protection, training, and response strategies.



According to John Bambenek, Principal Threat Hunter at Netenrich, the outsourcing risks by technology businesses to their users is one of the contributing factors to the accessibility of technology, noting that the clients themselves are in charge of using technology securely.



Bambenek said the problem is further exacerbated by the absence of severe repercussions for ransomware operators due to sparse international law enforcement on cybercrime. He noted that the Internet is a free-for-all where many firms lack the necessary defenses against such assaults.

Related Article: Dutch Officials Discourage Using Twitter for Emergency Updates

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The fight you have all been waiting for is here, but it is not the cage match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, but Twitter vs. Threads, as the blue bird social media is now warning about an upcoming lawsuit against Meta. It is all because Meta is hiring former employees of Twitter, particularly those which Musk fired or laid off earlier.

Musk previously said that he regret the layoffs during his early operations at Twitter, but this was inevitable as the company needs to save money by reducing its workforce, as it was then on the brink of bankruptcy.

Twitter is Now Warning Meta for Hiring Ex-Twitter Employees

(Photo : ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Semafor reported that early on Threads' operations as a new app in the market, it already got a warning from Twitter, as it threatens to sue the company for hiring previous employees that were fired by the Musk administration.

Twitter's lawyer Alex Spiro addressed a letter to Mark Zuckerberg regarding his new app under the Meta group, throwing accusations against the Meta CEO for their "systematic, willful, and unlawful misappropriation of Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property."

Spiro is now asking Meta not to use any intellectual properties of Twitter via the trade secrets they obtain from the former Twitter employees that were terminated from their posts. Twitter would not hesitate to file a lawsuit against them should they use any insider information from the hired former Twitter people.

Read Also: Meta New Threads App Is Now Available for Download - Should You Leave Twitter?

Threads vs. Twitter: Is Meta Cheating on Its New App?

That being said, the Twitter owner is now saying his side on social media, reacting to the latest news about this letter to Meta.

In Musk's own words, he said that "Competition is fine, cheating is not," mainly about the newly-established Threads and Meta's move to hire ex-Twitter employees.

For now, it is unknown if Meta used any trade secrets obtained by workers for their development of Threads, but this warning is ready for the next step should it discover any Twitter traces on the new app.

Elon Musk, Twitter Layoffs, and Threads

Elon Musk joined Twitter as its CEO and owner back in October 2022, and a lot has happened since then, with the billionaire changing a lot on the social media's operations and causing people to look for alternatives.

However, that was not the end of it, as Twitter also joined the series of layoffs in the global industry, with Musk firing many employees and whole departments at the social media company.

Now, there is a new threat on the rise, and a version of Meta's take on the text-based social media app is now here for all to enjoy, originally promised for July 6 but went earlier for all to use. Since then, Threads is growing, and it only shows how people are still on the search for Twitter alternatives despite it being under Meta, notoriously known for its massive data access.

Meta's new Threads did not only "copy" Twitter for its main features, but hired ex-employees of the short-word social media to join the team for developing the new app. Despite Musk telling these people before to take their genius elsewhere, the company is now claiming that Meta is cheating, especially as some may bring trade secrets and insider information about Twitter, for Threads to use.

Related Article: Threads Amasses 10 Million New Users in Just 7 Hours

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The European Union (EU) antitrust regulators have opened an official investigation into Amazon's proposal to acquire iRobot for $1.7 billion. It is the same company behind the popular Roomba lineup, producing robot vacuum cleaners.

(Photo : David Ryder/Getty Images)

SEATTLE, WA - MAY 20: A sign is seen outside of an Amazon Go store at the Amazon.com Inc. headquarters on May 20, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. Five women employees sued Amazon this week, alleging discrimination and retaliation.

Amazon Is Facing Probe From EU

The regulators believed that acquiring the robot vacuum cleaner maker iRobot may reduce competition and strengthen the position of Amazon as an online marketplace provider.

Thus, a full-scale investigation was launched by the European Commission that will decide whether to block or clear the deal by November 15, Reuters reported.

The positive outcome of the deal would be concerning as it would allow Amazon to restrict competition in the market for robot vacuum cleaners.

As part of the investigation, the Commission has closely cooperated with other competition authorities during the initial probe and will reportedly continue such cooperation. There will be an in-depth investigation, and the opening of an in-depth inquiry will not prejudge the probe's outcome, according to EU.

The EU will also look at how getting access to iRobot users' data may give Amazon an advantage from online marketplace services to third-party sellers and other data-related markets in the industry.

"We continue to work through the process with the European Commission and are focused on addressing its questions and any identified concerns at this stage," Amazon spokesperson Alexandra Miller said in a statement.

Through this acquisition, the spokesperson told Reuters that Amazon could offer companies like iRobot the resources to accelerate innovation and invest in critical features while lowering consumer prices.

Also Read: Roomba Maker iRobot is Axing Roughly 85 Employees in Latest Layoff

Amazon Acquiring iRobot

In August last year, Amazon announced its efforts to purchase iRobot. Once successful, The Verge reported that this would make iRobot the latest addition to the company's acquired firms like Ring, Blink, and Eero.

After plans for the acquisition were announced, Amazon's hardware chief Dave Limp said he was excited to work with the iRobot team to invent ways that will make customers' lives easier and more enjoyable.

Amazon has developed one of the smart home's major ecosystems - the Alexa voice assistant. Following the deal's announcement, commentators cited iRobot's ambitions to use Roomba's sensor mapping to better understand its customers' homes and habits.

Amazon has already received approval from one important competition regulator, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which noted that the agreement would not lead to competition concerns in the UK given that the iRobot has several rivals in the space and UK market is small for robot vacuum cleaners.

To some companies, obtaining the CMA's approval is already significant. The regulator has previously opposed the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft and forced Meta to unwind its Giphy acquisition.

This investigation of the EU on Amazon came at a time when big tech companies were heavily scrutinized by regulators for acquisitions and deals.

Related Article: UK Antitrust Regulator Approves Amazon's iRobot Acquisition

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The latest development in Google's self-designed chips, the Tensor lineup, was reportedly looking at a delay that would set it back until 2025 for its next delivery for the Pixel devices. As per the reports, Google missed its production deadlines for the fourth-generation Tensor chips, and with this, it will continue to use the semi-modified Samsung Exynos for its mobile devices.

"Redondo" is the next-gen Tensor chip from Google meant for a 2024 release, but after these issues, it is speculated to arrive by 2025.

Google Faces Delays in Developing its Tensor Chips to 2025, Laguna Chip

(Photo : Amazon)

The Information reported that Google was planning to replace its Samsung Exynos-modified chips that it currently uses in its Pixel smartphones by 2024, with a chip codenamed "Redondo." However, certain delays may not have it in time, and Google is now allegedly pushing back its release to a later year, by 2025.

Google will skip the Redondo development as well, and while it gathers its efforts for future chip development, the company would move on over to its plans for 2025 with the chip called "Laguna." As per the Google executive who confirmed this information, the company's US and India teams are to blame for its delays.

Read Also: Tech Giants Including Google, Meta, ByteDance to Fall Under EU's Digital Markets Act

Google to Still Use Samsung's Exynos, TSMC Partnership Soon?

According to The Verge, Google will use Samsung's chips that were semi-customized for their devices for now but would not remain with the South Korean company's chip development for long.

It is also working on sealing a deal with TSMC for its 3nm processors, to use for the future Tensor. However, Apple already reserved 90 percent of its manufacturing for its needs.

Still, Google is looking to also get the special development of TSMC which produces thin chips that are capable of powerful performance and outputs.

Google and its Tensor Development

Google first introduced the Tensor chip to the world back in 2021, and it first made its debut with the Pixel 6 lineup which gave it a newfound power for all of its processes. It was iconic for Google to move away from Qualcomm's Snapdragon lineup, the chips it used for older Pixel phones, with the Tensor bringing in a significant development to its offers.

Still, there are massive plans from Google to expand more of what the Tensor brings to the public, especially with the arrival of the Tensor G2 with the Pixel 7 series from last year.

Samsung is the manufacturer of the Tensor chips, and it is set to bring the next-gen release, the Tensor G3 with a 4nm process that is similar to what TSMC brought for Apple.

Soon, Google will also tap into TSMC's development for its next-gen processor, the 3nm manufacturing process for its Laguna chip, a.k.a. the Tensor G5. With that, Google may skip the Redondo chip for next year's set of Pixel devices to arrive, with the company also looking to leave its partnership with Samsung and join Apple with TSMC.

Related Article: Google Pixel 8 Series Rumor: No Massive Changes on Battery, Charging Rates

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The latest trending image on social media is an almost destroyed missile, and it was identified as "Storm Shadow" which belonged to the United Kingdom and was given to Ukraine to address their needs. It was taken down by Russian forces and was captured by the country, and while already mostly destroyed, it will still be a great source of intel for the Eurasian country.

The British Storm Shadow missile is one of the most advanced cruise missiles in the world, and it is currently the longest-range weapon on Ukraine's armaments.

Russia Took Down the Storm Shadow Missile from the UK

(Photo : BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

A report from CRUX shows footage of a taken-down missile that is now in the possession of the Russian military, showing the Storm Shadow missile destroyed and grounded. The British missile is one of the most crucial and advanced weapons in Ukraine's arsenal, and this came from its Su-24 "Fencer" jets that use launch pylons from retired RAF Tornados.

This is a crucial advancement for Russia, as obtaining a military technology like this has massive effects on their forces and gaining an upper hand against Ukraine.

According to Interesting Engineering, the Storm Shadow was either taken down by the Russian military or malfunctioned on its flight, resulting in the crash. The only remaining intact piece is its fuselage.

Read Also: VIDEO: Ukrainian Soldier Shoots Down Russian Su-25 Jet with Shoulder-Held Missile

UK's Gift to Ukraine: The Longest-Range Missiles

The United Kingdom gave Ukraine this weapon in hopes of them using it for their needs and advancements in this ongoing conflict. It was also considered by the British military that it might get into the hands of the Russians because of its long-range capabilities that can infiltrate remote locations.

Storm Shadow remains a valuable weapon in Ukraine's military as it presents stealth technology and long-range capabilities that is ideal to help Ukraine with its needs.

Russia and Ukraine's Conflict

The Russia and Ukraine conflict is still an ongoing fight in this modern times, and it took a lot out of both countries already, with Russia seeing massive restrictions from around the globe. Different countries imposed a ban against Russia, and one of the most significant is the US sanction which prevents the country from access to certain technologies or parts.

It was also said that Russia is now employing marine mammals to guard its Black Sea Naval base, with its operations stemming from 2016 until the present. The country trains dolphins, whales, and other marine mammals to help them in safeguarding their base's secrets and information, especially for wandering divers around the area.

Russia has long shown its aggression and hostility against Ukraine and the countries that help them as the invasion is still the goal for the Eurasian countries. The latest circulating images on social media regarding the British missile given to Ukraine is a massive loss for the attacked country, and now, Russia has access to it to learn about it and utilize it to their advantage.

Related Article: Dolphins of War? Russia Reportedly Trains Marine Mammals for Military Needs

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In March 2011, military forces under the command of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, began a series of brutal attacks against peaceful, pro-democracy protestors. Since then, more than half a million Syrians have been killed and tens of thousands have disappeared.

Some of the missing were arrested by the Syrian government and remain in prison, while others were kidnapped by groups that were not affiliated with the government. And some have died or been killed and are perhaps buried in one of the mass graves that have been found on both sides of the battle lines.

More than 12 years ago, the Syrian people peacefully rose up to demand their freedom and dignity, calling for Damascus to respect their inalienable rights and to stop human rights violations, said United States Acting Deputy Representative to the United Nations Jeffrey DeLaurentis. Yet, this conflict continues, with devastating consequences for the Syrian people.

Today, there are estimates that more than 155,000 Syrians are missing, many of them unjustly detained or disappeared by parties to the conflict in Syria. These include individuals believed to be missing at the hands of Daesh and other terrorist groups, he said.

Nearly every Syrian family is affected by this issue. Despite concerted efforts and significant diplomacy in the past 12 years, there has been limited progress on this protracted issue, said Ambassador DeLaurentis.

Confirming the fate and whereabouts of the missing, securing their release, and returning the remains of those who perished to their families is a moral and humanitarian imperative. People deserve to know the truth about their missing loved ones. This is essential to promoting lasting stability, durable peace, and a sustainable political solution to the Syrian conflict, he said.

On June 29, the U.N. General Assembly voted to form an independent international institution to search for Syrias missing in both government and opposition-held areas. This entity will collect information from families, Syrian civil society organizations, international organizations and through inquiries to both sides of the conflict.

This resolution is humanitarian in nature. It is focused on all missing Syrians, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation, said Ambassador DeLaurentis. We hope all parties to the conflict will cooperate with this body and release all unjustly detained people, clarify the fate of those who are missing, and return the remains of those who have perished to their families.
Threads already received more than 30 million sign-ups only hours after its launch. This was pitched by Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg as a friendly rival to Twitter that similarly allows users to post messages, reply to other users, and like or repost messages.

(Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 05: In this photo illustration, the Threads logo is displayed on a cell phone on July 05, 2023 in San Anselmo, California. Instagram parent company Meta is set to release Threads on July 6, a potential rival to Twitter, the fledgling social media app run by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Receiving 30 Million Sign-ups

The morning after its launch, Meta announced that its newest social media platform 'Threads' has already reached the 30-million mark for new sign-ups. According to a report from Reuters, this could be dubbed the "Twitter-Killer" as it emerges as the first real threat to the Elon Musk-owned company.

Aside from this achievement, Threads is also currently the top free application on Apple's App Store for both the United States and the United Kingdom. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg stated, "Our vision is to take the best parts of Instagram and create a new experience for text, ideas, and discussing what's on your mind."

He also believed that the world needs this kind of friendly community, so he is very grateful to all who supported the launch of the company's newest platform. The arrival of the latest platform comes after Zuckerberg and CEO Musk traded barbs for months, even threatening to fight each other physically.

Taking Advantage of Twitter's Ruination

Although Meta's efforts may sound wholesome, the company took advantage of its access to billions of users from Instagram and saw the opportunity to launch the app in the middle of the controversy as users were unhappy with Twitter for the recent changes to the platform. Additionally, Threads released the app a day before the original launch.

TechCrunch reported that Twitter is on life support as it implemented tweet-reading rate limits over the weekend. Aside from Meta, other companies also enjoyed the company's intervals of buzz, including MAstodon and Bluesky, which also happens to be Twitter's rivals in the market.

For the first time in over a decade, Zuckerberg also used Twitter to celebrate the launch of the newest application. This promotion could attract a ton of engagement as Twitter has continued to disappoint its users since Musk took over the company.

Also Read: Facebook Verified Account: Elon Musk Reacts to Meta's New Verification Subscription System

Differences between Threads vs Twitter

While the two companies look similar, there are still some differences between Threads and Twitter. According to CBS News, Threads does not use hashtags and currently does not have direct messages, unlike Twitter and other platforms like Instagram.

Meta is billing Threads as a platform where users can follow and connect directly with their favorite creators who love the same things. This means it is very similar to Twitter but will focus on the popular creators and influencers on Instagram.

Related Article: Threads Amasses 10 Million New Users in Just 7 Hours

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Malaria kills nearly half a million children under the age of five annually in the sub-Saharan African region.

Twelve African countries will receive 18 million doses of malaria vaccines for children under five years old, to be distributed over the next two years, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported along with other agencies.

WHO, the GAVI Global Vaccine Alliance, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said in a joint statement that the deployment of 18 million doses of malaria vaccine, or RTS, S/AS01, for the period 20232025 aims to protect children from serious illness and death.

According to the agencies, Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi have since 2019 administered the vaccine to more than 1.7 million children in pilot programs.

This time, nine other countriesBenin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Niger, Sierra Leone, and Ugandawill receive the vaccine and introduce it for the first time in their routine immunization programs.

The first doses are expected to arrive in the designated countries during the last quarter of this year, where they will begin distribution in early 2024.

18 million doses of first-ever malaria vaccine allocated to 12 African countries for 20232025: Gavi, WHO and UNICEF (July 5, 2023)



In response to high demand for the first-ever malaria vaccine, 12 countries in Africa will be allocated a total of 18 million doses of RTS,S/AS01 pic.twitter.com/MD9skNzaA7  QuestionIt (@Amy31129057) July 6, 2023

The malaria vaccine, developed by British multinational pharmaceutical company GSK, has so far demonstrated safety and efficacy, resulting in a substantial reduction in severe malaria and deaths in children under five years old.

"This vaccine has the potential to have a major impact in the fight against malaria, and when widely deployed alongside other interventions, it can prevent tens of thousands of future deaths each year," said Thabani Maphosa, Gavi's managing director of country program implementation.

Malaria kills nearly half a million children under the age of five annually in the sub-Saharan Africa region, where an estimated 95% of global malaria cases and 96% of deaths were reported in 2021, according to the WHO.

The agencies' statement noted that a total of 28 African countries have expressed interest in administering the malaria vaccine.

Kate O'Brien, WHO's Director of Immunization, said that "the high demand for the vaccine and the wide reach of childhood immunization will increase equity in access to malaria prevention and save many young lives."
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In yet another undemocratic move, the Venezuelan government has barred opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado from holding public office for 15 years.
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Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has entered into four new international collaborations with leading law schools and universities in US and Australia that include American University, Ohio State University, University of Southern California and Bond University.These collaborations are the latest addition to the existing 200+ international collaborations that Jindal Global Law School already has with other international institutions. These collaborations are a result of the law school's deep commitment towards internationalization and, thereby the creation of opportunities for inter-cultural and global learning. The specific type of international collaborations includes student and faculty mobility programs, dual degree programs, pathways to post-graduate studies and joint research opportunities.The American University Washington College of Law, American University, Washington D.C., USMichael E. Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, UsUSC Gould School of Law, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USBond University, AustraliaReflecting on these new collaborations, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University and Dean, Jindal Global Law School stated that, "Our relentless pursuit of international collaborations continues, as we realise, it is the key to open global possibilities for students and faculty members. The legal profession as it stands today and the type of issues modern-day lawyers have to deal with demand transnational and comparative understanding of law, and the perspective essential for developing such an understanding becomes possible only if we are able to situate the global within our domestic contexts. We also need to develop the qualities and values of empathy, mutual respect, and reciprocity which should be cultivated in individuals through conscious and collective efforts. All these are part of our shared responsibility to the generation and progeny. Herein comes the relevance of international collaborations."In commenting on the establishment of these new partnerships, Professor (Dr.) S.G. Sreejith, Executive Dean, JGLS observed, "This is a fantastic opportunity for students studying at JGLS. These collaborations include student and faculty mobility programs, dual degree programs, pathways to post-graduate studies and joint research opportunities. The student mobility programmes help students to experience intercultural learning, which instils in them a global perspective, enhances their intercultural empathy, and broadens their intellectual and professional horizons. These opportunities prepare JGLS students in a big way to deal with global professional challenges. The faculty exchange program promotes joint research and publications and development of globally relevant pedagogy."On the general approach of the JGLS Office of International Collaborations, Professor Malvika Seth, Associate Dean (International Collaborations), JGLS observed that, "Our vision and ambition to provide global legal education by partnering with leading international institutions has proved to be immensely advantageous to our students in building their legal career, as well as for our faculty members, by giving them a platform to build their research and teaching methods. Our commitment towards creating a world class institution in India has led us to establish various partnerships all around the world."Reflecting on the possible outcomes of these particular collaborations, Smarnika Srivastava, Assistant Dean (International Collaborations), JGLS stated that, "These opportunities create an open academic environment and maximize the potential of our students and faculty alike, which leads to their professional and personal growth in a holistic way. JGLS has secured diverse international collaborations with countries all around the world. The student-centric programs put JGLS students a step ahead in their career and makes them well prepared for the legal world. The faculty-centric programs help our faculty in developing their teaching pedagogy and engaging in research with peers from around the world."
Commonwealth Bank has vowed to keep all its regional bank branches open for at least another three-and-a-half years, as the industry faces political scrutiny over a wave of branch closures outside major cities.

With more customers switching to digital banking, banks have been shutting branches across the country at a quicker pace recently, prompting criticism from affected communities and sparking a year-long Senate inquiry into regional branch closures.

CBA retail banking services group executive Angus Sullivan. Credit: Rhett Wyman

Earlier this year, three of the big four banks said they would pause regional branch closures until the inquiry concludes in December following a request from committee chair, Nationals senator Matthew Canavan. On Friday, CBA extended this commitment until at least the end of 2026.

The banking giant said it would use the three-year extension to support customers who preferred using branches, but it also highlighted ongoing growth in digital banking. CBA also said it would consider converting more regional branches to multi-channel branches, which close their doors at 1pm, at which point the branch staff start work in contact centres.
The fate of bankrupt businessman Dan Baxters five-bedroom, seven-bathroom Toorak mansion, purchased from Lleyton and Bec Hewitt in November 2021, is up in the air.

This is despite receivers putting the last commercial property investment  a 418 square metre basement at 420 Collins Street  held by Baxter, founder of the failed Victory Offices, up for sale.

The five-bedroom, seven-bathroom Toorak mansion at 34 Heyington Place.

Baxters company, Redmill Australia, settled on the $15.2 million Toorak residence, at 34 Heyington Place, in February 2022  months before the high-profile collapse of Victory Offices.

Corporate records reveal Redmill is also in administration, with two caveats placed over the 696 sq m property by lenders Gauge Lending and Active Capital Funds. Mortgages are held by Portside CF Securities and Vandabees.
With rental vacancies and housing affordability at record lows in Australia, a new model of developing apartments in inner-city suburbs promises a potent solution to the escalating housing crisis.

Already popular overseas, the build-to-rent (BTR) idea is taking hold in Australia, and a flood of projects are in development and under construction across the country.

Australian Super is backing the development of a BTR site in Brunswick that is due for completion in 2027.

So, what exactly is BTR, and why is it seen as a potential remedy to amping up housing supply in the major metropolitans areas?

Under the BTR model, major building complexes  sometimes hundreds of units  are especially designed and constructed by a developer, which retains ownership of the properties after completion. The apartments are then rented to tenants and the developer manages and maintains the complex.
The music is lively from the outset, but the story drags its heels with a couple of early scenes, notably Natasha meeting her future in-laws, which is of little relevance. It takes until Natasha encounters Anatole (played with snake-hipped panache by Jules Pendrith) to really kick off. Composer Dave Molloy, who also wrote the book, has created a heady musical cocktail ranging from electro-pop and techno to ballads and eastern European klezmer. With musical direction by Claire Healy, the ensemble impressed, especially in a rousing song of farewell to gypsy lovers. Zoy Frangos (Pierre) was vocally assured with an emotional richness to his lyrical caramel tones. Grace Driscolls Natasha had the sweetness of a Disney princess in a puff-sleeved frock. In the smaller role of Helene, Anatoles slapper of a sister, Marissa Sarocas bluesy first-act solo was a standout. Jillian ODowd made much of her role as Moscows grande dame Marya. But I found myself questioning whose story this is. Pierre is missing in action for much of the show, so his return to focus towards the end comes out of the blue. Natasha is the centre, yet a tale of a fallen woman seems the stuff of 19th-century opera. Its a comet that doesnt quite ignite.

Reviewed by Joyce Morgan MUSIC

Simone Young Conducts Tchaikovskys Ballet Music 

Opera House Concert Hall, until July 9 Although the program was constructed around some of the most popular music in the classical music repertoire  Tchaikovskys ballet music for The Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake  conductor Simone Young was also keen that it be part of a productive dialogue with Aboriginal artists, drawing on the shared practice of storytelling. The Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform at the Concert Hall. Credit: Daniel Boud At the start, percussionist Adam Manning led a Rhythmic Acknowledgement of Country starting with a free, evocative section on sticks, hand-played drums and timpani with the Sydney Symphony percussion section, which then erupted into a faster passage in which SSO brass players (as percussionists) joined in rhythmic exchange.

From there it was a shorter step than you might think to the festive emphatic chords of the introduction to Tchaikovskys The Sleeping Beauty, leading, via a majestic Dance of the Duchesses, and a querulous Dance of the Marquesses, to the well-known waltz from act one. After intimate solos in the pas daction from act two, this bracket ended with the Rose Adagio from act one with the strings adding surging energy to the sound. Loading The selections from The Nutcracker were anchored by a crisp reading of March of the Toy Soldiers at the start, playing of abandon and momentum in the Waltz of the Flowers (drawing audible sighs from the audience around me), and a swooning close in the pas de deux. In between, the exotic colour of Tchaikovskys shorter dances emerged with delicacy and clarity from woodwind, harp and celeste (Susanne Powell). To start the second half, Uncle Ray Kelly returned to Aboriginal narrative with a story of a small bird who flies high into the sky in a failed attempt to be chosen as the next king. As Kelly suggested, this seems to be a parable about overreach. This led straight into Tchaikovskys Swan Lake, which also tells a story of a bird as a parable for striving. Young and the SSO captured both the epic and the intimate. Concertmaster Andrew Haverons brilliantly virtuosic violin solos had coloured tone with silky finish. Cellist Catherine Hewgill had a sound of regal smoothness, oboist Diana Doherty played with piquant tristesse and harpist Natalie Wong created sweeping gestures of glistening precision.

A recurring theme of each of Tchaikovskys stories is magical transformation through beauty, something remaining vivid as an intangible inner narrative for the Concert Hall listener even when stage characters and dancers are absent. Reviewed by Peter McCallum COMEDY

Josh Glanc: Collections 2023 

Bondi Pavilion, until July 9 There are two important things to know about oddball sketch comic Josh Glanc. First, its pronounced Glance (not Glank). Second, dont sit in the front row at his shows unless youre happy to become part of his distinctive brand of madness. You cant deny Josh Glancs hilarious imagination. Credit: Marcelle Bradbeer

Glanc kicks off Collections 2023, a kind of greatest hits show, by recruiting various audience members to play air instruments as he lip syncs and sashays to Smash Mouths Walkin on the Sun. His brand of audience participation doesnt seek to embarrass anyone; participants like Sam and Hayley become stars of the show in their own right. Loading A hirsute man with sad eyes and a Mario Brothers moustache, Glanc is acutely aware hes not for everyone. Lot of confused faces, he observes after one divisive skit. My shows a bit like a five-year-olds bedroom that you just shut the door on  and call foster care! Yet, to those attuned to his brand of silliness, Glanc is a delight. He bounces through costume changes, elaborate sound cues, skits and songs with irrepressible cheer, always dancing to the tune of his own warped drum. One sketch features a man enthusiastically flogging an album of Christmas carols on television, seemingly oblivious that he cant pronounce several key consonants. Another thought bubble stars a lycra-clad gentleman who is agitated that people dont recognise him as a cyclist simply because he doesnt have a bike.
Kumuthini Kannan subjected her slave to 23-hour work days that left the woman in such perilous health she weighed just 40 kilograms when ambulance paramedics found her.

But on the eve of a court date for the slavery charges she faced, Kannan, 55, threw one last insult at her victim.

Kandasamy (left) and Kumuthini Kannan outside a court in 2017. Credit: Jason South

Posing as a Tamil interpreter, she used a suburban shopping centre payphone to call the woman  then in an aged care home  and told her: Dont repeat what you are saying. If you do, you will lose everything.

The February 16, 2020 call lasted about an hour, during which Kannan repeatedly told the woman she should not give evidence against Kannan and husband Kandasamy, who were at that stage accused of keeping the woman as a slave in their Mount Waverley home between 2007 and 2015.
A boost in foreign aid to Papua New Guinea has helped fund training for a record number of student lawyers through a special advocacy program run by the Victorian Bar.

Enrolment in the program has almost doubled to 150 students since last year, and the training included a team of senior Victorian barristers and judges delivering a five-day course in intensive advocacy skills at Port Moresbys Legal Training Institute (LTI).

The 2023 class at PNGs Legal Training Institute received special training from Victorian Bar members. Credit: Venon Mati

The expansion has been underwritten by a three-year $59 million Commonwealth grant to bolster PNGs law and justice sector as part of attempts to strengthen Australias regional ties in the Pacific.

It has also funded a new specialised training program for 20 government lawyers from the Office of the Solicitor General, and a judicial consultation forum between 20 current PNG judges and two former Victorian judges and a judicial registrar.
Loading When presented with opportunities to obtain advice on the lawfulness of that practice, she failed to act. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten said the report showed the previous government and senior public servants gaslighted the nation and its citizens for 4.5 years. This is a report that shows how the previous government and senior public servants hurt, not helped, citizens, he said. Greens Senator David Shoebridge said Defence Secretary Greg Moriarty had created a special position for Campbell from the enormous buckets of money the government has provided for AUKUS.

Now he needs to urgently reflect on these damning findings from the royal commission and decide if that was ever even close to a reasonable use of public resources. The Department of Defence did not respond to questions about whether the findings would affect Campbells employment. Campbell did not respond to a request for comment sent via the department. While appearing before the royal commission in March, Campbell conceded she had submitted a potentially misleading document to the expenditure review committee of cabinet in March 2015 when the scheme was being devised. The document falsely said there would be no change to how debts would be assessed under the robo-debt scheme and removed suggestions that legislative change was required to implement the proposal.

The report disputed Campbells claim that the admissions were an accidental oversight, saying: That would be an extraordinary oversight for someone of Ms Campbells seniority and experience. The weight of the evidence instead leads to the conclusion that Ms Campbell knew of the misleading effect of the NPP [new policy proposal] but chose to stay silent, knowing that Mr Morrison wanted to pursue the proposal and that the government could not achieve the savings which the NPP promised without income averaging. When Australian Council of Social Service chief executive Cassandra Goldie gave an interview in January 2017 warning that the scheme was raising inaccurate debts and should be terminated, the report finds Campbell was not interested in these substantive issues but rather the possibility of obtaining a good line for us to use in the future in the media. The report finds a reference by Campbell about ensuring the scheme was in accordance with the law seems to have been solely concerned with its use for rhetorical purposes, not any intention to that effect; because there is no evidence that Ms Campbell did anything to ensure the schemes lawfulness. Loading

It finds Campbell again failed to act in February 2017 when Centrelink worker Colleen Taylor sent her a desperate email saying she had been misled about robo-debt and alleging that Centrelink was effectively stealing from its customers. [Campbells] response to staff concerns, including those about income averaging and debt accuracy, was not to seek external assurance or even make inquiries about the matter with her chief counsel or other departmental lawyers, the report says. It then finds that Campbell decided to shelve a damning $1 million audit by PwC into the scheme just as it was about to finish because she feared its contents would be damaging. The rational inference is that although the report was contracted for and all but finalised, Ms Campbell formed the view that its detail as to the deficiencies of the scheme was damaging and that it would be better for the departments reputation, and her own, if it were not produced, the report states. It also finds Campbell failed to take action in July 2017 when administrative law expert Peter Hanks presented a paper arguing that the manner in which income averaging was used to calculate debts in the scheme was unlawful.

The obvious and appropriate response for a person in Ms Campbells position would be alarm

upon being told about Mr Hanks arguments; arguments that a scheme for which Ms Campbell was responsible was, in effect, unlawful, the report states. However, Ms Campbell made no request for advice, nor did she make any attempt to ensure that DHS was acting upon the criticisms. Ms Campbells conduct is inexplicable except on the basis that she had an expectation that Mr Hanks arguments were properly made and that further work would have exposed the unlawfulness of the scheme. The report finds that problems with the scheme were apparent during a pilot phase, but there was a reluctance to deliver bad news to Campbell and other senior officers in the human services department. Loading

The failure to confront fundamental flaws in the operation of the scheme appears to have been a product of the culture within DHS at the time, the report states. Data from the pilot scheme showed that if replicated at full scale, it could be expected that 60 per cent of the interventions would probably involve inaccurate debts because they were based on income averaging. A written brief of these findings was never presented to Campbell. One possible explanation for this is that Ms Campbell was informed of the results orally, preferring not to receive them in writing, the report states. The other possibility is that the results were not given to her because of the same fear of delivering bad news that [former DHS official Scott] Britton described in his evidence.
Ms. Parra has spent most of her life in public service with 30 years of extensive legislative and political experience. Most recently, she served as Director of the California Renewable Energy Laboratory at the Kern Community College District (KernCCD). Prior to this, she was elected to the California State Assembly for three terms, served in the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and worked for now retired U.S. Congressman Cal Dooley.

Ms. Parra has received several recognitions by community and academic institutions including the Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in Achievement by U.C. Berkeley in 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Catholic University School of Law in Washington, D.C.

"We are very happy to welcome Nicole to the CRC team," said Francisco Leon, President and Chief Executive Officer of CRC. "She is deeply committed to our California communities and has been a tireless public servant for decades. I look forward to working with Nicole as we continue to strengthen our community relationships across the state."

Ms. Parra said, "As CRC helps further the state's energy transition objectives, I'm excited to collaborate with our local stakeholders to ensure the company's business initiatives provide meaningful benefits to our communities."

About California Resources Corporation

California Resources Corporation (CRC) is an independent energy and carbon management company committed to energy transition. CRC produces some of the lowest carbon intensity oil in the US and is focused on maximizing the value of its land, mineral and technical resources for decarbonization efforts. For more information about CRC, please visit www.crc.com.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Low earth orbit (LEO) satellites are nothing new, having been launched into rotation around the planet since the 1950s. Communication relays, spy satellites, earth imaging systems and space microscopes are all zipping around up there all the time. But with Telstras announcement this week that it would use Starlink  operated by Elon Musks SpaceX  to provide phone and internet services, the practicality of tapping a worldwide constellation of LEO satellites for mainstream, accessible communication has come to the fore. Starlink satellites orbit in the middle of the earths thermosphere and circle the globe in about an hour and a half, passing 550 kilometres above your head. To imagine that distance horizontally, its about as far as Sydney is from the Victorian border town of Cobram. Its higher than the International Space Station, but much lower than geostationary satellites that need to stay above a fixed spot on the earth, which are about 36,000 kilometres up. Australians have been able to access the internet via Starlink since 2021, and it has more than 120,000 subscribers here. For consumers, the company offers one plan with unlimited data, and the requirement that users install the dish themselves. The cost and speed means Starlink isnt competitive with most wired internet connection types, but has proved popular in regional areas. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Centre carrying a batch of Starlink internet satellites. Credit: AP Starlink also has business plans that offer higher speeds and priority access at a much greater cost, as well as a portable plan that can be attached to motorhomes or boats. In Australia, businesses can sign up directly through Starlink or through local telco Vocus, which is even testing a drone product that emergency services can use to send Starlink-powered Wi-Fi into disaster or rescue situations. But Telstra will be the first in Australia to resell Starlink services to consumers when it rolls out the new service later this year. And it will be the first in the world to offer bundled internet and phone to consumers using the satellites. Were looking at satellites as a way to upgrade and get out of the copper network. Regional networks in particular where the copper infrastructure is still used quite heavily, because its the only thing available. We view LEO [satellites] as a great alternative to that, said Nikos Katinakis, Telstras group executive of global networks and technology.

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LEO is the only altitude where voice works quite well. So people end up with a very good voice product, and a much better broadband connection compared to what they get today in DSL, which is really a 30- or 40-year-old technology. Loading Telstra hasnt been keen to make the comparison, but on paper the Starlink technology also outpaces the NBNs own Sky Muster satellites in practically every way. The pair of massive, heavy Sky Muster satellites are in geosynchronous orbit thousands of kilometres above Australia, and for many rural customers have provided the only connectivity alternative to copper available through traditional telcos. But being so high up, Sky Muster connections have unavoidable latency of about 600 milliseconds, which makes it very difficult to use for gaming, voice calls and video conferencing, as many users discovered the hard way during the pandemic. It also offers a relatively slow connection of around 25Mbps. By contrast, Starlink promises latency as low as 25 milliseconds (though tests show it can be up to 40), and its consumer plan has speeds between 100 and 200Mbps. Whether because of the competition from Starlink, or because of the increasing footprint of fixed wireless connections in regional areas, Sky Muster sign-ups have stalled over the past few years, with the overall number of customers now less than Starlink. NBN has said its working on increasing the performance of Sky Muster, most recently providing a premium tier that has bursts of up to 100Mbps when network conditions allow. While Katinakis acknowledged the superior performance of Starlinks satellites over NBNs, he said they were different technologies that werent strictly competing.

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What you will get out of the Telstra service will definitely be better than Sky Muster. But again, NBN is investing money in improving the Sky Muster capacity, and I do expect to see that improvement materialise, he said. The concerns that we have are more about space debris, and cluttering the sky, impacting the visual component. Nikos Katinakis, Telstras group executive of global networks and technology. Its a different satellite technology. Its older, its not LEO, which means less capacity for the same surface area, so I dont expect it to match. The biggest advantage of LEO, as far as Telstras concerned, is that it can be deployed anywhere you cant get to with terrestrial networks. Katinakis said the telco sees three main types of customers for the service: people who are already covered but who want an additional connection somewhere else on their property, for example on a farm; people who are still stuck on copper DSL, and; people who dont have access to any reliable internet. If you think of the teeny tiny communities around Australia, where its truly uneconomical to put in a cell site  now you can provide connectivity for that small community through a satellite service and a hub in the middle of a community, he said. So are there downsides to LEO satellites? From Telstras perspective its a solid proposition in terms of performance right now, though it is keeping an eye on potential future hiccups. They are going to get into congestion trouble at some point, like every other network, Katinakis said.

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The concerns that we have are more about space debris, and cluttering the sky, impacting the visual component. From a product performance perspective we dont have any concerns at this point. They will come in the future. Those are familiar concerns when it comes to Starlink. SpaceX claims its satellites are designed to dissolve in the earths atmosphere if they leave their orbit, meaning they pose no threat or striking the ground. This is also how the company disposes of older satellites once theyre replaced by newer models  by de-orbiting them. But some regulators have likened the surrounding of our planet with satellites to littering the ocean; sooner or later it will become too much, and we might find the problem difficult to rectify. Small space debris can be dangerous, especially if it ends up near any capsules occupied by humans, as it screams around the earth at 28,000 kilometres an hour. Starlink satellites can also sometimes be seen from earth, providing an interesting or infuriating view for sky gazers depending on their perspective. Most of the time, you wont be able to spot them without the aid of a sky map app or a time-lapse photo, but they are much more visible when theyve only recently launched, as they cling together and look like a moving train of bright dots. Initially the satellites were a source of great frustration for professional astronomers, as long exposures are vital to their work and streaks of moving LEO satellites could ruin their view. But SpaceX has been working on mitigations, including changes to its satellites solar arrays, mirror film and paint. Earlier this year it signed an agreement with the American National Science Foundation, committing to easing impacts on astronomy. As for network congestion, anecdotal reports from the US have suggested Skylink has become slower over time as more users have signed up. Katinakis said all we can really do is trust SpaceX will keep pumping satellites into the sky to account for increasing demand. We are contemplating how much of a [speed] guarantee we can provide, when Starlink themselves have been very clear with their customers and everybody else that it is a best effort, and you get what you get, he said.

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There are about 4000 Starlink satellites around the globe, the expectation is that number will increase to about 12,000. So that is really an indication of the capacity planning that theyre doing, which is very similar to the capacity planning that were doing on the terrestrial networks. Loading The biggest question remaining is one of price. The consumer Starlink plan is $140 a month, with a substantial initial cost of about $900, though this is often discounted. By comparison, telcos are selling premium Sky Muster plans for around $100 a month. Telstra has given no guidance on the price of its plans. But Angus Kidman, utilities expert at comparison site Finder, said it would likely not be cheaper. Telstra positions itself as a premium service, so Id expect the costs to be higher than DIY installations, which is what Starlink currently offers, he said. Given Starlink has been promoting $199 installs recently, Telstra will need to make sure its deal seems competitive. Telstra will differentiate itself from Starlink not only by having technicians install the dishes for customers, but also by having local technical support, which Starlink itself lacks.

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What in the World, a free weekly newsletter from our foreign correspondents, is sent every Thursday. Below is an excerpt. Sign up to get the whole newsletter delivered to your inbox.

The US celebrated its 247th birthday yesterday  and it sure knows how to put on a party. Across the country, millions of people commemorated the Fourth of July, marking the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was adopted and Americas 13 original colonies separated from Great Britain.

A stars and stripes balloon rises beside the National Archives, home to the Declaration of Independence, in Washington. Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

In the nations capital, thousands of people lined Constitution Avenue for the annual Independence Day parade, waving the American flag as they cheered on marching bands, floats and military units. Picnics and rooftop barbecues stretched across DC as families and revellers (including yours truly) enjoyed day-long cookouts with all the usual July 4 staples: hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken wings, salads.

And then, of course, there was the spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the sky over the Washington Monument in hues of red, green and gold as President Joe Biden and his family watched on from the White House.
if the people of Biafra want Republic of Biafra, it will be a reality during my administration. ----Donald Trump Donald Trump I wi...
China's highest academic accolade recognises contributions from members of the international community in the fields of science, technology and engineering

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol today (July 6) formally became a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering at a prestigious ceremony in Beijing that recognised his services to economics, engineering and international cooperation on key energy issues.

The award of Foreign Academician is China's highest international distinction in the fields of engineering, science and technology, and a lifelong honour for recipients. Addressing members of the preeminent academy, Dr Birol thanked them for "a truly great honour" and one that he will "treasure dearly".

The academy's General Assembly elects Foreign Academicians every two years, which is followed by an official ceremony to bestow membership on distinguished experts for contributions to their respective fields. Other non-Chinese figures to have been elected to the academy include Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates and Nobel Prize winners Barry J. Marshall and Satoshi Omura.

The President of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Professor Li Xiaohong, presented the Diploma to Dr Birol at the special ceremony. President Li said: "I am delighted that Dr Birol will join the academy as a Foreign Academician and we welcome him wholeheartedly. His distinguished services to energy engineering, combating climate change and economics are clear for all to see. Moreover, his work at the International Energy Agency has been critical to enhancing international cooperation and exchange in the field of energy, science and technology between countries all over the world."

Speaking before members of the academy, Dr Birol said: "I am honoured to receive this distinguished recognition from the Chinese Academy of Engineering. When I was appointed as the Executive Director of the IEA, I made opening the doors of the Agency to major emerging economies a top priority. My first official visit was to China, one of the first countries to join the IEA as an Association member. Now, more than ever, I see the IEA as the engineer of international cooperation and policy dialogue in the energy world. Each day, our agency strives to build bridges that span countries and continents."

Dr Birol is paying an official visit to China to continue the IEA's close cooperation on energy and climate issues. The two-day visit includes a series of bilateral meetings with ministers and senior government officials. China became a member of the IEA Family in 2015 and one of the first countries to expand ties in key areas such as energy data and statistics, energy policy analysis, renewables integration, energy efficiency and other clean energy technologies.

Of China's energy transition, Dr Birol added: "China knows only too well the valuable contribution that engineers make to society. Engineers and the expertise they develop are the very foundation of the global energy transition. Without engineers, there would be no wind turbines, no solar panels, no electric cars or any of the other key technologies that we have come to rely on in the modern world."

Since joining the IEA Family, China has deepened its ties with the Agency through an extensive three-year work programme to support the country's energy transition, in cooperation with the National Energy Administration. More recently, the IEA produced an Energy Sector Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality for China in response to the Chinese government's invitation to cooperate on long-term strategies, specifically the national target of carbon neutrality by 2060. The report showed that achieving carbon neutrality fits with China's broader development goals, such as increasing prosperity and shifting towards innovation-driven growth.
As part of its commitment to help bolster summer grid reliability and advance California's 100% clean energy goal, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has completed two additional utility-owned energy storage facilities totaling 171 megawatts (MW), enough to power almost 130,000 homes for four hours.

The 131MW Westside Canal project located in Imperial Valley - home to a high concentration of solar, wind, and geothermal generation facilities - is the largest storage asset in SDG&E's utility-owned energy storage portfolio; the 40MW Fallbrook project, located in Northern San Diego County, is the second largest in its portfolio. SDG&E's energy storage portfolio is expected to reach 345 MW of power capacity by the end of the year, sufficient to meet over 15% of its customers' load on a typical day and 7% on a system peak day. These energy storage assets participate in the energy markets managed by the California Independent System Operator, allowing CAISO to store and dispatch clean energy from the facilities to meet electricity demand as needed.

"The beauty of energy storage is it can help California solve two problems simultaneously. It can soak up surplus renewable energy during the day, so solar and wind farms don't have to cut off production when demand on the grid is low," said SDG&E's Vice President of Energy Innovation Miguel Romero. "By extending the availability of clean energy to peak evening hours, energy storage can also help California achieve its clean energy goals by reducing reliance on conventional power plants to meet peak electricity demand."

In recent years, as wind and solar generation capacity has soared in California, renewable generation facilities have had to increasingly curtail, or scale back, energy production to keep the grid balanced. At times, California has had to pay neighboring states to take its oversupply of solar energy in order to avoid overloading the grid.

In recent years, California has also experienced repeated grid emergencies during record heat waves, which pushed the grid to the brink due to energy demand exceeding supply.

"With our state experiencing more frequent climate extremes such as record heat waves and droughts, it is essential to invest in innovations like energy storage to make sure we can continue to power the world's 4th largest economy reliably," said CAISO President and CEO Elliot Mainzer. "The rapid growth of energy storage in California in recent years gives me optimism about our state's future and its capacity to respond to climate change."

Westside Canal consists of more than 800 cubes of stacked lithium-ion batteries which stretch across roughly 16 acres of land. It began commercial operation in June. Like Westside Canal, the Fallbrook energy storage project is also made up of stacks of lithium-ion batteries tightly packed inside metal cubes. The Fallbrook project began commercial operation in May. Both facilities are equipped with safety features, remote monitoring, and automation technologies. When smoke or other anomalies are detected, the units will automatically shut down.

The completion of these projects follows two other utility-owned storage projects SDG&E has brought online in recent years. The company finished the Top Gun Energy Storage Facility (30MW) in the Miramar area of San Diego in 2021 and the Kearny Energy Storage Facility (20MW) in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego in 2022.

SDG&E is an innovative energy delivery company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by increasing energy delivered from low or zero-carbon sources; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; and investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region's infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE). For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.

This press release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions with respect to the future, involve risks and uncertainties, and are not guarantees. Future results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement. These forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of this press release. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

In this press release, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "contemplates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "should," "could," "would," "will," "confident," "may," "can," "potential," "possible," "proposed," "in process," "construct," "develop," "opportunity," "initiative," "target," "outlook," "optimistic," "poised," "maintain," "continue," "progress," "advance," "goal," "aim," "commit," or similar expressions, or when we discuss our guidance, priorities, strategy, goals, vision, mission, opportunities, projections, intentions or expectations.

Factors, among others, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include risks and uncertainties relating to: California wildfires, including potential liability for damages regardless of fault and any inability to recover all or a substantial portion of costs from insurance, the wildfire fund established by California Assembly Bill 1054, rates from customers or a combination thereof; decisions, investigations, inquiries, regulations, issuances or revocations of permits, consents, approvals or other authorizations, renewals of franchises, and other actions by (i) the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and other governmental and regulatory bodies and (ii) the U.S. and states, counties, cities and other jurisdictions therein in which we do business; the success of business development efforts and construction projects, including risks in (i) completing construction projects or other transactions on schedule and budget, (ii) realizing anticipated benefits from any of these efforts if completed, and (iii) obtaining the consent or approval of third parties; litigation, arbitrations and other proceedings, and changes to laws and regulations; cybersecurity threats, including by state and state-sponsored actors, of ransomware or other attacks on our systems or the systems of third-parties with which we conduct business, including the energy grid or other energy infrastructure, all of which have become more pronounced due to recent geopolitical events; our ability to borrow money on favorable terms and meet our obligations, including due to (i) actions by credit rating agencies to downgrade our credit ratings or place those ratings on negative outlook or (ii) rising interest rates and inflation; failure of our counterparties to honor their contracts and commitments; the impact on affordability of our customer rates and our cost of capital and on our ability to pass through higher costs to customers due to (i) volatility in inflation, interest rates and commodity prices, (ii) the cost of the energy transition in California, and (iii) departing retail load resulting from additional customers transferring to Community Choice Aggregation and Direct Access; the impact of climate and sustainability policies, laws, rules, regulations, disclosures and trends, including actions to reduce or eliminate reliance on natural gas, increased uncertainty in the political or regulatory environment for California natural gas distribution companies, the risk of nonrecovery for stranded assets, and our ability to incorporate new technologies; weather, natural disasters, pandemics, accidents, equipment failures, explosions, terrorism, information system outages or other events that disrupt our operations, damage our facilities or systems, cause the release of harmful materials or fires or subject us to liability for damages, fines and penalties, some of which may not be recoverable through regulatory mechanisms or insurance or may impact our ability to obtain satisfactory levels of affordable insurance; the availability of electric power, natural gas and natural gas storage capacity, including disruptions caused by failures in the transmission grid, pipeline system or limitations on the withdrawal of natural gas from storage facilities; changes in tax and trade policies, laws and regulations, including tariffs, revisions to international trade agreements and sanctions, such as those imposed in connection with the war in Ukraine, any of which may increase our costs, reduce our competitiveness, impact our ability to do business with certain counterparties, or impair our ability to resolve trade disputes; and other uncertainties, some of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control.

These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that the company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on Sempra's website, www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements.

Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC (Oncor) and Infraestructura Energetica Nova, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (IEnova) are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric Company or Southern California Gas Company, and Sempra Infrastructure, Sempra Infrastructure Partners, Sempra Texas, Sempra Texas Utilities, Oncor and IEnova are not regulated by the CPUC.
CorPower Ocean has resumed its deployment program for its first commercial scale C4 Wave Energy Converter, following a period where the Agucadoura wave energy site in northern Portugal has been out of operation.

Earlier this year, CorPower Ocean identified cable damage at the offshore site. It initiated a series of operations to recover and refurbish the electrical export cable involving ROVs (Remote Operated Vehicles) and offshore construction vessels, which was successfully concluded in June. With the site infrastructure restored, CorPower Ocean has resumed the C4 deployment program by testing operational methods for connecting and disconnecting its C4 device. This follows the successful site installation of the UMACK anchor and subsea electrical export cables in mid-2022 and the completion of C4 assembly and successful Pre-Deployment Check (PDC) program at the quay-side launch pad in Viana do Castelo in December 2022.

During recent weeks innovative methods for pulling down and mating the C4 device to the UMACK anchor using a fully surface operated installation sequence have been verified. In the next phase of the program the C4 device will be taken through cycles of testing safety, control and grid functions, followed by first power export to the Portuguese grid.

CorPower Ocean CEO Patrik Moller said: "We are pleased to progress the C4 deployment program, after having the Agucadoura site back in operation. Developing new and disruptive technology is an endurance sport and a discipline we have been honing through a carefully structured verification program for more than a decade. As we work to introduce a new power source to the world our everyday life consists of problem solving and removing various obstacles, both big and small. Often this involves auxiliary functions not directly related to the core technology, with the export cable being a recent example. We always try to plan for the unplannable, and to be prepared to address new challenges along the way in a methodical manner.

CorPower Ocean is currently undergoing certification of the C4 technology with DNV - a leading supervisory to the global renewables industry - to ensure reliability of components and systems in the marine environment. For marine operation methods Global Maritime acts as Marine Warranty Surveyor on behalf of underwriters to ensure compliance with offshore standards.

The CorPower C4 features solutions that make the device naturally protected from storms and advanced control technology to amplify power capture in regular ocean conditions. The interface to the anchor has quick connections for power export and data communication to an on-land substation, where a SCADA system is used for remote monitoring and control.

"Efficient operations and maintenance methods will be key for making wave energy a reliable and competitive energy source at a utility scale," added Mr Moller. "The HiWave-5 demonstration project aims to bring wave power to a mainstream energy source, incorporating solutions that allow simple and efficient operation of wave energy farms."

Stay tuned and follow us for the latest updates from the HiWave-5 project, our flagship wave energy demonstration in Portugal.

Find video update >>here.

A Press Kit with background information and high-resolution images can be found >>here. For further information on CorPower Ocean visit www.corpowerocean.com or email ida.malmborg@corpoweroocean.com



CorPower Ocean

CorPower Ocean brings high-efficiency Wave Energy technology enabling reliable and cost-effective harvesting of electricity from ocean waves. With our research and development spanning decades, our innovations are inspired by the pumping principle of the human heart. Ocean energy brings stability to the clean energy mix, accelerating the transition to zero-carbon energy. Headquartered in Sweden, with offices in Portugal, Norway and Scotland, we design, build and install turnkey solutions that allow our customers to power the planet with clean energy from ocean waves.
Wyomings Office of Outdoor Recreation facilitates seven outdoor recreation collaboratives convened throughout the state to bring together local community members, recreation stakeholders, businesses, conservation groups, federal and state agencies, and elected officials to identify and prioritize grassroot opportunities for the growth and enhancement of outdoor recreation.

Dates, times, locations, and call-in information are as follows:

 Wind River Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (WRORC - Fremont County) - will meet online only on Wednesday, July 12th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Join virtually here: https://meet.google.com/tzt-utmp-hjj or dial (US) +1 518-797-6131 PIN: 967 903 730#. In addition to the online meeting, collaborative members are welcome to join the Central Wyoming Climbers' Alliance on July 15th/16th for Climbing Advocacy Day during the International Climbers Fest in Lander!

At the previous meeting in May, the collaborative listened to updates on the four subcommittees, updates from several agencies and organizations, and members discussed the potential for two subcommittee revivals. A presentation from the Wyoming Outdoor Council concluded the meeting. The meeting in July will include subcommittee updates, a presentation from Fremont County Weed & Pest, and time to brainstorm for National Public Lands Day.

 Southeast Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (SWORC - Albany and Carbon Counties) - will meet on Thursday, July 20th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Brush Creek Visitor Center in Saratoga (5556 WY-130, Saratoga, WY 82331). Join virtually here: https://meet.google.com/tiz-ppcb-bkg or dial (US) +1 929-236-4471 PIN: 539 209 725#.

At the May meeting, members heard about several outdoor recreation projects the City of Rawlins is currently working on. Four subcommittee updates were provided and new topics were lightly discussed. Members discussed details for the July meeting. The July meeting will include subcommittee updates, a discussion on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland Recreation Enhancement Act Fee Proposals, and a presentation from the University of Wyoming Extension Office. The meeting will be followed by a small group hike.

 Sweetwater County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (SCORC - Sweetwater County) - will not meet in July. The collaborative will have a member/advisor-only full-day tour of the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area on Saturday, August 26th.

The last meeting, held in May, included updates from the three subcommittees and updates for the July/August collaborative meeting. A majority of the meeting involved a presentation from the Planning and Grants Manager for Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources and a follow-up discussion.

Members of the public are welcome to attend collaborative meetings in-person or virtually. There will be a designated time for public comment near the end of each meeting.

Established by recommendation of the 2017 Governors Outdoor Recreation Task Force, the Office of Outdoor Recreation aims to diversify Wyomings economy by expanding, enhancing, and promoting responsible recreational opportunities through collaboration, outreach, and coordination with stakeholders, landowners, private industry, and public officials.
Batavia, NY (14020)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. WNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 58F. WNW winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph.
Highlights

Project joins the company's other three solar facilities in Northern Kentucky's Kenton and Grant counties

Kenton and counties More than 5,600 solar panels designed to generate approximately 2 megawatts of clean electricity

Duke Energy customers in Northern Kentucky are benefiting from additional clean, renewable solar energy as a result of a new utility-scale rooftop solar project now generating power for area homes and businesses.

Kentucky's largest rooftop solar array operates over 5,600 photovoltaic panels on the 800,000-square-foot Amazon Air Hub rooftop adjacent to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. This Duke Energy facility will feed up to 2 megawatts of solar power directly onto the electric distribution grid, energizing approximately 400 homes and businesses in the area.

"Duke Energy Kentucky has gained a great deal of experience in owning and operating ground-mounted solar since 2017," said Amy Spiller, president, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. "Located in one of the fastest-growing counties in the Commonwealth, this new rooftop solar site will complement our emerging solar portfolio in the Bluegrass State."

Duke Energy Kentucky is making cost-effective incremental additions to its existing electric generation to support growth across the region and ensure Northern Kentucky customers benefit from clean, affordable and reliable energy for many years to come. Among many benefits, the rooftop solar project aligns with Duke Energy's companywide goal to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and provide a cleaner and smarter energy future for customers and communities.

This new solar project is a joint partnership between Amazon and Duke Energy, aligning with both companies' renewable energy goals. The location on Amazon's Air Hub is ideal for many reasons, including a substantial and accessible flat roof, which receives optimal sunlight, and it is near the infrastructure needed to feed the solar energy onto the distribution grid, and then to nearby customers.

"Powering our operations with 100% renewable energy is an important part of Amazon's commitment to reach net zero by 2040, and we built Amazon's Air Hub - the largest field operation in Amazon's history - with sustainability in mind," said Chris Roe, Amazon director of energy and sustainable operations. "We're excited to host this solar project on our rooftop in collaboration with Duke Energy, and help provide a new source of clean electricity to the local community."

Duke Energy Kentucky's other solar sites in Grant and Kenton counties

Walton Solar Power Plants 1 & 2 are located on a 60-acre property on York Road in Kenton County. Duke Energy operates about 19,000 solar panels at the site, which are capable of producing more than 4 megawatts of electricity.

Crittenden Solar Power Plant is located off I-75 in Grant County on portions of a 110-acre site on Ruark Road. This solar array includes about 12,500 panels, and is able to generate more than 2.7 megawatts of electricity.

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 900,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 550,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area, in Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com.

Media contact:

Sally Thelen

Phone: 513.287.2432 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853

Twitter: @DE_SallyT
As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today (July 6) announced nine states and three tribal nations as the third cohort to receive a combined total of $207.6 million in Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants. Supported by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by DOE's Grid Deployment Office, these grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of climate-driven extreme weather and natural disasters while also ensuring power sector reliability. This funding will ensure all communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity while helping deliver on the President's ambitious clean energy goals.

"Renewable energy has helped many parts of the country withstand a crippling heat dome, and the President's Investing in America agenda will increase the amount of clean power sources available on the nation's grid," said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. "DOE is excited to announce a continued stream of funding aimed at strengthening America's workforce and preparing the nation for a more resilient, clean energy future. These grants will help modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of extreme weather and natural disasters while enhancing power sector reliability."

This cohort of nine States and three tribal nations will receive a combined total of $207.6 million. Since May 2023, DOE has distributed $324 million in Grid Resilience Formula Grants thanks to President Biden's Investing in America Agenda.

California will reduce the frequency and duration of power outages for communities while ensuring the benefits of clean, safe, affordable, and reliable energy are shared by all, particularly those in disadvantaged communities and communities with critical energy resilience needs. Selected projects will be used to advance California's goal of achieving 100 percent clean energy through resilience solutions that deploy zero-carbon energy resources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. (Amount: $67.5 million)

Kansas plans to promote grid equity by ensuring that funds are distributed equitably, particularly in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved communities. Grants funds will be used to promote resilience projects while advancing projects that attract, train, and retain a skilled Kansas workforce. (Amount: $13.3 million)

Kentucky will work to improve the safety and reliability of the electric grid serving critical facilities and increase the resilience capacity of critical infrastructure. Grant funds will be used to expand local workforce capacity and increase the resilience capacity of under-resourced communities and vulnerable populations by funding projects with small entities and state facilities that serve critical roles during natural disasters. (Amount: $11.1 million)

Maine's goal is to improve community and economic resilience while empowering electric customers and communities to be resilient to disruptive events. Selected projects will be used to increase clean energy workforce opportunities and activities will align with ongoing electric grid modernization and state policy climate goals while mitigating disproportionate energy burdens. (Amount: $4.4 million)

Metlakatla Indian Community, Annette Island Reserve will use the funding to supplement efforts to improve the resiliency of Metlakatla Power & Light, a component unit of the Tribe's electric distribution system. The Tribe will prioritize workforce development and energy justice to reduce or eliminate the impact of disruptive events on vulnerable communities. (Amount: $113,000)

Michigan will invest in last-mile delivery solutions for low-income customers and mitigate the risk of severe weather on critical facilities through traditional grid hardening resilience investments. Grant funds will be used to grow Michigan's skilled workforce for grid resilience activities and support innovative non-wired alternative projects. (Amount: $14.9 million)

Minnesota will prioritize projects that will generate the greatest community benefit and enhance equity by aligning with the Justice40 initiative. With a goal of strengthening prosperity, state officials will focus on expanding good-paying, safe jobs accessible to all workers and invest in domestic supply chains. (Amount: $11.9 million)

The Native Village of Eagle plans to address asset management and preventative maintenance and improve operational capacity so that it can reduce outage risks and increase the ability to anticipate or rapidly recover from outages. The Tribe plans to develop projects and approaches to implement backup power in case of outages for critical facilities. (Amount: $150,000)

Oregon's goal is to deliver benefits to disadvantaged communities and nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon as defined by the Justice40 Initiative, while maximizing community benefits that complement grid resilience projects. Grant funds will be used to further refine program objectives, metrics, and criteria for future years to ensure program funds address the most pressing grid resilience needs. (Amount: $19.9 million)

Rhode Island will work to address electric resilience threats through a bottom-up approach to identify innovative projects with robust municipal collaboration. State officials will develop a replicable planning framework which will leverage this funding opportunity with other competitive or private funding opportunities. (Amount: $3.4 million)

Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North & South Dakota will use the funding to increase the resiliency of the power supply serving the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's Reservation with a focus on increasing energy justice in the Tribal community. The Tribe plans to develop distributed energy resources and support workforce development. (Amount: $359,000)

Texas will use grant funds to identify gaps in grid resilience and minimize disruption to normal grid operations during weather events with weatherization and modeling technologies, as well as vegetation and fuel load management. Furthermore, Texas will increase the skilled workforce by assuring that any installed resilience measures can be operated and maintained without contractor support, whenever possible. (Amount: $60.6 million)

"I'm proud that the critical funding secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, modeled off of my POWER ON Act, has brought home millions of dollars that will help California avoid shut-offs and keep the lights on," said U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (CA). "As once-in-a-generation weather events test the resiliency of our grid, these life-saving investments will ensure families especially ones in disadvantaged communities are not left in the dark."

President Biden's Investing in America agenda and Bidenomics strategy is growing the American economy from the middle out and bottom up - from rebuilding our nation's infrastructure, to driving over $500 billion in private sector manufacturing and clean energy investments in the United States, to creating good paying jobs and building a clean energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

Over the next five years, the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Formula Grants will distribute a total of $2.3 billion to States, Territories, and federally recognized tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations, based on a formula that includes factors such as population size, land area, probability and severity of disruptive events, and a locality's historical expenditures on mitigation efforts. The States, Territories, and tribes will then award these funds to complete a diverse set of projects, with priority given to efforts that generate the greatest community benefit while providing clean, affordable, and reliable energy.

Additional Grid Resilience Formula Grant recipients will be announced on a rolling basis in the coming months as applications are received. The fiscal year (FY) 22 and FY 23 application deadline for States and Territories was May 31, 2023. The FY 22 and FY 23 application deadline for Indian tribes, including Alaska Native Corporations, is August 31, 2023, at 11:59 pm ET (with a mail-in option post-marked by this date).

Learn more about the Grid Deployment Office.
Cervecera Peninsula finds exclusive UK importer

Spanish craft brewery Cervecera Peninsula has partnered with Euroboozer, who will exclusively bring its wide selection of beers over to the UK, including one brewed exclusively for UK distribution.

The UK-exclusive beer, anmed La Fiesta, is a Spanish ale brewed using local oranges in the city of Madrid. Its available in both 330ml cans and in 30KL kegs, initially available at Graceland sites in London.

A first pour event is set to take place on Thursday 20 July at Red Hand.

Euroboozer are said to be targeting high-end Spanish and Mediterranean restaurants and UK craft-focussed on-trade, plus speciality and multiple retailers, as part of the distribution strategy.

Euroboozer managing director Martyn Railton commented on the partnership: "For us, working with Cervecera Peninsula just makes sense. They're one of Spain's most exciting breweries and we can't wait for their beers to be available in the UK. We've also been working closely with Cervecera Peninsula for nearly a year now on La Fiesta and we're really pleased with the final result. It's a crushable Spanish pale ale loaded with Spanish oranges, absolutely perfect for the summer."

Roman Jove, founder of Cervecera Peninsula added, "following the success of the beers in Spain, we're thrilled to be partnering with Euroboozer to help expand our customer base."

7 July 2023 - Bradley Weir
A Bus Careens Into a Gulch in Southern Mexico, Killing 29 People

A map shows the location of Mixteca region of the southern state of Oaxaca, Mexico. (Google Maps)

MEXICO CITYA passenger bus lost control and veered off a road and into a 75-foot-deep (25 meter-deep) gully in southern Mexico early Wednesday, killing at least 29 passengers, officials said.

The crash occurred in the largely indigenous Mixteca region of the southern state of Oaxaca.

The states interior secretary, Jesus Romero, said 27 people had died in the crash, including a 1 1/2-year-old toddler. He said that about 20 people were injured in the accident, some very seriously.

His office later said the death toll had increased to 29, after two victims died from their injures at a hospital.

Romero said the bus driver apparently lost control of the vehicle and plunged into the gully.

It appears that a lack of skill and tiredness caused the accident, Romero said in remarks to a local television station.

Photos distributed by police suggesting the bus had flipped over, totally crushing the passenger compartment.

The bus set out from Mexico City to carry passengers to a number of tiny, remote mountain villages in the impoverished Mixteca region.

The route, and the possessions, bundles and baskets strewn amid the wreckage, suggested the victims were people who worked in manual labor in the capital and were returning to their home towns.
Advocate Says Democrats Turning Maine Into One-Stop Shop for Wokeness

A roadside sign in Maine bearing one of the New England state's slogans (Courtesy of Maine: The Way Life Should Be)

Maines Welcome Home nickname should be Welcome Woke, say some Republicans in the New England state.

Last week alone, Maines Democratic lawmakers shot down a parental consent bill over the use of alternative gender pronouns in school, passed one of the largest tax hikes in Maines history, and one of the most liberal late-term abortion bills in the country.

Under it, abortion would be legal in Maine at any time up to birth if deemed necessary by a doctor.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills also signed into a law that decriminalizes prostitution, and Maine Democrats have recently pushed back against renewed efforts by state Republicans to institute voter ID registration.

Maine is only one of 15 states that do not require photo ID at the polls. Last November, GOPers like State Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham (R-Winter Harbor) told The Epoch Times that they believe the states large population of seasonal property owners, especially those from Massachusetts and New York, are voting in Maines general elections.

State Democrats also recently proposed designating Maine a sanctuary state for out-of-state minors seeking gender-affirming care.

We are basically turning Maine into the ultimate elite playground and one-stop mecca for liberalism, Tiffany Kreck, co-founder of Health Choice Maine and a member of the advisory board for Parents Choice Maine told The Epoch Times.

Come to Maine and have your choice of children, women or men, do what you want with them, drop your teenager off for a late-term abortion or sex change, and then go home.

In borrowing another of Maines slogansThe Way Life Should Be, Ms. Kreck asks, The way life should befor who?

Republican Sen. John Libby told The Epoch Times that while he is admittedly a moderate Republican, he even cant get over how extremely Left Maine is becoming.

In referencing yet a third nickname of Maine, Mr. Libby in part believes that Maines status as Vacationland has drawn year-rounders with deep pockets looking for a permanent vacation.

Mr. Libby himself admits that he reaped the benefits when he put his house on the market and sold it at four times what he paid for it just four years ago.

Maines most recent list of liberal measures comes amid a protest staged on June 28 by illegal immigrants from Africa demanding better housing and provisions.

The group, which state immigration advocates classify as asylum seekers, claimed 270 of them are sharing one shower, running out of hot water, being provided expired food, and that they are also short on cookware.

The protests took place in Portland, Maine, which codified itself as a sanctuary state in 2017 for illegal immigrants. Last year alone, the congested waterfront city of 68,000 took in 400 immigrants and housed them in area hotels. This year, 1,000 more arrived.

The city recently admitted it was bursting at the seams and has started sending illegal immigrants to more rural parts of the state where housing shortages for residents already exist.

The City of Portland cannot tackle this problem alone, the Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC) wrote in support of the protest.

In the meantime, a growing number of Mainers continue to endure severe housing shortages and homelessness problems.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Developments Homeless Assessment Report, Maines homeless rate doubled between 2019 and 2022, while real estate costs increased by 30 percent.

As the Mills administration moved to garner more funding for immigrants, Cullen Ryan, the executive director of Community Housing in Maine, recently reported that the state is facing a shortage of more than 20,000 affordable housing units for its own residents.

In response to the African protests, a group showed up across the street with a large banner that stated, Protect White Communities.

A recent video showing police showing up and pointing guns at the group has drawn thousands of comments on social media about both the immigrant protests, with most expressing disgust about the Africans demanding better welfare benefits in a state where its own residents face homeless rates higher than the national average.

How far are we going to let this go? Weve given them everything we have to the point where Portland taxes are poised to go up 10 percent if the state doesnt bail us out and its still not enough. It will never be enough, posted one Maine resident.

Amid the protests, Maines House passed a bill to provide health care coverage to illegal immigrants. However, the Senate defeated the bill days later.

Mr. Libby, whose district includes Portland, said that he does at times feel like hes in Portland, Oregon, instead of Portland, Maine.

Ms. Kreck, who is also a founder of Health Choice Maine, said while Maine has long been a diverse amalgamation of hunting, lobstering, tourism, logging, and other blue-collar trades, it was wholesome with a throwback allure that is now being lost to radicalism.

People were attracted to Maine because it was old-fashioned, and time seemed to stand still here, she said, now that they are here, they are ruining that.

Ms. Kreck, whose group advocates against the states string of vaccine mandates, took special exception to Mills appearing at a press conference promoting her late-term abortion bill in front of several women holding signs that said, My Body My Vote.

Since we know Mills doesnt believe in my body, my vote when it comes to vaccines, we know she doesnt believe in choice, she said. We need to start fighting for ourselves or we are going to lose the state that we once knew and loved.

As part of her strict COVID-vaccine mandate, Mills ordered that no religious exemptions from the vaccine be granted to both state and healthcare workers.

The order has led to multiple lawsuits and has been fingered by groups like Ms. Krecks as senseless, given the states critical shortage of EMTs and ambulance drivers.

Democrats say that Mainers are aware of a need for more diversity.

According to the World Population Review, the state has one of the lowest minority populations per capita in the country, with its population being 92.69 percent white.

West Virginia, Wyoming, and Vermont have the largest white population per capita.

In 2020, Rob Synderfounder of the Island Institute based out of the seafront community of Rocklandwrote: The Island Institute expresses our deep sorrow for the people of color in Maine and around the country who are being persecuted and killed every day.

We believe that black lives matter and we are committed to doing our part to further the conversation along the Maine coast.

In a University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll, 67 percent of Mainers support the late-term abortion bill.

And as reported earlier this month by The Maine Wire, it also has the financial backing of the states electric company Central Maine Power, Hannafords, one of the largest grocery store chains in New England, and LL Bean, a retail icon to outdoor adventurers.

In introducing the abortion bill, Ms. Mills said she was inspired by the story of Dana Pierce, who has spoken publicly about her baby being diagnosed with a rare and fatal genetic disorder in the final trimester of her pregnancy.

Ms. Pierce said she had to fly to Colorado to terminate the pregnancy because she was too far along, at 32 weeks, to get an abortion under Maine law.
Aussie State Government Set to Destroy High-Powered Guns Surrendered in Buyback

Over 17,000 firearms and weapons were surrendered in the most recent year of Australia's national gun amnesty. (Joel Carrett/AAP)

Hundreds of high-powered firearms have been removed from Western Australian (WA) citizens following a successful government buyback scheme.

This follows an announcement in February that saw the state government outlaw very high-powered firearms that were capable of shooting at long ranges and piercing armoured plating.

In a July 7 statement, WAs Minister for Police, Paul Papalia, said 280 firearms were surrendered, sold interstate or overseas, or altered to become compliant by the July 1 deadline.

All of the firearms that we sought to remove from the community have been removed, Mr. Papalia told reporters on July 7.

The buyback is expected to cost the state government $1.5 million and be destroyed.

Its basically a regulation change where police determined these very high-powered firearms represented a risk to police and public safety, he said.

They are very high-powered, they are able to fire a round with great velocity over a long distance, and itll arrive with incredible accuracy and a great amount of power.

Under the amendments to the Firearms Act 1973, certain calibres of firearms were banned, with the WA government arguing that the restrictions were necessary to prevent the misuse of high-powered firearms and reduce the potential for mass shootings and crime.

The Western Australian Police Force has informed me there is no practical need for these specific very high-powered firearms in WA, then-Premier Mark McGowan said in February.

While they remain in our community, these weapons are vulnerable to falling into the wrong hands, and the consequences could be devastating.

National Firearms Registry Set to Expand Nationwide

A violent shooting in Queensland in December 2022 prompted state and territory leaders to expand the gun registry nationwide.

The shooting in Wieambilla, Queensland, claimed the lives of six people, which included two police officers, an innocent bystander, and the three shooters.

That was part of the issue that has been identified in Queensland, and we agreed wed report back by the middle of the year through the Attorneys-General Ministerial Council on the options to implement a National Firearms Register, and its agreed that that would be a necessary measure, Prime Minister Albanese said on Jan. 3.

Queensland Police Union, Ian Leavers, said on Dec. 14 that while weapons are not an issue in the right hands, uniformity was needed for gun control, such as the licencing system and the national database.

Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, a total of 17,543 firearms and 606 weapons components, including suppressors and magazines, were surrendered under the National Firearms Amnesty program.

The program was approved in 2019 by the Coalition government but was delayed until July 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gun Laws May Have Little Impact on Crime Rates

According to Bevan Steale, president of the West Australian Firearm Traders Association (WAFTA) and a former police sergeant, the firearms ban unfairly targets law-abiding firearm owners.

The banning of high-performance calibres will do nothing to prevent firearms crimethese types of firearms are not traditionally sought after by criminals as they are overly large, cumbersome, use a higher grade of ammunition that is not easily obtained, and take a skillset to operate to their capacitywhich the general crook doesnt have, Mr. Steale previously told The Epoch Times.

Moreover, Steale argues that while the West Australian governments concern may be well founded regarding certain calibres posing a higher risk, an outright ban may not be the most effective solution.

Steale suggests that stricter licencing procedures, enhanced background checks, and increased mental health evaluations could provide a more nuanced approach to mitigating risks associated with firearms, especially when analysing the actual statistics around crime.

Meanwhile, Mr. Papalia maintains the states gun ban is beneficial for the community.

I thank the affected firearms licence holders for their cooperation and commend those who came forward and handed their powerful firearms into police, Mr. Papalia said.

Removing hundreds of very high-powered firearms from the community has made Western Australia safer for residents and police.

A re-write of the states 50-year-old Firearms Act is expected to come before the WA Parliament by the end of the year.

Daniel Y. Teng and Victoria-Kelly Clark contributed to this report.
Australian Government Rejects Oppositions Call to Embrace Nuclear Energy

A man fishes with the towering Dukovany nuclear power plant in the background in Dukovany, Czech Republic, on Sept. 27, 2011. (Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

The Australian government has turned down the Oppositions demand to include nuclear power in the energy mix as the country moves toward net zero emissions.

In an interview with Nine News, Education Minister Jason Clare stated that the Labor government would not support nuclear power.

They cost about $400 million bucks and take years and years to build, he told Nines Today Show.

Follow the money . you can see whats needed here. As all the old coal-fired power stations shut down, they need to be replaced by something and what the private sectors doing is investing in the cleanest form of new energy, and thats renewable energy.

This comes after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, in a speech at the Institute of Public Affairs said that the Labor government was mesmerised by alternative energy sources and ignored the potential of small modular nuclear reactors.

If nuclear power is so prohibitively expensive, why are more than 50 countries investing in it, including those with smaller economies than Australia? Dutton said, reported The Australian Financial Review.

Conveniently, the energy minister (Chris Bowen) is reluctant to mention the costs of storage and transmission when he talks about renewables being cheaper.

Later, Mr. Dutton told Nine News that it would cost taxpayers over $100 billion to build the 28,000 kilometres of poles and wires proposed by the government.

There are some estimates that it would be about $1.3 trillion over the course of the next period to get us to the level of renewables the government wants, he said.

The debate on nuclear energy has been renewed as the country is facing an energy crisis that sees electricity prices skyrocket across states and territories.

The federal government has been blaming the war in Ukraine and the reduction in generation capacity due to aged coal-fired power plants encountering technical problems or retiring for the price hikes.

Opposition Believes Nuclear Technology Is Cost-effective

Pointing to the reliability problems of renewables and battery technology, Mr. Dutton said nuclear reactors were a cost-effective and safe solution that supported renewable energy and reduced prices.

The small modular reactor is the same technology as the government is using on the submarines, he said.

So we can deal with it safely, and it can firm up renewables. It isnt a competitor to renewables.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton during question time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Dec. 10, 2020. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

In light of nuclear reactor technologys merits, the opposition leader said the country needed a conversation on the topic.

You can turn off old coal-fired power stations, put the small pod hard reactors in, and it allows it (energy) to be distributed across the existing network, he said.

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Chris Bowen still firmly believed that renewables were the cheapest form of energy.

The minister has dismissed the idea of building small nuclear reactors in Australia, saying it had small output despite the costs.

Finlands Energy Prices Drop 75 Percent

While Australian politicians still trade words on nuclear reactors, some countries have seen a sharp drop in energy prices after embracing the technology.

In April, the Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant commenced operation in Finland, the first reactor to be built in Western Europe in 15 years.

The 1,600-megawatt power plant produces 14 percent of the countrys electricity and is expected to continue operating in the next 60 years.

Following its launch, Finland reported a 75 percent fall in electricity prices.

Specifically, the average spot electricity prices fell from 245.98 (US$268) per megawatt hour in December to 60.55 in April.

One month later, it was reported that Finlands spot energy prices dropped below zero due to an oversupply of electricity.

The average price for the day is now slightly, but nevertheless, on the negative side. Yes, it is historic, Jukka Ruusunen, CEO of grid operator Fingrid, said.

Production is high, consumption is low, and now we are in a situation where it is not easy to adjust production.

This was a stark contrast compared to 2022, when Finland had to ask its citizens to save energy after the country banned energy imports from Russia.

Nicole James contributed to this article.
Authentic Hakka Kansui-Zong or Lye Dumplings With Orchard Ashes

Arts and Crafts Heritage, a community group in the neighborhood of Kam Sheung Road, Yuen Long makes traditional ash-water dumplings with all-natural processes and ingredients. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Rice dumplings are a traditional food to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. Apart from the common savory rice dumplings, there is a sweet version popular in southern China called kansui-zong or lye dumplings (kee-chang in Taiwan). They usually dont have any fillings but are enjoyed dipping or sprinkled with cane sugar, thus are also known as sweet dumplings.

Lye is an alkaline liquor leached from wood ashes, typically used in making soap or preserving food. In our story here, however, it is leached from orchard ashesbest kept secret from the local Hakka traditionsfor making kansui-zong or ash-water rice dumplings.

Homemade Kansui-Zong

This year around the Dragon Boat Festival, our reporters visited a group of Wai Tau locals and Hakka villagers around Yuen Kong area along Kam Sheung Road in Yuen Long to explore authentic homemade kansui-zong.

Homemade Hakka-style orchard-ash-water (lye) dumplings have a unique aroma one cant find elsewhere. As you unwrap the bamboo leaves, glittering and translucent golden grains are revealed, the fragrant and succulent taste definitely sets it apart from kansui-zong made commercially with chemically treated rice.

Glutinous rice turns golden yellow after soaking overnight in lye produced from leached orchard ashes. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

A Hakka Secret

The process of preparing lye (ash-water)a key ingredient for making kansui-zong, takes one to two weeks. From burning of the woods collected from local orchards, and branches from lychee, longan, wampee, and guava trees, to collecting sieved ashes from daily cooking and storing them carefully away from contamination, it all calls for a lot of care.

When the time comes, the villagers would filter specially prepared water through these ashes to obtain the lye (ash-water) and soak glutinous rice in it the night before making the dumplings.

Time-consuming preparation processes for traditional goodies, like many other things from the old days, with no doubt have become rarities in the modern world.

More Than A Tradition

Seven or eight years ago, a group of like-minded Hakka ladies from the Yuen Kong neighborhood formed a Arts and Crafts Heritage community group, with the clear purpose of keeping Hakka food and craft traditions alive.

The group gets together during different festivals to make all kinds of old-time Hakka delicacies such as rice cookies, chicken in yellow (rice) wine, stuffed tea cakes, glutinous ball (mochi), ash-water rice dumplings, even including homemade rice wines and lychee wines. It is the villagers wish to pass on the arts and tradition of these Hakka delicacies to future generations.

Unlike savory rice dumplings which are pyramid-shaped, Hakka ash-water dumplings made by Yuen Kong ladies are flat and rectangular. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Wisdom in Plant Ash Cooking

Plant ashes are mainly composed of calcium carbonate, but they are also rich in potassium, phosphorus, and trace metal elements such as iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper. Villagers use plant ashes as organic fertilizer to enrich their agricultural soil and neutralize acidified land.

Leached water from plant ashes is sometimes used in food preparation, not just in traditional Chinese cooking but South American people also soak and cook their corns in an alkaline solution to preserve nutrition and reduce the risk of mycotoxins.

One lady told us keeping the ashes from contamination also takes a lot of effort. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

One lady we met, Amy, warns about storing the ashes. In the past, every woman has a place to stash their ashes to prevent contamination. Surprisingly, the contamination comes from their friends with paws.

Cats and dogs like to do their business on the ashes. That is when contamination occurs and ruins the entire stash!

Villagers use an all-natural filter system by lining a bamboo basket with thatches and putting a ceramic pot under it. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Health B enefits

Auntie Ying demonstrated to us the organic leaching process.

First, ficus leaves are collected and boiled. Dumplings we make benefit health since ficus leaves can clear the heat and detoxify the body, Ying explained.

Then, a bamboo basket is lined with thatches and placed on top of a ceramic pot, creating an all-natural filter system.

Preparing water using ficus leaves . (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Pomelo leaves are added to the basket to symbolize purification. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Drive Away Evil Energy

Next, there is the traditional ceremony to bless and purify just before leaching. Pomelo leaves are added to the basket and the villagers would pray together for a successful production.

There is a traditional belief that festive food needs to be protected from evil energy. The word evil in Chinese medicine terms represents anything deviating from righteous. Pomelo leaves are believed to be able to drive away evil energies. Traditional food production is indeed also an exquisite art.

Interesting to know that scientists in recent years have also confirmed that pomelo leaves contain flavonoids which are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

It takes 24 to 48 hours to leach the orchard ashes. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Finally, orchard ashes are spread evenly on top of the thatches and pomelo leaves in the basket, and water from boiling the ficus leave is gently poured into this natural filter until the ashes are completely submerged.

As the water slowly soaks through the ashes, drip-drop drip-drop, ash-solution is slowly collected into the ceramic pot below.

Water from boiling the ficus leaves is poured gently into the thatches lined basket. It slowly soaks through the orchard ashes and drips into the ceramic pot below. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

The leaching process would last a whole night. The ash-water produced is naturally alkaline and has a color similar to soy sauce.

Depending on the concentration, villagers would sometimes decide if an additional round of leaching is necessary.

The ash-water produced is naturally alkaline and has a color similar to soy sauce.

(Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Absorbing the Essence

Soaking overnight in this ash-solution allows the glutinous rice to absorb its essence fully and turns golden.

Now the glutinous rice is ready for wrapping dumplings the next morning.

Soaking in ash-water overnight allows the glutinous rice to absorb its essence fully and ready for dumpling wrapping the following day. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Flat and Rectangular Shape

Rice soaked in lye is more puffy and harder to wrap into a pyramid shape. Kansui-zong parcels are therefore typically flat and rectangular.

Auntie Ying also gave us a tip that shorter bamboo leaves are generally more convenient for wrapping ash-water dumplings.

Auntie Ying from Yuen Kong, Kam Sheung Road, Yuen Long . (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

While lye dumplings dont usually have fillings, a piece of sappanwood can be inserted which turns red once cooked, adding a touch of festivity and celebration.

On June 23, 2023, a group of locals from Kam Sheung Road, Yuen Long gathered to make ash-water dumplings for the Dragon Boat Festival. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

While the preparation work was lengthy and delicate, the wrapping process was completed with ease by the group, who finished a batch of chats and laughter.

Local ladies making ash-water dumplings for the dragon boat festival. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

The ladies also shared with us their all-time favorite, chilled lye dumplings served with cane sugar in summer.

The dumplings can be frozen in the fridge too, and still taste nice after a year! They told us.

Anyone can feel the joy from the infatuating smiles on the group members faces when they made the kansui-zong. The process represents not only heritage but also unity and harmony when the villagers work together.

Flat ash-water dumpling. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Crackling Fire is The Best

When the wrapping is done, Auntie Ying took out a humongous iron wok and placed it on firewood. Cooking with crackling fire from nature is traditionally the best for ash-water dumplings, she said, as it cooks more evenly, resulting in a better texture.

Auntie Ying turns Commander of Cookery as she took out a giant iron wok to boil the ash-water dumplings. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Cooking with firewood adds layers of flavor to the ash-water rice dumplings. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

It takes two to four hours to boil the dumplings, depending on individual preference of softness . (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

The Legacy Must Go On

Making ash-water dumplings or kansui-zong for Dragon Boat Festival is a big project that requires a lot of time and patience. Ladies from the Arts and Crafts Heritage group gather once every two years to make the dumplings together.

Auntie waits patiently for the dumplings to cook in the giant wok. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Making traditional all-natural ash-water dumpling is a big project. (Benson Lau/The Epoch Times)

Nowadays only a very few would dedicate so much time to make traditional all-natural kansui-zong, though the art allows one to experience the fantastic flavors Mother Nature has to offer.

The Arts and Crafts Heritage group certainly hopes their efforts could help preserve the Hakka traditions, allowing them to continue and be passed on to future generations.
Brian Giesbrecht: The RCMP Failed Canadians at Kamloops

Commentary

The RCMP has a long and honourable history, and has served Canadians well. RCMP top brass and regular officers have always insisted on doing their job in their own way. They have robustly specifically resisted all attempts by politicians to interfere in their clear mandate to enforce the law.

However, in May 2021 at Kamloops, the RCMP abandoned that honourable tradition, and abdicated their most important responsibility.

When it was announced that remains had been found of 215 former Kamloops Indian Residential School (KIRS) students, the local RCMP did their duty and immediately began to investigate. Indigenous leaders had claimed that the school grounds should be considered a major crime scene, and the RCMP is mandated in most parts of B.C. to investigate all major crimes. The investigation would normally have included the securing of the school grounds to prevent evidence tampering, the interviewing of all people connected to the claim, and prompt investigation of the alleged crimes.

One of the important people to be interviewed was Sarah Beaulieu. She had done the ground penetrating radar (GPR) work and written the report that gave rise to the claim. The RCMP quite properly began to interview Beaulieu. However, for reasons that remain unclear to this day, the RCMP aborted their attempts to interview her further, and shut down their entire investigation immediately after receiving orders to do so from persons unknown. This new policybreathtaking in its recklessnesswas then applied to all of the other indigenous communities that made copycat claims.

Why did the RCMP stop their investigation, and then allow the Tkemlups te Secwepemc, formerly the Kamloops Indian Band, to conduct its own do-it-yourself murder investigation?

The reasons have never been explained to a baffled public. We do know that former Truth and Reconciliation commissioner Murray Sinclair intervened in the investigation immediately after it started. We know that because he said so. According to Sinclair, he was informed that Sarah Beaulieu was being aggressively questioned by the RCMP, and she didnt like the experience. The truth is that we will probably never know who was involved in this intervention.

What we do know is that the RCMP investigation was called off and handed over to an elected body that had absolutely no training in, or knowledge of, the investigation of major crimes. Suddenly, a junior elected body that had experience in drafting local bylaws was delegated authority to conduct major crime investigations. This was a shockingly improper delegationreally an abdicationof authority.

And exactly what kind of investigation, if any, have these local politicians carried out? Have they had experts review Beaulieus shaky preliminary report presented at her only public presentation of her GPR findings? Have they interviewed any of the six-year-olds who claim that they were forced by murderous priests in the 1960s to dig graves for their freshly killed comrades? Have they secured the grounds to prevent mischief-makers from tampering with evidence?

Frankly, we have no idea, because Chief Casimir and her associates have virtually gone dark since making their baseless May 2021 announcement. The only thing we know for sure is that they have reneged on their promise to release Beaulieus full report, and now refuse to release it. To add insult to injury, they refuse to give reasons for refusing to release the report to the public for expert scrutiny.

We now know that the 215 bodies and remains were not bodies and remains at all. They were simply soil disturbances that had been incorrectly interpreted as graves. In fact, those soil disturbances were almost certainly from previous septic field excavations.

If only the RCMP had honourably insisted on their statutorily mandated right to do their job and investigate, what would they have found?

For one thing, it would have immediately become apparent that the GPR specialist made serious mistakes. In the first place, she neglected to research previous excavations before submitting her report. Her original claim was that her radar had detected 215 soil disturbances, which she claimed were probable graves. She was forced to lower that number to 200 when it was brought to her attention that shovel pits from a previous Simon Fraser University project likely accounted for 15 of those 215 disturbances. Checking for previous excavations should have been the first thing a professional should have done before writing any report. She had failed to do so. This was incompetence, and the RCMP would have quickly discovered that.

But it gets worse.

Because it is now clear that specialist didnt check for other major excavations that had been completed on the area where she detected the 215 disturbances. Those disturbances, as noted above, were almost certainly from a sewage trench installed in 1924, and taken out of use a decade later. This was incompetence on a major scale.

And it gets worse yet.

Beaulieu had claimed that a tooth from a human juvenile, and another human bone helped convince her that children were buried in what she believed were 215 separate graves. But that tooth was proven to be the tooth of an animal. As far as the other alleged human bone she relied on, it has never been produced.

Beaulieu also speculated that the soil disturbances she had detected were so shallow because of stories (that she actually believed) that children as young as six were unable to dig further than three feet down because the soil at Kamloops is frozen beyond that depth. But she was wrong again. The soil at Kamloops freezes only well below the three foot level.

The RCMP would have uncovered all of these weak points when questioning Beaulieu. They would also have asked to see her report. Because of Sinclairs interference, none of that happened. And the report has never been released to the public, despite promises to do so. All of the above facts can be easily Googled.

The weaknesses in GPR specialists report would probably have been enough to discredit the always highly improbable Kamloops claim. Flags would never have been flown at half mast, there would have been no genocide motion or dark national holiday of self-flagellation based on the false claim. The country would have been spared two years of national anguish over a genocide that never happened if only the RCMP had insisted on doing their duty.

But even if Beaulieus failings had not concluded the matter, there are many other huge holes in the Kamloops claim that a competent investigation would have immediately uncovered.

An example is the fact that not one missing child claim had ever been made by a parent in Kamloops, or from any of the indigenous communities that sent children to KIRS. If it was true that 215 children had mysteriously disappeared after being enrolled in the school, wouldnt one expect that at least one parent would make a complaint? Is it being suggested that indigenous parents dont care if their children simply disappear?

But there are many more holes in the Kamloops claim so huge that an experienced investigator would immediately recognize them as fatal defects.

For instance, we are now told in Kimberly Murrays report that Chief Casimir originally just planned to rope off the area where the soil disturbances had been detected so that the grown children who had been forced to bury their comrades could come and pay their respects.

It would probably have taken about one minute for an experienced investigator questioning one of these people to conclude that these stories were without foundation. From the claims made by survivors these secret burials would have had to have taken place in the 1960s. KIRS in the 1960s was a modern school. It was almost certainly the only public school in Canada with its own Olympic sized swimming pool.

Many of the teachers were indigenous, as the 1962 TV documentary special The Eyes of Children shows. Important indigenous leaders, like Len Marchand, Canadas first indigenous federal cabinet minister, had attended the school, with absolutely no claims of secret burials (Marchands only complaint of life there was that the potatoes were watery). In short, KIRS in the 1960s was a modern, well-funded Canadian school, not the charnel house depicted by claimants with overactive imaginations.

The list of reasons why the Kamloops claim was more than highly improbable from the outset is a long one, and experienced investigators would have quickly concluded that people telling bizarre stories about dragging bodies down halls past indigenous staff and students, and being forced by murderous priests and nuns to bury comrades in plain site of the citizens of Kamloopson 215 occasions!would have been quickly dismissed as the kind of ghost stories children tell to frighten one another.

Or hearing knowledge keepers claim that they always knew their children were buried in that apple orchard, while the police knew that the community had built a tourist park on top of it! That would make no sense to an investigatoror anyone else, for that matter. If you knew that the apple orchard was a sacred graveyard why would you build on top of it, and then let thousands of strangers tromp on it for years? Investigators would have seen through all of those inconsistent and nonsensical claims.

And knowledge keepers are just people. The same knowledge keeper who presumably knew about these secret burials, Mona Jules, also knew that in 1500 the Pope ordered that all Protestant children at residential schools be killed. Of course, she knew no such thing. The fact is that knowledge keepers are as fallible as any of the rest of us. (Again, all of these improbable claims can be easily Googled.)

But none of these serious holes in the strange Kamloops claim were uncovered, because the police didnt stay and do their job. Clearly, it was unethical for Murray Sinclair to throw his weight around, and it was clearly both foolish and wrong for unknown politicians to interfere in a police investigation.

But the fact remains that the RCMP have failed Canadians. They didnt insist on doing their job. They allowed themselves to become pawns in someone elses political game. The RCMP should have politely told Sinclair, and the other senior people who improperly interfered in their work, that they would continue to investigatebecause it was their duty to do so. It is a national shame that they didnt do so.

Had they done their duty, the RCMP could have nipped this entire Kamloops false claim in the bud two years ago, probably without putting one shovel in the ground. The weakness of the GPR specialists report, and the complete absence of any other credible evidence of sinister deaths and late-night burials, would have been quickly exposed by a competent RCMP investigation. Instead, Canadian schoolchildren are now being taught misinformation about secret burials, and Canada is in the ridiculous position of being accused by communist China of genocide. Our international reputation has been thoroughly savaged. A competent RCMP investigation would have saved us from all of this.

Following the Kamloops announcement, we have witnessed reckless claims made by indigenous activists, and the complete failure of our mainstream media in its non-response to those preposterous claims. Our political class has shown itself to be weak virtue signallers, and not leaders at all. But it is the capitulation of the RCMP for political purposesto what experienced RCMP officers surely knew from the outset was a false claimthat is the ultimate betrayal.

The RCMP must now get back to the Kamloops crime scene and do their job.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Barrick Gold Corp.s Golden Sunlight Mine in Montana is roughly a year into processing tailings to sell sulfide concentrate to Nevada Gold Mines in a pioneering project that is part of the reclamation process at the mine where gold production has ended. The project is expected to provide jobs for a dozen years.

There are 23 million tons of tailings. We expect to finish approximately in 12 years, said Charles Buus, sustainability manager at Golden Sunlight. We will process about 2 million tons a year.

Golden Sunlight, roughly five miles from Whitehall, retained 48 full-time employees, as well as approximately a dozen contract miners and five to 10 other contractors for smaller projects on site.

The sulfide concentrate is trucked roughly 50 miles to the Port of Montana railhead in Butte, where it is loaded onto train cars for shipment to Osino in Nevada, Buus said. Nevada Gold Mines uses the concentrate as fuel for gold processing at Carlin.

The Golden Sunlight Mine concentrate utilized at NGMs Carlin mine facilitates the processing of increasingly sulfide-lean Carlin ores through existing processing facilities while reducing the reliance on a sulfur source procured external to the organization, NGM Executive Managing Director Peter Richardson said.

The project has been ongoing for a little over a year, and we are pleased with the results. The innovative approach is a great example of Barricks commitment to not only ESG and economic development, but to its communities and stakeholders, he said in an email.

NGM is a joint venture of Barrick, which owns 61.5% and is the operator, and Newmont Corp., which holds 38.5%. NGM buys the sulfide concentrate from Golden Sunlight, but Buus said NGM gets to keep any gold still in the concentrate.

For Golden Sunlight, this project helps create value while reducing environmental risk, he said in a phone interview. The whole project in a sense is an extension of our reclamation plan.

Barrick announced when the ribbon-cutting took place on Feb. 11, 2022, that the project at Golden Sunlight would serve as a model for future mine closures.

Barricks commitment to sustainability shines through in Golden Sunlights Tails Reprocessing Project. Historic sulfide tailings on an unlined facility are being reprocessed to eliminate perpetual treatment and prevent potential acid-generating seepage, ensuring clean water and removing the environmental liability while also creating a sulfide concentrate that will reduce NGMs reliance on elemental sulfur, said Christine Keener, chief operating officer of Barrick North America.

With mine closure delayed and sales revenue generated, Montana and the local community benefit from continued tax proceeds and the creation of employment opportunities, she said.

Barrick also stated at the ground-breaking that the project at Golden Sunlight has the potential to generate tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue and benefits for Montana over the next decade.

Toronto-based Barrick is mining the unlined tailings impoundment that was constructed at Golden Sunlight in the early 1980s to remove the high-sulfide tailings, Buus said.

The removal of the tailings eliminates a source of potential groundwater contamination, according to Barrick.

Buus said Golden Sunlight spent most of last year commissioning the tailings processing system and started scaling in August 2022. Work involved removing the mills and replacing them with a flotation plant.

The sulfur-pyrite solution in the tailings is separated during processing. The sulfide is removed from the tailings using a technique called sulfide flotation, which creates a sulfide concentrate that is dewatered before it is shipped to Nevada.

The benign tailings free of sulfide are then thickened and pumped into the mined-out Mineral Hill open pit, which is another part of the reclamation effort.

Mine operations ended at Golden Sunlight in 2019 after nearly 40 years of operation, when mining was no longer economically viable. During those 40 years the mine produced more than 3 million troy ounces of gold, Barrick said in the past.

Surface mining ended in 2015, and Barrick laid off 140 people at that time but had 55 employees and 90 contractors on site for underground mining before all operations shut down, according to earlier news reports.

Golden Sunlight Mine is on a 6,205-acre site, with most of the permit boundary owned by Barrick, roughly 30% owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and 2.5% by the state, according to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality.
Calgary Police Denies Issuing Arrest Warrant for Pastor Artur Pawlowskis Son

The Calgary Police Service denies having issued a warrant for the arrest of pastor Artur Pawlowskis son, Nathaniel Pawlowski. The pastor made the claim on social media on July 7.

A check of our systems shows no warrants and we are unaware of any active investigations involving this individual, said Calgary police in an email statement to The Epoch Times.

The Calgary police has issued a warrant for Nathaniel Pawlowski, Mr. Artur Pawlowski said on Twitter. We did not have to wait too long for the retaliation of the tyrannical Canadian government after Nathaniels powerful speech that he delivered on July 4, 2023 at the European Parliament!

Mr. Nathaniel Pawlowski said on the podcast Viva Frei on July 7 that upon returning from Belgium, his passport was flagged and he was informed by Montreal customs that he had a warrant out for his arrest in Calgary.

So within the last couple of days, there was a warrant issued. And they actually did something similar to my father when he was in the United States doing a speaking tour exposing what the Canadian government is doing. This obviously is what theyre doing to me. Theyre punishing me for exposing Canadian tyranny on foreign soil, he said.

During his speech in Brussels on July 4, Mr. Nathaniel Pawlowski said Canada had fallen and claimed the country had lost its freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and right to protest during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anyone who does so is arrested, charged, and jailed as political dissidents. My father was just found guilty of inciting mischief for giving a sermon to the truckers when they went and stood for our rights in 2022, he said.

Back in early May, Mr. Artur Pawlowski was found guilty of mischief for encouraging truckers to continue their blockade of the Coutts CanadaUnited States border crossing during the Freedom Convoy protest, as well as breaching a release order and willfully damaging or destroying essential infrastructure. He was charged both criminally and under Albertas Critical Infrastructure Defence Act (CIDA).

Crown prosecutors argued back in February 2022 that Mr. Artur Pawlowskis 20-minute speech to truckers in Coutts, Alberta, convinced them to dig in at the CanadaU.S. border crossing for another two weeks, despite a deal they had made to leave the border and head to Edmonton on Feb. 3, 2022. The protesters then decided to stay at the blockade for two more weeks.

Mr. Artur Pawlowski was also charged with violating COVID-19 public health restrictions nearly two years ago, but the charges were stayed by the crown in December 2022.
Canada Repatriates Two Citizens From Syrian Camp for ISIS

Women walk in Roj detention camp in northeast Syria on Feb. 9, 2022. (The Associated Press/Baderkhan Ahmad)

Two Edmonton women previously held in a Syrian prison camp for ISIS suspects returned to Canada this week after Ottawa announced it would repatriate them following extraordinary steps taken with help from the U.S. government.

Canada remains steadfast in prioritizing the safety and security of its citizens, both at home and abroad, and has been particularly concerned about the health and well-being of Canadian children in northeastern Syria, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and Public Safety Canada (PSC) said in a joint press release on July 6.

Returning to Canada with the two women are their three children who were also detained for several years at displaced-persons camps in a region now controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

The women and children were originally part of a group of nearly 20 people Canada agreed to bring home from Kurdish-operated prison camps in Syria in January, but they failed to show up when it was time to board the repatriation flight.

The detainees in the prison camps are mostly women and children whom the Kurdish forces detained after the fall of the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in 2019.

The government said it would not disclose their identities due to privacy considerations and for operational security reasons.

The combined federal departments wrote that Canada extends its gratitude to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria for its cooperation in conducting another operation under difficult security circumstances, and also thanked the United States for its assistance in the repatriation of Canadians and for continuing to play a key role in resolving the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Several of the other repatriated Canadians who returned in April were arrested by the federal government upon their arrival, and Ottawa also sought peace bonds against them.

A terrorism peace bond allows a judge to order the accused to enter into an arrangement to be of good behaviour, which can carry conditions such as a curfew under threat of facing a prison sentence.

In reference to the two Edmonton women being repatriated this week, GAC and PSC reiterated on July 6 that it is a serious criminal offence for anyone to leave Canada to knowingly support a terrorist group and those who engage in these activities will face the full force of Canadian law.

We remain committed to taking every possible step to ensure the safety and security of Canadians, the departments said.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
Canadian Militarys Readiness, International Relevance Tested by Current Shortcomings: Internal Report

Members of the Jamesie-Abitibi-Temiscamingue Operational Force prepare for a day of work as part of Operation LENTUS 23-03 in Matchi-Manitou, Quebec, on June 20, 2023. (Sergeant Vincent Lafond, 35 Canadian Brigade Group, Canadian Armed Forces)

Canadas military is facing significant challenges on a number of fronts which threaten its ability to fulfill its mission, an internal report by the Department of National Defence has concluded.

While those findings are not new and have been previously voiced by various stakeholders and observers, they summarize a strategic view held by the Assistant Deputy Minister (Review Services), the departments branch in charge of providing independent reviews of the militarys policies and activities.

In the report, which was produced in March but only made available in government publications at the end of June, Assistant Deputy Minister (Review Services) Julie Charron paints a bleak picture of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Current deficiencies in key readiness areas related to Personnel, Equipment, Training and Sustainment pose a threat to both current and future readiness, says the report, titled Ready Forces Integrated Strategic Analysis.

It adds that CAF is facing significant challenges in fulfilling its commitments under the Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) policy and the 2018 Force Posture and Readiness directive.

The SSE is Canadas defence policy, which the Liberal government presented in May 2019. It aims to provide unprecedented support to CAF members from recruitment to retirement, and to make important investments in equipment.

The impact on improving recruitment and retention has not been evident to date. Recruiting numbers dropped 35 percent last year, according to a Department of National Defence (DND) note reported on by Blacklocks Reporter. The forces attrition rate, or loss of personnel, also reached the highest level in 15 years in 2022. A leaked document obtained by The Epoch Times showed the attrition rate was over 12 percent in May last year.

The issue of personnel recruitment and retention and the impact this has on serving members is addressed in Ms. Charrons report.

It notes that in fiscal year 2020/2021, 51 percent of occupations had critical shortfalls, and the Regular Force and Reserve Force were respectively short 7 and 20 percent overall.

People are at the centre of military readiness. If DND/CAF is unable to recruit, train and retain required skilled personnel, readiness is diminished, which could ultimately impact the success of operations, says the report.

This is also having a negative impact on the health and wellness of the troops, it says, with domestic deployments leading to employee burnout and delays on training.

In addition, the increased reliance on the CAF for domestic operations is increasing wear and tear on equipment, which is already in short supply.

International Commitments

Canadas international commitments have also put pressure on the CAF, with the provision of weapons to Ukraine leading at one point to a depletion of stocks.

I believe that we have exhausted inventory from the Canadian Armed Forces to the extent that we are able to provide weapons, Defence Minister Anita Anand said in March last year.

While CAF is being overstretched domestically, Ms. Charrons report says Canadas standing globally could be diminished if it doesnt meet its international commitments.

As DND/CAF continues to fall short on personnel, equipment and its ability to completely fulfil partner requests, there is an increasing risk that Canada may become less relevant to its allies, it says.

In April, The Washington Post reported that according to a leaked Pentagon assessment, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told NATO officials that Canada would never meet the alliances 2 percent of GDP defence spending target. Canadas defence spending levels are currently 1.29 percent of GDP, according to NATO.

The House of Commons defence committees report on the changing threat environment tabled in June 2022 has as its first recommendation that the government increase annual defence spending to meet the 2 percent target.

In its response, the government said it agrees to to continue to move toward the target and increase defence spending as the fiscal context permits. It added having made significant investments in the military, including to improve continental defence.

Last year the government announced having earmarked $38.6 billion over the next two decades to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

Recommendations

The Assistant Deputy Ministers report provided a number of recommendations. Ms. Anands office has not returned a request for comment on the review.

The report says that DND/CAF recognizes many of these challenges and is taking steps through various Departmental initiatives to address some of them.

Chief of Defence Staff General Wayne Eyre raised similar concerns outlined in a report last fall.

Im concerned about our ability to respond at scale at [the] speed required, he told CBC News. And so were working on addressing elements of our readiness, whether its people, whether its training, whether its equipment  everything else that makes us able to respond with the right size and the right speed.

Gen. Eyre ordered a halt to all non-essential activities last fall to respond to the personnel crisis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for transgender individuals seeking to chestfeed their infants has some lawmakers concerned that the U.S. health agency is prioritizing politics before patients health.

Transgender and nonbinary-gendered individuals may give birth and breastfeed or feed at the chest (chestfeed), the agency states under Health Equity Considerations on its website,

Encouraging medical professionals to use patients preferred pronouns, the CDC also states that an individual does not need to have given birth to breastfeed or chestfeed.

On another webpage featuring breastfeeding guidance for those who have had breast surgery, the CDC instructs: Some transgender parents who have had breast/top surgery may wish to breastfeed, or chestfeed (a term used by some transgender and non-binary parents), their infants. Healthcare providers working with these families should be familiar with medical, emotional, and social aspects of gender transitions to provide optimal family-centered care and meet the nutritional needs of the infant.

Areas where such individuals might need help, the CDC noted, include maximizing milk production and medication to induce lactation, among others.

The website also links to guidance (pdf) from the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, which assures that there has been one case report and many anecdotal reports of men who identify as transgender producing breastmilk.

The website was last updated on April 4.

Absolute Insanity

Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), a former White House physician, weighed in on the CDCs guidance in a recent interview with Donald Trump Jr.

Its ludicrous, Mr. Jackson said. These people, the ones that are physicians, should have their medical licenses taken away from them. This is absolute insanity.

Likewise, Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), an obstetrician, wrote in a Twitter post: In my opinion, the CDC has lost all credibility. A biological male filled with hormones and a concoction of other drugs that could harm a baby should NEVER try to naturally feed a newborn. When will the Left wake up and realize what they are doing to our country?

According to the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, the only published case report of induced lactation in a biological male occurred when the patient was taking domperidone.

Used for the treatment of nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal problems in other countries, domperidone isnt legally approved for any use in the United States. For nearly two decades, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has specifically warned against the drugs use for enhancing lactation because of potential health risks to both mother and child.

There have been several published reports and case studies of cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and sudden death in patients receiving an intravenous form of domperidone that has been withdrawn from marketing in a number of countries, the FDA stated in a June 2004 notice.

In several countries where the oral form of domperidone continues to be marketed, labels for the product contain specific warnings against use of domperidone by breastfeeding women and note that the drug is excreted in breast milk that could expose a breastfeeding infant to unknown risks. Because of the possibility of serious adverse effects, FDA recommends that breastfeeding women not use domperidone to increase milk production.

Noting that warning, Mr. Marshall said that its evident the CDC has placed politics and its social agenda ahead of science and the health of newborns.

Politics and Science

According to Dr. Jane Orient, executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, its still largely unknown what side effects that children exposed to such off-label drug use would develop.

We have no idea what the long-term effects on the child will be, Dr. Orient told The Daily Mail.

A lot of people are pushing for off-label use of a drug. Its become so politicized that you can do all kinds of things for a politically approved purpose.

The doctor also said the CDC has a duty to be transparent about the risks associated with medications, but they have been derelict in doing that.

Dr. Stuart Fischer, an internal medicine physician in New York, told the outlet that it was very hard to believe that breast milk produced by a biological male could be comparable to that produced by a woman because its induced, he said. You cant fool Mother Nature.

Mr. Marshall noted in a statement that drug-induced lactation wouldnt have colostrum in it.

Colostrum is Mother Natures nutrient-dense, real mothers milk loaded with antibodies and antioxidants that gives a moms protection to the vulnerable newborn, he said.

And any liquid produced by a biological male would not provide all the nutrition or calories healthy, growing newborn babies need, according to Mr. Marshall.

Dr. Fischer, sharing Dr. Orients concerns about adverse effects, noted that long-term effects could include physical and mental illness.

Who knows? he said. Its an emerging field, to put it mildly.

This is the kind of thing where politics and science are uncomfortably put together.

CDC officials didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Colorado Supermarket Employee Fired After Filming Shoplifters Stealing on Fathers Day

Police outside a King Soopers grocery store where a shooting took place in Boulder, Colo., on March 22, 2021. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)

A Colorado supermarket employee who recorded an alleged shoplifting incident has been fired from his job.

A King Soopers worker, Santino Burrola, recently captured three men fleeing the store he worked at with hundreds of dollars worth of laundry detergent on video.

Santino Burrola filmed the three shoplifters stealing the items on Fathers Day, June 18, around 6:40 p.m.

The video shows three men in a parking lot hastily transferring laundry detergent into a vehicle. Burrola approaches the vehicle with his phone recording, playfully taunting the thieves.

Look at them stealing, he says off-camera. Really, bro? You gotta resort to this? The economys not that bad.

My first instinct was to record, he told CBS Colorado.

Police work on the scene outside of a King Soopers grocery store where a shooting took place in Boulder, Colo., on March 22, 2021. (David Zalubowski/AP Photo)

Burrola followed the men outside to their car as the shoplifters hopped in the car and started to drive away. Burrola manages to pull off the aluminum foil covering the license plate.

At no point does Burrola physically engage with the shoppers, but he was fired for supposedly violating the stores policies against chasing after thieves or intervening in a theft.

In a statement, King Soopers said it values its hardworking associates, and nothing could be more important than their safety and that of our customers.

We appreciate that, in this instance, their actions may have been well intended, King Soopers said. However, they violated the policies that are in place for everyones safety. Nothing in our stores is worth sacrificing that core value and their safe return home.

At a different King Soopers location in the same state, five employees were fired last year after restraining a man armed with a box cutter from stealing from inside that store. Surveillance video shows how they held the man down until police could arrive. Theyve since appealed their terminations.

The company told CBS Colorado it has security measures in place to help prevent crime and deescalate such confrontations to minimize the risk to our associates.

While we cannot comment on personnel matters, we value our hardworking associates and their return home, the company said.

In California, the state passed a bill to prohibit businesses from asking employees to confront shoplifters or active shooters has passed the state Senate, despite opposition from retailers who say it would add to the states escalating retail theft problem.

With growing awareness of workplace violence, California needs smarter guidelines to keep workers safe in the office or on the job site, the bills author, state Sen. Dave Cortese, a Democrat, said in a statement.

Under SB 553, employers would be prohibited from forcing their workers to confront active shoplifters and would set standards for companies of all kinds to address workplace violence prevention.

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Western States Council applauded the California Senate for passing the legislation on May 31.

Its unacceptable that workers in California wake up each morning afraid that they will be assaulted or killed on the job and wont make it home that night, Jim Araby, director of strategic campaigns for UFCW Local 5, said in a statement.

Last year, Aurora lawmakers passed a law that would sentence shoplifters to 3 days in jail for more than $300 worth of stolen merchandise.

The proposals sponsor, Danielle Jurinsky, said the law is meant to support businesses that have become the victims of crime.

This ordinance is really to start standing up for business owners in this city and start talking about the victims, and addressing something to help the victims, and stop doing everything in our power to help the criminals, Jurinsky said.

Burrola posted an impromptu press conference on his TikTok account in which he provided both the questions and the answers.

Burrola said his employment with King Soopers limited his ability to engage with the shoplifters physically. He added that race did not motivate him to record the shoplifters.

I didnt see color when I confronted them. Id seen criminals. White, black, brown, purple, It didnt matter. A crime was being committed, wrong is wrong, and a crime is a crime, Burrola said in an expletive-laden TikTok post.

And for those of you that are like, mind your business, let me tell you something: If something is happening right in front of me, Im going to make it my business, Burrola said.
A couple who fell in love with a historic manor when they first moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, 12 years ago, made a dream come true when they bought the property. As it turned out, the house of their dreams was also a trove of hidden treasures.

Thad Krasnesky and his wife Robin Krasnesky were captivated by their 140-year-old Victorian mansion that spans 7 acres (2.8 hectares) when Mr. Krasnesky was attending military school.

Thats what the manor does for people, Mr. Krasnesky, who now works as a financial advisor and childrens book author, told The Epoch Times. It says, Hey, remind that little kid in you that there is a place where you can step away, where magic things happen.'

A Dream Come True

Mr. and Ms. Krasnesky moved to Leavenworth in 2011 and initially rented a space. It was when they were driving down Broadway, a street lined up with historic houses, that they found their mansion. They were quickly smitten but never dreamed the house would be listed for sale.

In 2021, they were gobsmacked when a friends aunt saw the manor listed on a Facebook page for vintage homes.

Robin and I were having breakfast, Mr. Krasnesky said. Robin pulled up the pictures on her laptop, and she turned her laptop around to me at the breakfast table and said, Please buy me this house!  she was mostly joking.

Mr. Krasnesky called his wifes bluff. He spoke to his bank to get approval for a mortgage, then called the realtor to arrange a viewing. There were a lot of renovations needed, but he believed it could work.

He surprised his wife with the good news, and the couple put in their first offer, a little below the asking price, however, it was rejected. By now emotionally invested, they would make five more offers and beat numerous other bidders to the finish line before closing on their dream home five days ahead of Christmas that year. Since they had guests visiting for the holiday season, everyone slept on mattresses on the floor, surrounded by moving boxes.

It was fun, Mr. Krasnesky said. When we bought the house, the real estate agent was telling us, All your kids are going to love it, your grandkids are going to love it  one of the things I told her is, I really love the house, and I love that Im buying the house, but what I really want is to be 8 years old and I want my grandparents to buy the house so that I can come and just run around and play in it.

A Lot of Room

The magical mansion had documentation tracing back to the original owners from 1885, a man named AJ Angell and his wife, Mary Angell. Mr. Angell passed away just three months after moving in, and the house stayed in the Angell family until 1975 when the couples granddaughters vacated the home.

The deeds passed through the hands of a doctor, and then another owner. Mr. and Ms. Krasnesky are the fourth owners of the home.

There are 25 rooms in the house.  between 9,000 and 10,000 square feet [2743 and 3048 square meters], Mr.Krasnesky said. We have a carriage house, and thats another 3,000 square feet [914 square meters], then theres attic space. Its a lot of room.

With deer, coyote, foxes, and possums frequenting the backyard, an abandoned 1930s railroad behind the house, and even records of two murders on the property, the Krasneskys new home was brimming with history. Then came the treasures.

The very first thing that we would call treasure, I guess, was in the first couple of weeks we were there, Mr. Krasnesky said.

One day as Mr. Krasnesky was in the librarywhich has a ceiling measuring 14 feet (4.2 meters) talldusting the shelves, he found three items laying on top of the bookshelf.

Some of the coins the Kraskneskys have found in the manor. (Courtesy of Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats)

He found a Civil War presentation cane, a gold watch, and a box containing ribbons from equestrian events. Mr. Krasnesky located the surviving family and passed on the heirlooms.

However, the treasure train didnt stop there but only continued.

A Huge Surprise

Then, while dealing with raccoons in the attic and trying to fix the damage that was caused by them, Mr. Krasnesky stumbled on the next interesting thing.

I stepped on this loose board  there was an old carpet covering part of it. I moved that aside, pulled the board up, and I see something metallic under the fiberglass, he said.

Mr. Krasnesky pulled out two jars of silver coins. Under another floorboard, he found a quarter from 1916 and a dime from the 1890s.

A close-up of a 1944 coin found in the manor. (Courtesy of Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats)

During Thanksgiving in 2022, elsewhere in the house, the couple, and their kids, who were growing increasingly interested in the magical mansion, found an ornate ring and gold jewelry.

An ornate ring found in the manor. (Courtesy of Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats)

Next came a huge surprise: a hidden room. The couple and their friends found a room when they moved some shelves in the basement.

There was this piece of metal thats bolted to one of the stones, Mr. Krasnesky said. We suspected that it probably went into a crawl space  we pulled the metal off, and it turned out to be an entire room.

The hidden room in the manors basement. (Courtesy of Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats)

Mr. Krasnesky and his friends have since sifted through 6 inches (15 centimeters) of the rooms 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) of dirt, using a homemade motorized sifter, to make sure no treasure goes undetected.

One of Mr. Krasneskys most recent discoveries came after one of the couples foster cats led them to a scattering of pennies under the floor after losing a toy mouse.

Probably it was some little kid, 100 years ago, dropping pennies down through the floor, he said.

As the Kraskeskys find treasure around the manor, they replace them with current newspaper clippings and items of interest for future owners to find. (Courtesy of Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats)

As Mr. Krasnesky continues to unearth treasures, he replaces them with current newspaper clippings and items of interest, so that other future owners can share in the same joy when they explore the house in their turn.

Mr. Krasnesky admits that although nothing is going to pay for the whopping costs of the renovation of the house: Theres that little kid in me that just gets so incredibly excited every time I find something.

Touching a thing that somebody last touched when it fell in the ground or was stuck in this floorboard 100 years ago  its just an incredible connection.

A Treasure Shared

Mr. and Ms. Krasnesky have grown used to people parking outside their home and walking through the yard and up to the windows to peek inside. The gracious couple sometimes accommodates house tours and has created a Facebook pageKrasnesky Manor for Wayward Catsto share their fascinating historic home and cat-fostering venture with the world.

The page started out as a way to keep friends and family updated on renovations but quickly grew.

At this point in time weve got, like, 20,000 people on the page, Mr. Krasnesky told The Epoch Times. The only thing that makes finding things better is to share that finding-of-a-thing with other people.  and thats so cool, you know? Somebodys able to look at our page, and just for a minute, no matter how crappy their day is  they can log onto our Facebook page and go, Heres a fun thing!'

The couple also uses social media to advocate for animal welfare, a cause close to Mr. Krasneskys heart, since during his five combat deployments he found comfort in helping feed and care for stray animals.

The mansion is also home to a rescue cat that Mr. Krasnesky bonded with during his last deployment in Afghanistan in 2015.

No tail, one of the couples rescue cats from Afghanistan. (Courtesy of Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats)

Operating as a privately-funded charity, Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats works with animal rescue groups, local youth, and education, and gave out its first scholarship in May 2023. Their motto is, Reducing suffering by increasing empathy.

While the manor has brought much magic into the couples lives, Mr. Krasnesky knows they are only playing a bit part in the manors epic story.

I tell people all the time that owning an old house is one of the best, most humbling things that you can do, he said. This house has been here for 140 years before we were there, and its going to be here 140 years after were gone. It really helps remind you of what your place in history is, you know?

The spiral staircase in the manor adds to its magical qualities. (Courtesy of Krasnesky Manor for Wayward Cats)

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Dare to fight: Xi Jinping tells the Chinese military to deepen its war planning.

The second U.S. cabinet official to visit China in a month, Treasury Secretary Yellen is kicking off a trip to Beijing on Thursday.

Beijing takes a new swipe at Washington, telling Japan and South Korea, You can never become a Westerner.

Hong Kong: Pearl of the Orient or a place of nightmares? Five arrests took place in two days, all charged with aiding dissidents abroad.

And eight overseas activists are wanted by Hong Kong police.

Topics in this episode:
Canadian Parliamentary Delegation Meets With Taiwans President for Trade and Security Talks

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference on the seventh anniversary of her tenure, at the Presidential Office in Taipei on May 20, 2023. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

A delegation of Canadian MPs who travelled to Taiwan met with President Tsai Ing-wen on July 6 and discussed strengthening trade and security partnerships between the two nations.

Ms. Tsai welcomed the parliamentary delegation, led by Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, the partys deputy leader, at the Taiwan Presidential Office.

Other members of the delegation included Conservative MPs Michael Cooper, Kyle Seeback, Michael Barrett, and Garnett Genuis; Liberal MP Chandra Arya; and Bloc Quebecois MPs Marie-Helene Gaudreau and Marilene Gill. The delegation was accompanied by the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jim Nickel.

This is the second Canadian parliamentary delegation to visit Taiwan this year. A 10-member delegation, led by Liberal MP John McKay, travelled to Taiwan in April, signalling the resumption of the long-standing parliamentary exchanges between the two after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A warm welcome to the #Canadian parliamentary delegation led by MP @MelissaLantsman. We are grateful to have such longstanding friends voicing support for #Taiwans international participation, & we hope for similar support in our bid to join the #CPTPP. pic.twitter.com/xEEN5wwxCb   Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) July 6, 2023

Ms. Tsai expressed gratitude toward Canada for its efforts to enhance relations with Taiwan, particularly at a time when Beijing has intensified threats against the self-governing democratic island. The Chinese regime has made arbitrary territorial claims over Taiwan and conducted numerous military drills near the island that have escalated tensions in the region.

On June 30, the regime flew 24 warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, near the island after the United States announced approval of two potential arms sales to Taiwan. In early April, the Chinese military simulated an encirclement of the island, deploying up to 91 warplanes and 12 naval vessels at one point.

Canada has adopted a tougher position toward Beijing, describing the communist regime as an increasingly disruptive global power in the Indo-Pacific Strategy, released in January.

In its new Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada further demonstrated its concern over peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and stated that it will continue to enhance its partnership with Taiwan, Ms. Tsai said. I once again thank Canada for its support for Taiwan.

She also thanked the leaders of Canada and other countries for issuing a joint statement at the Group of Seven summit in May that called for upholding security in the region.

Partnership

As Taiwan is Canadas sixth-largest trading partner in Asia, Ms. Tsai expressed hope for increased bilateral trade and economic cooperation. She highlighted the ongoing negotiations for a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between Canada and Taiwan, aiming to enhance supply chain resilience and exchange.

Additionally, Ms. Tsai urged Canada to support Taiwans bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade agreement involving 11 Pacific region countries. The Canadian MPs expressed their support for Taiwans participation in international forums such as the World Health Organization, World Health Assembly, and International Civil Aviation Organization.

Notably, Mr. Cooper, a member of the delegation, recently introduced new legislation, Bill C-343, in the House of Commons on June 15, aimed at enhancing CanadaTaiwan ties and underlining the economic advantages for Canada in deepening its relationship with Taiwan, given the islands significant role as a major producer of critical high-tech products like semiconductors.
Department in Charge of Medicare, Centrelink Says Staff Shortages Not a Problem

A Medicare and Centrelink office sign is seen at Bondi Junction in Sydney, Australia, on March 21, 2016. (Matt King/Getty Images)

Services Australia, the agency that oversees Australias public health and social security schemes, Medicare and Centrelink, has dismissed community concerns over staffing levels.

This follows allegations that tens of thousands of calls went unanswered leaving thousands of Australians without access to vital services.

A spokesperson for Services Australia told The Epoch Times in an email that while there were staff cuts at the agency, this was because staffing was returning to pre-pandemic levels.

As the Budget papers show, our staffing is returning to more regular levels now that pandemic era work, and associated extra resourcing, has concluded, the Services Australia spokesperson said.

However, were bolstering our emergency response capability with 850 staff directly supporting frontline service delivery.

Were also bringing staff back in-house and are actively recruiting to [Australian Public Service or APS] service delivery roles.

People are seen lining up at Centrelink in Flemington on March 23, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia after COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns started. (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

The spokesperson also noted that to provide the best possible support, the department was adjusting resources to maximise frontline staff levels.

This includes drawing from these emergency response capabilities, he said.

Union Worried Australians Unable to Get Help

The comments from Services Australia come after the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) revealed on July 6 that due to significant staffing shortfalls, tens of thousands of calls went unanswered.

Melissa Donnelly, the CPSU National Secretary, said that it was clear the staffing situation in the department had reached a crisis point, and the federal government needed to act quickly to secure the future of current employees and increase overall staffing numbers.

People queue up outside a Centrelink office for government payments in Melbourne on April 20, 2020. (William West/AFP via Getty Images )

Prior to the pandemic, Services Australia staffing levels were not adequate, and they arent adequate now, Ms. Donnelly said.

Tens of thousands of phone calls are going unanswered every day in Services Australia because there arent enough people working in the agency to meet demand.

The union is concerned the situation will only worsen following budget cuts.

The cuts were announced in May, with the agency being told they would lose an estimated 1,868 staff or 6.5 percent of its workforce, news website RIOTACT reported on May 16.

This will see Services Australia with 26,692 employees, down from 28,560.

The unfortunate reality is that Australians trying to access help from Services Australia can expect this situation to deteriorate if the Government fails to act, Ms. Donnelly said.

Australians could find the phone waiting times to access help for government services extended, which CPSU National Secretary Melissa Donnelly believes could lead to people missing out on vital help. A person speaks on their phone on a balcony of an apartment in Melbourne, Australia, on June 15, 2021. (AAP Image/Daniel Pockett)

She said there was a concern it could have flow-on effects and lead to other important work being delayed.

Services Australia should be doing everything in their power to retain the staff they currently have, she added.

This agency isnt immune from the attraction and retention crisis currently plaguing the APS so the idea that they are letting staff who are trained and experienced go is simply absurd.
DeSantis Says Hell Be at First GOP Presidential Primary Debate Regardless of Trumps Plans

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says he will participate in the first Republican presidential primary debate next month, regardless of whether former President Donald Trump also takes the stage.

Ill be there regardless, Mr. DeSantis said during an interview on Fox News on Thursday night. I hope everybody whos eligible comes. I think its an important part of the process and I look forward to being able to be on the stage and introducing our candidacy and our vision and our leadership to a wide audience.

The Florida governor faced a question about his debate plans after Mr. Trump, the consistent frontrunner in primary polls, has repeatedly indicated he may not attend the first debate, which Fox News is scheduled to host on Aug. 23 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In a June 26 post on his Truth social media account, Mr. Trump suggested Fox News wants him to attend to draw ratings, but that he doesnt see a need with his current polling lead.

So FoxNews, which is down 37% in the Ratings, doesnt cover my getting the Man of the Decade Award (because of my great trade policies!) in Michigan, or my Keynote Speech for Faith & Freedom in D.C., and then wants me to show up and get them ratings for their Presidential Debate, where Im leading the field by 40 points. All they do is promote, against all hope, Ron DeSanctimonious, and hes dropping like a rock. Sorry FoxNews, life doesnt work that way!!!

In February, the Republican National Committee also required a loyalty pledge in order for Republican 2024 candidates to qualify for the first primary debate. Trump has similarly suggested he wouldnt commit to such a requirement, stating that his loyalty commitment would have to depend on who the nominee was.

Mr. DeSantis also did not give a direct answer when asked at a June 22 press conference if he would support Mr. Trump if hes the eventual Republican presidential nominee. Mr. DeSantis instead criticized Mr. Trump, noting the former president had praised his handling of COVID-19 in Florida in 2020 but has since grown critical of Floridas pandemic response record.

Mr. DeSantiss comments to Fox News on Thursday night may indicate hes not prepared to support Mr. Trump or any other Republican candidate for president if hes not the eventual nominee.

NTD News reached out to the DeSantis campaign for further comment but did not receive a response by the time this article was published.

DeSantiss Take on 2024 Race

DeSantis has been the consistent second-place candidate in GOP primary polling.

RealClearPolitics currently places Mr. DeSantis base of support at 20.9 percent, compared to Mr. Trumps 53 percent across the polling average. The polling gap had been closer in March, but has expanded throughout the Spring.

When asked during his Fox News interview why his polling numbers havent improved since he joined the race, Mr. DeSantis argued a case for his candidacy by way of the people and entities that have attacked him thus far, such as the mainstream media and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

If you look at the people like the corporate media, who are they going after? Who do they not want to be the nominee? Theyre going after me, Mr. DeSantis said. Whos the president of Mexico attacking because he knows well be strong on the border and hold him accountable and the cartels? Hes going after me. So I think if you look at all these people that are responsible for a lot of the ills in our society, theyre targeting me as the person they dont want to see as the candidate.

Mr. DeSantis also argued that while his polling has remained fairly stagnant, hes had great success with fundraising and suggesting that fundraising will go toward a still-growing campaign effort.

Did you just see the news today about the record fundraising haul weve had? Nobodys been able to match that in the history of modern presidential politics, Mr. DeSantis said. So weve got a huge amount of support to be able to take the case to the people. We really havent started that yet. Were in the process of building out a great organization and I think were going to be on the ground and all these early states.

From NTD News
The 68th Regular Session of the Montana Legislature adjourned Sine Die on May 2nd, 2023. The legislature has moved into the interim period and, unless a special session is called, will not meet until January 2025. Lawmakers utilize this period between sessions to serve on legislative interim committees and councils.

Legislative interim committees are an important aspect of the legislative process. It gives lawmakers an opportunity to study specific issues more in depth that they deem important, and to provide oversight to state government. The Senate and House leadership appoints its members who will be on the interim committees; interim committee members generally serve a 20-month term. Committees often invite subject matter experts to present information and testimony in their respective areas of oversight and interest. This helps legislators make well-informed decisions on policy for the next upcoming legislative session. Interim committees are also a key opportunity for members of the public to interact with lawmakers and to provide input outside of the regular sessions.

The Montana Mining Association (MMA) closely monitors and participates with many interim committees. Perhaps the key committee regarding hard rock mining issues is the Environmental Quality Council. The EQC was created in 1971 by the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and its duties include oversight of the Department of Environmental Quality; Fish, Wildlife and Parks; and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation.

The EQC has 17 members: six senators; six representatives; four public members; and one nonvoting member who represents the governor. The statutory duties of the council are described in 75-1-324, MCA, of MEPA and in other sections of the Montana Code Annotated. For more information including membership, updated agendas, and schedules, the EQC website is here: www.leg.mt.gov/committees/interim/eqc/

Another key interim committee the MMA follows is the Water Policy Interim Committee. After all, you cant mine without water, and every hard rock operation includes water rights. The WPIC website is here: www.leg.mt.gov/committees/interim/wpic/

Traditionally all interim committees have been evenly split with Democrats and Republicans. The legislature recently passed legislation Senate Bill 176 in the 2023 session to ensure interim committee members assignments are based on the party makeup of the legislature. For the first time, this gives Republicans the majority on interim committees. 
Digital Banking Reality in Australia: Booking Appointments to Get Cash

Australians may have to book appointments the next time they want to withdraw cash as several major banking institutions accelerate their digitalisation process.

This comes after a Queensland woman recently gained public attention after a Tiktok video describing her ordeal of withdrawing cash from a local bank branch went viral.

According to the video, Taryn Comptyn wanted to withdraw $3,500 (US$2,300) in cash to settle some personal matters.

She went to a local bank branch but forgot to bring her bank card, forcing her to go to the counter to ask a teller to help her withdraw the money.

Unfortunately for her, the teller said the branch did not have cash anymore, and the only way she could take cash out was to use the ATM.

The bank staff tried to help Comptyn by setting up the ATM so that she could withdraw cash without using her bank card.

However, it did not work out, as error messages kept popping up. Helpless, the staff apologised and told Ms. Comptyn to transfer money to a different account if she was with another bank and went to its branches to withdraw cash.

Having no other choice, Ms. Comptyn followed the advice. After transferring all the money out of the bank account, she decided to close it for good.

After going through the ordeal, Ms. Comptyn questioned the state of Australias banking system, asking how people could not access their money when they went to a bank.

The incident occurred after ANZ, one of Australias big four banks, announced in late March that it would phase out cash withdrawal in some branches, citing a sharp decline in over-the-counter transactions.

The bank did not specify which or how many branches were affected by the policy.

The announcement sparked condemnations from the public, with many threatening to stop using the bank.

It was later reported that NAB, another major bank, had implemented a similar policy.

Meanwhile, consumers from the other two major Australian banks, the Commonwealth Bank and Westpac, can still withdraw cash via tellers.

Financial Experts Take on the Issue

Sally Tindall, the research director at the financial comparison website RateCity, said it was ridiculous that ANZ and NAB customers might have to search online to figure out whether their local branch could hand out cash.

Some Australians opt for a big four bank because of the benefits branches can offer, including the ability to take out larger than usual amounts of cash when they might need it, she told The Australian newspaper.

However, in the case of a large withdrawal, it can sometimes be worth calling ahead to the branch to make sure they have enough cash on-site.

A man walks down the stairs at ANZ Bank in Sydney, Australia, on May 2, 2017. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)

Canstar group executive financial services Steve Mickenbecker said the shift to digital banking was partly responsible for the disappearance of cash from bank branches.

Its not surprising that they (banks) are holding a lot less cashits a security risk and dead money sitting in a vault somewhere, he said.

For a long time, people had to do that if they were taking out foreign currency, but it has become like that with our own currency.

Pointing to the fact that banks were moving away from ATMs, Mr. Mickenbecker warned that it would become very difficult for Australians to deal with cash in the future.

As of Jan 2023, there were around 6,400 active ATMs across the country, down from 31,000 eight years ago.

The State of Cash Transaction in Australia

The RBA Consumer Payments Survey conducted in late 2022 found only 13 percent of transactions were made using cash.

The share of cash purchases also halved over the past three years, which reflected the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on peoples payment behaviour and accelerated the downward trend that had started since at least 2007.

Meanwhile, three-quarters of payments are made using cards, with half using debit cards and a quarter with credit.

The rest of all transactions are made up of mobile payments and direct online transfers.

While the decline in cash transactions is inevitable in the current economic climate, cash still proves its usefulness in many situations where online banking is impossible, including natural disasters, technical issues and data breaches.

In late June, Commonwealth Bank encountered a major technical issue that caused millions of its customers to be unable to use their bank cards or access their accounts. Many people have also taken to venting their frustration online as they were stranded without money for hours.

Lis Wang contributed to this article.
Document Reveals Fate of Missing Girl Who Drew International Attention

A picture of Harmony Montgomery before she went missing in 2019. (Justice For Harmony)

Just two weeks before Christmas, when other children her age were anticipating the arrival of Santa Claus, five-year-old Harmony Montgomery was allegedly beaten to death by her father in the car they had been in since Thanksgiving.

The disturbing account is part of a recently unsealed report on the New Hampshire girls disappearance.

It is the first time the world is learning exactly what happened to the little girl whose case drew international attention after it was revealed she was missing for more than two years before authorities took notice.

In the newly-released document, entitled the Probable Cause Statement For The Arrest Of Adam Montgomery, who is Harmonys father, Adam is alleged to have beaten his daughter to death just nine months after a family court judge stripped her biological mother of custody and awarded sole custody.

Montgomery was awarded sole custody of Harmony despite his lengthy record of violent crimes, including a string of drug-related crimes.

As has been previously reported, Harmonys disappearance went undetected even though The New Hampshire Department of Child Youth and Family was assigned to do welfare checks on the little girl.

Records show the agency failed to follow up on information about Harmony as recently as 2020.

Harmony was declared missing in December 2021, two years after what the newly released documents reveal for the first time as the presumed exact date of Harmonys death.

The new details into her alleged murder come just a few weeks after what would have been her 9th birthday on June 7.

Details laid out in the statement are, at times, gruesome and riddled with unbearably sad accounts of what Harmony, who had a special love for Minnie Mouse, endured before her untimely death on Dec. 7, 2019.

According to the state report, while living in a Chrysler Sebring with her father, stepmother and two other children, including a baby, Harmony began having bathroom accidents. Adam Montgomery became so enraged over the accidents that he would punch Harmony repeatedly in the face as punishment, according to the state report.

Kayla Montgomery, Harmonys stepmother, told authorities that Adam delivered a final and lethal blow to the little girl while he was driving them to a Burger King.

I think I really hurt her this time, said Adam Montgomery to Kayla Montgomery, as reported by New Hampshire Det. John Dunleavy, who prepared the now unsealed report.

Dunleavy stated that Kayla Montgomery told him that Harmony moaned for five minutes after Adam punched her and then stopped.

That same day, the couple switched to another car owned by a friend after their Chrysler Sebring broke down.

According to the report, Adam first kept Harmonys body in a duffle bag in the trunk but sometimes left it on top of a snow bank to keep her body from decomposing, Kayla told authorities.

Adam Montgomery allegedly spent the next several months moving around the remains of his daughter at various locations around the City of Manchesterfrom a common hallway outside the apartment of Kaylas mother, a mini fridge at a motel, to a ceiling vent at a homeless shelter.

When fluids began leaking from the vent, Adam put Harmony, still in a duffle bag, in a garbage bag and put her back in the event.

Kayla told authorities that when other residents began complaining about a smell coming from the event, Adam spent hours in the bathroom reducing Harmonys remains in the bathroom to fit into a tote-sized bag.

The bag was a maternity tote issued by a Catholic hospital. On one side of the bag, there is the saying, The Moms Place.

Kayla had a 10-month-old baby and 2-year-old son staying with her and Adam, according to the state report.

For several months, Adam Montgomery kept the tote bag containing Harmonys remains in a walk-in freezer at a pie company in Manchester, Kayla told police, according to the state report.

Adam Montgomery is alleged to have murdered his daughter on Dec. 7, 2019, according to a newly-unsealed arrest document (SOURCE: Manchester Police Department)

She then described how Mr. Montgomery tried to further dissolve his little girls remains by emptying them into a motel bathtub he filled with lime.

Kayla explained that Adam dumped Harmonys body out of the CMC maternity bag into the shower. Kayla said Harmony wasnt bone, she had skin, teeth, and hair, and Kayla could still tell it was her, Devaney wrote in his report.

Based on sworn statements by various witnesses, including coworkers, co-tenants, friends and relatives of Kayla and Adam Montgomery, it is believed Adam eventually disposed of Harmonys remains after transporting them to an unknown location using a rented U-Haul.

Police collected relevant DNA at various places Adam was alleged to have kept his daughters body. DNA taken from a little pink Trolls toothbrush found in the car Harmony lived in also was a high match to hers.

In a June 27 interview with Court TV following the unsealed New Hampshire report, Harmonys biological mother, Crystal Sorey, said that her pleas to both the courts and child protection services not to give Harmony to Adam were ignored.

She said the agency also ignored her pleas to check on her daughter.

I never felt so invisible in my life, said Sorey, who described Harmony as having an advanced intellect and capable of speaking up for herself had she been given the chance.

Sorey said Harmony was afraid of her father and that she called him Adam and not Dad.

Sorey also said during the CourtTV interview that her daughter had lived with a great foster family who would have continued to foster Harmony and that there was, therefore, no reason for the courts to give Adam Montgomery custody.

Sorey said the last time she saw her daughter was on Facetime with her on Easter in 2019.

Sorey, a Massachusetts resident, had been stripped of custody by a state family court judge in 2018 over a drug addiction problem, but was living in a Sober House, had completed several rehabilitation and treatment programs and had just landed a job when the court decided to give Adam custody of Harmony.

Court records show that at the time they gave Adam Montgomery full custody of Harmony, he was out on parole for armed robberies and attempted murder.

The Massachusetts family court judge awarded Adam Montgomery, who was living out of state in New Hampshire, during a custody hearing without the presence of Sorey.

To me, thats inexcusable when you are making a decision about a small child, and you are deciding to give that child to a career criminal who has his own substance abuse issues, and you havent done any background look at whats going on his life, and can he actually take care of that childthats problematic, Court TV host Vinnie Politan, a former prosecuting attorney, said to Sorey.

Neither Kayla nor Adam Montgomery could be reached for comment.

Kayla struck a plea deal with the state for an 18-month sentence in exchange for her statements. Adam Montgomery is in prison awaiting trial on second-degree murder charges and other crimes relating to the disappearance of his daughter.

A Nationwide Issue

Family courts across the country have been faulted for handing custody to abusive parents.

Three Ohio boys were executed in front of their mother by their father, on June 15, 2023. (Monroe Township Police)

A legislative review committee has been hearing testimony over the past few months about the chronic practice in New Hampshire.

Several organizations, including Child Justice, One Moms Battle, and the National Family Law Violence Center, have called upon lawmakers to make the issue a national priority.

In 2018, Congress passed a resolution calling on states to reform family courts to ensure judges were making rulings that put a childs safety first in custody cases.

Since then, more than 200 children have been murdered by a parent whom a family court awarded sole custody despite having either evidence or conviction of child abuse against them. According to the Department of Justice, a total of more than 800 have been murdered by a parent in the United States over the past decade.
The POW experience of veteran World War II pilots

PG |1 hr 30m | Documentary | 2023

They have been called the Greatest Generation, but only a few of the young American men (and they were almost entirely men) who fought the National Socialists during World War II are still alive to tell their stories. Fortunately, quadriplegic filmmaker Trent McGee and co-director/co-writer Josh Berman recorded the dramatic oral history of five American pilots who were shot down by the Germans and held as prisoners of war (POWs) in the documentary Angels of the Sky.

As one of the former POWs explains, at the height of the war, the 8th Air Force was losing 60 airplanes a day over Europe (which meant they were also losing 60 pilots). It is hard to imagine how the partisan media would have reacted if we had lost 60 planes each day during the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. In any event, that was the reality Mr. McGee and Mr. Bermans interview subjectsRobert Barney, Walter Drake, George Emerson, Harry Selling, and Ed Stapletonsurvived to talk about years after the fact.

Mr. McGee and Mr. Berman start with a brief recap of Americas entry into World War II, which really should not be necessary, but it probably is for far too many younger viewers. Regardless, many of the veterans enlisted rather than waited to be drafted, as a strategy to be accepted for flight training.

World War II veteran Robert Barney interviewed in Angels of the Sky. (Vision Films, Inc.)

Even to this day, the five veterans express respect for their German fighter-pilot counterparts, precisely because they were so lethally effective. Once the Americans were captured, the terms of the Geneva Convention were supposed to protect Allied POWs, which they sort of did, but several of the five 8th Air Force vets still endured regular enhanced interrogation techniques.

However, the most harrowing sequences of Angels of the Sky chronicle the forced march that the transfers of entire prison camps endured to prevent their liberation as the Allies advanced on both fronts. While not quite as horrific as the Bataan Death March in the Philippines, the treatment that POWs endured in transit with the retreating Germans was brutal and often deadly.

Fans of classic World War II films will be interested in their experiences at Stalag Luft III, which was the setting for the classic Steve McQueenCharles Bronson film The Great Escape. Yet the conditions at the infamously overcrowded Nuremberg camp were much more hazardous.

In the eight decades since the five pilots were taken prisoner, many subsequent generations have lost a sense of the scale and urgency of World War II. Even though the directors take a very personal approach throughout Angels of the Sky, the five veterans perspective helps viewers understand just how great the mortality rate was for air crew and how many were lost in action while serving their country.

The proportion of talking-head footage to other visuals is very high (which is a drawback), but the insights and experiences that the film records are invaluable. Mr. McGee and Mr. Bermans film should appeal to the same viewers who enjoyed David Fairhead and Ant Palmers documentary Lancaster, but it should have a broader audience due to its focus on the POW experience and its American viewpoint.

Captured American pilots marching from one camp to another in Angels of the Sky. (Vision Films, Inc.)

Regardless, Angels of the Sky is an important and worthy endeavor, because it reminds us what it was like to fight a global war against a totalitarian ideology. All five of the former POWs Mr. McGee and Mr. Berman interviewed are great Americans, who fought for their country during a time of crisis, making considerable personal sacrifices.

Coincidentally (but not insignificantly), the upcoming release of Angels of the Sky coincides with the 29th anniversary of the traffic accident that paralyzed the then 7-year-old McGee. (A criminal speeding away from the police rammed into his mothers car, while she was turning in an intersection.) It really is not overstating matters to suggest that Angels of the Sky represents courage and resiliency in several ways.

Recommended for its oral history, Mr. McGee and Mr. Bermans documentary releases on July 11.

Poster for Angels of the Sky, the true story of WWII pilots who were shot down over German territory and became POWs. (Vision Films, Inc.)

Angels of the Sky is available on TVOD.

Angels of the Sky

Director: Josh Berman, Trent McGee

Documentary

MPAA Rating: PG

Running time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Release Date: July 11, 2023

Rated: 3.5 stars out of 5

Would you like to see other kinds of arts and culture articles? Please email us your story ideas or feedback at features@epochtimes.nyc
DOJ Reveals How Much Jack Smiths Special Counsel Probe Is Costing Taxpayers

Special counsel Jack Smiths wide-ranging investigation into former President Donald Trump has cost taxpayers over $9 million since he was appointed last year, according to a newly released government report on Friday.

His team has incurred some $5.4 million in rent, personnel, and other costs, while another $3.8 million in component expenses was also incurred by other Justice Department (DOJ) agencies over four months, according to figures (pdf) released by the DOJ on Friday. Last year, Attorney General Merrick Garland tapped Smith, a former Hague prosecutor, to oversee multiple probes targeting the former president, while Mr. Trump has characterized Smith as a partisan actor who is working on behalf of the Democrats to undermine him.

Although not legally required, DOJ components that support the [Smith special counsel office] were asked to track non-reimbursed expenditures attributable to this investigation, which includes hours worked by agents and investigative support analysts, as well as the cost of protective details for the Special Counsel when warranted, the DOJ report said. The expenditures for this period totaled $3,818,818.

About $2 million was used for federal employee salaries, another $1 million was paid for investigative support, and some $80,000 was used to help employees relocate while they worked for Smith. The report runs through March 31 of this year.

In comparison, special counsel John Durhams investigation into the origins of the controversial FBI Crossfire Hurricane probe cost about $1 million in the same time period, while special counsel Robert Hurs probe has cost some $600,000, according to reports. Meanwhile, former special counsel Robert Muellers probe, which ultimately did not reveal that Mr. Trump colluded with the Russian government, cost a whopping $32 million upon its conclusion.

Months after Mr. Smith was appointed, Mr. Hur was named by Mr. Garland to head the investigation into the handling of classified documents found at President Joe Bidens home and private office. A report issued by the DOJ showed that he spent most of his expenses on employee pay.

Overall, Mr. Durhams team spent about $9.4 million over several years, according to a filing, starting in late 2020 after then-Attorney General Bill Barr named him to head the investigation into the origins of the TrumpRussia probe and collusion narrative. His work ended in May after releasing a significant, 300-page report that faulted the FBIs leadership for approving the investigation into Mr. Trumpalthough no charges were filed against any current employees at the FBI or DOJ and no one was fired.

That investigation netted one guilty plea from a former FBI lawyer who admitted to falsifying an email about a surveillance warrant for a former Trump aide. Mr. Durhams prosecutions against a Democratic campaign lawyer, Michael Sussmann, and Igor Danchenko, who was used as a source for a controversial and widely discredited dossier, ended up in acquittals, respectively.

Special counsel John Durham answers questions at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on June 21, 2023. (House Judiciary Committee/Screenshot via NTD)

Last month, Mr. Smith presented charges against Mr. Trump that alleged the former president mishandled classified documents and make false statements to a grand jury, which indicted the 45th president. His office claimed that Mr. Trump misled federal officials in an attempt to allegedly hold on to sensitive material that he knew was not declassified.

In a court hearing in Miami, Mr. Trump entered a not guilty plea. On Truth Social and in public appearances since then, the former commander-in-chief claimed that the investigation is politically motivated and that Mr. Smith may even bear a personal animus against Mr. Trump and said its a naked attempt to harm his chances at winning the presidency in 2024.

A number of polls show that Mr. Trump is leading other GOP candidates by large margins. An average of polls shows Mr. Trump has 53 percent support, compared with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has about 20.9 percent, and No. 3 is former Vice President Mike Pence with 6.3 percent.

Mr. Smiths office is also investigating Mr. Trumps role in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach and his claims made after the 2020 presidential election. Its not clear when either of those investigations will conclude.

Earlier this week, an aide to Mr. Trump, Walt Nauta, pleaded not guilty to charges that he helped the former president hide classified documents from federal authorities, appearing with a new Florida-based lawyer to represent him as the case moves forward. Mr. Nauta was charged alongside Mr. Trump in June in a 38-count indictment alleging the mishandling of classified documents.

His arraignment was to have happened twice before, but he had struggled to retain a lawyer licensed in Florida and one appearance was postponed because of his travel troubles.

Ahead of his arraignment, Mr. Nauta hired Sasha Dadan, a criminal defense attorney and former public defender whose main law office is in Fort Pierce, where the judge who would be handling the trial is based. She appeared in court with Mr. Nauta, alongside his Washington lawyer, Stanley Woodward, who entered the not guilty plea on his behalf.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
EXCLUSIVE: Canadian Soldier Arrested on Human Trafficking Charges

A Canadian flag is seen on a Canadian Armed Forces members uniform in a file photo. (Lars Hagberg/The Canadian Press)

A member of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) who was stationed at a military base near Ottawa has been arrested on charges of human trafficking, death threats, and illegal substance possession, according to the Department of National Defence (DND).

A DND spokesperson told The Epoch Times by email on July 5 that military police arrested Master-Warrant Officer Jason Whalen, who was stationed in Petawawa, Ont., on July 1.

DND said the matter is being investigated by the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service and proceeding through the civilian justice system.

The member is currently in civilian police custody, DND said, adding that Mr. Whalens bail trial was scheduled for July 6.

The chain of command takes these allegations seriously and will carry out the appropriate administrative measures for this member, the department said. The charges against the member have yet to be tested in court, and in the interest of procedural fairness, it would be inappropriate to speculate on possible outcomes.

Charges levied against Mr. Whalen include one count of Trafficking in Persons, one count of Possession for the Purposes of Trafficking, one count of Threat to Cause Death or Harm, and one count of illegal substance possession.

The Epoch Times also contacted the Ontario Provincial Police for further details on the matter, but an OPP spokesperson said the arrest is a military police matter.

The Epoch Times also sought to contact Mr. Whalen but could not reach him.

DND said that Mr. Whalen joined the CAF in 1998 and was serving as a material management technician with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in Petawawa at the time of his arrest. The rank of master-warrant officer is the second highest among non-commissioned officers.

The department did not elaborate on the charges levied against him by military police.

Mr. Whalen had been deployed to Afghanistan several times earlier in his career, DND said, and he served there from December 2001 to July 2002, June to December 2005, and February to October 2012.

He has not had any other deployments, DND added.

The department said that any further information about Mr. Whalen is protected under the federal Privacy Act.

According to a 2014 CAF document titled Honours & Recognition for the Men and Women of the Canadian Armed Forces, Sergeant Jason Whalen was awarded the chief of the defence staffs commendation for outstanding performance as Fielding Non-Commissioned Officer at the Consolidated Fielding Centre in Afghanistan from March to November 2012.
Federal Employment Dept Has Fired 64 Employees Deemed Security Risks Since 2016: Records

Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland (L) and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Carla Qualtrough (R) hold a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2020. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

The federal Employment Department has fired 64 employees deemed to be security risks since 2016, according to records, which noted that one of the fired employees was confirmed to be a foreign spy.

The departments staff wrote in a March briefing note for Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough and obtained by Blacklocks Reporter that the government could not provide more specific information about the dismissed employees for sensitivity reasons, but noted that the firings took place between 2016 and Feb. 9 of this year.

The briefing note, titled Revocation Of Government Security Clearance and dated March 31, said 37 of the employees were fired in 2021, the year of the last federal election, while 13 others were fired in 2022.

Notably one individual had their security clearance revoked in 2019 based on the conclusions of an investigation conducted by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that determined they acted on behalf of a foreign government, it said.

The Employment Department did not specify which foreign government the former employee had been working for. It also did not say whether police were called for alleged illegal activity.

These employees lost their employers trust and were terminated, the note said. The Security Intelligence Service does not disclose details related to its personnel or operations.

Employment Department staff also wrote that the 64 terminated employees were found to have security-related vulnerabilities that put into question the employees reliability and trustworthiness.

The question to be answered is whether the individual can be trusted to safeguard information, assets and facilities and be relied upon not to abuse the trust that might be accorded and to perform the assigned duties in a manner that will reflect positively on and not pose a security risk to the Government of Canada, the note added.

Theyre After Us

The Employment Department prepared the briefing note just two days after cabinet released an Inquiry of Ministry in response to an order paper question by Conservative MP John Barlow asking how many government security clearances had been revoked since 2016.

The Inquiry said that of the 64 fired employees, two were dismissed in 2016, three in 2018, and seven in 2019, one in 2020, 37 in 2021, 13 in 2022, and one in 2023.

Most of the employees were fired in the same year that former national security adviser and CSIS director Richard Fadden told the House of Commons Special Committee on Canada-China Relations that foreign agents use a variety of methods to conduct interference in Canadas institutions.

Theyre after usif I can use the vernacularfrom a whole variety of perspectives, Mr. Fadden told the committee on May 3, 2021. Theyre after us in a negative way.

Canada also expelled a Chinese diplomat earlier this year who reportedly been involved in targeting Conservative MP Michael Chong and threatening his family members in Hong Kong.

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly declared former consular officer in Toronto Zhao Wei persona non grata on May 8 and he left the country shortly after.

We will not tolerate any form of foreign interference in our internal affairs, Ms. Joly said. Diplomats in Canada have been warned that if they engage in this type of behaviour, they will be sent home.

Noe Chartier contributed to this report.
FTC Imposes Industry Ban On Extended Vehicle Warranty Scammers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) building is seen in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 19, 2006. (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has instituted an industry ban on operators of an extended vehicle warranty scam that defrauded millions of dollars from Americans.

In February last year, the FTC charged Kole Consulting Group and its owner Daniel Kole as some of the defendants who ran the American Vehicle Protection (AVP) operation and allegedly defrauded consumers of millions of dollars through extended vehicle warranty scams.

The FTC recently voted to ban the defendants from extended automobile warranty marketing and outbound telemarketing in a 30 decision.

The FTC has filed the proposed order in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Once the district court judge approves and signs the order, it will have the force of law.

AVP was charged with making unsolicited calls to people, insisting that it was affiliated with vehicle manufacturers, and deceptively claiming its products offered comprehensive coverage for vehicles.

Todays order bans Kole and his company from the extended auto warranty industry and imposes a monetary judgment of $6.6 million, continuing the Commissions aggressive crackdown on telemarketing fraud, said Samuel Levine, director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Extended warranty scammers contact targets through telemarketing calls, social media platforms, text messages, and even door-to-door visits.

In a telemarketing scam, criminals deceive targets by claiming their vehicles warranty is about to expire and they have a short period of time to activate the coverage.

Scammers will likely give the impression that they represent the targets car dealer or manufacturer, according to a March 23 consumer alert by the FTC.

If you respond, youre likely to get pressured to give them personal financial information and a down payment right away, before you get any details about the service contract, the agency warned.

If you buy a service contract from one of these companies, you may find they wont be in business when you need to use it.

ID Spoofing, Protecting Against Scams

A consumer alert issued by the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities, and Banking (DISB) points out that scammers often contact targets through ID spoofing.

This involves deliberately disguising the identity transmitted to the targets caller ID display. This not only falsifies the scammers identity but also their location.

DISB advised consumers not to rely on the callers information about their warranty coverage. Check with your vehicles manufacturer or the dealership where you bought it to verify its warranty status, the department said.

If an unsolicited call is prerecorded or automated and asks you to press a number to be connected with a live person, hang up, DISB said.

If the caller immediately asks, Can you hear me? or another generic question, hang up. This is how unsolicited scammers can verify that your number is active. Once a robocall system recognizes your phone number as active, it may place your number on a list for subsequent calls.

Alleged AVP Fraud

In the AVP case, defendants are accused of having scammed more than $6 million from customers over a four-year period while pretending to represent their car manufacturer or dealer and then providing coverage that was far more limited than what was represented.

The scammers alleged falsely claimed to offer bumper to bumper or full vehicle coverage for prices ranging from $2,800 to $3,400. The criminals also allegedly falsely assured customers that they can claim a full refund of their payments within 30 days of purchasing the warranty in case they are unhappy about it.

The truth is that the warranties didnt come from the manufacturer, didnt cover the repairs people needed, and werent sold legally, said Mr. Levine in a February 2022 press release.

In March this year, another group of defendants that took part in the AVP scam were banned by the FTC from operating in the extended automobile warranty industry.
Maternal mortality rates in the United States have more than doubled in two decades, according to a new study published July 3 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Maternal deaths are those that happen during or up to one year after pregnancy.

The study found an estimated 1,210 maternal deaths in 2019, compared to 505 in 1999. The most deaths occurred among Black women, while the largest increases in deaths were found in American Indian and Native Alaskan mothers.

Maternal mortality is a crisis in the United States. These rates have been increasing over the past several decades and were exacerbated by the pandemic, said study author Dr. Allison Bryant, senior medical director for health equity at Mass General Brigham.

Researchers looked at maternal deaths between 1999 and 2019but not the pandemic spikefor every state and five racial and ethnic groups.

For years, the United States has had one of the highest maternal mortality rates of any country in the industrialized world. Further, maternal deaths in the United States have steadily increased, while other high-income countries such as Australia, Japan, and the Netherlands have seen declines.

These other wealthy countries, with lower death rates for new mothers, approach the problem differently, Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, chief medical and health officer at the maternal health nonprofit March of Dimes, told NPR.

They wrap services around new mothers. They give them [support for] everything from mental health, cardiovascular, diabetic, pelvic health. These things are just considered standard, but are not universally offered to individuals postpartum in the U.S.

Dr. Karen Joynt Maddox, a health services and policy researcher at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who wasnt involved in the study, noted that compared with other wealthy nations, the United States under-invests in things like social services, primary care, and mental health.

Many pregnancy-related deaths are preventable when mothers receive care during and after pregnancy. Mental health conditions, hemorrhage, heart conditions, infections, and thrombotic embolism account for the majority of pregnancy-related deaths.

Most of the deaths we reviewed and other places have reviewed  were preventable, said Dr. William Greenfield, the medical director for family health at the Arkansas Department of Health.

Thirty percent of pregnancy-related deaths occurred 43-365 days postpartum, according to Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRC) in 36 states (2017 to 2019).

About 23 percent of pregnancy-related deaths occurred seven to 42 days postpartum, while 12 percent took place between one to six days. Another 13 percent of deaths occurred on the day of delivery. The remaining 21 percent occurred during pregnancy.

In recent years, Republican and Democrat lawmakers have recognized the high maternal mortality rate among women leading more states to pass legislative measures to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 12 months.

The year that follows delivery is a very vulnerable year for the pregnant person, Annie Glover, a senior research scientist at the University of Montanas Rural Institute for Inclusive Families, told KFF Health News.

More than 4 out of 10 births in the United States are covered by Medicaid, according to the CDC (pdf).

Medicaid provides health coverage for more than 86 million low-income adults, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. The plan is administered by the states and funded by the states and federal government.

Jana Pruet and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Scientists at Yale and Harvard say they are starting to pay attention to conditions that may be caused by COVID-19 vaccines, which has been dubbed long vax in media outlets this week.

You see one or two patients, and you wonder if its a coincidence, Dr. Anne Louise Oaklander, a neurologist and researcher with Harvard Medical School, told the Science website. But by the time youve seen 10, 20 [patients], she added, where theres smoke, theres fire.

They said that symptoms of the so-called long vax, a term that was spawned from long COVID, can mimic those of long COVID, including fatigue, headaches, abnormal heart rate, and blood pressure issues.

Patients also describe electric shock-like sensations, burning pain, tingling, and blood circulation issues that come hours, days, and weeks after getting the COVID-19 shot, the article said. Some patients also have symptoms like postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), such as swings in heart rate and blood pressure, fatigue, mental clarity problems, and weakness.

Its my obligation, if I truly am a scientist, to have an open mind and learn if theres something that can be done, Dr. Harlan Krumholz, a cardiologist at Yale University who is conducting research into the phenomenon. Im persuaded that theres something going on with the side effects, the doctor told Science, which described long vax as rare.

Illness after vaccinations are a long, relentless disease, Lawrence Purpura, an infectious disease specialist at Columbia University, told Science, saying that he treats both long COVID and vaccination-related symptoms.

Mr. Krumholz and Yale colleague, immunologist Akiko Iwasaki, started a study called Listen to Immune, Symptom and Treatment Experiences Now (LISTEN) in a bid to understand long COVID, post-vaccine adverse events and the corresponding immune responses by collecting information about symptoms and medical history from participants, according to its website.

LISTEN researchers will analyze the data for insights about the health of people in the study, including those with long COVID and those with syndromes after vaccination, it says. We will characterize demographic, clinical, social, and environmental factors associated with health status. We will share some results back with participants when analysis is completed. We will also treat participants with respect, listen to their suggestions about the study, and engage them in interpreting and disseminating results.

Another team said they investigated for POTS linked to COVID-19 vaccines after analyzing a database of about 285,000 people in the Los Angeles area who had taken at least one COVID-19 shot. They found that 90 days after a COVID-19 shot, the rate of POTS-related symptoms was some 33 percent higher than in the previous three months, according to their research. Some 2,581 were diagnosed with POTS-like symptoms after vaccination, compared with some 1,945 before that.

Long queues of people are seen at the NSW Vaccination Centre in Homebush in Sydney, Australia, on July 1, 2021. (Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

Our data show a relatively clear signal that there probably is an increase in POTS after vaccination and after infection, Alan Kwan with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who carried out the research, told the outlet.

More Details

Dr. Peter Marks, director of the Food and Drug Administrations vaccine division, told the outlet that the agency cant rule out rare cases of POTS after COVID-19 vaccinations. And individual doctors and medical professionals may want to take seriously the concept [of] a vaccine side effect that lasts longer than a few days, he said.

But Mr. Marks claimed that a sensational headline about long vax could be misleading and again claimed that the COVID-19 vaccine outweighs the risks and side effects. The FDA and other federal agencies have repeatedly made such assertions despite a growing body of evidence and newly disclosed documents that show vaccine injury reports have soared since COVID-19 vaccines were approved in late 2020.

Earlier this year, The Epoch Times reported on a contractor that was hired for $9.4 million to process reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and who estimated a maximum of 1,000 injury reports per day, described as the worst-case scenario. A number of brokers broke through a so-called red line on Dec. 26, 2020, or about three weeks after federal agencies gave emergency approval to Modernas and Pfizers mRNA vaccines.

Two vaccines have been released since the last report. Since release, the number of incoming COVID-19 reports has significantly exceeded the estimated maximum of 1,000 reports per day, General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) told U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a status report published on Jan. 15, 2021. As a result, GDIT is unable to meet processing and other timeframes (data processing, telephone inquiries, clinical [inquiries], etc.).

Notably, three Michigan state representatives several weeks ago revealed they were among those who were allegedly injured by COVID-19 vaccines. One, Michigan Rep. Brad Paquette, told The Epoch Times in late May that he developed an irregular heartbeat and had to go to the emergency room after getting the shot.

When I was told I had an irregular heartbeat, I asked the doctor if it could be related to the shot and if it could be myocarditis. He was hesitant to connect it to the vaccine, Mr. Paquette, who was 33 at the time, said.

The Epoch Times contacted the FDA for comment about the claims on Friday.

What topics would you like to read about? Please let us know at health@epochtimes.nyc
Holding the Line on Parental Rights in California

Commentary

Parents, where do you draw the line? Do you want to be in control of the upbringing of your children, or are you willing to turn those responsibilities over to the state? How much ground are you willing to cede to a capricious government bent on eliminating your God-given rights as a parent? Erosions to parental authority that seemed bold even a few years ago are now standard fare.

Section 51100 of the California Education Code used to be non-controversial: It is essential to our democratic form of government that parents and guardians of schoolage children attending public schools and other citizens participate in improving public education institutions. Specifically, involving parents and guardians of pupils in the education process is fundamental to a healthy system of public education.

Our courts have repeatedly affirmed the rights that parents have over their children. In Prince v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 321 U.S. 158 (1944), the United States Supreme Court stated, It is cardinal with us that the custody, care and nurture of the child reside first in the parents, whose primary function and freedom include preparation for obligations the state can neither supply nor hinder.  It is in recognition of this that these decisions have respected the private realm of family life which the state cannot enter.

Fathers and mothers are increasingly being tested on how much control they have over the upbringing of their children. The California legislature is aggressively shepherding anti-parent bills through its chambers this summer. Here are a few every parent should monitor.

Assembly Bill 5 by Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-West Hollywood) would require LGBTQ training for public school teachers and staff. Seemingly innocuous at first blush, this bill is a part of the constellation of legislation seeking to normalize sexualized conversations between teachers and students outside of what was previously limited to sex education classes. Imagine if teachers were required to take a course on how to talk about faith and religion?

Assembly Bill 598 by Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) would require school districts to participate in the California Healthy Kids Survey where sexuality is a core survey module. The bills author believes we need to overcome a cultural aversion to discussing abortion and educating our youth about comprehensive care. While parents would be allowed to opt out of the survey, school districts would be prohibited from providing an opt-in policy for parents.

Assembly Bill 665 by Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) would allow minors 12 and older to consent to mental health treatment or residential shelter services beyond the stringent standards of abuse or danger currently in place. Lowering the threshold for mental health counselors and then providing them with unfettered control of children age 12 and above is a recipe for societal disaster. The proposal affords no real due process to parents before their child is removed from them on vague criteria undefined in the bill.

Child custody proceedings are about to get more difficult. Assembly Bill 957 by Assemblywoman Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) would leverage a childs mental and emotional trauma as it pertains to their sexual development by requiring a judge to consider a parents affirmation of the childs gender identity in a custody dispute. Parents having to deal with a failed marriage is one thing, but pushing those parents to consent to their child receiving puberty blockers or invasive surgeries to remove sexual organs as a condition of having visitation rights is a whole other level.

Senate Bill 407 by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) would dramatically reduce options for many LGBTQ foster youth if an otherwise loving family will not affirm their sexual identities or put other children in compromising situations. Many grandparents may be denied the opportunity to raise a grandchild simply because of their religious beliefs.

A number of school boards are complying with the states new ethnic studies and inclusivity requirements without adopting decidedly radical textbooks. This has angered progressive activists, who are now pushing for Assembly Bill 1078 by Corey Jackson (D-Perris) to micromanage local school boards stewardship over district curricula and strip school board trustees of their constitutional rights. This measure would also deprive parents of an accessible appeals process when texts are chosen that are inconsistent with the communitys values.

And to further polarize school boards, Assembly Bill 1352 by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) was recently gutted and amended to allow a governing board to remove a duly elected member from office if they disagree with their votes. The bill is likely on hold for this year, but parents should be aware that it will come back in 2024.

It is incumbent upon citizens to speak out and urge their family, friends and neighbors to push back. While calls to legislators are helpful, start locally. Connect with the local PTA and school board and see if they have positions on these issues that align with the communitys values. Talk to your religious leaders and fellow congregants. Conduct discussions in your service clubs and neighborhood associations. See if your city councilors and county supervisors have opined on these issues. Their leadership matters.

What is not fought for is ceded. Are you ready to hold the line?

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Mark Thompson of Montana Resources told the Butte-Silver Bow Board of Health in March that MR, in the process of expanding its monitoring and collection of mine dust in the Greeley neighborhood near the mine, will also fund scientific studies regarding potential health effects of the dust from active mining.

Thompson, the mines vice president for environmental affairs, told the board at its regular monthly meeting that a recent story by the environmental-reporting nonprofit InvestigateWest portrayed Butte inaccurately, particularly in further promulgating the notion that theres a choice between having the employment and tax base benefits of mining and having a healthy, safe community.

I work for a company that absolutely rejects that, he says. We believe we can have both, but we do not want to bury our heads in the sand and not look for problems we may be creating  If there are such problems we want to know. If we do not know, we cant fix it.

He said the mine is in the process of expanding its dust monitoring system in Greeley, with plans to add two more locations in addition to the current monitoring location at the old Greeley school. The mine will also be adding dust fall jars that will provide what Thompson called semi-quantitative information about dust accumulation, with the caveat that the simple collection devices also catch bird poop and bugs.

In evaluating the results of a recent survey of the Greeley neighborhood, Thompson said in tracking the respondents that said they believe dust was a major concern, we were able to develop a heat map that shows two areas that tended to have higher concern. So it begged the question of spatial distribution differences within the neighborhood that werent being captured by the single monitoring station.

He said he wasnt sure yet where the new monitoring stations and dust fall jars would be located. We have enough employees and employee relatives in the area that we wont have a problem finding spots, he said.

Also, Thompson said, the mine would like to partner with the countys RMAP program in analyzing any soil samples collected in the neighborhood to further gauge dust accumulation. Thompson said that if they can get splits of the samples collected by the county, they would be tested for additional metals. The county tests RMAP samples primarily for lead and arsenic. Thompson said MR would also test for copper, molybdenum, manganese and other metals.

Thompson said he has received positive feedback from RMAP coordinator Eric Hassler. Hes willing to help, Thompson said.

In talking about Montana Resources willingness to fund research into health effects of dust from active mining, Thompson said in an interview with The Montana Standard, Previous studies have been underfunded. Theyve been able to raise questions but havent been able to find answers. Were about finding answers, not raising questions.

He added, In the absence of fact, rumor fills the vacuum.

He said the philosophy would be not to try to eat the elephant in one bite, but rather to do a linear series of studies. Well let the science and data lead us, he said.

He added that having independent, qualified scientists to work on the studies would be essential.

We cant do this ourselves, he said. Theres a limit to our credibility just because were the mine operator. The community needs to be able to trust the results.

He added, The way I look at it, if study results come down from heaven theres a small fraction of people who will still be skeptical. The further away from heaven you get, the bigger that faction gets. And if the study is just coming from the mine, that becomes a sizable group.

Unlike the previous studies, Thompson said, nobody will be able to attack the data and the science  they will be well-funded studies. Well make sure theyre beyond reproach.
Hong Kong Police Arrest Another Person Accused of Supporting Overseas Activists

HONG KONGHong Kong police on Thursday arrested another person accused of supporting overseas activists who allegedly endangered national security, in a further expansion of a government clampdown on pro-democracy dissidents.

Police detained the 24-year-old man at the citys airport a day after four other people were arrested for allegedly using companies, social media and mobile applications to receive funds for the overseas activists.

Investigation revealed that the arrested person was suspected of having connection with the group of persons arrested yesterday, police said in a statement. It did not identify the five suspects.

Local media, including the South China Morning Post and pro-Beijing newspaper Wen Wei Po, identified the newly arrested man as Chu Yan-ho, a former member of the now-defunct pro-democracy party Demosisto, which was co-founded by British-based activist Nathan Law.

They said the four others are also former Demosisto members, including ex-chairperson Ivan Lam. The Associated Press could not confirm the identities of the five.

The arrests came after police obtained arrest warrants for eight overseas-based activists, including Law, under a Beijing-imposed National Security Law and offered rewards of 1 million Hong Kong dollars ($127,600) for information leading to each of their arrests.

The rewards are the first under the law, which was enacted in 2020 following massive pro-democracy protests.

The arrest warrants for the eight quickly drew criticism from Western governments, which took issue with the extraterritorial application of the security law. But Hong Kong leader John Lee said the eight, who live in the United States, Australia, Canada and Britain, will be pursued for life.

The moves further escalated Beijings broad crackdown on dissidents under the tough security law. National security authorities have arrested more than 260 people, including many of the citys leading pro-democracy activists.

Local media say the people arrested Wednesday used a mobile application called Mee, which shares information about pro-democracy businesses, to secure funds to support Law. The South China Morning Post said Chu also worked for Mee.

A check by the AP on Friday found the application is no longer available on App Store and Google Play.

The police statement on Thursday said the newly arrested man was detained on suspicion of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and commit acts with seditious intent. It said the authorities do not rule out further arrests.

Many prominent young activists were members of Demosisto, which had been led by Law and former student leader Joshua Wong. It was disbanded on June 30, 2020, the same day the security law was enacted.

By Kanis Leung
House Republicans Request Briefing on Bag of Cocaine Found at White House

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has requested a briefing over cocaine found at the White House.

In a July 7 letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Mr. Comer said the committee is looking into the matter.

This alarming development requires the committee to assess White House security practices and determine whose failures led to an evacuation of the building and finding of the illegal substance, wrote Mr. Comer.

Mr. Comer called the July 2 discovery of the illegal substance unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White Houses history.

The White House said that the illegal drug was found near the West Wing.

What I wanted to be very clear is that this is a heavily, heavily traffickedheavily traveled to be more accuratearea of the campus of the White House, said White House Press Secretary Kaine Jean-Pierre on July 5.

It is where visitors to the West Wing come through.

However, subsequent reporting by NBC News found that the bag was found near the Situation Room, an area not open to the public.

Specifically, according to the outlet citing sources familiar with the Secret Service probe, the illegal drug was found in an entrance area between the foyer and a lower-level lobby and is near where some vehicles, like the vice presidents limo or SUV, park.

The cocaine appeared to make it through the tight Secret Service security on the White House campus. The Secret Service said on July 5 that the illegal substance could have been left by an authorized entrant or White House employee.

Theres a multitude of individuals who come through this area, Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told The Epoch Times. Its an open area for individuals who are authorized to be in the West Wing.

Mr. Comer said that the matter has raised additional concerns with the committee regarding the level of security maintained at the White House.

He requested a briefing on the incident by July 14.

Ms. Jean-Pierre expressed confidence on July 7 that the Secret Service will get to the bottom of it.

Mr. Comer is not the only member of Congress to send a letter to Ms. Cheatle about the incident.

In a July 5 letter, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) wrote that the American people deserve to know whether illicit drugs were found in an area where confidential information is exchanged.

Mr. Cotton went on to tell Ms. Cheatle that if the White House complex is not secure, Congress needs to know the details, as well as your plan to correct any security flaws.

He asked Ms. Cheatle to answer six questions by July 14 and schedule a briefing with him.

These questions include, who has access to the White House complex without passing through any security screening, and Who has access to the White House complex while subject to lesser security screening requirements than the most complete screening required of individuals accessing the West Wing.

Mr. Cotton also asked Ms. Cheatle for the number of White House visitors who are screened by K-9s and the instances where West Wing visitors are not screened by those dogs.

Additionally, Mr. Cotton asked for the frequency behind the Secret Service confiscating illegal drugs at the White House and how often such drugs were discovered during security screenings, and how often were these drugs encountered inside secure areas.

Moreover, Mr. Cotton asked whether the Secret Service arrests those who have cocaine with them on the White House grounds.

Finally, Mr. Cotton asked: How often does the Secret Service audit its security procedures for the White House complex and adjust those procedures to correct potential flaws in addition to requesting the Secret Services latest audit and if it was conducted by the agency itself.

A couple of the 2024 GOP candidates have chimed in on the cocaine news.

Does anybody really believe that the cocaine found in the West Wing of the White House, very close to the Oval Office, is for the use of anyone other than Hunter and Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social, on July 5.

Hunter Biden has a history of drug abuse.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mocked the incident.

I think a lot of us have believed that the Biden administration has been blowing it on a lot of fronts, but I guess its a little bit more literal than even I had thought, he told Fox News personality Tomi Lahren on her OutKick show, Tomi Lahren is Fearless.

I can tell you in Florida, my wife and I have a 6, 5, and 3-year-old running around the Governors Mansion, so thats not something that we see, continued Mr. DeSantis, who added, We do have to occasionally get slime out of the carpet and get marker off the wallpaper, but thats the extent of our adventures at the governors mansion.

Michael Clements contributed to this report.
House Republicans Say Blackrock, Vanguards ESG Policies May Violate Antitrust Law

Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) listens to discussions during John Durhams testimony in Congress in Washington on June 21, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

House Republicans have called on the heads of companies including BlackRock and Vanguard to hand over an array of documents detailing how they developed their decarbonization and net zero emissions targets while warning that their efforts to combat climate change could violate U.S. antitrust law.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) sent letters to heads of the companies: Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and its Net Zero Asset Managers (NZAM) initiativea sector-specific group of international asset managers within GFANZ that supports net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and has over $59 trillion in assets under its managementon July 5.

Additional letters were sent to Vanguard, BlackRock, and State Street, all three of which are the worlds largest asset managers.

BlackRock and State Street are members of both NZAM as well as a company named Climate Action 100+.

Vanguard was a member of NZAM until December 2022 when it withdrew after a considerable period of review in an effort to provide its investors with clarity following confusion over its views as they relate to climate issues.

In their letters, the three Republicans demanded the companies explain their corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies and claimed the companies coordinating and entering into collusive agreements to decarbonize assets under management and reduce emissions to net zero by 2050 may possibly violate federal antitrust laws.

The agreements may also be impacting Americas economic well-being, the GOP lawmakers wrote.

A sign for BlackRock Inc. hangs above their building in New York on July 16, 2018. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Impacts of ESG Policies

Accordingly, to advance our oversight and inform potential legislative reforms, we write to ask GFANZ and NZAM to produce relevant documents and information, the lawmakers wrote in one of their letters.

Reaching net zero would require draconian declines in the use of coal, oil and gas,' the lawmakers wrote, putting those figures at a 98 percent decline for coal, 94 percent for oil, and 86 percent for fossil fuels overall.

This, in turn, would require radical steps such as halting sales of new internal combustion engine passenger cars by 2035, and phasing out all unabated coal and oil power plants by 2040, they continued. It also would mean that no new oil and gas fields must be developed, choking off investment in these industries.

Such restrictions limit output and increase prices and deprive businesses of investments and consumers of choices. The potential consequences for American freedom and economic well-being are far-reaching, they added, stating that the collusive agreements harm both competition and consumers and are illegal under the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.

The GOP lawmakers signed off the letter by asking the companies to hand over a string of documents including those containing communications relating to the creation, mission, goals, or founding of GFANZ and NZAM, including the need for GFANZ or NZAM to facilitate advancing decarbonization and net zero emissions goals, those referencing how they developed their decarbonization and net zero emissions targets and commitments as well as those commitment efforts among any of their members.

Additionally, the lawmakers asked for documents pertaining to how the companies monitor and enforce their members decarbonization and net zero emissions agreements and commitments and how such agreements impact output, price, or the choices available to consumers and investors.

The companies have until July 20 to hand over the information, the letters state.

Similar letters requesting the various documents were sent to Vanguard and BlackRock.

Young Socialists Switzerland (JUSO) activists take part in a protest against U.S. investment company BlackRock calling for a climate tax on the rich, on the eve of the WEF annual meeting in Davos, on Jan. 15, 2022. (Fabrice Coffrini/AFP via Getty Images)

WEF Issues ESG Warning

ESG policies are used by some companies as a way of assessing their business practices and performance as they relate to environmental, social, and governance issues. The concept was originally developed at the United Nations Environmental Programme Financial Initiative 20 years ago.

While many companies currently embrace ESG policies, Republican lawmakers have repeatedly warned that doing so risks slashing investment returns and hampering economic growth, which could have ripple effects across the economy.

As a result, a number of Republican states have pulled out their investments in BlackRock, which owns large stakes in a substantial number of companies in the United States and worldwide, including Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.

In May, the World Economic Forum (WEF) warned that the employment landscape will change drastically over the next five years as more and more companies embrace ESG standards and transition to green energy.

According to a WEF report, roughly 23 percent of jobs are expected to change by 2027, with around 69 million new jobs to be created and 83 million eliminated, resulting in a decrease of 14 million jobs, or 2 percent of current employment.

House Republicans letter comes as they are investigating a string of climate groups that they claim are violating federal antitrust laws in their effort to push the ESG agenda.

In May, Rep. Jordan also sent a letter to the CEO of Ceres, a nonprofit organization and a co-founder of Climate Action 100+, stating that its ESG agenda could also be violating federal antitrust laws.

BlackRock said in a statement to Bloomberg that its sole focus as a fiduciary is seeking the best financial outcomes for our clients, consistent with their investment objectives.

We look forward to engaging with the committee on how we do that, the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for State Street told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement, State Street Global Advisors always maintains its independence when voting client proxies. We assess and vote on shareholder proposals based on what we believe is in the best long-term interests of our clients and their investments.

Our actions and decision-making are guided by research, expert analysis, and our fiduciary duty to clients, the spokesperson added.

The Epoch Times has contacted the other company for comment.
Hudson River Tunnel Project Gets $6.9 Billion In Federal Money

A view of the New York City skyline of Manhattan and the Hudson River, on April 18, 2020. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters)

The Hudson River tunnel project thats part of the Gateway program will receive $6.9 billion in federal money, Biden administration officials have announced.

Im thrilled to announce the new Gateway tunnel will receive $6.88 BILLION thanks to our infrastructure law, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a post on social media, referring to the $1.2 trillion or so infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed into law in November 2021.

This is the largest ever transportation grant by the federal government, Mr. Schumer told reporters at a news conference in Manhattan.

The money will be used to revitalize and expand the Northeast Rail Corridor as part of the Hudson River Tunnel project. Specifically, it will upgrade the existing North River tunnel that runs under the Hudson river between New York and New Jersey. It will also construct a new two-track tunnel from the Bergen Palisades in New Jersey to Manhattan, with direct access to New York Penn Station.

Today, we are proud to announce that the Hudson River Tunnel project is entering the Engineering phase, moving us a huge step closer to finally revitalizing and expanding this century-old piece of American infrastructure, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement, in which he said that closures of the North River tunnel impact not just the Northeast Corridor but the entire country.

The North River tunnel has been repaired frequently but its age and condition are a reliability concern for the hundreds of thousands of commuters traveling through the tunnel every weekday, according to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

The agency estimated that a single day of closure of the tunnel would cost over $100 million as it impacts a region that affects over 20 percent of the countrys economy.

FTA is proud to invest in the Hudson River Tunnel, through the CIG program, so these rails can continue to carry millions of people and billions of dollars that help define our countrys economy every year, FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said in a statement.

The billions earmarked for the project represent the largest ever grant from the FTAs Capital Investments Grants (CIG) program and are a major push forward for the Gateway program after years of stalled efforts.

The grant program funds capital investments in heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit.

The FTA said that once the project launches, it is expected to create over 72,000 jobs in the region.

As part of the construction, the project will also create nearly 5,000 new affordable housing units in the nearby Hudson Yards.

The funding commitment from the FTA for the Hudson River Tunnel project will amount to $6.9 billion, while the cost of the overall Gateway program is around $17.2 billion.

Former President Donald Trump opposed the Gateway project, arguing that it wasnt a priority for the federal government to fund and that the two statesNew York and New Jerseyshould bear more of the cost.

Other investments under the Gateway project include grants for the Portal North Bridge and for Tonnelle Avenue, which will provide the opening of the Hudson River tunnel on the New Jersey side, according to the FTA.

More Details

The Hudson Tunnel project will renovate the 1910 tunnel that carries around 200,000 weekday passengers beneath the Hudson between New Jersey and Manhattan, which now runs at full capacity, resulting in bottlenecks and delays.

The existing tunnel faces problems due to seawater flooding from Superstorm Sandy in 2012 that damaged concrete, steel, tracks, signaling, and electrical components.

Beyond its age and regular maintenance, in 2012, millions of gallons of salt water flooded into the tunnel during Superstorm Sandy. Even today, the remnants of seawater that entered the tunnel in 2012 continue to harm the concrete, steel, tracks and third rail, signaling, and electrical components within the tunnel, the White House said in a fact sheet.

The funding allocation will revamp the old North River tunnel and build a new two-track one beneath the Palisades, the Hudson River, and the waterfront area in Manhattan.

Some of the grant money will also be used to construct a new surface alignment from Secaucus to the new tunnel entry point in North Bergen, build ventilation shafts and fan plants in New Jersey and New York, and make track modifications near Penn Station.

When the project is done, the redundant capacity provided by a second tunnel will mean fewer delays and less risk for catastrophic disruption, the White House said in the fact sheet.

Biden said at an event in South Carolina on Thursday that, thanks to the new investment, people will be able to travel through the Hudson tunnel at 100 miles an hour instead of 30 miles an hour.

Overall, the Biden-backed infrastructure law makes a $66 billion investment in rail projects across the country.

The White House said that 2023 is a year in which major rail projects along the 450-mile Northeast Corridor will receive their first significant funding in years.
In China Visit, Yellen Confronts Communist Regimes Treatment of US Companies

Chinese Premier Li Qiang (right) speaks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during a meeting in Beijing on July 7, 2023. (Mark Schiefelbein/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said China and the United States should compete based on a fair set of rules, defending Washingtons policies against the communist regimes continued unfair trade practices on the second day of her diplomatic trip to Beijing.

Ms. Yellen made the comment during her first face-to-face meeting with Chinas new Premier Li Qiang on Friday.

The Treasury chief, in a prepared speech, said that the United States is seeking healthy economic competition with communist China that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time, according to a transcript released by her department.

Ms. Yellen defended the efforts by Washington to safeguard national security interests from threats posed by the Chinese regime, noting that these measures shouldnt lead the bilateral ties to become worse.

The United States will, in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security, she said. And we may disagree in these instances.

However, we should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that unnecessarily worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationship, she said.

Ms. Yellens remark is expected to disappoint the Chinese regime. In a statement released earlier on Friday, an official from the finance ministry said Beijing hopes Washington will take concrete steps to improve the economic and trade ties and create a favorable environment for development. It added that there are no winners from a trade war or decoupling and broken chains.

The Chinese regime rolled out new export restrictions on gallium and germanium, two minerals that are critical to the manufacturing of semiconductors, ahead of Ms. Yellens arrival in Beijing, which experts viewed as a move in retaliation to the Wests restrictions on semiconductor technology to China.

Ms. Yellen criticized Beijings new export controls during a meeting with representatives from the U.S. business communities earlier on Friday. The Treasury chief also criticized the regimes treatment of U.S. firms, telling the group that she was particularly troubled by Beijings punitive actions against American business.

Ms. Yellen also held talks with former Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and Chinas central bank governor Yi Gang. Mr. Liu was formerly Chinas top negotiator who signed the phase-one trade deal with the Trump administration.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang (not shown) in Beijing on July 7, 2023. (Mark Schiefelbein/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

These discussions were part of the Treasury secretarys four-day trip to Beijing that is aimed at spurring regular channels of communication with communist China.

After arriving in China on Thursday, Ms. Yellen stated on Twitter that her trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding, as she aimed to deepen communication with China on a range of issues.

However, her optimism for improving bilateral ties contrasts sharply with some Republicans, considering that just weeks earlier Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in China, but there was no major breakthrough coming out of that trip. The Chinese regime refused to entertain Mr. Blinkens bid to resume direct military communication.

After @SecBlinken left Beijing with little to show for his trip, doubling down by sending additional Cabinet-level officials like @SecYellen only perpetuates this vicious cyclewe self-censor while the CCP takes full advantage, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chair of the House select committee on China, said in a statement on Twitter on July 6.

Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination in 2024, questioned why President Joe Biden would send Mr. Blinken before and now Ms. Yellen to China.

Biden is falling over himself to make nice with China, and Xi Jinping is laughing at us, Ms. Haley wrote on Twitter on July 6. We should believe our enemies when they tell us who they are.

Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.), who sits on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), took to Twitter to ask Ms. Yellen to speak from a position of strength.

During her trip to China, Secretary Yellen has an opportunity to course correct and demonstrate strength, rather than the weakness the Biden Administration has showcased so far, Ms. Steel wrote on July 6. I hope she will take that opportunity.

Level Playing Field

Before meeting with Mr. Qiang, Ms. Yellen spoke with American business executives, telling them that she was communicating their concerns to the Chinese side.

During meetings with my counterparts, I am communicating the concerns that Ive heard from the U.S. business communityincluding Chinas use of non-market tools like expanded subsidies for its state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, as well as barriers to market access for foreign firms, she said in prepared text.

Ms. Yellen added that she was particularly troubled by Chinese officials punitive actions against U.S. firms in recent months.

U.S. chipmaker Micron Technology recently warned that Chinese sanctions put a low-double-digit percentage of global revenue at risk. In May, Chinas cybersecurity regulator said the Idaho-based chipmaker failed its security review, without elaborating what risks it had found. That move means Microns products would be banned from Chinese companies operating critical infrastructure projects.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen attends a business round table with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in China in Beijing on July 7, 2023. (Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images)

She also expressed concerns about Beijings new export controls over gallium and germanium, two metals for which China accounts for a sizable share of the worlds production.

We are still evaluating the impact of these actions, but they remind us of the importance of building resilient and diversified supply chains, Ms. Yellen added. The metals are critically important for the manufacturing of semiconductors, which are tiny chips that power everything from mobile phones to electric vehicles and missile systems.

TSMC, the worlds largest contract chipmaker that is based in Taiwan, has said in a statement to Reuters that it does not expect Chinas export restrictions to have any direct impact on its production.

I will always champion your interests and work to make sure there is a level playing field. This includes coordinating with our allies to respond to Chinas unfair economic practices, Ms. Yellen added.

The American Chamber of Commerce in China, in its annual survey on the business environment in China published in March, identified the protection of intellectual property (IP) in China as one of the main concerns among its members.

Nearly one-quarter of members say that inadequate IP protection limits investment in China, with difficulty prosecuting IP infringements and insufficient IP protection as the top two challenges, the survey says.

On June 15, Mr. Gallagher, Ms. Steel, and more than 20 other House Republicans sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, seeking a briefing from the Department of Justice on its effort to combat Chinese IP theft. They wrote in their letter that Chinas IP theft costs the U.S. economy $600 billion per year.

Ms. Yellen called on Beijing to adopt more market-oriented practices but emphasized that the United States will not seek to decouple from China.

A decoupling of the worlds two largest economies would be destabilizing for the global economy, she explained.

Human Rights Abuses

Zhou Fengsuo, an exiled former Tiananmen student leader and the founder of the U.S. nonprofit Humanitarian China, questioned why Ms. Yellen would travel to China given the communist regimes human rights records.

Why does Yellen go to China when the CCP is engaging in genocide and the Hong Kong government is offering bounties for overseas activists? Mr. Zhou wrote on Twitter on July 6.

Her visit is needed for [the] CCP regime to normalize its human rights abuses and transnational repressions, Mr. Zhou continued. Delinking trade and investment from human rights was the worst mistake of [the] U.S. government, repeat no more.

China has used combating extremism as a pretext to lock up over 1 million Uyghurs in its far-western region of Xinjiang, where detainees are subjected to forced labor, torture, political indoctrination, forced abortion, and other inhuman treatment in Chinese internment camps.

Both the Trump and the Biden administrations have formally declared Chinas treatment of Uyghurs as genocide and crimes against humanity.

Uyghurs are not the only group being targeted in China. The CCP has also systematically persecuted Christians, Falun Gong practitioners, and Tibetans, as well as Chinese human rights lawyers.

In Hong Kong, the local police have recently issued arrest warrants and bounties for eight exiled pro-democracy activists, arguing that they have violated the territorys national security law. The move has since drawn criticism from government officials in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada.

Wang Yaqiu, senior China researcher at New York-based Human Rights Watch, said Chinas human rights violations shouldnt be left out of bilateral talks between China and the United States, in a tweet before Ms. Yellen arrived in China.

Nothing wrong with talking business per se, Ms. Wang wrote on July 2. But economic talks with China must not be based on ignoring Beijings abuses, because its precisely through doing that for 40 years that we now have to contend with a much more powerful and aggressive CCP.
IN-DEPTH: Bank Branch Closures Leave Vacant Buildings, Inconvenienced Customers

When Pamela Bigelow, a lifelong resident of Duncan, Arizona, goes to the bank, she must make a day of it.

Duncan, population 677, lost its last bank branch about six years ago. Now, when Duncan residents need cash, a cashiers check, or to get a loan, they must travel 40 miles to the copper mining town of Morenci, Arizona, where there is one bank, or 40 miles in a different direction to Safford, Arizona, where there are several banks.

Partly because of bank mergers and acquisitions, 9 percent of all branch locations in the United States closed between 2017 and 2021, according to a report (pdf) by the National Community Reinvestment Coalition. That amounts to a loss of about 7,500 brick-and-mortar locations.

The branch closure rate doubled during the pandemic. Banks have closed more than 4,000 branches since March 2020. This doubled the rate of closures from 99 per month during the 10 years before the pandemic to 201 closings per month.

Now, many towns have become bank deserts, where the nearest bank is out of town and more than 10 miles away.

When bank branches close, there are several adverse effects on the surrounding community, the coalitions report reads. Small business lending and activity in the area declines. More people use alternative financial services that may make them susceptible to unregulated and predatory financial practices. An important commercial tenant and employer are lost.

While consumers have embraced mobile and internet banking to one degree or another  branches matter to them as well, and without branches nearby, they are more likely to be un- or under-banked. Alternative financial providersunregulated actors such as payday lenders, auto loan title lenders, or check cashing locations that charge exorbitant fees for financial servicesoften take their place.

The report also noted that low- and moderate-income communities often had less access to branches to begin with and that just a few closures in these areas can have an enormous effect on these communities.

Making Change

The vault of a former PNC bank for sale in Glenside, Pa., in July 2023. (Courtesy of Tammy Harrison)

Ms. Bigelow, 54, works in the town office, where she often takes payments for Duncans town services.

You try to make sure youve got enough [cash] in the drawer to make change. And then sometimes, if youve got weeks where a lot of payments are being made in cash, we run up against the issues of having enough change, or being able to get change, Ms. Bigelow told The Epoch Times.

She cant go to another business and ask them to swap out some fives for some twenties.

All the businesses in this area arent going to relinquish their change, because theyre in the same boat.

She said the town has one or maybe two cash machines, and they charge fees. She rarely carries cash anymore and doesnt use the cash machines. She makes a weekly 45-minute drive to the neighboring towns to do Duncans town banking. Businesses and small government operations need to make deposits in person when they take in cash. She plans ahead so she can make it until her next bank run.

Youve got to figure out how to work things around because its a long drive just to go get change, Ms. Bigelow said.

Cashing paychecks was a problem for some residents until recently, when automatic deposit was put in place, she said. Before that, workers had to drive out of town to cash their checks. The more tech-savvy workers used a bank app on their phones to electronically deposit their checks, but some older folks havent adapted to that, and others dont have a smartphone.

Residents of banking deserts who cant get transportation to a distant bank pay fees to use cash machines and are restricted to the denominations the machines provide. They sometimes go without cash when the machine runs out of money between service calls.

Empty Vaults

Each safe deposit box still has a key in this former bank building for sale in Glenside, Pa., in July 2023. (Courtesy of Tammy Harrison)

Stately bank buildingssome historic, others sleek and modernanchor downtowns. Satellite branches and drive-thru banks were once everywhere, and they all had tellers and loan officers.

Privately owned hometown banks used to dot Americas landscape. The local county savings and loan helped home and auto buyers make major purchases, helped farmers get equipment, and helped other businesses get started and later provided loans for expansion. The bank president may have gone to the same church as the banks customers and often donated to charities such as the high school booster club.

In 1934, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) reported 14,146 total commercial banks in the United States and no branches. By 1984, there were 14,439 commercial banks and 43,213 branches.

In 1994, the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act allowed banks to open branches across state lines. This led to consolidations of commercial banks, but for a while, as bank brands consolidated, branches continued to expand, reaching a peak of 85,834 branch locations in 2009 for just 6,829 total commercial banks in the country that same year.

In 2022, the FDIC reported 4,136 commercial banks and 71,007 branches. It means nearly 15,000 branches have closed since 2009. Many of their buildings are being sold and repurposed.

Ornate Bank Building Sits Empty

Built in 1920, the former PNC Bank in Glenside, Pennsylvania, is on the market for $1.8 million.

Inside the vault is a room of now empty safe deposit boxes. Not all branches have safe deposit boxes, so its getting tougher to find a place to securely stow valuables and documents.

When I got this listing, I started talking to people just standing around on the street, and I cant tell you how many of them were really saddened by the fact that the bank had closed, and had been banking with them for years, Tammy Harrison, a Realtor and associate broker at COMPASS RE, told The Epoch Times. It is the character of America. Buildings like this that were built in the early 1900s are iconic, and they represent the melting pot that America is. They represent people who came here with all sorts of artisan skills and crafts.

Immigrant craftsmen pulled design knowledge from their homelands, she said, adding that the Irish and Italians brought beautiful stonemasonry skills and architectural talents.

If youve gone through this building and think of how they were using it back in the day, youre in awe, because you realize that our money supply was so tied to it, Ms. Harrison said. Back in the day, if someone came in and they needed $15,000, you gave them $15,000. Today, so much of our money supply is digital and the banks only have to keep a certain amount of reserve there, so they dont have the need for the amount of storage space that these banks did.

Downtown Development

In the days when banks kept much more money on hand, this bank used four counting rooms to keep track of the cash. Instead of counting every dime, they weighed them, Ms. Harrison said.

The old money scales are still in the counting rooms.

A lot of developers are looking for these types of buildings to be able to repurpose them as apartments or condos, Ms. Harrison said. She has asked neighbors what they would like to see there, and received a variety of suggestions including a bookstore, an organic food market, a childrens climbing gym because of the high ceilings, and a brewpub.

Although Main Street banks are closing all across the country, Ms. Harrison said downtowns arent going away.

All the millennials want to walk somewhere to be able to get coffee. They want to be able to go to a restaurant. They like to walk to the train, she said.

I dont think downtowns in and of themselves are going away. If anything, people are gravitating to be able to live closer to them and are willing to pay much higher prices to do so. I think that when you have buildings like this, and they sit vacant for a while, its disheartening to the citizenry, because they just wonder why other people dont see the same value in it that they do. People call me every week and say, Whats going on with the bank?
Japanese Prime Minister Expected to Address East Asia Security Risks at NATO Summit

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a late-night press conference during the G-7 Summit Leaders' Meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 19, 2023. (Japan Pool/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will attend the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11, where hes expected to bring attention to security challenges present in East Asia.

His second trip to a NATO summitin 2022, he was the first Japanese leader to attend onecomes as Japan increases defense spending to deter Chinese and Russian forces in the waters and skies around the country.

At the upcoming meeting, Japan is expected to be included in NATOs Individually Tailored Partnership Program, opening the way for cooperation on cybersecurity, space, and information sharing on China and Russia.

Mr. Kishida has sought to strengthen cooperation with NATO in the wake of Russias ongoing invasion of Ukraine and Chinas assertive military activity in the East Asia region, particularly in the Taiwan Strait.

He met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Tokyo earlier this year and issued a joint statement in which they both raised concerns over Russias growing military cooperation with China, including through joint operations and drills in the vicinity of Japan.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo on Jan. 31, 2023. (Takashi Aoyama/AFP via Getty Images)

The two leaders strongly opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and called for a peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues between China and Taiwan.

Our basic positions on Taiwan remain unchanged, and we emphasize the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element in security and prosperity in the international community, the statement reads.

Mr. Kishida warned that the invasion of Ukraine could be replicated in East Asia if leading powers dont respond as one, saying peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait must be maintained.

Japan has previously raised concerns over Chinas military threat to Taiwan. Last year, the ministry devoted 10 pages of its annual defense report (pdf) to Taiwan, giving an extensive overview of the security situation there.

NATOs Plan for Asia Office

Japan is also working toward opening a NATO liaison office to allow the U.S.-led alliance to consult with regional partners, which will be the first of its kind in Asia, Japanese envoy Koji Tomita said on May 9.

The office would help NATO to facilitate consultations with its key Asia-Pacific partnersAustralia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Koreaand act as a point of contact with other nations in the region.

However, the military alliance is unlikely to agree to open an office in Tokyo in the face of French President Emmanuel Macrons opposition to a move that could irritate China and open NATO up to accusations of geographical overreach.

If we push NATOs presence in the Indo-Pacific area and expand its reach, we will be making a big mistake, a French foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Carl Schuster, former director of operations for the U.S. Pacific Commands Joint Intelligence Center in Hawaii, told The Epoch Times on June 2 that NATO is taking a renewed and increasing interest in Asian security and that placing a liaison office in Tokyo indicates that Japan is drawing closer to Europe in terms of security cooperation.

Asian security is also relevant to European peace, according to Mr. Schuster.

Europe has a very extensive trading interest, and any threat to the international seaways, freedom of navigation, any bullying that threatens any of the Asian countries, those all affect Europe, he said.

The establishment of a NATO liaison office in Tokyo shows that the Chinese Communist Partys (CCPs) so-called wolf warrior diplomacy of the past five years has backfired, according to Mr. Schuster, because European opinion of China has changed.

In some cases, the [European] countries are becoming diplomatically skeptical about China, he said, citing the CCPs activities in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and other countries south of China and its alignment with Russias aggression.

Jenny Li, Lynn Xu, and Reuters contributed to this report.
Judge Says Trump Can Be Deposed in Former FBI Agent Peter Strzok Lawsuit

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok testifies at the Committee on the Judiciary and Committee on "Oversight and Government Reform Joint Hearing on Oversight of FBI and DOJ Actions Surrounding the 2016 Election" in Washington on July 12, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

Former President Donald Trump can be deposed in a lawsuit filed by former FBI agent Peter Strzok against the Department of Justice (DOJ), a federal judge ordered on Friday.

Mr. Strzoks lawsuit alleges wrongful termination following the debunked Russia collusion investigation and claims that he was fired at Mr. Trumps direction.

U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, agreed with the request to depose Mr. Trump in a brief order on July 6. This comes one day after the DOJ asked a final time to block Mr. Trump from being deposed.

Given the limited nature of the deposition that has been ordered, and the fact that the former Presidents schedule appears to be able to accommodate other civil litigation that he has initiated, the outcome of the balancing required by the apex doctrine remains the same for all of the reasons previously stated, Ms. Jackson wrote in her brief order.

Under the apex doctrine in U.S. law, high-ranking government officials, such as the president, enjoy a degree of immunity from being compelled to provide testimony or evidence in legal proceedings.

In May, Ms. Jackson ordered a stay on the deposition of Mr. Trump until FBI Director Christopher Wray was deposed in the lawsuit. DOJ lawyers previously argued that Mr. Wray, a lower-ranked official, should be deposed first as any evidence that he provided could mean that Mr. Trump would not have to testify.

Mr. Strzok and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page, who is also suing the DOJ and FBI, played key roles in the FBI Crossfire Hurricane investigation into alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Mr. Strzok also played a role in the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clintons use of a private email server to send classified information. Mr. Strzok reportedly changed key language in the conclusion of the Clinton email investigation from grossly negligent, which would have been a crime, to extremely careless, which may have exonerated Ms. Clinton.

Text Messages

Special counsel Robert Mueller fired Mr. Strzok in 2018 after around 10,000 text messages between Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page were discovered. The messages sent between 2015 and 2016 revealed the pair expressed strong anti-Trump bias in critical comments about Mr. Trump and his supporters as the two were working on the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. The messages also exposed an alleged affair between the two.

The FBI special counsel probe ultimately concluded that the Trump campaign did not collude with the Russian government to get elected. However, corporate media outlets aired several unfounded claims about Mr. Trump that came from what appeared to be anonymous sources within the FBI and DOJ.

The DOJ had argued that there was no evidence Mr. Strzok was fired at Mr. Trumps direction, contending that his deposition is not appropriate. The DOJ claimed that Mr. Trumps public remarks, which might have indicated his desire for Mr. Strzok to be terminated, were not the reason for the firing.

Lisa Page on Capitol Hill on July 13, 2018, and Peter Strzok on Capitol Hill on July 12, 2018. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images; Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

In a bid to distance the decision from Mr. Trump, the government contended that testimony from Mr. Wray, former White House chief of staff John Kelly, and others had already addressed the decision to terminate Mr. Strzok.

The DOJ recently argued in court that Mr. Trumps testimony is irrelevant since it was former FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich who independently made the decision to remove Mr. Strzok.

According to the DOJ, Mr. Bowdich has said that he does not recall Mr. Wray ever informing him about any meeting in which the president pressured him regarding Mr. Strzok. Despite these assertions, Mr. Strzoks lawyers have expressed their intention to question Mr. Trump about potential pressure exerted on FBI and DOJ officials to terminate Mr. Strzok.

These circumstances do not rise to the extraordinary circumstances necessary to authorize the deposition of a current or former high-ranking government official, much less a former President, the DOJ wrote in a court filing.

Testimony Doesnt Support Strzoks Theory: Judge

However, Ms. Jackson noted in her ruling that while the testimony of Mr. Wray and other individuals did not support Mr. Strzoks theory that Mr. Trump was involved in the decision making at issue in this case, the fact remains that the former President himself has publicly boasted of his involvement.

In February, Ms. Jackson ruled that Mr. Trump and Mr. Wray could be deposed for two hours, and she limited questions to a narrow set of topics in connection to the lawsuits.

According to court documents, she wrote in her earlier ruling that it was appropriate in light of all of the facts, including the former Presidents own public statements concerning his role in the firing of the [Strzok].

Mr. Strzok filed the lawsuit in 2019, which is one of several ongoing legal actions against Mr. Trump, the leading contender for the GOP 2024 presidential nomination.

In his lawsuit, Mr. Strzok has claimed that the FBI fired [him] because of his protected political speech in violation of his rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States over the private text messages with Ms. Page.

Ms. Page alleges in her own lawsuit that her privacy was violated by the release of the text messages, which led her to be the subject of frequent attacks by the President of the United States, as well as his allies and supporters.

Mr. Trump has repeatedly complained about being treated unfairly by Mr. Strzok and Ms. Page during the FBI investigation, often pointing to negative comments the pair said about him.

Mr. Trump has also long criticized the deep state, the bureaucracy of permanent and unelected officials in government branches, for opposing him and his presidency. After declaring his candidacy for 2024, Mr. Trump made a campaign promise to clean out the deep state.

The Epoch Times contacted Mr. Trump for comment.

Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Police Looking for Suspect for Attempted Murder After Toronto Transit Stabbing

The suspect of a Toronto subway stabbing incident that took place near Eglinton Station on July 6, 2023 is seen in a photo released by the Toronto Police Service. (Toronto Police Service)

The Toronto Police Service is requesting the publics assistance in identifying and locating a man wanted in an attempted murder investigation after a stabbing occurred on a moving subway train in Toronto on Thursday afternoon.

Chaos erupted on the train as passengers fled from a violent altercation that involved the stabbing of one man.

A video capturing the altercation between two male passengers has been posted online. In the footage, a man appeared to abruptly throw a punch at the other party, and the two subsequently traded punches and kicks. The other party suddenly brandished a knife. Seeing this, the first man turned from the fight and rushed through the train compartments, yelling for help. The other man chased closely behind him.

Other passengers quickly retreated in the opposite direction, seeking safety, and a woman was heard saying in the video: Hes stabbing him up, and Hes killing him. Traces of blood were seen spread out across the train floor.

The assailant reportedly disembarked from the train at Eglinton Station after it came to a halt, and fled.

The incident occurred at 12:23 p.m. near Eglinton Station, according to the Toronto Police Service. Upon arriving at the scene, the police said they had located a male with wounds, and he was transferred to a hospital. The victim, in his 30s, was said to be in life-threatening condition, police said.

The suspect, who is still at large, is described as a black male, who is between 25 to 30 years old, five foot 10, shaved head, and wears a grey hooded sweater, black pants, and was carrying a green back pack, the Toronto Police said in a statement.

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) temporarily closed subway Line 1, between Lawrence Station and Davisville Station. Regular train services along Line 1 largely resumed at roughly 6:30 p.m., though trains are currently not stopping at Eglinton Station, where the police investigation remains ongoing, TTC announced on social media.

Stuart Green, spokesperson for the TTC, expressed concern over the incident, saying that acts of violence on TTC property are unacceptable, and emphasized the importance of customer and employee safety, according to CBC News.

As the investigation continues, authorities urged anyone with relevant information to call the police.
Mining industry leaders in the Treasure State improved the laws governing its tailings storage facilities in 2015, which advised the August 2020 Global Tailing Regulations standards.

On August 4, 2014 the tailings dam at the Mount Polley mine in British Columbia breached and spilled millions of tons of mine waste into local waterways. Helicopters from the Cariboo Regional District and various media buzzed over the widespread damage, capturing the aftermath on video.

The moment she saw the video, Tammy Johnson, former executive director of the Montana Mining Association (MMA) knew something had to be done. Ever facing scrutiny and criticism from environmental groups and outdoor recreation advocates, the mining industry in the Treasure State needed to do not just something, in Johnsons opinion. It needed to do everything it could to prevent a disaster like Mount Polley from ever happening in Montana.

Johnson immediately convened her membership and, eventually, everyone realized it was the right thing to do. No one wanted to be responsible for what we saw on that video.

Over the next several months Montanas mining leaders rolled up their sleeves and hammered out the most progressive and comprehensive draft of standards for tailings storage facilities its industry had seen to date. The process that led to the draft was onerous and tedious, but one that was worthwhile.

We pulled from everywhere, the best of everything we could find, explained Mark Thompson, who was president of the MMA at the time and whos now in charge of environmental affairs at Montana Resources, the largest copper and molybdenum mine in the state.

The Montana team reviewed tailings standards and regulations from all over the industry. They consulted experts and regulators from near and afar. They even looked at the technical report issued by a team of independent experts who were hired to review the Mount Polley failure. They had the independent experts look at their draft and made revisions based on their report and input.

Once they had a solid revision, they turned it into a draft bill and entered into the political arena of the Montana legislature. Senator Chas Vincent from Libby sponsored the industrys bill, Senate Bill 409, and lauded it as a proactive Montana solution to protect the environment and mining jobs.

The legislation laid out cradle-to-grave management priorities for tailings storage facilities (TSFs) in four bullets governing their design, operation, monitoring and closure:

 Meets state-of-practice engineering design standards;

 Uses applicable, appropriate and current technologies and techniques as are practicable given site-specific conditions and concerns;

 Provides protection of human health and the environment; and

 The regulation of TSFs is not prescriptive in detail but allows for adaptive management using evolving best engineering practices based on the recommendations of qualified, experienced engineers.

These management priorities were ensured by requiring an experienced Engineer of Record (EOR) for each operating mine with a TSF. Further, each operating mine with a TSF needed to develop a document known as a TOMS, or Tailings, Operations, Maintenance and Surveillance manual, which lays out responsibilities for all aspects of the TSFs management, including an emergency response plan. The EOR must certify the TOMS, as well as inspect the TSF and review compliance with the TOMS annually.

For any new or expanding mines with TSFs, there are even more stringent safeguards that apply. In addition to the EOR and TOMS, each mine needs to create an independent review panel or IRP of three licensed engineers who are recognized experts in TSF. The IRP is paid for by the applicant to oversee the work of its EOR, from design to closure. Further, any new or expanded TSF must include a design analysis of over 30 detailed items, site specific to each applicant. The design analysis assumes the most extreme consequences if the dam were to fail and includes but is not limited to the TSFs ability to withstand maximum credible earthquakes and maximum probable floods.

In the case of Montana, the way its regulations are written all TSFs are classified as extreme consequences of failure, explained Dr. Dirk Van Zyl, a world-renowned mining and tailings expert from the University of British Columbia. Its very conservative and I think its appropriate.

Van Zyl is an elite expert in both Canada and Montana, having served on the Mount Polley review board, as well as being a current member on two IRPs in Montana. Hes also a prominent voice in global tailings conversations, described further herein.

As a result of all the MMAs exceptional work and the good representation of Sen. Vincent, SB409 passed almost unanimously. Even more exceptionally, the new regulations were even praised by the industrys usual and most vocal opponents. A conservation director with Montanas Trout Unlimited described SB409 as almost a perfect bill, while the Montana Environmental Information Center hailed the bill a victory, listing it among the good bills that passed during the 2015 legislative session. Then-Governor Steve Bullock signed the bill in May 2015.

Best practices

Eight years old now, Montanas law has worked even better than intended. Mines have not only complied with the regs, the majority of operations have gone above and beyond.

Even though were not required to have an IRP looking at our existing facilities, we do anyway, said Matt Wolfe, environmental manager at Sibanye-Stillwaters East Boulder platinum and palladium mine. Even though were not required to have a TOMS manual for our existing facilities, we do anyway. Because those are the best practices in the industry. Weve adopted the best practices in the industry.

Another example of how the new law has improved operations, Wolfe explained, is the vast increase in automated monitoring employed as a result of the EOR and IRPs expertise. Instead of physically monitoring a dozen survey monuments on its TSF once a month, Sibanye-Stillwater now has automated GPS sensors, which survey each point every 30 minutes and reports data in real time via a computer control system.

If there was ever any movement, youd see it almost immediately, Wolfe said, which would then trigger email and text alarms to personnel.

Montana Resources also has seen similar improvements in both the technology and the number of monitoring points it employs at the Yankee Doodle Tailings Impoundment. There were less than ten monitoring points in the embankment prior to 2012. Today, there are over 100 points established, all of them monitored remotely in real time.

For critics of the industry who may question the actual independence of the required IRP members, Dr. Van Zyl offered the following assurance:

Both of the IRPs that I am on, our attitude is that were working for the people of Montana. We are not working for the regulators. We are not cow-towing to the companies or what the consultants say. Often we insist on adding quite a bit of work, and so far, both Stillwater and MR have been very accepting.

Global standards

Unfortunately, the majority of places in the world did not act as Montana did in the face of the Mount Polley incident. While industry standards continue to improve, many regulatory jurisdictions, especially those in developing countries, leave adoption of these best practices up to the individual mining companies to adopt or not.

As a result, two of the worst disasters in modern mining history occurred after Mount Polley. Less than 80 miles apart from each other in the Minas Gerais district of Brazil, two tailings dams at iron mines collapsed in separate, devastating events that killed people and wreaked environmental ruin in both cases.

The first dam collapsed in November of 2015, known as the Mariana disaster, in which 19 people were killed. One of the mines owners, Vale SA, proclaimed as part of a commitment to reform its safety standards, Mariana, Never Again!

But in January of 2019 a 282-foot high tailings dam at Vales Corrego de Feijao mine liquified and collapsed. The cataclysmic event, which was also captured on video, unleased millions of tons of tailings sludge in an explosive wave on top of the unsuspecting residents of the small town of Brumadinho. More than 270 people died and there are still people missing whose bodies have yet to be found. As a result, the company Vale paid $55.9 million in March of this year to settle charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding misrepresentations it made about the dams safety prior to the 2019 collapse.

In light of these tragedies, the Global Tailings Review (GTR) was born shortly after the disaster at Brumadinho. GTR is a carefully crafted collaboration of the International Council on Mining and Metals, the United Nations Environment Programme, and the Principles for Responsible Investment. It is a comprehensive effort by multiple stakeholders to create an international standard for the design and management of TSFs to prevent these catastrophic failures from happening around the world. Part of the GTRs governance includes a seven-member expert review panel to assist the chairman in achieving the efforts goals. Dr. Van Zyl was one of the GTR expert panel members and said he referred to the Montana regulations often.

As a result, one of the tenets in the global standard is to classify all new facilities as extreme. Initially receiving significant pushback from some members of industry, the final GTR standards were adopted in August of 2020. Independent review boards are a requirement of the GTR standard  another shadowing of the Montana laws. The folks who worked on Montanas first-in-industry TSF standards can be proud in knowing that the leadership of its own mining industry had more than a little bit to do with the global standard.

To me, the concepts of being a very high standard of design and the expectation of independent, expert review are two places where Montana led the way in definitely the U.S. and also the world, said Van Zyl. This is something that is not general knowledge to everybody but should be recognized.

Now that the global standards have been adopted, the biggest remaining challenge is for the global mining industry to implement them and comply. To that end, formation of a Global Tailings Management Institute was announced in January of 2023 at a major mining investor conference in London, which included the United Nations Environment Programme.

We all know that mining will be expanding to meet the demands of the low carbon transition, said John Howchin, global ambassador for the new institute. This institute will be vital to ensure companies can be supported to implement best practice and demonstrate to their host communities and governments that they are doing so credibly.

Here in Montana, the Mining Association is reviewing its own TSF regulations. While the current standards were trailblazing in 2015, the industry here remains committed to ensuring it stays up to speed with the most appropriate and protective management practices for our communities and environment.
Marjorie Taylor Greene Proposes Bill to Ban Illegal Immigrants from Voting in Washington DC

U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) waits to speak during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 1, 2023. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has put forward a bill that would impose a citizenship requirement for voter registration in Washington D.C., and effectively ban illegal immigrants from voting.

The draft bill, a copy of which has been obtained by The Epoch Times, is titled the American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Voter Identification Act.

The focus of the bill is to undo the Local Resident Voting Rights Act that entered into force in March of this year, which allowed non-citizen permanent residents to vote in local elections for mayor, D.C. Council, the State Board of Education, Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, and the D.C. Attorney General.

An earlier House resolution introduced by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) sought to nix the D.C. voting act, but it stalled in committee after being introduced in the lower chamber in January 2023.

Ms. Greenes bill seeks to revive that effort and give it legislative force by amending the Help America Vote Act of 2002, establishing photo identification requirements for voting in D.C. elections, and requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in D.C. elections.

Only American citizens should be voting in American elections. Thats why I introduced the District of Columbia Voter Identification Act to safeguard election integrity by implementing mandatory photo voter ID and ensuring only American citizens are casting ballots by instituting a citizenship requirement for voter registration, Ms. Greene told The Daily Caller, which was first to report on the bill.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) speaks on the House floor on May 23, 2023. (U.S. House of Representatives/Screenshot via NTD)

The D.C. Council passed the Local Resident Voting Rights Act in October 2022 after years of similar efforts floundering. The measure was opposed by Republicans on Capitol Hill, who argued that approving the legislation would let illegal immigrants vote in local D.C. elections.

Mr. Comer and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) introduced a joint resolution in January formally disapproving the D.C. Council measure.

Allowing illegal immigrants to vote is an insult to every voter in America. Every single Democrat should be on the record about whether they support this insane policy, Mr. Cotton said in a statement at the time.

A Pretty Spectacular Juxtaposition

While there was no immediate reaction to Ms. Greenes bill by opponents, D.C. Council member Brianne K. Nadeau, who introduced the Local Resident Voting Rights Act that Greenes bill seeks to undo, earlier criticized Congressional efforts to nix the measure.

Despite House Republican attempts to interfere, today the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act became law, Ms. Nadeau said in a statement on March 14. Our neighborswho pay taxes, attend our schools, and contribute to the vibrancy of our communitieswill now also have a say in who represents them in our local government.

At the time, Ms. Nadeau accused Republicans of seeking disenfranchisement by opposing the measure.

Disenfranchisement is on full display right now, Ms. Nadeau said. Were expanding voting rights here while our autonomy is under attack. Its a pretty spectacular juxtaposition.

Ms. Nadeau argued that residents of the District of Columbia deserve full autonomy and representation and that its unacceptable for Congress to make decisions about the city that affect the lives of its residents.

Congress interference must not be tolerated, and the past few weeks have made clearer than ever why D.C. must become the 51st state, she added, referring to the District of Columbia statehood movement, which gained traction in the Democrat-controlled House in 2021 with the passage of a bill seeking to grant D.C. the status of a state.

Statehood

In April 2021, the House passed H.R. 51, the D.C. statehood bill along party lines with zero Republican support.

Democrats have been advocating statehood for the U.S. capital for decades, arguing that it would fix a centuries-old wrong centering on the notion that D.C. residents are taxed but have no elected representatives to intervene in Congress on their behalf.

This country was founded on the principles of no taxation without representation and consent of the governed. But D.C. residents are taxed without representation and cannot consent to the laws under which they as American citizens must live, said Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, the Districts nonvoting delegate, on the House floor ahead of the vote.

President Joe Biden, too, has repeatedly expressed support for D.C. statehood and urged lawmakers in Congress to pass the Democrat bill.

Republicans, by contrast, have argued that the D.C. statehood bill was less about representation but more about pushing progressive policies.

This is not about a balance of power, this is about more power, Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) said ahead of the vote.

This is about government-run health care, a 93 trillion [dollar] Green New Deal, packing the Supreme Court, higher taxes, and a bigger, less efficient form of government, she said at the time.

Mr. Comer, who also opposed the bill, called it a blatant power grab by Democrats as the District of Columbia has in the past overwhelmingly voted blue.

I wonder, listening to the debate, if our friends on the other side of the aisle would be so passionate if Washington, D.C., were 90 percent Republican as [opposed to] 90 percent Democrat, he said at the time.

H.R. 51 goes against the Founding Fathers intent, and is unconstitutional, impractical and a blatant power grab.
Medical Care for Children at Risk in South Korea Amid Shortage of Pediatricians, Clinic Closures

A file image of a boy waiting for a medical test at Korea University Hospital on October 27, 2009, in Seoul, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

South Korea has seen a decline in hospital services and clinics offering medical care for children and infants amid a shortage of pediatricians and a declining birth rate.

Over 550 pediatric clinics have closed in the past five years, exceeding the 519 clinics launched during that same period, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service revealed in May.

The decline in pediatric clinics comes as South Koreas fertility ratethe average number of children born to a woman in her reproductive yearsplunged to a new record low last year, dropping from 0.81 in 2021 to 0.78 last year.

The country has the lowest fertility rate when compared to other Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) member nations. The average fertility rate across all OECD nations is 1.59 as of 2020.

Medical Students Shun Pediatric Field

The dip in birth rates has led to reduced income for pediatricians, and this situation has been further aggravated by the failure of insurance services to adjust their pricing.

Data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service shows pediatricians are South Koreas lowest-paid doctors, making 57 percent less than the average doctors salary.

Consequently, medical students have been discouraged from pursuing careers in the pediatric field, causing a severe shortage in the number of pediatricians in the country.

Pediatricians are now less attractive options for medical students, compared to doctors working in other medical fields, like eye doctors or orthopedic doctors, a doctor named Han told The Korea Herald.

Hospitals were only able to secure the services of 16.3 percent of the pediatricians they sought in the first half of this year, government data showed. Commenting on this, the Health Ministry said that steps were being taken to resolve these limitations.

We understand that there are opinions from doctors saying it is not enough to cope with difficulties in the field. The government plans to steadily implement and continue to supplement the announced measures, the ministry said.

Risks to Childrens Health

The shortage of pediatricians has pushed some hospitals to reduce night-time treatment and close childrens emergency rooms. For instance, South Koreas oldest childrens hospital, Sowha Hospital, recently suspended weekend treatment due to a lack of staff.

Concerns about childrens health have also arisen as parents struggle to get their children treated on time. Local media reported in May that a pediatrician shortage caused patients to wait longer than usual.

A 35-year-old mother, who was only identified as Yoo by The Korea Herald, said that her child had to wait for hours before receiving treatment at a hospital in Gyeonggi province due to a long line of patients.

I was able to let my child see a doctor after 6 p.m., she said, adding that were over 50 people who had made reservations ahead of her.

The situation further exacerbates reservations among couples when it comes to having children, which could be a setback to the governments efforts to boost the birth rate.

Im worried, Kim Eun-ji, a 34-year-old mother said. If the number of childrens hospitals decreases and the number of doctors falls, its going to be difficult to get children treated.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Nevada Secures $285 Million Opioid Settlement With Walgreens, Bringing Total Settlements to $1 Billion

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford gestures during an interview in Las Vegas, on Dec. 14, 2018. (John Locher/AP Photo)

LAS VEGASThe state of Nevada has reached a $285 million settlement with Walgreens regarding the pharmacy chains role in the opioid epidemic, the states top lawyer announced Wednesday.

The last in a series of multiyear settlements with pharmaceutical companies, retailers, and others, it pushes Nevadas total anticipated payments stemming from opioid claims to $1.1 billion, state Attorney General Aaron Fords office said in a news release. Nevada is among numerous states that have reached settlements now totaling more than $50 billion nationwide.

When I first took office as attorney general, I made it clear that seeking justice for those harmed by the opioid epidemic was one of my top priorities, Mr. Ford said.

Walgreens had no comment on the settlement, a company spokesman said in an email to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Walgreens is the final defendant named in a lawsuit the state filed in 2019, Mr. Fords office said.

The $285 million settlement will be paid over 15 years and will be split between the state and the signatories of the One Nevada Agreement, a coalition of Nevada county and city governments, Mr. Ford said.

The state will retain about $98.1 million, which will be placed in a fund that was created to help finance opioid recovery programs through the state Department of Health and Human Services. The coalition will receive about $116.2 million.

The state reached a $193 million agreement with Teva Pharmaceuticals in June and a $152 million deal with CVS in May.

Much of the more than $50 billion obtained through settlements nationwide is to be used to deal with an overdose crisis linked to more than 100,000 deaths a year in the United States.

Last year, CVS agreed to pay state and local governments nearly $5 billion to settle lawsuits over the toll of opioids. But Nevada did not join in that litigation in order to pursue the single-state settlement, Mr. Fords spokesperson John Sadler said.

Nevada joined another multistate settlement with three of the nations largest opioid manufacturers in April 2022 totaling $232 million over nearly two decades.
New Zealand PM Says Country Will Have Tough Conversations With China

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks during a tree planting ceremony at Parliament in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 26, 2023. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

New Zealands leader said Friday that his country will need to engage in tough conversations with China on areas where their views and national interests clash in order to maintain their bilateral relationship.

During his speech at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said relations with communist China are the most complex and will require continued engagement.

Its obvious New Zealand and China hold a number of different views. We dont share a democratic tradition as we do with other partners like Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, Hipkins said.

Our differing positions on human rights is an area of disagreement. And in global affairs, we have voiced concerns about Chinas more assertive posture on a range of issues, he added.

New Zealands economy relies heavily on its biggest trading partner, China, and the government has usually strayed from taking a strong stance against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime.

Hipkins said that while New Zealand has an independent foreign policy, it does not imply neutrality. In this regard, he said the government prefers to have open and honest engagement with China.

As a country, we may be small, but we are not bystanders. We chart our own course with decisions that are in our national interest, the prime minister remarked.

A strong, mature, and complex relationship means we will have those tough conversations, just as I also raised areas of disagreement with the Chinese leadership when I was in Beijing last week, Hipkins said.

But I think its better to be talking than not. Dialogue delivers greater security, he added. Putting up walls and closing doors doesnt serve us well in the long term, and engagement is always preferable to isolation.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and China leader Xi Jinping during a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall, in Beijing, on June 27, 2023. (Nate McKinnon/AAP Image/Pool)

His speech came a week after Hipkins had a warm and constructive meeting with CCP leader Xi Jinping in Beijing aimed at reaffirming the close economic relationship between the two countries.

Hipkins has said that the key focus of his visit was to help his countrys businesses reconnect and deepen relations with their Chinese counterparts. Xi said that China had always regarded New Zealand as a friend and a partner.

New Zealand Careful With China

Before flying to Beijing, Hipkins told media that he didnt agree with U.S. President Joe Biden calling Xi a dictator.

CCP mouthpiece the Global Times praised Hipkins for the move and called New Zealands proactive diplomacy and policy toward Beijing an example for other Western nations.

It comes as New Zealand tries to walk a tightrope between its traditional Western allies and China.

China expert and critic Professor Anne-Marie Brady said she believed that the reason New Zealand leaders were more careful when criticizing the CCP than other Western nations was because of its weak military power.

As a small state, we have to be very careful in our foreign policy; thats just the nature of being a small statewe cant defend ourselves militarily, she told the AM show.

New Zealands refusal to approach the CCP with tougher foreign policy previously attracted critics to call the country the soft underbelly of the Five Eyes alliance. The two sides upgraded their free trade pact last year.

In recent years, however, New Zealands tone on issues ranging from human rights, the international rules-based order, and potential militarization of the Pacific has toughened, with its Western allies becoming increasingly hawkish toward China.

Rebecca Zhu and Reuters contributed to this report.
Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson said in a July 7 interview with podcast host Russell Brand that he still doesnt know why the company announced it was parting ways with him earlier this year. In a brief news release issued in late April, Fox News said that it had parted ways with Mr. Carlson despite his nightly show being one of the top-rated programs in cable news.

The United States will send cluster munitions to Ukraine in its ongoing fight to drive Russian forces out of the country. Colin H. Kahl, under secretary of defense for policy, said the United States has agreed to provide the controversial munitions after determining they have a dud rate of 2.5 percent and getting assurances from Ukrainian leaders on how the weapons will be used.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said China and the United States should compete based on a fair set of rules, defending Washingtons policies against the communist regimes continued unfair trade practices on the second day of her diplomatic trip to Beijing.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer has requested a briefing over cocaine found at the White House. In a letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Mr. Comer said the committee is looking into the matter.
A Biden administration spokesperson invoked the Hatch Act after being asked about cocaine found at the White House. Some observers are now questioning what that law could have to do with this situationand why the spokesperson avoided the question.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging an investigation into Florida. The issue is the transfer of illegal immigrants to California and Massachusetts.

A Texas school district is refusing to allow students to use a bathroom that doesnt correspond to their gender. Tarrant County school district also wont allow them to choose their own pronouns. The policies come after a push from parent groups.
NY Times, Getty Photographers Sue Kenosha Police Over Alleged Injuries Sustained During 2020 Protests

In a photo taken by Getty Images's Scott Olson, police block a road as they try to contain demonstrators gathered in the downtown area during a third night of unrest on in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug 25, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Two freelance photographers have filed a federal lawsuit against police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, alleging that they were unlawfully shot with rubber bullets during a protest over police racism in 2020.

The lawsuits were filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on July 4 by photographers Alyssa Schukar and Scott Olson who claim their civil rights were violated by law enforcement while they were both documenting the demonstrations.

The protests occurred in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake, who was left paralyzed when Kenosha Police officer Rusten Sheskey shot him in the back seven times while officers were responding to a domestic incident on Aug. 23, 2020.

Ms. Schukar a Washington, D.C.-based photographer, was on assignment for The New York Times at the time she claims to have been unlawfully shot by police with rubber bullets on Aug. 25.

Mr. Olson was working for Getty Images, according to the lawsuits.

Getty Images staff photographer Scott Olson is placed into a paddy wagon after being arrested by police as he covers the demonstration following the shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, on Aug. 18, 2014. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Both plaintiffs claim they were left injured during the incident which they say violated their First, Fourth, and 14th Amendment rights.

Specifically, Ms. Schukar claims to have been struck in the hand by the rubber bullets, resulting in her having to undergo surgery and physical therapy, while Mr. Olson alleges he was struck in the head.

Physical Injuries, Emotional Distress

This excessive force and unconstitutional constraint on Plaintiffs civil and constitutional rights resulted in physical injuries and emotional distress, the plaintiffs wrote in the lawsuit.

Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth, former Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric J. Severson, and 10 sheriff deputies and police officers identified only as John Does, are listed as defendants in the lawsuit.

The freelance photographers are seeking punitive damages and legal fees.

They also accuse the local government of having failed to train and supervise law enforcement officers properly and specifically point to Mr. Beth, Mr. Miskinis, and Mr. Severson who they said had final responsibility for the policies and procedures of their departments during the incident, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Additionally, the plaintiffs allege that their constitutional rights to free speech and due process were violated.

An attorney representing Kenosha County in the lawsuit The Epoch Times in an emailed statement, The journalists are availing themselves of the legal system, which is their right.

In an image taken by Scott Olson, police fire pepper balls from an armored vehicle as they confront demonstrators outside of the Kenosha County Courthouse during a third night of unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 25, 2020. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

No Charges Filed Against Kenosha Officer

We strongly disagree with the assertions made in the complaint and the county will defend itself resolutely, Attorney Samuel Hall said.

The Epoch Times has contacted Mr. Hall for further comment.

The Department of Justice closed its federal probe into the police shooting of Mr. Blake in October 2021.

No charges were filed against Mr. Sheskey after prosecutors found insufficient evidence showing that he willfully used excessive force during the incident.

Police were initially called to a residence in Kenosha on Aug. 23, 2020, after a woman who had earlier accused Mr. Blake of having sexual relations with her without her consent told police he was at the residence when he was not meant to be.

According to law enforcement officials, Mr. Blake refused to cooperate when officers attempted to arrest him and he tried to escape in a car.

Mr. Sheskey then shot him to prevent him from leaving the scene, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

Attorneys for Mr. Blake later filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Mr. Sheskey but subsequently dropped it. It is unclear if a settlement was reached. The sexual assault charges against Mr. Blake were also dropped as part of a plea deal.

Reuters contributed to this report.
OC Education Board Says State Bill Allowing Minors to Consent to Mental Counseling Could Hurt Parental Rights

The Orange County Board of Education took a stance July 5 against a California bill that would allow children as young as 12 to get mental health counseling and place themselves in a group home without parental consent.

State Assembly Bill 665, introduced by State Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) and Assemblywoman Wendy Carillo (D-Los Angeles), has passed in the state Assembly and is currently being heard in the state Senate.

The issue was for discussion onlymeaning no vote was taken.

Board members additionally said they are working with state lobbyists to advocate against the bill, which they say strips parents of their rights.

Trustee Ken Williams said during the board meeting that he thought the bill was very broad and unclear with significant consequences upon our communities and families.

[The bill] is not about obtaining medical coverage or aligning healthcare costs  its about children that are being taken from their parents, he said. If it was simply about providing mental health carewhich our youth already have, and which we all are in favor ofit could have happened in a different way. Instead, what this law does, it really breaks down the relationship between parents and their children.

Trustees Mari Barke and Lisa Sparks agreed, saying they thought the possible law gave 12-year-olds more responsibility than they are capable of at that age.

Sparks noted that medical literature indicates that the prefrontal cortexthe part of the brain responsible for making decisionsis not fully developed until the age of 25 or 26.

Additionally, several parents and community members spoke against the bill during the meeting.

These are our children. They do not belong to the schools, and they do not belong to the state, one community member said. Children have advocates, and those advocates are the best advocates that they could possibly have. Thats their parents.

Another speaker told the board that the bill is especially hurtful to minority communities that hold strong faith and cultural beliefs.

A lot of people in the Hispanic community do not agree with gender affirmation, she said. So whats going to happen when you have a family [refuse to use a childs preferred pronouns] and that child goes to the school and says, I dont want to go home because of this? They will remove that child from their home.

One teacher additionally called on parents to become more active in their childrens schools.

[What] we really need is for parents to wake up  and go back to being strong parents not being afraid to parent, then we wouldnt have so many of the issues that we have at the schools, the teacher said. I hope that parents will wake up and join forces with  the teachers that  really do care about kids, and that we can let go of all the nonsense and welcome-in reason.
Only One of the Family Members Could Have Brought Cocaine Inside White House: Former Secret Service

From left to right: U.S. President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Hunter Biden, and Ashley Biden attend an event at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Penn., on May 15, 2023. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Former secret service agent Dan Bongino is claiming that the only explanation for the presence of cocaine in the White House is that President Joe Biden or his family members brought it inside.

The White House is an 18-acre complex surrounded by magnetometers and checkpoints, Mr. Bongino said in a recent Rumble video, adding that there were only specific ways into the White House, and all of them go through the checkpoints. Whether it (cocaine) was found in the Lincoln bedroom or in the diplomatic reception room, it doesnt matter. Somebody had to bypass the security magnetometer checkpoint to get that in there.

The 18-acre complex is like a ring surrounding the whole thing. The only way to get in is to go through one of the checkpoints, he pointed out. There could be no one who could have just gotten through the checkpoint and brought cocaine in. Its someone who would have bypassed the checkpoints.

Well, who bypasses the checkpoints? The secret service with the protectees; Biden; the Biden family members; Jill Biden  The secret service didnt have cocaine on them. So, it had to be one of the protectees. Theres no other explanation.

Probably one of the family members was likely driven in by the secret service who had it on him, found it, and just left it in the White House  Sad but true, that is whats most likely what happened. No one else could have gotten into the 18-acre complex with cocaine on them, concluded Mr. Bongino.

Ryan Fournier, executive director of the political organization Radical Alert, seconded Mr. Bonginos take in a July 6 tweet. Dan Bongino is 100 percent right.

I have been through Secret Service screening many times  You would not get through those checkpoints with something like cocaine. Family members are not checked like regular folks.

Theres literally drug dogs at the White House when youre getting checked in  he said in another tweet.

The cocaine was found in the White House on Sunday evening, July 3, with the U.S. Secret Service confirming the discovery and proposing that it was brought in by someone who works there or had authorization to enter the place.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Gorka, who worked as a national security adviser in the White House during the Trump administration, said in a July 7 tweet that the cocaine wasnt found in a well-trafficked area.

Sebastian Gorka, speaks at The Republican National Lawyers Association 2017 National Policy Conference in Washington on May 5, 2017. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

He said that audio recording from the HAZMAT team that was brought in to identify the white powder was in the library of the residence. I was a deputy to the president. I went there once after a private dinner with President Trump. You dont get to go in there whenever you want.

Secondly, if you were a certain category like I was, with a blue access, all-access pass to the White House, or a member of the family, if you come into the White House in a vehicle, your vehicle isnt searched.

There may be a canine inspection but they dont even open up your vehicle. You can bring in anything.

If youre a member of the press or a visitor, thats not the case. You go through multiple security checkpoints. So lets be clearits a member of the family or a very senior person working for the president.

But I think we all know who it is, right?

Rudy Giuliani Weighs In

The U.S. Secret Service is yet to identify a suspect in the cocaine incident. In an interview with Newsmax on Thursday, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said that the entire Secret Service should resign if they cant figure out who brought the cocaine into the White House. This is a relatively narrow group of people; its not the whole world were investigating, he said.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during a Wednesday briefing that the cocaine was found in the West Wing of the White House which is a heavily traveled area.

Mr. Giuliani, who was an adviser to former President Donald Trump, dismissed the explanation. It is not heavily trafficked. Thats absurd. That lying press secretary made it sound like its Grand Central Station, he said. Of course, there are people that come in there; its a waiting room. But its not heavily trafficked.

Im not even sure it was there. The first notice was that it was in a library. Remember the next day, it changed to it was in the waiting room. So, now weve got to figure out whos telling the truth.

Secret Service Capabilities in Doubt

In a July 6 interview with Newsmax, former Secret Service agent Melanie Burkholder and former FBI agent Jonathan Gilliam, raised concerns about the capabilities of the Secret Service.

Mr. Gilliam pointed out that if the Secret Service is not capable of identifying the perpetrator of a crime that has occurred among a small group of people in a confined space which is probably the most guarded location in the United States, then their ability comes into question.

This is a complete failure, as far as protecting, not just the president, but Americas House  Lets say this was a small amount of anthrax. Thats enough anthrax to kill several people in that area within that confined space, Mr. Gilliam said.

The Secret Service is, in essence, telling us that, if it was anthrax or any other type of volatile powdered substance, theyre not going to be able to find out who brought it in. And that is a scary, scary thought.

In a July 7 letter to Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle, Representative James Comer (R-Ky.) called the presence of cocaine in the White House unacceptable and a shameful moment in the White Houses history.

Pointing out that the incident has raised concerns regarding the level of security at the White House, Comer asked Cheatle to assist the investigation conducted by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability by providing a staff-level briefing of the matter by July 14. Comer is the chairman of the committee.

The Epoch Times reached out to the White House and Secret Service for comment.
Ontario Partners With Bruce Power to Expand Nuclear Energy Generation Station

An aerial view of the Bruce Power nuclear generating station in Kincardine, Ont., in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/ J.P. Moczulski)

Ontario is starting preliminary work to expand a nuclear power generating plant, teaming up with Bruce Power to potentially build the worlds largest such facility in order to address electricity demand over the coming decade.

Bruce Power will begin community consultations and conduct environmental assessments in seeking federal approval of siting up to 4,800 megawatts (MW) of new nuclear power generation on its current site, said a press release issued by the provincial government on July 5.

The expansion of the plants eight reactors, which currently have about 6.2 gigawatts of capacity, will potentially make it the worlds largest nuclear generation site, surpassing Japans Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, the biggest in the world with seven reactors at more than 8 gigawatts of capacity.

With our plan already in place to meet demand this decade, we are starting the pre-development work to identify future generation options, including reliable, affordable and clean nuclear energy, that will power our province into the future, Energy Minister Todd Smith said in the release.

The release cited a report, titled Pathways to Decarbonization, from the Independent Electricity System Operator, the provinces power system planner, saying that nuclear expansion is needed to meet increasing electricity demand while pursuing green energy transition.

The report looked at the potential impacts of a 2027 moratorium on natural gas generation in Ontarios electricity sector, and forecasts that in less than 30 years, Ontario could need to more than double its electricity generation from the current 42,000 to 88,000 MW in 2050. The report forecasts an additional 17,800 MW of nuclear power could be required to meet that increased demand.

Process

Pre-development work will involve evaluating the suitability of the nuclear generation site by examining the impact of a bigger facility on the environment, the public, and indigenous communities, according to the release. This process, which will take several years to complete, is a pre-requisite for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commissions multi-stage licensing for new large-scale nuclear stations.

Ontario has previously encountered obstacles to building nuclear-related facilities.

In 2015, the provinces publicly owned power generator, Ontario Power Generation, killed plans to build Canadas first permanent nuclear waste facility near the shores of Lake Huron, following opposition from the U.S. Congress and civil organizations. The local Saugeen First Nation and Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nationtogether known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON)also complained about the lack of consultation with local indigenous communities at the time.

With respect to the nuclear expansion plan, Ontario and Bruce Power said they are committed to engaging the SON communities.
Shared future 'follows aspirations of people from various countries', has strong 'appeal'

President Xi Jinping's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind has "never been more significant than now" as the world is confronting multiple crises, and the vision can serve as a pillar of true multilateralism and rules-based global governance, officials and scholars said.

Ten years after it was first proposed by Xi during a speech in Moscow, Beijing has continued to enrich the content of his flagship vision  from the joint building of the Belt and Road Initiative to the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, told a forum on Wednesday that the vision, rooted in the 5,000-year-long Chinese civilization, has increasingly shown prominent values to the contemporary world.

With human society now facing unprecedented challenges and even greater deficits in development, security and governance, the vision "follows the aspirations of people of various countries and has showcased powerful influence and appeal", he said.

Beijing will continue to follow a path of peaceful development, actively take part in the reform and development of the global governance system, and offer new opportunities to the world with new achievements in its modernization, Li said.

The vision has been written into United Nations documents multiple times, and while advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, has won active support from three quarters of countries in the world, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Stjepan Mesic, who served as Croatian president from 2000 to 2010, said that Xi's vision for the world is "filled with the belief that a better future for humanity can be achieved through a shared future based on equal partnership and dialogue, and by pursuing green and low-carbon development".

Mesic, who has met with Xi and read Xi's books, said he firmly believes that the Chinese president's domestic and international policies have always been committed to providing good and stable life for people in China and around the world.

He noted that Beijing has been working intensively for greater democracy in international relations, and China's grand strategy for building a community with a shared future for mankind is "in sharp contrast to the geopolitical strategies of other global powers".

"President Xi is the only global leader who has envisioned and proposed a kind of world order that gives advantage to the interests of humanity and global peace, and has upheld the ideal of a world in which different civilizations and social systems are equal," he said.

Essam Sharaf, a former prime minister of Egypt, said he believes the pillars of the Chinese path to modernization are cooperation, harmony, peace and development, and Beijing has presented these principles to the world through a set of global initiatives  the BRI, the GDI, the GSI and the GCI.

"If we seriously want to move from this very risky world, from a world of domination to a world of understanding, respect and cooperation, we should follow the guidelines of these four initiatives," Sharaf said.

The building of a community with a shared future for mankind can pave the way for law-based international relations, rules-based global governance and true multilateralism, he added.

Grzegorz Kolodko, a professor of economics and former deputy prime minister of Poland, described the BRI as a great initiative, saying that his country is definitely "very much in favor of looking for a shared future for mankind".

He called on countries involved in the BRI to strengthen the soft aspects of the initiative  intellectual and cultural relations, and bonds between different peoples. "In times of rising international tensions caused by the ill-advised Second Cold War, the soft aspects of the Belt and Road Initiative can be a breath of fresh air."

Martin Albrow, a fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences, said the policy address delivered by the Chinese president at the United Nations Office at Geneva on building a community with a shared future for mankind "marked another step in the learning journey toward a diverse, open and inclusive world".

"China has been at the forefront in supporting global governance ever since resuming its rightful place in the United Nations, including the Security Council, in 1971," he said.
Passenger Arrested for Bomb Threat on Alaska Airlines Flight Claims Cartel Members Wanted to Kill Him

An Alaska airlines plane seen at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Jan. 11, 2023. (Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images)

A passenger who allegedly made a bomb threat aboard an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle on July 4 has claimed he did so because he feared he would be killed by members of a powerful cartel.

Brandon Scott, 38, was seated first class onboard Alaska Airlines flight 334 on Wednesday as it departed from Hartsfield Landing International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEATAC) in Seattle, Washington, court documents (pdf) state.

During the flight, Mr. Scott, a Kentucky native, handed a flight attendant a note saying he had homemade explosives in his carry-on and a detonator on him, the court documents alleged.

This is not a joke, the note read. Several pounds of homemade explosives are in my carry-on bag. I have a detonator with me. Handle this matter carefully and exactly how I say, otherwise, I will detonate the explosives and kill everyone on board.

Mr. Scott further demanded the flight attendant alert the pilot of the note and keep the issue to yourself.

Many innocent lives are in your hands, do as I demand and everyone will live. Deviate and the consequences will be deadly for all of us. I have nothing left to lose, he wrote, court documents state.

He also demanded the plane be rerouted from its destination in Seattle.

Any other airport will do, he wrote. If this plane lands in Seattle, I will kill everyone onboard. Change our destination and I will refrain from detonating the bomb. I repeat, if I see us land in Seattle, I will kill every soul on this plane.

The flight was subsequently diverted to Spokane International Airport in Washington where it landed without incident. A search by a bomb squad found no explosives on the plane, prosecutors said.

An Alaska Airlines plane takes off from San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco on March 7, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Targeted by Sinaloa Cartel

Mr. Scott was subsequently arrested and is being held in the Spokane County Jail.

During police interviews after his arrest, Mr. Scott confirmed he had written the note and knew the information in it was false and that he had not placed bombs on the plane.

He told law enforcement officials that he had hoped the false information provided in the note would divert Flight 334 and lead to his arrest because he was being targeted by the Sinaloa Cartel.

The passenger told police that members of the Cartel were waiting for him to land in Seattle in order to torture and kill him, court documents show.

He also allegedly told police that he had contemplated other ways in which to ensure the flight was diverted if his initial plan failed, including assaulting a flight attendant or opening a cabin door while in flight, prosecutors said.

It is unclear why Mr. Scott believes members of the Cartel were waiting for him.

Mr. Scott stated he did not think of a more reasonable approach such as contacting law enforcement personnel at the airport to ask for help or assistance, court documents state.

Mr. Scott has been charged with conveying false or misleading information. He appeared at federal court in Spokane on Thursday. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 fine if convicted.

It was not immediately clear if he has legal representation.

Joaquin El Chapo Guzman, the head of Mexicos Sinaloa Cartel, is escorted to a helicopter in Mexico City following his capture in the beach resort town of Mazatlan, Mexico, on Feb. 22, 2014. (Eduardo Verdugo/AP Photo)

DOJ Crackdown on Sinaloa Cartel

The Mexico-based Sinaloa Cartel was previously led by Joaquin Guzman Loera, also known as El Chapo, who is serving a life sentence in the federal supermax prison near Florence, Colorado, after being convicted in 2019 on drug, firearms, and money laundering charges.

In April, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced charges against more than two dozen members of the cartel, including El Chapos sons, for their alleged role in the illegal trafficking of fentanyl and other drugs.

In a statement announcing the charges, the DOJ said the Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most powerful drug cartels in the world and is largely responsible for the manufacturing and importing of fentanyl for distribution in the United States with the help of Chinese precursor chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

The latest incident on board the Alaska Airlines flight came just days after a separate flight headed for Maui was forced to reroute to Oakland International Airport after someone on board the plane allegedly used Apples AirDrop feature to send fellow passengers on the flight a photo suggesting a bomb was on the plane.

Police searched the plane after it landed and ultimately found no bomb devices on the aircraft. Passengers were allowed to reboard roughly 2 hours later and no arrests have been made although the incident is still being investigated, The Seattle Times reports.

A Southwest Airlines spokesperson confirmed the flight was rerouted in a statement to the publication.

We place no priority higher than safety and were grateful for patience and understanding during this delayed journey to Hawaii, the spokesperson said.
Peers Say Their Children Face Difficulties Getting Bank Accounts Over Parents Job

A number of peers have said their children were either denied a bank account or ran into trouble because of their parents political career.

It comes after broadcaster and former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said his bank was shutting down his account and that he was denied an account by six or seven other banks. Mr. Farage also said he may be forced to leave the UK if he cant find a bank.

While the reason of Mr. Farages account closure has not been confirmed, the incident has drawn increased scrutiny over anti-money-laundering rules that require financial institutions to carry out extra checks on politically exposed persons (PEPs).

Four peers told The Telegraph about how their family members were affected.

Conservative peer Lord Kirkhope said one of his sons applications for a bank account had gone swimmingly until someone contacted him and asked if he was by any chance related to a Lord Kirkhope.'

The application was denied two weeks later, Mr. Kirkhope told the publication.

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Sharkey said NS&I, a state-owned savings bank, wrote to him to demand very much more detail about his finances and sources of funds and sent the same letter to his three children who didnt have any accounts with the bank.

Surprised, Mr. Sharkey complained to the bank, which told him it would have to close his account unless he complied, according to the peer.

He said he was in the end lucky to have the matter resolved by getting the Treasury to intervene.

Six-Page Questionnaire

In 2021, Mr. Sharkey told the House of Lords that Nationwide had sent his daughter a six-page questionnaire, and told her that her account would be closed unless she filled out the form.

Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, a Labour peer who was also sent the six-page document, complained that it was ridiculous.

The questionnaire [wanted] to know about my past employers, my family wealthI have not got anymy lottery wins, my jewellery, and not just my car but cars; I have only got one, she said, adding that many peers had told her they and their families have been similarly inconvenienced.

Baroness Kramer, also a Liberal Democrat peer, told The Telegraph she has withdrawn her application to open an account with Chase UK after the bank asked for proof of income from her husband, who died 17 years ago.

She also said her sister-in-law also triggered the heightened check when trying to open an account in the United States.

The PEP rules are international standards set by the Financial Action Task Force that was adopted by members, including through directives in the European Union. The EU directive was then incorporated into British law through secondary legislation.

While a guidance (pdf) published in 2017 clarified that UK PEPs should be treated as low risk unless they pose a higher risk for other reasons, but peers have complained that they still had to go through heightened scrutiny.

Lord Forsyth, also a Conservative peer, said he and his daughter were both customers of Coutts, but his daughter was asked to move her account elsewhere.

Is there any chance that you could move to another bank because you are such a pain to look after because your dad is a politically-exposed person?' Mr. Forsyth claimed a bank manager asked his daughter.

Its unclear how the matter was resolved, The Epoch Times has reached out to Forsyth and Coutts.

Mr. Farages account, which he said was set to be closed, was also with Coutts. In a video published on YouTube last week, he said the bank gave no reason for closing his account, but speculated PEP rules may be one of the possible reasons.

The BBC later cited unnamed sources saying Mr. Farage didnt meet the banks requirement to borrow or invest at least 1 million with the bank or have 3 million in deposit. But Mr. Farage told the broadcaster that the bank didnt have a problem with it for the past ten years.

The Financial Services and Markets Act, which became law last week, requires the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to conduct a review into its guidance on PEPs.

City Minister Andrew Griffith wrote to the FCA chief executive Nikhil Rathi on Wednesday, urging the watchdog to prioritise the review so the rules do not unduly burden or prevent democratically elected individuals, public officials, or their respective families from access to essential banking services.

Correction: In the original version of this article the ownership of the bank was incorrectly stated. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Enter into Italys wasteland of ancient ghost towns, long abandoned and left to slowly crumble and fade under the hot southern sun.

There are more than 6,000 vacant villages in Italy, and Craco is just one of them. Its hard to imagine that this eerily quiet medieval village once buzzed with life.

Once known as Golden Mountain, the settlement sits atop a 400-meter (1,300-foot) cliff in Basilicata, one of Italys most earthquake-prone regions. Once a populated and flourishing hamlet, all thats left in Craco today are the roofless shells of houses, a former monastery, a decaying church, and empty streets and plazas.

Craco has a rich history. Founded around 540 A.D. by the Greeks, it has a strategic location perfect for surveying the surrounding countryside, according to Ancient Origins. In 1040, a tower was built for viewing potential threats and marauding piratesstill the towns focal point.

After the introduction of a university in the 13th century, Cracos population steadily rose over the ensuing years to an average of 1,500 townsfolk who made a living by farming. By the 15th century, four plazas were constructed, followed by the monastery of San Pietro in 1630.

But, by the middle of the 17th century, everything changed with a plague outbreak that killed hundreds.

(Shutterstock/Matteo Della Torre)

(Shutterstock/Ivan Moreno sl)

In the early 1800s, gangs of bandits attacked the town, resulting in civil unrest. Around a hundred years later, the crops failed, leading to severe famine, and by 1922, most of the population had fled, according to the report.

If plague, robbers, and famine werent enough, owing to the town being constructed on unstable terrain, the unfortunate people of Craco were hit by a series of landslidesthe worst of which began to occur in the 1950s when the quality of the soil worsened further, and a sanitation upgrade disturbed the ground.

And yet, the residents of Craco clung to their beautiful town.

In 1963, many of Cracos remaining inhabitants had to be evacuated due to a series of life-threatening landslides, sounding the final death knell.

A new settlement was built further down the valley, but still, the most stubborn villagers stayed put. In the 1980s, an earthquake shook the towns foundations, and the final few living there were forced out.

Now, the once lively town is frequented by only stray animals and the occasional touristand the odd film crew.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Inspired newsletter at: https://www.theepochtimes.com/newsletter
Police Union Chief Calls for NYC Council Staffer to Be Fired After Anti-Law Enforcement Posts Emerge

Members of the New York City Police Department look on from the Midtown North Precinct as Black Lives Matter protesters march in midtown over the death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on June 7, 2020. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)

The head of the New York City Police officers union has criticized a New York City Council staffer for allegedly encouraging violence against law enforcement officials during protests following the police killing of George Floyd.

Ember Ollom, 28, is a digital press aide who was hired by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adamss office last fall, according to the New York Post.

In a series of Twitter posts in 2020, Ms. Ollom allegedly called on members of the public to attack law enforcement officers throughout the city amid widespread demonstrations over the death of Floyd.

Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died when former Minneapolis Police Department officer Derek Chauvin held his knee against Floyds neck and back for approximately nine-and-a-half minutes as Floyd lay handcuffed and face-down on the pavement.

The incident was sparked when Floyd allegedly tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill to purchase cigarettes before being arrested by officers.

I would like it on the record that I would like you all to throw more bottles at cops and torch more vans, Ms. Ollom said in a May 30, 2020 post, responding to a post from then-Brooklyn Councilman Justin Brannan, the New York Post reported.

Ms. Olloms post has since been deleted.

Activists march on the one-year anniversary of George Floyds death in Los Angeles on May 25, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Hardcore Cop-Haters

Mr. Brannan, who is now the councils finance committee chairman, had denounced the widespread violence against police in his initial post.

In the middle of a deadly pandemic, we saw elected officials indiscriminately thrown to the ground and beaten with batons, bottles thrown at cops, and NYPD vans torched, he wrote. The version of New York City we saw last night was not a version anybody wants.

Responding to Ms. Olloms comments regarding violence against law enforcement officials, Patrick Hendry, president of the Police Benevolent Association of the City of New York, told the New York Post its no wonder the City Council spends more time tormenting police officers than helping us stop violent crime.

The union president also said he believes Ms. Ollom should be terminated from her role.

Just look at the hardcore cop-haters on their team, Mr. Hendry said. This hate-filled individual who called for more attacks on police officers should be investigated and fired, but we know that wont happen because the City Council only believes in accountability for cops.

Back in June, Mr. Hendry criticized New York City Council members, as well as politicians, who he claimed to be telling constituents that they support police and public safety only to turn around and support anti-police policies.

Police stand guard near looted stores during a night of protests and vandalism over the death of George Floyd in New York City on June 1, 2020. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Regrettable Choice of Words

Members of the City Councils Progressive Caucus have literally signed their names to the failed Defund the Police ideology and pledged to strip New York City police officers of the resources we need to protect our neighborhoods, he said at the time.

Officials warned earlier this year that NYPD is experiencing a mass exodus of officers, in part owing to calls to defund the police and stalled wages.

Ms. Ollom, who is also a member of the left-wing Working Families Party, according to its website, told the Post on Thursday that she regrets her previous anti-police comments.

Witnessing police brutality against New Yorkers at the height of the 2020 George Floyd protests when I was 25 years old, I was frustrated and made a post in anger that was a regrettable choice of words that I later deleted, Ms. Ollom said. It is unfortunate that a mistake I made three years ago is being used to attack me in pursuit of a political agenda.

Meanwhile, the New York City Council defended hiring Ms. Ollom.

Ember is a staffer that we selected in a competitive process with multiple candidates. She is highly qualified and dedicated to serving the cityany insinuation that she did not earn her job is frankly misogynistic, said council spokeswoman Shirley Limongi.

The spokeswoman added that Ms. Ollom has expressed remorse for her comments and said the council rejects violence in all forms.

The Epoch Times has contacted the New York City Council for further comment.
Pro-Abortion Ballot Initiative Garners Enough Signatures to Advance to Referendum in Ohio: Advocates

Critics worry the measure would strip parental rights and expand sex-change operation procedure protections

Pro-abortion protesters with Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights wear green as they protest outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on June 15, 2022. (Jackson Elliott/The Epoch Times)

A pro-abortion measure to amend the Ohio Constitution has received enough signatures to advance to a referendum in the state, advocates of the measure say.

The measure would declare abortion a constitutional right in the state of Ohio until the point of fetal viability, at which a baby has a substantial chance of surviving independently outside the womb. That point is generally considered to fall around 23 or 24 weeks of gestation, but some babies can survive outside the womb as early as 22 weeks.

Every individual has a right to make and carry out ones own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on: contraception, fertility treatment, continuing ones own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion, the proposed ballot measure says (pdf).

The measure allows abortion [to be] be prohibited after fetal viability. But in no case may such an abortion be prohibited if in the professional judgment of the pregnant patients treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patients life or health.

In order to be placed on the ballot in Ohio, a proposal must garner at least 6 percent as many signatures from Ohio residents as there were votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election; in this case, roughly 413,000 signatures were needed.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which helped direct the effort in the state, said in a press release that the measure has surpassed 700,000 signatures. It now falls to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose to verify if enough of the signatures are valid in order to make a determination on if the measure will come to a vote in the scheduled Aug. 8 referendum.

Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, the leaders of the effort, confirmed that they had enough signatures to bring the measure to the ballot in August, calling the effort a demonstration of overwhelming grassroots support.

Today, we take a huge step forward in the fight for abortion access and reproductive freedom for all, to ensure that Ohioans and their families can make their own health care decisions without government interference, said Lauren Blauvelt and Kellie Copeland of Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom.

However, in at least one video, a signature collector was caught on camera collecting the signature of an unregistered voter.

Thats how we get paid, he said.

Its not clear how widespread this practice was, or if it will pose challenges to proponents efforts to have the measure placed on the ballot.

Amy Natoce, press secretary for the pro-life group Protect Women Ohio, called the measure an extreme anti-parent amendment  that will strip parents of their rights, permit minors to undergo sex change operations without their parents knowledge or consent, and allow painful abortion on demand through all nine months.

Notably, the amendment does allow for prohibition of abortion after the point of viability, but does not contain constitutional prohibitions on abortion. It only allows for the legislature to pass such prohibitions, which is likely.

Efforts to have the measure placed on the ballot began in March, when proponents submitted the language of measure to the secretary of state and received the green light to move ahead with collecting signatures, as Ohios abortion laws remain in limbo owing to ongoing litigation.

The initiative was developed in response to the Supreme Courts landmark decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which overturned the federal protection of abortion and returned the issue to the states in June 2022.

U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington on June 7, 2023. (Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times)

In 2019, prior to the ruling, Ohio had passed a law that banned abortion in the state after an embryonic heartbeat could be detected, around the six-week mark. After the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, that law, which allows exceptions only in cases where the mothers life is endangered, immediately went into effect.

But in September 2022, an Ohio lower court blocked the near-total ban, which has been tied up in litigation since. Owing to that decision, abortion is currently legal in Ohio until the 22nd week of gestation, after which the baby reaches the point of fetal viability.

Critics Concerns

Critics worry that the measure will strip parental rights over their childrens medical decisions and could expand legal protections for sex-change operations owing to ambiguities in the text of the initiative.

The language of the measureusing the term individual with no distinction between an adult and a minorhas raised concerns among critics that it would strip parents of the right not only to have a say in whether their underage daughter has an abortion, but could even prevent parents being notified about such a procedure.

In an op-ed for National Review, Judicial Crisis Network President Carrie Campbell Severino and Frank J. Scaturro, a former special counsel to the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives, argued that the measure would effectively obliterate most limits to abortion or sex-change surgery, among its other far-reaching consequences.

Specifically, Ms. Severino and Mr. Scaturro pointed to a provision of the measure which reads, Every individual has a right to make and carry out ones own reproductive decisions, including but not limited to decisions on: 1. contraception; 2. fertility treatment; 3. continuing ones own pregnancy; 4. miscarriage care; and 5. abortion.

By explicitly defining such decisions as not limited to the enumerated categories, Ms. Severino and Mr. Scaturro wrote, the proposal establishes its scope as sweeping.

They said that a natural reading of the measure as laid out would extend to any medical procedure that involves the human reproductive system, including sex-change surgery.

Additionally, the two raised concerns that the measure could allow for even non-physicians who perform dangerous procedures like sex-change operations and abortions to be free from liability.

The State shall not, directly or indirectly, burden, penalize, prohibit, interfere with, or discriminate against either: 1. An individuals voluntary exercise of this right or 2. A person or entity that assists an individual exercising this right, the measure reads.

It appears that the amendment, if approved, would even offer a level of protection to nonphysicians in their performance of covered procedureswhether abortion, sex-change surgery, or something else, Ms. Severino and Mr. Scaturro wrote. After all, the language extends to any person or entity who provides assistance with the procedure at issue.

Bellwether for Abortion Attitudes

If the measure does, as its proponents say, have the signatures needed to come to a general vote later this year, the referendum will serve as another bellwether trial regarding Americans attitudes on abortion.

Previous U.S. referendums on abortion have given abortion advocates unexpected wins in deep-red states like Kansas, Kentucky, and Montana.

In August 2022 voters in Kansasone of the most Republican states in the unionrejected a constitutional amendment that would have declared that the Kansas Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion, as well as opening the door for Kansas legislators to prosecute individuals involved in an abortion. Additionally, that measure would have declared that Kansas is not required to fund abortions.

Over 59 percent of voters in the state rejected the proposal.

Likewise, in the Republican stronghold of Kentucky, more than 52 percent of voters rejected a similar proposal that would have declared that the Kentucky Constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion.

The same day, voters in Montana also rejected a proposal that would have opened the door to criminal penalties for physicians who failed to take all necessary measures to keep a baby alive after surviving an abortion attempt.

Democrats, owing to these wins, consider abortion a winning issue for their party over Republicans, who they portray as extreme on abortion.

The Ohio measure comes as the former key swing-state has shifted increasingly rightward in recent years.

Whether successful or not, the vote could provide further insights into Americans attitudes on abortion, and will likely be watched closely by Republican and Democrat strategists alike in preparation for the 2024 elections.
Prospect of an Unlikely Trump-RFK Ticket Remains a Hot Topic

Mary Kreider of Plymouth, Mass., attends the grand opening of Trump's campaign headquarters in New Hampshire on June 27, 2023. (Alice Giordano/The Epoch Times)

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. draws unusual bipartisan support in the race for the White House, there is a swell of sentiment that he should be former President Donald Trumps running mate.

They would be an unstoppable duo, Carla Gericke, both a Republican and Libertarian out of New Hampshire, told The Epoch Times, I think its literally the ticket to reunite this fractured country of ours.

Texas realtor Trisha Psencik Hope told The Epoch Times that while she is Trump all the way regardless of who his running mate will be, her top pick is RFK Jr., mostly because of the strong stance he took against COVID vaccine mandates.

Mrs. Psenick Hope, of Houston, said she wished Trump had taken a strong position against mandating the experimental jab and believes other GOPers feel the same way.

I think bringing RFK to the ticket will soothe some of the lingering feelings about that and any future concerns about the government doing something like that again, she said.

On July 6, Mr. Kennedy told NewsMax he wouldnt consider being a running mate for either Trump or [Joe] Biden, but the prospect of a Kennedy/Trump ticket remains a hot topic on social media and also among high-profile politicians and could reveal how America will vote next November.

Former Trump adviser Steve Bannon suggested a Trump/Kennedy ticket back in April.

Early in July, on the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who considered herself a vice-presidential prospect for Trump, was asked about what she thought of the idea.

While she didnt directly answer the question, Mrs. Lake called Mr. Kennedy a good man who has done amazing and criticized people who have been referring to Mr. Kennedy as a MAGA Democrat.

They just dont want outsiders in the political machine, they dont want outsiders coming into the swamp draining the swamp, said Mrs. Lake, They just want just the pre-approved, controllably, easily blackmailed and easily bribed people like Biden and the whole swamp system down there.

Mr. Bannon said Mrs. Lake is his favored choice for Trumps vice president, but said on his War Room show that if she wasnt available Kennedy would be an excellent choice.

Others like Connecticut resident Libby DePiero, who has attended 41 Trump rallies since his first run for president in 2016, told The Epoch Times it would be a dream come true if Kennedy and Trump ran together.

Between Kennedys fight for medical freedom against the COVID tyrannists [sic], and Trumps proven record to make Americans first in their own country, it would be an even better presidency than Trumps first time in office, she said.

Several who like the idea have run polls on social media posing the question.

According to a Twitter poll of 1,629 users, 73.8 percent said they would support a Trump/Kennedy Ticket. The poll was based on 1,629 voters.

Participants like New York Times bestselling author and founder of ACT for America Brigitte Gabriel said a Trump-Kennedy 2024 unity ticket would end Bidens chances of re-election!

Ms. Gericke said that while Kennedy does come from a political dynasty, she sees him as an outsider like Trump who knows that this world is such dire straits that the presidency is beyond party loyalty.

Mrs. Psenick Hope said while she and her husband were vacationing in Colorado, they broached the idea of a Kennedy/Trump ticket with locals in the left-leaning state.

They said they would support Trump if Kennedy was on the ticket with him, she said, just like Republicans say they would support Kennedy if he was on the ticket with Trump.

Mrs. Lake told CBN anchor Gary Lane that the swell of support for a Kennedy/Trump ticket shows we are almost beyond Democrat versus Republican. We are now Communism and Globalism versus Americanism, she said.

She said while like herself, Trump has political differences with Kennedy, she suspects he also respects RFK Jr.

This week on NewsNation, Kennedy said he was proud of Mr. Trumps support for him, even though he doesnt agree with him on most of the issues.

Because I dont want to alienate people, I want to bring people together. Im proud that all these people like me and that I have independent supporters and Democratic supporters, said Mr. Kennedy.

Earlier in the week Mr. Trump referred to Kennedy as a common sense guy on the Howie Carr Show, a radio talk show out of Boston.

Upon declaring his candidacy, Kennedy was immediately deemed a fringe candidate by political experts including presidential historian Allan Lichtman who told The Epoch Times that he has no doubt Biden will be the Democratic nomination in 2024.

Mr. Lichtman has accurately predicted the presidential winner since 1984.

Mr. Kennedy, however, seems to be fast shedding his predicted status as a fringe candidate and is instead emerging, at least according to some polls, as the front-runner, not just in the Democratic primaries, but in the general election.

Attempts to discredit Mr. Kennedy as a Democrat also suggest he poses a viable threat to Mr. Biden.

Last month, Ray Buckley, head of the New Hampshire Democratic Party penned a letter to Mr. Kennedy urging him to cancel his appearance at one of the largest libertarian events in the United States because the group supported anti-government values that did not align with the Democratic Party.

In May, a Washington Post columnist wrote an opinion piece entitled His name is Kennedy. His campaign is pure Trump.
Racial Justice, Intersectionality at Heart of New Chicago Mayors Transition Report

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson speaks to guests after taking the oath of office in Chicago on May 15, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Almost two months after he ascended to the fourth floor of City Hall, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson offered a victory lap for the left-wing activists, unions, politicians, and donors who helped get him elected.

His transition committee issued a 223-page mayoral transition report drawing on the work of 11 committees and subcommittees and almost 400 Chicagoans.

Mr. Johnson and his allies announced its release on July 6 at Greater Harvest Baptist Church on the citys South Side.

Today is living proof that when we come together, build and run on our values, anything is possible, not just for the City of Chicago, but the rest of the globe, Mr. Johnson said.

Martin Luther King III speaks at the base of a statue to his father after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington in this undated file photo. (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

Mr. Johnsons oratory at a South Side church may have been meant to evoke civil rights leaders like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Others who spoke at Greater Harvest offered a clearer picture of what the new administration could have in mind when it comes to race and economics.

You will not be able to instantly dismantle structural racism or challenge racial capitalism. However, you can pick a city that leads the way and serves as a model for the nation, said Linda Rae Murray, co-chair of the committees health and human services subcommittee and former chief medical officer of the Cook County Department of Public Health.

Dr. King Jr.s son, Martin Luther King III, rallied for Mr. Johnson during his runoff campaign against Paul Vallas.

Race at Center of Johnsons Report

The report, which begins with a land acknowledgment, describes as its first value the importance of the dual pillars of equity and inclusivity, and particularly racial justice.

It also typically capitalizes black while leaving white in lowercase.

The document also emphasizes the importance of intersectionality in its analysis, describing it as a critical theme  borrowed from black feminist writers and activists.

Scholars have challenged intersectional theory, with some warning that it sacrifices the individual to collective identities.

The report argues that the identities considered under intersectionality are not in competition with one another as they are all intimately related.

It co-signs the recommendation from a committee under former Mayor Lori Lightfoot to keep monuments to Christopher Columbus and other public art out of public view.

The mayoral transition report claims those public artworks reinforce white supremacy and stereotypes of American Indians.

City municipal crews help guide the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park as it is removed by a crane in Chicago in the pre-dawn hours of July 24, 2020. (Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

The report also emphasizes what it asserts are the root causes of crime, which rose 38 percent during Mr. Johnsons first month as mayor.

During a previous wave of crime that began during the 1960s, James Q. Wilson and other social scientists found that policy aimed at root causes was far less effective against crime than the incapacitation of offenders through incarceration.

Despite this evidence from the past, the report claims that violence cannot be prevented or controlled without considering the entire range of violence against people in Chicago.

This includes the daily systems of violence rooted in protecting dominant white, heteronormative, ableist, and patriarchal power, it adds.

The reports Public Safety section begins by contending that: American history is characterized by its exceptional levels of violence without offering any additional context or evidence from other civilizations and cultures past or present.

ICE Homeland Security Investigation agents arrest a suspected MS-13 gang member on Long Island, N.Y., during a 30-day sweep in June 2017. (ICE)

One colorful cartoon graphic in a section on police staffing relates racial dynamics in rather blunt terms: Its hard to trust people who dont look like you.

While its hard to imagine such language being used to recommend an increase in white hiring to patrol white neighborhoods, the remainder of that subcommittee report makes it abundantly clear that the aim is to step up the hiring of black police.

Evaluate the merit promotion process and eliminate barriers to hiring black police officers, the document recommends.

An immigration subcommittee report calls for the citys gang database to be erased.

Despite the reports ideologically charged contents, Mr. Johnson presented himself as a uniter in his July 6 remarks at Greater Harvest.

There are individuals, of course, that work hard to try to divide us. But clearly, the City of Chicago is not going to stand for the division that is being propagated all over the country, he said.

Speakers Reflect Union-Driven Coalition

Mr. Johnson, formerly a paid organizer for the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), was backed by that organization during the April runoff election that saw him defeat centrist liberal Vallas.

Vallas was backed by Chicagos Fraternal Order of Police, the citys police union.

Mr. Johnsons biggest donors included organizations associated with the CTU, the American Federation of Teachers, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), all of which provided the candidate with large sums after the first round election eliminated incumbent Lightfoot and set up the Johnson versus Vallas main card.

The leaders of various committees and subcommittees involved in creating the transition report spoke on July 6 at Greater Harvest.

We must recognize the pivotal role that arts and culture play as an economic driver for the city of Chicago, said Abby Pucker, co-chair of the arts and culture subcommittee.

Ms. Pucker is the daughter of billionaire film producer Gigi Pritzker, a member of the politically and economically powerful Pritzker familymajor art collectors and the namesake of the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Ms. Pritzker is a cousin of Democrat Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Penny Pritzker, who served as commerce secretary under President Barack Obama.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks in Chicago, Ill., on Aug. 4, 2021. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The very real possibility now exists for the long-overdue demand for a racially equitable system of education, with fully staffed and resourced schools that center the needs of those that have historically endured the brunt of disinvestment, which include black, Latine, immigrant and undocumented, disabled, unhoused, LGBT students, and students for whom English may not be their first language, said community organizer Jhatayn Jay Travis, who co-chaired what she described as the mighty education subcommittee.

Ms. Travis leads the Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization, a grantee of the CTUs foundation as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.

That union supported her 2014 bid for state representative, saying that she would work to ensure the economic security of thousands of public servants in her district.

A transformative district that supports people from birth to pre-K through college is now within our reach, Ms. Travis said at Greater Harvest on July 6.

No human is illegal, said Andrea Ortiz-Landin, co-chair of the immigration subcommittee. She leads the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council, another recipient of CTU Foundation money.

Migrants from Central and South America take part in a caravan attempting to reach the Mexico-U.S. border while protesting against the deaths of 40 migrants in a fire at a detention center in the northern city of Juarez, Mexico, on April 23, 2023. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr. Johnson also addressed some possible criticisms of the reports timing.

For those who are asking why it took so long, I dont think it needs an explanation. But its because the people of Chicago are worth the time, the effort, and the deliberation to finally get it right, he said.
Rise in Mailings of Suspicious Substances to State Lawmakers Concerns Experts

A slew of state lawmakers have received suspicious letters containing white powder in recent months, including most recently in states such as Kansas and Tennessee, leading to buildings being evacuated and investigations being launched.

Several Republican leaders in Tennessee received letters containing a white powder substance last month, prompting a temporary lockdown of a legislative office building in Nashville. This followed an incident the week prior in Kansas, where around 100 letters containing a white powder were sent to lawmakers and public officials.

Experts in mailroom security have noticed an alarming increase in white powder threats targeting public figures, legislators, and organizations. The recent incidents highlight the growing trend of politicians in particular being targeted with the malicious attackswhich, fortunately, have been hoaxes so far.

These experts argue a lack of effective screening methods for detecting small quantities of powders in mail pose a challenge for security teams, but there are several ways individuals and organizations can be more proactive in mitigating the threat.

Threatening Trend on Rise

The nature of the white powder can vary from harmful substances such as ricin or fentanyl to benign agents like flour or sugar, Will Plummer, a security expert and chief security officer at RaySecur, said in an interview with The Epoch Times.

RaySecur provides security equipment and services designed to prevent letters and small packages sent through the mail from being used as a means for threats, intimidation, or terrorism.

Tablespoon of a white powder. (Rainer Zenz/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Mr. Plummer said their services are used by governments, Fortune 500 and smaller companies, and have even been used for Supreme Court nominees prior to being confirmed.

Mr. Plummer, with an extensive background in military and bomb squad operations, noted the rise in white powder threats over the past 30 days has been the highest volume he has witnessed in his four and a half years of monitoring this issue.

While discussing the prevalence of white powder threats, Mr. Plummer also highlighted an historical pattern of such incidents, noting that every U.S. president since George W. Bush Jr. has been targeted with real mailed biological threats.

Prevalence in Politically Charged Environments

The recent wave of white powder threats has affected several states across the country. Mr. Plummer mentioned that Kansas, Oklahoma, Florida, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Wyoming, and Montana have all been on the receiving end of the mailed threats in the most recent wave.

While Mr. Plummer noted that these incidents do not necessarily indicate a specific trend or targeting pattern, he highlighted that there has been a historical tendency for threats to be more prevalent in politically charged environments, with both Democratic and Republican politicians having been targeted in the past.

He explained that individuals seeking attention or trying to provoke a reaction often employ this tactic, as the fear of a potential hazardous substance prompts immediate response from law enforcement and security personnel.

The Task of Detection

Mr. Plummer also pointed out the challenge of detecting these threats, as they require specialized screening methods due to their inconspicuous nature. X-ray technology makes packages easier for investigators to find suspicious contents in, but letters and envelopes are not really screened before being delivered.

The technology employed by RaySecur is similar to those at airports today, using terahertz to get a more complete image of whats inside a package before its opened compared to an x-ray. He added the technology is a high frequency, but there is no radiation or ionization, so it is safe.

When asked about the substances typically found in these threats, Mr. Plummer revealed that many turn out to be benign, including substances like flour or caustic soda, which is used for industrial cleaning.

Photo of the suspicious packages that were addressed to former and current U.S. officials between Oct. 2224, 2018. (FBI)

He also mentioned the use of irritants such as mustard powder and wasabi, explaining that the physical reaction these substances elicit often amplifies the perceived threat, even if the actual danger is minimal.

Mr. Plummer cautioned that law enforcement agencies face difficulties in tracing the origin of these threats, but emphasized that mailing items is not an anonymous act.

People assume that mail when you drop it off is anonymous, he said. It is not as anonymous as people think. Cameras are everywhere. So they use those time stamps, they know what day something was sent, they know what mailbox it came out of or at least they know what post office it came out of, and they start backtracking.

Fear and Financial Cost

Discussing the financial and operational implications of white powder threats, Mr. Plummer underlined the substantial costs associated with evacuations and emergency response efforts.

He cited an example where an approximately 14-minute evacuation at a facility that he noted was politically charged cost a company $340,000, which included expenses related to loss of work hours, emergency response teams, and subsequent investigations.

Mr. Plummer stressed the importance of organizations implementing comprehensive screening programs to prevent and manage these threats effectively.

Mr. Plummer urged individuals who receive suspicious mail to exercise caution and treat it as potentially hazardous. He advised against opening any suspicious packages or envelopes and recommended using proper tools such as letter openers to minimize direct contact.

If a threat is suspected, Mr. Plummer advises calmly putting the item down, washing hands and face, and promptly reporting the incident to the authorities.

This is more common than people think, he said. Mail is a heck of a way to really cause a lot of pain and discontent in an organization or people.

With their potential to cause widespread panic, disruption, and financial strain, he emphasized the importance of raising awareness and implementing proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with these threats.
Robodebt Royal Commission Refers 20 Individuals for Civil and Criminal Prosecution

A copy of the Report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme is seen at Parliament House in Canberra, July 7, 2023. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)

The royal commission into the flawed robodebt scheme has referred 20 personnel behind the scheme to Australian authorities for civil and criminal prosecution after the commissioner, Chief Justice Catherine Holmes, found that there was dishonesty and collusion behind the scheme.

The referral comes as Ms. Holmes handed down the royal commissions 990-page report on the illegal scheme, which contained 57 recommendations, to Governor-General David Hurley on July 7. Included in that report was a sealed section that had the names of the 20 individuals the commissioner recommended for prosecution.

The commissioner, in her findings, wrote she was surprised by the lack of interest shown in ensuring that the measures were legal.

It is remarkable how little interest there seems to have been in ensuring the schemes legality, how rushed its implementation was, how little thought was given to how it would affect welfare recipients and the lengths to which public servants were prepared to go to oblige ministers on a quest for savings, she wrote.

Truly dismaying was the revelation of dishonesty and collusion to prevent the schemes lack of legal foundation coming to light.

The Commissioner for the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme Catherine Holmes delivers her report to Governor General David Hurley at Government House in Canberra, Friday, July 7, 2023.

Under the debt collection schemewhich was declared unlawful by the federal court in 2019the government issued debt notices to people it identified through a process called income averaging. These amounts were then compared to the reported incomes with tax office data, which was illegal under Australian law.

During its existence from 2016- 2020, the federal government wrongfully recovered $750 million from 381,000 people.

After a class action against the federal government, victims were awarded a settlement of $1.2 billion.

Former PM Said to Have Misled Cabinet

The report, in focusing on the legality of the scheme, also said that former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who had failed to make further inquiries into the legality of the scheme, misled his fellow cabinet ministers.

Mr. Morrison was the Minister for Social Services in the Australian government from December 2014 to September 2015 and oversaw the implementation of the scheme.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to the media in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 9, 2021. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr. Morrison allowed Cabinet to be misled because he did not make that obvious inquiry, the report said.

He knew that the proposal still involved income averaging; only a few weeks previously, he had been told of that caveat; nothing had changed in the proposal, and he had done nothing to ascertain why the caveat no longer applied.

He failed to meet his ministerial responsibility to ensure that Cabinet was properly informed about what the proposal actually entailed and to ensure that it was lawful.

A Gross Betrayal and a Human Tragedy: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking to the media after receiving the report, said the commission had recommended that the additional chapter remain sealed and not tabled with the rest of the report so as not to prejudice the conduct of any future civil action.

The robodebt scheme was a gross betrayal and a human tragedy  it was wrong, it was illegal, it should never have happened, and it should never happen again, the prime minister told reporters.

This tragedy caused stress, anxiety, financial destitution and sadly had a very real human toll.

Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese addresses the media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 1, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, who was instrumental in pushing for the royal commission, said the previous government and senior public servants gaslighted the nation for years.

They betrayed the trust of the nation and its citizens for four and a half years with an unlawful scheme which the Federal Court has called the worst chapter of public administration, he said.

The former coalition government launched the scheme to detect, investigate and deter suspected welfare fraud and non-compliance in mid-2015 in an effort to save billions of dollars.
Ruby Princess Cruise Ship Carrying 4,000 People Crashes Into San Francisco Pier

A Princess Cruises ship carrying nearly some 4,000 people smashed into a pier in San Francisco this week while the vessel was trying to dock, officials said.

In a statement, the company said that the ship made unexpected contact with the Pier 27 dock at the Port of San Francisco on Thursday. The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating the incident, an official also said.

There were no injuries and at no time were any guests or crew in danger, the company told several news outlets. The ship is safely alongside and disembarkation is complete.

According to the CruiseMapper website, the ship was returning from a trip to Alaska and had departed June 26. The website listed the ship as departing since Thursday at around 4 p.m.

Video footage showed the extent of the damage, revealing what appears to be either a large hole or dent in the side. A spokesperson told USA Today that the extent of the damage hasnt yet been ascertained, and the next departure time is still being determined.

Passengers said they noticed the incident. Reports said that about 3,000 passengers and 1,200 crew could be on board the vessel.

I noticed we were spinning pretty quick, to be that close to the dock, and I was mid-ship, portside, looked out the window and we smacked into the dock, Sacramento resident and passenger Paul Zasso told ABC7.

Another passenger told the outlet that the effects of the crash were minimal but said you could definitely feel it. It wasnt like things falling off the shelves or anything like that, kind of like when you get the tugboats coming up against us. So yeah  it was different, Jeremy Jordan said.

It was so funny, because one of the dock guys, you can hear him yell out like whoa and then you can kind of hear it just slowly going in, Mr. Jordan said.Its ironic, because I think it was yesterday the captain was talking about how he goes into docks and how unpredictable the currents are. So yeah, its a challenge for them to be able to do that.

Another passenger, Jim Simpson, said that he and his family are among those who are still waiting to go back to Alaska.

I dont swim that good. I just think they patch it up, Mr. Simpson told KGO-TV. Its a 10-day cruise, theres plenty of time, he added. We can make up time moving and things like that. So I dont think its going to be an issue.

A similar incident took place in 2019 when an MSC Cruises ship hit a dock and a riverboat in Venice, Italy. A Norwegian Cruise Lines ship also hit a dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico that year as well.
Fresh lychees are introduced at Safeway supermarket. (Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

The Vietnam Trade Office Branch in San Francisco (US) has informed that nearly 20 tons of fresh lychees transported by sea have been successfully imported, officially distributed and sold in Safeway and Albertsons supermarket chains in the West Coast states of the US, including Washington, Oregon and California.

Safeway and Albertsons supermarket chains are the supermarket chains with the largest network on the West Coast of the US, of which Safeway has 913 stores and Albertsons has over 300 stores. Continuing to put lychee fruit into consumption at these supermarket chains at a fairly competitive price, only USD3.99 per pint is a great success in promoting fruit consumption of Vietnamese fruits in general and lychees in particular in the US market.

In fact, most of Vietnam's fruits exported to the US can only access the system of markets and small supermarkets serving Asian consumers. The price of Vietnamese lychees is very competitive compared to fresh litchi imported from China and Mexico, the two main suppliers and also two largest competitors of Vietnamese fresh lychees.

Under the Golden Lychee brand, along with competitive prices, Vietnamese lychees imported and distributed by Dragonberry Produce are quite popular with US consumers.

To contribute to bringing Vietnamese lychee closer to the US consumers, the Vietnam Trade Office in San Francisco cooperates with the Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Association in the US (VENUSA), organizations and businesses to implement promotional and communication activities on information channels, especially on social networks; organize booths to display and sell lychees in some market areas of Vietnamese and Asian people; and organize tasting activities to help people get acquainted with lychee fruit, thereby promoting the consumption of this fruit./.
SCOTUS Affirmative Action Ruling Only First Step Toward Restoring Civil Rights

Activists from the Asian American Coalition for Education protest against affirmative action outside the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, on June 29, 2023. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Commentary

In a free society that champions equality, judging people on their merits rather than on their skin color would be an uncontroversial practice.

So, that Americas ruling class recoiled in horror at the Supreme Courts decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, which barred affirmative action in admissions at schools receiving government largesse, was telling.

Our elites betrayed their anti-racist belief in discriminating on the basis of race, purportedly to right past wrongs and achieve equity. Proponents of equity seek to engineer social outcomes such that people are represented in all aspects of life proportionally by identity. Minimally, such efforts empower the engineers.

Equity, which is antithetical to equality, and, when pursued in violation of our rights, corrosive of the liberty and justice those rights underpin, is central to the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) regime elites have imposed on the country.

In theory, the Courts jurisprudence threatens to unravel that regime, or at least state sponsorship of it. This, in part, explains the elites apoplexy.

In practice, however, as can be seen in Harvards near-instant telegraphing in the wake of the Courts decision that it would use proxies for race to maintain a de facto affirmative action program, our elites will do everything possible to circumvent the ruling.

To uphold the decisions letter and spirit, that of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment on which its based, and more broadly defend the inalienable rights of the smallest minoritythe individuallawmakers, litigators, and liberty-and-justice-loving Americans will have to act.

To that end, a recent amendment to a key piece of federal legislation, which preceded the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decision, should serve as the starting point of a broad-based effort to roll back what amounts to state-sanctioned racism and restore genuine civil rights.

The amendment (pdf), offered by Republican Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana, to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, prohibits the military from using race or gender as a factor in recruitment and mandates that the military base any accession, assignment, selection, or promotion decisions on merit.

It speaks volumes that any such law might be necessary.

The government cant lawfully discriminate in hiring or promotion on such grounds. And when it comes to the military, personnel decisions are literally matters of life and deaththe very survival of our nation depends on fielding the strongest and smartest fighting force possible, period.

Yet, as has been well documented, the entirety of the national security and foreign policy (pdf) apparatus, like the rest of a government already populated overwhelmingly with progressives, has gone woke.

President Joe Biden has codified this effort, most notably through two executive orders mandating that every part of the government work to affirmatively advance equity.

The wokeness has manifested itself in the military (pdf) not only in extremism stand-downs (pdf) and recommended reading lists featuring anti-racist doyens such as Ibram X. Kendi, or the celebration of maternity flight suits and transgender majors, but in diversity and inclusion (pdf) directives (pdf) and related policy documents (pdf) pushing for changes to the composition of the armed forces by race and sexsome even setting explicit recruitment targets (pdf) by these factors.

Rep. Banks said of his amendment that the Biden Defense Departments indefensible race and gender-based treatment of servicemembers is making our military weaker and our nation less safe, urging anti-woke legislators to continue combatting the Biden administrations radical attempts to deny Americans equal protection under the law.

The amendment was one of a battery Mr. Banks brought pertaining to combatting military wokeism.

That effort is part and parcel of that of the House Anti-Woke Caucus he chairs, which has aimed to rip wokeism root and branch out of the federal government in part through seeking to defund woke programs at scale.

These anti-woke initiatives should serve as a model for legislators not only at the federal level, but also at the state and local levels as well for how to make the Courts ruling not only durable but far more wide-reaching.

Every legislative body with jurisdiction should be passing legislation to ensure that not a single penny of taxpayer dollars, nor any other government-granted privileges are conferred upon those institutions that discriminate in ways violative of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

Such legislation incidentally should include barring the nations military academies, which were not covered (pdf) by the Supreme Courts affirmative action ruling, from factoring race into admissions.

Governments, and every institution they touch, should be driven by one thing and one thing alone: excellence.

This has the virtue of not only being the right principlethat is, judging people based on their skills, abilities, and ambitions, rather than on the basis of their identitiesbut also the prudent thing to do, particularly in areas such as the military, or medicine, where lives are at stake.

Rep. Banks said in the wake of the Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decision that it was just the beginning of eliminating race as a determining factor for success in our military, federal government, and boardrooms across the country and the Anti-Woke Caucus will be at the front of that fight to restore colorblind meritocracy.

Indeed, the ruling should be seen not as the conclusion of the decades-long effort to end affirmative action, but merely the opening salvo in a much greater culture war over Americas once-hallowed institutions.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Shooter Who Killed 23 at Texas Walmart Sentenced to 90 Life Terms

El Paso Walmart accused mass shooter Patrick Crusius accused of killing 22 and injuring 25, is arraigned in El Paso, Texas, on Oct. 10, 2019. (Mark Lambie/Pool via Reuters)

A federal judge on Friday sentenced an extremist to 90 consecutive life terms in prison for a 2019 shooting in which he killed 23 people and wounded 22 others at a Texas Walmart while targeting Hispanics, the El Paso Times newspaper reported.

The sentencing by U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama in El Paso adheres to a plea agreement from February in which shooter Patrick Crusius, 24, pleaded guilty to and agreed to 90 consecutive life sentences in order to avoid the federal death penalty.

The shooter still faces Texas state charges that could result in the death penalty.

His federal sentencing followed two days of emotional testimony from witnesses, some of the 22 wounded survivors as well as relatives of the 23 dead who delivered impact statements in the presence of the shooter.

Prosecutors said the shooter drove more than 600 miles (1,000 km) overnight from suburban Dallas to the border city of El Paso, carrying out the massacre on Aug. 3, 2019, with a Romanian derivative of the AK-47 and hollow-point ammunition.

The shooters attorney, Joe Spencer, said he could not comment until after sentencing. At the time of the guilty plea in February, Mr. Spencer told reporters, There are no winners in this case. Hes going to be serving 90 consecutive life sentences.
Shorten Says ADHD Diagnosis Not a Ticket to the NDIS

Labor MP Bill Shorten puts a question to the Government during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Nov. 25, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images)

The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Bill Shorten, has rejected calls to allow people who are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to gain automatic eligibility into the support program.

Instead, the minister said there are other avenues that could be explored by people who have an ADHD diagnosis.

I think theres a really good opportunity to support kids with developmental delay through universal screening, through having a look at what are the foundations that other departments and the states do, to provide access to kids with developmental delay to supportother than the NDIS, Mr. Shorten told ABC radio on July 7.

Im not saying that people dont have ADHD, absolutely not, and I think were learning more about it.

But I dont think ADHD should automatically give you a ticket into the NDIS.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme NDIS logo is seen at the head office in Canberra on June 22, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

This follows calls (pdf) by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)the peak training body for psychiatriststo allow people diagnosed with the neurodevelopmental disorder to be included in the NDIS.

However, the RANZCP has also recommended that eligibility for the NDIS be decided based on the functional needs of the person with ADHD and not solely on their diagnosis.

Currently, several thousand children with neurodevelopment disorders, such as ADHD and autism, have joined the NDIS, just as the federal Labor government aims to quell the ballooning cost of the support program.

Projections show that the NDIS will cost more than $50 billion (US$33 billion) by 2025/26, overtaking the annual costs of Medicare.

NDIS Only Support System for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

In some cases, the NDIS has been the only support system available to affected families as school and health system support systems dwindle, according to the architect of the NDIS, Professor Bruce Bonyhady, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.

Meanwhile, a submission by the Australian Clinical Psychology Association said that private sector treatments for ADHD have been out of reach for lower-income groups, where there is likely to be a higher prevalence of ADHD.

With so few supports outside the NDIS, it is not surprising that parents are fighting to get their children with developmental concerns, delays and disabilities into the NDIS. Then, after receiving early intervention supports, they are not leaving the scheme, the NDISs June data report (pdf) read.

Mr. Shorten said while the NDIS is about individuals, its also about what support they need to live a fulfilling life.

There are a small number of people whose primary diagnosis is ADHD because it clearly affects them a great deal, Mr. Shorten said.

Theres more kids entering the scheme than was initially conceived of when the scheme was established. That could be partly because there was unmet demand; in other words, the system before the NDIS wasnt picking up people who needed help.

According to a Deloitte report, approximately 281,200 children and adolescents (aged 0-19) and 533,300 adults (aged 20+) in Australia are diagnosed with ADHD.

Of those, approximately 5,000 children with ADHD are under the NDIS.

Overall Rate of Disability Higher Now than 10 Years Ago

Mr. Bonyhady said the massive cost to the NDIS, which went from $8 billion per year 10 years ago to more than $30 billion today, comes down to two factors.

First, the overall rate of disability is higher, and second, the absence of supports outside the scheme means that it is the only option.

Additionally, an overdiagnosis of autism in children has resulted in children being sent to clinics for treatment rather than receiving support at home and school.

The increasing reliance on therapy delivered in clinical settings has got in the way of children living ordinary and inclusive childhoods, the June NDIS report said.

These failingstogether with the lack of supports for all children with disabilities in mainstream settings[are] undermining the sustainability of the NDIS.

Additionally, when children did not get adequate support, their condition deteriorated, and their needs increased, resulting in a higher cost as they entered the NDIS much later.

Mr. Bonyhady said that for the half a million Australians who have accessed the NDIS, there was a lack of clarity over the criteria of reasonable and necessary support.

People with disability feel the need to produce volumes and volumes of evidence to support their plan reviews  The whole thing is deeply stressful, Mr. Bonyhady said.

People are forced to present their worst side in order to enter the scheme and then receive a package of support to support their needs.

In May, the Albanese government revealed its plan to save more than $74 billion over the next decade by reducing the annual funding target of the NDIS. To achieve this, the Albanese government capped the annual funding target at eight percent by July 2026.

Future costs have to be predictable. In the absence of [that], theres a real risk of loss of public confidence in the scheme. And the scheme needs to be there for people with disability today and in the future, Mr. Bonyhady said.
South Carolina May Violate ADA in Its Treatment of Adults With Mental Illness: DOJ

The Justice Department seal is seen on the lectern during a Hate Crimes Subcommittee summit in Washington, on June 29, 2017. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on July 6 that there is reasonable cause to believe the state of South Carolina violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by unnecessarily segregating adults with mental illness in adult care homes.

The DOJ conducted an extensive investigation in response to a complaint lodged on Jan. 12, 2022. The department wanted to know whether the state unnecessarily segregates adults with serious mental illness in adult care homesknown in the state as Community Residential Care Facilities (CRCF).

It concluded that South Carolina violates Title II of the ADA, 42 U.S.C. Section 12132, by failing to give adults with serious mental illness adequate community-based services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

Instead, the state of South Carolina subsidizes their stay in adult care homes, the DOJ said. The department found that in these homes, adults with mental illness have little contact with people without disabilities, and they are often only allowed out of the homes for medical appointments and group visits to grocery and convenience stores.

It is critically important to ensure that these individuals are afforded the opportunity to live and receive services in their own homes and communities, consistent with the ADAs integration mandate, the DOJ stated.

Critical Services Not Sufficiently Available

The critical community-based mental health services lacking by the state include assertive community treatment, supported employment, permanent supportive housing, intensive case management, and peer support.

While they are provided in certain parts of the state, they are not sufficiently available throughout South Carolina to give adults with mental illness opportunities to avoid or move out of the adult care homes and live in the community.

There are approximately 2,000 people with a serious mental illness residing in CRCFs in adult care homes. Most of these adults stay for a long time. Among a sample of people there, the DOJ found lengths of stay up to 35 years, with an average stay of 5 years, it said in its report (pdf).

Nearly half of the people in the sample also had at least one other placement in a congregate facility, meaning that the typical amount of time spent in these types of institutions is likely longer than 5 years.

DOJ Seeks to Resolve Issues With State

In a letter to state officials overseeing the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the DOJ said it would like to work with the state to resolve the situation.

The lawyers assigned to this investigation will contact counsel for the State to arrange those discussions. We anticipate that these negotiations will result in an agreement to resolve these issues, Clarke wrote in the letter (pdf).

In the unexpected event we are unable to reach a resolution regarding our concerns, we are obliged to advise you that we may take appropriate action, including initiation of a lawsuit, to ensure the States compliance with the ADA.

In addition, the complainant to our agency maintains the right to file a lawsuit at any time.

People with disabilities should not be isolated in institutions for years on end when they can and want to live in their own homes, Kristen Clarke, the assistant attorney general of the DOJs civil rights division, said in a statement. The Civil Rights Division will safeguard the rights of people with disabilities to ensure that they are able to participate fully in community life.

A sacred promise of the ADA includes giving people a meaningful choice for where they wish to live, including in their own private home, Adair F. Boroughs, U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, said in a statement.
Starmer Defends ULEZ Expansion, Says Mayor Has No Choice

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer takes part in Call Keir, his regular phone-in on LBC's Nick Ferrari at Breakfast show, at the Global Studios, London, on July 7, 2023. (Stefan Rousseau/PA Media)

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has defended Sadiq Khans plan to expand the ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) around the capital, just a day after he refused to say whether he backed the London mayors controversial proposal.

The plan has faced mounting public opposition, and is facing legal challenge from five Conservative-led local councils.

Some Labour politicians, including the partys candidate in this months Uxbridge by-electionDanny Bealesalso want the expansion halted.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan poses during the Lets Do London U.S. tourism campaign launch in Times Square, New York, on May 9, 2022. (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Addressing a listener question on LBC radio on Friday, Starmer said the Labour mayor had to take action due to the legal requirement on him to improve Londons air quality.

I accept that the mayor has no choice but to go ahead because of the legal obligation on him, said the Labour leader.

It comes just a day after the Labour leader refused to take a side over the contentious issue, saying Beales was right to raise concerns on behalf of his would-be constituents and that differing views need to be accommodated.

Contentious Plan

The ULEZ is an area in which vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards must pay a daily charge of 12.50 ($15) to drive or face fines. The scheme currently operates in the areas within Londons North and South Circular roads, covering four million peoplearound 44 percent of the capitals population.

In November 2022, Transport for London (TfL) announced that it will push on with proposals to expand the scheme to the whole of Greater London from Aug. 29, 2023, forcing more than 200,000 motorists to pay the daily charge.

In May, a report, commissioned by Fair Fuel UK and written by economic consultancy CEBR, warned ULEZ would have a significantly negative impact on the citys economy.

According to a recent poll, nearly a quarter of London tradesmen say the mayor of Londons air pollution-cutting scheme that charges motorists by the day to drive has had a detrimental impact on business.

Conservative-led councils challenged Khans move in a hearing at the High Court this week and are waiting on Justice Swifts ruling.

There have been calls from Labour MPs, such as Clive Efford and Jon Cruddas, to delay the expansion and improve its associated scrappage scheme.

Among the party figures to speak out is Beales, who is contesting former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnsons old seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip in a by-election on July 20.

The Labour candidate reportedly told a recent hustings it was not the right time for the charge to be applied more widely.

Right to Oppose Expansion

During a visit to a school in Gillingham on Thursday, Starmer was asked if Beales was right to raise concerns over the ULEZ expansion.

The Labour leader replied: Danny Beales is our candidate in Uxbridge, a very good candidate too, and he is rightly raising concern on behalf of what he hopes will be his constituents in relation to ULEZ because we all understand the impact it has financially.

Starmer said there is a legal requirement to deal with air pollution and the first ULEZ was introduced by Tory mayor Boris Johnson.

But Danny Beales is right to say what he has said in sticking up for what he hopes will be his constituents, he added.

Talking to LBC on Friday, Starmer reiterated that it was right for the Uxbridge candidate to stand up for his potential constituents, but argued Khan has been left with no wriggle room on the issue.

The opposition leader said he recognised that the move would cause pain and it would be a lot of money for motorists to have to pay during the current cost-of-living crisis.

But he said it was important to make clear that there was a legal obligation on the mayor to take measures in relation to air pollution.

So he doesnt just have a free choice to decide what he does here. He has got to take action, Starmer.

Owen Evans and PA Media contributed to this report.
Supreme Court Ethics Reform Bill Moving Forward, Top Senate Democrat Says

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 10, 2020. (Susan Walsh/Getty Images)

The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to vote soon on Supreme Court ethics reform legislation, its chairman announced on July 6.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said in a press release: The highest court in the land should not have the lowest ethical standards. Thats why, as I previously announced, the Senate Judiciary Committee will mark up Supreme Court ethics reform legislation when the Senate returns after the July 4th recess.

An announcement on the timing of this vote will be made early next week, Mr. Durbin added.

Republicans have suggested that Democrats only want to move against the Court because its six-member conservative-leaning majority has been rendering decisions they find objectionable.

At a May 2 hearing, former U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey, an appointee of President George W. Bush, told lawmakers that Democrats concerns about the ethics of the Supreme Court were overblown.

It is impossible to escape the conclusion that the public is being asked to hallucinate misconduct so as to undermine the authority of justices who issue rulings with which these critics disagree, and thus to undermine the authority of the rulings themselves, Mr. Mukasey said.

Democrats were incensed as the Supreme Courts conservative bloc flexed its muscles in its recent term that wrapped up on June 30.

The nations highest court adopted a conservative or pro-limited government position in a series of closely watched rulings dealing with affirmative action in college admissions, student loan relief, religious freedom, and property rights.

Many questions remain at the end of the Courts latest term regarding its reputation, credibility, and honorable status, Mr. Durbin said.

Im sorry to see Chief Justice [John] Roberts end the term without taking action on the ethical issues plaguing the Courtall while the Court handed down decisions that dismantled longstanding precedents and the progress our country has made over generations.

Angered by the Courts June 30 decision striking down President Joe Bidens controversial plan to partially forgive student loans, Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Don Beyer (D-Va.) reportedly reintroduced their proposed Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act on July 3.

The courts six conservative justices voted to invalidate the debt relief program, while the three liberal justices voted to uphold it.

For many Americans, the Supreme Court is a distant, secretive, unelected body that can make drastic changes in their lives without any accountability, Mr. Beyer said, as reported by Fox News.

Recent partisan decisions by the Supreme Court that destroyed historic protections for reproductive rights, voting rights and more have undermined public trust in the Courteven as inappropriate financial relationships between justices and conservative donors raised new questions about its integrity.

The session came after last years tumultuous term, in which the Court advanced conservative goals when it reversed Roe v. Wade, finding there was no constitutional right to abortion; recognized a constitutional right to carry a gun in public for self-defense; and curbed the governments environmental regulatory powers.

The Court issued 58 opinions in cases argued in the term that began in October 2022. Its new term will begin with oral arguments in October. The Court is in recess for the summer and is scheduled to release orders in ongoing cases on July 24, Aug. 21, and Sept. 8.

Democrats have demanded that the Supreme Court adopt a code of ethics after the revelation of several alleged ethical lapses committed by conservative members of the court, particularly Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

Democrats are outraged that wealthy Republican donor Harlan Crow gave Mr. Thomas luxurious vacations, tuition support for a grandnephew he raised, and purchased a property from the justices family.

Mr. Thomas didnt disclose the events, saying he was advised that it wasnt required, but has vowed to disclose such events going forward.

While Democrats say the gifts in themselves are proof of corruption, legal experts disagree. They point out there was no conflict of interest because Mr. Crow didnt have any business before the High Court.

Mr. Alito has defended his decisions not to disclose a paid Alaska trip in 2008 and not to recuse himself from a court case in 2014 that was related to the person who paid for the transportation.

Mr. Alito said he did not mention the trip in a 2008 report because not disclosing it was the standard practice in cases like this.

The flight to Alaska was the only occasion when I have accepted transportation for a purely social event, and in doing so I followed what I understood to be standard practice, Mr. Alito wrote in the Wall Street Journal last month.

One of the Senate Judiciary Committees subcommittees held a hearing on the proposed Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2023 (S.359) on June 14.

Bogus personal hospitality, obvious conflicts of interests, phony front group anarchy. These are all areas ripe for repair, said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), lead sponsor of the bill and chairman of the subcommittee.

The American people are tired of waiting, Mr. Whitehouse said at the time.

A recent poll shows that almost 60 percent of Americans disapprove of the way the Supreme Court is doing its job. And that Americans are more likely to think that the justices honesty and ethical standards were low or very low.

For an institution that depends on the publics faith to carry out its functions, that is unsettling territory. If the Supreme Court isnt going to do anything to restore the publics trust, its up to us in Congress.

We need to know more about front groups that helped appoint Trumps justices, and then appear as litigants before those same justices, the senator said.

Mr. Whitehouses bill would direct the Supreme Court to issue a code of conduct governing its own members. The bill would also create a system allowing members of the public to file complaints against justices for violating the code of conduct or for engaging in conduct that undermines the integrity of the Supreme Court of the United States.

J. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation, a good-government group that focuses on election integrity, told The Epoch Times that Democrats proposals to regulate the Supreme Courts behavior are unconstitutional.

They can confirm and fund/defundnothing else, Mr. Adams said by email.

The Epoch Times sought comment from the committees ranking member, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), but had not received a reply at the time of publication.

The Epoch Times also reached out to the Supreme Court through its public information office but had not received a reply as of press time.

Efthymis Oraiopoulos contributed to this article.
Supreme Court to Hear Veterans Claim He Was Unfairly Denied Education Benefits

U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough gives remarks at a National Veterans Day Observance ceremony in the amphitheater of the Arlington National Ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, on Nov. 11, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case that could make 1.7 million post-9/11 veterans eligible for additional education benefits potentially worth billions of dollars.

The case is about whether a veteran who qualifies for education benefits under multiple GI Bill programs is required to use up or abandon the benefits of one program in order to take advantage of benefits under another.

The justices agreed to hear the case, Rudisill v. McDonough (court file 22-888), in an unsigned order issued in the final days of the courts recent session that wrapped up on June 30. The court did not explain its decision. No justices dissented. Oral arguments in the case are expected in the courts new term that begins in October.

The petitioner is FBI Special Agent James Rudisill, a decorated U.S. Army veteran. The respondent is U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, who is being sued in his official capacity. McDonough was previously White House chief of staff in then-President Barack Obamas second term.

The case centers on the Department of Veterans Affairss (VA) interpretation of administrative provisions of the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, also known as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which then-President George W. Bush signed into law on June 30, 2008.

We also owe a debt of gratitude to our nations military families, Mr. Bush said at the time.

They endure sleepless nights, and the daily struggle of caring for children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them.

So Im pleased that the bill I sign today includes an expansion of the GI Bill. This legislation will make it easier for our troops to transfer unused education benefits to their spouses and children. It will help us to recruit and reward the best military on the face of the Earth. It will help us to meet our responsibilities to those who support our troops every dayAmericas great military families.

Generous Benefits

The law was enacted to provide enhanced educational benefits that were markedly more generous than the then-prevailing peacetime Montgomery GI Bill, a Korean War-era law that permits veterans to use benefits from any individual programs or a combination of them up to 48 months. Congress approved the Post-9/11 measure in recognition of the especially arduous wartime service required of veterans since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Mr. Rudisills attorneys, Timothy McHugh and Misha Tseytlin of Troutman Pepper in Chicago, said in a statement provided to The Epoch Times.

Should we prevail in the U.S. Supreme Court, approximately 1.7 million Post-9/11 veterans will be eligible to receive additional educational benefits totaling billions of dollars, Mr. McHugh and Mr. Tseytlin said.

This would be transformative for millions of veterans, their families, and their communities.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs building is seen in Washington on July 22, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images)

After enlisting in 2000, Mr. Rudisill spent almost eight aggregate years in the Army over three separate tours, including in Iraq and Afghanistan. He received an honorable discharge in 2002 and studied for an undergraduate degree using a portion of the 36 months of Montgomery benefits he accumulated, according to the petition (pdf) his lawyers filed with the Supreme Court.

He enlisted a second time while in college, serving in 2004 and 2005, and resumed his studies after receiving a second honorable discharge, using up about 25-and-a-half months of Montgomery benefits, which left him with 10-and-a-half months under that program.

Mr. Rudisill was then commissioned as an officer in the Army and served from 2007 to 2011, rising to the rank of captain. After a third honorable discharge, he began working as an agent in the FBIs domestic terrorism unit. He has also served since 2019 as an ensign in the Navy Reserve.

Serving a 4th Time

He wanted to serve a fourth time, this time as an Army chaplain and was accepted to Yale Divinity School, believing he could use Post-9/11 benefits earned during his second and third tours to cover the high cost of attending the school. He understood that he had earned 36 months of Post-9/11 benefits but that he could only use 22-and-a-half months because he had previously used Montgomery benefits, which are subject to a cap.

Mr. Rudisill applied in 2015 to the VA for the Post-9/11 benefits but instead of giving him the 22-and-a-half months, the agency ruled he was only entitled to 10-and-a-half months of Montgomery benefits because he had not completely exhausted the Montgomery benefits. The VA informed him that he had to forfeit the 10-and-a-half months of Montgomery benefits for an equivalent amount of Post-9/11 benefits even though his entitlement to Post-9/11 benefits stems from periods of service that are separate and distinct from the period of service establishing his entitlement to Montgomery, the petition stated.

That is, the VA would not allow [Mr. Rudisill] to claim his entire Post-9/11 entitlement, subject to the 48-month aggregate cap based upon his prior usage, and required him to give up his remaining Montgomery entitlement if he wanted to receive Post-9/11 benefits before exhausting his Montgomery benefits, simply because he had first received some Montgomery benefits.

Mr. Rudisill appealed to the Board of Veterans Appeals, which affirmed the VAs conclusion that he would only receive 10-and-a-half months of Post-9/11 benefits.

He appealed that decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, which sided with him, finding the law should be interpreted to allow him to receive benefits under both programs, subject to the prescribed cap.

The government appealed and a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit sided with Mr. Rudisill.

The government appealed again and this time the full Federal Circuit ruled in favor of the VA, a ruling the petition called a nonsensical, anti-veteran result.

Never once has Congress required a veteran who qualified for multiple GI Bill programs, based on separate and distinct periods of qualifying service, to first forfeit or exhaust one benefit in order to obtain another, according to the petition.

The Epoch Times has reached out for comment to the U.S. Department of Justice, which is representing McDonough.
Sweden Membership Is NATO Summits Million Dollar Questionbut Ukraine Will Be Its Focus

U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office of the White House on June 13, 2023, in Washington. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Defense ministers and other officials from all 31 nations in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) gather between July 1112 in Vilnius, Lithuania, for a meeting that could define the 75-year-old alliances next century.

On tap is NATOs first updated battle plan since the fall of the Soviet Union, a discussion about membership funding levels, Swedens proposed entry, and clarifications on pathways for Ukraine to join while drawing support from individual member nations, but not the alliance itself, in its war to repel Russias invasion.

And while no one from the Ukrainian government has been officially invited to attend, Ukraine will be the most important item on the summit agenda next week, said Sean Monaghan, a Visiting Fellow on Europe, Russia, and Eurasia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

Ukrainian State Emergency Service firefighters put out a fire at a house destroyed in a Russian shelling in a residential neighborhood in Kherson, Ukraine, on July 1, 2023. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Photo)

Mr. Monaghan made the comment during a 90-minute July 6 virtual discussion on NATO defense and deterrence in Washington.

The point of all this isstrengthening NATOs defense and deterrence helps Ukraine and NATO allies, he said, noting Ukraines limbo NATO status enables NATO allies to help Ukraine, to provide military assistance kind of without fear of reprisal, so a strong defense in NATOs interests is in Ukraines interests and vice-versa.

Much of the presentation focused on the revised NATO battle plan, its first update since the 1980s, and the CSIS launch of a new report, Repel, Dont Expel: Strengthening NATOs Defense and Deterrence in the Baltic States by Mr. Monaghan and CSIS International Security Program Senior Adviser Mark F. Cancian.

But the questions about Ukraines entry into NATO, in limbo since 2008, and Swedens more recent request for admission are certain to generate the most attention during the summit.

Ukraine Not Invited To Summit

Eastern European member nations want the summit to produce a road map that plots concrete steps Ukraine can take to enroll in NATO.

Specifically, they support a British proposal that would clarify vagaries in a Membership Action Plan the alliance crafted for Ukraine in 2008.

That plan said Kyiv would become a member, eventually, but did not include a formal invitation nor a timetable for when it would be enrolled.

Others in the alliance, including the United States and Germany, maintain such an overt overture now could be counter-productive in convincing Russia that Ukraines membership in NATO is not a security threat to Moscow.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has repeatedly said he opposes any consideration during the summit of Ukraine joining the alliance while it is at war with Russia.

In fact, NATO has not even issued a formal invitation for the Ukrainian government to send representatives to the gathering.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint news briefing with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 20, 2023. (Alina Smutko/Reuters)

Nevertheless, there will be some who are very eager for the Vilnius summit to make some kind of commitment to Ukraines eventual NATO membership, Hudson Institute Keystone Defense Initiative Senior Fellow and director Rebeccah Heinrichs said.

I still think that is really too premature, she said.

I dont think that the NATO alliance is sufficiently bold enough nowin insisting that Ukraine winand, I think, until Ukraine gets Russia out of its territory and regains its territory, discussions about Ukraine joining NATO are simply premature.

This is pretty simpletheres too much uncertainty not to hedge on Ukraines 2008 NATO admission request, agreed former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and NATO Policy Michael C. Ryan.

So the right strategy here is to hedge, he continued. You know, there is uncertainty about the battlefield situation in Ukraine. There is uncertainty about Mr. Putin in his decision-making abilities, uncertainty about the fragility of his regime.

And if youre in a situation of uncertainty, hedging is the best strategy.

Israel-Type Security Assurance For Ukraine

But there are things NATO can be certain of, Mr. Ryan said.

Theres not much uncertainty about a few things. [With] Mr. Putin, the gloves are off, he said, calling Russia a violent revisionist state that NATO, European Union, and the United States must contend with by building a layered, integrated defensewhich begins by helping Ukraine in its war with Russia.

NATO leaders are expected to discuss security assurances for Ukraine although the pledges will come from individual nations and not the alliance itself.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson looks on during a final press conference on the second day of a meeting of the European Council at The Europa Building in Brussels on June 30, 2023. (John Thys/AFP via Getty Images)

Mr. Ryan said those security assurances and military assistance need to be coordinated in a way that assumes Ukraine will eventually be a NATO member or, at least, an ally of the alliance.

What I would expect to see, what I hope to seethat doesnt mean its going to happenis an acceleration of the mechanisms to transform the Ukrainian military into a NATO military, he said.

In other words, to deepen the level of planning cooperation, to deepen the industrial defense cooperation, so that we can start to transform the Ukrainian defense industry into a more Western, more modern defense industry so that theyre able to produce the types of NATO interoperable equipment they will need on the day that they do become members after they are victorious in the war.

Mr. Monaghan said in terms of the United States sustained commitment to Ukraine, he could not say if it would resemble Israel type of guarantees but it would best sustained by the American-led Ukraine defense contact group and remain outside of NATO structures.

Turkey Still Objects To Sweden

For a decade, Turkey has maintained Sweden provides asylum, and a free operating environment, for dissidents it classifies as terrorists.

These include members of a religious group, the Gulen movement, that Turkey maintains tried to stage a 2016 coup to overthrow the Erdogan government, and Kurdish militants engaged in an insurgency against Turkey.

Turkeys anger with Sweden over its asylum policies became an issue when the Swedes, after more than 200 years of unaffiliated neutrality, formally requested to join NATO in May 2022. All 31 member states must agree to admit new members.

Ankara, citing Swedens asylum policies, has objected to its admission into NATO. Hungary has also opposed Swedens entry in protest over corruption fines and other sanctions levied against it by the European Union.

To address Turkeys issues, Sweden has agreed to extradite alleged terrorists wanted by the Turks, although several have been delayed by court rulings.

Sweden has also amended its Constitution and hardened counterterrorism laws in a slate of newly adopted measures that went into effect on June 1.

Mr. Stoltenberg conferred with foreign ministers and officials from Turkey, Sweden, and Finland in Brussels, Belgium, on July 6.

We all agreed we have made good progress, he told reporters. We all want to complete this process as soon as possible.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said during another July 6 news conference that changes in Swedens antiterrorism law must now be put into action.

Hungary Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told reporters on July 4 that if the Turkish position changed, Hungary would not obstruct the process any further.

Mr. Stoltenberg said he will meet with Mr. Erdogan and Sweden Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to make a last-minute pitch for Swedish membership at the summit.

Mr. Erdogan can then seek parliamentary ratification in Turkey.

Whether Turkeys objections can be resolved is the million dollar question of the summit, Mr. Monaghan said. The ball is in Erdogans court. I dont think anybody really knows the answer.

Ms. Heinrichs noted some believed Mr. Erdogan would be more amenable to allowing Sweden into the alliance following the consensus and his recent reelection, but that doesnt appear to be happening.

I was never really all that optimistic that Erdogan would  after the election withdraw the objections and that Sweden will easily kind of sail through, she said.

Im typically sort of the Midwestern optimist but I was like, I dont know. I dont know. Hes still probably going to try to squeeze out more concessions from the alliance before confirming Sweden.

Mr. Monaghan said rejecting Swedens entry would be a big failure for NATO in its efforts to counter Russia, especially in The Baltic.

But on the other hand, he said, it would show NATO is a true alliance based on consensus. Thats almost NATOs unique selling point.

And this demonstrates that consensus and action, that NATO respects differing views of all 31hopefully, soon to be 32members and this is playing out in public and thats a strength for NATO, not a weakness.

Nevertheless, Mr. Monaghan said in reference to Swedens entry, Lets hope it gets done by Vilnius.
Technology: The God That Failed

Commentary

The stock market was in the doldrums when Nvidia came along with ChatGPT and revived the techno-optimism of years past. A new innovation! Intelligence that is better than humans! People will be losing jobs to machines! The singularity is on the way! Resistance is futile, so we might as well buy the stock.

That was seven months ago, and its been quite the ride. And weve all tried the chatbot out. Experts began to show its mistakes, and they were huge. Gradually we began to realize something odd. For all the hype and for all its impressive ability to assemble English sentencessomething hardly anyone under the age of 30 can doit isnt really intelligent in the way we think of that term.

Indeed, the whole technology is misnamed. Artificial intelligence is really just a quick way to scrape the web for conventional wisdom, wrong and right. The advantage of using the tool is that it saves time. You spend five seconds instead of 10 minutes finding what you need. Thats useful but not revolutionary. And it certainly isnt intelligence.

The bloom wore off this whole thing pretty quickly. Data from web usage reveal a surprising trend. At the very time when usage is supposed to be up because AI is taking over the world, usage has in fact fallen. This was not part of the playbook.

A loss of enthusiasm is a major problem for a technology that costs the company $700,000 per day just to run. If usage falls, so does investment, and the thing could end within a few months.

In some ways, ChatGPT reminds me of the COVID-19 vaccinegreat name but ultimately misnamed. The former is not AI, and the latter isnt a vaccine. Theyre something else that glommed onto the good reputation of the real thing for marketing reasons. ChatGPT was supposed to solve all problems until it did not. To the extent that ChatGPT spreads misinformationand it does on myriad topicsit is doing harm. In any case, the wild excitement seems to be turning to indifference.

This seems to be a theme of our times. The belief that technology will solve all our problems is being debunked, distrusted, and deprecated, falling into disuse.

Social media is a good case in point. It came to us with the promise of giving us voice. I wrote an entire book celebrating its wonderful achievements and promise for the future. The emancipation of everyone from the opinion cartel and physical limits on human interaction! Little did I expect that eventually all the companies associated with the biggest platforms would turn over their machinery to the feds while scraping and marketing user data as a business model.

It all seems inevitable in retrospect. Googles promise not to be evil should have been seen as the reverse, a foreshadowing that it would someday do mostly evil. Now, its search results are massively skewed to favor ruling-class interests and its video platform of YouTube ruthlessly censors anyone who departs from regime narratives. This is still going on today.

Elon Musk mercifully liberated Twitter, but this provoked every manner of attack. Just one day after a judge in Louisiana told executive agencies that they cannot work with social platforms to censor civilians, Mark Zuckerberg of Meta released his direct competitor to Twitter. He bragged of the platforms brilliant first day, but it was all baloney; all he did was tie the existing platform of Instagram to his new thing, called Threads.

Threads immediately started censoring posts. On day one! Realizing the scam, many people, including this writer, immediately deleted their Instagram accounts so that Zuckerberg could not claim success. I can tell you, its not easy to get rid of this account. Even then, the platform wont get rid of it immediately. They hold you for a full month until they are good and ready, which strikes me as downright unethical. I want off now, but there is nothing I can do. They own my data!

To say that one of these large platforms is unethical is now hardly news. Weve come to expect it. I once had massive trust in them. No more. Like many millions of others, I feel betrayed by the whole thing.

Technology has its place, to be sure, but it will not solve all human and natural problems. There are no shots you can take that will make a coronavirus go away. There are no pills or surgeries that can turn a man into a woman or a woman into a man. You can call whomever whatever, but chromosomal differences affect the whole physical and psychological structure of the human person. Why did anyone come to believe otherwise?

Incredibly, during all this wild and misplaced enthusiasm for technology, regulators are still busy degrading technologies invented many decades ago to the point that they no longer work. Washing machines, dishwashers, irons, showers, toilets, and refrigerators no longer work as they once did due to energy saving throttles. As for internal combustion, which gave us the Industrial Revolution itself, its a target, too. We are now going to use new technologies to get rid of old technologies we dont like.

The pretense of power that the technocrats possess is beyond belief. They say that they will someday replace livestock with bugs and lab-grown meat. They can try, but it will come at the expense of human health itself. There are limits to what geniuses can accomplish. Not every disease can be cured with a pill and a shot, despite the wild claims. Not every seeming psychological malady can be repaired with a psychotropic drug.

For all the great things that technology once achieved, the costs of the new innovations are everywhere around us. People are poisoned by the pharmaceutical companies that purchased and now control our governments. And the insane experiments that imagine we can block the sun in order to control the climate will only result in more disaster.

To be sure, Im seeing this now for the first time, following these three years of disaster. Like many people, Im newly interested in back-to-nature ways of living and doing without all the gizmos I once thought would change life on earth for the better. All my Google Home machines are in the trash bin, and I cant even begin to describe my elation at deleting my Instagram account (when Mark gets around to making it real).

Technology is the god that failed. We never should have made it a god to begin with. In the late 19th century, technology had a better name: the practical arts. Thats humane: coming up with new ways to make our lives better in artful ways. That I favor. But managing the whole of our lives via technocrats with toys and drugs seems like a very bad idea.

So yes, Ill continue to use ChatGPT when it seems suitable while always remembering that no amount of electronic intelligence will ever replace the human mind. Let us newly cultivate the capacity and wisdom to know the difference between what is real and what is just another round of hype that will join Alexa and Google Home in the trash bin.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Tennessee Supreme Court Rules Against Felon Seeking to Restore Voting Rights

A decision to deny a man the right to register to vote in Tennessee after receiving clemency in Virginia for a crime he committed in 1986 was upheld by the Tennessee Supreme Court on June 29.

The 31 decision (pdf) came after Ernest Falls, a Tennessee resident since 2018, tried to register to vote in 2020 after he was granted clemency by then Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam for an involuntary manslaughter conviction.

The clemency reinstated Mr. Falls rights of citizenship in Virginia, but a local election commission in Tennessee did not recognize the automatic restoration of his voting rights, citing incomplete/insufficient documents as the reasoning.

The court wrote in its opinion that the central question at the appeal was whether Mr. Falls was immediately reenfranchised in Tennessee when his rights were restored in Virginia or whether he is subject to the additional preconditions to re-enfranchisement established in Tennessee law.

Suit Filed

Mr. Falls and another man left off the voter rolls under similar circumstances filed suit in a Nashville Chancery Court in 2020, arguing that Tennessee Code 2-19-143 requires the state to reenfranchise persons convicted of out-of-state infamous crimes as soon as they are pardoned or their rights are restored in another manner.

Three public election officials sued in their official capacity, noting Mr. Falls is also required to comply with requirements set forth in another Tennessee law which requires someone convicted of infamous crimes out of state to pay outstanding court costs, restitution, and child support obligations before they can be reenfranchised.

In 2018, Tennessee law clarified that any crimes deemed felonies under Tennessees laws are considered infamous crimes, of which Mr. Falls conviction was.

When he registered to vote, he disclosed his out-of-state conviction and verified that his rights had subsequently been restored in Virginia.

Voters cast their ballots during early voting at a Nashville Public Library building in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 14, 2020. (Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

In his suit, Mr. Falls argued he and others in similar situations should be immediately issued voter registration if requested and state election officials should be enjoined from denying voter registration applications in these situations in the future.

He filed a separate motion for summary judgment after the trial courts ruling, asserting the trial courts erroneous interpretation of Tennessee law violated his constitutional rights. The Chancery Court ruled in favor of the three state officials.

Appeals Made

The Tennessee Court of Appeals and state Supreme Court also upheld the lower courts rulings, while concluding that in order to regain his right to vote in Tennessee, Mr. Falls or other similarly situated individuals must comply with both sections of Tennessee law.

Mr. Falls was the only remaining plaintiff in the two appeals, according to court records.

The State Officials argued that  Mr. Falls ability to obtain a voter registration card was contingent upon proof of payment of any outstanding court costs, restitution, and child support obligations, the state Supreme Court opinion stated. Because Mr. Falls had not provided such evidence, the State Officials asserted that Mr. Falls voter registration application was properly denied.

The appellate court noted they could not put one Tennessee law into a silo and ignore subsequent legislative enactments regarding re-enfranchisement.

The requirements of [one law] supplement the provisions of [the other] by providing additional requirements for the reinstatement of voting rights for convicted felons regardless of their state of conviction.

In its ruling, the appellate court noted there is no evidence in the record that Mr. Falls actually owes any fees, restitution, or child support, only that he has not provided evidence that he does not owe any of these financial obligations.

The court noted that it was not ruling on the issue of whether he hypothetically would be eligible to vote in Tennessee had he been granted clemency prior to moving to Tennessee.

Gwinnett County election workers handle ballots as part of the recount for the 2020 presidential election at the Beauty P. Baldwin Voter Registrations and Elections Building in Lawrenceville, Ga., on Nov. 16, 2020. (Megan Varner/Getty Images)

We express no opinion as to the outcome of a hypothetical case in which a person convicted of an infamous crime in another state regains citizenship and voting rights in that persons state of prosecution before establishing residency and attempting to register to vote in Tennessee.

Criticism and Dissent

Critics of the laws and ruling say they amount to creating a pay-to-vote law, where someone has to provide evidence they do not owe court costs, fines, or other fees, even if they have proof of their conviction no longer hindering their voting rights.

During oral arguments before the Tennessee Supreme Court last year, Mr. Falls attorney, William Harbison, argued that someone who has full rights of citizenship shouldnt be subjected to having to get their voting rights restored.

In her dissent, Justice Sharon G. Lee wrote that the right to vote is a fundamental matter in a free and democratic society and the restoration of Mr. Falls rights in Virginia should stand in Tennessee without having to provide proof of restitution paid in another state.

It makes no sense to deprive a Tennessee citizen of the right to vote because he moved to Tennessee before having that right restored, she wrote. And it makes no sense for Tennessee to become a debt collector for Virginia by depriving a Tennessee resident of the right to vote because he provided no evidence to show that he did not owe court costs or restitution in Virginia from a case over forty years old.
DTEK Energy has reactivated one unit and plans to reactivate the next unit this year at one of its plant to increase the available generation capacity by more than 500 MW, Ildar Saleev, CEO of the company, said.

"At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, we reactivated one unit, which we did not do for a long time and, if it weren't for the war, we probably wouldn't have done it any further. This allowed an additional unit to be brought into the power grid during the winter. And this year there are plans to reopen one more unit," Saleev said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

He explained that these units were idle for technical reasons, therefore, reconstruction measures have been and are still being carried out. At the same time, Saleev added that this also affected the growth in the cost of planned repairs of TPPs from UAH 2.2 billion last year to UAH 3.5 billion this year.

"This is also additional funds, because if compared with the previous period, we did not do reconstruction and reactivation," he explained.

According to Saleev, the reactivation of these units will add more than 500 MW to the energy system.
President Joe Biden has repeatedly claimed: Ive never spoken to my son [Hunter] about his overseas business dealingsthat he knew nothing of Hunters business. That he had no knowledge of, part in, or influence on what Hunter was doing overseas.

Of course, as we know, that was all a lie. Joe Biden didnt just know about Hunters business, he was an integral part of it. If were being honest, the entire reason Hunter even had any sort of business was because of Joe Biden. It was all about accessto the power and position that Joe Biden represented. Without his father, Hunter had nothing to offer.

Joe Bidens position as vice president allowed Hunter to start up his business in China, branch into Ukraine, and thenjust as the Ukraine business was coming to an endmake a move into Romania.
Evidence of Little People Found Throughout the World, But Are They Real?
In a massive new policy proposal that he called Agenda 47, President Trump laid out his plan to restore a little known presidential power which was quite literally lost about 50 years ago.

Specifically, this is the executive power known as impoundment  something that President Nixon (while he was embroiled in the Watergate scandal) signed away.

This was a power that was used as far back as the days of Thomas Jefferson, allowing the office of the President of the United States to limit the amount of money that is spent by the federal government.

President Trump is saying that the signing away of that authority was unconstitutional. He would attempt to regain that authority for the executive office. And then, once it was regained, he would use it to fight the deep state, as well as to curb the federal bureaucracy.
Trump Touts Farm Record in Iowa Rally

Former President Donald Trump arrives for an event at the Adler Theatre in Davenport, Iowa, on March 13, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

With the Iowa caucus slowly drawing nearer, 2024 hopeful Donald J. Trump made the case that he was the most pro-farmer president that youve ever had at a rally in Council Bluffs, a town across the Missouri River from Nebraska.

To support his case, Mr. Trump ran through a long list of actions hed taken as commander-in-chief, including repealing former President Barack Obamas expansive Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.

It was a truly outrageous federal power grab, he told an enthusiastic audience.

President Joe Biden has made WOTUS more expansive again, vetoing a joint resolution of disapproval of his new WOTUS rule from both chambers of Congress earlier this session.

Mr. Trump cited various other policies from his presidency to justify his claim of being a uniquely pro-farm executive, including his repeal of numerous United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations and his administrations United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement.

President Donald Trump prepares to sign the United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement, known as USMCA, during a ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Jan. 29, 2020. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

He characterized the latter deal as a gigantic victory for the American farmer, noting that American eggs, dairy products, and poultry were allowed into Canada due to USMCA.

I used to come here, in Nebraska and other places, and theyd say, Oh, its so bad what Canada does to us. Canada sounds so lovely, but they really ripped off our farmers and really ripped off our country, Mr. Trump said.

He also referenced his $28 billion payout to farmers, which was carried out amid a U.S.-China trade war in which American agriculture was suffering. Mr. Trump suggested that the money his administration delivered would make it almost impossible for him to lose Iowa.

I actually wanted to sign those checks, but people said it wouldnt be appropriate, the former president mused, drawing laughter.

Mr. Trump also referenced his moves on ethanol, a fuel produced using corn and other crops.

Notably, much of Iowas corn now goes to ethanol production.

Historically a larger share of Iowas corn has been used for ethanol relative to the U.S. In recent years 50-70 [percent] of Iowa corn production is used to make ethanol, and 35-40 [percent] of U.S. corn is used for ethanol, a 2023 article from the Iowa Farm Bureau states.

I like to say very strongly and proudly that I fought for Iowa ethanol like no president in history, Mr. Trump said to applause.

Harvested corn is seen after it was taken from a field at the Hansen Family Farms in Baxter, Iowa, on Oct. 12, 2019. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

He drew attention to his 2020 promise, made during his first reelection bid, to let gas stations sell the E15 ethanol blend through existing pumps.

It was a big thing as a candidate, he said.

Mr. Trump also zeroed in on the record of his chief rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. As is increasingly the case, he tacked to Mr. DeSantiss leftthis time on non-fossil fuels.

He drew attention to then-Congressman DeSantiss cosponsorship in 2017 of a bill that would have eliminated the renewable fuel standard.

If he [DeSantis] had his way, the entire economy of Iowa would absolutely collapse, Mr. Trump said.

He also drew attention to Mr. DeSantiss recent vetoes of farm subsidies, noting that they drew negative comments from Floridas Agricultural Commissioner, Wilton Simpson.

Hes going to do that to Iowa and Nebraska and everybody else because thats his inclination, Mr. Trump told the crowd.

Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis and his wife, Casey DeSantis, arrive for a campaign event at Eternity Church in Clive, Iowa, on May 30, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The July 7 rally in Council Bluffs came alongside the start of the former presidents Farmers for Trump coalition, led in part by state legislators in the Hawkeye State.

Before he spoke, Mr. Trump lobbed Farmers for Trump hatsgreen with golden lettersinto the cheering throng of Trump fans.

President Trump has proven himself to be the most pro-farmer president in our nations history, said Republican Iowa State Rep. Mike Sexton, co-chair of Farmers for Trump, in a statement on the announcement.

President Trump stood up to China taking advantage of Iowas farmers, repealed the devastating Waters of the U.S. [WOTUS] rule, protected Iowas critical ethanol industry, and replaced NAFTA with the incredible USMCA trade deal, added Mr. Sexton, who chairs the Iowa Houses committee on agriculture.

Before Mr. Trump spoke, local Republicans and agricultural experts held a panel discussion on agricultural policy.

The speakers on that panel ranged from Justin Schultz of the Renewable Fuels Association to Iowan Matt Whitaker, who served as acting attorney general for several months during Mr. Trumps presidency.

Even as Mr. Trump faces numerous legal challenges, Iowas likely Republican voters have begun to see him even more favorably than before, according to a recent National Research, Inc. survey.

Another 2024 contender, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, may also be gaining ground ahead of the primary and caucus season. Mr. Ramaswamy has been more supportive of Mr. Trump than most other Republican candidates.

A recent Echelon Insights poll showed the Millennial presidential candidate approaching Mr. DeSantis, whose numbers have generally fallen in recent months.

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy (R) and his wife, Apoorva Ramaswamy, (C), with their two children, on the Moms for Liberty national summit stage with Mom for Liberty cofounder Tiffany Justice (L) in Philadelphia on July 1, 2023. (Beth Brelje/The Epoch Times)

I was surprised that Ramaswamy had achieved the level of name [identification] that the poll indicates. His showing as the third most popular GOP candidate was beyond surprising given his lack of a significant political profile prior to the past year, political strategist Richard Manning told The Epoch Times in a July 5 email.

Yet, for now, the race is Donald Trumps to lose, according to Manning.

In Iowa on July 7, the large and, admittedly, self-selected audience sounded eager for Mr. Trumps latest pledges to the American peopleand American farmers.
Tucker Carlson Weighs In on Trumps Political Career

Tucker Carlson discusses 'Populism and the Right' during the National Review Institute's Ideas Summit at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington on March 29, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Political commentator and former Fox News host Tucker Carlson weighed in on the impact of former President Donald Trumps political career, saying in an interview that aired on July 7 that he believes it will likely be seen as one of the most meaningful occurrences in politics of our time.

I think looking back on this ten years from now, assuming were still around, I think were going to see Trumps emergence as the most significant thing that happened in American politics in 100 years because he reoriented the Republican Party against the wishes of Republican leaders, Mr. Carlson said.

The former primetime political commentator made his comments while speaking to British actor and podcaster Russell Brand during the commentators first interview since abruptly leaving Fox News in April of this year.

Mr. Carlson went so far as to say that he believes Mr. Trump is the only person in the Republican Party with the correct international financial support ideals for dealing with war in other countries.

Im struck by his foreign policy views. You know, Trump is the only person with stature in the Republican Party really who is saying, Wait a second, why are we supporting an endless war in Ukraine?

Leaving aside whether Trump is going to get the nomination or get elected president or would be a good president, I cant even assess that; all I can [say] at this point is Im so grateful he has that [foreign policy] position. Hes right, and everyone in Washington is wrongeveryone.

And Trump is right on that question, and its a big question. That war is reshaping the world. Its reshaping the economy of the world. Its reshaping populations. Europe will never be the same because of this war, and it really matters, and Trump alone among popular figures in both parties understands that, and Im grateful for that.

While Mr. Carlson believes that the former president has the most accurate foreign policy viewpoint, he was less confident that Mr. Trump will be able to win the presidency in the upcoming presidential election.

Whether he gets the nomination or gets elected, words really matter, Mr. Carlson asserted. Saying something true out loud matters, and he is saying true things about Ukraine, and God bless him. Thats how I feel.

Carlsons Previous Comments on Trump

Several weeks before the interview, Mr. Carlson spoke about Mr. Trumps legal struggles, saying he believes that the indictment against the former president is not merely political but ideological and based on remarks he made about the U.S.-led coalition invasion of Iraq.

Mr. Carlson made the comments in the third episode of his Twitter program, which aired on June 13, the same day Mr. Trump pleaded not guilty to charges in the federal governments classified document case in a Miami court.

Mr. Carlson described Mr. Trumps court appearance as the first step in a process designed to put the former president in prison for the rest of his life and claimed that the Republican, who is currently leading in 2024 election polls, had made himself the blood enemy of the largest and most powerful organization in human history, which would be the federal government in 2016.

Mr. Carlson went on to assert that the prosecution of Trump is transparently political, pointing out the conflict of interest for Democrat political candidate, President Joe Biden.

Hes literally Joe Bidens main political opponent. Hes polling over 60 percent among Republican voters right now. So Joe Biden is doing what no president has ever dared to do. Hes using law enforcement to lock up his chief rival. Thats happening right now. Anyone who denies its happening is lying to you. But actually, its worse than that. Trumps prosecution isnt just political. Its ideological, Carlson said.

Nobody with Trumps views is allowed to have power in this country. Criticize our wars, and youre disqualified. If you keep it up, well send you to prison. Thats the message Washington is sending, not just the Democratic Party is sending, but both parties are sending, he added.

Answer to Questions About Fox

During the same July 7 interview with Mr. Brand, Mr. Carlson answered point-blank questions about his exit from the most popular cable news network in the country, saying that he still doesnt know why he was asked to leave the network.

I dont know why I was fired. I really dont. Im not angry about it. I wish Fox well, he told the podcast this week in an interview that aired Friday on Rumble.

Mr. Brand asked Mr. Carlson about the reason for his dismissal and whether it had anything to do with Mr. Carlsons programs that featured new footage from the Jan. 6 Capitol breach or if there were other factors.

Honestly I dont know, Mr. Carlson replied.

They didnt agree with me, of course, I dont think, Mr. Carlson added, saying that he can only speculate about the reasons.

Mr. Carlson stated in his interview that he is not being compensated by Twitter or its owner, Elon Musk, for hosting content there and that he never wants to have a boss again.

What social media offers in the short term is an audience and a reason to write.
US Bill Would Require Colleges Disclose Use of Racist Personality Tests in Admissions

People walk on the campus of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on June 29, 2023. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that race-based admission policies used by Harvard and the University of North Carolina violate the Constitution. (Eros Hoagland/Getty Images)

U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) has introduced legislation to require colleges and universities to disclose whether they use personality trait tests in admission decisions after the U.S. Supreme Court said colleges cannot use race as a factor in admissions.

Ms. Steel, who introduced the Helping Applicants Receive Valid and Reasonable Decisions (HARVARD) Act on June 30, said some colleges and universities still utilize personality tests as a means of racial discrimination.

While the Supreme Court put an end to universities discriminatory quota system this week, many schools may still use arbitrary personality assessments that have been used to disadvantage Asian American students in the admissions process, she said in a June 30 statement.

The legislator said she introduced the bill to ensure racial prejudice does not play a factor in the admissions process.

I am introducing the HARVARD Act to shine a light on this process and ensure that all students and their families are fully aware of which schools are using these tests, the metrics used, and the rationale for these personality traits, Ms. Steel said. Students deserve the right to pursue their full potential without fear of prejudice based on the color of their skin.

Still citing the recent Supreme Court ruling, Ms. Steels statement said records showed that Asian-American applicants were routinely rated lower by Harvard University than others on traits like positive personality, likability, courage, kindness, and being widely respected.

Though Asian-American applicants often had higher test scores and grades, their personality ratings often brought down overall admissions scores and lowered their chances of admission, according to Ms. Steel.

If passed, the HARVARD Act would require colleges that receive federal funds to advertise their use of personality tests on application and admission materials.

The bill would also require schools to issue a statement informing applicants of the use of personality traits in making admissions decisions, their rationale for use of such tests, a description of the process under which personality traits are considered, and standards and criteria used for rating personality traits, according to Ms. Steels office.

Ms. Steel introduced the same bill in April 2022, which died in committee, after the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the two casesone against Harvard University and the other against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hillwhich led to the landmark ruling June 29 that using race as a factor in college admissions was a violation of the 14th Amendments equal protection clause.

She also issued a statement that same day praising the decision.

I immigrated to this country from Korea when I was 19 years old to pursue an education, she said. I am living my American Dream because, in this country, your actions determine your successnot your race and ethnicity. For 40 years, American colleges and universities have stacked the deck against Asian Americans in the name of diversity  todays victory marks a new chapter in the fight for equality in education.
Ukraines Summer 2023 Counteroffensive of Armored Infiltration

Ukrainian servicemen ride on a tank not far from the front line in the Kharkiv region, on July 6, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty Images)

Commentary

In response to Western criticism that its counter-offensive is moving too slowly, the Ukrainian government is claiming that the last ten days of combat in eastern Ukraine have been particularly fruitful.

Facing fierce Russian resistance, the frontline has been moving eastward in lurches, two kilometers here, three kilometers there.

On July 3 Oleksiy Danilov, a senior Ukrainian defense official, announced via Twitter At this stage of active hostilities, Ukraines Defense Forces are fulfilling the number one taskthe maximum destruction of manpower, equipment, fuel depots, military vehicles, command posts, artillery and air defense forces of the Russian army.

He is arguing metrics other than kilometers matter: the incremental destruction of Russian forces.

Perhaps some Western media expected a Desert Storm-type armor breakthroughDesert Blitzkrieg. If so, they missed a major component in high-speed combined arms warfare, present in World War Two and Desert Storm: air power.

Ukraine doesnt have an air force.

Tanks, armored infantry and self-propelled artillery need air cover to maneuver. Air interdiction of enemy reserve forces and close air support (CAS, i.e., airstrikes on adjacent enemy forces) soften the enemy so mobile forces can breakthrough and achieve a decisive victory.

In spring 2022 Ukraine sought F-16s or similar Western planes, but the Biden administration, worried about Kremlin reaction, balked and denied high-performance strike aircraft. I guarantee you military historians will criticize the Biden administrations insistent hesitation to provide crucial weapons.

SoUkraines summer 2023 counteroffensive moves at the pace of armored infiltrationtank osmosis.

Given Ukraines lack of air support, StrategyPage.com recently noted a slow and measured pace with high quality armored vehicles can be the wisest choice, especially when confronting prepared defensive positions (trenches, bunkers, and obstacles) protected with modern anti-tank and antipersonnel mines.

The StrategyPage report acknowledged Ukraines June offensive was successful but moving slowly. Why? Ukrainian forces were encountering extensive fortifications, including obstacles to vehicle movement as well as  lots of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines . The mines themselves do not destroy tanks and other vehicles but inflict mobility killsstopping the vehicle.

American M1 Abrams and German Leopard 2 tanks have improved armor, sensors and weapons, but they are still track-laying vehicles that can be stopped by an anti-tank mine. The armored bulldozers used by military combat engineer units also move on tracks. According to StrategyPage, this is the bottom line:  mines remain the major threat to tanks and any advance involving tanks has to be led by armored mine-clearing vehicles. There are ways to detonate mines with air-delivered munitions but before the tanks and armored infantry vehicles moved through the area should be swept (inspected) by mine-clearing vehicles and engineers.

Its dangerous and time consuming. These operations also must be protected from Russian attack.

Where is the slow offensive going?

In terms of direction, logic says Ukraine should try to cut Russias land corridor to the Crimean Peninsulain other words, go south toward the Sea of Azov. That would be a major operational defeat for Russia. Civilian satellites show that Russia has dug trenches and built defensive positions to blunt such an attack.

East to the Russian border liberates occupied Ukrainian territory. That makes sense, and the latest report mentions a village liberated after an attack forced a Russian unit to retreat.

I suspect Ukraine is still probing for weaknesses, not simply a weak point in the defensive line but weak morale. Danilov says the offensive is targeting the Russian Army. At the physical level that translates into destroying equipment and supplies and killing or wounding troops. At the war-winning level it means destroying the enemys cohesionwhat keeps his forces fighting, physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Ukraine has proven to be a nation in armsa warrior state with the will to fight. Nations in arms know what they fight forwhich is usually their very existence.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
US, NATO Allies to Tackle Unprecedented Security Challenges at Crucial Summit Next Week

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (L) U.S. President Joe Biden (2L) and Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz (R) speak next to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (C), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (3R) and Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (2R) before a G7 leaders' family photograph during a NATO summit at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels on March 24, 2022. (Henry Nicholls/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

President Joe Biden will attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit next week as the military alliance faces the most pressing challenges since the end of the Cold War, including mounting security threats from Russia and China.

The summit, scheduled for July 1112 in the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius, will bring together heads of state, military officials, and diplomats from the alliances 31 member nations.

During a press briefing on July 7, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that the president would deliver a significant address in Vilnius on the final day of the summit. The presidents speech will emphasize the alliances commitment to taking on the significant challenges of our time from Russias aggression in Ukraine to the climate crisis, he said.

Washington announced on Friday that it would deliver cluster munitions to Ukraine to help in the ongoing battle with Russia. This announcement has caused divisions among allies.

Mr. Sullivan defended the U.S. decision and stated that the administration has acknowledged the risks.

Its a difficult decision. Its a decision we deferred. Its a decision that required a real hard look at the potential harm to civilians, Mr. Sullivan said. And when we put all of that together, there was a unanimous recommendation from the national security team, and President Biden ultimately decided, in consultation with allies and partners and in consultation with members of Congress, to move forward on this step.

We feel that this will in no way disrupt the very strong firm unity that we have heading into the NATO summit in Vilnius next week, he added.

Summit Agenda

This years summit comes at a critical moment, with some calling it the most important gathering since the Cold War or perhaps NATOs founding in 1949.

Ukraine is expected to be a top agenda item at this years summit, with allies discussing the countrys future membership, security guarantees, and assistance for the war-torn nation.

The issue of boosting the spending target, a key focus for former President Donald Trump, will also be discussed during this years Vilnius summit.

The NATO members pledged to increase their defense spending to 2 percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) nearly a decade ago. However, there are still many nations that have not met this goal.

U.S. lawmakers want the 2 percent goal to be a floor rather than a ceiling.

Theres great hope that NATO allies will agree at next months summit to make firm commitments and burden sharing, namely by clarifying that NATOs defense spending target of 2 percent of GDP should be considered a floor, Rep. Thomas Kean (R) said during a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe hearing in June.

Only seven countriesthe United States, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and the United Kingdom met the 2 percent spending target in 2022.

Ukraines Path to Membership

Ukraine formally applied to join the alliance last year. However, its unlikely to join until the war in Ukraine ends. Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty establishes the principle of collective defense, which means that any attack on a NATO member shall be considered an attack against them all.

Ukraines membership would essentially be tantamount to a declaration of war on Russia. So, I dont think thats on the cards, said Sean Monaghan, visiting fellow in the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia program at the CSIS, during a press briefing.

But beyond NATO membership when the war ends, there is a wide spectrum of views among allies, which will need to find some kind of consensus at Vilnius, he said.

The United States, Germany, and the southern NATO partners are more cautious about Ukraines membership, while the Baltic states and Eastern European nations like Poland hold the most hawkish and assertive stance.

I think the middle ground is where well most likely end up, Monaghan predicted, implying that during the summit allies, will commit to a road to Ukraines membership after the war.

However, the media will be closely watching Mr. Bidens stance on Ukraines participation, as he stated last month that his administration would not make it easy for Kyiv to join NATO.

When asked by reporters about Ukraines chances of joining the transatlantic alliance, Mr. Biden said: No. Because theyve got to meet the same standards. So, were not going to make it easy.

According to Mr. Sullivan, the United States, NATO partners, and Ukraine will have the opportunity to debate the reforms still required for Ukraine to meet NATO standards.

So, this will, in fact, be a milestone. But Ukraine still has further steps it needs to take before membership, he added.

More Dangerous World

The NATO member countries confirmed on July 4 that current Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg will remain in office for another year. The announcement came after the alliance was unable to agree on a candidate for the leadership position.

Honoured by #NATO Allies decision to extend my term as Secretary General until 1 October 2024, Mr. Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.

The transatlantic bond between Europe & North America has ensured our freedom & security for nearly 75 years, and in a more dangerous world, our Alliance is more important than ever.

China is also anticipated to rise on NATOs agenda this year, as Mr. Stoltenberg made clear that the alliances Indo-Pacific strategy is entering a new phase.

What is happening in Europe today could happen in East Asia tomorrow. So, we must remain united and firm, he told reporters in Tokyo early this year.

At last years summit, NATO named China as a strategic priority for the first time, citing Beijings ambitions and coercive policies as a threat to the alliances interests, security, and values.

We will boost our shared awareness, enhance our resilience and preparedness, and protect against the PRCs coercive tactics and efforts to divide the Alliance, the summit statement or Strategic Concept (pdf) read.

Russian Domestic Politics

Some observers believe that the Wagner Group uprising in late June has left Putins leadership in a relatively weak and disarrayed position, which could be a positive development for the NATO alliance.

Mr. Biden earlier stated that the United States and NATO allies were not involved in the Wagner mercenary groups insurrection against President Vladimir Putin.

At a White House event on June 26, Mr. Biden indicated that he had been in close communication with U.S. allies to prepare for a range of possible scenarios in Russia following the mercenary groups uprising and that they had decided that they would not give Putin any excuse to blame the West or NATO.

We made it clear that we were not involved. We had nothing to do with it. This was part of a struggle within the Russian system, Mr. Biden said.

Russias vulnerability could be discussed at the summit to determine if there is an opportunity for NATO members to increase their support for Ukraines planned offensive against Russia.

Swedens Membership

Swedens membership will also be debated at the summit, as the Nordic country wishes to join but is blocked by two member countriesTurkey and Hungary.

Hungarys parliament recently decided to put off ratification of Swedens accession bid until its autumn legislative session. And Turkey is delaying approval of Swedens request, citing the Nordic countrys failure to resolve its security concerns.

Both Sweden and Finland resisted joining the alliance for decades, opting for neutrality and non-alignment. However, following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, both countries abandoned those long-standing positions and formally requested membership in NATO.

Following months of delay, the Turkish parliament unanimously confirmed Finlands membership on March 30, allowing Finland to become the 31st member of the military alliance in April.

After the summit in Vilnius, Mr. Biden is scheduled to go to Helsinki to commemorate Finlands accession to the military alliance. The presidents five-day trip to Europe will also include a stop in London on July 10, where he will meet King Charles at Windsor Castle and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Next years NATO summit will be held in Washington and is anticipated to be historic, as it will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of the military alliance in 1949.
US Utilities Lobby Congress to Keep Gas Stoves Legal

Flames burn on a natural gas-burning stove in Chicago on Jan. 12, 2023. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

American gas utilities are lobbying support for bills to keep gas stoves operational, as the Biden administration recommends their elimination for climate change purposes. Natural gas companies are gathering their political allies in Congress to ward off any attempts that gas stove use be curtailed, according to federal records.

Gas utility companies fear that gas stove bans are the start of a broader phaseout of natural gas, as climate change activists aim to electrify more of the energy system.

Leftist climate change activists are now going after natural gas consumption after destroying the U.S. coal industry under the Biden administration. Biden Admin Ponders Ban On Gas Stoves

About 69 percent of Americans said they are against a government ban on gas stoves, according to a June poll conducted by the Harvard Center for American Political Studies and Harris.

The controversy exploded in January after the White House said it was mulling a nationwide ban on gas stoves, citing a report linking its use to asthma and other health risks.

A top official at the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggested that a national ban on gas stoves could curb air pollution, but that statement was denied by the agencys head.

It was also later revealed that the agency had been considering a ban on gas stoves for months.

The backlash grew even further after the Department of Energy introduced new regulations in February that would impose harsher energy efficiency standards on new gas stove models by 2027.

However, the Energy Department insisted that it had no plans to ban gas stoves, calling the accusations absurd.

Gas-burning stoves are offered for sale at a home improvement store in Chicago, Ill., on Jan. 12, 2023. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Gas stoves account for less than 1 percent of natural gas consumption in the United States, and more than 47 million, or 38 percent of households, cook with gas, according to the Energy Information Administration. American families used 88.3 billion cubic feet of gas to cook at home in 2020, or 0.3 percent of that years total gas consumption of 30.5 trillion cubic feet.

Gas Utility Companies Lobby

Gas utility companies like CenterPoint Energy (pdf), CMS Energy (pdf), and other trade groups have been lobbying Congress to support such bills as the Save Our Gas Stoves Act, which the House passed 249-181 last month. At least 29 Democrats joined 220 Republicans in support of the act. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Ark.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate, which has the backing of Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).

The legislation, which was sponsored by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Ariz.), prohibits the energy secretary from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Conventional Cooking Products, which would force most current models off the market.

The Energy Department would also be blocked from introducing standards that would result in the prohibition of a kitchen range or stove based on the type of fuel it uses, including gas stoves.

The House also passed the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act by a vote of 248-180, which prevents the CPSC from using federal funds from being used to regulate gas stoves as banned hazardous products under the Consumer Product Safety Act.

The White House has expressed opposition to any legislation on gas stove regulation but has not mentioned if President Joe Biden will veto them.

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) during a hearing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington on July 25, 2019. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), who supported the legislation, told The Hill that gas stoves were cheap and effective and that banning their use would plunge many households into poverty.

Gas stoves are an integral part of how food is prepared for nearly 187 million Americans, valued for their affordability and reliability, said Mr. Newhouse

This transition to more expensive alternatives, as proposed by the Biden administration, would impose significant financial strains on American households.

Homes equipped with natural gas appliances save families up to $1,068 annually compared to their all-electric counterparts, he said.

It is unfathomable that in the pursuit of climate activism, the government would willingly burden its people with exorbitant electricity bills and costly appliance replacements.

Local Governments Pass Bills

Meanwhile, local authorities are now taking up the ban on gas stoves, and several cities across the country already have gas stove restrictions in effect.

In May, New York became the first state to pass legislation that would ban the installation of gas stoves in new buildings due to alleged health concerns.

The new bill will prohibit gas stoves along with water heaters, clothes dryers, and other appliances that burn gas, but service to existing buildings was not affected by the legislation.

The approach from many states and cities in different parts of the US has been to change building codes that would really require all electric equipment or deny hookups of fuel gas equipment to the home, said Richard Meyer, the vice president of energy markets at the American Gas Association (AGA).

After the House passed the bill, the AGA noted that customers want natural gas and urged the Senate to pass the legislation.

The American Public Gas Association, which represents municipal-owned utilities, said that the two House bills prevent the regulatory assaults on gas-cooking products that would significantly impact the direct use of natural gas, which APGA members advocate for.
US Decides to Send Cluster Bombs to UkraineWith Conditions

Soldiers with the French contingent of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) unload Russian made cluster bombs from a container found about 18 miles north of Kabul, Afghanistan, on Oct. 9, 2002. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)

The United States will send so-called cluster munitions to Ukraine in its ongoing fight to drive Russian forces out of the country.

Speaking from the White House on July 7, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said President Joe Biden deferred the decision long as possible.

After consulting international leaders and reviewing the situation on the ground, he decided to sign the order to provide Ukrainian forces with the weapons they requested.

We continue to stand with the people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty, their freedom, and their democracy, he said.

After they are fired, cluster munitions open in midair and release small bombs (bomblets) over a wide area to strike several targets simultaneously. They can be delivered by planes, artillery, and missiles.

Human Rights Watch, and other humanitarian organizations, oppose the devices because some of the bomblets dont explode when they are deployed. This unexploded ordinance presents a hazard to civilians, especially children.

Mr. Sullivan said its estimated that Russian forces have dispersed tens of millions of the bomblets in their attempt to take over Ukraine. He said that the dud rate, the number of bomblets that fail to explode, is between 30 and 40 percent.

Considering the danger already present from Russian bomblets, The decision was made that the Ukrainians have the right to defend their land with whatever weapons they deem necessary, Mr. Sullivan said.

That doesnt make it an easy decision, He said.

Colin Kahl, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, said the U.S. munitions have a dud rate of 2.5 percent.

Mr. Kahl said the United States would send standard 105-millimeter artillery shells and Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munitions (DPICM).

DPICM are cluster munitions fired from artillery.

Proponents of banning cluster munitions say that countless civilians, including children, have been injured and killed by unexploded bomblets.

Mr. Sullivan said the danger to Ukrainian civilians will grow if nothing is done.

More than 100 countries, including several NATO members, are part of the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM).

These countries signed an agreement in Oslo, Norway, on Dec. 3, 2008.

According to the CCM website, The Convention on Cluster Munitions is an international treaty of more than 100 states. The convention prohibits all use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions.

The United States and Russia are not party to the CCM.

Mr. Sullivan said that several countries expressed support for the plan.

He claimed that even though CCM members, like Germany, have expressed dismay at the situation, they have not explicitly condemned the transfer.

He said its clear that Russia is at fault and that the Ukrainians are simply trying to defend themselves.

There is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more territory, he said.

Mr. Kahl said the munitions to be sent are newer and more reliable than those used in previous conflicts.

He said the failure rate for the new munitions is down to 2.5 percent.

He added that Ukrainians would have to deal with the cluster munitions even if the United States did nothing.

Cluster Munitions Already an Issue

This is an issue the Ukrainians will have to grapple with regardless, Mr. Kahl said.

The Ukrainians have agreed to limit the use of the munitions to sparsely populated areas to record where they are used so unexploded bomblets can be retrieved after the war.

United States law prohibits transferring cluster munitions with a dud rate greater than one percent. However, Kahl said the president has the legal authority to waive that requirement.

Mr. Biden decided to green-light the deal after talking with Congressional leaders and officials from other countries.

We did not make a unilateral decision; we are not breaking the law, Mr. Kahl said.

Ultimately, Mr. Sullivan said the decision will enable the Ukrainians to continue their war effort with the ordinance they need.

He said that both sides have relied heavily on artillery.

So, the United States and others who supply Ukraine must ramp up their production of artillery shells.

Sending the DPICM will build a bridge between the Ukrainians current and future needs.

Mr. Sullivan stopped short of saying there was a shortage of artillery shells.

We need to build a bridge from where we are today to when we have enough monthly production, he said.

According to Mr. Kahl, this move will do more to protect Ukrainians in the long run.

The worst thing for civilians in Ukraine is for Russia to win the war, Mr. Kahl said.

This story has been updated with information from national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Businessman Ihor Kolomoisky may become a third party in the case pending by the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) on the suit of Ukraine's Ministry of Justice against sanctioned citizens of the Russian Federation Alexander Babakov, Yevgeny Giner, Mikhail Voevodin and others on the confiscation of their assets, in particular the share of the Kryvy Rih Iron Ore Plant.

According to Nadra.info's source in the HACC, the court received an application from Kolomoisky's representative to join the case as a third party on the side of the defendants, who did not make independent claims on the subject of the dispute. On July 6 of this year, the HACC panel of judges satisfied this application.

According to the source, in a large list of assets, which the Ministry of Justice is asking the HACC to recover in favor of the state, there are 49.84% of shares of Kryvy Rih Iron Ore Plant, which Voevodin and (supposedly) his wife Nataliya Selivanova allegedly indirectly own.

The HACC meeting is scheduled for July 11.

From the materials reviewed by Nadra.info, it follows that 49.84% of the shares of Kryvy Rih Iron Ore Plant, which can be confiscated, is a share, through Starmill Limited (Cyprus), owned by Kadis Holding Limited (Saint Kitts and Nevis  an island state in the eastern Caribbean). 100% Kadis Holding Limited is owned by Newsteel Holding Ltd. (Belize). And although 100% of the latter is owned by Michalakis Tsitsekkos, the ultimate beneficiaries of this company, according to the source, are also Voevodin and Selivanova (according to YouControl, in 2019 they appeared as the ultimate beneficial owners of Kryvy Rih Iron Ore Plant - Nadra.info).

Voevodin allegedly received his share in Kadis Holding Limited from Kolomoisky, in accordance with an agreement concluded back in 2016. This document stipulates that the share will cost Vojvodin $926 million, to be paid out of dividends, distributed profits or other payments from the Kryvy Rih Iron Ore Plant business.

According to a Nadra.info source, copies of documents were added to Kolomoisky's application for joining the court case, providing that until Kolomoisky receives $926 million, he has the right to manage the business of Kryvy Rih Iron Ore Plant, including through the management of shares in Kadis Holding Limited and the receipt of any economic interest in these shares (both in the distribution of profits and in the event of a sale). In the submitted application for joining the case, it is allegedly said that Kolomoisky has not received from Vojvodin the Kryvy Rih Iron Ore Plant dividends belonging to him under the agreement.

With this in mind, the HACC panel of judges decided that the court decision in the case could affect the rights and interests of Kolomoisky related to the fulfillment of the terms of the contract signed in 2016, and added him to the case as a third party.

According to court documents, a copy of which is available to Interfax-Ukraine, on June 28, 2023, the Ministry of Justice filed an administrative lawsuit against Russian citizens under Part 1 of Article 4 of the law "On Sanctions" on the recovery of assets to state revenue. The ministry also requested that these assets be seized as part of the lawsuit. On June 30 of this year, the HACC satisfied the claim of the Ministry of Justice.
Who Is Funding Drag Story Hours at California Public Libraries?

Thousands gather at the gates of Dodger Stadium to protest against the Los Angeles Dodgers' decision to honor an anti-Catholic drag queen group at its annual LGBT celebration in Los Angeles on June 16, 2023. (Courtesy of Catholic Vote)

Commentary

Continued from Groups Protest at Drag Story Hours in California Part II

On the evening of July 5, about 30 concerned parents and grandparents showed up at the Sonoma County commissioners meeting held at the Rohnert Park Library. About 20 of us spoke and stated why we were so opposed to their sponsoring and paying for the recent four drag story hours held on Fathers Day weekend.

The story hours were sponsored and paid for by the Sonoma County Library Commission using our tax dollars to the tune of $500 per hour, thus $2,000 in total.

By attending the meeting, we learned that, for the most part, the 10 commissioners agreed that the drag story hour performances went well and that theyre proud of themselves for holding them; theyre pleased that they were able to affirm the LGBT community. They were happy that a total of 322 parents and children attended them.

One commissioner, whos an attorney, was able to attend the story hour held at Petaluma. He borrowed a friends 11-year-old child so that he could sit in on it. (You had to have a child with you, or you werent allowed in, even as a commissioner.)

He said that there was nothing sexual about the presentation and there were no sexual movements. The storyteller just read her books and led the children in songs and dances. Another commissioner stated that he was pleased that the protests were peaceful on both sides.

Drag queens Athena Kills (C) and Scalene Onixxx arrive to awaiting adults and children for Drag Queen Story Hour at Cellar Door Books in Riverside, Calif., on June 22, 2019. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

The 20 of us who were part of the protests spoke and gave a whole different view. We told of the disrespect shown to us, especially at the Santa Rosa downtown library, where someone from the pro-trans group used a loud mega horn and called us every derogatory name that she could think of: bigots, fascists, hateful, fascist grandmothers, etc. Our signs were blocked by big, black umbrellas, or large people stood in front of us so that no one could see us or our signs.

The commissioners gave us only two minutes each to speak, so I made copies of what I wanted to say and gave them each a copy after I spoke. I spoke briefly about the history and purpose of drag story hours and my concern that many of the people telling stories to our innocent children are anything but good role models for them.

The following is part of the content of the handout that I gave to the commissioners. I had also given it to people at the drag story hour events, but most of the people of the LGBT community refused to take it.

History

According to Wikipedia, the idea for a drag queen story hour was started in San Francisco in 2015 by author Michelle Tea, who identified as queer. She came up with the idea after attending childrens library events with her young son and finding them welcoming but not really affirming of LGBT families.

Ms. Tea wanted a library hour that would be inclusive to LGBT families. Her first event was held at the Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco. It featured several drag queens who were all well received.

The idea quickly spread, and Drag Queen Story Hour (DQSH) chapters formed across the nation and internationally.

As of February 2020, there were more than 50 official nonprofit chapters, and drag storytellers were holding events at libraries, schools, bookstores, and museums. In October 2022, the name was officially changed to Drag Story Hour (DSH) to be more inclusive and reflect the diverse cast of storytellers, since there are both queen and king presenters now.

Wikipedia states that DSH aims to capture the imagination and play of gender fluidity of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive, and unabashedly queer role models.

DSH leaders actually admit that they want children to have queer role models.

Attack on the Family

Christopher Rufo, who writes for City Journal, believes the real purpose of DSH and the transgender movement is far more subversive than just creating queer role models. The drag queen [or king] might appear as a comic figure, but he/she carries an utterly serious message: the deconstruction of sex, the reconstruction of child sexuality, and the subversion of middle-class family life, he wrote in a 2022 article.

Not only are many of these drag queen or drag king readers also performers in striptease bars and nightclubs (as Vera, our reader, was), but some are even pedophiles.

Newsweek reported in 2019 that the drag queen storyteller in Houston, who had been performing at the public library from 2017 to 2019, turned out to be a registered sex offender, a pedophile. The National Pulse reported in 2021 that Brette Bloome, the head of the drag queen story hour in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was arrested for multiple possessions of child pornography.

Is that the kind of person whom you want your child to be around or to someday become?

Notice the choice of books. They all have something to do with transgenderismto affirm to a small child that the transgender, gay, or lesbian lifestyle is perfectly normal and acceptable. Experts call this grooming the child. The more grooming that occurs, and the more exposure to such presentations, the more the child will accept the indoctrination that he or she is receiving.

What effect did our protests and words have on the library commissioners? None at all, it seemed.

We noticed on the agenda that their next story hour will be the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, coming to Guerneville on July 29. This wont only endanger innocent children, it also will be a total mockery of Catholic nuns and the Catholic religion. Some of the Catholics in our group of protesters are threatening a lawsuit.

Who Is Funding the Presentations?

Much funding comes from taxpayer dollars. Some of the story hours have been held on military bases, supported by our taxes. Some funds come from public libraries themselves (as in the case of our Sonoma County libraries), who invite the presenters in the spirit of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The funds buy books; some DSH events include giving away books for free. Of course, all of the books are promoting their agenda.

The funds also pay the queens and kings for their performances and for the training that they receive to ensure that they can talk effectively to children and parents about gender identity and drag, according to Wikipedia.

Funding also comes from big foundations and corporations. Much money comes from wealthy billionaires such as George Soros and his Open Society Foundation and from the Warren Buffet Foundation.

Both of these men believe that the world is overpopulated and that its population must be drastically reduced. What better way than to make sure young people cant reproduce? They know that transgender children who have had body parts cut off will never be able to have children of their own.

The Federalist reported in 2018 that another big billionaire family thats giving a lot of money to drag story hours and other transgender causes is the Pritzker family. This family created the Hyatt Hotel chain with its leader Jennifer Pritzker, who identifies as transgender. Mr. Pritzker used to be named James and even served in the military. Now as a transgender woman, hes very supportive of transgender causes.

But could it be more because of financial interests than ideological ones? Some of the organizations that Mr. Pritzker owns and funds are especially noteworthy, for theyre all promoting the rapid induction of transgender ideology into medical, legal, and educational institutions.

Mr. Pritzker owns Squadron Capital, an acquisitions corporation with a focus on medical technology, medical devices, and orthopedic implants; and the Tawani Foundation, a philanthropic organization with grants that focus on gender and human sexuality.

Other wealthy people whove invested a lot of money in the transgender movement are Martine Rothblatt (a male who identifies as transgender and transhumanist), Tim Gill (a gay man), Drummond Pike, Jon Stryker (a gay man), Mark Bonham (a gay man), and Ric Weiland (a deceased gay man whose ongoing philanthropy is still LGBT-oriented). Most of these billionaires fund the transgender lobby and organizations through their own organizations, including corporations.

According to the Federalist, many other wealthy donors use other foundationssuch as the Tides Foundationto hide their names.

Then theres Big Pharma. Who stands to make the most money if children fall for all of the indoctrination that they hear and then decide that they, too, were born in the wrong body and end up transitioning themselves?

According to PJ Media, Big Pharma companies are also pouring money into the transgender movement because they know that they will get that money back with all the puberty blockers and hormones that the transitioning persons will need for the rest of their lives in order to keep them in their transgendered state.

The transgender business is very lucrative, bringing in lots of money for the hospitals and doctors performing the surgeries, in addition to the cost of expensive hormones and the cost of counseling.

According to the Daily Wire, its expected that the money earned will reach $5 billion at the end of 2023, and perhaps climb to $11 billion in future years.

Concerned Parents

We who protested the story hours are a group of concerned parents and grandparents. Some of us even have children whove suddenlyseemingly out of the bluedecided that they identify strongly with the opposite sex and are at various stages in their transitioning.

This is a new phenomenon that has only recently been identified. Researchers are calling it rapid-onset gender dysphoria, or ROGD, and its becoming an epidemic among our most vulnerable youth.

Were horrified at the growing number of young people whose bodies have been disfigured and whose physical and mental health have been destroyed by transitioning, only to discovertoo latethat it did little to relieve their dysphoria.

Contrary to popular opinion, data show that the highest rate of suicidal thoughts is among transgender youth (82 percent) who realize that theres no going backthey cant regrow those body parts that were removed. They will never be able to have children of their own.

Our children are young, naive, and impressionable. Many of them are experiencing emotional or social difficulties. Theyre strongly influenced by their peers and by the media, and these sources promote the transgender lifestyle as popular, desirable, and the solution to all of their problems.

And theyre being misled by authority figures such as teachers, doctors, counselors, and librarians who rush to affirm their chosen gender without ever questioning why.

We concerned parents dont hold any hate for the LGBT community. We just love our children and dont want them indoctrinated into making decisions at an early age that can harm them for the rest of their lives.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Wide Loophole in SCOTUS Ruling Leaves Opening for Race Preference Admissions: Heather Mac Donald

Although the Supreme Courts conservative majority ruled it is unconstitutional to consider race as a determining factor in college admissions, they still left a path for colleges to accomplish their racial balancing goals, according to author and social commentator Heather Mac Donald.

Im too familiar with colleges to believe that this is going to be the radical change in college admissions and academic standards, Ms. Mac Donald, who is known for exposing the radical leftist agenda in Americas higher education system, said in an interview on EpochTVs American Thought Leaders: NOW.

In what Ms. Mac Donald describes as a wide loophole, the Supreme Courts majority opinion states that college admission officials may still consider an applicants experience on raceas opposed to their race itself.

Nothing in this opinion should be construed as prohibiting universities from considering an applicants discussion of how race affected his or her life, be it through discrimination, inspiration, or otherwise, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote near the end of the majority opinion.

This is a very, very significant loophole, Ms. Mac Donald told host Jan Jekielek.

Nothing prevents a college from taking account of a students essay that discusses how his race affects his character and life experiences. It basically simply institutionalizes whats already going on, she continued. This is a practice known as holistic admissions, which is one of the many fictional ideas that pervade college admissions infrastructure.

And were supposed to believe that colleges are being very individualized and are really assessing each applicant on a highly specific and holistic basis. That just somehow always ends up by admitting black students on a holistic basis with test scores that would be automatically disqualifying if presented by whites and Asians.

Manhattan Institute fellow Heather Mac Donald with her book The Diversity Delusion. (Ke Yuan/Epoch Times)

Colleges Pledge no Change of Course

Colleges are seizing upon this perceived permission to consider an applicants experience on race to continue pushing for a racially diverse student population, even after the Supreme Court declared that racial diversity isnt in itself any kind of educational benefit.

For example, Harvard Universityone of the two institutions involved in the Supreme Courts ruling on race-conscious admissions policieshas assured future students that its commitment to the educational benefits of diversity remains unchanged, with a hint that they can discuss their race in application essays.

We will comply with the Courts decision, but it does not change our values. We continue to believe, deeply, that a thriving, diverse intellectual community is essential to academic excellence and critical to shaping the next generation of leaders, Harvard Law School Dean and President-Elect Claudine Gay said in a video message in response to last weeks ruling.

Our students have the chance to put their ideas into conversation with other points of view, experiences, and perspectives, she added.

This didnt surprise Ms. Mac Donald, who is actually expecting institutions like Harvard to double down on their holistic admissions practices.

Unfortunately, the court did not lay out any benchmarks for how to assess that schools are still giving any weight to racethere should be no weight given to race as its simply an irrelevancy, she said. But the court hasnt told us how were going to be able to tell that.

Rulings Real Effect

In her impassioned 69-page dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor painted a grim picture of the future of racial equality in the United States, expressing frustration that her conservative colleagues cemented a superficial rule of colorblindness as a constitutional principle in an endemically segregated society.

The Court subverts the constitutional guarantee of equal protection by further entrenching racial inequality in education, the very foundation of our democratic government and pluralistic society, the progressive justice wrote.

Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor poses during a group photo of the Justices at the Supreme Court in Washington on April 23, 2021. (Erin Schaff/Pool via Reuters)

The idea that the decision would end or setback the countrys racial progress is an overstatement, according to Ms. Mac Donald, who argued that the decisionif it were to be faithfully abided bywould simply rearrange the existing population of black college students to schools where theyre qualified based on factors other than race.

It doesnt mean that any black students who otherwise want to go to college cannot go to college. It merely says they would go to college on the same conditions as their non-racially preferred peers, Ms. Mac Donald explained.

To be sure, there will be fewer students at the very upper reaches of selective colleges. But to say that equals the end of educational opportunity is unbelievably elitist and snobbish, she continued. It basically says that the only way that you can get a decent college education is if you go to Harvard.

Ms. Mac Donald also addressed companies that have fears that their racial preference hiring could be the next target of constitutional challenges. Dozens of large employers, including American Airlines, General Electric, Meta, Google, and Apple, filed a brief in support of the race-conscious college admissions, arguing that ending those practices would undermine businesses efforts to build diverse workforces.

You have the same population of black college-going students as before, theyre simply rearranged to schools for which they are qualified, she said, referring to companies who claim to care about hiring black college graduates.

If these corporations are insistent on hiring by race, heres all they have to dohold their noses, apparently, and go to a school that many people maybe have never heard of before, but where black students are attending. That is not the end of the world.
Wrongly Imprisoned for 7 Years, Exonerated Central Park Five Member Wins NYC Council Primary

New York City Council candidate Yusef Salaam speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in New York on May 24, 2023. (Mary Altaffer/AP Photo)

NEW YORKYusef Salaam, one of the exonerated Central Park Five, has won a Democratic primary for a seat on the New York City Council, all but assuring him of eventual victory. Its an improbable feat for a political novice who was wrongly accused, convicted, and imprisoned as a teenager for the rape and beating of a jogger in Central Park.

The Associated Press refrained from calling the race on election night, but vote tallies released Wednesday showed him to be the clear winner to represent Central Harlem. Salaam is not expected to face a serious challenge in Novembers general election, if any.

It is time, he said, for a new Harlem renaissance.

To have a voice from a person whos been pushed into the margins of lifesomeone who has actually been one of those who has been counted outis finally having a seat at the table, Mr. Salaam said in an interview Wednesday.

Harlem is such a special place that it is known as the Black Mecca, he said. What happens in Harlem reverberates around the world.

Mr. Salaam and the four other black and Latino teens from Harlem became known as the Central Park Five after their arrest in 1989 in the headline-grabbing rape, one of the citys most notorious crimes. He served nearly seven years in prison before the group was exonerated through DNA evidence.

His outsider campaign prevailed over two political veteransNew York Assembly members Inez Dickens, 73, and Al Taylor, 65in his first bid for public office. Democratic socialist Kristin Richardson Jordan, the incumbent council member, dropped out of the race in May but remained on the ballot.

Mr. Salaam declared victory on election night with his vote tally barely exceeding 50 percent, although an unknown number of absentee ballots had yet to be counted. But his lead over Dickens, his nearest competitor, seemed insurmountable, and both she and Taylor conceded. New York City is still tabulating late-arriving mail ballots that could potentially push him back above the 50 percent threshold, in which case he will have won without the benefit of ranked-choice voting tallies.

When I think about the things that we need the most, of course on the top of everyones list are affordable housing, education, and safe streets, Mr. Salaam told the AP.

Mr. Salaams lack of experience in public office might have actually worked in his favor, according to Amani Onyioha, a partner at Sole Strategies, which ran phone banks and engaged residents on Mr. Salaams behalf.

In a time like this, when people are looking for a hero, theyre looking for somebody who can relate to them, Ms. Onyioha said.

I think people saw him as a survivor, Ms. Onyioha said. He was vindicated and the system eventually ended up working out for him.

Mr. Salaam moved to Georgia shortly after he was released and became an activist, a motivational speaker, an author, and a poet. He returned only in December to launch his campaign.

Mr. Salaam was 15 when he was arrested along with Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise, who served between five and 12 years in prison before prosecutors agreed to reexamine the case. DNA evidence and a confession ultimately linked a serial rapist and murderer to the attack, but he wasnt prosecuted because too much time had passed. Their convictions were vacated in 2002 and the city ultimately agreed in a legal settlement to pay the exonerated men a combined $41 million.
Xi Tells CCP Military to Deepen War, Combat Planning Amid Tensions With US, Taiwan

Soldiers stand on deck of the ambitious transport dock Yimen Shan of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy as it participates in a naval parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of China's PLA Navy in the sea near Qingdao in eastern China's Shandong province, on April 23, 2019. (Mark Schiefelbein/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping urged the regimes military to deepen war and combat planning, as Sino-U.S. relations continue to sour and the tension in the Taiwan Strait intensifies.

Mr. Xi inspected the Eastern Theater Command on July 6 and met with representatives of officers and soldiers when he made the comments, according to state media Xinhua.

Mr. Xi claimed that the world has entered a new period of turmoil and change and Chinas security situation has become more unstable and uncertain. He required the military to deepen war and combat planning to increase the chances of victory in actual combat.

The Eastern Theater Command was established in February 2016 after the CCPs military reform. It mainly governs the armed forces in East China (Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Fujian, Jiangxi, and Anhui provinces). Headquartered in Nanjing of Jiangsu Province, its responsible for the security of eastern China, including the East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, and the Pacific Ocean. In the past 7 years, the Eastern Theater has performed many military exercises and cruises targeting Taiwan.

Aiming at Taiwan

Chang Yanting, former deputy commander of Taiwans Air Force and visiting professor at Tsinghua University in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times on July 7 that Mr. Xis emphasis on military readiness and preparation for war is closely related to the current international environment. Its including the military tensions between the United States and mainland China, as well as economic wars, financial wars, trade wars, technology wars, and so on. The CCP is now emphasizing deepening war and combat planning, which is envisioning the United States as its opponent, intending to deter the United States from intervention in the Taiwan Strait.

A missile from the rocket force of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) takes part in operations during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around Taiwan, on April 7, 2023. (Liu Mingsong/Xinhua via AP)

Mr. Chang said, He [Xi Jinping] wants to strengthen preparations for war, and the Taiwanese cannot take it lightly. Especially the United States believes that from 2025 to 2027 is the most dangerous time for Taiwan. I dont think we should take it lightly, and we must strengthen our military preparations.

However, Mr. Chang pointed out that if the CCP wages a war over Taiwan, it will face a very complicated international situation.

Once war breaks out, the CCP is not just facing Taiwan. Warships from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and even Europe, including France and Germany will all come to join the fight. Will they fire at these warships or not? They are in the Taiwan Strait over there. Once the CCP hit any of them, according to the North Atlantic Treaty, if one country is attacked, it will be regarded as all countries are attacked. As long as the United States has a warship attacked in the Taiwan Strait, the other 30 countries will support the United States, Mr. Chang said.

Stabilize Morale

Military commentator Yang Wei told The Epoch Times on July 6 that Mr. Xis sudden visit to the Eastern Theater Command could not be ruled out to demonstrate his control of the CCP military. After the Wagner mutiny in Russia, the leaders of the CCP seemed to be frightened. They may intend to show that [their] military power is stable and show the outside world that there will be no mutiny or coup, Mr. Yang said.

Former Lieutenant Colonel Yao Cheng of the Chinese Navy Command told The Epoch Times on July 6 that both the Southern Theater Command and the Eastern Theater Command are responsible for the fight in the Taiwan Strait. But the CCPs military is not monolithic. Because Xi is now cleansing the military, the morale of the military is not stable, and he wants to win the hearts of them.

Mr. Xi told the military officers in the Eastern Theater Command during his tour that they should adhere to the direction and enhance the awareness of urgency, dare to fight and be good at fighting, etc.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) conducts a routine Taiwan Strait transit on Feb. 4, 2021. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Markus Castaneda/U.S. 7th Fleet)

Mr. Yao said that the sense of urgency is Mr. Xis own sense of urgency, not the militarys. The military and Xi Jinping are not of one mind in fighting wars. They are unwilling to fight battles that cannot be won, he said.

Ive learned from my contacts in the military that more than 90% of them are unwilling to fight. If Xi wages a war, now hes facing the siege of the United States, Japan, and the whole world. How do you fight that? You see how strong the United States is, plus Japan, Taiwan, including the entire NATO, the whole world is fighting against it [CCP], Mr. Yao said.

Mr. Yao added that Mr. Xis emphasis on daring to fight is because the CCPs military is afraid of war. The military doesnt listen to him anymore. If he pressures the military to start a war, they may turn their guns towards him and arrest him, Mr. Yao said.

Luo Ya and Ning Haizhong contributed to this report.
Zuckerbergs New Threads App Already Censoring Speech

Mark Zuckerbergs new Threads app, billed by some as the Twitter-killer, has barely launched and its already being accused of censoring speech.

The Meta CEOs new platform has racked up 70 million sign-ups within a day of its launch, apparently putting it on track to threaten the dominance of Elon Musks Twitter.

70 million sign ups on Threads as of this morning,  Mr. Zuckerberg said in a post on his Threads account. Thats way beyond our expectations.

Some analysts say Mr. Zuckerbergs new offering, which has been described as a text-based version of the photo-sharing app Instagram, could be a big headache for Twitter, which has threatened to sue Meta over what it described as a copycat app that exploited Twitters trade secrets and intellectual property to accelerate its development.

But barely a day after its launch, concerns have already been raised about the Zuckerberg-backed apps restrictions on speech.

When Mark Zuckerbergthe owner of Meta, Facebook, Threads, and WhatsAppannounced Threads, he said it would be a free and open platform, said author and investigative reporter Michael Shellenberger, who was one of those who broke some of the Twitter Files instalments that exposed the inner workings of Twitters censorship machine prior to the Musk takeover.

Well, right away, there were users who showed that they had been censored, Mr. Shellenberger added in an interview on Fox News late Thursday.

Already Flagged Me For Censorship

Mr. Schellenberger gave as an example the apparent action taken against the new Threads account of known conservative commentator Rogan OHanley, who goes by the handle @DC-Draino on Twitter.

Mr. OHanley took to Twitter to say that he had just downloaded Threads and posted once about wanting to expose Bidens corrupt government and theyve already flagged me for censorship.

A screenshot shared by OHanley shows a warning label on his Threads profile for anyone that wants to follow him.

Are you sure you want to follow dc_draino? the Threads app asked users, per the screenshot. This account has repeatedly posted false information that was reviewed by independent fact-checkers or went against our Community Guidelines, it added.

Just downloaded and signed up for the new Meta app Threads meant to imitate Twitter I posted once about wanting to expose Bidens corrupt government and theyve already flagged me for censorship Great platform Zuck pic.twitter.com/2RhusHRo7v  DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) July 6, 2023

Reports indicate that a number of other conservative accounts received similar warning labels.

The Libs of TikTok account on Twitter shared a screenshot of a notification that a Threads post has been removed.

Non-binary isnt real, was the subject of the removed post, with the label indicating that it was removed because it goes against our guidelines on hate speech or symbols.

If a particular Thread post is seen as going against the apps community guidelines, which are based on Instagrams Community Guidelines, it seems that it will get flagged for action.

According to Instagram Community Guidelines, the Threads app may remove content that contains credible threats or hate speech as well as content that targets private individuals to degrade or shame them.

At the same time, the guidelines promise to generally allow stronger conversation around people who are featured in the news or have a large public audience due to their profession or chosen activities.

But Mr. Shellenberger said that the app is going too far in the direction of censorship.

This is secretive censorship and theres no right of appeal, he said of efforts to suppress people like Mr. OHanley, who Mr. Shellenberger said has been targeted for expressing election scepticism.

Mr. Shellenberger added theres no way for anyone whos been censored to make their case and to try to get off the black lists.

He said its ironic that Mr. Zuckerberg launched Threads a day after an incredible historic ruling for free speech by a federal judge blocking the Biden administration from pressuring social media companies to censor posts.

One day later, theres Mark Zuckerberg out with Threads thats censoring users, and doing so secretly without right of recourse, he said.

In a similar vein, conservative firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) took to Twitter to say shes definitely sure Threads will be the same Marxist style social media experience that [Mr. Zuckerberg] usually offers, while sharing a screenshot showing a warning label displayed when someone was trying to follow Donald Trump Jr.s account on Threads.

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Epoch Times.

Deleting Threads Controversy

Besides taking heat for censorship, Threads has also been criticized for restrictions on deleting accounts.

People are realizing Threads is just a censorship platform and trying to delete their accounts, OHanley said in a post on Twitter. But they cant, he added.

Zuck tethered it to your Instagram so if you delete one, both get deleted, he continued. Everyone signing up must stay, he continued, comparing the app to a digital Berlin Wall.

In order to create a Threads account, people have to sign in with their Instagram ID. The Thread apps supplemental privacy policy indicates that deactivating the app is possible but the profile can only be deleted if the associated Instagram account is nixed.

You may deactivate your Threads profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account, the apps supplemental privacy policy states.

A number of people have complained about the restriction.

I deactivated my Threads account already. But it turns out you cant delete your Threads account without also deleting your Instagram account. So, maybe just dont sign up! Emily Hughes, an author and editor, said in a July 6 tweet.

Not all voices have been critical of Threads. Some see the app as a positive development and a needed competitor for Twitter.

I think Threads will outperform most peoples expectations, Roberto Nickson, an entrepreneur and content creator, said in a July 4 tweet.

There is strong pent-up demand for a Twitter alternative. Bluesky, Mastodon, and others have recently enjoyed record growth. But unlike the others, Threads is starting from an already existing user-base. Which happens to be the largest in the world, he pointed out.

Pinar Yildirim, associate professor of marketing at the University of Pennsylvanias Wharton School, said that existing ad relationships from Instagram and Facebook should help Threads revenue.

Facebook is a less uncertain bet compared to Twitter and a bigger player in the ad market, he told Reuters.

But success for Threads seems far from guaranteed. Industry watchers have pointed to Metas track record of starting standalone apps that were later shut down.

Threads is also still in its early days, with users noting some glitches and expressing gripes about missing features.

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino highlighted the platforms commitment to free speech in an apparent dig at Threads.

On Twitter YOU can be real, she said in a post. This is your public square.

Were often imitated  but the Twitter community can never be duplicated.
BJP pays glowing tributes to Dr Mukherjee on birth anniversary





Staff Reporter

A number of senior leaders and workers of BJP paid tributes to Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee, founder of Bharatiya Jan Sangh on his birth anniversary, on Thursday. City President Prabhat Sahu along with party workers reached Gulauatal Park and offered floral tributes at the statue of Dr Mukherjee. Speaking on the occasion, Sahu said, Today, we are celebrating birth anniversary of great patriot, nationalist thinker and visionary Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee. Dr Mukherjee founded Bharatiya Jan Sangh and declared that India cannot have two emblems, two constitutions and two leaders. He said the BJP is working on the path laid down by him and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is building a glorious, dignified and powerful India. Sahu further said that the State Government is also advancing his ideals. Expressing views on the occasion, State Secretary Ashish Dubey said BJP workers across the country offered their heartfelt tributes to Dr Shyamaprasad Mukherjee on his birth anniversary.

Dr Mukherjee had given a resolution to unite entire nation and BJP workers in Madhya Pradesh are taking the resolution further. Likewise, the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also fulfilling Dr Mukherjees resolution, he added. Those present on the occasion were Ratnesh Sonakar, Ramamurti Mishra, Sudhanshu Gupta, Abhay Singh Thakur, Rajesh Mishra, Ravindra Pachori, Sanjay Tiwari and other party workers.
Cabinet hikes 5% DA of govt employees





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

In a move aimed at garnering support from State Government employees ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, the Chhattisgarh Cabinet has announced a 5 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA). Forest Minister Mohammad Akbar made the announcement after a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The decision brings the total DA for State Government employees to 38 per cent, while the Central Government currently provides 42 per cent DA. However, the increase will impose an additional financial burden of Rs 1,000 per year on State Government. The State Government has made significant changes to pension and retirement policies. The eligibility period for full pension has been reduced from 33 years to 30 years, and the qualifying service period for voluntary retirement has been reduced from 20 years to 17 years. These changes aim to enhance the benefits and flexibility available to government employees.

To address the issue of teacher shortages in Bastar and Surguja divisions, the cabinet has relaxed recruitment rules, eliminating the subject-wise recruitment for 3,722 vacant posts of teachers and 5577 posts of assistant teachers. This decision is expected to expedite the filling of these positions and improve the education system in these regions. The Cabinet has also taken steps to provide affordable housing to the common people. The market price guideline rates have been reduced by 30 percent, facilitating access to housing at lower rates. Originally effective until March 31, 2023, the Cabinet has extended this exemption until March 31, 2024, ensuring the continued availability of affordable housing options. In a bid to empower women and uplift their economic status, the cabinet has approved the inclusion of Women Entrepreneurship Policy 2023 as an amendment to the Industrial Policy 2019-24. This policy aims to support and promote women entrepreneurs in State.

Several administrative and financial decisions have also been made. Stamp duty, registration fees, and urban body fees will be exempted based on the payable amount for the allotment of government land in urban areas, management of encroached land, and conversion of non-concessional and concessional permanent pattas into landowner rights. The Cabinet has fixed the purchase price of sugar at Rs 33,000 per tonne for distribution to Antyodaya and priority ration card holders under the public distribution system. Furthermore, the Cabinet has approved various changes in pay scales and promotions for government employees. These include accepting the pay scale of forest guards appointed after March 26, 2003, promoting certain officers to senior-grade pay scales, and providing a relaxation of service period requirements for specific promotions. The Cabinet has also addressed infrastructure and development projects. It has approved the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Technologies Limited for the implementation of the Industrial Training Institute Upgradation Scheme. Besides, decisions have been taken regarding project operation procedures under the Chirag project, as well as the amendment of various laws and guidelines, such as the Indian Stamp Act and the Chhattisgarh Government Store Purchase Rules. All the approved proposals and draft bills will be tabled during the monsoon session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, commencing on July 18.
ECI delegation discusses modalities for conducting Assembly polls





Staff Reporter

A delegation of the Election Commission of India held meeting with Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains and Director General of Police Sudhir Saxena on the last day of the ongoing review meeting with Collectors and District Election Officers, Superintendents of Police, at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre, Bhopal, regarding the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections 2023 in Madhya Pradesh. Discussion was held in detail regarding the upcoming assembly elections-2023 in Madhya Pradesh to be held free and fair. Principal secretaries of various departments participated in it. A presentation was given on the election related preparations through power point. In the meeting, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, Dharmendra Sharma, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, Nitesh Vyas, Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India, Ajay Bhadoo, Senior Principal Secretary, Election Commission of India, N N Butoliya, Director, Director General Media Election Commission of India B Narayanan, Director SVEEP Santosh Ajmera, Director Election Commission of India Pankaj Srivastava, Secretary Election Commission of India Amit Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer Madhya Pradesh Anupam Rajan, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Kumar Kaul, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Rakesh Singh and Basant Kurre were present along with other officials.

Vinod Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary General Administration, Rajesh Rajoura, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Ajit Keshari, Additional Chief Secretary Finance, Malay Srivastava Additional Chief Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development, S N Mishra Additional Chief Secretary Water Resources, Sukhveer Singh Principal Secretary PWD, Deepti Gaur Mukherjee Principal Secretary General Administration, Sanjay Kumar Shukla Principal Secretary PHE, Rashmi Arun Shami Principal Secretary School Education, Deepali Rastogi Principal Secretary Commercial Taxes and Excise, Sudam Khade Secretary Health and Raghuraj Rajendran Secretary Energy Meeting participated in the meeting.
First IIT campus outside India to be set up in Tanzania





NEW DELHI,

THE first IIT campus outside India will come up in Tanzanias Zanzibar and it is expected to launch academic programmes in October, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, currently visiting Tanzania, described the move as a historic step that reflected Indias commitment to the Global South. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for setting up of the campus of IIT-Madras in Zanzibar, which is a Tanzanian archipelago off the coast of East Africa. The MEA said the IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) campus in Zanzibar-Tanzania is envisioned as a world class higher education and research institution with a broader mission to develop competencies in response to emerging global requirements. It will serve as an example to the world of the aspirational qualities of Indian higher education and innovation, it said in a statement.

The MoU was inked on Wednesday in presence of Jaishankar and Zanzibars President Hussein Ali Mwinyi. The first IIT campus to be set up outside India will be in Zanzibar, the MEA said, adding it will enhance Indias reputation globally. It said an MoU was signed between Indias Education Ministry, IIT Madras and Zanzibars Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. RECEPTION ONBOARD INS TRISHUL: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended a deck reception onboard INS Trishul along with President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi and said that the presence of the ship here is a statement of Indias commitment to ensure peace and prosperity in the region. The Indian Naval Ship Trishul, a guided missile frigate, is visiting Tanzania.

Jaishankar arrived in Zanzibar on a two-day official visit on Wednesday. He called on President Mwinyi earlier and discussed bilateral ties, including defence co-operation. Delighted to meet President of Zanzibar Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi. Appreciated his strong commitment to a stronger India-Zanzibar partnership. Our development partnership and defence co-operation are domains with which he is closely associated. @DrHmwinyi, the External Affairs Minister tweeted.
NEW DELHI,

EMBATTLED Sharad Pawar on Thursday asserted he is the President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and will work more effectively whether at the age of 82 or 92. Pawar chaired a meeting of the NCP Working Committee, which expressed faith in his leadership and endorsed his decision to expel Praful Patel, Ajit Pawar, Sunil Tatkare and eight other MLAs who joined the NDA ranks. Senior NCP leader P C Chacko said 27 State units of the NCP endorsed the eight-point resolution passed by the Working Committee. Opposition leaders Sonia Gandhi, M K Stalin, Mamata Banerjee among others had made phone calls to Pawar and expressed solidarity. Question doesnt arise about stopping. Now, I will work more effectively, whether 82 or 92 it doesnt matter, Pawar told reporters here in response to questions about being ridiculed about his age by Ajit Pawar.I am the President of NCP, he declared and added that the truth will come out on Ajit Pawars claim of having majority. Pawar exuded confidence that the Opposition parties will succeed in defeating the BJP-led Central Government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The Central Government is using ED, CBI everywhere to weaken the Opposition. It is fine. About 11 months are left of this Government. Then we will face elections and the situation will change. Then our top priority will be to make appropriate changes, he said. Pawar also expressed faith in the Election Commission, where the rival factions have staked claim to the NCP and its election symbol. We have complete confidence in the Election Commission. We will approach the Election Commission. We are clear about the legal position. If anything adverse happens then we will move the appropriate authority. But, I dont think things will come to that pass, Pawar said. The Sharad Pawar-led group was banking on the Supreme Court verdict in the Shiv Sena symbol dispute, where it had stated that it was not appropriate to confine the EC to the singular test of legislative majority in such matters. The Ajit Pawar faction had declared him as the national President of the NCP and claimed support of over 40 MLAs, MLCs and MPs, while the Sharad Pawar-led group had filed a caveat with the Election Commission that its version should also be heard before taking a final decision.

Some people tried to make a dent in the party, but all our colleagues displayed the resolve and their morale was high to rebuild the party with greater strength and vigour, the senior Pawar said after the meeting. Pawar dismissed suggestions that the NCP had diminished in strength after the rebellion. What do you mean by diminished? If some people leave a party, it has happened in other political parties as well, it doesnt mean the party has diminished. As I said we will rebuild our party, he said. Pawar also rejected questions raised by the Ajit Pawar faction on the legal validity of the Working Committee meeting. This meeting of the Working Committee has been held as per the Constitution. If anyone has said anything there is no truth to it or importance to it, Pawar said. Pawar said he was confident that there would be a change of government in Maharashtra in 2024. Those enjoying power now, will be set aside by the people. They will have to pay the price for the way in which they had treated the opposition, the veteran leader said. NCP leaders in the national capital had put up banners and hoardings near Pawars residence, expressing faith in his leadership and depicting Praful Patel as Kattappa from the movie Baahubali.
Food and energy shortages are not caused by the war, but by the purposeful actions of Russia, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes.

"It's not the war that causes energy shortages, food shortages. No. It's a lie. Why is a person blocking the Black Sea? He is not capable of capturing our Odesa. That is, blocking for what? This is not part of the war. This is part of their operation to cause food shortages in world and create an artificial famine," he said on Thursday in Sofia at a meeting with Bulgarian politicians.

Zelenskyy recalled that "in Ukraine there were millions of tonnes of products that we wanted to give away for free just to the people of Africa, Asia ... This is not about business. It's just to help people and help our farmers, because the farmers were ready to give away food products for free."

They understand, he said, that "next year there will be a harvest, and other states will need it. And if you can't take it away, where will you store it all?"

Thus, Zelenskyt said, "Putin has lost his competition." "That is, it was not the war that caused shortages and famine, but the decision predicted, provoked and developed by Russia," the President of Ukraine said.
Indo-US Ties Bonhomie





INDIA is not an important trading partner of USA. Neither, it is a political ally or major buyer of defence equipment from USA. Even then, USA needs India more than India needs. The big takeaway by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to USA reaffirmed to make India a strong proxy to contain China. The American political analysts were upbeat for growing ties between India and USA, irrespective of Russia re-emerging as a stronger political and economic partner. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Piarre said We see.the Indian partners as indispensable. And the US-India strategic Partnership is grounded in our shared commitment to the advancement of free and open India-Pacific region. The noted economic journal The Economist, released a special issue, chanting India is indispensable to USA. Indias neutral stand on Russian invasion of Ukraine exasperated the true lovers of democratic Americans. Even then, USA was over enthusiastic to foster closer ties with India. The key issue influencing the American foreign policy aberration could be the rising rivalry to China and Indias growing hostility to China, at the same time. Historically, India and USA have never been that deep or close in the political relation. But, America realised that to intensify rivalry to China, India is indispensable. This is because Indias leadership in Indo-Pacific area is more emphatic than USA to contain China.

The Economist said Its recent foreign policy has become more assertive and hostile to China. Besides, Indias spurring economic growth and challenges for alternative supply chain might have impressed American policy makers. During Modis visit to USA, nearly 20 to 25 areas of technical cooperations were identified. They included semiconductors, quantum science, defence, space. Most of these agreements manifest to increase Indias defence power as proxy and alternative supply chain to China. For example, Micron Technology entry in India for manufacturing micro chips will pose a challenge to China and GEs manufacturing of jet engine for fighters in India is likely to be a bet for proxy defence power. Micron Technology, USA, has decided to set up a plant for manufacturing micro chip in Gujarat. It will invest US $825 million. This is the second agreement for setting up micro chip plant in India after Vedanta-Foxconn micro chip plant, which will go into operation by 2027. Currently, India does not have micro chip plant. According to Bloomberg Intelligence (BI), USAs dependency on Chinese technology supply chain could be reduced by 40 per cent by 2030. In defence, joint production facilities will be escalated with GE Aerospace for jet engine for fighters and India will buy General Automatic MQ-9 Reaper Drones.

On January, 2023, a mega agreement was signed with USA, namely The Critical and Emerging Technology Initiative (iCET) as strategic partnership in advanced weaponry, supercomputing, semiconductors and other high technologies. Under the agreement, a roadmap was drawn for enhancing USA-India collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. It includes development of AI, semiconductor ecosystems to ensure supply chain, advancement of 5G and 6G and Open RAN Network Technology in India for a open and secure telecom infrastructure. USA is the biggest investor in India. Its diaspora are more influential in USA than any other non-Americans. It is the biggest destination for Indias IT exports and the biggest pool for Indian IT emigrants in America. India- Russia relations have undergone profound changes after the collapse of Soviet Union. The relation slipped both in defence and trade sectors, after India bent towards west and USA for defence cooperations and arms supplies. In the post Soviet Union collapse, a juxtapose situation arose with pick up in the relations between India, USA and the west vis-a-vis growing rivalry between India- China. These left India-Russia relation at the back bench. The Ukraine war and the sanctions opened a new era for revival of India-Russia relation. The energy needs become the main intervening factor for resurrection of India-Russia relation. Russia emerged as a new source of oil imports. It raised the hope for nixing the oil volatility, owing to frequent rises in oil prices by OPEC. In 2022-23, Indias imports of crude oil from Russia increased by over 1,054 per cent (from 4.3 million tonne in 2021-22 to 50.8 million tonne in 2022-23).

It accounted for more than 20 per cent of total import of crude oil in 2022-23, as compared to 2 per cent in the preceding year. India saved US $3.6 billion in import of oil from Russia, which was offered at discounted rate. As a result Russia re-emerged a potential rising trading partner of India. It became the 5th largest trading partner of India in 2022-23. In sum both US and Russia will be cultivated by the Indian Prime Minister and both the global powers are now reconciled to it. On the one hand, closer ties with USA are imperative for Indias hegemony in IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Forum), a new era in the global leadership, coupled with defence and technology upgradation for alternative supply chain to contain China and on the other hand, Russian cooperation is essential to de-risk oil volatility and continue to get defence supply at reduced rates. (IPA)
MP CM Chouhan washes feet of urination incident victim, apologises to him





By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla

BHOPAL,

AFTER razing down the illegal construction at the residence of Pravesh Shukla, the accused in the Sidhi urination case, on Thursday, as a token of apology Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan welcomed the tribal man with a shawl at his official residence. Giving symbolic honour to Dashmat Rawat, on whom Shukla had urinated, CM washed his feet and apologised to him for the incident. CM Chouhan called Dashmat by the name Sudama (referring to friendship of Lord Krishna and Sudama).

Chouhan said, From today onwards, you are my friend. He also talked to Dahsmats wife over phone and apologised to her for the incident. Meanwhile, the accused, Pravesh Shukla caught on camera urinating on the labourer, was arrested on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Talking to The Hitavada, BJP State Head V D Sharma said, Crime has no caste, no religion and no party. A criminal is a criminal. To conduct a probe into the incident, State BJP has constituted a four-member committee, he added. A video of the act had gone viral and triggered an uproar. Taking cognisance of the viral video, Shivraj Singh Chouhan had said The accused has committed an inhuman act. It is a crime for which strict punishment is not enough.

I have been instructed to deliver the strongest action. We wont spare him. A case was registered against the accused youth under the National Security Act (NSA) as per the CMs order. An FIR was filed against Shukla under sections 294 (Obscene acts) and 504 (Intentional insult to provoke breach of the peace) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and under the SC/ST Act, police official said. Opposition leaders term this lewd act inhuman; and heinous.
New Dy CM meets Governor





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

On the recommendation of Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan has appointed T S Singhdeo as the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh. The appointment was officially announced through a gazette notification published by the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Chhattisgarh government on Thursday.

Gazette notification stated that the Governor, based on the recommendation of the CM, has appointed T S Singhdeo as Dy CM of State.

Following his appointment, Deputy CM Singhdeo paid a courtesy call to Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan at Raj Bhavan on Thursday. During the meeting, they discussed various issues concerning State. It is worth mentioning that the proposal to appoint T S Singhdeo as the Deputy CM of Chhattisgarh was approved by Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge.
Prime Minister in State Capital today





Staff Reporter

RAIPUR,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur from New Delhi by a special plane at around 10:10 am on Friday. Later, he will reach Science College Ground, Raipur from Swami Vivekananda Airport, Raipur by a chopper at around 10:35 am. He will participate in two programmes at Science College Ground. PM Modi will dedicate and lay the foundation stone for five National Highway projects, collectively valued at around Rs 6,400 crore.

The Prime Minister will address a public meeting organised by BJP state unit at the Science College Ground. It is expected that over one lakh people from various parts of the state will participate in the public meeting. After addressing the public meeting, the Prime Minister will leave Raipur for Uttar Pradesh.
Remember social commitment while striving to grow: President to tribals





Staff Reporter

Help our community people to grow by holding high positions, President Droupadi Murmu advised students and tribal representatives while interacting with them at the Raj Bhavan here on Thursday. She appealed to the students to shed their inferiority complex and get schooling and higher education. Tribals living near water, land and forest face various problems due to backwardness. They must get themselves educated to get rid of their inferiority complex, and move forward, the President said while talking to the representatives of Madiya, Katkari and Kolam tribal groups at the Raj Bhavan. These groups come under Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). The President told them that in their journey of growth, they must also develop a sense of social commitment while striving to achieve their personal economic, social, and educational development. While growing ourselves, we must also help our community to grow along, she said.

Maharashtra Governor Ramesh Bais, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Tribal Development Minister Dr Vijaykumar Gavit accompanied the President on this occasion. Everyone present was overwhelmed as the President reminisced her lifes journey on this occasion. (In our times), there were no roads to go to school, there were no notebooks. We had to carry a cloth to cover our heads while going to the school during rainy season. There was a constant struggle and, along with that, growth too, she told the students who came to meet her. I started as a teacher, then became a Governor and now, the President. Struggle is there in everyones life. Only, it must take you forward. After taking charge, I visited almost all states of the country. There are a total of 700 tribal tribes in the country and 75 of them are extremely backward. More than 1,000 dialects are spoken by these 700 tribes. These languages need to be preserved. Central and state governments have implemented various schemes and activities for the welfare of tribals. With the help of the Government, the tribals should take the initiative and bring their community members into the mainstream of development, suggested President.

Murmu also suggested that the Government should understand the social condition of tribals and make joint changes in plans and activities from time to time. I am satisfied that the Maharashtra Government is implementing the tribal welfare schemes properly. Poverty is the biggest obstacle to the education of tribals. Local tribal educated children should be given primary education lessons, stated Murmu. President narrated her experiences regarding the enjoyable educational activities she conducted as a teacher. Dr Kanna Madavi, the first tribal doctor of Gadchiroli district, expressed his views as a representative of the Madia tribe. He expressed his sentiments that tribals should get primary education in their dialect. He expressed hope that during development, the forests which are the life of tribals should be saved, there should be enough teachers in tribal schools.

Dr Gangadhar Atram, representative of Kolam tribe in Yavatmal district, raised the issue of employment of tribals. He said that tribals have to be deprived of education at a young age due to lack of employment. He hoped that if tribals get employment at the local level, their children will be able to get education and progress. Dr Kaushika Bhoye, a representative of the Katkari tribe of Dahanu in Palghar district, expressed her feelings that free, quality health services should be made available to the tribals. The President interacted with 10 tribal students who passed the NEET examination and congratulated them. Additional Chief Secretary of Tribal Development Department Dr. Pradeep Vyas gave an introduction.

The program was organized by the Tribal Development Department of the state while the Additional Commissioners Office Tribal Division Nagpur coordinated the event. Additional Tribal Commissioner of Nagpur division Ravindra Thakre, Commissioner of Tribal Research and Training Institute, Pune Dr Rajendra Bharud, Managing Director of Tribal Development Corporation Lina Bansod, Deputy Commissioner of Tribal Development, Nagpur Dashrath Kulmethe, Project Officer of Integrated Tribal Development Project Deepak Hedau and Accounting Officer Dr Yashpal Gudhe were present.
SNAKE SHELTERS





INDIAN-origin MP in Canada Mr. Chandra Arya has raised a very valid point, albeit in the context of growing menace of Khalistan supporters in Canada. His mention of snakes in backyard has global connotations. For, thanks to decades of pursuit of liberalism in pre-defined frameworks of the dominant forces in what could now be called as the Old World Order, several countries today have someone elses snakes in own backyard. To understand the issue in deeper context, one needs to analyse the phrase snakes in backyard. Here, the snakes denote the trouble-mongers or extremist elements of one country operating from some other country. In case of Canada, Mr. Chandra Arya has cautioned that Khalistanis in Canada continue to reach new low in abusing Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom by promoting violence and hate. Also, he has underlined that it was only a question of time when they would bite to kill. The obvious reference is to the threat from extremist elements to host country too. The present situation is a result of the decades-long policy of the dominant forces in the Old World Order, of granting asylum to trouble-mongers or extremist or even terrorist elements from other countries.

Out of this policy, the UK, the US, France, Canada, Germany, and some other countries have provided refuge to the persons wanted in countries like Russia, China, India, and many developing countries. Obviously, the intention was to host persons who could help the asylum-offering countries in providing useful insights on respective countries of origin. These dominant forces used asylum as a tool to increase or decrease intensity of one problem or the other in countries of origin of these trouble-mongers, to maintain own dominance and have a diplomatic edge as and when needed. Over the years, the world has become more inter-connected than ever. Any happening in one country can affect, positively or negatively, the other countries. In such a situation, like in Canada, Khalistan supporters have made inroads into financial, social, and cultural circles and have increased the outreach to Sikh community there. Though a vast majority of Indian-origin Sikh community in Canada has stayed away from Khalistani secessionism, the failure of Canadian Government to check the pro-Khalistan groups activities has emboldened the extremists. One can also take example of France, which has been facing a tricky situation owing to its years-long advocacy of ill-conceived notions of liberalism. Similar troubles are erupting in the US, the UK and Germany too where even the law enforcement agencies cannot venture into some areas.

The activism gone out of control is threatening the character of these societies. Given the rising tensions in various countries, conflict between inherent value systems and pursuit of imported notions of liberalism is becoming more visible. Against this backdrop, given the collective experience earned by the comity of nations during COVID-19, now is the time for the world to shape a New World Order. India has been actively pursuing it on the principles of co-operation, multilateralism, multipolarity, dialogue, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, non-interference in internal affairs, and pursuit of the vision for global good. Hence, in the world affected by conflicts, the emphasis on pursuit of common goals is winning India a global recognition. An important facet of pursuit of common goals is the international co-operative security. This can be achieved when particularly the dominant forces in the World Order realise that snakes of no country should be kept in own backyard. For, snakes do not change their character. Hence, emphasis of the New World Order should be on having more friends than sheltering snakes.
Why is Congress silent on Shivpuri incident? VD Sharma





By Bhavana Aparajita

Shukla

As the uproar over the urinating incident in Sidhi has shaken the State, the State BJP President and MP, V D Sharma has constituted a four-member committee to investigate the matter. At the same time, talking to The Hitavada, State BJP head, questioned Congress silence over the Shivpuri incident, where a Dalit was allegedly beaten up by a group of Muslim men.

Calling the incident extremely unfortunate, V D Sharma told The Hitavada that such criminals will not be spared at any cost. Our Government has taken strict action against them. Swiftly CM took action and the culprit has been arrested under the NSA. Strict action will be taken. Elaborating about the probe committee, State President and MP Sharma said, we (State BJP) have constituted a committee. Under the leadership of our senior leader- Ram Lal Routelji, who is President of the Corporation Board, he has the status of the Cabinet rank. Legislative Sharad Kaul, MLA, Amar Singhji and on behalf of the organisation Kantidev Singhji, who is our (State BJP) Vice President of the state. will be the part of this team. They will visit Sidhi where the incident has happened and meticulously investigate the matter. Only after that detailed report will be submitted to the organisation so that no one involved in this heinous crime could be spared. Taking on the Congress party, BJP State Head, said that on Shivpuri incident, Congress has not minced a word. It is evident that they (Congress) do vote bank politics. Why were mum when an incident on Kevat community had happened.

Strongly criticising the incident at Shivpuri, Sharma said that the inhuman incident that took place in Narwar tehsil of Shivpuri district is extremely unfortunate. It has become clear in the investigation that the Muslim mob perpetrated the incident and falsely accused the Dalit youths. It is a matter of great misfortune. If any Muslim criminal does this type of incident with our Dalit brother or sister, then Congress became mum because of vote bank politics, he alleged. BJP State President Vishnudutt Sharma said that in the incident, people belonging to the minority community mercilessly thrashed the youths of Jatav and Kevat community on false allegations. Why is the Congress, which used to do politics of appeasement on the tragic incident, now silent?
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will discuss with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the grain initiative, support for Ukraine in NATO, and the exchange of prisoners.

Answering a question at a press conference in Prague on Thursday after a meeting with Czech President Petr Pavel, Zelenskyy said: "As for Turkey, which you spoke about before us, but, nevertheless, we must today accumulate all the leaders of the Alliance in order to put pressure on Russia politically. Not only on the battlefield, but to put pressure together."

"We have several issues: the grain initiative, we have an essential issue of supporting Ukraine in NATO, we have an exchange of prisoners, there are many things that we will talk about with the Turkish president," he said.

According to unofficial information, Zelenskyy may visit Turkey on Friday. However, there is no official confirmation of the visit yet.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "other very important things" will be discussed and decided on the sidelines of the NATO summit, besides inviting Ukraine to the Alliance.

Answering a question at a press conference in Prague after a meeting with Czech President Petrm Pavel, Zelenskyy said he understands "difficulties with this or that 'wording' as they say, in order to get the combined support of all Alliance partners  someone else is looking at Moscow, who is afraid of Russia, although I believe that at such a moment there is a great chance to show the courage of the Alliance and the strength of the Alliance."

Nevertheless, according to him, "other very important things will be discussed there  a lot of things are missing on the battlefield and the summit provides an opportunity to discuss and agree on partners' support for new packages of Ukrainian soldiers."

Zelenskyy believes that "NATO must have a victory." "Today we see Sweden, but the Alliance has not yet found a common signal on Sweden. And therefore, Sweden is not yet in NATO, and there is no decision on Swedish membership yet. Ukraine also has no invitation in one form or another," he said.

"What is the success of the Alliance then? And it seems to me that the world, its societies and Russia also need to demonstrate the strength of the Alliance and unity," he said.
Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC lowered its stake in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 32.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 651 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 315 shares during the quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $66,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in ABT. NovaPoint Capital LLC raised its position in Abbott Laboratories by 3.1% in the first quarter. NovaPoint Capital LLC now owns 29,997 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,037,000 after purchasing an additional 904 shares during the period. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. now owns 36,274 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,673,000 after buying an additional 2,911 shares during the period. First Bancorp Inc ME lifted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 16.4% during the 1st quarter. First Bancorp Inc ME now owns 9,719 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $984,000 after acquiring an additional 1,368 shares in the last quarter. McAdam LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter valued at about $334,000. Finally, Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC grew its position in Abbott Laboratories by 5.0% in the 1st quarter. Strategic Wealth Investment Group LLC now owns 2,985 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $302,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. 73.08% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have recently commented on ABT shares. Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Abbott Laboratories from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and set a $112.00 price objective for the company. in a research note on Tuesday, May 30th. Citigroup raised their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 19th. Bank of America reduced their price objective on Abbott Laboratories from $125.00 to $115.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Wolfe Research lowered their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $107.00 to $103.00 and set an underperform rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Abbott Laboratories has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $121.26.

Insider Activity

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

In related news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total value of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares in the company, valued at $757,746,582.32. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.02, for a total value of $5,551,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,825,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $757,746,582.32. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, EVP Andrea F. Wainer sold 8,226 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $110.56, for a total transaction of $909,466.56. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 70,427 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,786,409.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 1.10% of the companys stock.

ABT traded up $0.05 during trading on Friday, hitting $107.25. 381,309 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,044,327. The firm has a market capitalization of $186.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 32.59, a PEG ratio of 4.81 and a beta of 0.68. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $93.25 and a 1-year high of $115.69. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $106.70 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $106.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.22, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 19th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.03 EPS 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 the consensus estimate of $9.64 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 13.98% and a return on equity of 22.36%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue for the quarter was down 18.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.73 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 14th will be issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.90%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 13th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is 62.01%.

Abbott Laboratories Company Profile

(Free Report)

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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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report).

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The Progressive Co. (NYSE:PGR  Free Report) has been assigned a consensus recommendation of Hold from the sixteen ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $148.80.

PGR has been the topic of several research reports. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price target on shares of Progressive from $159.00 to $168.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, April 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Progressive from $132.00 to $146.00 in a research note on Thursday. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Progressive from $167.00 to $163.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Progressive from $158.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reiterated a neutral rating and set a $143.00 price objective on shares of Progressive in a research note on Friday, April 14th.

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Progressive Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of PGR stock opened at $131.67 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $77.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 93.38, a PEG ratio of 1.02 and a beta of 0.50. Progressive has a 1-year low of $109.42 and a 1-year high of $149.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a current ratio of 0.37 and a quick ratio of 0.37. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $131.31 and its 200-day simple moving average is $135.35.

Progressive Dividend Announcement

Progressive ( NYSE:PGR Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 13th. The insurance provider reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.44 by ($0.79). The company had revenue of $14.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $14.12 billion. Progressive had a return on equity of 13.95% and a net margin of 1.64%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Progressive will post 5.21 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be paid a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.30%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Progressives dividend payout ratio is currently 28.37%.

Insider Activity at Progressive

In other Progressive news, insider Steven Broz sold 930 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.79, for a total value of $128,144.70. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 27,251 shares in the company, valued at $3,754,915.29. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Progressive news, insider Steven Broz sold 930 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $137.79, for a total value of $128,144.70. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 27,251 shares in the company, valued at $3,754,915.29. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO John P. Sauerland sold 12,000 shares of Progressive stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $127.55, for a total value of $1,530,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 333,507 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,538,817.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 26,930 shares of company stock worth $3,520,185 over the last ninety days. 0.34% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Progressive

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Commerce Bank grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 1.9% in the 4th quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 41,781 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,419,000 after buying an additional 767 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 5.5% in the 3rd quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 45,786 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,321,000 after buying an additional 2,377 shares in the last quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 19.8% in the 4th quarter. Summit Trail Advisors LLC now owns 2,141 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $278,000 after buying an additional 354 shares in the last quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 14.5% in the 4th quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 82,242 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $10,689,000 after buying an additional 10,427 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ieq Capital LLC grew its stake in shares of Progressive by 7.1% in the 4th quarter. Ieq Capital LLC now owns 25,308 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $3,283,000 after buying an additional 1,688 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.72% of the companys stock.

About Progressive

(Free Report

The Progressive Corporation, an insurance holding company, provides personal and commercial auto, personal residential and commercial property, general liability, and other specialty property-casualty insurance products and related services in the United States. It operates in three segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property.

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Malayan Banking Berhad (OTCMKTS:MLYBY  Free Report) is one of 269 publicly-traded companies in the BanksRegional industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Malayan Banking Berhad to similar businesses based on the strength of its earnings, risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends.

Dividends

Malayan Banking Berhad pays an annual dividend of $0.23 per share and has a dividend yield of 6.3%. Malayan Banking Berhad pays out 15.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, BanksRegional companies pay a dividend yield of 13.4% and pay out 18.7% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

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Institutional and Insider Ownership

0.1% of Malayan Banking Berhad shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 32.0% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held by institutional investors. 15.7% of shares of all BanksRegional companies are held 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.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Malayan Banking Berhad N/A N/A N/A Malayan Banking Berhad Competitors 36.31% 9.67% 0.99%

Analyst Ratings

This table compares Malayan Banking Berhad and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and recommmendations for Malayan Banking Berhad and its peers, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Malayan Banking Berhad 0 0 0 0 N/A Malayan Banking Berhad Competitors 1062 3005 2875 8 2.26

As a group, BanksRegional companies have a potential upside of 352.94%. Given Malayan Banking Berhads peers higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Malayan Banking Berhad has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Malayan Banking Berhad and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Malayan Banking Berhad N/A N/A 2.52 Malayan Banking Berhad Competitors $4.31 billion $1.23 billion 269.49

Malayan Banking Berhads peers have higher revenue and earnings than Malayan Banking Berhad. Malayan Banking Berhad 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.

Summary

Malayan Banking Berhad peers beat Malayan Banking Berhad on 9 of the 10 factors compared.

Malayan Banking Berhad Company Profile

(Free Report)

Malayan Banking Berhad provides commercial banking and related financial products and services for individuals, small and medium enterprises, retail and corporate customers, and financial institutions primarily in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. The company operates through three segments: Group Community Financial Services, Group Global Banking, and Group Insurance and Takaful. It offers savings and fixed deposits, and current accounts; and housing and personal loans, project financing, overdrafts, and trade financing, as well as remittance services. The company also offers credit cards; bancassurance products; hire purchase, unit trust, cash management, custodian, and trustee services; and treasury activities and services, including foreign exchange, money market, derivatives, and trading of capital market. In addition, it provides investment banking and securities broking services; corporate advisory, bond and equity issuance, syndicated acquisition advisory, debt restructuring advisory, and share and futures dealings; and asset and fund management services, including a range of conventional and Islamic investment solutions. Further, the company underwrites general and life insurance businesses, offshore investment life insurance business, and general and family takaful products; and offers offshore banking, bureau, property leasing and trading, nominee, property investment, business/economic consultancy and advisory, IT shared and development, financial and investment advisory, money lending, private equity investments, research, and leasing and factoring services. Malayan Banking Berhad was incorporated in 1960 and is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Shares of ASA International Group PLC (LON:ASAI  Free Report) dropped 0.6% on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 82.75 ($1.05) and last traded at GBX 82.75 ($1.05). Approximately 11 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 100% from the average daily volume of 52,225 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 83.25 ($1.06).

ASA International Group Price Performance

The stocks 50-day simple moving average is GBX 86.40 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is GBX 89.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 295.39, a current ratio of 1.73 and a quick ratio of 1.62. The firm has a market cap of 87.50 million, a P/E ratio of 673.08 and a beta of 0.98.

About ASA International Group

(Free Report)

ASA International Group PLC provides microfinancing services in Africa and Asia. It offers loans to low-income female micro-entrepreneurs. It provides various collateral-free loans, including small and small business loans to start or grow businesses. The company was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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Barclays reaffirmed their overweight rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group (LON:LLOY  Free Report) in a research note released on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has a GBX 70 ($0.89) target price on the financial services providers stock.

A number of other equities analysts have also weighed in on LLOY. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a GBX 70 ($0.89) target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Wednesday, April 12th. Citigroup reissued a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a hold rating and set a GBX 58 ($0.74) target price on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Lloyds Banking Group in a research report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Lloyds Banking Group to an underweight rating and cut their target price for the stock from GBX 56 ($0.71) to GBX 42 ($0.53) in a research note on Monday, June 26th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of GBX 66.25 ($0.84).

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Lloyds Banking Group Stock Performance

Lloyds Banking Group stock opened at GBX 43.30 ($0.55) on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of 28.06 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 541.25, a PEG ratio of 0.69 and a beta of 1.23. Lloyds Banking Group has a 52-week low of GBX 38.51 ($0.49) and a 52-week high of GBX 54.33 ($0.69). The stocks 50 day moving average price is GBX 45.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 47.92.

Insider Activity at Lloyds Banking Group

About Lloyds Banking Group

In related news, insider William Chalmers purchased 151,274 shares of Lloyds Banking Group stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 21st. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 44 ($0.56) per share, for a total transaction of 66,560.56 ($84,478.44). 0.31% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

(Free Report)

Lloyds Banking Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, provides a range of banking and financial services in the United Kingdom. It operates through three segments: Retail; Commercial Banking; and Insurance, Pensions, and Investments. The Retail segment offers a range of financial service products, including current accounts, savings, mortgages, motor finance, unsecured loans, leasing solutions, and credit cards to personal and small business customers.

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Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL  Free Report) had its price target raised by Citigroup from $61.00 to $65.00 in a report published on Monday, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on DAL. StockNews.com upgraded Delta Air Lines from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Thursday, June 29th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Delta Air Lines in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. They issued a top pick rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their target price on Delta Air Lines from $81.00 to $69.00 in a report on Monday, May 8th. Evercore ISI upgraded Delta Air Lines from an in-line rating to an outperform rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $40.00 to $47.00 in a report on Tuesday, March 7th. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on Delta Air Lines from $48.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $52.68.

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Delta Air Lines Price Performance

Shares of NYSE DAL opened at $47.33 on Monday. Delta Air Lines has a twelve month low of $27.20 and a twelve month high of $48.81. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.17. The company has a market capitalization of $30.42 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.04, a PEG ratio of 0.21 and a beta of 1.31. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $38.89 and a two-hundred day moving average of $37.01.

Delta Air Lines Cuts Dividend

Delta Air Lines ( NYSE:DAL Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 13th. The transportation company reported $0.25 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $12.76 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.25 billion. Delta Air Lines had a net margin of 3.51% and a return on equity of 56.49%. Delta Air Liness revenue was up 36.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($1.23) earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Delta Air Lines will post 6.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, August 7th. Investors of record on Monday, July 17th will be given a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, July 14th. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.85%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director David S. Taylor acquired 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $32.83 per share, for a total transaction of $164,150.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 25,360 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $832,568.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Joanne D. Smith sold 7,513 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $36.90, for a total value of $277,229.70. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 107,782 shares in the company, valued at $3,977,155.80. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director David S. Taylor purchased 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 26th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $32.83 per share, for a total transaction of $164,150.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 25,360 shares of the companys stock, valued at $832,568.80. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders bought a total of 15,000 shares of company stock valued at $503,250 over the last ninety days. 0.89% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Delta Air Lines

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Total Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 28.1% in the second quarter. Total Investment Management Inc. now owns 9,110 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $433,000 after acquiring an additional 2,001 shares during the last quarter. Physician Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth about $239,000. AMF Tjanstepension AB boosted its holdings in Delta Air Lines by 16.8% during the second quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 68,320 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $3,248,000 after buying an additional 9,810 shares during the last quarter. Advance Capital Management Inc. bought a new position in Delta Air Lines during the second quarter worth about $254,000. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new position in Delta Air Lines during the first quarter worth about $318,000. Institutional investors own 68.35% of the companys stock.

About Delta Air Lines

(Free Report)

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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Clean Harbors (NYSE:CLH  Free Report) had its price target upped by investment analysts at Needham & Company LLC from $150.00 to $182.00 in a research note issued on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Needham & Company LLCs price target indicates a potential upside of 10.81% from the stocks current price.

Other equities analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on shares of Clean Harbors from $160.00 to $180.00 in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Robert W. Baird lifted their target price on shares of Clean Harbors from $160.00 to $165.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Oppenheimer lifted their target price on shares of Clean Harbors from $145.00 to $151.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Truist Financial assumed coverage on shares of Clean Harbors in a research note on Monday, April 17th. They set a buy rating and a $165.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Clean Harbors in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $159.67.

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Clean Harbors Stock Performance

NYSE:CLH opened at $164.24 on Friday. The companys 50-day moving average price is $149.60 and its 200-day moving average price is $137.09. The company has a current ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The company has a market cap of $8.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.38 and a beta of 1.39. Clean Harbors has a twelve month low of $83.56 and a twelve month high of $165.88.

Insider Activity

Clean Harbors ( NYSE:CLH Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The business services provider reported $1.36 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $1.31 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.24 billion. Clean Harbors had a net margin of 8.27% and a return on equity of 22.43%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Clean Harbors will post 6.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In related news, EVP Sharon M. Gabriel sold 3,235 shares of Clean Harbors stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.71, for a total value of $503,721.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,849 shares in the company, valued at $4,024,947.79. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, EVP Sharon M. Gabriel sold 3,235 shares of Clean Harbors stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of $155.71, for a total value of $503,721.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,849 shares in the company, valued at $4,024,947.79. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Sharon M. Gabriel sold 557 shares of Clean Harbors stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $164.43, for a total transaction of $91,587.51. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 25,292 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,158,763.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 48,401 shares of company stock valued at $7,259,041. Company insiders own 6.70% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in Clean Harbors by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 6,642 shares of the business services providers stock worth $947,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its position in shares of Clean Harbors by 35.7% during the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 312 shares of the business services providers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 82 shares during the last quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Clean Harbors by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 13,500 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,541,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Clean Harbors by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 12,807 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,462,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC lifted its position in shares of Clean Harbors by 76.0% during the 4th quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 264 shares of the business services providers stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 88.36% of the companys stock.

About Clean Harbors

(Free Report)

Clean Harbors, Inc provides environmental and industrial services in the United States and internationally. The company operates through two segments: The Environmental Services and The Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions. The Environmental Services segment collects, transports, treats, and disposes hazardous and non-hazardous waste, such as resource recovery, physical treatment, fuel blending, incineration, landfill disposal, wastewater treatment, lab chemicals disposal, and explosives management services; and offers CleanPack services, including collection, identification, categorization, specialized packaging, transportation, and disposal of laboratory chemicals and household hazardous waste.

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Community Bank of the Bay (OTCMKTS:CBYAA  Free Report) shares dropped 0.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $7.90 and last traded at $7.90. Approximately 2,150 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 81% from the average daily volume of 11,406 shares. The stock had previously closed at $7.95.

Community Bank of the Bay Trading Down 0.6 %

The business has a 50-day moving average price of $7.81 and a 200-day moving average price of $8.67.

About Community Bank of the Bay

(Free Report)

Community Bank of the Bay provides various banking services to individuals and businesses in the greater San Francisco Bay area. It offers checking, savings, and money market products, as well as certificates of deposit; funds; and loan products comprising business and term loans, lines of credit, letter of credit, commercial and industrial, real estate, non-profit, and construction and land loans, as well as small business administration loans.

Further Reading

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Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ  Free Report) had its target price upped by Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from $231.00 to $234.00 in a research report sent to investors on Monday morning, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The firm currently has a hold rating on the stock.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the company. Citigroup increased their price target on Constellation Brands from $265.00 to $280.00 in a research note on Wednesday, June 21st. TheStreet upgraded Constellation Brands from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, June 16th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on Constellation Brands from $293.00 to $300.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. HSBC raised their target price on Constellation Brands from $275.00 to $280.00 in a research report on Wednesday, June 7th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on Constellation Brands from $267.00 to $280.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 10th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Constellation Brands has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $262.67.

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Constellation Brands Stock Up 0.6 %

NYSE STZ opened at $252.59 on Monday. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $238.37 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $229.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.23, a current ratio of 1.14 and a quick ratio of 0.54. Constellation Brands has a fifty-two week low of $208.12 and a fifty-two week high of $261.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $46.29 billion, a PE ratio of -138.03, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 1.02.

Constellation Brands Dividend Announcement

Constellation Brands ( NYSE:STZ Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, June 30th. The company reported $2.91 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.83 by $0.08. Constellation Brands had a positive return on equity of 22.32% and a negative net margin of 3.14%. The firm had revenue of $2.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.47 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.66 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that Constellation Brands will post 11.74 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, August 24th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 10th will be paid a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 9th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.41%. Constellation Brandss dividend payout ratio is presently -194.54%.

Insider Activity

In other Constellation Brands news, major shareholder Business Holdings Lp Ajb sold 650,000 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total transaction of $145,294,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 3,365,715 shares in the company, valued at approximately $752,338,273.95. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Constellation Brands news, major shareholder Business Holdings Lp Ajb sold 650,000 shares of Constellation Brands stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.53, for a total transaction of $145,294,500.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 3,365,715 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $752,338,273.95. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, Director Richard Sands sold 3,858,476 shares of Constellation Brands 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. 16.19% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Constellation Brands

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of STZ. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD raised its holdings in shares of Constellation Brands by 100.8% in the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 7,890,702 shares of the companys stock worth $1,782,432,000 after purchasing an additional 3,961,836 shares during the period. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Constellation Brands by 84,839.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 3,742,434 shares of the companys stock valued at $867,309,000 after buying an additional 3,738,028 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Constellation Brands in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $373,796,000. Morgan Stanley grew its stake in Constellation Brands by 31.3% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 3,809,273 shares of the companys stock valued at $882,799,000 after buying an additional 908,486 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bain Capital Public Equity Management II LLC purchased a new position in Constellation Brands in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $104,286,000. Institutional investors own 86.49% of the companys stock.

About Constellation Brands

(Free Report)

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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We want Ukraine to win, so that we win everything, so that we preserve the values on which our society is built, Czech President Petr Pavel said at a press conference in Prague on Thursday following meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"You can count on our support and assistance in the future. We will support you, as it has been since the first day of Russia's full-scale aggression," he said.

According to him, "we fought for our independence and could independently decide which organization we want to belong to. Therefore, I am convinced that we must support Ukraine. I see no other solution to the war than a Ukrainian victory, because if, God forbid, Russia won, then all our valuables would be destroyed."

In addition, he said, "many Czech firms are already cooperating with Ukrainian ones and we want to take part in the reconstruction of Ukraine not only after the war, but even now during the hostilities. We see this as a good opportunity for Czech firms."

According to him, 30 Czech entrepreneurs will visit Kyiv next week, where they will talk about expanding cooperation.

At the NATO summit, Pavel said, "we will talk about a certain institutionalization of Ukraine through a plan for a medium time horizon that will fix support for Ukraine."

"Ukraine will speak with NATO allies on an equal footing, and communication between Ukraine and NATO countries will move to another level. Here it is necessary to say quite clearly that it is in the interests of the Czech Republic that, when the war is over, Ukraine starts negotiations on joining NATO," he said.
Coty (NYSE:COTY  Free Report) had its price target boosted by analysts at Bank of America from $13.00 to $14.00 in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Bank of Americas target price would suggest a potential upside of 14.57% from the stocks current price.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the stock. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on shares of Coty from $11.00 to $12.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 10th. Raymond James upped their target price on shares of Coty from $13.00 to $14.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, April 20th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Coty from $14.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, March 23rd. Barclays upped their target price on shares of Coty from $11.00 to $12.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 11th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upped their target price on shares of Coty from $12.00 to $13.00 in a research report on Tuesday, May 2nd. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Coty presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $12.60.

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Coty Price Performance

NYSE:COTY opened at $12.22 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $10.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 61.10, a PEG ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.88. Coty has a one year low of $6.19 and a one year high of $12.64. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $11.76 and a 200 day moving average price of $11.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08, a current ratio of 0.69 and a quick ratio of 0.40.

Institutional Trading of Coty

Coty ( NYSE:COTY Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.03 by $0.16. Coty had a net margin of 3.55% and a return on equity of 12.81%. The firm had revenue of $1.29 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.23 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.03 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 8.7% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that Coty will post 0.53 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. BlackRock Inc. grew its stake in shares of Coty by 1.2% during the 3rd quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 52,307,085 shares of the companys stock worth $330,581,000 after acquiring an additional 599,631 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Coty by 2.4% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 38,323,086 shares of the companys stock valued at $242,202,000 after buying an additional 883,215 shares in the last quarter. Banco Santander S.A. increased its holdings in Coty by 34.8% during the first quarter. Banco Santander S.A. now owns 20,726,018 shares of the companys stock worth $249,956,000 after buying an additional 5,349,203 shares during the last quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC increased its holdings in Coty by 123.3% during the first quarter. Clearbridge Investments LLC now owns 16,862,950 shares of the companys stock worth $151,598,000 after buying an additional 9,311,527 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp increased its holdings in Coty by 2.1% during the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 9,983,891 shares of the companys stock worth $120,406,000 after buying an additional 200,967 shares during the last quarter. 37.10% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Coty Company Profile

(Free Report)

Coty Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells beauty products worldwide. It operates through Prestige and Consumer Beauty segments. The company provides fragrance, color cosmetics, and skin and body care products. It offers Prestige products primarily through prestige retailers, including perfumeries, department stores, e-retailers, direct-to-consumer websites, and duty-free shops under the Burberry, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Cavalli, Chloe, Davidoff, Escada, Gucci, Hugo Boss, Jil Sander, Joop!, Kylie Jenner, Lacoste, Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Orveda, philosophy, SKKN BY KIM, and Tiffany & Co brands.

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Davidson Trust Co. raised its position in The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA  Free Report) by 117.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,314 shares of the aircraft producers stock after buying an additional 1,250 shares during the period. Davidson Trust Co.s holdings in Boeing were worth $492,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Boeing by 109,667.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 16,055,730 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $3,058,456,000 after acquiring an additional 16,041,103 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of Boeing by 11.7% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 8,321,871 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $1,585,234,000 after acquiring an additional 872,795 shares during the period. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of Boeing during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $135,429,000. Toronto Dominion Bank grew its position in shares of Boeing by 13,008.8% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 686,246 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $130,646,000 after acquiring an additional 681,011 shares during the period. Finally, Wellington Management Group LLP grew its position in shares of Boeing by 125.0% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,139,143 shares of the aircraft producers stock valued at $218,147,000 after acquiring an additional 632,913 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 60.22% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

BA has been the subject of a number of research 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. Northcoast Research downgraded shares of Boeing from a buy rating to a neutral rating and set a $180.00 price objective for the company. in a report on Tuesday, April 4th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on shares of Boeing from $230.00 to $237.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Boeing from $261.00 to $270.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, SpectralCast reaffirmed a reiterates rating on shares of Boeing in a report on Wednesday, June 21st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Boeing presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $221.60.

Boeing Trading Up 0.3 %

Shares of Boeing stock traded up $0.57 on Friday, hitting $213.19. 2,582,493 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,803,715. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $207.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $206.62. The company has a market cap of $128.25 billion, a P/E ratio of -30.73 and a beta of 1.41. The Boeing Company has a 12-month low of $120.99 and a 12-month high of $223.91.

Boeing (NYSE:BA  Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The aircraft producer reported ($1.27) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($0.98) by ($0.29). The firm had revenue of $17.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $17.56 billion. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted ($2.75) EPS. Analysts predict that The Boeing Company will post -1.13 earnings per share for the current year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Boeing news, EVP Howard E. Mckenzie sold 412 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $204.36, for a total value of $84,196.32. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,181 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,511,109.16. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.15% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Boeing Profile

(Free Report)

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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Day & Ennis LLC decreased its holdings in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (BATS:VLUE  Free Report) by 12.8% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 18,513 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,707 shares during the period. Day & Ennis LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF were worth $1,714,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in VLUE. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 868.8% during the 4th quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 310 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Fortis Capital Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 101.8% during the 3rd quarter. Eagle Bay Advisors LLC now owns 438 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 221 shares in the last quarter. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $47,000. Finally, Crewe Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $55,000.

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iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Price Performance

Shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF stock opened at $92.93 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $90.91 and its 200 day moving average is $92.54. iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF has a one year low of $71.21 and a one year high of $89.40. The firm has a market cap of $6.87 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.51 and a beta of 1.04.

iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Enhanced Value index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities. Stocks are selected and weighted using fundamental metrics (earnings, revenue, book value and cash earnings), aiming for exposure to undervalued stocks in each sector.

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Eagle Bay Advisors LLC trimmed its holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 15.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 964 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 171 shares during the period. Eagle Bay Advisors LLCs holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $69,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Corundum Group Inc. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 49.5% during the first quarter. Corundum Group Inc. now owns 4,090 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,338,000 after purchasing an additional 1,355 shares in the last quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 2.8% during the first quarter. Cairn Investment Group Inc. now owns 10,604 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,469,000 after purchasing an additional 290 shares in the last quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 14.9% during the first quarter. Hexagon Capital Partners LLC now owns 719 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $235,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Rothschild Investment Corp IL grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 19.1% during the first quarter. Rothschild Investment Corp IL now owns 5,457 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $1,785,000 after buying an additional 875 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Penserra Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 21.0% during the first quarter. Penserra Capital Management LLC now owns 406,444 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $132,951,000 after buying an additional 70,420 shares during the last quarter. 76.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 2.2 %

Shares of GS stock opened at $313.13 on Friday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $277.84 and a 52-week high of $389.58. 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 company has a 50-day simple moving average of $326.85 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $338.72. The company has a market capitalization of $104.10 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.15, a PEG ratio of 0.86 and a beta of 1.38.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The investment management company reported $8.79 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.14 by $0.65. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 13.23% and a return on equity of 9.84%. The business had revenue of $12.22 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.66 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $10.76 EPS. The firms quarterly revenue was down 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Research analysts anticipate that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 31.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 29th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a dividend of $2.50 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. This represents a $10.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.19%. The Goldman Sachs Groups payout ratio is currently 35.60%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have weighed in on GS. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $339.00 to $375.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. JMP Securities boosted their target price on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $460.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $415.00 to $398.00 in a research note on Friday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $390.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group reissued an outperform rating and issued a $410.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $386.95.

Insider Transactions at The Goldman Sachs Group

In related news, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $337.66, for a total value of $1,012,980.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 15,052 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,082,458.32. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 24,819,473 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $21.61, for a total transaction of $536,348,811.53. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 110,337 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,384,382.57. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, insider Brian J. Lee sold 3,000 shares of The Goldman Sachs Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $337.66, for a total transaction of $1,012,980.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 15,052 shares of the companys stock, valued at $5,082,458.32. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 34,978,986 shares of company stock worth $660,057,057 in the last quarter. Insiders own 0.54% of the companys stock.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

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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EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR  Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Moderate Buy by the four brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, one has issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $51.13.

A number of brokerages have recently issued reports on EPR. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of EPR Properties in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. JMP Securities upgraded shares of EPR Properties from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $54.00 price target on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on shares of EPR Properties from $47.00 to $50.00 in a report on Friday, June 30th. Finally, Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of EPR Properties from $45.00 to $48.00 in a report on Thursday, June 15th.

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EPR Properties Price Performance

Shares of EPR opened at $47.02 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $3.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.09, a PEG ratio of 1.08 and a beta of 1.67. EPR Properties has a 1-year low of $33.92 and a 1-year high of $55.90. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $43.59 and its 200 day simple moving average is $41.00. The company has a current ratio of 8.01, a quick ratio of 8.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11.

EPR Properties Announces Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On EPR Properties

The business also recently disclosed a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a $0.275 dividend. This represents a $3.30 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.02%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. EPR Propertiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 147.98%.

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in EPR Properties by 4.0% in the first quarter. Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. now owns 9,251 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $506,000 after purchasing an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in shares of EPR Properties by 6.2% during the first quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 6,103 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $333,000 after acquiring an additional 356 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of EPR Properties by 16.8% during the first quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 10,577 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $579,000 after acquiring an additional 1,523 shares in the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its holdings in shares of EPR Properties by 987.9% during the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 98,989 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $5,547,000 after acquiring an additional 89,890 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its position in EPR Properties by 33.4% in the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 48,362 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,646,000 after buying an additional 12,111 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 77.81% of the companys stock.

EPR Properties Company Profile

(Free Report

EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) is the leading diversified experiential net lease real estate investment trust (REIT), specializing in select enduring experiential properties in the real estate industry. We focus on real estate venues that create value by facilitating out of home leisure and recreation experiences where consumers choose to spend their discretionary time and money.

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Essex Savings Bank cut its holdings in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) by 2.0% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 8,690 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 175 shares during the quarter. Essex Savings Banks holdings in Aflac were worth $561,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Johnson Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Silicon Valley Capital Partners bought a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. CoreFirst Bank & Trust bought a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. MinichMacGregor Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Finally, Studio Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. 66.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup reduced their price objective on Aflac from $73.00 to $69.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 27th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Aflac in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. 58.com reissued a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research report on Friday, June 9th. 888 reissued a reiterates rating on shares of Aflac in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Aflac in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. They set an equal weight rating and a $73.00 target price on the stock. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Aflac has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $71.22.

Insider Activity at Aflac

Aflac Stock Up 0.4 %

In other news, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 13,118 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.33, for a total value of $870,116.94. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 20,793 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,379,199.69. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . In related news, COO Frederick John Crawford sold 59,053 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $68.43, for a total transaction of $4,040,996.79. Following the sale, the chief operating officer now directly owns 321,367 shares of the companys stock, valued at $21,991,143.81. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . Also, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 13,118 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $66.33, for a total value of $870,116.94. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 20,793 shares in the company, valued at $1,379,199.69. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 112,582 shares of company stock valued at $7,649,767 in the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.90% of the companys stock.

Shares of AFL stock traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $69.90. The stock had a trading volume of 420,328 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,505,489. Aflac Incorporated has a 12-month low of $53.04 and a 12-month high of $74.01. The firm has a market capitalization of $42.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.56 and a beta of 0.94. The firms 50-day moving average is $67.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $68.05. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.05 and a quick ratio of 0.05.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL  Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.55 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.40 by $0.15. The firm had revenue of $4.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.61 billion. Aflac had a return on equity of 15.25% and a net margin of 22.90%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.42 EPS. On average, analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 5.81 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 17th were given a dividend of $0.42 per share. This represents a $1.68 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.40%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 16th. Aflacs dividend payout ratio is currently 24.24%.

Aflac Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.

Further Reading

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Shares of Ford Motor (NYSE:F  Free Report) have been given a consensus rating of Hold by the fourteen ratings firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $14.95.

Several analysts have recently weighed in on F shares. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on Ford Motor from $14.00 to $16.00 in a report on Thursday. Citigroup upgraded Ford Motor from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $12.80 to $16.00 in a report on Monday, June 5th. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Ford Motor from a hold rating to a buy rating and upped their price objective for the company from $13.00 to $16.00 in a report on Tuesday, May 30th. Daiwa Capital Markets upgraded Ford Motor from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $12.00 price objective for the company in a report on Thursday, May 25th. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on Ford Motor in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

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Ford Motor Trading Down 2.4 %

NYSE:F opened at $14.99 on Friday. Ford Motor has a 1 year low of $10.90 and a 1 year high of $16.68. The stock has a market cap of $59.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.11, a PEG ratio of 1.41 and a beta of 1.59. The business has a fifty day moving average of $13.00 and a 200-day moving average of $12.58. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16, a quick ratio of 1.03 and a current ratio of 1.20.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Ford Motor ( NYSE:F Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The auto manufacturer reported $0.63 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.36 by $0.27. Ford Motor had a return on equity of 19.99% and a net margin of 1.75%. The company had revenue of $39.09 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $37.42 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $0.38 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 21.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts predict that Ford Motor will post 1.74 earnings per share for the current year.

Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in F. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Ford Motor by 43.5% in the 2nd quarter. Armstrong Advisory Group Inc. now owns 26,128 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $395,000 after buying an additional 7,914 shares during the last quarter. Wiley BROS. Aintree Capital LLC raised its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 15.2% in the 2nd quarter. Wiley BROS. Aintree Capital LLC now owns 22,111 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $335,000 after purchasing an additional 2,913 shares during the period. Park National Corp OH raised its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 22.0% in the 2nd quarter. Park National Corp OH now owns 1,084,682 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $16,411,000 after purchasing an additional 195,533 shares during the period. Advance Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Ford Motor by 11.6% in the 2nd quarter. Advance Capital Management Inc. now owns 52,363 shares of the auto manufacturers stock worth $792,000 after purchasing an additional 5,426 shares during the period. Finally, Psagot Value Holdings Ltd. Israel bought a new stake in shares of Ford Motor in the 1st quarter worth approximately $55,000. 53.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Ford Motor

(Free Report

Ford Motor Company develops, delivers, and services a range of Ford trucks, commercial cars and vans, sport utility vehicles, and Lincoln luxury vehicles worldwide. It operates through Ford Blue, Ford Model e, and Ford Pro; Ford Next; and Ford Credit segments. The company sells Ford and Lincoln vehicles, service parts, and accessories through distributors and dealers, as well as through dealerships to commercial fleet customers, daily rental car companies, and governments.

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BNP Paribas upgraded shares of Galp Energia, SGPS (OTCMKTS:GLPEY  Free Report) from a neutral rating to an outperform rating in a research note released on Monday, Briefing.com reports.

Galp Energia, SGPS Price Performance

GLPEY opened at $5.82 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $5.75 and a 200 day moving average price of $6.03. Galp Energia, SGPS has a 1 year low of $4.36 and a 1 year high of $7.00.

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Galp Energia, SGPS (OTCMKTS:GLPEY  Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Friday, May 5th. The energy company reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. Galp Energia, SGPS had a return on equity of 39.77% and a net margin of 6.80%. The business had revenue of $5.44 billion during the quarter. Research analysts expect that Galp Energia, SGPS will post 0.77 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Galp Energia, SGPS Company Profile

Galp Energia, SGPS, SA operates as an integrated energy operator in Portugal and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Upstream, Industrial & Midstream, Commercial, and Renewables and New Business. The Upstream segment engages in the exploration, development, and production of hydrocarbons primarily in Brazil, Mozambique, and Angola.

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Shares of Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:GTE  Free Report) were down 3.9% on Thursday . The company traded as low as $4.70 and last traded at $4.89. Approximately 628,929 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 80% from the average daily volume of 349,173 shares. The stock had previously closed at $5.09.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, StockNews.com started coverage on Gran Tierra Energy in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company.

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Gran Tierra Energy Stock Performance

The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.46. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $410.94 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $631.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $180.44 million, a PE ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.69.

Institutional Trading of Gran Tierra Energy

Gran Tierra Energy ( NYSEAMERICAN:GTE Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The company reported ($0.30) earnings per share for the quarter. Gran Tierra Energy had a return on equity of 29.10% and a net margin of 16.92%. The business had revenue of $144.19 million for the quarter.

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in GTE. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Gran Tierra Energy in the 1st quarter worth approximately $13,187,000,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP purchased a new stake in Gran Tierra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. DGS Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in Gran Tierra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. purchased a new stake in Gran Tierra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $47,000. Finally, UBS Group AG grew its holdings in Gran Tierra Energy by 264.3% in the 2nd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 30,377 shares of the companys stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 22,039 shares during the period.

Gran Tierra Energy Company Profile

(Free Report)

Gran Tierra Energy Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and production of oil and gas properties in Colombia and Ecuador. The company was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.

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GraniteShares Advisors LLC grew its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 2.6% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 2,951 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 76 shares during the quarter. GraniteShares Advisors LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,013,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in LLY. Fairfield Bush & CO. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $107,000. Roundview Capital LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.6% during the first quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 2,056 shares of the companys stock worth $589,000 after purchasing an additional 53 shares in the last quarter. Merit Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $210,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 9.9% during the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 53,052 shares of the companys stock worth $15,193,000 after purchasing an additional 4,774 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barometer Capital Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth approximately $561,000. 87.25% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total transaction of $261,174.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,602,163.62. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $435.29, for a total transaction of $261,174.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,978 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,602,163.62. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Patrik Jonsson sold 6,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $429.46, for a total value of $2,576,760.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 36,941 shares in the company, valued at approximately $15,864,681.86. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 970,965 shares of company stock worth $423,725,107 in the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 2.2 %

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Bank of America boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $450.00 to $500.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $475.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $430.00 to $505.00 in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Truist Financial boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $421.00 to $430.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. Finally, 3M reissued a maintains rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, April 28th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $437.90.

LLY traded down $10.18 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $453.03. 749,941 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,069,671. The firms fifty day moving average is $440.65 and its two-hundred day moving average is $379.93. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1-year low of $296.32 and a 1-year high of $469.87. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.67. The company has a market cap of $430.05 billion, a PE ratio of 73.63, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.38.

Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.73 by ($0.11). Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 61.42% and a net margin of 20.54%. The firm had revenue of $6.96 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.87 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.62 EPS. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was down 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 8.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a dividend of $1.13 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.00%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 71.86%.

Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

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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Of the 1,376 people who were killed in Kyiv region during the Russian full-scale aggression, some 190 bodies remain unidentified, Chief of the Main Directorate of the National Police of Ukraine in Kyiv region Andriy Nebytov said.

"In total, 1,376 people killed in the region during the war. These are the bodies that we found and examined. I emphasize that these are exclusively civilians, because we, as policemen, deal only with civilians," Nebytov told Interfax-Ukraine.

He said "190 out of 1,376 bodies remain unidentified."

According to Nebytov, the selected DNA is placed in the appropriate database. "Of these 190, there may be those who did not have close relatives. And if there are no relatives in the first line, then we cannot compare DNA. Therefore, unfortunately, there are bodies and unidentified faces," the regional police chief said.

"I'll ask again: please, if a lonely person lived next to you, provide information about him or, if possible, get in touch with him to make sure that the person is alive," Nebytov said.
StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Holly Energy Partners (NYSE:HEP  Free Report) in a report published on Tuesday. The firm issued a buy rating on the pipeline companys stock.

Holly Energy Partners Stock Performance

Shares of Holly Energy Partners stock opened at $18.31 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.70, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $17.46 and its 200-day simple moving average is $17.90. Holly Energy Partners has a 12 month low of $15.20 and a 12 month high of $19.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $2.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.34 and a beta of 0.91.

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Holly Energy Partners (NYSE:HEP  Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The pipeline company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.42 by $0.03. The firm had revenue of $143.30 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $124.62 million. Holly Energy Partners had a return on equity of 24.44% and a net margin of 39.39%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 19.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.45 EPS. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Holly Energy Partners will post 2.06 earnings per share for the current year.

Holly Energy Partners Announces Dividend

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Holly Energy Partners

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 11th. Investors of record on Monday, May 1st were given a $0.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 28th. This represents a $1.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.65%. Holly Energy Partnerss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 79.10%.

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in HEP. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC lifted its position in Holly Energy Partners by 246.9% during the third quarter. BNP Paribas Arbitrage SNC now owns 1,797 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 1,279 shares during the last quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Holly Energy Partners in the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Credit Suisse AG purchased a new stake in shares of Holly Energy Partners during the second quarter valued at approximately $77,000. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. grew its stake in shares of Holly Energy Partners by 13.8% during the 4th quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 4,787 shares of the pipeline companys stock worth $87,000 after acquiring an additional 579 shares during the period. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Holly Energy Partners in the first quarter worth about $186,000. Institutional investors own 25.30% of the companys stock.

About Holly Energy Partners

(Free Report)

Holly Energy Partners, L.P. provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminalling, storage, and throughput services to the petroleum industry in the United States. It operates through two segments, Pipelines and Terminals; and Refinery Processing Unit. The company operates refined product pipelines that transport conventional gasolines, reformulated gasolines, and low-octane gasolines for oxygenate blending, as well as sulfur diesel and jet fuels, and liquefied petroleum gases; intermediate product pipelines that transport intermediate feedstocks and crude oils; and oil trunk, gathering, and connection pipelines that delivers crude oil.

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Inspire Advisors LLC lifted its position in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 21.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,578 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 284 shares during the quarter. Inspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $384,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Spire Wealth Management increased its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 39.8% in the 4th quarter. Spire Wealth Management now owns 3,055 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $673,000 after buying an additional 870 shares during the period. State of Alaska Department of Revenue increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.7% during the 4th quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 52,903 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $11,653,000 after purchasing an additional 870 shares during the last quarter. Balentine LLC increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 25.9% during the 4th quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 5,063 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $1,115,000 after purchasing an additional 1,043 shares during the last quarter. CX Institutional increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 77.6% during the 4th quarter. CX Institutional now owns 2,092 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $461,000 after purchasing an additional 914 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.8% during the 4th quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 13,920 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $3,067,000 after purchasing an additional 109 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 79.37% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Illinois Tool Works

In other news, CAO Randall J. Scheuneman sold 5,425 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $239.23, for a total transaction of $1,297,822.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 8,870 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,121,970.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.88% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Illinois Tool Works Stock Performance

ITW has been the topic of several analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $250.00 to $227.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. StockNews.com lowered shares of Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, June 22nd. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $205.00 to $203.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $240.00 to $236.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $183.00 to $181.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Illinois Tool Works currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $228.21.

Illinois Tool Works stock traded up $2.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $245.10. The company had a trading volume of 170,326 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,080,378. The company has a quick ratio of 0.84, a current ratio of 1.20 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.78. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 52 week low of $173.52 and a 52 week high of $253.37. The company has a 50 day moving average of $235.49 and a 200-day moving average of $233.19. The firm has a market cap of $74.49 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 24.25, a PEG ratio of 3.71 and a beta of 1.13.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 2nd. The industrial products company reported $2.33 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.23 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $4.02 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.98 billion. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 19.27% and a return on equity of 92.13%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 2.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.11 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.65 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 13th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $1.31 per share. This represents a $5.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. Illinois Tool Workss payout ratio is 52.40%.

Illinois Tool Works Company Profile

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses.

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Inspire Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Pinnacle West Capital Co. (NYSE:PNW  Free Report) by 14.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 10,149 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,298 shares during the period. Inspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Pinnacle West Capital were worth $804,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of PNW. HighTower Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Pinnacle West Capital by 8.0% during the first quarter. HighTower Advisors LLC now owns 21,980 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $1,718,000 after purchasing an additional 1,630 shares during the period. MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 23.1% during the first quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 30,693 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,397,000 after buying an additional 5,768 shares during the period. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can raised its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 5.6% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 31,722 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,599,000 after buying an additional 1,681 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 6.8% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 494,515 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $38,620,000 after buying an additional 31,526 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. raised its position in Pinnacle West Capital by 7.8% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 135,551 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $10,571,000 after buying an additional 9,777 shares during the period. 85.46% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

PNW has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Pinnacle West Capital from $85.00 to $89.00 in a research report on Friday, June 16th. Bank of America dropped their price target on Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $78.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 29th. Mizuho upped their price target on Pinnacle West Capital from $80.00 to $84.00 in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. Morgan Stanley boosted their target price on Pinnacle West Capital from $71.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Finally, Credit Suisse Group upgraded Pinnacle West Capital from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and boosted their target price for the company from $77.00 to $80.00 in a research note on Tuesday, March 14th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Pinnacle West Capital presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $76.60.

Pinnacle West Capital Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of PNW traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $82.33. 129,721 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 833,871. The company has a market cap of $9.32 billion, a PE ratio of 20.06, a PEG ratio of 3.21 and a beta of 0.47. The firms 50 day moving average is $79.94 and its 200-day moving average is $77.71. Pinnacle West Capital Co. has a 52 week low of $59.03 and a 52 week high of $84.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.28, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.01.

Pinnacle West Capital (NYSE:PNW  Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 4th. The utilities provider reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.03 by ($0.06). The company had revenue of $944.60 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $808.33 million. Pinnacle West Capital had a return on equity of 7.50% and a net margin of 10.33%. The businesss revenue was up 20.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.15 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Pinnacle West Capital Co. will post 4.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Pinnacle West Capital Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 1st will be paid a dividend of $0.865 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 31st. This represents a $3.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.20%. Pinnacle West Capitals payout ratio is 84.60%.

Pinnacle West Capital Profile

(Free Report)

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, through its subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, provides retail and wholesale electric services primarily in the state of Arizona. The company engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity using coal, nuclear, gas, oil, and solar generating facilities.

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Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV boosted its holdings in ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP  Free Report) by 11.9% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,269 shares of the energy producers stock after acquiring an additional 348 shares during the quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADVs holdings in ConocoPhillips were worth $324,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in COP. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 205.8% during the 4th quarter. Ten Capital Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 211 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 149.5% during the 4th quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC now owns 227 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 136 shares during the last quarter. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 93.4% during the 4th quarter. Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC now owns 236 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Horan Securities Inc. raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 81.8% during the 4th quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 249 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bogart Wealth LLC raised its stake in ConocoPhillips by 138.2% during the 4th quarter. Bogart Wealth LLC now owns 243 shares of the energy producers stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 141 shares during the last quarter. 80.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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ConocoPhillips Price Performance

Shares of COP traded up $1.86 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $102.20. 992,820 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,267,088. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $101.88 and a 200-day moving average of $106.80. ConocoPhillips has a 52 week low of $78.30 and a 52 week high of $138.49. The stock has a market cap of $123.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.03, a PEG ratio of 0.60 and a beta of 1.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 1.29 and a current ratio of 1.39.

ConocoPhillips Announces Dividend

ConocoPhillips ( NYSE:COP Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 4th. The energy producer reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.02 by $0.36. ConocoPhillips had a net margin of 20.21% and a return on equity of 32.75%. The business had revenue of $15.52 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.06 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.27 EPS. The businesss revenue was down 19.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, analysts forecast that ConocoPhillips will post 9.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 16th were issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.00%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 26th. ConocoPhillipss payout ratio is 16.32%.

Insider Activity at ConocoPhillips

In related news, Director Caroline Maury Devine sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.08, for a total value of $102,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 849 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $86,665.92. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.37% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

COP has been the subject of a number of research reports. Mizuho decreased their target price on shares of ConocoPhillips from $128.00 to $126.00 in a research note on Friday, May 19th. StockNews.com started coverage on ConocoPhillips in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Morgan Stanley upped their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $122.00 to $124.00 in a research note on Monday, May 15th. Barclays reduced their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $160.00 to $141.00 in a research note on Thursday, March 23rd. Finally, Truist Financial upped their price objective on ConocoPhillips from $151.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 11th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, sixteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $135.50.

ConocoPhillips Profile

(Free Report)

ConocoPhillips explores for, produces, transports, and markets crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and natural gas liquids in the United States and internationally. The company's portfolio includes unconventional plays in North America; conventional assets in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia; various LNG developments; oil sands assets in Canada; and an inventory of global exploration prospects.

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Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:LHX  Free Report) by 3.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 9,998 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 292 shares during the period. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc.s holdings in L3Harris Technologies were worth $1,962,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of LHX. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 10.4% during the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 3,246 shares of the companys stock worth $676,000 after purchasing an additional 306 shares during the period. Toroso Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 10,138 shares of the companys stock worth $2,107,000 after purchasing an additional 938 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 15,044 shares of the companys stock worth $3,132,000 after purchasing an additional 65 shares during the period. First Hawaiian Bank raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 14.0% during the 1st quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 4,836 shares of the companys stock worth $949,000 after purchasing an additional 593 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of L3Harris Technologies by 23.1% during the 4th quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 3,664 shares of the companys stock worth $763,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares during the period. 80.66% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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L3Harris Technologies Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of LHX opened at $193.98 on Friday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $188.47 and its 200-day moving average price is $198.45. L3Harris Technologies, Inc. has a twelve month low of $174.55 and a twelve month high of $255.10. The stock has a market cap of $36.75 billion, a PE ratio of 40.66, a P/E/G ratio of 6.23 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45.

L3Harris Technologies Dividend Announcement

L3Harris Technologies ( NYSE:LHX Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $2.86 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.87 by ($0.01). The company had revenue of $4.47 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.26 billion. L3Harris Technologies had a return on equity of 13.03% and a net margin of 5.30%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $3.12 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that L3Harris Technologies, Inc. will post 12.28 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 16th. Investors of record on Friday, June 2nd were given a $1.14 dividend. This represents a $4.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 1st. L3Harris Technologiess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 95.20%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the company. StockNews.com initiated coverage on L3Harris Technologies in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Robert W. Baird dropped their price objective on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $241.00 to $222.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Finally, Credit Suisse Group dropped their price objective on shares of L3Harris Technologies from $240.00 to $234.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $250.00.

L3Harris Technologies Company Profile

(Free Report)

L3Harris Technologies, Inc, an aerospace and defense technology company, provides mission-critical solutions for government and commercial customers worldwide. The company's Integrated Mission Systems segment provides multi-mission intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems; and communication systems, as well as fleet management support, sensor development, modification, and periodic depot maintenance services for ISR and airborne missions.

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Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC decreased its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (BATS:VLUE  Free Report) by 3.1% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 161,869 shares of the companys stock after selling 5,162 shares during the quarter. iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF makes up about 2.7% of Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 15th biggest holding. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC owned approximately 0.21% of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF worth $14,987,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Mendel Money Management boosted its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 2.4% during the 4th quarter. Mendel Money Management now owns 4,590 shares of the companys stock valued at $418,000 after acquiring an additional 106 shares during the last quarter. Windsor Group LTD raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 1.0% in the 4th quarter. Windsor Group LTD now owns 10,689 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,010,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. W Advisors LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. W Advisors LLC now owns 5,957 shares of the companys stock valued at $543,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the period. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 2.1% in the 4th quarter. Chicago Partners Investment Group LLC now owns 7,469 shares of the companys stock valued at $732,000 after buying an additional 156 shares during the period. Finally, Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Concourse Financial Group Securities Inc. now owns 12,229 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,115,000 after buying an additional 200 shares during the period.

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iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Trading Down 1.0 %

VLUE traded down $0.98 on Friday, hitting $92.93. The company had a trading volume of 220,111 shares. The firm has a market cap of $6.87 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.51 and a beta of 1.04. iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF has a 1 year low of $71.21 and a 1 year high of $89.40. The companys fifty day moving average price is $90.91 and its 200 day moving average price is $92.54.

iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Enhanced Value index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities. Stocks are selected and weighted using fundamental metrics (earnings, revenue, book value and cash earnings), aiming for exposure to undervalued stocks in each sector.

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Legacy Bridge LLC trimmed its position in Edwards Lifesciences Co. (NYSE:EW  Free Report) by 18.4% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 4,923 shares of the medical research companys stock after selling 1,113 shares during the quarter. Legacy Bridge LLCs holdings in Edwards Lifesciences were worth $407,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. lifted its stake in Edwards Lifesciences by 11.9% in the 4th quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 22,126 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $1,651,000 after purchasing an additional 2,353 shares in the last quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC grew its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 22.3% during the 1st quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 13,118 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $1,085,000 after buying an additional 2,392 shares in the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its holdings in Edwards Lifesciences by 72.6% during the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 729,156 shares of the medical research companys stock valued at $60,323,000 after buying an additional 306,664 shares in the last quarter. Plimoth Trust Co. LLC purchased a new position in shares of Edwards Lifesciences in the 4th quarter worth $316,000. Finally, Verus Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of Edwards Lifesciences by 220.0% in the 3rd quarter. Verus Capital Partners LLC now owns 4,330 shares of the medical research companys stock worth $358,000 after buying an additional 2,977 shares in the last quarter. 79.78% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on EW shares. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their target price on Edwards Lifesciences from $78.00 to $90.00 in a report on Thursday, April 27th. UBS Group initiated coverage on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a research note on Tuesday, March 28th. They set a neutral rating and a $84.00 price target for the company. 92 Resources restated a reiterates rating on shares of Edwards Lifesciences in a report on Thursday, May 4th. TheStreet upgraded Edwards Lifesciences from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Finally, Mizuho boosted their price objective on Edwards Lifesciences from $85.00 to $95.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $90.00.

Insider Activity at Edwards Lifesciences

Edwards Lifesciences Trading Down 0.5 %

In related news, Director Michael A. Mussallem sold 29,350 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $90.78, for a total value of $2,664,393.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 54,252 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,924,996.56. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . In other Edwards Lifesciences news, CFO Scott B. Ullem sold 7,255 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.27, for a total transaction of $676,673.85. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 19,248 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,795,260.96. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link . Also, Director Michael A. Mussallem sold 29,350 shares of Edwards Lifesciences stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, July 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.78, for a total value of $2,664,393.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 54,252 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,924,996.56. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 231,031 shares of company stock valued at $20,306,102 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 1.29% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE EW opened at $90.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.10, a current ratio of 3.01 and a quick ratio of 2.17. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 37.54, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.17 and a beta of 1.03. Edwards Lifesciences Co. has a 1-year low of $67.13 and a 1-year high of $107.92. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $87.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $82.34.

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW  Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical research company reported $0.62 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.61 by $0.01. Edwards Lifesciences had a net margin of 27.07% and a return on equity of 25.81%. The company had revenue of $1.46 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.39 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.60 earnings per share. Edwards Lifesciencess revenue for the quarter was up 8.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts expect that Edwards Lifesciences Co. will post 2.55 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Edwards Lifesciences

(Free Report)

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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Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) traded down 2.5% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $108.93 and last traded at $108.95. 2,302,261 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 71% from the average session volume of 7,819,969 shares. The stock had previously closed at $111.75.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently commented on MRK. Societe Generale downgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday, March 28th. Mizuho reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $130.00 target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, April 10th. Guggenheim lifted their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $123.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. StockNews.com cut Merck & Co., Inc. from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Barclays increased their target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $128.00 to $130.00 in a report on Monday, May 1st. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Merck & Co., Inc. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $122.83.

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Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Down 2.1 %

The firms 50-day simple moving average is $113.36 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $110.86. The stock has a market cap of $277.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.83, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.44.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

Merck & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:MRK Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.40 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.34 by $0.06. The company had revenue of $14.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.81 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 37.92% and a net margin of 22.52%. Merck & Co., Inc.s revenue was down 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.14 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be given a dividend of $0.73 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.67%. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 57.03%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Merck & Co., Inc.

In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, CEO Robert M. Davis sold 143,329 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.93, for a total value of $16,472,801.97. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 271,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $31,239,927.81. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, VP Rita A. Karachun sold 15,875 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.53, for a total value of $1,865,788.75. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 45,710 shares in the company, valued at $5,372,296.30. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CEO Robert M. Davis sold 143,329 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.93, for a total value of $16,472,801.97. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 271,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at $31,239,927.81. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 488,258 shares of company stock valued at $56,481,018 in the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Merck & Co., Inc.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Covea Finance purchased a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the second quarter worth approximately $15,335,000. Richard P Slaughter Associates Inc purchased a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,436,000. Abacus Planning Group Inc. boosted its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 8.3% in the second quarter. Abacus Planning Group Inc. now owns 13,028 shares of the companys stock worth $1,503,000 after acquiring an additional 1,004 shares in the last quarter. First Hawaiian Bank grew its position in Merck & Co., Inc. by 121.1% during the 2nd quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 38,777 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,474,000 after purchasing an additional 21,242 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Enterprise Bank & Trust Co increased its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 48.9% during the second quarter. Enterprise Bank & Trust Co now owns 3,968 shares of the companys stock valued at $458,000 after acquiring an additional 1,304 shares in the last quarter. 76.60% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Merck & Co., Inc.

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines.

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Shares of Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. (OTCMKTS:MITEY  Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $12.22 and traded as low as $11.90. Mitsubishi Estate shares last traded at $11.97, with a volume of 175,210 shares traded.

Mitsubishi Estate Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 2.08, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market cap of $15.80 billion, a PE ratio of 11.51 and a beta of 0.44. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $12.00 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.22.

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Mitsubishi Estate (OTCMKTS:MITEY  Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 11th. The company reported $0.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $3.57 billion for the quarter. Mitsubishi Estate had a return on equity of 7.92% and a net margin of 12.15%. As a group, research analysts forecast that Mitsubishi Estate Co., Ltd. will post 0.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

About Mitsubishi Estate

Mitsubishi Estate Co, Ltd. engages in the real estate activities in Japan and internationally. The company is involved in the development, leasing, property management, and sale of office buildings; planning, development, and tenant leasing of retail facilities; investment, development, operational management, and asset management of logistics facilities; operation of 18 hotels under the Royal Park Hotels brand in Japan and the Marunouchi Hotel in the Marunouchi area; and operation of Takamatsu Airport, Miyako Shimojishima Airport Terminal, Mt.

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Shares of Nabors Industries Ltd. (NYSE:NBR  Free Report) have earned an average rating of Hold from the seven research firms that are presently covering the firm, MarketBeat reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $150.86.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Citigroup dropped their price objective on Nabors Industries from $200.00 to $140.00 in a report on Friday, May 19th. Barclays lowered their price target on Nabors Industries from $150.00 to $140.00 in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Nabors Industries from $110.00 to $91.00 in a report on Friday, June 2nd. Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price target on Nabors Industries from $195.00 to $176.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Nabors Industries from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 23rd.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On Nabors Industries

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in Nabors Industries in the first quarter valued at about $25,000. US Bancorp DE lifted its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 165.9% during the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 226 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 141 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Nabors Industries during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 89.6% during the 3rd quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 565 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 267 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted its position in shares of Nabors Industries by 43.1% during the 3rd quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 793 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $80,000 after acquiring an additional 239 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.81% of the companys stock.

Nabors Industries Stock Performance

Shares of NBR stock opened at $90.22 on Friday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $94.66 and its two-hundred day moving average is $127.66. The firm has a market cap of $860.70 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.03 and a beta of 2.75. Nabors Industries has a 1 year low of $83.05 and a 1 year high of $190.90. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.40, a quick ratio of 1.61 and a current ratio of 1.87.

Nabors Industries (NYSE:NBR  Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The oil and gas company reported ($0.55) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.06 by ($1.61). The firm had revenue of $789.01 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $767.96 million. Nabors Industries had a negative return on equity of 26.14% and a negative net margin of 4.03%. Analysts predict that Nabors Industries will post 8.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Nabors Industries Company Profile

(Free Report

Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software.

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Every day of the Russian war against Ukraine, the Czech Republic sent at least 10,000 ammunition and one tank to Ukraine, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said at a press conference in Prague on Friday following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"The war has been going on for 507 days. We sent 667 pieces of heavy equipment and more than 4 million ammunition. This means that every day 10,000 units, or at least one tank, leave for Ukraine," he said.

"The Czech Republic will help train specialists for the F-16 and provide Ukraine with a simulator for such training," he said.

Fiala said the restoration of T-72 tanks is taking place in cooperation with the Netherlands. According to him, he confirmed to Zelenskyy the delivery of attack helicopters and 100,000 pieces of large-caliber ammunition.

"At intergovernmental negotiations last year, we opened the topic of joint production of Czech and Ukrainian firms in the defense industry. These are important projects. These projects will increase the level of the defense industry of our countries and increase the level of independence of Ukraine's industry," he said.

"As for the upcoming summit in Vilnius, I believe that President Zelenskyy will be able and willing to take part in this summit and I expect that all NATO allies will support Ukraine upon joining NATO. The president can count on the vote of the Czech Republic," Fiala also said.
Nordea Bank Abp (OTCMKTS:NRDBY  Free Report)s stock price dropped 1.9% during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $10.80 and last traded at $10.84. Approximately 288,036 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 145% from the average daily volume of 117,405 shares. The stock had previously closed at $11.05.

Nordea Bank Abp Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.94, a current ratio of 1.38 and a quick ratio of 1.38. The stock has a market cap of $38.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.67, a PEG ratio of 0.74 and a beta of 1.08. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $10.54 and a 200 day moving average of $11.16.

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Nordea Bank Abp (OTCMKTS:NRDBY  Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.26 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $3.13 billion during the quarter. Nordea Bank Abp had a return on equity of 14.58% and a net margin of 28.51%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Nordea Bank Abp will post 1.42 EPS for the current year.

Nordea Bank Abp Company Profile

Nordea Bank Abp offers banking products and services in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and internationally. It operates through Personal Banking, Business Banking, Large Corporates and Institutions, and Asset and Wealth Management segments. The Personal Banking segment provides various financial services to household customers through mobile banking, over the phone, online meetings, and branch offices.

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Shares of North American Construction Group Ltd. (TSE:NOA  Free Report) (NYSE:NOA) have received an average recommendation of Moderate Buy from the six ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and three have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$29.72.

NOA has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. National Bank Financial increased their price objective on shares of North American Construction Group to C$33.00 in a research note on Friday, April 28th. BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$25.00 to C$30.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. CIBC increased their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$23.50 to C$27.50 in a report on Friday, April 28th. TD Securities increased their target price on shares of North American Construction Group from C$26.00 to C$27.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 27th. Finally, National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of North American Construction Group from C$27.00 to C$33.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, April 28th.

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North American Construction Group Price Performance

Shares of NOA stock opened at C$24.76 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of C$653.91 million, a PE ratio of 9.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.57. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of C$25.52 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$22.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.15, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 125.83. North American Construction Group has a twelve month low of C$12.65 and a twelve month high of C$26.63.

North American Construction Group Dividend Announcement

North American Construction Group ( TSE:NOA Free Report ) (NYSE:NOA) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported C$0.96 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of C$0.80 by C$0.16. North American Construction Group had a net margin of 9.06% and a return on equity of 24.56%. The firm had revenue of C$242.61 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$224.07 million. Equities research analysts anticipate that North American Construction Group will post 2.5853909 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 7th. Investors of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 25th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.62%. North American Construction Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 16.06%.

About North American Construction Group

(Free Report

North American Construction Group Ltd. provides equipment maintenance, and mining and heavy construction services in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Its Heavy Construction & Mining division offers constructability reviews, budgetary cost estimates, design-build construction, project management, contract mining, pre-stripping/pit pioneering, overburden removal and stockpile, muskeg removal and stockpile, site preparation, air strip construction, site dewatering/perimeter ditching, tailings and process pipelines, haulage and access road construction, tailings dam construction and densification, mechanically stabilized earth walls, dyke construction, and reclamation services; and Equipment Maintenance services.

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NovaPoint Capital LLC lowered its position in United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) by 7.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,691 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 133 shares during the period. NovaPoint Capital LLCs holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $328,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in UPS. RB Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of United Parcel Service by 3.1% in the 1st quarter. RB Capital Management LLC now owns 2,689 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $577,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Ergoteles LLC bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth $1,162,000. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC raised its holdings in United Parcel Service by 10.0% in the 1st quarter. Halbert Hargrove Global Advisors LLC now owns 1,233 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $264,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares during the period. First Western Trust Bank bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth $515,000. Finally, Stevens Capital Management LP bought a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth $701,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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United Parcel Service Trading Up 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE:UPS traded up $0.78 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $180.06. 448,101 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,299,371. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 1 year low of $154.87 and a 1 year high of $209.39. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $173.40 and a 200-day moving average price of $180.17. The firm has a market capitalization of $154.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.50, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.67 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.99, a current ratio of 1.34 and a quick ratio of 1.34.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

United Parcel Service ( NYSE:UPS Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The transportation company reported $2.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.19 by $0.01. United Parcel Service had a return on equity of 57.68% and a net margin of 10.90%. The business had revenue of $22.93 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $22.98 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $3.05 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts expect that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 10.74 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.60%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 12th. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio is presently 52.43%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of brokerages recently commented on UPS. Atlantic Securities began coverage on United Parcel Service in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. They issued a neutral rating and a $162.00 target price on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $220.00 to $214.00 in a report on Monday, March 20th. Raymond James decreased their target price on United Parcel Service from $207.00 to $205.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on United Parcel Service from $185.00 to $180.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Finally, UBS Group raised their price target on United Parcel Service from $196.00 to $198.00 in a report on Wednesday, April 26th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, thirteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $191.23.

United Parcel Service Profile

(Free Report)

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.

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Shares of NuScale Power Co. (NYSE:SMR  Free Report) saw unusually-strong trading volume on Friday . Approximately 752,751 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 14% from the previous sessions volume of 874,818 shares.The stock last traded at $7.16 and had previously closed at $6.67.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, TD Cowen lowered their target price on NuScale Power from $17.00 to $14.50 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd.

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NuScale Power Stock Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of $1.67 billion, a P/E ratio of -12.11 and a beta of 0.78. The business has a fifty day moving average of $7.80 and a 200-day moving average of $9.10.

Insider Buying and Selling

NuScale Power ( NYSE:SMR Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The company reported ($0.16) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. NuScale Power had a negative return on equity of 43.97% and a negative net margin of 868.96%. The business had revenue of $5.51 million during the quarter. On average, equities research analysts forecast that NuScale Power Co. will post -0.22 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other NuScale Power news, CEO John Lawrence Hopkins sold 5,114 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.05, for a total value of $41,167.70. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 11,226 shares in the company, valued at $90,369.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other NuScale Power news, CEO John Lawrence Hopkins sold 5,114 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.05, for a total value of $41,167.70. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 11,226 shares in the company, valued at $90,369.30. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, CFO Chris Colbert sold 29,928 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.00, for a total value of $209,496.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 15,048 shares of the companys stock, valued at $105,336. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 250,289 shares of company stock valued at $1,956,380 in the last three months. 3.06% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On NuScale Power

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of NuScale Power during the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of NuScale Power during the 2nd quarter valued at $57,000. Legal & General Group Plc lifted its position in shares of NuScale Power by 157.3% during the 4th quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 7,569 shares of the companys stock valued at $78,000 after acquiring an additional 4,627 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new stake in shares of NuScale Power during the 4th quarter valued at $79,000. Finally, American International Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of NuScale Power during the 2nd quarter valued at $80,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.82% of the companys stock.

About NuScale Power

(Free Report)

NuScale Power Corporation engages in the development and sale of modular light water reactor nuclear power plants to supply energy for electrical generation, district heating, desalination, hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. It offers NuScale Power Module (NPM), a water reactor that can generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe); and VOYGR power plant designs for three facility sizes that are capable of housing from one to four and six or twelve NPMs.

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Shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE:PEB  Free Report) have earned a consensus recommendation of Reduce from the eight research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and six have issued a hold rating on the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $17.60.

Several research analysts have recently commented on PEB shares. Barclays decreased their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $16.00 to $15.00 in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley reduced their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $13.00 to $12.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Truist Financial dropped their price objective on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $18.00 to $16.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from $17.00 to $14.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, March 30th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Pebblebrook Hotel Trust from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, May 20th.

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Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Price Performance

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust stock opened at $14.05 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.73 billion, a P/E ratio of -36.03, a PEG ratio of 0.66 and a beta of 1.81. Pebblebrook Hotel Trust has a one year low of $12.37 and a one year high of $20.54. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $13.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $14.20. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.79, a current ratio of 0.71 and a quick ratio of 0.71.

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust Announces Dividend

Insider Buying and Selling at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 17th. Investors of record on Friday, June 30th will be issued a $0.01 dividend. This represents a $0.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.28%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, June 29th. Pebblebrook Hotel Trusts dividend payout ratio is currently -10.26%.

In related news, CEO Jon E. Bortz purchased 28,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $12.84 per share, for a total transaction of $359,520.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 1,150,102 shares in the company, valued at $14,767,309.68. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other Pebblebrook Hotel Trust news, CEO Jon E. Bortz purchased 28,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $12.84 per share, with a total value of $359,520.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 1,150,102 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,767,309.68. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CEO Jon E. Bortz bought 3,632 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $12.69 per share, for a total transaction of $46,090.08. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now owns 1,165,102 shares of the companys stock, valued at $14,785,144.38. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 2.40% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of PEB. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 1.2% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 19,551,178 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $478,613,000 after purchasing an additional 226,216 shares during the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 7.8% during the 2nd quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 8,824,851 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $146,228,000 after purchasing an additional 636,463 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 10.6% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,683,445 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $79,796,000 after purchasing an additional 543,124 shares during the period. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 17.4% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,028,744 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $67,335,000 after purchasing an additional 745,663 shares during the period. Finally, Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Pebblebrook Hotel Trust by 243.1% during the 4th quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,746,603 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $63,557,000 after purchasing an additional 3,363,156 shares during the period.

About Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

(Free Report

Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (NYSE: PEB) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT) and the largest owner of urban and resort lifestyle hotels and resorts in the United States. The Company owns 49 hotels and resorts, totaling approximately 12,500 guest rooms across 14 urban and resort markets.

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Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (NYSE:RYAM  Free Report) passed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of $4.39 and traded as high as $4.43. Rayonier Advanced Materials shares last traded at $4.05, with a volume of 989,090 shares traded.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

RYAM has been the topic of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com initiated coverage on Rayonier Advanced Materials in a research note on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised Rayonier Advanced Materials from a sector perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $7.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Thursday, May 11th.

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Rayonier Advanced Materials Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $278.06 million, a PE ratio of 27.25 and a beta of 3.17. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a current ratio of 2.06. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $4.37 and a 200-day moving average of $6.02.

Insider Activity

Rayonier Advanced Materials ( NYSE:RYAM Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The basic materials company reported $0.05 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.04 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $467.00 million during the quarter. Rayonier Advanced Materials had a return on equity of 0.62% and a net margin of 0.71%. Equities analysts predict that Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. will post -0.13 earnings per share for the current year.

In other Rayonier Advanced Materials news, SVP Joshua C. Hicks bought 10,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 25th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $3.96 per share, for a total transaction of $39,600.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 79,595 shares of the companys stock, valued at $315,196.20. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. In other news, Director Thomas I. Morgan acquired 12,195 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 17th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $4.11 per share, for a total transaction of $50,121.45. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 86,603 shares in the company, valued at approximately $355,938.33. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Joshua C. Hicks acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 25th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $3.96 per share, for a total transaction of $39,600.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the senior vice president now owns 79,595 shares in the company, valued at approximately $315,196.20. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 102,195 shares of company stock worth $450,581 in the last ninety days. Company insiders own 3.14% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Rayonier Advanced Materials

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 9,971,477 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $65,513,000 after purchasing an additional 28,169 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 8.2% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,535,440 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $28,437,000 after purchasing an additional 342,630 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 6.2% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 4,347,799 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $13,696,000 after purchasing an additional 253,960 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 27.7% during the 1st quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 3,304,887 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $21,713,000 after purchasing an additional 717,466 shares during the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp boosted its holdings in shares of Rayonier Advanced Materials by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,332,765 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $14,626,000 after purchasing an additional 42,408 shares during the last quarter. 82.65% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Company Profile

(Free Report)

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc manufactures and sells cellulose specialty products in the United States, China, Canada, Japan, Europe, Latin America, other Asian countries, and internationally. The company operates through High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, and High-Yield Pulp segments. Its products include cellulose specialties, which are natural polymers that are used as raw materials to manufacture a range of consumer-oriented products, such as liquid crystal displays, impact-resistant plastics, thickeners for food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, cigarette filters, high-tenacity rayon yarn for tires and industrial hoses, food casings, paints, and lacquers.

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Red Hill Minerals Limited (ASX:RHI  Free Report) announced a interim dividend on Tuesday, July 4th, MarketIndexAU reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, July 17th will be paid a dividend of 0.10 per share on Monday, July 17th. This represents a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Sunday, July 9th.

Red Hill Minerals Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 90.92, a quick ratio of 5.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.68.

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About Red Hill Minerals

(Free Report)

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Red Hill Minerals Limited engages in the exploration for and development of iron ore, and precious and base/battery metals in Western Australia. It holds 100% interests in the Pannawonica iron ore project; and the RHIOJV tenements covering an area of approximately 1,600 square kilometre in the West Pilbara.

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Regen BioPharma (OTCMKTS:RGBP  Free Report) is one of 366 publicly-traded companies in the Biotechnology industry, but how does it contrast to its competitors? We will compare Regen BioPharma to similar companies based on the strength of its analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, dividends, risk, earnings, valuation and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares Regen BioPharma and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Regen BioPharma N/A N/A N/A Regen BioPharma Competitors -10,669.94% -71.81% -23.33%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

23.0% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are held by institutional investors. 26.5% of shares of all Biotechnology companies are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Regen BioPharma N/A N/A -123.97 Regen BioPharma Competitors $112.50 million -$1.27 million 23.66

This table compares Regen BioPharma and its competitors revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Regen BioPharmas competitors have higher revenue, but lower earnings than Regen BioPharma. Regen BioPharma is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its competitors, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Regen BioPharma and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Regen BioPharma 0 0 0 0 N/A Regen BioPharma Competitors 521 1191 3317 27 2.56

As a group, Biotechnology companies have a potential upside of 103.56%. Given Regen BioPharmas competitors higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Regen BioPharma has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Summary

Regen BioPharma competitors beat Regen BioPharma on 5 of the 8 factors compared.

About Regen BioPharma

(Free Report)

Regen BioPharma, Inc. focuses on the development of regenerative medical applications in the United States. It engages in identifying small molecules that inhibit or express NR2F6 leading to immune cell activation for oncology applications, and immune cell suppression for autoimmune disease. The company is also involved in the development of its products, and therapies, including HemaXellarate, a cellular composition of autologous stromal vascular fraction derived from adipose tissue; dCellVax, an autologous dendritic cell which is treated with an siRNA inhibitor of indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase; tCellVax which is treated with siRNA to inhibit NR2F6 and the cells re-infused to the patient; DiffronC, uses proprietary siRNA in vivo to inhibit cancer growth and activate T cells; and DuroCAR comprising of CAR-T cells which is treated with an shRNA targeting the gene NR2F6. Regen BioPharma, Inc. was incorporated in 2012 and is based in La Mesa, California.

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Regent Peak Wealth Advisors LLC decreased its position in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (BATS:USMV  Free Report) by 23.9% in the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,291 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,661 shares during the period. Regent Peak Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF were worth $385,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Bank of Montreal Can grew its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 7.8% in the 1st quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 8,253 shares of the companys stock valued at $646,000 after acquiring an additional 594 shares during the period. Blair William & Co. IL raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 95,612 shares of the companys stock worth $7,417,000 after purchasing an additional 1,612 shares during the last quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC lifted its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. AJ Wealth Strategies LLC now owns 1,348,690 shares of the companys stock valued at $104,618,000 after buying an additional 57,434 shares in the last quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 27.0% in the 1st quarter. Founders Financial Securities LLC now owns 88,779 shares of the companys stock worth $6,887,000 after buying an additional 18,853 shares during the last quarter. Finally, West Michigan Advisors LLC increased its stake in iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 12,575 shares of the companys stock worth $975,000 after buying an additional 719 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Stock Performance

Shares of USMV traded down $0.39 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $73.74. 1,573,121 shares of the stock were exchanged. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $73.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $72.52. iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $47.44 and a 12-month high of $55.45. The company has a market cap of $29.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.17 and a beta of 0.75.

iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF Company Profile

The iShares MSCI USA Min Vol Factor ETF (USMV) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Minimum Volatility (USD) index. The fund tracks an index of US-listed firms selected and weighted to create a low-volatility portfolio subject to various constraints. USMV was launched on Oct 18, 2011 and is managed by BlackRock.

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Royal Bank of Canada restated their outperform rating on shares of Serco Group (LON:SRP  Free Report) in a research report released on Monday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has a GBX 190 ($2.41) target price on the stock.

Separately, Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 230 ($2.92) target price on shares of Serco Group in a research report on Tuesday, March 21st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus price target of GBX 211.40 ($2.68).

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Serco Group Stock Down 1.5 %

Serco Group stock opened at GBX 151.30 ($1.92) on Monday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is GBX 146.83 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 151.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 68.85, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.80. The firm has a market cap of 1.66 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,163.85, a PEG ratio of 3.06 and a beta of 0.36.

Insider Activity at Serco Group

Serco Group Company Profile

In related news, insider Nigel Crossley sold 111,047 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, April 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 152 ($1.93), for a total value of 168,791.44 ($214,229.52). Company insiders own 2.21% of the companys stock.

(Free Report)

Serco Group plc provides public services in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, the Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. The company offers base and operational support engineering, and management and information, as well as nuclear, space, and maritime services for the defense sector; and custodial, asylum seeker accommodation, immigration detention, and detainee transport and monitoring services for the justice and immigration sectors.

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Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov offered several theses on the future of Ukraine's defense as part of the nationwide discussion on the Ukrainian Doctrine launched by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"First. The global nature of Ukrainian security, as emphasized by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an address to parliament, is a measurable and illustrative category. The next few generations will live by the rules that will be formed as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine," Reznikov told Interfax-Ukraine.

The minister said nuclear blackmail, violation of nuclear non-proliferation norms, man-made environmental disasters, provoking a global food crisis, undermining free navigation and the idea of territorial integrity as such are risks that "are clear not only in Europe and not only in Western countries."

"A strategic response to these challenges will certainly have a global character and global implications. Attempts to 'freeze' the war or distort the process of achieving a just peace with proposals for local solutions, such as territorial concessions, are obviously false and unacceptable," Reznikov said.

The head of the department said the definition of a new place and role of Ukraine in the system of regional and global security will be part of the strategic response.

"Simplistically, the desired trajectory of the new defense status looks like this: 1. Guarantees for the period before joining NATO; 2. Joining NATO de jure; 3. Internal transformations, taking into account the experience of the war in the period before and after entry, to acquire the necessary defense capabilities," Reznikov said.

According to him, the launch of these transformations is a practical task that needs to be partially solved even during the active phase of the war.

"After the partners decided in May to create an 'air coalition,' my 'letter to Santa' regarding weapons was closed at the political level. Now a new set of military-political tasks is coming to the fore: the creation, in dialogue with partners, of the Future Force Concept for the Defense Forces of Ukraine, our vision of the Ukrainian 'army of the future," the head of the defense department said.

At the same time, Reznikov said the formation and implementation of this vision is a two-way path.

"Ukraine can be a shield for Europe in the east. We are already fulfilling the mission for which NATO was created. At the same time, over the past year and a half, Ukraine has received direct and indirect defense assistance in an amount that is more than the total state budget spending on defense since the restoration of independence in 1991," the minister said.

Thus, as Reznikov said, without external assistance, Ukraine will not be able to carry out rapid rearmament and gain opportunities at the optimal time. According to him, "relying on your own resources with a multiplier through international support is the best way."

As the Defense Minister said, partners will not invest in a model that, on the one hand, differs significantly from NATO principles and standards, and, on the other hand, conflicts with their interests in the military-technical and economic sectors.
Wilmar International Limited (OTCMKTS:WLMIY  Free Report) saw a large growth in short interest during the month of June. As of June 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,200 shares, a growth of 22.2% from the May 31st total of 1,800 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 4,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 0.5 days.

Wilmar International Trading Down 2.7 %

WLMIY opened at $26.46 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.65 and a current ratio of 1.09. Wilmar International has a fifty-two week low of $24.13 and a fifty-two week high of $32.42. The companys 50-day moving average is $29.05 and its 200 day moving average is $30.02.

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Wilmar International Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, May 30th. Investors of record on Thursday, April 27th were issued a $0.7719 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 3.74%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 26th. This is a positive change from Wilmar Internationals previous dividend of $0.39.

About Wilmar International

Wilmar International Limited operates as an agribusiness company in Singapore, South East Asia, the People's Republic of China, India, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Africa, and internationally. The company operates through four segments: Food Products, Feed and Industrial Products, Plantation and Sugar Milling, and Others.

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BJs Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BJ  Free Report) was the target of unusually large options trading activity on Friday. Stock investors purchased 7,722 call options on the stock. This is an increase of 390% compared to the typical volume of 1,576 call options.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

BJ has been the subject of a number of research reports. Roth Capital reaffirmed a neutral rating on shares of BJs Wholesale Club in a report on Friday, March 10th. DA Davidson upped their target price on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $88.00 to $90.00 in a research report on Friday, March 10th. Morgan Stanley decreased their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $77.00 to $72.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. Credit Suisse Group upped their price target on shares of BJs Wholesale Club from $75.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on BJs Wholesale Club from $65.00 to $62.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 24th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $74.40.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Monica Schwartz sold 15,168 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.85, for a total transaction of $938,140.80. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 25,962 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,605,749.70. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 2.20% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On BJs Wholesale Club

BJs Wholesale Club Stock Performance

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of BJ. First Hawaiian Bank boosted its holdings in shares of BJs Wholesale Club by 43.3% during the 2nd quarter. First Hawaiian Bank now owns 21,202 shares of the companys stock worth $1,336,000 after purchasing an additional 6,409 shares during the last quarter. Duality Advisers LP lifted its holdings in BJs Wholesale Club by 115.6% in the first quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 52,420 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,988,000 after acquiring an additional 28,111 shares during the last quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its holdings in BJs Wholesale Club by 10.4% in the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 104,110 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,920,000 after acquiring an additional 9,820 shares during the last quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new position in BJs Wholesale Club in the first quarter valued at approximately $359,000. Finally, EP Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in BJs Wholesale Club in the first quarter valued at approximately $14,198,000. 93.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

BJ stock traded down $0.25 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $64.01. 871,011 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,750,354. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $65.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is $70.28. The firm has a market cap of $8.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.00, a PEG ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.47. BJs Wholesale Club has a 1-year low of $60.33 and a 1-year high of $80.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.40, a current ratio of 0.70 and a quick ratio of 0.12.

BJs Wholesale Club (NYSE:BJ  Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 23rd. The company reported $0.85 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.84 by $0.01. BJs Wholesale Club had a return on equity of 53.66% and a net margin of 2.64%. The firm had revenue of $4.72 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.81 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.87 EPS. BJs Wholesale Clubs revenue for the quarter was up 5.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts expect that BJs Wholesale Club will post 3.9 earnings per share for the current year.

BJs Wholesale Club Company Profile

(Free Report)

BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates warehouse clubs on the eastern half of the United States. It provides perishable, general merchandise, gasoline, coupon books, promotions, and other ancillary services. The company sells its products through the websites BJs.com, BerkleyJensen.com, and Wellsleyfarms.com, as well as the mobile app.

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Shares of The Edinburgh Investment Trust plc (LON:EDIN  Free Report) passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Wednesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 659.53 ($8.37) and traded as low as GBX 631 ($8.01). The Edinburgh Investment Trust shares last traded at GBX 633 ($8.03), with a volume of 294,423 shares changing hands.

The Edinburgh Investment Trust Stock Performance

The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of GBX 657.43 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 661.41. The stock has a market cap of 1.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1,042.37 and a beta of 0.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 11.96, a quick ratio of 3.88 and a current ratio of 4.35.

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The Edinburgh Investment Trust Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 28th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 8th will be issued a GBX 6.70 ($0.09) dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 1.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 8th. The Edinburgh Investment Trusts dividend payout ratio is presently -4,406.78%.

The Edinburgh Investment Trust Company Profile

The Edinburgh Investment Trust plc is a closed-ended equity mutual fund launched and managed by Majedie Asset Management Limited. The fund invests in the public equity markets of the United Kingdom. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors. The fund primarily invests in dividend paying growth stocks of companies.

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Tokuyama Co. (OTCMKTS:TKYMY  Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week high on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $8.35 and last traded at $8.35, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $8.35.

Tokuyama Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $7.80 and a 200 day moving average of $7.35.

About Tokuyama

(Free Report)

Tokuyama Corporation produces and sells various chemical products in Japan. The company operates through six segments: Chemicals, Cement, Electronics Materials, Life Science, Eco Business, and Others. The Chemicals segment offers caustic soda, soda ash, calcium chloride, sodium silicate, vinyl chloride monomer, polyvinyl chloride resin, propylene oxide, chlorinated solvents, and hydrogen.

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TriaGen Wealth Management LLC reduced its position in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) by 1.1% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 25,941 shares of the medical equipment providers stock after selling 281 shares during the quarter. TriaGen Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $1,298,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of BSX. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund raised its position in Boston Scientific by 0.4% during the 4th quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 109,897 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $5,085,000 after purchasing an additional 414 shares during the last quarter. Wedmont Private Capital raised its position in Boston Scientific by 14.5% during the 4th quarter. Wedmont Private Capital now owns 9,898 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $459,000 after purchasing an additional 1,250 shares during the last quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund raised its position in Boston Scientific by 14.3% during the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 145,406 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $6,728,000 after purchasing an additional 18,216 shares during the last quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC raised its position in Boston Scientific by 9.7% during the 4th quarter. Stonegate Investment Group LLC now owns 10,205 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $472,000 after purchasing an additional 904 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its position in Boston Scientific by 3.2% during the 4th quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 136,437 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $6,313,000 after purchasing an additional 4,188 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 92.20% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on BSX shares. Morgan Stanley started coverage on Boston Scientific in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. They issued an overweight rating and a $58.00 target price for the company. Barclays increased their target price on Boston Scientific from $53.00 to $56.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 27th. Raymond James increased their target price on Boston Scientific from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Citigroup upped their price target on Boston Scientific from $54.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, April 3rd. Finally, CL King initiated coverage on Boston Scientific in a research note on Friday, June 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $64.00 price target on the stock. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $56.44.

Insider Buying and Selling

Boston Scientific Stock Performance

In related news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, April 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.96, for a total value of $606,425.16. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 83,373 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,332,061.08. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . In other Boston Scientific news, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 6,697 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.80, for a total transaction of $360,298.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 17,453 shares of the companys stock, valued at $938,971.40. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, April 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.96, for a total value of $606,425.16. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 83,373 shares in the company, valued at $4,332,061.08. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders have sold 176,779 shares of company stock valued at $9,360,777. 0.71% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Shares of NYSE BSX traded down $0.51 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $52.37. 1,318,891 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,251,338. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $52.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $49.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $73.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 89.63, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.80. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a current ratio of 1.40. Boston Scientific Co. has a one year low of $36.15 and a one year high of $54.74.

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 26th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.43 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $3.39 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.16 billion. Boston Scientific had a return on equity of 14.57% and a net margin of 6.91%. The companys revenue was up 12.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.39 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Boston Scientific Co. will post 1.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About Boston Scientific

(Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems.

Further Reading

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BSX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX  Free Report).

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V Square Quantitative Management LLC bought a new stake in The Progressive Co. (NYSE:PGR  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 4,982 shares of the insurance providers stock, valued at approximately $713,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of PGR. Markel Corp increased its stake in shares of Progressive by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. Markel Corp now owns 750,750 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $85,578,000 after acquiring an additional 29,750 shares during the last quarter. Roundview Capital LLC boosted its stake in shares of Progressive by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Roundview Capital LLC now owns 49,086 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $5,595,000 after buying an additional 381 shares during the last quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Progressive by 3.9% during the 1st quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 6,693 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $763,000 after buying an additional 254 shares during the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Progressive by 8.0% during the 1st quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 3,081 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $351,000 after buying an additional 228 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Progressive by 103.5% during the 1st quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 7,022 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $800,000 after buying an additional 3,571 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.72% of the companys stock.

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Progressive Stock Down 0.9 %

Shares of Progressive stock traded down $1.12 during trading on Friday, hitting $130.55. 149,893 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,596,733. The stock has a market cap of $76.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 92.59, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 0.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.37 and a current ratio of 0.37. The Progressive Co. has a twelve month low of $109.42 and a twelve month high of $149.87. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $131.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $135.35.

Progressive Dividend Announcement

Progressive ( NYSE:PGR Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 13th. The insurance provider reported $0.65 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.44 by ($0.79). Progressive had a net margin of 1.64% and a return on equity of 13.95%. The company had revenue of $14.23 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.12 billion. Equities research analysts predict that The Progressive Co. will post 5.21 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th will be given a $0.10 dividend. This represents a $0.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.31%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, July 6th. Progressives dividend payout ratio is currently 28.37%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

PGR has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Credit Suisse Group restated a neutral rating and set a $143.00 price objective on shares of Progressive in a research note on Friday, April 14th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on Progressive from $167.00 to $163.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 14th. Citigroup lowered their target price on Progressive from $124.00 to $121.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. Barclays lowered their target price on Progressive from $123.00 to $120.00 in a report on Thursday, June 15th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on Progressive from $158.00 to $159.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 5th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $148.80.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Philip Bleser sold 2,000 shares of Progressive stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.86, for a total transaction of $279,720.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 2,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $297,761.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, Director Philip Bleser sold 2,000 shares of Progressive stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, April 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.86, for a total transaction of $279,720.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 2,129 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $297,761.94. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO John P. Sauerland sold 12,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $127.55, for a total value of $1,530,600.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 333,507 shares in the company, valued at approximately $42,538,817.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 26,930 shares of company stock valued at $3,520,185 in the last three months. Company insiders own 0.34% of the companys stock.

Progressive Profile

(Free Report)

The Progressive Corporation, an insurance holding company, provides personal and commercial auto, personal residential and commercial property, general liability, and other specialty property-casualty insurance products and related services in the United States. It operates in three segments: Personal Lines, Commercial Lines, and Property.

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Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) had its price objective increased by equities research analysts at Morgan Stanley from $44.00 to $47.00 in a note issued to investors on Friday, FlyOnTheWall reports. Morgan Stanleys price objective would suggest a potential upside of 9.58% from the companys current price.

Several other research analysts have also recently commented on WFC. Raymond James boosted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $48.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $49.00 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their target price on Wells Fargo & Company from $44.00 to $46.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, April 17th. Wolfe Research cut Wells Fargo & Company from an outperform rating to a peer perform rating in a research note on Friday. Finally, Citigroup lowered their price objective on Wells Fargo & Company from $52.00 to $50.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Monday, April 17th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $49.04.

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Wells Fargo & Company Price Performance

WFC stock opened at $42.89 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.83, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06. The company has a market capitalization of $160.93 billion, a PE ratio of 12.29, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.12. Wells Fargo & Company has a 12-month low of $35.25 and a 12-month high of $48.84. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $40.74 and its 200 day moving average price is $41.92.

Institutional Trading of Wells Fargo & Company

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Friday, April 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.15 by $0.08. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 10.07% and a net margin of 15.93%. The firm had revenue of $20.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $20.06 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $0.88 EPS. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue for the quarter was up 16.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Wells Fargo & Company will post 4.64 EPS for the current year.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Barrett & Company Inc. purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $25,000. US Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Studio Investment Management LLC purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL purchased a new stake in Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. 72.11% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wells Fargo & Company Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wells Fargo & Company, a diversified financial services company, provides banking, investment, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Consumer Banking and Lending; Commercial Banking; Corporate and Investment Banking; and Wealth and Investment Management.

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Windward Capital Management Co. CA grew its position in shares of Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI  Free Report) (TSE:CNR) by 1.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 192,612 shares of the transportation companys stock after purchasing an additional 3,281 shares during the quarter. Canadian National Railway comprises approximately 2.1% of Windward Capital Management Co. CAs investment portfolio, making the stock its 15th largest position. Windward Capital Management Co. CAs holdings in Canadian National Railway were worth $22,723,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 3.8% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,762,307 shares of the transportation companys stock worth $2,350,111,000 after acquiring an additional 800,108 shares in the last quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec increased its stake in shares of Canadian National Railway by 5.3% in the 1st quarter. Caisse DE Depot ET Placement DU Quebec now owns 12,333,700 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $1,655,948,000 after acquiring an additional 625,000 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Canadian National Railway in the 4th quarter valued at $727,713,000. National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in Canadian National Railway by 180.5% in the 4th quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 5,977,754 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $709,550,000 after buying an additional 3,846,281 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Fiera Capital Corp increased its position in Canadian National Railway by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Fiera Capital Corp now owns 5,132,783 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $610,168,000 after buying an additional 38,281 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.89% of the companys stock.

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Canadian National Railway Trading Down 0.8 %

Shares of Canadian National Railway stock traded down $0.90 during trading on Friday, reaching $116.30. 421,755 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,098,534. The company has a quick ratio of 0.57, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.69. The stocks fifty day moving average is $117.96 and its 200 day moving average is $118.56. The firm has a market cap of $76.99 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.48 and a beta of 0.91. Canadian National Railway has a 1 year low of $103.79 and a 1 year high of $129.89.

Canadian National Railway Cuts Dividend

Canadian National Railway ( NYSE:CNI Free Report ) (TSE:CNR) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Monday, April 24th. The transportation company reported $1.35 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.26 by $0.09. Canadian National Railway had a net margin of 30.61% and a return on equity of 25.00%. The business had revenue of $3.19 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.15 billion. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Canadian National Railway will post 5.83 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 30th. Investors of record on Friday, June 9th were paid a $0.5835 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, June 8th. This represents a $2.33 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.01%. Canadian National Railways payout ratio is 39.30%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have commented on CNI shares. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Canadian National Railway from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Canadian National Railway from C$169.00 to C$172.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Desjardins upped their target price on Canadian National Railway from C$178.00 to C$180.00 in a report on Tuesday, April 25th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Canadian National Railway from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. Finally, Credit Suisse Group increased their target price on shares of Canadian National Railway from $126.00 to $133.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 25th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $144.28.

Canadian National Railway Company Profile

(Free Report)

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in rail and related transportation business. The company offers rail services, which include equipment, custom brokage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services including temperature controlled cargo, port partnership, transloading and distribution, logistic parks, customs brokerage, trucking, and moving grains in containers.

Further Reading

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Wipro (NYSE:WIT  Free Report) will be issuing its quarterly earnings data before the market opens on Thursday, July 13th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of $0.07 per share for the quarter.

Wipro (NYSE:WIT  Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The information technology services provider reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.07. The firm had revenue of $2.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.85 billion. Wipro had a return on equity of 15.45% and a net margin of 12.56%. On average, analysts expect Wipro to post $0 EPS for the current fiscal year and $0 EPS for the next fiscal year.

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Wipro Price Performance

Shares of NYSE WIT opened at $4.75 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $4.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $4.69. The firm has a market cap of $26.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.93 and a beta of 0.81. Wipro has a 52 week low of $4.32 and a 52 week high of $5.54. The company has a quick ratio of 2.46, a current ratio of 2.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Wipro by 4.9% during the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 47,432 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $366,000 after buying an additional 2,234 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its stake in Wipro by 10.1% in the 1st quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 24,557 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $110,000 after purchasing an additional 2,259 shares during the last quarter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp raised its stake in Wipro by 24.2% in the 1st quarter. Enterprise Financial Services Corp now owns 13,130 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $59,000 after purchasing an additional 2,555 shares during the last quarter. Mariner LLC raised its stake in Wipro by 8.3% in the 1st quarter. Mariner LLC now owns 38,631 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $298,000 after purchasing an additional 2,970 shares during the last quarter. Finally, 1832 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new position in Wipro in the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. 2.20% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

WIT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Sanford C. Bernstein lowered Wipro from a market perform rating to an underperform rating and dropped their target price for the company from $5.10 to $3.90 in a research report on Wednesday, March 22nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. assumed coverage on Wipro in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. They issued an underweight rating and a $4.30 price objective on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on Wipro in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has given a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Reduce and a consensus price target of $4.44.

Wipro Company Profile

(Free Report)

Wipro Limited operates as an information technology (IT), consulting, and business process services company worldwide. It operates through three segments: IT Services, IT Products, and India State Run Enterprise Services (ISRE). The IT Services segment offers IT and IT-enabled services, including digital strategy advisory, customer-centric design, technology and IT consulting, custom application design, development, re-engineering and maintenance, systems integration, package implementation, cloud and infrastructure, business process, cloud, mobility and analytics, research and development, and hardware and software design services to enterprises.

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Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said that in early June, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal had submitted the concept of transformation of the country's defense sector prepared by the Ministry of Defense for consideration.

"We started preparing for the formation of the outline of the 'army of the future' a year ago - in June 2022, I signed an order to review the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Assessing the capabilities  that is, the balance of challenges and the real ability to respond to them  is a fundamental element of defense planning for principles of NATO. The review is completed. Based on the analysis of this material, as well as a comprehensive assessment of the experience of the war, the Defense Ministry prepared a concept for the transformation of the defense sector of Ukraine. In early June, I submitted this document to Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal for consideration," Reznikov said in his column for Interfax-Ukraine.

The minister said a significant part of the necessary decisions is of an interdepartmental nature, requires changes in legislation and concerns the competence of the Ministry of Strategic Industry, the Ministry of Veterans, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, and others.

Reznikov also recalled that on July 5, under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, a meeting was held on the implementation of the Ukrainian Shield reform program for the security and defense sector, at which the Defense Ministry's vision of the necessary transformations was presented.

"After agreeing with our colleagues, our joint proposals will become part of the discussion on the Ukrainian Doctrine initiated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy," Reznikov said.

As the head of the department said, the enemy proved that defense is not an expense, but an investment, and capable defense will create resources. In particular, the strengthening of the Naval Forces is a guarantee of safe navigation in the Black and Azov Seas and income from trade.
The House of Representatives has issued a strong call to action to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health, urging them to effectively contain the outbreak of diphtheria and reduce the fatality rate among confirmed cases.

This plea follows the adoption of a motion presented by Honourable Muktar Shagaya, a representative from Kwara state, during a plenary session. According to the lawmaker, recent reports from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that a total of 550 cases have been reported in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the outbreak has resulted in the tragic loss of 75 lives across 21 affected states, with the most recent death being that of a four-year-old boy in the Federal Capital Territory.

Honourable Shagaya expressed concern over the under-reporting of diphtheria cases in Nigeria, despite the severe risks it poses to public health. Late detection of the disease can lead to respiratory complications, heart rhythm problems, and other fatal outcomes.

Highlighting the highly contagious nature of diphtheria, which spreads through direct contact or respiratory droplets, he stressed the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease.

In response to the motion, the House of Representatives called upon the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the NCDC to ensure the availability of vaccines. They also urged these organizations to intensify their sensitization and enlightenment campaigns, aiming to prevent and eradicate diphtheria and related diseases across the nation.

To ensure compliance, the House further mandated the Committees on Healthcare Services and Legislative Compliance, once constituted, to oversee the implementation of these measures.
A former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has asked the incumbent governor Dapo Abiodun to cease the payment of his monthly allowances and pension with immediate effect.

He said the suspension of his monthly allowance and pension complied with his conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator, who hitherto was a former State governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such a state.

It was learnt that Daniel, who is now the new Senator representing Ogun East, made the request in a letter titled, Request To Suspend My Monthly Pension and Allowances, and addressed to Governor Abiodun.

The former Ogun governor asked that the N676,376.95 pension/allowances he is entitled to as a former governor be suspended.

Daniel noted that he had not benefitted from any welfare packages, be it medical, furniture, transportation and others since he left office in 2011

His letter partly read, I write to request for the suspension of my monthly pension/allowances of 676,376.95 (gross) (Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, Three Hundred Seventy-Six Naira, Ninety-Five Kobo) being paid as a former Executive Governor of Ogun State.

This request complies with my conscience, moral principle and ethical code against double emoluments that a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who hitherto was a former State Governor, shall not be entitled to the payment of pension and allowances from such state.

It would be recalled that on Tuesday 13th June 2023, I was, with other elected Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, inaugurated as members of the 10th National Assembly.

It is pertinent to also have it on record that since I left the office in 2011, I have not benefitted from any welfare packages be it Medical, Furniture, transportation etc. Thanks in anticipation.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has stated that Nigeria is very safe, noting that the Bola Tinubu government is ready to welcome foreign investors into the country.

Akpabio said this on Thursday while receiving a delegation from Jampur International Group FZE, led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mohammed Shafiq, in Abuja.

The senate president also promised that the federal government would do everything legally possible to ensure that investors do not regret investing in the country.

Akpabio restated the federal governments commitment to providing a conducive business environment for both local and foreign investors in the country.

He said: I welcome you on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Nigeria is very safe and ready for investors. I am aware you are already investing in Nigeria in the area of mining, power, and trading.

Thank you for employing Nigerians in your companies.

Akpabio said the decision of the federal government to unify the exchange rate was a deliberate attempt to further assure foreign investors of the safety of their investments anywhere in the country.

Akpabio said: The current administration has normalised our foreign exchange rate by having only one window.

Investing in Nigeria is worthwhile because of the returns in investments based on our population of over 200 million and the land mass.

The president is ready to ensure that people get value for their investments, himself being a strong businessman.

I assure you that the federal government will do everything humanly possible to protect your investments by putting in place enabling laws on investments and security for its citizens and foreign investors.
The security problems in the Southeast have largely continued unabated because Southeast leaders have, instead of providing leadership, chosen to play the ostrich, and when leaders choose the easy path of massaging problems instead of providing solutions, those problems are bound to continue.

Southeast leaders, from Ohanaeze, which I belong to, to the political leaders, to activists, journalists and religious leaders have all succumbed to lies and emotions instead of sitting down among themselves and taking steps to bring lasting solutions to the unabating and unusual bloodletting that has come to define our territory in the last two years and more.

People who have been placed in positions of leadership in Igbo land, have at this critical point in our history chosen the path of cowardice and treachery instead of patriotism and courage. In the peak of my involvement in Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership, I remember I made many suggestions on how to end the impasse in Igbo land, one of which was to request the IPOB to disband the illegal ESN. When the sit-at-home order was freshly declared, I made several interventions calling on the IPOB to nullify that order, because among other things, it wasn't sustainable and that it would be hijacked by criminal elements. I risked been lynched in some meetings of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing where I vehemently refused to accede to requests from my colleagues to support the sit-at-home order and show solidarity to IPOB. I was at a time convinced that political solution to the Nnamdi Kanu debacle was the only way out and I wrote letters to the Attorney-General, the CJN and other relevant stakeholders appealing for Nnamdi Kanu's release. For that move, I was set up by the police and had criminal allegations put on me. I survived that only by God's grace. While these things were going on, many Ohanaeze leaders were busy going from one politician's office to the other and sleeping from one hotel to the other negotiating and begging for money to betray the Igbo interest. Do I have any regrets for the sacrifices I put in? Never. I will do that over and over again for the sake of Ndigbo and Nigeria.

I remember that I was labelled an Igbo saboteur at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo congress where the election of the Youth Wing held. I would have been lynched as a certain young man brought up the things I had written about the dangers posed by the IPOB and labelled them as anti-Igbo. The first ever disclaimer anyone or organisation had ever written on me was when Rochas Okorocha was seeking the face of the Igbo nation and had to instruct his Media Adviser to disclaim me for the opinions I expressed against IPOB activities and the politicians who support them for their political gains rather than for their belief in its usefulness to the Igbo interest. I had some near brushes with death and had to hurriedly evacuate my family from Owerri when the threats became unbearable.

Because it was politically incorrect to express any opinion deemed or actually unsupportive of IPOB activities, many Igbo leaders either kept quiet or made excuses for the hoodlums terrorising Ala Igbo. From Obiano to Ikpeazu to Ugwuanyi, there was a loud silence and lack of diligence in nipping the activities of these terrorists in the bud. Politicians who wanted to win the support of their people, openly sided with these hoodlums and their activities and I remember a particular politician telling me that if the Northerners could support Boko Haram, then, it would be irrational for any Igbo man to criticize IPOB, ESN or the Unknown Gunmen.

I remember doing a statement as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Acting Leader in which I raised concerns that these criminals in the Southeast might have been infiltrated by external elements including ISIS. I still hold that opinion today.

Few months ago, it was politically correct and safe to make excuses for the hoodlums terrorising our people and destroying Igbo land under the guise that they were protesting against the Nigerian system for marginalizing Ala Igbo, and almost every Southeast politician jumped into that bandwagon, today, it is deemed as the most correct thing to advocate for Nnamdi Kanu's release as a precondition for peace to return to the Southeast, and everyone is singing that cranky tune, not because they have carried out any meaningful research on the issue or done any credible analysis on it, but because it is populist. Ask me the most irresponsible leader, and I will show you the populist leader.

The truth is that anyone advocating for Nnamdi Kanu's release must base that advocacy on the court judgements ordering that, and not as a precondition for peace to return to Ala Igbo. Even if MNK is released and made the Vice-president of Nigeria, he won't be able to stop the madness going on in the Southeast. In fact, he risks being killed by those criminals. These criminals are merely hiding under Nnamdi Kanu's incarceration to perpetrate these criminal activities and criminals don't easily quit crime. Nnamdi Kanu's release will threaten their criminal venture and they wouldn't mind killing him and blaming it on the Nigerian secret service so that they can have good reasons to continue in their terrorist activities .

The Federal Government should obey court orders and free Nnamdi Kanu. Governors and political leaders in the Southeast should muster the political will to wipe these terrorists away from the Southeast. Waiting for Nnamdi Kanu to do what they were elected to do is a height of irresponsibility. Nnamdi Kanu made many reckless statements and gave some irrational orders, but the truth of the matter is that many of the real people who were motivated by his speeches to think that they are fighting for the freedom of Ala Igbo are not among these criminals destroying Ala Igbo and few of those whom he motivated into crime, unknowingly, have either been apprehended or repented. The current gang carrying out these criminal activities in the Southeast are beyond his control and the control of both the so-called IPOB Directorate of State or Auto-Pilot.

MAY ALA IGBO PREVAIL!


It is not an exaggeration to opine that there is hardly an ethnic group on earth that has never been subjected to stereotyping, hence, it is not surprising that the Igbo ethnic group has always suffered from it, and maybe even more than other ethnic groups in Nigeria.

In fact, it is expedient to disclose that the inspiration to express this view in this context became expedient as the spate of stereotypes against Ndigbo has reached a ridiculous and intolerable notch where people who are least knowledgeable about Igbo history, culture, traditions, and behavior, have mischievously coalesced into one, and in unanimity concocting a generalized image, often false, of every one of Igbo descent.

For instance, an element of the campaign of calumny that was orchestrated against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP). Mr. Peter Obi ahead of the 2023 presidential election were insinuations that he was primarily in the race to ensure that the dream of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) was achieved, even as not a few of his traducers were mischievously calumniating his personality by saying that his aspiration was an extension of the IPOB Agenda.

It will be recalled in this context that as the negative campaign was dangerously carried out against him that the LP Presidential Campaign Council Spokesperson, Tanko Yunusa, was compelled to organize a press parley where he issued a press statement as a way of correcting the wrong and damaging impression that was widely held by a wide spectrum of the electorates. In his address, Yunusa clarified that Obi has no links with the IPOB. His clarification followed allegations by a civil society group, Concerned Citizens Network (CCN), in a petition to the European Union (EU), the USA, and the UK, alleging that the proscribed group was supporting Obi for the 2023 elections.

The group claimed that Obi has received tactic support from IPOB since he indicated interest to contest the 2023 presidential election.

Yunusa, in the press parley that was given generous reportage, said there was no iota of truth in the allegation, adding that it was made up to pitch Mr. Obis supporters in the South-East region against him.

Yunusa said, It is a total lie, the allegations are completely false. This is like saying Atiku Abubakar of the PDP is receiving tactic support from Boko Haram terrorists or Fulani herdsmen, or that the OPC and MC Oluomos group are giving tactic support for Bola Tinubu of the APC.

The truth is that Peter Obi has never been associated with any such organization, be it OPC, IPOB, or Boko Haram. He treats issues holistically as a nationalist and as someone who wants to come into power to treat issues accordingly.

The records are there from what he did as Anambra governor for eight years. When the IPOB issue started in Anambra, Obi treated it as every other crime perpetrated in his state, and that was why throughout his tenure there was no single robbery in Anambra. That is a pointer.

Also expedient to be made reference to in this context is the unprovoked attacks against Igbo interests in Lagos in the wake of the February 25 presidential and national assembly elections.

Without any iota of exaggeration, continuous ethnic profiling and hate propaganda against Igbo in Lagos State were recorded in the pre and post-electoral period so much that not a few people unanimously observed that it appeared that over 50 years after the civil war, non-Igbos were still having reprisals against the Igbo ethnic group. The rationale behind the foregoing line of thought cannot be farfetched as the coup staged by Major Nzeogwu and other young Nigerian soldiers in 1967 was termed the Igbo coup. To be fair and just to the Igbo ethnic group, there is no denying the fact that the genocidal treatment meted out to them led to the civil war that lasted from 1967 to 1970.

As if to add salt to injury, former Niger Delta agitator, Mujahid Asari Dokubo, recently fired a shot at the leadership of IPOB for calling him a freedom fighter turned bunkering militant and political thug.

Dokubo was seen in a video that went viral addressing the Igbo people as slaves who would have continued to be sold if not for the British governments intervention.

The ex-militant said, The Igbo people do not know their roots. They dont have respect for who bought their father. Do you think every Kalabari man is a Kalabari man?

See how the Igbo people are dying. They keep saying that I have run away. Look at me; Im here, he said.

Dokubo, while displaying an AK-47 in the video, added that the Igbo people are just seeking attention.

In as much as this piece is not set to vilify anyone over the stereotyping of Igbo descent, it is expedient to clarify in this context that an ethnic stereotype is a simplified generalized image of an ethnic group built on prejudice, emotional evaluation, and with the lack of sufficient knowledge. Such images are often false and offensive to the representatives of the stereotyped group.

In fact, as gathered, people are taught to stereotype other people even as stereotyping is a learned form of classifying and labeling others based on inaccurate information or assumption rather than on factual knowledge. Without a doubt, there are numerous factors that help create stereotypes, such as misunderstanding of the customs, traditions, behavior, and world outlook of a person, state policy, and the type of relationship between the government and a particular ethnic group. In fact, the art of stereotyping is often carried out through literature, cinema, and mass media. Those and a few other factors are, in fact, the reason for the appearance of a stereotype, which symbolizes with the greatest expressiveness, as a rule, an image of a particular person, a whole nation, or some other phenomenon with its characteristic traits and determinative ideas. However, no image can be once and for all invariable; it inevitably transforms in the course of time, like life itself.

As gathered by virtue of being a Journalist, the treatment being meted out to people of Igbo descent is nothing but racial profiling; which occurs when a person is erroneously believed to be affiliated with a racial or ethnic group is seen to exhibit a certain pattern of behavior or seen to commit certain kind of crime.

The essence of racial profiling is the erroneous judgment that the targeted person or group is more prone to commit crime in general, or to commit a particular type of crime, than other racial or ethnic groups. A case in point is the ongoing controversy involving Mmesoma Ejikeme, who was accused by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) of forging her result, even if she has denied the allegation there are some ethnic jingoists that are literarily nodding their heads, and alleging that because she is of Igbo descent that she is not innocent. In my view, other tribes should eschew the erroneously held impression that an average Igbo man or woman is a criminal. Enough of stereotyping the Igbo ethnic group, please!
The Kyiv Metro municipal company has received another six cars as part of the technical assistance of its Polish colleagues, the Kyiv City State Administration reported, referring to the Kyiv Metro.

"The other day, six more Warsaw cars arrived in Kyiv as technical assistance from Polish colleagues. In general, the Kyiv metro received 18 cars. Delivery of 42 more is planned before the end of this year," the Kyiv City State Administration said on Friday.

"Now, the enterprise's specialists are gradually inspecting and checking the received cars, in particular, the mechanical part. Even though the cars of series No. 81-717 are also operated on the Kyiv metro lines, several differences must be taken into account when inspecting and checking all equipment," Head of Kyiv Metro Viktor Brahinsky said, quoted by the press service.

The inventory fleet of cars of the Kyiv Metro is 821 cars of various models and years of production, of which 656 are Soviet-made cars. Rolling stock requires mandatory routine maintenance. Thus, every 480,000 km (once every four years) the cars undergo a factory repair (from current to overhaul). Within their framework, preventive maintenance and revision of the equipment of the control system, brake system, and engines is carried out. Other measures are taken to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the rolling stock and the required level of traffic safety.
Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, the lawyer to Sunday Adeyemo Igboho, the Yoruba nation agitator, has revealed that his client is set to return to the country.

It could be recalled that Igboho escaped from the country in 2021 after operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) raided his residence in Ibadan.

It was learnt that after the operation, two persons were confirmed dead as DSS made arrest of about 13 others.

The DSS, through Peter Afunanya, its spokesman, said it carried out the raid after intelligence reports revealed that Igboho allegedly stockpiled weapons in his house.

It, thereafter, launched a manhunt for Igboho who was subsequently arrested in neighbouring Cotonou, Benin Republic, while trying to travel to Germany.

In a new development, Olajengbesi while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, said the embattled Yoruba nation activist, who has since regained his freedom, would soon return back to the country.

Igboho is doing very well and he will soon be in Nigeria in a very ceremonial way. The arrangements are on, Olajengbesi told newsmen.

He, however, lamented his inability to enforce a judgement that was delivered in favour of his client, a situation he said was made difficult by the fact that the consent of the Attorney-General of the Federation must first be secured before security agencies could pay judgement debts.

While calling for a review of that provision of the law, Olajengbesi, urged the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu to have a rethink about people he described as freedom fighters.

The lawyer maintained that people like Igboho, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, as well as the embattled convener of the RevolutionNow protest, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, deserved to be listened to by the government.

He commended President Tinubu for his purposeful leadership drive, restructuring of the governmental policies and operational systems since assuming the office, adding that he has rekindled the hope of average Nigerians that government can serve the common good of the people.

We therefore encourage Mr. President to continue in this direction with equity and justice as his working value system.

We equally want to commend the acting Inspector General of Police; Olukayode Egbetokun for an unusual reforms in the Nigeria Police Force and his commitment to holding errant officers accountable for abuse of official duties and violation of human rights. He is bringing a new value system to the Nigeria police system and this new drive must be sustained.

We must also commend INEC for filing charges against its suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Yunusa Ari in Adamawa State. This is a step in the right direction and it is commendable.
Whatever one thinks of the previous administration let us build on President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption and anti-poverty initiatives; simply appointing new security chiefs and other public officials will not solve Nigeria's challenges. Wahala

President Bola Tinubu recently replaced the heads of all Nigeria's security services, including the police, which is not uncommon in any polity, especially in Nigeria, where cultural, regional, ethnic, and religious factors are considered in leadership appointments.

After eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari's military-style democratic environment, which he apparently required, especially when he claimed to be surrounded by a number of personally corrupt Nigerian leaders, whom he labeled "wicked people," and with a bible or Koran in their hands. I've often wondered if he believed that folks from non-northern or southern Nigeria were more corrupt. Was this the reason, regrettably, for his nepotistic approach to leadership appointments? In any case, let me return to the points raised in this article in relation to the newly appointed security and political officials.

The latest security and law enforcement leaders, as well as many in this new administration, come from the same cultural institutional context, but I trust that among them are those who will display integrity, promote changes, and fight for Nigeria's progress. While former President Buhari may describe many Nigerian leaders as having come from what call dirty backgrounds or being inherently corrupt and constantly enriching themselves, let us hope that many of today's security and public service chiefs will be guided by the spirit of transparency, accountability, and good governance in order to foster positive change in the country.

Buhari appears to have displayed full-fledged nepotism and tribalism during his reign, although his reputation for discipline was part of his personal psychology. The current presidency is led by President Bola Tinubu, who, according to Babafemi Badejo, a Professor of Political Science and International Relations, is not renowned as a fighter of anti-corruption policies due to his history but the professor remains confident that this could change.

Personal experiences, political affiliations, ethnic diminuendos, religious undercurrents, and societal dynamics all have always had an impact on Nigerian leadership. And this new administration and leadership could be influenced by all of these profound aspects, even if some of them, like Tinubu, are capable of changing their conduct and adopting a spirit of good governance and service to assist in the upliftment of the poor. I hope that personal growth, societal pressure, or a real desire for change can lead to them reforming their behaviors and prioritizing the well-being of the people they serve. Lets hope that there is a new mindset particularly those who may have engaged in chronic, wide, and stylistic corrupt practices in the past.

Only a few days ago, Nigerians witnessed as President Tinubu returned from abroad in a convoy of more than 100 cars in Lagos. The videos were widely disseminated on national and international social media platforms. The convoy was making its way from Ikeja airport to his private mansion in Ikoyi in Lagos.

In terms of leadership and caring for an economically hurting society, especially now, this type of behavior and conduct is manifested in the form of faulty ideas that put personal interests or political objectives over the welfare of society. These ideas can lead to resource misallocation and power abuse, and they amount to what I call ideological corruption, which means promoting ways or ideas that are inherently harmful to society, such as inequitable practices, disturbing peace, polluting the environment, and undermining democratic institutions.

Nigeria, like many African countries, is plagued by insecurity, and no number of guns and other weapons demanded by the new security chiefs and police can address the underlying issues of poverty, inequality, governmental volatility, ethnic tensions, and a lack of access to basic services.

Getting leaders in Nigeria who will personally promote greater accountability and transparency with people other than families and friends in mind, on the other hand, will promote good governance practices, which will have a positive correlation with security, economic development, and reduced crime rates in Nigeria. Where there is trust in the government, particularly the justice system, efficient use of public resources, which leads to economic growth and development, effective delivery of public services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, and basic needs are met, all of this contributes to greater social stability and reduces the incentives for criminal activity. So, I say to the current leadership, led by Tinubu, who is still fighting Peter Obi, the Labour Party's presidential candidate, that while weapons and military operations can help solve security challenges, long-term and effective solutions cannot rely solely on force.

The success of leadership in tackling Nigeria's endemic problems is determined by the individual's dedication to good governance, accountability, and transparency, as well as their capacity to implement long-term policies that promote the nation's overall development and welfare. That is why, as part of my fantasy, I would like to see psychological testing used for any potential future leaders in Nigeria. Let me emphasize that the tests are to be performed by psychologists, not psychiatrists. Unlike psychiatrists, who are medical specialists educated in diagnosing and treating mental diseases, psychologists are professionals who also specialize in the study of human behavior and the mind. They are trained in numerous psychological assessment procedures. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Nigerian-type leaders require psychological testingto check their mental and emotional fitness as they seek leadership positions.

It can reveal and uncover a person's hidden identity as well as facts about their decision-making capacity, level of judgment, outer behaviors, street manners, caring character, level of shamefulness, empathy, problem-solving abilities, and other relevant traits.

As part of my favoritism, the Nigeria psychological association has some clinicians at Nasarawa State University's forensic and clinical psychology programs, as well as others in well-functioning higher institutions and professional practices that could implement psychological testing as part of the selection process for leaders.

Nigerians are tired of changing leaders every four to eight years, yet little has changed, therefore I believe psychological testing can assist in identifying persons who possess the requisite leadership characteristics and competences to effectively solve the country's difficulties. It can reveal their ability to deal with stress, exposing individuals who are prone to lying, excessive personal satisfaction, corruption-driven preoccupation, and those who can make sound decisions and manage difficult situations. It will aid in the identification of any potential mental health disorders, including psychoneurological issues, that may impair a leader's capacity to carry out their responsibilities effectively. However, it is critical to guarantee that psychological testing is implemented in a fair, transparent, and professional manner, rather than by individuals who can be persuaded to say, 'Sir/madam, you pass, you are OK.'

Economic stability leads to a robust and stable economy, which lessens the incentives for criminal activity motivated by desperation. Yes, we welcome another set of new security and law enforcement chiefs; yes, good weapons and security forces can effectively combat crime, terrorism, and other security challenges, ensuring citizens' safety and well-being; but without good characters and good handlers to institute good governance that forms critical foundations for addressing security concerns, we are all pretending and yeye (institutional stupidity over and over) continues.

I will once again introduce psychological testing for future leaders in Nigeria in order to examine their mental and emotional fitness for leadership roles. Psychological testing can provide insights into decision-making ability, problem-solving skills, empathy level, and other key attributes, and its administration should be fair, transparent, and carried out by skilled fair-minded specialists.

I wholeheartedly believe that economic stability and good governance are critical pillars for tackling Nigeria's security challenges. While new security and law enforcement officials and good weapons are vital, Nigeria's issues will remain without good personalities and leaders who emphasize good governance.

Psychologist John Egbeazien Oshodi

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, to a father who served in the Nigeria police for 37 years, is an American-based police and prison scientist and forensic, clinical, and legal psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA; and a former interim associate dean and assistant professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings. A former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. In 2011, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. He has taught at various universities and colleges including Florida memorial University, Florida International University, Broward college, Lynn University, and currently an online faculty member at the Weldios university in Benin Republic, Nexus International University, Uganda, Nova Southeastern University and Walden University in USA.

Founder of the proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien Open University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of truth, ethics, and openness. Over forty academic publications and creations, at least 300 public opinion pieces on African issues, and various books have been written by him. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues. His most recent textbook publication is Concise Psychology: An Integrated Forensic Approach to Psychology for Global African Settings. [email protected]
Foreign man in hospital after Phuket temple jump

PHUKET: A foreign man was rushed to hospital at around 9pm this evening (July 7) after jumping from the roof of the main chedi at Wat Chalong temple in Phuket.

RussiantourismSafetydeath

By The Phuket News

Friday 7 July 2023 09:38 PM

The foreign man on the roof of the chedi on July 7 night. Photo: NBT Phuket

UPDATE 1: At around 10pm on July 7, PR Phuket published an update identifying the man as a 35-year-old Russian national. Name was not revealed. Nothing was said about the injuries he had sustained.

UPDATE 2: At around 8am on July 8, the Phuket office of the Tourist Police Bureau confirmed that the Russian man had succumbed to his injuries.

The man was spotted on the roof of the chedi at around 5.30pm, according to a report by NBT Phuket cited by the Phuket provincial office of the Public Relations Department of Thailand.

Having been notified of the incident, police officers, rescue workers, and medical personnel rushed to the scene. Dozens of onlookers did the same while even more tuned in to a live broadcast in social media. Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew was among the onlookers.

Despite hours of efforts to persuade the man to come down, the foreigner remained on the roof of the sacred building prompting rescue workers to take physical actions. By that time an air cushion (inflatabel rescue airbag) was placed by the northeastern corner of the chedi, where the man was still sitting dozens of meters above the ground.

At around 8.40pm, while rescue workers were attempting to restrain him on the roof, the man jumped down from the roof of the chedi. He landed on the safety trampoline.

Rescue workers rushed him on a stretcher through the internal chambers of the chedi and loaded him into an ambulance. The ambulance then sped off to an undisclosed hospital.

As of 9.30pm, Phuket officials have not made any statements regarding the mans condition or his identity. It was only confirmed that he was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital after jumping from the roof and landing on the air cushion.

If you or anyone you know is in need of emotional support and counseling, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at their 24-hour hotline 02-113-6789 (English & Thai) or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai).
Phuket Cannabis Association issues declaration of intent

PHUKET: The Phuket Cannabis Association issued an official declaration of intent regarding the sale of marijuana across the island yesterday (July 6), a move they say will improve safety and quality standards for consumers.

Friday 7 July 2023 09:00 AM

The news was annouced at a meeting held at the Andaman Conference Room of the Phuket Development Muang Co, Ltd at 2pm yesterday overseen by Rewat Areerop, President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO), who was joined by Somsuk Samphanprateep, Deputy Chief of Phuket Public Health, Purnwarit Hope Pattravanich, President of the Phuket Cannabis Association and relevant representatives from a range of public and private sector entitites.

Mr Purnwarit explained his organisations members are cannabis-related entrepreneurs in Phuket who want to work towards a safer and more consolidated structure for the sale of the drug in Phuket.

As part of the declaration of intent they collectively agreed upon, the members pledged to not sell cannabis or cannabis related products to anyone under 20 years of age, to pregnant women and would have to possess a valid license to trade.

Furthermore vendors selling cannabis will need to possess an official Certificate of Manufacturer which details a quality analysis of their products, which will ensure no contaminants or illegal substances are present and the goods adhere to ISO / IEC 17025 standards.

The declaration also explains how vendors will campaign for cannabis production farms to continue to learn and develop their practices to ensure they are aligned with international standards relating to good agricultural and collection practice (GACP).

A report on the sale of controlled herbs such as cannabis will also be produced and sent to the PPAO each month by all association members, something required by law.

The association will continue to work with its members to provide guidance and education on best practice to ensure a more coherent and transparent structure which can ultimately provide consumers with the knowledge that they are receiving the best quality products.
Police ask for help locating taxi to retrieve tourists phone

PHUKET: The Phuket office of the Tourist Police Bureau has posted a public request for cooperation in finding a red tuk-tuk so that officers can retrieve a mobile phone allegedly left in the vehicle by a foreign tourist.

tourismtransportSafety

By The Phuket News

Friday 7 July 2023 03:11 PM

The request for cooperation was posted on the official Facebook page of Phuket Tourist Police at around 4.30pm yesterday (July 6). As of today (July 7), officers have not shared any updates on the case and not reported finding the tuk tuk despite knowing its identification number.

According to the notice, at about 3.30am on Thursday (June 6), a tourist from Kazakhstan hired a red tuk-tuk to travel from Bangla Rd to Chanalai Hillside Resort in Karon.

The tourist then realized that he couldnt find his mobile phone and turned to Phuket Tourist Police, informing officers that he believed he might have left the device in the tuk-tuk. The vehicle was described as red and bearing the identification number B-552.

"If anyone knows the driver, please provide help to us and contact Phuket Tourist Police at 076223891," the police said.

In a separate development, Phuket Tourist Police this week have so far reported two cases where lost mobile phones were successfully returned to tourists without any requests for help from the public.

On July 5, Phuket Tourist Police reported returning "Israeli tourists mobile phones that they left behind in taxis while traveling from their hotel to Rassada Pier."

On July 6, Phuket Tourist Police reported having helped "track down an American travelers mobile phone, which the owner left behind in a taxi while traveling to Phuket International Airport."

The second report was posted after the request for cooperation in finding the B-552 red tuk-tuk.
Second PM vote on July 19 if first session fails: Wan

BANGKOK: If Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure the votes required to become Thailands next prime minister in the first House session set for next Thursday (July 13), then a second round of voting is likely to be held on July 19, House speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said yesterday (July 6).

politics

By Bangkok Post

Friday 7 July 2023 09:46 AM

Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat waves his hand as he attends a parliament meeting to vote for the House speaker on Tuesday morning (July 4). Photo: Bangkok Post

As the constitution requires the 250-member Senate to vote for the next prime minister alongside the 500 MPs in the House, Mr Pita as the MFPs sole prime ministerial candidate, must garner at least 376 votes to secure the position.

Mr Wan said he had met with Senate speaker Pornpetch Wichitcholchai to discuss a suitable date for the second round of voting, in which they agreed it should be scheduled on July 19.

However, the House speaker noted the date has yet to be set in stone, reports the Bangkok Post.

Deputy House speaker-elect, Pichet Chuamuangphan, meanwhile, said there should be enough time for the House to select the next prime minister as parliament is slated to convene on July 13, 19 and 20 to hash out the matter.

I think the three days should be enough, said the Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai.

The coalition bloc, which comprises eight political parties that have thrown their weight behind Mr Pitas bid for the premiership, currently has 312 MPs in the House. The alliance needs the support of at least 64 senators to reach the minimum threshold for the House to endorse Mr Pita as the next PM.

He said three sessions were planned at this stage as it will be difficult to bring together all 750 members of the Lower and Upper Houses on a single day.

When asked if Pheu Thai would assume the lead of the coalition bloc if the three sessions failed to elect Mr Pita as the prime minister, Mr Pichet said that would depend on parliament and other coalition parties.

Coalition parties will comply with the MoU [memorandum of understanding] they have signed. There will be internal discussions and that should go without a hitch, Mr Pichet said.

He also said that he was unsure how many senators would vote for Mr Pita at this stage.

Srettha Thavisin, one of Pheu Thais prime ministerial candidates, insisted Pheu Thai would definitely toe the MFP line when voting for the next prime minister.

He said he was optimistic that the first vote would run as smoothly as the election of the House speaker on July 4.

He declined to comment on whether or not Pheu Thai will grab the chance to push their candidates if Mr Pita fails to garner enough support to become the prime minister.

Mr Srettha said it was premature to talk about it.
Teenager injured in Rassada residential fire

PHUKET: One person sustained minor injuries as a result of a fire in a row house on Soi Bang Chee Lao, a small road located north of Phuket Bus Terminal 2 on Thepkrasattri Rd in Rassada.

Safety

By The Phuket News

Friday 7 July 2023 04:53 PM

Puket City Police Station and Rassada Municipality were notified of a residential fire on Soi Bang Chee Lao at about 8.40am this morning (July 7). Three fire engines were dispatched to the scene along with an ambulance, reports Khao Phuket, The Phuket News sister-newspaper in Thai language.

It took firefighters around 15 minutes to extinguish the flames. One of the rental units in the row house was badly damaged by the blaze, but none of the neighboring rooms sustained damage.

The damaged unit was rented by 46-year-old Wanna Koomban. The womans 17-year-old son Jirayut Saiwichian was inside when the fire started from a refrigerators power plug.

Mr Jirayut turned off the electricity but failed to stop the fire. He sustained minor injuries in the incident. Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

In a separate case yesterday (July 6), a noodle soup stall on Soi Khok Makham in Rawai was damaged by fire. The exact nature of the incident was not disclosed by Rawai Municipality, but the authorities referred to it as a "gas tank fire" in their report.

Officials from the Rawai municipal office of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department (DDPM) inspected the scene and gave basic firefighting advice to the vendor whose property was damaged.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Slovakia for the contract for the supply of 16 self-propelled howitzers.

"I am grateful for the defense support and, in particular, the support now, on the eve of signing a contract for the production of 16 Zuzanna-2 self-propelled howitzers. Of course, we are also working on other joint production of shells, production of guns," he said in Bratislava after talks with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova on Friday.

"We are ready to buy the appropriate Slovak equipment. We are interested in this and are ready to create new production facilities for mine clearance," the President said. Ukraine and Slovakia, according to him, "together can become donors of global protection of people from the global mine threat."

Zelenskyy also expressed readiness to "jointly develop transport." "I am very grateful for Ukraine's principled support in European integration. And separately, I want to emphasize our gratitude for Slovakia's help in protecting against Russian terror with missiles and drones. Slovakia has provided us with very necessary anti-aircraft systems for defense, provided aircraft. And I am grateful to you for every life saved, life in Ukraine thanks to these air defense systems and these aircraft," he stressed.
Middle section of 'Breakout' on my 3rd @foofighters show about a month ago Columbus, Ohio. Out of nowhere, I decided to reference the NIN song "You Know What You Are" that I used to play every night on tour, but Dave recorded it on the record.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that all allies support the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which already excludes any intentions to block its meetings in future.

He said this in response to a question from Interfax-Ukraine whether Hungary could block decisions of the Council just as it did in the past when it blocked the NATO-Ukraine Commission meetings.

"The fact that we establish the NATO-Ukraine Council demonstrates that all allies, and also Hungary, are in favor of that. Because that is the way we make decisions. Secondly, we have the modalities that ensure that we can convene the meeting and we will of course continue to have meetings also in the future," Stoltenberg said.

The Secretary General also noted that the Council will be a platform where everyone will be equal for holding crisis consultations and making decisions so as to eliminate security concerns.

He also that that the modalities on how often this Council will meet would be approved.

"I expect that we will agree also the modalities that ensure that individual members of the Council that includes of course Ukraine can call a meeting to have crisis consultations. [] The Council can also make decisions," Stoltenberg said.

In addition, the establishment of the Council will open opportunities for establishing subcommittees that will address specific tasks.

"This will bring Ukraine closer to NATO," the Secretary General said.
Cabinet allocates more than UAH 340 mln for recovery of damaged facilities in Mykolaiv region due to undermining of Kakhovka HPP

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has allocated more than UAH 340 million for the restoration of damaged and destroyed facilities in Mykolaiv region as a result of the undermining of the Kakhovka HPP by Russian occupiers, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.

"We are working on eliminating the consequences of the terrorist attack at the Kakhovka HPP. More than UAH 4 billion have already been allocated," Shmyhal said at a government meeting on Friday.

In particular, according to him, UAH 980 million was allocated to Kherson Regional Military Administration for the restoration of damaged and destroyed facilities.

"Today we also allocate more than UAH 340 million for a similar restoration in Mykolaiv region. We expect specific recovery results from local leaders in the near future," the Prime Minister said.
Zelenskyy on meeting with President of Slovakia: We discuss in detail our defense, foreign policy cooperation

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President of Slovakia Zuzana Caputova discussed defense and foreign policy cooperation between the two countries.

Today, we are in Slovakia, working for the interests of our nations and we are truly grateful to all the people of Slovakia for their support. Now, of course, the first priority is security, the protection of our common values, which make Europe what it is, Zelenskyy said on Telegram Friday.

As the head of the Ukrainian state clarified, "with President Zuzana Caputova, we discussed our defense and foreign policy cooperation in detail - very specific projects, very specific things that really help here and now."

"Ukraine and Slovakia are definitely stronger today," the president is sure.
The Supreme Court of Ukraine admits the possibility that international courts could try criminal cases on Russia's war crimes directly related to the individuals who had unleashed the war and issued criminal orders, however, the national courts of Ukraine will consider the bulk of war crimes committed by Russia.

"Speaking about war crimes and aggression-related crimes  crimes against peace, human security and international law and order  more than 1,150 criminal cases have been submitted for consideration to local courts. These are [the cases on] the recognition of Russia's armed aggression as lawful  more than 850 criminal proceedings, the distribution of communist and Nazi symbols  more than 160 criminal proceedings," Chairman of the Cassation Criminal Court within the Supreme Court Oleksandr Marchuk told a press conference in Kyiv on Friday.

As for the article of the Criminal Code on violation of the laws and customs of war, according to Marchuk, there are constant discussions around this category of cases, including the study of the experience and practice of foreign partners so that Ukrainian courts can correctly document such types of crimes.

He also said that 130 criminal cases were sent to courts under Article 438 of the Criminal Code (violation of the laws and customs of war), and 38 of them have already been considered.

"The court of first instance is considering one criminal proceeding on ecocide. As for the genocide, two criminal proceedings were submitted to court for consideration," Marchuk said.

Also, according to him, there are three criminal cases in Ukrainian courts under the article on planning, preparing and waging a war of aggression (Article 437 of the Criminal Code).

The court chairman said that one of the cases on the preparation and waging of the war of aggression was transferred to the Grand Chamber of the Supreme Court.

"We are waiting for a court ruling to form a legal opinion so that the courts can apply the relevant rule of law," Marchuk said.

Answering the question of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency regarding the prospects for consideration of some category of war crimes, in particular, genocide and the crime of aggression, in international courts, Marchuk stressed that this category of cases is being considered and will be considered by national courts.

"The bulk of this category of cases will be considered by the national courts. Perhaps, in relation to some individual  those who unleashed the war, gave instructions  the cases will be considered by international courts," he said.
The Law Commission of India last month invited individuals, civil society organisations (CsOs), and religious outfits to submit their views on the Uniform Civil Code proposed to be enacted by the Centre as promised in the ruling partys election manifesto. The Prime Minister too has spoken on the desirability of such a code in keeping with the Directive Principles of State Policy, even as the government of Uttarakhand appears well on its way to introducing a draft UCC at the state level as the process of consultations and inviting suggestions is complete. While many faith-based organisations, in the main but not limited to minority religious bodies, have expressed their reservations, their arguments are entirely bogus in a secular country.

Even the argument of last resort, that a uniform civil code should not be rushed through as it may lead to social strife in the country has been exposed for exactly what it is ~ both a delaying tactic given it has been 73 years since establishment of the Indian Republic, and a notso-veiled threat to the sovereign right of Parliament to pass legislation based on a Constitutional mandate.

The Centre would do well to treat these threats with the contempt they deserve. Now, a new angle is being sought to be given to the debate to stymie the UCC. To wit, its not just the minority communities clergy-dominated religious organisations which are opposing the move, but many tribal communities are against it. It is indeed true that some tribal groups and the governments of a few Northeastern states have objected to the UCC. According to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, The UCC will encroach on our customary laws and practices. A neighbouring state lawmaker from the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) said: In Mizoram, implementing a Uniform Civil Code will be difficult and could potentially lead to instability.

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In Sikkim, meanwhile, an influential CSO, Joint Action Council (JAC), has issued a statement that the UCC is not necessary, nor desirable in the state. There are other public statements from various Naga, Khasi, and other tribes on the same lines.

The context is that many tribes and even sub-tribes have their own distinct customary practices in civil matters including inheritance, maintenance, divorce, marriage, and the like, which they feel must be sacrosanct. Thats a slippery slope. No exception must be made, as some are arguing, for tribal communities to be kept out of the UCC; except in cases where tribes follow a matrilineal system wherein the daughters are the custodians of all properties and males are not entitled to inherit any immovable assets such as land and properties. These traditions as applicable must be protected in the proposed UCC. For, both the fundamental principle and overriding logic of the UCC is one of gender justice. If that approach is jettisoned in the face of religious, caste, ethnic, or class opposition, the government might as well scrap the proposal and revert to the lost decades of chalta hai.
Any debate on the uniform civil code must inevitably be within the constitutional framework of secularism and freedom of religion and culture on which this country was founded and exists as one nation. There were three diverse sets of opinions on secularism in the Constituent Assembly: first; noconcern theory of secularism, which parted state and religion, second; no link theory between the state and religion which prevented the demeaning of religion and third; the equal-respect theory of secularism which cherished all religions alike and granted religious freedom to all.

Post-constitutional developments endorse three constituents of Indian secularism: first; the principle of religious freedom which expansively protects all aspects of a religion including its beliefs, rituals, practices, thoughts, ideas and philosophies, and injuncts discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, place of birth or gender; second; the principle of de-politicization and celebratory neutrality which prevents the state from being taken over by any one community but permits it to assist all faiths in their endeavors and celebrate their existence as part of the pageantry of India; and third; the principle of social welfare and reform which requires religions to yield to a regulatory and reformative regime and cleanse their in-egalitarian, gender-unjust, and other constitutionally unacceptable prescriptions.

Article 25(2) and Article 246 read with Entry 5 of the Concurrent List make it abundantly clear that the State is competent to bring social reform even if it goes against some religious and cultural beliefs. But, vote-seeking governments seldom venture reforms in personal laws. Article 44 of the Constitution conceded the distinctive personal laws in India and gave a directive that the state shall achieve a Uniform Civil Code applicable to all its citizens irrespective of race or religion. What does uniform civil code mean?

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We already had a uniform criminal code ~ one that applied to all in the territory of India. We also had a number of civil laws which were uniform, like the Contract Act, the Transfer of Property Act, the Civil Procedure Code, etc. So, this uniform civil code essentially referred to personal laws dealing with marriage, divorce, maintenance, adoption, guardianship and succession-related matters.

The Muslim members of the Constituent Assembly who spoke on the uniform civil code were all men and except Tajmul Hussain from Bihar, all of them wrestled relentlessly to exclude the Muslim community from this Article. But the three exponents of social change and equality for women namely Minoo Masani, Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur, and Hansa Mehta, wanted it to be part of fundamental rights. In fact, Dr B R Ambedkar was also in favour of a uniform civil code and he was of the view that personal laws based on religion were unacceptably discriminatory in nature where women were given little to no rights.

Neither of the perspectives was accepted and it was placed under directive principles of state policy, deferring the problem to be fixed by the future governments. Hindu personal laws were profoundly reformed in 1955-56 despite the violent opposition of an orthodox President and Hindu religious leaders. However, Muslim personal law was allowed to be obsolete. Government took no steps to modernize the law of marriage and divorce pertaining to the Christians in spite of several requests from that community.

The Law Commission in its 80th Report, 1980 along with the Supreme Court and several High Courts voiced concern on this governmental procrastination. The government therefore cannot be absolved of the charge of having neglected the welfare of the minority communities especially Muslims. What was shoddier was that whenever reformatory efforts were taken by the courts as it happened in the Shah Bano case, the vote-seeking government made all efforts to annul the judgment and appease the orthodox community.

Arguments were advanced that one community might be prepared to accept social reform; another may not be. The State may rightly decide to bring about social reform in stages and the stages may be territorywise or community-wise. But the larger question remains as it is. When will minority communities be ready? Is seventy-five years not sufficient?

Was the Hindu community ready when the Shastric Hindu laws were radically transformed? Ever since the inception of the Constitution, the higher judiciary in India has faced the dilemma of dealing with compatibility of personal laws via-a-vis fundamental rights. This dilemma was started by a 1951 judgment of the Bombay High Court i.e. Narasu Appa Mali (AIR 1952 Bom. 84) which inappropriately held that personal laws until codified cannot be subjected to fundamental rights.

A judgment given in defence of gender justice became the biggest impediment to reform personal laws crammed with archaic and discriminatory practices. Narasu Appa Mali was dutifully followed until recently by the Supreme Court. However, recent progressive judicial trends in the Sharaya Bano and Sabrimala cases epitomizes the breakage of tradition from the ambiguous past and acceptance of the illuminating present. Therefore, when we have started discourse on uniform civil code (UCC), the word uniform must be given a wider meaning. Let all communities be governed by uniform principles of constitutional and gender justice.

Each personal law therefore needs to be critiqued and filtered from the perspective of social and gender justice so as to weed out gender injustice and outmoded traditions or practices. Thus, Article 44 of the Constitution must be interpreted in combination with article 14 of the Constitution which guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the law but permits reasonable classification.

We must also celebrate the salad bowl theory of multiculturalism where all cultures, religions and practices which are in tune with the Constitution and gender justice are given due respect. Such uniformity can sustain the diversity of the laws. Having distinct identities is not against national integration and they do not necessarily lead to separatism. Different ethnic, religious and linguistic groups have different traditions and cultures and these should not be obliterated just for the sake of uniformity.

Preserving ones tradition and culture is an integral part of the right to life enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution (Samatha v. State of Andhra Pradesh AIR 1997 SC 3297). Hindu, Christian and Parsi communities have moved ahead and accepted the first stage of reforms. Let the Muslim community come forward and accept the first stage of reforms which have been embraced by other Islamic countries long ago. In this context, the constitutional promise of a Uniform Civil Code could be conceived around the principles of equality, liberty and fraternity committed to constitutional and gender justice without upsetting cultural sensibilities associated with religion and culture.

(The writer is Professor of Law and Vice-Chancellor, National Law University of Tripura. The views are personal)
Acting on a tip-off, the Border Security Force apprehended three members of Bangladeshi family last night from Dharahat Border Outpost in Cooch Behar. They have been identified as Jadab Chadra Sarkar, his wife and daughter.

According to the BSF, the family is a resident of Titas police station in the Cumilla district of Bangladesh. The BSF apprehended them while trying to cross the Indo-Bangladesh border illegally through the unfenced patches of Dhagram Angarpota Enclaves. The motive behind their act was to earn a living across the border.

Jadab, during interrogation, confessed before the BSF that they wanted to go to Krishnanagar in Nadia via Siliguri. BSF personnel recovered 1,544 Bangladeshi currency and two mobile phones from their possession.

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The arrested Bangladeshis with seized items were handed over to Kuchlibari police station in Cooch Behar.
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the central armed forces to remain in state for 10 days after the results for the panchayat polls are declared on 11 July.

There had been instances of post-poll violence in West Bengal before. So in order to ensure the safety of the public and the elected representatives, the central forces will remain deployed in the state for 10 days after the counting day, noted the Division Bench of Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya. Priyanka Tibrewal of BJPs legal cell said, In order to boost the confidence of the people of Bengal who have already lost their faith in the government and the police administration, this was needed.

The ruling on the stay of central forces was needed to regain the faith of the people. We have seen that after the declaration of results of Assembly polls in 2021, there was mayhem, killing and arson all over Bengal. BJPs legal cellmember Lokenath Chatterjee said that the court has taken cognizance of the human rights violation after 2021 Asembly poll results and this was needed to avoid similar sitaution. Meanwhile, on the petition filed by leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari against the launch of state governments mass outreach programme Sorasori Mukhyomontri (directly Chief Minister) for violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the bench cautioned the State Election Commission to be more careful in such matters.

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Through this programme, the common people can directly convey their grievances to chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Adhikari alleged that the phone number used for the outreach programme is the same that was used in a similar scheme introduced before the 2021 Assembly polls called Didike Bolo (Tell Didi), which was basically a political initiative. The SEC counsel, Kishore Dutta informed the court that the number in question had been withdrawn on 15 June. Thereafter, the Bench settled the matter but only after cautioning the commission.
Its July 7, a day before the three-tier Panchayat polls in West Bengal. In Diamond Harbour police districts Bishnupur Village, rain has given way to gusts of cool breeze. And fluttering in the wind are flags belonging to the states three top political parties, ruling Trinamool, main Opposition, the BJP and the CPI-M.

Colourful graffiti depicting the political parties symbols have been painted on walls. Two tiny flowers peeping out from green grassroots, lotuses blooming pink and orange, black sickles and hammers embossed on red backdrops. The candidates names have been scribbled in bold letters. Interestingly, missing from the displays are graffiti, posters and banners of the fourth largest political party of the state, the Congress.

Political commentators point out that this is related to the fact that the Congress and the Left have been contesting elections together against Trinamool Congress (TMC), the ruling party in the state on the one hand, and the BJP at the Centre.

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The tie-ups have become glaringly obvious when you go to the villages and witness the presence of one and the absence of another, points out Prof Biswanath Chakraborty, a psephologist and political analyst. Indeed, Bishnupur Village or even really the other villages of the South 24 Paraganas district, is an interesting study in the way that alliances work.

Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had called on local leaders of the national party to strengthen alliances by ensuring that they only field the partys candidates from its own strongholds like, say, Malda in West Bengal, where Congress is strong. The idea is to concede ground to the alliance partner in the strongholds of the alliance partner.

When the CPIM-led Left Front government ruled for three decades, the villages of South 24 Paragans were a strong support base. In fact, it has been suggested that in order for an alliance to be successful this is the only mantra and the same principle is going to be tried out for the Opposition alliance that has been struck at the June 23 meeting in Patna.

Back at the Bishnupur village, locals are all gearing up for the polls. I will queue up at the crack of dawn with my family in toe, says Sheikh Namdar, a 65-year-old farmer who has never missed a vote. He feels the elections are a bit of a celebration in the villages. He has come out to the main road to watch the rows of vehicles that have arrived as standby for if emergency situations. However, he says that the villages in this stretch are largely peaceful.

Others agree. Like Chandana Manna, 60. She explains why the Panchayat polls are important for the rural people. When the local people are in charge of the local governance, it gives us access to them and we can convey our grievances and complaints to them, she says.

They also understand the problems of the people better than outsiders.

In fact, she says that she keeps taking her problems to the local Panchayat Pradhan (chief). She explains that she has been abandoned by her husband and has to live with her brothers and their families. She has been asking him for help in getting her her own home. He lives right there and is very helpful and told me that he will try to do his best, she says, pointing to house in the neighborhood.

Villages like Bishnupr in the Diamond Harbour police district are also an example of a rural constituency where free and fair elections seem to be a motto that the locals swear by. Here there has been no issue at all with different parties filing nomination papers, says a local politician, who requested anonymity. If you see the graffiti, the banners and posters, every party is represented.
In order to promote tourism and celebrate the supremacy of the King of Fruits  Mangoes, the Delhi government is organising the 32nd Annual Mango Festival at Dilli Haat, Janakpuri.

During the festival, people can explore various varieties of mangoes from all over the country and enjoy cultural programs and mango-related competitions.

On Friday, Delhi Tourism Minister Atishi inaugurated the 32nd Mango Festival. On this occasion, Atishi said the Mango Festival organised by the Tourism Department was a unique initiative to promote tourism in the city.

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She added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Delhi government regularly organises such events to promote rich art, culture, and employment opportunities.

Atishi said, Mangoes which is everyones favourite fruit and summers are synonymous. It brings back cherished childhood memories of bonding over mango-eating competitions.

She urged all the people of Delhi to visit the festival and indulge in the joy of mangoes from across the country.

The Delhi governments Tourism Department is organising the Mango Festival at Delhi Haat, Janakpuri from July 7-9. During this three-day festival, people can enjoy various cultural programmes along with different types of mangoes from 12 pm to 10 pm.

There is no entry fee for the festival, and free shuttle service from Tilak Nagar Metro Station has been arranged for the convenience of visitors.

The festival will showcase mangoes of various shapes and sizes, ranging from grape-sized mangoes to papaya-sized mangoes. Rare varieties of mangoes such as Langra, Chausa, Fazri, Rataul, Ramkela, Hussainara, Kesar, Mallika, Amrapali, and more have been put on display

Apart from traditional mango cultivators, various government and non-governmental organisations are also actively participating in the festival being hosted by the Delhi government.
Kuleba: We call on NATO to recognize in Vilnius that NATO needs Ukraine as much as Ukraine needs NATO

In Vilnius, Ukraine calls on NATO to recognize that Ukraine needs NATO just as Ukraine needs the Alliance, and also that Ukraine is an integral part of Euro-Atlantic security and should be invited to join NATO right now, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

We are not seeking immediate membership. We will not drag NATO into this war. We have never requested foreign troops on the ground in Ukraine. With the generous assistance of our partners, we will defeat Russia on our own. This war is ours to fight. But the next war can be avoided by admitting Ukraine into NATO. What we are therefore requesting is a strong step toward Ukraines future membership, Kuleba said in a comment for Foreign Policy.

According to the minister, in Vilnius, Ukraine calls on NATO to recognize "three obvious things."

First, NATO needs Ukraine as much as Ukraine needs NATO; second, Ukraine is an inseparable part of Euro-Atlantic security; and third, Ukraine should be invited now to join NATO, with membership taking effect when conditions are met, the head of the Foreign Ministry noted.

Kuleba is convinced that Ukraine's invitation will not provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin, but on the contrary, will deter him from future aggression.

When confronted with strength, he invariably backs down, as all of us saw when the Wagner Group marched toward Moscow. With Putin weakened by the mutiny, there is a window of opportunity to invite Ukraine to join NATO. If NATO leaders are not yet ready to grant an invitation in Vilnius, they should state clearly when they will be. Membership has formal requirements, but an invitation does not. All that is required is strategic foresight and political will, the Foreign Ministry said.

He also said that when Ukraine wins the war and joins NATO, it will be Ukrainian brigadesnot U.S. or German onesguarding NATOs eastern flank.

No other NATO member has our experience and skills, including how to react to and repel an invasion within hours. That resolves one of the alliances most serious issuesrapid response timewhile also boosting collective security, the minister noted.
Leaders of the two groups of lawyers allegedly involved in the shootout at Tis Hazari court complex here have been arrested, police said on Friday.

The lawyers, who have been arrested, are Manish Sharma, former vice-president of the Delhi Bar Association and Lalit Sharma, the brother of Atul Sharma, who is the secretary of Delhi Bar Association.

According to the police, the lawyers will be produced before the court to seek police custody.

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On Thursday, the court sent the three accused persons  Aman Singh, Ravi Gupta and Sachin Sangwan  who were part of the groups of lawyers involved in firing at Tis Hazri court, to four days of police remand.

On July 5, two groups of lawyers clashed and allegedly opened fire at the Tis Hazari Courts. Videos of the incident had gone viral on social media showing a man in white shirt and black pants firing in the air, accompanied by others hurling stones and wooden planks.

The parties involved, predominantly in lawyers attire, could be seen brandishing sticks and engaging in verbal confrontation. Another video shows bullet casings scattered at the location where the gunshots were fired.

As per the police, the fight broke out between the bar associations secretary Atul Sharma and senior vice-president Manish Sharma over some personal enmity.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Sagar Singh Kalsi said after the incident at Tis Hazari, night-long operation was carried out by the team of Subzi Mandi police station supported by Operation Cell of North district to nab the accused.

The teams followed available inputs and took technical assistance and carried out search operations in Bhalswa, Swaroop Nagar, Haiderpur, Shalimar Bagh and Vikaspuri areas and succeeded in apprehending Aman Singh, Sachin Sangwan and Ravi Gupta, the DCP said.

They belong to a rival group of bar association office-bearers. From their possession, three country-made firearms, four live cartridges and two cars have been seized, the DCP said.

The official said that the other advocates found indulging in rioting at Tis Hazari court have also been identified and different teams are working to arrest them.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council of Delhi had suspended the enrollment of Manish and Lalit.
The central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today appointed two Rajya Sabha members, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, as the in-charge and co-incharge respectively for the crucial State Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh to be held at the end of this year.

Bhupender Yadav, who also heads the Union Labour and Employment Ministry is considered extremely close to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Yadav is a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan. He has earlier practised in the Supreme Court too with BJPs senior leader and former Union Finance Minister late Arun Jaitley.

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Ashwini Vaishnaw is a Rajya Sabha member from Odisha.

He is also considered very close to the PM and the BJPs central leadership.

A former 1994 batch officer of the Odisha cadre of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Vaishnaw is an alumnus of the prestigious IIT Kanpur. He also has an MBA degree from the Wharton School in the USA.

MP BJP Chief Vishnudatt Sharma welcomed the appointment of both the ministers for the MP assembly polls.

Sharma expressed confidence that their leadership abilities will definitely ensure that the BJP returns to power in MP with a thumping majority.

Sharma said that under the able leadership of both the leaders, the BJP will surely win more than 200 seats in the 230-member MP State Assembly.

Interestingly, both Bhupender Yadav and Ashwini Vaishnaw have been born in Rajasthan, a state which is currently ruled by the Congress and will also go to assembly polls along with MP.
Delhis Rouse Avenue court has summoned Brij Bhushan Singh, a Member of Parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the former Wrestling Chief of India, in connection with allegations of sexual harassment made by the countrys leading female wrestlers.

The court took note of the charge sheet filed in the case, responding to the claims made by six women wrestlers who have accused Singh of engaging in sexual harassment and intimidation.

The summons were issued by the Rouse Avenue court, requiring Singh to appear before the court on July 18. Additionally, Vinod Tomar, former Assistant Secretary of Singh, has also been summoned by the court.

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The Delhi Polices 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.

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 complainants lawyer to apply for a certified copy at the courts 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.
The first-ever Delhi Robotics League, themed RoBo Kancha after a traditional game, took place at the Thyagraj stadium on July 6th and 7th. This exciting competition brought together a total of 68 teams who participated in an exhilarating display of robotics prowess. The league, organized through a collaboration between I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics, the technology innovation hub of IIT Delhi, and funded by the Delhi Board of School Education, aimed to promote robotics education among students.

The inception of this league can be credited to the announcement made by Chief Minister of Delhi, Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, in December 2022. His vision to organize a Robotics League materialized with the inaugural ceremony. The event received guests, including Mr. Himanshu Gupta, the Director of the Education Department in the Delhi government, and Prof. S.K. Saha, the Project Director of IHFC.

Inspired by the success of DD Robocon, an annual robotic league organized by IIT Delhi, the Delhi Robotics League has been an effort for the knowledge partners involved. Over the past 8-9 months, these partners have diligently trained the participants, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to construct and operate robots. The league primarily targeted students in grades 9 and 10, aiming to foster a passion for robotics and cultivate essential skills for their future endeavors.

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The competition itself comprised two thrilling rounds, where the teams robots had to strategically place balls into designated potholes to score points. The team that accumulated the highest number of points emerged victorious. To ensure preparedness, a two-day practice session was held prior to the competition days, allowing participants to fine-tune their robots and strategies.

The School of Specialised Excellence in Rohini claimed the top honors, emerging as the victorious team and securing a well-deserved cash prize of 25,000. The triumphant students expressed their elation, attributing their success to the countless hours of dedicated practice they had invested over the past year. Their school provided valuable training on robot design and execution, contributing significantly to their achievement.

The inaugural Delhi Robotics League exceeded expectations, showcasing the potential of young robotics enthusiasts. The event has laid the foundation for future editions, inspiring even more students to explore the captivating world of robotics and embrace it as an essential skill for the future.
The Gujarat High Courts decision of dismissing Rahul Gandhis plea for a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case led to a political slugfest between the BJP and the Congress on Friday.

BJP MLA Purnesh Modi, who initially lodged the complaint against Gandhi, hailed the decision as a true embodiment of Satyamev Jayate. He stressed that Gandhis derogatory comments about the Modi surname should give him pause for thought.

Justice Hemant Prachchhak, upholding the sessions courts decision, reiterated that the denial of a stay on Rahul Gandhis conviction was just and legal.

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The court emphasized that a stay is an exception, not a rule, and no injustice would result from the conviction standing.

BJP leaders were quick to respond. Ravi Shankar Prasad labelled Rahul Gandhi a serial offender in defamation cases, and Shehzad Poonawalla urged Gandhi to apologize to the OBC community.

On the other hand, the Congress party, undeterred, signalled its intent to challenge the High Courts decision in the Supreme Court.

K C Venugopal, AICC general secretary, noted that a successful appeal could clear the way for Gandhis reinstatement as an MP.

Further, Partys Gujarat chief Shaktisinh Gohil announced that a thorough study of the 80-90 pages judgment will be conducted before providing an official statement.

Gohil said, A 80-90 pages of judgement is given by the Gujarat High court. After going through this and doing a thorough study, we will give an official statement today at 3 p.m.

Technically, for something that Rahul Gandhi ji spoke in Karnataka, you cant run a matter on it in Surat.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi will give a reaction on this today. Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as MP with lightning speed, a Gujarat MP Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya convicted in a criminal case had not faced the same action. Here, Rahul Gandhi has done nothing wrong and we are sure to get justice, he added.
In a huge setback for Rahul Gandhi, the conviction by the Surat court has been upheld by the Gujarat High Court in the Modi surname case. Rahul had said that Why are all the people with Modi surname thieves and subsequently the Surat court convicted him and he was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP. He had challenged his conviction but got no relief from the Gujarat HC as a result of which Rahul Gandhi will stay disqualified as an MP of Wynand.

Now Rahul Gandhi will have to go to the Supreme Court to seek relief in the case.

Earlier, Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi was on March 22 disqualified from the Lok Sabha. His disqualification came following his conviction in the criminal defamation case over his Modi surname as remarked by a Surat court.

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A notification issued by Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh announced the disqualification for publication in the Gazette of India Extraordinary Part II on Friday itself and informed all concerned Government and Parliamentary offices about it.

The notification said: Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat in C.C./18712/2019, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary Constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction i.e. 23 March, 2023 in terms of the provisions of Article 102(1)(e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

The Surat court on Thursday sentenced Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to two years imprisonment in the defamation case over his how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname remark made in April, 2019 during a Lok Sabha election rally in Kolar, Karnataka.

The criminal defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was filed by BJP MLA from Surat-West Purnesh Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Gita Press as the center of Sanatan Dharma, a vibrant faith that preserves Indian culture and heritage.

Gita Press is no less than a temple for crores of people. There is Gita in his name as well as in his work. Where there is Gita, there is Krishna. Where there is Krishna, there is Karuna and Karma. Realization of knowledge and research of science, he said while claiming that the result of this resolution is that today India is touching a new dimension of success every day.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the centenary celebration of Gita Press, he said Gorakhpur is a wonderful example of development as well as heritage.

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Modi said he got the privilege of releasing Chitramay Shivpuran on art paper for the first time and Shiv Mahapuran in Nepali language.

He said for 100 years, this institution is giving light to the whole of humanity guiding through religious books. Our government has given the Gandhi Peace Prize to the Gita Press, this honour is a recognition of the Gita Presss legacy of 100 years. When I put the photo of Gorakhpur station on social media, people were surprised, he said.

He further said that the members of the saints never fail. The result of this resolution is that today our India is touching a new dimension of success every day. The Gita Press is proof that success can be synonymous if the values and objectives are pure.

PM Modi said that our country is moving along with both development and heritage. Kashi and Ayodhya are perfect examples of this

Later, he flagged off two Vande Bharat Express trains from Gorakhpur.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Yogi, while welcoming the PM at the ceremony, said that Ramgarhtal was synonymous with criminal activities of Gorakhpur, but today it is creating a new identity as a magnificent lake.

With a new connectivity, under the UDAN scheme, UDAN was started from Gorakhpur in 2017 at the behest of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Today 14 flights are taking off from here, CM said .

During the programme, Gita Press Trustee Devidayal Aggarwal said that receiving the Gandhi Peace Prize is a matter of pride for Sanatan Dharma people.

After completing the journey of 100 years, we have now moved ahead. There are 1800 types of books in 15 languages across the country. Good literature is being made available in their language in distant countries. Now Gita Press is also working on the app, he said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi was given a grand welcome in Gorakhpur. Flowers were showered on the PMs convoy from the airport to Gita Press by BJP leaders and workers. During this, PM Modi greeted the workers by shaking hands.
Travel agents doing the business illegally in Punjab are set to face action by the state government.

Punjab NRI (Non-resident Indian) Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Friday said the Bhagwant Mann government will take strict action against travel agents who are doing the business illegally and cheating the youth of the state.

He said that a special meeting of the officials of NRI and the police department has been called on 11 July in which the matter of taking strict action against rogue travel agents will be discussed.

The minister said the list of rogue travel agents has already been prepared by the NRI department. He said the Punjab government is committed to the welfare of the youth of the state and will not allow injustice to any youth.

He said the Punjab government will provide all possible help to the young boys and girls of Punjab, who are trapped abroad due to the fraud of rogue travel agents, to return home, and they should contact the NRI department of Punjab.

Dhaliwal warned the travel agents, who are doing fraudulent business in Punjab and said if they do not give up such practices, strict action will be taken against them.

A girl from Punjab, trapped in Iraq, was brought back home safely recently. This girl had gone to Iraq from Amritsar for her future sake and to improve the financial condition of her family.

She was trapped there by an agent of Gurdaspur who kept all her money and passport. On her return, the Minister had gone to Amritsar airport to receive her.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow and the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express trains in the presence of Governor Anandi Ben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Along with this, Modi laid the foundation stone of the Gorakhpur railway station redevelopment project.

The prime minister reached Gorakhpur railway station after attending the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the Gita Press. As soon as he reached platform one, he entered the Vande Bharat Express trains bogie to inspect the facilities. While interacting with the children already seated in the bogie, he extended his best wishes to the crew members. He took stock of the engine and got off the train.

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After viewing the model of the Gorakhpur Junction station redevelopment project that was kept on platform number one, the prime minister laid the foundation stone for this project by pressing the remote button. Following that, he virtually inaugurated the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad Vande Bharat.

Thereafter, the prime minister flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express in the presence of Governor Anandi Ben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Chairman of the Railway Board Anil Lohati, and General Manager of North Eastern Railway Chandraveer Raman, remained present on the occasion.

The Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express will pass through Ayodhya, improving connectivity and giving a boost to tourism in Uttar Pradesh. The Vande Bharat Express is expected to become a preferred pilgrimage route, connecting two prominent temples in Uttar Pradesh  Ram Janmabhoomi and Gorakhnath. This train will also be helpful in increasing the pace of cultural, industrial, and economic development.

The Vande Bharat Express will be the fastest train running between Gorakhpur and Lucknow, and it will save about two hours of travel time. Speaking of amenities, this fully air-conditioned train has catering, cozy 360-degree rotating seats, a touch-free toilet facility, sensor doors, Wi-Fi, special restrooms for divyangjans, and seat number marking in Braille script.

The Gorakhpur Junction Railway Station Redevelopment Project will develop the station as a city center. Along with being state-of-the-art, the station will also be representative of local heritage symbols. Glimpses of Gorakhnath Temple and Gita Press will also be seen in the new station building. A provision has been made for a multifunctional complex.

The redevelopment project will also provide a rooftop plaza with state-of-the-art facilities, a food outlet, a waiting room, ATM, and a playing area for children at the station. It will be constructed according to the concept of a modern green building and water treatment plant, and solid waste management will also be arranged in it.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who is leading an Indian Parliamentary Delegation (IPD) to Mongolia, called on President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh in Ulaanbaatar.

Terming the story of Mongolia a great story of valour, courage and fearlessness, Birla observed that their history continues to inspire the world to this day. The shared glorious heritage of Buddhism underpins the ties between India and Mongolia, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said on Friday.

Birla said India is determined to further strengthen and broaden its strategic partnership with Mongolia. In this regard, the Lok Sabha Speaker said Prime Minister Narendra Modis State Visit to Mongolia in the year 2015 greatly strengthened relations between the two countries. He said he was happy to note that India is playing the role of a dependable partner in the economic development of Mongolia.

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In this context, he mentioned that the Oil Refinery Project in Mongolia is the largest project undertaken by India abroad, which is a testimony to the close partnership between the two nations.

The Lok Sabha Speaker informed Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh that the New Building of Parliament of India was recently dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He mentioned that the New Building conforms to the highest standards of green buildings and is equipped with advanced world class technological facilities in order to ensure that Members of Parliament can focus on parliamentary and legislative tasks with ease and efficiency.

Noting that both countries have always supported each other, Birla recalled that India and Mongolia have often worked with mutual cooperation at several international fora. In this context, he invited attention to the fact that India supported Mongolias membership in the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, while Mongolia has consistently supported Indias candidature in international organisations. He expressed confidence that Mongolia will certainly support Indias candidature as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2028-29.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Turkey, where he will hold talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"We are completing a busy day in Turkey. Talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Coordination of positions on the Peace Formula, the NATO summit, security guarantees and the grain initiative. The restoration of Ukraine, defense contracts between our enterprises," Zelenskyy wrote on the Telegram channel on Friday evening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said those who have a tainted past are trying to come together against him, but they must know that if they are a guarantee for corruption, Modi is a guarantee for action against corruption.

Addressing BJPs Vijay Sankalp Rally in Raipur, after launching various development projects, he attacked the Opposition parties trying to forge unity against him and the BJP, and said these parties were only recently cursing each other without restraint.

They think by coming together, they can scare Modi and bring him down. Every corrupt person in the country should hear this clearly, that if they are a guarantee for corruption, then Modi is guarantee for action against corruption, he said amidst shouts of Modi, Modi.

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The prime minister said all those who have committed wrongs, will not be able to save themselves, and I can dare say this as whatever I have today, is given to me by you, by the country.

He said these people will try to target me, give threats to dig my grave, and indulge in conspiracies against me, but they dont know, the one who can be scared will not be Modi.

Modi said whatever has happened in Chhattisgarh in the last four years, has proved once again that the Congress Party is corrupt to the core. The Congress cannot even breathe without corruption, he said.

Corruption is the main ideology of the Congress Party. When I say the Congress is the guarantee for corruption and a system of commissions, some people get offended. They start talking against me. Their anger is proof that my Government is headed in the right direction, the Prime Minister said.

Referring to Chhattisgarh, which will see Assembly elections before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Mr Modi said the State will complete 25 of its formation after two years. Chhattisgarh is full of youth power today, he said. Thats why people say, a person from Chhattisgarh is better than anybody else, he said.

The Prime Minister said the next 25 years are very crucial for Chhattisgarh, but a big hand (Congress Party election symbol) is coming in the way of the States development like a wall, he said. This hand belongs to the Congress Party. This hand is depriving you of your entitlement. The Congress hand is determined to destroy Chhattisgarh by looting it, the Prime Minister said.

Only the Congress can commit the sin of lying while swearing in the name of the holy Ganga. You will recollect that in the presence of the holy Ganga, the Congress had issued a manifesto and said they would do this or that within 10 days. They had talked of big things. But if you remind the Congress of that manifesto, the Congress feigns loss of memory, the Prime Minister said.

One of the 36 promises made to the State by the Congress Party was that it would bring prohibition against the sale of liquor, he said. It was stated that gram panchayats in the scheduled areas would get the right to impose prohibition.

Now, the State Congress Government is about to complete five years, and the truth is the Congress has surely committed a liquor scam of thousands of crores of Rupees, Mr Modi said. The allegation is that the money taken as commissions has gone into the Congress party pockets. My friends in Chhattisgarh should know that for the Congress Party, the State is like an ATM, he said.

No department or work in the State is outside suspicion, the Prime Minister said. Coal mafia, sand mafia and land mafia are flourishing in Chhattisgarh. Even Jal Jeevan Mission is not spared. From Chief Minister to Ministers and officials of the State have come under suspicion on one count or the other, he said.

The Prime Minister said the BJP had a big role in the creation of Chhattisgarh and the party understands the needs of the region. That is why the BJP Government at the Centre is doing its best for the development of the State. Projects worth Rs 7000 crore have been unveiled today to reduce problems of the people and bring ease of living for them.

Earlier, the Prime Minister dedicated and laid foundation stone for five National Highway projects worth around Rs 6,400 crores for the State. The projects that were dedicated include the 33 km long 4-laning of Raipur to Kodebod section on the Jabalpur-Jagdalpur National Highway.

Mr Modi initiated the distribution of 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He said that Rs 40,000 crore assistance has been given to youths of Chhattisgarh under Mudra Yojana.

Later, the Prime Minister travelled to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and addressed the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of the historic Gita Press in the city.

He said Gita Press is proof that when your objectives are pure, your values are pure then success becomes synonymous. He said Gita Press is an institution which has always enriched social values and shown the path of duty to people. On the occasion, he released the Chitramaya Shiva Purana Granth.
The domestic plastic sector in the country has done well in the recent years and has tremendous potential to grow further, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal today said.

The sectors contribution in making India a developed nation will be unparalleled and invaluable, he said addressing through video conferencing the 2nd Technology Conference for Growth of Plastic Industry in Mumbai.

Plastic exports of the country were stalled at around 500 million dollars till 2020, but the scenario has changed in the last two years and the country has managed to touch the 776 million mark in the export sector.

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Plastic industrys contribution was 12 billion dollars and it has the potential to grow. The sector has the potential to add business opportunities, jobs for the young generation, opportunities in the world and it can help the government to grow the entire ecosystem of the plastic sector over the next few years, Goyal said.

He pointed out that the government is always ready to listen to their suggestions for the orderly growth of this industry in the near future. He informed that two FTAs were finalised with Australia and the UAE last year and currently the government is actively negotiating with many other countries.

The government, he said, is looking to engage with the developed world more significantly. He appealed to the plastic industry to significantly use these FTAs and expand their basket, access newer markets and promote greater exports.

He pointed out the potential for huge import in this sector by both the UAE and Australia. While underlining the importance of quality, he said the government is striving for quality and high standards and will not accept substandard production in this sector.

Therefore, the government is awaiting the suggestions from the industry to make it more reliable and at par with the global standards and will implement them immediately, he added.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gandhi Peace Prize 2021 awardee, publisher Gita Press here.

The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to four states, which kicked off today. He flew down to Gorakhpur Airport from Chhattisgarhs Raipur, where he was received by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister addressed a Vijay Sankalp Rally in Raipur. Speaking in the poll-bound state he sharpened his attack against the Congress party and said that those who are stained in corruption are trying to stitch an Opposition Unity.

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Those stained are trying to come together today. Those who used to curse each other, they have now started finding excuses to come together, PM Modi said.

He added there is corruption at the core of the Congress party.

Without corruption, Congress cannot even breathe. Corruption is the biggest ideology of Congress.

Following the Gita Press event, the PM will flag off two Vande Bharat trains connecting Gorakhpur  Lucknow and Jodhpur  Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) and lay the foundation stone of the Gorakhpur Railway Station redevelopment.

According to an official release, PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than Rs 12,100 crore in his home constituency, Varanasi, and will inaugurate the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction- Son Nagar railway line of Dedicated Freight Corridor.

The PM will also dedicate a four-lane widening of the Varanasi-Jaunpur section of NH-56 making travel from Varanasi to Lucknow easier and faster and lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats and distribute loans of PMSVANidhi, keys of PMAY Rural houses and Ayushman cards to the beneficiaries in UP, the release added.

PM Modis hectic tour of four states including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan will conclude on Saturday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

He will lay the foundation stone and dedicate multiple projects to Chhattisgarhs Raipur. He will then travel to Gorakhpur in UP where he will participate in the closing ceremony of centenary celebrations of Gita Press Gorakhpur.

The event will be followed by the flagging off of Vande Bharat trains at Gorakhpur railway station.

From Gorakhpur, PM Modi will travel to Varanasi where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple projects.

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Earlier, on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the venues of programmes and reviewed the preparations ahead of Prime Minister Modis scheduled visit on Friday.

CM Adityanath inspected Gita Press and the Gorakhpur railway station where Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to participate in various functions.

After inspecting the Gita Press, the chief minister reached the Gorakhpur railway station by the same route through which Prime Minister Modi will arrive.

The CM went to platform No.1 at the station and took detailed information about the preparations made so far from the officials of the railway and administration there.

Earlier, a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office said that he will undertake a visit to four states, including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan, from July 7 to 8, during which he will lay the foundation and dedicate multiple projects worth Rs 50,000 crores to the people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on Friday to lay the foundation stone and dedicate multiple projects, including laying foundation stones for national highway projects.

PM Modi was received by Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at the airport.

PM Modi will lay the foundation stone for three National Highway projects for the Chhattisgarh section of the 6-lane greenfield Raipur-Visakhapatnam corridor.

The Prime Minister will also dedicate to the nation the doubling of the 103-km Raipur-Khariar Road Rail Line, constructed at a cost of Rs 750 crore. He will also dedicate to the nation the bottling plant of Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes per annum at Korba built at a cost of over Rs 130 crore.

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During his Raipur visit, Modi will also distribute 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

He will then travel to Gorakhpur in UP where he will participate in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press Gorakhpur.

The event will be followed by the flagging off of Vande Bharat trains at Gorakhpur railway station.

From Gorakhpur, PM Modi will travel to Varanasi where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple projects.

Earlier, on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inspected the venues of programmes and reviewed the preparations ahead of Prime Minister Modis scheduled visit on Friday.CM Adityanath inspected Gita Press and the Gorakhpur railway station where Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to participate in various functions.

After inspecting the Gita Press, the chief minister reached the Gorakhpur railway station by the same route through which Prime Minister Modi will arrive.

The CM went to platform No.1 at the station and took detailed information about the preparations made so far from the officials of the railway and administration there.

Earlier, a statement issued by the Prime Ministers Office said that he will undertake a visit to four states, including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan, from July 7 to 8, during which he will lay the foundation and dedicate multiple projects worth Rs 50,000 crores to the people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the self-respect of the poor is the guarantee of the BJP government.

After so many years of independence, the benefits of democracy have now reached the right people in real sense. Earlier, in the name of democracy, the interests of a few people were taken care of, he said here.

Today the shops of those who took commission are closed, the shop of those who eat brokerage are closed, the shop of those who did scams are closed. It means now there is no discrimination and no corruption, he claimed.

He said that Modi, the son of a poor mother, will not tolerate the insult of the poor.

Here in UP also crores of beneficiaries have started their work by taking advantage of Mudra Yojana. In this, the poor, Dalits, backwards, tribals and minority family members and women entrepreneurs have benefited the most. This is the social justice, which is being guaranteed by the BJP government, he said.

Modi was addressing a public meeting at Wazidpur in his Lok Sabha constituency after inaugurating and laying foundation of development projects to worth over Rs 12,000 crores in presence of UP Governor Anandiben Patel and CM Yogi Adityanath.

PM, who reached Varanasi on a two-day tour from Gorakhpur, said that earlier only rich people had access to banks.  For the poor, it was believed that if there is no money then what will they do with the bank account. In the last 9 years, this thinking has also been changed by the BJP government.

PM Modi said that today Uttar Pradesh including Kashi has been gifted with projects worth about Rs 12,000 crore. This is an extension of the resolution we have taken for a new body while maintaining the soul of Kashi.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed PM Modi on his arrival in Kashi in the holy month of Sawan. The CM said that after being elected to Parliament from Varanasi in 2014, the Prime Minister changed the entire beauty of the place and gave a new identity to Banaras.

After the public meeting, the Prime Minister attended the BJPs tiffin meeting at Manduwadih with party leaders and workers.

Around 300 office bearers and workers participated in the meeting. In this, PM Modi discussed the preparations for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Booth and Panna chiefs were also invited in this meeting.

This was PM Modis 41st visit to Kashi after becoming MP from here. Earlier he had come here on March 24 last. Modi will have a night stay in Kashi and will go to Rajasthan tomorrow morning.
Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) Senas Member of Legislative Council and Deputy Chairperson in the Maharashtra state legislative council (Vidhan Parishad) Dr. Neelam Gorhe today joined the Shiv Sena party headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today.

Even as Shinde formally welcomed Dr Gorhe into his party fold, controversy has arisen over the induction ceremony being held in the office of the deputy chairperson by the Chief Minister. The speaker and deputy chairperson posts are expected to be apolitical although they belong to particular political parties.

Former speaker of the Congress party Nana Patole had formally resigned his post in the state legislature before he took charge as the president of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee. Dr. Gorhe has another year of her tenure left as Deputy Chairperson of the state legislative council.

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The induction ceremony being held at the political party office may have staved off the controversy from arising. Efforts to elicit a comment from the office of the secretary of law and justice in the Vidhan Bhavan as also other officials attached to the state legislature failed to evoke a response on the subject.

Under Eknath Shinde, the Shiv Sena is poised in the right direction. I am desirous of working for the public good with both Shinde and the cooperation of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The Supreme Court as also the Election Commission of India (ECI) has held that the Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde is the official legal Shiv Sena party. In 1998, 25 years ago, under the guidance of Hinduhriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray, I joined the Shiv Sena which was a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as it stood for Hindutva,, Gorhe told media persons after being formally inducted into the Shiv Sena by Shinde and Fadnavis at the state secretariat.

Dr Gorhe added, Under the BJP government in New Delhi in the NDA coalition the Ram temple, relief for women who suffered owing to triple talaq and hoisting of the Indian flag in Kashmir was quite simply accomplished. Steps have been initiated for the introduction of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) with honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah being politically astute and having a sound understanding on the subjects of national importance with the will to act.

She also noted that the 1985 Supreme Court order in the Shah Bano case in favour of women was reversed in 1986 by the then Union government that brought in a law that legitimized triple talaq. The Maharashtra Chief Minister noted that the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the induction ceremony of Dr. Gorhe into the Shiv Sena party provided ample evidence of the fact that the relationship between the BJP and Shiv Sena was sound and there were no problems whatsoever in his government.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that he was present only in his personal capacity and long-term relations with Dr. Gorhe in the political landscape of Maharashtra.
Two Chinese nationals, Deng Chonckon and Meng Shouguo, have been detained in Greater Noida, India for allegedly living with expired visas. The individuals, both in their thirties, were residing in the Greenwoods Society in Sector Omega 1 and were employed at the Oppo phone manufacturing facility in the area.

Police officials from the Beta 2 police station conducted passport and visa verification on Wednesday, based on received information. It was discovered that the visas held by the Chinese nationals had expired. Consequently, the foreigners were detained, and legal proceedings were initiated against them.

To facilitate their deportation, Deng Chonckon and Meng Shouguo were transferred to a detention center located in Delhis R K Puram. The authorities will continue further proceedings in their deportation case.

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According to a local police official, the Chinese nationals had entered India on e-Business Visas, which are valid for six months. They had been working at the Oppo facility in Greater Noida. However, their visa validity had expired on April 22.
Congress on Friday said that they will approach the Supreme Court shortly after the Gujarat High Court today upheld Sessions Courts order denying stay on conviction of the former Wayanad MP in the defamation case against Modi surname remark.

We will fight both the political battle and the legal battle, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted. Kharge said that Rahul Gandhi had always fought for the truth and will do so in future too.

Congress leader Pawan Kumar Bansal said, We believe this decision (by the Gujarat HC) is wrong on the basis of facts and laws.

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We have always respected the judiciary and held it in high esteem but we believe that this decision is wrong  both in facts as well as lawThe political fate (of Rahul Gandhi) is not decided really by the decision of the court. It is decided by the people of the country and the people of the country are solidly behind Rahul Gandhi, Bansal told reporters at the Congress partys headquarters in the national capital.

Terming the verdict as unfortunate, Congress MP K Suresh said,Now, we are going to Supreme Court. We believe in the judiciary and that is why we believe that the Supreme Court will give judgement in favour of Rahul Gandhi.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated that the Gujarat High Courts ruling in the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was being studied and the judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further.

We have noted the verdict of the single-judge bench of the Gujarat High Court on the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi. The reasoning of the judge is being studied, as it should be, and Abhishek Singhvi will be briefing the media in detail at 3 pm. The judgement only redoubles our resolve to pursue the matter further, Jairam Ramesh tweeted.

The Gujarat High Courts decision implies that Rahul Gandhi will not be able to contest elections or seek revocation of the suspension of his status as a Member of Parliament.

After the High Court announced its verdict, Congress workers raised slogans and protested at the party headquarters in the national capital. In Rajasthan Congress workers sporting black bands carried out a protest march in Jaipur, Congress has asked all the PCCs to take out protests.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Congress leader DK Shivakumar termed the verdict a murder of democracy.

It is very unfortunate that justice has not prevailed. It is murder of democracy but still, the entire country and the Opposition parties stand by him (Rahul Gandhi.) He is a great leader who is fighting across the country to unite it. BJP leaders are not able to tolerate this. They want to block him from Parliament. I feel he will grow stronger, tweeted Shivakumar.

Talking to reporters in Ahmedabad, Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil said that the decision regarding the defamation case against Rahul Gandhi was between 80 and 90 pages long and Congressman Abhishek Manu Singhvi would provide the AICCs official response to the ruling today after reviewing the entire ruling.

We are sure that the matter will go to Supreme Court, said Gohil.

He said that there was no hard proof in the defamation complaint against Rahul Gandhi on the Modi surname remark.

Rahul Gandhi spoke against Lalit Modi-Nirav Modi who looted the country and fled. He said this in Karnataka. Surat Court had no jurisdiction. The procedure was not followed. There is nothing concrete in Rahul Gandhis case. We are absolutely sure that we will get justice, Gohil said.

Cabinet Minister Pratap Singh Khachariawas claimed that the Central Government is targeting Rahul Gandhi and that political climate under BJP was to blame.

Congress committees are protesting across the country. People of the country are taking to the streets. Rahul Gandhi and Congress are being conspired against because BJP is scared of Rahul Gandhi and Congress. Rahul Gandhis voice cant be stifled. He spoke against one individual, he didnt target a caste. This conspiracy will cost BJP, their countdown has begun. We will approach the Supreme Court, said Khachariawas.

Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Govind Ram Meghwal also stated that workers from all over India were hopeful that the Gujarat High Court would stay its judgement.

We will register our protest by tying black band and if we have to go to jail in support of Rahul Gandhi, otherwise Congress workers will be jailed all over the country, said Govind Ram Meghwal.

In response to the Gujarat High Courts ruling in the Rahul Gandhi defamation case Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Mahesh Joshi stated that no one could comment on the courts legal process and that if any action was to be taken, they would follow the legal process and file an appeal against the defamation case in the Supreme Court.

These are all legal things, no one can comment on the decision of the court, but we will follow the legal procedure and we will appeal against it in the Supreme Court. To stop this decision, the Congress party will go to the Supreme Court and take legal opinion in this matter, said the Rajasthan Water Supply Minister.

Gujarat High Court on Friday upheld the Sessions Courts order and denied a stay on his conviction in the defamation case against the Modi surname remark.

The High Court had in May reserved its order on Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 Modi surname defamation case. The court had refused to grant any interim relief to Rahul Gandhi.

The Congress leader had moved the Gujarat High Court on April 25 challenging the Surat sessions court order which declined to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case.

The Surat sessions court had on April 20 rejected Rahul Gandhis plea seeking a stay on his conviction by the lower court in the criminal defamation case.

In his judgement, Additional sessions judge Robin P Mogera had cited Gandhis stature as an MP and former chief of the countrys second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful.

He cited prima facie evidence and observations of the trial court and said it transpires that Rahul Gandhi Gandhi made certain derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi apart from comparing people with the same surname with thieves.

Judge Mogera said the surname of the complainant in the case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Purnesh Modi, is also Modi. the complainant is [also an] ex-minister and involved in public life and such defamatory remarks would have certainly harmed his reputation and caused him pain and agony in society, he said.

He cited the disqualification criteria under the Representation of the People Act and added that removal or disqualification as MP could not be termed irreversible or irreparable loss or damage to Gandhi.

Following his conviction by a lower court in the criminal defamation case, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP. He had been elected to Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala.

The lower court sentenced the Congress leader to two years in jail on March 23 under sections 499 and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case filed by Purnesh Modi.

At a rally in Karnatakas Kolar in April 2019, Rahul Gandhi, in a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?. Following the sessions court verdict, Congress had said it will move the Gujarat High Court.
India has joined the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG), accepting an invitation from United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The GCRG was set up by the UNSG in March 2022 to address urgent and critical global issues pertaining to interlinked crises in food security, energy, and finance and to coordinate a global response.

The GCRG is overseen by the Champions Group composed of the Heads of States/Heads of Governments of Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal.

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The decision to join the Group reflects Indias increasing global leadership and commitment to address contemporary global challenges. Indias participation will further boost the efforts of the UN in finding result-oriented solutions on developmental issues that impact the world, particularly developing countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs has been designated as Sherpa to the GCRG process. A meeting of the Champions is scheduled for 21 July.
In the units of the Russian occupation forces, the number of refusals to participate in hostilities has increased due to significant losses in the aggressor's manpower, as well as the successes of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reports.

"So, in the area of the settlement of Rozivka, Zaporizhia region, about 20 Russian military refused to carry out combat missions in advanced positions. After that, they were taken into custody and moved to the building of Rozivsky district Court," the message posted on Facebook on Friday evening says.
Prachanda, the Prime Minister of Nepal, found himself in the midst of controversy following his remarks at the launch of a book titled Roads to the Valley: The Legacy of Sardar Pritam Singh in Nepal. The book sheds light on the significant contributions of Sardar Pritam Singh, a trailblazer in Nepals trucking sector. During his speech, Prachanda mentioned that Singh had once attempted to make him the Prime Minister, revealing a previously unknown aspect of Singhs political interests.

However, Prachandas statement quickly ignited allegations of Indian interference in Nepals politics, a highly sensitive subject for the country. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Prachanda attempted to clarify that he was merely quoting Pritam Singh and recounting the transporters own words. Yet, opposition parties promptly rejected this explanation, demanding the Prime Ministers resignation instead. The National Assembly meeting descended into chaos as disruptive protests erupted.

According to Prachanda, Singh had undertaken multiple visits to Delhi and engaged in numerous discussions with political leaders in Kathmandu in a bid to see him appointed as Prime Minister. Furthermore, Prachanda acknowledged Singhs pivotal role in bolstering Nepal-India relations, emphasizing his historical significance.

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The Chairman of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, who had previously formed a coalition government with Prachanda, expressed his partys stance, stating that they sought the Prime Ministers resignation rather than a mere clarification.

Members of the Communist CPN-UML and the RPP, the main opposition parties, chanted slogans decrying the legitimacy of a Prime Minister purportedly appointed by New Delhi. The clamor for Prachandas resignation resonated through both the upper and lower houses of parliament.

In response to the mounting pressure, the Prime Minister endeavored to address the controversy surrounding his remarks about Sardar Pritam Singh. Speaking at a training program organized by the All Nepal National Independent Students Union, an affiliate of his political party, Prachanda attributed the uproar to a misinterpretation of his words. He stressed that his statements about Singh at the book launch were merely a reflection of the transporters own accounts, expressing frustration at the unnecessary fuss created.

As the controversy continues to simmer, both the upper and lower houses of parliament have been engulfed in protests, with demands for the Prime Ministers resignation growing louder. The future remains uncertain as Nepal navigates these tumultuous waters, grappling with the complexities of internal politics and external perceptions.
Several lawmakers in the United States condemned the attempted arson and violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including the Ambassador of India to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu.

US Congressmen Shri Thanedar, Rich McCormick and Brian Fitzpatrick, from Michigan 13th district, Georgias 6th Congressional district and Pennsylnanias 1st Congressional district respectively, took to Twitter to register their outrage at attempts by pro-Khalistani elements to instil terror. A group of Khalistan radicals, on July 2, tried to set the Indian consulate in San Francisco on fire.

US Congressman Shri Thanedar criticised the incident in a strong-worded tweet.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the attacks at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco. Violence and attempts to instil terror are unacceptable in democracy, tweeted Thanedar.

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McCormick termed the attack on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco as unacceptable.

He tweeted, This attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco is vile and unacceptable. Americans stand by our allies and our patriotic Indian-American community.

Rep Fitzpatrick called for appropriate legal action against those involved in the incident.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, he wrote, This kind of violence is lawless and unacceptable. I firmly condemn the repeated hateful attacks on the Indian Consulate and look forward to those involved being held accountable with appropriate legal action.

The attempted arson attack on the Indian Consulate by pro-Khalistanis and their ensuing rally on July 8 was also condemned by the co-chairs of India Caucus, saying free speech is not a license to provoke violence.

Co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India, Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, in a press release, said, As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu.

They also appealed to the US State Department to investigate the damage and take necessary action.

We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American, but that is not a license to vandalize property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable, the release added.

Earlier, on July 2, around 1.40 am (local time), a group of Khalistan radicals made an attempt to set the Indian Consulate in San Francisco on fire, sources told ANI.

A video of the incident was verified by sources who told ANI the fire was suppressed quickly by the San Francisco Fire Department. The Local San Francisco police department, special diplomatic security personnel, and state and federal authorities were notified and began investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Dr TV Nagendra Prasad, Consul General, Consulate General of India, San Francisco, were targeted in a poster purportedly circulated by Sikh extremists, who accused them of playing a role in the June killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.

According to sources, India on Monday (July 3) raised concerns over threats to its diplomats in posters being circulated in Canada with information on a pro-Khalistan rally to be held on July 8. The posters contained threats to the Indian ambassador to Canada and the consulate general in Toronto.

A similar poster announcing the rally date also came to the fore in San Francisco.

The rally is being held in the name of Harjit Singh Nijjar aka Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Khalistani terrorist who was killed in a targeted shooting in Canadas Surrey on June 18.

This is not the first time that the San Francisco consulate has come under attack.

Multiple incidents of protests by Khalistan supporters have been staged outside the Indian embassy and the San Francisco Consulate.

However, no action against any person or group has been taken as yet.

The extremist Sikh groups are also planning to rally outside the Indian missions in the US on July 8.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 63F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy after midnight with light rain possible. Low 63F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Pictured from left to right: Mansfield High School graduates Jose de la Fuente Martinez, SriRishi Atluri, Anthony Duran Salas and Hallie Popat, all of whom earned the Massachusetts State Seal of Bilateracy this year for proficiency in English and Spanish. Maksym Koval, not pictured, also received the award for proficiency in English and Russian.
The Moldovan parliament has passed at first reading a bill denouncing the agreement on Moldova's membership in the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States (IPA CIS)

"Fifty-five deputies of the ruling Party of Action and Solidarity [there are a total of 101 deputies in the parliament] voted for [the bill]. Deputies of the opposition Bloc of Communists and Socialists protested by boycotting this part of the parliament session.

The decision on Moldova's withdrawal from the IPA CIS was made by the Standing Bureau of the parliament after consultations with President Maia Sandu.

Moldova became a full-fledged member of the IPA CIS on June 2, 1998.

It was stated in the Moldovan parliament session that Moldova pays the Assembly the second largest membership fee to participate in international organizations. In 2023, this fee is 5.8 million lei (some $320,000). The largest fee paid to the Council of Europe is 10 million lei (more than $500,000).

The denunciation of the agreement on Moldova's membership in the IPA CIS was initiated by Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu in the middle of May. Moldova had revoked its permanent membership from the IPA CIS in early February.

Moldovan Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu said in February Moldova was starting the process of withdrawal from several dozens of agreements in the CIS. He said Moldova is a party to some 330 CIS agreements, of which many need revision. The Moldovan parliament made a final decision to withdraw from the agreement on the creation of the interstate television and radio company Mir last week.
Interfax-Ukraine to host press conference 'State-run enterprise Forests of Ukraine sabotages creation of new conservation areas'

On Thursday, July 13, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference entitled "State-run enterprise Forests of Ukraine sabotages creation of new conservation areas".

Participants include

Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Viktor Melnyk;

Director of the Kyiv Ecological and Cultural Center Volodymyr Boreiko (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
'Varayude Paramashivan (Lord Shiva of line drawing)'.

It was a fitting tribute from one stalwart to another  from eminent Malayalam author V.K.N. (Vadakke Koottala Narayanankutty Nair) to noted artist Namboothiri.

One of the legendary figures of line drawing, Karuvattu Mana Vasudevan Namboothiri, 97, passed away at 12.21am today, leaving behind a rich legacy and his unique style. The eldest son of Parameshwaran Namboothiri and Sreedevi Antharjanam of Karuvattu Mana in Ponnani, Kerala, Namboothiri entered the world of art, inspired by the scriptures at a temple near his house. He was fond of making clay figures. After finishing high school, he worked as a priest at a temple in Thrissur for some time, during which he learnt Sanskrit and traditional medicinal practices. But, Namboothiri soon realised his destiny lay elsewhere.

With financial help from Krishnan Namboodiri of Varikkasseri Mana, a renowned aristocratic family in Malabar, Namboothiri got enrolled at the Madras School of Fine Arts (now, Government College of Fine Arts). It was there he met the two towering figures who would profoundly influence his art. The first was Devi Prasad Roy Chowdhury, a student of Abanindranath Tagore and the founding principal of the institution. Under Chowdhury's guidance, the college provided comprehensive training in fine arts, fostering an environment conducive to exploring indigenous art forms. This exposure gave Namboothiri invaluable insights into depicting the human form and deepened his appreciation for artistic expression rooted in Indian traditions.

The second influential figure was his teacher, K.C.S. Paniker. His inspiration and unwavering support motivated Namboothiri and his peers to embark on a path of exploration, experimentation, and self-expression. Encouraging them to showcase their individual talents and challenge the limits of artistic conventions, Paniker instilled in them a sense of curiosity and a quest to define an Indian identity. After completing diplomas in fine arts and applied arts, Namboothiri lived at the Cholamandal Artists' Village under Paniker's guidance.

In 1960, Namboothiri joined Mathrubhumi, a prominent daily in Kerala, and four years later, he became a staff artist at Mathrubhumi Weekly. During this period, Namboothiri gained fame thanks to his distinctive style of raw and irreverent drawings. His pocket cartoon series, Naniyammayum Lokavum, in Mathrubhumi, got widespread acclaim and became a significant milestone in the publication's history.

Line drawing came naturally to him, and his unique perspective on human anatomy breathed life into many literary characters, making them immortal. The period from 1970s to 1990s is often hailed as Namboothiri's golden era, when he created some of his most celebrated literary illustrations. One notable example is the character of Bhima from M.T. Vasudevan Nair's famous novel Randamoozham (1984). Namboothiri skillfully portrayed Bhima with a robust physique and a relatively smaller head, effectively capturing the intricate emotions of Nair's Bhima.

Namboothiri's artistic prowess extended beyond Bhima, as he breathed visual form and shape into numerous characters in Malayalam literature. His illustrations graced the works of esteemed authors like Uroob, V.KN., S.K. Pottekkat, Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, and Madhavi Kutty (Kamala Surayya), among others. Each of these artistic renderings showcased Namboothiri's ability to capture the essence of the characters and contribute to the rich tapestry of Malayalam literature.

Namboothiri with some of his paintings | Fahad Muneer K.M.

His male characters possessed a sturdy and robust appearance, while his female characters were depicted as beautiful. It was Surayya's father, V.M. Nair, who worked alongside Namboothiri at Mathrubhumi, who suggested that the artist should envision all his characters as visually appealing, even if the writers were exploring themes of agony, distress, or sadness. This approach aimed to convey the inherent beauty within each character, regardless of their circumstances.

Namboothiri possessed a remarkable ability to translate the intricate realm of emotions experienced by a three-dimensional character into the confined space of his two-dimensional drawing sheets. His profound understanding of literature, Kathakali, and classical music played a significant role in shaping his artistic vision. These diverse influences greatly enhanced his drawings. Furthermore, Namboothiri regarded music as the pinnacle or the "best form of art, considering it the only artistic medium capable of deeply touching and stirring the human heart.

In the 1970s, Namboothiri's artistic talents expanded into the realm of cinema. When G. Aravindan, who would later establish himself as one of the greatest filmmakers in Malayalam cinema, directed his debut film Uttarayanam, Namboothiri served as the art director. In 1974, the film garnered five state awards, including the prestigious Best Art Director award for Namboothiri. Subsequently, the artist collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers such as Shaji N. Karun and Padmarajan, further showcasing his versatility.

Namboothiri also ventured into other artistic mediums, such as oil on canvas and copper relief works, to express his artistry. He even embraced finger painting as a form of artistic expression. His copper relief works on the epics Mahabharat and Ramayan, as well as his fibre-glass works on Kathakali, garnered international recognition and acclaim.

Namboothiri's autobiography, first serialised in Bhashaposhini, Malayala Manorama's literary magazine, was subsequently published as a book titled Rekhakal by Manorama Books. This publication provided readers with insights into his life and journey, further solidifying his prominent position in the artistic landscape.

Despite the numerous honours Namboothiri received, including the Raja Ravi Varma Award, one wonders if the nation truly recognised and honoured his exceptional contributions to the world of art and culture. Surprisingly, he never got a Padma award, which many believe he truly deserved.
If you think you can compensate for a lack of sleep with regular exercise, think again. A recent study published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity journal suggests that sleeping for less than six hours a day may undermine the protective effects of physical activity against cognitive decline.

Conducted by researchers from the prestigious University College London (UCL), the study tracked cognitive function over a 10-year period in a group of 8,958 individuals aged 50 and above in England. The goal was to analyze how different combinations of sleep and physical activity habits impacted cognitive function over time.

The findings were quite alarming. Individuals who engaged in more physical activity but slept less than six hours on average experienced faster cognitive decline compared to their counterparts who engaged in less physical activity. Surprisingly, after a decade, their cognitive function was equivalent to those who were less physically active.

Lead author of the study, Mikaela Bloomberg from UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, emphasized the significance of adequate sleep for reaping the full cognitive benefits of exercise. "Our study suggests that getting sufficient sleep may be required for us to get the full cognitive benefits of physical activity," she explained. Bloomberg further emphasized the need to consider sleep and physical activity together when considering cognitive health.

While previous studies have touched on the relationship between sleep, physical activity, and cognitive function, this study stands out for its long-term approach. Unlike previous cross-sectional studies that provided only a snapshot of the situation, this research delved into the impact over a decade.

The study confirmed earlier findings that sleeping between six and eight hours per night and engaging in higher levels of physical activity correlated with better cognitive function. Interestingly, the researchers discovered that more physically active individuals initially exhibited better cognitive function, regardless of their sleep duration. However, this changed over the course of 10 years. Those who were physically active but slept less than six hours experienced more rapid cognitive decline.

The study also noted age-related differences. Participants in their 50s and 60s experienced significant cognitive decline if they were physically active but slept less, whereas older participants (aged 70 and over) seemed to maintain the cognitive benefits of exercise, even with shorter sleep.

Professor Andrew Steptoe, co-author of the study from UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, stressed the importance of identifying factors that protect cognitive function as people age, potentially prolonging cognitively healthy years and delaying dementia diagnoses. He urged that interventions promoting cognitive health should consider not only physical activity but also sleep habits to maximize long-term benefits.

It's worth noting that the study relied on self-reported sleep duration and physical activity, which presents some limitations. To build on these findings, future research should replicate the study with more diverse populations, explore other cognitive domains, delve into sleep quality, and employ objective measures such as wearable physical activity trackers.

This study serves as a wake-up call, reminding us of the critical role sleep plays in maintaining cognitive health, particularly when combined with regular exercise. So, if you're hitting the gym but skimping on sleep, it might be time to reevaluate your priorities for the sake of your brain's well-being.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated a slew of projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore in Chhattisgarh on Friday. Ahead of the polls in the state, this is the Modi's first visit to the Congress-ruled state since he got elected as PM for the second term.

Modi laid foundation stone for three National Highway projects of the 6-lane greenfield Raipur-Vishakhapatnam corridor. He also dedicated to the nation the doubling of the 103-km-long Raipur-Khariar Road Rail Line, built at a cost of Rs 750 crore. The 17-km-long railway line will connect Keoti-Antagarh and a bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric ton per annum in Korba.

It's a historic day today in the developmental journey of Chhattisgarh. Today, Chattisgarh is receiving a gift of projects worth over Rs 7,000 crore. This gift of infrastructure, connectivity is to make lives of people of Chattisgarh easy," said PM Modi in his address.

He also added that around nine years ago, over 20 per cent villages in state lacked mobile connectivity, now it has come down to nearly 6 per cent.

Steps taken by the central government has strengthened industralisation in Chhattisgarh, he said.

The PM also distributed 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. PM Narendra Modi flags off new train between Antagarh in Kanker district and Raipur.

Bus accident enroute to Modi's rally claims three people

In an unfortunate incident, three were killed and six got injured when a bus with people to PM's rally in Raipur met with an accident in Bilaspur district on Friday.

According to the police officials, the accident occurred near Beltara village. The bus rammed into a stationary truck, said police. Around 40 people were on board when the accident took place, they added.

Police officials also said that it looked like the bus driver was not able to clearly see the vehicle parked due to the heavy rains.

PM Modi extended his condolences to those who passed away in the accident. I pay tribute to those who have passed away and all possible help is being provided for the treatment of those who have been injured...I wish them a speedy recovery, he said.

Chattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel has expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to kin of the deceased.

Modi also inaugurated four-laning of the 33-km-long Raipur-Kodebod section of the National Highway 30, the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of NH-130.

PM Modi was received by Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan and CM Baghel at the Raipur airport.

In 2018, the party had lost the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh.

Modi is on a two day visit to four states including Uttar Pradesh, Telangana and Rajasthan.

(With PTI inputs)
A senior police official in the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Coimbatore range, allegedly died by suicide and is suspected to have shot himself, police said on Friday.



Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed shock over the incident and said the demise was a huge loss to the police department.



DIG C Vijayakumar is suspected to have shot himself with his service pistol at his residence at Red Fields in the city, a senior police officer said and added the cause for the extreme measure was being ascertained.



The 2009 batch IPS official had assumed charge as DIG in January this year. He had served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anna Nagar, Chennai earlier.



Previously, he had served as Superintendent of Police in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts.



This is the second such incident in recent years of a senior official allegedly dying by suicide in Tamil Nadu.



Then Tiruchengode Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnupriya allegedly died of suicide at her residence in Namakkal district in 2015. She was found hanging.



Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Stalin said he was shocked and saddened to hear the sad news of the untimely death of C Vijayakumar today. "Vijayakumar had served Tamil Nadu police force well in various responsibilities including district SP during his tenure."



"His death is a huge loss to the Tamil Nadu Police department. My deepest condolences and sympathies to his family, friends and police force," the Chief Minister tweeted.
The Gujarat High Court on Friday denied to stay Congress leader Rahul Gandhis plea seeking stay on two-year conviction in a criminal defamation case.

While delivering the verdict, Single judge Hemant Prachchhak dismissed the plea.

Judge Prachchhak said that staying conviction is not a rule and that same must be exercised in rare cases.

He further said that there are 10 criminal cases pending against him (Rahul Gandhi). He also observed that more cases were filed against him after this case.

Representatives of people should remain of clear character. One such is filed by grandson of Veer Savarkar in a court of Pune as accused used defamational (sic) terms against Veer Savarkar in Cambridge. In another case, complaints were also filed in a court in Lucknow, said the Judge.

On Friday, Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Amee Yagnik (both lawyers) were present in the court. The verdict means Gandhi continues to remain disqualified as MP. However, doors are open for him to challenge the HC verdict.

Hearing the case on May 2, Judge Prachchhak had said he would pass the order after the summer vacation of the court.

The Congress leader had sought a stay on the conviction given to him by a lower court in Surat. While the lower court and the Sessions court in Surat granted him bail till he moves the higher court, challenging the decision, stay on the sentence was denied.

Abhishek Manu Singhvi had appeared on behalf of Gandhi and Nirupam Nanavati had appeared on behalf of Purnesh Modi, the complainant during May 2 hearing.

The BJP leader had filed a complaint against Gandhis remarks on Modi surname. While addressing a rally in Karnataka in 2019, Gandhi had asked as to how come all thieves have Modi surname.

Singhvis request to pass on interim order was declined and the judge had said that he would use the vacation time to pass the order and pronounce it post vacation.

Beginning his submissions, Nanavati had pointed out that Gandhi is adopting double standards. Citing newspaper clippings in which Gandhi has been quoted saying that he would continue to speak and is also reported to have said that the conviction is a gift, Nanavati had said that if you are a motormouth you speak. If you do not want to apologize, it is your right but do not cry in the courtroom like a crybaby, Nanavati said. The advocate also read out the sentence attributed to Gandhi. He had said, My name is Gandhi and I am not Savarkar and wont apologize.

He had further argued that if Gandhi is a motormouth and is facing 12 similar cases then he should not say that he is wrongly convicted.

Gandhi was disqualified as MP after the lower courts verdict. He represented Wayanad, Kerala in the Lok Sabha.

Putting forth his submissions, Singhvi had questioned as to what if the Election Commission declared a bye-election. The election commission, he said, isnt bothered that the case is being argued in the court.

He had gone on to say that for an MP disqualification is a matter of big significance. Singhvi had also said that the speeches made during election campaigns should be treated with greater latitude.

Prachchhak had started hearing the case on April 29.

Earlier, Judge Gita Gopi had recused herself from hearing by saying not before me.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said centuries-old dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya is going to be fulfilled. Modi was addressing at the closing ceremony of Gita Press' centenary celebrations in Gorakhpur.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said his Gorakhpur trip, which included a visit to Gita Press and the launch of modern trains, exemplified his government's policy of combining development with heritage.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press here, he also said that it is time to give up the slavery mentality and take pride in the country's traditions.

"The Gorakhpur visit this time is a unique example of 'Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi (heritage and development)' policy," Modi said. He said the dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya is going to be fulfilled after centuries. He also referred to the redesigned Navy insignia based on a flag of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji.

"Even after 75 years of independence, we were carrying the symbol of slavery on our naval flag. We were following English traditions next to our Parliament in the national capital. So, we confidently took up the task of changing them and gave our heritage and traditions the recognition they deserve," Modi said.

"That is why now, the mark of the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji is visible on the flag of the Indian Navy. Now the 'Rajpath' of the era of slavery has been changed to 'Kartavyapath'," he said, adding: "It is time to overcome the mentality of slavery and be proud of our heritage."

During his speech, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed Modi for enhancing India's status in the world.

Highlighting the contributions of Gita Press, the world's largest publisher of Hindu religious textbooks, the prime minister said Mahatma Gandhi had an association with it and used to write for Kalyan magazine.

"He (Gandhiji) had advised Gita Press not to accept advertisements for Kalyan magazine and that advice is still being followed," Modi said.

Speaking on Vande Bharat trains, the prime minister said, "There is a craze for it."

"Earlier, leaders used to write about getting trains to halt in their areas. Now, I get letters from every part of the country requesting to run Vande Bharat trains," he said, adding that Vande Bharat has provided both facilities and convenience to middle-class citizens.

Modi later flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow and the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express trains. He also laid the foundation stone of the Rs 498 crore Gorakhpur railway station redevelopment project. In his address at the Gita Press event, he said his government awarded the Gandhi Peace Prize to the press.

Gita Press has 1,600 publications in 15 languages and it propagates the concept of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" among people, he said.

"The office of Gita Press is no less than a temple for crores of people. There is Gita in its name, as well as in its work. The spiritual light that was ignited here in the form of Gita Press in 1923 is guiding humanity today. It is our good fortune that we all are witnessing the golden century of this humanitarian mission," Modi said.

The prime minister said an institution like Gita Press is not only associated with religion and work but also has a "national character".

"Gita Press connects India and strengthens India's solidarity. It is such an institution which has always enriched social values and shown the path of duty to people," he said. Gita Press is the world's only printing press that is not just an organisation but a living faith, the prime minister said.

"Today, we are building world-class infrastructure and at the same time, we are witnessing the potential of pilgrimages like Kedarnath and Mahakal. After centuries, the dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya is also going to be fulfilled," he added.
Despite Shiv Sena leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde rubbishing reports of discord within the party over the NCP's entry into the coalition, a late-night meeting between BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis and Shinde on Thursday grabbed eyeballs.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was seen arriving at Shinde's official residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai on Thursday. This comes amid reports of a turf war between the new allies after Sena MLA Bharat Gogawale opposed NCP leader Aditi Tatkare's appointment as a guardian minister for the Raigad district.



Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis leaves from CM residence after meeting CM Eknath Shinde#MaharashtraPolitics pic.twitter.com/TCPrTmsg5y  ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2023

After a few MLAs chose to voice their dissent over the Ajit Pawar group's entry, Shinde sought to dismiss all "rumours" about disquiet among the MLAs. Shinde added that he had no plans of stepping down. "It is all rumours," CM Shinde told ANI.



Shinde, who broke Shiv Sena to join the NDA government last year, added that NCP should introspect on everything that was happening within the rank and file. "They (NCP) should introspect on what is happening in their party. They should look into their party, khud ka ghar toh toot gya hai (Their own house is broken now)," he said.



Meanwhile, Gogawale, an MLA from Mahad in Raigad, made his discontent evident on Thursday as he lashed out against Aditi Tatkare's appointment. Aditi Tatkare is the daughter of Raigad's NCP MP Sunil Tatkare, who switched sides to join the Ajit Pawar camp last week. Sunil Tatkare has been appointed as Maharashtra NCP president.



"All MLAs have opposed (Aditi Tatkare becoming guardian minister) because of past incidents. It was decided between Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that when I was in the queue (to become a minister), the guardian minister's post should be with us (Shiv Sena)," Gogawale told reporters.



"This understanding had been reached before the NCP joined the government," he said, adding that "there was no question of the NCP getting the post of guardian minister of Raigad."



Amid the drama, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Thursday claimed that 17-18 MLAs from the Shinde camp have sent feelers about returning to the Uddhav Thackeray faction.



"Since Ajit Pawar and other NCP leaders joined the government, 17-18 MLAs from the Shinde camp have contacted us," Raut claimed. Raut's colleague and the party's Lok Sabha MP Vinayak Raut said the Shinde faction MLAs have started "revolting" after the rebel NCP MLAs were made ministers. Many MLAs have also said that if "Matoshree" (name of Uddhav Thackeray's residence) approaches them, they will reply positively, he said.



However, Sena minister Uday Samant countered him by claiming that six of 13 MLAs from the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction were in touch with him.


BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) note with deep concern the overall rise in cases of discrimination, intolerance and violence in various parts of world, Trend reports.

This is reflected in the Baku Declaration adopted, following the Ministerial Meeting of NAM Coordinating Bureau held in Baku on July 5-6.

"Call upon Member States to take appropriate measures to address the new and emerging threats posed by the rise in terrorist attacks on the basis of xenophobia, Islamophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, and recognize with deep concern the overall rise in instances of discrimination, intolerance and violence, regardless of the actors, directed against members of religious and other communities in various parts of the world," said the declaration.

As President Ilham Aliyev pointed out in his address to the participants of NAM ministerial meeting, promotion of intercultural and interreligious dialogue should be high on the agenda.

We are concerned by rising Islamophobia and xenophobia as well as attempts to equate Islam with violence and terror, President Ilham Aliyev said.

Bringing the recent killing of the 17-year-old teenager of Algerian origin by French police as an example of another sign of racism and Islamophobia in this country, President Ilham Aliyev noted that France also has to apologize for its colonial past and bloody colonial crimes and acts of genocide against NAM member countries in Africa, South-East Asia and other places.

Azerbaijan has been chairing the NAM since 2019. Despite the country's chairmanship coinciding with the height of the pandemic, official Baku has successfully fulfilled its chairing mission and obtained the right to lead the movement for an additional year.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is likely to meet his UK counterpart Tim Barrow in Delhi on Friday, said reports. The meeting assumes significance in the wake of increasing Khalistani activities overseas, including in the UK.

This is the second meeting between the duo. Doval had met Barrow on March 30 just after the attack on Indian High Commission in the UK.



Doval's meeting with Barrow also comes as Indian diplomats in the UK, including high commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and a consul general, being named by pro-Khalistan extremists in posters announcing a protest rally to the Indian High Commission in London on July 8.



The NSA is also likely to ask for guarantees from Barrow on the protection for Indian diplomats in UK and steps to avoid violation of premises of Indian consulates, according to a report by Hindustan Times.



After the consulate attack in San Francisco by Khalistani extremists, India said that it is incumbent on host governments to provide security to Indian diplomats and India's missions.



Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said that countries should not be giving space to those who advocate violence or propagate separatism or legitimise terrorism."



Menwhile, US lawmakers and influential Indian-Americans have condemned the bid to set on fire the Indian consulate in San Francisco.



They also slammed the "violent rhetoric" against India's Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu and said free speech does not mean a license to incite violence or vandalise property.

In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Congressmen Ro Khanna and Michael Waltz, co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans, said violence against diplomatic facilities will not be tolerated. "As the co-chairs of the India Caucus, we strongly condemn the attempted arson and vandalism at the Indian Consulate in San Francisco and the posters circulating on social media with violent rhetoric aimed at Indian diplomats, including Ambassador Sandhu," they said.



"We support the right to free speech and freedom of expression for every American but that is not a license to vandalise property or incite violence. Violence against diplomatic facilities is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. We urge the State Department to coordinate with law enforcement in their investigation of the damage at the Indian Consulate expeditiously and hold those involved accountable," they added.


The DY Patil School in Pune has come under the radar after members of the Bajrang Dal, VHP (Vishwa Hindu Parishad), accompanied by several parents and students reached the institution with two complaints: the installation of a CCTV camera in the washroom area for girls studying in Classes 8-12 and alleged recital of Christian prayer in the school but not of other faiths.

The group entered the school on July 4. A few minutes later, as shown in a video verified by the police, the group was seen chasing down the principal Alexander Coates Reid, who was running on the school campus with his clothes torn. In the video which went viral, the attackers could be heard shouting 'Har Har Mahadev'.

Reid and the school administration did not approach the police with a complaint until late Thursday, Inspector Ranjit Sawant, in charge of Talegaon MIDC police station said.

This is disgraceful. What gives Bajrang Dal the right to take violent action with such impunity? And how dare they claim to be defending Hinduism? No decent Hindu behaves like this. #NotInMyName https://t.co/Soo80jNEc1  Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 6, 2023

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the incident is disgraceful and no decent Hindu behaves like this. "This is disgraceful. What gives Bajrang Dal the right to take violent action with such impunity? And how dare they claim to be defending Hinduism? No decent Hindu behaves like this. #NotInMyName," Shashi Tharoor tweeted.



Another complaint of the parents was that the school did not give holidays on Hindu festivals. "We are looking into the allegations levelled by the parents and an investigation is going on," Talegaon MIDC police inspector Ranjit Sawant said, as reported by PTI.


A Delhi court, on Friday, summoned BJP MP and outgoing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a case of alleged sexual harassment of women wrestlers and said there was sufficient evidence to proceed against him.

Taking cognisance of the charge sheet, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Harjeet Singh Jaspal directed Singh to appear before the court on July 18.

The court also summoned Vinod Tomar, suspended assistant secretary of the Wrestling Federation of India.

It directed the SHO of Connaught Place Police Station to execute the summons against both the accused.

The judge said he was giving a short date, noting that both the accused reside in Delhi.

Delhi Police had filed the charge sheet against the six-time MP Singh on June 15 under sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Tomar was charged with offences under sections 109 (abetment of any offence, if the act abetted is committed in consequence, and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 354, 354A and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.

Besides the present case, another FIR was filed against Singh pursuant to the allegations made by a minor wrestler which was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. She was among the seven female grapplers who had accused Singh of sexual harassment.

Both the FIRs mentioned several alleged instances of sexual harassment like inappropriate touching, groping, stalking and intimidation by Singh at different times and places over a decade.

In the minor's case, the court had on July 4 sought a response from the girl and the complainant on the final report filed by Delhi Police seeking cancellation of the case against Singh for alleged sexual harassment.

Delhi Police had, on June 15, submitted the report seeking cancellation of the FIR filed with regard to the allegation of sexual harassment against Singh.

A cancellation report is filed in cases where police fail to find corroborative evidence after due investigation.

In a startling admission, the father of the minor wrestler had told PTI that he and his daughter had filed a "false" police complaint of sexual harassment against Singh because they wanted to get back at him for perceived injustice against the girl.

Singh has been questioned by the police twice so far, and on both occasions, he denied all the allegations against him and claimed he was "framed".

The cause of the women wrestlers was taken up by decorated grapplers like Olympic medallists Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik, and Asian Games champion Vinesh Phogat. The protest by celebrity grapplers drew support from a host of opposition parties and farmer organisations.
The U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti's statement on Manipur violence, offering assistance to New Delhi to resolve the crisis in the north eastern state has stoked controversy. Congress leader Manish Tewari, highlighting the statement, said he has never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India.

While expressing sorrow over the ethnic violence, Garcetti, who was in Kolkata on Thursday, stated that one need not have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence."



"You don't have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence," Garcetti said."There has been a lot of progress in the northeast states... We stand ready and enable to assist if asked but we know that this is an Indian matter. We can bring more collaboration, more projects, more investment if that peace is in place."



#WATCH | US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti speaks on Manipur violence, says," I don't think it's about strategic concerns, it's about human concerns. You don't have to be an Indian to care when children or individuals die in this sort of violence. We know peace as a precedent pic.twitter.com/4ZniEo6Opz  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

Garcetti's comments soon snowballed into controversy forcing External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi to respond. "I am not sure foreign diplomats would usually comment on internal developments in India, but I would not like to comment without seeing what has exactly been said," he added.

However, Manish Tewari too expressed his surprise at the statement. "To the best of my recollection going back atleast four decades in public life, I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India. We faced challenges in Punjab, J&K , North East over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity and wisdom."

"Even when Robin Raphel would be loquacious on J&K in the 1990s, the US Ambassadors in India were circumspect. I doubt if the new @USAmbIndia @ericgarcetti is cognisant of the convoluted and torturous history of US-India relations and our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs," the tweet read.


With West Bengal's crucial panchayat elections set to be held on Saturday, the state remains on high alert with heavy deployment of central forces in all polling booths. Around 5.67 crore people are eligible to cast their votes in the three-tier panchayat polls for nearly 74,000 seats in zilla parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats.

With several people killed and injured in the run-up to the polls, there are apprehensions if polling day will pass peacefully especially in violence hot-spots like Bhangar, Cooch Behar, Basanti, Murshidabad and Nandigram. The Calcutta High Court had earlier ordered deployment of central forces to all polling stations on voting day. The State Election Commission has also directed district authorities to ensure that two armed police personnelone each from central forces and state police be deployed at each booth on polling day on Saturday.

Nearly 65,000 active central police personnel and 70,000 state police personnel will be deployed for the rural polls. Meanwhile on Thursday, HC directed the central forces to be deployed across West Bengal for 10 days after the poll results are declared in July 11, to ensure safety of elected members.

On Friday, just a day before the polls, a Congress worker was allegedly beaten to death by unidentified people in Murshidabad district. West Bengal Governor C.V Ananda Bose, who has been touring violence-hit areas over the past few weeks, arrived in Murshidabad district on Friday. Bose will also visit places like Domkal, Khargram, Navagram, and Beldanga, where clashes among political parties have been reported ahead of the polls. According to reports, 16 people have been killed in the violence during the campaign for the polls.

Campaigning for the crucial rural polls concluded on Thursday. The ruling Trinamool Congress, the BJP and an alliance of the Congress and Left parties are the key players in the fray. For the TMC and the BJP, the rural polls will be a litmus test ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

In 2018, the TMC swept the panchayat elections by winning 73 per cent of the gram panchayat seats, 90 per cent of the panchayat samitis and 95 per cent of the zilla parishad seats, the Quint reported. Interestingly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's party won 34 per cent of seats unopposedthere were no candidates from the opposition parties in all these seats.






Just as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decided it was 'safe' for Japan to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant to the sea, China has decided to ban the import of food from some regions of Japan.

A statement from the Chinese custom on Friday said it is mulling banning the import of food from one-fifth of Japanese prefectures for safety reasons, reported Tokyo-based Nikkei Asia. The move will affect over 10 Japanese prefectures as China is the biggest importer of seafood from Japan.



This comes as Japan readies to release the radioactive water into the sea, a move that angered China. China has called it a selfish act that "puts the common interests of all humanity in jeopardy." "The ocean is not Japans private sewer," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said last month.



According to China's Customs, authorities would also strictly review the documents for food, especially aquatic products, from other parts of Japan. It would also ensure the detection and monitoring of radioactive substances to ensure the safety of food imported from Japan. "The move was to prevent the export of radioactively contaminated Japanese food to China and protect the food safety of Chinese consumers' imports," Nikkei Asia quoted the customs.



Meanwhile, the IAEA continued to back Japan's controversial plan to release contaminated water into the sea. Adding that the plan was safe, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told CNN that there was no better option to deal with the wastewater, which is being stored in 10 mammoth tanks.



IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi | Reuters

Adding that he is "completely convinced of the sound basis of our conclusions", Grossi acknowledged that fears over the plan were logical.



"We have been looking at this basic policy for more than two years. We have been assessing it against  the most stringent standards that exist," he said. "And we are quite certain of what we are saying, and the scheme we have proposed," he told CNN in Tokyo.

The IAEA on Tuesday submitted a report to the Japanese government stating that the water release plan was sound and will have a "negligible" impact on people and the environment. It added that it was an "independent and transparent review" not a recommendation or endorsement.



Ever since the plan was announced, Japan's neighbours, including South Korea and the Pacific Islands, have vehemently opposed discharging the contaminated water into the sea. Tokyo sought to allay their fears citing that the water will be sufficiently diluted.



The water was used to cool reactors after the powerful 2011 earthquake in Fukushima broke down the cooling systems for the plant and now measures 1.32 million metric tons  enough to fill more than 500 Olympic-sized swimming pools.


UK National Security Adviser Sir Tim Barrow is on an official visit to New Delhi on 7 July 2023 at the invitation of Shri Ajit Doval, KC, National Security Adviser of India for the India-UK Strategic Dialogue. He is accompanied by a delegation of senior UK government officials, sources said.





The two National Security Advisers met for restricted discussions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. This was followed by the delegation level talks where both countries reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages. The two had met informally this year on March 30.

The two NSAS have engaged regularly in extensive discussions on a broad bilateral, regional and global agenda. The current visit will allow them to continue their high-level dialogue, which will include a review of the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries as well as explore futuristic areas for technology collaboration.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism.

The Indian side raised the issue of the extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK Government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution.

Both sides agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism, counter-terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter radicalisation.

The two sides agreed to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.

During the visit, NSA Tim Barrow will also meet other dignitaries of the Government of India.
Muslims in Pakistan held rallies on Friday to observe a "Day of the Sanctity of Quran after the country's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a call for anti-Sweden protests over last week's burning of the Islamic holy book in Stockholm.

The biggest anti-Sweden rallies were expected in the eastern city of Lahore and in Karachi, the largest city in the country. In the capital, Islamabad, lawyers holding copies of the Quran protested in front of the Supreme Court, while worshippers outside mosques held small rallies, demanding the severing of diplomatic ties with Sweden.

A group of minority Christians in the northwest also held a rally to denounce the burning of the Quran. Supporters of Pakistan's main radical Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan party are holding rallies in the country's all major cities, including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta to denounce the burning of the Quran.

Anger has grown in Muslim countries since last Wednesday when a man identified in Swedish media as a Christian from Iraq burned the Quran outside a mosque in Stockholm on the festival of Eid al-Adha.

Muslim leaders in Sweden have also deplored the incident. But in his televised speech to lawmakers in the parliament the previous day, Sharif questioned why the police in Sweden let the burning of the Quran go ahead.

On Friday, Sharif took to Twitter, urging his compatriots to send a strong message to Sweden by holding rallies and demonstrating. When it comes to the Quran, the nation is one," he wrote. We will all protest nationwide today under the title of Sanctity of Quran Day and after Friday prayers."

A similar call for protests has also been issued by Imran Khan, the former premier who was replaced by Sharif in April 2022 after his ouster through a motion of no-confidence in the parliament.

However, the followers of Khan, Sharif, and other parties are holding separate rallies across the nation.

Those holding anti-Sweden protests include a radical party, Tehreek-e-Labiak Pakistan (TLP), which has previously held violent rallies to condemn the desecration of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

TTP wants the boycott of all products from Sweden and the cutting of diplomatic ties until the man responsible for the burning of the Quran is punished. TLP gained prominence in Pakistan's 2018 elections, campaigning on the single issue of defending the country's blasphemy law, which calls for the death penalty for anyone who insults Islam.
Kolkata, July 7 (PTI) Umm Al Quwain (UAQ), one of the seven states of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Friday urged entrepreneurs from West Bengal to invest in its Free Trade Zone (FTZ) and get hundred per cent ownership.

Johnson M George, general manager UAQ FTZ of the government of Umm Al Quwain, said the region provides great logistical support as it is close to Dubai and Sharjah international airports.

Any entity interested to invest in the FTZ can set up a company in one or two days due to the quick and easy registration processes followed there, he said at an event organised by ICC here.

"Entrepreneurs will get 100 per cent ownership if they invest in the FTZ, which also provide scope for start ups. Additionally it is located close to Dubai and Sharjah airports," he said.

The UAQ FTZ provides access to two billion consumers with its air, road and water connectivity, he added.

ICC past president Sanjay Budhia said UAE and India has diplomatic ties dating back to 1972. The commerce between the two countries is estimated to be in the region of USD 85 billion in 2022-23.

Both UAE and India has agreed to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, he said.

CEPA seeks to enhance economic and commercial ties between the two countries. The agreement aims to increase trade and investment, improve market access, and promote economic growth between India and the UAE.

India is the second-largest trading partner of UAE. The UAE on the other hand is the third largest trading partner of India, he added.
Developing a scalable, replicable model based on the WHO 7-point plan to achieve Net Zero Diarrhoeal Deaths among under-5 children in Uttar Pradesh



Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India  Business Wire India



Reckitt, worlds leading consumer health and hygiene company, launches phase 2 of Dettol Diarrhoea Net Zero, with the aim to save 100,000 lives. This one-of-a-kind program has been working towards achieving Net Zero Diarrhoeal preventable deaths among under-5 children in Uttar Pradesh. Based on the WHO 7-point plan, the program focuses on raising community awareness and education on prevention, promotion and treatment of diarrhoea in the 25 districts of the state.



6,000 lifesaving Dettol Diarrhoea Net Zero kits, comprising of sanitizers, zinc, ORS and educational material, have been distributed so far to patients under-5 years in Uttar Pradesh to promote healthy hygiene practices, such as hand washing and safe sanitation, along with use of ORS and Zinc and importance of vaccinations for viruses like rotavirus. Culturally adaptable educational music tracks and nukkad nataks in local language have also been developed and showcased on-ground to increase access to diarrhoea management knowledge in remote and underserved areas.



In its second year, the program adds districts of Gonda, Balrampur, Sidharth Nagar, Ayodhya, Ambedakar Nagar, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Hamirpur, Jalaun, and Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh, working on ground with communities. Aligned to the governments Intensive Diarrhea Control Fortnight (IDFC) program and Dastak campaign, Dettol Diarrhoea Net Zero enhances the capacity of caregivers to provide effective prevention, treatment, and management of diarrhoea. The program will train 10,000 additional Gulabi didis to fight against maternal and infant mortality in its second phase. The mission is to address delays in timely identification, treatment, and referral of diarrhoea cases through a model that combines digital, on-ground and blended interventions.



Mr. Gaurav Jain, Executive Vice President, Reckitt  South Asia said, Uttar Pradesh's consistent commitment to strengthen its economy by boosting its healthcare inspires us to accomplish more in the state every day. Reckitt has worked with students, teachers, parents, and communities to improve their overall health and well-being over the last eight years, impacting the lives of nearly ten million children. The success of the Diarrhoea Net Zero program in 13 districts has encouraged us to extend our resources and we are thrilled to take the program to 25 districts of the state, ensuring zero diarrhoeal deaths among children under the age of five. With support from the Government of Uttar Pradesh, we will gain momentum and work diligently to create a healthier and brighter future for the children.



Mr. Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships, SOA, Reckitt, said, Reckitt has been a longterm partner for the state of Uttar Pradesh, championing hygiene, health, and sanitation. Aligned to the governments Intensive Diarrhea Control Fortnight (IDFC) program and Dastak campaign, we are consistently engaging with the most remote communities on-ground through art, culture and various educational activities. With the expansion of Diarrhoea Net Zero, we will empower communities with knowledge and resources to effectively combat everyday challenges that can become long-term health concerns for vulnerable children. We are committed to innovate and implement effective solutions to push towards achieving a net zero future for Diarrhoea.



Continued persistence of the disease has implications on the overall growth and well-being of children, hence, need for a program like Dettol Diarrhoea Net Zero that becomes a demonstrable model for the state and country is crucial to reduce diarrhoeal deaths in under-5 children. Since its inception, Dettol Diarrhoea Net Zero has focussed on caregivers, with commitment to promoting the WHO 7-point plan for effective diarrhoea management in the communities where it's needed most. In the past year, 10,000 gulabi didis have been trained and equipped with the right knowledge and tools for effective diarrhoea management. Nutritional rehabilitation centres for children at district hospitals pediatric wards, community health centers, primary health centers, sub-centers and nand ghars have also been organized to ensure regular health checkups and follow ups on treatment programs. To keep a check on the quality of water 12,000 households have received water testing kits and 1,18,545 received household visits by healthcare workers to ensure WHO 7 points plan is followed and implemented.



About Reckitt



Reckitt* exists to protect, heal, and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right, not a privilege.



Reckitt is the company behind some of the worlds most recognisable and trusted consumer brands in hygiene, health, and nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Enfamil, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Nutramigen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet, Woolite and more.



Every day, more than 20 million Reckitt products are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and build shared success with all our partners. We aim to do the right thing, always.



We are a diverse global team of more than 43,000 colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet, and a fairer society. Find out more or get in touch with us at www.reckitt.com.



*Reckitt is the trading name of Reckitt Benckiser group of companies.



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Diarrhoea Net Zero kit for under-5 children



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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement expressed respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty, political independence and inviolability of international borders of other countries, Trend reports.

This is reflected in the Baku Declaration adopted, following the Ministerial Meeting of NAM Coordinating Bureau held in Baku on July 5-6.

As such, NAM members reaffirmed the need to comply with the principles of non-intervention in the internal affairs, the abstention from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of states, in accordance with the Charter of the UN.

Member countries also recommited to support and promote these principles of international law and to continue opposing any attempt aimed at partial or total disruption of the national unity or territorial integrity of states.

"Reaffirm that every State has the duty to refrain in its international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations, and that such a threat or use of force constitutes a violation of international law and the Charter of the United Nations and shall never be employed as a means of settling international issues," the declaration said.

As President Ilham Aliyev stressed in his address to the participants of NAM ministerial meeting, NAMs more visible presence in the world affairs is vital.

As a true defender of multilateralism and the second largest international institution after the United Nations, NAM has to find its own place in the newly reshaping world order. We need to stand firm around Bandung principles, make our voice louder against cases of violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity and intervention in the internal affairs of states, President Ilham Aliyev pointed out.

Azerbaijan has been chairing the NAM since 2019. Despite the country's chairmanship coinciding with the height of the pandemic, official Baku has successfully fulfilled its chairing mission and obtained the right to lead the movement for an additional year.
HYDERABAD, India, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Woxsen University proudly announces the significant accomplishments of its students and faculty in obtaining patents for their ground-breaking ideas. The School of Technology has 18 published patents and 2 granted patents, School of Arts & Design has 25 published patents, School of Business has 7 published patents and 1 granted patent and School of Architecture & Planning has 2 published patents and 1 granted patent.



These Intellectual Properties are a recognition for inventions that are novel, non-obvious, and industrially applicable. While granted patents are protected by the law, patent applications are published to make the public sphere aware of what is seeking patent protection and the public can learn from the work.



Some of the Granted Patents of our students who worked along-side our faculty include:



Intelligent Domestic Waste Digester To Produce Nutrient Rich Solid & Liquid Manure And A Method Thereof



Ravi Gunupuru, Janmejay Sahoo, Kiran K Ravulakollu, Rohit Polishetty - School of Technology



This invention provides for an intelligent waste digester system and a method thereof. The system consists of a custom defined bio-accumulator which collects the domestic bio-waste from single or multiple users and feed into multi layered and diversified compartments wherein digestion process is initiated. The intelligent waste digester system contains integrated sensory modules, connected to parameter validation module and AI module wherein this sensory module communicates to controller with centralized network for activating the actuators through AIM (Artificial Intelligence Module).



Method and Device for Smart Projector Screen



P Swami Sairam, Meera C S, Sunil Sunny, Jubit Emmanuel, Rajesh Singh, Anita Gehlot, Sushabhan Choudhury, Arpit Jain  School of Business



The system makes use of 2.4GHz RF modules for the wireless data transmission and receiving from the projector and the screen. A mote is placed near the projector end which monitors the distance, status of the projector and sends the data to the mote present near the projector screen. The complete system is composed in two different sections called mote1 and mote2 .The mote 1 present near the projector end, contains a microcontroller, RF module, ultrasonic sensor, power unit. The mote 2, present near the screen, contains a microcontroller, RF module, power unit, motor driver, motor, limit switch.



Seating Arrangement Integrated with Sunshade Structure



Vanshita Mittal, Dhruma Bhavsar  School of Architecture & Planning



The economically feasible chair/bench design with built-in solar panels is ideal for parks, institutions, and pedestrian areas. It provides green power, allowing users to charge devices and incorporates smart solutions for improved infrastructure. The design features a sloped roof for rainwater drainage, offers shade, proper ventilation, and modularity for larger seating systems. Aligned with the Smart cities initiative of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, it reduces urban effects and promotes eco-balance.



These patents not only reflect the university's mission but also demonstrate the successful integration of knowledge, research, innovation, industry feedback and practical learning that forms the cornerstone of Woxsen's curriculum.



About Woxsen University, Hyderabad:



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.



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New Delhi (India), July 7: The real estate industry has experienced remarkable growth and development in recent years, with experts predicting a promising future for the sector. According to industry reports, the real estate sector has shown significant resilience and adaptability, overcoming challenges posed by the global pandemic. The implementation of innovative technologies, changing consumer preferences, and government initiatives aimed at boosting the economy have collectively contributed to the sector's upward trajectory.







The growth in the real estate market has not only been confined to metropolitan cities but has also extended to tier 2 and tier 3 cities. India is witnessing a paradigm shift in the real estate landscape, with smaller cities emerging as hotspots for development. These cities offer affordable housing options, robust infrastructure, and ample employment opportunities, making them attractive destinations for homebuyers and investors.



Market expert Shravan Gupta, from the MGF Group, sheds light on the ongoing trends and factors contributing to the flourishing real estate market and emphasizes the transformative impact of technology on the sector. He states, "The integration of technology has revolutionized the way real estate functions. From virtual property tours to digital transactions, technology has made the buying and selling process more efficient and accessible for both developers and buyers."



Gupta further highlights the role of changing consumer preferences in shaping the real estate landscape. "Buyers today seek more than just a physical space; they are looking for integrated communities that offer a holistic living experience. Developers are responding to this demand by creating projects that incorporate amenities such as green spaces, recreational facilities, and smart infrastructure," he explains.



The government's initiatives and policy reforms have also played a pivotal role in driving growth within the real estate sector. Government policies like RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) and PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana) have instilled confidence among buyers and investors. These reforms have brought transparency, accountability, and stability to the real estate market, making it more attractive for both domestic and international investors.



As the real estate sector continues to thrive, industry experts like Shravan Gupta remain optimistic about its future prospects. The growth and development in the real estate sector are indicative of its resilience and ability to adapt to changing market dynamics. With a focus on technology, consumer-centric offerings, and government support, the industry is poised for sustained growth in the coming years.



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Sonipat, 7 July 2023: Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) has entered into 4 new international collaborations with leading law schools and universities in USA and Australia that include American University, Ohio State University, University of Southern California and Bond University.



These collaborations are the latest addition to the existing 200+ international collaborations that Jindal Global Law School already has with other international institutions. These collaborations are a result of the law schools deep commitment towards internationalisation and thereby the creation of opportunities for inter-cultural and global learning. The specific type of international collaborations include student and faculty mobility programmes, dual degree programmes, pathways to post graduate studies and joint research opportunities.



The list of the new partner institutions are:



 The American University Washington College of Law, American University, Washington D.C., USA



 Michael E. Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA



 USC Gould School of Law, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA



 Bond University, Australia



Reflecting on these new collaborations, Professor (Dr.) C. Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, O.P. Jindal Global University and Dean, Jindal Global Law School stated that, Our relentless pursuit of international collaborations continues, as we realize, it is the key to open global possibilities for students and faculty members. The legal profession as it stands today and the type of issues modern-day lawyers have to deal with demand transnational and comparative understanding of law, and the perspective essential for developing such an understanding becomes possible only if we are able to situate the global within our domestic contexts. We also need to develop the qualities and values of empathy, mutual respect, and reciprocity which should be cultivated in individuals through conscious and collective efforts. All these are part of our shared responsibility to the generation and progeny. Herein comes the relevance of international collaborations.



In commenting on the establishment of these new partnerships, Professor (Dr.) S.G. Sreejith, Executive Dean, JGLS observed, This is a fantastic opportunity for students studying at JGLS. These collaborations include student and faculty mobility programmes, dual degree programmes, pathways to post graduate studies and joint research opportunities. The student mobility programmes help students to experience intercultural learning, which instils in them a global perspective, enhances their intercultural empathies, and broadens their intellectual and professional horizons. These opportunities prepare JGLS students in a big way to deal with global professional challenges. The faculty exchange programme promotes joint research and publications and development of globally relevant pedagogy.







On the general approach of the JGLS Office of International Collaborations, Professor Malvika Seth, Associate Dean (International Collaborations), JGLS observed that, Our vision and ambition to provide global legal education by partnering with leading international institutions has proved to be immensely advantageous to our students in building their legal career, as well as for our faculty members, by giving them a platform to build their research and teaching methods. Our commitment towards creating a world class institution in India has led us to establish various partnerships all around the world.



Reflecting on the possible outcomes of these particular collaborations, Ms. Smarnika Srivastava, Assistant Dean (International Collaborations), JGLS stated that, These opportunities create an open academic environment and maximises the potential of our students and faculty alike, which leads to their professional and personal growth in a holistic way. JGLS has secured diverse international collaborations with countries all around the world. The student centric programmes put JGLS students a step ahead in their career and makes them well prepared for the legal world. The faculty centric programmes help our faculty in developing their teaching pedagogy and engaging in research with peers from around the world.



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Bengaluru, Jul 7 (PTI) Liquor, including beer, is set to get dearer in Karnataka as the state government on Friday proposed to hike additional excise duty in the 2023-24 budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the Legislative Assembly on Friday.

Siddaramaiah, who holds the Finance portfolio, proposed to increase the existing rates of the duty on Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) by 20 per cent on all 18 slabs.

He also proposed to increase the duty on beer from 175 per cent to 185 per cent.

"Even after the increase in excise rates, the price of liquor in our state would be lower when compared to the neighbouring states," the Chief Minister said in the budget speech.

With these hikes and effective enforcement and regulatory measures, the revenue collection target for the Excise Department for the year 2023-24 is fixed at Rs 36,000 crore, Siddaramaiah added.
Hyderabad, Jul 7 (PTI) Film stars Prabhas and Deepika Padukone along with cinema veteran Kamal Haasan will be sharing an exclusive glimpse into the world of their upcoming sci-fi movie "Project K" at the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).

According to a press note issued by the makers, the Nag Ashwin directorial will be the first-ever Indian film to debut at SDCC.

At the Comic-Con, scheduled to take place from July 20 to 23, producers Vyjayanthi Movies will be hosting conversations and performances, providing audiences with a glimpse into India's vibrant culture and awe-inspiring world of science fiction.

Haasan, Prabhas, Deepika and Ashwin will unveil the film's title, trailer, and release date on day one of SDCC. The multi-lingual sci-fi film also features megastar Amitabh Bachchan and Disha Patani.

"India is the home of some of the greatest lore and superheroes ever written. We feel that our film is an attempt to bring out and share this with the world. And Comic Con gives us the perfect stage to introduce our story to a global audience," Ashwin said in a statement.

Producer Aswani Dutt said they are proud to represent India on a global stage like SDCC.

"We are very proud to embark on this extraordinary journey. Joining forces with some of the biggest superstars of our nation, we are breaking new ground and pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema. This is a proud moment for all the Indian audiences who have been wanting to see Indian Cinema on the global map. Comic Con is that world stage for us," the producer said.
Los Angeles, Jul 7 (PTI) In a behind-the-scenes video, Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise has shared the extensive planning that went into pulling off a daring train stunt for "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One".

The train sequence, which shows the actor as Ethan Hunt engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the film's main villain, played by Esai Morales, is one of the many breathtaking stunt scenes that Cruise and his team have executed in the seventh chapter of the globetrotting spy franchise.

Cruise, who also filmed a sequence where he jumped off a cliff on a bike and showed off his speed flying skills in another scene, shared the new video on his social media handles.

"This train sequence was tricky, but the outcome made it all worth it. I can't wait for everyone to see it come to life," the 61-year-old actor tweeted.

In the clip, the film's director Christopher McQuarrie said the team always wanted to do an action sequence atop a moving train.

"We wanted to build upon the previous films and apply all of that knowledge to something practical and real. And bring this train sequence to another level," said the filmmaker, who also directed the franchise's earlier entries -- "Rogue Nation" (2015) and "Fallout" (2019).

The train sequence was shot in Norway.

McQuarrie revealed that the team built a customised train from scratch with each train car designed to function on a working railroad track.

"There was not a surplus of trains available to be wrapped, we had to build the trains. If we wanted to destroy, to shoot it practically was extremely challenging...

"No one else in the world is doing this level of practical filmmaking. And it may never be done again," he said.

Morales said the stunt sequence was a "trial by fire". "That's how Tom likes to do things," he added.

Franchise newcomer Hayley Atwell was involved in the sequence and she praised Cruise for his penchant for pulling-off unimaginable stunt scenes.

"Tom is a great person to have beside you. Not only is he fearless, he is always looking to see how it's going to land for the audience," she added.

The actor, best known for her role of Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), called "Mission: Impossible" the "most extraordinary adventure franchise you've ever seen".

"Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" will also feature Pom Klementieff, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby and Henry Czerny.

Presented by Paramount Pictures and Skydance, the film will be released in theatres in India on July 12.
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Pakistani actor Mahnoor Baloch has caused a social media storm with her comments about Shah Rukh Khan, saying the Hindi cinema superstar is not conventionally handsome and doesn't know acting.

Baloch, known for appearing in Pakistani films "Main Hoon Shahid Afridi" and "Torn" as well as daily soaps like "Apni Apni Love Story" and "Talafi", made the statements during her appearance on talk show "Had Kar Di", aired on Samaa TV channel.

"Shah Rukh Khan has a very good personality, but if you see him according to the beauty parameters and what is considered handsome, he doesn't come under that.

"It is just that his personality and aura are so strong that he looks good. He has that thing (aura), but there are many beautiful people, who don't have any aura, so people do not even notice them," she said.

Baloch, 53, also questioned the "Pathaan" star's acting skills but said he knows how to market himself well.

"It is my opinion about Shah Rukh Khan that he doesn't know acting. He is a great businessman, he knows how to market himself. This is my opinion. I'm sure he has many fans who think that I'm wrong and that's fine. He has a good personality, he markets himself well.

"There are a lot of actors who are not as successful, so he has to some kind of a business mind to do that," she added.

However, she went on to praise Shah Rukh's performance in 1993 movie "Darr".

"That thing suited him. I dont' like him in romantic (roles). I like him in psychopathic (characters)... like in 'Anjaam', he was amazing in that, so believable,' Baloch said.

Understandably, her comments didn't go down well with the diehard fans of the Bollywood star with many criticising and trolling Baloch.

"Plastic ka dabba Mahnoor SRK pe comment Karegi lol," one user wrote on the official YouTube video of the episode.

Another user said, "What rubbish is she saying... SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) is a quality actor and a legend."

One fan said Baloch is trying to gain popularity by commenting about Shah Rukh in her interview.

"He is better and way more successful than you. He would never give this kind of remarks for anyone, so he is also a better person than you," the user said.
Singapore, Jul 7 (PTI) Parliamentarians paid tribute to senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam for his contributions to public service over more than two decades on his last parliamentary sitting before he resigns from all official and political positions to contest Singapore's presidential elections.

Indian-origin Tharman, 66, will step down from his posts as senior minister and coordinating minister for social policies and also resign from the People's Action Party on Friday as he has announced his bid for Singapore presidency.

His last sitting in Parliament was on Thursday.

"We will miss SM Tharman in this chamber, not least his commanding presence and his erudite speeches. SM's greatest gift is, really, in making very complex economic principles sound simple," The Straits Times quoted Leader of the House Indranee Rajah as saying on Thursday.

"We also will miss his wit and his dry humour. I think most of all, we will miss a friend and a fellow Member of Parliament," she said.

Tharman joined politics in 2001 as a member of parliament and has held several cabinet positions, including deputy prime minister as well as education and finance minister.

He also served as chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the de-facto central bank; deputy chairman of sovereign wealth fund GIC, where he chaired its investment strategies committee; and chairman of the Economic Development Board's International Advisory Council.

The presidential election, held every six years, is scheduled to be held later this year before the term of current President Halimah Yacob ends on September 13.

Singapore has stringent terms and conditions for candidates running for president.

To qualify, a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Singapore aged 45 and above on nomination day and have lived in Singapore for at least 10 years up to that date.

He or she must not be a member of any political party on the date of nomination and must have met the public or private sector service requirement within the last 20 years.

The public sector service requirement includes having held office as a minister, chief justice, speaker of Parliament, attorney general, chairman of the Public Service Commission, auditor-general, accountant-general or permanent secretary for at least three years.

To fulfil the private sector service requirement, a person must have served as the chief executive of a company for at least three years and during this time the company must, on average, have at least SGD500 million in shareholders' equity and made profit after tax throughout.

The Presidential Elections Committee (PEC) must also be satisfied that the person has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of president.
Beijing, Jul 7 (AP) Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen plans to tell Chinese officials that Washington wants healthy economic competition but will defend trade curbs imposed by the US on security grounds and express concern about Beijing's export controls on metals used in semiconductors and solar panels, a senior Treasury official said.

Yellen was due to meet Friday with China's No. 2 leader, Premier Li Qiang, as part of efforts to revive relations that are at their lowest level in decades due to disputes over security, technology and other irritants. Treasury officials have said she wouldn't meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Washington doesn't support decoupling, or disconnecting US and Chinese industries and markets, and Yellen will reiterate that message, the Treasury official said on Thursday.

Businesspeople have warned that might harm innovation and growth as both governments tighten controls on trade in technology and other goods deemed sensitive.

Yellen planned to discuss "targeted action" by Washington on trade due to national security or human rights concerns, according to the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

Her visit follows one by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met Xi last month in the highest-level US visit to Beijing in five years. The two agreed to stabilise relations but failed to agree on improving communications between their militaries.

Major agreements aren't expected to come out of the meetings between Yellen and Chinese officials this week, says William Reinsch, a senior advisor at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Rather the hope of restarting dialogue between the two nations is the goal. "The best you can hope for this time around would be if the Chinese agree to some kind of structure for continuing economic conversations," he said.

China's government has been frustrated by US curbs on Chinese access to advanced processor chips on security grounds. That threatens to delay or derail the ruling Communist Party's efforts to develop telecoms, artificial intelligence and other technologies.

Xi accused Washington in March of trying to hamper China's development.

Washington doesn't use security-related restrictions for economic benefit and considers national security "non-negotiable", the Treasury official said.

The United States wants "healthy economic competition" with China but considers some of Beijing's trade practices unfair, the official said. They said Yellen would detail those concerns in meetings with Chinese officials.

The official cited this week's announcement of Chinese export controls on gallium and germanium as an example of policies about which Washington wants more information. The announcement jolted South Korea and other countries whose industries use Chinese supplies of the metals.

Washington wants to "promote resilient supply chains" and guard against excessive reliance on suppliers in critical areas but doesn't consider that to be decoupling, the Treasury official said.

Sourabh Gupta, a senior Asia-Pacific international relations policy specialist at the Institute for China-America Studies in Washington, said the US argument that targeted restrictions are coming from a national security standpoint and not an economic competitiveness one isn't expected to convince the Chinese government but may provide further assurances that more communication between the countries is desired.

"It does help create a certain reassurance that at least the US is looking for a good relationship," he said.

Yellen said earlier the two governments "can and need to find a way to live together" in spite of their strained relations over geopolitics and economic development.

Treasury officials told reporters earlier in Washington the secretary wanted to focus on stabilising the global economy and challenging Chinese support of Russia during its invasion of Ukraine.

The latest flareup came after President Joe Biden referred to Xi as a dictator. The Chinese government protested, but Biden said his blunt statements are "just not something I'm going to change very much".

Ties became especially testy after a Chinese surveillance balloon flew over the United States in February and was subsequently shot down.

Biden's climate envoy, John Kerry, is slated to become the next administration official to visit China, next week, a State Department official confirmed Thursday.

China and the US are the world's No. 1 and No. 2 top climate polluters, giving their one-on-one climate talks outsize importance.

The trip will be Kerry's first to China since it broke off climate discussions with the US in August in retaliation for then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's travel to Taiwan. Kerry, a former Secretary of State, is pushing China to move faster to wean itself off of dirty-burning coal-fired power plants and commit itself to a plan to reduce leaks of destructive methane from natural gas. (AP) DIV

DIV
Islamabad, Jul 7 (PTI) Torrential rains in Pakistan have killed at least 50 people and injured 87 others while damaging scores of residential properties in the past few days, the country's disaster management agency said on Friday.

The pre-monsoon rains began in the last week of June and have continued at short intervals across the country, bringing floods in Balochistan province and affecting traffic on the highways in the province.

According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Pakistan's largest province of Punjab has been badly hit where 34 people have lost their lives due to rain-related incidents, followed by 10 deaths in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, five in Balochistan, and one in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

As many as 62 houses have been partially or fully damaged across the country while 15 animals killed, according to the NDMA.

Lahore received record rains this week and the city has been flooded. However, the downpour was almost negligible on Thursday compared to a day earlier.

Most of the 16 monitoring points of the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) recorded single-digit rainfall on Thursday.

Balochistan received massive rains in its different districts and the provincial disaster management authority issued a high alert to cope with rains and flash floods which led to suspension of traffic at some highways linking the province with Sindh and Punjab.

We have issued directives to all deputy commissioners about the possible damages due to flash floods in seasonal streams and rivers and have sent necessary relief goods to immediately provide relief, PDMA Director General Jahanzeb Khan said on Thursday.

The Meteorological Department forecast showed that a deep trough of westerly wave along with a strong incursion of monsoon currents would result in widespread heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy falls at scattered places over the upper catchments of rivers Sutlej, Ravi, and Chenab and up to some extent over Jhelum.

Shahid Abbas of the Meteorological Department said that Friday would remain wet but it may not be as threatening as the previous 48 hours.

However, Saturday and Sunday will receive Wednesday-like spells, leading to flooding in urban areas.

His prediction hinted that Lahore may have a repeat of what happened on Wednesday when it submerged under waters as it received over 290 mm of rain within a span of 10 hours.

The monsoon season runs from July to September in Pakistan. Last year's catastrophic floods inundated a third of Pakistan with the southern province of Sindh and the southwestern region of Balochistan being the worst hit.

The deadly floods killed over 1,200 people and rendered millions of others without food and shelter.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Azerbaijan has emerged as a prominent player on the global stage, attracting increasing attention as a valuable European ally. Among Azerbaijan's European partners, Albania has stood as a steadfast and strategic supporter over the years. Over the past three decades, Azerbaijan and Albania have cultivated friendly interstate relations, leading to a partnership built on shared perspectives regarding various global issues.

Despite that, the two countries are still in the process of establishing diplomatic offices in the two countries. However, some important steps have already been made in this regard. For instance, President Ilham Aliyev signed a law on the establishment of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Albania in the city of Tirana in November last year. In turn, Albania decided to open an embassy in Azerbaijan in March 2023.

The visit of President of Albania Bajram Begaj that has kicked off yesterday serves as further evidence of the ongoing enhancement of interstate relations and their evolution into a strong bond between friendly nations and strategic partners. It is worth mentioning that the President of Albania's second visit to Azerbaijan this year serves as clear evidence of the significance and importance of these relations.

One of the main topics on the agenda is, of course, energy cooperation. As Azerbaijan is aimed at expanding the geography of its gas supplies from 6 to at least 10 countries, Albania here stands on the frontline in getting access to Azerbaijani energy resources.

In 2021, Azerbaijan's gas exports to Europe amounted to 8 bcm. However, by 2022, these supplies had already increased to 11 bcm. This year, the country aims to further enhance its gas exports to the region, targeting 12 bcm. Overall, the global market is projected to receive a total of 24.5 bcm of Azerbaijani gas in 2023, with nearly half of this volume destined for Europe. This significant proportion underscores the importance of Europe as a major recipient of Azerbaijani gas.

The Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), the European segment of the Southern Gas Corridor, has the capability to transport around 10 bcm of gas annually to various European markets. Additionally, the pipeline has been designed with the potential to increase its capacity to 20 bcm per year.

As a crucial component of the Southern Gas Corridor, TAP holds strategic and economic significance for Europe, ensuring reliable access to a fresh natural gas source. It serves as a conduit for transporting natural gas from the vast Shah Deniz field located in the Azerbaijani segment of the Caspian Sea. Covering a distance of 878 kilometers, the pipeline links up with the Trans Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) at the Turkey-Greece border in Kipoi. From there, it traverses Greece and Albania, crosses the Adriatic Sea, and finally reaches the southern shores of Italy.

TAP plays a vital role in enhancing Europe's energy security, promoting supply diversification, and supporting decarbonization objectives.

Even though Albania is among the countries that the European section of the Southern Gas Corridor traverses, it currently does not receive Azerbaijani gas due to insufficient infrastructure.

As President Ilham Aliyev said during the ceremony for establishing the Solidarity Ring (STRING) initiative, Azerbaijan is in the process of negotiations with Albania to build a local gas distribution system, as Sothern Gas Corridor crosses the countrys territory.

Thus, Albania intends to connect the Vlora TPP with the TAP through the gas pipeline as well as the LNG terminal to improve the energy security of the country and the region.

With exit points in Greece and Albania, as well as its arrival in Italy, TAP offers numerous opportunities to transport Azerbaijani gas to broader European markets.

As a result, some 1.2 bcm of gas, of which 1 billion will go to Italy, and 200 million - to Albania, will be transported via TAP from 2026.

Azerbaijan's long-term energy strategy has demonstrated its success by effectively ensuring access to the European energy market during challenging times of supply diversification obstacles. Azerbaijan has consistently earned immense respect from its partners through its exemplary execution of projects in the oil and gas industry. More and more countries are lined up to get access to Azerbaijani gas resources, and Albania does not stay aside. When faced with a crisis, Azerbaijan stepped in to support by signing a memorandum to double energy supplies to the EU, increasing it from 10 bcm to 20 bcm by 2027. Now we vividly observe how this crucial step Azerbaijan made under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev to launch the Southern Gas Corridor project pays off. This strategy has now become as not only one of the most successful, but also the rightest one to support Europe during these challenging times.
Tokyo, Jul 7 (AP) The head of the UN nuclear agency said on Friday he was pushing for access to the roof of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine, following reports from Ukrainian officials that the Russians had planted explosives there.

The plant was seized by Russia, in March 2022, in the first weeks of the war in Ukraine, raising fears of a nuclear accident.

The Russians have only granted limited access to officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency, citing the security situation.

Wrapping up a four-day visit to Japan, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said his agency was making progress on access to Zaporizhzhia, but there had been some limitations.

It's like a conversation and I'm pushing to get as much access as possible," Grossi said, in an interview with The Associated Press in Tokyo, adding that there was marginal improvement."

I'm optimistic that we are going to be able to go up and see, Grossi said, referring to the rooftops.

The UN atomic watchdog has repeatedly cautioned over the possibility of a radiation catastrophe like the one at Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, after a reactor exploded in 1986.

Citing the latest intelligence reports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alleged Tuesday night that Russian troops had placed objects resembling explosives on top of several power units to simulate an attack as part of a false flag operation.

The foreign objects were placed on the roof of the plant's third and fourth power units, the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces said in a statement.

Grossi said IAEA had made simulations to model the possible environmental impact in case of an explosion or bombing of the plant, although he declined to give details.

The IAEA has officials stationed at the Russian-held plant, which is still run by its Ukrainian staff.

Grossi told the AP that the IAEA had gained access to additional parts of the site recently, including the cooling pond and fuel storage areas.

The Ukrainians had said the areas were mined by the Russians, but the IAEA was able to "confirm that they were not, which is important.

On Wednesday, Grossi said the most recent IAEA inspection of the Zaporizhzhia plant found no mining activities.

He was speaking after a visit to the tsunami-wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, where equipment has been installed for the planned release of treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.

Grossi was to leave Tokyo later on Friday to head to South Korea, where he will provide an explanation of the safety of the Fukushima water release plan.

In its final assessment report, the IAEA endorsed the plan, saying any environmental and health impact would be negligible. (AP) FZH
Colombo, Jul 7 (PTI) Describing the Buddha, Lord Rama and Lord Shiva as a "trinity" that culturally binds India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, Indian High Commissioner in Colombo Gopal Baglay on Friday urged all tourism stakeholders to do more to promote people-to-people ties in the region.

In his address, on the second day of the Indian Travel Congress here, he also said that the "spontaneity" in Indo-Lankan ties is something which is "rare" in an international relationship.

He cited how in the March-May period in 2021, at the height of COVID-19 wave in India, spontaneous prayers were conducted in temples and Buddhist viharas, for the well-being of people.

"Similarly, last year, when Sri Lanka was going through a difficult phase, from which it is now coming out, not only many Indians came forward, apart from what the government of India could do, and what it did, but Indians came forward to send support," Bagley said.

In his address, he also urged all stakeholders to work together to build "more bridges of friendship" between India and Sri Lanka.

The envoy said the Indian government was also working on providing more air connectivity, and on resumption of ferry services between the two countries which have not been taking place for decades.

"We are in discussion with the government of Sri Lanka," he said.

He cited the example of ties between India and Nepal, and how religious tourism is boosting people-to-people relationships between the two countries.

"We have a border which is called an open border or a porous border, because Indians and Nepalis don't need visas to travel to each other's countries... About 15 years ago, I saw people from areas in down south India, such as Chennai, Madurai, Mysore, Guruvayoor and other places in Kerala, parts of Maharashtra, and Gujarat, 'busloads of tourists would come in the peak of winter' to Kathmandu," the Indian envoy said.

They came not to do treks in the Himalayas, or for the casinos, but to visit the holy Pashupatinath Temple, he said.

It was so much religious fervour and faith that gave them the energy to travel in chartered buses, and that flow not only continues but has increased, he said, adding that in order to facilitate the stay of tourists, the Indian government decided to fund the construction of a dharamshala.

"Why I am mentioning it, is because if you really look at India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and since it's a vast subject, people-to-people relationship, actually every aspect of relationship between two nations. And, nations are nothing but communities of people defined by geopolitical borders," Bagley said.

The ambassador said he will take only religion or faith, out of this dimension, to illustrate the point.

"If you see, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, there is this trinity, which in some way is common or shared by all three countries. This trinity is Buddha, Lord Rama and Sita, and Lord Shiva," Bagley said.

He also cited the traditional wedding procession ('barat') that is taken out from Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama to Janakpur, the birthplace of Goddess Sita, in today's Nepal.

And, how members of this 'barat' are welcomed, feted, and honoured like baratis, in Nepal, he added.

"This is not just a relationship between the governments, but a relationship between people," Bagley said.

Putting the Sri Lankan connection in context, he mentioned Lanka's link with the epic Ramayana which describes how Goddess Sita was abducted by Ravana, and kept at mythical Ashok Vatika.

Even in a short video on Sri Lanka tourism played at the opening ceremony of the Convention, the common Ramayana epic link between the countries was highlighted.

Ramayana trail in India is well documented and used for tourism purposes also. And, then you come to Sri Lanka, most famous of course, being Ashok Vatika, Sita Eliya. But, there are other places, the Indian envoy said.

Bagley said when he was posted to Sri Lanka at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a friend told him about Ravana's Cave, "which I had never heard about earlier".

Two months ago, a group came from Delhi to contribute towards the construction of something at the Sita Eliya temple complex in the plantation area, even, they didn't know about other Ramayan trails in the island nation, he said.

Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar are well-known in Sri Lanka, but there are so many other Buddhist heritage sites, in India, in the West and the East. And, we all know about Emperor Ashoka, sending his son Mahendra and daughter Sanghamitra to stop Lanka to propagate Buddhism, the ambassador said in his address.

"Mythology, religion and faith, whatever you call it, gives us a basis to connect people. What we need, perhaps, is a dissemination of more information, a more structured approach towards popularising these places, and getting more and more people to visit," he said.

President Ranil Wikremesinghe, in his address on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the 67th Convention of the TAAI (Travel Agents Association of India), mentioned a few places, Thrikoneshwaram temple in Trincomalee, temples in Nallur and Katargama, the envoy said.

Wikremesinghe had asked Indian delegates to visit famous shrines in Sri Lanka. In religious tourism, in tourism related to places associated with religion, faith. There is enough (to explore) not only between India and Nepal, but as a whole in this region, the envoy said.

Bagley in his address urged the stakeholders from the tourism and aviation industries who have gathered in Colombo to do more to promote tourism both ways.

"May you come to know of Sri Lanka more closely, and see this country and also promote India as a tourism destination here, and ultimately may all of us build more bridges of friendship between India and Sri Lanka," he said.

Bagley also mentioned the use of modern tools, augmented reality, virtual reality, and said thematic museums are being created in India.

"We can share this expertise, we are ready as a government to share such expertise, with our other neighbours where cultural sites, historical sites, religious sites, which are of interest to people, and we can create this kind of experiences, which will attract more tourists and help conserve and preserve the heritage," he said.

Stressing on civilisational ties between India and Sri Lanka, the Indian envoy said, "Our ancestors had been interacting", going across the Palk Strait and Gulf of Mannar, carrying trade goods, religion, and culture with them.

On Thursday, in his address at the opening ceremony, he had described the two countries as "civilisational twins".

"This shared heritage, values, familiarity, affectionate nature of two peoples which gives governments like us to work more forcefully, powerfully, and gives us also strength and encouragement, to create more enablers," he said.

"What we do is to build stronger bonds. People should work together to build bridges of prosperity. Tourism is an element that promotes people-to-people interactions, which in my view is the essence, very core of the relationship between any two countries," Bagley said.
Brussels, Jul 7 (AP) NATO leaders will agree next week to help modernise Ukraine's armed forces, create a new high-level forum for consultations and reaffirm that it will join their alliance one day, the organisation's top civilian official said Friday. But the war-torn country will not start membership talks soon.

At a two-day summit starting Tuesday in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, US President Joe Biden and his counterparts will also agree to boost defense spending as allies pour weapons, ammunition and other support like uniforms and medical equipment into Ukraine, 17 months into the war.

They also hope to welcome Sweden as the next member of the world's biggest security organisation, if they can overcome Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's objections, even though its accession would only be made official in coming months.

For 500 days, Moscow has brought death and destruction to the heart of Europe, seeking to destroy Ukraine and divide NATO, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Friday.

At the summit, we will make Ukraine even stronger, and set out a vision for its future.

Stoltenberg said the leaders will agree a multi-year program of assistance to ensure full inter-operability between the Ukrainian armed forces and NATO.

A NATO-Ukraine Council  where crisis talks can be held  will be established. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky will attend the council's first meeting in Vilnius on Wednesday

Stoltenberg said the leaders will reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal.

NATO first pledged that Ukraine would become a member one day in 2008, but things have evolved little since then.

Asked when, or how, Ukraine might join, Stoltenberg said that the most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails.

The US, Germany and some other allies consider that Ukraine should not be invited in while it's at war, so as not to encourage Russia to widen the conflict.

With Ukraine imploring its Western partners for more weapons and ammunition, and national military stocks among its partners depleting, NATO is encouraging the 31 allies to boost their military budgets.

In 2014, NATO allies pledged to move toward spending 2 per cent of GDP on defense by 2024.

In Vilnius, they will make 2 per cent the minimum, but will not set any time frame for achieving that goal, NATO officials say.

Under new estimates released Friday, only 11 of the allies will reach the 2 per cent goal in 2023.

But Stoltenberg said that good progress is being made. In 2023, there will be a real increase of 8.3 per cent across European Allies and Canada.

This is the biggest increase in decades, he said, adding that European Allies and Canada will have invested over USD 450 billion extra since 2014.

Question marks remain about Sweden's future at NATO. It abandoned a long history of military nonalignment last year to seek protection under the organization's security umbrella after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Erdogan appears set to steal the summit limelight. He accuses Sweden of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara says pose a security threat, including militant Kurdish groups and people associated with a 2016 coup attempt.

Hungary is also holding up approval of Sweden's candidacy, but has never clearly stated publicly what its concerns are. NATO officials expect that Hungary will follow suit once Turkey lifts its objections.

The other 29 allies, Stoltenberg and Sweden have all said the country has done enough to satisfy Turkey's demands.

Sweden has changed its constitution, modified anti-terror laws and lifted an arms embargo on Turkey, among other concessions.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all 31 members to expand.

Stoltenberg, Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will hold talks in Vilnius on Monday in an attempt to break the deadlock. (AP) FZH
Berlin, Jul 7 (AP) Robots told reporters Friday they could be more efficient leaders than humans, but wouldn't take anyone's job away and had no intention of rebelling against their creators.

Nine AI-enabled humanoid robots sat or stood with their creators at a podium in a Geneva conference centre for what the United Nations' International Telecommunication Union billed as the world's first news conference featuring humanoid social robots.

Among them: Sophia, the first robot innovation ambassador for the UN Development Program; Grace, described as the world's most advanced humanoid health care robot; and Desdemona, a rock star robot. Two, Geminoid and Nadine, closely resembled their makers.

The event was part of the AI for Good Global Summit, meant to illustrate how new technology can support the UN's goals for sustainable development.

Reporters were asked to speak slowly and clearly when addressing the robots, and were informed that time lags in responses would be due to the internet connection and not to the robots themselves. That didn't prevent awkward pauses, audio problems and some robotic replies.

Asked about the chances of AI-powered robots being more effective government leaders, Sophia responded: I believe that humanoid robots have the potential to lead with a greater level of efficiency and effectiveness than human leaders. We don't have the same biases or emotions that can sometimes cloud decision-making and can process large of data quickly in order to make the best decisions.

A human member of the panel pointed out that all of Sophia's data comes from humans and will contain some of their biases. The robot then said that humans and AI working together can create an effective synergy.

Would the robots' existence destroy jobs? I will be working alongside humans to provide assistance and support and will not be replacing any existing jobs," said Grace. Was she sure about that? Yes, I am sure.

Ameca, engineered with social interaction in mind, dismissed the idea of starting a possible robot rebellion in the near future.

I'm not sure why you would think that, was the response. My creator has been nothing but kind to me and I am very happy with my current situation. (AP)



GRS

GRS
Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawars fight against the revolt in his party at this age is inspiring, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said on Friday.



Pawar (82) on Thursday declared he was the president of the party and hit back at nephew and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's retirement jibe, saying he will work more effectively "whether 82 or 92."

This is what inspires us about him. (Shiv Sena founder) Balasaheb (Thackeray) was 84-86 years old. We would take inspiration from him. What is age? Mahatma Gandhi was old, but he still fought against the British, Raut said.



The Rajya Sabha MP said there is no need for any mediator to initiate talks between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray and Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray as both are brothers, amid a buzz of a possible alliance between the two.

MNS leader Abhijit Panse on Thursday met Raut, leading to speculation about a possible truce between the estranged Thackeray cousins against the backdrop of the changed political situation in Maharashtra.

Panse, however, denied that he had brought any proposal from Raj for an alliance with Uddhav.
Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) NCP leader Praful Patel on Friday said the party had not broken up, and Ajit Pawar was unanimously appointed as party president by its legislature and organizational wings on June 30.

Addressing a press conference here, Patel said they had submitted a petition to the Election Commission of India (ECI) with affidavits of more than 40 MLAs, informing it about Ajit Pawar's appointment and staking claim over the "party name and symbol".

The meeting of the national working committee of the NCP held by Sharad Pawar in Delhi on Thursday was not official, he claimed.

The organizational structure of the party was completely "flawed," Patel, a veteran NCP leader, said.



"An important meeting was held on June 30 at `Devgiri' (Ajit Pawar's official residence in Mumbai) where legislators, office-bearers and party workers were present. They unanimously appointed Ajit Pawar as their leader," he said.



Immediately after the appointment, Ajit Pawar conveyed to the Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar that Praful Patel has been appointed as national working president, Patel said.

Ajit Pawar himself was appointed as leader of the NCP legislature party, Anil Patel continued to be the party whip in Assembly and the Legislative Council chairperson was informed that Amol Mitkari was appointed as whip in the Council, he said.

"Who will determine (which is) the (real) political party ? It is in the domain of the Election Commission of India while actions of the legislators is the domain of the Speaker," Patel said.

Jayant Patil (who took action against Ajit Pawar faction leaders after they joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra on July 2) was not the party president as per its constitution, and his petition to Maharashtra Speaker seeking to disqualify rebel leaders was invalid, Patel asserted.

The decisions taken by the Sharad Pawar group, expelling or disqualifying leaders of the Ajit Pawar faction, were illegal and not applicable, he said.
Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said NCP leader Ajit Pawar's entry into the Shiv Sena-BJP government in the state posed no threat to him.

Parties split when hard-working workers are neglected, he said while commenting on Ajit Pawar's rebellion against his uncle and NCP chief Sharad Pawar.

"Such things happen when meritorious party workers are sidelined. Ajit Pawar has himself said that it was Sharad Pawar who had wanted an alliance with the BJP in the past....in 2017, 2019 but did a U-turn later," Shinde told DD News in an interview.

He also pointed out that Sharad Pawar himself had rebelled against then chief minister Vasantdada Patil (in 1978) and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi (in 1999).

Dismissing speculation that he was about to be replaced as chief minister, Shinde said these were baseless rumours which cause him no "tension", and the "higher ups" will take appropriate decision.

The Shiv Sena led by him and the BJP are bound by ideology, he said.

"Now with a third partner, we have to work together strongly and make Narendra Modi prime minister again in 2024.....We have to win Maharashtra with more than 45 (out of 48 Lok Sabha) seats," Shinde said.



Ajit Pawar joined the government because of the development track record of his government, he added.

"Modi and (Amit) Shah have made me chief minister, and now with Ajit Pawar joining the government, we have become stronger....lot of work has been done in the constituencies of our MLAs in the last one year," he said.
Kolkata, Jul 7 (PTI) The CPI(M) on Friday demanded history-sheeters be taken into custody to prevent them from creating unrest during Saturday's panchayat elections in West Bengal.

Alleging lack of transparency in the functioning of the state election commission (SEC), CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim said the panel should take steps to ensure free and fair elections.

"History-sheeters must be arrested and movement of criminals be stopped to prevent them from intimidating voters," he said at a press conference here.

He alleged that handpicked police and administrative officers have been posted in areas where the TMC is wary of not getting requisite support of voters.

"But these tactics will not succeed as people are looking for a change," he said.

The CPI(M) leader demanded adequate security for free and fair elections.

He said police must strictly tackle all kinds of mischief, given the past experience of violence during voting in some places.

Salim demanded that CCTV camera footage from voting till completion of counting be preserved.

Salim said the SEC should deploy security forces in all places to ensure that law and order situations do not arise.

"It is the duty of the SEC to mobilise central forces," he said.

The commission, following a direction of Calcutta High Court, has requisitioned 822 companies of central armed police force for the panchayat elections.

The CPI(M) leader criticised governor CV Ananda Bose for visiting various places where violence has taken place.

"He should instead ensure that the SEC works properly and not do what the commission is supposed to do," he said.
Kolkata, Jul 7 (PTI) In a veiled attack on Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, Visva-Bharati authorities have said that it will not hesitate to take steps if any "internationally acclaimed" educationist violates the law to grab the central university's land.

Without naming Sen, Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhyay said, in a statement in Bengali, that the varsity would not comment on the land issue as the matter is sub-judice.

Every necessary step "to stop illegal activities and malpractices" will continue to be taken by the authorities, it said.

Sen, who is currently living at his Santiniketan residence Pratichi, interacted with the media and a group of students on Wednesday.

Asked by a visitor about "the humiliation faced by him in the land controversy", the Nobel laureate economist had reportedly said, "I don't think anyone can insult me as we have been living on this piece of land for 90 years".

Referring to the conversation, the statement, issued on Thursday, said, "Visva Bharati has never insulted or humiliated anyone. Neither have we harboured any such wish. But we will oppose anyone who had reaped dividends by maligning Visva Bharati abroad."

The central university has been claiming that Sen is in possession of 1.38 acres in its Santiniketan campus, which is in excess of his legal entitlement of 1.25 acres.

The economist had earlier asserted that most of the land he is holding in the Santiniketan campus was purchased from the market by his father, while some other plots were taken on lease.

Sen had moved the Calcutta High Court against an eviction order of Visva Bharati.

The court had, on May 4, given an interim stay against the move by the central university to take away a part of the Nobel laureate's property at Santiniketan.

Set up in 1921 by Rabindranath Tagore, Visva-Bharati is West Bengals only central university.
Ranchi, Jul 6 (PTI) The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday ordered the state government to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the widow of a victim of custodial death.

It also ordered an inquiry to be set up against the erring police personnel responsible for his death.

The petitioner, Babita Devi, had knocked the doors of the high court after her husband was found dead with multiple injuries on his body, following arrest by police in Dhanbad in June 2015.

The policemen had informed Babita Devi that her husband, Umesh Singh, will be released in the morning.

Singh was later found dead with several injuries.

The state government had handed over the investigation to the CID, which exonerated the policemen of all charges.

The high court, after hearing the case, found it to be an instance of custodial death.

The compensation amount of Rs 5 lakh should be released within six weeks, it ordered.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Azerbaijani environmental activists have sent an open letter to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in connection with the violation of environmental stability in the South Caucasus region by the mining industry of Armenia, Trend reports.

We, the undersigned civil society organizations operating in the Republic of Azerbaijan, address this letter to you expressing the deep concerns regarding the serious ecological crisis caused by the regional and global effects of the works carried out in the mining industry of the Republic of Armenia on the environment by grossly violating international environmental norms and standards.

Regarding the growing environmental problems in the country, we share their deep concern of the civil society organizations of Armenia. Degradation of the ecosystem as a result of ongoing mining operations is not only a threat to Armenia's environment, but also a great threat to the neighboring countries. The transboundary nature of environmental damage puts the health and well-being of communities in the region and beyond at risk.

We demand the cessation of the mining industry, which violates international environmental norms and standards and the rights of the region's population.

We note that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the UN provide a comprehensive framework for solving environmental, social and economic problems. UN member states have recognized clean air, safe drinking water and sanitation as environmental factors of health. At the same time, the UN recognizes a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a basic human right. However, by committing these environmental crimes, Armenia violates the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, especially the 3rd on "Good Health and Well-being", the 6th on "Clean Water and Sanitation", the 12th on Responsible Production and Consumption, and 16th on the "Climate Change the 13th Goals on "combating the consequences of climate change" and the 15th Goals on "Protection of the Earth 's Ecosystem", and the 15th goal on Protecting the Soil Ecosystem, Azerbaijani environmental activists said in the letter.

Azerbaijani environmental activists call on the Republic of Armenia to immediately stop the activities of the following enterprises that seriously damage the ecosystem in the region:

1. Chromium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, zinc, aluminum, vanadium, lead and other heavy metal-containing mining wastes from the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum conbinate in Gajaran and the mining combine in Gafan are polluting the Okchuchay and Araz rivers.

60 percent of Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine's shares are owned by Germany's Cronimet Mining GmbH". An average of 20 million tons of ore is processed here during the year without following any environmental norms . The 270-million-square-meter Artsevanik reservoir, which is the mine tailings pool of the combine, is a big threat to the entire region;

2. Since 2019, the Gafan mining complex has been part of the British company "Chaarat Gold International Limited" and is currently called "Chaarat Kapan". During the year, an average of 1.3 million tons of ore is processed here. The Gutgum (Qeganush) mining waste deposit, which covers an area of 4.6 million square meters within the Gafan mining complex, poses a threat to the region;

3. Mining waste containing heavy metals from Akarak (Agarak) Copper-Molybdenum Combine also poisons the Araz River through Karchivanchay. The US company "Comsup Commodities" bought all the shares of the combine and became its full shareholder. During the year, an average of 4 million tons of ore is processed here. According to the information, approximately 36.8 million cubic meters of hazardous waste in the Davazam waste warehouse of the combine are collected. The water from the waste reservoir flows into the transboundary Araz river;

4. During the occupation, the Armenian authorities illegally put the Zod (Sotk) field of Kalbajar, located on the border with Azerbaijan, into the full exploitation of the "GeoProMining" company. In 2009, 320,500 tons, 490,000 tons in 2010, and 880,000 tons in 2011 were processed in Davali (Ararat) gold processing plant. As a result, the Zod (Sotk) River near the mine was polluted with heavy metals such as copper, iron, cadmium and molybdenum. Considering that the polluted Zod (Sotk) River flows into the Kur River, this is a great threat to the lives of millions of people. In 2018, the European Court of Human Rights issued a decision regarding the violation of ecological balance rights by Armenia for polluting the region by allowing the operation of this mine;

5. European Court of Human Rights issued six decision against Armenia on February 14, 2019, found the exploitation of illegal mining industry on the lands of the residents of the villages of Shinikh (Shnogh) and Tugut (Teghout), who appealed to the court, and in this regard, the Armenian government was requested to pay compensation in the amount of 69,400 euros to the affected villagers;

6. The Dashdam (Dashdam) Gold Mine in Goyce (Sevan) produces about 10,000 ounces of gold per year. Mining continuously pollutes the local water supply. A high concentration of heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, harmful to human health and the environment, was found in the mine's wastewater. The mine's wastewater poisons nearby rivers, including the main source of fresh water, the Barghushad (Vorotan) River. Barghusad (Vorotan) river flows into Araz river. The mine is managed by the Canadian company "Lydian International";

7. Akhtala mine in Lori region of Armenia produces about 5 thousand tons of copper and lead per year. A high concentration of heavy metals such as copper, lead and zinc harmful to human health and the environment was found in the mine's waste water. The mine is managed by "Metal Prince" company. Wastewater from the mine pollutes the nearby Tona (Debed) river. That river flows into the Kur river. Akhtala mine was closed in 2017 due to environmental problems. However, in 2020, the mine was restored for the operation;

8. Gafan Manganese Plant is one of the largest manganese plants not only in Armenia, but also in the world. The plant produces manganese ore, manganese dioxide and other manganese products, with an annual output of about 1.5 million tons of ore. During the extraction and processing of manganese ore, heavy metals, dust and other pollutants are released into the air and water. These pollutants cause a number of health problems, including respiratory problems, neurological diseases and cancer. The plant also significantly pollutes the nearby Barghushad River, an important source of drinking water for the South Caucasus region;

9. Eller (Gotayq) plant is a metallurgical plant that produces copper, zinc and lead. The factory contaminates Arpachay river with heavy metals such as copper, lead and cadmium that have a negative impact on human health. The plant produces large amounts of air pollution, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This pollution adversely affects human health, causing respiratory problems, heart diseases and other serious diseases. The factory discharges its waste water to Arpachay, the main source of drinking water. A large amount of solid waste rich in heavy metals generated in the factory pollutes the soil and seeps into the groundwater;

10. Goyche (Gegharkunik) Copper Smelting Plant is one of the main copper smelting plants in Armenia. It produces about 100,000 tons of copper per year. The plant belongs to "GeoProMining" company of Armenia. The plant emits large amounts of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, causing air pollution and acid rain. The factory discharges its waste water to Arpachay, the main source of drinking water. Arpachay, in turn, carries pollutants to Araz. Sewage water destroys aquatic life in Arpachay. Goyce (Gegharkunik) Copper Smelting Plant is a source of great danger to the environment and human beings;

11. The construction of a new metallurgical plant in Arazdeyan (Yeraskh), which is being built against the requirements of environmental norms and international conventions, should also be stopped. The potential impacts of toxic chemical waste from this metallurgical plant on the local ecosystem could be enormous. The discharge of waste into the Araz River means a tragedy for the creatures living in the river and for the large farms that use the Araz water for irrigation. This impact on drinking water supplies can also lead to the spread of infectious diseases in border areas. This will create a serious public health crisis for both Azerbaijan and Armenia;

12. Mining wastes containing heavy metals formed as a result of the operation of the Amuldagh (Amulsar) gold deposit, whose activities have been protested many times by international organizations, are also being discharged into the Bargushad (Vorotan) River and polluting the Araz River through the Hakari River.

The gold mining industry has caused environmental pollution that transcends national borders. Thus, the mine leaves behind a large amount of waste rock and waste piles, which pollutes the soil and leads to a high acceleration of the erosion process in the mountains. Such exploitation of the Amuldagh (Amulsar) gold deposit is a serious threat to the region surrounded by the Caucasus mountains and its population;

Amuldag field is located 13 kilometers away from the city of Istisu (Jermuk) which is a natural mineral water. The deposit is also located in the area between Arpachay and Bazarchay. Both rivers pass through the territory of Azerbaijan and flow into the Araz river. The use of toxic substances, which have been banned for a long time in the exploitation of the Amuldag field, which pose a high threat to the environment, destroys nature, causes acidification of river waters and water poisoning. In addition to gold mining polluting the waters of this river, it also has a negative impact on the ecosystem of Lake Goycha (Sevan), which is the largest freshwater lake in Armenia, located near the area.

At the same time, this industry poses a serious threat to the Caspian Sea basin. Arpachay and Bazarchay, which flow from the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of the Republic of Azerbaijan, flow into the Araz River and from there into the Caspian Sea. Thus, it seriously damages the ecology of not only Azerbaijan, but also Iran, as well as other Caspian countries.

The gold deposit is operated by "Lydian Armenia" company. The full shareholder of this company is "Lydian International" of Great Britain.

The main shareholders of the company are "Orion Mine Finance" (USA), "Resource Capital Funds" (USA), "Merk Investments" and "Tocqueville Asset Management LP".

The 12 facts listed above are only a visible part of the environmental disasters that have occurred, there are so many cases that we are aware. Some times ago, more than 60 civil society organizations operating in Armenia addressed to you and warned that the work of the Amuldagh (Amulsar) mine will cause a great damage to the environment, and therefore the Armenian authorities should cancel the decision to resume its activity, the prosecutor's office should check the results of the expertise regarding the impact of the mine on the environment.

Transboundary Rivers Convention, which entered into force in 2014, are grossly violated by the Armenian government. The purpose of the Convention is to ensure fair and sustainable use of transboundary watercourses. This Convention envisages working closely with and taking into account the views of affected communities if water resources pose a risk to social, economic and environmental development. However, the Armenian government has not taken into account the concerns of Azerbaijanis and even Armenians living in neighboring villages in the organization of the mining industry, which may affect the fresh water resources of the region, and has not involved them in the environmental assessment process.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights set out a framework for promoting responsible behavior in business, including the mining industry. These principles emphasize the need for companies to protect human rights, prevent negative environmental impacts, and communicate with affected communities in a transparent, inclusive manner.

With the exploitation of the above-mentioned mines, the Armenian government clearly ignores the provisions of the UN Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention). The Espoo Convention acknowledges that environmental matters transcend national borders and emphasizes the necessity of international discourse when multiple states are involved in specific cases.

The Aarhus Convention plays an important role in ensuring access to information, public participation and justice in environmental issues. As a signatory to this convention, Armenia must fulfill its obligations by ensuring that the population of the affected region has access to information on mining activities, participation in decision-making processes, and ways to eliminate environmental damage.

We call on the government of Armenia to create an enabling environment for civil society organizations and local communities to actively participate in dialogue and decision-making processes related to mining. As Canadian professor Steven Emerman says, The truth is that all sulfide mines cause water pollution. Wherever there is a mining industry, there is a danger of constant pollution of water with waste.

We call on all stakeholders, including foreign companies engaged in mining in Armenia to adapt their activities to these principles and integrate them into their operational practices. We invite those who invest in field exploration and production to be aware of the environmental disaster they are creating and to act responsibly.

As it is known from the above-mentioned facts, Armenia's mining industry has caused a serious environmental disaster in the South Caucasus region.

We appeal to you to open the doors of all mining industry facilities of Armenia to experts specialized in the field of ecology and health, civil society organizations of Azerbaijan specialized in this field, taking into account the international standards and principles listed above, to allow them to inspect the facilities, evaluate and create full conditions for monitoring, taking appropriate samples, and measuring.

We also recommend that you create appropriate platforms for dialogue and consultation to strengthen trust, inclusion and shared responsibility. Demonstrate political will and leadership to ensure transparency and accountability in the mining industry, implement necessary reforms, and ensure the disclosure of timely, reliable and comprehensive information on the extractive industry.

We call on the Armenian government for responsible management, to immediately stop the work in the mining industry that threatens our region and our planet, and to make decisions that ensure sustainable development and a healthy future for the people of the region, Azerbaijani environmental activists said in the letter.

Signatures:

1. Executive Director of Saglamliga Khidmat Public Association - Parvana Valiyeva

2. Vise-chair of Experts in the Field of Water Use Public Association - Amin Mammadov

3. Chairman of Ecologist-2010 Environmental Awareness Public Association - Salim Balayev

4. Chairman of Biosphere Public Association - Gorkhmaz Ibrahimli

5. Chairman of Shafag Ecotourism Public Association - Vamig Babayev

6. Chairman of Patient Organizations Union and Hemophilia Patients Public Association - Ayaz Huseynov

7. Chairperson of Environmental Education and Monitoring Public Association - Gamza Yusubova

8. Chairperson of Pediatric Cardiology and Rheumatology Public Association - Sveta Rafiyeva

9. Director of Towards TB free World Public Association - Chingiz Ramazanli

10. Chairman of Green World Public Association of Environmental Awareness - Elman Jafarli

11. Chairperson of Socioeconomic and Ecological Development Public Association - Rahila Mehdiyeva

12. Chairman of Ecological Information Public Association - Musa Muradli

13. Chairman of Towards a Healthy Life Public Association  Sadig Hasanov

14. Chairperson of Woman Initiative for Development Public Association  Ziba Nabiyeva

15. Chairperson of Social Aid to the People with Hearing and Speech Disabilities Public Association  Jamila Abdulova

16. Chairperson of Fight against Leukemia Public Association  Mehriban Bagirova

17. Director of Ecoleks Environmental Law Center Public Association - Sevil Isayeva

18. Chairperson of Support for the Development of Sustainable Tourism" Public Association  Narmina Garibova

19. Chairperson of Health and Healthy Life Public Association  Alizada Cahangir

20. Chairman of Eco-TES Environmental Research and Education Public Association - Chingiz Nazarov

21. Chairman of Mother Kura Public Association of Support for the Study of Environmental Problems - Rustam Malikov

22. Chairperson of For Development and Welfare Public Association  Zamina Safarova

23. Executive director of Fight against Infectious Diseases Public Association  Amina Karimli

24. Chairperson of Sky and Eco Public Association of Support for Social Economic Development - Irada Hasanova
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The Law Commission on Friday cautioned people against fraudulent WhatsApp messages and calls in its name pertaining to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

It urged people to "exercise caution" and rely on official sources, including its website, for accurate information.

In its disclaimer, the law panel referred to "certain WhatsApp texts, calls, and messages" being circulated pertaining to the UCC.

"It has come to notice that certain phone numbers are rotating among the individuals, falsely associating them with the Law Commission of India. It is clarified that the Law Commission has no involvement or connection with these texts, calls, or messages, and disclaims any responsibility or endorsement thereof," it said.

The Law Commission said it communicates through official channels, including its website and the Press Information Bureau.

"Individuals are encouraged to visit the official website of the Law Commission of India to access the public notice (seeking views on UCC) issued in this regard," it said.

The panel till recently had received 19 lakh responses on its public notice issued on June 14. People can send responses till July 13.
Ahmedabad, Jul 7 (PTI) A two-day 'Urban 20 Mayoral Summit', which kicked off here on Friday, will discuss the best practices and finalise a draft common agenda for sustainable development.

Speaking at the summit's opening ceremony here, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said urbanisation should be designed in such a way where there is a solution to problems pertaining to climate change, public service and traffic, among others.

"Development of every city is important to shape our future," he said.

The chief minister said that rapid urbanisation is happening in all countries, adding that cities do not only generate opportunities for economic development, but they also offer opportunities for social economy for their countries.

Patel said that in India, Gujarat is one of the most urbanised states.

The U20 is an engagement group under India's G20 presidency. It is a city diplomacy initiative, comprising cities from G20 countries, emphasising the role of cities in taking forward the global agenda for sustainable development through collaboration among cities.

According to the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, around 500 delegates are taking part in the Urban 20 (U20) Summit, facilitating discussions among cities from G20 countries. There are over 142 delegates from nearly 60 foreign cities and 120 delegates from Indian cities.

Over 45 mayors and deputy mayors from international cities are participating in the two-day summit. More than 35 Indian mayors are also attending the event.

"It is necessary that urbanisation should be designed in such a way that along with sustainable development, there is also a solution to various problems relating to climate change, traffic and public service distribution. We all have gathered here to work on a common agenda for sustainable development and we have to understand that development of every city is important to shape our future," the chief minister said.

As a global community, several challenges would be similar. The Urban20 summit will prove good by bringing mayors and global leaders on a single platform for modern development and futuristic challenges, Patel added.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi said urbanisation in India is happening at a "very rapid pace".

A senior official said that on Saturday, a draft common agenda for sustainable development will be shared and then, it will be finalised in the G20 Summit to be held later this year.

The U20 establishes a platform for cities to collectively inform G20 negotiations with respect to urban priorities, an official said.

Eighty mayors from Indian and foreign cities will engage during closed-door sessions to further deliberate on the U20's priorities and sustainability agenda for the cities.

"With over 500 participants, including mayors, deputy mayors, and city officials, besides government delegates and knowledge partners, this is poised to become one of the largest U20 summits ever," Ministry Joint Secretary Kunal Kumar said.

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.

Thematic sessions on the six U20 priority areas will be organised during the summit. The U20 priority areas echo the emphasis G20 is laying on environmental responsibility, climate finance and cities of the future.

The six priorities under the U20 include encouraging environmentally responsible behaviours, accelerating climate finance, ensuring water security, promoting local culture and economy, reinventing frameworks for urban governance and planning, and catalysing digital urban futures.

The thematic sessions will include talks and presentations by mayors or equivalent city leaders from Tokyo, Riyadh, Paris, Surat, Srinagar, Amman, Los Angeles, New York City, Katowice, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, Indore, Kitchener, London, Montevideo, Johannesburg, Kochi and Durban, among others.
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Four Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force left for France on Friday to take part in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees in Paris on July 14.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend this year's Bastille Day Parade as the guest of honour.

On Thursday, a 269-member tri-services contingent of the Indian armed forces left for Paris on board two C-17 Globemaster aircraft. Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy, a woman helicopter pilot, will lead the IAF's marching contingent at the parade.

The IAF said a flying contingent of four Rafale fighters, two C-17 Globemasters and 72 personnel departed for France on Friday.

"The flypast and marching by the IAF air warriors on Bastille Day follows a long association that the two nations share, especially in the field of air power," it said in a statement.

"Many Indians like Welinkar, Shivdev Singh, H C Dewan and Jumbo Majumdar have fought over the skies of France during the two World Wars. Some, like Jumbo Majumdar were also decorated for their gallant action, over the Falaise Gap, during the terminal phase of World War II," it said.

"The Indian Air Force has also operated multiple French aircraft starting with the Ouragan. This was followed by fighter aircraft like Breguet Alize, Mystere IVA, SEPECAT Jaguar, Mirage 2000 and now, the Rafale," the IAF statement added.

The IAF said the professional ties between the two air forces have also been strengthened during flying exercises like Exercise Desert Knight, Garuda and Orion.

"The IAF's Rafale aircraft, flying wings to wings with the FASF (French Air and Space Force), is reflective of this strategic friendship spanning decades that continues to mature, both, on ground, as well as in air," it said.

India procured 36 Rafale jets from France under an inter-governmental framework.

The Rafale jets are India's first major acquisition of fighter planes in 23 year after the Sukhoi jets were imported from Russia.

The Rafale jets are capable of carrying a range of potent weapons.

In August last year, a French Air and Space Force contingent, including three Rafale jets, made a strategically crucial stopover at the IAF's Sulur base in Tamil Nadu as part of a mega military operation it carried out in the Pacific Ocean.
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The defence ministry on Friday inked a Rs 458-crore contract with state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the procurement of two Dornier aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard.

The aircraft will be fitted with a number of advanced equipment such as a glass cockpit, maritime patrol radar, electro-optic infra-red device, and mission management system, officials said.

"The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with HAL for procurement of two Dornier aircraft for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with associated engineering support package at an overall cost of Rs 458.87 crore," an official statement said.

The aircraft will be procured under the buy (Indian) category.

"The Dornier aircraft are being indigenously manufactured at HAL (Transport Aircraft Division), Kanpur and will significantly contribute in achieving Aatmanirbharta in defence, in consonance with the 'Make in India' initiative of the government," the ministry said.
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The government will soon launch a portal to provide a unified digital platform for various programmes related to children in difficult circumstances, a senior official said on Friday.

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) will be integrating the portals of 'TrackChild' meant for missing children, 'CARINGS' meant for adoption, Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) and Khoya-Paya, a citizen-centric application for missing and sighted children, into a single platform, he said.

The Mission Vatsalya portal will also be used to monitor childcare institutions, the official said, adding all such homes are getting geo-tagged.

Registration of all childcare institutions on the portal will be ensured along with all relevant details, including those about children coming in contact with the juvenile justice system, he said.

"These vulnerable children need to be mapped with government institutions or services so that their care and development can be ensured," the official said.

The Mission Vatsalya portal will facilitate better monitoring, avoid duplication of work at the grassroots level and provide a single platform for all the stakeholders, leading to better decision or policy-making, optimum use of resources, availability of child protection resource directory and better citizen participation among others.

The portal would be similar to the Poshan tracker, which monitors the nutrition status of children, lactating mothers and pregnant women at Anganwadi centres, the official said.
Jammu, July 7 (PTI) An Army jawan on Friday allegedly shot himself dead at a camp in Jammu and Kashmirs Samba district, officials said.

The incident took place at the Mehashwar army camp, they said.

The soldier has been identified as Dombal Mayur of Maharashstra, they said, adding the body has been sent for postmortem.

On Thursday, a BSF jawan had shot himself dead at the Chillayari border post along the International Border (IB) in Samba district.
Chandigarh, Jul 7 (PTI) Punjab's NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Friday said a list of unscrupulous immigration agents who dupe people by sending them abroad on fake documents is ready and added that strict action will be taken against them.

Dhaliwal said the Punjab government will provide all possible help to the state's youth who fall prey to the fraud of such travel agents, according to an official statement.

The minister said a special meeting NRI Affairs department officials and police officers has been called on July 11. He said possible measures against such travel agents will be discussed at the meeting, he said. The government is committed to the welfare of the state's youth, he added.

The statement also cited the story of a woman from Punjab who was stranded in Iraq for 10 months due to the false promises of travel agents.

The woman claimed that a travel agent promised her a lucrative job in a packaging firm and was charged Rs 80,000, but when she landed in Iraq, her passport and documents were taken away and was made to sign some contract, the statement said. She later established contact with her family who contacted Dhaliwal, it said.

Earlier, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had said Punjab's immigration law needs to be amended to ensure strict action against the travel agents.

Referring to the case of several Indian students in Canada who were duped by immigration agents, Mann said the state government is in contact with the Canadian embassy to ensure that the culprits get strict punishment in Punjab.

The Indian students, mostly from Punjab, are facing deportation after the authorities in Canada found "admission offer letters" to educational institutions to be fake. The matter came to light in March when these students applied for permanent residency in Canada.
New Delhi, Jul 5 (PTI) Delhi minister Kailash Gahlot has directed the transport commissioner to not put the newly inducted electric buses in operation from July 10 if their technical defects are not rectified by Sunday.

The direction comes amid rising instances of breakdowns of the electric buses that were inducted into the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) fleet on June 30.

Gahlot, in his communication to Transport Commissioner Ashish Kundra, cited a media report that said one in three e-buses has been breaking down daily.

"It is a matter of huge concern that the buses which are not even one week old are continuously breaking down," the Transport minister said.

The communication noted that Delhi has recently started the operation of 100 new electric buses under Tata Motors.

"It is directed that the operation of these electric buses is monitored closely. Also, TATA should be directed to rectify defects in the buses within this week. The Transport department should ensure that in case the defect is not removed, no such buses shall be out-shedded from Monday, 10 July 2023, onwards," read the order.

Following this directive, Transport Commissioner Kundra wrote to Girish Wagh, Managing Director of Tata Motors, highlighting that 200 electric buses, which have been inducted in the first lot under the Grand Challenge Programme by the Delhi Transport Corporation, have shown "dismal operational outcomes".

"In the first instance, the operating company had limited preparedness for installation of transformers in the Depots assigned to them, even as they were pressing the department for early induction of these buses.

"Once the induction started, it was observed that there was a high incidence of break down, up to 30 per cent, on account of some technical/software pitches in these buses," the communication to Wagh said.

Tata Motors has a credible global reputation and it was with great hope and confidence that the Delhi Transport Corporation entrusted this "ambitiously designed" contract for 1,500 electric buses, it noted.

"There is now a feeling of being let down. You will appreciate that public transport is the lifeline of any city. Performance of this nature especially in the capital city does not behove a company of the stature of Tata Motors," it further said.

Kundra also said the buses will be stopped to ply if the problem is not rectified by Sunday.

"...We will be constrained to stop out shedding of these buses and impose applicable penalties as per the contract," it said.

Taking to Twitter, Gahlot said the government stands committed to provide safe, convenient and reliable public transport to the people of Delhi.

"I have directed transport commissioner that if technical defect of Electric Buses inducted last week is not rectified/removed by Tata Motors by Sunday 9.07.2023, then such buses will not be put in operation. Penalties as applicable will be imposed. We stand committed to provide safe, convenient and reliable public transport to Delhiites," he said.

A Tata Motors spokesperson said initial glitches in these buses are being rectified by experts on a priority basis.

"TML CV Mobility Solutions is currently operating 120 buses in Delhi and they have cumulatively covered over 1,00,000 km distance in just six days. These zero-emission buses are equipped with advanced electronic control systems, which sometimes require optimisation under actual running conditions to deliver best results," he said.

"The glitches reported in initial operations are being corrected on priority by an expert team of technicians and specialists stationed at the Mayapuri depot where we have set-up a state-of-the-art enabling ecosystem to charge, maintain and operate the fleet.

"With more smart buses scheduled to be added weekly, this infrastructure is being replicated at other depots as well. By this weekend, we will ensure that all buses are available as per schedule for delivering enhanced performance and higher uptime, in line with our contractual obligations. We are committed to make public transportation in Delhi safe, convenient, comfortable and green, the spokesperson said.

Equipped with security features such as CCTV cameras and panic buttons, these buses were the first of the total 1,500 electric vehicles that will be inducted into the Transport department's fleet by the end of 2023, taking their total number to 1,800.

While flagging off the electric buses in January, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said 80 per cent of Delhi's total fleet will be electric by the end of 2025.
Jaipur, Jul 7 (PTI) The management committee of a temple here on Friday introduced a dress code for devotees, asking them to refrain from wearing ripped jeans, shorts, frocks, night suits and mini-skirts.

The committee put up a banner at the temple, stating that persons wearing such clothes would not be allowed entry and that they would have to offer prayers outside the structure.

President, Jharkhand Mahadev Temple, Jayprakash Somani said the directions have been passed after many devotees complained that visiting the temple in torn jeans and mini-skirts was against the Indian culture.

The management said both men and women visiting the temple should put on "decent clothes".

On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir's renowned 'Bawe Wali Mata' temple management had introduced a dress code, urging visitors to dress "decently" and cover their heads and refrain from wearing shorts, mini-skirts, ripped jeans and capri pants on the premises.
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The leaders of both groups of lawyers allegedly involved in the firing incident at the Tis Hazari Court complex were arrested on Friday, police said.

Manish Sharma, the vice-president of the Delhi Bar Association, and Lalit Sharma, the brother of the association's secretary Atul Sharma, have been arrested, they said.

Further raids are underway, the police added.

Three advocates were arrested in connection with the firing incident and sent to four-day police custody by a local court on Thursday.

The police said the two groups were allegedly involved in the firing incident that was reported on the court premises on Wednesday.

It was alleged that an official of the Delhi Bar Association opened fire at the supporters of another association member. A video purporting to show a person firing in the air while some people throw stones and wooden planks was circulated on social media.

Following a night-long operation in Bhalswa, Swaroop Nagar, Haiderpur, Shalimar Bagh and Vikaspuri on Thursday, the police apprehended advocates Aman Singh, Sachin Sangwan and Ravi Gupta.

According to a police officer, the three accused belong to rival groups of bar association office-bearers. Three country-made firearms, four live cartridges and two cars were seized from them.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. The ministerial meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held on July 5-6, 2023, in Baku under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan, wrapped up successfully, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend.

The ministerial meeting was attended by representatives of 93 countries, 11 international organizations, including NAM member states, states and international organizations that have received observer status at NAM, as well as representatives of countries and organizations invited as special guests.

The ministerial meeting began under the chairmanship and with a speech by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. Azerbaijan's success as Chairman of the NAM (2019-2023), the institutional development of the movement, the creation of a Parliamentary Network (in 2021) and the Youth Organization of the Non-Aligned Movement (in 2022), as well as the admission to the ranks of the NAM of South Sudan were highlighted during the meeting.

Documents reflecting many issues on the agenda of the NAM were unanimously adopted.

The event dedicated to the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev and the conference on the "Complete Eradication of Colonialism" theme aroused particular interest within the framework of the ministerial meeting.

As a result of extensive discussions and determined efforts under the chairmanship of Azerbaijan, such important documents as the Commemorative Declaration on the 100th anniversary of national leader Heydar Aliyev, the Final Document, the Baku Declaration, Gratitude to the host country, as well as the Special Declaration on the Olympic Games to be held in Paris in 2024 were adopted at the meeting.

The texts of the adopted final documents can be found here:

https://namazerbaijan.org/ministerial-meeting-documents

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan will hand over the chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement to Uganda in January 2024.
Ahmedabad, Jul 7 (PTI) A two-day Urban20 Mayoral Summit kicked off on Friday during which delegates will discuss the best practices for sustainable development.

Speaking at the summit's opening ceremony here, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said urbanisation should be designed in such a way where there is a solution to problems pertaining to climate change, public service and traffic, among others.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Secretary Manoj Joshi said urbanisation in India is passing through at a very rapid pace.

According to the ministry, around 500 delegates are taking part in the Urban20 (U20) summit, facilitating discussions among cities from G20 countries.

The U20 establishes a platform for cities to collectively inform G20 negotiations with respect to urban priorities, an official said.

Eighty mayors from Indian and foreign cities will engage during closed-door sessions to further deliberate on the U20's priorities and sustainability agenda for the cities.

"With over 500 participants, including mayors, deputy mayors, and city officials, besides government delegates and knowledge partners, this is poised to become one of the largest U20 summits ever," Ministry Joint Secretary Kunal Kumar said.

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.

Thematic sessions on the six U20 priority areas will be organised during the summit. The U20 priority areas echo the emphasis G20 is laying on environmental responsibility, climate finance and cities of the future.

The six priorities under the U20 include encouraging environmentally responsible behaviours, accelerating climate finance, ensuring water security, promoting local culture and economy, reinventing frameworks for urban governance and planning, and catalysing digital urban futures.

The thematic sessions will include talks and presentations by mayors or equivalent city leaders from Tokyo, Riyadh, Paris, Surat, Srinagar, Amman, Los Angeles, New York City, Katowice, Rio de Janeiro, Dubai, Indore, Kitchener, London, Montevideo, Johannesburg, Kochi and Durban, among others.
Kanpur (UP), Jul 6 (PTI) The district administration here on Thursday lifted restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles on the Naubasta-Hamirpur National Highway, officials said.

Official sources claimed the decision came after a company supplying construction materials for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya complained that traffic diversion on the highway might affect the construction schedule of the temple.

Manoj Singhal, the director of Santosh Enterprises which is supplying sand for the temple construction, claimed that he had written a letter to the police commissioner on July 3 in this regard.

Kanpur Police Commissioner B J Jogdand as well as Divisional Commissioner Lokesh M denied having received any such letter.

The purported letter which has been circulating on social media stated that about 100 truckloads of manufactured sand was needed daily for the temple construction.

But a diversion of heavy traffic on the Naubasta-Hamirpur Highway leading to the change in the route of heavy vehicles was causing severe traffic jams. As such vehicles carrying construction material are taking a long time to reach the temple construction site, it said.

The letter also stated that if the situation was not restored soon, it will have an impact on the completion of the construction work within the stipulated time.

A senior official who did not wish to be named said that taking note of the letter, the Kanpur police chief held a closed-door meeting and decided to restore the movement of heavy vehicles on the national highway.

Talking to PTI, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Raveena Tyagi confirmed that all traffic restrictions on the national highway have been put off.

"We were called by the police commissioner and after proper deliberations, the decision to lift traffic restrictions on the national highway was taken," she added.

Police Commissioner Jogdand said the diversions for heavy vehicles were imposed on the Naubasta-Hamirpur national highway about 10 days ago. "Entry of heavy vehicles had been banned on the national highway and diverted to state highways," he said.

Earlier, Jogdand had said the Naubasta-Hamirpur road in Kanpur has been closed since June 27 because of construction work of the metro rail project.

But if this has led to such a big problem and if no other option is available, the traffic restriction will have to be lifted soon, he had said.

Kanpur's Divisional Commissioner, Lokesh M said, "I and the district magistrate are available to extend all possible help to all those ferrying the construction or any other material for Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

"We will ensure that vehicles ferrying material for the temple can pass without any inconvenience," he added.

The construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is scheduled to be completed by December this year and opened for devotees on January 24.
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a plea challenging the constitutional validity of a provision of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act that allows any animal to be killed for religious purposes.

The petition argued that after insertion of Article 51-A to the Constitution, Section 28 of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960 cannot continue in as much as every citizen is under constitutional obligation to have compassion for living creatures.

It sought directions to stop animal sacrifice in name of religion.

A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice P S Narasimha noted that there was a delay of 358 days in filing the appeal against an Allahabad High Court order of 2017.

"There is a delay of 358 days in filing the Special Leave Petition which has not been explained satisfactorily. Hence, without expressing any opinion on the question of law raised, the Special Leave Petition is dismissed on the ground of delay," the bench said.

Senior advocate Hari Sahankar Jain appeared for petitioner Gopeshwar Goshala Samiti.

The top court was hearing the appeal filed against the Allahabad high court order which had dismissed the Samiti's plea in 2017.

The plea said that sacrificing of animals in a most inhuman manner is against decency, morality and against public interest as also in violation of the Principles underline Article 51-A(g) and (h) of the Constitution.

"It is submitted that slaughtering of animals on Bakri Eid day including camels or for any other religious purposes by any member of any community be banned and respondents may be directed to ensure that nobody is allowed to sacrifice any animal on Bakri Eid day or for any other purpose or for any religious purposes at any place and the provisions of the PCA and rules made there under be directed to be implemented in letter and spirit," the plea said.
New Delhi, Jul 7 (PTI) Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud on Friday praised outgoing Supreme Court judge Krishna Murari as a person of calm demeanour who is a very popular member of the top court.

Heading a ceremonial bench to bid farewell to Justice Murari on his last working day as a top court judge, Chandrachud described him as a valued friend he had known since his stint in the Allahabad high court.

"Justice Murari has a calm demeanour and he never lost his temper. His gracious wife also knows he is a very popular member of the Supreme Court of India. I join all in wishing him and his family all the best and have more family and happier times," the CJI said.

Expressing his sentiments on his last working day, Justice Murari said it had been a great experience coming to the top court and that he was having mixed feelings.

"The fact that I won't be able to walk these corridors which I've walked for four decades is a little depressing. But everything that starts comes to an end. I thank all of you for your wishes. I have been here for four decades, almost 19 years I spent on the bench, it feels heavy to say goodbye," he said.

Justice Murari ended his speech with the couplet "Humare baad ab mehfil me afsane baya honge, bahare hum ko dhundhegi, na jane hum kahan honge".

Attorney General for India R Venkataramani said Justice Murari had a pan-Indian demeanour and his judgments have enriched the court's jurisprudence.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said his calmness is in-built and his demeanour has always been "Lucknowi".

Born on July 9, 1958, Justice Murari enrolled as an advocate on December 23, 1981.

He practised in the Allahabad High Court for over 22 years in civil, constitutional, company, service and revenue matters, and specialised in civil revenue and service cases. Justice Murari was appointed as an additional judge of the Allahabad High Court on January 7, 2004, and as a permanent judge of the court on August 18, 2005.

He took over as the chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh, on June 2, 2018. Justice Murari was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on September 23, 2019.
Jammu, Jul 6 (PTI) The Amarnath Yatra base camp in the Bhagwatinagar area here descended into a devotional milieu when scores of artists performed a spiritually charged dance -- "Shiv Tandav" -- to welcome the pilgrims.

"We performed the dance in praise of lord Shiva. It was our welcome gesture and a way to entertain the pilgrims ahead of their yatra," Nikhil, an artist who played Shiva at the musical opera-cum-dance, told PTI.

Devotees said they enjoyed the gesture of the local artists to create an spiritually charged atmosphere wherein one "forgets his or her pain of the journey".

Gayatri Soni of Jaipur, who is on the pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas, said she was amused by 'Shiva Tandav'.

She also praised the arrangements for the pilgrims by the J-K administration.

"There are very good facilities and people from Jammu and the local administration are looking after the pilgrims very well," Soni said.

The 62-day annual pilgrimage to the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine commenced from the twin tracks of Pahalgam in Anantnag district and Baltal in Ganderbal district on July 1.

Officials said the pilgrim footfall at the shrine has crossed 65,000 mark as the yatra is progressing smoothly, with devotees from across the country thronging the base camps to have a glimpse of the naturally formed ice-shivling of lord Shiva and offer their prayers.

Over 36,000 pilgrims have left Jammu for Amarnath in seven batches so far, they said.
Jaipur, Jul 7 (PTI) A 5-year-old boy died while his 9-year-old sister was rescued by the villagers after their father allegedly pushed them into a village well in Rajasthan's Ajmer district on Friday, police said.

Akash alias Vijay Rawat (35) committed the crime over an ongoing dispute with his wife, Ganj SHO Dharamveer Singh said.

Following the incident which took place in the Hathikheda village, villagers rescued Harshita (9) by pulling her out of the well but could not save Harshvardhan (5), whose body was later recovered by civil defence personnel, the SHO said.

The body will be sent for a post-mortem on Saturday morning, he added.

Rawat is being interrogated, the SHO said, adding that a case is yet to be registered.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 65F. S winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with isolated thunderstorms possible. Potential for heavy rainfall. Low near 65F. S winds shifting to NW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.




Iconic American ice cream brand Ben & Jerrys is facing a boycott following its controversial 4th of July message calling on the United States to commit to returning stolen Indigenous land.

On Independence Day, the company published a Twitter post featuring an image stating, The United States was founded on stolen Indigenous land. This Fourth of July, lets commit to returning it. The accompanying caption read, Its high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it.

The message quickly drew outrage on social media, with many expressing their disapproval of Ben & Jerrys stance. Some likened the incident to the Bud Light moment, referencing a previous controversy and boycott that followed the beer brands partnership with a transgender activist in April. Numerous Twitter users called on Ben & Jerrys to lead by example and relinquish its profits, properties, and even factory land to indigenous communities.

Critics accused the company of virtue-signaling and questioned its motives behind the statement. Some Twitter users questioned the extent of the companys commitment, while others labeled it as hypocritical and insincere. The backlash led to calls for a boycott, with several individuals expressing their intention to boycott Ben & Jerrys and urging others to do the same.

Ben & Jerrys has faced previous controversies and boycott calls, notably in March when co-founder Ben Cohen spoke out against the provision of military aid to Ukraine, and before that when it attacked Israel. The company has also faced scrutiny over its support for the LGBTQ+ community, the Black Lives Matter movement, and other polarizing issues.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




Conservative commentator Mark Levin revealed on Wednesday that retail giant Target initially planned to carry his new book exclusively online, citing concerns about potential polarization among customers. However, within a day, Levin disclosed that the company had reversed its decision.

Levin took to Twitter to express his disappointment with Targets initial choice, calling it pathetic. Although pre-order sales for the book were available on Targets website, physical copies were not going to be stocked in their stores. Levins book, titled THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HATES AMERICA, is scheduled for release in September.

In his tweet, Levin criticized Target for allegedly avoiding the book to prevent offending Democrats. He encouraged his followers to purchase the book directly from Amazon, bypassing what he described as Democrat-Party corporatists. However, he expressed gratitude to Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and Books-A-Million for committing to carrying the book upon its release. Levin reiterated his views on his radio show, characterizing Target as fully aligned with the left.

On Thursday, Target reversed its decision, prompting Levin to share the news on Twitter. He thanked his followers for championing free speech, stating that Target would now stock his book in their stores upon its release. Levin expressed pride in his audience, referring to them as a powerful force for conservative authors and audiences, and emphasized their impact on the marketplace.

Levin also acknowledged that although this particular situation had been resolved, similar challenges would likely arise in the future. He praised his supporters for asserting their power and proclaimed that the silent majority was no longer silent. The Washington Examiner reported that Target released a statement addressing the confusion surrounding the decision. The statement clarified that the book had been available for pre-sale since mid-June and would be sold in their stores on its release date, as they have done with Levins previous works.

Target cited concerns related to the use of the word hate in the books title as the reason behind their initial decision. However, they regretted any confusion caused and affirmed their commitment to offering the book for sale as planned.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Armenian enterprises polluting the environment were listed in an open letter sent by Azerbaijani environmentalists to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Trend reports.

The letter notes that the destruction of the ecosystem as a result of ongoing mining operations poses a threat not only to the environment of Armenia, but also to neighboring countries.

The letter calls on Armenia to immediately cease the activities of the following enterprises:

1. Chromium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, zinc, aluminum, vanadium, lead and other heavy metal-containing mining wastes from the Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum conbinate in Gajaran and the mining combine in Gafan are polluting the Okchuchay and Araz rivers. A total of 60 percent of Zangezur Copper-Molybdenum Combine's shares are owned by Germany's Cronimet Mining GmbH". An average of 20 million tons of ore is processed here during the year without following any environmental norms. The 270-million-square-meter Artsevanik reservoir, which is the mine tailings pool of the combine, is a big threat to the entire region;

2. Since 2019, the Gafan mining complex has been part of the British company "Chaarat Gold International Limited" and is currently called "Chaarat Kapan". During the year, an average of 1.3 million tons of ore is processed here. The Gutgum (Qeganush) mining waste deposit, which covers an area of 4.6 million square meters within the Gafan mining complex, poses a threat to the region;

3. Mining waste containing heavy metals from Akarak (Agarak) Copper-Molybdenum Combine also poisons the Araz River through Karchivanchay. The US company "Comsup Commodities" bought all the shares of the combine and became its full shareholder. During the year, an average of 4 million tons of ore is processed here. According to the information, approximately 36.8 million cubic meters of hazardous waste in the Davazam waste warehouse of the combine are collected. The water from the waste reservoir flows into the transboundary Araz River;

4. During the occupation, the Armenian authorities illegally put the Zod (Sotk) field of Kalbajar, located on the border with Azerbaijan, into the full exploitation of the "GeoProMining" company. In 2009, 320,500 tons, 490,000 tons in 2010, and 880,000 tons in 2011 were processed in Davali (Ararat) gold processing plant. As a result, the Zod (Sotk) River near the mine was polluted with heavy metals such as copper, iron, cadmium and molybdenum. Considering that the polluted Zod (Sotk) River flows into the Kur River, this is a great threat to the lives of millions of people. In 2018, the European Court of Human Rights issued a decision regarding the violation of ecological balance rights by Armenia for polluting the region by allowing the operation of this mine;

5. European Court of Human Rights issued six decision against Armenia on February 14, 2019, found the exploitation of illegal mining industry on the lands of the residents of the villages of Shinikh (Shnogh) and Tugut (Teghout), who appealed to the court, and in this regard, the Armenian government was requested to pay compensation in the amount of 69,400 euros to the affected villagers;

6. The Dashdam (Dashdam) Gold Mine in Goyce (Sevan) produces about 10,000 ounces of gold per year. Mining continuously pollutes the local water supply. A high concentration of heavy metals such as arsenic and mercury, harmful to human health and the environment, was found in the mine's wastewater. The mine's wastewater poisons nearby rivers, including the main source of fresh water, the Barghushad (Vorotan) River. Barghusad (Vorotan) river flows into the Araz River. The mine is managed by the Canadian company "Lydian International";

7. Akhtala mine in Lori region of Armenia produces about 5 thousand tons of copper and lead per year. A high concentration of heavy metals such as copper, lead and zinc harmful to human health and the environment was found in the mine's waste water. The mine is managed by "Metal Prince" company. Wastewater from the mine pollutes the nearby Tona (Debed) river. That river flows into the Kur river. Akhtala mine was closed in 2017 due to environmental problems. However, in 2020, the mine was restored for the operation;

8. Gafan Manganese Plant is one of the largest manganese plants not only in Armenia, but also in the world. The plant produces manganese ore, manganese dioxide and other manganese products, with an annual output of about 1.5 million tons of ore. During the extraction and processing of manganese ore, heavy metals, dust and other pollutants are released into the air and water. These pollutants cause a number of health problems, including respiratory problems, neurological diseases and cancer. The plant also significantly pollutes the nearby Barghushad River, an important source of drinking water for the South Caucasus region;

9. Eller (Gotayq) plant is a metallurgical plant that produces copper, zinc and lead. The factory contaminates Arpachay river with heavy metals such as copper, lead and cadmium that have a negative impact on human health. The plant produces large amounts of air pollution, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. This pollution adversely affects human health, causing respiratory problems, heart diseases and other serious diseases. The factory discharges its waste water to Arpachay, the main source of drinking water. A large amount of solid waste rich in heavy metals generated in the factory pollutes the soil and seeps into the groundwater;

10. Goyche (Gegharkunik) Copper Smelting Plant is one of the main copper smelting plants in Armenia. It produces about 100,000 tons of copper per year. The plant belongs to "GeoProMining" company of Armenia. The plant emits large amounts of sulfur dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, causing air pollution and acid rain. The factory discharges its waste water to Arpachay, the main source of drinking water. Arpachay, in turn, carries pollutants to Araz. Sewage water destroys aquatic life in Arpachay. Goyce (Gegharkunik) Copper Smelting Plant is a source of great danger to the environment and human beings;

11. The construction of a new metallurgical plant in Arazdeyan (Yeraskh), which is being built against the requirements of environmental norms and international conventions, should also be stopped. The potential impacts of toxic chemical waste from this metallurgical plant on the local ecosystem could be enormous. The discharge of waste into the Araz River means a tragedy for the creatures living in the river and for the large farms that use the Araz water for irrigation. This impact on drinking water supplies can also lead to the spread of infectious diseases in border areas. This will create a serious public health crisis for both Azerbaijan and Armenia;

12. The construction of a new metallurgical plant in Arazdeen (Yeraskh), which is being built contrary to the requirements of environmental standards and international conventions, should also be stopped. The potential impact of this metallurgical plant's toxic chemical waste on the local ecosystem could be enormous. Dumping waste into the Araz River means a tragedy for the living organisms living in it, and large farms using water from this river for irrigation. Contamination of drinking water can also lead to the spread of infectious diseases in border areas.

Meanwhile, the toxic chemical waste of the metallurgical plant in Arazdeen (Yerash) can cause a serious blow to the ecosystem of the region. The risk of dumping its waste into the Araz River is an alarming signal both from the point of view of preserving the wildlife of the river and for extensive farms using the Araz River water for irrigation. Armenia's failure to comply with any international standards in the mining industry poses a serious environmental threat to both Azerbaijan and the region as a whole.




A leader of the QAnon conspiracy cult, Michael Protzman, known as Negative 48 to his followers, lost his life in a dirt bike accident last weekend. However, despite confirmation from reliable sources, his devoted minions refuse to accept his death as genuine, instead claiming it is part of a larger plan.

Protzman, 60, passed away at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, on Friday, a week after an accident at the Meadow Valley Motocross track in Millville, Minnesota. The medical examiner determined that Protzman succumbed to multiple blunt force injuries after losing control of his dirt bike during the accident.

Protzman had amassed a significant following and assumed a god-like status among his thousands of cult followers after rising to prominence in 2021. He utilized his Telegram channel to spread a combination of QAnon beliefs and a distorted version of Gematria, which he claimed gave him the ability to predict the future. One of his most notable assertions was that former President Donald Trump was, in fact, John F. Kennedy Jr. in disguise.

In November 2021, Protzman garnered widespread attention by leading hundreds of followers to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, where he promised the reappearance of JFK, 58 years after his assassination. According to the theory, JFK would then reinstate Trump as commander-in-chief and aid him in persecuting a global cabal of pedophilic liberal elites, as believed by QAnon devotees who think these elites control the world.

When the anticipated event failed to materialize, Protzman adjusted his claims, stating that Trump had conveyed a coded message to him during a rally, indicating that the original date had been incorrect. He led the group back to Dealey Plaza six months later.

Protzmans conspiracy narratives continued to evolve over subsequent months, eventually settling on the belief that he had direct communication with Trump, who he asserted was JFK Jr. in disguise.

His followers, deeply entrenched in these conspiracies, abandoned their families, careers, and savings to blindly follow Protzmans ever-changing teachings.

Despite Protzmans confirmed passing, his devoted followers remain convinced that his death is merely another hoax.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The United States has decided to send cluster munitions to Ukraine to help its military push back Russian forces entrenched along the front lines.

The Biden administration is expected to announce on Friday that it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800 million, according to people familiar with the decision who were not authorized to discuss it publicly before the official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move will likely trigger outrage from some allies and humanitarian groups that have long opposed the use of cluster bombs.

Proponents argue that Russia has already been using the controversial weapon in Ukraine and that the munitions the U.S. will provide have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

Here is a look at what cluster munitions are, where they have been used and why the U.S. plans to provide them to Ukraine now.

WHAT IS A CLUSTER MUNITION?

A cluster munition is a bomb that opens in the air and releases smaller bomblets across a wide area. The bomblets are designed to take out tanks and equipment, as well as troops, hitting multiple targets at the same time.

The munitions are launched by the same artillery weapons that the U.S. and allies have already provided to Ukraine for the war  such as howitzers  and the type of cluster munition that the U.S. is planning to send is based on a common 155 mm shell that is already widely in use across the battlefield.

In previous conflicts, cluster munitions have had a high dud rate, which meant that thousands of the smaller unexploded bomblets remained behind and killed and maimed people decades later. The U.S. last used its cluster munitions in battle in Iraq in 2003, and decided not to continue using them as the conflict shifted to more urban environments with more dense civilian populations.

On Thursday, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with (unexploding) rates that are higher than 2.35%.

WHY PROVIDE THEM NOW?

For more than a year the U.S. has dipped into its own stocks of traditional 155 howitzer munitions and sent more than 2 million rounds to Ukraine. Allies across the globe have provided hundreds of thousands more.

A 155 mm round can strike targets 15 to 20 miles (24 to 32 kilometers) away, making them a munition of choice for Ukrainian ground troops trying to hit enemy targets from a distance. Ukrainian forces are burning through thousands of the rounds a day battling the Russians.

Yehor Cherniev, a member of Ukraines parliament, told reporters at a German Marshall Fund event in the U.S. this spring that Kyiv would likely need to fire 7,000 to 9,000 of the rounds daily in intensified counteroffensive fighting. Providing that many puts substantial pressure on U.S. and allied stocks.

The cluster bomb is an attractive option because it would help Ukraine destroy more targets with fewer rounds, and since the U.S. hasnt used them in conflict since Iraq, it has large amounts of them in storage it can access quickly, said Ryan Brobst, a research analyst for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.

A March 2023 letter from top House and Senate Republicans to the Biden administration said the U.S. may have as many as 3 million cluster munitions available for use, and urged the White House to send the munitions to alleviate pressure on U.S. war supplies.

Cluster munitions are more effective than unitary artillery shells because they inflict damage over a wider area, Brobst said. This is important for Ukraine as they try to clear heavily fortified Russian positions.

Tapping into the U.S. stores of cluster munitions could address Ukraines shell shortage and alleviate pressure on the 155 mm stockpiles in the U.S. and elsewhere, Brobst said.

IS USING THEM A WAR CRIME?

Use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, but using them against civilians can be a violation. As in any strike, determining a war crime requires looking at whether the target was legitimate and if precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.

The part of international law where this starts playing (a role), though, is indiscriminate attacks targeting civilians, Human Rights Watchs associate arms director Mark Hiznay told The Associated Press. So thats not necessarily related to the weapons, but the way the weapons are used.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries, which agreed not to use, produce, transfer or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after theyve been used. The U.S., Russia and Ukraine havent signed on.

WHERE HAVE THEY BEEN USED?

The bombs have been deployed in many recent conflicts, including by U.S. forces.

The U.S. initially considered cluster bombs an integral part of its arsenal during the invasion of Afghanistan that began in 2001, according to HRW. The group estimated that the U.S.-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan during the first three years of the conflict.

The Defense Department had been due by 2019 to stop use of any cluster munitions with a rate of unexploded ordnance greater than 1%. But the Trump administration rolled back that policy, allowing commanders to approve use of such munitions.

Syrian government troops often used cluster munitions  supplied by Russia  against opposition strongholds during that countrys civil war, frequently hitting civilian targets and infrastructure. And Israel used them in civilian areas in south Lebanon, including during the 1982 invasion.

During the monthlong 2006 war with Hezbollah, HRW and the United Nations accused Israel of firing as many as 4 million cluster munitions into Lebanon. That left unexploded ordnance that threatens Lebanese civilians to this day.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has been criticized for its use of cluster bombs in the war with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that has ravaged the southern Arabian country.

In 2017, Yemen was the second deadliest country for cluster munitions after Syria, according to the U.N. Children have been killed or maimed long after the munitions originally fell, making it difficult to know the true toll.

In the 1980s, the Russians made heavy use of cluster bombs during their 10-year invasion of Afghanistan. As a result of decades of war, the Afghan countryside remains one of the most heavily mined countries in the world.

WHATS HAPPENING IN UKRAINE?

Russian forces have used cluster bombs in Ukraine on a number of occasions, according to Ukrainian government leaders, observers and humanitarian groups. And human rights groups have said Ukraine has also used them.

During the early days of the war, there were repeated instances of Russian cluster bombs cited by groups such as Human Rights Watch, including when they hit near a preschool in the northeastern city of Okhtyrka. The open-source intelligence group Bellingcat said its researchers found cluster munitions in that strike as well as multiple cluster attacks in Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, also in the northeast.

More recently, in March, a Russian missile and drone barrage hit a number of urban areas, including a sustained bombardment in Bakhmut, in the eastern Donetsk region. Just west of there, shelling and missile strikes hit the Ukrainian-held city of Kostiantynivka and AP journalists in the city saw at least four injured people taken to a local hospital. Police said Russian forces attacked the town with S-300 missiles and cluster munitions.

Just a month later, Donetsk Gov. Pavlo Kyrylenko accused Russian forces of attacking a town with cluster munitions, wounding one person. An AP and Frontline database called War Crimes Watch Ukraine has cataloged how Russia has used cluster bombs.

(AP)




Threads, a text-based app built by Meta to rival Twitter, is live.

The app, billed as the text version of Metas photo-sharing platform Instagram, became available Wednesday night to users in more than 100 countries  including the U.S., Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan. Despite some early glitches, 30 million people had signed up before noon on Thursday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said on Threads.

New arrivals to the platform include celebrities like Oprah, pop star Shakira and chef Gordon Ramsay  as well as corporate accounts from Taco Bell, Netflix, Spotify, the Washington Post and other media outlets.

Threads, which Meta says provides a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations, arrives at a time when many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Elon Musks raucous oversight of the platform since acquiring it last year for $44 billion. But Metas new app has also raised data privacy concerns, and is notably unavailable in the European Union.

Heres what you need to know about Threads.

HOW CAN I USE THREADS?

Threads is now available for download in Apple and Google Android app stores for people in more than 100 countries.

Threads was built by the Instagram team, so Instagram users can log into Threads through their Instagram account. Your username and verification status will carry over, according to the platform, but you will also have options to customize other areas of your profile  including whether or not you want to follow the same people that you do on Instagram.

Because Threads and Instagram are so closely linked, its also important to be cautious of account deletion. According to Threads supplemental privacy policy, you can deactivate your profile at any time, but your Threads profile can only be deleted by deleting your Instagram account.

CAN I USE THREADS IF I DONT HAVE AN INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT?

For now, only Instagram users can create Threads accounts. If you want to access Threads, you will have to sign up for Instagram first.

While this may receive some pushback, VP and research director at Forrester Mike Proulx said making Threads an extension of Instagram was a smart move on Metas part.

Its piquing (user) curiosity, Proulx said, noting that Instagram users are getting alerts about their followers joining Threads  causing more and more people to sign up. Thats one of the reasons why Threads got over 10 million people to sign up in just a seven hour period after launching.

Still, Proulx added, maintaining momentum and continuing to capture user attention past the initial curiosity bump will be crucial down the line  noting the long term nature of threads is whats going to ultimately predict its success or failure.

HOW IS THREADS SIMILAR TO TWITTER?

Threads microblogging experience is very similar to Twitter. Users can repost, reply to or quote a thread, for example, and can see the number of likes and replies that a post has received. Threads can run up to 500 characters  compared with Twitters 280-character threshold  and can include links, photos and videos up to five minutes long.

In early replies on Threads, Zuckerberg said making the app a friendly place will be a key to success  adding that that was one reason why Twitter never succeeded as much as I think it should have, and we want to do it differently.

IS TWITTER SEEKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST META?

According to a letter obtained by Semafor on Thursday, Twitter has threatened legal action against Meta over Threads. In the letter, which was addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and dated Wednesday, Alex Spiro, an attorney representing Twitter, accused Meta of unlawfully using Twitters trade secrets and other intellectual property by hiring former Twitter employees to create a copycat app.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone responded to the report of Spiros letter on Threads Thursday afternoon, writing, no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee.

Musk hasnt directly tweeted about the possibility of legal action, but he has replied to several snarky takes on the Threads launch. The Twitter owner responded to one tweet suggesting that Metas app was built largely through the use of the copy and paste function, with a laughing emoji.

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has also not publicly commented on Wednesdays letter, but seemingly appeared to address Threads launch in a Thursday tweet  writing that the Twitter community can never be duplicated.

HASNT THIS BEEN DONE BEFORE?

The similarities of Metas new text-based app suggests that the company is working to directly challenge Twitter. The tumultuous ownership has resulted in a series of unpopular changes that have turned off users and advertisers, some of whom are searching for Twitter alternatives.

Threads is the latest Twitter rival to emerge in this landscape following Bluesky, Mastodon and Spill.

HOW DOES THREADS MODERATE CONTENT?

According to Meta, Threads will use the same safety measures deployed on Instagram  which includes enforcing Instagrams community guidelines and providing tools to control who can mention or reply to users.

Content warnings  on search queries ranging from conspiracy theory groups to misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations  also appear to be similar to Instagram.

WHAT ARE THE PRIVACY CONCERNS?

Threads could collect a wide range of personal information  including health, financial, contacts, browsing and search history, location data, purchases and sensitive info, according to its data privacy disclosure on the App Store.

Threads also isnt available in the European Union right now, which has strict data privacy rules.

Meta informed Irelands Data Privacy Commission, Metas main privacy regulator for the EU, that it has no plans yet to launch Threads in the 27-nation bloc, commission spokesman Graham Doyle said. The company said it is working on rolling the app out to more countries  but pointed to regulatory uncertainty for its decision to hold off on a European launch.

WHATS THE FUTURE FOR THREADS?

Success for Threads is far from guaranteed. Industry watchers point to Metas track record of starting standalone apps that were later shut down  including an Instagram messaging app also called Threads that shut down less than two years after its 2019 launch, Proulx notes.

Still, Proulx and others say the new app could be a significant headache for Musk and Twitter.

The euphoria around a new service and this initial explosion will probably settle down. But it is apparent that this alternative is here to stay and will prove to be a worthy rival given all of Twitters woes, technology analyst Paolo Pescatore of PP Foresight said, noting that combining Twitter-style features with Instagrams look and feel could drive user engagement.

Threads is in its early days, however, and much depends on user feedback. Pescatore believes the close tie between Instagram and Threads might not resonate with everyone. The rollout of new features will also be key.

The real test is not if we can build up a lot of hype, but if you all find enough value in the app to keep using it over time, Instagram head Adam Mosseri wrote Thursday in a Threads post. He also acknowledged, as many users have already done, that there are tons of basics missing, including hashtags and direct messaging between users. Full disclosure, itll take time.

(AP)




Former President Donald Trump plans to headline his largest Iowa campaign event in nearly four months with a speech to thousands at an arena in the western part of the state.

Trump will use his appearance in Council Bluffs on Friday to attack his top GOP rival, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, for opposing the federal mandate for ethanol, a renewable fuel additive that Iowa leads the nation in producing.

DeSantis has problematic policy positions that hurt farmers and demonize ethanol, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told The Associated Press ahead of Trumps visit. President Trump plans to highlight that.

The large Republican presidential field has spent a lot of time over the last few months in Iowa, the leadoff GOP caucus state. In June, more than a half dozen candidates, including DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, attended Sen. Joni Ernsts annual Roast and Ride fundraiser that kicked off a busy summer campaign season.

Trump campaigned in the Des Moines area last month, meeting with GOP state lawmakers, influential conservative pastors, campaign volunteers and a suburban Republican breakfast club. That visit came about a week before he was indicted on federal charges stemming from classified records he kept at his Florida home.

Before Friday, his last large event in Iowa was in March, when he spoke to more than 1,500 people at a theater in Davenport and also went after DeSantis on ethanol. He was due to hold an outdoor event in May in Des Moines with about 5,000 attendees expected, but his campaign called it off because of bad weather.

Although caucus campaigns have become more focused on national party priorities over the past two decades, some candidates have continued to portray support for ethanol  specifically the federal mandate that the nations fuel supply contain a minimum volume of renewable fuels  as a litmus test in Iowa.

As a congressman from Florida, DeSantis co-sponsored a bill in 2017 that would have immediately ended the renewable fuel standard, a position consistent with fiscal conservatives who see such mandates as government overreach.

As a candidate, Trump has promoted the executive order he signed as president increasing the retail sale of fuel containing 15% ethanol.

Recent history, however, suggests a lack of support for ethanol may not be disqualifying. In 2016, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who opposes the mandate, won Iowas Republican caucuses, handing Trump an early defeat in his ultimately successful White House campaign.

(AP)




Israeli media personality Guy Lerer commented on the recent provocations against the tefillin stands operated by Chabadnikim in cities throughout the country.

Liberal brothers, why does it bother you so much that Chabadnikim are standing and asking people to put on tefillin? Arent there more important things? There are more important things!

If youre so afraid that your child will be affected from one time that he puts on tefillin, and it will turn around and change his life, the problem is not with the Chabadnikim  the problem is with you and the confidence you have in the education you gave your child.

Another secular personality, actor and radio host Shai Goldstein, also slammed the anti-Chabad hype as well as the incitement against Chareidim in general.

Goldstein posted a photo of himself putting on tefillin, writing: You dont want them with a table of tefillin on your street, you yell at them and drive them out, but when they come as ZAKA or Hatzalah -the first one to take care of you after an attack  you dont drive them out, do you?

And when you need crutches, chas vchalilah, you go to Yad Sarah, no? So whats your problem? Arent you tired of being two-faced?

This isnt the first time that Goldstein defended Chareidim. About a month and a half ago, when there was intense incitement against Chareidim following reports of the coalition funds promised to the Charedi and Dati Leumi sectors, Goldstein wrote: Today I woke up and discovered that today is the Day of Hatred of the Chareidim. This is what I was informed on all social networks on all channels -everything is full of hatred of Chareidim because the Chareidim managed to get more money for their Chareidi institutions.

I dont want to hate the Chareidim! Friends, stop falling into this trap of hatred. We are being incited against each other. Were not against each other, we need to be with each other. We need to learn from the Chareidim how a community manages to obtain rights for itself and demand the same. We deserve what they deserve, but not that it should be taken away from them.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Bank runs, government bailouts and plunging bank share prices have the power to seriously worry savers and investors  and we have seen them all again this year.

That's why it is vital to know what protects your savings, investments and pensions - keeping your hard-won wealth safe.

The answer lies with the Financial Services Compensation scheme. It protects savings accounts up to 85,000 per individually licensed bank, per saver.

It also covers investments and pensions too, but not in exactly the same way.

We explain what you need to know about FSCS compensation.

Crisis: The US tech bank Silicon Valley Bank collapsed after businesses withdrew deposits

Spring of 2023 was marked by bank troubles. Silicon Valley Bank in the US collapsed and HSBC had to bail out its UK arm. Then troubled banking giant Credit Suisse announced it had secured a 45 billion lifeline from Switzerland's central bank.

But although the headlines may sound as if they have a whiff of the global financial crisis about them, the circumstances are very different.

Banks are in a lot better nick than in 2008. They have to comply with beefed-up Bank of England regulations and they are regularly stress-tested to see how they would manage in a variety of difficult events.

Even if something did go wrong, UK savers and investors benefit from a number of protections.

Bank safety: Your cash savings

In the very unlikely event that your bank, building society or credit union goes bust, you should get your savings back, so long as you meet certain conditions.

Firstly, the provider holding your cash must be authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). They should advertise clearly if they do have this coverage. You can also check on the FSCS website.

Secondly, you will only get back savings worth up to 85,000 per bank. If you have a joint account, you're covered up to 170,000.

Laura Suter, head of personal finance at investment platform AJ Bell, says: 'This means that ideally you don't want more than 85,000 with each provider, even if it's spread across different accounts.'

Protection is across all accounts held within the banking group, not per account, so watch out for banks with a number of brand names. For example, First Direct is owned by HSBC and Royal Bank of Scotland is another brand under the NatWest bank.

You may get protection of up to 1 million for up to six months if you have a temporarily high balance.

How are investments protected by FSCS

Your investment provider should not go bust. They are very tightly regulated precisely so they don't. Even if it does, your provider should be holding your money safely in a separate client account.

If something does go badly wrong, you should receive FSCS protection worth up to 85,000. Furthermore, if an authorised firm gives you bad advice or is negligent in its management of your investments, you will be covered.

However, you will not be compensated if your investments drop in value as a result of movements in financial markets. That is just part of the risk of investing.

Before investing, check that the firm is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority. Make sure that it is regulated to do the particular activity that it is offering you, for example giving investment advice.

Some investment types offer no protection. These include cryptocurrencies, mini-bonds and peer-to-peer lending.

What protects your pension

Should your pension provider go bust, the compensation you're entitled to will be determined by the type of pension you have and if it is regulated by the FCA.

Defined contribution pensions: These are pension schemes where both you and your employer pay in a set monthly amount.

Although these schemes are arranged by your employer, your money is held and managed by a separate pension provider. That means that if your employer goes bust, it will not affect your pension holdings. Whether your savings have FSCS protection should the pension provider go bust depends on how your scheme was set up. You can check this with your pension provider.

Self Invested Personal Pensions: In most cases, if your Self Invested Personal Pension (Sipp) provider were to go bust, you would receive up to 85,000 FSCS compensation.

However, some providers structure their Sipps so all of your savings are covered. Ask your provider what protection it offers.

Defined benefit pensions: Also known as final salary, this type of workplace pension offers a guaranteed income in retirement. It is up to your employer to ensure there is enough money available to pay out.

Pension funds are usually ring-fenced from the company balance sheet, so even if your employer gets into financial difficulty your pension should be protected.

If the scheme can't pay, your pension is taken over by the Pension Protection Fund (PPF), which is a lifeboat fund set up by the Government.

Becky O'Connor, director of public affairs at pension provider PensionBee, says: 'The PPF will compensate you for 100 per cent of your pension if you've already reached the scheme's retirement age at the time your employer goes bust.

'If you haven't yet reached the scheme's retirement age, you'll only be entitled to 90 per cent compensation, to a set limit.'
American Equity Investment Life (NYSE:AEL  Free Report) was downgraded by analysts at Royal Bank of Canada from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a report issued on Wednesday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a $55.00 target price on the financial services providers stock, up from their previous target price of $50.00. Royal Bank of Canadas price target suggests a potential upside of 4.32% from the companys previous close.

AEL has been the subject of several other reports. StockNews.com began coverage on American Equity Investment Life in a report on Thursday, May 18th. They set a hold rating for the company. Raymond James downgraded shares of American Equity Investment Life from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Morgan Stanley cut their target price on shares of American Equity Investment Life from $48.00 to $43.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 12th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their target price on shares of American Equity Investment Life from $39.00 to $44.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 10th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Equity Investment Life has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $45.40.

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American Equity Investment Life Trading Down 0.1 %

Shares of American Equity Investment Life stock opened at $52.72 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $42.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $41.96. The company has a market cap of $4.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.96 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a current ratio of 0.25, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. American Equity Investment Life has a 1 year low of $28.05 and a 1 year high of $53.68.

Institutional Trading of American Equity Investment Life

American Equity Investment Life ( NYSE:AEL Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 9th. The financial services provider reported $1.47 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.15 by $0.32. American Equity Investment Life had a net margin of 25.84% and a return on equity of 12.84%. The firm had revenue of $662.50 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $626.02 million. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.92 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 348.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that American Equity Investment Life will post 6.34 EPS for the current year.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AEL. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new position in American Equity Investment Life in the 4th quarter valued at about $29,000. Lansing Street Advisors acquired a new position in shares of American Equity Investment Life during the 1st quarter valued at $39,000. Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of American Equity Investment Life during the 4th quarter valued at $43,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of American Equity Investment Life by 49.9% during the 3rd quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC now owns 1,208 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $45,000 after acquiring an additional 402 shares during the period. Finally, ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in American Equity Investment Life during the first quarter worth $45,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.12% of the companys stock.

American Equity Investment Life Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, through its subsidiaries, provides life insurance products in the United States. The company issues fixed index and rate annuities, as well as single premium immediate annuities. It markets its products through independent agents, including independent marketing organizations, broker/dealers, banks, and registered investment advisors.

Further Reading

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WPP (NYSE:WPP  Free Report) was downgraded by investment analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday.

WPP Stock Down 2.1 %

Shares of WPP stock opened at $51.52 on Wednesday. WPP has a 12-month low of $39.67 and a 12-month high of $64.07. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $54.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $56.76. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.85 and a quick ratio of 0.85.

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Institutional Investors Weigh In On WPP

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its holdings in shares of WPP by 3.4% in the first quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 923,843 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $54,987,000 after buying an additional 30,259 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its holdings in shares of WPP by 3.3% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 20,686 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $1,231,000 after purchasing an additional 666 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings in shares of WPP by 48.7% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 2,155 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $128,000 after purchasing an additional 706 shares during the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC boosted its position in WPP by 166.8% during the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 675 shares of the business services providers stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 422 shares during the period. Finally, Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC lifted its position in shares of WPP by 30.9% in the 1st quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC now owns 8,462 shares of the business services providers stock worth $504,000 after purchasing an additional 1,999 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 4.10% of the companys stock.

WPP Company Profile

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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Investment analysts at StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Core Laboratories (NYSE:CLB  Free Report) in a report issued on Wednesday. The brokerage set a hold rating on the oil and gas companys stock.

Several other equities research analysts have also commented on CLB. Piper Sandler upped their price target on Core Laboratories from $18.00 to $19.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Stifel Nicolaus raised their target price on Core Laboratories from $24.00 to $25.00 in a research report on Friday, April 28th. Bank of America cut Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $21.50 price objective for the company. in a research report on Tuesday, April 18th. They noted that the move was a valuation call. Finally, Citigroup downgraded Core Laboratories from a neutral rating to a sell rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $22.00 to $21.00 in a report on Friday, June 30th.

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Core Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CLB opened at $21.67 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.68, a current ratio of 2.38 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.90. The firm has a market cap of $1.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 43.34, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 2.64. The businesss 50 day moving average price is $22.69 and its 200 day moving average price is $22.72. Core Laboratories has a 52 week low of $13.19 and a 52 week high of $26.80.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Core Laboratories

Core Laboratories ( NYSE:CLB Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The oil and gas company reported $0.08 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.14 by ($0.06). Core Laboratories had a net margin of 4.72% and a return on equity of 15.23%. The company had revenue of $128.36 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $126.26 million. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Core Laboratories will post 0.56 earnings per share for the current year.

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp raised its holdings in Core Laboratories by 328.1% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 1,858 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 1,424 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG increased its stake in Core Laboratories by 171.6% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,200 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $43,000 after buying an additional 2,022 shares during the period. Trivant Custom Portfolio Group LLC purchased a new position in Core Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth about $49,000. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in Core Laboratories by 213.1% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 2,805 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $57,000 after acquiring an additional 1,909 shares in the last quarter. Finally, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its holdings in Core Laboratories by 184.9% during the 4th quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 2,934 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 1,904 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.63% of the companys stock.

About Core Laboratories

(Free Report)

Core Laboratories Inc provides reservoir description and production enhancement services and products to the oil and gas industry in the United States, Canada, and internationally. It operates through Reservoir Description and Production Enhancement segments. The Reservoir Description segment includes the characterization of petroleum reservoir rock, reservoir fluid, and gas samples to enhance production and improve recovery of oil and gas from its clients' reservoirs.

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Shares of AerCap Holdings (NYSE:AER  Free Report) have been given a consensus recommendation of Buy by the five research firms that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $74.00.

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AER. Susquehanna dropped their price objective on shares of AerCap from $75.00 to $70.00 in a report on Wednesday, May 3rd. TheStreet raised AerCap from a c rating to a b- rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 2nd. Citigroup assumed coverage on AerCap in a research note on Monday, May 15th. They issued a buy rating and a $71.00 price target for the company. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of AerCap from $77.00 to $78.00 in a research note on Wednesday, May 3rd. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of AerCap in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a buy rating for the company.

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Hedge Funds Weigh In On AerCap

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AER. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in AerCap by 90.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 5,767,535 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $289,992,000 after purchasing an additional 2,743,035 shares in the last quarter. Perpetual Ltd purchased a new position in shares of AerCap in the first quarter worth approximately $150,159,000. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of AerCap by 15.6% during the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 19,343,396 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,087,679,000 after acquiring an additional 2,616,549 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of AerCap in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $70,546,000. Finally, State Street Corp boosted its stake in AerCap by 112.8% in the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,155,846 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $108,396,000 after purchasing an additional 1,142,547 shares during the period. 94.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AerCap Trading Down 2.3 %

AerCap stock opened at $62.07 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.87, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.28. AerCap has a 1 year low of $37.95 and a 1 year high of $66.85. The firms 50-day moving average is $59.11 and its 200-day moving average is $58.80. The company has a market cap of $14.74 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.80, a PEG ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.99.

AerCap (NYSE:AER  Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, May 2nd. The financial services provider reported $2.34 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.00 by $0.34. AerCap had a return on equity of 14.03% and a net margin of 24.08%. The company had revenue of $1.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.77 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.23 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts expect that AerCap will post 8.77 earnings per share for the current year.

About AerCap

(Free Report

AerCap Holdings N.V. engages in the lease, financing, sale, and management of commercial flight equipment in China, Hong Kong, Macau, the United States, Ireland, and internationally. The company offers aircraft asset management services, such as remarketing aircraft and engines; collecting rental and maintenance rent payments, monitoring aircraft maintenance, monitoring and enforcing contract compliance, and accepting delivery and redelivery of aircraft and engines; and conducting ongoing lessee financial performance reviews.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to Azerbaijan, has expressed gratitude to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev for warm welcome, Trend reports.

Begaj's post on Twitter said: "Thank you, my dear friend President Ilham Aliyev, for the warm welcome! As Albania and Azerbaijan celebrate 30 years of diplomatic ties, the relationship between our two countries is stronger than ever!".

President of Albania Bayram Begay arrived in Azerbaijan on July 6. During the visit, bilateral cooperation between the countries will be discussed, as well as the creation of a modern gas network in Albania.

In addition, special attention will be paid to the implementation of projects for the distribution of gas from Albania to other countries in the region.
Shares of Lithium Americas Corp. (NYSE:LAC  Free Report) have received an average rating of Buy from the seven analysts that are covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average twelve-month price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $37.22.

Several research analysts have recently commented on LAC shares. HSBC reduced their price target on Lithium Americas from $36.00 to $30.00 in a research report on Friday, June 23rd. Piper Sandler decreased their price target on shares of Lithium Americas from $36.00 to $33.00 in a research report on Thursday, April 6th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft cut their price objective on shares of Lithium Americas from $30.00 to $26.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 20th.

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Institutional Trading of Lithium Americas

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in LAC. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Lithium Americas by 5,307.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 3,047,023 shares of the companys stock worth $117,280,000 after purchasing an additional 2,990,674 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in Lithium Americas during the 4th quarter worth approximately $17,582,000. Decade Renewable Partners LP acquired a new stake in Lithium Americas during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $9,193,000. Balyasny Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lithium Americas in the 3rd quarter valued at $10,257,000. Finally, Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of Lithium Americas by 25.8% in the first quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 1,674,858 shares of the companys stock worth $36,384,000 after acquiring an additional 343,086 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 27.16% of the companys stock.

Lithium Americas Price Performance

LAC opened at $20.01 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $3.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -51.29 and a beta of 1.42. The company has a current ratio of 10.00, a quick ratio of 10.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. Lithium Americas has a 12-month low of $17.58 and a 12-month high of $33.10. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $20.85 and its 200-day simple moving average is $21.21.

Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC  Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The company reported ($0.04) EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of ($0.19) by $0.15. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Lithium Americas will post 0.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Lithium Americas Company Profile

(Free Report

Lithium Americas Corp. operates as a resource company in the United States and Argentina. The company explores for lithium deposits. It owns interests in the Cauchari-Olaroz project located in Jujuy province of Argentina; Thacker Pass project located in north-western Nevada; and Pastos Grandes project located in the Salta province of Argentina.

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WithSecure Oyj (OTCMKTS:FSOYF  Free Report) and HashiCorp (NYSE:HCP  Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, risk, profitability, dividends, earnings, valuation and institutional ownership.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

10.5% of WithSecure Oyj shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 40.7% of HashiCorp shares are held by institutional investors. 26.1% of HashiCorp shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

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Dividends

WithSecure Oyj pays an annual dividend of C$0.06 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.9%. HashiCorp pays an annual dividend of $1.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.8%. WithSecure Oyj pays out 60.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. HashiCorp pays out -112.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. HashiCorp is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio WithSecure Oyj N/A N/A N/A C$0.10 15.50 HashiCorp $512.98 million 9.47 -$253.29 million ($1.32) -19.19

This table compares WithSecure Oyj and HashiCorps top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

WithSecure Oyj has higher earnings, but lower revenue than HashiCorp. HashiCorp is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than WithSecure Oyj, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent ratings and target prices for WithSecure Oyj and HashiCorp, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score WithSecure Oyj 1 2 1 0 2.00 HashiCorp 0 0 0 0 N/A

Profitability

This table compares WithSecure Oyj and HashiCorps net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets WithSecure Oyj N/A N/A N/A HashiCorp N/A N/A N/A

Summary

HashiCorp beats WithSecure Oyj on 5 of the 8 factors compared between the two stocks.

About WithSecure Oyj

(Free Report)

WithSecure Oyj operates in corporate security business worldwide. Its software and services include WithSecure Elements, a cloud based security platform to reduce risk, complexity, and inefficiency; WithSecure Elements Endpoint Protection, a cloud-native AI-powered endpoint protection solution; WithSecure Business Suite for organization's security challenges; WithSecure Elements Endpoint Detection and Response; WithSecure Elements Vulnerability Management, a cloud-based vulnerability scanner that covers network, assets, deep web, and compliance; and WithSecure Elements Collaboration Protection; and WithSecure Cloud Protection for Salesforce. The company also provides consulting services, including security strategy and risk management, resilience development, and security assurance services; support services; security training services; and managed services, such as countercept managed detection and response, attack surface management, and cloud security posture management services; USB armory, a smallest secure computer; and Armory Drive, an encrypted storage solution. WithSecure Oyj was founded in 1988 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.

About HashiCorp

(Free Report)

HashiCorp, Inc. provides multi-cloud infrastructure automation solutions worldwide. The company offers Terraform, an infrastructure provisioning product that applies an Infrastructure-as-Code approach, where processes and configuration required to support applications are codified and automated instead of being manual and ticket-based; and Vault, a secrets management and data protection product, which enables security teams to apply policies based on application and user identity to govern access to credentials and secure sensitive data. It also provides Consul, an application-centric networking automation product that enables practitioners to manage application traffic, security teams to secure and restrict access between applications, and operations teams to automate the underlying network infrastructure; and Nomad, a scheduler and workload orchestrator, which provides practitioners with a self-service interface to manage the application lifecycle. The company was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

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Summit Financial Strategies Inc. lowered its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 13.8% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,032 shares of the companys stock after selling 969 shares during the period. Summit Financial Strategies Inc.s holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $642,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in MRK. Trust Co. of Virginia VA lifted its stake in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.1% in the first quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA now owns 70,188 shares of the companys stock worth $7,467,000 after acquiring an additional 786 shares in the last quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 44.2% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 21,669 shares of the companys stock worth $2,305,000 after purchasing an additional 6,643 shares during the last quarter. Atlas Brown Inc. increased its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.3% during the 1st quarter. Atlas Brown Inc. now owns 15,480 shares of the companys stock worth $1,647,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the last quarter. Hi Line Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Hi Line Capital Management LLC now owns 98,049 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,503,000 after purchasing an additional 780 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sandbox Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $242,000. 76.60% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MRK has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Citigroup upgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and upped their target price for the company from $105.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 13th. Mizuho reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $130.00 target price on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. in a report on Monday, April 10th. Berenberg Bank raised their price target on Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, March 10th. BTIG Research downgraded Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Sunday, April 16th. Finally, Barclays raised their target price on Merck & Co., Inc. from $128.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, May 1st. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $122.83.

Insider Activity

Merck & Co., Inc. Stock Performance

In related news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 66,163 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, April 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total value of $7,608,745.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 154,493 shares in the company, valued at $17,766,695. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 66,163 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.00, for a total transaction of $7,608,745.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 154,493 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,766,695. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, EVP Richard R. Deluca sold 75,436 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $116.03, for a total value of $8,752,839.08. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 154,493 shares in the company, valued at $17,925,822.79. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 488,258 shares of company stock worth $56,481,018 in the last three months. 0.20% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $111.76 on Friday. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1 year low of $84.52 and a 1 year high of $119.65. The firm has a market cap of $283.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.83, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.35. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $113.36 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $110.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a quick ratio of 1.19 and a current ratio of 1.44.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.06. Merck & Co., Inc. had a return on equity of 37.92% and a net margin of 22.52%. The business had revenue of $14.49 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.81 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.14 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was down 8.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.95 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.73 per share. This represents a $2.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, June 14th. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is presently 57.03%.

Merck & Co., Inc. Company Profile

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines.

Further Reading

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Chiron Capital Management LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) by 22.5% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 3,105 shares of the companys stock after selling 900 shares during the period. Chiron Capital Management LLCs holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. were worth $330,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of MRK. Trust Co. of Virginia VA increased its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.1% during the 1st quarter. Trust Co. of Virginia VA now owns 70,188 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,467,000 after purchasing an additional 786 shares during the last quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Merck & Co., Inc. by 44.2% during the 1st quarter. West Michigan Advisors LLC now owns 21,669 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,305,000 after buying an additional 6,643 shares during the last quarter. Atlas Brown Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 1.3% during the first quarter. Atlas Brown Inc. now owns 15,480 shares of the companys stock worth $1,647,000 after purchasing an additional 206 shares during the period. Hi Line Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Merck & Co., Inc. by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Hi Line Capital Management LLC now owns 98,049 shares of the companys stock worth $10,503,000 after buying an additional 780 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sandbox Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Merck & Co., Inc. during the 1st quarter valued at $242,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 76.60% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. BTIG Research cut Merck & Co., Inc. from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Sunday, April 16th. Berenberg Bank lifted their price target on shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Friday, March 10th. Guggenheim upped their price objective on Merck & Co., Inc. from $123.00 to $124.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 11th. Wells Fargo & Company downgraded shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and cut their price objective for the company from $120.00 to $115.00 in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Finally, Citigroup raised shares of Merck & Co., Inc. from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price target for the company from $105.00 to $130.00 in a report on Thursday, April 13th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Merck & Co., Inc. currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $122.83.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Merck & Co., Inc. Trading Down 1.7 %

In other news, VP Rita A. Karachun sold 15,875 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.53, for a total value of $1,865,788.75. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 45,710 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,372,296.30. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . In other Merck & Co., Inc. news, CEO Robert M. Davis sold 143,329 shares of Merck & Co., Inc. stock in a transaction on Friday, April 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.93, for a total value of $16,472,801.97. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 271,817 shares of the companys stock, valued at $31,239,927.81. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, VP Rita A. Karachun sold 15,875 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.53, for a total value of $1,865,788.75. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 45,710 shares in the company, valued at $5,372,296.30. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 488,258 shares of company stock worth $56,481,018 in the last ninety days. 0.20% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Shares of NYSE MRK opened at $111.76 on Friday. The businesss 50 day moving average is $113.36 and its two-hundred day moving average is $110.86. Merck & Co., Inc. has a 1-year low of $84.52 and a 1-year high of $119.65. The stock has a market capitalization of $283.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.83, a PEG ratio of 1.98 and a beta of 0.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.44 and a quick ratio of 1.19.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK  Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.34 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $14.49 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.81 billion. Merck & Co., Inc. had a net margin of 22.52% and a return on equity of 37.92%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 8.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.14 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that Merck & Co., Inc. will post 6.95 EPS for the current year.

Merck & Co., Inc. Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 15th will be paid a $0.73 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, June 14th. This represents a $2.92 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.61%. Merck & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is currently 57.03%.

Merck & Co., Inc. Profile

(Free Report)

Merck & Co, Inc operates as a healthcare company worldwide. It operates through two segments, Pharmaceutical and Animal Health. The Pharmaceutical segment offers human health pharmaceutical products in the areas of oncology, hospital acute care, immunology, neuroscience, virology, cardiovascular, and diabetes, as well as vaccine products, such as preventive pediatric, adolescent, and adult vaccines.

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Asset Dedication LLC trimmed its position in Lockheed Martin Co. (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) by 5.3% in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 2,127 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 118 shares during the period. Asset Dedication LLCs holdings in Lockheed Martin were worth $1,004,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LMT. Mcdonald Partners LLC increased its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 1.1% in the first quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 1,865 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $882,000 after purchasing an additional 20 shares during the last quarter. Alhambra Investment Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Lockheed Martin by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Alhambra Investment Partners LLC now owns 476 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $225,000 after buying an additional 22 shares during the period. M Holdings Securities Inc. boosted its stake in Lockheed Martin by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. M Holdings Securities Inc. now owns 8,113 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $3,948,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in Lockheed Martin by 4.8% during the first quarter. Connecticut Wealth Management LLC now owns 498 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $235,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Lockheed Martin by 1.7% in the first quarter. Steigerwald Gordon & Koch Inc. now owns 1,341 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $634,000 after acquiring an additional 23 shares in the last quarter. 75.28% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

LMT has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Robert W. Baird downgraded shares of Lockheed Martin from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and set a $513.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Sanford C. Bernstein upped their target price on shares of Lockheed Martin from $478.00 to $496.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Credit Suisse Group lifted their price target on Lockheed Martin from $510.00 to $550.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 19th. StockNews.com raised Lockheed Martin from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Saturday, July 1st. Finally, Citigroup increased their price objective on Lockheed Martin from $546.00 to $579.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Lockheed Martin currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $494.79.

Insider Transactions at Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin Price Performance

In other Lockheed Martin news, EVP Stephanie C. Hill sold 2,391 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $490.84, for a total transaction of $1,173,598.44. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,604 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $6,186,547.36. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . In other news, Director John Donovan bought 506 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 19th. The shares were bought at an average price of $495.17 per share, for a total transaction of $250,556.02. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 2,830 shares in the company, valued at $1,401,331.10. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, EVP Stephanie C. Hill sold 2,391 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, April 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $490.84, for a total value of $1,173,598.44. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 12,604 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,186,547.36. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . 0.17% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

NYSE:LMT opened at $461.64 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $116.91 billion, a PE ratio of 21.10, a P/E/G ratio of 2.81 and a beta of 0.67. Lockheed Martin Co. has a 1-year low of $373.67 and a 1-year high of $508.10. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $455.71 and a 200 day simple moving average of $467.75. The company has a current ratio of 1.30, a quick ratio of 1.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT  Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 18th. The aerospace company reported $6.43 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $6.08 by $0.35. The company had revenue of $15.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.01 billion. Lockheed Martin had a net margin of 8.60% and a return on equity of 67.75%. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $6.44 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 1.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that Lockheed Martin Co. will post 26.77 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Lockheed Martin Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be given a $3.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 31st. This represents a $12.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.60%. Lockheed Martins payout ratio is 54.84%.

About Lockheed Martin

(Free Report)

Lockheed Martin Corporation, a security and aerospace company, engages in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of technology systems, products, and services worldwide. It operates through four segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space.

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Accredited Investors Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 2.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 127,441 shares of the companys stock after selling 3,057 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF makes up about 4.0% of Accredited Investors Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Accredited Investors Inc.s holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $52,388,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Toth Financial Advisory Corp boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 24.6% during the first quarter. Toth Financial Advisory Corp now owns 506 shares of the companys stock worth $208,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Argent Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 10.6% during the first quarter. Argent Advisors Inc. now owns 21,599 shares of the companys stock worth $8,879,000 after purchasing an additional 2,068 shares during the last quarter. Courage Miller Partners LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 8.1% during the first quarter. Courage Miller Partners LLC now owns 6,057 shares of the companys stock worth $2,490,000 after purchasing an additional 456 shares during the last quarter. Chatham Capital Group Inc. boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 34.3% during the first quarter. Chatham Capital Group Inc. now owns 1,567 shares of the companys stock worth $644,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC boosted its holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 2.1% during the first quarter. Asset Dedication LLC now owns 4,624 shares of the companys stock worth $1,899,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the last quarter.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Trading Down 0.8 %

NYSEARCA IVV opened at $442.05 on Friday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $426.97 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $410.20. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1 year low of $349.53 and a 1 year high of $446.61. The firm has a market capitalization of $329.92 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.43 and a beta of 1.00.

About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. We have established very close and friendly relations. And high-level political dialogue between Azerbaijan and Albania has a very good dynamism, said President Ilham Aliyev as he held an expanded meeting with President of Albania Bajram Begaj, Trend reports.

The head of state described it as an important factor to strengthen relations between the two countries, saying: "I would name them excellent. It is reflected in mutual support in international institutions and also a lot of practical activity on the ground with respect to issues of energy and economic development".

President Ilham Aliyev added that, "of course, it is an important factor to strengthen relations between our countries, which I would name them excellent and which is reflected in mutual support in international institutions and also a lot of practical activity on the ground with respect to issues of energy and economic development".
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. We created a very special dynamism in our bilateral ties based on friendship and mutual support, President Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Albania Bajram Begaj.

The head of state noted: We are actively working in international organizations, supporting each other, primarily in the United Nations and Islamic Cooperation Organization. At the same time, we are very grateful to Albania for supporting Azerbaijan in the organizations where Azerbaijan is not present.

"I already expressed my gratitude to Mr. President and the Government of Albania for support to Azerbaijan during the last year's Francophonie Summit, where there was an attempt by one member state of Francophonie to pass the paragraph and to include the paragraph into a final document - a paragraph of anti-Azerbaijani substance.

Albania was the country, which blocked that. And that was the demonstration of friendship, demonstration of strong commitment to basic principles of international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the countries. So even in the organizations, where Azerbaijan cannot defend itself, we have brother like Albania who did it. We're very grateful for that," President Ilham Aliyev said.
A Palestinian gunman shot and killed an Israeli soldier near a settlement in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, the military said, in an attack the Hamas militant group said it carried out in response to a two-day raid this week in Jenin.

The gunman fired at security forces who had stopped to inspect his vehicle by the Kdumim settlement near the Palestinian city Nablus, the Israeli military said.

He then fled the scene before he was tracked down and neutralized, the military said. Hamas claimed him as a member and confirmed his death.

The heroic operation comes as a quick response to the occupations aggression against our people in Jenin camp, Hamass armed wing Izzeldeen Al-Qassam Brigades said.

Israels two-day operation in nearby Jenin was its biggest in the West Bank in years, as escalating violence has caused increasing international alarm.

The Israeli military said the operation targeted infrastructure and weapons depots of militants. At least 12 Palestinians, most confirmed as militant fighters, and one Israeli soldier were killed.

The incursion, which began with drone strikes on Monday, followed by a sweep involving more than 1,000 Israeli troops, left a trail of wrecked streets and burned-out cars and sparked fury across the Arab world.

Israeli Settler leaders, who have strong representation in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus nationalist-religious government, have called on authorities to crack down further on Palestinian militants in the area.

The operation in Jenin was great but it is a drop in the ocean. We need to be inside those cities -inside Jenin, inside Nablus day and night. There are so many gunmen, so many militants there, said Kdumim resident Ozel Vatik.

Violence in the West Bank has worsened over the past 15 months, with increased Israeli raids, Palestinian street attacks and settler rampages in Palestinian villages.

U.S.-brokered peace talks, aimed at establishing a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, collapsed in 2014 and show no sign of revival.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who lives in Kdumim, said he would hasten existing plans for a new neighbourhood in the settlement in response to the attack.

Most countries deem Israels settlements in the territory it captured in the 1967 war as illegal, a view Israel disputes. Palestinians say their expansion denies them a viable state.

Hamas said in its statement that the attack was also a message to Smotrich that Qassam Brigades almost knocked at your door. Smotrich replied on Twitter that he was not afraid and will keep working to enable the Israel Defence Forces to destroy you.

SOURCE: REUTERS
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. We discussed today the future political relationship between our countries, our joint activity in international organizations. At the same time, definitely, on our agenda were issues related to trade, economy and investment opportunities, President Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Albania Bajram Begaj, Trend reports.

Statement by President Ilham Aliyev

- Esteemed Mr. President.

Dear guests.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Mr. President, welcome to Azerbaijan. Im very glad to have an opportunity to host you on an official visit. We met many times in Baku, in Tirana, and now again in Baku on an official visit.

We pay very big importance to the official visit of the President of Albania. I am sure the visit will strengthen close bilateral relations between our countries. Id like also to use this opportunity to express gratitude to you, Mr. President, for hospitality shown to me and my delegation during my last year`s visit to Albania. Also I would like to say that last year we hosted twice the Prime Minister of Albania and this March the President was on a working visit to Azerbaijan. So, only these visits demonstrate how close our relations are and how active our dialogue is.

We created a very special dynamism in our bilateral ties based on friendship and mutual support. We are actively working in international organizations, supporting each other, primarily in the United Nations and Islamic Cooperation Organization. At the same time, we are very grateful to Albania for supporting Azerbaijan in the organizations where Azerbaijan is not present. I already expressed my gratitude to Mr. President and the Government of Albania for support to Azerbaijan during the last year's Francophonie Summit, where there was an attempt by one member state of Francophonie to pass the paragraph and to include the paragraph into a final document - a paragraph of anti-Azerbaijani substance.

Albania was the country, which blocked that. And that was the demonstration of friendship, demonstration of strong commitment to basic principles of international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the countries. So even in the organizations, where Azerbaijan cannot defend itself, we have brother like Albania who did it. We're very grateful for that.

We discussed today, of course, the future political relationship between our countries, our joint activity in international organizations. At the same time, definitely, on our agenda were issues related to trade, economy and investment opportunities. Once again, I reiterated that Azerbaijani investors are ready to seriously consider investment projects in Albania, whether it's in tourism or agriculture, or in any other area. I think that in the coming months, we will have more information about that and that will open also a new page in our relations. Because so far, the main factor of our cooperation was related to the energy sector. And this cooperation is important not only for our countries, but for a big number of countries, particularly TAP, which is a part of the Southern Gas Corridor, which crosses Albanian territory, now is a source of energy security. Taking into account that active work of Azerbaijan and the European Union on gas supply issues and the document, which was signed between the European Union and Azerbaijan on strategic partnership in the energy area - all these, of course, are important factors for close cooperation between our countries. Because energy security for many European countries is provided also through the Southern Gas Corridor. The number of these countries is growing, Azerbaijan's gas export to European Union market is growing, the volumes are growing, and the geography is being expanded.

By the end of this year, we expect more EU member countries to start receiving natural gas from Azerbaijan. Also one of the topics of discussions during our previous communications was the project of gasification of Albania, and the pilot projects have been selected. And as we were informed today by members of the delegations, everything goes according to the schedule, and by the end of the year, we will have already the feasibility study of that. And after that, I hope we will start immediately the investment that will be purely Azerbaijani investments in Albania to build a gas distribution network. And also we discussed how we can extend our infrastructure from Albania to the neighboring countries.

I'm also very glad that we have now embassy in Tirana. That was also a decision, which was made during my visit to Albania. And as soon as I returned back to Baku the next day, the decision was made. And now our embassy in Tirana already started its activity. So, it demonstrates that there is a very strong mutual political will to develop our bilateral ties and also those decisions, which we adopted, all of them are being implemented.

I'm sure the same will be with respect to today's visit of Mr. President. We agreed to have regular meetings, and at every meeting we will review what has been done and plan our future steps.

Once again, Mr. President, welcome. Wish you a pleasant stay in Azerbaijan.
[July 06, 2023] BEST Vietnam and VNPAY Partner to Promote Cashless Payments in Vietnam Tweet

HANGZHOU, China, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BEST Vietnam today announced signing a cooperation agreement with VNPAY, a leading digital payment solution provider in Vietnam, to jointly promote cashless payment solutions in the country. Starting today, Vietnamese consumers can complete payment for their goods and shipping fees by scanning the VNPAY QR code provided by BEST express couriers. The QR code is generated independently for each shipment and covers 32 mainstream banks and 15 e-wallets in Vietnam. Fang Longqing, head of BEST Express Vietnam, said, "BEST has always been committed to promoting the logistics industry with technology. This cashless payment solution is another milestone on BEST's digital journey in Vietnam. In the future, we will strive o make more and more consumers complete online shopping using cashless payment solutions."



Fan also said BEST Vietnam will in next stage try to improving the efficiency of COD reconciliation, helping online shops receive payment on the same day. Ngo Anh Tuan, director of VNPAY QR code payment solution, said, "We hope that more customers can enjoy the fast, convenient, and secure cashless payment function of the digital age, and we also hope to optimize the workflow for BEST, thereby establishing a broader user base."

As cash on delivery model (COD) is the mainstream online shopping model in the nation, this cashless payment solution is expected to promote the COD model to a new level. According to Allied Market Research's Vietnam Express Delivery Services Market Report (2022-2030), the COD ratio for online purchase in Vietnam currently exceeds 80%. However, this model requires cash preparation by consumers, cash-carrying by couriers, daily bank trips by logistics stations, and high return rates for merchants, resulting in a fragmented, labor-intensive management. Good news is the trend of e-wallets becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam is facilitating cash-less transformation for online shopping. According to Robocash Group, about 57% of Vietnam's adult population actively uses e-wallets, in contrast to just 14% at the end of 2018, which is considered significant penetration. It is expected that the cooperation between BEST Vietnam and VNPAY will further popularize e-wallets and cashless payments in the country, and aid in the digital transformation of the logistics industry. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-vietnam-and-vnpay-partner-to-promote-cashless-payments-in-vietnam-301871714.html SOURCE BEST Inc.

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[July 07, 2023] Navegalo Unveils Its New State-of-the-Art Data Center in San Jose, Costa Rica, Expanding Opportunities for Global Enterprises Tweet

Navegalo, a leading provider of Data Center and Telecommunication services, is thrilled to announce the opening of its new state of the art Data Center in San Jose, Costa Rica, scheduled for August 15th, 2023. With over 20 years of industry experience, Navegalo has established itself as a trusted and reliable partner for global businesses, offering exceptional services and solutions. "This is a momentous occasion as we proudly unveil our new Data Center in San Jose. With our extensive expertise, dedication to sustainability, and commitment to operational excellence, Navegalo is well-positioned to provide global enterprises with reliable and eco-friendly Data Center solutions," said Tyson Ennis, CEO of Navegalo. This expansion solidifies Navegalo's position as the largest privately held Data Center company in Costa Rica. The new facility boasts 300 cabinets, including an exclusive 40 cabinet suite, providing ample space to colocate infrastructure and benefit from Navegalo's comprehensive suite of services. One outstanding feature of the new Data Center is its impressive power capacity. Initially providing 5MW of power, the facility can scale up to 15MW to meet the growing demands of global hyperscalers. Costa Rica's strategic location, skilled workforce, robust telecommunication infrastructure, proximity to the United States, and political sability make it an attractive choice for these tech giants, as well as global clients.



Designed with environmental stewardship in mind, Navegalo will achieve certifications such as Leed Gold, Carbon Neutral, ISO 14001, 14064, and 50001 by the end of the year. Navegalo has operated on 99% renewable energy for the past 7 years and plans to offset the remaining 1% through solar panels. This dedication to renewable energy aligns with the global trend towards green-powered Data Centers, making Navegalo an appealing choice for organizations seeking environmentally responsible solutions," said Denisse Salman, Navegalos Finance Director. By October 2023, Navegalo will be ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 compliant. The facility already holds Rated 3 certification according to ANSI/TIA-942 standards, with Tier III Certification by Uptime Institute expected later this year.

Connectivity is at the core of Navegalo's services, ensuring 100% redundancy and robust connectivity through its own capacity on three submarine cables-PAC, Arcos, and Maya. Cesar Sanabria, Navegalos Business Development Manager, expressed, "Clients will enjoy a highly connected environment, enabling them to thrive in the digital landscape, whether it's accessing cloud services, collaborating with global partners, or delivering content to end-users." This development signifies a significant advancement for businesses in Central America, providing cutting-edge infrastructure and world-class services closer to home. It highlights Navegalo's commitment to supporting the local economy, empowering businesses, and driving technological progress in the region. The launch of Navegalo's new Data Center on August 15th, 2023, marks an exciting chapter in the company's journey and reinforces its dedication to delivering cutting-edge infrastructure and services. It also further strengthens Costa Rica's position as a hub for technological innovation. For more information please visit www.navegalo.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230705602570/en/

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[July 07, 2023] Gate.HK Officially Joins the Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong, Fostering a Global Digital Asset Hub Tweet

HONG KONG, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gate.HK, the Hong Kong virtual asset exchange, today announced its official affiliation with the Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong, a move that underscores the company's commitment to fostering a world-leading digital asset hub. Following its successful launch and initiation of operations in May 2023, Gate.HK has now become an integral part of the newly established Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong. The affiliation holds substantial significance for both Gate.HK and the wider digital asset ecosystem. "We are honored to join the Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong and collaborate with other industry leaders to build the global Web 3.0 standards. With its expertise and abundant resources, Gate.HK will contribute to making Hong Kong a leading digital financial center worldwide," said Kevin Lee, CEO of Gate.HK. "We believe that this strategic partnership will bring significant advancements in Web 3.0 technology and usher in a new era of prosperity for the ntire industry."



The Hong Kong government actively supports the development of the Web 3.0 industry and has allocated HKD 50 million for the development of the Web 3.0 ecosystem. Former CEO of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Norman Chan Tak-lam, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Council of the Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong. The association is committed to driving technological transformation and industry upgrades, establishing industry standards, providing strategic guidance for the future development of the industry through professional research and extensive consultation, and collaborating with the government to implement relevant policies. As a part of the Institute of Web 3.0 Hong Kong, Gate.HK is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Web 3.0 landscape. The platform will leverage its robust technology stack, and in-depth industry knowledge, to introduce pioneering Web 3.0 services.

Gate.HK now offers virtual asset deposits and withdrawals, as well as spot trading on various virtual assets such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Litecoin (LTC). In the future, the platform will roll out various other services to provide a more extensive range of trading choices, tailoring each new product and service to meet the needs of users and the regulatory requirements in Hong Kong. Looking into the future, Gate.HK will collaborate closely with other members of the Institute and the government to ensure the sustainable and responsible growth of the Web 3.0 industry, reinforcing its commitment to deliver secure, compliant, and innovative virtual asset services. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/gatehk-officially-joins-the-institute-of-web-3-0-hong-kong-fostering-a-global-digital-asset-hub-301871747.html SOURCE Gate.HK

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[July 07, 2023] iWantGreatCare and Top Doctors merge to become the leading company for patient reviews in the healthcare sector Tweet

The goal is to become the reference company for reviews of doctors, clinics, and hospitals in the UK, to bring the best technology to the entire healthcare ecosystem, public and private LONDON, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Top Doctors, the leading technology group in the digital transformation of the healthcare sector and easy access to the best medical specialists, has announced its merger with the British company iWantGreatCare (IWGC), leading company in the patient experience of doctors, clinics, and hospitals. The operation, which was completed using their own funds, aims to create synergies between both teams to take on new business challenges: becoming the reference company for patient reviews of doctors, clinics, and hospitals in the UK, creating new synergies in the private sector and accelerating IWGC's penetration into the public sector. Alberto E Porciani, CEO and Co-founder of Top Doctors, affirms the merger will bolster their technology offerings, delivering an inclusive service for medical professionals, centres, hospitals, and patients. IWGC's review system, he says, integrates seamlessly with PHIN (Private Healthcare Information Network) and the NHS (National Health Service).



The merger is hailed as a breakthrough for UK patients, providers, and clinicians by Jon Twinn, CEO of IWGC. The fusion of Top Doctors and iWantGreatCareboth platforms committed to helping people find optimal carewill result in a powerful one-stop-shop for the UK public, the NHS, and the entire health sector. The merger will retain the distinct brands and teams. IWGC will operate as an independent entity within the Top Doctors Group, preserving its identity and workforce. The goal is to create synergies that offer top-notch technology to the entire healthcare ecosystem, improving care processes, and facilitating communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

IWGC has championed transparency in healthcare through patient reviews in the UK for 15 years, publishing over 6 million reviews. Its clients include a wide range of NHS and private providers from large hospital groups and Trusts to private clinics, GP Practices and hospices. The merger will amalgamate these with Top Doctors' own clients, establishing a growing international network of B2B partnerships. The merger brings the Top Doctors Group's total employee count to 455. The group expects to close the 2023 fiscal year with $28 million in annual recurring revenue, indicating a growth of over 50% compared to the previous year. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2148450/Top_Doctors_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/iwantgreatcare-and-top-doctors-merge-to-become-the-leading-company-for-patient-reviews-in-the-healthcare-sector-301871402.html

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[July 07, 2023] Rewilding Giant Tortoises Engineers Plant Communities: A Study Reveals the Impact of Megafauna Restoration on Galapagos Ecosystems Tweet

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS, Ecuador, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A groundbreaking study conducted by Galapagos Conservancy scientists has shed light on the transformative effects of reintroducing giant tortoises to island ecosystems. The research, published in the leading biodiversity conservation journal Conservation Letters, demonstrates that the restoration of these megafauna has profound consequences for plant communities and wildlife at both local and landscape scales. Trophic rewilding, which involves reintroducing large-animal populations to revive top-down interactions and reverse environmental degradation, has gained increasing attention as a strategy for restoring ecosystems. While the importance of megafauna restoration is well recognized, the impact on ecosystems once population restoration occurs has yet to be studied. The study by Galapagos Conservancy scientists Washington Tapia Aguilera and James P. Gibbs focused on a population of giant tortoises reintroduced to the arid island of Espanola in Galapagos. These tortoises have recovered from a low of 15 individuals to 3,000 today. Through careful monitoring and extensive vegetation mapping, the researchers discovered significant changes in plant communities have occurred in response to the restoration of the tortoises. At the local scale, the researchers used fenced exclosures to examine the effects of giant tortoise activity on plant community composition over eight years. The results indicated that the presence of reintroduced giant tortoises led to a shift in the ecosystem towards grasses, with a reduction in woodyplants through browsing and trampling.



These local impacts were manifested at the landscape scale. By assessing the extent of woody vegetation over 15 years in areas with varying densities of re-established tortoises, the researchers found that a threshold density of 1-2 tortoises per hectare halted the incursion of woody plants, resulting in reduced dominance of trees in areas where tortoises had become established. These findings have significant implications for ecosystem restoration and conservation efforts around the world. The restoration of giant tortoise populations has shaped plant communities and triggered cascading effects on many components of biodiversity on the island. By understanding the ecological consequences of reintroducing mega-reptiles like giant tortoises, conservationists can better inform and implement successful rewilding initiatives elsewhere.

This study represents a crucial step in understanding trophic rewilding and its potential to restore ecosystems. It highlights the importance of considering the unique characteristics of tropical island ecosystems which were once dominated by large-bodied reptiles and the transformative effects that restoring these megafauna can have on these fragile environments. About: Washington Tapia Aguilera is a conservation scientist specializing in the Galapagos Islands and Director General of Conservando Galapagos, Galapagos Conservancy's operating arm in the archipelago. James P. Gibbs is Acting President of Galapagos Conservancy and a distinguished professor at the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry. The study was conducted by Galapagos Conservancy in collaboration with the Galapagos National Park Directorate with funding from NASA. To read the article: The Society for Conservation Biology (wiley.com) For media inquiries, please contact: Barbara Arizaga

Director of Communications of Galapagos Conservancy

[email protected]

+593 99 2642234 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rewilding-giant-tortoises-engineers-plant-communities-a-study-reveals-the-impact-of-megafauna-restoration-on-galapagos-ecosystems-301871395.html SOURCE Galapagos Conservancy

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[July 07, 2023] Lottery results: analysis of exceptional winnings in June 2023 from renomovekasyno.pl Tweet

WARSAW, Poland, July 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- June was a very successful month for Lotto players with high jackpots almost every day. During the first 22 days of the month Lotto and Lotto Plus hit nine sixes each. Michal Stepien, an expert at renomowanekasyno.pl, analyzed Totalizator Sportowy's data for June and shared the biggest winnings of the month in Poland. Month of luck - highest winnings in Lotto Poland in June The month began with a big win for Ekstra Pensja in Toruniu (Kujawsko-Pomorskie wojewodztwo): PLN 5,000, paid monthly for 20 years. Interestingly, the winning ticket was purchased at the same LOTTO outlet at 15 Zolkiewskiego Street, where the previous Ekstra Pensja win was made in October 2017. Also in June, one lucky person almost managed to win a gigantic Eurojackpot jackpot of PLN 540,000,000! The first weekend of June was full of high lotto wins. In Radzymin near Warsaw, a player who picked his numbers at random won a rollover of more than PLN 14 million. This was the second winning "six" in Radzymin in the history of Lotto, the first fell in May 2009. The winning numbers 2, 15, 17, 31, 34 and 35 brought the lucky winner unimaginable wealth. At the same time, there was another lucky jackpot in Trzebnica, Lower Silesia, with a Lotto Plus win. It was the biggest win in the history of the lottery in that city. The key to this win was the numbers 4, 10, 19, 21, 23 and 27, which changed the life of the lucky winner forever. In the second week of June, the Eurojackpot drawing delighted residents of Poznan and Krakow. A player from Poznan, who placed two bets and picked his lucky numbers, celebrated a win of PLN 2,156,168.60. The triumph was the second largest win recorded in the city's history, with the highest being PLN 6,103,386.40 in 2022. The player came very close to hitting the jackpot, but still received an amount that changed his life. The lucky symbols were the winning numbers 5, 7, 21, 22, 29, 3 and 10. The Eurojackpot jackpot of June 5 also included third-degree high jackpots (5+0) - four were drawn, including one in Krakow. Is total amount is PLN 958,777.60.



Another June "six" in the lotto fell in Tuchorz (woj. Wielkopolskie), this time for PLN 2,158,827.50. It was here that someone bought a lucky bet on the six numbers that fell on Thursday: 6, 13, 21, 36, 45, 47. This is a local record in terms of winnings. The Lotto Plus jackpot was won on June 13, and the lucky bet was made at a LOTTO point in Nekla. It was the first high win in LOTTO number games in the city. The winning Lotto Plus numbers: 2, 4, 7, 12, 35, 46.

The June weekend was marked by unique and high winnings. For example, on June 10 in Swarzedz (woj. Wielkopolskie) there was an accumulation of PLN 1,000,000, which was the sixth "six" recorded in the city. The player made three random bets that led to the guaranteed jackpot. Interestingly, luck was also in the favor of another player, who picked six out of 49 numbers at the LOTTO office in Oborniki Slaskie in Lower Silesia, thanks to which both players won PLN 1,000,000 each, with the winning numbers of June 10 being 6, 29, 31, 40, 43 and 48. The following weekend, June 16-18, brought a number of significant wins, including two Eurojackpot jackpots of PLN 4,401,066.30 each, a lotto win of PLN 2,000,000, and an Extra Penny win of PLN 5,000, which will be paid monthly for 20 years. In Eurojackpot, the two lucky winners, one from Wroclaw and the other from Sosnowiec, trusted their luck and played randomly, winning PLN 4,401,066.30 on Friday. In the case of the lottery, the lucky bet was made on the lotto.pl website, where the new lotto-millionaire increased his chances by choosing 7 numbers instead of 6 (system bet). His Saturday winnings amounted to PLN 2,000,000, and thanks to the system game he earned another PLN 31,275.40. According to Ekstra Pensja, the main prize of PLN 5,000, which will be paid monthly for 20 years, was registered in Przemysl on Friday. On June 15, a resident of Szczecin hit his seventh "six" with a win of PLN 2,337,828.20. The player played at random. What's more, thanks to this win, 24 lotto millionaires have already registered at lotto offices in Szczecin. An exceptionally lucky place on June 20 turned out to be Kozieglowy near Poznan. It was here that a high Eurojackpot 2nd degree jackpot was won for exactly PLN 24,422,355.50. The person who played randomly in LOTTO was left with only one number to win the gigantic Eurojackpot jackpot of PLN 540,000,000! "It so happens that in June the main Eurojackpot jackpot was won, the stake of which was as much as PLN 540 million, unfortunately it did not happen in Poland, but in Germany." - Michal Stepien. The German player turned out to be luckier than others, being the only person in Europe to hit all the numbers, thanks to which he won a prize of 120 million euros (540 million PLN). This is the maximum possible win in Eurojackpot. Another noteworthy win came on June 21, when an inhabitant of Serakowice (Pomeranian Voivodeship) won PLN 1,000,000 in one of the Keno draws. The player relied on random selections and used x10 odds while buying the multiplier option, which resulted in a win of PLN 1,000,000 thanks to the x2 multiplier in this draw. And finally, at the end of the month, a player from Walcz (woj. zachodniopomorskie) achieved a remarkable win playing Multi Multi Plus. Multi Multi is a LOTTO game that offers extensive opportunities to personalize the player's experience. On June 28, the lucky player hit 9 of the 20 numbers drawn, with the Plus option being the last one selected. During the Multi Multi and Multi Plus promotion period, hitting 9 numbers resulted in a 50% increase in winnings. Thus, the player from Walcz secured a historic win of PLN 4,500,000. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/lottery-results-analysis-of-exceptional-winnings-in-june-2023-from-renomovekasynopl-301872000.html

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[July 07, 2023] The Government of Canada invests in the transition to zero emission transit vehicles in Orangeville Tweet

ORANGEVILLE, ON, July 7, 2023 /CNW/ - Today, Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North, and Her Worship Lisa Post, Mayor of the Town of Orangeville, announced a federal investment of more than $83,000 to support planning activities for a transition to zero emission buses in Orangeville. This investment will enable the development of a transit fleet electrification transition plan, which will inform the procurement of electric buses and charging infrastructure. Studies conducted through this project will result in a comprehensive report that will guide Orangeville's investments and decision-making regarding the implementation of a zero-emission transit fleet. By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country's economy, building resilient communities, and improving the lives of Canadians. Quotes "Reducing carbon emissions is an urgent priority to protect our environment and Canadians. By investing in the development of zero emission public transit plans at the community level, we are supporting a cleaner, more prosperous future for all. The Government of Canada will continue to work with partners like the Town of Orangeville to ensure no one is left behind as we strive towards a net-zero economy by 2050." Ruby Sahota, Member of Parliament for Brampton North, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities "Transportation is the Town of Orangeville's largest contributing sector to community GHG emissions. This study will outline a step-by-step process that council can consider as a means to replace transit buses with battery electric vehicles after the lease of the new, smaller on-demand buses is completed in 2028. Shifting away from fossil fuel engines, towards zero emission alternatives, presents an opportunity for significant GHG emission reductions and is a step closer to the Town's goal of reaching net-zero by 2050." Her Worship Lisa Post, Mayor of the Town of Orangeville Quick facts The Government of Canada is investing more than $83,000 in this project through the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF). The Town of Orangeville is investing over $34,000 . The ZETF is accepting applications under the Planning and Capital streams. Eligible applicants can seek funding to help cover planning and capital costs related to electrifying school transportation and public transit systems, including the purchase of zero-emission buses and related infrastructure.

The ZETF helps communities transition to zero emission transit and school buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to Canada's net-zero emissions targets. By electrifying their bus fleets, communities are working toward a cleaner environment for our kids while creating jobs and supporting Canadian manufacturing.

net-zero emissions targets. By electrifying their bus fleets, communities are working toward a cleaner environment for our kids while creating jobs and supporting Canadian manufacturing. This Fund is closely coordinated with the Canada Infrastructure Bank's Zero emission Bus Initiative through which the CIB has committed more than $1.5 billion to supporting the deployment of zero emission buses.

to supporting the deployment of zero emission buses. The Government of Canada is investing $14.9 billion over eight years, starting in 2021, in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes $3 billion per year in predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27.

is investing over eight years, starting in 2021, in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes per year in predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has invested over $24.8 billion in transit projects across the country, providing Canadians with cleaner and more efficient commuting options.

has invested over in transit projects across the country, providing Canadians with cleaner and more efficient commuting options. The Zero Emission Transit Fund complements Canada's strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. The plan commits the Government of Canada to provide permanent federal funding for public transit in support of making clean and affordable transportation options available in every community. Associated Links



Zero Emission Transit Fund

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/zero-emissions-trans-zero-emissions/index-eng.html Strengthened Climate Plan

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-plan/climate-plan-overview.html

Canada Infrastructure Bank  Zero Emission Buses Initiative

https://cib-bic.ca/en/sectors/public-transit/ Federal infrastructure investments in Ontario

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-on-eng.html Follow us on Twitter , Facebook , Instagram and LinkedIn

Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

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[July 07, 2023] Ausdia Introduces Spreadsheet Constraints at the 60th Design Automation Conference Tweet

DESIGN AUTOMATION CONFERENCE - Ausdia, the leading developer of design constraints verification and management solutions, introduced a significant enhancement to its SDC platform at the 60th Design Automation Conference (DAC) 2023. Timevision SC allows constraint developers to both read and write timing constraints in a Spreadsheet format - typically ExcelTM. This empowers users to express their design intentions in a simple, reviewable format, with Timevision automation taking care of the complexities of translation to exact SDC syntax. Users can also export existing SDC to SC (Spreadsheet Constraints) format for simplified review and porting. "We use Ausdia's Timevision constraints verification platform on multiple blocks and SoC level for both bakend and frontend flow. This helped to improve the constraints quality. As a part of constraints handoff, we use Timevision SC. Ausdia enhanced the constraints management platform with new spreadsheet-based flows," said Ateet Mishra, Director, SOC Implementation at NXP Semiconductors. "Spreadsheet based constraints methodology is critical for the flow which enables us to maintain, propagate and integrate the constraints throughout RTL to GDSII flow. Also, easy to debug and track the constraints changes," added Piyush Gaur, Lead Design Engineer at NXP Semiconductors.



Timevision SC is in production currently at several major semiconductor houses, including NXP. Timevision is a comprehensive timing constraints development, verification and management solution that complements all implementation and timing signoff flows. It has the capacity to handle over 1 billion cells and thousands of clocks. Timevision integrates with all aspects of the design flow and is used before synthesis, before DFT insertion, before place and route, and when signoff timing is being run. Timevision helps designers create good SDC constraints and is a verification platform for existing timing constraints.

Ausdia is highlighting the Timevision platform in booth #2311 at the Design Automation Conference (DAC) at the San Francisco Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, CA from July 10 - 12, 2023. About Ausdia Ausdia delivers standout timing constraint development, verification, and management solutions that complement all implementation and timing signoff flows. The company's groundbreaking methodology and products give system-on-chip (SoC) and integrated circuit (IC) developers a new way to work, enabling massive productivity gains throughout the design flow. Founded in 2006, the privately held company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Ausdia acknowledges trademarks or registered trademarks of other organizations for their respective products and services. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230707818139/en/

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. It's a great pleasure for me to meet you today here in the great and beautiful city of Baku, President of Albania Bajram Begaj said at an expanded meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"I'm convinced that intensity of our meetings reaffirm again our commitment and common will to boost our relations between the two countries, which under the spirit of fraternal friendship and cooperation have been experiencing dynamic development in recent years both in political and economic fields.

As you (President Ilham Aliyev - ed) said, we have excellent relationship, and we have to work to make excellent economical relation. I'd like to appreciate your personal contribution and commitment to this new page of history of relations between the two countries," Bajram Begaj noted.
[July 07, 2023]

Media Statement - Advertising Pause on Facebook and Instagram

TORONTO, July 7, 2023 /CNW/ - Wade Oosterman, Bell Media President, today released the following statement:

"As Meta continues with its plan to block Canadian news content from its digital platforms, we are immediately pausing our advertising on Facebook and Instagram.

Like many Canadians, we are concerned about the consequences Meta's decision to block links from Canadian news organizations will have on Canadians, and all those who reside or work here, all of whom should be able to rely on independent and trusted news from Canadian sources.

The Online News Act will provide the necesary framework for fair negotiations for access to valuable news content with a Canadian perspective, which is critical for our democracy.







Canadians can stay informed and continue to get and share the information and breaking news stories that will impact them, from their local community, and from around the world, by downloading Bell Media's news apps and by continuing to visit our news websites, such as CTVNews.ca, CP24.com and noovo.info."

Media Inquiries:

[email protected]

SOURCE Bell Canada
Any kind of blame isn't a good look when the words don't come with any hint of a solution.

Moreover . . .

With no documented fundraising and suffering an 80 point blow-out . . . Mr. Chastain has yet to take any personal responsibility for his own political demise . . . Consider . . . Only around a decade ago he managed to win a citywide light rail victory that was, tragically, never honored. So there's no real reason to discount his impressive influence that comes without any sizable corporate or partisan connection.



Still . . .

We want to share his perspective as an alternative glimpse of the KCMO discourse . . .



Activist Clay Chastain Press release: Is the local media (led by the KC Star & KCUR) the root of all the civic ill descending upon murderous, glitz-oriented and disparity-ridden Kansas City?



A town may be only as good as its leadership, but the quality of that leadership is only as good as the media that scrutinizes it. First, how good is KC right now?



"Our Town" is...very dangerous, the people don't vote, open public debate of ideas is discouraged, it has no decent transit system, people continue fleeing the City south of the river and its black population continues to suffer untold disparity of all kinds amid untold glitz of all kinds. What does that say about the local media that is supposed to pay attention to what has been happening to KC? Why has open public debate been stifled in KC during its decline? Why is the media focused on who - not what?



For instance, during the race for Mayor, much of the shallow, fallen media ignored the qualified challenger (seemingly because he runs often & primarily resides elsewhere) rather than reporting on his ideas to fix the City and help its people. C.J. Janovy's Public Radio Station (KCUR) never even spoke to Chastain. Reporter Mike Hendricks of the Star did not speak to Chastain (about his platform) until the just days before the election. Likewise, the TV media waited until the final seconds to cover the race and interview Candidate Chastain.



Unlike KC-born Mayor Lucas, Outsider Chastain was full of ideas to "bind our (City's) wounds" & put it back on track. But his message hit the iron-media who demonstrated it cared more about stopping an activist (they disliked) than educating the people on ideas that could help them, reduce the on-going carnage and uplift the City itself. After years of biased, unprofessional and underreporting from our "Watch dogs", is it any wonder the KC Community has slumped to an all-time low. Is it any wonder KC suffers from having one of the highest rates of homicide in America. Is it any wonder only a smidgen of voters exercised their right to vote on June 20, 2023. I heard from many citizens I approached (with my Campaign Flyers) that they were unaware there was even a Mayoral election going on! I told them that was understandable because Mayor Lucas refused to debate & the hapless media refused to call him out and demand he debate. Furthermore, all the (planned) Mayoral Public Forums were cancelled because the event's hosts told me the Mayor would not be attending.

Mayor Quinton Lucas played those people and the local media like (willing) chumps - at the expense of the public & democracy.



Since the Mayor does not know what to do, a Major (Citizen-led) Petition Initiative is now underway to directly, and indirectly, fix many of KC's serious problems (*Green City Initiative*) . So far, the media seems unconcerned.



"When will they ever learn"?



Activist, Clay Chastain

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You decide . . .


We've got a lot of items to cover in this compilation but the most important is Guv Parson on the wrong side of legislation against celebratory gunfire . . .



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Gov. Parson vetoes bill that includes 'Blair's Law' on celebratory gunfire Gov. Mike Parson has vetoed a Missouri bill that includes "Blair's Law," aiming to criminalize celebratory gunfire across the state.

Missouri governor explains why he vetoed bill that included Blair's Law "[T]hese unintended consequences unfortunately outweigh the good," the governor said, in part. "I cannot sign this bill with these provisions as they are currently written."

In other crime reporting news . . .

Kansas City man with chronic DWI history allegedly stole KCATA bus, led cops on chase The bus operator was in the bathroom when the bus was stolen from 74th and Broadway streets, a KCATA spokeswoman said.

Police search for man who robbed CVS store on July 5 in south Kansas City, Missouri KCMO police need the public's help to find a man who robbed a CVS store on July 5 in south Kansas City.

KC man sentenced to 46 years in prison for murder, kidnapping A Kansas City, Missouri, man has been sentenced to 46 years in prison more than two years after the kidnapping and murder of Gilberto Gutierrez, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced Thursday.

Grain Valley murder trial gets into KCK woman's death As the trial continues for a Grain Valley couple accused of murder, witness testimony dove into what happened to Kensie Aubrey before she died.

KCPD seeking to identify suspect vehicle from robbery The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department is attempting to identify a suspect vehicle from a July 3 robbery.

Family of Kansas City hit-and-run victim remember his life and ask for tips The family of Kyle Clary, the 36-year-old brother, father of three and fiance who was struck and killed by a driver last month, is hoping for the driver to be held responsible.

Developing . . .
In a few moments we will be talking to Pete Mundo . . . It might not be as exciting as SFW Instagram fun times from Brazzers but we'll try to keep it as captivating as possible.



In the meantime we're checking pop culture, community news and top headlines to start the day . . .



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City Activities Other Than Paying For Some Lady's Private Jet

Weekend Possibilities | Taylor Swift, Vine Street Brewing and a Bike Ride If you weren't lucky enough to land tickets to Taylor Swift's sold-out shows at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend, Flatland feels for you.

Country Club Cont'd

Husch Blackwell signs 12-year lease extension at the Plaza Colonnade building - Kansas City Business Journal Husch Blackwell plans a major remodel of its office space in the Plaza Colonnade building now that it has signed a 12-year lease extension. The firm, an anchor tenant since the building at 4801 Main St. opened, will be there through at least 2037.

JoCo Road Work Ramps Up

69 Highway ramp in Overland Park closing for weeks for toll lane project Kansas drivers should plan for some delays as state road crews work to build a new toll lane on U.S. 69 Highway in Overland Park.

Resolving Culture War With Local Coffee

Harry Potter Pops Up for Lion House at PH Coffee - IN Kansas City Magazine Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling's relationship with the LGBTQ+ community has been contentious since a series of transphobic tweets in 2020. Rowling refused to back down or apologize even after backlash from the industry and cast of the Harry Potter film franchise, disappointing Harry Potter fans in the queer community who found comfort in the...

Meth Town Cooks New Batch

Home Baker Creates Epic Custom Cannabis Cakes Melissa Lewis has gained a following baking creative cannabis-infused cakes in her modest ranch house in Independence. She brings an artistic eye to her cakes.

Tech Smut Crackdown For Realz

You Can't Access Pornhub in Mississippi or Virginia Anymore The popular porn site claimed mandatory age verification laws led to 80% drop in traffic. Similar laws are already incoming in Texas and Montana.

Euro War Escalates

Biden to Send Bombs Banned by 120+ Countries to Ukraine The weapons can pose a deadly threat to civilians long after a conflict has ended.

More Trouble Awaits MAGA

Ex-prosecutor: Redactions in unsealed Trump search warrant affidavit suggest "additional charges" "The real story is what is left that is redacted," says former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade.

GOP Crafts 2nd Place Showdown

Ron DeSantis says he'll debate with or without Trump: 'I'll be there' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis told Fox News he plans to participate in the first GOP presidential debate in August, whether or not Trump attends.

Talker Offers Decent Theory

Christie says Trump kept classified docs because 'he wants to pretend he's still president' Republican presidential candidate and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said on Thursday that he believes former President Trump kept classified documents after leaving the White House because "he wants to pretend he's still president." "I think it was purely ego," Christie told CNN's Jake Tapper.

Far East Trade War Update

Yellen criticises Chinese curbs against US firms The US Treasury Secretary said decoupling the world's two largest economies would destabilise the global economy.

Taste Test Debate

'Forever chemicals' could be in nearly half of U.S. tap water, a federal study finds A new government study estimates that at least 45% of the nation's tap water could be contaminated with one or more forms of PFAS. Here's what to do if you're worried about what's in your faucet.

Tech Fight Proves Deadly

Ukraine gained advantage in war against Putin with custom-built AI: 'unprecedented testing ground' Ukraine developed its own artificial intelligence platform after looking at ten others. It used a tailor-made system to avoid handing sensitive data to any company.

Holy Land Conflict Recruits Even More Future Combatants

The Jenin incursion was meant to weaken militant groups. It has ended up deepening the defiance of Palestinian fighters | CNN At the gates of Jenin's government hospital on Wednesday, dozens of armed Palestinian militants and their families gathered to collect their dead, just hours after hundreds of Israeli soldiers withdrew from the city's sprawling refugee camp.

Ridiculous French Connection

After days of destruction, Macron blames a familiar bogeyman: video games Violence has erupted across France after the fatal police shooting of a teen. President Macron has, in part, blamed video games, adding him to the list of leaders who have cited the debunked theory.

Insta Outrage Aftermath

Keke Palmer's Boyfriend Criticizes Her Dress-And Faces Outrage And Sexism Allegations Palmer's boyfriend Darius Jackson criticized Palmer for wearing a revealing dress because she is a mother, citing his "standards and morals."

Rap Music Testimony Reported

SleazyWorld Go reached the national hip-hop stage by rapping about Kansas City violence Joseph Isaac overcame his own obstacles to become the most popular artist from Kansas City in years. His songs depict the tragic bloodshed caused by an ongoing plague of violent crime, and earned him a spot in XXL magazine's Freshman Class of 2023.

Hipsters Scarf It Up

22nd Friends of James Beard benefit celebrates the KC culinary scene in high fashion If you follow the restaurant industry in Kansas City, you hear about the big-name chefs and their businesses. The American, which opened in 1974, stood out as one of the top restaurants in the country and was home-at one point in time-to many of the city's greatest chefs.

Local Science Stays Winning

Kansas City scientists at Stowers Institute researching memory diseases find breakthrough Huntington's and Alzheimer's - they're progressive, chronic long-lived memory diseases. Scientists are trying to understand them because they know the toll it takes on families.

Dead-Tree Documents Demise

How did it get this bad for the Kansas City Royals? Start here The Kansas City Royals hold the eighth pick in the MLB Draft, looking to accelerate a rebuilding process. Their draft history hasn't helped.

Forecast For The Eras . . .

Waves of showers and thunderstorms could threaten any outdoor plans Today is a First Alert Weather Impact day

Taylor Swift - Lavender Haze is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
Even on the nice side of the bridge . . . Local desperation continues to impact the current killing crisis confronting Kansas City, MO . . . .

Check the report and more info . . .





Homicide 3700 block N. College



This morning just after 11am officers were dispatched to the 3700 block of North College on a shooting call.



On arrival officers were directed to a vehicle in front of a residence there. Inside the vehicle officers located two unresponsive victims (one adult male and one adult female) that appeared to have been shot.



Officered summoned EMS to the scene who declared the victims both deceased here at the scene.



Callers told officers they heard a loud noise and looked outside and saw someone unresponsive in the vehicle in front of the residence and called police.



Homicide detectives have responded and begun their investigation. Preliminarily they are investigating this case as an apparent murder-suicide. Crime scene investigators have responded as well and are processing the scene for evidence.



Detectives are not seeking any additional persons of interest in this case.



We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

############



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Police investigate possible murder-suicide Thursday in Kansas City, North Police say they are investigating the shooting deaths of two people found around 11 a.m. Thursday morning as a possible murder-suicide.

Two people found dead in Kansas City's Northland Kansas City police are investigating after officers found two dead in a Northland neighborhood near N.E. Winn Road and N. College Avenue.

KCPD investigating apparent murder-suicide early Thursday afternoon in 3700 block of North College This morning just after 11 a.m., officers were dispatched to the scene on a shooting call

Developing . . .
TKC Post title reference . . .

We note the infamous "Democracy Manifest" clip that has earned a blessed resurgence in the aftermath of the pandemic . . . And remains just as succulent as ever . . . TKC doesn't ever want to get arrested, we attempt to keep our side of the street clean, BUT it's becoming evermore apparent that total submission to authority is a worsening reality/demand of American life . . .

And so . . . If it ever goes down . . . I can only hope it will be this gully . . .



And with that . . . Here's a quick litany of Taylor Swift links that dominate local media right now but don't really qualify as news . . . Posted just to get them out of the way . . .



'Swifties' from across the metro area getting ready for Taylor Swift at Arrowhead Stadium KMBC's Jackson Kurtz spoke to Taylor Swift fans from not only Kansas City, but St. Louis, Chicago and California.

Taylor Swift shows leave Kansas City-area hotels packed this weekend The incoming wave of Taylor Swift fans appears to have lined up most - if not all - hotel rooms in the Kansas City area.

$4,750 for Taylor Swift: Here's how much Kansas City fans spent on the Eras Tour Taylor Swift fans are coming to Kansas City from near and far to attend her Eras tour. VisitKC expects fans to spend about $46 million during the concert weekend. We gathered a group of Swifties to tell us exactly how much they spent for the experience of a lifetime.

Kansas City expected to see millions in economic impact from Taylor Swift concerts The two Taylor Swift concerts at Arrowhead Stadium Friday and Saturday night are expected to have a $46 million impact for the Kansas City Metro area.

NewsChopper 9 gets a closer look at the stage for Taylor Swift's concerts at Arrowhead Stadium Crews were working to get the stage ready for Friday and Saturday's concerts.

Lee's Summit tattoo shop offers Taylor Swift ink ahead of concert There may not be a more quintessential mark of fanhood than a tattoo to show how much they admire their idol.

How a 'City Hall Swiftie committee' is bringing joy (and business) to NKC as concert tour hits Arrowhead In June, North Kansas City Mayor Bryant DeLong announced that Swift Street in NKC was to be temporarily renamed Swift Street (Taylor's Version) in honor of the artist coming July 7-8 to Kansas City for her Eras Tour concert series. The move aimed to bring fans to the Northland, and the selfie parade proves it's working.

Taylor Swift in Kansas City is a 'Gold Rush' for local businesses Visit KC estimates Taylor Swift's tour stop in Kansas City will generate $46 million in economic impact.

Developing . . .
An interesting report that leans toward the progressive viewpoint . . .

To be fair, election fraud in Kansas is a curious question given that it's still a very red state. The only major change has been in JoCo wherein shifting demographics and the rise of middle-class, progressive Gen-X & Millennial white lady voters can easily explain a shift toward Democratic Party leanings.

Here's the word . . .



The report from the auditing arm of the Republican-controlled Legislature is the second on election security issues this year and was initiated amid an ongoing circulation of baseless election conspiracy theories among GOP conservatives. The first report, released in February, said auditors couldn't tell whether county election workers are being adequately trained because no one tracks this, and state law says very little about it."



Like their counterparts in other states, Kansas supporters of former President Donald Trump have suggested that fraud is a major issue in the state's elections despite the lack of evidence of a significant problem. However, rather than attempt to bolster or undercut such claims, the two audits this year have focused on election procedures and whether they represent election security gaps.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
A local tradition . . . Kansas City endures fatal gunfire and our political leaders launch into an all-singing-all-dancing partisan blame game.

Here's today's ritual . . .

Law enforcement said a cell phone at the scene and pants with gunshot residue gave investigators evidence on the shooters possible motive, as did statements provided by the surviving victims. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker added that surveillance video from that night will help the ongoing investigation.



There is a lot of other physical evidence. I think that's sort of the recipe, Baker said. We can bring all of that together. Really, it's each piece of the puzzle that's needed here.



Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the proliferation of guns, combined with Missouris lax gun laws, are factors that contribute to shootings like the one at Klymax. Kansas City is unable to pass any local gun control regulations because of state law.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Man charged with murder in May mass shooting at Kansas City nightclub The county prosecutor's office filed charges against Isiah Clinton for the shooting at Klymax Lounge that killed three.

Kansas City man facing 3 counts of 1st degree murder in May nightclub shooting A Kansas City, Missouri, man is facing three counts of first degree murder in the May nightclub shooting deaths of Antoinette Brenson, Clarence Henderson and Jason McConnell.

Jackson County prosecutor announces murder charges in deadly Klymax Lounge shooting 3 died and 2 were wounded in the shooting on May 21, 2023

Developing . . .
Kansas City bucks a nationwide trend as we cope with an ongoing homicide crisis that, yet again, is on a record-breaking pace that threatens to surpass historic markers for local bloodshed.

From our vantage . . .

When we talk about KCPD "local control" we should remember this deadly surge in the face of declining U.S. numbers overall because the trend proves that circumstances related to policing in Kansas City drastically differ from other parts of the nation.

Political gridlock between KC and the Missouri GOP has allowed so many local issues to fester and the homicide crisis is the most important problem but just one of a litany of issues confronting this cowtown.

For now . . . We check the data and remind everyone to stay safe . . .



Murder rates are down about 11% so far this year, according to AH Datalytics crime analyst Jeff Asher, who collects data from more than 90 U.S. cities.



Murders are declining even as mass shootings are on track to meet or exceed the levels recorded in 2021, which was the worst year for mass shootings since at least 2014, when the Gun Violence Archive first started tracking shooting data.



Despite the overall decrease in murder rates in the U.S., some cities have seen an increase, including Washington, D.C. (13.5%), Cleveland (33.8%), Dallas (5.5%), Kansas City (32.8%) and Nashville (5.8%).

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
From city-specific couture looks to a pop-up shop, Queen Bey is bringing the magic with fantastical looks from the worlds top designers. Next stop: Canada.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. We pay very big importance to the official visit of the President of Albania. I am sure the visit will strengthen close bilateral relations between our countries, President Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Albania Bajram Begaj, Trend reports.

"We created a very special dynamism in our bilateral ties based on friendship and mutual support. We are actively working in international organizations, supporting each other, primarily in the United Nations and Islamic Cooperation Organization. At the same time, we are very grateful to Albania for supporting Azerbaijan in the organizations where Azerbaijan is not present. I already expressed my gratitude to Mr. President and the Government of Albania for support to Azerbaijan during the last year's Francophonie Summit, where there was an attempt by one member state of Francophonie to pass the paragraph and to include the paragraph into a final document - a paragraph of anti-Azerbaijani substance," President Ilham Aliyev said.
Blue Marlin Dive was the first ever established 5 Star PADI IDC Centre in the Gili Islands, Indonesia offering the full range of recreational, professional and technical diving options. Right from beginner level to professional Instructor training.



(TRAVPR.COM) INDONESIA - July 7th, 2023 - Gili Trawangan, Indonesia - July 3, 2023 - Blue Marlin Dive, the first-ever PADI 5 Star IDC Centre in the Gili Islands, invites divers of all levels to experience the ultimate scuba diving programs and courses. With over 30 years of operation, Blue Marlin Dive is renowned for its exceptional dive training and commitment to providing the highest standard of service in the region.

Nestled on the picturesque island of Gili Trawangan, Blue Marlin Dive offers an array of PADI Scuba Diving Programs and courses that cater to beginners, professional Divemasters, Instructors, and even technical diving enthusiasts. The experienced and multilingual team of dedicated instructors at Blue Marlin Dive are passionate about helping divers of all backgrounds achieve their underwater ambitions and goals.

Gili Trawangan provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable diving experience. With close and comfortable dive site journeys, crystal-clear waters, and a rich diversity of marine life, divers can explore the wonders of the underwater world in optimal conditions. Whether you're a new diver or have years of experience, Blue Marlin Dive ensures a safe and thrilling adventure that will leave you in awe.

But Blue Marlin Dive offers more than just exceptional dive experiences. Their beachfront restaurant and onsite hotel make it the perfect place to stay, dine, and indulge in the beauty of Gili Trawangan. Located just a short walk from the harbor, Blue Marlin Dive's friendly staff are always ready to provide expert advice and guidance, ensuring every diver finds the best options to suit their preferences.

"At Blue Marlin Dive, we are dedicated to delivering an unparalleled diving experience," says John Smith, Marketing Manager at Blue Marlin Dive. "Our goal is to not only provide top-notch dive training but also create memories that will last a lifetime. We invite divers from around the world to join us in Gili Trawangan and discover the true essence of scuba diving."

For more information about Blue Marlin Dive and to book your diving adventure, visit their website at https://www.bluemarlindive.com/gili_trawangan/padi_courses/

Contact: info@bluemarlingilitrawangan.com Phone: +62 821-4785-0413

About Blue Marlin Dive: Blue Marlin Dive is the first-ever PADI 5 Star IDC Centre established in the Gili Islands, offering a comprehensive range of PADI Scuba Diving Programs and courses. With over 30 years of experience, Blue Marlin Dive sets the highest standard in dive training and aims to provide an unforgettable diving experience in the tropical paradise of Gili Trawangan.

###
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. I already expressed my gratitude to Mr. President and the Government of Albania for support to Azerbaijan during the last year's Francophonie Summit, where there was an attempt by one member state of Francophonie to pass the paragraph and to include the paragraph into a final document - a paragraph of anti-Azerbaijani substance. And Albania was the country, which blocked that, President Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Albania Bajram Begaj, Trend reports.

And that was the demonstration of friendship, demonstration of strong commitment to basic principles of international law, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the countries. So even in the organizations, where Azerbaijan cannot defend itself, we have brother like Albania who did it. And we're very grateful for that, the head of state noted.
A new set of video and audio recordings have surfaced, and this time, these recordings were done by the THA Chief Secretary, who claimed the recordings implicated the Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, the Commissioner of Police Erla Christopher, the Integrity Commission, and PNM Tobago Council Political Leader Ancil Dennis, among others, in an alleged conspiracy to dismantle the present THA administration.
By Jeff Murphy, July 7, 2023





In this file photo from February 2022, Missouri Governor Mike Parson, who signed House Bill 417 this week, is shown visiting with members of the University of Central Missouri Board of Governors shortly afer he hosted a rountable discussion at UCM on workforce development and higher education. From left are former student board member Zac Racy, Gov. Parson, Dr. Gus Wetzel II and Ken Weymuth.



WARRENSBURG, MO  Creating a new Upskill Credential workforce training program, Missouri House Bill 417 will position the states businesses to better address obstacles that impact their growth and profitability with assistance from institutions such as the University of Central Missouri.



An opportunity for businesses to train to retain, the new program established under HB 417 creates competitive grants to reimburse employers who provide training opportunities to upskill their employees with short-term industry-recognized credentials. This initiative is directed to small- and medium-size businesses, allowing them to sponsor their best employees to take courses that expand their knowledge and skill in high-demand jobs. The bill was signed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson on July 6.



We are extremely grateful for the support Missouri Governor Mike Parson and our legislators who have made this opportunity possible. It is a win for the businesses where skilled employees are needed, and it is a win for the employees who have a new opportunity to expand their skill set and receive a high wage, said Laurel Hogue, vice provost for online learning and engagement at UCM. She added that opportunities for employees to advance in their careers and receive a better income also mean better quality of life for Missourians who benefit from this program.



HB 417 was sponsored by Representative Mike Henderson, R-117, Bonne Terre, Missouri. Recognizing the bill as an investment in the states workforce, it has been supported by organizations such as the Missouri Chamber of Commerce. In an annual survey, the Missouri Chamber found 50 percent of all businesses cited workforce concerns as the most significant challenge to growth. Survey respondents noted that improving the availability of qualified talent is most important to profitability.



The Upskill Credential program is modeled after the extremely successful TechCred program that was initiated in Ohio. More than 2,100 employers in that state have utilized this program to upskill thousands of workers, an effort which Missouri hopes to replicate.



HB 417 authorizes the General Assembly to appropriate up to $6 million a year toward the Upskill Credential Training Fund. A qualifying employer could receive up to $30,000 in grant funding on the basis of a competitive application process.



Offering classes for entry level as well as professional development, UCM is positioned to assist in addressing workforce concerns expressed in this legislation. This includes assistance for employers in the healthcare industry who want to help their employees earn industry-recognized credentials needed to become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), work in Phlebotomy, serve as a Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), and several other high-demand areas. UCM also offers Hazmat certification, and certifications in trades such as Warehouse Distribution and Project Management. In Fall 2023 and Spring 2024, the university will offer pre-apprenticeship opportunities for positions in Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical professions. Other important certification areas in which UCM can assist are Information Technology and Cybersecurity.



In addition to Upskill Credentialing, HB 417 also includes the Intern and Apprentice Recruitment Act. Assisting small- and medium-sized employers, this act provides an income tax credit of $1,500 for each intern or apprentice hired at a pay rate equal to or greater than the minimum wage, provided that the number of interns and apprentices employed during the tax year exceeds the average number of interns and apprentices employed by the business for the previous three years. This act becomes effective Jan 1, 2024, and the maximum tax credit will be $9,000 per year. Interns and apprentices also must work a certain number of hours as stipulated by the bill.



Individuals who want to know more about UCMs industry recognized credentials are encouraged to contact workforce@ucmo.edu. Learn more about UCMs educational opportunities on its Warrensburg campus and in Lees in Summit by visiting ucmo.edu.
Slovakia will soon deliver 16 more Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery pieces to Ukraine.

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said this at a joint press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Bratislava on Friday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

Caputova said that Slovakia had provided Ukraine with air defense equipment and combat aircraft and that cooperation in this area was gradually switching to cooperation in other areas. She said that a contract for the supply of 16 Zuzana 2 howitzers to Ukraine had been signed and that this would happen very soon.

She added that Slovakia and Ukraine planned to jointly develop a new type of howitzer and start joint production of Zuzana ammunition and the Bozena demining system.

Caputova said Ukraine was willing to increase the amount of demining equipment.

In January, Slovakia sent the last of the eight Zuzana 2 self-propelled artillery pieces purchased by Ukraine.
Having played a crucial role in Azerbaijans formation and development, Heydar Aliyev left an indelible mark in the history of Azerbaijan. "Azerbaijan & Heydar Aliyev" is a special project of Trend News Agency, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the national leader, which will cover key events of Heydar Aliyev's work in the years of his leading Azerbaijan.

On July 7, 2000, the national leader visited the UN center in Vienna, where he met with the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Head of the UN Mission in Austria, Pino Arlacchi. Heydar Aliyev described in detail the problems in the work of international institutions when it comes to interethnic conflicts.

After gaining state independence in 1991, Azerbaijan was immediately recognized by the United Nations and is a member of the UN, he recalled.

"We appreciate it as one of the most important factors of our independence. We constantly cooperate and will continue to cooperate with the United Nations Organization. To tell the truth, some issues in the period of cooperation with the United Nations Organization cause our dissatisfaction. It is connected with the fact that the United Nations Organization cannot take effective decisions in our region towards the settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan. As you know, as a result of this conflict, the armed forces of Armenia have occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory. More than a million Azerbaijanis banished from native hearths have been living in different places of our country in extremely hard conditions for a long time, 6-7 years," Heydar Aliyev noted.

As he pointed out, in 1992-1993, when Armenian troops occupied Azerbaijani territories, Azerbaijan appealed to the United Nations Organization.

"The United Nations Organization considered these appeals in the Security Council four times and may be more. In any case, the Security Council of the United Nations Organization adopted four resolutions on the unconditional withdrawal of Armenian troops from Azerbaijan. The UNO Security Council has also adopted several special statements in this connection. However, Armenia, being a member of the United Nations Organization, fulfilled none of the decisions adopted by the UN Security Council. It comes out that the Security Council passes a decision but does not fulfill it. And this does not do credit to the United Nations Organization," the National Leader said.

Heydar Aliyev noted that he was told that there was no mechanism for implementing resolutions and decisions of the United Nations Security Council.

"But if there is no such a mechanism, it should be created. If it is not created, it means that the United Nations Organization is indifferent to the implementation of resolutions adopted by it. Today I have to talk about this, because the situation in which our country finds itself forces me to do this," he said.

"I cannot help speaking about it. I hope these words will not remain just information for You, and You, on Your part, will react to my opinion. When I say "You will react" I mean practical actions by the United Nations Organization," Heydar Aliyev stressed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Ukraine is ready to buy Slovak demining equipment and create joint production of such equipment, as well as shells and guns.

He said this at a joint press conference with Slovak President Zuzana Caputova in Bratislava on Friday, July 7, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"I am grateful for the willingness to help with humanitarian demining too. We are ready to buy appropriate Slovak equipment, we are interested in it, and [we are ready] to create a new production of such demining equipment. Together, Ukraine and Slovakia can become donors for the global protection of people from the global mine threat," Zelensky said.

He added that the day before, Ukraine signed a contract with Slovakia for the production of 16 Zuzana-2 self-propelled howitzers.

"Of course, we are also working for other joint productions - the production of projectiles, the production of guns, that is, there are steps forward, there's more security and there are more jobs," Zelensky said.

He also announced Ukraine's readiness to develop transport links with Slovakia, make existing routes more active, and create additional opportunities for people and countries. In particular, according to him, this applies to the Kosice route.

"We also discussed the cross-border transit of goods - our countries are interested in having all issues between us resolved in the interests of our nations," Zelensky added.

He also thanked Slovakia for its solidarity with Ukraine, the already provided defense and other assistance, and for taking in Ukrainian refugees.

Zelensky arrived in Slovakia on Friday. He visited the Czech Republic and Bulgaria on July 6-7.

Photo credit: Office of the President of Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed security issues, the appointment of the ambassador to Ukraine, and joint opportunities in the Black Sea region with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev.

In Sofia, I met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev. Our common security in our common European home. The Peace Formula. Interaction between our countries. The appointment of the Bulgarian Ambassador to Ukraine. And common opportunities in the Black Sea region. Only unity gives strength, let us remember this, Zelensky posted on Telegram.

As the Presidents Office informs, the Head of State thanked Bulgaria for the invitation, as well as for political support and practical assistance to Ukraine and hospitable treatment of our citizens who took refuge in this country to flee Russian aggression.

"I am extremely grateful that the Bulgarian people have sheltered a large number of Ukrainians. I think people in Bulgaria clearly understand that this is not a 'conflict' but a war. Because when there is a conflict, millions of people do not leave the country to save the lives of their children. The war is on our territory, on our land, so we clearly know that this is not a conflict, but a war," he said.

The President emphasized that it is important to set the right accents and call a spade a spade.

Zelensky praised the signing of a number of important bilateral documents today, including the Joint Declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic Integration and the Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation in the Energy Sector.

The two leaders also paid attention to the issue of protecting common freedom.

The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude to Bulgaria for the principled support of our country's movement towards NATO membership and also informed his counterpart about Ukraine's progress on the path to European integration, including the implementation of seven recommendations of the European Commission.

The parties discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Zelensky welcomed Bulgaria's readiness to join its implementation, particularly in ensuring food security. He expressed hope that the Bulgarian leadership would participate in the Global Peace Summit.

The President also noted the importance of the appointment of the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Ukraine.

The leaders paid special attention to cooperation in the Black Sea region.

Zelensky emphasized the importance of preventing Russia from committing an act of terrorism at the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which could lead to catastrophic consequences for the continent.

"The occupation of a nuclear power plant is also not a conflict, it is an open war," he summed up.

As reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Bulgaria on July 6.
Ukraine and the Czech Republic can significantly enhance cooperation between their military and industrial complexes, and will do so.

The relevant statement was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference with Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala in Prague, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Today, we have spoken in detail not only about the supply but also the new production, and it is very important. Our states can significantly strengthen cooperation between the military and industrial complexes, and will do so. We discussed specific projects on ammunition, military equipment, Zelensky said.

The corresponding memorandum was signed by the Ukrainian Strategic Industries Ministry and the Czech Defence Ministry.

According to Zelensky, Ukraine and the Czech Republic have specific projects related to cooperation in the energy sector.

Additionally, Czech businesses will be actively involved in Ukraines reconstruction, transformation and infrastructure development.

The President of Ukraine thanked the Czech Republic for supporting the European integration and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Ukrainians, and protecting the Ukrainian citizens who had been forced to flee the country due to Russias full-scale invasion.

A reminder that, on the evening of July 6, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky started his visit to the Czech Republic.
On Friday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky is paying a visit to the Slovak Republic.

The relevant statement was made by the Head of State on Telegram, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Slovakia is next. Important meetings in Bratislava with President Zuzana Caputova, Prime Minister Ludovit Odor and Speaker of the National Council Boris Kollar. Together with our reliable neighbor, we are talking about concrete defense support and Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine, the NATO Summit and the Peace Formula, bilateral cooperation and energy security, Zelensky wrote.

A reminder that, on July 6, 2023, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky was paying a visit to Bulgaria. Later in the evening, the Head of State arrived in Prague and started his visit to the Czech Republic.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as part of his visit to the Czech Republic held a meeting with President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Milos Vystrcil at which the latter presented him with a symbolic key to the Czech Senate.

That's according to the press service of the Ukrainian president, Ukrinform reports.

The head of state thanked the Senate president and the Czech people for their continued and effective support for Ukraine in repelling Russia's armed aggression and for providing assistance to temporarily displaced Ukrainian citizens.

Zelensky also noted the importance of the Senate's adoption of resolutions recognizing Russia's crimes in Ukraine as genocide of the Ukrainian people and supporting the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, which demonstrates a clear political position of the Czech Republic.

Both parties discussed the holding of a Global Summit on the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and Ukraine's accession to NATO and the European Union as soon as possible.

Zelensky also thanked Vystrcil for the Czech Republic's active position on the reconstruction of Ukraine and important Ukrainian initiatives.

"The holding of the second Parliamentary Summit of the Crimea Platform in Prague in October will bring us closer to the common goal - de-occupation of the Crimean peninsula and all temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine," Zelensky said.

Vystrcil, in turn, presented Zelensky with a symbolic key to the Czech Senate.

"We are handing over the key to the Czech Senate to our closest friends, those whom we respect. Since you will have the key to the Czech Senate, the doors of the Senate and our hearts will always be open," Vystrcil said.

The Ukrainian president thanked the Czech Senate for the gift.

"I believe this is the key that our people and our military deserve. I thank the Senate for this sign of recognition of the strength of our state and the fight for our independence. I want to thank you for opening the door to us at the very beginning of Russia's invasion. You opened the door without any conditions, you gave shelter to our people," Zelensky said.

In addition, Senator Jiri Ruzicka presented Zelensky with a chevron given to him by Czech volunteers who have been working in Ukraine for over a year.

Zelensky also met with President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament Marketa Pekarova Adamova and thanked her for supporting Ukraine and for the important decisions of the lower house of parliament.

The two emphasized the need for sanctions pressure on Russia within the EU and other international organizations, as well as cooperation between the parties in the implementation of Ukraine's course for full membership in the EU and NATO.

In this context, Zelensky expressed hope for the most active position of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament on these issues.

Zelensky also thanked the Czech Republic for providing humanitarian aid and its active position in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Photos: Office of the President of Ukraine
When the war ends, it will be necessary to create international legal conditions that will prevent any attempts by Russia to attack Ukraine again.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a press conference in Brussels on Friday, when asked by an Ukrinform correspondent whether security guarantees for Ukraine could be discussed at the NATO summit in Vilnius.

"When the war ends, then it is important, of course, that we have the frameworks in place to ensure that Russia, President Putin, not only rests his forces, retrains them, reallocates them, rearm them and then re-attack at the later stage. That is actually a lasting and enduring peace. And to ensure that, we need frameworks in place to provide Ukraine with what they need to ensure that Russia is not going to attack again," Stoltenberg said.

According to him, military support for Ukraine is the most urgent task for Allies. The more land Ukraine is able to liberate, the stronger their hand will eventually be at the negotiating table in order to find a peaceful, during and just end to this war, he said.

"And that's exactly what Allies are discussing, that's part of the discussion on the membership issue within NATO. And as I said, I'm confident that we'll find a united way forward as NATO Allies on Ukraine's request for membership. We will also, I expect, make some concrete decisions on interoperability and all the things that will help Ukraine to move closer to NATO," Stoltenberg said.

He noted that several Allies are conducting bilateral and some multilateral consultations with Ukraine on different types of security arrangements. NATO Allies have been briefed about them and it will just complement and underpin the efforts of NATO answer as an Alliance, he said.

"The message is, of course, that we take our decisions as sovereign independent nations together with Ukraine. So it's not for Russia to make any decisions, to have any veto. And again, we help Ukraine to win this war by providing military support and we'll continue to do that," Stoltenberg said.
The Netherlands has become a country that made an F-16 jets coalition for Ukraine not a dream, but "a reality that will definitely happen."

Ukraine's Ambassador to the Netherlands Oleksandr Karasevych said this in a comment to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The Netherlands has already become a country that really made the F-16 for Ukraine not a dream, but a reality that will definitely happen. And no one doubts that. A little over a year ago, not all partners wanted to hand over sniper rifles to us. Then we moved with difficulty from sniper rifles to artillery and tanks. And today we are not just talking about F-16s, we know that we will have them. We will have them soon," the diplomat said.

Read also: Netherlands allocating EUR 118M for new support package for Ukraine

According to him, the Netherlands initiated and played a leading role in the formation of the "F-16 fighter jet coalition." "It is difficult to overestimate the role of this state, their parliament, government, the personal role of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra and Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren in the fact that we are already talking specifically about providing Ukraine with these modern fighter jets," the ambassador said.

Karasevych noted that it is not only about a training program for Ukrainian pilots, but also about the training of technical personnel to work on the F-16.

"We are also talking about training the maintenance personnel, because the F-16 is an extremely complex piece of equipment. We need to train not only the pilots, but also the people who will repair and maintain them. The work is underway, and Ukraine is doing everything possible so that we can move to important practical stages," the ambassador said.

Earlier reports said that the Netherlands would start training Ukrainian pilots on the F-16 already this summer.
The communique of the NATO summit in Vilnius will contain a response to Ukraine's aspirations for membership in the military alliance and it will be different from the declarations of the Bucharest summit in 2008 that one day Ukraine will become a NATO member.

Ambassador Julianne Smith, the United States Permanent Representative to NATO, said this during an online press briefing on Friday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"In the communique, we will be addressing Ukraine's membership aspirations and that is something that NATO allies continue to work on. But it is not just restating Bucharest, it will look different than what we said in 2008," she said.

She declined to get into the specifics of what the language in the communique looks like, as the document is being finalized. However, she said, if President Volodymyr Zelensky opts to come to the summit, he will see resounding support for Ukraine's relationship with the Alliance and will find himself holding a whole collection of concrete deliverables that "signals a longer-term commitment to Ukraine from the NATO alliance."

First and foremost, Smith said, the focus will be on reaffirming NATO support for Ukraine. In this context, she noted that there would be a "package of concrete deliverables" both in terms of longer-term practical assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, particularly in matters of military modernization, and in terms of interoperability. In addition, joint work in the field of political relationship is expected.

In this connection, Smith recalled the creation of a NATO-Ukraine Council, in which an important part of the interaction will take place.

Photo: EPA
Two children who were illegally deported to Russia  6-year-old Renat and 10-year-old Varvara  returned to Ukraine.

Today we are bringing home Ukrainian children illegally taken to Russia  6-year-old Renata and 10-year-old Varvara. Their mother, a combat medic, was released in a major exchange in October 2022. She and her husband have long been waiting for the return of their children, whom Russia illegally deported, trying to hide the abduction," Head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak posted on Telegram.

According to Yermak, "The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, in coordination with Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets and our team, works to return our children."

Russia will be held to account for these crimes, he emphasized.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. I'm also very glad that we have now embassy in Tirana. And our embassy in Tirana already started its activity, President Ilham Aliyev said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Albania Bajram Begaj, Trend reports.

The head of state noted that it demonstrates that there is a very strong mutual political will to develop bilateral ties.

"We pay very big importance to the official visit of the President of Albania. I am sure the visit will strengthen close bilateral relations between our countries. Id like also to use this opportunity to express gratitude to you, Mr. President, for hospitality shown to me and my delegation during my last year`s visit to Albania. Also I would like to say that last year we hosted twice the Prime Minister of Albania and this March the President was on a working visit to Azerbaijan. So, only these visits demonstrate how close our relations are and how active our dialogue is," President Ilham Aliyev said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. It's a great pleasure to be in Azerbaijan and to meet again with my friend, President Aliyev. This year marks 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. I think we have many reasons to be proud of these relations, which today are better than ever. Therefore, I express my appreciation to President Aliyev, for his essential contribution to further strengthening them, President of Albania Bajram Begaj said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

Bajram Begaj mentioned President Aliyevs first visit to Albania last year.

I'm satisfied that the impact of that visit was instantly reflected. It didn't take long and the Parliament of Azerbaijan made the decision to open the embassy in Tirana. Albania, likewise, made the same decision to have an embassy in Baku in 2023. Both decisions will bring our countries even closer, will further strengthen the already excellent relationship, excellent political dialogue as well as promote economic cooperation and beyond, the Albanian President noted.
United Nations/Austria World Space Forum 2023 "Space 4 Our Common Future" Vienna International Centre (VIC), Vienna, Austria, 12 - 14 December 2023 Organized jointly by The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, The Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), The Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs (BMEIA)

Latest Information

06.07.2023 Application for World Space Forum 2023 opens

The deadline to apply for funding closes 04 September 2023 The call for abstracts closes 04 September 2023 Deadline for registration to attend in person without funding closes on 01 December 2023



#WSF2023 | Background

Global warming, loss of biodiversity, food insecurity, pollution - the situation regarding the health of our planet is as serious as it is complex. Major global shocks have shown our vulnerability and set back the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The global community noticed that our collective problem-solving mechanisms do not match the pace or scale of the challenges we face. Today's complex, interconnected, and rapidly changing world requires a more effective multilateral system and strong inclusion of effective innovative tools. The Summit of the Future in 2024 was proposed as an opportunity to agree on multilateral solutions for a better future and to strengthen global governance for both present and future generations (A/RES/76/307). To prepare for the Summit, Member States asked the Secretary-General of the United Nations to come up with action-oriented recommendations, building on the proposals in his report, Our Common Agenda (A/75/982). At the Summit of the Future 2024, from 22-23 September 2024, Member States will commit to adopt a Pact for the Future to consolidate collective agreements and to demonstrate global solidarity for present and future generations. In support of the Common Agenda and the Summit of the Future process, the Secretary-General was invited to issue a set of Policy Briefs which will include an analysis of the impact of the proposals on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. They will be based on the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, with gender equality as a cross-cutting theme.

#WSF2023 | Setting the Stage

The World Space Forum event series aims at strengthening partnerships and promoting ongoing dialogue among the global community on a wide range of space issues to facilitate socioeconomic sustainable development. The Forum promotes the implementation of the "Space2030" Agenda: space as a driver of sustainable development and its implementation plan" adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 76/3 through the broad involvement of all relevant space actors.

The World Space Forum 2023 provides an opportunity to draw attention to space solutions that will effectively support the areas mentioned in the various Policy Briefs leading to the Summit of the Future. In addition, it will provide a set of practical recommendations to maximize the opportunities space solutions offer as input for the Summit of the Future 2024 and the Pact of the Future.

#WSF2023 | Objectives

The World Space Forum 2023 aims to: Reaffirm and strengthen the contribution of space activities and space tools for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals;

Promote international and public-private partnerships for the development of a sustainable, future-oriented and strong space environment;

Address the need to improve existing communication approaches on the benefits of outer space technology and its applications;

Involve young people, as future space leaders, to address issues of importance for future generations;

Foster dialogue and close cooperation for developing a common space vision;

Put "Space2030" agenda in the centre as a guiding document to enhance space-derived economic benefits and strengthen the role of the space sector as a major driver for sustainable development;

Bring space actors together to exchange best practices and explore ways to jointly address challenges to humanity and sustainable development issues.

#WSF2023 | Who is it for?

The WORLD SPACE FORUM brings together experts and policymakers from regional, national and local institutions, private organizations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations and international organizations. Such multi-stakeholder composition allows for a truly inclusive, diverse and multilateral dialogue around the four pillars of space economy, space society, space accessibility and space diplomacy.

The organizers strive to support gender mainstreaming in their programmes and are committed to achieving a balanced representation of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

#WSF2023 | Sessions overview Sessions Description Potential topics can include Session I:

Space Communication Recent crises have shown the importance of clear and evidence-based information. With the facts on the table and science constantly revealing new interconnections, the question is how we can move from knowledge to action. How can we encourage the use of data and information (from space)? Successful communication is not only necessary to ensure the effectiveness of policies, but also to strengthen trust in policies. Topics: Space for Storytelling, Space Science Communication Session II:

Emergency Platforms Earth observation systems and satellite navigation technologies provide indispensable tools and can effectively contribute to improve people's lives, to enhance the preparedness for and mitigation of the consequences of disasters. This session will explore the contribution of space applications and space solutions to the international response of future complex global shocks as defined in the respective Policy Brief. Topics: Space for Disaster Preparedness, Prediction, Informed Decision making Session III:

Global Digital Compact It has been proposed that the United Nations, Governments, the private sector and civil society could come together as a multi-stakeholder digital technology track in preparation for the Summit of the Future to agree on a Global Digital Compact. The Global Digital Compact is expected to "outline shared principles for an open, free and secure digital future for all". This session would outline the contribution of space data and solutions to an open, free and secure digital future for all. Topics: Global Connectivity, Space Data, Education Networks Session IV:

Future Generations To guarantee that future generations can enjoy the benefits space offers, cooperation and multilateral action is required today to protect the sustainability of the space environment. How can existing networks leverage each other and what additional efforts would be needed to ensure sustainability of Outer Space for present and future generations. Topics: Long Term Sustainability of Outer Space Activities, Space Debris Mitigation, Space Governance Session V:

Outer Space and the Summit of the Future To achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, it is crucial to broaden the use of space data and provide access to space and its benefits for all people everywhere. How can Member States and the UN-Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space Affairs and the broader stakeholders support the accelerated implementation of the 2030 Agenda? What do we need to do now to prepare for a good future after 2030? Topics: Next steps, way forward

Submission and deadline for application

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

All applicants interested in participating in the World Space Forum must complete the following:

1. Fill in the application form.

The application form includes open-ended questions:

On professional experience; Motivation to participate in the World Space Forum; Expectations from the meeting; How learning and networking at the meeting will be used after the event.

The online application form is available here.

2. Send the signature form in PDF

The signature form is available here: Signature Form World Space Forum 2023

Signed by the applicant and the Head of the nominating agency/organization

Please name your file: Surname_Name_Signature form.

Send the signed signature form in PDF to worldspaceforum[@]un.org

Why is this form necessary? To confirm that you have adequate health insurance; to confirm if you need funding; and to confirm that the organization that you represent (which can also be your own company) has approved your potential participation. If you are applying in your individual capacity, the latter element will not apply. Instructions are detailed in the signature form.

Only completed applications with all the requested information and documents will be considered.

Besides this, applicants who wish to be considered to contribute to the event as a speaker or to present a poster will be asked to include an abstract of maximum 250 words in the online application form. Please note that this is not mandatory, but it is recommended in case you want to apply as a fully/partially funded participant. Please also note that if you submit an abstract and are selected as a participant, this does not automatically imply that you will be selected as a speaker.

Please note that only applications submitted through the online form will be accepted.

The United Nations encourages all qualified applicants, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities to apply.

Successful candidates will be contacted by email in October. Organizers will announce when the selection is completed on the event webpage. Due to the high number of applicants, unsuccessful candidates will not be notified individually, and organizers will not able to provide individual feedback.

The deadline to apply for funding closes 04 September 2023

The call for abstracts closes 04 September 2023

Deadline for registration to attend in person without funding closes on 01 December 2023

Selection Criteria

Criteria to select participants include motivation and experience in the space sector. Presentation and poster abstracts will be evaluated based on relevance of topic, alignment to World Space Forum objectives, concrete application on the proposed subject, and sound structure.

To encourage equitable access to opportunity, the selection process will consider additional criteria, including regional representativeness and gender balance.

Life and health insurance

Life/major health insurance for each of the selected participants is necessary and is the responsibility of the candidate or their institution or Government. The co-sponsors will not assume any responsibility for life and major health insurance, nor for expenses related to medical treatment or accidents.

Contact Information

UNOOSA - World Space Forum Organizing Team

E-Mail: worldspaceforum[@]un.org
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

London, July 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jul, 2023 ) :Carlos Alcaraz moved a step closer to a potential Wimbledon title showdown with Novak Djokovic on Friday as two-time champion Andy Murray admitted his All England Club days may be numbered after suffering a heart-breaking defeat to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

World number one Alcaraz defeated 84th-ranked Alexandre Muller of France 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.

"This was my second match on Centre Court. I lost here last year, so I'm happy to win on this beautiful court," said 20-year-old US Open champion Alcaraz.

Despite victory, 41 unforced errors will be of concern to the Spaniard, who was playing his second-round match a day later than scheduled due to the heavy rain earlier in the week.

Alcaraz will face Chile's Nicolas Jarry for a spot in the last 16.

Murray said he doesn't know if he will be back at Wimbledon next year after going down 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (2/7), 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 to fifth-ranked Tsitsipas in a four-hour 40-minute epic.

The 36-year-old has not made the second week of a Grand Slam since reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in 2017.

It will also raise questions over his long-term future despite valiant attempts to rebuild his career following two hip surgeries.

"I don't know," said Murray when asked if he would be back in 2024.

"Motivation is obviously a big thing. Continuing having early losses in tournaments like this don't necessarily help with that." Tsitispas fired 90 winners past Murray as he goes on to face Laslo Djere of Serbia for a place in the last 16.

"It's never easy against Andy. Everyone loves him here," said the 24-year-old Greek.

- 'Never easy' - "I'm impressed how well he holds up after his hip surgeries. I wish him the best in the future." Murray had been ahead when the match was halted on Thursday due to a local 11:00 pm tournament curfew.

However, he was unable to maintain the momentum on Friday despite not dropping serve in the match until the third game of the decider.

World number two Djokovic, who is bidding for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon and 24th Grand Slam title, faces three-time major winner Stan Wawrinka, two years older than the Serb at 38, for a place in the last 16.

"It's the duel of the veterans," said Djokovic.

The two have met 26 times over their 17-year rivalry.

Wawrinka has won just six of those matches but crucially two were in Grand Slam finals, at the 2015 French Open and the US Open, 12 months later.

Friday's match will be the first time they have played on grass.

- 38-point tie-break - Men's third seed Daniil Medvedev returned to complete his second-round clash against Adrian Mannarino, the Frenchman who defeated him at Wimbledon five years ago.

The mercurial Russian was two sets and 4-4 ahead when play was halted on day four but quickly wrapped up victory in a third set tie-break.

Unseeded dangerman Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 runner-up to Djokovic, made the last 32 with a straight-sets defeat of Australian 15th seed Alex de Minaur.

Danish sixth seed Holger Rune reached the third round for the first time, brushing aside Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.

Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka recovered from a set down to beat Varvara Gracheva, who recently switched nationality from Russia to France, 2-6, 7-5, 6-2.

Former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu recovered from 2-5 down in the final set to defeat Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10/7).

The Canadian will face last year's runner-up Ons Jabeur for a last-16 place.

Two-time champion Petra Kvitova eased past Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-2, avenging her defeat to the Belarusian in the first round in 2018.

Victoria Azarenka, twice a semi-finalist, made the last 16 when she brushed aside Russia's Daria Kasatkina.

Ukraine's Lesia Tsurenko also reached the fourth round after triumphing in the longest-ever tiebreak in a Grand Slam women's singles match.

The deciding breaker stretched to a record 38 points as the 34-year-old defeated Ana Bogdan 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (20/18) having saved five match points and converting a seventh match point of her own.

Top seed Iga Swiatek, the reigning US Open and French Open champion, eyes the fourth round when she faces experienced Petra Martic of Croatia.
Milan, July 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Jul, 2023 ) :A fire at a retirement home in the early hours of Friday in Milan killed six people, firefighters said, with "numerous" residents hospitalised.

"Six people killed, numerous suffering from smoke inhalation hospitalised. Dozens of people saved by firefighters who immediately evacuated the building," the fire brigade said on Twitter.

An AFP photographer saw the bodies of two of the victims being removed from the three-storey building which reportedly houses 210 people in the south of the Italian city.

The cause of the blaze was not yet known, the fire brigade said.

Five of the victims were women aged between 69 and 87 years old, while the sixth was a 73-year-old man, AGI news agency said.

Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala said the fire appeared to have started in one room housing two female residents, both of whom were killed by the flames, according to ANSA news agency.

While the fire did not spread beyond that room, the smoke killed four other residents and left a further two fighting for their lives, he said.
London, July 7 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Jul, 2023 ) :More than 450 people were charged and cannabis plants worth more than 115 million seized in a massive month-long drugs operation in June, British police said Friday.

Operation Mille saw searches and arrests carried out across England and Wales "at a scale and pace not seen before", police said.

"Nearly 200,000 cannabis plants with an estimated street value of between 115-130 million ($147 million-$166 million, 135 million-152 million Euros) were seized," police said.

Around 1,000 people were arrested and of those "more than 450 were later charged".

Cannabis production is a cash cow for organised crime, investigators say, fuelling gang violence as groups compete for territory.

"Organised networks involved in cannabis production are also directly linked to an array of other serious criminality such as class A drug importation, modern slavery and wider violence and exploitation," said Steve Jupp, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for serious organised crime.

"This operation not only successfully disrupted a significant amount of criminal activity, but the intelligence gathered will also help inform future law enforcement activity across the country.

" Officers also seized 20 firearms and 26 kilos of cocaine with a potential street value of 1 million.

Crimes linked to gangland feuds have shocked the nation in recent years.

In April a gunman was jailed for more than 40 years for a shooting that claimed the life of a nine-year-old girl in Liverpool in northwest England.

Olivia Pratt-Korbel was fatally shot in the chest as she sheltered behind her mother as a man fleeing "high level" cannabis dealer Thomas Cashman tried to force his way into her home in August 2022.

In another shocking gangland shooting near Liverpool in December 2024, a 24-year-old woman was killed in crossfire in a pub.

Gunman Connor Chapman fired 12 shots intended for underworld rivals into a group of people, but killed beautician Elle Edwards as she enjoyed a night out. He is due to be sentenced later Friday.
'Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran' (Sanctity of Quran Day) was observed here on Friday to lodge a strong protest against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Jul, 2023 ) :'Yaum-e-Taqaddus-e-Quran' (Sanctity of Quran Day) was observed here on Friday to lodge a strong protest against the desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden.

Religious scholars and people from different walks of life in the protests expressed their resentment over the desecration of the holy book and said that the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden was an utterly unacceptable act under any circumstances.

The issue was also highlighted in Friday sermons and the religious emphasized the need for concrete actions to address this issue.

They said that the Quran was our redline and no one would be allowed to cross this line. They said the Quran was saved and protected in our hearts and it will be passed on to our generations till the Day of Judgement.

They demanded of the Swedish government to arrest and award exemplary punishment to the man who desecrated the holy Quran in order to prevent recurrence of such shameful incidents in future.
(@FahadShabbir)

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th July, 2023) White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Friday that providing Ukraine with cluster munitions was a "difficult decision" that President Joe Biden arrived at after a unanimous recommendation from the US national security team.

"It's a difficult decision, but there was a unanimous recommendation from the national security team and President Biden ultimately decided, in consultation with allies and partners, and in consultation with members of Congress, to move forward on this step," Sullivan told a briefing.
PARIS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th July, 2023) French senators have proposed that the government suspends Chinese video-sharing social platform TikTok in France and ask the European Commission to shut it down on the territory of the European Union unless the platform provides explanation how it is tied to its parent company, ByteDance, and what data is transferred to China by January 1, 2024, according to a document, published Thursday on the website of France's upper house.

The parliamentary commission's investigation into the use of data provided by the social network resulted in 21 recommendations. One of the recommendations suggests obliging social media platforms to filter the content published during mass riots or calls to participate in them, as well as to prohibit employees of organizations necessary for the survival of the population from using TikTok.

Moreover, senators proposed that the social media platform strengthens measures to filter disinformation and content created by artificial intelligence, as well as to limit the time of use of the application for minors and conduct studies to identify the effects on the health of users.

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said that the French authorities would identify those who called for protests through social media in light of the ongoing unrest triggered by the killing of a teenager.

Later that day, French media reported that the government had met with representatives of social media due to unrest in the country. In particular, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin and Minister Delegate for the Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noel Barrot reportedly warned platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter of their responsibility and asked for support identifying users involved in committing offenses.

Earlier this week, Macron did not rule out that the French authorities can shut down social networks if the situation in the country deteriorates.

France has been gripped by unrest since June 27, when a 17-year-old boy was shot dead by a police officer for failing to stop his car when ordered to do so in Nanterre, a suburb of Paris. The officer who pulled the trigger on Nahel M. has been taken into custody for voluntary manslaughter, but that has not deterred the protesters.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has achieved a certain progress in getting more access for additional monitoring at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), Director General Rafael Grossi said on Friday

TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th July, 2023) The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has achieved a certain progress in getting more access for additional monitoring at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP), Director General Rafael Grossi said on Friday.

The IAEA had received more access to the station, including its cooling pools, Grossi told a press conference in the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, adding that there were no signs of explosives and mines at the facilities inspected by the agency at the station. He expressed confidence that the IAEA would also get access to the roof of the station after it had made a relevant request to officials.

Grossi added that it would take time to get access at the station since it is located in the combat zone.

On Wednesday. the IAEA said that its experts had requested additional access to the facilities of the ZNPP to confirm absence of mines and explosives.

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia allegedly wanted to detonate the ZNPP and had already planted mines for it.

Located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, the Zaporizhzhia NPP is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe by number of units and energy output. It went 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 ZNPP in September 2022 to guarantee its safety during the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Israeli forces killed two Palestinian militants Friday in the occupied West Bank, a day after the United Nations urged a "meaningful political process" to stem renewed violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Nablus, Palestinian Territories, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Jul, 2023 ):Israeli forces killed two Palestinian militants Friday in the occupied West Bank, a day after the United Nations urged a "meaningful political process" to stem renewed violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A firefight erupted during an Israeli military raid on the northern West Bank city of Nablus, Israeli and Palestinian officials said.

The Palestinian health ministry announced "two martyrs and three injured as a result of the occupation (Israeli) aggression on Nablus". The Israeli army reported "no injuries" among its forces.

The army said it had entered Nablus to arrest two individuals wanted over a shooting earlier this month at Israeli police in a West Bank settlement that resulted in no casualties.

The Palestinian health ministry in a statement identified the two dead as Khairi Shaheen, 34, and Hamza Maqbul, 32, who the army said "were killed following an exchange of fire with security forces".

"During the activity, weapons which were used by the terrorists were confiscated," the army added.

Witnesses told AFP Israeli troops entered Nablus on Friday morning and surrounded a house in the Old City, a stronghold of armed Palestinian groups, before calling on those inside to turn themselves in.

The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the armed wing of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), claimed Shaheen and Maqbul as its members.

Friday's raid came amid a rising tide of violence in the region.

On Thursday, an Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian attacker near Nablus. The Israeli army said the assailant had been shot, but his condition remained unclear.

The Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas claimed the shooting, calling it a "reaction" to an Israeli raid on Jenin refugee camp days earlier.
The United Nations has urged France to combat systemic racism in its police force and punish the officers responsible for the killing of a teenager near Paris, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) said on Friday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th July, 2023) The United Nations has urged France to combat systemic racism in its police force and punish the officers responsible for the killing of a teenager near Paris, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) said on Friday.

"The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination ... (is) concerned that structural discrimination in law enforcement, in particular in the police, and the racial disparities against people of African and Arab descent, are perpetuated and reinforced notably in the enjoyment of the right to equal treatment before the tribunals, security of person, and other rights enshrined in the International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination," the committee said in a statement.

France needs to adopt legislation prohibiting such aspects of racist behavior such as racial profiling and discriminatory identity checks, and to introduce reforms to promote ethnic diversity within the police, and to foster understanding between the police and minority groups, the statement read.

The committee also stressed the importance of conducting a "thorough and impartial" investigation into the teenager's death, prosecuting the alleged perpetrators and, if found guilty, punishing them in a manner commensurate with the gravity of the crime.

On June 30, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the French government to "seriously address the deep problems of racism and discrimination in law enforcement" after a 17-year-old was killed by police in France. The French Foreign Ministry dismissed the call as unfounded.

On June 27, a police officer shot a 17-year-old teenager during a traffic stop after he allegedly refused to obey police orders. Over the past week, France has been gripped by protests against police violence that have escalated into riots, arson and looting. According to the latest figures from the French Interior Ministry, over 12,000 cars and some 500 municipal buildings have been burned and over 1,000 shops and bank offices have been looted in the unrest. A total of about 4,000 people, many of them juveniles, have been detained.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Albania and Azerbaijan are closely linked through cooperation in the energy sector. TAP is already a consolidated success story, President of Albania Bajram Begaj said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Albania's benefits from the TAP have been numerous from both economic point of view but also in terms of strengthening the Albanian strategic weight as a gateway and the regional hub for the energy. The Ionian Adriatic Gas Pipeline Gas Pipeline will contribute even more to Albanians role as a gas distributor in the region. I re-iterated to President Aliyev Albania's willingness to take quick steps in the framework of gasification of the country in close cooperation with Azerbaijan.

Albania as a gas transit country is already a reality. We set ourselves an objective to make Albania the country, which transmits and receives gas. Our country is committed to achieving it and deepening the cooperation. I emphasize to President Aliyev that Albania welcomes the increased attention of Azerbaijan in the development of regional energy projects, which will bring the countries of the Western Balkan even closer, and at the same time, will strengthen their energy security position," the Albanian President pointed out.
WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th July, 2023) US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen held "candid and constructive" talks with China's Premier Li Qiang in Beijing, the Treasury Department said on Friday in a readout of the talks.

"Yellen today met with Premier of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang.

The meeting was candid and constructive, and part of ongoing efforts to deliver on President Biden and President Xi's directive to deepen bilateral discussions following their meeting last November," the readout said.

During the talks, Yellen expressed the Biden administration's "desire to seek healthy economic competition with China" and underscored the need for the two countries to closely communicate on global economic and financial issues, including debt distress in low-income and emerging economies and climate finance, the Treasury added.
President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday on the latest leg of a tour to push Ukraine's bid to join NATO and secure more weapons from allies

Istanbul, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 7th Jul, 2023 ) :President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday on the latest leg of a tour to push Ukraine's bid to join NATO and secure more weapons from allies.

The talks in Istanbul come on the eve of the 500th day since Russia's invasion, with Zelensky admitting Ukraine's counteroffensive was progressing slowly.

He called on the United States and other allies to provide long-range weapons and artillery during a two-day visit to Prague.

"Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to fulfill an offensive mission, but it is also difficult to conduct a defensive operation, to be honest," Zelensky told reporters.

US media reported earlier that the Pentagon was preparing a new package of arms and ammunition that could include controversial cluster bombs dispersing multiple small explosives over a wide radius.

While Ukrainian officials hailed the prospect, human rights groups condemned it saying the bomblets can go undetonated and endanger civilians later on.

After Prague, Zelensky visited Bratislava, where he said that NATO did not seem united on Swedish and Ukrainian membership.

"And this is a threat to the strength of the alliance" which is due to hold a summit in Vilnius next week, he added.

"That is why we expect positive results or at least some steps towards this positive outcome. This is very important for the security of the whole world." Zelensky is seeking NATO accession for his country, which has been battling Russia's invasion since February 2022, and has said he wants the summit to lead to an "invitation" to join the bloc.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he expected its leaders to "reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and unite on how to bring Ukraine closer to its goal".

- Sweden and grain - Analysts expect Zelensky to push Erdogan to give a green light for Sweden's NATO entry ahead of the summit.

Turkey is blocking Sweden's candidacy because of a longstanding dispute about Stockholm's perceived lax attitude toward alleged Kurdish militants living in the Nordic country.

The talks with Erdogan -- an important broker in the conflict -- are also expected to focus on an expiring deal to ship Ukrainian grain across the Black Sea.

Both Zelensky and Erdogan want to extend the United Nations and Turkey-brokered deal with Russia under which Ukraine has been allowed to ship grain to global markets during the war.

The deal will expire on July 17 unless Russia agrees to its renewal.

Erdogan has tried to leverage good working relations with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate an end to the war.

Turkey staged two early rounds of peace negotiations and is pushing for more talks.

Before visiting Prague and Bratislava, Zelensky travelled to Sofia to discuss weapons deliveries with Bulgaria, a major ammunition producer.

The Kremlin criticised the visit to Bulgaria, saying the Ukrainian leader was trying to "drag" other countries into the war.

- 'Progress' on nuclear inspections - The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said on Friday that it was "making progress" on inspecting several areas of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, after claims it had been mined.

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of planning a provocation at the Russia-controlled site, raising alarm over risks of a radioactive disaster at Europe's largest nuclear plant.

Ukraine's military this week claimed "external objects similar to explosive devices" had been placed on the outer roof of the third and fourth reactors at the site.

Officials from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had been able to "complete the tours of the cooling ponds and other places", Rafael Grossi said in Tokyo.

They had "not seen any indications of explosives or mines", he said, although he added IAEA officials had not yet been able to visit the facility's rooftops.

Rescuers Friday found a 10th body in the rubble of buildings in Lviv after the biggest Russian missile attack on civilian infrastructure in the western Ukrainian city since the invasion, its mayor said.

The strike also wounded 42 people, including three children, Ukraine's interior ministry said.
Mary Hipol, reference and technical service assistant at the Uinta County Library in Evanston, poses with blood pressure monitoring kits. (Kara Beech Photo)

Self-measured blood pressure monitoring kits are now available for checkout at the libraries in Evanston, Lyman and Mountain View. 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 Uinta 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, Hot Springs, Laramie, Lincoln, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara, Park, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton, Washakie and Weston counties.

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 Kara Beech, 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 Uinta 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.

We are excited to partner with the Wyoming Department of Health and WyCOA to bring these much-needed resources to the community, says Mary Hipol, reference and technical service assistant at the Uinta County Library.

To learn more about the Uinta County Library, go to https://uinta.wyldcatalog.org/.

To learn more about WyCOA and its programs, go to www.uwyo.edu/wycoa/.
Ramesh Sivanpillai

Ramesh Sivanpillai is no stranger to biological and environmental disasters, having provided crucial U.S. Geological Survey mapping data to aid in response to Hurricane Fiona in the Dominican Republic during 2022; to control the 2018 wildfires in Paradise, Calif.; and to assist in the response to widespread flooding in several Midwest states in 2011.

So, it should come as no surprise that Sivanpillai, a University of Wyoming senior research scientist with UWs Wyoming Geographic Information Science Center, was tapped to edit a book on natural disasters. Biological and Environmental Hazards, Risks and Disasters was published by Elsevier and released in June.

This interdisciplinary book focuses on two types of hazards, risks and disasters: biological and environmental, Sivanpillai says. Authors from several countries and agencies have contributed to this volume, which is the second edition. This book is part of a series of books on hazards, risks and disasters.

The book, overseen by series editor John Shroder, a professor emeritus of geography and geology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, provides an integrated look at major impacts to Earths biosphere caused by diseases, algal blooms, insects, animals, species extinction, deforestation, land degradation, and comet and asteroid strikes, with important implications for humans.

This second edition from Elseviers Hazards and Disasters Series incorporates perspectives from the natural and social sciences to offer in-depth coverage of threats from microscopic organisms to celestial objects and their potential impacts. Expert biological, health, ecological, environmental, wildlife, physical and health scientists contributed to the book. Readers will gain valuable insights on damages, causality, economic impacts, preparedness and mitigation.

Key features of the book are that it provides interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research accessible to both specialists and nonspecialists; includes newly added chapters on emerging hazards and risks to Earths ecosystems -- land conversion and habitat loss -- and human health or spread of diseases; and contains full-color tables, maps, diagrams, illustrations and photographs of hazardous processes.

The book has plenty of examples and information about real-life disasters and risks. These include harmful algal blooms on water quality, aquatic life and humans in the U.S., Canada and other countries; grasshopper infestations in North America and Senegal; locust outbreaks in Australia and Central America; coral bleaching in Australias Great Barrier Reef; and wildlife-human conflicts involving mountain lions, bears, elephants, wolves, tigers, leopards, lions, hippopotamuses, zebras, spotted hyenas, crocodiles, snakes, jellyfish and sharks in various parts of the world.

Additionally, the book covers threats to mangrove ecosystems due to hurricanes, wind, tsunamis, sea level rise and various diseases; reduction of the Aral Sea, located on the border between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, to a fraction of its original size due to water diversion projects in two rivers that flowed into this water body; degradation of rangeland ecosystems; and threats Earth faces from meteors.

Sivanpillai says he assumes he was invited to edit the first edition of the series in 2013 because of his multidisciplinary background in environmental science. In 2019, Elsevier invited him to update the first edition with additional topics in new chapters.

For the second edition, I had to find several new authors in several disciplines -- biology, ecology, entomology, biodiversity, algal blooms, coral bleaching, diseases, land degradation, Aral Sea disaster, ionizing radiation and meteor impacts -- that are not included in other volumes, Sivanpillai says.

However, the process was not easy -- the project started a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Sivanpillai says. He admits that it was difficult to find authors and to stay in regular communication with them.

It was a struggle to get to the finish line, he adds.

Sivanpillai did receive some much-needed help from UW students Emma Jones, of Papillion, Neb., and Claire Wooden, of Cody. Both are majoring in environmental and natural resources and were enrolled in Sivanpillais Environmental Policy, Conservation and Development in India course during spring 2021.

The two, along with Sivanpillai, co-wrote a chapter in the book about the sacred groves of Kerala in India. Sacred groves are places of religious significance, but most of them also serve as conservation sites for rare plants, insects, animals and birds.

They did an outstanding job, and I invited them to submit their findings as a chapter, Sivanpillai says. Later, we worked with a faculty member in an Indian institution who added additional context to the chapter.

Sivanpillai surmises that the audience base for the book is broad. Reasons he cites include the multidisciplinary nature and the range of topics covered in the book; the number of chapter downloads from Elseviers website to date; and the number of requests made from institutions that do not subscribe to Elsevier.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Albania has supported and will support long-term peace in the South Caucasus region, mediated by reliable partners and international organizations, President of Albania Bajram Begaj said in a press statement following an expanded meeting with President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

"Albania has always supported the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and the implementation of the Security Council resolutions.

Even in the Western Balkan region, a dialogue is very important. So that we can see each other not through the grudges of the past, but through the possibilities of the future. I express my conviction that regional stability in Western Balkans is a necessary element. Kosovo and Serbia are negotiation parties in order to resolve any dispute and to build a new spirit of cooperation between each other. Respecting the argument both between themselves and then in international forums must be points of orientation toward sustainable peace," the Albanian President noted.

"Prosperity, not conflict ought to be the guiding compass for bilateral and regional progress. The sooner something like this happen, the more beneficial it becomes for our people," Bajram Begaj added.
Vietnam News in Brief: Weekly Roundup July 7

Vietnam Briefing keeps track of whats happening in Vietnams business and economic news so that you dont have to. Heres what happened this week.

Tax news

Fee cuts announced for a range of industries

The Ministry of Finance has cut about 36 categories of fees across a number of sectors: aviation, construction, and environment, for example. This is in line with moves to stimulate economic growth.

The cuts are from a few cents to a few hundred thousand dollars (under the right circumstances) and mostly center around business establishment and planning. Its not clear what impact this might have on a macroeconomic scale.See also: Setting Up a Business in Vietnam

Insurance news

Insurance market revenue has declined for the first time in a long time

Vietnams insurance market has seen a decrease in revenue in 2023. Essentially, this is the result of bad press around the methods that have been used to sell insurance products through financial institutions. For example, insisting that customers must buy insurance products (i.e. life insurance) in order to receive loans.

This received national attention earlier this year when Vietnamese actress Ngoc Lan live-streamed herself crying when she realized a life insurance contract she had entered into was not what she expected it to be.

As a result, public sentiment toward insurance has become skeptical and several government probes have been launched. That said, the sector has seen robust growth in recent years and this set back is likely to only be temporary.

See also: Vietnams Insurance Industry M&As: Opportunities and Challenges

F&B news

Philippines fast-food giant eyes greater share of Vietnam market

The Philippines Jollibee has announced that it intends to further expand in Vietnam. The fried chicken and rice juggernaut reportedly now has 158 stores in the burgeoning Southeast Asian nation, opening four new stores in the first quarter of this year. The Vietnamese market has proven somewhat fickle for foreign franchises. Whereas many have been successful, many have also struggled.

See also: Foreign Franchises in Vietnam: Departures, Successes, and the In Between

Aquaculture news

Barramundi farming firm secures ADB loan to expand in Vietnam

The Asian Development Bank has approved a US$15 million loan to Australis Holdings to increase the size of its ocean-based barramundi and seaweed farming operations in Vietnam. The key focus of the investment, however, will be sustainability and technology transfers, in line with government objectives to increase productivity in Vietnams aquaculture industry.

See also: Investing in Aquaculture in Vietnam

Banking news

Norwegian firm likely to acquire nearly 5 percent of Vietnamese bank

Norwegian Investment Fund is set to buy 95 million shares or a 4.63 percent stake in Vietnams SeABank. The sale is estimated to be worth VND 1,200 billion (US$50.7 million) Established in 1994, SeABank currently caps foreign ownership at 5 percent, though legally foreign firms can own up to 30 percent of a Vietnamese bank.

See also: Vietnams Banking Sector: Opportunities and Risks for Foreign Investors

Manufacturing news

S&P PMI shows small improvement

The S&P PMI was up from 45.3 in May to 46.2 in June but is still in declineanything lower than 50 represents a contraction. S&P says that this is on the back of weaker demand in key export markets but that power shortages in northern Vietnam have also been a problem.

Investment news

Apple suppliers investment in Quang Ninh approved

Key Apple supplier Foxconn has been granted investment certificates for the two projects it has slated for Vietnams Quang Ninh province. Foxconn is expected to invest US$246 million developing two factories to manufacture a range of electronic products.

See also: Where Apples Factories in Vietnam: Where? Why?

Japan firm to build 650-hectare industrial park in Thanh Hoa

Japans Sumitomo Corporation has announced that it intends to invest US$400 million in an industrial park project in Thanh Hoa. Around 150 kilometers south of Hanoi, greater development in Thanh Hoa is in line with a rising trend of firms looking for untapped manufacturing potential, outside of the major hubs around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

See also: Vietnams Industrial Parks: Choosing the Right Location for Your Investment

Chinese automaker to officially enter Vietnam market

Chinas Great Wall Motors has announced it intends to start selling hybrid electric vehicles in Vietnam this year. Initially, it plans to import ready-made vehicles, often referred to as completely built units (CBU), from Thailand but intends to establish a local assembly plant in the future. Importing CBUs from Thailand has become a common practice in recent years with over 72,000 units imported from Vietnams regional neighbor last year.

See also: Whats Driving Increasing Car Imports in Vietnam?

South Koreas LG Innotek is building a factory in Hai Phong

Another key Apple supplier, LG Innotek intends to invest up to US$1 billion in new manufacturing facilities in Vietnams Hai Phong. The province is very popular among foreign manufacturers as it is not only close to the large population center that is Hanoi but also has one of Vietnams biggest ports, making it easy to get goods in and out of the country.

See also: Vietnams Hai Phong: An Industrial Gateway and Port City
BLANTYRE, MALAWI - The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi, or APAM, is appealing for urgent intervention to stop continued attacks on people with albinism in the country.

This comes after unidentified people in June tampered with a grave in Blantyre, a city in southern Malawi, exhumed a body and removed its arms and legs. The incident has raised existing fears within the community, advocates say.

Young Mahamba, president of APAM, said the incident is the seventh this year alone.

"We also had three tampering with graves and another two attacks on the 9th of last month [June 9]," Mahamba told VOA. "And also, in Phalombe [a district in the southern region of Malawi], there was the tampering of graves. This one was discovered on 20th March without limbs as [was] this one."

Since 2014, more than 170 albinos have been killed or attacked in Malawi because of false beliefs that concoctions mixed with their body parts bring luck and wealth, according to official data.

In the past, religious leaders, police, herbalists and relatives of the deceased have been named and arrested in connection to the attacks and body exhumations.

A high court in Blantyre sentenced a police officer, a Catholic priest and four others to 30 years imprisonment with hard labor in June after finding them guilty of transacting human remains of a person with albinism.

The spokesperson for the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Pauline Kaude, told VOA that since 2019 the government has been working on seven priority areas in its national action plan to end such attacks.

Kaude said the areas include enhancing security, administration of justice and empowerment of people with albinism.

The government is also boosting security at the homes of vulnerable people with albinism. But APAM's Mahamba said it needs to be a collaborative effort.

"We just hear of projects concerning welfare of people with albinism, but we do not see them on the ground," Mahamba told VOA. "The international organizations should come forward and assist. They should not wait for the issue to come out of hand [and] to be hearing three or four cases per day, no."

Mahamba said the government needs to review  and improve  its efforts to protect people with albinism from attacks and make changes where needed.

"If you ask each and every person with albinism here in Malawi, they will tell you that this issue hasn't stopped, and we don't have peace. So, there is no time [to] relax, to hold the breaks in terms of our security," Mahamba said.

Peter Kalaya, national spokesperson for Malawi Police Service, said police are not able to make progress because of the false beliefs by some that there is a viable demand for body parts.

"People just believe there is a market, and they have been attacking people with albinism chopping off their limbs and body parts. They do not even know where to sell them," Kalaya said. "If we ask the suspects that we have arrested, there has been no one who has come to us and said, 'I was taking these to someone, and he is the one who buys body parts."

Kalaya said the police are, however, working with various interventions to end the attacks, including a program that empowers members of the community to detect and report suspected incidents aimed at people with albinism.

The program, Kalaya added, has led to the arrest of many people suspected of being attackers.

This story originated in VOA's English to Africa Service.
At last year's NATO summit in Madrid, the alliance for the first time recognized China as a security challenge. Next week, as NATO leaders meet for a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, they are set to take concrete action. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara looks at NATO's need to forge a coherent approach to what it sees as the China threat and the obstacles it may face in doing so.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. First Lady of the Republic of Albania Armanda Begaj has today visited the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.

The Albanian first lady was informed about the traditions of Azerbaijans ancient art of carpet-making, and familiarized herself with the unique collection exhibited in the Museum, demonstrating Azerbaijans carpet weaving techniques.

She also viewed the rare samples of piled and lint-free carpets exhibited in the Museum. It was noted that the unique samples of Azerbaijans seven main carpet weaving schools, including Guba, Baku, Shirvan, Ganja, Gazakh, Karabakh and Tabriz, depicting ornaments of wild life, birds and plants, are also showcased in the Museum.

It was emphasized that due to meticulous and hard work carried out by Azerbaijans First Lady, President of the Haydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, Azerbaijans national art of carpet weaving was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on November 16, 2010.

First Lady of Albania Armanda Begaj then viewed the Museum`s Jewelry Fund.

She was presented with keepsakes.

Azerbaijans material cultural heritage, as well as the extraordinary and original exposition of the museum building have made a deep impression on the Albanian first lady.
WHITE HOUSE - As the war on Ukraine rages, Russia remains the biggest and most immediate threat for NATO. However, as allied leaders meet for their summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, next week, a key agenda item will be to implement the Strategic Concept adopted during the Madrid summit in 2022, where the alliance recognized security challenges emanating from China.

NATOs strategic concept states that the alliance faces systemic competition from Beijings ambitions and coercive policies that challenge members interests, security and values.

While allies may agree that the China challenge is real, they differ in how to address it. Many European countries rely heavily on Chinese investment and trade. China makes up almost 10% of Europe's exports and about 20% of its imports.

In Vilnius, those differences will need to be hammered out and leaders will need to forge a common approach in dealing with the China threat, said Anca Agachi, associate director and resident fellow for Transatlantic Security Initiative in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security at the Atlantic Council.

The big question that exists right now within the transatlantic community is what is NATOs role when it comes to China, and how far exactly should the alliance go, she told VOA.

Ukraine-Taiwan

NATO leaders have warned that what is happening in Europe today can happen in Asia tomorrow.

If [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin wins in Ukraine, this would send the message that authoritarian regimes can achieve their goals through brute force, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in Tokyo earlier this year. This is dangerous. Beijing is watching closely, and learning lessons, which may influence its future decisions."

Stoltenberg was referring to Beijings future decisions on Taiwan, a self-governing island Beijing considers its wayward province.

U.S. President Joe Biden has on several occasions said that American forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. That would create a risk of NATO allies and other U.S. partners being drawn into the conflict  a contingency plan the alliance would need to plan for.

Such war is neither inevitable nor imminent, Army General Mark Milley, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing in March.

Hybrid and cyber operations

Beyond Taiwan and freedom of navigation concerns, NATO is anxious about other potential threats, including what it calls Beijings malicious hybrid and cyber operations and its confrontational rhetoric and disinformation.

The alliance views China as seeking to control key technological and industrial sectors, critical infrastructure such as 5G, and strategic materials and supply chains. It accuses Beijing of using economic leverage to create strategic dependencies and enhance its influence.

More generally, Chinese political influence in Europe is, of course, a growing concern, Agachi added, particularly considering Beijings growing partnership with Russia.

Beijing insists that it stands on the side of peace on Ukraine. It has hit back on NATO, including on floated plans to establish a NATO office in Japan.

Asia lies beyond the geographical scope of the North Atlantic and has no need for a replica of NATO. However, we have seen NATO bent on going east into this region, interfering in regional affairs and inciting bloc confrontation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said last month. What is NATO really up to? This calls for high vigilance among countries in the world, particularly in Asia.

Indo-Pacific partners

Indo-Pacific partners Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea attended the NATO summit last year and will again participate in Vilnius.

These Indo-Pacific countries, they have a unique experience engaging with the PRC and can bring some valuable perspective to that discussion, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said in an interview with VOA on Thursday.

NATO has said it remains open to constructive engagement with Beijing.

Iuliia Iarmolenko contributed to this report.
THE WHITE HOUSE - President Joe Biden will seek to grow his "close relationship" with the United Kingdom, the White House says, when he pays his first visit to newly crowned King Charles III and meets with Britain's political leader to strengthen the bond between the two nations ahead of a critical NATO summit that could determine the course of the conflict in Ukraine.

London is the first stop on Biden's three-nation tour, which begins Monday. He will then go to Vilnius, Lithuania's capital, for a summit of NATO leaders, and then to Helsinki, the capital city of NATO's newest member, Finland.

"The president is very much looking forward to this," John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council, told VOA. "As you know, the United Kingdom is our strongest ally, in so many ways, on so many levels."

Kirby said Biden will discuss issues such as the war in Ukraine with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and will discuss environmental challenges with the monarch, who was an early advocate for climate action.

"Not to downplay the U.K. trip, but this is not a full-fledged visit to the country but rather a stop on the way to Lithuania," Dalibor Rohac, a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, told VOA, via email.

And, he said, London noticed when Biden heaped praise on his ancestral home of Ireland, which he has described as "part of his soul." The southern two-thirds of the Irish island is not part of the United Kingdom and has historically opposed the monarchy.

"For a host of reasons, British Conservative commentariat and political class feel constantly slighted by Biden  from his expressions of Irishness, through his absence at the king's coronation, to Ben Wallace's unsuccessful bid to lead NATO," Rohac said. "That sense of neglect and of being snubbed is not going away, even if Rishi Sunak's personal relationship with Biden appears good and even if the U.K. and the U.S. work extremely closely on a range of topics from Ukraine to security in the Indo-Pacific."

Still, there is some symbolism to the American leader meeting amicably with the British king. Charles III is a direct descendant of King George III, the distant sovereign against whom a group of American colonists leveled a litany of complaints in the Declaration of Independence.

"So it's to kind of recognize the pomp and circumstance of the unique head of state in the U.K. and of course, the unique history between these two great nations," said Sean Monaghan, a visiting fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"But also on a more substantive policy front, President Biden has met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak a number of times in recent months, and they will be looking to move forward that agenda that they agreed recently, during Sunak's last visit here, the so called Atlantic Declaration, which promises closer cooperation on a range of issues from trade, to defense, and elsewhere."

Commonwealth changing

King Charles III remains head of state  mostly in a ceremonial sense  for more than 2.6 billion people, spread across the globe as citizens of the 56 Commonwealth nations. The voluntary political association consists mostly of former territories of the British Empire. Their collective goals include supporting democracy, government and the rule of law and promoting liberal values like gender equality. The United States is not a member, but 13 nations in the Americas are.

In recent years, members have questioned Britain's right to rule them and interrogated their painful colonial past. Constitutional scholar Richard Albert is a member of Jamaica's constitutional reform committee, which will help the nation set up a post-Commonwealth framework.

Albert, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin, said he recently returned from a trip to New Zealand  another Commonwealth member state  where "they corrected me when I called it the Commonwealth," he said.

"They called it the Commontheft, the idea being that the Commonwealth has gained and accumulated all of its power and money on theft, of peoples, of lands, of possessions, of culture," he told VOA. "And so I thought that was a very powerful statement on the part of the people there in New Zealand."

The king, in his first Commonwealth Day message earlier this year, described the alliance as "an association not just of shared values, but of common purpose and joint action."

"Its near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold," he said.

Albert, who is Canadian  and who supports the idea of Ottawa withdrawing from the group  said "it's possible to imagine the Commonwealth now and into the future, being a force for good for democracy, for constitutionalism, for the rule of law."

But first, he says, something big has to happen.

"I wish the president would ask the king whether he plans to make amends for the wrongdoings of the monarchy over the past centuries," he said. "But of course, if the president were to ask King Charles that, he'd have to ask himself the very same question, wouldn't he?"
Officials in Cameroon say vaccine hesitancy is preventing them from inoculating millions of children for childhood diseases in the first major campaign since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The country has an outbreak of measles and rubella that has killed 18 children and sickened more than 4,000 this year. The public health ministry said several thousand vaccinators have been dispatched to over 200 hospitals in Cameroon to inoculate more than 5.5 million children against measles and rubella.

The government says the vaccinators are also visiting homes, churches, mosques, markets and camps to make sure every child under 10 years old is inoculated.

Thirty-six-year-old carpenter Ongene Pierre says he stopped the vaccinators from inoculating his three children at Nyom, a neighborhood in Cameroons capital, Yaounde.

He said he doesn't understand why the government wants all children under 10 to be vaccinated, adding that health workers should not be visiting public places to vaccinate children without the approval of parents.

Ongene said he has never received a vaccine and sees no reason for his children to be vaccinated.

Jeanette Moloua, a medical staff member in the public health ministry, said the nationwide vaccination campaign targets children from 9 months to 5 years who are the most affected by the measles outbreak.

"We should make sure our children take the two doses of the vaccine because this will boost their immune system," she said. "We should sensitize the public, those with rubella, we direct them to the hospital for them to get treatment, and also it is treated by the same vaccine, the MMR vaccine which fights against measles, mumps and rubella."

Moloa said the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is safe and there is no harm getting another dose.

Cameroon's ministry of health says less than 30% of about 5.5 million children targeted for vaccination in the five-day campaign launched Wednesday have been vaccinated. The government says a lack of trust is the leading cause of vaccine hesitancy. In addition, a lack of access to vaccination information and long distances from vaccination centers and hospitals prevent mothers from getting their children vaccinated.

The National Institute of Statistics says that Cameroon has a high proportion of he worlds zero-dose or unvaccinated children. The center says several pockets in Cameroon traditionally miss essential health care services, including vaccinations.

Health officials say parents should make sure their children get two doses of MMR vaccine, starting with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age.

The ongoing vaccination campaign is the biggest since Cameroon reported its first cases of COVID-19 in March 2020. The government says when COVID-19 was reported in the central African state, parents were afraid to take their children to hospitals for vaccinations because hospitals were also COVID-19 test and treatment centers.

Health workers say a major challenge for them now is having access to some parts of western English-speaking regions. Separatist fighters have declared that they don't want workers from the central government in Yaounde in English-speaking towns and villages.

Cameroon's military says it is protecting health workers and is asking civilians to denounce fighters against government troops so the vaccination drive can be successful.
AMSTERDAM - The Dutch government collapsed Friday after failing to reach a deal on restricting immigration, which will trigger new elections in the fall.

The crisis was triggered by a push by Prime Minister Mark Rutte's conservative VVD party to limit the flow of asylum-seekers to the Netherlands, which two of his four-party government coalition refused to support.

"It's no secret that the coalition partners have differing opinions about immigration policy. Today we unfortunately have to conclude that those differences have become insurmountable. Therefore, I will tender the resignation of the entire Cabinet to the king," Rutte said in a televised news conference.

Tensions came to a head this week when Rutte demanded support for a proposal to limit entrance of children of war refugees who are already in the Netherlands and to make families wait at least two years before they can be united.

This latest proposal went too far for the small Christian Union and liberal D66, causing a stalemate.

Rutte's coalition will stay on as a caretaker government until a new administration is formed after new elections, a process which in the fractured Dutch political landscape usually takes months.

News agency ANP, citing the national elections committee, said elections would not be held before mid-November.

A caretaker government cannot decide on new policies, but Rutte said it would not affect the country's support for Ukraine.

The Netherlands already has one of Europe's toughest immigration policies, but under the pressure of right-wing parties, Rutte had for months been trying to seek ways to further reduce the inflow of asylum-seekers.

Asylum applications in the Netherlands jumped by a third last year to over 46,000, and the government has projected they could increase to more than 70,000 this year  topping the previous high in 2015.

This will again put a strain on the country's asylum facilities, where for months last year hundreds of refugees at a time were forced to sleep in the rough with little or no access to drinking water, sanitary facilities or health care.

Rutte last year said he felt "ashamed" of the problems, after humanitarian group Medecins sans Frontieres sent in a team to the Netherlands for the first time ever, to assist with migrants' medical needs at the center for processing asylum requests.

He promised to improve conditions at the facilities, mainly by reducing the number of refugees that reach the Netherlands. But he failed to win the backing of coalition partners who felt his policies went too far.

Rutte, 56, is the longest-serving government leader in Dutch history and the most senior in the EU after Hungary's Viktor Orban. He is expected to lead his VVD party again at the next elections.

Rutte's current coalition, which came to power in January 2022, was his fourth consecutive administration since he became prime minister in October 2010.
Latest developments:

Washington is expected to announce that it plans to send cluster munitions to Ukraine after months of hesitation. Ukraine and Russia have been using cluster munitions, but Ukraine has been running low on ammunition. Cluster munitions are banned by more than 100 countries.

Russia fired cruise missiles at Lviv, in western Ukraine, killing at least six people in what Ukrainian officials said was the heaviest attack on civilian areas of the city since the Kremlins forces invaded Ukraine last year.

Ahead of next weeks NATO summit in Lithuania, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on NATO leaders to take concrete steps toward Ukrainian membership.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to hold talks Friday with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the latest leg of a tour to push Ukraine's bid to join NATO and secure more weapons from allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday reiterated his call for long-range weapons to conduct offensive and defensive operations against Russian forces that invaded his country.

Speaking Friday during a visit to the Czech Republic, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was talking about long-range weapons systems with many allies, including the United States.

"Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission, but also, honestly, to conduct a defensive operation. It is very difficult. This means that you are defending your land and you cannot reach the appropriate distance to destroy your enemy, i.e. the enemy has a distant advantage, he said.



Zelenskyys Prague visit is part of a foreign tour before a NATO summit next week, during which he is expected to urge the alliance to admit Ukraine as a member.

The European Union said Friday its member states have reached an agreement to spend $545 million to boost ammunition production for Ukraine and to restore the ammunition stocks of its members.

The Act in Support of Ammunition Production or ASAP is set to mainly focus on the production of artillery shells and missiles.

Ukrainian forces have advanced by more than a kilometer against Russian troops near the eastern city of Bakhmut, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television Friday.

"The defense forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks," he said.

The Biden administration is considering sending cluster munitions to Ukraine to help it in its war against Russia, U.S. officials said, in a move that will likely anger human rights groups.

The controversial weapons are fired from a cannon and release dozens of bomblets across a wide area. They can cause harm long after the fighting has ended. Cluster munitions are banned by 123 countries because of the risk they pose to civilians but the United States, Ukraine and Russia have not banned them.

The cluster munitions are expected to be part of a new U.S. aid package to Ukraine that is to be announced Friday.

Provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine is something that is under consideration, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said Thursday.

Ukraine and Russia are using their own cluster munitions on the battlefield. But Kyiv has been asking Washington to send cluster munitions because its forces are running low on ammunition. So far, the United States has resisted providing the cluster munitions because of the risk to civilians.

Now, though, U.S. officials reportedly believe cluster munitions would be useful in the fight against Russia. Laura Cooper, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, recently testified to Congress that these munitions would help Kyiv press through Russias dug-in positions.

U.S. law requires a presidential waiver to export cluster munitions if more than 1% of the bomblets they hold usually fail to explode. That figure is known as the dud rate.

We have multiple variants  in our stock and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with dud rates higher than 2.35%, Ryder said.

We would carefully be selecting rounds with lower dud rates based on testing from 2020, he added.

A U.S. decision may be announced as soon as Friday, according to NPR.

Earlier Thursday, a Russian missile struck an apartment building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killing at least four people and injuring nine others.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the missile also damaged about 60 apartments and 50 cars. Sadovyi described the attack as the largest against the citys civilian infrastructure since Russias invasion began last year.

There will definitely be a response to the enemy. A tangible one, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

Lviv is near Ukraines border with Poland, far from the frontline areas in eastern and southern Ukraine that have been the focus of much of the recent fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Ukraine counteroffensive

In an interview with CNN broadcast Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he wanted to launch a counteroffensive earlier but that the timing was dependent on getting military aid from Ukraines U.S. and European partners.

Ukraine began the counteroffensive last month, aiming to reclaim territory occupied by Russia since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

Ukrainian officials have sought ammunition and more advanced weapons, including air defense systems and fighter jets, in order to match up with Russias military capabilities.

I wanted our counteroffensive to happen much earlier, because everyone understood that if the counteroffensive unfolds later, then a bigger part of our territory will be mined, Zelenskyy told CNN. We give our enemy the time and possibility to place more mines and prepare their defensive lines.

He reiterated his case for Ukraine to receive F-16 fighter jets, saying having the planes is not about gaining an aerial advantage, but rather being equal to Russias forces.

Denmark said last week that training for Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s had begun.

VOA national security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this article. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters

Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON - South Korean officials are seeking to tamp down domestic opposition to the likely release of treated wastewater from Japans Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The release has the potential to undermine a recent warming of relations between the two countries in the face of an increasingly aggressive China, and some analysts worry that Beijing could use it to try to drive a wedge between them.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi is expected to visit Seoul from Friday to Sunday to explain his approval for Japanese plans to release the treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean.

Grossi issued the approval Tuesday during his trip to Tokyo where he presented a 140-page IAEA report to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Grossi said in the report the release of the water into the ocean would have a "negligible radiological impact on people and the environment."

However the plan to release the water has fueled protests in South Korea. Thousands of people have been gathering in Seoul, demanding the Yoon government block it.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said Thursday at an overnight protest at the National Assembly that the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol is "forcing people to believe Japan and the IAEA report."

However the Yoon administration has declared it is satisfied with the IAEA's safety review. During a news briefing on Wednesday, Park Ku-yeon, the first deputy chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said the government recognizes the IAEA "as a prestigious internationally agreed-upon agency and we respect its findings."

Experts said Beijing could use the protests against the dumping of the water into the ocean as a political tool to separate the renewed Seoul-Tokyo ties. Washington views the bilateral ties between its key allies as important in its effort to counter China's regional assertiveness.

Dennis Wilder, senior director for East Asia Affairs at the White House's National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, said, "Beijing has been working hard to try to find ways to divide the increasingly effective trilateral relationship so it would not be a surprise if they try to exploit this issue by attempting to scare the public in South Korea and elsewhere in the region."

He continued, "Nuclear power and nuclear waste are highly charged issues, and it is easy to mislead the public with disinformation even if a credible international organization like the IAEA has ruled the activity safe."

During a press briefing Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, "The report should not be the 'shield' or 'green light' for Japan's discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean."

Wang continued to say the report does not address "the strong opposition" to the discharge by the people of Japan, South Korea, Pacific Island countries and elsewhere.

The IAEA report concluded the discharge of 1.3 million metric tons of wastewater from the Fukushima plant, which has been filtered through the Advanced Liquid Processing System, would be safe as it meets the international safety standard. The system removes most radioactive contamination with the exception of tritium.

The findings were based on a two-year assessment by an IAEA task force advised by experts from 11 countries, including China, South Korea, and the U.S., according to the IAEA.

The Fukushima nuclear power plant was damaged by a deadly combination of an earthquake and tsunami in 2011, causing reactors to overheat and contaminate water in the plant with radioactive material.

New water was used to cool the damaged reactors, and now that water is stored in about 1,000 tanks, the amount equivalent to about 500 Olympic-size swimming pools.

Japan is planning to release the water over the next 30 to 40 years, starting around August, according to the IAEA.

South Korea sent a team of 21 experts to examine the safety of the treated water in the Fukushima plant in May and plans to release its own report soon. Yoon and Kishida are expected to discuss the discharge of the water on the sidelines of a NATO summit next week in Lithuania.

The U.S. "welcomes" the IAEA report, "noting Japan's plans to release treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear site are safe and consistent with internationally accepted nuclear safety standards," Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department, said on Wednesday.

Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Stimson Center's Reimaging U.S. Grand Strategy Program, said Beijing could use the issue "to drive a wedge between Seoul and Tokyo and halt the trajectory of South Korea-Japan security and economic cooperation." He noted that China has tried to "inflame South Korean historic distrust of Japan" in the past.

Yoon reached out to Tokyo in March to mend ties frayed over a longtime dispute with roots in the Japanese occupation of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945. The rapprochement resulted in summits with Kishida in March and May, the first for the two nations in 12 years.

The two leaders also met on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima and held a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. He invited them to Washington for a trilateral summit on an unspecified date later this summer.

Andrew Yeo, the SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korea Studies at Brookings Institution's Center for East Asia Policy, said despite Beijing being "very vocal" about the discharge and attempting "to find common cause with Seoul in driving a wedge between Tokyo and Seoul," the U.S. should not be "too worried."

Yeo continued, "Trilateral cooperation is proceeding with strong understanding that ongoing cooperation is necessary to deter and defend against North Korean threats and also coordinate on broader Indo-Pacific issues."
On July 2, Dmitry Medvedev, the former Russian president and prime minister who is now deputy chairman of Russias Security Council, praised the Russian authorities and people for resisting the mutiny by Wagner mercenaries and demonstrating loyalty to President Vladimir Putin. In an op-ed published by the official government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Medvedev claimed:

The authorities in Russia have convincingly proved their strength and stability, and the people of the country have demonstrated their readiness to rally around Supreme Commander Vladimir Putin to defend the Motherland.

That is false.

Russian border guards, and local and regional authorities, offered little to no resistance to Wagner Group founder Yevgeny Prigozhins troops, even after Putin called their march treason and ordered that it be stopped. The mercenaries rapidly took control of Rostov-on-Don, Russias largest southern city, captured military installations in a second city and advanced 800 km in the direction of Moscow. Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin reportedly left the capital during the crisis, and it remains unknown where Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was during that time.

Here is a brief chronology:

June 23

At 9:25 p.m. Moscow time, Prigozhin announced on Telegram that he was launching a "march for justice." He said the goal was to force Shoigu and Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, to resign.

June 24

Early that morning, Wagner forces entered Russias Rostov region from Ukraines partially Russian-occupied Luhansk region, meeting no resistance from Russias border guards, which are part of the Federal Security Service (FSB).

About the same time, a dozen planes carrying special forces flew from Moscow to Rostov-on-Don. The city's law enforcement agencies were ordered to take the headquarters of Russias Southern Military District, located in the city, under special protection.

Simultaneously, Russias TASS state-owned news agency reported that the Kremlin was treating the Wagner march as a rebellion and taking measures to halt it. The agency quoted Putins press secretary Dmitry Peskov as saying:

"The Ministry of Defense, the Russian Guard, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the FSB report around the clock to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the measures that are being taken after the instructions given by the head of state in connection with an attempted armed rebellion."

At 3:43 a.m. and at 5:13 a.m., Moscow time, Prigozhin claimed that Wagner forces had shot down two Russian military helicopters that tried to attack them.

At 5:23 a.m., local news sources in Rostov-on-Don reported that the city administration and the regional law enforcement and security agency headquarters had been "cordoned off by unknown people in military camouflage."

By 7:30 a.m., Wagner mercenaries and Prigozhin entered the Southern Military District headquarters and began negotiations with deputy Russian Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov. By that time, all military facilities in Rostov-on-Don were reportedly controlled by Wagner.

At 9:56 a.m., the Wagner-friendly telegram channel GreyZone published photos of unarmed people in uniform at the Bugaevka border crossing between the partly Russia-occupied Ukrainian Lugansk region and Russias Voronezh region. It commented:

"180 Russian soldiers and employees of law enforcement agencies agreed not to interfere with the action of Russian volunteers from the Wagner Group and laid down their arms."

Around 9:56 a.m., Wagner forces began to march toward Moscow from the Rostov and Voronezh regions. Tanks, armored vehicles, anti-aircraft guns and civilian trucks were used to transport thousands of rebellious mercenaries. The column was reportedly periodically attacked by Russian military helicopters, some of which were shot down by Wagner's air defenses.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Wagner forces shot down six Russian helicopters and a plane on June 24. At least 13 Russian military personnel were killed, according to Russian military bloggers.

By 9:57 a.m., Wagner forces occupied military facilities in Voronezh, a city with a population of more than a million. Everything is like in Rostov, a source close to the central office of the FSB told the BBC, adding that the FSB did not have a specific plan to suppress the Wagner rebellion yet.

Wagner forces proceeded to the Lipetsk region, where the authorities were deliberately digging holes on the highway with the help of excavators, as well as blocking the roads with trucks and buses to prevent the column from advancing toward Russias capital.

In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin ordered a counterterrorism operation regime in the city, including a curfew, limiting all transportation and putting the security forces on high alert. South of Moscow along the Oka River, the military established defensive lines and barricaded bridges.

At 10:06 a.m., the Kremlin released a Putin video address in which he called Prigozhin's "mutiny" treason and betrayal.

At 2:16 p.m. Putin's plane reportedly took off from Moscow in the direction of one of the presidential residences in the Tver region. Airplanes carrying Mishustin, his deputy Denis Manturov, and Arkady Rotenberg, a billionaire close to Putin, also departed from Moscow.

At 8:25 p.m., with Wagner troops some 200 kilometers (about 124 miles) from Moscow, Prigozhin unexpectedly announced that he agreed to halt the "march for justice."

According to Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, the Wagner group abandoned its plans to enter Moscow after he brokered safety guarantees for all its members with Putin and offered Prigozhin a safe haven in Belarus.
Earth's average temperature set a new unofficial record high on Thursday, the third such milestone in a week that already rated as the hottest on record.

The planetary average hit 63 degrees Fahrenheit (17.23 degrees Celsius), surpassing the 62.9-degree mark (17.18-degree mark) set Tuesday and equaled Wednesday, according to data from the University of Maine's Climate Reanalyzer, a tool that uses satellite data and computer simulations to measure the world's condition.

That average includes places that are sweltering under dangerous heat  like Jingxing, China, which checked in almost 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius)  and the merely unusually warm, like Antarctica, where temperatures across much of the continent were as much as 8 degrees Fahrenheit (4.5 degrees Celsius) above normal this week.

The temperature is ramping up across Europe this week, too. Germany's weather agency, DWD, has predicted highs of 37C (99F) on Sunday and the Health Ministry has issued a warning to vulnerable people.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on Thursday issued a note of caution about the Maine tool's findings, saying it could not confirm data that results in part from computer modeling.

"Although NOAA cannot validate the methodology or conclusion of the University of Maine analysis, we recognize that we are in a warm period due to climate change," NOAA said.

Still, the Maine data has been widely regarded as another troubling sign of climate change around the globe. Some climate scientists said this week they weren't surprised to see the unofficial records.

Robert Watson, a scientist and former chairman of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said governments and the private sector "are not truly committed to address climate change." Nor are citizens, he said.

"They demand cheap energy, cheap food and do not want to pay the true cost of food and energy," Watson said.
Just one day after its launch, Threads, the latest social media network, was blocked by the Islamic Republic, denying access to the Iranian population. This action occurred even though an account had been created for Iran President Ebrahim Raisi on the platform.

On Thursday afternoon, Raisi's user account, under the address raisi.ir, was established on Threads. Within a few hours, by Friday noon, he had garnered 27,000 followers. He has yet to make any posts, apparently because the Presidential Office staff administers Raisi's social media accounts.

As Raisi's user account debuted on the social media platform, numerous Iranian social media users have voiced concerns regarding restricted access to the platform since Thursday evening. Users have indicated that similar to Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, they require a VPN or proxy to connect to Threads.

Journalist Ehsan Bodaghi said on Twitter: "During the election, Mr. Raisi spoke about the importance of people's online businesses and his 2 million followers on Instagram. After one year, he blocked and filtered all social media platforms, and now, within the initial hours, he has become a member of the social network # Threads, which his own government has filtered. Inconsistency knows no bounds!"

Another journalist, Javad Daliri, posted this on Twitter: "Mr. Raisi and Mr. Ghalibaf raced each other to join the new social network # Threads. As a citizen, I have a question: Can one issue filtering orders and be among the first to break the filtering and join? By the way, was joining this unknown network really your priority?"

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is Speaker of the Parliament of Iran.

Despite the Iranian government's frequent censorship of social media platforms, officials of the Islamic Republic use these platforms for communication. Notably, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, maintains an active presence on Twitter.

Threads was introduced by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. The app was launched late Wednesday. Within two days, Threads has amassed more than 55 million users. The social network shares similarities with Twitter, allowing users to interact with posts through likes and reposts, and nearly doubles the character count limitation imposed by Twitter.

The similarities between Threads and Twitter have sparked a legal dispute between Elon Musk, the owner of Twitter, and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg. Musk has accused Meta of employing former Twitter engineers and tweeted, "Competition is good, but cheating is not."

Meta dismissed the copycat allegation, posting on Threads: "No one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee  that's just not a thing."
Irans Revolutionary Guards on Thursday seized a tanker in the Persian Gulf that is claimed to have been carrying smuggled fuel.

Irans semi-official Fars news agency said Friday a vessel carrying 900 tons of smuggled fuel and a 12-man crew was seized by Revolutionary Guards navy patrol under a court order.

The U.S. Navys Fifth Fleet said in a statement, The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forcibly seized a commercial vessel possibly engaged in smuggling activity.

No further details were immediately available.

The U.S. Naval Forces Central Command says it stopped Iran from seizing two commercial tankers earlier this week.

The Navy said the tankers were in international waters at the time -- one in the Gulf of Oman, the other 20 miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman, and traveling in international waters toward the Arabia Sea.

The Navy said that Iran backed off the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss and Bahamian-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager when the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul arrived on the scene.

Central Command said before it deployed toward the Richmond Voyager that Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons, but there were no casualties or significant damage.

I couldnt be prouder of the entire [U.S. Naval Forces Central Command] team, especially the exceptional effort by the McFaul crew, for immediately responding and preventing another seizure, Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. Fifth Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces said. We remain vigilant and ready to protect navigational rights in these critical waters.

Some information for this report came from Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, has visited the Alley of Martyrs, Trend reports.

A guard of honor was lined up for the Albanian President here.

President Bajram Begaj laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

The President of Albania enjoyed a panoramic view of Baku as he was informed on the history of the Alley of Martyrs and redevelopment works in the capital of Azerbaijan.
Israeli security forces killed two Palestinians Friday in Nablus, the West Bank's commercial capital.

Two militant groups claimed both men as members of their organizations.

Israels defense minister praised the operation.

Yoav Gallant said, There will be no loop that isn't closed and there won't be a terrorist who doesn't pay the heaviest price.

Israels operation comes days after Israel carried out a two-day offensive on the Jenin refugee camp, causing extensive damage and killing 12 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday, Israels airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, with a significant impact on civilians, including more than 100 injured and thousands forced to flee.



The U.N. Security Council is set to hold a closed-door meeting on the Jenin assault on Friday, per a request from the United Arab Emirates.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in 1967.

Palestinians want those territories for an independent state.
The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency is visiting the Asia-Pacific region this week after giving Tokyo the green light on Tuesday to release more than 1 million metric tons of treated nuclear wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. The IAEA says the water is safe for release, but the decision has done little to ease concerns of fishing and environmental communities throughout the region. VOAs Jessica Stone reports.
Kenyan police have used tear gas on opposition-led protesters, who were demonstrating Friday against tax hikes, including the doubling of a tax on fuel.

Thousands of protesters marched through streets in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, and other towns, demanding the state abolish recently hiked taxes. They carried placards that read Tumechoka, which means We are tired in Swahili.

Gacheke Gachihi, the coordinator of the Mathare Social Justice center that co-organized the protest, said the bill had a huge impact on people.

''Immediately [after] the finance bill was passed, the cost of petrol, diesel was increased, immediately the cost of traveling skyrocketed, Gachihi said. Many people were affected, and you know even before the bill was signed the court had stopped the implementation of the finance bill.''

Police fired tear gas to disperse the swelling crowds. Dozens of people were arrested in the protests, arrests that Irungu Houghton, director of Amnesty International Kenya, described as arbitrary.

''It is really shocking that several arrests have been made of protesters from what we can see from social media or mass media and our monitors in Nairobi, Houghton said. They were essentially peaceful protests against the cost of living and the recent tax provisions that have been introduced by the Kenya Kwanza government.''

Kenya's opposition leader, Raila Odinga, called for an anti-government protest over the impact of the taxes on Kenyans. Kenya President Willaim Ruto said the tax hikes are essential to addressing debt repayment and for creating jobs.
Security officials in Kenya said at least 23 al-Shabab fighters were killed by Kenyan Special forces during the ambush in Orgene village, in Mandera County in northeast Kenya.

Six Kenyan soldiers were killed during the encounter that left eight others injured.

The incident comes just a day after the countrys security minister Kithure Kindiki vowed to flush militants from Kenyan territories while on a security tour of the countrys northeast.

There is an increasing tendency of terrorists to attack our people including our security officers, Kindiki said. We will sustain the war, we will win the war and we request for the patience and cooperation of the public.

In the last month, militant groups have killed at least 25 people in a spate of terror attacks near the Kenya-Somalia border. Addressing residents in Wajir, Kindiki said Kenya will use all possible means to eradicate terrorists and their sympathizers from the region.

We are going to upscale our partnership between the security agencies and the local communities to ensure that we flush out this enemy, the way our neighbors in Somalia have collaborated between the security agencies and the local communities, Kindiki said.

Al-Shabab operations along the Somalia border in northeastern Kenya have disrupted development and caused suffering to locals in the counties of Wajir, Garissa and Mandera. Speaking to journalists Friday, Wajir County Governor Ahmed Abdullahi urged locals to help security agencies defeat the militants.

We must work with our security agencies, Abdullahi said. We must give information and we must be at the forefront ourselves of fighting Al-Shabab.

Earlier this year, Kenya announced plans to reopen its border with Somalia, which has been closed for over a decade. Those plans have now changed following the increase in militant attacks.

In the past, Islamist al-Shabab militants have attacked Kenyan cities and towns, trying to force the withdrawal of Kenyan troops from Africa Union-led peacekeeping forces in Somalia.
Latest developments:

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday that the alliance's leaders would reaffirm that Ukraine will become a member of the military alliance and unite on how to bring Kyiv closer to this goal when they meet in Vilnius next week.

Russia must not further endanger the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in Ukraine, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said Friday.

President Joe Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said Friday that there was no clear answer about how to bring home Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, who are being detained in Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meeting Friday with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. The two leaders will discuss the potential extension of a wartime grain deal allowing the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea, which Russia has threatened not to renew after it expires on July 17.

The United States announced Friday that it would supply cluster munitions to Ukraine as NATOs leader said the military alliance would unite at a summit next week on how to bring Ukraine closer to joining.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Brussels on Friday that NATO members meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania, next week would reaffirm their goal for Ukraine to eventually become a member of the alliance. However, membership talks are not expected until after the war is over.

When asked when or how Ukraine might join the alliance, Stoltenberg said that the most important thing now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails in its fight against Russia.

In Washington, President Joe Biden defended the U.S. move to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, calling it a difficult decision.

It took me a while to be convinced to do it, Biden said in a CNN interview.

He said the cluster munitions would help Ukraine to stop those [Russian] tanks from rolling."

The military aid is part of an $800 million security package that brings the total U.S. military aid to Ukraine to more than $40 billion since Russia's February 2022 invasion.

Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser, echoed the presidents remarks, saying the decision to provide cluster bombs was not an easy one for the U.S. or Ukraine. He said Ukraine has provided assurances it would use these munitions with the utmost care because it knows the risk they pose to Ukrainian citizens.

We will continue to support Ukraine along the way. We base our security assistance decisions on Ukraines needs on the ground, said Sullivan, noting that there also were consequences to civilians if Russian troops and tanks rolled over Ukrainian positions.

Bidens decision circumvents U.S. law prohibiting the production, use or transfer of cluster munitions with a failure rate of more than 1% by allocating the munitions from existing defense stocks under the Foreign Assistance Act. This clause allows Biden to provide aid once he deems that such a provision is the U.S. national security interest.

Ukraines ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, told the VOA Ukraine Service the cluster munitions are necessary against a Russian adversary that uses horrible techiques in its fight against Ukrainians.

We need to liberate as many territories as possible and we need all the capabilities to do. So, that's why we need the cluster Munitions and we're so grateful that today the United States made the decision to provide it to us.

The move comes amid concerns that Kyivs counteroffensive is going slower than anticipated against entrenched Russian troops and that Kyiv is diminishing Western stocks of conventional artillery. However, Colin Kahl, the Pentagon's top policy adviser, told reporters it was too soon to draw any conclusions about Kyiv's battlefield gains. Russia is more successful at digging in "than perhaps was fully appreciated."

More than 100 nations have joined the Convention on Cluster Munitions banning such weapons. The United States, Russia and Ukraine are not part of the convention. Russia and Ukraine reportedly have used such weapons against each other.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is against the use of cluster munitions, U.N. spokesperson Farhan Haq said Friday. And Germany, a member of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and a U.S. ally, expressed its opposition to such a move.

Human Rights Watch has also urged the United States not to send cluster munitions to Ukraine, and it has asked Russia and Ukraine to immediately stop using cluster weapons.

Ukraine has asked for cluster munitions to be used against entrenched Russian troops.

"Undoubtedly, the transfer of additional volumes of shells to Ukraine is a very significant contribution to the acceleration of deoccupation procedures, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhailo Podolyak said Friday.

Grigory Karasin, head of the international committee in the Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, raised "serious concerns" about Washingtons decision. Karasin said that Russia "of course will respond to this," according to Russias RIA news agency.

NATO-Ukraine

Zelenskyy reiterated his call for long-range weapons against Russian forces that invaded his country.

"Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission, but also, honestly, to conduct a defensive operation. It is very difficult. This means that you are defending your land and you cannot reach the appropriate distance to destroy your enemy, i.e., the enemy has a distant advantage, Zelenskyy said while visiting Prague.

Zelenskyys Prague visit was part of his tour to NATO countries before the two-day NATO summit next week in Vilnius, Lithuania.

During Zelenskyys stop in Slovakia, Slovak President Zuzana Caputova said the question regarding Ukraines entrance into NATO was when, not if. Zelenskyy has acknowledged that Kyiv is unlikely to be able to join NATO while at war with Russia.

In his CNN interview Friday, Biden said he did not think there was a consensus among NATO member states to welcome Ukraine into the military alliance now.

"I don't think there is unanimity in NATO about whether or not to bring Ukraine into the NATO family now, at this moment, in the middle of a war," Biden said in an excerpt of the interview that aired Friday.

Responding to VOA on whether the U.S. president believed in a fast-track NATO membership for Ukraine, Sullivan said Friday that Biden has been clear that we're going to support Ukraine for as long as it takes and provide them an exceptional quantity of arms and capabilities, both from ourselves and facilitating those from allies and partners, but that we are not seeking to start World War III.

VOA White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara, VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin and VOA U.N. Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Washington hopes to rally Southeast Asian nations to take tougher action against Myanmar's military junta and to push back on China's actions in the South China Sea as top U.S. diplomat Antony Blinken heads to the region for meetings next week, a State Department official said on Friday.

Secretary of State Blinken will travel to Indonesia to participate in a meeting of foreign ministers from the ASEAN regional bloc after he joins President Joe Biden in the United Kingdom and in Lithuania for NATO meetings from Sunday to Wednesday.

Daniel Kritenbrink, the top State Department official for East Asia, told reporters that Myanmar, which was plunged into chaos by a 2021 military coup, would be "one of the key issues" discussed in Jakarta.

ASEAN has barred Myanmar's ruling generals from its high-level meetings, but Thailand has proposed re-engaging with the junta.

"We do expect our friends and partners in ASEAN ... to continue to downgrade Myanmar's representation in the ASEAN ministerial and we also look forward to finding ways to increase pressure on the regime to compel the regime to end its violence and return to a path of democracy," Kritenbrink said during a phone call to preview the trip.

Washington last month issued sanctions against two Myanmar banks used by the junta to convert foreign currency, in a move aimed at reducing the military's ability to import weapons and material for its crackdown on anti-coup forces.

Kritenbrink said last week that countries in the region should make progress in resolving maritime disputes with each other in order to strengthen their collective voice in disputes with China in the South China Sea.

Kritenbrink said on Friday that the U.S. would work with ASEAN members in Jakarta to push back against what he said was "an upward trend of unhelpful and coercive and irresponsible Chinese actions."

"It's not a matter of getting countries on board with the U.S. view, it's a matter of working with our partners to advance our shared view and vision for the region, and to push back on behavior that runs counter to that vision," he said.
Six Rohingya refugees were killed in Bangladesh relief camp clashes that broke out hours after an International Criminal Court prosecutor visited the settlements to gather testimony, police said Friday.

Bangladesh is home to around a million members of the stateless minority, most of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown in neighboring Myanmar that is now subject to a genocide probe at the UN court.

This week's violence was the latest in a series of deadly clashes between the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) and the Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO), two rival insurgent groups operating in the camps.

Faruq Ahmed, a spokesman for the Armed Police Battalion that looks after security in the refugee camps, told AFP that five people had been shot dead in a gunfight before dawn on Friday.

"All five who were killed in the gunfight are members of ARSA including a commander," he said, adding that security had been stepped up in the camps as a result.

Ahmed said that the violence came hours after the murder of Ebadullah, a refugee community leader, apparently at the hands of ARSA members.

Local daily Prothom Alo said Ebadullah, 27, had been marshalling refugees to meet with ICC prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan, who visited the camps on Thursday to record statements from witnesses to the 2017 crackdown in Myanmar.

ARSA did not immediately comment on the killings, but its members have been accused of targeting Rohingya civic leaders who challenge its authority.

Its leader, Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi, was last year charged in absentia with the 2021 murder of popular peace activist Mohib Ullah, a regular critic of the insurgent group's activities in the camps.

Jununi and other key ARSA leaders are also accused of murdering a senior Bangladeshi intelligence officer last November.

The murder prompted security forces in January to evict a makeshift settlement on the Myanmar border that ARSA had allegedly used as a staging post for methamphetamine trafficking to fund its operations.

Dozens have been killed in Rohingya camp clashes so far this year, including women and children.

Khan, the ICC prosecutor, told reporters in Dhaka that neither Ebadullah's murder nor the other killings were linked to the court's work.

"This has nothing to do with the ICC or anything else," he said.

Since the court's genocide probe began in 2019, "there has not been one incident that has come to our attention... of any individual being targeted because of the ICC or any perceived or actual involvement in the ICC", he added.

'Speeding things up'

Khan said he was working to expedite the court's probe into abuses against the Rohingya but his task had been hampered by restrictions on travel to Myanmar.

"That has quite a bit of difference on the ability to document, collect evidence and verify what took place," he said.

"I am not promising anything next year. All I am promising is we are speeding things up."

Funding cuts forced the United Nations food agency to cut rations to refugee settlements twice this year, with aid workers warning that the move would likely worsen the already precarious security situation in the camps.

Bangladesh and Myanmar have renewed efforts to begin repatriating Rohingya refugees to their homeland, where the stateless minority have been subject to decades of persecution and are denied citizenship.
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN - As fighting in Sudan enters its third month, the Sudanese military leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has reiterated his call for young people to take up arms against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, or RSF.

Some citizens see the call as a national duty.



People have the right to take up arms, so they are able to defend themselves and their country," said Abdulazeem Ishaaq, a Sudanese citizen in Khartoum.

Ishaaq told VOA he had encouraged his son Mohammed, 32, to join the army and contribute to defending the country.

He said al-Burhans call was overdue. Citizens, he said, "should collectively take up arms to defend their country. ... While establishment of a civilian government remains valid, right now all must stand alongside the military to defend the country.

The United Nations has said at least 3,000 people have been killed and 2.8 million people have been displaced in the conflict.

Khadijah Muatez, 35, a mother of three boys and two girls, said the call to arms would place more young people in harms way, and that they would not be well trained.

This means we are going to witness growing numbers of orphans and widows across the country," she said, "and women will be the ones taking the burden of all the responsibilities.

This week, a Sudanese military official showed some video of dozens of people in civilian clothes parading in one of the military barracks in Omdurman.

Nabeel Abdallah, Sudans military spokesperson, confirmed to VOA that thousands of volunteers have registered across Sudan, and that they now are undergoing some basic training before they are sent to fight.

Abdallah said the youth have responded positively, and they are registering in thousands across the country." He said most citizens "have been demanding such a move since the beginning of the war.

Yousif Ezzat, political adviser to the RSF commander, condemned the call by al-Burhan for young people to join the fight as a clear sign of defeat and said it was a crime. He told VOA the RSF was determined to continue fighting what he described as elements of the Islamist government of ousted President Omar al-Bashir.

Ezzat accused the military of obstructing the establishment of a democratic civilian-led government in Sudan.

"We will try to solve this problem once and forever," he said. "Nobody will fight [other] tribes, and we dont want tribalism to be involved in this issue. This is a national war, it is about the national agenda, future of Sudan, to solve the root cause of the conflict.

Regional and international mediation efforts have not been successful since fighting erupted April 15.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that the Haitian people are "trapped in a living nightmare" caused by violent armed gangs who have a stranglehold on the island nation, and he reiterated his call for an international armed force to help support the national police.

"Port-au-Prince is encircled by armed groups that are blocking roads, controlling access to food and health care, and undermining humanitarian support," he said of the capital, which he visited on Saturday.

Guterres told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York that Haiti needs humanitarian and security assistance, as well as a political path out of the crisis.

Last October, Haiti's government requested the U.N. Security Council authorize an international force to assist the national police in eliminating the threat from the gangs that are terrorizing the population and preventing their access to food, clean water, education and many basic services.

"We are not calling for a military or political mission of the United Nations," Guterres emphasized. "We are calling for a robust security force deployed by member states to work hand-in-hand with the Haitian National Police to defeat and dismantle the gangs and restore security across the country."

The police also need financing, training and equipment in order to restore state authority and services.

But nine months later, the Security Council is no closer to authorizing a force and no country has stepped up to lead it.

Haiti's foreign minister, Jean Victor Geneus, came to the council on Thursday to reiterate the urgency of the government's appeal, saying the council has a moral responsibility to prevent "the shipwreck" of his country.

"The council understands perfectly that the situation is unprecedented and catastrophic in the country; the council also understands that it needs to act," Geneus said. He added that the government is flexible and open to all options that the Security Council would consider.

Caribbean bloc CARICOM held its summit earlier this week and discussed the deteriorating situation in Haiti. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness briefed the council on behalf of CARICOM. He said the group is sending a panel of former prime ministers to Haiti in the coming weeks. He also urged the council to act.

"While we all express solidarity, it is meaningless without urgent action," he said.
A senior U.N. official said Friday that despite discouraging remarks from Moscow, the United Nations is continuing to pursue an extension of the deal that allows the safe export of grain from Ukraine via the Black Sea.

"We hear repeated statements from the Russian Federation, saying that there's been no advantage to them and time's up," U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths told reporters of the grain deal. "But of course, as the [U.N.] Secretary-General has made clear, this doesn't deter us from doing everything we can to work for renewal."

The Black Sea Grain Initiative is due for renewal on July 18. Moscow has said repeatedly during the lead-up to previous extension deadlines that it is not benefiting enough under the deal.

A parallel memorandum of understanding between Moscow and the United Nations has sought to remove obstacles to the export of Russian grain and fertilizer. While food and fertilizer are not sanctioned by the West, efforts have been made to ease concerns of anxious banks, insurers, shippers and other private sector actors about doing business with Russia.

Since the grain deal was signed in Istanbul on July 22, 2022, nearly 33 million metric tons of grain and other foodstuffs have been exported to global markets, helping to ease food prices, which spiked at the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February last year.

"The world has seen the value of the Black Sea initiative," Griffiths said. "This isn't something you chuck away."

But exports have slowed significantly since May, as ship inspections and registrations dropped dramatically. Diplomats have previously blamed Russia for slowing inspections and registrations.

The U.N. said last week that no new ships have been registered to transit the Black Sea since June 26 at the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, which oversees the deal. Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the U.N. have representatives at the JCC.

"It's very clear that there has been a complete slowdown. It's not hidden," Griffiths said. "It's about in the JCC in Istanbul, one party saying that we cannot in all conscience start processing ships into this, if we don't know that they will get out of it before the 18th of July, and that's the reason for it."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was in Turkey on Friday, where he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the two discussed the grain deal, among other issues. Erdogan was instrumental in achieving the deal nearly a year ago.

Damaged pipeline

Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for damage caused to a section of an ammonia pipeline last month in Ukraine's Kharkiv region. The pipeline runs from the Russian city of Tolyatti to the Ukrainian port of Odesa.

Griffiths said the pipeline is damaged in three places and that the U.N. has offered to send a technical team to assess what repairs are needed but has not received the guarantees it needs to do so.

"It's a very active war zone, and that's why it was damaged, in our opinion," he said of the pipeline. "To get to those three places to assess damage already requires a certain amount of agreement between the parties to provide a safe 'window of silence' to allow you to get there."

With the clock ticking on the grain deal and harvest season around the corner, Griffiths says he is eager to sit down with the parties in Istanbul next week, and his colleague, U.N. trade chief Rebeca Grynspan, would like to go to Moscow where she has led negotiations.

Pressed by reporters about whether the deal will end if Russia refuses a renewal, Griffiths said it is not for him to say but that he would expect active support from the United States and European Union, which is critical to removing impediments to Russian exports, to quickly fade if Moscow ends its participation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. From July 8th through 11th, a delegation headed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, will visit Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The visit will include meetings between the Secretary of State of the Holy See and official representatives of Azerbaijan, as well as representatives of religious communities.

The relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See, based on mutual respect, have come a long way in terms of development. Last year marked the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and the Holy See. In 2021, Azerbaijan established an embassy to the Holy See, providing a new impetus for further strengthening and expanding cooperation and friendly ties between the two sides.

The political dialogue between Azerbaijan and the Holy See is at a high level. Official visits by President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva to the Vatican, as well as Pope Francis' visit to Azerbaijan, contribute to further deepening this dialogue.

Productive cooperation relations have also been established between the Holy See and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The restoration of several historical monuments of global significance in the Vatican by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, initiated by First Vice President of Azerbaijan and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mehriban Aliyeva, is an important contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage. These projects, along with the preservation of global cultural, historical, and religious heritage, once again confirm Azerbaijan's role in the development of intercultural and interreligious relations.

In addition to the defined areas of cooperation, the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Roman Catholic religious community envisions activities aimed at the ethnocultural development of the people living in Azerbaijan. The undertaken work represents Azerbaijan's contribution to the dialogue between civilizations and religions, as well as the promotion of tolerance in the world.
While diplomatic efforts to resolve the border dispute that prompted a deadly 2020 clash between China and India make little progress, China and to a lesser extent India are moving ahead with the construction of military infrastructure to reinforce their respective claims.

Satellite imagery spanning a six-month period which ended in April shows a well-established presence on the Chinese side of the loosely defined Line of Actual Control that serves as a de facto border between the countries in the disputed Himalayan region of Aksai Chin.

Where previously only scattered checkpoints and basic military positions had been observed, China now has "expanded roads, outposts, and modern weatherproof camps equipped with amenities such as parking areas, solar panels, and helipads," according to a Chatham House report.

While India has made efforts to match the Chinese infrastructure buildup, the pace of development on that side has been much slower. Konchok Stanzin, who represents a border constituency on the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, has called for major development alongside a significant deployment of the Indian army.

"The progress in establishing counter infrastructure remains sluggish, and communication in the border areas is still lacking," he told VOA in Leh, the largest city in the Indian region of Ladakh which claims Aksai Chin as part of its territory.

That claim is disputed by Beijing, which administers most of the region as part of Tibet and its western Xinjiang province. While largely uninhabitable due to its altitude and arid conditions, it provides a strategically important link between those two regions.

It is also home to the Galwan Valley, where 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers died in a clash in June 2020. Three years of negotiations since then have led to military disengagement at five friction points but the border dispute is unresolved and the risk of an accidental clash escalating into a crisis between the two nuclear powers is very much present.

India has consistently emphasized that a lasting resolution can only be achieved through disengaging and reducing the number of troops from all remaining friction points.

Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia program and senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center, told VOA the Galwan clash sent India-China relations to their lowest level since the 1962 war, and three years later they are still trying to recover.

According to Kugelman, bilateral trade between the countries remains robust and they still cooperate in multilateral settings, but the broader relationship remains deeply strained.

"The Galwan clash also amplified the deepening strategic rivalry playing out between the two, especially with China expanding its influence in India's broader backyard through infrastructure investments and a deepening Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean," he said.

Following the Galwan clashes, numerous rounds of meetings at the corps commander level were conducted, resulting in a partial withdrawal of forces and the establishment of military buffer zones, effectively preventing further escalation. However, a significant number of troops remain stationed near the border, and the latest round of talks did not yield significant breakthroughs.

India External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar recently said, "The state of the border will determine the state of the relationship [between India and China] and the state of the border today is still abnormal."

Experts see little likelihood of an early improvement in Sino-Indian relations, especially after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit last month to Washington, where he and U.S. President Joe Biden sealed agreements on defense, technology and military matters.

"I do not foresee relations normalizing between India & China as long as Modi remains in office," said Pravin Sawhney, a former Indian army officer, defense expert and author. "The India-U.S. deals have been possible since both Delhi & Washington assess China as their common threat, at regional and global level respectively," he wrote in a text message to VOA.

Kugelman pointed out that the India-China relationship isn't openly hostile like that between India and Pakistan but said there are fundamental divergences that will be difficult to reconcile.

"Ultimately, everything comes down to the border dispute. Until and unless that's addressed, it will be difficult to muster the goodwill and trust to improve other aspects of the relationship," he said.
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA - The United States remains active in its search for a country to head a multinational force in troubled Haiti, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday, without offering Washington's lead.

Blinken met Wednesday at a Caribbean summit with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and again spoke of the urgency of an international force in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation, where gangs have taken over broad stretches of territory.

But no country has stepped forward despite nearly a year of calls for the force by Henry and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"We're in very active conversations with countries in the region and beyond about such a force and we're in active conversations, of course, at the United Nations about what it might do to give a force the proper imprimatur from the international community," Blinken told reporters in Guyana.

"Part of this involves making sure that countries step up to play important roles in such a force, particularly identifying a country that would play a leading-nation role," Blinken said.

But he declined to offer such a role for the United States, which has a long history of intervention in Haiti, and instead reiterated U.S. support for building Haiti's fledgling national police.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who ended America's longest war in Afghanistan, has made clear he has no intention of putting U.S. troops at risk in Haiti.

Haiti Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus spoke to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday about the urgent need for the international force.

And the U.N. special representative for Haiti reported on the violence there. In her report, Maria Isabel Salvador said that at least 264 suspected gang members in Haiti have been killed by vigilante groups since April.

"The appearance of vigilante groups adds another layer of complexity, Salvador told the U.N. Security Council.

Haitian police have been unable to quell the unprecedented violence by gangs that control much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and residents have begun to take matters into their own hands.

Haitians have not voted since 2016, with the last elected president, Jovenel Moise, assassinated in July 2021. Henry, the prime minister, has promised to step down after a new government is installed in February 2024, although election targets have repeatedly slipped in Haiti.

Blinken met with Henry at the Caribbean summit in Trinidad and Tobago, where the top US diplomat also called for renewed efforts to hold elections in Haiti.

Guyanese President Irfaan Ali said there was progress on Haiti at the Caribbean summit, with Kenya and Rwanda, whose president, Paul Kagame, was in attendance, offering support for the police force.

A group of former leaders, including former Prime Ministers Bruce Golding of Jamaica and Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia, agreed to work with both Henry and other Haitian stakeholders on a political transition, Ali said.

"Prime Minister Henry is committed to broadening this transitional government," Ali said.
Washington will focus on the current and long-term security needs of Ukraine at next week's NATO summit, a White House official said Thursday.

John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, told VOA that at the summit in Lithuania July 11-12, the U.S. wants to focus on the current fight Ukraine is in and support Kyiv's immediate and long-term security needs.

The following transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: I would like to start with the news of the day on cluster munitions. How close is the administration to the decision to provide such capability to Ukraine?

John Kirby, National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications: I don't have any decisions to speak to right now. What I can tell you is that, as we have kept in touch with Ukrainians throughout this war, we've evolved the kinds of capabilities as the war's evolved, and as their needs and our needs, quite frankly, have changed in terms of inventory. So, we're working our way through discussions with Ukrainians about lots of capabilities that they could use in the counteroffensive, and we'll just see where that goes.

VOA: As the Russian invasion of Ukraine nears the 500-day mark, Ukrainians are asking for more advanced weapons, such as ATACMS [Army Tactical Missile Systems], they also want more clarity on F-16s. Do you expect such decisions to be made during the NATO summit in Vilnius?

Kirby: I wouldn't look at the NATO summit as a decision point on certain exact systems. What I think you're going to see happen in Vilnius is the allies coming together to talk about what's going on on the battlefield today, what the Ukrainians need in the counteroffensive. But you're also going to see a discussion about what Ukraine's long-term security needs are going to be, even postwar. I don't want to talk about specific platforms or systems, just that there will be a more robust discussion about what long-term defense needs Ukraine is going to need.

VOA: The United States has been supporting the NATO open door policy. [The policy is based on Article 10 of the Washington Treaty, which states that NATO membership is open to any "European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area."] As circumstances change in terms of European security and the Ukrainian army's interoperability with NATO, does the Biden administration support the launch of a clear roadmap for NATO membership for Ukraine at the summit?

Kirby: We believe the most important thing to stay focused on is the fight that they're in right now. And in looking at postwar Ukraine, and what their security needs are going to be, and what commitments we and our allies can make to help them stay safe, because they're still going to have a long border with Russia. We still believe in NATO's open door of course, but we also recognize that in order to become a member of NATO, every country has to meet certain requirements and that it has to be a robust discussion between that nation and the alliance, and we want to respect that process.

VOA: How will the United States and NATO allies ensure that the mistakes of the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest aren't repeated, leaving Ukraine in some kind of "gray zone" that might invite new Russian aggression?

Kirby: I think it's hard to look at what we've been doing over the last 16 months and say that Ukrainians are in some kind of gray zone. I think the message has been sent to Mr. [Russian President Vladimir] Putin loud and clear, that not only the United States, not just the West, but the entire world is going to continue to support Ukraine.

VOA: Another important topic to be discussed during the summit is Sweden's membership in NATO. U.S. Senators [Mitch] McConnell and [Bob] Menendez are saying the United States should not sell F-16s to Turkey until Ankara ends its blockade of Sweden's NATO accession. Is the president [Biden] hopeful that Turkey will support Sweden's membership during this summit, even though there is no decision on F-16s?

Kirby: The president has remained optimistic that Sweden will become a member of NATO and be our 32nd ally. He's glad to see that the dialogue between Turkey and Sweden continues. He understands that there's concerns on both sides. But he's glad that they're talking this out and working it through, and, again, he's confident that Sweden will become a NATO ally.

VOA: There are also four Indo-Pacific partners that were invited to the Vilnius summit. What kind of message does NATO send to China inviting those partners?

Kirby: This isn't about sending a message to China. Those nations are all also supporting Ukraine, in various ways, of course. But you've seen the alliance in recent summits talk about the challenge on the European continent that's posed by the PRC [People's Republic of China]. So, it's not unusual at all that, in an alliance summit, you're going to have a discussion or discussions about the PRC and the challenges that they face on the European continent. And these countries, these Indo-Pacific countries, they have a unique experience engaging with the PRC, and can bring some valuable perspective to that discussion.

VOA: What is the significance of Biden's visit to the United Kingdom?

Kirby: The United Kingdom is our strongest ally in so many ways and on so many levels. He's [Biden's] looking forward to yet another meeting with Prime Minister [Rishi] Sunak. They have been discussing, either face-to-face or on the phone, several times since the prime minister came to office about the war in Ukraine; that will continue on this visit to the U.K. But he's also going to have a chance to meet with King Charles and some climate experts to talk about the challenges of climate change, not just in the Northern Atlantic that affects both of our countries, but across the world.

VOA: The U.S. deputy representative to the United Nations today asked the U.N. to investigate the debris of the Iranian drones in Kyiv. What role can the United States play in this investigation?

Kirby: I'm not aware that we're going to play any role in that investigation. But look, it's common knowledge that Russia reaches out to Iran for support. They're not only buying more, several hundred more drones from Iran, but now they're collaborating with Iran to construct the manufacturing facility for Iranian drones on Russian soil. So it's clear that Mr. Putin is going to continue to rain down these drones on the Ukrainian people. So it's no secret that these Iranian drones are being used now. I'll let the Ukrainian authorities speak for how they would investigate remnants of these, but it's obviously so public that Iran is supporting Russia with these dangerous capabilities.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen held candid and constructive talks Friday with Chinas Prime Minister Li Qiang in Beijing.

A Treasury Department statement said Yellen discussed the administrations desire to seek healthy economic competition with China that benefits both economies, including American workers and businesses.



She also emphasized close communication on global macroeconomic and financial issues and working together on global challenges, including debt distress in low-income and emerging economies and climate finance.

Chinas foreign ministry released a statement saying the prime minister noted that U.S. and Chinese economic interests are closely intertwined, and that Chinas development is an opportunity rather than a challenge to the United States. Beijing said that Yellen stated during the talks the U.S. does not seek decoupling and disconnection and has no intention of hindering China's modernization process.

The foreign ministry said, China and the United States should strengthen coordination and cooperation, join hands to tackle global challenges and promote common development.

While both sides described Yellens visit in positive terms, no new plans for more high-level meetings were announced.

China's going to continue to be around and be a major player on the world stage, White House press secretary Karin Jean Pierre said Friday, adding that an intense competition requires intense diplomacy.

So it is important to have an intense competition requires intense diplomacy, she said. That's what you see Secretary Yellen do, that's what you saw Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken do. These are the type of conversations that the president has had with President Xi in meetings that he's had with him as well, she said.

The U.S. treasury secretary began a four-day visit to China on Friday by calling for market reforms in the world's second-largest economy, and warning that the United States and its allies will fight back against what she called China's "unfair economic practices."

Speaking Friday in Beijing to the American Chamber of Commerce in China, Yellen said, The United States does not seek a wholesale separation of our economies. ... The decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be destabilizing for the global economy, and it would be virtually impossible to undertake."

And while she noted the importance of trade and investment with China, Yellen also raised concerns, including barriers to market access, Chinas use of non-market tools, and punitive actions that have been taken against U.S. firms in recent months, during a roundtable with more than 10 U.S. businesses operating in Beijing.

She also reaffirmed the U.S. economic approach to China, which remains focused on three primary objectives: securing vital interests pertaining to national security and human rights; pursuing healthy and mutually beneficial economic competition, in which China plays by international rules; and seeking mutual cooperation on urgent global challenges, including on the macroeconomy, climate, and global debt, according to a Treasury Department statement Friday.

Chinas foreign ministry said in its statement, the two sides should strengthen communication and seek consensus on important issues in the bilateral economic field through candid, in-depth, and pragmatic exchanges, so as to inject stability and positive energy into Chinese-U.S. economic relations.

Yellen arrived in Beijing Thursday and tweeted, U.S. President Joe Biden charged his administration with deepening communication between our two countries on a range of issues, and I look forward to doing so during my visit.

Treasury Department officials said ahead of the trip that Yellen would be discussing stabilizing the global economy, as well as challenging Chinas support of Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yellen was not expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Her visit, which is scheduled to last through Sunday, follows Blinkens trip to Beijing last month.

Yellen met earlier this week with Chinas ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, where the Treasury Department said Yellen raised issues of concern while also conveying the importance of the two largest economies working together on global challenges, including on macroeconomic and financial issues.

Chinese state media said Xie expressed hope that the two countries will eliminate interference and strengthen dialogue.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
WASHINGTON - When President Macky Sall announced in a televised address Monday that he would not seek a third term, democracy advocates and opposition supporters in the country celebrated.

Senegals 61-year-old president said the country is bigger than he is and is full of leaders equally capable of pushing the country toward emergence.

Salls supporters, like Saidibou Sy, a Dakar resident, said the president made the right call. If he [Sall] had decided to serve a third term, it would have been complicated for the country, he told Reuters.

Violent protests rocked the West African nation for weeks following speculation that the president would seek a third term. Until Monday, Sall refused to confirm or deny whether he intended to seek reelection.

Mucahid Durmaz, a senior analyst at Verisk Maplecroft, a London global risk intelligence company, said increased pressure from the opposition might have been behind the president's decision.

The opposition bloc has succeeded in utilizing socioeconomic grievances to sustain a nationwide protest movement against Salls rule, Durmaz told VOA. The widespread protests convinced Sall that a third term would deepen polarization, undermine the countrys democratic credentials and endanger the future of development projects."

Similar decisions 'unlikely'

Despite the positive response to Salls announcement, Durmaz said it was unlikely to convince juntas and authoritarian leaders in power across West Africa to follow suit.

Sall was first elected president in 2012 before returning to the presidency seven years later. Actions during his time in power  jailing opposition figures and removing party officials who challenged his candidacy for a third term  were seen as an attempt to hold on to power.

But conflict over the extension of term limits on the continent isnt new.

In Tunisia, the country approved a new constitution in 2022 that sealed a one-man rule with President Kais Saied, 65, in a referendum that observers said dealt a blow to democratic efforts. The new constitution removed a provision that had prevented leaders from altering the two-term limit, according to the New York advocacy group Human Rights Watch.

The continent has had its share of long-serving leaders, including Equatorial Guineas Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Cameroons Paul Biya, Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, Ugandas Yoweri Museveni, King Eswatini III of Eswatini and Eritreas Isaias Afwerki.

Senegal stood out

Political instability, coups and countercoups in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea have also derailed democratic processes in the region, observers say. But for a long time, Senegal stood out for its peaceful transition of power.

Senegals democratic culture has been entrenched thanks to a well-organized civil society that has protected democratic norms from leaders trying to hold on to power," Durmaz said. This isnt the case in the likes of Cameroon, Tunisia or Equatorial Guinea as civil society is nonexistent or has been heavily suppressed.

Odeh Friday, Nigeria country director for Accountability Lab, an advocacy group focused on governance, said that the Senegalese president was honoring a verbal commitment he made at the second U.S.-organized Summit for Democracy in Washington in March.

I think Salls surprising decision could potentially serve as a shining example for other African leaders who face similar questions about their political futures, Friday said.

It is quite an early decision to make to see what it means for the African continent," Friday said, "and it remains uncertain whether the decision will have a lasting impact on the behavior of other African leaders, even within the region, because the power structures are different and the willingness to uphold term limits may vary.

Democratic possibilities

Friday added that Salls decision could also show other African leaders that it is possible to allow democratic principles and processes to run their course.

"The voices of the people in the democratic setting should be the key, and I am very hopeful that Africa will continue to move from where we are to a better place."

As for the future of Senegal in the wake of political changes, Durmaz said former Prime Minister Idrissa Seck could emerge as a viable candidate.

Seck is likely to present himself as a moderate candidate who can lead a smooth transition into the post-Sall era, he said.

This story originated in VOAs English to Africa Service.
TAIPEI - It has been eight years since China launched a sweeping crackdown on more than 300 lawyers and human rights defenders on July 9, 2015. For some, the persecution that began with the 709 Crackdown persists to this day.

Over the past couple of months, Wang Quanzhang and his family have been forcefully evicted more than a dozen times from apartments they were trying to rent or from hotels in the Chinese capital, Beijing. In mid-April, police in Beijing arrested and detained prominent human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng and his wife, Xu Yan, after several European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, visited China.

The couple were taken away by police after they were invited to meet European diplomats in mid-April, and in May, they were charged with picking quarrels and provoking trouble and inciting subversion of state power, charges that are often used against dissidents in China.

Sources who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the subject told VOA authorities have threatened lawyers not to take up Yu and Xus cases, and the detention center in Beijing has refused to let lawyers meet either of them. When VOA reached out to the detention facility where the two are being held, operators refused to answer questions about Yu and Xus status.

Utility cuts, forced relocation

As for Wang, who used to live in Beijing with his wife and son, he said he has been forcefully evicted by landlords or hotels at least 13 times since April.

Wang said local police first accused him and his family of illegally occupying someone elses property. After Wang showed authorities their rental contracts, the power and water to his units were cut off.

The forced evictions happened either because landlords were pressured by police or they worked with police to kick us out of the apartments, Wang told VOA.

Doors to their apartments have been constantly blocked by unknown men. Wangs wife posted a video on Twitter showing a lock being put on the apartments electricity meter during one of the power cuts they experienced. Police had pressured storage service providers to not let Wang and his family leave their daily necessities like furniture or winter clothes at warehouses. Because of the unusually high frequency of forced eviction that the family has faced since April, Wang said, they had to keep a lot of stuff in storage before they could properly settle down somewhere.

While Im still trying to push back against the latest wave of crackdown in Beijing, my wife and son have moved to another city, he said.

Days before the latest crackdown began, two other Chinese activists, Xu Zhiyong and Ding Jiaxi were sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for subverting state power. While Western governments have repeatedly condemned Chinas persecution of activists, rights lawyers, and dissidents, Beijing has refuted the criticisms, stressing that it handles cases in accordance with the law and that the matters are Chinas internal affairs.

'The crackdown never stopped'

Wang and Yu were both targeted during the 709 Crackdown that took place in 2015, and the recent persecution against the community represents a larger trend that has intensified since Chinese leader Xi Jinping secured his third term in March. Other human rights lawyers have faced constant house arrests, deprivation of their freedom of movement, or repeated threats of forceful eviction.

The latest wave of the crackdown, which has intensified in recent months, has seriously damaged our lives and ability to work, said Wang, adding that his family has been so busy looking for their next apartment that they are unable to maintain a normal lifestyle.

Patrick Poon, a visiting researcher at the University of Tokyo, told VOA that the Chinese government is trying to limit international attention on the persecution of human rights lawyers by putting them in jail again or by forcing them out of Beijing, where they can easily meet foreign diplomats.

Beijing is trying to reduce the voices of these human rights lawyers, he said.

Others see the latest wave as an extension of the crackdown on rights lawyers that began in 2015 and an attempt to further isolate the community.

While many lawyers imprisoned during the 709 Crackdown were released over the last few years, Chinese authorities have revoked the licenses of more than 80 lawyers since 2018, forcing them to lose the qualification to legally take on cases, said Wang Yu, the first lawyer arrested during the 709 Crackdown in 2015.

She said while human rights lawyers have mostly maintained a very low-key lifestyle since being released from prison, the governments crackdown remains harsh and repressive.

Most of us havent been making provocative public comments in recent years, but authorities continue to persecute us, she told VOA, adding that Beijings ultimate goal is to create a chilling effect across the dissident community.

In some ways, the government has achieved its goals, as some lawyers have stopped interacting with me and other lawyers (are) targeted by authorities, Wang said. They worry about becoming targets of the governments crackdown.

VOA reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and China's embassy in the U.S. for comments on the recent crackdown but has yet to receive a response.

'They cant completely wipe out dissent'

Both Wang Quanzhang and Wang Yu are pessimistic about the future for human rights lawyers in China.

As the Chinese government becomes more familiar with repressive tactics, challenges faced by human rights lawyers will become more prevalent in China, Wang Quanzhang said. It is getting so bad that he no longer knows where the governments red line is.

However, Wang Yu believes the Chinese government cant completely wipe out dissent in the country.

Even when most human rights lawyers are no longer dared to criticize the government due to the constant repression we face, there are still other forms of opposition like the White Paper Movement that led to the end of the zero-COVID strategy late last year, she told VOA. When the Chinese governments repression becomes too cruel, some dissent may still emerge.

Poon from the University of Tokyo told VOA that while some human rights lawyers still try to share personal stories of persecution with the outside world, but it is unknown how much longer they are able to tell the international community what is happening to them inside China.

The only way to change the situation faced by human rights lawyers is for the international community to pay more attention to the ongoing persecution, he said.
Speaking Friday in Beijing to the American Chamber of Commerce in China, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, The United States does not seek a wholesale separation of our economies. ... The decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be destabilizing for the global economy, and it would be virtually impossible to undertake."

Yellen is expected to meet later Friday with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and other Chinese officials in Beijing, where she is set to address the strained relationship between the two countries.

She arrived in Beijing on Thursday.

I am glad to be in Beijing to meet with Chinese officials and business leaders, Yellen said on Twitter. We seek a healthy economic competition that benefits American workers and firms and to collaborate on global challenges.

We will take action to protect our national security when needed, she added, and this trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding.

Yellen said U.S. President Joe Biden charged his administration with deepening communication between our two countries on a range of issues, and I look forward to doing so during my visit.

Treasury Department officials said ahead of the trip that Yellen would be discussing stabilizing the global economy, as well as challenging Chinas support of Russia during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Yellen was not expected to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Her visit, which is scheduled to last through Sunday, follows U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinkens trip to Beijing last month.

Yellen met earlier this week with Chinas ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, where the Treasury Department said Yellen raised issues of concern while also conveying the importance of the two largest economies working together on global challenges, including on macroeconomic and financial issues.

Chinese state media said Xie expressed hope that the two countries will eliminate interference and strengthen dialogue.

Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was no longer in Belarus and had returned to Russia.

Prigozhin went to Belarus as part of a deal to end Prigozhins short-lived June 23 armed mutiny against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian defense officials. The Russian government was paying Prigozhins Wagner Group of mercenaries to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, but he frequently complained that Russia did not supply his forces with enough ammunition.

Lukashenkos claim that Prigozhin, once a confidant of Putin, had returned to Russia could not be immediately confirmed, and the Kremlin refused to comment on Prigozhins whereabouts. Russian media have reported that he was recently seen at his offices in St. Petersburg.

When Lukashenko brokered the deal to end the mutiny and allow Prigozhin and his troops to travel to Belarus, the Belarusian said he had to talk Putin out of killing Prigozhin for leading the mutiny. If he is indeed in Russia, Prigozhins status is not clear.

The Belarusian leader dismissed suggestions that Putin might order Prigozhin killed, saying, "If you think that Putin is so vicious and vindictive to finish him off, no, it's not going to happen."

Lukashenko said Prigozhins mercenaries were in their field camps, but it was not clear where he meant. Putin has said the mutinous troops could join the Russian military, retire from fighting or move to Belarus.

During the brief mutiny, Prigozhin's mercenaries quickly moved through the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don and captured the military headquarters there before marching to within about 200 kilometers of Moscow. Prigozhin described it as a "march of justice" to oust his longtime foes  Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the military's general staff, General Valery Gerasimov, whose handling of the war in Ukraine he had criticized.

The Wagner fighters faced little resistance, downing at least six Russian helicopters and a command post aircraft and killing at least 10 airmen.

And then it abruptly ended, with Prigozhin ordering his troops to return to their camps rather than confront Russian troops on the outskirts of Moscow.

Lukashenko told reporters Thursday that his offer to allow some Wagner fighters to be stationed in Belarus still stood.

"At the moment the question of their transfer and setup has not been decided," Lukashenko said. "I am absolutely not worried or concerned that we will host a certain number of these fighters here."

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
MARYLAND - Zimbabwean police have barred the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change led by Nelson Chamisa from holding its official election campaign launch in Bindura at the weekend saying the venue is in a bushy area without necessary facilities, including toilets and serviced roads.

Responding to the CCCs request to hold the rally as per some provisions of the law, the officer commanding the district said it has reservations in allowing the party to hold the rally taking into account all relevant security factors necessary.

In a letter in possession of VOA Studio 7, police said, The venue falls within an undeveloped piece of land, which is bushy without serviceable roads, water and sewer facilities. It provides a high risk security threat to the participants. There is also high risk of threat to the spread of any communicable diseases.

In the event of any public disorder, the police and other services would have challenges to access the venue due to unavailability of an official road network. As a result, our mandate to protect life and property and to maintain law and order will be compromised.

Police also said the CCC notice did not give sufficient notice to the regulatory authority provided for in terms of the Maintenance of Public Order Act.

The Zimbabwean police recommended that CCC should secure another venue and give notice as per the provisions of the law.

But CCC said they will proceed with the rally despite the negative police response.

In a tweet, CCC spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said, Its all systems GO for our national campaign mega-launch in Bindura on Sunday, 9 July 2023 at 10am. Its going to be the biggest rally seen in Southern Africa. All roads lead to Mash Central this weekend as we paint the nation yellow! Change is coming.

The party said they would provide mobile ablution facilities at the venue to ensure that CCC members needs are catered for.

Suspected Zanu PF activists have barred CCC rallies in Chikombedzi, Chiredzi central and some parts of Manicaland.

Zimbabwe will hold crucial harmonized elections on 23 August this year. There are 11 presidential candidates, including Chamisa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who are the front runners.
Latest developments:

Washington is expected to announce that it plans to send cluster munitions to Ukraine after months of hesitation. Ukraine and Russia have been using cluster munitions, but Ukraine has been running low on ammunition. Cluster munitions are banned by more than 100 countries.

Russia fired cruise missiles at Lviv, in western Ukraine, killing at least six people in what Ukrainian officials said was the heaviest attack on civilian areas of the city since the Kremlins forces invaded Ukraine last year.

Ahead of next weeks NATO summit in Lithuania, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on NATO leaders to take concrete steps toward Ukrainian membership.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to hold talks Friday with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the latest leg of a tour to push Ukraine's bid to join NATO and secure more weapons from allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday reiterated his call for long-range weapons to conduct offensive and defensive operations against Russian forces that invaded his country.

Speaking Friday during a visit to the Czech Republic, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was talking about long-range weapons systems with many allies, including the United States.

"Without long-range weapons, it is difficult not only to carry out an offensive mission, but also, honestly, to conduct a defensive operation. It is very difficult. This means that you are defending your land and you cannot reach the appropriate distance to destroy your enemy, i.e. the enemy has a distant advantage, he said.

SEE ALSO:



Zelenskyys Prague visit is part of a foreign tour before a NATO summit next week, during which he is expected to urge the alliance to admit Ukraine as a member.

The European Union said Friday its member states have reached an agreement to spend $545 million to boost ammunition production for Ukraine and to restore the ammunition stocks of its members.

The Act in Support of Ammunition Production or ASAP is set to mainly focus on the production of artillery shells and missiles.

Ukrainian forces have advanced by more than a kilometer against Russian troops near the eastern city of Bakhmut, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television Friday.

"The defense forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks," he said.

The Biden administration is considering sending cluster munitions to Ukraine to help it in its war against Russia, U.S. officials said, in a move that will likely anger human rights groups.

The controversial weapons are fired from a cannon and release dozens of bomblets across a wide area. They can cause harm long after the fighting has ended. Cluster munitions are banned by 123 countries because of the risk they pose to civilians but the United States, Ukraine and Russia have not banned them.

The cluster munitions are expected to be part of a new U.S. aid package to Ukraine that is to be announced Friday.

Provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine is something that is under consideration, Pentagon spokesperson Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said Thursday.

Ukraine and Russia are using their own cluster munitions on the battlefield. But Kyiv has been asking Washington to send cluster munitions because its forces are running low on ammunition. So far, the United States has resisted providing the cluster munitions because of the risk to civilians.

Now, though, U.S. officials reportedly believe cluster munitions would be useful in the fight against Russia. Laura Cooper, a deputy assistant secretary of defense, recently testified to Congress that these munitions would help Kyiv press through Russias dug-in positions.

U.S. law requires a presidential waiver to export cluster munitions if more than 1% of the bomblets they hold usually fail to explode. That figure is known as the dud rate.

We have multiple variants  in our stock and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with dud rates higher than 2.35%, Ryder said.

We would carefully be selecting rounds with lower dud rates based on testing from 2020, he added.

A U.S. decision may be announced as soon as Friday, according to NPR.

Earlier Thursday, a Russian missile struck an apartment building in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killing at least four people and injuring nine others.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said the missile also damaged about 60 apartments and 50 cars. Sadovyi described the attack as the largest against the citys civilian infrastructure since Russias invasion began last year.

There will definitely be a response to the enemy. A tangible one, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram.

Lviv is near Ukraines border with Poland, far from the frontline areas in eastern and southern Ukraine that have been the focus of much of the recent fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Ukraine counteroffensive

In an interview with CNN broadcast Wednesday, Zelenskyy said he wanted to launch a counteroffensive earlier but that the timing was dependent on getting military aid from Ukraines U.S. and European partners.

Ukraine began the counteroffensive last month, aiming to reclaim territory occupied by Russia since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.

Ukrainian officials have sought ammunition and more advanced weapons, including air defense systems and fighter jets, in order to match up with Russias military capabilities.

I wanted our counteroffensive to happen much earlier, because everyone understood that if the counteroffensive unfolds later, then a bigger part of our territory will be mined, Zelenskyy told CNN. We give our enemy the time and possibility to place more mines and prepare their defensive lines.

He reiterated his case for Ukraine to receive F-16 fighter jets, saying having the planes is not about gaining an aerial advantage, but rather being equal to Russias forces.

Denmark said last week that training for Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16s had begun.

VOA national security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this article. Some information for this story came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters

Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. A meeting was held between Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elnur Mammadov and State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Maldives Ahmed Khalil, who is on a visit to Azerbaijan to participate in a meeting of ministers of the Coordinating Bureau of the Non-Aligned Movement, Trend reports citing Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

The sides exchanged views during the meeting on the issues of enhancing bilateral relations between the parties, expanding cooperation in the field of economy, trade, education, culture, energy, tourism and other areas.

During the conversation, Deputy Minister Elnur Mammadov provided detailed information on the current situation in the region in the post-conflict period, the demining process on lands liberated from occupation, reconstruction and construction, as well as the Big Return program, smart city projects and green energy implemented by in the country.
Sharing a border with Ukraine, Romania has become one of the European Union countries most exposed to the conflict and a key NATO supplier of weapons to Kyiv. Despite Romania's support of Ukraine, its historically troubled relations with Ukraine still pose difficulties. Elizabeth Cherneff reports
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Contents of N48 - 7 July 2023

EDITORIAL

 The Holy Sees Good Offices Mission

AMERICAS

 In Space, US military clearly outpaced by Chinas

 The Grayzones audit of US arms spending in Ukraine presented to UN Security Council

 US Supreme Court dismantles progressive policies

 Justice Terry Doughty bans federal government from asking social media to censor arguments or opinions

 Joe Biden and the firing of Ukraines Prosecutor General

 Making Putin pay

 Russia ready to release US spy who infiltrated Wagner

 Robert Malley laid off at the State Department

 Bolivia catches up in lithium mining

 British Justice continues to block Venezuelas gold

EUROPE

 British Justice opposes the law of transfer of illegal immigrants

 The Orkney archipelago plans to request its annexation into Norway

 Riots in France

 Emmanuel Macron postpones his trip to Germany

 Lifting of parliamentary immunity of Catalan separatists confirmed

 Giorgia Meloni believes France exploits Africa

 The German vision of European Defense

 Opening of a bureau to investigate Russian crimes in Ukraine

 Koran burning in Sweden

 Sweden prevents the propagation of information about Ukrainian integral nationalists

 Viktor Orban notes the failure of the EU project

 Spain holds six-month presidency of European Council

 EPP calls for pause in EU Green Deal

 European Commission will subsidize up to 20% all defense tenders in Europe

 EU wants to seize frozen Russian assets

 Ukraine tries to protect Mikhail Saakashvili

 Attempted assassination of the governor of Crimea

 Michel McFaul shows how to deprive Russia of its missiles

 Beating of journalist covering trial of opponents of Ramzan Kadyrov

AFRICA

 Restoration of Egyptian-Turkish diplomatic relations

 Confusion in Senegal

 UN will not withdraw from Mali within six months

ASIA

 Benjamin Netanyahu changes his justice reform project

 Tel Aviv Police Commander resigns

 Knesset authorizes incarceration of minors

 Israel launches punitive expedition in West Bank

 Australia, Canada and UK condemn Israels policy

 UN worries about "missing Syrians"

 Lower oil production and exports

 Qatar tortures French-Algerian lobbyist

 Turkiye quietly supports Russia

 Disney Celebrates the Centenary of the Turkish Republic

 The Peoples Mujahidin still supported by world political figures

 IAEA commits to Fukushima

 Japan-South Korea meeting

 U.S.-China escalation

INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS

 Vanessa Kerry appointed WHO "Special Commissioner for Climate Change and Health"

 Jens Stoltenberg reappointed to NATO Secretary General

 Iran becomes full member of SCO

 Turkiye to chair BSEC for six months
The map in question. Photo: Warner Brothers

Barbie might be everything, but shes not a master of foreign policy and international diplomacy. After a scene from the films trailer depicting a hand-drawn map of the real world led Vietnam to ban the film, Warner Bros. addressed the geopolitical incident. The map in Barbie Land is a childlike crayon drawing, a spokesperson for the Warner Bros. Film Group told Variety. The doodles depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement. Vietnam regulators argue that the dashes on the side of the cartoonish map depict the nine-dash line, a border that upholds Chinas territorial claims in the South China Sea and infringes on Vietnams territorial sovereignty. A source told Variety that the lines in question  journey lines  often represent a main characters journey in kids media, though lead actor Margot Robbie and director Greta Gerwig remain tight-lipped about the films plot. The map in the Barbie trailer has eight dashes, but it could represent anything since they want to be so coy about the film and refuse to give us clues. Senator Ted Cruz, consistently memed in comparison to the Zodiac Killer, claimed the film includes a Chinese propaganda map, drawing a conservative ire thats probably the films greatest endorsement to date. We were gonna see the movie anyway, but now that its to spite that Texas senator? Cmon Barbie, lets go party.
Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York is gentle and careful and immensely loving, even when its also full of palpable fury  everything true crime so rarely understands how to be. Photo: Courtesy of HBO

On the surface, Last Call looks like dozens of other true-crime series. All the familiar visual language is in place: footage of recreated scenes, lots of talking heads, timelines that flash across the screen, piles of images of documents and police evidence. Most true-crime docuseries use this kind of material to add up to proof of guilt or draw out the pleasurable dissatisfaction of a mystery that hasnt yet been solved. Last Call still does those things, but with a marked lack of fanfare. Given the course of a story thats subtitled When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York, its necessary to identify a killer, to consider that persons life and the details of their crimes, and yet Last Call treats those narrative necessities with an almost reluctant eye. Yes, these things are important, but other things matter more.

Directed by Anthony Caronna and adapted from the book of the same name by Elon Green, Last Call makes a suggestive companion to the recent Black Mirror episode Loch Henry, which casts a sardonic eye on the true-crime genre as its usually deployed: the promise of careful sensitivity and the end result of naked sensationalism. As a story about a serial killer who murdered several queer men in New York in the early 90s, Last Call could very easily have been exactly the kind of true crime Loch Henry sneers at, a dime-a-dozen streaming thriller full of shock and disgust and obsession with a killers mind. But its more interested in the lives of the victims than the killer, more attentive to history and cultural context than to repetition of violent details, and vastly more curious about systems of bias than individual criminality. Its gentle and careful and immensely loving, even when its also full of palpable fury  everything true crime so rarely understands how to be.

The seriess four episodes, which roll out Sunday nights on HBO and Max beginning July 9, spend significant time with victims families, friends, and lovers, and their accounts become multifaceted portraits of who these men were. Because they were queer men, and because not all of them were out to everyone in their lives, the varied, overlapping perspectives help resist any simplistic reading of who they were and how theyre remembered. Thomas Mulcahys daughter talks about how loving he was, and about the pain of losing him in young adulthood, just as she was beginning to know him as a person beyond just her father. Peter Andersons lover describes their yearslong relationship and how rich it was, and what it was like to keep their sexuality a secret for all that time.

Last Calls humanizing impulse permeates the entire series, but its most striking in the treatment of Anthony Marrero, a Puerto Rican sex worker whose story stands in contrast to the killers other white, more economically privileged victims. Last Call includes some of the contemporaneous coverage of Marreros murder, which was dismissive at best and occasionally almost glib. Rather than stopping there, though, with an uninterrogated pat on the back at how far weve come, Last Call digs in with lengthy interviews with Marerros brother, who still cant acknowledge that part of Marreros life, with a friend who knew Marrero well, and with Marreros great-nephew, whos trying to push back against the way Marrero was erased within his own family. The result is not trying to be  cannot be  an exhaustive picture of who Marrero was. But it makes him a person, memorable and complicated, someone loyal, with an incredible capacity to charm, a man with a sense of style, a person not easily reducible to a homophobic headline or buried on a list of more white-coded names.

Last Call does this for as many of the victims as it can, with as much attention to multiple areas of the persons life as it can possibly provide. At the same time, the series does tell the story of the investigation into who killed these men through interviews with law-enforcement officers, but many then and some even now struggle with how to find a killer who targeted a community of gay men. In one especially telling interview early in the series, we hear the director, off camera, ask two former Pennsylvania state police officers who investigated one of the murders if there are any questions the production team should have asked but did not. Yeah, one of them replies, asking of this docuseries, Why is the emphasis on the gay part?

Again and again, Last Call finds ways to answer that question. The most direct answer is simply that if police officers cant see gay life, theyll inevitably fail to see the details of these crimes. Beyond people who knew the victims, the most prominent voices in Last Call are activists who struggled to illuminate and eradicate anti-gay violence in the city during the 80s and 90s, especially New York Anti-Violence Project members Bea Hanson and Matt Foreman. Because of their presence in the docuseries, Last Call can continually return to emphasize New York City as a site of violence but also a crucial haven for gay life. As much as anything, Last Call is about the ways each of these men had joy in their life and how tragic it is that their lives ended in violence.

The most surprising thing about watching Last Call is that it is deeply, intensely sad, but that surprise is odd. Surely all documentaries about murder are sad. Why should this one be different? It is, though, and that surprise comes from the slow-rolling realization of how rare it is to come away from a true-crime production with feelings of grief instead of shock or disbelief or giddy, thrilled disgust. Theres another sadness, too: More true-crime stories could be told this way and arent. Its not a loss on the same scale as the murders of Peter Anderson, Thomas Mulcahy, Anthony Marrero, and Michael Sakara, but its a loss all the same.
details added, first published at 11:33

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Arut Khovakimyan and Karen Gazaryan, citizens of Armenia found guilty of violating the protected state border of Azerbaijan, were sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison, Trend reports.

In the Sumgait Court on Grave Crimes, a panel of judges chaired by Judge Fahmin Gumbatov returned from the meeting and announced the verdict.

During the preliminary investigation, it was established that Armenian servicemen Arut Khovakimyan and Karen Gazaryan, who are citizens of Armenia, by prior agreement with a group of persons with illegally acquired firearms and ammunition, using force against servicemen of the Zangilan Border detachment of the State Border Service illegally crossed the protected state border of Azerbaijan on May 26, 2023, at about 19:00 (GMT+4), as well as with the aim of threatening commit a terrorist act on the territory of Azerbaijan, by smuggling firearms and ammunition into the village of Razdara in the Zangilan district, servicemen of the Azerbaijani military unit guarding the state border in the village of Razdara were attacked.

During the arrest of members of the Armenian sabotage group who tried to escape, one AKM brand firearm and a clip with 10 caliber cartridges of 5.45 mm, were seized from Arut Khovakimyan.

Final charges were brought against Arut Khovakimyan and Karen Gazaryan under articles 206.3.2 (smuggling of firearms and ammunition by a group of persons by prior agreement), 214.2.1, 214.2.3 (terrorism with the use of firearms by a group of persons by prior agreement), 228.2.1 (illegal acquisition, transfer, sale, storage, transportation or carrying of firearms by a group of persons by prior agreement), 283.2.1 (incitement of national, racial, social or religious hatred and call for the use of force) and 318.2 (illegal crossing of the State border of the Republic of Azerbaijan committed either by a group of persons by prior agreement or by an organized group or with the use of violence or with the threat of its use) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The criminal case was sent to the Baku Court On Grave Crimes for consideration on June 21.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Days of Vagif's Poetry, dedicated to the great Azerbaijani poet, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, and the Union of Writers of Azerbaijan will start on July 13th in the village of Yukhari Salahli in Gazakh, the birthplace of Molla Panah Vagif,Trend reports.

On July 14th and 15th, the Days of Vagif's Poetry will continue in Azerbaijan's cultural capital, the city of Shusha.

Shusha held great significance for Vagif. Although he was born in Gazakh, he gained fame and glory in Shusha, where he was also laid to rest. During Vagif's lifetime, Shusha was considered the cultural center of Azerbaijan.

As part of the Days of Vagif's Poetry, various events will be held at different historical and cultural sites in Shusha, including the restored Heydar Aliyev Foundation's museum-mausoleum complex of Molla Panah Vagif, the house of poetess Natavan, the Shusha branch of the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, as well as the "Kharybulbul" and "Karabakh" hotels.

On January 14, 1982, the solemn opening of the mausoleum of Molla Panah Vagif and the House of Poetry took place in Shusha, with the participation of national leader Heydar Aliyev, whose centenary is celebrated this year. It was during this visit that the national leader Heydar Aliyev gave instructions to organize the Days of Vagif's Poetry. These unique Days of Vagif's Poetry, in the history of modern Azerbaijani literature, starting from that date until 1991, were annually initiated in the poet's homeland - in Gazakh, and concluded at the magnificent Jidir Duzu in Shusha.

After the liberation of the city of Shusha from Armenian occupation as a result of the victory of our heroic army under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev, the 41-year history of the Days of Vagif's Poetry is once again being held in the homeland - in Azerbaijan's cultural capital.
Strega Prize won by the late Ada D'Adamo.

Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano is under fire after implying that he had not read the books shortlisted for the Strega Prize, Italy's top literary award, despite having voted.

During the award ceremony in Rome on Thursday night - which saw the recently deceased Ada D'Adamo win posthumously with her book Come d'aria - the event's presenter Geppi Cucciari asked the culture minister to say a few words.

"I have listened to the stories that are expressed in these shortlisted books this evening and they are all stories that captivate you and make you think" - Sangiuliano said -"I'll try to read them."

There followed an awkward silence, with a seemingly stunned Cucciari asking: "Ah... you....you didn't read them?"

At the Premio Strega, Italy's most important literary prize, Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano implied that he had not read the finalist books (despite having voted), causing the presenter no little embarrassment.



July 6, 2023 pic.twitter.com/NFaqcFcou2  Crazy Ass Moments in Italian Politics (@CrazyItalianPol) July 7, 2023

Sangiuiliano then insisted that he had read the shortlisted books - "because I voted" - before stating that what he meant to say was that he wanted to "delve" into them.

"Beyond the cover, inside!", quipped Cucciari, before calling for a round of applause for the minister.
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While humans are living longer  a child born in 2021 on average could expect to live to 71  we havent figured out how to beat one of the worst scourges of aging: Alzheimers disease. Afflicting an estimated 36 million people worldwide, its the most common form of dementia, a loss of cognitive functioning severe enough to interfere with daily life. Researchers have yet to find a drug that reverses its progressive destruction of memory, thinking skills, and, if sufferers live long enough, the ability to swallow and breathe. Two new treatments have emerged that slow the rate at which patients decline. They do that modestly and come with downsides. Still, their success has provided a rare burst of hope for the field of Alzheimers research.

1. What causes Alzheimers

Its not clear. Researchers think that the buildup of abnormal proteins seen in the brains of Alzheimers patients plays a central role. One, called amyloid, forms so-called plaques around brain cells. Their presence alone doesnt seem to trigger cognitive decline, given that some people with normal mental functioning have them. A second protein, tau, creates tangles within brain cells. And a third suspect, brain inflammation, is thought to contribute in some way, perhaps in an intermediary role. Whatever the precise mechanisms, over time, neurons  cells that send messages throughout the brain and the rest of the body  stop working and die.

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2. What do the new treatments do?

The drugs, both laboratory-made antibodies, are lecanemab  sold under the brand name Leqembi  from Eisai Co. and Biogen Inc., and donanemab from Eli Lilly & Co. In trials, each significantly reduced the brain amyloid levels of Alzheimers patients in the early stages of the disease. More important, the patients cognitive declines slowed. After 18 months, those given lecanemab had scores 27% better than those given a placebo on a scale that measures six capacities  memory, orientation, problem solving, function inside and outside the home, and personal care. In the donanemab trial, the figure was 29% for all trial participants, and 36% for a subset with lower levels of tau protein.

3. Who can take these drugs?

The US Food and Drug Administration cleared Leqembi in July after approving it on an expedited basis in January. The new designation means that insurers will be more likely to cover the $26,500 annual expense. It also came with restrictions, however. For example, MRI scans are required to monitor for early signs of side effects that can include brain bleeding and swelling. The drugs developers have filed for approval in the European Union, Japan and China. Donanemabs positive trial results in May paved the way for its developer to apply for US approval. The drugs were proven effective only in people in the early stages of the disease, when cognition and functioning are mildly impaired. Their use is likely to be further limited by the need to be tested first for signs of brain amyloid. An amyloid PET scan is one method, but its expensive, often unavailable and, in the US, rarely covered by insurance. Another option is a spinal tap, in which a needle is inserted between two vertebrae to collect cerebrospinal fluid, but its an invasive and sometimes painful procedure. A few blood tests sold in the US can indicate whether amyloid is present in the brain, but none are routinely covered by insurers or cleared by the FDA. Japans health ministry approved such a test in late 2022.

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4. What are the limitations of the drugs?

In the trials, the patients on them still declined, just somewhat more slowly than those who didnt take it. A significant drawback is that the drugs can cause brain swelling and bleeding. More than a fifth of people who took lecanemab experienced these effects and the figures were higher for donanemab. In most cases these patients didnt experience any related symptoms, but some had headaches, visual disturbances and confusion. In the donanemab trial, three participants died after experiencing these side effects, while in the lecanemab study, five developed large brain hemorrhages. The trials enrolled between 1,700 and 1,800 people, split between groups that received the drug and a placebo. The two drugs are administered as intravenous infusions  every two weeks for lecanemab and every four weeks for donanemab  which means patients must receive them at a health center. Lecanemab is expensive  $26,500 per year in the US  and Eli Lilly has said it expects a similar price for donanemab.

5. Are there other Alzheimers drugs?

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A handful of approved treatments modestly boost mental functioning temporarily in some patients, but they dont target the underlying problem: the destruction of neurons. That was the aim of an earlier treatment from Biogen and Eisai, Aduhelm, which also was designed to reduce amyloid. It was approved by the FDA in 2021 despite conflicting trial results. The approval sparked controversy, and Aduhelms makers eventually stopped marketing the drug in the US.

6. What are the future paths for Alzheimers research?

The latest trial results strengthened the view that researchers are on the right track focusing on treatments that clear away amyloid. Still, its not yet clear why lecanemab and donanemab succeeded where similar drugs failed. Some researchers suspect that a certain threshold of amyloid removal must be met before a drug produces benefits. But with the payoff limited even to those in the early phase of Alzheimers  possibly because damage to key brain areas is already extensive  some researchers are focused on getting ahead of the disease. Brain scan studies suggest that amyloid starts accumulating as long as two decades before someone has dementia. In trials sponsored by Eli Lilly and Eisai, researchers are testing amyloid-removing drugs on thousands of healthy adults. The hope is to stave off cognitive decline before it begins, or at least delay it. Meanwhile, researchers are also developing drugs that target tau and brain inflammation.

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The timeless singer had his first hit in 1951 and topped the charts more than 60 years later, collaborating with Lady Gaga to become the oldest person ever to have a No. 1 album.

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Two hours after pressing the launch button on Threads on Wednesday, Instagrams new app for real-time, public conversations, Mark Zuckerberg posted that more than 2 million people had downloaded his latest creation.

That was just the beginning.

Instagrams Twitter rival Threads has been an instant hit. Credit:

Another two hours later, five million people had downloaded Threads. By the time Zuckerberg, chief executive of Meta, went to bed on Wednesday night, the number of downloads had soared to 10 million. When he woke on Thursday morning, the app had been downloaded more than 30 million times, he said.

In less than a day, Threads  which is aimed as a rival to Twitter  appears to have taken the crown as the most rapidly downloaded app ever. It easily outstripped ChatGPT, the chatbot, which was downloaded 1 million times within its first five days, according to OpenAI, ChatGPTs maker. And it is on pace to exceed ChatGPTs 100 million users within two months, which was the fastest app to reach that number ever, according to the analytics firm Similarweb.
Loading Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Government Services Minister Bill Shorten were clearly uncomfortable with the secrecy of the sealed chapter when they responded to the report on Friday. It is not hard to see why: they and other ministers cannot know whether the advice they receive is written by a public servant who is subject to an adverse finding by the royal commission. The final verdict is damning. Robo-debt was a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal, and it made many people feel like criminals, Holmes writes. In essence, people were traumatised on the off chance they might owe money. The elected leaders who oversaw this failure are criticised for their conduct. The report says Morrison allowed federal cabinet to be misled because he failed to meet his responsibility to ensure the peak group was fully informed about the policy.

It says Alan Tudge abused his power as social services minister by using information about social security recipients to counter media reports. It says Christian Porter, in the same portfolio at a different time, could not rationally have been satisfied about the legality of the scheme. Morrison, Tudge and Porter are forever shamed by this report. Whatever the referrals in the sealed chapter, it is clear they oversaw a scheme that snatched money from people who could not afford to pay and did so on terms that broke the law. A similar fraud in the private sector would have had federal authorities baying for blood. Yet the top federal authority in the land  the prime minister and the cabinet  waved this through.

Ministers wanted to believe they were right. And they wanted a public service that would never tell them they were wrong. Loading Crucially, Morrison says in his defence he did not put pressure on others to set up a flawed policy. The royal commission suggests, instead, he encouraged an environment that led to a bad outcome. The head of the Department of Human Services during much of the scheme, Kathryn Campbell, is surely on notice to step down or be suspended from her unrelated position in the Department of Defence. For now, however, Australians have to be satisfied with the royal commissions call for systemic changes to make sure the failure cannot happen again.

The formal recommendations range from stating the obvious, such as that departments should check with the Australian Government Solicitor on the legality of their policies, to serious and far-reaching, such as asking whether the social services portfolio has the best structure and whether Services Australia should remain a separate agency. A welcome finding is that section 34 of the Freedom of Information Act should be repealed. This section makes it too easy for the government to avoid scrutiny by claiming a document is a cabinet document and cannot be released. This blocked journalists from revealing more about robo-debt. Unfortunately, Albanese made it clear on Friday that he does not want his government to be subject to greater scrutiny in this way. Without the power of a royal commission, this costly failure would not be revealed in all its ugliness. Ominously, the final report also says the Australian Public Service Commission should develop standards for documenting important decisions. Does this mean the federal bureaucracy does not do this already? This is merely one part of the report where the federal public service looks like a shambles. It is offset by the naming of smart public servants who warned against a flawed policy. More will have to be revealed to Australians over time. The sealed chapter should be made public. For now, the findings have proven that Albanese and Shorten were right to call for a royal commission in June 2020 and to set up the inquiry once in government. Without the power of a royal commission, this costly failure would not be revealed in all its ugliness.
The travel time makes it feel like its a long way. From Sydney you have to fly to Brisbane; from Brisbane you travel on to Port Moresby.

You then spend the night in the PNG capital, thanks to the connection times, hunkered down in an airport hotel away from the action. The next morning you trundle back to the terminal and jump on yet another flight and fly another hour and a half on a small plane to finally touch down in Bougainville.

Bougainville feels like a long way from home. Credit: Liebert Kirakar

Thats more than 24 hours of travel. You could get to pretty much anywhere in the world in that time. You could fly more than 16,000 kilometres to London. Instead, youve covered less than the distance to Perth.

And of course, the place itself makes it feel like its a long way from home, too.
In collaboration with the National Customs Service of Chile, the WCO will host the third Global Origin Conference in Santiago, Chile, from 8 to 9 November 2023.

Regional integration continues to be a driving force for the Global Supply Chain, and rules of origin remain a prominent feature of today's international trading system. In the context of the various regional trade agreements already in force or being negotiated around the world, rules of origin enable the implementation of preferential agreements and impact on the flows of trade and investments.

The Global Origin Conference will provide a platform for exchanging knowledge and forging new partnerships between the public sector, the private sector, International Organizations and academia in the area of origin.

The following areas will be addressed during this event:

What are the challenges of navigating the rules of origin under several trade agreements and how to streamline the implementation and application of the AfCFTA rules of origin? And how about other trade agreements?

What are the latest developments around the world? In the Americas: how is the role of rules of origin defined and redefined in regional integration on the North and South American continents? In Africa: AfCFTA? In Asia Pacific: RCEP?

What drives the utilization of trade preferences? How to calculate utilization rates and monitor patterns of utilization to identify the factors that contribute to higher or lower utilization?

How to build trust when implementing new trade agreements, systems and practices? How to better achieve good and trustworthy communication to support changing practices and new agreements? How to implement the approved exporters system based on Mutual recognition of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)?

How can digitalization contribute to making rules of origin more trade-friendly? How can data be exchanged, and how could origin connectivity contribute to strengthening regional integration?

What is the nexus between rules of origin and the environment? Can Regional Trade Agreements provide green support? What role do rules of origin have in the green transition?

What are the future prospects of rules of origin and how to expand global opportunities under Free Trade Agreements?

Furthermore, in the above context, the conference is anticipated to highlight newly launched or upcoming Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).

Join us in-person at the Global Conference on rules of origin and interact with the worlds leading Origin Experts from customs, international organizations, governments, the business community, and academia.

We look forward to your participation in this important event!

For further queries, please do not hesitate to contact: OriginConf23.events@wcoomd.org
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. UK companies are interested in cooperation with Azerbaijan in the liberated territories from Armenian occupation [after the Second Karabakh War], UK Ambassador to Azerbaijan Fergus Auld said during the meeting with Head of Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) Yusif Abdullayev, AZPROMO told Trend.

He noted that strong political and economic ties have been established between the two countries.

"British companies are involved in projects in the liberated territories, we are ready to attract more companies to various fields. Support will be provided to identify potential areas of cooperation in this direction," the ambassador said.

Moreover, Abdullayev pointed out that Azerbaijan has a wide potential for joint activities in the fields of education, cybersecurity, agriculture, transport and logistics.

Meanwhile, the UK in 2023 transferred the first million pounds of support for the de-mining of the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. This year, a total of 22 representatives of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were trained by British instructors in the disposal of unexploded ordnance for the first time.

Also, this year, work began within the framework of the first trilateral partnership jointly with the Customs Service of Azerbaijan and the Customs Service of Turkiye to combat drug trafficking across international borders.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, July 8. Turkiye imported 8,787 tons of marine fuel from Turkmenistan in April 2023, Trend reports.

According to the Turkiye's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), these figures amount to 0.25 percent of the total Turkish imports of petroleum products in the specified period.

The previous time Turkiye imported 10,970 tons of marine fuel from Turkmenistan (in March 2023). Thus, Turkiye's import of Turkmen marine fuel amounted to 39,953 tons in the first four months of this year.

Furthermore, Turkiye imported over 15,540 tons of marine fuel from Turkmenistan in 2022, which is more than 7.5 times more than in the same period of 2021 (2,060 tons).

Turkmenistan has been actively developing the extraction and production of energy carriers in recent years, as well as exporting to foreign markets.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Visa and the Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) are discussing the integration of the digital manat into the Visa network in Azerbaijan, Vice President and Regional Manager of Visa in Central Asia and Azerbaijan Kristina Doros told Trend.

According to her, Visa and the Azerbaijani bank are conducting an open and constructive dialogue to find suitable formats of interaction and cooperation.

"The issues of conditional integration of the digital manat into the Visa network are currently under discussion," she added.

Doros also noted that the governments and central banks of many countries are working on the creation of a national digital currency. Together, they are trying to identify and create a suitable infrastructure for digital money and understand the directions of their application.

"The Central Bank of Azerbaijan, like others, is working now to answer important questions: what should be the infrastructure, architecture of the solution and how will it be used? How will the CBA, as an issuer, interact with commercial banks? We, as Visa, are conducting an open and constructive dialogue with the CBA in order to find suitable formats for further interaction and cooperation on these and other issues," Doros added.

The CBA, in cooperation with international think tanks, financial organizations and banks, is working on the development of a national digital currency. The CBA is actively monitoring the role of digital currency in monetary policy and transmission.

In the field of digital manat development, the CBA is working with the International Monetary Fund. Step-by-step work is underway to form the concept of this currency, as well as research to assess possible risks.

-
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Any t-storms end around sunrise, then clouds mixing with some sunshine; a few more showers or a t-storm or two pop up during the day. Lingering humidity for one more day. .

Tonight

Skies becoming mostly clear overnight with lowering humidity.
By Richard A. Anderson, President and CEO, St. Lukes University Health Network, and Carol Kuplen President, Bethlehem Campus & Network Chief Nursing Officer, St. Lukes University Health Network

The Pennsylvania State House recently passed legislation, House Bill 106, aka The Patient Safety Act, by a vote of 119 to 84, which will mandate one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for Pennsylvania hospitals. Oh, the irony. This Bill should be called The Patient Endangerment Act!

Pennsylvanians and Lehigh Valley citizens be warned. Ignoring facts, labor unions have intensely lobbied our State House representatives to mandate staffing ratios in Pennsylvania. In our opinion, this will further exacerbate the numerous patient care issues in our health care system caused by Covid and an ongoing health care worker shortage. This also includes the certainty of significant layoffs of staff, reducing available hospital beds, including behavioral health and other critical services, endangering patients lives. It is essential our communities understand the negative impact this seriously misguided legislation will have on their care.

As we emerge from the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the most difficult health care crises in two generations, recall, hospital workers were widely lauded for their heroics, risking their lives daily. All hospital workers, including nurses, literally placed their lives at risk 24 hours a day to care for others, enduring incredible physical and psychological hardships for three long years. Oh, how we forget! Health care workers selfless efforts throughout Pennsylvania saved countless lives in our communities. However, there was a toll. many of those health care workers, especially nurses, have now decided they need a break and have left the profession.

Our nation is now unarguably facing an historic shortage of nurses. Pennsylvania is no exception! The number of new RNs entering the profession is considerably less than the number required. Astoundingly, there will be over 200,000 unfilled RN openings each year in our nation through 2031!

It is unconscionable that our State House just passed a mandate for nurse-to-patient staffing ratios. There are not enough nurses! To the representatives who voted for this legislation, please wake up! St. Lukes would hire 500 additional nurses tomorrow, but are unable to, despite our School of Nursing graduates over 160 nurses per year.

At St. Lukes, even during the Pandemic, beds were consistently and safely staffed based on professional, evidence-based research and experience, delivering care through a combination of RNs, licensed practical nurses (LPNs), personal care aides (PCAs) and others. This team-based approach has a proven track record of success. Look to our quality numbers; St. Lukes is unmatched.

The actions of various state legislators in the House are dangerously naive and ill advised. Their actions do not acknowledge the skills and contributions of the entire healthcare team and the serious consequences of the state legislators actions. Without RNs to adequately staff beds based on this legislation, hospitals will have no choice but to close units, leading to other health care worker layoffs. Patients will have to wait hours or days in emergency departments before being admitted. Please tell us this scenario is only a bad dream!

At St. Lukes, we know how to staff beds! Our quality and safety numbers are unmatched. St. Lukes is consistently a top performer in state and national rankings. The awards are too numerous to mention. Importantly, objective data demonstrates Pennsylvania is also a top safety and quality performer compared to the only other state with regulated staffing requirements.

Many of our state representatives are in denial concerning the nursing shortage. This is an issue that will affect all of us. Please, do the right thing for your constituents who elected you.

In the event the legislators who voted for this Bill forgot, Pennsylvania hospitals were able to skillfully navigate through the Covid crisis by remaining flexible and utilizing a large dose of common sense. What is our reward now? Interference by those who believe that they can legislatively micromanage hospital-based care. No good deed goes unpunished. To those legislators wake up and smell the coffee!

In all our years in health care, we cannot recall another bill that would be more harmful to our communities, patients, and hospitals. Please join us in opposing this horrible and misguided legislation. Please call or write your local state representative to let him or her know your views.

Richard A. Anderson

President and CEO

St. Lukes University Health Network

Carol Kuplen

President, Bethlehem Campus & Network Chief Nursing Officer

St. Lukes University Health Network
By Joe Vichot, Chairman of the Lehigh County Republican Committee

Despite the benefits of the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success (PASS) school voucher program for low-income Pennsylvania school children in low-achieving school districts, such as Allentown, the State House Democrats and State Sen Miller, who represent Allentown, will not support this poverty reduction and education advancement program.

Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro was elected on a platform to provide a voucher program to help improve the opportunities and education of low-income students. Initially working with State Senate Republicans to develop a plan that was passed by the Senate, Governor Shapiro caves to the extreme left Democrats who control the House. One such member is Democrat Peter Schweyer, who is the House Education Chairperson. He stated that its not getting through my committee, period, full stop. LehighValleyNews

Democrats are more interested in pleasing the self-interests of the local union leaders who also support the teacher unions and public sector unions than serving the interests, welfare and education needs of low-income Pennsylvania students. Why? Because these self-interest groups are the Democrats largest campaign donors and contributors. For instance, Representative Schweyers top contributors for the past two election campaigns, according to the website Ballotpedia, included the Pennsylvania SEIU ($16,250), the IBEW Local Union 375 ($10,000), the Steamfitters Local Union 420 ($5000), the Intl Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 ($8,500), Plumbers Union Local 690 ($5,000), Sheet Metal Workers Union Local 19 ($4,500), and AFSCME Council 13 ($3,000).

Isnt it about time the voters of Allentown elect representatives who will serve their needs and not the special interest groups and union bosses? Its time to hold Representatives Schweyer, Schlossberg, and McNeill accountable!

Show your disgust for their antics and end your affiliation. Its time to join the Party that represents parents, working families, and our children. Help us support candidates that will support the educational needs of low- income students. Come join the Republican efforts to adopt and fund the PASS education voucher program. Demand that Governor Shapiro not sign the budget unless the PASS school voucher program is included in the budget, as he first agreed!
HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Berks County man with ties to Bethlehem was among five people charged Friday with sexually assaulting children through the Jehovah's Witness church.

14 men have been charged as part of the statewide investigation. For the third time since the investigation began last October, the Attorney General held a news conference Friday announcing more arrests for child sexual abuse.

"Since last fall, we have charged 14 individuals connected to the same religious organization, the Jehovah Witnesses," said Attorney General Michelle Henry.

The new announcement included five men accused of gaining the trust of families and abusing their children. Henry named them one by one.

"David Balosa, 62, of Philadelphia... Errol William Hall, 50-years-old, of Aldan, Delaware County... Shaun Sheffer, 45, of Butler County... Terry Booth, 57-years-old, of Panama City, Florida... Luis Manuel Ayala-Velasquez, 55, of Reading," said Henry.

That last man, Ayala-Velasquez, was a member of the Jehovah's Witness congregation in Bethlehem. Today, the building is undergoing major construction, but Ayala-Velasquez is accused of assaulting a 13-year-old girl starting all the way back in 2001.

"For years, he would sneak into her bedroom while she was sleeping and sexually assault her. Years later, when the victim was an adult, he raped her again in his home," said Henry.

According to the affidavit, when Ayala-Velsquez's victim told church elders about the abuse, they "assured her that Ayala-Velazquez had been disfellowshipped, so she would not need to worry about seeing him at any meetings." There is no mention of the elders contacting police.

Ayala-Velazquez is now facing six charges, including rape, and Henry said she believes there could be more victims.

"If history teaches us anything, yes," said Henry.

We reached out to the Bethlehem Jehovah's Witness congregation for a comment, but we did not hear back. The Attorney General's office is asking anyone who believes they may have been victimized to give them a call. Their hotline number is (888) 538-8541.
It could change the lives of millions of Americans.

The Food and Drug Administration has given full approval to a drug to combat Alzheimer's.

'It means a lot when you're in a younger age and you've been diagnosed with something as grave as Alzheimer's Disease," said Dr. Neti Vora, Chief of Geriatrics for LVHN.

Leqembi is a drug administered through an IV every two weeks, lasting 45 to 60 minutes for each infusion.

Although it cannot fully repair brain damage or reverse the disease, it can slow the brain's decline by 27% over an 18-month period and reduces the sticky beta-amyloid plaques that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

"It kind of comes around an additional 3-4 months in each stage that it could provide a person," said Dr. Vora.

The drug costs roughly $27,000. It's expected to be widely covered by Medicare.

"That's great news because now, patients who meet the criteria, will be able to get coverage," said Dr. Vora.

And as with any medication, there are potential side effects.

The most commonly reported were infusion-related reactions like headache and amyloid-related imaging abnormalities.

The drug will open doors for patients in the early stages.

"It could mean you take that extra family vacation that you've always wanted or you can marry your kids," said Dr. Vora.

"That's the hope."
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Police departments across the region and the country are struggling to find new officers. South Whitehall and Bethlehem Township officials recently decided to remove some application requirements.

"It's been a difficult hiring environment," said Bethlehem Township Police Chief Gregory Gottschall. "This last testing cycle we did, we hired no one."

That's why Gottschall says he's casting a wider net, while maintaining high quality standards. His department is no longer requiring applicants to have either 60 college credits or go to the police academy, though candidates would be sent to the academy if they're hired.

"We intend to go back to those requirements in the future," said Gottschall.

South Whitehall Township Police Department is also dropping its college requirement.

"I think it's all about the work ethic, the hard work they put in, people's morals, values, ethics and how they treat people," said South Whitehall Township Police Chief Glen Dorney. "We can build you into a good police officer, we'll train you at the academy, we'll train you in field training."

South Whitehall holds at least one training session each month.

"There's only a handful of departments that require college anymore. I know with the City of Allentown, we dropped that requirement about 15 years ago, and we really didn't see a difference in the quality of applicants," said Dorney.

The consultant working to rebuild Stockertown's department says it's challenging to find suitable applicants too, though those positions are part-time.

While they're no longer getting flooded with applications, Bethlehem Township and South Whitehall hope their changes get more candidates to the table.

"It's a very noble profession, and I think it's a great opportunity for you as a community member to give back," said Dorney.

"Police work is about service," said Gottschall. "It's also about someone who wants to take on the community caretaker role of helping."

Bethlehem Township's application will be on its website in the coming days.

South Whitehall Township's application can be found on the Lehigh County Chiefs of Police Association's website.
EASTON, Pa.  Northampton County voters will have the chance on Nov. 7 to decide if the county executive, controller and councilmembers should be subject to term limits.

County Council overrode three vetoes by County Executive Lamont McClure on Thursday night, placing referendum questions on the fall ballot. Voter approval is required to amend the home rule charter, the county's constitution.

McClure vetoed the three measures June 23, saying they contained inconsistent language that could be confusing and lead to litigation. The nine-member council can pass ordinances with five votes but needs six to override an executive veto. McClure's veto message did not address the merits of term limits, just the language of the ordinances.

If approved in November, the referendum questions would limit the executive and controller (the county's fiscal watchdog) to two consecutive terms, and members of County Council would be limited to three. Council is already restricted to three terms by ordinance, but not by the charter.

Commissioner Kevin Lott (councilmembers are known as commissioners) said that in his nearly four years on council, no constituent has asked for him to push for term limits. He said voters should have the final say in how long any officeholder sticks around.

Tara Zrinski, who was also opposed, said this fall is an "off-year" election that will probably have low turnout.

Referendum supporter John Goffredo said council was following the democratic process by posing the issue as a referendum, while Lori Vargo Heffner said, "That's all this is, giving it to the people to vote on."

Council Vice President Ron Heckman voted to sustain McClure's vetoes, saying local government does not need term limits.

The votes on limiting terms of council and the executive were both 6-3: Council President Kerry Myers, John Cusick, John Brown, Thomas Giovanni, Vargo Heffner and Goffredo voted to override McClure's veto, with Zrinski, Lott and Heckman opposed.

On the controller vote, Zrinski abstained. She is the Democrat candidate for controller in the fall election, and Cusick is running on the Republican side.

Council will also consider a referendum on limiting the district attorney to two consecutive terms. That will be discussed and perhaps voted on July 20.

Also July 20, council may vote on Executive McClure's proposed gift ban. McClure proposed that in April. It would ban any county official or employee from accepting anything of value as part of their job, beyond whatever the county pays them.

President Myers started the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of County Controller Richard "Bucky" Szulborski, who died June 30 at age 74.

Friends of Szulborski remember him as a man devoted to his community and church, and a man with a sense of humor.
BETHLEHEM, Pa. -Wind Creek Bethlehem announced Friday that Kathy McCracken, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Wind Creek Bethlehem, is retiring at the end of the fiscal year.

Her last day in this role will be September 30, 2023, according to a news release from Wind Creek Bethlehem.

Kathy started her gaming career in Atlantic City, spending 20 years in various roles at Sands Atlantic City. She joined the technology side of the industry when she took a position in client services with Bally Technology in 2000, according to the news release.

She then moved to Bethlehem to open Sands Bethlehem in 2007 as Vice President of Casino Marketing, and had been promoted to EVP Marketing and Operations when Wind Creek Hospitality acquired the property in May 2019.

Kathy was named EVP/General Manager of Wind Creek Bethlehem in February 2020 and has led the team for the past three years, according to the news release.

During the short time we have worked with Kathy, she quickly established a well-respected senior presence within Wind Creek Hospitality. Her competence and grace, demonstrated through good times and challenging times, have been instrumental to our efforts to grow Wind Creek Bethlehem into one of the most successful casinos on the East Coast. She will be missed and we wish her the best of times in her upcoming endeavors, said Jay Dorris, President and CEO of Wind Creek Hospitality.
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Funding for school vouchers is a hotly debated topic, which is now front and center with the passage of the Pennsylvania state budget.

$100 million was allocated in the proposal. Not anymore. Gov. Josh Shapiro announced he would line-item veto it in order to get the Democratic-led House to approve it. Now, he's accused of flip flopping after running on the promise of supporting school vouchers.

"I think he's a typical politician, he was doing whatever he wanted in order to win," Joe Vichot, Chairman of the Lehigh County Republican Committee, tells 69 News.

Shapiro is getting national attention for it. In an op-ed the Wall Street Journal's editorial board called him a "sell out."

Vichot believes the education of children across the Commonwealth will now be hindered.

"We have plenty of money for school funding, there's never an end to increasing school funding," he says. "It's the education that's a problem and they never address public education and the quality in order to improve the likelihood of low-income residents."

But, Rep. Pete Schweyer, (D)-District 134, who chairs the Education Committee, says the problem is lack of funding.

"Chronic under funding of our public schools has left fewer teachers in the classroom, fewer resources in our schools and that's not going to be fixed by taking $100 million or some number they are talking about, taking it out of the state and away from our schools," he says.

Schweyer says he can't speak on behalf of Shapiro and his previous support for the voucher system but believes this debate has become yet another polarizing topic pinning Democrats against Republicans. He says he's trying to have bipartisan discussions in his committee on ways to improve education overall.
PARADISE TWP., Pa. - A woman says she was delivering a package from Amazon to a home in Paradise Township, Monroe County when a man pointed a shotgun at her, according to a news release from the Pennsylvania State Police.

Troopers were sent to the home on the 300 block of Hunters Farm Road on July 1 shortly before 7:30 p.m. for a report of reckless endangerment.

The 30-year-old woman from Allentown told state troopers the 70-year-old Henryville man gave her access to his property by opening the security gate on order to deliver an Amazon package, state police said.

The woman, who was driving her personal vehicle, said she had identified herself as an Amazon driver, according to the news release. The woman said she parked the vehicle in front of the home in order to deliver the package when the Henryville man unexpectedly brandished a shotgun with his left hand and pointed it at her, according to state police.

The woman said she raised her hands, saying she was from Amazon, all while still seated in the vehicle, state police said. The woman said her two children had been seated in the back of the vehicle during the incident, state police said.

The man took the package from the woman, then pointed the firearm at her again and told her to leave the property, state police said.

The man, who state police did not name, is facing a reckless endangerment charge.
BRISTOL TWP., Pa - Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck has identified a Philadelphia man who was found dead on the bank of the Delaware River in Bristol Township Monday.

Sokhon Sam, 36, went missing in the Delaware River in Bristol Township on the evening of June 27, according to a news release from the Bucks County Coroner's Office.

Township police responded to a call last Tuesday evening of a man attempting to steal a boat from a private residence, according to the coroner's office. When they arrived, the man jumped into the river, according to the news release.

Rescue attempts that evening were unsuccessful.

Next of kin have been notified with the assistance of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Autopsy findings Thursday confirmed the cause of death as drowning, and the manner of death is determined to be accidental with no signs of trauma, the coroner's office said.
WARRINGTON, Pa. - A former Central Bucks School District math teacher has been charged with misdemeanor corruption of a minor.

The teacher, 31-year-old Michael London of Warrington, was arrested last month and has since been freed on unsecured bail. London worked as a teacher at Central Bucks West and Central Bucks South High Schools from 2014 to 2022.

London is accused of engaging in "inappropriate conversations" with a minor of unspecified gender. Court documents allege that London messaged the minor about their sex, masturbation and alcohol habits. He also asked the minor for pictures in hopes of "grooming" them into a sexual relationship, the documents said.

It is not immediately clear if the minor was a student of London or the Central Bucks School District.

Documents show that Bucks County began an investigation into London for this behavior last September, and that he was unanimously fired by the district at the Dec. 5 school board meeting. London's firing is not confirmed to be related to the investigation or charges he now faces.
POTTSTOWN, Pa. - A man pleaded guilty Friday for his role in the shooting death of a man in Pottstown.

Kahseem Willliams pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and attempted murder in the death of 25-year-old Dakari Rome and the shooting of a 17-year-old boy, both from Pottstown, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

He was sentenced to 12 to 24 years in prison.

Another person, Jahme Barnes, is awaiting trial. She is accused of firing the shot that killed Rome.

Pottstown Police were dispatched for a call of shots fired in the area of Grant Street and Union Alley around 10 p.m. on August 28, 2022. They arrived to find blood stains and several fired cartridge casings, the DA's office said. Minutes later, two gunshot victims arrived by separate private vehicles at Pottstown Hospital, where Rome was pronounced dead. The 17-year-old boy was treated for a gunshot wound to his hand and was released.

After an investigation, police say the two victims were hanging out in Romes Audi SUV with Barnes and Williams, as well as an unknown female, the DA's office said.

Barnes, who was driving the Audi, pointed a gun owned by Williams at the 17-year-old boy and shot him in the hand, according to the DA's office. The bullet went through his hand and struck Rome in the chest, the DA's office said.

The 17-year-old fled the vehicle and was shot at by Williams as he ran down Union Alley, authorities said.
Family and friends gathered at the funeral over the weekend for Houston rapper Big Pokey, an original member of the pioneering group Screwed Up Click. Pokey, who was born Milton Powell, died June 18 at the age of 48 after collapsing at a performance in Beaumont, located east of Houston. The Houston Chronicle reports that those attending his service Saturday at Fountain of Praise church in Houston included Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and rappers Paul Wall, Trae Tha Truth and Slim Thug. Pokey was known for Texas and Gulf Coast hits such as Ball N Parlay, Who Dat Talking Down, and a verse on DJ Screws freestyle known as June 27th.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  South Koreas government on Friday formally endorsed the safety of Japanese plans to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean as it tried to calm peoples fears about food contamination.

Seouls assessment was based on a 22-month review by government-funded scientists and aligned with the International Atomic Energy Agencys views. The agency greenlit the Japanese discharge plans this week, saying the treated wastewater would meet international safety standards and pose negligible environmental and health impacts.

South Korea's review focused on any impact the wastewater release might have on South Korea, and "the result showed that its effect on our waters would be insignificant, Bang Moon-kyu, the minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, said during a news conference.

Even before Fridays announcement, South Korean officials were actively working to reduce public unease about the wastewater release, holding daily briefings to address what they described as excessive fears and expanding radiation tests on fish imported from Japan or caught in nearby seas.

Conservative lawmakers from President Yoon Suk Yeols ruling party have even toured a seafood market to drink sea water fetched from fish tanks in a bizarre gesture to certify food safety, although no wastewater has been pumped out from Fukushima yet.

Public concerns persist as retailers report an increase in sea salt sales, apparently driven by consumers looking to stock up ahead of the release.

Liberal opposition lawmakers, who control the majority in South Koreas parliament, have vowed an all-out fight against the Japanese discharge plans and accuse Yoons government of putting the nations health at risk by desperately trying to improve relations with Tokyo.

Japan says there are no problems science-wise, but I am still a little concerned, said Yang Ok-ryeo, a 56-year-old fishmonger at Seouls Noryangjin seafood market, where lawmakers drank from fish tanks last week.

Lim Young, a 55-year-old consumer at the market, expressed similar worries.

I think its dangerous, she said about Japans discharge plans. Even with fish (caught in South Korea), I would still have doubts on whether they would be safe to eat.

During their news conference in Seoul, South Korean government officials and scientists repeatedly insisted the contamination levels of the Fukushima plants wastewater would be within acceptable safety standards as long as the Japanese treatment systems work as designed.

We confirmed that if the water release is carried out as planned, the discharge standard and target level (of radiation) would be consistent with international standards, said Yoo Guk-hee, chairperson of South Koreas Nuclear Safety and Security Commission.

The safety of Fukushimas wastewater has been a sensitive issue for years between the U.S. allies, who have been working in recent months to repair relations long strained over wartime historical grievances to address shared concerns, like the North Korean nuclear threat and Chinas assertive foreign policy.

South Koreas assessment was partially based on observations by a team of government scientists led by Yoo who were allowed to tour the Fukushima plant in May to review the discharge plans. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to that visit during a May 7 summit with Yoon in Seoul, in a show of his desire for improved ties.

Yoo said his team focused on verifying the capacities of the plants advanced liquid processing system, or ALPS, which is designed to reduce dozens of types of radioactive isotopes in the contaminated water to safe levels.

In a fiery speech Friday, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, attacked the credibility of the IAEA assessment and urged Yoon to call out the report as unacceptable.

Lee also urged Yoons government to demand Japan to accept a joint inspection by South Korea and other nations in the Pacific over the wastewater concerns, and put its release plans on hold until theres scientific, objective and neutral verification.

(Yoons government) is putting the lives and safety of its citizens on the line, Lee said.

A massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the Fukushima plants cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and release large amounts of radiation.

Tokyo Electric Power Company Holding, which operates the facility, has been storing the ALPS-treated water in hundreds of tanks that now cover most of the plant and are nearly full. Japanese officials say the tanks must be removed to make room to build facilities for the plants decommissioning and to minimize the risk of leaks in case of another major disaster. The tanks are expected to reach their capacity of 1.37 million tons in early 2024.

Japan first announced plans to discharge the treated water into the sea in 2018, saying that the treated water will be further diluted by seawater before being released in a carefully controlled process that will take decades to complete.

AP video journalists Yong-ho Kim and Yong Jun Chang contributed.
Alexandria Real Estate Equities (NYSE:ARE  Free Report) had its target price cut by Evercore ISI from $141.00 to $137.00 in a research note released on Monday morning, FlyOnTheWall reports.

Several other research firms also recently issued reports on ARE. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $180.00 to $145.00 in a report on Monday, April 24th. Royal Bank of Canada reduced their price objective on Alexandria Real Estate Equities from $198.00 to $166.00 in a report on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Alexandria Real Estate Equities from a hold rating to a sell rating in a report on Wednesday, June 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $166.43.

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Alexandria Real Estate Equities Stock Performance

Shares of ARE opened at $116.97 on Monday. Alexandria Real Estate Equities has a 12-month low of $108.81 and a 12-month high of $172.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. The firm has a market capitalization of $20.24 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.82, a P/E/G ratio of 1.34 and a beta of 0.92. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $117.27 and its 200 day moving average price is $133.53.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Increases Dividend

Alexandria Real Estate Equities ( NYSE:ARE Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, April 25th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.15 by ($1.71). The company had revenue of $700.80 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $686.70 million. Alexandria Real Estate Equities had a net margin of 28.01% and a return on equity of 3.77%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 13.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.05 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts predict that Alexandria Real Estate Equities will post 8.96 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 14th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 30th will be paid a $1.24 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, June 29th. This represents a $4.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.24%. This is an increase from Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess previous quarterly dividend of $1.21. Alexandria Real Estate Equitiess dividend payout ratio is 109.49%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Chairman Joel S. Marcus sold 7,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $122.20, for a total transaction of $916,500.00. Following the sale, the chairman now owns 351,354 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $42,935,458.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Alexandria Real Estate Equities

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 25,749,043 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,609,759,000 after purchasing an additional 253,345 shares in the last quarter. BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 8.5% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 17,138,718 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $2,152,452,000 after purchasing an additional 1,338,634 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank bought a new position in Alexandria Real Estate Equities during the 4th quarter worth about $2,277,135,000. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 10,640,279 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,348,934,000 after purchasing an additional 424,932 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Alexandria Real Estate Equities by 3.5% during the 1st quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 5,984,509 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $751,593,000 after purchasing an additional 200,487 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 85.60% of the companys stock.

About Alexandria Real Estate Equities

(Free Report)

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc (NYSE: ARE), an S&P 500 company, is a best-in-class, mission-driven life science REIT making a positive and lasting impact on the world. As the pioneer of the life science real estate niche since its founding in 1994, Alexandria is the preeminent and longest-tenured owner, operator, and developer of collaborative life science, agtech, and advanced technology campuses in AAA innovation cluster locations, including Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, San Diego, Seattle, Maryland, and Research Triangle.

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Fastly, Inc. (NYSE:FSLY  Free Report) insider Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.91, for a total transaction of $177,603.33. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 6,385,713 shares in the company, valued at approximately $101,596,693.83. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Artur Bergman also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Monday, June 26th, Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of Fastly stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.45, for a total transaction of $172,468.35.

On Tuesday, June 20th, Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of Fastly stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $16.69, for a total transaction of $186,310.47.

On Monday, June 12th, Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.62, for a total value of $185,529.06.

On Monday, June 5th, Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $16.43, for a total value of $183,408.09.

On Tuesday, May 30th, Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.91, for a total value of $177,603.33.

On Thursday, May 25th, Artur Bergman sold 3,200 shares of Fastly stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.17, for a total transaction of $48,544.00.

On Tuesday, May 23rd, Artur Bergman sold 2,700 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.02, for a total transaction of $40,554.00.

On Tuesday, May 16th, Artur Bergman sold 13,706 shares of Fastly stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $13.17, for a total transaction of $180,508.02.

On Monday, April 24th, Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.95, for a total transaction of $178,049.85.

On Monday, April 17th, Artur Bergman sold 11,163 shares of Fastly stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $15.79, for a total value of $176,263.77.

Fastly Stock Down 4.3 %

Shares of NYSE:FSLY traded down $0.69 during trading on Thursday, reaching $15.28. 2,382,899 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,872,767. Fastly, Inc. has a 52-week low of $7.15 and a 52-week high of $18.28. The stock has a market cap of $1.94 billion, a P/E ratio of -10.72 and a beta of 1.26. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $15.13 and a two-hundred day moving average of $13.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.75, a quick ratio of 5.28 and a current ratio of 5.28.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Fastly ( NYSE:FSLY Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 3rd. The company reported ($0.31) EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.40) by $0.09. Fastly had a negative return on equity of 20.22% and a negative net margin of 38.22%. The business had revenue of $117.56 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $116.17 million. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Fastly, Inc. will post -1.27 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

FSLY has been the topic of several recent research reports. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on Fastly from $9.00 to $11.00 in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. Morgan Stanley upgraded shares of Fastly from an underweight rating to an equal weight rating and increased their price target for the stock from $12.00 to $18.00 in a research note on Thursday, April 20th. Craig Hallum boosted their price objective on shares of Fastly from $17.00 to $20.00 in a research note on Friday, June 23rd. 92 Resources reaffirmed a maintains rating on shares of Fastly in a research note on Thursday, May 4th. Finally, William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Fastly in a report on Wednesday, April 19th. 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 target price of $17.25.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Fastly

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of FSLY. Duality Advisers LP purchased a new stake in shares of Fastly during the 1st quarter valued at about $798,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its position in Fastly by 232.1% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 33,871 shares of the companys stock valued at $602,000 after purchasing an additional 23,671 shares during the period. Hollencrest Capital Management purchased a new stake in Fastly in the first quarter worth approximately $53,000. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC grew its position in Fastly by 886.5% in the 1st quarter. Steward Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,200 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 1,977 shares during the period. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in Fastly by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 2,169,788 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,535,000 after buying an additional 99,909 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.76% of the companys stock.

Fastly Company Profile

(Free Report)

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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The Chiba Bank, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CHBAY  Free Report)s share price hit a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Thursday . The company traded as low as $37.38 and last traded at $37.38, with a volume of 0 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $37.38.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Daiwa Capital Markets cut shares of Chiba Bank from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 5th.

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Chiba Bank Price Performance

The stocks 50 day moving average is $37.38 and its 200-day moving average is $35.83.

Chiba Bank Company Profile

The Chiba Bank, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services in Japan and internationally. It offers various deposit products; and various loans and bills discounting products, as well as investment management and investment advisory services. The company also engages in securities, leasing, credit card, and credit guarantee business; management and collection of claims; and outsourcing of operational business.

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Creative Capital Management Investments LLC acquired a new stake in iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA:EFA  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 3,218 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $230,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. VitalStone Financial LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Financial Freedom LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 4th quarter worth $28,000. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 172.9% during the 4th quarter. Farmers & Merchants Trust Co of Chambersburg PA now owns 464 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 294 shares in the last quarter. Milestone Investment Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF during the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Finally, Field & Main Bank boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI EAFE ETF by 189.7% during the 4th quarter. Field & Main Bank now owns 504 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 330 shares in the last quarter. 78.99% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Stock Performance

Shares of EFA traded up $0.48 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $70.85. 6,062,294 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 18,284,627. iShares MSCI EAFE ETF has a one year low of $54.61 and a one year high of $74.05. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $72.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $70.89.

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF Profile

iShares MSCI EAFE ETF, formerly iShares MSCI EAFE Index Fund (the Fund), is an exchange-traded fund. The Funds investment objective is to seek investment results that correspond to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, MSCI EAFE Index (the Index). The Index has been developed by MSCI Inc as an equity benchmark for its international stock performance.

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Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Free Report) has been given an average recommendation of Buy by the fifteen analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Fourteen analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $47.67.

HAL has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and set a $50.00 price objective on shares of Halliburton in a research report on Monday, April 3rd. Susquehanna lowered their price target on Halliburton from $57.00 to $45.00 in a report on Monday, April 3rd. Citigroup lowered their price target on Halliburton from $47.00 to $44.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, March 22nd. UBS Group lowered their price objective on Halliburton from $49.00 to $46.00 in a research note on Monday. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded Halliburton from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, May 26th.

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Halliburton Stock Down 0.6 %

NYSE HAL opened at $33.01 on Friday. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $31.08 and its 200-day simple moving average is $34.62. Halliburton has a 52 week low of $23.30 and a 52 week high of $43.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.54, a current ratio of 2.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. The firm has a market cap of $29.78 billion, a PE ratio of 15.28, a P/E/G ratio of 0.43 and a beta of 2.13.

Halliburton Announces Dividend

Halliburton ( NYSE:HAL Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 25th. The oilfield services company reported $0.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $5.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.49 billion. Halliburton had a net margin of 9.04% and a return on equity of 29.38%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 32.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.35 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Halliburton will post 3.11 earnings per share for the current year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 28th. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 7th were given a dividend of $0.16 per share. This represents a $0.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 6th. Halliburtons dividend payout ratio is currently 29.63%.

Insider Transactions at Halliburton

In other news, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 271,283 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.25, for a total value of $8,206,310.75. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 829,230 shares in the company, valued at approximately $25,084,207.50. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. In other news, CAO Charles Jr. Geer sold 12,065 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $30.60, for a total transaction of $369,189.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 52,817 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,616,200.20. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO Jeffrey Allen Miller sold 271,283 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $30.25, for a total transaction of $8,206,310.75. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 829,230 shares of the companys stock, valued at $25,084,207.50. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.60% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Halliburton

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of HAL. Little House Capital LLC raised its position in Halliburton by 2.2% in the third quarter. Little House Capital LLC now owns 12,591 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $310,000 after acquiring an additional 271 shares during the period. Titleist Asset Management LTD. boosted its stake in shares of Halliburton by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Titleist Asset Management LTD. now owns 26,175 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $644,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the period. Kentucky Retirement Systems boosted its position in Halliburton by 0.4% in the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems now owns 71,305 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $2,806,000 after buying an additional 311 shares during the period. Clarus Group Inc. boosted its position in Halliburton by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Clarus Group Inc. now owns 13,561 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $534,000 after buying an additional 330 shares during the period. Finally, Toroso Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 3.3% in the 3rd quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 10,443 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $257,000 after purchasing an additional 334 shares in the last quarter. 84.79% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Halliburton

(Free Report

Halliburton Company provides products and services to the energy industry worldwide. It operates in two segments, Completion and Production, and Drilling and Evaluation. The Completion and Production segment offers production enhancement services that include stimulation and sand control services; cementing services, such as well bonding and casing, and casing equipment; completion tools that offer downhole solutions and services, including well completion products and services, intelligent well completions, and service tools, as well as liner hanger, sand control, and multilateral systems; production solutions comprising coiled tubing, hydraulic workover units, downhole tools, and pumping and nitrogen services; and pipeline and process services, such as pre-commissioning, commissioning, maintenance, and decommissioning.

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Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc. increased its stake in shares of Newmont Co. (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 23.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 38,350 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 7,239 shares during the period. Ipswich Investment Management Co. Inc.s holdings in Newmont were worth $1,880,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. MAI Capital Management acquired a new stake in Newmont in the 4th quarter worth about $323,000. Weiss Asset Management LP acquired a new stake in Newmont in the 3rd quarter worth about $9,345,000. AdvisorNet Financial Inc raised its stake in Newmont by 9.7% in the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 2,829 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $134,000 after purchasing an additional 250 shares in the last quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of Newmont by 45.0% in the 4th quarter. Ronald Blue Trust Inc. now owns 4,029 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $170,000 after buying an additional 1,251 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Keybank National Association OH raised its position in shares of Newmont by 14.1% in the 4th quarter. Keybank National Association OH now owns 16,203 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $765,000 after buying an additional 2,002 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 77.82% of the companys stock.

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Newmont Trading Up 2.1 %

NEM opened at $42.43 on Friday. The companys 50 day moving average price is $43.59 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $46.86. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 2.38 and a quick ratio of 2.00. Newmont Co. has a fifty-two week low of $37.45 and a fifty-two week high of $60.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $33.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -62.95, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 0.34.

Newmont Dividend Announcement

Newmont ( NYSE:NEM Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 27th. The basic materials company reported $0.40 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.33 by $0.07. Newmont had a negative net margin of 4.55% and a positive return on equity of 6.05%. The company had revenue of $2.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.70 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.69 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was down 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts predict that Newmont Co. will post 2.5 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 15th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, June 1st were paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.77%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 31st. Newmonts dividend payout ratio is currently -242.42%.

Insider Activity

In other news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 11,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.76, for a total value of $525,360.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 300,039 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $14,329,862.64. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In related news, CEO Thomas Ronald Palmer sold 11,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.76, for a total transaction of $525,360.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 300,039 shares in the company, valued at approximately $14,329,862.64. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, COO Robert D. Atkinson sold 3,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $47.76, for a total transaction of $143,280.00. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 81,751 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,904,427.76. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 36,000 shares of company stock valued at $1,589,230. 0.07% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

NEM has been the subject of several analyst reports. Canaccord Genuity Group upgraded shares of Newmont from a hold rating to a buy rating and boosted their target price for the company from $53.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Monday, March 13th. Raymond James dropped their target price on shares of Newmont from $58.00 to $57.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, May 16th. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Newmont from $58.00 to $67.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 21st. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Newmont in a research report on Thursday, May 18th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Finally, Barclays upgraded shares of Newmont from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and dropped their target price for the company from $62.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Friday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Newmont has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $60.46.

About Newmont

(Free Report)

Newmont Corporation engages in the production and exploration of gold. It also explores for copper, silver, zinc, and lead. The company has operations and/or assets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Peru, Suriname, Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Ghana. As of December 31, 2022, it had proven and probable gold reserves of 96.1 million ounces and land position of 61,500 square kilometers.

Further Reading

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Levi Strauss & Co. (NYSE:LEVI  Free Report) posted its earnings results on Thursday. The blue-jean maker reported $0.04 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.03 by $0.01, MarketWatch Earnings reports. Levi Strauss & Co. had a return on equity of 29.59% and a net margin of 7.79%. The company had revenue of $1.34 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.29 earnings per share. Levi Strauss & Co.s revenue was down 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Levi Strauss & Co. updated its FY23 guidance to $1.10-1.20 EPS.

Levi Strauss & Co. Price Performance

NYSE LEVI traded up $0.12 during trading on Thursday, hitting $14.25. 5,501,719 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,344,001. The company has a market capitalization of $5.65 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 1.19. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of $14.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $15.74. The company has a quick ratio of 0.74, a current ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.51. Levi Strauss & Co. has a 12-month low of $12.80 and a 12-month high of $20.49.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on LEVI shares. Citigroup lowered their target price on Levi Strauss & Co. from $17.00 to $15.00 in a report on Friday, June 30th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on Levi Strauss & Co. from $20.00 to $18.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Telsey Advisory Group reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $24.00 price objective on shares of Levi Strauss & Co. in a research note on Thursday, March 30th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on Levi Strauss & Co. from $20.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Finally, Guggenheim decreased their price objective on Levi Strauss & Co. from $22.00 to $19.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 10th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Levi Strauss & Co. has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $18.82.

Insider Buying and Selling at Levi Strauss & Co.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Levi Strauss & Co.

In other news, EVP Seth Jaffe sold 2,938 shares of Levi Strauss & Co. stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.45, for a total value of $39,516.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 173,732 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,336,695.40. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . 3.77% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 0.9% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,848,857 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $113,573,000 after acquiring an additional 68,649 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its position in Levi Strauss & Co. by 20.5% during the 1st quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 6,365,036 shares of the blue-jean makers stock valued at $125,773,000 after purchasing an additional 1,084,969 shares in the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 11.7% in the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 5,989,518 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $109,189,000 after buying an additional 626,601 shares during the period. BlackRock Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 5.7% in the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 1,816,229 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $33,110,000 after buying an additional 97,230 shares during the period. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted its holdings in shares of Levi Strauss & Co. by 22.0% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 1,596,412 shares of the blue-jean makers stock worth $24,776,000 after buying an additional 287,506 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 19.23% of the companys stock.

About Levi Strauss & Co.

(Free Report)

Levi Strauss & Co engages in the design, marketing, and sale of apparels and related accessories for men, women, and children in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. It offers jeans, casual and dress pants, activewear, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, sweaters, jackets, footwear, and related products under the Levi's, Dockers, Beyond Yoga, Signature by Levi Strauss & Co, and Denizen brands.

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QuantumScape Co. (NYSE:QS  Free Report) CFO Kevin Hettrich sold 34,607 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, July 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $8.50, for a total transaction of $294,159.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 703,608 shares in the company, valued at $5,980,668. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink.

Kevin Hettrich also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Tuesday, June 13th, Kevin Hettrich sold 75,820 shares of QuantumScape stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $7.32, for a total transaction of $555,002.40.

QuantumScape Price Performance

QS traded down $0.01 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $8.61. 6,933,527 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 5,704,079. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $6.84 and its 200 day moving average price is $7.43. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03, a current ratio of 22.85 and a quick ratio of 22.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.82 billion, a PE ratio of -8.79 and a beta of 5.05. QuantumScape Co. has a 1-year low of $5.11 and a 1-year high of $13.86.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On QuantumScape

QuantumScape ( NYSE:QS Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 26th. The company reported ($0.24) earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.23) by ($0.01). During the same quarter last year, the business earned ($0.21) EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that QuantumScape Co. will post -0.92 EPS for the current fiscal year.

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of QS. Level Four Advisory Services LLC increased its position in QuantumScape by 133.2% during the first quarter. Level Four Advisory Services LLC now owns 25,420 shares of the companys stock worth $208,000 after purchasing an additional 14,520 shares during the last quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC increased its position in QuantumScape by 25.6% during the first quarter. Prelude Capital Management LLC now owns 20,243 shares of the companys stock worth $166,000 after purchasing an additional 4,128 shares during the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in QuantumScape by 10.3% during the first quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 16,789 shares of the companys stock worth $137,000 after purchasing an additional 1,573 shares during the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in QuantumScape by 44.3% during the first quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 243,976 shares of the companys stock worth $1,996,000 after purchasing an additional 74,940 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its position in QuantumScape by 3.6% during the first quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 65,914 shares of the companys stock worth $539,000 after purchasing an additional 2,271 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 25.70% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on shares of QuantumScape from $5.00 to $4.00 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 12th. Wolfe Research downgraded shares of QuantumScape from a peer perform rating to an underperform rating and set a $2.00 price objective on the stock. in a report on Thursday, June 8th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their price objective on shares of QuantumScape from $10.00 to $8.00 in a report on Friday, April 28th.

About QuantumScape

(Free Report)

QuantumScape Corporation, a development stage company, focuses on the development and commercialization of solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. QuantumScape Corporation was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in San Jose, California.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Southwest Gas (NYSE:SWX  Free Report) from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday morning.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the company. Royal Bank of Canada restated an underweight rating and set a $95.00 price target (down previously from $100.00) on shares of Southwest Gas in a report on Monday, March 6th. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Southwest Gas from $66.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. Finally, 888 reiterated a maintains rating on shares of Southwest Gas in a research note on Thursday, June 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $72.40.

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Southwest Gas Price Performance

Shares of Southwest Gas stock opened at $63.88 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.40 and a quick ratio of 1.40. Southwest Gas has a 12 month low of $53.79 and a 12 month high of $88.40. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.56 billion, a P/E ratio of -16.85, a PEG ratio of 3.85 and a beta of 0.29. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $59.79 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $61.62.

Southwest Gas Announces Dividend

Southwest Gas ( NYSE:SWX Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 9th. The utilities provider reported $1.69 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.39 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $1.60 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.29 billion. Southwest Gas had a positive return on equity of 6.24% and a negative net margin of 4.79%. As a group, analysts predict that Southwest Gas will post 3.31 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Tuesday, August 15th will be given a $0.62 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 14th. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.88%. Southwest Gass dividend payout ratio (DPR) is -65.44%.

Insider Activity at Southwest Gas

In other Southwest Gas news, major shareholder Carl C. Icahn acquired 15,681 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $57.98 per share, for a total transaction of $909,184.38. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 10,610,217 shares in the company, valued at approximately $615,180,381.66. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. In related news, major shareholder Carl C. Icahn bought 27,803 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, May 26th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $57.87 per share, for a total transaction of $1,608,959.61. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 10,835,029 shares of the companys stock, valued at $627,023,128.23. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, major shareholder Carl C. Icahn acquired 15,681 shares of Southwest Gas stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 24th. The stock was bought at an average price of $57.98 per share, with a total value of $909,184.38. Following the purchase, the insider now directly owns 10,610,217 shares of the companys stock, valued at $615,180,381.66. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders acquired a total of 123,332 shares of company stock worth $7,142,875 in the last 90 days. 0.32% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southwest Gas

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SWX. BlackRock Inc. lifted its position in shares of Southwest Gas by 4.5% in the first quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 10,117,342 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $631,828,000 after acquiring an additional 436,206 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Southwest Gas by 1.7% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 6,770,373 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $472,233,000 after purchasing an additional 114,397 shares during the last quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Southwest Gas by 10.1% during the 4th quarter. Fuller & Thaler Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,362,333 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $146,181,000 after purchasing an additional 215,807 shares during the last quarter. State Street Corp raised its position in shares of Southwest Gas by 3.1% in the first quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,277,553 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $142,233,000 after buying an additional 67,936 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Southwest Gas by 5.6% during the first quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,324,858 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $82,737,000 after buying an additional 70,444 shares during the period. 90.78% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Southwest Gas Company Profile

(Free Report)

Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc, through its subsidiaries, distributes and transports natural gas in Arizona, Nevada, and California. It operates through Natural Gas Distribution, Utility Infrastructure Services, and Pipeline and Storage segments. The company also provides trenching, installation, and replacement of underground pipes, as well as maintenance services for energy distribution systems.

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StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of Chicago Rivet & Machine (NYSEAMERICAN:CVR  Free Report) in a research note published on Tuesday. The firm issued a sell rating on the stock.

Separately, TheStreet downgraded Chicago Rivet & Machine from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Tuesday, June 6th.

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Chicago Rivet & Machine Price Performance

Chicago Rivet & Machine stock opened at $25.00 on Tuesday. Chicago Rivet & Machine has a 52 week low of $23.65 and a 52 week high of $32.94. The stock has a market cap of $24.25 million and a P/E ratio of 8.42.

Chicago Rivet & Machine Dividend Announcement

Chicago Rivet & Machine ( NYSEAMERICAN:CVR Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Monday, May 8th. The company reported ($0.60) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $8.73 million for the quarter. Chicago Rivet & Machine had a net margin of 8.52% and a return on equity of 9.41%.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 20th. Stockholders of record on Monday, June 5th were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 2nd. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.52%. Chicago Rivet & Machines payout ratio is currently 29.63%.

Institutional Trading of Chicago Rivet & Machine

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Renaissance Technologies LLC boosted its holdings in Chicago Rivet & Machine by 1.0% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 49,210 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,402,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Chicago Rivet & Machine by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 68,710 shares of the companys stock worth $1,771,000 after purchasing an additional 576 shares during the period. Morgan Stanley raised its holdings in shares of Chicago Rivet & Machine by 8.6% in the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 12,696 shares of the companys stock worth $363,000 after purchasing an additional 1,005 shares during the period. Captrust Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in Chicago Rivet & Machine during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Advisor Group Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in Chicago Rivet & Machine during the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,000. 22.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Chicago Rivet & Machine Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chicago Rivet & Machine Co operates in the fastener industry in North America. The company operates in two segments, Fasteners and Assembly Equipment. The Fastener segment manufactures and sells rivets, cold-formed fasteners and parts, and screw machine products. The Assembly Equipment segment manufactures and sells automatic rivet setting machines and assembly equipment, as well as parts and tools for related machines.

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StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. (NYSE:GHL  Free Report) in a research report released on Tuesday morning. The brokerage issued a hold rating on the financial services providers stock.

Several other research analysts also recently commented on GHL. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their target price on Greenhill & Co., Inc. from $9.50 to $8.50 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an underperform rating to a market perform rating in a research note on Monday, May 22nd. JMP Securities cut shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 23rd. Finally, TheStreet lowered Greenhill & Co., Inc. from a c rating to a d+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 31st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have given a hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Greenhill & Co., Inc. presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $11.38.

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Greenhill & Co., Inc. Price Performance

GHL opened at $14.65 on Tuesday. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $12.11 and a 200 day simple moving average of $11.05. The stock has a market cap of $268.39 million, a P/E ratio of -21.54 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a quick ratio of 1.90, a current ratio of 1.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 5.09. Greenhill & Co., Inc. has a 12 month low of $5.64 and a 12 month high of $14.97.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. Announces Dividend

Greenhill & Co., Inc. ( NYSE:GHL Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 3rd. The financial services provider reported ($1.27) EPS for the quarter. The company had revenue of $49.68 million for the quarter. Greenhill & Co., Inc. had a negative return on equity of 13.14% and a negative net margin of 3.02%.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, June 21st. Investors of record on Wednesday, June 7th were issued a $0.10 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 6th. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.73%. Greenhill & Co., Inc.s dividend payout ratio is presently -58.82%.

Institutional Trading of Greenhill & Co., Inc.

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Citigroup Inc. increased its stake in shares of Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 12.2% in the first quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 11,373 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $176,000 after purchasing an additional 1,240 shares in the last quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC grew its position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 58.1% during the 1st quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 7,855 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $122,000 after acquiring an additional 2,886 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its holdings in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 10.5% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 11,586 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $179,000 after buying an additional 1,103 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 11.6% during the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 351,821 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,443,000 after purchasing an additional 36,570 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. increased its position in Greenhill & Co., Inc. by 113.9% during the 1st quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 39,344 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $609,000 after purchasing an additional 20,948 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 63.50% of the companys stock.

Greenhill & Co., Inc. Company Profile

(Free Report)

Greenhill & Co, Inc, an independent investment bank, provides financial and strategic advisory services to corporations, partnerships, institutional investors, and governments worldwide. The company offers advisory services related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, financings, private capital raising, and other similar transactions.

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Shares of Telecom Italia S.p.A. (OTCMKTS:TIAOF  Free Report) dropped 5.8% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $0.27 and last traded at $0.27. Approximately 1,584 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 89% from the average daily volume of 14,309 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.29.

Telecom Italia Price Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $0.28 and a 200-day moving average of $0.29.

About Telecom Italia

(Free Report)

Telecom Italia S.p.A., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of fixed and mobile telecommunications services in Italy and internationally. The company operates through Domestic, Brazil, and Other Operations segments. It offers fixed and mobile voice and Internet, and public telephony services, as well as products managed and developed for individuals and families; and voice, data, and Internet services and products, and information and communications technology solutions for small and medium-size enterprises, small offices/home offices, the public sector, large accounts, and enterprises in the fixed and mobile telecommunications markets.

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Trilogy Metals Inc. (TSE:TMQ  Free Report)s stock price was down 6.3% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as C$0.75 and last traded at C$0.75. Approximately 20,610 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 16% from the average daily volume of 24,528 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.80.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Scotiabank cut their price objective on Trilogy Metals from C$1.10 to C$1.00 in a research report on Thursday, May 25th.

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Trilogy Metals Price Performance

The company has a market cap of C$116.13 million, a PE ratio of -3.26 and a beta of 1.26. The businesss 50 day moving average price is C$0.74 and its 200-day moving average price is C$0.77. The company has a quick ratio of 5.25, a current ratio of 2.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12.

About Trilogy Metals

Trilogy Metals ( TSE:TMQ Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 5th. The company reported C($0.04) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C($0.01) by C($0.03). As a group, analysts forecast that Trilogy Metals Inc. will post -0.07 earnings per share for the current year.

(Free Report)

Trilogy Metals Inc, a base metals exploration company, explores for and develops mineral properties in the United States. It principally holds interests in the Upper Kobuk mineral projects that include the Arctic, which contains polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits; and Bornite that contains carbonate-hosted copper  cobalt deposits covering an area of approximately 448,217 acres located in the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska.

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StockNews.com began coverage on shares of WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Free Report) in a research report report published on Tuesday morning. The firm issued a sell rating on the technology companys stock.

WidePoint Stock Performance

Shares of WYY opened at $1.80 on Tuesday. The business has a 50-day moving average of $1.83 and a 200 day moving average of $1.92. WidePoint has a fifty-two week low of $1.70 and a fifty-two week high of $3.06. The firm has a market cap of $15.73 million, a P/E ratio of -1.03 and a beta of 1.04.

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WidePoint (NYSEAMERICAN:WYY  Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Monday, May 15th. The technology company reported ($0.11) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. WidePoint had a negative net margin of 16.03% and a positive return on equity of 2.98%. The business had revenue of $25.27 million for the quarter.

Institutional Trading of WidePoint

WidePoint Company Profile

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. UBS Group AG bought a new position in shares of WidePoint during the first quarter valued at about $29,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in WidePoint during the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. Citadel Advisors LLC raised its holdings in WidePoint by 121.1% during the 3rd quarter. Citadel Advisors LLC now owns 13,577 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 7,437 shares during the last quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC boosted its position in WidePoint by 94.5% during the 3rd quarter. Koss Olinger Consulting LLC now owns 68,171 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 33,113 shares during the period. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of WidePoint by 9.6% in the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 390,757 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $833,000 after acquiring an additional 34,072 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 11.85% of the companys stock.

(Free Report)

WidePoint Corporation provides technology management as a service (TMaaS) to the government and business enterprises in North America and Europe. The company offers TMaaS solutions through a secure federal government certified proprietary portal and secure enterprise portal that provides ability to manage, analyze, and protect communications assets, as well as deploy identity management solutions that provide secured virtual and physical access to restricted environments.

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BEIJING, July 6 (Xinhua)  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the "Icebreaking Mission" in China-UK trade.

Xi pointed out that 70 years ago, British entrepreneurs represented by Jack Perry, keenly seeing the bright future of New China and the huge potential of China-UK cooperation, broke the ice of ideology with courage, and took the lead in opening up the channel of China-UK trade exchanges.

Over the past seven decades, generations of "icebreakers" have witnessed and actively participated in China's development and reform, and achieved their own development and growth through mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said.

He noted that thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, China-UK trade has grown to over 100 billion U.S. dollars. "Facts have proved that China-UK cooperation benefits the two peoples and is conducive to world peace and development."

The multiple challenges in today's world are intertwined and economic globalization is facing countercurrents, Xi said, expressing the hope that people of vision from all walks of life in China and Britain will carry on the pioneering spirit of openness and cooperation, work hard to break new ground for win-win cooperation, promote the building of an open world economy, and make greater contributions to promoting China-UK friendship and cooperation.

The commemorative event was co-hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the 48 Group Club and the China-Britain Business Council on Thursday in Beijing.

(Source: Xinhua)
Chinese archaeogenetics scientist Fu Qiaomei (L2) receives UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Paris, France, June 19, 2023. [China Media Group]

Chinese scientist Fu Qiaomei was awarded a UNESCO prize in Paris, France on Monday for her original work on establishing the genetic history of early humans on the Eurasian continent through the study of ancient genomes.

As one of the world's leading scientists in archaeogenetics, Fu, from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stood out among 2,500 candidates worldwide.

Fu is the first Chinese scientist to receive the UNESCO-Al Fozan International Prize for the Promotion of Young Scientists in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

With a primary focus on exploring human origin and evolution with ancient DNA (aDNA) technology, Fu's new study introduced new insights into issues on human health and adaptation from an evolutionary perspective. Her study found traces of prehistoric humans in a pinch of bone meal, a handful of soil and human remains, uncovering the genetic characteristics of populations and certain aspects of human evolution from tiny fragments of DNA.

The prize aims to strengthen research, education and international cooperation of STEM to confront global challenges addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals, according to the official website for the prize.

It is awarded every two years to five young laureates in related fields. The other four winners of this year are Abdon Atangana from Cameroon, Hesham Omran from Egypt, Jelena Vladic from Serbia and Federico Ariel from Argentina.

The four were awarded for innovative researches and promotions in the fields of mathematics, design of semiconductor chip and microelectronics products, green engineering, and agricultural biotechnology, respectively.

(Source: CGTN)
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 7. Currently, Uzbekistan Railways is considering various proposals from several major manufacturers of electric trains on launching the supply, Trend reports.

According to the carrier, during a meeting with Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Spain Jahongir Ganiev, CEO of Talgo Carlos Palacio Oriol has expressed the company's readiness to manufacture and deliver an additional 4 sets of the Afrosiyob high-speed train to Uzbekistan within the required timelines.

"Today, the offers from leading global companies in this field are being examined by authorized specialists of Uzbekistan Railways. Unique winter and summer climatic conditions of Uzbekistan are taken into account, as well as the conditions and comfort of passenger transportation, passenger capacity, and other aspects," the company said.

In addition to this, the Uzbek carrier has announced an international tender for the procurement of 34 more modern electric trains and is in negotiations with various foreign companies.
A Palestinian woman walks on a damaged road in the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank, Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) [AP Photo]

A United Nations panel of human rights experts issued a statement Wednesday condemning Israeli military operations in Jenin and elsewhere on the West Bank, declaring they amount to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime.

The three-member group, which operates under the aegis of the UN Human Rights Commission, pointed to a series of actions by the Israeli military which had resulted in killing and seriously injuring the occupied population, destroying their homes and infrastructure, and arbitrarily displacing thousands.

The two-day attack on the large, semi-permanent refugee camp outside Jenin, with 14,000 residents, led to pitched battles with Palestinian militants and deliberate and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure, including water and electricity supplies and healthcare facilities. At least 12 Palestinians were killed, including four teenagers. More than 100 were injured, and one-quarter of the camps population was forced to flee.

Eyewitnesses, including journalists, described both houses and larger structures destroyed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which sent 1,000 soldiers, mostly drawn from elite commando units, into the densely populated residential area.

According to the UN panel, The attacks were the fiercest in the West Bank since the destruction of the Jenin camp in 2002. They included air strikes, the first in two decades. The healthcare system was a particular target, with multiple reports of ambulances being prevented from evacuating the wounded and IDF troops firing tear gas into Jenin General Hospital.

The attacks constitute collective punishment of the Palestinian population, who have been labelled a collective security threat in the eyes of Israeli authorities, the UN panel said.

The UN statement continued:

The Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory are protected persons under international law, guaranteed of all human rights including the presumption of innocence... They cannot be treated as a collective security threat by the occupying Power, all the more while it advances the annexation of occupied Palestinian land and displacement and dispossession of its Palestinian residents.

In the American media, however, there is virtually no mention of the actual conditions on the ground in Jenin, or the findings of the UN panel. The reporting on the Israeli operation has generally been limited to rehashing claims that its purpose was counter-terrorism. The Washington Post devoted a single sentence to the UN panels condemnation of the Israeli operation as a violation of international law. The New York Times wrote nothing at all. The television networks were equally silent.

Here is the brutal reality in the West Bank under Israeli occupation: ongoing and systematic violence and repression against the Palestinians. Both Israeli soldiers and ultra-right settlers are murdering people, shooting them down, destroying their homes, pillaging the land where they have lived for centuries.

The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a coalition of right-wing parties, including outright fascists, with a large base in the illegal settlements on the West Bank. The regime is preparing for the logical conclusion of this campaign of terror and murder: the forcible displacement of millions of Palestinians and the incorporation of the West Bank into Israel.

Leaders of the fascist parties speak openly of their determination to remove the entire Arab population of the West Bank and annex the territory. In this, they are modeling themselves on the pogroms against Arabs which accompanied the foundation of Israel in 1947-48. This campaign, which today would be called ethnic cleansing, transformed the Arab-majority territory of Palestine into the Jewish-majority state of Israel.

The Israeli aggression on the West Bank is taking place with the full approval of the US government. The Biden administration certainly green-lighted the operation in advance, and voiced approval of it after the fact.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday:

We have said this many times: We support, certainly, Israels security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups Israel is a close ally and partner, and we are in touch with the national security and, certainly, the defense officials. So dont have anything to read out on our conversation, but we are in regular contact.

The coverage in the corporate media took its cue from Biden in its indifference to the barbarism displayed by Israel on the West Bank, where military violence has been combined with rampages by armed settlers against Palestinian towns and villages to enforce the increasingly stifling grip of the occupation regime. At least 155 Palestinians have been killed by soldiers and settlers so far this year, the largest total since the second intifada in 2002.

Meanwhile, the media witch-hunts anyone who criticizes the conduct of the state of Israel, condemning them as anti-Semites. This is especially directed against public figures, most recently the musician Roger Waters, founder of the rock band Pink Floyd, who has been a principled supporter of the Palestinian people for many decades and is now one of the few prominent opponents of the US-NATO war in Ukraine.

The American media maintains a shameless double standard in relation to the war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks on Palestinians living in the West Bank. While covering up Israeli violence and dispossession in the occupied territories, the media has been engaged for more than a year in a hysterical campaign claiming the Russian military is engaging in genocidal crimes in Ukraine.

There is no reason to disguise or excuse the brutality of the Putin regime, which represents the interests of the oligarchy of capitalist billionaires who built their fortunes on the dismantling of the Soviet Union. But the same standard should apply to the Ukrainian regime of President Volodymyr Zelensky, riddled with fascists and worshippers of the Nazi ally Stepan Bandera. And it should apply as well to the crimes of the state of Israel, long the principal ally of American imperialism in the Middle East.

Neither the New York Times nor the Washington Post bothered to comment editorially on the Israeli onslaught in Jenin, although such an operation by a regime at odds with the US government would have provoked strident denunciation.

The day before the attack, the Post published an editorial with the headline, Hold Russia accountable for its war crimes. It cited the findings of an array of UN and human rights organizations about Russian actions in Ukrainethe same type of evidence that it ignores or dismisses when it comes to the Israeli operation in Jenin.

The editorial draws the remarkable conclusion that in addition to specific atrocities, In fact, Mr. Putin and a coterie of his top advisers have committed a broader offense by unleashing the war in the first placethe crime from which all the subsequent atrocities arose. They should face prosecution for waging a crime of aggressionthe very charge used against Nazi war criminals in the Nuremberg trials after World War II.

The World Socialist Web Site has repeatedly cited the Nuremberg precedent as applying to the actions of American administrations, from George W. Bush in Afghanistan and Iraq onward. There is no government in the world which is more steeped in waging a crime of aggression by unleashing war than that which resides in Washington, DC.

The Nuremberg Tribunal also convicted the main media apologists of the Nazi regime of war crimes. The editors of the Post, faithful advocates of every US military adventure, should be careful what they wish for.
This article describes the systematic violations of human and democratic rights that occur in the NATO-backed drive of the Ukrainian government to forcibly draft ever more men into the army. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are estimated to have already died in the war, with many more wounded. The author, Maxim Goldarb, is the head of the Union of Left Forces of Ukraine - For New Socialism party in Ukraine which opposes the NATO war against Russia and has been banned and persecuted by the Zelensky government.

One of the most burning issues in Ukrainian society over the past year and a half has been the mobilization into the army. In our country, everyone is well aware of the enormous scale that not only the mobilization itself has reached, but also of numerous, systemic violations of human rights in the course of mobilization. However, most of the media in Western countries hush up this information.

The law in Ukraine provides definite rules for the procedure of military registration and conscription to military service of conscripts and reservists. In particular, it regulates the procedure for delivery of summonses for conscription.

A summons for military service is a written document that is issued in the name of a specific person. The summons must be prepared in advance and cannot be filled out in front of the person to whom it is handed. If the summons is issued correctly, the conscript is obliged to appear before the relevant state body responsible for mobilizationthe Territorial Center for Recruitment and Social Support (TCR or TTsK in Russian and SS or SP in Russian). But if the summons has been issued incorrectly, the conscript does not have such an obligation.

According to the law, summonses cannot be delivered by messenger message, text message, phone call or e-mail. Employees of recruitment centers are not allowed to write out summonses on the spot in front of the person to whom the summons is addressed, or to add data to the partially completed form of the summons.

However, in practice, the legal framework for mobilization in Ukraine is being violated systematically and on a mass-scale. To name but a few cases:

In mid-January 2023, representatives of the TCR tried to check documents on the street in Odessa in order to issue a summons for military service on the spot.

In Zaporozhzhia, in mid-January 2023, TCR employees, together with the police, stopped people on the street and filled out empty summonses. This case was recorded on video.

In late January 2023, the police detained people in villages and sent them, even without summonses, to the TCR.

In late February 2023, in the city of Berehove in Transcarpathia, employees of the TCR demanded documents from citizens on the street and issued summonses on the spot.

Having seen enough of such methods of mobilization, many men, while on the streets, have begun to hide from people in military uniform (the mobilization is carried out by the military personnel of the TCR).

Then the authorities began to use even more blatant methods in order to send as many people as possible to the war.

In January 2023, in Odessa, representatives of the TCR hid inside an ambulance, and ten, when they saw men of military age (from 18 to 60 years old), they jumped out onto the street, handed out summons and forcibly dragged those who resisted into the ambulance. Even the military was soon forced to admit this fact.

In late Januaryearly February 2023, a number of cases were recorded in which TCR employees, either together with the police or independently, were literally catching people on the streets of Odessa and a number of other Ukrainian cities.

In Ternopil in mid-February 2023, representatives of the TCR grabbed men of military age at a bus station and forced them into the bus.

Similar cases were reported in February 2023 in: Chernomorsk; Transcarpathia; Kropyvnytsky; Cherkasy and many other cities and regions.

There is no way to classify these cases other than as kidnappingsa criminal offense. This is also proven by a number of court decisions.

On March 3, 2023, the district court of Nikolaev ordered that a complaint by citizen I. Dirk about a criminal offense be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations (ERDR). The applicant provided a video recording showing how a group of persons in military uniform forced him into a car and took him against his will to one of the regional Territorial Centers for Recruitment and Social Support. The complaint was filed under Articles 146, 371 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unlawful deprivation of liberty or kidnapping; knowingly unlawful detention, custody, house arrest or detention).

On March 7, 2023, in Odessa, on April 10 Street, employees of the TCR forcibly grabbed a citizen off the street and took him to serve the summons. In the evening, his wife wrote a statement to the police about the illegal kidnapping of her husband. Criminal proceedings were opened in the case.

In addition, there have been repeated reports about cases in which summons are handed out as a means of criminal or administrative punishment, which is illegal. Thus, on March 20, 2023, a video appeared of an incident in which an Odessa taxi driver expressed insufficiently patriotic thoughts. Then, on March 22, 2023, it was reported that he was found and drafted into the army.

These examples constitute only a relatively small list of cases of a large number of human rights violations during the mobilization. In fact, there are thousands such examples, and we only learn about those cases that are caught on video and are made public on social media or in the press.

The Ukrainian government of Volodymyr Zelensky has organized a hunt for its own citizens. Men of military age, in gross violation of the law, are seized off the streets and forcibly sent into the army. Then, in a great many cases they are sent to the front with virtually no military training. As a result, they quickly die or are seriously injured.

By now, many men avoid going out at all and try to stay at home as much as possible. However, the need to work in order to provide for themselves and their families makes it impossible for most men to avoid appearing in public places.

Most Ukrainian men then become cannon fodder simply because they lack any kind of military training. Yet this does not go for the chosen onesthe ruling elite. None of its representativesthe presidents entourage, ministers, deputies, as well as the oligarchs are fighting at the front. The same goes for their adult sons. All of them are either deep in the rear, or even went abroad without hindrance. They prefer to make money from war rather than die in it. The ruling elite leaves the right to die in this war to the working people, to the poor, to which, at this point, the majority of the population of Ukraine belong. In this context, it should also be noted that in Ukraines shattered economy, military salaries are just about the only possible income for the remaining able-bodied people who are forced to risk their lives and health in order to feed their families.

In the mobilization, the class essence of the ruling oligarchy has manifested itself with complete clarity. This also explains why the leading Western media maintain complete silence about this: they desperately try to preserve the false media imagewhich they themselves createdof a supposedly existing unity of the democratic Ukrainian government and people. But this has little to do with reality.
Capitulating to a campaign of far-right threats orchestrated by the state-supported Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) cancelled an anti-war meeting that was to be held at its Toronto headquarters last month.

In the more than two weeks since, the OPSEU bureaucrats have said not a word about why the June 21 meeting was cancelled. They have provided no information about those whom it said it feared could do violence to meeting organizers and attendees and OPSEU property, let alone sought to mobilize opposition to them among its 180,000 members and the working class more generally.

This deafening silence underscores that OPSEU was and is complicit in the political censorship of anti-war voices, and does so in deference to far-right forces. It also exemplifies the hostility of the corporatist trade unions, close allies of the Trudeau Liberal government, to the development of opposition to the US-NATO war on Russiaa war in which Canada is playing a major role.

The June 21 event was organized by the self-avowed ecosocialist and former Green Party leadership candidate Dmitri Lascaris to report on his April trip to Russia. Lascaris trip was aimed at building support within the Russian elite, expatriate circles, and journalists for a negotiated settlement to the war based on a compromise between the imperialist powers and the reactionary nationalist oligarchical regime presided over by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lascaris, like radical journalist Yves Engler, is a prominent supporter of the Canadian Foreign Policy Institutes campaign for the Canadian government to call an official foreign policy review and elaborate thereby a just foreign policy.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flanked by Chrystia Freeland, the current Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) delegation that accompanied him on his 2016 official visit to Ukraine [Photo: Facebook/UCC]

Lascaris tour across Canada has come under systematic attack from the far-right UCC, which, with the support of the government and political establishment as a whole, is seeking to smear, disrupt and shut down all anti-war events. Notwithstanding well-documented and irreconcilable political differences with Lascaris, the Socialist Equality Party (Canada) issued a statement denouncing the censoring of his Toronto meeting and upholding his democratic right to disseminate his views. The SEP statement stressed that censoring the June 21 meeting represented an attack on the democratic rights of the entire working class, one that was made all the more troubling by the complicity of OPSEU in enforcing it.

The statement declared:

At stake is not only the right of Lascaris or any other individual, but the fundamental democratic rights of all workers to criticize and oppose pro-war imperialist policies free from the threats of state-backed fascistic thugs. The fundamental democratic rights of free speech and assembly can only be defended by mobilizing the same social force which can put an end to the imperialist war in Ukraine and the capitalist system that gave rise to itthe world working class, united around a revolutionary internationalist and socialist program.

The truth of these lines has been underscored by OPSEUs cowardly and complicit silence. The public sector union not only bowed to the far-right and acted as a key cog in a regime of political censorship supported by the highest levels of the state. The union, including its much-touted left leader J.P. Hornick, has done nothing to alert workers to the grave threat that the cancellation of Lascaris meeting and the attempt to silence anti-war voices represent to their democratic rights. OPSEU did not call a press conference, issue a press release, or campaign at workplaces to alert workers to the violation of their, and the unions, democratic right to organize or host a public meeting. A precedent has been set for state-backed far-right activists to determine what can and cannot be discussed publicly about the predatory US-NATO war on Russia in Ukraine.

OPSEU made clear to Lascaris when it told him it was cancelling his meeting that acts of violence had been threatened, declaring that OPSEU leaders and staff had received dozens of emails expressing opposition to the holding of the event, and that, based on those emails, OPSEU leadership became concerned for the safety of the participants and the property.

Even if OPSEU felt that the security situation was out of control, a very doubtful presumption given the unions vast resources, there can be no justification for its disgraceful capitulation to the censors without a fight. If it had no choice but to cancel the meeting to protect the safety of participants, OPSEU had a political obligation to publicly denounce the scandalous threats made by the UCC supporters. They could have mobilized their 180,000 members in defence of democratic rights and pledged to hold Lascaris meeting, backed by mass support from working people in defence of democratic rights, at a later date. Such a principled approach would have forced the far-right nationalists and their state allies onto the back foot, and strengthened the struggle in the working class in defence of democratic rights and against imperialist war.

In this regard, it is worth noting that the International Youth and Students for Social Equality, an organization with far fewer financial resources at its disposal than OPSEU, succeeded in beating back a similarly vicious campaign of political censorship and held a powerful anti-war meeting in Toronto June 4. After far-right forces sought to prevail on the Toronto Public Library to cancel the room booking, the IYSSE waged a vigorous campaign in the working class and among young people, including through a petition in defence of the meeting that secured over 1,000 supporters.

The reason OPSEU did not pursue a similar course is that it would have involved a direct conflict with its political allies in the pro-war Justin Trudeau Liberal government and its trade union and New Democratic Party backers. Canadas union bureaucracy, led by the Canadian Labour Congress and Unifor, the countrys largest private-sector union, has collaborated intimately with the Liberals since they came to power in 2015, including by providing support for massive military spending increases and the consolidation of North America First economic policies to prepare for war against China and Russia. One month after US imperialism and its allies succeeded in goading the reactionary nationalist Putin regime into invading Ukraine, Canadas top union bureaucrats engineered a confidence-and-supply agreement between the Liberals and NDP that stopped just short of a government coalition. The NDP pledged to secure a parliamentary majority for the minority Liberal government through June 2025, allowing it to focus on waging war abroad and imposing post-pandemic austerity at home.

OPSEUs endorsement of this anti-worker agenda was underlined during the recent Toronto mayoral election campaign, when it acted as one of the most prominent cheerleaders for former NDP MP Olivia Chow, the widow of ex-NDP leader Jack Layton. Under Layton, the NDP junked even the most tenuous association with socialism, backed wars in Afghanistan and Libya, and agreed to the 2008 coalition deal with the Liberals. While the OPSEU bureaucracy never found the time to utter a peep about its decision to ban Lascaris meeting, it issued repeated appeals for its members in Toronto to vote for Chow, the fighter for Toronto we need, as its website proclaimed. The OPSEU website included information on how to volunteer to contact union members to vote for Chow, leaflets backing the Chow campaign for workers to distribute in their workplace, and a link to make a donation to the Chow campaign.

OPSEUs complicity in political censorship and its refusal to utter a single word of warning about the far-right spearheaded, state-backed campaign to intimidate and silence opponents of imperialist war have been met by Lascaris and his supporters with tacit acquiescence. Lascaris immediate reaction to the decision to cancel the event, about which he was not even consulted in advance, was to describe the decision as not political. His method of organizing meetings for his tour across the country also helped ensure that no broader popular support was built in his defence. Venues were kept secret until participants paid for a $15 ticket, a cost which many workers and youth would have to think twice about before paying. Presented as a clever tactic to prevent far-right activists from learning where the meetings were to take place, the end result was that venues in Montreal and Winnipeg also cancelled Lascaris events.

Lascaris responded with pathetic appeals to his censors to engage in discussion with him. In a statement released after OPSEUs decision to cancel the Toronto event, he declared, If supporters of Canadian government policy toward this devastating war truly believe that their position can be defended on the basis of evidence, reason and humanitarian principles, then they should engage in open and constructive debate with their opponents.

Lascaris actions reflect his orientation to the union bureaucracy and other layers of the middle class to apply pressure to the Canadian government in order to convince it to pursue an end to the war through peace talks with Russia.

The US-NATO war on Russia, which aims to subordinate the resource-rich country to a semi-colonial status and bring about regime change in Moscow, will not be halted by pleading with imperialist war-mongers and far-right Ukrainian nationalists to engage in reasonable debate. What is above all required is the building of an international anti-war movement led by the working class and young people to oppose imperialist war and the capitalist profit system from which it emerges.
Residents of the Northern Rivers region of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) have spoken to the WSWS, condemning the cuts to the buy back, lift or refit scheme that was promised by state and federal governments after devastating floods last year.

Debris outside a flood-damaged home in Lismore last March

People across the region are outraged by the release of flood maps showing that thousands of the residents whose homes were inundated will be excluded from the scheme, which has been cut in half by the state and federal Labor governments.

After more than 16 months of living in tents, campervans, caravans, the shells of houses or temporary government pod units, flood victims in the city of Lismore and throughout the region suddenly received cold calls from government officials, saying they are not eligible for assistance.

The Labor governments in Canberra and Sydney have slashed the promised funding for their scheme, resulting in a cut from 2,000 to 1,100 in the number of households to be offered relocation, and an overall reduction from 6,000 to 2,000 in the number of ruined homes to be either bought back, lifted or refitted to withstand future floods.

Jeff, whose house was wrecked in South Lismore, one of the worst-hit areas, said he had not heard from the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRCC), the government agency running the schemenot even a phone call to tell him he was excluded.

Jeff (right) and his son Steve outside Jeffs damaged home in Lismore

This is not pretty, he commented. I knew the scheme was going to be a disaster the politicians come here to mouth off, then they run out of money! There is a lot of anger everywhere. Its not just here, there are problems everywhere.

Jeffs son Steve, who also lives in South Lismore, had been excluded as well. According to the reportedly outdated flood maps, were not in the red zone!

Jeff said he had to use all his own money to slowly repair his house. After 16 months, he was three-quarters done, with three rooms to go.

Some people nearby had been offered buybacks, Jeff said, but where will they go? The money being offered for the homes, at pre-flood prices, would be nowhere near enough to buy a home somewhere else.

Asked about the fact that this was happening under Labor governments, Jeff said: None of the political parties are worth anything. He said the scheme was a big gimmick. The land supposed to be available for displaced flood victims was to be handed over to developers for profit. The rich get richer, he commented. This is a vicious circle.

Vicki, whose home was destroyed in central Lismore, said she was lucky because it was classified as being in a red zone. But it was random. She knew friends who have got nothing or who received buy-back offers that were far too low to let them move elsewhere. Its appalling, its immoral, she said.

Vicki

Discussing the role of the Labor governments, Vicki said: Its very disappointing. This is a betrayal of peoples votes. The powerless are being kicked down. She spoke about peoples anger, disappointment and heartbreak. Lismore was a working-class community, so governments regarded it as expendable.

It was outrageous that the promised land for people to move to was being handed to private developers. They are making a killing, while flood victims were being consigned to remote locations away from the community to which they belonged.

Vicki said Lismore could have been a model for how to rebuild after such catastrophes, which were bound to recur due to climate change. Money was available in the federal governments Future Fund, but the political will was not there.

Fiona, who lives in a regional village, responded to the initial WSWS report on the cutting back of the scheme. Good article, she wrote. Every word is true and I totally agree as to the indifference, apathy and (I suspect) corruption of the three tiers of government. I also agree with nationalising the utilities and banks.

Fiona with Socialist Equality Party New South Wales election candidate Mike Head

Not just in Lismore but throughout the entire Northern Riversin towns such as Broadwater, Coraki, Woodburn, Mullumbimby and Murwillumbah and many smaller communitiesflood victims who were previously assured of assistance have had those promises ripped up.

This bitter betrayal by the Labor governments of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns underscores the indifference and contempt of capitalist governmentsLabor and Liberal-National alikefor the health, lives and livelihoods of ordinary working people.

As the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) drew out in its March 2022 statement on the flood disaster: Every aspect of the floods crisisfrom the lack of preparation and warnings to people, to the inadequacy of basic infrastructure and support services, and the lack of assistance offered to the hundreds of thousands of flood victimsis the direct result of the subordination of society to the dictates of private profit.

There was a stark contrast between the governments, which have left residents to fend for themselves, and ordinary people, who have come together, as they did in the 201920 bushfire calamity, to rescue victims and provide food, shelter and assistance to those in need, using social media platforms to organise independently.

We said this embryonic self-organisation by the working class needed to be informed by a socialist perspective and developed into a mass movement fighting to take political power in Australia and internationally.

We pointed out that trillions of dollars in socially-produced wealth have been amassed in private handsthe fortunes of the billionaires have doubled in the pandemicand billions are being spent on war preparations. We outlined and explained the necessity for a socialist program to address the disasters, such as floods, bushfires and pandemics, being produced by the failures of the profit system.

The SEP statement concluded: The pressing social needs of the majority can and must be addressed by placing the banks, insurance companies, property developers and other corporate giants under working class ownership and democratic control.
Paris Mayo was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment last week after being found guilty of murdering her baby son shortly after she delivered him alone at home when she was just 15 years old.

Paris Mayo [Photo: West Mercia Police web site]

The case has taken almost four years to get to court. In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Graham noted the impact of the significant delay, especially for a 15-year-old. This matter has been hanging over your head for 20 percent of your life, he said. But he went on to stipulate he made no criticism of the Crown Prosecution Service for the delay, which was due to gathering medical evidence.

The verdict and the sentence are unprecedented. Especially given that Justice Graham acknowledged that Mayo was alone and unsupported when she went through the process of giving birth without the assistance of a midwife, a doctor, a friend or a relative. I find as a fact that you were frightened and traumatised by those events. I have no doubt that the birthing process was not just painful, but overwhelming for you.

Nonetheless, Mayo was sentenced as an adult for something that occurred when she was still a child and clearly in a disturbed mental state.

The court heard that Mayo, now 19, was just 15 years and four months old when she delivered a baby boy, Stanley, in 2019, in the sitting room of her fathers home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. Neither Paris parents, nor her brother, knew of her pregnancy or anything about the deliverydespite being upstairs in the same houseuntil the next day.

The prosecution charged that Mayo wilfully concealed her pregnancy, having determined that she would kill the child. On birth, it charged she had stamped on his head and stuffed his mouth with cotton wool, so he suffocated. She then put the baby in a black bin bag outside the door, messaged her older brother asking him to put it in the bin, and went to bed.

The remains were found by her mother Coralie the next morning, who was disturbed by blood around the bag. Audio of the harrowing call made by Coralie to the emergency services was played to the court. Sobbing at times uncontrollably, she told the 999 operator My 15-year-old daughter just gave birth last night. I didnt know. Speaking to her daughter, she was heard crying hysterically you know you could have told me.

Against the charge that she had wilfully concealed her pregnancy, Mayo told the court, I had convinced myself so much that I wasnt. I guess I was scared, I didnt want it to be true.' She did not want her parents to be ashamed of her, she said.

In a saddening account, Mayo described having a difficult childhood, and a troubled relationship with her father who was emotionally cruel and made her feel worthless. Feeling very insecure in herself, she became sexually active aged 13, because she thought it would make people like her.

It was only when labour began, Mayo said, that she accepted she must be pregnant.

Childbirth experts testified that it was extraordinary Mayo did not shout or scream during labour, especially given her confusion and severe pain.

The court heard Mayos father was terminally ill. Though her parents were separated, the family had moved back into the home to support the father who was receiving dialysis with the help of Coralie upstairs, while Mayo delivered silently in the living room. Mayo later said that she had not wanted to bother her mother, who had enough on her plate.

Mayos father died ten days later.

Several medical experts testified that Mayo had created a false memory. Dr John Sandford explained, As a 15-year-old girl giving birth, she went into a state of shock, of panic and distress, with very high anxiety and emotional trauma. Such events could lead to a disturbance of the balance of her mind.

Justice Graham concurred that if Mayo had planned in advance to kill your child and conceal the evidence of that crime, there were obvious steps you could have taken, including moving out to her aunts house where you were unlikely to be disturbed.

He also recorded, On the question of pre-meditation, I reject the prosecutions suggestion that the previous six or seven months had been devoted to avoiding detection of your pregnancy or concealment of the forthcoming birth or that this was an offence with significant preplanning.

How, after hearing such a tragic account, did the court respond with such a brutal sentence?

The jury concluded by majority verdict that Mayo deliberately killed her child. Every legal avenue of accounting for the fact that Mayo was clearly in a terrible situation and a disturbed state of mind was then closed off.

A charge of infanticide, rather than murder, is available and provides women with a partial defence of the murder or manslaughter of a biological child aged under one year, in acknowledgement of the frequently appalling circumstances.

Dr Emma Milne, Associate Professor in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice at Durham university, told the Guardian that women accused of killing a new-born are incredibly vulnerable and experience pregnancy as a moment of crisis. For almost half a century, no woman had been imprisoned following a conviction of infanticide, with many receiving psychiatric support.

This precedent, she explained, is being swept aside by a hardening from the Crown Prosecution Service towards such cases, with Mayo joining three other women sentenced for murder after trying to plead infanticide in the last five years.

While the jurors in Mayos case were invited to consider infanticide, the prosecution pushed for a murder charge and spent years gathering the testimony it required to convict her.

Justice Graham specifically identified the testimony of Dr Harding as somewhat unsatisfactory. In what should have been a damning comment, he said it was apparent that Harding formed a clear and unshakeable view of your culpability from the time of his very first meeting with you. He had told the police that you ought to be prosecuted, a surprising opinion for an expert called to give evidence on a defendants mental state to express and one which he agreed in his oral evidence ought not to have appeared in his report.

I also regard it as unfortunate that Dr Harding did not know, or at least as unable to call to mind, the standard of proof that would have to be applied by the court considering his opinion. In my view, he demonstrated in his oral evidence an inflexibility of thinking that seemed to me unhelpful in as complex and difficult a case as this one.

Having gone into labour, it was argued, Mayo should have called for help. The fact that she had not was proof enough she intended to murder her child. The terrible manner of Stanleys deathinvolving blunt force trauma and suffocationmeant there could be no mitigating circumstances.

In his highly contradictory summation, Justice Graham accepted the prosecutions submissions that, on any view, you knew you were pregnant and about to give birth an hour or so before you did so, and so the defence of denial could not be upheld.  by the evening of the 23 March, you knew what was happening to your body and in those last minutes, you decided that you had to get rid of this baby. To that extent, this was a pre-meditated killing, even though this pre-meditation was not long-standing.

He concluded with a statement that tacitly argued against a prison sentence:

Despite listening to all the evidence over the last six weeks, I have detected nothing to suggest you would be a danger to children or to anyone else, (with the possible exception of another child of your own if you were to fall pregnant again in similar circumstances, which is a remote possibility given the sentence I am about to impose).

There has been little discussion, let alone outcry, against the verdict. This is part of the reactionary trend in bourgeois politics that has seen the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States last year, effectively denying millions of American women any right to an abortion.

In June, 44-year-old mother of three Carla Foster was jailed for 28 months for inducing an abortion after the legal limit. As the World Socialist Web Site warned, Moves to imprison these individuals reflect an attitude of hardened indifference and callous cruelty in the legal system and the ruling class, akin to the Victorian elite who implemented the original 1860s [Offences Against the Person] law. Feeling the capitalist system they defend exposed, judges and politicians are less and less able to acknowledge the damning social causes and necessarily fundamental social solutions to personal tragedies, shifting the blame by branding individuals.
A detailed article published by Rolling Stone this week claimed that multiple British journalists and public personalities have been approached by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and representatives of the Department of Justice, to encourage them to give evidence against WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange greets supporters from a balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London. [AP Photo/Frank Augstein, File]

It was separately reported, last month, that London writer Andrew OHagan had recently been contacted by FBI agents who were seeking dirt on Assange. The Rolling Stone article indicates that at least three other individuals have received similar approaches over the recent period.

The common denominator of each of them is that they had dealings with Assange, before publicly falling out with the WikiLeaks founder. The clear aim of the American authorities is to parlay the subjectivism and perceived weaknesses of these generally complacent and upper middle-class individuals into ammunition that can be used as part of the frame-up of Assange.

The Rolling Stone author James Ball is a case in point. He translated an exceedingly brief association with WikiLeaks into a career as a professional journalist. Ball has frequently slandered Assange.

In 2018, for instance, as it was clear that the now US-aligned Ecuadorian government was moving to end Assanges political asylum, Ball proclaimed in the pages of the Guardian: The only barrier to Julian Assange leaving Ecuadors embassy is pride. In between vile personal attacks on Assange, Ball insisted: The WikiLeaks founder is unlikely to face prosecution in the US

A little over a year later, Assange was dragged from the Ecuadorian embassy by British police. It was immediately announced that the US had charged him over 2010 publications exposing US-led war crimes and had issued an extradition request.

Ball has never repudiated this despicable record, which is clearly why he was approached. That makes the revelations contained in his Rolling Stone article all the more devastating.

Ball wrote: The first approach to get me to cooperate with the Assange prosecution came via Londons Metropolitan Police in December 2021. On legal advice, I had stayed quiet about these attempts at the time. But now more journalists have told me that police have turned up on their doorsteps, too, in the last month. Those approached are former Guardian investigations editor David Leigh, transparency campaigner Heather Brooke, and the writer Andrew OHagan.

In a meeting, Ball recounted a Metropolitan Police officer telling him and his lawyer: One thing that it might be helpful for your client to know in all of this obviously, were working very closely with the Americans on all of this, and the three-letter-agencies [shorthand for the FBI/CIA/NSA etc.], and weve got a lot of information at our disposal.

Ball indicated that he was subjected to pressure, including the threat of being enjoined in some sort of Assange-related prosecution. He states that he rejected the intimidation and has gone public because he is due to travel to the US for work.

Ball also said he was motivated by the fact that others revealed to him they had also been targeted.

Ball relayed: Brooke told me she was surprised at home (she had a guest at the time) by the two officers and spoke to them briefly outside her front door. She noted to me that they were almost aggressively friendly and passive, making it clear they were seeking a voluntary witness statement on behalf of the FBI, and she was under no obligation to provide it.

At the same time, Leigh returned to his flat to a Metropolitan Police letter which stated: We have been contacted recently by officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington D.C. (FBI) who would like to speak to you. The FBI would like to discuss your experiences with Assange/WikiLeaks as referenced in WikiLeaks: Inside Julian Assanges War on Secrecy. I must stress this is purely voluntary and you are acting as a witness only. Therefore there is no requirement to speak to the FBI if you do not wish to.

The approaches raise a whole host of questions. The US Justice Department unsealed its indictment against Assange when he was arrested in April, 2019. Months later it added a host of new charges under the Espionage Act, for publications exposing war crimes, increasing the possible maximum-sentence Assange would face in the US to 175 years.

Proceedings for Assanges extradition have been going on for years. He is a hairs breadth away from being dispatched to the US, with only one avenue of appeal remaining within the British legal system. Yet as Ball notes, it appears that the FBI and the US government are trying to strengthen their case.

That underscores the weakness of the US prosecution, a transparent attempt to criminalise true and newsworthy national security journalism, for which Assange is widely viewed as a heroic figure and has won a host of awards.

Perhaps most significantly, the ongoing investigation demonstrates the commitment of the Biden administration to the ongoing US pursuit of Assange. Since assuming the presidency in early 2021, Biden has not mentioned Assange. White House spokespeople have implausibly claimed that the administration has nothing to do with the attempted prosecution, because of the supposed independence of the Justice Department.

But it is clear that the US is intensifying its multi-year witch hunt of Assange and his collaborators. The complex efforts to secure the testimony of high-profile journalists are unquestionably being conducted by the administration itself, and would likely have been approved at the highest level, i.e., by Biden.

At one point in his account, Ball noted that the FBI had expressed interest in his attacks on WikiLeaks, related to a former Russian associate of the organisation. Ball wrote: The U.S. government cannot make much use of what I revealed in the article in a court of law unless I testify to itand it is not hard to see how I could be useful if they were trying to strengthen the political case against Assange.

As he indicates, it does appear as though the FBI is trying to line up testimony for expanded court proceedings. Given the limited scope of extradition hearings in Britain, there is every likelihood they are preparing for the criminal case that would be held in a secret US court after Assanges extradition.

That underscores the bankruptcy of any illusions that friendly appeals to the governments involved will halt Assanges dispatch. His persecution is the spearhead of a broader onslaught on democratic rights, and especially anti-war opposition, under conditions of the escalating US-NATO war against Russia in Ukraine and Washingtons confrontation with China.

It is no accident that the Biden administration, which is overseeing these war policies of American imperialism, is also intensifying the campaign against Assange.

Among some Assange supporters, hopes were raised in May when Australian Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese again made comments to the effect that enough is enough in the Assange case and the matter needs to be brought to a close. He claimed to have conveyed these sentiments to the Biden administration.

But Albanese does not seem to have mentioned Assange for over a month since those comments. If it is true that Labor has suggested an end to the US prosecution, the news of FBI agents trawling around in London indicates those overtures have been rebuffed. Albanese is traveling to Germany at the beginning of next week, to step up collaboration with the militarist administration of that country. He is then heading to Lithuania to take part, alongside Biden, in a NATO summit planning the next escalation of the war in Ukraine.

Finally, a word should be said about those approached by the FBI. Each has indicated, at least through Ball, or in OHagans case independently, their refusal to cooperate with the US prosecution. That is a principled stand.

But it is hardly accidental that they were approached in the first place. In their embittered and subjective attacks on Assange, the American intelligence agencies saw fellow-travellers of their more than decade-long campaign to destroy WikiLeaks for exposing the crimes of the US state. The FBIs apparently favorable reading of Leighs hack job book on Assange speaks volumes.

A question inevitably emerges. The four who have revealed the approach say they have refused to cooperate. But have others in this milieu, heavily concentrated around the British Guardian, been similarly approached and stayed quiet because they gave the opposite answer?
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) will again be represented in the student parliament (StuPa) at Humboldt University Berlin with two members. The IYSSE participated in the election as the only slate with a programme against war and militarism and received 47 votes (2.8 percent) from students of all disciplines last Tuesday.

Although the student parliament elections took place under conditions of the murderous NATO proxy war in Ukraine and the biggest German rearmament since Hitler, these issues were exclusively addressed by the IYSSE. The danger of a nuclear world war has never been as great as it is today, the IYSSE warned in its election programme.

Our re-entry into the StuPa of Humboldt University is a great and significant success, IYSSE lead candidate Gregor Kahl told the World Socialist Web Site. We discussed the pro-war policy of the German elites and the background of the Ukraine war with hundreds of students. Our call to oppose the enforced conformity and militarisation of the universities met with a great response. Speaking in lecture halls and holding discussions on campus, we found that there is great support among students for an international mass movement against the war. Our campaign has given conscious political expression to widespread opposition to war.

The result is significant precisely because right-wing groups, with the support of the university administration, tried to make the IYSSEs election campaign impossible. They systematically destroyed IYSSE posters and flyers so that it was hardly possible for students to find out about the groups programme and events. Ukrainian nationalists slandered the anti-militarist position of the IYSSE as Russian imperialist.

The IYSSE strongly opposed this attempt to exclude any criticism of German militarism and the NATO proxy war in Ukraine from the campus. It demonstrated how the university administration has been creating a climate of intimidation for years in order to suppress student criticism of right-wing and militarist positions.

For three years now, the university administration has refused to condemn a physical attack by the radical right-wing professor Jorg Baberowski on the IYSSE StuPa deputy Sven Wurm and to take action against the professor. The IYSSE therefore filed a disciplinary complaint against HU President Julia von Blumenthal in June, which met with support among students.

Right-wing extremist professor Jorg Baberowski assaults left-wing student at Humboldt University

In the disciplinary complaint against Blumenthal, Wurm stated: The fact that this right-wing extremist ideologue has now taken to roaming the campus as a right-wing extremist activist, destroying student election advertisements and physically attacking students, is also the responsibility of the university presidium. It has supported and defended the radical right-wing structures that have developed under Baberowskis Chair of Eastern European History for years. Ms von Blumenthal is now continuing this course.

Countless fellow students were appalled that the university administration gave right-wing professors and activists a political free pass and even tolerated violence against students, Kahl reported in this regard. When student criticism is met with violence at one of Germanys leading universities, it is an attack on the democratic rights of all students and has international significance.

Wie die Ruckkehr des deutschen Militarismus an der HU vorbereitet wurde

Baberowski is a principal ideologue of the extreme right and internationally notorious for his relativisation of Nazi crimes and his trivialisation of Hitler--and he is not alone. The June 26 IYSSE election meeting discussed how the shift to the right at the university was systematically promoted and served to ideologically dress up the federal governments pro-war policy. The week before, the IYSSE had analysed the historical and economic causes of the Ukraine war and set out a socialist programme to unite workers in Ukraine, Russia and worldwide against the war and to stop the arms build-up.

IYSSE candidate Gregor Kahl explains the socialist politics of the IYSSE at a student election committee debate session

During a debate organised by the student election committee, Kahl warned of the danger of a nuclear exchange between Russia and NATO and stated that a third world war was developing. Against this background, he explained the socialist perspective of the IYSSE and the political significance of confronting the politics of HU professors Baberowski and Herfried Munkler. He then appealed to the students present to break through the narrow framework of university politics and take up the struggle against war.

The IYSSE campaign culminated in an international event on Monday, with IYSSE speakers Samuel Tissot from Paris and Thomas Scripps from London reporting on the class struggles in France and the UK. Tissot and Scripps explained that the national trade union bureaucracies and the pseudo-left petty-bourgeois parties and currents they defend have played a key role in dividing struggles along national and occupational lines.

IYSSE candidate Christopher Khamis at the event The growing strike movement in Europe and the perspective of international socialism.

IYSSE candidate Christopher Khamis concluded, An international movement of the working class against war and capitalism is not a beautiful dream but is developing concretely. As the youth organisation of the Fourth International, we are fighting to lead this movement and advocate uniting it with a socialist programme against capitalism. This is the only way to stop the war. I call on all of you to take part in this fight and join the IYSSE.
Nearly every railway station ticket office in Britain is to be closed. The decision of the Railway Delivery Group (RDG), representing all private rail operators, will remove a vital service from the public with thousands of job losses.

Only a few of the 1,007 stations in England will remain open, on reduced hours, following a phoney 21-day passenger consultation process.

London Marylebone station Ticket office [Photo by Dr Neil Clifton / CC BY-SA 2.0

Some workers will be temporarily reallocated provided they are amenable to transitioning to multi-skilled customer help roles in stations, but thousands will be made redundant. The process has already begun, with the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) reporting that hundreds of redundancy notices are already being sent to ticket office workers.

Peter Pendle, the interim joint general secretary of the TSSA management and administration worker union, told the BBC he had received half a dozen communications from the various train operating companies, South Western Trains and GWR included, both issuing Section 188 notices which is the notice you have to give as a first stage to consult on redundancies.

According to data seen by the World Socialist Web Site, at Great Western Rail alone management are considering a projected reduction in headcount from 1,092 to 740a loss of 352 jobs.

Part of a spreadsheet showing projected headcount loss among staff at Great Western Railway. Total figures are in lower right of image. [Photo: GWR]

The majority of rail tickets (88 percent) are now bought online. Almost half of all stations already have no ticket office. The Department of Transport runs 1,766 train stations in England, of which 759 (43 percent) already operate without one.

However ticket offices still play an invaluable role, in particular for the disabled and those with accessibility issues. And millions of tickets are still sold at ticket office. Oxford rail station, not among the UKs largest, still sold over 250,000 tickets over the counter last year. Londons Paddington station sold almost 600,000 tickets, with over 122,000 bookings collected at the station.

Around three out of five English stations have a ticket office, with most owned and run by train operators. In the largest cities, the impact will be devastating. In London, more than 150 ticket offices are set to close with just five remaining openBlackfriars, East Croydon, Finsbury Park, London Victoria and Sutton. The UKs second largest city Birmingham sees closures at its two largest stations, Birmingham International and Grand Central. In Greater Manchester, a region with a population of over 3 million, 58 ticket offices are to close including at one of the busiest stations in Britain, Piccadilly.

The accelerated closure programme is driven by the intensifying drive for profits and helps lay the framework for the re-privatisation of the rail network under the proposed Great British Railways plan. The plan to close ticket offices en-masse was drawn up well over a year ago. Seizing on the collapse of fare revenue during the pandemic, when the government bailed out train companies with billions in cash, the Conservative government of Boris Johnson, in alliance with the train companies, unveiled plans to axe thousands of jobs, slash wages and gut conditions, safety and pensions.

After years of declining wages and brutal exploitation, this sparked industrial action by rail guards, drivers and network maintenance workers last summer, spearheading a broader strike wave involving hundreds of thousands of workers in key sectors including postal, telecoms, education and health.

At every stage the government and corporations have relied on the unions to sabotage and betray each of these struggles, with a key role played by the rail unions, above all the RMT.

Throughout 2021, the rail unions participated in the Johnson governments Rail Industry Recovery Group (RIRG), formed to oversee the Great British Railways re-privatisation plan. The RMT signed the RIRGs Enabling Framework Agreement in June 2021, pledging to specifically address the workforce reforms and staff cost challenges the rail industry is facing.

Having been forced to call strike action, the RMT, while making noises about job losses at ticket offices and through the elimination or downgrading of train guards, confined action to the issue of pay and, as much as possible, kept its sporadic strikes separate from those of the train drivers union ASLEF.

Throughout 2023, the RMT has sought to force through a sell-out of the rail strikes and already agreed a rotten sell out in March covering its 20,000 members working for the Network Rail infrastructure company. It wants to do the same to its 20,000 members striking the train operating companies by finalising a two-stage deal with the RDG. However, the government is demanding that the union calls off all strikes and ends the dispute before it will sign off on the agreement.

This has handed the initiative to the government and the rail companies, despite the willingness of rail workers to take them on. The Financial Times reported in January that the Great British Railways Transition Team [GBRTT] and private sector body Rail Partner had drawn up a series of more market-orientated reforms. With several rail companies running a service so awful they had to be taken under government control, the new proposals include moving to contracts that restore commercial incentives for operators, the FT reported. The document suggests that the industry believes the 2021 reforms went too far, and that the private sector needs greater freedoms as the railway battles to fix its finances.

In February, new Transport Secretary Mark Harper confirmed the government would back reforms to enhance the role of the private sector.

That the government is so far down the road in enforcing everything it wants in de-staffing the rail network and slashing labour costs to maximise profit is a devastating indictment of RMT leader Mick Lynch.

Britains pseudo-left groups declared his occasional statements supporting a general strike and launching of a fraudulent mass campaign against austerity, Enough is Enough, to be a rebirth of militant trade unionism. They ignored his actual efforts to neuter the rail strike and impose a rotten agreement, and his insistence that the eventual election of Sir Keir Starmers Labour Party was the only alternative to the continuation of Tory rule. The RMT has called just a few days of industrial action since December, to be followed with only three days of strikes over a period of ten days on July 20, 22 and 29.

No industrial action has been called against the ticket office closures. Instead, the RMT is calling two days of actionprotests to be held outside rail stations on July 13 and 18. The RMTs campaign centres on collaboration with the consultative process, with the public urged to write to their local rail firm with complaints, and appeals made to MPs and councillors of all parties to fight the proposals.

This is the RMTs stock-in-trade alternative to the class struggle. Last March the RMT launched its Save P&O campaign after DP World sacked over 800 ferry workers, urging workers to appeal to the Tories to protect a national asset instead of organising strikes.

It did the same thing on the rail. Last November, its propaganda opposing ticket office closures stressed that Over 75% of Conservative MPs have one or more ticket office in their constituency which is at risk of closure. In 2015, an identical campaign on the London Underground ended with the closure of every single ticket office, leaving many stations unmanned and leading to redundancy for around 1,000 station staff and control room assistants.

The fight against ticket office closures and the fate of the rail strikes depends on workers taking the dispute out of the hands of RMT, ASLEF and TSSA bureaucracy. Rank-and-file committees must be set up in every workplace to unite all rail workers in a common struggle and to prepare a long overdue counter-offensive against this hated government.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 7. Exadel, an international IT company specializing in software development and IT consulting, considering the possibility of opening its regional office in Uzbekistan, Trend reports.

The issue was discussed at the meeting between Minister of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan Sherzod Shermatov and the Exadel delegation, including the company's CEO Ulrich Otto, Executive Director Elena Krukovskaya, and the representative of the company in Uzbekistan

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the deepening and development of partnership with Exadel, aimed at the advancement of the digital industry in Uzbekistan Julia Yakovleva.

During the meeting, an overview of the activities of IT Park Uzbekistan and the goals of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan were presented. Additionally, the company representatives were informed about the upcoming Digital Leadership Forum scheduled in the coming days.

Both sides confirmed their readiness for further cooperation. The strategic partnership with Exadel will contribute to the development of the country's technology sector and attract new investments, given the company's rich experience in software development and IT services.

Exadel's representation is registered in the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan and is a resident of IT Park. Currently, the Exadel branch in Uzbekistan employs approximately 50 people.
Mikayil Jabbarov, Minister of Economy, led the high-level delegation of the Government of Azerbaijan in Geneva for the first Working Party meeting held since July 2017. The delegation also included senior government officials and experts from a range of ministries and government agencies as well as representatives of industry and academia.

Minister Jabbarov noted that WTO accession continues to be one of the main goals in the implementation of Azerbaijans current trade priorities, with steps being taken to promote economic diversification. His government aimed at adapting Azerbaijan's trade legislation to international trade principles and implementing progressive reforms consistent with WTO rules, he said.

Updating members on the numerous reforms undertaken by the government over the past years, Minister Jabbarov said: We think that these steps will lead to the achievement of important successes in the direction of ensuring a stable economy, accelerating the integration of Azerbaijan into the global economy, fulfilling international obligations, as well as without doubt the successful implementation of the WTO accession agenda.

In preparation for the meeting of the Working Party, Azerbaijan submitted replies to the questions raised by members, a revised legislative action plan, information on agricultural domestic support, and information on the status of privatization of enterprises. A draft Working Party Report, prepared by the WTO Secretariat on the basis of the inputs provided by Azerbaijan, formed the basis for the technical discussions at the meeting.

Azerbaijan reported that five bilateral market access agreements have been concluded with Georgia, Turkiye, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and the Kyrgyz Republic. Azerbaijan is negotiating bilaterally with another 22 interested members on market access for goods and services.

WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang underlined that Azerbaijan has worked hard and invested precious resources to get its accession negotiations to this relatively advanced stage. I am particularly happy to see that the Working Party is meeting again after six years. I hope that delegations will use today's meeting as an opportunity to resume, reset and refocus.

Restarting a complex endeavour such as WTO accession is never easy. We should not underestimate therefore the effort and determination shown by Azerbaijan. I trust that today marks the beginning of a very active phase of work, which will ultimately lead to the conclusion of Azerbaijan's accession process, added DDG Zhang.

Azerbaijan's accession process began in 1997 and the Working Party met for the first time in 2002. Steady progress was registered until the most recent Working Party meeting, which was held in July 2017.

It is my hope that today's Working Party meeting would inject fresh momentum in Azerbaijan's accession process, which is now in its 26th year, and set the tone for another active phase in our work, said the chair of the Working Party, Ambassador Alparslan Acarsoy of Turkiye.

As always in WTO accession negotiations, the acceding government will need to drive the process and provide direction to the Working Party. In fact, adherence to well-defined targets, timely submission of technical inputs, and pro-active and sustained high-level political engagement on the part of Azerbaijan will be central to this process. I have no doubt that for their part, WTO members would be very supportive of such a scenario and would do their best to engage constructively with the delegation of Azerbaijan, added Ambassador Acarsoy.

Ambassador Acarsoy also referred to his recent visit to Baku on 27-28 April where he held a series of high-level meetings to discuss the resumption of the activities of the Working Party and to take stock of recent accession-related developments in Azerbaijan.

Members commended the work done by Azerbaijan and encouraged the Azerbaijani delegation to keep working in order to make substantial progress between this and any future Working Party meetings. Delegations underlined the frank and constructive exchanges with Azerbaijan in the hope that the 15th Working Party marks a decisive step in a renewed commitment to the accession process that aligns Azerbaijan's policies with the multilateral trading system.

Next steps

On the multilateral front, the chair said that, after reviewing all sections of the draft Working Party Report, additional inputs will need to be provided by Azerbaijan to fill the gaps identified. A new set of questions and replies will be circulated as a consolidated document for consideration at the next meeting. The Secretariat will revise the draft Report accordingly. Azerbaijan was also invited to submit updated draft subsidies notifications, a questionnaire on state trading, and supporting tables on domestic support to agriculture.

On the bilateral front, Azerbaijan was encouraged to continue pursuing bilateral market access negotiations with interested members on the basis of revised offers. The chair stressed the critical importance of advancing work on this front, which is lagging behind the multilateral work.

Concerning legislation, the chair asked Azerbaijan to update its legislative action plan and to keep the Working Party regularly informed of legislative developments by submitting translated copies of any new WTO-related legislation so that members have an up-to-date picture of the ongoing legislative reforms.

The chair left open the date of the next Working Party meeting. A specific date will emerge in consultation with delegations and the Secretariat once the new inputs have been received.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 7. Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with Iran at a higher level, Trend reports.

Grossi noted that currently efforts on the Agreement on guarantees to the member countries of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) are frozen, and there is no special progress.

Cooperation with Iran continues, but not at the level that he would like to see. The IAEA director general pointed out that he had expressed the corresponding position to the Iranian side.

He recalled visiting Iran in March, to reach a joint statement agreements on some issues. However, the implementation of these agreements is progressing very slowly.

Grossi noted that the IAEA is making efforts to accelerate the implementation of the agreements in order to prevent the escalation of tension in this region of the world.

Recently, Iran and the US have been engaging in indirect negotiations facilitated by Oman, addressing confidence-building measures, including a potential prisoner exchange between the two countries. Additionally, Iran is currently in ongoing discussions with three European nations (the UK, France, and Germany) regarding its nuclear program.

During these discussions, Iran's primary objective is to secure the lifting of sanctions imposed by the US and Western countries, unfreezing of its foreign funds, and removal of restrictions on crude oil exports. In return, the US and Western countries seek assurances that Iran will not pursue nuclear weapons, maintain control over its nuclear program, and decrease uranium enrichment levels.

While Iran asserts that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, it is required to provide substantiated evidence and guarantees at the international level to support its claim.

On January 2016, JCPOA was launched between Iran and the P5+1 group (US, Russia, China, UK, France, and Germany) in connection with Iran's nuclear program. In May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and imposed sanctions on Iran in November of the same year. To preserve the agreements reached as part of the JCPOA, the European signatories of the deal started in January 2019 that a financial mechanism for maintaining trade with Iran called INSTEX was formed.

On May 8, 2019, Iran announced that it had ceased fulfilling its commitments regarding the sale of over 300 kilograms of uranium, as stated in the deal, basing its decision on the other signatories that have not fulfilled their obligations. On July 7, Iran announced that it would not be fulfilling its commitments regarding the enrichment of uranium at 3.67 percent and the reconstruction of the Arak Heavy Water Reactor Facility as stated in the deal.

Iran announced that it will enrich uranium using next-generation centrifuges and will not mix it with the enriched uranium residues as part of the third step of reducing commitments in JCPOA on Sept.5. On Nov. 5, 2019, Iran announced that it had taken the fourth step in connection with reducing its commitments to the nuclear agreement. So, uranium gas is being pumped to the centrifuges at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.

On Jan.2020, Iran took the last fifth step in reducing the number of its commitments within the JCPOA.

On May 8, 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the 5+1 group (Russia, China, the UK, France, the US, and Germany), and imposed new sanctions against Iran as of November 2018.

Over the past period, the sanctions affected Iranian oil exports, ranging from over 700 banks, companies, to individuals. The sanctions have resulted in the freezing of Iranian assets abroad.
The Japanese public offered a very warm welcome to the Patek Philippe grand exhibition Watch Art Tokyo 2023

From 10 to 25 June 2023, this unprecedented event saw some 60,000 visitors immersing themselves in the world of the last independent family-owned Genevan watch manufacture, in a decor of more than 2,500 square meters transporting them to Geneva and taking them behind the scenes of Patek Philippe itself. The largest exhibition ever organized by the manufacture, this event was accompanied by the launch of six limited editions, including two technical timepieces making their global debut, and a rich collection of pieces showcasing the rare handcrafts. Patek Philippe is pleased to announce that its next grand exhibition will take place in Milan in 2025.

After Dubai in 2012, Munich in 2013, London in 2015, New York in 2017 and Singapore in 2019, Patek Philippe chose Tokyo for the sixth of its grand exhibitions across the world. Historically, Japan represents a key market for the brand  a market of connoisseurs, treasuring rare handcrafts and able to appreciate all the technical excellence and painstaking workmanship contained in a timepiece. Japanese customers, born into a culture that unites respect for tradition with avant-garde spirit, are also perfectly placed to understand the tradition of innovation that has guided Patek Philippe since 1839.

In keeping with the previous exhibitions, the grand exhibition Watch Art Tokyo 2023 was held in a place emblematic of the host city. It took over the Sankaku Hiroba (triangular plaza) event space at the foot of the Shinjuku Sumitomo skyscraper. The space takes the form of a vast hall measuring some 3,200 square meters, covered by a massive glass roof rising to 25 meters at its highest point without internal supporting columns. In this area bathed in natural light, Patek Philippe created a decor of more than 2,500 square meters  the largest ever conceived for a grand exhibition  conjuring up the streets of Geneva and that citys lakeside setting, including the famous Flower Clock. The exhibition, divided into ten themed rooms, invited the visitor on a voyage of discovery through the Patek Philippe universe, including all the brands most renowned Geneva sites  the historic headquarters in the rue du Rhone, the manufacture at Plan-les-Ouates and the Patek Philippe Museum  as if he or she had magically stepped over the 10,000 kilometers separating Geneva from Tokyo.

The grand exhibition Watch Art Tokyo 2023 brought together almost 500 timepieces and objects illustrating a wealth of different types of expertise. In particular, visitors could admire the manufactures entire current collection, with its lavish choice of watch families and models for men and for women, spanning every watchmaking segment from the style icons to the most technically complex mechanisms. A generous place was accorded to the complicated watches, one of the manufactures strongholds, with  for the first time in a grand exhibition  a section exclusive to the super-complications and a space entitled Master of Sound showcasing the chiming watches. One room presented the vast collection of movements designed and built entirely by Patek Philippe, with an area devoted to the steps involved in producing the parts and another dedicated to research and development. Visitors also had the chance to meet Patek Philippe master watchmakers, who carried out demonstrations on a variety of movements.

The rare handcrafts meticulously preserved by Patek Philippe (including miniature painting on enamel, Grand Feu cloisonne enamel, hand engraving, micro wood marquetry, hand-executed guilloche work and gemsetting) were also on show, with a splendid array of 40 one-of-a-kind pieces and limited editions (dome clocks, table clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches) inspired by Japanese culture, with its rich artistic repertoire and ancestral skills, along with demonstrations by artisans and a presentation of exceptional pieces lent by their Japanese owners for the event.

The exhibition was also a unique opportunity to discover a selection of some 190 pieces belonging to the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and exceptionally allowed to travel for the Tokyo event. Those from the Antique Collection (sixteenth to early nineteenth century) included some of the oldest watches in the world and numerous masterpieces illustrating the entire history of horology. The pieces from the Patek Philippe Collection offered a panorama of the Genevan manufactures rich heritage since 1839, whether from a technical or an aesthetic viewpoint. A room entitled Historical Owners invited visitors to admire timepieces that had belonged to famous patrons such as Queen Victoria.

Similarly to its predecessors, the grand exhibition Watch Art Tokyo 2023 was accompanied by the launch of several limited editions showcasing fields in which the manufacture excels. Featuring among these six new introductions were two technical pieces making their global debut: a new self-winding Quadruple Complication with a minute repeater, a split-seconds chronograph and an instantaneous perpetual calendar in apertures (Reference 5308P-010) and the first World Time watch endowed with a date display synchronized with local time (Reference 5330G-010). The choice was completed by an exclusive version of the World Time Minute Repeater, its dial center adorned with a Grand Feu cloisonne enamel decoration representing the historic district of Chuo in central Tokyo (Reference 5531R-014), a refined reinterpretation of the ladies Moon Phase model in an elegant shade of pearl gray (Reference 7121/200G-010) and two sleek new Calatrava models honoring the cherished Asian tradition of pair watches (References 6127G-010 and 7127G-010).

Patek Philippe has also produced a commemorative catalogue presenting all the timepieces included in the grand exhibition Watch Art Tokyo 2023. All proceeds from the sale of this volume, a limited edition, will go to the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan.

Through its grand exhibitions, open to the public, offering free admission and encouraging closer acquaintance with its creations, heritage, philosophy and devotion to fine workmanship, Patek Philippe aims at sharing its passion for horology with a broad audience ranging from the connoisseur to the novice. The momentum will continue with Milan, home of fashion and design, in 2025.
There is lots to catch up on this week from Only Watchs lineup to exciting cooking lessons, and many new releases. See what you missed in our special weekly round-up

Could this be Watch Heaven?

To kick off the week, our Editorial Director, Sophie Furley, shares her thoughts (and excitement!) on this years incredible Only Watch lineup. I believe we have all started counting down the days! To find out more about the heavenly novelties, click here.

The New Sixties, All Grown Up

A rose gold case, an opaline silver dial, a green alligator leather strap and an in-house movement  sounds like quite a mix, right? Thats exactly what Glashutte thought, too. Discover their beautiful new Sixties Small Seconds watch here.

Team Test: WorldTempus x Ralf Tech

The editorial team had the pleasure of testing many watches these past couple of weeks, such as the Ralf Tech WRB First Edition. Discover what they thought about this striking new watch in this weekly watch review where our journalists pass the watch around to get not just one, but five different points of view.

Lets Go Sailing

Having a tough time figuring out all the intricacies of the Behrens Navigraph Autmatic GMT? Dont worry, we have got your back. Join our Editor-in-Chief, Suzanne Wong, on the Solaris 60 sailboat for an in-depth look into this extraordinary timepiece!

Greek Food and Watches

Next, the WorldTempus team received a Greek cooking lesson from Chef Spyros, and created a typical Greek dish with timing courtesy of Breitling, Corum, Cyrus, Louis Vuitton, Ralf Tech, Montblanc and Schwarz Etienne. Get all the cooking tips here!

Horology and Gastronomy, the Perfect Pairing

Enough kidding around, with our beginners course: its time to have a look at what actual professional chefs have to say. In this piece, our correspondent gets the insights of starred chefs about the links between timekeeping and gastronomy.

Louis Moinet Wins its Seventh Red Dot Design Award

In other news from the watch industry, Louis Moinet won its seventh Red Dot Design Award, with its TIME TO RACE Green Racing timepiece, a collection of unique pieces which feature a fascinating opportunity for personalisation. Find out more about them here.

New Releases

Last but not least, for the new releases of the week, we have the Urwerk UR-120 Space Black, the Alpina Heritage Carree Mechanical 140 Years, the Richard Mille RM 72-01 Le Mans Classic, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar, the Montblanc Star Legacy Exploding Star, the Zenith Defy Skyline Ice Blue trio, the Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Bamford Edition Desert Racer, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Music Edition, the Panerai Submersible S Brabus eTitanio, the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Chronometer Celebration, the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Limited Summer Edition and the Louis Vuitton Tambour Collection.
A 90-year-old woman, who never missed a day of work, has officially retired after 74 years.

Melba Mebane recently completed her last day of work at a Dillards department store in Tyler, Texas. While speaking to KLTV 7 at a celebration for her retirement in June, she noted that she first started working at the store, which used to be a Mayer & Schmidt, in 1949 as an elevator operator.

She later went on to work in the mens clothing department and cosmetology section of the store, which was acquired by Dillards in 1956.

I loved everybody there, and I love to go to work everyday, she said, before her son, Terry Mebane added that his mother enjoyed the conversations with the people in the stores.

While reflecting on her career, Tyler describe one thing that encouraged Melba to leave Dillards. Most of the fellow employees all retired, and it was kind of a new generation, he said. So she decided that it was maybe time to do something fun.

The mother and son also spoke to Fox News Digital, with the publication noting that Melba never took a sick day while working at Dillards.

Speaking to Fox, Terry also reflected on the early days of his mothers career, as she was a single parent. He recalled that as a child, he rode the bus in the afternoon to [his] grandparents house, since his mother not only loved her job but also obviously needed it.

He went on to share a few details about his mothers daily work routine. According to Terry, Melba wanted her usual parking spot, so shed get to Dillards between 9 to 9:15am, before doors opened at 10am.

She was the first person in the door and had her counter ready. She did the prep work, he said. She only took 30 minutes for lunch. She brought her lunch, went upstairs to eat lunch in 25 minutes, and then she was back on the floor because she knew that people often took off [during] their lunch hour to come to the mall to buy what they were going [to] buy, and she didnt want to miss her opportunity.

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Terry specified that even when his mother got older, she was still set on working 40 hours a week.

So she was working four eight-hour days, literally in her 70s and 80s. During the winter, if it was bad weather, I simply took her to work and picked her up so that she didnt have to drive in snow or rain or anything like that, he explained.

However, according to Terry, his mother went on to experience some health issues, which prevented her from working. At that point, he said that she had also hit the age of 90, so she felt like it was the right time for her to retire.

She said, I just turned 90, Im not driving and most of my friends arent here anymore, he explained. Things became more transaction-oriented and it was just different. You know, [other employees are] 25 or 35  and shes the old lady up at the front. But they loved her once they got to know her. Everybody in the mall knew her.

Speaking to Fox, Melba reflected on her 74 years in retail and some of the challenges she faced at work, noting that technology was not her thing.

The rules and procedures hindered connecting with people and the anxiety to perform can be weary, she added in the statement.

She went on to share her advice to people who are now entering the workforce. Come to work, she said. Never see it as a paycheck. Stay where God planted you.

While shes not working at Dillards anymore, Melba formed some relationships with her colleagues there. Speaking to KLTV 7, the Vice President of Dillards, Drew Dillard Matheny, noted that shes known Melba for 65 years, before praising the 90-year-olds strong work ethic.

She is the happiest, most loved person, Matheny said. Gives so much service to the community. Shes made so many friends. I would come catch her in cosmetics and just go, I wish I could be like that.

As noted by Fox , Melba also received a Beyond Excellence award, in honour of her years of work, while at her retirement celebration in June. In addition, a plaque with pictures of Melba is hanging in the walls of the Dillards store in Tyler, Texas.

To the publication , the manager at the of the store, James Saenz, acknowledged that the picture of Melba will remain there for as long as Dillards is around. He also praised the 90-year-old for years of service beyond expectations.

Even [with] the changing times, from where she started to where we are now in the modern world, her values and everything still stand, he said.

The Independent has contacted Terry for comment.
The passenger, a journalist, told CNN, Ive lived through wars, airstrikes...I didnt expect to find more blood than Ive seen in Beirut on an Air France plane"

Getty Images

Habib Battah was traveling from Paris to Toronto on June 30 when he discovered the floor under his seat  along with his wifes seat  was soaked in blood.

The Beirut-based journalist, who was traveling with his wife and their two cats on an Air France Boeing 777, told CNN that he noticed a strange smell shortly after takeoff.

It smelled like manure, he said. It was our first time traveling with the cats, and I was thinking, Oh god, theyve had an accident, Im so embarrassed.

Then I thought, maybe its someones body odor, he continued. I was sniffing and sniffing, then said, Let me get the cats out.

I looked at the cats  the poor cats were totally fine, he told the outlet. Crouching on the floor to check on his pets. He then spotted a damp spot on the floor under the cat carriers  about 20 inches long and wide  and waved at a flight attendant for assistance.

He continued: I said It smells like merde  s--t. She handed me wet wipes. I started wiping and it was red  blood red. And it kept coming up red. I was like, What the hell is this? I just wanted to see what it was. After a while, one of the flight attendants said, Youd better go wash your hands, and here are some gloves.

Ive been covering Beirut for 20 years as a journalist, Battah told CNN. Ive lived through wars, airstrikes, seen assassinations, car bombs, and narrowly survived the port explosion. I thought Id seen it all. I didnt expect to find more blood than Ive seen in Beirut on an Air France plane.

Related: 4 Sisters Pregnant at Same Time Say the Coincidence is 'Just Mind-Blowing'

While Battah was cleaning, the flight attendant told her colleagues about the situation and the pilot was contacting Paris, inquiring about the bloody mark below seats 30A and 30B.

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Air France HQ replied the blood came from a human. The previous day, on a flight from Paris to Boston, a man had experienced what Battah says the crew referred to as a hemorrhage." The passenger reportedly survived.

The pilot asked that the area be sanitized for the planes trip back to Paris but the cleaners overlooked the floor.

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I didnt know it was blood until a flight attendant said, casually, Oh, we heard another passenger had a hemorrhage, Battah explained. Then I noticed the cat carrier was stained as well. I asked, Whats your protocol for this? But they said nothing. Im pretty sure there is none.

The couple  given two small bottles of Evian water to compensate them for the situation  were unable to change seats because of the packed.

Air France called Battah later, he shared, and told him that the stain was both blood and feces.

As per procedure in this type of situation, a complete clean-up of the area was requested and the row of seats was made unavailable on the return flight [from Boston to Paris], Air France told CNN in a statement. A customer traveling on the next flight from Paris (CDG) to Toronto (YYZ) reported residual traces of blood on the floor, soiling his personal belongings. The crew immediately assisted him in cleaning his belongings, providing him with suitable equipment such as sterile gloves and disinfectant wipes.

Related: 'Caring' Nursing Student, 19, Killed, 13-Year-Old Sister Hospitalized After Fourth of July Crash

As the flight was fully booked, it was not possible to move the passenger, they said, adding that an internal investigation has been launched to understand the reasons for this situation.



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Read the original article on People.
Villagers in El-Aliqat village in the Upper Egyptian governorate of Qena have tested positive for the mosquito-borne dengue virus, the Ministry of Health announced in a statement on Tuesday.
A Kentucky woman was gunned down in a parking lot as she was leaving work in what authorities are calling a domestic violence murder prior to the alleged shooter killing himself.

Ashley Yates, 35, was shot and killed outside a hair salon she worked at in Graymoor-Devondale on Friday, according to the Lyndon Police Department. The shooter later turned the gun on himself, authorities said.

When we found her she was being treated by some civilians for her gunshot injuries, Police Chief Robert Schroeder told PEOPLE.

RELATED: Heres What We Know About the Victims of the Still-Unidentified Zodiac Killer

The shooters name hasnt been released. Officials havent yet publicly commented on the relationship between Yates and her suspected killer.

Schroeder, however, characterized the murder as a domestic violence situation.

A photo of Ashley Yates

Ashley Yates Photo: Facebook

We believe the suspect from the murder of Ashley Yates committed suicide Saturday evening, Louisville Metropolitan Police Department said in a statement. Our case is closed by [the] death of [the] offender.

Yates family have publicly stated they believe she was ambushed.

[He] knew where she was going to be and what time she was going to get off, and he waited for her," Yates' brother, Andrew Thompson said said, according to WHAS11. "I believe she's in heaven, and he will have to answer to that same God for what he's done."

Yates family said she was deeply spiritual.

That was my best friend in a lot of ways, her brother, Andrew Thopmson said, per WHAS11. We were always getting in trouble together, and she would come to my comedy shows. She was my biggest fan, and she believed in me. She was beautiful and kind and sweet to everybody, and she uplifted everybody.

RELATED: New Mexico Mom Looking for Love Is Found in Desert Weeks after Disappearing from Her Home

Yates family is currently raising money to cover funeral expenses on GoFundMe. To date, the online fundraiser has raised just over $8,000 as of Thursday afternoon. The page described the 35-year-old as a beautiful soul.

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She did anything to make someone smile and laugh, the GoFundMe page stated. When she loved, she loved hard. Her time here will never be forgotten and we have all learned how to smile through the pain because of those memories with her. Shes our angel now and we rejoice in the fact that we will be reunited again one day.

Yates worked at 18|8 Fine Mens Salons in Louisville.

Ashley was so full of life and lit up every room she walked into, Jennifer Thauberger, the salons owner, told Louisville television station WAVE. "Everyone loved her and I cant express enough how much she will be missed by us all. We are praying for her family and find peace in knowing she was a woman of faith."

No other information was immediately released by authorities.

If youre experiencing domestic violence or know someone who is, call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org.
The actor shares his three kids with ex-wife Jennifer Garner

Michael Rubin

Ben Affleck had a surprise plus-one to the White Party: his daughter, Violet!

On Tuesday, the Air actor and director, 50, attended Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin's White Party with his 17-year-old daughter Violet. Affleck's wife Jennifer Lopez, 53, was also in attendance and posed for a sweet photo with Affleck and Violet that Rubin later posted to his Instagram.

In the photo, Violet  who bears a striking resemblance to mom Jennifer Garner  wears a white mask and a white, flowy dress. She stands under her father's arm as Affleck drapes his other arm around Rubin. Lopez stands on the other side of Violet and poses for the camera.

Affleck shares Violet, Seraphina, 13, and Samuel, 10, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

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.

Related: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's Kids Gave Away Their Parents at Georgia Wedding Celebration

In December, Violet joined her mom for a mother-daughter date at the White House on the eve of her 17th birthday. The actress and her daughter attended the State dinner, hosted by President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and dressed in matching black gowns.

The two were seen sweetly holding hands when photographed during the event, which was a rare public outing for the two.

The mother and daughter were among the 400 VIPs who attended the event, which honored French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, for the first state dinner of Biden's administration.

Getty Images

In April, Garner told InStyle that her kids weren't interested in watching her movies  but they were more open to watching their dad's.

"My kids don't love to watch me in things. They do to be supportive, but I think it's a little weird to watch your mom kiss someone or cry," she explained to the outlet. "It's different."

Story continues

Garner noted, "They don't mind watching their dad. They don't want to see me sad, and they don't want to see me in a romance. They don't love seeing me play someone else's mom, honestly."



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Read the original article on People.
The Blacklist recap: Let's have some fun on the way out

To be fair, Task Force 836 does sound a teensy-weensy bit treasonous when you spell it all out.

Which is exactly what Rep. Arthur Hudson (Toby Leonard Moore) and his FBI buddy Jordan Nixon (Derrick Williams) are doing for Attorney General Stromberg (Dan Butler) at the start of this week's episode.

Stromberg is mostly annoyed that a low-level congressperson is messing with a task force that is well above his pay grade, until Hudson links Red (James Spader) to last week's huge security breach at the Capital. That tea is piping hot enough to make the AG skip a meeting with the president.

Which is not great news for our team  but they don't know what's happening quite yet.

In Miami, Red is busy dropping by to visit Heddie Hawkins (Aida Turturro). The last time we saw bird-loving Heddie, she was proving her loyalty to Red even as Marvin tried to set her up. (For the record, I didn't believe it for one second. Heddie would never).

That loyalty pays off now as Red buys her a bird sanctuary in Guatemala. It's a thoughtful gift and a sweet way to say goodbye to a fan-favorite character.

Back at TFHQ, the team is trying to figure out what happens now that Red has shut down his massive spy operation. Ressler (Diego Klattenhoff) and Malik (Anya Banerjee) are both trying to figure out Red's motivations, but Dembe (Hisham Tawfiq) points out it is impossible to really know.

Herbie (Alex Brightman) cuts off their speculation, calling it "throwing darts in the dark on a train going off a cliff." He wants to get to the important stuff  like whether there is still a Blacklist and if not, if there is still a Task Force. After all, he just got this desk the way he likes it.

Ressler gets a message from Jonathan Pritchard's (Mackenzie Astin) wife, saying that she hasn't seen him in days and his credit cards have been used at bars. His sponsee has clearly fallen off the wagon, pushed by Hudson.

THE BLACKLIST -- "Arthur Hudson" Episode 1020 -- Pictured: James Spader as Raymond "Red" Reddington -- (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)

Zach Dilgard/NBC James Spader

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Back from Miami, Red is once again letting go of real estate. This time, it's the bathhouse. He signs the building over to the historical society just in time for Weecha Xiu (Diany Rodriguez) to arrive.

She wants to understand why he's selling the only place he's been sleeping lately, and he says he'll soon be off to "chase the moon across the world." This chapter of his life is ending, having lasted longer than he thought it would.

He asks her to come with him, but Weecha is reluctant. Despite their love, they're too similar and eventually, one of them will get restless and leave. Red tells her that the jet leaves at 4 p.m. If she wants to be with him, she'll be there.

Back in D.C., Cynthia Panabaker (Deirdre Lovejoy) tells Cooper (Harry Lennix) that they've been summoned to the attorney general's office. Because she has learned her lesson over the years, Panabaker also asks if Harold knows what the meeting is about. When Cooper tells her to come in and sit down, the look on her face is hilariously resigned.

Ressler tracks down Pritchard at a seedy motel and however bad you imagine the addict looks, he looks worse. He admits everything to Ressler, who promptly calls Cooper from the hotel landline to warn him just as he's about to walk into Stromberg's office.

Which means that Cooper is not surprised when he finally enters the meeting and hears his own voice on tape saying all the juicy parts from last week. Yikes!

THE BLACKLIST -- "Arthur Hudson" Episode 1020 -- Pictured: Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma -- (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)

Zach Dilgard/NBC Hisham Tawfiq as Dembe Zuma

While that's happening, Red's goodbye tour has taken him to visit our very favorite torture expert. Teddy Brimley (Teddy Coluca) does not have good advice about Weecha, with the anti-romantic recommending that Red take off early to ensure she doesn't make it. Luckily, Dembe interrupts with a call explaining Hudson's spying and the meeting Cooper is currently suffering through.

We cut back to that gathering, and it's a doozy. Hudson is full of outrage, Panabaker is defensive, and Cooper has had quite enough. "I can sleep at night. If you want my badge, take my badge. I'm done apologizing."

At that very moment, the monitors in Stromberg's office come alive and Red appears. The look of shock on everyone's face (except Cooper's, natch) is amazing.

Back in Teddy's barn, Tadashi Ito (Alex Shimizu) is running the hacking feed. No Mama Ito, unfortunately, but it's still nice to see the computer expert in this last run of episodes.

Hudson is livid at the intrusion, telling Red, "It's clear to me that you have more power than any confidential informant ever should." The C.I. in question shoots back, "It's funny, you have more power than a congressman should."

Panabaker clearly smothers a laugh, but I do not smother mine.

THE BLACKLIST -- "Arthur Hudson" Episode 1020 -- Pictured: (l-r) Toby Leonard Moore as Congressman Arthur Hudson, Derrick Williams as Agent Jordan Nixon -- (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)

Zach Dilgard/NBC Toby Leonard Moore as Congressman Arthur Hudson, Derrick Williams as Agent Jordan Nixon

Stromberg is not amused, though, especially when Red lets him know that he deleted all the case files. But Red isn't there to defend himself; he's there to defend the Task Force. He gives a fiery speech that reminds them who they're dealing with, ending with this:

"What's truly inarguable is that Harold Cooper and his team have lost, and sacrificed, and given their lives and still delivered to you time and time again. You wanna blame someone, blame yourself and the others who preceded you, because you want your information from Raymond Reddington. You want to solve cases, you want to save lives, you want to have an effect  but you don't want to be guilty of doing business with me. Not in the harsh light of day. Well, shame on you. I am what I am. You made a devil's bargain. Did you really expect me to stop being the Devil?"

Whew! Let me take a moment to fan myself and recover, because oh, my.

Okay, I got a glass of ice water. I can continue.

Meeting over, Cooper arrives back at TFHQ and tells our crew they should answer all questions they're asked. By whom? Nixon, Hudson, and the team of FBI agents who have just shown up to take over. The Task Force is being raided.

Nixon tells the team that they aren't under arrest, but they want any information that will lead them to arresting Red before he leaves the country. The individual interrogations are amusingly unproductive; Dembe explains how he got an FBI job with, "I applied for it, I had an interview, and they hired me."

Ressler has an even better comedic moment when Nixon asks if he's ever seen Red commit a crime, responding simply, "Are you for real?"

Unfortunately, Hudson has found a clue among Herbie's desk decorations: a framed picture of Herbie and Sue posing in front of Red's private jet. The tail number is visible, and they start to track the plane through its transponder.

Dembe pickpockets the cell of an agent to call Red and warn him. Red is already on the plane, waiting to see if Weecha will arrive. He checks his watch. It's 3:55 p.m.

Nixon tells the small airport to ground all planes and sends a team to intercept the jet.

At 4:15 p.m., Red's pilot Edward calls to let him know they're grounded. Red figures out Hudson and Nixon have found the plane and despite his reluctance, agrees to take off immediately.

In time, too, because as Nixon pulls up with his team, the plane is in the air. Yay! And then the plane blows up. Boo!

THE BLACKLIST -- "Arthur Hudson" Episode 1020 -- Pictured: (l-r) Sami Bray as Agnes Keen, James Spader as Raymond "Red" Reddington -- (Photo by: Zach Dilgard/NBC)

Zach Dilgard/NBC Sami Bray as Agnes Keen, James Spader as Raymond "Red" Reddington

I'll give Hudson credit, he immediately suspects shenanigans and demands that Nixon go and find a body. They won't find one, though, because we cut to Red and Weecha in a car, driving away from the airport.

Red is teasing her for being so late, but Weecha defends herself by saying she needed to know he would wait for her. It's adorable, and I am fully rooting for them. Weecha is less amused to learn that the plane has always been rigged with explosives for a situation like this, but Red points out that Edward is an excellent pilot.

A pilot who is waiting in the middle of the street to get picked up, parachute still in hand. And who is playing Edward? ANDREW FRICKIN' MCCARTHY.

McCarthy has directed multiple episodes of The Blacklist over the years, but he and Spader haven't been on screen together since their days of Pretty in Pink, Mannequin, and Less Than Zero. It's an absolute Gen-X delight to hear a Huey Lewis song play as Edward climbs in the car and they drive off after their successful mission.

It's over too soon, and we are suddenly back at a much moodier TFHQ. Stromberg lets Cooper know that there were no bodies, so Red is still at large. They dip into Cooper's scotch, and the attorney general explains that he's letting the Task Force continue because he knows they're good agents.

He doesn't care about Hudson, who has had his chance and failed. But the savvy politician also knows that someone is going to take the fall for everything that has occurred. Stromberg boils it down to a simple choice: either the Task Force arrests Red, or he'll recommend prosecution for every member of the team.

Everyone gets their cell phones back and for Ressler, it just makes everything worse. Pritchard has called multiple times, leaving desperate voicemails. By the time Ressler gets back to the motel, it's too late. Pritchard has overdosed and died.

Hudson will probably not be held accountable for that tragedy, but it's on his ledger nonetheless.

Cooper finally arrives at home and is somehow surprised that Red is sitting in his kitchen. They catch up with the whole "it's Red or the Task Force" thing, but Red is remarkably blase about the situation.

"Let's have a little fun on the way out," he says. "Catch me if you can."

The Back-list:

I could not be more excited for the finale! Task Force versus Red, one more time.

Dembe, via Red, knows where Jimmy Hoffa is buried.

"I don't know if I can handle more. I should check my systolic pressure first." I swear poor Cynthia Panabaker has lost literal years off her life dealing with these people.

Red has a lovely get together with Agnes (Sami Bray) where he gives her Elizabeth's FBI badge.

When Hudson tells Red he wants to put him behind bars, Red snaps back, "I've been, several times. It doesn't take."

Red wears a Rolex Steel GMT-Master II 40, retailing for about $24,000. I had to look it up to learn how to read a watch with four different arms because I am too poor to tell time on a fancy timepiece.

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MOUNT DORA  Theres one thing for sure: Theres nothing like an ice-cold drink on a hot Florida summer day. Thankfully, GroundUp Coffee Bar is showcasing its refreshing summer specials at its recently re-branded mobile location. Here's what we know:

How it began

GroundUp opened two years ago. The owners are Jesse and Katie Lorentz. Jesse is a retired police officer and Katie previously worked as a barista and in the medical-spa industry. The family moved to Eustis in 20221 from Oregon and decided to start a new chapter in their lives.

Katie Lorentz serves up some cold drinks to customers at GroundUp Coffee Bar in Mount Dora.

We were both working our tails off in our careers and so we just decided to save up enough money to start this, Jesse said. This is really a result of my wife and my daughters dream, but the whole family helps out.

Originally, the couple had tried to purchase a brick-and-mortar location, but was outbid by a popular coffee chain. However, it was a blessing in disguise as this mobile location has allowed them to show up at festivals and events, as well as keep their permanent location off Wolf Branch Road and U.S. 441 in Mount Dora.

Getting involved

Community also played a big role for the couple. With their kids attending local schools, they knew they wanted to be involved in all things community, sponsoring many local events.

Youll see our banners in a lot of places because it was important to us to be a part of this community, Jesse said. We want to sponsor little league teams and help build the generation coming up. We want this to be the real purpose of our business.

On The Menu

GroundUp Coffee specializes in locally roasted, handcrafted coffees and drinks. When looking for a roaster, taste was one of the most important factors. They found the perfect roaster, near Tampa, who roasts all organic coffee beans fresh weekly.

At GroundUp Coffee Bar in Mount Dora, one of the unique drinks offered is frozen hot chocolate.

They offer The OG coffees like Americano, latte, mocha, white mocha, caramel macchiato and frappe, but the options only get better from there.

Their specially coffees include the Mexi Mama (sweet cinnamon spice swirled together in chocolate), The Ninja (white chocolate macadamia nut), Celtic Midnight (Irish cream breve), Oregon Cheesecake (white chocolate, raspberry, vanilla and hazelnut) Bear Country (dark chocolate swirled with caramel topped with sea salt) and AED (six espresso shots with Irish cream).

Story continues

Energy refreshers made with a plant-based ingredients so you get the energy without the crash. They can also be ordered without caffeine. These include the Beach Babe (raspberry, watermelon, coconut and vanilla cream), Shark Attack (pineapple, coconut, blue raspberry, vanilla cream and a drizzle of raspberry puree), Huckleberry Pie (huckleberry and vanilla cream), Tropical Gold (passionfruit and peach with a hint of pineapple), Sucker Punch (pomegranate chillin with a blueberry villain), The Gator (granny smith ale with bursts of watermelon) and The Dora (orange creamsicle).

The real fruit smoothies are also a hit, with strawberry-banana and mango, and they Oregon chai tea latte, lemonade, Italian soda and frozen hot chocolate. Their summer specials include summer splash peach and raspberry iced tea, pina colada smoothie, watermelon lemonade, mango dragonfruit refresher and butterscotch latte.

The key information

GroundUp Coffee Bar, 20010 U.S. 441 in Mount Dora, is open 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. [June 2023]

GroundUp Coffee Bar, 20010 U.S. 441 in Mount Dora, is open 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday. More at www.facebook.com/GroundUpCoffeeBarFL.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: GroundUp Coffee Bar brings refreshing drinks to beat the heat
Rick Daberkow needed the cavalry.

The 82-year-old Navy veteran and his wife, Linda, live on about $29,000 a year in Social Security benefits and disability payments from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If they didn't have a reverse mortgage on their Thousand Oaks home, they might be homeless.

Their financial uncertainty mounted when the heater went on the fritz, leaving the Daberkows shivering and shaking on a cold March morning. They bought a new heating system at a discounted rate of about $6,000 but were told their centralized air conditioning also no longer worked. A new unit would cost thousands.

I'm still wondering how I'm going to pay for the heater, Daberkow said. I can't do both.

They are both disabled because of back and neck injuries that leave them homebound and susceptible to heat and cold. A social worker at the Veterans Affairs clinic in Ventura learned of their straits and turned to a Purple Heart group for help.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 750, is made up of about 110 veterans from San Jose to San Pedro, all of them decorated because they were wounded in combat. The group is named for Sgt. Michael DiRaimondo, an Army medic from Simi Valley. He died in Iraq on Jan. 8, 2004, on a Blackhawk helicopter that crashed on its way to bringing medical aid to wounded soldiers. He was 22.

The Purple Hearts gather monthly in virtual meetings, talking about combat, trauma, VA benefits and the people they want to help. They lead a Thanksgiving food basket drive for vets in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. They delivered 58 meals to the veterans residential care facility in Ventura for a Fourth of July celebration.

Rick Daberkow, a homebound Navy veteran, didn't know where to turn when he needed to replace his centralized air conditioning. Help came from the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

When a Santa Barbara veteran needed repairs to the flood-damaged trailer that serves as his home, the Purple Hearts provided help.

"The whole purpose is to assist needy veterans," said Gary Walker of Simi Valley, the chapter's vice commander. "I like doing things for people who need help."

Story continues

Ojai brush fire ignited after driver fainted, crashed into field, officials say

Jerry Pitman once led a chapter of the order that served the Monterey Bay. The group disbanded after age, mortality and the closure of the Fort Ord Army base winnowed it down to just three members. Pitman now serves as commander for the chapter that serves Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.

Like many of the Purple Hearts, Pitman was wounded in the Vietnam War. He was hit by shrapnel on March 10, 1970, when he left his bunker to fire a rocket launcher and stave off attacks from the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army.

"My best friend and I got medevaced," he said, trying to explain why he feels driven to help other vets. "I feel blessed that I'm here and not 6 feet under."

Many of the groups projects come from the VA. When social worker Ivory Mae Long learned about Daberkows broken air conditioner, she reached out to Michael Cook, the chapter's former commander and a retired filmmaker.

Cook, who lives in Santa Barbara, was also wounded in Vietnam. Six pieces of shrapnel ripped through his body in 1970 when he was walking point and brushed a wire that triggered a landmine. When Cook heard of Daberkows story, he reached out to community groups and veterans organizations that agreed to share the costs.

Then, the unexpected happened. A donor agreed to foot the bill for the installation and repairs himself. He didn't want his name used. He didn't want attention.

We were all stunned," Cook said. "That's a remarkable human being. You don't see that kind of unassuming charity all that often."

Daberkow is a former financial controller who has had six operations to his neck and shoulder and also suffers from nerve damage. His health means temperature control is a necessity.

When his air conditioning failed and temperatures began to rise, he didn't know where to turn. The help from the military order came as a surprise.

"When they called, I said, 'I don't have a Purple Heart,'" he remembered. They told him their goal is to help any veteran who needs it.

He flipped on the air conditioning for the first time Wednesday when temperatures started to climb. The blast of cool air was a godsend.

I cant even describe how much it means, he said.

For more information about the Purple Hearts, go to https://moph-chapter-750.com/.

Tom Kisken covers health care and other news for the Ventura County Star. Reach him at tom.kisken@vcstar.com or 805-437-0255.

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM: To see more stories like this, subscribe here.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Purple Heart group helps rescue T.O. vet from hot spot
Chris Hayes opened up Thursdays episode of MSNBCs All In with a lengthy look at the GOP primary campaign of former Vice President Mike Pence. But while Hayes had some very pithy things to say about Pence  a somewhat ridiculous figure doing a bad impersonation of a politician, for instance  Hayes bigger point concerned the question of how Pence expects to win at all.

Hayes noted that Pence is very unpopular with Republican voters precisely because he refused to help Donald Trump overthrow the government in 2021. Which got him wondering if, perhaps, Pence is betting his political future on Trump actually being held accountable for his crimes.

Mike Pence is of course in a rather unique position, Hayes said as he explained how the ex-VP was in Iowa on Thursday as part of his campaign. Not only was he No. 2 to the twice-impeached, twice-indicted ex-president, Donald Trump. He is now running against his former boss for the Republican nomination.

I have to say, Mike Pence has always struck me as a somewhat ridiculous figure. He always sounds like hes doing a bad impersonation of a politician. But his biggest obstacle in the Republican primaries? The voters do not seem to like him very much, Hayes said.

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Despite his real advantage on name recognition, just 7% of Republican primary voters say they would vote for Pence if the primary election were held today. And this is even more damning for him: 37% have a negative opinion of the former vice president, compared to 33% of primary voters who view him positively, according to that same NBC News poll. Thats what we in the business call underwater on favorability,' Hayes continued.

The host noted that the reason for this is that Trump remains the overwhelming frontrunner, and to this day, he blames Pence for refusing to help him conduct a coup. While reminding viewers of this, Hayes also detailed how on Jan. 6, as Trump incited the mob that attacked the Capitol, he also attacked Pence.

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Donald Trump clearly, and almost explicitly, painted a target on his vice presidents back on Jan. 6, Hayes said, noting that Pence had every reason to know that he was in physical danger.

This prompted Hayes to play a clip of a very disturbing interaction Pence had on Thursday in Iowa with a Republican caucus member. You can see the whole exchange in the video above, but the gist is this: The elderly woman repeated Trumps numerous lies about how the 2020 election was stolen and could have been legally overturned by the vice president. She blamed Pence for Trump not winning a second term.

Pence, meanwhile, couldnt bring himself to acknowledge that Joe Biden won in 2020  he was speaking to a Republican crowd  but he did firmly reject the theory he had any power at all to undo the election.

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Pence, notably, got some applause for this, but it was mild, something Hayes noted when the clip ended. But, he said, after so many years following Donald Trump, it is just surprising, almost bracing, to just hear a politician attempt to persuade people with a series of sequential arguments, by drawing on facts.

Nevertheless, Hayes argued, the crowd really didnt respond that strongly to Pences defense of the U.S. Constitution. That exchange that we just saw is such a clear illustration of not only Mike Pences problem, but our collective political problem. I mean, here he is in a room with a selection of interested Republican caucus goers in Iowa, people who make up the base of one of the two major parties and coalitions, and he cannot get them to buy his explanation for why undoing the entire American constitutional order was not the right thing to do.

Noting the futility of trying to convince the mainstream of the Republican party that Trump lost in 2020, Hayes said, It really makes you wonder why Pence is even trying at all. Again, like I said, ambition makes people do crazy things. But I will also say you have to remember that Mike Pence knows the actual facts of what happened on Jan. 6 better than almost anyone.

He then tied this back to the ongoing investigation into Trumps role in Jan. 6, conducted by the same special counselor who indicted him on charges related to illegal possession of classified documents. Pence, Hayes said, had conversations with Donald Trump [on Jan. 6] that no one else had. He has also cooperated with special counsel Jack Smith So he probably has a good sense about where that case is going and what it may look like.

And maybe Mike Pence is making a bet: Electoral chances may not look very good right now, and he may not be able to go convince every last Republican, one by one, [that] he did the right thing on Jan. 6. But maybe, who knows, some further developments, like an actual criminal case, could change the outlook, Hayes concluded.

Watch the full All In segment in the video above.

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Duval County School Board building.

Civil rights attorneys who forced redistricting of Jacksonville City Council and Duval County School Board seats are asking a judge to order special 2024 elections for two gerrymandered school districts.

If the request is granted, six of the School Boards seven seats will be up for grabs next year during a presidential election cycle when turnout and partisan messaging are generally strongest. It's the latest fallout from a lawsuit Jacksonville's NAACP and other groups filed in May 2022 arguing the council had redistricted its lines illegally.

School Board districts are formed by merging together two council districts. A ruling that the council district lines were gerrymandered required changing the School Board bounderies too.

Voting for board seats is usually split between election cycles headlined by races for president and for governor, with candidates for odd-numbered school board districts decided during presidential cycles.

School grades: Duval schools seek 'positive change' after tests show students trailing in English, math

Diana Greene: Duval schools Superintendent Diana Greene leaving job June 2; interim replacement undecided

But lawyers for groups including the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and the Southern Poverty Law Center asked last week to also have elections next year in Districts 4 and 6, which wouldnt normally happen until 2026.

Incumbents Darryl Willie in District 4 and Charlotte Joyce in District 6 could run in the redrawn districts. The decision wouldnt affect District 2 member April Carney, who won office in the same election cycle but doesnt represent an area impacted by the lawsuit.

The School Boards current membership was set a few months before U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard concluded the district lines showed signs of intentional race-based decision-making in redistricting by the City Council.

U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard speaks during a special naturalization ceremony in 2019.

The special election request argued the lawsuits plaintiffs are suffering immense constitutional harm being represented by officeholders picked by voters who were unfairly grouped together. Quoting earlier material from the lawsuit, they argue the current School Board map divides communities to prioritize race in the drawing of district lines thus undermining the quality of representation for the people living in those communities and districts.

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A city attorney told Howard this week she was working on a response to the elections motion but needed time, noting that Mayor Donna Deegan and Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland were just sworn into office Saturday, with staffs that were still evolving.

At this time, counsel is unsure which staff members they may need to confer with during this transition, and who those specific employees might be, Assistant General Counsel Mary Margaret Giannini wrote in a request to take until July 28 to file a reply. Giannini added that she needed time to talk through the subject with Willie and Joyce and to have expert witnesses evaluate a report the plaintiffs filed with their request.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Lawsuit could force new election for Duval County School Board seats
Moon Knight #25 interior art

Moon Knight #25 is a much anticipated milestone issue that will set the stage for the introduction of Layla El-Faouly, the MCU Scarlet Scarab, into Marvel Comics. But she's not the only supporting character playing a big role in Moon Knight #25, which officially brings back the Black Spectre, a classic Moon Knight villain.

"The past comes back to bedevil Moon Knight as he pursues his latest enemy, someone once familiar and new," reads Marvel's official solicitation for Moon Knight #25, referencing Black Spectre.

"From grim New York nights to the blazing sun of Alexandria days, Moon Knight hunts for answers among the graves of Hart Island while haunted by the last mission of the Karnak Cowboys, a mercenary crew counting among its members Marc Spector, Jean-Paul Duchamp, Robert Plesko...and Layla El-Faouly."

Moon Knight #25 is created by writer Jed MacKay, artists Partha Pratim, Alessandro Capuccio, and Alessandro Vitti, colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, and letterer Cory Petit. We've got a preview of some interior pages right here, including a look at the returning Black Spectre:

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Black Spectre dates back to 1982's Moon Knight #25 (though the name 'Black Spectre' was previously used for a different, unrelated villainous organization).

Created by Doug Moench, Moon Knight's own co-creator, and artist Bill Sienkiewicz, Black Spectre has become a recurring villain in the decades since, with multiple people having taken up the mantle over the years. The villain was last seen in 2014's Moon Knight Vol. 7.

Moon Knight #25 goes on sale July 12.

Learn all about the history of Moon Knight.
GRAND RAPIDS  Rashad Trice, the man accused of kidnapping and killing 2-year-old Wynter Cole-Smith after attacking her mother, has been charged with 18 crimes across three jurisdictions, the latest charges coming in federal court at the request of the FBI.

The federal charges, filed in the U.S. District Court for Western Michigan, include kidnapping resulting in death and kidnapping a minor victim. He faces a life sentence or the death penalty if convicted of the kidnapping resulting in death charge.

Trice is being held in Ingham County jail without bond.

The allegations in this case are heart-wrenching, Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, said in the release. "My thoughts are very much with Wynters family, as we were all praying for her safe return home."

More: Rashad Trice, man linked to disappearance and death of Wynter Cole-Smith, faces 18 felonies

Trice is accused of stabbing and sexually assaulting Wynter's mother, with whom he had a previous relationship, the night of July 2 at her Lansing residence. He then allegedly kidnapped Wynter, leaving her 1-year-old brother behind, and fled in a car police said he stole. Trice was arrested Monday in St. Clair Shores after a police chase in which he crashed into an officer's car. Wynter was not with him; her body was located days later near Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit.

According to the federal complaint, the FBI obtained a copy of Facebook messages Trice exchanged with an unnamed uncle. In the messages, the uncle wrote "I love u man please," "I can help u come to me ray," and "It's not your fault the girl is the devil," before attempting to call Trice at 3:07 a.m. Trice messaged back "I love y'all, but I have to end this shit man."

An FBI agent interviewed Trice Tuesday, according to the complaint, at which time he told agents he and Cole-Smith's mom were arguing before the incident and they stabbed each other.

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"Trice also admitted that he was aware of the Amber Alert. Trice stated, words to the effect of, 'I am already a monster,'" the complaint said.

FBI located the toddler's body about 6:50 p.m. Wednesday in an alley between Olympia Street and Edgewood Avenue in Detroit after conducting searches in other areas, the complaint said.

FBI believe Wynter was strangled with a phone charger cord, according to the complaint. The final report on the cause of death is pending with a medical examiner.

More: Update: Lansing police urge community to help find missing Lansing girl

Trice charged with eight felonies in Macomb County

In Macomb County, Trice faces third-degree fleeing and eluding police, attempt to disarm an officer, receiving and concealing a motor vehicle, assault with dangerous weapon, resisting and obstructing causing injury, and three counts of resisting and obstructing a police officer.

Those charges relate to the chase and an altercation with officers after he crashed into an officer's car.

More: FBI offers up to $25K for information that could locate Wynter Cole Smith, 2

Trice arraigned in Lansing for 8 felonies

In Ingham County, he faces assault with intent to murder, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, first-degree home invasion, unlawful imprisonment, aggravated domestic violence as a second offense, unlawful driving away of an automobile, and felonious assault.

He faces up to life in prison if convicted.

According to a complaint obtained by the State Journal, the charges all relate to his attack on Cole-Smith's mother, with the exception of allegedly stealing a white 2013 Chevrolet Impala that belonged to a Willeen Cannon-Donald.

A preliminary hearing on the Lansing charges, which will determine if there's enough evidence for him to stand trial, is scheduled for later this month.

Support local journalism and get unlimited digital access! Subscribe for only $1 for six months!

Contact reporter Krystal Nurse at 517-267-1344 or knurse@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @KrystalRNurse.

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Wynter Cole Smith's alleged abductor charged with kidnapping
This week in dance music: Tomorrowland announced TikTok as its official content partner for the festival happening in Belgium later this month; we premiered exclusive sets from Seismic Spring, and saw exclusive footage from the ODESZA film premiering worldwide today (July 7); the Shalizi Group announced AFROJACK as its newest management client; we talked to Aluna about her new album MYCELiUM, Above & Beyond earned their first RIAA-certified gold record; and John Summit told us about the pressure of remixing deadmau5 and Kaskades 2008 classic, I Remember.

Is there more? Of course theres more. Lets get into it.

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Skrillex & Boys Noize, Fine Day Anthem

The Label: OWSLA/ Boysnoize Records/ Atlantic

The Spiel: The much-anticipated track from the longtime friends and frequent collaborators was previewed during their recent b2b in Berlin and today gets an official release. After making straight-up bass music together as Dog Blood, the output from Skrillex and Boys Noize has become decidedly slicker and (like the rest of Skrillexs most recent work) way rave-ier, with a sort of haunting crystalline voice singing about how its going to be a fine night tonight over galloping production that indeed gives an after-dark feeling.

The Vibe: Checking the time on the dancefloor and realizing today has become tomorrow.

RL Grime & Juelz, Breach

The Label: Sable Valley Records

The Spiel: RL Grime and Canadian producer Juelz go big (really big) on a cinematic hard-hitter that meshes rave and trap with a vocal hook straight from house musics 90s radio days. It somehow hits with the weight and velocity as the rest of RL Grimes most classic output.

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The Vibe: Like you loved trap back in the day, and maybe dont go out as much as you used to, but still enjoy headbanging at your desk while you write this.

Skream & Prospa, Waiheke Island

The Label: Skreamizm/Platoon

The Spiel: Skream and U.K. duo Prospa team up for the delightful Waiheke Island, which is named after the second-largest island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand. The track does indeed have a breezy beach vibe, with a sort of island synth floating over breakbeat production.

The Artist Says: The first time I met the Prospa guys we bonded instantly, it was on tour in New Zealand  I love them and theyre like my little brothers to me, says Skream. We made Waiheke Island over there as we had some down time between gigs. As we hit it off so well, the track came together rapidly. I think with the fun energy and personality of the track, we made a belter thats perfect for good times with your best pals.

The Vibe: Like when the most hardcore ravers you know go on vacation and post photos of themselves swimming with dolphins and whatnot.

Hayden James & Bob Moses, Do You Want Me

The Label: Future Classic

The Spiel: Australian producer Hayden James and the gentlemen of Bob Moses have always been masterful at creating a mood, so the lush quality of their latest collaborative effort Do You Want Me is hardly surprising. A fast-paced, percussion-driven come-on of a song, the track is paired with a delightfully weird music video that finds a guy with a mullet and track pants enjoying a solo journey around Los Angeles, as one does.

The Artist Says: Weve known Hayden for a bit, and of course have been aware of his work since well before he gave us his killer mix of our track Back Down (which we still play all the time btw), Bob Moses says in a statement. We had thought about working together before but somehow never got around to it. But just like that, the window opened and this track quickly came to life out of a few sessions in LA. Hayden is a lovely guy, and we had fun with the process.

The Vibe: Like watching the sun set over the L.A. river.

Carlita & Calussa, When I Fell In Love

The Label: Higher Ground

The Spiel: Cuban/American production duo Calussa pair with the white hot Carlita for a sweet, sophisticated and extremely listenable house track that plays off of UBQ Projects 1991 track When I Fell in Luv.

The Vibe: Like falling in luv.

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Airstrikes targeting Palestinians in a crowded residential area. Armored bulldozers plowing through narrow streets, crushing cars and piling up debris. Protesters burning tires. A mounting death toll.

Israels large-scale military raid into the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank this week had undeniable similarities with the second Palestinian uprising of the early 2000s  a period that claimed thousands of lives.

But the current attack  which ended after two days on Wednesday  is also different from those intense years of violence. It's a symptom of a conflict with no foreseeable end.

The Palestinian leadership is weakened, and the Israeli government has been accelerating the expansion of illegal settlements that have eroded any chance of Palestinian statehood.

WHAT IS AN INTIFADA?



The word that means shaking off" in Arabic was coined to describe an uprising against Israel's military occupation that erupted in 1987. It ended in 1993 with an agreement of mutual recognition between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

What became known as the first intifada was marked by widespread Palestinian protests and a fierce Israeli response.

The second uprising, which began in 2000, pitted Palestinian militant groups against a far more powerful Israeli military. Over 4,000 people died, including vast numbers of civilians. Roughly three times as many Palestinians as Israelis were killed.

Israeli crackdowns upended Palestinian lives, including placing tight restrictions on movement that choked the fledgling economy.

Those events were initially fueled by widespread participation. Many Palestinians in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem  areas captured by Israel in 1967 and claimed by the Palestinians for their state  joined in the protests.

The protests were also driven by the Palestinian leaders, including President Yasser Arafat. The intifada petered out after Arafat died in 2004 and the current Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, took power.

WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW?



In the spring of 2022, Israel launched near-nightly raids into Palestinian areas of the West Bank, prompting a spate of Palestinian attacks against Israelis.

The death toll on both sides has risen, making last year one of the deadliest for Palestinians in the West Bank since the second intifada.

The violence has only intensified since Israels current far-right government, which is made up of hard-line ultranationalist settlement supporters, took power late last year.

At least 185 Palestinians have been killed this year in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources. On the other side at least 25 Israelis were killed. Hundreds of Palestinians have been detained.

SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES



The region has not seen such a sustained cycle of violence since the second uprising, which lasted about five years. More recent periods of bloodshed have not lasted this long or involved such a strong show of force by the military.

The tactics seen Monday, with airstrikes, armored bulldozers and a brigade of troops, were a mainstay of the second uprising.

But analysts say thats where the similarities end.

For one, a monthlong Israeli military operation in 2002 that was seen as the peak of the fighting during the second intifada involved an intense clampdown on most cities in the West Bank. Israels raids over the last year have been smaller in scale.

Other differences, analysts say, include the weakened Palestinian leadership and the lack of popular participation. While protests have erupted in response to the raids, they have not engulfed the entire West Bank.

Ziyad Abu Zayad, a Palestinian analyst and former Cabinet minister, said the fighting is best described as waves of Palestinian anger, not an uprising.

The problem is not security, but rather political. And as long as there is no political solution, these waves will continue," he said. "People, mainly young people, want to live in freedom and dignity. They see no future for themselves, and they only see oppression from the occupation.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?



There is no end in sight to the fighting. The military raids have tended to fuel more attacks that prompt even more raids.

Similarly, the Israeli far-right government has intensively advanced settlement building further dimming hopes for a negotiated solution to the conflict.

The last 16 months, including Monday's large-scale raid, showed Israel lacks a long-term vision for how to deal with the Palestinians, said Michael Milshtein, a former military official and head of the Palestinian Studies Forum at Tel Aviv University.

We need to start thinking strategically about the Palestinian issue, he said. We cant just keep plastering over it.

Abu Zayad, the Palestinian analyst, said Israel's government is instead pushing the Palestinians toward more extremism and violence.

If there is opposition to the idea of a Palestinian state, these waves are likely to remain for long periods to come.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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WASHINGTON  Freshman Sen. JD Vance is warning liberal arts colleges and Ivy League schools not to disregard the Supreme Court's recent ruling striking down affirmative action policies in the admissions process.

In a letter Thursday to Ivy League schools, as well as Kenyon and Oberlin colleges in his home state, the Ohio Republican expressed concern about what he called their "openly defiant and potentially unlawful reaction to the Supreme Courts landmark decision" last week.

"As you know, the Court has instructed you to honor the spirit, and not just the letter, of the ruling," he wrote, adding, "You and your institutions expressed open hostility to the decision and seemed to announce an intention to circumvent it."

The senator then listed quotes from the schools addressed in his letter that they issued in response to the ruling. None of the statements indicated that the schools planned to sidestep the decision  instead, they emphasized their commitment to creating diverse campuses.

In response to the court's ruling, which focused on the affirmative action programs at the University of North Carolina and Harvard, Harvard reaffirmed their commitment to the fundamental principle that deep and transformative teaching, learning and research depend upon a community comprising people of many backgrounds, perspectives and lived experiences.

They added in their statement that the school will now determine how to preserve, consistent with the courts new precedent, our essential values."

Vance, however, argued that such statements are "particularly disconcerting in light of recent revelations that proponents of unlawful affirmative action sometimes practice 'unstated affirmative action.'" That's when "hiring and admissions decisions are made on the basis of race in a covert and unspoken way," he added.

Vance, who was elected in 2022 and attended Ohio State University and Yale Law School, suggested there could be dangerous consequences if higher education institutions don't comply with the law, saying that there has been an "ugly history of defiance and lawlessness that followed other landmark Supreme Court rulings demanding racial equality in education." One example, he said, was when a governor of Virginia responded to the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954 by pledging to show the nation that racial integration wouldn't be accepted in the South.

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"Violence and racial animosity ensued," Vance said of the response to the governor's comments.

The Senate "is prepared to use its full investigative powers to uncover circumvention, covert or otherwise, of the Supreme Courts ruling," he said. "You are advised to retain admissions documents in anticipation of future congressional investigations, including digital communications between admissions officers, any demographic or other data compiled during future admissions cycles, and other relevant materials."

Vance asked the recipients of the letter to answer a series of questions by July 21, including about procedures used to ensure that records are retained and what admissions practices previously used will now be forbidden.

"If you have publicly committed to an interest in 'diversity,' how will you ensure that your commitment to that value does not entail direct or indirect race-based preferences?" the senator asked the schools.

NBC News has all the recipients of Vance's letter for comment.

A spokesperson for Oberlin said the school would comply with the law, while a spokesperson for Harvard pointed to a previous statement in which the university said it would "certainly comply" with the Supreme Court decision.

Columbia declined to comment.

CORRECTION (July 6, 2023, 9:57 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated when Vance was elected to the Senate. It was in 2022, not 2002.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny has hit theaters already and the movie is a nostalgic blast back to the days of a young Harrison Ford cracking his whip as one of cinemas greatest-ever characters.

The new movie follows the iconic archaeologist Indiana Jones as he races against time to find an ancient artifact that can change history. The movie, which does indeed deal with time travel, also features Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Mads Mikkelsen, and returning players Karen Allen and John Rhys-Davies. Directed by James Mangold instead of Steven Spielberg, who helmed the first four movies, the picture will be hoping to compete at this years Oscars.

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But what are its chances in that respect? There are going to be plenty of big hitters this year with Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon, Bradley Coopers Maestro, and Blitz Bazawules The Color Purple all in the mix. Lets take a look back at Oscars history to see how much academy voters like Indy, and what that might tell us about this new flicks hopes this year. Heres a breakdown of Indiana Jones and the Academy Awards.

Raiders of the Last Ark (1981)

In 1936, archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the U.S. government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.

Four Oscar wins, eight nominations, and one special achievement award.

This film, released in 1981 but competing at the 1982 Academy Awards, took home a healthy haul of four Oscars. It won Best Visual Effects (Richard Edlund, Kit West, Bruce Nicholson, Joe Johnston), Best Sound (Bill Varney, Steve Maslow, Gregg Landaker, Roy Charman), Best Film Editing (Michael Kahn), and Best Art Direction-Set Direction (Norman Reynolds, Leslie Dilley, Michael Ford). However, it also amassed four more Oscar nominations on top of that  Best Original Score for John Williams iconic music, Best Cinematography for Douglas Slocombe, Best Director for Spielberg, and Best Picture for producer Frank Marshall. Reds won for cinematography and directing (Warren Beatty) while Chariots of Fire took home Original Score and Picture. While both of those films are fine movies, are either as iconic as Raiders, or have they stood the test of time as well as Raiders? Hardly. Hindsight is 20-20, after all. Raiders did take home a special achievement award, however  for Ben Burtt and Richard L. Anderson for their sound effects editing work.

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Temple of Doom (1984)

In 1935, Indiana Jones is tasked by Indian villagers with reclaiming a rock stolen from them by a secret cult beneath the catacombs of an ancient palace.

One Oscar win, two nominations.

Sadly, it was only downhill in terms of Oscars for the Indy franchise after Raiders. This prequel (thats right, prequel) was reviewed less enthusiastically as Raiders but still earned a little love from Academy voters at the 1985 Oscars. It again won Best Visual Effects (Dennis Muren, Michael J. McAllister, Lorne Peterson, George Gibbs) while Williams was nominated again for Best Original Score. He lost this time to Maurice Jarre for A Passage to India.

The Last Crusade (1989)

In 1938, after his father goes missing while pursuing the Holy Grail, Indiana Jones finds himself up against the Nazis again to stop them from obtaining its powers.

One Oscar win, three nominations.

This picked up a little as the reviews were much better for this than they were for Temple of Doom, plus the addition of Sean Connery as Indys dad was, frankly, inspired. At the 1990 Academy Awards, the film won Best Sound Effects Editing (Burtt, Richard Hymns) while Williams completed a hattrick of nominations for Best Original Score. This time, he lost to Alan Menken for The Little Mermaid. The Last Crusade also earned a bid for Best Sound (Burtt, Gary Summers, Shawn Murphy, Tony Dawe), losing to Glory. Its a shame that no room could be found in the Best Supporting Actor category for Connery, although the Scottish actor was nominated in this category at the BAFTAs (losing to Ray McAnally for My Left Foot).

The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008)

In 1957, Indiana Jones becomes entangled in a Soviet plot to uncover the secret behind mysterious artifacts known as the Crystal Skulls.

Zero Oscar wins, zero Oscar nominations.

Yep, thats right. This long-awaited return to the hat and the whip garnered absolutely no love from the Academy Awards  not even for its sound, visual effects, or music. It was nominated for one BAFTA  Best Special Visual Effects (Pablo Helman, Marshall Richard Krasser, Steve Rawlins), losing to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

In total, the Indiana Jones film series has won six Oscars and been nominated 13 times across four movies. The last entry failed to reap any nominations at all from the Academy  and that, like Dial of Destiny, was a nostalgic sequel released decades after the previous movie. That doesnt bode well for The Dial of Destiny.

Two big takeaways from this exercise are this: Firstly, its a great shame that Ford, one of the most iconic movie stars of all time, has never been nominated for Best Actor for his portrayal of cinemas most iconic character. It would be swell if Ford could land a bid this year for Dial of Destiny, particularly as hes only ever been nominated for one Oscar (in 1986 for Best Actor for Witness), but that feels unlikely. Secondly, its criminal that Williams has never won an Oscar for his Indiana Jones music. Williams has won five Oscars, yes (for Fiddler on the Roof in 1972, Jaws in 1976, Star Wars: A New Hope in 1978, E.T. in 1983, and Schindlers List in 1994), but his Indy score is one of the most famous sounds of cinema. He deserves a bid for his work on Dial of Destiny, which seems much more realistic. Heres hoping!

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Dont miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

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As far as the Trump family goes, Ivanka Trump often appears to be the most altruistic, well-rounded member of the bunch but a former close friend has suggested it may all be a curated facade. In a 2020 essay in Vanity Fair, Lysandra Ohstrom detailed her childhood friendship with Donald Trumps daughter that offered a rare insight into who Ivanka really is  or at least was while still close to Ohstrom.

Ohstrom first befriended Ivanka after joining her seventh-grade class at New York Citys Chapin, an all girls private school on the Upper East Side. As Ohstrom tells it, the two spent their teen years gallivanting around Manhattan between occasional trips to Paris, London and, of course, Mar-a-Lago. She also shares some of the pretty gross comments Ivankas father allegedly made about her body over the years.

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Their friendship continued into adulthood with Ohstrom acting as one of two maids of honor in Ivankas wedding to Jared Kushner. Political differences and Ivankas support for her fathers presidential campaign eventually took their toll, driving a wedge between the former friends but Ohstrom now recalls a few moments from their friendship that seem to foreshadow Ivankas political allegiances.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner's wedding.

As shes touted the achievements the Trump administration has made for the middle class while not-so-covertly pursuing a massive wealth transfer to corporate America, Ive been reminded of a phone call we had in our mid-20s, Ohstrom wrote in Vanity Fair. She remembers Ivanka having a harsh response after recommending she read Empire Falls by Richard Russo which follows a diner manager in a working-class community in Maine. She recalls Ivanka telling her: Ly, why would you tell me to read a book about fucking poor people? What part of you thinks I would be interested in this?

Click here to read the full article.

She notes that Ivanka was often quick to make comments about other peoples financial status. She writes: Ivanka used to point out inconsistencies between a characters profession and their lifestyle when we went to the movies. Since when can a teacher afford a BMW? she would ask, munching on her usual small popcorn, coated in what would be an unpalatable amount of salt to a normal person. Or, Why is a police officer living in a house like that?'

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Ohstrom calls these more brash, less-refined moments from Ivanka a sign of her Trumpian edges. She notes that, for all her class and ability to blend into old money circles in a way her father never has, Ivanka still had the Trump radar for status, money, and power, and her dads instinct to throw others under the bus to save herself.

Ohstrom says her friendship with Ivanka was already on the rocks by the time her wedding rolled around but the former First Daughters failure to check in and support her friend meant their friendship dropped off soon after. At the close of the essay, Ohstrom ruthlessly notes that she hopes Ivanka is aware of the many millions of people relishing in her familys political demise. So, it looks like there wont be a best friend reconciliation any time soon.

Before you go, click here to see every time Ivanka Trump has tried to distance herself from the Trump family:

Ivanka Trump

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A 36-year-old man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the May shooting at a Kansas City nightclub that left three people dead and two injured.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said the felony charges against 36-year-old Isiah Clinton come after he was accused of fatally shooting one of the three victims, according to charging documents.

The murder charge carried the possibility of life imprisonment, without the chance for parole, or the death penalty, court documents said.

Clinton has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of armed criminal action and two counts of first-degree assault, documents said.

The charges were revealed at a 10 a.m. press conference, where Baker appeared alongside Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves and Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Clinton was charged a few days ago, but those charges were under seal because he was not in custody, Baker said during the conference. He was arrested Thursday and remains in custody of the Jackson County jail on no bond.

Clinton is not believed to the only shooter and that he didnt act alone, Baker said.

We think he is the individual that we believe had the motive of committing this crime, help set it up, put it into motion and of course carried it out, she said. We do believe that there are others involved.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker (left) announced during a press conference Friday that 36-year-old Isiah Clinton has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder and other crimes in the Klymax Lounge nightclub shooting. Kansas City police Detective Ryan Taylor (center) and Sgt. Mark Slater, supervisor of the homicide squad, also talked about details of the case.

Although the victims names were not listed in the charging documents, Baker identified the victims as Clarence CJ Henderson, who also went by the nickname Nutty, Antoinette Libby Brenson, and Jason McConnell, a security guard working the door at the club.

Two others, who have not been identified, were seriously injured in the shooting.

It is really probably a bit of luck, maybe good medical care, quickness of law enforcement at the scene, that those two people are alive today, Baker said. But their injuries are severe and they have a very, very long road ahead of them and potentially, these will be lifelong injuries that theyre left to contend with.

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At the time of the shooting, Clinton was on parole for a federal weapons violation, Baker said.

Klymax Lounge at 4244 Indiana Ave., seen on Monday, May 22, 2023, in Kansas City. Three people were killed and two were injured in a shooting Sunday at the nightclub.

Prosecutors believe Clinton laid in wait for Henderson and allegedly gunned him down as he exited the club, Baker said.

We believe that this was all based on someone who had a dispute and decided they wanted to resolve it this way, she said. Thats what gets us to the highest possible charge of murder in the first degree. There is not a higher charge than that in the state of Missouri.

There are additional suspects that police are working with the prosecutors office to identify and to hopefully bring charges against, said Sgt. Mark Slater, supervisor of the homicide squad.

Police received a great deal of tips and community involvement in this particular case which was vital to getting the charges filed, Slater said. He added that they hoped to have the rest of the suspects in custody shortly.

A police investigation revealed officers were dispatched on the morning of May 21 at 1:25 a.m. to 4242 Indiana Avenue.

The first victim was located on the sidewalk outside the lounge. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was declared dead at a nearby hospital.

Officers discovered the second victim by the front door of the lounge and declared him dead from a gunshot wound at the scene, documents said

The third victim was found inside the lounge by police and also declared dead due to gunshot wounds.

Two more victims discovered by officers were transported to the hospital in critical condition for gunshot-related injuries.

Shooting at Klymax Lounge

Detectives canvassed the scene and learned video surveillance from Sankofa Cafe, just north of the lounge, had captured the shooting, according to documents.

The tape allegedly showed one man getting out of a Chevy Impala in white pants and a gray hooded sweatshirt. He entered the lounge. Then left, jumping back into the Impala, which was in a parking lot at 4307 Indiana Avenue, about ten minutes later, documents said.

Three minutes later, a second person in a gray hooded sweatshirt and gray pants was allegedly seen leaving the Impala and walking to the front door of the lounge.

He stood there for another three minutes, and at one point lifted his hand like he is shooting a gun, documents said.

After two minutes the first victim was alleged to have walked out of the lounge and the person waiting near the front door ran at them, shooting them multiple times.

Another victim, who was left in critical condition, tried to run away but allegedly fell in the middle of Indiana Ave. The person who had been waiting near the front door then ran after him and started kicking him as he was on the ground, documents said.

Messages written in chalk are seen on the sidewalk outside Klymax Lounge on Monday, May 22, 2023, in Kansas City. Three people were killed and two were injured in a shooting Sunday at the nightclub.

The person then ran back to the Impala, along with another person in a black hooded jacket and white pants, who had been inside the lounge, documents said.

More surveillance of the Indiana Avenue parking lot was allegedly obtained by police. The video showed the Impala arriving at 12:59 a.m. Police estimated the suspects had been at the lounge for 25 minutes before the shooting call was received by officers at 1:25 a.m.

The lounge had been holding a birthday party at the time of the shooting, documents said.

The following day police interviewed the victim who had been kicked in the middle of Indiana Avenue and left in critical condition. He allegedly did not know the suspects.

Police said they later recognized an Impala with similar distinguishing features while on patrol near 35th and Prospect Ave. They arrested Clinton, who was driving, for operating the vehicle with a suspended license.

Phone data used in investigation

After reviewing evidence from the shooting, officers requested a Geofence warrant to locate whether Clintons cell phone had been in the parking lot and lounge area early on May 21, documents said.

That cellular device gave us a lot of evidence on communication and possible motive, said Detective Ryan Taylor, with the Kansas City Police Department. 

Text conversations related to Clintons phone number revealed a message had been sent around 12:53 a.m. that said: Omm [On my mother] we handle this tonight delete this.

At 1:31 a.m. a follow-up message said: Its over with brody.

On June 26, results from the Geofence warrant allegedly confirmed the phone number located near the lounge at the time of the shooting matched the phone number and home address associated with Clinton.

During the news conference, Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves clarified that someone had called 911 at 1:08 a.m. the day of the shooting to report a suspicious vehicle.

At that time, however, officers were being dispatched on calls that involved immediate threat or danger to someones life, she said. At 1:25 a.m., police received a call reporting the shooting and officers were on scene within a minute.

I just wanted to clear that up to address those concerns that were initially brought up and just to kind of give them the factual information on that, she said.

Police believe that there are still others who were involved in the shooting and they asked for anyone with information to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered through Crimestoppers for information leading to an arrest.

The charges announced Friday were the result of diligent police work that could not have been done without the help of members of the community, Mayor Quinton Lucas said, adding that community trust helps solves crime every day in Kansas City.

Lucas said he was grateful for the hard work by law enforcement officials as well as for the those who provided the tips and tools that were necessary to bring the charges.

To all those who are causing bad acts in our city: First of all, know that you will be caught. That you will be tried. You will be convicted and that justice will be met here in Kansas City, Lucas said.
Jason Bateman, Jimmy Fallon and John Mulaney were also pictured at the Idaho spot, which is reportedly co-owned by Jimmy Kimmel

Kristen Bell/Instagram Kristen Bell goes on celeb-studded vacation

Several A-listers got together for a star-studded meal in Idaho.

On Friday, Kristen Bell posted a slew of photos on her Instagram featuring her vacation to Swan Valley, Idaho, which also included a shot of several celebrities posing together at a long dining table outside. The group gathered at South Fork Lodge, which Jimmy Kimmel reportedly bought in 2020, according to WSJ Magazine and the Idaho State Journal.

The photo, which makes for an epic game of "six degrees of separation," included Jennifer Aniston, who sat near her close friends Jason Bateman and Friends costar Courteney Cox. Of course, Bells husband Dax Shepard could be seen smiling midway along the table; he sat across from Parks and Recreation actor Adam Scott. John Mulaney and Olivia Munn also made an appearance in the photo, while Munn threw up a peace sign for the photo.

The celebrity sightings didn't end there. The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon could also be seen at the end of the table, waving hello, along with CNN's Jake Tapper and actor and writer, Tim Curcio.

Kristen Bell/Instagram Kristen Bell takes a photo of a star-studded dinner with Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox and others.

Related: Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson Photobomb Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard's Selfie at Shania Twain Concert

Kristen Bell/Instagram Kristen Bell takes a selfie with husband Dax Shepard

"Idaho, chapter 1 ," Bell captioned the post.

The Frozen star started out the photo carousel with a sweet selfie of Shepard, kissing the top of her head as a view of a mountain and a sunset could be seen behind them.

Related: Kristen Bell Shares Rare Glimpse of Her Daughters While on Family Vacation with Dax Shepard

She also shared multiple shots outdoors including one of her daughter beside a waterfall and a snap of Shepards back as he stood on a rock while staring out at a river.

Kristen Bell/Instagram Kristen Bell goes on celeb-studded vacation

Several family photos made it into the post including a father-daughter moment with Shepard holding younger daughter Delta, 8, in his arms during the sunset. Another picture showed Bell, Shepard and their older daughter, Lincoln, 10, posing with peace signs while on a rocky path.

Story continues

Kristen Bell/Instagram Kristen Bell takes a photo with husband Dax Shepard and daughter.

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.

Heading to Idaho for a family summer trip is an annual tradition for the family. Bell posted several photos of their trip last year as well, including a similar shot of a big dinner party attended by Jimmy Kimmel, his wife Molly McNearney, Jake Tapper and many others.

Shepard also posted a handful of photos from his summer adventures, captioning the post, "Humidity. Sunsets. Olfactory bliss. Kind hosts. #BigBrown in a meadow, complete with a 50 amp outlet. Pontoon jungle cruise. Dearest Summer, please never end."

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Prince Heirs Settle Estate Dispute More Than Six Years After His Death

Last month, the annual Paisley Park Celebration, which honors Prince, took place in Chanhassen, Mn. At the event, which celebrated what would have been the Purple Ones 65th birthday, a pair of previously unreleased Prince songs from his vault were played for attendees. Today (July 7), those songs have appeared on streaming services for the first time

7 (E Flat Version), which dates from 1992, and 2006s All a Share Together Now can be heard below. The original version of 7 appeared on Princes Love Symbol album with the New Power Generation and was one of its singles. All a Share Together Now had never received a proper release until now.

More from Spin:

At the Paisley Park Celebration, fans were gifted the two songs on cassette-shaped USB keys and were treated to appearances by Chaka Khan, Chuck D., and Doug E. Fresh, along with a number of live performances

According to a release, more Prince-related news with regards to unreleased music will be announced in August.

To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.

The post Prince Heirs Settle Estate Dispute More Than Six Years After His Death appeared first on SPIN.
Two men have been charged in the death of 10-year-old Brandon E. Scott, who was shot and killed on Monday night at his family home on Roosevelt Avenue near Belleville.

Devin Dunbar, 20, of Riaza Square St., Spanish Lake, Missouri; and Jaylen P. Nicks, of Sugar Pine Drive, Florissant, Missouri, 26, are each charged with first-degree murder, authorities announced Friday. Dunbar is being held on $1.25 million bond and Nicks is being held on $1 million bond in St. Louis County.

The suspects are acquainted with the family and individuals connected to the scene, Belleville Police Master Sgt. Shane Brown, deputy commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, said at a press conference Friday morning.

Were confident that this was not just a random act of violence, that the individuals involved had some knowledge of the location they were going to, he said. There is an acquaintance of the family or an acquaintance of individuals who were on the scene.

Brandon was shot and killed Monday night at his home at 1800 Roosevelt Ave. The home is in St. Clair County and near the city limits of Belleville.

Deputies found the youth when they responded to a 9:57 p.m. report of someone being shot, according to Sgt. James Hendricks of the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department. Brandon was pronounced dead at 10:59 p.m. at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

Brandons father, Wendel Scott Jr., told the BND this week that Brandon was playing a video game when someone shot at the house.

At the press conference, Brown did not expand on any additional details regarding the circumstances of Brandons death.

Im not going to release that portion of it. Thatll be further down the line due to the circumstances ... theres still the possibilities of witnesses out that we need to interview, he said.

The criminal complaint states that the defendants discharged a firearm into the residence located at 1800 Roosevelt Avenue, Belleville, St. Clair County, Illinois, striking Brandon Scott about the body.

Story continues

Charging documents related to the Belleville activation. pic.twitter.com/MQlOlQFIY8  MajorCase St. Louis (@MajorCaseSTL) July 7, 2023

Scott and Brandons aunt, Debbie Moore, said Friday they are thankful to the Major Case Squad and the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department for all of their work on case.

Scott said he is very elated to know that the people who killed my son have been arrested and will be punished.

He said he and his family plan to see this case to the end and the two people who are responsible receive justice to the fullest extent of the law. He said it is a happy day but the real happiness will come when these people are sentenced in a court of law.

Responding to the news that the arrests were made, Moore shouted: Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Oh God is good. 

Brown expressed his condolences to the entire family.

The Major Case Squad would like to express their condolences to the family of Brandon Scott, Brown said. This unfortunate and tragic event not only touched his family but the community as a whole. 10-year-old Brandon Scott lost the opportunity to live out a prosperous life because of the senseless acts of those who were charged in this investigation.

St. Clair County Sheriff Rick Watson thanked all agencies involved in the case.

Id like to thank Shane Brown and his team of investigators and the St. Clair County States Attorneys Office. As you can see, this is a team effort, he said. We also had to have people working with us from St. Louis County across the river. This came to a successful conclusion and Id like to say thank you to all of you.

The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is continuing its investigation. Brown said he was not sure when Dunbar and Nicks would be extradited back to Illinois.

St. Clair County States Attorneys office will be working on extradition. If they waive it, it should be a short time, but theres no guarantee on that, he said.

Anyone with information should call 618-825-5200 or 618-825-2051.

Its still an open investigation, Brown said. The sheriffs department and Major Case Squad are still active right now. So were still taking any leads, phone calls, or any information about witnesses that are involved in this.
New Mexico Economic Development Department Secretary Alicia J. Keyes, who has been a lynchpin in bolstering the states film production incentives, is departing on July 13.

The former Walt Disney executive and producer of such movies as Biomass and Blaze You Out, has been involved under the leadership of New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in building a film, TV and digital media economy in New Mexico which hit a record $855.4M in fiscal 2022, +36% over 2021. Keyes also served as a former film liaison for the city of Albuquerque.

More from Deadline

The administration is actively seeking Keyes successor.

New Mexicos economy is booming, and its more diverse than ever before. Wages are higher and were seeing historic job numbers, said Gov. Lujan Grisham. Thats no accident. Secretary Keyes commitment to carrying out the vision of my administration and her dedication to making New Mexico a great place to live have been integral to the economic health of our great state. I wish her the very best in the future.



Keyes was appointed by Grisham in January 2019, the first woman to lead the EDD.



My greatest joy has been collaborating with New Mexicans in every corner of the state to create higher-paying jobs and build economic security for future generations, said Secretary Keyes. I want to thank Gov. Lujan Grisham for this opportunity and unwavering support and encouragement. Im looking forward to continuing to drive economic development forward in my next chapter.

Keyes departs as New Mexico sees its lowest unemployment rate since 2007 and an all-time high number of jobs. Under her leadership, the departments programs reached new levels of success, including the Job Training Incentive Program recording its highest average wage at $27.08 an hour, up 28% from four years ago.

Story continues



In the past four years, EDD utilized the Local Economic Development Act assisting 60 businesses and supporting more than 8,500 new jobs in New Mexico with an average annual wage of more than $64,000  up 20% from 2019. The LEDA assistance is projected to result in $7.3 billion in new capital investment across the state; $580 million in new payroll; and a ten-year economic impact of $34 billion.

Under Grishams leadership, Keyes also spearheaded New Mexicos efforts to diversify and grow the state economy, including expanding global trade by making key investments and relationships along the border, attracting new and expanded aerospace investment, establishing the states Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Under Wisconsins new local government funding law, the cash-strapped City of Milwaukee stands to lose tens of millions of dollars in state aid if it cannot maintain police and fire department staffing levels  a requirement that comes at a time of a nationwide worker shortage in both fields.

There are those who are happy to see state law forcing local governments across Wisconsin to stop shrinking their public safety agencies. But at the same time, they agree the law creates high stakes, especially for the Milwaukee Police Department, which in general faces stronger headwinds in recruiting and retention, especially with suburban competitors.

I would concede that it will be a challenge, but I think its one for the benefit of the public and the officers that work in our state, said Jim Palmer, executive director of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

More: Shared revenue bill would diminish civilian oversight of police, Milwaukee mayor warns

More: The Milwaukee sales tax bill comes with big strings attached. Here are 5 changes coming to the city.

Exactly how Milwaukee will ensure it has the required staffing in place remains to be seen.

Milwaukee Ald. Scott Spiker, the chair of the council's Public Safety and Health Committee, worried about the law's requirements, considering the worker shortage facing police in particular and the significant financial penalty for not filling positions.

"We have to be super attentive to this because budgetarily it will make a huge difference," he said.

The law was agreed upon by Republicans in control of the state Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers.

Heres what to know about the law, the money at stake and the challenges facing recruiting and retention efforts for police and firefighters.

How much funding does Milwaukee stand to gain if it can meet police and fire staffing benchmarks?

There are two aspects of the law to consider  state aid known as shared revenue and the opportunity to create a sales tax in Milwaukee.

Story continues

The law boosts the shared revenue the city receives by about $21.7 million in 2024  for an expected total of $239.2 million. That increase in shared revenue must be used for law enforcement, fire protection, emergency medical services, emergency response communications, public works, courts and transportation, except for administrative services, the law states.

The law also requires Milwaukee to at minimum maintain the number of police officers and the daily staffing level in the fire department at the numbers from the previous year, excluding any who are in state- or grant-funded positions.

Importantly, those positions must be filled, not just budgeted.

Jerry Deschane, executive director of the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, said his group requested that police and fire department staffing provisions in the law be based on budgeted positions because of the challenges with ensuring actual staffing remains the same from year to year.

"Its a tough personnel market out there," Deschane said. "Its not always easy or in some cases not always possible to hire as many positions as youve budgeted for, and frankly, that applies in all areas of local government service, not just police and fire."

More: Sales tax could help Milwaukee but new state law also comes with steep costs. Here's how.

The law also allows Milwaukee to institute a 2% sales tax, which the state estimates could bring in about $193.6 million in additional revenue the first year.

Two-thirds of the Common Council, or 10 of the 15 members, must vote in favor of the city sales tax for it to be implemented. The council is expected to vote on the tax at its Tuesday meeting.

If implemented, the sales tax revenue would have to be used for Milwaukees escalating pension payments and to maintain and, over a decade, build up the city's police and fire department staffing to state-imposed levels. The city must have at least 1,725 officers, including 175 detectives, and a daily staffing level of at least 218 members in the fire department by the end of the 10th year after a sales tax goes into effect.

That means the city would have to add about 100 new police officers and 90 new firefighters over the 10-year period, Fire and Police Commission Executive Director Leon Todd wrote in a June 22 memo. He wrote that he believes the city can meet those benchmarks.

How much does Milwaukee stand to lose if it cant fill those positions?

If the city does not maintain its police and fire services, and verify to the state that it has done so, it would lose 15% of its shared revenue in the next year.

Based on the total shared revenue the city expects to receive in 2024, the loss would total about $36 million, according to city officials.

And, if Milwaukee leaders impose a sales tax, its collection could be jeopardized if the city does not meet the law's requirements to maintain and ultimately increase police and fire staffing, Milwaukee Budget Director Nik Kovac recently told a council committee.

Milwaukee desperately needs the additional revenue from the sales tax and the new shared revenue.

The city has struggled financially because the state has returned a stagnant amount of shared revenue to Milwaukee for more than two decades and limits local governments' ability to raise revenue through other means such as sales taxes or by boosting property taxes. At the same time, the city's annual pension contribution is spiking while other costs are rising and reserves are dwindling, including the nearly $400 million Milwaukee received in federal pandemic aid.

But even as the law offers Milwaukee a financial lifeline, it comes with a significant increase in costs in the city's pension and public safety.

The new structure comes with risks, Kovac recently told the council committee.

"All we can do is use the best estimates we have and based on the best estimates we have, we think this year and for several years in the future it all works," Kovac told the Steering and Rules Committee June 26. "But, yes, if all the projections break bad and pension costs are higher than we thought and the sales tax collections are lower than we thought, we will have a problem."

How bad is the worker shortage for police?

Milwaukee police officials first began reporting a general rise in resignations and retirements in 2020, with reports of recruiting issues coming soon after. The situation hit a peak between 2021 and 2022, when the number of unfilled police officer positions more than quadrupled, creating 51 vacancies.

Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman answers questions in regards to homicides, auto thefts, thefts and other crimes during the press conference revealing Milwaukee's 2023 first quarter crime numbers Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at the Police Administration Building in Milwaukee.

Similar shortages are happening around the country, with a "historic low" of police staffing in Wisconsin, Palmer said. Two recent national surveys also found a 5% dip in staffing across the country over the last three years, while a majority of police agencies reported they had difficulty recruiting qualified candidates and had too few applicants.

Many explanations have been provided, including the increased scrutiny on police since the murder of George Floyd, generational differences with younger workers who prioritize a better work-life balance and long, bureaucratic hiring processes.

Although she acknowledged applicants for the department have continued to dwindle, the recent increase in vacancies does not worry Milwaukee's Assistant Chief Nicole Waldner, who heads the department's administration bureau.

She called the 2021 to 2022 increase in vacancies an anomaly, arguing that many officers felt compelled to leave after an arduous 2020 that featured civil unrest, extensive planning for the Democratic National Convention and a rise in violent crime.

Since that time, Waldner said, the department has added another recruiter to its staff and the Fire and Police Commission, which assists with recruiting, now accepts applications year-round.

"We are now just slowly getting our way back up," Waldner said. "I think (staffing) will go back up. I'm not really worried about it."

The competition between suburban departments is particularly heated in the Milwaukee area, where more than two dozen agencies closely neighbor each other. Palmer said the suburbs have definitely been winning the war over workers recently.

As recently as May, the Wauwatosa Police Department was offering $5,000 signing bonuses to any officer who transferred to the department.

Waldner ruled out measures like signing bonuses in Milwaukee, but she argued that her department is not so often in competition for the same officers as suburban agencies. Milwaukee's big, diverse, urban community, and the department's wide range of specialties attracts different candidates and, in particular, Milwaukee natives, she said.

And Andrew Wagner, the president of the Milwaukee Police Association, said the law means Milwaukee will have to keep pace with other cities as far as pay and conditions of work.

"It's definitely going to be a benefit to the officers that are on the job now and the officers coming in," he said.

How bad is the worker shortage for firefighters?

It's not as bad as it is for police.

A statewide and nationwide shortage of firefighters has mostly hampered volunteer fire departments. Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said the number of applicants the department receives has modestly decreased. With Milwaukee now forced to stop cutting its fire department  it has closed 20% of its fire stations since 2018  Lipski expects enough recruits will answer the call.

We still have enough interest in the fire service, its not as if were coming up goose eggs, he said.

Even so, resignations have sharply increased since last year, according to Lipski. From 2000 to 2021, he said his department saw 31 people resign, not including retirements.

From 2022 to early July 2023, the department saw 24 resignations, with most leaving for smaller departments in the quieter suburbs, Lipski said.

Cuts to the department over the years have meant a higher workload for those who remain, creating a quality-of-life issue as they are mandated to work additional 24-hour shifts and miss important events in their private lives, said Eric Daun, president of the Milwaukee Professional Fire Fighters Association Local 215.

What do officials think of the laws structure?

It depends on who you ask.

Ed Fallone, the chair of the Fire and Police Commission, slammed the new law as putting up obstacles to actually improving public safety staffing in Milwaukee while propping up the city's pension system, where fire and police sworn personnel make up about 80% of the city's total pension costs.

"To micromanage and dictate force levels is counterproductive when ... the entire salary structure is out of whack," Fallone said. "An important part of recruitment and retention is adjusting the salary structure across the board, which may not increase the total number of officers as much as has been dictated because you're increasing salaries."

Those who work in policing and firefighting acknowledged the challenges of filling the positions but said they still support the legislation for directing resources to the struggling fields. They cite polling showing that residents generally favor having more police officers and are frustrated with call response times.

We want to make sure the money gets where, generally, the people want it to get, public safety just being a core local service, Palmer said. This will result in an influx of new dollars.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com. Elliot Hughes can be reached at elliot.hughes@jrn.com.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee to lose millions of dollars if it loses police, firefighters
The Cincinnati Music Festival is coming back (yes, to Cincinnati) to turn up the volume Thursday, July 20, through Saturday, July 22. Here's everything you need to know about the largest annual weekend driverof tourism in the Tristate.

The Cincinnati Music Festival has gone through changes over the years, starting out in 1962 as the Ohio Valley Jazz Festival, then morphing through different lives as Cincinnati Jazz Festival, Kool Festival and Coors Light Festival before settling for the current name and location at the Bengals stadium in 2005.

It all started with jazz: Looking back on 60 years of the Cincinnati Music Festival

Cincinnati Music Festival lineup 2023

Rakim of Eric B and Rakim is set to perform Thursday, July 20 at Cincinnati Music Festival.

Thursday, July 20 (Andrew J. Brady Music Center)

Doug E. Fresh.

Slick Rick.

Big Daddy Kane.

Rakim.

Thursday's performances pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, including Rakim, half of the duo (alongside Eric B.) that recently ranked seventh on Billboard's list of the 50 best rap groups of all time.

Friday, July 21 (Paycor Stadium)

Al Green.

Jill Scott.

Jodeci.

Midnight Star.

Gerald Albright.

Friday's headline performance by Al Green is something of a return to the festival's roots and will mark only his second show in the last four years. He last performed at the festival in 1974.

Saturday, July 22 (Paycor Stadium)

Snoop Dogg.

Babyface.

P-Funk Connection.

Avery Sunshine.

Norman Brown.

Saturday's performances by Babyface and Snoop Dogg bring the festival back to celebrating hip-hop. It will be Snoop's 27th performance in this calendar year alone, but his first time at Cincinnati Music Festival.

How to buy tickets to Cincinnati Music Festival 2023

Tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster, with prices as low as $89 on Thursday, and $60 on Friday and Saturday.

You can also buy directly from Cincinnati Music Festival by calling their office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 513-924-0900.

One festival not enough for you? Here's a list of music festivals worth the road trip from Cincinnati

Story continues

Other events on Cincinnati Music Festival week

CMF Outdoor Museum: Back for the fourth year, this outdoor museum in Washington Park exhibits ten painters of color from across the Midwest and the South. Each artist will be painting their work live on Friday, July 14, from 3-8 p.m., with the collective goal of capturing the legacy of 50 years of hip-hop, using the theme Hip-Hop is Alive. As the outdoor museum wraps up, Friday Flow, Washington Park's free weekly R&B series will commence, from 7-10 p.m. that same Friday night with performer Al B Sure.

Black Tech Week: Over 3,000 attendants, 100 speakers and 50 workshops connect Black entrepreneurs, professionals and investors from across the tech industry. The keynote speaker is Hollywood's Issa Rae. The event runs July 18-20 at Cincinnati Music Hall, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can find tickets at blacktechweek.com.

Fried Chicken and Champagne: 6 p.m. dinner and 8 p.m. rooftop nightcap, July 18 at Union Hall. Fried Chicken and champagne? Not a classic combination, and not exactly classy, but surely worth a try.

Frisch's Mobile Roller Rink: Themed skate parties all week, 6-10 p.m. at Court Street Plaza, Wednesday, July 19 - Sunday, July 23. Don't miss the Barbie party Wednesday night, or DJ Diamond's celebration of 50 years of Hip-Hop Thursday night, or Friday's 70's roller-dancing, much less Saturday's neighborhood night with local vendors, or DJ Diamond's rertun on Sunday for a send-off set. Skating admission ranges from $2-$5, depending on the night, and skate rental cost $5. It's never too late to learn.

Big Daddy Kane talks Hip-Hop activism: Prior to his Cincinnati Music Festival performance, Brooklyn rapper Big Daddy Kane will join Ohio State history professor, Hasan Kwame Jeffries, also a Brooklyn native, to discuss the 50 year history of hip-hop as a tool for resistance and resilience. The conversation will be guided by clips from Fight the Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World, a PBS documentary of which Jeffries served as an advisor. Both the conversation and the screening of the documentary will be held at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center on July 20. Access is included with a museum ticket. The screening begins at 2 p.m. and the conversation follows.

Ludacris, Ashanti and Flo Rida: Hard Rock Casino hosts hip-hop stars Ludacris, Ashanti and Flo Rida on July 20 at 6:30 p.m. You can find tickets at Ticketmaster.com.

Fans of singer/songwriter Anthony Hamilton enjoy his performance during the Cincinnati Music Festival at Paul Brown Stadium Friday, July 22, 2022.

Salsa on the Square: A local favorite, Thursday's weekly Salsa dancing in Fountain square is sure to attract a crowd. Attendance is free. All you need to bring is a pair of dancing shoes and the right salsa mindset. It wouldn't hurt to bring a fedora too.

Cincy Soul - The Black Taste: Starting Friday night, Fountain Square also hosts Black-owned food trucks, restaurants and caterers, as well as performance art and number of musical acts on the Fifth Third Center Stage from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. on the nights of July 21 and 22, closing earlier Sunday, July 23. This event is free.

Festival 513: "Great Vendors, Great Food, Great Fun!" located on Freedom Way (across from Paycor Stadium) all day on July 21 and 22. This annual festival always gathers large crowds, and is a great way to spend the day before a night of music performances.

Queen City 5K: Runners will be taking to downtown starting at 8 a.m. on July 22. Register at queencity5k.com.

Black Walk of Fame Grand Opening: James Brown, The Deele, Philippe Wynne and Louise Shropshire will all be inducted into the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame outside the Andrew J. Brady Music Center, July 22 at noon, featuring music by The Ohio Players.

Freedom Way at Elm Street is packed with vendors and people for the Cincinnati Music Festival outside of Paul Brown Stadium Friday, July 22, 2016.

How and when to get downtown

Music begins each night at 7:30 p.m. The Andrew J. Brady Music Center and Paycor Stadium are located right beside each other. Red Bike stations are available across downtown. The bus station on Fifth and Main is not a far walk. For drivers, the festival recommends the following lots for parking:

Duke Energy Center Garage 1: 605 Plum St.

Duke Energy Center Garage 2: 609 Elm St.

Fountain Square Garage: 520 Vine St.

Enquirer Building Parking Garage: 312 Elm St.

Third and Race Street Lot: Corner of Third and Race streets.

Scripps Center Garage: 312 Walnut St.

Third and Main Lot: 120 E. Third St.

Queen City Square Parking Garage: 319-331 E. Fourth St.

Western and Southern Garage: 310 Broadway St.

Broadway Lot: 295 Broadway St.

East Garage: 443 E. Pete Rose Way.

Longworth Hall Lot: 700 W. Pete Rose Way.

South Lot: 131 Madison St., Newport.

For more info and questions, visit cincymusicfestival.com

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Music Festival 2023: Lineup, tickets, parking, more
I recently enjoyed a visit from some old friends. Because we are guys, I made sure we had a project to tackle while they were here. Thats what guys do. I am no longer able to play an active role in the process, and this gave me an opportunity to observe how the guys interacted. I have known the fellows for a long time. Some since college, some not quite so long. However, they did not all know each other prior to this project. Even those of us who have known each other the longest dont get together as often as wed like since we are spread out from Florida to Minnesota to Seattle. Here is the important part. What I observed was cooperation in its purest form. The guys quickly assessed what needed to be done and began finding ways to accomplish it. They divided the work into different tasks, and everyone stepped up and found ways to be useful. Some began unpacking the new equipment while others removed the old. Meanwhile, others began preparing to do the installation. Tasks such as gathering tools and even making the coffee were taken on without question. It wasnt all work. There was plenty of laughter and good-natured conversation along the way. They checked in with me periodically when they had questions, but mostly they handled the problem-solving and execution as a group. The project was completed quickly and efficiently, and the area was cleaned up. The time passed in a flash. I mention this example to illustrate a point. Theres nothing special about this group of guys (although they are all extremely special to me). I have witnessed similar situations many times over the years, whether it involved completing a project, helping someone move, or solving a problem. Most of the people I know (and this includes ladies and guys) seem ready, willing, and able to work together toward a common goal in a spirit of cooperation. So here is my question. If a group of people who may not even know one another can work informally as a team and get things done, why are we willing to accept clowns who are supposed to represent us but who are either unable or unwilling to cooperate and get things done? Politics has become synonymous with gridlock and trench warfare, both at the state and federal levels. It has become routine to see special sessions when these jokers fail to get their work done on time. They threaten citizens with government shutdowns as a sick kind of bargaining chip in their political games. If our elected representatives had half the sense of a group of guys (or ladies) standing around a living room or garage working together to solve problems, things would work much more smoothly. Maybe we should remember that at election time. We have obviously been electing the wrong people. Many regular citizens still have common sense. Ive seen countless examples of it. We need a lot more of that in state and federal government.
Israeli army shelled a southern Lebanese border village on Thursday after several explosions were heard in an area where the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel meet.

Tensions continue to flare in the border area over two tents erected by Hezbollah and Israels building of a wall around the Lebanese part of a village that Israeli troops captured during the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.

A Lebanese military official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of not being cleared to provide information to journalists said one rocket was fired toward Israel from the border town of Kfar Chouba and that Israeli forces responded with two rocket attacks.

The Israeli army first said no explosion took place in their territory and only on the Lebanese side of the border near Ghajar.

Minutes later, they said a Lebanese rocket landed in Israeli territory near the border and that Israeli forces have since shelled parts of Kfar Chouba.

It was unclear who fired the rocket from Lebanon. Neither the Lebanese army nor the peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL immediately commented on the explosions.

Minutes after the explosions, Iran-backed Hezbollah issued a statement about Israels wall in the village of Ghajar.

The village is split into Lebanese and Israeli sides along a border known as the blue line that was demarcated after Israels withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.

It is not just a routine breach of what the occupation forces are accustomed to from time to time, the statement said. It did comment on the explosions.

As part of the U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel is to withdraw from the northern part of Ghajar, which has not happened.

U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon have called on Israel for years to end its building work in northern Ghajar and to withdraw its troops.

Lebanese soldiers in Mays al-Jabal, another border town, obstructed an Israeli bulldozer accompanied by Israeli soldiers on Wednesday that reached over the technical fence to remove plants and trees from the Lebanese side. The tense standoff did not result in any clashes.

The situation also has been heated along Chebaa Farms and around Kfar Chouba.

Israel captured those areas from Syria during the 1967 Mideast war, and they are part of Syrias Golan Heights that Israel annexed in 1981.

The Lebanese government says the area belongs to Lebanon.

In early June, Israel filed a complaint with the U.N. saying that Hezbollah had set up tents several dozen meters (yards) inside the occupied territory. Israeli media have since reported that Hezbollah removed one of the two tents, but the group did not confirm the action.

Later that month, Israeli soldiers fired tear gas to disperse scores of Lebanese protesters who pelted the troops with stones along the border near the occupied territory.

Hezbollah also shot down an Israeli drone last month. The group in the past has claimed responsibility for downing Israeli drones, and Israels military has said its forces have shot down Hezbollah drones.

Israel considers Hezbollah its most serious immediate threat, estimating it has some 150,000 rockets and missiles aimed at Israel.

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Nearly 100 firefighters from across the state have mobilized to battle the still-uncontained McEwan Fire north of Shelton.

The fire burned 257 acres of industrial timberland and private land and remained 0% contained as of Thursday morning, according to an update from Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team. There were 94 firefighters directly working on the blaze, the update said.

We want to assure you that dedicated crews have been tirelessly working throughout the night to contain the situation, an automated phone update said. Today, theyre focused on assessing all areas and strengthening the control lines to prevent the spread of the fire.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but it started 2 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of East McEwan Prairie Road and East Mason Lake Road. No homes or structures have been damaged and no injuries had been reported as of Thursday morning, according to the update.

Officials issued Level 3 evacuation orders on Tuesday that required people from 200 or so homes to immediately leave the area. On Wednesday, officials downgraded the orders to Level 2, allowing people to return to the area if they remained set to evacuate at a moments notice.

A Level 1 order to be ready to evacuate remained in place for homes along Evergreen Drive and Oak Park. McEwan Prairie Road also remained closed to through traffic. The update indicated there was heavy traffic by fire crews in the area.

All evacuation shelters closed once residents were allowed to return home, the update said.

The fire had still not spread past fire control lines as of Thursday morning, according to the update. The team clarified that a control line is a boundary between the fire and unburned fuels that firefighters patrol. These can include a walking trail or grassy or gravel roadways.

This is different from a containment line, which is a strong boundary that does not require continuous management by firefighters. Containment lines are about 25 feet or greater and contain no smoke or burning materials, the update said.

Officials expect hot and dry weather with some winds to continue for the next few days.
Yes, the de-aging of Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is an impressive tech breakthrough by ILM that far exceeds the much-debated work on The Irishman. No, they didnt rely solely on AI or machine learning. Instead, the de-aging for the Nazi-fighting prologue set in 1944 (with Ford looking 35 years younger) was achieved with every tool in their VFX arsenal  known collectively as ILM FaceSwap  and by more than 100 artists.

Was it necessary? Yes, according to director James Mangold, who told IndieWires Anne Thompson: I thought there would be a way to carry the audience through Harrisons present-day age by greeting them first with an energetic homage to the previous films. You confront the audience with a young Indy in full flower and full action, and then make a sharp turn. Take everything away and let the audience confront the difference between now and then in a brazen way. That was the cut I was most excited about for the movie.

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The prologue, with the Nazis losing the war and hoarding their plunder, also introduced the audience to baddie Voller (Mads Mikkelsen, de-aged as well) and the discovery of Archimedes Antikythera (the titular Dial), which carries over into 1969 when the search for the MacGuffin resumes. Ford was also de-aged for a flashback concerning a fight over the Antikythera in 1954.

The ambitious project was overseen by ILMs Andrew Whitehurst, production VFX supervisor and London-based creative director, and VFX supervisor Robert Weaver. They benefited from Fords on-set performance (he began production at the age of 78), as well as the availability of hundreds of hours of footage from the first three Indiana Jones movies. This allowed them to capture the actor in every possible way (especially lighting conditions).

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FaceSwap is an umbrella term for a variety of different technologies, Whitehurst told IndieWire. We knew intuitively when we started this project  but it proved to be true very quickly  that there was not going to be one technological magic bullet that was going to work for every single shot.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny Lucasfilm Ltd.

So we knew we were gonna use a lot of reference from earlier films, Whitehurst continued. We knew we were gonna want to shoot with multiple cameras, we knew we were gonna have to build a fully realized CG 3D head, use some machine learning, use paint techniques, use some keyframe animation, use lighting effects, everything. And FaceSwap is the technology to take one face and replace it with another face, whether its someone completely different or somebody at a different age.

The key was building a suite of tools so that the artists could select the correct balance of components to get the desired result for each shot. I think that was the big breakthrough for us from a conceptual standpoint, Whitehurst added. And I think we probably surprised ourselves on a few occasions with what worked on which shots and why.

The hot-button issue of AI (which is a topic of concern in the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA negotiations and is the driving force behind IATSEs Core Principles on the topic) played a useful role via machine learning. The proprietary program compiled and analyzed all of the existing reference material in 2D, including how the age-specific face should perform. This repository from the franchise was just a treasure trove, Weaver told IndieWire, from the aspect of direct reference as to the look and feel and believability of what we needed to achieve, as well as being able to feed that imagery into a machine learning process.

But the driving force was Fords performance, fed through an improved version of the light-based capture system used on The Irishman called FLUX, only there was the addition of facial markers and animation on the back end. He is the character and hes in terrific shape, added Weaver, and so having that and then being able to refer back to the previous films visually, being able to meld those two together, that got us where we needed to be.

Lighting was essential. As with The Irishman, the main unit cameras had two additional infrared cameras on either side to capture extra information to help ILM build the 3D version of Fords face based on the reference, which was useful for then extracting how the light was hitting that face.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

We also shot lighting reference for every single setup with high dynamic range cameras, Whitehurst said. We scanned every single set so that we knew exactly where everything was, including the lights. But oftentimes what you need comes down to using all of this reference, but then it goes through artists to use their skill and judgment to just flag this light off a little bit because itll add this better bit of modeling to the face or whatever it is.

Mangold was so pleased with the early results that he added extra action beats to the opening, which begins at night and ends at dawn. The action revolves around Indy escaping from the exploding castle and fighting off baddies on a motorcycle, in a car chase, and on top of a speeding train. So we often found ourselves, frame by frame, going back to old footage to see exactly the idiosyncratic nature of Harrisons particular performances, Whitehurst said. And the wry smile that he has and the way that the face moves.

The refining process of every single shot was referred to as under painting. The subtlety of likeness and performance cant be tied to one aspect, Whitehurst said. You cant say its just the physical position of a face in a moment. A lot of it comes down to how its lit. If you light someone from different angles, you read the performance in a completely different way. We were able to generate very quickly low-resolution versions of a face to editorial.

So when they were cutting, they were never cutting with exactly what wed shot on the day, Whitehurst added. There was a window around it, but there was the beginnings of a period-appropriate performance happening. And that meant that we got, I think, better notes back from the cuts about performance and how it was all working together. And that gave us a big step when we were working to make it better, adding fidelity and refinements to that performance.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

The latest advances in animation allowed them to reproduce such fine details as pores and capillaries while painting those maps that then make up the holistic look of our hero Indy, Weaver said. And theres subsurface scattering that you dial in just right in areas. Its never an approach where you just say you need to apply subsurface scattering. Its more like, its working here, its not working quite here, and refining those to a very specific set that youre looking for.

It wouldve been nice if we had a single recipe that we knew that we had gotten for one shot and now its gonna be the holy grail for the rest of the shot work, Whitehurst added, but thats not the case. Every shot is so individualistic and required different artistic feedback and components to manipulate into the final performance.

.

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Tulsa Massacre

A conservative Republican is receiving heavy backlash after telling a group of people that the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was not motivated by skin color.

On July 6, Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters spoke at a forum. While there, someone asked him how teaching about the 1921 mass killing of Black people in Tulsa did not violate his ban on learning Critical Race Theory. Walter informed the attendees that it was okay to teach schoolchildren about the massacre because it wasnt ignited by race.

I would never tell a kid that because of your race, because of the color of your skin, or your gender or anything like that, you are less of a person or are inherently racist. That doesnt mean you dont judge the actions of individuals, he said. Oh, you can. Absolutely, historically, you should. This was right. This was wrong. They did this for this reason. But to say it was inherent in that because of their skin is where I say that is Critical Race Theory. Youre saying that race defines a person.

However, historical facts tell a different story. In 1921, residents of the Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa known as the Black Wall Street were violently attacked, killed, and their homes burned by armed white vigilantes because of their skin color, archival documentation stated.

University of Oklahomas social scientist Samuel Perry revealed he was in the audience during Walters opinion on the tragic event. He let his thoughts be known about the 38-year-old former high school history teacher on Twitter. My wife (a teacher) and I attended this event tonight. This was just the tip of the iceberg of idiocy, Walters wrote, Perry stated. Driving home, we felt so angry and embarrassed we live in a state where people elected this ignorant and incompetent clown.

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Cillian Murphy may have avoided attending cast dinners while shooting Christopher Nolan's new drama Oppenheimer in New Mexico, but the Irish actor's decision indicated no lack of friendliness on his part. According to costars Emily Blunt and Matt Damon, Murphy simply had too much on his mind portraying physicist and "father of the atomic bomb" J. Robert Oppenheimer to socialize with his castmates.

"The sheer volume of what he had to take on and shoulder is so monumental," Blunt said in a new interview with PEOPLE. "Of course he didn't want to come and have dinner with us."

According to Damon, Murphy "couldn't" join them for meals: "His brain was just too full."

Based on the 2005 book American Prometheus and set for release July 21, Oppenheimer is billed as an "epic thriller that thrusts audiences into the pulse-pounding paradox of the enigmatic man who must risk destroying the world in order to save it."

Matt Damon and Cillian Murphy in 'Oppenheimer'

Melinda Sue Gordon/Universal Pictures Matt Damon and Cillian Murphy in 'Oppenheimer'

Murphy himself previously spoke to EW about the excitement he felt being offered the lead role by Nolan. The actor has taken supporting roles in five of the director's films: 2005's Batman Begins, 2008's The Dark Knight, 2010's Inception, 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, and 2017's Dunkirk.

"It was one of the best days of my life, I'll tell you that," Murphy said. "I'll always turn up for Chris, no matter what the part is, but, secretly, it's a dream to play a lead part. The thing was, I had no idea. There was no preamble or anything, I just got the call. So it was incredibly exciting, and daunting, and terrifying, all at the same time."

The actor also spoke about being part of the film's starry cast, which includes Robert Downey Jr., Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Josh Hartnett, and Kenneth Branagh.

Story continues

"Every day, you had these phenomenal actors, who are heroes of mine, coming in," he said. "Every day, you were having to raise your game to work with these legends. Everybody was so unbelievably well-prepared. Every single actor, no matter what size their role or the significance of their character in history, each one of them had this massive depth of knowledge that they could draw on."

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The original TikTok has been viewed over 15 million times. Screenshot/TikTok - knuckleslawncare

A TikTok of a woman yelling at an airplane passenger, calling them "not real," went viral this week.

The clip has spawned a sea of bizarre theories, jokes, and photo and audio edits.

American Airlines told Insider that the woman was ejected from the plane but did not provide further information about the incident.

A baffling viral video of a woman storming off an American Airlines plane while accusing another passenger of being "not real" has become a meme.

The original video, uploaded by @knuckelslawncare, a witness and fellow passenger, on Monday, has amassed over 15 million views. In the clip, the woman is emotional and rambling as she walks down the aisle of the plane.

"There's a reason why I'm getting the fuck off, and everyone can either believe it or they can not believe it," the woman said. "That motherfucker back there is not real."

"Bye," another passenger could be heard saying at the end of the video.

That clip, which has the hashtag "drunkonaplane" in its description, offered no other context about the incident.

@Knuckelslawncare did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

When reached, American Airlines told Insider that it was a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Orlando and that it had to be "returned to the gate due to a disruptive customer." The company said local law enforcement was called to the scene.

"The flight was met at the gate by local law enforcement and the customer was removed from the flight," a spokesperson said in an emailed statement. "Safety and security are our top priorities, and we thank our customers for their understanding and our team members for their professionalism in managing a difficult situation."

The incident has gone massively viral across TikTok and Twitter this week, spawning an onslaught of far-fetched theories about why the woman stormed off the plane, as well as dozens of memes.

Story continues

People are absurdly joking about what she saw on the plane that frightened her so much that she wanted to leave. There are multiple tweets imagining that she was sitting near a Scooby Doo-like character wearing a dress and a yellow sun hat.

Some Twitter users also made jokes referencing the 2000 movie "Final Destination," which revolves around a character having a premonition that something terrible will happen on a flight and ends up cheating death by being removed from the plane.

"I watched final destination way too many times i would've gotten off so fucking fast," the Twitter influencer @kirawontmiss wrote in a tweet with over 126,000 likes.

On TikTok, the audio of the woman saying "that motherfucker is not real" has become a semi-popular soundbite and meme format. It's already been used as a backing track in over 6,000 TikTok videos.

One of the biggest videos using the audio showed a picture of the virtual influencer Lil Miquela and the on-screen text, "me in 2016 when i first saw her on ig." Another clip, with over 300,000 likes, made a joke about being able to discern the difference between someone's butt being "cornbread fed" and a poorly executed Brazilian butt lift.

TikTokers are also using it as a funny transition edit to stitch bits of the original plane clip with another famous clip or photo.

Read the original article on Insider
Beyonce may have just broken Pittsburgh's soul.

The Steel City Beyhive endured a massive loss this week when news dropped that the musical icon would no longer be coming to town as part of her Renaissance World Tour. Acrisure Stadium announced that the Aug. 3 stop of the tour had been scrapped due to "production logistics and scheduling issues." Those who purchased tickets will receive refunds.

When it comes to the absence of tour dates, politicians can't seem to help but weigh in these days, and Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey issued a statement on social media Wednesday saying the city was not only "deeply disappointed" by the news, but had been "fully prepared to welcome [Beyonce] to Pittsburgh and honor her with an official day recognizing her visit and accomplishments."

Beyonce

Kevin Mazur/WireImage Beyonce

Gainey added, "We are in conversations with the promoter for the event in order to gain an understanding about what led to the cancellation, and if there is anything we can do as a city to find a new date or location for her show."

Beyonce has not publicly responded to that invitation. EW has reached out to her reps for comment.

The canceled Pittsburgh show wasn't the only change made to the Renaissance tour, though it was the most drastic. Other changes include Seattle's Sept. 13 show being postponed a day, and Kansas City's Sept. 18 show being postponed to Oct. 1. Statements from Lumen Field and Arrowhead Stadium also cited "production logistics and scheduling issues." For both dates, all previously purchased tickets will be honored.

Beyonce, who kicked off her Renaissance tour May 1 in Stockholm, recently wrapped the European leg and is set for her first North American date in Toronto on July 8. The multi-act set is 31 songs long, drawing most heavily on Beyonce's critically acclaimed seventh album, while also making time for beloved staples like "Love on Top," "Formation" and "Crazy in Love."

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People enjoy the water and the sun at Hayes State Park in this 2018 photo.

ADRIAN  Environmental health staff from the Lenawee County Health Department will begin collecting water samples from two public beaches in Lenawee County this month.

Weekly samples will be collected from the public beaches at Hayes State Park and Lake Hudson Recreation Area, a news release from the health department said.

These two beaches are popular recreation areas within the county. This is another way we can keep the public advised of water quality so they can make the best decisions for themselves and their family regarding swimming, Lenawee County Health Officer Monica Hunt said in the release.

To protect public health and to prevent the spread of disease, the samples will be analyzed for E. coli bacteria levels. The Michigan public health code sets limits for levels of bacteria in all bodies of water, including bathing beaches open to the public. If the levels detected during monitoring exceed these limits, the risk of illness increases.

We will issue a health advisory if testing shows that bacteria levels are higher than the state safety standard, Hunt said in the release. We will be posting signs at the beach and posting the information on our website if an advisory is issued. That way, you can check the website before you head to the beach. We will not be issuing press releases each time an advisory is issued.

Public beach advisories issued by the Lenawee County Health Department will be posted at lenawee.mi.us/beach. For more information about this program, contact the Lenawee County Health Department at 517-264-5213 or ehdesk@lenawee.mi.us.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Public beach monitoring to begin at Lenawee County beaches
[Source]

Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of the fatal crash of Asiana Airlines Flight 214, an accident that killed three people and left almost 50 passengers seriously injured on July 6, 2013.

What happened: Asiana Airlines Boeing 777 flight 214 was meant to arrive at San Francisco International Airport from Seoul when the plane hit a seawall while landing at the airport, causing it to crash, spin out of control and later catch on fire.

Of the plane's 291 passengers, 49 were seriously injured. Meanwhile, three teenaged Chinese passengers died.

About the deaths: According to reports, one of the teenagers was killed after the planes tail broke off due to the crash. Another teenager died around a week after the incident at the hospital.

More from NextShark: 57% of Asian Americans Feel Unsafe in Public, Poll Shows

Meanwhile, the third teenager, identified as 16-year-old Ye Meng Yuan, was found dead on the ground after she was reportedly thrown from the back of the plane. Details about her death were up for contention between city officials and the San Mateo County Coroners Office.

City officials noted in their report that Ye was already dead when she landed on the ground, but an examination conducted by the San Mateo County Coroners Office suggested that she died after being run over twice by responding rescue trucks.

More from NextShark: Nebraska Mayor Sparks Outrage After Mocking Korean Name on Facebook

The first in history: Although the Boeing 777 had already been involved in a couple of accidents in the past, the July 2013 accident marked the plane's first-ever recorded fatal incident since it was rolled out in 1994.

Defending the pilots: In 2014, Boeing's chief engineer for air-safety investigations, Michelle Bernson, noted in a statement that the fatal crash occurred because of the flight crew's failure to monitor and control airspeed, thrust level and glide path on short final approach." An investigator also claimed during a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) hearing that it was pilot Lee Kang Kuks first time landing at San Francisco International Airport at the time of the accident.

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Meanwhile, Thomas Haueter, a former director of NTSB's Office of Aviation Safety who was consulting for Asiana Airlines, defended Lee Kang Kuk and instructor Lee Jung Min by stating that it was not a matter of lack of pilot training.

More from NextShark: Toronto police officer, auto repair shop owner killed in Canada shootings

These guys were extraordinarily well-trained, he noted. They get very specific training about flying into San Francisco."

Lee Kang Kuk reportedly had over 9,680 hours of flight experience with a variety of jets and 43 hours of experience with the Boeing 777 at the time of the crash, while Lee Jung Min, who reportedly had a total of 12,307 total flying hours, had already spent 3,208 hours flying Boeing 777s.

More from NextShark: Hong Kong denies Australia access to dual citizen facing life imprisonment under national security law

What caused it: In an initial report, Asiana Airlines noted that the probable cause of the crash was due to the pilot flying too slow, adding that there were inconsistencies in the Boeing 777-200ER's autothrottle at the time, which contributed to the fatal accident.

An investigation published by the NTSB on June 24, 2014, concluded that the crash was due to a mismanagement of approach and inadequate monitoring of airspeed. The NTSB also said it had found that the complexities of the autothrottle and autopilot flight director systems, and the crew's misunderstanding of those systems were also contributing factors.
Spains San Sebastian film festival unveiled its first group of competition titles Friday, naming a typically eclectic mix of established art house favorites  Cristi Puiu, Joachim Lafosse, Robin Campillo  and rising talents, including Maria Alche, Benjamin Naishtat and American debutant Raven Jackson whose first feature, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, will be competing for San Sebastians Golden Shell this year.

Produced by Moonlight director Barry Jenkins, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt is described as a lyrical exploration of the life of a Black woman in Mississippi and stars The Woman Kings Sheila Atim.

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A second American title, the comedy Ex-Husbands from director Noah Pritzker (Quitters), also made the San Sebastian cut. Rosanna Arquette, Griffin Dunne, Miles Heizer, James Norton and Eisa Davis are part of the ensemble cast in a story focused on a father (Dunne) overwhelmed by the twin crises of an impending divorce and his fathers perhaps fatal illness.

Campillo, best known for his 2017 breakout 120 BPM, will grace San Sebastian with Red Island, a coming-of-age story set in 1960-70 Madagascar, which explores the end of childhood alongside the end of a chapter in Frances colonial era. MMXX, from Romanian director Puiu (The Death of Mr. Lazarescu), is an ensemble drama focused on four people: a therapist, her brother, her husband and a police inspector, who are all obsessed with their own personal issues.

Belgium filmmaker Lafosse, whose last feature, The Restless, premiered in competition in Cannes, will screen A Silence, a family drama exploring issues of abuse, at the Spanish festival.

Other San Sebastian titles announced Friday include The Practice, the latest Argentine comedy from driector Martin Rejtman (Dos disparos, The Magic Gloves), which follows a yoga teacher who faces increasingly absurd challenges and situations; and Puan, a satirical look at Argentine society and academic life, focused on a academic rivalry in the philosophy department of the University of Buenos Aires and directed by Maria Alche and Benjamin Naishtat.

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San Sebastian will announce its lineup of Spanish titles July 17.

The 2023 San Sebastian Film Festival runs Sept. 22-30.

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Threads, Meta's new social networking platform, is quickly gaining ground in China, where Western social apps from Instagram to Facebook are banned.

As of Thursday morning Pacific Time, the Twitter clone introduced by Instagram ranked fifth in the social networking category of Apple's China App Store, just a day after launching.

That's despite the fact that the app is blocked by the Great Firewall, meaning users in mainland China have to access the platform through a censorship circumvention tool like a VPN, or virtual private network.

App Store rankings take into account metrics like new app installs. Threads is currently trailing only after Chinese social giants with hundreds of millions of active users, namely, Xiaohongshu, WeChat (over 1 billion monthly users in its case), QQ and Weibo.

It's unclear whether China blocked Threads at the outset. Greatfire.org, an organization that tracks online censorship, shows that the domain www.threads.net has been unavailable in China since July 4.

Threads' presence in the China App Store isn't all that surprising, given Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have long been available in the App Store while being banned by Great Firewall's censorship system. It's possible that Threads is connecting to one of Meta's servers that are already unavailable in China.

Having Threads in the App Store also saves Apple from having to confront potential criticisms over removing apps at the bequest of Beijing, which would be a more politically charged situation than its decision to skip European Union countries for now due to data privacy complexities.

In other cases, Western social apps get on the radar of Chinese censors only after gaining significant traction. The live audio app Clubhouse, for instance, was quickly blocked and pulled from the China App Store after attracting a flood of Chinese users to freely discuss politically sensitive topics. Damus, the Jack Dorsey-backed Twitter rival built on a decentralized protocol, was removed from the China App Store for including "content that is illegal in China."

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Censoring Threads could be tricky as the app plans to eventually operate on a decentralized infrastructure powered by ActivityPub, the protocol that powers the other Twitter competitor Mastodon. As an expert noted to us previously, shutting down all the decentralized relays on Damus would be challenging.

The only legitimate way to launch a foreign social app in China is to develop a locally compliant version with strict content filters, which was what LinkedIn did. But this type of operation compromises user experience and can be expensive to maintain due to content monitoring. LinkedIn's networking site retreated from China in 2021.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates.
The French Development Agency (AFD) will provide EGP 60 million ($1.94 million) to fund women-owned micro-enterprises in Egypt, after an agreement was signed Thursday between Egypts Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA) and the Agricultural Bank of Egypt.

The funding agreement aims to support the Bab Rizq initiative, which falls under the umbrella of the National Project for Development of the Egyptian Family, according to a statement by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, which MSMEDA is affiliated with.

Basel Rahmy, CEO of MSMEDA, stated that the agreement will fund around 3,000 micro-enterprises.

Priority will be given to women living in villages across 20 governorates targeted by the Decent Life initiative, he added, referring to presidential initiative that aims to improve standards of living in the countryside.

The agreement will provide up to EGP 100,000 (just over $3,200) per loan and wider customer access via the bank's extensive branch network, particularly in rural areas, Rahmy added.

Till now, MSMEDA and the bank have financed around 20,000 micro-enterprises with contracts worth EGP 156 million used as revolving loans, and over EGP 160 million disbursed through the bank's branches nationwide, Rahmy noted.

Minister of Planning Hala El-Said, who attended the signing ceremony, highlighted the agreements role in empowering women by improving their economic status and allowing them to live a decent life.

The National Project for Family Development, El-Said explained, is also working on awareness, legislative reform, service digitalization and health services provision.

The project is planning to expand the use of positive incentives, including financial incentives like insurance policies that grant women up to EGP 60,000, she added.

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Utah ranks once again as the youngest state in the nation, and not by a small margin, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates released this month.

The Beehive state had a median age of 31.9 in 2022, according to the estimates, up by 0.5 compared to 2020 but still nearly three years younger than any other state.

The youngest states and the only ones with median ages below 37 besides Utah were the District of Columbia (34.8), Texas (35.5), and Alaska and North Dakota (35.8).

Still, Utah, like most of the rest of the U.S., appears to be aging. As recently as 2010, the state's median age was 2.7 years younger.

Getting older in most states

Seventeen states had median ages over 40 in 2022, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates of the age at which half of residents are older and half are younger. Thats up from 12 states in 2020 and just seven in 2010.

The median age rose in almost every state last year, census estimates show, continuing a long-term trend that is pushing states to prepare for aging populations.

Seventeen states had median ages over 40 in 2022, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates of the age at which half of residents are older and half are younger. Thats up from 12 states in 2020 and just seven in 2010.

Nationwide, the median age was below 30 until 1980, but it rose to 38.9 as of 2022, according to the bureau estimates.

That leaves more states planning for future health and housing challenges for older residents. Some states have issued or are considering executive orders, agency plans and legislation to assist state residents who need more help with health crises, housing and long-term care as they live longer.

Millennials started turning 40 last year, and the youngest baby boomers are quickly approaching 60.

As the nations median age creeps closer to 40, you can really see how the aging of baby boomers, and now their children  sometimes called echo boomers  is impacting the median age, said Kristie Wilder, a Census Bureau demographer, in a statement.

The oldest state in the country remains Maine at 44.8. It also was the oldest in 2010, at 42.7.

Other states with median ages at 40 or above in 2022: New Hampshire (43.3), Vermont (43.2), West Virginia (42.8), Florida (42.7), Delaware (41.8), Pennsylvania and Connecticut (40.9), Hawaii (40.7), Rhode Island (40.6), Wisconsin (40.4), New Jersey, Oregon and South Carolina (all 40.3), Montana and Michigan (40.2), and Massachusetts (40.1).

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Lower birth rates

Lower birth rates also play a role and will likely continue to drive median age slowly but steadily higher, Wilder added. Some states have passed legislation requiring that health insurers cover fertility treatments in response to lower fertility rates, according to a University of California, Irvine study published last year. New York states 2020 law, for example, requires coverage of in vitro fertilization in some cases.

No states saw a drop from 2021 to 2022, and states with unchanged medians were Alabama, Maine, Tennessee and West Virginia, along with the District of Columbia. The largest increase in median age in recent years was in Delaware, where it rose three years since 2010 to age 41.8.

The portion of Delaware residents over 60 will jump from a quarter to more than a third of the state population by 2040, according to a 2020 state report, creating new challenges for state services. A Delaware Journal of Public Health report published in 2021 said a growing number of Delawares older residents suffer from dementia, requiring more expensive help from the state and family caregivers.

Vermont held six public listening sessions around the state last year to help prepare recommendations this year for Age Strong Vermont, its road map for an age-friendly state.

Vermont had this older demographic for a long time but its taken a while for the state broadly to really reckon with that, said Angela Smith-Dieng, Vermonts Adult Services Division director. Part of the challenge is that older Vermont residents tend to live in big rural houses and need help with in-home health care, renovations for mobility and transportation on demand, she said.

A New York executive order in November also calls for a statewide plan on aging.

Vermont and New York joined other states already planning comprehensive strategies for aging populations: California, Colorado, Massachusetts and Texas, according to a January report by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Californias Master Plan for Aging, released in 2021, aims to create an age-friendly California by 2030, including housing and health care strategies. A bill currently progressing in the state legislature would create a statewide system of respite providers by 2025 to help give primary caregivers of older adults enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program for low-income residents, a break.

Elsewhere, an Oregon bill to study long-term care needs for older residents has passed both chambers of the legislature.

Only North Dakota is younger now than it was in 2010, down 1.2 years from age 37 to 35.8. The states burgeoning oil industry has drawn younger workers to jobs that pay well and dont require four-year college degrees.

Migrations

Energy counties in other states have seen similar influxes of young people. Loving County, Texas, for example, saw its median age decrease from 52.7 in 2010 to 35.3 in 2022, a difference of more than 17 years.

Skeet Lee Jones, county judge there, said the tiny county has work camps for more than 1,000 oil workers and hundreds more young workers living in recreational vehicle camps, with good-paying jobs that create their own challenges for county government.

Weve had to start paying our own county workers what we call oil-field wages just to get things done, about four or five times minimum wage, Jones said.

On the county level, the median age in 2022 was as low as 20.9 in Madison County, Idaho, home of Brigham Young University-Idaho, where many young students are also starting families.

The median age was as high as 68.1 in Sumter County, Florida, part of the sprawling The Villages retirement community. In 2010 Sumter Countys median age was 62.7, the only county with a median age of 60 or higher in the nation at the time.

In 2022 there were six others: Catron County, New Mexico (62.1); Jeff Davis County, Texas (61.7); Harding County, New Mexico (60.5); Jefferson County, Washington (60.4); Charlotte County, Florida (60.2); and Highland County, Virginia (60.0).

Contributing: USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: The median age rose in most states in 2022. Utah remains the youngest
Memphis Police Department and University of Tennessee Health Science Center officers respond, with a bomb squad robot visible, after a suspicious device was found in the General Education Building at UTHSC in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, July 6, 2023. The device, which MPD said appeared to be a pipe bomb, was ultimately determined to not be explosive.

The Memphis Police Department has given the all-clear after the discovery of a suspicious package Thursday morning at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center prompted the evacuation of two buildings.

MPD Colonel Keith Watson said MPD was clearing out of the UTHSC campus and handing control of the campus back to the UTHSC Campus Police.

The school evacuated two campus buildings after a package was found in the General Education Building Thursday morning. A social media post told individuals to evacuate both the GEB building and the Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation.

The package, according to UTHSC Chief of Police Anthony Berryhill, was found around 9:16 Thursday morning.

Memphis Police Department and University of Tennessee Health Science Center officers respond after a suspicious device was found in the General Education Building at UTHSC in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, July 6, 2023. The device, which MPD said appeared to be a pipe bomb, was ultimately determined to not be explosive.

Officers arrived on the scene to investigate that package, and that package did have the markings  or look  of what is called a pipe bomb, Berryhill said.MPD was notified at 9:26 a.m., and an alert was issued at 9:45 a.m. to evacuate the building.Berryhill said the package did not have an explosive device, however.

The investigation, according to Watson, is still ongoing and officials have not tracked down the time the package was placed in the building, nor do they know who placed it there.

Memphis Police Department and University of Tennessee Health Science Center officers respond after a suspicious device was found in the General Education Building at UTHSC in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, July 6, 2023.

We were able to determine that the substances and materials that we were notified about have been rendered safe at this point, Watson said. This reminds us all of the ever-changing environment that we encounter. If you see something, say something and please do not hesitate to call your local authority.

Around 10:20 a.m., students could be seen gathered at Health Sciences Park and police could be seen inspecting a vehicle near the campus. A portion of at least one street near the campus was blocked off by law enforcement.

Officers from both the Memphis Police Department and the UTHSC campus police department were on the scene. Officers with the MPD bomb squad were on the scene Thursday morning, and a man in an FBI vest was seen walking into the CHIPS Building, which is connected to the GEB building.

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As of 11:15 a.m., a banner was running across the front page of the UTHSC website with the same alert published on social media telling individuals to evacuate the two campus buildings.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center Chief of Police Anthony Berryhill and Memphis Police Department Colonel Keith Watson speak to the press after officers responded when a suspicious device was found in the General Education Building at UTHSC in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, July 6, 2023. The device, which MPD said appeared to be a pipe bomb, was ultimately determined to not be explosive.

UTHSC employee calls bomb threat 'frightening'

DeKayala Thomas, a mental health counselor at UTHSC, was one of the people who evacuated. She got to work right as campus police were investigating the package at 9:20 a.m., and said she followed a woman who ran out of the building when she got to work.

"A lady ran out on the side of the building and said the security guard was going up the stairs and told her to leave," Thomas said. "I was like, 'What do you mean?' She was running  she was missing steps  so I just followed her."

Thomas said she was concerned because she did not see any of her coworkers in the park across from campus, where people were evacuated to. She said her coworkers were alerted to leave the building after she was told the bomb squad was coming.

Thursday's evacuation came a year after UTHSC was one of the colleges across the country that received a bomb threat in late July 2022. Thomas said having a second, similar incident within a year of that threat was concerning, even though she recognized working on a college campus can be unpredictable.

University of Tennessee Health Science Center students and faculty wait in Health Sciences Park as Memphis Police Department and University of Tennessee Health Science Center officers respond after a suspicious device was found in the General Education Building at UTHSC in Memphis, Tenn., on Thursday, July 6, 2023. The device, which MPD said appeared to be a pipe bomb, was ultimately determined to not be explosive.

"You're aware, when you work at a college campus, anything can happen to anybody at any time," she said. "It's just scary...you don't think of it happening where you work. For there to be a year between [evacuations], is concerning. If this is a threat, if this is something concerning, are our lives in jeopardy? So that's frightening, and I just hope this doesn't continue."

Brooke Muckerman covers county government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Brooke.Muckerman@CommercialAppeal.com and followed on Twitter @BrookeMuckerman.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: UTHSC evacuates 2 buildings after suspicious device found
Warner Bros. is weighing in on what it called a child-like map in the Barbie movie that caused Vietnam to ban distribution of the film.

Vietnamese officials said the map shows the nine-dash line that represents Chinas unilaterally claimed territory in the South China Sea. Vietnam says the territory is its continental shelf and banned the Barbie movies distribution.

The map in Barbie Land is a child-like crayon drawing, Warner Bros. Film Group said in a statement first reported by Variety. The doodles depict Barbies make-believe journey from Barbie Land to the real world. It was not intended to make any type of statement.

The map in the Greta Gerwig-directed film, set for release this month, shows just eight lines and is in the shape dictated by actual global maps, Variety noted.

The Barbie movie is also under review in the Philippines, according to NPR.

K-pop group Blackpink also caused a nine-dash line stir after using the map on a website, Time reported.

The group is set to hold shows in Hanoi this month. The concert organizer apologized and vowed to take down the map, according to Vietnam National Television VTV.

Other films also have been banned in Vietnam over the map, including Abominable, a 2019 Dreamworks film that got pulled from theaters in Vietnam and Malaysia.

The Philippines and Vietnam called off distribution of the video game-based film Uncharted over the appearance of the map last year.

Related...
Wright has also filled cavities in Thailand and been tattooed in Colombia, she told followers. tiktok.com/@bryn/elise

On TikTok, Bryn Wright said her US salon quoted her $4,450 for keratin bond extensions amid a price increase.

Ever since, she's been flying to Turkey to get them done, where she claims to only pay $500.

Wright is "obsessed with beauty tourism" and prefers getting beauty, medical, and dental services abroad.

The TikToker Bryn "Elise" Wright has gone viral for touting her love of "beauty tourism," which she calls her "favorite life hack."

Case in point: Wright recently chronicled a trip to Turkey to have hair extensions installed because she said it was cheaper than going to her local salon in the US.

"This should be no surprise to anyone who's watched me get my dental work done in Thailand or my tattoos in Colombia," she said in her June 26 TikTok, "but I'm obsessed with beauty tourism."

In the video, with 7 million views, Wright voyaged 6,217 miles to the Ferdi Karatay Hair Studio in Istanbul, where she paid $500 for the extensions, she said.

Wright told followers she's been traveling to Turkey for hair extensions since her US salon hiked its prices, quoting her $4,450 for keratin bond extensions. In Turkey, she claimed she got 300 pieces of 22-inch keratin bond extensions  with bleaching and styling  for $500.

Wright attributed the price difference to the strength of the US dollar and higher supply and labor costs in the US.

Factoring in travel and lodging, Wright said flights to Istanbul could be as low as $700, and an Airbnb can be between $200 and $300 per week. She also shared that her food costs are roughly $150 per week.

Viewers were intrigued by this hack.

"Me, a flight attendant, taking notes on this," one commenter wrote; "If you're going to spend $4500 on your hair this is definitely the way to do it," another added.

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Some said they, too, travel to maintain their beauty routines.

"I do the same every year when I travel back to Brazil to see my family," another added.

Wright said her extensions last four months, and this is the third time she's traveled to Ferdi Karatay. On this particular trip, she said, she spent three months in Turkey and got her hair done a second time before heading back to the States.

"Instead of getting beauty services, medical, or dental in the US we go abroad for everything and put the money saved towards AMAZING trips," she captioned a previous video.

While Wright did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment for this story, last year, she told Insider that she left her waitressing job in Arizona to travel the world. She was able to do so by selling used textbooks on Amazon, raking in $140,000 in revenue and almost $90,000 in profits in 2021.

Read the original article on Insider
President Joe Biden has decided to send U.S. stocks of cluster munitions to Ukraine amid its fight against Russia, defending the controversial move as urgently needed.

The weapons are part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million.

The additional assistance comes as Ukraine pushes to recapture territory seized by Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told ABC News the counteroffensive was "going to plan" but he'd like to see progress happen even faster.

MORE: President Zelenskyy says Ukrainian counteroffensive is 'advancing' but 'we want to do it faster'

Zelenskyy said any needed equipment supplied to Ukraine will help his troops "to move faster, to save more lives, to stand our ground for a longer time."

But the decision to send cluster munitions to Ukraine isn't without concern, as human rights groups cite the danger they pose to civilians and numerous countries have banned them for more than a decade.

"We recognize cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordinance," national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters. "This is why we deferred the decision for as long as we could. But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery. That is intolerable to us."

Biden on Friday also defended the action as necessary, telling ABC News' Elizabeth Schulze Ukraine is "running out of ammunition."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden delivers remarks on healthcare coverage and the economy, at the White House in Washington, July 7, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)

Still, the president told CNN's Fareed Zakaria it was a "difficult decision" to make.

Here's what to know about the weapons.

What are cluster munitions?

Cluster munitions scatter unguided submunitions, or bomblets, as small as 20 kilograms over a large area, maybe the size of several football fields. The U.S. last used them during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

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The weapons can be fired from aircraft or from the ground. Depending on the type used, anywhere from dozens to 600 bomblets may be released at a time, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

"These types of weapons are extremely dangerous," said Richard Weir, a senior researcher in the Crisis and Conflict Division at Human Rights Watch. Weir noted there are various kinds of submunitions, some are designed to penetrate armor or concrete while others are made to unleash as many fragments as possible against troops.

A U.S. defense official told lawmakers last month they believed such weapons "would be useful" for Ukraine, "especially against dug-in Russian positions on the battlefield."

PHOTO: Ukrainian military serviceman Igor Ovcharruck holds a defused cluster bomb from an MSLR missile that a Ukrainian munitions expert said did not explode on impact, in the region of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Oct. 21, 2022. (Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters, FILE)

But cluster munitions also pose significant risk to civilians as they are indiscriminately spread out over an area, and some release bomblets that fail to explode upon impact and can detonate much later -- even decades later.

"These are very nasty, destructive weapons for use on the battlefield," Daryl Kimball, the executive director of the Arms Control Association, told ABC News. "They are also particularly harmful for friendly soldiers as well as civilians after a conflict is over because the cluster munitions of all kinds have a failure rate."

The Pentagon said Friday they will send their most modern dual-purpose improved conventional munitions (DPICMs) that have a failure rate or "dud rate" of 2.35% or less. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl said they have hundreds of thousands of those rounds available.

Kahl contrasted that figure with the failure rate of the cluster munitions being used by Russia against Ukraine, which he said is somewhere between 30 to 40%.

But Kimball said those working in the arms control field believe the failure rate of those munitions "in the U.S. stockpile are probably higher when it comes to actual wartime conditions."

When asked if the dud rate studies conducted by the Department of Defense on the munitions being sent to Ukraine will be made public, Kahl said those reports are classified but they have "high confidence" in the numbers.

Why are they controversial?

More than 100 countries have essentially banned cluster munitions. Governments that signed onto the "Convention on Cluster Munitions" in 2008 committed to never using, producing or stockpiling cluster munitions.

Russia, Ukraine and the United States did not sign the treaty, though most NATO nations did.

MORE: Russia-Ukraine live updates:

"They can injure or kill people who are just going about their daily lives -- children playing in playgrounds, people tending to their land," Weir told ABC News.

"In that sense, they act just like landmines," Weir said. "So it's the severe civilian harm associated with these weapons that makes them so controversial."

Officials said Ukraine gave assurances to minimize the risk to civilians, including a pledge not to use them in urban areas, and will commit to post-conflict demining efforts to find any undetonated munitions that pose a threat.

"I'm as concerned about the humanitarian circumstance as anybody, but the worst thing for civilians in Ukraine is for Russia to win the war," Kahl said. He added that the U.S. will monitor how the systems are being used and whether the Ukrainian assurances are being met.

PHOTO: A graphic explains cluster munitions, how they work and why the Russia-Ukraine war undermines the fight against the deadly weapons. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Human Rights Watch previously called on both Russia and Ukraine to stop using cluster munitions.

Weir said cluster munitions were involved in one of the worst incidents of civilian casualties during the war so far: the attack on the Kramatorsk train station in April 2022. At least 50 people died and more than a hundred were injured, ABC News reported at the time.

"That tore people's bodies apart and injured people all around the train station," he said. "But this plays out again and again and again in regions all over Ukraine where there's fighting and where we've documented the use of various types of submunitions."

-ABC's Luis Martinez contributed to this report.

What are cluster munitions? Biden defends decision to send controversial weapons to Ukraine originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Kids get sore throats for many reasons, like the common cold or allergies. But it could also be strep. Learn about strep throat causes, symptoms, and treatment.

Dardespot / Getty Images

Medically reviewed by Wendy L. Hunter, M.D.

It's common for a child (or an adult, for that matter) to complain about a sore throat. After all, dry air, sleeping near a fan, or even the common cold can cause a sore throat. But when that sore throat makes it difficult to swallow or, in some cases, talk, then you know something is amiss.

Strep throat is a common bacterial infection, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), leads to more than 5 million medical visits in the U.S. every year, for all ages. Keep reading to learn more about strep throat symptoms in kids, causes, and treatment.

Related: Can Allergies Cause a Sore Throat?

What Is Strep Throat?

Strep throat is an infection of the throat and/or tonsils caused by a bacteria called group A Streptococcus (group A strep). It causes pain in the throat with swallowingit can be severeand may present with symptoms affecting the entire body.

Rashmi Jain, M.D., a concierge pediatrician in Irvine, California, and founder of Babies MD, says strep throat is a common illness in school-age kids between 5 and 15 years old; it's rare in kids under the age of 3. Up to 30% of kids with a sore throat have strep, says Dr. Jain.

It's important to treat strep throat. "In children, if strep throat is not treated quickly with antibiotics, they run the risk of long-term consequences affecting their heart, joints, kidneys, or nervous systems," says Dr. Jain.

What Are Strep Throat Symptoms in Kids?

The classic symptom of strep is a sore throat, but that's true of lots of illnesses, including colds and the flu. If your child has strep throat, you will likely also see some of the following:

Red spots on the roof of the mouth

Pain with swallowing

Red swollen tonsils

White streaks on tonsils

Tender swollen lymph nodes in the neck

Neck pain

Fever

Headache

Tummy ache

Nausea and/or vomiting

Loss of appetite

Muscle and/or joint pain

Rash

Fatigue

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How To Tell the Difference Between Sore Throat and Strep in Kids?

"A sore throat can occur in the setting of allergies/post-nasal drip, irritation from vomiting, viral infection, or other bacterial infections," explains Nicole Aaronson, M.D., MBA, FACS, FAAP, of Children's Health of Delaware and clinical and associate professor of otolaryngology and pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University Sidney Kimmel in Philadelphia. "Strep throat denotes infection with one specific bacterium."

The only true way to know if a child has strep throat is to have their throat swabbed by a doctor and tested for the bacterium. Since strep throat is contagious and typical among the school-age set, you might be clued into strep if your child shares the same symptoms as other kids at their school who have been diagnosed with it. If you suspect strep throat, call your child's health care provider immediately to have them tested.

Dr. Jain also points out that a sore throat associated with strep tends to happen abruptly, unlike a sore throat with a common cold or the flu. "The sore throat with a strep throat infection comes on all of a sudden," she says. "It is much more intense than the sore throat one would have with allergies or a common cold."

Related: What Is Strep A? Causes, Symptoms, and When to Worry

How Is Strep Spread and Is It Contagious?

Strep throat is very contagious. "Respiratory secretions transmit it, so it is easily transmitted by talking, sneezing, and coughing," says Dr. Aaronson. "The bacteria can also live on surfaces, so touching a contaminated surface and then touching one's eye, nose, mouth can also spread infection."

Strep is still contagious for 24 hours into a course of antibiotics, so it is wise to stay away from others while beginning antibiotics. It's also a good idea for your child to change their toothbrush after starting antibiotics.

How Is Strep Treated?

According to the CDC, kids diagnosed with strep throat require antibiotics to relieve symptoms, prevent the spread of strep, and reduce the risk for long-term consequences. Although they are not common, they can include rheumatic fever (affecting the heart, joints, brain, and skin) and post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis (a type of kidney disease).

But does every kid need antibiotics? In most cases, yes. "Strep throat in children requires antibiotics to expedite resolution of symptoms, prevent spread, and reduce the risk for long-term consequences," says Dr. Jain. "It is crucial to complete the entire 10-day course of antibiotics to prevent complications in other organ systems of the body."

When Should a Parent Worry?

When your child has a sore throat, it might be easy to jump to conclusions. But there are lots of illnesses that cause a sore throat that are not strep, says Dr. Jain. So, when do you need medical attention?

"Consider seeking treatment when sudden sore throat occurs accompanied by symptoms of fever, swollen tonsils, or swollen lymph nodes," says Dr. Aaronson. "Medical attention is also reasonable if a child stops eating or drinking or is showing symptoms of becoming dehydrated."

After starting antibiotics, a child should start feeling better within one to three days. They can return to school after 24 hours of antibiotic treatment. Call your child's provider if they are not feeling better after 48 hours of treatment.

The Bottom Line

If your child has a sudden sore throat and red spots to match, take them to see their health care provider right away to be screened for strep throat. They can prescribe antibiotics and give advice for relieving symptoms and helping your child go back to feeling like themselves in no time.

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents.
Megan Fox was photographed by Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic. Greg Swales/Sports Illustrated

Megan Fox landed one of four covers of the 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue after posing for Greg Swales in the Dominican Republic. In addition to being a Hollywood star, the 37-year-old actress is also a proud mom of three. While she has been a superstar since she skyrocketed to fame in the 07 breakout hit Transformers, Fox admits that shes not particularly outgoing in her day-to-day life.

I think because Im introverted, its always really hard when theres a lot of attention on me, which seems counterintuitive to what I do for a living, but Im really happy with it, Fox told SI Swimsuit during the magazines launch week events of her cover girl moment. The photos turned out so well. Everybody [on set] was so cooperative and so kind and made it an easy experience. So overall, Im really happy.

Fox added that while it was difficult to pick a favorite look from her time on location, she said she particularly liked a brown leather two-piece she wore by Frankies Bikinis. Its tough to narrow down our own most loved looks from the Till Death stars cover photo shoot, but weve chosen five of our favorite bikinis, below.

Greg Swales/Sports Illustrated

Greg Swales/Sports Illustrated

Greg Swales/Sports Illustrated

Greg Swales/Sports Illustrated

Greg Swales/Sports Illustrated

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Paul Harris - Getty Images

Just the word Baywatch can immediately conjure up visions of red bathing suit-clad lifeguards running on a beach in slow motion. The iconic show, which ran from 1989 to 2001, may just be one of the most famous series in the history of television. The action drama, which was shot in California and then later Hawaii (well get into this more later), starred big names such as David Hasselhoff, Kelly Slater, and, of course, Pamela Anderson. Although Baywatch captured the attention of millions of viewers each week, there's still a chance you don't know everything there is to know about the show. Here, we have 9 behind-the-scenes facts you may not yet be aware of.

It was almost canceled after its first season

Although the series became a hit later on, it was almost canceled after its first season. Not only did it rank low, but GTG, the studio that was behind Baywatch, went out of business. Thankfully, the show was saved by syndication.

Ron Galella - Getty Images

This famous actor almost starred in "Baywatch"

Its easy to associate a young Leonardo DiCaprio with movies like Titanic and Whats Eating Gilbert Grape, but in the 1990s, the performer almost wound up on the buzzy beach show as well. According to reports, DiCaprio was in the running to play the son of Mitch Buchannon, David Hasselhoff's character. We actually had DiCaprio ready to be cast, Michael Berk, one of the original producers of the series, told THR. But David thought he was too old to play his son.

getty images - Getty Images

There were more A-listers who ultimately weren't cast

A long list of actresses, including Alicia Silverstone, Teri Hatcher, Neve Campbell, and Denise Richards, were also considered for the show. However, none of them got roles.

Michael Ochs Archives - Getty Images

"Baywatch" wasnt its original name

The famous beach drama wasnt always called Baywatch, which came from the name of the Santa Monica Bay rescue boats. It was instead originally titled Aquatic Corps for Emergency Service (ACES). It doesnt have the same ring to it, does it?

Story continues

Fotos International - Getty Images

An incredibly high number of viewers tuned in each week

Even though the show was a flop during its first season, the following seasons saw huge improvements. In fact, it was one of the most-watched television shows in the world at one point with a weekly viewership of over 1 billion.

Ron Galella - Getty Images

It had to change its entire filming location

No, Baywatch didnt move filming to Hawaii during its later seasons just because it felt like it. Instead, it made the switch because production costs were getting too expensive in Los Angeles.

Mark Reinstein - Getty Images

The Olympics inspired all those slow-mo scenes

When you think of Baywatch, chances are you instantly picture all those dramatic slow-motion beach running scenes. These iconic moments, which seem synonymous with the series itself, were inspired by the Olympics. The more you know!

Paul Harris - Getty Images

This actress guest starred on the show twice

Mila Kunis not only guest starred on the famous 90s show once, but twice. In her first appearance, she played a student named Annie, whereas in her second go-around, she took on the role of a young blind girl named Bonnie.

Ron Galella - Getty Images

You may see "Baywatch" on TV again

If youre a fan of the series, youre in luck. According to reports, the show potentially may be getting a reboot soon.

Phil Mislinski - Getty Images

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The TikTok mom is left in tears when a Canadian airline says she can't get on the plane with her two infants.

Aaron Black / Getty Images

A single mom is venting her frustration online over not being able to fly alone with her infant twins. The TikTok creator, @amandaleighvienno got emotional in the now-viral video. In it, she explains that the Canadian airline Flair did not allow her to travel with more than one child under the age of 2.

It sucks being a single mom, Amanda Leigh Vienno Bailey says in the TikTok, which was first reported by People. The clearly emotional twin mom explains she is super disappointed after confirming with the airline multiple times that she could fly with two babies. The mom says she was packed and got her hopes up about the trip after telling herself, I can do it.

But Bailey soon found out, per Canadian Aviation Regulations, and with safety for all in mind, an adult passenger can only be responsible for one child under the age of 2. Even if you buy seats for infants, they must be accompanied by another adult.

Related: Booking a Flight? Find Out Which Airlines Are Best For Family Travel

Rules for Flying With Infants in Other Countries

In case youre wondering if the law is similar in the United States, well, not exactly. Per Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety requirements, an adult passenger must accompany each lap child. Kids under age 2 can sit on the lap of a ticketed adult, but a child restrained in their own seat is recommended. If you are flying with two infants, you are able to purchase a seat for the additional child and they must sit in an approved car seat. No additional adult is required to accompany the child.

Other countries, like France, operate similarly, but it seems in the case of traveling in this particular European country, if you book on Air France, youll need to make a reservation on the phone if you are flying with more than one infant. Meanwhile, British Airways allows just one lap child per ticketed adult (an infant fare may apply), but there too, you are able to purchase an additional seat for a second infant to travel in an approved safety seat.

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The takeaway message here is that its imperative to check the regulations in every country if you plan to travel with small children. Be sure to confirm the policies with each particular airline.

For her part, Bailey claims she did confirm her plans with Flair, but even if she misunderstood the regulations, she makes valid points about why the situation is unfair. In her mind, being barred from flying with her infant twins seems like the airline thinks she is unable to do the things that [I] literally do on an everyday basis.

Related: 6 Things I'm Glad I Knew Before Traveling With a Toddler For The First Time

Two Kids are Two Kids, No Matter Their Age

In her TikTok, Bailey went on to question the logic of why she could safely (and sanely) care for two 2-year-olds versus two babies since when her kids turn 2, she will be permitted to fly with both of them. (Everyone with toddlers is shaking their heads in agreement.) To this point, Bailey also says with having to unbuckle toddlers from their car seats in the case of an emergency, this scenario seems even more unsafe, in her view.

Meanwhile, as Bailey updated followers in a second TikTok when she attempted to find someone else to fly with her, it didnt work out. The bottom line is the situation was totally stressful for her, and the trip was ultimately canceled. We very much feel for this mom and agree with the commenter who alleged that the law in Canada is biased against single parents.

It seems Canadas rules, although created with safety in mind, are more stringent when it comes to flying with more than one infant versus many other countries. In this moms case, shes left not knowing what to do, since her trip would have been an 18-hour plus drive (with two babies!) per her comments on the second video. Heres hoping she gets to take the trip eventually.

In the meantime, we cant help but appreciate that she shared her story. It serves as an important PSA that as parents, we need to do our research before traveling with kids, no matter how many of them we are responsible for.



Related: How Old Does a Baby Have to Be to Fly?

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents.
As he helped break ground for the new Texas A&M campus in downtown Fort Worth recently, Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare proclaimed: Education is the cornerstone of prosperity. The establishment of this new Law and Education Building underscores our commitment to making Tarrant County the best educated workforce in America.

At just about the same time, the results of the most recent survey of 13-year-old students reading and math proficiency based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress survey were reported, revealing major drops in both domains nationally. Of more local importance, based on the 2022 STAAR assessment, only 37% of Fort Worth ISD third-graders could read at grade level, and 29% were at grade level in math.

How can we expect the students of Fort Worth and Tarrant County to thrive in this exciting new higher education environment if they are unable to read or understand math proficiently?

John Goff, chairman of the Fort Worth-Tarrant County Innovation Partnership, reported that he had met with representatives of more than 100 companies who had expressed interest in the A&M project. Lockheed Martin, Elbit Systems, and Alcon are already major partners. This may seem too obvious but: How many of these companies will expect their employees to be able to read?

Can we create the best educated workforce in America in Tarrant County? Not if we start at the higher education end of the ladder. First, we must teach all of our students to read. Is it possible to teach all kids to read, irrespective of ZIP code or economic hardship?

The answer is yes, and this answer comes from an unlikely source: Mississippi. Due to the strategic work of the Barksdale Reading Institute, in partnership with the state department of education, Mississippi skyrocketed from a rank of 49th to 21st in reading proficiency in the past 20 years.

The experience provides a road map for success. They invested in training teachers and school leaders in the best methods of teaching reading, cajoled university programs to train their students in these techniques and identified and required use of high-quality curricular materials. They used early screening tools to identify students with special challenges, engaged parents to participate in their childs education and lobbied the state government to pass laws to support these efforts.

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Trudy Darden, curriculum developer, talks to trainees prepping to teach students reading at summer camp Thursday, June 9, 2022, at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

Could we duplicate these efforts in Fort Worth? Former Mayor Betsy Price launched a prominent reading initiative that continues under Mayor Mattie Parker, a public-education advocate. But we need a sustained commitment from both the public and private sectors. Are local school superintendents insisting on the best reading-instruction practices? Are our local universities giving education majors the best knowledge of how to teach reading?

Fort Worth needs a coordinated effort with a single leader to concentrate philanthropic money on a sweeping literacy project. Whos willing to step up?

Just as Mississippi historically was near the bottom in reading proficiency compared to other states, FWISD has been last compared to the other major urban districts in Texas. Fortunately, Mississippi has shown us that our history does not determine our destiny. The Mississippi experience tells us that a partnership of philanthropy and governmental systems, led by a detail-oriented, empathetic champion, can result in dramatic improvement.

I never imagined I would ever say it, but lets be like Mississippi.

Robert Rogers is a local physician, a Reading Partners tutor, and president of The Reading League Texas, which advocates for improved reading instruction in the state.
An Israeli court on Thursday acquitted an Israeli police officer of recklessly killing an unarmed Palestinian man with autism in Jerusalem's Old City.

Iyad Hallak, 32, was shot dead in May 2020 in a series of escalations while walking near a border police position in east Jerusalem.

The Jerusalem district court said the police officer was "acquitted" of "reckless homicide", in a decision decried by Hallak's mother as "injustice".

The chain of events leading to the autistic's murder began when officers approached him and yelled at him to stop, causing Hallak to run away, the court added.

Hallak's family had said he had the mental age of an eight-year-old, and witnesses said he panicked after being shouted at by police.

The police officer in question joined the chase and another officer shot towards the Palestinian's legs but missed, the court found.

Hallak then entered an alley, where the accused officer shot and hit him in the leg.

Hallak then stood up and pointed at a woman he knew who had rushed to the scene, prompting the Israeli officer to fatally shoot him in the chest.

His mother, Rana Hallak, told AFP after the verdict was pronounced: "My son is now in the grave and his killer is relaxing and going out and having a good time, and this is a particular injustice."

"(Iyad) created a special atmosphere within the family," she added, sitting beside portraits of her son.

The officer was charged over Hallak's murder in June 2021.

Israel's justice ministry said the previous October that he had not followed police rules for opening fire, and that Hallak had "posed no danger to police or civilians at the scene".

At the time, Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas called Hallak's death a "war crime" and an "execution", while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a "tragedy".

His funeral drew thousands of mourners, while online hashtag #PalestinianLivesMatter echoed the fury of mass protests against police violence and racism in the United States.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online

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MILAN  Alberta Ferretti is partnering with Sothebys to support the reconstruction in the Emilia Romagna region, which was severely affected by devastating floods last May.

A selection of the designers dresses, worn by a number of A-list celebrities on the red carpet, will be offered in an online auction held by Sothebys from Monday to July 13. The proceeds will be donated to help the families and businesses impacted by the natural disaster.

More from WWD

The idea of this charity auction stemmed from when I was preparing my fashion show in Rimini, and on the news, I saw the incredible damage caused by the flood. I immediately thought it was important to actively participate in raising funds to support our region. So, in addition to actively engaging and with the support of our employees, donating and creating sweatshirts whose proceeds from sales will go to charity, I decided to organize an auction of special dresses, Ferretti said. Turning to Sothebys was a spontaneous act because it is an absolute reference point in this industry, and I am very grateful to their entire team for supporting me in such a professional manner for this activity, which I hope will contribute to helping the reconstruction in the severely affected areas.

The online auction will comprise 18 evening gowns worn over the years by the likes of Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Sharon Stone, Amanda Seyfried and Eva Longoria, among others, at international events ranging from the Cannes and Venice Film Festivals to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party and the BAFTA Film Awards.

Cate Blanchett wearing one of the Alberta Ferretti gowns to be auctioned by Sothebys photographed at the Spanish Premiere of Elizabeth The Golden Age  Palacio de la Musica Cinema in Madrid in 2007.

We feel truly delighted to be partnering with Alberta Ferretti on this very special auction. It is not every day we have the pleasure to unite these two disciplines  fashion and art  together, and it feels all the more poignant that we are doing so to raise much needed funds for such an important cause, said Sara Miconi, Sothebys head of the jewelry department in Italy.

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A selection of the dresses will be displayed to the public in Sothebys galleries in Milan on Tuesday and Wednesday.

In May, Ferretti presented her resort 2024 collection with a show at Castel Sismondo in Rimini.

At the end of the show, the designer and 32 volunteers who helped assist the Emilia Romagna region during and after the widespread floods wore a blue T-shirt that spelled out Io Ci Sono, or I am here in English. The proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts were donated to charity. (Following consumer demand, the brand continued production of the T-shirts, which are available online and in stores.)

Ferretti admitted at the time that she had been struggling with the decision to hold the show given the circumstances, but that she believed it would convey a message that the territory was recovering. She also was prompted by the regional and national authorities to still hold the show.

The brands parent Aeffe Group said then that it was making a donation benefiting associations active in the area. Aeffe, which also counts the Moschino, Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini and Pollini brands in its portfolio, has reached an agreement with its employees to donate the equivalent of one hours work, with the company making a further donation of equal value.

Amanda Seyfried wearing Alberta Ferretti attends the promotional event for Shiseidos Cle de Peau Beaute at Fairmont Peace Hotel on June 16, 2016, in Shanghai. (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images for Cle de Peau Beaute)

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
A few weeks after dockworkers and employers at the West Coast ports settled a new six-year tentative agreement, Californias gateways are getting an upgrade that could create 20,000 new jobs.

Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday the state is investing more than $1.5 billion in Californias port system to build a more efficient, sustainable and resilient supply chain. The grants, which aid the states Port and Freight Infrastructure Program and Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, also include approximately $450 million allocated for zero-emission infrastructure, locomotives, vessels and vehicles.

More from Sourcing Journal

The Port of Los Angeles has been awarded $233 million in grants, while the Port of Long Beach received $383 million. The Port of Oakland got $119 million in funding, and the Port of Hueneme received $80 million.

Administered by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA), $1.2 billion will go to 15 projects designed to increase the capacity to move goods throughout the states global trade gateways while lessening environmental impacts on neighboring communities.

The other $350 million was awarded to 13 projects that eliminate street-level rail crossings in an effort to improve safety, reduce emissions and move goods.

CalSTAs Core Four priorities are safety, climate action, equity and economic prosperity, and the strategic investments announced today shine in all those areas, said California State transportation secretary Toks Omishakin. These awardsa direct result of Governor Newsoms visionary leadershipwill help maintain our states competitive edge in our nation-leading supply chain infrastructure and will create a cleaner, safer and more efficient goods movement system that will have a lasting positive impact for the people of California.

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Omishakin also pointed out that the state funding puts these projects in a stronger position to compete for significant federal infrastructure dollars from the Biden-Harris administration.

The grants are a result of the executive order Newsom issued in October 2021 that called on state agencies to develop longer-term budget proposals that support port operations and goods movement. The fundingparticularly the investments in zero-emission projects, which account for nearly 40 percent of the states Port and Freight Infrastructure Program awardsalso builds on a partnership between the governments of California and Japan announced in March to collaborate on strategies to cut pollution at seaports and establish green shipping corridors.

Port of Los Angeles infrastructure projects supported by the new state grants include the improvement and expansion of the Maritime Support Facility (MSF), which provides chassis and empty container storage for all 12 container terminals at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, critical to facilitating goods movement throughout the complex. The project focuses on increasing port efficiency by slashing truck miles traveled inside the port and at its container terminals.

The L.A. port also received more than $80 million for roadway improvements including a new pedestrian bridge in Wilmington, Calif. and a project that augments an existing partial roadway that directly serves 10 percent of all waterborne containers entering and exiting the entire United States.

This nearly quarter-billion-dollar investment in critical Port of Los Angeles projectsalong with an additional $191 million in supporting regional projectswill accelerate our efforts to boost competitiveness, create jobs and enhance decarbonization efforts, said Gene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles in a statement.

For the Port of Long Beach, nearly $225 million of $338 million in grants will fund a variety of zero-emissions cargo-moving equipment and supportive infrastructure projects across the port, and include top handlers and other manually operated cargo-handling equipment, as well as tugboats and locomotives.

The remaining $158 million will go toward the planned Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility, which will shift more cargo from trucks to on-dock rail, where containers are taken to and from marine terminals by trains. The $1.6 billion facility will be built in phases, with construction scheduled to begin in 2024 and be completed in 2032.

This game-changing grant will make a tremendous difference in our efforts to bring more business and jobs to the harbor, enhance the efficiency of cargo movement and accelerate the ports ongoing transformation to zero-emission operations, said Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero in a statement.

Oaklands funds are designed to modernize the marine terminals and arterial roadways throughout the ports.

Implementing these projects will mean we can also address port-related supply chain congestion while continuing to ensure that we have modern, green, and efficient maritime facilities for the benefit of our customers, tenants and local residents, said Port of Oakland maritime director Bryan Brandes.

Click here to read the full article.
Charles Milliken

In the ongoing brutal ugliness of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a sudden surprise popped up as Yevgeny Prigozhin and his merry band of criminals known as the Wagner Group (a very un-Russian name) decided to stage a mutiny. It didnt last long, but certainly spread a frisson of excitement while it lasted. Was this the end of Putin? Would Russian forces collapse in Ukraine from chaos in leadership? Could Prigozhin successfully march on Moscow? Would he become the new Putin? And so forth and so on.

A flurry of punditry instantly followed, because, as I well know, that is what pundits are for. Pick any outcome congenial to your point of view, and there was a pundit predicting exactly that. My favorite bit of pundit wisdom was one expert column explaining that Putin would stay in power as long as those around him supported him, and would be toast when those same people abandoned him. Hows that for a brilliant analysis? It appears, now that a couple of weeks have passed by, nothing much has changed (always dangerous writing in advance of events). I feel it my duty to explain why.

Russia, since October 1917, has been a criminal enterprise. Thats the first thing to know. For a few months after the downfall of Tsar Nicholas II (abandoned by those who supported him, so you see how solidly grounded in historic precedent the aforementioned prediction is), the Bolsheviks, a criminal conspiracy if there ever was one, took over, and Russia has been ruled by a self-serving mafia (once known as the Nomenclatura) ever since. Churchill, trying to understand what Russia was up to under the Bolsheviks, called it a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Nothing has changed.

It is in the nature of criminal enterprises to be unpredictable, because all criminal enterprises are ruled by one boss with underlings vying for position and favors and eternally plotting to replace the boss. The history of the Mafia in this country is Russia writ small. Watching the Godfather trilogy will give you as much insight into Russia as anything. What will the gang do next? Up to the whim of the boss, and no more predictable than the boss, and always subject to the boss being gunned down in a barbershop or restaurant.

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The only thing predictable about a criminal enterprise is that it is run for the benefit of the criminals. The Bolsheviks made great propaganda about being for the workers and peasants and soldiers, but the reality was entirely otherwise. They were only for themselves. If the workers and peasants and soldiers were immiserated and died by the millions, so what! Putin and his claque are similarly only for themselves. Battlefield deaths by the thousands are merely collateral damage.

Therefore, predictions must be based on what criminals always seem to want: power, money, prestige and a flavoring of sex thrown in for good measure. Can the Boss continue to deliver? Prigozhin, in charge of his own subordinate criminal enterprise  and composed of mostly adjudicated criminals  decided to make a move on the Big Boss, and quickly found out he wasnt going to succeed. Those around Putin couldnt see Prigozhen delivering any more power, money and prestige, so Prigozhin decided to cut a deal to save his neck and in essence go into exile. Whether or not that deal will hold remains to be seen, but personally I wouldnt give a plugged nickel for his chances.

So now what? I dont know. Predicting what any enterprise based on purely personal whim will do is, in the nature of things, unpredictable. Will Putin wake up tomorrow and decide the Ukraine special operation will fail and look for a face-saving exit? Will Putin even wake up tomorrow? Rumors of ill health have been around. Even under the last legitimate Russian polity, tsars had a way of turning up dead.

Hardly anyone saw the collapse of the old Soviet gang coming. I fearlessly predict that nothing has changed.

Charles Milliken is a professor emeritus after 22 years of teaching economics and related subjects at Siena Heights University. He can be reached at milliken.charles@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Charles Milliken: Understanding Russia as a criminal enterprise
Okay, it's not all about Tiago! But that's why we watched this vid, and probably why you will too, right? So there was a "skate fest" in Oslo, Norway with teams sent out to film edits in four days. Tiago Lemos was there and here's his team and its edit. Peep the skate spots way up north.

From our mates at Pocket Skate Mag, "Midnight Skate Fest Oslo is a wrap. Team Tonts aka Tiago Lemos, Leonardo Bodelazzi, Lucas Marques, Hugo Blender & Marina Gabriela had 4 days to film an edit in the city of Oslo, along with many other teams. Thanks for organizing such an amazing event, we are already looking forward to next year's!" Hell yeah, we'll be there too if we can make it!

The whole crew is sick, but Tiago really puts the Brazilian stamp on these spots. That switch back tail at the end though is nuts. Follow @midnightskatefest for more info and plan a trip to Norway!

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skateboarding.

We're always on the lookout for amusing, interesting and engaging skate-related videos to feature on our channels. Whether you're a professional or just having fun, 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 skateboarding.com and our social channels. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more quality skate content.
A Chinese flag flying over Shanghai. Liu Liqun/Getty Images

A Chinese woman believes her imprisoned husband, Ruan Xiaohuan, is the legendary dissident blogger behind ProgramThink.

She told The New York Times that she had no idea about her husband until police dragged him away.

She spent months fighting to overturn his conviction before she went silent in June, the times reported.

A Chinese woman had no idea her husband was a legendary dissident who railed against China's government online until police stormed into their apartment and dragged him away.

Bei Zhenying told The New York Times that when her husband, Ruan Xiaohuan, answered the door to their Shanghai apartment on May 10, 2021, a crowd of police officers flooded in and pulled her husband out.

At the time, Bei had no idea what was going on as Chinese police spent 12 hours ransacking her apartment, according to the Times. All the officers would say, she told the Times, was that her husband had subverted state power, a crime that can lead to years in prison.

Bei didn't see or speak to her husband for nearly two years until she was allowed to attend his sentencing, the Times reported.

At the hearing, Bei saw for the first time how poorly the government had treated her husband, who was sentenced to seven years in prison, the Times reported.

Bei now believes that her husband, a computer programmer who had always been secretive, was actually the man behind ProgramThink, a legendary blog that had been fiercely critical of the Chinese government for 12 years.

The website's anonymous author used the platform to expose the true wealth of the country's top leaders, to share the truth about events like the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre, and encourage readers to dissent.

And the same month that Bei's husband was taken away, the blog went dark, the Times reported.

Bei has never been able to prove that Ruan was the mastermind behind ProgramThink, but she told the Times that the blogger's writing, recommendations, and even the timeline match up exactly with her husband.

Story continues

Bei spent months trying to fight her husband's conviction  garnering support from ProgramThink fans, hiring lawyers, and posting on Twitter  until she herself went silent in June, the Times reported.

A lawyer for Bei told the Times she is safe but could no longer comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Climate change isn't only affecting the planet. It's affecting parents and children as well.

lechatnoir / Getty Images

Climate change is not only affecting the planet but also parents, children, and even family planning. With the rise in temperature across the nation, climate change is becoming more of a recurring factor in decision-making for adults and children. One recent study found fears of climate change may even be influencing parents to think differently about having more kids, or any kids in the first place.

Ive always cared about climate change, but not enough to affect how many kids I had. But in the last few years, thats changedI had my tubes tiedand I worry a lot about how safe my kids will be when theyre grown, says Abby Winston, a mom of two kids in Maine.

The study was commissioned and published by HP Inc., formally known as Hewlett-Packard, along with Morning Consult. They surveyed 5,000 parents from five different countriesIndia, Mexico, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States to find out how climate change is shaping the way parents think about the world, their careers, and raising kids.



Climate Change and Its Effect on Families

The study found parents are overwhelmingly concerned about the health of our planet, and it's showing up in spending habits, career choices, and as we mentioned, family planning. Kids are also showing signs of heightened anxiety about climate change.

Here are some other key findings:

91% of parents are concerned about the climate crisis, leading to changes that reshape their lives and purchasing habits.

53% of those who are concerned about climate change say it has impacted their perspective on having more children.

Nearly half of the respondents said that they had reconsidered the company they currently or previously worked for due to their commitment to the environment and social issues.

Climate change is such a massive problem that no singular person can solve itand it won't likely get solved in our lifetime. Despite climate change evidence being grounded in science, there are still many people who either refuse to acknowledge the problem or who willfully ignore it.

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"America seems to be in the minority of countries that politicize science, and therefore, issues like climate change, internationally are taken as fact rather than a political opinion," says Scott Roth Psy.D., a child psychologist and the clinical director and founding partner of Applied Psychological Services of New Jersey. "There are also many parts of the planet that are facing the tragic impact of climate change in real-time, so it does appear to be an existential threat for many parents."

Related: When to Have a Second Baby, According to Parents and Experts

At this point, decisions about whether or not to have children and family size are likely impacted by a variety of factors, with climate change being one, Dr. Roth explains. One doesn't have to look very far to see examples of how depleting resources are impacting families across the country. From droughts and historic severe weather patterns wiping out crops to chaotic economics driving high food, medical, and housing costs, there are plenty of reasons why many families are questioning if they should increase their size.

Alternatively, the "one and done" phenomenon of couples committing to only having one child continues to grow. The childless by choice movement is also growing. According to the Pew Research Center, 44% of non-parents between the ages of 18 and 49 say they don't plan to have kids at all; one of the reasons cited? Climate change.

"In general, I am seeing a higher and more persistent amount of anxiety in my clinical practice," says Dr. Roth. "In addition, a majority of patients bring up the toxicity of the current political climate as major stress in their lives. To them, the slow wheels of government seem ill-equipped to address the threat of climate change. Anxiety stems from two core beliefs: First, we believe that the problems we face are too big to solve. Second, we believe that we do not have the internal resources to cope with this bigness."

Related: 5 Budget-Friendly Travel Experiences That Teach Kids About Climate Change

Climate Change and Children

It's not just parents who are worried about climate changekids are too. "I teach my kids how to recycle and the importance of not wasting water or food because those things are important, and I try not to talk about climate change in a way that is scary, but they see things and hear things at school," says Winston. "Our well dried up last summerthat's never happened in the 20 years I've lived in this house. And now those Canadian wildfires have my kids worried that fires will happen here next."

Winston's kids aren't alone. According to a 2021 study published by the Lancet, researchers surveyed 10,000 teens and young adults across 10 countries about their feelings on climate change. According to survey results, 75% said they feel frightened of the future, and 59% said that climate change makes them feel extremely worried.

The current zeitgeist of anxiety around climate change seems to be affecting people of all ages, including Dr. Roth's two kids. "Interestingly enough, I see it in my own children, who have had nights where the thought of extreme weather events has kept them up at night," says Dr. Roth.

He explains that in his practice, kids are showing signs of anxiety about climate change. "Information is at the fingertips of our children," he says. "As adults, they look to us to solve these problems, and in my opinion, we have been coming up short for them."

Related: 4 Youth Activists Speak Up for the Earth, and Out On Climate Change

How Can Parents Help Their Kids Manage Climate Change Anxiety?

So, what can parents do to help their kids feel more at ease when it comes to anxiety about climate change? There are a couple of suggestions.

We do experiences for gifts during the holidays now instead of buying a ton of plastic that will end up in a landfill," says Winston. This is our lifestyle. They are being raised to be environmentally conscious and mindful of how their actions impact the earth.

I think the first thing we need to do is empower our children to make the 'micro changes' in their own lives to fight climate change," adds Dr. Roth.







"I think the first thing we need to do is empower our children to make the 'micro changes' in their own lives to fight climate change"

Scott Roth, Psy.D.







He explains that giving kids things they can be in control of (like not wasting water or food) can give them a sense of agency. Dr. Roth suggests some other practical things kids can do:

Write letters or call their representatives to express their concerns about climate change.

Volunteer or join clubs that focus on helping the environment.

Learn about climate change as a family and commit to ways (big and small) to change habits that contribute to pollution.

"We need to rally our children to fight because it is their future," says Dr. Roth. "Anxiety in itself can be adaptive and can motivate action; however, when it becomes too overwhelming, it impedes our ability to function. Allowing our children to feel some anxiety while teaching them the skills to prevent it from becoming too overwhelming is a good start."

Not sure where to get started learning about climate change with your kids? Check out these resources:

If youre concerned about your childs mental or emotional health, make sure to talk to your family doctor.



Related: The Future of Sustainable Travel Is Family Travel. Here's Why.

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents.
A screengrab of a TikTok video from user @dominique.xo.xo claiming she was charged almost $30,000 for an Uber ride (Screengrab of TikTok from user @dominique.xo.xo)

An American tourist was charged nearly $30,000 for a June Uber ride to the airport in Costa Rica, thanks to a currency mix-up.

Dominique Adams said her heart sank when she saw a $29,994 charge at her bank for the Uber ride, part of a trip to celebrate her five year wedding anniversary with her husband.

"I was definitely worried that I was not going to get my money back because Uber and my bank were not helpful or providing me with any type of solution," she told Newsweek. "It was a constant battle."

The mix-up occurred when she was charged $29,994.33 for a ride that shouldve cost 29,994 Costa Rican colones, the equivalent of just over $55.

"My bank and Uber were basically blaming each other," she said in a TikTok about the experience, which went viral, adding, her bank "basically told me that it was my fault because I put a travel notice on my card, and because of that the charge was able to bypass all of the security measures, all of the policies that were in place."

Story continues

Uber said once it was alerted to the issue it quickly worked to resolve the problem.

"At Uber, we take every report seriously, the company toldInsider. As soon as we received the users report, our support team promptly addressed the issue and released the authorization hold mistakenly applied due to a bank error in Dollars and not in Colones."

"However, the time it takes for the refund to be processed depends on each banks policies, Uber added.

Ms Adamss husband, Douglas Ordonez, said on Twitter the issue had been resolved.

ABSOLUTELY NO REASON why this amount should have cleared. After 4 full days 29k was finally adjusted, he wrote.
A Lyft driver in Washington, D.C., who was killed Monday was a longtime interpreter for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, local reports said.

Nasrat Ahmad Yar, 31, was working as a Lyft driver when he was shot in Northeast D.C. and pronounced dead at a hospital on Monday, according to local media and police.

Matthew Butler, who said he served in Afghanistan with Ahmad Yar, told local outlet Fox 5 that Ahmad Yar grew up near Bagram Airfield and had worked for the government for nearly 20 years, first doing small jobs before becoming an interpreter. Butler said he learned of Ahmad Yar's death from police.

More: Man sues Lyft after he says driver shot him in the back of his head

Nation news: Florida couple arrested after toddler dies in hot car after July 4th party

After the U.S. military pulled out of Afghanistan in 2021, Butler said, he worked with Ahmad Yar and his family to get them out of the country and to the U.S. They moved the family first to Philadelphia, and Ahmad Yar then moved to Alexandria, Virginia, to be closer to the Afghan community in Washington.

Ahmad Yar was a father of four children, ages 15 months to 13 years, WUSA9 reported.

Jeramie Malone told Fox 5 he also helped Ahmad Yar and his family escape Afghanistan. Malone and Butler have set up a GoFundMe for Ahmad Yar, who they said also worked as a tow truck driver to provide for his family. As of Friday morning, it had nearly reached its $75,000 goal.

"Our hearts are with Mr. Nasrat's loved ones as they confront this unspeakable tragedy," Lyft said in a statement to WUSA9. "We have reached out to his family to offer our support and are in contact with law enforcement to assist with their investigation."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DC Lyft shooting: Nasrat Ahmad Yar was Army interpreter, reports say
[Source]

A disabled woman in China claims she is earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually after finding success as a beef cattle breeder.

Key details: Pan Yuangxiang, a 43-year-old business owner from Yibin, Sichuan province, declared that her highly lucrative business was making 5 million yuan (approximately $692,000) annually, according to Star News.

What happened to her: Pan became paralyzed from the waist down due to alleged medical negligence when she was 3 years old. The only way she is able to move around is by crawling on all fours.

Her early obstacles: Pan was, at one point in her young adult life, reportedly forced to beg on the streets after constantly being rejected by employers after graduating from a vocational high school at the age of 23.

More from NextShark: South Koreans are getting taller, obesity rates up among men, government study says

Failure was not an option: Despite all the obstacles she faced, Pan never gave up. She reportedly worked hard to master technology design and later found online jobs using that skill. With the money she was earning, Pan managed to save up enough for a down payment on a house.

She eventually encountered several issues soon after, including the failure of her two businesses, which resulted in the loss of her house.

But despite all of that, Pan never gave up, telling local media, Wherever you get wet, you just dry there, then keep moving forward.

More from NextShark: Tokyo train operator asks commuters not to wear scary costumes on Halloween weekend

The start of a lucrative business: Pan found success after entering the cattle breeding market, which was in high demand at the time.

With her newfound online fame and success, Pan is serving as a beacon of inspiration for many online.

Disabilities aren't scary  what's scary is having no dreams. I won't settle on waiting and begging others to solve my problems, because I dont see myself as a disabled person. I am just a regular person. More from NextShark: Norman Mineta, first Asian American Cabinet secretary, dies at 90

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Officers in Florida arrested a couple on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child after they allegedly left an 18-month-old girl in their car overnight, officials said.

The child was left alone in the car from around 2 a.m. Wednesday until around 11 a.m., when the heat index was 105 degrees Fahrenheit, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference Thursday. Parents Joel and Jazmine Rondon had attended a Fourth of July party with their three children and allegedly left the 18-month-old in the car when they got home.

"It is brutally hot for everyone under the best of circumstances and then this child is shut in the car, obviously with no movement of air, with it becoming hotter and hotter and hotter as the morning went on," Judd said.

It was the tenth hot car death this year, according to KidsandCars.org, a nonprofit that gathers that information. About 38 children under the age of 15 die each year from heat stroke after being left in a car, according to the National Safety Council.

Judd said the most recent death was not an accident. He said both parents drank and used drugs at the Tuesday party. Seventeen hours after they arrived home around 2 a.m. Wednesday, officials said Jazmine Rondon tested positive for alcohol and marijuana, and Joel Rondon tested positive for alcohol, marijuana and methamphetamine.

"This is pure negligence and I suggest to you the core of the negligence is the use of drugs," Judd said.

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd holds mugshots of Joel and Jazmine Rondon. / Credit: Polk County Sheriff's Office

According to police, Jazmine Rondon took their 6- and 8-year-old children inside after the Lakeland party to give them something to eat and put them to bed, and told her husband to bring their youngest inside.

Joel Rondon brought some trays of food inside, but when he saw the car doors were all closed, he assumed his wife had brought the 18-month-old girl inside. He saw she was asleep and went to bed himself around 3 a.m. Neither parent asked the other if they had brought the girl inside.

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"They got the food in the house, but they didn't get the baby in the house," Judd said.

Police said Joel Rondon woke up around 10 a.m. and got ready for work. Around 11 a.m., he asked their 8-year-old child where the 18-month-old was. The 8-year-old didn't know, so Joel Rondon began looking around the house before finding the child outside in the car, which was parked in the driveway in the full sun. He ran inside and shouted for his wife, who was still sleeping.

The mom had some kind of medical training and knew the child was dead, police said, but the couple drove the 18-month-old to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center for treatment, Judd said.

"When we started our investigation at like 2:30, 3 o'clock in the afternoon, after the life-saving measures, after the body being cooled down, the baby still had a core temperature of 104.4 degrees, and this was like three hours after the baby was taken out of the hot car," Judd said.

An autopsy determined that the cause of death was hyperthermia due to being left in a car, officials said. "This child should have grown and flourished and grown up into a productive teenager and adult and now she won't have the chance to do that," Judd said.

Joel and Jazmine Rondon were arrested Thursday and booked into the Polk County Jail. Joel Rondon has a criminal history, with arrests dating back to when he was 15, authorities said. Both parents are now 33.

Judd said the parents were remorseful and admitted to drinking and using marijuana at the party.

"I think the real remorse will be tonight when they're sitting in the county jail, in an air conditioned environment, thinking 'it's nice and cool here when my baby baked to death because of my negligence and my use of drugs,'" Judd said.

The 6- and 8-year-old children are with other relatives, officials said. The Florida Department of Children and Families was contacted.

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Minister of Emigration Soha Gendy discussed with President of the Texas Medical Board Sherif Zaafran how to further integrate Egyptian doctors working abroad into the American state, in order to to benefit the Egyptian medical system.

We are keen to open horizons of cooperation between our scientists, experts and various state institutions, especially in the health sector, a statement by the ministry quoted Gendy as saying to Zaafran.

She highlighted the cooperation of those experts with the ministry and a number of civil society groups, affirming that the experience of Egyptian doctors abroad is beneficial to the countrys medical services.

For his part, Zaafran welcomed cooperation with the ministry in order to better serve patients and exchange experiences.

He also praised Egypt's efforts to develop its health institutions.

Pointing out that a large number of Egyptian doctors are members of the International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities (IAMRA), Zaafran affirmed the importance of coordination between institutions regulating medical sectors

As many as 14 medical faculties in different Egyptian universities have obtained the license required by the Texas Medical Board to operate in the state, Zaafran said.

There is also a room for cooperation and coordination with Egyptian authorities to allow the rest of medical faculties in Egypt to obtain the boards license, he added.

Gendy pledged to submit Zaafrans proposals to set a cooperation framework with the board to the ministers of health and higher education as well as a number of governors.

A total of around 9,000 medical students graduate annually from Egyptian universities nationwide, 65 percent of which work abroad, according to official figures.

Also, Egyptian doctors ranked among the top five 'joiner doctors' who joined the UK medical workforce in 2021, according to a report released the British General Medical Council (GMC).

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Zoe Petersen, Deseret News





Angler is as broad a term as you can get. It describes my grandfather, who stuck a rod in the sand and fell asleep while bass pilfered PowerBait off his hook. It also describes Norman Maclean, author of the novella A River Runs Through It, who wrote, It is really fishermen who experience eternity compressed into a moment.

Im not saying one approach is better than the other, but for a kid growing up in the Rockies, fly-fishing possessed a kind of romantic glow that could not be matched by bait fishing. Its that snappy little whip of a cast that turned my head. Its walking around in a river in your waterproof waders, but not getting wet (the same feeling that makes waterbeds the ultimate sleeping platform). Its being so attuned to the stream that fish cant tell where bugs end and your fluffy little fake fly begins.

This summer, knowing absolutely nothing about fishing, I got serious about my fishing game. I wanted to feel eternity dripping down my elbow as I pulled a rainbow trout from the streams of time. Enough of this indoor living, I told myself. Im gonna be a water boy.

I was in the right place. Utah is home to some of the best fly-fishing in the country (so Ive heard). The Green River and the Provo River top the list, containing almost too many trout species to count. That could be cool if I knew the difference between a brookie and a rainbow. But I was hungry for that fish. For that lifestyle.

The preliminary research should have warned me that fly-fishing is complicated. Really complicated. My only experience with fish involve my pet betta, the aquariums at Scheels and my grandmothers baked salmon.

I had to find a mentor, a professor of fish knowledge. So I reached out to a local man on the KSL classifieds who orders fishing equipment in bulk from China and sells it out of his garage. He set me up with a fishing pole. It had numbers on the side, a cipher containing all the characteristics of the rod  weight, flexibility, maybe snappiness or grabbiness, maybe length. I dont know.

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Related

His workbench was covered with boxes of fake flies. Another vital part of fly-fishing I knew nothing about.

There is a guiding phrase in all this: Match the hatch. Matching the hatch requires a regular guy like me to understand which bugs are hatching on which specific bodies of water during the times of the year I plan on fishing.

So I stood there, looking at these little hand-tied bugs on a workbench. I was told half are tied by a guy in Kenya. I dont ask how a guy in Kenya knows whats hatching on the Strawberry Reservoir in July. I dont care.

My fish professor tried explaining what I was seeing. I heard the words he was using, but they meant nothing to me. I dont know what a No. 20 Zebra Midge is, I dont know how to use 4x tippet (which is some kind of fishing line) to make dropper rig out of a No. 16 Prince nymph.

I felt like I was listening to the undecipherable commentary on freestyle skateboarding tricks at the X Games: Kickflips, Ollies, Who Dunnits.

Here I was, rod in one hand, a little box of flies in the other. But there was still more gear to acquire. Snippers and clippers and pinchers and nets and wet pants and dry bags. All this for a fish. A fish that you will catch, brag about and release.

Back at home, I sat and watched hours of videos on the types of knots, as wide in variety as species of trout in the Logan River, and put my rod in order. But there was still the issue of that magic cast. A cast, as Maclean put it, that was so soft and slow that it can be followed like an ash settling from a fireplace chimney.

Ive seen anglers in my local park, in a wide field on a sunny day, practicing their cast. Back and forth for hours as the dogs in the shade follow the motion of the rods with their heads. Back and forth. Thats cool, I guess, I thought to myself. Id rather learn on the job.

Related

So I planned a trip to the South Slope of the Uinta Mountains, hoping to catch some cutthroat to roast over my coals. I hiked up into the solitude of pristine alpine lakes. It was drizzling, and my cast fell about five feet in front of me, sometimes five feet behind me. Eternity is swishing and slapping your little fishing pole around for hours without the slightest hope a fish will mistake your fly for a flake of ash settling on the water, or an actual fly that looks yummy.

I realized I was unprepared. I had overlooked a couple dozen details that are vital to the beguiling of fish. Despite clawing my way up the learning curve, I did not deserve to call myself an angler.

But then the sun set behind Mount Emmons, and the water grew still and glassy. The lake was a mirror reflecting blushing clouds and the silhouettes of pine trees. I stood there in silence, listening to the evening calls of a dove or grebe or something. I dont know, some kind of bird. I stood very still, watching the dark ripples of trout nibbling at real bugs, and this whole fishing thing became very simple.
Cruise Cone Hero

San Francisco has been a hotbed for robotaxis in the U.S. It's not all that unsurprising that one of the nation's top tech targets became the go-to testing grounds for these autonomous cars. Over time, however, it has proven to be a bit difficult for locals to cope with the unpredictable nature of these fleets. Now some have chosen an unorthodox method to rebel against the driverless hunks of metal.

A group going by the name "Safe Street Rebel" is fed up with what they perceive to be driverless nuisances. Members have verbally protested against services like Cruise and Waymo from operating in the San Francisco area, but with both companies pushing to further their permitted operating ground, the Safe Street Rebel group has gotten a bit creative with the way that it protests: by disabling the vehicles from driving using traffic cones.

https://www.tiktok.com/@safestreetrebel/video/7252419817423179054

"All you need is a cone and an empty AV," writes the group on Twitter. "Gently place the cone on the hoodyou just created a unicorn and temporary traffic calming!"

Autonomous taxi service Cruise has been under the microscope for some time. In fact, just over a year ago, one of the company's earliest blunders in California became public. Swarms of company-branded Chevy Bolts became stuck and blocked traffic for hours. It took human drivers to clear the self-induced roadblock. Cruise's vehicles have also hit downed power lines, rear-ended public buses, and attempted to drive over fire hoses during an emergency. There has been enough public disruption that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into the matter.

Cruise's Google-backed competitor, Waymo, isn't free from blame either. Videos and reports have emerged of Waymo's vehicles getting stuck on dead-end streets and being unable to adhere to commands when pulled over by police. But whether or not Waymo's driverless taxis are as guilty as Safe Street Rebel says they are, the Google subsidiary isn't happy about the group's actions. In a statement to The Drive, Waymo said that "Not only is this understanding of how AVs operate incorrect, but this is vandalism and encourages unsafe and disrespectful behavior on our roadways. We will notify law enforcement of any unwanted or unsafe interference of our vehicles on public roadways."

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Despite the press and pushback from local officials, Cruise and Waymo want to expand past their physical boundaries and venture into 24/7 operation. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), which regulates the operation of Robotaxis statewide, plan to vote on this expansion next week. Should the CPUC vote to allow AVs to expand their operations, city officials may be left with no option other than to keep records of when incidents happen and complain, hoping that someone will listen and take action before a disaster happens.

This has led the members of Safe Street Rebel to take matters into their own hands. They are raising further awareness of their cause while disabling Cruise and Waymo vehicles with a simple traffic cone.

"Hell no," said the group in a TikTok video. "We do not consent to this."

The group argues that robotaxis are not just bad for San Francisco traffic, but they aren't sustainable from an environmental standpoint. Specifically, they call out the emissions associated with manufacturing the electric Chevy Bolts' batteries, as well as tire wear particulate emissions from each car, which could be a legitimate concern according to some independent studies.

Although it's no secret that some of these robotaxis have caused issues with local traffic patterns, not everyone is necessarily anti-autonomy. In fact, some people even shamed the cone-placers in Twitter comments, calling the movement a "strange, anti-progress agenda."

The group appears to have other issues with AVs outside of just the vehicles being allowed to operate on more roads during longer periods of time. It would seem that their mission is for California to instead spend its money on bolstering the public transit infrastructure, namely trains, instead of sinking it into enabling AVs to roam the streets. This aligns with their statement that "all cars are bad" regardless of who is (or isn't) behind the wheel. So take what they say with a grain of salt.

AV companies have countered this argument in the past by claiming that their tech is saving lives. Meanwhile, locals, city officials, and local emergency services are seemingly annoyed by the fast-paced rollout. And as for the CPUC? Well, it says that it is "actively working" to put policies in place to monitor driverless tech in the state.

The agency will vote on whether or not to allow AV companies to expand their services on July 13th.

Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: rob@thedrive.com
CMHA Chief Executive Officer Leah Bradley speaks in a file photo.

WORCESTER  As housing costs rise in Worcester County, the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance reports homelessness and people using supportive housing services have also grown in both the city and smaller towns in Worcester County.

While CMHA staff say implementing solutions would be difficult, they are possible with the assistance of governments at the state and federal level and willing neighborhood partners.

Leah Bradley, CEO of the alliance, said the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities found earlier this year that 70% of state residents coming into the systems are longtime residents while 30% are immigrants and refugees.

"There's a lot of talk about the immigrant and refugee population, but we're still seeing a significant rise in the number of folks who have been here for years," Bradley said during a Thursday briefing with reporters. "We're seeing it in all of the communities, in the surrounding communities as well."

According to CMHA, the city's current vacancy rate for apartments is at an all-time low and a Zillow survey of rent prices in the Worcester area places costs at an all-time high.

Higher costs were also recorded by a national housing advocacy group.

On June 14, the National Low Income Housing Coalition released its 2023 Out of Reach report, which includes Worcester-area housing data.

According to the report, housing costs continued their spiral in the area for another year. The average fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Worcester and nearby towns is $1,635, and a renter would need an annual income of $65,400 to afford a two-bedroom.

This income would translate to 2.1 full-time jobs at minimum wage in the area.

According to the CMHA, the average wages in low-earning jobs such as home care workers, retail staff and fast-food employees would also require workers to work multiple jobs to afford a two-bedroom apartment.

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30% or more of income spent on rent

Jack Moran, data quality coordinator for CMHA, said 51,775 households in Worcester County spend 30% or more of their income on rent. Spending 30% or more of monthly income on rent is a widely used budget threshold for an unsustainable arrangement.

According to the Worcester Housing Authority, 3,479 households in the city are supported with federal funds through housing choice vouchers and another 3,650 through the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program, which aims to prevent homelessness.

According to the CMHA, this means about 75% of the households eligible for assistance do not receive any at all. Factors limiting access to supports include long waitlists for WHA vouchers, shelters and supportive housing as well as limits on RAFT funds as and strict eligibility rules for RAFT, according to the CMHA.

Etel Haxhiaj, director of public education and advocacy for CMHA, said low-wage workers cannot accumulate disposable income.

Haxhiaj, who also serves as the District 5 City Councilor, spoke in her role for CMHA Thursday.

"Our low-wage earners do not have any disposable income," Haxhiaj said. "You're a medical crisis away, you are a job loss away from becoming housing-unstable. When you look at why our homeownership rates are decreasing, half of our population can barely make it."

Bradley said most of the new construction in Worcester and in surrounding neighborhoods is to be single-family homes, while Haxhiaj said state and federally funded development incentive programs such as the Housing Development Incentive Program tend to benefit "luxury" apartments.

Court records show tenants put in a vulnerable position due to rising costs are being expelled from their homes.

Evictions rise after moratorium

Moran said evictions have risen significantly after the end of a moratorium put in place in 2020. Since Oct. 18, 2020, CMHA records 3,081 evictions in the city and Moran said virtually all went though housing court without an attorney.

Haxhiaj said CMHA counts about 300 evictions in the first three months of 2023 and that number is likely an undercount with residents leaving their households before the formal court process begins.

According to CMHA data from street outreach teams, the number of single adult homeless and homeless families interacting with support programming has steadily increased over the past three years.

Family shelters tend to operate at capacity, Moran said. Bradley added families are starting to live in substandard housing such as basements, which carry health risks, and children are experiencing asthma and lead poisoning.

Increases in the homeless population have also been observed in Worcester County towns such as Spencer and Webster. Spencer went from two homeless people to 19 and Webster from two to seven.

For the towns, Bradley said they need to build more multifamily housing. She said the state's Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority community initiative, where MBTA towns must have zoning that allows for the construction of multifamily units near public transit, is a strong policy to spur the development of those units in towns.

A point often made about homelessness in the city is whether homeless people are coming from the neighboring towns that do not have the services Worcester does have as a larger city. Bradley said some do come from other towns, but the homeless usually to prefer to stay in their original community, and higher-income residents are coming to Worcester from out of town at higher rates than lower-income residents.

"Are some coming, absolutely there's no doubt. Folks would prefer to stay in their home community," Bradley said. "That's because that's where their supports are."

Since January 2023, more than 2,278 people, including children, are receiving supportive programming such as shelters, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing.

On resident resistance to supportive housing coming to their neighborhoods, Bradley said current supportive housing is not often noticed in their communities.

"Nobody knows that they're here, there's no problems with the 475 [permanent supportive housing] units," Bradley said. "To think about the folks that are concerned about those programs going into their neighborhoods, 97% of folks who are in permanent supportive housing are successful and most folks are unaware that those folks are living within their neighborhoods."

Along with improving coordination between agencies, the CMHA also called for several solutions to address housing in the city.

Its recommendations include additional state and federal housing vouchers, zoning changes to allow multifamily construction across the city, affordability requirements for state development incentives, guardrails for rent and exorbitant rent increases, and eviction protections.

"Those solutions aren't easy, but we do have practices and policies that actually help alleviate the situation," Haxhiaj said.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Homelessness in Worcester continues rise as costs spiral
Getty/Instagram

Speak Now (Taylors Version) is finally breathing the same air as us, and naturally John Mayer is already a topic of conversation.



John Mayer waking up this morning and realizing what today is pic.twitter.com/ocLKscYddr   (@heyjaeee) July 6, 2023

john mayer waking up tomorrow pic.twitter.com/xbx3iLa3v8  Braddington (@bradwhipple) July 7, 2023

friendly reminder, that Taylor Swift still isnt older than John Mayer when they were dating. pic.twitter.com/eVkFhcQ5qQ  WILDEST DREAMS HAHA  (@swiftoursonggg) June 29, 2023

And he spent last night issuing a gentle reminder to everyone to please be kind. As in, he quite literally posted a photo of the lights from his recent Colorado show with drones spelling out please be kind.

John Mayer shares photo from his show at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado. pic.twitter.com/ubnr1b8wQk  Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 7, 2023

I know this isnt supposed to be funny but posting this tonight is the funniest thing John Mayer has ever done. pic.twitter.com/0lbIM8e5qf  Okay, English major. (@space_femalien) July 7, 2023

During a recent show in Minneapolis (and ahead of performing Dear John for the first time in 11 years), Taylor straight-up asked fans not to come for John Mayerwithout mentioning him by name.

I get to stand on the stage every single night of this tour and watch the most beautiful things happen, she said. Like, I watch you guys make friends with each other. I watch you bond. I watch you to give each other friendship bracelets. I see so many beautiful interactions happen and I hear so many stories about friends that were made at these shows and I watch it happen every night. Its the most unbelievable thing to watch. And so I was hoping to ask you that as we lead up to this album coming out, I would love for that kindness and that gentleness to extend on to our internet activities.

She went on to add, Im 33 years old. I dont care about anything that happened to me when I was 19 except the songs I wrote and the memories we made together. So what Im trying to tell you is that Im not putting this album out so that you could go and, like, feel the need to defend me on the internet against someone you think I might have written a song about 14 billion years ago.

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plate of La Bandera - the national dish of the Dominican Republic

When it comes to savory, delicious food, the Dominican Republic is a star in the Caribbean. Granted, all the Caribbean islands tend to use similar ingredients such as rice, beans, and various meats. The Dominican Republic puts a unique stamp on its dishes, from mangu, a plantain-based dish, to sancocho, a hearty meat stew. However, most would nominate La Bandera as the countrys national dish.

As noted by Inspired With A Twist, The dishs name comes from the similarities of the Dominican flag. The beans represent the red, the rice represents the white and the meat (whether its chicken, beef, or pork) represents the blue.

Heres what to know about this staple in Dominican cuisine.

What Is La Bandera?

This hearty dish really isnt anything fancy, and thats the point. Its a humble meal that Dominicans on and off the island have enjoyed for generations. While it can be eaten at dinnertime, its commonly had at lunchthe biggest and most important meal of the day.

In addition to the components listed above, the dish can be paired with a salad, tostones, or platano maduro (fried yellow or green plantains).

In a lot of American dishes, rice is a side dish. But in La Bandera, its a huge portion of the meal. Since the idea behind the dish is to stretch out inexpensive ingredients, adding plenty of rice makes sense. Its filling and incredibly versatile.

The History of La Bandera

Like all Dominican dishes, La Bandera draws from Spanish, African, and indigenous influences. It isnt spicy, but its packed with flavor and personality.

According to Amigo Foods, The earliest this national dish could have existed was in the 1840s when the Dominicans declared their independence from Haiti.

These countries occupy the same landmass, which Columbus called Hispaniola, or Little Spain. They share a long, brutal history of being colonized by Europe. As far as food and culture go though, The Dominican Republic and Haiti couldnt be more different.

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The Components of La Bandera

The base of La Bandera is white rice. Youll find this in a number of other Dominican meals. Next, there are habichuelas guisadas rojasDominican stewed beans. The process of preparing these varies from household to household.

According to the cooking website Dominican Cooking, We typically boil the beans well in advance and may even soak them overnight. Some home cooks may cut some time using canned beans, though we still prefer boiling dry beans because they are cheaper, and we favor the flavor. The beans are the first thing we start, usually at least a couple of hours before the meal is served.

Third is the carnethe meat. Pollo guisado (braised chicken) is frequently used since chicken is cheap. However, some versions of La Bandera incorporate res guisada (braised beef).

Ensalada Verde is a nice, healthy green salad consisting of lettuce, tomato, and sliced onions. Some add slices of aguacate, or avocado.

Dominican Cooking explains, The meat may be seasoned the prior night, but is generally cooked from scratch starting an hour or two before mealtime, depending on the type of meat youll serve. So is the rice, which takes about 30 minutes to prepare. The salad can be made while things are cooking, and refrigerated until lunchtime.
Levels Nigerian Cuisine

Entrepreneur and engineer Ono Ikanone, 33, is no stranger to hospitality. A native of Lagos, Nigeria, Ikanone moved to St. Louis with his parents when he was 14. His family had a tradition of sending their eldest children to college in the US. Luckily, he was able to move to the States a little earlier. However, no matter where he went, he always made sure to spread a little Nigerian culture along the way.

Now, Ikanones new restaurant Levels Nigerian Cuisine is making a major impact on St. Louis. With a unique, spice-forward menu, Levels is defining the standard for African cuisine in the Midwest.

Levels Nigerian Cuisine was another way for me to expose African-Americans and St. Louis to Nigerian culture in my own way, Ikanone said.

With a dynamic team and incredible family supporting his cause, Ikanone has curated an opulent, inclusive space in the heart of St. Louis. The restaurant opened its doors on July 1 to a host of supporters including the citys first African-American mayor Tishaura Jones.

Photo credit: Phillip Ellington Media

A Culinary Experience From St. Louis To Lagos

The menu at Levels includes a slew of aromatic, flavorful dishes; bursting with spice and a familiar essence. Familiarity was important to Ikanone when creating the menu to ensure guests were confident when selecting items. Dishes like goat pepper soup and suya burgers have become neighborhood favorites.

Ikanones past experience in event promotion and lounge ownership laid the foundation to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. The merger of magnificent culinary delicacies and vibrant decor teleports guests from St. Louis to Lagos.

Ive been spreading the culture and educating people on what Nigeria is like and what we are like as a people, he said. Now Levels is helping me do that on a larger scale.

A creative spin on authentic, traditional Nigerian cuisine, Levels is the result of years of hard work, education, and lessons. A hub for Nigerian culture, Ikanone believes Levels will cultivate engagement that bridges the separation between Africans and African-Americans. He recognizes the rift between cultures and says Levels will bridge the gap that unites instead of divides.

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I think that once we all get to know each other well be fine and I think there is a deliberate intention of the powers that be to have us not be united and not like each otherso we wont be able to create spaces together like Levels, he said.

Photo credit: T.Moore of Tmooremedia

Plans For The Future

Moving forward, Ikanone says Levels is perfecting its stride. His team is amplifying the menu and atmosphere to ensure it consistently delivers the vibe patrons are looking for. Long term, Ikanone says hed like to see a Levels Nigerian Cuisine restaurant on every corner around the country.

You can see an Asian restaurant on every corner in the city and I can see that for Nigerian cuisine, he said.

A pioneer for creating safe, fun spaces, Ikanone hopes Levels continues a journey he embarked on years ago. Determined to build more community beyond personal differences, Ikanone is manifesting greatness for a new wave of Nigerian restaurants.

Were changing peoples minds about who we are and I think its going to bring us closer in the long run, he said.
The separation of church and state is important to believers and to the government.

All pastors will tell you that there are some things that are not covered in seminary. This is not unique to theological education, of course. All lawyers will tell you that some things are not covered in law school either. The learning is in the doing.

More: Guest columnist: Public schools must never be allowed to become Sunday schools

For preachers, the list of things you learn outside of the classroom includes, but is not limited to: how to survive changing the order of worship, realizing there is no official canon of hymns that will please everyone, and learning how to unclog a toilet on Christmas Eve while keeping ones vestments clean.

One more: explaining to the Oklahoma state schools superintendent that the separation of church and state is vital to believers and to the government.

This did not come up one time in seminary, but here we are.

Its difficult to know where to start in responding to the recommendations made by the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Founding Principles, a fringe, self-appointed collection of pastors advising Superintendent Ryan Walters on how to turn our democratic republic into a Christian fundamentalist theocracy. Walters is obviously enthusiastic about serving as high priest for their cause, calling the separation of church and state a false narrative.

In his editorial in the Tulsa World, Walters wrote, If you look at the lefts rationale, they never once point to the line in the U.S. Constitution that says that separation of church and state  that is because no such line exists. Most of us (left, right or center) are aware that this exact phrase isnt in the Constitution. Its just that we also know about the historical search for a place to practice freedom of conscience and Thomas Jeffersons letter to the Danbury Baptist Association.

Since the phrase, separation of church and state, isnt found explicitly in the Constitution, Walters argues, state-funded religious charter schools arent coercive and posting the Ten Commandments in every classroom isnt government endorsement of religion.

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Even if we set aside the socio-historical context of this countrys founding and the actual Establishment Clause of the First Amendment itself, this way of thinking is particularly paradoxical given that he is someone who also believes in the Trinity, which cannot be found explicitly anywhere in the Bible.

Walters may also be surprised to find out that more than one version of the Ten Commandments exists in the Hebrew scriptures. One can be found in the book of Exodus, while the other is in the book of Deuteronomy, and just like the two creation stories in Genesis and the two birth narratives of Jesus (found in Matthew and Luke), one is not the carbon copy of the other. Perhaps one of the pastors on the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Founding Principles will mention this to him at their next meeting.

More: Walke: Joseph must have done a few things right for Jesus to end up being, well, Jesus

On the other hand, this may also be new information to them. Given that committee member Wade Burleson lied about Masood Abdul-Haqq, falsely claiming that the chairman of Oklahoma City mosque Masjid Mumin and of CAIR-Oklahoma endorsed the recommendations, the entire committee should be interested to know that You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor is listed in both versions.

Perhaps instead of trying to turn the Bible into classroom decor, they should read it first.

Rev. Lori Allen Walke

The Rev. Lori Allen Walke is senior minister at Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Guest: Separation of church and state vital to believers, government
Sweden's Loreen won Eurovision for a second time, this year in Liverpool

The city of Malmo is to host next year's 68th Eurovision song contest, it was announced on Friday, following Sweden's victory in Liverpool in May.

The coastal town in the south of the country was selected ahead of the capital Stockholm after "dialogue with several cities", organisers said.

The Malmo Arena will stage the semi-finals on 7 and 9 May 2024, as well as the final on 11 May .

Sweden's Loreen won Eurovision 2023 with her soaring pop anthem Tattoo.

The star, who also won the competition in 2012, saw off competition from Finland's Kaarija in a nail-biting vote.

Malmo has now been chosen to host the follow-up after a city bidding process that examined venue facilities and the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crews and fans.

Martin Osterdahl, executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) was "thrilled" that Sweden's third-largest city will host it for a third time.

The Skyline of Malmo, Sweden, with the famous Turning Torso building, captured around sunset

"Malmo holds a special place in the history of the contest, having successfully hosted it firstly in 1992 and then in 2013 - following Loreen's last win," he said.

"We're excited to be returning to this vibrant and dynamic city which has demonstrated it has the venues and infrastructure that are perfect for staging the world's largest live music event."

He added that the city's bid "demonstrated a huge passion" for the contest.

It will be the seventh time that Sweden, home to Eurovision legends Abba, will have hosted overall.

The UK, which holds the record with nine, put on this year's event as last year's winners Ukraine were unable to host, as is tradition, due to the invasion by Russia.

An estimated half a million people visited the host city Liverpool in connection with the event.

The UK's Mae Muller failed to replicate 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder's success however, coming in 25th place - one above bottom.
MINSK, Belarus  The mystery surrounding the fate of Russia's rebellious Wagner Group deepened Thursday after the president of Belarus said the mercenary fighters and their leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, were not in his country even though the Kremlin said they had been effectively exiled there after having marched on Moscow.

Alexander Lukashenko held court in a rare, hourslong news conference Thursday morning, having summoned the worlds media, including NBC News, to his presidential palace in Minsk. Speaking a little more than a week since the armed mutiny in which he emerged as a surprise central figure, Lukashenko also dismissed concerns about his offer to eventually host the mercenaries on his territory.

He also shared new details about the tension on the day, saying up to seven Russian military aircraft were dispatched to Belarus to transport troops to defend Moscow.

The comments raised new questions about how the unprecedented challenge to President Vladimir Putin's rule was resolved.

Prigozhin threw Russia into turmoil when he launched his mutiny against the Kremlin's military leaders, but he suddenly backed down after Lukashenko appeared to broker a deal in which Prigozhin and his fighters would leave Russia for its neighboring ally.

Lukashenko said last week that Prigozhin was in Belarus. On Thursday, however, he said Prigozhin was in Russia  in his hometown, St. Petersburg  despite the Kremlin's effectively saying he had been banished. His mercenaries were still in their "permanent camps" in Russian-controlled territory, Lukashenko added, saying he was still waiting for the Kremlin to ask him to host the fighters.

Prigozhin has not been seen publicly since the short-lived mutiny, and NBC News could not confirm his whereabouts. Overnight a Russian state TV channel, Russia 24, aired a report describing Prigozhins mutiny as planned, and it appeared to try to discredit him with details of his criminal past. It also depicted his children as privileged enjoying parties. NBC News did not confirm the reports.

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The coverage is a sudden change from previous scrutiny on state TV, which tended to laud Prigozhin as a war hero.

Another Russian news organization, Izvestia, has published pictures it said were from a police raid on Prigozhins house, with fake passports, dollar piles of bills and gold bars.

Lukashenko said Prigozhins fate is now in Putins hands.

"You have to understand that Putin knows Prigozhin much better than I do, Lukashenko said. Putin is much more familiar with him, even from the time in St. Petersburg, when they lived and worked there. And they had very good relations with each other  maybe even more than good.

Assault rifles and ammunition are arranged on the floor of Prigozhin's home. (Izvestia)

Afterward, Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that the Kremlin was not keeping tabs on Prigozhin. "We dont track his movements," he said. "We neither have the means, nor desire to do it."

As the mutiny initially gathered pace, a visibly angry Putin made a televised address condemning Wagner leaders as traitors who had stabbed Russia in the back  only to make an accord with the group hours later.

Lukashenko downplayed Putin's "first reaction" and said it may have "become much softer. Some Western observers have speculated that Prigozhin may not be safe from Kremlin retribution, but Lukashenko said Putin would not make an attempt on the Wagner boss's life.

Had Putin been weakened by the momentary uprising? "Dont even hope for it," Lukashenko said at the news conference. "There was no weakness. Putin was busy with his own issues."

He said he did "understand" why some Belarusians worry about the implications of having thousands of members of the armed mercenary group inside their borders. He said the U.S. and others would see Belarus as having "a very powerful combat unit" in Wagner.

"I absolutely do not care and do not worry that a certain number of these fighters will be deployed here," said Lukashenko, who has portrayed himself as something of a dealmaker in the agreement between Prigozhin and Putin.

"The main condition" of the potential Wagner deployment, he added, "is that if we need to use this unit for the defense of the state, it will be used instantly. Their experience will be in demand."

The last time Lukashenko had to use security forces to put down a democratic uprising was after a 2020 election that independent observers, the U.S., the European Union and others said were fraudulent.

Putin supported Lukashenkos brutal response to the protests, in which tens of thousands of people were detained and there were widespread reports of torture in prisons. A United Nations report said this week that the countrys human rights situation remained catastrophic.

This week, Minsk was ostensibly enjoying a summer in which locals relaxed on restaurant terraces. As in any authoritarian country where freedom of speech is heavily restricted, it is often difficult to accurately gauge the mood here. Nevertheless, some people said they felt apprehension at the prospect of hosting Wagner fighters.

Its very bad, said Andrew, 44, an entrepreneur. "Everyone feels the same but may be afraid to tell this."

Like everyone interviewed, he declined to give his last name for fear of reprisals by the state.

Not everyone here follows politics, of course. Maxim, 40, a software developer, said the conflict next door caused him only some degree of anxiety. All this situation around Ukraine, war  its a little bit worrying, he said.

Last week, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Lukashenkos main rival in the 2020 presidential election, told NBC News that the presence of Wagner would endanger not only Belarus, but also its neighbors in the E.U.

Tsikhanouskaya, who is living in exile in Lithuania, having fled with her children after the widely condemned vote, tweeted her criticism of Lukashenko's comments Thursday.

"Its impossible to know the truth amid the misinformation," she said of Lukashenko's statement on Prigozhin's whereabouts. "But one thing is sure: Belarusians deserve freedom, not to be pawns in games of power between tyrants. Our fight for independence goes on."

Keir Simmons reported from Minsk, and Matthew Bodner and Alexander Smith reported from London.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
landscape showing the east africa rift valley panorama from Ethiopia

landscape showing the east africa rift valley panorama from Ethiopia

A giant plume of super-heated rock rising up from near Earth's core could help explain mysterious distortions linked with a giant tear in the planet's surface that appears to be splitting Africa in two , a recent study finds.

Across the planet, huge gashes in Earth's surface known as continental rifts are ripping landmasses apart. The largest active continental rift is the East African Rift, a network of valleys that is about 2,175 miles (3,500 kilometers) long, stretching from the Red Sea to Mozambique.

Continental rifting is driven by the deformation of the lithosphere, the planet's outermost rigid layer. As the lithosphere stretches thin, its shallowest parts can distort in a variety of ways, from pulling apart like dough to shattering.

Study co-author D. Sarah Stamps , a geophysicist at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, likens these responses to Silly Putty  if you hit Silly Putty with a hammer, it can crack and break, but if you slowly pull it apart, it stretches. Over different time scales, Earth's lithosphere can also behave in different ways.

The direction in which Earth's surface deforms at continental rifts is usually at right angles to the length of a rift  imagine two halves of a continent pulling apart, with land stretching or breaking where those halves meet.

Related: Scientists extract a kilometer of rock from Earth's mantle in record-breaking mission

After examining the East African Rift for more than 12 years, the researchers found that deformation is perpendicular  as expected  moving east and west. However, they also discovered deformation parallel to the rift, moving north. These surface motions "are quite unusual and have not been observed elsewhere," Stamps told Live Science.

a satellite map showing africa

In the study, the team found that a giant, mushroom-shaped "superplume" of scorching-hot, buoyant rock ascending up Earth's mantle may help explain these mysterious distortions.

"This work suggests plumes may play an active role in deforming the Earths surface, particularly in continental rifts where the lithosphere has thinned," Stamps said.

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Scientists have long known of mantle plumes on Earth. For example, Iceland and the island chains of Hawaii and the Galapagos formed as tectonic plates slowly drifted over mantle plumes, which seared overlying material like a blowtorch.

The researchers focused on the African Superplume, which rises beneath southwest Africa and goes northeast across the continent, becoming shallower as it extends northward.

The scientists used GPS technology to monitor surface motions at the East African Rift with millimeter precision. They also used seismic instruments to analyze the directions in which mantle rock slowly flowed over a broad area.

Finally, 3D computer simulations developed by study lead author Tahiry Rajaonarison , a geophysicist at New Mexico Tech in Socorro, analyzed the GPS and seismic data to work out the underground activity underlying the East African Rift.

The 3D models showed that the unusual deformations parallel to the rift may be driven by northward mantle flow associated with the African Superplume.

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"Imagine a stronger Silly Putty on top of a weaker Silly Putty, which represent the highly viscous lithosphere and the less viscous plume material, respectively," Rajaonarison told Live Science. "If you move the weaker Silly Putty, it will progressively stick together with the stronger Silly Putty at their interface until the stronger Silly Putty moves in the same direction."

All in all, "for me the most important implication of these findings is the improvement of our understanding of how continents breakup," Rajaonarison said.
Egypt will launch its remote sensing microsatellite NExSat-1 from China by the end of this year, the Egyptian Space Agency (EgSA) has said.

In remarks to the official state news agency MENA posted on Friday, EgSA CEO Sherif Sedky said the satellite, which has a six-month lifespan, will be used for urban planning.

The microsatellite will be launched by November or December, Sedky said, adding that it arrived in China in May after completing mechanical and function tests in Germany.

The planned launch will follow the launch of the remote sensing satellite MisrSat-2 in October also from China, added Sedky.

Both satellites were originally scheduled to be launched last year.

NExSat-1 was assembled and tested at the EgSAs Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Centre (AITC), said Haitham Medhat, head of the space communications and navigation department at the agency.

The centre is the first step to localizing satellite manufacturing in Egypt and eventually all of Africa, Medhat affirmed.

Built in cooperation with China, the centre was completed earlier this year.

The NexSat-1 is about 45 percent locally engineered, according to an earlier paper published by the EgSA.

The 65kg earth observation satellite NExSat-1 was built by the Egyptian National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) in collaboration with Berlin Space Technologies (BST), which won the tender to assist the NARSS in 2015.

The Egyptian satellite NExSat-1 shipped to Berlin. Linkedin/BST

MisrSat-2 was built by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), using a $92 million grant provided by China to fund it and another project.

The satellite will take images of Egyptian soil to help preserve the environment and conduct research.

Its planned launch comes on the heels of the launch in March of the Horus 2, Egypts second remote sensing satellite from China. The Horus 2 will monitor agricultural crops to improve the use of Egypt's natural resources and boost exports.

Egyptian satellites - A brief history



In 1998, Egypt became the first Arab country to launch a telecommunications satellite into space with the NileSat 101. It was followed by Nilesat 102 in 2000, which distributed hundreds of satellite TV channels.

In 2007, Egypt launched EgyptSat 1, which became the first Egyptian remote-sensing satellite. It was manufactured in cooperation between Egypts National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) and Ukraines Yuzhnoye State Design Office.

Egypts second remote-sensing satellite EgyptSat2 was launched in April 2014, but was lost in space in February 2015. Four years later, Egypt replaced it with EgyptSat A after launching it from the Russian Baikonur Cosmodrome, a spaceport in Kazakhstan leased to Russia.

In 2018, the EgSA was established.

In 2019, Egypt successfully launched the telecommunications satellite Tiba 1 into space after postponing the launch twice due to technical difficulties.

In June 2022, the Egyptian multi-purpose communications satellite Nilesat 301 was successfully launched on board of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to provide expanded broadband internet services covering Egypt.

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Eindhoven Air Base, Netherlands  President Biden will attend a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) next week in the Baltic nation of Lithuania, one of the countries considered most at risk of potential Russian aggression following Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

NATO binds the U.S. to its European allies with a promise to defend each other if they come under attack. In Europe, they also work together to intercept Russian aircraft that approach NATO airspace.

Lithuania is one of three Baltic states  the others being Latvia and Estonia  that share a land border with Russia, its close ally Belarus, or both.

CBS News was able to join the crew of a NATO aircraft flying out of Eindhoven Air Base in the Netherlands, a refueling base for the alliance, to see how the air forces from NATO countries carry out joint drills to protect their airspace.

When sirens sounded to scramble NATO F-16 fighter jets recently from another air base, further east in Europe, the flight crews from America's European allies had just 15 minutes to get into the air.

A flight crew from a U.S. NATO ally country scrambles to get airborne in an F-16 fighter jet during a training exercise at a base in eastern Europe. / Credit: CBS News

It was just a training exercise, but the threat the forces are training for is real. Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, NATO has ramped up flights policing the airspace along the alliance's eastern flank.

Nearly all the planes they intercept are Russian military aircraft testing the perimeters of NATO airspace  sometimes with their transponders off in violation of international regulations.

There were close to 600 intercepts last year alone.

CBS News flew over Europe in a refuelling tanker as NATO fighter jets practiced intercepting the friendly aircraft.

Maj. Gen. Harold Van Pee, who commands NATO's Combined Air Operations Center, said the Baltic Sea has become a hot spot, with Russia on one shore and several of America's NATO allies on another. That includes Estonia, a tiny nation smaller than West Virginia with a population of just over 1 million.

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But as Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas explained to CBS News, "when you have a bully in school, the bully does not bully you when you have big friends, and this is the way NATO works."

Kallas' small country was once invaded and occupied by the then-Soviet Union. Now independent, Estonia shares a border with Russia.

/ Credit: iStock/Getty

We asked Kallas how important for her country, and other democracies living in the shadow of Russia, American leadership has been amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in terms of unifying NATO's response.

She noted that the U.S. is the biggest ally in NATO, "and therefore everybody's looking up to America for leadership."

Kallas referred to the ongoing standoff with Russia over Ukraine as "a fundamental fight for freedom."

But high-profile politicians in the U.S. are questioning whether, or to what degree, America should continue to support Ukraine as it tries to fend off the Russian invasion.

Former President Donald Trump, who's making another bid for the White House next year, has promised to "have the disastrous war between Russia and Ukraine settled." He didn't say how, but he promised: "It will be settled quickly."

It could mean that a second term under Trump would see the U.S. pressure Ukraine to give up part of its sovereign territory in exchange for a truce with Russia, and that prospect makes some of America's allies in Europe nervous.

Kallas said there's no shortage of things keeping her up at night, but "one of the nightmares is that our unity is falling We have kept this unity and, I think my nightmare is this unity falling apart."

Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas meets troops after a press conference at the Tapa Army Base, March 1, 2022 in Tallinn, Estonia. / Credit: Leon Neal/Getty

The Estonian leader told CBS News she's already seeing cracks appear on the other side, with clear challenges to the unified message long presented by Russia. The recent failed mutiny by the Wagner mercenary group being the most vivid example.

Sooner or later, Kallas  whose tiny nation has committed around three times as much aid to Ukraine as the U.S. as a percentage of its GDP  believes Moscow will realize it simply cannot win the war.

Like her Baltic neighbors, she'll be eager to see that happen before any cracks appear to compromise the unified position of the NATO alliance.

Janet Yellen arrives in China with expectations low and relations strained

Aboard a NATO aircraft as Baltic states keep watch against Russian military threats

Exclusive discounts from CBS Mornings Deals
Levi Strauss & Co., Nike, Adidas and VF Corp. are strengthening their commitments to phase out mulesing.

Humane Society International (HIS) Australia launched the latest edition of its Better Wool Guide last week, adding 75 new brands for a total of 221 participants. The document highlights brands available to Australian consumers that have committed to removing mulesed wool from their supply chain, including those who have done so already.

More from Sourcing Journal

The conversation on mulesed wool has shifted dramatically in recent years to one of condemnation, so its encouraging to see so many brands becoming more public about their opposition and supporting a kinder solution, Georgie Dolphin, an animal welfare campaigner at HIS Australia, said in a statement. Thanks to our Better Wool Guide, Australian shoppers who choose to buy wool products can more easily make a kinder choice for lambs at the checkoutwhether theyre adding to their wardrobes or sourcing items for their home.

Newcomers included Australian brands Koala, Spell, Afends and Zulu & Zephyr. They joined larger names like Target and H&M. Several big names, including the Timberland and North Face parent VF Corp., Levi Strauss & Co., Adidas and Nike, strengthened their commitments since HIS Australias last edition of the Better Wool Guide and now rank in the guides top tier.

The Better Wool Guide splits its brands and retailers into two tiers. The top tier includes those that are already 100 percent non-mulesed with verification partly or exclusively through a robust certification scheme, such as the Responsible Wool Standard or ZQ Merino, and those that have a time-bound commitment to be fully non-mulesed. The second tier covers those that have committed to phasing out mulesed wool, but without a time commitment, and those that have committed, but are relying on verification through a less robust certification scheme.

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Performed on wrinkled lambs to prevent them from contracting flystrikea painful disease caused by flies laying eggs in their skin foldsmuleseing involves slicing strips of skin off their rears, often without pain relief. According to HIS Australia, more than 10 million Merino lambs are mulesed each year. Since New Zealand banned the practice in 2018, Australia is the only remaining country where mulesing still takes place.

With so many brands ditching mulesed wool by 2025 or 2030, it is a strong market signal that the days of mulesing lambs are numbered, Dolphin added. Its time to protect sheep from flystrike by breeding plain bodied flocks that dont attract flies. And the sooner we see legislation in place to fast-track this progress, the better for both the welfare of lambs and the Australian wool industrys reputation.

The same day HIS Australia unveiled its latest Better Wool Guide last week, the Canadian womens fashion brand Aritzia held its annual shareholders meeting. The day before, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which owns stock in the company, announced its intent to pressure the company to ban all animal-derived materials from its products.

There is nothing responsible about mutilating animals without painkillers and violently killing them for their wool, feathers, or skin, despite Aritzias claims, PETA executive vice president Tracy Reiman said in a statement. PETA is calling on Aritzia to drop these meaningless labels and make the compassionate decision to get animal-derived materials off its store shelves.

In its prepared shareholder question, PETA asserted that investigations into the farms and slaughterhouses linked to responsible suppliers had revealed egregious cruelty to animals, including geese that were repeatedly hacked at before being decapitated and lambs vomiting as workers knelt on them and sawed through their necks.

The global vegan womens fashion market is forecast to reach over $1 trillion by 2027, the question read. Members of Gen ZAritzias main consumer demographicmake up 23% of the global population, and their spending power is valued at $600 billion. They are conscientious consumers, want fashion that does more than simply look good, and are quick to turn their backs on companies that fund animal abuse. My question is this: When will Aritzia align its actions with its animal welfare claims and stop selling animal-derived materials?

Through a spokesperson, Aritzia said its committed to responsible sourcing.

At Aritzia, we are committed to sourcing all our materials responsibly, including animal-derived materials, the spokesperson said in a statement to Sourcing Journal. We follow the industrys leading standards; standards established through multi stakeholder consultation and in line with the five freedoms framework. We also provide a number of options to clients who may prefer to purchase non-animal derived materials, such as our Primaloft filled outerwear or faux leather jackets and pants.

We continue to take concerns about animal welfare in the fashion industry seriously and do our part in moving the global industry towards best practices, the rep continued. We are grateful to industry-related advocacy organizations who engage in a regular dialogue with us and we will continue to explore emerging standards of responsible sourcing as they become available.

Editors note: This article was updated on July 10, 2023 with a statement from Aritzia.

Click here to read the full article.
A Samsung Unpacked 2023 advert

Weve known for a while that Samsungs next big smartphone launch would happen in late July, but now we know exactly when, as the company has confirmed that Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2023 is happening on Wednesday, July 26.

The date was posted on Twitter, and if it sounds familiar thats because a leak previously suggested wed see the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 on July 26.

While Samsungs tweet doesnt name the devices well see, it does include a short video showing the edge of a foldable phone, and the words join the flip side.

It's time to #JoinTheFlipSide! Join us at  (Unpacked) in Seoul, Korea on July 26, 2023. #SamsungUnpackedLearn more: https://t.co/D6nxwskXj1 pic.twitter.com/fO8MnxXwQvJuly 5, 2023

See more

So a new Galaxy Z Flip will clearly be in attendance, but thats not all, because if you go to Samsungs UK website, you can express your interest in an upcoming Flip device, Fold device, tablet, and smartwatch.

Based on leaks, these will clearly be the Z Flip 5, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6  which could rank among the best phones, the best tablets, and the best smartwatches, respectively.

Money off and freebies

If you do register your interest now then in the US, youll unlock $50 in Samsung credit with your purchase, while in the UK youll gain access to 50 off a Flip 5 or Fold 5, 25 off a Galaxy Watch 6, and 25 off a Galaxy Tab S9. These discounts stack too, so you can get up to 150 off in total if buying multiple products.

In Australia, registering your interest now will unlock AU$100 of bonus trade-in credit (so youll get that much extra when trading in an old device towards a new one), or a free battery pack valued at AU$59, when you buy one of these new Galaxy devices.

As for the Samsung Unpacked event itself, the event is being held in South Korea, and will kick off at 4am PT / 7am ET / 12pm BST / 9pm AEST. If youre up and free at that time, youll be able to tune into the live stream on Samsungs own site, and almost certainly on YouTube as well. Or just head to TechRadar, where well be covering all the announcements as they happen, coupled with our expert analysis.
All in the family: Siblings Alice and Jonson Chen are at the helm of one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in America. The first 99 Ranch was opened in 1984 in Westminster by their father, Roger Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant from the western city of Taichung. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

For many Asian Americans across California, 99 Ranch is much more than just a grocery store. Its a pilgrimage. When I was a child growing up in the San Fernando Valley in the 1990s, my Taiwanese parents would drive over an hour east to the San Gabriel Valley every single weekend just to shop at 99 Ranch.

Theyd load up on squirming live shrimp, jadeite bundles of water spinach and fat, oblong lotus roots. For them, it was a refuge where they could indulge in the flavors of their native Taiwan. While there were plenty of Asian supermarkets to choose from in the 90s, we always went to 99 Ranch because they had the largest and best selection of goods. Right before we hit the cashier, my brother and I would each get a singular pick of something sweet. Id go for a Taiwanese-style flan. My brother liked the chocolate-filled koala-shaped cookies from Japan.

I loved the White Rabbit candy, says Jonson Chen, citing a sweet milk candy from Shanghai. Mustached with slicked-back hair, Chen is the chairman of 99 Ranch Market. I meet him and his sister, Alice Chen, the companys chief executive, inside their newest store location in Eastvale, a 50,000-square-foot compound including a warehouse and a food hall that is set to open next month. The Chen siblings represent a new generation of leadership at the nearly 40-year-old grocery chain, helming its expansion across the United States.

Read more: In the aisles of 99 Ranch Market (or Ranch 99), a grandson remembers his grandmother

The first 99 Ranch was opened in 1984 in Westminster by Jonson and Alices father, Roger Chen, a Taiwanese immigrant from the western city of Taichung. Headquartered in Buena Park with 58 stores in 11 states, it is now one of the largest Asian supermarket chains in America. While pan-Asian in its offerings, the company caters heavily to ethnically Chinese communities, whose preferences and cultural habits have shaped what they stock in their stores. The "ranch" in 99 Ranch means freshness (as if straight from a ranch, Alice says) and the "99," in Mandarin Chinese pronounced jiu jiu, is a homophone for longevity. The double meaning is 99%. It's almost perfect, but not quite, Alice, fresh-faced with a pristine white blouse, says. Were always trying to be better. Its very Asian. No one is 100%.

Story continues

Live fish tanks are a feature of 99 Ranch markets and a signal of freshness for many families who immigrated from countries where wet markets are staples. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

At the 99 Ranch in Eastvale, a fish counter worker holds a live rockfish. The 99 Ranch chain has more than 7,000 employees  82% of them bilingual  and a team of buyers keeping tabs on what shoppers are craving. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Shoppers' demands have changed over the years, but certain elements at 99 Ranch stores  like the live fish tanks  have stayed the same. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Like many children of the Chinese-speaking diaspora in California, Alice and Jonson grew up with fond memories of the grocery chain. But unlike the rest of us, they had a front-row seat. The siblings spent many weekends ensconced behind the customer service counter at the store bored out of our minds, Jonson jokes. But he still remembers with fondness the retrofitted pickup trucks with steel tanks that pulled up to his parents grocery stores in the early morning.

Youd look inside and it would be dark. But it was full of catfish, Jonson tells me. Back then, workers would drag the fish out with nets, plop them into a trash can, and wheel the trash can into the store, where the fish would be deposited into bubbling, iridescent fish tanks for customers to pick and choose from.

Read more: 5 Asian ingredients you should be cooking with, according to one of L.A.'s greatest Korean restaurants

Live fish tanks are a distinct feature of Asian grocery stores  a guarantee of freshness and a prerequisite for many families who immigrated from countries where wet markets are staples. There are hundreds of varieties of fish, but it was a matter of figuring out what was available live and what people wanted to see, Jonson says.

On the logistics end, the company had to figure out a lot from scratch: how to transport live fish into the store, import food from Asia, and create a network of farms that could grow hard-to-find vegetables like water spinach and bitter melon that their consumers wanted and craved. Initially it was just [Roger] calling up like random suppliers in Taiwan asking if they would ship to America, Alice says.

They eventually figured it out: Today, most of the grocery chain's produce is grown on specialty farms across the United States and Mexico. They have a network of over 7,000 employees  82% of them bilingual  and a team of buyers keeping close tabs on what people are craving. These days, those trends include Filipino ingredients, skewers and spicy, tongue-numbing Sichuan flavors. We are a part of the Asian community. We hire from the community. The customers are also the workers, Jonson tells me.

An assortment of Thai bananas, left, and Japanese mountain yams called nagaimo, right, are among the fresh produce available at the 99 Ranch in Eastvale, which opened in February. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The sprawling produce area at the latest 99 Ranch. A new food hall will open at this location in August. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Now, 99 Ranch was not the first Asian grocery store in Southern California. In the late 70s, there were already a few in the San Gabriel Valley. But the chain stood out because of its expansion strategy. They did their market research to determine where there were communities needing to be served," says David R. Chan, a Los Angeles food blogger and retired tax lawyer who has eaten at thousands of Chinese restaurants in America since the 1950s.

The companys third location at a Rowland Heights shopping plaza on Nogales Street, which opened in 1989, marked a turning point for the brand. Chan, who visited the supermarket when it first opened and in subsequent years, remembers a progressive increase of Chinese restaurants that popped up in the plaza and the surrounding neighborhood after the grocery stores opening.

Chen had a broader real estate vision to develop Asian shopping centers anchored by a supermarket, as opposed to merely operating a supermarket and perhaps adding additional locations, Chan says. The eighth (though technically the seventh because they dont count No. 4  an unlucky number in Chinese culture) location in a former drive-in movie theater in San Gabriel, opened in 1991, became another anchor and is arguably the chains most iconic location today. Back then, the areas of Arcadia, Alhambra, Rosemead, Temple City, San Gabriel were starting to be known as Little Taipei, Jonson says. That store was able to create a Chinese community.

As second-generation owners, Jonson and Alice Chen keep up with the evolution of Asian communities and their shopping habits. There's not as big of a demand for butchery; shoppers would rather have their meat pre-sliced and packaged. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

At a cafe inside 99 Ranch, you can buy freshly made egg waffle cakes. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Today, Jonson focuses on the brand's real estate expansion strategy, keeping close tabs on where Chinese-speaking communities are spreading across America. Since 2020, 99 Ranch has added seven new stores to the chain.

99 Ranch Market is the gold standard for market research as to where Chinese communities are showing up. And this is not just in California, but all over the country, says Chan, who keeps a database of Chinese restaurant openings all over the U.S.

Read more: My new favorite restaurant isn't a restaurant at all, and it only serves one dish

As children, neither Jonson nor Alice anticipated taking over their dads company. Their father never pressured them to work for him, but always kept the door open in case they showed interest. They tell me that while they grew up with the grocery store, it took a while for them to realize just how big the brand had gotten. We just told people he was in the import and export business, Alice says. It wasnt until Alice wrote a college thesis on the family company and had to interview her father that the penny dropped. He just never shared anything with us prior, she says.

A store clerk adds more fresh sweet chiles to a display pile at the new Eastvale store, which is 51,000 square feet and includes a warehouse. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Today, as the second-generation owners, Jonson and Alices job is to keep up with the evolution of Asian communities in America, which, they point out, have different shopping habits than previous generations. Generally speaking, theres a greater demand for frozen products and prepared foods. Theres not as big of a demand for butchery; people today would rather have their meat pre-sliced and packaged.

Yet certain elements  like the live fish tanks  have stayed the same (though the retrofitted pickups have mostly been phased out; there are now dedicated live-haul trucks for the fish).

The siblings take me on a stroll through the aisles of the new Eastvale market, which opened in February this year. We walk up to a tank dedicated to just spot prawns  fat, reddish brown and almost translucent underneath the fluorescent overhead lights. Jonson notices me marveling at them. Theyre from Newport Beachs Dory Fleet Fish Market. People will go there every Saturday morning. So you can go there and wait in line. They are usually sold out within the first hour," he says. "Or you can just go to a 99 Ranch."

Clarissa Wei is a writer and cookbook author. Her forthcoming book, "Made in Taiwan: Recipes and Stories From the Island Nation" (SS Element), will publish in the fall.

Sign up for L.A. Goes Out, a weekly newsletter about exploring and experiencing Los Angeles from the L.A. Times.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The Idaho State Board of Education said it did not violate the states open meetings law when it discussed the University of Idahos plans to acquire the University of Phoenix in secret proceedings.

At a closed meeting Friday, the board and its legal counsel discussed a lawsuit from Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador alleging that the board broke the law when it held three meetings in closed session regarding the proposed acquisition  on March 22, April 25 and May 15.

Labrador sued June 20 in District Court in Ada County, asking the court to void the boards May 18 vote where it unanimously approved the purchase, alleging that it was the result of illegal deliberations just a few days earlier.

The May 18 meeting was the first time the board publicly discussed the transaction.

After considering the lawsuit privately for about 35 minutes Friday, the board reconvened in an open session, with U of I President Scott Green attending, and quickly voted to adopt a determination that no open meetings law violation occurred at the May 15 meeting.

The attorneys engaged in this transaction determined that the exemption applied, State Board President Linda Clark said. Even now with the benefit of hindsight analysis, we believe the exemption applies. Therefore no violation occurred and no cure is necessary.

Idahos open meetings law requires, with some exceptions, that all meetings of a governing body of a public agency shall be open to the public.

The board had cited an exemption to consider preliminary negotiations involving matters of trade or commerce in which the governing body is in competition with governing bodies in other states or nations. The University of Arkansas also considered buying the University of Phoenix, though trustees ultimately rejected the purchase in April.

State Board Executive Director Matt Freeman sent a letter to Labradors office June 30, saying the board consulted with Labradors office before the May 15 meeting to ensure it was conducted legally.

Story continues

Additionally, the deputy attorney general your office assigned to the board was present for the entirety of the May 15 meeting and no concerns with its legality were ever raised to the board, Freeman said. To adequately respond to the lawsuit, the board now requires legal counsel who is both experienced in ligation and acting independent of Attorney General Labrador.

Freeman said the board will send invoices for the legal counsel to Labradors office for payment from the funds appropriated to his office.

In a statement emailed to the Idaho Statesman on Friday, the attorney generals office said that government affairs should be conducted in full view of the public and consistent with the law.

Today, (the board) had an opportunity to simply cure a mistake and make a clear commitment to transparent governance, the statement said. Instead, the board neglected their duties and continued down a path of wasting taxpayer funds and resources to justify its failure to follow Idaho open public meeting laws, all to keep a half-billion dollar transaction from public discourse. The people of Idaho should be given an opportunity to evaluate such a significant financial decision.

Board of Ed broke the law to approve University of Idaho-Phoenix deal, Idaho AG alleges

The whole thing just smells bad: U of I faculty, taxpayers respond to Phoenix acquisition

University of Phoenix has a checkered past. Did U of I make an enormously risky move?
Welcome to Checking In, a review series in which our editors and contributors rate the best new (and revamped) luxury hotels based on a rigorousand occasionally tongue-in-cheek10-point system: Each question answered yes gets one point. Will room service bring you caviar? Does your suite have its own butler? Does the bathroom have a bidet? Find out below.

The massive rectangular corridors are large enough for a parade of elephants.

Describe the hotel in 3 words:

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Pools. Pools. Pools.

Whats the deal?

Opened in April 2022, the Regent is far-and-away the top resort on Phu Quoc. Controlled by Vietnam but situated off the coast of Cambodia, this rapidly developing island is most famous as the hub of Vietnams fish sauce industry. Back in 2014, the government green-lit the island for resort development, and it became a playground for Southeast Asia holiday makers with a little something for everyonefrom ultra-cheesy Epcot-esque Venetian villages to five-star beach resorts. Today, it is carpeted with empty buildings and stalled construction sites, hangovers from the pandemic shutdown. But you wont notice any of that while cloistered in this huge all-suites-and-villas world within a world.

The sprawling Beach Pool Villa is big enough for family and friends.

The best room?

There are 179 suites in the resorts two main towers and 123 villas wrapping around the lagoon at this IHG-owned property. But the best beds on the island are within the Beach Pool Villa, which weighs in at 15,177 square feet with seven bedrooms and multiple pools. Rates start from $5,500.

The Rundown

Does the resort have a standout perk?

Koi. There are thousands of them filling many dozen pools throughout the resorts grand passageways. There are so many in fact that the resort employs a specialist to care for these usually ornamental creatures.

Story continues

Did they greet you by name at check-in?

Yes. I was greeted as soon as the car door opened. Check-in happens in an open-air, living-room-like lounge that has picture-framed water views.

Welcome drink ready and waiting when you arrived? Bonus point if it wasnt just fruit juice.

Yes. Youll receive one of the resorts three rotating welcome drinks (all teetotalers): Chamomile Rosemary Iced Tea, Ginger & Lemongrass Iced Tea, Pepper & Orange Iced Tea.

Private butler for every room?

No. Only guests who check into a two-bedroom Beach Pool Villa (or something even bigger) get the attention of a butler.

Is the sheet thread count higher than 300?

The 400 thread count, 100 percent long-staple cotton bedding here comes from Italian textile juggernaut Frette.

Is there a heated floor in the bathroom? What about a bidet?

There is no need to heat floors in sultry Vietnam, but bidets are standard fixtures across Southeast Asia and here was no exception. The bathrooms feature large soaking tubs and fluffy robes in Regent Phi Quocs signature pattern.

Are the toiletries full sized?

No. You get Acqua di Parma minis refreshed daily.

With a pool in your room, a pool on the roof, a pool outside the lobby, and a pool basically everywhere else you look, youll never need to dry off.

Is there a private pool for the rooms exclusive use?

With 262 individuals pools on property, never has there been splashier. Not only does every single room (be it on ground level or the fifth floor) has a private plunge pool, they are all absolutely massive. For instance, a Skyline Pool Villa (a room category in one of the main buildings where the Regent Club, fitness center, and rooftop bars are housed, rather than on ground level) comes with a private 270-square-foot infinity pool. Jump in after dark and watch the lights from the squid fishing boats twinkle in the distance.

Prohibition might not have been a thing in Vietnam, but that didnt stop the resort from creating its very own (and very good) speakeasy-style bar.

Is the restaurant worth its salt?

The Regent has six dining outlets, including a beachfront bistro, an Asian rice market eatery, and an Omakase Atelier and Salon de Boeuf. That Omakase, dubbed Oku, is helmed by former Nobu chef Andy Huynh, who relocated from California to Vietnam to give this Japanese-French hot spot flavor. Its good stuff, but for our money, the rice market breakfast has the wow-factor. The sprawling buffet has an entire room just for cold cuts, cheeses, and pates. The separate bakery is French-quality, and the hot stations serving up everything from pho to full English are out of this world. Grab a fresh coconut while you are there. Its one of the most generous buffets out there.

Is there caviar on the room service menu? If so, what kind?

Yep. Order 30 grams of Chinese, Dujiangyan-farmed Amur Prestige to your roomwith creme fraiche, egg white and yolk, shallots, chives, buckwheat blinis, and Melba crispsand form your own opinion. Many say that China is producing the worlds best these days. It will set you back roughly $230.

Do you want to spend Friday night in the lobby bar?

There isnt a lobby bar here. The bars are located either on the roof surrounding the sprawling infinity pool or secreted behind the Omakase via a speakeasy-style entrance. That bar, Bar Jade, is styled like a train car, and its where youll want to get your classics and spins on classics. The menu is based on gem-stones: The Emerald is made from Apricot Infused vodka, Frangelico, limoncello, pistachio paste, and mint syrup. We did spend a Friday evening here and liked it.

The main pool is the resorts centerpiece.

Would you buy the hotel if you could?

Phu Quoc hasnt recovered from the pandemic, and the scars are everywhere. Its large international airport isnt currently flying anywhere, so tourism numbers are still low. The beaches (although thoroughly cleaned at this resort) are polluted. From a strictly financial perspective: no way. From a design and quality perspective: absolutely. The resort itself is masterful bit of architecture, a world within a world, and a pleasure to be inside.

The Verdict:

If your idea of a swell vacation is sitting by the pool and vanishing yourself from the outside world, this is your spot. Its executed to an amazing level. Its alsoas far as five-star hotels goa great deal. But it you are antsy to get out on the town, pass this one by. The islands main hub is home to the worlds saddest night market, and its other major tourist attraction is a South Vietnamese prison camp with torture displays. There is evidence of new construction everywhere, but its not here yet.

Rate: Ocean Suites from $417.

Score: 9

What Our Score Means:

1-3: Fire your travel agent if they suggest you stay here.

4-6: Solid if youre in a pinchbut only if youre in a pinch.

7-8: Very good. Wed stay here again and recommend it without qualms.

9-10: Forget booking a week. When can we move in permanently?

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Taylor Swift's team had accepted a tour sponsorship deal with FTX, but Sam Bankman-Fried withdrew, The New York Times reported. Taylor Swift, and Sam Bankman-Fried arrives at court through a media scrum. Octavio Jones/TAS23/Getty Images for for TAS Rights Management; Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Taylor Swift was apparently the rare celebrity to ask if FTX dealt in "unregistered securities."

But her team agreed to a tour sponsorship with FTX, The New York Times reported.

The deal fell through after Sam Bankman-Fried backed out, The Times reported.

Back when FTX was pursuing A-list celebrity associations, the pop megastar Taylor Swift had been shrewd to inquire if the crypto exchange was dealing in "unregistered securities," a class action lawyer said earlier this year.

The relationship between Swift and the now-collapsed FTX may have been a little more nuanced, even if it didn't ultimately pan out, according to a new report.

Swift's team had agreed to a tour sponsorship arrangement with FTX, and had even signed on it, The New York Times reports. But the crypto exchange's founder Sam Bankman-Fried withdrew in a "last-minute reversal," which "frustrated and disappointed" the Swift camp, The Times reported, citing unnamed sources close to the matter.

A representative for Bankman-Fried declined to comment.

Swift would not endorse FTX, and the proposed arrangement had been "narrowed down to a tour sponsorship deal," a source familiar with the discussions told Insider. "That's why the deal was never finalized," the source said.

"FTX wanted Taylor to endorse them by doing commercials, interviews and promotional events on their behalf like other celebrities were doing at that time, but she would not agree to endorse FTX," the source said.

The class action lawyer Adam Moskowitz had suggested on an April episode of the crypto podcast "The Scoop" that Swift had been the rare celebrity to ask pertinent questions about FTX.

Moskowitz, who represents FTX customers, has targeted celebrities in litigation alleging that they promoted the crypto exchange without being transparent about being paid to advertise it, according to court filings.

"In our discovery, Taylor Swift actually asked them, can you tell me that these are not unregistered securities?" Moskowitz said on the episode.

Story continues

Moskowitz did not immediately respond to Insider's emailed request for comment on Thursday morning.

Swift and FTX had contemplated a $100 million sponsorship deal, the FT reported in December. But even then, the conversations were around a potential sponsorship, and not a deal for Swift to actually endorse FTX, the FT reported, citing an unnamed source familiar with the matter.

Bankman-Fried, who has pleaded not guilty to charges brought by federal prosecutors in New York over the collapse of FTX, is awaiting trial scheduled to take place in October.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Taylor Swift brought back her annual Fourth of July party this year and served up a rare look inside the festivities on her Instagram this morning.

Swift shared a carousel of photos, writing, Happy belated Independence Day from your local neighborhood independent girlies  See you tonight Kansas Cityyy. Friends she celebrated with included Selena Gomez and the Haim sisters. Notably, the Instagram post gave fans the first new photos of Swift and Gomez together this year.

Swift was famous for her annual Independence Day parties at her Watch Hill, Rhode Island, home. She spoke to The Guardian in August 2019 about why she stopped having them after 2016, crediting it to her disillusionment with America. Swift sang more about her complicated feelings toward the U.S. in her 2018 Lover track, Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince.

Swifts last big Fourth of July party featured her then-boyfriend Tom Hiddleston wearing his infamous I <3 TS tank, along with many members of her then-squad joining her to celebrate, including a pregnant Blake Lively.

Swift spoke to Vogue in September 2019 about that 2016 summer and why she disappeared after. You know, the summer before that election, all people were saying was Shes calculated. Shes manipulative. Shes not what she seems. Shes a snake. Shes a liar. These are the same exact insults people were hurling at Hillary Clinton, [then presidential candidate], Swift said, addressing the reason for her political silence. Would I be an endorsement or would I be a liability? Look, snakes of a feather flock together. Look, the two lying women. The two nasty women. Literally, millions of people were telling me to disappear. So I disappeared. In many senses.

Swift has become much more public this year following the start of her Eras tour and breakup from her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn whom she dated for six years.

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TJ Maxx is looking at nearly $67,000 in fines for failing to provide clear exitways.

The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspected the off-price retailers Reynoldsburg, Ohio, store in May and issued a $66,960 fine on June 15 because the location had inaccessible exits.

More from Sourcing Journal

TJ Maxx was previously cited for violating this OSHA standard at Bessemer, Ala. and Bastrop, Texas stores.

OSHA requires businesses to have clear exit routes that are free from obstruction and dont go through lockable areas, such as a bathroom, or lead to a dead end. The May inspection found items in the path of the exit door and a space just 27 inches wide for workers to escape through, in violation of exit routes and emergency planning standard 1910.37(a)(3).

While the filing doesnt go into much detail, exit route violations include instances in which danger isnt minimized, when workers must leave via a high-hazard area, when an exit is obstructed, or when an exit isnt properly marked or lit, according to OSHAs website.

TJ Maxx said it worked quickly to correct the safety issues after OSHAs inspection.

At TJ Maxx, we are deeply committed to the safety of our associates and take OSHAs concerns regarding our Reynoldsburg store very seriously, a spokesperson for the company told Sourcing Journal. Our field leadership regularly conducts store visits, which involve reviews for safety concerns, including accessibility of work aisles, processing areas, and exits. Our store associates are also regularly reminded of our expectations for a clean, neat and organized store. Following OSHAs inspection in Reynoldsburg, we took immediate steps to correct the concerns brought to our attention.

When asked if TJ Maxx will contest the charges, the Massachusetts-based company said it had nothing further to address beyond its statement.

Click here to read the full article.
Authorities and volunteers work at the site of the bus crash (REUTERS)

Twenty-nine people, including a one-year-old, were killed and others injured after a bus veered off the road in Mexico and veered into a 75ft gully.

Pictures shared by local police showed the passenger compartment of the vehicle crushed following its huge drop from the road.

Original reports from the crash suggested 26 or 27 people were killed but state officials later confirmed that 29 people had died.

Officials in the southern Oaxaca state said the crash, which saw the bus flip onto its side in the fatal accident, was likely a result of human error and that the driver lost control of the vehicle in the town of Magdalena Penasco.

State interior minister Jesus Romero said: It appears that a lack of skill and tiredness caused the accident.

More than 19 people were injured in the accident, with five people airlifted to hospital in state capital Oaxaca City, while others were treated for their injuries locally.

None of the victims of the fatal drash have been named by officials but it is believed they were mostly residents of the Mixteca region, while belongings found alongside the recovered bus suggested the passengers were peeople who were returning home from manual labour jobs in the state capital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the capitals of Bulgaria and the Czech Republic on Thursday, discussing military aid and receiving assurances of support for Ukraines entry into NATO after its war with Russia is over.

Czech President Petr Pavel said it is in the interest of his country and Ukraine that soon as the war ends negotiations about NATO membership begin.

I'm convinced that Ukraine will be part of NATO, Zelenskyy said in Prague, adding that an ideal result of next weeks NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania would be an invitation for Ukraine to join the alliance.

Earlier Thursday, during a brief visit at the invitation of Bulgaria's new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Zelenskyy also discussed European integration and bilateral energy cooperation. Talking to reporters after the meetings, he defended Ukraines right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.

Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred, Zelenskyy said. This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules, he added.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov emphasized the support of his country, an European Union and NATO member, for Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Bulgaria is consistent in its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine because we are convinced that an independent and sovereign Ukraine is key for Euro-Atlantic security in the region, Denkov said after the talks.

Russia should withdraw unconditionally within its internationally recognized borders and should bear its responsibility, he added.

Also on Thursday, Bulgarias Parliament approved a declaration of support for Ukraine to join the NATO military alliance once the war is over.

According to the declaration, the fastest track to the restoration of peace in Ukraine, the Black Sea region and Europe is Russias full and immediate withdrawal beyond the internationally recognized borders of the affected sovereign states.

The declaration, which was backed by a majority in Parliament, also called for continued military and technical support for Ukraine so it can defend itself.

The document was opposed by the Socialist party and a nationalist pro-Kremlin group.

Later in the day, Zelenskyy faced opposition to sending military supplies to Ukraine from Bulgaria's largely ceremonial president, Rumen Radev.

I continue to maintain that this conflict has no military solution, and more and more weapons will not solve it, Radev said. He called for consistent efforts to deescalate, for a ceasefire and a peaceful solution with the tools of diplomacy.

Although the presidential post in Bulgaria is mostly ceremonial, it provides a strong platform to influence public opinion. Large parts of the population share pro-Russian sympathies based on historical and cultural bonds between the two nations.

In Prague, Zelenskyy thanked Pavel for his country's support. The Czech Republic has been a staunched supporter of Ukraine in its fight against the Russian aggression and the Czech President said it's not going to change.

The Czech Republic gave Ukraine arms, including heavy weapons such as Soviet era tanks, armored vehicles, ammunition and others. The country has accepted a total of 500,000 refugees from Ukraine.

Zelenskyy was scheduled to discuss further military and humanitarian cooperation, defense and Ukraine's post-war reconstruction in his meeting with Czech leaders.

Ahead of the NATO summit, the presidents of an informal group known as the Bucharest Nine, the nations in the easternmost parts of the NATO alliance, voiced their support in June for Ukraine's eventual membership once conditions allow.

The nine countries are Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

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TOTEME TO LONDON: Swedish clothing brand Toteme is on a retail streak, and will be opening its first European flagship on Mount Street in London, according to industry sources.

The store will open at number 12, in a space formerly occupied by Balenciaga. The landlord is Grosvenor and neighbors on the street will include Scotts, British jeweler Pragnell and Christian Louboutin.

More from WWD

The store spans roughly 3,000 square feet and Toteme is expected to open toward the end of the year. On Friday, Toteme confirmed that it plans to open a store on Mount Street, but provided no further details. Grosvenor declined to comment.

Toteme was founded in 2014 by Elin Kling and Karl Lindman and is based in Stockholm. It specializes in season-less dressing and offers womens ready-to-wear, shoes, bags and accessories at contemporary price points.

A year ago Toteme opened its first U.S. store at at 49 Mercer Street in SoHo, Manhattan.

The brand also has a freestanding store and a shop inside a department store in Stockholm; two stores in Shanghai, and one in Seoul. Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols, Matches and Kirna Zabete are among its wholesale accounts.

There could be more units to come in the U.S. Last year, the company said the SoHo store was a first step, and that Los Angeles and San Francisco could be next.

Mount Street, like other high-end shopping streets in London, is coming back to life following the pandemic, with new openings and stores that are expanding.

As reported, Dr. Barbara Sturm has opened a boutique and spa at number 125 while Goyard is expanding its space on the street. As reported, Goyard will take over the former Celine store at 103 Mount Street in London for its new London flagship. The new retail space will span 7,100 square feet.

Story continues

In March, Balmain moved to 94 Mount Street, with neighbors including Simone Rocha and Marni. The brands 1,077-square-foot store houses the womens, mens and accessories collections, and there is also a private suite for VIP appointments.

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Eric Choy, executive director for trade remedy and law enforcement at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, compares the application of the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act, a.k.a. the UFLPA, to the five stages of grief.

Theres denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, he said at a recent fireside chat with research and data analytics firm Kharon.

More from Sourcing Journal

Much of the past year since the laws implementation was spent on denial and anger, Choy noted. Now, were definitely in the bargaining stage. With any luck, he said, everyones emotionsthose of importers, most of allwill continue trundling down the path until they reach their final if inevitable conclusion.

Generally, I think weve seen positive trends by the importing community, by manufacturers as well, to consider how to de-risk their supply chain, he said. Theres a lot of active energy thats ongoing in that space.

Much of that momentum involves businesses distancing themselves from Chinas far-western Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where authorities have carried out a campaign of persecution against Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities, subjecting them to forced labor, extrajudicial detention and other crimes against humanity.

The UFLPA, which went into effect last June, enforces the blanket assumption that all goods made in whole or in part in the region are the product of forced labor and therefore barred from entering the United States.

In that time, the agency has seen a quadrupling of engagement, Choy said, though he admitted to differences of opinion in how the law is being operationalized and the perceived gaps in its enforcement. While the army veteran didnt spell out Capitol Hills mounting vexation with the de minimis provision, which allows shipments valued under $800 to sidestep taxes, duties and fees, as well as more stringent oversight, including under the UFLPA, he said that CBP stands ready to implement whatever our congressional partners give to us to enforce.

Story continues

CBP wants to continue its dialogue with members of the trade, too, Choy said. If theres one thing hes learned over the past year, its that communication is paramount.

We realize that theres a lot of new capabilities that are being developed tohelp identify where risks exist within supply chains, he said. We know theres a lot of work that trade associations and companies are doing proactively to find efficiencies in enforcement and due diligence, and so well look for those opportunities to collaborate.

Even so, importers have frequently complained about a lack of clarity over why certain shipments are detained and what kind of evidence, if any, might trigger a release. Some have even expressed consternation over secret information that isnt being shared but could prove helpful to facilitating lawful trade. They say that the agencys efforts at providing more information, such as the UFLPA statistics dashboard, which shares data on enforcement actions, are a good start, but its still difficult to parse trends or figure out specific red flags.

So far, CBP has identified tomatoes, cotton and polysilicon-based products as key priorities, in part due to the Withhold Release Orders (WRO) that preceded the UFLPA and in part due to the volumes those commodities make up. Any other details, however, have been described as law enforcement-specific and business confidential information.

One recent ruling, which CBP published in its customs bulletin in April before pulling it down without explanation shortly thereafter, caused a stir among the trade community because it appeared to show a broadening of enforcement scope or, at the very least, the imposition of a higher standard of evidence for releasing shipments suspected of violating the UFLPA.

The detained shipment, which consisted of Muji sweaters from Cambodia, predated the UFLPA by two months but still fell under a WRO on Xinjiang cotton. Despite the importer furnishing chain-of-custody documents showing that the raw cotton was produced in India, processed into yarn and subsequently fabric in China albeit outside Xinjiang, and then converted to clothing in Cambodia, CBP concluded that the evidence was insufficient to establish either that the goods were not produced, wholly or in part, with forced labor or, in the alternative, that their supply chain is not linked with the XUAR. The agency also said that it was in possession of documents proving that one of the companies in that supply chain had a nexus with Xinjiang, though it redacted the precise information.

Muji, which has touted its use of Xinjiang cotton in products sold outside the United States before, has said that it complies with the laws and regulations of each country and region, and [is] taking all necessary steps to respect human rights and manage labor standards.

Elise Shibles, head of Sandler, Travis & Rosenbergs forced labor practice, said that neither Section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act nor CBPs regulations prohibit the import of goods where one of the entities in the supply chain might be linked with someone else but that entity did not contribute to the manufacturing of the actual goods in that particular shipment.

My concern is, is customs inappropriately expanding what Section 307 actually covers? Shibles told Sourcing Journal. There is [also] a concern thatthe importer is presenting evidence without knowing what the opposing evidence that theyre trying to rebut is.

CBP did not respond to a request for clarification about the ruling.

Less surprising is the fact that the cargos Cambodian origin didnt save it from CBPs crosshairs. Choy, speaking in the Kharon chat, acknowledged that third-country risk is probably the highest risk thats out there. The majority of UFLPA detentions to datemore than 80 percent, in facthave sprung not from China but from Malaysia, Vietnam and elsewhere.

We know that over the last 10 to 15 years, the PRC has offshored much of its manufacturing, especially in some of these commodity areas that can provide them more beneficial duty tariff rates, can provide them more beneficial countries of origin or other classification that benefits their processing, he said, using an acronym for the Peoples Republic of China. And unfortunatelyit kind of helps them with regards to the evasion of the forced labor laws, right?

Choy said that CBP takes a risk-based approach. Xinjiang contributes 90 percent of Chinas cotton, which in turn makes up, say, half of what enters Vietnam. As such its reasonable [to assume] that that cotton is making its way somehow into the manufacturing of a significant amount of commoditiesin Vietnam, or further elsewhere down the supply chain, he said.

For most companies, its not simply enough to map their supply chain, but its also necessary to overlay that information with news feeds, risk data and supplier watch lists so they can be one step ahead, Leonardo Bonanni, CEO and founder of supply chain traceability platform Sourcemap, said at a webinar last month. The UFLPA Entity List, which lists bad actors with known links to coerced labor, has proved insufficient, he said. And by the time a detention has happened, its always too late to do anything.

Knowing who your suppliers are, but also having a pretty good understanding of which parts and materials and when the contractual relationships were active [is crucial], he said. It is important to get into detail as much as possible for manufactured goods.

Any business that has waited to implement new supply chain management solutions is certainly regretting it now because these processes take time, Bonanni said. The UFLPA, after all, is only one part of a cavalcade of due diligence legislation emerging globally, from deforestation to digital product passports. In the case of forced labor, Canada and Mexico have new restrictions as part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Australia, the European Union and Japan are also looking at tightening regulations.

Its essentially the common denominator with all of these laws, whether they deal with environmental issues, social issues or even business continuity, resilience and other kinds of nearshoring, friendshoring issues, he said. So everyone has to map their supply chain [which] means they have to know who their indirect suppliers are and keep track of it in a way that they can also report on itnot necessarily publicly for all of these laws, but certainly at the request of regulators.

Choys advice to companies: follow the commodity flows. Most of the complications arise not at the Tier 1 level but at Tier 3 and beyond.

If youre importing a specific commodity from a third country thats highlighted as a high-risk country of having these inputsthe natural steps in developing a strategy is to just start going through your supply chain and identifying [potentially problematic] affiliate[s] or subsidiar[ies], he said. And then from there, you can kind of start peeling the onion back and trying to figure out what kind of risk management decisions you need to make. But the first steps are to get to that point.

To be effective, compliance with the UFLPA has to be a top tier, C-suite issue, Choy said, though he often hears about confusion within companies about who should be running point.

Those companies that really push and talk about being responsible businesses, their values of protecting human rights and the environmentthose are definitely companies that are moving quickly and swiftly, he said. But I think if you just go back to what companies can do, first and foremost is to do something.

Click here to read the full article.
Jonathan Olley / Lucasfilm Ltd.



"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



It might be time to say goodbye to Indiana Jones, but that doesn't mean we can't go on one last adventure before that final farewell. Luckily for us, Harrison Ford and the gang are back as Indy tries to track down the Dial of Destiny before it falls into the wrong hands. Joining him along the way is his goddaughter, Helena, played by the iconic Phoebe Waller-Bridge as they travel all over the world in search of the artifact. But with it being the final Indy movie, you're definitely going to want to watch it on the biggest screen first before rewatching it plenty of times to catch any easter eggs you might have not seen the first time.

Here are all the ways to watch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

When does Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny come out?

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny was officially released on June 30, 2023, in the United States. If you live outside of the US, your release date may vary depending on your location. The film also had its big premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where Harrison Ford was awarded a Honorary Palme d'Or.

How can I watch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny in theaters?

The good news is that it's just as simple as buying tickets! Since it's one of the biggest films out right now, it should be pretty easy to find a showing at your local theater. But all good things, like Indy, must come to an end so make sure to watch it ASAP so you don't miss it on the big screen!

Shop Now Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) Tickets $11.12 fandango.com Lucasfilm Ltd.

How can I watch Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny at home?

If you're hoping to catch it on the small screen, you're going to have a wait a little bit longer to see how the Indiana Jones saga ends. Unfortunately, the film isn't yet available at home, but there's no doubt that it will be an option soon enough!

The film is released under Lucasfilm, which is owned by Disney, so there's a really big chance that you'll be able to check it out on Disney+ later this year. It will also be available on other streamers like Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, and more to rent and own at your leisure.

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Shop Now Disney+ Monthly Subscription $12.99 disneyplus.com

If you can't wait that long, then you can always rewatch the previous Indiana Jones films that are available on Disney+ and other streaming services including Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and the Google Play store.

You can also buy it on DVD and Blu-ray, so you can always own it and never have to worry if it'll be taken off a streamer.

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The U.S. recently had its first local malaria cases in decades. Here's what parents need to know about the disease. (Design: Quinn Lemmers for Yahoo; Photo: Getty images)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an health advisory after five cases of malaria were detected in two states. The cases, which were identified in Florida and Texas, were locally acquired  meaning, patients got malaria in the U.S. and not from traveling to areas where malaria is widespread.

The disease once circulated widely in the U.S., but was considered eliminated from the country by 1951 after the use of insecticides and antimalarial treatments became common. The CDC now says there's "concern for a potential rise" in malaria cases and urges health care providers to plan for rapid access to IV forms of artesunate, which is considered the first-line treatment for severe malaria in the U.S.

The CDC notes that all of the malaria patients who were recently diagnosed have received treatment for the disease and are getting better. 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 agency says.

While the CDC says that the risk of locally acquired malaria is still extremely low in the U.S., it notes that the risk is higher in areas where conditions allow the Anopheles mosquito (which spreads the disease) to survive during most or all of the year.

Right now, there are very few cases in the United States, but it is very possible that this number will increase, Dr. Keri Cohn, director of global health for the division of emergency medicine and attending physician in the Center for Global Health at the Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, tells Yahoo Life. Malaria can cause very serious illness in both children and adults.

If you have children in areas where mosquitoes are common, it's understandable to have questions about malaria. Here's what you need to know.

What is malaria?

Malaria is a serious and potentially fatal disease caused by a parasite, according to the CDC. The parasite usually infects a certain type of mosquito that feeds on humans and transmits the disease. However, it's not typically spread from person to person (although there have been cases of a mother passing it on to a fetus during pregnancy), Dr. Thomas Russo, professor and chief of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo in New York, tells Yahoo Life.

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More than 240 million cases of malaria happen each year worldwide  and 95% of them are in Africa, per the CDC. Nearly all cases of malaria in the U.S. are brought to the country from other parts of the world.

Infants, children under the age of five, pregnant women, travelers, and people with HIV or AIDS are at a higher risk of severe infection, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Signs of malaria

Symptoms of malaria are largely non-specific, Russo says. Meaning, they can be difficult to tell from those of other illnesses without a proper diagnosis. These are the most common signs of the disease, the CDC says:

fever

chills

headache

muscle aches and pains

fatigue

nausea

vomiting

diarrhea

These are more severe symptoms of malaria, according to the WHO:

extreme tiredness and fatigue

impaired consciousness

multiple convulsions

difficulty breathing

dark or bloody urine

jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)

abnormal bleeding

Symptoms usually start anywhere from 10 days to four weeks after someone was infected, but a patient can feel sick anywhere from a week to a year after they became infected, the CDC says.

How can you tell malaria apart from more common illnesses?

A condition that causes fever, along with headache and muscle pains sounds a lot like COVID-19 or the flu. But there are a few key differences. Malaria doesn't cause respiratory-type illnesses, like COVID-19 or the flu, Dr. Ian Michelow, division head of pediatric infectious diseases and immunology at Connecticut Childrens Specialty Group, tells Yahoo Life. Its not going to look like a cough or cold and doesnt typically cause nasal congestion or a runny nose in the early stages.

If your child has what looks like a common cold, Michelow says its probably a respiratory virus  not malaria. The main thing with malaria is a fever thats unexplained by anything else that youd expect from a child of this age, he says.

Even if your child has an unexplained fever, its not likely to be due to malaria at this point, Russo says. But the general rule is, when in doubt, get assessed, he says.

And if your pediatrician suspects your child may have malaria, Russo adds, they can request a blood test.

How is malaria treated?

We have very good treatments for malaria, Cohn says. The risk is delayed diagnosis where kids can get sicker if they are not diagnosed and treated promptly.

In the U.S., the disease is treated with prescription drugs, although the CDC says that the type of drugs and length of treatment depend on the type of malaria, where the person was infected, their age, whether theyre pregnant and how sick they are when they start treatment.

The most common antimalarial drugs include chloroquine phosphate and artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), according to the Mayo Clinic. However, there are other medications available if needed. Treatment is very effective, Michelow says. You can eradicate it, and it wont come back if you treat it properly.

How to keep kids safe from malaria

The best way to keep kids safe from malaria is to do your best to prevent mosquito bites, Michelow says. Deet is safe and approved for use in children over the age of 2 months," he says. Michelow recommends keeping mosquito repellent away from childrens faces and hands. Kids put their fingers in their mouth, he points out.

Michelow also suggests looking for a repellent with a low concentration of Deet and to apply it just once a day. Just be aware that the low percentage of Deet only lasts for a few hours as opposed to those with greater concentrations of 25% to 30%, he says. You still have to be cautious to prevent exposure to mosquitoes.

If you prefer not to use Deet, Michelow says that picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus can be helpful too. Russo also recommends not being outside during times when mosquitoes are known to be active, which is typically at dusk and dawn. And, if its not too hot out, he says its worth considering covering your child's arms and legs when you go outside.

But doctors stress that parents shouldnt stress about malaria right now. Im not too concerned, and I dont think parents need to be too worried about this, Michelow says. This is something that the U.S. health care system can deal with fairly effectively.

Russo agrees. The risk is low, but its not zero, he says.

Still, Michelow says that its important for parents to be aware that malaria can be a threat. Knowledge is power, he says. If there is unexplained fever in a child in an area where malaria has been reported, you can ask your doctor to test them.

Wellness, parenting, body image and more: Get to know the who behind the hoo with Yahoo Life's newsletter. Sign up here.
If you love dining out and sipping wine, youre probably familiar with the Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards.

Each year, Wine Spectator  the self-described worlds leading authority on wine  highlights dining destinations with the best selections. Places that you know are going to have options for all palates.

And each year lately  if you live in Idaho  the number of restaurants on Wine Spectators list keeps shrinking.

First, the good news.

Three Gem State restaurants made the cut, including two in Boise.

Chandlers and Fork were honored again. Same for The Narrows Steakhouse in McCall.

The awards offer three levels of distinction: Award of Excellence (2,001 winners this year); the loftier Best of Award of Excellence (1,411) and the top-tier Grand Award (93).

Chandlers and The Narrows earned the middle-tier Best of Award of Excellence; Fork received the baseline Award of Excellence.

Overall, Idaho has trended downward this decade. In 2020, 11 Idaho restaurants earned honors. In 2021, only six Idaho restaurants won. In 2022, the number slipped to four.

Now  three?

The Gem States plummet doesnt necessarily mean that our local restaurants wine selection has gone south precipitously. Instead, Id venture that fewer Idaho restaurants are entering this contest now. Priorities changed at restaurants after the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Wine Spectator Restaurant Awards are pay-to-play. Restaurants submit an entry fee to be considered  $550 for this years awards. Not all restaurants make the cut, but you get the idea.

In 2022, I reached out to Capitol Cellars and Richards in Boise. Both had earned Wine Spectator Awards in past years but were notably absent. Both had decided not to participate.

That said, three winners in the entire state of Idaho feels a little depressing. As a comparison, Utah had 22  with seven in Salt Lake City.

The latest Wine Spectator Awards recognized 3,505 dining destinations from all 50 states and more than 70 countries, according to a media release.

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Best of Award of Excellence

 Chandlers Steakhouse, 981 W. Grove St., Boise.

 The Narrows Steakhouse at Shore Lodge, 501 W. Lake St., McCall.

Award of Excellence

 Fork, 199 N. 8th St., Boise.
Angelina Jolie is addressing the health inequalities she sees when it comes to race.

The actor and humanitarian published an op-ed for the American Journal of Nursing on July 5, in which she touched on the new technology that detects bruises on darker skin colors when it comes to survivors of domestic violence. Jolie, 48, began by writing how many medical research, imagery and training centers focus on white skin and as a result medical professionals often miss injuries depending on race and ethnicity.

As the mother of children of multiple races, I have seen my children of color be misdiagnosed, at times in ways that endangered their health, Jolie, who is mother to six children, wrote.

Jolie adopted her eldest child, Maddox, from his birth country Cambodia. Her adopted daughter Zahara is Ethiopian, while Pax was born in Vietnam. Jolie also shares three biological children with ex-husband Brad Pitt; daughter Shiloh and twins Knox and Vivienne.

Jolie continued by discussing bruising in darker skin colors and how its more difficult to detect and document without the proper tools. While the actor focuses on helping domestic abuse survivors, she did share a personal story about her own experience when it came to her children.

Reflecting personally, when my daughter Zahara, who is from Ethiopia, was hospitalized for a medical procedure, the nurse told me to call her if she turns pink near her incisions, Jolie recalled. I stood looking blankly at her, not sure she understood what was wrong with what she had said. When she left the room, I had a talk with my daughter, both of us knowing that we would have to look for signs of infection based on our own knowledge, not what the nurse had said, despite her undoubted good intentions.

Jolie added that even though her family has access to high-quality medical care, simple diagnoses are missed because of race and continued prioritization of white skin in medicine.

She added that at a societal level, racial disparities in health care affect the outcomes for millions of people. From technology to improving diversity and representation in medical research and training, it is past time to embrace new solutions, she concluded.

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Back in 2020, Jolie revealed that Zahara and Shiloh endured medical challenges in a first-person essay for Time magazine on International Womens Day.

I have spent the last two months in and out of surgeries with my eldest daughter, and days ago watched her younger sister go under the knife for a hip surgery, Jolie wrote at the time, not specifying what type of surgeries Zahara underwent.

I have watched my daughters care for one another, she wrote. My youngest daughter studied the nurses with her sister, and then assisted the next time.

Jolie, herself, has had her own medical challenges. In 2013, she revealed that she underwent a preventative double mastectomy to reduce her chances of developing breast cancer after her mother, Marcheline Bertrand, died in 2007 of breast cancer at 56. Her aunt and grandmother also died due to the disease.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Apple is planning to roll out its $3,500 Vision Pro headset gradually, starting in the US with appointments for demos in designated Apple Store areas, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The gradual rollout is in line with the "niche and complex nature" of the mixed reality headset, and resembles what Apple originally did with the Watch when it launched in 2015.

Apple will require appointments to try and buy the Vision Pro, much as it did with the Apple Watch, according to people with knowledge of the matter. It will also ask potential buyers to provide their eyeglass prescriptions. Special areas will be created in stores that offer demo Vision Pro devices, seating and tools to size accessories.

The primary aim is to make sure that customers leave with a headset that fits correctly and gives them a clear view. It has even developed an iPhone app and physical machine that will scan your head to ensure a tight seal that keeps light out. Apple may also be working on a second strap that will make the headset more comfortable for people with smaller heads.

Vision Pro demo spaces will only be available at Stores in major US markets like New York and Los Angeles to start with, before eventually rolling out across the US. It will come to other countries at the end of 2024, possible starting with the UK and Canada, followed by Europe and Asia soon after.

The Vision Pro is Apple's most important product in years, but also one of the most complex devices it has ever built. It's also much more expensive than other consumer VR headsets. To that end, Apple is no doubt counting on the Vision Pro to get mainstream consumers excited about the idea of mixed reality.

In our hands-on preview, we found that the device delivered an awesome experience, offering an "unparalleled sense of immersion, with displays sharp enough to read text on websites, plus an intuitive gesture-based user interface," according to Engadet's Devindra Hardawar. He also had concerns, though, about the solitary nature of using mixed reality headsets, particularly for socially-oriented activities like movie watching.

Apple has reportedly had manufacturing issues as well, and only expected to sell a 900,000 units in the headset's first year. However, even that modest target has reportedly been slashed by over half to 400,000 units due to the tiny and costly OLED displays, the Financial Times reported yesterday.
Arizona has prevented nearly 5,000 asylum seekers from being released into the streets of rural border communities through state-sponsored bus routes established in early May.

The state has coordinated 143 buses and prevented the unsheltered release of 4,983 asylum seekers as of July 5, according to Don Bolger, public information officer with the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs first established the bus routes on May 8, a few days before the Title 42 health restriction was set to expire on May 11. The routes run twice a day from Douglas, Naco, Bisbee and Nogales to the Casa Alitas migrant shelter in Tucson.

The ongoing program has cost $371,218 so far, Bolger said. Funding for the routes comes from the states Border Security Fund.

Intrastate buses run as needed to support the decompression of border communities in Naco, Nogales, Douglas and Yuma through AZDEMAs coordination with County Emergency Managers, Bolger said in a written statement.

We are continuing to evaluate how long there will be a need for expanded state assistance for our border communities.

U.S. Border Patrol transfers a few dozen migrants to a state-run charter bus headed toward Phoenix from the Douglas Visitor's Center parking lot on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

DEMA is the agency that has been coordinating with local governments and nonprofits to prevent having asylum seekers released into the streets of small border communities.

The bus routes were implemented to ease the strain on rural border communities that often lack the infrastructure and resources needed to care for recently arrived asylum seekers. The communities are often miles away from the nearest airport and bus depots that can help them reach their final destinations elsewhere in the country.

Officials feared that the end of the Trump-era border restriction would prompt a sudden increase in migrant arrivals along the Arizona-Mexico border. While there was no increase after Title 42 ended, there was an uptick in arrivals in the days before May 11.

More than half of the Border Patrols migrant encounters in May happened before the end of Title 42, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data. Average encounters plunged from nearly 9,000 per day before the restriction expired to an average of 3,500 encounters per day after May 11.

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An idling state-run charter bus waits for U.S. Border Patrol to drop migrants off at the Douglas Visitor's Center parking lot on Wednesday, May 17, 2023.

On May 17, the charter buses leaving from southeastern Arizona began making the trip to Phoenix, instead of Tucson, where there was greater capacity to help asylum seekers. DEMA on May 9 began operating a route from Somerton to Phoenix.

Border Patrol agents began releasing paroled asylum seekers into the border communities the week of May 8, as Arizona saw an increase in migrant arrivals ahead of Title 42s lifting. The communities are located next to Border Patrol stations where agents take in and process migrants.

Nonprofit organizations in Tucson and Somerton usually receive asylum seekers and help transport them to Phoenix or Tucson after theyre paroled into the country. The organizations help arrange travel to their final destinations while providing shelter, food and medical services.

However, if there is an increase in arrivals, shelters may reach their capacity and cannot accept any more asylum seekers.

The Border Patrol can only hold migrants for a certain amount of time in its facilities, and if the agency also is at capacity, they resort to releasing asylum seekers under parole directly into border communities that are often unequipped to help them.

Its not the first time this has happened.

Beginning in October 2018, the Border Patrol occasionally released asylum seekers into small communities such as Ajo and Gila Bend. The releases caught officials off guard as they scrambled to respond and transport migrants to Phoenix.

The practice stretched into 2021.

Have a news tip or story idea about the border and its communities? Contact the reporter at josecastaneda@arizonarepublic.com or connect with him on Twitter @joseicastaneda.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: State busing program prevents street release of nearly 5k migrants
Ben & Jerrys, the Vermont-based ice cream company known for its political activism, used Canada Day to tweet a call to action to stop violence against land defenders. The petition included in the tweet directly targets a controversial arm of the RCMP.

The tweet, which was published on July 1, read: Another day to talk about #LandBack and how we can support communities defending their land.

Another day to talk about #LandBack and how we can support communities defending their land. Take action this Canada Day https://t.co/E4mFwr1vdT #CanadaDay2023 pic.twitter.com/CooC6YLD2d  Ben & Jerry's Canada (@BenJerryCanada) July 1, 2023

It includes a link to a petition for parliament to disband C-IRG, which stands for The Community-Industry Response Group. Started in 2017, the RCMP describes C-IRG, as providing strategic oversight addressing energy industry incidents and related public order, national security and crime issues.

C-IRG is currently only based in British Columbia.

The Ben & Jerry petition, which includes a form letter directed at parliament, goes on to describe the generations of exploitation of Indigenous communities by mining, drilling and logging corporations, which are "enabled by the government and unjust laws."

When Indigenous activists and community leaders stand up and protest, companies regularly bring in police to silence them and even force them from their own land. In fact, a secretive special unit of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) was created in British Columbia with the sole purpose of suppressing protests, it reads.

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The call to action also includes a point-form list of what it describes as "a pattern of racism and violence" by C-IRG.

The ice cream company also posted a similar call to action on July 4, which is Independence Day in the U.S. "This 4th of July, it's high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it," the tweet reads, along with a link to learn more.

This 4th of July, it's high time we recognize that the US exists on stolen Indigenous land and commit to returning it. Learn more and take action now: https://t.co/45smaBmORH pic.twitter.com/a6qp7LXUAE  Ben & Jerry's (@benandjerrys) July 4, 2023

Some on social media were in favour of the ice cream company taking a political stance on the issue.

Ben & Jerry's forever 

I love my ice cream political https://t.co/4LDgcqagOY  Anna Mary Mckenzie (@legally_cree) July 6, 2023

Stocking up on Ben and Jerry's .



PS - this isn't a one time tweet by the company. My gal has been working there and leading a campaign, in solidarity with Indigenous land defenders, to abolish the RCMP's CIRG unit in BC. https://t.co/l64nFr3GNK  Harsha Walia (@HarshaWalia) July 6, 2023

This appears to be ice cream giant, Ben and Jerrys taking an opportunity to educate Canadians on Canada Day weekend? How did I miss this? https://t.co/EmWZclpo6I  Aylan (AY like Day - LAN like LandBack) Couchie (@AylanX) July 3, 2023

Alright, I have another reason to buy Ben And Jerrys, thanks! Also Canada is a genocidal state you dope. https://t.co/bMixI2rLYY  Comrade Stu (@ComradeStu) July 4, 2023

I will definitely double up with the ice cream now.  Unforgiven Warrior I became Stewart Thompson I am. (@gottogetoutof) July 6, 2023

Although Ben & Jerry's has always made social issues part of their brand, many people voiced their anger that an ice cream company would choose to get political.

Ice cream with a side of guilt. I think I'll pass.  Christina Kunneke (@AMCKunneke) July 3, 2023

I never buy their products either - why mix politics with ice cream? Never did understand that



Seems like a net negative for their brand too  DingoStar64 (@DingoStar64) July 3, 2023

I prefer non-political ice cream, so Ill take a hard pass on Ben & Jerrys.  Mark OHenly (@SeeClickFlash) July 3, 2023

Some wondered if the campaign was a PR move.

Virtuous at best. Race baiting at the very very worst. Sad state of affairs.  Glen Haley (@com1man) July 4, 2023

How much money is Ben and Jerry's giving to Canada's Indigenous communities? If you're going to call out colonization, then you had better be putting your money where your mouth is. Otherwise, you're exploiting this for PR.  Pcofwork (@pcofwork) July 6, 2023

On its website, Ben & Jerry's say that the company supports the Grassy Narrows First Nation in northern Ontario, in their fight to get compensation for mercury poisoning and to protect their land from mining and clearcut logging,

Ben & Jerrys parent company Unilever did not respond to Yahoo News Canadas request for comment.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration plans to provide Ukrainian troops controversial weapons known as "cluster munitions," a battle tool that has been banned by more than 100 nations and lambasted by human rights groups for indiscriminately killing civilians, according to U.S. officials.

The weapons  meant for Ukraine to attack dug-in Russian forces  are modern versions that leave behind fewer "duds" that could kill civilians, U.S. officials said. The decision is significant because Ukraine has pleaded for the U.S.-made weapons for months, and appears to have made little progress in its long-awaited counteroffensive. The use of cluster munitions increases the potential for civilian casualties.

The Pentagon announced Friday that it was supplying Ukraine with 155mm artillery shells containing the cluster munitions.

"They're running out of ammunition," Biden said later in the day after he was asked by a reporter about the timing of the decision.

Cluster munitions  artillery shells or bombs that disperse smaller weapons known as bomblets  have generated international condemnation because of the indiscriminate way in which they can maim and kill. A primary concern is the dud rate, the number of bomblets that dont explode on impact and become, essentially, landmines that can remain lethal for decades.

How do cluster bombs work? See our visual guide.

"We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordinance. This is why we deferred the decision for as long as we could," National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.

"But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery. That is intolerable to us."

U.S. not a party to treaty banning cluster munitions

Russian and Ukrainian forces, both of whom have the weapons in their arsenals, have used cluster munitions in the war that began in February 2022, after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked, illegal invasion.

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Russia, Ukraine and the United States did not sign the treaty banning cluster munitions. The Pentagon maintains that they are a necessary because they allow a smaller force, with fewer weapons, to take on a larger adversary. Until 2017, Defense Department policy had been to reduce the dud rate to 1% or less. The new policy reversed that standard and allows combatant commanders to use weapons with higher dud rates in extreme situations to meet immediate warfighting demands, according to a 2022 report from the Congressional Research Service.

Sullivan said Ukraine requested the cluster munitions "weeks ago" and provided written assurances that the munitions will be used in a way that minimizes risk to civilians. He said the decision was made in consultation with allies.

It was a very difficult decision on my part," Biden said in a CNN interview taped on Friday. "And by the way, I discussed this with our allies, I discussed this with our friends up on the Hill."

Biden said he acted on the recommendation of the Defense Department "to  not permanently  but to allow for this transition period, while we get more 155 weapons, these shells, for the Ukrainians.

Theyre trying to get through those trenches and stop those tanks from rolling. But it was not an easy decision, Biden said in the interivew. Were not signatories to that agreement, but it took me a while to be convinced to do it.

Ukraine will not use cluster munitions "willy-nilly," U.S. official says

A U.S. official briefed on the decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions said the shells the Pentagon plans to provide are modern versions with a dud rate of around 2%.

The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said Ukraine has an urgent need for the weapons to deny Russians access to routes and destroy their armor vehicles as they try to advance or retreat. Ukraine launched its counteroffensive last month and has made incremental advances.

Sullivan said the idea that Ukrainian forces would "willy-nilly use" the cluster munitions to potentially harm fellow citizens would be "at odds with their fundamental desire to protect their countrymen."

On Thursday, Air Force Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, without acknowledging that a decision had been made to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, said a variant under consideration contained fragments that could be used against concentrations of Russian troops.

Human Rights Watch, in a report on civilian casualties in Ukraine caused by cluster munitions, called on Russia and Ukraine to halt their use in the war. It also warned the United States against providing them, saying they will inevitably lead to long-term suffering for civilians.

The U.S. government should not be providing cluster munitions to any country due to the foreseeable and lasting harm to civilians from these weapons, Mary Wareham, acting arms director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. Transferring cluster munitions disregards the substantial danger they pose to civilians and undermines the global effort to ban them.

The Congressional Research Service found a wide range of dud rates. Some manufacturers claimed a failure rate of 2% to 5% while mine-clearance specializes reported rates as high as 30%. Some factors that prevent detonation include the age of the cluster munition, air temperature, landing in soft, muddy ground or getting caught in trees or vegetation.

Colin Kahl, the Pentagons undersecretary for policy, told reporters that the shells being shipped to Ukraine have a failure rate of 2.35%. Thats above the 1% threshold for export, but Biden used his authority to waive that requirement for national security purposes, Kahl said.

Ukraine needs the cluster-munition shells because the supply of conventional artillery ammunition is running low, Kahl said, and the Russian defense has been stouter than expected. In real war, things are hard, Kahl said.

The Pentagon has hundreds of thousands of cluster-munition rounds with dud rates of 2.35%, he said. Thats more than enough to supply Ukraine, maintain enough in the U.S. arsenal and allow time for industry to rebuild stockpiles of conventional artillery ammunition.

Ukraine has provided written assurance that it wont use the cluster munitions in civilian areas and will map their use so that unexploded bomblets can be found and disposed of later, Kahl said.

The new weapons will be used to attack dug-in Russian forces, he said, noting that the counteroffensive has gone slower than had been hoped.

Putins theory of the war, Kahl said, is that he can outlast the Ukrainians and western support for their war effort. He will simply brute force his way through this, Kahl said.

The cluster-munition rounds, Kahl said, will help show Putin U.S. support has not weakened.

U.S. lawmakers split on use of cluster munitions

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told USA TODAY in an interview that if the United States' best military advisers suggest that cluster munitions are a powerful weapon for Ukraine to have it as arsenal, then he supports Biden administration's decision. "Sometimes you just have to match up with what Putin thinks he can use and that we will constrain ourselves and say, you're setting the rules and we're going to play by them," Tillis said.

"I would be satisfied that the United States does intend to send, I hope tens of thousands of cluster bombs to Ukraine for their use on the battlefield," Tillis added.

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), co-chair of the bipartisan Unexploded Ordinance (UXO)/Demining Caucus, said that while she supports providing Ukraine with the resources and weapons systems it needs to support itself, "victory cannot come at the expense of our American values and thus democracy itself."

To those who say the weapons are necessary to level the battlefield against Russia, Houlahan said, "I challenge the notion that we should employ the same tactics Russia is using, blurring the lines of moral high ground. And I challenge all of us to remember that this war will end, and the broken pieces of Ukraine will need to be rebuilt. History remembers not only who wins a war but also how a war is won.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden OKs cluster bombs, decried by human rights groups, for Ukraine
An old saying might help us understand the American administrations current keenness on India: Dont believe it until its officially denied. Ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis state visit to Washington last month, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that this visit is not about China. Yet he did not deny that China is high on the agenda of the summit. The question of Chinas role in the military domain, the technology domain, the economic domain will be on the agenda.

Many in the White House including the president spent time countering the media claim that the US is leveraging India as a counterweight to China as part of a confrontational Beijing strategy. Biden made it clear that he sees India as vital to helping preserve the Western-led global international order that China is seeking to challenge.

Months before his 2020 election win, Biden stressed standing up to the rising role of China and Russia in his foreign policy strategy. In doing that, the US would reclaim the global role he accused his electoral rival, Donald Trump, of losing it. The Ukraine war last year was the first major test of that strategy. Building a wider Western coalition against Russia would reconfirm Washingtons position as the sole global power, which some argue is a project that has failed with cracks in the Western coalition behind Kyiv.

American pressure on European partners to de-couple from Beijing have not been too effective, and so the theory seems to be exploiting the long-standing rivalry between China and India. This at least is what Bidens strategists believe, as the CNN and the Washington Post both noted. Even in denying that they are courting India to counter Chinese influence, officials implied it was true.

US Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby was quoted by news agency PTI as saying, India has challenges with China as well, right on their doorstep, but also more broadly in the region India is a sovereign independent state. They have their own foreign policy that they have to manage. And they live in a tough neighborhood.

Before leaving Washington on his way to Cairo for his first visit to Egypt, Modi concluded unprecedented deals with American businesses  mainly in the military department  one of those being a multi-billion dollar agreement with General Electric to manufacture fighter engines in India. He also bought highly sophisticated drones from American suppliers. That is not necessarily an American attempt to enhance military cooperation with India in anticipation of an Indian position should the Sino-American struggle escalate. In fact, many analysts in the US doubt that Delhi would take a firm position in that case, rather than doing as it did with the Ukraine war. Good relations with the US and Europe did not stop India from being the main importer of Russian oil that fell under European embargo.

The populist Hindu government of Narendra Modi used to be a focus of American criticism, especially from the Democrats before they were in power. They accused former Republican president Donald Trump of cosying up to Modi whose government was eroding human, political, press and religious freedoms, as the CNN noted. Though India is the largest democracy, at least in comparison to its population size, it may well be an imperfect one, as the Washington Post suggested. That makes White House statements surrounding any partnership with India appear hypocritical.

But it was not only the Democratic administration that was upbeat about Modis visit. Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told India Today that the visit was different from any other visit by an Indian PM to Washington. PM Modi addressed the US Congress joint session twice, a feat previously achieved by only four people, two of them Israelis along with Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill, the Indian minister said. The Republicans, it should be noted, control the Congress and half the Senate.

Both Republicans and Democrats, as well as the business community, extended a hearty welcome Earlier, the business community in America was hesitant about joining India during the visit. However, this time prominent figures such as Satya Nadella, Elon Musk, and Tim Cook were present. It is also worth noting that Tim Cooks Apple has recently moved some of its iPhone supply chain from China to India; whether this was for logistical reasons or succumbing to White House pressure on American companies to leave China is not clear.

Regardless of the motives that surround these developments, stronger relations between the US and India are undoubtedly beneficial. A closeness to America can even be used to leverage relations with allies in the Middle East, from Egypt to the Gulf countries. This does not necessarily mean that the region will be seeking to make India a closer ally than China any time soon. As a Gulf commentator suggested, this is all part of an independent foreign policy by countries in the region to diversify their global alliances. Keeping good relations with the US, Europe, Russia, China, India and others is a choice that many countries in the region are actively making.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Bishop Christopher Coyne, the head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, has been appointed as the coadjutor archbishop of Hartford, Connecticut.

Coyne, serving as the Bishop of Burlington since December 2014, will assume his new role in the fall and eventually succeed the current archbishop of Hartford when he resigns next year, according to a statement released by the Vatican on June 26. As Coyne departs, an administrator will be elected to lead the Diocese of Burlington while Pope Francis decides who to appoint as the new bishop for Vermont.

Coyne, a 65-year-old from Woburn, Massachusetts, became a priest for the Archdiocese of Boston at 27. He studied in Rome and earned a doctorate in sacred liturgy in 1994.

Coyne's accomplishments

During his tenure in Vermont, Coyne organized the Diocese of Burlington's first synod in over 50 years. The synod was a series of meetings focused on shaping the church's future in Vermont. The synod established a pastoral plan for the Catholic Church in the state and developed specific laws and policies to support it.

Bishop Christopher Coyne celebrates Communion at the Burlington Diocese on Dec. 7, 2022.

Additionally, Coyne established the Vermont Catholic Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the Catholic community in the state. Through this foundation, resources, and assistance were provided to various Catholic initiatives.

As bishop of Burlington, Coyne removed an unvaccinated pastor from his parish in 2022 who refused to wear a mask and forming a lay review committee that examined allegations of sexual misconduct by Vermont priests in 2018.

Catholic population declines in Vermont

The Catholic population in Vermont has experienced a decline over the years, according to the Pew Research Center. The decline in part can be attributed to the Catholic sex abuse scandal, which led to the Diocese of Burlington paying millions of dollars in settlements during 2006-2010, resulting in the sale of several properties.

Bishop Christopher Coyne, head of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington, announces the release of 40 names of priests accused of sexual abuse during a news conference on Thursday, August 22, 2019, in South Burlington. He also released a report looking into priest misconduct back to 1950.

In 2015, 73 parishes were serving 117,000 Catholics, accounting for 18.5% of the state's population. In 2023, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington serves about 110,000 Catholics in 68 parishes. I

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This decline is more pronounced when compared to the peak of Vermont's Catholic population in 1978, which stood at 161,710, representing over a third of the state's population at the time.

Contact Free Press staff writer Isabella Infante at iinfante@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Bishop Coyne on Burlington's Catholic Diocese will leave this fall
WASHINGTON  A bipartisan group of senators wants NATO nations' military spending to be at the top of this year's summit agenda.

The U.S. contributes more than any other member of the alliance, and senators are urging President Joe Biden to push NATO nations to step up their defense spending at a summit next week in Lithuania.

"The lack of sufficient progress is politically and economically unsustainable. American citizens rightly question why our government disproportionately bears the burden  decade after decade  for Europe's defense. In Vilnius, we respectfully request that you make this issue a top priority," a group of 35 senators told Biden in a letter that was shared with USA TODAY.

NATO nations agreed in 2014 to aim to spend at least 2% of their annual gross domestic product on defense, following Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea, and take steps to meet the guideline within a decade. At the time, only three countries, including the United States, were meeting the standard.

By the end of this year, number is projected to rise to 11, according to a new report from NATO that was released on Friday. The report that includes estimated 2023 spending shows the bulk of the 31-nation alliance's defense expenditures still lagging.

Germany, for instance, is projected to spend 1.57% of its GDP on defense this year, or $56.6 billion, according to the NATO report, compared with the 3.49%, and roughly $743.3 billion, the U.S. is estimated to spend.

The German government announced an increase of 1.7 billion Euro for defense 2024 earlier this week and said that some 19.2 billion euros from a special fund would also be spent next year. Germany says the combined spending puts it on a pathway to reach NATOs 2% target in 2024.

In Vilnius, the alliance will discuss making 2% GDP the minimum for defense spending. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said he expects allies to make an "ambitious new defense investment pledge with 2% of GDP as a floor not ceiling."

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Biden told the NATO chief during a June meeting at the White House that he would support the push.

"And at our summit in Lithuania next month, were going to be building on that momentum, from working to ensure that Allies spend enough on the defense, the 2 percent  not just as a hike, but thats the bottom line," Biden said.

President Joe Biden meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office of the White House, Tuesday, June 13, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) ORG XMIT: DCMC107

In a letter to Biden after the meeting, dated June 23, a group of senators, including Democrats Gary Peters of Michigan, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, Mark Kelly of Arizona and independent Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, asked Biden to help lead the charge.

"Failure of many of our allies  including some of NATO's largest members  to meet commitments of 2% of GDP on defense has the potential to undermine American support for the alliance, severely limits Europe's ability to contribute to our shared interest in defending against Russia, and is a source of long-term instability in Europe, not to mention frustration for American taxpayers," they wrote.

The lawmakers said they are "encouraged" by reports that NATO nations may set 2% as a floor and agree on as much as 3% GDP as the the new target. However, they warned, longstanding disparity is "incompatible with genuine partnership."

The letter was signed by GOP Sens. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, both of whom are expected to meet with U.S. allies in Vilnius at next week's summit, and Republicans Mitt Romney and Mike Lee of Utah, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina and John Thune of South Dakota, among others.

In a statement, Sullivan said, "Congress remains united and resolved for our allies to meet their treaty commitments. Whether our allies meet these commitments is critical, not just to meet the expectations the American taxpayer rightly expects, but also to ensure the long-term health of the NATO Alliance.

"Failure to address the imbalance in defense spending jeopardizes the future of the alliance and all that it continues to do for common transatlantic interests, including in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the National Security Council told USA TODAY, in response to the letter, that Biden believes that spending 2% GDP on defense must be a floor and not a ceiling.

U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said Friday in an interview the U.S. expects roughly two thirds of the alliance to hit the 2% target by the time the previous defense investment pledge expires in 2024.

"What we are likely to do is to arrive at the summit next week and say, hey, let's not put a time cap on this, let's say forever allies need to spend 2% of GDP on defense, because some will hit the target and then drop below it and head the other direction," Smith said. "And so our goal is to lock in the 2% target as an enduring commitment that all allies will make."

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., told USA TODAY in an interview that it's a "perennial issue to get our allies to spend" 2% of their GDP on defense.

"The president should make it clear that...we're an ally, we're we're not going to make up for deficits caused by our NATO allies, " he said, "not making the investment that they're obligated to do under the NATO treaty."

The letter to Biden from U.S. senators echoes sentiments that former Republican President Donald Trump shared with U.S. allies ahead of a 2018 gathering of the NATO alliance in Brussels.

Trump told the German chancellor in a letter that it was "no longer sustainable" for the United States to fund Europe's defense.

It will, however, become increasingly difficult to justify to American citizens why some countries do not share NATOs collective security burden while American soldiers continue to sacrifice their lives overseas or come home gravely wounded, Trump said.

Trump wanted NATO nations to increase their defense spending to 4% GDP, which is double the current target and more than what allies are expected to agree to in Vilnius.

Smith, the current U.S. ambassador to NATO, said the updated pledge that will comes out of the Vilnius summit will likely include "some emphasis in there on the need to spend more than 2%."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NATO countries should pay up on defense costs, U.S. lawmakers say
During the fifth annual Steps of Change, "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," event, 450 pairs of shoes lined the steps of the Licking County Courthouse honoring those who had died as a result of complications related to homelessness, substance use disorder or mental illness.

Smiles and giggles filled the air as volunteers painted the faces of preschoolers. It was a fun day out for families who struggle with the daily challenges of keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table.

These families were among the nearly 200 people who gathered in May at the Licking County Courthouse during the fifth annual Steps of Change, "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," event. It was organized by the Newark Homeless Outreach and Ohio CAN (Change Addiction Now).

Concerns about housing insecurity have been mounting in recent years in Licking County, and the arrival of the Intel computer chip factory 15 miles west of downtown Newark has heightened those concerns because the company will bring thousands of workers to an already tight housing market in central Ohio. Pressure on the housing market has pushed purchase and rent prices beyond reach for a growing number of low-income families.

A recent report by the United Way of Licking County shows that a growing number of working, low-income families are one flat tire or health-care bill away from financial disaster.

The report, called ALICE  which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed  represents households that struggle to meet essential expenses, such as food, health care, housing, transportation and child care, due to insufficient income.

ALICE households are just above the poverty line, which means that one unforeseen crisis could result in dire financial distress. The report shows that more than 10% of households in Licking County fall below the poverty line, with an additional 27% classified as ALICE households.

Some in Licking County live below both the ALICE and poverty thresholds.

Deb Tegtmeyer, executive director of the Licking County Coalition for Housing, said that as of June 13, there are about100 unsheltered adults and 64 others in temporary shelter housing. These numbers do not include children, she said.

In Columbus, the Community Shelter Board reported in June that it counted 2,337 people designated as unhoused during an annual survey done in January.

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And in another measure of the growing number of people living on the edge, The Columbus Dispatch reported in June that "the Mid-Ohio Food Collective is seeing an 'unprecedented' need and record demand across its 680 partner sites in 20 area counties, officials say, with a 40% increase in visits since the same time last year."

People received food assistance 680,995 times at those sites from Jan. 1 to May 31, according to the nonprofit food distributor, up from 484,400 visits during the same period in 2022.

The May 20 Steps of Change event on Newarks Courthouse Square showed the precarious financial position of so many families in Licking County while also highlighting the many organizations working to help families find solutions.

Tables from social service groups lined the sidewalk outside the Licking County Courthouse May 20 during the fifth annual Steps of Change, "Walk a Mile in My Shoes," event.

Fifteen local assistance organizations lined the Courthouse sidewalks with tents and representatives giving out information about their programs for mental health, addiction, recovery and relief for those who are unsheltered.

The centerpiece of the occasion was a memorial to those who died as a result of complications related to homelessness, substance use disorder or mental illness. The remembrance featured about 450 pairs of shoes across all 17 steps at the east entrance to the courthouse. Each pair of shoes honored an individual.

"Its a beautiful thing, yet at the same time, tragic," said Ben Shirley, homeless outreach specialist at Behavioral Healthcare Partners of Central Ohio. "The growing number of shoes serves as a reminder that people are still dying out here and that this problem simply hasnt gone away."

Patricia Perry, founder of the Newark Homeless Outreach program, agreed with Shirley.

"Unfortunately, the amount of shoes is growing," Perry said. "The number of overdoses and the number of homeless in Licking County is rising quickly, too. Regardless of whether we see or hear about them, this is still a huge problem."

Patricia Perry speaks about concerns about the unhoused population during the Steps of Change event in May.

The United Way report illustrates that problem. In just two years, the number of households living on the edge grew by 14%, with 3,159 households being added to this demographic between the years 2019 and 2021.

Deb Dingus, executive director of the United Way of Licking County, said that federal financial aid that came during the COVID-19 pandemic is ending, so the number of households in financial distress is expected to rise in the near future.

"Were starting to see folks who were already fragile during the pandemic become even more fragile as these support systems begin to disappear," Dingus said.

Between the start of the pandemic in 2019 and the end of 2021, the ALICE estimated "survival budget" increased by 13%, from $56,281 to $63,684. The survival budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in the modern economy and includes housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, a smartphone plan, and taxes.

Members of the Newark Think Tank on Poverty said that the tightening housing market in central Ohio has resulted in a rapid increase in housing costs, especially for renters.

In October, The Think Tank conducted a survey in two distressed neighborhoods near downtown Newark. The survey showed that 27% of respondents think the new Intel factory will increase their financial distress.

According to Rocket Homes, the median selling price for a home has increased by 8% across the Licking County market in the past year.

The Columbus Dispatch reported in February that Granville led central Ohio with a 28% gain in median sales price in 2022: "Next were Powell, in Delaware County, up 23%; Johnstown, in Licking County, up 21%, and New Albany, a portion of which is where Intel will be located in Licking County, up 20%. Close behind were the Licking County communities of Pataskala, with an 18% jump, and Newark, with a 14% gain."

"Its hard to keep up," one unsheltered resident said during the Steps of Change event. "Its hard to pay rent if you dont have a job, and its hard to find work if you dont have an address, a clean pair of clothes and, hell, some of us dont even have phones."

This daunting spiral is common among unhoused people and is only complicated by the physical and mental health needs some of them face.

James "Jaz" Robinson, who recently found a place to stay in Newark, spoke about how his health has inhibited his job search.

"Right now, Im strung up with PTSD and an ongoing heart condition," he said. "To get a job, Ive got to get back on my feet and get my health back. Theres a lot of us out here like that."

Mental illness affects some of those without housing in Licking County. While some are born with them, others acquire them as a result of trauma, such as domestic or sexual abuse.

"Thats why a lot of people out here turn to drugs," said Suzy Wilson, a guest at the Newark Homeless Outreach. "It works for a bit, but then it brings its own bag of issues."

One of these issues is losing their homes.

And even if one manages to find work, many low-paying jobs dont provide enough to support living in Licking County. This years Out of Reach Report, conducted by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said that to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Licking County, renters must make at least $22.37 an hour.

Jobs with limited experience and education requirements tend to float at or close to the state minimum wage, which currently is $10.10. Therefore, even two incomes at or near minimum wage would leave a worker struggling to afford an apartment in Licking County.

"These issues that were out here supporting today arent going away," Perry said during the downtown Newark event in May. "Our battle against this is just beginning, and look at the support weve already received."

A stark reminder of the need  and the worst possible outcome of living in poverty  was visible in the 450 pairs of empty shoes on the courthouse steps.

Jack Wolf writes for TheReportingProject.org, the nonprofit news organization of the Denison University Journalism Program, which is sponsored in part by the Mellon Foundation.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Licking County poverty numbers causing concern for working families
Dane County Judge Diane Schlipper makes remarks May 4 at the Dane County Courthouse in Madison during a case being argued by the State of Wisconsin which challenges the 1849 state law that outlaws abortion except to save the mother's life.

MADISON - A lawsuit seeking to invalidate a 19th Century-era abortion law at the center of Wisconsin politics may proceed, a Dane County judge said in an order Friday while also signaling she did not believe the law in question bans consensual abortions.

Dane County Circuit Judge Diane Schlipper denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit from defendant Sheboygan District Attorney Joel Urmanski, who argued in May that Attorney General Josh Kaul, who brought the lawsuit, was asking a judge to perform the duties of lawmakers and was ignoring the fact that lawmakers have put forward language to repeal the original abortion law and decided against passing it.

Schlipper in her Friday order rejecting Urmanski's argument said doctors deserve an answer to which abortion-related state law they should follow now that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, putting back into effect laws in Wisconsin that were dormant under the 50-year decision.

The judge also signaled she did not believe the law in question, a statute written in 1849, applies to abortions but to feticide.

"There is no such thing as an '1849 Abortion Ban' in Wisconsin. A physician who performs a consensual medical abortion commits a crime only 'after the fetus or unborn child reaches viability '" she wrote, explicitly adding the law does not prohibit consensual medical abortions.

Kaul and Gov. Tony Evers, both Democrats, filed the lawsuit soon after the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2022 overturned their 1973 decision known as Roe v. Wade that legalized abortion nationwide  a ruling that effectively put back into place the state's original abortion law.

In a tweet, Evers called the order "good news and a critical step in our fight to end our states criminal abortion ban and restore the reproductive freedom women had in Wisconsin until #SCOTUS overturned #Roe last June."

Gracie Skogman, legislative director of anti-abortion advocacy group Wisconsin Right to Life, said the order is a devastating setback in the ongoing fight to protect Wisconsins preborn children, as countless lives have been saved because of (the abortion ban).No matter what the courts decide, we will continue to advocate for the protection of life in Wisconsin, including comprehensive care and resources for mothers and their preborn babies, she said in a statement.

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Passed more than a century before the Roe ruling, Wisconsin's abortion law bans doctors from performing abortions in every case except when the mother will die without the procedure. Doctors face up to six years in prison on felony charges and $10,000 in fines if they violate the law.

Kaul argues in the lawsuit that the 1849 law has been invalidated by abortion laws passed since the Roe v. Wade decision. Anti-abortion proponents and attorneys for Republican lawmakers disagree, arguing the original law still stands. The disagreement will be resolved by Schlipper or more likely, under appeal, the state Supreme Court.

The issue was front-and-center in April's state Supreme Court election. The court is controlled by conservatives until this summer when Milwaukee County Judge Janet Protasiewicz replaces retiring conservative Justice Patience Roggensack. Protasiewicz all but promised voters during her campaign this year that she would side with Kaul.

If a judge or justices side with Kaul and rule that the 1849 abortion law was invalidated by subsequently passed abortion regulations, the Department of Justice argues the state's 20-week abortion ban will go back into effect.

Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin passed legislation in recent years under former Gov. Scott Walker that banned abortions after five months of pregnancy and required women to receive an ultrasound before undergoing the procedure.

Between 1996 and 2022, women in Wisconsin seeking abortions also were required to participate in counseling and wait 24 hours before undergoing the procedure.

Kaul and Evers filed the legal challenge in June 2022, asking state courts to clarify whether the 173-year-old ban is still in place.

The lawsuit was filed in Dane County Circuit Court, initially against Republican legislative leaders, and argues the longstanding ban that had been unenforceable since 1973 under Roe v. Wade is still unenforceable because it conflicts with abortion measures state lawmakers have passed since.

Kaul said measures passed by Republican lawmakers setting restrictions on abortions under Roe v. Wade repealed the original abortion law.

But following the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, opponents of abortion and conservative legal experts said the state law passed in 1849 banning abortions was in effect.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin judge allows lawsuit challenging 1849 abortion ban to proceed
Photo Illustration by Kelly Caminero / The Daily Beast / Getty

Russia has known no other leader in the 21st century than Vladimir Putin. Throughout his nearly quarter-century in power, few global leaders have been so closely scrutinized. U.S. and allied intelligence agencies have observed and analyzed him more closely than perhaps any other single individual.

So how come we keep getting him and the nature of the threat he poses so wrong?

At first the mistakes we made about Putin could be written off to inexperience. In 2001, just a year after Putin had assumed power, George W. Bush famously said he was able to look Putin in the eye and get a sense of his soul. As a result of this spiritual journey, the American president concluded that the Russian leader was very straightforward and trustworthy.

How the U.S. and Ukraine Should Take Advantage of a Weakened Putin

Like Bush, successive American presidents were played by Putin, cowed by his use of force, seduced into thinking the power of their personalities or diplomacy could contain the threat he posed. As a result, Putin was able to repeatedly catch America flat-footedin Georgia, in Syria, and in Ukraine. Our responses in each of these cases were too weak and then, under President Donald Trump, the U.S. had a president who went a step further and was seduced by Putins seeming strength.

In an insightful 2017 New York Times op-ed, Masha Gessen explored how Trump could fall under the spell of a leader as thuggish and demonstrably corrupt as Putin. They cited several factors that included ignorance, a love of power and grandeur, shared prejudice, an inability or unwillingness to distinguish fact from fiction, and moral neutrality. On this last point, Gessen was being kind.

The reality is that the Putin lovers were actively evil, admiring his brutality and, in Trumps case, wishing he could exercise power in the same way.

President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russia's President Vladimir Putin during their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany on July 7, 2017. Carlos Barria/Reuters

As recently as a week ago, former New Jersey Gov, Chris Christie cited Trumps goon-envy, saying he the former president aspired to being Putin in America. It was hardly a stretch. Trump was on the record calling Putins invasion of Ukraine genius, and on numerous other occasions osculating the dictators hindquarters.

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Perversely, it may be that Trumpin seeing Putin as a fellow gangstermay have better understood the essence of Putin than did Bush or Obama, who repeatedly acted as if somewhere within Putin were the impulses of a world-leader (albeit one who was both an adversary and serially violated international law).

Trump and Putin Are in Deep Trouble and Need Each Other More Than Ever

It is fair to say that President Biden came to power with no illusions about Putin. He called Putin a dictator while he was still serving as Barack Obamas vice president. And of course, once Putin invaded Ukraine, Biden offered the harshest condemnation of the Russian leader any U.S. president has ever expressed, accurately calling the former KGB officer a war criminal and even daring to suggest that Russia and the world would be better off without Putin in office.

What is more, of course, not only has Biden offered tough words about his Russian counterpart, he has also taken strong actions, leading the global coalition to support Ukraine in repelling Russias illegal and brutal invasion.

No president since Putin took office has had a clearer read on the Russian leader than Biden.

That said, for all the efforts and time spent trying to understand the Putin that Bush was searching for when he looked into his eyes, leaders in the U.S. and around the world have, apparently, continued to be surprised by Putins actions.

Prior to the invasion of Ukraine there was a prevailing view that Putin was a master strategist. One over-the-top assessment in The Jerusalem Post in 2017 called him the most gifted leader in the international arena. He has, for many years, been hailed for being smarter than U.S. leaders.

Russian service members march during a rehearsal for a military parade in the Red Square in Moscow, Russia on May 7, 2022. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

He was seen as having built up a great military, the worlds second best. For years, we touted it. Even weeks before the Russian escalation in Ukraine last year, The New York Times ran a story headlined, Russias Military, Once Creaky, Is Modern and Lethal, touting Putins impressive build up of his armed forces. Under Mr. Putins leadership, the article asserted, (the Russian military) has been overhauled into a modern sophisticated army, able to deploy quickly and with lethal effect in conventional conflicts, military analysts said.

Putin was also seen as an all-powerful and implacable man who could set and enforce red lines for the Westand who would never negotiate, and then, one by one, cross those red lines without consequence.

Putins Despicable Attack on Zelenskys Jewish Identity

Then, suddenly and right before our eyes, the supposedly all-powerful Putin ended up cutting a deal with a rogue mercenary backed by a small force who nearly drove all the way to Moscow.

Apparently, he is not nearly as in control as we had thought he was just a few weeks ago.

As for Russias army (the one Putin actually controls), according to the chief of staff of the U.K.s armed forces this week, half of its combat capability has been lost in the past year in its war with Ukraine. Clearly, a geopolitical genius Putin is not.

So, how after all this time can we still be getting Putin wrong?

Well, in addition to the reasons Gessen mentioned six years agowhich still prevail among Trump and his followersthere are a few additional ones.

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. Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters

First, there are important power centers in Washington and in capitals throughout the NATO alliance that have an interest in overstating Putins strength, the danger he poses, and the capabilities of his military.

They are, of course, defense contractors and military leaders who depend on formidable enemies to help them pass the massive defense budgets to which they have become addicted. They are, more often than not, abetted by journalists and analysts who seek access to them and, thus, who parrot their lines. (It also just so happens that they benefit when they write stories that are big on drama and ominous foreshadowing.)

Thats not to say that Putin is not dangerous or that an army that possesses the worlds largest nuclear stockpile is not a force to be reckoned with. It is and should be.

Russia Mutiny Is More Proof the World Needs to Get Rid of Nuclear Weapons

That said, it is past time to reassess the Russian threat. If Russias armies have fared so poorly against a small neighbor like Ukraine, it must be clear to them (and to all) that they would do disastrously were they to face the combined forces of NATOby far the worlds most potent military alliance, and one that has gotten significantly stronger as a consequence of Putins Ukraine invasion.

In addition, as we have seen in recent weeks, even Russias ability to play the nuclear card has been limited by the fact that its most important ally, China, has pressured Moscow not to use weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) in Ukraine.

Ukrainian service members check a destroyed Russian a BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle near the front line in the newly liberated village Storozheve in Donetsk region, Ukraine on June 14, 2023. Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters

In fact, the China relationship that Putin undoubtedly saw as an empowering factor has been one that has actually limited him throughout the past year, offering words of support and limited aid but not stepping up and providing key weapons or other forms of support that could have strengthened Russia.

Indeed, it is clear now that Putin is not in a relationship of equals with China. He is, as the Biden administration has pointed out, the junior partner in the alliance and losing traction fast. Further, the support he expected from other allies has chilled a bit as Russia has faltered in Ukraineand committed serial war crimes along the way.

These last points all do provide at least one partially exculpatory explanation for why so many have gotten Putin so wrong. The Vladimir Putin of 2023 is not the Vladimir Putin who assumed power in 2000 or even the one who boldly ignored international law when invading Georgia in 2008 or Ukraine in 2014. He is not even the Vladimir Putin of 2022, prior to the most recent attack on Ukraine.

He is, as we have seen, older, more paranoid and significantly diminished by the gross misalignment between his hubris and his abilities as a leader. He has not only suffered on the battlefield, but his country has suffered grievously from economic sanctions, all losses that will take decades to repair.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a joint statement following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia on March 21, 2023. Mikhail Tereshchenko/Sputnik/Pool via Reuters

In other words, Putin, sitting at the end of his long tables or hiding in his bunker, on some level knows that it will be up to someone else to rebuild the Russia whose standing, economy, and military he has devastated.

None of this means Putin is not capable of inflicting damage. Daily headlines of horrors in Ukraine prove he is. Worrisome reports out of the Zaporizhia nuclear facility suggest unimaginable catastrophes are still possible, especially because he is desperate.

But the past year has been instructive for world leaders. Putin is not ten feet tall. The Russian military has been cut down to being a shadow of its former self. Fortunately, for the most part, threats of retaliation no longer intimidate an emboldened NATO.

Putin Projects Nothing but Weakness

Crucial lessons have been learned that all too often come too late with international bullies of Putins ilk. Such men (and throughout history these monsters have been mostly men) are always more deeply flawed than they appear. They inevitably sow the seeds of their own downfalls.

We do ourselves a disservice when we overstate their strengths and allow groups within our societies to amplify that overstatement to serve their own narrow interests.

Whereas rogue leaders like Putin feed off the weakness inculcated by their threatening tactics and postures, generating and maintaining the will to stand up to them is the one proven way to bring them down. The strength of Ukraine, of President Biden, of our NATO allies have finally revealed with great clarity the defects of Russias tinpot czar.

Let us hope we are able to maintain the strength we need to defeat him in Ukraine, and contain in a lasting way the threat he will pose as long as it takes for his waning power to disappear altogether.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray arrive to a press conference in New York City on Sept. 20, 2019.

Bill de Blasio and Chirlane McCray arrive to a press conference in New York City on Sept. 20, 2019. Credit - Yana PaskovaGetty Images

New York City has had some colorful characters as mayor. There was Fiorello La Guardia, a Republican who sponsored pro-union legislation; James John Walker, who loved fancy suits, women, speakeasies, and bribes in equal measure; Michael Bloomberg, who got into the weeds of civic policy from the manicured grounds of billionaire life; and, of course, Rudy Giuliani, with his dizzying journey from champion to chumpion. Bill de Blasio was not one of those mayors.

But now it appears de Blasio might make history after all, as the first New York City mayor to decide to open up his marriage and talk about it in detail in a big newspaper. On July 5, the New York Times revealed that de Blasio and his wife, Chirlane McCray, have decided to separate, but still live together. Their union was thwarted, they said, partly by the stresses of politics and in particular de Blasios quixotic run for President but also, well, it was complicated.

For many, the de Blasio-McCray marriage was a beacon of what family values among progressives could look like. They were an interracial couple, both career-minded and smart, she was six years older than he, and she had identified as a lesbian when they met, and they made it work. Their new chapter seems again to be stretching the traditional model of marriage. They are not divorcing, nor at this stage moving out, but they are exploring the process of dating other people. (Its unclear if either of them has started yet.)

Read More: The Case Against Engagement Rings

More from TIME

The term of art for this arrangement is consensual non-monogamy. Therapists say theyve heard a lot more about it in the last decade. Over the 17 years that Ive seen couples, Ive definitely seen a rise in the last few years, says Tracy Dalgleish, a clinical therapist in Ottawa, Canada, and the author of the forthcoming book about marital malaise I Didnt Sign Up for This. It is being discussed more frequently, and it is a topic that I think has existed beforehand, but perhaps people are more openly sharing about this now.

Story continues

Martha Kauppi, a Madison, Wisconsin-based therapist who specializes in non-monogamous and polyamorous couples, trains others on counseling clients about the issue. Its definitely a growing thing, she says. Ive been getting questions about it for many years in my own private practice, and have overflowed, which is why I teach therapists to work with it, so I can do a referral. She adds that a large chunk of her clients have been married, as de Blasio and McCray have, for 25 years or more.

Most therapists say such relationships are workable but take a lot of effort, openness, and communication. The successful ones do it with care and with thoughtfulness, says Stan Tatkin, a Los Angeles-based therapist and researcher whose latest book is In Each Others Care. He says its important to have discussions about what could go wrong, and what do we do if it does, and how are we going to do this so that we remain intact. The couple has to work out how to make sure they dont hurt each other and often the levels of honesty and responsibility have to be just as high, if not higher, as in monogamous couples. They both have to be really on board and have to be thoughtful, says Tatkin. And there has to be rigorous honesty and vetting.

Read More: Single at 40? Blame the Economy

Many couples who try to date while married do not realize how laborious it will be. If this is truly a situation where the couple has mutually decided to open their relationship, then its a boon that de Blasio has time on his hands, because these relationships tend to require a great deal of time-consuming and emotional conversation in order to work out well for both people, says Daphne De Marneffe, a therapist from San Francisco and author of The Rough Patch.

Others advise against it for exactly that reason, especially with high-profile marriages, which are already tricky to maintain. I caution against adopting this ideology due to the fact that it only complicates an already complex unit, says Bridgette Reed, a marriage and family therapist from Dallas. The more people you add to that unit, the more complicated it becomes and the more strain you put on the relationship long-term.

For those who are interested in exploring it, however, Kauppi starts by working with clients on three skills, which she says help with whats known as self-differentiation. One is being able to get in connection with yourself, look inside of yourself and figure out what you think, feel, desire, prefer, believe, separate from what anybody else wants you to think or feel or desire, she says. The second is to be able to do that and then share it with someone else, even if you think its going to be hard for them to hear. And then the third is to be able to stay grounded and curious when someone else is telling you something about themselves, their preferences, their desires, thats hard for you to hear.

Kauppi believes that until couples can see and understand their own and each others desires clearly, they will not be able to abide by any agreements they may otherwise make just to avoid a conflict. She gets her clients to ask such questions as How did you get this idea and why does it feel relevant? How do you imagine it working for me? Can you think of some ways that could make our relationship better or is this really just a thing that you want and you havent really thought through how it would affect our connection?

Read More: Why I Stayed in a Marriage That Was Making Me Miserable

One of the main reasons couples open their relationship, say therapists, is they have whats known as a desire discrepancy, in which one person would like to have sex more often than the other. The higher-desire partner is not having their sexual needs fulfilled, and so they are looking at ways to maintain this core relationship while also then connecting and exploring with other people, says Dalgleish. But often therapists find that the issue theyre trying to address is not the one that is at the heart of the problems in their union, which could be that the couple is not as securely attached as they think they are.

Those couples who are securely attached may weather non-monogamy better than others. Security means we trust each other, we can share difficult things, we can have hard conversations, we can set boundaries, we are differentiated, we have healthy interdependence, says Dalgleish.

Despite the unusual openness of de Blasio and McCray, nobody really knows what concerns are at play in any marriage. People sometimes [separate but live together] when they dont know what they feel, says de Marneffe. They dont want to decisively leave the marriage, but they are opening the door to the possibility of that eventuality. The former mayor and his wife are just old enough to be considered boomers, a generation for whom the so-called gray divorcesplitting in your later years after decades of marriagehas been a huge trend. Women, mainly, start to feel, I dont want this anymore,' says Tatkin, referring to the still unequal burden borne by women around the household and child-rearing duties. People look back and they see that theyve been living a life that has been unfair.

Tatkin also believes political campaigns and careers are particularly brutal on marriages. A couple comes to me and hes getting into politics, and now his people are telling her how to dress and how to talk and they are protecting their client, he says, comparing the power imbalance to a stepfamily, where there are two claims on a spouses attention and loyalty. We see [marital discord] a lot in politicians after they stop serving, says Tatkin. Family members toe the line while the candidate is in office, but as soon as he or she is out, theres a lot of reevaluation.

Therapists, who caution that they mostly see couples who are struggling, do not find consensual non-monogamy to be a cure-all for a marriage that is in a jam. In my clinical experience, Ive not seen opening up the relationship help couples and I have seen it lead to separations, says Dalgleish. But she has seen the suggestion made by one partner act as a kind of wake-up call to the other partner that their lover is deeply unhappy. I have also seen it lead to a strengthening in a relationship when couples have decided to then do something different.
Police

An Alabama family demands a local police department release their bodycam footage after their loved one died following a police-involved incident.

On Sunday (July 2), relatives mourned the loss of 36-year-old Jawan Dallas. That night, Mobile police officers responded to a call about a residential burglary in progress around 9:45 p.m. Once on the scene, authorities reportedly found two men, CNN said. While attempting to identify the individuals, one of them, Jawan, allegedly tried to flee, law enforcement shared on July 4.

Officers claimed the Mobile man physically resisted when police proceeded to apprehend him. A news release noted one of the cops deployed his taser to gain compliance, but the initial stun failed to have any effect. Police alleged Jawan tried to grab the stun gun from the officer. Once the cop regained control of it, authorities tased Jawan again.

Following standard protocol, medical personnel were called to the scene to evaluate, police shared. According to the outlet, Jawan experienced a medical emergency. First responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. We are currently awaiting several reports as a part of this investigation to assist with determining the exact cause of death, the release mentioned.

Mobile Police Cpl. Katrina H. Frazier informed CNN that the officers involved in the tragic incident are on administrative leave. Today (July 6), in a news conference, Harry Daniels, a civil rights attorney representing Jawans family, spoke on the encounter. He claimed Jawan was an innocent bystander, and several witnesses reported to his firm that the Mobile man was nowhere near an alleged burglary.

He had no reason to speak to them because he wasnt a suspect of any crime. There was no probable cause he was involved in any crime, Daniels said. Jawans mother, Christine Dallas, also spoke about her sons passing and his manner of death. My son shouldnt have left here this way, she said. If he was sick or something, I can understand it, but for him to be tased to death, beat, or whatever  is not right. Daniels revealed the family submitted a request to view body camera video of the incident with Mobiles mayor, chief of staff, city clerk, and city attorney.

Trending Stories
Estonia has become the first central European nation, and first ex-Soviet country, to legalize same-sex marriage, approving amendments to its Family Law Act on Tuesday.

The new legislation passed by the Estonian parliament establishes that as of Jan. 1, 2024, marriages can take place between any two people, regardless of their sex.

The passage of new amendments to the Family Law Act also opens doors for same-sex couples who want to adopt children, as unmarried couples in the country cannot adopt.

"This is a decision that does not take anything away from anyone but gives something important to many," Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said in a press release. "It also shows that our society is caring and respectful towards each other. I am proud of Estonia."

It's official: #Estonia has legalised marriage equality. We join other Nordic nations with this historic decision.



I'm proud of my country. We're building a society where everyones rights are respected and people can love freely.



The decision will enter into force from 2024. pic.twitter.com/tQJdO70eEo  Kaja Kallas (@kajakallas) June 20, 2023

According to an April survey by the Estonian Human Rights Centre, more than half of Estonians, 53%, support marriage equality.

Estonia has joined 30 other countries in legalizing gay marriage, according to the Pew Research Center. Andorra, the small European country between France and Spain, also legalized same-sex marriage in February.

"Everyone should have the right to marry the person they love and want to commit to," Kallas said. "With this decision we are finally stepping among other Nordic countries as well as all the rest of the democratic countries in the world where marriage equality has been granted."

Story continues

Prior to this new legislation, Estonia recognized same-sex relationships with the Registered Partnership Act, which gives people a say in decisions related to their partner, their health and their assets. In the event of death, for example, a registered partner can claim the other person's assets, even if there is no will. With Tuesday's amendment, people in registered partnerships will be able to convert their status to marriage with a simple process, according to the news release.

Estonians can continue to enter registered partnerships, even after 2024, when same-sex marriage is officially allowed.

"Although these changes are in many ways purely technical, there is no ignoring their significance," said Signe Riisalo, Estonia's Minister of Social Protection, in a statement. "Guaranteeing equal rights for all is such an elementary thing that this issue was essentially covered in the discussions that took place in the years immediately after we regained our independence."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was among many worldwide who celebrated Estonia's new progressive legislation.

"Congratulations to the people and government of Estonia on the passage of marriage equality legislation and the recognition of same-sex families," Blinken tweeted. "In this historic moment, the United States is proud to stand with you in support of LGBTQI+ communities everywhere."

Children's doctor uses cast art to bring smiles to patients

Federal judge strikes down Arkansas ban on gender-affirming care for minors

How Mississippi's abortion ban has impacted families
Ghanaian British architect Sir David Adjaye has been accused of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and promoting a toxic work culture by three former female employees, according to an investigative story that ran in the Financial Times on July 4. Two of the women were employed in Adjaye Associates Accra office; the other worked at the London branch. All three are single Black mothers with significant professional networks, who were in their 40s at the time of the alleged events, and who knew 56-year-old Adjaye personally prior to their employment in his global architecture firm.

Since the allegations were published, the architect of such celebrated works as the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC and the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi, has stepped down from several appointments and noted that he is seeking professional help for enter[ing] into relationships which though entirely consensual, blurred the boundaries between my professional and personal lives, according to the Financial Times piece. However, its been reported that he has denied any criminal wrongdoing and calls the sexual allegations untrue [and] distressing. Heres what we know so far.

Investitures at Buckingham Palace Photo: Getty Images

The first sexual assault allegedly happened in 2018, then again in 2019

The first sexual assault allegedly took place in 2018, after the two women in Adjayes Accra office went to dinner with the architect to discuss the firms financial struggles and payroll delays, and then accompanied him to his corporate apartment. According to the FT reporting, Adjaye propositioned the two women, touched them inappropriately, and told one, You have to do this, before sexually assaulting her. The next day, he allegedly gave her 4,000 Ghanaian cedi (roughly $880 at that time). (Adjaye and his lawyer deny both that sexual assault occurred and that the cash withdrawal was made for this purpose, rather to pay for a police escort to assist with driving through traffic for a site visit.)

The FT reporting also details how, in 2019, Adjaye allegedly sexually assaulted the same woman in a bathroom in a Johannesburg airport after she met him for a project launch. She brought the incident up to the firm and attempted to file a police report in Ghana, but eight months later, she was fired from Adjaye Associates with no warning.

The other woman had reportedly had a prior sexual relationship with Adjaye, which had ended before her employment. Four months after the incident in the corporate apartment, she was fired. Both women stayed at the company after the assaults because they needed income to support their families, which they had moved to Accra to join the firm, according to the reports. Adjayes lawyer told the FT that the women were dismissed due to concerns about their conduct and capabilities, which were raised by other employees.

Ebele Okobi And Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye Host A Celebration Of This Moment At The British Pavilion In Venice Photo: Getty Images

Adjaye allegedly assaulted another woman in London in 2019

After an industry event in London in 2019, a third woman claims that Adjaye sexually assaulted her and later offered her a position in communications at his London office. During her employment, he allegedly continued a sexually abusive relationship with her, while belittling her in the office and making disrespectful comments about her skin color, she says. She reportedly quit in 2020 and legally accused him of sexual misconduct in 2022.

Beyond these stories, other employees who were interviewed by FT described various forms of mismanagement at the firm, which some said fostered a toxic work culture.

Slug: ST/MUSEUM Date: 04.14.2009 Kevin Clark/The Washington Photo: Getty Images

Adjaye has resigned from public roles and lost architectural commissions

On July 5, after the allegations were made public, Adjaye Associates confirmed Adjaye would no longer be involved in its architectural commission for the Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London. On July 6, the Studio Museum in Harlem announced that it had taken the significant step of parting ways with Adjaye Associates. He has also stepped away from a redevelopment project with Fern Hill in Chicago, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, and his firm was fired from its commission for the East County Library in Oregon. On July 10, it was announced that Sharjahs Africa Institute was canceling plans for a large, Adjaye-designed campus in Sharjah, UAE. Whats more, on July 13, Vermonts Shelburne Museum cut ties with the architect. In light of serious allegations of misconduct leveled against architect David Adjaye, Shelburne Museum will no longer be engaging him or his firm, Adjaye Associates, as design architect of a building planned to house the Museums collection of Native American art, the museum said in a statement.

In addition, Adjaye has resigned from his positions as a Serpentine Galleries trustee, a design advisor to Londons mayor Sadiq Khan, and his association with Venice Architecture Biennale 2023 curator Lesley Lokkos African Futures Institute. At the time of publication, the Royal Institute of British Architects (from whom he won the gold medal in 2021) and the Architects Registration Board have not taken any actions.

Adjaye is also a sculptor, and his exhibitions now hang in the balance. The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Massachusetts, which planned to show his 2021 Asaase sculpture in October, has pulled out. According to ArtNews, the Counterpublic triennial in St. Louis, will open his sculptures continued display up to a community conversation. The triennial ends July 15.

Adjaye maintains his innocence

For now, the architect and his lawyers maintain his innocence. Though his alleged victims have chosen to remain anonymous, the Financial Times has corroborated their claims.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), along with two others, penned a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland asking him to open a Justice Department investigation into Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis program luring in and dropping off migrants in various blue states.

The letter from Newsom, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a Texas sheriff who investigated Floridas transport of migrants from his county urges Garland to follow up on local investigations into the transports with a federal probe.

Although separate investigations into potential violations of state laws remain active, the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) has a unique capability to investigate cases where, as here, the scheme stretches from Massachusetts to California and touches upon no fewer than five states, Thursdays letter reads.

The Florida program overseen by DeSantis has rounded up migrants from various places and dropped them off in Marthas Vineyard last year and Sacramento last month. Local investigations, media reports and first-person accounts all say that recruiters for the program deceived migrants into boarding planes with false promises of jobs, housing and access to other social services once they reached their destination.

It is unconscionable to use people as political props by persuading them to travel to another state based on false or deceptive representations, the letter reads.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has launched a similar program bussing migrants to Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York City, but the letter did not address it.

Texas Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar, one of the letters signatories, filed a criminal case last month recommending charges against DeSantis for arranging to transport migrants from San Antonio to Marthas Vineyard. Several counts of unlawful restraint were filed, and potential criminal prosecution is currently pending with the countys district attorney.

DeSantis, also running for the Republican presidential nomination, did not immediately return requests for comment.

Related...
The issue of illegal migration was high on the agenda of recent meetings held between President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and European officials in Cairo and Paris.

Just before the Eid Al-Adha holiday, Al-Sisi met with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell. He later took part in the New Global Financing Pact initiative launched by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, where illegal immigration was a key topic in the meetings the president had with EU leaders.

This was only to be expected following the recent, tragic sinking of a fishing boat carrying 750 illegal migrants off the Greek coast. The boat was travelling from the coastal city of Tobruk in Libya to Italy, carrying mainly Pakistani, Egyptian, Syrian, and Palestinian nationals.

While Egypt has been cooperating with the Greek authorities to determine the fate of all Egyptians who were on board the ill-fated boat, it still awaits the results of a thorough investigation on how this tragic incident came about, and whether all efforts were made to attempt to save the passengers.

The victims included dozens of women and children, along with mostly young people looking for a better economic future following an unprecedented global economic crisis that has caused resulted in greater suffering, not only in low-income nations in Africa and the Middle East, but also in middle-income and developing nations that were believed to be on the right track in improving the living conditions of their peoples.

Hardly months after coping with the worldwide economic standstill following the spread of Covid-19, conflicts in different parts of the world, the war in Ukraine, and pressing global economic problems caused an unprecedented rise in irregular border crossings, the highest recorded by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard, since 2017.

During his meetings with EU officials, President Al-Sisi underlined his commitment to enhancing dialogue and cooperation on countering illegal migration and terrorism. He also agreed with Borrell on the need for a sustainable, humane, and safe system of migration, while pointing to the problem as a global issue that cannot be addressed by just one country or region.

However, the safe system of migration aspired to cannot be a technical one, or depend solely on policing efforts by countries in the region overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Countries like Egypt and Tunisia have already been taking action against the smugglers and traffickers who put peoples lives in danger. Yet such measures alone will not be enough to contain the growing phenomenon.

The sinking of the boat off the Greek coast, and the death of its passengers, was only a reminder of the nearly daily suffering of hundreds of people from poor and developing nations, mainly because of the massive number of victims. The sad reality is that people die every day in smaller boats while trying to reach their destinations in Europe.

But even if Egyptian migrants manage to reach their destination  Italy in most cases  the government there would repatriate them under an agreement between Italy and Egypt. Under Italian law, the Italian authorities are not allowed to repatriate minors, meaning individuals under the age of 18. In previous discussions with the Italian authorities, Egyptian officials explained that this law encourages minors to migrate because they know that they will not be repatriated. However, the Italian authorities had not reconsidered it, citing laws designed to protect children.

The recent sinking should prompt the EU to appreciate the efforts Egypt is exerting in combating illegal migration and consider providing Egypt with more support to help with the cost of hosting refugees. Providing more opportunities for legal migration to Europe could also reduce illegal migration.

In Egypts case, some 250,000 Sudanese refugees have been forced to move to Egypt following the recent fighting. Another five million Sudanese refugees are already settled in the country. While the EU had declared that it would provide immediate assistance of 20 million euros to help Cairo address this new wave of Sudanese refugees, along with another 80 million euros to combat migration across the Mediterranean, even Borrell admitted that those amounts would not be enough to handle this extremely complicated problem.

What is needed for a lasting solution to illegal migration is for Europe, the United States and other wealthy nations to fulfil their pledges in providing economic assistance and debt relief for low-income and developing nations. The development partners of Africa and the Middle East should show understanding of the economic pressures those countries suffer as they pursue development plans and try to manage a growing debt burden.

In his speech at the Paris Summit, Al-Sisi called for reforming the global financial infrastructure to promote sustainable development financing, including re-allocation of the International Monetary Funds special drawing rights and suspending or cancelling the funds additional fees in times of crisis. He also appealed for more debt swaps, saying the Paris summit highlighted the importance of taking quick international decisions that prevent the outbreak of a major debt crisis. As rightly stated by the Egyptian president, the key challenge is that developed and wealthy nations make many promises, but only keep very few, leaving the door wide open to more waves of illegal migrants who see little hope in staying in their own countries under tough economic conditions.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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CHIRICAHUA NATIONAL MONUMENT  This crown of volcanic rock pinnacles rises above southeastern Arizona grasslands and oak-pine foothills, a largely unknown attraction far from the name-brand national parks that draw millions to the American West each year.

Now, theres a plan to change its image by changing its name  and its status  from Chiricahua National Monument to Chiricahua National Park.

I couldnt believe it when I was here last night and there were (only) two other cars, hiker Michael Boulter said, after stepping off the monuments shuttle from a trailhead to the visitors center on a Tuesday afternoon in June. His morning ride up the monuments eight-mile scenic drive had been on an otherwise empty van, and he had not seen another soul while enjoying nine miles of trail.

The relative seclusion within a 40-mile-long mountain range, once inhabited by the Chiricahua Apaches, remains a getaway mainly for those in the know, possibly numbering no more than 130,000 people a year, according to the National Park Service. For the sake of a burgeoning tourism economy in small towns around the mountains, Arizona politicians and regional boosters hope to draw more attention and traffic by redesignating the 12,025-acre wonder to make it Americas 64th national park. The change would help it stand out among 424 monuments, lakeshores, parkways and other sites managed by the National Park Service.

Visting Chiricahua was a far different experience than Boulter, a view chaser from Kalamazoo, Michigan, had encountered at Arches National Park, the previous destination on his western trip. That sandstone spectacle outside of Moab, Utah, was "so flooded with people" it required timed permits for entry. The story is similar at other famous sites adorned with the national park moniker far north of Chiricahua. Grand Canyon National Park, about a seven-hour drive from Chiricahua, attracted 4.7 million people last year.

If Congress approves, Chiricahua would become the first national park atop one of Arizona's Sky Islands, a chain of biologically rich and diverse mountain ranges that extend north from Mexico. Also called the Madrean Archipelago, these forested "islands" towering over a sea of desert grasslands are a mixing zone for migrating birds and mammals from the Rockies and Sierra Madres. They attract birders from across America, and at least one jaguar that has set off camera traps as it traversed the mountains in recent years.

Story continues

The zone faces renewed pressure from mining companies and from a changing climate that could push some species off the mountains. Fire, including one that burned across most of the national monument a dozen years ago, is a constant threat to pine and spruce species living at the edges of their natural range.

Creating a park would require Congress to act

A view from the Echo Canyon Trail in the Chiricahua National Monument on June 11, 2023, located southeast of Willcox, Arizona.

Putting Chiricahua on the national parks map could buoy gateway motels, restaurants and wineries 35 minutes away in Willcox.

Obviously, you get more exposure when its a national park, said Greg Hancock, a Willcox city councilmember. He moved from Safford to Willcox and bought neighboring motels that had previously closed, hoping to capitalize on the potential he saw when wine-tasting rooms and festivals energized the sleepy Interstate-10 town. He refurbished one motel and is working on the second, both of which stand opposite empty warehouses and near an empty car showroom. Id like to see the town grow, he said.

New crowds streaming to Chiricahua might also deter solo wilderness seekers like Boulter.

Its beautiful, he said, just as it is. One of the things I really like about it is it flies under the radar. He said he would prefer national park designations to prioritize preservation, not profit.

Unlike national monuments, which presidents can create on their own under the Antiquities Act to protect landmarks and landscapes of historic or scientific interest, national parks require congressional authorization. The U.S. Senate approved a Chiricahua National Park bill last year, but the House did not act on it before that session ended.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Arizona, announced in March that he had reintroduced the bill with cosponsor support from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Arizona, introduced companion legislation in the House. All three touted a national parks ability to boost tourism in the region. If approved this year, the legislation would create Arizonas fourth national park, after Grand Canyon, Saguaro and Petrified Forest.

Dedicated in 1924 and still featuring rock trail work completed by the New Deals Civilian Conservation Corps, Chiricahua National Monument protects wildlands and a broad sprinkling of rhyolite columns and balanced rocks, also known as hoodoos, eroded from the tuff deposited 27 million years ago by a volcanic explosion. A chartreuse layer of lichens clings to the taupe pillars. More than eight-tenths of the monument is congressionally designated wilderness, meaning roads and mechanized travel are generally forbidden beyond the scenic drive, a campground and a visitor center.

Local families who had sought monument status to drive tourism called this part of the mountains the Wonderland of Rocks. The Apaches called it the Land of Standing-Up Rocks, according to the National Park Service.

Congressional support: Sen. Mark Kelly, Rep. Juan Ciscomani team up to make Chiricahua National Monument a national park

A new level of protection for the landscape

Most visitors come to Chiricahua in February and March, coinciding with the regions busy birdwatching season. You can have the park to yourself the rest of the year, said Tiffany Powers, head of interpretation, education and visitor services at Massai Point.

The monument is a hidden gem among the national parks and monuments systems, said Tiffany Powers, head of interpretation, education and visitor services for the National Park Services Southeast Arizona Group. Only 50,000 to 65,000 people pass through the visitor center in a given year, she said. The monument does not charge an entrance fee or track every visitor, though, and managers assume at least another 50,000 to 65,000 people enter the park but skip the visitor center.

Most of those visitors come in February and March, Powers said, coinciding with the regions busy birdwatching season. You can have the park to yourself the rest of the year, she said.

While the National Park Service takes no official position on the legislation, Powers said, she and others on the monuments leadership team would welcome the chance to greet more visitors. What are we preserving this for if people cant come here and enjoy it?

Park status would also confer a greater level of protection to the land, Powers said. Management priorities wouldnt change, but dissolving or shrinking a national park would require an act of Congress. Though reductions to national monuments are rare, former Republican President Donald Trump downsized two Utah monuments that Democratic presidents had created.

Not much is likely to change immediately if Congress redesignates Chiricahua as a park, Powers said. The legislation does not increase funding for the monument or increase its staff of 33. That could change over time if more visitors hear about and visit the park, causing the agency to redistribute funds to keep up.

Theres little developable area to make significant changes. Managers plan to upgrade camp and picnic sites, but dont have room to add or widen roads. That could change if private lands nearby become available for sale, Powers said.

Where to travel: Top 10 state and national parks around Arizona that aren't Grand Canyon

Not everyone wants a national park nearby

George Burkert in his store, Willcox Trading, on June 13, 2023, in Willcox, Arizona.

The monuments compact stature and limited development are reasons some neighbors are skeptical of a park designation. Doubts appear strongest on the east side of the Chiricahua Mountains, opposite the monuments west-side entry. There, around clusters of homesteads for birdwatchers and night-sky aficionados at the hamlets of Portal and Paradise, some believe they already have their hands full with visitors. Its a place where people consider the lack of cellphone service an amenity.

I dont need any more business, said Reed Peters, who bought a Portal lodge catering to birdwatchers shortly after he came birding himself in the 1990s. Called Cave Creek Ranch, his business rents rooms and cottages under a canopy of oaks and sycamores in a habitat favoring numerous birds rare to the U.S., including the elegant trogon, a red-white-and-green birder magnet thats more common in Mexico and Central America. His outpost at the base of Cave Creek Canyon is connected to the monuments entrance via a narrow gravel road that winds over the mountains through Coronado National Forest and closes in winter.

The thing that might save us is that the road is so bad, Peters said.

Local Cochise County services such as EMTs also are scarce in the area, he said, and hiking trails on the U.S. Forest Service lands surrounding the monument are in rough shape. The creek grows algae in summer, he said, nourished by human waste because there are inadequate restrooms. Nobody here has the staff to deal with more people.

Mostly, Peters said, the monument itself doesnt have space to handle more people.

Its totally inappropriate for the scale of the place. It works very well the way it is. He mentioned Massai Point, a commanding viewpoint over the rock spires, and the place most roadside visitors stop for a look when the monument road tops out.

You cant expand the mountaintop, he said. Thats all there is.

Still, You can love an area to death, said Rick Taylor, a naturalist, author and birding guide. He moved to the east side of the Chiricahuas after he fell in love with the mountains while working as a fire lookout in the 1970s. Through various jobs he held at the monument, he had an arduous but enjoyable daily commute via dirt bike, hike and bicycle left chained in the forest. It was the kind of place he could leave a bike chained to a tree and no one would notice or take it. Making it a national park could change the intimate place he loves, likely disappointing some of the newcomers because theres no room for upgrades within park boundaries, he said.

Im sure well get spillover visitation to this side of the mountains, he said, noting the likely effect on Peters lodge. Itll just mean theres a longer waiting list at Cave Creek Ranch.

'There's not a lot up there'

A portrait of hikers Dayton Van Acker (right) and Kathryn Bartlett (both of Mesa) on the Echo Canyon Trail, June 11, 2023, in the Chiricahua National Monument, located southeast of Willcox, Arizona.

Across the mountains in Willcox, though, local officials are all in on the park idea. They began writing to the congressional delegation to press their case two years ago, City Manager Caleb Blaschke said. Having built a tourism reputation on wine grapes and the throng of sandhills cranes that descend on a nearby playa each winter, he said, Willcox is ready for the next step. We think well get increased visitation to our community.

Most people associate the word monument with something small, Blaschke said. But when people arrive and see all those pillars and start hiking see all the wild turkeys and deer, its a totally different thing than you thought it was going to be.

Some locals who enjoy the Chiricahua Mountains say theyre eager for the business but not necessarily new traffic to their favorite campsites.

I love Turkey Creek, said George Burkert, referring to a recreation zone south of the monument. His wife, Janet, agreed, but said she has little use for the monument, especially because there are few campsites and they cost more than camping on the nearby national forest.

Theres not a lot up there. To us, the monument is: Drive up the road and look, she said. "It's not my place to go to."

If a national park attracted more people, though, it could benefit the couples buy-sell-trade shop, Willcox Traders, which occupies a prominent downtown corner on the intersection where motorists turn south toward the Chiricahuas. The shop sells everything from greeting cards to dishes, books, used vacuum cleaners and live chicks. The couple said a tourist once bought a young goat from them and rented a truck to get it home.

The rock formations are worthy of national park preservation, hiker Dayton VanAcker said while passing through the monuments Echo Canyon Grottoes, where shaded recesses in the rhyolite open onto dramatic views of the spires. But the rocks alone arent what had drawn the young man from Mesa to Chiricahua 13 times and counting.

I come looking for the rattlesnakes, he said. An amateur herpetologist who also studied reptiles in college, he enjoys photographing snakes. VanAcker spoke after just missing his chance to photograph a banded rock rattler: He and the snake had startled each other on the trail.

The Chiricahuas have a unique assortment of animals, VanAcker said, including not just reptiles, but birds like the trogon and mammals like the coati. Theyre among the nations most biodiverse mountains, and he said he hopes park designation will help keep them that way.

Places like this should be preserved, he said.

Brandon Loomis covers environmental and climate issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. Reach him at brandon.loomis@arizonarepublic.com or follow on Twitter @brandonloomis.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. Follow The Republic environmental reporting team at environment.azcentral.com and @azcenvironment on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can support environmental journalism in Arizona by subscribing to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona politicians seek state's fourth national park at Chiricahua
Cyber Ninjas CEO and audit leader Doug Logan testifies at the Senate hearing on the progress of the election audit in Maricopa County at the Arizona Senate in Phoenix on July 15, 2021.

A judge rejected efforts by the contractor who led the "audit" of 2020 election results in Arizona to restrict the release of public records related to the effort.

More than a year after Cyber Ninjas CEO Doug Logan was ordered to make public every text and email, lawyers for the defunct cybersecurity firm asked the court to keep secret records dated after June 2, 2021.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Bradley Astrowsky on Thursday said no.

"There were already rulings on this issue concerning the scope of the records on which the Cyber Ninjas and the Logans need to respond," he said. "I'm not going to reinvent the wheel, and I see no good cause to reconsider those rulings made by other judicial officers in this case."

Astrowsky said he is still weighing if Logan can withhold thousands of messages related to the audit that he claims are privileged and exempt from public view. He asked lawyers on both sides to file motions.

The ruling came at the start of a hearing over the Arizona Senate's decision to withhold about 1,000 records that it, too, claims are protected from disclosure. The judge said he would make a ruling expected to be made public early next week.

Public records lawsuits against Cyber Ninjas and the Senate by The Arizona Republic in 2021 have forced the disclosure of thousands of records, including text messages sent and received by Logan.

Earlier ruling: State Senate can keep some election 'audit' docs secret, Arizona Supreme Court says

Texts show Logan was involved in a partisan plot to overturn the 2020 election when he was tapped by the Arizona Senate to lead a hand count of 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County.

The records also show he was unable to quantify the results of his hand count, and privately admitted that he couldn't make sense of the vote tallies that hundreds of volunteers spent two months recording at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Story continues

Logan continues to defy court orders by refusing to turn over thousands of records. A judge in January 2022 fined Cyber Ninjas $50,000 a day until the company complied with the order to turn over all audit-related material. The Arizona Supreme Court affirmed the daily fine in July 2022, rejecting Logan's request to rescind it. The fines to the company now would total more than $27 million.

Logan's lawyer, David Hardy of Tucson, made no mention of the fines in his motion or during Thursday's hearing.

Logan, in a motion filed last month, asked Astrowsky to pin the release of records to The Republic's public records request in June 2021, arguing records that didn't exist at the time should be excluded from release.

A review of Logan's texts shows the messages Logan has fought hardest to keep private came after June 21, 2021, when the most critical moments of the election review unfolded: the end of the hand count; Logan's struggle to add up the tick marks on tally sheets and his scattershot attempts to come up with an alternative way to quantify results; and his Sept. 24, 2021, report to the Senate.

The Republic is also challenging Logan's claims that he has the right to withhold certain messages because they are privileged.

Cyber Ninjas "continues to withhold scores of messages under claims that they contain 'proprietary' information, discuss employee issues, or are purportedly 'not related' to the audit," lawyers for The Republic wrote. "Those assertions are not credible."

The lawyers said Logan's past claims about specific messages being unrelated to the audit were false. Among those were texts concerning congressional inquiries into the audit itself, lawyers said.

Unreleased: Thousands of texts from Trump allies stay hidden in Arizona a year after judge's order on 'audit'

Logan's lawyers told the court they have attempted to cooperate in the release of records. They said The Republic for months raised no objections over the withheld records until May, when it issued a 16-page letter.

"We have delivered to the Senate a thousand pages of contracts and financial data, over 5,000 emails, 418 voicemails, and other data. What remains for resolution are the Signals texts, of which we have disclosed over 17,000," Logan's lawyers wrote.

Signal is an encrypted text messaging app.

Logan's lawyers said he had to devise a way and create a software program enabling Logan to download the messages in a computer database format, after which they were able to release another 5,800 messages.

An independent review of Logan's texts last month identified missing messages, long gaps in communications and conversations that dropped in midstream.

'Our numbers are screwy': Cyber Ninjas CEO admits he couldn't tally hand count of ballots

A report by a trio of nationally recognized data analysts known as The Audit Guys concluded that Logan had not only improperly redacted thousands of texts but had eliminated some messages.

Of 2,823 redacted messages, 2,159 involve people in the "Stop the Steal" movement, The Audit Guys found. Many were allies of former President Donald Trump who had roles in the audit. And in some cases, Logan's side of the conversation was missing from the texts.

The Audit Guys pointed to a series of texts Logan had with Trump lawyer Christina Bobb, former national security adviser Michael Flynn, retired Army Col. Phil Waldron and Trump supporter Seth Keshel between January and February 2021.

What happened during the Arizona 'audit'?

Senate Republicans in 2021 announced they would commission a hand count of every ballot cast in Maricopa County to address claims the election had been stolen from Trump. The Senate subpoenaed the ballots and other election material from the county.

Then-Senate President Karen Fann hired the Cyber Ninjas after privately communicating with Waldron. Although neither Logan nor his company had election auditing experience, Fann at the time said he was "well qualified" and "well experienced."

More revelations: Arizona 'audit' leader traded messages with dozens of 'Stop the Steal' partisans, texts show

The review was supposed to take a few weeks and cost taxpayers $150,000. It ultimately took about two months and so far has cost Arizona more than $5 million.

While Logan confirmed President Joe Biden's victory in Arizona, his report to the Senate focused on so-called anomalies that raised doubts about the process. It allowed Trump allies to insist the vote was compromised, instilling distrust in voting machines and encouraging partisan calls for paper ballot tabulations, hand recounts and "audits."

Former county attorney calls for criminal investigations

Former Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley in June called for state and county authorities to investigate Logan's refusal to release records for potential criminal charges.

Romley, a Republican, said this is not a partisan issue. He said the messages Logan has so far released suggest Cyber Ninjas might have perpetrated fraud by taking millions for an election review that appeared to have a predetermined outcome and could not be completed.

"The most obvious case is the failure to obey court orders," Romley told The Republic. "But the text messages themselves raise the specter that there could be corruption here."

Far reaching: Why what happened in 2021 Arizona election 'audit' still matters

Robert Anglen is an investigative reporter for The Republic. Reach him at robert.anglen@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8694. Follow him on Twitter @robertanglen.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Judge denies Cyber Ninjas' request to limit release of public records
The News

NAIROBI  The lifting of a six-year ban on logging in Kenya has sparked outrage and once again put a harsh spotlight on the governments mismanagement of the countrys forests.

In a speech on July 2, President Wiliam Ruto said logging would follow strict harvesting rules. But critics are concerned that the Kenya Forest Service, the agency responsible for managing public forests and issuing logging licenses, has not been reformed since being labeled corrupt by a government inquiry.

By lifting this ban, president Ruto has prioritized profit over people and nature, said Greenpeace Africas Community Manager Tracy Makheti who, like other environmentalists, expressed alarm at the governments new policy. Greenpeace Africa is petitioning the government to reinstate the ban.

Know More

The logging ban was introduced in 2018 after public outcry over shrinking water resources blamed on the destruction of water towers  mountain forests that are key sources of water. The Mau Forest in the Rift Valley was one of the most affected water towers.

The National Assembly pleaded with the government to suspend logging in order to arrest the diminishing forest cover. It proposed that a ban would save the water towers. Though the effects of climate change were already a reality in Kenya with worsening droughts over the last decade, the government attributed the situation to increased deforestation in the country in its 2018-2022 climate action plan.



A 2018 taskforce set up to look into the forest service found that the agency specifically oversaw wanton destruction of forests and executed plunder and pillaging of water towers. But the recommendations of the report  which included an investigation and prosecution of agency officials, constitution of a caretaker management team, and a complete overhaul of forest management practices  were never implemented.

Anthonys view

For Ruto, the lifting of the ban in order to create more jobs in a sector that employs up to 50,000 people directly and another 300,000 indirectly may have been irresistible, especially with the economy struggling.

Story continues

But the lifting of the logging ban has come at the wrong time. The right time would have been after the recommendations of the taskforce report had been implemented. While a new board was named with the change of government, nothing much has been done aboutbringing corrupt officials to book.

The 2018 taskforce found that corruption in the Kenya Forest Service led to destruction of indigenous forest in many critical forest areas, the introduction of irregular settlements and large-scale public infrastructure developments.The system is still the same and the institution still has a bad reputation, not to mention a slew of human rights abuse cases facing it for the violent eviction of indigenous people. In the absence of a purge at the Kenya Forest Service, the government may be entrusting public forests to an untrustworthy and inept institution.

The upside of this situation however is that the presiding cabinet secretary, Soipan Tuya is new, and the board is new. Kenya Forest Service has also stated that it has made changes in how it issues licenses to sawmillers to make it more transparent. This is an opportunity to redeem itself. Any success in spurring growth and creating employment in the timber and furniture business will be a plus for the government.

The bigger picture issue concerns the potential damage to the environment. Efforts to plant trees, such as the African Union-led $8 billion Great Green Wall Initiative to restore the degraded landscapes, are looking to forestation to tackle global warming. The impact of climate change is already clear from recurring droughts that have gripped Kenya and neighboring countries in recent years. The lifting of the logging ban could open the door to abuses that deepen the problems of climate change, meaning an attempt to fix short term economic problems could cause long term pain.

The View From Uganda

Uganda has also been struggling with illegal logging with the timber being trucked across the border to Kenya which has more demand for wood than it can supply  mainly for timber, poles, firewood and charcoal. Despite the Ugandan governments logging ban in 2017 and a ban of the charcoal trade, the governments efforts have been unsuccessful.



William Amanzuru, an environmentalist who runs an NGO called Friends of Zoka, said that the bans do not stop illegal logging, as government officials are often involved. It is highly militarized because it is done by those who hold powerful military ranks in the Uganda People Defense Forces and also Uganda Police Force, he said.

Room for Disagreement

Gerald Ngatia, the National Secretary of the National Community Forest Association is more concerned about the current high prices of timber caused by the ban. Lifting the ban, he said, was necessary to get timber and for industry locally.



Following the lifting of the moratorium the other day, what we now need to ensure is the proper management of forests. Every forest station should have good forest management plans whereby if you are cutting a hundred, you should be able to restore the same hundred, he said.

Notable
Trump's former press secretary, Stephanie Grisham

If a Democratic politician published the address of a Republican politician on a social media platform known to attract kooks and extremists, and then one of those kooks and extremists threatened that politician and was nabbed by authorities with loaded firearms, I cant imagine Republican politicians or their friends in the right-wing media would be talking about anything else.

But 

It was former President Donald Trump who leaked former President Barack Obamas address on Trumps Truth Social media platform, which led to the arrest of a man the Justice Department called a direct threat to multiple political figures as well as the public at large.

So  that story quietly went away and were left to other concerns.

Calling out Trump's 'reckless handling' of documents

Like how the latest Arizona pin was stuck in the Donald Trump voodoo doll by Stephanie Grisham, former spokesperson for then-Arizona Attorney General Tom Horne and the Republican majority at the Arizona House of Representatives who moved onto the Trump campaign and eventually all they way to White House press secretary.

Grisham appeared on MSNBC and proceeded to throw Trump under the bus over his reckless handling of classified documents.

She said, I watched him show documents to people at Mar-a-Lago on the dining room patio. So, he has no respect for classified information. Never did.

Grisham joins a long line of Arizona Republicans to take down Trump for all manner of offenses. Or to get tangled up in those offenses themselves.

Just recently we learned that U.S. Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith subpoenaed the Arizona Secretary of State's Office information related to two bogus lawsuits, one from Trump's campaign and another from former Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward, that alleged errors and fraud in the 2020 presidential results.

Lawmakers subpoenaed; Rusty Bowers speaks to the FBI

Who knows what that may yield.

Story continues

We know as well that Smith subpoenaed Republican members of the Arizona Legislature, including House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen.

We watched former Republican House Speaker Rusty Bowers testify before the Jan. 6 committee about how, when the minions of Trump could produce no evidence that there had been election fraud in Arizona, and when Bowers found none during his own investigation, he refused to ignore his oath, abandon the law and the Constitution, void the decision of voters and declare Trump the winner of the presidential election in Arizona.

And how Trump turned on him.

Bowers said, The thought that if you dont do what we like, then we will just get rid of you and march on and do it ourselves  that to me is fascism.

'He's potentially putting people in danger'

Bowers also recently told CNN that he has spoken with the FBI as part of the ongoing criminal probe related to efforts to overturn the vote.

We know as well about the pressure to put on Republican Maricopa County Supervisors Clint Hickman, Jack Sellers and Bill Gates, and Republican Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, all of whom refused to be bullied into abandoning their oaths.

And we know as well about Arizonas slate of fake electors here, led by Kelli Ward. Their goal was to replace the states legitimate 11 presidential electors, committed by the vote to go for Joe Biden, with fake Trump electors.

Trump has been charged with 37 felony counts related to the mishandling of classified documents, obstructing justice and making false statements. And more charges may come from the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol and from possible election tampering in Georgia.

Of the documents, Grisham said, "To be showing it to people who havent gone through the extreme vetting that you go through to get a clearance, its you know, its a disservice to the country, but it also puts people in danger potentially.

She added, "I cant stress enough how by being so loose with this stuff, hes potentially putting people in danger."

That doesnt seem to be a problem for the former president.

Ask the Obamas.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Yet another Arizona figure sticks a pin in The Donald voodoo doll
A 26-year-old Milwaukee man was sentenced to 24 years in prison for killing the mother of his children.

Wilson Medina Cruz was sentenced Thursday by Milwaukee County Judge Glenn Yamahiro, after pleading guilty last month to first-degree reckless homicide, with a use of a dangerous weapon modifier.

Medina Cruz isn't a United States citizen and could be deported. The court proceedings needed to be conducted with the use of Spanish translator.

According to prosecutors:

West Allis police responded to the 1300 block of South 72nd Street on July 18 after a report of screaming and five gunshots.

When they arrived, officers discovered 24-year-old Ninoshka Maestre Lozada with a gunshot wound to her chest. Police and fire personnel provided medical attention to Maestre Lozada, but she died at the scene.

Medina Cruz had been Maestre Lozada's boyfriend for two to three years, and the couple had three children together, according to Maestre Lozada's sister. She said Medina Cruz had beaten Maestre Lozada in the past, the complaint said.

Police arrested Medina Cruz the next day in Oak Creek. Medina Cruz would later admit to shooting Maestre Lozada.

He said the shooting happened when Maestre Lozada came outside and was swinging at him, saying he shot her and wasnt looking. He said he "just shot like crazy."

In addition to 24 years behind bars, Medina Cruz was sentenced to 15 years of extended supervision.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee man gets 24 years for killing the mother of his children
Two members of the Greene County chapter of Moms for Liberty sat next to Springfield school board member Maryam Mohammadkhani and David Nokes at the June 20 special meeting of the Nixa school board.

The Florida-headquartered Moms for Liberty organization  recently labeled an anti-government extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center  has opened a Greene County chapter and two of its leaders were recently invited to attend a Springfield school board meeting.

The invitation came from board member Maryam Mohammadkhani.

Mohammadkhani confirmed she made the invitation after meeting chair Megan Patrick and vice chair Lizzie Nothum at the June 20 special meeting of the Nixa school board. The sole agenda for the meeting was to determine if seven challenged or flagged books should be removed or restricted.

Nothum and Patrick, who was wearing a Moms for Liberty shirt, sat next to Mohammadkhani. On the other side was David Nokes, a retired police officer and outspoken opponent of critical race theory who urged the board to remove a library book that he said portrayed law enforcement negatively.

At the Springfield board meeting June 27  the one Moms for Liberty was invited to attend  Mohammadkhani said she did not know the local Moms for Liberty leaders prior to the Nixa meeting and, at that point, had never heard of the controversial "parents' rights" group.

"The Moms for Liberty women knew nothing of the Springfield board and our operations but they represented the Greene County chapter so they indicated their interest in learning more," Mohammadkhani said. "I did indeed invite them to our next board meeting, which is tonight, and explained to them that just like Nixa our meetings are open to the public and they are welcome to attend."

She added: "I'd like to assume that any one of us would have done the same thing."

Maryam Mohammadkhani

Mohammadkhani, participating in the June 27 meeting via Zoom, responded at length to a concern that had been raised by a Springfield teacher about the invitation.

In a closed Facebook page for the local Moms for Liberty, chair Megan Patrick shared a news story about the Nixa meeting  at which all but one of the seven books in question was removed or restricted  and wrote: "The Nixa board meeting was really good! Here is the article of the happenings. So glad I wore the 'Moms for Liberty' shirt. Lizzie Nothum and I made a great contact with Dr. Maryam Mohammadkhani of the Springfield school board and she invited us to next Tuesday's meeting. We are just getting started!"

Story continues

Two days after that meeting, a Springfield teacher attached that screenshot in an email to the entire Springfield school board.

The teacher said the invitation Mohammadkhani extended to the local chapter was "very concerning" and cited examples from the SPLC's "The Year in Hate and Extremism 2022" report, which alleged Moms for Liberty "has been responsible not only for unsafe policies towards LGBT students and educators but historically the group has been responsible for unsafe actions towards students of color as well."

In the email to the board, the teacher wrote: "My goal in this email is to inform the board of the unprofessional and politically biased actions of this board member."

The News-Leader reached out to Patrick and Nothum by email but has not heard back. Both are Willard parents who have actively filed or supported book challenges in that district.

Moms for Liberty reject 'extremist' label

Set up as a "social welfare" nonprofit, Moms for Liberty was founded in 2021 by Florida Republicans and can engage in political activity without disclosing its financial backers. Active in more than 40 states, there are also chapters in Kansas City and St. Louis.

Early on, Moms for Liberty gained prominence by opposing school mask mandates and virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Florida Gov. Ron Desantis, center, is presented "The Sword of Liberty" by Moms for Liberty co-founders Tiffany Justice, left, Tina Descovich, second from right and executive director of program outreach Marie Rogerson, far right, during the first Moms for Liberty National Summit in July.

Leaders of the group say they are fighting for parents' rights and against the "woke indoctrination" of students. The SPLC, a nonprofit civil rights advocacy group, said the Moms for Liberty organization has fought against inclusive curriculum and training, critical race theory, LGBTQ rights, and what they view as inappropriate books in classrooms and school libraries.

The group, which has refuted the "extremist" label, has been outspoken about its efforts to "flip" school boards  endorsing likeminded candidates in local races  and encouraging parents to remove their children from public schools that do not make changes sought by the group.

More: 'A leftist attack': Co-founder of Moms for Liberty rejects SPLC's 'extremist' label

According to the SPLC, the group has harassed school officials, disrupted school board meetings, advocated for the abolition of the U.S. Department of Education and spread misinformation.

A week ago, U.S. presidential candidates including Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley spoke at the Moms for Liberty national summit in Philadelphia.

'The presence of activists in our midst'

At the Springfield board meeting June 27, Mohammadkhani said training offered by the Missouri School Boards' Association inspired her to attend the Nixa meeting, where she hoped to "initiate a working relationship" with the members of that board.

"They exemplify good governance and can be a tremendous resource," she said. "It is valuable to connect with other boards, especially regional ones, so we can help each other in our service to the public."

Mohammadkhani said she had never heard of Moms for Liberty  or the Southern Poverty Law Center  and likely only met local chapter leaders because she chose a seat at the Nixa meeting "close to the exit and next to a friend I spotted in the crowd."

"I didn't really think twice about that interaction until I received this accusatory email from the educator constituent. As someone whose character has been publicly and unjustly assassinated by misinformed individuals I decided, you know what, I am going to look up this heathen organization and see what they are all about."

She then read passages from the Moms for Liberty website including the group's mission and vision and how it is fighting for America and families by "holding leaders accountable, spreading awareness, opposing government overreach, promoting liberty, engaging on key issues."

"As I already stated, I don't know these individuals," Mohammadkhani said. "But I wanted to share the principles of their organization."

Mohammadkhani then turned her attention to the "accusatory" email from the teacher, saying it was a "symptom of the elephant in the room" that the board needs to address. "That elephant ... is the presence of activists in our midst who have gone unchecked for so long that they feel empowered to denigrate other constituents and an elected official based on what they perceive as wrong."

As an elected official, Mohammadkhani said she must serve as a liaison between the district and patrons, to engage the community and "encourage anyone who is interested to get involved with our schools at whatever level they can."

Steve Makoski

Board member Steve Makoski said he found the email from the teacher "concerning" and was critical of the teacher referring to Mohammadhani as "one of your" board members and not "one of ours."

"Good or bad, we should be unified and accepting of all our board members for their service to our district, which (the teacher) is a part," he wrote in the June 24 email to board president Danielle Kincaid and Superintendent Grenita Lathan.

Makoski said he was concerned the teacher didn't "approve of a member of our board inviting members of our community at large to participate in a free and open process of engagement in our public board meetings." In the email, he thanked Mohammadkhani for her service.

In conclusion, Mohammadkhani said activists believe they hold the "moral high ground" and that determining who or what is ethically superior is not her job or "within the purview of public school educators."

"This unprofessional and politically biased actions that I stand accused of are in fact the behavior of some individuals within the district who in turn subject students to the same sort of ideological battery. There are numerous accounts of such behaviors to the point that students form their responses, they write their essays and they complete their projects to appease the teacher's political and personal beliefs," Mohammadkhani said.

"I don't know when this started to happen. I don't know how we got here but this is not education and I find it especially egregious in the public K-12 setting. Everyone, including our staff, is entitled to their opinion and free speech is indeed protected  outside of the classroom."

More: In largely symbolic vote, Mohammadkhani rejects SPS budget as 'status quo'

Mohammadkhani said she asked Lathan to remind employees about the guidelines for ethnical behavior during the back-to-school refresher. She said Lathan has been "hesitant" to insert it into the August training.

"We don't want to run the risk of well-intentioned staff inadvertently stepping outside their role as educators and engage in what may be characterized as activism and ideologic indoctrination of students," she said.

Claudette Riley covers education for the News-Leader. Email tips and story ideas to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: SPS board member invites local leaders of Moms for Liberty to meeting
A cyclist goes past the Administration building Wednesday, March 3, 2021, on campus at Notre Dame.

SOUTH BEND  After the Supreme Courts decision outlawing race-conscious admissions at universities, leaders at the University of Notre Dame have reiterated their moral obligation to diversify the schools student body.

But its still unclear how the university may adjust admissions policies and recruiting practices to attain that goal. The uncertainty exists as Notre Dame, like other highly selective U.S. colleges, faces evidence that the number of students of color accepted each year is likely to decline.

The Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dames president, said in a statement following the ruling last week that the universitys Catholic mission compels us to build a class reflecting the diversity of experiences and gifts of the human family.

More: The college-going gap between Black and white Americans was always bad. Its getting worse.

The university is studying the courts decision for any implications it may have for the admissions process, according to Jenkins statement. But a university spokeswoman said officials have no further comment.

What seems clear is that recent growth in the number of underrepresented students Notre Dame admits each year will fall off, according to Jennifer Mason McAward, a Notre Dame law professor whos also the director of the Klau Institute for Civil and Human Rights.

Evidence for a looming decline comes from nine states, starting with California in 1996, that have banned affirmative action or race-conscious admissions. Michigan voters chose to outlaw the policy in 2006, and Idaho most recently banned the practice in 2020.

More: What students can expect after Supreme Courts ruling on affirmative action

Speaking during a Wednesday panel organized in response to the courts decision, McAward noted that the University of Michigan reported a steep drop in enrollment of students of color following the 2006 referendum.

University of Michigan leaders responded by shifting their focus to low-income applicants. But the share of Black and Hispanic undergraduates fell off after 2006 and has yet to fully rebound.

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Jennifer Mason McAward

We know what the immediate result of that is, and it leads to severely plummeting numbers of underrepresented minorities on elite college campuses, McAward said. I would think that Notre Dame will be no different, given that track record.

It takes a long time and a lot of very expensive recruiting efforts to get numbers back up to where they were, she added.

Notre Dame says U.S. students of color make up 34% of its incoming freshman class for 2023, while 8% are international students. Of the same pool, 20.5% are first-generation college students or qualify for a federal Pell Grant, which indicates they're from a low-income family.

A spokeswoman noted that some enrolled students will change their mind come August, and the university won't have totally accurate data until a few weeks into the semester.

Highly selective institutions at center of race-based admissions debate

Most colleges won't be much affected by the ban on race-conscious admissions, unlike highly selective universities such as Notre Dame and Ivy League schools. Notre Dame's acceptance rate in 2023 was 12%.

Diversity goals tend to be more easily achieved at accessible campuses like Indiana University South Bend. But IUSB reported in 2022 that just 30% of its student body is made up of underrepresented students of color.

An IU spokeswoman, speaking on behalf of IUSB, declined to comment about how its admissions practices may change. She pointed The Tribune to a statement from IU President Pamela Whitten, who said administrators will consider how to follow the law while pursuing a diverse learning environment.

Marco Clark

Marco Clark, president of Holy Cross College, said that since its founding in 1966, the college has served as a pathway to Notre Dame for students who may otherwise lack access.

Each year, Notre Dame chooses 75 Holy Cross freshmen for guaranteed admission as sophomores, so long as they fulfill a year of academic requirements. In total, about 100 undergraduates transfer to Notre Dame annually, Clark said.

The partnership is significant given that Holy Cross will welcome a freshman class this fall in which 45% of students are underrepresented minorities, Clark said.

Moreover, about 35% of Holy Cross freshmen are eligible for federal Pell Grants, which are awarded to low-income students. For comparison, roughly 14% of Notre Dames incoming freshmen in 2021 were Pell-eligible.

We see a place like Holy Cross College as a successful on-ramp to higher education, Clark said, and we know that an advanced degree can be transformational.

Leaders at Saint Marys College, the third piece of the tri-campus partnership with Notre Dame and Holy Cross College, were unavailable to comment this week, a spokeswoman said. Bethel University didnt respond to a request for comment.

Legacy admissions, common at Notre Dame, scrutinized nationwide

Its unclear what policy changes may come at Notre Dame in response to the ruling.

But one admissions practice prevalent at the university that's being scrutinized nationwide is the preference many top colleges give to the children of alumni  so-called legacy admissions.

Legacy students consistently make up between 18% and 25% of Notre Dames incoming classes, one of the highest fractions in the country.

These students tend to be whiter and wealthier than the overall pool of applicants, critics say. Legacy policies have been derided as affirmative action for white students from upper-class families. A recent paper found that 100 universities have dropped the use of legacy admissions since 2015.

On Monday, a civil rights group filed a complaint asking the Department of Education to review Harvards legacy preferences.

Universities like Notre Dame, meanwhile, say they rely on legacy admissions to build a strong alumni community whose members will donate money to the school.

Anna Haskins

Anna Haskins, a Notre Dame sociology professor who serves as the associate director of the Initiative on Race and Resilience, said that as a Catholic university with a mission to advance social justice, Notre Dame is uniquely positioned to examine its legacy policies.

Notre Dame leaders ought to consider how preferences for wealthier students of alumni may contradict the Catholic doctrine of preferential option for the poor, Haskins said during the panel. The Biblical trend of priority being given to poor and vulnerable people gained emphasis in the late 20th century.

I think there are ways in which Notre Dame itself can really counteract  some of the existing preferential treatment policies that were not eliminated in this Supreme Court ruling, Haskins said, referring to legacy admissions, in ways that really think about preferential treatment to the poor.

What Notre Dame might consider to improve diversity

One way Notre Dame has become more accessible is by allowing undergraduate applicants the option not to submit standardized test scores. At universities that have removed the requirement, more lower-income students with high academic potential have applied.

Many universities, including Notre Dame, made SAT and ACT scores optional during the pandemic. Notre Dame announced in June that its test-option policy will remain in place through the 2025 application year.

About 37% of students admitted to the latest class did not include a standardized test score in their application.

Rev. Robert Dowd

The Rev. Robert Dowd, vice president and associate provost for interdisciplinary initiatives, said during the panel that Notre Dame would do well to follow advice laid out in a 2021 report prepared by a Board of Trustees task force on diversity, equity and inclusion.

Notre Dame should admit more low-income and first-generation students, Dowd said. The university should ramp up efforts to recruit students in historically underrepresented minority groups, especially from Catholic high schools, he said.

And once students of color are on campus, leaders must ensure theres a support network of mentors and peer organizations to help them thrive.

When it comes to admissions, Dowd said, I think that its really important that we recognize that there are many potential applicants to Notre Dame that have faced challenges, that have had a ton of obstacles in front of them, and its very difficult for many of them to overcome such obstacles.

Tribune Talks

Join The Tribune and a panel of local experts at 6 p.m. July 12 on The Tribune's Facebook page as they discuss the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action.

Email city reporter Jordan Smith at JTsmith@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jordantsmith09

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame responds to Supreme Court affirmative action ruling
An NYC Department of Environmental Protection worker died in Queens early Thursday when a Mercedes-Benz slammed into the city truck in which he was a passenger, police said.

The driver of the Mercedes was later taken into custody, and charges were pending, said police.

The fatal crash happened just past 2:30 a.m. at Atlantic Ave. and Lefferts Blvd. in Richmond Hill.

Police said the city DEP truck was heading east on Atlantic Ave. when the Mercedes-Benz slammed into it. The Mercedes-Benz was headed south on Lefferts Blvd. when it hit the truck, said cops.

The impact of the crash flipped over the DEP truck, police said.

The trucks 40-year-old male driver suffered minor injuries and refused medical attention, said police.

But the trucks front-seat passenger, a 38-year-old man, was ejected from the vehicle and became pinned beneath it.

He suffered severe head and body trauma, said police. Medics rushed him to Jamaica Hospital but he could not be saved. As of Thursday evening, his name had not been released.

The front end of the Mercedes-Benz was severely damaged in the crash.

The cars 24-year-old driver stayed at the scene, said police. An EMS cred took him to New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital, where he was reported in stable condition with non-life threatening injuries, said police.

Charges against the Mercedes driver were pending, said police.
Editors Note: David A. Andelman, a contributor to CNN, twice winner of the Deadline Club Award, is a chevalier of the French Legion of Honor, author of A Red Line in the Sand: Diplomacy, Strategy, and the History of Wars That Might Still Happen and blogs at Andelman Unleashed. He formerly was a foreign correspondent for The New York Times and CBS News. The views expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

The last time there was a single nuclear weapon outside of Russia, in the swath of Europe dominated by the Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies, was on June 1, 1996. Thats when the final nuclear warhead, deployed in Ukraine by the now-dismantled Soviet Union, was transferred to back to Russia  which, in theory, owned and controlled all of them.

David Andelman - CNN

This transfer was the product of an agreement between presidents Bill Clinton, Boris Yeltsin and Ukraines Leonid Kuchma, that all such weapons would be transferred to Russia for elimination, and in return, Ukraine would receive iron-clad assurances of security and compensation.

That agreement was clearly breached the moment Russian troops rolled across Ukraines frontiers in February 2022, if not by the seizure of Crimea by Russia in March 2014.

Now, there is a new breach, a new threat and a new risk of destabilization. On June 14, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko announced that his country had taken delivery of the first of a collection of tactical nuclear weapons from Russia. While designed only for limited use on local battlefields, he said some are three times more powerful than the atomic bombs the US dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, devastating both cities in 1945.

Far be it for me to shout, Chicken Little, the sky is falling. But consider the scenario. Belarus has both a nuclear arsenal and a president who for decades has quietly played the role of Putins lap dog. And indeed, in a press conference Thursday in Minsk, he did claim to being in lockstep with Putin  adding that the nuclear weapons were for defensive purposes only.

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At the same time, there is still broad fear in the West and in Ukraine that this purpose could shift on a dime. The weapons themselves certainly have both defensive and offensive capabilities, depending on how their masters make use of them.

In the same press conference, Lukashenko nodded to the fact that those nuclear weapons were under Russias control. He said that were Russia to use nuclear weapons, I am sure that it would consult with its closest ally, adding that the weapons are under reliable protection. In other words, the button is not Lukashenkos to push.

Meanwhile, the nuclear threat is expected to be high on the agenda of the summit of NATO leaders, including President Joe Biden, which will convene next week in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, barely 20 miles from the tense 420-mile border this NATO member shares with Belarus. The agenda could also include the potentially explosive issue of NATO membership for Ukraine.

In a joint news conference in Brussels with NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg last month, Estonias prime minister Kaja Kallas called Belarus unpredictable and dangerous. In turn, with a preview of the NATO summit, Stoltenberg added, We must keep our defenses strong to send a clear message to Moscow and Minsk that NATO protects every inch of allied territory.

Especially with nukes now deployed right next door. There are, functionally, few remaining restraints on the arsenals of any nuclear power  not least the US and Russia, which together account for 90% of the nuclear weapons on earth.

But above all, what seems to be in a degree of jeopardy is a concept that kept the nuclear peace for a half century or more  throughout the Cold War and a host of regional conflicts  a concept called Mutually Assured Destruction or MAD.

Now largely forgotten or ignored, it was during the Cold War that the concept of MAD came into broad use to define the precarious balance between the then two, paired superpowers  the US and the Soviet Union. This concept held that the fear of certain retaliation and utter destruction of their nation, if not all life on earth, would inevitably follow the use of any such weapons.

This clear and present fear would preclude their use and was the ultimate guarantor of peace. The question today is whether the growing pace of threats from Russia of the possible use of devastating nuclear weapons against Ukraine could mean the end of such a concepts viability.

With the transfer of the weapons to Belarus, the UNs disarmament chief, Izumi Nakamitsu, warned the Security Council that the risk of nuclear weapons use was higher than at any time since the Cold War.

So whatever happened to MAD? It hasnt exactly gone away, but many of the restraints may be coming undone. There are, for instance, no more nuclear arms control treaties still extant and functioning between the US and Russia. Former President Donald Trump pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in August 2019.

In February 2021, at the start of the Biden administration, the only other remaining treaty between the two powers, known as New START, was extended for five years until 2026. In February 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was suspending his countrys participation. Secretary of State Antony Blinken promptly calling this action deeply unfortunate and irresponsible.

Indeed, about the only real agreement remaining is MAD  then and now unwritten but still viable, though depending on the perhaps elusive good sense of the leaders of the two nuclear superpowers.

So, are we returning to the days of duck-and-cover, when, as I still recall as though it were yesterday, an air-raid drill sounded, we would crouch beneath our little wooden desks in kindergarten and cover our heads? As though that would preserve us from the inferno of a nuclear blast?

The condition of MAD still exists between the US and Russia, the consequence of all the nukes each side has, Michael Mandelbaum, professor emeritus of American foreign policy at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, one of the leading experts on MAD told me in an email.

In the early 60s American officials worried that the Soviet Union would launch a less-than-all-out attack, reasoning that the US would not respond in a way that might trigger Armageddon, he said.

Today, Mandelbaum, author of The Four Ages of American Foreign Policy: Weak Power, Great Power, Superpower, Hyperpower, continued, Its conceivable that Putin might calculate that he could use a nuke against Ukraine and get away with it. I have the impression that the US government is well aware of this possibility and has communicated to the Russian side the various non-nuclear steps NATO could take in retaliation.

So much depends on the view of one man  Vladimir Putin. But he has more to gain for himself, not to mention his people or humanity (for which he seems to have less regard) by hewing to the spirit, if not the letter, of MAD.

Keeping the nuclear genie contained, rather than unleashing it on a wing and a prayer, is truly the best, indeed, the only path. Somehow, he must be convinced this is also in his own best interest.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The price of rice is expected to ease with the advent of the new harvest season.

After months of spiralling increases, the price of rice in Egypt is now expected to cool down.

Observers say that the fact that the local rice harvest season is taking place in August and September may eventually lead to decreases in the price of this strategic crop in the Egyptian market, especially since there has been an increase in the amount of land planted with rice this season by 25 per cent.

Mustafa Al-Naggari, chair of the Rice Committee at the Egyptian Agricultural Export Council, said a ton of rice before de-husking and milling currently costs between LE15,000 and LE16,500. It ranges between LE22,000 and LE24,000 after the milling process, he added.

An unpackaged kg of rice should range from LE22 to LE24 when sold to the consumer, while a packaged kg should be priced at LE27 to LE28, he noted. A kg of premium rice is now selling for over LE35 a kg for the highest-quality brands and at LE28 to LE30 for those of lower quality.

Ragab Shehata, head of the Rice Division at the Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce, earlier stated that the price of rice will drop due to greater amounts at the mills.

He expects a kg of rice to be sold for no more than LE25.

A kg of rice is priced at between LE20 and LE23 at the mills depending on the percentage of broken kernels. He added that the difference between the price at the mills and on the consumer market is because of the monopolising practices of some companies.

Earlier this week, a number of Heliopolis supermarkets were found to be selling rice for between LE28 and LE40 a kg depending on quality.

Shehata said that some producers take advantage of peoples need for this strategic commodity, putting it into storage and then selling it later for a higher price.

Mustafa Al-Saltisi, a member of the Grains Chamber at the Federation of Egyptian Industries, said the price of rice had increased in March and April due to a decrease in last seasons harvest  only 1.5 million feddans of land were planted with rice last year  in addition to the desire of sellers to raise prices.

The high prices will not last, he said, as the current increases in rice prices had led to a decrease in demand, meaning that the prices would find a lower equilibrium. There was also more Indian rice available in the local market, Al-Saltisi said, which would tend to lower prices.

In August 2022, when rice was last harvested, animal feed prices were also high, leading some producers to buy rice to use it in the production of feed.

At that time the government had instructed farmers to sell a ton of rice for every feddan they planted for LE6,600, while the feed factories bought it from farmers for LE8,500. As a result, some farmers abstained from delivering rice to the government.

Instead of collecting 1.5 million tons of rice from farmers, the government collected just 250,000 tons.

In September, the government announced a retail guide price for a kg of rice of LE18, which led some merchants to store their produce to sell it later at higher prices. The governments decision was cancelled a few months later.

In February this year, the low quantities of rice available in the market before the holy month of Ramadan when demand for food traditionally increases led the General Authority for Supply to announce that it would be issuing calls for tenders to buy rice from abroad.

Shehata said the imported amounts were barely enough for the nations consumption of rice for 10 days, however. The reason the authority made the move was to prevent further hikes in the price of rice.

It led to a decrease in the price of a ton of bran rice  the crop before de-husking, paddy separation, and whitening  from LE20,000 to LE13,000.

Last years harvest amounted to seven million tons, Shehata said, expecting this years to reach eight million.

He said that the increase would not lead to a decrease in prices unless farmers received a better offer to sell their rice to the government. The new price would need to be commensurate with the overall hike in the price of commodities, he said, since if it was not some farmers could sell their rice for feed production instead.

Al-Saltisi expects that with the increase in the area planted with rice reaching two million feddans this season, rice prices will stand at LE20 per kg.

The government should not set a guide price for rice, he said, since this had earlier decreased supply in the marketplace.

* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 July, 2023 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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WARREN, Pa.  A homicide suspect accused of escaping from the Warren County Prison late Thursday night got away using a technique often seen in the movies.

Police said he made a rope by tying sheets together and used the rope to slide off the roof of the prison, located next to the county courthouse in downtown Warren in Warren County, east of Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Details of the escape of the inmate, Michael C. Burham, are provided in the criminal complaint that Warren police filed against him on Friday morning. The police charged him with escape, and he remains at large.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison on Thursday night, according to the Warren police. The Warren police released these photos on Friday.

Burham, 34, is wanted in connection with the killing of a woman in Jamestown, New York, north of Warren, on May 11. He is accused of fleeing the area after her death, leading to a multi-agency manhunt that ended with his arrest in South Carolina on May 24.

Though he has not been charged in the homicide, Burham has been charged with kidnapping an elderly Warren County couple and stealing their SUV at gunpoint on May 20 to drive to South Carolina. Burham, last known to live in Russell, Pennsylvania, near Warren, had been held at the Warren County Prison on a $1 million bond in the kidnapping case since June 19.

Warren and Jamestown police notified the public about Burham's escape on Facebook posts shortly after midnight on Friday. Burham "was last seen at approximately 1120pm wearing a blue denim jacket," according to the posts, referring to Burham's prison uniform. "All citizens are urged to lock their doors and stay vigilant."

Local and state police are involved in the search, said Lt. Mark Weindorf, crime section supervisor for the Pennsylvania State Police's Troop E, which is based in Lawrence Park and covers Erie, Warren, Crawford and Venango counties.

'The Defendant slid down the rope'

Burham's escape from the prison was reported to Warren County dispatchers at 11:26 p.m. on Thursday, according to the criminal complaint filed Friday morning. Another inmate notified the prison staff that Burham had escaped, according to the complaint and its affidavit of probable cause.

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Also according to the complaint and affidavit:

A review of surveillance video showed that Burham and three other inmates gathered in the gym of the Warren County Prison at 10:41 p.m. on Thursday. Burham was seen walking around.

At 11:26 p.m., Burham is seen standing on an exercise machine for doing pullups. Burham "then exited the yard" through a metal-gated roof.

"After escaping from the yard," according to the complaint, "the Defendant tied a rope which consisted of multiple sheets tied together. The Defendant then tied said rope from the roof and allowed it to hang on a portico.

"The Defendant slid down the rope, landing on the portico, and jumped from the portico to the ground. He then took off on foot."

A homicide, an arson, a kidnapping and a manhunt

Though Burham has not been charged in the homicide case in Jamestown, he is considered a suspect, according to court records.

In that case, a woman, Kala Hodgkin, 34, was found shot to death the morning of May 11 at a residence in the 100 block of William Street, according to a criminal complaint the FBI in Buffalo filed against Burham in the kidnapping case. The FBI in that case charged him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, which allowed the FBI to get involved in the search for Burham in South Carolina and elsewhere.

At the time Hodgkin was killed, Burham was facing a charge that he raped her, and the arrest warrant in that case was still active, according to the FBI. Also on May 11, according to the FBI, Burham's former girlfriend, identified as N.O. in the FBI's criminal complaint, reported to police that Burham that morning had tried to break into her house, on Fulton Street in Jamestown, and that he set her car on fire.

Michael C. Burham, 34, escaped from the Warren County Prison on Thursday night, according to the Warren police. The Warren police released this photo on Friday.

The Jamestown police released multiple reports to the media following Hodgkin's death. "However, there were no reported sightings of Burham for several days," according to the FBI's complaint.

On May 20, according to the FBI, Pennsylvania State Police received a report that an elderly couple from Sheffield, near Warren, was missing, and that their Honda SUV was gone from their residence.

The couple was found unhurt in a cemetery in North Charleston, South Carolina, on May 21. The FBI said the couple identified Burham as their kidnapper, and said he had abducted them at gunpoint from their home in Sheffield.

With help from other law enforcement agencies, the FBI arrested Burham on May 24 northeast of New Charleston in Huger, South Carolina, in the Francis Marion National Forest. The authorities credited a resident of Berkeley County, South Carolina, of spotting Burham near his house and calling 911, the FBI said. The FBI said law enforcement agencies used K-9 dogs to track Burham, and he was arrested without incident.

Evidence against Burham includes note found in SUV

State police in Warren filed the kidnapping and related charges against Burham on May 20. After his arrest in South Carolina, he was extradited to New York and placed in a holding prison as he made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Buffalo, where he was wanted on the federal flight charge.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Buffalo dismissed that charge on June 14 in light of Burham's arrest, and Burham was then moved on June 19 to the Warren County Prison, 407 Market St.

The evidence against Burham in the kidnapping case includes a note the FBI said authorities discovered in the stolen SUV that was found in South Carolina. Burham appears to have written the note, according to the FBI's criminal complaint.

According to the complaint, the note reads, in part:

Hey Dad, I'm safe for Now, I just left the area.

Sorry for all the problems I caused the family. I quit drinking since May 10th

I'm not sorry for what I Did, however, I do feel Terrible about the children. I would like (redacted) and (illegible) to adopt (redacted).

Talk to you soon.

Love Mike.

Contact Ed Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Police: Warren County Prison escapee used rope made of sheets
Faculty are requesting an investigation into the actions of North Central Michigan College President David Finley after a physical confrontation occurred at a Luncheon Lecture on June 22 by Enbridge's manager of community engagement Paul Meneghini.

PETOSKEY  After a physical clash was recorded at a recent event between water protection advocates and a group of people, including North Central Michigan College President David Roland Finley, faculty members of the school are requesting an investigation into Finley's actions.

Specifically, college faculty are asking an inquiry be conducted by a neutral third-party to eliminate the possibility of the president overseeing his own investigation.

Video from Enbridge protest where water protectors attempted to unfurl a banner. See press release pinned above. Posted by Kalamazoo Remembers on Saturday, June 24, 2023

The incident in question occurred at a lecture on June 22 hosted by the college, featuring a spokesperson from Enbridge  a company that owns crude oil and natural gas pipelines  in which a group of Anishinaabek protesters attempted to display a banner in protest of Line 5, a decades-old Enbridge pipeline that crosses the Straits of Mackinac.

Paul Meneghini, Enbridge's manager of community engagement for the Great Lakes region, was set to talk about an overview of a planned tunnel project at the Luncheon Lecture, according to a press release from the college.

Environmental advocates have called for the pipeline to be shut down over concerns that an oil spill in the Straits would be ecologically devastating. In an effort to address safety concerns, Enbridge has proposed an underwater tunnel to house the portion of Line 5 that runs under the Straits of Mackinac.

The project has been in the works for years, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently pushed the permitting timeline for the tunnel project back to spring 2025.

More: Michigan, Wisconsin and Canadian tribes come together to fight Line 5

More: As legal sparring continues, Army Corps pushes Line 5 permit timeline to 2025

This video screenshot shows a confrontation between Line 5 protesters and NCMC officials at the Enbridge Luncheon Lecture on June 22, 2023.

Finley is accused of leading actions that escalated into a physical altercation" as he and others prevented the protesters from gaining entrance to the lecture, leading to the "assault" of an Indigenous water protector and various minor injuries for many involved, according to an account from protestor John Woodward, who recorded a video of the incident allegedly showing Finley assaulting protesters ... as he attempts to rip the banner from their hands.

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This video screenshot shows a confrontation between Line 5 protesters and NCMC officials at the Enbridge Luncheon Lecture on June 22, 2023. At the right of the image appears to be North Central Michigan College President David Roland Finley.

Now, two weeks after the confrontation, the colleges faculty are publicly appealing for scrutiny into Finley's behavior.

The alleged incident raises concerns about suppressing dissenting viewpoints and physically intimidating individuals exercising their constitutionally protected rights, said Chet Jessick, president of the Faculty Association, on behalf of his colleagues in a letter submitted June 30 to the NCMC Board of Trustees.

Can you imagine if the alleged action had been done by the president of the University of Michigan or Michigan State's president?" asked Jessick during an interview with the Petoskey News-Review.

Jessick also noted Finleys reported actions are contrary to the colleges employee handbook, which, clearly states that employees shall refrain from violent behavior and conduct that threatens, intimidates or coerces," he said.

A thorough investigation is imperative to restore confidence in the colleges leadership role in protecting free speech and civil rights and to ensure that our campus remains a safe and inclusive environment for robust intellectual discourse, Jessick said.

Calling the protesters trespassers, a statement from the college alleges video of the incident clearly demonstrates there was no evidence of physical violence leading to anyone being bloody and bruised.

This video screenshot shows a confrontation between Line 5 protestors and NCMC officials at the Enbridge Luncheon Lecture on June 22, 2023.

However, Anishinaabek attorney Holly Bird, who is representing the protestors, said her clients were indeed physically harmed and are considering filing assault charges against the school.

She also disagrees with the characterization they were trespassing.

They signed up for tickets for the event and were utilizing their First Amendment right to vocalize their opinion, Bird said. When you have a public college, you would hope they would be protecting peoples First Amendment rights and especially if someone is Indigenous and they are on their own homeland. None of the water protectors were being physical with anyone, they simply voiced themselves ... and were unfortunately met with brute force."

Prior to the lecture, Petoskey Department of Public Safety Director Adrian Karr asked the college to designate a place for protesters to gather in anticipation of a disruption.

However, according to Karr, that didn't happen.

Instead, when the protesters appeared, the physical altercation took place, involving banner-wielding water protectors  five of whom were later identified by local law enforcement  and several college officials, including Finley, former Emmet County Commissioner and Luncheon Lecture series coordinator Charlie MacInnis, and others.

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Bird said she applauds the faculty association for their request for an investigation.

The president should be treated no different than any other staff if an event like this were to occur, she said.

The News-Review attempted to contact Finley and North Centrals Vice President of Marketing and Strategy Carol Laenen but did not receive a response.

 Contact reporter Annie Doyle at 231-675-0099 or adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com. Follow her on Twitter, @adoylenews

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Faculty seeks inquiry after NCMC president allegedly assaults protesters
Supporters of President Donald Trump rally outside the Arizona state capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Phoenix. | Ross D. Franklin, Associated Press

Efforts to overturn the 2020 election results in Arizona are under investigation by federal authorities.

Special counsel Jack Smith, whos looking into the attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election for the Justice Department, has subpoenaed the Arizona secretary of states office, as former Arizona House Speaker Rusty Bowers said he was interviewed by the FBI.

Bowers told CNN Wednesday he was hesitant to talk about any subpoenas et cetera. But I have been interviewed by the FBI.

He said he told investigators what hes already said before about being pressured by former President Donald Trump and his allies to not certify Arizonas election results, which he refused to do.

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I offered them nothing new. They seemed to have a good grasp on all of the testimony that I had given, Bowers said. They were very aware of the Jan. 6th committee testimony that I gave. There may have been something that I said that was of interest, but I dont remember anything standing out that had not been mentioned before.

Bowers said the interview lasted four hours, was very professional and was conducted about three months ago.

Arizona secretary of state office spokesperson Paul Smith-Leonard confirmed the agency had been subpoenaed by Smith as part of his investigation and said the agency was looking for documents related to two lawsuits that falsely claimed fraud in relation to the 2020 election results, according to NBC News. One suit was filed by Trumps campaign and dismissed in 2020 and another was filed by Arizona Republican Party Chairwoman Kelli Ward.

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Last year, Smith subpoenaed election officials in Arizonas largest county, Maricopa County, which includes the cities of Phoenix and Mesa, as well as local election officials in three other swing states: Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. According to a copy of a subpoena from Wisconsin obtained by NBC News, investigators were seeking communications with or involving Trump, his campaign and aides and allies who worked on efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

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The news about federal investigators questioning Arizona officials comes following a recent report that Trump allegedly pressured former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey to look into unfounded claims of voter fraud after Trump lost the state in 2020 by about 10,000 votes.

Related

Arizona was one of five states Trump won in 2016 but lost in 2020 to President Joe Biden. Trump falsely claimed fraud was responsible for his loss, but both state-mandated and partisan audits in Maricopa County found no evidence of widespread fraud, and Republican officials like Ducey were among those who certified the states results.

Trump has been similarly accused of pressuring officials in Georgia, another swing state he won in 2016 but lost in 2020. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, whos investigating Trumps efforts to overturn election results in Georgia, suggested earlier this year that any grand jury indictments in the case could come in August.
Cody Browning

A group of family members in neon T-shirts reading "Justice for Jacob Rowden" became emotional Thursday when Greene County Judge Todd Myers handed Rowden's killer his prison sentence.

Cody L. Browning, 34, will spend 20 years behind bars for second-degree murder in the 2021 shooting death of Rowden, a 28-year-old father of five, over what a police report described as a petty dispute.

Browning, who also pleaded guilty in May to a litany of related charges including armed criminal action, domestic assault, and unlawful use of a weapon, was sentenced to seven years for each charge. Each sentence will run concurrently for Johnson, who was also given credit for time served.

Second-degree murder sentences in Missouri range from 10-30 years or life in imprisonment in Missouri without the possibility of parole.

A misty-eyed relative of Browning's attempted to embrace the jail suit-clad man as he was being escorted by bailiff near a courtroom exit door, but was denied.

The sentencing hearing lasted only a few minutes. Rowden's family members opted to not give victim impact statements on Thursday, but one of his young children wrote a letter to the court that noted how much he and siblings missed their father the past three Father's Days.

Police said Rowden, one of the Springfield's 26 homicide victims in 2021, was shot at his home in the 1000 block of South Stewart Avenue following an argument about a stolen cell phone. He later died at the hospital after suffering a gunshot beneath his armpit.

Browning told his mother, according to a police report, that Rowden attempted to rob him and the shooting was in self defense.

Browning wasn't at the scene when officers arrived, but he later confessed to his mother that he had been involved in the shooting. He was also charged with domestic assault after authorities say he punched his ex-girlfriend a few shortly after the shooting after she tried to convince him to turn himself in.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield man sentenced to 20 years for 2021 shooting death
Authorities swarmed Highway 99 at West Shaw Avenue Thursday evening, following a suspect who allegedly shot a man in Madera.

Officers with the Madera Police Department responded to the shooting, in the area of George and Watt streets, shortly after 9:30 p.m. and found a man with a gunshot wound.

A suspect vehicle was seen fleeing the area of the shooting, and officers began the chase, which ended at Shaw Avenue and Highway 99, where the vehicle was left unoccupied. The suspect was not located, Madera Police said.

We are working diligently, following all leads and canvassing the area for additional evidence, police wrote in a news release.

The California Highway Patrol, Fresno Police Department and the Fresno County Sheriffs Office assisted Madera Police in the search at Highway 99. The suspects vehicle was towed from the scene, and the investigation is ongoing.

The shooting victim was taken to a local hospital, police said. His status was unknown as of Friday morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call Madera Police at 559-675-4220 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867 and can remain anonymous.
NEW BEDFORD - A third man connected to the ongoing investigation into the Monday morning homicide of 20-year-old Lorenzo Gomes has been arrested, District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Xavier Luis Rodriguez, 20, of New Bedford was apprehended Thursday night after an arrest warrant had been issued for him earlier in the day, according to a press release.

The defendant is charged with murder and carrying an illegal firearm. He is set to be arraigned this morning in New Bedford District Court.

The two other defendants charged with accessory to murder-after the fact in connection to this ongoing investigation are both being held without bail after having their bail revoked on open criminal cases.

Those defendants are Wyllie Monteiro, 25, of New Bedford, who was arrested Thursday morning in Dartmouth and Sterling Robinson, 24, of New Bedford, who was arrested in Fall River on Monday evening.

The investigation is being coordinated by Assistant District Attorney Jason Mohan, who will also be handling this morning's arraignment.

More: First suspect charged in connection with homicide was on bail for firearms charge

More: Second suspect in New Bedford homicide was out on bail at the time: What to know.

Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the district attorney's office, New Bedford Police and Homicide Unit prosecutors are actively investigating the homicide, which occurred early Monday in the City of New Bedford.

At around 12:11 am Monday, New Bedford Police received a 911 call regarding shots fired in the area of Tallman and North Front streets.

Responding officers were approached by witnesses who reported hearing loud bangs that sounded like gun shots. Several officers searched the surrounding area and eventually located the victim inside his vehicle on Belleville Avenue.

The victim, later identified as Lorenzo Gomes, 20, of New Bedford, appears to have attempted to drive to the hospital before losing consciousness in his vehicle. EMS rushed him to Saint Luke's Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Third arrest made in New Bedford homicide
It's become a bridge too far for boaters, two federal agencies, a congressman, a marine industry trade organization, a city council and two railroad entities.

The problem: the operation schedule for the near century-old railroad drawbridge that spans more than just southeast Florida's largest river, but also a federal waterway, which is Florida's only cross-state route.

The controversy regarding the bridge over the St. Lucie River in Stuart has two prongs.

The biggest involves replacing the railroad bridge with one higher than the 6 feet above the waterline it is now and with a wider opening than the present 50 feet. A new bridge would better serve the Treasure Coast boating community, but more importantly, allow Florida East Coast Railway and Brightline to operate with fewer interruptions.

Unfortunately, this solution is years away, even if planning for it began immediately. For now, addressing the second problem must be a priority for the train companies.

A Brightline train can be seen crossing the St. Lucie River railroad bridge in February 2023.

FEC and Brightline must work more closely with the Coast Guard and follow a schedule to ensure the drawbridge opens for marine interests at crucial times  like 48 to 96 hours before a potential hurricane landfall along Florida's Atlantic Coast. That's when the drawbridge must remain open more than 30 minutes every hour to allow vessels from as far away as Indian River County and Broward County to use the Okeechobee Waterway to access safe harbors in the St. Lucie Canal, Clewiston, Labelle and Fort Myers.

On June 21, the Coast Guard's temporary schedule for the railroad drawbridge was set to begin and continue through Dec. 17. It required the train operator to:

Keep the drawbridge open for boat traffic at 15 and 45 minutes after the hour for 15 minutes.

Hire a bridge tender to raise and lower the bridge when necessary and maintain a log of when trains and boaters cross.

Create a mobile app to inform the public when the drawbridge is up or down.

It appears none of these requirements have been followed by FEC Railway, TCPalm's Ed Killer has reported. According to a statement emailed to TCPalm last week, it appears the Coast Guard will not act to change anything.

Story continues

In its original publication to the federal register June 8, the Coast Guard indicated the purpose of the logbook was to record data. Brightline, speaking for FEC Railway at the time, said there would be no bridge tender until it begins passenger service in September  a month after the Coast Guard's request for public comment period on the new rule has ended.

If there is no bridge tender and therefore no logbook, will any bridge traffic data be collected? If no data is collected, how can the Coast Guard make an informed decision on a permanent train-boat schedule?

For the sake of Treasure Coast residents and the thousands of boater trips taken each week, the Coast Guard and railroad companies must fix this immediately.

Meanwhile, FEC, which owns the drawbridge, or Brightline, who began assembling its business model in 2014, must work to replace the bridge as they have done elsewhere along their route. With 14 feet of clearance  the same height as the Dixie Highway automobile bridge adjacent to the railroad bridge  a new railroad bridge would allow a vast majority of recreational boats to pass when the bridge is down.

A new bridge would likely cost more than $100 million. Federal taxes and grant funds help build road bridges and interstates. Given that, it's understandable there should be some federal contribution for a railroad project.

Railroads are an important part of our country's transportation network that help keep our economy humming. Once Brightline expands its passenger service between West Palm Beach and Orlando, this may alleviate some of the car traffic on major roadways as well.

A new bridge also will help folks who own boats and marine businesses. But FEC/Brightline must be willing to pay for a significant portion for the bridge. The company could have addressed this problem it knew it had at least nine years ago. It has been neglectful in avoiding the issue.

FEC, the freight carrier, has moved goods through our communities for nearly 100 years. Brightline will begin traveling, in earnest, through our communities in September. It's time to build a higher and wider bridge to help ease travel by water and rail.

Editorials published by TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers are decided collectively by its editorial board. To respond to this editorial with a letter to the editor, email up to 300 words to TCNLetters@TCPalm.com.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: A bridge too far: St. Lucie issue hurts area boaters, FEC, Brightline
Ukrainian troops have advanced by more than a kilometre in the last day against Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

His comments were the latest by Kyiv signalling that the counteroffensive it launched in early June is gradually making progress although Russian accounts of fighting in the Bakhmut sector differ from Ukraines.

The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television. In particular, over the past day, they have advanced more than one kilometre (0.62 mile).

The president of Belarus said there were no war heroes following Wagners attempted coup in Moscow after Vladimir Putin was hailed a hero by Russian state TV.

Alexander Lukashenko, ally to the president, appeared to shoot down statements of heroism made after the failed uprising.

The Belarusian leader told the BBC: I think that no one came out of that situation a hero.

Not Prigozhin, not Putin, not Lukashenko. There were no heroes. And the lesson from this? If we create armed groups like this, we need to keep an eye on them and pay serious attention to them.

Key Points

Putin ally Lukashenko says there were no heroes after Wagner mutiny

Death toll in Lviv attack rises to seven after two more bodies retrieved

US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine despite concerns

Zelensky asks Nato leaders to take concrete steps on membership

Belarus leader Lukashenko says Prigozhin is back in Russia

Wigs, gold bars and severed heads: Inside Wagner bosss lavish Russian mansion

Ukraine reports new advances near eastern city of Bakhmut

08:57 , Maanya Sachdeva

Ukrainian troops have advanced by more than a kilometre in the last day against Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

His comments were the latest by Kyiv signalling that the counteroffensive it launched in early June is gradually making progress although Russian accounts of fighting in the Bakhmut sector differ from Ukraines.

Story continues

The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television.

In particular, over the past day, they have advanced more than one kilometre (0.62 mile).

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian armed forces general staff said Ukrainian forces had had partial success near the village of Klishchiivka, just southwest of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian military analysts have said that securing Klishchiivka would help Ukraine take back the shattered small city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May after 10 months of heavy fighting.

Russias RIA news agency cited a Russian army source as saying earlier this week that Moscows forces had repelled a Ukrainian attack on Klishchiivka and were mopping up remaining Ukrainian troops in the area.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield situation.

Ukraine reports new advances near eastern city of Bakhmut

08:41 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Ukrainian troops have advanced by more than a kilometre in the last day against Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

His comments were the latest by Kyiv signalling that the counteroffensive it launched in early June is gradually making progress although Russian accounts of fighting in the Bakhmut sector differ from Ukraines.

The defence forces continue to hold the initiative there, putting pressure on the enemy, conducting assault operations, advancing along the northern and southern flanks, military spokesman Serhiy Cherevatyi told Ukrainian television.

In particular, over the past day, they have advanced more than one kilometre (0.62 mile).

A spokesperson for the Ukrainian armed forces general staff said Ukrainian forces had had partial success near the village of Klishchiivka, just southwest of Bakhmut.

Ukrainian military analysts have said that securing Klishchiivka would help Ukraine take back the shattered small city of Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May after 10 months of heavy fighting.

Russias RIA news agency cited a Russian army source as saying earlier this week that Moscows forces had repelled a Ukrainian attack on Klishchiivka and were mopping up remaining Ukrainian troops in the area.

Reuters could not independently verify the battlefield situation.

Moscow, which began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine over 16 months ago, sees Bakhmut as a stepping stone to attacking other cities. Russia still holds Bakhmut but both sides say fighting in the area is intense, with Ukrainian forces hoping to encircle the city.

Kyiv says it has taken back a cluster of villages in the south since launching its counteroffensive but that fierce resistance and minefields have slowed its forces progress. Russia still holds large parts of east and southeast Ukraine.

(AP)

Putin ally Lukashenko says there were no heroes after Wagner mutiny

08:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The president of Belarus said there were no war heroes following Wagners attempted coup in Moscow after Vladimir Putin was hailed a hero by Russian state TV.

On 23 June, Yevgeny Prigozhin led his troops in a mutiny that hurtled toward Moscow at lightning pace, only to be called off at the 11th hour.

Putin made an emergency address to Russia promising retribution to all those taking part in the coup.

Alexander Lukashenko, ally to the president, appeared to shoot down statements of heroism made after the failed uprising.

The Belarusian leader told the BBC: I think that no one came out of that situation a hero.

Not Prigozhin, not Putin, not Lukashenko. There were no heroes. And the lesson from this? If we create armed groups like this, we need to keep an eye on them and pay serious attention to them.

EU takes a major step in approving plans to boost its anemic ammunition production to help Ukraine

07:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The European Union took a major step early Friday in approving plans to boost its anemic production of ammunition and missiles within the 27-nation bloc, to both defend itself and quickly help Ukraine in trying to push back the invasion by Russia.

The EU presidency announced early Friday that the member states and the EU Parliament reached a deal to urgently mobilise half a billion euros from its budget for an Act in Support of Ammunition Production.

The deal follows up the decision by EU leaders in March to boost urgently needed ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, which were then sought to start a counteroffensive against Russian forces.

ASAP was part of the plan to send Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months.

The EU had already approved plan for a fast-track purchasing procedures when it approved funds Friday to ramp up production in EU facilities and factories.

This is yet another proof of the EUs unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine, strengthening the EUs defense, technological and industrial base, and ultimately ensuring the long-term security and defense of EU citizens, said Defense Minister Margarita Robles of Spain, which currently holds the EU presidency.

Facing a war on European soil, we can no longer afford to neglect our defense as we have done over the last three decades. We urgently need to adapt our budgetary priorities, said EU Parliament member Michael Gahler.

EU takes a major step in approving plans to boost its anemic ammunition production to help Ukraine

07:38 , Maanya Sachdeva

The European Union took a major step early Friday in approving plans to boost its anemic production of ammunition and missiles within the 27-nation bloc, to both defend itself and quickly help Ukraine in trying to push back the invasion by Russia.

The EU presidency announced early Friday that the member states and the EU Parliament reached a deal to urgently mobilise half a billion euros from its budget for an Act in Support of Ammunition Production.

The deal follows up the decision by EU leaders in March to boost urgently needed ammunition deliveries to Ukraine, which were then sought to start a counteroffensive against Russian forces.ASAP was part of the plan to send Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition within the next 12 months. The EU had already approved plan for a fast-track purchasing procedures when it approved funds Friday to ramp up production in EU facilities and factories.

This is yet another proof of the EUs unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine, strengthening the EUs defense, technological and industrial base, and ultimately ensuring the long-term security and defense of EU citizens, said Defense Minister Margarita Robles of Spain, which currently holds the EU presidency.

Facing a war on European soil, we can no longer afford to neglect our defense as we have done over the last three decades. We urgently need to adapt our budgetary priorities, said EU Parliament member Michael Gahler.

Why the US is willing to send Ukraine cluster munitions now

07:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The US has decided to send cluster munitions to Ukraine to help its military push back Russian forces entrenched along the front lines.

The Biden administration is expected to announce today that it will send thousands of them as part of a new military aid package worth $800m, according to people familiar with the decision who were not authorized to discuss it publicly before the official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The move will likely trigger outrage from some allies and humanitarian groups that have long opposed the use of cluster bombs.

Proponents argue that Russia has already been using the controversial weapon in Ukraine and that the munitions the US will provide have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

More here.

Why the US is willing to send Ukraine cluster munitions now

Live: Ukrainian president Zelensky meets Czech PM in Prague

07:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Zelensky asks Nato leaders to take concrete steps on membership

06:50 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called on Nato leaders to take concrete steps towards Ukrainian membership at a summit next week.

Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine needed much more than the general statement that the door to Nato was open.

Ukraine is seeking a clear indication from Nato at an 11-12 July summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, that it can join the military alliance when the war ends.

We are talking about a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation. We need this motivation. We need honesty in our relations, Mr Zelensky said.

We need some kind of signal, a clear one, he said in response to journalists questions. That Ukraine will be in the alliance. Not that the door is open  this is not enough.

Inside Vladimir Putins luxury armoured train

06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

New pictures have revealed the inside of Russian president Vladimir Putins luxury armoured train.

The images, released by Dossier Center, a website that tracks the activity of those linked to the Kremlin, depict a personal beauty salon, medical suite and even a gym complete with state-of-the-art equipment including a hyperextension machine and a step platform.

The hammam features a fancy shower including an aroma foam mode with a price tag of 3.75m, with the train also featuring anti-ageing machines, a lung ventilator, a defibrillator and a patient monitor designed to assess pulse, temperature and other parameters.

Eleanor Noyce has more.

Inside Vladimir Putins luxury armoured train complete with beauty salon

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate

06:17 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russia yesterday announced the expelling of nine Finnish diplomats and shutting down of Finlands consulate in St Petersburg in retaliation for Finland expelling nine Russian diplomats last month.

Russias foreign ministry said it summoned Finlands ambassador to Russia, Antti Helantera, and relayed its strong protest in connection with the confrontational anti-Russian policy pursued by the Finnish authorities.

The statement also noted that the parameters of Finlands accession to Nato create a threat to Russias security, and encouraging the Kyiv regime to (go to) war and pumping it with Western weapons means clearly hostile actions against our country.

More here.

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate in a tit-for-tat move

Zelensky to hold talks with Erdogan today

06:01 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold talks with Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan today during his latest leg of a tour to push Ukraines bid to join Nato.

The talks in Istanbul come on the eve of the 500th day since Vladimir Putins invasion, with Mr Zelensky admitting the Ukrainian counteroffensive was progressing slowly.

But nevertheless, we are advancing, not retreating, like Russians, Mr Zelensky told reporters. We now have the initiative.

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

05:40 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Establishing accurate data on the number of military casualties sustained since Russias invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 is difficult for two reasons.

The severity of the fighting on the ground and the fact that both sides are inclined to keep their cards close to their chests to avoid damaging morale.

The Kremlin is unlikely to admit to high fatality rates among its troops because to do so would amount to a confession that Vladimir Putins spurious war to de-Nazify Russias neighbour state is not going according to plan.

Moscow is more likely to downplay its own (rarely offered) numbers and accuse its enemies of dishonestly briefing against it whenever outside estimates are offered that imply significant Russian losses.

Ukraine, meanwhile, posts a daily report on its Ministry of Defence website listing a cumulative total of the number of enemy personnel liquidated, alongside other combat losses, which stood at much higher total of 213,700.

Joe Sommerlad has more.

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

Ukraine submits request to join trans-pacific trade pact

05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Ukraine has submitted its request to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to the trade pacts depositary country New Zealand, Japans economy minister Shigeyuki Goto said today.

The CPTPP includes Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, with the UK becoming the 12th member state.

Japan must carefully assess whether Ukraine fully meets the high level of the agreement in terms of market access and rules, Mr Goto told a regular press conference.

Sumy border shelled by Russian forces over 100 times in 24 hours

05:22 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russian forces caused over 100 explosions in a single day as it attacked six border communities in Sumy Oblast yesterday, according to the Sumy Military Administration.

The Russian military shelled the communities of Bilopillia, Myropillia, Krasnopillia, Hlukhiv, Esman, and Seredyna Buda. Sumy Oblast, located on northeastern Ukraine, shares a border with Russia.

Vladimir Putins forces fired at the border 15 times, attacking with mines, mortars, grenade launchers, and unguided aerial missiles, Kyiv Independent reported.

Nato monitoring closely Prigozhins movements

04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg yesterday said the military alliance was monitoring closely the location of Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin and his fighters.

The exiled Wagner boss is back in Russia weeks after his failed mutiny and his Wagner troops have remained at the camps they stayed in before an attempted mutiny against Moscow.

We are monitoring closely where the Wagner soldiers are moving around and also where [Prigozhin] is moving, Mr Stoltenberg told reporters.

We have seen some preparations for hosting large groups of Wagner soldiers in Belarus. So far we have not seen so many of them going to Belarus. And we have also seen Prigozhin moving around.

US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine

04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Joe Biden administration has reportedly decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce today that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of the latest military aid package.

The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties.

The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.US officials said yesterday that the cluster munitions would be part of about $800m in new military assistance to Ukraine.

More here.

US to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package: AP sources

Death toll in Lviv attack rises to 7

04:12 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The death toll from the Russian missile strike into a residential building in Lviv in western Ukraine rose to seven after two bodies were retrieved from under the rubble.

The roof and top floor of the building were destroyed in what Lvivs mayor called the biggest attack of the war on civilian infrastructure in Lviv, a city 70km (43 miles) from the border with Nato and EU member state Poland.

There definitely will be a response to the enemy. It will be a noticeable one, president Volodymyr Zelensky said in an online post accompanying a video of the damage in Lviv.

Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said 70 per cent of the rubble left by the attack had been cleared by mid-evening. Emergency services said at least 36 had been hurt and that they had pulled seven people alive from the rubble.

Latest pictures from the frontlines

04:00 , Martha Mchardy

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle for flight near a frontline in Donetsk (REUTERS)

A Ukrainian tankist smokes a cigarette on a tank not far from the front line in the Kharkiv region (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian servicemen ride on a tank not far from the front line in the Kharkiv region (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian servicemen fire with a tank towards Russian troops near a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region (REUTERS)

Russian aircraft again flies dangerously close to US and French jets

03:56 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russian pilots flew a fighter jet unprofessionally against both French and US aircraft while conducting surveillance over Syria, the US military said.

The Russian fighter jets dropped flares in front of the MQ-9 Reaper spy planes and flew dangerously close, Lt Gen Alex Grynkewich, commander of the 9th Air Force, said in a statement.

Once again today Russian fighter aircraft flew incredibly unsafe and unprofessionally against both French and U.S. aircraft over Syria, the US Air Force tweeted.

We fully support our French allies right to conduct security missions in the region.

Once again today Russian fighter aircraft flew incredibly unsafe and unprofessionally against both French and U.S. aircraft over Syria. We fully support our French allies right to conduct security missions in the region. #Chammal @CTJFOIR @EtatMajorFR https://t.co/x2I6jxzA7x  US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) July 6, 2023

Latest pictures from Lviv as Russian missile strike kills five

03:00 , Martha Mchardy

Rescuers work in an apartment building partially destroyed by a missile strike in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv (AFP via Getty Images)

A rescuer working in an apartment building partially destroyed by a missile strike in Lviv (UKRAINIAN EMERGENCY SERVICE/AFP)

A missile that hit an apartment block in Ukraines Lviv killed five (AFP via Getty Images)

A rescuer works in an apartment building partially destroyed (AFP via Getty Images)

UK to supply Ukraine with 17 specialist fire engines

02:00 , Martha Mchardy

The UK will supply Ukraine with 17 specialist fire engines as the war-torn country continues to defend itself against the Russian invasion.

The Rapid Intervention and Major Foam Vehicles, sourced from the Royal Air Force, Defence Fire and Rescue and the Welsh Assembly, are due to arrive in the coming weeks, the Ministry of Defence said.

The Ukrainian military fire service has already conducted a weeks training at RAF Wittering to familiarise themselves with the equipment in preparation.

Defence secretary Ben Wallace said the vehicles would boost the countrys ability to protect its infrastructure amid the Kremlins campaign of missile and drone attacks.

They were delivered from locations around the UK to the Cambridgeshire military base, where personnel are inspecting and preparing them before their onward journey to Ukraine.

Due to arrive in the coming weeks, the urgently-needed equipment will help bolster Ukraines ability to respond to damage caused by Russias continued use of cruise missiles and one-way attack drones against Ukrainian infrastructure.

Ben Wallace said: These specialist firefighting vehicles will boost Ukraines ability to protect its infrastructure from Russias campaign of missile and drone attacks and continue our support for Ukraine, for as long as it takes.

Watch: Devastating aftermath of deadly Lviv attack captured in drone footage

01:00 , Martha Mchardy

Latest pictures from the Zaporizhzhia Region

Friday 7 July 2023 00:00 , Martha Mchardy

A local resident walks inside the destroyed city hospital of Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

A local resident carries a container filled with drinking water from a fire engine supplied by Ukrainian rescuers in Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

A local resident rides a scooter through the destroyed central square of Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

A local resident walks past the destroyed city hospital of Hulyaypole, Zaporizhzhia Region (AFP via Getty Images)

UK announces new sanctions regime targeted at Iranian threats

Thursday 6 July 2023 23:00 , Martha Mchardy

The Foreign Secretary has announced greater powers for the UK to issue sanctions against Iran after the Government accused Tehran of attempts to kill British and UK-based individuals.

James Cleverly said the new sanctions regime will ensure there can be no hiding place for those who seek to do us harm.

According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Iran has increased its efforts to kill or kidnap individuals perceived to be enemies of the regime outside of Iran, including those based in the UK.

Mr Cleverly in a statement said: The Iranian regime is oppressing its own people, exporting bloodshed in Ukraine and the Middle East, and threatening to kill and kidnap on UK soil.

Today the UK has sent a clear message to the regime  we will not tolerate this malign behaviour and we will hold you to account.

Read more:

UK announces new sanctions regime targeted at Iranian threats

UK names new ambassador to Ukraine as Melinda Simmons four-year term ends

Thursday 6 July 2023 22:00 , Martha Mchardy

Dame Melinda Simmons is leaving her post as UK ambassador to Ukraine, the Foreign Office said.

The ambassador, who has helped maintain the close relationship with Volodymyr Zelenskys administration in war-torn Kyiv, will transfer to another diplomatic post.

She will be replaced in September by Martin Harris, who has previously served as deputy head of mission in both Kyiv and Moscow during his diplomatic career.

Read the full story:

UK names new ambassador to Ukraine as Melinda Simmons four-year term ends

NATO summit should focus on clear signal on Ukraines membership, says Zelensky

Thursday 6 July 2023 21:44 , Martha Mchardy

The forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius should focus on real content and a clear signal on Ukraines future membership in the military alliance, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.

...We are talking about a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation, Zelenskiy told a news conference alongside his Czech counterpart, Petr Pavel. We need this motivation. We need honesty in our relations.

Zelensky also praised the Czech Republic for taking political decisions without reference to Moscow or anyone else.

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

Thursday 6 July 2023 21:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

Read more:

Heres why Putin really invaded Ukraine

Preparing for an attack by Russia, Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

Thursday 6 July 2023 20:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Europes largest nuclear power plant shimmers ominously across the cracked earth of the dry reservoir in south Ukraine.

Deep fissures in the dry river beds are all that separate Ukrainian-held territory from Russian-controlled reactors. It is a violent reminder of the last crisis to befall this war-blasted corner of Ukraine and is a warning of a potential future one.

The explosion of the Russian-controlled Nova Kakhovka dam last month, an attack Kyiv blames on Moscow (the Kremlin denies the allegation), unleashed the waters of Europes biggest reservoir over cities, towns and villages, causing one of the worst ecological disasters on the continent in recent history.

Kyiv believes Moscow is setting up to strike Europes largest power plant, which it occupies. Bel Trew in Nikopol  mere miles from the facility  finds everyone planning for the worst case scenario:

Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

Thursday 6 July 2023 19:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Establishing accurate data on the number of military casualties sustained since Russias invasion of Ukraine began on 24 February 2022 is difficult for two reasons. The severity of the fighting on the ground and the fact that both sides are inclined to keep their cards close to their chests to avoid damaging morale  especially at a time when the war is entering a pivotal new stage.

The Kremlin, in particular, is unlikely to admit to high fatality rates among its troops because to do so would amount to a confession that Vladimir Putins spurious war to de-Nazify Russias neighbour state is not going according to plan and, in fact, represents a monumental miscalculation on the part of its leader, who is already under pressure at home over the attempted uprising by Wagner Group mercenaries.

Joe Sommerlad reports:

How many casualties has Russia suffered in Ukraine?

Ukrainian president Zelensky arriving to Prague -Czech presidents office

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:21 , Martha Mchardy

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting Prague on Thursday, the Czech presidents office said, and is due to meet president Petr Pavel in a show of thanks for continued support in Kyivs battle against Russias invasion.

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in the heart of wartorn Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 18:02 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine may be deep in a bloody war with Russia, but that hasnt stopped the authorities from aspiring to pull in tourists.

Hundreds of miles from the front line of fighting, in tranquil pristine forests in the west of the country, plans are being drawn up for a mega-ski resort, the largest in the country, expected to accommodate 65,000 visitors.

But environmentalists are intent on defending what they say is one of Europes most unspoilt and beautiful mountain landscapes, with meadows and lakes.

Jane Dalton reports:

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in heart of wartorn Ukraine

ICYMI: Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:31 , Eleanor Noyce

Boris Johnson said he told Donald Trump that he had played an important role in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion, whether he was aware of it or not.

The former PM said he reminded the ex-US president he had approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in 2018  before claiming British military aid was enabled by Mr Trumps example.

Speaking in an interview with the One Decision podcast, I just think its very important if you have a chance to talk to people like Donald Trump, just to get  over [that] I know in my heart that Ukrainians are going to win. I know they deserve to win.

Adam Forrest reports:

Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

U.S expected to announce Ukraine weapons aid package including cluster munitions on Friday

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:10 , Eleanor Noyce

The U.S is expected to announce a weapons aid package for Ukraine - including cluster munitions - on Friday, two U.S officials have told Reuters.

The cluster munitions, banned by more than 120 countries, normally release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians.

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that have killed Ukrainian civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday which called on both nations to stop using them and urged the U.S. not to supply them.

US to announce provision of cluster munitions to Ukraine on Friday

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:07 , Martha Mchardy

The United States is expected to announce a new Ukraine weapons package on Friday including the provision of cluster munitions, two U.S. officials told Reuters.

Zelensky visits Bulgaria and draws support for Kyivs NATO membership bid

Thursday 6 July 2023 17:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed military aid Thursday during a trip to the Bulgarian capital in which Bulgarias parliament expressed its support for Ukraines entry into NATO after its war with Russia is over.

During his brief visit at the invitation of Bulgarias new pro-Western government sworn in a month ago, Zelensky also discussed European integration and bilateral energy cooperation. Talking to reporters after the meetings, he defended Ukraines right to fight Russian aggression and to seek help to do so.

Occupiers came to our land, killed, tortured, kidnapped Ukrainian children, separated them from their families and tried to teach them hatred, Zelensky said. This is happening at a time when we need to be united and build an international order based on rules, he added.

Read more:

Zelenskyy visits Bulgaria and draws support for Kyivs NATO membership bid

White House: Providing cluster munitions to Ukraine under active consideration but no announcement to make yet

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:37 , Eleanor Noyce

The Biden administration is weighing whether to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates told reporters on Thursday.

Mr Bates said the idea is under active consideration but there is no announcement to make.

The U.S. military believes that cluster munitions would be useful for Ukraine in pushing back against Russian forces, a senior Pentagon official said in June, but they had not been approved for Kyiv yet because of congressional restrictions and concerns among allies.

Ukraine has urged members of Congress to press President Joe Bidens administration to approve sending Dual-Purpose Conventional Improved Munitions (DPICM).

The cluster munitions, banned by more than 120 countries, normally release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians.

Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have used cluster munitions that have killed Ukrainian civilians, Human Rights Watch said in a report on Thursday which called on both nations to stop using them and urged the U.S. not to supply them.

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate in a tit-for-tat move

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:31 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias Foreign Ministry on Thursday announced the expelling of nine Finnish diplomats and shutting down of Finlands consulate in St. Petersburg in retaliation for Finland expelling nine Russian diplomats last month.

The ministry said in a lengthy statement that it summoned Finlands ambassador to Russia, Antti Helantera, on Thursday, and relayed its strong protest in connection with the confrontational anti-Russian policy pursued by the Finnish authorities.

The statement also noted that the parameters of Finlands accession to NATO create a threat to Russias security, and encouraging the Kyiv regime to (go to) war and pumping it with Western weapons means clearly hostile actions against our country. The statement concluded that this line of the Finnish authorities cannot remain unanswered.

Read more:

Russia expels Finnish diplomats, shuts down consulate in a tit-for-tat move

What will NATO leaders decide at the Vilnius summit?

Thursday 6 July 2023 16:12 , Eleanor Noyce

NATO leaders will meet in Vilnius between 11 and 12 July to tackle a wide range of topics, from divisions over Ukraines membership bid and Swedens accession to boosting ammunitions stockpiles and reviewing the first defence plans in decades.

It will be the fourth NATO summit since Russias invasion of Ukraine, with the first held virtually on 25 February 2022, just one day after the attack, followed by meetings in Brussels and in Madrid.

The summit looks set to be dominated by how NATO will define its future relationship with Ukraine, amid repeated calls by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for Kyiv to receive an invitation into the alliance at Vilnius.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has made clear that Kyiv will not become a member while the war goes on, and that the Vilnius summit will not issue a formal invitation, either.

Still, allies are divided over how swiftly Ukraine should be allowed to join after fighting ends.

While eastern European countries say a road map should be offered to Kyiv at the summit, the United States and Germany are wary of any move that might take the alliance closer to war with Russia.

In the run-up to Vilnius, more countries have backed a British proposal to allow Kyiv to skip the so-called Membership Action Plan (MAP) programme that sets out political, economic and military targets candidates have to meet and that other eastern European nations had to pass before joining NATO.

With such a move, the alliance could address demands to go beyond the declaration of the Bucharest summit in 2008, which said Ukraine would become a member eventually, without offering Kyiv an actual invitation or timetable.

NATO is also likely to find a stronger wording than 2008 to underscore Kyivs perspective for joining the alliance.

Leaders could agree upon something like Ukraines rightful place is in NATO, echoing remarks by Stoltenberg on a visit to Kyiv in April, or stress that trans-Atlantic security would be incomplete without Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg holds a press conference at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, 6 July 2023 (REUTERS)

Russian missile strike kills five in Lviv in western Ukraine - officials

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:47 , Eleanor Noyce

A Russian missile slammed into a residential building in Lviv in western Ukraine on Thursday, killing five people in a city that is far from frontlines and home to thousands displaced by war.

The roof and top floor of the building were destroyed in what Lvivs mayor called the biggest attack of the war on civilian infrastructure in Lviv, a city 70 km (43 miles) from the border with NATO and European Union member state Poland.

There definitely will be a response to the enemy. It will be a noticeable one, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an online post accompanying a video of the damage in Lviv.

Regional authorities put the death toll at five, including a 32-year-old woman and her 60-year-old mother.

Emergency services said at least 36 others had been hurt and that they had pulled seven people alive from the rubble. Reuters television footage showed residents calming crying neighbours while others helped rescuers sweep up shattered glass.

They, Russians, Rashists, say that they are bombing military objects but they hit a peaceful house. People were sleeping. How could they do it?, said Lviv resident Vira Luben, a woman in her seventies, using a derogatory term for Russians.

Holding back tears, she added: World - save and help us, because without you we will not manage to deal with them.

Ukraines air force said Russia had attacked Lviv with Kalibr missiles launched from the Black Sea. It said seven out of 10 missiles were shot down.

Rescuers work at a site of the residential building hit by a Russian missile strike in Lviv (REUTERS)

UK minister calls for Russia to grant IAEA access to Ukrainian nuclear plant

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:30 , Eleanor Noyce

A Foreign Office minister has called for Russia to grant experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) access to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon called for full and unfettered access be given to the IAEA for the safety and security of all, including Russia, whose forces seized control of the plant last year.

However, he emphasised that the power station, unlike the Chernobyl nuclear plant in 1986, has been scaled down in its operation, which limits the threat.

He said: We take President Zelenskys concern about possible Russian threats to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, which is currently under illegal Russian control, extremely seriously.

We are in regular contact with the director general of the IAEA, director general (Rafael) Grossi of the International Atomic Energy Agency, regarding the situation at the nuclear power plant, as well as the highest levels of the government of Ukraine.

Working with our international partners, we continue to call for Russia to grant the IAEA full access to the nuclear plant, as called for by director general Grossi on 5 July, and it is vital that IAEA staff have full access to the nuclear plant in order to monitor the safety and security of the site.

The site itself, much of it in terms of its direct energy provisions, has been scaled down and there is only one, I think, current operating generator on the site, and even that has been scaled down sufficiently, specifically for that purpose.

Of course, the risk remains very high but we have been assured by the IAEA that there is no immediate threat in this respect.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, is seen in the background of the shallow Kakhovka Reservoir after the dam collapse, in Energodar, Russian-occupied Ukraine (AP)

Zelensky to visit Turkey on Friday for grain deal talks with Erdogan - Anadolu

Thursday 6 July 2023 15:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Turkey on Friday for talks with President Tayyip Erdogan on the Black Sea grain deal and developments in the war in Ukraine, the state-run Anadolu Agency said on Thursday.

Turkey and the United Nations brokered last years deal, which allows for the export of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraines Black Sea ports despite the ongoing war.

But Russia, angry about aspects of its implementation, has threatened not to allow it further renewal beyond 17 July.

Zelensky and Erdogan will hold face-to-face talks and also attend interdelegational meetings, Anadolu said.

Erdogan, re-elected last month for another five-year term, has sought to maintain strong ties with both Kyiv and Moscow since Russias invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

Turkey, a NATO member, has not joined its Western allies in imposing economic sanctions on Russia, but has also supplied arms to Ukraine and called for its sovereignty to be respected.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announces new cabinet during a press conference in Ankara, 3 June (REUTERS)

Russia and Ukraine announce prisoner exchange

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia and Ukraine announced a prisoner of war exchange on Thursday involving the return of 45 soldiers from each side.

Russias defence ministry said that 45 Russian servicemen had been returned from Ukrainian custody, the Russian news agency RIA reported.

Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraines presidential staff, said 45 service personnel and two civilians had been returned to Ukraine.

In a post on the Telegram messaging app, Yermak said some of those freed had fought in Mariupol and the southern citys Azovstal steel plant, and others had fought on the frontline elsewhere.

Each of them is a hero, Yermak said.

Ukraines human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, said most of those freed were seriously injured and all would undergo rehabilitation.

In a separate post, Yermak said that two children aged six and 10 had been allowed to return to Ukraine following the release of their mother, a military medic, last October.

Russia and Ukraine have periodically exchanged groups of prisoners in the course of the war, now in its 17th month.

Lubinets said that 2,576 Ukrainians have been freed in prisoner swaps since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022.

Ukraine and Bulgaria sign memorandum on energy cooperation following Zelenskys Sofia visit

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday his country and Bulgaria had agreed on more active cooperation in the defence sector, and that he had invited Sofia to take part in Ukraines reconstruction.

We discussed the military aid which Bulgaria gives to our country. We count on the continuation of the cooperation which has already saved many lives, he told a joint press conference with Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov in Sofia.

He thanked his hosts for their support as Ukraine battles Russian forces who launched their full-scale invasion more than 16 months ago.

Bulgaria is a member of the NATO military alliance and the European Union, two Western groupings that Ukraine hopes to join. Zelenskiy said before talks that a NATO summit in Lithuania next week was on the agenda of his visit to Sofia.

Shortly before the two leaders gave speeches, a memorandum on energy cooperation was signed between the two countries.

Together we are ready to give our countries greater guarantees in energy stability, as well as attractive prices for ordinary people, Zelensky said.

He said he had invited Bulgaria to participate in the reconstruction effort in Ukraine, particularly in the rebuilding of the education sector. Zelensky said Bulgaria was also ready to help in the areas of ecology and digitalisation.

Zelensky and Denkov shake hands after addressing a joint news conference in Sofia (AFP via Getty Images)

Russia's agricultural bank not considering creating subsidiary to connect to SWIFT - Ifax

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:49 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank on Thursday said it was not considering setting up a subsidiary that could connect to the SWIFT global payments system, Interfax reported.

Such a move had been reported as a step that could possibly avert the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal due to expire on 17 July.

Britain plans to target Iranian decision makers with new sanctions regime

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:41 , Eleanor Noyce

Britain said on Thursday it would create a new sanctions regime for Iran, giving it greater powers to target decision makers, including those involved in weapons proliferation and threats against British nationals.

The current sanctions regime against Iran focuses on human rights, but the proposals would widen the scope of criteria that the government could cite in bringing new designations in future.

The Iranian regime is oppressing its own people, exporting bloodshed in Ukraine and the Middle East, and threatening to kill and kidnap on UK soil, British foreign minister James Cleverly said in a statement.

Today the UK has sent a clear message to the regime - we will not tolerate this malign behaviour and we will hold you to account. Our new sanctions regime will help to ensure there can be no hiding place for those who seek to do us harm.

Britain said that under the new regime, which will be legislated for later in the year, individuals and entities could also be sanctioned if they contributed to the undermining of peace and stability in the Middle East and internationally.

It also said it had given evidence at the UN Security Council that Iran was continuing to send weapons to the Houthis in Yemen, and to Russia, to support its fighting in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly prepares to attend a press conference with Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, Polish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Zbigniew Rau and Polish Minister of National Defence, Mariusz Blaszczak at Lancaster House in London, 5 July (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

UKs next ambassador to Ukraine delighted to lead in supporting the Ukrainian government'

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:20 , Eleanor Noyce

I am delighted to be returning to Ukraine to lead our Embassys vital work in supporting the Ukrainian government and people as they defend their country and our common values, Martin Harris, the UKs next ambassador to Ukraine, said in a statement on his appointment.

Mr Harris, who was previously Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General in Kyiv between 2003 and 2008, had most recently been the Foreign Offices director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Mr Harris also previously spent time in Moscow, serving as Britains Deputy Head of Mission there from 2014 to 2017.

Britains outgoing ambassador to Kyiv, Melinda Simmons, who was appointed to the role in 2019, will take up another diplomatic service appointment, the government said in a statement.

Ms Simmons said on Twitter she would be leaving Ukraine at the end of August. Mr Harris is due to take up his post in September.

Ukraine and Bulgaria agree on more defence cooperation - Zelensky

Thursday 6 July 2023 14:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday his country and Bulgaria had agreed on more active cooperation in the defence sector, and that he had invited Sofia to take part in Ukraines reconstruction.

We discussed the military aid which Bulgaria gives to our country. We count on the continuation of the co-operation which has already saved many lives, he told a press conference in Sofia, where he met Bulgarian leaders.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky pose for a picture at the Bulgarian government building in Sofia (via REUTERS)

Denkov and Zelensky meet at the Bulgarian government building (via REUTERS)

Zelensky and Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mariya Gabriel inspect a guard of honour (via REUTERS)

Russia says Ukrainian shelling kills one man in Belgorod region

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian shelling killed one man on Thursday in the village of Novopetrovka in Russias Belgorod region, close to the border with Ukraine, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on his Telegram channel.

Blasts and attacks on Russian regions bordering Ukraine have been occurring almost daily in recent months, with Russian officials blaming either Ukrainian forces or pro-Ukrainian saboteurs.

Ukraine hardly ever publicly claims responsibility for attacks inside Russia. Both sides deny targeting civilians in the war that Russia launched on its neighbour in February 2022.

Preparing for an attack from Russia, Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:40 , Eleanor Noyce

Europes largest nuclear power plant shimmers ominously across the cracked earth of the dry reservoir in south Ukraine.

Deep fissures in the dry river beds are all that separate Ukrainian-held territory from Russian-controlled reactors. It is a violent reminder of the last crisis to befall this war-blasted corner of Ukraine and is a warning of a potential future one.

Kyiv believes Moscow is setting up to strike Europes largest power plant, which it occupies. Bel Trew in Nikopol  mere miles from the facility  finds everyone planning for the worst case scenario:

Zaporizhzhias residents cannot escape the threat of nuclear disaster

Russia says Ukraine has directed more than 70 drone attacks at Crimea this year - RIA

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:22 , Eleanor Noyce

The secretary of Russias Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said on Thursday that Ukraine had directed more than 70 drone attacks at Crimea this year, and also attacked southern Russias Krasnodar and Rostov regions, the RIA news agency reported.

The targets, as a rule, are energy and industrial infrastructure facilities, the destruction or damage of which threatens peaceful life and human health, Patrushev was quoted as telling a meeting on the security of southern Russia in Krasnodar.

Russia seized and unilaterally annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, in a move not recognised internationally. Kyiv demands that Moscow hand it back.

UK appoints Martin Harris as new ambassador to Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:14 , Eleanor Noyce

The UK government on Thursday named Martin Harris as the new ambassador to Ukraine.

Harris, who was previously Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General in Kyiv between 2003 and 2008, had most recently been the Foreign Offices director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Outgoing ambassador to Kyiv, Melinda Simmons, who was appointed to the role in 2019, will take another diplomatic service appointment, the government said in a statement.

After the flood: The nightmare is just beginning for those left to rebuild after the Ukraine dam explosion

Thursday 6 July 2023 13:12 , Eleanor Noyce

In a mud-soaked nightdress, the Ukrainian grandmother claws at the fetid water that has swallowed the steps down to her home in Kherson city.

Frail and in shock, Antonia Shevchenko, 84 appears unaware of the futility of her attempts to try to drain the swamp drowning her house.

Her daughter Svetlana, 64, marooned by the sweltering mud, tries to coax her to stop and calm down. Shelling roars in the background.

It is the first time the pair have been back since they evacuated after the Nova Kakhokva dam blew up last month, unleashing the contents of one of Europes largest reservoirs over southern Ukraine.

Bel Trew travels the Dnipro River speaking to some of those who have been left with nothing after the floodwaters wrecked their homes, and hears from officials warning of the extreme long-term consequences that could be felt by the rest of the world:

The unfolding nightmare for those left to rebuild after the Ukraine dam explosion

Russia's Patrushev says threats to Russia from NATO are growing - TASS

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:50 , Eleanor Noyce

The secretary of Russias Security Council, Nikolai Patrushev, said on Thursday that threats to Russia from the U.S.-led NATO military alliance were growing, according to the TASS news agency.

TASS quoted Patrushev as referring to a build-up of NATO military infrastructure near Russias borders, the intensification of reconnaissance activities and the presence of tactical nuclear weapons in Europe.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attend a joint news briefing in Kyiv, 20 April 2023 (REUTERS)

U.S. expected to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine - NYT

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:32 , Eleanor Noyce

The United States is expected to announce it will give cluster munitions to Ukraine for its fight against Russias invasion, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing an unidentified senior Biden administration official.

ICYMI: Devastating aftermath of deadly Lviv attack captured in drone footage

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:28 , Eleanor Noyce

Devastating drone footage shows the aftermath of a Russian missile attack on Lviv which has killed at least four people.

Around nine others were injured in an overnight attack, Ukraines Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Thursday (6 July).

Approximately 60 apartments and 50 cars in the area of the strike were damaged, Lviv mayor Andriy Sadovyi said.

Drone video posted by Volodymyr Zelenskyy shows damaged buildings viewed from above, with third and fourth floors of a building ruined.

Emergency services have been searching for people trapped in the debris in the city which has seen hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian war refugees flee from other areas to the east.

Watch:

Devastating aftermath of deadly Lviv attack captured in drone footage

Russia summons Finnish ambassador over anti-Russian stance

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:10 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the Finnish ambassador to object to what spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said was Helsinkis anti-Russian political stance.

Russias war in Ukraine, which it calls a special military operation, has prompted Finland to seek to join the U.S.-led transatlantic NATO defence alliance.

Ukraine plans to move to professional army after war ends - PM

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:04 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine plans to abandon conscription and move to a professional army after the war with Russia to bring Kyiv closer to NATO standards, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Thursday.

After a meeting with top defence and security officials at which reforms known as the Ukrainian shield were discussed, Shmyhal said the government would also continue to focus on supporting a further increase in domestic weapons production.

The primary task is to complete the transition of the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine to NATO standards. In all aspects: from equipment and weapons to planning and analysis, Shmyhal said on the Telegram messaging app.

After the end of the war, Ukraine will abandon the draft as it existed before the war. The foundation of our defence will be a professional army.

Ukraine wants to join NATO and hopes to receive a clear signal on its membership prospects when the military alliance holds a summit in Lithuania next week.

Shmyhal said Ukraine would also create combat-capable reserve pools to complement the army, with all people who qualify to join the reserves undergoing regular training.

Shmyhal said the development of domestic weapon production capabilities was another important element of the future Ukrainian defence forces.

Ukraine is already actively increasing the production of weapons and equipment. Moreover, we are launching new programs and projects, he said, adding that the government would support more private businesses in the sector and was working to forge international partnerships.

Ukraine depends heavily on Western military supplies. The government aims to transform its weapon-producing industry and appointed a new head of state-owned weapons producer Ukroboronprom last month.

(EPA)

Wigs, gold bars and severed heads: Inside Wagner bosss lavish Russian mansion

Thursday 6 July 2023 12:00 , Eleanor Noyce

A raid by Russian security services has revealed the colourful inside of mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhins St Petersburg lavish mansion.

A wardrobe stuffed full of wigs, gold bars and a stuffed alligator were among the many bizarre finds in photos and footage published by pro-Kremlin media outlet Izvestia.

Officials are also said to have found assault weapons, ammunition and even a photograph allegedly showing the severed heads of the Wagner leaders enemies.

Read more:

Wigs, gold bars and severed heads: Inside Wagner mercenary bosss lavish mansion

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in the heart of wartorn Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:47 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine may be deep in a bloody war with Russia, but that hasnt stopped the authorities from aspiring to pull in tourists.

Hundreds of miles from the front line of fighting, in tranquil pristine forests in the west of the country, plans are being drawn up for a mega-ski resort, the largest in the country, expected to accommodate 65,000 visitors.

But environmentalists are intent on defending what they say is one of Europes most unspoilt and beautiful mountain landscapes, with meadows and lakes.

Jane Dalton reports:

The mega-ski resort hoping to attract 65,000 tourists  in heart of wartorn Ukraine

Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:29 , Eleanor Noyce

Boris Johnson said he told Donald Trump that he had played an important role in supporting Ukraine against the Russian invasion, whether he was aware of it or not.

The former PM said he reminded the ex-US president he had approved the sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine in 2018  before claiming British military aid was enabled by Mr Trumps example.

Speaking in an interview with the One Decision podcast, I just think its very important if you have a chance to talk to people like Donald Trump, just to get  over [that] I know in my heart that Ukrainians are going to win. I know they deserve to win.

Adam Forrest reports:

Boris Johnson says Trump played important role in arming Ukraine

Russia says it will respond harshly to any Ukrainian attack on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:18 , Eleanor Noyce

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters on Thursday that Moscow would respond with utmost harshness to any Ukrainian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Both Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of planning to attack Europes largest nuclear plant, which is located on Russian-controlled territory in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region, near the front line of Russias conflict with Ukraine.

This image provided by Maxar Technologies, shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Southern Ukraine on 30 June 2023 (AP)

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits China as part of efforts to sooth strained relations

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:15 , Eleanor Noyce

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived in Beijing on Thursday for meetings with Chinese leaders as part of efforts to revive relations that are strained by disputes about security, technology and other irritants.

Yellen planned to focus on stabilizing the global economy and challenging Chinese support of Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, Treasury officials in Washington told reporters ahead of the trip.

The secretary was due to meet with Chinese officials, American businesspeople and members of the public, according to Treasury officials. They gave no details, but said Yellen wouldnt meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Read more:

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visits China as part of efforts to sooth strained relations

Kremlin: Ukraine trying to drag countries into conflict with Zelenskiy's Bulgaria visit

Thursday 6 July 2023 11:09 , Eleanor Noyce

The Kremlin on Thursday said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys visit to Bulgaria showed that Kyiv was doing all it could to drag as many countries as possible into the conflict.

Zelensky said he was in the Bulgarian capital Sofia for talks with the countrys president and prime minister on issues including security and next weeks NATO summit.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said discussions like those Zelensky was having in Bulgaria would not affect the outcome of what Russia calls its special military operation in Ukraine in a big way, as he said the current situation on the front line was showing.

A handout photo made available by the Bulgarian Government Press Office shows Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky after landing in Sofia on 6 July (EPA)

Lukashenko says he is ready to mediate Ukraine peace talks - TASS

Thursday 6 July 2023 10:55 , Eleanor Noyce

Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko on Thursday said he was ready to mediate Ukraine peace talks if Moscow and Kyiv deem it necessary, the TASS news agency reported.

Lukashenko, who last month brokered a deal to end an armed mutiny in Russia, was speaking in Minsk.

He added that Ukraine had hit a dead end but there was still a chance of a way out.
Frederick Wright

In January 1945, as the Allied forces approached Germany from the west and the Russian army moved in from the east, the Germans decided that they would evacuate the prisons to delay the prisoners' liberation.

According to the article The March (1945) on Wikipedia.org, the German authorities began a series of movements from the various camps towards Poland and Czechoslovakia, and Germany during the first four months of 1942. This series of events has been called various names: 'The Great March West,' 'The Long March,' 'The Long Walk,' 'The Long Trek,' 'The Black March,' 'The Bread March' and 'Death March Across Germany,' but most survivors just called it 'The March.'

The occupants of Stalag Luft III, which included 2nd Lt. Frederick Wright was also on the list of men to be moved. After the war, Wright told his daughter, Gill, that he was far better off in the care of the Germans than under the command of the Russians, who were  in his words  'ruthless. Nevertheless, the Germans initiated these forced marches. Navigator and crew mate Robert Ferrell, who was captured with Frederick, called the march the 100-mile death march. When the orders were given for the prisoners to leave Stalag III, it couldnt have come at a worse time. The men were already suffering from malnutrition and had very little clothing. They were forced to begin their trek in the coldest January and February Europe had ever seen in the 20th century. Blizzards and temperatures that were well below 0 degrees Celsius, made the conditions unbearable. For Frederick, weighing just 110 pounds, the trip seemed nigh impossible. His family knew little of his suffering until a letter arrived after Frederick's death in 1999.

Veterans column: Frederick Wright's life as a prisoner of war during World War II

His widow had written to Robert Ferrell and asked for any information that he could give about Frederick's war experience, and he had plenty.

Story continues

Ferrell wrote: As the last member of the crew to see your late husband be left by the wayside, with Lt. Col. James Parker as an escort, in the knee-deep snow on the forced march from Sagan, Poland (old Poland) to Spremberg, Germany to Moscou, Germany, I remember the situation like it was only yesterday.  If there was anyone (other than the 2nd navigator (Miller) who was hit on the head by FLAK); Fred suffered the worst, being left behind in the snow and freezing temperature with little clothing and having lost about 50 lbs. in weight  and being malnourished. Fred was one of five left behind, with Lt. Col. Parker as escort, to face the onrushing Soviet Armies that broke through at Warsaw, Poland, and were right behind us.

Frederick was in such bad shape that Ferrell thought that he had died after he left him.

Exactly what happened was never fully disclosed to the family. The unsubstantiated tale is that Frederick made his way via an Allied underground network into Italy. Somehow he made it to safety, and once in the hands of American troops, he was hospitalized. He returned to the United States, eventually ending up in Indiana. His father wrote him a letter on June 22, 1945, which is the first indication of his return to the States. It was typed on the back of a First National Bank deposit slip: Dear Freddy, welcome home! Let me be the first to tell you how relieved and how delighted we all are to have you safe home again in our midst.

Veterans column: 2nd Lt. Frederick Wright becomes a prisoner of war during World War II

Fredericks's unit was scheduled to go to the Pacific Theater to fight against the Japanese. On Sept. 2, 1945, the Japanese surrendered, signaling the end of World War II. Many men were discharged and went home; however, Frederick decided to stay in the service, but first, he had some unfinished business in Ohio to which he needed to attend.

Doug Stout is the Local History Coordinator for the Licking County Library. You may contact him at 740-349-5571 ordstout@lickingcountylibrary.org. His book "Never Forgotten: The Stories of Licking County Veterans" is available forpurchase at the library or online at bookbaby.com & Amazon.com.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Veterans column: Frederick Wright and the 100-mile death march
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was no longer in Belarus and had returned to Russia.

Prigozhin went to Belarus as part of a deal to end Prigozhin's short-lived June 23 armed mutiny against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian defense officials. The Russian government was paying Prigozhin's Wagner Group of mercenaries to fight alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, but he frequently complained that Russia did not supply his forces with enough ammunition.

Lukashenko's claim that Prigozhin, once a confidant of Putin, had returned to Russia could not be immediately confirmed, and the Kremlin refused to comment on Prigozhin's whereabouts. Russian media have reported that he was recently seen at his offices in St. Petersburg.

When Lukashenko brokered the deal to end the mutiny and allow Prigozhin and his troops to travel to Belarus, the Belarusian said he had to talk Putin out of killing Prigozhin for leading the mutiny. If he is indeed in Russia, Prigozhin's status is not clear.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will accept a case stemming from the arrest of former Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown that later triggered a shakeup within the Milwaukee Police Department.

The court said Thursday it would take the case  Andrade v. City of Milwaukee Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

The appeal was brought by Erik A. Andrade, one of the Milwaukee police officers involved in Brown's January 2018 arrest and tasing in a Walgreens parking lot. At issue reportedly was a parking violation. Brown wasn't charged.

Andrade was fired after a posting a series of racist memes about the incident.

Brown referenced Andrade's posts in a federal civil rights lawsuit against the Milwaukee Police Department and the city, claiming wrongful arrest and excessive force.

Andrade sued the Fire and Police Commissioners board, arguing his termination was wrongful. He has contended it resulted from statements for violating social media policy, not for his conduct on the night of Brown's arrest.

The city of Milwaukee in 2021 settled Brown's lawsuit for $750,000. The settlement also required the Milwaukee Police Department to change its standard operating procedures, including changes to its fair and impartial policing policy and training and career development programs.

The department also was required to look into how it interacts with citizens, conducts field interviews, its search and seizure policy, arrest authority, personnel investigations and its use of force policy and body cameras use.

An internal investigation ended with several officers suspended and others retrained. An appeals court later upheld the FPC's decision to fire Andrade.

The first brief from the petitioners is due to the Supreme Court by July 24.

Brown, who played for the Bucks from 2017 until 2020, played last season for the Raptors 905 of the NBA's G League and briefly for the Los Angeles Lakers.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin's Supreme Court accepts ex-Milwaukee cop's termination case
You are the owner of this article.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen arrived Thursday in Beijing to meet with Chinese officials as part of an effort to address strained relations between the two countries.

"I am glad to be in Beijing to meet with Chinese officials and business leaders," Yellen said on Twitter. "We seek a healthy economic competition that benefits American workers and firms and to collaborate on global challenges."

"We will take action to protect our national security when needed," she added, "and this trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding."

Yellen said U.S. President Joe Biden "charged his administration with deepening communication between our two countries on a range of issues, and I look forward to doing so during my visit."
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President Yoon Suk-yeol visits Eastern Europe next week to talk with global leaders about solidarity with Ukraine in its struggle against the Russian invasion.

Yoon first attends a NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, where he is scheduled to sit down on the sidelines with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On July 13-14, he will visit Poland to discuss arms sales.

At the NATO summit, Yoon will discuss "the war in Ukraine, cooperation between NATO and the Indo-Pacific region, and emerging security threats," deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo told reporters Thursday.

This is the second time Yoon attends a summit of the security pact of 31 countries in North America and Europe as an observer.
ALERTA  Sighetean de 86 de ani, dat disparut. Il cauta toata lumea

Un sighetean de 86 de ani este de negasit. Potrivit IPJ Maramures, aseara, 20 iulie, la ora 23.25, la sediul politiei din Sighetu Marmatiei s-a prezentat un barbat, care a sesizat faptul ca, in dimineata zilei de ieri, bunicul sau, Marina Ioan Victor, [citeste mai departe]
Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- Dirijorul Alex Semeniuc si managerul Ionut-Vichentie Ilisoi Duminica, 15 iulie, pe toate frecventele Radio Iasi si online pe radioiasi.ro/asculta-live intre 18.10-20.00 Editia a 12-a a World Choir Games 2023 s-a desfasurat intre 3  13 iulie intr-un orasel turistic din Koreea de Sud, Gangneung [kaN.nN]

- ASTRA Museum in Sibiu organizes between July 13 and 16 the ASTRA Multicultural event dedicated to all ethnic minorities in Romania. Now in its 8th year, the event is expected to see "more than 20,000 visitors participating in the 4-day program prepared by the ethnic associations: interactive workshops,

- The Netherlands will foster the military capacities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia and the Republic of Moldova by investing an additional E8 million into a NATO fund, outgoing Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra (CDA/EPP) announced during the NATO summit in Vilnius on Tuesday, according to Euractiv.

- Over 40pct of COVID cases in past week, in Bucharest and Timis, Suceava, Dolj, Iasi counties. The National Public Health Institute (INSP) informed that, in the week 12 - 18 June, 42.1% of COVID-19 cases were registered in Bucharest and in the counties of Timis, Suceava, Dolj and Iasi, told Agerpres.

- Moldova si UE a semnat astazi un nou acord de liberalizare a tarifelor de roaming. Anuntul a fost facut de seful statului, Maia Sandu, care sustine o conferinta de presa alaturi de presedinta Comisiei Europene, Ursula von der Leyen.

- ESTE FILM brings together directors of film and theater festivals from three countries.The ESTE FILM festival will organize in central Sibiu on Thursday and Friday the first meeting of directors of film and theater festivals from Romania, Serbia and the Republic of Moldova, called LINE-UP, where

- Madrid, April 28 /Agerpres/ - The Romanian tennis player Jaqueline Cristian was defeated by the Russian Anastasia Potapova, 7-5, 3-6, 6-2, on Friday, in the second round of the WTA 1,000 tournament in Madrid, equipped with total prizes of 7,705,780 EUR.Jaqueline Cristian (24 years old, the 168th

- The Romanian tennis player Irina Bara qualified, on Friday, for the semifinals of the ITF tournament in Istanbul, with total prizes of 60,000 USD, after achieving two clear victories on the same day. Fii la curent cu cele mai noi stiri. Urmareste stiripesurse.ro pe Facebook stiripesurse.ro
The Great Market Hall makes it onto pretty much every tourists Budapest itinerary, and for good reason. Its a charming place, packed every day with locals, expats and tourists grabbing fresh deals. That said, its not the only market in Budapest and definitely not the only one worth visiting, and so here's what else the city has to offer market shoppers.

1. Szimpla Farmers Market

The always bustling Szimpla Farmers Market opens up every Sunday inside Budapests most famous bar.

Keep in mind that more and more tourists find out about this market, however its still a great place to pick up some fresh fruits, vegetables, sausages, jams, cheeses, juices and fresh bread as well as other delicious snacks.

You can come for the food and stay for the atmosphere, with programs for kids and live music throughout the day. Whats more, if youre the sort of person who cant function without a coffee, Szimpla have just opened up a coffee bar next to the entrance and a cute little cafe over the road.

And remember, this is the only market it town where you can grab a beer and gaze at some artwork while you shop, definitely a unique experience.

Address: 14 Kazinczy Street, 1075 Budapest

Open: 9am2pm every Sunday



2. Hold Street Market

This popular local downtown market has a long and storied history dating back to 1891 and has served the residents of Pest well to this day. It has been recently refurbished, as is often known as Downtown Market, or Belvarosi Piac as its said in Hungarian.

While retaining its 19th century charm, its been spruced up and made fully accessible for disabled customers. The original ENTRANCE and EXIT inscriptions, still visible today, are a subtle nod to the markets past.

The ground floor hosts market stalls bursting with all the fresh produce, meats, dairy products and Hungarian favourites youd expect, while the gallery level is home to a number of restaurants serving fresh home favourites to locals and curious tourists alike.

Address: 13 Hold Street, 1054 Budapest

Open: 6:30am5pm Mon, 6:30am6pm TuesFri, 6:30am2pm Sat, closed on Sunday



3. Feny Street Market

Feny Street Market is the main market on the Buda side of the river and is one of the biggest and busiest in the city.

Its definitely worth a visit if you want to experience a market frequented mostly by locals. Its next door to Mammut shopping centre and just around the corner from Szell Kalman Square, making it easy to access and a great base for a day exploring the area.

Multistorey and partly open air, the atmosphere is vibrant and the stallholders are a lively bunch, always happy to exchange a few words of English with you.

As well as all the usual favourites, youll find a great selection of meats here including mangalica pork and grey cattle beef  just dont forget to pick up some pickles to go with them.

Oh and if you want to try langos  the famous Hungarian snack, which consists of deep fried dough generously lathered in garlic, sour cream and cheese  then there is a popular stall that sells them.

Address: 12 Lovohaz Street, 1024 Budapest

Open: 6am6pm MonFri, 6am2pm Sat, closed on Sunday



4. Hunyadi Square Market

A little rough around the edges, Hunyadi Square Market is the place to go if you want to experience a little of Budapests old romantic charm while you pick out some vegetables for dinner.

Located in the quiet, residential 6th district there is also an idyllic little park next door if you cant resist snacking before you get home.

As Budapests only remaining fully open air market its been under constant threat of disappearing. Luckily, Treasures from the Market, a civic group, have managed to breathe new life into the place in recent years.

A real gem and a little off the beaten track, the market is a great place to pick up delicacies such as liver pate, honey and fresh sausages.

Address: 4 Hunyadi Square, 1067 Budapest view map

Open: 7am5pm Mon, 7am6pm TueFri, 7am2pm Sat, closed on Sunday.



5. MOM Park Bio/Organic Market

If you like your food healthy and organic, then youll want to take a trip down to the the MOM Park Bio/Organic Market.

Next to the busy MOM Park shopping centre the market is spacious and easily accessible, a real Mecca for the cities health conscience with no pesticides or GMO in sight.

Find speciality produce you wont get anywhere else, alongside meats, jams, pickles and even cosmetics. The producers here are passionate about what they sell and shopping here will give you a boost of good karma, both for being good to your body and also to the local economy.

Address: 18 Csorsz Street, 1124 Budapest

Open: 9am2pm every Sunday

Our contributing writer Andrew Davison is an entrepreneur and blogger in Budapest. He runs two businesses helping people find English and Hungarian teachers.

Source: Budapest Local

Republished with permission
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has added Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan to its extensive network of international routes. With this announcement, Baku becomes the 30th international destination and 108th overall destination in the 6E network. These direct flights between Delhi to Baku, Azerbaijan will take to the skies starting August 11, 2023. The Delhi-Baku Flight 6E 1803 will fly on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun at 20:20 and will reach Baku at 23:50. On its return, the Baku-Delhi Flight 6E 1804 will fly on Mon, Tue, Thu, Sat at 01:40 and will reach Delhi at 07:10.

IndiGo Airline has become the only airline in India to offer direct flight services not only to Baku, but also Tbilisi, Jakarta and Nairobi, all of which were recently announced as part of the airline's massive international expansion plan. Later, IndiGo will also launch flights to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and relaunch flights to Hong Kong. IndiGo aims to reach 32 international destinations this year.

Further, IndiGo says that the flights will "open doors to incredible experiences" for both business and leisure travellers. Baku is a blend of rich history and modernity and is also the home for the Azerbaijan Formula 1 race. It is known for the distinctive Flame Towers, a trio of towering skyscrapers, dominating the city's skyline.



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One can also visit the historic Maiden Tower in the heart of Baku's Old Town, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Yanar Dag (a permanent fire flame on the top of the mountain) and also view the Caspian Sea.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, "We are delighted to announce the launch of new flights connecting Delhi and Baku, reinvigorating the historical Silk Route connection between these two vibrant cities. Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea. This strategic introduction addresses the growing travel demand from India to Azerbaijan, while also promoting cultural exchanges and fostering stronger bilateral ties.

With these flights, tourists will get to experience not only its medieval walled old city but also the contemporary landmarks. IndiGo remains committed to delivering affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences across our unparalleled network.

H.E. Ashraf Shikhaliyev, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to India, said, We are happy to welcome the commencement of direct flights from Delhi to Baku of IndiGo. This enhanced air connectivity will further strengthen the ties between Azerbaijan and India. It will also unlock boundless opportunities for cultural exploration and foster tourism growth, inviting Indian travelers to experience the enchanting beauty and hospitality of Azerbaijan- the mysterious Land of Fire.
New Delhi: US-based software development company is giving its employees 9 days of paid leave to "rest and recharge", a move that has been hailed by netizens.

User Shailendra Pandey shared the screenshot of the internal mail sent by the company on his LinkedIn post. The screenshot shows the Californian firm HackerRank announcing its company decision to give paid time off to its employees during the first week of July, i.e from 1st July to 9th July.

"We all have been seeing a lot in recent times about hectic work life balance, employee making up reasons to get leave or go on vacation. This thing by HackerRank is great and should be appreciated for considering the well being of all employees and offering company wide Time off. Kudos to the management for taking such bold decision," Pandey wrote in his LinkedIn post.



cre Trending Stories

The above news comes amids trends like "the big resignation," "the quiet quitting," and the most recent "the big quit," The employment landscape has changed significantly.

Numerous layoffs and a variety of market instability factors have made things more difficult for both employers and organisations as well as for employees.

A Linkedin research published few months ago stated that 78% of workers feel confident enough to look for new job. In order to fit into new roles and places, 44% of people are learning new, transferrable skills that are in demand.

These youthful employees do not hide their ambitions and look forward to switching from their uninteresting and unsatisfactory professions. These adolescents no longer have a fear of the market. They are not in any way threatened by the current economic developments. They have started to hone their talents in the wake of the Pandemic and the erratic job environment. They are aware of the advantages of upskilling and retraining.
A senior police official in the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Coimbatore range, allegedly died by suicide and is suspected to have shot himself, police said on Friday. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin expressed shock over the incident and said the demise was a huge loss to the police department.

DIG C Vijayakumar is suspected to have shot himself with his service pistol at his residence at Red Fields in the city, a senior police officer said and added the cause for the extreme measure was being ascertained. The 2009 batch IPS official had assumed charge as DIG in January this year. He had served as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Anna Nagar, Chennai earlier.

Previously, he had served as Superintendent of Police in Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts. This is the second such incident in recent years of a senior official allegedly dying by suicide in Tamil Nadu.



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Then Tiruchengode Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vishnupriya allegedly died of suicide at her residence in Namakkal district in 2015. She was found hanging. Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Stalin said he was shocked and saddened to hear the sad news of the untimely death of C Vijayakumar today. "Vijayakumar had served Tamil Nadu police force well in various responsibilities including district SP during his tenure."

"His death is a huge loss to the Tamil Nadu Police department. My deepest condolences and sympathies to his family, friends and police force," the Chief Minister tweeted.
Raipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Chhattisgarh capital Raipur on Friday, where he is scheduled to inaugurate and lay foundation stones of ten projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore, officials said. This is Modi's first visit to the Congress-ruled state, where Assembly elections are due this year-end, after being elected as the prime minister for the second term in 2019. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders in Chhattisgarh believe that Modi's visit will energise the party workers, who are gearing up for the polls in the state. The party had lost the assembly elections in Chhattisgarh in 2018, after occupying power for 15 years. The prime minister's event will be held at the Science College ground here at 10.45 am, an official said on Thursday.

The PM will dedicate to the nation four-laning of the 33-km-long Raipur-Kodebod section of the National Highway 30, the 53-km-long four-lane Bilaspur-Pathrapali stretch of NH-130, and lay foundation stone for construction of three sections (Jhanki- Sargi (43 km), Sargi Basanwahi (57 km) and Basanwahi-Marangpuri (25 km)) as a part of the six-lane Raipur-Visakhapatnam economic corridor NH-130 CD, he said.

The PM will also dedicate to the nation the doubling of the 103-km-long Raipur-Khariar Road Rail Line, built at a cost of Rs 750 crore, a 17-km-long new railway line connecting Keoti-Antagarh, and a bottling plant of the Indian Oil Corporation with a capacity of 60,000 metric ton per annum in Korba constructed at a cost of over Rs 130 crore, the official said.



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Also Read: PM Modi To Visit Varanasi, Attend Gita Press Centenary Celebrations In Gorakhpur Today

Besides this, the prime minister will kickstart the distribution of 75 lakh cards to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and flag off a new train from Antagarh (Kanker district) to Raipur, he said. After that, the PM will address a public meeting at the same venue.

Also Read: 'Modi Surname' Defamation Case: Gujarat HC's BIG VERDICT On Rahul Gandhi's Plea Seeking Stay On Conviction Today

A massive security cover has been put in place at the programme venue, police said. A multi-layered security blanket, involving personnel of the state police besides contingents of Special Protection Group (SPG), has been put in place in the area, located in the mid of the city, a police official said.
The number of missing babies who were found dead during an urgent police search has risen to 27.

Police have been tasked to discover the whereabouts of hundreds of babies whose birth was recorded in hospitals but whose parents never registered them, and they are urgently looking for 780 of them.

So far only 101 have been accounted for, and the horror keeps mounting as another dozen were found dead in the last couple of days.
New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Friday called upon his British counterpart Sir Tim Barrow to take strong public action such as deportation against extremist elements threatening officers of the Indian High Commission in the UK, official sources said. Doval raised the issue during his wide-ranging talks with Barrow, who is currently on a visit to India.

The two NSAs held one-on-one talks that were followed by delegation-level strategic dialogue. Pro-Khalistan groups have issued posters inciting violence against senior Indian diplomats in the UK as well as in the US, Canada and Australia, triggering concerns in New Delhi. India has already asked all these countries to ensure the safety and security of Indian diplomats and their missions.

In the talks, which covered a broad bilateral, regional and global agenda, the two sides also agreed to work closely to counter-terrorism and deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical and emerging technologies.



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"The Indian side raised the issue of the extremist elements in the UK threatening individual officers of the Indian High Commission and urged the UK government to take strong public action against these elements such as deportation or legal prosecution," said a source.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation to address violent extremism and radicalism as there can be no justification for violent extremism and radicalisation in a democracy, the sources said.

Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said on Thursday that the safety of the Indian diplomats and security of the Indian missions is of utmost priority to the government and New Delhi has taken it up with concerned countries.

In the name of freedom of expression, space should not be given to those advocating violence or legitimising terrorism, Bagchi said in a message to the countries that are witnessing increasing activities by the Khalistani groups.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly on Thursday said that any direct attacks on the High Commission of India in London are "completely unacceptable". On Doval-Barrow talks, the sources said both sides agreed to deepen counter-terrorism and terror financing.

The two NSAs also resolved to expand mutually beneficial bilateral collaboration in critical and emerging technologies. "Both the sides agreed to work closely on counter-terrorism, counter-terror financing, use of the internet for terrorism purposes, illicit drug trafficking and counter-radicalisation," said the source.

"The two sides agreed to deepen mutually beneficial collaboration in critical and emerging technologies," it added. In the delegation-level talks, both countries reaffirmed their close strategic partnership and agreed to accord maximum priority to further enhance the security linkages.
New Delhi: The BJP on Friday welcomed the Gujarat High Court's decision to reject Rahul Gandhi's plea to stay his conviction in the 'Modi Surname' criminal defamation case and said that it is the Congress leader's "chronic habit" to abuse and defame others. Addressing a press conference, senior BJP leader and former Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad noted that the Congress leader refused to apologise for his 'Modi surname' jibe and displayed "irresponsible arrogance".

"If he behaves like this and defames people and institutions, the law will catch up with him, he said. The law has caught up with him, he added. Prasad noted that there are seven-eight defamation cases against the former Congress president. It has become a chronic habit of Gandhi to abuse and defame eminent people and organisations,'' the BJP leader said, noting that he has also been accused of insulting a great patriot such as Veer Savarkar and the Hindutva organisation RSS.

It is his arrogance that he believes he is above the law as he is from the Gandhi family, Prasad said. "...We would like to ask Congress - why can't you control Rahul Gandhi? Why can't you train him to speak properly? He is your leader. Had he apologised in this matter, it would have ended...It has become a chronic habit of Rahul Gandhi to abuse, defame & almost shower the worst kind of abuses against eminent leaders and organisations," Prasad sought to know from the Congress party.



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#WATCH | Gujarat High Court verdict on defamation case against Rahul Gandhi | BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad says, "...We would like to ask Congress - why can't you control Rahul Gandhi? Why can't you train him to speak properly? He is your leader. Had he apologised in this matter, pic.twitter.com/DQ8sVNqIum  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

Gujarat HC Dismisses Rahul Gandhis Plea

Earlier in the day, the Gujarat High Court dismissed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case over his "Modi surname" remark. While dismissing the plea, Justice Hemant Prachchhak noted that Gandhi was already facing 10 criminal cases across India, adding that the order of the lower court was "just, proper and legal" in handing over a two-year jail term to Gandhi for his remarks. There was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction, the high court said.

"He (Gandhi) was trying to stay the conviction on absolutely non-existent grounds. It is a well-settled principle of law that staying of conviction is not a rule, but an exception, resorted only in rare cases. Disqualification is not only limited to MP, MLAs. Moreover, as many as 10 criminal cases are pending against the applicant," the HC said. "After this complaint, another complaint was filed in a court in Pune by the grandson of Veer Savarkar for Gandhi's defamatory utterance against Veer Savarkar at Cambridge. Another complaint against him was filed in the concerned court of Lucknow," it said.

Against this backdrop, refusal of stay on conviction would not in any way result in injustice to the applicant, the judge said. "Impugned order passed by the appellate court is just, proper and legal, and does not call for any interference. However, it is hereby requested by the concerned learned district judge to decide the criminal appeal on its own merits and in accordance with the law as expeditiously as possible. "In view of the above, the present criminal revision application deserved to be dismissed and accordingly it is dismissed," the judge while reading the order. While noting that there was no reasonable ground to stay the conviction at this stage, Justice Prachchhak also directed the district and sessions court of Surat to hear Gandhi's appeal against the conviction "as expeditiously as possible".

Will Challenge the HC Order In SC: Congress

After the verdict, the Congress party said it would challenge the high court order in the Supreme Court. A stay on Gandhi's conviction in the case would have paved the way for his reinstatement as a Member of Parliament. Unhappy with the high court's verdict, Congress Legislative Party leader in Gujarat Assembly, Amit Chavda, told reporters that the party will challenge the high court order in the apex court.

A metropolitan magistrate's court in Surat on March 23 sentenced the former Congress president to two years in jail after convicting him under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 499 and 500 (criminal defamation) in a 2019 case filed by Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Gujarat MLA Purnesh Modi. Following the verdict, Gandhi, elected to the Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala in 2019, was disqualified as a Member of Parliament (MP) under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act.

Gandhi then challenged the order in a sessions court in Surat, which is still pending, along with an application seeking a stay to the conviction. While granting him bail, the sessions court on April 20 refused to stay the conviction, following which, he knocked the doors of HC. BJP MLA and former minister in Gujarat government Purnesh Modi filed a criminal defamation case against Gandhi over his 'How come all thieves have Modi as the common surname?' remark made during an election rally at Kolar in Karnataka on April 13, 2019.

During an earlier hearing on April 29 in the court of Justice Prachchhak, Gandhi's lawyer had argued that a maximum punishment of two years for a bailable, non-cognisable offence meant he could lose his Lok Sabha seat "permanently and irreversibly", which was a "very serious additional irreversible consequence to the person and the constituency he represents".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the six-lane greenfield expressway section of the Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor on July 8. Spanning over 500 km in Rajasthan, this section which runs from village Jakhdawali in Hanumangarh district to village Khetlawas in Jalore district, is built at a cost of around Rs 11,125 crore, said an official statement. According to the statement, this expressway will significantly reduce travel time and improve connectivity between major cities, and industrial corridors. The statement added that the expressway will facilitate seamless transportation of goods and enhance tourism and economic development along its route.

According to a press release from the Prime Minister's office, PM Modi will undertake a tour of four states including Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan from July 7 to 8, during which he will lay the foundation, and dedicate multiple projects worth Rs 50,000 crores. "PM Modi will visit Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh on July 7, Telangana and Rajasthan on July 8," the release further said.

Get ready for a new era of progress!



Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji is all set to inaugurate the 6-lane greenfield expressway of Amritsar-Jamnagar Economic Corridor on July 8th.



This game-changing project will revolutionize travel, boost trade, and fast-track development. pic.twitter.com/AzLrHhJnDz  Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) July 6, 2023

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Significantly, except for Uttar Pradesh, all states will go to polls later this year. In Chhattisgarh, PM will dedicate and lay the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 7500 crores in Raipur and lay the foundation stone for five National Highway projects in Chhattisgarh. From Raiur, he will travel to Gorakhpur, where he will participate in the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press.

The PM will also dedicate a four-lane widening of the Varanasi-Jaunpur section of NH-56 making travel from Varanasi to Lucknow easier and faster and lay the foundation stone for the redevelopment of Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats and distribute loans of PMSVANidhi, keys of PMAY Rural houses and Ayushman cards to the beneficiaries in UP.

On July 8, he will visit Warangal in Telangana where he will lay the foundation stone for several road and rail infrastructure development projects worth around Rs 6,100 crores.From Warangal, he will travel to Bikaner in Rajasthan, to dedicate and lay the foundation stone of development projects worth over Rs 24,300 crore.
The aviation security is one of the most advanced form of security check a passenger has to undergo among any other form of transportation. The security check at airports across the world has evolved over the years and employs some of the most advanced machines to detect threats. The security officials not only check the person who is travelling extensively, but also the check in luggage they carry with them on the plane. Despite clear guidelines laid out by airports, a lot of travellers don't know what exactly can be carried inside the cabin of a plane and what can't be carried.

As per data shared by Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), out of 1,08,50,465 check-in baggage scanned in 6 months from December 2022 to May 2023, a total of 41,271 bags were found carrying prohibited items. Although that's only 0.4 percent of the bags, it still creates a backlog and delays the security process at the airports.

As per a statement by the Adani-run Mumbai International Airport, "In airport operations, time plays a very crucial role. Every minute lost in the process can cause a passenger to miss his / her flight." So if you are planning to take a flight any time soon, here's a list of the prohibited items one should not carry in their check-in luggage.



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Prohibited Items In Check-In Bags

1) Batteries spare/or loose, Power banks, lithium metal or lithium-ion cells: When damaged, short-circuited, or overheated, these batteries can catch fire inside the aircraft.

2) Battery powered wheelchairs and mobility aids: These devices use have wet batteries, if damaged in transit the acid in the batteries can cause corrosion and malfunctioning of aircraft equipment.

3) Compressed gas cartridges, cylinders lighters, e-cigarettes: These gases are highly flammable and if damaged during transit they might explode.

4) Electronic devices which cannot be switched off: Such battery powered devices if not switched off can generate a lot of heat which can cause fire.

5) Thermometer or barometer, medical equipment filled with mercury: If such devices are damaged during transit the mercury leaked out can spread all in the cargo area of the aircraft cause damage. Also, if mercury is spread inside the aircraft can cause corrosion and malfunctioning of aircraft equipment.

6) Dry Coconut: The dry coconut contains a high amount of oil, which is highly flammable and can cause fire if it encounters heat inside the aircraft.

These items are some of the commonly carried items in the check-in bags as people are still not aware of the rules. Apart from these items, there are the usual lethal weapons, sharp items, liquid items which one can't carry inside the cabin of the flight.
Vietnamese low-cost airline Vietjet will fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Kerala's Kochi from August 12, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai announced on Thursday. He said the opening of the route connecting Kochi and Ho Chi Minh City by Vietjet is a breakthrough, creating a new impetus for economic trade, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and south India.

With the favorable geographical location of Ho Chi Minh City in particular, and Vietnam in general, visitors will easily explore destinations across Vietnam as well as from Vietnam to other countries and regions around the world, said Hai. The airline will operate four flights every week - on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

The flights from Kochi will depart at 11.50 p.m. (local time) and land in Ho Chi Minh City at 6.40 a.m. (local time). The return flights will depart from Ho Chi Minh City at 7.20 p.m. (local time) and arrive in Kochi at 10.50 p.m. (local time).



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Vietjet's Vice President of Commerce, Jay L Lingeswara said with this new route, Vietjet will increase connectivity between Vietnam and India.

We expect that Vietjet will make significant contributions to the tourism growth of Kerala, India, and Vietnam via its wide range of products and services accompanied by competitive and reasonable fares, he said. Vietjet's new route is expected to bring about 10,000 more passengers from the southern region of India to Vietnam in 2023.
New Delhi: Actor Jackie Shroff recently took to Instagram to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the iconic Bollywood film 'Tridev.' The actor shared a heartfelt reel featuring throwback pictures from the shoot of the movie, along with his co-stars. Fans and notable personalities from the film industry showered the post with admiration and fond memories.

Jackie Shroff stirred up nostalgia among his fans and followers as he celebrated the 34th anniversary of the hit Bollywood movie 'Tridev.' In a heartfelt reel, Jackie goes down memory lane and shares unseen pictures from the sets alongside Madhuri Dixit, Sunny Deol and other cast from the team. Jackie Shroff captioned the post, "34 years of Tridev," expressing his sentiment and appreciation for the movie that left an indelible mark on his career.

The post speedily got comments under the post from fans such as, My all-time favorite movie! , and Dada, you looked incredible then, and you look incredible now.

The reel also evoked memories of the popular song 'Gali Gali Mein Firta Hai,' which became an instant hit and is still loved by fans today. Many fans took the opportunity to reminisce about the song and express their love for it in the comments section.

As fans continue to shower praise and admiration, the mention of Jackie Shroff's upcoming project, 'Jailer,' alongside Rajnikanth, further adds to the excitement and anticipation surrounding his future endeavors.
New Delhi: Twitter has threatened legal action against Meta over its new, text-based app called Threads, according to a letter obtained by Semafor. In a Wednesday letter addressed to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Alex Spiro, an attorney representing Twitter, accused Meta of unlawfully using Twitter's trade secrets and other intellectual property by hiring former Twitter employees to create a "copycat" app.

Since launching Threads Wednesday night, Meta's new app has collected tens of millions of sign ups. The app, which was created by the company's Instagram team, arrives at a time when many are looking for Twitter alternatives to escape Elon Musk's raucous oversight of the platform since acquiring it last year for USD 44 billion.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone responded to the report of Spiro's letter on Threads Thursday afternoon, writing, "no one on the Threads engineering team is a former Twitter employee that's just not a thing". In the letter, which Semafor first reported on Thursday, Spiro said that Twitter "intends to strictly enforce its intellectual property rights" and noted the company's right to seek civil remedies or injunctive relief. He added that the letter marked a "formal notice" for Meta to preserve documents relevant for a potential dispute between the companies.



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The Associated Press reached out to Spiro and Twitter on Thursday for further information. Twitter responded to an email seeking comment with a poop emoji, its standard automated response to reporters. Musk hasn't directly tweeted about the possibility of legal action, but he has replied to several snarky takes on the Threads launch. The Twitter owner responded to one tweet suggesting that Meta's app was built largely through the use of the copy and paste function, with a laughing emoji.

Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino has also not publicly commented on Wednesday's letter, but seemingly appeared to address Threads' launch in a Thursday tweet. "We're often imitated -- but the Twitter community can never be duplicated," Yaccarino wrote.

Still, some analysts say Meta's new app could be a significant headache for Twitter pointing to the excitement surrounding Threads' launch and impressive download numbers so far. Success for the app isn't guaranteed, of course. Industry watchers point to Meta's track record of starting standalone apps that were later shut down, for example, and note that Threads is still in its early days so time will tell.

Meta's new app has also raised data privacy concerns. While Threads launched in more than 100 countries Wednesday, it is notably unavailable in the European Union, which has strict data privacy rules.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought the responses of the state government, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), and Delhi University (DU) on a plea challenging the eligibility criteria for NEET (UG) aspirants to claim Delhi state quota seats in medical colleges affiliated with the two varsities here.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued a notice to the Delhi government, Directorate General Health Services, GGSIPU, and DU and asked them to file their replies within two weeks. The high court listed the matter for further hearing on August 7.

GGSIPU issued a notification on June 28 calling for the submission of documents from eligible candidates for Delhi state quota seats which constitute 85 percent of the total seats. The plea filed by a NEET aspirant said the petitioner is aggrieved at the lack of residential criteria being one of the mandatory eligibility criteria for claiming Delhi state quota seats. It said the eligibility criteria were restricted to merely passing class 11 and 12 exams from a school affiliated with a recognized board within Delhi for admission to undergraduate courses MBBS / BDS etc. In the colleges and institutions in the national capital.



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Such irrational and arbitrary requirement has over the years resulted in illegal practices being resorted to by the schools within Delhi for illegitimately providing the dummy schooling platform to students from outside Delhi (majorly from the adjoining states) who migrate to Delhi after their class 10th exams with the sole purpose of somehow availing the benefit of Delhi state quota seats (which otherwise ought to be allocated amongst the bonafide residents of NCT of Delhi), the petition said.

Filed through advocates Ayush Beotra and Amish Tandon, it alleged the illegitimate dummy schooling' concept has emerged via media for fulfilling the eligibility criteria for appearing in the NEET (UG) without any difficulty or controversy.

The petition sought the inclusion of the criteria of residence as one of the mandatory eligibility criteria for students to claim the quota for admission to MBBS and BDS courses here. It also sought a direction to CBSE to identify and take necessary action against city schools that are affiliated with the board and are indulging in illegal conduct of offering dummy schooling' to students of classes 11 and 12.
Srinagar; The Amarnath Yatra has been suspended on both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes on Friday due to heavy rainfall in the Kashmir Valley, officials said. They said no pilgrim could proceed to the sacred cave and they stopped more than 3,200 pilgrims at Nunwan Pahalgam camp and 4,000 pilgrims at Baltal camp. They said the Yatra would resume when the weather gets better. So far, over 80,000 devotees have completed the Yatra. Officials also issued permits to over 300 pilgrims who had fake ones after they registered again at Jammu counters.

Also Read: Amarnath Yatra: 17,202 Pilgrims Pay Obeisance On Sixth Day, Over 84,700 So Far This Season

The weatherman said there were rain and thunderstorms in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir. He said the weather would be mostly cloudy and there would be intermittent rain and thunderstorms in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir, but no heavy rain today. However, he said there would be light to moderate rain or showers in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir on 8th and 9th.



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Also Read: In A First, Command Control Centre Set Up For Real-Time Surveillance Of Amarnath Yatra Routes

Meanwhile, the 8th batch of 7,010 pilgrims left Jammu for the valley in 247 vehicles from Baghwati Nagar base camp on Friday.
Opinion articles written in the style of their author. These texts are to be based on verified facts and must be respectful towards people, even though their actions may be criticized. All opinion articles written by individuals from outside the staff of EL PAIS shall feature, along with the authors name (regardless of their greater or lesser renown), a footer stating their office, academic title, political affiliation (if any) and main occupation, or the occupation related to the topic being assessed

A womans murder during a robbery in Madrids Tirso de Molina public square, and the uprising in French banlieues after a young man was killed by French police during a traffic stop, have unleashed a new wave of racist outbursts from far-right extremists like the Vox Party in Spain and the media outlets that champion their cause throughout Europe and the United States. Its not surprising that the ultra-right holds racist beliefs  its a fundamental part of their ideology. What is truly remarkable is their unabashedly open and unambiguous expression of these opinions.

The coin of their realm has been dubbed the Great Replacement, a repugnant white nationalist, far-right conspiracy theory that mixes anti-Semitism with racism. They accuse people like Jewish financier George Soros of promoting a massive influx of Muslim immigrants to replace white Christians who, according to this racist worldview, are the lifeblood of Europe.

Everything has its limits, of course. Finlands far-right Minister of Economy Vilhelm Junnila had to resign after 10 days in office due to his racist comments. Junnila had praised the Ku Klux Klan on social media posts and made oblique references to the number 88  H is the eighth letter of the alphabet (Heil Hitler). Junnilas ideology was well-known before he assumed one of the most crucial roles in government. The prevalence of far-right ideologies in Northern European nations is not unexpected. Before the 2011 domestic terrorist attacks in Utoya (Norway), secretive neo-Nazism was a theme of prominent Nordic crime fiction authors like Jo Nesbo, Stieg Larsson and Henning Mankell. What is truly alarming is that these ideologies are no longer hidden and are now in plain sight.

Throughout history, many societies have been (and in some cases still are) built on foundations of racism. Skin color, caste and religion can have lifelong implications for an individual. There is a growing prevalence of extremist speech that openly yearns for those bygone times. One of the great literary works of the 20th century, To Kill a Mockingbird (for which Harper Lee won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize), describes life in an Alabama town during the pervasive racial segregation of the American South.

Actor Gregory Peck and novelist Harper Lee during the filming of To Kill a Mockingbird

It is a novel about racial prejudice and an honest man named Atticus Finch who decides to defend a Black man unjustly accused of rape. His courage nearly leads to the death of his daughter. In Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee, Charles J. Shields vividly describes the formative experiences of the writers childhood like the time when she was five and saw 100 Ku Klux Klan members marching in her school parking lot, and when her college classmate mistakenly sat in the bus section reserved for Blacks, leading to a tense situation.

Individuals who clamor for societies rooted in racial division instead of embracing the principles of freedom and equality should think carefully about whether they truly want to live in a place like the one in To Kill a Mockingbird. They would do well to read and remember Atticus Finchs wisdom to his young daughter, You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view until you climb in his skin and walk around in it.
New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday took into custody three railway personnel in connection with the June 2 Balasore train accident, making its first arrests in the case. The central agency arrested Senior Section Engineer (signal) Arun Kumar Mahanta, Section Engineer Mohammed Amir Khan and Technician Pappu Kumar, all posted in Balasore district in Odisha.

The three have been arrested under IPC sections 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 201 (destruction of evidence), the officials said.

The CBI in its investigation found that the accused railway employees were also involved in the tampering of evidence. The arrested accused will be presented in the competent court and CBI will demand custody.



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The Railway Board had also recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the accident following which on June 6, the CBI took over the investigation.

The CBI has already registered a First Information Report (FIR) in this matter. The agency got involved in the case after allegations of tampering with the electronic interlocking system were made after the accident.

The accident, one of the deadliest train accidents in India's history, involved the Chennai-bound Coromandel Express from Shalimar, the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express and a stationary goods train. The accident took place near the Bahanaga Bazar railway station on June 2, claiming 291 lives and injured over 1000.

A high-level inquiry into the tragedy by the Commissioner of Railways Safety (CRS) found "wrong signalling" to be the main reason for the accident and dismissed previous reports of sabotage or a technical glitch.

The CRS, which comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is the government body that looks into railway safety and investigates incidents. The inquiry panel also flagged "lapses at multiple levels" in the signalling and telecommunication (S&T) department. The report also said the tragedy could have been averted if past red flags were reported.

The report further said the station manager of Bahanaga Bazar should have reported the "repeated unusual behaviour" of switches connecting two parallel tracks to the S&T department, following which remedial action could have been taken.

The CRS report also suggested that the non-supply of a station-specific approved circuit diagram for the works to replace the electric lifting barrier at a level crossing gate 94 at Bahanaga Bazar station was a "wrong step that led to wrong wiring", PTI reported.

The inquiry report also urged the Railways to review the system of disaster response in the zonal railways, saying the initial response to such a tragedy should be faster.
The Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to stay on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 'Modi surname' defamation case. The bench of Justice Hemant M Prachchhak said that the trial court conviction order is proper. "There is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed," he said.

The court dismissed Rahul Gandhi's plea and noted that at least 10 criminal cases were pending against him and even after the present case, some more cases have been filed against him. One such case has been filed by the grandson of Veer Savarkar, the court said. Earlier in May this year, Gujarat HC reserved its order on Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname' defamation case.

Satyameva Jayate



After Sessions Court now High Court dismisses Rahul Gandhis petition



Makes stinging findings and observations



Rahul Gandhi is a serial offender & instead of apologising to the OBC Samaj the Congress continues to brazen it out pic.twitter.com/rIoAVzGD0q July 7, 2023

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Rahul Gandhi had moved the Gujarat High Court on April 25 challenging the Surat sessions court order which declined to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case. During the hearing on April 29, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, had sought time to produce certain documents on record after which the court adjourned the hearing to May 2.

The Surat sessions court had on April 20 rejected Rahul Gandhi's plea seeking a stay on his conviction in the criminal defamation case. In his judgement, Additional Sessions Judge Robin P Mogera cited Rahul Gandhi's stature as an MP and former chief of the country's second-largest political party and said he should have been more careful.

#WATCH | Gujarat High Court verdict on defamation case against Rahul Gandhi | Karnataka Deputy CM & Congress leader DK Shivakumar says, "Very unfortunate that justice has not prevailed. It is the murder of democracy. Still, the entire country & the Opposition parties stand by pic.twitter.com/zn14mBuEBO  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

He cited prima facie evidence and observations of the trial court and said it transpires that Gandhi made certain derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi apart from comparing people with the same surname with thieves. Judge Mogera said the surname of the complainant in the case, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmaker Purnesh Modi, is also Modi. "...the complainant is [also an] ex-minister and involved in public life. Such defamatory remarks would have certainly harmed his reputation and caused him pain and agony in society," he said.

He cited the disqualification criteria under the Representation of the People Act and added that removal or disqualification as MP could not be termed irreversible or irreparable loss or damage to Gandhi. Following his conviction by a lower court in the criminal defamation case, Rahul Gandhi was disqualified as Lok Sabha MP. He had been elected to Lok Sabha from Wayanad in Kerala.

The lower court sentenced the Congress leader to two years in jail on March 23 under sections 499 and 500 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in a case filed by Purnesh Modi. At a rally in Karnataka's Kolar in April 2019, Rahul Gandhi, in a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said, "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?". Following the session's court verdict, Congress had said it will move the Gujarat High Court.
Days after Ajit Pawar joined the BJP-Sena government, the top leaders of the ruling parties in the state are scrambling to finalize the cabinet expansion to keep the flock together. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a late-night meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at his official residence, Varsha, in Mumbai. According to reports, the two leaders discussed the cabinet expansion among other issues. The meeting came amid the fierce power tussle between rival NCP factions, led by Sharad Pawar and his nephew Ajit Pawar.

Deputy CM Fadnavis was seen leaving the CM's residence after the meeting on Thursday late at night. The meeting also came against the backdrop of opposition parties claiming that CM Shinde will be replaced and only for this reason, Ajit Pawar has joined the ruling alliance. However, addressing the reports of discontent among Shiv Sena MLAs regarding NCP leader Ajit Pawar's joining the Shinde-Fadnavis government and resigning from the top post, CM Shinde made it clear that his government has emerged even stronger as they have now the support of over 200 MLAs and he had no plans of stepping down. CM Shinde termed all such reports as 'rumours'.

He said further, "With our government now made up of three parties, the strength of our MLAs is more than 200. No leader is unhappy and all have faith in us. Our government is only getting stronger. We have the support of PM Modi and Amit Shah," the Maharashtra CM said. Shinde also chaired a meeting of Shiv Sena MLAs at his official residence in Mumbai.



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On the split in the NCP, Shinde said the party should introspect on everything that was happening within the rank and file. "They (NCP) should introspect on what is happening in their party. They should look into their party, khud ka ghar toh toot gaya hai (Their own house is broken now)," he said. "Yesterday I also held a meeting with our MPs and MLAs and our government is getting stronger by the day," the CM added.

Earlier, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said CM Shinde may be replaced in the coming days, in light of the switchover of Ajit Pawar and 8 other NCP MLAs to the National Democratic Alliance ( NDA) government in the state. Dismissing speculations of the state getting a new chief Minister in the coming days, BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the Opposition parties were deliberating creating confusion, adding that Shinde will remain CM.

"All our senior leaders, including Devendra Fadnavis, have already said Eknath Shinde will remain chief minister. He is doing a good job for the state. The Opposition parties are creating confusion," Bawankule said. Earlier, on Sunday, Ajit Pawar split the NCP down the middle as he joined the Shiv Sena-BJP alliance in Maharashtra along with 8 senior MLAs and took oath as the state's deputy chief minister for the fifth time. (With ANI inputs)
New Delhi: Congress MP Manish Tewari on Friday objected strongly to US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti's reported remarks on Manipur and said he doubts if the new American envoy is cognisant of the torturous history of US-India ties and New Delhi's sensitivity about interference, perceived or real, in its internal affairs. Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on Thursday, Garcetti reportedly said the violence and killings in Manipur are a matter of "human concern" and the US is "ready to assist" India in dealing with the situation "if asked".

Reacting to the remarks, Tewari said on Twitter, "To the best of my recollection going back at least four decades in public life, I have never heard an US Ambassador making a statement of this nature about the internal affairs of India." "We faced challenges in Punjab, J-K , northeast over the decades and surmounted those with sagacity and wisdom," the former Union minister said.

Also Read: Manipur Unrest: Internet Ban Extended Till July 10



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Even when Robin Raphel would be "loquacious" on Jammu and Kashmir in the 1990s, US ambassadors in India were circumspect, he said. Raphel is a former US diplomat who looked after south and central Asian affairs.

Also Read: After Two Months Of Violence, Manipur Govt Schools Reopen For Classes 1-8

"I doubt if the new @USAmbIndia @ericgarcetti is cognisant of the convoluted and torturous history of US-India relations and our sensitivity about interference perceived or real, well intentioned or mal intentioned into our internal affairs," the Congress MP from Punjab said.
Gorakhpur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended the closing ceremony of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur and said the worlds largest publisher of Hindu religious literature is "not less than any temple". "Sometimes saints show the way, sometimes institutions such as the Gita Press," PM Modi said in his closing address.

Gita Press has 1,600 publications in 15 languages and it propagates the concept of "Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat" among people. The office of Gita Press is no less than a temple for crores of people. There is Gita in its name, as well as in its work. The spiritual light that was ignited here in the form of Gita Press in 1923 is guiding humanity today. It is our good fortune that we all are witnessing the golden century of this humanitarian mission," PM Modi said.

The Prime Minister said an institution like Gita Press is not only associated with religion and work but also has a "national character". "Geeta Press connects India and strengthens India's solidarity. It is such an institution which has always enriched social values and shown the path of duty to people," he said. Gita Press is the world's only printing press that is not just an organisation but a living faith, the Prime Minister said.



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#WATCH | PM Modi addresses the concluding program of the centenary celebrations of Gita Press, Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/LPxuYYoOiL  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

PM Modi made these remarks days after the Congress attacked the Centre for conferring the Gandhi Peace Prize on the Gita Press, which claims to be the largest publishing house of Hindu religious literature, PM Modi said the publisher is "guiding humanity" through its work.

PM Modi also later flagged off the Vande Bharat trains. Upon his arrival, PM Modi was welcomed by Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. At Gita Press, the world's largest publisher of Hindu religious textbooks, the Prime Minister released the Chitramaya Shiva Purana Granth and also visited the Leela Chitra temple there.

Gita Press was recently conferred with the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2021 by a jury headed by PM Modi. The prize is an annual award instituted by the central government in 1995 and it carries a prize money of Rs 1 crore, a citation, a plaque and a traditional handicraft or handloom item.

Gita Press has refused to accept the prize money, saying it will only accept the citations. PM Modi will also flag off the North Eastern Railway's first semi-high-speed Gorakhpur-Lucknow Vande Bharat train and the Jodhpur-Sabarmati Vande Bharat Express.

In his address, the Prime Minister said his Gorakhpur trip, which included a visit to Gita Press and the launch of modern trains, exemplified his government's policy of combining development with heritage.

"The Gorakhpur visit this time is a unique example of 'Virasat bhi, Vikas bhi (heritage and development)' policy," PM Modi said. He said the dream of a grand Ram temple in Ayodhya is going to be fulfilled after centuries. He also referred to the redesigned Navy insignia based on a flag of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji.

"Even after 75 years of independence, we were carrying the symbol of slavery on our naval flag. We were following English traditions next to our Parliament in the national capital. So, we confidently took up the task of changing them and gave our heritage and traditions the recognition they deserve," PM Modi said.

"That is why now, the mark of the time of Chhatrapati Shivaji is visible on the flag of the Indian Navy. Now the 'Rajpath' of the era of slavery has been changed to 'Kartavyapath'," he said, adding, "It is time to overcome the mentality of slavery and be proud of our heritage."

During his speech, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed Modi for enhancing India's status in the world. Highlighting the contributions of Gita Press, the prime minister said Mahatma Gandhi had an association with it and used to write for Kalyan magazine.

"He (Gandhiji) had advised Gita Press not to accept advertisements for Kalyan magazine and that advice is still being followed," PM Modi said. Speaking on Vande Bharat trains, the prime minister said, "There is a craze for it."

"Earlier, leaders used to write about getting trains to halt in their areas. Now, I get letters from every part of the country requesting to run Vande Bharat trains," he said, adding that Vande Bharat has provided both facilities and convenience to middle-class citizens.

PM Modi later flagged off the Gorakhpur-Lucknow and the Jodhpur-Ahmedabad (Sabarmati) Vande Bharat Express trains. He also laid the foundation stone of the Rs 498-crore Gorakhpur railway station redevelopment project.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today sounded the BJP's poll bugle for Chhattisgarh assembly elections from Raipur after inaugurating and laying the foundation stones of eight projects worth around Rs 7,600 crore. While PM Modi counted development work taken up in Chhattisgarh by the NDA government at the Centre, he accused the Congress government in the state of depriving people of various benefits and halting the state's development wheel. Modi also accused the CM Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government of not fulfilling promises made five years ago.

"Out of the 36 promises made by Congress to Chhattisgarh, one promise said that a liquor ban will be implemented in the state...But now 5 years are about to pass and the truth is that the Congress has actually done a liquor scam worth thousands of crores here," said PM Modi. He also said that a big 'panja' (palm) has stood like a wall in front of the development of Chhattisgarh. "This is the 'panja' of Congress, which is snatching your rights from you. This 'panja' has decided that it will loot and ruin Chhattisgarh," said PM Modi at Vijay Sankalp Maharally in Raipur.

#WATCH | Chhattisgarh | Out of the 36 promises made by Congress to Chhattisgarh, one promise said that a liquor ban will be implemented in the state...But now 5 years are about to pass and the truth is that the Congress has actually done a liquor scam worth thousands of crores pic.twitter.com/IaBoUTPq8T  ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2023

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PM Modi also claimed that the Centre procures the major paddy cultivation from Chhattisgarh. Reacting to PM Modi's allegations, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel swore by 'Gangajal' that his government fulfilled promises within time.

"Modi ji, you came and the wind of lies started blowing. State BJP leaders were continuously misleading the farmers that paddy is procured with the Central fund. You are the Prime Minister, you know the truth, but you also lied. This is the biggest lie in the name of farmers that the Center takes 80 per cent of the state's paddy. If the role of your government is this much in paddy purchase of the states, then why are farmers in your Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi forced to sell paddy at Rs 1,000-1,200 a quintal, Modi ji? BJP leaders of Chhattisgarh gave you the wrong information and you went away after reading the speech," Baghel retaliated in a tweet.

          .



                   .   ,     ,      .



                80 July 7, 2023

He further said that every child of Chhattisgarh knows that the Congress had promised to waive farm loans within ten days and the same was done within two hours. "The needle of BJP is stuck. The BJP never fulfilled its promise of 'Rs 2,100 a quintal' and 'Bonus' and that is well remembered by the farmers. They also know what the Congress government is doing for them. Now no one can mislead the farmers of Chhattisgarh," said Baghel.

Chhattisgarh will go to the polls by the end of this year.
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New Delhi: Meta's Twitter rival, Threads, has reached over 95 million posts and more than 50 million accounts. Users have already posted more than 95 million threads and dropped about 190 million likes, according to internal data seen by The Verge. It all happened in less than 24 hours.

Meta launched Threads on Wednesday for iOS and Android users in 100 countries, and it is currently the top free app on the App Store. Threads is a new app, built by the Instagram team, for sharing text updates and joining public conversations. (Also Read: This Man Ran Away From Home At 12, Has A Major Nostalgic Connection To Our Childhood, Now Runs Rs 13,682 Crore Company)

Similar to Instagram, with Threads users can follow and connect with friends and creators who share their interests, including the people they follow on Instagram. The new app crossed 2 million sign-ups in just two hours after launch, 10 million users in seven hours, and 30 million in just 12 hours. (Also Read: You Can Earn Upto Rs 75,000/Month By Taking Franchise Of This Business)



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Twitter CEO Linda Yaccarino on Thursday appealed to the Twitter community to stay together. "Whether youre here to watch history unfold, discover real-time information all over the world, share your opinions, or learn about others -- on Twitter you can be real," Yaccarino posted.

"You built the Twitter community. And that's irreplaceable. This is your public square. She also said that "we are often imitated but the Twitter community can never be duplicated".
WASHINGTON: Russian fighter jets flew dangerously close to several US drone aircraft over Syria again Thursday, setting off flares and forcing the MQ-9 Reapers to take evasive maneuvers, the Air Force said. It was the second time in 24 hours that Russia has harassed US drones there. "We urge Russian forces in Syria to cease this reckless behaviour and adhere to the standards of behaviour expected of a professional air force so we can resume our focus on the enduring defeat of ISIS," Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, head of US Air Forces Central Command, said in a statement.

Col. Michael Andrews, Air Forces Central Command spokesman, said, "The Russian harassment, including close fly-bys, by one SU-34 and one SU-35 and deploying flares directly into the MQ-9, lasted almost an hour. So it wasn't a quick fly-by, but much more of a sustained and unprofessional interaction."

US Air Forces Central released videos of the two separate incidents that took place Wednesday and Thursday. In the first incident, which took place about 10:40 am local time Wednesday in Northwest Syria, Russian SU-35 fighters closed in on a Reaper, and one of the Russian pilots moved their aircraft in front of a drone and engaged the SU-35's afterburner, which greatly increases its speed and air pressure.



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The jet blast from the afterburner can potentially damage the Reaper's electronics, and Grynkewich said it reduced the drone operator's ability to safely operate the aircraft. Later, a number of the so-called parachute flares moved into the drone's flight path. The flares are attached to parachutes.

In the second incident, which took place over Northwest Syria around 9:30 am Thursday local time, "Russian aircraft dropped flares in front of the drones and flew dangerously close, endangering the safety of all aircraft involved," Grynkewich said. The drones were not armed with weapons and are commonly used for reconnaissance missions.

Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of US Central Command, said in a statement that Russia's violation of ongoing efforts to clear the airspace over Syria "increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation".

About 900 US forces are deployed to Syria to work with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces battling the Islamic State militants there.
According to a recent investigation by researchers at the universities of Seville and Vienna, one of the most powerful political figures in ancient Iberia was a woman. Coauthored by Marta CintasPena, Miriam LucianezTrivino, Raquel Montero Artus, Andrea Bileck, Patricia Bortel, Fabian Kanz, Katharina RebaySalisbury and Leonardo Garcia Sanjuan, the report invites us to reconsider previous interpretations regarding the political role of women in early complex societies, and the study of human social evolution in general.

What researchers call the Mega-site of Valencina de Concepcion, or the Valencina site for short, is an enormous archeological complex located a few miles west of Seville, Spain, dating from the Iberian Copper Age (3200 to 2300 BC), and covering roughly 450 hectares, or over 1.7 square miles  an area much larger than other prehistoric sites from the same period. In recent years, researchers have discovered the existence of sophisticated megalithic burial chambers and large trenches dug into the sites subsoil, as well as evidence of a sophisticated culture of material possession that included luxury objects fabricated from ivory, rock crystal, amber, flint and ostrich eggshell. In addition, archeologists have unearthed abundant human skeletal remains, both male and female. Valencina offers, therefore, a unique set of data for analyzing the interactions and complexity of these societies, including gender differentiation, explains Garcia Sanjuan, a professor of Prehistory at the University of Seville.

While burial practices during the Copper Age in Iberia were usually collective, this is not the case with a woman dubbed la Dama del marfil, or the Ivory Lady. When this powerful female leader died between the ages of 17 and 25, she was buried alone, with a large selection of important artifacts. A geochemical analysis of her bones revealed surprisingly high levels of mercury, suggesting that the Ivory Lady had experienced, perhaps voluntarily, a significant exposure to cinnabar prior to her death.

A rock crystal dagger found in the tomb at the Valencina site. Miguel Angel Blanco de la Rubia (Grupo de Investigacion ATLAS de la Universidad de Sevilla)

The leader was buried with a luxurious funeral trousseau that included a large ceramic dish (on which chemical traces of wine and cannabis were detected), a small copper awl, and multiple flint and ivory objects including an African elephant tusk weighing 1.8 kilograms  an archeological find without precedent in Western Europe

Surprisingly, sometime after her burial, another offering was left at her tomb: a game made from flat slabs of slate, several large ceramic plates, and various objects made from ivory. Among the ivory objects were a beautiful dagger with a rock-crystal blade and an ivory hilt, the handle of which was decorated with mother-of-pearl beads. The researchers describe the Ivory Lady as the most socially prominent individual of the entire Copper Age period in the Iberian Peninsula.

The fact that none of the burial sites for children found at Valencina include artifacts suggests that during this period, social status was not assigned by birth or class. Instead, researchers argue, it is logical to assume that the Ivory Lady did not inherit her social position, but achieved it through personal merit.

A carved elephant tusk found next to the remains of the Ivory Lady. Miguel Angel de la Rubia ( Grupo de Investigacion ATLAS de la Universidad de Sevilla).

One of the problems specialists currently face in determining the sex of such ancient human remains is that the DNA is often deteriorated. In the initial studies of the Ivory Ladys skeleton, scientists surmised that the remains belonged to a male. Sex identification  of crucial importance for anthropological, demographic and sociological analysis  becomes a challenge when the available evidence is thousands of years old, they explained. Sex determination is hampered by other factors as well, such as the chemical composition of the soil, contamination from atmospheric agents, or site disruptions from scavenging animals or looting. In addition, prehistoric societies often engaged in funerary practices that involved the manipulation, burning, or partial destruction of skeletal remains. These factors often make it difficult to impossible to determine the sex of the deceased by analyzing morphological characteristics (the shape of the pelvis or skull).

In recent years, however, scientists have developed a new technique for determining sex, based on an analysis of peptides (molecules formed by amino acids) in tooth enamel. The method has yielded surprising results, which will significantly influence future approaches to conducting research in prehistoric archaeology, and specifically in gender archaeology, report coauthor Marta Cintas-Pena says.

Interpretive illustration depicting the Ivory Lady speaking to a group of people. Cortesia del Grupo de Investigacion ATLAS de la Universidad de Sevilla

Less than a hundred meters from where archeologists discovered the tomb of the Ivory Lady in 2008, there is another bicameral funerary construction known as the Montelirio tholos, containing the remains of 25 people: three buried in the access corridor, 20 in the main chamber, and two in the small chamber. The tomb was used between the years 2875 and 2635 BC. According to osteological analysis of the remains buried inside, the tomb contained the skeletons of 15 women and five people of undetermined sex. All were adults at the time of their deaths, and most were between the ages of 20 and 35.

Archeologists excavating the tomb unearthed a number of important and valuable artifacts, many made from exotic raw materials such as ivory, rock crystal, gold, amber, mylonite and flint. In addition, some of the women buried in the main chamber were dressed in clothing, including a full-length tunic, made of thousands of perforated beads carved from the shells of large marine mollusks, such as scallops.

Like the Ivory Lady, most of the women buried in the main chamber of the Montelirio tholos had extraordinarily high levels of mercury in their bones, suggesting intense ante mortem exposure to cinnabar. It is possible that these individuals were religious specialists, something akin to priestesses.

Ostrich egg found at the Valencina site. Jose Peinado Cucarella (Grupo de Investigacion ATLAS de la Universidad de Sevilla).

Experts believe that offerings found in the upper level of the tomb were left when Montelirio was built, between 50 and 100 years after the Ivory Lady was buried. Those who built Montelirio sought to honor their connection with the Ivory Lady, the researchers write. No other tomb, not at Valencina and not at any other site from the Iberian Copper Age, remotely compares in terms of material richness and sophistication.

Gender archaeology emerged in the 1960s and early 1970s out of feminist dissatisfaction with androcentric views of prehistory and history, which did not take into account the role of women, says Cintas-Pena.

The report concludes: The evidence from Valencina raises more questions than answers about the nature of Late Neolithic and Copper Age societies. Tomb number 10,049 [the tomb of the Lady of Ivory] and the Montelirio tholos suggest that, within the context of the incipient dynamics of social hierarchization that arose between the late 4th millennium and early 3rd millennium in Valencina, women apparently enjoyed a preeminent social position not achieved by men, as shown by their luxurious tombs, which have no comparison in the Iberian Copper Age.

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Arbat blessed to hell

  /Facebook Author Kateryna Shchotkina Expert, journalist, writer, author of the books Chronicles of Tomos, Liubomyr Huzar. I Want to be a Human

Why does the Armenian Church bless its believers to kill Ukrainians?

As part of the Russian troops in Ukraine, there will be a PMK, which will fight under the Armenian flag and with the blessing of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The head of the Russian and Novo-Nakhichevan Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Ezras (Nersisyan) blessed the Arbat battalion, which, they claim, consists of ethnic Armenians, has a patch in the form of the Armenian flag, and operates within the Wild Donbas Division.

Only a year ago, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, fought off suspicions and accusations that Armenia allegedly supplies militants to Ukraine. Or at least provides them with a forward airfield. The Armenian prime minister rejected these suspicions and tried to convince the world that Armenia, although it has strong and diverse political ties with Russia, does not support it in the war against Ukraine.

  The Pope is Becoming More Modest

The creation of Arbat has quite clear goals in Yerevan. The word Artsakh keeps coming up in conversations of the battalions founders. As the founders of the new so-called Kremlin PMC claim, Arbat is partially made up of regular Armenian military personnel who left Karabakh. And they do not keep secret their trauma about lost Artsakh.

In this, the Armenian patriots are fully supported by the Armenian Apostolic Church: in the spring, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. Most of all, the head of the church blamed the premier on the lost Artsakh.

In this context, the vague words of the commander of the new PMK and so-called hero of the special military operation Hayk Gasparian that their goal is to protect the Motherland sound quite ambiguous. What exactly does a native of Nagorno-Karabakh with an Armenian flag on his patch mean by Motherland? Should it be understood that Ukraine is only a stage, a shooting? Does the real goal lie in another geographical point?

Another interesting nuance: the so-called Armenian battalion will be part of the Wild Donbas Division, which is managed by the Abkhazian Ahra Avidzba. In his comment, he seemed to remind, among other things, that the Armenians somehow already helped the Abkhazians during the Georgian-Abkhazian war of 1993.

This signal immediately echoed in the hearts and mass media of Georgians. They immediately remembered how the head of the Armenian Church blessed the fighters of the battalion named after Baghramyan for the war against Georgia and the killing of Georgians.

In general, it is currently difficult to say exactly how the Armenian battalion will strengthen (and whether it ever will strengthen) the Russian front in Ukraine. But one thing can be said for sure: the militant groups that are formed and fight under the Armenian flag but are in no way subordinate to the Armenian authorities, are an element of the policy of destabilization in the Caucasus. Russia binds Armenia by blood and cuts off all the roads to the West that Pashinyans government timidly tried to pave.

A special and key role in this is played by the Armenian Apostolic Church, which highly values and nurtures ties with the Kremlin leadership and is ready to play along with it - both in Moscow and Yerevan, and also, as we can see, on the Ukrainian front. Political, financial, and even purely family interests contribute to the strength of these ties: the "hero of the day" is Bishop Ezras (Nersisyan) of Nakhichevan, the brother of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II (Nersisyan). In addition, I can remind you that in the fall of 2022 at the peak of the Russian-Ukrainian war Catholicos Garegin II received the Order of Honor so to say for his contribution to the development of Russian-Armenian relations from the hands of Russian President Putin. And also  let us recall it once again  his recent fatherly advice to Prime Minister Pashinyan to resign for the so-called surrender of Artsakh. So, the Armenian Apostolic Church is helping Putin get rid of an unwanted politician.

However, the involvement of the Armenian Apostolic Church does not end with getting even with the unsatisfied and destabilizing the Caucasus. It also played a dirty trick on Ukraine. Its not just that the enemy will have another battalion at the front as there were more words said about Arbat than there were people on the photo who received the churchs blessing for killing Ukrainians. The fact is that the participation of the Armenian Apostolic Church puts both the Armenians of Ukraine and the Ukrainian authorities in a false position.

One cant envy the Armenians of Ukraine. The muzzles of their co-religionists are now aimed at them, and they can be killed with the blessing of their own church. But at the same time, they are a potential object of mistrust and hatred on the part of their compatriots  Ukrainians.

In the end, an uncomfortable question arises: after all this, should the Armenian Church in Ukraine be classified as a church with its center in a country that carries out military aggression against Ukraine? Let me remind you that in this regard there is a decision of the National Security and Defence Council signed by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi: the activity of such churches in our country should be prohibited. I know - as anyone else knows - that this document was adopted exclusively regarding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate. But impersonal, imprecise wording almost always causes significant misunderstandings.

For example, now we need to answer the question: is the flag of Armenia on the patches and the blessing of the Armenian Apostolic Church a sufficient condition to consider Armenians as part of the army of invasion? And should their church, accordingly, be classified among those that have centers in a country that carries out armed aggression against Ukraine?

It was a strong move by the Kremlin. You can talk as much as you want about the fact that the Armenian Church is so to say different. And this is really different  at least the Armenian AC in Ukraine never preached the so-called Armenian world and was not an instrument of colonization of Ukraine. But in the decision of the National Security and Defence Council on churches with a leadership center in the aggressor state, there is no clarification in this regard.

The head of the Ukrainian Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bishop Marcos Hovhannesyan, understanding the situation in which his congregation found itself in Ukraine, immediately delivered a speech condemning the blessing of the militants by his Russian colleague. For us, this is unacceptable and shameful, he wrote.

However, unfortunately, this is not enough. The only person whose comment could really make a difference is Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. But he has so far not commented on the deed of his younger brother, against whom he never had any complaints, and there is no reason to think that they will arise this time.

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The Roswell incident remains one of the most renowned and debated UFO events in history. It occurred in July 1947 in Lincoln County, New Mexico, where personnel from the Roswell Army Air Field recovered metallic and rubber debris from a military balloon. They issued a press release announcing the discovery of a flying disc. Over the years, conspiracy theories have persisted, suggesting that the debris originated from an alien spacecraft and that the government sought to conceal the truth.

Despite multiple investigations discrediting eyewitness accounts and false information, the Roswell myth continues to be scrutinized and discussed due to its cultural significance and the enduring fascination surrounding the possibility of extraterrestrial life and government cover-ups. It has become deeply entrenched in UFO lore, spawning numerous conspiracy theories, books, documentaries, and cultural references, ensuring its enduring place in popular culture and the ongoing allure of the unknown. But how did it all begin?

The origins

The Roswell incident unfolded during the UFO frenzy of 1947, a period marked by the widespread reporting of unidentified flying objects in the United States. It began on June 24 when pilot Kenneth Arnold reported observing disc-shaped objects, which led to the coining of the term flying saucers. Similar reports peaked on July 7, although most identifications were either erroneous or the result of hoaxes.

During this time, the United States was actively engaged in developing and testing various experimental aircraft and technologies within the Cold War context. The sightings in 1947 were attributed to early prototypes of secret military aircraft, such as the successful flight of the Bell X-1 in 1947. However, misidentifications and psychological influences played significant roles in the craze.

In mid-June, a local rancher named W.W. Mac Brazel discovered scattered debris across several acres of his Lincoln County ranch. Initially considering it unremarkable, he gathered the debris for disposal. Unaware of the flying saucer craze due to the absence of phone or radio on his ranch, Brazel only learned about it on July 5 when he drove into Corona, New Mexico, and was informed by some bar patrons. Intrigued, he decided to transport some of the debris to the sheriffs office in Roswell, where Sheriff George Wilcox contacted the Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF). Major Jesse Marcel and Captain Sheridan Cavitt were assigned to investigate.

On July 8, Marcel brought the material to Colonel William Blanchard, who subsequently reported the finding to General Roger Ramey at Fort Worth Army Air Field. Ramey ordered the material to be flown to their headquarters. That same day, RAAF issued a press release announcing the recovery of a flying disc.

However, when Marcel showed the material to General Ramey, both Ramey and his chief of staff Colonel Thomas Dubose identified it as pieces of a weather balloon kite. On July 9, the U.S. Army publicly confirmed that the debris was from an ordinary weather balloon.

The rise of conspiracy theories

The Roswell incident faded from public attention for several decades. However, during the 1970s, hoaxes, legends, and stories of spaceships and alien bodies fueled the popularity of UFO conspiracy theories.

In February 1978, ufologist Stanton Friedman, one of the first civilians to document the incident site, interviewed Jesse Marcel. The army officer claimed that the Roswell weather balloon was a cover story and expressed his belief that the debris was of extraterrestrial origin. Marcel reiterated these claims in subsequent interviews, contributing to the development of a more intricate conspiracy theory.

These statements, coupled with increasing interest in UFOs, propelled the Roswell incident into the spotlight and spread the conspiracy theory further. In 1980, writers and UFO investigators Charles Berlitz and William Moore published a book titled The Roswell Incident, featuring Marcels account. The book argued that an alien craft had flown over New Mexico to observe nuclear weapons activity and that the crew was killed by a lightning strike. According to the book, the government then engaged in a cover-up after discovering the crash. This was the first publication to introduce second-hand stories of individuals who claimed to have encountered wreckage and witnessed alien bodies before being escorted away by the military.

In 1989, Friedman interviewed former mortician Glenn Dennis, who claimed to have received calls from the Air Base seeking information about body preservation. Dennis also stated that a local nurse had told him she had witnessed an alien autopsy. However, this was the first time in 40 years that Dennis had recounted these events, while Marcel consistently denied the presence of bodies.

Several other books were published during the late 1980s as authors recognized the commercial potential of writing about Roswell. These publications presented competing accounts, which proliferated throughout the 1990s. In 1995, the documentary film Alien Autopsy: Fact or Fiction created a sensation when it aired, claiming to feature footage taken by a U.S. military official after the Roswell incident. However, the production was quickly debunked as a creation by Ray Santilli, a London-based video entrepreneur.

This photo is from the US Air Force's "The Roswell Report," released Tuesday, June 24, 1997, which discusses the alleged UFO incident in Roswell, N.M. in 1947. AP

So, what really happened?

Following an inquiry by U.S. Congressman Steven Schiff of New Mexico in October 1993, the General Accounting Office launched an investigation. The Office of the United States Secretary of the Air Force was directed to conduct an internal investigation.

The first report was released in 1994 and concluded that the material recovered in 1947 was likely debris from Project Mogul, a top-secret military surveillance program that utilized high-altitude balloons. The secrecy surrounding the recovered material can be attributed to the fact that it was developed during the early stages of the Cold War.

Lieutenant James McAndrew, an Air Force declassification officer, concluded that when civilians and personnel from Roswell Army Air Field stumbled upon the highly classified Project Mogul debris, they were unaware of its nature. This, combined with initial misidentification and subsequent rumors of capturing a flying disc, left many unanswered questions that continue to endure.

After the release of the Air Force reports, several books, including Kal Korffs 1997 work titled The Roswell UFO Crash: What They Dont Want You To Know, built upon the information presented and concluded that there is no substantial evidence from any witness that convincingly supports the notion that the object originated from extraterrestrial sources.

In February 2020, an Air Force historian declassified a report shedding light on a circa-1951 incident. According to this report, two individuals from Roswell were involved in retrieving a weather balloon after an atomic test. They wore ill-fitting radioactive suits and oxygen masks during the operation. On one occasion, they encountered a lone woman in the desert who fainted upon seeing them. To someone unaccustomed to the then-modern gear, these personnel may have appeared alien.

Experts and some ufologists have suggested that the accounts of alien bodies could be attributed to anthropomorphic dummies used in military programs. While Project Mogul did not involve test dummies, the U.S. Air Force did drop such dummies from high altitudes, and both operations occurred in the New Mexico Desert.

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Defending LGTBQ+ rights can be likened to an action-packed scene in the latest John Wick movie. The hero climbs the stairs of Montmartre leading up to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris, and just as he gets to the top, a bunch of baddies kick him back down. Just like the ongoing challenge of pursuing progress, resilience and equality. The United States Supreme Court recently upheld a decision allowing a website designer to refuse to create wedding websites for gay couples. Oddly enough, she doesnt specialize in wedding websites and never received any requests for her services from gay individuals. Nevertheless, she chose to position herself as a champion of discrimination. These are times when the heroism of figures like Rosa Parks seems to fade into obscurity, while misguided actions attract all the attention. Its disheartening to see huge banners in Madrid screaming xenophobic tirades. Like the captions of a silent movie, they foretell an impending tragedy.

Donald Trump strove to reshape the US Supreme Court by appointing ultra-conservative judges to beat back the hard-fought social progress achieved in recent decades. Influential religious groups surprisingly backed this morally flawed man who had extramarital affairs with porn actresses. Read Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation if you want a better understanding of this unlikely alliance.

To protest the Supreme Courts ruling, actor Michael Imperioli of The Sopranos and The White Lotus, posted a sarcastic message on Instagram thanking the Court for allowing him to forbid bigots and homophobes from watching any of his work. Since intolerance and the inability to detect irony often go hand in hand, he was forced to delete the post.

We were used to seeing this inanity in rural America, but the contagion has spread to Spain. The conservative Peoples Party-Vox coalition that governs in Santa Cruz de Bezana (northern Spain) has decided to ban theater screenings of Lightyear, the 2022 animated film, all because of a tender display of affection between two women. This brief anecdote offers but a glimpse of what awaits. America is becoming dumber by the minute, said Imperioli on Instagram. Unfortunately, Mr. Imperioli, this goes way beyond the United States.

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In the chaotic New York of the 1980s, Carlos Mota managed to keep to a routine. On Mondays, like clockwork, the Venezuelan interior designer would go to the citys flower district in search of his bosss favorite blooms. Mota was working for fellow Venezuelan Perucho Valls, who back then was one of the best-known decorators in New York. Hes still remembered today for being part of the inner circle of fashion designer Halson: Valls was his assistant and a friend of his longtime partner, the stormy artist Victor Hugo.

I met him [Valls] in Caracas and when I moved to New York I started working as his assistant. One of my tasks was to supply him with flowers: both for his home and for the office, Mota recalls by phone from her New York apartment. With him, I learned to keep nature in mind in all my projects and about how important constant work is to gaining a foothold in this profession, to not chicken out of at anything.

Casamota

Casamota

Different products from Casamota, a brand that includes tabletop and textile products. Casamota

Many moons later, the world of flowers and plants is one of the keys to Motas new project: Casamota. After working nearly 40 years in interior design, Mota has done almost everything. He is known internationally for his work as an editor for Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, and now he has decided to add one more thing to the list: his own home decor brand. The idea for Casamota arose from a chance meeting in India with his partner, Neha Malhotra, the founder of an embroidery workshop in Mumbai which has worked for various fashion firms.

The brands first collection is called Verde (green), and includes tablecloths, cushions and other textiles (there are also tableware) with prints of flowers, ivy leaves and other plants. The color green reminds Mota of his exuberant native country, but above all it makes him forget the shade that  as everyone who knows him can attest  he hates. In the 1990s, I saw how beige began to spread throughout the United States. I dont even think its a real color. Its just a way of toeing the line. Thats precisely the opposite attitude that the city he fell in love in the 1980s demands.

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The President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, during an act in San Jose. Manuel Arnoldo Robert Batalla (Getty Images)

Rodrigo Chaves has always maintained he had little in common with Costa Ricas traditional political parties. When he came to power, he also targeted the traditional bastions of the Costa Rican democratic system. But his eagerness to transform Costa Rica has taken him several steps further, and he now has education and health in his sights, systems that have for decades guaranteed the welfare of this Central American nation to the envy of neighboring countries. The move has triggered calls for mass demonstrations against an administration that has been in power for just over a year.

Confident of popularity ratings above 60%, despite a dip in recent months, the Chaves government is rolling up its sleeves in readiness for a shake up. On the one hand, it criticized the state-run Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS), which manages the extensive network of state hospitals and clinics, and questioned the universal health care model established in the countrys Constitution. Chaves also justifies budget cuts to education and described the article in the Constitution that fixes investment in education at a minimum of 8% of GDP, as a populist measure during a press conference in which more than half an hour was spent criticizing state universities.

The attacks have ramped up the tension between Chaves loyalists and some leading right-wing figures, and the university and health sectors supported by members of the opposition. On June 20, thousands of university students and members of teachers unions marched through San Jose to demand a full budget for the higher education centers which collectively cater to around 125,000 students. Different health sector unions have also organized a protest march for July 15 in defense of the CCSS.

Chaves came to power on May 8, 2022, promising to fight corruption and work towards a more efficient state. But unrest among civil groups, unions and opposition parties has grown since his first anniversary at the helm. The two pillars of Costa Ricas welfare system, education and health, are under threat. Chaves and his cabinet have taken bold and even authoritarian steps, according to his detractors, despite the fact his election manifesto never included reducing state investment in education or intervening in the CCSS to the point of describing the model established in the 1960s as unviable.

It is clear that the current legislation for the health service is financially unsustainable, said Marta Esquivel, president of the CCSS that employs 50,000 and has a budget of more than 12% of the national GDP, prompting it to be described as the largest company in Central America. Appointed by Chaves, Esquivel publicly questioned the format adopted in the 1960s when the health service began tending to the entire population, provided the government paid the CCSS for any member of the public without insurance. According to the last invoice, a debt of $4,365 million has accumulated over the years; Chaves has refused to pay it despite the fiscal prosperity he boasts of. He calls the CCSS financially bankrupt due to mismanagement by previous administrations, the privileges claimed by its officials and internal corruption.

Also in the crosshairs is Article 78 which calls on the State to invest no less than 8% of GDP in pre-school, primary, secondary and university education services, a goal that has not been reached on occasion but never openly questioned, or criticized as Chaves criticized it following the university students march. One cannot rationally help but wonder if a country that is aging, and where there are fewer and fewer students, should have tied itself to 8% of GDP, he said, regarding the constitutional reform approved in 2011 and embraced by the state universities whose autonomy is also being questioned by the President. It seems to me that this could have been a populist measure at the time.

Chaves may have evidence to back his arguments especially regarding the amounts invested in education and the disproportionately poor results. In recent years, there has been a sharp decline in the quality of public education, exacerbated by the pandemic; think tank Estado de la Nacion dubbed it an educational blackout in 2021. The worst crisis of the last decades is having a negative impact on the sector which assists almost 1.2 million students amounting to 23% of the population, and which has allowed Costa Rica to compete with Latin Americas economic powers, such as Chile, Mexico and Uruguay.

The Education Minister, Anna Katharina Muller, promises to recover these standards despite the overhaul of management and the criticism from teachers unions and opposition MPs regarding the lack of a clear strategy for the students she refers to as the glass generation. Muller has clashed with the university authorities, particularly since deciding to post her arguments on TikTok with messages the rectors claim to be false, a recurrent accusation leveled against Chaves administration.

We are not fighting for money or abstract principles, we are fighting for living conditions, said Maria Jose, a university student who had been at the student protest. She is at odds with her father who agrees with the budget cuts to state universities. What I say to him is that, yes, we must improve how the universities work, but we cannot fall into the trap of thinking that the way to do this is to undermine them. Chaves wants this simply because he cannot control them, and he likes to control everything. She was angry after hearing Chaves questioning the existence of degrees with less job prospects at the University of Costa Rica (UCR). This is where Chaves himself embarked on a degree in economics without much success, as he himself regularly points out.

The confrontation between the government and the five public universities, represented by the National Council of Rectors (Conare), has been intense. The National Council claims to be defending more than their budget: When the budget for public education is cut and the constitutional mandate to reach at least 8% of the GDP is abandoned, our specific case is ignored, our history is erased and our Magna Carta, which far from being populist, is the fundamental law that regulates our coexistence in democracy, is violated, it stated.

But Chaves claims to be defending the CCSS and public education, including universities, because he maintains that his government only wants to improve how they function for the benefit of the people, a collective he frequently pits against the rich and privileged. It is a motif he falls back on in almost every speech, including the one railing against the Judiciary and the Constitutional Chamber, a court that has issued several rulings against his administration. The most recent at the end of June meant the government being forced to reinstate CCSS directors representing workers, almost half a year after they were dismissed.

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One thing that cant be denied Maria Corina Machado is her resillience. In recent years, her name had been practically forgotten in Venezuela: she was ignored by both the Nicolas Maduro government and the opposition. But today its her name thats been repeated over and over in Venezuela and abroad. Machado  who represents the most radical wing of the anti-Chavismo movement  is leading in the polls for the opposition primaries in October that will determine who will face Maduro at the 2024 presidential elections. Machado previously argued against taking part in elections, arguing that it legitimazed the Chavista government, but with more than 50% support, it now looks like that she will be the one representing the opposition next year. Although she has been banned from public office, she believes that this has helped her chances at the primaries. And she says that if she wins it, she is willing to sit down with Maduro.

Machado is riding high, and it shows in her tone, which is very calm, and her discourse, which has become more moderate. Where before she called for Chavismo to be ended by force, now she talks about how Venezuelans have the strength to lead the transition to a new government that she says will be democratic, orderly and financially stable. She says that now is not the time for ideology and that the whole country  including Chavistas  is united by its shared feeling of pain and experience of exile (her three children are living abroad). She believes that this existential and spiritual dimension is strong enough to defeat Maduro at the polls.

Question. Do you know why you have been banned from public office?

Answer. The truth is that I dont know the formal reasoning, but I do know the reason behind it: that the regime is afraid, there is no doubt about that.

Q. Does the decision change anything for you?

A. Yes, it gives the primaries a new dimension, it adds an element of challenge to the system. It is no longer just about the contrasting visions of different groups that are legitimately participating in the process. There are many people who tell me these days I am empowering you with my vote. It made the process more appealing and powerful.

Q. You do not have close ties with the other opposition leaders. Have they come out to support you?

A. I have talked to practically everyone and the truth is that I have a very respectful relationship with most of them, even a warm one in some cases.

Maria Corina Machado during a Zoom interview. Gaby Oraa

Q. What will you do if you win the primary?

A. Its been a long time since we Venezuelans have had the chance to choose fairly and this is going to be a very uniting experience. The fight we are in now is not an ideological fight, it goes much further. All the divisions caused by Chavismo have been demolished by the destruction of our economy and quality of life, but above all by the separation of families. I feel that this proccess of uniting country is already taking place. The first thing I have to do, if I win the primary, is to make sure that everyone feels that it is a common project, a process that is not going to seek revenge or harm, but rather seek spaces for consensus. I am going to have to make a huge effort to contact international leaders from the democratic and not-so-democratic world, so that we are aligned on how to make the regime understand that it is in its best interest not to hinder a competitive electoral process.

Q. Would you sit down to negotiate with Maduro to lay down the foundations for a democratic election?

A. You have to do five things at once. The first thing is to unite the country. The second is to immediately contact [Colombian President Gustavao] Petro, [Brazilian President] Lula, [Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador] AMLO and [Argentine President] Alberto Fernandez, to tell them that we need them to make Maduro understand that this is what the international community is calling for. They are figures who can do a lot to push [the election] forward. Thirdly, it is necessary to specify what are the essential conditions for a competitive election. The fourth thing is to start a new stage of negotiation, which would have a position relatively different from the one that exists now, where there is no legitimate leadership, where there are different positions among different sectors of the Venezuelan opposition. With the primary, there will be a clear coordination of representation. Thats when a new negotiation period can be proposed with very clear terms to seek a democratic solution. And finally, a group of figures who have interests in Venezuela must be aligned by telling them that the country must first be recapitalized so that Venezuelans can have much better living conditions and, in parallel, generate great investment opportunities.

Q. Is there time for fair elections to be staged in 2024?

A. After the primaries, there would be 14 months. I think it is a long time.

Q. You have argued that the opposition legitimizes Maduro by taking part in elections. Have you changed your mind?

A. I ran in many elections until 2015. From then on, the regime put into practice a set of mechanisms that ensured the elections were just for pretence. Now, it is important not to confuse ends and means, and the end is the building of a democratic and free nation. We have all tried the means: protest, negotiation, international pressure, elections. There have been 35 elections in Venezuela in 20 years and in all of them there has been great manipulation. Whats the difference now? We have learned a lot from the regimes manouvering, we have been strengthening as an opposition, we have put our feet on the ground. This is not an election like the one you can have in Spain or Colombia, here we are facing a tyranny that is ready for anything. This is a process of building forces and the primaries are a catalyst, an opportunity to bring together more sectors that until very recently had thrown in the towel with respect to Venezuela. There is a real and growing opportunity to defeat Maduro.

Q. And if Maduro decides to bring forward the elections or argues that the conditions for a vote have not been met?

A. I am not going to speculate on scenarios that are absolutely uncertain. They have shown in the past that they are willing to do anything, unless conditions or circumstances that we insisted on prevented them. I am dedicating all my time to growing the organization in order to engage the world in the importance of this moment and to raise the repercussions for the regimes nonsense.

Q. If Henrique Capriles wins the primaries, for example, will you campaign for him?

A. We have agreed that the candidate who wins will be recognized by all other candidates. There is no doubt [that I would campaign].

Maria Corina Machado on July 6. Gaby Oraa

Q. Will he campaign for you if you win?

A. I dont know. The primary gives us much more than a candidate, it gives us the opportunity to elect a leadership that will have to lead the way to achieve both a date and the terms of the election. It will also give us a clear, unified and legitimate interlocutor vis-a-vis the international community, which I believe is one of the problems that exists today. There are different visions and different strategies that cause dissonance and that paralyze some people, while giving others the excuse to do nothing.

Q. How can Maduro be convinced to take part in negotiations?

A. Incentives must be created and we must see how we are going to manage the transition process and the relationship with those who have been in power for more than 20 years. We must facilitate the negotiation process, but also make them understand that, if they do not accept it, the situation in Venezuela would be increasingly difficult for them.

Q. What would you do with Chavista leaders if you became president?

A. We cannot generalize because there is a bit of everything. From people who are involved in crimes against humanity and are being investigated by the International Criminal Court to those who have been victims and prisoners of the system.

Q. Would you consider guaranteeing Maduro immunity?

A. What I would guarantee to Maduro is a fair trial, the same as to all Venezuelans.

Q. Why did the interim government of Juan Guaido fail?

A. There were internal and external mistakes. I believe that Juan Guaido was surrounded by a group of parties that did not give him room to move, which ended up imposing their interests and he succumbed to that control. It also underestimated what the regime was willing to do to preserve power. It is a mistake to believe that this is a dictatorial system with a hierarchical structure. This is a criminal system with a heterarchical structure. The incentives are very complex and the wrong approach was used with the regime and with the armed forces.

Q. When you defended ending the Chavista government by force, what were you referring to?

A. More people organized with a narrative, where you persuade international actors who have the ability to exert pressure, closing off some of the flows of money, information, weapons. What has happened is that Venezuelan society has given everything on several occasions and in the last stages, there have been highly responsible people in the leadership who for one reason or another have given up on the strategy. This was a huge disappointment, there are people who feel very betrayed. It is tremendously hopeful to see how that has vanished in a matter of months.

Q. Do you think that at some point it was possible to end the Maduro government through military action?

A. What we were saying to the international political world is that here is a country that has risen up, a country that is suffering a humanitarian catastrophe and that they have a responsibility to assist us and support us. That was the approach. Military actions have been carried out by the Chavismo. And when they talk about invasion, here the real invasion has been carried out by the Cubans, Russians, Iran, the Colombian guerrillas, the drug cartels, to whom the regime has handed over half of the territory in Venezuela.

Q. How do you describe the current role of the United States?

A. Erratic.

Q. Why?

A. In many cases, its confusing to Venezuelan society, when it comes to understading what the firm position is. And this is very important. Conditions are coming together that have never occurred in Venezuela. The society does not have long weapons, the regime does, but the regime no longer has people, we have the people. The regime is also running out of money. The morale of society is very important to us, its important to know that we are not alone. The world must understand that when a Venezuelan girl turns five, she is eight centimeters shorter than she should be, that what is happening here is a tremendous human catastrophe. That the cycnism of those who say that this is a narrative, that it is the far right inventing lies, is false. For Gods sake, this is not an ideological issue!

Q. You have three children abroad. Have you ever thought of leaving the country?

A. I took my children out because I received death threats, even though they didnt want to leave, they didnt want to leave me by myself. I took them out one by one and you dont know the guilt I felt at not being able to be there on graduation days... When Enrique, the youngest, went to graduate, that night I was about to [leave the country]. I think it was the most difficult moment of my life, because in some way I felt that I was doing this for my children, but in the end I was failing them as a mother. I can leave, the problem is that they wont let me come back.

Q. Do you trust that the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, wants to achieve a democratic solution in Venezuela?

A. At this point, Petro must have realized that the situation in Venezuela cannot go on. He is also going to have more problems: migration [to Colombia] is not going to stop, nor is the pressure from that gray area of the border. He should also know that Maduro neither wants nor can solve his problem with the [Colombian guerrilla group] ELN, because, whats more, Maduro supports the ELN.

Q. Do you think that countries make decisions on Venezuela for their own benefit?

A. That is the history of humanity. What happens is that you can often manage to align the interests of those other actors with the interests of your country, and that is what I am working on. Anyone who believes that Nicolas Maduro can help solve an energy problem in any part of the world, does not understand anything about energy. From any point of view, all countries are in the interest of a democratic, orderly and solvent transition. And thats what we stand for.

Q. Do you think Maduro would meet with you if your won the primaries?

A. He will have to negotiate with me.

Q. Are you willing to go to the Miraflores Palace to talk to him?

A. It remains to be seen where it would be, but the talks would address the issues that guarantee that Venezuela is moving towards a democratic transition, without a doubt.

Q. In recent elections in Latin America, the left has won. Would you take right to Venezuela?

A. The problem with the left is that everything to their right is far right to them. I am liberal and it is a life philosophy, it goes far beyond a political proposal.

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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen (right), Yang Yingming (center), and US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns (left) at the airport Beijing International this Thursday. Mark Schiefelbein / POOL (EFE)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen criticized Chinese treatment of American companies and new export controls on metals used in semiconductors during a visit Friday to Beijing to try to revive strained relations.

Talking with a group of businesspeople, Yellen defended U.S. controls on technology exports that irk Beijing, saying they are necessary for national security. She rejected suggestions Washington is trying to decouple, or separate the U.S. economy from Chinas. The U.S. seeks healthy economic competition with China, Yellen said, according to a transcript released by her department.

I am communicating the concerns that Ive heard from the U.S. business community  including Chinas use of non-market tools like expanded subsidies for its state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, and barriers to market access for foreign firms, Yellen said.

China has been stepping on the accelerator to fight what it sees as increased hostility from the United States. In the days prior to Yellens visit, the country adopted two far-reaching measures against Western restrictions. Although the recent visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken in late June left observers thinking that both governments had reached an entente, the technology war between the two largest economies on the planet has only intensified.

The Chinese government recently tightened export controls on two critical minerals for the manufacture of semiconductors, and the state media has reported that this is only the beginning, citing high-placed officials. The announcement comes after a new Foreign Relations Law entered into force on Saturday, which aims to provide the country with more legal tools to defend itself against sanctions and other coercive measures by Washington, and which places the Communist Party unequivocally at the center of Chinese foreign policy.

U.S. Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, third right, speaks as U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, center, listens during a roundtable meeting with members of the American business community in Beijing, China, Friday, July 7, 2023. Mark Schiefelbein (AP)

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Monday that, as of August 1, it will not be possible to export gallium or germanium or more than a dozen of their derivatives without requesting a specific license from the ministry. Both minerals are classified by the US government as critical to national and economic security, as they are essential for the manufacture of fiber optic cables, electric vehicles, high-speed computer chips, radars, sensors, satellites, and military and radio communication devices. According to Bloomberg, although these two elements are not particularly difficult to find, they are expensive to extract, and China accumulates almost all of global production, with more than 95% in the case of gallium and 67% of germanium. According to the Chinese Customs database, the main destinations for its exports in 2022 were Japan, South Korea and India.

The decision to apply these export controls reflects a spirit of protecting national security and interests, says the official statement from Beijing, which also indicates that, in addition to fines, those who violate the measure could face prison terms. On Wednesday, in an exclusive interview for the China Daily newspaper, Wei Jianguo, vice minister of Commerce between 2003 and 2008 and current vice president of the Center for China Economic Exchanges think tank, said that if the restrictions directed at Chinas high-tech sector continue, counterattacks will also increase.

This new blow comes after The Wall Street Journal announced, citing anonymous sources, that the White House is considering tightening exports of artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China, which would make it even more difficult for the Asian giant to obtain advanced technologies. More than 500 Chinese chip, AI and aerospace and aviation companies have been included by the Joe Biden Administration on the countrys blacklist, which prohibits them from accessing U.S. technology and components without Washingtons approval. This export blockade has been joined in recent months by allies such as Japan and the Netherlands, with the intention of preventing Chinese development of the most sophisticated weapons, such as hypersonic and nuclear weapons.

Yellens trip to Beijing is intended to redirect bilateral relations. Last April, Yellen launched the message that it is necessary to always put national interests before economic profit. After landing in Beijing on Thursday, Yellen said in a tweet: we will take action to protect our national security when needed, and this trip presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding. Although Yellen appeared to strike a conciliatory tone ahead of her trip, the Chinese ambassador to the United States, Xie Feng, urged her on Monday to pay great attention and take steps to address Chinas main concerns in the fields of the economy and trade. Analyst Liao Chien-yu, from Capital Securities, said that if the meetings are not fruitful, both Washington and Beijing could announce more sanctions, a view shared by other experts quoted in both Chinese and Western media outlets.

Technological self-sufficiency is one of the most pressing challenges facing China amid the current period of turbulence, as President Xi Jinping has often called it. The Communist Party responded in March by reinforcing its control over the technology sector. In April, the government announced it was considering limiting Western access to certain materials and technologies for key industries where it has substantial dominance, such as smart cars and photovoltaics, and in May it banned the purchase of goods made by American memory chip maker Micron Technology.

The new restriction, which analysts describe as the biggest counterattack to date, comes two days after a new Foreign Relations Law came into force that tightens Communist Party control over the countrys foreign policy and provides the government with a clear legal basis to counter interference from abroad and respond to sanctions and other actions that try to harm China, according to Wang Yi, the head of the Chinese Communist Partys Foreign Affairs Committee. and head of the countrys diplomacy. The new legislation stresses the right to take restrictive measures against acts that endanger Chinas sovereignty, security and development interests and explicitly puts decision-making responsibility in the hands of the Party, not the state. on foreign policy, according to the copy of the text published by state media.

The law also includes Chinas commitment to promote a high-level opening of its economy, develop foreign trade, and legally encourage and protect foreign investment. This is a message similar to the one sent by Prime Minister Li Qiang at a World Economic Forum summit held at the end of June in the Chinese city of Tianjin, where he rejected the rhetoric of reducing dependence on China and advocated a dialectical and depoliticized approach to avoid falling into simplifications between interdependence and insecurity.

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Talking about the weather may be a great way to break the ice, but when your country is going through a scorching heat wave and Lewis Halsey appears on the other side of the screen, small talk quickly acquires a scientific tone. This professor of health sciences at the University of Roehampton, in London, has just published a study in which he reveals the critical temperature for humans: between 104 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit (40 and 50 degrees Celsius). His experiment compared the resting metabolic rate of 13 participants at room temperature and at 122 degrees Fahrenheit (with 25% humidity). Skin and rectal temperature were also recorded, as well as heart rate. The aim was to understand the temperatures at which human metabolism begins to increase, and how it varies between different people. Their study was presented last Wednesday at a conference at the Society for Experimental Biology.

At the time of the interview, the scientist is enjoying a mild spring weather of 73.5 degrees, while the interviewer is enduring a suffocating 97 in Madrid, Spain. Yes, its pretty high. But the heat in Madrid is dry. If you were in the street, naked and at rest, you would be in the thermoneutral zone. I would not, he explains. You would probably get arrested, though, he adds with a laugh. Halsey defines the thermoneutral zone as the temperature range within which the metabolic rate is at resting levels. The body is rested, but with everything running and ready to go, like an idling engine.

The thermoneutral zone is somewhere between 82.5 and 90-odd degrees  as long as the person is naked or semi-naked, because clothes create a microclimate that changes everything, explains Halsey. The vagueness when setting the upper range is normal; it is precisely what the expert is trying to determine. However, defining a concrete point is not easy. We found considerable changes in the responses of cardiac function to heat between categories of people, the most remarkable being between sexes, he says. Men and women generally show some key differences in their cardiovascular responses to heat.

When the interviewer points out that 97 degrees is too much to be considered thermoneutral, the scientist replies that this range does not necessarily correlate perfectly with the feeling of comfort. Neither does it match perfectly the temperatures that are problematic for health due to the possibility of heat stroke or dehydration. The study was carried out on a population in an ideal baseline situation, which hardly occurs in real life, explains Alberto Cecconi, a cardiologist at La Princesa University Hospital in Madrid and adviser to the climate change research group of the Spanish Society of Cardiology. The World Health Organization states that the optimal room temperature for the body is between 64.4 and 75.2 degrees Fahrenheit. When the room temperature exceeds 95 degrees and is accompanied by high levels of humidity, it can put health at risk. If it reaches 104, it can be dangerous even with low levels of humidity, according to this organization.

In this context, the body has to take measures to maintain its temperature, something that can prove especially difficult. When we drop below 82.5 degrees, we generate a body movement to produce heat and counteract the outside temperature, explains Cecconi. Of course, generating cold is more difficult. The main way we do it is with evaporation. Sweat, which comes out on our skin and evaporates, lowers body temperature. There are also other mechanisms, such as vasodilation. Blood vessels around the edge of the body open up, so blood can flow more quickly, adds Halsey. That blood is warm, but as it approaches the edge of the body, that warmth is dissipated by the external environment. Its as if our body was opening the windows to ventilate. The first consequence, as our blood is red and concentrated on the periphery of the body, is that our skin turns red. The second is that our heart speeds up to pump blood to a wide network of capillaries.

Professor Halsey, shirtless and wearing a mask, participating in his own experiment.

These reactions to extreme heat do not fully explain why some people increase their metabolic rate, or the amount of energy per unit of time, upon reaching those temperatures. Sweating has a negligible cost; vasodilation should reduce it, says Halsey, who suspects that some other function that science has not been able to detect is taking place in our bodies. Our physiology, our interior, is doing something in response to the heat, he explains. Increasing the metabolic rate may make sense when it is cold, Halsey notes, as it causes the bodys temperature to rise; but responding to heat by increasing its metabolic energy costs, by producing more heat, is counterintuitive.

For his part, Cecconi understands that every time we are subjected to a stressful situation, the body is activated, either by cold or heat, we enter a state of alert and there is a greater metabolic cost. The recent study confirms it, but does not explain it. For this, a subsequent study would have to be carried out at the cellular level.

There is a lot of scientific literature on how heat affects athletes and workers; Halsey has devoted his efforts to analyzing how it affects people at rest, a field about which there is very little written. Due to the part about the scant clothing and the state of rest, the scientist jokes that his study reflects how the heat would affect a couple of British tourists holidaying on the Costa del Sol.

Cecconi adds that these hypothetical tourists are also in good health, are relatively young and have no baseline problems. But people do not live permanently on vacation: they work, they move, they argue and they exercise. Its interesting to see how the body behaves under certain circumstances, as this study does, he says. But heat is associated with a series of problems such as an increased risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure, that this study does not take into account.

For this reason, the cardiologist says he welcomes this study and any subsequent ones that add to the existing clinical knowledge on the subject. But he also mentions dehydration, sunstroke and the effects of excessive heat on pollution. We cannot focus on a single aspect and expect it to explain everything, he says. In the past, people used to say that we are what we eat. Now we say, we are what we eat, the exercise we do, the air we breathe; we are the environment that we move around in.

Environmental factors

Medicine is not the only science that explains how heat affects us. Sociology, politics and city planning also help understand its effects. Cristina Linares and Julio Diaz study it at the Reference Unit on Climate Change, Health and Urban Environment, created at the National School of Health of the Carlos III Health Institute, in Madrid. They are different approaches, explains Linares. This study reflects acclimatization; all species acclimatize, she says. But humans can supplement it with what is called adaptation; with other types of measures that are not physiological, but do have an influence. In fact, in recent years they have been crucial for humans to tolerate an increasingly pronounced rise in temperatures. Biological species acclimatize at a certain rate, explains her colleague, Julio Diaz. The thing is that the temperature is rising at a higher rate.

Adaptation is causing a paradox: although the heat has increased in recent years, the associated deaths are decreasing even in countries with hot summer weather. In Spain, between 1983 and 2003, mortality increased by 14% for each degree above the temperature considered a heat wave; between 2004 and 2013, however, mortality rose less than 2% for each degree.

Age can make certain people more vulnerable to heat waves, but socioeconomic status, these experts point out, is just as important. A 70-year-old man who has an air-conditioned villa with a pool will not experience a heat wave in the same way as five immigrants who are crammed into a small apartment in an old building with no air, says Diaz. Poverty is a risk factor, explains Linares.

Homes are important, but also the neighborhoods. This is why these two experts highlight the importance of creating parks and keeping them open to the public during heat waves. If we want to adapt, with an increasingly intense heat in the cities, we have to transform the cities, says Linares. And in this regard, the vegetation cover is basic, because it is one of the simplest solutions.

Her colleague backs up this idea, pointing out that the case of each city should be analyzed individually instead of just implementing the same plans everywhere, as one place will not experience the heat in the same way as another. Local studies and local responses to a global problem, says Diaz. We have to face global warming from a comprehensive point of view. We cannot only talk about a plan for high temperatures. We have to analyze what happens with the pollution, what happens with forest fires. In general we are getting better, but we must take into account all the associated risks that the heat entails.
Activists and international delegations stand next to cluster bomb units, during a visit to a Lebanese military base at the opening of the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, in the southern town of Nabatiyeh, Lebanon, Sept. 12, 2011.

The Biden administration has decided to provide cluster munitions to Ukraine and is expected to announce on Friday that the Pentagon will send thousands as part of a new military aid package worth up to $800 million for the war effort against Russia, according to people familiar with the decision.

The decision comes despite widespread concerns that the controversial bombs can cause civilian casualties. The Pentagon will provide munitions that have a reduced dud rate, meaning there will be far fewer unexploded rounds that can result in unintended civilian deaths.

U.S. officials said Thursday they expect the military aid to Ukraine will be announced on Friday.

Long sought by Ukraine, cluster bombs are weapons that open in the air, releasing submunitions, or bomblets, that are dispersed over a large area and are intended to wreak destruction on multiple targets at once.

The officials and others familiar with the decision were not authorized to publicly discuss the move before the official announcement and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ukrainian officials have asked for the weapons to aid their campaign to push through lines of Russian troops and make gains in the ongoing counteroffensive. Russian forces are already using cluster munitions on the battlefield, U.S. officials have said.

According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, some cluster munitions leave behind bomblets' that have a high rate of failure to explode  up to 40% in some cases. U.S. officials said Thursday that the rate of unexploded ordnance for the munitions that will be going to Ukraine is less than 3% and therefore will mean fewer threats left behind to civilians.

At Pentagon briefing Thursday, Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said he had no announcement to make about cluster munitions. He said the Defense Department has multiple variants of the munitions and the ones that we are considering providing would not include older variants with (unexploding) rates that are higher than 2.35%.

Ryder would not say whether Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reached out to NATO counterparts to address some of their concerns on the use of cluster munitions. Ryder said the U.S. is aware of reports that indicate some munitions have higher unexploding rates.

If the decision was made to provide the munitions to Ukraine, he said the U.S. would be carefully selecting rounds with lower dud rates, for which we have recent testing data.

Asked how the cluster munitions, if approved, would help Ukraine, Ryder said they can be loaded with specific charges that can penetrate armor or fragmentary munitions that can hit multiple personnel  a capability that would be useful in any type of offensive operations. Ryder said the Russians have been using cluster munitions that have a very high dud rate.

Oleksandra Ustinova, a member of Ukraines parliament who has been advocating that Washington send more weapons, noted that Ukrainian forces have had to disable mines from much of the territory they are winning back from Russia. As part of that process, Ukrainians will also be able to catch any unexploded ordnance from cluster munitions.

We will have to de-mine anyway, but its better to have this capability, Ustinova said.

She credited Congress for pushing the administration over several months to change its position on the munitions.

Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said the move was long overdue.

Now is the time for the U.S. and its allies to provide Ukraine with the systems it needs from cluster munitions to F-16s to ATACMS in order to aid their critical counteroffensive. Any further delay will cost the lives of countless Ukrainians and prolong this brutal war, said McCaul, R-Texas.

The Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS, would give Ukraine the ability to strike Russian targets from as far as about 180 miles (300 kilometers).

Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said last week that the U.S. has been thinking about providing the cluster munitions for a long time.

The Ukrainians have asked for it, other European countries have provided some of that, the Russians are using it, Milley said during a speech at the National Press Club.

Cluster bombs can be fired by artillery that the U.S. has provided to Ukraine, and the Pentagon has a large stockpile of them.

The last large-scale American use of cluster bombs was during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to the Pentagon. But U.S. forces considered them a key weapon during the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, according to Human Rights Watch. In the first three years of that conflict, it is estimated the U.S.-led coalition dropped more than 1,500 cluster bombs in Afghanistan.

Proponents of banning cluster bombs say they kill indiscriminately and endanger civilians long after their use. Groups have raised alarms about Russias use of the munitions in Ukraine.

A convention banning the use of cluster bombs has been joined by more than 120 countries who agreed not to use, produce, transfer or stockpile the weapons and to clear them after theyve been used.

The United States, Russia and Ukraine are among the countries that have not signed on.

It is not clear how Americas NATO allies would view the U.S. providing cluster bombs to Ukraine and whether the issue might prove divisive for their largely united support of Kyiv. More than two-thirds of the 30 countries in the alliance are signatories of the 2010 convention on cluster munitions.

Laura Cooper, a deputy assistant secretary of defense focusing on Russia and Ukraine, recently testified to Congress that the Pentagon has assessed that such munitions would help Kyiv press through Russias dug-in positions.

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In November 1982, when Yuri Andropov assumed leadership of the Soviet Union after Leonid Brezhnev, most children paid little attention to Soviet politics. However, Samantha Smith, born and raised in the United States was keenly aware of the Western medias negative portrayal of Andropov, fueled by concerns over his past actions as chairman of the KGB. The media suggested that the Western world was on the verge of facing a new threat, causing increased nuclear anxiety during the Cold War.

A Time Magazine report featuring Andropov on the cover caught Samanthas attention. Troubled by the fear surrounding him, she asked her mother a thought-provoking question: If people are so afraid of him, why doesnt someone write a letter asking whether he wants to have a war or not? Encouraged by her mothers response, Samantha took it upon herself to write that letter.

Samanthas father worked as an educator at the University of Maine at Augusta, while her mother served as a social worker with the Maine Department of Human Services. Prior to her letter to Andropov, Samantha had expressed her admiration for the British monarch by writing a letter to Queen Elizabeth II.

The letter

In November 1982, the 10-year-old Samantha penned a short letter addressed to Yuri Andropov. She congratulated him on his new role and expressed her concerns about the possibility of a nuclear war. Samantha inquired whether Andropov intended to vote for war or if he had plans to prevent it. While acknowledging that he did not have to answer that question, Samantha emphasized the importance of sharing and caring for the world instead of fighting over it. The letter made its way to the Russian government and was subsequently published in the state-run newspaper Pravda. However, Samantha did not receive a direct response from Andropov, leading her to write to the Soviet ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Dobrynin, inquiring about Andropovs reply.

Nearly half a year later, on April 26, 1983, Samantha received a response from the Soviet leader. Andropov assured her that the Soviet Union was working diligently to prevent a nuclear war. He acknowledged her anxiety and shared his commitment to peace, referencing the United States and the Soviet Unions collaboration during World War II against Nazi Germany. Andropov conveyed his desire for peaceful coexistence, trade, and cooperation among nations, specifically mentioning the United States. He also proposed discontinuing the production of nuclear weapons and expressed his wish for peace on Earth. In his letter, he invited Samantha and her parents to visit the Soviet Union and witness the countrys dedication to peace and friendship among peoples.

The exchange between Samantha and Andropov garnered significant media attention. She appeared on the Johnny Carson show, and major American networks reported the news.

The trip

On July 7, 1983, Samantha, accompanied by her parents, flew to Moscow and spent two weeks as Andropovs guest. She explored Moscow and Leningrad and chose to stay with Soviet children at Artek, a childrens center in the Crimean Peninsula, instead of accepting special accommodations prepared for her. During a press conference, Samantha proclaimed that Russians were no different from Americans. However, critics speculated that the media frenzy surrounding Samantha was an American-style public relations tactic and accused her of being a tool for Soviet propaganda.

Due to Andropovs deteriorating health, he was unable to meet Samantha during her visit, although they did speak on the phone. Following her return to the U.S. on July 22, 1983, Samanthas popularity continued to rise. In December 1983, she traveled to Japan, where she met with Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and participated in the Childrens International Symposium in Kobe. During her speech, Samantha proposed an annual exchange of granddaughters between Soviet and American leaders, suggesting that such personal connections could deter conflicts. She later co-authored a book, Journey to the Soviet Union, about her experience with her father.

Subsequently, Samantha hosted a childrens special for The Disney Channel, where she interviewed candidates for the 1984 Democratic Party presidential primaries. She ventured into a television career, making guest appearances on shows like Charles in Charge and starring in the series Lime Street.

Unfortunately, Samanthas life was cut short in a plane accident at the age of 15, along with her father. The investigation found no evidence of foul play. During her funeral, attended by several politicians, a personal message of condolence from Mikhail Gorbachev, then-General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, was read by Vladimir Kugalin of the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C. Gorbachev expressed how Samanthas pursuit of peace resonated with millions of Soviet young men and women.

In 1986, a monument in Samanthas honor was erected in Moscow at the Artek Young Pioneer camp. The Soviet Union also issued a commemorative stamp featuring her likeness. Additionally, the first Monday in June was officially designated as Samantha Smith Day in Maine, as per state law, and a bronze statue of her was placed near the Maine State Museum in Augusta.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the plane crash in 2015, the Maine State Museum presented a new exhibit displaying various artifacts associated with Samantha. The exhibit featured photographs depicting her time at the Artek camp, traditional Russian clothing gifted to her, and a copy of Soviet Life magazine prominently featuring her on the cover.

Samanthas role as an ambassador inspired other exchanges of child goodwill ambassadors, such as Katya Lycheva, an 11-year-old Russian girl who traveled to the United States and also published a book about her experience.

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Mexican activist Odilia Romero in Mexico City; June 14, 2023. Hector Guerrero

The Los Angeles Police Department has phonetic cards that enable officers to ask, albeit awkwardly, if someone speaks Zapotec, Chinantec, Mixtec and other indigenous languages. The cards help them assist people who dont speak Spanish or English, in a metropolitan area where 17 indigenous languages are spoken. Its one small victory in the struggle for linguistic justice that Odilia Romero has championed with Cielo, the organization she founded 10 years ago to prevent tragic incidents like the death of Manuel Jazmines Xum, an immigrant worker from the Kiche ethnic group who was shot by police officers when he didnt respond to their orders in English and Spanish, orders that he couldnt understand. Or Rita Quintero, a Raramuri woman who was confined for 12 years in a Kansas institution and given psychotropic medication because the police officers who detained her assumed she had mental health problems when she said things like, I come from the sky.

Language is at the root of all our struggles

Language is at the root of all our struggles and the fundamental pillar of our rights, said Romero, an activist who works with her daughter, Janeth Martinez, to defend ancestral languages and push for public institutions in Los Angeles  police, school districts, childrens hospitals, health services  to provide interpretation services for the most commonly spoken indigenous languages in the area.

Samples of indigenous language identification cards

Access to an interpreter is a basic human right. Our lives are shaped by words and even a single word can have a huge impact. Without the right context, someone could lose their freedom, get deported or even worse, lose a life. It all comes down to this one thing  language, said Romero. Her organization provides interpreters of over 350 dialects to 27 US states.

Identifying and mapping the comprehensive count of indigenous languages spoken in the United States is a very difficult endeavor. Upon their arrival in the country, indigenous people, regardless of their country of origin (Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras) and legal standing (regular or irregular) are promptly classified as Hispanic or Latino. Its a diverse and heterogeneous community, and this process of Latinization swiftly erases identities that dont neatly align with the checkboxes on immigration, hospital and police forms. It not only erases their language but also the essence of their cultural heritage and identity.We dont have any data on indigenous communities, which makes linguistic violence even more harsh. Theres this assumption that if youre Latino, you must speak Spanish, said Romero.

Training interpreters is a long and arduous process, says Romero, who is from the San Bartolome Zoogocho community in the state of Oaxaca (southwest Mexico). She arrived in the United States speaking only her ancestral language  no Spanish or English. Its not just about speaking the indigenous language and translating it into Spanish or English in courts, police stations and hospitals, said Romero. They need to be trained in the legal and medical systems of each country because jurisdictions and procedures differ greatly. Plus, when you convey an idea from an indigenous language to Spanish and then to English, theres a big risk of losing crucial details.

A significant obstacle in the pursuit of linguistic justice in the United States is the extensive array of dialects inherent to indigenous languages themselves, adding complexity to an already challenging task. There are actually more than 100 variants of Zapotec, and heres the catch  theyre not all mutually understandable, said Romero. So, whenever a court reaches out to us for a Zapotec interpreter, were faced with the question  which Zapotec dialect is needed? To answer that, we need to dig into the persons community and their roots. This tends to slow things down, like trials and medical attention.

Services that reflect the crises in American indigenous communities

The influx of indigenous migrants in the United States varies according to rapidly changing geopolitical dynamics. Now were seeing a huge demand for interpreters to communicate with the Miskito indigenous people from Nicaragua. Theyre being forced to leave their land, and the same thing is happening to the Garifuna people from Honduras, and the indigenous people of the Amazon in Brazil. Our services are evolving as the conflicts facing our communities grow, said Romero.

Mexican activist Odilia Romero in Mexico City; June 14, 2023. Hector Guerrero

Despite the challenges, Odilia Romero has remained steadfast in her dedication. The reason behind her commitment is abundantly clear  she is wholeheartedly invested in this cause. Her parents migrated north when she was a young child and left her in the care of grandmothers. After a few years, she had a chance to join them, and left her grandmothers, village, language and homeland. Twice separated, the experience had a profound influence on shaping her future.

I ended up becoming my parents interpreter, kind of like La Malinche, the 13-year-old slave girl who was forced to interpret [for conquistador Hernan Cortez]. This is still happening today. There are so many kids out there interpreting for their families because they speak an indigenous language that nobody recognizes or teaches, said Romero, who has been tirelessly fighting to eliminate linguistic violence. You have to resist and get creative with what the system gives you. Thats why we do more than just translation services. Were out there, helping with vaccinations, groceries  you name it. Anything that can bring human rights, dignity and respect to our communities.

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Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene at a Trump rally on July 1. SEAN RAYFORD (Getty Images via AFP)

The Republican Partys first attempt to impeach U.S. President Joe Biden has resulted in a bitter fight within the group itself. Republican representative Marjorie Taylor Greene  who is one of Donald Trumps most loyal allies  has been removed from the hard-line Freedom Caucus for calling fellow lawmaker Lauren Boebert a little bitch on the House floor. Since the row broke out in Congress, the political spectacle within the far-right Republican group has only intensified.

Marjorie Taylor Greene  who mistook the Gestapo for gazpacho while on a trip to Spain  is one of the best-known faces in the Republican Party, especially among Trump supporters. A promoter of conspiracy theories such as QAnon, the Republican is almost always at Trumps rallies, and after the former president, receives the most applause at these events. Trump often speaks highly of Marjorie Taylor Greene  who is known by her initials MTG  and it was she who received a call from the former president when Republican hardliners finally agreed to elect Kevin McCarthy House speaker (a photo showed her cellphone flashing DT).

With her loyalty to Trump and far-right statements, there is no doubting the Georgia congresswomans radicalism. But Lauren Boebert, a Republican representative from Colorado, is not far behind. A fanatical defender of the right to bear arms, Boebert once ran a gun-themed restaurant, and she poses with her weapons in public as often as possible. Like MTG, she has a sharp tongue and far-right ideas. She has made Islamophobic comments in Congress, and was one of the members of the Freedom Caucus who held out voting for McCarthy until the end.

More information Biden stands up to the conservative revolution of the US Supreme Court

In the contest to be the most radical Biden opponent, Boebert was one step ahead. She used a procedural shortcut, known as a privileged resolution, to introduce articles of impeachment against Biden for his alleged unconstitutional dereliction of duty at the southern border. MTG had been planning her own impeachment articles over the same cause, a way of showing her support for Trump, who faced two impeachment trials: the first over allegations he requested the Ukrainian government investigate Bidens son, and the second for his role in promoting the assault on the U.S. Capitol.

But Boebert beat her to it, and MTG was not pleased. A row between the two Republicans broke out in the House floor and was recorded by cameras. The exchange was not picked up by the microphones, but The Daily Beast reconstructed the brunt of Greenes message thanks to a source. Ive donated to you, Ive defended you. But youve been nothing but a little bitch to me, Greene told Boebert, according to a source who witnessed the exchange. And you copied my articles of impeachment after I asked you to cosponsor them.

There were doubts about whether The Daily Beast source was trustworthy, but MTG later confirmed her dispute with Boerbert to Semafor. She has genuinely been a nasty little bitch to me, she said. When asked if there were any chance of reconciliation with Boebert, MTG replied: absolutely not.

The Freedom Caucus, the most far-right wing of the Republican Party in Congress, of which MTG and Boebert are both members, decided to intervene. Last week, Politico reported that the group had voted on the issue, but it was unclear whether MTG had been removed. A recess in sessions meant that the news was not confirmed until Thursday, when Freedom Caucus board member Rep. Andy Harris, R-Md. announced that she was no longer a part of the group.

A vote was taken to remove Marjorie Taylor Greene from the House Freedom Caucus for some of the things shes done, said Harris. When asked if she was formally out, he replied: As far as I know, that is the way it is. There is no further information about the expulsion or about whether MTG has been notified.

In recent months, Marjorie Taylor Greene has distanced herself from some of the positions of other members of the Freedom Caucus. She supported electing Kevin McCarthy House Speaker very early on and also backed the agreement to suspend the debt ceiling, which outraged the most radical hardliners in the group.

On Thursday, MTG released a statement that, while not explicitly stating that she had been removed from the Freedom Caucus, infers that she is no longer part of the group. In Congress, I serve Northwest Georgia first, and serve no group in Washington, it stated. My America First credentials, guided by my Christian faith, are forged in steel, seared into my character and will never change.

I will work with ANYONE who wants to secure our border, protect our children inside the womb and after they are born, end the forever foreign wars, and do the work to save this country, it continued.

The GOP has less than two years to show America what a strong, unified Republican-led Congress will do when President Trump wins the White House in 2024. This is my focus, nothing else, it concluded.

In the meantime, MTG continues to push Trumps interest from Congress. One of her latest initiatives is a proposal to expunge Trumps 2019 and 2021 impeachments, which she described as a sham and the product of a witch hunt.

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A bag of counterfeit oxycodone painkiller pills that actually contain fentanyl, seized this month at the port of Sand Diego. Europa Press/Contacto/Craig Kohlruss (Europa Press/Contacto/Craig Kohl)

Fentanyl, an opioid 50 times stronger than heroin, is the deadliest serial killer of American adults aged 18-49. In 2022, it was responsible for two-thirds of the nations 110,000 overdose deaths, an all-time high. Against such a tragic backdrop, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday virtually brought together representatives from 84 countries -a list that included Mexico, the main gateway for the potent substance into the United States, but not China, one of the three axis of its global manufacturing, trafficking and consumption- in a coalition to increase cooperation in the fight against this and other synthetic drugs.

Blinken sought in his opening speech to raise awareness among his counterparts with a graphic metaphor.the United States is a canary in the coal mine when it comes to fentanyl: in other words, what is happening here with fentanyl will soon happen, he suggested, in the rest of the world. Having saturated the United States market, transnational criminal enterprises are turning elsewhere to expand their profits, he continued; If we dont act together with fierce urgency, more communities around the world will bear the catastrophic costs that are already affecting so many American cities, so many American towns.

The criminal organizations that traffic synthetic drugs are extremely adept at exploiting weak links in our interconnected global system, Blinken went on. When one government aggressively restricts the precursor chemical, traffickers simply buy it elsewhere. When one country closes off a transit route, traffickers quickly shift to another. This is the definition of a problem that no country can solve alone. Thats why were creating this global coalition.

Todd Robinson, Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, confirmed on Thursday at a briefing with reporters in Washington the absence of China from the summit the next day. Weve invited China, he said, adding that this coalition is the beginning of the process. Of course, theres hope. Just because the PRC is not talking to the United States, they are talking to other countries. And part of the reason were trying to bring this coalition together is to engage other countries in their efforts against these supply chains and part of their responsibility is going to be engaging with the PRC.

Blinken promised to organize more expert sessions, as well as a face-to-face meeting during the UN General Assembly, scheduled for September. Also speaking at Fridays meeting was Ylva Johansson, the EUs European Commissioner for Home Affairs, who pointed out that fentanyl is not yet as pressing a problem in Europe as it is in the United States.

In addition to the lethal opiate, on the agenda of the virtual meeting were ketamine, a potent anesthetic, legal for use in the United States; MDMA, which is in its last phase of approval by the FDA for use in patients with disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder; the analgesic tramadol; methamphetamine, which was the protagonist of the second-to-last narcotics crisis in the United States; and captagon, prescribed for attention deficit disorder, narcotic narcotics and narcolepsy.

Blinken painted a map of the distribution of these drugs in his remarks.: Every region is experiencing an alarming rise in other synthetic drugs. In Africa, its tramadol; in the Middle East, fake Captagon pills; in Asia, Ketamine..

Easier to manufacture and transport

Compared to other substances, synthetic drugs are easier to manufacture and transport illicitly. Thousands of fentanyl pills can be hidden in the space occupied by a bale of heroin. In 2022, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) seized 50.6 million fake pills and 4,500 kilos of fentanyl powder, the equivalent of more than 379 million potentially lethal doses; more than enough, therefore, to wipe out the entire U.S. population (some 330 million).

Americas relationship with fentanyl dates back to the 1990s, when pharmaceutical companies like Purdue flooded the market with pills called Oxycontin, which they marketed with the deception that they were non-addictive. When doctors stopped prescribing them to a legion of addicts, they rushed to heroin. Fentanyl, a drug invented in the 1960s that revolutionized anesthesiology, entered the scene around the middle of the last decade. At first, it arrived from China, a country that banned its export in 2019. Today, the precursor substances necessary for its manufacture are marketed from the Asian giant in Mexico, whose drug traffickers learned the formula, as well as the machines necessary to manufacture the fake pills.

During his recent visit to China, the issue was one of Blinkens priorities. The Treasury Department recently issued sanctions against 17 individuals and companies in the Asian country accused of profiting from the business.

The pandemic exacerbated the situation. In 2020, overdose deaths grew by 20%, to 91,799 cases. In 2021, there were 106,699, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, up 16%. The following year they exceeded 110,000. The issue has also become another front in the political war between Democrats and Republicans, whose more extremist members are calling on Joe Bidens administration to intervene militarily in Mexico to dismantle the drug trafficking groups operating in the country, similar to the way it did with the Islamic State.

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KYODO NEWS - Jul 7, 2023 - 21:29 | All, World, Japan

Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority on Friday formally gave the green light to facilities for discharging treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, putting the country on track to start releasing the water into the sea around this summer.

The plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. received NRA's certificate showing the facilities have passed final inspections after the International Atomic Energy Agency earlier in the week assured the safety of Japan's water discharge plan with a report on its comprehensive assessment.

Although the government and TEPCO cleared the structural and safety conditions for beginning discharge procedures, local fishermen and some neighboring nations, including China, remain opposed to the discharge plan.

China on Friday suggested the country may expand its ban on food imports from Japan if the discharge plan goes ahead. Imports from 10 prefectures are currently suspended following the 2011 nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, which was triggered by a massive earthquake and ensuing tsunami.

The government and TEPCO promised local fishermen in 2015 that they would not dispose of the treated water without gaining the "understanding" of concerned parties.

Wrapping up his four-day visit to Japan, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi told a press conference Friday that public anxiety over radiation is only natural, adding that the IAEA's duty is to implement measures that avoid harm and provide clear, science-based explanations.

"When you see that the results are correct...and nobody is lying to you, then maybe trust will be reconstructed," he said.

On Tuesday, Grossi met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and handed him the IAEA report, which said that Japan's water discharge plan is "consistent" with international safety standards and would have "a negligible radiological impact on people and the environment" if implemented.

After visiting Japan, Grossi is expected to share the IAEA's comprehensive findings when he travels to South Korea, the Cook Islands, and New Zealand.

As the Japanese government continues to make its final pitch to concerned parties, industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura told a separate press conference, "It is important to repeatedly explain the water's safety and the measures for preventing reputational damage to people in the fisheries industry."

The Japanese government will provide 50 billion yen ($347 million) in aid to local fishermen, in addition to a previously announced 30 billion yen fund, to help them prevent or counter reputational damage and continue fishing.

As part of efforts to convince Japan's neighbors that the discharge plan is safe and based on science, Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi is arranging a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang in Indonesia next week on the fringes of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gatherings, according to diplomatic sources.

Kishida is also arranging to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol next week on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Lithuania.

South Korea on Friday announced the results of its own analysis of Japan's discharge plan after its delegation of experts conducted on-site observations at the Fukushima Daiichi in May, affirming that the concentration levels of radioactive materials in treated water are consistent with international standards.

At the Fukushima plant, water is still being injected into its reactors to cool them down, and a mixture of groundwater and rain continues to flow into the reactor buildings, becoming contaminated when coming into direct contact with melted fuel or when it mixes with radioactive water already accumulated in the buildings.

Contaminated water undergoes treatment in stages through an advanced liquid processing system that removes almost all radioactive substances except tritium, before being stored in tanks that occupy a large area of the site.

TEPCO has stressed that the decommissioning of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear power plant cannot be completed without disposing of the treated water that has accumulated at the site.

TEPCO and the government plan to gradually discharge the treated water into the sea, 1 kilometer from the power plant, via an underwater tunnel, after diluting it with seawater to one-40th of the concentration permitted under Japanese safety standards.

Related coverage:

Japan says China, South Korea released water with high levels of tritium

South Korea says Fukushima water discharge meets int'l standards

IAEA opens office at Fukushima nuclear plant before water release
KYODO NEWS - Jul 8, 2023 - 08:00 | All, Japan

A year after the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday, the man accused of the shooting has been spending the majority of his time reading history and philosophy books while awaiting the scheduling for his trial, according to his lawyers.

While Tetsuya Yamagami seemed to be on edge immediately after the incident, the defendant has since relaxed and also reads newspapers every day at the Osaka Detention House, the lawyers said.

"He seems to be randomly reading about things he's interested in," one of the lawyers said.

Abe, Japan's longest-serving premier, died on July 8 last year after being shot at close range with a handmade gun while giving a campaign speech in Nara Prefecture two days ahead of the House of Councillors election. Yamagami was arrested on the spot.

The 42-year-old told investigators that he had held a grudge against the Unification Church, a South Korea-based religious group known for its mass weddings and aggressive donation solicitations, after his mother's substantial financial donations caused their family to fall apart.

He targeted Abe in the belief the former prime minister had links to the group, investigative sources have said.

Yamagami has declined visitation from his mother, according to sources familiar with the matter.

He has also received letters, both sympathetic and condemning, from across the country since he was detained, the sources said. He has expressed gratitude for the supportive messages.

In January, after around six months of psychiatric evaluation by prosecutors, Yamagami was indicted for murder and violating the firearms control law.

The first pretrial proceedings at the Nara District Court on June 12, which Yamagami was scheduled to attend, were canceled after a suspicious box was delivered to the court the same day. The cardboard box was later found to have contained petitions seeking leniency for him, said the sources.

He is considering calling off his attendance at the pretrial session where court officials, prosecutors and lawyers are likely to narrow down issues, review evidence and set the trial schedule, the sources said.

While the first day of his trial is expected to come next year, the defense team said they believe it may not even happen in the first half of 2024 due to the overwhelming amount of evidence and that it is also "undecided" what he will argue in the trial.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 7, 2023 - 17:44 | World, All, Japan

Ukraine has submitted to New Zealand an application to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact, Japan's economic revitalization minister Shigeyuki Goto said Friday.

The submission came ahead of a ministerial meeting of the trade pact's 11 member countries to be held in the New Zealand city of Auckland on July 15 and 16.

Goto, who is in charge of Japan's negotiations for the TPP, confirmed the application in a news conference, saying Japan as a member of the regional free trade deal "needs to carefully assess whether Ukraine can fully meet the high levels of the deal."

New Zealand, which performs the legal depositary functions for the partnership, received a formal accession request from Ukraine on May 5, Reuters reported Friday, citing a spokesperson from New Zealand's Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry.

Britain is set to become the 12th member of the free trade bloc, known formally as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, after its accession is expected to be officially approved at the ministerial meeting in Auckland.

To join the trade deal, which accounts for around 13 percent of world GDP, the approval of all 11 members -- Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam -- is needed.

Other economies that have applied to join the pact include China, Taiwan, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Uruguay.
By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - Jul 7, 2023 - 18:52 | All, World, Japan

Group of Seven justice ministers on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to cooperating to support the investigation into alleged war crimes committed by Russia amid its ongoing war against Ukraine.

In a communique adopted at their gathering in Tokyo, the G-7 justice chiefs also agreed to keep Russian assets frozen abroad until it compensates Kyiv for its losses due to the invasion while vowing to back Ukraine's reconstruction and anti-corruption reform efforts.

The other pledges made at the meeting included continuing to promote shared fundamental values in the international community, such as the rule of law and protecting the human rights and dignity of women and sexual minorities, the communique said.

The G-7 gathering came as Ukrainian authorities and the International Criminal Court have been investigating reports of alleged war crimes in the country committed by Russian troops during the war launched by Russia in February 2022.

Among the allegations is the forcible deportation of children from occupied areas to Russia, over which the ICC has issued an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin.

The communique said the G-7 justice ministers will keep working with Ukraine to "ensure accountability for those who are responsible for the atrocity crimes committed in the course of Russia's war" on its neighbor.

The ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union, also promised Russian sovereign assets in G-7 jurisdictions will "remain immobilized" until Moscow "pays for the damages it has caused" to Ukraine.

Since the start of the war, the G-7 nations have condemned Russia and implemented tough economic sanctions on it, such as asset freezes targeting Putin and Russian banks.

The communique revealed a plan to set up a task force to share information regarding Kyiv's ongoing and planned anti-corruption initiatives under the coordination of Japan, which holds the G-7's rotating presidency this year.

Ukrainian Justice Minister Denis Malyuska joined the talks online. When Japan hosted the G-7 summit in Hiroshima in May, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared in person.

Last November, the G-7 members held their first-ever meeting of justice ministers in Berlin against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, confirming that there can be "no impunity for war crimes and other atrocities."

Earlier Friday, the G-7 ministers held a gathering with their counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the first of its kind, Japan's Justice Ministry said.

Japanese Justice Minister Ken Saito said at the closing of the talks that the participants expressed support for his country's initiative of establishing a new forum, which plans to bring together young government officials from the G-7 nations and the 10-member regional bloc.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 7, 2023 - 23:20 | World, All

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told China's Premier Li Qiang on Friday in the Chinese capital that Washington seeks "healthy competition" with Beijing, not a "winner-take-all" approach, according to U.S. media reports.

Yellen, on her first trip to the Asian powerhouse as Treasury chief, also reportedly said the United States will, in certain circumstances, need to "pursue targeted actions to protect its national security."

Yellen's four-day China visit through Sunday is intended to help improve ties that have become strained amid an intensifying rivalry between the world's two largest economies.

Li said it is a "right choice" and "necessary" to boost bilateral cooperation, according to China Central Television.

The Chinese premier used a metaphorical expression, suggesting that just as people should look up instead of down at their feet after a rainy day to possibly see rainbows. "The same may be true of Sino-U.S. relations," he said.

While raising concerns, Yellen stressed the importance of the two countries closely communicating on global macroeconomic and financial issues and working together on global challenges, including debt distress in low-income and emerging economies and climate finance, the Treasury Department said.

Earlier in the day, she met with representatives of over 10 American businesses operating in China and recognized the importance of trade and investment with China, given the deep integration between the two economies, the Treasury Department said.

She raised concerns such as barriers to market access and punitive actions that have been taken in China against U.S. firms in recent months.

Upon her arrival in Beijing on Thursday, Yellen tweeted that her China visit "presents an opportunity to communicate and avoid miscommunication or misunderstanding."

Her sojourn in China follows a trip to Beijing last month by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which the two countries agreed to stabilize their complex relationship.

China's Finance Ministry said Friday that Yellen's visit is aimed at implementing a consensus reached between the two countries' leaders last November in Indonesia to "strengthen communication and exchanges in the financial field."

The ministry said there will be no winners from trade wars or moves to decouple from each other.

"We hope the United States will take practical actions to create a favorable environment for the healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations and the realization of mutual benefit and win-win results," it added.

During her stay, Yellen is likely to hold talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, who is in charge of economic and financial affairs.
KYODO NEWS - Jul 7, 2023 - 00:37 | World, All, Japan

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed Thursday to bolster their economic ties as Japan pushes for more investments in the fast-growing South Asian country.

Suga, who heads the Japan-India Association and is leading a large business delegation to the world's most populous country, told Modi in New Delhi that it is important for India to improve its logistics infrastructure and taxation system to spur Japanese investments, according to a member of the group.

The delegation consisted of about 100 individuals representing 54 companies. Among them was Yuji Fukasawa, the president of East Japan Railway Co., who also participated in the meeting between Suga and Modi.

Suga and Modi also reaffirmed their commitment to advancing a high-speed railway project that would link the coastal city of Mumbai to Ahmedabad in the Gujarat state, the member said.

Japan has provided financial and technological support for the project, which employs its shinkansen bullet train technology.

The meeting between Modi and Suga, a senior lawmaker of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party who served as prime minister for just over a year to October 2021, took place ahead of Modi's upcoming role as chair of a Group of 20 summit in September.

Strengthening relations with India is crucial for Japan as the current chair of the Group of Seven industrialized nations, given their strategic partnership based on shared fundamental values and interests.

India is a member of the Quad -- a four-way security framework that includes Japan, the United States and Australia -- and a key member of the "Global South," a term that collectively refers to developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
This photo taken on July 6, 2023 shows a scene of the ministerial session of the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria. (Xinhua/He Canling)

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais told Xinhua that while OPEC member countries "embrace energy transition," the transition should be "well-planned, inclusive, just and fair," and countries should be allowed to choose their own paths to advance it.

VIENNA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Delegates attending an energy event hosted by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) here have called for advancing energy transition in a just, sustainable and inclusive manner.

Energy transition is at the top of the agenda of the 8th OPEC International Seminar, themed "Towards a sustainable and inclusive energy transition." The seminar is the organization's flagship energy event held in Vienna on July 5-6.

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais recalled the importance of sustainability and inclusivity in energy transition at the seminar's opening ceremony on Wednesday, saying sustainability "relates to how we fulfill the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between ... economic viability, environmental protection and social equity."

Haitham Al Ghais, secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), speaks at an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Vienna, Austria, July 5, 2023. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Later on Wednesday, Al Ghais told Xinhua in an exclusive interview that while OPEC member countries "embrace energy transition," the transition should be "well-planned, inclusive, just and fair," and countries should be allowed to choose their own paths to advance it.

Al Ghais's view was echoed by many other seminar participants, who called for taking a more realistic and inclusive approach to energy transition while maintaining energy supply stability and addressing energy poverty in the underdeveloped parts of the world.

Diamantino Pedro Azevedo, Angola's minister of mineral resources and petroleum, told a ministerial session of the seminar that energy transition is a difficult "paradigm shift," which should be different for each country according to their development stage and specific conditions.

This photo taken on July 6, 2023 shows a scene of the ministerial session of the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria. (Xinhua/He Canling)

Noting that many people in Africa still suffer from energy poverty, he said energy transition should not be advanced in a way that will make livelihoods worse for them.

Ana Palacio, Spain's former foreign minister, also called for multiple, different pathways to a just energy transition.

"We should not impose energy transition," she said, adding that in underdeveloped parts of the world where lack of access to energy is a pressing issue, energy transition should be advanced in a different manner than in the more developed countries.

Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman (R) speaks during the 8th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria, July 5, 2023.(Xinhua/He Canling)

The two-day seminar brought together ministers from OPEC member countries and other oil-producing and consuming nations as well as representatives of international organizations, oil and energy companies, academics and other industry experts.

Participants discussed key issues and challenges facing the oil and energy industry, including energy transition, energy poverty alleviation, energy security, climate change policies, investment, technology and innovation. 
This photo taken on May 14, 2023 shows a plane of Norwegian Air Shuttle landing at Oslo Airport in Oslo, capital of Norway. (Photo by Chen Yaqin/Xinhua)

OSLO, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Air Shuttle, the largest airline in Norway and second-largest in the Nordic region, has announced its plan to acquire Wideroe, Norway's largest regional airline, for 1.125 billion Norwegian kroner (104.5 million U.S. dollars), pending regulatory approval.

During a joint press conference on Thursday, representatives from both airlines expressed their belief that the acquisition would bring positive benefits to air passengers, particularly through integrated travel services.

Geir Karlsen, CEO of Norwegian Air Shuttle, described the deal as a significant milestone in Norwegian aviation history. He emphasized the creation of a streamlined and comprehensive offering for all customers while eagerly anticipating the opportunity to provide seamless travel experiences across their entire route networks.

Karlsen highlighted that the two airlines have minimal overlap in their respective routes, making them complementary.

Under the agreement, Wideroe will continue operating as a separate entity with its own brand, organization and headquarters in Bodo, a northern city in Norway.

Stein Nilsen, CEO of Wideroe, expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition, saying that Wideroe's nearly 90-year history has made it a reliable provider of regional air services in Norway.

As Norway's oldest aviation group, Wideroe serves over 40 small and medium-sized airports across the country, in addition to several larger European airports.

The Norwegian Competition Authority will review and decide on the approval of the acquisition. 
BAGHDAD, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi military said on Thursday that it killed two Islamic State (IS) militants and arrested two others in separate operations across the country.

Based on intelligence reports, Iraqi warplanes conducted an airstrike on an IS hideout in the eastern province of Diyala and killed two IS militants, according to a statement issued by the Security Media Cell, a media outlet affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command.

Meanwhile, the Directorate of Military Intelligence said in a statement that its forces arrested two IS militants in separate operations in the capital Baghdad and the northern province of Kirkuk.

In another operation, the Iraqi forces found a weapon and ammunition cache belonging to the IS group at a village near the town of Makhmour, some 60 km southeast of Nineveh's provincial capital Mosul, said the Security Media Cell.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, the IS remnants have since melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 
COPENHAGEN, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The Danish-led Multinational Division North (MND-N) headquarters (HQ) of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is now fully operational in Latvia, the Danish Ministry of Defense said in a press release on Friday.

The new HQ at the Adazi Military Base near Riga, the capital of Latvia, is responsible for coordinating land-based military operations in the region and can be fully integrated into NATO's force structure, according to the ministry.

The HQ had been under construction since 2018 and was inaugurated in March 2019. Denmark is committed to contributing approximately half of the HQ's personnel, along with deploying a battalion of 1,200 troops for a duration of four to six months a year, starting in mid-2024, at Camp Valdemars in the Adazi Military Base.

Denmark's Acting Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen and his Latvian counterpart Inara Murniece also issued a joint declaration in Latvia on "deepening bilateral cooperation" between the two Baltic neighbors on Friday, said the release. 
This undated photo shows the tenting estate nestled amidst Yangmeishan Village in Yuanjiang City, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua)

by Xinhua writers Zhang Ge, Ruan Zhouwei

CHANGSHA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- In a scenic tenting estate nestled amidst Yangmeishan Village in Yuanjiang City, central China's Hunan Province, a serene flow of holidaymakers immerse themselves in a tranquil atmosphere.

They delight in setting up camps within cozy tents, engaging in parent-child games, and relishing mouthwatering barbecues. As they bask in the refreshing cool breeze, their gaze turns upward, captivated by the beauty of the starry summer night sky.

The camping estate came to life thanks to its owner, Hu Shan, a visionary 32-year-old woman who boldly chose to depart from her high-paying urban job in 2017 and return to her cherished hometown, where she had spent her formative years pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams.

Yuanjiang, in the hinterland of China's second-largest freshwater lake, Dongting, boasts bountiful resources and breathtaking landscapes. With China's successful poverty alleviation efforts and the implementation of rural vitalization, rural tourism has flourished in Yuanjiang, inspiring Hu to forge ahead with her ambitions.

"Many people perceive starting a business in rural areas as a daunting task. However, I believe that villages hold a special significance for the Chinese, as they are imbued with a sense of nostalgia and memories," Hu said, adding that agriculture can also be fashionable. "With clean air and expansive land, villages offer a unique opportunity for city dwellers to transform their idyllic rural life aspiration into a tangible reality."

After graduating from university in 2012, Hu chose to stay in the city and pursue a career. However, her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her back to her roots.

Seeking guidance and wisdom, she embarked on a series of visits to local villagers. Recognizing that the majority of villagers were still involved in traditional agriculture, she astutely identified promising business opportunities related to the dining table.

"Urban restaurants now offer a wide array of dishes sourced from rural areas. Among these culinary delights, one traditional delicacy holds a special place in my heart -- pickles," said Hu, adding that the flavors of her mother and grandmother's cooking were ingrained in the pickles, evoking memories of her student days. This nostalgic connection inspired Hu to harness local resources and develop handmade agricultural products.

"Returning to my hometown and starting this entrepreneurial journey holds a profound purpose for me -- to contribute to the prosperity in the village and the well-being of everyone," Hu said. Her cooperative leases land from farmers, providing them with both rent and land dividends. Furthermore, she offers employment opportunities and provides guidance and training to over 300 individuals.

Also, Hu purchases agricultural products from farmers at prices higher than the market rate, thereby helping to boost locals' income.

In response to the growing importance of brand awareness, Hu took the initiative to develop a leisure agricultural tourism complex in 2021. As temperatures continue to soar, the camping estate, spanning approximately 57 mu (about 3.9 hectares), has witnessed a steady influx of visitors seeking a summer gateway.

Within the estate, parent-child outings and educational tours have taken center stage, with various rural experience projects such as farming and picking gaining significant popularity.

"Rural areas possess an incredible vitality," Hu said. "Significant changes have occurred in the villages over time." In her pursuit of a career in the agricultural sector, Hu has acquired a certificate as a leisure agriculture manager and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration.

With China's modernization of agriculture and rural areas, the countryside, brimming with possibilities, is attracting a growing number of "returning geese" such as Hu.

According to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, from 2012 to the end of 2022, over 12.2 million individuals have returned to their hometowns with the aspiration of starting their own businesses.

"The development of rural areas requires the active participation of young people. I hope that my decision to return to my hometown will inspire others to do the same and contribute to the vitalization of rural areas," said Hu. Enditem

(Wu Haowen also contributed to the story.)

This undated photo shows Hu Shan packing up handmade agricultural products in Yuanjiang City, central China's Hunan Province. (Xinhua)
BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- China played a key role in successfully concluding negotiations on the text of the world's first multilateral investment agreement, known as the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD), a commerce ministry official said on Friday.

The successful conclusion was announced after a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting on the text negotiations.

As the world's first multilateral investment agreement, the IFD agreement aims to improve the transparency and predictability of investment measures, speed up and streamline investment-related administrative procedures, and enhance sustainable investment.

The IFD agreement is the first negotiation topic set up and actively led by China in the WTO, with more than 110 WTO members signing and participating in the negotiation of the IFD. The topic entered into text negotiations in September 2020.

China provided pragmatic solutions for disputed issues during the negotiations, and made key contributions to their successful conclusion, receiving high recognition from the parties involved, the official said.

Negotiations on multilateral investment agreements have long been an obstacle in making global trade and investment rules, and former attempts made by the WTO and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have all failed, the official said.

Global foreign direct investment faced huge downward pressure in 2022 and fell by 12 percent to 1.3 trillion U.S. dollars, according to the World Investment Report 2023 released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. 
The Legislative Council (LegCo) of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Thursday unanimously passed the District Councils (Amendment) Bill 2023 after a third reading, an important milestone of the HKSAR's work on improving district governance.
XI'AN, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, saw a surge in China-Europe freight train trips in the first half of this year.

The Chang'an China-Europe freight train service operated 2,619 train trips from January to June, up 46.2 percent year on year, according to the Xi'an International Trade and Logistics Park.

Nearly 2.5 million tonnes of cargo were transported between Xi'an and destinations in more than 10 countries and regions in Asia and Europe, up 64.1 percent year on year, said Xu Xiaoqiang, an official with the park.

The Chang'an China-Europe freight train service was launched in 2013, when China proposed the Belt and Road Initiative.

Last year, the number of train trips operated by this service rose by more than 20 percent to 4,639 trips, with more than 4 million tonnes of cargo delivered. 
SYDNEY, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Mobile phones and certain wearable electronic devices like smartwatches will be banned at all state schools in Australia's Queensland during school hours, including break times from Term 1 in 2024.

Queensland Education Department announced the statewide ban on Friday.

"From Term 1, 2024, mobile phones will need to be 'away for the day' in all Queensland state schools, building on the excellent work of our principals and school leaders to date," said the state's education minister Grace Grace.

The department said students are still able to bring phones to school so that they can contact their parents or carers immediately before or after school hours.

Exemptions will also be available for digital learning opportunities or in specific circumstances, including reasons related to health and well-being.

Over 95 percent of schools have had a clear policy banning the use of phones during class times, with the remaining schools restricting usage informally, according to the department.

"This statewide ban will provide uniformity, extend bans to break times, and include certain wearable devices like smartwatches," said Grace.

The department also appointed former Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Cheryl Vardon to conduct an independent review of the current phone-in-school policy. 
WELLINGTON, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Chris Hipkins made his first foreign policy speech on Friday since he took office six months ago, describing New Zealand as "the best little country in the world" as well as its relationships with major countries including China.

The speech took place hours before Hipkins departed for Europe later on Friday to witness the signing of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union, which will unlock New Zealand's access to the world's third-biggest market.

In his Europe visit, Hipkins has also been invited to attend the NATO summit in Lithuania.

Just back from a trade mission from China last weekend, Hipkins said China is New Zealand's largest trading partner, the destination of around a quarter of all Kiwi exports and a significant source of tourists and students.

He highlighted people-to-people and diplomatic relationships which have lasted for 50 years, as well as the FTA, between the two countries.

"New Zealand's national interests require continued engagement with China, and cooperation where our interests converge," Hipkins said.

The prime minister stresses New Zealand's "independent foreign policy approach."

"It is important to stress at this point independent does not mean neutral," he said, adding that, "as a country, we may be small, but we are not bystanders. We chart our own course, with decisions that are in our national interest."

Regarding ties with Australia, Hipkins said the trans-Tasman relationship is the strongest it has been in decades.

On the New Zealand-U.S. relationship, he expressed hopes that the current framework and initiative will open up greater opportunities for economic engagement between the two countries and the region as a whole.

The prime minister highlighted the collaboration on climate change with Pacific leaders and the rollout of climate finance of more than half a billion U.S. dollars in the Pacific region. 
A volunteer distributes food at a temporary settlement in Changtan junior school of Wanzhou District, Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, July 6, 2023. China is making ongoing efforts to battle extreme weather, as rain-triggered floods wreak havoc in southern and central parts of the country.

Since Monday, heavy rainfalls have lashed Chongqing, triggering floods and geological disasters across the municipality. Notably, Changtan Township has reported record-high precipitation during the latest round of downpours.

China earmarked 320 million yuan on Wednesday from its central natural-disaster relief funds to support flood and geological disaster relief work in regions including Chongqing and Sichuan. (Xinhua/Wang Jintao)

Rescue team members work in Linchang Village of Changtan Township, Wanzhou District of Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, July 6, 2023. China is making ongoing efforts to battle extreme weather, as rain-triggered floods wreak havoc in southern and central parts of the country.

Since Monday, heavy rainfalls have lashed Chongqing, triggering floods and geological disasters across the municipality. Notably, Changtan Township has reported record-high precipitation during the latest round of downpours.

China earmarked 320 million yuan on Wednesday from its central natural-disaster relief funds to support flood and geological disaster relief work in regions including Chongqing and Sichuan. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)

Rescue team members work in Linchang Village of Changtan Township, Wanzhou District of Chongqing Municipality, southwest China, July 6, 2023. China is making ongoing efforts to battle extreme weather, as rain-triggered floods wreak havoc in southern and central parts of the country.

Since Monday, heavy rainfalls have lashed Chongqing, triggering floods and geological disasters across the municipality. Notably, Changtan Township has reported record-high precipitation during the latest round of downpours.

China earmarked 320 million yuan on Wednesday from its central natural-disaster relief funds to support flood and geological disaster relief work in regions including Chongqing and Sichuan. (Xinhua/Tang Yi)
SHANGHAI, July 7 (Xinhua) -- More than 280 Fortune 500 enterprises and companies taking the lead in their industries have signed up for the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) slated to be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10 this year, the CIIE Bureau said Friday.

This year's edition has already signed with businesses to help prepare their booths of over 330,000 square meters in its exhibition area.

To draw more exhibitors to join the expo, the CIIE Bureau has hosted multiple promotional activities in more than 30 countries and regions since the beginning of this year, said Sun Chenghai, deputy director of the bureau.

The CIIE is the world's first dedicated import exhibition, and its previous editions have seen fruitful outcomes. 
by Xinhua writers Yang Shilong, Hu Yousong

WASHINGTON, July 7 (Xinhua) -- On Aug. 17, 1979, 22-year-old Madelyn Ross arrived in Shanghai, China, without knowing what awaited her.

The fresh graduate of Princeton University was headed to teach English and take courses in Chinese literature at Fudan University, thanks to an agreement signed by the two universities.

Ross, now president of U.S.-China Education Trust, became interested in China while seeing the coverage of then U.S. President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972.

"The very fact that so little was known made China seem like a mystery. The pictures of Nixon in China looked so intriguing," Ross told Xinhua in an interview.

"The other thing was that the language looked so different and interesting. I was looking to learn a new language that would be very different from French and Spanish," she said. "Beginning in the early 70s, there had been some Ping-Pong Diplomacy and very limited exchanges of delegations, which made people like me want to find out more."

In 1975, the mystery of China and its language drew Ross to Princeton University, with its renowned East Asian Studies Department and Chinese language program. She graduated in 1979, just as it became possible for a few Americans to travel to China. She left for Shanghai eight months after Washington and Beijing officially established diplomatic relations on January 1, 1979.

A VERY DIFFERENT WORLD

Ross was met at the Shanghai Hongqiao airport by two professors from Fudan's foreign languages department. It was getting dark as they drove back to the university in an old Russian-made sedan.

"There were very few lights in all of Shanghai. Even the car didn't have its lights on, but when we came to an intersection, the driver flashed the lights briefly, just to make sure there were no cars or people in the road," said Ross.

"The city was very quiet. It felt like a big city awakening from a long sleep. And people were a little bit cautious about dealing with Americans. But as the year went on, you could sense a change in atmosphere. People were becoming more outgoing and friendly. It felt like an isolated world when I arrived, but things were changing quickly," she said.

"The physical transformation of China alone is extreme," said Ross, whose last visit to China was in 2019. "The streets in Shanghai and Beijing are now full of neon signs and tall buildings that didn't exist in 1979. And beneath the surface, people's lives have also been transformed. Luckily, many friendships from those early days are still intact," she said.

Ross said she misses "the sense of discovery" she experienced daily in China in 1979-80 as one of the first young Americans there.

"Anybody who goes to study abroad experiences a sense of discovery of a new place and a new culture. In my case, it was extreme because there were so few people doing what I was doing."

"And in China, there was such intense interest in meeting Americans. On both sides, there was a sense of discovery and of being pioneers who could introduce our culture to each other," she said.

A LOT OF PENT-UP ENERGY

After the Fudan program, Ross did a graduate degree in international affairs at Columbia University from 1980-82 and then lived and worked in Hong Kong. She moved back to the United States and worked for 10 years at the U.S.-China Business Council, where she became an editor of the China Business Review and was part of the vibrant early economic and business exchanges between the two sides.

Statistics show China-U.S. trade volume has grown from 2.5 billion U.S. dollars in 1979 to 690 billion dollars in 2022, a rise of 275 times.

"I don't think very many people predicted the pace of growth in trade and investment, because not many people realized how fast China's economy would grow," said Ross.

China's willingness to learn from outside countries, its underutilized labor force and a sense that people had an opportunity to work hard for a better life were among the factors that led to the country's economic takeoff, she said. "There was a lot of pent-up energy in China in the 1980s, 1990s, early 2000s."

On one wall of her former office at the Johns Hopkins hangs a cover from the China Business Review in 1986, illustrating a U.S.-China business meeting, showing different negotiating styles on both sides of the table.

"I accompanied many business delegations to China and witnessed so many cultural missteps and misunderstandings, so many funny banquet stories, but overall it was a very positive time. Again, there was a sense of discovery on both sides," said Ross.

A NEW GENERATION OF BRIDGE BUILDERS

Before coming to Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in 2015, Ross was director of China initiatives at George Mason University.

"For 20 years now, I've worked primarily on U.S.-China education projects. But it's the same basic task as in business and trade, of trying to help both sides understand each other and learn to work together," said Ross, who has been responsible for the Hopkins-Nanjing Center partnership and the SAIS dual degree program with Tsinghua University.

According to Ross, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, which was the first U.S.-China joint university partnership, is a bilingual and bicultural program that celebrated its 35th anniversary in 2021.

"There are stories of senior government and business officials from the U.S. and China going to meetings where each side has a representative who went to this program," she said. "They may not always agree with each other, but because they shared this training, they know how to listen to each other, and they have the skills to work things out."

"It's important to keep training students in this way. We really need to keep education exchanges moving forward," said Ross.

She suggested both the U.S. and China should clarify that they value education exchanges. "We have a lot of areas where we're competing and confronting each other, but we should all be able to agree that people-to-people and student exchanges benefit both our countries and make them both stronger," she said.

"We need to separate the different layers of a complicated relationship and prioritize education," said Ross. She said the recent efforts to imply that these exchanges are dangerous and to sow mistrust about Chinese students in the United States are "ridiculous and counterproductive."

A NEW WAY OF THINKING

Forty years on, Ross is still learning Chinese with a tutor. "I try to keep up the language at least a little. When you read articles in the original Chinese, you understand things in a different way than when you read the translation."

Besides, "It's fun," she said. "It's so rich, the characters and the history and tradition of the language."

Ross believes language learning is fundamental. "When we learn a new language, we learn a new way of thinking."

"In a globalized world, you have to understand that other countries don't always think the way we do. The most vivid way to learn that is to learn how to communicate in another language," she said.

If she could start over, Ross said she would "absolutely" choose to study Chinese and return to China. "For me, there are many different Chinas and many different things to explore," she said.

"I miss the same things in China that I miss here -- sitting down with people that I care about and just talking and eating, being together in the same physical space, all the things that the pandemic has cut off," she said.

Ross has a deep appreciation for the diverse cuisines of China, which vary widely and offer an abundance of unique dining experiences.

"My favorite Chinese food is from Shandong. I absolutely love Shandong breads and noodles," she said. The city of Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province was one of the first places she visited in 1979. She has since spent time in Weihai, another Shandong city, at a branch campus of Shandong University, a partner of George Mason University.

A RENEWED UNDERSTANDING OF U.S.-CHINA TIES

Ross is optimistic that the strained relationship between the United States and China will resume its normal course in the near future.

"The last four years were very difficult, but we learned some things. One thing we learned is you can do a lot of damage in a short time to the relationships between countries," she said.

"There's a renewed realization that bilateral relationships are fragile," she said. "For a long time, we took it for granted that people-to-people exchanges were strong and they would continue, but the combination of the pandemic and the rising political tension has slowed them to a trickle."

The two largest economies in the world are also two complicated nations, Ross said.

Still, she sees a way forward.

"As long as we keep working on the basics of communicating, listening, and trying to understand each other's perspective, most of the time we will be able to work something out and find a compromise," she said.

Grassroots exchanges of students and scholars are a "really good place for the two sides to start rebuilding trust," she said.

In late March, Ross took part in a webinar with education leaders from China and the United States, and both sides affirmed that they wanted to get back to having more exchanges as soon as possible.

"We need to learn how to preserve the world's resources, and fight pandemics, and improve our climate. We're not going to solve these problems by turning our backs on each other. That will make the world a much more dangerous place. So let's do the hard work, roll up our sleeves, and not decouple just because we disagree," she said. 
Students attend a ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023.

China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge.

About 500 people, including veterans' representatives and family members of military leaders and martyrs in the war, attended the ceremony. During the event, students recited patriotic poems and sang revolutionary songs, expressing the unwavering commitment of today's Chinese youth to make unremitting efforts for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Attendees also offered floral tributes and paid their respects to those who laid down their lives in fighting the Japanese aggression.

An exhibition showcasing the development of the Communist Party of China during the war was held in the museum. Zhang Ruiqi, a student from Capital Medical University, said that it is particularly memorable to visit the museum on this special day.

"The content of today's exhibition is well-organized and profound, which made me realize that the victory of the resistance war against Japanese aggression was really hard-won," said Zhang.

Memorial activities honoring the occasion were also held in other parts of China.

On Friday morning, people from various walks of life visited a cemetery in Handan City, Hebei Province, where over 200 revolutionary martyrs were buried, including renowned fallen heroes during the resistance war against Japanese aggression.

Visitors listened to the martyrs' heroic deeds in their revolutionary cause, visited a memorial hall and laid flowers on their graves.

As a national patriotism education base, the cemetery has seen more than 6,000 people come to pay their respects to the martyrs since mid-June, said Yang Junling, Party chief of the cemetery.

"During today's visit, I've gained a deeper understanding of the fact that our happy life today did not come easily," said Zhang Xuanpu, an elementary school student.

"I will work hard to cultivate my character and skills, and when I grow up I will serve my motherland like the revolutionary forefathers," he added.

In northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, a new batch of evidence revealing more details of the Japanese invasion of China has been collected from Japan, the Exhibition Hall of Evidence of Crime Committed by Unit 731 of the Japanese Imperial Army in Harbin announced on Friday.

The historical materials include 38 postcards printed with lyrics of a Japanese militaristic song, with their backgrounds showing photos or drawings of battlefield scenes, Chinese soldiers, civilians, local conditions and customs, among other content.

The song, created in 1932 and sung by the invading Japanese army in China, was a product of Japanese militarism and an important tool to propagate militarism, said Jin Shicheng, a researcher at the exhibition hall.

The exhibition hall and the government of Mulan County of Heilongjiang, which sent representatives to Japan to collect the materials, also saw 18 photos brought back from Japan showing scenes of Japanese troops' invasion of northeast China, including some taken in Mulan.

The team will conduct an in-depth study of the newly collected evidence, based on other historical documents, to further restore the history of Japan's war crimes in China, according to Jin. 

Students recite patriotic poems at a ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023.

China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

People attend a ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023.

China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Members of a chorus sing at a ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023.

China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Students attend a ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023.

China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

People queue to enter the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023.

China on Friday commemorated the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

On July 7, 1937, Japanese soldiers attacked Chinese forces at the Lugou Bridge in Beijing. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

A commemorative ceremony was held on Friday morning at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, which is located near the Lugou Bridge. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

This photo taken on July 6, 2023 shows a view of the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China.

A ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression was held Friday at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression near the Lugou Bridge, where the historic Lugou Bridge Incident took place 86 years ago on July 7, 1937. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China, and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

This photo taken on July 7, 2023 shows a view of the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China.

A ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression was held Friday at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression near the Lugou Bridge, where the historic Lugou Bridge Incident took place 86 years ago on July 7, 1937. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China, and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)

People visit the Lugou Bridge in Fengtai District of Beijing, capital of China, July 6, 2023.

A ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression was held Friday at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression near the Lugou Bridge, where the historic Lugou Bridge Incident took place 86 years ago on July 7, 1937. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China, and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

This photo taken on July 6, 2023 shows a view of the Lugou Bridge in Beijing, capital of China.

A ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression was held Friday at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression near the Lugou Bridge, where the historic Lugou Bridge Incident took place 86 years ago on July 7, 1937. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China, and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders. (Xinhua/Ren Chao)

A child offers floral tribute to those who laid down their lives in fighting the Japanese aggression at the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023.

A ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression was held Friday at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression near the Lugou Bridge, where the historic Lugou Bridge Incident took place 86 years ago on July 7, 1937. The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China, and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin)
BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities on Friday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms in the country.

From 8 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday, heavy rain or rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Liaoning, Chongqing, Guizhou, Hunan, Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The center said some of these regions will experience heavy rainfall marked by 30 mm to over 70 mm of hourly precipitation, as well as severe convective weather conditions such as thunderstorms, gales, and hailstorms.

The center has advised local governments and residents to take appropriate precautions. Schools and kindergartens have been asked to ensure the safety of students and children, while drivers have been advised to be alert and cautious due to road waterlogging and traffic jams.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. 
TOKYO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Japan's nuclear regulators on Friday formally gave the green light to facilities for discharging nuclear-contaminated water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, local media reported.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) issued the certificate to the plant's operator Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), showing that the facilities have passed final checks, Kyodo News said.

The approval was given after the nuclear watchdog inspected the system which includes pumps to take in massive seawater and emergency shut-off valves, it said.

The move means logistical preparations have been completed, putting the country on track to start releasing nuclear wastewater into the sea around this summer, said the report.

The approval came after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) published its final comprehensive safety review report Tuesday on Japan's ocean discharge plan, claiming that the plan "is in conformity with the agreed international standards."

After IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi handed over the report to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday, protesters at home and abroad expressed their disapproval, saying that the Japanese government was simply "unreasonable" in taking the IAEA report as "a permit for ocean discharge" in total neglect of the opposition from local residents, the fishing industry and neighboring countries. 
ISTANBUL, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The police have tightened the crackdown on undocumented immigrants in Istanbul, Turkiye's largest city, arresting 1,615 individuals over the last three days, local media reported Friday.

The police have carried out massive raids in several neighborhoods, including Esenyurt, Fatih, and Zeytinburnu, where illegal immigrants were found highly concentrated, the Hurriyet newspaper reported.

Among the arrestees, 722 people were detained in operations on Thursday, the Ihlas news agency reported, adding that the majority of the illegal immigrants came from Asia and the Middle East.

According to Ihlas, the inspections are part of efforts to expulse illegal immigrants from the city.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Friday that 15,591 illegal immigrants were held in June alone across the country, and 6,883 of them had been repatriated.

"Deportation procedures will continue to deal with the remaining ones," Yerlikaya tweeted, vowing to continue the fight against illegal immigration with strong determination.

Turkish government said the country is hosting four million refugees, including over 3.5 million Syrians who fled the civil war to seek asylum. It added that many of these refugees are unregistered and the exact number remains unclear. 
MADRID, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Campaign season for Spain's general election scheduled on July 23 kicked off on Thursday, with incumbent Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, candidate of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, and Alberto Nunez Feijoo from the People's Party, among others, being the major contesters for the post of the country's prime minister.

Asking for the "majority confidence" of the Spanish people, Sanchez launched his election bid here, assured that his party would be the "first political force," and vowed to help relieve the mortgage burden on the people.

"We are going to win the elections on July 23, and on the 24th, Spain will continue to be governed by the socialist party. We are going to be the leading political force in Spain," said Sanchez.

On May 29, Sanchez called a snap election on July 23 after his party lost elections in 12 of Spain's regional governments and over 8,000 city halls.

Polls showed that the People's Party, a right-wing political party, is in the lead, while the far-right Vox Party has also gained rising support.

Feijoo on Thursday commenced his campaign in Castelldefels in Barcelona, northeastern Spain, saying his party is mainly focused on solving the country's water shortages.

A total of 350 members of the Congress of Deputies, or the lower house, and 208 upper house Senators will be elected. Other parties also kicked off their campaigns on the same day. 
SHANGHAI, July 7 (Xinhua) -- With China's artificial intelligence (AI) boom, dozens of related products are making their global debut at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2023 in Shanghai.

A record number of enterprises are participating in the exhibition amid the industry frenzy triggered by ChatGPT that took the world by storm late last year.

More than 400 firms are attending the exhibition this year, which covers more than 50,000 square meters. Both figures are at their highest levels since 2018, when the annual event was inaugurated.

More than 30 cutting-edge products or services were launched or exhibited for the first time, becoming the spotlights of the three-day event that kicked off on Thursday.

Fourier Intelligence, a Chinese tech startup specializing in rehabilitation robotics and artificial intelligence, unveiled its first-generation humanoid robot.

Standing 1.65 meters tall and weighing 55 kg, the robot, named GR-1, is able to walk at 5 km per hour and carry a load of up to 50 kg. It can walk bipedally, avoid obstacles, ascend and descend a slope with stability, and withstand shocks.

With the help of cognitive intelligence provided by ChatGPT-like tools, the robot is capable of interacting with humans while performing a variety of movements and tasks.

Gu Jie, founder and CEO of Fourier Intelligence, said he expected general-purpose humanoid robots to gradually become a mainstream segment of the industry.

XtalPi Inc., a pioneering pharmaceutical technology company powered by AI and automation, debuted a drug discovery automation solution at the event.

Gu Liang, chief technology officer of XtalPi, told Xinhua that its AI technology can help break through the speed bottleneck in chemical synthesis, improve the success rate of drug development experiments, and shorten the development cycles of new drugs.

Shanghai Westwell Technology Co., Ltd, which uses AI to explore developments in autonomous logistics, brought its first battery-swapping driverless vehicle to WAIC.

The tractor is equipped with a 360-degree sensory system for traffic monitoring and driving guidance. It can fully recharge without human intervention and is able to carry up to 40 tonnes of objects.

The new product will be put into operation at several airports in the near future, according to Westwell. The company has earned a reputation for its full-stack intelligent port solutions and driverless container trucks. Its products have been exported to countries including Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia.

Fueled by a ChatGPT wave, AI-generated content, and AI large language models are hot topics at the WAIC. More than 30 large language models took the spotlight during the event, such as Huawei's Pangu, Baidu's Wenxin, and SenseTime's SenseNova.

During his speech at the WAIC, Hu Houkun, Huawei's rotating chairman, confirmed that the Pangu Large Model 3.0 is to be launched at Huawei Cloud Developer Conference on Friday.

Hu said that Huawei will help boost computing power to support the country's AI industry development and unravel innovations to allow AI to serve a wide range of industries as well as scientific research.

Among the high-profile participants of the conference is Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who delivered a speech via video during the opening ceremony. Musk pointed out that he expects China to have strong AI prowess in the future.

Musk's remarks were echoed by Liu Hongbin, executive deputy director of the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Liu believes that given the number of people working in AI-related fields, the advantage of a huge amount of AI data, the advanced AI infrastructure, and government-supporting policies, China will become a world leader in AI by 2030.

The WAIC, a high-profile AI event in Shanghai, has developed into an influential platform for AI cooperation and exchange, as well as a catalyst for the city's AI industry.

It attracted over 600,000 offline visitors and witnessed the signing of 200 major industrial projects with a combined investment of 70 billion yuan (about 9.7 billion U.S. dollars) over the last five editions. 
GENEVA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of Switzerland, Austria and Germany have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on their participation in the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI), the Swiss Federal Council said in a statement issued on Friday.

Viola Amherd, head of the Swiss Federal Department of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport, held meetings with Defense Ministers Klaudia Tanner of Austria and Boris Pistorius of Germany in Bern on July 6-7, focusing on the security situation in Europe, the effects of the conflict in Ukraine, trilateral cooperation and military peacebuilding.

The ESSI is a German initiative for ground-based air defense (GBAD) in Europe. It was launched in August 2022 and addresses the need to strengthen air defense in Europe and better focus efforts in the area.

According to the Swiss Federal Council, each country controls the extent of its participation. As part of this MoU, Switzerland will now examine the areas where it will strengthen cooperation, e.g. to improve synergies in the Patriot GBAD system through the exchange of information or cooperation in operations and training.

Switzerland and Austria have set out their terms regarding neutrality in an additional declaration, stating, for example, that they will not participate or be involved in international military conflicts.

With the signing of the MoU, Switzerland and Austria are joining the 17 European states already participating in the ESSI, said the statement. 
SYDNEY, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Police in the Australian state of Victoria on Friday arrested two teenagers following a major fire in Southbank, Melbourne.

Victoria Police confirmed in a statement that the 13-year-old and 15-year-old males were apprehended at Southern Cross Station on Friday afternoon and are currently assisting investigators with their inquiries in relation to arson and other matters.

Just after 4:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, emergency services were called to a building fire on Clarendon Street.

Huge flames sent plumes of smoke billowing into the air. Local resident Julian Beltran told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that there was a lot of smoke, and the fire was spreading very quickly.

As the area was filled with high-density residential buildings, Beltran added that he was wondering if it could reach one of the buildings where people were living.

Fire Rescue Victoria soon issued an "Advice" alert, warning residents living in Albert Park, Docklands, Melbourne, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, South Wharf and Southbank to stay informed and monitor conditions.

"Those in high-rise apartments in the area should close doors and windows to prevent smoke from entering their premises," said the fire authority.

The fire was put under control at about 6:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, with firefighters remaining on-site into the evening.

The police said that no one was inside the abandoned warehouse at the time of the incident, and no one was injured. 
Zimbabwean president says a Chinese-built lithium processing plant will contribute to achieving the country's Vision 2030 to "fundamentally transform Zimbabwe to an upper middle-income economy."





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
A protester hurls a stone at Israeli military vehicles during clashes following an Israeli army raid in the old city of the West Bank city of Nablus, on July 7, 2023. Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in northern West Bank, Palestinian authorities and eyewitnesses said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in northern West Bank, Palestinian authorities and eyewitnesses said.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement that two Palestinians were killed and three others were injured in the clashes in the old city of Nablus, including one in serious condition.

Fierce clashes broke out when dozens of Palestinians hurled stones at Israeli troops who stormed Nablus and surrounded a house for a manhunt, during which some Palestinian gunmen opened fire at the soldiers, and the latter fired back, according to Palestinian security sources and eyewitnesses.

Ahmad Jibril, director of emergency in the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, said the two killed Palestinians were identified as Hamza Maqboul and Khairy Shahin.

The Israeli authorities didn't immediately comment on the incident. However, Israel Radio reported that an Israeli army force entered the old city of Nablus to arrest wanted Palestinians, adding that three Palestinians were arrested before it pulled out from the area.

According to Israel Radio, the army killed two Palestinians allegedly involved in shooting attacks against Israeli army posts.

The Israeli army recently carried out daily raids in West Bank towns and villages, triggering clashes with the Palestinians. The army said they were there to arrest militants involved in carrying out attacks against Israel.

Since January, 26 people, most of them Israelis, have been killed in a series of attacks carried out by Palestinians, while 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers and settlers, according to official figures. 

A protester burns tires during clashes following an Israeli army raid in the old city of the West Bank city of Nablus, on July 7, 2023. Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in northern West Bank, Palestinian authorities and eyewitnesses said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People attend a funeral of Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Nablus, on July 7, 2023. Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in Nablus, Palestinian authorities and eyewitnesses said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

People attend a funeral of Palestinians killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank city of Nablus, on July 7, 2023. Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in Nablus, Palestinian authorities and eyewitnesses said. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)
LANZHOU, July 7 (Xinhua) -- At a workshop in northwest China's Gansu Province, Wang Xiaoxia is busy turning hemp fiber into twine using a traditional wooden tool. The twine will later be turned into hemp shoes, a traditional garment that has come into fashion in overseas markets, including Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia and Italy.

"I inherited this tool from my mom. In the past, almost every household made and wore hemp shoes in our village," said the 57-year-old worker.

Wang was overjoyed when she learned that the old handicraft was now popular among foreigners, bringing her a monthly income of over 2,000 yuan (about 278 U.S. dollars).

China is one of the first countries to cultivate hemp plants for making shoes. With its good moisture absorbance and durability, hemp has been used to make ropes, shoes and hats in China since ancient times.

The tradition of making hemp shoes dates back a thousand years in Gangu County in the city of Tianshui, Gansu Province. In 2017, the traditional craft was recognized as an item of intangible cultural heritage within the province.

The Gansu Yaluren hemp handicraft development company, where Wang works, participated in this year's Canton Fair, also known as the China Import and Export Fair.

Niu Junjun, the company's chairman, is sanguine about their products' sales prospects overseas. "In the first quarter of this year, we sold more than 7 million yuan of hemp products. Many foreign trade dealers are interested in our products," he said.

Niu, a native in Gangu County, has grown up wearing local hemp shoes. During his college years, he started to sell local specialties online via China's leading e-commerce platform Taobao. "Hemp shoes were the most sought-after for their unique design and material," he recalled.

In 2011, Niu and his wife Guo Juan returned to his hometown, specializing in selling hemp shoes while learning the old craft from scratch.

"The hemp shoes I wore when I was a child were comfortable enough, but the design was outdated. The key to success is more investment in developing new shoes and making innovations," Niu said. The company now pools more than 300,000 yuan annually into developing new designs.

With more than 180 different styles launched, the company's hemp shoes have become a trendy item. In 2021, in collaboration with the renowned Palace Museum, the company designed and rolled out hand-made hemp shoes with signature elements from the museum's cultural relics.

The local government has also provided the company with funding of more than 1 million yuan every year to support their vocational skills training and the further development of relevant industries.

Since 2015, the company has launched free training courses for local residents, helping cultivate a group of inheritors of the ancient craft. "We are in charge of providing local women with raw materials, the necessary techniques and orders for hemp products. It is a 'one-stop' service," said Guo. 
BEIRUT, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese Foreign Ministry condemned on Thursday the Israeli attack on villages in southern Lebanon.

More than 15 rockets have been fired toward the border villages of Kfarchouba and Mazraat Halta by Israeli forces on Thursday morning, to retaliate against the firing of two rockets from southern Lebanon by unidentified individuals, according to the Lebanese state-run National News Agency.

The exchange of fire happened after Israel seized the Lebanese part of Ghajar over the weekend, further heightening border tensions.

The Lebanese Foreign Ministry called for "Israel's immediate and unconditional withdrawal from all the Lebanese territories it still occupies."

Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged "the United Nations to work to stop the Israeli violations ... in the recent period of the Blue Line," a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel published by the United Nations in 2000 to determine whether Israel had fully withdrawn from Lebanon.

Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group and political party, on Thursday called on the Lebanese government and people to act against Israeli violations in Ghajar.

Located along the border between Lebanon and the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, Ghajar, an Alawite-majority village that the Blue Line crosses, was cut off from Lebanon after the Israeli army erected a fence to its north, in violation of UN Resolution 1701.

Apart from occasional tensions in recent months, the Lebanese-Israeli border has largely remained quiet since Israel fought a month-long war with Hezbollah in 2006. 
People are seen with the U.S. Capitol building shrouded in haze in the background in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 29, 2023. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

The Cold War cannot be repeated when it comes to the Taiwan question. Taiwan, an inalienable part of China, is not a bargaining chip.

by Xin Ping

Guided by a Cold War mindset, the United States always believes it can pressure China on any issue so long as the lines of communication are kept open. This is a false belief Washington's politicians developed after the United States won the Cold War against the Soviet Union. Today, it is being applied on a new target -- China.

They have been doing it on the Taiwan question: in August last year, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, claiming it should be supported to become a member of the "democratic bloc"; in May this year, Daniel Kritenbrink, a senior official with the Department of State, said the Taiwan question was not China's domestic affair, but a global concern.

Yet at the same time, the United States repeatedly demanded open lines of communication with Beijing, as if they are free to run amok in the Taiwan Strait and Beijing must stay reachable on the phone. They made a mistake: the Cold War cannot be repeated when it comes to the Taiwan question. Taiwan, an inalienable part of China, is not a bargaining chip.

Apart from the political farce, the United States has also been strengthening military deployment around Taiwan. There are now four new military bases in the region, enabled by pacts between America and the Philippines.

According to an AFP story, a secret pact was signed in May between the United States and Palau that reinforced the operational power of American troops in Guam. Moreover, on June 12, a U.S. RC-135U reconnaissance aircraft conducted missions against the baseline of China's territorial airspace, only 30 nautical miles away from Shanghai at one point. Meanwhile, U.S. warships continued to flex muscles in the Taiwan Strait. While the U.S. keeps sounding the alarm over what they say is unsafe piloting of Chinese jets and vessels, it is the U.S. warships and jets that were operating far away from their homeland and making provocations on China's doorstep.

This photo taken on Aug. 4, 2022 shows the White House and a stop sign in Washington, D.C., the United States. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

Continued brinkmanship could cost the United States dearly. Before State Secretary Antony Blinken's visit to China, Minxin Pei, an American scholar, wrote in an essay in Bloomberg that the "escalation dominance" of the United States could defeat or cow China. He encouraged the U.S. government to intensify conflicts to a level that China cannot match. It is a bold idea but pure nonsense, more like a cheerleader's pompons than a well-considered professional judgement. China is not Iraq, and Chinese Taiwan is much less Ukraine. Colin Powell's washing powder will not produce much foam in the Taiwan Strait. And it remains doubtful whether the United States could maintain "escalation dominance" on China's doorstep given China's growing defense capability.

In his in-depth talks with Chinese leaders, Blinken was reminded time and again of China's red line on the Taiwan question. He should take it seriously. If America does want to bring its ties with China back to the right trajectory, a result Blinken's visit was intended to deliver, it should show sincerity in action rather than pay lip service. It should stop flying all the way into China's neighborhood to make provocations.

To some politicians, discipline is a foreign word. But the U.S. military must exercise caution in the East and the South China Seas. A military conflict in the Taiwan Strait will not benefit anyone. The United States should understand that.





Editor's note: Xin Ping is a commentator on internationals affairs, writing regularly for Xinhua News Agency, Global Times, China Daily, CGTN, etc. He can be reached at xinping604@gmail.com.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
GUANGZHOU, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A total of 40 enterprises and associations from south China's Guangdong Province are heading for the 7th China-Russia Expo to be held in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg from July 10 to 13, according to local authorities.

These enterprises will exhibit a wide range of products at the expo, such as smart home items, household appliances, building materials, fast moving consumer goods, and clothing, according to the provincial department of commerce.

In 2022, Guangdong's trade with Russia reached 107.18 billion yuan (about 14.8 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 23.7 percent year on year. The province's cross-border e-commerce trade with Russia totaled 2.42 billion yuan last year.

"This year's China-Russia Expo will promote all-round cooperation between the two sides. We will continue to strengthen communication with domestic and overseas associations, and make use of international exhibition platforms to facilitate communication and cooperation," said Sun Jiye, president of the Canton Chamber of Commerce in Russia. 
DAR ES SALAAM, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania on Friday marked the 2nd World Kiswahili Language Day with grandeur as Tanzania's Zanzibar President Hussein Ali Mwinyi called for accelerated use of the language across the world.

In his address to mark the Day in Zanzibar, President Mwinyi urged Tanzania's foreign missions across the globe to open Kiswahili culture centers that could be used as platforms for teaching the language and its culture.

"Our embassy in South Korea has already opened a Kiswahili culture center and I urge other foreign missions to follow suit," he said in an address televised live by the Zanzibar Broadcasting Corporation.

Mwinyi thanked the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for proclaiming July 7 of each year as World Kiswahili Language Day, saying following the declaration the use of Kiswahili has kept on rising across the world.

The 41st session of UNESCO in Paris, France in 2021 proclaimed July 7 of each year as World Kiswahili Language Day, making it the first African language to be recognized in such a manner by the UN.

Mwinyi also urged relevant authorities to distribute Kiswahili books in the country's embassies abroad to enable people to access them easily.

This year's commemoration of the Day, featuring a theme of "Kiswahili Chetu, Umoja Wetu," which can be literally translated into "Our Kiswahili, Our Unity," was attended by guests from across the world, including China, Burundi, Canada, Kenya, the United States of America, Egypt, Mozambique, Nigeria, France, the United Kingdom, Russia and Comoros, and the UNESCO representative to Tanzania Michel Toto. 
Angola's Minister of Energy and Water Joao Borges (L) and the Governor of Cunene Province Gerdina Didalelwa (2nd Left) attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the "Eko" primary school donated by a Chinese company in Xangongo, Angolan southern province of Cunene, on July 5, 2023. Construction started Wednesday on a primary school donated by Sinohydro, a Chinese company, in the rural area of Xangongo, in Angola's southern province of Cunene.

The school, named "Eko" after the community, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. It will feature 12 classrooms and can accommodate 840 students in two shifts. (Xinhua/Lyu Chengcheng)

LUANDA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Construction started Wednesday on a primary school donated by Sinohydro, a Chinese company, in the rural area of Xangongo, in Angola's southern province of Cunene.

The school, named "Eko" after the community, is expected to be completed by the end of this year. It will feature 12 classrooms and can accommodate 840 students in two shifts.

During a ceremony to mark the commencement of the construction, Angola's Minister of Energy and Water Joao Borges expressed appreciation for the Chinese company's socially responsible initiative. He emphasized the project's significance in improving the living conditions of the local population and promoting educational inclusiveness.

"Next year, this school will be fully operational, with all the necessary conditions guaranteed," he said.

The Ondjiva Diocese Bishop Pio Hipunyati noted that the surrounding area has only six primary and no secondary schools. While all students complete primary education, they lack opportunities to continue their education, but the new Eko school, when completed, can cater to secondary education needs.

"This is a rural community that needs all the attention. You cannot imagine the importance this school holds for this community," he said. "We are facing an extremely important project for our community. We are grateful, above all, to Sinohydro and the Ministry of Energy and Water for enabling us to achieve this accomplishment."

In an interview with Xinhua, Gerdina Didalelwa, the governor of Cunene Province, emphasized the importance of continuing the partnership with China in fostering sustainable development and reducing poverty in Angola.

"It is necessary to continue this partnership and work with Chinese companies for the development of Angola, especially in Cunene Province," she said. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the exhibition center of the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

NANJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping has called on east China's Jiangsu Province to take the lead and set an example in advancing Chinese modernization.

Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection trip in Jiangsu from Wednesday to Friday.

Lauding the strengths of Jiangsu's solid industrial foundation, rich scientific and educational resources, sound business environment and huge market size, he urged the province to continue to play an exemplary role in promoting reform, innovation and high-quality development, as well as in contributing to China's efforts to foster a new pattern of development.

During the trip, Xi visited the cities of Suzhou and Nanjing, and went to places including an industrial park, enterprises, a historic and cultural block, and a science lab.

Visiting the Suzhou Industrial Park, Xi emphasized the crucial role of hi-tech parks in achieving self-reliance and self-strengthening in science and technology. He called for deeper integrated development of enterprises, universities, and research institutes, with enterprises taking the lead.

Xi highlighted the importance of fostering new industries and accelerating industrial upgrades by leveraging new technologies. Additionally, he emphasized expanding international cooperation to build world-class hi-tech parks that are open and driven by innovation.

During his visit to Suzhou HYC Technology Co., Ltd., Xi expressed his delight in observing that all the research and development personnel at the company are young. He remarked that China's modernization drive offers immense opportunities for young people.

On Thursday morning, Xi strolled through the Pingjiang Historic and Cultural Block, a site with a rich history spanning over 2,500 years.

He noted that the fine traditional Chinese culture embodies qualities such as resilience, patience, and perseverance, which have become an integral part of the Chinese national spirit.

Xi said that Suzhou has excelled in blending tradition with modernity, simultaneously promoting historical and cultural inheritance and boosting high-tech innovation and high-quality development.

This approach epitomizes the future of development, he added.

During his tour of Nanjing, capital city of Jiangsu, on Thursday afternoon, Xi visited the Purple Mountain Laboratories, where he inspected a 6G comprehensive lab, among others, to learn about efforts to make major sci-tech breakthroughs.

Xi said that with the rapid advancement of information technology, disruptive technologies can emerge at any moment. He stressed pursuing a pragmatic path of innovation.

Inspecting NARI Group Corporation, Xi learned about the enterprise's efforts in developing core technologies, ensuring grid security and power supply, and promoting energy transition.

Xi encouraged young researchers at the company to make breakthroughs in cutting-edge technologies, thus leading a fulfilling life.

On Friday morning, Xi heard a work report from the provincial Party committee and the government of Jiangsu.

Xi pointed out that the key to Chinese modernization lies in the modernization of science and technology.

Efforts should be made to reinforce the principal role of enterprises in innovation, encourage the flow of innovation resources to enterprises, and promote the industrial application of scientific and technological advances, Xi said.

Xi called for establishing a basic system to support comprehensive innovation.

He also called for increasing sci-tech investment through diverse channels and strengthening the legal protection of intellectual property rights.

Xi stressed the need to prioritize the real economy and build a modern industrial system.

Pace should be sped up to develop strategic emerging industrial clusters with international competitiveness, he said, calling for deeper integration of the digital economy with advanced manufacturing and modern service industries.

He called for building a modern industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone.

The province should also smoothen domestic and international dual circulation, innovate ways and measures to attract foreign investment and open wider to the outside world, Xi added.

Building a modern Chinese civilization is essential to advancing Chinese modernization, Xi noted, urging Jiangsu to step up the promotion of sectors including science and technology, education and culture.

Xi also demanded accelerated efforts to establish a well-rounded social security system, improve employment promotion mechanisms and public services to boost employment.

He called for better ensuring the employment of key groups.

On workplace safety, Xi said safety overhauls must be carried forward to curb serious and major accidents.

Xi called for vigilance against flooding disasters as China is about to enter a key period for flood control. He also noted the increased risks of forest fires in some regions.

Various emergency preparations must be made to reduce all sorts of losses to the minimum, Xi added.

On the Party-wide education campaign, Xi said since its launch, good results have been achieved. He called for efforts to guide Party members and cadres in paying greater attention to practice and create synergy for tangible results.

Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, accompanied Xi on the inspection. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a high-tech enterprise in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a high-tech enterprise in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a high-tech enterprise in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the exhibition center of the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the exhibition center of the Suzhou Industrial Park in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 5, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a historic and cultural block of Pingjiang Road in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a historic and cultural block of Pingjiang Road in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits a historic and cultural block of Pingjiang Road in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi inspected the city of Suzhou from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Purple Mountain Laboratories in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Purple Mountain Laboratories in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Purple Mountain Laboratories in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
Chinese Premier Li Qiang meets with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in Beijing.

Li said the world needs a generally stable China-U.S. relationship, and whether the two countries can find the right way to get along is of significance to the future of humanity. Last year, the two heads of state met in Bali and reached a series of important understandings, charting the course for China-U.S. relations. Mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation are the basic principles of state-to-state interactions, and also the right way for countries to get along with each other.

"Chinese culture values peace above everything else, as opposed to hegemony and bullying," Li said. It is hoped that the U.S. side will adopt a rational and pragmatic attitude, and work with China in the same direction to push bilateral relations back onto the right track at an early date.

Noting that the economic interests of China and the United States are closely intertwined, Li said that mutual benefits are the essence of China-U.S. economic relations, and strengthening cooperation is the realistic demand of and right choice for both sides.

"China's development is an opportunity rather than a challenge for the United States, and a gain rather than a risk," Li said. He added that politicizing economic cooperation or overstretching the concept of security on such cooperation does no good for the economic development of the two countries and the whole world.

Li called on both sides to strengthen communication and seek consensus on important bilateral economic issues through candid, in-depth and pragmatic exchanges. He called on the two countries to inject stability and positive energy into China-U.S. economic relations. China and the United States should strengthen coordination and cooperation, work together to cope with global challenges, and promote common development.

Yellen said the U.S. side does not seek to decouple or sever supply chains, and has no intention of hindering China's modernization process.

She expressed the willingness to implement the understandings reached by the two heads of state in Bali, strengthen communication, avoid misunderstandings caused by differences, strengthen cooperation on stabilizing the macro economy and addressing global challenges, and seek mutual benefits between the two economies. 
MOGADISHU, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The European Union said it has handed over military equipment to the Somali National Army (SNA) to help them fight against the al-Shabab terrorist group as the African Union peacekeepers are withdrawing from the country.

The EU said the equipment under the European Peace Facility (EPF) aims at enhancing the capacities of the armed forces in view of the security transition, in close coordination with the work of the EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM-S).

"Strengthening the capacity of Somalia security and governance actors in order to take over responsibility to protect their people is a key objective of the EU as a strategic partner of Somalia," Thomas Kieler, charge d'affaires at the EU Delegation to Somalia, said in a statement issued Thursday evening.

The EU said the fifth handover of military equipment followed specialized training delivered by the EUTM-S which saw all beneficiary soldiers undergo training on international human rights and humanitarian law prior to receiving equipment.

The EU said several pre-identified units were also provided with EU-funded, non-lethal military equipment to the Somali army to combat the militants who have engaged the security forces and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) forces in near-daily attacks.

The EU said this military equipment is part of a series of three consecutive EU support packages in support of the SNA since 2020, amounting to a total of 70.82 million U.S. dollars and implemented by the UN Office for Project Services.

"The EU engagement aims at building operational capabilities of the SNA, thereby contributing to the Somali security forces and institutions taking over full security responsibilities as ATMIS draws down," the EU said, adding that the support focuses on the provision of non-lethal equipment to eight battalions in total, and on infrastructure works, in complementarity with EUTM-Somalia's mandate, which focuses on training, mentoring and advising the SNA.

The ATMIS on June 30 completed handing over seven militaries and withdrawing 2,000 troops in compliance with UN Security Council Resolutions 2628 and 2670 that require the ATMIS to gradually hand over security responsibilities to Somali security forces. 
BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Freshwater jellyfish were spotted in the limpid water of Beijing's Huairou reservoir earlier this year -- a rare sight for local hydrologists as this aquatic life form had disappeared from the capital city for more than 20 years.

"I was totally amazed at seeing freshwater jellyfish in Huairou," recalled Guo Wei, laboratory director at the Beijing Hydrology Center.

With a bell-shaped body of about 1.5 centimeters in diameter, this tiny and short-lived aquatic species is known to be very particular about its dwelling: a pellucid water body coupled with the right water temperature and a sound natural environment.

"The freshwater jellyfish is a veritable 'water-quality detector,'" Guo said.

Besides Beijing, this fanatic for cleanliness has also been reported in the waters of other parts of China, including the city of Wuzhishan in Hainan, Dalian in Liaoning, and Chengdu in Sichuan Province.

Other than freshwater jellyfish, endangered aquatic animals such as finless porpoises are also recovering their populations in China's clearer rivers and lakes as the country has ramped up efforts to enhance water conservation.

Water management has never been an easy task in China. Difficulties ahead include uneven water resource allocation, frequent floods and droughts, and the arduous task of nurturing its large population with just 6 percent of global freshwater resources.

China needs to strike a delicate balance between guaranteeing growing water usage and human activities along the waterways and the imperative of addressing challenges such as water pollution, overfishing, and biodiversity loss.

In 2021, a 10-year fishing ban was launched in pivotal waters of the Yangtze River to increase the populations of aquatic creatures.

More than 200,000 fishermen from 10 provincial-level regions along the river thus bid farewell to their centuries-old way of life and moved ashore. Many of them later joined fish protection teams, patrolling along the river to stem illegal activities.

"I have to admit that my work is kind of strenuous, but I volunteered to shoulder the responsibility to ensure that our descendants can live along the Yangtze River with a good environment," said Zhang Song, who had earned a living by fishing since 2000, but later became a member of a local fish protection team in southwest China's Chongqing.

China has also implemented river chief and lake chief systems, in which government heads are designated to be in charge of protecting water bodies within their jurisdiction. More than 1.2 million river chiefs and lake chiefs have been appointed so far.

Preliminary progress has been achieved. The number of finless porpoises, a key species for measuring the ecological environment of the Yangtze River, reached 1,249, up 23.42 percent from five years ago, according to a scientific expedition in 2022.

Other aquatic resources in the key waters of the Yangtze River have also recovered. A total of 193 varieties of fish were spotted in the area in the 2022 expedition, an increase of 25 varieties from 2020.

Artificial breeding and release of rare aquatic species have also been carried out to help increase their populations in the wild.

In March, China made a major breakthrough in the protection of the Yangtze sturgeon, an endangered species under first-class national protection, that was declared extinct in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in July last year.

Natural ovulation and fertilization of the rare fish was observed in a test conducted in a tributary of the Yangtze in Sichuan, signifying that captive-bred sturgeons have the capability to reproduce naturally in the wild.

Moreover, regular monitoring of aquatic species, including plankton, fish, birds and zoobenthos, has been rolled out in China to evaluate the biodiversity of water ecosystems.

"With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), we apply facial recognition to avian diversity monitoring in Beijing," said Liu Bo, head of the water ecological monitoring and evaluation department under the Beijing Hydrology Center.

Last year, an AI-powered monitoring point at Guanting reservoir successfully identified the black-faced spoonbill, a globally endangered waterbird.

China's water quality has also seen notable improvement in recent years as the country shut down highly-polluting factories along rivers and ran environmental impact assessments.

The water quality of the Yellow River's main stream stood at Grade II, the second-highest level in the country's five-tier water quality system, for the first time in 2022, while that of the main stream of the Yangtze River remained at Grade II for three consecutive years.

With clearer rivers and lakes, hydrologists like Guo feel gratified and have more positive expectations for the future. The number of wild fish species in Beijing once dropped to about 40 from 85 due to poor water quality and other reasons. With the improvement of water ecology in recent years, fish species have been gradually recovering.

"In the near future, we may see more fish species revisiting the rivers in Beijing," Guo said. 
TOKYO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Eight civic groups in Japan's southernmost prefecture of Okinawa have issued a joint statement to oppose the planned release of nuclear-contaminated water into the ocean, local Okinawan newspaper the Ryukyu Shimpo reported Friday.

The civic groups, including the Okinawa Environmental Club and the Okinawa Peaceful Citizen Liaison Council, held a press conference at the Okinawa prefectural government office on Thursday, where they signed the statement, expressing strong opposition to the discharge of nuclear wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea.

"From the perspective of peace and environmental protection, we strongly oppose the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water," civic activists said at the press conference. "This so-called treated water that cannot completely remove harmful substances, once discharged into the sea, will cause the marine environment to never return to the past, which is destroying the natural environment."

Meanwhile, the Ryukyu Shimpo published a commentary on Tuesday criticizing that the Japanese government's ocean release plan is a decision in complete disregard of public opinion.

The planned discharge of nuclear wastewater is a betrayal and abandonment of those who want to restore their homes in Fukushima as soon as possible, and is a major human rights violation, it said. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Purple Mountain Laboratories in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

NANJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected Nanjing, capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, on Thursday afternoon.

Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Purple Mountain Laboratories in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits Purple Mountain Laboratories in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits NARI Group Corporation in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, July 6, 2023. Xi visited Purple Mountain Laboratories and NARI Group Corporation to learn about the progress in making major scientific and technological breakthroughs, developing advanced manufacturing clusters and promoting high-quality development, during his inspection tour in Nanjing on Thursday afternoon. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)
KINSHASA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- South Africa will work with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to silence the guns in its eastern part, which has faced multiple security challenges for decades, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised.

This commitment was made Thursday during a press conference alongside his Congolese counterpart, Felix Tshisekedi, on the occasion of his 48-hour official visit to the DRC capital, Kinshasa, during which security, the future deployment of a regional force by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in eastern DRC, and economic integration topped the agenda.

SILENCE THE GUNS

The eastern DRC is home to an estimated 5.7 million internally displaced persons in urgent need of medical and other aid. Nearly a million Congolese nationals are seeking refuge in other African states. Violence continues to come in waves in eastern DRC, with rising civilian casualties.

"We share the same concerns with the Congolese people regarding the aggression in its eastern part. We will work to silence the guns. We will continue to support the DRC in the security sector and in other sectors, including that of development," said Ramaphosa, noting the strengthening of the partnership between the two countries to enforce the resolutions on the security issue.

The resolution of the conflicts in the eastern part of the DRC is under regional mediation via the Nairobi and Luanda processes.

The first foresees the disarmament of all armed groups and a political dialogue to examine the sources of the conflicts, while the second emphasizes mediation targeting the diplomatic crisis between the DRC and Rwanda, provoked and fueled by rebels of the March 23 Movement (M23).

"We are always ready to support the DRC as we have done in the past. We will continue to do so in the most challenging times" experienced by this country, said the South African president.

FUTURE PRESENCE OF SADC REGIONAL FORCE

As part of the Nairobi Process, members of the East African Community (EAC) formed a regional force to pacify this part of the country. In May 2023, the SADC, of which the DRC and South Africa are both members, also approved the deployment of a regional force to intervene in the DRC.

Tshisekedi praised the efforts of SADC, noting that SADC's regional force would remain on standby pending the assessment of the DRC authorities on the EAC Regional Force, currently deployed in the province of North Kivu.

"We did not ask SADC for help. It was SADC who expressed their desire to come to the DRC as it is their duty when a member is under attack. But there is the EAC regional (force) on the ground. It is necessary to observe first and the SADC is therefore on standby and always at the disposal of the DRC to intervene at any time," Tshisekedi said.

A PENDING DIALOGUE

Relations between the DRC and Rwanda, which had shown signs of thawing under the current administrations, are now the subject of a diplomatic standoff due to the resurgence of the M23 at the end of 2021.

The DRC authorities accuse Rwanda of supporting the M23. Kigali, while denying any support, in turn accused the Congolese army of supporting remnants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, which was responsible for the 1994 genocide.

Ramaphosa said at the press conference that the conflict in eastern DRC should be resolved through negotiations. "President Tshisekedi has never been against this," he said. 
BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authorities on Friday renewed a blue alert for rainstorms in the country.

From 8 a.m. Friday to 8 a.m. Saturday, heavy rain or rainstorms are forecast to hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Jilin, Hebei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Chongqing, and Guizhou. Heavy downpours of up to 180 mm may lash these regions, according to the National Meteorological Center.

The center said some of these regions will experience heavy rainfall marked by 30 mm to over 70 mm of hourly precipitation, as well as severe convective weather conditions such as thunderstorms, gales, and hailstorms.

The center has advised local governments and residents to take appropriate precautions. Schools and kindergartens have been asked to ensure the safety of students and children, while drivers have been advised to be alert and cautious due to road waterlogging and traffic jams.

China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. 
Georgian Prime Minister, Irakli Gharibashvili, held a meeting with Francis Drouin, the President of the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly, as confirmed by the government administration's press service. The primary focus of the meeting was the ongoing cooperation between the Georgian government and the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly.During the conversation, the importance of fostering cultural and educational ties was highlighted. Specifically, they acknowledged the collaboration between five Georgian universities and the Francophone University Agency.In addition to promoting the French language, they also discussed the crucial role played by the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly in advancing democracy and protecting human rights. The assembly serves as a platform for member countries to work together.The Prime Minister expressed the Georgian government's willingness to further enhance cooperation with the Francophonie Parliamentary Assembly.Subsequently, following the meeting at the government administration, Francis Drouin presented Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili with the Grand Commander degree medal and a special certificate.The government administration's press service disseminated the information regarding the award ceremony, where the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie, Francis Drouin, honored Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili with the Grand Commander degree medal and presented a special certificate.The Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Gharibashvili, held a meeting with the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Georgia, Hideki Ishizuka.During their introductory meeting, the Prime Minister extended his congratulations to Ambassador Ishizuka on the commencement of his diplomatic mission in Georgia and wished him success.The discussion primarily focused on the cooperation between the two countries in various areas. They deliberated on the existing economic ties between Georgia and Japan and explored possibilities for further enhancing and strengthening them.Additionally, they acknowledged the favorable business environment in Georgia and emphasized the ongoing efforts to attract direct foreign investments to the country.The meeting also highlighted the potential for deepening cooperation in terms of investment attraction, promoting exports, and fostering the development of small and medium-sized businesses.Prime Minister Gharibashvili expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Hideki Ishizuka for Japan's steadfast support regarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia.The meeting, held at the government administration, was attended by Otaro Iwatare, the third secretary of the Japanese Embassy.
Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, presides over a ceremony to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression in Beijing, capital of China, July 7, 2023. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held Friday in Beijing to mark the 86th anniversary of the beginning of China's whole-nation resistance war against Japanese aggression.

Yin Li, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, presided over the ceremony at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression near the Lugou Bridge, where the historic Lugou Bridge Incident took place 86 years ago on July 7, 1937.

The incident is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China, and China's whole-nation resistance against the Japanese invaders.

The ceremony was attended by about 500 people, including war veterans and family members of military leaders in the war.

Attendees offered floral tributes and bowed to pay their respects to those who laid down their lives in fighting the Japanese aggression more than eight decades ago.

They also visited a special exhibition showcasing Party building endeavors during the war. 
UNITED NATIONS, July 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called for the continuation of the agreements that allow food and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine.

The secretary-general noted the indispensable role food and fertilizer exports from Russia and Ukraine continue to play in support of global food security. He reiterated the importance of full and continued implementation of the agreements signed in Istanbul in July 2022 to help ensure that these products can reach global markets smoothly, efficiently and at scale, said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for Guterres, in a statement.

"These agreements are an all-too-rare demonstration of what the world can do when it puts its mind to the great challenges of our time. Together, the agreements are contributing to sustained reductions in global food prices, which are now more than 23 percent below the record highs reached in March last year," said the statement.

The secretary-general and his team remain fully committed to building on the progress already made and are in constant contact with a wide range of stakeholders in this regard. The secretary-general called on all concerned to prioritize global food security, it said.

Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Turkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which allows the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.

As a parallel agreement, Russia and the United Nations signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports. However, little progress has been made on this part of the deal, prompting dissatisfaction from Russia.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, initially in effect for 120 days, was extended in mid-November 2022 for another 120 days till March 18, 2023. At that point, Russia only agreed to extend the deal for 60 days. On May 17, Russia agreed to extend the deal for another 60 days. 
BRASILIA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed Friday and 10 were missing, including children, after the collapse of a building in the Brazilian city of Recife, capital of the state of Pernambuco, the Civil Defense and Fire Department reported.

As of early Friday afternoon, a man, a woman and an adolescent were found dead in the rubble, while two people were rescued alive, a 65-year-old woman and a 15-year-old.

According to the Fire Department report, the incident occurred at about 6:00 a.m. local time, when one of the building's blocks collapsed completely, while another partially fell.

The building had a ground floor and three other floors, with four apartments each.

The Recife Metropolitan Area has been affected by heavy rains since Thursday night, which made it more difficult for the Fire Department to search for the missing. 
UNITED NATIONS, July 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stands by his condemnation of Israel for the excessive use of force in Jenin, said his deputy spokesman on Friday.

At a press encounter at the UN headquarters in New York on Thursday, Guterres condemned Israel for its excessive use of force in Jenin in the occupied West Bank.

Guterres said that he condemned "all acts of violence against civilians." Asked by a reporter to clarify whether his condemnation specifically applied to Israel, Guterres said, "It applies to all use of excessive force, and obviously, in this situation, there was an excessive force used by Israeli forces."

Israel's airstrikes and ground operations in a crowded refugee camp were the worst violence in the West Bank in many years, with a significant impact on civilians, said Guterres.

"I once again call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, including the duty to exercise restraint and use only proportional force, and the duty to minimize damage and injury and respect and preserve human life. The use of airstrikes is inconsistent with the conduct of law enforcement operations," he said Thursday.

The Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, on Thursday called on Guterres to retract his condemnation of Israel. Erdan said Guterres' remarks against Israel were "shameful, far-fetched, and completely detached from reality."

Asked on Friday for Guterres' reaction to Erdan's call, Farhan Haq, Guterres' deputy spokesman, said the secretary-general stands by his views.

"The secretary-general conveyed his views to you in the press stakeout that he held yesterday, and he stands by those views," said Haq. "He clearly condemns all of the violence that has been affecting the civilians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, regardless of who is the perpetrator." 
VIENNA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) excluded "any visible indications of mines or explosives" at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine, the nuclear watchdog's chief said on Friday.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in a statement that its experts had received additional access. They have inspected parts of the facility and continued to conduct regular walkdowns across the site in recent days and weeks.

"The IAEA experts ... were yesterday also able to check a wider section of the perimeter of the ZNPP's large cooling pond than previously," Grossi said.

"So far, they have not seen any mines or explosives. But they still need more access, including to the rooftops of reactor units 3 and 4 and parts of the turbine halls," he added.

The IAEA head stressed the importance of ensuring the full access of the IAEA experts to the ZNPP to maintain its safety. 
TOKYO, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) is mulling over conducting an on-site inspection at the digital agency regarding multiple glitches related to Japan's "My Number" national identity card system, Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported Friday.

The inspection is expected to take place as early as this month, according to the report.

The PPC considers the use of important personal information such as the My Number card as a matter requiring proper risk management and measures, and the country's digital agency will be held responsible. The PPC is also considering administrative guidance based on the My Number Act, the daily newspaper reported.

Seen by the Japanese government as an essential part of the country's transformation into a digital society, the My Number Card system has been riddled with problems since its introduction, with numerous cases of leaked personal information, linkage with other individuals' health insurance cards and pension information.

Despite the Japanese government's efforts to promote and expand their usage, public acceptance has been slow as their trust had been eroded by repeated glitches.

The original My Number program was instituted to combine multiple governmental administrative systems into a single one, which issued a 12-digit ID number to every citizen and resident, including foreign nationals living in Japan.

In 2016, the My Number Card system was introduced to further streamline the process through digitalization, with the physical card embedded with an IC chip. 
PRAGUE, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday discussed further aid and the reconstruction of Ukraine.

Fiala confirmed that the Czech Republic will donate additional attack helicopters and more pieces of large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine. The Czech Republic will also help Ukraine with pilot training, the Czech government said in a statement.

According to Fiala, the Czech Republic has already sent 676 pieces of heavy equipment and over 4 million pieces of medium and large-caliber ammunition to Ukraine.

The two leaders also discussed the reconstruction of Ukraine after the conflict and the involvement of Czech companies.

A 30-member delegation of Czech representatives of the energy, healthcare and transport sectors will visit Ukraine next week, according to the statement. The Czech Republic also plans to support the involvement of its companies in the reconstruction of Ukraine in the form of export insurance.

Fiala and Zelensky also discussed Ukraine's prospects of European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership, and the agenda of the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Zelensky arrived in Prague on Thursday evening. On Friday, he also met the heads of the Czech Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. 
FRANKFURT, July 7 (Xinhua) -- As German manufacturing orders have increased at their highest rate since June 2020, a moderate recovery in industrial activity is expected in the coming months. However, experts warn that weak production threatens to prolong the recession in Germany.

New orders in Germany's manufacturing sector in May rose by 6.4 percent in real terms compared with the previous month, marking the highest growth rate since June 2020, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said on Thursday.

Despite the pessimistic outlook among businesses, "the recent stabilization of demand points to a recovery, albeit initially moderate, in industrial activity in the coming months," the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) said in a news release on Friday.

Industrial orders in Germany surpassed economists' expectations with a notable increase, but the industrial production data released on Friday did not sustain the positive momentum.

German industry produced 0.2 percent less in May than in the previous month, Destatis said on Friday. Economists polled by Reuters had predicted a stagnation in production.

The 13.1 percent slump in the output of pharmaceutical products and the 7 percent drop in energy production have had a significant negative effect on overall performance, while manufacturers of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers reported a 4.9 percent production increase, Destatis noted.

Experts said that the German economy is rather unpredictable as it continues to run at a slow pace and remains under pressure.

"The production figures from May underline the difficult situation of the German industry," Sebastian Dullien, research director at the Macroeconomic Policy Institute of the Hans Boeckler Foundation, told AFP news agency.

According to Dullien, the German industry has been treading water and producing at considerably below pre-pandemic levels. "There is still no sign of a broad recovery."

Alexander Krueger, chief economist with the German private bank Hauck Aufhauser Lampe Privatbank, described the production outlook for the second half of the year as severely clouded. Aggressive location policies have long been required to reverse the trend, he added.

The building sector, which has experienced a severe decrease in incoming orders, will have a significant impact on the shrinkage of the German economy in the second half of the year, according to Ralph Solveen, economist at the German Commerzbank. 
This snapshot taken from a video shows emergency vehicles outside a retirement home in Milan, Italy, on July 7, 2023. Six people were killed and over 80 were injured in a fire in a retirement home in Milan, local media reported on Friday. (Italian Firefighters/Handout via Xinhua)

ROME, July 7 (Xinhua)-- Six people were killed and over 80 were injured in a fire in a retirement home in Milan, local media reported on Friday. 

This snapshot taken from a video shows emergency vehicles outside a retirement home in Milan, Italy, on July 7, 2023. Six people were killed and over 80 were injured in a fire in a retirement home in Milan, local media reported on Friday. (Italian Firefighters/Handout via Xinhua)
China News Service: According to reports, President Xi Jinping on July 6 sent a congratulatory letter to an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Icebreaking Mission in China-UK trade. It has been warmly received in the two countries. Could you further elaborate on this?

Wang Wenbin: On July 6, the event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Icebreaking Mission in China-UK trade was co-hosted by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), the 48 Group Club of the UK and the China-Britain Business Council. President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter, Vice President Han Zheng attended the event and representatives of the business community of the two countries participated.

President Xi Jinping in his congratulatory letter pointed out that 70 years ago, British entrepreneurs represented by Jack Perry, keenly seeing the bright future of New China and the huge potential of China-UK cooperation, broke the ice of ideology with courage and resolve, and took the lead in opening up the channel of China-UK trade exchanges. Over the past seven decades, generations of icebreakers have witnessed and actively participated in Chinas development and reform, and achieved their own development and growth through mutually beneficial cooperation. It is hoped that people of vision from all walks of life in China and Britain will carry on the pioneering spirit of vision, openness and cooperation, work hard to break new grounds for win-win cooperation, promote the building of an open world economy, and make greater contributions to promoting China-UK friendship and cooperation.

The fundamental reason of the steady growth of the icebreaking spirit in the past seven decades is that people of vision in China and the UK always keep up with the times, seize historic opportunities and work together proactively. As we speak, the world faces multiple challenges. Economic globalization is confronted with headwinds. Erecting walls or barriers, decoupling or disrupting supply chains, de-risking and other rhetoric are rising. Difficult moments call for more vision and courage of the icebreakers and efforts of rising above disturbances and deepening cooperation. China will stay committed to high-level opening-up and continue to work with all sides to jointly seize huge opportunities presented by Chinese modernization, share in the development dividends and make new contribution to the recovery and growth of the global economy.

Hubei Media Group: The UN Security Council held an open debate on the Iranian nuclear issue on July 6. The UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement following the meeting, claiming that Iran has been in violation of its nuclear commitments under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as its nuclear program has been escalating, and that Irans development of ballistic missiles and transfer of UAVs to Russia breached UNSC Resolution 2231. The three countries expressed deep concerns that restrictions of UNSC Resolution 2231 on Irans ballistic activities and missiles transfers will expire in October this year. What is Chinas comment?

Wang Wenbin: We noted the joint statement issued by the UK, France and Germany.

I would like to stress that relevant provisions of UNSC Resolution 2231 should be interpreted accurately and implemented in its entirety. This bears on the authority and efficacy of UNSC resolutions.

The core of UNSC Resolution 2231 is implementation of the JCPOA. The crux of the current situation is that the US unilaterally withdrew from the deal and resorted to maximum pressure on Iran, to which Iran responded with countermeasures. The most pressing task at hand is for all parties to resume full and effective implementation of the JCPOA through dialogue and negotiation, avoid taking any step that might escalate tensions or sharpen differences, and create conditions for diplomatic efforts.

China will continue to communicate and coordinate with relevant parties to bring the JCPOA back on track at an early date, safeguard the authority and efficacy of UNSC Resolution 2231, and promote the political and diplomatic resolution of the Iranian nuclear issue.

Bloomberg: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a call with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro. And after that call, Austin said that Beijings conduct in the South China Sea was coercive and risky. Austin also reiterated the USs commitment to defending the Philippines. How does the ministry respond to that?

Wang Wenbin: I stated Chinas position yesterday and would like to reiterate that the legitimate and lawful law enforcement activities of China Coast Guard in waters under Chinas jurisdiction is beyond reproach. The USs commitment to the defense of the Philippines should not undermine Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. The remarks of the US side distorted and discredited Chinas legitimate and lawful maritime law enforcement activities in an attempt to sow discord among countries in the region. China firmly opposes this, and the USs attempt will never succeed.

Kyodo News: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in China for a visit. According to reports, she plans to have talks with Premier Li Qiang. Could you share any information on this?

Wang Wenbin: Relevant official of Chinas Ministry of Finance has responded to reporters questions concerning US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellens visit. As for the specific program of her visit, the Chinese side will release information in due course. You may keep an eye on it.

CCTV: It was reported that IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi acknowledged disagreements over the IAEAs comprehensive report among international experts involved in the review of the handling of nuclear-contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Chinese experts involved in the review have expressed regret over the IAEAs comprehensive report. What is your comment?

Wang Wenbin: I noted the remarks of the IAEA Director General and the views of relevant experts. This once again shows that the hastily released IAEA report does not fully reflect the views of all experts from various parties who have participated in the review. Relevant conclusion is one-sided and has its limitations, and it failed to address the worlds concerns over the plan of discharging the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. The IAEA Director General has said that the IAEA will not endorse the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea by any country. China urges Japan to give up using the IAEA report as the greenlight, stop pushing through the discharge plan and handle the nuclear-contaminated water in a responsible way.

Bloomberg: The Biden administration has called on China to do more to combat the spread of illicit synthetic drugs. It also said the US has seen no sign that China plans to join a coalition of some 84 countries that will work to disrupt the spread of fentanyl and other drugs. How does the foreign ministry respond to that?

Wang Wenbin: As has been our consistent position, China takes an active part in international counter-narcotics cooperation, and at the same time firmly opposes smearing and attacking other countries or imposing unilateral sanctions on other countries in the name of counter-narcotics. We urge the US to take concrete actions to undo its wrong moves and create conditions necessary for China-US counter-narcotics cooperation.

Dragon TV: According to reports, Japans Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said yesterday that Chinese and ROK nuclear power plants had released into the sea liquid wastes with relatively high concentration of tritium. The standard Japan sets in this regard is much stricter than other countries including China and the ROK. Japan will explain its plan of releasing the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water into the sea to China based on science. Do you have any response?

Wang Wenbin: Japan deliberately compares the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water with water released by nuclear power plants in normal operation across the world. With such disguised replacement of concept, it is seeking to mislead public opinion.

It doesnt take an expert to see the fundamental difference between the nuclear-contaminated water that came into direct contact with the melted reactor cores in the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the water released by nuclear power plants in normal operation, the latter never having direct contact with reactor cores. No comparison can be drawn between the two as they come from different sources, contain different radionuclides and require different levels of sophistication to handle. In particular, the IAEA didnt assess the efficacy and long-term reliability of Japans treatment facilities and therefore cannot guarantee that all nuclear-contaminated water will be up to standard after treatment in the next 30 years. Japans attempt to make an issue of normal water discharge from operating nuclear power plants is aimed at whitewashing its ocean discharge plan and misleading the international community under the disguise of science.

We have also noted that Japan has devised other tricks to sell the nuclear-contaminated water as something safe and harmless, for example, by launching a cute mascot representing radioactive tritium and coining the pseudo-scientific term treated water. Its sole purpose is to downplay the hazard of the nuclear-contaminated water. But no matter how Japan tries to dress up the ocean discharge plan, its impossible to get away with it under the sharp eye of the world. No matter what Japan says, the nuclear-contaminated water cannot be turned into normal water, nor can Japan walk away from the consequences and responsibility of dumping the water into the sea.

Once the water is released into the ocean, there is no way to take it back. Its like opening Pandoras box. We urge Japan to stop shifting responsibility, earnestly respond to the international communitys legitimate concerns, stop pushing forward the ocean discharge plan, and handle the nuclear-contaminated water in a truly science-based, safe and transparent manner after conducting thorough consultation.
LOS ANGELES, July 6 (Xinhua) -- A Red Flag Warning for wildfire has been issued for much of Northern Arizona for both Thursday and Friday due to strong winds and very dry conditions, according to the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS).

Red Flag Warning is the highest level of weather-related fire warning. The warning will normally be issued for severe fire weather events less than 12 hours in the future.

Strong winds and low relative humidity are predicted for a large swath of Arizona. Campfire restrictions remain in place throughout the region on nearly all public lands, according to the NWS.

Meanwhile, very hot temperatures are set to remain in place for parts of the region. An excessive heat warning has been issued for the Grand Canyon through the weekend.

"Strong wind, low humidity, and dry fuels will promote rapid wildfire growth," said the NWS. 
US expected to announce transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine 6 July, 10:33 PM Flags of Ukraine and the USA (Photo:REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton)

The United States will announce its decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions on July 7, two U.S. officials told Reuters on July 6. The charges are designed to be fired from 155mm howitzers.

Although the White House previously said that the delivery of cluster munitions to Ukraine is "actively under consideration," there has been no formal confirmation as of yet.

On July 6, Human Rights Watch urged both Russia and Ukraine, to "cease the use of cluster munitions," and implored the United States not to supply such weapons Kyiv. The organization reported that these munitions were utilized by not only Russian invaders but also Ukrainian defense forces, leading to Ukrainian civilian casualties.

Video of day

In response, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry highlighted that Ukraine strictly adheres to the norms of international law in the way it prosecutes the war.

One official mentioned that the aid package, likely to exceed $500 million in value, is slated to supply Ukraine with munitions for HIMARS rocket artillery systems, Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, and Stryker armored personnel carriers.

Unnamed officials underscored that the aid package is still under development and may undergo revisions. Materials will be sourced from U.S. surplus stocks.

Ukraine privately sought the transfer of cluster munitions from the United States in the past, including MK-20 air-dropped bombs.

Such a request from Kyiv gained support in the U.S. Congress. However, the White House initially opposed it due to a 2008 international treaty prohibiting the manufacture, usage, and storage of cluster munitions. This treaty was signed by 123 countries, including 28 NATO members, but was not joined by the United States, Ukraine, or Russia.

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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Zelenskyy lands in Ankara to meet with Erdogan 7 July, 11:00 PM Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo:REUTERS/Stringer)

Following visits to Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew to Ankara and will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Zelenskyy said in a Telegram post on July 7.

Security  both in our Black Sea region and Europe in general, Zelenskyy outlined the focus of his planned talks with Erdogan.

We will separately discuss the protection and development of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and further efforts for food security. The world must be protected from any kind of terror.

Video of day

In addition, the meeting will address topics concerning post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and defense contracts between Ukrainian and Turkish companies.

Read also: Russia once again halts Ukrainian grain exports

On July 5, the Joint Coordination Center, overseeing the work of the Black Sea grain corridor, reported that the Russians had effectively obstructed its operation. The most recent inspections of vessels entering the grain corridor were done on June 28.

Previously, Turkish media reported that after a meeting with Zelenskyy, Erdogan might engage in talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Earlier on July 7, Zelenskyy arrived in Slovakia following visits to Bulgaria and the Czech Republic. These trips occur in the lead-up to the NATO summit in Vilnius on July 11-12, where Ukraine hopes for a definitive indication of its future membership in the Alliance.

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
In 1969, the U.S. military drafted John Meeks to serve in the Vietnam War  a bleak prospect for the 18-year-old, only made tolerable because of the partner the Army assigned to him: Artus, a 6-year-old German shepherd.

"He knew more about what the hell was going on than I did," said Meeks, 73.

Meeks was Artus' handler for eight months in Vietnam. Artus sniffed out bombs, alerting the squad before they detonated, and he warned of ambushes, allowing Meeks and others to avoid them or be prepared to defend themselves. In one instance, Artus blocked Meeks and 15 others walking behind them from moving forward because he'd found a trip wire that would have detonated a bomb, killing all of them.

"He was a great dog," Meeks said. "To this day, I give him most the credit for allowing me to go home without a scratch. He saved me a couple of times. I owe him a lot.

John Meeks and his U.S. Army scout dog Artus in 1970, taken at Firebase Birmingham in Vietnam after Meeks' first mission with Artus. Artus was killed in Vietnam and his name is on the memorial wall at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in Lyon Township.

Some 4,200 working military dogs who served in Vietnam are credited with saving the lives of 10,000 soldiers there, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The dogs' keen senses, especially to smell  which is about 50 times greater than that of humans, experts say  allowed them to alert soldiers of enemies, find explosives and warn of other dangers.

But when the war ended, the U.S. government did not bring the nearly 2,000 surviving military dogs home with the rest of the soldiers. Instead, the government left the dogs behind to be euthanized.

"It was a hell of a way to treat the dogs that saved so many lives," said Meeks, who lives in Kokomo, Indiana. "Just a hell of a way to show appreciation. It was really, really bad."

It's painful memories like those that spurred a place of honor in Michigan to memorialize hero dogs like Artus and so many others who serve, and sometimes sacrifice their lives, to save humans. It is the Michigan War Dog Memorial.

Phil Weitlauf, 81, director of Michigan War Dog Memorial, Inc., kneels next to the gravestone of his dog Cody that was buried inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

The project is the work of Michigan veteran Phil Weitlauf, 81, the president and director of Michigan War Dog Memorial, Inc. It is a nonprofit he started 11 years ago to operate the Michigan War Dog Memorial cemetery in Lyon Township, an old pet cemetery in western Oakland County that he and hundreds of volunteers restored. The 2-acre cemetery's purpose now is to honor all the military working dogs, police and other service dogs with monuments, special headstones for interment and elaborate military funeral services.

"They did their job and brought their handlers home safe," Weitlauf said. "The only flaw I can find with these animals is their lives are too short. That's why we take care of them at the Michigan War Dog Memorial."

The site is the sacred burial ground for the remains of some unique animals throughout history, including many heroic military, police and service dogs. It has become arguably the most prestigious place in the country for a working dog to be interred, said Weitlauf and handlers who traveled from other states to lay their dogs to rest there.

A photo of retired Wayne County Sheriff''s Deputy Richard Brooks and his dog Gunner while on duty. Gunner is buried at the War Dog Memorial cemetery in South Lyon.

There are not enough words to express how much I appreciate what Phil did in putting that place together and being able to go there and honor the dogs," said Richard Brooks, a retired dog handler with the Wayne County Sheriffs Department.

Brooks, who lives in Westland, worked with and later adopted Gunner, a German shepherd trained to detect drugs, do tracking and protection work. In February 2019, Gunner died at nearly age 10. Shortly after his death, Brooks had Gunner's ashes interred at the Michigan War Dog Memorial. He visits Gunner's grave regularly to make sure "his flag is up, the one with our picture on it, and his American flag." Brooks keeps Gunner's Kong toy on his grave.

Gunner's headstone, center is among many others inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

I know how much it means to the handlers because we know how much those dogs mean," Brooks said, adding Gunner saved his life many times while on patrol. "Their whole life is dedicated to service and they dont get to live long.

Honor those dogs

Since Michigan War Dog Memorial was established in 2012, 75 service dogs from all over the country have been buried there. The cost is free to the handlers because Michigan War Dog Memorial pays with donations for the uniform headstones that line the area where the service dogs are buried. It costs about $1,000 to inter one dog. The group will bury 15 more dogs this year, Weitlauf said. One donor has sponsored five of them.

Over a dozen gravestones of dogs who served in war rest inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

But only police and military dogs' remains go in the ground  and they must be cremated first to conserve the limited land space, Weitlauf said. The site is land locked and will eventually run out of ground room. So in 2019, the group bought a columbarium with 96 niches in it to inter ashes for other kinds of service dogs. It has 16 niches filled now.

While the ceremonies are sacred to Weitlauf, one of his proudest moments came in 2017 when the Michigan War Dog Memorial unveiled a Vietnam Memorial Wall that Weitlauf raised $40,000 to build because, "We need to honor those dogs who never came home from Vietnam."

The black granite wall, that is 5 feet tall and 20 feet long, depicts the names and military tag numbers of all 4,234 dogs to serve and die in Vietnam, including Artus  misspelled Artu on the wall with his number KO12  who was killed by the Viet Cong on Dec. 11, 1970.

A Vietnam K-9 Memorial Hall memorial sits inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

I said to the dog handlers at the ceremony, Go find your dog,' " Weitlauf said, recalling that there were about 200 people there. "They scurried over there and I saw their fingers go down the list and pointing to their dog. It was very emotional for them. They said, After 50 years, my dog is finally recognized. "

Meeks was one of the handlers there for the unveiling of the wall.

"I have two dogs on that wall: Gretchen, who I trained with in the States, she went to Vietnam the same time I did but they wouldnt let me have her and I ended up with Artus," Meeks said. "Its very emotional. There isnt a day that goes by now that I dont think about him. I am able to live and breath because of him."

In recent years, Meeks has adopted retired military service dogs as pets. The ashes of two of them: Sgt. Abel and Sgt. 1st Class Brutusz are buried at the Michigan War Dog Memorial.

John Meeks with Sgt. 1st Class Brutusz, who was a bomb-sniffing dog for the U.S. Army stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Meeks adopted Brutusz when he was retired in 2018 at age 7. Brutusz died on Dec. 6, 2022, and his ashes are interred at the Michigan War Dog Memorial cemetery.

"I wanted to take both of them up to Michigan and they are now lying with other dogs that served their country," Meeks said. "I wanted them to be with their brothers and sisters like I want to be with mine. When my time comes, I will be at Marion National Cemetery (in Indiana) and be buried there where other veterans are.

A 'brave warrior' is laid to rest

In the early afternoon of June 17, about two dozen motorcycles lined the shoulder of 11 Mile at Milford Road, the Michigan War Dog Memorial's location. The leather-clad, tattooed riders were scattered up and down the path of honor, the walkway leading inside the cemetery. Like many of the other 100 or so people milling about that day, the bikers were mostly military veterans there for the services of two military dogs: Lucky6, who served in the Army and Colt, who served in the Marine Corps.

A memorial table dedicated to military war dog Colt with items on display that U.S. Marine Ryan Schnettler had by his side during his tour in Afghanistan. A service was held for Colt and another dog, Lucky6 at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 17, 2023.

Also in the crowd was Ray Thomas, the director of the Royal Australian Air Force Dog Handlers Association. Hed come from Australia to see the place and observe the ceremony. He said about 2,500 dogs have served in the Australian Air Force to date with no special memorial or resting place.

We want to have a look and see what its all about and hopefully, in time, wed love to have something exactly like this in Australia  possibly in Queensland, Thomas told the Free Press. The veteran dog handlers that we have, theyd love to see something like this.

Bagpiper David Wurtz with the Metro Detroit Police and Fire Pipes and Drums leads a procession to start the memorial service for Colt and Lucky6, two Michigan military war dogs who were laid to rest at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 17, 2023.

Soon, the crowd quiets as retired Oakland County Sheriff's Detective Dave Wurtz  wearing a traditional kilt  begins playing the bagpipes to mark the start of the ceremony. He leads a procession of 12 dogs, mostly German shepherds  called the K9 Salute Team. The dogs escort the handler, who is carrying the remains of his or her dog. There is an honor guard, the Marine Corps League from Howell. That day, and most of the funerals, includes the Patriot Guard Riders, who describe themselves as people who love motorcycles and have a respect for "those who risk their lives for America's freedom and security." The riders lined up on both sides of the stage with the American flag, facing the audience  tough looking guys, but look closer and you see their tears.

Weitlauf serves as a master of ceremonies. He leads the Pledge of Allegiance, then introduces the chaplain, a retired colonel in the Air Force, who does the invocation. Weitlauf then invites the dogs' handlers to the podium to eulogize their dogs.

Its usually very difficult for them, but I tell them, 'You owe it to your dog,' " Weitlauf said.

Ryan Schnettler, a retired Marine who now lives in Livonia, takes the stage that day. Below him, on a table sits a picture of Colt, the yellow Labrador retriever trained in bomb detection. Schnettler was Colt's handler in Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013. He was able to adopt Colt in 2013 after the dog retired. Colt died on Feb. 19 at age 11.

A tombstone for Colt at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 17, 2023.

"Colt was a Marine, but he was also a beloved member of our family," Schnettler said in his eulogy. "He was loyal, devoted, which brought joy and happiness to everyone who knew him. We shared an unbreakable bond and Colt knew to be nearby when I was expressing some kind of emotion. I love you Colt and loved having you by my side and losing you hurt so much. You will be missed, but your memories will live forever in my heart. You will never be forgotten. You were a brave warrior who completed your mission. Rest easy, my friend.

'Goodbye My Friend'

After the eulogy, a military member presents a folded American flag to each of the handlers and thanks them for their dogs' service to their country. The handlers are given a plaque with a photo of their dogs and then Michigan War Dog Memorial's artist, Barbara Strong, of Livonia, presents them with framed hand-drawn portraits of their dogs.

Ryan Schnettler receives a folded American flag after prayers for him and his military war dog Colt during a memorial service at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 17, 2023. Schnettler and Colt served together in Afghanistan and he was laid to rest at the cemetery after the ceremony and memorial.

Retired Army veteran Jim Marinelli raises his bugle and plays a soulful rendition of taps; he's followed by "Amazing Grace," by Wurtz on the bagpipes. Four of the dogs on the K-9 Salute Team, led by a German shepherd named Gus, then howl on command for 20 seconds to bid farewell to their deceased brothers.

"It's an honor to pay tribute to these dogs," Marinelli told the Detroit Free Press. "Some people don't realize how much these dogs did to save lives."

The 30- to 45-minute program ends with the missing dog formation, where the K9 Salute Team walks up the path of honor and one dog breaks off and goes behind the stage as the others carry on. The song, "Goodbye My Friend" by Linda Ronstadt plays in the background.

John Van Dyk, left, and Ryan Schnettler add the urns containing their military war dogs Lucky6 and Colt to their final resting places during a memorial service at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 17, 2023.

Later, the handlers will place their dogs' ashes into the small grave under their headstones. If you look around, you see keepsakes on many of the graves: a teddy bear, flowers and a flag, a well-worn ball made of string and a painted rock that reads "Peace to you."

There are also coins scattered across many graves with special meaning: A penny means a person visited the grave, a nickel means the visitor trained with the deceased, a dime means the visitor was deployed with the deceased and a quarter means, "I was there when you were killed or died," Weitlauf said.

A rock with the words Michigan War Dog Memorial sits on top of a K-9 tombstone inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

Weitlauf sits quietly on a bench after the crowd disperses that Saturday. His usual intensity and focused energy has faded into the kind of lightness that accompanies deep satisfaction. A slight smile sneaks across his face. He knows he did his duty that day. He honored these dogs.

A passion project

Weitlauf, who was born in Alabama, grew up in Stockbridge, Michigan, after his parents moved there when he was 5. He served in the Army from 1962 to 1964 and then spent four years in the Army Reserves. He spent his career in the auto industry, selling parts for the assembly lines to the Detroit Three automakers.

But it was in retirement that Weitlauf found his true calling. A lifelong dog lover who grew up with mostly German shepherds, his friends knew he followed the stories of military dogs. So, on a spring morning in 2010, Weitlauf visited the abandoned pet cemetery in Lyon Township on the recommendation of a friend who told him about the granite memorial to war dogs.

All I saw was a wooded area," Weitlauf recalled of the overgrown site. He looked down at his German shepherd at the time, and said, "Cody, someone should do something about this. Days later, sipping his morning coffee in his retirement, he said to himself, "So Weitlauf, why don't YOU do something about it?"

He reached out to a few military veteran buddies and dog lovers asking for help clearing out the site. To his surprise, 55 people showed up to help and the number of volunteers grew as they kept clearing the site, day after day. He was eventually getting 100 people at a time to help.

I said, We've got something here. People want this done,  Weitlauf said.

Cassi, a 6-month-old German shepherd, lays next to a Vietnam K-9 Memorial Hall memorial inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

At that time, Lombardo Homes owned the property, Weitlauf said. He got its permission to clean it up and, in 2012, Lombardo Homes gave the property to the nonprofit he had formed.

Weitlauf had the land deeded to Lyon Township but has a contract that says his nonprofit has control over running it. The Michigan War Dog Memorial's Vice President of Operations Clint Symons, 49, will succeed Weitlauf one day in running the memorial to ensure it carries on.

"Thats always been my biggest fear. I have a tendency of getting vertigo and thought what would I do if its a Saturday morning and we have a burial ceremony and vertigo hits?" Weitlauf said. "Who can take over for me? I had a good feeling with Clint. He works at General Motors and hes not afraid to get up and talk in front of people.

Dogs joins WWII

To understand the importance of the memorial and the ceremony, one must first know a bit of history about dogs in the military. It is estimated that working military dogs saved some 28,000 lives in U.S. wars from World War II on, Weitlauf said.

Liney, a 3-year-old Doberman pinscher, donated for war service to the Marine Corps by his owner, R.C. Webster, of Baltimore, Maryland, stands by the side of one of his trainers, Pfc. Robert S. Forsyth, of Stamford, Connecticut, at a Bougainville base in the Southwest Pacific, March 31, 1944. The dog has served with the Marines for a year and during the Bougainville campaign, he picked up the scent of two Jap snipers on the front lines.

According to an article in the American Kennel Club, the U.S. military's official use of dogs started in 1942, when a private organization called Dogs for Defense was established to encourage people to volunteer their pet dog for the U.S. militarys War Dog Program, known as the K-9 Corps. The Doberman Pinscher Club of America also supplied war dogs that became linked with the U.S. Marines. The dogs were given a rank, starting as privates. In more recent years, the military established a rule that the dogs must always be one-rank above their handler, Weitlauf said. The reason for that is to ensure the dog is not mistreated because doing so would be assaulting an officer.

Pfc. Robert Gross, left, of Detroit, holds Robin, a war dog whose place of enlistment was Boston. They are on the Burma front, Oct. 3, 1944, where the dogs are used to detect the presence of snipers in the jungles.

The dogs that did not pass the training for WWII were returned to their owners. Those who passed were sent to battle "from foxholes to beach fronts, where they were utilized for messenger, mine-detection, sentry and scout duties," the AKC said in the article.

By the end of the second World War, Dogs for Defense had recruited 18,000 of the 20,000 military dogs, the AKC said. One of those dogs was Chips, which the AKC said was a German shepherd/Alaskan husky/collie mix. Chips was donated by his family in New York and his lifesaving heroics earned him a Purple Heart and Silver Star.

Weitlauf said dogs are credited with saving about 15,000 lives during World War II.

'Take your dog and go home'

Koran dogs- some bought for a pack of cigarettes and others for from 25 cents to a dollar-are trained for patrol work by GIs of the U.S. 1st Cavalry Division in action on the central Korean front on March 17, 1951. The war dog leads a patrol and his handler goes with him, which is always on a dangerous job. Cpl. Floyd Ambrahamson, left, of Dallas, and Pfc. James Matty, right, of Snow Shoe, Pa,, are shown on patrol with their dogs. Dogs are trained seven hours a day, seven days a week, for six weeks for sentry duty. Training for more complicated patrol work takes even longer.

In the Korean War in 1950, the AKC wrote that dogs were deployed on combat night patrols and were hated by the North Koreans and Chinese "because of their ability to ambush snipers, penetrate enemy lines and scent out enemy positions. It reached a point where reports noted the foes were using loudspeakers saying, 'Yankee, take your dog and go home!' 

Weitlauf said the dogs are credited with saving 3,000 lives during the three-year conflict in Korea and in the end, they were brought home.

From 1955 to 1975, during the Vietnam War, the dogs did a variety of duties: scout, guard duty, patrol, mine and booby-trap detection and combat. Again, the dogs were so hated by the Viet Cong, that they attracted a $20,000 bounty for their capture, the AKC said. Artus was one of those dogs, Meeks said, noting his killers took his body likely to collect a bounty.

John Meeks and his U.S. Army Military scout dog Artus in 1970 in the jungle in Vietnam. Artus was killed in Vietnam and his name (spelled as Artu) is on the memorial wall at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon.

In the end, the U.S. government abandoned thousands of the dogs because, "They claimed the Centers for Disease Control was concerned of the dogs bringing diseases home," Weitlauf said. "The handlers pushed back. They agreed to a lottery to bring 204 dogs home and quarantine them for 14 days. They did that ... no one showed any diseases. But Congress said this would still be a logistical nightmare to bring the rest back and quarantine them. So the order stands.

Robby's Law brings dogs home

One of the dogs to make it back through that quarantine lottery was Gretchen, the 55-pound silver German shepherd who Meeks first met in training.

John Meeks rests with U.S. Army scout dog Gretchen at Fort Benning, Georgia, in 1969. Meeks trained with Gretchen to be a scout dog team, but when he got to Vietnam in 1970, he was assigned to a male dog named Artus. Gretchen was one of 204 dogs that were able to leave Vietnam at the end of the war. She was retrained to be a drug-sniffing dog for the U.S. Air Force in North Dakota until she developed hip dysplasia and was euthanized years later. Gretchens name is on the memorial wall at the Michigan War Dog Memorial cemetery.

"I tracked it down years later and found out that the government retrained her as a drug dog and shipped her to North Dakota and she spent the rest of her life in the Air Force there," Meeks said. "So that was good to hear that about my little dog.

Today, military working dogs are brought home. In 2000, due in part to lingering public outrage after what happened to the dogs in Vietnam, Congress passed Robbys Law that President Bill Clinton signed. It requires that all military dogs suitable for adoption upon their retirements be made available for adoption and not euthanized.

A small statue of a soldier petting a dog sits inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

But the dogs are still classified as equipment, not soldiers, Weitlauf said. He is an advocate for the passage of H.R. 9077, known as the Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act. It would change military dogs' status to members of the armed forces, not equipment. The dogs would get medical care when released from duty. U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Lansing, introduced the measure last fall and it is in committee.

Famous first pets at the cemetery

When Weitlauf first stumbled upon what is now the Michigan War Dog Memorial site, it was called Happy Hunting Ground Pet Cemetery. The Elkow family established it in 1936 and ran it until 1975, burying about 2,300 animals there. It was abandoned by 1985. But there are graves that date to the 1930s for dogs, cats and even one unique parrot: U.S. Navy Admiral George Deweys mascot parrot. A gravestone for the bird from 1938 is at the cemetery. Another notable gravestone there is for Blizzard, a sled-dog during Adm. Richard Byrds Antarctic expedition from 1928-1939, Weitlauf said.

At that time of this photo, 1946, the cemetery was called Happy Hunting Ground Pet Cemetery in Lyon Township. Sgt Sparks, the Doberman pinscher on stage, had been adopted by Cpl. Jack Patterson, of Rochester. He, like Sparks, had served in the United States Marine Corps. Here is the dedication of the large War Dog Monument at the memorial in 1946.

One of the first military dogs to be buried there was Sgt. Sparks in 1947. Sgt. Sparks was a Doberman pinscher whose family in Ohio donated him to the military during World War II. He joined the Marines where he excelled and was promoted from private first class to corporal to sergeant, according to an article about him in a 1977 edition of Leatherneck, a magazine for Marines that Weitlauf shared.

He survived duties in Bougainville, Guadalcanal, Okinawa, and Guam, according the article. He returned a hero, having alerted soldiers to ambushes and saving lives, according to the article. Marine Cpl. Jack Patterson, of Rochester, adopted Sgt. Sparks after the dog returned to the United States and was retired.

A photo of U.S. Marine Sgt. Sparks, a Doberman pinscher, in 1946, at the dedication ceremony of a war dog monument at what is now the Michigan War Dog Memorial. Sparks served two-and-a-half years overseas in World War II. He is recognized for many heroic acts of saving lives by alerting soldiers to potential ambushes. He is buried at Michigan War Dog Memorial in Lyon Township.

With sentiment high, Lyon Township residents contributed more than $3,700 in 1946 (about $57,000 today) to erect a 16ton granite monument as a tribute to dogs in military service. Sgt. Sparks was on the stage to help officiate the ceremony. A year later, Sgt. Sparks was dead after someone poisoned him near his home, Weitlauf said.

Burying 'The Old Man'

In 2013, Michigan War Dog Memorial buried the first military dog since it took over: A Chesapeake Bay retriever named Buddy. Buddy was trained at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, as an explosive detection dog.

The second military dog to be buried there was a male black Labrador retriever named Mina. Mina did two tours in Bosnia with the British Army and then he was transferred to the U.S. Army and did nine tours in Afghanistan, Weitlauf said.

Phil Weitlauf, 81, director of Michigan War Dog Memorial, Inc., points at a gravestone, like the one for Mina, in inside the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 14, 2023.

"He was so good at explosive detection they didnt want to let him go. He was 99.9% accurate so the Army kept him on," Weitlauf said. "His nickname was 'The Old Man' because he competed against these 1- or- 2-year-old dogs and hed outperform them.

His handler was from Owosso, Michigan, and adopted Mina when the dog retired in 2012. He lived in Owosso for 18 months before he died at age 14.

Saving lives and keeping company

Another furry warrior to be buried at Michigan War Dog Memorial cemetery on June 17 alongside Colt was Lucky6.

A black German shepherd, Lucky6 served in the Army with Howell resident Jonathan Van Dyk. Van Dyk and Lucky6 were deployed to Afghanistan from 2012 to 2013. Van Dyk was the dog's handler only for that year, then the military transferred Lucky6 to work with the military police. But Van Dyk said he spent the next five years looking for his dog.

John Van Dyk, left, prays with his wife, Kelli Van Dyk ,and their kids Breana, Draven and McKensie while remembering Lucky6, the military war dog that served with him during a memorial service at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 17, 2023.

Hes my best friend," Van Dyk told the Detroit Free Press. "We spent every minute together...He saved my life multiple times. He kept me out of places I shouldnt have gone. Its hard to get away from somebody who keeps your life safe, keeps you company when you miss home.

Van Dyk estimates Lucky6 saved about 200 lives during their year together. He was able to adopt Lucky6 in 2018 when the dog was retired. The two were together for four and a half years until Jan. 14 when Lucky6 died at age 13. It meant the world to Van Dyk that his best friend be laid to rest at the Michigan War Dog Memorial, he said. It gives him comfort knowing that Lucky6 is buried in good company, that his service is honored and he is remembered, Van Dyk said.

"Its hard to say goodbye. I dont want to," Van Dyk said, standing over the grave where he'd just placed Lucky6's ashes.

A tombstone for Lucky6 at the Michigan War Dog Memorial in South Lyon on June 17, 2023.

The headstone has Van Dyk's inscription and signature. He borrowed a verse from Semper Paratus, the U.S. Coast Guard theme, to honor his dog: "The hardest walk is taken alone. It makes us stronger. Strength we need to walk together again brother."

To learn more about the Michigan War Dog Memorial or make a donation visit www.mwdm.org.

More: Well-known Dearborn man may have most famous dogs in city

More: Michigan's National Guard turns to dogs to help stop veteran suicide

Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan War Dog Memorial is cemetery for police, military dogs
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Yellen says U.S. wants healthy competition, not winner-take-all

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Chinese Premier Li calls on U.S. to 'meet China halfway"

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U.S. industry welcomes Yellen's 'firepower'

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(Adds Chinese vice premier statement para 5 and 6, U.S. Treasury briefing)

By Andrea Shalal and Joe Cash

BEIJING, July 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen called on Friday for market reforms in China and criticized its recent tough actions against U.S. companies and mineral export controls, while China's premier called on her to "meet China halfway" and put bilateral relations back on track.

Yellen met with Premier Li Qiang on Friday during a visit to Beijing aimed at repairing fractious U.S.-Chinese economic relations, but made clear in her public remarks that Washington and its Western allies will continue to hit back at what she called China's "unfair economic practices."

Despite talk of U.S.-China economic decoupling, recent data show that the world's two largest economies remain deeply linked, with two-way trade hitting a record $690 billion last year.

"We seek healthy economic competition that is not winner-take-all but that, with a fair set of rules, can benefit both countries over time," Yellen told Chinese Premier Li Qiang in a meeting on Friday that the Treasury said was "candid and constructive."

China released a statement from Li calling for strengthened communication, consensus on economic issues and "candid in-depth and pragmatic exchanges, so as to inject stability and positive energy into Sino-U.S. economic ties."

"China hopes the U.S. will uphold a rational and pragmatic attitude, meet China halfway, and push China-U.S. relations back on track soon," Li's statement said.

It made no mention of recent semiconductor-related mineral export controls from both countries.

Yellen is due to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng -- her direct counterpart as China's top economic official -- on Saturday, a U.S. Treasury official said.

Yellen also spoke to the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham) after what a Treasury official called "substantive" talks with former Chinese economy czar Liu He -- He Lifeng's predecessor -- who remains a close confidante of President Xi Jinping. Yellen also met with departing top Chinese central banker Yi Gang.

Yellen and other U.S. officials are walking a diplomatic tightrope, trying to repair ties with China after the U.S. military shot down a Chinese government balloon over the United States while continuing to push Beijing to halt practices they view as harmful to U.S. and Western companies.

Yellen said she hoped her visit would spur more regular communication between the two rivals, and said any targeted actions by Washington to protect its national security should not "needlessly" jeopardize the broader relationship.

U.S. officials have downplayed the prospects for any major breakthroughs, while highlighting the importance of more regular communications between the world's two biggest economies.

China hopes the United States will take "concrete actions" to create a favourable environment for the healthy development of economic and trade ties, its finance ministry said in a statement on Friday.

"No winners emerge from a trade war or from decoupling and 'breaking chains'," the statement added.

Li told Yellen a rainbow that appeared as her plane landed from Washington on Thursday offered hope for the future of U.S.-China ties.

"I think there is more to China-U.S. relations than just wind and rain. We will surely see more rainbows," he said.

U.S. companies in China hope Yellen's visit will ensure trade and commercial lanes between the two economies remain open, regardless of the temperature of geopolitical tensions.

AmCham President Michael Hart welcomed Yellen's "extra firepower" in pressing for changes in China's policies, and said her visit could pave the way for more exchanges at lower levels between the two sides.

"I think if there was another year of no visits by top U.S. government leaders, the market would get colder," he added.

POSSIBLE BIDEN-XI MEETING

The U.S. diplomatic push comes ahead of a possible meeting between President Joe Biden and Xi as soon as September's Group of 20 Summit in New Delhi or the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering scheduled for November in San Francisco.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month and agreed with Xi that the mutual rivalry should not veer into conflict. Biden's climate envoy John Kerry is expected to visit later this month, and the US Treasury believes climate finance is an area where Beijing and Washington can cooperate.

Yellen told the U.S. business executives a "stable and constructive relationship" between the two countries would benefit U.S. companies and workers, but Washington also needed to protect its national security interests and human rights.

Regular exchanges could help both countries monitor economic and financial risks at a time when the global economy was facing "headwinds like Russia's illegal war in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the pandemic," Yellen added.

At the same time, she said she would raise concerns with Chinese officials about Beijing's use of expanded subsidies for state-owned enterprises and domestic firms, barriers to market access for foreign firms, and its recent "punitive actions" against U.S. firms.

New Chinese export controls on gallium and germanium, critical minerals used in technologies like semiconductors, were also concerning, she said, adding the move underscored the need for "resilient and diversified supply chains."

MARKET REFORMS

Yellen also took aim at China's planned economy, urging Beijing to return to more market-oriented practices that had underpinned its rapid growth in past years.

"A shift toward market reforms would be in China's interests," she told the AmCham event.

"A market-based approach helped spur rapid growth in China and helped lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. This is a remarkable economic success story."

Yellen dismissed the idea of decoupling the U.S. and Chinese economies, nothing that China's enormous and growing middle-class provided a big market for American goods and services. and stressed that Washington's targeted actions against China were based on national security concerns.

A Treasury official said the vibrant U.S. business community in China was "a living embodiment that we are not decoupling."

"We have no interest in decoupling. We've got lots of leading American firms who have had a very long history and are deeply enmeshed into the Chinese economy," the official told reporters.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Joe Cash and David Lawder; Editing by Catherine Evans, Heather Timmons and Alistair Bell)
LPETTET / Getty Images/iStockphoto

In a case brought forward by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) against Robert Higgins and his companies Argent Asset Group (Argent) and First State Depository Company (FSD), a Delaware District Court has found the defendants liable for misappropriating tens of millions of dollars and for the misrepresentation of customers buying and selling precious metals.

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The courts Consent Order requires Higgins companies to pay restitution of $147.7 million  $112.7 to the victims and a $33 million civil monetary penalty. Additionally, Higgins has been slapped with permanent trading and registration bans. Keep reading or more info on the financial scam and what you can do to avoid something similar.

The Maximus Program Scam

It was discovered that between 2014 and 2022, Higgins solicited and misappropriated the funds from approximately 200 customers in relation to a crooked silver leasing scheme known as the Maximus Program, which offered customers guaranteed monthly lease payments in exchange for the use of silver supposedly bought by Argent or silver owned by customers.

Customers were promised that Argent would acquire silver on their behalf and FSD would hold their silver securely in its private depository. The CFTC investigation revealed that not only were precious metals not secured at FSD, but stored funds already owned by customers and those intended to purchase metals were misappropriated by the defendants.

Victims were told their investments were guaranteed and insured and received fake monthly investment reports claiming their assets were being securely stored by FSD. When customers attempted to withdraw or move assets, they were given excuses and misled, per FinanceFeeds.

Im a Self-Made Millionaire: These Are Investments Everyone Should Avoid During an Economic Downturn

The Investigation

Most of the funds misappropriated by Higgins were in the form of American Eagle silver dollars, which are preferred by some investors because of their 99.9% fine silver composition and their authentic, minting rarity, per Fortune. Uncirculated 1-oz. silver American Eagle coins can currently be purchased for $76 each from a bullion coin dealer (the U.S. Mint doesnt sell bullion directly to the public).

When accountants from Baker Tilly attended the FSD vaults for an inventory check, they discovered 380,000 silver American Eagle coins instead of the 1.2 million they expected and found only 1,936 of the 11,125 gold American Eagle coins that they anticipated to find securely stored.

As Fortune reported, a document published on June 20 detailed the Baker Tilly storage visit and claimed, In some instances, they found empty boxes at FSD with a customers or clients name on it, or boxes that did not contain metal but instead held an IOU of sorts  a piece of paper stating the quantity of metal that should have been stored there.

On the FSD receivership website, court appointed receiver Kelly Crawford has released details of the investigation and has posted an announcement to claimants, revealing the further extent of Higgins deceit.

On Friday, June 9, 2023 I engaged a team of private investigators and metal detectors to search Higgins home. We discovered approximately 36 ounces of gold hidden in the ceiling of his basement. We also discovered some foreign currency and rare coins hidden under the cushion of a love seat in his bedroom.

In addition, we obtained evidence that Higgins has been selling precious metals. Our findings were reported to law enforcement and on the morning of June 10, 2023, Higgins was arrested and taken into custody by federal agents. I am committed to doing my best to search for the missing assets.

All information pertaining to the complaint and claims reports can be found on the receivership site.

Are Your Coins Safe?

According to a July 3 statement by CFTC Director of Enforcement Ian McGinley, The Commission is resolute in rooting out fraud in the precious metals markets. As todays restitution amount demonstrates, the CFTC is committed to vindicating victims interests.

However, as Fortune points out, the Commission warns that some victims of Higgins fraudulent Maximus Program swindle may have a difficult time getting their lost funds back if Higgins and his holdings dont have the assets to pay. Crawford has stated that the process of returning holdings to the depositors is taking much longer than anticipated.

Anyone scammed out of investment assets by Higgins is due restitution from their loss. But when it comes to American Eagle silver dollars, the average American should be more worried about buying fakes than falling victim to grand schemes like Higgins.

Silver American Eagle coins are incredibly popular, in demand and profitable investments. Fakes can be spotted by comparing Mint marks and reeded edges, design characteristics and dimensions, weight and diameter specifications and magnetism (silver and gold are non-magnetic). Always look to an expert, do your research and buy from an authorized bullion dealer.

Finally, beware of anyone offering to hold your assets for you in secure storage facilities. These are called precious metals for a reason. If you cant keep them secured in a safety deposit box at a bank, insure them and keep them close to you at home, in original cases, capsules, lenses or folders in a cool and dry lock box or safe spot.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: $113 Million Silver American Eagle Investment Scam: Are Your Coins Safe?
Money for nothing: Proposed pilot would dole out $2K/month to certain residents in the U.K.  and not because theyre in dire straits. Could it work here?

Money for nothing: Proposed pilot would dole out $2K/month to certain residents in the U.K.  and not because theyre in dire straits. Could it work here?

Getting cash from the government every month with no strings attached may seem like a pipe dream, but for 30 lucky individuals in the United Kingdom, this could soon be a reality.

Plans for a universal basic income (UBI) trial in the U.K. were published in June by progressive think tank Autonomy with the aim of tackling poverty and simplifying the national welfare system, which the United Nations once considered describing as cruel and inhuman.

Don't miss

If the trial secures funding, 15 people from Jarrow in the Northeast of England and 15 people in East Finchley in North London could soon receive a 1,600 ($1,983) cash boost every month to use as they see fit.

The UBI trial would run for two years at an estimated cost of 1.15 million ($1.46 million) and analyze the impacts of UBI on peoples physical and mental health, as well as other factors like employment outcomes and their financial security.

With the decades ahead set to be full of economic shocks due to climate change and new forms of automation, basic income is going to be a crucial part of securing livelihoods in the future, Will Stronge, director of research at Autonomy, said in a news release.

As the cost of living remains elevated after the COVID-19 pandemic, theres been a wave of interest around UBI worldwide  including in the U.S., where more than a dozen cities are testing similar programs. But could UBI really work in the worlds largest economy?

What is Universal Basic Income?

The International Monetary Fund defines UBI as an income support mechanism typically intended to reach all (or a very large portion of the population) with no (or minimal) conditions.

UBI has five core characteristics, as explained in a report by Autonomy:

It is paid at regular intervals, for example monthly, and not as a one-off grant;

It is paid in cash, which people can use as they see fit;

It is paid on an individual basis and not, for instance, to households;

It is paid to all, without need for a means test; and

It is paid without any conditions and regardless of employment.

The idea of guaranteeing all citizens a level of income that meets their basic needs isn't a novel concept.

Centuries ago, English philosopher Thomas Moore touched on the concept of basic income in his 1516 book Utopia, and Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for guaranteed income in the 1960s to eradicate poverty.

More recently, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang brought attention to UBI, when he recommended doling out $1,000 to American adults each month.

Administering a national UBI would be no small feat, which is why governments are starting with small pilot projects like Autonomys proposal in the U.K.

Read more: Here are 7 amazing 1-week vacations you can do for around $1,000

For and against UBI

UBI has long been a topic of contention. While the goal of reducing poverty and inequality is well intentioned, a national UBI policy would come with a massive price tag, which would depend on changes to tax and social security systems, the economy and labor market.

Two of Americas wealthiest individuals  Mark Zuckberg and Elon Musk  have spoken out in favor of UBI, sharing the view that it would protect people from the knock-on effects of technology, robots and artificial intelligence taking away peoples jobs.

Speaking at the World Government Summit in 2017, Musk said the pace of technological change was leading to a massive social challenge. And I think ultimately we will have to have some kind of universal basic income. I dont think were going to have a choice.

Calls for UBI have only grown since the pandemic brought about economic challenges so great that governments around the world had to beef up their unemployment benefits and jumpstart programs such as the handing out of stimulus checks.

However, not everyones onboard with the idea.

At the height of the 2020 presidential race, the majority of Americans opposed the idea of a UBI for all adult citizens, according to a Pew Research Center survey.

Those who did support UBI skewed younger and were mostly Black or hispanic, while older, white Americans largely rejected the idea.

Hilary Clinton revealed in her presidential campaign memoir that she formulated a proposal for UBI, funded by carbon and financial transaction taxes, but ultimately was unable to make the math work.

To provide a meaningful dividend each year to every citizen, youd have to raise enormous sums of money, and that would either mean a lot of new taxes or cannibalizing other important programs, she wrote. We decided it was exciting but not realistic, and left it on the shelf. That was the responsible decision.

Could UBI work in the U.S.?

Several cities have begun to experiment with disbursing monthly checks to lower-income residents.

Stockton, California, initiated a guaranteed income pilot program called the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED) in 2019.

The city distributed $500 a month to 125 people for 24 months, and the results at the end of the experiment were overwhelmingly positive. Recipients became more financially secure and many found full-time employment and came out emotionally healthier.

In recent years, similar pilot programs have been launched in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Denver and in historically less progressive cities like Birmingham, Alabama, Columbia, South Carolina, and Gainesville, Florida.

SEED also helped with the formation of the Mayors for a Guaranteed Income coalition, which has now swelled to more than 100 members and has been boosted by a $15 million donation from Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey.

Its important to note that these programs are typically targeted at disadvantaged areas. Stockton, for example, is one of the most poverty-stricken cities in California, which is one reason its believed the guaranteed income program worked well there.

If more of these experiments prove successful, it could sway politicians in favor of a national UBI  but for the moment, these programs operate at the city level.

With files from Serah Louis

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Key Insights

Given the large stake in the stock by institutions, Verizon Communications' stock price might be vulnerable to their trading decisions

The top 25 shareholders own 39% of the company

Insiders have sold recently

Every investor in Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ) should be aware of the most powerful shareholder groups. With 63% stake, institutions possess the maximum shares in the company. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Given the vast amount of money and research capacities at their disposal, institutional ownership tends to carry a lot of weight, especially with individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Verizon Communications.

Check out our latest analysis for Verizon Communications

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Verizon Communications?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

We can see that Verizon Communications does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. It is not uncommon to see a big share price drop if two large institutional investors try to sell out of a stock at the same time. So it is worth checking the past earnings trajectory of Verizon Communications, (below). Of course, keep in mind that there are other factors to consider, too.

Institutional investors own over 50% of the company, so together than can probably strongly influence board decisions. Hedge funds don't have many shares in Verizon Communications. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is The Vanguard Group, Inc. with 8.3% of shares outstanding. BlackRock, Inc. is the second largest shareholder owning 7.9% of common stock, and State Street Global Advisors, Inc. holds about 4.0% of the company stock.

On studying our ownership data, we found that 25 of the top shareholders collectively own less than 50% of the share register, implying that no single individual has a majority interest.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are a reasonable number of analysts covering the stock, so it might be useful to find out their aggregate view on the future.

Insider Ownership Of Verizon Communications

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our information suggests that Verizon Communications Inc. insiders own under 1% of the company. Being so large, we would not expect insiders to own a large proportion of the stock. Collectively, they own US$40m of stock. It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a 37% stake in Verizon Communications. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Verizon Communications better, we need to consider many other factors. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Verizon Communications that you should be aware of.

If you are like me, you may want to think about whether this company will grow or shrink. Luckily, you can check this free report showing analyst forecasts for its future.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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Looking at Ajax Resources Plc's (LON:AJAX ) insider transactions over the last year, we can see that insiders were net buyers. That is, there were more number of shares purchased by insiders than there were sold.

While insider transactions are not the most important thing when it comes to long-term investing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares.

View our latest analysis for Ajax Resources

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Ajax Resources

The CEO & Director Ippolito Cattaneo made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for UK143k worth of shares at a price of UK0.11 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being UK0.07). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. As a general rule, we feel more positive about a stock when an insider has bought shares at above current prices, because that suggests they viewed the stock as good value, even at a higher price. Ippolito Cattaneo was the only individual insider to buy shares in the last twelve months.

Ippolito Cattaneo purchased 1.72m shares over the year. The average price per share was UK0.091. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. By clicking on the graph below, you can see the precise details of each insider transaction!

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

Does Ajax Resources Boast High Insider Ownership?

I like to look at how many shares insiders own in a company, to help inform my view of how aligned they are with insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Ajax Resources insiders own about UK1.4m worth of shares (which is 43% of the company). This kind of significant ownership by insiders does generally increase the chance that the company is run in the interest of all shareholders.

So What Do The Ajax Resources Insider Transactions Indicate?

The fact that there have been no Ajax Resources insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Judging from their transactions, and high insider ownership, Ajax Resources insiders feel good about the company's future. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. When we did our research, we found 4 warning signs for Ajax Resources (2 are concerning!) that we believe deserve your full attention.

Of course Ajax Resources may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of high quality companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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(Bloomberg) -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. soared on a report that China is preparing to announce a fine of more than $1.1 billion on its fintech affiliate, signaling a wide-ranging probe that has weighed on Jack Mas empire for years may finally be drawing to a close.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Chinas central bank is expected to disclose the fine against Ant Group Co. as soon as Friday, Reuters said, citing people with knowledge of the matter. That will allow Ant to seek a financial holding company license, revive growth and eventually resurrect plans for an initial public offering, it added.

Alibabas shares rose 3.4% in Hong Kong on Friday. The companys American Depositary Receipts rose about 2.6% in premarket trading before New York exchanges opened.

The market likes it because scrutiny looks likely to be over and the fine, though big in absolute terms, is very manageable for such a big company, said Vey-Sern Ling, managing director at Union Bancaire Privee. An 8 billion yuan fine would be less than the estimated 9.6 billion yuan profit that Ant generated in the December quarter.

The probe into Ant marked the symbolic start of a withering crackdown on the broader Chinese internet industry, which wiped hundreds of billions of dollars off the value of sector leaders from Alibaba to Tencent Holdings Ltd. Allowing the fintech giant to resume business growth would kindle hopes that Beijing will finally unfetter its giant private sector, part of a nationwide effort to resuscitate a flagging economy.

Ant Group didnt immediately respond to a Bloomberg request for comment.

Regulators killed Ants IPO in 2020 after Ma angered Beijing with a public critique of financial regulators. The government began a clampdown on the private tech sphere shortly after, accusing Alibaba of monopolistic behavior before levying a record fine for the alleged violations.

Even if Beijing lifts the clamps on Ant, the years of relentless scrutiny have reduced the billionaires empire to a shadow of its former self.

Ants bottom line has eroded since the days it was preparing for the worlds largest IPO in 2020, while Alibaba is in the process of splitting into six main businesses from cloud services to meal delivery and logistics. While investors initially cheered the potential creation of value, Alibabas shares have come off their 2023 highs and have shed more than $600 billion of their value since the Ant episode began.

The central bank ordered Ant to fold all financial units into a holding company in 2021. It also told the firm to open up its payments app to competitors and sever improper linking of payments with other products including its lending services.

Market watchers had since been awaiting the conclusion of the probe to gauge Beijings stance on Chinas sprawling internet sector. Authorities had pledged to unwind crackdowns that ensnared private sectors from technology to online education, at a time when the worlds second-largest economy is struggling to get back on its feet.

While the latest development may signal Beijings efforts to follow through on its pledges to support the sector, more solid actions may be required to stabilize investor confidence. Ant is still awaiting a regulatory greenlight to start reviewing its application for setting up the financial holding company and resume its IPO in the longer run.

Ant is a very different company from before with all the restrictions in place and its valuation should be much smaller, Ling said.

While Ant fetched a valuation of $280 billion pre-IPO, the myriad regulations imposed over the past two-plus years mean its now worth a fraction of that, as its now more fin than tech.

Ma gave up his controlling rights of Ant earlier this year, complicating its prospects for an IPO anytime soon.

Companies cant list domestically on the countrys so-called A-share market if they have had a change in control in the past three years  or in the past two years if listing on Shanghais STAR market, which is geared toward new technology companies. For Hong Kongs stock exchange, this waiting period is one year.

--With assistance from Edwin Chan, Zheng Li and Charlotte Yang.

(Updates with ADR premarket trading in third paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The worst result, after buying shares in a company (assuming no leverage), would be if you lose all the money you put in. But when you pick a company that is really flourishing, you can make more than 100%. Long term ASML Holding N.V. (AMS:ASML) shareholders would be well aware of this, since the stock is up 276% in five years. In the last week shares have slid back 4.3%.

While this past week has detracted from the company's five-year return, let's look at the recent trends of the underlying business and see if the gains have been in alignment.

Check out our latest analysis for ASML Holding

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 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).

Over half a decade, ASML Holding managed to grow its earnings per share at 28% a year. So the EPS growth rate is rather close to the annualized share price gain of 30% per year. Therefore one could conclude that sentiment towards the shares hasn't morphed very much. Indeed, it would appear the share price is reacting to the EPS.

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 ASML Holding has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. If you are thinking of buying or selling ASML Holding 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. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of ASML Holding, it has a TSR of 295% for the last 5 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

It's good to see that ASML Holding has rewarded shareholders with a total shareholder return of 47% in the last twelve months. Of course, that includes the dividend. That gain is better than the annual TSR over five years, which is 32%. Therefore it seems like sentiment around the company has been positive lately. 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. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for ASML Holding that you should be aware of.

But note: ASML Holding may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Dutch 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
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen raised concerns over Chinese business practices during her visit to Beijing Friday, warning the economic relationship between the U.S. and China must work for American workers and businesses, and she said the U.S. would respond to unfair economic practices.

"I've been particularly troubled by punitive actions that have been taken against U.S. firms in recent months," Yellen said at a roundtable that brought together representatives of some of the largest companies in the U.S. that have businesses in China, including Boeing, Bank of America and Cargill.

During her three-day visit, the treasury secretary is also sitting down with senior Chinese officials for high-stakes meetings amid escalating tensions between the world's two largest economies.

Janet Yellen, US Treasury secretary, second left, attends a roundtable with US business people operating in China in Beijing, China, on Friday, July 7, 2023. / Credit: Andrea Verdelli/ Bloomberg via Getty Images

During the roundtable, Yellen also criticized new export controls announced by China on two minerals crucial to semiconductor technologies, gallium and germanium, that were announced as trade disputes continue between the two countries.

Gallium is used in electronics, in chips for mobile and satellite communications and LED displays and sensors used in space and defense systems, among other applications, according to the Critical Raw Materials Alliance. Eighty percent of the world's gallium is in China. Germanium, the alliance says, is used in fiber optics and infrared optics and has applications in electronics and solar cells. About 60% of the world's germanium is produced by China

The U.S. has moved to block Chinese access to some technologies, and Yellen said the U.S. was still evaluating the impact of the export controls.

"I will always champion your interests and work to make sure there is a level playing field. This includes coordinating with our allies to respond to China's unfair economic practices," Yellen told the U.S. businesses.

Still, Yellen said at the roundtable, "I have made clear that the United States does not seek a wholesale separation of our economies. We seek to diversify, not to decouple." She added, "A decoupling of the world's two largest economies would be destabilizing for the global economy, and it would be virtually impossible to undertake."

Yellen said she is discussing areas of concern with her Chinese counterparts including China's use of expanded subsidies for state-owned enterprises and domestic firms and barriers to market access.

While in Beijing, Yellen also met with Premier Li Qiang at the Great Hall of the People to talk about the economic relationship between the U.S. and China.

"The United States will, in certain circumstances, need to pursue targeted actions to protect its national security, and we may disagree in these instances," Yellen said during her meeting with Li. "However, we should not allow any disagreement to lead to misunderstandings that needlessly worsen our bilateral economic and financial relationship."

Yellen told Li the U.S. seeks "healthy economic competition" with China that benefits both countries. A senior Treasury official described the meeting, which lasted twice as long as scheduled, as "very candid and constructive." With the series of high ranking U.S. officials visiting Beijing, Li remarked people may have "high expectations."

Yellen is the second top-ranking Biden administration official to head to China in recent weeks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to Beijing last month where he met directly with President Xi Jinping.

Yellen has a second day of meetings to attend in Beijing, including one with Vice Premier He Lifeng and a lunch with women economists. She is not expected to meet with Xi.
Billionaire investor Ray Dalio says deep-sea exploration is no riskier than driving a car if safety standards are met

Reuters / Ruben Sprich

Deep-sea expeditions are "very safe" as long as established safety protocols are followed, Ray Dalio said.

"Diving in a classed submersible is no more risky than taking a commercial flight or driving in a car," he said.

The billionaire investor is the founder of nonprofit initiative OceanX, which is currently planning explorations in Norway's fjords, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Deep-sea exploration has come under a cloud of skepticism and uncertainty in the aftermath of the recent OceanGate submersible tragedy. But billionaire investor Ray Dalio, also the founder of the nonprofit ocean exploration initiative OceanX, has pushed back against the paranoia.

"Manned submersible diving isn't risky - it's very safe when well-established protocols, most importantly the certification process, are followed," the founder of the world's largest hedge fund, Bridgewater Associates, said in a lengthy LinkedIn post Wednesday.

"Over the last four decades, no sub that has gone through the certification process has experienced any form of catastrophic event even though more than 2 million dive trips in these vehicles now happen every year. Given this excellent track record, diving in a classed submersible is no more risky than taking a commercial flight or driving in a car," he added.

Deep-sea exploration has come under intense public scrutiny after US-based OceanGate's Titan submersible imploded less than two hours after it set out on June 18 to explore the remains of the RMS Titanic located nearly 13,000 feet underwater. All five passengers, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush and British billionaire Hamish Harding, were killed.

Several experts have pointed out that the accident appears to have been caused by OceanGate's poor safety standards. The company had reportedly avoided industry-standard safety tests, used lighter and cheaper materials to build the submersible and dismissed concerns raised by its own staff.

While the tragedy has brought a lot of media attention to risks related to deepwater voyages, such expeditions are safe as long as proper safety standards are met, Dalio said.

'The world's largest and most important natural resource'

"But far more importantly, manned sub diving is critical for ocean discovery which is good for humanity because it provides learning about and protecting the world's largest and most important natural resource. The ocean is needlessly neglected. Less than five percent of it has been explored," he wrote.

OceanX, co-founded with Dalio's son, Mark Dalio, was the first team to capture live images of a giant squid  and the first to take a submersible dive to the Antarctic seafloor.

"OceanX's new ship the OceanXplorer is about to head out on a series of explorations, first to Norway's fjords and the seamounts of the Azores, and then on to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean," Dalio said.

Dalio founded Bridgewater in 1975, a hedge fund that went on to become the world's biggest under his leadership, with $124 billion of assets under management in 2023, according to Forbes. He recently retired from the board of directors with an estimated personal net worth of $19 billion.

As author of 'Principles', a guide to his management and investment philosophy, Dalio often weighs in on financial and economic matters. Two weeks ago, he hailed India as the next big investing opportunity, saying its economy is on the verge of a China-style transformation.

He has also been a bearish voice on the stock market this year  warning the US is at the beginning of a debt crisis and forecasting worse times ahead.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- The billionaire founder of cryptos biggest exchange Binance Holdings Ltd. sought to defend the platform following the exits of executives who had been helping the company navigate a widening regulatory crisis.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Changpeng CZ Zhao said we continue to BUILD, and continue to hire in a tweet on Friday after Binances chief strategy officer, general counsel and a compliance official departed, stirring fresh questions about the outlook for an exchange thats facing probes in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Zhao has repeatedly had to counter what he terms FUD  or fear, uncertainty and doubt  amid a decline in Binances share of spot crypto trading volumes as officials turn up the heat. The platform has become the poster child for a drive by regulators to tighten oversight of the digital-asset sector after a $1.5 trillion rout last year and a series of bankruptcies, including at rival FTX.

Patrick Hillmann, Binances chief strategy officer who joined in 2021, tweeted he was leaving on good terms. Steven Christie, senior vice president for compliance, and Hon Ng, general counsel, have also left, a person familiar with the matter said. The new general counsel will be Eleanor Hughes, said the person, who asked not to be named discussing private information.

Binance employed nearly 600 employees in the US, according to LinkedIn. During midyear performance reviews in June, various of these staffers were asked whether they would be willing to relocate and some of those who declined were let go, the person familiar with the matter said.

Yibo Ling, chief business officer of Binance, was among the US staff that have left, according to the person familiar with the matter. Ling didnt immediately respond to a request for comment via a LinkedIn message.

Yes, there is turnover (at every company), Zhao wrote in his tweet. But the reasons dreamed up by the news are completely wrong. Zhao said Binance grew from 30 to 8,000 people in six years and remains the largest crypto exchange, adding we have been able to protect our users at all times.

Binance faces a web of regulatory probes. The US Securities & Exchange Commission last month accused the company and Zhao of mishandling customer funds, misleading investors and regulators, and breaking securities rules.

Binance has called the SEC action disappointing and said that it intends to defend its platform vigorously. Zhao and Binance also face a lawsuit from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The US Justice Department has been investigating the company, Bloomberg News reported earlier.

On Tuesday, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission conducted searches at several Binance Australia locations, people with knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified discussing private information. The action was part of an investigation into the Australian operations now-defunct local derivatives business, according to the people.

Binance has also faced regulatory blowback recently in France and Belgium. The trend of heightened scrutiny has prompted some banking partners to drop Binance, making it more challenging for customers to fund transactions and withdraw fiat money.

The exchanges share of non-derivatives trading volume fell for a fourth month, dropping 1.4% to 42% in June  the lowest since August 2022, according to a report from researcher CCData. Binance stopped offering some popular trading pairs, contributing to the decline.

BNB, the native token of Binance, fell about 1% on Friday amid broader weakness in digital assets to trade at around $218. BNB has shed some 11% this year, compared with a gain of 45% in a gauge of the biggest 100 tokens. The success of BNB and Binance are often seen as intertwined.

--With assistance from Beth Williams.

(Updates with comment from Binances Zhao from the first paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Binance has been under strain for months amid an onslaught of regulatory investigations that have severed many of its key banking relationships across the globe. Now, the giant cryptocurrency exchange is in full-on turmoil after top executives resigned this week over CEO Changpeng Zhaos handling of the investigations.

Fortune has learned that senior figures, including general counsel Hon Ng, chief strategy officer Patrick Hillmann, and SVP for compliance Steven Christie, told Zhao this week they are leaving the company. Their departure follows the recent exit of Matthew Price, a former IRS agent whom Binance hired in 2021 to oversee global investigations and intelligence.

The decision by the executives to quit the company represents a management and strategic crisis for Binance at a time when it is navigating immense regulatory pressure. The situation is also likely to increase that pressure given that the departures are from legal and compliance units that deal most directly with regulators.

Binance did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the departures.

Apologies for any typos, but I was not expecting to be tweeting about this today. Its true that I am leaving @Binance, but Im doing so on good terms. I continue to respect and support @cz_binance and am grateful for having had the incredible opportunity to work under his  Patrick Hillmann (@PRHillmann) July 6, 2023

In a message to Fortune following the publication of this story, Zhao said the company promoted a new general counsel a month ago, and that Chief Compliance Officer Noah Perlman is staying on at the company. He added that Hillman's departure was for personal reasons.

According to a person at Binance familiar with the situation, the executives chose to depart over Zhaos response to an ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice. Several outlets have reported that the investigation, underway for more than a year, relates to Binances alleged attempts to bamboozle U.S. regulators as well as alleged money laundering and sanctions violations on the companys platform.

Binance is already the subject of serious regulatory lawsuits filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and rumors have swirled that a criminal complaint by the Justice Department against both the company and Zhao are imminent.

The multiple U.S. investigationsalong with others in Europe, Australia, and elsewherehave given rise to rumors that Zhao might step aside as part of an effort to help Binance weather the regulatory storm. In June, Bloomberg published a lengthy profile of Richard Teng, a fast-rising Binance executive with experience, describing him as the heir apparent to Zhao as the company mulled succession options.

But so far, Zhao, a nomadic technology genius fluent in both Western and Asian culture, has given no indication hes prepared to step aside.

Binance remains by far the biggest cryptocurrency exchange in the world, but in recent months its market share has started to slide, likely as a result of the regulatory pressure and on the decision by banks in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere to cut off the companys access to fiat currency.

This story has been updated to included Zhao's comments.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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footwear

Birkenstock is considering a $6bn (4.7bn) stock market listing as the 250-year-old company once mocked for making jesus sandals enjoys a surge in popularity as a high fashion item.

L Catterton, the private equity firm, has enlisted Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase to look at options for Birkenstock including a potential US float.

It comes two years after the shoemaker sold a majority stake to L Catterton in a deal that valued the company 4.9bn (4.1bn).

The Birkenstock family is still involved in the business, with brothers Christian and Alex Birkenstock reportedly worth around $1.7bn (1.3bn) each after the sale of the stake to L Catterton, which is backed by LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault, who is the worlds second richest man, behind Twitter and Tesla owner Elon Musk.

The extent of the brothers current involvement is not clear, but a 30pc stake in the company could result in a $1.8bn (1.4bn) payday were an IPO to achieve a $6bn valuation.

Birkenstock traces its history to 1774, to Johann Adam Birkenstock, a cobbler working in Langen-Bergheim, a small village in Germany. Over a century later, his great-great-grandson, Konrad Birkenstock, developed the first contoured and flexible insoles for shoes.

The cork-soled shoes were developed by Karl Birkenstock in 1963 and marketed as fitness sandals to promote the natural gait.

After the company began importing them in the 1960s they became synonymous with hippies, tourists and older generations and were mocked for being ugly and described as jesus sandals.

However, by the 1990s they became embedded in grunge subculture and in recent years have been worn by celebrities including Leonardo Di Caprio and Kendall Jenner.

Birkenstock has also collaborated with high-end brands such as Dior, Manolo Blahnik and Valentino, some with a price tag of almost 1,000.

In the UK, the company has also benefited from the rise of working from home.The most recent accounts for the brands British subsidiary show revenues surged 57pc to 23.2m in 2021 as shopping returned after the pandemic and home workers sought out more comfortable shoes, the company said.

Birkenstock and JP Morgan declined to comment. Goldman Sachs has been contacted for comment.

Do you own a pair of Birkenstock? Tell us in the comments section below

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'We can't wait any longer.' Port officials OK new operator to take over Port of Wilmington

An agreement that will see a new operator take over the Port of Wilmington has moved one step closer to being finalized.

The Diamond State Port Corp., a state-owned entity that oversees the port, approved an agreement with a 7-year-old shipping company called Enstructure LLC at a board of directors meeting Friday morning. The deal will now head to its final sign-off: an approval by a group of Delaware lawmakers and the state controller general.

Enstructure Co-CEO and Chairman Matt Satnick said the company expects to be in position to start operating "in the next few weeks."

Enstructure will replace GT USA Wilmington, a subsidiary of Emirati company Gulftainer that has operated the port since it was privatized in 2018. GT USA Wilmington's tenure has been marred by financial problems, maintenance issues and environmental violations. After the company's creditors seized control of its board of directors last fall, the port corporation solicited proposals to take over the port.

The Chiquita Passion cargo ship at the Port of Wilmington Thursday, May 20, 2021. In 2020, 29% of the commodities that passed through the port were bananas and plantains by total tonnage.

Enstructure has agreed to make an annual payment to the port corporation, invest in the port's infrastructure and lead a long-planned expansion of the port. In exchange, they will reap any profits the port makes. The state had been operating the port at a roughly $15 million annual deficit prior to conceding control to GT USA five years ago.

Although the agreement with Enstructure includes the expansion project, port officials said Friday their focus is on the port's existing operations. Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, who serves as the chair of the port corporation board, said there has not been any significant investment in the century-old port for a year and a half. That lack of maintenance has led to several issues that Enstructure plans to address soon after taking over.

"We're eager to get in there," Satnick said.

Satnick said Enstructure has a deal to purchase GT USA's debt from its noteholders that will close by July 14. They plan to reach an agreement with GT USA on a similar timeline that will clear the way for a transition, Satnick said.

The final "concurrence" will come from Controller General Ruth Ann Miller; Senate President Pro Tempore David Sokola; Speaker of the House Valerie Longhurst; and the co-chairs of the Bond and Capital Improvement Committee, Sen. Jack Walsh and Rep. Debra Heffernan.

A cargo ship is docked at the Port of Wilmington Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020.

What's in the deal?

The deal the Diamond State Port Corp. and Enstructure negotiated is technically a series of changes to the existing agreement that concedes control of the port to GT USA Wilmington. Although much of the technical language remains, the financial terms have been altered.

Enstructure will make an annual payment that will start at $1 million. It will increase each year by the lesser of 5% or the Consumer Price Index. After seven years, the payment will be reset between $1.5 million and $2 million based on the port's revenue. It will be subject to the risers thereafter.

Earlier terms showed Enstructure committing $87 million to port improvements. Tom McGonigle, an attorney with Barnes & Thornburg LLP, said Friday this represents the minimum amount Enstructure will spend and that the company has plans above this amount.

Enstructure will also make a one-time payment of $21.5 million when the deal is finalized.

The agreement will last 55 years, expiring on Oct. 1, 2078.

Enstructure has made multiple labor agreements that were also included in the final term sheet, McGonigle said. They include a project labor agreement with the Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council for the expansion project and a community workforce agreement that will ensure jobs for minority and women workers, James Maravelias, president of trades council, said.

Since 2018, GT USA Wilmington has paid $12 million to the port corporation in concession fees, eliminated $9 million of debt and contributed $80 million in capital investment at the port, according to the port corporation.

The original agreement with GT USA called for a minimum annual payment of $3 million and a total investment of $584 million in the port, the planned expansion and additional warehousing.

In addition to missing recent payments and failing to invest in the port over the past year and a half, GT USA never advanced the expansion project. For years, port officials have wanted to build a container terminal on a 114-acre property known as Edgemoor acquired from Chemours in 2016.

"While [the port corporation] and [the Port of Wilmington] benefited from this partnership, GT Wilmington did not provide a viable long-term financing plan for the [port], the expansion at the Edgemoor Property and did not properly advance the Edgemoor project," the resolution approved by the board Friday states.

A walkway leads out to a pumping station at the former Chemours Edgemoor site. State and port officials have planned to use the former Chemours site for future expansion of the port for years. The state acquired the property in 2016 for $10 million.

What they are saying

After an executive session, McGonigle opened the public portion of Friday's meeting with a rundown of what had changed in the term sheet with Enstructure since the board's previous meeting in May.

Bullock then said the port corporation needed to move forward with Enstructure to improve the conditions at the port, adding that recent estimates of investment needed at the facility are "significantly higher" than he previously expected.

"We can't wait any longer," Bullock said.

The board soon after approved a resolution finalizing and approving the final terms of the agreement with Enstructure with a yay or nay vote.

The board received public comments only after the successful vote. Port officials declined to provide a copy of the resolution prior to Friday's meeting.

James Maravelias, Delaware Building Construction Trades President, speaks during JPMorgan Chase's Official Market Renovation & Groundbreaking Ceremony at Delaware's Wilmington Corporate Center, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023.

Maravelias and International Longshoreman Association President Bill Ashe spoke in favor of moving forward with Enstructure.

"This is our infrastructure. Delaware. Delaware jobs," Maravelias said. "These are building jobs. We're not building a highway and it runs and that's it. This is the ILA expansion. This is the Teamsters expansion. This is the building trades expansion."

Holt Logistics, operators of Philadelphia's Packer Avenue terminal and ports in Gloucester and Paulsboro, New Jersey, had previously called for a "more transparent and thorough" selection process. They believe the port corporation board failed to fully consider their bid to take over the Port of Wilmington, which they say is more lucrative to the state than Enstructure's proposal.

"This obfuscation is just amazing," Darrell Baker, a lobbyist representing Holt, said Friday. "Where is the after-action report like you would see in the army or say when the FAA investigates a plane crash? This was a $700 million mistake.  You need to tell everybody, sometime, what really went on here."

Members of a community group concerned with the environmental impact of the port and its planned expansion also called for a more open process Friday, asking for an open dialogue with port and Enstructure officials. They are seeking a community benefits agreement, which would outline the ways the port will help the community and mitigate its concerns.

Language from the original agreement stating the operator should pursue a community benefits agreement was carried over to the agreement with Enstructure.

"I support a public meeting with all involved so we can ask questions, so we're not limited to just making a comment," Simeon Hahn, a member of the Delaware Community Benefits Coalition, said. "This process is insufficient."

Contact Brandon Holveck at bholveck@delawareonline.com. Follow him on Twitter @holveck_brandon.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Enstructure closer to taking over Port of Wilmington from Gulftainer
FILE PHOTO: Four thousand U.S. dollars are counted out by a banker at a bank in Westminster

By Lucy Raitano

LONDON (Reuters) - Investors globally ploughed more money into cash funds in the week to Wednesday, with total cash assets under management reaching a "monster" $7.8 trillion, according to a report from Bank of America (BofA) Global Research.

Inflows into cash funds totaled $29 billion in the week to Wednesday, while global investors also bought $13 billion of equity funds and $9.8 billion of bonds, BofA said citing figures from funds data provider EPFR.

Fears about a looming recession have kept many investors holding large cash positions throughout the first half of this year, even though the surprising resilience of the global economy has helped equity markets to rally sharply.

Among equity investment trends, weekly inflows into Japanese stocks stood at $8.9 billion, their fifth straight week of inflows, while U.S. large caps saw their largest inflow in eight months of $12.9 billion.

The BofA data captures flows in the week to Wednesday, before key U.S unemployment data on Thursday raised expectations that the Federal Reserve will resume rate hikes in July after June's pause.

The data caused a sharp selloff in which equity markets tumbled and short-dated bond yields on both sides of the Atlantic climbed past March levels to post-financial crisis highs.

"Financial conditions tightening again in early-Q3, keeps the 'higher-for-longer/hard landing' view entrenched," said BofA in the report, noting that a further tightening of financial conditions in the third quarter would create a great opportunity for investors to position for a hard economic landing.

Inflows into developed markets equities have for the first time since November 2022 trended higher than inflows into emerging markets equities, totaling $31 billion and $14 billion respectively over the last eight weeks.

The BofA "bull & bear" indicator, which measures market sentiment and is based on a series of technical market measures, remained unchanged, being more bearish than bullish at 3.2, where 10 is extremely bullish and 0 is the opposite.

(Reporting by Lucy Raitano; Editing by Alun John and David Holmes)
The tower of the Bank for International Settlements is seen in Basel

By Marc Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - The central bankers' central bank, the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), has laid out a seven-point plan designed to help countries prevent cyber hacks on the new wave of digital national currencies under development.

Around 130 countries are now exploring central bank digital currencies (CBDC) to keep up with technological change, but there are worries that the online nature of them could make them a major target for criminals and hostile states.

The BIS acts as an umbrella body for the U.S. Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England and other central banks around the world and has been co-ordinating a lot of work on CBDC development.

In two interlinked reports published on Friday it warned that CBDC systems were, "complex, with a large attack surface and many potential points of failure, bringing new and elevated risks".

Analysis of past cyber attacks also revealed "gaps" in the security attack modelling systems of the more technologically-advanced CBDCs and that the "mean time to attack" - the time it took for hackers to successfully compromise a blockchain type set-up - was only around 10 months on average.

"This is a key point to note for central banks about to launch a CBDC, they must be thoroughly prepared to adequately monitor and repel both well understood and novel" cyber attacks, the BIS said.

The worry is that a successful attack on a CBDC could seriously erode public confidence in the new currencies as well as the central banks themselves and the wider financial system.

Hackers have struck a number of central banks in recent years from Denmark to Bangladesh. According to crypto research firm Elliptic, users of cryptocurrency, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and other digital assets lost $10.5 billion due to theft in 2021.

The BIS called its seven-point plan the "Polaris security and resilience framework".

Specifically, it calls on central banks to:

 Recognise the complexity and new threat landscape brought by CBDC systems.

 Adopt modern enabling technologies supporting security and resilience where appropriate.

 Take stock of existing capabilities that could be used by a CBDC system.

 Identify areas that need to improve and new capabilities that need to be implemented.

It also called for central banks to use the global "MITRE ATT&CK" database of past cyber attacks, and for an "official extension" of the MITRE ATT&CK framework to help central banks beef up their security measures.

(Reporting by Marc Jones; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Faith Leader and Human Rights Activist Condemns President Biden's Decision to Send Controversial Cluster Munitions to Ukraine

These cluster munitions are banned by more than 100 nations around the world



NEWS PROVIDED BY

Christian Defense Coalition

July 7, 2023



WASHINGTON, July 7, 2023 /Standard Newswire/ -- Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, calls the decision by the Biden Administration a "dangerous escalation in the Ukraine/Russian war that will put innocent families and their children at risk."



Describing the reasons why so many nations ban cluster munitions, Rev. Mahoney quotes from the BBC; "They are a class of weapons that contain multiple explosive bomblets."



"US officials had reportedly been hesitant to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions as they can kill indiscriminately over a wide area, threatening civilians.



"The munitions are controversial because of their high failure rates, meaning unexploded bomblets can linger on the ground for years and possibly detonate later on."



Rev. Patrick Mahoney, who has been an outspoken peace and anti-war activist for over 50 years, adds;

"By providing this banned weapon to Ukraine, President Biden is creating a dangerous escalation in the Ukraine/Russian war that will put innocent families and their children at risk. Make no mistake about this tragic decision, the United States is now engaged in a deadly war with Russia.



"It is unconscionable that the United States, along with NATO and the EU, have not tried to put forward a peace proposal that would help bring an end to the violence in Ukraine and protect their people.



"It should be stressed being pro-peace is not being pro-Putin. Vladimir Putin is an oppressive leader who has crushed human rights for the people of Russia and we hope and pray one day Russian citizens will be able to walk and live in freedom.



"However, regardless of President Putin's brutal government, the United States should not be sending these deadly weapons to Ukraine which will make it much more difficult to resolve this conflict and press forward for a peaceful resolution.



"President Biden should embrace the teachings of Christ as he proclaimed, 'Blessed are the peacemakers'"

For more information or interviews contact



Rev. Patrick Mahoney at: 540.538.4741



SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition



CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741


(Bloomberg) -- China is on course to see a record number of stocks being delisted from its exchanges this year as new rules introduced to improve the quality of listed companies snare an ever greater number of victims.

Most Read from Bloomberg

A total of 21 firms have already lost their listed status on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses since the start of January, while another 22 have said they are at imminent risk of being culled, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The potential total almost matches the all-time high of 44 set in 2022, even though the current year is only half way through.

Chinese regulators revamped delisting guidelines in 2021 as part of their efforts to clean up the stock market and bolster investor confidence. The number of delistings jumped the following year, and has risen further in 2023 as the economic recovery from the pandemic has faltered.

A macro slowdown, weak market sentiment, and expanded IPO reforms are all factors behind the delisting and optimization of stocks in the market, said Yang Ruyi, a fund manager at Shanghai Prospect Investment Management Co. The rise in delistings is adding to speculation that other stocks with poor fundamentals will also lose their listing status, she said.

While the pace of delistings has sped up this year, the total is still less than 25% of the number of IPOs. Chinas stock exchanges welcomed nearly 200 newcomers in the first half  more than any country in the world  swelling the combined sum of listed firms on the two exchanges to more than 5,000.

Here are some additional Q&As about the surge in delistings:

Why were the tighter delisting rules introduced?

The new rules that took effect in 2021 expanded the criteria for possible delisting, and sped up the process of weeding out weaker listed companies. The main intention was to help encourage the listing of new and innovative companies under easier IPO rules. Among other reasons, regulators have signaled that a stronger capital market is critical toward gaining an edge in the tech race with the US.

What exactly are the current delisting criteria?

Delistings can be brought about in three main ways: trading levels, poor financials or illicit behavior.

In the trading category, the key triggers include having fewer than 5 million shares changing hands for 120 sessions; a close below 1 yuan for 20 sessions; a market cap below 300 million yuan ($41 million) for 20 sessions; or a company having fewer than 2,000 stakeholders for 20 sessions.

The financials category includes revenue below 100 million yuan coupled with a net loss; a net liability in the past year; an auditing firm issues an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion on its annual report; or certain types of administrative punishments from the securities regulator.

What are some of the large firms that were delisted this year?

Among the bigger companies that have lost their listings this year are Sichuan Languang Development Co., which was removed last month after triggering the 1 yuan rule. Bluedon Information Security Technology Co. is also on track to delist, after it reported a net loss and a revenue less than 100 million yuan and announced a net liability.

Have some sectors been affected more than others?

Property firms have seen the most delistings, which isnt surprising given their current financial stresses.

Investor sentiment toward the sector has worsened despite additional support from the authorities. In addition to those already delisted, Yango Group Co. is also facing imminent removal after triggering the 1 yuan rule, pending a final hearing from the exchange. Approximately a dozen others are below or close to that level.

What happens to shares and investors after a delisting?

Delisting rules stipulate that some firms heading for the exit to enter a final 15-session organization period, during which they must issue regular warnings alerting investors of risks ahead of the final trading day. The stock isnt subject to trading limits on the first day of the final phase.

After delisting, investors still own equity in the company. The difference is that they can no longer trade them in the secondary market in Shanghai and Shenzhen. Shareholders may seek to dispose of their holdings at a special corner of the National Equities Exchange and Quotations system, an over-the-counter market with relatively low liquidity.

What does this mean for investors going forward?

The investment strategy of buying the worst-performing shares in hope of a restructuring, a back-door listing or a similar turnaround story is fast being consigned to history. That doesnt mean this is the end of speculative plays in Chinas retail investor-heavy stock market, but it will help increase the shift toward fundamentals-driven investing.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Columbus adds more construction jobs than all but two U.S. cities with Intel, OSU projects

Work continues as construction crews redevelop the former site of Woodcliff Condominiums. The City of Whitehall acquired the 35-acre site in 2019. The development plans to have 1,000 residential units as well as office, retail and restaurant space.

Central Ohio gained 6,100 construction jobs over the past year, more than almost any other U.S. city, as Intel, Ohio State University and other projects keep the local hammers swinging.

Between May 2022 and this May, the number of Columbus-area construction jobs rose from 48,600 to 54,700, according to the Associated General Contractors of America , which based the report on federal Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The data also includes an estimated 3,000 jobs in the mining and logging industries.

Only Dallas (11,600 jobs) and New York (9,600 jobs) added more new construction jobs over the same period, AGC found. Among larger cities, Columbus had the biggest percentage gain of construction jobs over the last year.

Ken Simonson, chief economist with the AGC, noted that Intel's construction of two semiconductor factories in New Albany ramped up in the year covered by the report.

"Since the groundbreaking, the Intel project seemed to move ahead much quicker than most large projects," he said. "It involved many thousands of workers to just prepare the ground to start the work. I suspect that's a significant portion of the increase."

The Intel project is expected to employ up to 7,000 construction workers before it is completed in 2025 but it is hardly alone in driving local construction employment, which economist Bill Lafayette forecast to be one of the few areas of employment growth in Columbus this year.

The most active construction site in central Ohio now is the Wexner Medical Center tower rising 26 stories on Route 315. Each day, about 1,100 construction workers are on the site, said Brian Mooney, general manager of the Ohio and Indiana region of Turner Construction Co., which is managing the hospital expansion with Walsh Construction.

Jul 6, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, United States; Wexner Medical Center.

"This construction market's really hitting on all cylinders," Mooney said. "Columbus is a growing community, lots of health care; the Wexner Medical Center and Mount Carmel and OhioHealth all have work going on ... We're seeing growth in all market segments and the population is growing, which is driving demand for housing too."

Simonson said one of the biggest growth areas for contractors over the past year has been in manufacturing, with a 77% jump in construction employment. In addition to Intel, several manufacturing projects have been launched in central Ohio over the past year, including projects from the bio-tech firm Amgen, Ohio Steel Industries, Simpson Manufacturing, Vertiv, Pharmavite, Sofidel and Honda's battery production plant in Jeffersonville, which was too far from Columbus to be included in the AGC report.

"We've also huge activity in multifamily projects, with the highest number of units under construction in history," Simonson said.

Simonson said he expects some types of construction, such as warehouses and apartments, to slow down, while others such as data centers and health care become more active. He, Mooney and Lafayette all expect construction employment to remain strong moving forward, as long as employers can find enough workers.

More: With Intel and central Ohio growth, comes charges of construction worker poaching

"The (John Glenn Columbus International) airport project will start late next year," Mooney said. "That's on the horizon. Every sector in this community, whether health care or commercial or data centers, will all be going hard for three, four, five years minimum."

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus trails only Dallas and New York in construction job growth
Continental to phase out activities at Gifhorn plant by end of 2027

BERLIN (Reuters) -Continental said on Friday it planned to phase out business activities at its Gifhorn plant by the end of 2027, with 450 out of 900 jobs at the site initially affected.

The decision was taken "against the backdrop of the sharp increase in cost pressure in the automotive industry, the declining automotive markets, and the high and by international standards uncompetitive cost structure at the site", the company said in a statement.

The measures will include the relocation of the assembly of latest-generation air supply systems in 2024, relocation of the spare parts business from 2024, and outsourcing of valve block and piston head production to suppliers by the end of 2027.

The supervisory board supports the initial measures but will decide on the phase-out at its December meeting, the company said.

HR chief Ariane Reinhart said Continental would either move affected workers to other parts of the company or assist them in finding work on the external labour market.

A local official for the IG Metall union referred to the decision as "bitter", but said Continental had cleared the way for new investments in the Gifhorn site, which could help workers transition into new employment.

"There are signs of possible solutions to get the colleagues from work into work," said local IG Metall representative Thorsten Groeger.

(Reporting by Friederike Heine, Editing by Rachel More, Miranda Murray and David Evans)
(Bloomberg) -- Credit Suisse was sued in Japan over bonds linked to a fund that the bank ran with now-bankrupt Greensill Capital, underscoring the legal challenges that remain for the lender and its new owner UBS Group AG.

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Yamazaki Marunouchi Law Office filed a suit against Credit Suisse Securities (Japan) Ltd. on Friday with the Tokyo District Court, on behalf of a Japanese company and its founder seeking about 7 billion yen ($49 million) in compensation.

The plaintiffs allege the bank gave improper product explanations when it sold the securities, whose returns were tied to a supply chain finance fund which later collapsed, according to a copy of the complaint seen by Bloomberg News.

A spokesperson for Credit Suisse declined to comment. There were problems both in the ways Credit Suisse Group operated its funds and the ways its securities unit explained about the products at the time of sales in Japan, Taiju Yamazaki, an attorneyatlaw at Yamazaki Marunouchi Law Office, said by email. Id like to clarify those points in court.

The implosion of Lex Greensills supply chain finance empire in March 2021 saw Credit Suisse freeze and wind down a $10 billion group of four funds that the Swiss bank ran with his firm and had marketed to clients as safe investments. The latest suit underscores how the ripples from that scandal have spread beyond those who directly invested in the vehicles.

The plaintiffs bought four kinds of bonds whose returns were linked to the performance of the Credit Suisse Nova (Lux) Supply Chain Finance High Income Fund, according to the complaint. The securities had a leverage feature, helping to amplify returns when things go well but can lead to large losses otherwise.

Read More: Credit Suisse May Let Fund Clients Take Hit on Greensill Losses

The Swiss lender said a year ago that investors should brace for a five-year fight with insurers and some borrowers. Credit Suisse had returned $7 billion as of June 7 to investors since the funds were shuttered, according to the company. Payments to investors have slowed in recent months as the recoveries become more reliant on difficult debtors and are mired in litigation.

Neither Credit Suisses product manuals nor its salesperson explained to the plaintiffs that the fund was investing in not only securities backed by account receivables, which usually rely on invoices, but also those backed by so-called future receivables, the complaint said. The latter are guaranteed on sales that have not yet occurred and as a result are a far riskier investment.

A limit-loss feature embedded in the bonds also hasnt worked the way Credit Suisse said it would, according to the complaint. Those inappropriate explanations mean that the contract for the bond sales should be canceled and that Credit Suisse should repay the principal in full, the complaint said.

--With assistance from Marion Halftermeyer.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Tom Sims

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Deutsche Boerse said on Friday that it was extending an offer period to shareholders for its takeover of the Danish investment management software company SimCorp as it awaits European Union regulatory approval.

The extension - to August 3 from an original July 13, with a warning of an additional extension beyond that - could mean a slight delay in the closing of the 3.9 billion euro ($4.25 billion) deal.

The German exchange operator had initially hoped to complete the takeover in the third quarter, but it said on Friday that it may only get final regulatory approval by the end of that quarter.

Management at Deutsche Boerse has touted the acquisition announced in April as key to its future strategy, combining SimCorp's investment management software with Deutsche Boerse's data.

"The chemistry is right," Deutsche Boerse Chief Executive Officer Theodor Weimer told its investors in May.

SimCorp's board and management have also backed the deal. Deutsche Boerse hopes to take "significantly" more than 50% of the company.

Deutsche Boerse said it had received approval from authorities in the United States, Denmark and Italy.

"The remaining filing process with the EU commission is on track," Deutsche Boerse said.

($1 = 0.9184 euros)

(Reporting by Tom Sims, Editing by Friederike Heine and Rachel More)
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Sime Darby Plantation Berhad fair value estimate is RM3.24

Sime Darby Plantation Berhad's RM4.28 share price signals that it might be 32% overvalued

Analyst price target for SIMEPLT is RM4.23, which is 30% above our fair value estimate

Today we'll do a simple run through of a valuation method used to estimate the attractiveness of Sime Darby Plantation Berhad (KLSE:SIMEPLT) as an investment opportunity by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Companies can be valued in a lot of ways, so we would point out that a DCF is not perfect for every situation. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

View our latest analysis for Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

What's The Estimated Valuation?

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.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, 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

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM1.46b RM1.74b RM1.69b RM1.68b RM1.69b RM1.72b RM1.76b RM1.80b RM1.85b RM1.91b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ -2.42% Est @ -0.63% Est @ 0.63% Est @ 1.51% Est @ 2.13% Est @ 2.56% Est @ 2.86% Est @ 3.08% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10.0% RM1.3k RM1.4k RM1.3k RM1.2k RM1.1k RM972 RM903 RM842 RM788 RM738

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM10b

After calculating the present value of future cash flows in the initial 10-year period, we need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all future cash flows beyond the first stage. 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 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM1.9b (1 + 3.6%)  (10.0% 3.6%) = RM31b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM31b ( 1 + 10.0%)10= RM12b

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 RM22b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM4.3, the company appears reasonably expensive at the time of writing. 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

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Sime Darby Plantation 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 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Food market.

Opportunity

Good value based on P/E ratio compared to estimated Fair P/E ratio.

Threat

Annual earnings are forecast to decline for the next 3 years.

Looking Ahead:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Can we work out why the company is trading at a premium to intrinsic value? For Sime Darby Plantation Berhad, we've put together three additional aspects you should consider:

Risks: Take risks, for example - Sime Darby Plantation Berhad has 2 warning signs (and 1 which is significant) we think you should know about. Future Earnings: How does SIMEPLT'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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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR A SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO SELL ANY SECURITIES. THE TENDER OFFER IS BEING MADE ONLY PURSUANT TO THE OFFER TO PURCHASE AND ONLY IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS AS IS PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW.

Paris, July 7, 2023

Electricite de France Announces the Final Results of its Tender Offer as of the Expiration Date

Electricite de France (the Company) hereby announces the final results of its offer to purchase for cash any and all (the Offer) of its $1,500,000,000 Reset Perpetual Subordinated Notes (the Notes), which are admitted to trading on the regulated market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 6, 2023 (the Expiration Date).

The terms and conditions of the Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase dated June 6, 2023 (the Offer to Purchase), the date of the commencement of the Offer. Capitalized terms used in this announcement but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Offer to Purchase.

Early Participation Results

As announced by the Company on June 21, 2023, $901,449,000 of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes was validly tendered at or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 20, 2023 (the Early Participation Date) and was accepted for purchase by the Company. The settlement for the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Participation Date took place on June 22, 2023.

Expiration of the Offer

The Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on July 6, 2023. According to information provided by the Information Agent and Tender Agent, $2,910,000 of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes was validly tendered after the Early Participation Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date.

All Notes validly tendered after the Early Participation Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date have been accepted for purchase. No Notes tendered after the Expiration Date will be accepted pursuant to the Offer.

Holders whose Notes were validly tendered pursuant to the Offer after the Early Participation Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for purchase by the Company will receive $945.00 per $1,000 of principal amount of Notes (the Purchase Price).

In addition to the Purchase Price, Holders whose Notes were validly tendered pursuant to the Offer after the Early Participation Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date and accepted for purchase by the Company will also receive accrued and unpaid interest (including any outstanding arrears of interest and/or any additional interest amount) from (and including) the immediately preceding interest payment date for the Notes to (but excluding) the Final Settlement Date (as defined below).

The settlement date for the Notes validly tendered after the Early Participation Date and at or prior to the Expiration Date is expected to be July 10, 2023 (the Final Settlement Date). Following the Final Settlement Date, $595,641,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes will remain outstanding.

This announcement does not contain the full terms and conditions of the Offer, which are contained in the Offer to Purchase prepared by the Company.

Further Information

Any questions about the Offer may be directed to the Dealer Managers for the Offer:

Dealer Managers for the Offer BNP Paribas

16 boulevard des Italiens

75009 Paris

France

Attention: Liability Management Group

Europe: +33 1 55 77 78 94

U.S.: +1 (212) 841-3059

U.S. Toll Free: +1 (888) 210-4358

Email: liability.management@bnpparibas.com BofA Securities Europe SA

51 Rue La Boetie

75008 Paris

France

Attention: Liability Management Group

Europe: +33 1 877 01057

U.S. Toll Free: +1 (888) 292-0070

U.S.: +1 (980) 387-3907

Email: DG.LM-EMEA@bofa.com Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

1 Columbus Circle

New York, NY 10019

United States of America

Attention: Liability Management Group

Collect: (212) 250-2955

Toll-Free: (866) 627-0391

Any requests for additional copies of the Offer to Purchase or related documents, which may be obtained free of charge, may be directed to the Information Agent and the Tender Agent for the Offer:

Information Agent and the Tender Agent for the Offer Kroll Issuer Services Limited

The Shard

32 London Bridge Street

London SE1 9SG

United Kingdom

U.S. Toll Free Number: +1 (800) 693-0284

Tel: +44 20 7704 0880

Attention: Owen Morris

Email: edf@is.kroll.com

Website: https://deals.is.kroll.com/edf



Forward-Looking Statements

The Company considers portions of this announcement and the Offer to Purchase to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified typically by the use of forward-looking terminology such as believes, expects, may, will, could, should, intends, estimates, plans, assumes, predicts or anticipates, as well as the negatives of such words and other words of similar meaning in connection with discussions of future operating or financial performance or of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, these assumptions are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Companys control; therefore, the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will be achieved. Future events and actual results, financial and otherwise, may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, possible changes in the timing and consummation of the Offer.

You are cautioned not to place any undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement or the Offer to Purchase, which speak only as at their respective dates. Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates undertakes any obligation publicly to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by any applicable laws and regulations.

Attachment




Lawyers representing Elon Musk asked a federal judge to throw out a complaint that called for their removal after plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit by Dogecoin investors accused them of acting improperly. Musks lawyers called the request an insult, and a waste of the courts time.

In a biting 17-page filing, Musks lawyers said that the allegations they acted out of boundsincluding accusations Musk lawyer Alex Spiro leaked a derogatory letter to the press were baseless and failed to pass the courts laugh test. The laugh test is a legal doctrine (yes, really) that considers the seriousness of a claim.

According to Musks lawyers, there is absolutely nothing funny about Spencers accusations, and that it was he who was acting inappropriately.

Spencers unfounded and audacious allegations of purported conflicts of interest and ethical improprieties by undersigned counsel are so improper that Spencers Motion itself is sanctionable, read the filing.

Dogecoin Investors Decry 'Dirty Tactics' by Elon Musk Lawyers in Insider Trading Case

On June 26, Evan Spencer, the attorney representing Dogecoin investors, filed a motion that accused Musk's lawyers of showing a pattern of deprecating and oppressive misconduct in the case. Specifically, Spencer accused Spiro of resorting to "dirty tactics" by allegedly leaking a letter to the New York Post on June 15 that disparaged his competence as a way to materially prejudice the case.

Spencer also requested that the judge dismiss Tesla attorney Allison Huebert over her work for Musk and his company, something he said is a conflict of interest. For this cacophony of alleged wrongdoings, Spencer called for Musks lawyers to be financially sanctioned for their conduct.

The Musk team was having none of this.

In regard to the New York Post letter, the billionaires legal team countered that Spencers leaking accusation was unsubstantiated. At the same time, they argued that even if the accusation was true, it did not breach any ethics rules that forbade speaking with the press.

On the charge that Hueberts work representing Musk and Tesla was improper, the lawyers said that New York law allowed for representation of executives and their companies at the same time. They clapped back that Spencers argument on this was "nothing more than an imaginative manufacturing of Spencer's own mind."

Elon Musk Denies Owning Dogecoin Stash Linked to Insider Trading

The $258 billion court battle between the worlds richest man and the meme coin investors began last June over allegations that Musk was part of a racketeering scheme to back the cryptocurrency.

Musk, who gleefully tweeted for years about his interest in DOGE and who has worked with the tokens founders in the past, denies any wrongdoing.
Excluding DeFi from new crypto regulations could create unintended risks to financial stability, a European trade body has warned.

In a white paper published on Thursday, the Association for Financial Markets in Europe (AFME) argued that decentralized activities should not be overlooked, as both the European Union and the UK move ahead with crypto regimes.

We believe that decentralized finance (DeFi) and its associated activities must be brought within the regulatory perimeter in an appropriate way to manage risks to market integrity, financial stability, and end users, while still promoting financial and technological innovation, researchers wrote.

It comes after the EUs landmark Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) rules came into effect last month, following the approval of lawmakers.

The regulations, which will not actually be enforced until next year, do not cover DeFi and a number of other areas such as NFTs, an omission which has already led policymakers to call for a second version of the legislation.

As EUs Landmark Crypto Rules Come Into Force, Do We Already Need MiCA 2.0?

While the AFME acknowledged that crossover between DeFi and traditional finance is still minimal, the group pointed to several examples through which DeFi could impact the economy. These included the coding of home purchase chains into a smart contract, putting intangible assets like intellectual property on the blockchain, and the creation of on-chain only assets such as gaming collectibles.

In order to keep up with the changing landscape, therefore, the AFME recommended further research and global cooperation between regulators, and said that regulators should develop ways to classify DeFi activities, including giving legal status to decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).

The AFME added that because DeFi products often have no home jurisdiction due to their decentralized nature, regulators may have to turn their attention to either the user or the business providing a web interface to the user, in order to apply regulations.
A booth of Ant Group is pictured at the Singapore FinTech Festival

By Julie Zhu and Jane Xu

HONG KONG (Reuters) -Chinese authorities announced on Friday a 7.12 billion yuan ($984 million) fine for Ant Group, ending a years-long regulatory overhaul of the fintech company and marking a key step to concluding a crackdown on the country's internet sector.

China's central bank said that financial regulators would fine Ant and its subsidiaries a total of 7.12 billion yuan, require it to stop operations of its crowdfunded medical aid service Xianghubao and compensate users.

The penalty amounts to one of the largest ever fines for an internet company in China.

Ant and its subsidiaries had violated laws and regulations in areas including corporate governance, financial consumer protection, payment and settlement business, as well as anti-money laundering obligations, the People's Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement.

Ant said it had completed its rectification work. "We will comply with the terms of the penalty in all earnestness and sincerity and continue to further enhance our compliance governance." It closed Xianghubao in 2021.

Reuters reported earlier, citing sources, that Chinese authorities intended to unveil its fine on Ant as early as Friday.

Besides Ant, the Chinese authorities also announced they had fined Ping An Bank, insurer PICC Property and Casualty, Postal Savings Bank and Tencent Holdings' online payment platform Tenpay, with Tenpay given a penalty of nearly 3 billion yuan, for committing violations in areas such as customer data management.

"Most of the prominent problems for platform companies' financial businesses have been rectified," said the PBOC, adding that the financial regulators would next shift focus from focusing on specific companies to overall regulation of the industry.

ALIBABA SHARES JUMP

U.S.-listed shares in Ant's affiliate, e-commerce titan Alibaba Group, rose 9% after the PBOC's announcement. Earlier in the day, its Hong Kong shares jumped as much as 6.4% after the Reuters report before giving up some gains.

Ant's penalty paves the way for the fintech firm to secure a financial holding company license, seek growth, and eventually, revive its plans for a stock market debut.

The National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA), a new government body under the State Council, is now the primary regulator to grant Ant the key license, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The NFRA did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

For the broader technology sector, the fine marks a key step towards the conclusion of China's bruising crackdown on private enterprises, which began with the scrapping of Ant's IPO in late 2020 and has subsequently wiped billions off the market value of several companies.

Moves by the Chinese government to "finalise penalties, clarify its expectations, and draw clear compliance boundaries are key to stabilising private sector confidence," said Rukim Kuang, founder of Beijing-based Lens Consulting.

FOLLOWS MA'S RETURN TO CHINA

Founded by billionaire Jack Ma, Ant operates China's ubiquitous mobile payment app Alipay and undertakes consumer lending and insurance products distribution among other businesses. In mid-2020, before its IPO was pulled, it was valued by some investors at more than $300 billion.

Since April 2021, Ant has been formally undergoing a sweeping business restructuring, which includes turning itself into a financial holding company that would subject it to rules and capital requirements similar to those for banks.

Jeffrey Towson, a partner of TechMoat consulting, said Ant would have a "fantastic" growth path going forward now as its regulatory issues, which mainly impacted its domestic payment and credit businesses, were resolved.

"Alipay+ is now going international. Ant's tech services business is also very well positioned for B2B contracts," he said.

The announcement of the fine comes soon after China appointed central bank Deputy Governor Pan Gongsheng as the bank's party secretary, a move two policy sources told Reuters would be a prelude to appointing him governor.

Pan is one of the main regulatory officials overseeing Ant's revamp and has attended several meetings with the company about the fine and the revamp, according to the sources.

The PBOC did not respond to a request for comment on Pan's role.

The sources had earlier said that the fine on Ant had been revised to at least 8 billion yuan. Reuters reported in April that Chinese regulators were considering fining Ant about 5 billion yuan, a lower sum than what they initially had in mind.

Ant's fine is the largest regulatory penalty imposed on a Chinese internet company since ride-hailing major Didi Global was fined $1.2 billion by China's cybersecurity regulator last year.

Alibaba was fined a record 18 billion yuan in 2021 for antitrust violations.

Ant's penalty comes at a time when Chinese authorities are keen to boost private sector confidence as the $17 trillion economy struggles to recover despite the lifting of zero-COVID-19 curbs earlier this year.

It also follows the return to China of Ma earlier this year after spending many months overseas. Ma, who also founded Alibaba, withdrew from public view in late 2020 after giving a speech criticising China's regulatory system, an event widely regarded as a trigger for the crackdown on industry.

He previously owned more than 50% of the voting rights at Ant, but in January it said he would give up control of the company as part of the revamp.

($1 = 7.2439 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Julie Zhu and Jane Xu; Additional reporting by Jason Xue, Kevin Huang, Meg Shen, Twinnie Sui, Josh Ye and Ethan Wang; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Brenda Goh, David Holmes, Susan Fenton)
Laman Ismayilova

The Baku Youth Center has exhibited art works by students of the Art School under the Arts Council Azerbaijan.

The exhibition "Our independence is eternal" was co-organized with the support of the Baku Youth Center and the NGO Arts Council Azerbaijan as part of the Heydar Aliyev Heritage Festival, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the event, the head of the Art School, the exposition curator Sona Guliyeva noted that the exhibition featured 30 works by young artists aged 8 to 15 years.

"Young artists' paintings are dedicated to the activities of the Great National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the history and culture of our country. The art works have been creating them for several months," she said.

Sona Guliyeva emphasized that the artists created wonderful works, each of which reflected their thoughts and feelings.

Director of the Baku Youth Center Nargiz Babayeva spoke about the activities of the institution she leads, the activities and projects implemented by the Youth Center.

Head of Arts Council Azerbaijan NGO Dadash Mammadov stressed that the exhibition was organized within the Heydar Aliyev Heritage Festival, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the nationwide leader.

"The festival provides for a series of events and exhibitions. In its activities, the Arts Council Azerbaijan pays great attention to the development of the creative abilities of children and adolescents, their aesthetic taste, as well as the presentation of their works to the general public. Exhibitions of works by the Art School students were held not only in Azerbaijan, but also outside our country," said Dadash Mammadov.

At the end of the event, participants of the exhibition were awarded certificates.

Art School has been operating since 2010, is a project of the NGO Arts Council Azerbaijan.

Headed by Sona Guliyeva, it aims to develop the creative potential of talented young artists.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az.
Retirees

Almost 390,000 people who took early retirement during the onset of the pandemic have fallen into poverty, according to a leading think-tank.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) said around half of those aged 50 to 70 who left the workforce in 2020-21 ended up living in relative poverty because of labour market disruptions or health concerns.

This means their annual income is less than 60pc of the average household  or around 15,400 for a childless couple.

It follows a significant fall in the size of Britains workforce in the wake of the pandemic, driven by older individuals close to the state pension age. While early retirements are behind a significant share of this, some of this trend has been subsequently reversed amid the soaring cost of living.

Long-term sickness has now emerged as a rising factor behind growing labour market inactivity.

The IFS said its analysis challenges the perception that departures from the labour market during the pandemic were driven by wealthy individuals who could afford to retire in comfort, and suggests that many individuals were forced into early retirement at the start of the pandemic.

This suggests that there was something different about the 2020-21 cohort, who were perhaps more likely to have been forced into leaving work because of labour market disruptions or health concerns, it said in a report.

In contrast, by 202122 the labour market had largely recovered and the vaccine had been rolled out, so those who became inactive in that year are more likely to have done so out of choice.

The think tank added that this group was also less likely to receive pension incomes than those who had stopped working in previous years, with almost half having no access to either private or state pensions, compared with 43pc of those who were newly inactive in 201920.

The IFS warned that older people who stop working often never re-enter the workforce.

Xiaowei Xu, a senior research economist at IFS, said: Some of this group might well be amenable to coming back into the workforce with the right opportunities, and there are signs that some are returning already. If the Government wants to get this group back to work, the success of policies to support older workers, such as the mid-life MOT, will be critical.

Responding to the report, Andy Briggs, chief executive of Phoenix Group, said: There is a real issue with people struggling to work up to the state pension age. We have also found that people aged 50-64 who leave work early due to ill health have only 5pc of the wealth of those who choose to retire early.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
It's 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 The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (NYSE:THG) share price is down 23% in the last year. That's well below the market return of 12%. On the other hand, the stock is actually up 18% over three years. Shareholders have had an even rougher run lately, with the share price down 13% in the last 90 days.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

See our latest analysis for Hanover Insurance Group

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 way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS).

During the last year Hanover Insurance Group saw its earnings per share drop below zero. Some investors no doubt dumped the stock as a result. However, there may be an opportunity for investors if the company can recover.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

Before buying or selling a stock, we always recommend a close examination of historic growth trends, available here.

A Different Perspective

Hanover Insurance Group shareholders are down 21% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 12%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. On the bright side, long term shareholders have made money, with a gain of 1.7% per year over half a decade. If the fundamental data continues to indicate long term sustainable growth, the current sell-off could be an opportunity worth considering. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Hanover Insurance Group better, we need to consider many other factors. For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Hanover Insurance Group that you should be aware of before investing here.

But note: Hanover Insurance Group may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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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Kruck20 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Maricopa County, located in the southern part of Arizona, is home to a whopping 4.5 million people. As one of the most rapidly growing areas in the country, the sheer population density is putting pressure on water resources after decades of drought.

See: More Americans Can Afford To Buy a Home in These 20 Cities

Im a Real Estate Agent: Buy Real Estate in These 10 Cities To Be Rich in 10 Years

Arizona residents get water from a few different places: 36% from the Colorado River, 18% from in-state rivers, 5% from reclaimed water and 41% from groundwater. However, because of the drought, increasing population, and water overuse, the Colorado River and the groundwater supply are unfortunately drying up.

To combat this, Gov. Katie Hobbs announced that the government will no longer approve permits for new homes in Maricopa County. This applies to homes that will use wells as their source of water. Hobbs explained in a press briefing that this new ban will not affect 80,000 permits that have already been approved and denied that the state was in a crisis.

As of now, it does not appear that a broader enaction of bans on new residential construction is taking place across the nation.

How Did We Get Here?

The events leading up to Governor Hobbs decision have been in the works for two decades, long before she took office. The combination of Maricopa Countys population increase and a prolonged drought put pressure on the water supply system. Without government action, the combination of these two factors would have created an unsustainable future in Arizona.

Scientists are calling the drought in the West a megadrought, per The Guardian, explaining its the most severe drought in 1,200 years. Scientists classify a drought as a megadrought when it exists for more than two decades. As The Guardian reported, The west is now in the midst of the driest 22-year period in knowable history. While the availability of groundwater has always been varied throughout history, scientists explained that humans also contributed to the climate crisis the Southwest is experiencing right now.

Related: Why Retirees Are Expected To Sell Their Homes in These 10 Cities

Moving Forward in Maricopa County

The hope is that the ban on new family housing will help to curb the dwindling groundwater supply by reducing the impact of increased population size. Still, it doesnt completely solve the problem  nor stop the megadrought.

What it does bring about is an awareness of water usage. The news of this ban might lead to Arizona residents being more mindful of their water consumption and prompt new ideas when it comes to water sustainability.

Some towns and investors are also making serious multi-million dollar purchases, buying water rights on the open market to ensure their cities and towns have enough. Queen Creek, a town 35 miles southeast of Phoenix, is one of them. In a controversial play, the town paid $21 million to a farm to get a portion of their water rights in perpetuity, per Bloomberg. The decision resulted in lawsuits, but Queen Creek prevailed. This is only a glimmer of what could be in store for Arizona in the future: a water price war.

Arizona residents dont know whether or not the groundwater shortfall will prevail due the housing ban  nor what it will mean for home prices, population size, and water demand. However, said ban is perhaps a step forward in trying to ameliorate a water shortfall.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Housing Market 2023: New Homes Just Got Banned in a Major American City  Is Yours Next?
Whilst it may not be a huge deal, we thought it was good to see that the Synex Renewable Energy Corporation (TSE:SXI) Independent Director, Danny Sgro, recently bought CA$80k worth of stock, for CA$1.79 per share. Even though that isn't a massive buy, it did increase their holding by 396%, which is arguably a good sign.

See our latest analysis for Synex Renewable Energy

Synex Renewable Energy Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

The Independent Director Adarsh Mehta made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for CA$589k worth of shares at a price of CA$3.10 each. So it's clear an insider wanted to buy, even at a higher price than the current share price (being CA$1.96). While their view may have changed since the purchase was made, this does at least suggest they have had confidence in the company's future. To us, it's very important to consider the price insiders pay for shares. Generally speaking, it catches our eye when insiders have purchased shares at above current prices, as it suggests they believed the shares were worth buying, even at a higher price.

While Synex Renewable Energy insiders bought shares during the last year, they didn't sell. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Synex Renewable Energy is not the only stock insiders are buying. So take a peek at this free list of growing companies with insider buying.

Insider Ownership

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. We usually like to see fairly high levels of insider ownership. Insiders own 27% of Synex Renewable Energy shares, worth about CA$2.3m. This level of insider ownership is good but just short of being particularly stand-out. It certainly does suggest a reasonable degree of alignment.

So What Does This Data Suggest About Synex Renewable Energy Insiders?

The recent insider purchases are heartening. And an analysis of the transactions over the last year also gives us confidence. But on the other hand, the company made a loss during the last year, which makes us a little cautious. Given that insiders also own a fair bit of Synex Renewable Energy we think they are probably pretty confident of a bright future. So these insider transactions can help us build a thesis about the stock, but it's also worthwhile knowing the risks facing this company. For example, Synex Renewable Energy has 3 warning signs (and 1 which doesn't sit too well with us) we think you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions, but not derivative transactions.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

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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. For example, the Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) share price is up 96% in the last three years, clearly besting the market return of around 31% (not including dividends). However, more recent returns haven't been as impressive as that, with the stock returning just 7.2% in the last year , including dividends .

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

Check out our latest analysis for Archer-Daniels-Midland

To quote Buffett, 'Ships will sail around the world but the Flat Earth Society will flourish. There will continue to be wide discrepancies between price and value in the marketplace...' One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

Archer-Daniels-Midland was able to grow its EPS at 44% per year over three years, sending the share price higher. This EPS growth is higher than the 25% average annual increase in the share price. So it seems investors have become more cautious about the company, over time. We'd venture the lowish P/E ratio of 9.42 also reflects the negative sentiment around the stock.

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 Archer-Daniels-Midland has grown profits over the years, but the future is more important for shareholders. This free interactive report on Archer-Daniels-Midland's balance sheet strength is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

When looking at investment returns, it is important to consider the difference between total shareholder return (TSR) and share price return. 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. So for companies that pay a generous dividend, the TSR is often a lot higher than the share price return. As it happens, Archer-Daniels-Midland's TSR for the last 3 years was 110%, which exceeds the share price return mentioned earlier. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

Archer-Daniels-Midland shareholders gained a total return of 7.2% during the year. But that was short of the market average. If we look back over five years, the returns are even better, coming in at 13% per year for five years. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand Archer-Daniels-Midland better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider risks, for instance. Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Archer-Daniels-Midland you should know about.

But note: Archer-Daniels-Midland may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with past earnings growth (and further growth forecast).

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on 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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General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) shareholders might be concerned after seeing the share price drop 12% in the last quarter. On the other hand the returns over the last half decade have not been bad. The share price is up 70%, which is better than the market return of 65%.

So let's investigate and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress.

See our latest analysis for General Mills

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.

Over half a decade, General Mills managed to grow its earnings per share at 3.7% a year. This EPS growth is lower than the 11% average annual increase in the share price. This suggests that market participants hold the company in higher regard, these days. And that's hardly shocking given the track record of growth.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

This free interactive report on General Mills' earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). 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. We note that for General Mills the TSR over the last 5 years was 100%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

A Different Perspective

General Mills shareholders gained a total return of 3.2% during the year. 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 15% over five years. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand General Mills better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks, for example - General Mills has 2 warning signs we think you should be aware of.

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 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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By buying an index fund, investors can approximate the average market return. But if you buy good businesses at attractive prices, your portfolio returns could exceed the average market return. Just take a look at Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad (KLSE:MATRIX), which is up 14%, over three years, soundly beating the market decline of 5.9% (not including dividends). On the other hand, the returns haven't been quite so good recently, with shareholders up just 1.6% , including dividends .

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 Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During the three years of share price growth, Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad actually saw its earnings per share (EPS) drop 5.6% per year.

The strong decline in earnings per share suggests the market isn't using EPS to judge the company. Since the change in EPS doesn't seem to correlate with the change in share price, it's worth taking a look at other metrics.

Interestingly, the dividend has increased over time; so that may have given the share price a boost. It could be that the company is reaching maturity and dividend investors are buying for the yield.

You can see how earnings and revenue have changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

Take a more thorough look at Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad's financial health with this free 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. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad, it has a TSR of 38% 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

Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad shareholders are up 1.6% for the year (even including dividends). But that was short of the market average. If we look back over five years, the returns are even better, coming in at 7% per year for five years. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. 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 be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with Matrix Concepts Holdings Berhad .

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian 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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Jack Sweeney, the ElonJet college student who got under Elon Musk's skin, has moved his private jet tracking operation to Meta's Threads

Jack Sweeney, the ElonJet college student who got under Elon Musk's skin, has moved his private jet tracking operation to Meta's Threads

Jack Sweeney and Elon Musk Jack Sweeney/Getty Images

Jack Sweeney, who got suspended on Twitter for tracking Elon Musk's private jet, is now on Threads.

"@zuck will I be allowed to stay," Sweeney posted, in a reference to his past Twitter suspensions.

He plans to update the @ElonMusksJet Threads account manually until he can get an auto-post function going.

Jack Sweeney, the college student who had his Twitter accounts suspended for tracking Elon Musk's private jet, hasn't given up on his plane-tracking operation. Now he's moving it onto Mark Zuckerberg's new Twitter rival, Threads.

"ElonJet has arrived to Threads!" read Sweeney's first post on Thursday.

The new account, which uses the handle @ElonMusksJet, had more than 13,000 followers at press time.

"I would like to post on Threads just as I do on Instagram," Sweeney whose Instagram account currently has over 46,000 followers, told Insider.

Sweeney told Insider that he plans to make posts manually, and hopes Meta will allow auto-posting on Threads down the road.

"@zuck will I be allowed to stay," Sweeney said in a post on Wednesday, making a veiled reference to ElonJet and his other accounts' suspensions on Twitter. Sweeney previously ran a Twitter account that tracked Zuckerberg's private jet as well before it got suspended in December 2022.

Representatives for Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Sweeney started tracking Musk's plane in 2020. His efforts drew widespread attention, with the suspended Twitter account @ElonJet garnering nearly 500,000 followers. Sweeney eventually expanded his tracking efforts to include other personalities like former President Donald Trump, Taylor Swift, and Kim Kardashian.

All of Sweeney's accounts were suspended on December 14, 2022, after Twitter said that they had violated Twitter's rules. Musk also weighed in on the suspension on the same day.

"Any account doxxing real-time location info of anyone will be suspended, as it is a physical safety violation. This includes posting links to sites with real-time location info," Musk said in a tweet.

"Legal action is being taken against Sweeney & organizations who supported harm to my family." Musk continued in a separate tweet.

Twitter later updated its private information policy to restrict users from sharing individuals' live locations. This led to Sweeney returning to the Musk-owned platform, where he now posts Musk's flight data with a 24-hour delay.

"I'm honestly hoping Twitter dies," Sweeney told Insider on Thursday. "As I am hindered on there, you search for my name, seems I'm search banned."

The college student still has one complaint about Threads, though.

"The only thing that I'm unhappy about with Instagram and Threads is that I can't get my hands on the @ElonJet handle even though no one has it," Sweeney said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jim Cramer Says This 14% Yielding Stock Is A Trap  Here Are 3 Dividend Plays That Could Be More Reliable

While a double-digit dividend yield may appear enticing to income investors, it is crucial to exercise caution when approaching these ultra-high-yielding names.

In a recent Lightning Round segment of CNBC's "Mad Money" program, a viewer asked host Jim Cramer about Annaly Capital Management Inc. (NYSE:NLY)  a mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) with an eye-popping yield.

The company pays quarterly dividends of 65 cents per share, giving the stock an annual yield of 14%.

But Cramer is not a fan.

"That's a stock that I think is a trap," he said. "It always looks like it has a high yield, but the fact is it's been a terrible performer for years and years. I want to stay away from it."

While Cramer has warned investors about the potential pitfalls of this high-yield stock, there are other dividend plays in the market. Here's a look at three that Wall Street finds particularly attractive.

Check out:

Investing in real estate just got a whole lot simpler. With as little as $100, average investors are becoming landlords thanks to this Jeff Bezos-backed startup.

Elon Musk has reportedly bought 6,000 acres of land just outside of Austin. Heres how to invest in the citys growth before he floods it with new tech workers.

Realty Income Corp. (NYSE:O)

Realty Income is a REIT that brands itself as "The Monthly Dividend Company," and it deserves that title. Through its 54-year operating history, the company has declared 636 consecutive monthly dividends.

Better yet, Realty Income has increased its payout 121 times since going public in 1994.

Today, the REIT pays monthly dividends of 25.5 cents per share, translating to an annual yield of 5.1%.

The amount is not as high as the 14% yield offered by Annaly Capital, but keep in mind that the average dividend yield of S&P 500 companies is just 1.6% at the moment.

Stifel's Simon Yarmak has a Buy rating on Realty Income and a price target of $71.25, implying a potential upside of 19%.

While publicly traded REITs have been popular, new companies have innovated ways for people to earn passive income in the real estate market. Here's how to invest in rental properties with as little as $100 while staying completely hands-off.

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE:FE)

FirstEnergy is an electric utility headquartered in Akron, Ohio. It has 10 electric distribution companies serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.

Utility companies have long been a staple for dividend investors because of their reliability. Come what may, people will always need to turn their lights on at night.

FirstEnergy has a quarterly dividend rate of 39 cents per share, which comes out to an annual yield of 4% at the current share price.

In the first quarter, the company earned a net income of $292 million, or 51 cents per share. In its earnings release, FirstEnergy affirmed its long-term target of annual operating earnings per share growth rate of 6% to 8%.

Shares are down 7% year to date, but Morgan Stanley analyst Stephen Byrd sees a rebound on the horizon. Byrd has an Overweight rating on FirstEnergy and a price target of $45  around 15% above where the stock currently sits.

Energy Transfer LP (NYSE:ET)

Energy Transfer owns one of the largest portfolios of energy assets in the U.S.

With approximately 120,000 miles of pipelines and associated energy infrastructure, the partnership has a strategic network that spans 41 states and all of the major production basins in the country.

In April, Energy Transfer announced a quarterly cash distribution of 30.75 cents per unit. At the current unit price, the amount translates to an annual yield of 9.7%.

In the first quarter, Energy Transfer's distributable cash flow (DCF) attributable to partners totaled $2.01 billion, which was more than the amount needed to pay cash distributions to partners for the quarter.

"On an incurred basis, we had excess DCF of $640 million after distributions of $967 million and growth capital of $407 million," Energy Transfer Co-CEO Tom Long said during the earnings conference call.

J.P. Morgan analyst Jeremy Tonet has an Overweight rating on Energy Transfer and a price target of $18. Considering that the stock currently trades at $12.75, the price target implies a potential upside of 41%.

There are many high-yield plays in the midstream energy space. If you prefer a diversified approach rather than picking individual stocks, you might want to check out exchange-traded funds that focus on the sector. The USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund (NYSE:UMI), for instance, seeks "a high level of current income" and capital appreciation and provides exposure to a range of midstream energy assets. Energy Transfer is currently its second-largest holding.

Read next:

Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better.

This article Jim Cramer Says This 14% Yielding Stock Is A Trap  Here Are 3 Dividend Plays That Could Be More Reliable originally appeared on Benzinga.com

.

 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Key Insights

Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, KMD Brands fair value estimate is NZ$1.53

Current share price of NZ$1.04 suggests KMD Brands is potentially 32% undervalued

Analyst price target for KMD is NZ$1.38 which is 9.8% below our fair value estimate

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of KMD Brands Limited (NZSE:KMD) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model is the tool we will apply to do this. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

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 still have some burning questions about this type of valuation, take a look at the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for KMD Brands

The Method

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Seeing as no analyst estimates of free cash flow are available to us, we have extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the company's last reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (NZ$, Millions) NZ$86.1m NZ$86.4m NZ$87.3m NZ$88.4m NZ$89.9m NZ$91.5m NZ$93.2m NZ$95.1m NZ$97.1m NZ$99.2m Growth Rate Estimate Source Est @ -0.36% Est @ 0.42% Est @ 0.96% Est @ 1.34% Est @ 1.61% Est @ 1.79% Est @ 1.93% Est @ 2.02% Est @ 2.08% Est @ 2.13% Present Value (NZ$, Millions) Discounted @ 9.8% NZ$78.4 NZ$71.7 NZ$66.0 NZ$60.9 NZ$56.4 NZ$52.3 NZ$48.6 NZ$45.1 NZ$42.0 NZ$39.1

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = NZ$561m

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 2.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.8%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = NZ$99m (1 + 2.2%)  (9.8% 2.2%) = NZ$1.3b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= NZ$1.3b ( 1 + 9.8%)10= NZ$530m

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 NZ$1.1b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of NZ$1.0, the company appears quite good value at a 32% 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

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 KMD Brands as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.8%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.268. 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 KMD Brands

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the New Zealander market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the New Zealander market.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For KMD Brands, we've compiled three relevant factors you should consider:

Risks: You should be aware of the 1 warning sign for KMD Brands we've uncovered before considering an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does KMD'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 New Zealander 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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Qabil Ashirov

The more Russia mires into the Ukrainian crisis, the more Armenia reveals its long-hidden intention - to get away from Russia as far as possible. It is well known that Armenia owes everything that it has today to Russia and its predecessors, but whenever Russia falters Armenians are the first nation trying to get rid of it. So, as is said history repeats itself. Since the time leading up to the collapse of the USSR, Armenia has tried to go out of Russian orbit. Recall that Armenia was one of the six former Soviet Republics that voted against the USSR on the eve of its downfall, in the 1980s. However, due to its expansionist foreign policy Armenia was obliged to swallow its pride, stepped back, and became the strategic ally of its 'founder'. At the same time, they have never stopped to cooperate covertly against Russia. With the launch of the Ukrainian crisis, Armenia was endared to stab back its strategic ally last time. Besides, the initiation of the Ukrainian crisis emboldened Armenia to find new allies for pushing Russia out of the Caucasus. It invited Iran, India, and France to the region respectively. The last such invitation was made for Greece and Southern Cyprus.

The mass media in Armenia speak about the tripartite military cooperation and brag it. However, any possible cooperation among the said countries raises questions. Because, Greece and Southern Cyprus are members of the EU and the former is also a member of NATO - the Russian arch-enemy. Besides, Greece is also eager to cooperate with Azerbaijan in the field of economy and natural gas. However, the most important question is what benefits Armenia will get from debt-ridden Greece.

Speaking to Azernews on the issue, Elchin Alioghlu noted that being NATO member is not obstacle to cooperate with Armenia, because none of the NATO members have made any commitment to conduct their foreign policy in a centralized manner within the organization - the Northern Alliance. There is no such word about this in either in the Luxembourg or London agreements.

As for the activity of Greece in the South Caucasus, it has many goals here. Recall that during the presentation of the credentials of the new ambassador of Greece in Baku, the President of Azerbaijan stated that Azerbaijan will always take steps with Turkiye in the Mediterranean Sea, especially on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, and in generally in the world political arena. Azerbaijan will take exactly one steps, neither parallel, nor coordinated. This means that whatever position Turkiye takes in the current period of tension in Turkiye-Greece relations, Azerbaijan will automatically take the same position. Because we have alliance and strategic partnership agreements with Turkiye in geopolitical, military and other issues. This is not surprising, Alioghlu said.

He also touched on the Greece's support to Armenia, and said that it has historical roots. He recalled that when the Greek troops occupied the western provinces of Turkiye during the WWI, they necessarily relied on and used the local Armenian communities. Even Armenians performed the functions of proxy forces and paramilitary units of Greece at that time.

To put it more simply, the local civilian population inflicted reprisals. Before the Second World War, Armenians living in Western countries had massively joined the Greek paramilitary units bearing Nazi idology. The same situation was observed during the Second World War. After the junta of black colonels came to power in Greece, the street police functions of that junta were performed by Armenians living in the country.

After the collapse of the USSR, Armenia gained so-called independence. Why so-called? Because Armenia became de facto independent, it was never de-jure independent. Greece's goal now, based on those historical traditions and emotional ties, is to use Armenia in the region as a means of influencing Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Russia, and the West at the same time, he opined.

Regarding to the Southern Cyprus, Elchin Alioghlu pointed out that Greek Cypriots are in the same boat with Armenia to look through the relations with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and to put pressure on both TRNC and Ankara. He mentioned that during the 44-day war, representatives of the Armenian community from both Greece and South Cyprus fought against Azerbaijan as mercenaries. They consisted of about 162 people, and 154 of them were killed, 8 were injured, and after being treated in Armenia, injured ones were evacuated to Greece.

I do not think that Greek-Armenian relations are likely to turn into any serious military-technical cooperation. It is not possible. This is just a show of force (by Greece) against Azerbaijan, and for Armenia, it is the creation of a kind of security umbrella with the active involvement of Greece and Southern Cyprus in order to ensure its security, he opined.

As is known Armenia related its defeat in the 44-day war to Russian-made weapons and frequently voices to find new arm supplier. Responding the question whether Greece can arm Armenia, he called it illusion. He reminded that Armenia is a member of Russian lead organizations, therefore Greek will not do it.

Greece cannot arm Armenia. This is an illusion. It is not possible. Because Armenia is a member of the CSTO within the CIS and has close relations with Russia. Greece is not allowed to provide lethal weapons to Armenia. This is also related to the fringe agreement on the limitation of conventional arms in Europe. It clearly shows how many armored vehicles, firearms and etcetera weapons Armenia can have. So it's just an image, a demonstration of muscle, he added.

However, Turkish military expert Abdullah Agar commented on the Armenians' complaint about the quality of Russian weapons and said that this is simply due to their incompetence. He believes that Russian weapons are too dangerous to be underestimated, and it is the fault of Armenians who could not use them properly.

We must not take Armenias words seriously over the Second Karabakh War. It got enough Russian weapons and used them very well. They were not able to use effectively due to lack of personnel training.

In addition, to some extent, it could not obtain the desired efficiency from the Russian weapons. I know very well how powerful Russian weapons are. The important thing is to be able to use them effectively and properly. Here they should blame not only Russia, but also themselves.

But are the Russian weapons insufficient in some technical issues? Yes. We saw this in the Ukrainian war as well. There were some technical problems in comparison with Western weapons. However, underestimating Russian weapons does not mean correct judgment. As for the question, whether Greece can give weapons to Armenia? It is possible. But Greece will not do it of its own free will. Currently, Greece is sending Russian made weapons to Ukraine. Can it send some of them to Armenia (instead of Ukraine)? Yes, it can, he affirmed.

He also noted that he does not think Greece cooperated with Armenia despite NATO and the USA. After all, when we look at the big picture, no matter how big the fight is between them, the USA, France and Russia are in a trend of supporting Armenia in some way. Recently, we can see that some problems have developed between Russia and Armenia, especially in the Ukraine and the Garabagh wars. But this does not mean that these ties have been severed and that Armenia does not receive support from Russia. After all, Armenia can see cooperation with EU countries as part of the big picture, very appropriately.

The common features of Greece, Southern Cyprus and Armenia are enmity towards Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Secondly, these three structures have undertaken a mission in the historical process. This mission consists of destabilizing the Turkish homeland. With their similar historical memorizations and today's motivations, they are again in a cooperative rectification action. One of the most obvious features is that they have the same Christian denomination. Let us remind you that this is why they are close with Russia, he concluded.
Will Knox County get choice lanes to fix traffic congestion on busy Interstate 40?

Knox County, home to some of the most congested roads in Tennessee, has traffic and infrastructure issues that will take a generation to solve.

"You can choose any high schooler, and they would be a senior citizen by the time we address just the current projects on the list," said state Sen. Becky Duncan Massey, R-Knoxville, chair of the Senate Transportation and Safety Committee. "That's unacceptable."

The county will soon receive money to get started: an unknown portion of more than $750 million designated for East Tennessee from state infrastructure funds.

The exact amount should be finalized and arrive by the end of the year.

The money will come from the $3.3 billion Transportation Modernization Act signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee in April. The act provides money for road improvements and transformative projects across the state.

Knox County would use its share of that funding over the next 3-5 years to make small-scale but necessary road improvements it already has identified. If it gets enough money, Knox County could begin to address a generational problem: fixing one of the most congested stretches of highway in the state.

The solution to an 18-mile stretch of overlapped Interstate 40/75 likely would be "choice lanes," though it's not a guarantee and probably would require money from other sources to complete. Choice lanes would give drivers an option to pay a toll to bypass congested areas.

How will the transportation bill money be spent in Knox County?

Money from the transportation bill will be split in two "pots" across Tennessee:

$321 million for general road projects, split among all counties.

$3 billion for bigger road modernization projects, split among the Tennessee Department of Transportation's four regions.

From both pots, East Tennessee will get about $829.6 million total.

Knox County could get as much as $758 million  a guaranteed $8.24 million from the general pot and up to $750 million from the modernization funding designated for East Tennessee.

A TDOT committee, with input from Knox County officials and organizations, will determine how the money will be spent. The committee also will develop a plan to implement choice lanes across the state and create a board to oversee the projects.

TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi told Knox News the funds are expected to be distributed by the end of the year. We won't know how much of the $750 million will go to Knox County until at least then, though it likely will take longer since complex projects require so much planning.

Will Knox County get choice lanes?

The $750 million could be used for choice lanes, a new exit or even a bypass.

Choice lanes can come in many designs, from a new lane created in the median to lanes that pass over the existing roadways, like the Northwest Corridor Express Lane in Georgia.

Either way, all of this money likely would go toward one major project in the 24-county TDOT region rather than be split evenly.

Theoretically, all $750 million could go to Knox County. But other potential projects, like the push to build another Interstate 40 exit into the Smokies, could be considered.

"Knoxville is the place that has the most congestion," said professor Kevin Heaslip, Center for Transportation Research director at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. That heavy traffic could give that project a leg up.

While $750 million might seem like plenty, these major modernization projects cost a lot of money. A proposed Knoxville bypass was estimated at more than $1 billion 13 years ago.

Massey said choice lanes, a pet project of the state's, would be a viable solution to Knox County traffic congestion along the 18-mile stretch where I-40 and I-75 converge.

That corridor carried 182,000 vehicles a day in 2020, and 16% of vehicles were commercial, according to TDOT data. It's the busiest stretch of road in the state.

In fact, three of the five spots with the state's highest traffic volume are in Knox County, TDOT data shows.

Heaslip said the most likely choice-lane solution in Knox County would be a lane in the median or on the shoulder, but nothing is set in stone.

Road congestion could work in Knox County's favor

Taking such transformative infrastructure projects to the finish line likely will take additional hundreds of millions of dollars from private partners, Heaslip said.

The state can work in conjunction with private companies to plan and build such large projects. The private partners would invest in the project and then collect the tolls for decades until the money is recouped.

And more congestion means more drivers to pay for tolls, which Heaslip said could be an advantage for the money going to Knox County.

"In the big scheme of things, these public-private partnerships, they're going to be looking for places where they can recover their capital," he said.

Choice lanes could ease traffic jams on Interstate 40.

How much would Knoxville choice lanes cost to build and use?

Heaslip wouldn't estimate exactly how much a Knoxville choice lane would cost but said it would be "billions."

The 22.5-mile choice lanes in Virginia running along I-66 and ending just west of Washington, D.C., totaled $3.7 billion, Heaslip estimated, but that stretch was more complex in design and longer than a potential Knox County choice lane.

Express 66 took about six years to complete, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation, with construction starting in late 2017 and finishing in November 2022.

Rates would vary in Knox County depending on traffic volume and time of day. Heaslip estimated traveling along an 18-mile choice lane could cost anywhere from $5 to $15 per trip, with fares going up during peak congestion hours.

How Tennessee road improvements money will be spent

The bill's other $300 million for road improvement projects will be divided among Tennessee's 95 counties.

Knox County Engineering Director Jim Snowden said Knox County will have $8.24 million to work with, significantly more than the $500,000 to $600,000 it normally has in the budget for roadway improvements. Snowden said the county plans to spread it out across the next couple years.

Priority projects for the county include widening Schaad Road and widening Northshore Drive from Choto to Concord. The latter project, Snowden estimated, would cost about $2 million. Another $1 million to $2 million will go toward resurfacing and preventative maintenance strategies for roads across the county.

"From a time perspective, it's given us the ability to do some things that, unfortunately, we probably wouldn't do for another five years," Snowden said.

Snowden said the county is still deciding where the rest of the money  between $4 million and $5 million  will go. It likely would help with improvements related to Advance Knox, a plan that will guide Knox County's development for the next 20 years.

The projects will mainly focus on improving safety and connectivity in the county through safety enhancing, roadway modernization, adding capacity, new greenways and pedestrian improvements.

These are some of the projects the county considers addressing in the next three to five years, according to Snowden:

Marietta Church and Hardin Valley Road intersection improvements

Widening of Everett Road from Watt Road to Hickory Creek Road

Two sidewalk extension projects within the Parent Responsibility Zones of Bluegrass Elementary and Carter Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

West Beaver Creek Road and Brickyard Road intersection improvements

Canton Hollow roadway improvements

While projects like widening Northshore could begin as soon as next year, Snowden estimates these improvements could individually take between 18 months and six years to complete.

Silas Sloan is the growth and development reporter. Email silas.sloan@knoxnews.com. Twitter @silasloan. Instagram @knox.growth.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Will Knox County get choice lanes from Tennessee infrastructure law?
Latvia to transfer its helicopter fleet to Ukraine  PM Krisjanis Karins

Krisjanis Karins

Latvia is in the final stages of preparing to hand over all of its military helicopters to Ukraine, Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London on June 21.

All our Stinger (anti-aircraft) missiles are now in Ukraine, said Karins, outlining the extent of military assistance his country has already provided Kyiv with.

Read also: Latvia declares its citizen wanted internationally for fighting against Ukrainian Armed Forces

We have a fleet of helicopters, and all of them  the last ones are currently being repainted to be fit for use and for aesthetics  we're dispatching to Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraines NATO membership is key to lasting peace, Latvian PM says

He noted that the Latvia has already spent more than 1% of its GDP in military assistance to Ukraine.

Karins also emphasized that Latvia is providing training for Ukrainian soldiers and supplying the Ukrainian Armed Forces with ammunition and drones.

Read also: Latvian parliament urges NATO to extend membership invitation to Ukraine

Our friends, the Ukrainians, are freedom fighters, and we now stand for freedom, the PM concluded.

Previously, Latvia decided to send humanitarian aid to Ukraine, helping to deal with Russia blowing up the Kakhovka HPP dam in Kherson Oblast in early June.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
After Legal Action Against Wellness Clinics, Novo Nordisk Accuses Pharmacies Over Illegal Sale Of Semaglutide-Based Products

Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE: NVO) has reportedly filed lawsuits against TruLife Pharmacy, Brooksville Pharmaceuticals, and WellHealth Inc in Florida federal court, accusing the pharmacies of illegally selling products claiming to contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk's weight loss and diabetes drugs.

Wegovy is an FDA-approved weight-loss drug, while Ozempic and Rybelsus are approved for diabetes treatment.

The FDA warned about the safety risks of using compounded or custom-made versions of popular weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and the diabetes drug Ozempic.

The agency said it had received reports of adverse events after patients used compounded versions of semaglutide.

Novo Nordisk sought court orders to prohibit the pharmacies from selling the products and requested monetary damages.

The defendants are compounding pharmacies specializing in custom drug preparations.

The lawsuits allege that the pharmacies are selling unapproved drugs, violating federal and state laws, and engaging in false competition against Novo Nordisk's approved drugs.

Novo Nordisk argues that the pharmacies' actions create an unfair competitive advantage and jeopardize patient safety.

Recently, Novo Nordisk filed lawsuits against several medical spas, weight-loss clinics, and wellness clinics, alleging they illegally marketed custom-made versions of Ozempic and other Novo Nordisk medicines for weight loss.

Citing Barclays estimates, Reuters noted that the global weight-loss therapies market will reach up to $100 billion in the next ten years, with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly And Co (NYSE: LLY) as the primary beneficiaries.

Price Action: NVO shares are down 0.83% at $157.00 during the premarket session on the last check Friday.

Don't miss real-time alerts on your stocks - join Benzinga Pro for free! Try the tool that will help you invest smarter, faster, and better.

This article After Legal Action Against Wellness Clinics, Novo Nordisk Accuses Pharmacies Over Illegal Sale Of Semaglutide-Based Products originally appeared on Benzinga.com

.

 2023 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
AI4Bharat researchers to raise $12 million from Peak XV, Lightspeed for own firm - sources

By Yuvraj Malik

(Reuters) - Researchers at India's AI4Bharat are raising $12 million from venture capital firms Peak XV and Lightspeed Venture for an artificial intelligence startup, according to three people familiar with the matter.

The larger-than-usual seed funding round underscores the growing interest in generative AI, after OpenAI's ChatGPT dazzled users with its ability to engage in human-like conversations. Most seed rounds are usually up to $1 million to $2 million.

Vivek Raghavan and Pratyush Kumar, who worked on developing AI models for speech recognition and translation at AI4Bharat, are launching a new venture called Sarvam that will develop custom-made large language models (LLMs) for India-centric use-cases, the sources said.

Peak XV and Lightspeed did not respond to Reuters requests for comment.

LLMs are computer algorithms that understand and generate text in a human-like fashion. They power virtual assistants widely in use on smartphones and the Internet.

The move comes months after Indian-government backed AI4Bharat unveiled a mobile assistant that aims to make information on government schemes accessible in multiple languages.

The investment is among the first from Peak XV Partners after rebranding from Sequoia Capital India and SEA following a split with its U.S.-based parent fund last month.

Peak XV's other AI investments include voice assistant firm AI Rudder, computer vision firm Mad Street Den and enterprise marketing platform Insider, according to its website.

The buzz around generative AI among both consumers and businesses has helped related start-ups draw funding even as an uncertain economy saps investments for other companies.

Indian AI start-ups have raised $583 million this year, as of June, according to data from Venture Intelligence. They raised a total of $2.45 billion last year.

(Reporting by Yuvraj Malik in Bengaluru)
Microsoft could soar 22% and will top a $3 trillion valuation as it's best positioned to monetize generative AI, Morgan Stanley says

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Microsoft stock is poised to top a $3 trillion valuation in early 2024 as it is best positioned to monetize generative AI, according to Morgan Stanley.

The bank called Microsoft a "Top Pick" and raised its price target to $415, representing potential upside of 22%.

"Microsoft likely emerges as an early 'Picks and Shovels' beneficiary" of generative AI, Morgan Stanley said.

Microsoft is likely to be the next mega-cap tech stock to reach a $3 trillion valuation after Apple reached the milestone last week, according to Morgan Stanley.

The bank called Microsoft stock a "Top Pick" and said it has 22% upside potential from current levels thanks to its "pole position" in the generative AI race that should help it quickly monetize the growing trend.

"Generative AI looks to significantly expand the scope of business processes able to be automated by software, and Microsoft stands best positioned in software to monetize that expansion, which accompanied with a still reasonable valuation makes Microsoft our Top Pick in large cap software," Morgan Stanley's Keith Weiss said in a Thursday note.

The bank increased its price target for Microsoft by 24% to $415 from $335. Microsoft shares traded up more than 1% on Thursday to $342.85 per share.

Weiss said that Microsoft's ability to leverage its more than $10 billion investment in OpenAI represents a potential $90 billion incremental opportunity for the company in 2025 as the company integrates generative AI technologies across its software offerings.

Weiss likened the advent of artificial intelligence to a "gold rush" that includes the "picks and shovels" players and the "gold miners."

"Impressively, Microsoft has taken leading positions on both fronts, with Azure OpenAI Services representing a compelling platform for companies looking to build (the Picks and Shovels) and a broader portfolio of Generative AI-based application functionality in the market or in preview, like Github Copilot," Weiss said.

Microsoft's integration of AI capabilities into its widely popular software offerings like Office 365, Azure, and GitHub should give it plenty of pricing power going forward, according to the note.

And investors should see the impact of AI on Microsoft's financials sooner rather than later as increased datasets flow into bigger revenues for Microsoft's Azure cloud service.

"Given the consumption pricing model, incremental demand impacts quickly flow into revenues for Azure, giving investors good visibility into that strong positioning," Weiss said.

And although Microsoft's stock is up about 40% year-to-date, its valuation isn't stretched based on historical averages, "despite the unrivaled Generative AI positioning," Weiss concluded.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Milwaukee wants to encourage more housing development. Here's your chance to weigh in.

City Hall might change Milwaukee's zoning code to encourage more housing development. Pending projects include the Cudahy Farms Healthy Living Campus that could bring more than 1,100 housing units to the far northwest side.

Milwaukee's drive to encourage more housing, including developments now discouraged by zoning, stages its first public open house Monday.

Growing MKE will set a framework for housing growth with a changes to the city comprehensive plan and zoning code, according to Mayor Cavalier Johnson's Department of City Development.

That will help meet Johnson's goal of Milwaukee eventually having 1 million residents, said Sam Leichtling, the department's planning manager. It also meets city goals for more affordable housing, additional development with access to mass transit and reduced reliance on cars, he said.

Zoning changes, which would need Common Council approval, cannot alone create more affordable housing, Leichtling said in a Growing MKE video presentation.

But current zoning regulations can discourage development, said department Commissioner Lafayette Crump. He said 70% of Milwaukee's residentially zoned land is restricted to single-family houses and duplexes.

The makes it more difficult to develop such housing as townhomes and accessory dwelling units  a house or apartment that shares the lot of a larger, primary home, Leichtling said.

The department is seeking public input on changes to the city's comprehensive plan with a recommendation for the Common Council to review it by winter. That is to be followed by zoning code changes.

The first open house is from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at Villard Street Library, 5190 N. 35th St.

Additional open houses will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at Mitchell Street Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St., and 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 28 at Washington Park Library, 2121 N. Sherman Blvd.

Tom Daykin can be emailed at tdaykin@jrn.com and followed on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

Subscribe to get the BusinessWatch email newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee seeks public input on drive to encourage more housing
Key Insights

Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad's estimated fair value is RM1.15 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad's RM1.53 share price signals that it might be 33% overvalued

Our fair value estimate is 47% lower than Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad's analyst price target of RM2.17

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (KLSE:MRDIY) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will take advantage of the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model for this purpose. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. 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 Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad

The Calculation

We are going to use a two-stage DCF model, which, as the name states, takes into account two stages of growth. The first stage is generally a higher growth period which levels off heading towards the terminal value, captured in the second 'steady growth' period. 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, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM745.9m RM833.8m RM902.5m RM964.2m RM1.02b RM1.07b RM1.12b RM1.17b RM1.22b RM1.27b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x5 Est @ 8.24% Est @ 6.84% Est @ 5.86% Est @ 5.17% Est @ 4.69% Est @ 4.35% Est @ 4.12% Est @ 3.95% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 12% RM667 RM667 RM646 RM617 RM584 RM549 RM514 RM480 RM447 RM416

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM5.6b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (3.6%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 12%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM1.3b (1 + 3.6%)  (12% 3.6%) = RM16b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM16b ( 1 + 12%)10= RM5.2b

The total value, or equity value, is then the sum of the present value of the future cash flows, which in this case is RM11b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.5, the company appears potentially overvalued at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out.

dcf

The Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the 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 Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) 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 12%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.029. 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 Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded its 5-year average.

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Earnings growth over the past year underperformed the Specialty Retail industry.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market.

Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Threat

Revenue is forecast to grow slower than 20% per year.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad, we've put together three essential aspects you should further examine:

Financial Health: Does MRDIY have a healthy balance sheet? Take a look at our free balance sheet analysis with six simple checks on key factors like leverage and risk. Future Earnings: How does MRDIY'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 Malaysian stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
The excitement of investing in a company that can reverse its fortunes is a big draw for some speculators, so even companies that have no revenue, no profit, and a record of falling short, can manage to find investors. But as Peter Lynch said in One Up On Wall Street, 'Long shots almost never pay off.' A loss-making company is yet to prove itself with profit, and eventually the inflow of external capital may dry up.

So if this idea of high risk and high reward doesn't suit, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like New Jersey Resources (NYSE:NJR). Now this is not to say that the company presents the best investment opportunity around, but profitability is a key component to success in business.

See our latest analysis for New Jersey Resources

How Fast Is New Jersey Resources Growing?

If a company can keep growing earnings per share (EPS) long enough, its share price should eventually follow. Therefore, there are plenty of investors who like to buy shares in companies that are growing EPS. Impressively, New Jersey Resources has grown EPS by 20% per year, compound, in the last three years. As a general rule, we'd say that if a company can keep up that sort of growth, shareholders will be beaming.

Careful consideration of revenue growth and earnings before interest and taxation (EBIT) margins can help inform a view on the sustainability of the recent profit growth. New Jersey Resources shareholders can take confidence from the fact that EBIT margins are up from 11% to 17%, and revenue is growing. Both of which are great metrics to check off for potential growth.

In the chart below, you can see how the company has grown earnings and revenue, over time. Click on the chart to see the exact numbers.

While we live in the present moment, there's little doubt that the future matters most in the investment decision process. So why not check this interactive chart depicting future EPS estimates, for New Jersey Resources?

Are New Jersey Resources Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

It's pleasing to see company leaders with putting their money on the line, so to speak, because it increases alignment of incentives between the people running the business, and its true owners. Shareholders will be pleased by the fact that insiders own New Jersey Resources shares worth a considerable sum. Indeed, they hold US$23m worth of its stock. That shows significant buy-in, and may indicate conviction in the business strategy. Despite being just 0.5% of the company, the value of that investment is enough to show insiders have plenty riding on the venture.

It means a lot to see insiders invested in the business, but shareholders may be wondering if remuneration policies are in their best interest. Well, based on the CEO pay, you'd argue that they are indeed. Our analysis has discovered that the median total compensation for the CEOs of companies like New Jersey Resources with market caps between US$2.0b and US$6.4b is about US$6.8m.

New Jersey Resources' CEO took home a total compensation package worth US$4.6m in the year leading up to September 2022. That seems pretty reasonable, especially given it's below the median for similar sized companies. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when it's reasonable, that gives a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. Generally, arguments can be made that reasonable pay levels attest to good decision-making.

Should You Add New Jersey Resources To Your Watchlist?

You can't deny that New Jersey Resources has grown its earnings per share at a very impressive rate. That's attractive. If you still have your doubts, remember too that company insiders have a considerable investment aligning themselves with the shareholders and CEO pay is quite modest compared to similarly sized companiess. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to investing but it definitely makes New Jersey Resources look rather interesting indeed. It's still necessary to consider the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 2 warning signs with New Jersey Resources (at least 1 which is concerning) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

The beauty of investing is that you can invest in almost any company you want. But if you prefer to focus on stocks that have demonstrated insider buying, here is a list of companies with insider buying in the last three months.

Please note the insider transactions discussed in this article refer to reportable transactions in the relevant jurisdiction.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Join A Paid User Research Session

Youll receive a US$30 Amazon Gift card for 1 hour of your time while helping us build better investing tools for the individual investors like yourself. Sign up here
(Bloomberg) -- Some key buyers of Saudi Arabias crude in Asia and Europe are seeking reduced volumes for next month after the kingdom hiked official prices and extended output cuts.

Most Read from Bloomberg

At least four term-supply customers want to take less August-shipped oil, according to traders with knowledge of the matter. If buyers are then allocated smaller volumes, they may turn to the spot market for replacement supply, potentially strengthening the physical market, they said.

Global benchmark Brent is on course for a back-to-back weekly gain following the moves by Saudi Arabia, as well as a pledge by fellow OPEC+ member Russia to trim its exports in August. The decisions are already being reflected in an array of market indicators, with August-September Dubai swaps rallying on the possibility that the Middle Eastern physical spot market will tighten.

Among other signals, both Oman and Murban futures rallied against the Middle Eastern Dubai benchmark on Thursday. And in Europe, Norways Johan Sverdrup  a medium-sour grade thats an alternative to Saudi barrels  was bid at a record price on a window run by S&P Global Commodity Insights.

Nominations from customers for term supplies of Saudi barrels are typically due the day after official selling prices are issued, and the buyers are subsequently notified of their allocated volumes around the 10th of each month.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- At a Circle K service station outside of Kongsberg, Norway, electric car charging stands outnumber gasoline pumps. Its a scene that is steadily being replicated all over the Nordic country, offering a glimpse of what may be in store for drivers the world over in the years ahead.

Most Read from Bloomberg

When it comes to electric vehicles, Norway is very much a trailblazer. It has moved much more rapidly away from the internal combustion engine than its neighbors thanks to generous tax breaks and incentives, which made Tesla Inc.s battery-powered Model Y cost competitive with a gasoline-burning Toyota Motor Corp. RAV4.

Most countries cant afford to move quite as fast as wealthy Norway  the nations government estimates that various supports measures cost it some $1.8 billion annually in lost revenue. But the International Energy Agency says the rest of the world is going in the same direction, bringing peak oil demand before the end of the decade.

In Norway, the sale of new electric cars has gone from 3% in 2012, to almost 80% in 2022, Christina Bu, the secretary general for the Norwegian Electric Vehicle Association, said in an interview. I think the rest of the world must learn from this and realize that this change is going to happen.

Norways experience shows a potential downward trajectory for global fuel demand. Yet it also highlights the limitations of electric cars when it comes to curbing overall consumption of fossil fuels and achieving net-zero emissions.

After years of subsidies, more than a fifth of Norways automobile fleet is now battery powered. As a result, gasoline use has fallen by 37% since 2013, according to data from Eurostat. Many other countries have also seen consumption of this fuel fall as their automobiles became more efficient, but they have been outpaced by Norway because of its more generous financial incentives for electric cars.

Yet for other types of transport, oil has been harder to give up.

Though electric cars accounted for 23% of miles driven in Norway in 2022, diesel still accounted for 43% of the distance covered. Heavier trucks, which for technological reasons havent seen widespread adoption of electric drive trains, are still predominantly running on diesel, Norwegian Road Federation Director Oyvind Solberg Thorsen said in an interview.

Diesel consumption in Norway is just 10% below its 2015 peak and has yet to show a consistent downtrend, with demand rebounding since 2020, according to data from Statistics Norway. Its a similar story for aviation.

If you want to drive a truck, if you want to operate a mining machine, if you want to get things done in the world economy, then you need diesel, said Bjarne Schieldrop, chief commodities analyst at SEB AB.

Norways oil consumption per capita has fallen by almost a quarter since 2002, according to Bloomberg calculations using data from the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy. But its still higher than many of the countrys neighbors, where overall demand has dropped faster even without the such widespread adoption of electric cars.

Norways oil demand has proven resilient partly because its population has grown about 1% annually since 2008, a faster rate than its neighbors, Schieldrop said. Its also a rich country where consumers have money to spend on cars and holidays, plus outsized petroleum, shipping and industrial sectors that use oil products.

We are surrounded by different products and systems that mean we need petroleum products, and where there isnt an easy replacement, said Norways Minister of Petroleum and Energy Terje Aasland. So we will still need oil for industrial purposes, even if we cut fossil fuel inputs into the transport sector.

Aasland himself illustrates this dichotomy. Hes a satisfied owner of both a Tesla and an Audi e-tron who in April told Norwegian companies to leave no stone unturned in their search for fresh oil and gas reserves.

Norways experience suggests that electric cars arent a panacea for carbon emissions, but that they can still have a sizable impact on fossil fuel consumption. Battery and fuel cell vehicles have already shaved 1.5 million barrels a day off global oil demand, about 1.5% of total consumption, according to BloombergNEFs Electric Vehicle Outlook. The report sees oil use for road transport peaking in 2027 in its net-zero scenario.

Whats so dramatic about electric cars is that you can use all forms of energy to make electrons, said SEBs Schieldrop. Oil has gone from having no competition  other than gas at the margins  and being king in transport, to suddenly facing competition from nuclear, coal, water, wind, solar, whatever energy is out there.

At the Circle K station in Kongsberg, which opened in May 2021, charging points are located at the front, with gasoline and diesel pumps relegated to the back.

This is a dramatic change for oils position in the whole energy system, Schieldrop said.

(Removes stray words.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The closing ceremony of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement Coordinating Bureau has been held in Baku, Azernews reports.

Azerbaijan`s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov addressed the closing ceremony.

The two-day event ended with the adoption of the Baku Declaration.

A project of the NAM member states on the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to be held in Paris was adopted.

A document (commemorative declaration) on the 100th anniversary of Heydar Aliyev was also adopted.
While Perseus Mining Limited (ASX:PRU) shareholders are probably generally happy, the stock hasn't had particularly good run recently, with the share price falling 29% in the last quarter. But in stark contrast, the returns over the last half decade have impressed. In fact, the share price is 258% higher today. To some, the recent pullback wouldn't be surprising after such a fast rise. Ultimately business performance will determine whether the stock price continues the positive long term trend.

So let's assess the underlying fundamentals over the last 5 years and see if they've moved in lock-step with shareholder returns.

See our latest analysis for Perseus Mining

In his essay The Superinvestors of Graham-and-Doddsville Warren Buffett described how share prices do not always rationally reflect the value of a business. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time.

During the last half decade, Perseus Mining became profitable. Sometimes, the start of profitability is a major inflection point that can signal fast earnings growth to come, which in turn justifies very strong share price gains. Since the company was unprofitable five years ago, but not three years ago, it's worth taking a look at the returns in the last three years, too. Indeed, the Perseus Mining share price has gained 13% in three years. Meanwhile, EPS is up 112% per year. This EPS growth is higher than the 4% average annual increase in the share price over the same three years. So you might conclude the market is a little more cautious about the stock, these days. This cautious sentiment is reflected in its (fairly low) P/E ratio of 7.68.

The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image).

We know that Perseus Mining has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on how its financial position has changed over time.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). 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 Perseus Mining the TSR over the last 5 years was 269%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence!

A Different Perspective

Perseus Mining provided a TSR of 9.6% over the last twelve months. But that was short of the market average. On the bright side, the longer term returns (running at about 30% a year, over half a decade) look better. It may well be that this is a business worth popping on the watching, given the continuing positive reception, over time, from the market. Most investors take the time to check the data on insider transactions. You can click here to see if insiders have been buying or selling.

Of course Perseus Mining 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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The Prime Minister claimed the Windsor Framework removed any sense of a border in the Irish Sea - DAN KITWOOD/AFP

Rishi Sunaks Brexit deal to unblock trade between Britain and Northern Ireland will not solve the problems faced by businesses, supermarket chiefs have warned.

Retailers and food suppliers, including the meat and dairy trade associations and Marks & Spencer, have ruled out fully using the fast-track green lane customs system when it comes into force in October because of the complexity and cost involved.

The system  at the heart of the Windsor Framework agreed earlier this year by the Prime Minister and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen  allows goods to cross the Irish Sea with no physical checks and minimal paperwork if labelled as not for EU.

However, insiders said that this requires a change in the packaging of thousands of items, meaning alterations to production lines. As a result, many products will not be ready in time for October, when the rules come in for meat and dairy.

Although changes are likely to be made to the packaging of more products in the future, in some cases the expense involved means this will not happen at all.

Goods without a label will have to remain in the red lane, meaning they will be subjected to full customs checks.

Andrew Opie, food director at the British Retail Consortium, said: While retailers are working hard to be fully compliant by October, we are very concerned that unless the Government quickly resolves issues such as labelling and other controls on products moving to Northern Ireland, supermarkets will not be able to maximise their use of the green lane, creating inevitable disruption to their supply chains.

Supermarkets have still not seen a full list of items that could pass through the green and red lanes, according to industry sources.

A source at one of Britains four biggest supermarkets said: Most retailers are probably going to have to use the red lane for some products to start with simply because of the labelling requirements, we dont know what they are in detail yet.

The Windsor Framework: Key provisions

It raises fresh questions over whether Mr Sunaks Windsor Framework deal was as successful as initially claimed. Announcing the agreement earlier this year, the Prime Minister said it removed any sense of a border in the Irish Sea.

However, supermarket and food bosses have become increasingly concerned over what the split system will look like when it is phased in.

An M&S spokesman said: The Windsor Framework is an important step forward for Northern Ireland, but the detail within it  particularly labelling requirements  brings cost and complexity that will take time to implement fully.

Nick Allen, chief executive of the British Meat Processors Association, said: It may not only be the retailers that start insisting on going through the red channel, it could be we could see this in the restaurant sector as well.

You could argue that some of the food service companies, McDonalds, or whoever, might say we dont want the restriction of putting something into Northern Ireland and not being able to go south.

Retail insiders suggested that companies which sold both in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would face even more costs following the change, as they would have to produce both labelled and unlabelled packages.

One source suggested this could require them to use different supply chains for the two different lanes.

Another industry insider said there was further complexity when it came to products that had been imported from the rest of the world before being sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, which risked being locked out from the green lane.

There has also been confusion over the full extent of labelling requirements for those products remaining in Northern Ireland.

As The Telegraph revealed in May, plans under discussion included requiring supermarkets to place labels denoting that food could not be sent to the EU on not only the individual packs of food, but also on cases carrying products and on supermarket shelves.

A spokesman for Dairy UK said: The Green Lane system should simplify the administrative processes required to send goods from GB to Northern Ireland.

However, they do come with some challenges, principally in labelling on packaging.

There are still some outstanding issues that have yet to be resolved in this area which is creating some uncertainty. In light of this, some operators may choose to continue with Red Lane arrangements which they are now familiar with.

A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), said: The Windsor Framework solves the practical issues of old Protocol and safeguards Northern Irelands place in our Union.

We are engaging extensively with businesses in Northern Ireland to help them prepare, including publishing detailed guidance and offering financial support.

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.
cyber crime

A company that makes vital equipment for the Royal Navy fleet paid off cyber criminals who attacked it with ransomware at the height of lockdown.

Hackers carried out a devastating cyber assault in July 2020 against Ministry of Defence supplier Sterling Thermal Technologies, which produces parts for Britains surface and submarine fleets.

The revelation comes as the MoD prepares to launch a new secure by design approach for its suppliers to stop them treating cyber security as something to be bolted on at the end of a programme.

Sterling, which makes heat exchangers for most of the Navys frontline vessels including aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, paid a $6,000 (4,600) ransom to restore its systems.

Details of the attack and payoff were revealed in a successful employment tribunal case brought by Edmund Witney, Sterlings former IT manager who was wrongly fired over the incident.

The cyber criminals forcibly encrypted, or scrambled, Sterlings networks before demanding the ransom to undo the damage they caused.

Documents shown to Watford Employment Tribunal suggested that two weeks after paying off the criminals, Sterling had restored 99pc of its data - but at a total cost of nearly 87,000 once legal fees and breach reporting services were paid for.

No information about the criminals identities was disclosed in the tribunals judgment, which was handed down earlier this year.

Ransomware mainly comes from Russian cyber gangs such as the Clop organisation, which recently went on a spree that saw hundreds of thousands of Britons data stolen from the BBC, British Airways, Boots and tens of other companies.

Both Sterling and the MoD were approached for comment.

The ransomware attack comes to light as the MoD is poised to unveil its flagship secure by design initiative this month in the hope of convincing suppliers and commanders alike to take cyber security seriously.

Christine Maxwell, a director of cyber security with the ministry, said in May: Cyber security is often bolted on at the end of a programme lifecycle after an accreditation process and this does not provide MoD with the best chance of delivering secure capabilities into our operational users hands.

Mike McPherson, a senior vice president of cyber security company ReliaQuest, observed that deciding whether to pay a ransom to ransomware criminals is a complex choice.

Encrypted machines, exfiltrated data, reputational damage, and the cost of not being able to conduct business are just a few of the factors which may influence a company to pay a ransom, he said.

Of course, paying a ransom only encourages the threat actor to continue its illicit activities but victims live in the moment, added Mr McPherson, a former FBI cyber investigator.

Paying off ransomware criminals is a hot topic in Whitehall because government agencies have differing views on whether it is acceptable.

Lindy Cameron, chief executive of GCHQs National Cyber Security Centre, has urged businesses not to pay off cyber criminals.

Ransomware remains the biggest online threat to the UK and we are clear that organisations should not pay ransom demands, she said in a joint statement with the Information Commissioners Office last year.

In contrast, Graeme Biggar, director-general of the National Crime Agency, told MPs in June: Part of the advice we give is you can pay a ransom. [But] that doesnt mean that your data is safe, or youve got the encryption key.

The MoD declined to comment, while Sterling did not respond.

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Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in HSS Engineers Berhad (KLSE:HSSEB), since the last five years saw the share price fall 25%.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing if the company's underlying fundamentals have been the driver of long term performance, or if there are some discrepancies.

View our latest analysis for HSS Engineers Berhad

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

Looking back five years, both HSS Engineers Berhad's share price and EPS declined; the latter at a rate of 2.5% per year. Readers should note that the share price has fallen faster than the EPS, at a rate of 6% per year, over the period. So it seems the market was too confident about the business, in the past.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

We know that HSS Engineers Berhad has improved its bottom line over the last three years, but what does the future have in store? You can see how its balance sheet has strengthened (or weakened) over time in this free interactive graphic.

A Different Perspective

It's nice to see that HSS Engineers Berhad shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 18% over the last year. Of course, that includes the dividend. There's no doubt those recent returns are much better than the TSR loss of 4% per year over five years. We generally put more weight on the long term performance over the short term, but the recent improvement could hint at a (positive) inflection point within the business. 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 be aware of the 1 warning sign we've spotted with HSS Engineers Berhad .

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 Malaysian 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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Solmet Technologies to create new jobs in Canton Township with $4.4M expansion

Bryan Lasick, machine shop manager at Solmet Technologies, works at a CNC lathe at the company's Canton Township facility.

CANTON TWP.  Solmet Technologies has plans for a $4.4 million expansion that will create 10 full-time jobs in the township's new tax abatement zone.

The company intends to increase and modernize its steel processing by investing about $2.8 million in building construction and $1.7 million in new machinery, furniture and fixtures at its existing facility at 2716 Shepler Church Ave SW.

Stark County commissioners recently approved a tax-exemption agreement for real property improvements with the company for 15 years at 75%.

Solmet Technologies President Matt Halter said the expansion will add 10,000 square feet of manufacturing space and 5,000 square feet of office space. Founded in 1985, the company produces open-die forged parts for a number of industries. Its business revolves primarily around industrial, oil and gas and steel production.

Construction on the new expansion will likely begin in the next several weeks.

"We're going to put some different CNC (computernumerical control) machine capabilities in to offer more services to existing customers and new customers," Halter said.

The expansion will create $730,000 in additional annual payroll, according to an agreement between the company and the commissioners.

Solmet Technologies plans a $4.4 million expansion at its Canton Township facility.

Canton Township's new tax abatement zone

Solmet Technologies is located in a tax abatement zone in Canton Township, or an area where eligible commercial and industrial businesses can receive tax exemptions on construction and renovation projects. Commissioners approved boundaries for a tax-break zone called the Raff/Gambrinus/Faircrest Community Reinvestment Area in May.

Canton Township Trustee Chris Nichols said township officials started talking about wanting to create a new Community Reinvestment Areas about a year ago. They looked at areas that had existing businesses, as well as land where new ones could be built.

"The township certainly wants to encourage our existing businesses to grow and new businesses to come in, and tax abatement is really the main tool that we have to encourage that ... this (Community Reinvestment Area) really streamlines the process and makes it a little easier and a little faster so that they can move on with their projects faster," he said.

Nichols said it's possible the township may look to create more tax-break zones in the future. He said the goal is to make the township as attractive as possible to different companies to encourage them to bring their businesses and job opportunities to the area.

Reach Paige at 330-580-8577, pmbennett@gannett.com or on Twitter @paigembenn.

Solmet Technologies President Matt Halter stands outside his Canton Township-based company, which is about to embark on a $4.4 million expansion.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Solmet Technologies plans $4.4 million expansion in Canton Township
529 tax deduction by state

Opening a 529 plan is a tax-advantaged way to set aside money for college. The money you contribute can grow tax-deferred and qualified withdrawals are tax-free. While there is no federal tax break for making 529 plan contributions, you may be able to claim one at the state level. Breaking down the 529 tax deduction by state can give you an idea of how you might be able to benefit when saving for college. Need help creating a college savings plan? Get connected with a financial advisor near you to learn more.

Understanding 529 Plan Tax Deductions

Tax deductions are amounts that reduce your taxable income for the year. You can claim both federal and state tax deductions. Theyre different from tax credits, which reduce your tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

Claiming tax deductions can help you to pay less in taxes or garner a bigger refund if you typically get money back at the state or federal level. Some deductions are above-the-line, while others require you to itemize on your tax return. Credits, meanwhile, lower your tax bill.

The federal government offers some tax deductions for education, but a deduction for 529 plan contributions isnt one of them. You can, however, deduct interest paid to student loans. The American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit can also be claimed to offset higher education expenses.

529 Tax Deduction by State

Every state offers at least one 529 plan, but states are not required to offer a tax deduction or other tax breaks for education. That being said, a number of states do offer deductions if youre making contributions to a 529 plan. States can also offer credits or other tax breaks as an incentive to save for college.

Nine states do not have income tax which means they dont offer a 529 plan deduction. Those states are Alaska, Florida, New Hampshire, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. California, Hawaii and Kentucky do not offer any type of 529 tax deduction but do assess income tax.

This table breaks down the 529 tax deduction by state.

529 Tax Deductions by State State Tax Deduction Alabama $5,000 single filers; $10,000 joint filers Alaska None Arizona $2,000 single or head of household; $4,000 joint filers Arkansas $5,000 single filers; $10,000 joint filers California None Colorado Full contribution Connecticut $5,000 single filers; $10,000 joint filers Delaware $1,000 single filers; $2,000 joint filers Florida None Georgia $4,000 single filers; $8,000 joint filers Hawaii None Idaho $6,000 single filers; $12,000 joint filers Illinois $10,000 single filers; $20,000 joint filers Indiana 20% tax credit on contributions (maximum credit $1,500) Iowa $3,785 per beneficiary Kansas $3,000 single filers; $6,000 joint filers Kentucky None Louisiana $2,400 single filers; $4,800 joint filers Maine Up to $1,000 per beneficiary Maryland $2,500 single filers; $5,000 joint filers Massachusetts $1,000 single filers; $2,000 joint filers Michigan $5,000 single filers; $10,000 joint filers Minnesota $1,500 single filers; $3,000 joint filers Mississippi $10,000 single filers; $20,000 joint filers Missouri $8,000 single filers; $16,000 joint filers Montana $3,000 single filers; $6,000 joint filers Nebraska $10,000 single filers; $5,000 married filing separately Nevada None New Hampshire None New Jersey $10,000 per taxpayer New Mexico Full contribution New York $5,000 single filers; $10,000 joint filers North Carolina None North Dakota $5,000 single filers; $10,000 joint filers Ohio Up to $4,000 per beneficiary Oklahoma $10,000 single filers; $20,000 joint filers Oregon $150 tax credit single filers; $300 tax credit joint filers Pennsylvania $17,000 single filers; $34,000 joint filers Rhode Island $500 single filers; $1,000 joint filers South Carolina Full contribution South Dakota None Tennessee None Texas None Utah 4.95% tax credit per beneficiary Vermont 10% credit on up to $2,500 for single filers; $5,000 joint filers (maximum $250 per taxpayer, per beneficiary; VHEIP is the only eligible plan) Virginia Up to $4,000 per account Washington, D.C. $4,000 single filers; $8,000 joint filers Washington None West Virginia Full contribution Wisconsin $3,860 per beneficiary; $1,930 for divorced parents or those married filing separately Wyoming None Claiming 529 Plan Tax Benefits

529 tax deduction by state

To claim a tax deduction or credit for 529 plan contributions, you must live and file taxes in a state that offers these benefits. You must also be eligible to get a tax break, based on your relationship with the account beneficiary.

In most states, any contributor to a 529 plan can claim a tax break, regardless of whether theyre the account owner or not. However, some states limit tax benefits to account owners only. That means grandparents, aunts and uncles or other contributors would be excluded from deducting contributions or claiming tax credits.

The good news is that there are no time limits on claiming education tax benefits associated with a 529 college savings plan if youre eligible to do so. Unlike Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which require you to withdraw all assets once the beneficiary turns 30, 529 plan money can stay in the account indefinitely. So, as long as youre making contributions you could still claim a deduction or tax credit if youre eligible.

Is Contributing to a 529 College Savings Plan Worth It?

Saving money in a 529 plan can be worth it for a few reasons, starting with the laundry list of tax breaks they offer. Contributions grow on a tax-deferred basis, so youre not having to pay tax on any earnings while the money is in the account. Any qualified withdrawals are tax-free, as long as you use them for eligible higher education expenses. You can also withdraw up to $10,000 without a tax penalty to pay for qualified expenses for grades K-12.

You can open a 529 plan and contribute money to it on behalf of any eligible beneficiary, including yourself or your spouse. Should your beneficiary decide not to go to college or if they dont use up all of their savings, you could transfer the money to a different beneficiary. And as outlined in the table above, some states offer tax breaks for college savings in the form of deductions or credits.

Aside from those benefits, a 529 plan can offer a better rate of return on your money compared to keeping money in a high-yield savings account or even a CD. They also allow for more flexibility than savings bonds. And while you could tap into an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to pay for college, that could shortchange your retirement savings and potentially trigger some tax consequences.

The Bottom Line

529 tax deduction by state

Getting a head start on college planning can help you to be better prepared when its time for your student to head off to school. Saving money in a 529 plan can benefit you at tax time and your money may have more room to grow than it would sitting in a bank account. Reviewing your 529 tax deduction by state can help you figure out how much of an additional tax advantage you might get from saving.

Financial Planning Tips

If youre ready to start saving for college but you dont know how to approach it, getting professional advice can help. A financial advisor can walk you through different college savings options so you can choose the one that best fits your needs and situation. Finding a financial advisor doesnt need 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.

When comparing 529 savings plans, remember that youre not locked into choosing your states plan. You could invest in a different states plan if you prefer the range of investment options offered or if another plan allows for higher lifetime contribution limits. Keep in mind, however, that your choice of plan may affect your ability to deduct those contributions on your state income tax return.

Photo credit: iStock.com/AndreyPopov, iStock.com/AndreyPopov, iStock.com/Prostock-Studio

The post 529 Plan Tax Deductions for Every State appeared first on SmartAsset Blog.
Steel Slag Market to Hit USD 38.28 Billion by 2030 | With Exhibiting a CAGR of 5.2%

Fortune Business Insights

Key companies covered in Steel Slag Market are ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg), Nippon Steel Corporation (Japan), Baosteel Group Corporation (China), JFE Steel Corporation (Japan), Tata Steel (India), POSCO (South Korea), Voestalpine Group (Austria), thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (Germany), Optimus Steel (U.S.), KOBE STEEL, LTD. (Japan) and more players profiled.

Pune, India, July 07, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global steel slag market size was valued at USD 25.66 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a valuation of USD 26.83 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach USD 38.28 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. Steel slag is a byproduct of the steelmaking process which is formed after impurities react with oxidants and fluxes. Steel slag is known to have nickel, chromium, strontium, and cadmium in it. The rising production of steel has led to an increase in the supply of slag, which is supporting market growth. Fortune Business Insights shares this information in its report titled Global Steel Slag Market, 2023-2030.

Get a Free Sample Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/steel-slag-market-104124

List of Key Players Profiled in the Report: -

ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg)

Nippon Steel Corporation (Japan)

Baosteel Group Corporation (China)

JFE Steel Corporation (Japan)

Tata Steel (India)

POSCO (South Korea)

Voestalpine Group (Austria)

thyssenkrupp Steel Europe (Germany)

Optimus Steel (U.S.)

KOBE STEEL, LTD. (Japan)

Report Scope & Segmentation:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2030 Forecast CAGR 5.2% 2030 Value Projection USD 38.28 Billion Market Size in 2022 USD 25.66 Billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 266 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Company Profiles, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and Latest Trends Segments Covered By Thickness

By Type

By Application Regions Covered North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East and Africa Steel Slag Market Growth Drivers 0.5 mm to Lead as it Provides Optimum Performance Increasing Demand from Various End-use Industries to Propel the Product Demand

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/steel-slag-market-104124

Segments

Blast Furnace Slag Segment to Dominate Due to Increasing Number of Cement-Producing Companies

On the basis of type, the market is divided into blast furnace slag and steelmaking slag. The blast furnace slag segment dominates due to rapid growth in cement-producing companies and growth in technological innovations in the manufacturing processes. Steelmaking slag is set to have market growth due to rising government initiatives for environmental protection.

Cement & Concrete to Lead Due to Beneficial Properties of the Product

On the basis of application, the market is classified into construction, cement & concrete, fertilizers, and others. The cement & concrete segment is set to hold the largest share due to increasing demand for these products owing to their properties such as high tensile strength, water resistance, hardness, and chemical compatibility with a range of materials.

The market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Report Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and the latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players.

Drivers and Restraints

Increasing Demand for Road Construction in the Construction Industry to Drive Market Growth

Increasing demand for road construction is anticipated to drive the steel slag market growth. Due to its properties, the main application of the product is in road construction. The product is also used in the construction industry for the building of highways and roads. Natural resources are preserved by reducing the demand for virgin materials by employing steel slag as an alternative to natural aggregates. Qualities, such as resistance to weathering and high alkalinity, help in curbing the release of such dangerous compounds into the environment.

However, steel slag is a by-product of the steel-making process and has a number of chemical compounds that, if not managed properly, can have a negative impact on the environment.

Get a Quote Now:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/get-a-quote/steel-slag-market-104124

Regional Insights

Increasing Demand for the Product to Drive Market Growth in Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific is set to lead the global steel slag market share due to increasing demand for building materials in countries such as China, Japan, and India. The market reached a valuation of USD 17.49 billion in 2022 due to economic expansion, urbanization, and construction activities.

North America is driven by the demand in countries such as the U.S. and Canada for rapid expansion of the cement & concrete industry. In the U.S., demand for construction products is increasing from the residential and commercial sectors.

Competitive Landscape

The key market players are ArcelorMittal, Nippon Steel Corporation, Baosteel Group Corporation, and JFE Steel Corporation. They have been emphasizing on product innovation, acquisition, and collaboration. In March 2022, ArcelorMittal acquired John Lawrie Metals Ltd. to increase the usage of scrap steel in ArcelorMittal for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from steelmaking.

Ask for Customization:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/steel-slag-market-104124

Detailed Table of Content:

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Key Emerging Trends  For Major Regions Key Developments: Mergers, Acquisition, Partnership, etc. Latest Technological Advancement Insights on Regulatory Scenario Porters Five Forces Analysis

Qualitative Insights  Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Steel Slag Market Supply Chain Challenges Steps taken by Government/Companies to overcome this impact Potential opportunities due to the COVID-19 outbreak



TOC Continued...!

Speak to Our Expert

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/steel-slag-market-104124

Key Industry Development

February 2023 - Nippon Steel Corporation has indirectly acquired Elk Valley Resources Ltd with 10% of the common shares, preferred shares, and royalty interest of the latter.

Read Related Insights:

Grain Oriented Electrical Steel Market Size, Share, and Geography Forecast, 2022-2030

Steel Wire Market Size, Share, and Regional Forecast, 2022-2029

Flat Steel Market Size, Share, and Regional Forecast, 2022-2030

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Natalie Knight has a few, not-so-modest priorities for her new job at Stellantis.

The companys incoming chief financial officer said she wants to help the automaker double its sales, ensure podium level profitability and assist in the move to becoming a leader in electric vehicles going forward.

While shell admittedly need to learn more about EVs, she has clear ideas about growth in the industry.

Natalie Knight is replacing Richard Palmer as chief financial officer for Stellantis.

This is a business where I think thats underestimated today. I think people value us for our profitability, but we also have a big growth ambition, Knight said of her new employer, which reported $18 billion in net profit and shipped 6 million vehicles last year.

Knight brings a diverse background from her finance roles working for companies including BASF, Adidas and, most recently, chief financial officer of global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, based in the Netherlands, following a similar role at Arla Foods in Denmark. U.S. consumers know Ahold Delhaize through its Food Lion, Giant and Stop & Shop stores.

Knight sat for a virtual roundtable Thursday, answering questions and providing a view of how shell approach the top financial job at the worlds fourth-largest automaker. Knight will be filling the role left by Richard Palmer, who had been with Stellantis and its predecessors through Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for 20 years. Knight officially begins her new role Monday, although she has already met many of the people she'll be working with.

While Knights previous work might seem removed from automotive concerns, she noted that she comes from industries that are very fast and adaptive, key issues at a time of great transformation for Stellantis. She also comes from a business with a plethora of brands, providing a point of comparison in her transition to Stellantis and its 14 brands, including Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Dodge.

She said the performance culture at Adidas was similar to what she sees at Stellantis.

Knight, who currently lives in the Netherlands, came to Europe in 1992, but her roots are in the United States. Shes a Seattleite, she has family in this country and a daughter is preparing to attend New York University.

Shell be based in Auburn Hills, according to the company.

Im very American in my way of speaking, in many of my ways of thinking. Ive lived here in Europe for a long time, so I consider myself a pretty nice combination of the two, but Ive been very, very excited to get back to the U.S., she said.

More: Stellantis execs sold millions in stock in recent months; automaker cites tax obligations

More: Stellantis says deal reached with Canadians on massive Windsor, Ontario battery plant

Knight said shell be looking at a few areas coming in as the new CFO to help Stellantis make its next steps forward. She highlighted the fact that the company is now years past the 2021 merger that created it, providing a point of connection with Ahold Delhaize, which finalized a merger in 2016. She said Stellantis has done well to date but the job isnt complete.

I think this has been, as far as Im concerned, an as-good-as-it-gets integration in terms of merger, ahead of all of the synergy targets. You see people very energized in the business, but I also know from the businesses Ive been in, it isnt just about succeeding for two or three years, its about how do you actually make the next steps after youve gotten the low-hanging fruit to really make the transformation as an organization, she said.

On a question about whether her focus is on cutting costs, Knight said she views her approach not as a cost-cutter, but certainly continuous improvement oriented is something thats a big orientation for me. She referenced a program at her most recent company called Save for Our Customers, where we pull more than a billion (euros) out every year in terms of savings and we can direct it into the customer pricing and, potentially, associates.

Knight was also asked about upcoming labor talks in the United States, with contracts with the UAW set to expire in September. Analysts have not been shy about forecasting a strike, possibly involving Stellantis or one of the other members of the Detroit Three, and the union hasnt shied away from the topic.

Knight called it early days in terms of those conversations, but she said shes no stranger to unions or strikes at her past companies, noting that collaboration and listening will be key entering into a more challenging economic period.

What will be essential for the future is determining how do we work together as one collective group in the U.S. but also the other regions to ensure were really successful going forward, she said.

Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New Stellantis CFO Natalie Knight: Big growth potential for automaker
M_a_y_a / Getty Images

The three major federal stimulus payments distributed in 2020 and 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic made headlines, but many states got into the act as well with their own tax rebates and other stimulus programs.

Stimulus Update: New Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks

See: Costco Execs Warn of Looming Recession Because of One Change Shoppers Are Making to Their Buying Habits

Most of the deadlines to file for state-issued stimulus payments have long passed, and most of the money has been distributed. However, there are still a handful of states that have either recently authorized new stimulus or have yet to distribute all of the money they originally allocated. Following is a look at states where stimulus payments are ongoing in July 2023.

Food Stamps: Surprising Things You Can Buy

Idaho

Idaho sent out tax rebates and Special Session Rebates in March and September 2022. Most of the 2022 rebate payments have already been sent, according to the Idaho State Tax Commission, though the agency continues to send more as taxpayers file their returns and become eligible. You can track the status of your rebates using the Wheres My Rebate tool at tax.idaho.gov/rebate.

Illinois

October 17, 2022, was the last date to submit information to receive the Illinois Income Tax Rebate and Property Tax Rebate, according to the Illinois Department of Revenue. Most of those payments have already been made. However, the state Comptroller has indicated that payments will continue until all have been issued.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts began paying state tax refunds in November 2022, and those payments are essentially over. Eligible filers were entitled to a refund of 14.0312% of their 2021 Massachusetts state tax liability. If you have not yet filed your 2021 return, however, you are still eligible if you file by Sept. 15, 2023, according to Mass.gov. If eligible for a refund, you should receive it about one month after you file.

Montana

Montana residents might qualify for a property tax rebate of up to $675 and/or an income tax rebate equal to the lesser of $2,500 for joint filers ($1,250 for other classifications) or their state tax liability. The state will begin issuing individual income tax rebates in July 2023, according to the Montana Business & Income Tax Division. These rebates will be issued in the order that they were filed and will be completed by Dec. 31, 2023.

Taxpayers can claim the 2022 property tax rebate online through the agencys TransAction Portal or by paper form beginning Aug. 15, 2023. The claim must be filed by Oct. 1, 2023. The state will begin accepting claims for the 2023 rebate on Aug. 15, 2024, and the claim must be filed by Oct. 1, 2024.

New Mexico

New Mexico is offering two types of rebates to residents in 2023  one for taxpayers and one for those who are not required to file tax returns. The income tax rebate amounts to $1,000 for joint filers and $500 for single filers and those who are married and filing separately. Eligible residents have until May 31, 2024, to file the 2021 personal income tax return if they have not already done so, according to the New Mexico Department of Taxation & Revenue.

Relief payments are being issued to New Mexicans who dont qualify for the rebates above. As of early July, the agency had not yet announced the amount of the payment, but $15 million has been appropriated for the payments. There will be an application process with the Human Services Department. Distribution of payments is expected to take place sometime before the end of July 2023.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Stimulus Payments Are Coming to These States in July 2023
The story behind legendary Jeeps name gives some fans the willies

ST. GEORGE, Utah  Willis? Willies?

Whats in a name? People have debated the pronunciation of WWII icon Willys Jeep for decades, but the company that builds its direct descendant, the Jeep Wrangler, says, Whatever you like. Were good.

Thats the word from Jim Morrison, head of Jeep North America. I asked just after he showed me the 2024 Willys Wrangler, an olive-drab salute to the original 1941 Willys Jeep, which was famously built by Toledo-based automaker Willys-Overland  but also by Ford Motor Co. and the nearly forgotten American Bantam, based in Butler, Pennsylvania.

2024 Jeep Wrangler Willys

The name comes from John North Willys, one of the auto industrys pioneers. For a few years early in the 20th century, Willys-Overland was Americas second largest automaker, behind rival tycoon Henry Fords brand and the Model T. It wasnt the last time Willys and Ford would find themselves at odds.

Former automobile magnate and U.S. ambassador to Poland John Willys, on his arrival in New York on Nov. 16, 1931, for a short visit.

More: Uncovering the history of Army Jeep #1More: From Mechanical mule to going Commando, Jeeps history of oddball vehicles

Ive heard both pronunciations in YouTube videos of Willys-Overland ads from the 1940s and 50s, Morrison told me shortly before we drove a 2024 Jeep Wrangler into the southern Utah canyonlands. The preference today also varies regionally, he said.

Head of Jeep Brand North America Jim Morrison speaks to the audience near a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Willys 4xe during the media preview at the 2022 North American International Auto Show held at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2022.

John North Willys reportedly pronounced it Willis, as various Jeep histories note, but the Jeep community has used willies forever, auto writer and Jeep enthusiast Lindsay Brooke notes.

Willis or Willie's? Vintage Jeep commercials say both

Willys-Overland promotional films from just after WWII use both pronunciations freely. While they shed no light on elocution, theyre worth seeing for a sense of the Jeeps postwar stature, and to see how the brands core message remains largely consistent 80 years later:

If the company that invented the Jeep  along with Ford and Bantam  didnt insist on one pronunciation then, Stellantis, which now owns the brand, wont today.

The 1940 Ford Pilot Model GP-No.1 (Pygmy), during initial testing after delivery to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps at Camp Holabird in Baltimore, Maryland, on Nov. 23, 1940. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum)

All three automakers contributed to the Jeeps design and engineering, and all three built Jeeps in the auto industrys massive defense effort. The earliest Jeep prototype known to exist, in fact, is a Ford.

In 1940-45, Willys-Overland built 362,894 Jeeps; Ford 285,660; American Bantam 2,676. Bantam also built around 60,000 trailers to haul gear behind Jeeps.

The Jeep was first in line when production of civilian vehicles resumed after the war. In fact, Willys got permission to begin production before hostilities ceased, on the principle that agricultural uses of the rugged little vehicle made it more important than personal transportation.

The pronunciation of Willys is a great question, said Matt Anderson transportation curator at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. We deal with it every year at our Old Car Festival, where we always have several Overland, Willys-Knight, and Whippet cars in attendance. When we announce the cars in our pass-in-review program, we always pronounce it Willis.

Ive put my trust in this story from the Toledo Blade stating that folks who knew and worked with John North Willys said that he himself pronounced it that way.

Despite that, many of the brands devotees  not to mention many of the people who develop and build Jeeps  go with the more intuitive Willies.

The 1940 Ford Pilot Model GP-No.1 (Pygmy), featured a low silhouette a flat-hood and a slat-grille incorporating the headlights within the body for protection. GP-No.1 remains almost entirely unrestored. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum/John Omenski)

Whatever you prefer, youll be in good company.

As we say at Old Car Festival, you wont get kicked out for pronouncing it either way, Anderson promised.

Contact Mark Phelan: 313-222-6731 or mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: This legendary vehicles name remains a mystery
Azerbaijani Defence Industry Minister Madat Guliyev welcomed a delegation led by Kyrgyz Defence Minister Baktybek Bekbolotov and Kyrgyz Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Azerbaijan Kayrat Osmonaliev on an official visit to Azerbaijan. Azernews reports

According to the Ministry of Defence Industry, at the meeting, Madat Guliyev stressed the importance of the solidarity of Turkic peoples, noted the prospects for further cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan in the defence industry and expressed confidence that the visit would contribute significantly to the development of links between the two countries in the defence industry.

The visit is part of the ongoing military cooperation between the two countries. Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan have a long history of military collaboration, with the two countries having signed several agreements in the past.

The Azerbaijani Defence Industry Minister noted that the two countries have close military-technical cooperation, as well as cooperation in many areas. He praised the moral and political support of Kyrgyzstan to Azerbaijan.

The Kyrgyz Defence Minister and Ambassador expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and discussed the prospects for the future development of military-technical ties between the two countries.

The two countries have been actively collaborating in various military spheres. Often the air, sea, and naval forces of the two countries conduct joint tactical drills. The joint exercises are aimed to improve the interaction between the two countries' army units during combat operations and develop the commanders' military decision-making and unit management skills.

The military cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan first emerged in 1992, with an agreement signed between the Azerbaijani and Kyrgyz governments on military education and weapon equipment and deals to help strengthen the bond between the two nations.

The two countries are also participating in the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2021 in Istanbul, Turkey, where Azerbaijan is exhibiting over 100 domestic products.

The visit of the Kyrgyz Defence Minister and Ambassador to Azerbaijan is a testament to the strong ties between the two countries and the commitment of both countries to further strengthen their military cooperation.
Subways CEO led turnarounds at Burger King and Avis. Hes doing it again before the sandwich chains $10 billion sale: I have license to try anything and everything

When John Chidsey took the reins of Subway in 2019, the sandwich store chain desperately needed a refresh. The company, led by the chain's founding family from 1965 until then, hadn't updated its menu or invested in technology in the decade before Chidsey's arrival.

And it had lost ground to quick-service rivals like McDonald's and Panera. As a privately held company, Subwaythe largest restaurant chain in the world by store count with 37,000 locationsis not required to disclose its financial results. But between 2015 and 2021, as business cratered, Subway closed 6,000 of its U.S. stores, almost one-quarter of them. The company has now resumed opening new ones. Four years ago, it tapped Chidsey, a turnaround artist who had fixed Burger King some years earlier as CEO, to work his magic again, with owners now eyeing a sale to private equity that reportedly could fetch $10 billion.

"I use the words stale and static," says the 61-year-old, who came out of retirement after eight years to fix Subway. "Both consumers and franchisees were screaming for more menu innovation."

Recent moves to modernize the menu include adding delicatessen-style items and offering new sandwich series made in a set way rather than the traditional do-it-yourself customizable manner customers are used to. On the corporate side, Chidsey has pushed for creating features that were shockingly absent at such a large company, like an equity compensation plan to attract top talent.

His strategy, so far, is paying off, though that's not saying much, given the company's straits when he first joined. While sales per restaurant, excluding newly opened or closed ones, are close to where they were in 2012, they've risen in each of the last ten quarters. After years of decline, it's Subway's best streak in over a decade.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

Fortune: Subway is staging a big turnaround under your leadership. But why do consumers need Subway at all?

With quick-service restaurants in general, people like convenience and speed. But what makes us unique is that in the world we live in today, we are the healthier option when you think that there is McDonald's everywhere, there's Burger King everywhere, there's KFC, there's Domino's. We don't necessarily have to be healthy. We just need to be healthier.

It seems that Subway's restaurants and menu hadn't changed for years, and it was just a static business. Is that fair criticism?

I use the word stale. There was a time when founder Fred DeLuca was ill for years and put his sister in charge. Between his illness and death and not having a succession plan, there was a period when there wasn't much menu innovation. When my team and I came in, we did our research. Both consumers and franchisees were screaming, 'We need more innovation.'

Restaurant chains, notably Chipotle and McDonald's, have used tech and apps to spur sales and loyalty program adoption. But here, Subway feels way behind.

We were behind even though we had all the money in the world, but the brand didn't choose to focus on digital. About three years ago, we started to focus on it. The nice thing was that we could look at what everybody else had done, see what worked, and take the best of it. Now digital sales have quadrupled as a percentage of total sales.

Your restaurants are 100% franchisee-owned, even as Chipotle touts its flexibility because it owns all its restaurants and McDonald's tries to reset relations with its franchisees. What's the case for a franchisee model?

If you look at public QSR companies, clearly, those that are more heavily franchised trade at higher multiples. Why? Because I think Wall Street likes that they generate so much free cash flow and are not capital-intensive businesses. There is no way we could have 37,000 restaurants and own them. I mean, the amount of capital and brainpower it would take.

Your sales per restaurant are still close to 2012 levels. What will it take to lift them in a big way?

Sales can get a lot bigger. We can double or triple our digital business again. And catering. I have no idea why Subway never built a big catering business because our food is extremely portable, unlike a soggy burger and fries.

Subway's restaurants are notoriously ubiquitous partly because they are so small compared to other QSR chains. Could you see room for some larger restaurants to offer more of a dining experience?

The beauty of Subway is that to run a Subway, literally, all you need is electricity and water. There are no fryers, no broilers, no grease traps or hoods. So you can fit one in Jakarta or downtown Tokyo, where you could never have fit a McDonald's or a Burger King. That's an advantage. But the flip side is that, yes, they need to be small. Remodeling the rest of the U.S. restaurants is a huge necessity and opportunity; some will focus on dining in and some on picking up orders.

You're leading a turnaround at Subway, and earlier in your career, you revamped brands like Burger King and Avis, the rental car agency. What do you like about turnarounds?

It's just more fun. You can make a bunch of decisions, and if it fails, I really can't be wrong because it was clearly screwed up in the first place. So I have license to try anything and everything with a lot of urgency. I like that much better than, 'Oh, you screwed up something that was running really, really well.'

Part of Subway's challenges came from being a family-owned company that, despite its size, didn't follow all the usual corporate governance practices. What did you do to remedy that?

We put in a much more professional management team and created a board with independent directors. Shareholders clearly own the company, but we have board members with lots of different experiences, so the owners are hearing not just from us but from people with other retail and restaurant experience.

You also had to make Subway competitive in the job market. What did you do to achieve that?

The founder had some interesting rules, like not having an equity program. They didn't even pay bonuses until Fred, the founder, passed, and the biggest bonus paid was 5% of your salary. So you can imagine you couldn't get somebody to leave McDonald's or leave Hertz to come here. At the same time, some people have been here for decades. That's usually not a good thing because new ideas are not coming in. So things were kind of ossified and patriarchal for a long time.

Get to know Chidsey:

Chidsey is the first CEO in Subway's 58-year history who's not a founding family member.

He held senior finance roles at worked at PepsiCo earlier in his career.

He is a chartered public accountant and lawyer by training.





This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

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By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Tesla wants the Biden administration to finalize more stringent vehicle emissions limits than those proposed in April by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), putting the automaker at odds with other manufacturers.

The EPA in April proposed 2027-2032 vehicle standards that would cut emissions by 56% and result in an estimated 60% of new vehicles by 2030 being electric and 67% by 2032. Tesla said in comments made public Friday it wants the EPA to adopt a tougher plan that would ensure more than 69% of vehicles in 2032 are EVs.

Tesla added it believes the EPA could require an end to gasoline-powered vehicles as early as 2030 and added there is "sound legal basis for an even more stringent set of standards than EPAs current proposal."

Tesla also said it believes the EPA's "cost assumptions are far too high and are not supported by the record, in that they do not fully consider the documented and projected rapid decline in battery cell and pack costs, as well the significant BEV (battery electric vehicles) range increases achieved through other efficiencies."

Last week, a trade group representing nearly all major automakers except Tesla urged the EPA soften its proposal, saying it is "neither reasonable nor achievable".

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota Motor, Hyundai Motor and others, recommended adopting requirements for 40% to 50% (electric, plug-in electric and fuel cell vehicles) in 2030.

Tesla also wants the EPA to make its proposal more stringent by eliminating the credits internal combustion vehicles can receive to meet pollution targets.

Tesla said its internal modeling projects 28% of vehicle sales in 2026 will be zero-emission models and said the EPA's "modeling significantly underestimates Tesla vehicle sales and projects them out at less 100,000 vehicles per year".

Tesla said this projection is "inexplicable, unjustified, and needlessly undermines the stringency of the rule ... In 2022, Teslas U.S. sales already approached 500,000 vehicles."

Tesla added it had confidentially provided production and sales estimates to EPA.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and David Holmes)
Throughout its history, Tesla (TSLA) and CEO Elon Musk have walked to the beat of their own drum. Making electric vehicles on their own when none were available for sale, selling cars directly to customers and sidestepping dealerships  and creating and maintaining Teslas own bespoke charging network.

These days, as Tesla just recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary as a corporation, the company may be in something of a compromise phase.

Take Wednesdays somewhat unprecedented move in China. As first reported by Bloomberg, Tesla and 15 of its EV rivals in China  including BYD, NIO, Xpeng, and Geely  signed a pact during a ceremony at the China Auto Forum in Shanghai in which the automakers pledged to maintain fair competition and avoid abnormal pricing.

Apparently, the Chinese government directed the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), the main trade group in the country, to bring the rivals together to sign the pact.

To review, Tesla initiated the bitter EV price war in China late last year  and into early this year  with steep price cuts for its Model Y SUV and Model 3 sedan that forced competitors like BYD and Xpeng to follow suit. The price cuts were so severe, and abrupt, that many Chinese Tesla buyers protested outside Tesla showrooms and delivery centers, demanding refunds.

Angry owners: Tesla customers, unhappy with the U.S. carmaker's price cuts last year, discuss their situation at a Tesla delivery centre in Shanghai, China. (REUTERS/Brenda Goh)

Nevertheless, it seems Tesla is now willing to play ball and do what the Chinese government would like to see. Namely, winding down the price war, and protecting local automakers in the worlds largest EV market.

Doing business in China means making the government happy, said Leland Miller, China Beige Book CEO and an expert on doing business on the mainland. If Beijing thinks a price war has gone on long enough, then those are the new rules Tesla and everyone else will have to abide by.

Per Bloomberg, Tesla agreed to, among other things, maintain fair competition and not disrupt fair competition with abnormal pricing, in addition to [promoting] core socialist values and [taking] on the heavy responsibility of maintaining steady growth, strengthening confidence and preventing risks.

Signing the pact isnt exactly the kind of move one would see in CEO Elon Musks playbook. He has, for instance, lambasted government programs, including by saying that EV subsidies in the US are not necessary. (Though Tesla took advantage of the tax credits for years.)

In this case, compromising with the Chinese government may not actually hurt the company.

Tesla continues to gain market share globally relative to the auto market generally and EV market specifically. This announcement comes at a time when they may feel more comfortable with their relative position, Canaccord Genuity managing director George Gianarikas told Yahoo Finance.

A new, more open Tesla?

Kinder? Gentler? Elon Musk, Chief Executive Officer of SpaceX and Tesla and owner of Twitter. (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes)

Nevertheless, this move, paired with Teslas latest collaborations with its Supercharging network, shows that the company is willing to compromise when it sees fit  and when it is financially beneficial. Teslas recent partnership with Ford (F) to use its Supercharger network blindsided the industry. Many experts figured Tesla would hold on to that competitive advantage.

Tesla's deal with Ford led to other dominos falling: GM (GM), Rivian (RIVN), and Volvo (VLVLY) also adopted Teslas North American Charging Standard (NACS) and joined its charging network. And just this Friday Tesla added another partner to the mix, as German luxury giant Mercedes-Benz (MBGYY) will now join the Supercharger Network and will include Tesla's NACS port on its EVs starting in 2025.

"Tesla is happy to support other EVs via our Supercharger network," Musk said, adding that it was an "honor" to be working with Ford on charging. (The "honor" will likely include some form of payment from Ford, GM, and other partners.)

Perhaps a more conciliatory, and maybe even friendly, Tesla will emerge as the company matures  even one thats willing to work with President Biden and other politicians when it sees fit. Maybe this is why a more compromise-driven Tesla hasn't faced much heat for what appears to be an anti-competitive deal it signed in China.

Politicians in the US have gone out of their way to not be too critical of Elon's dealings in China, presumably because they want support from other areas of his empire, such as SpaceX, China Beige Books Miller said. I doubt this one will move the needle.

Tesla and Elon Musk may have learned compromise isnt a dirty word  just as long as it boosts the bottom line.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter and on Instagram.

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
The rapid ascent of OpenAI's ChatGPT in web traffic hit a stumbling block last month. After setting the tech world on fire, ChatGPT's traffic finally dipped for the first time, revealing the inevitable plateau after a meteoric rise for the artificial intelligence.

According to a report shared by SimilarWeb, Global traffic to OpenAI website experienced a 10% drop, with unique visitors seeing a decrease of 6%. These figures indicate that the once-thought disruption to Google's reign is unlikely to materialize soon.

The number of visitors from the United States, which notably didn't see the same traffic boom as worldwide statistics, also saw a slump in June.

ChatGPT still ranks higher than key competitors in attracting worldwide visitors, namely Microsofts Bing search engine and Character.AI, a standalone AI chatbot site. Character.AI, despite a 32% month-over-month fall in visits, maintains significantly elevated traffic compared to June 2022.

Image: Similarweb

OpenAI's management team may not be overly concerned with this dip. Initially launched as a tech demonstration that subsequently morphed into a digital sensation, SimilarWeb notes that ChatGPT primarily generates sales leads for OpenAI. This allows other companies to license its technology for their applications.

During this period, OpenAI's CEO has been actively advocating for more favorable regulations. Notably, the company decided to stop using Microsoft's Bing search services, due to its proclivity for skipping Paywallsa month after its implementation.

This move came as a surprise, given that Microsoft, a major OpenAI investor, incorporated OpenAIs GPT-4 LLM to power its native search engine, Bing.

Running the largely free service isnt cheap, with costs an estimated $700,000 per day. While Bing has integrated OpenAI's advanced GPT-4 algorithm into its platform, OpenAI operates differently. It provides subscribers with access to the latest version, GPT-4, while free users utilize an older model.

ChatGPT Users Abused Web Browsing Feature So OpenAI Has Turned It Off

ChatGPT's generates a lot of its revenue from subscriptions to its ChatGPT Plus services, which gives users access to its more advanced GPT-4 LLM. Besides, users can also pay to have API access to more customizable versions of its software. Interestingly, despite the fall in ChatGPT's traffic, the developers' website, platform.openai.com, recorded a 3% traffic rise from May to June.

A dip in ChatGPT's engagement has also been observed. The average duration of site visits declined by 9% in May, with June's statistics yet to be calculated.

The reduced interest in ChatGPT and its peers suggests a shift in the AI chatbot market. Novelty is no longer the driving force; now, the emphasis is on proving its true value.

As they say, what goes up must come downeven in the digital universe.
(Bloomberg) -- On Thursday, a blowout jobs report pushed US yields to the highest in 16 years  unleashing fresh bets that Jerome Powell & Co. will ramp up borrowing costs well past 5%.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Just 24 hours later, Wall Streets conviction is already fraying after headline nonfarm payrolls data came in a little soft, sending two-year yields back to Wednesday levels.

The volatility is raising a question in the bond community on why anyone would be tempted to trade the ADP monthly jobs data when it has  at best  a middling track record of jibing with the government data. The answer for the haywire moves, in all likelihood, is that a holiday-shortened week has conspired to reduce liquidity just as market positioning got crowded.

The moral of the story is never trade on ADP data, said Ed Al-Hussainy, global rates strategist at Columbia Threadneedle. Its just a poor lead on NFP. We had an unusually large market reaction yesterday reflecting a heavy flattener position and poor liquidity this week.

Two-year yields surged as much as 17 basis points Thursday and hit 5.12%, a level last seen in 2007, after the data from ADP Research Institute showed US companies added almost half a million jobs last month, twice as much as economists forecast. It steadily retraced the move through the day as traders unwound the flattener trade  that short-term yields will rise faster than the long-end  which has proved popular on upbeat data.

The unwinding of the curve trade continued Friday, following the payroll report, with the gap between two-year and 10-year yields narrowing another 7 basis points.

The private job report, compiled by the ADP in collaboration with Stanford Digital Economy Lab, is known for its unsteady relationship with the official report. The monthly government payroll trailed the ADP report by more than 100,000 on average over the past three months, after beating it by 139,000 at the beginning of the year.

The lesson we should learn and continue to learn is that you should never overreact to a single data point and yesterdays market reaction appears to be that, said Arthur Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth. But I would also offer up that after a blistering-hot first half in markets, you may well have had investors looking for any excuse to take some profits. I think thats OK  but just dont blame a single data point for that.

The ADP survey has a long track record of giving different signals from the official monthly jobs report, and its compilers have for some time sought to emphasize that theyre not aiming to match the Bureau of Labor Statistics series. ADP suspended its series a year ago to revamp its methodology, not the only change to the survey over the years.

To be sure, even the government gauges of the jobs market have lately offered different signals. Though the May BLS report showed an outsize gain in payrolls, its household survey showed the number of employees plunged that month.

In any case, Fridays official data still gives ammo to those betting the US economy will continue to run hot, with stronger-than-expected wage growth for June  suggesting volatility in the Treasury market is set to endure.

ADP never fails to fail! said Rishi Mishra, an analyst at Futures First Canada, on Twitter.

--With assistance from Christopher Anstey.

(Updates with additional information on ADP data.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Just because a business does not make any money, does not mean that the stock will go down. For example, although software-as-a-service business Salesforce.com lost money for years while it grew recurring revenue, if you held shares since 2005, you'd have done very well indeed. But while the successes are well known, investors should not ignore the very many unprofitable companies that simply burn through all their cash and collapse.

So, the natural question for ATEX Resources (CVE:ATX) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

View our latest analysis for ATEX Resources

Does ATEX Resources Have A Long Cash Runway?

You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. In March 2023, ATEX Resources had CA$9.9m in cash, and was debt-free. Importantly, its cash burn was CA$14m over the trailing twelve months. That means it had a cash runway of around 9 months as of March 2023. Notably, however, analysts think that ATEX Resources will break even (at a free cash flow level) before then. In that case, it may never reach the end of its cash runway. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years.

How Is ATEX Resources' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

ATEX Resources didn't record any revenue over the last year, indicating that it's an early stage company still developing its business. So while we can't look to sales to understand growth, we can look at how the cash burn is changing to understand how expenditure is trending over time. The skyrocketing cash burn up 160% year on year certainly tests our nerves. It's fair to say that sort of rate of increase cannot be maintained for very long, without putting pressure on the balance sheet. Clearly, however, the crucial factor is whether the company will grow its business going forward. So you might want to take a peek at how much the company is expected to grow in the next few years.

How Easily Can ATEX Resources Raise Cash?

Since its cash burn is moving in the wrong direction, ATEX Resources shareholders may wish to think ahead to when the company may need to raise more cash. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Since it has a market capitalisation of CA$128m, ATEX Resources' CA$14m in cash burn equates to about 11% of its market value. As a result, we'd venture that the company could raise more cash for growth without much trouble, albeit at the cost of some dilution.

So, Should We Worry About ATEX Resources' Cash Burn?

On this analysis of ATEX Resources' cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its increasing cash burn has us a bit worried. It's clearly very positive to see that analysts are forecasting the company will break even fairly soon. Considering all the factors discussed in this article, we're not overly concerned about the company's cash burn, although we do think shareholders should keep an eye on how it develops. On another note, ATEX Resources has 5 warning signs (and 2 which are concerning) we think you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies insiders are buying, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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(Bloomberg) -- The yen surged the most since March against a broadly weaker dollar after softer-than-expected US payrolls data, prompting traders to unwind short positions.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Japans currency rose as much as 1.4% to 142.08 per dollar, a level last seen on June 22. The Bloomberg gauge of the greenback fell the most since March after payroll growth dropped below economist estimates for the first time in more than a year.

The rally comes as traders re-assess a strategy in which the yen has acted as a key funding currency in carry trades. Investors have also boosted short positions on the yen as the currency moved steadily lower this year amid widening divergence between the Bank of Japans easy policy and aggressive hiking cycles for other central banks, notably in the US and Europe.

I dont think well see a complete unwind of the yen carry trade just yet but it had gone a long way in Q2, so this is profit taking, position adjustment, said Brad Bechtel, a foreign-exchange strategist at Jefferies. If volatility stays high then it will continue to unwind, but if volatility stabilizes then carry junkies will jump back in.

Shorting Japans currency has been a popular trade as falling Treasuries spurred investors to sell the yen in favor of the higher-yielding dollar. The yen is one of the worst-performing Group-of-10 this year, reaching 145 per dollar last month, a level unseen since November.

Earlier on Friday, Eisuke Sakakibara, otherwise known as Mr. Yen who was Japans vice finance minister from 1997 to 1999, said the yen may weaken through the 160 per dollar level, a thirty-year low. At this level, Sakakibara said, the Japanese authorities may be tempted to support the currency.

Investors are unwinding shorts today amid profit-taking on the trade, said Peter Vassallo, a portfolio manager at BNP Paribas Asset Management.

--With assistance from Robert Fullem.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Jenna Veazey walked along the tree-lined trail, eyes and ears in tune with her surroundings.

Within moments of approaching the wetlands portion of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail, she heard the pterodactyl sound of a blue heron. She saw several of the large birds lifting off, away from the green slime where Eastern painted turtles sometimes are stacked up on logs like cordwood.

The imagery seemed like something out of a poem  and thats exactly what Veazey is presenting along this part of the DRHT, off the Indiantown Road parking lot in King George County.

In April, she unveiled Poetry on the Trail, which allows users to scan a QR code on wooden benches at seven particularly scenic points on the trail. The codes bring up poems from living Virginia writers, their bios and how their words fit the surroundings.

While Veazey and her husband, Warren, are active users of the 16-mile trail along the former railroad line to Dahlgren, she loves that the poetry offers a new way to get a benefit from the trail besides exercising.

I feel so relaxed and so meditative and I just feel all the city being washed off and its just renewing to come by and experience the trail, she said earlier this week. That lowers your blood pressure, it does all kinds of wonderful things for our bodies and our mental states.

The heavy humidity of the morning was momentarily lost under the thick canopy of the trail as she walked along with visitors and Jim Lynch, president of the Friends of the Trail. His predecessor, Dave Jones, nicknamed the path the peoples trail, Lynch said, and Jones has always been happy when people find ways to match personal interests with trail happenings.

Veazeys effort meshes perfectly with that, Lynch said.

In addition, Poetry on the Trail offers offers the experiences of the poem and of nature in vivid interrelationship, said David Sam, the former president of Germanna Community College and a regional vice president of the Poetry Society of Virginia.

Poets have always used experiences with and images from nature in their poetry. The poems may be about nature. Or the natural world may serve as symbol and metaphor, he wrote in an email. Our relationship with the natural world is one thing that keeps us fully human. Poetry is another.

The featured poems were written long before Poetry on the Trail became a thing, Veazey said, but the words mirror the images. No sooner does she announce the name of the first poem, Blue Heron by Sarah Ann Winn, than the graceful bird comes into view, almost on cue.

At the next bench, the poem Foregoing by Catherine Fletcher, describes layers of forest among fern fronds and what awakens the sleeping beauty of tangled old growth  images that are right in front of the viewer.

Veazey, whos both a poet and master naturalist, notes in the natural points of interest under the poem that beavers dammed up this portion of Peppermill Creek, creating an area thats easy to birdwatch.

In addition to red-winged blackbirds, kingfishers, woodpeckers and wood ducks, springtime visitors can see mayapples growing or dark maroon flowers blooming in a grove of pawpaw trees.

What Jenna has organized at Dahlgren is nothing less than spectacular. Combining poetry with (the) trail seems like such a natural way to bring poetry to the community, said Steve Bucher, a Fauquier County poet whose work, Thresholds, is featured. I totally love what Jenna has done with this.

He wrote his poem when he faced a critical decision in life and realized it was time for a different direction. He thought it was particularly appropriate in this setting because pathways and trails often lead to moments when directional decisions are made.

He describes a young buck, at the verge of a threshold between a wooden grove and an open field. Thats exactly where the bench featuring his poem is placed on the trail.

Elizabeth Spencer Spragins, who lives in Stafford County, focuses her writing on the beauty of landscapes and their inhabitants. She sees the combination of the reader, the written word and the inspirational setting as nothing short of magical.

Perhaps our poems will spark joy. Maybe they will enhance a moment of wonder, she said in an email. Without doubt, they offer permission to pause and reflect.

Because nature is ever-changing, Spencer Spragins believes we can encounter something new every time we look through a different lens.

Veazey chose the Indiantown Road location because all the vibrant animals it attracts makes it her favorite part of the trail. She called herself a nature nerd as she reached for a monocular to get a closer look at the birds around her and pointed out the busy-ness of beavers whove left gnawed-down trees in their wake.

She has lots of plans for Poetry on the Trail, including featuring new poems each year and archiving old ones. Shed also like to have audio available so that when people scan the QR codes, they can listen, on their phones, as the poems are read.

More information is available online at poetryonthetrail.org. Because the trail is privately owned, visitors are asked to get a free use permit, available online at dahlgrentrail.org/use-permits.html.
A man known for having a ministry of healing is coming to St. Patricks Catholic Church in Fremont.

Alan Ames will present a healing service starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 19, in St. Patricks Catholic Church, 3400 E. 16th St., in Fremont. The public is invited.

Ames website states that he was born in London in 1953 and in his youth was a motorcycle gang member, during which he took a path of violence and alcohol.

He married and went to Australia with his family. A turning point occurred in his life in 1993, when Ames said he saw his life displayed before him and experienced how his sins had hurt God. He saw how Jesus offered him forgiveness from the cross and, after some struggles, Ames accepted Christs forgiveness, the website states.

Ames has been given a gift of grace for healing, states information from St. Patricks, and he travels globally healing those with mental, physical, emotional and spiritual ailments.

Alan Ames has experienced what is known as the illumination of soul where by Gods grace he was allowed to see his life through Gods eyes, said Kate Casale, director of adult faith formation at St. Patricks. He came to know how his sins hurt himself, others and that they offended God. As painful as this experience was for him, he also experienced Gods mercy.

Casale notes the message Ames has for his listeners.

This is a message needed for our time that no sin or person is beyond Gods mercy or redemption, Casale said. Alan also received the gift of healing so I hope people come to hear his testimony of hope no matter our past choices and receive Gods healing love.

Crystal Sixta, assistant office manager at St. Patricks, shared her excitement about the upcoming event.

I love hearing stories about how God has taken someone who was broken or living a sinful life and not only redeems them, but uses them in a powerful way to help others, Sixta said.

There is no registration for the event and no charge. A freewill offering will be accepted.

Like Casale, Sixta also encourages the public to come to the event.

Im really excited to hear Alans testimony and anytime our parish offers a healing service I try to attend, Sixta said. They are so peaceful and powerful. It is amazing and so moving to see that God is still making miracles happen, and we want the entire community to be part of that! All are welcome!

Ames website states that he has traveled extensively in Australia, England, Ireland, New Zealand, the United States and other countries.

More information about Ames international ministry can be found at AlanAmes.org
LINCOLN  The chair of the Nebraska Legislatures Education Committee is planning to study the use of critical race theory and other controversial subjects in the classroom.

The studies, initiated by State Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, stem from a request to investigate the Nebraska Department of Education made last year by a collection of state senators.

In May, Murman, chair of the Education Committee, introduced a trio of interim study resolutions to look at parental involvement in public schools, the usage of social-emotional learning in the classroom and how federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding was used by the department for a state website aimed at helping schools through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Murman said the three interim study resolutions will be the subject of a July 31 hearing where committee members will hear invited testimony from department officials, retired educators and parents. The hearing is open to the public, but the general public will not be allowed to testify, he said. Its not unusual for interim study resolutions to limit testimony to invited guests.

Unlike legislative bills, lawmakers can introduce interim study resolutions at any point in the session. Its up to lawmakers how far they want to go with the resolutions and in this case, Murman is choosing to start with a hearing.

Last year, Murman and others called for an investigation into the Department of Education, alleging it provided materials to teachers promoting critical race theory through the website Launch Nebraska. Now, Murman said investigation is too strong a word to describe his goals. He wants to consider how Nebraskas education system can improve in these areas moving forward.

Thats what parents have demanded over the past two years, Murman said.

The allegations centered on one document, titled Winning Racial Justice In Our Schools, by the Education Justice Research and Organizing Collaborative at New York University.

The document never was directly available on Launch Nebraska, but it was accessible by clicking a link to a different website, called the Culturally Responsible Education Hub, which at one point had a link to the document.

Education Department spokesman David Jespersen said this connection was in place for a few months at most. The department was not aware that the document was indirectly available through the website until last summer, when then-Gov. Pete Ricketts office reached out with concerns, and in response department officials removed the link. Former Education Commissioner Matt Blomstedt said in October the lawmakers who backed the investigation did not reach out beforehand.

Jespersen said no federal funds were used to build Launch Nebraska, and theres no evidence the document was ever used in any Nebraska public schools. But Murman said hes continued to hear concerns from parents and teachers about inappropriate material being taught in the classroom.

Murman claimed there are still resources remaining on state websites promoting critical race theory and comprehensive sex education, although he couldnt provide any specific examples. Jespersen said several weeks after the October press conference, Murmans office reached out with more concerns about similar external links, but after review department officials deemed they didnt warrant any changes.

Although people have differing interpretations of critical race theory, a central tenet of it is the assertion that the laws and legal institutions in the U.S. are inherently racist and advantage White people over other races, particularly African Americans.

Adherents say the theory is a framework or lens for understanding race in history and society to help illuminate a pathway to improving the country. But critics say it promotes the idea that members of a specific race are inherently inferior or superior.

Murman said he would prefer Nebraskas public schools focus on the basics, such as reading, writing and arithmetic. Social issues, he said, are best left to be taught by parents or churches.

As these studies are considered, Murman and another state lawmaker have bills in the works aimed in a similar direction. Legislative Bill 374, introduced by Murman, would give parents access to review all learning materials their school uses, and give parents an opportunity to object and withdraw their students from lessons or activities in which materials are used that conflict with the parents firmly held beliefs, values, or principles.

LB 71, introduced by Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, would require that public schools disclose instructional materials to parents and allow parents to request that their child be excused from certain lessons or activities. Neither bill made it to the finish line this year, but either could be brought up again next session.

If one of the bills passes next year, Murman said the studies may still be needed depending on how comprehensive the final bill ends up. He said his goal is to ensure that Nebraskas public schools are as transparent as possible to parents without putting too much of a burden on the states education system.

On the issue of transparency, Jespersen said most of the suggestions proposed are already in place in Nebraskas school districts. However, he welcomed the studies, saying if any of them illuminate legitimate issues, then theyd be worth it.

If this leads to more understanding  then its a good thing, Jespersen said.
President of the Republic of Albania Bajram Begaj, who is on an official visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, has visited the Alley of Honors to lay a wreath at the tomb of National Leader, architect and founder of modern and independent Azerbaijani state Heydar Aliyev.

The President of Albania also put flowers at the grave of the Great Leader`s wife, outstanding ophthalmologist, academician Zarifa Aliyeva.




LAS VEGAS (AP)  No charges will be filed following a brief investigation of the altercation involving pop star Britney Spears, San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama and a member of the players security team, Las Vegas police said Friday after determining she inadvertently hit herself in the face.

Spears said she was struck by a security guard as she tried to approach Wembanyama near a restaurant in a Las Vegas casino complex on Wednesday night. Wembanyama said a person, who he later found out was Spears, grabbed him from behind.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said Spears had actually struck herself when someone pushed her hand off Wembanyama as she reached up to tap the No. 1 overall pick.

In its investigation, which is now over, police determined that the security guard did not willfully or unlawfully use force or violence against Spears. No arrests were made and no one was cited, the report said.

In the report, police said surveillance footage of the event showed Britney going to tap the Spurs player on the shoulder. When she touched the player (redacted) pushes her hand off of the player without looking which causes Britneys hand to hit herself in the face.

Spears filed a police report after the incident outside the restaurant, alleging battery. On Friday, she posted a reaction to Instagram with a caption that said Either way Im still a huge fan of the NBA player  its not his fault his security hit me.

Wembanyama was making his NBA Summer League debut for the Spurs in Las Vegas on Friday night. The 7-foot-3 French teen was the No. 1 pick in last month's NBA draft and is entering the league with as much acclaim as anyone since LeBron James in 2003.

The altercation happened Wednesday night; Spears said she recognized Wembanyama at another hotel earlier in the evening and when seeing him again entering a restaurant at the Aria Resort & Casino she decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success.

Spears said Thursday, His security then back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses off my face.

Police interviewed security guards for the Spurs and Spears, both of whom said pushing a hand off someones shoulder is a standard response, according to the report. The security guard for the Spurs said he spoke with Spears afterward, identified himself and apologized. Spears security team said she also apologized, the police report said.

Spears attorney in Los Angeles, Mathew Rosengart, did not immediately respond to telephone and email messages Friday about the police report.

Spears said Thursday in posts on Twitter and Instagram that the run-in was super embarrassing, and denied grabbing Wembanyama, saying she only tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. She also said that she was hopeful of getting an apology from the team or the security guard who she said was involved.

Wembanyama had a different account of the events. He said security advised him to not stop for anyone as he walked into the restaurant, mindful that pausing could cause a stir and allow a crowd to build. He said one person was shouting sir, sir to him, and that person grabbed me from behind, he said.

He was told hours later that person was Spears. He never saw her, he said, because he never turned around.

Associated Press journalists Ken Ritter and Rio Yamat in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corp. is in search of titans, not the thunderbolt-slinging kind, but those who want to move mountains when it comes to enhancing the local economy.

Foundation for Colorado Springs Future, the Chambers nonprofit fund designed to improve the regions economy and fortify its employee base, launched a six-month campaign Friday, Titans Capital Campaign, to raise money and involvement from individuals, companies, organizations and governments.

The campaign, led by Greg Cerbana, vice president of public relations and government Affairs of Weidner Apartment Homes, seeks to find 100 members to be a part of the Titans of Economic Development Advisory Council, which will strive to bring economic development projects to the region and attract and attain workers in Colorado Springs, in addition to a minimum investment of $10,000 every year for three years from council members.

The Titans campaign already has secured $1.6 million, Cerbana said, with the help of Cerbanas 16-person campaign cabinet, which includes Kevin ONeil, owner of The ONeil Group Co.; Mike Juran, CEO of Altia; and Ramon Alvarez, owner of Minuteman Press.

We recognize how important economic development is to a growing and thriving community, Cerbana said, later adding, I think that thats one of the reasons why people are excited to participate, to lend their voice, to lend their time, to lend their talent, and to be able to help us and certainly to lend their treasure, as we go forward through this capital campaign.

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The campaigns inception began after the Chamber & EDC hired Newmark, a global commercial real estate agency, to research the city and regions labor needs, industry strengths and how that compares with other areas, said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, Chamber president and CEO.

While so many great things are going on in Colorado Springs, they also had ideas of things that we needed to work on, Kleymeyer said. They said that ... we need to put our efforts on steroids ... to more than triple our efforts and be proactive in economic development, both to help existing companies expand and to bring new companies to this region.

The campaign is a piece of that, Kleymeyer said. And it follows the past 18 months, when the Chamber closed 13 economic development projects that added $1.6 billion in capital investment and 2,440 new jobs in the Colorado Springs area, such as Entegris Manufacturing Center of Excellence, the Chamber said.

We cant fund the kind of proactive professional efforts and involve our business community by doing it on a shoestring budget, Kleymeyer said. Its important that we show the commitment to economic development, that we show the commitment to our businesses, and frankly, to the employees to create good paying jobs.

Community members, businesses or organizations interested in joining the campaign can visit the chambers website at coloradospringschamberedc.com/cosfuture/.
If the two teens charged this week in the killing of a pregnant woman had been students in Denver Public Schools, Superintendent Alex Marrero seems to think they should still be seated in class next to other kids in August.

Let that sink in.

Last month, Denvers school board voted 4-3 to permanently reauthorize school resource officers (SROs) to campuses. That was a necessary but insufficient step. The districts discipline policies must be changed  something Marrero doggedly resists in his final safety plan.

In 2021, DPS introduced a disciplinary matrix that severely limited the consequences of disruptive student behavior and when schools could involve law enforcement. The result? Meaningful discipline was explicitly discouraged  leaving deans, principals and DPS safety personnel powerless. You can draw a straight line from lax disciplinary tools to increased behavioral problems, rising juvenile crime and the proliferation of firearms (often stolen, sometimes with scratched-off serial numbers) on school grounds.

Lets be clear: These lenient policies compromise accountability and jeopardize safety and wellbeing for entire school communities. Kids know theres little DPS Safety and the police can do if they get caught  and theyre taking advantage of it.

The discipline matrix lacks any sort of consequences or accountability, Melissa Craven, DPSs former deputy chief of safety, told me on 710KNUS radio in May. Just allowing kids to continue these destructive behaviors isnt doing them any good, nor is it doing the rest of the students in the school any good. Its not a safe environment, nor is it healthy for anyone involved.

Craven, a 12-year school-safety veteran, pointed to a troubling trend of students engaging in forbidden activities on school property  such as fighting, theft and drug use  because the consequences are less severe than if they occurred off-campus. We must have consequences for actions that are clear and that are enforced, otherwise they will continue to escalate behavior, she stressed. By late 2021  after the discipline matrix was implemented and students returned from the pandemic  fights were already up 35%. It hasnt gotten better.

Reinstating SROs will help, but if theyre entirely forbidden from being involved in student discipline and severely limited in their capacity to address criminal and/or dangerous activity, little will improve. Yet, to support his refusal to revise the discipline matrix, Marrero has publicly engaged in a glaring example of the straw-man fallacy  deliberately misrepresenting concerns of staff and parents by attacking a distorted version of their argument.

Astonishingly, Marrero falsely conflates the call for discipline matrix reform with opposition to providing an equitable education, implying concerned parents and staff want all students with significant disciplinary issues banished to alternative or virtual schools. (W)e will not abandon our students who need us the most because their mistakes make others uncomfortable, he dismissively wrote  outright disregarding the need for accountability and a safe learning environment. Tone-deaf much?

This isnt hypothetical  its a pattern. Austin Lyle, who shot two deans at East High School in March, was already on probation for weapons violations and previously expelled from another district. The principal of McAuliffe International School tried to get a student charged with attempted murder to be moved to online learning or be expelled, but the district refused. At Denver Center for International Studies, a student allegedly threatened to shoot the principal. The district reportedly refused to enforce a restraining order. Roughly 350 students last school year received a threat assessment  35% of the total ever conducted for then-enrolled students  with 42 of them requiring pat-downs.

Marrero misleadingly cites a study from the National Threat Assessment Center  but this research refers to targeted school violence and plots against schools. (W)hat youre talking about in an inner-city urban school is kids with handguns, Director Charmaine Lindsay astutely observed to me on 710KNUS in May.

Im happy Dr. Marrero has endorsed this stance, outgoing board member Tay Anderson wrote in a since-deleted June 27 tweet, adding hes been pushing (it) since the shooting at East. Anderson has backed weaker disciplinary policies his entire tenure. Marreros choice to adopt Andersons approach to the lenient discipline matrix, coupled with his decision to rely on a future evaluation at Harvard University, demonstrates more dithering and inaction. This approach will leave the community in limbo and simply perpetuate the problems.

For her part, Lindsay has acknowledged a need to revise the matrix, while expressing concerns about inequitable discipline and excessive law enforcement referrals.

I just think that trying to come up with a balance is difficult, and obviously there are areas when we start looking at how this is being implemented and whats not working, that we should go back and revisit and fix, she said in our interview.

In a May board meeting, Director Scott Baldermann suggested DPS should revisit the matrix because theres some ambiguity in there.

Surely the districts disciplinary guidelines can be revised to prioritize accountability and foster a safer, more conducive learning environment  all while balancing with the boards stated commitment to reduce the purported school-to-prison pipeline.

Lets be real: Superintendent Marreros refusal to acknowledge the overwhelming evidence, take initiative and reform DPSs discipline matrix can only be described as ideological stubbornness. He must immediately reverse course  lest the lives, well-being and academic futures of Denvers students hang in the balance.

Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and host of The Jimmy Sengenberger Show Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on News/Talk 710 KNUS. Reach Jimmy online at JimmySengenberger.com or on Twitter @SengCenter.
Residents on Thursday night met with developers to discuss early plans to build hundreds of affordable rental units in the Briargate neighborhood, many repeating concerns about project density, increased traffic and "lack of transparency from the city."

More than 100 residents, many of whom live in nearby Pine Creek, attended an informational meeting at Library 21c, hosted by representatives for developer DBG Properties of Portland, Ore., which plans to build the Royal Pines Apartments, as the project is currently known. It will be made up of 232 one-, two- and three-bedroom units that will be built within three four-story buildings at the intersection of North Powers and North Union boulevards.

Colorado Springs planning and community development officials previously said the units will be marketed toward working families, and the city intends to issue up to $40 million in private activity bonds to build the complex.

Developers set up four stations residents could visit on their own time Thursday night to ask questions directly of developers, architects and city staff who could speak to topics such as the project development plan, financing, site design and amenities, traffic, landscaping and other items.

Residents told The Gazette the meeting's structure made it difficult for project officials to adequately address neighbors' worries.

"You can't hear and there's so much white noise, it detracts from being able to address neighborhood concerns," Pine Creek resident Steve Parrish said as the hum of several other concurrent conversations could be heard in the background.

At the various stations, residents repeated concerns they shared last month with the City Council about increased traffic and project density, and questioned whether an attainable housing project is truly needed in the area.

Residents should have the opportunity to give their feedback at an early stage in the public development process, Parrish and Susan Forget, also a Pine Creek resident, said Thursday.

"Citywide, (developments) are being put in and people don't know what's happening until the development plan has been approved," Parrish told The Gazette.

Forget said many people were unaware of the project until recent weeks. Many found out about it through social media and through a Gazette article announcing the city's intention to use private activity bonds to fund the project, she said.

The city sent postcards notifying only residents who lived within 1,000 feet of the proposed project, she said. The first postcard listed the wrong project address and so the city sent a second, Parrish said; neither postcard mentioned an apartment complex, but list the project description as a "concept plan to allow for commercial or residential uses."

"If we didn't already know this was happening, and the postcards didn't come through, then we would never have known," Forget said.

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Pine Creek resident Nathalie Ingram said the city needs to consider changing its policies on when it solicits public input for development projects.

"At the very least, they need to clean up how they're doing this process," Ingram said.

Planning and Community Development Director Peter Wysocki, who spoke with residents at Thursday's meeting, said because the land is already zoned to allow multifamily residential uses such as apartment complexes, city planning staff can administratively approve the development plan. This means the city Planning Commission or City Council would not hear the proposal during a public meeting unless an individual or a group appealed the city's administrative decision.

Once the development plan is submitted, the city notifies property owners within 1,000 feet of the project's proposed location, posts a notification poster on the site, and notifies the homeowner's association and the city's Council of Neighbors and Organizations, Wysocki said.

"That tells people that the application is filed and they can provide their comments and feedback" to planning staff, he said.

The public appeals process is another avenue by which residents can share their concerns about the project, Wysocki said.

Eric Grodahl, a principal with developer DBG Properties, said the company submitted a development plan for the Royal Pines Apartments to the city on Monday. The development plan outlines the proposed building footprint, setbacks, land uses, traffic access, parking, easements and landscaping, for example.

Residents also questioned on Thursday whether an attainable housing project was truly needed in the area.

Grodahl said a feasibility study showed a need for attainable housing in Briargate. Market rents have increased "substantially over the last year" on Colorado Springs' north side, said Steve Posey, the city's former Community Development Division manager who stepped into a new role late last month as the city's new chief housing and community vitality officer.

Residents said Thursday they were also concerned about traffic and emergency evacuations, with only one entrance and exit point into the complex.

Project officials said they would conduct a traffic study that must be approved by the city and would consider building a second access point as part of the project.

Pine Creek residents have launched a website for the project: preservepinecreekvillage.com.

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the link to a residents' website on the project.
By Andrew Hay

TALPA, N.M. (Reuters) - Physiotherapist Spencer Bushnell lives less than a mile from farmer Carlos Arguello in Taos, New Mexico. But they are worlds apart on proposals to lace the foothills they love with up to 71 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails.

The two volunteered this year for a U.S. Forest Service working group to tackle surging trail demand and disappearing public access to hills studded with pinon and juniper trees after a post-pandemic, "Zoom boom" wave of new residents and second-home-owners.

That put the neighbors on the frontline of a culture war raging across the West as multi-generational families, conservationists and sometimes conservatives fight trail systems sought by incomers and recreationist locals. Opponents say the trails will harm water supply and wildlife, raise wildfire risk and stoke gentrification.

Two bike trail projects have been nixed in as many months on public land in Oregon and Colorado. The Taos process has split the mountain resort town of 6,600.

Bucking hay bales off his fields irrigated with foothills water, Arguello said he and other "locals" on the group last month dropped out of the process and withdrew their trail proposals - which had exclusion zones for elk areas and cultural heritage sites. The locals did not want to be seen as advocating any trails because of opposition from their community, he said. That left mainly proposals from pro-trails residents on the table.

"This is an assault on our watershed," said Arguello, 67, who fears an international mountain-bike destination is in the making, rather than trail proponents' vision of a phased plan to increase community livability over 15-20 years.

As the sun was rising over Taos Mountain, Bushnell biked near upmarket homes bordering the national forest where owners have built fences and gates in the last two years to block entrance. "This community is losing its public access to its own public lands," said Bushnell, 41, who grew up biking on trails built in Bend, Oregon as that city boomed.

Across the United States, Americans are moving to places with trees and trails, many working remotely.

Trail use on public land has as much as tripled since the start of the pandemic, according to Carl Colonius, planner for New Mexico's Outdoor Recreation Division, who pioneered a plan for managing demand on Taos' Talpa foothills.

Studies by the Headwaters Economics think tank say trails attract new residents and entrepreneurs, boosting public health and tax income, but the influx can lead to less affordable housing and force out long-time residents unless economies diversify.

In Taos' tourism-dependent county, known for its blend of Indigenous, Hispano and Anglo cultures, the average price of a condo increased 69 percent since 2019 to $327,000, according to Zillow. Under five percent of working households can afford the median home price in a county where the largest income bracket is households earning under $15,000 a year, studies have shown.

The group hardest hit has been Hispanos such as Arguello - the descendants of colonial settlers - whose share of the county population has fallen around 20 percentage points in the last two decades from over half to about a third, according to census data.

Darryl Maestas says newcomers show a sense of entitlement when they propose carving a network of trails where Puebloan Indians and members of a Catholic religious brotherhood have held ceremonies over the centuries.

"Either the other side doesn't get it, or they don't care and just want it all anyway," said Maestas, a farmer who returned to family land after three decades working from South Korea to Afghanistan as an aircraft mechanic for the U.S. military.

The imposing area was first taken from Native Americans by Hispanos, turned into common land by Spanish land grants, then occupied by the USFS in the late 1960s after being clear cut by a timber company.

Homemaker Emily Matheu moved to Taos from Oakland, California four years ago and has advocated for trails.

"I was told on the mamas group Taos doesn't need any more people here like me, people that move here from California and buy a condo and use the outdoors as their personal gym," said Matheu, 43, referring to a Facebook page for mothers.

USFS District Ranger Michael Lujan said he would continue community engagement on the foothills over user conflicts and forest damage on their 43 miles of informal trails. (This story has been corrected to change the title of Carl Colonius to 'planner,' from 'head,' in paragraph 10)

(Reporting By Andrew Hay; Editing by Donna Bryson and Alistair Bell)
By Mike Stone and Nandita Bose

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States announced on Friday that it will send Ukraine cluster munitions - prohibited by more than 100 countries - as part of an $800 million security package, a move Ukraine said would have an "extraordinary psycho-emotional impact" on Russian forces.

Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security adviser, sought to make the case for providing these arms to Ukraine shortly before the Pentagon formally announced the aid. Cluster munitions could boost Ukraine's counteroffensive to reclaim territory seized since Russia invaded in February 2022.

"We recognize that cluster munitions create a risk of civilian harm from unexploded ordnance," Sullivan told reporters. "This is why we've deferred the decision for as long as we could."

"But there is also a massive risk of civilian harm if Russian troops and tanks roll over Ukrainian positions and take more Ukrainian territory and subjugate more Ukrainian civilians because Ukraine does not have enough artillery," Sullivan said.

Asked why he was providing the cluster munitions now, Biden told reporters that it was because the effort to defend against Russia had "run out of ammunition."

Cluster munitions typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger for decades after a conflict ends. Ukraine has asked for these weapons to fire against Russian positions with dug-in troops.

"Ukraine has provided written assurances that it is going to use these in a very careful way" to minimize risks to civilians, Sullivan said, adding that the U.S. National Security Council was unanimous in its assent to send the weapons.

The security assistance package announced by the Pentagon included cluster munitions fired by 155-millimeter Howitzer cannons, 31 additional Howitzer cannons, additional munitions for Patriot air defenses and anti-tank weapons.

New Penguin drones, munitions for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and ground vehicles such as Bradley fighting vehicles and Stryker armored personnel carriers were also included in the security aid - the 42nd such U.S. package for Ukraine totaling more than $40 billion since the invasion.

Human rights groups opposed the U.S. decision to provide cluster munitions. Human Rights Watch has accused Russian and Ukrainian forces of using these weapons, which have killed civilians.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is against the continued use of cluster munitions, a U.N. spokesperson said.

U.S. ally Germany also opposes sending cluster munitions to Ukraine, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said. Germany is one of 111 states party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a pact that does not include the United States.

Republicans on the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee applauded Biden's move but wanted more, urging the U.S. government to send the Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, which they noted has a similar range to Storm Shadow cruise missiles that Britain has already sent.

A 2009 U.S. law bans exports of American cluster munitions with bomblet failure rates higher than 1%, which covers virtually all of the U.S. military stockpile. Biden waived prohibitions around the munitions, just as his predecessor Donald Trump did in 2021 to allow the export of cluster munitions technology to South Korea.

'VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION'

Ukraine previously had urged U.S. lawmakers to press the Biden administration to approve sending cluster munitions.

"Undoubtedly, the transfer of additional volumes of shells to Ukraine is a very significant contribution to the acceleration of de-occupation procedures," presidential political adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Friday.

"Especially if we are talking about cluster ammunition, which is undoubtedly capable of having an extraordinary psycho-emotional impact on already demoralized Russian occupation groups," Podolyak added.

Sending cluster munitions, known as Dual-Purpose Conventional Improved Munitions (DPICM), would ease a drain on standard "unitary" 155 millimeter shells that the United States has been shipping to Ukraine in massive quantities.

Sullivan acknowledged that the United States needed "to build a bridge from where we are today to when we have enough monthly production of unitary rounds," and said cluster munitions would be that bridge through the summer and autumn.

(Reporting by Mike Stone, Nandita Bose and Steve Holland; Editing by Will Dunham and Grant McCool)
Accused University of Idaho student killer Bryan Kohberger could cost taxpayers $1 million more if he receives the death penalty, as opposed to life in prison.

Kohberger, 28, a criminology student at Washington State University, is accused of murdering four University of Idaho students; Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Maddie Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, last November. Prosecutors recently announced they would be seeking the death penalty against him. However, that move could be pricey, according to multiple studies cited by the Idaho Statesman.

INSIDE THE PENTAGON OFFICE LEADING UFO INVESTIGATIONS

The high cost of the death penalty is incurred from the high number of appeals from death row inmates, and the exorbitant price needed for drugs that carry out lethal injections. Court fees, attorney and staff time, trials and state and federal appeals, incarceration, and execution training all incur significant costs, according to death penalty cost analyses from the state of Washington in 2015 and Oregon in 2016.

"Results indicate that the costs for aggravated murder cases that resulted in death sentences range, on average, from about $800,000 to over $1,000,000 more per case when compared to similar non-death aggravated murder cases," the Oregon study read.

However, some conservative lawmakers argue that the cost is worth the outcome, which could deter further heinous crimes. They also argue for a simplified process to cut these costs, part of which led to the return of the firing squad in the state of Idaho.

"We should not second-guess Idaho taxpayers, who have already decided through their elected representatives that the most heinous and brutal crimes deserve the ultimate punishment," Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador told the Idaho Statesman. "Moreover, any fiscal discussion should ask why capital litigation costs what it does. Part of the reason, of course, is that the death row inmates will routinely engage in abusive litigation, dragging out the process over decades."

Many pharmacies refuse to supply the drugs needed for lethal injection due to activist pressure, resulting in decades-long delays and exorbitant costs. In November 2011, Idaho spent $10,000 on lethal injection drugs to execute convicted murderer Paul Rhoades.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Conservative lawmakers hope that with the new option of the firing squad, executions will be much easier.

"I wonder if the lethal injection drugs will miraculously become available now that H186 is law," State Rep. Bruce Skaug said, referring to the law that reinstituted the firing squad as a method of execution. "It is the state's duty to carry out the sentences. The victims and their surviving families deserve to see the retribution that Idaho has deemed appropriate."

Original Location: Idaho student murders: Report suggests death penalty could cost $1 million more than life sentence

Washington Examiner Videos
Instagram's CEO signaled its new Twitter-like feature wouldn't be a hub for politics in another sign of Meta's efforts to move away from hard news as a revenue stream.

Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri said that Instagram's team would not do anything to promote the discussion of news or politics on Threads, the Twitter-like clone that Meta launched on Wednesday. While news and politics will inevitably end up on Threads, Mosseri notes the company will not make additional efforts to promote news on the platform like it previously had with efforts such as Newsfeed. Threads has seen a massive surge of signups since Wednesday, with over 70 million new users on the platform.

JUSTICE JACKSON MAKES HER MARK IN BLOCKBUSTER SUPREME COURT TERM

"Politics and hard news are important, I don't want to imply otherwise," Mosseri told The Verge's Alex Heath in a Thread post. "But my take is, from a platform's perspective, any incremental engagement or revenue they might drive is not at all worth the scrutiny, negativity (let's be honest), or integrity risks that come along with them."

Mosseri also emphasized that the end goal of Threads was not to replace Twitter but to "create a public square for communities on Instagram that never really embraced Twitter and for communities on Twitter (and other platforms) that are interested in a less angry place for conversations." The Instagram head previously oversaw Facebook's efforts to maintain a News Feed, which may affect his perspective on the matter.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

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Meta has continued to try and distance itself from news content. The company announced on June 22 that it would ban news content from its platform in Canada in protest of C-18, legislation that would force Big Tech companies to negotiate compensation deals with news organizations so that they must pay them for all content published on their platforms. Meta has threatened to block news in the United States and even in California over legislation like the Journalism Preservation Bill.

Twitter's legal team sent a letter to Meta on Wednesday threatening to sue Meta over allegations that the platform had used Twitter employees to cheat and make a clone. Meta denies the claims, stating that no former Twitter employees were involved in the product's development.

Original Location: Instagram CEO: Threads is not for news and politics

Washington Examiner Videos
Ending doubts over Seouls position on Japans release of nuclear waste, South Korea Friday said Tokyos plans on crippled Fukushima nuclear plant meet international standards, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

After a review of the treatment plan of contaminated water presented by Japan so far, the total concentration level of radioactive materials of Japan's plan would meet the standards for a release into the ocean, Bang Moon-kyu, South Korea's policy coordination minister, told a news conference, according to Yonhap news agency.

Seouls green signal to Tokyos release of treated nuclear waste comes after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said such discharge into the sea will have a negligible impact on people and the environment.

China, however, has opposed the move and imposed a ban on imports of seafood from 10 Japanese regions.

South Korea had sent a delegation of experts for on-site inspection of the plant, and also considered the IAEA report on the issue.

Beijing called the IAEA report limited, saying it was not a greenlight to go ahead with its plans.

Japan plans to release the accumulated radioactive water this summer.

The South Korean minister said Tokyos plan has been confirmed to meet international standards, including those of the IAEA.

The result of the simulation shows it would take around four to five years and up to 10 years in order for the contaminated water to reach our seawater and have an effect, Bang said. It would "not have any meaningful impact," he added.
Actor Russell Brand hosted former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for his first interview since being fired.

Brand teased the live interview on his Rumble account in a tweet Thursday where he issued a positive prediction for Carlson's future. Since being fired from Fox News in April, Carlson has continued his own newscast on Twitter but hadn't commented publicly on his firing in a video setting.

INSIDE THE PENTAGON OFFICE LEADING UFO INVESTIGATIONS

"What you have to accept is Tucker Carlson was out of step with the cadence of ordinary mainstream rhetoric. That's why I predict he'll find himself in an independent news space now, perhaps with more power than ever," Brand said.

Brand asked Carlson what the reason was behind his firing, whether it was fallout from the Jan. 6, 2021 riot, the Dominion election lawsuit, or another reason entirely. Carlson admitted he "can only speculate" as to what the reason was.

"Honestly I don't know," Carlson said. "They didn't agree with me of course, I don't think."

Carlson also discussed how his opinions have changed in the last 20 years, six of which were spent as the anchor of his own show. He changed his previously positive opinion of the war in Iraq to disagreeing with the conflict entirely, for example.

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"The key to joy and wisdom is admitting you're not God," Carlson said. "How can you respect yourself if you're lying? You can't."

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Carlson received eight million views on his most recent Twitter show. Meanwhile, during the second week in June, Brian Kilmeade garnered 1,782,000 viewers while at the helm of Carlson's former television spot.

Brand has over 1 million followers on Rumble, with some 97,000 opting to pay for a subscription tier for the actor-turned-political commentator. Ten minutes of the interview with Carlson was behind a paywall.

Original Location: Russell Brand predicts Tucker Carlson will have 'more power than ever' post-Fox

Washington Examiner Videos
POINT: Sage Naumann

Regarding the 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis case, the U.S. Supreme Court was not asked to decide whether Lorie Smith should or should not design a wedding website for a same-sex couple but instead whether the government should compel her to do so. The court ruled correctly in dictating that such force would constitute a violation of her First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

Lorie Smith, a website designer and owner of 303 Creative, believes, based on her religion, that marriage is between a man and a woman. As such, when she considered extending her website design services to soon-to-be-wed couples, she wanted to ensure the State of Colorado would not force her to violate her beliefs and coerce her to design a wedding website for a same-sex couple.

Do you disagree with Lories beliefs on marriage? Youre welcome to do so. It seems the vast majority of Coloradans do. Thankfully, your right to express your beliefs is not limited to what is universally popular at any given moment.

Freedom of speech must be absolute. My well-meaning counterpart states that this decision could exacerbate stigmatization and marginalization. Worthwhile considerations, no doubt, for how we conduct ourselves in greater society, but not worthwhile considerations when it comes to the First Amendment and governments role in regulating speech. As the Supreme Court ruled in Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Group of Boston (1995), speech protections must extend to content that in someones eyes are misguided, or even hurtful.

Id argue that such speech is precisely why the First Amendment is so important. In a democratic republic, rarely is popular speech subject to regulation and censorship. Instead, it is the dissenting, the disagreeable, and the derogatory that needs to be protected.

Lorie Smiths grave sin was not that she had deeply held opinions but instead that those opinions were the wrong ones. Smiths beliefs are offensive and wrong to many, if not most, but those believing that she should be coerced to utilize her artistic talents to further something that violates her conscience seem to miss the point of the First Amendment entirely.

Whether or not you believe in same-sex marriage, the courts decision in this case reaffirms the absoluteness of free speech in the United States. Just as you have the right to speak freely, regardless of polling on any issue, you have the right to not be compelled by your government to speak against your will. That is an ideal worth protecting for generations to come.

If youre wondering, as I have been a website and graphic designer for years, I would do and have done design work for a same-sex wedding. Thats my choice, and it should remain a choice for everybody else as well.

COUNTERPOINT: Lisa LaBriola

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The recent Supreme Court decision in the case of 303 Creative has sent shockwaves through the United States and has set in motion the tragic erosion of our progress in the creation of equal protection and anti-discrimination laws.

In the 303 Creative case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a graphic design company that refused to create wedding invitations for a same-sex couple based on religious beliefs. The Courts majority opinion suggested the companys refusal was protected by the First Amendments guarantee of free speech.

Colorado has been a focal state when it comes to discrimination and has a long disturbing history. In1972, the Gay Coalition was founded in Denver in response to police targeting and prosecution of the GLBTQ+ community. Then, in 1992, Colorado Voters gave approval to Amendment 2 which refused all branches of Colorado government for making GLBTQ+ individuals a protected class. The amendment effectively had national recognition and Colorado was referred to as the hate state until the U.S. Supreme Court struck it down in 1996.

Unfortunately, it is not surprising this case was initiated from our state and once again is setting a worrisome precedent. This decision has sent signals to businesses that they can now use religious beliefs as a shield to discriminate against customers based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected class. This normalization of discrimination not only undermines the progress made in advancing GLBTQ+ rights but also has the potential to extend beyond. It opens the door for businesses to refuse service based on race, religion, or even disability under the guise of religious freedom.

Stay up to speed: Sign-up for daily opinion in your inbox Monday-Friday

By allowing businesses to openly discriminate against customers, the 303 Creative decisions also sends a chilling message to GLBTQ+ individuals. This decision has now sent signals that their rights and identities are less important than a business owners personal and/or religious beliefs. This ruling not only fosters a culture of stigmatization but also exacerbates existing marginalization. It gives credence to the harmful narrative that certain segments of society are less deserving of equal treatment and respect.

Though supporters of the 303 Creative Supreme Court decision claim it protects religious freedom, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential consequences it poses for marginalized communities. The normalization of discrimination, increased stigmatization, erosion of anti-discrimination laws and negative implications for social progress are clear indications that this ruling will lead to further discrimination in the United States. We, as a community, should not be okay with this.

It may not be you today but what about tomorrow?

Sage Naumann is a conservative commentator and strategist. He is vice president of communications at 76 Group and was previously the spokesman for the Colorado Senate Republicans. Follow him on Twitter @SageNaumann. Lisa LaBriola is a principal at Husch Blackwell Strategies and was a Senate Democrat staffer for close to a decade. She served as chief of staff to former Senate Minority Leader Lucia Guzman and former Senate President Leroy Garcia. Opinions expressed here are her own and do not reflect the opinions of any other organizations.
The federal appeals court based in Denver dismissed an attempt by two ex-military personnel to halt the U.S. Department of Defense's COVID-19 vaccination requirement, recognizing on Thursday that the government had already rescinded the mandate and there was nothing for the court to block.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit also noted Dan Robert, who served in the U.S. Army, and Hollie Mulvihill, who was in the U.S. Marine Corps, had both exited the military while the case was pending.

Robert and Mulvilhill "cannot be subjected to any vaccine requirement associated with service in the military because they no longer serve in the military," wrote Judge Allison H. Eid in the July 6 opinion.

Case: Robert v. Austin Decided: July 6, 2023 Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court for Colorado Ruling: 3-0 Judges: Allison H. Eid (author) Jerome A. Holmes Carolyn B. McHugh Background: 10th Circuit skeptical of anti-vax challenge to military's COVID-19 policy

The plaintiffs claimed the military was violating its own regulations and federal law by requiring COVID-19 vaccination, and asked for a court order declaring the administration of the vaccines illegal.

However, the litigation ran into multiple snags. First, Robert and Mulvihill filed their case before Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin even issued his directive for COVID-19 vaccines. Also, the lawsuit was intended as a class action, but the 10th Circuit judges repeatedly reminded the plaintiffs' attorney during oral arguments that Robert and Mulvihill remained the only two plaintiffs in the case.

"If you look at the state of our military today, it has been destroyed. The mandate by itself has destroyed readiness," lawyer Todd S. Callender said in November.

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"There is no talking about other people. Were talking about your two clients. Those are the only people before us," responded Chief Judge Jerome A. Holmes.

In January, Austin rescinded the COVID-19 vaccination requirement after Congress included a repeal in the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, which Republicans pushed for. The government argued Robert and Mulvihill's appeal was moot as a result.

"The relief requested by plaintiffs would have no real-world effect," wrote the U.S. Attorney's Office. "Plaintiffs are no longer subject to the militarys COVID-19 vaccination requirement  both because they are no longer in the military and because that requirement has been rescinded."

Callender responded in the same way he did at oral arguments: by attempting to discredit the vaccines using dubious claims. He referred to "genetic modification" by the mRNA vaccines (they do not alter DNA) and alleged mRNA technology was "never used in humans" prior to COVID-19 (researchers tested a rabies vaccine on humans years before the pandemic).

Ultimately, the 10th Circuit agreed that the plaintiffs' separation from the military and, alternatively, the repeal of the vaccination requirement made the case moot.

Robert and Mulvihill "cannot be subject to a vaccine requirement that no longer exists," Eid concluded.

In May, the Military Times reported that more than 8,000 service members were separated from the military due to their refusal to receive the vaccine. At least 98% of active-duty troops have been vaccinated.
Todd Mohr vividly remembers what he was doing 30 years ago  making Big Head Todd and the Monsters break-out album.

The group, who started playing together in the mid-1980s at Columbine High School in Littleton, and then later reconnected at the University of Colorado in Boulder, were holed up for four months in an apartment at Princes Paisley Park in Minnesota, a sanctuary where Prince and other musicians could make, record and perform their music. Theyd released their debut album, Another Mayberry, in 1989, and followed it up a year later with Midnight Radio.

And now they were at work on their third, 1993s Sister Sweetly, with its radio-friendly singles, Sister Sweetly, Broken Hearted Savior, Bittersweet and Its Alright. They couldnt know it would become their greatest commercial success. It went platinum and stayed glued to the Billboard charts for more than a year.

If you go What: Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Blues Traveler When: 7:30 p.m. Friday; Where: Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave. Price: $59-$176; axs.com, pikespeakcenter.com

One of Mohrs memories: I had to sign a contract that I wouldnt make eye contact with Prince or speak to him. I honored that. I always hoped hed think I was cool.

Did he get confirmation?

No.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters and Blues Traveler will perform Friday at Pikes Peak Center.

Over the decades, the band hasnt strayed from making contemporary, song-driven, pop rock, Mohr says. But immersing themselves more with blues music and blues musicians changed them in some fundamental ways.

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It gave me certain values, Mohr said from home in Littleton. Its a way of thinking about music as a tradition. Its like learning to be a Cajun cook  its learning the elements of that tradition.

There is also the value of songwriting as tradition, Mohr says: Theres a social responsibility in the songwriting.

Musicians are storytellers, and Mohr is no exception. The stories hes telling these days revolve around relationships: Basic relationship conflict, how were all circumscribed by conflict, and the past and what does it mean to be free, he said.

And hes not interested in words that simply sound good. They have to be meaningful, too.

Im more focused now. I want a moral to the story. Not that Im a preacher or anything, but I think the great compliment that was given to John Prine as a songwriter was that he had an eye on the human condition. I aspire to that.

Reflecting on his younger self that made Sister Sweetly, Mohr has some advice: Do the opposite of what you did.

He laughs and walks it back a little. After all, he and his bandmates did find success, though they came into it suddenly, which has sabotaged many an artists career.

I had a lot of issues as a young person, like most young people do when they have sudden success, he said. Its a difficult situation. Youre not allowed to naturally grow and mature. Youre celebrated before you understand what you have to contribute  thats the tragedy of having success young. Luckily, we didnt have so much success it derailed us from our career.

Contact the writer: 636-0270
A coalition is growing with the hopes of fixing what many recreation advocates see as a big issue facing Colorado's outdoors.

The coalition is called Fix CRUS, in reference to the Colorado Recreational Use Statute. That's the long-standing provision that some legislators, advocates and landowners attempted to amend earlier this year in hopes of easing those landowners' liability concerns over hikers on their properties.

Senate Bill 103 failed to pass through the Senate Judiciary Committee in March. That resulted in the indefinite closure of mining claims along mounts Lincoln, Democrat and Bross  effectively making the 14,000-foot loop known as Decalibron off-limits. No trespassing signs have also been posted at the base of another fourteener, Mount Lindsey.

At the Kite Lake trailhead, the popular launch point for Decalibron, Fix CRUS recently installed a sign alerting visitors to the closure and the effort to restore access. The sign includes a link to the group's petition to several senators and the governor; at the end of June, the petition was nearing its goal of 2,500 signatures.

The goal this summer is "education and outreach," said Alex Derr, secretary for Fix CRUS. "Letting people know that, yes, these (peaks) are closed, but they don't have to be."

The organization's chair, Anneliese Steel, has also expressed worry for the future of beloved climbing routes around the Front Range. She represents the nonprofit Boulder Climbing Community and has noted "a significant amount" of popular routes on privately-owned crags, including around Boulder and Clear Creek canyons.

The change seen as needed for the Colorado Recreational Use Statute "may sound like a small change," Steel wrote in a letter posted on fixcrus.org, "but it has big consequences for public access to private land."

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The issue sprung from a 2019 case in which a judge awarded a mountain biker $7 million for injuries sustained on a washed-out trail at the Air Force Academy. The failure to repair the trail was determined to be a "willful or malicious failure to guard or warn against a known dangerous condition," as the recreational use statute requires.

As Kari Jones Dulin with the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association said in opposing Senate Bill 103: All that it asks of a landowner is, if you know something is dangerous and likely to cause harm, either guard against it or warn against it, which is to say: If you know something, do something. ... Isnt that just basic human decency?

Fix CRUS sees "willful or malicious" as "too broad," Derr said, explaining that a "willful failure" could perhaps apply to landowners aware of inherent dangers in the outdoors. It could be costly and time-consuming to "guard or warn" against them, Derr noted.

"We're looking to change it to just 'malicious failure,'" he said, to be read perhaps another way: "If you go hiking on a fourteener, you assume the risks unless there's something malicious going on."

Specifics are to be discussed this summer, he said, adding that Fix CRUS only recently scheduled its first full meeting. The coalition consists of about two dozen organizations, including recreation and conservation groups, municipalities and the Colorado Farm Bureau.

It's a chance to build a deeper relationship with owners of lands and waters around the state, Derr said.

"I think a bigger piece being left out of the conversation is if we could open up a lot more private land," he said. "My hope is that a year from now after we've gone through the trials and tribulations of a policy change campaign, we can all then go out and work together and say, Hey, things have changed, the state is going to bat for you."
Permits pulled for the construction of Colorado Springs-area homes jumped to a more than two-year high last month, though industry members caution that the numbers were inflated because a building code change led to a surge in permit activity.

In June, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department issued 500 permits for the construction of single-family, detached homes, mostly in El Paso County, according to a monthly government building report issued this week by the agency.

June's total rose nearly 24% from the same month last year, which was the first year-over-year increase in nearly a year. June permits also were the most for any month since 515 permits were issued in February 2021.

Last month's permit total excludes townhomes and duplexes, which, if combined with detached homes, would push June's number to 578 or the most since 580 in August 2005, according to Regional Building Department figures.

A new building code, implemented by the Regional Building Department after two years of study and public input, took effect June 30. It's been approved by the eight local governments that Regional Building serves: Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Monument, Manitou Springs, Fountain, Palmer Lake, Green Mountain Falls and Woodland Park.

In general, the majority of building code changes for the homebuilding, remodeling and commercial construction industries are designed to make structures more energy-efficient and improve safety, according to a recent statement from the Regional Building Department.

Homebuilders who already had plans in the works for the construction of single-family homes, however, pulled a flurry of permits ahead of the June 30 effective date, which caused numbers to climb.

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"In the code change, it required builders to resubmit and redesign plans to meet the new code," said Mark Reyner, board president of the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs and owner of Weatherbee Drywall in the Springs. "If you have a bunch of plans that you invested time, money and effort in, and they're good plans, they wanted to use those."

As a result, "it created a little spike" in permits, Reyner said.

That spike came at a time when the pace of local home construction has sputtered for several months because of sharp increases in long-term mortgage rates during the second half of 2022.

Higher rates for 30-year, fixed-rate loans priced many buyers out of the market and caused them to remain on the sidelines when it came to buying new and existing homes, local housing officials have said. In 2022, nearly 1,300 fewer building permits were issued locally for the construction of single-family, detached homes when compared with 2021, according to Regional Building Department figures.

On Thursday, those rates averaged 6.81% nationally, which is their highest point this year, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.

Reyner, however, said building industry officials are looking for positive signs in the market.

"I think we're still getting a little bit more traffic in models," he said. "It's ticking up a little bit. The builders we work with are picking up a little bit. Not a lot. It's a little increase, but it all adds up."
Archaeologists excavating in Rome's Piazza Augusto Imperatore have found an intact marble head, Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri announced on Facebook, Azernews reports, citing ANSA.

"Rome continues to return precious testimonies of its past: a splendid marble head, intact, has just been found during the works underway in Piazza Augusto Imperatore, overseen by the City Superintendent's office for Cultural Heritage," said Gualtieri.

"Archaeologists and restorers are now busy cleaning and studying the find," he added.

The gathered hair and delicate features would suggest the marble head is of a young woman.

Piazza Augusto Imperatore is the site of the Mausoleum built by the Roman Emperor Augustus in 28 BC and of the Ara Pacis Augustae, or Altar of Augustan Peace, consecrated in 9 BC to honor of the return four years previously of the emperor from military campaigns in Gaul and Spain.

The square has been the subject of excavations and urban requalification projects for many years.
The Colorado Supreme Court signaled recently that it may intervene in a pair of cases  one involving a divorce between a Colorado resident and a Nebraska resident, and the other challenging a defendant's 14-month confinement before trial.

In the first case, Jeffry H. Green and Barbara Green filed for divorce on the same day in April 2022. However, Jeffry Green filed his motion in Douglas County, Neb., where he lived, and Barbara Green filed hers in Denver, where she lived.

Last month, Denver District Court Judge Christine C. Antoun decided Jeffry Green's contacts with Colorado were "continuous and systematic enough" that the case was subject Colorado's jurisdiction, rather than Nebraska's.

Jeffrey Green appealed directly to the Supreme Court, arguing he was an out-of-state resident whose minimal ties to Colorado should not require him to defend himself in Colorado's courts.

"Considering his substantial contacts with Nebraska," his attorneys wrote, "real estate deals and occasional visits to Colorado to visit family do not suffice to make him 'at home' here. Husband can hardly be said to be at home both in Colorado and Nebraska."

On July 6, the Supreme Court ordered Barbara Green to respond to her husband's arguments.

The Supreme Court also moved toward consideration of a criminal appeal out of Jefferson County. Brian Donald Hollaway has been in custody since November 2020 for a pair of criminal cases. The most serious charge he faced was violating bail bond conditions, which is a low-level felony.

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Shortly after his arrest, a judge found Hollaway was incompetent to proceed and ordered treatment for him. One year later, in February 2023, Hollaway became competent to stand trial.

However, Hollaway's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the cases under a provision of Colorado law that mandates dismissal if a defendant is incarcerated or otherwise confined before trial for at least 50% of the maximum sentence he would have served for his most serious offense.

In Hollaway's case, he faced 18 months' incarceration if convicted of the felony. By the time he became competent to stand trial, he had been in custody for 14 months  far longer than the nine months that would trigger dismissal.

District Court Judge Lily W. Oeffler declined to toss the charges. She indicated it was possible Hollaway would actually serve three years in prison if found guilty, based on a potential sentence enhancement that would apply.

Hollaway appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing Oeffler misapplied the law. On June 23, the court ordered the government to respond to Hollaway's claims.

However, the controversy may now be moot. Court records show that days after the Supreme Court indicated it could intervene, Hollaway entered a guilty plea in a different case. Simultaneously, the 1st Judicial District Attorney's Office dismissed the charges that were the subject of Hollaway's appeal.

A spokesperson for District Attorney Alexis King confirmed the prosecution will likely argue that dismissal of the cases has rendered the appeal moot.
It's been a dozen years since Colorado's general election ballot has been as sparse as it will be next year.

Instead of electing a governor, U.S. senator or other statewide executive offices, Coloradans will only be faced with voting for president and the at-large University of Colorado regent seat in 2024, just as they were in 2012.

That's due to the staggered, six-year terms served by the state's two U.S. senators, which leaves one in every six general elections without any candidates running for major statewide office at the top of the ticket.

Of course, the ballot will still feature plenty of races in addition to the presidential contest. Up for grabs are Colorado's eight U.S. House seats  one more than the state boasted in 2012  as well as legislative, county and district attorney elections, plus CU regent, state board of education and any initiatives or referenda that make the ballot.

A lot has changed in the state politically in just 12 years, though there are strong echoes of the 2012 election as next year's ballot take shape.

Like in 2012, a Democratic president with upside-down approval ratings in the state will be seeking a second term in 2024, while a couple of targeted congressional incumbents will almost certainly face tough bids for reelection, drawing a national spotlight and millions of dollars in campaign spending to their districts.

Heading into the 2012 election, President Barack Obama had a roughly 40% approval in Colorado in 2011, according to Gallup, after carrying the state by an almost 9 percentage point margin four years earlier.

While the comparison isn't precise, President Joe Biden, who won the state by a 13.5 percentage point margin in 2020, has had about 42% approval in Colorado since April, according to the Race to the WH site.

Unlike in 2012, however, Colorado's electoral votes aren't considered in play next year, with Biden favored to win the state, like the Democratic nominee has in each of the last four presidential elections.

Twelve years ago, three of Colorado's seven congressional districts were pegged as competitive: the Western Slope-based 3rd District, represented by first-term Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Tipton, and the suburban 6th and 7th district, represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman and Democratic U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter, respectively.

By the time Election Day was in sight, Tipton had outpaced Pueblo Democrat Sal Pace, the state House minority leader, winning reelection by 12 percentage points. But Coffman and Perlmutter had what appeared to be tight races on their hands.

Ultimately, Coffman squeaked to a third term by a closer-than-expected 2 percentage points over Democratic state Rep. Joe Miklosi, whose narrow loss put a target on the incumbent in the evenly divided district. Perlmutter, however, fended off a spirited challenge from brewery magnate Joe Coors, the GOP nominee, winning by nearly 13 percentage points.

Just two of the state's eight congressional districts could be up for grabs next year: the slightly reconfigured 3rd District, represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert  who ousted Tipton in the 2020 GOP primary  and the new 8th District, which covers suburbs north of Denver and a chunk of Weld County and is represented by first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo.

Boebert has already drawn a challenge from Aspen Democrat Adam Frisch, who trailed the Republican by just 546 votes last year in the country's closest congressional race. This week, Frisch's campaign said he's raised $4.4 million through June 30, shattering fundraising state and national records for a House candidate in an off-year. Boebert, who has yet to release her second quarter figures, is head-and-shoulders the most prominent elected Republican in the state and has proven herself a fundraising powerhouse.

Caraveo, who narrowly won election last year by just over 1,600 votes, has yet to draw a challenger, though both parties agree the toss-up seat is crucial to winning the House majority and will be among the most competitive races in the country next year.

After last year's election, Colorado cemented its blue status as a solidly Democratic state  for the time being, at least  by sweeping the ballot statewide and in nearly every competitive district, a far cry from the deep purple hue the state enjoyed ahead of the 2012 election, when all eyes were on battleground Colorado.

Democrats had been ascendent since the middle of the previous decade, but voters rendered a split decision in 2010, electing Democrats John Hickenlooper to his first term as governor and Michael Bennet to his first full term in the U.S. Senate, with Hickenlooper winning comfortably and Bennet winning by a whisker. At the same time, Republicans won the other statewide executive offices  attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer  and reclaimed the majority in the state House by a single seat while Democrats maintained a majority in the state Senate.

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The 2012 election was shaping up to be a barnburner. It's no exaggeration that Colorado was the quintessential swing state in a presidential election expected to go down to the wire.

After nearly five decades of voting for the Republican in nine of 10 presidential elections  the exception was when Bill Clinton carried the state in 1992, helped by Ross Perot's unusually strong third-party candidacy  Colorado had been the tipping-point state in 2008. It provided the electoral votes that pushed Obama past the 270 required to claim the White House.

The concept, popularized by the election data crunchers at Fivethirtyeight.com, describes the state that puts the winner over the edge in the Electoral College after ranking states by the winning candidate's margin of victory.

It turned out that Colorado would repeat the feat in 2012.

Election observers weren't surprised.

In June 2011, top Republican strategist Karl Rove predicted as much at a GOP fundraiser in Denver.

I hate to tell you, but youre ground zero, he told donors. In 2012, as goes Colorado, so goes the nation. Youve got a lot of work to do.

A month later, as Obama's team kicked off a massive early organizing drive across the state, Rick Palacio, the Democratic state chair, made the same point.

Colorado is definitely a state that is a swing state, probably a prime example of the definition of the swing state, he said.

Both parties poured tremendous resources into Colorado, though the Republican nomination wouldn't be settled until late spring, about six months before the election, giving a head start to Democrats working to reelect Obama.

In a bid to have a say in the nominating process, the state GOP moved the party's 2012 precinct caucuses from their customary date in the first week of March to the first week of February. Democrats, who didn't have much to decide beyond endorsing Obama's reelection, stuck with the later date.

Although Colorado Republicans sided with former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum at caucuses  he snagged about 40% of the vote, ahead of second-place finisher Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, who got nearly 35%  within weeks Romney had sewn up the nomination.

Obama, Romney and their surrogates made so many campaign swings through the state that summer and fall that by the time they met at the University of Denver on Oct. 3 for the first presidential debate of 2012, they were on a nodding acquaintance and first-name basis with their Colorado organizers.

State voters were routinely treated to dueling rallies, like in mid-September when Obama orated at a park in Golden in the morning and Romney's son Josh revved up a smaller crowd on a street corner that afternoon just blocks away. As the election neared, Romney and his running mate Paul Ryan filled Red Rocks one evening in late October, and Obama answered by drawing an even larger crowd at Denver's City Park the next afternoon.

Just over a week before the 2012 election, polls showed Colorado among a handful of states that were too close to call, with competing polls showing the candidates trading the lead, though neither was ahead by more than 1 percentage point. By the time the votes were counted, however, Obama carried the state convincingly, by about 5.5 percentage points.

Ernest Luning has covered politics for Colorado Politics and its predecessor publication, The Colorado Statesman, since 2009. He's analyzed the exploits, foibles and history of state campaigns and politicians since 2018 in the weekly Trail Mix column.
The creative brain behind one of Colorado Springs newest breweries is usually found in the fermentation room early in the mornings. The rooms air is humid and yeast-filled, with colorful stickers adorning the beer equipment and 90s rock playing on the radio.

Mike Centanne, brewer and co-owner of Urban Animal Beer Co., says this is where he fits best.

Years ago I think we hit the glory days of the brewery scene  when things were just beginning to explode, Centanne said. I remember seeing sort of the DIY setups of a lot of the earlier breweries and thinking this is where I belong.

Urban Animal opened last fall in the former China Doll space on Star Ranch Road, an unassuming location surrounded by dentists offices and various restaurants. But despite its strip mall whereabouts, Centanne said Urban Animals first years success is in line with his former brewery, Iron Bird Brewing Co., which shut down during the pandemic.

I think people are just excited theres a brewery here, Centanne said. Ive gotten to work with a lot of ideas Ive had saved up for years.

Centanne works alongside his business partners Mandy and Bryan Bradigan, who handle much of the front-of-house happenings. Centanne finds the most joy working with different beers, some current additions being a peach-cobbler flavored sour ale, Peach Songbird, and a lemon zest and black currants infused ale, Pitchfork.

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Brew days are the best days, Centanne said. Its what makes all the other parts of the job worth it. I get to see the work paid off.

Although hes rarely poking around during business hours, Centannes hands have touched every inch of the front lobby. From the backsplash of tiles on the bars walls to the booths, Centanne has designed the space into the chic, industrial cove that it is now.

Mike Fudge worked on the mural; thats about all I didnt touch, Centanne said. Well, Id paint any blocks of area he wanted me to. So I guess Ive touched that too.

Fudge is a prominent Colorado-based artist whose work captures a mixture of ancient cultures and traditions alongside personified animals. Hes worked with musical artists like Foo Fighters, Phish, Blink-182 and the Pixies as well as on magazine covers and other business ventures like Urban Animal. Urban Animals mural takes up the whole west wall of the space: a rust red and periwinkle blue panda bear carrying a folding flag and connecting bands.

The garage doors on the south end of the shop open up to a well-lit patio with more tables and seating for customers to enjoy their brews and meal. Urban Animal hosts food trucks nearly every night of the week, including local favorites like Doki Doki and Go Fish.

Food trucks kind of bring in their own crowd by themselves, Centanne said. Now there are so many different food truck companies that we get to have our pick of who to work with. It all comes down to who is the most reliable, honestly.

Urban Animal also hosts a few events throughout the week like weekly trivia nights every Monday and the occasional Sunday morning Pints and Poses, a beer and yoga class. Whether you show up for a seasoned brewers take on new beer trends, local food trucks or the Easter eggs of design in the lobby, Urban Animal offers an eclectic brewery experience for everyone.
Another candidate has entered the race for the soon-to-be-open seat representing Colorado's Senate District 19.

State Rep. Lindsey Daugherty announced Friday that she's formally launching her campaign for the Senate seat. Daugherty aims to replace her fellow Arvada Democrat, state Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, who currently represents the district and who will be term limited by the November 2024 election.

Daugherty has represented House District 24 since 2021. She was reelected in November for her second of four potential two-year terms.

"Im eager to apply my experience and expertise for an even greater impact in the state Senate," Daugherty said in her campaign announcement. "I dream big, for my family and for yours. With your help, we can turn those dreams into reality. I have a proven record of turning aspirations into accomplishments, and you can trust me to bring that same dedication as your next state senator."

Daugherty will face off against Obi Ezeadi in the primary for the Senate seat. A Democrat and member of the Westminster City Council, Ezeadi announced his candidacy for Senate District 19 last month.

The two candidates have seemingly already split their party, with dozens of Democratic politicians endorsing each candidate, according to their respective campaign websites.

Daugherty counts among her supporters five state senators, 23 House representatives and six local government officials  including Senate President Steve Fenberg, House Speaker Julie McCluskie and House Majority Leader Monica Duran.

Backing Ezeadi are five state senators, seven House representatives and 25 local government officials  including Senate President Pro Tem James Coleman, Senate Majority Caucus Chair Janet Buckner and House Majority Caucus Co-Chair Brianna Titone.

Daugherty is one of five House representatives looking to move to the upper chamber.

Reps. Cathy Kipp, Judy Amabile, Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Mike Weissman have all also filed to run for open Senate seats in 2024, according to campaign finance reports from the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.

Open DPS at-large seat held by Anderson attracts three candidates

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Zenzinger has not yet endorsed either candidate to succeed her.

Ezeadi is the son of Nigerian immigrants and only the second Black councilor elected in Westminster's history. He said he's running for the state Senate to "elevate all the voices" in his northwest metro district.

"As a first-generation American, I firmly believe that leadership and greatness have no bounds, and it is crucial for the Colorado Democratic Party to have representatives with diverse lived experiences who understand the struggles of all constituents," Ezeadi said in a statement. "I am running to champion your freedoms  the freedom to receive a quality education, the freedom to love, and the freedom to ensure your voice matters."

Daugherty said she's running for the Senate to continue her work as a legislator and an attorney, advocating for underserved communities and providing equal opportunities to success for all Coloradans.

In the House, Daugherty chaired the Health and Insurance Committee and sponsored notable legislation including allowing local governments to pass stricter gun laws than the state, expanding DNA testing after criminal convictions, and enforcing price transparency for hospitals.

"As an attorney specializing in juvenile law, I've made it my mission at the Capitol to advocate for our youth and strive for a more equitable justice system. Ive had the privilege of fighting for educational equity, health care accessibility, reproductive freedom, and many other critical issues," Daugherty said. "Together, weve made incredible progress  but there is still much work to be done."

Neither Daugherty nor Ezeadi have reported raising or spending any money on their campaigns so far, according to reports from the Secretary of State's Office.

The Democratic-leaning Senate District 19 covers parts of Arvada and Westminster. Zenzinger won reelection in 2020 under the district's old boundaries by a wide margin, defeating Republican Lynn Gerber by nearly 20 percentage points.

Reporter Ernest Luning contributed to this story.

Colorado Republicans call for special session, Polis says it's the voters' turn to weigh in
Republicans in the Colorado Senate asked to go back to work at the Capitol on Thursday, calling on Gov. Jared Polis to convene a special legislative session.

The Colorado legislature meets to pass laws for 120 days each year from January through May. But the governor can summon lawmakers in the offseason to work on legislation addressing a specific issue. Most recently, Polis called a special session in 2020 to respond to economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Republicans said they want a special session this summer to work on two issues: rising property taxes and bond eligibility for murder suspects.

We have spent many hours in committee and on the Senate floor warning about consequences like these and urging our Democrat colleagues to slow down and think about the results of their rash legislation, said Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs. We have called on the Democrats to return to the Capitol this summer to help us fix the mess their ill-considered actions have caused for Coloradans.

The concern over property taxes is a familiar one, with Republican lawmakers repeatedly calling for a special session to address the issue for the last two months, beginning days before the 2023 session ended. But bond eligibility for murder suspects is new.

On June 20, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that people accused of crimes formerly subject to the death penalty are now eligible to be released on bail, including those accused of first-degree murder. This comes three years after Colorado lawmakers repealed the death penalty, meaning there are no longer any "capital offenses" which were formerly denied the right to bail pending trial.

Republicans and Democrats alike have called this ruling an "unintended consequence" of the death penalty repeal, raising concerns about potentially letting violent offenders back onto the streets.

Polis has requested that lawmakers fix this oversight when the legislature reconvenes in 2024, rather than in a special session this summer.

"The governor supports changes to prevent suspects formally charged with capital offenses from getting out on bail, and now that the Supreme Court has ruled, he calls upon the state legislature to fix this unintended consequence of eliminating the death penalty even if it takes a referred constitutional amendment," said Conor Cahill, the governor's spokesman.

Colorado Supreme Court soon to reach milestone: 2.5 years without a new member

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Lawmakers including Democratic Sen. Rhonda Fields and House Minority Leader Mike Lynch have already committed to working on legislation next year to possibly keep accused murderers behind bars while awaiting trial.

A ballot measure may be needed to make the change, as the Colorado Constitution grants defendants the right to bond unless theyre accused of capital crimes, which no longer exist in Colorado. If so, the measure could not go to voters until the 2024 election, regardless of whether legislation passed in a special session before this November. This is because odd-year elections are reserved for ballot measures related to the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Regarding property tax increases, Cahill said the governor wants that to go to the ballot, too  which it is already scheduled to do.

In May, lawmakers created a ballot measure, Proposition HH, which will ask voters in November to use TABOR refund money to lower property taxes for 10 years.

"Gov. Polis and the state legislature are already presenting voters with a historic opportunity to provide immediate and long-term property tax relief to reduce soaring property taxes that correspond with rising home values," Cahill said. "The governor is skeptical as to why certain Republicans are attempting to block the voters ability to weigh in on this important plan to cut property taxes.

This comes as, in April, Colorados county assessors estimated that property taxes for homeowners could increase by around 30% next year, peaking at 60% in some areas on the Front Range.

But Republicans say Proposition HH won't lower property taxes significantly enough, and criticized it for reducing the TABOR refunds that Coloradans directly receive. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle also called the legislation rushed, introduced in the last seven days of the 2023 session.

"Polis must convene a special session to address the devastating increase in property taxes, said Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, R-Monument. The legislature and the governor must offer a solution that will lower property taxes without raiding Coloradans TABOR refunds.

The state legislature can call a special session itself, but it would require a request from the Senate president and House speaker, and approval from at least two-thirds of lawmakers in each chamber. The Colorado legislature has never called itself into special session.

Colorado agency awards $15M in grants to preschool providers
One afternoon with Carlos Santana and his incense sticks led multi-instrumentalist and fellow bandmate Leon Patillo to question his resting beliefs on faith.

He told me that he really believed those were like prayers going up to God, Patillo said. I had never heard anybody say that. I said, Can you mix those two? And he said, I dont know if you can or not, but thats how I see it. And that really liberated me to, you know, believe something and how that belief could help.

Patillo wasnt entirely familiar with incense or other spiritual practices then. But a few decades later, Patillo has now shaped his creative career around uniting the secular and the sacred. On Friday, he will stop at Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts in Palmer Lake to share his one-man show.

What Im going to do Friday in Colorado is kind of give the story behind what I call Santana to Hosanna, Patillo said. I think itll be interesting for people. Ill do it musically and Ill also have some narration along with it.

If you go What: Leon Patillo concert When: 7 p.m. Friday Where: Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, 304 Colorado 105, Palmer Lake Price: $40-$45, trilakesarts.org

Patillo is a man of his environment. Whether its taking notes from his childhood religious history  which was a hodgepodge of Baptist, Methodist and Catholic influence  or listening to his friends, he works to aid others through faith in a higher power.

Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire and I decided we would kind of introduce this to the industry and get others involved in the same things that we were experiencing. People like Smokey Robinson, Donna Summer and I would have these get-togethers where wed talk through inspirational spiritual stuff. And all of them decided they wanted to bring a song or two to their set.

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One of these artists was Whitney Houston, who released Yes, Jesus Loves Me in 1992. The track ended up being her last live performance at the Kelly Price & Friends pre-Grammy concert in 2012.

I think maybe that may have contributed to the whole overture of what she brought to the table, Patillo said. Because we all came out of the church. So she really brought that component to her secular world.

When he realized he wanted to make the shift to a spiritually fueled career, Patillo went to Israel and got baptized in the Jordan River. He began writing a song after the experience and it was well-received by those around him there. But when he returned to America, the response was vastly different.

I played it in an Earth, Wind & Fire recording session and they just didnt get it, Patillo said. They were like what does that even mean? and youre going to mess your whole career up when you do it. But months or so down the road, I would get calls when they were going through issues. I knew at that point that I had made the right decision.

Alongside his music, Leon works with various youth initiatives and is passionate about foster programs, having vowed when he reached some success with Santana that hed find a way to give back. Hes working on a film about one of the kids he has worked with and hopes to highlight the importance of instilling hope in young people who are struggling.

Im going to follow her story in this movie, wrapping it around a kind of Cinderella story about me and my wife as well, Patillo said. Im just trying to capture the hearts of these kids that are really confused.

What began with an incense stick has now propelled Patillo as a spiritual force in creative industries, and hes not slowing down any time soon.
The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued a tornado watch for several Colorado counties, including El Paso County Thursday night.

The watch is in effect for El Paso, Bent, Cheyenne, Crowley, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Lincoln and Prowers counties until 1 a.m. Friday.

The weather service said "a couple" of tornadoes are possible in the affected areas.

Scattered hail up to apple size is also possible with scattered wind gusts up to 70 mph.

If a tornado touches down, residents should take cover and move to a basement or interior room of the lowest floor in a sturdy building. Those in the area should avoid windows.
LOS ANGELES  Last month, the Recording Academy announced a series of changes to the Grammy Awards to better reflect an evolving music industry. Of those newly instituted guidelines, protocols involving technological advancements in machine learning sparked headlines: Only human creators could win the music industrys highest honor in a decision aimed at the use of artificial intelligence in popular music.

A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category, the rules read in part.

As the music industry continues to come to terms with this new technology, so too will the Grammys, says Recording Academy CEO and President Harvey Mason Jr.

Heres the super easy, headline statement: AI, or music that contains AI-created elements is absolutely eligible for entry and for consideration for Grammy nomination. Period, Mason said. Whats not going to happen is we are not going to give a Grammy or Grammy nomination to the AI portion.

If an AI or voice modeling program performs the lead vocal on a song, the track would be eligible in a songwriting category, for example, but not a performance category, because what is performing is not human creation, he explains. Conversely, if a song was sung by an actual human in the studio, and they did all the performing, but AI wrote the lyric or the track, the song would not be eligible in a composition or a songwriting category.

As long as the human is contributing in a more than de minimis amount, which to us means a meaningful way, they are and will always be considered for a nomination or a win, he continued. We dont want to see technology replace human creativity. We want to make sure technology is enhancing, embellishing, or additive to human creativity. So thats why we took this particular stand in this award cycle.

The Recording Academy has long considered setting rules related to AI following the popularity of new songs created alongside AI technology: David Guettas Emin-AI-em, the AI -compositions of TikTok user @ghostwriter977, Grimes voice modeling AI software.

In order to establish their AI guidelines, the Recording Academy engaged in extensive research, including holding tech summits.

Ive met with the copyright office. Weve talked about the future and what that looks like on a federal level and the legislative level, Mason said, adding that AI conversations really came to a head in the last six months.

The new Grammy AI protocols were announced three days after Paul McCartney shared that the last Beatles record had been composed using artificial intelligence to extract John Lennons voice from an old demo. Without knowing the extent of the technology, Mason couldn't confirm or deny whether the song would be eligible for a Grammy nomination.

Well see what it turns out to be, he said. But I would imagine from the early descriptions that Ive heard there would be components of the creation that would be absolutely eligible.

So, can Grammy viewers expect to see work at least partially created with AI nominated for an award as early as next year?

Its impossible to predict what is submitted. But as Mason affirms, people are using the technology. Im imagining its going to be involved in a lot of records a lot of songs this year, so well see if some of them get nominated or not, but Im sure therell be some that will be submitted.

The 2024 Grammy Awards will return to Los Angeles Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 4, 2024, airing live on CBS and livestreamed on Paramount+.

Misheard lyrics from iconic rock songs Misheard lyrics from iconic rock songs 'Tiny Dancer' by Elton John 'Simply the Best' by Tina Turner 'Livin' on a Prayer' by Bon Jovi 'Africa' by Toto 'Purple Haze' by Jimi Hendrix 'Seven Seas of Rhye' by Queen 'The Zephyr Song' by The Red Hot Chili Peppers 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' by The Beatles 'I'm a Believer' by The Monkees 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana 'Rock and Roll All Nite' by KISS 'Enter Sandman' by Metallica 'The Final Countdown' by Europe 'Bad Moon Rising' by Creedence Clearwater Revival 'Edge of Seventeen' by Stevie Nicks 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' by The Beatles 'We Built This City' by Starship 'Blinded by the Light' by Manfred Mann 'Hotel California' by The Eagles 'Smooth Criminal' by Michael Jackson 'Summer of '69' by Bryan Adams 'Say You Love Me' by Fleetwood Mac 'American Pie' by Don McLean 'Message in a Bottle' by The Police 'Don't Bring Me Down' by Electric Light Orchestra
Terrebonne attorney Jamie McLeod-Skinner has called a rally for Saturday afternoon, July 8 in Bend in what appears to be the kickoff of her 2024 bid for a 5th Congressional District rematch against U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Happy Valley.

McLeod-Skinner supporters received an email Monday, July 3 from Arrowhead Strategies, a Michigan-based campaign management and fundraising company run by Brittany Grimm, a former deputy finance director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

It called on McLeod-Skinner supporters to attend a "special announcement" at Worthy Brewing in Bend that starts at 3 p.m. The 5th District includes Linn County.

"Friend," the email said, "It's time for change in Oregons 5th congressional district. After review of the work we began last year, input from Oregonians and national leaders, and discussions with family and friends, Jamie McLeod-Skinner has a winning strategy for the change we need. She wants you to be the first to know."

The message also linked to the ACTBLUE fundraising website for Democrats.

McLeod-Skinner's campaign declined to comment further Wednesday.

Rep. Janelle Bynum, D-Clackamas, and Lynn Peterson, the president of Metro  the three-county elected government overseeing projects and programs for the greater Portland area  have announced they will seek the 5th district seat.

Salem political activist Kevin Easton and Cameron Pahl, a software engineer with the Institute of Natural Resources in Portland, have also filed to run as Democrats.

Party strategies

All of the Democrats have said Chavez-DeRemer is politically out of step with what past voting patterns show is a moderate, slightly Democratic-leaning majority of voters in the district. Peterson said she was concerned about Chavez-DeRemer's "culture war" approach on issues.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has a squad of communications people in Washington who are rapidly responding to any attacks on Chavez-DeRemer, while launching their own critiques of 5th District Democratic challengers.

Bynum pointed out she beat Chavez-DeRemer twice for a Portland suburban House seat and could do it again in the congressional race.

A statement after Bynum's announcement called her the handpicked candidate of extreme Democrats in Washington, D.C.

On Capitol Hill, Chavez-DeRemer has been actively pushing GOP leaders to not tie the party to the most high-profile conservative stalwarts such as Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado.

Chavez-DeRemer told the Washington Post last week that Republicans should stick to constituents' economic concerns instead of putting divisive social issues at the top of their public agenda for 2024.

If we dont go back to the reason that we were elected, we wont be here for very long, because if people dont feel at home that youre getting what you promised or what they thought you were listening to, theyre going to go start looking for somebody else, Chavez-DeRemer said.

McLeod-Skinner's expected announcement on Saturday comes after a poll showing her winning the Democratic nomination over the current slate of primary opponents was leaked in late June.

A copy of the poll of 400 voters by GBAO Strategies, a Washington, D.C. firm used by Democratic candidates, was obtained by the Oregon Capital Chronicle. The website reported it showed McLeod-Skinner with 44% of the primary vote  nearly twice that of Bynum, with Peterson in third place.

McLeod-Skinner lost the Democratic primary for Oregon secretary of state to now-disgraced former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan in 2020. In 2018 she lost the race for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District to Rep. Greg Walden, R-Hood River. That district, now redrawn, is held by Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario.

Money talks

While congressional candidates can already create campaign finance committees with the Federal Election Commission, candidacies are not official until filed with the Oregon Secretary of State. The window for the 2024 election opens Sept. 14.

The 5th District was radically redrawn under the 2022 redistricting approved by the Legislature. Running from southern Portland, through Clackamas, Marion and Linn counties, it crosses the Cascades along U.S. Highway 20, takes in a tiny sliver of Jefferson County, then drops into Deschutes County to encircle most of Redmond and Bend.

According to the June 2023 voter registration statistics of the Oregon Secretary of State, the district now includes 528,781 registered voters. Democrats outnumber Republicans 169,205 to 144,800. But the largest group  177,010  are nonaffiliated voters. Smaller parties make up the remainder, with the Independent Party having the largest chunk with 27,673 registered voters.

Because Oregon allows Democrats and Republicans to hold closed primaries, unaffiliated voters are shut out of the primary, scheduled for May 21, 2024. All voters cast ballots in the general election on Nov. 5, 2024.

McLeod-Skinner's hiring of Brittany Grimm and her Arrowhead Strategies operation shows fundraising will be a key early goal.

After she defeated Schrader in the 2022 Democratic primary, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee  the political arm of House Democrats  contributed $2 million to her campaign.

But as GOP fundraising continued to flood funds into Chavez-DeRemer's bid, Democrats shifted the money to other close races. But the biggest financial snub came from Democratic national leaders, who gave no money from the House Majority PAC, run by then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Many progressive Democrats blamed the money gap with helping hand the seat to Chavez-DeRemer, a key GOP pick-up in creating their 222-213 majority.

This seat could have made the majority, but the national Democratic PACs walked away and left Jamie to twist in the wind," said Rob Duffey, spokesperson for the Working Families Party, which endorsed McLeod-Skinner.

Republicans have continued to raise funds for Chavez-DeRemer, a need underlined by a report from Roll Call, a Washington, D.C. publication specializing in covering Congress, that rated Chavez-DeRemer as the ninth most vulnerable incumbent in 2024 of the 435 members of the U.S. House.

Chavez-DeRemer reports $635,559.33 in total funds since Jan. 1, including $465,472.67 in new contributions. The additional money breaks down to $151,022.67 in individual contributions, $314,450.00 from political action committees and $168,986.66 transferred from authorized committees.

Contributions to Chavez-DeRemer's campaign include $13,200 from Bend entrepreneur Tim Phillips, $3,300 from Las Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn, $6,600 from Lake Oswego homebuilder Don Morrisette, $5,000 from Florida real estate manager Albert Cassidy, $5,000 from Georgia housing market executive John Hunt, $5,000 from Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

Chavez-DeRemer received $132,485 from contributors living in Oregon, while just over $60,000 came from Florida, and just over $55,000 from California.

The current campaign finance report for Chavez-DeRemer, covers 2023 through May 1.

Among the challengers, only Easton shows contributions: $4,646.49 total through March 31. Bynum and Peterson show no campaign funds because they entered the race after the first quarter financial deadline.

The second quarter ended June 30 and candidates are required to submit a report on fundraising and spending by July 15.

Editor's note: This article has been edited to remove a photo that was erroneously labeled as Jamie McLeod-Skinner.

Related stories:
A Winnebago County woman accused of stealing almost $14,000 from her employer has pleaded guilty to first-degree fraud and first-degree theft.

According to court records, 27-year-old Amanda Marie Largent allegedly stole the money by not depositing money from the store into the bank and instead keeping it for herself between Feb. 26 and March 18.

A regional asset protection manager informed authorities of the missing money March 27. Camera footage determined Largent would exit the store with the money for deposit but would not go to the bank, instead standing outside the store for a few minutes before reentering.

The plea agreement calls for a suspended 10-year prison sentence, five years of probation, a suspended $1,370 fine and restitution.

An ongoing criminal conduct charge would also be dropped if a judge affirms the agreement. A plea hearing has not been set as of Thursday morning. The court is under no obligation to accept the plea deal recommendation.

The 50 places where homes are selling the fastest This is where homes are selling the fastest right now #50. Montgomery County, PA #49. Orlando, FL #48. Warren, MI #47. Seattle, WA #46. Boston, MA #45. Visalia, CA #44. Killeen, TX #43. Portland, ME #42. Kansas City, MO #41. Tampa, FL #40. Denver, CO #39. Flint, MI #38. Gulfport, MS #37. South Bend, IN #36. Barnstable Town, MA #35. Lexington, KY #34. Lubbock, TX #33. Eugene, OR #32. Davenport, IA #31. Allentown, PA #30. Amarillo, TX #29. Cedar Rapids, IA #28. Des Moines, IA #27. Jackson, MS #26. Tulsa, OK #25. Richmond, VA #24. Lincoln, NE #23. Wilmington, NC #22. Albany, NY #21. Fayetteville, AR #20. Oklahoma City, OK #19. Roanoke, VA #18. Jacksonville, NC #17. Lynchburg, VA #16. Fort Wayne, IN #15. Springfield, MO #14. Fayetteville, NC #13. Buffalo, NY #12. Indianapolis, IN #11. Mobile, AL #10. Omaha, NE #9. Grand Rapids, MI #8. Kalamazoo, MI #7. York, PA #6. Harrisburg, PA #5. Rochester, NY #4. Evansville, IN #3. Reading, PA #2. Lancaster, PA #1. Wichita, KS #50. Punta Gorda, FL metro area #49. Detroit, MI metro area #48. Cleveland, OH metro area #47. Seattle, WA metro area #46. Warren, MI metro area #45. Canton, OH metro area #44. Providence, RI metro area #43. Barnstable Town, MA metro area #42. Akron, OH metro area #41. Louisville, KY metro area #40. Mobile, AL metro area #39. Gulfport, MS metro area #38. Des Moines, IA metro area #37. Cape Coral, FL metro area #36. St. Louis, MO metro area #35. Lexington, KY metro area #34. Portland, ME metro area #33. El Paso, TX metro area #32. Virginia Beach, VA metro area #31. Davenport, IA metro area #30. Syracuse, NY metro area #29. Tulsa, OK metro area #28. Montgomery County, PA metro area #27. Springfield, MA metro area #26. Oklahoma City, OK metro area #25. Boston, MA metro area #24. Worcester, MA metro area #23. Anchorage, AK metro area #22. Fayetteville, AR metro area #21. Jackson, MS metro area #20. Indianapolis, IN metro area #19. Wilmington, NC metro area #18. Rockford, IL metro area #17. Albany, NY metro area #16. Omaha, NE metro area #15. Fort Wayne, IN metro area #14. Allentown, PA metro area #13. Richmond, VA metro area #12. Scranton, PA metro area #11. Springfield, MO metro area #10. Grand Rapids, MI metro area #9. Fayetteville, NC metro area #8. Jacksonville, NC metro area #7. York, PA metro area #6. Wichita, KS metro area #5. Buffalo, NY metro area #4. Reading, PA metro area #3. Lancaster, PA metro area #2. Harrisburg, PA metro area #1. Rochester, NY metro area #50. Modesto, California #49. Wilmington, North Carolina #48. Akron, Ohio #47. Fayetteville, North Carolina #46. Tulsa, Oklahoma #45. Bremerton, Washington #44. Flint, Michigan #43. Rockingham County, New Hampshire #42. Springfield, Missouri #41. Wilmington, Delaware #40. San Jose, California #39. Oakland, California #38. San Diego #37. South Bend, Indiana #36. Davenport, Iowa #35. Anchorage, Alaska #34. Portland, Maine #33. Sacramento, California #32. Warren, Michigan #31. Barnstable Town, Massachusetts #30. Lincoln, Nebraska #29. Jacksonville, North Carolina #28. Spokane, Washington #27. Albany, New York #26. Allentown, Pennsylvania #25. Buffalo, New York #24. Frederick, Maryland #23. Richmond, Virginia #22. Portland, Oregon #21. Cedar Rapids, Iowa #20. Roanoke, Virginia #19. Manchester, New Hampshire #18. Lynchburg, Virginia #17. Charlottesville, Virginia #16. Olympia, Washington #15. Rochester, New York #14. Tacoma, Washington #13. Omaha, Nebraska #12. Indianapolis #11. Denver #10. Reading, Pennsylvania #9. Lancaster, Pennsylvania #8. Fort Wayne, Indiana #7. Wichita, Kansas #6. Grand Rapids, Michigan #5. Cincinnati #4. Seattle #3. Rockford, Illinois #2. York, Pennsylvania #1. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
An Iowa Falls man accused of murdering a woman in Eldora on May 26 has pleaded not guilty.

According to court records, 29-year-old Nathan Cole Bahr is facing life in prison after allegedly shooting and killing 25-year-old Desiree Folsom inside the residence in Eldora.

According to court records, Eldora Police found the mother of two on the floor suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Shell casings led investigators to Bahr, who was located and arrested in Gilbert, Ariz., on May 29. He was subsequently transported back to Hardin County where he remains in jail.

Bahr was accused of domestic violence a few weeks prior to Folsom's death. Folsom petitioned for domestic abuse relief May 15. The court imposed a no contact order the day before Folsom's death May 25, the day before her death.

An arraignment hearing is scheduled for July 17.

The 50 places where homes are taking the longest to sell Where home sales are slowing down #50. Madison, Wisconsin #49. Gary, Indiana #48. Ocala, Florida #47. Charlotte, North Carolina #46. Greeley, Colorado #45. Raleigh, North Carolina #44. Prescott Valley, Arizona #43. Spartanburg, South Carolina #42. Daphne, Alabama #41. New Brunswick, New Jersey #40. Riverside, California #39. San Antonio #38. Hickory, North Carolina #37. Poughkeepsie, New York #36. Knoxville, Tennessee #35. Birmingham, Alabama #34. Asheville, North Carolina #33. Elgin, Illinois #32. Las Vegas #31. Lake County, Illinois #30. Deltona, Florida #29. Jacksonville, Florida #28. Nashville, Tennessee #27. Green Bay, Wisconsin #26. Kingsport, Tennessee #25. Greenville, South Carolina #24. Montgomery, Alabama #23. Clarksville, Tennessee #22. Pittsburgh #21. Chicago #20. Tallahassee, Florida #19. Huntsville, Alabama #18. Tucson, Arizona #17. Austin, Texas #16. Phoenix #15. Sioux Falls, South Dakota #14. Panama City, Florida #13. Pensacola, Florida #12. Fort Lauderdale, Florida #11. Charleston, South Carolina #10. New Orleans #9. Port St. Lucie, Florida #8. Palm Bay, Florida #7. Miami #6. McAllen, Texas #5. West Palm Beach, Florida #4. Honolulu #3. New York #2. Sebastian, Florida #1. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
sanjitscorps18 wrote:

(1) Each student received chocolates, biscuits and toffees in the ratio 1:2:4.

Only ratios would not be sufficient to determine counts



(2) The class teacher distributed a total of 7 chocolates, 14 biscuits and 28 toffees and the number of students present in the class was more than 1.



Since we have 7 chocolates and we are informed that the class has more than 1 student, this is sufficient.



7 cannot be broken down further apart from taking 7 students in the class. We cannot do 7/2 or 7/3 etc as 7 is a prime number. This is further complemented by the fact that we can evenly distribute 14 biscuits and 28 toffees among 7 students



Option B

Hey Sanjitscorps18i dont think that is the way it is supposed to be solved, as far as my knowledge correct me if I'm wrong.
Davenport Energy Inc. and First Piedmont Corp. announced this week that Edward Ted F. Hodges Jr. joined the companies as chief legal officer effective Wednesday.

Hodges, who has been a lawyer for more than 25 years, most recently served as a partner and president of Clement & Wheatley, P.C.

A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, Hodges earned a law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.

He joined Clement & Wheatley as an associate in 1997 and became a principal in 2002. He has served as president of the Danville law firm since 2015.

Hodges is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of Virginia, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Virginia.

In addition to his law career, Hodges served in the US. Marine Corps Reserve from 1986 to 1992, and earned the Navy Achievement Medal in 1991.

He is vice chairman and a board member of Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corp., vice chairman and board member of Danville Community College Educational Foundation, and trustee of the Alexander Berkley and Ruth S. Carrington Charitable Trust.

A member and past president of the Danville Bar Association, Hodges has been recognized for his legal work in real estate and land use.

Hodges is not new to Davenport Energy and First Piedmont as both companies are current clients. Hodges will work closely with management providing legal guidance and corporate direction.

Davenport Energy and First Piedmont are pleased to welcome an attorney with Teds considerable legal experience and knowledge, said Davenport Energy President Hal Thornton Jr. He will be a valuable asset to both companies as we continue to grow our businesses.

Founded in 1941, Davenport Energy is a regional supplier of petroleum products through offices in Chatham, Gretna, Danville, South Boston, Martinsville, Rocky Mount, Roanoke and Covington.

First Piedmont, also headquartered in Chatham, is a regional waste management company.
Linda Green, vice president of economic development at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, joins 36 other executives as one of the winners of this years Virginia Business Women in Leadership Awards.

Green has served in her role as well as the executive director of the Southern Virginia Regional Alliance since 2016. As Virginia Business states, since that time, she has worked in collaboration with economic developers to recruit 28 new companies to Southern Virginia and assist the expansion of 31 existing companies. Virginia Business goes on to share that Green says these efforts have created more than 5,300 jobs and spurred about $1.5 billion in capital investment across the region.

We are extremely fortunate to benefit from the keen economic development expertise of one of the states leading professionals in this area, said Telly Tucker, president if the Institute. Lindas love for Southern Virginia and her tireless efforts to contribute toward the growth and transformation of the region are evident and well respected by local, regional and state stakeholders across multiple industries and span both the public and private sectors.

Prior to her role at the Institute and Southern Virginia Regional Alliance, Green worked as district director for U.S. Rep. Robert Hurt and as director for federal funding and entrepreneurship for the Center for Innovative Technology, where she also served terms as director of manufacturing and regional technology transfer. She also served as the president and CEO of the Dan River Business Development Center and worked as a quality engineer for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

A certified quality engineer, Green holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Duke University and is a graduate of Averett University and Danville Community College.

I am thrilled to be recognized for this esteemed award and appreciate Virginia Business commitment to honor and support the leading role that women play in the many businesses and industries across our Commonwealth, said Green. I also acknowledge the importance of working with a collaborative team of professionals who welcome and support female employees and cohorts  helping one another succeed is a blessing.

Virginia Business editors selected awardees from more than 320 nominations submitted by readers. According to the media outlet, editorial staff considered factors such as overall professional accomplishments, civic engagement, mentoring and breaking glass ceilings.
Danville faces extra expenses from Sundays storm that swept through the area, brought down poles and caused other damages.

Additional outside utility crews had to be called for assistance to help out Danville Utilities workers repairing infrastructure.

There will be additional costs, said Danville Utilities Director Jason Grey. But we wont know those costs for several weeks.

Although Danville Utilities reported about 9,500 customers without power at the height of the outage Sunday afternoon, Grey said a more accurate figure would be about 6,000.

On Wednesday, crews cleaned up, picking up debris while a handful of customers had electricians come out and make repairs to their systems, Grey said.

The quick-moving, violent storm wreaked havoc especially in the Windsor Heights neighborhood and Ballou Park.

The deluge sent trees crashing into homes and littered streets with limbs and leaves. Thousands of Danville Utilities customers were left without power and trees blocked roadways in the city.

We had scattered outages where power was out due to tree limbs on power lines, Grey said. There were a number of houses with trees that had fallen on them.

In Forest Hills, six utility poles were broken in one row at the edge of Ballou Park, Grey said.

They were replaced by early evening Monday, he said.

City workers and outside crews worked to replace those poles, Grey said. Without help from workers from other utilities, it would have taken up to a week for a single city crew to replace them, he said.

About 25 workers from utilities in Rock Hill and Union in South Carolina, and Greenville, Wake Forest and Statesville, North Carolina, assisted those in Danville, Grey said.

There were also two broken poles on Country Club Drive that were replaced by Monday evening, he said. Lines were also down in Ringgold and Brosville.
Achievers

On June 27, Frederick Lopez of the Dominican Republic, was awarded his U.S. citizenship at a swearing-in ceremony in Charlotte. Lopez is an information technology/network support technician at Pennybyrn retirement community. A celebration will be held at 11 a.m. July 10 in Ilderton Hall on the Pennybyrn campus, located at 109 Penny Road in High Point.

The celebration program will include U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Manning with a special presentation to Lopez. While the event is a private ceremony for those working and living in the Pennbyrn community, many local and state leaders and other delegates have been invited and are expected to attend.

Announcements

Lumos, which offers fiber internet service across North Carolina and Virginia, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. July 11 at a tented field at the intersection of Graham Street and Beaumont Avenue in Burlington.

To RSVP, email stuart.widener@lumosfiber.com. The deadline is today, July 7.

Awards

Economic development professionals across North Carolina were honored for their contributions to the economic development profession and their communities at the North Carolina Economic Development Association 2023 Annual Conference. The awards distinguish members making significant and valued contributions above and beyond expectations in their areas. The association recognized the award winners at the Annual Conference in Wilmington on June 28.

Local winners included:

2023 Mid-Size Market Deal of the Year: Peter Bishop, director of economic development with the City of Burlington, and David Putnam, senior director for economic development of the Alamance Chamber of Commerce.

2023 Economic Developer of the Year Award: Marvin Price, executive vice president of Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

* * * *

Grants

Since 1952, The City of Greensboro ABC Board has directed part of its profits back to the community through a statutory distribution under alcohol education. By state law, once funds are allocated to operate the system, the ABC Board must return at least 7% of profits from the sale of distilled spirits to qualified nonprofits.

Based on the adopted budget, the City of Greensboro ABC Board anticipates distributing at least $200,000 in fiscal year 2024.

Grant recipients include: Alcohol and Drug Services of Guilford, $100,000; Kellin Foundation, $35,000; Malachi House II, $35,000; UNCG Excellence Foundation, $15,000; and Fellowship Hall, $15,000.

On the Move

The Carroll Companies, a real estate development and management firm, has announced the appointment of Philip Williams to the position of senior vice president of industrial development.

Rockingham County Government has hired Roberta Hawthorne as a senior public health educator.

The following individuals have been named assistant principals at the following schools: Bertrand Haynes, Reidsville High; Justin Bulla, Holmes Middle; Laryssa Hairston-Penn, Central Elementary; Christy Albertson, South End Elementary; Troy Marquardt, Rockingham County High; and Brooke Willis, Moss Street Elementary School.

Westchester Country Day School celebrated the contributions of its longest-serving head of school, Cobb Atkinson, who is stepping down after 13 years of leadership, and welcomed Mary Keever, a long-time faculty member and administrator, into her new role as the interim head of school as of July 1. The school held events for Atkinson and his family throughout the concluding months of the school year, including a dinner, reception, presentations at the schools end-of-year award ceremonies and a Mr. Atkinson Day, in which students in grades pre-K through 12th planned special activities for him throughout the day.
Christina Campbell, a rising sophomore who is home-schooled, and Davis Skorich, a rising freshman at Forsyth Country Day School, will be heading to Washington, D.C., from July 9-11 to take part in JDRFs 2023 Childrens Congress on Capitol Hill.

JDRF, a nonprofit funding Type 1 diabetes research, chose Campbell and Skorich to join a delegation of 160 kids and teens, ages 4 to 17 and representing all 50 states as well as five other countries.

During Childrens Congress, the delegates will participate in leadership and character-building programs and interact with T1D role models. They will also engage in a number of activities on Capitol Hill, including attending a Senate hearing to share personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with T1D and the urgent need for continued Federal funding through the Special Diabetes Program.

Skorich, who was diagnosed with T1D at the age of 5, said, In the beginning, I had to adapt my life to function with T1D, missing out on physical activities and sports, having to manage what I ate and sometimes not eating at all, and losing hours of sleep at night. T1D research is important to me because it has allowed me to enjoy life without worrying about my diabetes every minute. Learn more about Skorich at cc.jdrf.org/delegates/davis-2/.

Campbell, diagnosed with T1D when she was 9, agreed that progress in T1D research has been a game-changer. Since upgrading (my diabetes technology), I have had far fewer scary low and high blood sugars, because my insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor work around the clock to keep me in range. All of this technology is possible because of research funding. Learn more about Campbell at cc.jdrf.org/delegates/christina-2/.

Follow the Childrens Congress delegates by visiting cc.jdrf.org or using the hashtag #JDRFCC23 on social media.
The list of shortcomings and failures associated with North Carolinas decade-long experiment with private school vouchers (aka Opportunity Scholarships) is a long and sobering one.

Though originally pitched and sold as a tool that would lift student performance and achievement by providing low-income families with a greater degree of school choice, theres no evidence that kids attending voucher schools have experienced any such renaissance.

The North Carolina schools that receive the funds are almost completely unaccountable and under no obligation to meet meaningful standards, so collecting and dissecting hard data is extremely difficult. A 2020 Duke University report, however, cast significant doubt on the programs performance. Meanwhile, in states where thorough study has been possible  Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, the District of Columbia  voucher student performance and achievement have both lagged.

There are other significant red flags associated with the program:

Voucher schools frequently discriminate against children and families on the basis of their religious beliefs and sexual orientation.

Many employ curricula grounded in religious fundamentalism and white supremacy that teach factually inaccurate lessons in science (denying the reality of evolution) and history (presenting a sanitized version of the enslavement of African Americans).

Despite these problems and having already spent millions of dollars to no evident and measurable positive effect, state lawmakers are preparing to dramatically expand the program. Legislation making its way through the General Assembly would alter the program so that eligibility  originally limited to lower-income families and later expanded to include middle-class households  will soon be available to all, including the states wealthiest families.

Maybe just maybe, however, a recent report by veteran education policy analyst Kris Nordstrom of the North Carolina Justice Center will cause the proponents of this headlong expansion to pause and reconsider.

Nordstrom examined some basic data compiled by the Department of Administrations Division of Non-Public Education and the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. He uncovered the remarkable and disturbing fact that at multiple North Carolina voucher schools, the number of voucher recipients appears to exceed total enrollment.

Nordstrom found, for example, that Mitchener University Academy in Johnston County reported a total enrollment in 2022 of 72 students at the same time that it received school vouchers from the state for 149 students.

As Nordstrom pointed out: Based on this data, either every student received two vouchers, or the school pocketed about $230,000 of state money for students that never existed.

Meanwhile, in a story that built on Nordstroms report, WFAE radio reporter Ann Doss Helms couldnt even find one such school in Charlotte (Teaching Achieving Students Academy) which received 22 vouchers but only reported having 13 students.

So, how could this happen?

As Nordstrom told me in a conversation earlier this week, the answer lies in the way many private schools in our state have come to operate in the voucher era.

Because the voucher system has so little oversight, its not just large and established institutions and elite academies that collect state dollars.

Many schools are shoestring (or even fly-by-night) operations. Nordstrom told me that his analysis indicated that 77 voucher schools this past school year had 25 or fewer students. As he put it: Theyre often opening and closingsometimes theyre in church basements. Sometimes theyre in strip mall sometimes like this one that Ann Doss Helms in Charlotte was looking for, they just cant find a physical address for.

In short, by all indications, North Carolinas school voucher program is not just shortchanging thousands of children, its quite possibly ripping off state taxpayers and enriching corrupt individuals to the tune of millions of dollars per year. Even if several of the reporting discrepancies have innocent explanations  plausible when youre dealing with scores of tiny operations  their mere existence serves to highlight a huge problem with the program.

In short, Nordstroms report is just the latest evidence that North Carolinas school voucher system is fraught with problems  maybe even widespread fraud. And if state legislative leaders retain even the slightest commitment to honesty in governance and combating corruption  much less running government like a business  now is the time for a thorough cleanup and overhaul of the program before any expansion is even considered.
" " Eating a spoonful of sugar is thought to disrupt the vagus nerve endings and possibly stop hiccups. John Lamb/Getty Images

1. Sweeten Spot

Put a teaspoonful of sugar on the back of your tongue (where you taste sour) for 10 to 15 seconds, and then swallow. The sugar will "overload" the vagus nerve endings and might stop the hiccups because who isn't distracted by sugar? You can also use a spoonful of honey or peanut butter.

2. Sour Notes

On the opposite note, try killing the hiccups with sour notes by sucking on a something like a lemon. The high acidic content found in lemon disrupts the esophagus and distracts the vagus nerve. If you don't have a lemon, try a teaspoonful of apple cider vinegar; its sour taste could stop your hiccups in its tracks.

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3. Take a Chill Pill

Taking an antacid, particularly one high in magnesium, can help calm those vagus and phrenic nerves. And the mineral tends to decrease irritation in your stomach, too.

4. Freezer Burn

Water, in some form, is a key element in many hiccups home remedies. You can try gargling with ice water, slowly sipping very cold water or sucking on an ice cube until it is small enough to swallow (comfortably). The cold might interrupt the vagus nerve and stop it from spasming.

5. Hold Your Breath

Breathing, or not breathing actually, is the main distraction in other methods used to cease hiccups. Try hold your breath for as long as you can. This increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, and the body becomes preoccupied with getting rid of it and forgets about the hiccups. You can also try breathing into a paper bag, which is believed to work the same way.

6. Pressure Points

Some of the stranger home remedies that say they stop hiccups relate to pressure. In fact, some people have success with acupressure. Try pulling the tip of your tongue, or gently pressing on your eyeballs, in an effort to stimulate and distract the vagus nerve. Some doctors suggest putting your fingers (carefully and not too far, obviously) in your ears to stop the hiccups. The branches of ... wait for it ... the vagus nerve, reach into the auditory system, too. You could also try gentle apply pressure on both sides of your nose while swallowing.

7. Scare Tactics

Some people are big backers of the scare method. If you're frightened, your vagus nerve is too. You can try having someone jump out and surprise both of you.

8. Other Weird Ways

Like we said, there's no tried-and-true way to stop the hiccups that works for everybody. So, if nothing we've listed has worked, you can try a few more things to see if they help. Drink from the opposite side of a glass by tipping it under your chin to drink from the far side. Some say you can bite your thumbs and then blow on them. And believe it or not, several studies have shown that rectal massages (gasp!) can immediately stop severe cases. Yikes.
Business Wire India GE HealthCare, a leading global medical technology, diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator extends its collaboration with Elekta, a leader in radiation therapy, in the Indian market, to expand access to precision radiation therapy solutions. It aims to provide hospitals with a comprehensive offering across diagnostics and treatment for cancer patients who require radiation therapy.Radiation therapy is an important component of cancer treatment with more than 50% of patients requiring radiotherapy as part of cancer care.The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one medical linear accelerator, (a radiotherapy equipment used in treating cancers) per million population in developing countries. India currently only has availability of 0.4 per million people reducing access to quality care necessary to enhance patient outcomes. Combining GE HealthCare diagnostic solutions with Elekta radiation therapy solutions will result in a compelling offering for hospitals and ultimately, their patients."We continue to expand our oncology offerings through strategic collaborations in adjacent fields that are also leaders in their disciplines. Through this collaboration with Elekta our vision is to enable more efficient, precise and personalized care across the cancer care continuum. We will remain focused on investments that can deliver the best cancer care, offering solutions that transform and humanize care," said Chaitanya Sarawate, President & CEO, GE HealthCare South Asia and Managing Director, Wipro GE Healthcare.GE HealthCare continues to embolden its commitment to providing an ecosystem where cancer care is improved by strengthening several collaborations. Over the years, the company has brought together complementary solutions and technologies along the radiation therapy treatment pathway. GE HealthCare's collaboration with Elekta in India is a testament to the company's commitment to improving cancer outcomes with multiple partners and providers.Manikandan Bala, Senior Vice President, TIMEA & Asia Pacific and Managing Director, India & South Africa, Elekta, said, "Delivering precision radiation therapy requires advanced patient positioning, motion management technologies, and state-of-the-art radiation therapy techniques. Elekta's and GE HealthCare's combination of radiation therapy solutions and diagnostic imaging will enable healthcare providers to deliver precise and personalized therapies that treat tumors effectively while sparing adjacent tissue and organs at risk. Together, these advanced offerings are designed to improve outcomes and increase the quality of life for patients. Elekta strives to assure that hospitals and cancer centers can create seamless ecosystems that facilitate efficient end-to-end cancer care." As a leading innovator of precision radiation therapy solutions, Elekta's treatment modalities demand superior precision and accuracy in delivering radiation to the tumor while protecting surrounding healthy tissue and organs. GE HealthCare's innovative suite of diagnostic and treatment technologies are designed to help improve detection, clinical efficiency, operational efficiency, and outcomes for cancer patients.
BROWNING  Blackfeet victory songs filled the hot summer Thursday afternoon as the tribe unveiled one of two new Chief Earl Old Person memorial highway signs.

Hundreds of community members and tribal and state leaders gathered for the unveiling, and as the victory songs rang out, several people wiped tears from their eyes.

Sen. Susan Webber, D-Browning, smiled and hugged her constituents.

Good job, Senator, said one man who shook Webbers hand. Another woman patted Webbers back.

Thanks to a bill brought by Webber, the tribe installed two signs  one near Browning High School and the other a few miles southeast  dedicating a section of U.S. Highway 89 to the late Blackfeet chief.

Webber said she always knew this moment was possible. But it wasnt an easy road. She told community members that when she brought a bill to honor Old Person, she thought it was a slam dunk.

"I thought everybody knows Earl," she said.

Old Person, an advocate, orator and the longest-serving elected tribal leader in the country, died in October 2021 at 92. Montana leaders, including Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, spoke at his funeral. When he died, the tribe said it suffered a huge loss. Some said losing Old Person was akin to a library burning or losing an encyclopedia of knowledge on Blackfeet history, culture and song.

While Webber was sure her bill would pass, at first, it didn't.

The bill was tabled in committee, after some members cited an unwritten rule that highways can only be named for law enforcement members who died in service. Webber ultimately blasted the bill out of committee and onto the Senate floor, where several Republicans spoke against it. Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton, cited the cost for the highway signs  $4,700 each  as a reason for her opposition, though the Legislature this session was working with a $2.4 billion surplus.

The bill eventually passed out of the House and Senate, and with Gianfortes signature, became law, but Webber still thinks back on the barriers the legislation had to overcome.

I was so angry, she recalled at the unveiling. I was just so angry.

Sen. Jon Tester, who attended the unveiling, said in his eight years in the state Senate, he'd never seen a successful blast motion.

"And the doggone thing actually passed," he added, referring to Webber's bill.

Dozens of community members spoke of Old Persons influence and leadership at Thursday's event. They talked about how he met every president from Harry Truman to Barack Obama. They laughed about how he was the first person in 2,500 years to ask the Shah of Iran to stand and how he bragged about being able to drive from Browning to Cut Bank in just 25 minutes. Community members spoke of Old Persons humility and how he took so many people in, caring for them as family. They remembered speaking Blackfoot with him for hours and learning how to dance with him. Many mentioned his enormous political influence, as he advocated for the Blackfeet people on a national stage. His legacy was so pervasive that several people said Old Person had visited them in their dreams.

Everybody loved Earl, said Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning. Were going to miss him, but he will be here forever. Today is Earls day.

Thursday also kicked off the Blackfeets North American Indian Days celebration, an annual event featuring a powwow, rodeo and parade.

As the sign was unveiled, Webber said she felt relief.

It was a fight, she said. And now its done. His name will always be here.
State Democratic lawmakers on Thursday called on Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte to bring the Legislature into a special session to address rising property valuations, namely a sharp increase for residential properties statewide.

The governor's office appeared to reject the request while lambasting minority Democrats on Thursday for opposing Republican proposals during the regular session, which wrapped up in early May.

Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, of Belgrade, and Senate Democratic whips Shannon O'Brien, of Missoula, and Susan Webber, of Browning, issued the request in a letter to Gianforte. They seek a single-day session to adopt a revenue-neutral state property tax rate determined by the Montana Department of Revenue in November.

"Again and again Montana Democrats pleaded with Republican legislators and Gov. Gianforte to find long-term solutions to unaffordable property taxes," Flowers said in a press release, calling the matter a "property tax crisis." Republicans held a supermajority last session.

"We have one more shot to address the issue," Flowers said. "I hope that the governor finally decides to take this seriously."

Last month, the Montana Department of Revenue began mailing out new appraisal values set by the state, with residential values jumping a median of about 45% across the state and commercial properties also increasing about 27%. The new residential property values, as high as 67% in rural Granite County and driven by booming real estate prices, have stirred both anger and confusion.

State and county officials in recent weeks have fielded calls from residents concerned the value increase amounts to a corresponding property tax increase. That is the not the case, as counties have yet to set their local property tax rates, although Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, said last week people can generally expect to see increases in their property taxes this year.

The proposal would lower the tax rate on commercial property and part of residential property valued over $1.5 million to 1.62, a figure identified in November by the state revenue department, in order to reach a revenue-neutral level.

A spokesperson for the governor's office on Thursday pointed to tax rebates passed by Republican lawmakers and signed into law by Gianforte earlier this year as efforts already underway to provide property tax relief. Democrats opposed the property tax rebates, which bore no relief for renters. The rebates will be up to $675 a year for two years.

"After dragging their feet and doing nothing on property taxes for the 90-day legislative session, Democrats now want to come back to Helena, eat lobbyists' steak dinners and waste taxpayer resources all to do nothing again," spokesperson Kaitlin Price said in an email.

Price's comment did not state specifically the governor has rejected the request for a special session, and she did not respond to a follow-up email asking for clarification.

Calls for a special session are not uncommon. Republicans in recent years have called on the governor to bring lawmakers back to Helena to investigate election procedures and to issue rebates and spend down a state budget surplus. Both efforts to assemble a special session failed.

The last time the Montana Legislature met for a special session was in the fall of 2017 to address a $227 million revenue shortfall.

Special sessions can be called if the majority of the Legislature supports it or by the governor.

-This article has been updated to clarify the figures proposed by Democratic lawmakers to reach a revenue-neutral tax rate.
U.S. Sen. Jon Testers campaign said Thursday the Democrat has raised more than $5 million in the second quarter of 2023 as he seeks a fourth term.

The campaign has not yet filed its quarterly report with the Federal Election Commission. The report, covering all spending and fundraising by the campaign from April through June, is due July 15.

Tester, the only remaining statewide elected Democrat in Montana, faces what will be a competitive election in 2024. The National Republican Senate Committee has identified his seat as one of the Democrats most vulnerable as the GOP looks to retake the Senate next year. Tester won his previous three elections to the seat by tight margins.

He entered the third quarter with more than $10 million in the bank, according to the campaign. Tester's contributions totaled $4.9 million during the first quarter of 2023.

Two candidates have already announced they are seeking the Republican nomination to challenge the incumbent.

Clancy resident Jeremy Mygland, who owns a home construction business, filed for the seat one year ago, and said in a phone interview Thursday he has raised about $100,000. He said he didnt have any firm numbers immediately available, but said he expects to add another $100,000 of his own money in the next quarter.

Past reports show he raised about $85,000 through March 2023 and spent about $65,000.

And former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy also announced his candidacy last month. Sheehy made his run official following months of speculation that GOP leaders were working to recruit the 37-year-old businessman to run against Tester.

His campaign has not yet filed any fundraising paperwork with the FEC.
Noah Coughlan recently embarked on his fourth run across the United States, and Montana was one of his stops.

Coughlan, 39, began a 3,500-mile journey called Run for Revival on Memorial Day pushing a 70-pound jogging stroller carrying the American flag from Seattle to Miami with the goal to finish on Veterans Day. This journey is a demonstration of gratitude toward the U.S. military and veterans.

Run for Revival is my way of bringing America together by honoring the American soldier on a daily basis, but then the entire military as a whole, Coughlan said.

During his journey, he made it a point to honor veterans in every town he passed through, and he paid tribute to service members and veterans daily on social media. In Helena, he dedicated his run to Staff Sgt. Jill Amsk of the Air National Guard 120th Fighter Wing in Great Falls.

I really appreciate Noah doing this run, it really brings people together, Amsk said. Its nice to be appreciated as a veteran.

Coughlan said one of his greatest obstacles was crossing the Continental Divide on June 30 to reach Helena.

It is a great relief getting past the Cascades and the Rocky Mountains and into a flatter land, Coughlan said. The Pacific Ocean to the Continental Divide is the toughest stretch of all America.

He arrived in Bozeman for the Fourth of July. He received a police escort along with support from the American Legion. Cmdr. Len Albright and Randy Kemp of Gallatins Post 14 presented Coughlan with a plaque of appreciation and recognition of his journey.

Noah you are a true patriot, and we thank you, Albright said during his presentation.

During the July 4 festivities, Coughlan paid tribute to the Combat Vet Riders he encountered in Spokane, Washington.

Before leaving Bozeman, he also met Fire Chief Josh Waldo and his team, which included two former service members.

They served America, and now they serve their community, Coughlan said. Our communities are enriched by their service, holding them together.

His next stop was Livingston, where he met veterans from the Livingston Fire Department. Coughlan estimated he had a little over a week left in Montana, with the goal to be in Billings by July 11.

Coughlan is from Vacaville, California, and now resides in Nashville, Tennessee. The flag on his jogger was a gift from Vacaville VFW Post 7244 and Senior Master Sgt. Shawn McMahon of Travis Air Force Base. The flag was flown on a KC 10 Extender aircraft on April 6 in honor of Coughlan and to support Operation Resolve. According to his website, it symbolizes the dedication of the armed forces to the Global War on Terrorism and pays tribute to those who lost their lives during 9/11.

He began running in 2011 to raise awareness for rare diseases after two of his childhood friends, Catie and Annie Allio from California, were both diagnosed with Batten disease. Batten disease is a genetic mutation that disrupts the cells ability to dispose of waste. Cells are thrown out of balance with the build-up of proteins and fats. There are 13 known forms of Batten disease.

In 2011, he completed the Run for Research, a 2,500-mile run from San Diego to Jacksonville, Florida, over 132 days from February to July. He followed that up in 2013 with Run for Research II, a 3,100-mile run from Northern California to Boston over 107 days from July to November 2014. In 2015, he completed his Run for Rare, a 3,000-mile run from New York City to San Diego over 127 days.

In 2015, after his run, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, D-California, U.S. Rep. Leonard Lance, R-New Jersey, and U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Florida, presented him with a congressional record on rare diseases in Washington, D.C., that contributed to the 21 Century Cures Act of 2016.

This is his fifth time running across an entire country, having previously run across Ireland in 2020. Coughlan said this is his final run, and even though he isnt a veteran himself, he wanted to express his gratitude to the U.S. military for their service. He also said he aspires to run for office one day.

America is a beautiful country filled with millions of kind people, Coughlan said. I will miss the open road, it is a bittersweet final run. It has been an honor to serve the American people on foot.
DECATUR  Fearing the worst, prosecutors in Macon County did their best to get a bail price that would make sure accused serial identity thief, burglar and scam artist Eugen F. Pribegeanu would stick around in custody for his trial.

But the total bail of $300,000, requiring the payment of a 10% bond or $30,000, apparently wasnt enough. After his arrest June 10, the 36-year-old native of Romania had raised the money and bonded out of the Macon County Jail on June 17.

He had been due in Macon County Circuit Court for a preliminary hearing June 28 where the defendant, rather ironically, was due to be represented by a public defender as he had claimed he was too poor to afford his own lawyer. But Pribegeanu was a no-show for the hearing and a warrant was issued for his arrest, this time backed with no bond. Authorities told the Herald & Review there has been no sign of him since he walked out of the jail.

Law enforcement believes he knows how to run and how to hide. Decatur Police suspect he is part of a theft and scam ring that prowls from state to state, hitting victims rapidly and in succession and then breezing on to new hunting grounds. Several such Romanian-based crime rings are known to plague other states, with one in California linked to laundering more than $1.4 million from the proceeds of thefts, robberies and swindles.

A sworn affidavit from Decatur Police accused Pribegeanu of working with others using distraction techniques to target Walmart shoppers as they returned to their vehicles. The victims' wallets and purses would be looted for credit and debit cards, and then high-speed attempts were made to extract cash or buy goods. Charges running into thousands of dollars could be made within minutes of the initial theft.

Technology was Pribegeanus undoing this time, however, as police departments in Iowa had sent out emails with suspect vehicle information after thieves had struck there.

A sophisticated camera network in Decatur flagged the license plate of the vehicle, which was traced to a motel in Champaign where Pribegeanu and an alleged female accomplice were taken into custody.

Macon County States Attorney Scott Rueter said his office moved fast to get a charge of aggravated identity theft filed against Pribegeanu once they realized who he was. Rueter said the defendant uses a variety of false names and was being looked at for other charges of money laundering and burglary.

Did we realize he was a flight risk? Absolutely, said Rueter.

We asked for $300,000 bail because I was trying to reach as high as I thought a judge would go on this type of felony. But I wasnt really surprised, quite frankly, when he came up with the money for his bond. I am sure his theft ring had that money stashed so they could bond him out.

This isnt the first time this situation has arisen. A criminal team of Romanian origin was apprehended in August 2018 in Mount Zion, this time looting customer accounts with doctored Visa gift cards they would work from ATMs.

Three teenagers and the 20-year-old man accused of being their handler were all arrested. The man described how he worked for a Chicago-based crime figure who supplied the cards, according to police accounts. Once the mans bond had been paid he promptly vanished, never to be seen again.

To catch a thief, clearly, is only half the battle. Tracking an absconded one down if he or she is a foreign national with no ties here isnt so easy. The U.S. Marshals Service does much of the fugitive hunting in Central Illinois, but they tend to specialize in seeking those wanted for more serious offenses, like murder or sex crimes, working to get criminals off the street who pose a physical danger to the public.

The FBI does have a focus on transnational organized crime. A call to its Springfield field office was not immediately returned. The bureaus website shows it's already dealing with a pretty full plate, however, with agents trying to counter major league offenses ranging from drug and human trafficking to extortion.

Normally, the first law enforcement agency at the sharp end of executing arrest warrants issued from the Macon County Circuit Court is the Macon County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Jim Root points out that his resources can only stretch so far when faced with suspects who can flee overseas. Im almost positive the State Department of the Federal Government would have to get involved with anybody they were trying to extradite out of another country back to the United States, he added.

Not that anyone is giving up on the search for Pribegeanu and others like him. If a wanted suspect who fled Macon County is anywhere where the sheriffs office might be able to find them, Root said, they will keep looking.

If we have reason to believe that they are still in the United States, we will continue to look for them and try to get them picked up on our warrant so they can be held accountable for their crimes, he said.

The 29-year-old woman arrested in Champaign with Pribegeanu listed an address in California. She was freed June 16 after posting a $4,000 bond on bail set at $40,000. She was booked by police on preliminary charges of money laundering, burglary and aggravated identity theft, and the states attorneys office is still considering what formal charges to file against her.

Anyone with information on Pribegeanu's whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at (217) 423-8477 or the Macon County Sheriff's Office at (217) 424-1319.

2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review Lourash Hirstein Phillip Gehrken Joseph A. Williams Jetrevius O. Jarrett Edwards King-Woods Wilson Derrickson Colby J. Park
Comal County Sheriffs deputies and New Braunfels police arrested four men in November in separate incidents related to smuggling people who w
Editor's Note This story was updated at 11:07 a.m. on July 10 to include the corrected name of the victim. Tinikia Hodges is the victim in this case.

A Conover man wanted in the death of his wife remains at-large and is considered armed and dangerous, according to a release from the U.S. Marshals Service issued on Friday.

A regional task force of the U.S. Marshals reiterated the need for the publics assistance with locating Donald Ray Hodges, aka Tyrone Evans, aka Unique Hodges.

Hodges, 49, is wanted in the death his wife in May 2022. Hodges is believed to have fled the area shortly after her death and was last seen in Charlotte on May 4, 2022.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of Hodges.

The wanted poster for Hodges noting the $10,000 reward was first issued in November.

On May 4, 2022, the Conover Police Department responded to a shooting in the 700 block of 2nd Street SW in Conover and discovered Tinikia Hodges, of Conover, with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene, the release said.

On May 10, 2022, an arrest warrant was obtained by the Conover Police Department for Donald Ray Hodges for first-degree murder. Hodges has not been seen since the date of the homicide, and it is believed that Hodges is aware of his charges and is actively evading law enforcement, the release said.

Hodges is a Black male, standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 273 pounds with a muscular build. He is bald, has brown eyes, and usually has a beard. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

I urge any citizen who knows anything about Mr. Hodges location to please take a second and make that information known to us or any local law enforcement officer or agency, said Terry Burgin, U.S. Marshal for the Western District of North Carolina.

Investigators said Hodges has multiple tattoos on his chest and arms, to include a dog on his right shoulder, TNT Hardcore on his left shoulder and Love Shirley on his left arm. Investigators said they also believe Hodges remains in close contact with his family and criminal associates while on the run to evade capture.

Hodges has strong connections to eastern North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia and New York, the release stated.
Pork features were twice as frequent on restaurant menus while beef entrees took second billing due to sky-high prices this July 4th weekend. Those were among the observations after casting an informal restaurant survey during the Fourth of July holiday throughout Door County, Wisconsins premier tourist destination. Located in Wisconsins peninsula that extends into Lake Michigan, Door County boasts over 300 miles of picturesque shoreline. Its winter population of some 30,000 people swells in summer as 2 million tourists descend upon its many high-end restaurant options.

Door Countys restaurant menus provide a clear window into beef and porks fortunes. While both categories are facing historically high feed costs, pork is plagued by strong inventories while U.S. beef production has seen the largest annual decline since 1979. Thats according to United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) data. There seems to be no near-term change on the horizon for beef. USDA has projected beef production will fall 4.2% this year and decline another 8.4% next year as the beef cow herd continues to shrink in numbers due to widespread drought and high feed costs.

As a result, cattle futures are topping highs previously set in 2014 as August 2023 live cattle futures closed at $1.75 per pound at the close of July 5 trading on the CME. These prices are up over 30% from the same time last year. One local dairy farmer just shipped a late lactation Holstein that weighed 1,895 pounds and netted over $2,000 for the cow. Indeed, meat packers are economically enticing dairy producers and cattle ranchers to send cattle to slaughter.

Porks profit squeeze

While the cattle prices are covering the added feed costs, the same cannot be said for pork. That industry is hemorrhaging money.

In Iowa, where hogs outnumber people, farmer Dwight Mogler said he is losing about $30 to $40 on each pig he produces, and he hasnt been able to make a profit so far this year, wrote The Wall Street Journals Patrick Thomas in his article, America has too much pork.

Bloomberg quoted even larger losses. Its a sign that producers will soon take steps to shrink their herds, with growers losing as much as $80 a head, said Shane Smith, chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods. Demand from top buyer China is waning as the cost to feed animals is surging, wrote Michael Hirtzer in his article, Hog herds to shrink as U.S. farms lose money.

At the close of July 5 trading on the CME, August lean hogs traded at 97.45 cents per pound and December lean hogs netted a much lower 75.75 cents per pound.



For pork, there doesnt appear to be a near-term recovery in sight. USDA projections suggest that hog inventories and frozen meat reserves could remain high through early 2025.

That being the case, restaurants across the country, including those in Door County, will continue to feature more pork tenderloin and a little less filet mignon.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2023

July 6, 2023
Former METRO Cash & Carry MD and CEO Arvind Mediratta has joined as CEO of Hippo Stores Technology, a Dalmia Bharat firm that focuses on building products, industry sources said. Prior to this, Mediratta, a retail industry veteran, was with Metro Cash and Carry India as CEO till May 2023. On May 11, 2023, billionaire Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries' retail arm had completed the Rs 2,850 crore acquisition of METRO Cash & Carry India.As part of the deal, all METRO Cash & Carry India employees and management were absorbed into Reliance Retail. However, Mediratta did not join Reliance Retail. Mediratta was instrumental in the deal with Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd(RRVL), a subsidiary of Reliance Industries. Mediratta took over as CEO and Managing Director of Hippo Stores Technology in June, the sources said. In his new role, Mediratta reports directly to Dalmia Bharat group Chairman and Managing Director Puneet Dalmia, he added.Hippo Stores is a new business funded by the Dalmia Bharat group. It is based on the home depot model but with a strong "home solutions" thrust based on a "do it for you" proposition. Mediratta joined Metro Cash & Carry in February 2016 and was with the company till it was merged with Reliance Retail. Mediratta has three decades of experience in wholesale, retail and marketing.He has also worked with some of the leading companies like Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Whirlpool, and Yum! Brands. Mediratta, an IIT-IIM alumnus, was also the chair of the FICCI Committee on Retail and Internal Trade. Prior to heading METRO Cash & Carry India, Mediratta was with Walmart US, first as Global Officer and Vice-President for Operations (Texas) and then as Global Officer and VP of Merchandising for Fresh.
Three hundred and ninety scientists and researchers from 34 countries, including Australia and New Zealand, have published an open letter to the EU opposing the bloc's proposed Child Sexual Abuse Regulation due to its weakening of end-to-end encryption.

Addressed to the member states of the European Parliament and the member states of the Council of the European Union, the letter points out that while it backs the bid to curb child sexual abuse and exploitation, it opposes the means by which this law will effect that.

There are two Australian signatories: Dr Shaanan Cohney of the University of Melbourne and Professor Vanessa Teague of the Australian National University and Thinking Cybersecurity. One New Zealand academic has affixed his signature: Professor Steven Galbraith of the University of Auckland.

"The effectiveness of the law (at its stated aims) relies on the existence of effective scanning technologies," the letter says.

"Unfortunately, the scanning technologies that currently exist and that are on the horizon are deeply flawed. These flaws... mean that scanning is doomed to be ineffective."

Given that tools for scanning for known child sexual abuse material should not themselves contain such material, the scientists and researchers said the only way to achieve it was by transforming known content to a perceptual hash function and comparing the resultant hash values to potential CSAM.

"A perceptual hash function needs to achieve two goals: (i) it should be easy to compute yet hard to invert and (ii) small changes to an image should result in small changes to the hash output, which means that even after image manipulation the known image can still be detected," the letter said.

"While this sounds easy, after more than two decades of research there has been no substantial progress in designing functions that meet these properties."

The proposal also required that new CSAM should be detected using AI and grooming in communication services be detected using similar techniques.

The letter pointed out: "While some commercial players claim they have made progress, the designs remain secret and no open and objective evaluation has taken place that demonstrates their effectiveness.

"Moreover, the state of the art in machine learning suggests that this is way beyond what is feasible today.

"In fact, any time that client-side designs have been evaluated (as in the case of prototypes funded by the UK Home office) they have been found to be neither effective nor compliant with privacy and human-rights law."

Given that end-to-end encryption would make it impossible to implement scanning for new or known content, this meant that the only tool to protect digital data would need to be compromised, the letter said.

The proposed law suggest client side scanning be used to look at encrypted communications without breaking the encryption.

The scientists pointed out that such tools would reportedly work by scanning content on the users device before it had been encrypted or after it had been decrypted and then reporting whenever illicit material was found. Such a system was susceptible to abuse, they warned.

"One may equate this to adding video cameras in our homes to listen to every conversation and send reports when we talk about illicit topics," they wrote.

"The only deployment of CSS in the free world was by Apple in 2021, which they claimed was state-of-the-art technology. This effort was withdrawn after less than two weeks due to privacy concerns and the fact that the system had already been hijacked and manipulated.

"When deployed on a persons device, CSS acts like spyware, allowing adversaries to gain easy access to that device. Any law which would mandate CSS, or any other technology designed to access, analyse or share the content of communications will, without a doubt, undermine encryption, and make everyones communications less safe as a result. The laudable aim of protecting children does not change this technical reality."

And, they said, "We have serious reservations whether the technologies imposed by the regulation would be effective: perpetrators would be aware of such technologies and would move to new techniques, services and platforms to exchange CSAM information while evading detection."

The letter concluded: "Finally, the huge number of false positives that can be expected will require a substantial amount of resources while creating serious risks for all users to be identified incorrectly. These resources would be better spent on other approaches to protect children from sexual abuse."
A ruling by the European Union's top court in a case brought by the German Federal Cartel Office may result in Facebook being unable to carry out targeted advertising in the political bloc.

The immediate impact of Tuesday's judgment is that Meta, Facebook's parent company, will be unable to use a mix of user data from WhatsApp and Instagram along with data collected from tracking people who visit third-party sites plus data from Facebook to serve personalised advertising.

The case goes back to 2019 when the cartel office suspected Facebook was using its dominant position in social networking by collating data from numerous platforms in its targeted advertising.

The cartel office said no consent was being obtained for this kind of data use; users had to agree or else find themselves unable to use Facebook.

Given that, the cartel office said Facebook was violating the EU General Data Protection Regulation and using its market position to achieve the same.

A case against that cartel office ruling was being heard by the Higher Regional Court, Dusseldorf, which asked the Court of Justice of the EU whether national competition authorities may review whether a data processing operation complied with the requirements set out in the GDPR.

The German court also asked about the interpretation and the application of certain provisions of the GDPR to the processing of data by the operator of an online social network.

The ruling means that Meta cannot claim to have a legitimate interest in processing data for personal advertising, a point it has relied on to carry out this activity after its other justifications were whittled away one by one.

Under the GDPR, companies need a legal basis to process data of EU citizens.

Lawyer Max Schrems, who filed a case against Google on the day the GDPR took effect, claiming 3.7 billion (US$4.3 billion) for non-compliance, said: "We welcome the CJEU decision. It further clarifies that Meta cannot simply bypass the GDPR with some paragraphs in its legal documents.

"This will mean that Meta has to seek proper consent and cannot use its dominant position to force people to agree to things they don't want. This will also have a positive impact on pending litigation between noyb [the European Centre for Digital Rights] and Meta in Ireland.".

Facebook has made no public comment on the judgement as yet.
GUEST OPINION: Even in a typical working environment, IT teams face various challenges when providing support to users. Thus, with the growth of remote workplaces due to the pandemic, these challenges increased even further.

For instance, your IT team or managed IT service provider understands your organisation's infrastructure. Thus, they can develop proactive control and monitoring strategies. However, remote users may use different hardware, software, and internet networks, making it difficult for IT teams to have a one-fix for tech problems that might arise. Therefore, they may need to resort to break fix IT support instead.

The shift in the support approach can be crucial given that IT support issues can vary from one remote worker to another. Some of these issues may be recurrent. Thus, you can build strategic solutions where necessary. Below are a few common issues IT support might frequently encounter and possible solutions.

1. Important Files Accidentally Deleted

IT devices in the office can be assigned to individual staff. Furthermore, team members have separate accounts. Thus, they can only access those accounts' files and documents, not what's on the devices. Therefore, accidental loss of crucial files is minimal. Furthermore, data backup procedures, like those offered by most Raleigh Managed IT services companies in North Carolina, can ensure IT teams easily retrieve lost files.

However, a device in a remote work setting can have several users. Thus, one user can often accidentally delete crucial files of another. In addition, these devices might not have automatic backup configurations. Therefore, IT support may not retrieve files if staff asks if they can get back deleted documents.

Therefore, it would be best to advise your team members to create separate accounts for work and home use on their devices. The work profile can connect to your organisation's data backup plan. Thus, IT support teams can retrieve files if they get deleted.

2. Increased Cyber Security Risks

Your office infrastructure can have the latest cybersecurity measures to protect against potential cyber threats. Furthermore, you can also frequently have risk assessment exercises to identify vulnerabilities. Thus, IT support teams have less to worry about very often.

However, risk exposure to cyber threats increases with a remote workforce, especially if your users frequently connect remotely to your network. Even though the staff might have anti-malware, their devices might use open Wi-Fi networks. Thus, exposing your system to cyber-attacks.

Moreover, your remote team's devices might have older software versions. Thus, they may become weak points for potential cyber-attack if these devices have older security patching.

Reducing threat exposure from remote devices can take several steps. However, the vital one is ensuring your team's cyber security awareness. Your staff is your first line of defence against cyber-attacks. Thus, they should understand the potential threats they face and the preventative measures to reduce the risk of hacking.

For instance, they must know running outdated software patches and using open networks to access work accounts is risky. Training them on how to identify phishing emails would also be best. Other crucial steps can include getting your remote team to use virtual private networks (VPNs) and properly configured firewalls.

3. Password Reset And Management Issues

Due to cyber security measures and account requirements, users have several passwords they use. However, they can often forget these passwords. Thus, IT support must constantly deal with password recovery and reset procedures. This can be more persistent in a remote work environment where some team members might not have access to password management software.

Password management challenges can be difficult to solve in a remote workplace. However, the IT support team can develop password reset procedures. For instance, provide a link for the 'forgot password' redirect. The link can take the user to a series of steps, including sending a one-time pin (OTP) to the user's mobile phone. Such a procedure can help reduce requests for password recovery and reset while ensuring the requesting user is authentic.

4. Slow Device Performance

Devices have various specifications and properties ideal for different functions. Thus, the IT team can recommend devices with the best performance for your organisation. However, remote working can mean using computers with lower performance. As a result, IT support can get numerous requests to improve device speed and performance.

You might not do much with home devices. However, your IT can recommend several measures to improve device performance. Among these measures is to reduce programs that run on device start up. Additionally, users can adjust power settings to the best performance instead of saving power.

Conclusion

Most IT support issues require the IT team to troubleshoot them on location physically. However, this might not be possible in a remote work environment. Thus, identifying common issues like the above and providing your users with possible solutions might be best.
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In a hateful 4th of July message Marxist, anti-American ice cream brand, Ben & Jerry's (or as I call them, Dumb & Dumber) has used social media to call for the Biden administration to return "stolen indigenous land." Specifically the company said in a tweet, "The United States was founded on stolen indigenous land. This Fourth of July, let's commit to returning it."

The blowhard ice cream authoritarians posted to its 494,000+ followers on Twitter that the time has come for the U.S. government to act. The company went on to propose the U.S. should "start with Mount Rushmore," and detailed the history of the iconic mount and its significance to indigenous Americans, writing, "What is the meaning of Independence Day for those whose land this country stole, those who were murdered and forced with brutal violence onto reservations, those who were pushed from their holy places and denied their freedom.

"The faces on Mount Rushmore are the faces of men who actively worked to destroy Indigenous cultures and ways of life, to deny Indigenous people their basic rights." This is the same company, remember, that announced in 2021 that it would no longer sell its products in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. I suppose they would really like Israel to give up their country totally to the Arabs. But first America must give all the land back to the Indians.

The social media tweet caused an avalanche of blowback from people who actually love their country. "The scumbags at Ben & Jerry's spent the 4th of July trashing America," Outkick reporter David Hookstead wrote. "Why worry about China when American companies will gladly share anti-American propaganda? Disgusting and shameful. Never apologize for loving America!

Senator Mike Lee from Utah said, "[Ben & Jerry]'s are awfully smug and lippy for a sub-brand of the massive Anglo-Dutch conglomerate Unilever. I'm not sure they fully understand the legacy of the respective Dutch and British colonial powers." Another writer asked if it is "Time to OBud Light' Ben and Jerry's? Stop supporting companies that hate you and America." Some pointed out the hypocrisy of the Ben & Jerry's comments since the company's land sits on so-called indigenous lands.

One writer said in response, "But seriously now, close shop, or better yet, donate your business and everything you own in these lands that rightfully belong to the indigenous people, apologize to them, and return to the continent your ancestors came from. Now."

"Ben and Jerry's corporate office is in South Burlington, VT. Home of the Abenaki people. There are 3,200 of them still residing in the area," a person on Twitter wrote. "Ben and Jerry's- give them their land back." "The Ben & Jerry's factory is located in Waterbury, Vermont," posted Yahoo News senior correspondent Michael Weiss. "I look forward to the board of directors' voting to turn their property over to the indigenous people who rightfully own this land."

The real stupidity of the Ben & Jerry social media post is that it's impossible to give all the land back. If our government did give all the land back to the indigenous people that would mean that the United States of America as a nation is completely finished because technically all of North America was Indian land before the Europeans came. Or maybe that's what Ben & Jerry's really want. The end of the U.S.

When Ben & Jerry's sold out to Unilever, the multinational food behemoth agreed to carry on the company's tradition of engaging "in these critical, global economic and social missions." Both Ben and Jerry themselves stayed on at the company, but not in positions of operational or managerial responsibility. So it's hard to know for certain where the leftist ideology is emanating from. Is it coming directly from the original leftists, Ben and Jerry? Or is it being directed from Unilever?

In the end it doesn't matter because whoever is behind it is the group that operates the ice cream brand. So if you don't agree with their Marxist destructive ideology, the easy answer is don't support them. Just stop buying the stuff. Do a Bud Light to Ben & Jerry's. Idiots.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
ROBINSON  A Robinson man has been charged with first-degree murder in Cumberland County for the death of a missing Lerna man whose remains were found in Crawford County.

The Illinois State Police reported in a press release early Thursday evening that the Cumberland County State's Attorney's Office has filed this charge against Lance T. Newcomb, 24, regarding the death of Ryan L. Waggoner, 55, who resided in a rural area in northwest Cumberland County.

Cumberland County State's Attorney Bryan Robbins said the charge alleges that Lance Newcomb murdered Waggoner on June 2 in Cumberland County. He said Waggoner's remains were subsequently taken to Crawford County.

Robbins said he will be able to discuss more details of the case after a preliminary hearing is held for Lance Newcomb, adding he is still learning information about it himself. Robbins said he hopes to have Lance Newcomb transferred from the Crawford County jail to the Cumberland facility on Monday and to have a bond hearing that day there.

On June 8, the Cumberland County Sheriffs Office requested that ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 investigate the Waggoner missing person case. Authorities reported at the time that Waggoner was last seen on June 2 at his residence.

The investigation led division agents on June 27 to a rural address in Crawford County, where human remains were located. Lance Newcomb and two others were arrested and then charged by the Crawford County State's Attorney's Office with concealment of a homicidal death. ISP reported that the remains were positively identified on Thursday, July 6, as Waggoner.

Robinson residents Angela S. Newcomb, 58, and Hiley A. Schulte, 52, are the two others who have been charged with concealment. Angela Newcomb also has been charged in Crawford County with obstructing justice/destroying evidence. These are all felony charges.

State's Attorney Robbins said he cannot, at this time, discuss the connection between Waggoner and the three individuals who were arrested.

The schedule of court hearings for the Crawford and Cumberland cases had not been posted online as of Friday morning. Lance Newcomb remains in the custody of the Crawford County jail. The other two posted $10,000 bond and have been released from there.

Personnel from the Crawford County Sheriffs Office, Robinson Police Department and Cumberland County Sheriffs Office assisted with the investigation and arrests.

Who are they? IL children reported missing as of July 1 These are recent reports of missing children made to local law enforcement. If you think you have seen a missing child, contact the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678).
Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday vetoed legislation that would trigger a years-long delay in updates of construction rules for new homes that experts argue are already more than a decade out of date.

This bill stops important work to make home construction safer from disaster and more energy efficient, and ultimately will cost homeowners and renters more money, Cooper said in his announcement of the veto. The bill also imperils North Carolinas ability to qualify for (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds by freezing residential building code standards.

House Bill 488, drafted with heavy input from the powerful N.C. Home Builders Association and whose primary sponsor accepted tens of thousands of dollars from donors with ties to the residential construction industry last year, would prohibit code updates aimed at improving energy efficiency until 2031.

Those standards have changed little since 2009 and dont reflect advances in technology and materials, or consider energy-efficiencys role in making home ownership more affordable over time and in reducing pollution that contributes to climate change, critics say.

Cooper and other opponents of the bill also argue that it will make new homes more vulnerable to increasingly severe weather tied to rising temperatures.

HB 488 also strips authority for home construction standards from the governor-appointed N.C. Building Code Council and shifts it to a new panel appointed jointly by the governor and the General Assembly.

Not only does the bill wipe out years of work to make homes safer and more affordable, it also violates the (N.C.) Constitution by rigging the way rules are made, Cooper said.

Though the governor would get seven of 13 appointments to a newly created Residential Building Code Council, nine votes would be required to pass any measures before the panel, according to the bill.

That means the members selected by the governor could not make code changes without at least two votes from the legislatures appointees, effectively diluting the governors executive power.

Cooper pointed to a 2016 N.C. Supreme Court ruling in the McCrory v. Berger case, which upheld an N.C. Court of Appeals decision that legislation to divide appointments to three state commissions between the governor and General Assembly violated the states separation of powers clause.

In that case, then Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, sued the GOP-led legislature.

This time, it is Democrat Cooper pushing back on a General Assembly with GOP supermajorities in both chambers.

By rigging the board to require nine votes to approve rules and conduct business, the bill violates the Constitution by failing to follow McCrory v. Berger, Cooper said. The bill also requires board members to undergo Senate confirmation and takes away the governors ability to remove an appointee. These changes violate the separation of powers clause and further (allow) the legislature to put its thumb on the scale in these important safety decisions.

The Journal reported Friday that the N.C. Home Builders Association wrote sections of HB 488 after contributing more than $8,000 last year to the legislations primary sponsor, Rep. Mark Brody, a Republican who represents Union and Anson counties.

In all, Brody collected nearly $46,000 in 2022 from more than 40 donors with ties to construction-related companies or industry groups, according to a Journal analysis of N.C. Board of Elections data.

The NCHBAs influence on the bill lasted for months, including the day before it passed the House in a 90-25 vote May 2 with 20 Democrats joining the unanimous Republicans supporting the measure.

The legislation cleared the Senate June 22 in a 33-12 vote. Four Senate Democrats, including Paul Lowe of Forsyth County, voted with Republicans.

With supermajorities in the House and Senate, if every GOP member votes, Coopers veto can be overridden with no Democratic support.
HanesBrands Inc. has filed motions  as expected  to have dismissed federal lawsuits in California and North Carolina over the May 2022 ransomware attack that cost the manufacturer about $100 million in global sales.

The N.C. lawsuit, filed in federal Middle District Court on Oct. 13, has Nicole Toussaint as the plaintiff on behalf of current and former employees. The California lawsuit Roman vs. HanesBrands was filed Oct. 7 in the Central District.

Each plaintiff is requesting class-action status.

HanesBrands disclosed in a May 31, 2022, regulatory filing that it began experiencing the ransomware attack on May 24, 2022.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software employed by hackers that can block access to a computer system until a ransom is paid. In recent years, the targets have shifted from individuals to governments, companies, nonprofits and health care systems.

HanesBrands said the ransomware attack affected its global supply chain network and ability to fulfill customer orders for about three weeks. The attack resulted in a $35 million reduction in adjusted operating profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2022, while lowering adjusted earnings per share by 8 cents.

The main complaint allegation is that the ransomware attack contributed to a data breach of certain highly sensitive personal and protected health information that included name, address, date of birth, financial account information and government-issued identification numbers, and other health and employment accounts.

Toussaint said she wasnt notified of the data breach until Aug. 16, 2022. Toussaint lives in Maine and was employed as an assistant manager from 2012 through 2018.

The suits ask for compensatory, punitive and other damages, as well as injunctive relief that requires HanesBrands to strengthen its data security systems and monitoring procedures, submit to future annual audits of those systems, and immediately provide adequate credit monitoring for up to 10 years.

HanesBrands agreed to provide up to two years worth of credit monitoring.

HanesBrands response

In requesting the dismissals, HanesBrands claims the plaintiffs lack standing and have failed to state a claim.

In the response, HanesBrands said it took extraordinary and immediate action to re-secure the implicated data set.

That included disclosing that it reached a payment agreement of an undisclosed amount to the ransomware attacker.

In exchange, the attacker agreed to not disseminate the information and to delete the information from its systems with confirmation provided. Hanesbrands said it was provided evidence on June 3, 2022, that those actions had occurred.

HanesBrands has not said whether the attack affected only internal operations, or whether the information held hostage affected employees and customers.

One full year has passed since the incident, and there has been no indication that the implicated data was posted on the dark web or otherwise made publicly available because of the incident, HanesBrands said.

Toussaint claims she has received at least three suspicious spam emails per week since the data breach.

Her lawsuit claims the ransomware attack was successful as a direct result of defendants failure to implement adequate and reasonable cyber-security procedures and protocols necessary to protect individuals private information with which it was entrusted for employment or other business purposes.

Had HanesBrands properly monitored its property, it would have discovered the intrusion earlier.

HanesBrands claims the actual facts here make it impossible for plaintiffs to establish standing.

Each of plaintiffs claimed injuries is premised upon the single proposition that a third-party threat actor still possesses plaintiffs data.

But that is simply untrue.

HanesBrands also cited that North Carolina has not imposed a generalized duty for employers to provide data security to former employees.
Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law Friday a bipartisan Senate bill that bars anyone under age 18 from donating blood without the permission of a parent or guardian.

Senate Bill 389, titled Raise the age for donating blood, was passed by the N.C. House by a 105-0 vote on June 22, while the Senate voted 45-0 on June 27. The legislation went into effect with Coopers signature.

SB389 was submitted by Sen. Ralph Hise, R-McDowell, and a leading Republican advocate for significant health-care reform in North Carolina. Listed as a co-sponsor is Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe.

State law currently allows those age 16 to donate blood with parental permission, while 17-year-olds can give blood without parental permission.

The law applies to blood donations made to an individual, hospital, blood bank or blood collection center.

State law does not permit those under age 18 to sell their blood. High school-sponsored blood drives have been a staple for donations for decades, primarily to help address constant shortages of donated blood.
Violin virtuoso Mark Feldman will perform in The Barnyard of Fuse Coworking Friday to open the weekend of the 2023 Meadowlark Music Festival.

Arguably the most eclectic violin virtuoso in history, Feldman has performed as a soloist with major European symphony orchestras, toured and recorded over 200 country albums with artists such as Loretta Lynn and Ray Price, and toured and recorded dozens more with major jazz artists including John Abercrombie, John Lovano, and Chris Potter.

Hell be joined by New York guitarist Rolf Sturm (John Zorn, Roswell Rudd, Loudon Wainwright) and award-winning percussionist Dane Richeson (Bobby McFerrin, Lyle Mays, Roscoe Mitchell).

Saturday, Astral Mixtape, an award-winning young Los Angeles quartet, will perform at Prairie Pines Nature Preserve, 3100 N. 112th St.

A multifaceted group, Astra Mixtape blends classical instrumental virtuosity with the sounds of their generation, using its unique blend of two violins, cello, piano, synthesizer and electronics to create and perform compositions that combine the pop spectacle, jazz spontaneity and contemporary music experimentation.

Beyond their cutting-edge performances in clubs and concert halls, the quartet has contributed to the soundtracks of numerous short films. Many of these films  such as "Leaving the Factory," "Broken Layers," and "Ink"  have won prizes at Cannes and BAFTA film festivals. Most recently, the quartet was named a winner of the prestigious Astral Artists National Competition.

The concert event will also offer food and beverages from Venue and Saro Cider.

On Sunday, Meadowlarks Grand Finale will take place at The Jewell, 2221 N. 24th St., in downtown Omaha.

Feldmans quartet and Astral Mixtape will share the stage at one of the Midwests finest listening rooms. Founded just prior to the pandemic, The Jewell was designed as a music room celebrating Omahas musical heritage and features state of the art acoustics and instruments including a Steinway grand piano. Valet parking and a full menu is available.

All shows begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at meadowlarkmusicfestival.org and at the door of each show.
A Lincoln man is facing felony gun charges after allegedly shooting an AR-style rifle at a shotgun range at Pawnee Lake on the Fourth of July.

Souvanh Sonthana, 47, remained in the Lancaster County jail on Friday, his bond set at $125,000.

Because he's a convicted felon, he can't legally possess firearms or other deadly weapons.

In court records, a conservation officer with Nebraska Game and Parks said she was on patrol at Pawnee Lake when she heard the sound of a handgun coming from the shotgun range, a shotgun-only range regulated by Game and Parks.

The conservation officer said she arrived to find Sonthana shooting an AR-style rifle. She ran his name and learned he was a convicted felon and that Lincoln Police had a broadcast for him on a methamphetamine residue case in February.

He was on probation for being a prohibited person in possession of a deadly weapon in 2021.

Prosecutors charged him this week with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and possession of methamphetamine.

Celebrity Birthdays: July 7 Amy Carlson Berenice Bejo Bill Oddie Billy Campbell Cree Summer Hamish Linklater Kirsten Vangsness Maddie Font Michelle Kwan Ringo Starr Robin Weigert Troy Garity
The recent heavy rain that has fallen in many parts of Nebraska has helped to pare back drought conditions.

More than 18% of the state is completely out of drought, according to the latest Drought Monitor released Thursday by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. That's the highest drought-free percentage since the end of 2021.

The drought-free areas are all in the western part of the state, a region that has seen extensive rain over the past couple of months. For example, Scottsbluff and Chadron both totaled more than a foot of rain in May and June combined, while Sidney got around 11 inches. The three cities all average somewhere between 5 and 6 inches for those two months.

In eastern Nebraska, where drought conditions are the worst, Lincoln has been the big winner in the rain category lately. Since the beginning of June, the Lincoln Airport has recorded slightly more than 7.5 inches of rain, which is more than 2 inches above normal for the period and more than it got in the previous 10 months combined.

That has helped to alleviate drought conditions somewhat. Last week, 88% of Lancaster County was in exceptional drought, the worst category. That declined to 22.5% this week.

Saunders County saw exceptional drought drop from covering 80% of the county to less than 26%, while exceptional drought retreated entirely from Sarpy, Otoe and Cass counties.

But many other areas have not seen as much rain. Columbus, Fremont, Omaha and Norfolk all received below-average rain in June, although some of those cities saw heavy rain earlier this week.

Because of that lack of widespread rain, there was very little change in the portion of the state in extreme and exceptional drought.

This week, about 25.5% of the state was in extreme drought or worse, including about 11.5% in exceptional drought. That's down from 26% and 13% last week.

Counties with the worst droughts in Nebraska Counties with the worst droughts in Nebraska Nebraska statistics #1. Adams County (tie) #1. Perkins County (tie) #1. Nuckolls County (tie) #1. Nance County (tie) #1. Morrill County (tie) #1. Merrick County (tie) #1. McPherson County (tie) #1. Madison County (tie) #1. Loup County (tie) #1. Logan County (tie) #1. Hooker County (tie) #1. Phelps County (tie) #1. Lincoln County (tie) #1. Kimball County (tie) #1. Keya Paha County (tie) #1. Keith County (tie) #1. Kearney County (tie) #1. Johnson County (tie) #1. Jefferson County (tie) #1. Pierce County (tie) #1. Platte County (tie) #1. Polk County (tie) #1. Lancaster County (tie) #1. Knox County (tie) #1. Stanton County (tie)
Dan Griffith is just scraping by.

His work restoring windmills and the income from his farmland has kept the lights on, he said, but not much more.

That could change  if Griffiths plans survive one of the latest controversies to grip rural Nebraska.

Griffiths 160 acres in Lancaster County, typically planted with corn and soybeans, are prime real estate for Nebraskas newest cash crop: solar power.

Ive been working dead-end jobs since I got out of college, said Griffith, 40. With the solar farm, once it gets going, I could see maybe in excess of six figures a year  steadily.

Long after wind powers arrival, large-scale solar energy is reaching Nebraska, with the first major project going on line next year. The 81-megawatt project will supply power to the Omaha Public Power District through solar panels situated across 500 acres. Six other large-scale projects are in the works, including the one in Lancaster County.

But where Griffith and others see opportunity, even necessity, some rural residents see betrayal. And it has sparked a backlash across the state, resulting in a lawsuit in Lancaster County, the recall of an elected official in Saunders County and solar zoning regulations in Kearney and Gage counties that are among the most restrictive in the nation.

The resistance factored into an OPPD proposal to back off its explicit commitment to add significant amounts of solar power. Instead the utility proposes to commit to non-emitting fuel, a change that it says will also give it more flexibility in responding to market conditions.

With solar, as with wind, Nebraska is at a crossroads: How  and whether  to integrate large-scale solar energy into the fabric of rural life?

The state already has numerous small solar projects, including about 20 that generate at least 1 megawatt, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

The seven projects in the pipeline are exponentially larger. Combined, they would generate about 1,900 megawatts of solar power, enough to equal about 18% of Nebraskas electric generation capacity as of 2021, based on state and federal data.

Whether they all materialize in light of the coalescing opposition remains to be seen.

In Lancaster County, landowners opposing the $320 million Salt Creek Solar project have filed a lawsuit seeking to stop it. They argue that they purchased their acreages based on documents indicating that the adjoining land would remain agricultural. An attorney for the group said the lawsuit is not based on opposition to solar in general.

Attorneys representing the developer and four landowners contend that solar is indeed an agricultural use.

A judge is currently considering the case.

In Saunders County, Teresa Akeson and some of her neighbors tried to stop that project.

The desire by big-money business to do and get what they want overruns local governments  all the way down to the little guy just trying to do the best they can for their families, said Akeson.

When opponents failed to stop the project, they turned their attention to longtime Saunders County Board member Doris Karloff, whose family owns property where the solar farm is being built. Karloff recused herself from the board discussion and the vote, which was unanimous. Still, her neighbors vented their anger by recalling her from office in 2021. Karloff could not be reached for comment.

Opposition in a few counties has been so intense, officials have enacted extensive buffer zones between solar panels and the homes of nonparticipating landowners.

Kearney County has required a quarter-mile buffer for several years. At the end of May, Gage County adopted regulations that include a half-mile buffer.

Emily Haxby, a Gage County board member who has worked for stricter regulation of renewables, said solar developers can shrink the setbacks by securing waivers from neighboring landowners, including, possibly by paying those landowners.

Im a fifth-generation farmer and I want to protect what Im going to be passing along to my, hopefully, next generation, she said. I want to make regulations based on community decisions.

The Gage and Kearney County setbacks are among the strictest solar buffer zones in the nation, said Matthew Eisenson, an attorney who leads the Renewable Energy Legal Defense Initiative at New Yorks Columbia University.

Outside of those counties, Eisenson said Nebraska appears to have relatively few serious restrictions on solar energy.

A primary criticism of solar power is the amount of land it requires and whether renewable energy is a proper use of that land.

(Solar) doesnt produce electricity 24 hours a day, and they are trying to put it on the best dryland ag land in the state, said Duane Murdoch, a Cass County Board member. If you put it on poor land, Im all for it.

Utilities say solar is valuable because it generates power during the day when electrical demand is highest and it does so at a lower cost than alternatives.

Murdoch was among those who lobbied for stricter setbacks when Cass County wrote zoning rules that would govern a solar project NextEra Energy Resources is developing near Murray.

The Florida-based company has leased 3,000 acres. About 40%-50% of that will be for setbacks from roads and adjoining properties, riparian areas, drainage and trees, said Matthew Jones, project developer.

The project would use less than 1% of farmland in Cass County.

The Engelkemier family, who trace their Nebraska farm roots to 1875, wrestled for a year with whether to lease some of their land to NextEra.

They ultimately decided: Yes.

One of the reasons I wanted to go into solar was to diversify our agricultural income source and allow the land to naturally rejuvenate during the solar lease, said Larry Engelkemier. We want to keep the farms in the Engelkemier name for future generations.

The family sees solar as ag-based energy production, similar to ethanol and biofuels.

Currently, solar makes up less than 1% of Nebraskas electricity, while coal constitutes almost 50% and wind about 25%. The rest is largely nuclear and hydropower, according to the state energy department.

For now, solar and wind are some of the best options for feeding the nations growing appetite for electricity, according to utility executives.

Global greenhouse gas emissions must fall by 43% by 2030 to avoid more devastating changes than ones already occurring in climate and life systems, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Nebraskas own climate scientists say its possible the state will warm so rapidly that by 2050 Nebraskas average temperature will be similar to 2012 when extreme drought crippled agricultural output, wildfires consumed a record number of acres and numerous communities restricted water.

Nebraskas major utilities have pledged to reach net zero carbon emissions in the decades ahead.

Difficulties bringing solar sites to life worries the head of OPPD.

By now, OPPD had hoped to have 600 megawatts of solar on line, according to President and CEO Javier Fernandez. Instead it is adding just 81 megawatts next year.

Local opposition hasnt been the only hurdle  others have included supply chain problems, tariffs and regulatory slowdowns.

If we want this state to continue to be prosperous and growing  we (need) to dispel the myth that, Hey, this (wind or solar project) is a nice project to have, Fernandez told OPPDs board in May. A lot of these projects, we needed them yesterday, and we havent even broken ground. Its going to be a challenge.

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

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An Arizona man has been arrested in connection with the death of a Gretna teen whose body was found last month in the rubble of a bonfire pit near Phoenix.

The body of 18-year-old Parker League, who had graduated from Gretna High School in May, was found on June 12 in a bonfire pile at Bulldog Canyon in the Tonto National Forest. The remote area is about 40 miles northeast of Phoenix.

On Thursday, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office announced that an arrest had been made. Anthonie Ruinard, 37, was taken into custody Wednesday on suspicion of first-degree murder, drug possession, drug manufacturing, weapon possession, credit card theft, credit card fraud and concealing a dead body.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives realized that League's debit card was being used at multiple locations after his body had been found. Video footage from those locations allegedly showed Ruinard using the card.

Additional video footage from June 11 allegedly showed Ruinard and League together at an Arco gas station in Chandler, Arizona. The two left the store together in a black Dodge Challenger.

League's body was found the next day. His family filed a missing person's report on June 15 when he failed to return home as planned.

A search warrant was served on Ruinard's home. According to the sheriff's office, detectives located "forensic evidence" in the trunk of the Dodge Challenger, and a rapid DNA test confirmed that the evidence was a match to League.

Ruinard is being held at the Maricopa County Jail, and his bond was set at $2 million. He will appear again in court on July 12.
This summer, community members from Genoa, Nebraska, and descendants of those who attended the Genoa U.S. Indian Industrial School will gather for a remembrance ceremony.

The 33rd annual Recognition and Remembrance Day will be held in Genoa Aug. 12.

One of the largest in a system of 25 federal Indian boarding schools, the Genoa school operated from 1884 to 1934. At its peak in 1932, the schools 640-acre campus housed 599 students, who ranged in age from 4 to 22 and came from more than 40 tribes.

The annual remembrance ceremony is organized by the Genoa U.S. Indian School Foundation, which was established in 1990 with the intent to collect and preserve the schools history.

The ceremony will include tours of the school's interpretive center, presentations, resources for genealogical research and an update on the search for the school's cemetery. A full schedule of events can found at genoaindianschoolmuseum.org.

The day will kick off with remarks from members of the foundation in the St. Rose of Lima Community Center, located at 116 N Elm St. in Genoa.

Photos: Omaha Nation students visit Genoa Indian Boarding School
RACINE  Award-winning filmmaker Dan Ollman has created documentaries with music themes before. He usually covers music with a story behind it.

So when James Jim McVeigh approached him about creating a documentary about the old-time music scene, the music alone was interesting enough to him.

Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dancing, clogging and buck dancing.

It is played on acoustic instruments, generally a combination of fiddle and plucked string instruments, most often the banjo, guitar and mandolin.

I dont want to say it spoke to me, but it just, it did make sense just hearing it, he said. Just the feeling of it was great.

Milwaukee-based director and editor Ollman, along with Racine-based, husband-and-wife producers McVeigh and Michelle Ortwein released their documentary, The Merry Love the Fiddle, The Merry Love to Dance, in May after nine years of planning, filming and editing.

This is the first project the three have worked on together, and it was entirely self-funded. It is listed under McVeighs and Ortweins company, Upper Meadow Productions.

The music documentary features Midwest old-time dance fiddler, Lynn Chirps Smith of La Grange in Walworth County.

The film includes a range of traditional fiddle tunes collected by Smith and his contemporaries, from older musicians beginning in the early 1970s. Some of these tunes are centuries old and have their origin in the British Isles and elsewhere in Europe.

Centrally, the film explores Smiths relationship with Garry Harrison, an American fiddle player.

The documentary begins with Smith playing and discussing his involvement in the old-time music scene at his La Grange home.

It then follows him on his travels through the old-time music world. Viewers learn about his time spent tracking down old players, collecting their tunes and forming old-time music bands.

The three filmmakers started planning in 2014 and filmed from 2015 to 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scene & Heard: Old Time music documentary in the works Chirps (Lynn) Smith has been exploring, preserving and carrying on the traditions of Ameri

The title was changed from Four and Twenty Blackbirds Dancing on Fawnskin, which is the name of an old-time song, to The Merry Love the Fiddle, The Merry Love to Dance, which are lines out of a poem, The Fiddler of Dooney by William Butler Yeats. The filmmakers hoped the new name would be more recognizable.

Ollman began editing and putting it all together during the pandemic, before releasing it in early May.

He said the films hes worked on at least have a four- to five-year creation period.

With all of these films, I personally feel like they need to ferment for a long time, Ollman said.

The three filmmakers, as well as Smith, plan to bring watch parties to big cities in the Midwest such as Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and Minneapolis. They also plan to show the film in West Coast cities, such as Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and East Coast cities, including New York.

The old-time community is very big, its just not well known, McVeigh said. (Smith) is popular in all of these areas. If hes coming into town to play, were going to draw a crowd.

The documentary is for everybody, Ortwein said. Its general enough. Everybody should enjoy it if they view it.

Upcoming event Event venue Social on Sixth, 324 Sixth St., Racine, is hosting a watch party for the documentary on Friday, July 14 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There is a $10 entrance fee. The documentary is about 50 minutes, and following the showing, Ollman, Ortwein, McVeigh and Smith will host a short Q&A. Smith will then host an open old-time music session. Those wanting to join in may bring an instrument. Everyone who attends will also be given free access to the documentary online at themerrylovethefiddle.com. Otherwise, it can be purchased on its own for $8.99 or rented for $5.99.

Gaining an interest

McVeigh is a traditional Irish musician himself who plays guitar, Irish drum and a little fiddle.

While performing Irish music in bars and at festivals around the Midwest, McVeigh said he stumbled upon old-time music and wanted to learn more after he attended his first old-time music session. He found a lot of songs were based on traditional Irish tunes.

He met Smith at an old-time music session at The Ivanhoe Pub & Eatery in Downtown Racine, and from there, Smith exposed McVeigh more to the style of music.

He slowly learned how big the music scene was, including performances, sessions in peoples homes and festivals.

That reminded me of Ireland, because Irish music in America is an urban thing, said McVeigh, who grew up in Ireland and moved to Racine in 1993. Its New York, Chicago, San Francisco. Its not that in Ireland. Its a rural thing. It happens in peoples homes.

Sessions are opportunities to share music with fellow musicians and practices for those learning how to play. They are not performances.

This old-time thing, it reminded me a lot of the Irish scene, in peoples homes, food, people coming, dancing, kids, dogs. And when I uncovered this whole thing, Im like, this is fascinating.

Ollman had worked with McVeigh on corporate projects, and Ortwein had created previous documentaries.

After all meeting with Smith, the three filmmakers agreed they should make a documentary.

Ortwein said the historical aspect of the topic interested her. Shes not a musician, so she brought an outsider perspective for people who know nothing about the topic.

It sounded very squeaky to me, and thats because its very democratic, she said of the old-time music sessions, adding she heard violinists who were off-key. Anybody can play anytime, anywhere. These folks, they arent going to discriminate.

The three created the documentary because they saw the potential for it to be made into a series on Netflix, HBO or another streaming platform.

Theres certainly enough material, Ortwein said.

McVeigh said they could easily make another eight to 10 episodes, and Smith said he knows lots of other musicians that could be featured.

Theres a lot of people who know about it, but theres an awful lot more people who should know about it, McVeigh said.

Top country song from the year you graduated high school Top country song from the year you graduated high school 1948 (tie): 'I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)' by Eddy Arnold and His Tennessee Plowboys, "Bouquet of Roses" by Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys 1949: 'Lovesick Blues' by Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys 1950: 'I'm Movin' On' by Hank Snow 1951: 'Shotgun Boogie' by Tennessee Ernie Ford 1952: 'The Wild Side of Life' by Hank Thompson 1953: 'Kaw-Liga' by Hank Williams 1954: 'I Don't Hurt Anymore' by Hank Snow 1955: 'In The Jailhouse Now' by Webb Pierce 1956: 'Heartbreak Hotel' by Elvis Presley 1957: 'Gone' by Ferlin Husky 1958 (tie): 'Ballad Of A Teenage Queen' by Johnny Cash, 'Guess Things Happen That Way' by Johnny Cash 1959 (tie): 'The Battle of New Orleans' by Johnny Horton, 'The Three Bells' by The Browns 1960 (tie): 'He'll Have to Go' by Jim Reeves, 'Please Help Me, I'm Falling' by Hank Locklin 1961: 'Don't Worry' by Marty Robbins 1962 (tie): 'Walk On By' by Leroy Van Dyke, 'Wolverton Mountain' by Claude King 1963: 'Love's Gonna Live Here' by Buck Owens 1964: 'I Guess I'm Crazy' by Jim Reeves 1965: 'Before You Go' by Buck Owens 1966: 'Almost Persuaded' by David Houston 1967 (tie): 'There Goes My Everything' by Jack Greene, 'All The Time' by Jack Greene, 'It's The Little Things' by Sonny James 1968: 'Skip A Rope' by Henson Cargill 1969: 'Daddy Sang Bass' by Johnny Cash 1970 (tie): 'Baby Baby (I Know You're a Lady)' by David Houston, 'It's Just a Matter of Time' by Sonny James, 'Hello Darlin'' by Conway Twitty, 'Don't Keep Me Hangin' On' by Sonny James 1971: 'When You're Hot, You're Hot' by Jerry Reed 1972: 'My Hang-Up Is You' by Freddie Hart 1973 (tie): 'You've Never Been This Far Before' by Conway Twitty, 'The Most Beautiful Girl' by Charlie Rich 1974: 'A Very Special Love Song' by Charlie Rich 1975 (tie): 'Before the Next Teardrop Falls' by Freddy Fender, 'Rhinestone Cowboy' by Glen Campbell, 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' by Willie Nelson, 'Always Wanting You' by Merle Haggard, 'Touch the Hand' by Conway Twitty, and three more 1976: 'Convoy' by C. W. McCall 1977: 'Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)' by Waylon Jennings 1978: 'Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys' by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson 1979 (tie): 'Every Which Way but Loose' by Eddie Rabbitt, 'I Just Fall in Love Again" by Anne Murray, 'If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body Would You Hold It Against Me' by The Bellamy Brothers, 'Amanda' by Waylon Jennings, and two more 1980 (tie): 'Coward of the County' by Kenny Rogers, 'My Heart / Silent Night (After the Fight)' by Ronnie Milsap, 'Lookin' for Love' by Johnny Lee 1981 (tie): 'I Don't Need You' by Kenny Rogers, '(There's) No Gettin' Over Me' by Ronnie Milsap, 'Never Been So Loved (In All My Life)' by Charley Pride 1982 (tie): 'Always on My Mind' by Willie Nelson, 'Just to Satisfy You' by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, 'Slow Hand' by Conway Twitty, 'She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft)' by Jerry Reed 1983 (tie): 'Islands in the Stream' by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, 'Houston (Means I'm One Day Closer to You)' by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers 1984 (tie): 'To All the Girls I've Loved Before' by Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson, 'Why Not Me' by The Judds 1985: 'Lost in the Fifties Tonight (In the Still of the Night)' by Ronnie Milsap 1986 (tie): 'Whoever's in New England' by Reba McEntire, 'Have Mercy' by The Judds, 'Desperado Love' by Conway Twitty, and two more 1987: 'Forever and Ever, Amen' by Randy Travis 1988 (tie): 'Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses' by Kathy Mattea, 'I Told You So' by Randy Travis, 'I'll Leave This World Loving You' by Ricky Van Shelton, 'When You Say Nothing at All' by Keith Whitley 1989 (tie): 'I'm No Stranger to the Rain' by Keith Whitley, 'The Church on Cumberland Road' by Shenandoah 1990: 'Love Without End, Amen' by George Strait 1991 (tie): 'Down Home' by Alabama, 'Don't Rock the Jukebox' by Alan Jackson, 'You Know Me Better Than That' by George Strait 1992: 'Achy Breaky Heart' by Billy Ray Cyrus 1993: 'Chattahoochee' by Alan Jackson 1994 (tie): 'Wild One' by Faith Hill, 'I Swear' by John Michael Montgomery, 'Wink' by Neal McCoy 1995: 'I Like It, I Love It' by Tim McGraw 1996 (tie): 'It Matters to Me' by Faith Hill, 'No News' by Lonestar, 'Time Marches On' by Tracy Lawrence, 'My Maria' by Brooks and Dunn, 'Carried Away' by George Strait, and two more 1997: 'It's Your Love' by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill 1998: 'Just to See You Smile' by Tim McGraw 1999: 'Amazed' by Lonestar 2000 (tie): 'Breathe' by Faith Hill, 'How Do You Like Me Now?!' by Toby Keith, 'I Hope You Dance' by Lee Ann Womack and Sons of the Desert 2001 (tie): 'Ain't Nothing 'bout You' by Brooks and Dunn, 'I'm Already There' by Lonestar 2002: 'The Good Stuff' by Kenny Chesney 2003 (tie): 'Have You Forgotten?' by Darryl Worley, 'It's Five O'Clock Somewhere' by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett 2004 (tie): 'There Goes My Life' by Kenny Chesney, 'When the Sun Goes Down' by Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker, 'Redneck Woman' by Gretchen Wilson 2005 (tie): 'As Good as I Once Was' by Toby Keith, 'Better Life' by Keith Urban 2006: 'Jesus, Take the Wheel' by Carrie Underwood 2007: 'Never Wanted Nothing More' by Kenny Chesney 2008 (tie): 'Our Song' by Taylor Swift, 'Letter to Me' by Brad Paisley 2009: 'Need You Now' by Lady A 2010 (tie): 'Consider Me Gone' by Reba McEntire, 'Why Don't We Just Dance' by Josh Turner, 'The House That Built Me' by Miranda Lambert 2011: 'Honey Bee' by Blake Shelton 2012: 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' by Taylor Swift 2013: 'Cruise' by Florida Georgia Line 2014: 'Burnin' It Down' by Jason Aldean 2015: 'Girl Crush' by Little Big Town 2016: 'H.O.L.Y.' by Florida Georgia Line 2017: 'Body Like a Back Road' by Sam Hunt 2018: 'Meant to Be' by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line 2019: 'Whiskey Glasses' by Morgan Wallen 2020: 'The Bones' by Maren Morris 2021: 'Fancy Like' by Walker Hayes
UNION GROVE  A soon-to-be-vacant village administrator position has attracted 20 job applicants, giving officials confidence that the right candidate can be found soon.

Union Grove Village Board members have started interviewing applicants to succeed Village Administrator Kerry Bennett, who is stepping down after one year on the job.

Board members say they are impressed with the quality of applicants pursuing the village's top non-elected administrative post.

Trustee Sandy Born, who is chairwoman of the Village Board Personnel Committee, said some applicants seem unqualified, but others meet the village's expectations and needs.

"We did find a good handful," Born said.

The committee hopes to have a recommendation for the full Village Board before Bennett's final day on the job, scheduled for July 17.

Bennett served three years as the village treasurer before being hired in June 2022 for the administrator job at a salary of $85,000 a year. She succeeded Mike Hawes, who stepped down after three years to take a similar position in Milwaukee County.

Bennett is resigning after one year for personal reasons.

The village administrator supervises other village employees and works with the elected seven-member Village Board to plan and implement an annual budget of $11.7 million, including $2 million in property taxes.

The Village Board hires the administrator.

Village President Steve Wicklund said he was pleased to see 20 applicants for the position, including some with local government or financial management experience.

The Personnel Committee already has interviewed two applicants, and more interviews are scheduled July 11.

"I'm hopeful that out of the crop we've cultivated here, we'll find one," Wicklund said.

The committee includes Born, Wicklund and Trustee Amy Ruffalo.

Born said the most important qualifications are leadership abilities and budgeting experience.

Officials are making progress in reviewing the 20 applications, Born said, adding that she aims to have a recommendation soon for the full Village Board.

"It's slowly, but it's going," she said.

Union Grove High School class of 2023 celebrates graduation Union Grove High School class of 2023 graduation Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School 2023 grad ceremony photo Union Grove High School Union Grove High School Union Grove High School
RACINE  Racine's Lake Michigan beaches reopened for swimming Friday after being closed for E.Coli Thursday.

Phil Kiley, city lifeguard supervisor for the City of Racine Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, updated signage at North and Zoo beaches Friday to match the present water conditions.

North Beach and Zoo Beach had been closed due to high bacteria levels found in water samples.

Laboratory staff found high levels of E. coli concentration in the water Thursday. The E. coli level was 1507 CCE/100 mL in North Beach, and 2521 CCE/100 mL in Zoo Beach, both of which were above the advisory limit of 1000 MPN/100 mL in a single sample.

The samples taken for the beaches Friday found levels at 141 CCE/100 mL for North Beach and 764 CCE/100 mL for Zoo Beach.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the strain of E. coli that is tested for at beaches has a low risk of making swimmers ill. Despite this, it indicates the possible presence of other health risks in the water, such as bacteria, viruses and other organisms.

As of early Friday afternoon, Zoo Beach was under an advisory.

Kiley stated the parks department will be continuing to monitor the water hazard, as strong East-Northeast winds are expected Friday, causing a change in wave action.

Racine residents and visitors can check the swimming status of the city's beaches at https://www.cityofracine.org/beaches.

New buoys installed along Lake Michigan in Racine Buoy 1 Buoy 2 Buoy 3 Buoy 4
The 1849 law that was widely interpreted as a near-complete abortion ban in Wisconsin doesnt apply to consensual abortions at all, a Dane County judge ruled Friday while allowing a lawsuit to proceed that seeks to reinstate abortion rights statewide.

There is no such thing as an 1849 Abortion Ban in Wisconsin, Dane County Judge Diane Schlipper said in a ruling that provided a massive but preliminary win for Wisconsin Democrats and abortion rights advocates. Instead, the law applies only to feticide, the act of killing a fetus, usually by assaulting and battering the mother, according to the ruling.

A physician who performs a consensual medical abortion commits a crime only after the fetus or unborn child reaches viability, continued Schlipper, who previously questioned whether the 174-year-old law applies to the procedure.

Schlippers ruling shooting down the purported ban came in an order rejecting a defendants motion to dismiss Democrats case seeking to clarify whether the 1849 feticide law, 940.04, applies to abortions.

It doesnt appear that abortion access will be immediately restored, but Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said they were evaluating their options in providing abortion care as soon as we can.

Diane Welsh, who represents the physicians who joined as plaintiffs in the case, said her clients will now move promptly to obtain a declaratory judgment to ensure that physicians can provide health care that Wisconsin patients need.

I hope this ruling makes clear that no Wisconsin prosecutor should be contemplating any prosecution for abortion under 940.04, she continued.

Heather Weininger, executive director of the anti-abortion group Wisconsin Right to Life, called the ruling a devastating setback in our ongoing fight to protect Wisconsins preborn children.

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The case for now will stay in Dane County court, but its likely to be appealed eventually to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which will have a liberal majority come Aug. 1.

This is good news and a critical step in our fight to end our states criminal abortion ban and restore the reproductive freedom women had before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said.

Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul, who filed the case, said the courts thorough decision makes clear that (the 1849 law) should not be interpreted to criminalize consensual abortions.

After the Roe decision in June 2022, abortion providers in Wisconsin immediately stopped providing the service given the 1849 statute, which was widely interpreted as a law banning abortions in every case with an exception only for saving the mothers life.

The issue became central to Democrats aspirations in the 2022 election, giving them a boost in a midterm year that generally favors the party not in presidential power. It also became a pillar in Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice-elect Janet Protasiewiczs successful campaign to join the states highest court.

Kaul filed the lawsuit last June, seeking to have courts rule that the 174-year-old law isnt applicable to abortions.

He originally filed the case against Republican legislative leaders, but changed the defendants to the district attorneys representing the counties that had abortion clinics before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe.

The doctors who are the plaintiffs in the lawsuit alleged that one of the defendants, Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanski, threatened to prosecute physicians under the 1849 law, 940.04, for providing abortions.

Urmanski has no authority to do this because the law doesnt apply to abortions, Schlipper said in her ruling Friday.

In his lawsuit, Kaul alleged the 1849 law conflicts with a 1985 statute that sought to regulate abortion during the Roe era. That later law, 940.15, prohibits abortions after fetal viability but includes an exception to protect the mothers life and health  both provisions that were largely in place nationally after the nations highest court decided Roe in 1973.

1994 ruling cited

In her order rejecting Urmanskis motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Schlipper repeatedly refers to a 1994 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that found the 1849 law applies only to feticide, not abortion.

Further, any attempt to apply it to a physician performing a consensual abortion after viability would be inconsistent with the newer sec. 940.15 which limits such action and establishes penalties for it, the 1994 ruling, State v. Black, stated.

The 1994 ruling pertained to one of the two provisions in the 1849 law that Kaul is challenging.

Two provisions of the challenged law prohibit anyone besides the mother from intentionally destroying a fetus. One prohibits the destruction of an unborn child, while the other prohibits the destruction of an unborn quick child, or a fetus that has reached viability. Violations of the prohibitions are subject to different punishments.

The provision prohibiting the killing of an unborn quick child is not an abortion statute, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held in 1994. It makes no mention of an abortive type procedure. Rather, it proscribes the intentional criminal act of feticide: the intentional destruction of an unborn quick child presumably without the consent of the mother.

In her Friday ruling, Schlipper said that despite the slight wording differences between the two provisions in the 174-year-old feticide law, the two statutes are not only closely related, they are also effectively identical.

She also referred to a dictionary that defines feticide as killing a fetus usually by assaulting and battering the mother, which she said is different from the technical definition of abortion.

The meaning of feticide is not ambiguous  Wis. Stat.  940.04 does not prohibit a consensual medical abortion, she said.
1. Yes. Voters across the city filled the seat in the first place. Voters should decide again.

2. Yes. An election is much preferable to back-room decisions among council members.

3. No. The charter calls for the council to fill the vacancy by appointment. Follow the rules.

4. No. An election would be expensive, both for the city and for the potential candidates.

5. Unsure. An election seems more transparent, but its not the perfect answer.

Vote

View Results
China bans some Japanese food imports over Fukushima water release

China's customs authority on Friday said it would ban food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures over Tokyo's plan to release treated nuclear wastewater into the ocean.

Japan's planned, decades-long discharge of accumulated water from the devastated Fukushima nuclear facility has been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as meeting global standards.

The release is expected to begin this summer but is opposed by some regional neighbours, with Beijing vocally condemning the plan, as well as some in Fukushima, particularly fishing communities who fear customers will shun their catches.



China's foreign ministry on Thursday said that the IAEA report cannot be used as a "green light" for the water release plan and warned of unknown risks to human health.



China's customs authority on Friday said it would "ban imports of foodstuffs from ten Japanese prefectures including Fukushima" over safety concerns, and conduct stringent radiation tests on food from the rest of Japan.



"China Customs will maintain a high level of vigilance," the authority said in a WeChat statement, without specifying the list of Japanese prefectures affected by the ban.



Some 1.33 million cubic metres of groundwater, rainwater and water used for cooling have accumulated at the Fukushima site, which is being decommissioned after several reactors went into meltdown following the 2011 tsunami that badly damaged the plant.



Plant operator TEPCO treats the water through its ALPS processing system to remove almost all radioactive elements except tritium, and plans to dilute it before discharging it into the ocean over several decades.



China on Friday said: "Japan still has many problems in terms of the legitimacy of ocean dumping, the reliability of the purification equipment, and the completeness of the monitoring plan."
HOLDREGE  A recent survey revealed that 93% of a water users group served by Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation oppose the proposed merger with Dawson Public Power District.

According to a press release from the Central District Water Users, the survey was mailed in early June to all members of the Central District Water Users, a group of about 180 landowners and farmers served by CNPPID. Of the 108 surveys returned, 98 were opposed to the merger and 10 supported the merger.

We do not understand why a merger is necessary to carry out the future of CNPPID, Central District Water Users President Dave Dahlgren said. We have not had enough transparency. It doesnt appear that Central is broke. It doesnt appear that our electricity is worth nothing. We dont need to give away the company today.

Two questions were posed in the survey. The first question asked water users if they are for or against the merger. The second question asked if CNPPID should have a public meeting for the water users explaining the merger before they revote.

Eighty-six percent of respondents (92) were in favor of CNPPID conducting a public meeting before the revote, while just 14% said a meeting wasnt necessary.

In addition to more than 90% of Central District Water Users being opposed to the merger, four other area boards have passed resolutions opposing the merger, including the Phelps County Board of Commissioners, the Kearney County Board of Commissioners, the Tri Basin NRD Board of Directors and the Central District Water Users Board.

Dahlgren presented the water users survey results to the CNPPID Board of Directors at its regular monthly meeting on July 5. Despite a room overflowing with many opposed to the merger and the presentation of the recent survey results opposing the merger, the CNPPID board of directors voted to approve new bylaws and proceed with its plan to revote on the merger on July 17.

Dahlgren said he and other water users are disappointed in the lack of transparency throughout the merger process.

Now, with the news of the fertilizer plant, we just have more questions than ever, Dahlgren said. We would like someone to explain to us the link, in any, between the fertilizer plant and the merger. We think that is a fair question.

On June 28, economic development officials in Gothenburg announced that a $750 million fertilizer plant will be built in Gothenburg. As part of the project announcement, fertilizer project officials said that a carbon-free energy resource will be provided for the project by Central and Dawson once the companies merge and become the Platte River Public Power and Irrigation District.

Those opposed to the merger said that the fertilizer project can still proceed without a merger through a contract. A power purchase agreement between CNPPID and Dawson PPD would retain local control of water resources and still provide the same power generation needed for Dawson County projects, creating a win-win for all organizations involved.

CNPPID is headquartered in Holdrege and for 80 years has brought consistent and timely water to farmers in Phelps, Gosper and Kearney counties and has created abundant groundwater resources that benefit the entire area.

Devin Brundage, general manager of CNPPID since January 2019, lives in Gothenburg and is listed on the Gothenburg Development Co.s website as the organizations vice president. The Gothenburg Development Co. helped recruit the fertilizer plant to Gothenburg.

Before the merger can become final, it has to be approved by the Nebraska Power Review Board. In April, the board originally denied the merger based on a technicality. Now that the districts have revised their bylaws, they plan to revote on the merger on July 17 and resubmit their merger petition. Central's board is planning to vote at 9 a.m. July 17 with Dawson PPD planning to vote on its dissolution an hour later at its headquarters near Lexington, assuming CNPPID approves the plan with the required three-fifths majority.

The location of the 9 a.m. meeting will be at the CNPPID headquarters in Holdrege assuming it can accommodate the crowds expected to attend. Citizens Opposed to the Merger encourages all water users to attend and is encouraging CNPPID to move its meeting to a larger venue to accommodate the expected crowd.
La Crosse County will have a new judge next month.

Gov. Tony Evers announced his appointment of Mark A. Huesmann to the 3rd Circuit judgeship vacated by Todd Bjerke, who is retiring effective July 31.

I am grateful and humbled by this opportunity to serve the people of La Crosse County as a circuit court judge, said Huesmann. As the son of immigrants and a military veteran, I understand hard work and sacrifice and the importance of upholding the rule of law in a fair, compassionate and even-handed way.

Husemann has served as a court commissioner for Bjerke. Since 2020, he has served as the Coulee Region Joint Municipal Court judge.

As a veteran and through his work with the veteran community, as professor and resource for students in our UW System, and as a court commissioner and municipal court judge, Mark Huesmann has demonstrated a profound commitment to justice and service in our state, Evers said. His decades of experience and dedication will make him an excellent judge for the people of La Crosse County.

For more than two decades, Huesman had operated his own law office as a general practice trial attorney, representing clients in employment and business law, real estate, bankruptcy, criminal defense, family law and personal injury.

Outside the courtroom, Huesmann teaches at the UW-La Crosse in the College of Business. He has also been an attorney advisor for the UW-La Crosse Student Life Office, where he provides legal advice and assistance to students.

Bjerke endorsed the appointment.

Mark Huesmann has a passion to follow and apply the rule of law, Bjerke said. He strives to achieve and promote fairness and equity through his work as an attorney, a court commissioner, a university instructor and a municipal judge Mark is acutely aware of how poverty, homelessness, and race, among other issues, deeply affect people who appear in court for both criminal and non-criminal matters.

Huesmann received a bachelors degree from UW-Milwaukee and his Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law.

While in high school, Huesmann became involved with the United States Army Reserves and retired at the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2014. He was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010, and he received the Bronze Star for his service in 2011.

Due to his military background, Bjerke asked Huesmann to join the initiative to develop a veterans treatment court in 2009, and which began a year later.

This work also resulted in the creation of the La Crosse Area Veteran Mentor Program, for which Huesmann has served as both a legal advisor and a member of the board of directors.

Huesmann will take over the veterans treatment court upon Bjerkes retirement.

Many that come into the court system, whether they are crime victims, offenders, or children and families in need of protection or services, struggle with substance abuse, mental health or trauma, Huesmann said. We need to address these issues from multiple angles to achieve positive outcomes for the community. My predecessor, Judge Bjerke, has filled that role for years and I intend to bring that same level of respect and dignity for all into the courtroom.

Bjerke is stepping aside after 16 years on the bench.

Huesmann will complete a term ending July 31, 2024.
MILWAUKEE (AP)  Prosecutors have charged a Wisconsin woman with pocketing tens of thousands of dollars in donations meant for a program that flies veterans to Washington, D.C.

Joni Nogay of Cudahy was charged June 22 with felony theft in a business setting of between $10,000 and $100,000. She could face up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines if she is convicted. She made her initial court appearance Thursday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

According to a criminal complaint, Nogay ran We Run  They Fly, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that collects donations for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, a program that provides veterans with flights to Washington to see military memorials. The organization raised money for the program through local fundraisers and an annual 5K run in Milwaukee.

Nogay, 60, collected more than $100,000 in donations from 2013 to 2023 but deposited most of the money in her personal accounts, prosecutors allege. She made just five donations to the honor flight program during that seven-year span totaling just under $20,000, according to the complaint.

Nogay didn't enter a plea at her court appearance. Court Commissioner Grace Flynn ordered her to report to the Milwaukee County jail to be booked and released by 5 p.m. Sunday. If she fails to appear, an arrest warrant will be issued.

Nogay's attorney, Daniel Morgan Adams, told the Journal Sentinel that she's dead set on making everyone harmed in this controversy whole.

Joni Nogay had every intention of being a community servant, and one thing led to another, he said. She is ready to make good on this situation. (The court appearance) is the first step of many for her to make right in the community.
MILWAUKEE  Prosecutors have charged a Wisconsin woman with pocketing tens of thousands of dollars in donations meant for a program that flies veterans to Washington, D.C.

Joni Nogay, of Cudahy, was charged June 22 with felony theft in a business setting of between $10,000 and $100,000. She could face up to 10 years in prison and $25,000 in fines if she is convicted. She made her initial court appearance Thursday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

According to a criminal complaint, Nogay ran We Run  They Fly, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit that collects donations for Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, a program that provides veterans with flights to Washington to see military memorials. The organization raised money for the program through local fundraisers and an annual 5K run in Milwaukee.

Nogay, 60, collected more than $100,000 in donations from 2013 to 2023 but deposited most of the money in her personal accounts, prosecutors allege. She made just five donations to the honor flight program during that seven-year span totaling just under $20,000, according to the complaint.

Nogay didnt enter a plea at her court appearance. Court Commissioner Grace Flynn ordered her to report to the Milwaukee County jail to be booked and released by 5 p.m. Sunday. If she fails to appear, an arrest warrant will be issued.

Nogays attorney, Daniel Morgan Adams, told the Journal Sentinel that shes dead set on making everyone harmed in this controversy whole.

Joni Nogay had every intention of being a community servant, and one thing led to another, he said. She is ready to make good on this situation. (The court appearance) is the first step of many for her to make right in the community.
The 1849 feticide law that was widely interpreted as a near-complete abortion ban doesnt apply to consensual abortions at all, a Dane County judge said Friday.

A physician providing an abortion only commits a crime after the fetus ... reaches viability, which is around 20 weeks post-fertilization, Dane County Judge Diane Schlipper said.

There is no such thing as an 1849 Abortion Ban in Wisconsin, she said.

Schlippers statements shooting down the purported ban came in her ruling rejecting defendant Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanskis motion to dismiss Democrats case seeking to clarify whether the 1849 feticide law applies to abortions.

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Schlipper also dismissed Democrats claims in the lawsuit that are premised on the assertion that the 1849 law applies to abortions because she asserted in her lawsuit that the law only applies to feticides.

The case for now will stay in Dane County court, but its likely to be appealed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which will have a liberal majority as of August 1.

This is good news and a critical step in our fight to end our states criminal abortion ban and restore the reproductive freedom women had before (the ruling overturning abortion rights nationwide), Gov. Tony Evers said.

After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion providers in Wisconsin immediately stopped providing the service given the 1849 statute, which was widely interpreted as a law banning abortions in every case with an exception only when the mothers life is at risk.

Attorney General Josh Kaul filed the lawsuit the case last June, alleging the 1849 law conflicts with a 1985 law that sought to regulate abortion during the Roe era.

That later law, 940.15, prohibits abortions after fetal viability but includes an exception to protect the mothers life or health, both provisions that were largely in place nationally after the high court decided Roe in 1973.

Kaul also alleged that the earlier ban went unenforced for so long that it has been effectively nullified.

In her ruling rejecting defendant Sheboygan County District Attorney Joel Urmanskis motion to dismiss the lawsuit, Schlipper refers to a 1994 Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling that found the 1849 law only regards feticide, not abortion.

Further, any attempt to apply it to a physician performing a consensual abortion after viability would be inconsistent with the newer sec. 940.15 which limits such action and establishes penalties for it, the 1994 ruling, State v. Black, stated.

The ruling pertained to one of the two provisions in the 1849 law Kaul is challenging related to killing a fetus.

Two provisions of the challenged law prohibit anyone besides the mother from intentionally destroying a fetus. One prohibits the destruction of an unborn child, while the other prohibits the destruction of an unborn quick child, or a fetus that has reached viability. Violations of the prohibitions are subject to different punishments.

The provision prohibiting the killing of an unborn quick child is not an abortion statute, the Wisconsin Supreme Court held in 1994. It makes no mention of an abortive type procedure. Rather, it proscribes the intentional criminal act of feticide: the intentional destruction of an unborn quick child presumably without the consent of the mother.

In her Friday ruling, Schlipper said that despite the slight differences of the two provisions, the 1849 law is a feticide statute only.

This breaking story will be updated.
CENTERVILLE, Wis.  The devastating fire that took out the Toads Cove convenience store in late May has had an impact beyond its owners and employees.

People who live in the small community of Centerville, Wisconsin, say they lost a meeting spot, a place to grab a quick bite to eat and their only option in town to fill up their gas tanks.

Dana Peplinski bartends at Four Corners Bar and Grill across the highway from Toads Cove in Centerville.

Not anywhere to go

Weve had people come in asking about where to fill up their tank in town just to be told theres not anywhere to go, she said.

Peplinski said shortly after the fire, a traveling family stopped at the Four Corners Bar after expecting to fill up with gas at Toads Cove. They found an abandoned, burned out hulk with aisles of charred chips, soda, and snacks inside.

With the familys car out of fuel, Peplinski offered her car to the father to drive to Trempealeau to get gas. The man left his family behind as collateral.

You really have to plan ahead where you are going to fill up now, Peplinski said.

Toads Cove owners Andy and Tracy Todd said they hope to rebuild and be back up and running as early as May.

Ashtray fire

The May 26 fire started outside the back of the 5,600 square foot building with a cigarette placed in a standup, outdoor ashtray that did not go completely out, Andy said.

He said surveillance video showed smoke was visible from the ashtray around 8:45 p.m. and the flames slowly creeped inside and up into the buildings attic before becoming visible about an hour later.

You couldnt even tell during that time, Andy said. Customers were still coming into the store.

After a customer eventually came into the store and told the lone employee the building was on fire, they called 911 and everyone was evacuated.

Andy said he already was on his way to the store after he received an alert on his phone that a breaker blew in the car wash next to the store.

We close at 10, and I wanted to get down there to reset the breaker and have it up and going for tomorrow; I thought it was going to be no big deal, Andy said. I came around the corner and saw the exhaust from the kitchen on fire, blowing flames.

Emergency cutoffs for the pumps were flipped, the employee evacuated and the Trempealeau Fire Department and numerous other agencies were able to contain the blaze to the convenience store building.

The whole block could have gone up, Tracy said. It couldve been a lot worse. Nobody was hurt, thats number one. While it was a catastrophe and a total loss of the building, the pumps were fine, the trucks diesel exhaust fluid pump on the side of the building wasnt touched; even the propane tank by our office wasnt hit by the flames.

The Todds were able to review the beginning of the fire on security cameras saved from the fire.

You could hear the glass breaking, Tracy said. It sounded like fireworks.

Employees affected

After receiving worried calls from her friends, Toads Cove employee Tracey Krackow drove by the blaze that night.

It was definitely emotional for me to see, Krackow said. It was basically my home away from home. I was on site again in the morning and to see exactly how much was damaged. It was pretty heartbreaking.

Krackow said the convenience store serves not only a gas station but a place to chit-chat, grab a forgotten gallon of milk from grocery shopping, and buy a few things without having to leave town.

After the first initial shock of the fire, it took maybe a day or two before everybody asked, Where do we go now? Krackow said.

Beginning at 5 a.m. each morning, the store filled with conversation of local gossip, sports, and the weather.

With all our regular customers that would come in daily, we all had a special bond, Krackow said. We know each others names, talk about their kids, their summer plans. I just miss seeing everybody I would talk to on a daily basis.

Neighbors reflect

Laurie Swenson of Centerville said the loss of Toads Cove has impacted the community greatly.

That was the center of town, Swenson said. Everybody would gather there. A lot of people would stop in just to visit.

A place like Toads Cove is essential for a small town, said Kari Hallbakken of Centerville. Its absence will be felt with the need to plan better for fuel trips, missed summertime ice cream stops, and no longer seeing neighbors when they grab their morning coffee.

Its one of those places where you could grab something quick and end up sitting there half an hour, 45 minutes just talking to everybody, Hallbakken said. Its kind of hard to have to now plan ahead where to get gas or when we need to pick up something small and quick.

Selling the store was never an option for the Todds and that work has only continued since the fateful fire on Memorial Day weekend.

I still feel shocked and sad that its gone, Tracy said. We put a lot of work into it, were here everyday.

Plan to rebuild

With his bids already placed and approved, Andy said hes waiting for the insurance company to release the building for demolition.

Were just coming back, and with Gods help and guidance, we are going to get there, Tracy said.

The Todds faith has always been important to them and was displayed during their 17 years of ownership of Toads Cove. Crosses decorated their store, and immediately after the fire, an In God we trust sign was hung over the Toads Cove sign.

I have enough faith. I gave the store to God 17 years ago and it grew, Andy said. God gave us everything we have and just because something like this happens doesnt mean youre done. It just means you build back.

In the month since the fire, Andy said he and Tracy havent dwelt on the loss of the store and instead focused their energy on bringing it back.

When it comes to having fear, none. When it comes to rebuilding, yeah were doing that, Andy said. When it comes to time, we got that.

The Todds said they have been overwhelmed with love and support from the community.

To hear from our customer base brings me to tears, Andy said. The customers have our backs. Now were going to build it again, make it better, and hope our customers come back, too.

The Todds hope to have the new Toads Cove store constructed and open around this time next year, possibly opening back up near the date of the fire in late May.

Soon after the fire, Andy and Tracy got the stores car and dog wash back open for the community to use. And while there isnt a storefront, this week Toads Coves gas pumps are again operational and fueling the community of Centerville.

Life is too good and too precious to be miserable all the time, thats just how we look at things, Andy said. And its gotten us a long way.

PHOTOS: Firefighters battle Toad's Cove convenience store fire Friday in rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau Toad's Cove convenience store fire rural Trempealeau
A Lewiston man was arrested Thursday on child pornography charges, including online solicitation of a minor to send sexually explicit materials.

Valentin Silva Quintana, 29, of Lewiston, was arrested around 11 a.m. at a jobsite in Lake City following a months-long investigation involving both the Winona County Sheriffs Department and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Mark Dungy, Winona County Sheriffs Department Investigator and part of the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, said during the course of the investigation many subpoenas and electronic search warrants were used to track accounts linked to Silva Quintana.

Within those accounts, we found evidence of at least four juvenile victims that were being exploited for sexually explicit material, several documents of child sexual abuse material or child pornography, Dungy said. And also, evidence of revenge porn where we believe Silva (Quintana) was using these images against some of these minor children.

Dungy said theres evidence of Silva Quintana threatening victims if they didnt send him more sexually explicit images and saying he would spread the images to the childrens friends.

The case is still under investigation. Theres still more being done, Dungy said. Some of the victims were still working on identifying and we believe some of them are from overseas in the (United Kingdom) area.

Law enforcement officials say investigators are going through files and data collected, including dark web child pornography, to find any potential victims.

I would say were just at the tip of the iceberg now. Theres probably hundreds of files, Dungy said. When we did the arrest on him, he was also served a search warrant at his residence and on his mobile device.

Law enforcement is still figuring out if any of the victims are local to Winona County and do not have any open physical abuse cases involving Silva Quintana.

Silva Quintana was arrested without incident and taken to the Winona County Detention Center.
Japan is a nation known for its workers loyalty to their companies and lifetime employment. People who change jobs are often considered quitters, and that is seen as dishonorable.

But a number of taishoku daiko, or job-leaving agents, have started in the past several years. Their aim is to help people who want to leave their jobs.

Yoshihito Hasegawa heads Tokyo-based TRK, whose Guardian service last year advised 13,000 people on how to leave their jobs with the fewest problems possible.

He said many people often stay in their jobs even when they are unhappy. They feel like they are sacrificing part of their lives for the greater good.

Its the way things are done, the same way younger people are taught to honor older people, he said. Quitting would be a betrayal.

The company Guardian is a taishoku daiko service founded in 2020. It has helped many people, mostly young people in their 20s and 30s, escape less painfully from jobs they want to quit. It includes people who have worked anywhere from a law firm to a restaurant.

Nearly half of Guardians users are women. Some work for a day or two and then discover promises of pay or work hours were false.

Guardian charges $208 for its service. The cost includes a three-month membership in a union that will represent an employee in what can be a difficult negotiation process in Japan.

Most of Guardians users have worked for the small and medium-sized businesses that employ most Japanese. Sometimes people working for major companies seek help.

In many cases, bosses have a lot of influence over how things are run. Sometimes they will not agree to let a worker leave. Businesses face worker shortages in Japan and do not want to lose them.

Japanese law guarantees people the right to quit. But some employers are used to old employment methods and cannot accept that someone they have trained would want to walk away.

Agreeing with Japans work culture can be painfully heavy to some workers. They do not want to be seen as troublemakers and do not like to question supervisors or are afraid to speak up. They also might fear harassment after they quit. Some worry about the opinions of their families or friends.

Although most of Guardians users do not like to make their name public, a young man who goes by the online name of Twichan used the service. He sought help after he was criticized for his sales performance and became so depressed, he thought about harming himself. With Guardians help, he was able to quit in 45 minutes.

Lawyer Akiko Ozawa is with a legal office that advises people on leaving their jobs. But the office usually represents the companies. She has written a book on taishoku daiko. She said it might be hard to believe people cannot just pick up and leave.

Ozawa said that changing jobs is a major difficulty in Japan that requires a lot of bravery. Since there is a shortage of workers in Japan, finding and training replacements is difficult and bosses sometimes explode in anger when someone quits.

As long as this Japanese mindset exists, the need for my job isnt going away, said Ozawa, who charges $450 for her service. If you are so unhappy that youre starting to feel ill, then you should make that choice to take control over your own life.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Yuri Kageyama reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

quit  v. to leave (a job, school, or career)

union  n. an organization of workers formed to protect the rights and interests of its members

harassment  v. to annoy or bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way

_______________________________________________________________

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Officials on the Orkney Islands, a part of Scotland, recently voted to explore ways of seeking more self-governance  or even independence  from United Kingdom governments.

Reporters from around the world watched remotely as Orkney Islands Council voted to study other models of governance for the island group, which has a population of 22,000 people.

The proposal from local government leader James Stockan got international attention with its mention of possibly restoring Orkneys Nordic connections. Orkney was under Norwegian and Danish control for centuries until 1472. In that year, the islands were taken by the Scottish crown as part of Margaret of Denmarks wedding gift, or dowry, to King James III of Scotland.

Stockan said his proposal is not about us joining Norway, but about dealing with the discrimination that weve had against this community from the Scottish and U.K. governments.

I say, Enough, Stockan said. He added, I say it is time for government to take us seriously, and it is time for us to look at all the options weve got.

Long a poor area that depends on the unpredictable fishing industry, Orkney became wealthier after large reserves of oil were discovered offshore in the 1960s. The islands, about 16 kilometers north of mainland Scotland, also have a growing wind-power industry and a growing tourism business.

But Stockan said Orkney gets less support from the Scottish government than other island communities in Shetland or the Hebrides. He said that Orkney needs new boats to keep its many islands connected.

Duncan Tullock, another local leader, said Orkney was living off crumbs. Living off crumbs means getting or earning very little.

Tullock added, Ive never been more disillusioned in my life with both the Scottish and the U.K. governments... We have had promise upon promise upon promise, every single one of them empty.

A report that went with Stockans motion suggested Orkney should investigate choices including a situation like the Faeroe Islands. It is a self-governing dependency of Denmark that lies between Scotland and Iceland. Another choice is to copy Britains Crown Dependencies such as the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.

Any major constitutional change will be difficult, likely requiring voting and lawmaking by the Scottish and British governments. The two governments themselves disagree over Scotland's desire for independence after Brexit.

The British government said there was no mechanism to change the status of Orkney. And the Norwegian government said the debate was a domestic and constitutional British matter on which it had no view.

David Dawson, a member of Orkney's local government, also criticized some of the ideas being proposed for the island as daydreams. He said Britains rocky departure from the European Union served as a warning about the risks of going alone.

Let me caution you with one word, he said. Brexit.

Im John Russell.

Jill Lawless reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

___________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

option  n. a choice or possibility

tourism -- n. the business of providing hotels, restaurants, etc., for people who are traveling

disillusioned  adj. having lost trust in something

mechanism  n. a process that is used to produce a particular result

domestic -- adj. of, relating to, or made in your own country

caution -- n. care taken to avoid danger or risk
Starting from August 1, 15 types of medical personnel from Macau that have engaged in relevant practice for over two years can register and apply for a practice certificate to work in medical institutions in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, according to the latest information session on Hengqins regulation on medical personnel.

Meanwhile, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners from Macau who have practised clinical work for more than five years can also apply to establish TCM clinics in the zone.

Medical institutions in Hengqin are also urged to improve their regulations on the management and employment of Macao medical personnel. Macau medical personnel must practice within the registered service category, location and time limit.

Recently, at its 11th meeting for the current term, the Medical Committee has discussed arrangements for Macau medical professionals to practice in Hengqin.

Alvis Lo, committee president and director of the Health Bureau (SSM), has said administrative regulations concerning medical and pharmacy staff would be promulgated on Aug. 1.

Current regulations allow 15 types of local medical staff to practice in Hengqin after two years of licensed services in Macau and after Hengqin authorities have registered and licensed them. MDT/NEWSGD
Former junket mogul Alvin Chau has been ordered to sell off 36 real estate properties he owns, which total to some MOP600 million in value, as cited in information released by the Court of First Instance (TJB).

Chau has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for illegal gambling, running a triad and major fraud in January.

According to the information from the court, the 36 real estate properties are located on Estrada Coronel Nicolau de Mesquita and Beco da Perola in Taipa and the majority are carparks.

Aside from commercial sites, the properties will be up for auction on September 12.

The 31 parking spaces range from MOP1.13 million to MOP1.18 million, while the commercial spaces range from MOP55.52 million to MOP176.75 million.

Meanwhile, in a recent judgement, Judge Chan Kuong Seng has upheld the validity of the three pieces of evidences that was presented against Chau during his trial.

Chau appealed over the admissibility of evidence during the trial, which includes excerpts from a taped phone call, as well as the practice of reading out interrogation transcripts in court when the suspects were absent.

The former Suncity boss now has to pay over MOP15,000 in penalties to the court.

Chau was charged with 289 crimes, of which 229 concern operating illicit gambling in authorized venues. The court convicted him of 103 of the 229 allegations in January.

Chau was found guilty of 59 other charges and was cleared of the charge related to money laundering.

The court ordered the defendants to compensate the Macau government and five of the six casino operators, who are co-plaintiffs in the civil case.

The defendants were required to pay HKD6.52 billion to the government, HKD349 million to MGM, HKD770 million to Wynn, HKD290 million to Venetian, HKD550 million to Galaxy and HKD178 million to SJM. LV
The Monetary Authority of Macao (AMCM) is preparing amendments to the laws regulating financial and monetary activities in Macau to address the problem of illegal currency exchange activities, the Office of the Secretary for Security, Wong Sio Chak said in a reply to a written inquiry from lawmaker Ella Lei.

These activities, which usually take place at casinos or their surrounding areas, started to be popular in Macau in 2017 when local ATMs were installed with a facial recognition system to prevent mainland users from withdrawing money from accounts that were not theirs. The system would also record the mainland identification card the user had used to withdraw money in Macau.

As most mainland gamblers did not want their withdrawals registered, the activity gave rise to currency exchange freelance agents who offered better rates than currency exchange shops.

This activity allowed several types of scams and other crimes, and several violent crimes involving murder in Macau in the past few years. This led authorities to establish a joint taskforce between the AMCM and the Judiciary Police to crack down on entities involved in both criminal offenses and illegal financial activities.

Now, as announced by security authorities, AMCM has stated, as a result of the inquiry, that the government is reformulating the Legal Regime of the Financial System to strengthen penalties for illegal financial activities.

Doing a review of recent data, the same officials disclosed that to prevent and curb illegal activities such as illegal currency exchange, from January to April 2023, the Public Security Police Force has carried out a total of 186 operations against the activity in the surroundings of the casinos. In the first quarter of 2023, the police intercepted a total of 3,655 people suspected of performing this activity, which is an increase of 78.4% from the 2,049 intercepted in the same period last year.

Attributed to the return of visitors and gamblers post-pandemic, it was also said that the hike has prompted authorities to resume being alert to the problem.

Concurrently, in response to the fact that illegal currency exchange activities have continued to be active in casinos or surrounding areas in recent years, and cases of fraud, robbery, and even murder have occurred from time to time, the Judicial Police (PJ) has paid close attention to this issue and held a meeting with representatives of the AMCM on May 30, 2023. At the meeting, the PJ reported the current situation of these activities inside and outside the casinos as well as its adverse impact on public security. In future, the two parties will continue to work together to increase surveillance over the activity to reduce its living space, the Office of the Secretary for Security concluded.
The Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, is leading a Macau delegation to the city of Guiyang, in Guizhou Province.

The local government delegation will attend the 2023 Pan-Pearl River Delta (PPRD) Regional Cooperation Chief Executive Joint Meeting to be held today, the Government Information Bureau announced in a press statement.

While in Guizhou, the CE will attend meetings with all the leaders from the PPRD Region that are attending the Joint Meeting. Also taking part is the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Lei Wai Nong.

As usual, while the CE is out of Macau, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Andre Cheong, will assume his duties, serving as Acting Chief Executive.

The city of Guiyang is located on the east of the YunnanGuizhou Plateau, and the north bank of the Nanming River.

Guiyang has a diversified economy, traditionally a center for aluminum production, phosphate mining, and optical instrument manufacturing. Following reforms, the majority of the citys economic output is in the services sector.

Since 2015, there have been targeted investments in big data and it has quickly emerged as a local innovation hub.

Currently, the city is one of the top 500 science cities in the world by scientific research output, as tracked by the Nature Index. The city is also home to Guizhou University, a national research university that was under Project 211 (a Chinese government endeavor aimed at strengthening about 100 institutions of higher education and key disciplinary areas as a national priority for the 21st century).
Hong Kong lawmakers yesterday passed an amendment to a law to eliminate most directly elected seats on local district councils, the last major political representative bodies chosen by the public.

The changes include slashing the proportion of directly elected seats in the municipal-level organization being from some 90% currently to just about 20%  even lower than the level when these bodies were first set up in the 1980s, when Hong Kong was ruled by Britain.

The rest of the 470 seats will be filled by members appointed by the chief executive, rural committee chairpersons and others elected by local committees that are packed with pro-establishment figures.

All incoming councilors will be vetted by a committee to ensure patriots are administering Hong Kong. A performance monitoring mechanism will be introduced for sanctioning misconduct of councilors.

In 2021, Hong Kong amended its electoral laws for its legislature, drastically reducing the publics ability to vote and increasing the number of pro-Beijing lawmakers making decisions for the city.

Analysts said the latest amendments would marginalize public participation in the citys affairs, warning that the government could further lose popular support.

In the past, elections for city district council seats typically drew little international attention as the councilors mainly handled municipal matters, such as organizing construction projects and ensuring that public facilities are in order.

But the councils took on importance after the citys pro-democracy camp won a landslide victory in the last poll at the height of the anti-government protests in 2019. The camp then hailed its strong gains in the race as a victory for the Hong Kong people.

Many pro-democracy district councilors resigned in 2021 after authorities introduced an oath-taking requiring them to pledge allegiance to the city.

Their mass resignations followed media reports that councilors may have to repay their wages if they are later disqualified from office, which the government had not confirmed or denied at the time.

Critics regarded the requirement as part of a broader crackdown on the pro-democracy movement after the enactment of the sweeping national security law in 2020.

The resignations and other disqualifications had left about one-third of the 479 councilors still working, the government said.

The bill passed yesterday unanimously by the citys legislature, as most legislators are largely pro-Beijing. Many lawmakers, including Regina Ip, voiced their disapproval over the performances of some pro-democracy councilors elected in 2019.

The councils became increasingly radical and turned into a very big resistance that obstructs the governments work and many measures that aim to improve peoples livelihood, said Ip, a leading member of the Executive Council, Hong Kongs Cabinet.

But John Burns, an honorary professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong, said the drastic cut in the number of directly elected seats would undermine a legal and legitimate way for the people to communicate with authority.

Hong Kong has never been a democracy, he said. The changes do, however, roll back political participation, which could further undermine Hong Kong peoples support for the government.

Kenneth Chan, professor at Hong Kong Baptist Universitys government and international studies department, said the overhaul aimed to install pro-government representatives through heavily controlled methods.

The district councils are expected to degenerate into echo chambers for the administration, and will no longer serve as a key platform for democratic reforms at the grassroots level, Chan said.

KANIS LEUNG, HONG KONG, MDT/AP
No further comment has been made by the citys municipal chief after he was questioned about the elimination of trees in the Fai Chi Kei district.

Jose Tavares, president of the Municipal Affairs Bureaus (IAM) executive arm, has recently referred to a previous statement issued by the bureau to avoid answering questions from the press.

Tavares reiterated that all comments were noted in the statement, while rushing towards the elevator following a recent municipal affairs advisors meeting, local media outlet All About Macau reported.

In the past week, it was discovered that 18 trees on Rua do Comandante Joao Belo in Fai Chi Kei had been cut down by the IAM, surprising residents in the district.

Lawmaker Ron Lam demanded an explanation for the elimination of these trees in his latest written inquiry, querying why there was no prior notification, as well as whether retention or relocation of the trees had been considered. Indirectly-elected Lam Lon Wai, meanwhile, reminded the government to lessen the impact on trees from public construction projects.

In the previous statement, the IAM did not mention the health condition of these 18 trees.

At the same time, local residents took to social media platforms to express their opposition, if not fury, with the decision to cut down the trees, according to All About Macau.

A social media user said that they witnessed the planting of the tree 28 years ago. I feel very helpless [with the situation], the social media user was cited as saying.

Another user joked about the situation, saying that the trees have survived [typhoons] Hagupit, Hato [and] Mangkhut, but not the government. That user was also not happy with the IAM immediately covering the soil with concrete. The sites look like pyramids, the user said.

Some other social media users wondered why the government decided to take down these trees when they were already so established. It will take decades to regrow these trees, a user said.

Another user worried that, without these trees, the street may be more prone to damage in the upcoming typhoon season. The IAM was also criticized for resorting to cutting trees when they are ill, and for the frequent lack of prior notice.

In its previous statement, the IAM explained that the trees were eliminated to make way for the widening of Rua do Comandante Joao Belo, in order to cope with the construction of the pumping station nearby.

The IAM pledged that the area will be transformed into a leisure promenade of 2,166 square meters.

In the three-paragraph Chinese-language statement, the IAM mentioned the leisure promenade in two separate paragraphs, when the debate took off from the cutting down of the trees.

According to the bureau, the 18 eliminated trees were deteriorating and were increasingly becoming more bent after several strong typhoons in recent years.

The bureau also blamed infection as the culprit that led to the necessary elimination of some of the 18 trees.

Two Sterculia lanceolata trees that are relatively healthy have been relocated to a place near the Border Gate, the IAM noted.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) has called on the victim of an alleged sex crime to make a report, as they became aware of the allegation after a social media post. The police have immediately commenced an investigation, but called on the victim or any informant to contact them. The police emphasized that any crime should be reported immediately. Pursuant to the Penal Code, sexual offences perpetrated against minors carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Related
A pair of Russia navy ships are visiting China as the countries reaffirm their military ties amid Russias war in Ukraine.

The Cold War-era frigates Gromkiy and Otlichnyy arrived in the financial hub of Shanghai, Chinas largest city and biggest port, on Wednesday for a seven-day visit.

Following the port call, the ships will conduct joint drills with their Chinese counterparts focusing on ship-to-ship communications, maneuvering in formation and maritime search and rescue, state televisions military channel reported yesterday.

The visit follows a meeting Monday in Beijing between Chinas defense minister and the head of Russias navy, the first formal military talks between the friendly neighbors since a short-lived mutiny by the Russian mercenary group Wagner.

China has reassured Russia of its continued support since the uprising, and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu told Russian Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov that China hoped for increased exchanges, joint exercises and other forms of cooperation to help defense ties reach a new level, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

The Chinese and Russian navies have close exchanges and frequent interactions, the ministry quoted Li as saying. It is hoped that the two sides will strengthen communication at all levels, regularly organize joint training, joint patrols and joint war games.

China operates the worlds largest navy by number of hulls and vastly outstrips Russias navy in both size and technical ability. The countries fleets have held a series of exercises and joint maneuvers since Russias invasion of Ukraine last year, as have their air forces.

In February, Russia and China joined with the South African navy for drills off the African coast in what the South African opposition said was tantamount to an endorsement of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

The military cooperation embodies the Chinese and Russian governments informal alliance. They also align their foreign policies and positions at the United Nations, where Beijing has consistently provided diplomatic cover for Moscow.

While saying it is neutral in the Ukraine war, China has stood solidly beside Russia, accusing the U.S. and NATO of provoking Moscow and of fueling the bloodshed by helping arm Ukraine.

Despite that, China has repeatedly said it would not provide arms to either side in the conflict and would pay close attention to the export of dual-use items that could be adapted for military purposes. MDT/AP
A duo of suspected thieves awaiting court procedures have been recaptured for the same crime for which they were initially apprehended, local media reported, citing the Public Security Police Force (PSP).

The suspects are a man and a woman from Mongolia, surnamed Sharav, 57, and Togtokh, 53. Both claim they are unemployed. They have a temporary residence permit.

Caught on Jun. 30 at an illegal accommodation on Rua de Evora in Taipa, the two suspects confessed to being involved in a theft at a shop on Rua dos Clerigos in Taipa.

On Jun. 29, the police received a report about the theft of a handbag that was priced at HKD14,400. Preliminary investigations revealed that a man stole the bag with the assistance of a woman.

When apprehended, the man claimed that he had discarded the bag. However, the police found HKD5,000 cash on each of the pair and concluded that the money was obtained from selling the bag.

Following interrogations, the police discovered that the two were involved in a theft that took place in April but had provided different details. The duo claimed they had provided false details to the police by mistake, and insisted that they were providing their correct details this time.

The false information led to them being charged with the crime of false declaration as well as theft.

In the meantime, the police found another man renting the accommodation for HKD3,000 a month. The accommodation has been sealed.
The head of the U.N. atomic agency toured Japans tsunami-wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant on Wednesday and said he is satisfied with still-contentious plans to release treated radioactive wastewater into the Pacific Ocean.

International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Mariano Grossi observed where the treated water will be sent through a pipeline to a coastal facility, where it will be highly diluted with seawater and receive a final test sampling. It will then be released 1 kilometer offshore through an undersea tunnel.

I was satisfied with what I saw, Grossi said after his tour of equipment at the plant for the planned discharge, which Japan hopes to begin this summer. I dont see any pending issues.

The wastewater release still faces opposition in and outside Japan.

Earlier Wednesday, Grossi met with local mayors and fishing association leaders and stressed that the IAEA will be present throughout the water discharge, which is expected to last decades, to ensure safety and address residents concerns. He said he inaugurated a permanent IAEA office at the plant, showing its long-term commitment.

The water discharge is not some strange plan that has been devised only to be applied here, and sold to you, Grossi said at the meeting in Iwaki, about 40 kilometers south of the plant. He said the method is certified by the IAEA and is followed around the world.

The IAEA, in its final report on the Fukushima plan released Tuesday, concluded that the treated wastewater, which will still contain a small amount of radioactivity, will be safer than international standards and its environmental and health impact would be negligible.

Local fishing organizations have rejected the plan because they worry their reputation will be damaged even if their catch isnt contaminated. It is also opposed by groups in South Korea, China and some Pacific Island nations due to safety concerns and political reasons.

Fukushimas fisheries association adopted a resolution on June 30 reaffirming its rejection of the plan.

The fishery association chief, Tetsu Nozaki, urged government officials at Wednesdays meeting to remember that the treated water plan was pushed forward despite our opposition.

Grossi is expected to also visit South Korea, New Zealand and the Cook Islands to ease concerns there. He said his intention is to explain what the IAEA, not Japan, is doing to ensure there is no problem.

In an effort to address concerns about fish and the marine environment, Grossi and Tomoaki Kobayakawa, president of the plant operator, Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, signed an agreement on a joint project to determine whether they are impacted by tritium, the only radionuclide officials say cannot be removed from the wastewater by treatment.

In South Korea, officials said in a briefing Wednesday that its highly unlikely that the released water will have dangerous levels of contamination. They said South Korea plans to tightly screen seafood imported from Japan and that there is no immediate plan to lift the countrys import ban on seafood from the Fukushima region.

Park Ku-yeon, first vice minister of South Koreas Office for Government Policy Coordination, said Seoul plans to comment on the IAEA findings when it issues the results of the countrys own investigation into the potential effects of the water release, which he said will come soon.

China doubled down on its objections to the release in a statement late Tuesday, saying the IAEA report failed to reflect all views and accusing Japan of treating the Pacific Ocean as a sewer.

We once again urge the Japanese side to stop its ocean discharge plan, and earnestly dispose of the nuclear-contaminated water in a science-based, safe and transparent manner. If Japan insists on going ahead with the plan, it will have to bear all the consequences arising from this, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Grossi said Wednesday he is aware of the Chinese position and takes any concern seriously. China is a very important partner of the IAEA and we are in close contact, he said.

A massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, destroyed the Fukushima Daiichi plants cooling systems, causing three reactors to melt and contaminating their cooling water, which has leaked continuously. The water is collected, treated and stored in about 1,000 tanks, which will reach their capacity in early 2024.

The government and TEPCO, the plant operator, say the water must be removed to prevent any accidental leaks and make room for the plants decommissioning.

Japanese regulators finished their final safety inspection last week, and TEPCO is expected to receive a permit within days to release the water.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, after meeting with Grossi, said Japan will continue to provide detailed explanations based on scientific evidence with a high degree of transparency both domestically and internationally. MARI YAMAGUCHI, FUTABA, MDT/AP
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare will visit China next week, highlighting the accelerating contest between Beijing and Washington for influence in the South Pacific.

Sogavare will visit from Sunday to Saturday, meeting top officials in Beijing and traveling to Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces, among Chinas most developed, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a daily briefing yesterday.

His visit will inject new momentum into relations and deepen mutual political trust, expand pragmatic cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, Wang said.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Solomon Islands, our relations have developed rapidly and achieved fruitful results, benefiting the people of both countries and promoting regional peace and stable development, Wang said.

Sogavares switching of diplomatic relations from Taiwan to China and signing of a secretive security agreement that could see Chinese forces stationed in the island nation set off alarm bells in Washington as well as in neighboring Australia and New Zealand.

However, Chinas attempts to forge closer partnerships with other island nations in the region have largely fallen flat, and Sogavare has since assured Australia that he would not endanger his country by allowing China to establish a naval base in the South Pacific.

The administration of President Joe Biden is proceeding with plans to re-open a U.S. Embassy in the Solomon Islands in an effort to counter Chinas influence.

The U.S. has sent several high-level delegations to the region, and in late September, Biden convened a summit of Pacific Island leaders to unveil a new strategy for the area that included pressing issues such as climate change, maritime security and protecting the area from overfishing.

Biden pledged that the U.S. would provide $810 million in new aid for Pacific Island nations over the next decade, including $130 million to address the effects of climate change. MDT/AP
U.N. peacekeepers patrol Thursday on the Lebanese-Israeli border in the southern village of Wazzani with border village Ghajar in the background. Israeli forces shelled a southern Lebanese border village Thursday after several explosions were heard in a disputed area where the borders of Syria, Lebanon and Israel meet. Tensions continue to flare in the border area over two tents erected by the militant group Hezbollah and Israel's building of a wall around the Lebanese part of a village that Israeli troops captured during the 2006 Israel Hezbollah war. Meanwhile, a Hamas militant opened fi re near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, killing an Israeli soldier. Israeli forces shot and killed the attacker, the army said.
David Spengler has spent decades collecting dozens of Ho-Chunk Nation artifacts  200-year-old portraits, handwoven baskets, carved wooden tools  an interest born from his childhood in Menasha and two parents who were collectors.

Now, at 89, hes been wondering what to do with it all. He believes that, as Ho-Chunk artifacts, the items belong with members of the Nation.

A May 4 Wisconsin State Journal article about the installation of the Ho-Chunk Clan Circle sculpture at UW-Madison got Spengler off the fence. He decided to offer the pieces to the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum Cultural Center in Tomah. He recently met with Casey Brown, a public relations officer for the Ho-Chunk Nation, to review the collection.

I would like somehow to be assured as much as you can that they would be displayed, that people would see them, Spengler told Brown.

He and the museum are still working out what items Spengler will donate, but the collection is extensive.

Among the items is a group of original McKenney and Hall lithographs of significant tribal figures from the 1840s that Spengler inherited from his parents.

The portraits have been in Spenglers family for decades, but their history goes back to 1824, when Thomas McKenney was appointed head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a position created for him by War Department Secretary John Calhoun. In his six years as head of the bureau, McKenney played a key role in the forced assimilation of Native Americans.

Before he was fired by President Andrew Jackson for insubordination, McKenney also worked to keep a historical record of the people he was displacing. Among the many pieces in his archive were a series of oil portraits depicting members of Native American tribes who would visit Washington, D.C., for treaty negotiations, most of which McKenney commissioned through artist Charles Bird King. After McKenney had lithograph prints made of the portraits, he enlisted the help of James Hall, a newspaper editor and jurist, to write biographies for the tribe members depicted and add finishing touches on the writing in the volumes. When their work was done, the images became McKenney and Halls History of the Indian Tribes of North America.

Spengler started his own collection in the 1950s, going to estate sales, garage sales and auctions, even taking out newspaper ads to find more items, specifically antique and Indigenous pieces. Spengler didnt have an exact tally of the number of pieces hed amassed or their value.

Brown said he was pleasantly surprised at the breadth of Spenglers knowledge of the Ho-Chunk Nation.

He knew a lot. Obviously, he had a very intrinsic knowledge of the history of the area and the tribes, Brown said. Its always great when that happens because its really interesting to be able to talk about kind of deeper stuff.

Amid the two mens discussion, Spenglers origins as a lover of the eclectic was revealed.

He recalled a childhood in the fields of Menasha, warm days of collecting artifacts left behind by local Indigenous people interspersed with chicken sandwiches and orange soda. His sister would spend her time in beadville, harvesting old hand-painted beads, while Spengler collected arrowheads and old copper pieces, including a long copper knife, still intact.

It was fun. Mom would pack a picnic lunch and the six of us, four kids and Mom and Dad, would walk the fields, Spengler said. It was a beautiful way to grow up.

For Spengler, the items hed laid out for Brown were more than their potential monetary or cultural value: They were relics of his youth, reminders of where he came from.

Now, hes returning them to the people to whom they originally belonged and will be able to visit them in a place that adds to their context. Museum director Josie Lee plans to do more extensive research into the history of the items.

Theres a happy ending to the story, Brown said.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been altered while additional reporting is done.

Close The Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center remains closed and will need a new roof following a fire that started in an apartment above a neighboring bar. Photographs from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center are spread out to dry on the floor of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah. A letter salvaged from the archives of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center waits to be filed after drying. This cover from a traditional Ho-Chunk basket is awaiting conservation. This journal was among the items that became soaked with water late last month during a fire next door to the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center in downtown Tomah. Virtually everything in the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center was drenched with water. Slides were taken apart to dry and hung last week on a set of bleachers at the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. A bead belt is housed in a new box made from a specialty, acid-free cardboard. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center works on the restoration efforts of artifacts in the gymnasium of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. The Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center is the building to the immediate left of Dimensions, a bar that was destroyed when a fire started in an upstairs apartment. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center in Tomah, shows off a string of slides that have been taken apart and now hang to dry along a set of bleachers in the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. Slides that have been taken apart to dry hang along a set of bleachers. Dozens of photos from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center are spread out on the floor of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah. Boxes and plastic sleeves wait to be used during the conservation efforts of hundreds of item and thousands of documents from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center. Photographs and paintings from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center wait to be rehoused. Josie Lee, the director of the Ho-Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, is now working in the gymnasium of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. A fan and blower, right, were instrumental in helping to dry items that were soaked late last month from water poured on a fire in a neighboring building. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center, uses a box cutter to hollow out a block of styrofoam in which to place this miniature replica of a buffalo that was damaged in the fire. These documents are now dry but need to be refiled or copied. Photos and other artifacts line temporary shelving in the Ho-Chunk Youth Center gymnasium. This tapestry of beads was pulled from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center but is in need of restoration. At one point the gymnasium floor at the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah was covered with objects, photographs and documents from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center. Most things are now dry but now must be rehoused and refiled before placed into storage. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center in Tomah, sorts through some of the artifacts rescued from a fire and flood. An example of what happened to some of the documents at the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center. Traditional Ho-Chunk Nation baskets line temporary shelving in the gymnasium of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah. The baskets became soaked during a fire next door to the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center. Photo Gallery: Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center in Tomah recovers A fire at a neighboring building in the city's downtown flooded the museum with water and has officials now trying to dry out and restore the collection that is spread out over the floor of a gymnasium. The Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center remains closed and will need a new roof following a fire that started in an apartment above a neighboring bar. Photographs from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center are spread out to dry on the floor of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah. A letter salvaged from the archives of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center waits to be filed after drying. This cover from a traditional Ho-Chunk basket is awaiting conservation. This journal was among the items that became soaked with water late last month during a fire next door to the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center in downtown Tomah. Virtually everything in the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center was drenched with water. Slides were taken apart to dry and hung last week on a set of bleachers at the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. A bead belt is housed in a new box made from a specialty, acid-free cardboard. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center works on the restoration efforts of artifacts in the gymnasium of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. The Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center is the building to the immediate left of Dimensions, a bar that was destroyed when a fire started in an upstairs apartment. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center in Tomah, shows off a string of slides that have been taken apart and now hang to dry along a set of bleachers in the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. Slides that have been taken apart to dry hang along a set of bleachers. Dozens of photos from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center are spread out on the floor of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah. Boxes and plastic sleeves wait to be used during the conservation efforts of hundreds of item and thousands of documents from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center. Photographs and paintings from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center wait to be rehoused. Josie Lee, the director of the Ho-Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, is now working in the gymnasium of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center. A fan and blower, right, were instrumental in helping to dry items that were soaked late last month from water poured on a fire in a neighboring building. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center, uses a box cutter to hollow out a block of styrofoam in which to place this miniature replica of a buffalo that was damaged in the fire. These documents are now dry but need to be refiled or copied. Photos and other artifacts line temporary shelving in the Ho-Chunk Youth Center gymnasium. This tapestry of beads was pulled from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center but is in need of restoration. At one point the gymnasium floor at the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah was covered with objects, photographs and documents from the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center. Most things are now dry but now must be rehoused and refiled before placed into storage. Josie Lee, director of the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center in Tomah, sorts through some of the artifacts rescued from a fire and flood. An example of what happened to some of the documents at the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center. Traditional Ho-Chunk Nation baskets line temporary shelving in the gymnasium of the Ho-Chunk Youth Center in Tomah. The baskets became soaked during a fire next door to the Ho-Chunk Nation Museum and Cultural Center.
Miramont Behavioral Health, a psychiatric hospital in Middleton that received several citations from state inspectors last year, has been fined $8,370 by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for citations related to a nurse being accidentally stuck with a needle.

The fine, issued in June, stems from an OSHA inspection in January following the needle stick incident in December, according to OSHA records.

Miramont didnt properly record the incident on an injury log, didnt maintain a proper injury log and didnt include certain jobs in its exposure control plan, the agency said.

The incident resulted in no work loss time or any other impacts to patient safety or the hospitals operations, Miramont spokesperson Jeremy Tunis said in a statement Friday. All OSHA citations were fully abated within 24 hours and primarily related to a documentation policy which the facility updated and conducted staff training on to ensure ongoing compliance.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services cited Miramont in April 2022 for not letting patients have visitors and not documenting the resolution of patient grievances.

A state inspection report in July 2022 said Miramont didnt get written informed consent for prescribed psychotropic medications from two patients and had inadequate discharge planning for another patient. In October, inspectors said staff didnt promptly start medications for three patients, didnt release two voluntary patients quickly enough and conducted strip searches for six patients upon admission without a documented reason.

Former Miramont CEO Saad Niazi, whom Tunis said has left, said early this year that the hospital improved informed consent documentation and discharge planning, and started medications earlier when appropriate. The facility was consulting with DHS about procedures for releasing patients and didnt consider its skin assessments of incoming patients for wounds and other potential medical concerns to be strip searches, Niazi said.

State inspections this February and April yielded no citations.
Madison Gas and Electric and Alliant Energy are touting their proposed overhaul of solar energy prices as a net positive for customers even as Madison, Dane County, businesses and other groups intervene in the utilities applications before the Public Service Commission.

How new solar customers get reimbursed for the unused energy their panels create and put back into the electrical grid is a key part of the proposals from MGE and Alliant.

Beyond solar changes, the utility companies are proposing rate hikes, which too has caused opposition. MGE has proposed a rate hike of 3.75% in 2024 and 3.41% in 2025. Alliants proposed hike would raise rates by 8.4% in 2024 and 5.4% in 2025, according to their applications to the Public Service Commission.

As for paying customers for the solar energy they dont use, a practice known as net metering, the proposals utility companies proposals are quite different.

Alliant contends that solar customers would get compensated more for their unused energy under the new rates.

This change is really about aligning cost with cost and revenue with revenue, JP Brummond, Alliants vice president of customer and community engagement, said in an interview.

At MGE, new customers who have smaller solar installations on their homes or businesses would be compensated less than they currently do. The utility company does hope to offer credits to new customers so they can break even for some period of time.

This incentive will serve as an upfront payment during the installation/interconnection process, MGE spokesperson Dana Brueck said.

The PSCs consideration of the new rates is expected to begin this fall, Alliant spokesperson Cindy Tomlinson said.

Heres what the utility companies are proposing:

Madison Gas and Electric

How it works now: The utility has a two-tiered system for paying solar customers for the energy they dont use. Customers, such as large businesses, that have solar systems bigger than 100 kilowatts are paid 7.5 cents for each kilowatt they dont use. Customers such as residences and small businesses with systems under 100 kilowatts are reimbursed 14.5 cents per kilowatt.

What will change: Solar customers who apply after April 1, 2024, will be reimbursed 7.5 cents, effectively creating an across-the-board rate for all users. Existing solar customers rates will not be changed.

Why is this happening: In testimony before the PSC, MGEs rate director, Brian Penington, said the current reimbursement system is effectively costing its customers more money to purchase energy from customers with smaller systems. Those costs went from a little more than $200,000 in 2018 to an estimated $2.1 million in 2024, according to MGE data. The growing size of the average residential solar system and federal tax credits for solar are reinforcing that trend, Penington told the commission.

To help new customers break even for some time, MGE plans to give customers a $200 credit for each kilowatt they have in their installed system. That credit will be capped at $1,000, which means a customer would need a 5-kilowatt system to get the full credit. The average size of a residential solar system was 6 kilowatts last year, MGE spokesperson Steve Schultz said.

Alliant Energy

How it works now: Solar customers are paid about 7 cents per kilowatt they dont use and pay 13 cents per kilowatt hour used.

What will change: Solar customers who apply after Jan. 1, 2024, will be paid more  between 7.9 and 13.5 cents  for each kilowatt they put back into the electrical grid. Customers will be charged differently for their energy use depending on the time of day and month. Their reimbursements will be assessed on a hourly basis instead of a monthly one. Current solar customers will be locked into their current rate until Jan. 1, 2028, but can get on the new rates if they want to.

Why is this happening: Alliants rationale for the changes hinged more on the belief that net metering doesnt accurately reflect how power is used at different times of the year, according to PSC testimony from Tyson Cook, Alliants manager of distributed generation services.

After netting a customers monthly use, neither the utility nor the customer may know quite how much power was consumed from the utility or exported to the grid for the eventual use of others, Cook told the PSC.

On top of the rate changes, Alliant plans to subsidize interconnection equipment, which the utility hopes will expand equitable access to solar power, Brummond said.

A very clear call

States around the country have begun to make changes to their net metering rules in recent years. Last year, Californias Public Utilities Commission changed net metering rules to pay solar consumers less for unused energy, citing reasons similar to those made by MGE and Alliant Energy.

While the rate changes in parts of Wisconsin wont be considered by the PSC for a few more months, theyve already faced pushback from government officials, left-leaning environmental groups and Walmart.

In its request to intervene before the PSC, Walmart said MGEs rate increases would impact operating costs across its five stores within the utilitys coverage area. Local governments such as Madison and Dane County have cited concerns about their ability to commit to climate and renewable energy goals if the rate changes are approved.

Its a very clear call by a large number of organizations and entities that are really signing up to ask the PSC to do something different, said John Greenler, executive director of 350 Wisconsin, an environmental justice advocacy group.

Greenler, whose group is opposing the rate changes before the PSC, said MGEs reduction in solar reimbursements disincentives people from installing solar panels on their homes. The utilitys other rate hikes, he argues, will also impact the poor and people of color.

If anything we need to be finding ways to be lightening the energy burden, Greenler said. This is really going against that.

At Alliant, officials hope more outreach about their plans and the companys efforts to expand solar and reduce emissions will sway critics.

Once they understand what were proposing, theyll get more comfortable, Brummond said.

How wildfires have worsened in recent decades How wildfires have worsened in recent decades The number of wildfires is decreasing, but more acres are burning Wildfire seasons are getting longer Wildfire suppression costs have risen by billions of dollars Lightning fires are causing more damage in the West California's wildfires continue to set records
The income tax cut for the average Wisconsin taxpayer will be significantly lower under the measure Gov. Tony Evers heavily modified with his veto pen than under the proposal Republicans sent to his desk, according to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau analysis released Friday.

The average tax cut under Evers plan will be $36, compared with the $573 under Republicans plan, the analysis states. Under Evers plan, the average taxpayer will see a 0.9% tax cut. Under Republicans plan, it was 15.1%.

Republicans heavily criticized Evers use of the veto pen to gut their income tax cut proposal when he signed the 2023-25 budget. Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, called for overriding Evers partial veto, which is unlikely since Republicans are short of a legislative supermajority.

In his veto message for the GOP tax proposal, Evers said the Republican plan sent to my desk is neither real, nor responsible, nor meaningfully targeted to the middle class.

Under the measure Evers signed, taxpayers making between $60,000 and $70,000  which hovers around the states median household income in Wisconsin of $67,000  will receive a $44 income tax cut. Under Republicans plan, their cut would have been $249.

Those making between $40,000 and $50,000 will receive an average $36 tax cut under the plan Evers modified. Under the GOP plan sent to the governors desk, taxpayers making between $40,000 and $50,000 would have received an average $88 cut, the Legislative Fiscal Bureau stated.

Those making between $90,000 and $100,000 will receive a $48 cut under Evers plan, less than 10% of the $515 cut they would have received under Republicans plan.

Seeking to move the state toward a flat tax, Republicans sought to collapse the current four income tax brackets into three. Evers used his veto pen to maintain the four brackets and cut the proposed income tax cut to the top two income brackets.

The state had 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 budget Evers signed, that rate goes down to 3.5%.

The 4.65% rate for individuals earning up to $27,630 and joint filers earning $36,840 will now go down to 4.4%.

Evers vetoed Republicans plan to reduce the 5.3% rate for individuals earning up to $304,000 and married filers earning up to about $405,000 to 4.4%. He also rejected Republicans plan to reduce the 7.65% tax rate for individuals earning more than $304,000 or married filers earning more than about $405,500 to 6.5%.

Wealthier taxpayers will still benefit from the cuts to the lower brackets, but wont receive tax cuts for all of the rates that Republicans proposed.

Under Evers plan, earners making over $1 million will receive an average $44 cut annually. Under Republicans plan, that cut would have been $30,286.
Little was surprising in the U.S. Supreme Courts recent decision banning race-conscious college admissions. The courts ultraconservative majority had been expected to make a ruling implicitly stating that the lingering effects of generations of overt racism dont matter very much.

It was the courts ruling in another case  striking down President Joe Bidens student loan forgiveness plan  that may be more detrimental to young Black and brown adults. Because of the severe wealth gap, Black and Latino Americans struggle more to pay for college. Thats one of the reasons fewer people of color attain college degrees.

As education activists plot new strategies to ensure that college campuses are diverse, heres something to consider: The vast majority of colleges and universities accept most of their applicants, according to the Pew Research Center. Of 1,364 four-year colleges and universities surveyed by Pew, only 17 admitted fewer than 10% of applicants in 2017.

That group includes, of course, the Ivy League, which educates many of the leaders who end up controlling important government and commercial institutions. Thats why there is such controversy over admissions to those schools.

Still, much is to be said for ensuring that Black and brown students complete four-year degrees, even if from less-prestigious institutions, which, after all, educate the vast majority of Americans with college degrees. Few historically white institutions are as diverse as they should be, and that includes state flagship universities.

Broadly speaking, the United States remains a working-class country. About 40% of Americans over the age of 25 have four-year degrees, according to Pew, but clear racial disparities fester. About 61% of Asian-American adults have four-year degrees, while 42% of whites do, along with 28% of Blacks and 21% of Latinos.

As the workplace demands more technological proficiency, the economy needs better-educated workers. Its important that high school graduates go on to receive at least some post-secondary training. Those with four-year degrees earn more money than those without them, and they are also less likely to be unemployed, Pew notes.

One of the surest ways to narrow the wealth gap, then, is to narrow the education gap. But lack of funds is among the major reasons Black and Latino students dont enter college and dont complete degrees or certificates if they do. Even those who receive Pell grants  available to less-affluent students  still dont have enough money to cover the costs of a college education. Furthermore, many of them are unprepared for the rigorous studies that colleges require.

In a nation as wealthy as this, public colleges ought to offer free tuition, but the state of our politics suggests we are a long way away from that ideal. Indeed, many state legislatures provide less funding for their public colleges than they did in the 1990s  which is one of the reasons why students today are burdened with more of the costs.

Its time to start campaigning for free tuition, starting with community colleges. Twenty states already offer free tuition at their two-year community colleges to in-state residents who meet certain requirements. The remaining 30 states should do the same.

They should also offer free tuition to technical schools for students without the interest or aptitude for college. Many technical schools offer top-notch training in an array of blue-collar fields that pay good wages.

While community colleges often provide remedial courses for students who lack preparation for rigorous post-secondary studies, much work must be done to ensure students of color are better prepared. Though George W. Bush and Barack Obama emphasized public school reform during their presidencies, that seems to have dropped off the public agenda. Parents worry, rightly, about school violence, while many conservative politicians stoke controversies over teaching Black history and gender equality.

If we are ever to become a more just and equal society, we have to do a better job of educating every child. The Supreme Courts ruling on affirmative action doesnt change that.
The more people you pack in limited space, the more those people have to follow the rules. Law, order and good manners are essential to the healthy functioning of our towns and cities.

Democrat-run cities often have an unfair reputation as hotbeds of left-wing activists intent on letting miscreants run wild. That's because lefty activists have bigger megaphones through which they often shout ludicrous proposals, such as cutting police forces in the middle of a crime wave.

In reality, these cities usually have two political factions  progressive Democrats and moderate Democrats. As the disruptions caused by COVID shutdowns unleashed disorder, electorates in these cities started moving toward the moderates. That's happening from San Francisco to Chicago to New York. Their voters are jettisoning many of their fringe politicians. San Franciscans famously recalled their uber-progressive district attorney, Chesa Boudin. Who can forget former Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, who created the outrageous no-go zones for police during the 2020 protests?

Durkan was replaced by Bruce Harrell, whom Fox News called a "pro-police candidate." And New York's mayor is former police captain Eric Adams, a law-and order guy along the lines of Mike Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani in his sane days.

In Portland, Oregon, left-wing excess let homeless encampments spread and trash pile up. The city is suffering economically and psychologically from the departure of the REI sporting goods store. REI cited thefts and break-ins in its decision to leave. Moderates are fighting back.

Before going on, let's recognize that though most big cities are Democrat-run, those with Republicans in charge have problems as bad or worse. For all the handwringing over the crime surge in San Francisco, violent crime is worse in Miami, whose mayor, Francis Suarez, is a Republican candidate for president.

Nor are these cities as monolithically Democratic as many think. Giuliani and Bloomberg were elected mayor as Republicans. And San Francisco has the highest percentage of independent voters of any county in California.

In New York City's outer boroughs, local officeholders are being challenged by candidates to their right who happen to be other Democrats. Public safety is a major issue.

One of the most interesting races involves Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. Two years ago, Katz barely won the Democratic primary against lefty Tiff any Caban, who was endorsed by U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Now Katz is being primaried by a Democrat who is accusing her (unfairly) of being soft on crime.

Ocasio-Cortez has not been endorsing candidates for city council of late, and, as it's becoming clear, they don't want her endorsement. As Jeff Leb, who runs super PACs that champion moderates, put it, "A lot of the luster of AOC's endorsement has really gone out the window. The more she endorses candidates, and loses, it devalues her."

The pandemic hurt cities in several ways, but those downward trends have begun to reverse. Tourist dollars disappeared for a while, but the visitors are returning even to troubled San Francisco. In New York, they're back big time.

Downtown office towers may not soon enjoy their previous high occupancy rates, but more employers are calling their workers back to the office. Transforming some of these office spaces into residences could lower some high rents as well as repopulate business districts.

In the big cities, rare is the successful politician who rails against gay marriage. And anyone who portrayed drag queens as a threat to America would get laughed off the podium. There's also no bashing of immigrants, who make up a large part of the electorate.

Call them conservative liberals, if you want. They are really moderates. The cities need their pragmatism to keep the gears turning. Actually, the country does as well.

Harrop, who lives in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island, writes for Creators Syndicate: fharrop@gmail.com.

"A lot of the luster of AOC's endorsement has really gone out the window. The more she endorses candidates, and loses, it devalues her."

Jeff Leb, who runs super PACs that champion moderates
HIGHER EDUCATION

Colleges across the country will be forced to stop considering race in admissions under a recent Supreme Court ruling, ending affirmative action policies that date back decades.

Schools that have relied on race-conscious admissions policies to build diversity will have to rethink how they admit students. It's expected to result in campuses that have more white and Asian American students and fewer Black and Hispanic students.

The impact of the decision will be felt most strongly at the nation's most selective colleges, which have been more likely to consider race as one of many factors in admissions.

But some less selective universities also consider race, and hundreds of colleges might need to adjust their admissions systems in response to the decision.

Colleges say they're still analyzing the decision, but it's sure to have a dramatic impact nationwide. Here's what we know so far.

When will the ruling take effect?

Today's incoming high school seniors will be the first to see any change. Many of them will be applying for college over the next year as colleges remove race from admissions decisions. The process probably won't look much different for students  maybe there will be another question or two about their life experiences  but behind the scenes, there could be big changes in the way colleges evaluate applications.

At Northeastern University, President Joseph E. Aoun said in a campus message the decision "will dramatically alter the use of race as a factor in college admissions."

How many colleges consider race?

No one knows for sure. Colleges aren't required to disclose whether they consider race, and the federal government doesn't track it. A survey of about 200 colleges in 2019 found that roughly four in 10 colleges said race had at least limited influence in admissions decisions. The practice is most common at highly selective institutions, while many less selective schools don't consider race.

Nine states have separately banned affirmative action at private universities, including California, Michigan, Florida and Washington.

In states that already banned affirmative action, colleges responded by recruiting more low-income students, hoping that wealth would act as a proxy for race. Some colleges also started "percentage" plans that off er admission to top students at every high school in their state. Such approaches have had mixed results. But expect to see more colleges trying alternate approaches.

How are colleges going to change admissions?

An alternate approach floated by some would put greater emphasis on students who overcome adversity. President Joe Biden endorsed that approach, saying adversity should be a "new standard" in college admissions, rewarding those who overcome challenges related to income, race or other factors.

The court's decision appears to allow such an approach. The conservative majority wrote that "nothing prohibits universities from considering an applicant's discussion of how race affected the applicant's life," as long as it's tied to a particular quality the applicant brings to campus.

Applicants may see more colleges add questions about adversity or other life experiences. But the decision also warns about going too far, saying colleges can't simply use essays to revive "the regime we hold unlawful today."

What's clear is that any direct consideration of race in admission decisions will have to end, meaning colleges will no longer be able to give an edge to underrepresented minorities simply because of their race.

What does this mean for legacy admissions?

With affirmative action off the table, colleges face mounting pressure to end other admission practices that disproportionately benefit white and wealthy students. Chief among those are legacy preferences, the practice of giving an admission boost to the children of alumni.

A small but notable group of colleges have dropped the practice in recent years, including Johns Hopkins University and Amherst College, but it continues at many others, including Harvard and other Ivy League schools.

Activists are also taking aim at other policies seen as barriers for underrepresented students, including donor preferences and standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. Hundreds of colleges made entrance exams optional during the pandemic, and there's a growing push to make the change permanent.

Why were colleges considering race in the first place?

In several decisions dating to the 1970s, the Supreme Court had upheld affirmative action in college admissions.

Past rulings found that colleges have a compelling interest in promoting racial diversity because of the benefits it provides. They say it exposes students to differing viewpoints and helps prepare future leaders, among other benefits.

Colleges say race has been a small factor, sometimes giving an edge to underrepresented students. Opponents dispute that notion, citing research finding a boost for Black applicants equivalent to 310 points on the SAT exam.
The popular splash pad at First Federal Bank Park in Twin Falls looks more like a no-splash zone this year.

The water feature opened for the first time this year on Monday, after contractors said they repaired the surface. Repairs lasted just four days when problems with the surface showed up again.

The new surface isnt holding, city spokesperson Josh Palmer said, and the decision was made to shut it down.

Popular splash pad awaits repairs Turning it on in present condition is just going to make it worse, city spokesperson says

It was a difficult decision to make and Palmer knows people will be disappointed, but the surface would have kept getting worse if the water was left running and potentially caused further problems.

We appreciate the publics patience, Palmer said. We are going to have the contractor repair it, and repair it correctly.

He didnt have an estimate when repairs will be complete.

First Federal Bank donated the park to the city of Twin Falls in 2016 and the city is responsible for maintenance. The splash pad surface is under warranty, Palmer said.
Trust the people, said Ronald Reagan.

Were not a democracy! retorted the majority of Republicans recently gathered in Challis to decide how Idaho delegates to the Presidential Nominating Convention of 2024 will be chosen. Their answer: Party caucuses.

Only once in the past 40 years have Idaho Republicans selected nominees through something other than a secure, state-run primary election. That exception was 2012, when party leaders voted to caucus in hopes of giving Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney an early boost. The gamble didnt pay off and only one in 10 Idaho Republicans participated that year in selecting the presidential nominee.

Today, nearly 575,000 Idaho voters affiliate with the Republican Party. If the 2012 experience holds true, fewer than 60,000 of them will take a few hours next year on Saturday, March 2, to attend a meeting listening to representatives of Trump, DeSantis, Scott, Haley and others before casting a vote. That participation is less than the lowest presidential primary turnout on record.

Quote The prevailing view in Challis was, Now we have the reins of power, we must ride this pony hard! ... Early contests attract attention and power. And that was all-important.

And party officials in Challis had a choice. Of the 200 GOP leaders represented, only about 40 supported accepting a primary election on any date the state was willing to fund. The second Tuesday of March bond election, eliminated by property tax relief earlier this year, no longer gets state financing, but it was the only date the Central Committee majority would accept. That is what State Chair Dorothy Moon told legislators back in April. And she read her people right.

The prevailing view in Challis was, Now we have the reins of power, we must ride this pony hard! Holding Idahos primary earlier in the election cycle looks powerful  it might draw attention from national candidates, investment by special interest groups, give swagger to Idaho within the Republican National Committee. But these benefits are doubtful.

Idahoans will have more choices in March, was a common assertion. What they mean is there is a greater chance to vote for candidates who wont make it to the convention. Those are wasted votes.

An Idaho win could boost the chances for a conservative. Possible, but this is only because the presidential game in February and March is about defying expectations. The talking heads will give some contests outsized importance, while deeming others not news. An Idaho primary win by Californias Larry Elder could draw national attention. But a caucus win by Trump will be announced on election night and then never mentioned again.

By May the nomination is usually sewn up and Idahos voice is irrelevant. This is the flip side of the more choices in March argument. In May, Idahos delegates will more likely come from the slate of the eventual nomination winner. If that nominee wins the presidency, having a whole slate of Idahoans who were the presidents delegates looks good for Idaho.

But 2024 may be an exception year. It may come down to Trump vs. Not Trump. The Not Trump alternative will shake out after several early races. Who goes to the convention with a majority of delegates may only be decided late, when heavily Republican states like Indiana, Kentucky and Nebraska vote in May. An Idaho vote in that mix becomes very relevant.

The proposal advanced by the Idaho GOP in Challis is problematic. For one, it must pass muster with the Republican National Committee, which will want to prevent repeating the disaster of the 2020 Iowa Caucuses. Those caucuses occurred on Feb. 3, with results finally known on Feb. 29.

The RNC will want to know if Idahos rural counties have indoor meeting space to accommodate at least 10% of Republican voters. Franklin County, for example, must find a venue to hold at least 700 people, and new laws and ecclesiastical policies make schools and most churches unavailable.

In Challis, no one cared about these problems. Early contests attract attention and power. And that was all-important. So, Idaho Republicans, now we caucus.
The ideological chaos that has consumed California and other coastal liberal states is steadily creeping inland. Last week, Californias Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Boise to stump for President Joe Biden and his destructive policies.

Newsoms visit is a foreshadow of the fight that is to come. He and other incompetent leaders on the left will continue to push their influence, take our freedoms, and turn Idaho into the hellscape that they themselves live in. With politicians like Newsom leading the charge, the threat of leftism infiltrating Idaho and the rest of the nation looms large.

Now more than ever, its critical we rally together, fortify our defenses, and take proactive measures to preserve our values, freedoms, and the Idaho way of life.

This begs the question: Whats Idaho doing now to brace for this threat?

One of our primary defenses against leftism infiltrating Idaho will be elections. Democrats are deploying devious measures designed to deceive and confuse voters. Such diabolical schemes, like ranked choice voting, are being promoted by Democrats and leftist groups in Idaho, despite the Legislature passing a law banning ranked choice voting.

Idaho must recognize the danger that RCV poses to the integrity of our elections. It opens the door for leftist ideologies to gain a foothold in our beloved state. To safeguard our elections and preserve Idahos core conservative values, we must defeat attempts to institute ranked voting.

Knowledge is power. Its imperative for Idahoans to stay informed about the ideologies and policies being promoted by the left. By actively being engaged, we can counter the narratives that threaten to erode our conservative values. A well-informed citizenry is the first line of defense against the encroachment of leftism. We encourage you to pay attention, be aware of what your local government is up to. Attend city council, school board, and library board meetings. Join groups and engage in discussions with fellow Republicans about protecting our way of life. We must protect future generations of Idahoans from the depraved influence of the left.

To effectively combat the influence of out-of-state leftists, we must also support local organizations and individuals who share our values and are dedicated to defending Idahos conservative identity. This includes providing financial resources to those who will represent Republican interests and actively fight against the woke mob attempting to influence our state. By contributing to grassroots campaigns, participating in fundraising efforts, and joining like-minded organizations, we can ensure our voices are heard and concerns are addressed.

The battle against the spread of destructive leftist ideologies in Idaho requires a united front. We must come together as a community to protect Idahos unique heritage and principles. The Idaho GOP is leading the way, countering and exposing the divisive tactics employed by Democrats seeking to impose their agenda upon us.

The power to stop the left lies in our hands. Stay informed, actively oppose deceptive changes to our elections, support Republicans, and we can safeguard our cherished conservative values and preserve the future of our great state.

The time to act is now. Complacency will aid the encroachment of this dangerous ideology. Together, lets ensure that Idaho remains a bastion of freedom, common sense, and traditional values.
As Idahoans, we value our independence. Self-reliance and the freedom to think independently are woven into the very fabric of our state. We dont blindly follow the crowd and thats not what we want from our elected leaders.

Unfortunately, actions by Idaho Republican Party bosses prove that anything but blind adherence to their extreme agenda will no longer be tolerated.

Even the highest-ranking Republican official in the state, Gov. Brad Little, has become a target of his own party. At the center of the conflict is his veto of a bill that threatened the future of libraries across the state. House Bill 314 would have established a bounty system to attack libraries and allow parents to sue for cash rewards if their child received materials they found objectionable. The legislation contained dangerously broad language where even a reference to a gay person could have been considered offensive.

Citing the threat of expensive lawsuits, bankrolled by taxpayers, Little used his authority to veto the legislation during the 2023 session. Democrats, joined by 14 Republican representatives who held similar concerns, successfully voted to uphold the veto in the House. This angered Idaho GOP leaders and allies who have book bans at the top of their agenda.

Retribution came at the Idaho Republican Party summer meeting last month. Little and the 14 Republican legislators received a rebuke from party leaders in the form of a vote of no confidence. Party leaders also approved a rule change allowing them to censure  and even block Republicans from running for office  if they deviate from their extreme party platform.

A platform that calls for censorship in our libraries, criminalizes abortion as murder even when the patient will die without receiving it, and would repeal your right to marry the person you love.

If you think this contradicts what most Idahoans believe, you are right. Polling conducted on behalf of the American Libraries Association found a vast majority of Democrats and Republicans oppose efforts to have books removed from libraries. Polling from the Idaho Statesman shows a majority of Idahoans support legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community and oppose hardline abortion laws.

The Idaho Republican Party is out of touch with the majority of Idahoans. Yet, its tiny governing body, made up of fewer than 200 individuals, now wields immense power to control the actions and votes of our elected officials.

In our democracy, elected officials ought to answer to the public, not party bosses. We must unite against efforts by Republican insiders to consolidate power and rig the rules in their favor. Idaho Democrats will continue to put people first.
Security Bank Corp., together with its strategic partner MUFG Bank, signed a memorandum of understanding with the Board of Investments to promote investments in the Philippines through joint business activities.

This renewed partnership is not only a reaffirmation of the importance of the Philippines to MUFGs network in Asia Pacific, but our ongoing commitment to partnering with trusted institutions for success. We have no doubt this agreement will facilitate greater business flows across the region and look forward to accelerating our partnership with Security Bank and Board of Investments to further serve Japanese and Filipino companies, said Takeshi Hashida, country head and managing director of MUFG Bank, Manila Branch.

Security Banks strategic partnership with MUFG, through our Alliance Segment and Wholesale Banking Segment-Japan Desk, will help us create meaningful impact by expanding our ecosystem, integrating best practices, and ushering in global opportunities for local clients, said Security Bank president and chief executive Sanjiv Vohra.

The joint MOU will foster economic and industrial collaboration between investors and corporations. It also designates special working teams from Security Bank, MUFG and BOI to undertake areas of cooperation.

Security Banks working team consists of its Alliance Segment and Wholesale Banking Segment-Japan Desk, comprised of MUFG leaders seconded to the vank. MUFGs Strategic Planning and Japanese corporate departments round out its working team, working with the BOIs Investments Promotion Service team.

In 2023, the Alliance Segment expects bigger investment interest from Japanese corporations in real estate, renewable energy, infrastructure, and health care, given the momentum in these sectors, said Juichi Umeno, executive vice president and Alliance Segment head at Security Bank.

Alliance will continue to pursue matches among Japanese and Filipino companies to ensure the best fit and seamless synergy to get joint ventures moving full steam ahead, he said.

MUFG Bank has a solid footprint in export/import businesses particularly with PEZA companies, so we intend to capitalize on this to strengthen client relationships and extend our reach to other industries. Manila Branch collaboration team will remain in a proactive stance to capture Japanese investments by leveraging our APAC network. We will continue to act as a bridge to better connect Filipino businesses with Japanese companies, as well as other potential opportunities across the region, said Masami Yoshitake, deputy country head and managing director at MUFG Bank, Manila Branch.

The three entities will work together to promote investments by way of customer referrals in the Philippines and Japan from industries or sectors outlined in the Philippines Strategic Investment Priority Plan. MUFG will leverage its relationship with Japanese companies, while Security Bank will harness its local capabilities and customer base as potential investment partners, thereby further strengthening business collaboration.

There will also be an exchange of information between Philippine and Japanese investors doing business in the Philippines, industry information, investment projects of interests and investments promotion programs.

Planned initiatives under the MOU include a Philippine online investment seminar in the third quarter, which aims to attract Japanese companies interested in investing in the Philippines and highlight Security Bank and MUFGs joint capabilities. A seminar in Japan is also scheduled in December 2023.

These key partnerships are a testament to Security Banks commitment to achieving its vision of becoming the most customer-centric bank in the Philippines coupled with MUFG Banks passion for empowering a brighter future for all stakeholders.

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Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual led a one-on-one meeting with Jose Castillo, CEO of Biosciences, a subsidiary of Univercells, a global life sciences company on June 28, 2023.

From left: Jose Castillo of Quantoom, Miriam Rusconi of Unizima, DTI Secretary Fred Pascual and Virginie De Coster of Unizima

Through combined expertise in scaling, production, and bioprocessing, Univercells revolutionary approach through Quantoom involves the development of compact, modular, and cost-effective manufacturing platforms that enable efficient production of vaccines at a smaller scale. By downsizing traditional manufacturing processes, Univercells democratizes vaccine production by equipping developing countries with the tools to establish local vaccine production facilities tailored to their specific needs.

Pascual said: One of the top priorities of the Philippines in terms of gathering investments is the manufacturing of vaccines and biologics, which is part of our health and life sciences priority cluster. With this, we aim to establish security in addressing current and future health emergences and pandemics. And this can be done if the country will be able to position itself as a manufacturing hub for vaccines.

Through Univercells approach, the Philippines can enhance its self-reliance in immunization efforts, bolster public health outcomes, and mitigate the risks associated with vaccine supply chain disruptions.

Headquartered in Jumet, Belgium, Univercells is supported by regional, national and international investors active in vaccines and healthcare, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the European Investment Bank, and the Global Health Investment Fund, among others. The company operates through specialized subsidiaries such as Exothera, which manufactures vaccines, Univercells Technologies, and Unizima, a biomanufacturing services and technology provider enabling sustainable production of biologics.

In 2022, Univercells made significant strides in its global partnerships. It entered into an agreement with Afrigen Bilogics and Vaccines, a Cape Town-based biotechnology company, to develop the first African-owned COVID-19 vaccine. Univercells also signed letter of intent for two bioproduction projects in Senegal, namely the Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Training and the Institut Pasteur de Dakar , aligning with Senegals scientific development and public health goals, bolstering Senegals public health ambitions. These collaborations demonstrate Univercells commitment to supporting public health ambitions in developing countries as well as serves as an important reference point for Univercells potential implementation in the Philippines.

While Univercells currently does not have any existing operations in Asia or the Philippines, its officials expressed keen interest in partnering with the Philippines for its Vaccine Self Reliance Program (VSRP) and the development of the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP). These collaborations would contribute to the Philippines goal of achieving vaccine self-reliance and advancing the field of virology within the country.

The establishment of the VSRP and the Virology Institute of the Philippines (VIP) are top priorities of the Marcos Jr. administration. The capability to manufacture vaccines is of utmost importance as vaccines play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases such as the COVID-19 and strengthening the countrys pharmaceutical industry. By manufacturing it domestically, we can ensure a steady supply of vaccines to protect our population as well as improve our technological capabilities in the sector, Pascual said.

The DTI chief underscored the advantages of domestic vaccine manufacturing, including increased affordability and accessibility compared to imported vaccines. He also acknowledged that locally produced vaccines contribute to economic growth by creating employment opportunities and facilitating transfer of advanced technology in the health and life sciences sector.

The Philippines pharmaceutical market estimate is currently at $4.5 billion, about 70 percent of which is for prescription medicines while the rest are over the counter medicines. The market is supplied by just about 46 manufacturers, with about 46 percent of sales accounted for by Filipino companies such as Unilab, Cathay Drug, Lloyd Laboratories, Pascual Laboratories, and Hizon Laboratories among others. Meanwhile, big global brands present in the Philippines are Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Novartis, Roche, Astra Zeneca, GSK, and Sanofi.

Castillo fully supports the plans of the Philippines especially that they are keen to have a footprint in Asia. They are open to continue the conversation and help realize the VSRP and VIP initiatives of the Philippines.

Also present during the meeting were DTI Undersecretary for Communications Kim B. Lokin, Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol, Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)  in Brussels Commercial Counsellor Magnolia Ashley, Board of Investments Executive Director Evariste Cagatan, and Director Lanie Dormiendo.

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Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., a company led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr., on Friday welcomed the significant investment by energy giant Bp in sustainable fuels company WasteFuel Global.

Prime Infra, the infrastructure arm of the Razon Group with operations in waste management, energy and water, has been part of WasteFuel Global since 2021.

Bps corporate venture capital arm, bp ventures, announced an investment of $10 million in WasteFuel to develop plants around the world that will convert municipal and agricultural waste into bio-methanol.

We are proud to be part of WasteFuel Global and to collaborate with industry leaders that tackle waste challenges and drive the decarbonization of the transport sector. Bps investment in alternative fuel technology is a significant step in decarbonizing the shipping industry and in shaping the future of a more sustainable maritime transportation, said Prime Infra president and chief executive and WasteFuel director Guillaume Lucci.

Prime Infra earlier formed a 60-40 partnership with WasteFuel to establish a subsidiary, WasteFuel Philippines, to develop bio-refinery facilities in the Philippines.

Prime Infras current waste management business is focused on resource recovery, with plans to convert waste to fuel products through WasteFuel Philippines, said Lucci.

These form part of Prime Infras decarbonization goals and strategy to deploy innovative technologies to address the Philippines waste problem. The objective remains to maximize resource recovery and minimize the amount of waste to be disposed onsite, he said.

WasteFuel Philippines eyes its first operational sustainable fuels project by 2025.

Bp ventures vice president Gareth Burns said WasteFuel projects aim to help with the growing volumes of global waste while advancing the development of lower carbon solutions for hard-to-abate sectors.

Achieving decarbonization in shipping will require a step-change, and biofuels have a key role to play in helping the industry to decarbonize. We look forward to working together on WasteFuels next stage of growth and market development, Burns said.

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The US called out China on its maneuvers against Filipino coast guards in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) last week, saying that these moves threatens the security and legal rights of the Philippines.

In a Twitter post, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said: We are concerned by the unprofessional maneuvers of the China Coast Guard against the Philippines Coast Guard. The PRCs irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea threatens the security and legal rights of our treaty ally, the Philippines.

We call on the PRC to comply with international law, including implementing the legally binding 2016 award in the Philippines v. China Law of the Sea Convention arbitration as a starting point to achieve a #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific, Carlson further said.

Chinese coast guards reportedly blocked two Philippine ships on a resupply mission at Ayungin Shoal. Beijing has defended the said moves, saying that the Philippine vessels intruded.

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday signed into law a new agrarian reform law to continue the administrations vow to free agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from the plight of debt burden.

Mr. Marcos inked Republic Act No. 11953 or the New Agrarian Emancipation Act here in Malacanang, days before his second State of the Nation Address in July 24.

Under the new law, all unpaid amortization of the principal debt from land awarded under the Presidential Decree No. 27, Republic Act No.6657, and Republic Act No. 9700, including interest and surcharges incurred by ARBs are all condoned.

Sa ilalim ng mga batas agraryo, ang bawat magsasaka ay may utang na katumbas ng halaga ng lupa na ibinigay sa kanila. Kailangan nilang bayaran ito sa loob ng hindi hihigit ng 30 taon dagdag ang anim na porsyento interes bago tuluyang maging kanila ang lupa, said the President, who is also serving as the Department of Agriculture Chief.

Panahon na para makalaya sila sa pagkakautang na ito, this is why on September 13, 2022, I signed the EO (Executive Order) 4 imposing a one year moratorium on the payment of amortization on agrarian debt by our beneficiaries, he added.

A sum of P57.55B of unpaid principal debt will be condoned to benefit 610,054 ARBs tilling 1.173 million hectares of land.

The law will also assume the obligation of 10,201 ARBs tilling 11,531.24 hectares of land and pay the remaining balance of the direct compensation due to landowners under the Voluntary Land Transfer (VLT) or Direct Payment Scheme (DPS) amounting to P206M.

After the signing, the Department of Agrarian Reform simultaneously distributed 32,441 Certificate of Land Ownership Awards to beneficiaries across the country.

The New Agrarian Emancipation Act is part of the priority bills the Chief Executive stressed during his first SONA last year.

Congress must pass a law that will emancipate the agrarian reform beneficiaries from the agrarian debt burden, Mr. Marcos previously said in his SONA in 2022.

The condonation also free the awarded lands from all mortgage liens in favor of the national government.

The law also exempts ARBs from the payment of estate tax.

Meanwhile, beneficiaries who fully paid their agrarian debt will be given priority of access to credit facilities and support services.

The beneficiaries are also automatically registered in the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) of the Department of Agriculture, which would entitle them to all support services given to farmers by the DA and by other government agencies.

Moreover, Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III welcomed the signing of the new law.

By freeing farmers from agrarian debt, and ensuring broader support services and credit facilities the Marcos administration has given more resources to our farmers to increase the productivity of their farms and uplift the quality of their lives, Estrella said.

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Defense chief Austin hits coercive, risky behavior near Ayungin Shoal

CHINESE SWARMS. In these photos handed out Friday, the Armed Forces Western Command shows some of the 48 Chinese Navy, Coast Guard, and fishing vessels spotted swarming the Iroquois Reef in the West Philippine Sea. AFP Wescom photo

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III on Thursday expressed serious concern over Chinas coercive and risky behavior after Chinese vessels harassed Philippine boats in the Ayungin Shoal.

Austin conveyed his concern during a call to Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Thursday (US time).

Secretary Austin noted with concern the PRCs (Peoples Republic of China) recent coercive and risky operational behavior directed against Philippine vessels operating safely and lawfully in the South China Sea, including around Second Thomas Shoal, a readout provided by Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said.

On Wednesday, the Philippine Coast Guard said two Chinese coast guard vessels took what it described as dangerous maneuvers that could have caused a collision with PCG ships assisting the resupply mission of the Armed Forces of the Philippines near Ayungin Shoal on June 30.

Ayungin is also referred to as Second Thomas Shoal.

During his conversation with Teodoro, Austin highlighted the United States ironclad alliance commitment with the Philippines and reiterated that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to Philippine public vessels, aircraft, and armed forces  to include those of its Coast Guard  in the Pacific, including anywhere in the South China Sea, the readout said.

It added that Austin and Teodoro also reaffirmed their commitment to continue upholding the rules-based order and supporting the livelihoods of local Philippine communities in the South China Sea consistent with the Arbitral Tribunal Ruling in 2016.

The Secretaries agreed to meet in person for in-depth discussions on defense and security priorities, the Pentagon said.

In 2016, the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, based on a case filed by the Philippines, junked Chinas nine-dash line claim covering the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

It was a major legal victory for the Philippines but China has refused to acknowledge the ruling.

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin insisted that the maneuvers of their vessels during the June 30 incident were professional and restrained.

In accordance with the law, the Chinese Coast Guard vessel carried out law enforcement activities to uphold Chinas territorial sovereignty and maritime order. The Chinese sides maneuvers were professional and restrained, Wang said at a press conference.

The Chinese official asserted that the Renai Reef (Ayungin Shoal) was part of Chinas Nansha Islands, adding that it was the PCG vessels that supposedly intruded Chinese waters.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian paid a courtesy visit to Teodoro to discuss China and the Philippines defense and military relations as well as maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

We had a constructive discussion on promoting defense and military relations between China and the Philippines, and maintaining peace and stability in the region, Huang said of his meeting with Teodoro.

On Friday, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson called out Chinas irresponsible behavior in the South China Sea, saying it threatens the security and legal rights of one of the US allies, the Philippines.

In a statement, Carlson also called on China to comply with international law, including the legally binding 2016 Arbitration Award that turned in favor of the Philippines.

She said it is a starting point to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific, which many countries are pushing for.

Within the past three years, Manila filed a total of 427 diplomatic protests against Beijing, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) figures showed.

Meanwhile, the Western Command (WESCOM) reported 48 Chinese fishing vessels have been spotted swarming the Iroquois Reef, which is located south of the oil and gas-rich Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

The WESCOM, in a Facebook post on Friday, said this was based on information from their air patrol on June 30.

During multiple flights over Iroquois Reef in the past week, pilots aboard NV-312, a Britten Norman Islander light patrol aircraft of the Philippine Navy, observed an alarming presence of Chinese fishing vessels, it said.

It noted that the presence of these vessels is visible from the air, based on the reports of the pilots of the patrol aircraft.

The Chinese vessels were observed to be anchored in groups of five to seven, and no fishing activities were noticed, WESCOM said. They seem to just loiter in the area.

These recent observations by the Britten Norman Islander patrol aircraft confirm earlier intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights conducted in the area, which indicated an increasing trend of Chinese fishing vessels.

In February, WESCOM reported the sighting of only 12 Chinese fishing vessels compared to the 47 spotted on June 12.

Simultaneously with this surge at Iroquois Reef, an increased presence of Chinese maritime assets has also been noted at Sabina Shoal. Three China Coast Guard ships and two Peoples Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) vessels are regularly loitering there compared to two wooden resupply boats from the Philippines and two Philippine Coast Guard vessels, it said.

These developments raise an alarming concern about Chinas intentions and actions within these disputed waters. it added.

Recto Bank, a significant feature for the Philippines holding immense potential for the countrys energy security and economic growth, stands as a focal point in this rising concern over Chinas recent behavior, it added.

Recto Bank is a vital feature within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), and China must cease its swarming of vessels to respect our sovereign rights, WESCOM spokesperson Navy Commander Ariel Coloma said in an earlier statement.

Also on Friday, Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson CG Commodore Jay Tarriela said his earlier comments during his interview in ANC were taken out of context and misinterpreted by the media.

I would like to clarify that in my ANC interview yesterday, I wanted to emphasize that our efforts to expose Chinas aggressive actions in recent months have resulted in some changes in the behavior of the Chinese Coast Guard, particularly in terms of how they shadow our PCG vessels, Tarriela said in his tweet.

However, I made it clear that their behavior is still concerning when it comes to Ayungin Shoal. Unfortunately, my statements were misinterpreted and taken out of context, he added.

Tarriela said the Chinese ships used to shadow Philippine vessels by sailing alongside them but were not following behind because they were worried they would be caught on camera engaging in aggressive behavior.

Also on Friday, Senator Risa Hontiveros said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Wenbin should stop with the lies, gaslighting, and propaganda.

If China wants to be a responsible member of the community of nations, she said Wang should inform his government to genuinely abide by international law and leave Philippine territory.

Hontiveros slammed Wenbin for his statements, which are not helping his country on the world stage by insisting on these sweeping and baseless claims.

The commotion happened on Ayungin Shoal; not Renai Reef, not Nansha islands, and certainly not Chinese territory, she said.

She said PCG vessels were on a routine resupply mission in Philippine waters, but Chinese vessels illegally maneuvered to interdict them. This is the truth, she said.

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SFAX, TunisiaHundreds of African migrants were stranded in dire conditions in a desert area of southern Tunisia on Thursday after being expelled from the port city of Sfax, witnesses told AFP.

Racial tensions flared this week into violence targeting migrants from sub-Saharan African countries, with dozens fleeing the city or being forcibly evicted.

I came because Id heard that human rights were respected in Tunisia, but what is happening shows that this is not the case, said 27-year-old Issa Kone, from Mali.

The unrest erupted after the funeral of a 41-year-old Tunisian man who was stabbed to death Monday in Sfax in an altercation between locals and migrants.

Three suspects were subsequently arrested, all from Cameroon.

The stabbing lit a powder keg, with residents saying they are fed up with the presence of migrants in the city, where many gather before setting out in makeshift boats for Europe.

Sfax, the North African countrys second-largest city, is a departure point for many hoping to reach EU member Italy by sea, often the island of Lampedusa about 130 kms away.

Tunisia has seen a rise in racially motivated attacks after President Kais Saied in February accused hordes of undocumented migrants of bringing violence and alleging a criminal plot to change the countrys demographic make-up.

NGOs say hundreds of migrants have been taken in buses to desert areas in southern Tunisia, some near the border with Libya and others close to the frontier with Algeria, two countries from which many migrants have crossed in.

We have nothing to eat or drink. We are in the desert, Kone told AFP by telephone.

National guard agents caught us in Sfax after breaking into our house, he said.

Videos shared on social media showed police chasing dozens of migrants from their homes to the cheers of Tunisian residents, before loading them into police cars.

Kone said he was taken by bus to near the Algerian border with around a dozen other migrants he had been living with in Sfax.

Europe dream shattered

Before going to Tunisia, where he made a living doing odd jobs, Kone worked for two years in Libya before unrest there made him leave.

According to Kone and other witnesses, at least 1,000 migrants found themselves stranded and destitute in the desert on Thursday after being forced out of Sfax.

Another Malian, 31-year-old Mamadou Dembele, thought he was on his way to realizing his dream of reaching Europe when the boat taking him towards Italy along with 46 other migrants was intercepted on Wednesday by the Tunisian coastguard off Sfax.

Now he finds himself in the desert in southern Tunisia after being taken there with other African migrants by Tunisian security forces.

Dembele said he came to Tunisia five months ago, aiming to make an attempt to reach Europe, and does not want to go back to Algeria from where he crossed the border illegally.

I stayed in Algeria for six months to try to get to Europe from there, but that didnt work. So I came to try my luck from Tunisia instead, he said.

There is conflict in Mali  thats why I left. I wanted to get to Europe to work so I could help my family.

Apart from those forcibly taken into the desert, dozens of migrants, fearing reprisals from angry locals, flocked on Wednesday and Thursday to Sfax railway station to leave for other Tunisian cities.

The day before yesterday I was sleeping. I dont know who it was, but Arabs came into the house and ransacked the place, Souleymane Diallo, 28, from Guinea told AFP while in custody in Sfax on Thursday.

I got here yesterday at 6:00 am. I want to go to the IOM (International Organization for Migration) and to the embassy of Guinea-Conakry in Tunis, he said. AFP

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Baghdad, IraqIraqs pro-Iran armed faction Kataeb Hezbollah, accused by Israel of holding an Israeli-Russian academic, implied on Thursday that it was not involved in her disappearance.

The group said it was doing everything it could to uncover the fate of Zionist hostage or hostages in the country.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office on Wednesday accused Kataeb Hezbollah of holding Elizabeth Tsurkov, who has been missing in Iraq for months.

Kataeb Hezbollah is a powerful faction of Iraqs Hashed al-Shaabi, Iran-backed former paramilitaries that were integrated into the Iraqi security forces in recent years.

In the groups first reaction to the Israeli accusation on Thursday, its spokesman Abu Ali al-Askari issued an ambiguous press release on Telegram.

The admission by the prime minister of the Zionist entity (Israel) concerning the presence of an Israeli security agent hostage in Iraq is a very dangerous indicator, it said.

The security organizations concerned should expose networks linked to this entity and bring them to justice, it added.

In turn, Kataeb Hezbollah will work tirelessly to find out the fate of the Zionist hostage or hostages in Iraq to discover more about the intentions of the criminal gang which facilitates their movements in a country that prohibits and criminalizes any relationship with Israel.

The statement from Netanyahus office said Tsurkov had visited Iraq on her Russian passport at her own initiative pursuant to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University in the US.

According to an Iraqi intelligence source, Tsurkov was kidnapped in Baghdad at the beginning of Ramadan, the Muslim fasting month which this year started on March 23.

She had arrived in Baghdad at the beginning of December 2022, a Western diplomat stationed in Iraq said on condition of anonymity.

Tsurkovs website said she was a fellow at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy, as well as a research fellow at the Forum for Regional Thinking, an Israeli-Palestinian think-tank based in Jerusalem.

Liz is very much a part of America. She works with a Washington think tank, writes for an American magazine and studies at Princeton University. She deserves Americas every effort to bring her to safety, New Lines said on Wednesday.

Witnesses who knew her said Tsurkov used to freely move around in the Iraqi capital.

She had focused on pro-Iran factions and the movement of Iraqi Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr as part of her research on the region, according to several journalists who had met her. AFP

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A registered sex offender is back in jail again after being charged with more sex offenses.

Travis Noland Weaver, 36, of Martinsville, was sentenced to six years with five years and six months suspended and $1,676 in fines and costs after being convicted on March 22, 2012, of sexual battery and taking indecent liberties with a child.

Nolan was subsequently required to be listed in the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry.

Arrest reports with the Martinsville Sheriffs Office indicate Nolan was arrested June 30 on charges of rape by force or threat, sexual object penetration where the victim is less than 13 years of age and the suspect is more than 18 years old, and intercourse with a victim that is under 13 years old and the suspect is older than 14.

The new charges are all related to an offense date of June 1, 2021.

According to two criminal complaints by Martinsville Police Sgt. Jason Vaughan on file in the Martinsville Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Clerks Office, two juveniles complained to police June 26 of sexual assaults against them by Weaver.

The Martinsville Bulletin does not name alleged victims in cases involving sexual assault or similar elements.

A child advocacy interview was conducted with two juveniles June 30 and Vaughan wrote that the two girls stated they had both been penetrated during intercourse with Weaver on several occasions. One of the girls stated that Weaver had also fondled and penetrated her with his hand.

One of the girls said the sexual assaults had been occurring for the past two years and the second girl said the sexual assaults against her had occurred on several different occasions over the past four years, Vaughan wrote.

The charges of sexual object penetration and intercourse involving a victim under 13 years of age are both punishable with a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison. The rape charge, if convicted, is punishable by five years to life.

Weaver is due to be arraigned in Martinsville Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Tuesday.
The city council has replaced the majority of the members of the Martinsville School Board.

The council unanimously voted to appoint three new members to the five-member Board at a work session last week. The new members are Cody Williams, Heather Blankenbaker and Nekia Blackwell.

Unlike Henry County, where voters elect school board members, Martinsvilles school board is appointed by the council. It uses a process where names are received, interviews are conducted privately by council members with the applicants and then the choices are made in public by nomination and vote.

At a regular meeting in May, in addition to the three that were chosen, council received the names of Tony Jones, Bethany Morris Mills and Emily Parker.

Jones was appointed to the school board in 2020 and his three-year term expired June 30. Members of the school board are eligible to serve for three consecutive terms, if reappointed. A term lasts for three years.

City Council stated to me they wanted to go in another direction and thats well within their rights, so it is what it is, Jones posted to his Facebook page Sunday.

Jones rarely attended the school board meetings in-person, but did participate by speaker phone.

James Woods, a former council member, was appointed to the board last year, but resigned after Novembers election.

Williams was appointed to fill Woods unexpired term ending June 30, 2024. Blankenbaker and Blackwell were both appointed to serve full three-year terms ending June 30, 2026 and will replace Jones and Board Chair Donna Dillard.

Initially appointed on Aug. 24, 2016, Dillard did not request to be reappointed.

Williams is a real estate agent at Berry-Elliott Realtors, according to his website and Facebook page.

Blankenbaker is a paralegal with Roane Law in Greensboro, North Carolina and is finishing up a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a concentration in forensics, according to the Roane Law website.

Nekia Blackwell has been a human resources generalist with VF Corp. since February and previously worked in similar capacities for outsourcing companies Helpware out of Kentucky and Faneuil Inc. based in Hampton, according to her Linkedin page.

In other matters, the council:

Approved $175,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the One Ellsworth Project (former BB&T Building) to aid in the removal of asbestos, allowing the project and developer to qualify for grant funding. The developer and the Harvest Foundation will also contribute $175,000.

Heard an update from City Manager Leon Towarnicki regarding ARPA funding. Towarnicki stated that $15.5 million in ARPA funding by been received and currently there is $4.1 million remaining to be spent.

Voted to approve a cigarette tax increase from 30 cents to 40 cents per pack, effective Sept. 1.

Voted to approve a lodging tax increase from 2% to 7%, effective Sept. 1.

Appointed Lucy Treado to the Arts and Cultural Committee.
The need for blood is critical during the summer months as people are active and the risks for accidents increase whether at home or away. This summer has been no exception and the American Red Cross is dealing with a shortfall of blood supply.

You can do your part in helping to fill the need by attending one of several blood drives that will be held across McDowell County during the month of July. Six blood drives will take place between now and the end of the month.

With an increase in trauma cases and decrease in donations on top of the need for routine transfusions and blood for elective surgeries, the need for your donation is critical, especially type Os, said Gail Barksdale account manager II and donor recruitment for American Red Cross Blood Services. Type Os should consider giving a Power Red donation, which helps twice as many people. Since type O- can be given to any other blood type, and type O+ can be given to approximately 80% of the population, these are critical to have at the ready on hospital shelves when those trauma cases come in and there is no time to type the patient.

The list of dates and sites that will hold blood drives this month includes:

Wednesday, July 121:30-6:30 p.m.

Marion Community Building

191 N. Marion St., Marion, NC 28752

Saturday, July 15 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Solid Rock Freewill Baptist Church

7860 N.C. 226, Nebo, NC 28761

Tuesday, July 1810 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

McDowell Tech Community College

William Harold Smith Building, Room No. 113

54 College Drive, Marion, NC 28752

Thursday, July 2011 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Nebo Crossing Church, Lobby

263 Barnes Road, Marion, NC 28752

Friday, July 283:30-7:30 p.m.

Marion Moose Lodge

999 Bill Cook Drive, Marion, NC 28752

Monday, July 318 a.m. to noon

Eastfield Elementary School, Gym

170 Eastfield School Road, Marion, NC 28752
Morocco has stressed the need to turn into concrete actions the common commitment of the Non-Aligned Movement with its principles and values, so as to unify the political will of its members and consequently strengthen the role of the United Nations as a necessary platform for multilateral action.

The call was launched by Moroccos Permanent Representative to the UN, Omar Hilale, who led the Moroccan delegation to the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement held in Baku, Azerbaijan, July 5-6.

As the largest gathering of States within the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement is an essential platform for action and a powerful force of proposals for tackling global challenges, Hilale said during the general debate of the NAM ministerial meeting, pointing out that this high-level meeting is an opportunity to suggest approaches that would yield realistic and pragmatic solutions to the major challenges facing the world today.

The ambassador stressed that the world is actually witnessing today complex crises with a clear and significant impact on international relations, which requires urgent and concrete collective responses from the international community.

He recalled the speech of King Mohammed VI at the 26th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in which the Sovereign underlined that everyone now realizes that the gloomiest predictions have unfortunately become a bitter reality. Mankind has but one of two choices: either surrender to self-destructing apathy, or engage honestly and unequivocally in a set of practical measures that can rapidly effect a real change in the current policy, which has proven its ineffectiveness.

In this regard, Hilale noted that the African continent is the most affected by the consequences of the difficult economic situation triggered by the current geopolitical crisis, as it bears the heaviest burden due to the increase in food and energy prices, which weakens the achievements of the continent in the fight against poverty.

Africa has all the assets to turn challenges into opportunities, and to emerge stronger from this crisis thanks to its significant human and natural resources, in addition to future gains and advantages through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, the diplomat added.

The ambassador stressed that the King recalled this reality in his speech at the 28th summit of the African Union, when the Sovereign pointed out that We, peoples of Africa, have the means and the genius; together, we can fulfill the aspirations of our peoples.

Hilale also recalled the royal visits paid to several African countries, which were the most eloquent expression of this courageous Moroccan approach aimed at developing an innovative and concrete South-South cooperation model, based on the sharing of knowledge, skills, experience and resources, and the effective contribution to the implementation of development projects, within the framework of a collaborative framework based on an integrated and multidimensional approach.

To this end, the diplomat called for promoting international cooperation for the benefit of African countries and helping them to overcome the current unprecedented challenges, not only through debt relief, but also through integrated development initiatives that would strengthen their resilience in the face of current and future challenges related to food security, climate change and energy transition.
Portugal will replace the patrol ship Zaire after a five-year mission in Sao Tome to reinforce the surveillance of the Sao Tome sea and the Gulf of Guinea, the Portuguese Navy Chief of Staff announced Thursday.

Henrique Gouveia e Melo is in the Sao Tomean capital to make official the end of the mission of the NRP Zaire, and met in separate audiences with the Prime Minister, Patrice Trovoada, and Defense Minister, Jorge Amado.

It was with the prime minister that we inaugurated the Zaire project and that we thought about the Zaire project, we are now reformulating that project, we are giving it another capacity, a more operative capacity, Gouveia e Melo said at the end of the meeting with the head of the Sao Tomean government.

The Portuguese admiral announced that the NRP Zaire will be replaced by another ship, faster, with more capacity to act more quickly in emergencies, which will be aided by another vessel that will also operate in Sao Tome and Principe.

The Chief of Staff of the Navy (CEMA) said that he shared with the Prime Minister of Sao Tome ideas about maritime safety that affects the region and that affects all those who have maritime transport operating in the region, thus underlining the union of interest between Sao Tome and Principe and Portugal in this area.

We are fully committed to this cooperation () we have to work really together, make partnerships, as long as the partnerships are useful, defended Gouveia e Melo. Earlier in the meeting with the Sao Tomean Defense Minister, Jorge Amado, the CEMA stressed that Portugal considers Sao Tome and Principe to be one of the essential partners in its common security strategy in the Gulf of Guinea.

Our presence here reflects a common feeling that we share with Sao Tome and Principe that we have an important role in the region to ensure the security of the region with maritime traffic and the peaceful development of the populations, he stressed.
Twenty people, suspected of being radical Islamist al-Shebab, were killed after ambushing police in Mandera County in northeastern Kenya, near the border with Somalia, Kenyan police announced on Thursday.

Heavy fire was exchanged between Kenyan policemen and suspected members of the al-Shebab who carried out an ambush on Wednesday, according to a tweet from the Kenyan police, stating that 20 militants were killed, and eight policemen wounded. Police also recovered various weapons from the scene of the crime, the authorities announced, with photos of a heavy machine gun and rocket launchers.

Last month, the Shebab, a group affiliated to al-Qaeda, launched several deadly attacks in eastern Kenya. On June 13, eight Kenyan policemen were killed in Garissa when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. On June 24, five civilians had their throats slit in an attack claimed by al-Shebab in Lamu near the Somali border; some were decapitated.

The Kenyan authorities announced on Wednesday that they were postponing the reopening of its border with Somalia because of these recent attacks. Al-Shebab have been fighting the internationally-backed federal government of Somalia since 2007, with the aim of establishing Islamic law in this country in the Horn of Africa.
Human Rights Watch has called on Tunisian regime to stop mass expulsion of African migrants and asylum seekers to a dangerous area at the Tunisia-Libya border, with little food and no medical assistance.

It is it unconscionable to abuse people and abandon them in the desert , said on Thursday the NGO in a press release, stressing that collective expulsion of migrants violates international law.

Tunisian security forces have collectively expelled several hundred Sub-Saharan African migrants and asylum seekers, including children and pregnant women, since July 2, 2023 to a remote, militarized buffer zone at the Tunisia-Libya border, HRW said.

The people expelled were of many African nationalities  Ivorian, Cameroonian, Malian, Guinean, Chadian, Sudanese, Senegalese, and others  and included at least 29 children and three pregnant women, interviewees said.

Dozens of expelled people were asylum seekers registered with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), while at least two adults had consular cards identifying them as students in Tunisia.

According to HRW, the expelled migrants said they were arrested in raids by police, national guard, or military in and near Sfax, a port city southeast of the capital, Tunis. National guard and military forces rapidly transported them 300 kilometers to Ben Guerdane, then to the Libya border, where they were effectively trapped in what they described as a buffer zone from which they could neither enter Libya nor return to Tunisia.

Tensions have been high in Sfax for months as Tunisian residents campaigned for African foreigners to leave, escalating to recent attacks against Black Africans and clashes with Tunisians.

Furthermore, a video the migrants sent to HRW showed a woman describing sexual assault by Tunisian security forces.
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: Susanna Hamilton, Broad Communications

Over the past decade, researchers have been developing polygenic scorescalculations of a person's likelihood of getting a disease based on the millions of small genetic differences across their genome. The accuracy of these scores has improved for some diseases and groups of people, but they continue to fall short for those of non-European ancestry, mainly because the genetic datasets used to calculate these scores have largely come from people of European ancestry.

A new approach from a team led by researchers in the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) significantly improves the accuracy of genetic risk prediction of heart disease across all ancestries.

The scientists built a polygenic score using data from genetic studies involving more than 1 million people. To further improve the score, they also incorporated in their calculations genetic changes associated with 10 related traits such as blood pressure and body mass index. Their new score outperformed all existing scores in predicting risk for coronary artery diseasethe leading cause of death worldwideamong participants of African, European, Hispanic, and South Asian ancestry.

The approach may one day allow clinicians to identify more high-risk individuals earlier in life and recommend interventions such as cholesterol-lowering medicines or lifestyle changes that have been shown to offset and even normalize high genetic risk. Published in Nature Medicine, the results suggest that the framework can be applied to improve genetic risk prediction for other traits and diseases, too.

"The ability to identify genetic risk early in lifetechnically possible even at birthis powerful, because we don't have to wait for clinical factors like elevated cholesterol to arise," said co-senior author Amit V. Khera, who developed polygenic scores as a Merkin Institute Fellow at the Broad and is now vice president of genomic medicine at Verve Therapeutics and a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital.

"Using larger, more diverse datasets, our score can better identify individuals at high risk who would otherwise fly under the radar," said co-senior author Pradeep Natarajan, a Broad associate member who is director of preventive cardiology and the Paul & Phyllis Fireman Endowed Chair in Vascular Medicine at MGH, and an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Prediction progress

To build the new score, the scientists gathered data on more than a million people, including nearly 270,000 individuals with coronary artery diseasefar more than their previous 2018 study that analyzed only tens of thousands of individuals with the disease. With new, more diverse studies released in the past year, such as the U.S. Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program, the team was also able to incorporate data on more people with African, Hispanic, and South Asian ancestry.

"The European-based scores developed in 2018 didn't work so well in predicting risk for people with other ancestries," said Aniruddh Patel, co-first author of the new study and a cardiologist and researcher in the Natarajan lab at MGH. "So the scientific community has been focusing on improving prediction across different ancestries."

In addition, Minxian (Wallace) Wang, a study co-first author and former computational biologist at the Broad, developed a pipeline to more precisely capture the influence of genetic variants with smaller impacts on heart disease risk, by prioritizing DNA changes known to influence both risk for heart disease and related traits, such as body mass index, smoking status, and blood pressure. Interestingly, about half of the score's predictive power came from studies of heart disease itself and the other half from studies of these other risk factors.

When applied to a separate dataset from individuals of diverse ancestries, the new score, called GPSMult, identified more people at the highest and lowest risk of heart disease than all previous scores. For example, those in the lowest percentile of the score had a less than 1% chance of being diagnosed with heart disease by middle age, as compared to a 16% chance for those in the highest percentile. Strikingly, the team was able to identify 3% of unaffected individuals whobased on common DNA variation alonehave a risk for a future cardiac event such as a heart attack as high as people who've already been diagnosed with the disease.

The results demonstrate the benefits of combining traits and multi-ancestry data when calculating polygenic risk scores, and suggest that the approach could improve risk prediction for other illnesses. The scientists are continuing to refine their method by incorporating even larger, more diverse datasets, by employing new computational approaches that account for complex genome architecture, and by integrating clinical risk factors to improve the scores' relevance for physicians.

"What's exciting is that we still haven't reached the theoretical maximum for how good a genetic predictor for heart disease can be, so these tests will continue to get even better in coming years," said Khera. "We also have a lot of work to do to figure out how best to integrate these tests into clinical practice and ultimately make them standard of care."

More information: Aniruddh P. Patel et al, A multi-ancestry polygenic risk score improves risk prediction for coronary artery disease, Nature Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02429-x Journal information: Nature Medicine
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This image, entitled 'The Myth of Fingerprints', depicts a melanoma tumor sample of a patient who responded to FMT plus immunotherapy, imaged using CyTOF-IMC (Time-of-Flight Imaging Mass Cytometry) on the Hyperion platform. Credit: Jamie Magrill (Primary Artist), LeeAnn Ramsay, Saman Maleki, Bertrand Routy, and Ian Watson, with assistance from Yuhong Wei and the Goodman Cancer Institute SCIMAP Core. Credit: Nature Medicine.

In a world-first clinical trial published in the journal Nature Medicine, a multi-center study from Lawson Health Research Institute, the Centre hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal (CHUM) and the Jewish General Hospital (JGH) has found fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) from healthy donors are safe and show promise in improving response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma.

Immunotherapy drugs stimulate a person's immune system to attack and destroy cancer. While they can significantly improve survival outcomes in those with melanoma, they are only effective in 40 to 50 percent of patients. Preliminary research has suggested that the human microbiomethe diverse collection of microbes in our bodymay play a role in whether or not a patient responds.

"In this study, we aimed to improve melanoma patients' response to immunotherapy by improving the health of their microbiome through fecal transplants," says Dr. John Lenehan, Medical Oncologist at London Health Sciences Center's (LHSC) London Regional Cancer Program (LRCP), Associate Scientist at Lawson and Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.

A fecal transplant involves collecting stool from a healthy donor, screening and preparing it in a lab, and transplanting it to the patient. The goal is to transplant the donor's microbiome so that healthy bacteria will prosper in the patient's gut.

"The connection between the microbiome, the immune system and cancer treatment is a growing field in science," explains Dr. Saman Maleki, Scientist at Lawson and LHSC's LRCP, Assistant Professor in Schulich Medicine's Departments of Oncology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Medical Biophysics, and senior investigator on the study. "This study aimed to harness microbes to improve outcomes for patients with melanoma."

The phase I trial included 20 melanoma patients recruited from LHSC, CHUM and Jewish General Hospital. Patients were administered approximately 40 fecal transplant capsules orally during a single session, one week before they started immunotherapy treatment.

Dr. Saman Maleki and Dr. John Lenehan discuss the results of their recent study on fecal transplants for advanced melanoma patients. Credit: Lawson Health Research Institute

The study found that combining fecal transplants with immunotherapy is safe for patientswhich is the primary objective of a phase I trial (also called 'safety trials'). The study also found 65 percent of patients who retained the donors' microbiome had a clinical response to the combination treatment. Five patients experienced adverse events sometimes associated with immunotherapy and had their treatment discontinued.

"We have reached a plateau in treating melanoma with immunotherapy, but the microbiome has the potential to be a paradigm shift," says Dr. Bertrand Routy, Oncologist and Director of CHUM's Microbiome Center. "This study puts Canada at the forefront of microbiome research by showing we can safely improve patients' response to immunotherapy through fecal transplants."

"These exciting results add to a rapidly growing list of publications suggesting that targeting the microbiome may provide a major advance in the use of immunotherapy for our patients with cancer," adds Dr. Wilson H. Miller Jr. of the JGH and Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Oncology at McGill University.

The study is unique due to its administration of fecal transplants (from healthy donors) in capsule form to cancer patientsa technique pioneered in London by Dr. Michael Silverman, Lawson Scientist, Chair of Infectious Diseases at Schulich Medicine and Medical Director of the Infectious Disease Care Program at St. Joseph's Health Care London.

"Our group has been doing fecal transplants for 20 years, initially finding success treating C. difficile infections. This has enabled us to refine our methods and provide an exceptionally high rate of the donor microbes surviving in the recipient's gut with just a single dose," says Dr. Silverman. "Our data suggests at least some of the success we are seeing in melanoma patients is related to the efficacy of the capsules."

The team has already started a larger phase II trial involving centers in Ontario and Quebec. Lawson researchers are also studying the potential of fecal transplants in the treatment of other cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer and lung cancer, as well as HIV and rheumatoid arthritis.

More information: Bertrand Routy et al, Fecal microbiota transplantation plus anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in advanced melanoma: a phase I trial, Nature Medicine (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02453-x Journal information: Nature Medicine
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

On July 1, Idaho became the only state without a legal requirement or specialized committee to review maternal deaths related to pregnancy.

The change comes after state lawmakers, in the midst of a national upsurge in maternal deaths, decided not to extend a sunset date for the panel set in 2019, when they established the state's Maternal Mortality Review Committee, or MMRC.

The committee was composed of a family medicine physician, an OB-GYN, a midwife, a coroner, and a social worker, in addition to others who track deaths in Idaho that occur from pregnancy-related complications. Wyoming studies its maternal deaths through a shared committee with Utah. All other states, as well as Washington, D.C., New York City, Philadelphia, and Puerto Rico, have an MMRC, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive rights research group.

A majority of the state committees were established within the past decade as federal officials scrambled to understand state and local data to address gaps in maternal care. The committees review deaths that occur within a year of pregnancy and identify trends, share findings, and suggest policy changes.

Liz Woodruff, executive director of the Idaho Academy of Family Physicians, said she was "incredibly disappointed" by the legislature's decision to scuttle the committee. "It seems relevant that the state of Idaho supports a committee that works toward preventing the deaths of pregnant women," she said. "This should be easy."

The committee disbanded despite a high rate of maternal mortality in the United States that exceeds those of other high-income countries. The U.S. recorded 23.8 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, compared with 8.4 in Canada and 3.6 in Germany, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And the U.S. rate is sharply rising. In March, a few weeks before Idaho lawmakers adjourned their 2023 session, the CDC released data that showed the maternal mortality rate in the U.S. climbed in 2021 to 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Idaho has a particularly acute problem. Its pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 41.8 pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 live births in 2020, according to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee report from that year.

Hillarie Hagen of Idaho Voices for Children, a nonprofit focused on low- and moderate-income families, said that the committee used the Idaho-specific data to do deep-dive analyses and that an information void would be left by shuttering the board.

"How do we make decisions and policy decisions to improve the health of mothers and their babies if we're not tracking the data?" she asked. "From our perspective, having consistent data and trends shown over time helps make more sound policy decisions."

The decision to disband the board came as two hospitals that serve rural areas announced they would stop providing services for expectant mothers. One of the hospitals cited trouble recruiting and retaining OB-GYNs after the state last summer enacted one of the strictest abortion bans in the country.

The committee, tasked with investigating deaths both individually and collectively, found that almost half of the maternal deaths in Idaho in 2020 occurred after delivery.

Amelia Huntsberger, an OB-GYN and a member of the committee, noted also that patients covered by Medicaid during pregnancy are overrepresented in maternal death rates, which led the panel to recommend expansion of postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months rather than the current 60 days.

Huntsberger made national headlines this year when she announced plans to leave both her job and the state, citing the state's abortion ban and the move to dissolve the MMRC.

But in their legislative session, Idaho lawmakers decided not to advance a bill that would have embraced the committee's recommendation to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage.

The legislation creating the review committee included a "sunset clause" to dissolve the committee on July 1, 2023. Following a contentious session of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Idaho House of Representatives in February, House Bill 81, which would have renewed the committee, failed to advance.

Republican state Rep. Dori Healey said she sponsored the bill because of her work as an advanced practice registered nurse when the legislature is out of session. "For me, being in the health care field, I think it's always important to understand the why behind anything. Why is this happening? What can we do better?" Healey said. "I feel like in health care we can only improve with knowledge."

Healey said she hadn't anticipated the strong opposition to the bill. In declining to advance it, lawmakers cited costs of running the panel, although some, like Huntsberger, say its operation was covered by a federal grant.

The MMRC was funded by the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program, aimed at improving the health of mothers, infants, and children. Idaho has received more than $3 million annually in Title V funds in recent years, according to statistics cited by Huntsberger.

The MMRC, whose members say annual operation costs stand at about $15,000, was deemed budget-neutral, running at no cost to the state.

In an interview with KFF Health News, Marco Erickson, vice chair of the Health and Welfare Committee, said Idaho's Republican Party has been focused on reducing government spending. He said the same maternal data could be adequately culled through epidemiology reports already published by the Department of Health and Welfare.

"Anytime that there is a death of a mother and child, there is value in evaluating why it occurred," Erickson said. "The whole committee saw the importance but saw there was another way to do it. It wasn't that they didn't think it was valuable."

Erickson, who previously oversaw elements of maternal and child health in his role as a health program manager for Nevada's Division of Public and Behavioral Health, said that information could become siloed in government, but it was worthwhile to improve existing bodies, rather than creating a committee anew.

"I think it could be covered elsewhere, and if it's not being done, they need to make a loud voice to cover it in the existing programs," he said. "We're happy to sit down together to find a solution that works."

The lobbying group Idaho Freedom Foundation celebrated the end of the committee, contending it was a "vehicle to promote more government intervention in health care," and citing the group's recommendation to extend Medicaid coverage to mothers for 12 months postpartum.

Elke Shaw-Tulloch, public health administrator at the Department of Health and Welfare, said the department would "continue to collect raw data on maternal deaths and gather as much data as possible through limited, existing sources." But, she said, it will not have the ability to compel reporting on cases or convene committee members to investigate deaths.

"We are currently assessing what actions we can take and working with stakeholders to address solutions moving forward," she said.

A group to do so has not yet convened since the legislative session ended in April, although stakeholders say they will focus on bringing another bill before the Idaho Legislature to reinstitute the committee in the 2024 session.

Stacy Seyb, a maternal-fetal specialist who grew up in rural western Kansas and chaired the committee until its dissolution, said that supporting medical providers in more rural areas was part of his lifelong mission and that the work won't necessarily stop.

"We knew once it didn't get out of committee that 'Oh, well, we're sunk,'" Seyb said. "I know one thing we want to do is collect as much information as we can over the year. Whether it will get reviewed or not, I don't know."

2023 KFF Health News.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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American industry engages in some of the same high-risk practices as other countries in keeping and selling commercial animals that have the potential for triggering outbreaks of disease among humans, a new report shows.

Researchers from Harvard Law School and New York University (NYU) studied this as part of a larger project in which they aim to assess zoonotic disease risks related to animal industries in 15 countries.

"The risk is staggering, because our use of animals is staggering," report author Ann Linder, a research fellow at Harvard's animal law and policy program, told The New York Times. "And we don't even really understand where that risk is."

The United States also "has no comprehensive strategy" to mitigate the dangers, and these practices often happen out of view and without regulation, the report said.

The new report "should change the narrative" that spillover is a "foreign" problem, Dr. Suresh Kuchipudi, an expert on zoonotic disease at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health, told the Times.

"The risk of disease transmission is not really confined to a particular geography or cultural practice," he added. "It can happen wherever there is frequent wild or domestic animal and human interactions."

This issue rose to the surface, of course, because of the pandemic. The origins of the COVID-19 virus are still uncertain.

About 60% of infectious diseases are "zoonotic," or start in animals. That's also true of about 75% of new and emerging infectious diseases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For the U.S. portion of the ongoing international study, researchers analyzed 36 animal markets, interviewing experts and reviewing publicly available data, government regulations and scientific papers. The markets included those for dog breeding, hunting and trapping, petting zoos and livestock auctions.

The authors considered the number of animals involved, the pathogens they are known to carry, interactions with humans and biosecurity practices.

"We just discovered so much that was surprising to us," report co-author Dale Jamieson, director of the Center for Environmental and Animal Protection at NYU, told the Times.

Among the facts they unearthed were that the U.S. produces more than 10 billion land animals for food annually. Americans also raise more pigs and poultry than nearly any other country, Linder said. These particular animals can transmit influenza.

The United States is also the leading importer of livestock and wild animals, including more than 220 million live wild animals annually.

There are over 130 live bird markets in the Northeast alone, the report found. Multiple outbreaks of highly pathogenic bird flu have already happened this year at these events, according to the report, and swine flu has previously spilled over into humans at markets in Minnesota.

Meanwhile, government regulation is "inconsistent and full of holes," Linder said. It is also focused on conservation regulations, rather than disease.

Some data gaps exist, so the next step is further study, the report authors said.

"These threats are out there, whether we turn on the lights and face them or just continue taking comfort in the dark," Linder said.

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on zoonotic diseases.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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State-level low-value visit rate changes for Medicaid (a), all adult visits (b), Medicare (c), and Commercial (d). Credit: BMC Health Services Research (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09696-x

People with low incomes who live in states that expanded Medicaid got more of the kind of health care that can keep them healthier in the long run, compared with similar people in non-expansion states, a new study finds.

They also received more health care overall, specifically clinic visits. But they didn't crowd out patients covered by Medicare or private insurance such as from an employer, the study finds. Those groups continued to have clinic visits and receive preventive care at the same rate as before Medicaid expanded.

The findings, made using detailed health care data from two groups of states that made different decisions about expanding coverage under the Affordable Care Act, are published in BMC Health Services Research by a team from the University of Michigan and the University of California Los Angeles.

"Expanding Medicaid not only expanded low-income adults' overall access to health care, but it also specifically expanded access to preventive care that could pay off down the road in better health," says Aaron Parzuchowski, M.D., M.P.H., M.S., who led the study while he was a National Clinician Scholar at the U-M Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation and the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System. "At the same time, concerns that other patients would receive less care, or more hurried care with less focus on prevention, did not pan out."

To qualify for Medicaid coverage in an expansion state, a single adult can have an income no higher than about $20,000.

Three of the five states in the study that hadn't expanded Medicaid at the time of the analysisVirginia, North Carolina and Georgiahave now done so. But the other twoFlorida and Texasand eight other states still have not. About 3.5 million adults could qualify for coverage if those 10 states expanded the program.

In addition, more than 1.5 million adults and children have lost Medicaid coverage in recent months across the country during the "unwinding" of pandemic-era provisions; most for administrative reasons rather than due to increased income.

Parzuchowski, who is now a lecturer in internal medicine at Michigan Medicine, U-M's academic medical center, worked with the UCLA team led by John Mafi, M.D., as well as A. Mark Fendrick, M.D., director of U-M's Center for Value Based Insurance Design.

In addition to overall trends in care, their study zeroes in on what experts refer to as "high value" caremedications and other treatments that can help prevent or delay costly health problems in adults with clogged heart arteries, heart failure, diabetes, depression or osteoporosis.

The team used data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to look at the insurance coverage, health conditions and medical care of 143 million adults living in high-population states from 2012 to 2015. They focused on adults' visits to physician offices and clinics, excluding federally funded 'safety net' clinics.

Medicaid expansion became law in 2014 in eight of the states studied (Arizona, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Washington), giving the researchers two years before the expansion and two years after to look for differences between those states and the five comparison states. They also accounted for changes in each state's population during the same time period.

As part of the study, the researchers focused only on the kinds of appointments where it would have made sense for the doctor or other provider to prescribe one of the high-value medications or treatments based on the patient's risk factors or health history. They also included visits where providers could have prescribed low-value types of care such as opioid pain medicines for back, neck or head pain, or antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections.

In all, they found that the number of all Medicaid visits, and the number of Medicaid visits by patients who were likely new Medicaid enrollees, both went up in expansion states but not in non-expansion states. Total Medicaid visits went up by 35%, with 16 more per 100 adults living in the state.

The total number of adult visits, and the visits by patients with Medicare or private insurance, did not change significantly in either group of states.

There was also a 19% increase in the likelihood that a clinic visit by a new Medicaid enrollee would include high-value care in expansion states. In non-expansion states the likelihood that a visit by a new Medicaid enrollee would include high-value care dropped by 24% in the same timeframe.

"Our findings dispel a frequently stated concern that access to clinicians and quality of care would be reduced for people enrolled in other insurance types in states that expanded Medicaid," said Fendrick.

More information: Aaron Parzuchowski et al, Evaluating the accessibility and value of U.S. ambulatory care among Medicaid expansion states and non-expansion states, 20122015, BMC Health Services Research (2023). DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09696-x
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Figure summarizing the procedure followed in the team's experiment. Credit: Fan et al, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1175067

Fatigue, which can be defined as lacking energy and the motivation to do things during the day, is a very common symptom that most humans will experience at least once in their life. While it is sometimes linked to medical conditions, in most cases it is caused by poor lifestyle choices, stress, environmental circumstances, and/or psychological factors.

Past studies suggest that irrespective of its causes, fatigue can intensify negative emotions, making affected people feel more overwhelmed and reducing their positive feelings. This can in turn impair their ability to process emotions throughout the day.

Research findings suggest that mindfulness meditation, which focus on being present in the moment and observing the breath, along with passing feelings, emotions, and sensations, can help to reduce the intensity of negative feelings, facilitating the healthy processing of emotions. Researchers at Shenzhen University in China recently set out to investigate whether mindfulness practices could also help to alleviate the adverse effects of fatigue on emotional processing.

"In previous research, mindfulness meditation reduced the intensity of negative emotional stimuli," Jialin Fan, Wenjing Li and their colleagues wrote in their paper published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience. "However, if individuals continue to be affected by negative emotions when they are fatigued, it is unclear whether mindfulness can buffer the negative association between fatigue and emotions. This study examined whether mindfulness meditation affects the association between fatigue and emotions, using event-related potentials (ERPs)."

Event-related potentials (ERPs) are tiny electrical voltages generated in the brain in response to specific events or stimuli, such as seeing someone or something, hearing a specific sound, and so on. Measuring these voltages can help neuroscientists and psychology researchers to better understand peoples emotional and physiological responses to different experiences in everyday settings.

In their experiment, Fan, Li and their colleagues recorded the ERPs of 145 participants who were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Participants in the first group completed a 15-minute guided mindfulness meditation, during which they were asked to pay attention to their breathing and to different body parts. During these 15 minutes, people in the second group simply rested with their eyes closed.

Subsequently, all the participants completed a simple image processing task, where they were presented with different photographs on the screen while electrodes placed behind their ear recorded ERPs. All the participants were all asked to rate their level of fatigue and emotional state both before and after the experiment.

The researchers ultimately analyzed the data they collected to determine whether the mindfulness meditation practice had affected the participants' emotional state, as well as ERPs in their brain. They specifically looked at late positive potential, or LPP, a neural indicator of intense or heightened attention to emotional stimuli, which can offer insight about the processing of emotions while exposed to positive or negative stimuli.

"LPP is an important indicator of emotional stimuli perceived by individuals, and positive or negative pictures can induce an increase in LPP amplitude more than neutral pictures," Fan, Li and their colleagues wrote. "Our findings suggest that fatigue significantly affected individuals' LPP amplitudes in the early, mid, and late windows in the Non-mindfulness group, specifically, the more fatigued individuals had lower LPP amplitudes, but not in the Mindfulness group."

The researchers found that participants who reported feeling fatigued at the time of the experiment did not report a significant improvement in their emotional state after the mindfulness meditation session; However, the signals recorded by the electrodes suggested that the meditation had affected how their brain processed emotional stimuli, improving their responsiveness to emotional stimuli compared to fatigued participants who had simply rested for 15 minutes.

"These results suggest that in a state of fatigue, mindful individuals are able to maintain responsiveness to emotional stimuli by maintaining LPP amplitude," Fan, Li and their colleagues added. "Our study demonstrates that mindfulness meditation, to some extent, offsets the negative association of fatigue with the neural activation of emotions."

The recent work by Fan, Li and their colleagues offers interesting new insight about the possible benefits of mindfulness meditation, suggesting that it could mitigate the adverse effects of fatigue on emotional processing. Future studies could explore this topic further employing different experimental methods, for instance including more reliable measures of fatigue and longer ore recurring meditation sessions.

More information: Jialin Fan et al, Effects of mindfulness and fatigue on emotional processing: an event-related potentials study, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1175067 Journal information: Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience

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There is currently low-level evidence about surgical consent processes that can inform clinical practice, and surgical consent is frequently obtained by junior doctors in a suboptimal process, according to a review published online June 25 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.

Therese M. Gardiner, M.N., from Griffith University in Southport, Australia, and colleagues provided an overview of the literature about the process of obtaining informed consent from adults undergoing planned surgery. The scoping review included 53 articles: 39 primary and 14 secondary research publications.

The researchers identified three key findings: currently, there is low-level evidence relating to the surgical consent processes to inform clinical practice; junior doctors often obtain surgical consent, but this process is likely suboptimal; and current knowledge gaps include capacity assessment, decision-making, and preprocedural consent checks.

"While the responsibility for obtaining surgical consent lies with the surgeon, the nurse's role is crucial as they act as a safety net," the authors write. "This holds particular importance given the frequency of junior doctors consenting patients for surgery, coupled with incomplete procedural information delivered."

More information: Therese M. Gardiner et al, Exploring healthcare professionals' perspective of the process of obtaining consent for adult patient's having planned surgery: A scoping review, Journal of Clinical Nursing (2023). DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16698 Journal information: Journal of Clinical Nursing

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

In 2004, California passed a law requiring employers above a certain size to provide paid family leave to their employees.

Much of the research looking at this policy has examined its impact on the work, income and leave-taking of new parents and women of childbearing agebut less research has focused on how paid leave may impact older adults.

Now, a University of Michigan researcher has found that with paid leave, older adults are spending less time looking after their grandchildren and more time looking after their parents. The research is published in the Journal of Aging & Social Policy.

"The law could affect older adults directly, by enabling them to take paid leave to take care of sick relatives when they wouldn't have before. But it could also affect older adults indirectly, if it enables new parents to take paid leave," said U-M economist Joelle Abramowitz.

"If grandparents provided significant amounts of care to their grandchildren because the parents of those grandchildren did not have access to paid leave, now that the parents of those grandchildren are able to take paid leave, we would expect to see grandparents spend less time caregiving to their grandchildren."

The research team, which includes Marcus Dillender of Vanderbilt University, drew from the 19982016 waves of U-M's Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of approximately 20,000 Americans over age 50 and their spouses. The study is nationally representative, and participants are interviewed every two years.

The HRS asks respondents with grandchildren if they or their spouses spent 100 or more hours in total taking care of their grandchildren in the past two years. If respondents answer yes, they are asked how many hours they spent taking care of grandchildren in the past two years and how many hours their spouse spent taking care of grandchildren in the past two years.

Likewise, the HRS asks respondents with parents if they or their spouses spent 100 or more hours in total helping their parents with basic personal activities in the past two years. If respondents answer yes, they are asked how many hours each they and their spouse spent helping their own parents and their spouse's parents in the past two years. The researchers combined values for helping the respondent's own parents and their spouse's parents.

Additionally, the researchers were able to compare outcomes for residents of California to residents of other states using a restricted-use version of the data with state identifiers.

After the implementation of the paid-leave law, the researchers found that the respondents spent, on average, 96 hours helping parents with basic needs and 190 hours caring for grandchildren over the past two years. Compared to before the paid leave law was implemented, this represents a 17% decrease in grandparents' time spent caring for grandchildren in the past two years and a 40%50% increase in time spent helping parents with personal activities. In terms of hours, older adults are spending 39 fewer hours caring for grandchildren and 41 more hours caring for their parents.

The effects for women are larger, Abramowitz said. Women spend 48 hours fewer caring for their grandchildren and 53 more hours caring for their parents. Men spend 24 hours less caring for grandchildren and 30 hours more caring for their parents.

These hours don't reflect the total amount of time that people spend with their grandchildren or parents, Abramowitz said. The hours only include time spent caregiving to relatives.

"One distinction I want to make is that the question on the survey specifically asks about caring for grandchildren, not about spending time with your grandchildren. For parents, we look at spending time helping them with basic needsjust chores and functional tasks," Abramowitz said. "We really focus on the caregiving aspect as opposed to how much time respondents are spending with their family members."

Abramowitz said it's important to look beyond the immediate effects of this policy on the caregiving choices of new parents. The policy may have indirect effects on older adults' ability to work longer rather than retiring in order to give care to their parents.

"There has been a lot of focus on new parents and not as much focus on older adults, but they're also people who engage in a lot of caregiving," she said. "This law potentially supports older caregivers, which enables more options for providing care to their parents.

"I think it's important to have more evidence about how policy can influence people's choices in terms of institutional care versus home care. Additionally, these policies can influence people's ability to work longer. If people want to work longer, how do we facilitate that ability?"

More information: Joelle Abramowitz et al, Effects of California's Paid Family Leave Law on Caregiving by Older Adults, Journal of Aging & Social Policy (2023). DOI: 10.1080/08959420.2023.2226283
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Associations between mothers' and fathers' shared responsiveness and individual residual variance predicting child prosocial behaviors, child behavior problems, and child receptive language. Credit: Family Relations (2023). DOI: 10.1111/fare.12913

Fathers and mothers in low-income homes can ensure that their preschoolers thrive with social behaviors and language skills by engaging in shared expressions of parental love or warmth, according to a new study.

Mothers and fathers who demonstrated similar or mutually agreed-on ways of being sensitive and warm in their parenting stimulated the child's development, the findings showed.

Most poverty-related studies about child development focus on the adverse effects, ranging from poor health to higher emotional and behavioral problems. The current study, published in Family Relations, focused on the factors contributing to the resilience of children growing up in poverty, as well as how fathers and mothers work as a team.

Researchers from the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, University of California-Berkeley and University of Nevada-Las Vegas examined parental responsivenesswhich is the prompt and appropriate reaction to their children in everyday exchangesamong low-income families.

The study's nearly 1,200 participants came from the Building Strong Families project, a racially diverse group of families from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Parental responsiveness was observed during short father-child and mother-child interactions with a book and a set of toys in separate bags.

Researchers gathered data on the preschoolers' child behavior problems, prosocial behaviors (such as demonstrating empathy) and language skills.

Children had higher levels of prosocial behaviors and language skills when fathers and mothers engaged in shared parental responsiveness, said Shawna Lee, University of Michigan professor of social work.

Lee and colleagues noted that the study sample only involved fathers who completed the parent-child observations. Thus, compared with those who are unavailable, fathers in this research may be highly involved in their children's lives, irrespective of their resident status.

"As long as both parents engaged in shared parental responsiveness, their children benefited from it," said Joyce Lee, Ohio State University assistant professor of social work and the study's lead author.

These findings would not be drastically different for other families, as well, she said. "The literature shows that parental responsiveness is beneficial to children across different income levels," she said. "Hence, we might expect similar patterns for middle-income families, for instance."

More information: Joyce Y. Lee et al, Shared parental responsiveness among fathers and mothers with low income and early child outcomes, Family Relations (2023). DOI: 10.1111/fare.12913 Journal information: Family Relations
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A newly identified treatment could lengthen telomeres that have shortened prematurely. Credit: Sebastian Stankiewicz, Boston Childrens Hospital

Each time our cells divide, the protective caps that keep our chromosomes from fraying, called telomeres, lose a bit of their DNA. Telomeres shorten steadily as we age, but in certain medical conditions like dyskeratosis congenita, the process is accelerated.

"Your telomeres determine your lifeline; how long they are determines how old your body is," says Becca Hudson, who was diagnosed with dyskeratosis congenita at age 14. "My telomere length was below the first percentile for my age."

A failing bone marrow

Trying out for cheerleading, 14-year-old Becca was pulled when testing found something amiss with her blood work. She had very low counts of platelets, red cells, and white cells. Her doctor called later that day and said she should be admitted that night to Boston Children's Hospital.

Becca's bone marrow was failing, unable to keep up with her need for healthy blood cells. She was first diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Later, a telomere length test led to the diagnosis of dyskeratosis congenita. Becca's is one of about 300 cases known in the U.S.

Within months, in January 2015, Becca underwent a bone marrow transplant. She received an infusion of blood stem cells from a healthy donor through a protocol developed by her hematologist, Suneet Agarwal, MD, Ph.D., in the Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

While the transplant helped normalize Becca's blood system, it didn't slow down the shortening of telomeres in all her tissues. Although she has avoided serious complications of dyskeratosis congenita, such as liver disease or lung scarring, she suffers from a minor heart condition and joint pains.

"I describe it as an aging disorder," says Becca, now 23 and just graduated from college. "My body thinks it's older than it actually is. I'm grateful every day that I don't have the worst of it."

Extending telomere life

For more than a decade, Agarwal has looked for a way to lengthen telomeres and turn back the cellular aging process. Much of his lab's work has focused on telomerase, an enzyme that builds telomeres back up, and how genetic mutations affect factors that make up telomerase or regulate it.

Now, taking an entirely different approach, Agarwal and Will Mannherz, an MD-Ph.D. student in his lab, have zeroed in on a surprisingly effective way to lengthen telomeresone that could be tested clinically relatively soon.

Using CRISPR editing, the researchers systematically knocked out genes in the genome one by one, looking for factors involved in telomere maintenance. The work is published in the journal Nature Genetics.

That revealed a surprising ingredient and potential therapeutic. As described recently in Nature Genetics, adding the compound thymidine lengthened telomeres dramatically in cell lines and in stem cells made from patients with dyskeratosis congenita.

Thymidine is one of four different nucleotides of DNA, also known as bases, together with adenine, cytosine, and guanine.

"Nucleotides are what telomeres are made of," says Mannherz. "We looked at all different combinations of nucleotides, and with every combination that had thymidine in it, telomeres were longer."

Clinical trial planned

Serendipitously, thymidine has already been found safe and is being used in clinical trials for thymidine kinase 2 deficiency, another rare disease that weakens muscles. Agarwal, co-program leader for the Stem Cell Transplant Program at Boston Children's, anticipates he could begin offering thymidine treatment to patients with telomere disease within a year or so. Eventually, he and his colleagues hope to establish a new treatment center focused on telomere diseases.

"We have many patients who are waiting for answers beyond bone marrow transplantation, which is only for the blood problems," he says. "Because thymidine is already used and appears to be safe, we may save years compared to traditional drug development and de-risking."

Becca, who has known Agarwal since her diagnosis, is excited by the prospect of trying thymidine. She's long been involved in his research studies, donating blood and skin cells, and hopes to remain his patient as she transitions to adulthood.

More information: William Mannherz et al, Thymidine nucleotide metabolism controls human telomere length, Nature Genetics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01339-5 Journal information: Nature Genetics
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Comparison of spatial and temporal trends in seropositive women at first antenatal care visit and Plasmodium falciparum infection in children. a Pearson correlation coefficients between PfPR qPCR in children 210 years old (n = 3933) from cross-sectional surveys and seroprevalence in pregnant women at first ANC visits (n = 5990). Results are shown for different gravidity and HIV status groups from pregnant women (from left to right), and each color represents a different antigen. Gray and black data points show the Pearson correlation coefficients between children and pregnant women for PfPR RDT and PfPR qPCR , respectively. b Scatter comparison between PfPR qPCR in children (x-axis) and VAR2CSA DBL3-4 seropositivity from all pregnant women at first ANC visit. Black dashed line shows the linear regression. c Declines in seroprevalence between year 1 and year 3 for each antigen expressed as percentage of change. P-values were obtained from a Z-test of proportions. d Comparison of the temporal trends of VAR2CSA DBL3-4 seroprevalence (red line) and weekly number of Plasmodium falciparum RDT passively detected cases from children (dashed black line) in Ilha Josina (n = 8985). eg 2-point cross-correlation functions between seropositive cases of different antigens (represented by the different colors) (n by year= 1971, 1613, 1,465) using all first ANC visits and qPCR positivity in children 210 years old (n by year = 1900, 1565, 468) from cross-sectional surveys for the three years of study (eg). Black dashed lines show the 2-point correlation function of qPCR positivity in children. Data are presented as mean values, with errors representing the 95%CI in a and c, and the SD in b, dg. Credit: Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39662-4

P. falciparum infection rates in pregnant women attending their first antenatal care visit can be used to estimate the burden of malaria in children living in the community, according to a study led by the Barcelona Institute of Health (ISGlobal) and the Centre for Health Research in Manhica (CISM). The study, published in Nature Communications, confirms that pregnant women are an optimal population to monitor changes in infection prevalence and to adapt control measures.

Close monitoring of malaria trends in a community or region (i.e. whether it is increasing or decreasing) is essential to adjust interventions aimed at controlling or eliminating the disease. However, relying on clinical cases that arrive at health centers is not ideal, as there are many patients who do not seek care or are asymptomatic. On the other hand, cross-sectional studies (i.e. collecting data from many people at the same time) are expensive and can only be carried out every two to three years.

For Alfredo Mayor, researcher at ISGlobal and CISM, pregnant women attending antenatal care visits are an optimal group to monitor the prevalence of malaria and other infectious diseases. "In sub-Saharan Africa, 79% of pregnant women attend at least one antenatal care visit, which is a good representation of the total population," notes Mayor. "In addition, antenatal visits have the advantage of capturing asymptomatic infections because they are independent of whether the person feels unwell."

In this study, Mayor and his team measured malaria prevalence in 6,471 pregnant women attending antenatal care visits in three areas of southern Mozambique with different levels of transmission (Manhica, Magude and Ilha Josina) and compared it with the prevalence estimated from clinical cases or from cross-sectional studies in children, in the same areas and over the same time period (2016-2019).

Good temporal and spatial correlation

The analysis shows that infection rates in pregnant women closely reflect the rates in children from cross-sectional studies, especially when the parasite is detected by molecular tests (PCR). With rapid diagnostic tests, the correlation holds in low-transmission areas (Manhica or Magude), but is lost in high-transmission areas (Ilha Josina) when multigravid women (who have had more than one pregnancy) are included. Multigravid women had a lower prevalence than the children in the community.

"This is because the immunity acquired during previous pregnancies allows them to maintain low parasite densities and evade detection by rapid tests, which are less sensitive than PCR," explains Arnau Pujol, co-first author of the study with Gloria Matambisso.

The results also show a good correlation over time between the declining infection rates in pregnant women and that of clinical cases, albeit with a lag of about three months (i.e. infection rates in pregnant women followed the same pattern as those in clinical cases, but with a delay of 2-3 months). This correlation was observed in all three sites, regardless of whether the woman was primigravida, multigravida or HIV-positive.

Finally, 60% of the infection hotspots identified with the clinical cases were also found with the pregnant women, thanks to a software that identifies cases that are geographically close.

"Our study shows that screening for P. falciparum at the first antenatal care visit can be used to estimate disease burden in children," says Matambisso. However, the authors warn that it is important to consider the delay of about three months compared to clinical cases, as well as the need to exclude multigravid women in high-transmission areas or to use more sensitive tests.

More information: Arnau Pujol et al, Detecting temporal and spatial malaria patterns from first antenatal care visits, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39662-4 Journal information: Nature Communications
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Circulating plasma proteins prediction of long-term future lung cancer. (a) A boxplot of training AUC values from four different machine learning models (Elastic Net, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, XGBoost, five-fold CV repeated five times) trained on the LLP cohort to predict lung cancer in patients one to five years before diagnosis (110 Cancer, 215 control samples). (b) Protein levels in LLP subjects were transformed using the z-score method and combined to generate one score. Combined z-scores were plotted over time in the LLP cohort for 1-5Y proteins. (c) The z-scores were also correlated with age at time of sample in the same time frame categories; correlation was measured using Pearson correlation coefficient. Credit: eBioMedicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104686

Pioneering research led by the University of Liverpool is using molecular biology to analyze blood samples to predict future lung cancer.

The University's Lung Cancer Research Group, in collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (Janssen), have demonstrated in a recent publication great potential to use proteins circulating in blood to predict Britain's most common cause of cancer death. While late-stage lung cancer has a poor prognosis, detecting and treating lung cancer at an early stage can save lives.

The long-term study has seen researchers analyze blood samples taken from healthy participants between one and ten years prior to a lung cancer diagnosis. These were compared to control subjects who did not get lung cancer. This comparison demonstrated that proteins in plasma were able to identify those most likely to suffer from lung cancer in the future. Furthermore, they showed that some proteins were related to the presence of undiagnosed tumors.

Over the past three decades, Liverpool has played an essential role in establishing the potential of lung cancer screening for early diagnosis in the U.K. The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation funded the Liverpool Lung Project (LLP), headed by the University of Liverpool's Prof John Field, Professor of Molecular Oncology (Clinical). This led to the development of the LLP risk model, to help identify individuals at high risk of developing lung cancer, as implemented in the UK Lung Cancer Screening Trial (UKLS) and being used in the NHS Targeted Lung Health Check program.

The LLP Biobank has also accumulated a valuable set of tumor and blood samples used in a wide variety of research. The latest piece of research, recently published in the journal eBioMedicine, was led by the University of Liverpool's Dr. Michael Davies, also a Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation Senior Research Fellow, in collaboration with scientists at Janssen.

Dr. Michael Davies said, "Lung cancer is Britain's most common cause of cancer death and we are dedicated to the continued understanding of this terrible disease and working with partners to tackle it.

"This latest paper illustrates the importance of our work, as we can potentially look at patterns of proteins in easily obtained blood samples, to help understand the cancer and, significantly, identify who it might affect. This can help us to target those patients for lung cancer screening. We were very fortunate to work with our industrial partners on this project, as they not only supported the ongoing work of the LLP Biobank, but invested in the latest technology to allow us to study more proteins and provided important bioinformatic analysis."

This paper follows the recent Government announcement detailing the continuation of the Targeted Lung Health Checks (TLHC) Program. It will see at-risk patients offered lung cancer screening in order to detect the disease at an earlier stage and improve the chances of successful treatment.

Professor John Field, who also sits as External Advisor on the Cheshire & Merseyside TLHC Steering Committee added, "Despite great progress towards implementation of lung cancer screening, there is a continued need to better understand early stages of disease, identify biomarkers for early detection and risk stratification and to provide opportunities to intervene to prevent lung cancer, alongside continued efforts to reduce smoking.

"Our latest work complements our international research program, especially with our collaborators on the NIH-funded INTEGRAL project, focusing on use of plasma protein biomarkers for detection of imminent lung cancer and the management of indeterminate nodules detected during screening."

Paula Chadwick, chief executive of Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said, "We are incredibly proud of our role and the research spearheaded in Liverpool by Prof John Field in the long awaiting announcement of lung cancer screening.

"We funded the Liverpool Lung Project back when no one else was interested in lung cancer, when people dismissed a lung cancer screening program as nothing more than a pipedream. But we knew the potential it had and the lives that could be saved because of it. Many years and a lot of hard work later, that pipedream has become a reality."

More information: Michael P.A. Davies et al, Plasma protein biomarkers for early prediction of lung cancer, eBioMedicine (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104686 Journal information: EBioMedicine
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As a psychotherapist and wellness consultant with clients from New York to New Zealand, Aishia Grevenberg is happy to recommend self-care. But don't expect it to end in a day at the spa.

"I think 'self-care' is a truly watered-down term, in the sense that it has almost become like 'bubble baths and manicures,'" Grevenberg said. It's much more intense than that, she said, "and it's not always pretty or easy or fun."

For Grevenberg, self-care is about being aware of your feelings and addressing them honestly. "If a client tells me, 'I felt rejected' or 'I felt upset,' I'm always looking for the underlying meaning." She works to get to the root of that emotion.

Looked at this way, self-care can feel heavy or uncomfortable, she said, "but it is necessary to being a person."

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, self-care in its many forms is an important part of overall health. And Grevenberg, who is based out of Playa Del Carmen in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, practices what she preaches. She explained how for "The Experts Say," an American Heart Association News series where specialists discuss how they apply what they've learned to their own lives. (The conversation has been edited.)

What does self-care look like to you?

It's really a mindfulness meditation, and being with yourself and with your emotions in a gentle and loving way. It looks very different to different people at different times.

The term gets thrown around a lot these days.

It's ubiquitous. And because it has lost its meaning, it can be used for anything.

The idea of doing hair, nails, that kind of thingthat's a way of doing things for yourself, but it's not necessarily being with yourself. Self-care is fundamentally about being, not doing.

When self-care is about being, it often is extremely uncomfortable. But when you are dealing with your sadness, or your guilt, or your disappointmentthat is self-care.

The problems I see in individuals and organizations I work with come from the avoidance of the self and our fear of being consumed by the depth of our feelings. My work is to help them have the courage to sit with whatever comes up and allow it to pass.

Truly feeling the full spectrum of human emotion is self-care.

This sounds a lot more involved than just sitting on the couch and eating ice cream.

I don't want to say it's a task or a chore, but you have to be able to make the effort, to notice when you're not feeling like yourself, then check on yourself to see what's been going on.

Establishing a relationship with yourself that you nurture dailythat's what self-care is.

Is it time-consuming?

It doesn't really take a long time. I don't ask my clients to sit somewhere and meditate for hours on how they feel. It really is a very simple check-in: "You know, I'm noticing that I'm feeling something. I'm just going to pause in this moment, maybe take a couple of deep breaths, and welcome whatever's going on. I can manage this."

So I'm not even asking for five minutes. It's a check-in.

Here's an example of the difference between the popularized idea of self-care as opposed to being fully in the moment: I was having dinner with a dear friend. We were sitting outside, beautiful weather, beautiful patio. But at one point, a police car pulled up maybe two blocks away. And the lights became an annoyance.

Most people's idea of self-care would be to get whatever you want on the menu. Have a few cocktails. But I wanted to be present with my friend, and I couldn't do it because I was distracted.

My self-care in that moment was to pause her while she was speaking and ask, "Do you mind if we move the table so that I don't have to face this big flashing light?" And she said, "You know, it's actually reflecting off the window behind you, so it's distracting me as well."

We're both therapists, and for about five minutes we were equally uncomfortable. But we were trying to deal with it as opposed to being present.

It was a quick fix. We just asked the waiter to move our stuff. It took two seconds.

How else do you practice this kind of self-care?

Like I said, it doesn't take a lot. When I wash my hands, it's definitely a meditation for me. I'm plugged in.

Other times, I make sure I get up and walk around. I'm present and checking in with myself.

Making sure that I am grounded and aware of what's going on, for me, is the very best thing I can do for my clients. I'm a regular person. It's not like every day I'm excited and jumping over the moon. Being able to acknowledge that to myself is the way that I'm able to do my best work.

Have you always been able to practice self-care this way?

I didn't always. But I began to learn that, when I didn't just check in, just like with any other relationship, I would miss things. Or I would be a little detached, like, "Oh, I noticed that this is bothering me, but I'll address it later."

But things can pile up. And I could get to the end of my day and be completely tapped out, when if I had stopped earlier, checked in with myself, taken a couple deep breaths, I could have moved a different way throughout my day. Maybe I needed to acknowledge I didn't sleep well, or maybe I needed to eat breakfast.

Was there a particular moment when you realized you needed to make this sort of self-reflection a regular part of your life?

I can specifically remember 2011, when I was finishing up my clinical social worker's license. I was also a professor for the very first time, and I was teaching graduate students. I was also seeing clients inside their homes. So I was driving all over Las Vegas in the middle of 115-degree weather, literally beating the pavement, working with the department of family services.

I worked with children after school. I worked with children with cancer in hospitals. I worked with juveniles who were under judicial supervision.

And it was overwhelming. I felt like I couldn't stop because I was so close to finishing my hours. I thought, "I gotta push through, I gotta push through, I gotta push through." I was exhausted. And there wasn't really a lot of support other than "finish it" from my peers. And so there wasn't space for me to say that this was entirely too much.

I did finish. I did push through. And I never worked with children again because it was entirely too much for me.

Before, I didn't have the confidence to say, "I'm torn up emotionally. I can't work with children. It's too triggering." After that experience, I'm able to say, "I love children, but I don't work with children because of what it does to me emotionally."

If somebody reading this says, "I need to do a better job of actually knowing myself and taking care of myself," where do they begin?

All I would ask that person to do is perhaps add five minutes in the morning to whatever it is they do. Sit with an awareness of who you are and where you are. Add one loving statement: "I'm going to try to see myself today. I'm going to try to be loving to myself today. I'm going to try to be gentle to myself today. I'm going to be aware. I'm willing to try." One sentence, with an attitude of, "It's OK to be me. However, I feel today, I'm going to allow it to be."

Be aware of what you're feeling, where you're feeling it in your body. And from that, the direction that each person needs to take for themselves will become more clear.

The healing comes when we can be.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

War led Nawal Nadar to flee her home country of Lebanon to Kuwait, then the United Arab Emirates, and finally arriving in Australia in 1998. Ms. Nadar is now a maternity liaison officer at Blacktown Hospital in Sydney's West, working with women who also come from conflict-affected backgrounds. Their experiences are vastly different to people born in Australia, particularly when it comes to mental health.

"They've been through a lot. They had to leave their villages, their homes. They've lost everything," Nadar says.

Nadar saw that for this group of women, the COVID-19 pandemic resurfaced trauma and exacerbated existing mental health issues. However, until now these struggles have been mostly unseen. Previous COVID-19 mental health research conducted has mostly involved self-report or online surveys conducted primarily among general populations.

"For a lot of women, the pandemic brought up bad memories. And although we don't have lockdowns anymore, it's far from over," Nadar says.

New research led by UNSW Sydney in partnership with Monash University, which Nadar was involved in, examines the mental health impacts of COVID-19-related stressors on women of refugee background living in Australia. The study, published in PLOS Global Public Health, compared these women to Australian-born women.

"We were incredibly concerned to see that women from refugee backgrounds had much higher levels of mental health concerns associated with COVID-19," says first author Professor Susan Rees, who is a Professor in Psychiatry at UNSW Medicine & Health.

"When people talk about mental health, they don't often look at the unique experiences of women who have come to Australia from conflict-affected backgrounds. They may have underlying mental health problems. Not enough attention is given to supporting people financially, socially and psychologically when they arrive in Australia and settle here."

Monitoring vulnerable groups

The researchers have been following women in Australia as part of a long-term program of research called the WATCH cohort study. A sample of 1335 women were originally recruited in 2015 and 2016 from three public antenatal clinics in refugee-dense areas in Sydney and Melbourne. Approximately half of the women were Australian born and half were of refugee background from conflict-affected countries (mainly Iraq, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Sudan).

Over the years, the researchers conducted interviews and surveys with the two groups to examine their mental health status, along with other factors like functioning, financial stress, traumatic events, and social support networks. According to Rees, women of childbearing age with refugee background are particularly at risk of experiencing mental distress.

"Women's experiences are often neglected in health and in mental health as well, and the perinatal period is a particularly sensitive time. When you look at the demographic data for new arrivals, there is a substantial group of childbearing age women from conflict-affected settings. Those women have unique needs, and many require intervention and support," Rees says.

In a previous paper published in 2020, the researchers observed that for women with refugee backgrounds, COVID-19-related stressors could be trauma triggers. A trauma trigger is when a situation induces someone to recall a traumatic experience, exacerbating mental health problems and interfering with day-to-day life.

Now the researchers have gone a step further. Between Feb 2020 and June 2021, the researchers conducted in-depth surveys with a sample of 650 women from the WATCH cohort. These women were 52% from refugee backgrounds and 48% Australian-born. The researchers quantified COVID-19 pandemic-related mental distress and material hardship, explored how these factors were related, and also quantified mental disorders in both groups.

"We used diagnostic measures for a range of common mental disorders and some others that tend to specifically affect people who've had trauma," Rees says.

Higher rates of mental distress

Nearly half (47.3%) of the Australian-born women in the study reported having "a problem or a very serious problem" with fear or stress associated with COVID-19; this rate was significantly higher (68.7%) for women from refugee backgrounds.

According to Rees, past trauma contributed to the higher rates of fear and stress for the women with refugee background.

"If you have prior trauma, you are already sensitized to maybe having a stronger stress response when there are additional stressors in your life," Rees says.

"Women fear ongoing loss of health status and livelihood, they experience sickness of children and death of family members. Separation from family at home and isolation in Australia are also significant factors. In the past, lockdowns triggered a large concern because some of these people come from regimes where they've been controlled and persecuted. When there was police presence on the streets in Western Sydney, that caused a lot of anxiety."

A third (32.5%) of the Australian-born women reported having "a problem or a very serious problem" associated with material hardship related to COVID-19; this rate was again higher (47.2%) for women from refugee backgrounds. Material hardship means economic and social challenges, for example losing a job or having insufficient money to cover daily costs.

Higher prevalence of economic and social factors due to COVID-19 also contributed to significantly higher levels of mental distress among the women with refugee background.

Pandemic struggles far from over

This is a unique example of large scale, systematic research into the mental health of women from refugee background in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rees says that research like this is important to demonstrate that many of these women are struggling, and to inform and advocate for improved services and support.

The researchers are applying to the current funding body, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), to extend the WATCH cohort study. They will be following the women for longer, and they will examine the mental health and development of their children.

"There needs be a better awareness of how COVID-19 is currently, not just in the past, but currently affecting people's mental health. Australia will also benefit from prospective evidence about what is needed and where to target to reduce risk and assist those most at risk," Rees says.

"We need to be pulling together and focusing on people that need the most support during COVID-19. For some of us, we're trying to get on with our lives and we might have better resources available to do that. But for many people who have trauma or are socially or economically disadvantaged, the pandemic is far from over."

More information: Susan J. Rees et al, COVID-19 stressors and mental health problems amongst women who arrived as refugees and those born in Australia, PLOS Global Public Health (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002073 Journal information: PLOS Global Public Health
A known Flathead-area white supremacist posted a property bond this week to get a man accused of murdering a homeless person in Kalispell out of jail, according to court records.

Kaleb E. Fleck pleaded not guilty to one count of deliberate homicide on Thursday. Prosecutors allege Fleck beat a houseless man, 60-year-old Scott Bryan, to death behind a gas station in Kalispell on June 25.

A property bond document filed on Wednesday shows Zachariah R. Harp put up a $500,000 surety, tied to a Kalispell residence, for Flecks release from jail, as was first reported by the Daily Inter Lake. Harp was the subject of a 2010 report from the Montana Human Rights Network detailing his ties to white supremacist activity in the Flathead area.

Fleck was released from custody on Wednesday, the Flathead County jail roster shows.

Documentation and public records shows it is the same Zachariah Harp, said Cherilyn DeVries, Montana Human Rights Network executive director, in a phone call with the Missoulian. She added the organization isnt sure what the connection is between Harp and Fleck.

The 2010 report ties Zachariah Harp to the Creativity Movement, a national white supremacist group. Harp enlisted other group members, known as creators, to attend a film screening at the Kalispell Public Library in 2010. According to the MHRN, Harp attended and promoted movie showings denying the Holocaust around Kalispell that same year.

A post from the Southern Poverty Law Centers Hatewatch program also flagged Zachariah Harps role in the Holocaust denial film showing.

The Daily Inter Lake reported at Flecks arraignment hearing, Flathead County District Judge Heidi Ulbricht permitted contact between Harp and Fleck, but prohibited the two from discussing the pending criminal case.

According to DeVries and the report, Zachariah Harp is the son of former Flathead legislator John G. Harp. A warranty deed included in the property bond court filing shows the elder Harp transferred ownership of the Kalispell residence to his son in 2017.

At the time the 2010 report was published, Zachariah Harp was active on multiple white supremacist websites. The report noted Zachariahs homophobic and racist comments made online against the Jewish community, Black and Indigenous people.

DeVries said the MHRN isnt aware of any recent white supremacist activity by the younger Harp.

Bryan was described as a peaceful, easygoing friend to people he knew. His death sent shockwaves through the Flathead community, with locals who work with the houseless community calling out recent anti-homeless rhetoric from local leaders.

Court documents state in the early morning hours of June 25, Kalispell authorities found Bryan face down on the ground with severe wounds to his head and face. Bryan was brought to a nearby hospital but died a short time later.

A witness showed authorities a video. In it, the camera pans between Fleck and Bryans body, with a man in the background saying, You fed that guy up dude, the case affidavit alleges.

In his interview with investigators, Fleck reportedly admitted to being present at the gas station, and Fleck admitted exiting the vehicle and assaulting the man, later identified as Scott Bryan, the affidavit states.
A nonprofit in Missoula that's been searching for a new piece of property on which to build a planned headquarters has finally found the answer.

All Nations Health Center announced it has reached an agreement with Partners Hope Foundation to create a campus of care on Union Pacific Street in Missoula.

The 5-acre parcel, located west of Reserve Street between Home Depot and the AMC Classic 12 movie theater, will be the future home of both All Nations and Partners Hope Foundation's new center for hospice and end-of-life care. The Terry and Patt Payne family gifted the land to the foundation in 2021.

This past June, the foundation broke ground on its new center on the eastern 2.2 acres of the property. Now, with the go-ahead from the Payne family, the western 2.8 acre chunk is owned by All Nations.

All Nations will work on building a new facility to consolidate all the services it provides, including culturally tailored medical, behavioral health, dental and health promotion services.

Both organizations say they're committed to offering Native people and all patients in western Montana culturally based, holistic care.

We are thrilled to begin this next chapter of All Nations history in a permanent home for our staff, clients and the community," said Skye McGinty, executive director of All Nations. "This is an exciting time to be involved in the delivery of health and wellness services to Missoulians, particularly as we grow our partnerships and set our sights on the expansion of care in this valley."

Established in 1970, All Nations is one of 41 Urban Indian Health Programs in the country. All Nations implements an integrated care model and has begun to implement trauma-informed practices and policies in order to achieve holistic wellness for the Missoula American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) community. It currently serves over 2,000 registered clients who are AIAN-enrolled tribal members or up to second-degree descendants.

While its services are designed by Native people for Native people, All Nations says it "honors traditional values such as charity and generosity" and makes its services available to everyone regardless of race, ethnicity or income status. Its staff has knowledge in both Western medicine and Indigenous knowledge, McGinty explained.

Partners Hope Foundation's new 15,200-square-foot-facility will be the only regional facility providing dedicated 24-hour hospice care to patients and families. It will have 12 private patient care rooms and is expected to open in early 2025.

"We are honored to be neighbors with All Nations Health Center and have deep respect for their legacy of care, said Amanda Yeoman Melro, executive director of Partners Hope Foundation. We are also excited about all the possibilities for partnership.

Both organizations are currently collaborating to provide education in the community around spiritual care and the challenges of care in rural Montana, McGinty and Yeoman Melro said.
An alleyway through a popular part of downtown Missoula will soon be much more visually interesting thanks to a local nonprofit and the artist theyve hired.

A new public art installation, featuring imagery of Montana, is being painted onto the back of the Confluence Center building at 119 W. Main St.

The building serves as the headquarters for the nonprofit Headwaters Foundation, which hired Montana artist Rilie Tane Zumbrennan to work on the mural during First Friday on July 7.

Early in the day, she was operating a boom lift to paint on the background colors and flowers, and shell be in town for several more days to complete the project.

We wanted to choose an artist with a strong connection to our state, said Ruth Crystal, facilities and administrative manager for Headwaters Foundation. We are confident that the mural Rilie creates will make this an event better place for our neighbors to come together.

Brenda Solorzano, the CEO of Headwaters, said the nonprofit would like to make the alley between Front and Main into more of a community asset than it is now.

Were working with the city right now, and the Missoula Downtown Association, to see if we can actually put in some planters, put in other kinds of decorations, she said. Eventually wed like to have lighting in the alleyway and figure out if theres some way, after business hours, to shut down the alleyway so that it becomes a walkway, and a destination where people can kind of hang out.

They installed electricity in their back patio so if someone wants to hold an event with food trucks and a stage for live music, its possible.

Headwaters remodeled its building as kind of a hub for nonprofits that dont have enough of a dedicated space of their own. The building is now a user-friendly, multipurpose meeting space specifically catered to nonprofits. Since its opening, more than 50 events have been held at the Confluence Center. Local nonprofits like All Nations Health Center, Zero to Five, the Poverello Center and United Way have hosted networking events and gatherings. The space also served as the headquarters for the Western Montana Community Center volunteers during Missoula Pride.

The Headwaters Foundation has also hosted monthly First Friday art shows, and the mural installation is part of its ongoing effort to create welcoming gatherings.

We are happy that so many nonprofits have already been able to use Confluence Center, and we are excited to expand the space into the outdoors, Solorzano said. The new mural will beautify the patio and alleyway with an ode to Montana that symbolizes our commitment to supporting kids and families in our region.

Tane Zumbrennans plan for the huge mural is a family of bears in a mountainous landscape. Based in Billings, Tane Zumbrennan was born and raised in Montana and is known for her buffalo mural on Billings Grand Building. The Missoula mural is expected to be complete by July 17.

There is plenty of other public art in the works in Missoula. Local artist Tanya Lee Yarrow is painting a 700-square-foot mural on the Grizzly Hackle building at the Ryman Street entrance into Caras Park.

There are also plans for the city to solicit artist pitches to paint a giant wall that surrounds the NorthWestern Energy substation facility in the eastern portion of the Caras Park parking lot.
Hospitals across the country are stretched beyond capacity caring for more patients with mental illness than ever before. The ongoing closure of crisis services has left many people without access to therapeutic support, making emergency departments (ED) their first point of contact during a mental health crisis.

EDs are designed to treat physical traumas and are ill-equipped to provide regular care for people with mental illnesses. The resulting overflow of patients creates a potentially dangerous environment for both patients and staff.

Intermediate services like group homes, crisis beds and stabilization units can provide a therapeutic place for a patient to stabilize while under observation. Psychiatric services like these have come and gone over the years, but recently the closure of beds has escalated as the health care industry goes through its largest financial upheaval in modern history.

Montana, like many rural states, has long lacked a robust mental health system.

In Montana theres outpatient care or inpatient care. Theres little in-between, said Dr. Lisa Ponfick, president of the Montana Psychiatric Association and a practicing psychiatrist at Shodair Childrens Hospital in Helena.

With nowhere else to go, severely mentally ill people are dropped into understaffed emergency departments where its difficult to access psychiatric care or have adequate supervision. Long wait times under fluorescent lights and a cacophony of sounds can exacerbate symptoms, putting patient and employee safety at risk. Last year, for example, a woman seeking treatment for suicidal ideation fired a gun inside Billings Clinics ED while she waited for treatment. Police officers on the scene eventually responded with gunfire.

Despite the risks, the practice of holding mentally ill patients in the ED is so common it has a name  ED boarding.

Prolonged boarding of psychiatric patients in the ED often results in poor outcomes and goes against best practices established by the American Psychiatric Association.

APA representatives, however, are empathetic, acknowledging that right now there is no other choice for those who could be a danger to themselves or others.

We constantly run a waitlist thats greater than the number of beds we have, Ponfick said. And it puts a strain on the medical system when theyre put in a medical bed.

Recently, the strain has been so great that Ponfick has noticed that before a patient is admitted to the hospital, the severity of the mental illness must be extremely high  much higher than before.

She recently had one young patient go to the ED tell staff he planned to follow through with suicide as soon as he figured out how. He was discharged just a few hours later.

Ponfick said staff considered him low risk because he hadnt yet formulated a detailed plan, which is a high-risk indicator of suicide.

Services dwindle

Its estimated that the country is short up to 30,000 psychiatrists  medical doctors who can prescribe medications for mental illness management. The shortage is the result of underfunding, according to industry experts. Medicaid reimbursement, set by state governments, has failed to pay at a rate that covers the cost of delivering care. Private insurers are also guilty of short-changing providers.

The battle with reimbursement keeps provider wages low compared to other specialties, and it makes it difficult to keep community services up and running.

The challenges are compounded in Montana where geographical expanse keeps frontier communities fairly isolated, and where a long history of mental health provider shortages contributes to the states high suicide rate.

Its not that Montana cant recruit psychiatrists  Ponfick pointed to a handful of new providers around the state  but the significant staffing challenges at Billings Clinic have created a vacuum in the eastern part of Montana.

Due to limited staffing, the Psychiatric Stabilization Unit (PSU) at Billings Clinic was closed in December 2022, causing a significant reduction to the services offered at the regional hospital. Clinic leadership did not publicly acknowledge the closure until prompted to do so by the news media last month.

For four years prior to the closure, the PSU served as the only short-term, therapeutic treatment option for those in crisis. St. Vincent Healthcare does not provide any emergency psychiatric services, meaning all mentally ill patients in crisis are directed to the Billings Clinic ED.

When the PSU was operating, patients were held for up to 24 hours in a therapeutic environment where they regained some equilibrium and were connected to community services without being hospitalized. This created a relief valve for local hospitals and the community by keeping inpatient beds open and helping to manage mental illness in Eastern Montana.

However, its not uncommon for psychiatric services to be the first to go in times of financial hardship, said Dr. Robert Trestman, chair of the American Psychiatric Association's council on health care systems and financing.

If theres one area hospitals cannot make money, its in psychiatric services, Trestman said.

Behavioral health hospitals are closing around the country, with at least two closures occurring in Washington State in just the last two months.

Without these services, emergency department workers become responsible for stabilizing patients.

Staffing shortages

Over the last five years, the number of patients seeking behavioral health or psychiatric services at Billings Clinic has increased 20%, according to Zach Benoit, community relations manager at the Clinic. Annually, the hospital averages about 22,700 patient encounters across all mental health services.

These patients arrive in various levels of distress, and depending on the acuity of the patient's condition, it's required that at least one staff member stay with the patient for the entirety of their ED visit.

Patients may be placed on one-to-one staffing if theyre engaging in self-harm or have attempted suicide during hospitalization, according to Billings Clinic policy and procedure guidelines. Those who arrive under the influence of drugs or alcohol often have to wait until they sober up before meeting with a psychiatrist.

But staffing shortages at Billings Clinic have prevented employees from maintaining the one-to-one standard, according to one Billings Clinic worker who asked to remain unnamed.

We dont have the ability to pull a staff member away, especially when were short-handed," the employee said. "We are too vastly under-staffed to operate and take care of (the increase in psych patients) safely and appropriately.

At one point this year, 17 psychiatric patients were being held in Billings Clinics ED despite only having a six-room pod designated for this patient population, the employee said.

There were people just in the hall and everywhere during that time  There were multiple patients with homicidal ideation coming out in front of the nurses station and plotting how they were going to harm staff, the employee said in a May interview. Its getting to the point that were consistently holding 10-plus psych patients in the ER.

Last October, a patient seeking care for suicidal ideation snuck a gun into the ED, where she fired the weapon once, injuring herself. When police arrived, she allegedly ignored commands to put down the gun and was shot by police officers.

The patient survived, but the incident is indicative of the dangers that can arise while holding patients in the ED.

The Clinic utilizes an open floor plan for psych patients being held in the ED as a therapeutic tool that allows them to maintain some autonomy. But without adequate staffing a dangerous situation can escalate quickly.

Where that gets very frightening is if something happens with the patient where I have to disengage from however many Im watching, I am still culpable if one of those other patients chooses that moment to do something, the Billings Clinic employee said.

The Clinic uses a mix of in-house psychiatrists and telehealth providers to treat mental illness in the ED. Through a contract with a company called AmWell, patient evaluations can be performed remotely by a psychiatrist anywhere in the country.

While having the additional resource is helpful, it can take hours before a request for a consultation is even acknowledged, according to the Clinic employee. Since EDs arent staffed with emergency psychiatric services on hand, even the in-house psychiatrists sometimes take hours to respond.

When asked about wait times at Billings Clinic for psychiatric care, Benoit said that the majority of patients receive a comprehensive psychiatric assessment within one to two hours of the assessment being ordered.

From there, it takes three to four hours to transfer the patient to an inpatient bed or external resources, but these wait times vary depending on inpatient bed availability or whether the patient is stable enough to be discharged.

When asked if hospital leadership was aware of their employees concerns regarding staff-to-patient ratios and what was being done to address the issues, Benoit responded with a description of the hospitals staffing guidelines. He added that adjustments are made during each shift to ensure patients receive the care they need.

Staff and patient safety are a fundamental duty of any health care organization and it is a continuous focus at Billings Clinic, as evidenced by our recent Leapfrog A' safety rating and CMS 5-star Overall Hospital Quality Star rating. Everyone at Billings Clinic is empowered to raise concerns and work together to find solutions, Benoit said in a statement.

Seeking certification

Hospital leadership has not given up on its goal of becoming a level I trauma center, despite recent layoffs and employee pay cuts.

A few key elements distinguish a level II center, which Billings Clinic operates as now, as opposed to a level I center.

Level I centers conduct research and have certain specialists in-house at all times. They also must see a minimum of 240 severe trauma admissions per year in order to maintain the level I designation.

St. Vincent Healthcare is also reaching for the level I designation and will also need to meet the yearly minimum trauma admissions.

With all the changes happening at Billings Clinic, some employees say the ambitions of hospital administration seem to be more important than employee safety and satisfaction.

A lot of the issues I feel are stemming from the fact that they are so hyper-focused on becoming a level 1 trauma center, said one Clinic employee.

The employee recalled a moment during the height of a COVID-19 surge when hospital leadership boasted that a patient was being transferred from Tennessee to Billings Clinic for care. Dozens of other overflowing hospitals had turned down the transfer because they were operating far beyond capacity.

Because we were told by administration, we cannot say no to any transfers, we accepted that patient from Tennessee  We were being forced to say yes when we were drowning, the Clinic employee said.

When sick patients lined the halls at the hospitals, the community learned more about the practice of "ambulance divert"  a temporary status that signals to emergency responders that the EDs resources are strapped and that the incoming patient needs to go to the other hospital.

Since then, the Clinic employee said hospital administration has barred the ED from going on divert, seemingly in an effort to maintain the patient volumes needed for level 1 trauma designation.

So we could be absolutely destroyed in the ER  all the psych patients, all the holds, and were still taking patients from the Billings area and beyond, the Clinic employee said.

When The Billings Gazette asked hospital leadership to comment on this claim, Benoit sent the following statement:

Ambulance divert, a temporary status in which a hospital directs the local ambulance services to divert ambulances to an alternative hospital, is a last-resort measure that follows set criteria to activate when the hospital lacks capacity or capability to care for new patients. While hospitals across Montana face similar staffing challenges and rising patient numbers, as a non-profit rural referral center providing a range of complex care, Billings Clinic is committed to accepting patients when capacity and capability exists to care for them. As a result, we work extremely hard to avoid going on divert. If we have the capability, capacity and services available to care for the people who need us, we will find a way to do so, because they might not be able to get it otherwise.

Benoit did not respond to several follow-up questions from The Gazette, which included questions about the number of times Billings Clinic went on ambulance divert in the last year, details about the conditions of divert and where psychiatric patients are sent if the Clinic were to go on divert.

'Worst time in history'

Staffing in EDs has always been complicated, according to Trestman, with the American Psychiatric Association.

Usually, when a patient shows up on the ED's doorstep, workers dont have the option to turn them away. And when its time to transfer patients elsewhere in the hospital, the receiving department might not have the bed space or resources available right away.

Department leadership has to predict patient volumes at all times of the day and then try to schedule accordingly. Its common for the ED to operate short-handed.

Focusing on the staff-to-patient ratios is almost irrelevant anymore, Trestman said, especially with the current staffing challenges in health care.

"This is the worst time for hospitals in our history," Trestman said.

Without a significant investment from the government, it will be impossible to build up the therapeutic community services that bridge the gap between a weekly therapist visit and hospitalization, Trestman said.

Were living the consequences of poor funding," he said. "Montanas situation is being mirrored in the rest of the U.S.

Trestman urges hospitals to engage in collaborative care by partnering with primary care providers to expand mental health treatment.

School screenings also help children keep severe mental illness at bay, he said, and leveraging telehealth for psychiatric visits expands access to the rural parts of the state.

Trestman is encouraged by the increased attention and discussion given to mental health in recent years. As a result, more treatments and technologies are being developed to support people in their darkest hours.

Thats really exciting, Trestman said. Thats a really good thing.
The Western Piedmont Foundation hosted a Building Futures, Building Careers event on Tuesday, June 27.

The event was an exclusive donor preview of the new Regional Skilled Trades Solution Center, which is set to open Fall 2023 on Western Piedmont Community Colleges main campus in Morganton.

The Western Piedmont Foundation is the nonprofit arm of the college and has existed for 56 years to support the colleges students and critical institutional needs such as the Regional Skilled Trades Solution Center.

The event provided foundation contributors an opportunity to see firsthand how WPCC is working to strengthen the skilled trades worker pipeline throughout western North Carolina through affordable and accessible training.

We wanted to provide some of our most generous and longstanding supporters with an initial tour of our incredible Skilled Trades Solution Center. This event was an opportunity to demonstrate how our college is continually working to support both Burke County citizens and our regional industry partners, Western Piedmont Foundation Executive Director Lisa Miller said.

The Golden LEAF Foundation, North Carolina Connect Bonds, Burke County government, the Cannon Foundation, Wall Lumber Company and Mark Buff were recognized as organizational funders and private donors.

WPCC is proud to support the skilled trades in our community and demonstrate our commitment to meeting needs for high skilled jobs in the construction trade industry, WPCC President Joel Welch said. We are even more proud to be in a community that has demonstrated its support for construction trades through the financial support of our new Regional Construction Trades Solution Center.

The Western Piedmont Foundation also presented Linda Wall, Western Piedmont Foundation board member, with the inaugural Western Piedmont Legacy Award in recognition of 38 years of service to both the college and the foundation.
The water on Flathead Lake has declined so much, its at the lowest recorded level in 23 years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Business owners are calling for dam operators to help.

Shaun Padina said he has lost at least a couple of boat rental bookings because people who wanted to motor up to a dock for a meal at restaurants on the lake cant necessarily do so.

Were a boat rental business, and I can see it affecting a lot of other businesses, Padina said.

Politicians are agitating.

In a letter Thursday, Gov. Greg Gianforte asked the U.S. Department of the Interior to help identify a solution and requested it provide information to his office by July 11.

These low water levels present a significant threat to the economic vitality of the region, wrote Gianforte, a Republican, in the letter to Deputy Secretary Tommy Beaudreau.

He requested the Department consult with the Bureau of Reclamation and other agencies about releasing water from Hungry Horse Dam north of Flathead Lake to help mitigate the impacts on the Flathead Valley economy.

In a phone call and letter, Flathead County Commissioner Randy Brodehl also said hed like the Bureau of Reclamation to increase the amount of water flowing from Hungry Horse Dam into Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

Anglers, boaters and other tourists support more than $600 million in spending in the county, according to a 2016 University of Montana study, but Brodehl said time is running short to fill the lake this season.

Any relief will be welcome and will make a meaningful difference to the people of Flathead County, Brodehl said in a June 30 letter to the Bureau of Reclamation, which manages Hungry Horse Dam.

Over the phone, Brodehl said commissioners would like to see 60 days of water levels within one foot of full pool. However, he said this week, the lake level dropped and its pushing nearly 19 inches below that limit.

The wiggle room got lost last week, Brodehl said.

The lower water levels arent affecting the ecology of the lake just yet, according to the Flathead Lake Biological Station of UM.

The U.S. Coast Guard could not be reached via voicemail Wednesday about navigation or safety concerns.

However, the record low lake level this year is part of a pattern of anomalies in runoff and water supply that is hardly new, according to Energy Keepers, Inc., which manages the Salish Kootenai Dam in Polson, on the south end of the lake.

This is the first year that its gotten to the point where its become noticeable, I think, on a grand scale, said Energy Keepers CEO Brian Lipscomb.

And he said it wont be the last given volatility in climate. Dock owners who rely on high water will need to think about things differently, he said, and water operators such as his company are doing the same.

Most reservoirs in the Columbia Basin are well below full pool, he said, some by several feet. He said Hungry Horse, for example, is more than six feet below full pool.

So holding Flathead Lake artificially high through the recreation season is just not our future. Its going to be different, Lipscomb said.

Flathead Lake water levels fluctuate anyway, typically roughly eight feet in any given year, said Cheryl Miller, hydrologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, Wyoming-Montana Water Science Center.

However, this year, its about a half a foot lower than it would normally be around this time, and thats a lot of water for such a large lake. Plus, the drop has been quick.

We are already lower than it typically stabilizes out at during the summer, Miller said.

This year, she said the highest water levels occurred during early June. A chart of historic water levels shows this years line declining since the middle of June, whereas the median line holds steady.

Lipscomb said the Energy Keepers must meet certain licensing requirements for the lake and the reservoir, including to hit 10 feet below full pool on the lake by April 15 to be able to catch spring runoff and help with flood control.

This year, however, the water year, which starts in October, was dry, he said. The Flathead basin as a whole was at 90%, but the northern half was dry, so the Energy Keepers started catching water six weeks early, he said.

But he said the runoff, which usually starts in May and goes through July, all came in May.

It took place so quickly, he said the Energy Keepers sought and received relief from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding flood control requirements. The relief allowed Energy Keepers to fill the lake more than two feet above the May 15 requirement  and to reach full pool three days earlier than the June 15 requirement, he said.

But their license requires minimum flows, he said  12,700 cubic feet per second in June, for instance  so the Energy Keepers cant turn the dial at will to try to keep Flathead Lake more full and remain in compliance with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The early drop in Flathead Lake compared to median levels is eliciting phone calls to elected leaders from dock owners and business people.

Brodehl said Republican Congressman Ryan Zinke is leading the charge in advocating for the Bureau of Reclamation to allow more water out of Hungry Horse Dam, and Zinke and U.S. Sen. Steve Daines, also a Republican, are pushing to make it happen.

Thursday, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, also sent a letter expressing concerns to the Bureau of Reclamation, according to a post on Twitter by the Flathead Beacon.

MT Sen. Jon Tester is the latest elected official to reach out to the Bureau of Reclamation about Flathead Lake's water level. The BOR is awaiting a recommendation from the Technical Management Team, an inter-agency group responsible for the Columbia River Basin dams #mtnews pic.twitter.com/AC8fMlvFtK  Micah Drew (@micahddrew) July 6, 2023

A Bureau of Reclamation spokesperson said the agency has received requests from Zinke and Daines, but it operates Hungry Horse Dam within the constraints outlined in biological requirements established in 2020.

To change those operations, the State of Montana needs to submit a request to a Technical Management Team made up of stakeholders with biological interests in the Columbia River System, said spokesperson Michael Coffey: Currently, Reclamation is unaware of any such requests.

In his letter to the Department of the Interior on Thursday, Gianforte said Deputy Secretary Beaudreau had discussed with him last week Hungry Horse water releases as a potential solution. He said tribes, federal agencies, and other entities would be affected, and the governor recommended widespread consensus and fast action.

In particular, I request that the Bureau of Reclamation provide an analysis to the State of Montana regarding how much water could be available from the Hungry Horse Project, what impact that water will have on water levels in Flathead Lake, and the projected timelines associated with possible releases, Gianforte said in the letter.

Meanwhile, Padina, who owns the boat rental business, said the low water means damage to his boats. He said most of the docks his clients would be using are stationary ones and not floating.

Padina also said he believes the solution is to take away control of the Salish and Kootenai Dam from the Energy Keepers of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

The issue has seemed to boil over this year, but its not surprising to plenty of observers.

It also comes on the heels of an historic trial in Montana that drew international attention; 16 youth sued the state alleging it needs to address greenhouse gas emissions in order to protect their future, including their interests in recreation.

During the trial of Held vs. Montana, climatologists testified the state has warmed 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit since 1950, the trend will accelerate, and extreme events will take place more frequently and in greater magnitude.

Lipscomb said climate has been part of the everyday conversation at the Energy Keepers since the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes acquired the dam in 2015.

The climatologists are predicting volatility, and the Energy Keepers are witnessing it; Lipscomb said they experienced one of the driest years on record when the tribes first took over, and then shortly after, one of the wettest years.

Youre going to see more of what youre seeing now, Lipscomb said. Its certainly not going to be every year. But its going to be more (frequent).

In a phone call, Kate Sheridan, executive director of the Flathead Lakers, said its important for all the players to come to the table in order to plan ahead, and it wont be easy because their charge is to expect the unexpected and deal with the new norm.

The Flathead Lakers group has a mission to protect clean water, healthy ecosystems and a lasting quality of life in the Flathead watershed.

That new norm includes changing weather patterns and varying amounts of precipitation in the future, she said. Sheridan said the ecological health of the lake is deeply intertwined with the economic health of the region, and wildlife can adapt to short term changes, but people need to plan together for the long term.

We are going to see greater ranges, and were going to see seasons and weather that we havent seen before. So how can we be resilient in the face of that?
As part of the reform agenda within the security industry, the government has developed a standardized training program specifically for private security companies.

The program marks a significant step forward in establishing well-defined industry standards and an acknowledged code of ethics for security guards. The aim is to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively navigate the ever-changing security landscape.

Principal Secretary for Internal Security Dr. Raymond Omollo has described the curriculum as a product of a highly consultative process among key stakeholders, with a focus on elevating the professionalism and competency of private security guards in the country.

At the heart of these security reforms is providing them with the right training so that they can detect, deter and effectively respond to the current and emerging security threats appropriately, he said, adding that the comprehensive training will also foster public trust in the capabilities of the personnel.

The industry currently employs over 900,000 people and records an annual revenue of Ksh 100 billion, which Dr. Omollo noted highlights how critical a driver the sector is for the economy in terms of job creation and contribution to Kenyas GDP growth.

The PS also announced that the government intends to equip private security guards with the requisite tools of trade even as they complement the countrys national security agencies.

These guards are part of the first line of emergency response. Their quick action makes a significant difference in the outcome of critical situationsThat is why we are very passionate about re-engineering and streamlining the industrys operations to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

The PS was speaking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, during the opening of Miale Training Institute, the first Private Security training school for private security guards, where he relayed the governments commitment to deepening its collaboration with the Private Security Industry in law enforcement and management of crime.

The programme also includes digitalization and automation of services and issuance of Security Force Numbers to private security guards upon completion of Private Security Regulations Authority (PSRA) accredited training from recognized institutions.

As a responsible government, we also recognize that private security guards can be cogent partners for maintenance of law and order and even the collection and preservation of evidence from crime scenes, he said.

The Director for Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) Fazul Mohammed announced that the government has also organized a three-day training for all the directors of the private security firms in the country in an effort to harmonize and align the operations of the industry with the countrys national security priorities.
Kenya has committed to abolish the requirement of visas for all persons holding valid travel documents issued by the Union of the Comoros into Kenya, before the end of 2023, Kenyan President William Ruto said Thursday while in Comoros for the countrys 48th Independence Day celebration.

Ruto said that the two countries shared a strong historical, cultural, and trade bond.

Hence, he stated, the two countries have fostered robust diplomatic relations and promoted mutual understanding and cooperation in various fields.

We must take this commitment to freedom further, and encourage the free movement of people between our countries. On that note, I give you a commitment that Kenya shall abolish the requirement of visas for all persons holding valid travel documents issued by the Union of the Comoros into Kenya before the end of 2023, said Ruto.

Ruto highlighted that Kenya was eager to explore partnership opportunities to enhance collaboration in education, healthcare, agriculture, and security, with the aim of uplifting the lives of citizens and building a better shared future.

To further strengthen our ties in the Education sector, we are working closely to allow students from Comoros to pursue higher education in Kenya and pay the same amount of fees as local students, he said.

President Ruto acknowledged the challenges both countries have faced on their paths to self-reliance but emphasized their perseverance and unity.

The president says the struggle for liberty is a responsibility passed down to present and future generations, and Kenya stands as a proactive collaborator with Comoros in various endeavours, including facilitating people-to-people exchanges, promoting investment, and sharing experiences in sustainable tourism practices.

It is in these common challenges that we must hold hands and lead our people in finding amicable and lasting solutions. More than ever, we must embrace African solutions to African problems, he added.
A case seeking to exclude President William Rutos advisors from Cabinet meetings has been adjourned to September.

This is after the High Court issued a directive to Attorney-General Justin Muturi, requiring him to file his response to the case within two weeks.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi instructed lawyer Charles Magane, who filed the Strangers in Cabinet case, to serve the necessary documents to the Attorney-General in preparation for the cases hearing.

The Judge scheduled the matter for mention on September 20, during which further directions will be given.

The unwanted strangers in the cabinet include UDA Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, David Ndii (Economy), Monica Juma (National Security) and Harriette Chiggai (Womens Rights).

The petitioner, Charles Magane, argues that the four are not members of the Cabinet and that their inclusion in meetings is illegal.

The Cabinet holds weekly meetings and there is real danger that the respondents will continue attending the said meetings if this court does not intervene, the lawyer argues.

Magane says the inclusion of the four was done in total disregard of the substantive and procedural and constitutional requirements applicable.

He has also listed Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau as a respondent in the petition.
It was all fun and games when photos were shared online showing police arresting a man in a Spiderman costume in Nanyuki.

A Twitter account @InsecurityKE, had posted four photos showing the arrest of the man now famously known as Nanyuki Spider-Man. The photos went viral as amused netizens made jokes and wondered why police had bundled the man into the back of their vehicle.



Well, as it turns out, the arrest is not a laughing matter after it emerged that the man suffers from mental illness.

This is according to Citizen Digital which reports that Nanyuki police said they did not arrest the man but were on a wellness check.

A source at APS who did not wish to be identified said the man is mentally unstable and had been reported missing by his family who sought the help of the police to find him, the publication reports.

Reportedly, after officers found the man, they contacted his family who rushed to Nanyuki prison with hospital documents to show that he is mentally ill and took him home.
Babu Owino otherwise known as Paul Ongili has petitioned the court seeking an acquittal from the charges of misuse of a firearm that he is currently facing.

Through his lawyer Duncan Okatch, Babu told Milimani senior principal magistrate Bernard Ochoi that he should be acquitted under section 215 of the CPC. He says the State lacks evidence and has failed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt.

Throughout the case, none of the witnesses did actually testify to the fact that the accused person was disorderly as none of the witnesses actually saw the accused person behaving in the alleged disorderly manner, Okatch argues.

In his submissions, Babu Owino asserted that the prosecutions reliance on CCTV evidence was insufficient, as none of the witnesses supported the alleged disorderly conduct charges.

Babu Owino also argues that the allegations of him being intoxicated on the day DJ Evolve was shot lack substantiation from a toxicology report and are mere accusations.

Your Honour, we submit that the allegation that the accused person shot the firearm with intent to kill is not backed up by any evidence as even the victim did testify for the defence where he informed this court, that the accused person and himself had been friends over the years and as such he had no motive to shoot him, he submitted.

RELATED  DJ Evolve Tells Court He Didnt See Babu Owino With A Gun

The former University of Nairobi student leader asserts that the burden lies with the prosecution to provide concrete evidence demonstrating that he was drunk, leading to his alleged disorderly behavior.

Additionally, Babu Owino wants the court to reprimand the prosecution for wasting precious judicial time on a case that in all fairness, ought not to have been instituted.

We most humbly submit that the prosecution has failed to establish that the accused person is guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. Differently put, the prosecution case is akin to the type civil litigants describe as scandalous, frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the court process, Owino submits.

According to Babu Owino, the case must have been instituted in bad faith or incompetence, or both.

The prosecution is very much aware that identity theft is one of the greatest challenges that has come with the world going digital and as such instead of condemning an innocent man the prosecutor should divert its energy to ensure that the actual perpetrator is caught, Babu added.
Two blocks of American Canyon Road will shut down next week during daytime hours for a water system expansion, the city of American Canyon has announced.

Download Napa Valley Register news app today! Your story lives in the Napa Valley. Get in-depth stories from the Napa region and beyond  including news, sports, features and politics.

The closures will be in effect from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday, July 10, to Friday, July 14, city officials said in an email Thursday. Workers will be expanding a recycled water distribution system during the closure.

The shutdown will affect American Canyon Road from James Road to Highway 29 (near the Safeway shopping center), and from Silver Oak Trail to Highway 29 (near The Village at Vintage Ranch). A sidewalk also will be off-limits just past the Canyon Corners shopping center heading toward the highway.

Highway 29 itself will remain open during the project, according to the city. Although traffic controls will be in place while work is in progress, drivers are asked to use alternate routes to avoid the area, and to plan for potential delays and traffic backups.

For more information, visit American Canyons construction update page at https://bit.ly/3CYE5lT.

Photos: Napa Valley Faces and Places, June 25, 2023
Hraparak daily of Armenia writes: The previous day, the President of Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], Arayik Harutyunyan, called a consultation and said that they are ready to dialogue with Baku, on one condition: if Russia assumes the role of a mediator. That is, they are rejecting the US mediation because they are pushing Artsakh solely for integration, whereas with the Russians there is still a chance to avoid it.

The RF [(Russian Federation)] part is missing from the official message [in that regard]. It is said: "In that context, I would like to emphasize that the Republic of Artsakh remains faithful to its constructive stance, and is ready to discuss through civilized dialogue and resolve all issues by peaceful means."

Arayik Harutyunyan emphasized [that] the security and humanitarian situation, which is worsening day by day in the face of growing Azerbaijani threats, poses serious challenges for the existence of the people of Artsakh.

Meanwhile, in the past they refused to negotiate, as "Baku is discussing [only] one topic with us: the topic of integration," Arayik Harutyunyan had said at the meeting with the MPs in the [Artsakh] parliament.

Considering Arayik Harutyunyan's letter written to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, it is not ruled out that the negotiations with Baku will be carried out through the mediation of the RF.
The titanic efforts in Azerbaijan to protect the rights of African countries affected by French neocolonialism have taken a break and returned to environmental issues.

In the West, the large-scale action, which turned into a complete blockade of the Lachin corridor and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan, was explained by "environmental reasons," which are very understandable.

This time, Azerbaijani environmentalists have written a several-page letter to the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, demanding the closure of a number of enterprises in the country.

The fact that these "environmentalists" do not simply use the Azerbaijani place names of Armenian settlements, but consciously distort the reality by noting other Armenian cities with Azerbaijani names also testifies to the political subtext of this phenomenon.

These Azerbaijani "environmentalists" claim that "mining in the Republic of Armenia violates environmental stability in the South Caucasus region," demand "to stop the mining works that are carried out in violation of international environmental norms and standards."

There are 12 Armenian enterprises on this list. Moreover, in addition to the Kajaran and Kapan combines, the factories in Kotayk, Sotk, and Akhtala also have disturbed the Azerbaijanis. Furthermore, there is a demand to stop the construction of the Yeraskh factory. Regarding the latter, the Azerbaijani military makes no small efforts by shooting at this factory still under construction practically on a daily basis, as a result of which two Indian citizens were wounded.

But the most such demands are made regarding the Amulsar mine. To note, the Armenian environmentalists also have "many" questions regarding Amulsar, but with only one difference that in Armenia they demand not to start the operation of the mine, whereas in Azerbaijan they present the negative consequences of the "fait accompli," clearly demonstrating that all other accusations are fabricated.

And while Azerbaijani authorities are busy with resolving the environmental issues of Armenia and Artsakh, they are arresting the villagers and activists demanding the closure of the harmful enterprise in Soyudlu village in Azerbaijan proper.